Hong Kong: Multilateral co-operation crucial

Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Christopher Hui

The two-day 17th Asian Financial Forum (AFF) concluded successfully on Thursday (January 25). AFF is Hong Kong's annual flagship event and a key event for the region's financial community. The forum this year, which returned to a fully physical format for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, gathered officials, representatives of multilateral organisations, and financial and business leaders from all over the world at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, kicking off the series of mega events in Hong Kong this year.

AFF is co-organised by the Financial Services & the Treasury Bureau and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC). Let me review the highlights and features of this year's forum.

Exploring Key Topics

The theme of this year's AFF, Multilateral Cooperation for a Shared Tomorrow, was chosen in response to the volatile and rapidly changing world, elevated geopolitical tensions, and high risks of economic decoupling. AFF provided a platform for participants to explore how to rekindle multilateral co-operation, guide the world towards sustainable development, and achieve a future of mutual benefits. The forum thus invited Prof Jeffrey D. Sachs, President of the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network, to share insights on how responsible capitalism can shape a new blueprint for sustainable development. Prof Douglas W. Diamond, the Nobel Laureate in Economic Sciences in 2022 and a professor of finance, also provided alerts about the trends of geopolitical tensions and global economic fragmentation. I also personally moderated two plenary sessions on multilateral co-operation, which was joined by finance ministers from various countries and management of multilateral institutions, to have effective exchanges on facilitating co-operation and promoting sustainable development.

AFF has always been known for its diverse and in-depth discussions. This years forum included high-level topics such as international financial co-operation and promoting economic resilience, as well as discussions on specific subjects such as renminbi internationalisation and opportunities in the Mainland. It encompassed subjects such as global economic outlook and investment trends, while also addressing hot topics like green and sustainable finance, and fintech. I am delighted that AFF attracted over 140 distinguished speakers who shared their insightful analysis and perspectives.

Facilitating Exchanges

In addition to discussing how to promote co-operation, the forum also provided a platform to promote substantive collaboration by allowing more than 3,600 participants from over 50 countries or regions to get to know each other, exchange ideas and seek opportunities for co-operation. Personally, I am very happy to have the opportunity to reunite with officials from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Middle East and Europe, with whom I have developed connections during my duty visits. This opportunity allowed me to engage with them on world, regional and bilateral issues as well as to share first-hand information about the current situation in Hong Kong.

In addition, two important documents were signed at AFF, including the Comprehensive Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement between the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government & the government of Croatia, and the memorandum of understanding between the Financial Services Development Council of Hong Kong & the Financial Sector Development Program of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, serving as new avenues for strengthening co-operation and enhancing connectivity.

Making Good Use of Hong Kongs Advantages

AFF effectively leveraged Hong Kongs characteristics as a super connector, bringing together businesses and capital from around the world and providing them with commercial and investment opportunities. In particular, AFF featured the InnoVenture Salon and FintechHK Startup Salon, where startups showcased their innovative ideas. Additionally, the AFF Deal-making arranged over 700 one-on-one meetings over two days, successfully connecting investors with projects owners.

At the same time, we and the HKTDC made good use of the opportunity - that participants from diverse sectors gathered for the forum - to tell the good story of Hong Kong and showcase Hong Kongs vibrant colours. This year, AFF arranged with multiple partnering organisations special experiential activities for participants, including free admission to the Hong Kong Palace Museum, tour of Hong Kong aboard an open-top sightseeing bus or Hong Kong's iconic red-sail junk boat, dining discounts, guided tours, etc to show them Hong Kongs culture and vibrancy. I also took up the role of a host and invited Dilma Rousseff, President of the New Development Bank, to a local cha chaan teng in Wan Chai to savour authentic Hong Kong cuisine.

National Support for Hong Kong

One of the highlights of this years AFF is that Minister of the National Financial Regulatory Administration (NFRA) Li Yunze came in person and delivered special remarks. Minister Li pointed out that the NFRA will continue to strengthen bilateral regulatory co-operation with Hong Kong, promote higher-level opening up to Hong Kong and Macau under the framework of the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement, and fully support Hong Kong to leverage its unique advantages under the one country, two systems principle, so as to continuously reinforce and enhance Hong Kong's status as an international financial centre. The initiatives include further deepening the connectivity between the financial markets in the Mainland, Hong Kong and Macau; enhancing the opening up of the Mainland's banking and insurance sectors to Hong Kong and Macau; supporting Hong Kong in consolidating its role as a global offshore renminbi business hub; and supporting Chinese financial institutions to anchor in serving the Hong Kong market.

Minister Lis presences clearly demonstrated the support of our country for Hong Kongs development, buttressing our efforts in consolidating Hong Kongs position as an international financial centre. We will continuously enhance the competitiveness of the financial services industry, while further deepening financial co-operation with the Mainland and actively integrating into the national development of the reforming and opening up of the financial market.

To Conclude

The longstanding success of AFF can be attributed to Hong Kongs unique advantage as a super connector and a super value-adder. As Minister Li said at the forum, as an international financial centre where East meets West and charm abounds, Hong Kong will definitely develop greater vitality and competitiveness, further contributing to prosperous development of the Asian regions. We will certainly make true Minister Lis kind words and encouragement, maximise utilisation of Hong Kongs advantages, actively integrate into the overall national development, and contribute to the development of the region and the world.

Regarding the successful organisation of AFF, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the co-organiser, HKTDC, for their professional performance, to the partnering organisations for their wholehearted support, and to friends from all over the world for their active participation. It is thanks to all of you that the forum has achieved such great success. I eagerly look forward to the arrival of the next edition of the forum.

Lastly, I would like to take this opportunity to extend my early Chinese New Year greetings to everyone. May this year bring prosperity in business, good health, and smooth sailing in all endeavours.

Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Christopher Hui wrote this article and posted it on his blog on January 29.

This story has been published on: 2024-01-29. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Beijing and Washington make detailed plans for official contacts, collaboration

08:10, January 29, 2024 By Zhang Yunbi ( Chinadaily.com.cn

Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) 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]

In the latest dialogue between senior officials of the two sides, Beijing has called on Washington to "support China's peaceful reunification", and the two sides made detailed plans and paved the way for official contacts and collaboration in areas including artificial intelligence and counternarcotics efforts.

Observers said the improving relations between the world's top two economies need to continue their momentum of warming, and many other countries have made it clear that they do not want tension regarding the Taiwan Strait, or to have to choose sides between the United States and China on a wide range of topics.

The latest dialogue occurred when 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, held talks with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on Friday and Saturday in Bangkok, Thailand.

"The two sides had candid, substantive and fruitful strategic communication on rolling out the consensus of the San Francisco meeting of the two heads of state and on the proper handling of important, sensitive issues in China-US relations," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement after the dialogue.

The two days of talks are part of the recent increase in high-level contacts between Beijing and Washington.

The White House said "the two sides held candid, substantive and constructive discussions on global and regional issues" in a statement released on Saturday.

So far, Wang and Sullivan have held four rounds of one-on-one talks over the course of the past nine months: in Vienna, Austria, in May; in Malta in September; in Washington in October; and in Bangkok.

During the Bangkok talks, Wang defined "Taiwan independence" as "the biggest risk to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait" and "the biggest challenge to China-US relations".

He emphasized that the recent elections in the Taiwan region "cannot change the basic fact that Taiwan is a part of China".

Washington should abide by the one-China principle and the three landmark China-US joint communiques, put into action its commitment to not supporting "Taiwan independence", and support China's peaceful reunification, he said.

Calling "Taiwan independence" the biggest challenge to the ties was a way of "urging Washington to keep a clear eye and a cool head", said Su Xiaohui, deputy director of the Department of American Studies at the China Institute of International Studies.

"The US recently continued sending ships to the Taiwan Strait and has also advanced arm sales to the island. Apparently, it has not given up its approach of playing 'the Taiwan card'," she said.

In Bangkok, China made its position clear by warning the US not to further test its bottom line, she said. "This not only matters to China's national interests, but also to the stability of the relations."

Prior to the Bangkok talks, Thai Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Kanchana Patarachok said Thailand was confident that the dialogue between China and US would contribute to peace and security in the region and on the global stage.

After the talks, France 24 television commented that the China-US relations "have somewhat stabilized" following the San Francisco summit.

In Bangkok, the two sides confirmed that the two heads of state will "maintain regular contact and provide strategic navigation for the bilateral relations", the Foreign Ministry said.

In terms of future official cooperation, the two sides agreed to launch a China-US working group on counternarcotics cooperation in the near future, and to hold the first meeting of the China-US intergovernmental dialogue on artificial intelligence this spring.

Beijing and Washington agreed to advance bilateral contacts at all levels in various fields and to take steps to expand people-to-people exchanges.

The two sides agreed to make good use of the current strategic communication channels as well as the dialogue and consultation mechanisms in such areas as diplomacy, military, economy, finance, commerce and tackling climate change.

Also in Bangkok, both sides agreed to hold further discussions on the boundaries between national security and economic activities.

While all countries have national security concerns, such concerns must be legitimate and reasonable, and they should not be part of hype in political and security contexts or be used to contain and suppress the development of other countries, Wang said.

The two sides also discussed international and regional issues such as the Middle East, Ukraine, the Korean Peninsula and the South China Sea.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
TAMPA  For decades, most neighbors have embraced the peacocks of suburban Wellswood. They name the colorful birds, feed them and welcome them on their properties, where tree branches serve as beds.

Its part of the identity of the neighborhood nestled between Hillsborough Avenue, the Hillsborough River, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Armenia Avenue.

When I moved to Wellswood five years ago, one of the major selling points for me was the peacocks, Maria Perez-Soto said.

But in recent months, Wellswood residents say the peacock population has dwindled substantially, possibly cut in half. How many have disappeared is up for debate and theres no official tally. Residents think 20 to 50 birds are gone.

Its a really sad situation, Perez-Soto said.

Where are they going? No one knows for certain. Maybe they flew away in search of better meals. Maybe they have become meals for a natural predator. But residents also wonder if there is foul play.

Despite a city ordinance protecting birds from capture, a trapper took two of Wellswoods peacocks in December. That trapper says he has not been back since, but whoever hired him might not be done, according to another animal removal company.

Community birds

According to local legend, a doctor who lived in Wellswood moved and left behind his two pet peacocks. That pair grew the feral population to between 75 and 100 peafowl in recent years.

One of the residents said they were not there in 1973 when she moved in, said Tina Hurless, the Wellswood Civic Association vice president. So best guess is late 70s to early 80s for the expansion from the two brought in.

Since then, peacocks have become such a part of the community that theyre featured on murals on the civic associations building and crosswalk.

Theres one that my daughter calls Fred and he stands right in front of my front window and starts squawking, Perez-Soto said. And one of us will then go out and feed them.

On a typical day, 15-year Wellswood resident Eric Wrona hosts up to a dozen in his backyard. Even his dog, Ruby, is OK with the visitations, lounging on the grass as one named George searches for bugs around her.

Wrona estimates 30 peacocks that once roamed the neighborhood are gone.

I used to have 30 to 40 in my yard every day, said Francis Spivey, who has lived in the neighborhood for seven years. I had one that I named Patrick. He would come every single day and he would call at my window in the front of the house.

In August, Spivey said, she noticed the number of visitors declining. I only have 10 that come to my house now and she thinks as many as 50 are missing from Wellswood.

Patrick is among those gone.

Trappers?

On Dec. 3, a neighbor texted Perez-Soto that someone was grabbing peacocks.

I immediately hauled butt across the street, she said.

She watched as trapper Lonnie Bohannon lured two with bread into dog kennels on his truck.

He had a contraption, almost like a fishing reel, Perez-Soto said.

Wellswood residents called the Tampa Police Department. According to the police report, Bohannon said a resident from Wellswood contacted him in reference to nuisance peacocks roaming the area. He wouldnt provide the residents name due to fear of retaliation on the resident.

Bohannon told the Tampa Bay Times that a peacock had damaged a car after mistaking their reflection for another peacock. Peacocks will fight themselves, he said. They had $3,800 in body work damage.

Residents believe they know who contracted the trapper but have no evidence.

Because of a 1989 city ordinance, all of Tampa is considered a bird sanctuary, making it illegal to hunt, kill, maim or trap any birds. The ordinance was written primarily to protect Ybors feral chickens at a time when some wanted to rid the Latin District of them. But city spokesperson Adam Smith said it also protects peacocks.

Bohannon told a Tampa police officer that he thought state law allowing the trapping of nuisance wildlife preempted local ordinance. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commissions website, local ordinance supersedes the state.

If removal of the peafowl is not feasible or legally allowed by local ordinance, there are several ways to help keep them from becoming an issue on your property or community, the website says, suggesting trimming limbs where the peacocks nest or spraying the birds with water.

Tampa police let Bohannon off with a warning  he had already sold the peacocks for $100 to someone who holds agricultural auctions.

Through Facebook messages to Wellswood residents that were shared with the Times, Bohannon wrote that he would return to trap more peacocks, leading some to tell the Times that he is responsible for the missing population.

Bohannon told the Times that he has not been in Wellswood since Dec. 3. and said he only threatened to return to troll residents he claims continue to harass him for doing a job.

But since that incident, Perez-Soto said. The number of peacocks that I had in my yard has completely dwindled from around 25 a day to two.

Since Dec. 3, none of the eight residents who spoke with the Times have seen Bohannon or anyone else trapping peacocks.

Another wildlife company says someone is still trying to hire them to remove the birds.

Weve been called multiple times for pricing for catching and removing the peacocks, with the most recent call coming in the first week of January, said Chris Wirt of AAAC Wildlife Removal of Tampa. He refused the job.

Coyotes?

Candy Sheree, a 25-year Wellswood resident, said its not uncommon for peacocks to be stolen from Wellswood. Ive seen people post on Facebook, every once in a while, that a car pulled up and snatched one.

Wrona has witnessed such kidnappings and seen peacocks occasionally struck and killed by cars. But neither has seen so many disappear in such a short span.

Bohannon suggested that there could be other reasons for the disappearances: coyotes. Or maybe the peacocks are leaving on their own in search of more food.

The two I caught were severely underweight, he said. There are too many for the resources that are there.

Peacocks eat fruits, vegetables, bugs and reptiles, said Deby Cassill, a biology professor at the University of South Florida. She said they eat cat food fed to them by people and that if they arent showing up at houses as frequently, they may have found a better food source somewhere else.

If coyotes are responsible for the population decline, residents would know, Cassill said. Peacocks have talons and beaks for defense. She said they are fighters and there would be piles of feathers, pools of blood and half-eaten carcasses.

While some said there are coyotes nearby, no one who spoke with the Times has seen proof of dozens of peacocks being eaten.

A tricky trapper coupled with an annoyed resident could rid Wellswood of the peacocks without anyone noticing, Wirt said, in large part because the birds have been taught to trust people.

A homeowner could attract the peacocks to their yard through regular feedings and then bait them into a cage in the evening after most neighbors are inside, Writ said. A trapper would come get them while everybodys asleep  a lot of these guys arent following regulations.

If a neighbor is doing that, Spivey has a message for them. Move, she said. We love our peacocks.
6 signs your in-laws are meddling in your relationship, even if you get along

Even if you get along with your in-laws or partner's parents, they can impact your partnership.

A therapist shared some signs that an in-law might have too much say in your relationship.

In-laws who openly gossip and make non-emergencies feel urgent can influence your marriage.

Whether you're thinking of marrying your partner or are in a long-term relationship, there's more to consider besides the relationship between you two: your relationship with their parents.

April Eldemire , a licensed marriage and family therapist practicing in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, told Business Insider that she's seen many couples start off loving their in-laws or partner's parents.

But then, over time, "things happen along the way and they start to have some differences or some disagreements or some struggles," she said. "You can really form a wonderful relationship, but then there can be some things they may do that seep into the relationship or cross a boundary that you weren't expecting."

Eldemire shared some of the subtle signs an in-law (or future in-law) is meddling in your relationship  even if you generally get along.

1. Your partner agrees with them before consulting with you

Eldemire said that a key marker to watch out for is how your partner makes decisions that involve you.

In a healthy relationship , "the partner goes to you first and has a conversation around the in-law's need or request," she said. For example, if their dad asks you to spend extra days with them on vacation, your partner will first go to you to ask if that's OK before giving an answer.

"You're forming your own family now and you become the priority," Eldemire said. It's not that your partner's parents aren't important, but they should understand that you make decisions as a team now "out of respect for this new relationship that you're trying to build."

2. Your partner drops everything for them in non-emergencies

Another big thing to look for is how your partner responds to their in-laws' calls and texts. If you're in the middle of spending the holidays with your parents and your mother-in-law calls because she feels lonely that day, your partner might drop everything to talk to her.

"There's sort of this guilt-ridden relationship between them," Eldemire said. If your in-law is a reactive parent who can't control their emotions, it can make it hard for your partner to set boundaries with them. Non-emergencies, like their parent feeling sad or anxious, can feel very urgent.

3. They make big milestones extra stressful

Big milestones like marriage, pregnancy, or buying a home together can be stressful on their own. But Eldemire said that overly critical parents can add to the chaos.

"They can really put a damper on these beautiful moments because they might be selfishly wanting having their own expectations around how this might go," she said.

They can have high demands for how the wedding should go, because they're paying for most of it, or have strong opinions about your birth plan  all of which can be made worse if your partner concedes to their wishes.

4. Your partner feels like their spouse, not their child

In some cases, your partner can be a parentified child , used to tending to the physical or emotional needs of their parent or parents. These in-laws "treat your partner like their spouse and not their child, asking them to do things that a partner or a spouse should do, rather than what a child should do," Eldemire said.

For instance, a parent may call your partner every time they want to vent about the other parent or a family member  something they should tell a friend, not their child.

As you start to take priority for your partner, an in-law can become jealous, Eldemire said. It can lead to them being charming to your face, but planting passive-aggressive comments and seeds of doubt in the relationship.

5. They gossip about other family members

As you get to know your in-laws more, one or both might be comfortable sharing all the details of their family dynamics with you, Eldemire said. You might hear negative things about their daughter-in-law or gossip about an incoming divorce.

While the intent may be to include you in the family, badmouthing other family members "does break down trust," Eldemire said. "You internally store a message in your mind that says 'let me not say too much.'"

Fear of what your in-laws may say behind your back can make you hold back on discussing conflicts with your spouse  especially if the conflict involves their parents.

6. You don't feel fully secure around them

While plenty of in-laws can be cordial and welcoming, Eldemire said that time is really the test of true closeness.

In a healthy dynamic, "the further along you are in the family, it feels more natural, it feels more inclusive," Eldemire said. You can start to open up with them more and feel like they truly have both your and your partner's best interests at heart.

Eldemire said that "how warm and genuine a family is and how much they embrace you as your own person and self" are important factors in feeling safe and secure around them. But if you feel like you can't freely make some choices without incurring their wrath or disrespect, it's a sign that they have too much sway in your partnership.

Read the original article on Business Insider
A 63-year-old man from San Diego was found unresponsive and later died at Zion National Park in Utah on Friday, according to the National Park Service.

According to a news release from the agency, the park received a report of an unresponsive hiker on the West Rim Trail near Scout Outlook on Friday afternoon.

Park rangers hiked to the patient with medical equipment, including an automated external defibrillator (AED) and a heart monitor. When they reached the patient, visitors with emergency medical training were performing CPR and directing other visitors who were assisting, according to the news release.

After nearly an hour and a half administering CPR and treatment with the AED, the park "consulted with a doctor and the patient was pronounced dead."

"Based on information available at this time, the cause of death is consistent with a cardiac event," the park said in the news release.

All of us at Zion extend our deepest condolences to this hikers family, said park superintendent Jeff Bradybaugh. We also want to express thanks to the bystanders who assisted by performing CPR.

The West Rim Trail, which was temporarily closed for rescue operations, is now open.

The park said its response involved more than 20 search and rescue team members, including emergency medical technicians and paramedics, and the park ambulance.

The Washington County Sheriff's Office, Utah Office of the Medical Examiner, and the National Park Service are still investigating the cause of the man's death.

Travel nightmare: Woman trapped 15 hours overnight in gondola at Lake Tahoe's Heavenly Ski Resort

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hiker dies at Zion National Park in Utah
An 11-year-old girl was chased by a stranger trying to kidnap her as she walked to school in Arizona, a video shows.

Police responded at 8:52 a.m. Friday, Jan. 26, to Sunset Elementary School, the Glendale Police Department said in a probable cause statement.

The girl told authorities she saw a man sitting in a stairwell at her apartment complex as she was leaving for school that morning, police said in the report.

The girl said she noticed the man give her an odd look, and it made her feel uncomfortable, according to police. She decided to run from the apartment complex.

She continued walking to school, until she saw the same man driving a Chevrolet sedan, police said. He made a U-turn and parked next to the sidewalk where she was walking, the video shows.

37-year-old tries to grab girl

The man got out of the car and chased after her, the video shows. He was wearing glasses, a dark hoodie, light blue sweatpants and Converse, police said.

Police said he stretched his arms out in front of him as if he was trying to grab her. She ran screaming to her friends and he turned around and got back into his car, police said.

The girl reported the incident to her school, and police said they began looking for the man. Authorities obtained a copy of video surveillance from someone living in the area, authorities said in the report.

A vehicle that matched the description was spotted nearby, police said, and they saw a man wearing light blue sweatpants walking toward an apartment complex.

Authorities stopped the 37-year-old, and he was arrested on a suspected charge of attempted kidnapping.

Police said he lives in the same apartment as the girl.

Glendale is about 10 miles northwest of downtown Phoenix.

Man kidnaps 18-month-old and flees across state lines before hes shot dead, cops say

Sisters kidnapped from foster home found safe in Louisiana, Florida cops say. Mom charged

Kidnapped children jump from stolen car, flag down passerby to call 911, Oregon cops say
A Russian man sneaked onto a U.S.-bound plane without a passport or ticket  and kept receiving free meals from the flight crew by brazenly switching seats, federal prosecutors said.

The accused 46-year-old stowaway was arrested after the Scandinavian Airlines flight from Denmark landed in Los Angeles on Nov. 4, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Central District of California.

He had no passport or visa to show U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the LAX immigration checkpoint that day, prosecutors said. Hes accused of giving the officers false and misleading information and lying about leaving his passport on the plane.

The man told FBI agents in an interview on Nov. 5 that he hadnt slept for three days and did not remember how he got on the plane, according to an affidavit filed with a criminal complaint.

Now, a jury has found the man, who has Russian and Israeli passports, guilty of one count of being a stowaway on an aircraft, the attorneys office announced in a Jan. 26 news release.

McClatchy News contacted his court-appointed federal public defenders on Jan. 29 and didnt receive an immediate response.

How did he board the plane?

The man slipped past security and boarded the flight to Los Angeles at the Copenhagen Airport on Nov. 3, according to prosecutors.

He tailgated a passenger through a security turnstile and made his way into an airport terminal with no boarding pass, prosecutors said.

At some point, he encountered Danish border police, who seized his Israeli and Russian passports, according to a trial brief.

His Israeli passport showed he was a Schengen overstay, meaning he stayed longer in the European Schengen Zone longer than allowed, the trial brief said. The region is made up of 27 countries, including Denmark.

Although the officers told him to stay in the airports non-Schengen terminal as they dealt with his visa overstay issue, he didnt listen, according to the trial brief.

The man is accused of trying to board two flights out of Copenhagen  one to Bangkok and another to London  before boarding the flight to Los Angeles, according to the trial brief.

He stepped into the flights boarding line, then proceeded undetected through the gate and jet bridge, the trial brief said.

The man switches seats on the flight

When the flight crew noticed the man wandering through the planes business class section before takeoff, they tried to help him, according to the trial brief.

However, he left the section and sat down in an unassigned economy-class seat, the trial brief said.

He was the only person not listed on the 183-person flight manifest, according to prosecutors.

Throughout the 10-hour flight, the man received free meals from the flight crew, who had witnessed him repeatedly switching seats, prosecutors said.

He deceived crew into giving him a second meal by moving between sections of the aircraft while claiming he was not previously served, the trial brief said.

The man also tried to eat chocolate meant for the cabin crew, according to the affidavit.

McClatchy News contacted Scandinavian Airlines for comment on Jan. 29 and didnt receive an immediate response.

After the flight landed in Los Angeles, U.S. customs officers didnt find any record of the man and learned he wasnt listed as a passenger, prosecutors said.

When the FBI interviewed him with a Russian translator, the man told them he formerly worked as an economist in Russia, according to the affidavit.

He said he didnt remember boarding the Los Angeles-bound flight in Copenhagen and wouldnt tell the FBI why he was in Denmark, the affidavit said.

When asked how he got through security in Copenhagen, (he) claimed he did not remember how he went through security without a ticket, according to the affidavit.

The man has been detained in federal custody since his arrival at LAX, prosecutors said.

Hes facing up to five years in prison, according to the attorneys office. His sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 5.

Man grabs Spirit attendant, asks them to join mile high club on Florida flight, feds say

Pilot blindly lands plane after eyes are damaged by laser aimed into cockpit, feds say

Off-duty cops restrain passenger groping woman, threatening others on flight, feds say

Man sought by cops crawls into plane engine intake and dies, Utah airport police say
A Rhode Island prison system is denying a White Mountain Apache inmate his right to practice his religious beliefs by wearing an Apache headband, according to a lawsuit filed by American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) attorneys in Rhode Island District Court on Jan. 24.

Since 2019, plaintiff Wolf Pawochawog-Mequinosh (formerly Brian Brownell, who changed his name in 2022) has filed four petitions with prison administration at the Adult Corrections Facility in Cranston, Rhode Island, seeking permission to wear an Apache headband. But prison administrators have repeatedly denied his requests because an Apache headband is not an approved religious item in any Rhode Island Department of Corrections (RIDOC) facility.

Notably, the lawsuit notes that RIDOC allows Muslim and Jewish prisoners to wear kufis and yarmulkes, and that Native American headbands are recognized as a religious item by the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

Pawochawog-Mequinosh had previously identified his religiona requirement for all inmates upon intakeas Pagan/Wiccan, which grants him permission to obtain tarot cards, rune stones, and attend a Winter Solstice ceremony, according to the lawsuit.

Prison administration has told the plaintiff that he could seek to obtain Native American religious artifacts, such as an Apache headband, only if he changed his religious designation from Pagan/Wiccan to Other, thereby forgoing his ability to tarot cards, rune stones and ceremony.

By denying Pawochawog-Mequinoshs right to wear an Apache headband and restricting his ability to practice religion when his practices do not fit within the limited and rigid religious designation RIDOC employs, the lawsuit alleged that RIDOC has violated Wolfs right to the free exercise of religion.

Thats a protected right under the federal Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, which states that government shall not substantially burden a person's exercise of religion.

The lawsuit asks for a court order to allow the plaintiff obtain and wear an Apache headband, without giving up his ability to practice other aspects of his sincere religious beliefs, including by possessing and using rune stones and tarot cards, whether or not they align with his religious designation in DOCs system.

The suit also asks RIDOC to revise its policies and procedures to allow individuals whose religious beliefs and practices do not fit within RIDOCs system of religious designations to exercise their sincere religious beliefs and practices

Pawochawog-Mequinosh is serving a life sentence for first-degree sexual assault, with an additional 20-year consecutive sentence for the same charge, according to state records. He was previously convicted of indecent assault and battery on a person under 14 in Massachusetts in 2000, and possession of child pornography in Rhode Island in 2015.

I just want to be able to practice my religion and to be able to use the artifacts for my religion without unjustified restrictions, like other religions are permitted to do, Pawochawog-Mequinosh said in a statement to ACLU. I dont feel that this is too much to ask for.

About the Author: "Jenna Kunze is a staff reporter covering Indian health, the environment and breaking news for Native News Online. She is also the lead reporter on stories related to Indian boarding schools and repatriation. Her bylines have appeared in The Arctic Sounder, High Country News, Indian Country Today, Tribal Business News, Smithsonian Magazine, Elle and Anchorage Daily News. Kunze is based in New York."

Contact: jkunze@indiancountrymedia.com
While a committee of 11 local leaders championed advanced nuclear as the best replacement for the Comanche 3 coal plant earlier this month, others question the feasibility of nuclear in Pueblo.

The Pueblo Innovative Energy Solutions Advisory Committee (PIESAC) concluded that advanced nuclear was the energy replacement most capable of replenishing salaries and tax revenue projected to be lost after Comanche 3 closes in 2031.

Findings from PIESAC's 10-month study of potential replacements found that advanced nuclear would provide between 200 and 300 long-term jobs, pay salaries ranging from $60,000 to $200,000 and provide Pueblo County with $95.29 million in annual property tax payments.

The Xcel Comanche coal plant in Pueblo.

Is advanced nuclear too expensive? Can it be built on time?

Xcel Energy is the primary owner of Comanche 3 through its subsidiary, Public Service Company of Colorado. On July 20, 2023, Xcel Energy leadership team members presented a hypothetical timeline to PIESAC for replacement of Comanche 3 with advanced nuclear.

Regulatory processes, licensing processes, construction and development of small modular nuclear reactor technology could push the start date of an advanced nuclear plant to 2037 or later, according to the timeline.

"Right now what is known of the solutions that we have, if you stack it up, we are much closer to 2040 before a solution like this would be serving our customers," said Kathryn Valdez, carbon-free technology policy director at Xcel Energy, on July 20.

Matthew Gerhart, senior attorney of the Sierra Club Environmental Law Program, told the Chieftain that the lengthy timeline associated with advanced nuclear should rule it out as a potential replacement for Comanche 3.

Gerhart said advanced nuclear is ultimately a "distraction" from considering more feasible and cost-effective energy replacements.

"Not only have a handful of people settled on option, which is not even feasible to be built by 2031, but they've settled on the most expensive option by far."

A draft study by the Colorado Energy Office models scenarios for reaching zero greenhouse gas emissions in the state's electric power sector before 2040. A "cost-optimized" scenario for reaching zero emissions in the study did not select nuclear "due to high costs," according to the study.

The scenario in the Colorado Energy Office's draft study did, however, select several other fuel sources including batteries, biomass, clean hydrogen, demand response, geothermal, solar and wind.

"What they found was that you could reduce emissions and get really close to zero emissions in the utility sector without nuclear," Gerhart said.

Pueblo Innovative Energy Solutions Advisory Committee member Frances Koncilija speaks during a press conference outlining the committee's recommendations on the future replacement for the Xcel 3 Comanche coal plant on Friday, January 5, 2024.

'The stars are aligned': PIESAC optimistic about advanced nuclear

PIESAC chair Frances Koncilja disagrees with the notion that advanced nuclear is too expensive and can't be built on time. She told the Chieftain that having a small modular nuclear reactor at the Comanche 3 site by 2030 may be "a bit of a stretch" but 2034 is "possible."

"We all want to decarbonize as soon as possible," Koncilja said. "You need to do that with dispatchable 24/7 generation  it cannot all be solar, wind and batteries."

Due to the rising demands for decarbonization and dispatchable fuel sources, Koncilja predicts incoming incentives, policy, and investments to accelerate the development of nuclear technology. She sees some of these developments already taking shape.

"It is my belief that the stars are aligned because of what's going on in Wyoming," Konciljia said.

TerraPower, a nuclear reactor design company founded by Bill Gates, announced plans to build a Natrium nuclear reactor near Naughton Power Plant in Kemmerer, Wyoming  a coal plant set to retire in 2025. The reactor is scheduled to open between 2028 and 2030, according to Wyoming Public Media.

The U.S. Department of Energy has demonstrated an enthusiasm for the TerraPower reactor by announcing plans to invest almost $2 billion in the project. Earlier this month, the Department of Energy also announced plans to establish domestic supply of Uranium for advanced reactors across the country.

Nuclear energy currently provides almost half of the nations carbon-free power, and it will continue to play a significant part in transitioning to a clean energy future, U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm said in a Jan. 9 news release.

Support from agencies like the U.S. Department of Energy and investments from companies like TerraPower would likely be a necessity for Pueblo to get its own nuclear reactor as the project will cost several billions of dollars, Koncilja said.

"In order to be at the table to be considered, Pueblo needs to start now  analyzing and seeing what it would involve," she said.

Spring Break 2024: What to know about Spring Break 2024 in Pueblo

Pueblo Chieftain reporter James Bartolo can be reached at JBartolo@gannett.com. Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com.

This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Is advanced nuclear a realistic replacement for Comanche 3 in Pueblo?
Hampton Roads activists have joined a chorus of speakers turning up at city council meetings across the country to ask local government leaders to weigh in on a war half a world away.

More than a dozen U.S. cities, from Minneapolis to Detroit to Bridgeport, Conn., passed symbolic resolutions calling for a cease-fire in Gaza since the Oct. 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel ignited a war. But the movement has thus far shown little promise of gaining traction in Hampton Roads, where no local city councils have approved any such resolutions.

At local council meetings, the number of speakers waiting to advocate for a cease-fire resolution has ranged weekly from a handful to about a dozen. Council members listen to the comments, but do not often engage the speakers. However, those who do speak, do so with conviction that brings them back again and again.

Such resolutions would have no binding impact on U.S. foreign policy, but speakers have argued that a local governments action would put more pressure on the federal government to stop using taxpayer dollars to fund Israels war on Gaza  that it would carry more weight than an individual citizen reaching out to Congress.

In Hampton, pro-Palestinian speakers have shown up routinely at council meetings.

One woman who declined to publicly identify herself said if council did not pass a resolution in support of a cease-fire, it becomes clear you stand with genocide, ethnic cleansing, and collective punishment.

Hampton Mayor Donnie Tuck said that there is no lack of empathy among the council members for what is occurring to the residents in Gaza nor for Israelis who were killed on Oct. 7. However, he said the councils position is not to interject ourselves in international conflicts.

Responding to another speaker, Sahian Nanez, who called for a cease-fire resolution, City Manager Mary Bunting said we all up here have great empathy for any human suffering.

But what we as a staff and the council strive to do is put our energies into our city where we can make an immediate difference.

Hamas, a group that the U.S. declared a terrorist organization in 1997, killed 1,100 Israelis in the Oct. 7 attack, including many women and children whose bodies reportedly showed signs of sexual assault and mutilation. The deadly assault and kidnapping of 240 people drew worldwide revulsion and condemnation and the Israeli Defense Forces launched an offensive into the Arab enclave of Gaza against Hamas. But activists argue the campaign has been marred by indiscriminate shelling and shooting. Since the war started, Gazas Ministry of Health reports the Palestinian death toll has surpassed 25,000, with more than 62,000 others wounded and most of the regions residents displaced.

The speakers showing up at Hampton Roads city council meetings invoke the ever-rising number of Palestinian children and women slain in Israels offensive into Gaza and the American tax dollars and weapons involved. Some self-identifying Jewish speakers say criticizing Israels actions is not beyond the pale and cite nationwide Jewish groups that are opposed to the current campaign in Gaza. Activists say they are challenging city leaders to think beyond the regions ties to the U.S. military, a key ally of Israel, to pass a resolution that would also be a show of moral will against the death of innocents.

Norfolk has also not passed any cease-fire resolution, though it has heard from about a dozen individual speakers since a December city council meeting.

At a January council meeting in Newport News, a local resident who identified herself by a pseudonym Frega Azza pointed out that after the attack on Israel, City Hall was lit up blue and white  the colors of the Israeli flag  for a week. During an Oct. 10 City Council meeting, Mayor Phillip Jones announced that a rally for Israel would be held the following day at the United Jewish Community of the Virginia Peninsula.

However, Azza noted there seemed to be an absence of similar support and solidarity shown toward Muslims, Arabs, and Palestinians. She asked the council to stand against Islamophobia and demonstrate a commitment to inclusivity.

Jones said this month after several residents asked for a cease-fire resolution, that the council stands against any form of injustice.

Our hearts and our prayers are always going to be extended to all lives impacted as a result of this conflict, Jones said. And while this may be happening across the world, we know this conflict affects the lives of residents in our local community. And it is our hope that there will be peace.

Responding to another speaker, Councilwoman Pat Woodbury said, What I think you have to realize is that we have to represent every side of a situation. We cant just decide, personally, that we are for something or against something. But we do listen to you, the public, and try to be that voice of not being prejudiced in one way or the other.

Elsewhere in the region, city leaders expressed sympathy and support for Israel and solidarity with Jewish residents in the wake of the attacks. Gov. Glenn Youngkin and other officials have also spoken out against antisemitism.

At an Oct. 17 Virginia Beach City Council meeting, Mayor Bobby Dyer brought forward a resolution in support of Israel and denouncing the attack. The resolution was signed by each member and presented to representatives of the United Federation of Tidewater, who spoke at the meeting.

At an Oct. 24 Chesapeake City Council meeting, resident Katherine Howell spoke about the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza as well as ongoing housing and mental health issues in America.

Palestinians in Gaza have been subjected to a thousand bombs in the past week, she said. Our tax dollars are funding that. Instead of going to guaranteed income and guaranteed housing, health care and education here in America, its going by the billions to fund the genocide of the Palestinian people.

Mayor Rick West cut off the speaker during her remarks at one point, later telling her that comments must be related to affairs of the city. The following month, at a Nov. 28 council meeting, West shared a statement condemning antisemitism and standing with Israel.

Virginian-Pilot reporters Natalie Anderson and Stacy Parker contributed to this report.

Josh Janney, joshua.janney@virginiamedia.com

Ian Munro, 757-447-4097, ian.munro@virginiamedia.com
Ukraine shot down eight Shahed-type attack drones launched by Russia overnight on Jan. 29, the Air Force said in its morning update.

The drones were launched from Primorsko-Akhtarsk in southern Russia, off the coast of the Azov Sea. Russian forces also used one Iskander-M ballistic missile launched from the Voronezh region of Russia, and three S-300 anti-aircraft missiles launched from within Ukraine's temporarily occupied territories to target Donetsk Oblast.

Russian forces mainly targeted Mykolaiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Khmelnytskyi, and Rivne oblasts in the latest attack.

Mobile fire groups of the Ukrainian Air Force were involved in repelling the air attack.

Drone attacks are a near daily occurrence in Ukraine, affecting various regions across the country. Ukrainian authorities have continuously expected Russian attacks over the course of the winter, with Moscow focusing on Ukraine's energy infrastructure and other civilian sites.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Kyiv would win faster if allowed to hit deep inside Russia with Western weapons, Navy commander says

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TIRANA (Reuters) -Albania's top court gave the green light on Monday to a deal letting Italy build migrant processing centres on Albanian territory, a scheme that has faced criticism from opposition and rights groups.

Lawmakers from Albania's opposition Democratic Party had challenged the agreement in the court, saying it broke the constitution by transferring territory and state power to another country.

The U.N. rights chief also said last week the plan raised concerns about arbitrary detention and living conditions.

The project has drawn comparisons with the British government's plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda, which has been challenged by Britain's Supreme Court. Brussels has since said that the Italian plans do not breach European Union law.

Albania's Constitutional Court ruled on Monday that the deal was "in accordance with the constitution" and said it could now go on to be ratified in parliament.

Under the scheme announced in November, EU member Italy would open two camps across the Adriatic Sea in Albania, which is not an EU member.

One camp would screen migrants on arrival and a second would detain them while asylum applications are processed, officials have said.

Migrants would then either be allowed to enter Italy or repatriated, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has said.

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said his country felt a duty to help Italy because of the special relationship between two countries and the way Italy received hundreds of thousands of Albanians in the 1990s after the fall of communism.

(Reporting by Florion Goga, writing by Fatos Bytyci, editing by Christina Fincher and Andrew Heavens)
(Bloomberg) -- Albanias Constitutional Court approved an agreement with Italy to send migrants picked up by Italian vessels to refugee camps on Albanian soil, waving off a challenge to the deal by opposition parties.

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The top courts justices voted 5-4 in favor of the migration deal struck between Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni last November. Two opposition groups condemned the accord as undermining the Balkan nations sovereignty.

The deal does not establish territorial boundaries nor does it alter the territorial integrity of the Republic of Albania, the court said in a statement. In the area specified by the agreement, Albanian law is applied, alongside, but not limited to, Italian law.

Under the deal, Albania agreed to shelter asylum seekers picked up at sea by Italian ships in two migration centers able to hold as many as 3,000 people. The migrants would remain in Albania until their requests are processed or until they are repatriated.

Read More: Meloni Touts Plan Inspired by Her Vacation to Fix Migrant Crisis

Some 30 Albanian lawmakers called the arrangement a violation of sovereignty because the processing centers would be overseen by Italian authorities. The agreement is scheduled to take effect by March.

Meloni and Rama have championed the deal, despite widespread criticism from human rights organizations such as Amnesty International and resistance from locals near the proposed centers.

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An Italian cost guard boat transports migrants near the Sicilian island of Lampedusa as tourists look on - Cecilia Fabiano/LaPresse

Albanias constitutional court has approved a controversial deal with Italy to host two holding centres for migrants rescued in Italian waters.

The agreement has been condemned by opposition parties in both countries, as well as human rights groups, and resulted in a legal challenge taken up by the top court in Tirana.

The court said in a statement: The agreement does not harm Albanias territorial integrity.

Mondays ruling comes just days after Italian MPs voted in favour of the agreement, with the lower chamber of the countrys parliament backing the protocol by 155 votes to 115, with two abstentions.

During a parliamentary debate, opposition MPs accused Georgia Meloni, the Italian prime minister, of using migrants as electoral propaganda and said the project would have little impact on numbers and was hugely costly.

The deal now goes to the Italian senate, where it is also expected to be approved.

The accord allows for two centres to be established near the Albanian port of Shengjin, where migrants would register for asylum, along with a facility in the same region to house those awaiting a response to their applications.

Dangerous act for national security

The two centres, which would be managed by Italy, can hold a maximum of 3,000 people at any one time as they await a decision on their claims. Their estimated cost is more than 650 million over the five-year term of the accord.

The Albanian Right-wing opposition has criticised Edi Rama, the countrys prime minister, for an alleged lack of transparency over the agreement, calling the deal an irresponsible and dangerous act for national security.

The International Rescue Committee, an NGO offering aid to refugees, also condemned the agreement as dehumanising, while Amnesty International described it as illegal and unenforceable.

Albanian authorities have said the agreement is in line with previous treaties signed with Italy, in accordance with international law and the countrys constitution.

Migrant centre akin to embassy

During an interview last month, Taulant Balla, Albanias interior minister, told APF: We are not selling a piece of land of Albania.

We are offering this land to Italy like we usually do for example when we set up an embassy.

Jurisdiction inside the camp would be Italian but the land would remain in Albanian hands, he added.

Italy will pay to build the two centres and necessary infrastructure, as well as expenses relating to the security and medical care of asylum seekers, according to Albanian authorities.

Meloni, the leader of the far-Right Brothers of Italy party, was elected to office in 2022 and pledged to stop migrant boats arriving from North Africa.

However, numbers have risen from around 105,000 migrant landings in 2022 to almost 158,000 in 2023, according to official figures.

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Almost exactly one year to the day that the Lowcountrys trial of the century began, Alex Murdaugh is returning to court to try to throw out his conviction.

The disgraced legal scion was found guilty of murdering his wife Maggie and son Paul in the dog kennels of the familys sprawling Moselle hunting estate in Islandton back in the summer of 2021.

Their violent shooting deaths sparked fear and rumours across South Carolina and beyond.

Questions grew about the Murdaughs familys ties to other unexplained deaths  from a deadly teen boat wreck to a housekeepers fatal trip-and-fall to the body of a boy found dead on a Hampton County road.

These questions and rumours only escalated further when Murdaugh himself called 911 to claim he was shot in the head three months on from his wife and sons murders.

It turned out to be a lie; a plot that Murdaugh himself orchestrated  and so the reputation of the heir to a prominent legal dynasty fell apart.

First came charges for the roadside shooting plot; then for a multi-million-dollar fraud scheme; and then for the murder.

The murder trial itself was equally rife with drama, from an explosive cellphone video placing Murdaugh at the crime scene to his own damning testimony confessing to a slew of other crimes on the stand.

Ultimately, Murdaugh was convicted of all charges and sentenced to life in prison, and the sad tale of Maggie and Paul seemed to have come to an end. But now, Murdaugh is back again.

Buster, Maggie, Paul and Alex Murdaugh (Maggie Murdaugh/Facebook)

In a bombshell move, the convicted killer and fraudster has managed to secure a hearing to determine if he should be granted a new murder trial.

Across three days from 29 January to 31 January, Justice Jean Toal will hear from Murdaughs defence, prosecutors, jurors and other witnesses to determine whether the six-week trial should be dismissed and the killer head back to the courtroom for a new trial.

Murdaughs fight is based on shocking accusations of jury tampering levelled against Becky Hill, Colleton County Court clerk.

In September, Murdaughs attorneys Dick Harpootlian and Jim Griffin filed a motion accusing court clerk Becky Hill of breaking her oath by tampering with the jury and pressuring them into returning a guilty verdict against him.

They claim that she advised the panel not to be fooled by Murdaughs testimony on the stand or misled by the defences evidence, pushed them to reach a quick guilty verdict, and misrepresented critical and material information to the trial judge in her campaign to remove a juror she believed to be favourable to the defence.

Ms Hill has denied the allegations. In a sworn statement, the state branded the allegations as a sweeping conspiratorial theory and said that not every inappropriate comment made by a member of court staff to a juror rises to the level of constitutional error.

Rebecca Becky Hill, Colleton County Court clerk (Colleton County)

Based on the claims, Murdaughs legal team has demanded that the disbarred attorney be granted a new murder trial as he continues to proclaim his innocence of any involvement in the June 2021 murders of his wife Maggie and son Paul.

One of the most damning accusations centres around the dismissal of juror number 785, just hours before jury deliberations began.

According to Murdaughs attorneys, Ms Hill invented a story about a Facebook post to remove a juror she believed might not vote guilty.

Judge Clifton Newman removed the female juror from the panel for allegedly discussing the case with at least three other people outside of the court. The woman then prompted some light-hearted  and widely-reported  relief when she asked to pick up her dozen eggs from the jury room before she left.

According to the motion, Ms Hill had gone to Judge Newman on 27 February  the day after Murdaugh testified  claiming that she had seen a post in the local Facebook group Walterboro Word of Mouth from juror 785s former husband, Tim Stone.

The post purportedly claimed that the juror was drinking with her ex-husband and, when she became drunk, she expressed her views on whether Murdaugh was innocent or guilty.

A follow-up post from an account called Timothy Stone apologised for the post saying that he was driven by Satan.

In a court filing, Murdaughs attorneys claim that the Mr Stone behind the Facebook posts was actually a random Georgia man who was ranting about his wifes aunt  and has no connection to the case.

Murdaughs attorneys are claiming that  based on these allegations  he should be granted a new murder trial.

The legal team is also calling for the removal of Judge Newman from the case.

Judge Newman announced that he would stand down from any future proceedings in the murder case  paving the way for Judge Toal to step into the role.

Ms Hill is now the subject of two investigations by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (Sled)  the same state agency that led the investigation into the murders of Murdaughs wife Maggie and son Paul.

While she and the state have pushed back against the claim of any unscrupulous behaviour in the trial, legal experts have warned that they are very serious allegations and, if true, Murdaugh could  and should  be granted a new trial.

If proven true, these allegations not only undermine the integrity of the judicial process but also represent a significant violation of Murdaughs constitutional right to a fair trial, prominent attorney Duncan Levin told The Independent in the fall.

He added: In such cases, the law typically requires the granting of a new trial to ensure that justice is served without the taint of undue influence or misconduct.

All eyes now turn to Judge Toal as she hears arguments this week, and ultimately decides if the Lowcountry should brace for round two of the trial of the century.
Aimenn Penny of Alliance, center looking left, was sentenced Monday to 18 years in prison firebombing a Geauga County church on March 25, 2023.

CLEVELAND  Aimenn D. Penny didn't apologize for firebombing a Geauga County church last year.

Instead, he justified sacrificing his future for hate.

The 20-year-old, standing calmly in an orange prison jumpsuit during his sentencing hearing Monday in U.S. District Court, maintained his attack was a protest against the LGBTQ+ community and drag shows, an effort "to protect children." He said he does not believe men should dress as women or vice versa.

"Especially in a place of worship," Penny said. "I didn't hurt anyone."

Except, he did - the judge and victims said.

U.S. District Judge Bridget Meehan Brennan sentenced Penny to 18 years in federal prison for the March 25 attack and ordered him to pay $10,507 in restitution to the church, to undergo mental health treatment and to serve three years supervised probation after his release.

He was found guilty in October of arson and obstruction charges. U.S. attorney Rebecca Lutzko had recommended a 20-years prison term.

Penny, a member of the extremist groups White Lives Matter Ohio and the Blood Tribe, told FBI agents that he threw two gasoline-filled bottles, often called Molotov cocktails, at the Community Church of Chesterland around 1 a.m. on March 25. It left minimal structural damage.

The attack was aimed at intimidating the church and preventing two planned drag show events there.

"I'm all about free speech in this country. It's one of the things I love about this country," said Megan Carver, a church official who organized the events. "But violence is absolutely unacceptable. I'm crestfallen because this person chose hate over everything."

FBI: Aimenn Penny has shown no remorse for firebombing church

Penny was arrested March 31.

According to court filing in the case, FBI agents in April obtained letters and a manifesto Penny wrote while in jail. He showed no remorse, only pride. His only regret? "The church didn't burn down to the ground."

You still dont show any remorse and youre nodding your head," Brennan told Penny.

Two weeks prior to the attack, Penny was with extremist groups in Wadsworth protesting a drag queen event. And, in jail, he called for additional attacks, including one in Akron, in letters obtained by the FBI, court filings show.

Penny claimed "his intention was to protect children from transgender persons," but Lutzko wrote in court records that his "true purpose was intimidation of those who disagreed with him. He was not freeing any children held at the church that night."

Brennan also rebuked Penny, who grinned frequently, about his claims that no one was hurt. She noted a preschool that operated out of the church shut down after the attack and church members were traumatized.

"Had you set fire to the church, who would've responded? First responders," Brennan said. "You would've put them at risk."

Penny's attorney John Greven said his client lacked stability in his family and had become impressionable and easily influenced by adults who sought to radicalize him online. Three of Penny's family members the court hearing but left quickly afterward.

A letter from his grandmother and his biological father were entered into the record but not read aloud.

'Mr. Penny, you failed.'

Carver and other church members told Penny that his efforts ultimately failed.

Jess Peacock, pastor at Community Church of Chesterland, said the attack initially drove away members and the preschool left. But new supporters and members arrived later, making the church stronger.

"Mr. Penny, you failed," Peacock said. "Yes, you failed. It's because hate will always fail."

And Carver said the shows weren't canceled. They still were held. "I was not about to let hate overtake love."

Reach Benjamin Duer at 330-580-8567 or ben.duer@cantonrep.com. On X (formerly Twitter): @bduerREP

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Aimenn Penny of Alliance is going to prison for firebombing a church
A former employee is accusing Alpine Country Club of firing her because she is Black and made complaints against her supervisor alleging discrimination.

Shakia Dixon, who lives in Edgewater, filed a lawsuit against the country club saying that throughout her employment, her supervisor, Barbara Guarev, made harassing comments to her and others.

Elizabeth Thomas, attorney for Dixon, and John Tratnyek, attorney for Alpine Country Club, did not immediately respond to emails for comment.

Guarev told Dixon her natural hair was "messy" and she would roll her eyes and make faces when Dixon spoke to customers on the phone, the lawsuit says. Guarev also asked other employees if they thought Dixon was "nasty" or "rude," and made comments to a hostess about how fasting is unhealthy and tried to force Dixon to eat while she was observing Ramadan, the lawsuit says.

Dixon said she complained about the harassment around spring 2023 to Kyle Lippert, the food and beverage director, who told her he had already spoken to Andreas Plaitis and Rick Camac, the assistant general manager and general manager respectively, about Guarev's racism against the staff. Lippert said nothing had been done and encouraged Dixon to take her complaint to Plaitis.

The lawsuit says Plaitis told Dixon it was all in her head. Lippert escalated the issue to human resources, where staff talked to Dixon and others about Guarev's conduct before speaking to management, the suit says.

A month after Dixon complained to Lippert, several people from South Africa were hired onto the staff, and bar manager Marco Antenucci made comments that "they sounded like savages" when they spoke in their native language, the lawsuit says. According to the suit, a chef threw food at the South African staff.

A few months later, a meeting was held with staff members regarding the complaints against the bar manager and the chef's conduct, and they were told that complaints should go to management and not human resources.

Dixon said she heard a rumor her hours were going to be cut, so she would not work Mondays, but she was never "formally" instructed not to work that day. When she went to Diana Annazone, a food and beverage manager, Dixon was told she would "technically" not be working Mondays and that the decision was made by Plaitis. A month later, she was fired from her job for "lack of work."

The suit claims racial, ancestry and national origin harassment under New Jersey's Law Against Discrimination, racial, ancestry and national origin discrimination under the Law Against Discrimination, and retaliation.

Dixon is seeking several forms of damages, including monetary and noneconomic compensatory damages.

The country club also faced discrimination lawsuits by former employees in December 2022 and February 2023.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Alpine Country Club NJ faces lawsuit claiming discrimination
BEDFORD, Mass. (AP/BOSTON 25)  Amazon called off its proposed acquisition of robot vacuum maker iRobot on Monday as the deal faced antitrust scrutiny on both sides of the Atlantic, with the e-commerce giant blaming undue and disproportionate regulatory hurdles.

The companies said in a joint statement that they entered into a mutual agreement to terminate their announced acquisition agreement and expressed disappointment.

Amazon announced in 2022 that it would buy iRobot, maker of the circular-shaped Roomba vacuum, for $1.7 billion in cash. But the value of the deal fell 15% after iRobot incurred new debt.

Amazon will pay the Bedford, Massachusetts-based company a previously agreed termination fee, which wasnt disclosed in the statement Monday. The same day, iRobot announced that it would now lay off about 31% of its staff and its CEO would depart.

The European Commission, the European Unions executive arm and top antitrust enforcer, had informed Amazon last year of its preliminary view that the acquisition of the robot vacuum maker would be anti-competitive.

While British antitrust regulators cleared the purchase in June, it still faced scrutiny in the U.S. by the Federal Trade Commission.

The European Commission did not respond immediately to a request for comment. It had been concerned that Amazon could reduce the visibility of a competitors product or limit access to certain labels, such as Amazons choice, that may attract more shoppers.

The commission said last year that Amazon also might have found ways to raise the costs of iRobots rivals to advertise and sell their products on its platform.

LARKSPUR, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 05: Roomba robot vacuums made by iRobot are displayed on a shelf at a Bed Bath and Beyond store on August 05, 2022 in Larkspur, California. Amazon announced plans to purchase iRobot, maker of the popular robotic vacuum Roomba, for an estimated $1.7 billion. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

David Zapolsky, Amazons general counsel, lashed out at regulators and said consumers would lose out on faster innovation and more competitive prices.

Mergers and acquisitions like this help companies like iRobot better compete in the global marketplace, particularly against companies, and from countries, that arent subject to the same regulatory requirements in fast-moving technology segments like robotics, he said.

He added that undue and disproportionate regulatory hurdles discourage entrepreneurs, who should be able to see the acquisition as one path to success, and that hurts both consumers and competition the very things regulators say theyre trying to protect.

Now that the deal has been called off, iRobot said it will undergo a restructuring plan designed to stabilize the company. As part of those changes, the company will lay off roughly 350 employees.

iRobot, founded in 1990, employed 1,156 people as of April 2023.

iRobot Chairman and CEO Colin Angle also will step down from his role. Glen Weinstein, the companys executive vice president and chief legal officer, will serve as interim CEO.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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HONG KONG  Expats, a new Amazon Prime series set and partly filmed in Hong Kong, appears to be blocked in the Chinese territory amid growing concerns about censorship under Beijings tightening control.

The first two episodes of the six-part series, which stars Nicole Kidman, were released worldwide Friday. But in Hong Kong, they are listed as currently unavailable to watch in your location and can be accessed only using a virtual private network.

A spokesperson said Monday that the Hong Kong government had no comment on the operational arrangement of individual businesses. Amazon declined to comment.

The series, directed by Chinese-born American filmmaker Lulu Wang (The Farewell) and based on the 2016 novel The Expatriates by Janice Y.K. Lee, tells the stories of three American women living in Hong Kong, a former British colony that returned to Chinese rule in 1997.

It is set in 2014, and at least one later episode is said to include scenes depicting pro-democracy protests that year that lasted for months.

A different set of mass pro-democracy protests roiled Hong Kong in 2019 and at times turned violent. Beijing responded the next year by imposing a sweeping national security law that it says was necessary to restore stability but that critics say has eroded freedom of expression and other civil liberties that Hong Kong was promised would stay untouched for its first 50 years under Chinese sovereignty.

The national security law criminalizes subversion, succession, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces and is punishable by life in prison. In 2021, the Hong Kong legislature passed a censorship law aimed at films that might endanger national security, and since then a number of movies or short films have been required to cut scenes or were blocked from release.

Though the censorship law does not apply to streaming services, they are still subject to the national security law overall. At least two episodes of The Simpsons  one that refers to the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown in Beijing and one that refers to forced labor in China  remain unavailable on the Hong Kong version of the Disney+ streaming service.

Kenny Ng, a film censorship expert at Hong Kong Baptist University, said it was most likely that Amazon had made the decision on its own out of an abundance of caution.

Given the potentially sensitive 2014 protest content, he told NBC News, refraining from releasing the show in Hong Kong is a very safe gesture to pre-empt any future potential business risk in mainland China, which is a very big market for streaming and one where Amazon Prime is not available.

Hong Kong residents were enraged in 2021 when Kidman was exempted from strict Covid-19 quarantine requirements in order to film parts of Expats in the city, a longtime moviemaking hub.

Without naming Kidman, the Hong Kong government said at the time that the exemption had been granted for the purpose of performing designated professional work, taking into account that it is conducive to maintaining the necessary operation and development of Hong Kongs economy.

Government officials, businesspeople and other high-profile figures had also been allowed to avoid the quarantine regime, which required travelers arriving from overseas to spend up to three weeks confined to a hotel, at a cost of thousands of dollars, until it was ended in September 2022.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
An Amber Alert was issued for 5-year-old Princeton, Kentucky girl Lela Black Monday morning after Kentucky State Police say she was likely taken by her father, Byron Black, who is wanted in the shooting death of the girl's mother.

An Amber Alert for a Kentucky child who went missing after her mother was found dead Sunday has been canceled and she has been found safe.

Lela Black, 5, was believed to have been taken by her biological father, 42-year-old Byron Black.

According to a post from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, police responded to a home in Princeton, Kentucky, Sunday and found a woman, 42-year-old Kelly Black, dead from a gunshot wound to the back of the head.

Neither Lela nor her father had been seen since Friday.

More: Beshear and GOP face off over potential state job cuts; thousands of positions at risk

An arrest warrant for Byron Black had been issued in connection with the woman's death and he was believed to be armed and dangerous. State troopers announced he is now in custody.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Lela Black: Amber Alert canceled after mother found dead in KY
A Kentucky girl who was the subject of an Amber Alert Monday has been found safely, according to Kentucky State Police.

Lela Black, 5, from Princeton, was located Monday afternoon after she was last heard from Friday. Her biological father, 42-year-old Byron Black, was taken into custody after police previously said he was wanted on a murder charge.

On Sunday, Kentucky State Police were dispatched to Lela Blacks home in Princeton and found the childs mother, Kelly Black, dead from a gunshot wound to the back of the head. There is a murder warrant out for Byron Black, KSP said.

Kentucky State Police didnt immediately provide more information. Byron Black was charged with murder  domestic violence and held at the Caldwell County Detention Center without a bond, according to jail records.

**AMBER ALERT**

Lela Black, age 5, is missing. She is believed to be with her biological father, Byron Black, who has an arrest warrant for the murder of the juvenile's mother. The suspect, Byron Black, is 42 years old with brown eyes and hair and is six feet tall. pic.twitter.com/uiI1geHXHP  KY State Police (@kystatepolice) January 29, 2024
A sonar image captured by Deep Sea Vision, an underwater scanning company, that may show the remains of Amelia Earharts lost Lockheed 10-E Electra aircraft in the Pacific Ocean (Deep Sea Vision)

Amelia Earhart made her final airborne radio call at 8.43am, local time, approximately one hour after she warned the Coast Guard cutter Itasca that she was running out of fuel and could not see her target destination, Howland Island.

We are on the line 157 337," she said from the cockpit of her Lockheed 10-E Electra aircraft. "We will repeat this message. We will repeat this on 6210 kilocycles. Wait.

She did not repeat the message.

Earhart's fate has been one of America's great enduring mysteries. Her doomed 1937 attempt to become the first woman to circumnavigate the world by aircraft spawned the most expansive  and expensive  rescue operation in the history of the US Navy and Coast Guard.

Since then, countless researchers, reporters, and historians have attempted to find out what really happened to Earhart and her navigator, Fred Noonan, high over the Pacific on the day of their disappearance.

Advances in deep sea scanning tech  and a hefty $11m investment  may finally provide some definitive answers.

Amelia Earhart stands June 14, 1928 in front of her bi-plane called "Friendship" in Newfoundland. (Getty Images)

Deep Sea discovery

Deep Sea Vision, a Charleston, South Carolina-based company, believes it may have finally found Earhart's plane resting on the floor of the Pacific Ocean.

The company began scanning the ocean floor in September. Its powerful sonar, attached to a $9m submersible named Hugin, searched the murky depths, scanning in total more than 5,200 square miles of the region where Earhart is believed to have crashed.

Approximately 16,000 feet below the Pacific's surface, resting among the silt and marine sediment, Hugin's sonar spotted something unusual; the shape of an airplane.

Well youd be hard-pressed to convince me thats anything but an aircraft, for one, and two, that its not Amelias aircraft, Deep Sea Visions founder, Tony Romeo, said in an interview with NBC's Today show. Theres no other known crashes in the area, and certainly not of that era in that kind of design with the tail that you see clearly in the image.

Mr Romeo, a former US Air Force intelligence officer, sold off his real estate assets and poured $11m into funding the expedition to find Earhart's lost plane.

"This is maybe the most exciting thing I'll ever do in my life," he told the Wall Street Journal. "I feel like a 10-year-old going on a treasure hunt."

Mr Romeo, while excited, maintained his expectations after the initial discovery. He admitted that the images could be that of rocks or some other underwater object. He noted, however, that the image does reflect the shape and dimension of the aircraft Earhart flew on her final voyage.

Unfortunately for Deep Sea Vision, the image was one of many thousands taken during their scans, and the anomaly was not discovered until three months after it had been taken. By then, the crew had traveled far from the discovery site.

With an image and coordinates in hand, the next step in unraveling the mystery will require examination of the physical remains.

Earhart's rise

Earhart's disappearance was the culmination of a decade of newspaper and radio stories documenting her record-setting flights.

On June 17, 1928, at the age of 30, she became the first woman to pilot a plane  a bright red Lockheed Vega 5B, which she called "old Bessie, the fire steed" across the Atlantic. The endeavor made headlines across the nation.

Later, she became the first person to complete a solo flight across the Pacific, flying from California to the Hawaiian islands in 1934.

Earhart was initially treated as an aviation oddity due to her gender; news reports at the time called her the first "girl" to fly across the Atlantic, and another referred to her as an "aviatrix". At the time, the skies were dominated by men. But as she continued to prove her prowess in the cockpit she gained notoriety as a great pilot, rather than as a curious outlier. Even still, she used her growing prominence to push for equality in the skies; in an interview with the Evening Star in 1929, Earhart pleaded with the public to "give women a chance in the air."

American aviator Amelia Earhart (1898 - 1937) (centre) is surrounded by a crowd of wellwishers and pressmen on arrival at Hanworth airfield after crossing the Atlantic. (Getty)

"Women can qualify in the air as in any other sport. Their influence and approval are vital to the success of commercial aviation," she said at the time. "Women and girls write to me by the thousands to learn the truth about aviation and what women's chances are. There is nothing in women's make-up which would make her inferior to a man as an air pilot. The only barrier to her swift success is her lack of opportunity to receive proper training."

After numerous successful and record-setting flights in the late 20s and early 30s, Earhart set her sights on a new goal; becoming the first woman to circumnavigate the planet in an aircraft.

Following her disappearance, the public remained somewhat hopeful that she would be found to fly again another day. But after a two-month search that turned up no trace of her or Noonan, the pair were presumed dead.

Finding Amelia

Researchers have attempted to find Earhart's remains  or any evidence of her fate  since her disappearance nearly 90 years ago.

The most recent search to bear some fruit occurred in 2012, when the International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery discovered that Earhart may have sent out numerous distress calls over the radio following her crash. Those transmissions, the group argues, went ignored.

"Amelia Earhart did not simply vanish on July 2, 1937. Radio distress calls believed to have been sent from the missing plane dominated the headlines and drove much of the U.S. Coast Guard and Navy search," Ric Gillespie, the executive director of TIGHAR, told Discovery News. "When the search failed, all of the reported post-loss radio signals were categorically dismissed as bogus and have been largely ignored ever since."

He believes Earhart crashed on Gardner Island, approximately 350 nautical miles from her intended destination on Howland Island. In his theory, Earhart spent a week calling for help before the tides washed her plane out to sea.

Mr Gillespie was skeptical of Deep Sea Visions discovery.

Despite media hype, this is NOT a sonar image of Amelia Earharts airplane, he wrote on his Instagram page.

In 2018, researchers used modern forensics to examine a set of human remains found on Nikumaroro Island in 1940 that were candidates for the remains of Earhart. According to Richard L. Jantz, an anthropology professor at the University of Tennessee, studied the remains and determined that they are likely those of Earhart.

Mr Jantz theorised that Earhart landed her plane on Nikumaroo and died as a castaway on the island, according to The Florida Times-Union.

Now, Deep Sea Vision's discovery looks to shake up what we know of her final days.

Next steps

Sonar experts will need to take a closer look at the object discovered by Deep Sea Vision before it can be confirmed that it is actually Earhart's lost plane.

"Until you physically take a look at this, there's no way to say for sure what that is," expert Andrew Pietruszka told the Wall Street Journal.

Mr Romeo said he planned to take his team back to the site to collect more images of the object.

The next step is confirmation and theres a lot we need to know about it. And it looks like theres some damage. I mean it's been sitting there for 87 years at this point, he said.

Until Deep Sea Vision can return, the mystery of Earhart's lost plane will remains just that.

I think myself, that it is the great mystery of all time," Mr Romeo said. "Certainly the most enduring aviation mystery of all time."
Amelia Earhart's disappearance over the central Pacific Ocean 87 years ago remains one of the greatest mysteries in aviation history. Countless theories about her fate have emerged in the decades since, but now a deep-sea exploration team searching for the wreckage of her small plane has provided another potential clue  including a new video released Monday.

Deep Sea Vision, a Charleston, South Carolina-based team, said this weekend that it had captured a sonar image in the Pacific Ocean that "appears to be Earhart's Lockheed 10-E Electra" aircraft.

The company, which says it scanned over 5,200 square miles of the ocean floor starting in September, posted sonar images on social media that appear to show a plane-shaped object resting at the bottom of the sea. The 16-member team, which used a state-of-the-art underwater drone during the search, also released a new video of the expedition Monday evening, showing the team reviewing images taken by a submersible.

"After an extensive deep-water search, a talented group of underwater archaeologists and marine robotics experts have unveiled a sonar image that may answer the greatest modern mystery  the disappearance of Amelia Earhart," Deep Sea Vision wrote on Instagram.

Deep Sea Vision said that it had captured a sonar image in the Pacific Ocean that

Tony Romeo, a pilot and former U.S. Air Force intelligence officer, told the Wall Street Journal that he funded the $11 million search by selling off his commercial real estate properties.

"This is maybe the most exciting thing I'll ever do in my life," he told the Journal. "I feel like a 10-year-old going on a treasure hunt."

Earhart and navigator Fred Noonan disappeared on July 2, 1937, while flying over the Pacific Ocean during Earhart's attempt to become the first female aviator to circle the globe. They vanished without a trace, spurring the largest and most expensive search and rescue effort by the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard in American history. Earhart and Noonan were declared dead two years later.

Multiple deep-sea searches using high-tech equipment have tried but failed over the years to find Earhart's plane.

Romeo told the Journal that his team's underwater "Hugin" submersible captured the sonar image of the aircraft-shaped object about 16,000 feet below the Pacific Ocean's surface less than 100 miles from Howland Island, where Earhart and Noonan were supposed to stop and refuel before they vanished.

Romeo's team didn't find the image until about three months into the trip, and at that stage it was impractical to turn back, he told the Journal, so they intend to return for a closer look.

Sonar experts told the Journal that only a closer look for details matching Earhart's Lockheed aircraft would provide definitive proof.

"Until you physically take a look at this, there's no way to say for sure what that is," underwater archaeologist Andrew Pietruszka told the newspaper.

There other theories about where Earhart may have vanished. Ric Gillespie, who has researched Earhart's doomed flight for decades, told CBS News in 2018 that he had proof Earhart crash-landed on Gardner Island  about 350 nautical miles from Howland Island  and that she called for help for nearly a week before her plane was swept out to sea.

Gillespie told CBS News the calls weren't just heard by the Navy, but also by dozens of people who unexpectedly picked up Earhart's transmissions on their radios thousands of miles away. Reports of people hearing calls for help were documented in places like Florida, Iowa and Texas. One woman in Canada reported hearing a voice saying "we have taken in water We can't hold on much longer."

Gillespie's organization, the International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery, has also claimed that it found forensic evidence, including bones on the island, that were likely Earhart's.

Still, nearly 90 years later, no wreckage has ever been found, and Romeo thinks his team's sonar image may finally show the long-lost aircraft.

Romeo, who was joined on the expedition by two of his brothers who are also pilots, told the Journal that their aviation expertise provided a fresh perspective during the search.

"We always felt that a group of pilots were the ones that are going to solve this, and not the mariners," Romeo told the newspaper.

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By Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Complaints of anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian discrimination and hate in the U.S. rose by about 180% in the three months after Oct. 7 following Hamas' attack on Israel and Israel's subsequent assault on Hamas-governed Gaza, an advocacy group said on Monday.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

Rights advocates have noted a rise in Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian bias in the U.S. and elsewhere since the eruption of war in the Middle East. Among incidents in the U.S. that raised alarm were a November shooting in Vermont where three students of Palestinian descent were shot and the fatal stabbing of a 6-year-old Palestinian American child in Illinois in October.

BY THE NUMBERS

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said on Monday it has received 3,578 complaints during the last three months of 2023, amid what it called "an ongoing wave of anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian hate."

The figure is a 178% rise from complaints in the same period from a year earlier.

Complaints of employment discrimination led the list with 662 instances; hate crimes and hate incidents were reported 472 times; and education discrimination 448 times, the organization said.

Earlier this month, the Anti-Defamation League said that in the three months after Oct. 7, U.S. antisemitic incidents rose by 360% compared to the prior year.

CONTEXT: US SECURITY ALERTS

The U.S. government recently issued security guidance for faith-based communities amid heightened antisemitism and Islamophobia since the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Palestinian Islamist group Hamas that killed 1,200, and Israel's subsequent military retaliation in Gaza that the local health ministry says has killed over 26,000 Palestinians or more than 1% of Gaza's 2.3 million population.

The U.S. Justice Department is monitoring rising threats against Jews and Muslims amid the conflict. President Joe Biden has condemned antisemitism and Islamophobia.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Heather Timmons and Matthew Lewis)
Anti-social tenants will be evicted and banned from applying for council housing for five years under proposals to be unveiled this week.

Social landlords will be allowed to get rid of tenants after three warnings for anti-social behaviour, such as playing loud music.

The tenants will then be banned from reapplying for two years, under plans to be unveiled by Michael Gove, the Housing Secretary, this week.

People with unspent convictions and anti-social behaviour orders could also be blocked.

A government source said: Its not right to have people who make their neighbours lives a misery staying in social homes while deserving families are stuck on waiting lists.

The proposal was first floated in an anti-social behaviour action plan published last October.

It said: Landlords and law-abiding tenants will benefit from stronger laws and systems to ensure those who are persistently disruptive are evicted.

We will seek to halve the delay between a private landlord serving notice for antisocial behaviour and eviction and broaden the disruptive and harmful activities that can lead to eviction. We will also provide a clear expectation that previous antisocial behaviour offenders are deprioritised for social housing.

Mr Gove will launch a consultation on the scheme this week.

Ministers say it will focus on giving social housing to those who need it and those who contribute most to the country. This includes putting British families at the top of a waiting list for social housing to try to prioritise British homes for British workers.

Government figures show that 90 per cent of the lead tenants in social housing are British. However, in the London borough of Brent, 40 per cent of new social homes were let to foreign nationals in 2021-22.

It is not yet clear how the law will be written and how it will be enforced.

The plans echo changes made by Gordon Brown in the dying days of his government which allowed housing providers choosing between two households of equivalent need to take into account how long they have lived in the area.

Priority for UK-born

The consultation will also look at how to give people born in the UK priority for council homes.

Mr Browns changes allowed housing providers choosing between two households of equivalent need to take into account how long they have lived in the area.

But the Conservative proposals  which were first trailed last summer  are understood to go much further.

Under current rules, local housing authorities are meant to decide social housing allocation based on need, giving priority to those who are homeless or living in overcrowded or squalid conditions.

As part of the bid to make it easier for British-born people to jump the housing queue, tenants will have to show they have had links to the UK for a decade and the local area for two years.

The consultation will also consider blocking people who earn above a certain salary from renting social housing.

Refugees are allowed to claim social housing, but anyone who is not entitled to benefits is not, meaning most foreigners in the UK are already excluded.

One option in front of the Government is to discriminate on the basis of nationality, but such a move is likely to fall foul of equalities law.

A more plausible change would be to bar refugees from gaining access to social housing, but this would be controversial given that those who have successfully been given refugee status are supposed to be allowed full access to social benefits.

Those who have come to the UK under the Ukrainian or Afghan resettlement schemes are likely to be protected, however.

Ministers could also seek to strengthen the rules introduced by Mr Brown so that people have to show they have stronger or longer connections to an area before being given priority for housing.

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Starting in March 2024, Apple users in the EU can expect new app stores and other changes not seen anywhere else | Kathy Willens, Associated Press

Apple is allowing alternative app stores to be installed on its products in the European Union, according to its new announcement.

These changes are a response to a new law passed in the EU, known as the DMA. According to the European Commission, the DMA stands for the Digital Markets Act and is meant to make sure large online platforms are fair to each other without one becoming a gatekeeper.

According to CNN, this will give Apple users in the EU more app options and developers who couldnt access the Apple app store an opportunity to reach more potential customers.

While the changes wont be official until March, the EU will make sure Apples new changes follow the DMA. In an interview with Reuters, EU industry chief Thierry Breton said, If the proposed solutions are not good enough, we will not hesitate to take strong action.

Why does this matter?

Due to the DMA going into effect this year, Apple had to make necessary changes to its software and hardware to abide by the new law. According to Forbes, the DMA will allow other competition to enter the market and not allow major companies such as Apple to dominate the market.

However, there is a risk with these new updates. Apple has said that these updates are an opportunity for new malware and security threats. Apple is currently working to provide new protections, such as notarizations for new apps and payment disclosures.

These changes are currently expected to be rolled out to countries in the EU, while those who are not in the EU will see separate changes, according Apple.

If you live in the EU when these updates come out, Forbes recommends that you check the apps from third-party app stores before downloading.
"Multiple" Arizona National Guard troops were wounded in a drone strike that killed three U.S. troops and injured dozens of others Sunday in northeast Jordan near the Syria border, according to a spokesperson for the unit.

Three Arizona Guard troops were being medically evacuated for further care but were expected to recover.

The U.S. Department of Defense on Monday identified the three soldiers killed as Sgt. William Jerome Rivers of Carrollton, Georgia; Spc. Kennedy Ladon Sanders of Waycross, Georgia; and Spc. Breonna Alexsondria Moffett of Savannah, Georgia. They were assigned to the 718th Engineer Company, 926th Engineer Battalion, 926th Engineer Brigade with Fort Moore, Georgia.

The agency said more than 40 service members were injured in the attack but didn't specify how many were with the Arizona National Guard.

Capt. Erin Hannigan, an Arizona National Guard spokesperson, said the Arizona service members were deployed in September 2023 as part of Operation Spartan Shield to provide "law and order and personal security capabilities" for roughly one year.

On Monday evening, Hannigan issued an update saying multiple troops with the Arizona National Guard 1st Battalion, 158th Infantry Regiment, Bushmasters were injured. Three were medically evacuated for further care but were expected to recover.

"Facts of this attack are still being collected, and it is unknown at this time how many Arizona service members were impacted," Hannigan said in a statement.

"In accordance with Department of Defense policy, the identities of the injured service members will be withheld."

Maj. Gen. Kerry L. Muehlenbeck, Arizona National Guard Adjutant General, said in a statement, Our priority is to the soldiers and their families. What impacts them, impacts us all. We continue to gather information, please keep them in your prayers.

Hannigan said the Arizona National Guard would provide updates as information became available.

Gov. Katie Hobbs posted a comment on X, formerly known as Twitter, lamenting those injured in the attack.

"I am heartbroken to hear reports of the Arizona National Guardsmen wounded in action during the attack in Jordan," Hobbs stated. "Im actively monitoring the situation and my administration is in contact with AZ NG Adjutant General Muehlenbeck. We are ready to offer support for the Guardsmen and their families, and will be prepared to take action as the situation develops."

Hobbs said during an afternoon news conference, which focused on her plan to renew a school funding measure known as Proposition 123, that she could not comment on the status of Arizona Guard members. "I'm not able to say anything at this point. We have very preliminary information that I'm not at liberty to share," she said.

Hobbs added that she was being briefed "on a very regular basis" by Guard officials.

Hannigan referred to information from the White House that radical Iran-backed militant groups operating in Syria and Iraq were behind the attack.

Top U.S. and NATO officials on Monday dismissed Iran's claims that it had no role in the weekend drone attack on a U.S. base in Jordan that killed three Americans and threatened to fuel expansion of the Israeli-Hamas war.

Rep. Ruben Gallego, who sits on the House Armed Services Committee, shared his condolences to the injured Guardsmen as well.

"I am devastated to hear that Arizona National Guardsmen are among those injured in the drone strike in Jordan," Gallego posted on X. "My thoughts are with the Guardsmen and their families as they recover. My office is reaching out to the Guard for info. We stand ready to assist however we can."

Gallego also decried the drone attack and called for a response.

"The attack carried out by Iranian-backed militants is a heinous escalation, and it must not go unpunished," Gallego said. "We cannot stand idle to terrorism. I am committed to providing the administration the needed resources to protect our troops in the region and hold Iran accountable."

Sen. Mark Kelly, who sits on the U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services, posted a statement on X on Sunday also condemning the attack.

"Three servicemembers made the ultimate sacrifice and 25 more were injured in service of our country," Kelly posted while quote-tweeting a story by the New York Times. "Im thinking of them and their loved ones. This attack is a dangerous escalation by Irans proxies. Those responsible must be held accountable."

Kelly later posted to X on Tuesday sharing that he and his wife, Gabby Giffords, had the injured troops in their thoughts.

"Gabby and I are thinking about our Arizona National Guard members who were injured over the weekend and wishing them a full and swift recovery," Kelly wrote. "Our team is in touch with Arizona National Guard leadership and have offered any assistance they need."

The Associated Press reported that the drone may have been mistakenly identified as an American drone returning to the U.S. installation, according to two U.S. officials who weren't authorized to comment and requested anonymity.

The officials say preliminary information suggests the enemy drone that struck the installation known as Tower 22 may have been mistaken for an American drone that was in the air at the same time. The officials add that as the enemy drone was flying in at a low altitude, a U.S. drone was returning to base. As a result, there was no effort to shoot down the enemy drone.

Reaction: Iran-linked drone strike that killed US troops highlights military vulnerability overseas

Officials said that of the 34 wounded troops, most had cuts, bruises, traumatic brain injuries and similar wounds. Eight were medically evacuated and the most seriously hurt service member was in critical but stable condition.

An explanation for how the enemy drone evaded U.S. air defenses on the installation came as the White House said Monday it's not looking for war with Iran even as President Joe Biden vows retaliatory action.

The brazen attack, which the Biden administration blames on Iranian-based proxies, adds another layer of complexity to an already tense Mideast situation as the Biden administration tries to keep the Israel-Hamas war from expanding into a broader regional conflict.

"The president and I will not tolerate attacks on U.S. forces, and we will take all necessary actions to defend the U.S. and our troops," Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Monday as he met at the Pentagon with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby reiterated a day after Biden promised to "hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner (of) our choosing" that the U.S. administration wasn't seeking to get into another conflict in the Middle East.

"We are not looking for a war with Iran. We are not looking to escalate the tensions any more than they already have been escalating," Kirby told reporters. "That said, this was a very serious attack. It had lethal consequences. We will respond, and we respond appropriately."

Kirby said that U.S. officials are still working through determining which militant group was behind the attack. He noted that Iran has long equipped and trained the militias.

Iraq's government condemned the drone strike in an apparent effort to distance itself from an attack likely carried out by the Iranian-backed militias that have a strong presence inside Iraq.

Government spokesman Bassem al-Awadi said in a statement on Monday that Iraq is "monitoring with a great concern the alarming security developments in the region" and called for "an end to the cycle of violence." The statement said that Iraq is ready to participate in diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: AZ National Guard troops injured in drone strike that killed 3
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra will be presenting Beethovens only violin concerto with an up-and-coming star violinist.

Kerson Leong Plays Beethoven is the fourth concert for ASOs Stella Boyle Smith Masterworks season.

Arkansas Symphony Orchestra refurbishes church organ just in time for symphony

The concert will be performed Saturday, February 24 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, February 25 at 3:00 p.m. at the Robinson Center.

For me, it feels like not only a pleasure but also almost a need each time I return to the Beethoven violin concerto, as I think it is such an embodiment of the struggles and triumphs of the human condition, Leong said. I cant wait to share what never fails to be a life-affirming experience with the music lovers in Little Rock.

Arkansas Symphony Orchestra previews upcoming concert season

Maestro Geoffrey Robson will begin the program with two ASO-commissioned pieces The Wind and Petit Jean and Halcyon Sun before Leong takes the stage.

This program has an inspiring mix of contemporary and classic selections, Music Director Geoffrey Robson said.

For ticket information and pricing, please visit ArkansasSymphony.org.

Little Rock Symphony breaks ground on new $11M+ facility

Currently, all Arkansas students are admitted free of charge with the purchase of an adult ticket using the Entergy Kids Ticket.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
An argument between roommates that ended in gunfire prompted a response from Atlanta Police Departments SWAT Unit at a home near an elementary school early Monday.

Channel 2s Steve Gehlbach showed you live on Channel 2 Action News This Morning as police responded to the home on Fair Street SW.

Police responded to the home across the street from M. Agnes Jones Elementary School around 2 a.m.

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

When officers arrived, they spoke to the victim who stated that he and his roommate got into an argument over loud music which escalated to his roommate firing gunshots at him.

The victim did not report any injuries.

Officers tried to make contact with the suspect but got no response.

According to police, they went into the home around 6:15 a.m. and discovered the suspect was not inside.

Police are still trying to locate the suspect.

Their investigation continues.

TRENDING STORIES:

Atlanta Public Schools sent Channel 2 Action News the following statement:

Due to the APD-related incident near M.A. Jones Elementary School, the campus will be on an exterior lockdown (no outdoor activities) for the duration of the day. An Atlanta Public Schools officer will remain on site and school operations will proceed as normal.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
Two Pennsylvania State Troopers shot an armed suspect in East Huntingdon Township late Sunday night, the agency announced Monday morning.

A state police spokesperson says two troopers responded to 232 Cedar Drive after the homeowner called to report hearing gunshots that possibly broke a window. The homeowner also thought they found a bullet fragment in the home.

While troopers were canvassing the area near where the shots were reportedly fired, the spokesperson said knocked at the door of a home near a vehicle with bullet holes. Upon looking into the home they encountered Jim Miller Jr., who was holding an assault rifle.

The spokesperson said troopers gave verbal commands for Miller to drop the weapon when he came outside of his home, but instead, he fired it. Troopers then engaged in the gunfire.

Miller was shot in the torso by more than one round and was taken to a hospital for treatment. No one else was hurt.

Gregg Thompson with J-N-S Towing, just up the road from Millers home, said he wasnt surprised by this happening.

The neighbors and us all figured something would happen down there, Thompson told Channel 11s Andrew Havranek.

He said Miller started shooting his gun much earlier in the day around 7 a.m.

Just random shooting. Harassing the neighbors, Thompson said. He just, I dont know. Hes a big bully. Thats what we call him, the bully of the neighborhood.

Troopers spent much of the day Monday in area gathering evidence. The two troopers who fired their guns are on administrative leave.

This situation for law enforcement is the worst situation you ever want to be put in. The last thing you ever want to do is pull out a weapon and ultimately discharge it because the person is refusing to comply with requests, said Trooper Steve Limani.

Although Millers condition is unknown at this time, police say theyre hopeful he will recover.

So, were hoping Mr. Miller recovers from what took place. Obviously, hes going to have to face the responsibility of his actions, Limani said. It was a tough position for these two troopers to be put in. Luckily they werent hurt and there were no other innocent people who could have been associated, or people just driving by right? None of those people were injured.

Limani said state police are working with the DAs office to bring charges against Miller. Those charges could be aggravated assault, if not something more.

Currently, police are unsure why Miller was shooting or what he was shooting at. He said the neighbors didnt think he would have a reason to shoot toward their home specifically.

Thompson said hes glad no one else was hurt.

I am very thankful that nobody, that the neighbors didnt get shot up, he said. You know, when youre firing a firearm, youve got to be responsible.

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(COLORADO SPRINGS)  The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) arrested a man in southeast Colorado Springs Saturday night on Jan. 27 for armed robbery.

Officers responded to an armed robbery call at a business in the 600 block of South Circle Drive near Airport Road.

A man, later identified as Alexander Meza-Pelayo, allegedly approached four men with a handgun and then stole items from a victim.

CSPD said officers were able to locate Meza-Pelayo and take him into custody.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado.
The brutal slaying of six men at a remote dirt crossroads in San Bernardino County likely stemmed from a dispute over marijuana, investigators revealed on Monday in their first update since last weeks shocking discovery.

The massacre took place in the Mojave Desert about 20 miles northwest of Adelanto on Tuesday evening. According to the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Office, a man speaking Spanish called 911 to say he had been shot.

Deputies responded to the area and, with assistance from a California Highway Patrol airship, quickly located five bodies. The sixth victim was discovered the following morning.

San Bernardino County Sherrif Shannon Dicus says authorities used human and technological sources to find the suspects.

From the moment we started this investigation, we started to receive strong leads, Dicus said. After I was briefed, I was quite confident that we would be able to get the subjects that were involved in this homicide into custody.

All of the victims had been shot and four were also burned, Dicus confirmed at a news conference Monday afternoon. Three of the victims have been identified as:

Baldemar Mondragon-Albarran, 34, of Adelanto

Franklin Noel Bonilla, 22, of Hesperia

Kevin Dariel Bonilla, 25, of Hesperia

Authorities say a fourth victim is a 45-year-old Hispanic man, theyre waiting to release his identity pending notification of next of kin. The remaining two victims were only identified as Hispanic males.

The five suspects who were arrested are:

Toniel Baez-Duarte, 34, of Apple Valley.

Mateo Baez-Duarte, 24, of Apple Valley

Jose Nicolas Hernandez-Sarabia, 33, of Adelanto

Jose Gregorio Hernandez-Sarabia, 34, of Adelanto

Jose Manuel Burgos Parra, 26, of Adelanto

This aerial image from Sky5 taken on Jan. 24, 2024, shows evidence markers where several people were found shot to death in El Mirage. (KTLA)

A SUV is seen riddled with bullet holes and surrounded by evidence markers in the Mojave Desert near Victorville, California on Jan. 24, 2024. (KTLA)

A SUV is seen riddled with bullet holes and surrounded by evidence markers in the Mojave Desert near Victorville, California on Jan. 24, 2024. (KTLA)

Investigators are seen at the dirt crossroads in the Mojave Desert where the bodies of six people were discovered. Jan. 24, 2024. (KTLA)

Mojave Desert Slayings

It looks like illicit marijuana was the driving force behind these murders, Dicus said.

Dicus pointed out that the state passing Proposition 64 has led to a burgeoning illicit marijuana market.

The reality is Proposition 64, took illicit marijuana and moved it from a felony to a misdemeanor, Dicus said. The reality of this is by allowing that, we have unleashed a plague here in California. The plague is the black market or marijuana and certainly cartel activity.

Sgt. Michael Warrick also spoke at the news conference but didnt release any details on if this is related to the cross-border drug trade, saying, we cant comment on if this is cartel related or not.

Proposition 64, also known as the Adult Use of Marijuana Act, was a voter initiative to legalize cannabis in California in 2016. It passed with 57 percent voter approval, which led to recreational cannabis sales in the state by January 2018.

In 2010, then-California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed legislation that reduced possession of marijuana from a criminal misdemeanor to a civil infraction.

Dicus added that the Shadow Mountain area, which is to the west of where the murders took place is known for illicit marijuana.

News helicopter footage showed the bodies were located around two vehicles. A dark-colored Chevrolet Trailblazer with an Oregon license plate had shattered windows and was riddled with bullet holes. Just yards away, a white Dodge Caravan minivan was undamaged.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
When you walk into Z-Town and take a peek around, youll notice the youthful appearance of the staffers.

Thats because the Elk Grove establishment is co-owned and run by eight friends all in their 20s: Erik Tran, 28; Alex Tran, 28; Thao Nguyen, 28; Tony Le, 27; Vince Tran, 25; Nghia Nguyen, 23; and two more silent partners.

Z-Town Asian Gastro Bar, a new hangout located at 8409 Elk Grove Florin Road near Calvine Road, provides a trifecta of entertainment  a restaurant, a bar and a club, all in one.

The Z in Z-Town stands for generation Z, and the Town represents everybody in the community together.

The new business, open 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. Thursday through Monday, welcomes people of all ages.

The owners searched and considered options in Sacramentos downtown and midtown as well as south Sacramento, but those places ultimately didnt meet their criteria.

Z-Towns current location was previously occupied by a Chinese restaurant, Uncles Chinese Cuisine. The Z-Town group owners stumbled upon the Elk Grove site and spoke to the previous owners at Uncles who wanted to retire.

Theres a lot of traffic going around this location and we felt like this is where we wanted to be at right now, said co-owner Erik Tran, no relation to Alex Tran or Vince Tran. Downtown, it just wasnt for us. It just didnt feel very safe.

They went all-in, unafraid of the unknown. The Z-Town group owners agreed on a buyout deal and took over the lease, completely rebranded and opened their gathering spot on Halloween 2022.

Despite being open 15 months, Erik Tran said they are still in the soft opening stage. They plan to host their grand opening planned for Lunar New Year on Feb. 10, where they will roll out their full menu.

Tran said they are aiming for Z-Town to be the newest hot spot and leave an imprint on Elk Grove.

To be an inspiration is one (goal) and also leave some sort of mark in Elk Grove, like either be the financial benefits for the city of Elk Grove and even Sacramento County, creating more jobs possibly for the younger generation, Tran said.

With the opening of Sky River were seeing theres a lot of people coming down to Elk Grove and we thought, Why just Sky River, why not Z-Town as well? We want to be one of the things that attract people to Sacramento County.

Exceeding others expectations

Z-Town is the co-owners first business experience.

Alex Tran, the brains behind the model, worked for the state of California prior to Z-Town. He deejayed on the side, fueling a passion of his.

He wanted to do something that he enjoyed doing and wanted his friends to have a part of it.

Hanging out one day I thought, Why dont we do something where we can still hang out and still have fun, Tran said. People say dont mix business with family, friends or a lot of people. I want to prove that wrong.

They faced challenges having to come up with their interior designs. They came across plumbing issues that prolonged their opening. They had to figure it out on their own, but stayed resilient and continued to learn along the way.

When this whole thing started, there was a lot of skepticism, Erik Tran said. There was a lot of negativity, people saying, Oh, this is not going to go well. You guys wont be this or you guys wont be that.

Not only did they want to open a talk-of-the-town hangout, but Tran said they wanted to prove doubters wrong.

They didnt take us seriously.

He added: We just wanted to show our generation that if you get challenges, just face them head on...You dont have to have experience right away, you learn as you do it.

Their growing success has seen them gain attention on social media, with over 5,000 followers on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook. Theyve had busy nights where they had to inform people that they were full.

Tran said their vision is to bring a Vegas-like vibe down to Elk Grove.

Elk Grove Vice Mayor Rod Brewer, who oversees District 2 where Z-Town is located, is ecstatic about the opportunities they look to bring to Elk Grove.

As a community that loves its restaurants and variety of food options, I congratulate Z-Town Asian Gastro Bar on bringing their business to Elk Grove, Brewer said. It is my hope that more businesses will see what we are doing here to attract new restaurants and businesses and work with us to help make their vision a reality.

A group of friends and colleagues from Connie Van Real Estate Group dine at the newly opened Z Town Asian Gastro Bar in Elk Grove on Jan. 12.

The experience

Erik Tran said of Z-Town: Its hard to explain until you actually get to experience it.

Its very hard to explain because we dont want our word to be misinterpreted. The only way for you to experience that type of feeling, how unique it is, is for you to actually be here and see it with your own eyes.

Some show up for the ambiance of a nightclub or lounge where they can hear the bass knock against the speakers the moment they enter the parking lot.

Some experience the best of both worlds that includes their food which features an Asian fusion menu consisting of specialty dishes inspired by traditional Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese and Hong Kong recipes, freshly prepared in-house daily by a chef. All eight co-owners come from a Vietnamese background.

Theyre on social media viewing comments and posts. They talk to people who tell them, theres nothing in Sacramento like this.

Connie Van, an Elk Grove real estate agent, decided she and some friends would get out one recent Friday evening to unwind from a long work week over a couple of drinks, some food and music.

Thats when she and her friends stumbled upon Z-Town.

Were actually trying it for the first place today, Van said. This used to be a Chinese restaurant. Sacramento (area) has always needed a hip place, and it looks like a club. And were just here for some appetizers and drinks with friends.

Van yearned to try out a spot that shed never been to before, somewhere new. She wasnt disappointed.

If youre in Sacramento, come check it out, Van said. Its delicious. (The) lychee soju is delicious. We tried the chicken cartilage and  the chicken skewers.

A group of friends from Connie Van Real Estate Group enjoy the lychee Soju at the newly opened Z Town Asian Gastro Bar in Elk Grove.

Alex Tran addressed the elephant in the room: the price.

The appetizers such as fries, cheese osku, chicken cartilage and beef skewers range between $8 to $20. Entrees, which include fried rice, kimchi and hotpot, range from $18 to nearly $50. The cocktails are made with fresh fruits and, depending on a jug or tower order, can cost between $47 and $79.

For most people, the first thing they look at are our prices, Tran said. (Z-Town) is for a group, not just one person.

He said most people visit in groups of four or more to get the most of their experience.

Our service is not the typical what you would see at other restaurants, other nightclubs, Tran said. As soon as customers come in, youre family. We treat you like family, we drink with you like family, we sit and hang out with you like family, we talk to you like family.

Tran wants to ensure everybody feels welcome at their place, no matter their age, race, gender or sexual orientation.

Tran said although Z-Town appears as your typical young, Southeast Asian hangout, its not their only target audience.

Weve got a lot of different ethnicities, backgrounds, (people) from a lot of different regions coming down and they all enjoy it, Tran said. Its not just for the youngAll the older people, the older crowds, they look at us and theyre impressed.

Zee-Mussy pork belly are available as appetizers at Z Town Asian Gastro Bar in Elk Grove earlier this month.
Lisa Armstrong is the Telegraphs head of fashion. She began her career in fashion at Vogue. She has written four novels, has an honorary doctorate from the University of Arts in London, and was awarded an OBE in 2022 for services to fashion.

Each week, she responds to your queries, lending her expertise to help you shop smart. Have a question for her? Submit it below.

Dear Lisa,

I love to dress up, but most days I find myself in joggers or yoga leggings when walking my dog or relaxing at home. Im looking for everyday wear thats sturdy and comfortable without making me look like Ive thrown in the sartorial towel.

 Cat

Dear Cat,

Walking my havanese Mabel every morning is one of the best parts of my day, so I get where youre coming from. This time of year, its all about warmth, dodging the mud  and trousers that tuck into boots. Although it sounds as though youd like one solution that covers all eventualities, including hound duties.

Yoga pants  you dont say whether you like the drapey style or those more like leggings, but either of these can work well for all-day wear when the fabrics are good. Track pants have been given the luxury treatment on the catwalks, along with hoodies and cargo pants. These from Toteme, a fashion editors go-to, are pretty steep price-wise, but Ive included them to show how good comfies can look in deluxe fabrics and when worn in thought-through ways. The cream is not for anyone who actually does any work, but you get the drift

ask lisa clothing

Wool bib collar, 65, & Other Stories; Organic cotton and cashmere track pants, 510, Toteme

ask lisa clothing

The Boot To Trainer Cargo Pant, 175.00, Me+Em; Slim-fit knitted trousers, 110, Cos

These, from Cos, are interesting  the same cosy feeling, but smart. Knitted from Nativa, a regenerative wool, theyd look quite sophisticated with the matching waistcoat and jacket  and theyre all machine washable on a cool cycle.

Also, the Uniqlo sale is on, which means some steals in their cashmere and merino departments. Layer them over a crisp cotton shirt for some smartness. Keep your proportions balanced  if its slim below, have more volume on top to keep things stylish. This quilted jacket from J Crew is adorable  and so easy to wear.

People so often underestimate how interesting basics can make everything so much zingier. This tabard can be worn over so many pieces, from T-shirts to jumpers, and will make even the oldest sweatshirts look more stylish.

ask lisa clothing

Cropped quilted jacket, 221, J Crew; Merino wool vest, 150, Me+Em

Me+Em, a hugely popular British brand thats broken into the USA, is pretty much your one-stop shop for style and function. This should be where you find plenty of practical, washable trousers and intelligently designed layering pieces to wear on your top half. The Boot To Trainer Cargo Pant Tan is typical of its modus operandi, with an ankle-cuff you can flip up or down depending on what heel youre wearing it with.

You could do some yoga wearing this fleecy navy zip top. I like that it can be worn unzipped at the top or bottom. I tried it on and, I wont lie, it made me look like a zoo keeper, but I spotted it on someone else with a longer body and it looked pretty good. And they have some great bomber jackets  you may be spoiled for choice. And one more thing, jumpsuits are back  functional and smart, this is your season.

 Lisa

Dear Lisa,

I tend to live in jeans and jumpers as I hate the cold, but I feel frumpy and make-up doesnt help. Im 5ft 4in, slim, with short hair, and Im a keen runner. Id love to find a pull-on hat that I could wear to go running in, but they look hideous on me. I moved to Sheffield last year so I have had to reinvent my life. Sheffield is a very welcoming city full of things to do but I feel way behind the times.

 Louise

Dear Louise,

It sounds as though youve suffered an erosion of self-confidence. It might be a good idea to start with your make-up  you could get some advice, or a full makeover, in a department store. (Stake out the kind of look you want first. No point in approaching a Kardashianised make-up saleswoman if what youre after is something more like Julianne Moore.)

Personally, on days when I need help to just look awake and happy, I reach for a bright red lipstick. Jones Roads Miracle Balms can be used on their own  with some concealer or under your existing foundation for extra radiance  and some industrial-strength mascara (Maybellines range is great but I also really love Victoria Beckhams mascaras).

Your hair is short, which sounds promising, but perhaps it could do with an update. Its amazing how much difference a great cut can make to the way we feel, and it will also have an impact on the way your clothes look.

If you enjoy jeans and jumpers, you dont necessarily have to make a drastic change. Increasingly, style is about tiny tweaks that make a big difference  rolling up the sleeves of a shirt, tucking in a jumper at the front, belting a blazer, layering with modern cuts and interesting silhouettes.

ask lisa clothing

Merino Cashmere Jumper, 275 and Merino Cashmere Skirt, 250, both Me+Em

But some great jumpers come with built-in interest such as funnel necklines (great if youd like to conceal lines and sag), trims, asymmetric hems, slits, luxurious textures and so on  nothing crazy, but enough to elevate them. Generally, jumpers are being worn shorter these days  because waistbands are higher. Also, tanks are a very easy, versatile piece to have to hand  you can wear them over shirts, T-shirts, and even other jumpers, or on their own in the evening. Me+Em or Cos are two good places to browse.

Aligne and The Frankie Shop are great places to look for trousers of all shapes  they have matching waistcoats as well, which can look so elegant and smart in a youthful, modern way.

Or for something that may push you out of your zone, but not comfort, how about these knitted and very chic skirt and jumper co-ords from Me+Em?

cashmere beanie

Recycled cashmere Beanie, 40, & Other Stories

As for a hat for running in  I would imagine wool would be a bit itchy once you get hot, so perhaps it has to be cashmere. This one from & Other Stories is nice and thin and comes in three colours. You have a trim figure from the sounds of things and naturally seem drawn to gamine styles which fashion perennially is too. In other words, theres a lot out there that youll like if you can set aside a bit of time.

Between Sheffield and Leeds, youve got some good shopping options  at this stage, when youre unsure of what you want, Id recommend going into stores if only to browse, or make an appointment with their personal shoppers/stylists, who can be very helpful. You can always start buying online further down the line when you have a few tried and tested go-tos.

Happy shopping.

 Lisa

Do you have a style query of your own? Ask Lisa here

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer.
SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage)  Two non-profit organizations are helping fund ongoing renovations and updates to the Angelo State University Rodeo Complex at the San Angelo Fairgrounds totaling $150,000 in response to a $1 million challenge grant that was announced in 2023.

According to a press release from ASU, Crystelle Waggoner Charitable Trust from Dallas awarded ASU with a $100,000 grant. The local Earnest and Dorthey Barrow Foundation also awarded the university with a $50,000 grant.

RELATED: ASUs new Rodeo Team receives up to $1 million challenge grant

Since the $1 million challenge grant was announced, a total of $225,000 in grants have been awarded to ASU for the ASU Rodeo Complex. This amount will be matched by an anonymous donor who pledged in June 2023 to match all gifts and donations up to $1 million.

We are thankful for the generosity of our donors whose passion aligns with our strategy of launching and sustaining new programs impacting recruiting and retention efforts at Angelo State, said Jamie Mayer, vice president for external affairs. The ASU Rodeo Team has been generating a lot of excitement since it was announced last spring, and these grants will help us to not only provide our rodeo student-athletes with a top-notch facility but also build on the strong foundation already in place to propel the ASU Rodeo Team into a bright and successful future.

Born into a North Texas ranching family, Crystelle Waggoner established the Crystelle Waggoner Charitable Trust through Bank of America to benefit nonprofit organizations. Since her passing in 1982, millions of dollars in grants have been awarded to Fort Worth and North Texas communities for the arts, healthcare and education.

PREVIOUS: ASU Rodeo Team head coach announced

Given Crystelles passion for western heritage, such as rodeo, love for ranching and cowgirl lifestyle, it is a great honor to support the Angelo State University Rodeo Team, said Meghan Bennett, vice president and philanthropic client manager. This grant will benefit students for many years to come through the mission and legacy of the Crystelle Waggoner Charitable Trust.

Earnest and Dorthy Barrow established a foundation in 1977 to maintain and operate the Earnest and Dorthy Foundation Museum in Eola. The Earnest and Dorthy Barrow Foundation provides grant funding to areas in culture, education and arts and humanities.

The Earnest and Dorthy Barrow Foundation has a long history of supporting Angelo State by funding scholarships for students pursuing degrees in history and agriculture, said Daniel Wilde, foundation president. We feel that the ASU Rodeo Team will not only attract top students and competitors from our region and beyond but also embody the West Texas spirit and culture that the Barrows were so proud of and worked to preserve in their museum. We look forward to seeing the improvements to the ASU Rodeo Complex and the success of the ASU Rodeo Team.

Inside the 20,000 square-foot dirt-floor complex there are holding pins, stalls, bucking chutes, a concession stand and indoor restrooms ASU shared. In addition, this complex which is also the ASU Rodeo Teams practice facility boards student-athletes horses and practice livestock.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com.
FILE PHOTO: Aircraft are seen on the tarmac of Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport in Madrid

By Inti Landauro and Catarina Demony

MADRID (Reuters) -Several hundred migrants seeking asylum are in limbo at Madrid airport, sleeping in crammed spaces with poor conditions, Spanish rights groups said, describing the situation as "unsustainable."

Spain's Commission for Assistance to Refugees (CEAR) told Reuters on Monday the number of people requesting international protection upon landing at Madrid's international airport, Barajas, has been increasing since last summer.

"In December, the situation became unsustainable," said CEAR spokesperson Elena Munoz. "People sleep on mattresses on the floor, sometimes several per mattress ... There are bed bugs and cockroaches."

There were up to 400 people stuck at the airport last week, and "more and more arrive every day," according to Munoz, who could not provide a precise number as of this week.

A Spanish interior ministry spokesperson would not give any estimates either, saying the number of migrants "fluctuates" with flight arrivals.

According to the ministry, there are three rooms equipped with bathrooms set aside for migrants seeking asylum, with a fourth to be opened imminently.

It has increased surveillance of airport facilities, upped the number of police, border officers and cleaning staff, while working with the foreign ministry to issue more transit visas.

Most of the migrants were from African countries such as Senegal, Mali, Equatorial Guinea and Morocco, but some were also from Colombia and Venezuela, CEAR said. It said they arrive without a visa or lack some of the required documents and have to wait for their entry to be granted or refused.

Illegal immigration and asylum have become contentious political issues in Europe, the United States and other nations in the past decade as more migrants have taken dangerous journeys across the Mediterranean and to the U.S.-Mexico border.

CEAR said the issues causing the problem at Madrid airport include a shortage of interpreters and long waits of 10-20 days for the applications to be processed.

The Red Cross has also raised concerns and decided to temporarily stop providing services at the airport.

"There comes a time when there is no point in continuing to do a job if we cannot take care of these people as they deserve," Jose Sanchez of the Red Cross told Onda Cero radio. "All these people are fleeing from very difficult situations."

2023 was a record year for irregular migrant arrivals in Spain, particularly on the Canary Islands, where most arrived by sea. The Atlantic route to the Canary Islands is the deadliest.

In a separate statement on Monday, the interior ministry said it had reached an agreement with the EU border agency, Frontex, for two joint operations this year - one covering the western Mediterranean and one on the Canary Islands.

(Reporting by Inti Landauro, Catarina Demony and Emma Pinedo in MadridEditing by Andrei Khalip, Mark Heinrich and Matthew Lewis)
Police claim to have identified five men who broke into Nikolov's apartment

A controversial interview with two individuals allegedly involved in the invasion of the apartment of journalist Yuriy Nikolov revealing the possible role of Ukrainian Security service (SBU) was published on Jan. 28 in the Zhitomir.city news outlet.

Two men claimed they were asked to intimidate the journalist, with their actions supposedly coordinated by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU).



A person going by the name Oleksiy approached them and asked to scare a "talkative man" who had been speaking unfavorably about President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during the war.



Oleksiy allegedly claimed the actions were supported with the SBU and everything would be "under control." The alleged attackers mentioned that the client often wore military attire, creating the impression of a "decent person."

The men traveled to Kyiv, quickly executed the order, and filmed the required video, which they immediately sent to Oleksiy. They also stated they are ready to personally apologize to Nikolov, claiming they were "used in the dark" and unaware of their target's identity, reported Zhitomir.city.

The SBU has denied any any involvement in the incident in a comment to NV, claming that allegations of the attackers' collaboration with the service are "deliberate manipulation on the part of the perpetrators.

Read also: Ukraines problem with selective justice  expert interview

The SBU also condemned the attack on Nikolov as unacceptable, noting that independent media is an "integral component of a modern democratic society."

The police have initiated a criminal related to the obstruction of the lawful professional activities of journalists and promised full support for the investigation.

Nikolov informed his lawyer about the information revealed in the interview and toldDetector Media that he could not yet assess the authenticity of the Zhitomir.city article.



He also suggested looking into a possible Russian hand in the attacks against him.

Unknown individuals attempted to break into journalist Nikolovs Kyiv apartment on Jan. 15. Nikolov had exposed inflated prices for Defense Ministry procurements, leading to the resignation of Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov and the parliament adopting a bill on transparent defense procurement. Nikolovs mother was at home during the break-in attempt.

Read also: Ukrainian journalist on price for exposing government corruption  interview

Kyiv police reported identifying five men involved in the break-in at the journalist's apartment on Jan. 21.



The police had released all five perpetrators detained for the attack on his apartment, Nikolov reported on Jan. 26.

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
RICHMOND, Va. (WFXR)  As legislators continue working towards a border defense deal to avoid further escalation of the situation in Texas and other areas, Attorney General Jason Miyares announced on Jan. 29., that he joined 26 other states in support of Governor Abbott in a letter to the Biden Administration.

Virginia has now joined Iowa, Utah, Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, West Virginia, Wyoming, and the Arizona State Legislature.

In his statement to the President, AG Miyares said the following:

Since President Biden took office, more than six million undocumented migrants have crossed the southern border. This unchecked invasion poses a grave threat to national security and fuels the surge in drug and human trafficking. In the face of this unprecedented influx of migrants, the Biden Administrations actions have worsened the crisis, rather than mitigate it. Border Patrol agents acting on the Biden Administrations orders cut Texass border defense wires more than 20 times in just one month. In one shocking case, they even used a forklift to raise the wire and usher in more than 300 undocumented migrants. With the Biden Administration failing to fulfill its responsibility and secure our border, states like Texas have taken decisive action, stepping up to protect their citizens. A federal district court found that Texass border defense wires reduced illegal border crossings by more than two-thirds. These barriers protect not just Texans from millions of illegal border crossings, but the rest of the nation as well. The time for action is now. The Biden Administration must either fulfill its duty to enforce the laws that secure our southern border, or states like Texas will use their constitutional authority to address this invasion themselves and protect their citizens, Attorney General Jason Miyares.

The states in the coalition are strongly encouraging the Biden Administration to take immediate action by securing the southern border or to allow states like Texas to do so themselves.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv.
An attorney betrayed her clients trust in a $250,000 scheme to defraud people she had been appointed to protect, Alabama officials said.

Teresa Darwin Phillips has now been sentenced to 20 years in prison, Alabamas attorney general Steve Marshall announced in a Jan. 29 news release.

Phillips, 43, was a DeKalb County attorney and candidate for district judge before a 2020 investigation revealed she had defrauded vulnerable clients while acting on their behalf, officials said.

The district attorneys office said it was able to uncover the attorneys scheme to use the funds given to her by clients and other elderly individuals for whom she had been appointed as legal guardian or conservator for her own personal gain.

An attorney may be appointed someones guardian or conservator if they are declared incapacitated and unable to make financial or personal decisions, according to Alabama law.

Once a lawyer has gained the trust of a client, particularly an elderly client, they owe that client the highest degree of (honesty) and loyalty, Marshall said in the release. To see that trust betrayed on such a wide scale warrants a severe reaction from the justice system.

In November 2022, Phillips pleaded guilty to nine charges, including multiple counts each of financial exploitation of the elderly, theft of property and theft by deception, according to the plea agreement obtained by McClatchy News.

Eight other charges, including forgery and unauthorized practice of law, were dropped as part of her plea agreement.

In addition to serving 20 years in prison, Phillips is also ordered to pay more than $181,000 in restitution to a handful of victims and their estates, including $94,000 to one individual, according to the plea.

This case should serve as yet another warning to attorneys across our state seeking to take advantage of vulnerable clients  you will be found out and held accountable, Marshall said.

McClatchy News reached out to Phillips attorney on Jan. 29 but did not immediately receive a response.

DeKalb County is in northeast Alabama along the Georgia border, about 70 miles southeast of Huntsville.

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AUSTIN (KXAN)  For an entire year, 135 households in Austin received $1,000 every month.

It was part of the citys guaranteed income pilot, which tested how direct cash might help individuals and families with low incomes.

The guaranteed income pilot was put on by UpTogether, a national nonprofit that worked with 10 community-based partners to raise more than $500,000 of additional funds for the program.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Austin to give guaranteed income to 85 individuals

Those cash transfers ended in August 2023, and a new report revealed what a majority of that money was spent on.

Housing stability

Urban Institute surveyed each participant to see how they spent the money. They found that participants spent, on average, more than half of their cash to cover housing costs.

By the end of the 12-month period, pilot participants had become substantially more housing

secure, the report said.

After the year-long payments, 14% more people were caught up on their mortgage or rent.

The vast majority of folks in this pilot do not have any kind of public subsidy for their rent. So where they use the cash was on rent, said Mary Bogle, Principal Research Associate for the Urban Institute.

The report also found that fewer people had the likelihood of having to leave their homes in the next two months due to eviction or foreclosure.

Probably one of the biggest findings from our reports is that the cash did improve housing stability quite a bit, Bogle said.

Employment status

Participants employment stayed relatively stable throughout the pilot program, according to the report.

Among participants, 9% of people said they worked for less time because of the extra money and that they were able to use that time for other things.

They spent the extra time on skills-building with the aim of securing a higher-quality job and the other half taking on additional care commitments, such as spending more time with their children, the report said.

Mental health impacts

When it comes to participants mental health while on this program, the report found the highest level of improvement at the six-month mark.

What that bump is about is people sort of clearing their headspace, Bogle said.

The report found 12% of people had a substantial relief from depression.

Feeling anxious and depressed stayed at or near six-month levels by the end of the pilot.

However, a majority of participants reported that they were not able to stop worrying. The feeling increased by 6% above the baseline by the end of the pilot, according to the report.

Better food security

Most people faced food insecurity before taking part in this program.

Folks werent, you know, cutting meal sizes or skipping meals to make their food budget work as much, Bogle said.

The report found a significant decrease in that by the end of the 12 months.

Participants were notably more likely to be able to afford balanced meals as a result of the cash payments, the report said.

Ultimately, Bogle said these funds allowed people to pay for their basic needs and figure out ways to improve their lives.

Whether that was saving up to get a car or paying for classes to get a promotion, it was money well spent.

People are using the cash, the flexibility of the cash, to solve their dilemmas, especially their barriers to work, Bogle said.

There right on time

Last year, KXAN spoke with Taniquewa Brewster.

She spoke about her plans after she was chosen to be a part of the guaranteed income pilot program.

Taniquewa Brewster is a single mother of five children, who received $1,000 direct deposits each month for an entire year through Austins guaranteed income program. (KXAN Photo)

Taniquewa Brewster is a single mother of five children, who received $1,000 direct deposits each month for an entire year through Austins guaranteed income program. (KXAN Photo)

My family was actually one of the families that was chosen for that, Brewster said.

The mother of five told KXAN she used that money to help with hospital costs at the time.

That money was just there right on time because it helped me to pay some of that down, Brewster said. It helped me to buy medication that I would not have been able to afford.

Will the guaranteed income program continue?

In September 2023, the City of Austin created another guaranteed income program.

Originally, the City of Austin allocated $1.1 million of taxpayer dollars to support 85 individuals facing extreme financial hardship.

Extra allocation of philanthropic funds allowed for 50 more participants.

The Austin City Council allocated $1.3 million within its new budget to pay for another guaranteed income program.

It will fund $1,000 a month for at least 85 families this year.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Monday returned to the Pentagon after working from home since being released from a weeks-long hospitalization earlier this month.

Austin had been conducting his duties from home since his release from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Jan. 15, according to a brief Defense Department statement announcing the transition.

The Pentagon chief started the day with an in-person meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, which Austin began by acknowledging the deaths of three U.S. service members killed by a drone strike on Sunday at the Tower 22 base in Jordan. Another two dozen troops were injured in the attack, which was close to the southeastern border with Syria.

Let me start with my outrage and sorrow for the deaths of three brave U.S. troops in Jordan and for the other troops who were wounded, Austin said at the top of the meeting. The president and I will not tolerate attacks on U.S. forces and we will take all necessary actions to defend the U.S. and our troops.

He added that he was glad to be back at the Pentagon at this important time.

I feel good and [am] recovering well  but still recovering  and I appreciate all the good wishes that I have received thus far.

Stoltenberg, meanwhile, expressed his condolences for the troops killed and wounded in Jordan, which President Biden has blamed on radical Iran-backed militant groups.

Iran continues to destabilize the region, this includes backing terrorists who attack our ships in the Red Sea, and the U.S. is leading international efforts to end these attacks, Stoltenberg said.

Austin first entered the hospital on Jan. 1 due to an infection stemming from a Dec. 22 surgery to treat prostate cancer, at one point being admitted to the intensive care unit.

The incident caused an uproar in Congress after lawmakers learned the White House and Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks were not notified of his hospitalization until Jan. 4.

It wasnt until Jan. 9 that Austin revealed his prostate cancer diagnosis. The cancer was found during an early December health screening, a diagnosis the White House also knew nothing about until it was announced publicly.

Austins lack of communication to the public and top U.S. officials has sparked a 30-day internal Pentagon review on the policies and procedures surrounding how officials are notified of a transition of authorities.

In addition, the DOD inspector general has opened an investigation into the matter and the White House launched a review of protocols for how Cabinet officials delegate authority.

Updated: 11:30 a.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Maria Corina Machado, opposition leader of the Vente Venezuela party, speaks at a press conference after being banned from holding public office for 15 years. Despite the ban, Machado wants to challenge the authoritarian President Maduro in this year's elections. Pedro Rances Mattey/dpa

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado said she still intends to challenge the authoritarian President Nicolas Maduro in this year's elections - even though she is banned from holding office.

"We will beat Maduro in the presidential election and we will do it together," the 56-year-old told a press conference on Monday, according to a report in the newspaper El Nacional.

Machado, from the Vente Venezuela party, was chosen by a wide majority as the opposition's presidential candidate in internal primaries last October.

But last year she was banned from holding public office for 15 years due to alleged "administrative irregularities" from her time as a member of parliament.

Last Friday, the Supreme Justice Tribunal confirmed the decision.

Venezuela has been in a severe political crisis for years. Maduro is cracking down on opponents of the government and has banned several leading members of the opposition from political activity.

Economically, the once-rich country is suffering from mismanagement, corruption and sanctions. According to UN figures, more than 7 million people have left Venezuela in recent years due to poverty and violence.

Maria Corina Machado, opposition leader of the Vente Venezuela party, stands in front of her party's headquarters after being banned from holding public office for 15 years. Despite the ban, Machado wants to challenge the authoritarian President Maduro in this year's elections. Pedro Rances Mattey/dpa
Whats happening

The annual announcement of Academy Award nominations invariably sets off a wave of celebration for the films and artists who have been recognized and sniping over those who have been left out. This year, the anger over Oscar snubs hit a rare level of intensity when it was revealed that two key figures behind Barbie  director Greta Gerwig and its producer and star Margot Robbie  had not been nominated for their contributions to 2023s most successful film.

The academy didnt ignore Barbie. The movie received eight total nominations, including Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay and nods for supporting cast members Ryan Gosling and America Ferrera. But the omission of Gerwig and Robbie from the director and actress categories struck many as not only a surprise, but as a startling oversight that vindicated the films central message about the struggles women face in a world dominated by men.

Both Gosling and Ferrera released statements expressing their disappointment at the nominations, with Gosling calling Gerwig and Robbie the two people most responsible for this history-making, globally-celebrated film. Social media was flooded with posts highlighting the irony of the films most noteworthy male cast member being recognized while the women who served as its creative force and portrayed its iconic main character were not. Even former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton felt compelled to weigh in to assure Gerwig and Robbie that they are much more than Kenough.

Why theres debate

The nature of art means theres no correct answer to the question of whether Barbie (or any film) deserves awards recognition. But its clear from the intensity of the response to Barbies snubs that debate about the movie goes far deeper than opinions on the quality of Gerwigs and Robbies work.

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In the eyes of many critics, the academys decisions highlight the steep hill women have to climb to be considered as worthy as their male counterparts, not just in film, but throughout our society. They argue that it also shows how art made by and for women just isnt treated with the same seriousness as gritty male-centric dramas that tend to dominate awards shows.

But others, including both proponents of feminism and some of its strongest skeptics, say it's unhealthy to treat any single piece of art as a proxy for such a significant and complicated movement. They argue that the academy was correct to judge Barbie on its creative merits, rather than on what it represents.

Some film industry watchers have made the case that the reaction to Barbies snubs is an indication of how effective the marketing around the movie was at convincing people that it was about more than just a means of making money for the studio  to the point that audiences are treating a film that made more than $1.4 billion as some sort of underappreciated masterpiece.

Whats next

Some Oscar experts believe anger over Gerwig's and Robbies omissions could boost Barbies chances of winning the awards it was nominated for. That said, Christopher Nolans epic biopic Oppenheimer is still widely expected to take home Best Picture when the winners are announced at the Oscars telecast on March 10.

Perspectives

The nominations show the unfair standard women are held to

Margot and Greta  the two most integral women of Barbie  being snubbed can only, in my opinion be down to rank sexism, plus a whiff of snobbery.  Emily Maddick, Glamour UK

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Its OK that the academy didnt think Gerwig and Robbie deserved to be nominated

The issue is not that Barbie is too female-focused, too much of an audience-pleasing blockbuster, or too pink. It isnt too anything. The film just apparently wasnt enough for Academy voters.  Its not a snub, they just didnt make the cut.  Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire

The Barbie snubs show how little ground has really been made after so many years

Its tempting to imagine that it feels fine to the Oscars voters to have one woman represented in the directing category: See, they didnt shut women out! But the history of the Academy Awards is crowded with examples of female directors being denied the nomination.  Sara Stewart, CNN

Feminists turned Barbie into a stand-in for their movement that cant possibly be criticized

Let's note that by touting their film as pro-woman and feminist, the makers of Barbie attempted to critic-proof it. In the eyes of a lot of people  almost all on the political left  to criticize the film itself was to criticize women.  Jim Geraghty, National Review

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The films shallow vision of feminism is reflected in anger over its supposed snubs

Barbies snubs are disappointing to some. Sure. But Id argue that the out-of-proportion outrage fans are feeling highlights the films failure to convey a core tenet of feminism to its audience: A personal slight against some high-profile, privileged (white) women is not an affront to the gains of womanhood overall.  Kady Ruth Ashcraft, Jezebel

The anger isnt just about Barbie, but also all of the overlooked female-led art that came before it

Stories that center on death and/or mass murder, which fill most of the director category, have a certain level of tension and drama built in, and the film academy has a modern history of valuing, at least when it comes time for awards, movies that are tense and dramatic over anything bright and shiny. Even when the bright and shiny is also deeply moving and brilliant.  Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times

As a culture, weve become far too personally attached to mainstream art

Today we venerate what is popular. We recognize that we are one in an army of consumers, and this knowledge conditions our experience of culture. In commercially successful art we find a sense of belonging. We take part in something larger than ourselves.  Natasha Degen, New York Times

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Weve lost our ability to tell when were being manipulated by corporate marketing

The bigger tragedy here may be that Barbie is being decorated at all. Barbie was an actual two-hour toy commercial backed by Mattel that, by its very nature, could never offer us radical ideas about feminism and power in society.  Zeeshan Aleem, MSNBC
The documentary Razing Liberty Square looks at the central dilemma facing a Black community located just a few miles from downtown Miami, where the sea levels are rising. Further inland is the neighborhood of Liberty City, which is the highest and driest in the area.

Home to a close-knit but rundown public housing community called Liberty Square, it has been largely ignored for decades and left without adequate resources. But with beachfront properties being swallowed up by the ocean, Liberty Square, which is home to 700 families, is suddenly very desirable real estate to developers precisely because it doesnt flood.

Airing on PBS (and viewable online) as part of Independent Lens, Razing Liberty Square is the story of what happens when the private sector gets its hands on land once carved out for public housing. The climate crisis is driving this gentrification, as formerly undesirable blocks suddenly become enticing because of a previously unforeseen climate advantage.

The films director is Katja Esson, who remains off camera, shooting in a verite style that puts the residents of Liberty Square front and center. But the press materials provided by PBS include worthwhile context thats not spelled out in the film itself. Originally from Germany, Esson moved to Miami in the 1980s and says her first job in the film industry was as a production assistant on music videos for 2 Live Crew that were filmed in Liberty City.

But by 2016, she writes, Miami had exploded into a metropolis with a changed cityscape and thriving new neighborhoods. Only Liberty City seemed frozen in time, and then the bulldozers started rolling in. I picked up my camera and started filming. I wanted to preserve something remarkable, something that continues to be ignored by the larger part of the city. This was 2017, and we have been filming ever since.

A little boy who is a resident of Liberty Square sits in the foreground, while new mixed-income housing is built in the background as seen in the documentary Razing Liberty Square.

The documentary features climate justice organizer Valencia Gunder, who breaks down the history. When they built Miami, they wanted it to be this beachfront paradise, she says. But city planners didnt know how to build on the sandy terrain. So they had to go to the Caribbean Islands and get people to come over here to actually build it. I know we hear about it in America  that Black people built America  but literally, Black people built Miami.

They were also not allowed to live by the shore. They wanted to keep us from the beach. Which makes whats happening now in Liberty City all the more brutal. It used to be the place nobody wanted to live. And now they want it, says Gunder. My grandfather always would say, Theyre gonna come take Liberty City because we dont flood.' More than one resident wonders if the goal is to shatter community bonds and scatter people to parts unknown.

The film becomes all the more interesting as it follows a Liberty City resident named Aaron McKinney, who is employed by the developer, a company called Related Urban. He is one of the few (if not only) Black people involved in the project. He works as a liaison between the community and Related Urban, and his optimism  for better living conditions, for a safer, more commercially vibrant neighborhood  is forever challenged by the residents, who ask smart, probing, understandably angry questions about their future and the companys intentions. Years after joining the project, McKinney is demoralized as the scales fall from his eyes: I know I was a political hire.

Heres what Esson says about the company in her press notes: The developer in our story is so powerful in Miami that it was/is very difficult to even get any press coverage out about the real conditions of the new Liberty Square apartment complex. Many serious journalists have left, or avoid working in Miami because most local news outlets wont publish articles that question the status quo. In that way it is extremely difficult to hold anyone accountable.

Shes referring to issues that became apparent soon after the first new apartment buildings opened. One resident of the area who decided to stay is stunned to find that her unit leaks when it rains. Im going through the same stuff I was going through across the street in a building that was there longer than Ive been alive. Im really worried about whats going to happen with the next hurricane. People are afraid to talk to the building management about the problems, she says, because they make everybody feel afraid.

Razing Liberty Square is a corrective to that, with its expose of cynical impulses and failed promises.

Razing Liberty Square  3 stars (out of 4)

Where to watch: PBS (airing multiple times on WTTW and WTTW World; check the WTTW Independent Lens website for dates; a streaming link to the film is available there as well)

Aaron McKinney was a development coordinator for the developer Related Urban, which is razing the public housing community known as Liberty Square in order to build mixed-income housing, as seen in the documentary Razing Liberty Square.

Nina Metz is a Tribune critic.

nmetz@chicagotribune.com
After being a landmark on Camden's Waterfront for more than 20 years, the USS New Jersey is preparing to set sail to Philadelphia for dry docking and maintenance.

Have questions about the battleship? We have answers.

When is the Battleship New Jersey leaving Camden?

The departure should occur sometime around early- to mid-March according to Marshall Spevak, the museum's Interim CEO.

The exact timeline will depend on the shipyard's availability.

Can I watch the battleship leave New Jersey?

Yes!

"There will be a large event here in Camden, here at the battleship," Spevak said.

The announcement of a departure date will include details on how to watch the ship leave, a ceremony at the battleship and even the potential opportunity to travel alongside the ship on the river.

Why will this be a homecoming for the battleship?

The ship is returning to the former Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, where it was built to take part in America's fight during World War II.

The ship's keel was laid in September 1940, and it was launched on Dec. 7, 1942, the first anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

The battleship was commissioned in May 1943 for service in World War II.

The New Jersey "played a role in every major amphibious invasion after 1943" in the Pacific Theater, including Iwo Jima, and Okinawa, says the memorial's website.

The 45,000-ton ship was decommissioned in 1948, but returned to service multiple times over the next decades.

Where else has the battleship been?

The ship was recommissioned to serve in the Korean War and Vietnam War.

It is the most decorated battleship in the Navy's history, with 19 Battle Stars, the ship's website says.

It was classified as "ready for donation' in 1999 and returned later that year from mothballs in Bremerton, Washington, to the South Jersey-Philadelphia area.

After being restored at the Philadelphia shipyard, it opened as a museum and memorial on Camden's Waterfront in October 2001.

Can I tour the Battleship New Jersey during the dry docking?

Worried about missing tours on this historic vessel during its time in Philadelphia? Don't fret, you'll actually have a unique opportunity to tour under the ship while its docked.

Spevak said that this opportunity, which will only take place on weekends, is "once in a generation." The ship likely won't leave Camden again for at least another 20 years to follow Navy maintenance rules.

Kaitlyn McCormick writes about trending issues and community news across South Jersey for the Courier-Post, The Daily Journal and the Burlington County Times. If you have a story she should tell, email her at kmccormick@gannett.com. And subscribe to stay up to date on the news you need.

This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: 5 questions answered about the Battleship New Jersey
Martin Bashir used forged documents to help secure his interview with Diana, Princess of Wales in 1995 - ITV

The BBC has spent more than 150,000 trying to keep secret a cache of documents relating to an alleged cover-up of the Diana, Princess of Wales Panorama controversy.

The corporation has been ordered to release internal emails under freedom of information laws that may shed light on senior executives behaviour when they discovered that Martin Bashir had used forged documents to help secure his interview with the Princess in 1995.

For the past two-and-a-half years the BBC has fought attempts by the journalist and film-maker Andrew Webb to access the material, and in doing so it has racked up a bill of 151,830 on external legal advice alone. It has spent another 13,556 on computer services for document storage and handling. The total of 165,386 does not include the cost of internal lawyers and other employees, which the BBC says is impossible to quantify.

Jason Pobjoy, a media law specialist who has also represented the Duke of Sussex in his battle with the Home Office over his security arrangements, has represented the BBC at several court hearings. The BBCs spending on external legal advice in its fight with Mr Webb equates to 955 licence fees.

The corporation is expected to hand over about 10,000 pages of data to Mr Webb on Tuesday, Jan 30 after being ordered by a judge to do so in a hearing in December.

It was originally given a deadline of Friday, Jan 26 but asked for a last-minute extension after saying it had not had time to process all of the data.

Deceitful behaviour

Mr Webb believes the BBC deliberately covered up the Bashir scandal not only in 1995, when it first learnt that he had forged documents, but also in 2020 when Mr Webb made a documentary about Mr Bashirs behaviour in securing the interview.

In 2021 Lord Dyson, the former Supreme Court justice, published a report into the Bashir scandal in which he said the former reporter had used deceitful behaviour by forging bank statements to make it appear that members of the Princesss staff were being paid by the media.

Lord Dyson also said the BBC had covered up what it knew about Mr Bashirs behaviour in the 1990s. Mr Webb is trying to get to the bottom of who decided in 2020, when he made his documentary, to withhold a key document  later given to Lord Dyson  which set out how the original cover-up happened.

Mr Webb believes that senior managers who may still be working at the BBC might be implicated in what he has termed the cover-up of the cover-up in 2020.

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Bellinghams Community Food Co-Op is facing a possible employee union, as 170 employees across the two grocery stores will vote on whether to unionize this week.

The employees of the 315 Westerly Rd. co-op and the 1220 N. Forest St. co-op filed a petition for a representation election on Jan. 10, according to the National Labor Relations Board. Letters were then sent to the co-op administration from the NLRB and The Teamsters union.

The election was approved for both locations and was published Jan. 19. Employees may file for a representation election after at least 30% of workers in the potential bargaining unit sign the petition, according to the NLRB.

The union includes all employees working in each retail location, both part-time and full-time, but excludes all managers, supervisors, administrative roles and bakery employees at the 405 E. Holly St. custom bakery, according to Amy Drury, the marketing and outreach director at the co-op.

The Co-op supports the rights of employees to organize. Should a majority of voters vote in favor of union representation, we will make a good faith effort to reach a collective bargaining agreement, Drury wrote.

The vote to unionize will take place Wednesday, Jan. 31 for the Forest Street store, and Thursday, Feb. 1 for the Westerly Road location.

The Bellingham Herald contacted The Teamsters organization and Food Co-op employees but did not receive a response.

Editors note (Jan. 30): A previous version of this article included an error regarding the nature of the employees voting, which will determine whether the staff unionizes.
A new kind of Chubbys is set to debut in an unexpected spot.

The popular Triangle taco brand is opening a new location this spring, building its latest restaurant inside a Walmart Supercenter in Johnston County. Chubbys will open the new restaurant in the Walmart at 5141 NC-42 in Garner, near the intersection with Interstate 40.

Chubbys first opened in 2007 in Durham and grew to five locations in the Triangle. After a couple locations closed, Chubbys parent company Kairos LLC filed for bankruptcy in 2017.

Owner Rudy Theale and a group of investors took over the brand and its two Triangle restaurants in 2021. Theale is a longtime Triangle restaurant owner, previously operating Smash Waffles and Pizza La Stella in Raleigh. The jump into Chubbys, Theale said, was a life-time love of Mexican food.

Chubbys, frankly, is just an awesome brand, I found that out as a customer and had an opportunity to get involved, Theale said in a phone interview. We saw this as an opportunity to bring authentic, real-style Mexican street food to the masses....Theres no better place to bring something to the masses than Walmart stores.

The Garner Chubbys will also serve alcohol, a rarity for restaurants in Walmart stores, Theale said. That appears to be one piece in a larger shift for the restaurant offerings inside the retail giant.

For decades, Walmart has partnered with fast food franchises inside its stores, most famously McDonalds and Subway. More recently, Walmart has added fast casual options, like Houston-based poke bar Uncle Sharkii, according to a story in Food & Wine.

The Garner Chubbys will serve the same menu diners will recognize from the Durham and Raleigh restaurants, Theale said, including the popular salsa bar.

The food is so good, we didnt want to change the recipes, Theale said of menu considerations two years ago. We caucused customers and took their input on what they wanted to see.

Based on that input, Theale said Chubbys revived the taquerias guaca-tillo salsa, a blend of guacamole and tomatillo, and brought back a chile relleno taco. Responding to trends, Chubbys has added birria tacos and a Mexican pizza, where the crust is made of crispy griddled cheese.

On the beverage side, Theale said Chubbys now tries to embody a coastal Florida dive bar, serving beer, frozen and on-the-rocks margaritas and other beachy cocktails.

As somebody whos lived in Florida, its meant to feel like youre in Key Largo, stopping at the local pub, Theale said. Those influences are absolute fun.

The new Chubbys is currently under construction and is eyeing a mid-March opening, Theale said.

Coming out of the brands prior bankruptcy and restaurant closings, Theale said he aimed to initially focus on its successful locations in Raleighs Lake Boone shopping center and Durhams Woodcroft shopping center. Building off of that core, Theale said Chubbys is now set to expand, offering a casual dining experience that takes its food seriously.

Were taking the dive bar appeal and bringing it to the masses, baby! Theale said. We call it the reverse mullet. Were party in the front and business in the back. Its important that not just the food feels right, but that the environment feels right.

One of Raleighs liveliest restaurants will expand to Cary next month

Crooks Corner, beloved Chapel Hill restaurant, could reopen this year
WASHINGTON  The Biden administration is marking Mondays 15th anniversary of a landmark federal pay equity law with new action to help close gaps in pay for federal employees and employees of federal contractors.

Despite progress since the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act was signed into law in January 2009, President Joe Biden said women who work outside the home are still paid an average of 84 cents for every dollar earned by a man, and that the pay disparities are greater for many women of color.

The Democratic president said the common-sense steps announced Monday will help pay millions of workers fairly, close gender and racial wage gaps and yield tangible benefits for the federal government and federal contractors.

The Office of Personnel Management is issuing a final rule to bar the government from considering a persons current or past pay when determining their salary for federal employment. Administration officials said this step will help limit pay discrimination and ensure compensation is based on an applicants skills, experience and expertise.

A similar proposal will offer protections to those employed by federal contractors.

The Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council is issuing a proposal to prohibit federal contractors and subcontractors from seeking and considering information about a job applicants compensation history when hiring or setting pay for anyone who works on a government contract.

The proposal also requires contractors and subcontractors to disclose salary ranges in job postings.

Administration officials said the proposal would help federal contractors recruit, diversify and retain talent, improve job satisfaction and performance and reduce turnover.

The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act was the first bill then-President Barack Obama signed into law after taking office in 2009. Biden was vice president.

Ledbetters discovery that she was earning less than her male counterparts for doing the same job at a Goodyear plant led to a Supreme Court lawsuit and eventually the legislation bearing her name.

Shalanda Young, director of the White House budget office, said the law created important protections against pay discrimination and helped close persistent gender and racial wage gaps.

But we still have more work to do, she told reporters on a conference call arranged by the White House to preview the announcements.

Kiran Ahuja, director of the federal personnel office, said on the same call that the government does a pretty decent job on wages compared with the private sector.

In 2022, the federal government had a 5.6% pay gap compared with 16% nationwide. The difference in pay in the most senior ranks of the federal government is below 1%, Ahuja said.

The federal government is proud of this progress weve made, she said. But we also realize that any gap is unacceptable.

The National Partnership for Women and Families said the 84 cents that women earn for every dollar paid to a man results in a gap of $9,990, a sum that could help a working woman pay for approximately 64 weeks of food, seven months of mortgage and utility payments, about nine months of rent or more than a year of additional child care.
If youve been wondering how much lower the Biden White House would go to appease their climate alarmist funder base leading up to Novembers election, the President and his advisors provided an answer last week.

The New York Times and others reported on Wednesday that the White House was planning to announce it would pause permitting approvals for Venture Global LNGs Calcasieu Pass 2 (CP2) project planned in Louisiana. On Thursday evening, the White House issued a statement formalising that plan, expanding it to apply to all proposed new LNG projects still seeing federal permits.

The announcement of course attributes the need for this move to the climate emergency, with the White House justifying their decision as part of an evolving understanding of the market need for LNG, the long-term supply of LNG, and the perilous impacts of methane on our planet.

Reports have circulated in the US media for weeks now that climate activists who provide so much of the Democratic partys funding base have been applying pressure on the White House to make this move. Bill McKibben lauded the action in the Wall Street Journal: With this decision, President Biden  who already can claim to have done more to bolster clean energy than any of his predecessors  has also done more to check dirty energy, halting the largest fossil fuel expansion in history.

Bidens green credentials are touted for a reason: in reaction to increasingly dismal polling figures, the president is desperate to shore up support from climate hawks ahead of November. The White House couldnt help but make a dig at Bidens likely rival, stating that while MAGA Republicans willfully deny the urgency of the climate crisis, condemning the American people to a dangerous future, my Administration will not be complacent. We will not cede to special interests.

What else is this move, other than a concession to special interests?

Bidens reckless actions will cause a shockwave in the global energy market similar to that of an economic sanction, even as much of Europe depends on increasing volumes of US LNG needed to fuel its struggling economy and industrial base. Rather than providing principled leadership, the president has signaled that he is more than willing to abandon his allies when personally politically advantageous.

The positive news is that the US LNG industry has a variety of new LNG projects already under construction that will add as much as 12 bcf/day of export capacity by the end of 2027. Those projects appear unlikely to be hampered by this action, though there can be no guarantees the administration will not make a move on those as well. Witness Bidens act on January 21, 2021 to cancel the Keystone XL pipeline despite the fact that the pipelines developer, TC Energy, had already invested $8 billion in it.

But even if those projects already underway remain unmolested by this latest authoritarian action by the Biden White House, the concern remains that this pause in approval action today will create a pause in additional needed new expansion post-2027. Such a pause at that time could result in untold hardships on nations that are supposedly American allies.

Theres a reason why so many Americans distrust President Biden. Bidenomics amounts to little more than economic cronyism, explaining why so many players in the US economy complain now about the loss of stability and predictability of policy that helped attract so many billions of dollars in new investment through the years. Forget business as usual: another Biden term will bury our energy security for good.

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The deaths of three American troops in a drone attack Sunday has thrust the United States deeper into the Middle East conflict and lent fresh urgency to efforts at securing the release of hostages in Gaza in exchange for a prolonged halt in the fighting between Israel and Hamas.

The confluence of intertwined events  high-stakes hostage talks in France were underway at the same time American officials were grappling with the troop deaths in Jordan  added up to one of the most charged moments since the outbreak of violence following Hamas October 7 terror attacks.

Now, leaders in Washington and the Middle East are mulling choices that could significantly transform the situation, with thousands of lives and the future of the region in the balance.

We shall respond, President Joe Biden said in a banquet hall of a Baptist church in South Carolina hours after the attack.

But the president, who also vowed to respond to the drone attack at a time and in a manner of our choosing, still faces a decision on the scale of the American reprisal, which will have consequences both in the region and at home as he enters a tough reelection fight. Advisers said significant responses were discussed in a videoconference with Biden and his national security team in the hours after the attack.

In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is under intense pressure to strike an agreement that would secure the return of more than 100 remaining hostages inside Gaza, a step that will require a lengthy pause in Israels campaign against Hamas.

And in Tehran, leaders must determine whether a strategy of sowing instability in the region through proxy groups is bringing them closer to direct combat with the United States  a step American officials say Iran doesnt want and which the country has gone to some lengths to avoid.

How each party proceeds in the coming days could significantly alter the trajectory of the Israel-Hamas war and the broader tensions it has sparked in the Middle East. The issues have been the subject of hours of intense Situation Room discussions and high-level talks between the leaders.

This is a dangerous escalation. Weve been trying to make sure this conflict doesnt escalate. This pushes it much closer to that point, Rep. Adam Smith of Washington state, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, said of the drone strikes in Jordan, which left more than 30 American service members injured in addition to the fatalities. Its imperative the US respond and find a way to stop these attacks, and I know the presidents working on that.

Smith said the prospects of a widening war could not be separated from the situation in Gaza, where Israels military campaign has killed more than 26,000 people, according to the health ministry there, and triggered the rise in violence across the region.

What happens in Gaza is crucial, said Smith. The conflict in Gaza is empowering Iran right now. And that is bad for us, bad for Israel, bad for the Arab states, bad for the world. So finding a resolution to that is a crucial part of this challenge as well.

What a US response will look like is still being determined. Biden and his team believe the military action must be forceful beyond what the US has done after previous, non-fatal attacks. Yet there has been an imperative inside the White House to prevent the conflict from spreading  and a strong aversion to becoming directly involved in a regional war against Iran.

As far as which group is responsible for the attack, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said on CNN This Morning Monday that the administration is still working our way through the attribution and what group was specifically responsible for this.

I think we have a pretty good sense, Kirby said, and we certainly believe that that the group was supported by Kataib Hezbollah, which is one of the main IRGC Revolutionary Guard-core backed groups in Iraq and Syria that have been conducting so many of these attacks on our troops in our facilities.

Biden is already coming under pressure to ratchet up the scale of American counterattack. Republicans on Sunday swiftly made calls for Biden to strike targets inside Iran, which the US has accused of being behind the proxy groups attacking American troops in Iraq and Syria.

Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina urged 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.

Sen. John Cornyn of Texas was blunter: Target Tehran, he wrote on X.

Later, Cornyn clarified he was referring to IRGC and Quds Force terrorist facilitators and not targets in the Iranian capital city.

For Biden, whose handling of the Gaza conflict has already generated anger on the political left as he enters his reelection campaign, the choice of how to respond will be fraught politically.

American officials have said they have used backchannels to convey to Iran and its proxies that the attacks on US troops must stop. Yet those efforts appeared to do little to prevent the drone attacks, and officials inside the White House have long feared that one would eventually result in fatalities.

With that fear now realized, officials said the president was determined to respond forcefully. In a series of briefings Sunday from top members of his national security team, including Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and national security adviser Jake Sullivan, Biden discussed the attacks and potential American responses.

At the same time, US officials remain hopeful they are inching closer to reaching a hostage agreement that would include a lengthy pause in the fighting in Gaza  and, they hope, an easing of tensions in the region.

US officials believe a longer cessation in the fighting could provide space for more humanitarian aid to flow into Gaza as well as continued discussions about the future of Israels campaign against Hamas.

Biden dispatched CIA Director Bill Burns to Paris for talks Sunday on a plan that would include a phased release of all the remaining hostages in Gaza paired with a suspension of the war for two months, a proposal that if agreed to could have a significant impact on the future of the conflict.

Afterward, the Israeli prime ministers office described the talks as constructive, but said significant gaps remained. The parties will continue to discuss at additional mutual meetings to be held this week, the offices announcement said.

Qatars prime minister is expected to travel to Washington this week, a diplomatic source told CNN, as the discussions intensify. Qatar has acted as a key broker in talks with Hamas.

Sundays meeting, which included Burns and his intelligence counterparts from Israel and Egypt along with the Qatari prime minister, was an important moment as the negotiations move closer to a deal. American officials said they were cautiously optimistic that the talks were moving in the right direction, and that an agreement could soon be in reach.

As the deaths of the three American troops fuel fears of a widening regional war, US officials said there was now only more urgency in arriving at an agreement that could bring the tensions down.

This loss and the growing instability across the Middle East, make it even more clear why those negotiating a new pause in the fighting in Gaza and the return of the hostages must work with urgency, Rep. Elissa Slotkin, a Michigan Democrat and former CIA analyst, said on X.

This story has been updated with additional developments.

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The killing of three U.S. troops in Jordan by a drone strike carried out by Iranian-backed militant groups has added kindling to what is already a volatile situation in the Middle East, increasing pressure on President Biden to send a message to leaders in Tehran.

It has left the White House facing the difficult balancing act of responding to Iran in ways that will deter future attacks but without triggering a wider conflict  something the Biden administration has been adamant about avoiding since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.

But the attack in Jordan marked the first time that U.S. service members have been killed in the Middle East since the war in Gaza began in October, adding a new layer of complexity for the White House.

We do not seek another war. We do not seek to escalate. But we will absolutely do what is required to protect ourselves  and to respond appropriately to these attacks, national security spokesperson John Kirby told reporters Monday.

Biden has pledged to respond to the latest attacks in a time and manner of our choosing.

The president met Monday with members of his national security team, including national security adviser Jake Sullivan and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who returned to the Pentagon for the first time since undergoing surgery for prostate cancer.

Kirby emphasized that the U.S. is not looking for a war with Iran, but when asked if Biden is considering a strike inside the country, he would not say whether it was on the table.

This attack over the weekend was escalatory, make no mistake about it. And it requires a response, make no mistake about that, he said. I will not get ahead of the presidents decisionmaking.

American troops have come under fire from Iranian-backed groups more than 160 times since late October.

The White House has in recent weeks launched precision strikes targeting Iranian-backed militia targets and struck back against the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen after the rebel group targeted commercial shipping in the Red Sea.

But the death of U.S. troops will increase the stakes for Biden, particularly among Republican defense hawks in Congress who are already calling for retaliation, including inside Iran.

Ali Vaez, director of the Iran project at the International Crisis Group, said if the U.S. wants to hold Iran responsible, it may target sites or facilities in Iraq or Syria used by the Iranian military wing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

But the U.S. will likely refrain from targeting Iranian soil, he added.

The dilemma here for the Biden administration is how to bloody Irans nose, which is something that this attack serves and calls for, but to do so without actually touching Irans nose, Vaez said. They dont want to have to strike Iran on its own territory. And thats a very difficult needle to thread.

The deaths sparked outrage in Washington and calls from some in the GOP for a more forceful response to Iran, the sponsor of the militia groups.

Former President Trump, Bidens likely GOP rival in Novembers general election, blamed the attack on Bidens weakness and claimed the U.S. was on the brink of World War 3.

Republican lawmakers similarly piled on, ripping the White House for failing to hold Iran accountable and urging Biden to take swift and decisive action in response.

Real leadership requires real action, Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.), chair of the House Armed Services Committee, said in a statement. Attacks on our servicemembers, allies, and interests will continue until this president shows strong leadership and strikes fear in our enemies.

Iran has denied involvement in the Jordan attack, claiming it does not issue direct orders to militia groups. The U.S. says Iran is broadly complicit for attacks from its proxies.

Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh said Monday the attack has the footprints of an Iranian-backed group in Iraq, Kataib Hezbollah, but didnt make a final determination. She said the U.S. holds Iran responsible for the attack but avoided a question on how Tehran would be held responsible.

Any U.S. response to Iran will likely be met with further retaliation from Iranian-backed groups in a continuous cycle until the Israeli war in Gaza ends. The Iranian-linked groups say they are fighting against American troops in solidarity with the Palestinians.

Barbara Slavin, a distinguished fellow at the Stimson Center and an expert on the Middle East, said the Jordan attacks are a dangerous escalation and predicted a heavy response from the U.S. on whichever group was responsible.

But she said the U.S. already assassinated an Iranian-backed leader in Iraq earlier this month and carried out several destructive strikes, none of which has deterred more attacks.

I dont know what more the U.S. can do that will somehow deter these strikes, she said. The only thing  that can deter the strikes is a cease-fire in Gaza, because these groups all claim that theyre acting in solidarity with the Palestinians.

Singh said the Pentagon does not plan to shift the strategy against Iranian-backed militants despite concerns that deterrence was failing to stop the attacks.

We are committed to responding, and we will do so at a time and place of our choosing, Singh told reporters.

With Iran expected to respond to any U.S. strike, the fighting could get deadlier for American troops, who have largely suffered traumatic brain injuries or minor wounds in the attacks.

Some attacks have had close calls, including one on Christmas Day in Iraq that severely wounded an American service member.

And a drone crashed into an American base in Erbil, Iraq, in late October but didnt explode. If it had, the U.S. likely would have suffered fatalities.

Slavin said the sheer number of attacks of Iranian-backed militia groups on the U.S. meant a fatal strike was only a matter of time.

This was a tragedy that in hindsight, looks to have been inevitable, she said. Whenever youre engaged in this kind of activity, the risk that youre going to actually kill someone is always there.

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

Insights from Global Times, Time Magazine, and the Center for Strategic and International Studies

The News

U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping may hold bilateral talks in the spring  a sign of ongoing efforts to keep tensions between the two global superpowers at bay.

The news came after Washingtons national security adviser Jake Sullivan and Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi held candid, substantive and constructive discussions in Bangkok on a series of regional and international issues, the White House said.

While channels of communication between the two countries have largely been restored following months of tensions, several contentious issues remain, including the question of Taiwans sovereignty, Washingtons technological blockade against Beijing, and Chinas role in the Red Sea conflict.

SIGNALS

Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories.

US may overestimate Beijings ability to minimize tensions in the Red Sea

Sources: Global Times, Reuters

During the Bangkok talks, the U.S. urged Beijing to use its substantial leverage with Iran to end the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea that have upended global shipping, with one U.S. official expressing doubt that Beijing is reportedly pushing Tehran to restrain the Houthis or risk hurting their trading relations. But counting on China to pressure Iran to stop Houthi attacks is an overly simplistic notion, a Shanghai-based professor told Chinese-state owned tabloid Global Times, arguing that the militant group does not necessarily follow Irans orders. China has called for de-escalation in the Red Sea and has publicly slammed the U.S. and UK for launching retaliatory strikes against the Houthis in Yemen. After being envious of Chinas influence in the Middle East, the U.S. is now seeking its help to resolve the Red Sea Crisis, the professor told the Global Times, adding that the U.S. needs to recognize the imperative nature of cooperating with China on Middle East issues.

China sent military vessels past Taiwans median line during the Bangkok talks

Sources: Time Magazine, Taiwans Ministry of National Defense, The New York Times, Center for Strategic and International Studies

As Chinas foreign minister reiterated that Taiwan remains the biggest challenge in U.S.-China relations, Beijing sent more than 30 planes and six naval ships toward the territory which it claims as its own over the weekend  with nearly half of the warplanes crossing an unofficial median line between Taipei and the mainland, Taiwans defense ministry said. If the two leaders speak in the spring, it will be their first talks since Taiwan elected a president who Xi has called a separatist. During their in-person meeting last November, the two leaders largely repeated old talking points about Taiwan, The New York Times reported.

China experts have suggested that the U.S. may jump to defend Taiwan, even if China doesnt pursue a full-scale military invasion. A recently published report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies argued that the U.S. may intervene militarily in Taipei if China quarantines the territory by taking charge of its flow of goods, or if Beijing pursues a naval blockade.
President Joe Biden has repeatedly refused to push for a ceasefire in Israels brutal war on Gaza, which has claimed the lives of at least 26,000 Palestinians. That approach is illogical on both the domestic and international fronts, not to mention the security risks that come with it. Those risks were made all too apparent on Sunday when the Biden Administration announced that three U.S. servicemen were killed and 34 others injured in a drone attack by radical Iran-backed militant groups at a U.S. base near Jordans border with Syria.

Biden had entered office promising to restore sanity to U.S. foreign policy and pursue fact-based, pragmatic positions. The Biden Administration largely did that until the Oct. 7 Hamas attack that killed 1,200 people in Israel. That horrific attack marked the beginning of the end of Bidens logical foreign policy from both a domestic and international perspective.

Lets start from an international perspective. Prior to Oct. 7, the Biden Administration had been fairly cautious about foreign entanglements. When Russia laid siege to Ukraine, for example, officials deliberately avoided actions that would pull the U.S. into a direct conflict with Russia. Instead, policymakers carefully bolstered relationships with other allies and provided military support to Ukraine with discretion. In the Middle East, Biden also sought to avoid a direct confrontation with Iran and Russia in places such as Syria and Iraq. When pro-Iranian militias would carry out attacks against U.S. facilities in the region, the U.S. would respond with restraint and clearly communicate its preference for de-escalation.

Read More: Gaza and the End of Western Fantasy

But that U.S. restraint has gone out the window since Oct. 7. Instead of using the $3.8 billion in annual military assistance to Israel as leverage, the Biden Administration has bypassed Congress to funnel millions of dollars of weapons to Israel; the President is seeking congressional approval for $14.3 billion more. Biden continues to reject calls for a ceasefire and has repeatedly justified Israels onslaught, despite the thousands of civilians killed in Gaza.

The U.S. is also directly fueling yet more violence in the Middle East by launching strikes against the Houthis in Yemen, who previously stated they will attack ships in the Red Sea until a ceasefire is secured in Gaza. The Houthis have increased their assaultsincluding striking a U.S.-owned cargo ship and firing a missile at a U.S. warshipsince the U.S. launched its first round of strikes earlier this month.

Now, with Sundays attack that was claimed by Islamic Resistance, a coalition of Iranian-backed groups that oppose Washingtons support for Israels war on Gaza, the risk of escalation has only grown. Biden has vowed that the U.S. shall respond in the wake of the attack, the first to have killed U.S. troops in the region since the Israel-Hamas war began.

On the domestic front, Bidens approach is bleeding support from his base. Just one in three registered voters approve of the Presidents handling of the war, according to a poll from The New York Times and Siena College. That figure drops to 20% among voters under 30 who are core to Bidens support base. Meanwhile, droves of Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim voterswho make up significant voter blocs in key swing states such as Michiganhave vowed to not vote for Biden. With repeat attacks in Yemen, they are fleeing even further from the Biden Administration.

Read More: Bidens Gaza Stance Spurs Huge Drop in Arab American Support

The dwindling support risks handing the country back to Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans. Current polls put Trump ahead of Biden in the upcoming November elections.

Biden is also undermining one of the central themes of his re-election bid: That he will protect the forces of democracy. Hamass Oct. 7 attack is reprehensible. Yet the government of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has repeatedly fallen far short of the democratic standards we hold in both the U.S. and the West. Police in Israel have suppressed and attacked anti-war demonstrators and the Netanyahu government has taken steps to remove the sole democratic checks on his power. The current coalition government, which includes far-right and ultranationalist parties, bears a striking similarity to the forces that propelled Trump to the presidency.

Make no mistake: Extreme damage has already been done. But the Biden Administration can still change tack to deliver the logical, pragmatic foreign policy that it promised. The President must immediately call for a comprehensive ceasefire on all sides, not just as the moral course of action to prevent more bloodshed, but for Bidens own electoral fortunes.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
More space means more beer.

Big Grove Brewery is expanding its production facility to meet the rising demand for Eddys, Jam Sours, and Citrus Surfers.

The brewerys under-construction Iowa City Hop Lot will be dedicated exclusively to brewing and distribution, helping produce its many year-round offerings, like Easy Eddy.

The new 40,000-square-foot space is set to open in the summer and will increase production capacity by more than 50%, adding almost 90,000 barrels. At 31 gallons a barrel, the well-known brewery will be able to produce nearly 2.8 million gallons of beer.

Big Grove's brand new 'Hop Lot' is under construction on Iowa City's southeast side. Once open, it will increase the brewery's production capacity by at least 50% and allow for a more efficient flow of beer to suppliers and consumers.

Construction began in the fall at the former Goodwill Distribution Center site at 3825 Liberty Drive in southeast Iowa City. The added capacity allows Big Grove to produce fan-favorite seasonal beers and new exclusive brews without sacrificing the production of its most popular beers.

Half of all beers we sell are Easy Eddys, Big Groves Industry & Public Affairs Janelle Buxton told the Press-Citizen. The Hop Lot will be a dedicated facility for our core beers.

More: Big Grove's spacious Cedar Rapids taproom features exclusive in-house lager, outdoor stage

Soon-to-be filled cans are stacked up before canning, Tuesday, June 29, 2021, at Big Grove Brewery & Taproom in Iowa City, Iowa.

Big Grove expands its reach

Since Big Grove opened its first location in Solon in 2013, its footprint has grown tremendously, opening locations in Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, and Des Moines.

The demand for beer has grown, too.

Last year, Big Grove began distributing some of its most popular beers in Illinois. The brewery also hopes to distribute Easy Eddy and other popular brews in Nebraska.

Buxton said the local system is currently under capacity, meaning the beers are not quite meeting demand. The Hop Lot should help Big Grove keep pace with what consumers want.

You go to the store looking for your favorite beer, whatever it may be, and it's not there. We don't want that, Buxton said. We're just trying to do our best to keep up with not only our year-round beers but also bring back some of the specials.

The Hop Lot will rely on state-of-the-art technology, with upgraded and energy-efficient brewing equipment, lighting and more. The facility will also have access to Big Grove's largest tanks, Buxton said.

The extra space means a return of fan-favorite special brews  like Color TV and Into the Woods  and opportunities for new brews in taprooms and stores.

Ever since Big Grove has existed, we've never been able to brew to demand, Buxton said. There's always been more demand than supply. With the Hop Lot, for the first time, we look forward to at least trying to keep up with demand.

Preliminary floor plans for Big Grove's brand new 'Hop Lot,' which is expected to add around 90,000 barrels to the brewery's overall capacity, allowing for a more efficient flow of beer to suppliers and consumers.

Growing the brand and visibility

The building site already had 30,000 square feet of space, with Big Grove adding a more than 10,000-square-foot addition, which will raise the ceiling height to 35 feet.

The facility will not be open to the public, though details on special tours  professional or personal  will be available when open for business.

Big Grove plans to move 20 jobs to the Hop Lot and hopes to add at least five positions for brewery production and packaging.

More: Is ReUnion Brewerys THC-infused seltzer the start of a new trend in Johnson County?

A portion of the variety of beers available on tap are seen at the bar, Tuesday, June 29, 2021, at Big Grove Brewery & Taproom in Iowa City, Iowa.

Ryan Hansen covers local government and crime for the Press-Citizen. He can be reached at rhansen@press-citizen.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ryanhansen01.

This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Big Grove's new 'Hop Lot' will add space for 90,000 barrels
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 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, 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 approximately 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.

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.

On Monday, Irans foreign ministry dismissed the U.S. accusation that Tehran was behind the drone strike, according to the official IRNA news agency. It quoted ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani as saying that the Islamic Republic of Iran has no role in decisions by resistance groups on how they support the Palestinian nation or defend their people.

Iran, Kanaani said, is closely watching developments in the region and stressed that the responsibility for the consequences of provocative accusations against Iran will be on those who raise the baseless allegations.

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 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 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.
Sen. Lashrecse Aird, D-Petersburg, explains the substitute to her Senate Bill 645 Monday, Jan. 29, 2024, during a Senate Local Government Committee meeting at the General Assembly Building in Richmond.

RICHMOND  Legislation born of last years confrontation between Hopewell and the state over fiscal management has been rewritten to create a new timeline for triggering an early warning system and shifts the power to send help from the governor to a state commission.

The rewrite was presented Monday morning in a Senate Local Government Committee meeting. It was so extensive that the committee agreed to delay action on it until next Monday so committee members could digest it.

The substitute for Senate Bill 645, from Sen. Lashrecse Aird, D-Petersburg, comes after a majority of Hopewell City Council members sent a letter to the legislature last week criticizing the original bill. That letter, among other items, claimed the bill gave the governor too much leeway to send in the cavalry and take the reins of authority away from council and city administration.

The newly worded legislation now says that if a locality does not meet the state requirement for submitting an annual report of its ledgers, the state auditor of public accounts would deem it on the brink of fiscal distress and began working with that locality to get that report ready. Should that report not be submitted within 18 months after the auditors determination  either through the localitys inability or refusal to do so  then the Virginia Commission on Local Government could appoint an emergency fiscal-stress manager to oversee the process of getting the issues reconciled.

In Hopewells case, the city had not submitted its annual audit to the state since 2015. The lack of those reports led to Hopewell losing its ability to issue bonds for major capital-improvement projects such as a long-needed fire station replacement.

This is all working towards allowing the locality to try to alleviate this, Aird told the panel. But when its worst-case scenario and they are unable to do so, that we have a framework for someone to come in and aid the locality in getting this done.

In her presentation, Aird did not specifically mention Hopewell, but she did say that she has two localities within my district that have teetered on fiscal distress.

Hopewells years-long efforts at Band-Aiding its money matters prompted the Youngkin administration last year to hire an outside audit firm to look at Hopewells books and make recommendations on how to resolve them. However, a majority on council rebuffed those efforts in highly contentious public discussions with the administration and told the administration it could handle its own affairs.

The city then hired the Robert Bobb Group  a private firm known in the area for pulling Petersburg out of fiscal ruin eight years ago  to work with City Manager Dr. Concetta Manker and staff on reconciliation. That agreement came with a price tag totaling $1.85 million, but in weekly reports to council, RBG claims major success in creating both a project-management process and a cohesive understanding of Hopewells government checkbook.

Sen. Jeremy McPike, D-Prince William County and chair of the Senate panel, said the bill was not necessarily picking on Hopewell because weve had localities year over year over year not file those audits.

Every part of the commonwealth has had localities in fiscal distress, McPike said before suggesting a committee vote be delayed for a week.

Aird said the substitute includes feedback from the Virginia Municipal League, the Virginia Association of Counties and state Finance Secretary Stephen Cummings. Cummings was the point person for the Youngkin administration in last years back-and-forth with Hopewell and drew some council ire when he referred to Hopewells fiscal affairs as a five-alarm fire.

A House companion bill from Del. Carrie Coyner, R-Chesterfield County, is expected to be redrawn as well before a House Counties, Cities & Towns subcommittee hears it later this week.

While most Hopewell councilors have expressed disdain for the bill, two members are openly supporting it, including Mayor Johnny Partin Jr.

Bill Atkinson (he/him/his) is an award-winning journalist who covers breaking news, government and politics. Reach him at batkinson@progress-index.com or on X (formerly known as Twitter) at @BAtkinson_PI.

This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Senate delays action on rewritten fiscal-distress legislation
A gambler lights a cigarette while playing a slot machine at Harrah's casino in Atlantic City, N.J., Sept. 29, 2023. On Monday, Jan. 29, 2024, a New Jersey Senate committee advanced a bill that would end smoking at Atlantic City's nine casinos. (AP Photo/Wayne Parry)

TRENTON, N.J. (AP)  A measure that would prohibit smoking in Atlantic City's casinos moved forward Monday after three years of going nowhere, heartening casino workers who say they are literally sick and tired of having smoke blown in their faces at work.

The New Jersey Senate health committee approved a long-delayed bill to impose a smoking ban in Atlantic City's nine casinos.

It was the first step in a long chain of necessary approvals, and it came as the movement by many casino workers to implement a ban entered its fourth year.

The vote also touched off a confrontation among casino workers outside the state Capitol afterward, with supporters of a smoking ban and opponents of the proposal screaming at one another on the sidewalk before being separated by their respective camps.

And a prominent business group and a casino workers union warned that a smoking ban would be an economic catastrophe that would cost Atlantic City and the southern New Jersey region jobs and money.

Casino workers who favor the ban were elated to finally have it voted on after years of inertia.

We feel like we cracked the egg, said Nicola Vitola, a Borgata dealer and a leader of the movement to ban casino smoking.

Smoking is permitted on 25% of the casino floor in Atlantic City. But those spaces are not contiguous, and smoke wafts into most areas of the gambling floor, regardless of their designation.

Casinos were specifically exempted from New Jersey's 2006 law that banned smoking in virtually all other workplaces.

Vitola said that while she was pregnant, she was assigned to work tables in smoking sections.

Dealers are mere inches from players blowing smoke in our faces, she said.

Christina Renna, president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey, said that while smoking is undoubtedly harmful, so, too, could be the layoffs she and executives from the casino industry warn could happen if smoking were banned.

Donna DeCaprio, president of Local 54 of the Unite Here union, which represents bartenders, cocktail servers, room cleaners and others, noted that there used to be 50,000 casino jobs in Atlantic City. She warned that the bill could eliminate 3,000 of them.

In an online discussion with Sen. Joseph Vitale, the committee's Democratic chair, she said she warned that as many as three Atlantic City casinos could be forced to close if a smoking ban were imposed while casinos in neighboring Pennsylvania continue to offer it.

In south Jersey, there are no replacement jobs of this caliber, she said. A total ban is going to result in an economic catastrophe for Atlantic City, the region and the state.

Cynthia Hallett, president and CEO of Americans for Nonsmokers Rights, said polling has shown that more people say they would visit Atlantic City casinos if smoking were prohibited.

The casino industry opposes a total smoking ban and says it is working on proposals including better ventilation systems and enclosed smoking rooms in which no employees would be involuntarily assigned to work. The Casino Association of New Jersey said in a statement it is eager to find a meaningful compromise that will address the concerns of our employees without jeopardizing jobs and benefits to some of our most vulnerable citizens.

A Republican senator, Vince Polistina, has said he will draft a new bill incorporating those proposals, but he has yet to do so.

The bill that was acted upon Monday now goes to the full state Senate for a vote. An identical bill also must be approved by an Assembly committee and voted upon by the full chamber before it can go to the desk of Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy, who has said he will sign a smoking ban into law.

Sen. Shirley Turner, who has co-sponsored bills for years that would have imposed a casino smoking ban, said casino workers are left in an untenable position.

You shouldn't have to make that kind of decision in this country: your job or your health, she said. That's not America.

___

Follow Wayne Parry at www.twitter.com/WayneParryAC
Jamie Dimon said increasing taxes for the rich could enable tax cuts for lower-income workers.

He said his New York friends "hate" him for wanting to tax the wealthy more.

"This is like a no-brainer to lift up society," he said at a panel at the Bipartisan Policy Center.

JPMorgan's CEO Jamie Dimon said that rich people should pay more taxes to help struggling lower-income Americans.

Speaking at a panel discussion in Washington with the Bipartisan Policy Center on Friday , Dimon discussed how the high cost of living is leaving some people behind.

"That population of lower-income folks have more crime, worse health, less good schools," he said.

Dimon, who has previously hinted that he could run for office, spoke about how the Earned Income Tax Credit or EITC could be expanded. The EITC is a refundable tax credit aimed at reducing some of the tax lower-income Americans have to pay annually.

"This is like a no-brainer to lift up society, and I would pay for it by taxing the wealthy a little bit more," he said.

In 2023, Americans earning an annual income between $17,640 and $56,838 a year qualified for it. Married filers had to earn between $24,210 and $63,398 to qualify. And those eligible could receive a credit between $600 and $7,430.

Dimon said that "there are so many tax breaks out there that shouldn't be there" for wealthy people. Per Bloomberg, Dimon currently has a net worth of $2.4 billion.

He added that "all my friends in New York hate me" because of this view.

A 2023 paper by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that children exposed to the EITC at a young age were kept out of poverty for years after and were less likely to receive public assistance.

"We think this is a powerful finding because it suggests that investing in children today can have long-term societal benefits in the form of reducing poverty and public assistance use," Katherine Michelmore, associate professor at the University of Michigan's Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy who co-authored the study, previously told Business Insider.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Up to $160 million is on the way to the Southern Tier to support the Upstate New York Energy Storage Engine.

A coalition led by Binghamton University has won the National Science Foundations Regional Innovation Engines Competition, with a formal announcement expected Monday.

NSF Engines will invest $15 million up front and up to $160 million over the life of the program. The federal funding will support research in battery development and manufacturing in the Southern Tier and Upstate New York.

The coalition includes partners in 27 different upstate counties, with Binghamton joined by Cornell University, RIT and Syracuse University, among others. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said the funding will create a booming battery research hub" led by Binghamton University.

Thanks to my CHIPS & Science Law, Binghamton will be the beating electric heart of federal efforts to help bring battery innovation and development back from overseas to spark growth of this critical industry vital to our nations national and economic security, said Schumer. With the prestigious NSF Engines award, the Southern Tier and Upstate NY has officially secured its place as the next loop on Americas battery belt.

Binghamton University's Center of Excellence and the M. Stanley Whittingham Laboratory is housed on Murray Hill Road in Vestal. Whittingham will serve as Engine Chief Innovation Officer of the Upstate New York Energy Storage Engine.

Why did Binghamton-led project win NSF Engines competition?

Over 100 hopefuls initially applied to the NSF Engines competition, which aims to aims to bolster American innovation in critical technologies like batteries, semiconductors, AI and biotechnology while stimulating economic growth and job creation across regional innovation ecosystems.

Binghamton's proposal was named among 16 finalists in August, followed by a campus visit to assess the project's potential.

Funding for each NSF Engine may span 10 years. Projects will be measured annually, with funding levels contingent on the Engines progress.

Dr. Stanley Whittingham, left, speaks with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer during an event at the M. Stanley Whittingham Laboratory at Binghamton University. Whittingham will serve as Engine Chief Innovation Officer of the Upstate New York Energy Storage Engine.

Binghamton has already generated momentum in the battery industry. The universitys New Energy New York coalition won the Build Back Better Regional Challenge in September 2022, securing nearly $114 million in federal and state investment to create a national hub for battery research and manufacturing. NENY was also named a federal Tech Hub for battery innovation in 2023.

Schumer said the NSF Engines funding is the crown jewel that will help fuel the scientific discovery and innovation to ensure this industry is here to stay in America.

Lightning has struck not once, not twice but three times to supercharge Binghamton and the NENY coalition as best in class to grow cutting edge research in Americas battery industry, said Schumer. For years I have worked to craft and lead to passage these new programs to spur economic development, create good paying jobs, and spark scientific innovation, specifically with places like Binghamton and Upstate NY in mind.

Business: Corning Inc. cuts 1,000 jobs globally. Here's the local impact

How will the NSF Engines funding impact the Southern Tier?

The NSF Engine will look to build on Binghamtons existing efforts, while catalyzing new initiatives focused on strengthening the battery supply chain, accelerating the transfer of battery technologies from lab to market, mobilizing resources around use-inspired R&D to complement battery manufacturing initiatives, and growing cross-sector partnerships.

Binghamton Distinguished Professor M. Stanley Whittingham will serve as Engine Chief Innovation Officer. Whittingham was the 2019 Nobel Laureate for his role in the invention of the lithium-ion battery.

Establishing a battery and energy storage Engine here in upstate New York is a crucial step to bringing domestic production of batteries and a secure supply chain to the U.S., said Whittingham. It is critically important that battery innovations stemming from university and industry researchers can be developed, prototyped and manufactured in the U.S. in order to leap frog today's Asian technology.

M. Stanley Whittingham, a distinguished professor of chemistry and materials science at Binghamton University and a 2019 Nobel Laureate, will serve as Engine Chief Innovation Officer of the Upstate New York Energy Storage Engine.

With Senator Schumer's continued support, we are confident we can transform our region, attract investment, create new jobs and fill those jobs with a skilled workforce."

While Binghamton will be the research hub, other partners include NY-BEST, Launch NY and private-sector companies.

We have all of the right academic and research collaborators on board, we are partnered with major industries as well as small businesses, and our ecosystem is diverse, said Binghamton University President Harvey Stenger. This is what the NSF Engines program is all about. Of course, we want to thank Senator Schumer for his vision, leadership, and support for Binghamton University and the entire NENY coalition.

This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Binghamton's NSF Engine wins up to $160 million for energy storage
Aaron McKinney had high hopes for Liberty City.

In 2015, Miami-Dade county officials announced a $74m development project aimed at revitalizing the historically Black neighborhood in the north-west of the city. The plan was to raze Liberty Square, the dilapidated housing project in the heart of the neighborhood, and build 1,900 new apartments in its place.

Related: How a small airport in rural Colorado became a landing pad for the rich

None of the nearly 600 families living in the project would be displaced, officials said. McKinney, who grew up in Liberty City, worked for the Related Group, the developers overseeing the project. It was his job to liaise between his community and the company and allay any residents concerns about the project.

But by 2021, only about 200 families from the projects had been relocated to new units; most of the completed units were leased to newcomers who could pay market-based rents, he said. Disillusioned, McKinney quit.

So many folks had left the site, and the project wasnt going to impact people the way I thought it would, said McKinney, 37. Its a textbook example of areas that were once disregarded but become desirable all of a sudden.

What made the land in the Liberty City neighborhood inexpensive when it was developed as a public works project in the 1930s is a big part of what is drawing developers today: the community is five miles inland and sits about 10ft above sea level.

The neighborhood never floods

Liberty City is ground zero for climate gentrification, said Adrian Madriz, a housing advocate who lives in Overtown, another rapidly changing neighborhood in Miami. Even if it rains, the neighborhood never floods.

The relentless displacement of low-income communities of color is a familiar saga in cities across the United States. But the climate crisis has accelerated the process in pancake-flat Miami, where scientists estimate that by 2040, sea levels will rise by 10 to 17in above 2000 levels.

Property values in some seaside suburbs have indeed been stagnating of late. The online real estate platform Zillow estimated the average home value in Miami Beach at $527,807 as of December 2023, a 0.4% increase over the previous year. In Liberty City, where the average home is valued at $380,255, Zillow registered a 12.2% rise.

People of the community should have a say in how their community should be revitalized. It cannot come from outside Katja Esson

We know rising sea levels are coming, and people want to move away, said Marvin Dunn, a professor emeritus at Florida International University who has authored four books about the history of African Americans in Florida. With Miami, that means moving west and moving into Black communities.

By the end of the century, sea-level rise could displace as many as 13 million people in the US, according to one 2023 study. That figure includes 1 million Miamians.

Liberty City and, more broadly, climate gentrification are the subjects of a new feature-length documentary, Razing Liberty Square, by the director Katja Esson that airs on PBS on Monday. The film follows community members and housing advocates as they seek to avert mass displacement after developers set their sights on the neighborhood.

Everybody was very hopeful this could be a different redevelopment project because the developer had promised the community that people could stay, she said.

Esson sees Liberty City as a cautionary tale for other predominantly Black and Brown communities living on land that is now coveted by property developers.

Climate gentrification is a disastrous process by which the impact of climate change contributes to the displacement of low-income people and the transformation of their neighborhoods, she said. People of the community should have a say in how their community should be revitalized. It cannot come from outside.

Related: Can Americas low-cost mobile homes withstand the climate crisis?

The idea of making the documentary came to Esson after she saw the 2016 Oscar-winning movie Moonlight, which was set in Liberty City. She spoke with several low-income, Black families who left after receiving housing vouchers to look for apartments in the private market.

That was the biggest turning point, said Esson, who spent six years on the film. Many people took the vouchers, and they offer less protection overall to residents who are now subject to yearly rent increases by their new landlords, she said.

Some community activists said the vouchers eliminated any incentive to remain in Liberty City and await completion of the initial phases of construction. That was a clear indication that our local government had lied to us, said Valencia Gunder, a local climate and housing advocate. [Officials] said nobody would be transferred out of the neighborhood, but the vouchers turned out to be a gateway to displacement.

The director of Miami-Dade countys public housing authority, Alex Ballina, defended his predecessors decision to offer vouchers, noting that a group of Liberty City residents requested them in writing. There was pushback from some residents, said Ballina. They wanted to leave, and they moved out.

County records indicate that 213 families accepted the vouchers. Another 116 households waived their rights to new housing and moved out on their own.

This was supposed to be something better

Some residents who did move to the new units accuse the Related Group of shoddy workmanship. This was supposed to be something better, but I knew it was all going to fall apart from watching how they were building these units, said Samantha Kenley, a mother of seven who lives in a subsidized four-bedroom apartment.

Kenley said the leaky ceilings in her ground-floor unit have been repaired three times, but water continues to seep from windows and room corners during thunderstorms, causing mold and rust. She knows of at least five other neighbors who have been plagued by mold, cracked walls and porous ceilings.

Ballina acknowledged the residents complaints. [The Related Group] obviously wasnt putting any focus on the day-to-day management and maintenance of the new apartment units, he said. The hallways were dirty, there were cracks in the exterior stucco, and some of the door hinges looked like crap.

Ballina said those problems are now being addressed by the developers property management arm, and he credits Esson for spotlighting issues that had been neglected for too long.

Related: This Chinatown is divided by a freeway. A bold project could reunify the community

The documentary has underscored the importance of critically examining public housing redevelopment programs to ensure they meet their intended objectives, he said. Management and maintenance [of the housing] has to be more pro-active.

The Related Group did not respond to requests for comment.

Kenley, 39, grew up in the old housing project, and said that despite its reputation as a high-crime area she felt a sense of solidarity with her neighbors. Everybody knew each other, but you will not know your neighbors here unless you take the initiative, she said. I miss the sense of community.
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO)  For a third week, the Blood Center is reporting an impact on blood supply in Southern Louisiana, citing the recent poor weather conditions.

Icy conditions nationally and another round of flooding rains here have severely affected our local blood supply. The Blood Center supplies blood and blood components to over fifty area hospitals and outpatient facilities across Southern Louisiana and Southern Mississippi, said Medical Director for The Blood Center Dr. Tim Peterson.

The Blood Center President Billy Weales said there is an emphasis on the need for type O and platelet donation.

Platelets, because theyre limited to five days from collection to expiration, are always needed to help patients battling cancer. Type O is crucial because it is universal in emergencies, particularly O-Negative, said Weales.

Boil water advisory lifted for impacted parts of Lafourche Parish

Peterson said that there is currently less than a two-day supply of blood and blood components and that without support from the community, patient care may be compromised.

Our responsibility is to care for these patients  our families, friends, neighbors  the people we encounter daily. We urgently need all eligible donors to give now to prevent placing patient care in a potentially bleak situation, said Peterson.

TBC officials are depending on community members to donate now following the recent winter events and storms closing schools and businesses, leading to blood drive cancellations.

Officials added that to maintain a healthy supply, the center must collect between 200 to 250 pints every day. The need is reportedly greater during the winter months.

Donors must be 17 years or older and have a picture ID. Officials are reminding potential donors that the process takes less than an hour, donations can be given every 56 days and that someone needs blood every three seconds.

Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter.

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In their daily job of protecting lives, firefighters are exposed to a lot of hazards  not just smoke and fire, but unsafe traffic, violence and vicious cats in trees. However, one of the most perilous risks in firefighting can be somewhat invisible: so-called "forever chemicals," the substances that are used to suppress fires, such as in fire extinguishers and foams dumped on wildfires.

One common class of forever chemicals are PFAS, which stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, and they are compounds made of chlorine and fluorine nicknamed "forever chemicals" because they essentially never break down.

This resilience is exactly what makes them so popular. PFAS are greatly resistant to water, grease, oil and stains, and as such are ubiquitous in products like food packaging, fast food wrappers, receipt paper, umbrellas, stain-resistant clothing, stain-resistant furniture and nonstick cookware. PFAS have even been found in our food and drinking water.

Because they are in all of the products we regularly use, they are constantly getting into our bodies, which seems to have a harmful effect on us. They've been linked to cancers, liver diseases, reproductive diseases, type-2 diabetes, hypertension and immune disorders.

The 285 firefighters who worked for Fire Rescue Victoria  a fire department in the Australian city of Melbourne  continued their public service despite the crises that surrounded them. They were diligent about their work during the Black Summer Bushfires that spanned 2019 to 2020. They persisted even as the COVID-19 outbreak became one of the worst pandemics in modern history.

But these firefighters were also participating in a study to see if scientists could remove so-called "forever chemicals" from their bodies. As a result of the firefighters' efforts and those of the scientists who conducted the research, the public now knows a little more about whether these controversial chemicals  which are absolutely everywhere  can even be escaped.

The parameters of the study, which was published in the journal JAMA Open in 2022, were straightforward: The firefighters were divided into three groups so that the amount of PFAS in their blood could be measured over the course of 12 months. During the 12 months of the experiment, one group of firefighters donated plasma every six weeks; a second group donated whole blood every 12 weeks; and the final group did not donate blood at all.

After the results were analyzed, scientists learned that "plasma and blood donations caused greater reductions in serum PFAS levels than observation alone over a 12 month period."

In other words: Donating blood or plasma can actually extract PFAS from your body. That said, the researchers behind the study admit that the mechanisms behind these PFAS reductions are murky.

"Our hypothesized mechanism is that because PFAS bind to serum proteins in the blood, removing blood or plasma containing these proteins could reduce the level of PFAS in the blood," Miriam K. Forbes, PhD, an associate professor at Macquire University and a co-author of the paper, wrote to Salon. "But we don't know for sure."

Forbes added that "to our knowledge, this is the only study that has identified a method for reducing serum PFAS levels: Both blood and plasma donations resulted in significant reductions in PFAS, and plasma donations resulted in a more substantial decrease than blood donations."

Dr. Anna Reade and Dr. Katie Pelch are environmental scientists at the Natural Resources Defense Council, where they both have background in studying PFAS. They were not involved in the PFAS blood study, but they agreed it "makes sense." In a joint email, they told Salon "certain PFAS, especially PFOA [Perfluorooctanoic Acid] and PFOS [Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid], stay in our bodies for a long time because our bodies are generally unable to break them down to be eliminated."

At the same time, it is known that PFAS can be directly eliminated in women through menstruation, placental transfer during pregnancy and breastmilk transfer.

University of Michigan epidemiologist Sung Kyun Park, who was also not involved in the study, told Salon by email that his reaction to it was "positive" as it demonstrates that forever chemicals "are stored in blood and blood loss is an important elimination pathway of PFAS." Like Reade and Pelch, he mentioned how this is consistent with the existing medical knowledge that women of reproductive age have lower PFAS levels than men of the same age because they menstruate.

Want more health and science stories in your inbox? Subscribe to Salon's weekly newsletter Lab Notes.

"One caveat is that donated blood is not monitored for PFAS concentrations," Park added. "To my knowledge, no study has been conducted on the impact of blood transfusions on PFAS exposure. Young children may be more susceptible to blood transfusions with high levels of contaminants, not only PFAS but also other toxicants such as lead."

Liz Costello, a PhD student at the University of Southern California who has studied PFAS and was likewise not involved in the study, praised its science as "interesting and relatively straightforward" but also expressed ethical concerns in her email to Salon.

"If this becomes a common way to treat PFAS exposure we will need to look at the implications for recipients," Costello said. "Someone in need of a blood donation may also be more vulnerable to PFAS-related health effects. This study, perhaps inconveniently, also highlights the need to understand how PFAS in blood donations might impact the safety of the blood supply and what threshold(s) might be acceptable."

Indeed, Costello expressed reservations that the study could be used to encourage people to donate blood simply to eliminate the PFAS in their own body.

"Reading this study certainly left me with some new and unexpected ethical concerns," Costello concluded. "As we learn more about the health impacts of PFAS and other environmental chemicals, I do think the implications for blood and other donations will become more important to consider."

Costello added that 'if we can find ways to remove PFAS from donated blood, we might go a long way towards reducing overall PFAS exposure and make the blood supply even safer for recipients."

Simon Fraser University health sciences professor Dr. Bruce Lanphear, who contributed to the study along with Dr. Forbes, expressed his own ethical concerns about the way humans today are dealing with PFAS pollution.

"Not surprisingly, blood banks have not wanted to deal with the inconvenient questions about blood donations having high concentrations of PFAS, lead or other toxic chemicals," Lanphear wrote to Salon. "Still, contamination of the blood supply is yet another reason we need to address widespread exposure to toxic chemicals. Not only are toxic chemicals widespread, our regulatory agencies are failing to regulate chemicals (e.g., pesticides, heavy metals, flame retardants) to protect the public."

Lanphear is in a good position to know about insufficient chemical regulation; he resigned from Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency in July 2023 because he asserted it had a "flawed" way of regulating of "pesticides and other toxic chemicals," as Lanphear explained to Salon. "I already knew it was flawed, but I could no longer be silent about it."

He insisted that there are many commonly used chemicals which are dangerous to human health but are not widely recognized as such due to inadequate regulation.

So what can one do to get PFAS out of your body? At present, nothing  but you can at least reduce your exposure.

"You can test your water (or ask your water provider if they have tested for PFAS)," Reade and Pelch said. They also suggested water treatments that can treat for PFAS and avoiding PFAS containing substances by "avoiding water, stain, and oil resistant products, look for 'PFAS-free' labels, ask your favorite brands if they are PFAS free."

Reade and Pelch also suggested that people who wish to learn about the extent of their PFAS exposure "have your blood tested and to compare this to the screening levels set by the National Academies of Science Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) committee. NASEM and other authoritative bodies have linked PFAS exposure to kidney, testicular and breast cancer, decreased immune system function, changes in blood lipid levels, thyroid disease and dysfunction, changes in liver enzymes and gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia."

In other words, if blood donation doesn't work to remove PFAS, we definitely better find other solutions as quickly as possible.
GOP hawks are demanding that President Joe Biden hit back against Iran after a drone strike from an Iran-backed militia killed three American soldiers and injured at least 34 U.S. personnel at a Jordan base on Sunday.

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, Senator Lindsey Graham said in a statement just hours after the news broke.

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, he added. Hit Iran now. Hit them hard.

Other members of Republican leadershipwho have spent months stalling on supplying aid to two other war fronts America is already involved inshowed similar bloodlust.

He left our troops as sitting ducks, and now three are dead and dozens wounded, sadly as Ive predicted would happen for months, said Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton. The only answer to these attacks must be devastating military retaliation against Irans terrorist forces, both in Iran and across the Middle East. Anything less will confirm Joe Biden as a coward unworthy of being commander in chief.

Senate Minority Mitch McConnell issued a similar statement, highlighting that all eyes are on Biden as to whether he will exercise American strength to compel Iran to change its behavior and impose serious, crippling costs for Irans front-line terrorist proxies and the countrys sponsors who wear American blood as a badge of honor.

Senator John Cornyn specifically called for the U.S. military to target Tehran, the capital city of Iran, before later backtracking to say that he meant the IRGC and Quds Force terrorist facilitators.

The head of the snake is Iran, Representative Don Bacon, a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, told Axios. We should find smart Iranian targets that are low risk of our aircraft getting shot down and teach Iran a lesson.

The Iranian government denied involvement in the attack on Monday.



Biden has vowed to retaliate against Iran for the attack, though foreign policy experts believe he is likely weighing a Goldilocks responsenot too hard that it would incite a full-fledged war or escalate the situation in Gaza but not too soft that it prolongs the conflict, according to The New York Times.
Authorities are searching for answers after the discovery of a body of a Lehigh Acres man in a vacant Fort Myers field Saturday was ruled homicide.

Fort Myers police seek the community's assistance for information regarding the murder of Aubrey Byron Carter, 64.

Officers on Saturday responded to a field at 1500 Markland Avenue, where they found Carter's body. Police said they believe it's an isolated incident.

Court records indicate Carter has a prior criminal history dating back to 2009, which hadn't been expunged before publication.

Samantha Syoen, spokesperson for the State Attorney's Office, referred further questions to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Homicide arrest: Cape Coral police announce live-in boyfriend of Barry Schmalbach charged with murder

Police urge anyone with information regarding Carter's death to contact them at 239-321-7700, submit a tip on their #AtlasOne app or contact SWFL Crime Stoppers to remain anonymous.

Tipsters may also be eligible for a cash reward of up to $3,000 if their tip leads to an arrest.

Officer Kristin Capuzzi, spokesperson for Fort Myers police, said the city recorded 10 homicides last year. This is the city's first homicide of the 2024.

Tomas Rodriguez is a Breaking/Live News Reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can reach Tomas at TRodriguez@gannett.com or 772-333-5501. Connect with him on Threads @tomasfrobeltran, Instagram @tomasfrobeltran and Facebook @tomasrodrigueznews.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: FMPD announce homicide investigation after body found at vacant field
Space-themed tourism takes off in Gobi Desert

Xinhua) 08:20, January 29, 2024

This photo taken on Dec. 14, 2023 shows a view of snow-covered Mars Base 1, a simulated Martian habitat, in Jinchang, northwest China's Gansu Province. (Photo by Li Ting/Xinhua)

LANZHOU, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- The remote and expansive Gobi Desert in northwest China is increasingly accessible to the public, thanks to the emergence of space-themed tourism, which has opened up new frontiers for adventurous travelers.

The rocky expanse has been adorned with several white capsule-shaped structures, surrounded by gleaming solar panels and distinctive "craters" of varying sizes.

This is Mars Base 1, a simulated Martian habitat located in the city of Jinchang, Gansu Province, one of China's pivotal regions for nickel, a hard silver-white metal widely used in aerospace technology.

Resembling the Martian surface, this eroded desert landscape once served as a testing ground for Chinese scientists to evaluate various space exploration robots, including lunar rovers, Mars probes and manned spacecraft.

This photo taken on Nov. 24, 2023 shows a view of Mars Base 1, a simulated Martian habitat, in Jinchang, northwest China's Gansu Province.(Xinhua/Jia Zhao)

Now it is becoming popular among tourists too. The Chinese public's engagement in and fascination with space-related cultural activities have been on the rise in recent years, boosted by a series of space-faring achievements. After the launch of Mars probe Tianwen-1 in 2020, similar Mars simulation bases sprouted across the northwestern region, allowing visitors, particularly school-going children, to experience a slice of life on the red planet.

Participants are tasked with hiking through desert areas, searching for water resources, and pretending to be taikonauts facing life-threatening challenges. Mars-related science courses are also provided to young visitors.

Some see money-making opportunities in this passion for space, aiming to transform these desert facilities into tourist resorts. They have built space-themed hotels and restaurants, offering sleeping capsules that can accommodate up to nearly 200 people. Photos of visitors donning space suits at the base have attracted widespread media coverage.

The space-themed tourism market is substantial, as indicated by a report published by Qyer, a leading tourism website in China. It highlighted that individuals born in the 1990s and 2000s constitute over 60 percent of the overall space tourism population.

In 2023, over 80,000 visitors visited Mars Base 1. Li Fei, the head of the company's business operations, said that student groups, space enthusiasts and family tours were the primary customer segments.

A Long March-2C carrier rocket carrying a test satellite for satellite internet technologies blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on Dec. 30, 2023. (Photo by Wang Jiangbo/Xinhua)

In early December, 500 km away from the Mars base, 26-year-old tour guide Yang Xiaoling and her colleagues took a group of 300 students on a memorable visit. Their destination was Dongfeng Space City, also known as the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.

The country's only site for manned spacecraft launches, the Jiuquan Center has been listed as one of the world's top space-themed travel destinations by Lonely Planet. Facilities such as aerospace museums, launch towers and simulated taikonaut apartment compounds are among the hotspots recommended by travel guides.

The tourist season of the space city runs from July to October every year. In addition to student groups, some individual tourists book tours a day or two in advance through local travel agencies.

Yang said that the activity of watching live rocket launches is no longer exclusive to young individuals, but has become accessible to people of all ages.

Local officials are hopeful that the booming space-themed tourism industry will contribute to the improvement of local livelihoods. The government's primary focus was once on promoting traditional tourist activities, such as riding camels and climbing sand dunes. However, the local culture and tourism department has recently unveiled a comprehensive plan aimed at fostering space-themed tourism through expanding tour routes, enhancing souvenir options, and improving service provision.

This aerial photo taken on March 4, 2021 shows a view of Star Picking Town, a desert-themed town dedicated to scientific research and tourism, in Minqin County, northwest China's Gansu Province. (Xinhua/Lang Bingbing)

In the hinterland of the Tengger Desert, China's fourth-largest desert, tourists gather around telescopes to marvel at the breathtaking beauty of the starry sky. This exceptional stargazing destination in Gansu's Minqin County has been transformed into a desert-themed town dedicated to scientific research and observation, as well as promoting the science of astronomy and related tourism. It has been nicknamed "Star Picking Town."

Since its establishment in 2020, the town has generated more than 10 million yuan (about 1.39 million U.S. dollars) in tourism revenue, showing the immense growth potential of the "space + tourism" industry.

Such projects have garnered recognition from industry experts. According to Liu Yufei, a commercial space industry insider, the conventional perception of space-themed tourism, limited to rocket models and toys, impedes its ability to cultivate a consistent customer base, thereby obstructing the mass market potential of aerospace cultural tourism.

"The creation of space-themed towns and parks, however, can offer tourists a brand-new and awe-inspiring experience they have never had before," said Liu.

She emphasized that, despite more than 600 astronauts having been launched into space, the aspiration for space exploration is shared by a global population of 8 billion individuals.

"These facilities have the potential to naturally transform into a prominent exhibition and sales platform for space-related merchandise, thereby facilitating the widespread adoption of high-tech products and generating enhanced economic benefits," Liu added.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Dozens of people gathered Sunday afternoon in Joliet for a vigil after one man killed eight people, including seven of his relatives, in a string of shootings last weekend.

Police say suspect Romeo Nance killed his mother, aunt, uncle and siblings at two homes Jan. 21 before shooting another man in a random attack. Nance, 23, fled the city before dying of a self-inflicted gunshot wound after a confrontation with U.S. Marshals in Texas.

Friends and family surrounded the driveway Sunday of one of the homes on the 2200 block of West Acres Road. A collage of the victims leaned against the porch, which was lined with a dozen glass candles. A floral sign hung from the front door: Family is forever.

The Will County coroners office and police identified the relatives killed by Nance as his mother, Tameka Nance, 47; his aunt, Christine Esters, 38; his uncle, William Esters II, 35; his brother, Joshua Nance, 31; his sister, Alexandria Nance, 20; as well his 16- and 14-year-old sisters, who were not named. Officials have offered no motive for the shooting.

The man Nance later killed Jan. 21 at Pheasant Run Apartments in unincorporated Joliet was identified as 28-year-old Toyosi Bakare, originally from Nigeria. Nance also shot a 42-year-old in the leg that day, who police said sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Nances girlfriend has been charged with obstructing justice in the investigation of the massacre.

It is joyous and it is comforting to know that they are loved, and that so many people remember their names and let their legacy live on, Cara Esters, the sister of Christine and William Esters, tearfully told the crowd. We are confident that, together, we will find a way to get through this.

After Cara Esters spoke, the crowd released a sea of black and white balloons into the air. Latisha Fox, who described herself as a longtime friend of the family, read the names of the victims as the balloons flew into the sky. Several people sobbed as gospel music played.

Cara Esters, center, cries while holding a tissue paper as family, friends and members of the community attend a vigil after seven people were killed in two shootings on the same block on Jan. 28, 2024, in Joliet.

If you dont know them, we want you to know how great, amazing they were, Fox said. They were loving people, and a loving, loving family.

Cara Esters described her familys contributions to the community. William Esters had started his own security firm; Christine Esters worked with the Illinois Department of Corrections and Tameka Nance was a dedicated nurse. Her three nieces were actively involved in wresting, volleyball, and track and field.

Pastor Kenneth Coleman led the crowd in prayer, encouraging mourners to hold each others hands.

This was a great loss to all of us, Coleman said. We lost some great people in this tragedy. But out of this, were learning to love each other even more.

Several people, many wiping tears from their eyes, formed a line behind the porch after the vigil to pay respects.

My family was, and is, and forever will be about love and laughter, Cara Esters said. We will forever remember their names, and shout it from the rooftops.

When asked if she had any remaining family after the killings, Cara Esters told reporters, We are small but mighty.

Spurred by what she said was an overwhelming outpouring of support from the community, Cara Esters created a GoFundMe page Sunday afternoon to help ease the familys financial burden. As of Sunday evening, the fundraiser had received approximately $3,500 in donations out of their $50,000 goal.

As we traverse this challenging time, it brings us some comfort to witness how loved our family members are, the Esters and Nance family said in a statement Sunday. But we are confident that we will find the strength to get through this together. We know their lights, legacies, and enormous personalities will live on in our hearts, photos, and memories,

Chicago Tribunes Adriana Perez contributed.

karmanini@chicagotribune.com
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del.  The hangar was relatively empty. Not even the Lockheed Martin C-5, some 250 feet long and 65 feet high, filled the space outright.

No maintainers milled about, no drills whirred and no hammers clanged. But the steady hum of spinning blades echoed through the chamber at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, as a drone autonomously maneuvered around the transport aircraft.

Its movement, aided by digital models and crash-avoidance capabilities, was punctuated by occasional hovering as it stabilized to capture with a high-resolution camera photos of the planes exterior. The images then flashed onto a nearby display, with potential issues organized for expert review.

This is what young technicians live in the Department of Defense, the Navy, the Army, the Air Force, the Marine Corps, whoever it may be, Scott Belanger, a Boeing executive, told reporters gathered at the base Jan. 23. This is their environment, where they are charged with generating aircraft, like the C-5 here, that are old and hard to keep on the flight line.

Last week marked the first time Boeing and small-business partner Near Earth Autonomy cataloged a C-5 for their Autonomous Aircraft Inspection project. By feeding photos snapped by an unmanned aerial system through automated damage-detecting software and then uploading the results into a secure database accessible across the world, the two companies hope to slash the time it takes to evaluate and repair aircraft, ultimately boosting Air Force readiness.

While Boeing and Near Earth Autonomy have worked together for months previously, assessing and digitally archiving the status of Boeing C-17 cargo planes at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii, the work on the East Coast marks a big moment for the AAI initiative, according to Belanger.

Not only did it push Boeing outside its own portfolio  handling an aircraft made by competitor Lockheed  but the work itself was executed in conditions unlike Hawaii.

You just cant do this stuff in a simulated environment. Youve got to have an airplane, got to have a hanger,  got to get a little bit dirty and dive in to effectively do this, Belanger said. There are very few hangers in the United States where you can park a C-5 inside. There just arent many of these.

Dover Air Force Base is home to both C-17 and C-5 aircraft. Traditional inspections relying on trained crews can take hours, with harnessing and clambering required. (A ladder in the tail of a C-5 brings airmen to a six-story perch.) The 34-point review conducted Jan. 23 via drone took roughly 10 minutes.

A Lockheed Martin C-5 undergoes inspection, via drone, at a Dover Air Force Base hangar Jan. 23, 2024. (Colin Demarest/C4ISRNET)

Looking ahead

As the Defense Department prepares for potential fights in the Indo-Pacific and Europe, the Air Force is pursuing whats known as Agile Combat Employment. The ACE concept envisions a hub-and-spoke layout of bases  some larger and fixed, some smaller and mobile  that will scatter supplies, manpower and knowhow.

Only two people are needed to run the Automated Aircraft Inspection, and training takes a few hours. The process helps overcome the tedium associated with conventional assay, according to Ken Jones, an Air Force maintenance official.

This is best, because what we have to do with our system is actually go out and then review the imagery and look for things, he told reporters. Their artificial intelligence is drawing little boxes around the things that the computer thinks, This isnt what its supposed to be.

The drone-and-software combo deployed at Dover Air Force Base discovered missing paint, chips and other possible irregularities. Reporters observed the review process, in which experts quickly sorted the images and flagged what needed fixing.

From drones to sonobuoys, AUKUS partners betting on AI

Its pretty easy to be able to do that, Jones said. If youre working over a years time, we could be talking about saving a week or two, and, on top of that, is the safety thing. Were definitely interested in the time, and were definitely interested in the quality of the product of the inspection.

For future examinations, Boeing and Near Earth Autonomy are eyeing additional drone payloads, to potentially catch subsurface damage, and are moving the drone outdoors, requiring weatherization upgrades to the hardware. Boeing, the fifth largest contractor in the world when ranked by defense-related revenue, committed to getting the UAS operating outside within the next year and a half.

Additional aircraft could also join the inspection roster. Near-term candidates include the KC-135 and KC-46 tankers. Both are made by Boeing.
Police said a man was arrested for firing a gun out of a hotel window in the direction of law enforcement early Monday morning.

A 63-year-old Boise man alone in a hotel room near the Boise Airport called 911 and said he was sick, Boise police spokesperson Haley Williams told the Idaho Statesman by email. Ada County Paramedics arrived at about 4:30 a.m. to provide medical attention but soon heard a gunshot come from the mans room, according to a Boise Police Department news release.

Police said they responded and began setting up in the parking lot. The man fired a weapon two more times, likely out of a window, including once in the direction of three officers in the parking lot, according to the release. The officers saw the muzzle flash and heard the gunshot go off, the release said.

After police spoke to the man through an open window, he eventually exited the room without a weapon and was taken into custody just before 5:45 a.m.

The man has a criminal history and is prohibited from possessing a gun, police discovered. He was taken to a local hospital before being booked into the Ada County Jail, according to the release. He faces three felony counts of aggravated assault and one felony count for unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

The hotel, located in the 2700 block of West Elder Street, had no guests staying in nearby rooms and officers secured the scene to keep people away, police said.

No one was hurt.

Our officers did an excellent job isolating and containing the situation and using appropriate tools and tactics to safely resolve this incident, Boise Police Capt. Jim Quackenbush said in the release.
Police arrested a man early Monday morning after a Boise shooting left a male victim in the hospital with life-thretening injuries.

Officers responded to reports of a shooting at 4:30 a.m. at a home on West Silver City Court, according to a Boise Police Department news release. Police said they found a man who had been shot and described his injuries as life-threatening. They began providing medical care and securing the scene, according to the department.

Ada County Paramedics arrived to take over the care and took the victim to a local hospital for further treatment, according to the release.

Police began investigating and said they learned that 47-year-old Aaron Black, of Boise, was heard inside the home talking loudly with the victim before the shooting. Black was at the scene during the investigation, police spokesperson Haley Williams told the Idaho Statesman.

Police took Black to a local hospital due to statements he made, according to Williams. Once he was cleared, he was arrested and booked into the Ada County Jail without bail at 5:38 a.m. on a felony charge of aggravated battery, according to online records.
Alfred Borcover was the Tribunes travel editor in the 1980s and 90s, a time when travel sections were a robust element of Sunday newspapers and writers covered the globe in search of interesting stories.

Back in the day, Al took readers to places near and far with an easygoing style that made them feel that they were his traveling companions, said Carolyn McGuire, a retired Tribune associate Travel editor. Between assignments he was always available to give advice to anyone who asked how to beat jet lag or the best hotel to stay in  you name it.

Borcover, 92, died of natural causes on Jan. 24 at the Warren Barr Lieberman long-term care facility in Skokie, said his wife of 34 years, Linda. A longtime Evanston resident, Borcover had been battling a range of health issues and had been in hospice care.

Born Alfred Seymour Borcover in Bellaire, Ohio, Borcover was the son of a Russian-born father and a mother who had immigrated to the U.S. from Austria. He received a bachelors degree from Ohio State University in 1953 and then served for two years in the U.S. Air Force, where he was a first lieutenant and served in Morocco and at a radar station in Maine, his family said.

In 1957, he received a masters degree in journalism from Northwestern Universitys Medill School of Journalism. Two years later he joined the Tribune, briefly as a reporter before becoming a copy editor.

Borcover joined the Tribunes Travel section in 1963 and for the next 10 years was an assistant travel editor, while also writing long articles about various destinations. His first Travel section article, published July 1963, took readers to Vilas County, in north-central Wisconsin, which he described as a scenic wonderland of 1,300 lakes and thousands of acres of towering forests.

Borcovers stories included a focus on affordable rail travel while he also visited far-flung locales such as Tunisia and Israel. During this time he provided the content for Arthur Frommers Dollar-Wise Guide to Chicago, which was published in 1967. Tribune book critic Clarence Petersen called it authoritative, well-written, fascinating and up-to-date, and a book to remind us natives of some of the attractions of home.

A series he developed in 1976 on Bicentennial travel destinations, including Yellowstone National Park, the Arizona desert, Glacier Bay in Alaska and the Grand Canyon, was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation from the American Revolution Bicentennial Administration.

Borcover was named the Tribunes Travel editor in 1979. In addition to leading the section and assigning stories to writers, he continued to file reports from around the world and also wrote a weekly column.

In 1986, he broke a story about scams that had been launched in Chicago by sham vacation brokers who took consumers fees but then denied them trips on the dates they desired. Ultimately the brokers were targeted by the Federal Trade Commission and sued by the state attorney generals office before the state General Assembly passed legislation cracking down on such travel promoters.

Borcover continued focusing on travel scams, and his columns were distributed around the country through Tribune wire services.

Though he was based here in Chicago, his syndicated stories and columns traveled as widely as he did, said Randy Curwen, who succeeded Borcover as the Tribunes Travel editor. As a travel writer, editor and columnist, Al certainly knew his way around the world. And everybody in the travel world knew Al.

In addition to basic information on destinations such as maps and costs, Borcover offered personal observations in his stories.

What struck me  was that I didnt feel as if I were in South America, Borcover wrote in March 1983 on a trip to Buenos Aires. The citys ambience and architecture  from the colorful Italian district of La Boca with its brightly painted homes to the grandiose scale of Avenida 9 de Julio  were definitely European. The undiluted ethnicity of the few gracious residents I had met, and others I overheard, left me with the quick impression that this melting-pot country had not melted as in the U.S. Language of origin had not been buried, but preserved.

Retired Tribune foreign correspondent R.C. Dick Longworth recalled Borcovers always upbeat and good-natured personality.

Al was one of the nicest guys in the Tribune newsroom, Longworth said. He was also a real pro, a graceful writer and a fine editor whose own sense of fun and adventure infused the papers Travel section.

After visiting 60 countries, Borcover stepped down as Travel editor in 1993 and retired from the Tribune in February 1994.

People always ask: Whats your favorite place? Borcover wrote in his farewell column. I never have an adequate answer. There are just too many places in the world to love, and Im not finished seeing all that I want to see. Theres no end in sight.

Borcover continued to write about travel for another 17 years as a freelancer, including a biweekly column for the Travel section.

Shortly after his final byline in the Tribune in 2011, Borcover began volunteering at OHare International Airport with Travelers Aid, working at an information desk.

He loved volunteering to work on the travel desk at OHare, and would go every week, for a time, to sit at that desk in one of the terminals and offer advice and help to travelers, said former Tribune correspondent Storer Bob Rowley, a longtime friend.

A first marriage ended in divorce.

No services are planned.

Bob Goldsborough is a freelance reporter.

To purchase a death notice, visit https://placeanad.chicagotribune.com/death-notices. To suggest a staff-written obituary on a person of local interest, email chicagoland@chicagotribune.com.
New week, new mailbag.

I'm still figuring out the best way to make this work as a recurring feature. While not everyone loved using a Google form, I'm going to ask you to use the form below if you have questions you'd like me to consider for next week (more on that in a moment).

On a personal note, I'm starting my fifth week back at IndyStar and I just want to say how much I appreciate all the feedback you continue to send, however you choose to send it. Even the messages telling me I wasn't missed!

Onto the mail.

John Simmons: Does IndyStar plan to keep the comments section on its articles?

Your timing is prescient, John. The online comments are going away Friday. Our executive editor, Eric Larsen, explained that in his own column.

I'll miss the comments more than most people. I read them and have found plenty of insightful and touching messages on my columns. But the comments have become increasingly toxic and hateful, leaving little room for people who want to engage in constructive dialogue.

While I had nothing to do with the decision to eliminate comments, this mailbag illustrates their lack of utility. When I solicited questions through a Google form, I received more than 80 responses. When I suggested people use the comments section to submit questions last week, I didn't receive any there. People don't seem to want to use the comments section even when prompted.

So, back to the Google form. I'm open to feedback on what works best for mailbag questions going forward.

Meanwhile, RIP comments.

Attabey Rodriguez Benitez: I moved from Michigan to Indiana, and I was surprised to find that there aren't buses from the main station to the airport (neither public transportation or private). Is there a reason for this?

Another well-timed question! There is a plan in place to build what's called the Blue Line, a cheap and fast light rail-like bus line from Indianapolis International Airport to downtown (and beyond, all the way to the Hancock County line), but it's facing an existential threat in the state legislature.

Sen. Aaron Freeman's Senate Bill 52 is ostensibly about forcing IndyGo to share lanes on Washington Street between cars and buses. But, if it passes, I don't think we'll see the Blue Line get built in any form, which means we'll lose the opportunity for high-quality transit to and from the airport, and the city will miss out on completion of what was supposed to be a three-route bus rapid transit system.

IndyGo's planned design for the Blue Line bus rapid transit route.

Freeman's argument is that he's just asking for a brief pause in the Blue Line's planning process, as well as a common sense shift to shared lanes. I don't see much to negotiate here, though, because I think IndyGo and the city are right to insist on dedicated bus lanes. The current plan would make the buses faster and streets safer without materially worsening car commute times.

Most importantly, IndyGo is ready to bid out the Blue Line this year, with a heavy reliance on federal money. If that doesn't happen as planned, and IndyGo is forced to alter the plan because of a new state law, IndyGo will have to re-apply for grants and costs will escalate to the point that the city probably will miss its window to build the project.

Freeman has 20 co-authors on his bill in the Senate and House Speaker Todd Huston has spoken favorably of the bill. The most optimistic Blue Line supporters I've talked to who are familiar with the political dynamics tell me they see only a 50-50 chance of prevailing.

The Blue Line is the most-needed route of the bus rapid transit lines, in large part because of the airport connection, so it's extremely frustrating that IndyGo didn't start with that one, but here we are. I think Freeman's proposal will pass in some form, meaning there's a very good chance the Blue Line will be scrapped. After that, it would likely take many, many years to establish the type of airport transit you're looking for.

Jim Clark: Will Star reporters ever hold a Republicans feet to the fire over their participation in the Jan. 6 insurrection?

I wrote what I consider to be a pretty tough column on Indiana Republicans that day. But I sense what you're really asking is: When will media (including IndyStar) convince everyone to see Jan. 6 the way you do? The answer is never.

At this point, there is more than enough information available for people to make up their minds about what happened Jan. 6. It seems bad to me that a president invited violence to the nation's capital in order to prevent a routine step in the transfer of power, while also making his vice president a mob target, but many people disagree and want to put that same president back in power for reasons ranging from unwavering partisan identity to earnest belief in widely disseminated lies and conspiracy theories.

You didn't ask about this, but your question gets to the heart of what I choose to write about, and why. When I weigh column topics, I try to pick spots where I can nudge people to change their minds or, at least, to consider new perspectives. What's the point of opinion writing if you're not at least trying to persuade?

Three years after Jan. 6, nothing I write is going to change anyone's minds about that day or about Indiana Republicans' role in it. I'll continue to reference it when writing about people involved in that day's proceedings, but I don't see much value in relitigating the meaning of what happened.

That's all for this week. I'll do it again next week. In the meantime, if you choose to use the online comments one last time, make it count. I'll be reading. As always, you can email me at james.briggs@indystar.com.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Briggs' mailbag: IndyStar comments and the Blue Line
Brightline West launched field investigation work this week in Southern California in anticipation of a groundbreaking of its high-speed rail system between Las Vegas and Rancho Cucamonga.

The fieldwork, for the proposed rail corridor within the Interstate 15 right-of-way, will advance the final stages of design in preparation for a groundbreaking, Brightline West told the Daily Press.

Field work also began earlier this month in Nevada for what Brightline West officials call Americas first true high-speed rail system.

Brightline West launched field investigation work this week in Southern California in anticipation of a groundbreaking of its high-speed rail system between Las Vegas and Rancho Cucamonga.

Field investigation work includes geotechnical borings and samplings, utility potholing and land surveying.

Work took place primarily during daytime hours, with some work at night to minimize disruption to traffic. In some instances, short-term closures of freeway shoulders were required.

All work was conducted in compliance with applicable environmental regulations. The work was done in coordination with Caltrans.

Field investigation work in California includes:

I-15 from Primm to Nipton Road. Borings in the center median.

I-15 from Mountain Pass to Minneola Road. Borings in the center median at major interchanges and wash bridge locations

I-15 from Yermo to I-15/Hwy 58. Borings in the center median and southbound exterior shoulders.

I-15 from Mountain Pass to Meridian Road. Borings in the center median.

I-15 from Afton Road to Quarry Road. Borings in the center median and at major interchanges.

I-15 in Rancho Cucamonga and in Devore. Borings at the Foothill Boulevard Interchange, Glen Helen Road, and in the Devore Area.

Motorists should proceed with extra caution through work zones and adhere to posted detour signs, speed limits and other signage.

Artist rendering of the Victor Valley Brightline West high-speed rail train station in Apple Valley.

Brightline West project

The estimated $12 billion Brightline West project includes a 218-mile, all-electric rail service, with a flagship station in Las Vegas, with additional stations in Apple Valley, Hesperia and a main station Rancho Cucamonga.

At speeds up to 200 miles per hour, trains will take passengers from Las Vegas to Rancho Cucamonga in about two hours, twice as fast as the normal drive time.

The project is expected to break ground sometime this summer, with the goal of completion by summer 2028, in time for the summer Olympics in Los Angeles, Brightline West officials said.

Brightline West funding

The U.S. Department of Transportation announced the approval of $2.5 billion in private activity bonds authority for the Brightline West high-speed rail project, the Daily Press reported.

The money will be used to lay tracks, create jobs, and "connect American cities, said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg on Tuesday.

The Department of Transportation previously approved a private activity bond allocation of $1 billion for Brightline West in 2020, bringing the total allocation for this project to $3.5 billion.

In Dec. 2023, the department also awarded a $3 billion grant from President Bidens infrastructure law to the Nevada Department of Transportation for this project.

In June 2023, the department awarded a $25 million grant to San Bernardino County Transportation Authority through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity Program that will be used for the construction of the Brightline West stations in Hesperia and Apple Valley.

Unions may soon begin recruiting thousands of workers to construct the high-speed Brightline West rail system between Rancho Cucamonga and Las Vegas.

The Department of Labor recently met with trade unions of Nevada and California to discuss the possible hiring of nearly 11,000 workers to begin building 218 miles of rail by summer.

Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227 or RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Brightline West conducts fieldwork in California ahead of groundbreaking
Editor's note: A photo previously supplied to the media incorrectly identified the victim. This story has been updated.

NEW BEDFORD  The killer of a 20-year-old Rhode Island man in New Bedford in 1991 has been identified by the Bristol County District Attorney's Office Cold Case Unit, closing the 32-year-old case.

The victim, Brent Davis, who was from Newport, R.I., was gunned down at the Brickenwood Housing Project in New Bedford on Oct. 25, 1991.

Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn IIIs Cold Case Unit identified the killer as Claudio Jorge, according to a press release.

Jorge has also been confirmed as being deceased. He was killed in the Dominican Republic in 2006 while being robbed. He was 40 years old at the time of his killing.

A sketch of the suspect, which was printed in local news sources in 1991.

As part of Quinns Cold Case Unit, Katherine Sullivan, a Massachusetts State Police Trooper assigned to the Bristol County District Attorneys office, began investigating the 1991 homicide of Brent Davis in the fall of 2020.

Suspect identified as 'Bobby'

At the time of the 1991 homicide, witnesses to the shooting identified the suspect as an individual named Bobby.

Investigators at the time created a sketch composite of the suspect and were able to identify two relatives of the suspect who were living in New Bedford. Those relatives claimed Bobby was also known as Reynaldo Suriel and that he was from New York City, according to the release.

Attempts to locate him were unsuccessful. The case then went cold and no arrest was made.

As part of her recent follow-up investigation, Sullivan determined Reynaldo Suriel was likely an alias and the identity of Bobby was still unknown.

Brent Davis, who was from Newport, R.I., was gunned down at the Brickenwood Housing Project in New Bedford on Oct. 25, 1991.

After reviewing the 1991 reports, Sullivan located several individuals who either witnessed the shooting or were associated with the suspect, Bobby. Some of those individuals were subsequently interviewed.

As a result of those interviews, investigators learned Davis had only been staying in New Bedford for a few days prior to his murder in 1991.

Investigators further learned the homicide was the result of a drug distribution dispute, that Bobby was originally from the Dominican Republic and that he fled the city immediately after the killing of Davis.

Another key witness admitted to investigators he sold cocaine with Bobby at the time and Bobby came to his girlfriends apartment immediately after the homicide, according to the release.

Once inside the apartment, Bobby stated Davis was dead and he needed to get out of town. A second key witness corroborated the previous witness statements and said Bobby committed the homicide.

The investigation heated up

As the investigation heated up, Sullivan, joined by another trooper from the State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section and a New York Police Detective, made contact with the close relative of the suspect who had also previously resided in New Bedford.

That close relative said Bobby, also known as Reynaldo Suriel, was actually Claudio Jorge and he had been killed in the Dominican Republic in 2006.

The close relative provided photographs of Jorge to investigators, which were a match to the composite sketch produced in 1991.

The close relative also provided further information to investigators, which showed Bobby was in fact Claudio Jorge and that Claudio Jorge had shot and killed Davis in 1991.

Claudio Jorge, now deceased, has been identified as the killer of a 20-year-old Rhode Island man in New Bedford in 1991, according to the Bristol County District Attorney's Office.

The Bristol County District Attorney's Office acquired criminal records for Claudio Jorge and records from the U.S. Marshals and the New York Police Department.

Jorge had a lengthy criminal record with narcotics and weapons offenses. Jorge was incarcerated in New York in 1983 for an armed robbery and a shooting, and again in 1988 for narcotics and weapons offenses. The records further showed Jorge was not incarcerated on Oct. 25, 1991, but was arrested in 1992 in New York and was subsequently deported to the Dominican Republic in 1998.

Death is confirmed

Subsequently, an NYPD Dominican Republic liaison detective visited the Jorge family residence in La Vega, Dominican Republic and spoke with Jorges aunt, who stated Jorge was deceased and provided an obituary card from 2006.

Following the confirmed identification of Claudio Jorge as Bobby, Sullivan presented two witnesses in the Davis homicide case with photographs of Jorge. Both witnesses stated with certainty that Jorge was the person known as Bobby and that he shot Davis.

Sullivan located Brent Davis mother in Newport, R.I. and informed her that investigators had positively identified the individual responsible for her sons murder and he was deceased.

At this point, all investigatory avenues have been exhausted to confirm that Claudio Jorge committed the homicide by firearm of Brent Davis on Oct. 25, 1991 and Jorge is deceased. The cold case has now officially been closed, according to the DA's Office.

Im very pleased with the efforts of our Cold Case Unit, that after further investigation, has led to the identification of Claudio Jorge as the individual who murdered Brent Davis in 1991. This case further shows our office does not give up on solving cold cases and will continue to put resources into investigations of cold case homicides, Quinn said in a statement. Id like to thank Trooper Kate Sullivan for her efforts in the case that brought closure to the victims family after all these years.

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: 32-year-old New Bedford cold case murder of RI man solved
The dispute over the British Indian Ocean Territory, otherwise known as the Chagos Islands, is more than a matter of marginal importance. It raises profound questions about the vital work being done by the UK and the United States to support international security, the growing influence of China in the Indo-Pacific region, and misuse of the law by a Commonwealth country for political reasons.

The future of the Chagos Islands has long been of interest to me. In 2018, as solicitor general, I represented the United Kingdom at the International Court of Justice in a case brought against this country by the Republic of Mauritius, which claims sovereignty over the Islands.

As I stated to the Court then, the legal situation could not be clearer. The Islands had only been connected to the former British Territory of Mauritius for administrative purposes. There were no cultural ties between them. It was clear from the documentary evidence that the creation of the British Indian Ocean Territory in 1965, three years before Mauritian independence, was perfectly lawful and it was well within the UKs remit to do so.

In an advisory ruling, the Court overlooked the key evidence presented by the UK in favour of Mauritius specious claim. The government at the time rightly held to its long-standing position: that the islands are British until they are no longer needed for military purposes, as was agreed in 1965. In an increasingly uncertain world, this is a position that we must maintain.

In 2021, Mauritius passed legislation that criminalises misrepresenting the sovereignty of Mauritius over any part of its territory. Worryingly, this new law is to be applied to anyone anywhere in the world. It carries a maximum sentence of ten years of imprisonment. This law is clearly intended to intimidate UK politicians, businesses and Chagossian activists who oppose Mauritiuss sovereignty claims into silence. It is a brazen act of intimidation dressed as foreign policy, which frankly merits comparisons with Hong Kongs 2020 National Security Law and is not up to the high standards that we should expect from fellow members of the Commonwealth.

Dr Yuan Yi Zhus Policy Exchange paper is a well-timed reminder of this deeply shocking legislation that has inexplicably largely escaped public notice in the UK. It builds on his previous paper for Policy Exchange which addresses the question of sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, providing crucial context around the archipelagos history and the UKs relationship with it, which has endured since 1814.

The forced move of the Chagos Islanders from their homes in the 1960s was wrong. The UK has publicly apologised, and reparations to the islanders affected have and are being made. The issue of their return to the Islands is sensitive and requires close consultation, but questions of redress for the Chagossians and of sovereignty itself are completely separate.

Many Chagossians actively campaign against the Mauritian claim, given their poor experience of living in that country. In a welcome move, the Nationality and Borders Act 2022 gives British citizenship to the descendants of Chagossian exiles. It is schemes like which will bring justice for the Chagossians, not a transfer of sovereignty.

Further, a transfer is not in the interests of the environment (given that the UK currently protects 250,000 square miles of ocean around the Islands) and it is certainly not in the interests of international security in this important region, bearing in mind the troubled situation in the Red Sea and the need for vigilance in the Indian Ocean.

The UK Government appears to be listening to the concerns of academics, members of the security services and the Chagossian diaspora and is looking to change course. On a recent visit to the United States, Lord Cameron described the Chagos Islands as vital, and Secretary Blinken reiterated American support for British sovereignty over the islands. I hope that the UK will stand firm on the question of sovereignty and in the face of draconian criminal law that seeks to intimidate those who disagree. That legislation has to be repealed if normal relations are to resume.

Rt Hon Sir Robert Buckland KBE KC MP is Conservative MP for South Swindon and Chair of the Commons Northern Ireland Affairs Select Committee. He is a former Lord Chancellor, Secretary of State for Wales and Solicitor General

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By Sarah Young

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's King Charles and his daughter-in-law Kate, the Princess of Wales, both returned home from hospital on Monday after undergoing planned treatments.

Charles, 75, who had spent three nights in hospital after undergoing a corrective procedure for an enlarged prostate, smiled and waved to crowds as he left the London Clinic accompanied by his wife Queen Camilla.

A few hours earlier, Kate also headed home after spending two weeks at the same private hospital following abdominal surgery.

Buckingham Palace said in a statement that Charles, who was visited in hospital by Camilla each day of his stay, wanted to thank his medical team and all those who had supported his hospital visit.

"The King was this afternoon discharged from hospital following planned medical treatment and has rescheduled forthcoming public engagements to allow for a period of private recuperation," Buckingham Palace said.

Kate, 42, the wife of heir to the British throne Prince William, was making "good progress", her Kensington Palace office said, and she was now back at home in Windsor.

She had surgery for a non-specified, but non-cancerous, condition at the London Clinic earlier in January.

Britain's royals usually regard all medical issues as a private matter, but Charles chose to publicise his condition to encourage other men to have medical checks.

His need for the procedure to treat an enlarged prostrate, a benign condition common among men over 50, was announced by Buckingham Palace on Jan. 17.

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

Kate is not due to return to public duties until after Easter. Prince William has postponed his engagements to look after their three children, Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5.

(Reporting by Sachin Ravikumar, writing by Sarah Young; editing by William James and Angus MacSwan)
A Brockton man has been arrested in connection with at least three armed robberies in the city and possibly a fourth in Braintree over the past two weeks, police said.

Tyrell Damon, 33, is in custody following the recent armed robberies in Brockton and a weekend armed robbery in Braintree, police said in a Facebook post.

On Saturday, Braintree Police alerted Brockton Police to an armed robbery at a CVS in their city, police said.

The Braintree tip led investigators to Damon, who was located in Brockton by police and detectives on Saturday, police said.

Damon faces several charges tied to robberies in Brockton, at McDonalds on Montello Street, Seasons Gas Station on Belmont Street, and CVS on Centre Street, police said.

Police are investigating whether Damon was also responsible for the armed robbery at Cumberland Farms on Crescent Street on Jan. 22.

A judge will formally charged Damon during his arraignment on Monday in Brockton District Court, police said.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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The brother of one of the victims who mysteriously died at their friends home after a football watch party earlier this month is speaking out.

Jordan Willis has made headlines after the deaths of his friends, 36-year-old Clayton McGeeney, 37-year-old David Harrington, and 38-year-old Ricky Johnson. The trio went to his house on Jan. 7 to watch the Kansas City Chiefs versus the Los Angeles Chargers.

They were discovered dead on Willis porch and backyard two days later when McGeeneys fiancee broke into Willis home.

Jordan Willis hosted his group of friends at his rental home in Kansas City earlier this month. (Fox4/ Youtube/Screenshot)

If I were to give a hypothesis  for the three men to die in the way that they did, something had to have been in their system, Johnsons brother, Jonathan Price, told People. Whether or not it was taken knowingly, I wouldnt answer that.

He continued, Theres no way that a coincidence of three grown men who all are fairly smart individuals would die in that way on the same night without something else being involved. Even if one of them was not inebriated, they wouldve brought the other two inside.

Willis attorney has reiterated that his client does not know what happened to his friends.

[Willis] wants answers as much as everyone does, John Picerno told NewsNation. We all want answers to find out what happened to these lifelong [friends], two of them he [Willis] went to high school with. Hes known them for over 20 years. Theyre his friends. Hes deeply hurt by their passing.

Picerno said that Willis fell asleep on the sofa after they left, claiming that he was unaware that his friends were missing or that their family was looking for them until the police got involved. A fifth person at the gathering says he left the home around midnight while the group watched Jeopardy!

His attorney, Andrew Talge, emphasized that his client was not the last person to see the men alive that night. Its important to note that the accounts from Picerno and Talge do not align.

As more details are released, the families grow more frustrated and confused. Local police confirmed with several news outlets that there were no obvious signs of foul play and that the incident is not being looked into as a homicide.

Nothing is adding up, Price said. But primarily, Jordans story does not add up whatsoever.

Johnsons family created a GoFundMe to raise money for funeral expenses and to support his children. Its raised nearly $18,000.

Ricky was not only an adored father to his three beautiful daughters, but also a cherished son, brother, uncle, and friend, the fundraiser describes. During this incredibly difficult time, we appeal to anyone who is able and willing to assist with the expenses for the funeral services, for which we would be endlessly appreciative.

Brother of One of the Friends Who Mysteriously Died After Kansas Chiefs Watch Party Believes Something Had to Have Been In Their System
In a recent interview on the CNN podcast The Axe Files, crime writer Sara Paretsky talked about the antisemitism she faced growing up in a Jewish family in Kansas in the 1950s  antisemitism that limited what neighborhoods she and her family were allowed to live in.

Paretsky noted that Jews were subject to the same racially restrictive covenant laws as African Americans, which excluded them from housing in small Midwestern towns as well as in big cities such as Chicago.

As we recognize Holocaust Remembrance Day, we should recall that the links between white supremacy and antisemitism have deep roots across the Midwest, roots that help feed the violence and vitriol we are seeing across the U.S. right now.

And that denial of the Holocaust is key to understanding that linkage.

I was in my late 20s the first time I met a Holocaust denier in a university classroom in Terre Haute, Indiana, in the early 1990s. I knew that Nazis had marched in Skokie and that antisemitism was not a thing of the past. But its safe to say that if I thought about denialism at all, I imagined it happened in Europe, not in my Midwestern backyard.

And then there I was, facing two students who told the class that the concentration camps established by the Nazis were simply places where Jews were allowed to go so that they could worship separately. I was stunned and speechless. Apparently, the shock was evident on my face. An older student approached me after class and asked: Did you know there is a Holocaust survivor living in town?

That is how I met Eva Mozes Kor, a real estate agent in Terre Haute. Not only was she a Holocaust survivor, but also, she and her twin sister, Miriam, had been subject to the medical experiments of Dr. Josef Mengele, the so-called Angel of Death, at Auschwitz.

I invited Eva to my classroom, where she told her story: the trauma of her family being pulled from their home in the village of Portz, Romania, and taken to Auschwitz. There, the children were forcibly separated from their parents, whom they never saw again. Eva rolled up her sleeve and revealed the concentration camp number  A-7063  that had been inked into her forearm. And she narrated everything that happened to her and Miriam until the end of the war and the liberation of the camps in 1945.

Eva traveled extensively to bring her message to the world, giving tours of various camps and preaching her message about the power of the human spirit. She was steely in her determination that no one could or should ever doubt the truth of her story or of the Holocaust as genocide. When she was interviewed on 60 Minutes in 1992 from her home in Terre Haute, the world could see who she was: defiant, resilient and a pacifist.

But Eva never forgot how important the hometown audience was. She built a museum called CANDLES, which stands for Children of Auschwitz Nazi Deadly Lab Experiments Survivors, in Terre Haute. A space of memory and education, CANDLES was firebombed in 2003, two years after Oklahoma City bomber and anti-government extremist Timothy McVeigh was executed in the federal penitentiary in Terre Haute. The graffiti scrawled at the scene said, Remember Timmy McVeigh.

No one was ever prosecuted for the crime. And CANDLES was rebuilt. But that graffiti speaks to links between white supremacy and antisemitism that are long and deep in American history. So, when we remember the Holocaust, we should recall Eva Kor and the work she did in Terre Haute, as well as on the world stage.

Kor was as American as apple pie. She died in 2019 on the Fourth of July. She is buried in Highland Lawn Cemetery in Terre Haute  a town which, thanks to its proximity to Route 66, is known colloquially as the Crossroads of America. And theres a mural of her in Indianapolis right next to one of writer Kurt Vonnegut.

Ive recounted this story to friends for decades to remind people that the Holocaust is not something out there, disconnected from the American heartland. And that the kinship between Holocaust denialism and white supremacy is as American as apple pie too.

As the world rages over and grieves for the death and destruction wrought by sectarian hatred, we must work to make the links between antisemitism, Islamophobia and white Christian nationalism better known.

Forgive your worst enemy, was Eva Kors watchword. Forgive, and acknowledge wrongdoing.

But remember that the Midwest is a crossroads where many forms of racial antagonism meet and flourish. We cannot afford to forget that.

Antoinette Burton is a professor of history and director of the Humanities Research Institute at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She is a public voices fellow with The OpEd Project and the University of Illinois System.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF)  The Brunch House of Augusta has become a staple in the CSRA, and Asian Brown, the owner, sits down for a brief moment to chat with WJBF about their beginnings and how their business continues to thrive.

Plus, we get to taste the restaurants house dish: The Brunch House Benedict!

Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule and allowing us to be here in your establishment for Celebrating Black Excellence. Lets get started. Where are you originally from? Whered you go to school?

Im originally from here, Augusta, Georgia, and I went to A.R. Johnson High School and Augusta University.

ALSO ON WJBF: Purrfect Tea Cafe brings L.A. flavor to Waycross

What made you want to get into owning a restaurant? What inspired that?

Oh, just my passion for food. I love to eat. (Laughs) My wife and I love breakfast food as well. So, we used to go to Waffle House all the time at night. So, we figured, Why not make our own?

How did you come up with the name of your restaurant? What made you call this place The Brunch House of Augusta? We tried to think of a name that incorporates who we are. So, when we thought about different restaurant names, what they really stand for what we are? So, we thought The Brunch House; like with Waffle House, you know youre going to get Waffles. So, with the Brunch House, you know youre going to get brunch.

Your tagline is Family Feeding Families. What is the significance of that?

When we first started out, of course, it was during COVID. So, there was a lot of family here helping us. When we first started, the former chef was my cousin; he helped start the restaurant as well. My aunts, cousins, and nieces just band together and helped out when they could and volunteered their time.

How was it operated during COVID?

Oh, it was challenging, to say the least, but Im just happy and blessed that we made it through it. Just dealing with more prices fluctuating up and down; not more so people coming in. Once Augusta has something new, everybody kind of bands around it and uplifts it.

How has the reception been since COVID?

Far as I know, its been great. (Laughs)

What would you say is the most popular dish that you guys have at The Brunch House Of Augusta?

Oh, I would probably say Our Rise And Shine Platter that include our stuffed French toast which we make in house, and we pair it with our turkey sausage, which we also make in house.

CBE365: Speak Out with Groovy Granmama

What is your favorite meal at The Brunch House Of Augusta?

My favorite meal would have to be the shrimp and grits. We have good shrimp and grits.

Now, for people who may want to be a part of the food industry or want to own their own business, what words of advice could you give someone?

Stay true to who you are, and once you put your mind to it, just make sure you have a good team around you to help you get there. You cant do anything by yourself, and always keep God first. As long as you do that, your path will be laid.

What are your hours here at The Brunch House of Augusta?

Were open Wednesday through Sunday; 7 A.M. to 2 P.M. on Wednesday through Friday and Saturday and Sunday from 9 A.M. to 3 P.M. And just a tidbit, we may be open on Tuesdays coming up soon. So, be on the lookout. Follow us on social media.

ALSO ON WJBF: Actress Maura Gale talks film, faith, and fulfilling her purpose with Maura-vation

And if the people want to follow you on social media, how can they do so?

You can follow us on Facebook and Instagram @TheBrunchHouse.

You can also receive more information and updates on their website at www.brunchhouseofaug.com.

Videography by Gary Nipple

Music Produced by Danny Ray Smith, Jr.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF.
(Reuters) - The European Union will sabotage Hungary's economy if Budapest blocks fresh aid to Ukraine at a summit this week, under a confidential plan drawn up by Brussels, the Financial Times reported on Sunday.

Brussels has outlined a strategy to explicitly target Hungary's economic weaknesses, imperil its currency and drive a collapse in investor confidence in a bid to hurt "jobs and growth" if Budapest refuses to lift its veto on the aid to Kyiv, the newspaper reported, citing a document drawn up by EU officials.

Notorious for many bitter feuds with the EU during his 13 years in power, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has become a vocal critic of the bloc's support for Ukraine and boasted about his ties with the Kremlin since Russia went to war in Ukraine in February 2022.

The document seen by FT declares that "in the case of no agreement in the February 1 [summit], other heads of state and government would publicly declare that in the light of the unconstructive behaviour of the Hungarian PM . . . they cannot imagine that" EU funds would be provided to Budapest.

Hungary's EU minister Janos Boka told the newspaper Budapest was not aware of the financial threat, but that the country "does not give in to pressure".

(Reporting by Disha Mishra in Bengaluru; Editing by Kirsten Donovan)
Brussels blackmails Budapest like there is no tomorrow, despite the fact that we have proposed a compromise, the Hungarian Prime Ministers Political Director Balazs Orban wrote on X (Twitter) on Jan. 29 in response to a Financial Times report that the EU threatens to hit Hungarys economy if Viktor Orban vetoes Ukraine aid.

Read also: Orban acknowledges EU can provide aid to Ukraine without Hungarys involvement

Budapest sent a new proposal to Brussels on Saturday, specifying it was now open to using the EU budget for the Ukraine package and even issuing common debt to finance it, if other caveats were added that gave Budapest the opportunity to change its mind at a later date, his post read.

Now its crystal clear: this is blackmail and has nothing to do with the rule of law. And now theyre not even trying to hide it!

Read also: Finnish FM confident Hungary will lift veto on EUR 50 billion EU aid for Ukraine

The EU will sabotage Hungarys economy if Budapest blocks fresh aid to Ukraine at a summit this week, under a confidential plan drawn up by Brussels that marks a significant escalation in the battle between the EU and its most pro-Russian member state, the Financial Times reported on Jan. 28.

Brussels has outlined a strategy to explicitly target Hungarys economic weaknesses, imperil its currency and drive a collapse in investor confidence in a bid to hurt jobs and growth if Budapest refuses to lift its veto against the aid to Kyiv.

If Orban does not back down, other EU leaders should publicly vow to permanently shut off all EU funding to Budapest with the intention of spooking the markets, precipitating a run on the countrys forint currency and a surge in the cost of its borrowing, Brussels stated in the document, according to the Financial Times.

Prime Minister Orban is expected to lift his veto on EUR 50 billion ($54.3 billion) of financial aid for Ukraine from the European Union, Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said in an interview with German news RND on Jan. 25.

Read also: EU promises further funding for Ukraine by March

Orban vetoed a new EUR 50 billion ($54.3 billion) aid package for Ukraine, insisting that Budapest receive EUR 21 billion ($22.8 billion) in aid and grants that has been frozen due to the poor situation with human rights and rule of law in the country.

European Union leaders are prepared to take harsh measures against Hungary if Prime Minister Viktor Orban continues to block a $54.3 billion aid package for Ukraine, Bloomberg reported on 22 Jan.

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Bullfighting returned to Mexico City on Sunday after almost two years, drawing tens of thousands of fans as well as protests from animal rights activists doused in red paint.

The capitals first show since June 2022 saw spectators gather in the 41,000-capacity Plaza de Toros bullring, the largest arena of its kind in the world.

Inscribed in the dirt was the phrase: Freedom. Bulls, living culture.

Meanwhile, hundreds of protesters wearing bull masks and covered in blood-red paint gathered outside the stadium.

Protestors marched to the bullring under a banner which read: 'Torture is neither art nor culture' - RODRIGO OROPEZA/AFP

They were blocked from entering the arena by police after marching to the bullring under a banner which read: Torture is neither art nor culture.

Sundays event, which featured bullfighter Joselito Adame, came after a Supreme Court ruling last month which overturned an indefinite suspension of the centuries-old practice in Mexico City put in place two years ago.

Six bulls fought on Sunday, and all of them were killed.

Joselito Adame is a famed bullfighter in Mexico - CRISTOPHER ROGEL BLANQUET/GETTY IMAGES SOUTH AMERICA

The Supreme Courts June 2022 decision agreed with animal rights activists who had filed a lawsuit demanding bullfighting to be banned.

While that decision was revoked by the Supreme Court, it did not provide a ruling on the merits of the case.

Anti-bullfighting groups are hoping for a final decision in their favour in the coming weeks.

The show came after a ruling last month which overturned the suspension on bullfighting put in place two years ago - CARL DE SOUZA/AFP

Its important to be here because theyre going to resume their barbarity, their cruelty, their massacre. It must not happen, and we have to send them a pretty clear message, Gabriela Martinez, a 62-year-old protester, told the AFP news agency.

Jeronimo Sanchez, director of the NGO Animal Heroes, said those demonstrating outside the stadium were completely against the return of bullfighting.

Some 250,000 bulls are killed in bullfights globally each year - ISAAC ESQUIVEL/SHUTTERSTOCK

These events continue to be held where only pleasure is sought through the torture of an animal, he said.

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has proposed a referendum on the future of bullfighting in Mexico City.

Four of Mexicos 32 states have already banned the practice, which according to its supporters generated millions in revenues and employed around 80,000 people in 2018.

Police blocked the protesters from entering the bullring - CARL DE SOUZA/AFP

Some 250,000 bulls are killed in bullfights globally each year, according to Humane Society International.

Alongside Mexico, the practice is still legal in France, Portugal, Colombia, Venezuela, Peru and Ecuador.

It is also still permitted in some cities in Spain, though it has been banned in others.

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ASHEVILLE  Two Buncombe County District Court judge seats are open for the upcoming primary election with only Democratic candidates in the running. Therefore, the March 5 primary will decide the entire race.

Buncombes four candidates for district court convened for a Jan. 25 forum at the countys Democratic Party headquarters in Oakley with fewer than 60 people in attendance. Local elected officials who attended included Sheriff Quentin Miller, N.C. Rep. Eric Ager and N.C. Sen. Julie Mayfield.

District courts hear a wide range of civil, juvenile and criminal cases including divorce, child custody, child support and low level criminal cases as well as abuse, neglect and dependency cases involving children younger than 18, according to the North Carolina Courts website.

The candidates for district court judge are all Buncombe County natives with long legal careers.

The Buncombe County Courthouse and Asheville City Hall, August 21, 2023.

Meredith Pressley Stone, 42, and Todd Lentz, 57, are running for one seat, which is currently held by Chief District Court Judge Calvin Hill, who is retiring at the end of his term after 18 years on the bench.

Robin Merrell, 48, and Emily Sutton Dezio, 47, are running for another seat in the district, now held by Unified Family District Court Judge Andrea Dray, who is not running for reelection.

The next Chief District Court Judge will assign whether the winning candidate will assume a seat in criminal or family court.

Stone has served as a prosecutor for 16 years, most recently as the District Court supervisor for Buncombe County District Attorneys Office. She earned her law degree from N.C. Central University in 2006. During her introduction at the forum, Pressley highlighted her work with county diversion programs and treatment courts, which she said were alternatives to convictions. She said she has handled a wide range of cases, from first-degree murder to traffic tickets.

Lentz began his private practice in 2001 after earning his law degree at Florida Coastal School of Law in 1999. He works on criminal and domestic matters as well as statewide uncontested divorces. Lentz is a former licensed real estate agent, probation and parole officer and a veteran of the United States Navy. During the forum, he touted his experience practicing in every court in Buncombe County, handling each of the cases a district court judge sees.

Todd Lentz

Merrell is a managing attorney at Pisgah Legal Services, a legal aid nonprofit, where she has worked for more than 23 years. She earned her law degree at UNC Chapel Hill in 2000. Merrell touted her experience working in courts across Western North Carolina at different levels. She focused on her supervision and management experience, saying that a district court judge needs to manage a courtroom.

Dezio opened her own private practice in 2012 where she focuses on family law. Previously, she worked at a general law practice in Buncombe County with her father and brother. She earned her law degree at University of Vermont Law School in 2002. In 2020, 2021 and 2022, Dezio was recognized as a member of the N.C. Pro Bono Honor Society. She emphasized her experience as trial attorney, saying that it will translate to being a better judge.

Assistant Public Defender and former candidate for district attorney Courtney Booth moderated the discussion. Below are some of Booths questions and the candidates responses. The questions and responses have been edited for clarity and brevity. Candidates are presented in the order they answered the question.

More: Marshall driver positive for cocaine gets 75 days for deadly wreck; family protests

Racial disparity in county jail

Booth: As of yesterday (Jan. 24), our county jail had about 355 inmates, with over 29% identified and listed as Black when Buncombe County has a total population of Black residents of about 6% and an (Asheville) citywide population of 10.8%. What do you attribute to this disparity, and how can you as a judge, address this?

Merrell: I believe the disparity is due to institutional racism that is baked into every system that we have. How I address it, I think is a much more difficult question. I model my approach as a judge after Ketanji Brown Jackson, our newest U.S. Supreme Court justice. She says that she starts from a neutral position, listens to the facts, applies the law and renders a decision. That is where empathy, which we were talking about before, can come in. Although I have had thousands of clients over the years, most of them have been people who have lived in Asheville public housing, and the vast majority of them are Black. I am familiar with the issues that those families face and how they are unique, and I have a great deal of compassion.

Robin Merrell.

Lentz: Madam Justice is blindfolded, and that is the manner in which the law should be administered throughout. Race, creed, sexual orientation should not, and if I was elected, would not play a role in a decision that was made. How a judge can help this disparity, in my opinion, would be to become involved with the community, to build and work with the community, the commissioners, housing, teachers and education to try to help better the community, to alleviate that issue.

Dezio: My colleagues are right. It does start in community and it is based on institutional racism, no doubt. As a person, when Im in my community, I work hard. If there is something we need to get done, then Im the girl to do it. If I get elected in this position, I promise to work hard to cure those issues, in a way that is based in work ethic.

Stone: I agree that it starts with the community. I worked on the safety and justice challenge. Ive worked on the community engagement work group where we have had listening sessions to listen to the community's concerns and also provide information about the criminal justice system. I've worked on the jail review team, where weekly we meet and talk about cases for folks who are incarcerated and working on efficiently processing those cases so that the number of days spent in jail is reduced.

More: Former Asheville teen fugitive pleads guilty to death by vehicle; murder case pending

Criminal justice reform

Booth: How can you as a judge support criminal justice reform if elected?

Stone: As district court judges, we are bound to uphold the law as the legislature gives it. But we do have discretion in sentencing and with bonds. As district court judges, we can't speak to exact legislation, but I have experience in bonds that were not secured, electronic monitoring and other alternatives. I'm in support of those programs.

Dezio: It's a really tough question because (of) the code of judicial ethics disallowing you from my standing positions on pending legislation. I do think there is a little bit of a disconnect. Everyone who walks into district court has a constitutional right and it starts in district court, it starts on Day 1. As a district court judge, I will hold those rights and values close and be fair and impartial.

Emily Sutton Dezio

Lentz: When individuals are before a judge and a bond is set, it seems at times to possibly be set arbitrarily, as if $1,000 to you and $1,000 to me is the same as $1,000 to someone in assisted living or in public housing. And it's not. Things like that may be looked at and based on a percentage of that party's income instead of just a random number. That might be a way to look at it. But as a judge, we have to hold ourselves to the letter of the law and as it is written.

Merrell: It's really obvious that lower income people are disproportionately affected by the amount of bond and for my entire career, I have worked exclusively with lower income people. I've seen some of the effects of that on them and on their families, particularly when the person with the income in the family is in jail and unable to get out. Like my colleagues here, I will follow the letter of the law, but if the purpose of the bond is to ensure the person shows up for their court date, I would be open to alternatives to that, such as ankle monitoring or other means to ensure a person's appearance.

Improvements to the system

Booth: Pick one improvement in family court or in criminal law if elected to the bench, depending on where you end up, you would seek to implement and why.

Merrell: Currently a person seeking a domestic violence protective order can only see a judge one time during the day, and that's very early in the morning. That time does not always work for the people who need that protection. Yes, they can go to the magistrates office for temporary protection, but have to come back to see the judge at that same early morning hour the next day. I would make domestic violence protective orders on the ex parte basis (one party asking for a court order), available at any time during the day, even if it interrupts ongoing court procedures, because the protection that people need is so important and can be the matter of life and.

Lentz: On both sides, family and criminal, I would say that we need to put in place some measures getting cases through the court system. They dont need to take as long as they do. As a defense attorney, I have to listen to my client, I continue cases as much as they ask if I can, but I think things need to be expedited and not in the system as much as they are.

Dezio: We have family court rules that were written in 2005. One of the rules is, to settle the immediate issues of the family, you get temporary hearings and then you get your shot at permanency. In theory, the case is supposed to see an early custody order and an early financial order, so you get support flowing between the two households and you get a sharing, and then you get your final custody trial if you don't settle between the temporary and the final hearing. We've gotten far away from having one temporary hearing and one final. We had sometimes three, four, five temporary hearings, and that increases costs for litigants, keeps people in their corners, and it takes court time. When you have that, you get to your final hearing, you get one day in October, you get one day in November, you get to come back in February to finish your trial. That is insane for litigants, because their permanent trial should be a trial in progress and remains in progress. If you start on Tuesday and you're not finished at the end of the day on Tuesday, you should come back on Wednesday and finish. Instead, we are spreading it way out, and I've got to get us back to following the rules that we designed in 2005.

Meredith Pressley Stone.

Stone: Very soon, we're going to be restarting pleas on lower-level felonies in district court. I think that's really important for the efficient processing of cases for people who are in custody. I think that is going to be, crucial for our jail population. I think that'll make a really big difference to be able to do those lower-level felony pleas in district court.

More: After Citizen Times report, Buncombe looks to correct malfunctioning court video system

More: Malfunctioning Buncombe court video monitor may violate detainees' rights, break state law

Mitchell Black covers Buncombe County and health care for the Citizen Times. Email him at mblack@citizentimes.com or follow him on Twitter @MitchABlack. Please help support local journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Buncombe district court candidates racial justice reform, county jail
Two pieces of cheesecake and a cup of coffee sit on a balcony. Burglar breaks in to German flat to swipe a few bites of cheesecake. Annette Riedl/dpa

A burglar in northern Germany broke into an home over the weekend in search not of cash or jewelry but a tasty slice of cheesecake, according to police.

The man broke into a flat in the northern German town of Rendsburg on Saturday night and promptly sat down at the kitchen table to enjoy a pilfered slice of cheesecake.

The resident, who was sitting in the living room, heard sounds coming from the kitchen and walked in to find the stranger eating cake at his table.

The burglar immediately fled out of a window of the flat and disappeared over the roof.

Police responded to the break-in but were unable to find the culprit. Nothing was missing from the flat except the partly eaten cheesecake.
(WFRV)  Authorities in western Wisconsin are investigating a crash that resulted in a driver getting arrested after allegedly trying to flee the scene.

The Altoona Police Department posted on its Facebook page about an incident that happened on January 26 just before 9 p.m. Authorities responded to a reported two-vehicle crash on Highway 12.

Sheriff: 76-year-old woman dies after crash in Oconto County with semi-truck

The reports indicated that the crash involved a pickup truck and a sedan. The people inside the truck were able to get out of the vehicle, according to police.

However, the person inside the sedan allegedly got out of the vehicle and tried to flee the scene on foot. Officials say that bystanders followed the driver on foot until authorities arrived.

The driver was later identified as a man from Eau Claire.

The release says that the people inside the pickup truck were sent to a hospital with serious, non-life-threatening injuries.

Bystanders in Wisconsin follow fleeing driver involved in crash, later arrested for OWI

Bystanders in Wisconsin follow fleeing driver involved in crash, later arrested for OWI

Bystanders in Wisconsin follow fleeing driver involved in crash, later arrested for OWI

Authorities say that the preliminary investigation shows both vehicles going east on Highway 12 when the sedan allegedly rear-ended the truck. It is mentioned that there was a dense fog in the area at the time.

The driver of the sedan was arrested for operating while intoxicated causing injury, hit and run resulting in injury and operating too fast for conditions. The crash is still under investigation by the Altoona Police Department and the Wisconsin State Patrol.

Winneconne Police Department finds first-ever case of Pink Death

No additional information was provided.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
Cabarrus County Health Officials are asking residents to be extra careful after an increase in calls and concerns related to gastrointestinal (GI) illness or stomach bugs.

ALSO READ: Over two hundred people sick after eating at Raleigh restaurant, possible norovirus outbreak

For many people, its easy to recover from these types of bugs. But children, the elderly, and those who are immunocompromised are at risk for more serious problems. Officials say people should not visit long-term care facilities when sick.

Dr. Easterday is the Medical Director at Cabarrus Health Alliance (CHA). He says the county saw a spike in GI illness cases last year around March. This year, they are trying to prepare residents properly and avoid the high numbers.

In 2023, we saw the highest level of GI illness and norovirus during March, so we are asking our community to help us stay ahead of illness this year, Easterday said. Most people will not need medical care and will not be tested for norovirus, but we assume that is what most people have if they are vomiting, have diarrhea, or have nausea at this time of year.

CHA says there are easy ways for everyone to stay healthy during this time of the year:

Stay home if you or someone in your household is sick.

Stay home for 48 hours after symptoms subside.

Contact a doctor if youre sick and your symptoms arent improving.

Businesses with public spaces should prioritize disinfecting and routine cleaning of high-touch surfaces to help stop the spread of germs.

Employees should stay home from work if theyre experiencing GI symptoms and shouldnt return to work until 48 hours after their symptoms are gone.

For more information about the Cabarrus Health Alliance, click here.

(WATCH BELOW: Over 40 kids have died from the flu this season, CDC says)












































The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) received a total of 3,578 complaints of bias and discrimination from October to December 2023, according to data released by the organization Monday.

This represents a 178% increase in complaints compared to a similar period the previous year, the organization said.

The nations largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization said the US has experienced a relentless wave of anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian hate since the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel.

Corey Saylor, CAIR research and advocacy director, said its crucial the public recognizes not only the rise in anti-Muslim, anti-Arab and anti-Palestinian incidents happening across the country, but also the emotional impact these incidents have on local communities.

The numbers say one thing, but as someone who works on these cases, particularly in October, we were completely shut down with the incoming wave of complaints, intaking people and starting to try to help them out, Saylor said.

I think that its always crucial to remember that Islamophobia, anti-Arab bias, anti Semitism, and racism does not contribute to ending the violence, Saylor said.

Though the organization has described the number of bias incidents as staggering, Saylor said he also recognizes that many more incidents likely go uncounted because people are afraid to speak out.

In many cases, Muslims are afraid to reach out to law enforcement, they often also just dont know where to report it, he said. And then the other thing that weve found is that the community oftentimes is simply so desensitized, they think its normal  All of that is very unfortunate.

The three highest categories of complaints the organization said it received were employment discrimination, hate crimes and incidents, and education discrimination.

Saylor called on American political leaders on both sides of the aisle to demand an end to bias and discrimination.

What were trying to help people understand is that whats going on in the Middle East, impacts us here. And what our leadership here says, impacts these communities.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
A California grocery clerk accused of driving cross-country on a mission to kill or kidnap President Joe Biden and a host of other elected officials pleaded guilty in an Iowa courtroom Monday to making threats against Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, court records say.

Kuachua Brillion Xiong, 27, a former grocery store clerk in Merced, entered the plea before Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Helen C. Adams after more than two years of legal wrangling and questions about his mental competence to stand trial. A U.S. District judge must give final approval to the plea.

Xiong has been in custody since his arrest in December 2021 after a traffic stop during which authorities found a car full of ammunition, body armor and an AR-15. His vehicle GPS was set to direct him to the White House, and he had been facing a Feb. 5 trial until his plea Monday.

Xiong was facing a five-count indictment with charges that included attempting to kill or kidnap Biden and Harris; threatening to kill or kidnap former President Barack Obama and Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton; making threats against then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other members of Congress; and possessing a firearm in furtherance of crimes of violence.

Court records say Xiong pleaded guilty to a single count of making threats against the president and vice president, and say he conceded that he intended to kill persons in power, including President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and others, and that if he had not been pulled over by law enforcement he would have continued traveling in furtherance of his plan.

Sentencing was set for June 18.

Xiong faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, and agreed to relinquish ownership of the rifle and ammunition seized when he was arrested, according to the plea agreement filed in the case.

At one point during the legal proceedings that followed Xiongs arrest, his federal defender suggested Xiong might enter an insanity plea in the case.

But the defendant later was found competent to stand trial and was ordered to appear in court in Council Bluffs for Mondays hearing.
To answer letter writer Sarah Beynes question in her Monday letter (Is it a stunt or a plea?): Busing migrants north is a political stunt, and a very cruel one at that.

Personally, I welcome our share of migrants. We here in the great blue north will take care of them and help them, not let them drown in a river. But unloading a bus of unsuspecting migrants in flip-flops and T-shirts in freezing weather is inhumane, at best. I dont understand why it isnt criminal.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott should be held to account.

 Martin A. Pierce, St. Charles

Biden deserves blame

I simply could not believe the misdirection in the Tribune editorial on Jan. 12, Temperatures may not top zero on Monday. For Gods sake, hold those buses, Gov. Abbott.

I was astonished by the lack of understanding and quite frankly questioned the intent of the editorial. It should properly be titled, Temperatures may not top zero on Monday. For Gods sake, fix the border issue, President Biden.

Common sense and logic tell us the root cause of the problem is the number of migrants crossing the border every day. There is nothing wrong with legal immigration, as those individuals have followed the law and should be treated accordingly. That is not the case with illegal crossings that have created this so-called migrant crisis that we read about almost every day.

This is a border crisis  plain and simple. The responsibility lies with President Joe Biden  plain and simple. He has been absent on this issue since he came into office. Any and all tragedies from illegal immigration are clearly his responsibility.

 Mike Siemann, Naperville

Josele Mendoza, 41, from left, and his wife, Heidi Sarmiento, 45, both of Venezuela, walk with other migrants to the citys landing zone after traveling from Glen Ellyn to the Ogilvie Transportation Center in the early morning hours of Jan. 5, 2024, in Chicago. The migrants were not accompanied or transported from Ogilvie Transportation Center but were given a sheet of paper with walking directions to the citys landing zone for migrants.

Compassion, not vilification

I found Steve Kelleys political cartoon of Jan. 22 to be an entitled pity party. The implication that since illegal immigration is costly, we are now in the same situation as the poor migrants, I found at best laughable and at worst tone-deaf. I wonder if any one of us, warm in our homes, well fed and adequately clothed for the elements, would switch places with them. I think not.

Seeing this situation with empathy and compassion rather than vilifying people in a very difficult situation might serve us all well.

 Traci Harris, Oswego

Bring all Chicagoans home

Paul Vallas Sunday op-ed (Mayors mansion tax plan is a regressive tax increase in search of a program) is rich in data and warnings about the cost of a yes vote for the Bring Chicago Home initiative. It is also predictably one-sided. Here is what is missing from his piece.

Vallas notes the increased cost to taxpayers without acknowledging what the homelessness crisis is already costing us. Numerous analyses conclude that the costs borne by publicly funded entities such as the police and fire departments and human health services outweigh the costs of housing someone on the publics dime.

Vallas anticipates lost jobs. He pretends not to know that a typical prerequisite for employment is permanent and stable housing. Would housing tens of thousands of Chicagoans not augur increased employment?

Vallas refuses to acknowledge the roughly 68,000 unhoused Chicagoans living among us. He mentions homelessness in his first sentence but does not offer a single mention of anyone experiencing homelessness or housing instability. (With what I assume is unintentional irony, he applies the word suffering only to the nebulous Loop market.) This type of erasure evinces our collective view of homelessness: We decry the unhoused people living on the street, in parks and in tents (especially in summer and around big city events); we blame the city for doing nothing; and then we breathe a sigh of relief when the evidence of homelessness is again made invisible.

There is a moral cost of doing nothing. Chicago has the challenges of other big cities: Rising housing costs and a reduction in affordable rental units have worsened what has long been a crisis. Bring Chicago Home is not a perfect initiative. None is. But it is something to do about a problem about which we have simply not done enough.

Vallas wont face any consequences for his punditry and cherry-picking of facts. His profusion of numbers doesnt actually have to tell the whole truth; we dont (and shouldnt) expect that from politicians. This is not true for the numerous housing-first organizations in Chicago, which rely on factual reporting, deep analyses and accuracy to maintain their stature, funding and continued existence.

Who to believe in this case? The answer is clear to me. Bring all Chicagoans home.

 John Cunningham-Elder, Chicago

Buckners op-ed on housing

Thank you for publishing the op-ed by state Rep. Kam Buckner, Chicago should pass on DNC if it gets no federal housing help (Jan. 23). Buckner reminds us in his piece how the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. came to Chicago in order to press the issue of affordable housing with then-Mayor Richard J. Daley. Unfortunately, despite a lot of publicity, King left Chicago with a lot of promises and very little progress. It is worth reminding readers how long the fight for affordable housing has been going on.

Buckner suggests some great steps that the city can take, such as changing neighborhood zoning away from single-family homes only to a mix of multiple-unit dwellings, too. The federal government can fund mortgage support and the rehabbing of old buildings. All of these are wonderful ideas worth exploring.

But should Chicago refrain from hosting the Democratic National Convention this summer until the federal government helps it solve its housing problems? I understand that Buckner feels it would be hypocritical for the city to host. I get that. But what city in the nation has solved its housing problems? Where would be a less hypocritical location?

Perhaps he and the other delegates could make federal housing support a plank in the DNCs platform for the 2024 elections. Perhaps voters across America could show their support for such plans by telling their delegates how they feel. This would be a better way to go.

 Jan Goldberg, Riverside

Metras ticket changes

Thank you to William R. Coulson, Regional Transportation Authority board member, for voting against the ridiculous new ticket structure Metra has come up with (Metra takes step backward, Jan. 21). For riders who dont own a smartphone, Metra has created a very difficult situation.

I ride from Chicagos western suburbs (BNSF Line) to downtown several days each week, and the 10-ride ticket was the perfect solution. Now, I will be paying cash on the train for a one-way ticket each morning and will have to purchase a one-way ticket for the return trip home. However, since Metra has also decided to limit the value of the one-way ticket to only a three-hour period, I cannot purchase the one-way ticket in the morning as Im walking through Union Station. Instead, as Im rushing to catch the evening train home, I will need to stop and make the purchase, hoping and praying that there will not be long lines or malfunctioning machines. More likely than not, I will be missing my train on a regular basis and will have to wait 30 minutes or more for the next one.

Thanks, Metra, from those of us who cannot afford or who do not have the need for a costly smartphone. You have pretty much left us standing out in the cold.

 Teresa Figueroa, Berwyn

Empty symbolic gesture

At a City Council meeting, Mayor Brandon Johnson backed calls for a cease-fire in the war in Gaza. Wouldnt it better serve the citizens of Chicago if Johnson called for a cease-fire to the shootings on the Citys South and West sides?

Passing another symbolic resolution on the war between Israel and Hamas will do little to aid in the crisis and nothing to resolve the gun crisis in Chicago.

 Bruce R. Hovanec, Chicago

Stay focused on Chicago

It seems to me like Chicagos City Council has bigger fish to fry than debating the wording of resolutions dealing with Hamas. In my judgment, aldermens efforts and resources would be better spent addressing the multiple burning issues confronting Chicago.

From my perspective, Johnsons midterm grade is a D-minus. Its time to redirect the conversation to our own backyard, not the fiasco in the Mideast.

 Bruce Nathanson, Glenview

Input on school board

I am responding to the recent Tribune article Legislators return to face funding issues (Jan. 16) regarding the debate over the structure of Chicagos first-ever elected school board.

I was particularly struck by Illinois Senate President Don Harmons comments indicating that he is waiting for clear direction from the mayor of Chicago, the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Public Schools before pursuing the Senates proposal to have all 20 board members elected to two-year terms in November or the Houses proposal, which would have 10 members elected in November and empower the mayor to appoint 10 members and the board president in December.

While I understand Harmon would seek input from these voices, his reliance on them alone makes the same mistake our city has been making. This approach conspicuously leaves out those who have the most to gain or lose in this massive transition in governance: parents and students.

The history of public education in Chicago is marred by decisions made without sufficient input from those most affected  CPS families. The creation of an elected school board was supposed to rectify this disconnect, bringing democratic representation and family voice to a system that has long been criticized for its top-down approach. However, the current debate seems to be following the old playbook: keeping family voices outside the decision-making room.

Springfield legislators must remember that they are elected to represent all constituents, not just a select powerful few. For decades, families have advocated for a voice in the governance of CPS. Families are the foundation of our citys education system, not politicians and bureaucrats. Their exclusion from this conversation is not only a missed opportunity for richer, more informed decision-making but also is antithetical to the very principles of representative governance.

As we stand on the verge of this historic shift in how we govern our schools, our elected leaders must recognize that families are not just passive recipients of education policies but also are active and essential participants in shaping them.

We urge Harmon and our state legislators to seek the insights and preferences of CPS families before making any decision. Lets not repeat the mistakes of the past. Lets bring families to the table.

 Blaire Flowers, chair, Kids First Chicago Elected School Board Task Force

Rauner has a point

Imagine my surprise when reading an op-ed by former Gov. Bruce I hate unions Rauner and finding myself in agreement with him (Unions in Illinois are taking away school choice, Jan. 24).

The Chicago Teachers Union is set to destroy the best thing about Chicago Public Schools  the selective-enrollment high schools. Last year, the five best high schools in the state were Chicago schools. How are these schools the problem? Oh, I see  they actually perform, so they gotta go.

If you dumb down these schools, the middle class will leave. These schools are a lure and should be duplicated, not decimated.

 Scott Silberman, Chicago

Join the conversation in our Letters to the Editor Facebook group.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
In October 2022, San Francisco raised eyebrows when the city budgeted $1.7 million for a single-stall public restroom in the city's Noe Valley neighborhood. The high price tag, according to city officials, was due to the steep price of construction in San Francisco, as well as remaining supply chain issues.

But the state stepped in shortly after, scrapping the planned bathroom after outrage spread over its high cost to taxpayers. Fifteen months later, the public plaza where the restroom was originally planned still doesn't have a place to peeand it doesn't look like it will get one any time soon.

"Why isn't there a toilet here? I just don't get it. Nobody does," one resident told The New York Times last week. "It's yet another example of the city that can't."

San Francisco has the most expensive construction costs in the worldand it's hardly surprising. In order to build a public bathroom in Noe Valley, at a location that already had the necessary plumbing to add a restroom, builders would have to pass a dizzying number of regulatory stops. These include seeking approval from the Arts Commission's Civic Design Review committee, passing review under the California Environmental Quality Act, and getting the go-ahead from the city's Rec and Park Commission and San Francisco's Board of Supervisors. If that isn't enough, the project would also be subject to a period of "community feedback."

Even after gaining approval, the city wouldn't be free to simply find the cheapest acceptable bathroomlikely a pre-fabricated optionand connect it to city plumbing. According to a 2022 San Francisco Chronicle article, pre-fabricated bathrooms violate the city's Public Labor Agreement. Adding to costs, the city would also be required to use union labor to construct the bathroom.

While the $1.7 million price tag was rightfully criticized, should the project have been allowed to go forward, the budget might not have been an overestimate. San Francisco's regulatory burden on new constructioneven something as simple as a single-stall bathroomis just that high.

Even San Francisco's own government has conceded that the Noe Valley bathroom fiasco was a sign that the city has too much regulation. "It's worth changing the laws that are in place around construction projects like the restroom that slow things down," a spokesperson for Mayor London Breed told the Times.

But this is far from the first time that local governments have earmarked absurdly large sums of money to pay for public bathrooms. In 2017, New York City spent $2 million on a public park bathroom. And last year, Philadelphia caused controversy when it announced that it would spend $1.8 million on six modular Portland Loo bathrooms over the next five yearsa model that cities across the country have spent millions on in recent years.

The post California Stopped San Francisco's $1.7 Million Toilet. The City Can't Build Something Cheaper. appeared first on Reason.com.
CAMDEN - A city man brought to a hospital here had been fatally shot, police say.

Terrance Dickerson, 33, arrived at Cooper University Hospital shortly after 9:05 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24, according to the Camden County Prosecutor's Office.

Marcus Davenport charged with murder Morgan Village resident accused of killing a man in his home

He was taken to the hospital shortly after police received a ShotSpotter activation for gunfire on the 700 block of Ramona Gonzalez Street in the Bergen Square neighborhood.

Dickerson was pronounced dead at 10 p.m.

A statement from the prosecutor's office did not say who took Dickerson to the hospital.

Anyone with information is asked to call Prosecutor's Detective Michael Dons at 856-916-9292 and Camden County Police Detective Brian Ford at 609-519-6927.

Jim Walsh is a senior reporter for the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal. Email: Jwalsh@cpsj.com.

.

This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Terrance Dickerson died about an hour after being shot, police say
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Pope Francis representative in the Holy Land, celebrated Mass Saturday with parishioners of Our Lady of the Ridge Church in Chicago Ridge.

The church is home to a large congregation of Arab Catholics and is a relative newcomer to the area, and only had its first permanent priest in 2020.

Pizzaballa is the Latin patriarch for the region, meaning he is the highest ranking Catholic official in the Holy Land, and besides his hopeful message for Our Lady of the Ridge, Pizzaballa offered his thoughts on the Israel-Hamas war.

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, enters the sanctuary Saturday of Our Lady of the Ridge Catholic Church in Chicago Ridge.

But mostly he focused on the growth of the Arab Catholic community, which met at the church for over a year without a permanent priest.

I think its something very nice to see the desire and the will, to see the community want to have a priest, Pizzaballa said.

The cardinal said he was heartened to see a growing, thriving community.

As so many churches are closing, its very nice to have a problem of a new community and something new starting, he said.

Hundreds of people attended, from across the Chicago region, many with ties to Israel, Palestine, Jordan and Jerusalem. Attendees said they appreciated the visit and the support of church leadership.

Im very impressed by the efforts to keep the church open, said Carol Kazlauskas. I heard the church was going to be sold and now its not. Now we have an Arabic Catholic priest supported by the Vatican.

Kazlauskas said many Arabian congregants used to attend local Catholic services, but many of the older members appreciated a service in Arabic.

It makes them feel closer to Jesus, she said.

Amer Samauri agreed. Samauri traveled from Orland Park, where he attends St. Francis of Assisi Church, but he said he loves the Arab community in Chicago Ridge.

For me, its not a choice to be here, he said. I want to be here.

Arab Catholics from throughout the region turned out Saturday for a special Mass in Chicago Ridge.

The Rev. Ryan Brady, a priest in the Chicago Archdiocese who attended the Mass, said the church is also a benefit to Catholics who cannot travel to the Holy Land.

I think its important for us to have the part of the Holy Land among us, he said. So often we have to travel to the Holy Land, but now we have a bit of the Holy Land here.

The Holy Land is a particularly precarious place to visit at present. Since October, the area has been riven by an ongoing war between Israeli and Palestinian factions. Pizzaballa addressed the need of peace briefly, though he said it would be hard to accomplish anything lasting soon.

Rather, he said he hoped both sides could agree to at least a temporary cease fire to allow for humanitarian aid as well as negotiations toward peace to begin.

We are living with a very problematic and complex situation, he said. Its very difficult to summarize in a few sentences.

While other congregations struggle with declining populations, the Our Lady of the Ridge Church is growing, and last month the church welcomed its first permanent priest. Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, came Saturday to lead Mass.

Pizzaballa was named Latin patriarch of Jerusalem in 2020, but hes served in the region for decades, starting in 2004. Since hes been there, he said hes never seen a conflict this bad.

The violence we saw, we never saw such intense violence, he said.

While the pope has called for peace, Pizzaballa said theres little the Catholic Church can do to enact a cease fire, though he did say Catholic Relief Services, a charity organization, works to provide humanitarian relief. Still, he said he hoped governments worldwide would pressure both sides toward a cease fire.

As far as a cease fire, the conditions between the two sides are still quite far but the pressure from the international community is very important for both sides to compromise more, he said. Both sides know they need to compromise but its not enough. They need more pressure to stop the violence.

Jesse Wright is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
Children reported their parents missing in 2020 before their moms body was found buried in a South Carolina cornfield, prosecutors said.

The childrens father, Dionicio Abarca, was then accused of killing his wife, Alicia Garcia. Now, nearly four years later, the husband has been found guilty of murder and sentenced to life in prison, according to the Seventh Circuit Solicitors Office.

Alicia Garcia was taken from her children in a brutal way, Assistant Solicitor Adrienne Barry wrote in a Jan. 28 news release. The justice system served her today.

An attorney believed to be representing Abarca in the Cherokee County case didnt immediately respond to McClatchy News requests for comment on Jan. 29.

The case dates to July 18, 2020, when Abarca and Garcia told their children they were going to run errands. But the two didnt come home, so the children reported them missing the next day, prosecutors said.

Investigators reportedly said they learned the couple had a fight the night before their disappearance. Details from the family led deputies to a field, where the body of 37-year-old Garcia was found partially buried between rows of corn, the Cherokee County Sheriffs Office told WSPA and WYFF in 2020.

Prosecutors said Garcia had gashes to her head and neck made by a machete-type weapon. Two ... of the wounds fractured Ms. Garcias skull; a third wound cut her trachea.

After killing his wife, Mr. Abarca abandoned his truck and made an unwitting nephew drive him out of state, the solicitors office wrote. Mr. Abarca refused to let his nephew turn the vehicle around or use a cell phone.

Abarca reportedly was caught near the Alabama coast after the 17-year-old nephew begged his uncle to let him sleep. Abarca, found with two passports and $1,000 in cash, later came back to South Carolina, according to prosecutors and news outlets.

Then in January, a Cherokee County jury found Abarca guilty of murder and possession of a weapon during commission of a violent crime. In addition to the life sentence for the murder charge, he was ordered to serve five years behind bars for the weapon conviction, according to officials and online court records.

Abarca, 46, is from Gaffney, roughly 50 miles northeast of Greenville.

Husband pulls knife on wife during argument, then stabs man intervening, SC cops say

Heated argument turns deadly when one man throws chair at anothers head, SC cops say
(Bloomberg) -- Chinas top economic official called on city authorities to follow through on measures compiled by national policymakers aimed at easing the nations property market downturn.

Most Read from Bloomberg

All cities need to make timely efforts to establish the financing-coordination mechanism for the property industry and make sure it operates with high efficiency, Vice Premier He Lifeng said Monday. He made the remarks in a meeting on how to better support publicly traded companies to help stabilize the countrys stock market.

The real estate recession has weighed heavily on Chinas growth over the past two years, and hurt sentiment in the equity market. Economists and investors have aired concerns that the property slump will persist into this year.

Chinas vice premier also called for implementation of the support measures for specific projects as soon as possible, according to a statement on the governments website. But he also pressed local authorities to act against the diversion of so-called pre-sale funds now in escrow accounts. Cash raised from buyers before final property sales was a key source of builder financing during the boom years.

Read More: Evergrande Set for Liquidation as China Property Crisis Drags On

The prolonged property downturn has hurt Chinas economic recovery as well as local authorities revenues, prompting all the top-tier cities to loosen curbs on the market in recent months.

Read More: China Extends Homebuying Easing to Beijing and Shanghai

Also at the Monday gathering, He asked officials to study and solve specific difficulties uncovered in their field trips to publicly traded companies. Governments need to help boost investor confidence and stabilize the capital market by increasing support for high-quality listed firms and promoting their high-quality growth, he added.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
China's national flag flutters next to an Evergrande housing complex in Beijing, China, on Saturday. A Hong Kong court ordered China Evergrande Group on Monday to liquidate, after the real estate company failed to reach an agreement on debt restructuring with its overseas creditors. Photo by Mark R. Crisitino/EPA-EFE

Jan. 29 (UPI) -- Chinese property giant Evergrande Group was placed into liquidation Monday by a court in Hong Kong after the company repeatedly failed to come up with a viable plan to restructure liabilities of at least $325 billion.

Judge Linda Chan called time on Evergrande saying "enough is enough" 18 months after Top Shine filed a winding up petition over Evergrande's failure to honor a $110 million buyback agreement for shares Top Shine bought in its Fangchebao subsidiary.

China Evergrande shares crashed on the news, losing more than one-fifth of their value on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange before trading was suspended at the direction of the exchange less than an hour after the open.

Liquidators will now be appointed to sell off Evergrande's assets to pay its creditors, but the reach of the ruling of a Hong Kong court remains to be seen with Evergrande Executive Director Shawn Siu vowing the company would continue to operate in mainland China.

The ruling came the same day as a memorandum of understanding between Hong Kong and Beijing took effect agreeing to enforce rulings in civil cases by each other's judicial authorities. However, Hong Kong sought to frame the agreement as protection against mainland judgments being automatically imposed on Hong Kong entities.

With China's property market in crisis, the government may exercise the same prerogative when it comes to such a key player in a sector that accounts for around a quarter of GDP.

The MOU specifically states that cross-border enforcement can be refused if legal proceedings are initiated in Hong Kong before a mainland court hears the case or the defendant is not given a reasonable opportunity to mount a defense.

Evergrande, which first defaulted in 2021, has been fighting to stave off insolvency with Chan granting it a final eight-week reprieve Dec. 4, saying she would issue the winding up order if it failed to come up with a restructuring plan in that time.

The firm's problems have spiraled in recent months with offshore creditors demanding controlling stakes as part of the restructuring and the detention by mainland authorities of top executives, including founder and Chairman Hui Ka Yan, who was placed under "residential surveillance" arrest in September.

In July, the group posted a combined $81.1 billion loss for 2021 and 2022, most of it from payments to lenders and suppliers, as it struggled to finish more than a thousand projects in 280 cities.

A month later, Evergrande filed for U.S. bankruptcy protection in a court in New York, seeking recognition of restructuring negotiations in Hong Kong, the Cayman Islands and the British Virgin Islands.

Evergrande accumulated its debt mountain over a 15-year drive to become one of China's biggest businesses.

Much of the money is owed to prospective homebuyers with down payments on apartments and houses that are half-built, or on which work has yet to start, as well as suppliers and subcontractors.
People take part in looting and arson amid protests over a pay cut for police that officials blamed on an administrative glitch, in Port Moresby

By Kirsty Needham

SYDNEY (Reuters) -Papua New Guinea is in early talks with China on a potential security and policing deal, Foreign Minister Justin Tkachenko told Reuters, weeks after deadly riots in the South Pacific nation's capital.

Amid jostling between Washington and Beijing for influence in the Pacific, the biggest Pacific Islands nation, Papua New Guinea (PNG), has previously said Australia and the United States were its security partners, while China was an important economic partner.

China approached PNG in September with an offer to assist its police force with training, equipment and surveillance technology, Tkachenko said in an interview with Reuters on Monday. Talks continued last week.

"We deal with China at this stage only at economic and trade level. They are one of our biggest trading partners, but they have offered to assist our policing and security on the internal security side," Tkachenko said.

PNG will assess if the Chinese offer duplicates security and policing assistance already being offered by Australia and the United States, he said.

"It is still in early stages of negotiation with our Commissioner of Police and our Minister of Internal Security," he said. "They have offered it to us, but we have not accepted it at this point in time."

China's foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told a regular press briefing in Beijing that Papua New Guinea was "China's good friend and good partner" in the Pacific Islands, and they had cooperated in various fields, including police cooperation, for a long time.

"China is willing to continue to work with Papua New Guinea to continue to promote cooperation in relevant fields, deepen and promote common development," he added.

ECONOMIC PARTNER

China was a "strong economic partner" of PNG, with the two nations forming diplomatic ties in 1975, Tkachenko said.

PNG signed a A$200 million ($132 million) security deal with Australia last month to boost policing, and days later Prime Minister James Marape told an investment conference in Sydney that he had not held talks with China on security when he visited Beijing in October.

Riots in the PNG capital Port Moresby earlier in January left at least 16 dead, with major retail stores burnt and looted, after police held a strike over pay. Marape's government called in the PNG defence force to restore order, but did not seek Australia's help.

China's embassy complained to PNG over the safety risk to Chinese citizens living in Port Moresby.

PNG struck a Defence Cooperation Agreement with the United States during a visit by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in May, giving the U.S. military access to PNG ports and airports.

Tkachenko said PNG would not do anything to jeopardise its defence and security relationships with Australia or the U.S., and was not a "fence-sitter".

Riots in neighbouring Solomon Islands in 2021 saw China strike security and policing pacts with Manasseh Sogavare's government a year later, alarming Washington and Canberra.

Australia's Pacific Minister Pat Conroy pledged A$35 million in policing assistance to neighbouring East Timor on Monday during an official visit, amid concern in Canberra that Beijing was again aggressively targeting the police and security sectors in the Pacific.

Conroy will on Tuesday visit Nauru, which switched diplomatic ties from Taiwan to Beijing this month.

($1 = 1.5179 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by Kirsty Needham; Additional reporting by Liz Lee in Beijing, Editing by Sonali Paul and Alex Richardson)
A man who got in trouble with the law in Wichita Falls for alleged domestic violence is accused of murdering his wife in Oklahoma, according to online jail and court records.

Chris Edward Morland Jr. was arrested Monday for a first degree murder charge and was being held in Tulsa County Jail in connection with the death of Cassidy Ritchie, his new wife. Tulsa police say her body was found Sunday morning in the back of her SUV.

In Wichita Falls, Morland was charged with assault-family violence in 2021 in connection with his then wife, but the charge was dismissed last year because the unnamed victim did not cooperate with police and investigators couldn't find her, according to the dismissal order and police.

Cassidy Ritchie and her blue Chrysler Pacifica were reported missing earlier this month after her family did not see or hear from her for several days. The damaged vehicle was pulled out of a ditch by an unknown good Samaritan who Tulsa police are seeking. Police are asking anyone with information to call Tulsa Crime Stoppers at 918-596-2677.

More: Police release details on allegations Chris Morland murdered newlywed wife

Person of interest in Tulsa homicide

Morland, 49, of Tulsa became a person of interest after Ritchie was reported missing by her family, according to Oklahoma media reports.

The 39-year-old woman had not been heard from since Jan. 20, Tulsa police say.

Ritchie and Morland were married Jan. 7 in Tulsa, according to Oklahoma court records.

More: Art thief steals from displays at MSU Texas, triggering a move toward security cameras

Morland had been held without bond since Thursday in Tulsa County Jail on warrants out of Medina County in Texas, according to online jail records. A first degree murder charge was added Monday.

Ritchie was involved in prior domestic violence incidents and was considered endangered and missing  possibly the victim of foul play off U.S. Highway 412 between Tulsa and Inola, Oklahoma. Her light blue 2006 Chrysler Pacifica was found with off-road debris on it.

Good Samaritan who helped Cassidy Ritchie

On Saturday, detectives were seeking a good Samaritan who helped pull her blue SUV out of a ditch near the I Dont Care Bar & Grill sometime between Jan. 21 and Jan. 23.

The bar is off U.S. Highway 412 at East 590 Road near Inola, according to Tulsa police. Detectives obtained a search warrant for her SUV Sunday morning and found her body underneath clothing in the back of it.

More: A Caribbean nation hit with disasters owes MSU Texas for overdue tuition

Charge against Chris Morland

Tulsa police anticipated a murder charge would be filed against Morland, according to Oklahoma TV and radio media reports from 2 News Oklahoma and 102.3 KRMG.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Tulsa Crime Stoppers at 918-596-2677. Callers can remain anonymous.

The Times Record News requested information Monday morning from Tulsa police. The department did not immediately respond.

Alleged violence in Wichita Falls

Sgt. Charlie Eipper, Wichita Falls police spokesman, said Monday afternoon that the victim in the local case involving allegations against Morland was his wife at the time, and she was not Ritchie.

In the Wichita Falls case, police were dispatched at 12:57 a.m. Jan. 31, 2021, to the Oyo Motel in the 1800 block of Maurine Street for a report that a man assaulted a woman in one of the rooms, according to allegations in court documents.

Police spoke with a woman there who was crying and hysterical, saying her husband thought she was seeing another man, according to allegations. She told police Morland and her had been married for about four years.

She told police Morland slapped her on the face and punched her in the mouth, and an officer saw redness on her face and a fresh cut inside her bottom lip, according to allegations.

The officer asked Morland about him allegedly being upset because he caught her cheating on him with a neighbor, according to allegations. Morland told the officer he didn't lay a finger on the victim, and she was lying about her injuries.

Chris Moreland's local arrest, dismissal

The officer checked criminal records and found that Morland did not have prior convictions for assault-family violence, a misdemeanor. The officer arrested him and took him to Wichita County Jail.

More: Accusations of infidelity lands husband in jail

Morland was listed as from Agua Dulce, California, at the time of his arrest in 2021, local jail records show.

He was released from jail Feb. 1, 2021, on a $2,500 bond for the class A misdemeanor charge of assault causes bodily injury-family violence, according to online jail records.

The case was dismissed March 2, 2023, court records show. After receiving a May 5, 2023, request, the Wichita County Sheriff's Office asked the county treasurer to issue a $15 refund to A to Z Bail Bonds for Morland's bond fee,

Trish Choate, enterprise watchdog reporter for the Times Record News, covers education, courts, breaking news and more. Contact Trish with news tips at tchoate@gannett.com. Read her recent work here. Her X handle is @Trishapedia.

This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Chris Morland, suspected in wife's Oklahoma murder, was jailed in WF
Christopher Nolan has heaped praise on Nathan Fielder and Benny Safdies new A24 show The Curse, describing the darkly comedic 10-part series as unlike anything Ive ever seen on television before.

Fielder and Safdie created The Curse, which also stars Oscar-winner Emma Stone, in part as a satire of reality home renovation shows.

Per the logline, the series explores how an alleged curse disturbs the relationship of a newly married couple as they try to conceive a child while co-starring on their problematic new HGTV show, Fliplanthropy.

Speaking at a Q&A organised by network Showtime, Nolan said: There are so few shows that come along that genuinely have no precedents. I mean, youre going back to things like Twin Peaks or The Prisoner or Dennis Potters Singing Detective  things like that. So youre in an amazing space, and I cant wait for audiences to catch up with the climax.

The show has been widely acclaimed, particularly for the genre-bending, expectation-defying finale that aired earlier this month.

Nolan and Safdie previously worked together on the directors Oscar-nominated biopic Oppenheimer, with Safdie playing Hungarian-American theoretical physicist Edward Teller.

Christopher Nolan (left) and The Curse stars Emma Stone and Nathan Fielder (Getty)

Oppenheimer is up for 13 Oscars at this years Academy Awards, which will be held in Los Angeles on 10 March.

That places the film just behind the record for most Oscar nominations, which is held jointly by All About Eve, Titanic and La La Land. Those films all received 14 nominations.

Nolan is in contention to win his first-ever Oscar for the epic detailing the invention of the atomic bomb, which was nominated for Best Picture and Best Director, as well as acting nods for Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt and Robert Downey Jr.

I grew up loving Hollywood movies and believing studio filmmaking can take on anything, said Nolan in response to the films nominations. Seeing audiences respond to that this summer was incredibly thrilling and getting this kind of recognition from the academy, I dont know what to say, really. It certainly confirms our faith in what studio filmmaking can be.

Meanwhile, Oppenheimer star Florence Pugh recently recalled the not ideal moment when a technical difficulty arose while filming a sex scene with Cillian Murphy.

Cillian and I are in this room together. Its a closed set, so were both holding our bodies like this, said Pugh, wrapping her arms around herself. A person then came into the room to attempt to fix the camera.

Im like, well, this is my moment to learn. So tell me, whats wrong with this camera? she recalled saying to the person who entered the room. You just make your moments. Im like, Whats going on with the shutter here, buddy?

Pugh then said Nolan explained there was an issue with the way the light was coming in.

It was just crazy that every person on this set was so knowledgeable and was so ready to make this kind of a movie that there was no dull moment, said Pugh. It was all amazing. It felt like we were lucky to be there every second of the day.
The rumors appear to be true: Tallahassee is getting a Del Taco Mexican fast-food restaurant on Apalachee Parkway in a former Hardee's location.

"Del Taco" is listed on a city building permit for the old Hardee's at 2410 Apalachee Parkway, and work can be seen underway outside.

A view of the city's permit website, showing Del Taco in the description field.

The Hardee's closed in the summer of 2022; the 3,702-square-foot building has been vacant since. A request for comment from the chain is pending.

The California-based chain, now owned by Jack in the Box Inc., is celebrating its 60th year. It offers tacos, burritos, salads, burgers and more.

Del Taco's marketing manager previously declined to confirm or deny whether the chain was coming to Tallahassee. But Del Taco brand president Chad Gretzema recently told the Bradenton Herald, "Florida is probably the state with the most growth for us there. ... Theres just a huge demand for really fresh Mexican food.

Excitement about the possibility of Del Taco coming to Tallahassee began circulating on Facebook last fall. No opening date has been released for the new location.

The chain has engendered hard-core brand loyalty over the years, with people even getting tattoos of the restaurant's logo.

Body artist Danny Wacky Benavidez of Barstow, California, created a Del Taco logo tattoo for fellow resident David Jones. The chain was founded in California.

Tallahassee will be the sixth Florida city to have a location. It's not Del Taco's first run in the capital: There once was a location on West Tennessee Street.

The new store is only a five-minute drive from a major competitor: Taco Bell, at 3529 Apalachee Parkway, in front of the Walmart.

Kyla Sanford covers dining and entertainment for the Tallahassee Demcrat. She can reached at ksanford@tallahassee.com.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: City permit suggests Del Taco opening new Tallahassee location
While ambulances have rushed to Franciscan Health Crown Point for 50 years, the final departure of the hospitals last patients marked the end of an era  and the start of a new one.

On Sunday, Franciscan Health Crown Point officially closed the hospital at 1201 S. Main St.

Following a final private mass in the chapel, an exodus was orchestrated four miles away to the new hospital at 12750 Saint Francis Drive, located next to Interstate 65 and U.S. 231.

A newborn baby is the first patient to arrive during the shuttling of patients from the existing Franciscan Health Crown Point to the new Franciscan Crown Point located at I-65 and U.S. 231 on Jan. 28, 2024.

As the motorcade of Superior Ambulance Service and Franciscan Health ambulances began transporting patients in the early hours, City of Crown Point trolleys carried nurses to the new location.

Newborn babies cradled in incubators followed by their mothers were among the first group to enter the new hospital. Sister Jane Marie Klein and Sister Solona waited with blankets to welcome each patient and pray over them.

Klein, chairwoman of the Franciscan Health Foundation, was at first overcome with emotion as she stood in the new lobby surrounded by her colleagues. She has been in Franciscans health care ministry for 66 years.

Sister Jane Marie Klein (right) watches employees prepare for arrivals during the transportation of patients from the existing Franciscan Health Crown Point to the new Franciscan Crown Point located at I-65 and U.S. 231 on Jan. 28, 2024.

Its a real blessing to be here, Klein said. So many people have worked so hard to make it a reality 

Klein used to work at Franciscans Hammond campus, where she enjoyed roller-skating in the halls and basement of the hospital for many years before the buildings closure at the end of 2022.

An intricate 18th century stained glass window depicting Jesus performing a healing miracle was taken from St. Margarets in Hammond and installed in the new lobby to pay homage to the past.

Dozens of ambulances brought patients from the existing Franciscan Health Crown Point to the new Franciscan Crown Point located at I-65 and U.S. 231 on Jan. 28, 2024.

As a new mother was wheeled in on a transport bed, a joyful smile lit up Kleins face as she congratulated her.

Its been beautiful, seeing this precious new life in these fully-equipped incubators, and then seeing the mothers coming after, Klein said. Knowing they get to be together. It makes you feel good.

Sister Petra was born in the Crown Point hospital and has been a part of the Franciscan health ministry for 12 years.

Sister Petra, Vice President of Mission Integration for Franciscan Health Crown Point, (right) shares a laugh with (from left) Sister Emmanuel, Sister Jane Marie Klein, and Sister Solona before the start of the transportation of patients from the existing Franciscan Health Crown Point to the new Franciscan Crown Point located at I-65 and U.S. 231 on January 28, 2024.

Im going back to my roots, literally, she said.  For us in Franciscan, we know there are plenty of health care providers and choices everywhere. What makes us different is how we offer that compassionate care. Its how we show Christs love that makes a difference.

About 125 patients were transferred to the new building throughout Sunday, with scores of personnel coordinating every move. Applause erupted when the first patient was wheeled through the doors.

Everyday we are reminded about how important it is, that people trust us with their lives, Petra said. Its an honor. Its beautiful that we are entrusted with something so sacred.

Crown Point resident Balbino Aseves 64, is moved to his room during the transportation of patients from the existing Franciscan Health Crown Point to the new Franciscan Crown Point located at I-65 and U.S. 231 on Jan. 28, 2024.

The hospital at Main Street, formerly known as St. Anthony Hospital, was built in 1974. The building will still be used for health care, though there will be no more inpatients staying there. It will now be known as Franciscan Health Main St. Outpatient Center, a division of Franciscan Health Crown Point, where they will continue to offer an array of outpatient services, said Lauri Keagle, communications and media relations specialist.

The Main Street hospital is 50 years old, Keagle said. The new location is a modern, state of the art facility with state of the art equipment to care for our patients.

Construction of the new hospital, which was conducted by Michigan City-based company Tonn and Blank, began in September 2020 on property that was once farmland.

Dozens of ambulances bring patients from the existing Franciscan Health Crown Point to the new Franciscan Crown Point located at I-65 and U.S. 231 on Jan. 28, 2024.

The new building has 199 beds currently but there is space to expand to a total of 300 beds.

As a baby in an incubator flanked by medical staff was transported down the hallway, Jon A. Gilmore, Tonn and Blank president and CEO, said, Thats what its all about, right?

This is a once and a lifetime opportunity, Gilmore said. Seeing the first baby come through, even us construction guys, we tear up a little.

Sister Jane Marie Klein and Sister Solana place a warm blanket on an arriving patient during the transportation of patients from the existing Franciscan Health Crown Point to the new Franciscan Crown Point located at I-65 and U.S. 231 on Jan. 28, 2024.

Tonn and Blank have constructed several hospitals in Indiana and Illinois, including the new Fransican hospital in Michigan City. In order to create a uniform style, the company wanted the Crown Point campus to match its Michigan City counterpart.

Being near I-65, the company used noise reduction building techniques so that the interior was shielded from outside sounds. Gilmore said their vision for the new hospital reflects its state-of-the art design while using a nature-inspired Midwest color palette.

It needed to look timeless, Gilmore said. This facility will be here for another century.

Kathy Damjanovic, manager of patient access, worked at the hospital on Main Street for 32 years and has seen how Franciscan health care has developed over the decades.

Its a new world of change, Damjanovic said. We have a NICU, which we didnt have before. Theres more technology. Its just grown with the times. Now we have two trauma rooms, where we werent a trauma center before. We also have our own transports.

While technology and medical practices have changed drastically over the decades, Sister M. Aline Shultz, chairwoman of the Franciscan Alliance Board of Trustees, referenced a continued tradition that began with the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration who arrived in Lafayette from Germany 148 years ago and established their first hospital.

They did not have the technology or comforts that surround us today, Shultz said. What they did have and what we continue today is our deep commitment to the Catholic Franciscan health care ministry entrusted to us.

Anna Ortiz is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
Joe Ricketts, founder of Ricketts Great Books College and owner of the Chicago Cubs, shakes hands with New College of Florida President Richard Corcoran at a press conference Thursday. The two unveiled a collaboration between Ricketts Great Books College and New College of Florida to provide an online classical liberal arts program.

The planning of new degree programs at colleges and universities is a deliberate process.

Among other things, it involves months of:

Discussions among the administration and the faculty.

Attention to the desires and needs of the student population and the community.

Consultations with experts on the selection of course materials.

Working through funding issues.

Recruiting qualified professors.

But none of this is necessary at New College of Florida!

Philippe Koenig

At New College of Florida, major decisions  like the recent one to launch an online classical education program  are made in a flash by supposedly brilliant people who brag about taking ground-breaking" steps that will lead to "the restoration of a wonderful, storied college. And, of course, they boast about providing students with "the tools they need to thrive in our society."

More: New College of Florida launches online degree program in collaboration with billionaire

Sadly, here is how the latest example went down.

Joe Ricketts, a deeply conservative billionaire and the founder of TD Ameritrade, donated $1 million to Gov. Ron DeSantis' now-abandoned presidential campaign. During that process, Ricketts told DeSantis he wanted to start an online degree program with a Florida college in partnership with his largely obscure Ricketts Great Books College venture.

Ricketts was steered to New College Board Trustee Christopher Rufo, who is also an operative for conservative causes, and Rufo connected Ricketts with school President Richard Corcoran.

Voila!

Within weeks, the "revolutionary" New College Great Books online degree program was born, and it is now up and running. However, this was all done without:

Consulting with New College's faculty, which passed a resolution opposing the creation of the online degree program.

Reviewing, considering and evaluating other subjects for potential online programs.

Reaching out to numerous institutions that have extensive online education expertise.

Studying various methods and models for teaching the classics.

The fact is there is nothing "ground-breaking" about education programs that are specifically centered around great classical books. They have been in existence since the 1920s, and they have been employed with great success at numerous colleges and universities around the country.

However, "Great Books" education programs represent a niche segment in higher education. They are of serious interest to a very few within a general population of students who, if asked, would likely prefer to take their first dip into online programs with subjects like computer software or other categories of wider interest (maybe even, God forbid, political science or history!).

Unfortunately, it appears that by hastily creating the Great Books online program, the leaders of New College have once again shown they possess doctorate-level skills in the art of huckstering.

Philippe Koenig is a retired lawyer, a graduate of Harvard Law School and a member of Florida Veterans for Common Sense. He resides in Sarasota.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: New College's 'Great Books' online degree program was poorly created
A Colorado environmental group is asking a federal judge to strike down a $2 billion plan that would reroute river water to the states expanding northern communities.

The nonprofit Save the Poudre last week filed a lawsuit in a federal district court in Denver, arguing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers should not have issued a permit for the project, to be carried about by Northern Water.

The project, called the Northern Integrated Supply Project, would involve building two new reservoirs and piping 40,000 acre-feet of additional water to 15 providers in Northern Colorado. For reference, a typical U.S. household uses about 1 acre-foot of water each year.

Estimating that the regions population could double by 2050, the utility stressed a need to boost the regions water supply and ensure a high-quality way of life for these future residents.

The first of the two planned reservoirs, the Glade Reservoir near Fort Collins, would store water diverted from Cache la Poudre River  the focus of the environmental groups lawsuit.

The Galeton Reservoir, meanwhile, would contain water rerouted from the South Platte River and would be located adjacent to the city of Greeley.

Last weeks lawsuit, according to the plaintiffs, is occurring in the 20th year of bungled and massively delayed permitting for the NISP boondoggle.

Their filing accused the Army Corps of Engineers of violating the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Clean Water Act when it granted the permit to Northern Water.

The authorization in question, per the lawsuit, involved the construction and operation of a massive dam, the reservoirs and the diversions via Section 404 of the Clean Water Act.

This clause regulates the discharge of dredged or fill material into the waters of the U.S. and requires a permit before any such activity occurs, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. The Army Corps of Engineers is responsible for administering Section 404 permitting decisions and for enforcing related provisions, per the clause.

The lawsuit accused the Army Corps of Engineers of failing to conduct a sufficient environmental impact statement (EIS), while alleging the company moved full steam ahead without considering a compromise solution proposed by the plaintiffs.

That solution, proposed by Save the Poudre in 2022, offered support to a plan that would send all the water downstream in the Poudre River rather than diverting it via pipelines.

The plaintiffs expressed concern that the current version of the project could degrade the Cache la Poudre River and threaten wetlands  adversely impacting recreational activities and degrading water quality.

The ecological impacts will be astounding, the lawsuit noted.

The case estimated that the project would divert about 35 percent of the rivers water each year as it flows through Fort Collins. In some months, that figure could be as high as 65 percent of the citys remaining flow, the plaintiffs noted.

After 20 years, we now have no choice but to file this lawsuit and let it play out in court which will likely take several more years, Gary Wockner, director of Save the Poudre, said in a statement.

Northern Water first embarked on the permitting process for the Northern Integrated Supply Project in August 2004  publishing a draft EIS in April 2008, a supplemental draft EIS in June 2015 and a final EIS in July 2018.

In total, the environmental assessments evaluated more than 200 water storage facilities and 16 potential supply sources, with four project alternatives ultimately considered in the EIS, according to the Army Corps of Engineers.

After years of pushback from environmental groups and infrastructural delays in adjacent municipalities, the Army Corps finally issued the Section 404 permit in December 2022.

Northern Water has not had the opportunity to explore the issues brought forth in the action against the federal government, Jeff Stahla, a spokesperson for the comment, said in an emailed statement.

The statement expressed confidence, however, in the Army Corpss comprehensive work and that the permit issued to the project will be affirmed based on the detailed work done over the years and extensive mitigation being included.

In a Facts and Fiction section of the projects website, Northern Water stressed that water strategically discharged from the planned Glade Reservoir will help improve flows in the Poudre River even during droughts.

The Hill has reached out to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for comment.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A section of Colorado Highway 14 was closed for over two hours while emergency crews performed a high angle rescue in the Poudre Canyon Sunday.

Poudre Fire Authority, Larimer County Sheriff's Office, LifeLine 1, Larimer County Search and Rescue and Poudre Canyon Fire responded, PFA said in a post on X, the social media platform formerly called Twitter, just before 3 p.m. Sunday. At that time PFA said crews were "currently with the victim and working on the rescue plan."

PFA crews, @LarimerSheriff, Lifeline1, @LCSAR, @uchealth and Poudre Canyon Fire are onscene of a high angle rescue in the Poudre Canyon. Crews are currently with the victim and working on the rescue plan. #HighAngleRescue #PoudreCanyon pic.twitter.com/BkZ2NZvB27  poudrefire (@poudrefire) January 28, 2024

In a subsequent tweet, PFA announced the closure of Colorado 14, which started at Larimer County Road 29C, just west of Ted's Place, for westbound traffic and at Stove Prairie Road (Larimer County Road 27) for eastbound traffic.

Work to rescue the individual continued into early Sunday evening.

About 3:45 p.m., PFA posted that the individual was "packaged, in a litter and ready for transport, and crews are starting to move them down the side." About an hour later, the agency said crews had made it to the river with the individual being rescued.

Rescue crews have made it to the river with the victim. pic.twitter.com/sHB9jeaohE  poudrefire (@poudrefire) January 28, 2024

Just after 5:15 p.m., PFA posted that the person was transported from the area via LifeLine 1 (UCHealth's helicopter emergency medical service) and crews were packing up their gear.

Colorado 14 reopened just before 5:30 p.m. Sunday.

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Colorado Highway 14 reopens after rescue in Poudre Canyon Sunday
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  A home located between the Fairgrounds and Ohio State University has been shut down by the city of Columbus.

According to the City Attorneys office, the city announced it has shut down the property at 338 Chittenden Avenue, in the Indianola Terrace section of the University District, declaring it a nuisance property, the first of 2024.

Columbus police officer pleads guilty to recording video of underage girl

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According to court documents, police received 39 calls for the Chittenden Ave. property, beginning in 2021. Officers responded to incidents of robbery, a stolen vehicle, a shooting and fighting at the home.

In 2023 alone, police have responded to reports of someone being shot in June, shots fired in July and September, a robbery in August, a person with a gun in December, which led to a large fight.

338 Chittenden Avenue (NBC4/Joe Collins)

This month officers in the vicinity heard multiple gunshots and found three shell casings at the property. Police said they witnessed more than 100 people at a party at the scene. In many instances, a party was reportedly in progress.

CPD executed an order to immediately board up the property and a hearing on a preliminary injunction has been set for Feb. 5.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
Columbus police officer pleads guilty to recording video of underage girl

For a previous report on this story, view the video player above.

CHICAGO (WCMH)  A Columbus police officer will now be investigated internally after he pleaded guilty to recording a video of an underage girl in Illinois.

According to a spokesperson with the Circuit Court of Cook County, Adam Nguyen pleaded guilty to unauthorized videotaping stemming from an incident in May 2023, when Nguyen was accused of recording a video up the skirt of an underage girl.

Jason Meade murder trial: Everything thats happened since Casey Goodson Jr.s death

Adam Nguyen. (Courtesy Photo/Cook County Sheriffs Office)

On May 21, Nguyen, who was charged with unauthorized video recording and live video transmission, according to court documents, was arrested in Cook County, which encompasses the city of Chicago and surrounding communities. He was issued a $20,000 bond.

After pleading guilty on Jan. 9, Nguyen was sentenced to 24 months of probation, 100 hours of community service and ordered to undergo a sex-offender evaluation, among other conditions.

Columbus police confirmed Monday that Nguyen, who was hired in 2021, remains on the relived of duty status, pending an administrative investigation now that the criminal case has concluded.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
I never imagined it would be possible to feel embarrassed for an entire nation, but South Africa has proven me wrong in truly spectacular fashion. Barely three decades after its unshackling from apartheid, Pretorias primary role in the International Court of Justices (ICJ) genocide case against Israel has revealed South Africa to be more of a post-colonial anachronism than a modern, democratic global leader.

Here is a country that knows all too well the consequences of institutionalised injustice and the specter of genocide. A nation that has endured mass death, forced migration and the denial of even the most basic human rights at the hands of foreign colonisers. A place that succeeded in rallying nearly the entire world behind its battle for freedom from white rule. And managed to achieve all of this without resorting to the wide-spread terror tactics that have defined liberation struggles across the Middle East and Levant. In short, a nation that has very little to do with Palestine, and even less with Hamas.

And yet at as it careens from staggering domestic crisis to staggering domestic crisis  whether its crippling unemployment and wide-scale power outages or an epidemic of rape and some 70 murders a day  South Africa opted to neglect its own, heavily impoverished citizenry in favor of taking down Israel.

The failures, however, are as much about South Africa, race and the supposed global south as Israel, Zionism and Jews. Indeed, cheered on by marauding mobs and useful idiots, South Africa allowed a misguided conflation of race and religion to propel an anti-Israel crusade that has little chance of actually winning  or making a difference in the lives of Palestinians in Gaza.

Sounding far more like Yassir Arafat than Nelson Mandela, President Ramaphosa declared last week, some have told us that we shouldnot get involved in the affairs of other countries it is not our place. And yet, he continued, it is very much our place as a people who know too well the pain of dispossession, discrimination, state-sponsored violence.

The notion that every oppressed population can identify and champion every other oppressed population may make for a popular social media post, but it fails to materialise in reality. South Africa and Gaza starkly illustrate why. Indeed, beyond serving as mere adjacencies of convenience, the framing of South Africas political past with Gazas political present and future does both sides a grave disservice.

For one thing, in aligning itself with the Palestinians, South Africans are actually cheapening their own brutal history of colonisation and apartheid. Lasting for far longer over a far larger swath of territory, colonialism and white rule impacted far more Africans with far stronger claims to their land than Arabs and Muslims have today on Palestine.

Whats more, unlike the Dutch and English  who mostly arrived in Africa between the 17th and 19th centuries  theres been a constant Jewish presence in the Holy Land for more than two millennia. True, their numbers may have been modest, but Jews have not colonised the area between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea: theyve always been there.

Crucially, much of what made the anti-apartheid movement resonate was its foundation in non-violent protest, and vast distance from fundamentalism and terror. There was no equivalent to Hamas among the dozen or so major anti-apartheid organisations. And few examples of high-profile terror attacks by blacks people on white people; none of the bus bombings or kidnappings or lone wolf stabbing and intifadas.

Sure, there were plenty of brutal necklacing-styled executions employed by the African National Congress and United Democratic Front. But they were mostly used by black people to punish black people, particularly those suspected of collaborating with the apartheid regime. Exceptions did exist, of course, but it was the general absence of terror that allowed anti-apartheid crusaders to retain their moral authority along the road to the multi-ethnic rule that arrived in 1994.

That authority has now been squandered by a Pretoria government championing terrorists in Gaza. Many have claimed that South Africa is actually advocating for the entire global south, not just Palestine. Its a compelling argument offering particular potency for the descendants of the post-colonial, pan-African academic types who filled college campuses four decades ago and laid the foundation for the identity politics and woke warriors that have so infiltrated academia today.

Although President Biden quickly made clear that the ICJ ruling wouldnt impact White House policy on Gaza, progressive voices are ratcheting up the pressure on the president to reduce his support for Israel. Just this weekend The New York Times reported that a coalition of 1,000 African-American pastors had called upon Biden to end Israels war in Gaza, while last week a Federal Court in California heard the opening arguments in a case filed on behalf of pro-Palestinian groups accusing Biden and other top White House officials of being complicit in genocide. Although the White House insists its commitment towards arming Israel remains strong, reports of a potential slow down in aid have recently begun to emerge in Washington.

As the president mulls his response to the deaths of three US soldiers on Sunday in Jordan almost certainly at the hand of Iran, pressure to distance the US from the rapidly broadening Middle East Conflict are certain to increase  both in America and the world.

The trouble is no matter where you look  from South America, to Southeast Asia, to South Africa and remote military bases along the Jordan-Syrian border  you always seem to find Iran in the mix. And, by extension, Palestinian liberation groups, anti-Zionism and, ultimately anti-Semitism. A call for Israels surrender without a concurrent plan to eradicate Hamas is ultimately a call for Israels destruction. And what could be more anti-Semitic than that.

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It looks like the crisis in the Middle East, spurred by the terror attacks by Hamas on October 7th, is about to escalate further after three U.S. service people were killed in a drone strike by Iranian proxies on an outpost near the Syrian border in Jordan. Dozens more were injured and the list is growing. Now the region braces for a response from the United States. Where this is all headed nobody can know for sure, but the possibilities are increasingly ominous, to say the least.

As we have noted for many weeks , it is abundantly clear that Iran is goading the U.S. into much larger kinetic operations across the region. With the continuing shooting conflict near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and Houthi-controlled Yemeni territory , and the ongoing attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq, Syria and now Jordan, tensions have been ratcheting up. But now, with the first deaths of Americans since this all began, they could explode into a wider conflict. And make no mistake, Iran is behind all of it and a direct confrontation between the long-time foes is more likely now than ever in recent memory.

Considering strikes on Iranian targets nearly materialized during the Trump Administratio n after a U.S. Navy BAMS-D drone was shot down near the Strait of Hormuz, similar options are surely on the table now as they were then, but I don't think the Biden Administration will go there... yet.

Striking Iran directly, while possible, seems remote as the U.S. is trying to keep a much wider conflict at bay, and for good reason. But at a certain point, that may no longer be politically tenable.

So what could the U.S. reprisal look like? It will most likely be focused on striking Iranian proxies in Syria and Iraq. This is nothing new, the U.S. has carried out multiple operations of this kind over the last three months, but this time it will likely be larger in scope and magnitude against sites more closely related to Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corp (IRGC) operations that support those proxies.

There are other targets that could be acted upon, like Iran's support ship/sea base, the MV Behshad, that has been on station for many months in the Red Sea and has just repositioned itself in the Gulf of Aden, just as anti-ship strikes started to be focused there last week. That vessel is very likely providing direct intelligence support for the Houthis in their anti-ship missile campaign. Israel struck the ship that was on station before the current one replaced it, so there is a precedent for such an act.

An outright war with Iran would be extremely dangerous, very deadly, potentially very expensive, and highly disruptive economically. Iran has the ability to rain ballistic and cruise missiles , as well as drones , on U.S. and allied interests across the Persian Gulf and beyond. It will also close the Strait of Hormuz , which will have massive impacts to the global economy. It could quickly spiral into a wider fight, with Israel being the major wild card, and Iran's allies to a lesser extent. Most importantly, what would be the endgame? It would also come at a time when the U.S. military is drowning in priorities elsewhere, with the so-called 'pivot to the Pacific' now looking far more unrealistic, just as we have said repeatedly it would be. Just acting like the Middle East will be fine to suit your larger strategic aims isn't based in reality. It never was.

Then there is a wider view to consider. The focus is being taken off of the ongoing fight against Russia in Ukraine. Resources and focus have been pulled from that critical theater to the Middle East in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war. This occurred at the same time that stronger Russian ties were building between Iran as well as North Korea, the latter of which has entered a new phase of bellicose rhetoric and actions . It now also has Russia as a direct military ally and arms partner , which changes the equation on the Korean Peninsula.

Tied to all these growing adversarial threats is China, which has its aims on Taiwan and the South China Sea. While a major conflict between Iran and the U.S. would not be good for Beijing, as it is dependent on oil supplies emanating from the Persian Gulf and Iran, a future scenario where these parties work together to coordinate nefarious military actions is far more probable than it was in the recent past.

Jan. 8, 2024) The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mason (DDG 87) conducts a vertical replenishment with the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) while the ships operate in support of Operation Prosperity Guardian (OPG) in the Red Sea, Jan. 8. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Chris Krucke)

This is also happening amidst a backdrop of weapons stockpile depletion among the U.S. and its allies, with major work being done to spin up production of expendable munitions and other materiel. Even a limited sustained conflict in the region, even falling short of being a direct fight with Iran, would put further pressure on these stockpiles. Just the allocation of critical defensive capabilities to the region is already a major concern . All adversary parties stand to gain significantly from this, and especially Russia. Moscow's reliance on Iran for weapons is also a major issue. If a campaign were waged against Iran, this support would be disrupted or stopped entirely. While this may be good for Ukraine in the near term, what Russia may do to keep this from happening remains unclear.

The bottom line is that vast interconnectedness of events unfolding in the Middle East right now and those ongoing or brewing around the globe cannot be underestimated, which makes every decision going forward that much more critical.

Time will tell what the Biden Administration chooses to do after this recent deadly attack and what Iran's response will be, but it's undeniable that the volatility in the region has just hit a new milepost with no offramp in sight.

Contact the author: Tyler@thedrive.com
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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)



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.

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)
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  Congress continues work on a bipartisan border security deal, but now there are concerns Republicans will attempt to derail it, despite months of calling for stricter border policies.

A lot of that concern is coming after former president Donald Trump said Republicans should reject any deal Democrats helped create.

Senate negotiators could release specifics of their border security deal as early as this week.

We do have a bipartisan deal. Were finishing the text right now, said Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.)

According to published reports, the deal overhauls the requirements for migrants seeking asylum.

It also requires a border shutdown if the number of illegal crossings hits more than 5000 a day.

Were focused on how many people we can process quickly and then Deport out of the country not release into the country, said Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.)

For years, Republicans have pushed for stricter border control as the number of illegal crossings reached into the millions, but some Republicans are now criticizing their own congressional colleagues for threatening to tank the bill.

Theyre like, oh just kidding. I actually dont want to change the law because of the presidential election year, said Lankford.

President Joe Biden says he supports the effort.

If that bill was the law today, Id shut down the border right now, he said.

Some say he already has the authority to do that.

Biden could do that today, why doesnt he do that today? I mean he doesnt need any of this to secure the border, Trump secured the border with the exact same laws, Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.)

If passed this agreement would also authorize more money for Ukraine and Israel since Republicans conditioned that money on securing the border.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
Gregory Wilson was tried and convicted in 1988 for the rape and murder of 36-year-old Deborah Pooley. The Kentucky Parole Board ruled that Wilson must serve out the remainder of his life sentence.

A man sentenced to death in 1988 for the rape and murder of a Northern Kentucky woman, but later spared by an order from former Kentucky Republican Gov. Matt Bevin, will spend the rest of his days in prison.

The Kentucky Parole Board decided Monday that Gregory Wilson, now 67, must serve out the remainder of his life sentence for the rape and murder of Deborah Pooley in 1987. That means he will not be granted any future opportunities at parole.

Wilson made his first appearance before the parole board on Jan. 23.

"Keeping Gregory Wilson in prison for the rest of his life will keep Kentuckians safe from this serial rapist and killer," Kenton County Commonwealth's Attorney Rob Sanders said in a statement. "I appreciate the parole board righting Matt Bevins wrong."

Wilson and his co-defendant, Brenda Humphrey, were convicted of abducting Pooley in May 1987 from a parking lot near her home in Covington, according to Enquirer reporting from the trial.

Jurors found that Wilson raped and strangled Pooley to death while Humphrey drove to Indiana.

The 36-year-old restaurant managers decomposed remains were found two weeks later roughly 20 miles west of Indianapolis. She had been robbed and left naked in a field.

Wilson was found guilty of abduction, rape, robbery and murder and was sentenced to death. Humphrey was convicted of kidnapping and facilitation to rape and murder and has since been released on parole after serving a sentence of 25 years to life.

Wilson appealed his convictions and death sentence but remained on death row until Bevin commuted his sentence in December 2019 to life with the possibility of parole after 30 years.

To say that his legal defense was inadequate would be the understatement of the year, Bevin wrote in his commutation order. The prosecution and defense in this case were, from start to finish, incredibly incompetent.

I consider myself a predator

Wilson, wearing a beige prison jumpsuit and sporting a white beard, admitted during his parole hearing to raping and strangling Pooley with a lamp cord after forcing her into the backseat of her vehicle.

He and Humphrey had been out walking that evening when they spotted Pooley in her car, Wilson said. The plan was just to steal the vehicle and he didn't originally intend on raping and killing the woman.

At the time of Pooleys murder, Wilson was out on parole for two rape convictions. He spent over a dozen years in an Ohio prison on those charges and was released just 10 months before Pooleys killing.

Deborah Pooley was killed in Covington in May 1987, by Gregory L. Wilson. The Kentucky Parole Board ordered that Wilson must serve out the remainder of his life sentence.

Wilson later pleaded guilty in 1992 to charges in a rape case involving two women in Butler County, court records show. He was indicted in that case shortly after being taken into custody by authorities in Northern Kentucky.

I consider myself a predator," Wilson told the parole board. "I did some bad things."

Officials have previously pointed to Wilson as a person of interest in a Newport woman's killing in 1987, though there's no indication he was ever charged.

Trial beset with controversy, alleged incompetence

Wilsons trial was mired in controversy and he has complained that his defense attorneys were inept.

With a trial just months away and no local attorneys offering to represent Wilson for the then-maximum state fee of $2,500, a Kenton County Circuit Court judge posted a notice outside his courtroom in a desperate plea for volunteers.

John Foote and William Hagedorn stepped up. Foote had never tried a felony before and Hagedorn, who offered to serve as lead counsel for free, had no office, no law books and used the phone number of a local tavern on his business card.

Claiming his lawyers were incompetent, Wilson represented himself during parts of the trial. He gave his own opening statement, saying only, I am not a lawyer, and Im not guilty, according to trial transcripts.

His closing argument was so short it took less than two pages to transcribe, whereas the prosecutors argument took 54.

During the sentencing phase of his trial, Wilson did not present any character witnesses, nor did he point out any mitigating circumstances to the jury.

Court papers revealed sex between co-defendant, other judge

It was revealed years later through court papers that Humphrey, who testified against Wilson identifying him as the killer, was taken each day of the trial to the chambers of another judge, where they had sex.

Humphrey, a former prostitute, began her relationship with the judge three years earlier and their trysts continued until he died in 1993, according to the Louisville Courier-Journal.

Not everyone agreed Wilson had competent legal representation

Wilsons convictions and death sentence have been upheld by state and federal courts, which overruled his allegations of incompetent legal representation, saying that he waived his right to counsel at trial and decided to represent himself.

At least one judge who presided over Wilsons federal appeal, however, wasnt convinced.

Over my more than thirty years on the bench, Wilsons trial stands out as one of the worst examples that I have seen of the unfairness and abysmal lawyering that pervade capital trials, reads a 2010 dissenting opinion by liberal U.S. Sixth Circuit Court Judge Boyce F. Martin Jr., an appointee of President Jimmy Carter who died in 2016.

Wilson has been in prison since November 1988 and is currently incarcerated at the Kentucky State Reformatory in Oldham County, according to Department of Corrections records.

Louisville Courier-Journal staff writer Andrew Wolfson contributed to this report. Additional source: The Enquirer archive.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Gregory Wilson parole decision: Ex-death row inmate to serve life
Constance Marten, left, and Mark Gordon, right, deny all the charges against them - Elizabeth Cook/PA

Constance Marten and her lover took a 270-mile taxi journey from Liverpool to Essex looking for a port to escape from, a court has been told.

Ms Marten, 36, and Mark Gordon, 49, are accused of killing their newborn baby, Victoria, by going on the run to prevent her being taken away by social services.

The babys placenta was found in a burnt-out car on a Manchester motorway in January last year, sparking a huge police hunt as the couple traversed the UK trying to find a route out of the country, the Old Bailey heard.

The couple then spent nearly two months camping in a tent in the bitterly cold South Downs near Brighton before they were arrested in February.

On March 1, the baby was found dead in a Lidl bag covered in rubbish inside a disused shed, the Old Bailey has heard.

The babys placenta was found inside a burnt-out car (pictured) - Metropolitan Police

The couple deny the manslaughter of Victoria by gross negligence, concealment of the birth of a child, cruelty to a person under 16 and perverting the course of justice by disposing of the body.

Ms Marten comes from a wealthy aristocratic family and her father was a page to Elizabeth II.

The couple had escaped the burning car near Manchester on Jan 5, before asking for a lift to Bolton. The couple then took a taxi from Bolton to Liverpool and at 9pm, three hours after leaving their burning vehicle, they flagged down another taxi and travelled from Liverpool to Essex, the court was told.

Belongings left after the car fire - Metropolitan Police

You could see she was shivering

Giving evidence by video link, driver Ali Yaryar said the first thing Ms Marten did when she got into the car was ask him to put the heating on.

She was cold, for that time of year she had not much clothes on. You could see she was shivering, he said.

Ms Marten asked to go to Harwich, Essex, which Mr Yaryar had not heard of so he asked her to put a postcode in his phone.

I said this is a long journey  we go to Heathrow Airport from Liverpool for 500 but this is a quiet night  I can go there if you want for 400.

The couple asked for a lift to Bolton after escaping the burning car near Manchester on Jan 5

He said he offered to drive home and change into his personal Audi vehicle because it would be warmer and more comfortable.

He said he noticed Ms Marten was hiding a baby under her jacket which she was breastfeeding during the journey. He offered to get a car seat but Ms Marten said the baby was too small.

Mr Gordon paid him 400 in 20 notes, Mr Yaryar told the court. He said the baby was wearing no clothes except a nappy.

Mr Gordon slept while Ms Marten also tried to sleep, he said, adding that they arrived at Harwich around 2.15am.

Trust fund payments

John Femi-Ola KC, representing Mr Gordon, suggested the baby did have clothing on but was being changed when Mr Yaryar saw her just in a nappy.

Ms Marten received nearly 19,000 in payments into her account from a trust fund while she was on the run, the court was told.

Jurors heard that Ms Marten and Mr Gordon went to Liverpool and Harwich as they were looking for a port to escape from.

Ms Marten and Mr Gordon also deny causing or allowing the death of a child. The charges date between Jan 4 2023 and Feb 27 2023. The trial is set to last six weeks.

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Editor's Note: This is a developing story.

Ukraine's Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi may have been dismissed on Jan. 29, according to sources of the Kyiv Independent and several other Ukrainian media.

No official decree has been published on President Volodymyr Zelensky's website yet.

A Kyiv Independent source in the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces confirmed that Zaluzhnyi was fired. The source wasn't authorized to speak to the press.

Neither Zaluzhnyi nor Zelensky have made any public comments yet.

Zelensky's spokesman Sergii Nykyforov told the Kyiv Independent at 7:50 p.m. on Jan. 29 that Zaluzhnyi wasn't dismissed.

Zelensky's evening address published by his press service at 8:18 p.m. doesn't address reports about Zaluzhnyi's dismissal.

The news was first reported in the early evening of Jan. 29 by a group of anonymous Telegram channels, including some that have reported insider information coming from the Presidential Office of Ukraine before. At the same time, Telegram channels have been known to report misleading stories and spread misinformation.

Ukrainian media, including the Kyiv Independent, have been trying to confirm the news about Ukraine's top commander's firing. The sources, all speaking on condition of anonymity, have been providing contradicting responses.

Read also: Are Zelensky and his top general really in discord?

Zaluzhnyi served as Commander-in-Chief since July 2021. Reports first surfaced in November 2023 about disagreements between Zelensky and Zaluzhnyi.

The alleged disagreement between the two received increased attention following Zaluzhnyi's interview on the state of the war for The Economist on Nov. 1, in which he said there was a danger that Ukraine was walking into the trap of a prolonged war.

Zelensky said he disagreed with this sentiment during a briefing on Nov. 4.

Ukrainian media outlet Ukrainska Pravda then reported on Dec. 4 that Zelensky was allegedly "bypassing" Zaluzhnyi in communication with some military commanders, citing anonymous sources.

President Zelensky said during a press conference on Dec. 19 that he has a "working relationship" with Commander-in-Chief General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, responding to a question about their alleged dispute.

"He and the General Staff (of Ukraine's Armed Forces) are responsible for the situation on the battlefield. There are many issues to address there," Zelensky said during a press conference.

A December 2023 poll found that 43% of Ukrainians believe that there may be some disagreements between Zelensky and Zaluzhnyi, but only 8% believed the situation was very serious.

The poll also showed that Zaluzhnyi has a 92% trust rating, making him the country's most trusted military leader, and that an overwhelming majority (72%) of Ukrainians would disapprove of him being replaced.

Read also: Media: Zelensky bypassing Zaluzhnyi in communication with some commanders

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
RICHMOND, Ind.  A corrections officer at the Wayne County Jail has been accused of delivering drugs to an prisoner.

Adrian Jo Blanton, 24, was charged Wednesday in Wayne Superior Court 2 with trafficking with an inmate, a Level 5 felony carrying up to six years in prison.

According to court documents, Blanton in August agreed to deliver strips of suboxone  a narcotic medication at times prescribed to treat addiction to opioids  to a prisoner in the jail in exchange for $2,000.

The inmate  Shawn Christopher Lee Farrow, 30, of Centerville  was found to have 64 suboxone strips in his possession on Aug. 24, according to an affidavit, which said the inmate was then investigated for "selling the strips for profit."

According to that document, recordings of conversations in the jail  and of phone conversations, from the jail, involving Farrow  show that the prisoner and Blanton spoke about the conspiracy on Aug. 9, and that Farrow had subsequent conversations with others about the delivery of the suboxone, and cash, to Blanton's home.

More: Overdose in Wayne County jail leads to more charges against local man

A trial date has apparently not yet been set in Blanton's case.

Online court records reflect no charges against Farrow related to the conspiracy.

He has been held in the jail since July 3, and is awaiting trial on 14 charges spread over four Wayne Superior Court 1 cases  three counts each of dealing in meth and dealing in a narcotic drug, two counts of dealing in cocaine, and single counts of driving while suspended, intimidation, maintaining a common nuisance, possession of a controlled substance, possession of meth and possession of a narcotic drug.

Four of the dealing charges are Level 2 felonies carrying maximum 30-year prison terms.

Douglas Walker is a news reporter for The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Wayne County jailer accused of conspiring to deliver drugs to inmate
This aerial photo taken on Oct. 1, 2023 shows tourists going sailing in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng)

Hainan, south China's tropical island province, aims to promote cultural and tourism cooperation with France in honor of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and France this year.



Celebrating the 60th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties, China and France will jointly host the Year of Culture and Tourism to provide cultural experiences to the two peoples.

Hainan, with diverse tourism resources, will launch a series of activities, such as promoting the establishment of a European center for Hainan tourism and cultural exchange in France and holding tourism promotion activities, to enhance bilateral cooperation in culture and tourism, said the provincial department of tourism, culture, radio, television and sports.

Europe is an important overseas tourist source market for Hainan. About 410,000 European tourists, including 7,381 French tourists, visited Hainan in 2019, said the department, adding that the number of inbound tourists from France and other European countries has great space for growth.

China is implementing a unilateral visa-free policy for ordinary passport holders from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia on a trial basis. From Dec. 1, 2023, to Nov. 30, 2024, holders of ordinary passports from these six countries may enter China visa-free for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends and transit for no more than 15 days.

The visa-free policy will create more opportunities for direct exchanges between Hainan and Europe. In the future, the two sides will deepen cooperation in tourism promotion, cultural exchanges and cultural heritage protection and inheritance, according to the department.

China aims to build Hainan into an international tourism and consumption center by 2025 and a globally influential tourism and consumption destination by 2035.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  In coordinated missions around the city, Portland police made a dozen arrests, served 22 warrants and recovered 3 stolen cars over the weekend.

The efforts in the Parkrose, Argay and Cully neighborhoods also included 27 traffic stops and the seizing of illegal drugs, authorities told KOIN 6 News.

PPB also put into motion a stolen vehicle operation that led to multiple arrests, a number of recovered stolen cars and the confiscation of an illegally owned gun.

Multiple stolen vehicles recovered, arrests made in PPB-led mission

In that effort, PPBs East Precinct worked with officials from different agencies across the region on Friday night. Portland and Vancouver police said they arrested 10 people connected to stolen cars. Authorities said they recovered 11 stolen cars in 25 stops.

Drive-by shooting arrest made, stolen vehicles recovered in Vancouver PD operation

Vancouver police said they recovered 4 stolen cars and a stolen gun.

Portland officials said there has been a 25% reduction in stolen cars reported over the past year.

KOIN 6 News will have more information later.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
Editors Note: The following arrest and incident reports were supplied by the Abilene Police Department. All information below comes from reports made by responding officers, and all suspects are considered not guilty unless determined otherwise in a court of law.

Incidents

200 block of S Leggett Drive  Burglary of Building

Police responded to a burglary where someone forced entry into a business and ransacked an office. Its unknown if anything was taken.

2800 block of N 6th Street  Assault Family Violence

A high school student was assaulted by his girlfriend while at school.

2700 block of Southwest Drive  Assault Family Violence

A suspect was arrested for assault family violence.

5400 block of S 7th Street  Theft of Property

Cash was reported stolen from an Abilene apartment.

3600 block of Bel Air Drive  Theft of Motor Vehicle

A van was reported stolen.

1500 block of Oak Street  Theft of Firearm

A stolen firearm was recovered during a wanted suspect call.

1500 block of Oak Street  Theft of Property

Police responded to a south Abilene residence in reference to a wanted suspect call. A firearm was reported stolen.

2400 block of N Willis Street  Criminal Mischief

Criminal Mischief was reported stolen in north Abilene.

1800 block of N Treadaway Boulevard  Criminal Mischief

A theft report was taken in north Abilene.

2100 block of Parramore Street  Criminal Mischief

A report was taken for criminal mischief.

3400 block of Ambler Avenue  Criminal Trespass

A suspect was arrested on a business property he had been previously warned of trespass from.

900 block of N Willis Street  Criminal Trespass

A suspect was contacted in reference to criminal trespass in north Abilene.

1700 block of Chucker Court  Burglary of Vehicle

A victim reported an unknown suspect entered his vehicle and stole property worth more than $200.

1400 block of Butternut Street  Criminal Trespass

A suspect was arrested for trespassing from a business she had been previously warned from.

4200 block of Oil Belt Lane  Theft of Property

A victim reported unknown suspects stole a toolbox from the bed of his truck at a south Abilene hotel.

6000 block of Fairmount Street  Assault Family Violence

Police responded to a disturbance in south Abilene, where a victim reported her husband struck her in the face.

3000 block of West Lake Road  Theft of Firearm

A victim reported a known suspect stole a firearm from her residence.

2000 block of Belmont Boulevard  Burglary of Habitation

An unknown suspect stole $1,000 worth of hot wheels cars, as well as a TV and a lamp.

800 block of Milford Street  Theft of Property

An unknown suspect stole a firearm worth $700 from a north Abilene residence.

5100 block of Hwy 277 S  Assault

A victim reported he was assaulted by an unknown suspect after a road rage incident.

1400 block of S 19th Street  Burglary of Habitation

A victim reported unknown suspects forced entry into his home and took $1,000 worth of tools.

1600 block of Highway 351  Theft of Property

Police responded to a theft in north Abilene, where $175 worth of items were reported stolen.

5100 block of Encino Road  Burglary of Habitation

An unknown suspect entered a home and took electronics worth more than $1,000.

700 block of Cherry Street  Assault Family Violence

A victim reported her son assaulted her in south Abilene.

2100 block of Glenwood Drive  Burglary of Vehicle

A victim reported multiple items were stolen during a vehicle burglary.

200 block of S Mockingbird Lane  Assault Family Violence

A victim reported she was assaulted by her fiance.

4300 block of Sayles Boulevard  Burglary of Vehicle

A report was taken for burglary of a vehicle in south Abilene.

300 block of N Mockingbird Lane  Assault Family Violence

A victim reported her boyfriend pulled her hair and punched her in the face while driving.

1200 block of Marshall Street  Criminal Mischief

A report was taken for criminal mischief in south Abilene.

100 block of Eplens Court  Indecent Assault

Police responded to a call for service in north Abilene.

2900 block of S 12th Street  Assault Family Violence

A report was taken for assault family violence in south Abilene.

4900 block of W Stamford Street  Assault Family Violence

A victim reported her boyfriend whipped her with a phone cord, causing visible injuries.

1600 block of Ambler Avenue  Theft of Property

A victim was cited for attempting to steal alcohol from a north Abilene business.

1300 block of Shelton Street  Assault Family Violence

A victim reported his mother assaulted him, but he did not wish to press charges.

4500 block of S 1st Street  Assault

A victim reported he was assaulted in north Abilene.

Arrests

Owen Stenson  Public Intoxication

Louis Robinson  Assault Family Violence

Starr Ford  Warrant, Failure to Identify

Anjelica Trevino  Warrant

Veenus Gomez  Warrant

Galilea Avila  Driving While Intoxicated, Possession of Controlled Substance, Prohibited Substance/Item in Correctional Facility

Giovanni Cardenas  Warrant, Unlawful Possession of Firearm by Felon

Laci Hash  Public Intoxication

Ashley Garcia  Public Intoxication

David Baldoza  Criminal Trespass

Taylor Valencia  Criminal Trespass

Juston Barbee  Assault Family Violence

Roberto Garcia  Public Intoxication

Lesley Pendergrass  Theft of Property

Alejandro Valero  Warrant

David Glass  Warrant

Kamariza Niyoyankunze  Warrant

Francisco Morales  Driving While Intoxicated

Craig Beverley  Driving While Intoxicated

Allen Hernandez  Assault Family Violence

Jessica Thibodeau  Driving While Intoxicated

Eian Kreling-Dillard  Assault Family Violence

Michael Williams  Possession of Controlled Substance, Evading Arrest Detention

Cassandra Greene  Warrant

Dillan Gomez  Warrant

Brandon Baldivia  Public Intoxication

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com.
There has been a sharp increase in antisemitism around the world since the Oct. 7, 2023, massacre by Hamas and Israels subsequent military attacks in the Gaza Strip.

The apparent connection of this spike to many countries condemnation of Israels response has brought renewed focus on the relationship between antisemitism and anti-Zionism. When does criticism of Israel cross the line to antisemitism, and when is it a legitimate political expression?

As a scholar of modern Jewish history, antisemitism and Zionism, I suggest that the key to understanding that relationship begins with understanding antisemitism itself.

History of antisemitism

Anti-Jewish animosity is certainly not new  it dates to antiquity. The early Christian church attacked Jews for rejecting Christ and blamed them collectively for crucifying him.

The Gospel of John in the New Testament was particularly vitriolic, accusing Jews of being Satans children. The fourth century church father John Chrysostom called them demons intent on sacrificing the souls of men.

Medieval Christians added other myths, such as the infamous blood libel  the lie that Jews ritually murdered Christian children for their blood. Other myths accused them of poisoning wells, of desecrating the consecrated host of the Eucharist to reenact the murder of Christ; some even claimed that they had inhuman biology such as horns or that they suckled at the teats of pigs.

Such lies led to violent persecution of Jews over many centuries.

Modern antisemitism

In the 19th century, these myths were supplanted by the additional element of race  the claim that Jewishness was immutable and could not be changed via conversion. Though this idea first appeared in 15th-century Spain, it was deeply connected to the rise of modern nationalism.

Nineteenth century ethno-nationalists rejected the idea of a political nation united in a social contract with each other. They began imagining the nation as a biological community linked by common descent in which Jews might be tolerated but could never truly belong.

Finally, in 1879, the German journalist Wilhelm Marr coined the term antisemitism to reflect that his anti-Jewish ideology was based on race, not religion. He chose the term because he imagined the Jews as a foreign, semitic race, referring to the language group that includes Hebrew. The term has since persisted to mean specifically anti-Jewish hostility or prejudice.

The myth of a Jewish conspiracy

Modern antisemitism built on those premodern foundations, which never completely disappeared, but was fundamentally different. It emerged as part of the new politics of the democratic modern era.

Antisemitism became the core platform of new political parties, which used it to unite otherwise opposing groups such as shopkeepers and farmers, anxious about the modernizing world. In other words, it was not merely prejudice  it was a worldview that explained the entire world to its believers by blaming all of its faults on this scapegoat.

Unlike anti-Jewish hatred in this past, this was less about religion, that Jews rejected Christ, and more about political and social issues. Antisemites believed the conspiracy theory that Jews all over the world controlled the levers of government, media and banking, and that defeating them would solve societys problems.

Thus, one of the most important features of modern antisemitic mythology was the belief that Jews constituted a single, malevolent group, with one mind, organized for the purpose of conquering and destroying the world.

Negative traits attributed to Jews

Antisemitic books and cartoons often used claws or tentacles to symbolize the international Jew, a shadowy figure they blamed for leading a global conspiracy, strangling and destroying society. Others depicted him as a puppet master running the world.

In the late 19th century, Edmond Rothschild, head of the most famous Jewish banking family, was villainized as the symbol of international Jewish wealth and nefarious power.

Today, it is typically the billionaire liberal philanthropist George Soros who is often portrayed in similar ways. Caricatures of Soros portray him as a puppet master secretly controlling all levers of government, media, the economy and even foreign migration.

This myth that Jews constitute an international creature plotting to harm the nation has inspired massacres of Jews since the 19th century, beginning with the Russian pogroms of 1881 and leading up to the Holocaust.

More recently, in 2018, Robert Bowers murdered 11 Jews at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh because he was convinced that Jews, collectively under the guidance of Soros, were working to destroy America by facilitating the mass migration of nonwhite people into the country.

Modern antisemites ascribe many immutable negative traits to Jews, but two are particularly widespread. First, Jews are said to be ruthless misers who care more about their ill-gotten wealth than the interests of their countries. Second, Jews loyalty to their countries is considered suspect because they are said to constitute a foreign element.

Since Israels establishment in 1948, this hatred has focused on the accusation that Jews primary loyalty is to Israel, not the countries they live in.

Antisemitism and anti-Zionism

In recent years, the relationship between antisemitism and anti-Zionism has taken on renewed importance. Zionism has many factions but roughly refers to the modern political movement that argues Jews constitute a nation and have a right to self-determination in that land.

Some activists claim that anti-Zionism  ideological opposition to Zionism  is inherently antisemitic because they equate it with denying Jews the right to self-determination and therefore equality.

Others feel that there needs to be a clearer separation between the two, that not all criticism of Israel is anti-Zionist, and not all anti-Zionism is antisemitic.

Zionism in practice has meant the achievement of a flourishing safe haven for Jews, but also led to dislocation or inequality for millions of Palestinians, including refugees, West Bank Palestinians who still live under military rule, and even Palestinian citizens of Israel who face legal and social discrimination. Anti-Zionism opposes this, and critics argue that it should not be labeled antisemitic unless it taps into those antisemitic myths or otherwise calls for violence or inequality for Jews.

This debate is clearly evident in the competing definitions of antisemitism that have recently emerged. Three have gained particular prominence. The first was the so-called working definition of the International Holocaust Remembrance Association, or the IHRA, published in 2016.

In response, an academic task force published the Nexus definition in 2021, followed by the Jerusalem Declaration that same year, the latter signed by hundreds of international scholars of antisemitism.

Remarkably, all three definitions tend to agree on the nature of antisemitism in most areas except the relationship of anti-Israel rhetoric to antisemitism. The IHRAs definition, which is by design vague and open to interpretation, allows for a wider swath of anti-Israel activism to be labeled antisemitic than the others.

The Jerusalem Declaration, in contrast, understands rhetoric to have crossed the line only when it engages in antisemitic mythology, blames diaspora Jews for the actions of the Israeli state, or calls for the oppression of Jews in Israel. Thus, for example, IHRA defenders use that definition to label a call for binational democracy  meaning citizenship for West Bank Palestinians  to be antisemitic. Likewise, they label boycotts even of West Bank settlements that most of the world calls illegal to be antisemitic. The Jerusalem Declaration would not do so.

In other words, the key to identifying whether anti-Israel discourse has masked antisemitism is to see evidence of the antisemitic mythology. For example, if Israel is described as part of an international conspiracy or if it holds the key to solving global problems, all three definitions agree this is antisemitic.

Equally, if Jews or Jewish institutions are held responsible for Israeli actions or are expected to take a stand one way or another regarding them, again all three definitions agree this crosses the line because it is based on the myth of a global Jewish conspiracy.

Critically, for many Jews in the diaspora, Zionism is not primarily a political argument about the state of Israel. For many Jews, it constitutes a generic sense of Jewish identity and pride, even a religious identity. In contrast, many protests against Israel and Zionism are focused not on ideology but on the actual state and its real or alleged actions.

This disconnect can lead to confusion if protests conflate Jews with Israel just because they are Zionist, which is antisemitic. On the other hand, Jews sometimes take protests against Israel in defense of Palestinian rights to be attacks on their Zionist identity and thus antisemitic, when they are not. There are certainly gray areas, but in general calls for Palestinian equality, I believe, are legitimate even when they upset Zionist identities.

In my view, antisemitism must be identified and fought, but so too must efforts to squash legitimate protest of Israel by conflating it with antisemitism. By understanding the mythology underlying antisemitism, hopefully both can be accomplished.

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and analysis to help you make sense of our complex world.

It was written by: Joshua Shanes, College of Charleston.

Read more:



Joshua Shanes does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
A Cuban music promoter is being accused of playing a role in a multimillion dollar scheme selling misbranded psychiatric, cancer and HIV medications to pharmacies across the country.

Boris Arencibia, 50, was arrested at his Miami-Dade home on Friday morning, according to an indictment. Arencibia is charged with conspiracy to deliver misbranded and adulterated drugs, conspiracy to traffic in medical products with false documentation and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Arencibia is the owner and president of South Florida-based Caribe Promotions. He has represented musicians and boxers, including Cuban professional boxer Guillermo Rigondeaux. The promoter caught the ire of Miamis Cuban community after acknowledging that he was an organizer of the Santa Maria Music Fest in Cuba, which was deemed controversial by some due to its financial links to the Cuban military.

According to the indictment filed in the Southern District of Florida, Arencibia conspired with Lazaro Hernandez and about a dozen others from 2013 through 2019 to buy expensive prescription medications from people who obtained them through theft, burglary or health care fraud. Hernandez, a Miami businessman, was arrested in 2022 after being accused of directing the $230 million scheme.

READ MORE: Miami man arrested in $230 million HIV-drug scheme, then gains release from fed lockup

Arencibia, the indictment says, used two corporations  Quality Supplement Distributors and LDD Distributors Inc., which he registered in Connecticut under somebody elses name  to launder about $400,000.

Defense attorney Frank Quintero, who is representing Arencibia, told the Miami Herald he has been aware that the promoter has been under federal investigation for about a year. Arencibia, Quintero said, offered to surrender but was never given the opportunity to do so.

The charges were unsealed on Friday and we will be investigating the allegations against him, Quintero said. Mr. Arencibia is presumed innocent until proven guilty and we look forward to clearing his name.

The FBI hasnt responded to the Miami Heralds request for comment on Arencibias arrest.

Allegations unveiled years before?

A lawsuit filed in 2021 in the Eastern District of New York outlines similar allegations. It also names Hernandez as a defendant  and Arencibia as a material witness.

In a complaint, pharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences claimed that more than 200 individuals and companies across the U.S. were passing off antipsychotic pills as the companys HIV medications. Attorneys for Gilead Sciences said they sought to put an immediate and permanent stop to [the defendants] knowing and willful sale, marketing, and distribution of counterfeit prescription drugs.

In April 2023, Arencibia was served with a subpoena, which required him to testify in the case. Quintero represented Arencibia in the suit.

A history with the feds?

Friday wasnt the first time Arencibia has caught the attention of federal prosecutors.

In 2000, Arencibia was accused of possessing equipment that could create fraudulent credit cards, according to Southern District of Florida court records. He took a plea deal and was sentenced to six months in federal prison followed by three years of probation.

Arencibia will appear in Miami federal court for a detention hearing on Feb. 7. If convicted, he could face up to 40 years behind bars.
Capt. Andrew Dojo Olson, F-35 Heritage Flight Team pilot and commander performs a vertical climb in an F-35A Lightning II during the Bell Fort Worth Alliance Air Show Oct. 14, 2018, in Fort Worth, Texas. The F-35A Lightning IIs F-135 single-engine contains 43,000 pounds of thrust. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexander Cook)

The Czech Republic has become the latest customer of the F-35 stealth fighter , following several years of planning between the country and the United States. This comes amid a ballooning F-35 footprint in Europe as of late, particularly amongst NATO member states.

It was officially confirmed today by Lockheed Martin, the aircraft's manufacturer, that the Czech government has signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) marking its intent to procure 24 fifth-generation F-35 aircraft through the U.S. government's Foreign Military Sale (FMS) program. While the precise F-35 variant being sold to the Czech Republic was not confirmed by Lockheed, this presumably pertains to the conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) F-35A variant .

The aircraft will boast the latest advanced Block 4 upgrades, the company notes. In addition to the F-35s, the procurement also includes personnel training, service and logistical support, and developing other support services ensuring successful deliveries of all 24 F-35s, per Lockheed.

In all, its been reported that the deal is worth around 150 billion Czech koruna ($6.6 billion at the time of writing). Previously, it was suggested by the Czech government that $5 billion of any agreement would be spent on the aircraft, the training of pilots, and ammunition, while the remaining monies would be used to upgrade Caslav Air Force base in the central Czech Republic as well as for fuel and staff training. The current thinking is that the Czech Air Force will receive its first F-35 in 2031, with the rest reportedly arriving by 2035.

I promised that the contract for American F-35 aircraft would be concluded by the end of March at the latest, and today I fulfilled this promise, the Czech Minister of Defense Jana Cernochova reportedly said after the LOA was officially signed earlier today.

That negotiations between the Czech Republic and the United States for 24 F-35s were starting was confirmed by both Cernochova and by the country's Prime Minister Petr Fiala back in July 2022. Following those negotiations, the Czech government officially approved the acquisition of the aircraft in September 2023, at which time the State Department put an estimated value on the deal of up to $5.62 billion.

As we noted previously , the future addition of 24 F-35s will increase not only the capabilities but also the size of the Czech Republics fighter force, replacing the countrys single squadron of Saab JAS 39C/D Gripens .

A pair of Czech Air Force JAS 39C Gripen fighter jets. Jan Kouba, Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces of the Czech Republic

The fleet of Gripens, comprising 12 single-seaters and a pair of two-seaters, are primarily used for air defense both locally and on a rotational basis to protect the airspace of the Baltic States and Iceland. The first aircraft was delivered to Caslav in 2005 as part of a leasing deal signed in 2004 with Sweden. An extension to said deal, signed in 2014, is set to keep the Gripens flying until at least 2027, although this could still be extended to 2029.

Previously, it was reported that Sweden offered Prague the option of keeping the Gripens almost free of charge instead of the latter procuring F-35 fighters . Procuring Lockheeds F-35 was also deemed by Prague to be a better economic decision than acquiring the new JAS 39E/F Gripen version .

A pair of JAS 39E Gripens. Saab

On top of this, the Czech Republic also operates 16 single-seat L-159A Advanced Light Combat Aircraft , or ALCA, and five of the two-seat L-159T1 version; these are used primarily for light attack and close support. It remains unclear if the F-35s will replace these aircraft, too.

A Czech Air Force L-159A Advanced Light Combat Aircraft, or ALCA. Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces of the Czech Republic

Moving from the Gripen to the F-35 will see the country trade a modestly upgraded fourth-generation fighter for a fifth-generation one with stealth characteristics and the option of including advanced standoff weaponry.

Switching to the F-35 brings benefits for the Czech Republic in terms of platform sharing with both NATO members and future NATO members in Europe  a significant factor, given that Prague initially cited tensions in Eastern Europe and the war in Ukraine as a key reason for acquiring the aircraft. Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, and the United Kingdom have all ordered the F-35, and Romania expects to sign a LOA this year for the aircraft .

Most recently, 40 F-35s and related equipment were approved for sale to Greece by the Biden administration, alongside 40 Block 70 F-16 Fighting Falcons for Turkey, following the latters ratification of Swedish NATO membership. Lockheed anticipates that by the 2030s, more than 600 F-35s will work together from more than 10 European countries, including two full U.S. F-35 squadrons stationed at Royal Air Force Lakenheath in England.

Switzerland, which is not a member of NATO, is set to start receiving F-35 deliveries later this decade, while U.S. Air Force F-35s are permanently based in Europe.

Despite these technological and interoperability advantages, there will be a lengthy wait before the Czech Republic receives all its F-35s, which places added pressure on the service life of the countrys Gripens.

As we highlighted recently , delays surround the development and testing of the Tech Refresh-3 (TR-3) hardware configuration  the new hardware backbone and associated baseline software required to handle the various demands of the Block 4 upgrades, the precise makeup of which you can read more about here . Delays with TR-3 mean that F-35s are being parked and not delivered after they are constructed, waiting for these features.

Some of the unclassified upgrades are expected to be part of Block 4. The exact configuration is not publicly disclosed just yet. DOD

These delays have added significant cost to the F-35 program, too, which has struggled significantly at times . As we noted earlier this month :

At a House Armed Services Committee hearing in December [2023], Representative Donald Norcross, a Democrat from New Jersey, said that problems with TR-3 had led to a $1 billion cost overrun. The full estimated cost of the F-35 program through the end of its expected lifecycle in the 2070s is currently pegged at around $1.7 trillion, according to the Government Accountability Office (GAO).

That the Czech Republic is now formally committed to procuring the F-35 is clearly a boost not only for the country but for the aircrafts manufacturing program, too, but the full extent of its undoubted capabilities could still be subject to delay.

Contact the author: oliver@thewarzone.com
TULARE COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE)  The Tulare County District Attorney says Proposition 57 may reduce a sentence significantly for a 38-year-old man.

The DA says Luis Nuno was sentenced to 56 years to life in prison for the third strike offense of threatening to kill people while armed with a knife.

Proposition 57 may reduce that sentence significantly., according to the DA.

This case is a classic example of the fraud Proposition 57 created by eliminating truth in sentencing, said Tulare County District Attorney Tim Ward. To categorize crimes such as criminal threats and domestic violence as nonviolent is an affront to crime victims across the state. Every day, my prosecutors fight for justice in our courtrooms, yet their hard work which resulted in this life sentence is utterly undermined by Proposition 57. Victims and their families deserve to have truth in sentencing in California.

The Tulare County District Attorney says on March 6, 2023, Tulare County Sheriffs Deputies were dispatched to a store in Pixley. Upon contacting the two victims, deputies learned that Nuno approached them as they were walking in and asked why they were following him. The victims told him they were not. Nuno pulled out a knife and profanely threatened to stab them. The victims took safety in the store and contacted law enforcement. Nuno was arrested soon after with the knife in his pocket.

At trial in early November 2023, officials say Nuno was found guilty in a court trial of two counts of felony criminal threats with the special allegations that he used a weapon, threatened great bodily harm with a deadly weapon, possessed prior serious convictions, and possessed prior strikes. In addition, Nuno was also found guilty of theft in a separate case for stealing apparel and an Apple tablet from a Tulare gym in August of 2021. In addition to a lengthy criminal record throughout California, Utah, and Arizona, the DA says Nuno possesses prior strikes for burglary in 2013 and 2014 in Tulare County. Under existing California law, criminal threats (PC 422) are not considered a violent felony, thus, Proposition 57 will classify the defendant as a non-violent inmate.

Upon completion of his incarceration on count 1 (3 years), the defendant may be eligible for early release.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com.
When he recalls childhood memories of Spring Festival, which marks the first day of the first lunar month, Qu Peng, 44, still feels excited.

In addition to the delicious food made by his family and new clothes his parents bought him, Qu enjoyed watching traditional Chinese operas performed by art troupes from Shaanxi, his home province, and the neighboring provinces of Shanxi and Henan.

Born and raised in a small village in Tongguan county, Shaanxi, Qu said, "First came the sounds of percussion instruments such as drums and cymbals, before two costumed performers wearing heavy makeup appeared on the stage.

"Once they started singing, dancing and practicing martial arts, they were transformed into characters from ancient times, such as heroes fighting on the battlefield. They performed outdoors on very high stages, and I usually woke up early in the morning, hoping to squeeze my way to the front to get close to the performers."

Qu's parents worked with an art troupe from Tongguan that specialized in performing Qinqiang Opera. Compared with Jinju Opera from Shanxi and Yuju Opera from Henan, Qinqiang Opera has always been Qu's favorite.

Performed in the Shaanxi dialect, Qinqiang Opera is known for its intense rhythm and high-pitched singing. The first such work Qu learned to sing was the classic Three Drops of Blood, which premiered in 1919 and tells the story of a wrongful conviction.

"When the audience cheered and applauded the players, I wished I had been one of the performers," he said.

Now an actor with Yisushe Theater in Xi'an, capital of Shaanxi, Qu heads the performance team. For Spring Festival this year, he will stage more than 80 shows at the theater.

"Each day, from the first day of Lunar New Year until Lantern Festival (which marks the end of the Lunar New Year), we will perform in Xi'an and villages in Shaanxi, Shanxi and Henan. We put on about nine shows a day and our audiences usually gather in front of the stage on benches ahead of the shows," Qu said.

He added that the upcoming Spring Festival will be different from those in recent years, as people's lives have returned to normal after the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We expect to see more people coming to our shows," Qu said, adding that classic and contemporary Qinqiang Opera performances will be staged.

In 1912, Yisushe Theater was founded by two scriptwriters from Shaanxi  Li Tongxuan (1860-1932) and Sun Renyu (1872-1934)  who were inspired by the 1911 Xinhai Revolution led by Sun Yatsen, which ended the rule of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

Unlike other troupes, most of which were founded by folk artists to make a living and entertain the public, Yisushe was established in the hope of making a difference during the war by educating those who were too poor to go to school. The troupe also ran a school to train young performers in Qinqiang Opera.

Yisushe, one of the oldest art troupes in China, has preserved some 880 original scripts in 1,000 volumes that address social issues and embody values such as honesty, bravery, loyalty and justice.

"The theater is old, but our actors and actresses are very young," Qu said, adding that the theater has some 60 performers with an average age of 35. "More important, more and more young people are coming to our shows, thanks to the tourism boom in Xi'an," he said.

Emotional touch

Ji Fuji, 82, former director of Yisushe Theater, said that as Spring Festival is about family reunions and returning home, people in Shaanxi who move away to work in different parts of the country consider Qinqiang Opera as a way of staying in emotional touch with home.

In 2021, a street in the Drum Tower area, or Gulou area, of downtown Xi'an was turned into a cultural hub for Yisushe Theater to celebrate Qinqiang Opera. The area was renamed Yisu Theater Cultural District, and its theaters, restaurants and museums, which include The Museum of Yisushe, are popular with locals and tourists.

Ji, who first performed as a Qinqiang Opera actor when he was 9 and was director of Yisushe Theater from 1985 to 2005, said: "Tourists usually visit Xi'an for its historical landmarks, including the Bell Tower, Drum Tower and the ancient city walls. Now, many people come to the Yisushe Theater Cultural District, a new tourist destination, to celebrate Lunar New Year."

Although he has retired, Ji still regularly trains the theater's young performers and writes scripts for new Qinqiang Opera pieces.

"Last year, I worked with the theater's young performers during the Spring Festival holiday. We had a hectic schedule and were away from our families, but we were happy and satisfied. It reminded me of my younger days as a Qinqiang Opera actor, when I expected to be at my busiest during Spring Festival, traveling and performing each day," Ji said.

A report examining tourism consumption in China's performing arts market last year, which was released by the China Association of Performing Arts, said Xi'an, the capital for 13 dynasties in Chinese history, was among the nation's most popular tour destinations in 2023.Revenue from the city's performing arts market exceeded the level in 2019, before the onset of the pandemic.

Nearly 10,000 live performances were staged nationwide during Spring Festival last year, a rise of about 22.5 percent compared with the same period in 2019.Total ticket revenue from such performances during the 2023 Spring Festival holiday was about 378 million yuan ($52.54 million)  about 80 percent of the level in 2019.

With the performing arts market in China experiencing a robust recovery last year, more people are expected to visit theaters during Spring Festival this year.

The report also said that with the performing arts market booming in 2023, theatrical production companies have introduced new works to bring fresh ideas to Chinese theaters, in particular to appeal to young audiences. Performances staged in nontraditional spaces have become a new trend, the report added.

Director Zhang Xiao said: "Picture a theater without walls and a stage without curtains. Audiences are part of shows and performers move shows forward by constantly interacting with audiences. Nontraditional theater pushes the boundaries of traditional theater and offers a unique, exciting experience for performers and audiences."

Zhang's work, Miss Julie, a Chinese stage adaptation of August Strindberg's renowned eponymous play, which was published in 1888 and first performed in 1889, has witnessed 36 sold-out shows since it premiered on Nov 17.

The first nontraditional theatrical production by Star Theaters, which is home to five small auditoriums, Miss Julie attracts theatergoers by removing traditional spatial boundaries between performers and the audience.

Zhang, 31, who graduated from the Central Academy of Drama, said that when he was approached by Star Theaters to create a show for nontraditional theater, he was intrigued by the idea and decided to adapt Miss Julie, which he read for the first time as a university student.

The production has just three roles: Julie; the Count, who is Julie's father; and Jean, an attractive and educated valet who works for the Count.

The auditorium, which usually seats 200, has been turned into a basement kitchen at Julie's home, with only 60 seats available in different parts of the set.

"Since my student days, I have enjoyed the idea of presenting theatrical productions in spaces other than traditional theaters. It's like a game that I design for audiences," said Zhang, who has created productions in a narrow hutong, or alleyway, in downtown Beijing, and also in a coffee shop and a swimming pool.

Key reason

Deng Wei, vice-president of Star Theaters, who is also the company's chief producer, said Zhang's knowledge and passion for nontraditional theater was the key reason Star Theaters invited him to stage Miss Julie.

"The pandemic seems to have changed the way in which people want to enjoy theaters. I have found that audiences are tending to look for new theater experiences after the hard times during the pandemic, when there were no live performances," Deng said.

"The government has also drawn up plans for developing nontraditional theater, and Star Theaters is included in these plans."

Deng added that a survey the company conducted for Miss Julie found that audiences for the production were mainly in the 18-30 age group, much younger than the creative team expected. Before each show, the team plans games for audiences to prepare them for the production.

"Some audience members even dress up as the characters from Miss Julie," Deng said. "Coming to a show is no longer just about watching the performers onstage. It is an opportunity to communicate, meet people, and experience something traditional theaters cannot offer."

A total of 175 performances of Miss Julie are scheduled for this year, including during the Spring Festival holiday.

To appeal to tourists in Beijing, Star Theaters is working on a new production, combining stage performances with live action role-playing games.

Zheng Yi Temple Theater, located near the Qianmen commercial area in the Chinese capital, is also a popular destination for theater lovers.

The venue, which boasts a history of about 350 years, is the nation's oldest theater built from wood. Since it reopened in April 2022, it has gained a large fan base by staging a diverse range of shows, from traditional Chinese operas to classical music recitals.

For Spring Festival this year, it will present a series of shows catering to tourists and local residents.

Zhang Peng, general manager of the theater, said the two-story building only has about 130 seats, giving audiences the sense of being fully immersed in shows.

Zheng Yi Temple Theater is one of the few that remain in commercial guild halls in Beijing, Zhang said. Since it reopened, it has attracted numerous audiences, including those who watch shows streamed online.

Since 2022, the theater has been operated by Northern Kunqu Opera Theater, the only professional company in northern China dedicated to Kunqu Opera, which is performed in the melodic Suzhou dialect.

The company has exclusively choreographed Kunqu Opera works for the theater to showcase an art form that is about 600 years old and combines singing, dancing and acting.

In 2008, Kungqu Opera was inscribed on the representative list of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

Zhang Peng said: "When audiences watch shows in the theater, they enjoy the beauty of traditional Chinese genres such as Kunqu Opera and Peking Opera. They also go back in time, as many Chinese artists, including Peking Opera masters Mei Lanfang and Tan Xinpei, once performed at the theater."
The U.S. and Iran are on a collision courseand that could mean war. Iranian-backed militants launched a drone strike on a military outpost in Jordan, resulting in the deaths of three U.S. service members stationed there. The attack was a response to continued U.S. support for Israel and its war effort against Hamas, an effort that has destroyed much of Gaza and resulted in 20,000 Palestinian casualties.

President Joe Biden vowed to respond to the attack. "Have no doubt: We will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner our choosing," he tweeted Sunday afternoon.

Hawkish Republicans are already calling for open war with Iran, with Sens. Lindsey Graham (RS.C.) and John Cornyn (RTex.) urging Biden to hit Iran hard. Their remarks drew swift rebukes from others on the right, including Tucker Carlson, Vivek Ramaswamy, and Candace Owens.

Former Rep. Justin Amash (LMich.) criticized the decision to keep U.S. troops "in harm's way" all over the world without a clear mission or congressional authorization. He has a point: Doing so has endangered these soldiers' safety and U.S. national security interests. Even if it is reasonable for the government to retaliate after an attack, the best policy would be to forestall this possibility by keeping the troops out of danger in the first place.

And while the Biden administration has stood firmly behind Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahuoffering only mild, occasional criticism of Netanyahu's war aimsperhaps Biden should consider whether total and unqualified support, and financial assistance, to Israel is undermining our own security.

The bottom line: The Middle East is in crisis, and the U.S. is being dragged into a broader military conflict of dubious necessity.

Biden wants the border deal, and he wants it now. The president is practically begging Democrats and Republicans to agree to legislation that would give him the authority "to shut down the border when it becomes overwhelmed."

The Senate's version of the current deal requires a shutdown of the border the number of illegal crossings reaches a certain threshold. At that point, migrants would be sent back to their home countries, whether or not they plan to claim asylum.

Mexico would need to agree to take back these migrants. But an even steeper challenge could be getting House Republicans on board. Former President Trump has ordered Speaker of the House Mike Johnson to nix anything short of a "perfect" border deal. Trump probably believes that he benefits politically from unrest at the borderand he's rightso the GOP has very little incentive to actually agree to anything.

In any case, the Senate border plan is a mess, and springs from profoundly un-libertarian impulses: 4,999 migrant crossings is fine, but 5,000 is too many and should trigger a shutdown of the border and automatic deportations? Congress needs to make it easier for people to come to the U.S. legally and work here. Arbitrary caps make no sense.

Is Robert F. Kennedy Jr. pursuing the Libertarian Party's presidential nomination after all? In a recent interview on CNN, the independent candidate again addressed the possibility that he might join up with the Libertarian Party.

"That is something that we're looking at," Kennedy told CNN's Michael Smerconish. "We have a really good, relationship with the Libertarian Party. I'm going to be speaking at the California Libertarian Party convention."

Last summer, at a time when RFK Jr. was ostensibly still running against President Joe Biden for the Democratic Party's nomination, he met with Libertarian leadership about changing parties. Angela McArdle, chair of the Libertarian Party, was clearly excited about the possibility, telling me in an interview that she was thrilled to see his political thinking evolving in a more libertarian direction. "The lockdowns and mandates seem to have stirred an awakening within him, causing him to reconsider many of his other political stances," she said.

Nevertheless, RFK Jr. opted to run as an independent candidate. The October 7 attacks on Israel further strained matters, as RFK Jr.'s unqualified support for U.S. financial assistance to Israel irked many libertarians; the Libertarian Party's X account invited his "disenfranchised" anti-war supporters to jump ship.

One possible reason for Kennedy to consider seeking the party's endorsement is ballot access. Qualifying for the ballot in all 50 states is a difficult task for an independent; as the U.S.'s largest third party, the Libertarian Party already possesses access in most states.

In other RFK Jr. news, the candidate has claimed that former President Donald Trump's campaign floated the idea last year of offering him the vice presidency.

BREAKING: Robert Kennedy Jr. says that members of President Trump's team did ask him to be Trump's Vice President for his second administration.

"People from the team have reached out to me," Kennedy said. RFK Jr. also stated, "I'm flattered President Trump would offer (that) to pic.twitter.com/uMJ6ePI71j  Christian (@ChristianM_74) January 29, 2024

"I would not take that job," said Kennedy, according to NewsNation. "And I'm flattered that President Trump would offer it to me, but it's not something that I'm interested in."

Scenes from Washington, D.C.: The federal government has vowed to intervene in D.C.'s crime wave, saying it will assist with carjacking cases and other violent offenses.

"This surge in law enforcement resources will build on the Department's efforts to target the individuals and organizations that are driving violent crime in the nation's capital," said Attorney General Merrick Garland. "The Justice Department will not rest until every community in our country is safe from the scourge of violent crime."

QUICK HITS

Sen. John Fetterman (DPenn.) said he opposes Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's prposed crackdown on Zyn, saying that he's "on the side of more freedom."

A jury has ordered Trump to pay $83 million to E. Jean Carroll.

Workers at a U.N. aid agency have been accused of having ties to Hamas.

Climate activists are at it again:

????#BREAKING: Climate activist has attack and thrown soup at the famous Mona Lisa painting in the Louvre Museum, Paris pic.twitter.com/vu3FVa1555  R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) January 28, 2024

The San Francisco 49er and the Kansas City Chiefs will advance to the Super Bowl.

Biden clearly had a good time at this beer brewery:

JOE BIDEN: "In beer brew here Huh ish issah use to make the brew beer here.. Issh Weer-fining Oooooh Earth Rider Thanks for the Great Lakes!" pic.twitter.com/qfHeoIxEj1  The First (@TheFirstonTV) January 25, 2024

The post Death in Jordan appeared first on Reason.com.
A new study has found that DEET, the active ingredient in many mosquito and insect repellents, can be toxic to the reproductive health of worms - warranting further investigation into its potential impacts on humans, researchers said.

The peer-reviewed research from Harvard Medical School found that DEET had negative impacts on the reproductive systems of Caenorhabditis elegans, a species of worm with genetic similarities to humans.

However, DEET is one of the most effective products against mosquito bites because both its smell and taste repel the insects.

Last summer saw a spike in mosquito-borne diseases in the Americas including dengue and chikungunya, global health experts reported. And while investigation is ongoing, research has suggested that rising global temperatures due to the climate crisis are causing an increase in malaria cases.

An Aedes Aegypti mosquito is photographed on human skin. The CDC reported an increase in mosquito-borne diseases in the US last summer (AFP via Getty Images)

Monica Colaiacovo, a genetics professor at Harvard who led the study, applied doses of DEET comparable to whats found in human samples to the worms. Afterwards, Dr Colaiacovo and her team observed damaged DNA during meiosis, an early stage of reproduction.

We saw this increase in DNA damage and errors in how the chromosomes are partitioned, Dr Colaiacovo told The Independent.

The species of worm has several genes in common with humans and researchers often use it as a way to model human reactions, she said.

However, according to Daniel Swale, an associate professor in the Emerging Pathogens Institute and Department of Entomology and Nematology at the University of Florida, the studys results cant yet be extrapolated to humans. He said that people should continue to use DEET-based products to protect themselves.

We have a suite of enzymes that can metabolize and break down that molecule that worms may or may not have, Dr Swale, who was not involved with the study, told The Independent. I think that we must be very careful when trying to extrapolate data from worms on humans.

Dr Colaiacovo plans to conduct further research on the worms.

We want to investigate how the DEET is being metabolized in the worm to see how it compares to how its metabolized in humans, she said. We also want to expand this to look at males because we only looked at females. We want to see whether we see similar or different results when we look at male meiosis.

The genetics professor said that she also hopes to study the effects of DEET on mammals in order to have a more accurate model for its effects on humans.

According to Dr Swale, DEET remains a safe and effective way for people to protect themselves from mosquito-borne diseases.

There have been billions and billions of doses applied directly to human skin over almost 70 years now, and there isnt any absolute, definitive and direct evidence that weve had any issues with health when used appropriately, Dr Swale said. Its actually a fairly safe molecule and it does what its supposed to do: Repel insects.

Decades of research on DEET preceded Dr Colaiacovos study. In recent years, researchers have investigated whether the chemical is a neurotoxicant. Dr Swale, who has led research on the neurotoxicity of DEET, said his research has shown it poses minor risks but is largely safe when applied according to manufacturer instructions.

Last summer, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recorded the first outbreak of locally-acquired, mosquito-transmitted malaria in the US since 2003. The CDC identified seven cases in Florida and one case in Texas between May and July 2023.

The jury is still out on how a rapidly-heating world might impact mosquito-borne diseases. A hotter environment can result in a decrease in mosquito-borne diseases, according to Richard Reithinger, a distinguished fellow in global health at RTI International. On the other hand, high humidity and precipitation can cause an increase in viruses.

Right now, its not necessarily clear how climate change will impact mosquito-borne diseases  whether there is going to be a massive increase, a shift where certain diseases may occur, or even a decline in some regions, Dr Reithinger told The Independent.

For those worried about what future research might find, Dr Colaiacovo said the best thing to do is to follow the manufacturers instructions when using repellent with DEET. Pregnant women may want to be more aware of a potential issue, she said, but that applying DEET spray to clothing rather than directly on skin can be a good solution.

We do need to be able to have ways to protect the general population against these insect-borne diseases, Dr Colaiacovo said.

DEET is a very effective way to do that, but we do also want to make sure people are informed about what they may be doing, she added.
President Joe Biden lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Nov. 2023 at Arlington National Cemetery. On Sunday, Biden said the U.S. will respond to the deaths of the three Georgia soldiers killed in Jordan. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI

Jan. 29 (UPI) -- The U.S. Department of Defense on Monday released the names of three Army Reserve soldiers killed in Jordan in a drone attack on Sunday.

The three soldiers from Georgia -- who ranged in age from 23 to 46 -- were killed in the northeast part of Jordan near Syria when a one-way unmanned aerial system hit their container housing units, according to U.S. officials.

U.S. defense officials said the soldiers were Sgt. William Jerome Rivers, 46, of Carrollton; Spc. Kennedy Ladon Sanders, 24, of Waycross; and Spc. Breonna Alexsondria Moffett, 23, of Savannah.

The trio was stationed in Jordan in support of the anti-ISIS efforts of the ongoing "Operation Inherent Resolve" military mission.

The Defense Department said the incident remains under investigation.

Spc. Breonna Alexsondria Moffett, 23, of Savannah, Ga., was one of three Army Reserve soldiers killed in Jordan on Sunday. Photo courtesy of U.S. Army Reserve Command/UPI

Rivers, Sanders and Moffett originally were assigned to the 718th Engineer Company, 926th Engineer Battalion and the 926th Engineer Brigade in Fort Moore, Ga., the department said.

On Sunday, President Joe Biden said in a statement that the White House still was gathering all the pertinent information surrounding the attack, but added that "we know it was carried out by radical Iran-backed militant groups operating in Syria and Iraq.

Sgt. William Jerome Rivers, 46, of Carrollton, Ga., was one of three Army Reserve soldiers killed in Jordan on Sunday. Photo courtesy of U.S. Army Reserve Command/UPI

"We shall respond," Biden said Sunday in response to the attack on the soldiers during an event in South Carolina, calling the three Georgia soldiers "brave souls."

During Monday's press briefing at the White House, U.S. national security spokesman John Kirby said the mission in Jordan will continue.

Spc. Kennedy Ladon Sanders, 24, of Waycross, Ga., was one of three Army Reserve soldiers killed in Jordan on Sunday. Photo courtesy of U.S. Army Reserve Command/UPI

Saying that the soldiers stationed there "were conducting a vital mission in the region, aimed at helping us work with partners to counter ISIS," Kirby said, "That mission must and will continue."

Kirby, the Pentagon's National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communication, said that mission has no direct connection to hostilities between Israel and Hamas militants in Gaza.

Kirby said the United States doesn't "seek another war" -- though he warned: "But we will absolutely do what is required to protect ourselves, to continue that mission, and to respond appropriately to these attacks."
The Defense Ministry and law enforcement agencies continue to carry out surprise inspections in regional enlistment offices and food warehouses and have already found many violations, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov wrote on Jan. 28 on Facebook.

Multiple cases of power abuse, illegal enrichment, and corruption in Ukraine's military enlistment offices have been reported since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.

Under its previous leadership, the Defense Ministry has also been involved in numerous corruption scandals connected to inflated prices or low-quality supplies for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

According to Umerov, the Defense Ministry aims to fix all the drawbacks systematically and cooperates with the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), the State Bureau of Investigation, and the Prosecutor Generals Office.

The defense minister did not specify which enlistment offices and warehouses have been already inspected.

Join our community Support independent journalism in Ukraine. Join us in this fight. Support us

The inspection uncovered violations in food delivery worth more than Hr 50 million ($1.32 million), Umerov noted. In response to discovered violations, the Defense Ministry changed the supplier of some military units.

"We will continue, and there will be more news," Umerov wrote.

The Defense Ministry also returned to the state budget Hr 1.5 billion (nearly $40 million) embezzled in an artillery shells scheme that was uncovered last week. In a separate case, the ministry won a lawsuit against the Lviv Arsenal defense company, which had failed to deliver mines worth $40 million.

In the summer of 2023, a journalistic investigation uncovered that Yevhen Borysov, the former head of Odesa's military enlistment office, had acquired property worth $4.5 million in Spain during Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

A media investigation into Borysov's extensive property in Spain has sparked a nationwide inspection into illicit practices in Ukraine's military enlistment offices.

In October 2023, the National Agency on Corruption Prevention reported that six military enlistment officials were suspected of illegally acquiring assets worth over Hr 255 million ($6.7 million) in the past half a year.

Read also: State Bureau of Investigation says it uncovered unprecedented scheme to evade mobilization

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  After almost a month of recovering at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and then at home, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin hosted a meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

At this important time, Im glad to be back at the Pentagon, said Austin, speaking at the start of the meeting. I feel good and recovering well, but still recovering, and I appreciate all the good wishes that I have received thus far.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin treated for prostate cancer

Austin has been working from home since he got out of the hospital on Jan. 15, and he made his first public appearance early last week during a virtual Ukraine contact defense group meeting. He gave opening remarks for the meeting via video camera that was streamed online.

The important topics that Austin and Stoltenberg plan to discuss in closed door meetings include continued support for Ukraine, Houthi attacks, and Beijings monitoring of global conflicts.

Our support for Ukraine is not charity, it is an investment in our own security, Stoltenberg said. The world will become more dangerous if President Putin wins in Ukraine.

U.S. leaders push allies to step up aid to Ukraine as they await further funding from Congress

Both Stoltenberg and Austin praised Turkey for ending their holdout and officially ratifying Swedens membership into NATO. Hungary remains the last ally needed to ratify. When asked if he is confident about Swedens accession, Stoltenberg said Friday that hes absolutely confident, and I count on Hungary.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
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.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin returned to regular duties at the Pentagon Monday after working from home following cancer treatment. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI

Jan. 29 (UPI) -- U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin returned to his regular duties at the Pentagon after receiving treatment for cancer.

The Department of Defense confirmed in a statement that Austin, 70, had returned to work at the Pentagon after conducting his work from home following his release two weeks ago from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

Following a checkup on Friday, doctors at Walter Reed said Austin's "prostate cancer was treated early and effectively, and his prognosis is excellent."

They added he was expected to make a "full recovery" and no further treatments were planned outside of continued physical therapy and post-prostatectomy follow-up appointments.

Austin underwent surgery on Dec. 22 and was discharged the same day but was later admitted on Jan. 1 to the intensive care unit at Walter Reed outside Washington after he experienced intestinal pain.

The White House was not notified of complications with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's cancer treatment until three days after he was hospitalized, leading for calls for his removal but the Biden administration offered its support. File Photo by Nathan Howard/UPI

The White House was notified three days later which caused backlash and some calling for Austin to resign from his cabinet post. But the Biden administration reaffirmed its support for Austin and dismissed any call for him to step down.

A formal, Republican-led congressional inquiry into Austin's perceived failure to inform the president of his condition was labeled as "unacceptable" by House Armed Services Committee Chairman U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., who was critical of the situation. Rogers has requested that Austin give a Feb. 14 testimony to answer any remaining questions from members of Congress.

"With wars in Ukraine and Israel, the idea that the White House and even your own deputy did not understand the nature of your condition is patently unacceptable," Rogers commented.

John Kirby -- the Pentagon's National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communication -- said Biden not only values Austin's "advice, candor, and leadership" but "respects" how the former four-star general "took ownership for the lack of transparency." He added that the administration feels Austin has done an "amazing job" leading national defense since he took the job on Jan. 22, 2021.
DELPHI, Ind.  The contentious relationship between Delphi murder suspect Richard Allen's attorney and Special Judge Frances Gull again took center stage in filings Monday for Gull to step away from the high-profile case.

"The Court's conduct demonstrates the Court's inability to remain impartial to Defendant Allen and further demonstrates that this Court has engaged in judicial conduct which undermines all public confidence in the independence., integrity, and impartiality of the Court  ," Allen stated in an affidavit he signed Saturday and was filed Monday with the motion to disqualify Gull.

Allen is accused of killing Libby German and Abby Williams on Feb. 13, 2017, after the girls were abducted from the hiking trails near the Monon High Bridge east of Delphi, according to prosecutors. He is charged with two counts of murder, two counts of murder while kidnapping and two counts of kidnapping.

Officers transport murder suspect Richard Allen during a hearing regarding sealed documents, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022, at Carroll County Courthouse in Delphi, Ind.

Allen's attorneys, Brad Rozzi and Andrew Baldwin, motion for Gull's removal cited an affidavit from Allen touching on how Gull appears biased against the defense based on her public rulings. The filings come just 11 days after the Indiana Supreme Court reversed Gull's Oct. 31 order forcing the removal Rozzi and Baldwin as Allen's attorneys over Allen's objections.

"If the Indiana Supreme Court concluded that Judge Gull wrongfully denied Richard Allen of the attorneys of his choosing, would then, an objective person have a reasonable belief that she, Judge Frances C. Gull, is biased and prejudiced toward Defendant Allen?" the motion rhetorically asked.

Gull removed Rozzi and Baldwin on her own initiative claiming they were grossly negligent and incompetent.

She called an Oct. 19 hearing at the Allen County Courthouse, but she met with the attorneys in her chambers without providing Rozzi and Baldwin advance notice of the issues at hand so they could prepare for the hearing, Allen's affidavit states.

Inside Gull's chambers, she forced Baldwin and Rozzi to say they would resign rather than Gull making a public declaration about them.

The affidavit filed Monday accused Gull of then making statements to the public and on the record that misrepresented the in-chambers hearing, calling her statements "untruths as to the withdrawals of Baldwin and Rozzi... ."

The affidavit also cited that when Gull removed Rozzi and Baldwin two outstanding defense motions were pending  a motion for a Franks hearing to publicly vet the credibility of law enforcement officers' statements to get a search warrant at Allen's house and a motion to suppress evidence found in the search. The motions have been pending for months without the court's action when Rozzi and Baldwin were forced from the case.

More: Judge allows evidence found at Richard Allen's home into Delphi murder trial

In November, Gull twice noted that if the attorneys who replaced Rozzi and Baldwin wanted a hearing on these two matters, she would set a date, according to the motion.

However, within days of Rozzi and Baldwin being reinstated, Gull denied the motion for a Franks hearing and denied the motion to suppress without a hearing, Monday's affidavit states, along with other allegations against Gull, including ex-parte communication with Carroll County Prosecutor Nicholas McLeland and favoring the state.

"The test ... is whether an objective person, knowledgeable of all the circumstances, would have a reasonable basis for doubting the judge's impartiality," the motion states about Gull's decisions, noting that a reasonable person might question Gull's decisions.

"At every stage, from now until the conclusion of this case, the actions and rulings of the court will be scrutinized through the lens of Judge Gull's error in severing Richard Allen's attorney-client relationship with his chosen lawyers," the motion states.

The attorneys also argued that Gull remaining on the case could lead to a successful appeal if Allen is found guilty.

Reach Ron Wilkins at rwilkins@jconline.com. Follow on Twitter: @RonWilkins2.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Delphi murder suspect Richard Allen asks judge to recuse herself
Editors Note: A version of this story appears in CNNs Meanwhile in the Middle East newsletter, a three-times-a-week look inside the regions biggest stories. Sign up here.

The suspension of funding by a growing number of Western countries for a United Nations agency for Palestinians has raised questions about the fate of the 5.9 million refugees it serves.

The United States and at least 13 of its allies have pulled funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), following allegations by Israel that some of its staff were involved in Hamas October 7 attack, which killed 1,200 and saw more than 250 others taken hostage.

Israel subsequently launched a war on the militant group that killed more than 26,000 people in Gaza, according to the Hamas-controlled health ministry there, and displaced the vast majority of the enclaves 2.3 million inhabitants, who are in need of humanitarian aid.

While details remain scant, Israel alleges that 13 of UNRWAs 13,000 Gaza staffers were associated with Hamas October 7 attack and took part in varying capacities, ranging from involvement in kidnapping hostages to being told to set up an operations room, according to a summary of the intelligence shared with CNN by an Israeli official. The summary does not provide evidence to support its claims.

UNRWA fired several employees after the allegations and launched an investigation, promising that anyone involved in the October 7 attacks will be held accountable including through criminal prosecution if found to be responsible.

But beyond the allegations of recent days, Israel has longstanding issues with UNRWA, accusing it of aiding Hamas and calling for it to be entirely dismantled.

Heres what that could mean for the millions of Palestinians that rely on UNRWA for sustenance.

What does UNRWA do?

UNRWA was founded by the United Nations a year after the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, which marked the creation of Israel and the displacement of more than 700,000 Palestinians from their homes in an event known by Palestinians as the Nakba (catastrophe).

The agency provides a wide range of aid and services to Palestinian refugees and their descendants. It is a major source of employment for the refugees, who make up most of its more than 30,000 employees across the Middle East, and has representative offices in New York, Geneva and Brussels. Over 13,000 of its employees are stationed in the Gaza Strip.

UNRWA is unique in that it is the only UN agency dedicated to a specific group of refugees in specific areas. While its purpose is to support Palestinian refugees, UNRWA does not have a mandate to resettle them, a mandate that the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) does have. The UNHCR does not, however, have a mandate over Palestine refugees within UNRWAs areas of operation.

Last year, the agency had a budget of $1.6 billion, most of which is earmarked for education and healthcare, followed by other services such as infrastructure and refugee camp improvement.

Since the Gaza war, UNRWA has issued a flash appeal for $481 million in additional funding for critical humanitarian needs.

What is likely to happen if UNRWAs operations stop?

UNRWA is the primary humanitarian aid group in Gaza. Some 2 million Gazans rely on the agency for aid, with 1 million people using UNRWA shelters for food and healthcare amid the fighting in the enclave.

The agency has provided Gazans with everything from food and healthcare to education and psychological support for decades.

Along with the Palestinian Red Crescent, UNRWA handles almost all distribution of UN aid coming into the territory. The agency has 11 food distribution centers for 1 million people in Gaza.

The UN has warned that current funding is insufficient and that UNRWA may run out of funds by February.

Leo Cans, head of mission Palestine for Medecins Sans Frontieres, also known as Doctors Without Borders, told CNN Sunday that the situation could deteriorate, as the aid coming in to Gaza is already insufficient.

(If) you stop these trucks, people will die of hunger and very quickly, he said.

Displaced people are seen in the yard of a United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) school in Deir el-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip on November 7. - Majdi Fathi/NurPhoto/Getty Images

The repercussions of UNRWA halting its operations could however be felt far beyond Gaza. Millions more Palestinian refugees live in neighboring countries like Jordan, Syria and Lebanon, and rely on aid from the agency.

For Palestinians on the ground in Gaza, prospects of life without UNRWA look grim. At one UNRWA school shelter in Deir al Balah, Gazans said they were worried about the suffering to come if UNRWAs aid is suspended.

UNRWA is the one who helps the refugees and the displaced, Um Mohammad Al Khabbaz, a Palestinian woman at the shelter, told CNN on Monday. Whats left for the people if they stop the aid?

Alaa Khdeir, a university professor, called the move an oppressive decision towards the Palestinian people.

This will mean more starvation, poverty, and deprivation, which ultimately means death, added Khdeir. This is not just an issue; this is a crime. It wipes out the people.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Sunday appealed to the countries that suspended funding to UNRWA, urging them to reconsider their decisions.

I strongly appeal to the governments that have suspended their contributions to, at least, guarantee the continuity of UNRWAs operations, he said. The dire needs of the desperate populations they (UNRWA staff) serve must be met.

It is unclear which organizations could replace UNRWA should the agency be forced to halt its operations. Yuval Shany, a professor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalems faculty of law, said that even if UNRWA is forced out of Gaza, Israel likely wants a phased-out exit to avoid a worsened humanitarian shock on the ground.

The reason why Israel for all the years, despite its many criticisms (of UNRWA) didnt push hard for dismantling UNRWA, and in fact even cooperated with UNRWA on many occasions, is because UNRWA does provide essential humanitarian services, Shany told CNN, adding that with the current situation in Gaza, it may not be realistic to fully pull UNRWA out of the territory.

Why does Israel oppose UNRWA?

Israeli leaders have campaigned against UNRWA long before October 7, criticizing the organizations role in Gaza and elsewhere as well as its definition of which Palestinians are eligible for refugee status. More recently, officials have sought to delegitimize the agency and have proposed dismantling it altogether.

In 2018, the US, under the administration of President Donald Trump, ended all funding for the agency at Israels behest, with the State Department at the time describing the body as irredeemably flawed. When Joe Biden became president in 2021, he reversed his predecessors decision and restored UNRWAs funding.

The US has long been the biggest single donor to UNRWA.

In 2017, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sought to dissolve UNRWA and merge it with the main UN refugee agency, the UNHCR.

More recently, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz has suggested that Israel will seek to stop the UN agency from operating in post-war Gaza, saying it will not be a part of the day after.

We have been warning for years, Katz said. UNRWA perpetuates the refugee issue, obstructs peace, and serves as a civilian arm of Hamas in Gaza.

UNRWA has repeatedly denied Israeli allegations that its aid is being diverted to Hamas, and that it teaches hatred in its schools, and has questioned the motivation of those who make such claims, through large advocacy campaigns. It has condemned the October 7 attack as abhorrent.

The threat to remove UNRWA from the besieged Gaza Strip has caused UN officials and those who rely on the agency to sound the alarm.

Israel doesnt see UNRWA as something which is conducive to resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, said Shany of the Hebrew University.

Israel instead views the agency as a mechanism that perpetuates the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, he told CNN, And specifically perpetuates the conflict with regards to the right to return, by designating refugees and their descendants from 1948 as refugees.

The right of return refers to the right of Palestinian refugees and their descendants to return to their ancestral homes in what is now Israel, which was recognized by the 1948 UN General Assembly Resolution 194. The fate of refugees is one of the most contentious issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Israel also sees UNRWA as biased against it, Shany said, adding that it is regarded by Israel as one of the more hostile UN agencies against it in international arenas.

The agency defines Palestinian refugees as those who were dispossessed from their homes during Israels creation in 1948, as well as their descendants. That amounts to 5.9 million people today. Israel opposes their return, arguing that such a large influx of Palestinians would nullify its Jewish character.

UNRWA perpetuates the narrative of the so-called right of return, whose goal is the elimination of Israel. For these reasons, UNRWA should be shut down, Netanyahu said in 2018.

Of Gazas more than 2 million people, 1.6 million are refugees, according to UNRWA.

According to Israel, this (UNRWA) perpetuates a narrative that the people who live in Gaza would someday go back to Israel, and this motivates them to resist, Shany said.

Abeer Salman in Jerusalem and Mohammad Sawalhi in Gaza contributed to this report.

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Andrew Warren, the Hillsborough State Attorney suspended in 2022, held a video news conference Monday with Florida Democratic Party chairperson Nikki Fried. Warren, removed from his elected office by Gov. Ron DeSantis, provided reporters with an overview of where his case for reinstatement stands weeks after a federal appeals court ruled in his favor.

Whether the courts reinstate Warren or not, it remains unclear whether he will run to reclaim the post in the 2024 election.

Fried told reporters she expects a strong Democratic candidate in the race against Republican Suzy Lopez, who was appointed by the governor to replace Warren. My hope is that this comes through quickly and that it is Andrew, she said.
WASHINGTON  House Democrats are officially announcing their first 17 candidates to take on Republicans in competitive districts Monday, launching the "red-to-blue" program as part of a quest to regain control of the chamber this fall.

The candidates hail from districts that were hotly contested in the 2022 election and are likely to decide the majority in November. Some, but not all, were carried by President Joe Biden in 2020.

The announcement, first reported by NBC News, gives these contenders the official stamp of approval from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, planting a flag with donors, activists and party loyalists about whom they see as best positioned to win in critical districts.

Republicans control the majority by a wafer-thin margin of 219 to 213, with three vacancies. Both parties are defending a host of seats in competitive territory.

Here's the list of 17 districts and DCCC-backed candidates:

AZ-06: Kirsten Engel (held by Rep. Juan Ciscomani)

CA-13: Adam Gray (held by Rep. John Duarte)

CA-22: Rudy Salas (held by Rep. David Valadao)

CA-27: George Whitesides (held by Rep. Mike Garcia)

CA-41: Will Rollins (held by Rep. Ken Calvert)

CO-03: Adam Frisch (open seat)

IA-01: Christina Bohannan (held by Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks)

IA-03: Lanon Baccam (held by Rep. Zach Nunn)

MI-07: Curtis Hertel (open seat)

MT-01: Monica Tranel (held by Rep. Ryan Zinke)

NE-02: Tony Vargas (held by Rep. Don Bacon)

NY-03: Tom Suozzi (open)

NY-17: Mondaire Jones (held by Rep. Mike Lawler)

NY-19: Josh Riley (held by Rep. Marc Molinaro)

OR-05: Janelle Bynum (held by Rep. Lori Chavez-Deremer)

TX-15: Michelle Vallejo (held by Rep. Monica De La Cruz)

VA-02: Missy Cotter Smasal (held by Rep. Jen Kiggans)

Some of the candidates, like Suozzi and Jones, are former House members. Suozzi is running in the Feb. 13 special election for the competitive district previously held by former Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y. Regardless of the outcome, Suozzi is expected to run for it again this fall. New Yorks map could also change dramatically by the fall, as a redistricting battle is still underway.

Others, like Gray, Salas and Rollins, are eying rematches with the same California GOP incumbents after narrowly losing to them in 2022. Another, Curtis Hertel, is running for an open seat vacated by Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., who is running for the Senate.

Frisch nearly defeated Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., in 2022. She recently announced shes running in a different district that is more GOP-friendly.

House Democrats have multiple paths to winning back the majority and this incredible slate of candidates are at the forefront of these efforts, DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene, D-Wash., said in a statement. These candidates reflect the broad and diverse coalition that will be critical to Democrats success in 2024, and their commitment to solving the urgent problems facing everyday Americans stand in stark contrast to the MAGA fealty of their opponents.

These 17 districts don't cover other competitive areas that Biden won, such as the one held by Rep. David Schweikert, R-Ariz., or seats the party needs to hold to maximize its chances, like the open seat being vacated by Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-Va., who is running for governor, instead.

In response, the National Republican Congressional Committee noted that several of the Democratic candidates have run and lost before, comparing them to week-old crusty lasagna.

No one likes week-old crusty lasagna, but in desperate times you re-serve it while trying to convince yourself it's a great meal.



The same goes for the @DCCC -- these candidates were a flop last cycle, and spin won't convince voters they are not too extreme for Congress. https://t.co/QoYV4YrK4W pic.twitter.com/Krv6A9Khup  NRCC (@NRCC) January 29, 2024

NRCC Chair Richard Hudson, R-N.C., recently told reporters he feels confident his party will gain seats in the 2024 election. He said he sees 37 pickup opportunities in Democratic-held swing districts and areas that Donald Trump won in the 2020 election.

Were going to grow the majority, Hudson said. Were going to pick up seats, but Im not gonna give you a number.

One thing both parties agree on: The playing field is relatively narrow, and neither side will end up with a huge majority after the election.

Its a knife fight in a dark alley for the majority, Hudson quipped, reading from his notes. Its a small battleground. We have to win in some tough territory for us.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
A bicameral coalition of nearly 20 Democrats urged the State Department on Monday to provide information on the Biden administrations decisions to sell arms to Israel amid its ongoing war with Hamas without explicit congressional approval.

The letter, led by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), increases pressure on the Biden White House from Democrats concerned with the U.S. role in the Gaza conflict, which has raged since Hamass attack in early October.

The Biden administration has bypassed congressional notification on Israel arms sales twice, raising concerns among the lawmakers.

The members of Congress shared the worlds horror over the violence of Hamas militants but are also deeply disturbed over Israels indiscriminate bombing of Palestinians in Gaza, the letter says.

It is essential for Congress to be able to conduct oversight of these arms transfers and determine whether they are consistent with humanitarian principles and U.S. law, and whether they advance or harm U.S. national security, the letter reads.

It is highly unusual for the president to bypass congressional oversight through an emergency declaration, it continues. In fact, since the [Arms Export Control Act] was passed into law, an emergency declaration authority has only been used 18 times in nearly 50 years.

The lawmakers drew attention to the mass civilian casualties in the conflict, and the use of U.S. munitions in strikes that killed civilians. More than 25,000 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

We are also troubled by the decision to provide equipment for 155mm shells, which over 30 U.S.-based civil society organizations warned poses a grave risk to civilians and are inherently indiscriminate when used in densely populated areas like Gaza, the letter reads.

Specifically, the letter demands Secretary of State Antony Blinken provide official explanations for why the administration chose to pursue emergency transfers of arms instead of the standard procedure of congressional notification.

Congress and the American public deserve thorough answers on how this policy was applied for these two emergency transfers, the lawmakers continued. Use of a national emergency waiver does not exempt the U.S. government from assessing whether arms sales are consistent with these policies.

Warren and McGovern were joined on the letter by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Reps. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash), Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), Maxine Waters (D-Fla.), and 11 other lawmakers.

The Biden administration is looking to slow future weapons sales to Israel in order to force the Israeli military to temper its military operation in Gaza, NBC News reported Monday.

The move is the strongest indication of the administrations pressure on the Israeli government to ease up on its military operation and potentially work toward a Palestinian civilian government in Gaza, which Israeli officials have rejected.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A Texas dentist is headed to prison after officials say he tricked minors into sending him sexually explicit videos.

Abiel Alejandro Saldivar, 33, of San Antonio, pleaded guilty to production of child pornography.

McClatchy News reached out to Saldivars attorney Jan. 29 but did not immediately hear back.

Saldivar sent messages to numerous minors on social media and told them he had nude images of them, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District of Texas.

In December 2020, a 16-year-old girl told investigators Saldivar messaged her when she was 13 years old on a messaging app called Kik, according to court records.

She said Saldivar told her his name was Joe. He said he had naked pictures of her he would make public if she didnt send him sexually explicit images and videos depicting herself engaged in sexual activity, a criminal complaint said.

Saldivar sent lingerie to the girl, then ordered her to send him videos of herself wearing it and performing sexual acts, according to the complaint.

Between Dec. 22, 2020, and Jan. 4, 2021, Saldivar threatened to post sexually explicit videos of the girl if she didnt send videos of herself engaging in sexual activity, according to court documents.

The defendant, a local pediatric dentist, was aggressively and ruthlessly sexually exploiting children via social media, U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas said in the release.

Saldivar was sentenced to 30 years in prison and lifetime supervised release and ordered to pay $45,000 restitution to victims.

Dentist accused of groping patient during emergency visit, Pennsylvania officials say

Dental patient got 8 crowns, 4 root canals, 20 fillings in 1 visit. Now shes suing

Dentist hid camera in bathroom and recorded children, California police say
A Colbert man who was critically wounded in a shooting at his home last week died Monday, according to the Madison County Sheriff's Office.

Hunter Swafford, 21, was shot about 8:30 p.m. Jan. 25 along with his mother, Deanna Swafford, 47, who was taken to a hospital in Athens, then transferred to Grady Hospital in Atlanta with non-life-threatening wounds to her arm and head.

Madison County Sheriff's Capt. Jimmy Patton said the gunman, Sean Paul Holler, 54, of Seagraves Drive, Athens, shot and killed himself after shooting Hunter Swafford and his mother. Holler drove to a home on nearby Linda Street, and shot himself while seated in his black Chevrolet Malibu, according to the sheriff's report.

Swafford, who is a teacher at Cleveland Road Elementary School in Athens, had ended a relationship with Holler, which she had described in a police report as a "difficult breakup."

Sheriffs deputies became aware of the shootings when they received a telephone call from Deanna Swafford, who reported she and her son had been shot by Holler and she was traveling to the nearby Bread Basket on Georgia Highway 72 in Colbert.

Crime: Commerce man sentenced in federal court for drug conspiracy conviction

Madison County Sheriff Michael Moore was the first officer to arrive at the Bread Basket, while other units were dispatched to Fennell Street to search for the shooter. An ambulance was also dispatched to the store.

The victim explained to deputies that she had ended a relationship with Holler a few months earlier and that on the day previous to the shooting she told him she no longer wanted to speak with him.

On the morning of the shootings, Swafford met with an Athens-Clarke police officer and filed a report about Holler in regards to a series of harassing telephone calls and texts that disturbed her to the point she felt concern for her safety and that of her son.

Crime: South Carolina man faces drug and gun charges in Athens

In one text, Holler wrote, I will see you on Saturday, not a request.

Police attempted to contact Holler by phone that date, but he did not answer and a voicemail was left for him telling him that some property he wanted from Swafford could be picked up at the police department.

On the evening of the shooting, Holler drove to the neighborhood and parked his car nearby on Linda Street and walked to the Swafford home. The mother and son had just arrived home and as Deanna Swafford reported that as she began to close the garage door, Holler caused it to rebound back up, where he entered the garage area and shot them.

Deputies who responded to the shooting scene located Hollers car parked at a home under construction on Linda Street, where they reported that Holler was dead from a gunshot wound to the head.

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Athens man kills himself after shooting Colbert woman and killing son
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.  Sounding like hes still running for president, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Monday he would push the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature to certify a slate of amendments to the U.S. Constitution that include congressional term limits and requiring a balanced budget.

Banking on the idea that such reforms are popular and nonpartisan, DeSantis said Florida should be a leader in getting other states to push for a constitutional convention, an idea that has been discussed before but never achieved.

One thing Florida has always taken the lead on  is holding Washington accountable, DeSantis said at a news conference in Naples that seemed more like a campaign event, with crowds cheering his entrance and throughout much of his speech. We are going to work with other states to rein in this ruling class in Washington.

Some experts warn that could lead to radical revisions to the nations blueprint document.

There is a lot of mischief that could be done, said Bob Jarvis, a constitutional law professor at the Shepard Broad College of Law at NOVA Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale.

But Jarvis said he sees Mondays announcement as something DeSantis advisers came up with to keep grabbing headlines to stay viable and in the public eye until 2028.

Hes still running for president, just changed the timeline from 2024 to 2028, Jarvis said. Its easy for DeSantis to say this and capture the news cycle for 24 hours and then move on to something else.

The chances of actually getting something done are slim, Jarvis said. Article V of the Constitution provides two ways to pass amendments  by a congressional act or by constitutional convention.

Every constitutional amendment has been done by Congress, which requires a two-thirds vote to send to the states, and three-fourths of the states to ratify. The most recent modern-day amendment, the 26th, giving 18-year-olds the right to vote, was ratified in 1971. The 27th, first proposed in 1789 to delay congressional pay raises, wasnt ratified until 1992.

The last constitutional convention was held in 1787 to get rid of the Articles of Confederation.

Since then, nobodys ever had one and nobody knows what they look like, Jarvis said. We are writing on a completely blank slate.

It would take two-thirds of the states, or 34, to agree to a constitutional convention, and 38 states to ratify any amendments, he said.

Its never going to happen because it never has happened, Jarvis said. It has never been taken seriously and Congress has never taken it up.

The Florida House has already approved along party lines two of the amendments DeSantis named  term limits and a balanced budget. Two Senate committees passed similar resolutions along party lines, but they have not gone before the full senate yet.

In Florida, weve proven that a balanced budget amendment and term limits work. Thats why weve passed resolutions urging Congress to enact them on the federal level, House Speaker Paul Renner, R-Palm Coast, said.

Renner said the legislature will pass resolutions supporting the governors two other goals  prohibiting Congress from excluding its members from any laws it passes and giving the president line-item veto authority on the federal budget.

This movement the governor outlined is about ensuring that the spirit of America is reflected not just in our past glories but in our present activities and in the future were all building for our children, said Tarren Bragdon, CEO of the Foundation for Government Accountability, a conservative group that has helped shape many of the states recent policies.

Such reforms have been launched before, but DeSantis said he believes there is new momentum

Im hoping that  we will be able to work with other states to be able to get a critical mass here, DeSantis said. I dont think theres anything were proposing that many people would oppose. These are broadly appealing reforms.

_____
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday raised legal concerns about the breadth of a bill that seeks to prevent children under age 16 from having social-media accounts.

The House on Wednesday overwhelmingly passed the bill (HB 1), a priority of House Speaker Paul Renner, R-Palm Coast.

Also, Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, expressed support Thursday for the bill.

But DeSantis, during an appearance in Kissimmee about an unrelated issue, pointed to concerns about the legality of the bill.

I am sympathetic, as a parent, to what is going on with our youth, DeSantis said. But I also understand that to just say that someone who is 15 just cannot have it no matter what, even if the parent consents, that may create some legal issues.

Read: Disneys big cruise growth this year to include new ship, destination and more

DeSantis said the bill likely is going to evolve in the Legislature.

Well see if we get a product that is going to be good, but I am concerned about the breadth of it, he said.

Supporters of the bill say social media harms the mental health of children and can be used by sexual predators to communicate with minors.

But opponents have argued, in part, that the bill would violate First Amendment rights.

Read: Police chief: Suspect dead, 1 killed, 2 police officers shot in Palm Bay

Social media has been a net negative for our youth, without question, DeSantis, an attorney, said. Having said that, there have been other states that have tried to do similar things that have met resistance in the courts.

Renner, also an attorney, has disputed that the bill would violate First Amendment rights.

The bill would prevent minors under 16 from creating social-media accounts and would require social-media platforms to terminate existing accounts that are reasonably known by the platforms to be held by children younger than 16.

It also would allow parents to request that minors accounts be terminated.

Read: 3 US service members killed, dozens injured in Jordan drone attack, Biden says

The bill would require platforms to use independent organizations to conduct age verifications when new accounts are created and would require denial of accounts for people who do not verify their ages.

The organizations would be required to delete the data after ages are verified.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
3 U.S. soldiers killed, many wounded in Jordan in drone attack: Biden

Xinhua) 08:25, January 29, 2024

WASHINGTON, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Joe Biden said Sunday that three U.S. soldiers were killed and many others wounded in a drone attack targeting U.S. forces stationed in northeast Jordan near the Syria border Saturday night.

The attack was believed to be launched by Iran-backed militant group operating in Syria and Iraq, he added.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Oliver Hassan (left) with members of BNU's String Society. [Photo provided by Oliver Hassan]



As a British student currently studying at Beijing Normal University (BNU), with an aspiration to work in China in the future, I'm often asked: "What is it that you love about China?" and "Why do you want to live and work in China?"

These questions may seem somewhat easy to answer, but in recent years, I've always found it difficult to answer succinctly. In the beginning, I was attracted by traditional Chinese culture, but my love for China now goes far beyond enjoying traditional festivals and legends.

Some might say that my love for China was love at first sight  which implies the sort of feeling that fades away with time  but my feeling is not so superficial. My love of China really is a true love, in the same way that a husband and wife are able to love each other for life. If someone asked a man, "What is it that makes you love your wife?", is this possible to answer? In the same way, it is not possible for me to answer why I love China in the way that I do. Though I am not Chinese and do not have Chinese relatives, I nevertheless believe my love for China is not dissimilar from the way in which Chinese people love their own country, as it is also impossible for them to use clear and succinct language to express their love for their country.

My first visit to China was in 2016 with my school and Chinese teacher. At that time, I had studied Chinese for four years. When our teacher announced to us that she had arranged a trip to Beijing, I was ecstatic at the thought, but knew that finding the not-insubstantial amount required to pay for the trip would be a challenge. However, I did not lose hope. Through organizing some cake sales in the school canteen as well as a sponsored swim, within a year, I was able to collect the funds I needed to go to Beijing.

Before going to China, the furthest place I had been to was Normandy, France, approximately 500 kilometers from my hometown of London. I had not flown on a jumbo jet before, let alone been on a long-distance flight. One could say those six days in Beijing were life-changing for me. As I thought at the time that I may have to wait until I start working before I would have the opportunity to return to China, I very much cherished those six days in Beijing. I took over 1,000 photos, used my broken Chinese to write diary entries, and persisted in using Chinese to communicate with the locals. One day, we visited a middle school, where I met a teacher who, seeing my passion for China and Chinese, suggested that I consider coming to Beijing to study in the future.

So, my pursuit of studying, and ultimately working in China, had begun. First, I studied at Tsinghua University for a time, although this was cut short due to COVID-19, before applying for the joint honors degree program that I am currently on, which allowed me to study at BNU for two years as part of the program.

My six months or so at Tsinghua, and what will be two years at BNU, has very much consolidated my aspiration to live and work in China. During my time at BNU, I have tried my best to embed myself into university life and engage with Chinese students naturally, yet proactively. One of the ways in which I've done this, is by pursuing one of my other passions  playing the violin  and joining the university's String Society, of which I am now vice president. Organizing concerts and rehearsing with fellow students has really made me feel a part of the community at BNU. Although I am a foreign student, and my Chinese far from perfect, this foreign identity is nevertheless forgotten. In fact, my Chinese friends outnumber my friends in the UK, and Chinese has become my first language of choice. It has become the norm for me to use Chinese when thinking, such that I believe the way in which I think has become quite different from that of a "standard" Westerner. This is the power of learning a language and why it is so important  it builds bridges, resolves misunderstandings and makes the people of the world more connected.

Though I may be British on the outside, on the inside, I have developed a heart for China, a passion for China, a love for China, and it is this heart for China that is my life force and my destiny.

Oliver Hassan is a British student currently pursuing a dual degree in Chinese language and culture at Beijing Normal University and Cardiff University.
Welcomed by students, feared by teachers, AI chatbots are set to change education. Many educators have pinned their hopes on new AI-detecting software tools in the fight against cheating with ChatGPT. But one plagiarism researcher has bad news for them. Philipp von Ditfurth/dpa

Over the past year, researchers have found clear evidence of the use of AI text generators in several scientific papers.

And yet when it comes to the illicit scholarly use of AI chatbots, we may have only seen the tip of the iceberg.

Authors have been caught publishing works with legitimate-looking scientific references that were entirely invented by AI. Others were shown to have left snippets of text from ChatGPT's user interface pasted in their work.

One maths study was even retracted after it was shown to have inadvertently featured the AI interface phrase "regenerate response", as reported in a Nature article from September 2023.

The use of AI text generation is at its most problematic when it is not being made transparent. In other words, when services are possibly faked.

The question of how to deal with the shift towards AI text generation has been debated at universities ever since ChatGPT was made public at the end of 2022.

Despite the global hype surrounding its ability to summarize information and write texts at the linguistic level of a human, experts say tools like Microsoft-affiliated ChatGPT and Google's Bard are still a long way from human intelligence.

Study: AI detectors often fail

Many teachers have had their hopes pinned on software that claims it can detect AI texts. Does this mean the end of cheating?

Not at all, says one expert.

"The hope of a simple software solution for unmasking AI texts will not become reality," says plagiarism researcher Debora Weber-Wulff from Berlin's HTW University of Applied Sciences.

"There are lots of self-proclaimed detector programs, but they don't do what they're supposed to." Some manufacturers have even admitted shortcomings and limitations themselves, she says.

Weber-Wulff was involved in a study for which 14 apparent AI detectors were tested. According to the study, these tools did not deliver reliable results when it came to the question of whether a human or a machine had written a text.

The research team published their findings at the end of December in the International Journal for Educational Integrity.

"In uncertain cases, the systems tend to assume human authors," Weber-Wulff explains. "Because, of course, it is not desirable for people to be wrongly accused. That would also be disastrous in the education sector."

Plagiarism easier to prove than AI use

However, the study identifies the core problem as being that around one in five texts created with AI was not recognised as such. According to the study, the rate of AI usage not recognised by the programs increases further if the AI text has been revised by humans.

The results of the detectors are also not easy to interpret for the average user: Some provided a percentage indication of the probability that the text had been produced by an AI tool.

There was a lack of concrete evidence, meaning that universities may find it very difficult to prove misconduct on this basis. "Unlike with plagiarism, it is not possible to compare the text with the original," says Weber-Wulff.

Weber-Wulff says she is aware of cases in which lecturers have raised suspicions and students have admitted to using AI. She also assumes that AI chatbots are being widely used - often without the students being aware of what they are doing wrong.

In the study on detectors, the experts state that higher education institutions were not prepared for how quickly and radically freely accessible AI tools have improved. And using an AI for help is also not always unethical.

"We need to think very carefully about how we measure performance," Weber-Wulff says. This may mean that future tasks should be set in a completely different way than they have been in the past.

Getting the student to find mistakes in the responses of AI tools needs to be part of the job, she says.

After all, AI chatbots are little more than parrots Weber-Wulff says, since they only parrot what they have heard. That's why it's important to teach students the standards of academic writing, such as the purpose of footnotes.

If AI systems are used, they need to be handled transparently. "And you have to take full responsibility for all the rubbish produced by the system. No excuses."

Students are unlikely to get caught cheating with AI by would-be AI detectors, since they are unable to reliably detect text written by the likes of ChatGPT. Philipp von Ditfurth/dpa
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. (WHTM)  The American Nightmare Cody Rhodes, son of The American Dream Dusty Rhodes, almost committed to wrestle at Penn State University.

In November of 2017, Rhodes responded to a question from a fan on X that asked if he turned down a lot of scholarship offers.

Rhodes responded by saying, Penn State, but I would have a hard time competing theremy freestyle skills werent there. Plus I didnt want to go to college, saw zero value in it. But my wife has a masters, so she covers that part for the family.

WWE Monday Night RAW returning to Hershey this summer

According to The Sportster, Rhodes did plan on attending Penn State but decided to pursue professional wrestling.

Rhodes attended and wrestled at Lassiter High School in Marietta, Georgia, where he would go 42-0 in his amateur wrestling career.

According to The eWrestling Encyclopedia, in Rhodess sophomore year, he placed sixth in the 171 lbs., his junior year he won the Georgia State Tournament at 189 lbs., and in his senior year, he would retain the state title.

Although Rhodes didnt attend Penn State for wrestling he still showed his support for the program via his YouTube and X by wearing a Penn State Wrestling hoodie.

Professional wrestlers from Pennsylvania

While in professional wrestling Rhodes has been an AEW TNT Champion, IWGP United States Champion (New Japan Pro Wrestling), OVH Heavyweight Champion (Ohio Valley Wrestling), Ring of Honor World Champion, WWE Intercontinental Champion, WWE Tag Team Champion, and many more.

Rhodes has won the WWE Royal Rumble twice, Most Improved Wrestler of the Year in 2008, Promo of the Year in 2019, and Smack Talker of the Year in 2019.

Starting in Ohio Valley Wrestling, Rhodes has been in multiple wrestling companies including:

Ohio Valley Wrestling (2006)

WWE (2007-2016, 2022-present)

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2016-2017)

Ring of Honor (2017-2018)

AEW (2018-2022)

Rhodes is currently under contract with WWE and appears on Monday Night RAW.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
When Christopher Weldon and his wife, Shirley Xu-Weldon, decided they wanted to hire Moises Reynaga full time for their planned cannabis dispensary in White Plains, they did what they do with all prospective employees: They ran a background check.

That turned up a 2016 arrest warrant for Reynaga, a 33-year-old Stamford, Connecticut man who skipped out on probation following his convictions on drug charges in White Plains and Connecticut.

The Weldons, whose Cat Rock CAURD LLC, is the first Westchester business awarded a Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary license by New York state, weren't surprised or bothered by the probation violation.

Westchester County Courthouse

They went to bat for Reynaga, saying he was a changed man, a talented, compassionate young businessman who had been forthcoming about his legal troubles. They urged Westchester Judge George Fufidio to show Reynaga leniency as he weighs the probation violation.

"Moe is not a violent criminal," Xu-Weldon told the judge in a letter last month, adding he was eager to make up for his mistakes of a decade ago. "He is a sweet, kind-hearted teddy bear who always has a smile on his face."

But Fufidio countered at a court hearing that such advocacy was misplaced and did not adequately address that Reynaga was a drug dealer already given a break who failed to adhere to the rules of probation.

Westchester County Judge George Fufidio

Fufidio initially gave Reynaga a choice. He could admit the probation violation, in which case the judge would revoke his probation and resentence him to one year in the county jail. Or he could deny the violation. A denial would have prompted a hearing and if the violation was proven, Fufidio would have sent Reynaga to state prison.

"I'm not saying I'm going to give you 5 1/2 years," Fufidio said, according to a transcript. "I don't think your conduct merits that but it certainly merits more than time served."

But on Monday Fufidio had a change of heart based on a letter Reynaga sent him promising to do good and continue striving for a better life. When Reynaga then admitted the violation, Fufidio restored him to probation, ending the prospect of incarceration on the Westchester violation.

"As long as he lives up to what he told me he's going to do he'll never see me again," the judge said.

Reynaga was arrested Aug. 8, 2013, in White Plains after police found a plastic bag with smaller bags of cocaine totaling 4.3 grams in his car. In 2015 he pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of third-degree attempted possession of a controlled substance. That could have landed him in prison for up to 5 1/2 years but Reynaga instead was put on probation for five years.

The arrest prompted Connecticut law enforcement authorities to execute a search warrant at Reynaga's Stamford home, where additional drugs were found. He was charged there as well but was again spared incarceration and sentenced to probation.

His Westchester probation was transferred to Connecticut. But in 2016 Reynaga left the country to go to Chile without informing his probation officer and then stayed there for several years. Because of his failure to report, an arrest warrant was issued for a probation violation in September 2016.

That was the warrant that was flagged when the Weldens requested the background check - and Westchester County cops showed up looking to arrest Reynaga. He wasn't there but Reynaga got a lawyer and surrendered on the warrant in December. He has been held without bail at the county jail since then but will be released Monday pending a decision by Connecticut authorities about how they want to pursue his probation violation there.

Fufidio last month called it ironic that someone with a drug conviction would be hired at a marijuana dispensary. And he suggested that if the intent was for cannabis licenses to go to those harmed by drug laws in the past, better legislation might be needed to ensure that the licenses don't go to millionaire hedge fund managers, like Christopher Weldon, who live in Greenwich mansions.

A licensee must be "justice involved" which means they or a parent, spouse, child or other legal dependent had a prior marijuana conviction. Christopher Weldon qualified because his father, a Vietnam War vet who eventually became a New York City firefighter, was convicted for a marijuana sale to an undercover cop in Queens in 1972, 11 years before Christopher was born.

Fufidio said Reynaga was an adult when he was arrested and shouldn't be able to blame his criminal activity on anyone else. He said Reynaga had acknowledged to a probation officer in a presentence report that he had been selling drugs to make money, move to Chile and start a business.

"He was selling poison to other people so he could have money to buy nice things," the judge said last month.

Xu-Weldon wrote that Reynaga's parents urged him to go to Chile because he was struggling with his mental health and had fallen in with the wrong crowd.

She said that it was because of "unforseen circumstances" that Reynaga did not return from Chile after a short time but finally did to help care for his aging parents. The judge said Reynaga probably feared coming back over the years because a probation officer told his family that he risked being sent to prison for leaving the country without permission.

The Weldons said they met Reynaga two years ago when he worked at 914 Exotics, a snack shop near the location they had rented to open their dispensary. He was a digital-content creator and they eventually used him to make an introductory video about their business and other projects. They created a budtender-digital media position for him and said he will have a job with them no matter what the judge decides.

Christopher Weldon told the judge in a second letter that Reynaga deserves a second chance.

"All he wants to do is start a life without the Sword of Damocles hanging over his head," Weldon wrote. "He is 10 years older and wiser and he is reformed."

The Weldons were not in court Monday. Reynaga thanked the judge for his compassion, saying six weeks in jail convinced him he didn't want to spend any more time there and that he would live up to his promise to the judge.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: NY dispensary employee avoids incarceration after 2nd chance from judge
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  A teenager is behind bars after police say he was drunk and crashed into a rock wall, killing his front-seat passenger early Saturday morning, Jan. 27 in the Lower Valley.

Nathan Rudy Rodriguez, 18, is charged with one count of intoxication manslaughter in the death of Jesus Manuel Ceniceros, 19.

According to court documents, the crash happened around 2:40 a.m. at the intersection of Marne Drive and Carlotta Drive.

Police say Rodriguez was driving in a 2012 Honda Civic at a high speed south on Carlotta and crashed into a rock wall, catching fire and killing Ceniceros.

Police asked Rodriguez where he was coming from and he said he was coming from a friends house and that hed asked Ceniceros to drive his car because Ceniceros claimed he was fine to drive and it was just minutes to Rodriguezs house.

Witnesses, however, identified Rodriguez as the vehicles driver and Ceniceros as the passenger. Rodriguez allegedly had bruising and redness on his chest and collarbone, indicating hed been wearing a seatbelt in the drivers seat position.

A friend of the pair allegedly told police they were drinking and Rodriguez left the home, but the friend worried Rodriguez was too drunk to drive and followed them.

They reportedly saw Rodriguez slam into the rock wall and when the friend went to check on them, they saw Ceniceros partially under the dashboard and Rodriguez still in the drivers seat.

The friend called 911 just as the car began to catch fire. He then pulled Ceniceros out of the car to perform CPR, according to court documents.

The friend allegedly told police as he was attempting to perform CPR to Ceniceros, Rodriguez ended the call with 911 and he was forced to pull the phone back and dial 911 again to get instructions on how to perform CPR.

Officers conducted a field sobriety check and said Rodriguez failed. After being transported to the Mission Valley Regional Command Center, Rodriguez submitted a breathalyzer test showing results of 0.17 and 0.15, according to court documents.

Rodriguez was booked into the El Paso County Detention Center on a $150,000 bond. According to court documents, Ceniceros would have turned 20 years old on Tuesday, Jan. 30.

Theres currently a GoFundMe to cover Ceniceros funeral costs, ran by his mother.

GoFundMe for Jesus Ceniceros funeral

Police say the main contributing factors in this incident were speed and alcohol.

This is the 5th fatality this year compared to 8 in 2023.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
[Source]

Scientists at China's Sichuan University found that daily tea consumption could extend people's lifespans.

Key findings: Their research, published in The Lancet Regional Health  Western Pacific in November, found that people who drink tea everyday exhibit signs of slower biological aging, especially those who consume three cups. The study also found that drinkers are less likely to experience anxiety, insomnia and depressive symptoms.

The scientists attributed their findings to polyphenols, which are plant compounds that promote good gut microbiota and help regulate the immune system, metabolism and cognitive function. They also cited a previous study linking flavonoids  a type of polyphenols abundant in tea  for extending the life expectancy of organisms such as mice and worms.

How the study was conducted: The researchers analyzed data from 7,391 Chinese participants aged 30-79 from the China Multi-Ethnic Cohort Study and 5,998 British participants aged 37-73 from the U.K. Biobank. The participants were asked about their tea preferences  black, green or yellow  how frequently they drink and how many cups they consume. Biomarkers such as blood pressure, cholesterol and body fat were also assessed to determine their biological age.

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Important note: The researchers said they could not conclude that the participants' tea-drinking habits are directly responsible for delaying their biological age. "Causal conclusions should be interpreted prudently," they said.

The big picture: Past studies found that tea, as well as coffee, could help reduce the risk of cognitive disorders such as dementia and Alzheimers disease when consumed moderately. Tea is also associated with providing mental alertness and improving dental health, notably for preventing plaque buildup and tooth decay due to its fluoride and tannin content.

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Road work starting this week and next will disrupt traffic in Columbus and Phenix City.

The Georgia Department of Transportation announced a traffic shift for the interchange between Bradley Park Drive and J.R. Allen Parkway (U.S. Route 80 and Georgia Route 22), beginning Feb. 5.

This will affect vehicles on the westbound ramp of Exit 3A and going both directions on Bradley Park Drive. No estimated date of completion is mentioned in the news release announcing the traffic shift. The Ledger-Enquirer didnt reach a GDOT official for that answer before publication.

In Phenix City, Stadium Drive between 19th Avenue and South Railroad Street will be closed to all but emergency vehicles Monday, Jan. 29, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Tuesday, Jan. 30, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., due to Alabama Power conducting utility work, according to the citys news release.

Phenix City also announced a portion of 13th Street at the Broad Street intersection will be closed Jan. 29 for repair of a sanitary sewer line. The repair is expected to take one day.

Multiple eastbound lanes will be closed, so the intersection of Seventh Avenue and 13th Street also will be closed. One lane along 13th Street will be open. A detour will be in place for access to Seventh Avenue.

Call the Phenix City Engineering Department at 334-448-2760 for more information.
A woman was killed after a driver crashed her SUV into a nail salon, striking several people inside, according to Missouri police.

Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers said a 57-year-old woman backed her Ford Expedition into Pacific Hair and Nail Spa in Pacific on Saturday, Jan. 27. Three people were then struck by the SUV, according to troopers.

Among them was 61-year-old Jill Goddard, who died after being taken to a hospital, troopers said.

Its horrific. Its unimaginable, George Mostow, Goddards brother, told KMOV. He also described his sister as an incredible person.

Mostow said Goddard had just gotten her nails done with her friends, KMOV reported. One of her friends was pulling the car around when she reversed into the building, striking Goddard as she was checking out, he told the news outlet.

Two other people, including a 17-year-old girl, suffered minor injuries in the crash, according to highway patrol. The driver was also injured.

Charges have not been filed against the driver.

Pacific is about 35 miles southwest of St. Louis.

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Jason Thomas Stevens loved his job and had expected to be home before noon on Saturday when he reportedly lost control of his tanker truck and crashed onto state Route 8 in Macedonia and died.

Stevens, a 31-year-old from Ashtabula, died of multiple blunt force injuries in the crash that resulted in a fire that has put the Interstate 271 and Route 8 interchange out of commission for several days.

The Summit County Medical Examiner's Office established the cause of his death after an autopsy and ruled it was accidental.

Jason Stevens and his wife Katie, from Jason's Facebook profile.

Driver was familiar with route, says relative

Stevens was driving for Jackson Township-based Kenan Advantage Group Inc., where he had worked since October 2020, said his wife's aunt, Cindy Henderson of Conneaut. She said Stevens had expected Saturday to be a short work day.

"It was his normal route," she said. "He wasn't out of any ordinary area that he would normally travel. He was just doing his everyday job."

A tanker flipped and caught fire on state Route 8 Saturday morning in Macedonia. This photo from a driver shows the truck on fire before emergency responses arrived.

"He did the run and he would be back home, you know, with a quick day. It wasn't a long day. He told his wife he was going to be home by 11 a.m. He should be at home by 11 and, you know, 11 came and went."

Kenan Advantage Group issued a statement Tuesday expressing condolences to Stevens' friends, coworkers and family.

"Our primary concern has always been for the safety and security of our employees, the public, our customers, and the environment. This is an exceedingly difficult time for our organization as this tragedy impacts all of us in the KAG family," the company said. "We have been working closely with local officials and corresponding agencies and will continue to do so in the days ahead. We would like to thank all the first responders for their immediate response to this incident."

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Henderson said Stevens started working as a truck driver for Kenan in October 2020, having formerly worked two years as a semi truck driver at another company. He was married in 2018 and had a daughter.

Henderson said her niece and Stevens' wife, Katie Stevens, was too distraught to speak but wanted everyone to know how much Jason loved her and their daughter, that he was very family oriented and that he loved people. The couple's daughter, Amelia, will be 2 in April.

"He was a happy guy," Henderson said. "He loved working. ... Jason was so confident. He would get behind his truck, and he was confident. He liked his job. He felt good behind the wheel."

More: More work, inspections needed after fiery Route 8 tanker crash in Macedonia

Interchange remains closed, under evaluation

The Route 8 and I-271 interchange closed Saturday morning a little after 9 a.m., when the truck Stevens was driving crashed on the northbound lanes of Route 8 and burst into flames. The truck was believed to have been carrying around 7,500 gallons of petroleum fuel.

The Ohio Department of Transportation says the state Route 8 and Interstate 271 interchange will remain closed so more inspections can be done following Saturday's fiery fatal crash.

According to the Summit County Sheriff's Office, the truck had been traveling northbound on Route 8 when it attempted to get on I-271 north, then lost control and went over the side of the bridge. The truck landed onto the northbound lanes of Route 8 and subsequently burst into flames.

The crash resulted in some damage to the roadways, which is still being evaluated by the Ohio Department of Transportation. The ramp from Route 8 north to I-271 north remained closed Tuesday, as was Route 8 southbound at Highland Road.

Multiple fire departments, the Summit County Hazmat team and other agencies responded to the crash, including the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, the Macedonia and Twinsburg Fire Departments, the Summit County Sheriff's Office and the Macedonia Police Department. The crash is being investigated by the Summit Metro Crash Team.

The city of Hudson said six members of the Hudson Fire Department Hazmat team assisted the Ohio EPA for over four hours, installing booms in the streams and at multiple locations to retain spilt fuel.

Some repairs needed to Route 8/I-271 interchange

The Ohio Department of Transportation announced Sunday more work and inspections need to be done before they can fully open the state Route 8 and I-271 interchange.

One lane of the ramp from I-271 south to southbound Route 8 reopened Tuesday afternoon. The Ohio Department of Transportation said the ramp was deemed safe to reopen after inspections found no structural damage. However, cleanup crews continue using the ramp as a staging area, so only one lane of the ramp will be clear for traffic. There is no timetable on when the second lane will open.

ODOT said it will likely take several days before the ramps to access Route 8 and I-271 can fully reopen.

More: Some roads, ramps still closed after Saturday's fiery tanker accident on Route 8

Safety will always be our top priority. We know that keeping these closures in place is a major inconvenience to thousands of motorists, but we will never trade convenience for safety, said ODOT District 4 Deputy Director Gery Noirot in a statement. Our team will be working hand in hand with contractors to make emergency repairs and reopen the closed roadways and bridges as soon as we deem it safe to do so.

The initial inspections have determined that repairs will be needed to the roadway on the southern end of the Route 8 bridge over the Brandywine Creek.

ODOT said crews will have to remove the top layer of the bridge and resurface it.

The Ohio Department of Transportation says the state Route 8 and Interstate 271 interchange will remain closed so more inspections can be done following Saturday's fiery fatal crash.

The preliminary initial inspection of the ramp from I-271 southbound to Route 8 did not find any issues but given the nature of the crash and the ensuing fire, ODOT said, additional more detailed inspections are needed.

Crews are also using the ramp as part of the clean up effort to remove contaminated soil.

We hope to have all inspections completed and a full plan of action in place by early this week, Noirot said. One of the challenges will be the weather.

A tanker flipped on state Route 8 Saturday morning.

The city of Hudson said on its X account Monday that the detour was creating traffic congestion on state Route 91.

"Motorists should plan on additional time if using SR 91," the city warned.

Drivers trying to access I-271 northbound from Route 8 northbound should take state Route 82.

Motorists should plan ahead and give themselves plenty of extra time during their commute in the upcoming week, Noirot added. Please continue to check OHGO daily to find the easiest way around these closures.

April Helms, Anthony Thompson and Craig Webb contributed to this report. Eric Marotta can be reached at emarotta@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Driver Jason Thomas Stevens killed in fuel truck crash on Rt. 8
A drone attack that killed three American troops and wounded at least 34 more at a base in Jordan has increased fears of a widening conflict in the Middle East  and the possibility that the U.S. may be further drawn into the fighting.

President Joe Biden vowed to respond to the assault, blaming Iran-backed militias for the first U.S. military casualties in months of such strikes in the region.

But to what extent was Iran involved? And what happens next? The Conversation turned to Sara Harmouch, an expert on asymmetric warfare and militant groups in the Middle East, to answer these and other questions.

What do we know about the group that claimed responsibility?

Al-Muqawama al-Islamiyah fi al-Iraq, which translates as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, has claimed responsibility for the drone attack.

However, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq is not a single group per se. Rather, it is a term used to describe an umbrella organization, which, since around 2020, has included various Iran-backed militias in the region.

Initially, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq emerged as a response to foreign military presence and political interventions, especially after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq acted as a collective term for pro-Tehran Iraqi militias, allowing them to launch attacks under a single banner. Over time, it evolved to become a front for Iran-backed militias operating beyond Iraq, including those in Syria and Lebanon.

Today, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq operates as a cohesive force rather than as a singular entity  that is to say, as a network its objectives often align with Irans goal of preserving its influence across the region, but on a national level the groups have their distinct agendas.

The collective is notorious for its staunch anti-U.S. posture and dynamic military campaigns, such as a recent two-day drone operation targeting American forces at an Iraqi airbase.

Operating under this one banner of Islamic Resistance, these militias effectively conceal the identities of the actual perpetrators in their operations. This was seen in the deadly Jan. 28, 2024, attack on Tower 22, a U.S. military base in Jordan. Although it is evident that an Iranian-supported militia orchestrated the drone assault, pinpointing the specific faction within this broad coalition remains elusive.

This deliberate strategy hinders direct attribution and poses challenges for countries attempting to identify and retaliate against the precise culprits.

What do they hope to achieve in attacking a US target?

Iranian-backed militias have been intensifying attacks on U.S. forces in recent months in response to American support for Israel in the Israel-Hamas conflict, and also to assert regional influence.

Since the beginning of the conflict in October 2023, Iranian-backed militias have repeatedly struck American military bases in Iraq and Syria, recently expanding their attacks to include northeastern Jordan near the Syrian border.

The deadly assault on Jan. 28 marks a significant escalation, though  it is the first instance during the Israel-Hamas war that American troops have been killed.

The attack in Jordan forms part of a strategy by Iranian-backed militias to counter Washingtons support for Israel in the Gaza conflict. But it is also aimed at advancing a wider goal of pushing U.S. forces out of the Middle East entirely.

By coordinating attacks under the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, these groups are trying to display a unified stance against U.S. interests and policy, showcasing their collective strength and strategic alignment across the region.

What role did Iran have in the attack?

Iran has officially denied any involvement in the drone strike.

But the Islamic Resistance in Iraq is known to be part of the networks of militia groups that Tehran supports.

Iran, through the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force, has provided such militias with money, weapons and training. However, the extent of Irans command and coordination in specific incidents like the Jordan attack remains unclear. At this stage, more concrete evidence is necessary to firmly implicate Iran.

As Iran expert Nakissa Jahanbani and I recently explained in an article for The Conversation, Irans strategy in the region involves supporting and funding militia groups while granting them a degree of autonomy.

By doing so, Iran maintains plausible deniability when it comes to attacks carried out by its proxies.

So while Irans direct involvement in the attack has not been definitively established, Tehrans long-standing support of groups like the Islamic Resistance in Iraq is well documented, playing a significant role in the regional conflict dynamics and geopolitical strategies.

What options does the US have to respond?

It isnt clear how the U.S. intends to respond to the attack. The Biden administration faces complex dynamics when it comes to responding to attacks linked to Iranian-backed militias.

While a forceful military strike is an option that the Biden administration appears to be looking at, targeting Iran directly on its own soil is fraught with risks and may be seen as a step too far.

Even when targeting Iranian interests or personnel, such as the assassination of Quds Force General Qassem Soleimani, the U.S has conducted these actions outside Iranian territory.

Irans denial of direct involvement in the attack further complicates the situation and makes it less likely that the U.S. attacks Iran in retaliatory strikes.

But adopting a targeted approach, such as striking militia leaders outside of Iran, raises questions about the effectiveness of U.S. tactics in deterring Iran and its proxies.

This strategy has been employed in the past, yet it has not significantly curbed Irans or its proxies aggressive actions. The concern is that while such strikes are precise, they may not be enough to deter ongoing or future attacks.

The key to the strategys success may rest in identifying the most influential factors, or centers of gravity, that can effectively influence Irans behavior. This means determining key leaders, critical infrastructure or economic assets, which, if killed, destroyed or seized, could substantially alter Irans decision-making or operational capabilities.

The Biden administrations need to balance a strong response with the geopolitical consequences highlights the difficulties of navigating a tense and evolving situation.

How might the attack affect the wider Middle East conflict?

How the U.S. responds could reshape the Middle Easts geopolitical landscape and influence the dynamics of proxy warfare in the region.

A strong military response from Washington might deter Iranian-backed militias from future attacks, but it could also provoke them into taking more aggressive actions.

In the short term, any U.S. retaliation  especially if it targets Iranian interests directly  could escalate tensions in the region.

It could also exacerbate the cycle of tit-for-tat strikes between the U.S. and Iranian-backed forces, increasing the risk of a broader regional conflict.

And given that the attacks pretext involves the Israel-Hamas war, any U.S. response could indirectly affect the course of that conflict, impacting future diplomatic efforts and the regional balance of power.

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and analysis to help you make sense of our complex world.

It was written by: Sara Harmouch, American University.

Read more:



Sara Harmouch does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
An enemy drone that killed three American troops and wounded dozens of others in Jordan may have been confused with an American drone returning to the U.S. installation, two U.S. officials said Monday.

The officials, who were not authorized to comment and insisted on anonymity, said preliminary accounts suggest the enemy drone that struck the installation known as Tower 22 may have been mistaken for an American drone that was in the air at the same time.

The officials said that as the enemy drone was flying in at a low altitude, a U.S. drone was returning to the base. As a result, there was no effort to shoot down the enemy drone.

The preliminary conclusion was first reported by The Wall Street Journal.

Explanation for how the enemy drone evaded U.S. air defenses on the installation came as the White House said Monday its not looking for war with Iran even as President Joe Biden vows retaliatory action. The Democratic administration believes Tehran was behind the strike.

Biden met with members of his national security team in the White House Situation Room to discuss the latest developments.

The brazen attack, which the Biden administration blames on Iranian-based proxies, adds another layer of complexity to an already tense Mideast situation as the Biden administration tries to keep the Israel-Hamas war from expanding into a broader regional conflict.

The president and I will not tolerate attacks on U.S. forces, and we will take all necessary actions to defend the U.S. and our troops, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Monday as he met at the Pentagon with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

Biden faces a difficult balancing act as he looks to strike back against Tehran in a forceful way without allowing the Gaza conflict to further metastasize. The drone attack was one of dozens on U.S. troops in the Middle East since Hamas launched attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, igniting the war in Gaza. But its the first in which American service members have been killed.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby reiterated a day after Biden promised to hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner [of] our choosing that the U.S. administration wasnt seeking to get into another conflict in the Middle East.

But Kirby also made clear that the American patience has worn thin after more than two months of attacks by Iranian proxies on U.S. troops in Iraq, Syria and Jordan and on the U.S. Navy and commercial vessels in the Red Sea. The groups  including Yemens Houthi rebels and the Iraq-based Kataeb Hezbollah  say the attacks are in response to Israels ongoing military operations in Gaza.

We are not looking for a war with Iran, Kirby told NBCs Today show. We are not looking to escalate the conflict in the region.  Obviously, these attacks keep coming. Well keep looking at the options. I cant speak for the supreme leader or what he wants or he doesnt want. I can tell you what we want. What we want is a stable, secure, prosperous Middle East, and we want these attacks to stop.

Iran on Monday denied it was behind the Jordan strike.

These claims are made with specific political goals to reverse the realities of the region, Tehrans official IRNA news agency quoted foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani as saying.

Republicans have laid blame on Biden for doing too little to deter Iranian-backed militias, which have carried out some 150 attacks on U.S. troops in region since the start of the war.

Bidens response to these attacks has been disorganized, ineffective, and weak, Republican National Committee spokesman Jake Schneider said in a statement. Now, more Americans have lost their lives because of Bidens incompetence.

Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump on Sunday called the attack yet another horrific and tragic consequence of Joe Bidens weakness and surrender.

The attack hit a U.S. military desert outpost in the far reaches of northeastern Jordan known as Tower 22. The installation sits near the demilitarized zone on the border between Jordan and Syria along a sandy, bulldozed berm marking the DMZs southern edge. The Iraqi border is only 10 kilometers (6 miles) away.

The base began as a Jordanian outpost watching the border, then saw an increased U.S. presence after American forces entered Syria in late 2015. The small installation includes U.S. engineering, aviation, logistics and security troops, with about 350 U.S. Army and Air Force personnel deployed.

Iraqs government condemned the drone strike in an apparent effort to distance itself from an attack likely carried out by the Iranian-backed militias that have a strong presence inside Iraq.

Government spokesman Bassem al-Awadi said in a statement on Monday that Iraq is monitoring with a great concern the alarming security developments in the region and called for an end to the cycle of violence. The statement said that Iraq is ready to participate in diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation.

An umbrella group for Iran-backed factions known as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq has claimed dozens of attacks against bases housing U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria since the Israel-Hamas war began. On Sunday, the group claimed three drone attacks against sites in Syria, including near the border with Jordan, and one inside of occupied Palestine, but so far hasnt claimed the attack in Jordan.

The attack came as U.S. officials were seeing signs of progress in negotiations to broker a deal between Israel and Hamas to release the more than 100 remaining hostages being held in Gaza in exchange for an extended pause in fighting. While contours of a deal under consideration would not end the war, Americans believed that it could lay the groundwork for a durable resolution to the conflict.

Top U.S., Israeli, Egypt and Qatari officials held talks on Sunday in France about an emerging framework for a hostage deal. Israel said significant gaps remain but called the talks constructive and said they would continue in the week ahead.

The Jordan attack also had U.S. allies on edge that the situation in the Middle East could further spiral.

German Foreign Ministry spokesperson Sebastian Fischer said that in view of the extremely tense situation in the region, this act is completely irresponsible and could lead to pushing the region further toward escalation.

We expect from Iran that it finally exert its influence on its allies in the region so that there is no uncontrolled conflagration, in which no one can have an interest, Fischer said.

Associated Press writers Qassim Abdul-Zahra in Baghdad, Jon Gambrell in Jerusalem and Geir Moulson in Berlin contributed reporting.
 Flash

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 mutural 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.
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  The White House says its weighing potential responses to a deadly attack on a U.S. military base in Jordan.

The drone strike killed three American troops and injured dozens more and the U.S. says it was carried out by Iran-backed militant groups.

The Pentagon released the names of the soldiers killed saying the three Americans were assigned to a U.S. army reserve unit based out of Fort Moore, Georgia.

The president and I will not tolerate attack on U.S. forces. And we will take all necessary actions to defend the U.S. and our troops, said Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

President Joe Biden called the attack despicable and says an Iran backed militia is to blame.

Iran denied involvement in the attack. In a statement on Monday, the Iranian foreign ministrys spokesperson said, We are not seeking tensions even with America, inside or outside the region.

We know they support them, we know they resource them, we know they train them, we know theyre certainly not discouraging these attacks, said National Security Council Spokesman John Kirby.

Kirby says the president has met with the national security team multiple times since the attack.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
E. Jean Carroll hopes she can get under Donald Trumps skin with how she spends her $83.3 million defamation settlement.

Last Friday, a jury ordered Trump to pay Carroll for his repeated attacks on the author, who accused the former president of rape in her 2019 book, What Do We Need Men For?

Trump was found liable for sexual assault, but not rape, last May. He was initially ordered to pay Carroll $5 million, but she sued for a second time after Trump continued publicly harassing her following the judgment.

On Monday, Carroll and her attorney, Roberta Kaplan, appeared on Good Morning America to discuss last weeks verdict for the first time.

The former Elle magazine columnist told ABC News George Stephanopoulos that the decision left her overwhelmed her with elation, adding, It filled me up  it was almost painful.

Asked how she plans to use the eight-figure sum, Carroll said, Id like to give the money to something Donald Trump hates.

If it will cause him pain for me to give money to certain things, thats my intent, she added.

The writer said shes also considering starting a fund for the women who have been sexually assaulted by Donald Trump.

Over the years, over two dozen women have come out with sexual misconduct or rape allegations against the businessman, according to The Guardian.

After Fridays ruling, Trump turned to his social media platform, Truth Social, to call the jurys decision absolutely ridiculous.

Our Legal System is out of control, and being used as a Political Weapon, Trump wrote. They have taken away all First Amendment Rights. THIS IS NOT AMERICA!

Watch Carrolls comments on GMA here:

Related...
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  An iconic liquor store in East Nashville was damaged in a fire Sunday night.

Crews were called to Weiss Liquors on Main Street around 7:30 p.m.

Fire investigation at Thompson Lane Krispy Kreme

(Photo: WKRN)

(Photo: WKRN)

(Photo: WKRN)

When firefighters got the store, they located a small fire inside, according to the Nashville Fire Department.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

The fire was extinguished and no injuries were reported.

Investigators believe the cause of the fire was accidental after the failure of an HVAC unit.

Weiss Liquors was damaged in the March 2020 tornado, with the building standing strong but its iconic sign took a direct hit. After months of work, Weiss Liquors sign was restored in November 2020.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA)  The Eastern Illinois Foodbanks Foodmobile will be making its way through Champaign County for food distributions on Feb. 6 and 9.

The Foodmobile is a food pantry on wheels that allows EIF to give nutritious food directly to families in underserved and rural areas. It will travel through southern Champaign County on Feb. 6 and northern Champaign County on Feb. 9.

Eastern Illinois Foodbank hosting 15th Annual Prom Benefit

Specific distribution locations and times are listed at https://www.eifoodbank.org/help/mobile.html. Those interested should pre-register at www.EIFclient.com. To gather and carry food more easily, attendees are asked to bring boxes or bags.

EIF officials provided the following income guidelines:

Updates on future food distributions can be found on EIFs website.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
The 2022 shooting deaths of two El Monte police officers may have been prevented had they been better informed about the danger they were facing, loved ones say after 911 audio was obtained by a local news outlet.

Dispatch recordings from the June 14, 2022 shooting indicate that, while the caller frantically informed the dispatcher that the suspect was armed with a gun and high on PCP, that information was not verbally relayed to the three officers who confronted the man.

Police were responding to a motel on the 10300 block of Garvey Avenue for an initial report of domestic violence.

The 911 calls, which were obtained by Southern California News Group, capture the panic of Maria Zepeda, who was reporting that her husband, Justin Flores, had stabbed her daughter.

Law enforcement surrounds an ambulance at USC Medical Center that had delivered an officer injured in El Monte on June 14, 2022 (KTLA)

Over several minutes, Zepeda told police dispatch that Flores had a history of violence, was armed with a gun and high on drugs. But that information was allegedly never conveyed to Sgt. Eric Sanchez, Cpl. Michael Paredes and Officer Joseph Santana, who responded to the scene.

When the officers arrived at the motel, they stood outside Flores room for several minutes waiting for him to open the door. He repeatedly told the officers he was getting dressed, according to reporting from the news organization.

When the door finally opened, Flores was standing in the room in his underwear and holding a pair of pants. What officers didnt know was that Flores was using the garment to conceal the gun that would take their lives.

Officer Joseph Santana (left) and Corporal Micheal Paredes (right) are shown in photos released by the El Monte Police Department on June 15, 2022.

Paredes, 42, and Santana, 31, were fatally wounded; Sanchez was also shot.

Flores was shot multiple times, including one that likely would have killed him, but he ended up taking his own life with Paredes service weapon, which he had dropped after being shot.

The breakdown in communication, Flores previous arrests and the policies of Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon have left those affected by the deadly shootings asking questions about what went wrong and how it could have been prevented.

Flores, who was known to law enforcement as a gang member, had previous felony convictions. Paredes widow, Janine Paredes, has filed a lawsuit against the District Attorneys Office arguing that Flores should have been behind bars before ever having a chance to kill her husband.

Thousands pay tribute to fallen El Monte police officers

In December 2023, a detective on the case met with Santanas sister and three other police officers to address outstanding questions related to the shooting.

The detective purportedly told them that crucial information about Flores being armed and on drugs, while not communicated via radio, was added to their computer dashboards.

Still, an expert who spoke with Southern California News Group said that information needed to be communicated immediately and directly as soon as dispatchers were made aware of it.

On Monday, Santanas loved ones held a demonstration outside the El Monte Police Department, demanding answers and accountability from police leaders.

Im here with the hope that those who failed my brother on that fateful day are held accountable, said Jessica Santana, Josephs sister. My brothers life mattered and we will not let his memory fade away.

Wyatt Reneer, president of the El Monte Police Officers Association, stood by the actions of the officers involved and the Police Departments civilian employees, saying theres a lot more to the story.

I can tell you that the men and women working that day were doing the right thing, to the best of their abilities, he said.

El Monte Police Chief Jake Fisher released a statement to media in which he said the Department was still mourning the loss of the two officers. He said that the ongoing investigation into that days events would be completed soon and he expected the findings would show that there was no wrongdoing by officers or dispatchers.

He also highlighted recent improvements in the form of better tactical equipment, expanded communication systems and additional mental health resources.

A veteran dispatcher who was among those involved in the miscommunication is still employed by the Police Department but has been on paid leave for the past several months, the publication said, citing anonymous sources.

Several members of the gang with which Flores was associated were arrested the following year for a bevy of charges including conspiracy and gun charges.

Editors Note: This headline has been updated to clarify that the officers were specifically not warned via radio about the suspects state prior to the deadly encounter.

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

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. [Photo/Xinhua]

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said 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.
There is little doubt who will win the El Salvador presidential election when voters go to the polls on Feb. 4, 2024.

Incumbent Nayib Bukele has the initiative heading into the vote, having made a series of eye-catching decisions since coming to power in 2019, such as making bitcoin legal tender, issuing policy through social media, and most significantly, declaring a nationwide state of emergency in response to gang violence.

The Bitcoin experiment has all but failed. But that hasnt dented his prospects of victory.

The reason: A majority of Salvadorans feel safer than they have in years. Under Bukeles authoritarian rule, the homicide rate has officially decreased, many street vendors no longer pay a gang tax, and taxi drivers arent as worried about hijackings or assault. And that has led to Bukeles widespread popularity across the country. In an early January 2024 poll, the incumbent was ahead by 71%. He is, in other words, a shoo-in.

But this sense of safety has come at a cost. Bukeles program to curb crime has led to an erosion of civil rights  tens of thousands of people have been detained in a crackdown on organized crime, with those imprisoned subjected to overcrowding and alleged human rights abuses, including torture.

Critics also point to the breakdown of democratic checks and balances across government since Bukele first took office. He replaced members of the judiciary with allies, and he is running for president again despite constitutional law banning a second consecutive presidential term.

So when Salvadorans cast their votes, theyll be faced with the question: Is the short-term security Bukele is offering worth the serious backslide on democracy taking place in El Salvador?

Presidential abuse of power

Bukeles rollback of democratic norms has been relentless. As soon as his political party Nuevas Ideas won a supermajority in the legislature, he purged the Supreme Court of five justices and removed the attorney general, actions that have allowed him to reinterpret articles of the Salvadoran Constitution that ban him from running in this election.

There are, in fact, six articles of the constitution prohibiting presidents from serving a second consecutive term in office. Bukele specifically took aim at Article 152, which stipulates that presidents cant seek immediate reelection if they served in the previous term for more than six months.

Bukele circumvented the rule by going on leave from presidential duties on Nov. 30, 2023, a move widely regarded as a stunt since he was still campaigning and maintaining the trappings of his office, such as presidential immunity and a security detail. He and members of his administration also pointed to a so-called hidden article in the constitution that would allow him to run again, but international legal experts have refuted such a loophole.

As a scholar who studies comparative politics and violence in the Global South and the U.S, Ive been following the plight of democracy in El Salvador for many years. My working paper in 2022 on Bukeles democratic backsliding notes, in addition to his remaking of the Supreme Court and firing of the attorney general, legislation that forced into retirement judges and prosecutors over the age of 60. This stalled the trial of the El Mozote massacre of 1981, a lingering trauma from the Salvadoran civil war.

El Salvadors history of violence

Bukele was elected following two presidents representing the Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front, or FMLN, a former rebel group thats now a recognized political party. Like Bukele, both of these presidents tried for years to negotiate with gangs while cracking down on them, providing perks for incarcerated gang members in exchange for state input about how and where gang violence transpired. Neither was successful.

Nayib Bukele has many supporters. Aphotografia/Getty Images

In fact, for the majority of Salvadorans, physical violence has been a frequent part of daily life for generations. I have written about the 1932 massacre of Indigenous and working-class people, and the civil war from 1980 to 1992 as critical junctures that inform contemporary Salvadoran politics. The war forced families to flee to the U.S., where boys and young men formed gangs for protection and then were eventually deported back to El Salvador. Gang violence, as well as state violence, has made El Salvador unsafe in the 21st century.

Bukeles safety agenda and violation of civil rights

Bukeles territorial control plan, launched in 2019 shortly after he was elected, did little to diminish this gang violence. So after gangs murdered 87 people in a single weekend in March 2022, Bukele declared a state of emergency. Aimed not only at gangs but journalists and anyone Bukele considers opposition, the state of emergency has, for the past 22 months, seen the suspension of many constitutional rights  including the right to assemble, due process, and privacy in telecommunications.

By the end of 2023, over 74,000 people were incarcerated in the crackdown, with less than a third of those arrested during the state of emergency estimated to be gang members. Many others were charged without proper evidence  on the testimony of neighbors, on the basis of prior arrest records, or simply for having tattoos, as many Salvadorans told me in my 2024 fieldwork.

And once in prison, human rights abuses abound, including torture, inadequate food supply and poor sanitation, according to human rights groups. Family members of incarcerated people Ive interviewed say that to keep their loved ones alive, they are expected to send food, clothing and hygiene products via packets into the prison at a cost of $100-$300 per month, despite a national monthly minimum wage of just $365.

Meanwhile women, children, LGBTQ+ people and others across El Salvador continue to be victimized.

My interviews in January 2024 in various parts of El Salvador suggest that police and military personnel have taken over previously gang-held terrain, replacing gang violence with state violence.

Public opinion and a return to dictatorship

Many Salvadorans say they feel safer since Bukele instated a state of emergency  now called the state of exception. A December 2023 poll found that most citizens are now more concerned with the economy. Bukele timed announcement of his crackdown well, right after his popularity began to wane.

But more recently, Ive spoken with dozens of civil society stakeholders  including human rights workers, journalists, former lawmakers and current government employees  who say that the picture of an eminently safer El Salvador doesnt reflect the lives of Salvadorans living behind bars or in communities exploited by police and armed forces.

Still, on Feb. 4, Salvadorans are likely to overlook those abuses and cast their vote in favor of security for the majority. And, to some extent, who can blame them? After years of civil war and then gang war, many Salvadorans are traumatized by violence. The promise of safety is compelling, even if it means living in a dictatorship.

But if and when the international community recognizes the legitimacy of the election, it will do so in the face of severe constitutional and procedural irregularities. Bukeles efforts to dismantle those safeguards have already left El Salvadors regime on shaky ground. A fresh mandate by the electorate might push Bukele further down an authoritarian path.

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and analysis to help you make sense of our complex world.

It was written by: Mneesha Gellman, Emerson College.

Read more:



Mneesha Gellman does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Clouds of diesel that have blanketed school bus drivers and students for a century are becoming a thing of the past in school districts across the U.S. and throughout 15 school districts in Georgia, including two that neighbor Muscogee County.

This month, Meriwether and Chattahoochee County received 12 electric school buses from the EPA Clean School Bus Grant Program.

Despite the popularity and financial incentives of the program and health burdens from diesel and propane, the Muscogee County School District (MCSD) did not apply for the electric school buses and has not signaled interest in applying in the future.

When asked why MCSD did not apply for the buses, Kimberly Wright, the spokesperson for the district responded on behalf of the Chief Operations Officer, Travis Anderson via email:

The mileage range and required charge time for a typical electric bus does not align with the driving pattern for MCSD. We continue to monitor improvements in the technology and hope to one day be able to incorporate electric buses into our fleet. We do not intend to seek funding for electric buses. It would be impractical and cause significant delays with getting students to school and back home each day.

The buses are virtually free to districts thanks to the EPA grant. The electric buses do not contribute to poor health conditions in children and carbon pollution, a known ingredient for warming up the planet.

Nationally, 2,700 clean school buses were purchased with $1 billion in grants from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law throughout 37 states. 151 buses were awarded to Georgia with a total award of $50 million.

The Chattahoochee County School District recently received four new, electric school buses. 01/23/2024

Kristie Brooks, superintendent at Chattahoochee County school district, responded to the new fleet of electric school buses for her district with great enthusiasm.

Its been fantastic, Brooks said. We are really excited about it. For [the district], it was 100% a financial decision. We have to consistently replace buses each year. To be able to acquire a brand new bus that has support from the manufacturer for repairs was a win-win financially.

A traditional diesel bus averages about $135,000 (with security cameras and A/C) which ultimately comes out of the pockets of taxpayers.

Diesel fuel costs are exorbitant, Brooks added. The bills average between five to six thousand dollars per month to fuel the 13 Chattahoochee County buses.

There are 224 buses throughout Muscogee County and $1,458,000 is budged for fuel, according to Wright.

Brooks and her colleagues looked at the EPA Clean School Bus Rebate Program (which they applied for in 2022) as an opportunity; to switch out some of the oldest buses they have dating back to 1999 for a 2024 all-electric bus.

All four buses that the Chattahoochee County School District were awarded have arrived, the first one as early as December. The total award rate for the four buses and the charging stations was $1,580,000. The two pairs of charging stations were installed several months ago in preparation for the buss arrival.

So far, the electric bill, where the charging stations charge cost shows up, has not been significant, the superintendent said.

The Chattahoochee County School District recently received four new, electric school buses. 01/23/2024

The latest cold spell put the electric school buses to the test.

We learned they have to be run daily and then they will hold their charge very well, Brooks said. The ability to keep the charge is not going to be an issue.

About 60% of the 1,800 students ride the bus to one of the three Chattahoochee County schools.

Willie Rembert drives the newest 2024 (exchanged for the 1999 bus) electric bus on a 26-mile local route, and the bus still has a 34% charge. Rembert told the L-E that it takes about 3 hours to charge. Parents have come up to Rembert at bus stops asking if the bus is running because it is so quiet.

It has the same pick up as my old bus, but no noise, Rembert said. Im amazed by how far the technology has come. Theres no engine. I enjoy driving it, its a blast.

Willie Rembert, a school bus driver for the Chattahoochee County School District, talks about the four new, electric school buses the district recently received. 01/23/2024

Brooks worked with the bus partner Navistar Inc. and to apply for the rebate and used the manufacturer Rush.

We saw this was a viable option and presented it to the school board for approval. It was a 5-0 vote.

Elsewhere in Georgia, 45 minutes north of Columbus along Highway 27, students will soon be picked up and dropped off in electric buses on routes in Manchester and Greenville thanks to the same EPA Clean Bus Rebate Program.

Meriwether County School District was also motivated by a zero-cost incentive. The superintendent and the transportation director are excited but also understand that they are taking a risk trying out the new technology.

Were going to put it to the test, Superintendent, Al Griffin, said. This was an opportunity to upgrade our aging fleet. We hope it will be a fiscally responsible decision for our school system. The fact is, the buses and the charging stations didnt cost us any dollars.

Meriwether County has 52 buses that transport 2,600 students throughout the county to six schools. They are acquiring eight Thomas Engine buses from the vendor, Peach State.

The Meriwether County Transportation Director, Mickie Samper will put the electric buses on the inner city route where she believes it will be most efficient for charging range.

Ill be using the electric buses in Greenville and Manchester because the stops go door to door there, Samper said.

Sampers understanding is that electric buses can go up to 70 miles with one charge, which takes a few hours.

EPA Region 4, Senior Environmental Engineer Alan Powell told the Ledger-Enquirer the all-electric buses can go up to 100 miles on one charge.

A pair of chargers were installed behind the school in Manchester and another pair in Greenville. Like Chattachooche and the other 13 districts in Georgia that were awarded buses, the chargers were included in the the total award money for Meriwether County, $3,160,000.

The Chattahoochee County School District recently received four new, electric school buses. 01/23/2024

The application was very easy, Super said. It was user-friendly. The school board gave their blessing for the vote.

The 2022 rebate program that Meriwether and Chattahoochee County Districts applied for was the first of several rounds. The EPA is going through rounds of funding, switching between rebate to grant to rebate. The second rebate (or the third round) closes Wednesday, January 31, at 4pm.

The $5 billion dollar Bipartisan Infrastructure law provided the funding for this EPA program, and will continue to provide for the next 5 years. Powell said. So well go through a number of these grants and rebates. The next grant will likely be sometime in the fall.

Muscogee County mother not happy

The districts decision does not sit well with at least one parent.

That is silly, said Latisha Spikes said in response to Andersons reasoning.

Spikes has her CDL license and drove school buses when she lived in Michigan. She is furious that Muscogee County didnt even consider applying for the rebate. If route distances are a concern, Spikes suggests prioritizing special ed routes. Her seven-year-old daughter with special needs goes to Midland Academy and go at most 50 miles.

If counties outside of Atlanta are going electric you cant say its an issue, Spikes said.

For example, Savannah-Chatham County will receive 25 buses from a rebate funding of $9.8 million.

When Spikes drove buses in Michigan, she remembered the early hours and smells of exhaust while the bus warmed up.

The bus driver gets there at 5 am and warms up the bus for an hour, so you are using fossil fuels for the diesel to warm up, she said. They can spend up to an hour and a half a day idling while they inspect the vehicle.

Spikes recalled all of the oils and refrigerants used in the buses as well. She was a refrigerator mechanic while she served in the military.

You dont have all of the oil in the electric system, she said. We would likely spend less on maintenance as well.

Willie Rembert, a school bus driver for the Chattahoochee County School District, drives one of the four new, electric school buses the district recently received. 01/23/2024

Powell, the environmental engineer for EPA said less can go wrong with electric buses.

They dont have oil changes anymore and there is less brakeware on buses.

Plus, the manufacturers and distributors want this to be successful and in some cases are the responsible party if they are the third party applicant instead of the district. Some districts dont want to be the first to apply to be the ones to test this technology.

Its a brave new world if they are looking going electric, Powell chuckled.

Breathing Clean Air

The signature black plume of smoke that exhausts from the back of the school bus affects all students whether in the front or back of the bus or rural or city, according to experts.

The diesel leaks exhaust from the motor and engine all the way along the exhaust line, its not just what is coming out the tailpipe, Anne Mellinger-Birdsong said. The kids that ride in rural or city all get that exhaust.

Birdsong is an environmental health expert who previously practiced as a pediatrician and now is the medical advisor for Atlanta-based, Mothers and Others for Clean Air.

When you burn a fuel, nitrogen dioxide is left in the air which damages childrens lung growth, Birdsong tells the Ledger-Enquirer. There is a litany of hazardous pollutants that are carcinogenic (cancer-causing) that when inhaled contribute to asthma, lung development, and even mental capabilities.

Diesel exhaust particulates include various chemicals like benzene and toluene, Birdsong said.

As far as natural gas and propane as an alternative to diesel Birdsong said they are not as dirty as diesel but not clean either.

They are still carbon-based and still a greenhouse gas, and make nitrous dioxide and some particulates, she said. Electric buses are still better overall. Georgia State University found when they added a filter to buses to remove diesel, those students had better end-of-year test scores.

Birdsong also added that asthma is the most chronic condition in children.

This map shows asthma prevalence, children 0-17 years of age, by public health district in Georgia from 2016-2018.

According to Department of Public Health records the western area of Georgia has the highest rate of asthma in children, at 13.9% in 2018.

There are several more years of funding for clean school buses so there is time for counties to apply, she said. Its great you can make the health and well-being better and maybe they will do better in school too.

Willie Rembert, a school bus driver for the Chattahoochee County School District, drives one of the four new, electric school buses the district recently received. 01/23/2024
On Friday morning, attorneys, journalists and a few members of the public gathered in a courtroom on the third floor of the Richland County Courthouse for a preview of Alex Murdaughs jury tampering hearing.

A single juror, referred to only as Juror X throughout the proceedings, testified about her contacts with Colleton County Clerk of Court Becky Hill and whether they influenced her decision to find Murdaugh guilty of murdering his wife, Maggie, and son Paul.

Judge Jean Toal, who is overseeing the jury tampering hearing, placed Fridays proceedings under an embargo, forbidding the press from reporting on her questions, the jurors answers and even the jurors gender. Toal said she imposed the strict conditions to avoid tainting the remaining 11 jurors, who are set to testify Monday.

Juror X testified Friday due to what Toal called an unavoidable scheduling conflict  which was apparently a vacation on which she had already spent money.

That embargo expired at 9:30 a.m. Monday when the full hearing got underway. Fridays examination offers a roadmap for what Mondays hearing will likely look like.

Appearing in response to a subpoena, Juror X arrived with her attorney, Eric Bland, who sat in the jury box while she took the stand. Bland represents five of the Murdaugh jurors.

As Juror X prepared to be sworn in, Toal stood and thanked her for appearing and explained the exceptional nature of the inquiry.

Normally, a hearing into jury tampering takes place directly following a trial because that is usually when those issues are raised, Toal said.

This is almost a year after the verdict. I am very sensitive to how difficult that must be to any of the jurors in this case, including yourself, Toal said. Please understand to begin with, you have done absolutely nothing wrong. You have discharged your duties exactly as you were asked to.

Once the juror was sworn in, Toal launched into a brief and direct series of questions.

Juror X stated that her verdict was entirely based on testimony, evidence and law presented in Murdaughs trial. The juror denied hearing Hill make any comments about the merits of the case.

Was your verdict on March 2, 2023, influenced in any way by the communications of Clerk of Court Becky Hill in this case? Toal asked

No, your honor, Juror X replied.

Toal also asked the juror about questions that had been raised about a private meeting between the juror and Hill.

Were those about any issue other than the procedure involved with the case? Toal asked.

It was about a different matter. It was nothing to do with the case, Juror X replied.

After Juror X was briefly dismissed, Murdaugh attorney Dick Harpootlian brought to the courts attention a surprise memo that had been provided by Bland. The memo outlined how Juror X told Bland that before Murdaughs testimony, Hill made a number of statements including: Looks like the defendant is going to testify, This is an important day and This is an epic day. The memo also described how Hill made some statement to the effect that it was rare for a defendant to testify.

Toal then called the juror back in and read the memo.

Can you verify that what I have read is something that you heard? Toal asked.

Yes maam, said Juror X.

Did these statements have any impact on your verdict? Toal asked.

No maam, Juror X replied.

Toal then dismissed the juror.

The questions offered some insight into how Toal may apply the legal standards that will guide her ruling in the jury tampering inquiry.

In previous statements to the court, Toal has said that she intends to rely on a 2020 case known as South Carolina v. Green as precedent for her decision. In that case, the South Carolina Supreme Court ruled that communications alone between court officials and members of the jury were not presumed to have prejudiced the jurys verdict.

Instead, it was the defenses obligation to prove that the contact was harmful.

This is in contrast to a federal case, Remmer v. United States, which Murdaughs defense attorneys argued should guide the decision. In Remmer, judges found that any communication with the jury was presumed to be prejudicial and the burden rests heavily upon the Government to establish . . . that such contact with the juror was harmless to the defendant.

In the Friday hearing, when the juror was out of the room, Harpootlian referred to her as Juror 826 in an exchange with Judge Toal. A review of previous public court filings in the case shows that Juror 826 was the foreperson of the jury. An excerpt from a Sept. 5 motion seeking a new trial by Murdaughs lawyer in the South Carolina Court of Appeals also mentions Juror 826.

Ms. Hill and Juror No. 826, the new jury foreperson, on multiple occasions went to another room to have private conversations lasting five or ten minutes Sometimes they would go into the jury rooms single-occupancy bathroom together Foreperson Juror No. 826 never said anything about the content of those conversations to other jurors... Ms. Hill even instructed jurors they could not ask Foreperson Juror No. 826 about the conversations.

In an affidavit dated Nov. 6, 2023, Hill said, I did not have private conversation with juror #826 in a bathroom.

She added my conversation with Juror #826 did not involve evidence, witnesses, or substance of the trial.
Emmanuel Macron's efforts with Vladimir Putin at the beginning of the war in Ukraine went down badly with No 10 - POOL/REUTERS

Liz Truss has said Emmanuel Macron angered Britain by sending mixed messages to Vladimir Putin in the months after he invaded Ukraine.

The former prime minister said Downing Street was left frustrated by his insistence on keeping negotiations open with the Russian leader.

The French president carried on holding phone calls with Putin long after other Nato countries had cut ties with the Kremlin over its illegal war.

He repeatedly defended his actions at the time, arguing that he was keeping diplomatic relations with Moscow open on behalf of the West.

Mr Macron said just before Christmas that he was open to resuming talks if Putin calls him, telling journalists: I havent changed my number.

Boris Johnson feared bad peace deal

But in a new BBC documentary to be aired on Monday, Ms Truss, the then foreign secretary, reveals that his efforts went down badly in Downing Street.

She told Putin vs the West: At War she was frustrated with Mr Macron because I thought it sent out very mixed messages about the Wests resolve.

Boris Johnson, the former prime minister, revealed how he feared in Spring 2022 that Kyiv would come under pressure to accept a bad peace deal.

He said: I didnt think that such a trade-off would be right. You cant negotiate with a crocodile thats bitten half your leg and is proposing to bite the other leg.

In the documentary Ms Truss also admitted that the UK had not taken strong enough economic measures prior to the invasion to deter Putin.

We realised the weapons and the sanctions were the real levers that we had over Russia but we were behind the curve in terms of our sanctions, she said.

Mr Johnson told the programme that there is deep institutional guilt within Nato that it had not put Ukraine on a path to membership earlier.

The former prime minister said that the military alliances dithering over whether Kyiv would be allowed to join had been a fatal error.

Boris Johnson says there is 'deep institutional guilt' within Nato over Ukraine's path to membership - syllogi Admin / No10 Downing Street

He said: If Nato had followed through on the things that it had said and actually put the Ukrainians on a proper path to membership, theres an argument to say that Putin would not have done what he did.

It was our collective ambiguity for so long, endlessly sucking and blowing at the same time, that was so fatal because Putin thought, right well, theyre not serious.

Mr Johnson also lifted the lid on conversations he had with Ben Wallace, the then defence secretary, about Ukraines plea for a Nato-enforced no-fly zone.

He said that Britain and other Western allies had been unable to agree to the request because they were warned it could start World War Three.

Ben Wallace was very clear that it would mean me giving orders, or him giving orders, to our pilots to shoot down Russian fast jets, he said.

Putin needs to be put back in the box

Ukraine formally applied to join Nato in September 2022, with the alliances members unanimously agreeing that it should be allowed to join.

But that will not realistically happen until after the war with Russia has ended.

In the meantime individual countries including the UK are supplying Kyiv with money and weapons and helping to train its armed forces.

Mr Johnson said the invasion of Ukraine should mark the end of the Wests soft approach towards Putin who he said needed to be put back in the box.

Charles Michel, the president of the EU Council, added that Nato was clearly embarrassed by its inability to intervene in the conflict to help Ukraine.

It can condemn this war with press releases, but it cant enter the war so as not to provoke World War Three, he added.

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An enemy drone launched by Iranian proxies that killed three U.S. soldiers was able to evade detection by approaching the base in Jordan as a U.S. drone was returning to the facility, according to a Defense Department official.

The attackers, members of an Iran-backed militia, saw an opportunity and exploited it, said the official, who was granted anonymity to discuss a developing security situation.

The assault, which dramatically escalated the situation in the Middle East, has put renewed pressure on the Biden administration to respond more forcefully to the more than 160 attacks on U.S. troops in Iraq, Syria and now Jordan. And former senior military officials are now calling on Biden to respond forcefully, including to strike back at Iran itself.

Meanwhile, the DOD official and a second U.S. official told POLITICO that an hour and a half after the strike on Tower 22, Iranian proxies launched another drone at a U.S. base just across the border in Syria, al-Tanf Garrison. A U.S. drone, RTXs Coyote uncrewed aerial system, shot it down, the DOD official added.



Tower 22 and al-Tanf Garrison are just kilometers apart, and U.S. drones often defend both, the DOD official said.

The drone struck the living quarters at Tower 22 early in the morning on Sunday while troops were still in their beds, Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh told reporters on Monday.

The Pentagon on Monday identified the three soldiers who were killed as Sgt. William Jerome Rivers, Spc. Kennedy Ladon Sanders, and Spc. Breonna Alexsondria Moffett, all assigned to the 718th Engineer Company at Fort Moore, Ga.

More than 40 service members were also injured in the attack, including five who were diagnosed with traumatic brain injury, Singh said. Those troops were some of the eight who were medically evacuated from the base to Baghdad diplomatic support center for additional care; three are scheduled for "imminent transport to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany, for follow-on care," she said.

Singh said the attack "has the footprints of Kataib Hezbollah," referring to an Iran-backed militia group that the U.S. has previously blamed for attacks in Iraq and Syria. However, the Pentagon has not made a final assessment as to which group is responsible.

Singh would not comment on how the drone penetrated U.S. air defenses, but said the Pentagon is looking at how to "better define" its defenses in the region and "prevent future attacks like this from happening again."



The Wall Street Journal was first to report that the enemy drone approached as a U.S. drone was also returning to base, although officials quoted in that report said the simultaneous approaches created confusion.

Biden on Sunday said the U.S. shall respond," but the strikes continued on Monday, with Iranian proxies launching an attack at U.S. patrol base al-Shaddadi, in northeast Syria, according to the second U.S. official. Overall, U.S. troops have been attacked 165 times since Oct. 17: 66 times in Iraq; 98 in Syria; and once in Jordan, the official said.

Tower 22 is a small outpost typically housing only 300 to 350 troops, said retired Gen. Joseph Votel, who served as head of U.S. Central Command from 2016 to 2019. The base in Jordan sits close to the triple border with Syria and Iraq, and is attached to the Rukban refugee camp.

The base serves as a crossing point for U.S. special operations forces moving into Syria, and is a a logistics hub supporting the fight in Syria against the Islamic State, Votel said. U.S. training of Jordanian forces also takes place there, he said.

The living quarters at Tower 22 are very temporary, he said. You would not find brick-and-mortar buildings at a location like that."

Republican members of Congress on Sunday called on Biden to target Iran directly in response. On Monday, former senior military officials joined in, as retired Adm. James Stavridis, the former supreme allied commander of NATO, proposed seizing an Iranian naval or commercial vessel.

Votel in an interview urged Biden to send an unambiguous message that the U.S. holds Iran responsible. Washington should consider striking assets of value to Iran and [causing] them to pay a price for this, he said, for instance taking out leaders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps or Quds Force, or sites associated with those organizations.

A U.S. strike on Iranian soil shouldnt be off the table, but is only one of the options that should be considered, he said.

Iran, I think, is responsible for this, Votel said. Iran is always trying to push the limits as far as they can go.

Matt Berg contributed to this report.
Renewable power sources generated enough energy to meet 100 per cent of Scotlands electricity demand in 2022, recently released government data shows.

Green energy such as wind and hydro generated the equivalent of 113 per cent of Scotlands gross electricity consumption.

This was 26 per cent more than in 2021.

Scotlands Energy Secretary Neil Gray hailed the news as a significant milestone for the countrys renewables sector.

Scotland generates over 100 per cent of electricity from renewables

Data from the Scottish Government shows that green power sources produced more than enough electricity for the countrys demand in 2022.

It coincided with a drop in electricity consumption in the country by 4 per cent to 22,040 gigawatt hours.

Scotland aims to generate enough energy from green sources to cater for its own needs and to contribute to other countries electricity supply, Gray said in a press statement.

For the first time Scotland has produced more renewable electricity than it consumed, demonstrating the enormous potential of Scotlands green economy, said Gray.

Scotland has the skills, talent and natural resources to become a global renewables powerhouse.

Our ambition is not only to generate enough green electricity to power Scotlands homes and businesses, but also export electricity to our neighbours, supporting jobs here in Scotland and the decarbonisation ambitions of our partners.

Gray said the significant growth in renewables aims to create a climate-friendly energy system that provides affordable, resilient and clean energy supplies for Scotlands households, businesses and communities.

Renewables sector held back by lack of government investment

Scotlands government is poised to publish its green industrial strategy and the steps it will take to maximise the benefits that Scotlands abundant natural resources can deliver in creating new jobs and opportunities across the country, according to Gray.

However, he added that progress is being slowed by issues such as grid capacity and called on the UK government for more funding to boost advances in the renewables sector.

In a number of areas progress is being held back by factors such as grid capacity and the lack of a market mechanism for the likes of pumped hydro storage, which is why we need urgent investment from the UK government now and more consistent commitment to industry in the years ahead, Gray said.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan's AK Party is allied to the new Democratic Alliance for Diversity and Awakening group in Germany - ANADOLU

The party of Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish president, has set up an offshoot in Germany to contest European elections due later this year.

The Democratic Alliance for Diversity and Awakening (DAVA), which is allied to Mr Erdogans AK Party, said it would run highly decorated candidates in the June vote.

It will fight for the rights of people with foreign roots and take a stand against anti-Muslim racism, said Fatih Zingal, a leading DAVA figure with links to the Turkish president.

The party was officially founded on Jan 7, and its emergence has prompted concern among political circles in Berlin.

An Erdogan offshoot running for election here is the last thing we need, said Cem Ozdemir, the German agriculture minister and a member of the Green Party who is one of the most high-profile members of Germanys three million-strong Turkish community.

Jens Spahn, a senior figure in the conservative Christian Democrats (CDU), meanwhile claimed DAVA would be another extremist party in our country.

He accused chancellor Olaf Scholzs government of making it easy for them via a recent relaxation of the laws concerning dual-citizenship.

Present Muslims as victims

A law passed earlier this month will make it possible for non-EU citizens to hold dual citizenship in Germany, a reform that could lead to an extra 1.5 million Turks living in the country getting the vote.

Christoph de Vries, a CDU MP, claimed to the Bild newspaper that DAVA would seek to present Muslims as victims of a racist majority society and act as their representatives.

He added that Germanys intelligence agencies should monitor them closely and intervene if the Turkish government exerts direct influence.

Teyfik Ozcan, the reported head of the new party, has insisted that it will be financed domestically, telling Bild that membership fees and donors come exclusively from within Germany.

It is illegal for political parties in Germany to receive funding from abroad.

Fears about Ankaras attempts to exert influence in Germany have been growing in recent years.

Turkeys religious authorities have funded the construction of a number of major mosques and sent imams to work in hundreds of religious organisations throughout the country.

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The recent escalation near the village of Tabaivka, Kharkiv Oblast, is part of the Russian strategy to bypass Kupyansk from the south. The enemy is withdrawing some troops from the Lyman sector in order to concentrate its forces and achieve at least some success, military expert Serhiy Hrabskyitold Radio NV on Jan. 29

Even the loss of the village will not complicate the situation for the Ukrainian forces. According to Hrabskyi, serious fighting has been going on near Krokhmalne and Tabayivka for about two weeks.

"Nevertheless, we must understand that the consolidation in this area can help the enemy to move towards Kupyansk-Vuzlovyi, which is actually the main target of its offensive. That is, the enemy, unable to attack through Lyman Pershyi in the direction of Kupyansk, the enemy is now trying to bypass it from the south, to create a salient, and cut it off. Thus, Kupyansk remains its main objective.

The Russians have the ability to concentrate human resources in this front sector.

"It is very difficult to say how far they will be able to advance. The next few days, at least this week, will be quite difficult... Having received such an impulse, the Russians will logically do everything possible to break through in this area."

Read also: Ukrainian Armed Forces spokesman denies Russian claims of Tabaivka village capture in Kharkiv Oblast

Earlier, The Russian forces have claimed to have captured the village of Tabaivka in KharkivOblast, but the U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War has no evidence to support this claim, ISW said in its latest report released on Jan. 27.

Analysts for the DeepState Telegram channel, by contrast, have reported that the Russian forces did indeed occupy the village.

The ISW reported on Jan. 21 that Russians had advanced along the Kupyansk-Svatove-Kreminnaline and captured Krokhmalne in Kharkiv Oblast. Armed Forces spokesman Volodymyr Fitio later confirmed this, saying that the capture of the village had no strategic importance for the front.

Read also: Russia has no strategic success in eastern Ukraine, but continues offensives in Lyman-Kupyansk sector

According to DeepState, Russian forces have taken Tabaivka and are trying to build on their success towards Pishchane.

The Lyman operational and tactical grouping is now facing a choice: either risk committing all their reserves to regain lost positions or stabilizing the contact line and gain a foothold on new defensive lines. This is logical and nothing secret has been announced.

Russian claims that they have captured the village of Tabaivka in Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv Oblast do not correspond to reality, Fitio told Espresso TV on Jan. 29.

Read also: Russia announces seizure of Kharkiv Oblast hamlet amid escalation around Kupyansk on eastern front

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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. [Photo/Xinhua]

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara in Bangkok 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.
The European Union has not confirmed the information by the Financial Times on the development of a plan to sabotage Hungary's economy if the country's Prime Minister, Viktor Orban, vetoes the allocation of 50 billion euros in funding to Ukraine.

Source: Interfax Ukraine news agency, citing an anonymous EU official, as reported by European Pravda.

Quote: "This is an actual document that does not reflect the status of the ongoing negotiations on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) between representatives of EU member states and at the EU leaders' level.

The note does not outline any specific plan regarding the MFF and the Ukrainian Fund, nor does it present any plan concerning Hungary.

The official said that negotiations on the MFF are ongoing and have always been based on finding a compromise acceptable to all 27 EU member countries."

Background:

The Financial Times reported that EU leaders were supposedly ready to publicly declare a complete halt to any financing for Hungary, aiming to alarm the markets, trigger turmoil in the national currency (forint), and cause a sharp increase in borrowing costs.

On 26 January, an EU official stated that negotiations for approving a four-year financial aid program of 50 billion to Ukraine are complicated as Hungary keeps its rigorous stance ahead of the summit on 1 February.

Before that, Bloomberg, citing sources, reported that Hungary would withdraw its objections to creating a military aid fund for Ukraine with an annual budget of 5 billion, paving the way for an agreement to modernise the mechanism aimed at the stable supply of weapons to Kyiv.

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The EU is developing a plan to sabotage Hungary's economy unless Budapest agrees to negotiate a new aid package for Ukraine.

Source: British newspaper The Financial Times, citing an internal EU document

Details: The FT reported that Brussels intends to collapse the Hungarian forint [currently HUF 1 = US$0,0028] and reduce Hungary's investment attractiveness in order to harm "jobs and growth" in the country's economy.

The article noted that unless Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban makes concessions, the EU leadership may publicly announce a complete cessation of funding for Budapest with the intention of "spooking the markets".

Janos Boka, Hungary's EU Affairs Minister, said he had not heard of the threats. He added that Budapest "does not give in to pressure: "Hungary does not establish a connection between support for Ukraine and access to EU funds, and rejects other parties doing so," he said. "Hungary has and will continue to participate constructively in the negotiations".

The official noted that Hungary sent a new proposal to Brussels on 27 January, giving its provisional consent to use funds from the EU budget to help Ukraine and issue common debt to cover Kyiv's needs provided that the EU meets Budapest's demands and adds a clause stipulating that it can change its decision in the future.

For his part, an EU Council representative said he would not comment on the leak to the press. At the same time, sources in EU diplomatic circles interviewed by the FT stressed that "many countries" support the plan. One of the diplomats told the FT that such discussions were "blackmail."

Background:

Hungary has previously indicated that it may lift its veto on the 50 billion aid package, provided that the funding is reviewed annually. Media reports suggested that the European Commission is ready to accept some of Budapest's demands.

The EU leaders are reportedly ready to take a tough stance against Hungary if Prime Minister Viktor Orban continues to block the 50 billion aid package for Ukraine at the 1 February summit.

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The EU has preliminarily approved the use of Russian assets for Ukraine

The Council of the European Union has reached a preliminary agreement to fund Ukraine aid with profits from frozen Russian assets, the Belgian delegation at the Council announced via Twitter on Jan. 29.

EU Ambassadors just agreed in principle on a proposal on the use of windfall profits related to immobilized assets to support Ukraines reconstruction, the message reads.

Read also: Ukraine may finance budget deficit with proceeds from frozen Russian assets

RFE/RL correspondent Rikard Jozwiak reported that profits would be placed in a special account, with the EU needing to finalize the actual transfer of the money to Ukraine.

Read also: Ukraine may finance budget deficit with proceeds from frozen Russian assets

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said on Jan. 23 that leaders would decide on the use of frozen Russian assets by the next EU Foreign Affairs Council on March 18.

Read also: Ukraine plans to rebuild and arm using frozen Russian assets, states FM Kuleba

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated previously that plans for the required decisions to transfer the frozen Russian assets to Ukraine are in development.

Zelenskyy has called for the handover of approximately $300 billion in frozen Russian assets overseas to aid in Ukraine's reconstruction efforts.

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The EU Council announced on Jan. 29 the prolongation of economic sanctions against Russia, imposed due to its aggression against Ukraine, until July 31.

"These sanctions, first introduced in 2014 in response to Russia's actions destabilizing the situation in Ukraine, were significantly expanded since February 2022 in response to Russia's unprovoked, unjustified, and illegal military aggression against Ukraine," the Council's press service said.

The European bloc first adopted sanctions related to Russian aggression on July 31, 2014, after Moscow occupied Crimea and launched war in Ukraine's Donbas region. The EU has significantly scaled up its sanctions after the full-scale invasion, adopting 12 major sanctions packages since Feb. 24, 2022.

The EU approved its latest sanctions package in December 2023, with the 13th package reportedly already in the works and expected to be unveiled in February.

Sanctions against Moscow encompass a broad array of economic areas, including restrictions on trade, finance, technology and dual-use goods, industry, transport, and luxury goods.

They further include a ban on Russian seaborne crude oil and certain petroleum products, cutting off Russian banks from the SWIFT international banking system, and suspending Russian propaganda and disinformation channels within the bloc.

Brussels also sought to crack down on Russia's ability to circumvent existing sanctions via third-party countries.

Read also: Borrell says Central Asia must strengthen cooperation on Russian sanctions circumvention

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The European Union has reportedly devised a plan for economic sanctions against Hungary as a means of pressuring the country to lift its veto on aid to Ukraine, the Financial Times has reported.

The proposed plan includes a threat to withhold funding from other EU member states if Hungary does not alter its stance on Ukraine aid by the time of the upcoming EU summit on Feb. 1.

Among other things, such a move could undermine investor confidence in Hungary, potentially triggering economic consequences like job cuts and slowing growth.

Under EU pressure, Hungary has shown increasing willingness to reach a compromise regarding aid to Ukraine, while retaining its annual veto right on payments.



The economic pressure imposed by the EU puts Hungary's economy at risk, as it already faces challenges, including high state deficits and other structural issues.

Read also: EU has 3 strategies to circumvent Hungarys obstructionist veto on $54.3 billion in aid for Ukraine

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Permanent representatives of the EU countries at a meeting on 29 January coordinated the creation of a separate account to which the interest from taxed income of frozen Russian assets will be transferred.

Source: European Pravda with reference to Rikard Jozwiak, Brussels correspondent of Radio Liberty; later the information was officially confirmed by the Belgian leadership of the EU Council

The Belgian chairmanship stated without going into detail that the EU ambassadors "agreed in principle on a proposal on the use of windfall profits related to immobilised assets to support Ukraines reconstruction".

Details: Jozwiak stated that the EU ambassadors greenlit the first step on the path towards using frozen Russian assets in favour of Ukraine  "putting aside proceeds of frozen Russian assets in a separate account".

"Now its all about agreeing the next step: actually sending the cash to Ukraine," he added.

Earlier this month the foreign affairs ministers of the EU reached a political agreement concerning the plan to use Russian assets to support Ukraine.

However, a number of EU member states are against the confiscation of these assets due to legal hardships. The compromise is to tax the income of these frozen assets and transfer these funds to Ukraine.

Meanwhile the US is promoting the idea of the confiscation of frozen assets. Last week profile committees of the Senate and the Chamber of Representatives of the US adopted a law intended to help create conditions for confiscation of Russian assets and their transfer to Ukraine to support its reconstruction.

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An artists reconstruction of the locomotor behavior and paleoenvironment of Lufengpithecus. This extinct primate lived in East Asia during the Miocene.

Tracing how some primates went from getting around on all fours to walking around on two legs has been difficult. The fossil record hasnt always presented a clear evolutionary history of bipedalism. These days, our species primarily walks upright on two legs , but primates can also climb up trees using arms and legs to propel the body. Some primates like great apes typically walk using all four limbs and smaller monkeys gracefully swing among tree branches. Scientists are now beginning to see more clearly how humans developed our bipedal walking ability, by studying the inner ears of the extinct primate Lufengpithecuslikely, an evolutionary stepping stone.

[Related: Our tree-climbing ancestors evolved our abilities to throw far and reach high .]

A team of scientists used three-dimensional CT-scans of a 6-million-year-old fossilized Lufengpithecus skulls bony inner ear and found a structure that looks similar to some of todays bipedal mammals. This inner ear area likely played a role in bipedal evolution. The findings are described in a study published January 29 in the journal The Innovation .

Meet Lufengpithecus

Lufengpithecus lived in East Asia during the Miocene Era , about 23 million to five million years ago. The land-dwelling animals at this time were starting to look more like the animals we see today, but some of their earlier and intermediate forms like Lufengpithecus were still living.

It would have been about the size of a chimpanzee. We don't have too many clues to this, but we can be pretty sure it was primarily specializing in fruit, study co-author and New York University biological anthropologist Terry Harrision tells PopSci. It did seem to have relatively long arms and it would have been quite fragile moving around the trees. Most of its time would have been spent in the trees.

The team examined skulls that were first discovered in Chinas Yunnan Province in the early 1980s. Unfortunately, the skulls have become damaged over time and previous work on them revealed that the crucial and delicate semicircular canals in the inner ear were not well preserved.

The semicircular canals, located in the skull between our brains and the external ear, are critical to providing our sense of balance and position when we move, and they provide a fundamental component of our locomotion that most people are probably unaware of, Yinan Zhang, a study co-author and Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (IVPP) PhD student, said in a statement . The size and shape of the semicircular canals correlate with how mammals, including apes and humans, move around their environment. Using modern imaging technologies, we were able to visualize the internal structure of fossil skulls and study the anatomical details of the semicircular canals to reveal how extinct mammals moved.

Recreating a six-million-year old inner ear

To get a more accurate look inside Lufengpithecus inner ears, the team needed to recreate the damaged semicircular canals using data from the fossil record. The team used three-dimensional scans to virtually recreate the inner ears bony canals. They then compared the scans to living and fossil apes and humans from Africa, Europe, and Asia.

[Related: Foraging in trees might have pushed human ancestors to walk on two feet .]

Our analyses show that early apes shared a locomotor repertoire that was ancestral to human bipedalism, study co-author and IVPP paleoanthropologist Xijun Ni, said in a statement . It appears that the inner ear provides a unique record of the evolutionary history of ape locomotion that offers an invaluable alternative to the study of the postcranial skeleton.

Three different views of the reconstructed inner ear of Lufengpithecus. CREDIT: Yinan Zhang, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

From this comparison, the team believes that three steps led to the evolution of human bipedalism. Apes first moved in the trees in a style that is similar to how todays gibbons swing through trees. The last common ancestor of both apes and humans used a combination of climbing, clambering, walking on four limbs while on the ground, and using only two limbs in trees to get around. It was from this mix of motion that bipedalism eventually became dominant in humans. Its possible that once our species got a solid grasp of walking on two legs, more fine motor skills that are related to the inner ear like balance could be refined over time.

Even though humans generated bipedalism during their evolutionary history, we did come from a group of very unusual primates that developed unique ways of moving around their environment, says Harrison. So we are an oddity.

Incredible ape diversity

As a species that is in the middle of an evolutionary tree, Lufengpithecus gives scientists a window into understanding how ape diversity originated over 20 million years ago. The team also believes that climate changes may have been an important environmental catalyst of how apes and their ways of movement evolved. Ice sheets began to form in the Northern Hemisphere and temperatures began to cool about 3.2 million years ago . These environmental changes corresponds to an uptick of changes in the bony labyrinth of the inner ear.

Future research is needed to determine exactly why evolving this way of walking around was particularly helpful as the ice sheets in the Northern Hemisphere were growing and why ape diversity began to decrease worldwide.

The modern [living] apes are just a small sampling of the incredible diversity that we've had in the past. We wouldn't have known about this incredible diversity haven't had if it hadn't been for the fossil record, says Harrison. It's confusing, and it won't be figured out in my lifetime, but the fact is, we're getting a lot closer to really beginning to understand it.
Claim:

An authentic photograph shows Osama bin Laden seated with former U.S. President George W. Bush or his father, the late President George H.W. Bush, in a Pentagon meeting that included other U.S. officials.

Rating:

Rating: Fake

Context:

This is a manipulated photograph. Bin Ladens face was edited onto the face of another individual. Former President George W. Bush was in the original, unaltered photo; George H.W. Bush was not.

Since roughly 2022, viral posts have claimed to reveal an authentic photograph of 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden seated next to former U.S. President George W. Bush (in office from 2001 to 2009), or his father, U.S. President George H. W. Bush (in office from 1989 to 1993). The former al-Qaida leader was killed in 2011.

The example below is captioned (originally in French): Oh dear!!! Who's on the left? Wouldn't that be Bin Laden? And who is next to it? Wouldnt that be Papa Bush? The father of the one who told us that bin Laden is a terrorist?



(Screenshot via X)

Here is a Facebook variant from 2022:

Is this bin Laden with G.W. Bush?

(Pilots for 9/11 Truth/Facebook)

This image was manipulated to make it appear that bin Laden was among a group of U.S. officials seated around the table, the implication being, apparently, that bin Laden committed the 2001 attacks in collusion with the U.S. government  a staple belief among "9/11 Truthers," i.e., conspiracy theorists who believe the 9/11 attacks were a "false flag" operation.

The actual, unedited photograph was taken on Sept. 12, 2001, and shows then-President George W. Bush at the head of the table, then-Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, then-Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz, and then-National Security Adviser Condoleeza Rice, among others, meeting at the Pentagon in the aftermath of 9/11.



(Mai/Getty Images)

In the low-resolution, altered version of the image, bin Ladens likeness was pasted over that of Wolfowitz. (A photograph from the same meeting taken from another angle clearly shows Wolfowitz next to Rumsfeld.) Just as notably, George H. W. Bush, who was no longer in office at the time, was not in the room.

The Pentagon was one of the buildings targeted on 9/11, resulting in the deaths of around 184 people. President Bush visited the Pentagon the next day in order to thank the people who assisted in containing the fires and rescuing victims, according to the Department of Defense.

Sources:

George W. Bush. The White House, https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/presidents/george-w-bush/. Accessed 23 Jan. 2024.

How SEAL Team Six Took Out Osama Bin Laden. HISTORY, 3 Aug. 2023, https://www.history.com/news/osama-bin-laden-death-seal-team-six. Accessed 23 Jan. 2024.

"President Bush Meets with Secretary Rumsfeld and His Staff." Department of Defense. https://www.defense.gov/Multimedia/Photos/igphoto/2002019373/. Accessed 23 Jan. 2024.

"Secretary Rumsfeld Introduces Staff Members to President Bush at Their Pentagon Meeting." Department of Defense. https://dod.defense.gov/OIR/gallery/igphoto/2001240202/. Accessed 23 Jan. 2024.

Watch 9/11 Inside the Pentagon on PBS Wisconsin. PBS Wisconsin, https://pbswisconsin.org/watch/911-inside-pentagon/911-inside-pentagon/. Accessed 23 Jan. 2024.


Satellite view of the U.S. military outpost known as Tower 22, in Rukban, Rwaished District, Jordan October 12, 2023 in this handout image. Planet Labs PBC/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MUST NOT OBSCURE LOGO. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES. MANDATORY CREDIT

(Reuters) -Three U.S. troops were killed and dozens wounded after a drone hit a military outpost in Jordan known as Tower 22.

Here is what is known about the base:

LOCATION

Tower 22 holds a strategically important location in Jordan, at the most northeastern point where the country's borders meet Syria and Iraq.

PURPOSE

Little is publicly known about the base. But it includes logistics support and there are 350 U.S. Army and Air Force troops at the base.

Tower 22 is near Al Tanf garrison, which is located across the border in Syria, and which houses a small number of U.S. troops. Tanf had been key in the fight against Islamic State and has assumed a role as part of a U.S. strategy to contain Iran's military build-up in eastern Syria.

Tower 22 is located close enough to U.S. troops at Tanf that it could potentially help support them, while also potentially countering Iran-backed militants in the area and allowing troops to keep an eye on remnants of Islamic State in the region.

U.S. TROOPS IN JORDAN

Jordan's army is one of the largest recipients of Washington's foreign military financing.

The kingdom has hundreds of U.S. trainers and is one of the few regional allies that hold extensive exercises with U.S. troops throughout the year.

Since the start of the Syrian conflict in 2011, Washington has spent hundreds of millions of dollars to help Amman set up an elaborate surveillance system known as the Border Security Programme to stem infiltration by militants from Syria and Iraq.

MANY UNKNOWNS

It is unclear what type of weapons are kept at the base, air defenses used, and what exactly went wrong.

(Reporting by Idrees Ali and Phil Stewart in Washington; Editing by Heather Timmons, Matthew Lewis and Michael Perry)
GENEVA (Reuters) - Major donors to the U.N. Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA) have suspended funding after allegations emerged that around 12 of its tens of thousands of Palestinian employees were suspected of involvement in the Oct. 7 attacks in Israel by Hamas.

Here are some facts about UNRWA:

WHAT DOES UNRWA DO?

UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) was established in 1949 by a U.N. General Assembly resolution, following the war surrounding the founding of Israel, when 700,000 Palestinians fled or were driven from their homes.

Today it directly employs 30,000 Palestinians, serving the civic and humanitarian needs of 5.9 million descendants of those refugees, in the Gaza Strip, West Bank and in vast camps in neighbouring Arab countries. In Gaza, it employs 13,000 people, running the enclave's schools, its primary healthcare clinics and other social services, as well as distributing humanitarian aid. Its services in Gaza have increased in importance since 2005, when Israel and Egypt imposed a blockade causing an economic collapse with one of the highest unemployment rates in the world.

Since Israel launched its war following the Oct. 7 attacks, around a million Gazans, or nearly 45% of the enclave's population, have been sheltering in UNRWA schools, clinics and other public buildings.

Nearly the entire Gazan population now relies on UNRWA for basic necessities, including food, water and hygiene supplies.

More than 150 UNRWA staff have been killed since the start of the conflict, making it the deadliest conflict ever for U.N. employees.

WHO ARE ITS MAIN DONORS?

Contributions from United Nations member states, including regional governments and the European Union, account for more than 89% of the agency's funding. It also receives funding from the regular U.N. budget and financial contributions from other U.N. bodies.

In 2022, its top government donors were the United States, Germany, the European Union, Sweden, Norway, Japan, France, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland and Turkey.

Countries including the United States, Britain, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Switzerland have suspended their funding of the agency in the wake of the allegations.

WHAT ARE ISRAEL'S ALLEGATIONS?

A six-page Israeli dossier shared with the United States and reviewed by Reuters says 12 UNRWA staff members took part in the Oct. 7 attacks, including nine who worked as teachers in the agency's schools. Ten of them directly participated in the raid into Israeli territory, during which fighters killed 1,200 people and captured more than 240 hostages, and two others were summoned to assist the raid.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the number of UNRWA staff that participated in the raid was 13.

The dossier says Israel also has wider evidence that UNRWA has employed 190 Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants.

WHAT DOES UNRWA SAY ABOUT THE ISRAELI ACCUSATIONS?

UNRWA says it acted swiftly to fire staff after being alerted of Israeli evidence that they participated in the Oct. 7 attacks. It believes the cuts to its funding now could jeopardise its entire mission and dramatically worsen an already catastrophic humanitarian emergency in Gaza.

"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," UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini said.

A spokesperson for the agency said on Monday that UNRWA would not be able to continue operations in Gaza and across the region beyond the end of February if funding did not resume.

UNRWA has been under financial strain for years. In January 2023, it appealed for $1.6 billion in funding, saying its operations were at risk.

WHAT HAS ISRAEL SAID ABOUT UNRWA OVER THE YEARS?

Israeli authorities have long called for the agency to be dismantled, arguing that its mission is obsolete and it fosters anti-Israeli sentiment among its staff, in its schools and in its wider social mission. UNRWA strongly disputes this characterisation.

UNRWA is "perforated with Hamas", Netanyahu said on Monday. "In UNRWA schools they've been teaching the doctrines of extermination for Israel - the doctrines of terrorism, glorifying terrorism, lauding terrorism".

Netanyahu has in the past called on the United States, Israel's top ally and the agency's biggest donor, to roll back its support. He praised the Donald Trump administration for defunding the agency.

UNRWA has also faced other controversies in the past. In 2019, the head of the agency resigned amid a misconduct inquiry. In 2014, the head of the United Nations expressed alarm after rockets were found at a vacant UNRWA school and later went missing.

(Reporting by Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber; Editing by Peter Graff)
FALL RIVER  The federal trial of Fall River patrol officer Nicholas Hoar is set to begin today for allegedly hitting a handcuffed man on the head with a police baton at police headquarters, then lying about the incident in a December 2020 police report.

The incident was the subject of an FBI investigation that led to a federal indictment in November 2022. Hoar, who is still a member of the FRPD on unpaid leave, pleaded not guilty to one count of deprivation of rights under color of law resulting in bodily injury, and two counts of filing false reports.

He has been free since his arraignment.

Fall River police officer Nicholas Hoar scheduled to start trial today in Boston federal court.

Timeline: Misconduct and inappropriate use of force by Fall River police over recent years

What is alleged to have happened in the William Harvey incident

Hoar was the police officer involved in the fatal shooting of a 19-year-old New Bedford man at the Fall River Industrial Park in 2017. The Bristol County District Attorney's office determined in a 2018 report that Hoar was justified and cleared of any wrongdoing.

Hoar is alleged to have hit William Harvey, 58, with a police baton and slammed his head into a door while he was handcuffed and being led out of a van outside the police station after he was arrested on a domestic complaint.

In a police report, Hoar claimed Harvey kicked him during a struggle while Hoard attempted to place him in a cell block, and claims the handcuffed prisoner hit his head on the cell wall.

According to court records, Hoar allegedly failed to identify that he hit Harvey with a police baton in a use of force report.

Part of the alleged assault was caught on a booking room surveillance camera.

After the alleged assault, Harvey was taken to a local hospital for treatment for his injuries.

In addition to a misdemeanor domestic assault charge, Harvey was charged with felony charges for the alleged police headquarters incident of felony assault with a deadly weapon, felony assault on a police officer.

After his arrest in late 2020, Harvey initially spent 120 days in jail. After being released, he moved back to his home in Las Vegas. During a hearing in Fall River District Court, a judge declared that Harvey spend another 102 days in jail. He later pleaded out to the domestic case and received probation.

Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn III dropped the felony charges against Harvey after Hoars federal indictment for alleged assault.

The trial: What will be discussed, and what will be left out

Court records show that there have been 10 days set aside for the trial.

According to court filings, Harvey, who settled with the city in a civil lawsuit for $65,000, will likely not be called to the witness stand by federal prosecutors.

However, several Fall River police officers are identified as witnesses for the government, including city police officer Jeffrey Maher, who allegedly saw Hoar strike Harvey in the head with the police baton after he attempted to kick Hoar.

During the FBI investigation, the baton that Hoar allegedly used was tested for DNA that likely belonged to Harvey. It will be presented as evidence at trial.

In a ruling on one of a flurry of motions, Federal Judge Allison D. Burroughs indicates she will likely allow that Hoar, between 2016 and 2020, had filled out 28 use of force reports, with two incidents involving police batons.

What wont be brought out in trial, according to another of Burroughs' rulings, is the 2017 fatal shooting by Hoar that took the life of 19-year-old Larry Ruiz-Barreto after responding to a drag race at the Fall River Industrial Park.

Hoar shot at Ruiz-Barreto through the windshield of the New Bedford mans car six times, hitting him five times. Ruiz-Barreto's father was in the backseat of the vehicle and witnessed the shooting.

Hoar claimed that Ruiz-Barreto had attempted to run him over, and he landed on the hood of the car when he shot the 19-year-old in self-defense.

A Bristol County District Attorneys investigation cleared Hoar in the fatal shooting.

Hoars defense attorney, Leonardo A. Angiulo, argued that there was no relevant purpose to introduce the 2017 shooting, and this incident is not like the allegations here, occurring three years prior in a different context, involved different parties, and otherwise reflects an [sic] tragic set of circumstances rather than illuminating the allegations in this case.

The family of Ruiz-Barreto filed a federal civil lawsuit against Hoar and two dozen city police officers and officials, asking for $34 million. That case is still pending in federal court.

Hoar a fifth-generation Fall River police officer

Hoar joined the FRPD in 2016, joining his brother and recently retired father. He is the fifth generation of his family to join the city police department.

Previously, he had been a member of the transit police.

While still a member of the FRPD, the Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission, which certifies law enforcement officers, suspended Hoars certification last January.

Hoar's trial is the latest criminal case against a Fall River police officer taken to court for misconduct or use of force. Former Fall River police officers Michael Pessoa and Bryan Custadio are both serving prison time in two separate cases.

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Fall River police officer's brutality trial begins in federal court
Russian forces launched eight attack drones, an Iskander ballistic missile, and three S-300 missiles over Ukraine last night; all drones were successfully intercepted by Ukrainian defenders. Falling drone wreckage damaged an administrative building, an educational institution and private buildings in Mykolaiv Oblast.

Source: Ukraine's Air Force; Defence Forces of Ukraine's South; Serhii Lysak, Head of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration

Quote from Air Defence: "The enemy launched eight Shahed-136/131 attack UAVs from Russias Primorsko-Akhtarsk, one Iskander-M missile from Russias Voronezh Oblast and three S-300 anti-aircraft missiles at [the Ukrainian-held part of] Donetsk Oblast, from the temporarily occupied part of the oblast, on the night of 28-29 January 2024.

The forces and assets of the Air Force, acting jointly with the air defences of the Ukrainian Defence Forces, destroyed eight enemy UAVs in Mykolaiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Khmelnytskyi and Rivne oblasts."

           29.01.2024

Infographic that shows which Russian weapons were downed over Ukraine on the night of 28-29 January 2024

Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Details: The Defence Forces of Ukraine (South Division) reported that the Russians once again attacked the south of Ukraine with loitering munitions during the night. Air defence units downed four Shahed-131/136 drones in Mykolaiv Oblast.

An administrative building, an educational institution and privately-owned buildings were damaged by falling drone wreckage, resulting in no fires or civilian casualties.

The head of the Mykolaiv Oblast State Administration reported that drone wreckage had crashed in the Arbuzynka hromada when air defence units responded [a hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories  ed.].

Serhii Lysak, Head of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration, said drone wreckage fell onto an agricultural business and broke the roof of a building in the Synelnykove district, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. No casualties were reported.

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MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WRBL)  Family and friends of 16-year-old Michael Cole Junior are pleading for assistance from the community as they desperately search for the missing teenager who was last seen on Thursday January 25th in the Ridgecrest area. Concerns for his well-being escalated over the weekend, prompting a passionate online and social media appeal for help from those closest to him.

Known as Mike Junior to friends, his family says he was last spotted on Thursday night in the Ridgecrest area, accompanied by another person. Cole is described as a 16-year-old Black Male with tattoos on both arms and pierced ears, last seen wearing a black Tulones sweater with white lettering, black skinny jeans, and black and white Jordan 11s.

If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Michael Anthony Cole, Jr, please contact the Montgomery Police Department at (334) 625-2641 or call 911.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL.
Two Pennsylvania men were found guilty of using corn laced with a highly toxic pesticide to kill migratory birds, officials said

Farm operator Robert Yost, 52, of New Galilee, and his employee Jacob Reese, 27, of Enon Valley, were found guilty of three counts related to the unlawful killing of migratory birds, according to a Jan. 26 news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania.

McClatchy News reached out to the defense attorneys representing the men on Jan. 29 for comment but did not receive an immediate response.

In 2020, Yost instructed Reese to spread whole kernel corn coated in the pesticide carbofuran around a field he leased for soybean production, the release said.

Carbofuran is very highly toxic to birds, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. In 2009, the EPA concluded that carbofurans risks to consumers, workers who handled it and the environment made it unacceptable for all uses.

All products containing carbofuran generally cause unreasonable adverse effects on humans and the environment and do not meet safety standards, according to the EPA.

The tainted corn attracted protected migratory birds that were killed within a short distance of where they ingested the corn, prosecutors said.

Yost and Reese also took steps to conceal their actions by destroying the feedbag that held the laced corn, court documents show.

The men were responsible for killing approximately 17 Canada geese, 10 red-winged blackbirds and one mallard duck, officials said. The birds are federally protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

The laced corn was spread around areas where children and domesticated animals were often present, posing a risk to those populations as well, court records show.

Sentencing hearings for Yost and Reese are scheduled for May 29. They each face up to 13 months in prison and a $31,000 fine.

New Galilee is 45 miles northwest of Pittsburgh.

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There was nothing new about the way in which an airborne drone attacked U.S. troops in Jordan on Sunday, killing three U.S. soldiers, a Pentagon spokeswoman told reporters on Monday.

But while the attack bore similarities to dozens of recent strikes against U.S. bases in the region since October, it remained unclear precisely why Sundays attack was successful when prior attacks were either shot down or landed away from populated areas of American bases.

U.S. Central Command is investigating exactly what happened, Sabrina Singh said, and she declined to confirm or deny media reports that the drone used in the attack was mistaken for a U.S. drone that had been airborne at the same time.

The Pentagon believes its possible that the more than 160 similar attacks on U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria in recent months also intended to kill, even if they previously had not.

Unfortunately, this attack was successful, Singh said of Sundays attack on the base known as Tower 22 on the Jordan-Syria border.

That attack drone struck a housing building early in the morning, Singh said, which helps explain why it caused so many casualties, including the deaths of three soldiers assigned to a Georgia-based Reserve unit.

Your Navy Pentagon IDs Army Reserve soldiers killed in Jordan Tower 22 attack

They are Army Sgt. William Jerome Rivers, 46, of Carrollton, Spc. Kennedy Ladon Sanders, 24, of Waycross, and Spc. Breonna Alexsondria Moffett, 23, of Savannah of the 718th Engineer Company, 926th Engineer Battalion, 926th Engineer Brigade, out of Fort Moore.

Eight additional troops were medically evacuated to Baghdad for evaluation, and three of those will fly on to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany for continued care, according to Singh.

More than 40 troops in all were injured in the attack, Singh said, a number that could continue to rise if troops experience delayed traumatic brain injury symptoms.

President Joe Biden on Sunday 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.

What is Tower 22, the base in Jordan where 3 US troops were killed?

The attack brings the total attacks on bases housing U.S. troops in the Middle East to 165, including 98 in Syria and 66 in Iraq, with 80 non-life-threatening injuries between them.

Both the White House and Pentagon have described the attack in Jordan as an escalation of tensions, though Singh repeatedly said the Pentagon does not consider the attack in Jordan an expansion of any conflict.

The attack has the hallmarks of similar Iran-backed militia attacks in Iraq and Syria, Singh said, specifically those carried out by Khataib Hizballah.

The administration has said it will launch retaliatory strikes, but hasnt offered details of when or where. Previous retaliatory U.S. strikes have targeted weapons and training facilities Syria and Iraq.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A planned History Center on the Civil War and its aftermath will make a central element an immersive exhibit on the 1898 Wilmington Massacre. A center official says the dramatic experience could prove too intense for some guests, who will be offered another option to learn the history of what some historians believe is the United States only coup detat.

Leisa Greathouse, a content development historian on the N.C. History Center on the Civil War, Emancipation & Reconstruction, said a member of her team told her he would not take his young son through the immersive experience.

An artists rendering of the campus for the NC History Center on the Civil War, Emancipation & Reconstruction, which is scheduled to open in 2027.

We created a bypass, she told people at a meeting earlier this month for Organizing Against Racism: Cumberland County. You will still get the exact same information but one will be going through reading panels, and the other you will be walking through Wilmington.

More: Pitts: Juneteenth lecture, as Civil War, Emancipation, Reconstruction center debuts new images

Marc Barnes, a spokesman for the center, promised of the Wilmington theater: You are going to be amazed. It is going to flat blow you away.

Spokesman: Construction to start soon

The 55,000-square-foot exhibit space is to be the main component of the $80 million History Center, which replaces the Museum of the Cape Fear in the state museum system. The center, located on Arsenal Avenue, also includes a History Village and the ruins of the Arsenal, a Civil War site that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The completed center is scheduled to open in 2027. Barnes said he expected construction to start soon.

I think its accurate to say within the next about a month or so theres going to be construction activity at the site, he said.

Initial work will focus on building a pavilion and a boardwalk that will connect to the ruins, he said. Workers will build out a parking lot and other features before moving on to construction of the main building, which he expects to start by spring.

Wilmington Massacre: Correcting the record

I heard Greathouses presentation, and I am excited to hear about the plans for the Wilmington exhibit. In telling the story of the massacre, the History Center is correcting an oversight made by generations of textbooks and media coverage of the war in North Carolina.

On Nov. 10, 1898, an armed mob of white supremacists  whipped into a frenzy by Southern Democrats over an anti-lynching editorial  burned down the Black newspaper in Wilmington and tore through the Black community. Sixty people died and the mob overthrew a local government that included both Black and white elected officials. Thousands of Black residents fled the city.

An artists rendering shows an exhibit at the NC History Center on the Civil War, Emancipation & Reconstruction.

Historians recognize the event as a defining moment in the Souths violent pushback against Reconstruction  the federal process intended to extend more rights to Black Americans in slaverys aftermath. What would follow is decades of lynchings and other terrorist acts to roll back Black peoples voting rights and impose Jim Crow segregation.

Two years later, the North Carolina legislature effectively stripped African Americans of the vote through the grandfather clause and ushered in the worst of the Jim Crow laws, writes the Zinn Education Project, a national effort focused on a more accurate and complex view of history.

Cassandra McMillion, left, Leisa Greathouse and Mary Holmes talk after a groundbreaking for the main building of the N.C. Civil War & Reconstruction History Center on Thursday, June 2, 2022.

The key role the Wilmington massacre played in national and state history, with effects into the present, should have always been part of our curriculum on state history, starting in fourth-grade classes. That it wasnt in all our textbooks is an oversight at best, and more likely, a whitewash.

Greathouse said: In the 1880s and 1890s, they didnt try to hide their words, she said. They wore it proudly.

Someone listened during the public meetings

I have been at multiple public meetings over the years for the History Center and have heard lots of viewpoints. These include two meetings where members of the public got to see initial design plans from representatives of the exhibit design firm Eisterhold Associates Inc. out of Kansas City, Missouri, and to give their input.

More: Pitts: Whose story? Residents at forum for Fayetteville Civil War center ask questions

In the meetings I attended, one thing that clearly emerged is many people did not want a museum dedicated only to the Civil War and certainly did not want one devoted to Rebel glories. They wanted one that tells the facts.

The floor plan Greathouse presented makes me think Eisterhold and the centers team doing the programming listened. The firm is familiar with designing exhibits that deal with the country's difficult racial history, including for the International Civil Rights Center & Museum in Greensboro and the Rosa Parks Museum in Montgomery, Alabama.

An arch that spans the center floorspace concerns emancipation and how it operated in the antebellum period before slavery ended, including enslaved people who bought their freedom or who ran away and the role of manumission societies, Greathouse said.

In North Carolina, the abolitionists were the Quakers in the western piedmont of North Carolina, she said.

A cabin where an enslaved family would have lived will occupy one corner of the museum.

Greathouse said the cabin is "modeled after a slave cabin in Wilson County called the Boykin Cabin, so we will be using those exact dimensions.

She said the content team for the center was going to submit its comments this month to Eisterholdt on the plans.

"They will be here in February to review those comments with us," she said.

Regular lives

The museum is focused on the regular lives of both soldiers and civilians with a detailed view of what was happening in our state, for example, the surrender at Bennetts Place in Durham, the largest surrender of the war.

If you are enslaved in North Carolina, if you are a soldier from North Carolina, where the war ended for you was at Bennett Place on April 26, 1865, Greathouse said.

Other exhibits and panels will tell the story of Abraham Galloway, a formerly enslaved man, who served as a Black spy for the Union; the impact in North Carolina of the Reconstruction Amendments  the 13th, 14th and 15th amendments to the Constitution; and the role of the 5,000 North Carolinians who joined the Union Army, to include 2,000 formerly enslaved people; and the role of women and their efforts to get the vote.

We did have large communities of free people of color near, so were going to be talking about them, said Cheri Todd Molter, who is collecting stories from across the state to inform center programming. She said freedom for Black people in the state itself was questionable and shaky. It was not really free' because anything could take it away at any given moment.

Myron B. Pitts can be reached at mpitts@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3559.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Fayetteville History Center planning intense exhibit on Wilmington coup
Carie and Jon Hallford, the proprietors of the funeral home, were arrested in Oklahoma after fleeing Colorado - AP

When he received his fathers ashes, a death certificate, and a folded American flag in December 2020, Rich Law assumed that the 86-year-old military veteran had been cremated.

The awful truth of what happened to Roger Law, who had died of Covid, did not become apparent until October last year when he was visited by the FBI, a representative of the coroners office, and a victims advocate.

They told me the remains I received were not, in fact, my fathers. They didnt know what was given to me, Mr Law, 63 told the Telegraph.

Mr Law seniors body was one of 190 rotting corpses found stacked in the Return to Nature Funeral Home in Penrose, Colorado, just over 100 miles south of Denver.

He had been identified by his fingerprints, which had been stored as a result of his military service. The corpses were discovered after nearby residents complained of putrid smells emanating from the premises.

It took more than a month to remove the bodies from the building where the authorities reported abhorrent conditions with human decomposition fluids and insects lining the floors.

Once the FBI went into the funeral home they found 'abhorrent conditions' - AP/Jerilee Bennett

Carie and Jon Hallford, the proprietors of the funeral home, were arrested in Oklahoma after fleeing Colorado. They are facing 190 charges of abusing a corpse, 61 charges of forging death certificates and five of theft, after charging for cremations which were never performed.

Their company, now mired in scandal, had previously been lauded for its environmental credentials.

Green Burial is a natural way of caring for your loved one with minimal environmental impact. the funeral homes website said.

Its such depravity, its awful

Mr Law and his brother were among those who were seduced by the companys image.

We looked up Return to Nature online. There were a lot of good reviews. I paid $1,300 to have my father cremated and have the ashes returned to me.

According to the FBI, the ashes which were returned to grieving families were recycled concrete.

It is such depravity. It was awful, Mr Law said. This is the last act of care we provide for them in a physical tangible way and these guys were out trying to make a quick buck, he added.

It is a reopening of grief. I had this grief wound which has healed up a little bit and it is re-opened up. There is disbelief, shock, and a lot of anger.

Return to Nature had capitalised on the growing popularity of green funerals. Embalmed bodies do not decompose naturally, and concrete vaults are considered to be environmentally costly. As a result, there has been a growth in sales of biodegradable coffins, which decompose naturally into the earth along with the body inside.

A survey by the Natural Funeral Directors Association in 2022 found that more than 60 per cent of Americans would consider green funeral options.

It was as bad a time as a mother can have

Crystina Page, 44, was another one of the companys clients. Her son, David, was 20 years old when he died in 2019.

I was notified on September 24 2023, that his body had been identified at the Return to Nature Funeral Home, she told the Telegraph.

We were in court and saw about 60 pictures of the inside of the funeral home as it was when the first responders arrived. I had no idea at the time how awful it was going to get. Seeing their bodies in court was as bad a time as a mother can have.

Recounting the atrocious scenes, Ms Page said you couldnt tell what colour the floors used to be through the eight inches of decomposition fluids and bugs.

They had bug bombs and industrial vacuum cleaners to try to mitigate the problem. They failed miserably, she said. We also learned that they have exhumed the body of a man from the national cemetery. It was the wrong body. A woman lay in the grave in his place, wrapped in duct tape.

Her son was finally cremated on November 8 last year.

It took three times as long as it should have. There was a chemical which let off gas which required them to evacuate the crematorium, Ms Page said.

With the size of his body it should have filled one urn, it filled three.

Investigators were unable to tell what colour the floors used to be through the eight inches of decomposition fluids and bugs - AP/David Zalubowski

Other victims of the scam included Gary and Shelia Canfield-Jones, who discovered that the body of their daughter Marella had been decaying for four years in the Colorado funeral home. She was 38 when she died on October 8 2019.

My husband picked them out because they said would plant a tree for her, Mrs Canfield-Jones told the Telegraph You dont normally do business with funeral homes. You dont really know what to look for.

There is no way to find if they are licensed or what their reputation is. You look at the website or an ad on TV. You assume that everybody is honourable and has compassion.

Mrs Canfield-Jones said she was contacted by the FBI on October 26 last year.

They told us over and over again that it wasnt our daughters ashes and they had identified her from their fingerprints, she said.

There was something wrong for that to happen and to so many people. Arent there rules which stop that from happening?

Kelly Bennett, 44, still does not know if her aunt, Janet McGowan, who was supposedly cremated by Return to Nature, was one of those whose bodies were found.

I should have got a document that she was cremated and there should have been a cremation tag. Neither of those has been given to me, she told the Telegraph.

We just dont know, its heartbreaking. We may never know, that is where I have got to in my head we may never know.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer.
U.S. President Joe Biden (L) meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the war between Israel and Hamas in Tel Aviv, Israel, on October 18. Biden was a strong supporter of Israel's actions in the early days of the war. File Pool Photo by Miriam Alster/UPI

WASHINGTON, Jan. 29 (UPI) -- A group of government employees from several federal agencies who want the Biden administration to call for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war has planned a "Day of Fasting" for Gaza on Thursday.

The forthcoming action by Feds United for Peace "aims to shed light on the humanitarian crisis faced by the people of Gaza," the group said in a press release Monday.

The planned action underscores discontent among some federal employees toward the administration's response to the Israel-Hamas war and the regional violence that has ensued.

About 1,200 people were killed and 240 were taken hostage in Hamas' attack on Israel on Oct. 7. The death toll in Gaza has surpassed 26,000 people, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry, and more than 64,000 have been injured.

Organizers wrote that the Day of Fasting can encompass a range of efforts, and can look like a traditional all-day fast or include volunteering or donating to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, the main body that provides relief to Palestinian refugees.

Protesters demonstrate for a permanent ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington on December 19. File Photo by Julia Nikhinson/UPI

Over the weekend, several countries, including the United States, suspended funding for the UNRWA, after Israel alleged that a dozen UNRWA employees were involved with Oct. 7 attack.

The new protest will come more than two weeks after the group's "Day of Mourning" Jan. 16, during which group members took leave from work to have a time of healing and mourn the loss of lives, organizers told Medill News Service.

Smoke billows during an Israeli strike in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on Sunday. Amid ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian fighters, Israel has alleged several UNRWA staff were involved in Hamas's October 7 attack, leading some key donor countries to suspend funding and the agency to fire several staff over the claims, Photo by Ismael Mohamad/UPI

They said that employees from 30 government agencies in Washington and across the nation participated.

The White House declined Monday to comment the federal employees' actions.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said that State Department employees have a dissent channel to raise concerns, but employees ultimately have to be on the job and do their jobs." Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI

After the "Day of Mourning," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on CNBC in Davos, Switzerland, at the World Economic Forum that he wants to work in an institution where people feel comfortable raising concerns and criticisms.

He added that State Department employees have a dissent channel to raise those concerns, but employees ultimately "have to be on the job and do their jobs."

In December, President Joe Biden said that Israel should "be more careful" as it pursues Hamas in Gaza and focus on trying to save more civilian lives. He also warned Israel about its "indiscriminate" bombing in the region.

Also in December, the United States promised to provide $121 million in total in humanitarian aid to Gaza and the West Bank, according to two separate announcements, one from Biden in October and another from the United States Agency for International Development, the organization responsible for humanitarian efforts.

As of November, the United States had delivered about 500,000 pounds of food to Gaza, according to USAID. By Dec. 5, the U.S. Defense Department had delivered 90,000 pounds of medical supplies, clothing and food over two separate trips to the region.

More than 100 former staffers from the Obama and Biden administrations defended Biden's approach, saying they appreciated his and Vice President Kamala Harris's leadership and "moral clarity" in a Nov. 17 letter that was first reported by The New York Times.

Feds United for Peace wrote that it believes that collective actions like "the Day of Mourning" and "A Day of Fasting" can "amplify the voices of those in need and encourage international efforts to address the root causes of the conflict."
The leader of an Iranian criminal network that targets dissidents, along with two Canadian nationals, including a member of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club, have been charged with plotting to murder two people who fled Iran and lived in Maryland, federal prosecutors announced Monday.

The three men named in the criminal indictment  Naji Sharifi Zindashti, Damion Patrick John Ryan and Adam Richard Pearson  allegedly worked together through an encrypted app, with some of them planning to travel into the United States to carry out the killings. Justice Department prosecutors say the victims, who are not named in the indictment, fled to the US after one of them defected from Iran.

The defendants are each charged with conspiracy related to the murder-for-hire plot, and Pearson is also charged with one count of possession of a firearm by a fugitive from justice and one count of possession of a firearm by a person unlawfully in the United States.

The Treasury Department also announced actions against Zindashtis criminal network, which it said targets Iranian dissidents and opposition activists for kidnapping and assassination at the direction of the Iranian regime. The departments actions prohibit Zindashti and several of his key associates from engaging in any transaction or dealing that involves a US person or occurs in the United States, the agency said in a news release.

According to court documents, Zindashti and an unnamed co-conspirator orchestrated the plot from Iran. The co-conspirator allegedly hired Ryan, a resident of Canada and member of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club, to assemble a team of gunmen and travel to Maryland to commit the murders.

In January 2021, Zindashti and Ryan allegedly discussed a job in the United States on an encrypted messaging app. That same day, prosecutors allege that Ryan messaged Pearson, who was living in Minnesota illegally under an assumed name, about a job in Maryland.

Ryan and Pearson allegedly discussed pricing for the murder and exchanged messages about how the job needed to be overkill. Pearson said he would encourage the gunmen to shoot [the victim] in the head a lot [to] make example, prosecutors said, and that he would tell them we gotta erase his head from his torso.

Ryan also exchanged messages with the unnamed co-conspirator in Iran about the identities and locations of the two victims, logistics of how to carry out the murders, and negotiating payment, prosecutors said.

To those in Iran who plot murders on U.S. soil and the criminal actors who work with them, let todays charges send a clear message: the Department of Justice will pursue you as long as it takes  and wherever you are  and deliver justice, Matthew Olsen, the assistant attorney general of the Justice Departments National Security Division, said in a statement Monday.

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About 1-in-10 hate crimes in the United States occurred at schools  from preschool through college  in 2022, according to a new report from the FBI.

The report, published Monday, found as many as 10 percent of all reported hate crime offenses in 2022 took place at schools, equal to 1,336 incidents out of the total 13,346 reported hate crime offenses that year.

Schools came in as the third most frequent setting for hate crimes, while residences or homes and roadways or alleys were first and second, respectively, in the five-year period between 2018 and 2022, the FBI stated. Residences and homes made up between 25.2 percent and 29.1 percent of all reported hate crime offenses in the five-year period, while highway/road/alley comprised between 16.1 percent and 18.8 percent of hate crime offenses.

Breaking it down by school levels, the FBI found preschool to 12th grade experienced the most hate crime incidents between 2018 and 2022, followed by college/university settings  including higher education institutes, community colleges and trade schools.

During those five years, over 30 percent of juvenile victims of hate crimes experienced the incident at school, while nearly 36 percent of juvenile offenders of hate crimes committed the offense at school, the report found, using crime data obtained by the FBI.

The FBI defines a hate crime as a committed criminal offense which is motivated in whole or in part, by the offenders bias(es) against a race/ethnicity/ancestry, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender, or gender identity.

Black students were targeted the most by hate crimes between 2018 through 2022, with 1,690 hate crime offensives reported among the demographic group, followed by Jewish students, with 845 offensives and LGBTQ students, with 342 offenses, the report stated.

Reported hate crime incidents and related offenses as a whole increased between 2018 and 2022, jumping from about 8,492 incidents in 2018 to 13,345 incidents in 2022, the FBI found. The year of 2020 was not far behind, with 12,895 reported offenses.

Intimidation was the most frequent form of hate crime at schools, followed by simple assault and aggravated assault, respectively, the report found.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Killer Kaitlin Armstrong was caught when she answered a fake advertisement seeking a yoga instructor, U.S. marshals said over the weekend. Armstrong, 36, was arrested in Costa Rica and eventually sentenced to 90 years in prison over the 2022 murder of 25-year-old professional cyclist Anna Moriah Wilson in Austin, Texas. Armstrong vanished in the days after the killing, with authorities suspecting that she may have been motivated out of jealousy about an alleged romantic entanglement between Wilson and Armstrongs on-off boyfriend Colin Strickland. After tracing Armstrong to Central America, law enforcement searched for their suspectwho had gotten plastic surgery and traveled with a fake passportfor weeks without results, investigators told CBS 48 Hours. U.S. marshals eventually decided to post an ad on a local Facebook page seeking a yoga instructor, hoping that Armstronga certified teacherwould bite. After several days, she did.

Read it at CBS News

Read more at The Daily Beast.
Off the coast of Canada, a scuba diver came face-to-face with a pair of dueling sea creatures  and caught the battle on video.

Maxime Veilleux was scuba diving at night in Nanoose Bay when a seal just zipped by us, she told the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

Veilleux followed the seal and found it upside down, she said in a Jan. 22 video posted to her YouTube account called Scuba Max. (Warning: This video contains strong language that some audiences may find offensive.)

At first, we thought (the seal) was feeding on some algae off the rock, Veilleux said.

We realized that it was actually attacking a giant Pacific octopus, and we were there right in time to see it all unfold, she told the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

A video shows the fierce battle between the seal and giant Pacific octopus. The seal pulls at one of the octopuss arms before surfacing to catch its breath.

Clearly, the octopus was tired, but when the seal came back down, the octopus tried to escape and inked at him, Veilleux said in the video.

It was cool to see the octopus ink to try to confuse the predator, she wrote in the videos description.

The video shows the octopus spewing ink as it swims close to the camera. The seal, however, seems undeterred by the ink and quickly catches up with the octopus. The pair grapple, and the seal manages to bite one of the octopuss arms several times.

This is pretty rare and very exciting to watch, Veilleux told the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Our hearts were beating pretty quickly.

In the end, the seal finally managed to rip one arm off, Veilleux said in her YouTube video. The octopus got away without further injuries and will be able to regrow his lost arm.

I felt really bad for this octopus, but I dont think that humans should interfere with nature, she said.

Nanoose Bay is on the east coast of Vancouver Island and about 50 miles west of Vancouver.

Swimmer spots once in a lifetime sight of sea lion battling octopus, video shows

Divers find fascinating artifacts from 19th century shipwrecks off Canada, video shows

Woman walking dogs spots what she thinks are sled dogs  until they start howling
The European Union will urge its member states to shut off all EU funding to Budapest if Hungary does not back down on its pledge to veto the EU's proposed $55 billion military aid package for Ukraine, a leaked document prepared by EU officials and seen by the Financial Times revealed on Jan. 28.

The European Council is preparing to hold a special summit on Feb. 1, where the EU leaders will discuss the four-year 50-billion-euro ($55 billion) funding package for Ukraine. During a recent summit in December, the EU failed to reach a consensus on the bloc's long-term budget, which includes funds for Ukraine, due to opposition by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

Orban's Fidesz government is broadly seen as the most pro-Russian in the EU.

The leaked document, drawn up by officials in the European Council, criticizes the "unconstructive behaviour of the Hungarian PM," while establishing a framework for countries to permanently cut EU funding with the intention of "spooking the markets, precipitating a run on the countrys forint currency and a surge in the cost of its borrowing," according to the Financial Times.

The alleged document also notes that Brussels would aim to impact investor confidence in the country's ability to create jobs and drive growth.

The Kyiv Independent cannot independently verify the contents of the leaked document.



Hungarys EU Affairs Minister Janos Boka told the Financial Times that Budapest was not aware of the document, but that his country does not give in to pressure. Boka added that Hungary does not establish a connection between support for Ukraine and access to EU funds, and rejects other parties doing so.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said earlier in January that the EU will pass the package with 26 members, implying it was possible to do so without Hungary's consent. She added that she "strongly preferred" having the aid pass with the approval of all 27 member states.

It is unclear how such a move to bypass the need for unanimous support would occur.

The EU has also considered using the "nuclear option" of revoking Hungary's voting rights if it again vetoes the $55 billion aid package for Ukraine at an upcoming European Council summit next week, Politico reported on Jan. 26.

There are other indications that it may not be necessary to use the "nuclear option," which would be the first time an EU member had its voting rights restricted.

Hungary has previously signaled it would potentially lift the veto on the condition that the aid be reviewed on a yearly basis. Some EU countries have expressed skepticism at the proposal, insisting Hungary would block the funding year-over-year while seeking further concessions.

Read also: Politico: EU is considering stripping Hungarys voting rights if it blocks Ukraine aid

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Finland's presidential election is set to go to a runoff next month, as no candidate gained a majority of the votes on Jan. 28, in a race that has heavily focused on the country's new role as a NATO neighbor of Russia.

Former Finnish Prime Minister Alexander Stubb placed first in the initial round of voting with 27.2 percent, finishing closely ahead of former Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto at 25.8 percent.

Throughout the campaign the candidates have largely focused on future security policies in response to Russian aggression in the region, and its relationships with international allies in Europe and with the United States.

After decades on non-alignment, Finland officially became the 31st member of NATO in April 2023, citing the international alliance as being "the only effective security guarantee in the region" amid Russia's all-out war against Ukraine.

The current front-runner Alexander Stubb, is a candidate from the conservative National Coalition Party and served as prime minister from 2014 to 2015. Throughout the election, Stubb has promised unconditional support for Ukraine and called for greater NATO partnership among European allies.

Veteran diplomat Pekka Haavisto, who is running as an independent candidate for the third time, served as foreign minister from 2019 to 2023. As foreign minister, Haavisto was instrumental in Finland's accession into NATO in April 2023.

Unlike some European countries whose president serves as a ceremonial figure, the Finnish president serves as both a head of state and commander-in-chief of the Finnish army, wielding executive power in dealing with foreign affairs.

Nine candidates ran to replace incumbent President Sauli Niinisto who is ineligible to run for a third six-year term. Parliamentary Speaker Jussi Halla-aho finished third with 19 percent support, followed by Bank of Finland Governor Olli Rehn with 15.3 percent.

The runoff election between Stubb and Haavisto is scheduled for Feb. 11.

Read also: Putin makes surprise visit to Kaliningrad, flies close to NATO territory

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  An investigation is underway after a fire at a Krispy Kreme doughnut shop in South Nashville Sunday night.

The fire happened at the location on Thompson Lane near Nolensville Road around 10:30 p.m.

(Photo: WKRN)

(Photo: WKRN)

(Photo: WKRN)

(Photo: WKRN)

(Photo: WKRN)

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

The Nashville Fire Department reported crews arrived to find flames and smoke coming from the building. Firefighters went inside to find the source of the fire and used ladder trucks to fight the fire from outside.

No one was injured in the fire, which was extinguished just before midnight.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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 Find todays top stories on WKRN.com for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee.

This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
Carlos Bohorquez hopes to receive good news about his residency status by mail before the end of the year. But he is resigned to the uncertainty and constant waiting.

Bohorquez, a 41-year-old Venezuelan immigrant who lives in Riverview, filed for asylum in 2014. It took eight years before he had his petition approved, which allows him to stay in the U.S. as long as conditions in his home country dont improve. But he still hasnt heard back on his bid to stay here permanently.

Like him, thousands of immigration applications await their day across the country amid a legal backlog of historic proportions. According to federal data collected by Syracuse Universitys Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse, the U.S. court backlog has surged past 3 million cases in the last year, including cases of asylum-seekers and immigrants, some who have been in the country for years, seeking permanent residency.

Floridas backlog of cases is more than 481,000, a massive jump compared to 2012, when there were only 17,000 pending cases. The four states with the next-highest numbers of backlog cases are Texas (458,630), California (348,138), New York (344,505) and Illinois (211,096).

The backlog continues to rise due to the influx of new immigrants and the crisis at the U.S. southern border with Mexico, said Ana Lamb, a Wimauma immigration rights activist.

This creates chaos not only for each individual or family but for the immigration system, Lamb said.

The backlog can be attributed to several factors, including a growing number of asylum applications and appeals, cases from previous years remaining open, and pending deportation proceedings. The shortfall in the federal immigration budget has also affected the timely resolution of permanent residence petitions and work permits.

In 2023, federal authorities made more than 2.2 million arrests at the U.S.-Mexico border, one of the most ever recorded, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The Diocese of St. Petersburg covers Hillsborough, Pinellas, Hernando, Pasco and Citrus counties, and annually serves 2,000 people through immigration services. It says that the southern border heightens the need for meaningful immigration reform.

Bohorquez was at risk of losing his job at a local television production company due to delays in his asylum process and the need to renew his work permit. He said the pressure of not knowing what would happen only heightened his emotional distress.

Waiting for eight years has been very tough, he said. I know everyone tries their best in life, but its too difficult under those circumstances.

Milton Toro Marquez, an immigration attorney in Tampa, said the backlog indicates a complete breakdown in the immigration system and the need for more uniformity.

He said the situation highlights the challenges faced by immigrants with different temporary permits, such as a form known as the I-220A, or order of release on recognizance. The I-220A allows the recipient to work and have a drivers license but does not grant permission to adjust their status to permanent residency.

Making specific legal changes to temporary permits and equivalent forms would allow immigrants to adjust their status and reduce overcrowding in local courts, Toro said.

This would alleviate numerous cases currently in the court system and enable immigration courts to prioritize other deportation cases that appear to be more critical, he said. This is one of the many issues immigrants face today.

Jordan Fischetti, an immigration policy fellow for Americans for Prosperity, a libertarian conservative political advocacy group affiliated with the Koch brothers, said the backlog is not only unsustainable but volatile. The average asylum case takes over four years to complete in immigration court, and often several more, according to him. Hiring more immigration judges and prosecutors can be a good start, he said.

In its budget proposal for the fiscal year 2024, the U.S. Justice Department requested $1.46 billion for the Executive Office for Immigration Review to hire 150 new judges, legal support staff, and 948 new permanent employees. The Executive Office is the agency responsible for conducting immigration court proceedings.

Better legal options will ultimately result in fewer illegal crossings, Fischetti said, which, in turn, means less people in immigration court and a more manageable backlog.
A Fort Myers man has filed a federal lawsuit against the parent company of Combos snacks, arguing that they are deceptively marketed because they dont contain enough real cheese.

In the filing, Edward Pistorio pointed to the fact that the cheddar cheese-flavored version of the snack is marketed with a picture of a large block of cheese and the labels, Filling made with REAL CHEESE, and Natural Flavors.

However, he also cited the ingredients list, which said the snacks are less than 2% cheese blend.

According to the label included in court documents, the main ingredients of the snack are wheat flower, palm oil, dairy product solids, carbohydrates and corn starch.

Photos: Icon of the Seas sails from Miami

More than half the public consider cheese healthy and nutritious, because it is high in protein and nutrients, with key vitamins and minerals like calcium, Pistorios attorney wrote in the Florida Middle District Court lawsuit. By replacing real cheese with palm oil and dairy product solids, the filling lacks the quality, nutritional, and savory attributes that consumers expect from a label indicating a Filling Made with Real Cheese.

The lawsuit claims the real cheese labeling contributed to the premium $2.59 price of the product, additionally misleading and hurting consumers.

Pistorios class action lawsuit demands that Combos parent company, Mars, Inc., pay damages for the alleged deceptive marketing and other relief as the Court deems just and proper.

Read: See how SeaWorld is celebrating the 5th anniversary of its Sesame Street Land

A request for comment sent to Mars, Inc. was not immediately returned.

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On Monday, Florida lawmakers are expected to discuss a bill that would ban flags representing a political viewpoint.

It would ban certain flags from flying at government and school buildings.

House Republican Rep. David Borrero of Sweetwater filed the bill.

PREVIOUS: Florida bill would ban political flags from flying on government property, including schools

The proposal  Senate Bill 1120  has gotten a lot of attention from both critics and supporters.

While it never mentions a specific flag or group, it does say that flags representing sexual orientation and gender would be banned.

Proposed Florida bill would ban displaying certain flags at government and school buildings.

That means public schools, colleges and governments would be barred from displaying pride flags, including those displayed by City of Orlando City each June.

READ: Florida girl for whom Amber Alert was issued has been found safe

Channel 9s Q McCray has been taking to local lawmakers about the proposed measure.

The Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee will take up SB 1120 at 1:30 p.m. Monday.

Stay with WFTV.com and watch Eyewitness News for updates on this story.

READ: City of Orlando to host 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials-Marathon; see road closures

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A referendum for the creation of a new village in Sullivan County is on hold.

Residents in the towns of Thompson and Fallsburg were scheduled to vote in a Jan. 18 referendum on the formation of the village of Ateres, which was proposed in June by the Viznitz Hasidic community.

The Viznitz enclave includes approximately 834 adults and children and 929 acres of surrounding land, mainly in the town of Thompson but stretching also into the town of Fallsburg.

Residents sign up to speak at a public hearing on a petition to create a village within the borders of the towns of Thompson and Fallsburg at Viznitz Institutions synagogue in Kiamesha Lake on Thursday, August 3, 2023.

Ateres was subject to legislative restrictions for the formation of new villages in New York from a pair of bills signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul in December.

Both new laws aim to correct what the sponsors and their supporters say is an archaic law that lets citizens create a new municipality with little more than a referendum and a population of at least 500. Efforts to set more stringent standards had failed for years in Albany but finally came to fruition this year.

Hochul asked the Legislature to pass amendments exempting Ateres from the new 2,000-person population threshold. The measure passed in the Senate but fell short in the Assembly.

Though the Viznitz petition was deemed valid by leaders in both towns, the referendum was put on hold in October after two homeowners whose properties would have been included in the proposed village filed suit in state court, challenging several of the petitions signatures.

The towns held two public hearings in August for speakers to pose objections to the petition on technical and legal grounds. After weighing that testimony and a flood of written comments, Thompson Supervisor Bill Rieber and Fallsburg Supervisor Kathy Rappaport In August voided 25 of the 99 signatures but upheld the petition.

In a media release preceding the intended referendum, Thompson Town Supervisor Bill Rieber wrote that he and Fallsburg Town Supervisor Michael Bensimon "waited until the last possible moment" to cancel the vote as they waited on the Assembly's final decision.

"At this point we have no other option but to adjourn the Referendum since, in its current stance, the Petition does not comply with the new Village Law as currently constructed and same has not been specifically allowed to proceed," Rieber said in his statement. "As previously stated, we are taking no definitive action on the matter until final determinations are made by the Assembly and at that point we will move forward pursuant to the Law, as it will exist."

New York State Team Reporter Chris McKenna contributed to this story.

This article originally appeared on Times Herald-Record: Proposed Village of Ateres on indefinite hold, referendum canceled
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  Former state Assemblymember and Bakersfield City Councilmember Rudy Salas has the national Democratic stamp of approval in his second run for Californias 22nd Congressional District.

An announcement early Monday morning revealed Salas has been added to the Red to Blue Program under the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), a national organization helping Democrats get elected to the House of Representatives.

Its all part of a Democratic effort to take back the House, and this first round of candidates under the DCCC program includes Salas and 16 other Congressmember hopefuls.

This comes just two months after Salas received the California Democratic Partys endorsement and the backing of high-profile party members.

Simply put, there is dedication at the national level to boost Salas over his only other Democratic opponent in the race, State Senator Melissa Hurtado. Still 36 days out from the March 5 primary, the party has chosen its candidate.

Hurtado, since the early days of her congressional campaign, has faced calls from other Democrats to drop out of the race.

And that means Democrats view Salas as the better candidate to advance with incumbent Rep. David Valadao (R-Hanford) to the November general election and, ultimately, replace him in office.

DCCC describes Salas as a top-tier candidate and that the committee will provide Salas with the support needed to continue building a winning campaign as he runs for Californias 22nd Congressional District.

According to the committee, the Red to Blue program offers candidates with ample resources for their campaigns, whether that be fundraising or guidance. The support can include collaborating on campaign advertisements, as the committee has done with Salas most recent ad.

Its all shaping up to be a replay of the 2022 Midterms. In that election, Salas beat Valadao in the primary. The two faced off in the general election, in which Salas lost by a margin of just three percentage points.

Salas is also once again up against Chris Mathys, who ran as a MAGA Republican in 2022.

In a statement, DCCC Chair Rep. Suzan DelBene said, [Salas is] the right person to oust MAGA enabler David Valadao  who has repeatedly sided with his party over the needs of his constituents.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.



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A federal judge on Monday issued a five-year prison sentence to a former IRS consultant who leaked former President Donald Trump's tax records to The New York Times in 2020. File Photo by Tannen Maury/UPI

Jan. 29 (UPI) -- A former Internal Revenue Service consultant who pleaded guilty to leaking the tax records of former President Donald Trump to The New York Times drew a five-year prison sentence from a federal judge Monday.

Charles Littlejohn received the maximum sentence allowed by law from U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes, who agreed with prosecutors that his actions in leaking Trump's records, along with others involving thousands of the nation's wealthiest people, deserved stiff punishment.

Littlejohn, 38, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty to one count of disclosing tax return information without authorization in October.

"What you did in targeting the sitting president of the United States was an attack on our constitutional democracy," Reyes said during Monday's hearing in Washington, according to NBC News.

"The scope and scale of defendant's unlawful disclosures appear to be unparalleled in the IRS's history," prosecutors said in their sentencing memo. "There simply is no precedent for a case involving the disclosure of tax return and return information associated with 'over a thousand' individuals and entities."

Citing "the immense number of victims" and the "enormous" human impact of Littlejohn's crimes, the government urged an upward departure from the normal sentencing range to the statutory maximum of 60 months in prison.

The Department of Justice accused Littlejohn, while working at the IRS as a government contractor, of stealing tax return information associated with "a high-ranking government official" later identified as Trump, and giving the info to an unnamed news organization, subsequently identified as the Times.

They said he accessed returns through an IRS database after using broad search parameters designed to conceal the true purpose of his queries, then took steps to evade IRS protocols set up to detect and prevent large downloads from its system.

After saving tax returns to multiple personal storage devices including an iPod, Littlejohn contacted the news organization, which used the information to publish a "series of articles" about the official's tax returns.

The Times published articles with the use of the stolen information in September 2020. They revealed Trump paid no federal income taxes in 10 years of a 15-year span ending in 2017.

Littlejohn was also accused of stealing tax information for "thousands of the nation's wealthiest individuals" and leaking the information to another unnamed news organization, believed to be ProPublica, which published more than 50 articles using the stolen data.

That theft involved tax information pertaining to billionaires such as Amazon.com owner Jeff Bezos and SpaceX founder Elon Musk.

During his sentencing appearance, Littlejohn said he "acted out of a sincere misguided belief," CNN reported, adding, "We as a country make the best decisions when we are all properly informed."
At least one Treasure Coast county plans to open an emergency cold weather shelter as nightly temperatures are forecast to drop into the low-to-mid 40s throughout the week.

A shelter in Fort Pierce is scheduled to open Monday through Wednesday nights during what meteorologists expect will be the lowest nightly temperatures through the weekend.

The shelter at In the Image of Christ church Percy Peek Gymnasium, 2902 Avenue D, will open from 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings through 8 a.m. the next morning, according to a St. Lucie County government announcement which stated mid-40-degree lows were forecast during those times.

Emergency management officials in Indian River and Martin counties said the conditions did not meet temperature thresholds in their counties for opening cold shelters.

Leah Groff (left), 9, and her sister Joy Groff, 6, both of Sebastian, try their luck at fishing off Jones Pier, Monday, Jan. 29, 2024, in Indian River County. Because of the brisk, windy weather beachside, where they sometimes go with the rest of their family, the girls, sporting warm sweaters, fished on the historic pier, originally built by Richard Milton in 1907 to aid in transportation for citrus growers between the island and the mainland. It is located off the Historic Jungle Trail, on Orchid Island.

Indian River County Emergency Management Coordinator Ryan Lloyd said 35 degrees or below, or 40 degrees with wet conditions, mark when shelters open in Indian River County.

"As of this (Monday's) forecast it wasnt meeting our thresholds, so no current plans (to open shelters." Lloyd said. "(But) that could always change if we get another forecast briefing."

The agency monitors weather conditions daily, he said.

A blue Heron stands as its feathers blow in the cool wind on Jones Pier, Monday, Jan. 29, 2024, in Indian River County.

Martin County Emergency Management Director Sally Waite said the 48-degree threshold of St. Lucie County was a little higher than (Martin County).

Our threshold is 40 degrees for four hours or more, said Waite.

The agency also monitors daily conditions outlined by the National Weather Service, and Waite said if those change they could alter plans.

Fishermen are seen at Hobe Sound Beach on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023. The National Weather Service office in Melbourne gave the region's daytime forecast as partly sunny and cool, with temperatures "as much as 10 degrees below normal."

Chilly weather ahead

With a wind chill, some areas could have lows around 40 degrees, said meteorologist Jared Heil, with the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Melbourne.

Most overnight lows along the Treasure Coast, he said, would vary between 42 and 46 degrees.

Were going to have fairly similar temperatures (Monday), Tuesday and even into Thursday morning, said Heil.

The cool weather was brought in by a cold front Sunday, which Heil said would be reinforced by another front forecast for the middle of the week.

Toward the weekend, he said, it will turn a little bit milder, with highs in the low to mid 70s, which he said was more normal for this time of year.

Shelter transportation

St. Lucie County Communications Director Erick Gill said there is free transportation to the Fort Pierce shelter.

From 6 to 8 p.m. each night the shelter is open, the Area Regional Transit bus system is scheduled to pick up passengers at the following locations:

Port St. Lucie Intermodal Station, 395 SE Deacon Ave. in Port St. Lucie

Prima Vista Crossing Bus Stop on Prima Vista, east of U.S. 1

Pinewood Park, 820 Sunrise Blvd. in Fort Pierce

Kilmer Branch Library, 101 Melody Lane in Fort Pierce

Publix Plaza at Taylor Creek, 1851 N. U.S. 1 in Fort Pierce

Percy Peek Gym, 2902 Avenue D in Fort Pierce.

More information

Anyone wanting more information about the emergency cold weather shelter at Percy Peek Gym should call the church at 772-359-9653.

Additionally, outdoor pets should be brought inside, according to the National Weather Service. St. Lucie County government officials said it is illegal to leave animals tethered outside unsupervised, regardless of the temperature.

More: Brightline train, vehicle collide in downtown Jensen Beach

More: Florida real estate: Treasure Coast sales price dip in December, mortgage rates drop

More: $9 million pipe to be placed under lagoon to connect John's Island to mainland water plant

Corey Arwood is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow @coreyarwood, email corey.arwood@tcpalm.com or call 772-978-2246.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: St. Lucie County opens cold shelter as low 40s expected some mornings
UPDATE: The person found dead in the North Carolina home was identified as a man who disappeared in October. The missing 26-year-old was last seen in Clyde, where his remains were found months later in a crawl space, according to the Haywood County Sheriffs Office.

Deputies in a Jan. 29 news release didnt share a cause of death but called it an isolated incident with no threat to the community. An investigation is ongoing.

The original story is below.

A foul smell led to the gruesome discovery of human remains inside a North Carolina home, officials said.

The Haywood County Sheriffs Office said officers found the remains Jan. 26 after responding to a suspicious situation in the town of Clyde.

The caller was a maintenance worker and reported a foul smell and discovered what appeared to be human remains, deputies wrote in a Facebook post.

First responders searched the Clyde duplex and confirmed there were remains inside. But as of Jan. 26, the sheriffs office said it didnt know the identity of the person who died.

As mystery lingers in the case, deputies said the investigation is ongoing. More information is expected to be released as it becomes available.

The Haywood County Sheriffs Office didnt immediately share additional details with McClatchy News on Jan. 29.

Clyde is roughly 25 miles west of the popular mountain town of Asheville.

Shopper discovers skull near Dollar General, NC cops say. It belonged to missing man

Hunters find human remains in NC national forest, feds say. FBI is now investigating
China, Thailand sign mutual visa exemption agreement

Xinhua) 08:28, January 29, 2024

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.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
VINELAND  When Richard Sperazza, a member of a traveling utilities crew, returned to his darkened hotel room late one night, he noticed his roommate was already in bed.

The next morning, Sperazza saw the co-worker, normally an early riser, was apparently still sleeping.

But a closer look showed the mans eyes were open, uh, he was not  nothing really going on, you know, Sperazza said, according to a recent court ruling.

So I ran over, grabbed his foot. It was ice cold, he remembered of 42-year-old Scott Ivan Strayer.

Longtime Vineland business is closed South Jersey Corvette dealer files for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection

Sperazza said he checked the Pennsylvania man twice for a pulse, then ran panicked to his boss room at the Wyngate by Windham Vineland.

What happened at Vineland hotel?

A second shock came later that day when a police officer told Sperazza that his friend had been shot several times.

The hotel homicide led to an investigation and, eventually, a murder conviction.

It also prompted a lawsuit by Sperazza. He sought damages from the owners and operators of the Landis Avenue hotel for the emotional harm he suffered upon finding Strayers body.

Sperazza and Strayer were part of a five-man crew that had been staying at the Landis Avenue hotel for about a month.

Two brothers, Larry and Charles Pulcine, shared a second room, and the crews boss, Mark Knowles, had a third.

On the night of the murder, the ruling says, Sperazza left his room to drink beer in the Pulcine brothers room for about 90 minutes, according to the Jan. 19 decision.

During that time, Larry Pulcine left his brother and Sperazza for about 30 minutes, purportedly to do laundry, It says.

When Sperazza left his room to join the brothers around 10 p.m., he told investigators, the TV was on and Strayer seemed to be asleep.

When he returned around 11:30 p.m., the TV was off but Strayer was still in bed. Sperazza said he did not turn on his rooms lights to avoid disturbing Strayer, using his cellphones flashlight instead.

An investigation found the Pulcines had approached the front desk around 10 p.m. on the night of the murder.

At their request, a hotel clerk created two keycards  one for the brothers room and a second for the room shared by Sperazzo and Strayer, the ruling says.

How killer entered hotel room

An access log showed the new keycard given to the Pulcines was used to enter the victim's room shortly before 10:30 p.m. A detective determined Strayer was shot between that time and 11:30 p.m.

Police charged Larry Pulcine, now 41, with murder and weapons offenses.

The prosecution gave no motive for the crime, but said the murder weapon was a gun, owned by Larry Pulcine, that was found in a field behind the hotel.

Pulcine was convicted of all charges at trial in June 2019 and is serving a 45-year term

Sperazzo, an Asbury Park resident who was best man at Strayers wedding, sued for negligent infliction of emotion distress.

Attorneys for both sides could not be reached for comment.

Among other points, the suit contended Sperazzo, by finding Strayers body, had been placed in fear of his safety and caused to sustain and suffer severe emotional distress.

An expert witness for Sperazzo asserted the hotels enforcement of a proper keycard control system could have prevented Larry Pulcine's entry into the victim's room.

But the Jan. 19 appellate ruling found Sperazzo had not shown the defendants caused his emotional distress.

The 18-page decision upheld a January 2021 ruling by Superior Court Judge James Swift.

In his ruling, Swift acknowledged a hotel clerk shouldnt have given the keycard to Mr. Pulcine" but he also observed the crew members had appeared to be friends and were known to the hotel staff after their long stay.

Its not like they gave the keycard to a stranger, but putting that all aside, the defendants here didnt cause, whether negligently, intentionally or recklessly, any of the emotional distress that (Sperazzo) is now suffering from," Swift found, according to the appellate ruling.

The three-judge panel also said Sperazzo had not satisfied a key requirement his claim.

It noted Sperazzo was not present when his friend was killed, did not encounter the shooter in his hotel room, and was not even aware that Strayer had been murdered.

It said Sperazza may have felt shock and even fear when he discovered his roommate's dead body, but the evidence in the record does not establish he had a reasonable fear of immediate personal injury."

Jim Walsh is a senior reporter with the Courier-Post, Burligton County Times and The Daily Journal. Email: Jwalsh@cpsj.com.

This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Richard Sperazza sought damages for finding friend's body at hotel
The Cois M. Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta is one of five jails operated by the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

The Riverside County Sheriff's Department arrested four people last week suspected of trying to smuggle narcotics into the county's jail in Murrieta, the department reported.

It's the second time within months investigators have said they busted up such a scheme.

Deputies served search warrants in Hemet on Jan. 26, seizing three handguns, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, $13,000, a little more than 2 grams of methamphetamine, 14 grams of cocaine, 16 grams of heroin and evidence of check fraud.

The department ultimately arrested four people, one who was already in custody at the Cois Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta. As of Monday, they had been booked but none had been formally charged by the district attorney.

Marcos Lares, 22, of Hemet, was in possession of an unregistered firearm and accused of providing narcotics to a person in correctional facility, according to the department. He was released on $30,000 bail on Jan. 27.

Carlos Vitela, 21, is accused of conspiring to smuggle narcotics into a correctional facility. He has been in custody at the Murrieta jail on a murder charge for about a year.

Peyton Conner, 19 of Hemet, is accused of selling narcotics while armed and possessing an unregistered firearm. He was released on $25,000 bail, on Jan. 27.

Ruth Vitela, 49 of Hemet, was arrested for petty theft and released with a citation.

In late December, a group of nine people were arrested and accused of what appears to be an unrelated scheme to smuggle narcotics into both the Murrieta jail and the Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside. In reporting both alleged smuggling schemes, the department mentioned the use of a Tek-84 scanning device. It's unclear if the equipment is new and what role it played in the investigations, and the department did not immediately respond to The Desert Sun's request for comment.

A company called Tek84 markets scanning equipment to jails and prisons that it says can detect items hidden in body cavities or inside clothing. They look similar to scanners used in airports.

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco's jails have experienced an unprecedented surge in deaths of incarcerated people in recent years, and Bianco has publicly said drug use in the jails is largely to blame. The sheriff's department reported 19 deaths in its jails in 2022 and 13 last year, while it had averaged about seven deaths a year going back decades.

Federal civil lawsuits related to the deaths have mounted over the past year against the sheriff's department, with relatives of the dead claiming not enough is being done to protect the incarcerated from violence and narcotic use in the secured facilities. And California Attorney General Rob Bonta opened an ongoing civil rights investigation of the department last year, citing in part a concerning rise in in-custody deaths in the county.

Christopher Damien covers public safety and the criminal justice system. He can be reached at christopher.damien@desertsun.com or follow him at @chris_a_damien.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Four accused of trying to smuggle drugs into Riverside County jail
FLORENCE, Ala. (WHNT)  The Florence Police Department (FPD) has canceled the search for a 33-year-old woman who was last seen on Friday.

According to FPD, Courtney Marie Isbell may be living with a condition that may impair her judgment. Officers said that Isabell was last seen in the area of West Alabama Street in Florence around 4 p.m. on Friday, January 26, but the missing person alert for her was cancelled as of 12:50 p.m. on Monday.

Officers searching for missing and endangered 60-year-old woman in Florence

Isbell is described as a white female with brown eyes and hazel hair. She is 51 and weighs around 112 pounds with a tattoo on her right arm of a rosary with a cross.

If anyone has any information regarding her whereabouts, please contact the Florence Police Department at (256)-760-6610 or call 911.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.
By Sarah Meyssonnier, Marco Trujillo and Noemie Olive

LONGVILLIERS, France (Reuters) -Long lines of tractors blocked highways near Paris and across France on Monday, as angry farmers sought to put pressure on the government to do more to help them face inflation, compete with cheap imports and make a living.

The protests follow similar action in other European countries, including Germany and Poland, ahead of European Parliament elections in June in which the far right, for whom farmers represent a growing constituency, is seen making gains.

"It's just too much, we're really fed up," said 46-year-old farmer Geraldine Grillon, speaking at a blockade on the A10 highway south of Paris.

Grillon blamed President Emmanuel Macron and the European Union - where many agricultural rules, and subsidies, are decided - for the farmers' woes.

Macron "couldn't care less" about farmers, she said. Behind her, a banner on a stack of hay bales read: "Macron, answer us."

It's that type of comment that has prompted the government, wary of seeing the protests escalate and with an eye on the European elections, to drop plans to gradually reduce subsidies on agricultural diesel and promise to ease environmental regulations.

France also said it would push its EU peers to agree to ease regulations on fallow farmland and promised that more measures would be announced shortly.

With farmers angry over cheap imports, Macron has insisted to the European Commission that it was impossible to conclude trade deal negotiations with South America's Mercosur bloc and understands the EU has put an end to the talks, his office said on Monday.

Farmers' organisations, which have in particular objected to the Mercosur talks, said they want more and would bloc roads as long as needed.

"Our objective is to put pressure on the government, so that we can quickly find a solution for a way out of the crisis," Arnaud Rousseau, head of the powerful farmers' union FNSEA, said on RTL radio.

Many farmers had attached flags and banners to their tractors. One tractor was carrying a sign that read "Angry farmer", another read: "Too many taxes, too many rules, no income to live on."

EU TALKS

Macron will make a push for more pro-farming policies at an EU summit on Thursday, Farming Minister Marc Fesneau said. An Elysee source said Macron would also discuss this with European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen.

Farmers must meet certain conditions to receive EU subsidies - including a requirement to devote 4% of farmland to "non-productive" areas where nature can recover. That can be done by leaving land lying fallow.

Two EU officials told Reuters the EU's executive Commission was looking into changing the fallow land rule, as requested by France, among other options to respond to the farmers' concerns.

The Commission had already temporarily exempted farmers from the rule in response to the Ukraine war and food security concerns.

Belgian farmers also blocked highways in southern Belgium and parked tractors near to the EU Parliament in Brussels. Some 30-40 tractors were parked up on the E19 road just south of the Belgian capital on Monday morning, many farmers having spent the night in their cabs.

"Seeing that it was starting up in other countries, we thought ... maybe if we all get together we will be stronger in the eyes of the EU," cereal and egg farmer Jean Riz said. "We would like the EU to shoulder its responsibilities."

(Additional reporting by Gus Trompiz, Elizabeth Pineau, Tassilo Hummel, Sybille de la Hamaide and Michel Rose in Paris and Sudip Kar-Gupta, Kate Abnett, Christian Levaux in Brussels; Writing by Ingrid Melander and Geert de Clercq; Editing by Alex Richardson, Kylie MacLellan and Nick Macfie)
(KRON)  The City of San Francisco launched a free tax preparation assistance program to help eligible residents, Mayor London N. Breed, Treasurer Jose Cisneros, and the San Francisco Human Services Agency (SFHSA) announced Monday.

San Franciscans with incomes of under $64,000 file can apply for the San Francisco Working Families Credit (WFC) and other tax credits that could help individuals receive up to several thousands of dollars in tax credits and refunds.

Body recovered near Half Moon Bay plane crash site

Many San Francisco residents who were impacted by the pandemic are still struggling to make ends meet. In this current economic environment, especially in San Francisco, every extra dollar helps families in the City, said Mayor London Breed. The Citys free tax prep service helps eligible individuals file their taxes at no cost, and also helps families apply for tax credits, like the Working Families Credit, which can make a real difference for families trying to stretch their dollars to the end of the month.

To find free tax assistance filing options, visit FreeTaxHelpSF.org or call 2-1-l.

SFHSA has two in-person tax sites:

170 Otis Street  (415) 209-5143

3120 Mission Street  (415) 487-3240

The City asks residents to call ahead to schedule an appointment or drop by between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Free tax assistance is also available at multiple San Francisco neighborhood locations in partnership with the United Way Bay Area, Mission Economic Development Association, Arriba Juntos, and other local organizations.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
Scholars and artists have pondered from every angle the dark, moody painting The Studio of Thomas Couture during its many times on exhibit at UNCs Ackland Art Museum.

Which of Coutures students might have painted it? Could one of the figures in the portrayal of an art class in progress be Coutures acclaimed student Edouard Manet? Which of Coutures own pieces are visible in the scene?

The one query no one appears to have made for 50 years after the museum acquired the painting was whether this mid-19th century French work might have been stolen from its Jewish owners by Nazis during World War II.

Katie Ziglar had no reason to ask such a question of The Studio of Thomas Couture or any of the other 20,000 pieces in Acklands collection when she took over as museum director in 2016.

With a history degree from Chapel Hill, a masters in Islamic art and architecture from American University in Cairo and nearly three decades of museum experience, Ziglar  like all the art world  knew the story of the Nazi plunder.

It began in 1933, when Adolph Hitler rose to power as the German chancellor and ordered his army to begin systemically seizing the belongings of Jewish people. They claimed businesses, financial assets, homes and their furnishings, including  and especially  artwork.

The BBC has reported that before he fought in World War I, Hitler was a casual laborer and artist in Vienna producing postcards and paintings, and that he applied twice to the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts but was denied each time.

Hitler designed a museum that was never built

As chancellor, he dreamed of and designed a great museum to be called the Fuhrermuseum that he wanted built in the Austrian city of Linz, near the town where he was born. It would have housed the finest art from throughout Europe and, Hitler believed, outshone the city of Vienna. While he bought some art with his own funds, Hitler planned to fill the museum with thousands of the finest works, mostly confiscated from Jewish families and collectors or from the museums and cathedrals of countries his army invaded: Poland, Denmark, Norway, France, Belgium, the Netherlands.

In 1943, according to the U.S. Army Airborne & Special Operation Museum in Fayetteville, the Allies formed the Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives (MFAA) Section, made up of about 345 men and women from 14 countries who had worked as historians, in museums, as artists, archaeologists, architects, librarians and archivists, to identity and protect vulnerable collections ahead of the Germans advance.

Still, art historians say Hitlers forces took trainloads of art and cultural objects  an estimated 5 million pieces, 20% of Europes holdings at the time  stashing some for their personal collections, selling some to fund the Nazi war effort, destroying some works in the modernist style Hitler considered an abomination, and hiding what he considered the most important pieces for eventual placement in the future Linz museum.

After Germanys defeat, the MFAA section, nicknamed the Venus Fixers or the Monuments Men, set about retrieving as many stolen items as possible.

Tens of thousands of pieces seized in the Holocaust were recovered. Using the Nazis own records, many were returned to their owners or surviving heirs, or the institutions from which they had been taken. Others were left in limbo, without sufficient information about who had owned them or who might be left to claim them. In France, The New York Times has reported, the post-war government sold thousands of looted pieces and kept the proceeds.

Why the Ackland didnt know the paintings history till now

By the time Katie Ziglar joined the Ackland, stories about Nazi plunder being identified and returned to rightful owners were dwindling, despite renewed efforts in the late 1990s and early 2000s, including the 1998 Washington Conference on Holocaust-Era Assets that produced a set of 11 principles on how to deal with modern-day disputes.

In accordance with international agreements and laws, larger museums go through their collections to look for items whose provenance  or lack of it  might suggest Nazi expropriation. Dana Cowen, Acklands Sheldon Peck Curator for European and American Art before 1950, said it might be considered a red flag if a pre-World War II piece was bought in France, Germany or Belgium, where a lot of art was changing hands after the war, or if there are gaps in the works ownership history.

But Ackland is not a large museum, and no one had ever asked about The Studio of Thomas Couture.

Until May 2022, when Ziglar got a letter from a lawyer in France notifying her that the museum had a painting that belonged to someone else.

The letter was from Corinne Hershkovitch, a Paris attorney specializing in the art market, research provenance, circulation of cultural goods and the protection of cultural heritage and intellectual property.

Hershkovitch had approached the Ackland on behalf of the heirs of Armand Isaac Dorville, who was a successful lawyer and an art collector in Paris when Hitler came to power. Fearing persecution because he was Jewish, Dorville fled Paris in 1940 after the Nazis defeated France. He transferred much of his art collection to a home in the South of France, away from occupying forces, and moved there with part of his collection.

He died in 1941 of natural causes, willing numerous artworks to national museums and leaving use of the estate to his brother and sisters and ownership of it to his nieces. All these heirs were Jewish and subject to the increasing threat of persecution.

Nazis seized control of an auction, took the proceeds

A few months after Dorvilles death, a friend of the family organized an auction of the collection of more than 450 paintings, drawings, pastels and sculptures to keep the collection from being confiscated and, with the proceeds, to help Dorvilles heirs escape the Nazis. The sale was scheduled for four consecutive days in June 1942 at the Hotel Savoy in Nice.

The sale went on, but on the first day the Nazis seized control and then confiscated the proceeds.

Shortly after the sale, one of Dorvilles sisters, her two daughters and their two young daughters, aged 2 and 4, were arrested and sent to Auschwitz where they all died.

Little was known about what had happened to the splintered collection until Bavarian authorities raided the Munich apartment of a man named Cornelius Gurlitt in 2012 and found a trove of more than 1,400 works of art that had been confiscated from Jewish owners or purchased at rock-bottom prices as families tried to escape Nazi persecution.

It was the largest group of Nazi-looted works found in decades.

The New York Times reported that Gurlitt, who had been selling pieces over the years, may have inherited them from his mother. His father was part Jewish but had bought art for Hitler.

After the Gurlitt discovery, an international task force was formed to sort through the works and try to determine proper ownership.

Task force member Emmanuelle Polack, an art historian and provenance researcher who also works for the Louvre, came across an Impressionist painting in the Gurlitt stash with a label on the back bearing a catalog number from an auction in Nice. Polack, whom an art writer dubbed the Indiana Jones of looted paintings, traveled to the city and found records of the auction, which turned out to be the sale of the Dorville estate, one of the largest such auctions the Nazis conducted.

Ultimately, three pieces from Dorvilles estate were found in Gurlitts trove.

Polack tracked down Dorvilles heirs to let them know what she had found.

Ackland Museum put its collection online

In 2020, the family hired a sleuth of its own. Using the catalog from the 1942 auction Polack had found, provenance researcher Eleonore Delabre of Paris began looking for more of the 450 pieces of Dorvilles scattered collection, starting in an art history library that said the piece was housed at Ackland,

The Studio of Thomas Couture, believed to have been painted in 1854 or 1855, was one of the pieces whose listing in the auction catalog included a photo of the work, giving Delabre access to a tool the Monuments Men never dreamed of.

As it happens, the Ackland Museum made early use of the research and teaching potential of the internet, putting photos of its collection online by around the year 2000.

When Delabre hit search, up popped The Studio of Thomas Couture, in the care of the art museum at the flagship public university in North Carolina.

It took Ziglar and Cowen, the curator, some time to vet the claim. Scrutinizing the file, Cowen found that Ackland bought the painting from a dealer in Paris in 1972 during the tenure of the museums first director, Joseph Curtis Sloane. The museum paid about $1,100 for the piece, Cowen said, using money from the William A. Whitaker Art Fund, an endowment.

Cowen and Ziglar dont know if Sloane knew or suspected the piece had been part of a Nazi-run auction, and the seller didnt provide its provenance. According to a UNC biography, Sloane held undergraduate and graduate degrees from Princeton, served as an officer in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was a distinguished professor at UNC specializing in 19th-century French painting. He ran the Ackland from 1958 to 1978. He died in 1998.

Cowen brought in a conservator to make sure the painting was authentic, not a copy, and to look for a signature the 1942 catalog had described. The conservator confirmed its authenticity and said the signature had been damaged when previous owners scrubbed the painting, twice.

Its size matched the catalog description.

Some other museums, including ones in France, have argued in court that while the Nazis seizure of the proceeds is not disputed, the sale of Dorvilles collection wasnt forced and therefore Holocaust restitution rules dont require the auctioned works to be returned. But once the Ackland knew it had a piece of the collection, it began the process of giving it back: seeking approval from UNCs chancellor and removing it from the museums inventory.

Ackland has its own history

The Ackland itself has a connection to the exploitation of a race of people, but in its own country. William Hayes Ackland, whose bequest founded the museum and whose body is entombed within it, inherited his fortune. His mothers first husband made the money by founding what became the largest slave-trading company in the United States. The museum acknowledges this bitter truth on its website.

Ziglar and Cowen say the museums handling of the Dorville piece shows its commitment to ethical stewardship of the cultural artifacts in its care.

In a private ceremony at the museum on Jan. 16, a Tuesday, when the museum is closed to the public, Ziglar presented the painting to Dorvilles great-nephew, Raphael Falk, becoming the first U.S. museum to return a piece of the Dorville collection to his heirs. Delabre, the familys researcher, says at least 10 other pieces are housed in American museums, including three at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, one at the National Gallery of Art in Washington and one at the Yale University Art Gallery in New Haven, Connecticut.

Delabre also made the trip from France for the ceremony.

Now back in its home country, The Studio of Thomas Couture will no longer be available to art students at the Ackland who want to see how painters learned portraiture in the 1850s. But in an email exchange after the ceremony, Delabre said the museums restitution of the painting could teach a more important lesson.

Returning a work allows us to honor the duty of remembrance, towards all those who were persecuted during World War II, she wrote. All those who lost their property, their identity, or their life, as the three women and two little girls of the Dorville family, deported and murdered at Auschwitz.

Returning a painting, almost 80 years later, is an act which shows that there is no impunity for violence and persecution, Delabre wrote. It is therefore a gesture related to the past, but also a message for the future.
Hundreds of tractors laid siege to Paris on Monday as farmers furious at French and European rules said they intended to starve Parisians.

Long lines of tractors blocked motorways at eight entry points to the city as one militant union promised to take control of the worlds biggest fresh food market.

[Blockading Paris] will happen naturally. Parisians are going to be hungry. The goal is to starve Parisians. Thats it, said Benoit Durand, a grain farmer.

Mr Durand, like thousands of others, said he was struggling against low income, red tape and environmental policies that were pushing costs up. President Emmanuel Macron, who is under mounting pressure to reassert his authority, was set to announce new measures for farmers as early as Tuesday, the Elysee said.

The protests follow similar action in other European countries, including Germany and Poland, ahead of European Parliament elections in June in which the hard-Right are making gains.

A farmer lies in a pile of hay after spending the night at a highway barricade in Aix-en-Provence, southern France - Daniel Cole

Protesters hang an effigy as they gather during a blockade on the A4 near Paris on Monday night - REUTERS

The main farming unions do not back strangling Pariss food supplies but on Monday night angry farmers refused to move, setting up barbecues on motorways and sleeping in trailers.

In the event of major disruption, Paris would only have three days food supplies, as deliveries are made every day, according to Ademe, a government agency.

A group of 90 tractors left Agen, southwestern France, on Monday morning with the aim of occupying the Rungis food market, where more than 8,000 tons of goods pass through to feed nearly 12 million people every day.

A 24yo animal osteopath with her sheep Bouchon on a blockade east of the French capital - Mehdi Chebil

The farmers are upset about increasing regulations hurting their livelihoods - REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq

The tractors were due to reach the market, dubbed the belly of Paris, by Tuesday night or Wednesday at the latest. Their ranks were expected to swell considerably along the way. Some 10,000 farmers and 5,000 farm vehicles took part in action around the country, French police sources said on Monday.

Armoured military vehicles were dispatched to the market and 15,000 police and gendarmes were deployed around the country to prevent tractors from entering Paris and other major cities.

Gerald Darmanin, the interior minister, said he had ordered security forces to show moderation, but also warned farmers not to cross certain red lines. These included cutting off Pariss main airports or Rungis.

We dont intend to allow government buildings, or tax collection buildings, or grocery stores to be damaged or trucks transporting foreign produce to be stopped. Obviously, that is unacceptable, he said.

The government has tried to appease the protesters with a string of concessions in recent days. On Friday, it dropped plans to gradually reduce state subsidies on agricultural diesel and promised a reduction in red tape and an easing of environmental regulations.

Unions said that was not enough and pledged to step up the pressure.

Spirits were high on Monday night on the A1 highway at Chennevieres-les-Louvres, within sight of Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport, 25 kilometres north of Paris.

As night fell, farmers warmed their hands around bonfires and barbecued sausages as they sipped wine and beer. Behind, their tractors formed an impregnable convoy blocking off the capital.

As fires raged, Soft Cells UK hit Tainted Love and Madness One Step Beyond blasted over the farmers sound system as they chomped on beef burgers and temperatures approached zero.

Were here because weve had enough, we want to defend our pay, weve had enough of all the excessive red tape thats even worse in France than the rest of Europe, said Robin Leduc, 30, who runs a 200-hectare farm in Canly, not far from the tractor checkpoint.

The government has to act fast then we can all go home as we have work to do on our farms.

Mr Leduc said he had found an unlikely British ally in the shape of Jeremy Clarkson, who has gained plaudits for the Amazon Prime series Clarksons Farm, which charts his attempts at running a 1,000-acre farm in the Cotswolds.

We need a French celebrity to do the same as Jeremy Clarkson. Everything he explains in it is why we are here today. You may have left the EU, but we share many of the same problems regarding all these environmental rules.

Gendarmes look on as the protests continued into the night - Nathan Laine/Bloomberg

The government has been trying to keep discontent among farmers from spreading ahead of European Parliament elections in June, seen as a key test for Mr Macrons government.

On Monday, the government said it would push its EU peers to agree to ease regulations on fallow farmland. Farmers must currently meet certain conditions to receive EU subsidies, including a requirement to devote four per cent of farmland to non-productive areas where nature can recover.

With cheap imports a burning issue, Mr Macrons office also said he had told the European Commission it was impossible to conclude trade deal negotiations with South Americas Mercosur bloc. The presidents office believes it has an understanding that the EU has put an end to the talks.

The French president will make a push for more pro-farming policies at an EU summit on Thursday.

The French government has warned the farmers not to cross red lines including blocking airports or the capital's largest market - Loock francois / Alamy Live News

Henri Haquin, 43, who runs a 300-hectare farm in Bregy, north of Paris, said: We get the feeling that Brussels doesnt understand what we do and comes up with new laws every month that are difficult to understand and work with.

He also has a real estate business to make ends meet, saying he wont make a profit from his farm until he has paid off bank loans in a decade.

Life on the farm is more and more difficult to make ends meet. We fear for the new generations. The main problem is unfair competition, lots of products from elsewhere without the same norms, he said. This is the only way weve found to get the government going.

However, he insisted: We clearly dont want to starve Parisians. Only a small minority wants to block Rungis. For now, 90 per cent of the French are behind us. If we do that well lose that support. We simply want to put pressure on the government and get solutions and go back on some laws we find completely ridiculous and inapplicable.

All of the farmers in Europe are starting to move and say they cant work with European laws as they are and I hope this can change things.

Protests have taken place elsewhere in Europe, including in neighbouring Belgium, where farmers have stepped up their campaign against the administrative burden placed on them, including disrupting motorway traffic at the Daussoulx interchange near Namur.

The Daussoulx interchange in Belgium was blocked on Monday - ERIC LALMAND / Belga / AFP

Veronique Le Floch, president of Frances hard-Right-leaning Coordination Rurale union, said on Monday that farmers would target the Rungis market to show the consequences if there are no more farmers tomorrow.

She said that she wanted to identify the proportion of imports and what type of products come in to the market. In recent days, farmers have seized shipments from Belgium, Spain and Poland, scattering them across the highway and setting fire to them.

Marc Fesneau, the French agriculture minister, outlined a list of government priorities for farmers on Monday. These included tougher inspections on provenance of food products and Frenchifiying farm products, without providing more details.

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Armoured military vehicles and helicopters have been dispatched to protect Paris as French farmers bring their week of danger to the capital.

Some 15,000 police and gendarmes have been deployed to prevent tractors from entering Paris and other major French cities.

Farmers who say they are suffering from low income, red tape and punitive environmental policies compared to less stringent neighbours are threatening to cut off all eight main road entrances to the French capital.

Gerald Darmanin, the interior minister, said he had ordered security forces to show moderation, but also warned farmers not to cross certain red lines. The included cutting off Pariss main airports or Rungis, the worlds biggest fresh food market, south of the capital.

We dont intend to allow government buildings, or tax collection buildings, or grocery stores to be damaged or trucks transporting foreign produce to be stopped. Obviously, that is unacceptable, he said.

Armoured gendarme vehicles have been stationed near the fridge of Paris, as some call Rungis, and forces were on standby, Mr Darmanin said.

They would be joined by mobile force units and helicopters to watch and anticipate tractor movements.

Farmers set a lorry alight and push it over with a tractor in protest at 'punitive' policies - MAXIME VERDALE

A group of 30 tractors left Agen, southwestern France, on Monday morning with the aim of occupying the market.

Speaking on BFMTV, Veronique Le Floch, president of the hard-Right-leaning Coordination Rurale union, said that the intention is not to enter Rungis but to show the consequences if there are no more farmers tomorrow.

She said that she wanted to identify the proportion of imports and what type of products come in to the market.

The farmers are due to set up positions on Monday afternoon at 2pm local time on orders from FNSEA, Frances largest farmers union, and the Jeunes Agriculteurs (Young Farmers) union.

The government has tried to appease the protestors with a string of concessions in recent days. On Friday, it dropped plans to gradually reduce state subsidies on agricultural diesel and promised a reduction in red tape and an easing of environmental regulations.

Farmers organisations said that was not enough and pledged to step up the pressure.

However, most insist they have no intention of actually entering the capital.

Going into Paris is like walking into the lions den, said Fabien Frebourg, vice-president of the Jeunes Agriculteurs de lOise. Here, were staying outside and at least well be autonomous, he told BFMTV.

Protest vehicles queue on the A16 highway as farmers try to reach Paris - STEPHANIE LECOCQ/REUTERS

Adding to the chaos on French roads, taxi drivers staged their own protest on Monday against what they say is insufficient pay for the transport of patients by the French health services.

Their go-slow protests have started choking motorways across the country, including the A13 leading into Paris.

Unite SGP Police union called on the government to find the social fire extinguisher, to put out the fire to try and calm the situation to prevent other trades getting involved, which would paralyse the system.

Were five months away from the Olympic Games, the eyes of the world are on France, and a social crisis that we couldnt control would cast a bad impression on the rest of the world, said Jean-Christophe Couvy, the unions chief, on France Info radio.

The government has been trying to keep discontent among farmers from spreading ahead of European Parliament elections in June, seen as a key test for President Emmanuel Macrons government.

During a visit to a farm on Sunday, Gabriel Attal, the prime minister, said more concessions would be forthcoming after the first batch was announced on Friday.

I want us to clarify things and see what extra measures we can take to meet farmers complaints that they face unfair competition, he said.

Some politicians accused the government of being too lenient with militant action that has included a government building near Carcassonne, southwestern France, having its windows blown out and a supermarket collapse under the weight of manure at a protest in Agen.

Once you accept (violent) action by some, you shouldnt be surprised if others start to follow suit, said Stephane Le Foll, former Socialist agriculture minister.

Gerald Darmanins initial statements lacked rules and reminders of the rules, he added.

The blockades could last until Thursday, when a European Council summit will be held in Brussels.

Marc Fesneau, agriculture minister, said on Monday that Mr Macron would make a push for more pro-farming policies at the summit to address grievances shared by many farmers in the bloc.

Mr Fesneau added he would travel to Brussels this week to seek to soften EU rules on agricultural land that require 4 per cent to remain fallow under new green rules.

Burnt hay bales and litter smoulders as farmers man a road block protest on the A9 motorway - SYLVAIN THOMAS/AFP

French farmers have complained this could hurt their businesses, and the government in Paris pledged to lobby on their behalf in Brussels.

France can expect a difficult week, said Mr Darmanin.

Gabriel Attal, Frances new prime minister, has placed himself on the front line by visiting farmers out in the field, seeking to calm the group.

At a farm near the city of Tours on Sunday, Frederique Alexandre, one local FNSEA unionist, told him: If you hadnt come, I think the area would have been on fire this morning.

Its good that Im here, then, Mr Attal responded. I dont know if that should make you smile, retorted the union leader, seeing it as a sign of vanity, according to Le Monde.

Taken aback, Mr Attal hit back: You know, Im presenting my government policy statement on Tuesday. I was smiling because I decided not to follow the advice I was being given [to prepare for it] and to go out into the field.

Even if its difficult, even if I get yelled at, I dont want the flow of dialogue to break, he said later.

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I watched my friend die on screen, and wept tears of joy and sorrow.

My Friend Lanre is a documentary by award-winning filmmaker Leo Regan. It draws on decades of footage to create a moving, intimate portrait of a man in the last weeks of life, struggling with terminal cancer, trying to pull the threads of his past together whilst facing his own oncoming extinction.

The subject is Lanre Fehintola, a charismatic and talented photographer who lived a chaotic, wayward life on the margins of society, but one driven by real empathy for others and a fierce desire to find purpose, to create art, to make some impression on the world. He was 63 years-old, and not ready to die. Yet there he was, gaunt and wasted, in a remedial bed in his living room, looking down the lens of a camera, staring the end full in the face. F___ing Lanre, even dyings got to be turned into an art, he gasps. Or a joke. What a frigging joke.

My Friend Lanre shook me to the core, because Lanre was my friend too.

Director Leo Regan and I were in a band together in Ireland and later, during the 1980s, we shared a flat in London. We met Lanre in 1986, when we were all in our twenties and beginning to move towards careers in journalism. Leo and Lanre studied photography together at the London College of Printing. Lanre was a charismatic, keenly intelligent man with a dark past.

Born in Nigeria in 1958, he moved with his family to England at the age of two. His father was an accountant, his mother ran an old peoples home in Bradford, but it was a strict and unhappy upbringing. A rebellious child, Lanre often ran away until, at the age of 11, he was sent to a childrens home. He repeatedly clashed with carers and, at 12 years old, wound up in reform school in Durham without ever appearing before a magistrates court. Although his parents could have taken him out at any time, he remained until he was 15.

Lanre emerged an unreconstructed, self-confessed bad boy. The petty crimes of juvenile delinquency soon graduated to mugging, burglary, drug-dealing. And then prison. The second time Lanre went inside (on a three-year sentence for robbery with menaces), his attitude began to change. In prison you have time off, he once told me. I got into reading, started thinking. I was always into making a statement with myself and crime was a way of doing that, even if it was only reputation, ego. I realised there were other ways I could make a statement. He began to develop an interest in photography. Intelligent, artistically aware and with all the wrong connections, he made rapid progress as a press photographer.

Lanre, Leo and I coalesced into a mutually supportive unit, embarking on our new careers with the zeal of converts. Our heroes were the great writers of the Sixties new journalism movement, such as Tom Wolfe and Hunter S. Thompson (who spent a year with motorcycle gangs and suffered a vicious beating while researching his seminal book Hells Angels) and photographers like Sebastiao Salgado and W. Eugene Smith who would immerse themselves in communities to capture the very essence of their subjects.

London 1987, by Lanre Fehintola - Lanre Fehintola

This was the approach we adopted. Documenting the lives of down-and-outs in London, Lanre became homeless himself. Leo spent years mingling with right wing skinheads, resulting in an acclaimed book, Public Enemies and Bafta-winning documentary 100 Per Cent White. Meanwhile, I was making a name for myself at GQ by spending months pursuing hard crime stories, often in collaboration with Lanre, who acted as my confidante, adviser and guide as we trawled through an underworld that he was far more familiar with than I.

There was a pivotal moment in 1993, and I can still remember the conversation. Lanre was deeply involved in a project about the Bradford frontline of drug use, petty crime and prostitution and, as we drove around the city, he said that he was considering taking heroin. Just to see what it was like. Just to gain the trust of the people he was photographing. Just for a couple of weeks. How else am I supposed to get inside the story? he asked. To my shame and regret, I agreed it was a good idea.

I really thought Lanre was so strong, so committed to his ideals, that he would be able to use the drug without it using him. But it took over his life. It wrecked his work. It tore apart his family. Hooked on smack, Lanre descended into the very squalor and despair he had been trying to document. Crucially, though, he never stopped documenting his life, always carrying cameras, tape recorders and notebooks in an effort to reassure himself he was still a journalist.

The book was his lifeline, gradually turning into a savage autobiography. He would occasionally send us huge reams of paper and photographs, usually in a state of considerable disarray but offering eloquent and powerful insights into addiction. Leo and I helped with the editing, and the book was eventually published in 2000 as Charlie Says  Dont Get High on Your Own Supply.

Camden 1986  Lanre Fehintola

Leo went further. He made two acclaimed documentaries about Lanre, Dont Get High on Your Own Supply (1998) and Cold Turkey (2001). They were intense and powerful films, made as acts of love, with a clear objective to help Lanre overcome addiction. But that would ultimately take many more years, and further spells in prison and rehab, during which all our lives drifted apart. The last time I saw Lanre in person was almost 20 years ago. He was drug free, in a relationship, living in the west of England, optimistic about the future. It was nice to see him.

And then I got a call from Leo in 2021 to tell me Lanre was dead. I had heard he had cancer, but somehow the seriousness hadnt registered. It was during the Covid pandemic, everyone was locked down and isolated. But Leo had sprung to action, effectively becoming Lanres chief carer during his final months. That they had mutually decided to film the process came as little surprise to me. It was a way for them to bring the story full circle, to honour Lanres brilliant but neglected photography, and for Leo to help his friend make sense of a life in which Lanre had effectively been his own art project.

Leos film is just extraordinary, tough and loving and human. I was shaken for days after watching it, suddenly finding myself overwhelmed at odd times, spontaneously weeping. Obviously, I have a deep personal connection, but there is power in the movie itself. Louis Theroux, who knows a thing or two about documentaries, has hailed it as intimate, raw, beautiful. What a strange privilege to see a man right on the edge, simultaneously gripping on to his life and letting it go.

A still of Lanre, from My Friend Lanre

It is a fate that awaits us all, and that is part of the films power. It seems to me that we live in a society that has become death avoidant, and that encourages us all to carry on as if we are going to live forever. But where Lanre has gone, all of us are going. Watching him reach that precipice, going through doubt and fear but finding philosophical acceptance and even moments of joy is a privilege. On the screen Lanre lived again, and I felt almost as if I was able to say goodbye.

Nevertheless, I wish I had acted sooner, told him what he meant to me when he was still around. I hope he knew. And so I just want to say this: let your loved ones know you love them, and hold your friends close. Ive done some crazy things, a gaunt and wasted Lanre tells Leos camera. But you just do them, because theres always time  but there isnt. He laughs as he says this, and that beautiful smile flashes up on the screen, the same as it ever was.

My Friend Lanre will be released in select UK cinemas on January 29, followed by a Curzon-on-Demand release from February 1

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An apartment tenant in the Netherlands is expressing their frustration online after an unfixed gas leak cost them about $5,352.

The resident took to r/TheNetherlands subreddit to explain the situation and get advice from others.

If you remember my other posts, there was a huge gas leak  and I realized about it because my consumption was abnormally high, they wrote. It smelled like gas once and I assumed it was the stove, because it wasnt evident afterwards.

It was not noticeable even when the plumber came to check the meter and the pipes, they continued, adding that the owner recently communicated that he would not assume liability because the tenant reported the problem too late and its not their fault that the gas escaped.

Gas leaks in the home can be scary and can lead to a variety of health issues. Low levels of exposure can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, and irregular breathing, while high levels can cause some of the same issues, plus memory problems, loss of concentration, loss of consciousness, and even suffocation. And even if a gas leak doesnt cause any immediate harm to your health, it will take its toll on your pocketbook.

Leaked natural gas, which is predominantly made up of methane, also takes a severe toll on the environment, as methane is a potent planet-heating gas.

To keep yourself safe and avoid ending up in an unfortunate financial situation, regularly check any appliances that use natural gas. These may include furnaces, clothes dryers, water heaters, gas-burning stoves, and generators. If these appliances have a pilot light, make sure it burns small and blue with a yellow tip. You can also install a gas and carbon monoxide detector in your home that can pick up on small leaks.

One simple way to reduce the risk of a gas leak in your home is to upgrade to electric appliances, like an induction stove or even a single induction cooktop, which have the added bonus of being far faster than their gas-powered counterparts. Home electrification is also cost-effective, as it can save you an estimated $1,800 per year on energy bills.

As far as tenants rights, they vary by location, so make sure to familiarize yourself with your own responsibilities as well as those of your landlord.

The Reddit community offered support for the frustrated tenant.

One said, I commiserate with you. You are being taken advantage of, and I hope you can win in the end. Ignore anyone who says its your fault. Lots of people here (especially in this sub) like to put extra responsibility on others, particularly foreigners, and have no compassion for someone in a shitty situation.

Private landlords are the worst, another added. Youll likely need to go to court if you want a shot at getting any money refunded.

Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more, waste less, and help yourself while helping the planet.
Georgia legislators in the state house passed a bill on Monday to revive a panel that can punish or remove elected prosecutors, potentially adding to career headaches for the Fulton county district attorney, Fani Willis.

When creating the first version of the Prosecuting Attorneys Qualifications Commission last year, lawmakers cited the inaction of prosecutors in the Ahmaud Arbery murder case as its basis. They also referred to a decision made by the Athens-Clarke county district attorney to forgo charges on minor drug possession cases as an impetus for the law.

Related: How an alleged office romance could derail the Trump election interference case

Accusations that Willis, who is leading the sprawling corruption case against Trump and his allies over their efforts to overturn the 2020 election in Georgia, may have had an inappropriate relationship with a special prosecutor have been central to the effort to revive the law.

The governor, Brian Kemp, signed an earlier bill into law last year, creating a panel of eight appointees with the power to remove prosecutors if the panel decided a prosecutor was mentally or physically incapacitated, had engaged in misconduct, or failed to prosecute cases for which probable cause existed.

The law immediately drew fire from district attorneys across the state  including Willis  who argued that it would be used to politically target progressive prosecutors. Willis flatly described the law as racist.

Language in the law required the Georgia supreme court to approve the commissions processes. Late last year, the court announced it would deny approval, effectively killing the commission.

The new version of the law passed on Monday by Georgias house on a 90-75 party-line vote. It omits language requiring approval by the Georgia supreme court.

The bill wasnt good enough for the majority party to protect Ahmaud Arbery, but good enough to go after Fani Willis, said Darshun Kendrick, a Democrat from DeKalb county who serves on the house judiciary committee. Interesting how that worked out.

The Georgia senate passed similar legislation to re-enact the law earlier this month. The two versions have differences in how incapacity is defined and how appeals might be handled, which must be worked out for a prosecutorial discipline commission bill to again pass to Kemps desk.

Separately, the Georgia senate created a special committee last week to investigate Williss office and claims that her appointment of Nathan Wade as a special prosecutor facilitated the misuse of public money. The senate investigative committee does not require approval by the house or by Kemp. It has subpoena power, but cannot punish Willis directly.

The Georgia house speaker, Jon Burns, touted the bill on Monday.

Today, the House passed HB 881 to hold district attorneys and solicitors general across Georgia accountable. Georgians deserve district attorneys who are focused on upholding their oath of office, prosecuting criminals, and doing their job to keep our communities safe  and I am confident that the Prosecuting Attorneys Qualifications Commission will ensure that happens, he said. I look forward to the senate acting quickly on this important legislation and delivering it to Governor Kemp to sign into law.
A Georgia man is facing 10 years or more in state prison after he was found guilty of attempted murder and other crimes at a Franklin hotel in 2022.

Eder Gelin, 40, of Douglasville, Georgia, was found guilty by a Superior Court jury of first-degree attempted murder, second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, two counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child and third-degree endangering the welfare of another person.

Gelin is scheduled to be sentenced by Superior Court Judge Peter Tober on March 8.

Gelin was found guilty of shooting a 37-year-old woman in the hip and foot at the hotel on World's Fair Drive.

According to the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office, Gelin had been drinking alcohol and became irate and threatened the woman whom he knew.

Gelin then brandished a handgun and held the victim at gunpoint in the presence of her two children for more than an hour while inside the hotel room.

But the woman managed to escape from Gelin who then followed her and shot her three times during the chase, the Prosecutor's Office said.

Township police arriving at the hotel found the wounded woman who told officers that Gelin had shot her.

Officers were able to find Gelin and arrest him without incident. Police also found the handgun used in the shooting.

Assistant Prosecutor Rory Eaton prosecuted the case.

Email: mdeak@mycentraljersey.com

Mike Deak is a reporter for mycentraljersey.com. To get unlimited access to his articles on Somerset and Hunterdon counties, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Georgia man convicted of Franklin hotel shooting
A Georgia man was sentenced to 19 years in prison for his role in an inmate-directed armed drug conspiracy operating in Athens.

Brandan R. Gates, 37, of Commerce, was sentenced to serve 19 years in prison and five years of supervised release.

Gates was found guilty by a federal jury on Sept. 21, 2022, of one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

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Eight co-defendants also received various lengths of prison sentences for their participation in the same drug trafficking operation.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, one of Gates co-defendants, Malcody Dinges, conducted drug deals using contraband cell phones while he was an inmate at the Wheeler Correctional Facility.

Investigators learned that Dinges was communicating with Gates and other co-defendants about distributing methamphetamine in the Athens area.

They say Dinges would receive a fee for brokering the deals.

When federal agents searched Gates home they seized a handgun and methamphetamine.

TRENDING STORIES:

Drug dealing breeds violence and traffickers who engage in this dangerous lifestyle often protect their drug stash with firearms, said Robert J. Murphy, the Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division. Consequently, these defendants will spend well-deserved time in prison. DEA and its law enforcement partners are committed to making communities safer by removing such criminals from the streets.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
SUWANEE, Ga. (AP)  A Georgia state trooper has died after his cruiser left Interstate 85 on Sunday and struck an embankment in the Atlanta suburb of Suwanee.

The state Department of Public Safety said Trooper Jimmy Cenescar was trying to stop a motorcycle for a traffic violation. Cenescar was taken to a Lawrenceville hospital, where he died.

Cenescar had worked for the Department of Public Safety since January 2023 and had graduated from trooper school in September.

Gov. Brian Kemp said in a statement that Cenescar was engaged to be married.

We ask all Georgians to join us in reflecting on the heavy sacrifices brave men and women like Trooper Cenescar make each day for the safety of our communities, Kemp said.

Cenescar was an officer with the Atlanta Police Department before becoming a trooper.

In October 2021, he was credited with saving a mans life after the man drove off an Atlanta bridge, falling onto a train track about 50 feet (15 meters) below. Cenescar drove his car through a locked gate to reach the man and render first aid.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL.
The Georgia Department of Public Safety has identified the trooper killed in the line of duty Sunday afternoon.

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According to officials, on Sunday, the trooper identified as Jimmy Cenescar was trying to stop a motorcycle for a traffic violation on Interstate 85 North near Old Peachtree Road in Gwinnett County.

Georgia State Patrol said Cenescars patrol car left the roadway and hit an embankment in Gwinnett County.

TRENDING STORIES:

First responders came to the scene and attempted life-saving measures.

Cenescar was rushed to Northside Gwinnett Hospital, where he passed away.

Gov. Brian Kemp tweeted about the troopers death, referring to Cenescar as Georgias finest.

Channel 2s Gwinnett County Bureau Chief Matt Johnson spoke to Cenescars fiance and father off-camera, who are both devastated.

Marty, the girls, and I are truly heartbroken by the tragic passing of one of Georgias finest. This is the ultimate sacrifice and our hearts and prayers are with the family and loved ones mourning this loss and all law enforcement tonight as they serve their fellow Georgians. https://t.co/xw3CqRSwyL  Governor Brian P. Kemp (@GovKemp) January 29, 2024

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Cenescar has been with the Georgia Department of Public Safety since January 2023 and was a graduate of the 114th Trooper School. He spent three years with Atlanta Police before then.

In 2021, Atlanta police celebrated Censcars heroics and released body camera video from when he rescued someone who drove off a bridge.

He used his patrol car to ram a gate and get to the driver 50 feet below.

My training kicked in and I just took action and took control of the scene, Cenescar said at the time.

Now, his family is planning his funeral.

Its unclear if the driver Cenescar was chasing has been taken into custody. That person has not been identified.

IN OTHER NEWS:
The Georgia Department of Public Safety is saddened to announce the line-of-duty death of Trooper Jimmy Cenescar #436. On January 28, 2024, Trooper Cenescar was attempting to stop a motorcycle for a traffic violation on Interstate 85 North near Old Peachtree Road, in Atlanta. Trooper Cenescars vehicle left the roadway and struck an embankment. Emergency personnel responded to the scene and attempted life-saving measures. Trooper Cenescar was rushed to Northside Gwinnett Hospital, where he passed away.



Trooper Cenescar has been employed with the Georgia Department of Public Safety since January of 2023 and was a graduate of the 114th Trooper School.



The Department of Public Safety sends its sincerest condolences and prayers to Trooper Jimmy Cenescars family and co-workers. Please keep Trooper Cenescars family in your prayers as they cope with the loss of their loved one.

Georgia Department of Public Safety
Glendale police and the North Shore Fire Department are searching for a missing man around the Milwaukee River near River Drive.

Deputies arrived at 1000 block of West Riverview Drive around 2:00 a.m. after receiving a report that a 31-year-old Illinois resident, Eugeniu Matcin, was missing, according to a Jan. 29 press release from Glendale Police.

Matcin was last seen by family sitting in a hot tub in the rear of the West Riverview Drive residence around 1:00 a.m. Police described Matcin as approximately five feet seven inches, 190 pounds with short black hair and a beard. He was last seen wearing red shorts.

Glendale police officers conducted an extensive land, drone and K-9 search of the surrounding area at the time of the call and again in the morning but were unable to locate Matcin.

A search of the Milwaukee River behind the residence was conducted by the North Shore Fire Department, Milwaukee Fire Department Dive Team, Milwaukee Police Department Harbor Patrol Unit and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Glendale police said the subsequent search was also unsuccessful.

If anyone sees a person matching Matcin's description, they are encouraged to call Glendale Police at 414-228-1753.

This is a developing story.

Contact Claudia Levens at clevens@gannett.com. Follow her on X at @levensc13

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Glendale police search for missing man by Milwaukee River
The News

2024 will be defined by elections. With so many votes around the world, it can be hard to keep track of them at all. This week: Shock polls in Portugal and France, Modi consecrates a divisive temple, and Dutertes daughter draws buzz.

Know More

1. Portugal

Nationalist party hits record high

Al Lucca

In Portugal, the Chega party  which campaigns against migration, with a leader known for frequently stoking anti-Roma sentiment  has soared to record support, capturing nearly a fifth of all voters according to a new poll. For a party founded fewer than 5 years ago, the 19% figure should shock political observers. Pollster Intercampus projects that Chega could win 49 out of 230 seats in the March general election  compared to 64 for the main conservative alliance. That could be called striking distance, and if Chega somehow placed second, the impact would be continental in scale.

2. US

Trump wins

Al Lucca

Donald Trumps New Hampshire victory has raised the already-high odds he wins the 2024 Republican primary. Despite Nikki Haley putting up a stronger-than-expected performance in New Hampshire and continuing to hammer him, the analyst outlook for remaining primary states  even Haleys home state of South Carolina  portends Trump cruising to the nomination. Given the state of most general election polling, and the radical agenda a returning Trump administration would intend to pursue, the consequences would be both enormous and global.

3. India

Modi opens temple

Al Lucca

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi kicked off an election year with the consecration of a massive Hindu temple, controversially built on the site of a historic mosque. The temple is intended to honor the god Rama, but its construction has highlighted political themes currently dividing India in an era of rising religious nationalism. India will head to the polls for its general election in just a few months, with the expedited timing of the consecration being characterized as a political ploy by critics of the prime minister.

4. France

40% for far-right in EU vote

Al Lucca

Far-right parties in France have hit a staggering 40% combined in the latest Ifop poll for the upcoming European Parliament election. The National Rally of Marine Le Pen alone accounts for 31 percentage points of that total, with the rest being rounded out by the extremist Reconquest party and a smaller national-conservative effort. The National Rally will be led in this election by 28-year-old party stalwart Jordan Bardella, while the Reconquest list is fronted by Le Pens own niece, Marion Marechal.

5. Indonesia

Rock star endorsement

Al Lucca

A famous Indonesian rock star endorsed the main challenger in the countrys presidential election. Abdee Negara, who played guitar in the 90s-era rock band Slank, resigned as commissioner of the state-owned telecommunications company, and said, We need to keep democracy alive, before endorsing Ganjar Pranowo, rival of President Joko Widodos preferred election pick Prabowo Subianto. Other members of Slank followed suit, but analysts anticipate the impact to be minimal, according to the South China Morning Post: Subianto has a chance to win the race in the first round.

6. Thailand

Progressive leader reinstated

Al Lucca

The former leader of the party that placed first in last years general election was reinstated as a member of Parliament. Pita Limjaroenrat, who led the social democratic party Move Forward to a surprising national victory, was cleared of allegations surrounding the supposed violation of election law that saw him suspended from the legislature. Accusations that Limjaroenrat owned shares of a media company provided ammo for a hostile, non-elected Senate to shoot down his bid for prime minister after the vote, despite assembling numbers for a lower house majority. Pita could now return as Move Forward leader as soon as April.

7. Democratic Republic of Congo

Least bad elections

Al Lucca

The Democratic Republic of Congos elections were marred by violence and accusations of rigging  but were still the least bad elections in the countrys history, two prominent regional experts wrote in Foreign Affairs. Despite technical, logistical and security challenges, the election did not feature the degree of violence that has marked past races, Mvemba Phezo Dizolele and Pascal Kambale argued. The election was ultimately won by President Felix Tshisekedi, though opponents have refused to recognize the result. For Congolese democracy to continue improving, however, the articles authors made clear these irregularities must be investigated and confronted directly.

8. Philippines

Duterte 2025?

Al Lucca

Philippines Vice President Sara Duterte generated waves by stating that she intended to run in the next election. She did not specify which post she was gunning for, but given that the countrys next elections are midterms to be held in 2025, the announcement spurred speculation that Duterte could resign in order to run  which she then confusingly dismissed. Sara Duterte is the daughter of controversial former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte, and has been seen as a potential future presidential contender: She leads 2028 polling. Current President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos  who is constitutionally limited to one term  referred to her statement as testing the waters.

9. Dominican Republic

One of Latin Americas richest leaders heads to re-election

Al Lucca

Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader, once termed Latin Americas richest leader by Bloomberg, appears to be cruising towards re-election based on all available polling. Abinader, who ran a large business conglomerate, has been the subject of U.S. reporting for his links to former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani through the latters consulting firm, which assisted Abinader in his 2016 and 2020 campaigns. One Abinader advisor wondered whether the Dominican president wanted a direct line to Trump.

Notable

Tuvalus election saw its prime minister swept from office, raising speculation that his pro-Taiwan government could shift its foreign policy.

In Finland, the center-right and Green candidates advanced to the second round of the presidential election, despite a stronger-than-expected challenge from the far-right.
Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.) said Sunday she could not recall how she voted on two key pieces of legislation that she has since touted as victories that she brought home for her district.

In an interview on CBS News Miami, Salazar dodged repeatedly when asked about her votes against certain legislation, including the CHIPS and Science Act and the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023.

Throughout the interview, Salazar said she did not remember how she voted, said she needed to consult her staff, and tried to redirect the conversation to focus on other bills she introduced.

The money that you talk about  the $40 million that you bring back to the district  sometimes that money comes from bills that you voted against. You voted against the CHIPS Act and yet you praise the fact that the south Florida climate resilience tech hub is going to be started in Miami, right? You voted against the infrastructure bill and you talk about all the money that comes back to the airport, the anchor said.

So, at the same time that youre taking credit for the money that you bring back to the district in Washington, youre voting against these projects on party line votes, he added.

Salazar responded, Listen I, that was, I think, last cycle, I cannot really remember right now, but just look, just look at the Americas Act

You dont want to explain why you voted against [these bills]? the anchor asked, cutting her off.

I mean right now, and Im not trying to be a politician, theres so many bills that Ive introduced and I know that many of them

The anchor cut in: These are bills that you voted against.

I understand and, but, the, its OK. Sometimes I vote, and sometimes I dont, but lets look at the positive, she said, before pivoting.

The contentious exchange came after the local anchor pressed the former TV journalist about her votes, specifically raising a recent photo-op at Florida International University (FIU) in Miami last month, when Salazar signed a check to the school.

Last month you were at FIU, and you presented a check for $650,000 to help small businesses at FIU, but you voted against the bill that gave the money that you then signed a check for and handed and had a photo op, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, right? You voted against that bill, the anchor said.

Salazar replied, Right now, you have to give me more details, but I do know that every time I have an opportunity to bring money to my constituents, I do so.

But you voted against, you voted against the CHIPS and Science Act, right? he asked again.

Listen, right now I need to, I need to ask my staff, Salazar said, before adding the $40 million that I have brought to this community. Arent you proud of me? Arent you proud of the $40 million that I brought? Arent you proud that I wrote the Dignity Act, havent I  lets talk about the Americas Act, she said.

The Hill has reached out to officials from Salazars office for comment.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Republican Senator James Lankford, who is leading negotiations over a border security bill, is discovering to his great shock that Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans are not operating entirely in good faith. Lankford went on the Sunday shows and appeared to admit that they are trying to kill his bill to deny President Biden a bipartisan victory.

That triggered a flurry of social media excitement. But his appearances revealed something deeper about this whole affair: Trump and MAGA Republicans cant allow this bill to pass, not just for crass political reasons, but because it might succeed on the substance, denying them an opening to pass hideously onerous restrictions later.

Lankfords first reveal came on Fox News Sunday, when he was asked why on Earth hed act on the border if it might help Biden (on Fox, this is not a negative, just a statement of the obvious). Lankford noted that Republicans themselves demanded that funding for Ukraine and Israel be tied to border policy changes, and said he is merely trying to deliver what they asked for.

Now, its interesting, a few months later, when were finally getting to the end, theyre like, Just kidding, I actually dont want a change in law because its a presidential election year, Lankford said, alluding to the open declaration from some Republicans that any compromise will deny Trump a weapon against Biden.

That alone is revealing enough. But it gets more interesting when viewed alongside what Lankford said on CBSs Face the Nation. Anchor Margaret Brennan aired video of Trump urging Republicans to sink the deal, declaring: Id rather have no bill than a bad bill.

Im looking forward to President Trump having the opportunity to be able to read it, like everybody else is, Lankford rejoined.

The bill would actually have a big impactin ways that youd think Republicans would like. As Lankford noted on both shows, it would toughen the standard to qualify for asylum and provide massive new resources for border cops and for processing asylum-seekers faster, including speeding the removal of those who dont qualify. It would give presidents an entirely new authority to shut down asylum-seeking when border encounters hit certain thresholds.

These arent simply Republican-friendly proposals. Lankford pointed out that many of those are resources and authorities that Trump himself urged Congress to give him as president. If Trump gets elected again, Lankford said, he would enjoy authorities that hed actually asked for. Brennan agreed, noting that on the bill, Trump doesnt know what hes talking about.

Lankford quickly interjected that he personally hadnt said this of Trump. But Brennan was correct: Lankford did reveal that on this bill, Trump is indeed full of it.

To see how, ask yourself this: Why would Trump and MAGA oppose granting the president, possibly including Trump himself, all these new resources and authorities?

True, the bill wouldnt give them everything they want. It wouldnt gut Bidens parole programs. But those have little to do with border security in any case: They concern migrants who apply for entry to the United States from abroad, reducing their need to show up at the border (Republicans oppose this because it lets migrants into the country efficiently). The bill wouldnt eliminate the release of migrants, but that would require enormous spending on detention that Congress will never pass anyway.

Meanwhile, the emerging deal would likely go a substantial way toward mitigating much of what Republicans object to. From whats been reported, it would provide significant new resources and unprecedented authorities that Trump and Stephen Miller sought for years, Tom Jawetz, a former senior Homeland Security lawyer, told me, referring to Trumps longtime immigration adviser.

Indeed, this is why many on the left will oppose it (for liberals a fairer compromise might pair new restrictions with legalizing Dreamers and expanding legal pathways for entry).

All this gets to the core of the scam that Trump and his allies are running. Their absolute worst outcome isnt just Biden presiding over a bipartisan deal. Its that this might end up mitigating some of the very problems Republicans are complaining about.

I think its no accident that Trump and MAGA are trying to sink this deal even as Trump and Miller are loudly advertising plans for an extraordinarily cruel and draconian second-term crackdown. This includes the mass removals of millions of undocumented immigrants settled here, commencing on Day One; and dramatically scaled-up camps to detain enormous numbers of asylum-seekers, who would be subject to appalling new limits that would go further than the GOP bill does. Trump is openly flaunting this agendas white nationalist aspirations.

The spectacle of border disorder along with Congress doing nothing in response is the essential combination that Trump, Miller, and MAGA Republicans need. Images of serious destabilization being met with parliamentary sclerosis might create the opening for them to persuade swing votersespecially those who arent ideologically opposed to immigrationto accept maximal ethnonationalist savagery, packaged as border security, as the only solution that will work.

At least thats the dream that fires up the fevered MAGA imagination. Its what Trump really means by saying, Id rather have no bill than a bad bill. If a bipartisan deal passes and it persuades swing voters that the border is being stabilized without excessive anti-immigrant cruelty, that opportunity could vanish. This is the darker reason MAGA is trying to tank the dealand Lankford laid it bare for all to see.
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lees proposal for a new statewide school choice program will not include any testing or accountability requirements for participating students, according to an advance draft of the legislation obtained by The Tennessean.

As drafted, Lees proposal would offer taxpayer-funded grants to 20,000 students to attend private schools of their choice  and open universal eligibility for the program beginning in 2025. Certain homeschoolers would be eligible to participate.

House Majority Leader William Lamberth, R-Portland, told reporters last week that changes are likely as the legislature considers Lee's proposal.

"We'll file something that gets kind of the skeletal structure out there, and then we'll build upon that foundation as we go through the committee process," Lamberth said. "I don't anticipate what we will be filing will by any means be the final product. It will continue to be at work as we go through the committee process."

More: Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee formally unveils voucher expansion as Democrats ramp up opposition

Costs of the proposed school choice program remain unclear. Based on the number of students included in the first year, the program would cost the state $141.5 million if all slots are filled, plus administrative costs. The Fiscal Review Committee has not yet completed a fiscal analysis of the bill.

Lee has said previously the program would be paid for from a separate scholarship account funded by the state's General Fund, independent of the existing Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement funding structure for K-12 education.

A group from Americans United silently protest Gov. Bill Lees Education freedom proposal with signs No Vouchers at Tennessee State Museum in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023.

Lee has long advocated for offering families more school options, and says the program is aimed at empowering parents to find the best school to fit their child's educational needs. Critics of the proposal, commonly referred to as school vouchers, are saying that it could dismantle public education in Tennessee and defund public schools.

Heres what to know:

Who would be eligible?

According to the bill draft, any student who entitled to attend a public school is the state would be eligible to apply for an Education Freedom Scholarship.

For the 2024-25 school year, the state Department of Education would award 20,000 vouchers. Half of those would be reserved for students whose family income does not exceed 300% of the federal poverty level  which in $90,000 for a family of four. The remaining slots would have no income restrictions and be available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

For the 2025-26 school year, none of the scholarships are income-limited. The state would prioritize students already participating in the program, then prioritize lower-income students at 200% and 300% of the federal poverty level. All vouchers would be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis by the department.

Students may not participate in both the states existing Education Savings Accounts program, which is available to Davidson, Shelby and Hamilton counties, and the Education Freedom Scholarship program at the same time.

Can homeschoolers participate?

The bill draft specifically excludes home school families who are required to provide annual notice to school districts of their intent to homeschool.

The bill draft does not directly address whether homeschooling families enrolled in an umbrella school can participate in Education Freedom Scholarships.

But under state law, families that homeschool while enrolled in an umbrella school are not required to provide annual notice to local school districts.

What accountability mechanism is Lee proposing?

There are no accountability mechanisms like annual TCAP testing for Education Freedom Scholarships participants outlined in this bill draft. The legislature could add testing or retention requirements at a later time.

Public school students are required to take state achievement testing via the TCAP each year, as are students in the existing Education Savings Account program. Low performance on those tests in third or fourth grade can result in retention under current state law.

What can scholarship funds be used for?

Acceptable uses for the scholarship funding parallel the states existing Education Savings Accounts program. According to the bill draft, funds could be used for:

Tuition, fees, and uniforms

Textbooks and instructional materials

Tutoring services

Transportation fees

Computer hardware and technology

Summer school tuition, textbooks, and materials

Fees for dual enrollment and AP exams

Educational therapy services

Scholarship funds are not considered taxable income.

Is there a limit to how many vouchers the state will distribute?

No. While the bill draft specifically outlines 20,000 scholarships to be distributed in the 2024-25 school year, it says the program is designed to grow.

It is the intent of the general assembly that the number of scholarships provided pursuant to this part will increase in subsequent years until all eligible applicants who apply are provided a scholarship, the bill draft states.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

Vivian Jones covers state politics and government for The Tennessean. Reach her at vjones@tennessean.com.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee school vouchers: Gov. Lee's expansion bill draft details
Gov. Roy Cooper announced a new initiative Monday to help more formerly incarcerated people successfully transition to stable lives outside of prison.

As part of that effort, Cooper signed an executive order directing coordination of agencies under his control.

Our communities are much safer, and much stronger, when we come together to help everybody succeed, Cooper said at a news conference at the Executive Mansion.

We want to make sure that people have real opportunities when they leave prison, that they wont go back to doing the same things that got them there, he said. Strengthening our efforts to support people who are reentering their communities after being incarcerated helps us to do just that.

Under the executive order, North Carolina is also joining Reentry 2030, a national initiative to improve what is known as prison reentry that Alabama and Missouri have also signed onto.

Agencies involved include the Department of Adult Correction, the Office of State Human Resources and the Post-Release Supervision and Parole Commission. Adult Correction Secretary Todd Ishee announced a number of goals the state intends to achieve by 2030, aligning with the national program, including:

 Increasing the number of high school and post-secondary credentials earned by incarcerated people by 75%,

 Increasing the number of post-secondary degrees that are available in prisons by 25%,

 Increasing the number of Pell Grant partners by 30%,

 Reducing the number of incarcerated people being released homeless by 50%,

 Allowing every person who is eligible to apply for Medicaid before release,

 Increasing the number of apprenticeships completed by incarcerated people by 50%,

 And increasing the number of employers that partner to hire incarcerated people by 30%.

Ishee said that in addition to the ambitious goals the state is setting for itself, prison and reentry officials are also presented with a significant opportunity to change how we define success.

Instead of just thinking about recidivism, Ishee said, the prison system needs to do more to measure and talk about positive outcomes like successful transition back into our communities, steady employment, family reunification and attaining higher levels of education and training.
Citing how well the state of Florida is run, Gov. Ron DeSantis is proposing four amendments to the U.S. Constitution to fix what he says is a broken federal government.

The first would impose term limits for members of Congress and the second would require a balanced budget at the federal level.

The third proposal would give the president line-item veto power on budget items and the fourth would prohibit members of Congress from imposing laws on citizens that do not apply to themselves.

Gov. Ron DeSantis holds a press conference to sign the Live Local Act at South Street City Oven Bar and Grill in Naples on Wednesday, March 29, 2023.

Washington is never going to reform itself, DeSantis said at a press conference in Naples Monday standing at a lectern with a sign that says Hold Washington accountable.

DeSantis dropped his bid to be the Republican nominee for president on Jan. 21, just before the New Hampshire primary, then endorsed his rival Donald Trump.

State House Speaker Paul Renner was with DeSantis when he announced the proposals, with DeSantis adding that Renner is taking the lead on the proposals during the current session. Senate President Kathleen Passidomo of Naples was not present.

One of the things Florida has always taken the lead on but I think even more so is holding Washington accountable and at the end of the day, you look at whats going on in D.C. and the results are very poor, DeSantis said. They are never really doing the business of the American people. They are really focusing on themselves. Theyre focusing on their power.

On the budget, he said that from 1789 to 2000, the federal government racked up $5.6 trillion in debt, but by 2024, the debt had climbed to $34 trillion.

DeSantis said federal lawmakers keep adding trillions to the debt with really no thought about it and they just want to keep doing it.

He spoke about the debt clock on display in New York and said that if Florida had one you would see the debt in Florida would not be counting up but down.

More: Marco Island wants to declare itself a Bill of Rights sanctuary city, following Collier

On his ability as governor to veto individual items in the budget each year that are he says are unnecessary, he said that needs to be established at the federal level to eliminate wasteful spending. He cited tax dollars going to support transgenderism in Bangladesh.

Federally they put a big bill on the presidents desk and you have to either sign everything or veto everything, he said. Ultimately you can elect some better people that can make a difference but the incentives are designed to produce poor outcomes.

He lauded how Florida requires a balanced budget each year and under his leadership Florida is paying down its debt and has $11 billion in reserves.

He pointed to Democrat-led California, which he said has a $60 billion deficit, Illinois, which he called fiscally insolvent and New York, which has millions fewer people compared to Florida but a budget that is twice Floridas.

On term limits for federal lawmakers, DeSantis said Americans want that and that extends across Republicans and Democrats.

In terms of prohibiting Congress from passing laws that dont apply to themselves, DeSantis cited President Bidens executive order on the vaccine mandate against COVID-19 yet members of Congress were exempt.

Taking shots at Biden, he said the president could have closed the southern border and whats proposed now at the federal level is a farce. Whats being proposed is that Biden can close the border once there are more than 5,000 illegal crossings a day.

On Friday, Biden 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."

DeSantis also said the type of reforms he's proposing "I think the founding fathers would have looked kindly on, he said. They recognize that states needed to be able to make these proposals because there was going to be times when the nations was not going to reform itself.

Renner said that Floridas success in large part is built into the state Constitution where term limits and a balanced budget are required.

Were limited to eight years and I believe that allows for fresh ideas and better governance, Renner said. Even Republicans like to spend money and if they dont have those constraints as they dont in D.C., they spin and spin and print money.

Renner added: No one will ever confuse us with the federal government.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Gov. Ron DeSantis proposes federal term limits and balanced budget
SACRAMENTO, California  Thirty years ago, then-California Gov. Pete Wilson set off a political earthquake over immigration.

The Republican governors critics over the years say the 1994 campaign  marked by his support of Proposition 187 that sought to deny public services to immigrants in the country illegally  went beyond trying to get the federal government to act on a crisis that was costing California millions.

Democrats charged him with racism and stoking anti-immigrant sentiment. Members of his own party feared he was alienating the states fast-growing Latino electorate and sending the California GOP down a path to irrelevance. Now, a Republican running to be the new face of that GOP in Sacramento is coming to Wilsons defense  and appropriating his divisive message.

On Monday, as the immigration debate consumes Washington, San Diego-area state Assembly candidate Carl DeMaio will start airing a 30-second TV ad titled Gov. Pete Wilson Was Right. The homage to Wilson  shared first with POLITICO  represents a stunning break from the partys softer immigration messaging since Wilson left office.

The California Republican political establishment has been dead wrong for 30 years and they are guilty of political malpractice on this issue, DeMaio told POLITICO.

Even in California, where Republicans need to navigate the immigration issue more carefully than their brethren in much of the country, hes taking a sledgehammer to years of the GOP in Sacramento carefully negotiating its position.

And Proposition 187 was one of those moments where California was the canary in the coal mine for how Republicans would pivot on immigration nationwide.

DeMaios new TV spot begins with a nine-second clip from an ad cut by the former governor in 1994. Wilson, following images of a border crossing in San Diego, appears on screen and says that for Californians who work hard, pay taxes and obey the laws, Im suing to force the federal government to control the border. (Theres a far more recognizable ad from Wilson that came to represent the era where the narrator says They keep coming. DeMaio clipped a different one).

It should be noted that Wilson, who also served in the U.S. Senate and was a popular mayor of San Diego, has long denied scapegoating immigrants and has pushed back hard on accusations of racism.

DeMaio does more than credit Wilson for his stances back then. He blames both Democrats and Republicans for the problems at the southern border that are raging today. And he argues that the California GOPs decision to abandon its tough stance on immigration has only allowed those problems to grow worse while doing nothing to help Republicans win elections. In other words, once they started losing badly, they internalized the wrong reasons for their losing and should have taken the hard-line thats common with Republicans in Texas and Florida.

After Wilson vanishes from the screen in the DeMaio ad, its the kind of political content that could run in the reddest parts of the country (though it doesnt mention former President Donald Trump like many of those other ads do). DeMaio pledges to secure the border, over clips of immigrants walking and one of him talking on Fox News about the scourge of sanctuary cities. DeMaio also promises to work on enacting voter-identification laws.

The longtime talk-radio host who served on the San Diego City Council and lost races for mayor and Congress, said he wants to go to Sacramento to shake up the status quo. The plan hes unveiling at a news conference on Tuesday wont win support from Democratic leaders like Gov. Gavin Newsom, but it reinforces DeMaios argument that Republicans need to lean in on the issue.

DeMaio wants to deploy far more California National Guard to the southern border; rescind sanctuary city policies and suspend social spending programs for unauthorized immigrants like health care and legal defense  calling them goodies that act as a magnet for people to come. He would also put under review other laws like drivers licenses for undocumented people in the U.S.

Not only does DeMaio not believe his plans would cause more Latinos to drift from Republicans, he also thinks it would help the GOP.

I believe that Latinos are with us on immigration and Democrats have been bamboozled by the liberal media to shift further to the left, he said.

But DeMaio was anticipating harsh reaction.

Mike Madrid, a Republican consultant who has spent much of his career working on issues around Latino voters, said DeMaio should focus where polling says Latino voters are focused.

This is the California version of saying The South shall rise again, Madrid said.

Like this content? Consider signing up for POLITICOs California Playbook newsletter.


M. Anthony (Tony) Mills of the American Enterprise Institute and Terence Kealey of The Cato Institute debate the resolution, "Government must play a role in fostering scientific and technological progress by funding basic research."

Defending the resolution is Mills, a senior fellow and director of the Center for Technology, Science, and Energy at the American Enterprise Institute. He is also a senior fellow at the Pepperdine School of Public Policy and a scholar associate of the Society of Catholic Scientists. Dr. Mills was previously a resident senior fellow at the R Street Institute and an editor for numerous publications. His writings have appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The New Atlantis, National Affairs, Issues in Science and Technology, and various peer-reviewed journals. He holds a Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Notre Dame.

Taking the negative is Kealey, an adjunct scholar at the Cato Institute. Originally trained in medicine and biochemistry, he is a former lecturer in clinical biochemistry at the University of Cambridge. Between 2001 and 2014 he was the vice-chancellor of the University of Buckingham. He is known for his 1996 book, The Economic Laws of Scientific Research.

The post Should Government Fund Science? A Soho Forum Debate appeared first on Reason.com.
Granite blocks are being installed alongside the Pyramid of Menkaure in a bid to restore it

A plan to cover a Giza pyramid with granite cladding has been called absurd after its proponents promised it would deliver a gift from Egypt to the world.

The project aims to restore the Pyramid of Menkaure, the smallest of the three pyramids at Giza, to its original glory over a three-year period.

The structure was originally cased in 16 layers of granite blocks, but only seven remain today.

Their restoration, which has sparked controversy among archaeologists and Egyptologists, has been hailed by supporters of the plan as a historic move to restore a wonder of the ancient world.

Mostafa Waziri, the head of Egypts supreme council of antiquities, said the project would offer modern visitors a glimpse of the structures original magnificence.

He has described the plan as a gift from Egypt to the world. It is set to coincide with the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum, which is expected to open later this year, more than 20 years after construction began.

However, the project has drawn sharp disapproval from some quarters, with some critics likening it to straightening the Tower of Pisa.

The Pyramid of Menkaure was originally cased in 16 granite blocks, but only seven remain today - KHALED DESOUKI/AFP

Monica Hanna, an Egyptologist, questioned the need for the cladding and demanded a more conservative approach be adopted, one focused on preserving the structure as it is today, rather than attempting to recreate its original appearance.

When are we going to stop the absurdity in the management of Egyptian heritage? she said, arguing that international principles of archaeological restoration generally prohibit such extensive interventions.

In response to the criticism, the Egyptian ministry of antiquities said it had formed a committee of experts to examine the project, throwing its future into uncertainty. It is expected to issue a verdict on the plan in the coming days.

Zahi Hawass, also an Egyptologist, told The Telegraph that roughly one-third of the Menkaure pyramid was originally clad with 16 granite blocks.

It was never fully encased because of the demise of Menkaure, the pharaoh of the Fourth Dynasty who the pyramid was named after.

Built around 2,500BC, the Pyramid of Menkaure originally stood some 65 metres tall. Over time, it has been gradually whittled away by erosion and vandalism.

Constructrion of new museum

The plan to restore its granite cladding forms part of a larger project of the century initiative to develop the Giza Pyramids area, a Unesco World Heritage Site and the worlds most iconic archaeological destination.

The broader plan includes building the Grand Egyptian Museum, upgrading local infrastructure, and establishing new and improved visitor facilities.

Cairo has touted the museum as the largest in the world devoted to a single civilisation. A vast structure near the Giza pyramids that has been under construction since 2005, its opening has been repeatedly delayed.

Officials hope the $1.2 billion attraction will provide a major boost for Egypts tourism industry, a crucial source of foreign currency and jobs for the countrys struggling economy, once it finally opens its doors.

The issue of heritage preservation in Egypt is often the subject of heated debate.

Recent destruction of entire areas of Cairos historic area led to powerful mobilisations by civil society groups, many of which are largely banned from political activity and now concentrate the bulk of their disputes with president Abdel Fattah El-Sisis government on urban planning and heritage issues.

The debate has lately focused on the 15th-century Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi mosque in the coastal city of Alexandria, Egypts second largest.

Local authorities announced an investigation after a contractor in charge of renovation decided to redecorate the ornate, carved and coloured ceilings of the citys largest mosque using white paint.

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Its gonna be a party, says jazz saxophonist Marcus Strickland of GroundUP, the eclectic festival that has lured like-minded music seekers from around the globe to the Miami Beach Bandshell since 2017. Its three days of performances, workshops and late-night jam sessions from Friday, Feb. 2 to Sunday, Feb. 4, are a chance to disconnect from the everyday and get fully plugged into the spirit of music.

This year, the festivities move to a decidedly Caribbean beat, showcasing various artists with deep roots in the tropics. And with the legendary Munequitos de Matanzas and the Grupo AfroCuba Allstars flying in from Cuba to headline the event, concertgoers should be moving their bodies like its 1959.

Last January, festival mastermind Michael League of the jazz ensemble Snarky Puppy was in Matanzas, Cuba recording an album with the two groups when the idea of bringing the bands to the festival took root. They are the keepers of the flame of traditional, percussion-rich Afro-Cuban rumba in Cuba, but it has been ten years since the Munequitos last played in Miami and AfroCuba has never been to South Florida.

Grupo AfroCuba, from left, Andro Mella, Miguel Angel Drake (El Negro), Yaima Pelladito, Idalberto Verrier (Puchito), Yosvany Oliver, Dolores Perez, Laureano Alfonso (Papito),and dsu Jose Luis Garcia (Pepito). (Photo courtesy of GroundUPFestival)

We thought it would be great to bring them to the festival to play together for the first time ever in public, League says. Its a momentous weekend, without a doubt.

Cubans, explains Munequitos musical director Diosdado Enier Ramos Aldazabal, have adapted to rumbear, to party, to enjoy, even in the most difficult moments. With the two groups together onstage Friday, audiences will have a unique opportunity to hear rumba matancera as interpreted by some of the worlds greatest living players of that infectious and raucous rhythm.

With European training and Mexican soul, double bass player and vocalist Fuensanta is a rising talent on the international jazz scene. (Photo by Maarten Nauw and courtesy of GroundUP Music Festival)

Los Munequitos, like AfroCuba, is a historic band. With claves, congas, cowbells, and all other manner of percussion instruments of West African descent, the percussion ensemble has preserved the devilishly complex, religiously rooted and imminently danceable Cuban rumba for generations, proving that great rhythmic legacy brought to the island by their enslaved ancestors is as powerful today as it was over seventy years ago, when Los Munequitos was first formed by the grandparents of some of its current members.

Polyrhythmic drums keep the connection to the earth while their lyrics rise up in praise of the orishas, the deities of the Yoruba pantheon. By cloaking their gods in the guise of Catholic saints, the enslaved in Cuba could continue to worship as their forebearers in Benin and Congo had done. Then, as now, music was memory.

The feel-good instrumental collective Snarky Puppy, which enjoys a cultlike following in the jazz world, is the meat and potatoes of GroundUP, appearing every evening and closing out the event on Sunday. (Photo courtesy of GroundUP Music Festival)

You get goosebumps, says Ramos Aldazabal. We do this with such love for the ancestors who left us this culture to defend it, to care for it and to love it. Audiences receive that energy, that vibration that we give through our prayers, our songs, our choruses.

Music, explains Idalberto Verrier Perez, percussionist and musical director for the Grupo Afrocuba, was key to survival for those enslaved ancestors, and the drums, the traditional songs, the community were their greatest source of strength and connection. To play those songs now, he says, has great meaning for their descendants:

It means melting our spirit directly into that rebellionof having left a past, living a present, and trying to change from that very instant their way of life, and make the moment of their stay on this earth joyful, says Verrier Perez.

Keeping this legacy alive for future generations and spreading it throughout the world, the players of Afrocuba try to remove the darkness for the moment so that there is a light in which the person can find the pleasure in feeling that there is something new appearing, that there is something that remains and something that will prevail.

Caribbean steel pan, a traditionally male instrument, takes on a new flavor in the hands of Joy Lapps. (Photo courtesy of Joy Lapps)

A different taste of the African diaspora in the Caribbean comes from other performers at the festival: Trinidadian trumpeter Etienne Charles, whose family roots in music, like those of the players from Cuba, also stretch back across generations. Growing up on the island and steeped in its folklore, the sounds of his forebearers imbue his own lush and trancelike melodies with ritual and rhythm. Charles and his group Creole Soul play on Saturday. Steelpan virtuoso Joy Lapps, who is of Antiguan and Barbudan descent, brings her own brand of Creole soul to Sundays lineup. With invited guest Larnell Lewis, she coaxes sweet lyricism from an instrument originally fashioned from abandoned oil drums.

The festival also features a wide diversity of jazz artists from all around the globe. If GroundUPs predominant flavor can be hard to pin down from one year to the next, its because League only has one simple criterion in mind when planning the lineup:

For us, theres no rules, he says. The festival will book any artist from any part of the world playing any kind of music that is genuine and heartfelt and amazing . . . The only thing that matters is like, when youre onstage, are you really delivering something powerful?

That power can come as much from emerging artists as it does from well-known headliners. In fact, its the lesser-known musicians that make GroundUP such a place of discovery for habitues who have learned to trust Leagues free-ranging tastes. On Saturday, upright bass player and vocalist Fuensanta, who played the prestigious North Sea Jazz Festival when she was only 22, will perform. And as artist-at-large, flutist and vocalist Elena Ayodele Pinderhughes will get to play with many artists throughout the weekend.

Los Munequitos de Matanzas, from back left, Reynier Lopez, Diosdado Enier Ramos (Figurin), Juan Raul Martinez, Diosdado Ramos and Andro Mella. Front, from left, Agustin Diaz, Eddy Espinosa, Freddy Alfonso and Facundo Pella. (Photo courtesy of GroundUP Festival)

In addition to the packed lineup of performances, there are also workshops and interactive events with working artists throughout the weekend. Strickland, for example, who teaches at the University of Miamis Frost School of Music, will give a masterclass on the therapeutic powers of music.

I consider music medicine, he says. Traditional communities throughout the world have always relied upon its healing properties and now modern science is working to catch up with those ancient practices. I feel that music expands our understanding, says Strickland. It expands us and it is also literally absorbed by us . . .you vibrate to it. And you can also vibrate to his experimental brand of jazz on Sunday, when his group Twi-Life will be playing music from its latest record, The Universes Wildest Dream.

Saxophonist and University of Miami faculty member Marcus Strickland plays Sunday at the GroundUP Festival with his band Twi-Life, and also offers a masterclass on music as medicine. (Photo by Petra Richterova and courtesy of GroundUP Music Festival)

Anchoring the weekend, as always, is the upbeat instrumental jazz of Snarky Puppy. With Snarky Puppys infectious goodwill and the panoply of talent that surrounds you at every turn, the GroundUP experience will set you among a tribe of true believers in music as one of the strongest forces connecting us to one another and to whats good in the world.

And as Aldazabal reminds us, There isnt time to be mistaken in this life. What there is is time to have a good time.

Let the party begin.

If you go:

WHAT: GroundUP Music Festival

WHERE: North Beach Bandshell, 7275 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, FL 33141

WHEN: February 2-4, Friday 6-11 PM; Saturday 2-11 PM; Sunday 1-10 PM

COST: $109, single-day Friday pass; $189, Saturday or Sunday pass; $489 for three-day pass; $845 for three-day, all-in premium pass

INFORMATION: groundupmusicalfestival.com

ArtburstMiami.com is a nonprofit media source for the arts featuring fresh and original stories by writers dedicated to theater, dance, visual arts, film, music and more. Dont miss a story at www.artburstmiami.com.
Syed Zain, 26, a Japanese citizen of Pakistani descent, speaks in front of the Tokyo District Courthouse in Tokyo Monday, Jan. 29, 2024. Zain is one of the plaintiffs who have filed a lawsuit demanding a stop to racial profiling in Japan.(AP Photo/Yuri Kageyama)

TOKYO (AP)  A group of Japanese citizens, including a man of Pakistani descent, launched a civil lawsuit against the country's police on Monday, accusing the authorities of racial profiling and discrimination and demanding an end to the alleged practice.

The case, to be heard in Tokyo District Court, comes as Japan in recent years has seen an influx of workers from abroad. The number of non-Japanese living in Japan reached a record high last year, at nearly 3 million people.

One of the three plaintiffs, Syed Zain, a 26-year-old Japanese citizen of Pakistani descent, says he has been repeatedly stopped by police, including getting searched in front of his home. He has lived in Japan for two decades, attended Japanese schools and is fluent in the language, he said.

They dont recognize us as a Japanese, he said of the police. From the first moment, they think Im a criminal.

The three plaintiffs are demanding 3 million yen ($20,000) each in punitive damages over unconstitutional and illegal treatment, plus 300,000 yen ($2,000) per plaintiff in attorney fees.

Racial profiling is nothing but discrimination on the basis of race, nationality and color, their claim alleges.

The complaint targets the government as well as the national, Tokyo and Aichi prefectural police departments. There has been no immediate comment by the authorities.

The plaintiffs claim that getting stopped by police for apparently no reason violates the Japanese constitution, which provides equality under the law and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race. They also say it goes against international treaties Japan has signed.

Motoki Taniguchi, one the lawyers representing the three, said it was difficult for foreigners or Japanese of non-Japanese ancestry to sue the government because of their concerns about being targeted by police.

Hearings in the case are expected to last about a year.

Efforts have been growing lately to increase diversity in Japan, with more businesses tapping women executives, and global companies tending to have more non-Japanese representation, said Daisuke Uchida, professor of business at Keio University.

What's started is still just a tiny step, he said.

___

Follow Yuri Kageyama on X: https://twitter.com/yurikageyama
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  A national political action committee claims it has filed a complaint with Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin calling out what it sees as political fraud.

The group End Citizens United claimed it had filed identical complaints in 27 states and to the IRS, alleging the group No Labels is misusing its status. According to its Monday morning news release, ECU claims No Labels is using its non-profit status as a social welfare organization to protect donor identities while establishing a national third-party presidential campaign and end-running rules for political organizations.

Who are No Labels donors? Democratic groups file complaints in an attempt to find out

A spokesperson for the Arkansas AGs office said midday Monday it had not yet received a complaint from the group.

According to IRS rules, political organizations are held to a different standard than not-for-profit groups, including requirements for reporting contributions and expenditures. Political groups also have limits on the amount of money they are allowed to receive from a contributor, unlike not-for-profit groups.

In its complaint, ECU claims No Labels filings show it has spent $8.9 million in 2022 for ballot access, which is expected to be higher for 2023 based on activity. ECU alleges that no social welfare expenditure is shown on its filings.

Judge says No Labels can block candidates from running for offices other than president in Arizona

ECU president Tiffany Muller is asking Griffin to investigate the group.

In its attempt to run a third-party presidential ticket, No Labels is abusing its nonprofit status in Arkansas and we believe Attorney General Tim Griffin should investigate and hold them accountable, Muller said. No Labels is a shadowy dark money political group that is grossly exploiting Arkansas laws which are designed to benefit legitimate social welfare organizations. If No Labels corrupt charade continues unchecked, it will set a dangerous precedent for future elections.

ECU states in its release that the 27 states where the complaints were filed are the states where No Labels is authorized to solicit contributions.

No Labels has been in the news lately amidst concerns that a third-party candidate could siphon votes for President Joe Biden and in effect hand the election to presumptive Republican nominee and former president Donald Trump.

At a Jan. 18 news conference, a No Labels spokesperson said that the group was suffering as Democrat-leaning groups were working to stop its ballot-access efforts. The organization has asked for an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice in its filed complaint.

Haley deserves serious consideration for No Labels presidential ticket if interested, co-chair says

End Citizens United is a political action group working to reverse the 2010 decision by the Supreme Court in Citizens United vs. Federal Election Commission. That 5-4 decision removed limits on group spending for or against particular candidates.

KARK 4 News has reached out to an ECU representative for a statement on the lawsuit, but as of publishing time, there has not been a response.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
Miami International Airport has a new idea to take the stress out of flying in 2024: hemp-based edibles.

The county-owned airport recently posted the specifications for a Cannabidiol Retail Shop selling hemp-based products widely known as CBD.

CBD stores sell gummies, creams and serums made from cannabis plants but without the chemicals needed to make someone high. State and federal law restricts CBD products to extremely tiny amounts of THC, the psychoactive chemical in marijuana. Legal in Florida, CBD retailers tout the calming properties of their products, selling points that MIA thinks will appeal to at least some of its passengers.

Travelers that are stressed, anxious, and are focused on their wellness are the target market for this shop, reads the draft solicitation posted over the weekend on a Miami-Dade County website.

READ MORE: MIAs broken escalators, elevators and walkways spark frustration and a blame game

The posting comes as MIA is fending off complaints about shoddy management over disabled escalators and elevators and the Concourse D Skytrain thats been out of service since September.

Mayor Daniella Levine Cava oversees the airport under the countys Aviation Department. Two weeks ago, she held a press conference there, promising major improvements in the coming years and resumed Skytrain service by the spring.

We have been righting the wrongs of the past and stepping up to make this airport the world-class success story it should be, Levine Cava said at the Jan. 18 event.

Florida law allows retailers to sell hemp-based CBD products with a permit issued to food sellers. A 2019 state law says CBD products may contain no more than 0.3% THC, or one-third of one percent.

The Atlanta airport has a CBD store by SunMed, but theyre not a common site for air travelers, according to the cannabis trade publication MJBizDaily. In announcing the Hartsfield-Jackson SunMed location in Atlanta last year, the publication wrote: CBD stores are rare tenants at airports worldwide.

While a Texas woman ran into trouble last year trying to board a Miami cruise ship with CBD gummies, the products legalized in Florida are also approved for flights by the federal Transportation Security Administration.

The Miami-Dade draft solicitation sets the stage for a formal bidding process for MIA retail space, which the county typically rents out for a portion of sales. The document describes a 1,052-square-foot store but does not identify the location.

READ MORE: Can you travel with medical marijuana or CBD gummies? Airlines, cruise ships have rules

The selected Proposer should be able to demonstrate and showcase its commitment to health-conscious and modern wellness as well as provide information on destination laws to the public traveling inside and/or outside the US and ensure CBD products sold comply with federal legal requirements which may not exceed 0.3% THC levels, the solicitation said.

you see what no Skytrain has done?  Andy Slater (@AndySlater) January 29, 2024

While airport bars thrive on selling substances to relax passengers, MIAs interest in a CBD store provided fodder for critics like state Sen. Bryan Avila, a Miami-area Republican.

A solicitation for a CBD retail shop further leads to the perception that the county mayor, county administration and airport director are simply not able to prioritize and tackle the challenges facing Miami International Airport, Avila said in a statement.

Republican state Sen. Ileana Garcia echoed that sentiment.

No amount of edibles will help travelers with the madness they encounter at MIA, nor is it a suitable venue for CBD, Garcia said in a statement.
Following the relaxtion of recreational use of marijuana in the US, weed gummies - set to be offered to travellers at Miami airport - could become a way to make it a special trip. Robert Michael/dpa

Miami International Airport has a new idea to take the stress out of flying in 2024: hemp-based edibles.

The Florida airport recently posted the specifications for a Cannabidiol Retail Shop selling hemp-based products widely known as CBD.

CBD stores sell gummies, creams and serums made from cannabis plants but without the chemicals needed to make someone high. State and federal law restricts CBD products to extremely tiny amounts of THC, the psychoactive chemical in marijuana.

Legal in Florida, CBD retailers tout the calming properties of their products, selling points that MIA thinks will appeal to at least some of its passengers.

Travelers that are stressed, anxious, and are focused on their wellness are the target market for this shop, reads the draft solicitation posted over the weekend on a Miami-Dade County website.

The posting comes as MIA is fending off complaints about shoddy management over disabled escalators and elevators and the Concourse D Skytrain thats been out of service since September.

Mayor Daniella Levine Cava oversees the airport under the countys Aviation Department. Two weeks ago, she held a press conference there, promising major improvements in the coming years and resumed Skytrain service by the spring.

We have been righting the wrongs of the past and stepping up to make this airport the world-class success story it should be, Levine Cava said at the Jan. 18 event.

Florida law allows retailers to sell hemp-based CBD products with a permit issued to food sellers. A 2019 state law says CBD products may contain no more than 0.3% THC, or one-third of one percent.

The Atlanta airport has a CBD store by SunMed, but theyre not a common site for air travellers, according to the cannabis trade publication MJBizDaily. In announcing the Hartsfield-Jackson SunMed location in Atlanta last year, the publication wrote: CBD stores are rare tenants at airports worldwide.

While a Texas woman ran into trouble last year trying to board a Miami cruise ship with CBD gummies, the products legalized in Florida are also approved for flights by the federal Transportation Security Administration.

The Miami-Dade draft solicitation sets the stage for a formal bidding process for MIA retail space, which the county typically rents out for a portion of sales. The document describes a 1,052-square-foot store but does not identify the location.

The selected Proposer should be able to demonstrate and showcase its commitment to health-conscious and modern wellness as well as provide information on destination laws to the public traveling inside and/or outside the US and ensure CBD products sold comply with federal legal requirements which may not exceed 0.3% THC levels, the solicitation said.

While airport bars thrive on selling substances to relax passengers, MIAs interest in a CBD store provided fodder for critics like state Sen. Bryan Avila, a Miami-area Republican.

A solicitation for a CBD retail shop further leads to the perception that the county mayor, county administration and airport director are simply not able to prioritize and tackle the challenges facing Miami International Airport, Avila said in a statement.
An Iranian man is accused of recruiting gunmen to kill two Maryland residents who fled to the U.S. after one had defected from Iran, the Justice Department announced Jan. 29.

Naji Sharifi Zindashti, 49, and Canadian nationals Damion Patrick John Ryan, 43, and Adam Richard Pearson, 29, are charged in connection with the assassination plot, federal prosecutors said in a news release.

Information regarding their legal representation wasnt available Jan. 29.

Zindashti, who lives in Iran, is accused of leading an assassination and kidnapping network for the Iranian regime that targets dissidents and opposition activists  specifically perceived critics of Irans government, according to the Treasury Department.

Zindashti contacted Ryan, who belongs to the outlaw Hells Angels Motorcycle Club, about the job to kill the two Maryland residents, and Ryan said he had someone in mind that could help  Pearson, prosecutors said. Pearson was a fellow Hells Angels member, according to officials.

In messages exchanged between Ryan and Pearson, Ryan wrote he needed the job to be over kill lol, according to an unsealed indictment.

In response, Pearson, who is accused of illegally living in Minnesota, said hed encourage gunmen recruited in the scheme to shoot (the victim) in the head a lot (to) make example, the indictment said.

Pearson also said he would tell (the gunmen) we gotta erase his head from his torso, according to the indictment.

On Jan. 30, 2021, Zindashti and Ryan decided on a $350,000 payment for the murders to be carried out  and an extra payment of $20,000 to cover travel costs, the Justice Department said.

We have a 4 man team ready, Ryan wrote in one message to a co-conspirator, according to prosecutors, who didnt identify the co-conspirator in the indictment.

Afterward, upon Ryans request, the co-conspirator sent him photos of the Maryland residents, a man and a woman, and images of two maps that showed their addresses, the indictment said.

Then, on March 8, 2021, this co-conspirator facilitated a $20,000 payment to Ryan, according to the Justice Department.

Zindashti, Ryan and Pearson are charged with one count of conspiracy to use interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire, prosecutors said.

Officials say the three men discussed the plot using an encrypted messaging service called SkyECC.

Pearson is additionally charged with one count of possession of a firearm by a fugitive from justice and one count of possession of a firearm by an alien unlawfully in the U.S., according to prosecutors.

While Zindashti is in Iran, Ryan and Pearson are incarcerated in Canada for unrelated offenses, according to prosecutors.

To those in Iran who plot murders on U.S. soil and the criminal actors who work with them, let todays charges send a clear message: the Department of Justice will pursue you as long as it takes  and wherever you are  and deliver justice, Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen, of the Justice Departments National Security Division, said in a statement.

The FBI continues to investigate the case with help from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, according to prosecutors.

The gunmen recruited in the plot werent named by the Justice Department, but one of them is a Minnesota resident, U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger, of the District of Minnesota, said in a statement.

The men are sanctioned under an Executive Order

The charges against Zindashti, Ryan and Pearson come as the Treasury Department and the United Kingdom take action against Zindashtis assassination network.

Zindashti  an accused narcotics trafficker who officials said lives a luxurious lifestyle  runs the network for Irans Ministry of Intelligence and Security, the Treasury Department said in a news release.

His network has carried out numerous acts of transnational repression including assassinations and kidnappings across multiple jurisdictions in an attempt to silence the Iranian regimes perceived critics, officials said.

Zindashti, Ryan and Pearson are being sanctioned under Executive Order 13553, an order issued by the Obama administration, which authorizes sanctions on certain persons with respect to serious human rights abuses by the Government of Iran, according to the Treasury Department.

The sanctions prevent them from any dealings, including financial transactions, with U.S. citizens or dealings that take place within the U.S., the department said.

Doctor paid thousands on dark web to kill girlfriend, feds say. Hes going to prison

Man offers $5,000 to kill business partner  and a bonus to cut off his hands, feds say

Ex-husband pays assassin thousands to eliminate ex-wife, feds say. Shes done

Hitman was in trouble and couldnt accept $15,000 job to kill two people, feds say
This Friday, the International Court of Justice will announce its decision on the admissibility of a complaint filed by Ukraine against Russia regarding false accusations that Kyiv had allegedly committed "genocide in Donbas", which the Kremlin used to justify its full-scale invasion.

Source: the court's press service, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The Court is due to announce an interim decision on Friday 2 February, following the consideration of preliminary objections from the Russian side.

The decision is to be announced at a meeting at the Peace Palace in The Hague at 15:00 local time.

In the complaint, which Ukraine filed against Russia on 26 February 2022, Ukraine asks the court to hold Russia accountable for distorting the concept of genocide, which it used to justify its full-scale aggression, referring to a "genocide in Donbas".

In October 2022, the Russian Federation filed its preliminary objections in the case and questioned whether the ICJ could hear the complaint.

Read more on the topic: First Genocide Case against Russia. How Ukraine and 32 Countries Sue Kremlin in the Hague

The last hearing in this case took place in September 2023. The Ukrainian side called for Russia's objections to be dismissed and for the claim to be considered in full.

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Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley called for the United States to conduct targeted strikes to take out Iranian leaders responsible for attacks against U.S. service members in the Middle East.

Haley in an interview Monday on Fox News outlined how she thinks President Biden should respond to the latest attack, which killed three U.S. troops, saying, This is not about hitting Iran hard. This is about hitting Iran smart.

He needs to go after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the IRGC, he needs to go after the leadership there, those that are making the decisions. Thats what leaves them flat-footed, the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations said on Fox News America Reports.

They dont necessarily care if you take out all of their equipment and their weapons, they dont care if you take out any of the proxy fighters because theyll just add new ones to it. What they do care about is when you touch their money or you touch their leadership. Thats what gets Irans attention, Haley added.

President Biden has vowed to respond to the latest attack on U.S. troops, which killed three Army soldiers in Jordan over the weekend. The suicide drone attack was the latest escalation in the Middle East, where tension has been rising since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in October.

All three soldiers killed on Sunday served in the Army Reserve and were assigned to Fort Moore in Georgia. U.S. officials said they were killed after Iranian-back militia groups attacked Tower 22, a U.S. base in Jordan. Dozens more were injured in the attack, according to the Pentagon.

Biden praised the fallen U.S. troops in a statement Sunday, saying they embodied the very best of our nation and were patriots in the highest sense.

As of Monday, Iranian-backed groups have targeted U.S. troops more than 160 times in Iraq, Syria and Jordan, and the Houthis  Iranian-backed rebels in Yemen  have launched more than 30 attacks on commercial vessels and U.S. naval ships in the Red Sea.

Haley, who is challenging former President Trump for the GOP nomination, outlined on Fox News a three-pronged approach for responding to Iran: strengthen sanctions, target production sites and take out decisionmakers.

Youve got to take away the money from Iran because that takes away the money from the proxies. Thats the first thing they need to do, Haley said.

The second thing they need to do is to go and take out any of the production sites that are allowing them to do this in Iraq and Syria that theyre coming from. And then the third thing is you have to figure out which Iranian leaders are making the decisions and you take them out, she said.

Pressed on whether that would lead to an escalation in the region, Haley emphasized the need for a targeted strike while also focusing on money sources.

Well, if you just randomly hit Iran, that would lead to dramatic escalation, she said. If you smartly hit Iran. Thats when you go  after their capabilities to hurt you further.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A 17-year-old who became an honorary Marine in November 2023 following a diagnosis of terminal bone cancer died Friday morning at his home in Georgia, according to his father.

Jack Lowe was born at Naval Hospital Twentynine Palms, California, and was about 5 years old when he decided he would become a Marine, Marine Corps Times previously reported.

He was a disciplined kid, according to his father, Daniel Lowe: a straight-A student and a standout swimmer, who didnt have to be asked twice to do his chores.

In March 2022, when he was a junior in high school, Jack Lowe was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer. He went through extensive radiation treatments and was deemed cancer-free six months later.

Marines embrace young honorary Marine with cancer as one of our own

In August 2023, however, the cancer returned. After six weeks of experimental chemotherapy, doctors determined it was terminal.

It seemed it wasnt possible for Jack Lowe ever to become a Marine.

But thanks to requests from his neighbor and godmother, the Marine Corps learned of his longtime wishes to earn the eagle, globe and anchor. On Nov. 1, the service officially granted him the title honorary Marine  a rare honor given to civilians with extraordinary contributions and ties to the Corps.

The commandant, Gen. Eric Smith, had signed off on the request himself, according to a Marine Corps news story.

Brig. Gen. Walker Field, the commanding general of Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, came to the Lowes home in Flowery Branch, Georgia, to give the teenager the title.

Though shaking from the exertion, Jack Lowe raised his right hand from his walker to recite the oath of enlistment.

Field removed the eagle, globe and anchor insignia from his own uniform and handed it to Daniel Lowe, a Marine veteran. The father placed the insignia in his sons hand, in a breathtaking moment between father and son, Marine and Marine, Daniel Lowe said in November 2023.

Jack Lowe also received Marine Corps dog tags, which listed his religious preference as Norse mythology, a tradition that fascinated him, according to his father.

Days after receiving the honorary Marine title, the teen attended a Marine Corps birthday ball hosted by Marine Forces Reserves Combat Logistics Regiment 45 in Atlanta.

Marines gave Jack Lowe dress blues beforehand. At the ball, they gave him a standing ovation and cheered, Semper Fi. Happy birthday, Devil Dog. Ooh-rah. His parents cried.

To actually know that Im a part of the Marine Corps, its just wonderful, Jack Lowe told Marine Corps Times in November.

The honorary Marine loved Metallica, Megadeth, Bob Marley and Prince, according to his father. He loved otters. Although he was introverted, he easily made people laugh and brought them together.

He was the strongest young man that I could have ever been blessed to know, Daniel Lowe said Monday.

The teen spent the day before he died at home with friends and family. That night, when the girl that he loved very much showed up to say goodbye, a spectacular lightning storm began, according to Daniel Lowe.

It sounds silly, the father said, but he kind of believes his son, who loved the Norse gods, was ushered by the thunder god Thor to Valhalla.

The kid went out like an M-F-in Marine in a lightning storm, Daniel Lowe said.
The Georgia House voted to create a commission that would have oversight over state prosecutors.

This comes just three days after the Georgia Senate voted to open an investigation into Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.

House Republicans insist the oversight commission has nothing to do with Willis or her prosecution of former President Donald Trump. Democrats arent buying it.

They think the effort in the House and the new Senate investigation into Willis office are all tied together, even as House Republicans insist thats just not the case.

The vote went right along party lines.

The Prosecutors Oversight Commission could open investigations into any district attorney in Georgia following complaints of misconduct, offenses involving moral turpitude, or, the bill says, conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice which brings the office into disrepute.

That commission could sanction or remove the DA from office.

TRENDING STORIES:

The question we should all ask is who will police this commission? state Rep. Tanya Miller said.

There is no doubt in my mind that this is about the former president and Fani Willis, which is unfortunate, state Rep. James Beverly said.

Republicans say the commission is needed to go after what they are calling rogue prosecutors.

Fani Willis-President Trump stuff is something that is happening, but its not the motivation  motivating factor of this legislation, said state Rep. Joseph Gullett.

Channel 2s Richard Elliot obtained a letter naming the state Senators who will be part of the Senate commission to investigate Willis and the allegations of having an improper romantic relationship and misusing public funds.

The three Democrats and six Republicans, include Forsyth Countys Greg Dolezal, who told Elliot on Friday that this has nothing to do with political retribution.

If the goal was political payback, we would have done this months ago. The reality is as these new facts have come to light, it has caused great concern not only for us but constituents all over the state of Georgia, Dolezal said.

The House bill now heads to the Senate. There is no timeline for when the Senate will open its investigation.

There was no comment from Willis office on Monday.

RELATED NEWS:
WASHINGTON  Millions of parents would get bigger tax refunds in the coming months from a bill the House of Representatives could vote on this week.

The House Ways and Means Committee approved the legislation last week by a vote of 40 to 3, with all Republicans in support.

The bill would likely pass the House in a similarly overwhelming bipartisan fashion  but only if House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) allows the vote to happen in the face of a likely right-wing backlash.

Its the same conundrum Johnson has faced with other legislation, such as bills to avoid government shutdowns. If Johnson allows the House to vote on something bipartisan, then far-right members of the House Freedom Caucus might retaliate against him for collaborating with Democrats.

Lawmakers were put on notice Monday by Republican leadership that the House could vote on the tax bill this week. If the bill passes the House, its unclear if it will sail through the Senate or meet more resistance from Republicans there.

The measure pairs a temporary $30 billion expansion of the child tax credit with about $30 billion of business tax cuts. Over the next two years, certain tax filers will receive larger refunds, especially low-income parents of multiple children. Some 16 million children would benefit, according to an analysis by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

If Congress sends the bill to President Joe Bidens desk in the coming weeks, then the IRS would likely be able to send out bigger refunds to low-income parents claiming the credit this tax season, said Alison Flores, manager of the Tax Institute at H&R Block.

We dont expect to see more people eligible, but those who are  especially at the lower income ranges  will get more benefit because of that expansion of the refundable portion, Flores said.

The Joint Committee on Taxation, one of the lawmakers in-house legislative scorekeepers, estimated that a taxpayer with two qualifying children and an income of $9,000 for last year would get a child tax credit refund worth $975 under current law but $1,950 if Congress enacts the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act, as the bill is known.

Bigger refunds for a few million households are a far cry from Democrats vision for the child tax credit, which in 2021 they temporarily changed into a monthly allowance worth as much as $3,600 per child annually. The proposal under consideration doesnt significantly boost the $2,000 value of the credit; instead, it gradually increases the amount that can be paid back as a refund. Last year, the refundable portion of the credit topped out at $1,600.

Some progressives have grumbled that the changes wont do enough to reduce child poverty. At a time when a majority of American voters believe a tax on big corporations should be increased, there is no reason we should be providing corporations a tax cut while only giving families pennies, Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) said Monday.

The bill may face stronger criticism from the right. Freedom Caucus member Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.) complained on Friday, for instance, that the legislation will allow illegal foreign nationals to claim the credit, even though the bill does not change the requirement for children to have social security numbers to qualify.

The Child Tax Credit reforms in this bill are pro-family policies that maintain the child tax credit structure of the Trump-era GOP tax reform, Ways and Means chair Jason Smith (R-Mo.), who negotiated the bill with Senate Finance chair Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), said in a statement pushing back on the criticism. It halts any push for monthly checks and provides no special loopholes for illegal immigrants.

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The House Homeland Security Committee is taking a crucial step toward impeaching Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas this week, marking up articles of impeachment that charge the embattled Cabinet chief with high crimes and misdemeanors.

The vote in committee comes as a bipartisan group of senators is putting the finishing touches on a long-awaited border security package, which faces fierce opposition from conservatives in both chambers  as well as former President Trump.

The split-screen is putting a spotlight on the situation on the southern border, which has emerged as a salient issue in the 2024 presidential election and a hot-button debate on Capitol Hill.

The House this week may also consider a bipartisan, bicameral tax deal, which top lawmakers in the House and Senate unveiled earlier this month. The legislation, however, is facing resistance from conservative and moderate Republicans in the lower chamber, setting up another tough stretch for Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.).

House panel marks up Mayorkas impeachment resolution

The House Homeland Security Committee is scheduled to mark up articles of impeachment against Mayorkas on Tuesday at 10 a.m., teeing up a vote in the full chamber on booting the controversial secretary.

The impeachment resolution  which includes two articles  accuses Mayorkas of willful and systemic refusal to comply with the law, based on allegations the secretary violated immigration laws through Biden immigration policies. It also charges Mayorkas with breach of trust, with accusations that he did not carry out his responsibilities, misled Congress and obstructed its investigation.

These articles lay out a clear, compelling, and irrefutable case for Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas impeachment, Rep. Mark Green (R-Tenn.), the chair of the Homeland Security Committee, said in a statement.

Congress has a duty to see that the executive branch implements and enforces the laws we have passed. Yet Secretary Mayorkas has repeatedly refused to do so. His lawless behavior was exactly what the Framers gave us the impeachment power to remedy, he added.

The Department of Homeland Security in a memo said the impeachment resolution markup is just more of the same political games from Republicans on the panel.

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 memo adds.

The impeachment resolution will head to the House floor for a vote if it advances through the Homeland Security Committee on Tuesday. Johnson has vowed to hold a final vote on the legislation as soon as possible.

Senate closes in on border deal amid GOP opposition

The Senate this week is awaiting the text of the highly anticipated border security deal, which could hit the floor in the coming days  even as the impending agreement faces sharp criticism from Trump and conservatives on both sides of the Capitol.

Sen. Chris Murphy (Conn.), the lead Democratic negotiator, told CNNs State of the Union on Sunday we do have a bipartisan deal and that were finishing up the text right now. The bill, Murphy said, could be ready to hit the Senate floor as soon as this week.

Sen. James Lankford (Okla.), the lead GOP negotiator, said on CBSs Face the Nation that negotiators are working on the final aspects of the agreement, but noted the topic of humanitarian parole is still an issue for us.

The rosy outlook comes as conservatives in both chambers  and the GOP presidential front-runner  are voicing opposition to the deal even before the specifics have been revealed.

In a Truth Social post Saturday, Trump wrote A BAD BORDER DEAL IS FAR WORSE THAN NO BORDER DEAL! The former president earlier this month wrote I do not think we should do a Border Deal, at all, unless we get EVERYTHING needed to shut down the INVASION of Millions & Millions of people. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) told Fox News last week, We dont need a border bill.

Democrats have accused Trump and conservatives of pushing against the border bill because they want to deny President Biden a legislative win in an election year, particularly since immigration and the border are key issues among voters.

Senate Republicans backing the border deal, nonetheless, are evoking confidence there will be enough GOP support in the chamber to get the deal over the finish line. Lankford told CBS he does not have a vote count for the agreement because lawmakers first need a chance to read the text, but added, I do feel very positive about it, because even the initial feedback has been good.

Even if the border bill clears the Senate, its chances of passing the House  or even getting a vote on the floor  are bleak.

Speaker Johnson threw another wave of cold water at the negotiations Friday, telling colleagues in a letter: If rumors about the contents of the draft proposal are true, it would have been dead on arrival in the House anyway.

Murphy reviewed some specifics of the border deal Sunday. He told CNN the bill will allow the president to temporarily shut down the border between ports of entry when crossings hit catastrophically high levels; it will reform the asylum system and, in effect, decrease the time it takes for an individual to get their asylum claim heard; and it would help individuals receive work permits at a faster rate.

He underscored the high-stakes nature of the negotiations, noting they are key to unlocking aid for Ukraine.

The consequence of failure here is not just that we keep immigration as an open issue available for Donald Trump to exploit in the next election. It is also that Ukraine loses this war and that Russia marches its army to the edge of Europe, Murphy said on CNN. That would be catastrophic for the United States and for the whole world. So the stakes here are high. The consequences of failure are enormous.

Potential House vote on tax deal

The House this week may vote on the bipartisan, bicameral tax deal that top lawmakers unveiled earlier this month, which is facing opposition from both ends of the chambers GOP conference.

The package  dubbed the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act  would expand the child tax credit by increasing the maximum credit per child from $1,600 to $2,000 until the end of 2025 while also restoring business deductions for research development costs, interest payments and capital investments.

It would also increase the low-income housing tax credit, raise the amount in capital expenditures that small businesses can immediately write off from $1 million to $1.29 million, and it would hike up the reporting threshold for subcontractor work from $600 to $1,000.

The legislation is listed on the weekly schedule from House Majority Leader Steve Scalises (R-La.) office as Legislation that may be considered. The uncertainty comes as both moderate and conservative Republicans in the House are expressing opposition to the deal.

Moderates from wealthier states, for starters, have criticized the deal for not increasing the state and local tax (SALT) credit. One Republican lawmaker with knowledge of the situation told The Hill in a text message last week: There is real anger about the process.

Jason Smith ignored the Long Island members then insulted them when asked about SALT in an interview, the lawmaker added, referring to the Missouri Republican lawmaker who serves as chair of the House Ways and Means Committee. He lacks style and substance.

Some conservatives, on the other hand, are frustrated that the bill does not go far enough.

Im sick of these gutless cowards in Washington. You know what were gonna put on the floor next week? Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) told Fox radio host Jimmy Failla last week. A tax cut bill for corporations, because Republicans are whores for endless wars and corporations. Thats it. Thats what they stand for.

The opposition from both ends of the party means leadership will likely bring the bill to the floor under suspension of the rules, a fast-track process that avoids having to first pass a rule  which conservatives and moderates could oppose, ultimately blocking the legislation from coming to the floor.

Moving the bill under suspension, however, could further frustrate conservatives, who have spoken out against using the procedural gambit for large pieces of legislation.

The House Ways and Means Committee advanced the legislation in a bipartisan 40-3 vote earlier this month.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The Florida House and Senate on Friday released proposed budgets for the 2024-2025 fiscal year that top $115 billion  but would be less than the current years spending plan.

The Senate proposal (SB 2500) totaled $115.9 billion, while the House proposal (PCB APC 24-01) came in just under $115.55 billion.

The budget for the current fiscal year, which started July 1, totaled $119.1 billion.

Read: Police chief: Suspect dead, 1 killed, 2 police officers shot in Palm Bay

House and Senate leaders have said the 2024-2025 budget will reflect the end of federal money that poured into the state because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As the timeline to spend pandemic funds is coming to end, we are making smart, fiscally responsible adjustments and right-sizing our balanced budget to a level sustainable for the long term, Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, said in a prepared statement Friday.

Read: 3 US service members killed, dozens injured in Jordan drone attack, Biden says

On Wednesday, House Speaker Paul Renner, R-Palm Coast, said a pretty tight budget was ahead as the state moves beyond never-ending revenues and money coming down from the federal government during the pandemic.

The proposed budgets released Friday are initial plans and likely will undergo changes before they are passed by the House and Senate.

Read: Man arrested after 2 men found dead in a home, Orange County deputies say

After that, the two chambers will negotiate a final spending plan for the 2024-2025 fiscal year, which will start July 1.

The annual legislative session is scheduled to end March 8. Both of the proposals were larger than a $114.4 billion plan that Gov. Ron DeSantis released in December.

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KOKOMO  A year after U.S. Rep. Joe Donnelly played an advocacy role with President Obama in preventing the collapse of General Motors and Chrysler, he ended up at a plant gate in the final days of his 2010 reelection bid.

Donnelly found that some UAW workers at the Chrysler plant wouldnt look him in the eye. Some would vote Republican on the issue of guns or abortion. One guy at the gate said, I love you, Joe, Im not voting for ya, but I love ya. Donnelly laughed. And I said, This could be a rough Tuesday.

Donnelly narrowly won, but the unmistakable trend was the UAW constituency trending Republican.

Ten years later, in the 2020 election, Republican Donald Trump carried Howard County (home to GM and Stellantis plants in Kokomo) with 65% of the vote to President Bidens 33%, up from 63% in 2016. In Allen County (GM at Fort Wayne), in 2020, it was Trump 55%-43% over Biden. In Lawrence County (GM at Bedford), Trump carried it with 74%. In Grant County (GM at Marion), Trump won with 68%.

More: Shawn Fain's UAW

That political battle continued played out in the 2024 presidential race this past week. UAW President Shawn Fain, who began his career as an electrician at the Chrysler Kokomo Casting Plant, endorsed President Biden for reelection. It was a nod that had been coveted by Trump, the probable Republican nominee after his caucus and primary wins in Iowa and New Hampshire.

In 2008, 2009, the economic recession, Donald Trump blamed the workers for what was wrong with these companies," Fain said on Wednesday. "In 2015, he talked about doing a rotation of good-paying jobs in the Midwest, somewhere where they pay less and have people begging for their jobs back at lower wages. In '19, when Volkswagen workers voted to organize, he put an LRB (Labor Relations Board) in place that killed the contract for those workers. He told workers at Lordstown Assembly Plant, which was closing, Don't sell your houses, and then he did nothing to support them."

Fain pointed out that last year Biden went to Belvidere, Ill., when the Stellantis plant was scheduled to close. "He stood with those workers," Fain said. "He helped us save a community, and helped bring not one plant but two plants back to life.

U.S. Rep. Jim Banks, the Republican who has done more to shift the GOP away from the Wall Street/county club set to a more blue collar base, tweeted on Wednesday, "More proof big union bosses dont represent their rank and file members well who will overwhelmingly vote for Donald Trump."

As chair of the U.S. House Republican Study Committee, Banks oversaw the forging of a memo seeking that political realignment. "President Trump gave the Republican Party a political gift: We are now the party supported by most working-class voters. The question is whether Republicans reject that gift or unwrap it and permanently become the Party of the Working Class.

President Joe Biden stands with Shawn Fain, President of the United Auto Workers, at the United Auto Workers' political convention, Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, in Washington.

Banks observed both parties are undergoing coalitional transformations."

Fain was a UAW insurgent, taking control of the union in March 2021. He then led the UAW on a risky confrontation strategy with Ford, GM and Stellantis last autumn, resulting in a six-week strike. When the dust settled, the agreement brought UAW rank and file an immediate 11% raise, 14% more through 2028, while ending the wage tier system for newer workers.

I thought it was a grand slam, Art Wheaton, director of labor studies at Cornell Universitys School of Industrial and Labor Relations told CNN Business. They got massive increases for newer workers. For the existing workforce it was extremely good, better than I would have imagined.

Fain is now targeting non-union auto plants at Honda, Toyota, Subaru, Volkswagen, BMW and Mercedes. This is a movement from the [nonunion] workers, not the UAW, Fain said in December.

Fain addressed Trump saying, "Donald Trump is a scab. Donald Trump is a billionaire and that is who he represents. If Donald Trump ever worked in an auto plant, he wouldnt be a UAW member, he would be a company man trying to squeeze the American worker.

Last September, with Michigan and Wisconsin hanging in the balance of their coming 2024 rematch, President Biden and Donald Trump made overt plays for UAW support. Biden joined a UAW picket line in Belleville near Detroit. "We saved them; its about time for them to step up for us. Wall Street didnt build the country. The middle class built the country, and unions built the middle class."

Trump campaigned at Drake Enterprises, a non-union auto parts plant north of Detroit a day later. Your head man, Shawn, hes a good man, Trump said, apparently not understanding there were only a handful of UAW members in the crowd. But hes got to endorse Trump. I will not allow, under any circumstances, the American auto industry to die. I want it to thrive. Get your union leaders to endorse me, and Ill take care of the rest.

Trump criticized Bidens advocacy for electric vehicles, saying the Democrat was waging war on the U.S. auto industry through crippling green mandates.

In 1953, General Motors CEO Charles Wilson famously said, "As GM goes, so goes the nation."

In a Biden-Trump rematch, that could be rephrased: "As UAW goes, as Michigan goes .... "

Brian Howey

Brian Howey is senior writer and columnist for Howey Politics Indiana/State Affairs. Find Howey on Facebook and X @hwypol.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Biden, Trump battle for union vote.
Courtney C. Nicholopoulos and Jon A. Lowell appear at their 2016 arraignment in Worcester Superior Court.

WORCESTER  Two Hubbardston residents accused of running a sex party at an Auburn hotel in 2015 are set to appear Thursday in Worcester Superior Court for a pretrial conference on charges of recruiting and luring seven women to engage in sex acts for false promises of large payments.

The two, 54-year-old Jon A. Lowell and 49-year-old Courtney C. Nicholopoulos, are facing charges including human trafficking for sexual servitude.

Lowell and Nicholopoulos were arrested in July 2015 when police broke up what they said was a sex party at the Holiday Inn Express in Auburn. They were arraigned in June 2016 on human trafficking and conspiracy charges arising from criminal conduct allegedly committed in Worcester and Middlesex counties.

Prosecutors allege that Lowell and Nicholopoulos worked together to recruit women through online advertisements to take part in sexual activity for a fee at hotels.

They allegedly advertised the events as "swingers'" or "gangbang" parties and promised women payments ranging from $5,000 to $12,000 to engage in sex acts with multiple men. It is further alleged that men were charged an entrance fee to the parties and that Lowell and Nicholopoulos kept all the proceeds for themselves without paying the women the money they were promised.

Prosecutors of the Office of the Massachusetts Attorney General said some of the women were facing financial difficulties that made them particularly vulnerable.

Lowell is also accused of buying sex from several of the women before the events and not paying them.

Lowell, represented by lawyer David R. Yannetti, faces two counts of trafficking of persons for sexual servitude, two counts of conspiracy and three counts of sexual conduct for a fee. Nicholopoulos, who is represented by lawyer Steven W. Panagiotes, faces two counts each of trafficking of persons for sexual servitude and conspiracy.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Hearing set for pair in Auburn sex party human trafficking case
Honda Jazz SE models have become a particular target of thieves looking to steal parts

The humble Honda Jazz is becoming uninsurable following a spate of thefts which has increased the risks of providing cover.

Drivers of the car have been denied cover by the provider LV= following a sharp spike in catalytic converter thefts which has made theft too costly to insure.

The insurer said it has made the difficult decision to stop offering quotes to drivers of the SE model made between 2001 and 2008.

It said the model had become a particular target of thieves looking to steal valuable parts.

Some 38,000 people drive a Honda Jazz SE. Thousands more drive the latest models, which have won a string of awards including What Car?s Small Car of the Year.

Criminal gangs wielding hacksaws target the popular hatchback as its catalytic converter  made of precious platinum, palladium and rhodium metals  is easy to access and strip off due to the cars higher ground clearance.

A used converter could fetch more than 500 on the black market, according to Crimestoppers, while the average replacement cost is 1,300.

The Scrap Metal Dealers Act of 2013, which made it illegal to post ads offering cash for old converters, helped cut a wave of converter thefts but the crimes started rising again during the pandemic.

The invasion of Ukraine has also caused the price of parts to soar as 40pc of the worlds palladium is located in Russia.

LV said the number of catalytic converter thefts reported by Jazz owners have almost doubled in three years, while claims have increased by 52pc in the same time frame.

A spokesman said: We appreciate that this vehicle may not seem high-risk, but our claims experience with catalytic converter thefts shows theyre at a continually increasing risk of theft.

Due to the sharp increase were seeing in terms of these vehicles catalytic converters being stolen, were having to make the tough decision to stop insuring them.

We never want to leave our customers in the difficult situation of having to find alternative cover, however, these thefts are something weve been monitoring and we must make difficult decisions to help keep the cost of insurance down.

Insurance premiums for all drivers have soared over the past year. Comparison site Confused.com found that the typical insurance premium now costs 366 more than 12 months ago  an increase of 58pc.

Almost two in three drivers reported a rise in premiums at renewal in the first half of 2023.

As well as the Jazz, certain models of the Honda CR-V, Toyota Prius and Toyota Auris are also prone to thefts due to the location of their catalytic converters.

Hybrid vehicles are also attractive to thieves because the metals in the converter are less likely to corrode and therefore worth more money.

Later Jazz models are not targeted to the degree of older cars, as from 2008 Honda positioned the converter within the engine bay to make theft more difficult.

While the Jazz has a target on its back for a particular part, a host of premium vehicles are being stolen for their full value.

In the year to March 2023, one in every hundred Land Rovers was stolen, with types of Range Rover accounting for six of the top 10 most stolen car models overall.

As a result, sales have been affected and the cars have become almost uninsurable, particularly in London.

The Ford Fiesta holds the unwanted title of being the most stolen car, with almost 6,000 being taken last year according to the DVLA, while insurer Axa UK says in the period between 2021 and 2023, Lexus thefts have increased by 22pc.

Statistics from the Association of British Insurers show payouts to customers over stolen cars and theft from vehicles reached 178 million in the three months to the end of September 2023  a 35pc rise from 2022.

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Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto and his team arrived in Uzhhorod, Andriy Yermak, Head of the Ukrainian Presidential Office, reported on Telegram on Jan. 29.

Yermak and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba are set to meet with Szijjarto and his team.

"We are working to normalize relations; we need an open and constructive dialogue, Yermak said.

Read also: Finnish FM confident Hungary will lift veto on EUR 50 billion EU aid for Ukraine

Szijjarto himself shared on Facebook that he was heading to Uzhhorod and posted a corresponding photo.

www.facebook.com/szijjarto.peter.official

www.facebook.com/szijjarto.peter.official

www.facebook.com/szijjarto.peter.official

"Its going to be a long day," Szijjarto said.

"Everything must be done to ensure that the Hungarian community in the Carpathian region regain its former rights."

The talks will continue the recent political contacts between the two countries.

Key topics of discussion will be the organization of a meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban to promote decisions important to Ukraine in the European Union and the development of bilateral relations, Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Oleh Nikolenko, said.

Orban said on Dec. 21 that he had received an invitation from the Ukrainian president and accepted it.

Read also: Slovak PM Fico arrives in Uzhhorod to meet with Ukrainian counterpart Shmyhal

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Peter Szijjarto, Hungarian Foreign Minister, met with Viktor Mykyta, the head of Zakarpattia Oblast in the border town of Zahony on the Hungarian-Ukrainian border.

Source: Peter Szijjarto on Facebook; European Pravda

According to the Hungarian Foreign Minister, Mykyta "brought a completely new approach to Zakarpattia: a culture of reconciliation, so that Ukrainians and Hungarians can live side by side in peace and harmony."

We would like to improve cooperation between Ukraine and Hungary, so it is good that the head of Oblast Military Administration (OMA) joined the Ukrainian delegation at the border in Zahony," Szijjarto wrote.

After that, Szijjarto went to Uzhhorod, where he met with his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba and Andrii Yermak, the head of the Office of the President.

Earlier, it was reported that the meeting of the foreign ministers of Ukraine and Hungary was aimed at preparing a meeting between President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

Before that, Szijjarto had a conversation with Andrii Yermak, the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, during which he said that Zelenskyy's meeting with Orban would make sense "if it can give results."

Zelenskyy and Orban briefly crossed paths in Argentina during a visit to the inauguration ceremony of the newly elected president. Orban then said that he accepted Zelenskyys invitation to talk about bilateral relations, but on the condition that the foreign ministers prepare a meeting.

There has not been a full-fledged meeting between Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and Hungarian Prime Minister Orban since the beginning of Zelenskyy's cadence.

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Peter Szijjarto, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Hungary, has paid tribute to fallen Ukrainian defenders before negotiations with Ukrainian officials in Uzhhorod.

Source: European Pravda, citing Ukraines Foreign Ministry.

Szijjarto headed to the memorial to the fallen Ukrainian military alongside Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and Andrii Yermak, the Head of the Office of the President.

Before the negotiations, Minister @DmytroKuleba, Head of the Office of the President @AndriyYermak & the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary Peter Szijjarto paid tribute to  soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the sovereignty & territorial integrity of Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/ExunJjjEfW  MFA of Ukraine  (@MFA_Ukraine) January 29, 2024

As was reported, Szijjarto's visit began with a meeting with the head of the Zakarpattia Oblast State Administration at the Hungarian-Ukrainian border.

Afterward, he headed to negotiations in Uzhhorod. The meeting of foreign ministers of Ukraine and Hungary aims to prepare for the meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

There has not been a full-fledged meeting between President Zelenskyy and Hungarian Prime Minister Orban since the beginning of Zelenskyy's term.

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The war in Ukraine must end because human lives can only be saved through peace, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto, who arrived on a visit to Uzhhorod, said in a Facebook post on Jan. 29.

Together with the head of Volodymyr Zelenskyys Presidental Office, Andriy Yermak, and Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, they visited the largest cemetery in Uzhhorod, Calvary, where Ukrainian soldiers killed in the war are buried.

Szijjarto Peter/Facebook

Read also: Hungarian FM commends Zakarpattya Oblast head for new reconciliation approach

"More and more people are killed on the battlefield, we must not allow even more to die!" Szijjarto wrote on Facebook. The war must end, human lives can only be saved through peace.

Szijjarto Peter/Facebook

Szijjarto Peter/Facebook

The Hungarian minister and his team arrived in Uzhhorod for talks with Ukrainian politicians. Before the meeting with Szijjarto, Yermak said that he intended to work to establish relations with Budapest through a frank dialogue.

Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oleg Nikolenko said that the key topics of the talks would be the organization of a meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban to promote important decisions in the EU and the comprehensive development of bilateral relations.

Kuleba met with Szijjarto in Brussels for the first time since the start of the full-scale invasion on Dec. 11. The main topic of the talks was the European Union's decision to start negotiations with Ukraine on EU accession.

Szijjarto previously called for a halt to arms supplies to Ukraine, allegedly because it was "prolonging the war," opposed the imposition of sanctions against Russia, and met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to develop cooperation.

Read also:

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Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba and Head of Ukraine's Presidential Office Yermak meet Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Szijjarto in Uzhhorod

KYIV (Reuters) -Ukraine and Hungary said they had laid the ground for a meeting of their leaders during talks in western Ukraine on Monday and agreed to work together on the divisive issue of Hungarian minority rights in Ukraine.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto held talks with his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba and presidential chief of staff Andriy Yermak, days before an EU summit that will seek agreement on an aid package for Kyiv that has been held up by Budapest.

"Encouraging steps have been taken towards restoring the climate of trust between Hungary and Ukraine, but there is still a long way to go and a lot of work will be needed, which our country is ready to do," Szijjarto told reporters after the talks in the western Ukrainian city of Uzhhorod.

Budapest has long criticised Kyiv for what it says are curbs on the rights of ethnic Hungarians, particularly with regard to native-language schooling, an issue it used to oppose the opening of Kyiv's EU accession talks last year.

Kuleba described the talks as frank and constructive. He said the parties had agreed to establish a special commission on the issue to work out within 10 days what the next steps should be.

Ukraine has said it hopes the EU's 27 member states will agree at the summit in Brussels on Thursday to provide the 50 billion euros ($54 billion) package that Kyiv plans to use to plug its budget deficit this year as it battles Russian forces.

No progress was reported on Hungary's stance on the aid package at the Uzhhorod talks, however. Szijjarto said it was not a bilateral issue and would be discussed in Brussels.

Budapest is the only EU state that did not back the package at a summit in December. Orban's political director said earlier on Monday that Budapest was open to using the EU budget for a proposed aid if other "caveats" were added.

MINORITY RIGHTS

Ukraine passed a law in 2017 that required all schools to teach students over the age of 10 in the Ukrainian language. Hungary saw it as a breach of the Hungarian minority's rights.

Some changes were made in December 2023 when the issue became critical for Kyiv's EU accession talks. Budapest said the changes were an improvement but didn't go far enough.

Szijjarto said Hungary's demands include the restoration of national minority schools status and unrestricted use of Hungarian in higher education, culture and community life.

Yermak said steps had been taken towards agreeing a meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, though no date was set. Kyiv officials have said they expect Orban to come to Ukraine, which would be his first visit during Russia's full-scale invasion.

Orban's government has strained relations with Kyiv and has maintained better ties with Moscow than other EU states since Russia's invasion nearly two years ago.

($1 = 0.9245 euros)

(Reporting by Tom Balmforth, Yuliia Dysa, Gyori Boldizsar; editing by Timothy Heritage and Ros Russell)
By Boldizsar Gyori

BUDAPEST (Reuters) - Hungarian opposition parties submitted a motion on Monday calling for an extraordinary session of parliament on Feb. 5 to ratify Sweden's application to join NATO.

Hungary is the only country in the 31-member Atlantic alliance yet to ratify Sweden's application. Turkey completed its approval last week, some 20 months after Stockholm applied to join NATO following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

"Our motion has been sent to the speaker... Now the question is whether 135 men will be brave enough to show up," Zita Gurmai, an opposition lawmaker, told Reuters.

Gurmai was referring to whether members of parliament from the governing Fidesz party and their small Christian Democrat allies will vote for the motion, which would boost its chances of succeeding.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has friendly relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin despite Moscow's war in Ukraine, said last week he would urge lawmakers to approve Sweden's accession at the first possible opportunity.

But parliamentary speaker Laszlo Kover said there was no urgency for any extraordinary move to ratify Sweden's NATO accession and suggested that opposition attempts at an extra session would be likely to fail.

Hungary's parliament is not currently in session, but NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said last Friday he expected the assembly to ratify Sweden's accession at the end of February after it reconvenes.

Despite Orban holding an iron grip on Fidesz, government ministers have repeatedly blamed the delays on grievances about Sweden's bid among ruling party lawmakers.

The Swedish and Hungarian prime ministers will meet on Thursday at a summit of European Union leaders in Brussels.

(Reporting by Boldizsar Gyori, Editing by Jason Hovet and Timothy Heritage)
Budapest will not provide military assistance to Ukraine but will continue to offer humanitarian support, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said after meeting with Ukrainian officials in Uzhhorod on Jan. 29.

However, he noted that Hungary "has never once refused to help" Ukrainian citizens.

Read also: Ukraine, Hungary look to arrange Zelenskyy-Orban meeting

The head of the Presidents Office, Andriy Yermak, said Ukraine is thankful to Hungary for the humanitarian assistance it has provided since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion. This includes offering refuge to Ukrainian citizens and medical treatment to soldiers.

The Hungarian delegation, headed by Szijjarto, arrived in Uzhhorod on Jan. 29. Besides talks with Ukrainian officials, the Hungarian minister visited Uzhhorod's largest cemetery, where fallen Ukrainian soldiers are buried, stating that the war in Ukraine must end as lives can only be saved by peace.

Read also: Hungarian embassy confirms Szijjarto received death threats ahead of his visit to Ukraine

Previously, Szijjarto had called for a halt of Western arms supplies to Ukraine, claiming it only "prolongs the war."

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By Anita Komuves and Jan Strupczewski

BUDAPEST/BRUSSELS (Reuters) -Hungary signalled its readiness on Monday for a compromise allowing a proposed European Union aid package for Ukraine to be financed from the bloc's budget ahead of an emergency summit on Thursday.

Prime Minister Viktor Orban has been a vocal critic of the EU's financial and military support for Kyiv and maintained close ties with the Kremlin since Russia's invasion of neighbouring Ukraine in February 2022.

He previously blocked a revision of the EU budget that included the Ukraine aid, prompting its leaders to come up with a plan B and call an emergency summit.

However, in a big shift, Orban's political director said on Monday that Hungary was open to using the EU budget for a proposed 50 billion euro ($54 billion) aid package to Ukraine.

The aide, Balazs Orban, confirmed on X that Budapest had sent a proposal to Brussels on Saturday showing it was open to using the EU budget for the aid package and issuing common EU debt to finance it if other "caveats" were added.

The Financial Times cited an EU document on Sunday saying the bloc would sabotage Hungary's economy if Budapest blocks the aid at a summit this week.

"The document, drafted by Brussels bureaucrats, only confirms what the Hungarian Government has been saying for a long time: access to EU funds is used for political blackmailing by Brussels," Janos Boka, Hungary's EU affairs minister, said on X.

EU DENIES COERCION

A senior European Union official denied on Monday that member states were discussing financial coercion to force Hungary to agree to financing for Ukraine.

The document cited by the Financial Times was a background note that "does not outline any specific plan," the official said in a statement.

In case Hungary did not agree to the original aid package, EU leaders had proposed a workaround that involved a deal between 26 members and Ukraine, which would also deny Budapest access to linked EU funds, such as on migration.

The EU has suspended a large chunk of funds for Hungary over concerns Budapest had damaged democratic checks and balances in the country. The EU unlocked some of those funds at the end of last year saying Budapest had implemented a reform of its judiciary but about 20 billion euros still remain frozen.

Earlier on Monday, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto arrived in western Ukraine to meet his Ukrainian counterpart to prepare a possible meeting between Orban and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

($1 = 0.9219 euros)

(Reporting by Anita Komuves, Editing by Toby Chopra and Andrew Cawthorne)
Hungary has asked Ukraine to restore rights that were in place until 2015 to the Hungarian minority in Zakarpattia (Transcarpathia).

Source: Ukrinform, quoting Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto at a joint briefing with his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba and Andrii Yermak, Head of the Office of the President, following talks in Uzhhorod

Quote: "Since 2017, laws have been adopted that have reduced the rights of the Hungarian minority [in Ukraine  ed.]. In December, the Parliament passed a law that stopped this. But we have a request  maybe it's too much, and you will think I'm being impolite  but we ask that the Hungarian minority be given back all the rights it had before 2015. We are not asking for anything else."

Details: Szijjarto said that the delegations of the two countries had met to restore good neighbourly relations. He said that the Hungarian side has formulated a request in 11 points: in particular, the restoration of the status of national schools, the possibility of obtaining matriculation certificates in Hungarian, and the use of Hungarian in public life.

Szijjarto said a commission has been instructed to reach an agreement on these issues and develop proposals for the ministries as soon as possible.

Background:

On 29 January, Andrii Yermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, said that negotiations with the Hungarian Foreign Minister showed that Ukraine and Hungary both want to organise a meeting at the highest level.

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By Michelle Nichols

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor told the U.N. Security Council on Monday "there are grounds to believe" both Sudan's regular army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are committing war crimes in Darfur at present.

War erupted in Sudan on April 15, 2023 between the Sudanese armed forces and the RSF. ICC prosecutor Karim Khan launched an investigation in July last year into the surge of hostilities in Sudan's Darfur region.

The ICC's founding treaty, the Rome Statute, gives the court jurisdiction over four major crimes - genocide, crimes against humanity, the crime of aggression and war crimes - that are grave breaches of the Geneva conventions. The conventions set the internationally accepted rules of armed conflict.

"It's my clear finding, my clear assessment, that there are grounds to believe that presently Rome Statute crimes are being committed in Darfur by both the Sudanese armed forces and the Rapid Support Forces and affiliated groups," Khan said.

"The alleged atrocities that have taken place in El Geneina form a central line of investigations that my office is pursuing at this current moment," he told the 15-member Council. "We are collecting a very significant body of material, information and evidence that is relevant to those particular crimes."

Reuters last year chronicled ethnically targeted violence committed in West Darfur. In hundreds of interviews with Reuters, survivors described horrific scenes of bloodletting in El Geneina and along the 30-km (18-mile) route from the city to the border with Chad as people fled.

Between 10,000 and 15,000 people were killed in El Geneina last year in ethnic violence by the RSF and allied Arab militia, according to a U.N. report seen by Reuters earlier this month.

In December the United States formally determined that warring parties in Sudan committed war crimes, and that the RSF and allied militias had also perpetrated crimes against humanity as well as ethnic cleansing.

The war has left nearly half of Sudan's 49 million people needing aid, while more than 7.5 million people have fled their homes.

(Reporting by Michelle Nichols; editing by Susan Heavey and Mark Heinrich)
Richard Walker said he felt Sir Keir Starmer has exactly what it takes to be a great leader - Christopher Pledger for The Telegraph

The boss of Iceland, the supermarket chain, has switched his allegiance to Labour and said Sir Keir Starmers party is the right choice for businesses.

Richard Walker, a former Tory donor who once hoped to stand as an MP, announced last October that he had quit the Conservative Party.

He has switched his support to Labour, writing in The Guardian that after a lot of soul-searching he had decided the party is the right choice for the communities across the country where Iceland operates  and the right choice for everyone in business who wants to see this country grow and prosper.

Mr Walker, 43, praised Sir Keir for his compassion and concern for the less fortunate that contrasts very favourably with the attitude of his opponents, saying he felt sure that Starmer has exactly what it takes to be a great leader.

He praised the way in which Sir Keir had transformed Labour by ruthlessly excising the Corbynite extremism that made Labour unelectable in 2019.

He also contrasted Labours approach to net zero with that of the Conservatives, claiming that its green prosperity plan demonstrates that it gets the need to transition fast and fairly.

Mr Walker, a member of Greenpeace since 2006, has long been vocal on environmental issues, citing the Tories approach to net zero as a key factor in his decision to quit the party.

On Monday, he accused the Tories of abandoning basic Conservative principles which has not only fuelled my personal disenchantment, it is also reflected in the total collapse of public confidence we can see in every opinion poll.

He said: Labour under Keir Starmer has progressively moved towards the ground on which I have always stood, at the same time as the Conservatives have moved away from it.

The supermarket boss is not joining Labour as a member, saying he wanted to be able to continue to speak out without fear or favour.

Sir Keir, expected to visit an Iceland branch on Monday afternoon to meet staff and shoppers, welcomed the endorsement, saying: The work that he and his colleagues at Iceland have done to help customers through the cost of living crisis has been commendable.

With Labour, shoppers and shop workers will get a fair deal. Well tackle the cost of living crisis, get Britains economy growing again and get our countrys future back.

In 2022, Mr Walker announced his bid to stand as a Tory MP. He had been on the approved candidate list for the Conservatives, but said last year that he was never prepared to wear a gag to bag a seat.

When announcing that he was quitting the Conservatives last October, he accused the party of having drifted badly out of touch, but speaking on BBC Breakfast, he confirmed that he would not be trying to stand as a Labour MP.

It comes ahead of a major Labour business conference in London on Thursday, which is set to welcome more than 500 corporate bosses.

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An Indian state government has fixed security issues impacting its website that exposed the sensitive documents and personal information of millions of residents.

The bugs existed on the Rajasthan government website related to Jan Aadhaar, a state program to provide a single identifier to families and individuals in the state to access welfare schemes. The bugs exposed the copies of Aadhaar cards, birth and marriage certificates, electricity bills and income statements related to registrants, as well as personal information such as their date of birth, gender and father's name.

Security researcher Viktor Markopoulos, working for cybersecurity company CloudDefense.ai, found the bugs in the Jan Aadhaar portal in December and asked TechCrunch for help in disclosing to the authorities.

The bugs were fixed last week through an intervention by the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team, or CERT-In.

One of the bugs allowed anyone to access personal documents and information with knowledge of a registrant's phone number.

The other bug allowed the return of sensitive data because the server was not properly checking the validity of one-time passwords, the researcher explained.

TechCrunch reached out to the Rajasthan government's Jan Aadhaar Authority on December 22 and followed up a week later, but did not receive a response. TechCrunch subsequently shared the details of the bug with CERT-In, which confirmed on Thursday that the bugs had been fixed.

"This is to inform you that we have received a response from the concerned authority that the reported vulnerability has been fixed," the agency told TechCrunch. The researcher also confirmed the fix.

TechCrunch reached out again to the Rajasthan government for comment ahead of publication, but we have not heard back.

The state's Jan Aadhaar portal, which launched in 2019, says it has more than 78 million individual registrants and 20 million families. The portal aims to offer "One Number, One Card, One Identity" to residents in the northern state of Rajasthan for accessing state government welfare schemes. This contrasts with the regular Aadhaar card, available for enrollment to eligible individuals across India and provided by the central government-backed Unique Identification Authority, or UIDAI.
The Indiana Senate Natural Resources Committee voted unanimously on Monday in favor of a bill requiring increased beach safety measures along the states Lake Michigan coast.

Senate Bill 253 would mandate that the owner of a pier or public access site on the lake install rescue equipment, including at least one ring buoy. The bill would also require local governments to publish online reports on drownings and mandate the development of a new water safety plan and upgraded safety equipment if two or more people drown at a particular site within a five-year span.

State Sen. Rodney Pol, D-Chesterton, introduced the bill for the second time. The legislation was passed by the Indiana Senate in 2023, but stalled in the state House of Representatives.

The bill aims to address the persistent problem of drownings in Lake Michigan, where rip currents can make the water deceptively dangerous, particularly for people unfamiliar with the area. In June, a 7-year-old boy and 19-year-old man drowned within a week of one another near beaches in Porter County. A total of 39 people drowned in Lake Michigan in 2023, according to data from the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, making it the deadliest of the five Great Lakes.

Every year, Its like clockwork, Pol told the committee. We lose people, typically people that underestimate how truly dangerous the waters are.

Pol said that each ring buoy installed will cost under $1,000, an amount that pales in comparison to the hundreds of thousands of dollars spent to mobilize emergency personnel and vehicles during a search and rescue mission.

Illinois resident Greg Froese, whose 20-year-old daughter Chase drowned near Porter Beach in 2015, spoke in favor of the legislation. He told the committee that an emergency flotation device could have helped save his daughter, who was caught in a rip current and whose body was ultimately recovered after a two-day search. Two of Chases friends were also caught in the current but were helped from the water by fellow beachgoers who intervened.

A major reason why the two other girls were rescued is because providentially, the rescuing good Samaritans had a boogie board and a kayak with them, Froese told the committee. There was no other floating device on that beach on that day.

Chesterton Fire Department chaplain Lowell Black said that he has lost count of how many drownings Ive been to, and I havent been to all of them.

When you talk about fire service mental health issues, I will just point out that this repeated scenario of drowning after drowning after drowning will have a negative effect on public safety people, he told the committee.

Pols bill mirrors legislation signed into law by Illinois Governor JB Pritzker in 2022. The states Lake Michigan Rescue Equipment Act mandates the placement of rescue equipment at beaches and piers requires warning signs in high-incident areas and sets out guidelines for reporting drowning deaths.

SB 253 now awaits a vote by the full Senate. Pol said that the legislations failure to receive a House committee hearing during last years legislative session may have been due to scheduling constraints, and voiced optimism that his bill will make it to the end of the legislative process this year.

I had a number of conversations with (House Natural Resources Committee Chair) Representative (Shane) Lindauer and weve continued to talk about it, Pol said. I think were inching that needle to where were hopefully going to get it over the hump.

adalton@chicagotribune.com
A young golden eagle that can no longer hunt in the wild after will carry on tribal traditions for the Yakama Nation after it was rehabilitated by Washington State University wildlife veterinarians.

The male eagle, which may have been hit by a car, was brought to WSUs Veterinary Teaching Hospital in early October with a broken left wing and injured left eye. The birds wing was repaired and is now healed.

The eagle is now living at the Yakama Nation Aviary near Toppenish.

His wing injury was repairable, but he wouldnt survive in the wild because of the trauma to his eye, so he cannot be released. He is a perfect candidate for placement and those just dont come around often, said WSU wildlife veterinarian Dr. Marcie Logsdon.

The bird is the second eagle at the aviary, a tribal facility that houses eagles and other birds of prey that are unable to be released, and uses them for ceremonies and education.

The eagle is only the third bird at the aviary. In many Native American cultures, the eagles feathers represent courage, strength and wisdom, and can be collected for tribal members at graduations, weddings, funerals and cultural celebrations.

The eagle is very sacred to us and has great significance in our lives, said Jerry Meninick, a Yakama elder, previous Yakama Nation Tribal Council member, and current deputy director of culture. To us, the eagle is a messenger, meaning it not only has a responsibility here on Earth, but it has connection and communicates to the spiritual side of our lives.

Usually, eagle feathers are usually recovered from dead birds, but the feathers of eagles living at the Yakama Nation Aviary can be collected from eagles through natural molting.
Californias prison system used inappropriate tactics to whittle down a backlog of staff misconduct cases, according to a new special review from the Office of the Inspector General, the states prison watchdog agency. As a result, staff violated departmental policy and presented conflicts of interest by reviewing and ruling on their colleagues alleged misconduct toward inmates.

This is not the first time the state inspector general has criticized how the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation handles misconduct cases, In fact, CDCRs current process for classifying, referring and investigating staff misconduct came about in 2022 as a result of inspector generals oversight and recommendations to improve transparency and reduce conflicts of interest. The department received $34 million to restructure its process, and the OIG report states that CDCR still failed to follow the proper procedures.

When an inmate files a grievance, a centralized team at CDCR headquarters in Sacramento reviews the complaints and separates any that include allegations of staff misconduct. Those cases are then referred either to the Allegation Investigation Unit within CDCRs Office of Internal Affairs or to designated investigators at the prisons who have received special training on how to investigate staff misconduct. Any grievances that dont include misconduct allegations are denoted as routine grievances and returned to the individual prisons for investigation and closure.

The special review released Monday found CDCR wrongfully closed and reclassified 595 complaints of staff misconduct as routine grievances between Feb. 24, 2022, and Feb. 27, 2023. (As the report notes, these cases did not include improper use of force and violations of the Prison Rape Elimination Act.)

Some cases passed the statue of limitation

Of those cases, 127 of them had sat in the backlog for so long that their statute of limitations expired before they were even referred. The Inspector Generals Office found 22 of those 127 expired cases included allegations that, if substantiated, could have resulted in penalties that ranged from a letter of reprimand to dismissal.

The report says that CDCRs actions circumvented control measures that were put in place to prevent prison authorities from making potentially biased decisions. Additionally, the reclassification and rerouting of misconduct grievances resulted in a wasteful duplication of efforts and misallocation of resources.

Consequently, the departments action circumvented regulations and authorized prison staff who had been found to conduct inadequate and potentially biased investigations to respond to allegations of staff misconduct without oversight.

CDCR chief says complaints were incorrectly screened

In a signed letter responding to the overseers findings, CDCR Secretary Jeffrey Macomber said the agency acknowledges and takes responsibility for the reassigned grievances that exceeded the statute of limitations. He also asserted that the 595 selected cases were incorrectly screened as containing allegations of misconduct, and CDCR rerouted them to relieve pressure on the understaffed, centralized team at headquarters.

Of note, the reassigned grievances amounted to less than one-third of one percent of all grievances reviewed by the department in calendar year 2023, Macomber noted.

The Inspector Generals Office called out the department in a follow-up response, saying there was never any indication that CDCR had reviewed the 595 cases and determined they were mistakenly flagged for misconduct. The inspector general also asserted that CDCR never informed them of its decision to review and reroute those cases.

The departments attempt to downplay the impact of its decision by pointing out that it only affected a small percentage of grievances ignores the impact its decision had on the incarcerated people whose allegations of staff misconduct were not reviewed in compliance with the departments current regulations.
Tatjana Zdanoka, a long-serving member of the European Parliament from Latvia, is allegedly an agent working with Russian intelligence services, according to a collaborative investigation released by the independent Russian media outlet The Insider on Jan. 29.

Zdanoka, who represented Latvia in the European Parliament from 2004-2018 and again from 2019 until the present, is alleged to have been a Russian asset since at least 2015. The Insider, along with the Estonian media outlet Delfi, Latvian investigative journalism center Re:Baltica, and Swedish newspaper Expressen, cited leaked emails between Zdanoka and her alleged Russian handlers and other sources to support its claims.

There have been a number of cases of suspected Russian spying and potential intelligence infiltration in the Baltics, including a high-profile case earlier in January, in which a Russian-born professor at Estonia's University of Tartu was arrested on espionage charges.

Citing interviews and communications it obtained, The Insider claimed that Zdanoka was primarily motivated by ideology rather than material gain.

"Despite holding a Latvian passport, Zdanoka has nevertheless built a career opposing its existence as a sovereign country," The Insider said.

"Indeed, Zdanoka has been outspoken in her support of Latvias eastern neighbor, Russia, along with that former colonial masters well-documented, ongoing efforts to interfere in the Baltics."

Zdanoka's public activity, both concerning her official work as a lawmaker and statements in her private life, display a long-standing pattern of supporting Russia and promoting Russian propaganda.

While a sitting member of the European Parliament, Zdanoka participated as an international observer in a sham referendum on Crimea's annexation by Russia in 2014, widely viewed as illegitimate. She also was one of a small group of lawmakers who voted against the European Parliament's condemnation of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in March 2022.

The Insider claimed that Zdanoka's work to promote Russia extended beyond rhetoric and what was previously known publicly.

Citing leaked emails and comments from intelligence sources in the Baltics and other Western countries, The Insider alleged that Zdanoka regularly met with known members of Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), whom are characterized as her "case officers."

It is unclear what exactly Zdanoka's clandestine activities to support Russia may have been, but sources told The Insider that her being a Russian spy would not be surprising given her public positions.

"The fact that the FSB didnt hide their interaction with her, that it was open to be exposed, such as youve done now  I guess they didnt care because the people they're trying to influence are favorably disposed toward Russia anyway," a former U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) officer told The Insider.

Zdanoka responded to The Insider's requests for comment on the story, saying she could not specifically recall the individuals in question, including her supposed Russian handlers.

"I cannot consider this text to be questions put to me because it is based on information that you supposedly have, which by definition, you should not have," she wrote to The Insider.

Due to changes passed by Latvia's parliament in 2022 that ban "pro-Kremlin-oriented persons and political organizations" from running for office, which were widely thought to be specifically directed at Zdanoka, she cannot run for reelection.

The Insider referred its investigation to Latvia's intelligence services.

Read also: Estonia arrests professor on suspicion of spying for Russia

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP)  The June 2022 announcement was addressed to parents horrified by the massacre at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas: Iowa would spend $75 million in federal pandemic relief funds to improve school building security.

Citing an urgent need to act after Uvalde and shootings outside a high school and a church in Iowa, Gov. Kim Reynolds said the state would award up to $50,000 each to 1,500 schools to fix vulnerabilities. Like many other Republicans, she rebuffed calls for stricter gun control while embracing efforts to harden schools.

More than 19 months and two deadly Iowa school shootings later, the money only recently started to trickle out, with the vast majority still unspent. This was partly because local officials struggled to meet state and federal requirements to complete their applications, according to records reviewed by The Associated Press. Contractors helping run the program, meanwhile, have received millions.

The AP found that most schools statewide have yet to receive funding, including those in Perry, a city of 8,000 people where a Jan. 4 school shooting left two dead and several injured. The shooter, a 17-year-old student was later found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot.

A state agency last week sent a representative to help Perry district officials finish their application for a $150,000 grant through Reynolds' program. The district had started the process more than a year ago but didn't complete the paperwork.

After the tragedy in Perry, we are continuing to look for opportunities to make the process more efficient and effective, said Allie Bright, spokesperson for the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, which oversees the program.

Kollin Crompton, a spokesperson for the governor, noted that until a district submits an application, the state cannot take any action.

Perry's $150,000 is among $20.6 million the state has awarded for upgrades at hundreds of school buildings across Iowa, but payments for completed work have been far less to date. Bright said Friday that as of Jan. 19, the program had paid $950,000 to 18 school districts for improvements at 43 buildings, most of them small and rural.

The district in Gilbert received the most, $194,000, which went toward surveillance cameras, new entry systems and door controls. Winfield Mount Union Community School District, which recently announced it will cut back to a four-day school week in the next academic year, added cameras and panic buttons with its $100,000.

Other eligible expenses include metal detectors, locks, alarms and notification systems, security lighting, reinforced doors and windows, barriers and fencing.

Perry officials expressed interest in the grant in 2022 and completed assessments on buildings as required a year ago. Superintendent Clark Wicks didn't return messages seeking comment on why the application was not finished before the Perry High School shooting.

Its unknown whether additional security could have prevented 17-year-old Dylan Butler from opening fire in the cafeteria before classes began. Investigators haven't revealed how Butler obtained the shotgun and handgun he used. Perrys superintendent has credited an assistant principal with activating an emergency alert that resulted with a quick response by police, who found Butler dead.

Perry elementary and middle school students who returned to school this week saw tighter security, including uniformed officers and limited entry points. Some parents have called for additional measures such as metal detectors, and district officials are considering how to spend the grant money.

Similar concerns were raised after the January 2023 shooting at Starts Right Here, a Des Moines alternative school for at-risk youth. Preston Walls was sentenced last week to 65 years in prison for killing fellow students 18-year-old Gionni Dameron and 16-year-old Rashad Carr.

Relatives of Dameron and Carr are suing the school, alleging inadequate security. That school, like others affiliated with the Des Moines district, the states largest, has not received any grant funding.

Bright said Starts Right Here is not eligible for the program because its not accredited, but that her agency is working with the school to apply for a different federal security grant.

Des Moines schools spokesman Phil Roeder said the district needs to update a purchasing policy to meet federal requirements to receive the roughly $3 million it requested. The school board is expected to do that in February.

Iowa authorities have reported a surge in school threats since the Perry shooting, which killed sixth grader Ahmir Jolliff and principal Dan Marburger and injured several others. Threats in West Des Moines, Davenport and Lenox led to criminal charges, and another briefly shut down the St. Ansgar district. Thirteen districts were targeted last week by swatting calls, in which someone makes a prank call to emergency services to prompt a response at a particular address.

Against a drumbeat of threats and shootings, security funding is popular with lawmakers and parents, even as researchers debate whether the measures reduce gun violence.

Iowas 327 districts and 183 nonpublic and independent schools still have until until Oct. 1 to apply, and most have started that process, Bright said. Once approved, they have through 2024 to designate money for projects and 2025 to get work completed and seek reimbursement. The maximum per building is $50,000 regardless of enrollment.

The money is coming from Iowa's share of the American Rescue Plan Act signed by President Joe Biden nearly three years ago, which was designed to help states recover from the coronavirus pandemic. That funding source is appropriate, Iowa officials say, because violent crime and school safety concerns increased during the pandemic.

Reynolds said she did not believe any law could have prevented the Perry shooting, and spokesperson Kollin Crompton said Reynolds is proud of the state's work to improve school safety. He noted that Iowa has purchased 1,200 emergency radios for schools, started a tip line where threats can be anonymously reported, and provided thousands with active shooter training.

Several states have similar school safety programs but few use American Rescue Plan Act funding. Two that have, Ohio and New Hampshire, awarded grants in 2022.

Consultants and vendors have received most of Iowa's spending so far, including $5.2 million to Tetra Tech, an engineering business that conducted 1,260 building assessments to identify weaknesses that projects would fix.

The state has paid $1.6 million to AG Witt, a company helping run the program with Iowa's Homeland Security Department. The agency said it was too small to handle the workload.

It is a federal grant, so of course theres obviously a lot of little headaches that go with it, department director John Benson told applicants last year.

Some assessments emailed by Tetra Tech were lost in the spam folders of school administrators or faced several weeks or months of delays getting the states review and approval. A state official apologized to school officials during a meeting last year for that backlog.

Another requirement is slowing down projects: Physical changes to schools must be approved for compliance with Iowa's fire code. That is taking three months or longer for buildings inspected by the state fire marshals office, which was recently moved to a new department.

One student who fled jazz band rehearsal when gunshots rang out at Perry said she will feel safe going back when high school resumes next week.

The threat to our school was gone the day of the shooting, Rachael Kares said.

Associated Press reporter Josh Funk contributed from Omaha, Neb.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa school safety funding largely unspent despite 2 shootings
Int'l representatives, media invited to Xinjiang's "two sessions"

Xinhua) 08:33, January 29, 2024

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.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Iran has denied it was behind a drone strike that killed three U.S. troops at a military base in northeast Jordan on Sunday, but an Iran-backed militia based in Iraq said it had carried out four attacks in the area.

"Regional resistance factions do not receive orders from Iran, and Iran does not interfere in the decisions of the resistance to support Palestine or defend itself," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said at a press briefing Monday.

The Iran-backed militia group Islamic Resistance in Iraq put out a statement Monday saying it had targeted a U.S. garrison at al-Tanf, just across the Jordan-Syria border from the U.S. Tower 22 base that came under attack over the weekend, as well as two other U.S. bases in the region and an Israeli oil facility.

Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh on Monday blamed the attack on an Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-backed militia and said the U.S. was trying to determine which one.

"Iran continues to arm and equip these groups to launch these attacks, and we will certainly hold them responsible," Singh said.

A map shows the location of the U.S. military outpost called Tower 22 in northeast Jordan, near the border with Syria. / Credit: CBS News

A U.S. defense official said initial reports indicated that a drone flew in low and slow at the same time that a U.S. drone was returning to the Tower 22 base from a mission. Because the auto-response features of the air defense system were turned off to avoid shooting down the returning American drone, there was little to no warning of the incoming attack.

Most of the roughly 350 U.S. troops at the base were still in their sleeping quarters when the attack occurred in the early hours of the morning. The accommodations on the base offer very little structural protection from an incoming attack. More than 40 people were injured in the attack, Singh told reporters Monday.

In a news release Monday, the Defense Department identified the three slain American service members as Army reservists Sgt. William Jerome Rivers, 46, of Carrollton, Georgia; Spc. Kennedy Ladon Sanders, 24, of Waycross, Georgia; and Spc. Breonna Alexsondria Moffett, 23, of Savannah, Georgia.

President Biden called the attack "despicable and wholly unjust," vowing that the U.S. "will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner of our choosing."

The strike was believed to be the deadliest attack on U.S. service members since 13 Americans were killed in a suicide bombing in Kabul as the U.S. military was pulling out of Afghanistan in 2021.

The drone strike was just the latest in a growing number of rocket and drone attacks by Iran-backed groups targeting U.S. forces in the region. The attacks have increased significantly amid Israel's war with Hamas, which is also supported by Iran, in the Gaza Strip.

David Martin, Stefan Becket, Kaia Hubbard and Eleanor Watson contributed to this report.

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(Bloomberg) -- The White House said its weighing potential responses to a deadly attack on a US base in Jordan by Iran-backed militants over the weekend, as both Washington and Tehran seek to avoid a direct confrontation over the widening Middle East conflict.

Most Read from Bloomberg

President Joe Biden is facing mounting pressure to respond to the drone assault, which killed three US soldiers and wounded dozens of others. They were the first Americans to die from such an attack since regional tensions were inflamed by the start of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza in October.

Biden is working through options, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told NBC on Monday, reiterating that the US doesnt want a wider war with Iran.

On Sunday, the president didnt directly blame Tehran, but said the attack was carried out by radical Iran-backed militant groups operating in Syria and Iraq.

We will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner of our choosing, he said.

Iran said any suggestion it was responsible was baseless and insisted the groups its allied to act independently.

How Iran-Backed Groups Are Widening Mideast Conflict: QuickTake

Resistance groups in the region do not take orders from the Islamic Republic, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani said. He was referring to whats often called the axis of resistance  a network of militias in territories from Yemen to Iraq and Gaza that are supported by Tehran and share its opposition to the US and Israel.

Oil initially rose 1.5% on Monday, with Brent climbing above $84 a barrel, though it later reversed those gains. Irans currency, the rial, fell to its weakest level on the black market since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, according to Bonbast.com, a website that tracks the exchange rate.

US Response

Washingtons response will be stronger than its most recent retaliations against Iranian proxies, according to a person familiar with the US position, underlining the risks of further escalation in a conflict thats already spread from Gaza across the Middle East.

The US Must Strike Back at Iran. Heres How: James Stavridis

Some American lawmakers, including Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican, are urging Biden to strike Iranian territory.

Hit Iran now, Graham, whos long been hawkish on Iran, said. Hit them hard.

The challenge for Biden is how to retaliate without raising oil prices and without getting drawn further into the conflict  and especially into a direct confrontation with Iran  in an election year.

Higher crude prices would likely sting American consumers by pushing up the cost of gasoline, a politically sensitive topic.

The US has become increasingly embroiled in the Middle East since Oct. 7, when Hamas attacked Israel. It sent more naval and air forces to the region to support the Israelis and deter attacks on them from the likes of Hezbollah, which is based in Lebanon. This month, its launched several missiles on Yemen to try to stop assaults on commercial and military ships by the Houthis, who, like Hamas, are backed by Iran.

Biden Comes Under Pressure to Hit Iran Hard: Mideast Briefing

The US faces bad options only, said Firas Modad, head of Modad Geopolitics, a risk-advisory firm. Bidens under immense pressure to respond to the deaths in Jordan but a direct conflict with Iran would likely result in higher energy prices and significant casualties, he said.

Less Provocative

The US hasnt struck Irans territory for decades and it may opt for a less provocative move such as hitting Iranian targets abroad or those of its proxies in countries such as Syria or Iraq.

In 2020, under then-President Donald Trump, the US assassinated Iranian general Qassem Soleimani in Iraq, saying he was responsible for planning attacks on Americans through Tehrans proxies. Iran responded by striking US bases in Iraq, injuring many troops but not killing any. Tensions between Washington and Tehran eased after that.

The US will retaliate  that much is clear, said Ziad Daoud, chief emerging markets economist for Bloomberg Economics. The question is whether Iran will absorb the hit, or react to the retaliation. At stake is higher oil prices and a potential global recession.

Tehran has repeatedly said it doesnt want the Israel-Hamas conflict to spread, though its warned of that happening as long as fighting in Gaza continues. Hamas, designated a terrorist organization by the US, is part of the axis of resistance and Iran has said the blame for any regional escalation lies with Israel and the US.

Iran wont interfere with how the groups it backs choose to support Palestinians in Gaza or defend themselves, the Foreign Ministry said.

Irans Crown Jewel Has Much to Lose From Total War With Israel

Tehran faces its own balancing act. It openly supports militias across the region like Hezbollah and the Houthis, whove roiled the shipping world with their attacks in the Red Sea. But it has always rejected the idea that these proxies act under its command and it is wary of escalating tensions with the US to the point of triggering a direct conflict.

Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a group aligned with Iran, said on Sunday it used drones to target four bases including Al-Tanf in Syria, which houses US troops. It did not say it had attacked Tower 22 in Jordan, which is where the deaths over the weekend took place.

Tower 22 is a garrison in north-east Jordan  a key ally of the US in the Middle East  and close to the borders of Iraq and Syria. It has about 350 American troops and serves as a supply hub for the nearby Al-Tanf.

IRI is one of several groups that have repeatedly targeted US forces since Oct. 7. The US has retaliated with its own missile strikes in Iraq and Syria.

Those have so far failed to deter the militias. Still, a counterstrike on Iran itself risks provoking more aggressive action from the country and its affiliated groups and may even cause Tehran to accelerate its nuclear enrichment, said Ali Vaez, director of the Iran Project at the Washington-based International Crisis Group.

The US has tried unsuccessfully for years to halt Irans nuclear program. Washington fears it plans to build an atomic bomb, something the Islamic Republic has always denied.

The Biden administration has a difficult needle to thread as it seeks to bloody Irans nose without touching it, said Vaez.

--With assistance from Dana Khraiche.

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Silhouettes resemble hanged people at a protest against Irans executions in Madrid in 2023. Credit - Marcos del MazoLightRocket/Getty Images

Four men that Tehran claimed to be linked to Israeli spy agency Mossad were executed on Monday, Iranian state media reported, amid escalating tensions between the longtime foes and concerns of a widening conflict in the Middle East as the Israel-Hamas war rages on.

The state-controlled Islamic Republic News Agency described the four peoplewho were presumably hanged (Irans default method of execution) and who have been previously identified as Mohsen Mazloum, Pejman Fatehi, Vafa Azarbar, and Hajir Faramarzias terrorists.

Iranian security forces arrested the four men in mid-2022, claiming that they were suspected of a plot to bomb a factory that was affiliated with the defense ministry in the city of Najafabad. The four were convicted of forming and managing a terrorist group with the aim of disrupting the countrys security and were sentenced to death last September for espionage cooperation in favor of the Israeli regime, IRNA reported, adding that their convictions were subsequently upheld by an appeal court.

Iran Human Rights, however, claimed that the four men were Kurdish political prisoners and were denied a fair judicial process. The wife of one of the men told the advocacy group that they had traveled to Urmia city in June 2022 for political activities on behalf of the Komala party, a social democratic Kurdish party, when they were arrested.

The Islamic Republic aired their forced confessions after 80 days in which they were tortured to say they were Mossad agents and Israeli spies and had planned to blow up an industrial centre in Isfahan, she told Iran Human Rights.

The Komala party confirmed the mens executions on Monday in a post on X.

More From TIME

The executions on Monday are the latest in a crackdown against individuals who authorities claim are colluding with Israeli intelligence. Another four peoplethree men and one womanwere executed in December for their alleged links to Mossad after they were charged with arson and kidnapping Iranian security personnel. And in December 2022, another four people were hanged after being convicted of working with Israeli intelligence.

In Iran, which has one of the highest execution rates in the world, 65 people have been executed since the start of the year, according to a tally by Iran Human Rights, including a 23-year-old last week for his participation in the Mahsa Amini-inspired anti-government protests of 2022.

Iran and Israels bitter bilateral relations, in part due to tensions over Irans nuclear program, have dipped even further since the Israel-Hamas war that broke out on Oct. 7 and has since seen the rise of proxy conflicts between each sides allies.

Iranwhich has fired missiles at suspected Mossad-linked targets in Iraq, Syria, and Pakistanbacks Hamas as well as other militant groups including Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Red Sea-blockading Houthi rebels in Yemen; while Israel is backed by, among others, the U.S. and the U.K., which have carried out strikes against various militias, including the Houthis, across the region.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
FILE - The Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice Building is seen Friday, June 9, 2023, in Washington. An Iranian man who federal prosecutors say operates a criminal network that targets dissidents and activists abroad has been charged alongside a pair of Canadians with plotting to kill two people, including a defector from Iran, who had fled to the United States. The criminal case unsealed Monday, Jan. 29, 2024, is part of what Justice Department officials have described as a troubling trend of transnational repression, in which operatives from countries including Iran and China single out dissidents and defectors for campaigns of harassment, intimidation and sometimes violence. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

WASHINGTON (AP)  An Iranian man who federal prosecutors say operates a criminal network that targets dissidents and activists abroad has been charged alongside a pair of Canadians with plotting to kill two people, including a defector from Iran, who had fled to the United States.

The criminal case unsealed Monday is part of what Justice Department officials have described as a troubling trend of transnational repression, in which operatives from countries including Iran and China single out dissidents and defectors for campaigns of harassment, intimidation and sometimes violence.

In this case, prosecutors say, Naji Sharifi Zindashti conspired with two Canadian men between December 2020 and March 2021 to kill two Maryland residents. The intended victims of the murder-for-hire plot were not identified in an indictment, but prosecutors described them as having fled to the United States together after one of them had defected from Iran.

The plot was ultimately disrupted, the Justice Department said.

"To those in Iran who plot murders on U.S. soil and the criminal actors who work with them, let todays charges send a clear message: the Department of Justice will pursue you as long as it takes  and wherever you are  and deliver justice, Assistant Attorney General Matthew Olsen, the Justice Department's top national security official, said in a statement.

This is not the first criminal case directed at Iranian efforts to perceived political opponents of the regime.

The Justice Department has previously charged three men, in a plot they say originated in Iran, to kill an Iranian American author and activist who has spoken out against human rights abuses there, and also brought charges in connection with a failed plot to assasinate John Bolton, the former Trump administration national security adviser.

Assistant FBI Director Suzanne Turner of the bureau's Counterintelligence Division said in a statement that the latest charges show a pattern of Iranian groups trying to murder U.S. residents on U.S. soil.

Mr. Zindashti and his accomplices alleged plot is reprehensible, and the FBI will not tolerate such acts against U.S. residents, and we will continue to pursue these individuals until they are brought to the U.S. to face justice," she said.

The latest case is being disclosed at a time of simmering tension between the U.S. and Iran, including after a weekend drone strike in northeast Jordan near the Syrian border that killed three American troops and that the Biden administration attributed to Iran-backed militias. On Monday, officials said U.S. forces may have mistaken an enemy drone for an American one and let it pass unchallenged into a desert base in Jordan.

Zindashti is believed to still be living in Iran. U.S. officials describe him as a narcotics trafficker who, at the behest of Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security, operates a criminal network that has orchestrated assassinations, kidnappings and other acts of transnational repression against perceived critics of the Iranian regime, including in the U.S.

In a separate but related action, the Treasury Department on Monday announced sanctions against Zindashti and multiple associates that will bar them from engaging in business transactions in the U.S. or with a U.S. person.

The United Kingdom also imposed sanctions. British security officials have warned 15 Iranians in the U.K. about threats to their lives in the past two years. U.K. officials say Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps often enlists organized crime groups to carry out such attacks.

According to the indictment, Zindashti coordinated his efforts with two Canadian men, Damion Patrick John Ryan and Adam Richard Pearson, using an encrypted messaging service to recruit potential assassins to travel into the United States to carry out the killings.

Prosecutors say Ryan, identified in the indictment as a full-patch member of the outlaw Hells Angels motorcycle club, and Pearson are currently imprisoned in Canada on unrelated charges.

Court records do not identify attorneys for any of the three men, who are all charged in federal court in Minnesota  one of the defendants was illegally living there under an assumed name while the plot was being developed  with conspiracy to use interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire. Pearson faces additional firearms crimes.

_____

Associated Press writer Jill Lawless in London contributed to this report.
Today, Amazon terminated its planned acquisition of iRobot, manufacturer of Roomba robot vacuums, as the companies saw "no path to regulatory approval." iRobot then announced that it would be cutting nearly one-third of its work force.

While the companies blamed regulators in the European Union for the termination, meddlesome U.S. lawmakers played their own part in souring the deal.

In August 2022, Amazon announced its intent to buy iRobot for $1.7 billion. The acquisition would complement Amazon's growing stable of smart home products, like Echo Hub control panels and Ring video doorbells.

The following month, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) began an investigation of the merger, and lawmakers weighed in soon after. In a letter to FTC Chair Lina Khan, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (DMass.) and five Democratic representatives recommended that "the FTC should use its authority to oppose the AmazoniRobot transaction" as the acquisition "could harm consumers and reduce competition and innovation in the home robotics market."

The letter referenced a Bloomberg article about the proposed merger, which noted that "iRobot's Roomba dominates the smart vacuum market with a 75% market share by revenue in the US." The lawmakers cited the FTC's antitrust authority and "Amazon's history of anticompetitive practices" as reasons the agency should oppose the merger.

In November 2023, the European Commission issued a Statement of Objections in conjunction with its own review. The commission worried the deal "may restrict competition in the market for robot vacuum cleaners." It noted that "because Amazon's online marketplace is a particularly important channel" for selling robot vacuums, Amazon "may have the ability and the incentive to foreclose iRobot's rivals" either by excluding them from its marketplace or by "degrading their access to it."

Notably, the United Kingdomwhich is no longer part of the European Unionapproved the merger in June 2023. At the time, the nation's Competition and Markets Authority "concluded that the deal would not lead to competition concerns in the UK."

Earlier this month, Politico reported that Amazon had until January 10 to offer concessions that may address the European Commission's concerns; Amazon let the deadline lapse without offering any concessions.

Today, the companies jointly announced the termination of the acquisition deal, seeing "no path to regulatory approval in the European Union." Soon after, iRobot announced "an operational restructuring plan," in which it would lay off 350 employees31 percent of its work force. Co-founder and CEO Colin Angle, who was expected to remain in charge under the terms of the merger, would step down.

While Europe's concerns may have been what soured the deal, it seems the U.S. lawmakers who asked the FTC to oppose the deal also got their wish.

But the complaints from the E.U. and lawmakers like Elizabeth Warren are overblown. Acquiring iRobot would not have denied consumers the ability to purchase robot vacuums: While Roomba may be the best-selling, companies like Shark and Eufy make their own competitive versions, including at lower prices than a Roomba. In its list of the best robot vacuums of 2024, Wirecutter recommended no iRobot products, citing poor performance when compared to competitors.

Meanwhile, as the companies waited on regulators, iRobot was losing money: The company took out a $200 million bridge loan in July 2023 to tie it over until the deal closed (at which point Amazon lowered its offer to account for the new debt). With the deal scuttled, Amazon will now pay a $94 million termination fee, but iRobot expects to report an operating loss of as much as $285 million for 2023.

It's worth wondering, then, if this is what lawmakers like Warren had in mind. The FTC letter worried the merger "could harm consumers and reduce competition and innovation in the home robotics market." But without the merger, iRobot could very well face insolvency, and nearly one-third of its work force will lose their jobsand considering the company is based in Massachusetts, a substantial number of them may very well be Warren's constituents.

The post iRobot Lays Off 350 Employees as Amazon Kills Merger Elizabeth Warren Opposed appeared first on Reason.com.
The IRS contractor who stole and leaked former president Donald Trumps tax records has been sentenced to five years in prison.

Charles Littlejohn, 38, pleaded guilty in October last year to one count of unauthorized disclosures of income tax returns after leaking Mr Trumps and thousands of others tax records.

His plea agreement states that he stole Mr Trumps tax returns as well as the tax information of thousands of the nations wealthiest people. At the time, he was working for a consulting firm with IRS contracts.

Mr Littlejohn shared the tax information with two news outlets and subsequently deleted the documents from his laptop, which had been issued by the IRS, before handing it back. He also removed the places where he had previously stored the information to remove any traces, CNN noted.

What you did in attacking the sitting president of the United States was an attack on our constitutional democracy, Judge Ana Reyes told Mr Littlejohn. Were talking about someone who  pulled off the biggest heist in IRS history.

She added that his actions constituted a threat to US democracy which engenders the same fear that January 6 does, in reference to the Capitol riot in early 2021.

Prosecutors argued that Mr Littlejohn made great effort to get hold of the records without detection, including by downloading information onto an iPad and later uploading it to a private site that he subsequently removed.

Judge Reyes criticised the Department of Justice for only bringing one count against Mr Littlejohn.

The fact that he did what he did and hes facing one felony count, I have no words for, she said, according to CNN.

Prosecutors said the single count covered several leaks and thefts by Mr Littlejohn.

In a legal filing recommending that Mr Littlejohn face the maximum penalty of five years in prison, prosecutors wrote that A free press and public engagement with the media are critical to any healthy democracy, but stealing and leaking private, personal tax information strips individuals of the legal protection of their most sensitive data.

In court on Monday, Mr Littlejohn said that he acted out of a sincere misguided belief. He added that he was working in service of the country and that the public had a right to the information he shared with the press.

We as a country make the best decisions when we are all properly informed, he said, adding that he had been aware of the potential consequences and that he knew he would end up in court.

My actions undermine the fragile faith in the American government, he said.

Mr Littlejohn admitted last year that he leaked Mr Trumps tax information to The New York Times in 2019 and the tax information of thousands of wealthy Americans to ProPublica in 2020.

The outlets published stories revealing that Mr Trump and other wealthy Americans for several years paid either little or no federal taxes.

Prosecutors argued in a legal brief that Mr Littlejohn weaponized his access to unmasked taxpayer data to further his own personal, political agenda, believing that he was above the law.

Mr Littlejohns defence team argued for a term of eight to 18 months. They said his actions were the product not only of his misguided idealism but of life experience that led him to treat each day as if it were his last, citing his younger sister dying in 2013 and his father being diagnosed with a disease in 2019, according to The Washington Post.
Nuriye Cihan, bottom, mother of Tuncer Cihan who was killed on an attack to a Catholic church, mourns next to Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, left, during a funeral ceremony in Istanbul, Turkey, Monday, Jan. 29, 2024. The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for an attack on a Roman Catholic church in Istanbul during a Sunday Mass that killed one person. (Sercan Ozkurnazli/Dia Images via AP)

ISTANBUL (AP)  The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for an attack on a Roman Catholic church in Istanbul during a Sunday Mass that killed one person.

The extremist group said in a statement late Sunday on Aamaq, the group's media arm, that it attacked a gathering of Christian unbelievers during their polytheistic ceremony inside the Santa Maria Church in the Buyukdere neighborhood in Istanbul.

The 52-year-old man who was shot and killed, Tuncer Cihan, "was ... a person who had done nothing wrong. In fact, he wasnt even Christian, he was Alevi, the churchs lawyer Avsin Hatipoglu told The Associated Press, adding they would ask authorities to increase security in the area.

Turkeys Alevi community is one of the countrys largest religious minorities. Alevis identify as Muslims, though their practice is fundamentally different from Islams two major branches, Sunni and Shiite.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said two men he described as members of the Islamic State group had been arrested. One is from Tajikistan and the other from Russia, he said, adding that police raided 30 locations and detained suspects with alleged links to the shooting.

DHA, a private news agency, reported that 51 people were detained during the police raids, including 23 who were sent to holding centers awaiting deportation. It also said the two suspects drove a car brought from Poland to Istanbul a year ago which had been not used until the day of the shooting. The attackers panicked and ran away after the weapon jammed, it said.

Istanbul police didnt immediately respond to a request for information.

Still reeling from the attack, the clergy of Santa Maria opened their doors to the press on Monday, saying Mass will resume on Thursday. Pews and walls were peppered with bullet holes. A bouquet was left where Cihan was killed.

Sukru Genc, mayor of Sariyer district where the attack took place, told the newspaper Birgun that the gunmen fled when their weapon jammed after firing two rounds.

Genc said people attending Mass included Polish Consul General Witold Lesniak and his family, all unharmed in the attack.

On Jan. 3, 25 suspected Islamic State members were arrested across Turkey and accused of plotting attacks on churches and synagogues, according to the state-run Anadolu Agency.

The Islamic State has not previously targeted places of worship in Turkey but has carried out a string of deadly attacks in the country, including a shooting at an Istanbul nightclub in 2017 that killed 39 people and a 2015 bomb attack in Ankara that killed 109.

___

Associated Press journalist Maamoun Youssef in Cairo contributed to this report.
The US failed to prevent a deadly attack on American troops in Jordan because it was unable to identify an incoming enemy drone, officials said.

The UAV used in Sundays attack by Iran-backed militants approached the Tower 22 outpost at the same time a US drone was also returning to base, the US officials told the Wall Street Journal.

Three American troops were killed and dozens of others wounded in the assault.

The Iran-backed Islamic Resistance in Iraq umbrella group claimed responsibility for the attack.

A US defence official told the Wall Street Journal Washington was yet to find evidence that Iran directed the strike. Tehran has publicly denied doing so.

06:37 PM GMT

Thats all for today

Thank you for following The Telegraphs live coverage of the war in Gaza.

06:36 PM GMT

Today's headlines

Yemens Iran-backed Houthi rebels launched a missile at an American warship in the Gulf of Aden on Sunday

Iran executed four men at dawn on Monday after its courts convicted them of being part of a Mossad conspiracy

Benjamin Netanyahu accused the UNs international court of misrepresenting his words in a ruling ordering Israel to take steps to protect Palestinians and prevent a genocide in the Gaza Strip

Pakistan and Iran have resolved to expand security cooperation, stepping up efforts to mend ties after tit-for-tat missile strikes this month

Rishi Sunak has urged Iran to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East

There have been unconfirmed reports of explosions on the outskirts of the Syrian capital Damascus

The United States is preparing a very consequential response to the killing of three American troops by Iran-backed militants, a White House spokesman said

Israels military announced it would review the shooting of a Palestinian man who was killed in the Gaza Strip while walking with a group of people waving a white flag

A UK merchant vessel was suspiciously approached by three small boats around 40 nautical miles west of Yemens Al-Mukha

06:10 PM GMT

'Swift and efficient' inquiry into UN Palestinian aid agency

Antonio Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, met with the head of internal UN investigations on Monday to ensure an inquiry into Israeli accusations against staff at a UN Palestinian aid agency will be done swiftly and as efficiently as possible, a UN spokesperson said.

Guterres has been engaging with the UNRWA leadership and donors to UNRWA and will host a meeting with major UNRWA donors in New York on Tuesday, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters.

06:03 PM GMT

UK merchant vessel 'suspiciously' approached by small boats

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) organisation said on Monday a merchant vessel was suspiciously approached by three small craft, 44 nautical miles west of Yemens Al-Mukha.

Master reports merchant vessel was approached on its starboard bow by three small craft, the three small craft regrouped astern with a closest point of approach of 1NM, UKMTO said in an advisory note.

The merchant vessels security team fired warning shots to deter the small craft, and the vessel then proceeded safely to the next port of call, the organisation added.

The Iran-aligned Houthi militants have launched waves of exploding drones and missiles at vessels since Nov 19 in response to Israels military operations in Gaza.

US and British warplanes, ships and submarines have responded to the Houthi attacks with dozens of retaliatory strikes across Yemen against Houthi forces.

05:54 PM GMT

Pictures from Jan 29

Palestinians groups in Gaza fire rockets in response to Israeli attacks on Gaza City - Anadolu/Anadolu

An Israeli soldier takes up position on the border with the Gaza Strip in southern Israel - Tsafrir Abayov/AP

05:49 PM GMT

Framework for halt in fighting to be relayed to Hamas

A framework for a halt in fighting in Gaza and the release of hostages is to be relayed to Hamas, Qatars prime minister said on Monday following meetings with US, Israeli and Egyptian officials.

Qatar, along with Egypt and the United States, has led mediation efforts since war broke out on October 7 between Israel and Hamas, triggered by the Palestinian militant groups deadly attacks on southern Israel.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, speaking in Washington at an event hosted by the Atlantic Council think tank, said good progress had been made during the talks in Paris.

The Qatari premier confirmed the meetings with CIA chief Bill Burns and top Israeli and Egyptian security officials had resulted in a framework for a phased truce that would see women and children hostages released first, with aid also entering the besieged Gaza Strip.

Sheikh Mohammed added that Hamas had made a clear demand for a permanent ceasefire ahead of the negotiations, and that the current proposal might lead to a ceasefire permanently in the future.

05:46 PM GMT

Israeli military to review shooting of Palestinian man

Israels military announced it would review the shooting of a Palestinian man who was killed in the Gaza Strip while walking with a group of people waving a white flag.

An army official said on Sunday that footage of the event raised concerns of possible wrongdoing by soldiers, according to AP.

The video showed five men holding their hands in the air and walking down a street in an area west of Khan Younis in the footage from Jan 22. One man waved a white flag.

A group of five men are shown walking down a street west of Khan Younis in Gaza, while holding their hands in the air and waving a white flag - ITV News/ITV News

Moments later, shots are heard and Ramzi Abu Sahloul, a 51-year-old Palestinian shopkeeper, was killed.

The shooter is not identifiable in the video, but prior to the gunfire, the camera pans to what appears to be an Israeli tank positioned nearby.

Israel's military has announced that it will review the fatal shooting of one of the men shown in the video footage - ITV News/ITV News

The official said the footage, first broadcast by CNN, had assisted authorities in understanding that there were military forces in the area and that soldiers may be committing possible wrongdoings.

The Israeli military source, speaking on condition of anonymity due to there not yet being an official announcement, would not disclose whether a formal investigation was underway.

The Israeli military said forces take great care to verify targets before they strike.

05:24 PM GMT

Watch: Iran denies involvement in Jordan attack

05:16 PM GMT

Israel's defence minister says troops will 'very soon go into action'

Yoav Gallant, Israel's defence minister, has said the countrys troops would very soon go into action - MENELAOS MYRILLAS/AFP

Yoav Gallant, Israels defence minister, has said the countrys troops would very soon go into action near the northern border with Lebanon as tensions surge amid the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

Gallant told soldiers stationed close to the besieged Gaza Strip on Monday that others were being deployed to Israels north.

They will very soon go into action... so the forces in the north are reinforced, Gallant said.

He added that Gaza militants were running out of supplies and ammunition, but the war against Hamas will take months.

05:06 PM GMT

President Biden faces political pressure to retaliate

President Joe Biden is facing mounting political pressure to retaliate against Iran for its deadly drone strike on US troops, posing a major challenge for the Democrat in an election year.

Striking Iran would dramatically escalate the risk of the wider war Biden has said he is trying to avoid, alongside the possibility of more US casualties in the months before polls open.

But with Republicans urging the 81-year-old to hit Iran, Biden can ill afford to portray weakness against Tehran as he struggles with low approval ratings ahead of a likely rematch with Donald Trump.

Mr Trump has described the deaths as a consequence of Joe Bidens weakness and surrender - focusing on a deal the Biden administration made with Iran last year to free US captives in exchange for freeing $6 billion in Iranian funds.

04:55 PM GMT

US 'does not want war with Iran'

The United States does not want war with Iran, a White House spokesman said, after Tehran-backed militants killed three American soldiers in Jordan.

Obviously this attack is very, very serious. Certainly escalatory on the behalf of these militia groups, we have to take that seriously, and we will, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said.

But we dont seek a war with Iran. Were not looking for a wider conflict in the Middle East.

Mr Kirby said that the Pentagon would continue to look at all options as it readies a response to Sundays attack.

I can tell you what we want. What we want is a stable, secure, prosperous Middle East, and we want these attacks to stop, he added.

Mr Kirby said he could not speak for Irans Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, or what he wants or he doesnt want.

04:51 PM GMT

Israeli soldiers targeted in knife attack, says military

Israels military said an assailant armed with a knife attempted to stab IDF soldiers guarding a military post in Tekoa, a settlement, south of Bethlehem.

No injuries were reported in the incident, which the army said took place earlier on Monday.

A statement from the Israel Defense Forces read: The soldiers responded with live fire and neutralized the terrorist.

The suspect has not been identified.

A terrorist armed with a knife attempted to stab IDF soldiers who were guarding a military post in the area of Tekoa earlier today.



The soldiers responded with live fire and neutralized the terrorist. No IDF injuries were reported.  Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) January 29, 2024

04:30 PM GMT

Saudi Arabia voices support for UN aid agency

Saudi Arabia has said that donors should continue supporting the main UN aid agency for Palestinians after Israel alleged several of its staff took part in the October 7 Hamas attack.

The foreign ministry said supporters of UNRWA should carry out their role in supporting the humanitarian tasks toward Palestinian refugees in a statement carried by the official Saudi Press Agency on Monday.

This would alleviate the effects of the humanitarian crisis in the occupied Palestinian territories, SPA added.

The Saudi statement also highlighted the human sacrifices made by UNRWA workers, including deaths and injuries, due to the indiscriminate Israeli shelling of relief centres in (the) Gaza Strip.

04:07 PM GMT

Pictures from Jan 29

A tank is shown in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas - HAMAS MILITARY WING/via REUTERS

A tribesman loyal to Houthis carries an RPG-7 rocket-propelled grenade launcher during an anti-USA and anti-Israel rally, in Sana'a, Yemen - YAHYA ARHAB/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock/Shutterstock

Crowds attend the funeral ceremony of Muhanned Elfasfus, 18, and Mutaz Tabish, 30, who were killed by Israeli forces during a raid at the Dura district of Hebron, West Bank - Anadolu/Anadolu

03:55 PM GMT

US preparing 'very consequential' response to drone attack

The United States is preparing a very consequential response to the killing of three American troops by Iran-backed militants, a White House spokesman said.

Joe Biden, the US president, will respond to Sundays attack on a base in Jordan in a manner of his own choosing, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told CNN.

Obviously this attack is very, very serious. Certainly escalatory on the behalf of these militia groups, we have to take that seriously, and we will, he added.

But we dont seek a war with Iran. Were not looking for a wider conflict in the Middle East.

Mr Kirbys remarks came after the Republican leader in the Senate said Mr Biden must impose crippling costs on Iran over Sundays attack.

The entire world now watches for signs that the president is finally prepared to exercise American strength to compel Iran to change its behavior, Mitch McConnell said.

03:47 PM GMT

US Defence Secretary vows 'all necessary actions' after US troop deaths

Lloyd Austin, the US defence secretary, vowed on Monday that the United States would take all necessary actions to defend American troops after a Sunday drone attack by Iran-backed militants killed three troops and wounded dozens more.

Let me start with my outrage and sorrow (for) the deaths of three brave US troops in Jordan and for the other troops who were wounded, Mr Austin said at the Pentagon.

The President and I will not tolerate attacks on US forces and we will take all necessary actions to defend the US and our troops.

03:15 PM GMT

UN official in Israel to collect info on Hamas's alleged sexual violence

A top UN official arrived in Israel Monday to gather details over alleged sexual assault by Palestinian militants during Hamass Oct 7 attack, the Israeli foreign ministry said.

Pramila Patten, the UN envoy for sexual violence in conflict, arrived with a delegation and held several meetings on the first day of her trip.

Patten was invited by the foreign ministry so that she could receive an unmediated impression of the extent of the atrocities and then bring Hamass crimes to the attention of the proper international authorities, the ministry said in a statement.

During her trip Patten will meet survivors, witnesses and representatives of security forces to collect evidence of sexual violence committed against women and men during the attack, the ministry said.

03:11 PM GMT

Rocket sirens blare in Tel Aviv for first time in weeks

Sirens blared in Tel Aviv on Monday, an AFP journalist said, the first warning of incoming rocket fire in several weeks as the Israel-Hamas war rages in Gaza.

Hamass armed wing said it fired at the Israeli commercial hub in response to massacres against civilians in the Gaza Strip, where the Palestinian militant group has battled Israeli forces since early October.

02:54 PM GMT

Pictures from Jan 29

A Houthi fighter walks on the flags of Israel and the US during a rally the Iran-backed group held in Sanaa in solidarity with Hamas - MOHAMMED HUWAIS/AFP

Israeli Brigadier General Dan Goldfus, left, stands by a Hamas tunnel underneath a cemetery - SAM MCNEIL/AP

Amit Soussana, 40, right, is embraced by a friend in front of her destroyed house in the kibbutz Kfar Azza, near the Gaza Strip. Soussana was held in captivity for 55 days after being kidnapped during the cross-border attack by Hamas on Oct 7 - LEO CORREA/AP

02:43 PM GMT

Watch: Sunak urges Iran to de-escalate Middle East tensions

02:42 PM GMT

Israel's foreign minister calls on UNRWA head to resign

Israels foreign minister said on Monday he had cancelled meetings with the head of the UN refugee agency for Palestinians (UNRWA) and called on him to resign following allegations that some UN staff were involved in the Oct 7 attacks on Israel.

I have just cancelled the meetings of UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini with officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Israel, Israel Katz said.

UNRWA employees participated in the massacre of Oct 7, he said. Lazzarini should draw conclusions and resign. Supporters of terrorism are not welcome here.

02:24 PM GMT

Israel expects more from Qatar on hostages

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, described Qatar on Monday as having enormous leverage over Hamas and said Dohas role in mediating so-far fruitless talks for the release of remaining Gaza hostages was being scrutinised internationally.

I think we should demand from Qatar, that hosts Hamas  they host Hamas leaders, they fund Hamas ... to achieve the release of the remainder of our hostages, he told Britains TalkTV. I think that the entire world is looking at Qatar.

Asked what the United States or other world powers might do on the issue, Mr Netanyahu said: Thats something Ill speak to them directly about ... I dont think they (Qatar) are an intermediary that is passive.

02:15 PM GMT

At least 26,637 Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza since Oct 7

At least 26,637 Palestinians have been killed and 65,387 injured in Israeli strikes on Gaza since Oct 7, the Gaza health ministry said in a statement on Monday.

In the past 24 hours 215 Palestinians were killed and 300 injured, the ministry added.

01:49 PM GMT

Biden urged to inflict 'crippling' damage on Iran over US soldier deaths

Joe Biden must impose crippling costs on Iran over the killing of three US soldiers by Tehran-backed militias, the Republican leader in the Senate said.

The entire world now watches for signs that the president is finally prepared to exercise American strength to compel Iran to change its behavior, Mitch McConnell said.

Our enemies are emboldened. And they will remain so until the United States imposes serious, crippling costs  not only on front-line terrorist proxies, but on their Iranian sponsors who wear American blood as a badge of honor.

The killing of the three US troops and wounding of dozens more on Sunday has piled political pressure on Mr Biden to deal a blow directly against Iran, a move hes been reluctant to do out of fear of igniting a broader war.

American forces in the Middle East have been attacked more than 150 times by Iran-backed forces in Iraq, Syria, Jordan and off the coast of Yemen since the Israel-Hamas war erupted in October.

But until Sundays attack on a remote outpost known as Tower 22 near Jordans northeastern border with Syria, the strikes had not killed US troops.

01:42 PM GMT

White House says talks on Hamas hostage deal are 'constructive'

The White House said that talks to secure a new release of hostages held by Hamas were constructive but there was still a lot of work to be done.

A series of negotiations in recent days involving William Burns, the director of the CIA, and Brett McGurk, the US Middle East envoy, focused on securing the release of hostages as well as a humanitarian pause in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

I think its fair to describe them as constructive, John Kirby, the White House national security spokesman, said on CNN.

We think theres a framework here for another hostage deal. That could really make a difference in terms of getting more hostages out, getting more aid in and actually getting the violence to come down.

12:53 PM GMT

Sunak urges Iran to 'de-escalate' Middle East tensions

Rishi Sunak has urged Iran to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East after three US troops were killed and 34 injured in a drone strike on a US base in Jordan.

Sundays attack marked the first US military losses in the region since the Israel-Hamas war began, raising fears of a wider conflict. Joe Biden blamed Iran-backed militias for the attack.

We are concerned and would urge Iran to continue to de-escalate tensions in the region, said Mr Sunak. We stand resolutely with our allies to bring stability and peace to the region. And thats what well continue to work towards.

Mr Biden vowed the US would respond to Sundays attack and Iran-backed fighters in eastern Syria reportedly began evacuating their posts amid fears of retaliatory air strikes.

12:37 PM GMT

Iran distances itself from US base attack

Iran sought to distance itself from a deadly attack on a US base in Jordan by Tehran-backed militants, as Joe Biden faced mounting pressure to respond fiercely against the Islamic Republic.

Resistance groups in the region do not take orders from the Islamic Republic of Iran, Nasser Kanaani, the foreign ministry spokesman, said on Monday.

Accusations that Iran was involved in the weekend drone assault that killed three American soldiers and wounded dozens are baseless, he said.

While the US did not directly blame Iran, Mr Biden said the White House knew it was carried out by radical Iran-backed militant groups operating in Syria and Iraq.

We will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner of our choosing, he said.

12:22 PM GMT

Red Sea crisis causes 10- to 15-day delays in Barcelona port

Ships are calling with a delay of 10 to 15 days in the Spanish port of Barcelona as they have to travel around Africa to avoid potential attacks in the Red Sea, the port chief, Lluis Salvado, told reporters on Monday.

He said the delays affect ships carrying all kinds of products, including liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Barcelona is one of the largest LNG terminals in Spain.

12:01 PM GMT

Pictures from Jan 29

Houthis attend a rally in solidarity with the Hamas - MOHAMMED HUWAIS/AFP

Protesters, including relatives of the hostages held in Gaza, try to block aid trucks from entering the Palestinian territory - MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP

Palestinians wait in line to receive water aid after water supplies were damaged in Rafah - ABED RAHIM KHATIB/ANADOLU

11:53 AM GMT

EU demands 'urgent' audit of UN Palestinian refugee agency

The EU is demanding an urgent audit of the UN Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA and said it is reviewing funding, following Israeli allegations that some staff participated in Hamass Oct 7 attack.

The audit should be led by European Commission-appointed experts and be conducted alongside a UN investigation into the claims, Eric Mamer, the commission spokesman, told journalists.

11:49 AM GMT

Five Palestinians killed in the West Bank

Five Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in four different incidents in the West Bank in the past 24 hours, the Palestinian health ministry said on Monday.

Palestinian news agency Wafa has reported that 378 Palestinians have been killed in the occupied West Bank since Oct 7.

11:45 AM GMT

UN agency not only way to help people of Gaza, says Germany

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) is not the only source of humanitarian aid for Palestinians, a German foreign ministry spokesman said on Monday, after Berlin joined other countries in pausing its funding for the agency.

We continue to advocate for more humanitarian aid to be provided, they told a government press conference in Berlin.

11:40 AM GMT

Romania suspends payments to UN Palestinian agency

Romania has suspended its voluntary payments to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), the foreign ministry said on Monday, joining a series of countries to do so pending a full investigation into accusations that its employees were involved in the Oct 7 Hamas attack on Israel.

We express our full confidence that the UN investigation will clarify the situation as soon as possible, the ministry said.

Until the investigation is concluded, the ministry will ... not make any new voluntary contributions to UNRWA.

11:25 AM GMT

Iraq urges end to cycle of violence after US troop deaths

Iraqi authorities have denounced the drone attack that killed US troops in Jordan and called for an end to the cycle of violence in the Middle East.

The Iraqi government condemns the ongoing escalation, Bassem al-Awadi, an official spokesman, said, adding Baghdad is willing to collaborate on establishing fundamental rules to prevent further repercussions in the region and curb the escalation of conflict.

11:16 AM GMT

Reports of explosions in Syria

There are unconfirmed reports that explosions have been heard near the site of the Sayyeda Zeinab shrine complex on the outskirts of the Syrian capital Damascus.

A source in Irans regional alliance told Reuters that a strike had hit a location used by Irans Revolutionary Guard Corps.

11:00 AM GMT

Biden under pressure to strike Iran

Joe Biden is under pressure to launch retaliatory strikes on Iran after a drone strike killed three American service personnel in Jordan on Sunday.

The US president said Iran was to blame for the attack and that the US would hold all those responsible to account.

Lindsey Graham, a Republican senator, said the US must strike targets of significance inside Iran, not only as reprisal for the killing of our forces but as deterrence against future aggression.

John Cornyn, another Republican senator, added: Target Tehran.

Mike Johnson, the Republican speaker of Congress, said: America must send a crystal clear message across the globe that attacks on our troops will not be tolerated.

Iran has denied its involvement in the attack, with Nasser Kanaani, the foreign ministry spokesman, saying on Monday that resistance groups do not take orders from it.

10:57 AM GMT

Israeli soldier injured in car attack in Haifa, says military

Israels military said that a soldier was seriously injured on Monday in the port of Haifa, close to the Israeli naval headquarters, after being hit by a car.

The attacker is said to have left the car with a hatchet and attempted to assault troops. He was then shot and killed by security forces.

The army says the suspect  who has not been identified  was a terrorist, though police are still investigating the incident.

Israeli emergency personnel inspect a damaged car following a reported attack in the coastal city of Haifa - JACK GUEZ/AFP

A short while ago, a terrorist carried out a car-ramming attack next to an army base in the north of the country, an army statement reads. Afterward, the terrorist exited the car and attempted to attack IDF troops with a hatchet.

The injured man is said to be in a serious condition in hospital.

10:38 AM GMT

IDF troops return to Israel

A unit of Israeli soldiers return after spending months in the Palestinian territory - MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images

10:35 AM GMT

Denmark sends frigate towards Red Sea

Denmark has sent a frigate towards the Red Sea, where it will participate in a US-led coalition to safeguard commercial traffic against attacks by Yemens Houthi militants.

Shipping firms have diverted hundreds of vessels around southern Africas Cape of Good Hope since December, to avoid attacks by the Iranian-backed Houthis. The journey around Africa takes 10-14 days longer and is more costly than the passage via the Red Sea and Suez Canal.

Someone has to stand up for free world trade, and we have taken on the responsibility to help make that happen, Troels Lund Poulsen, the Danish defence minister, said.

The attacks target a route that accounts for about 15 per cent of the worlds shipping traffic and acts as a vital conduit between Europe and Asia.

10:17 AM GMT

Hamas reacts to Paris meeting

Hamas has reiterated that the hostages will only be released with a guaranteed end to Israels invasion of Gaza and withdrawal of all forces after Israel held a meeting with Qatari and Egyptian mediators.

The success of the Paris meeting is dependent on the occupation [Israel] agreeing to end the comprehensive aggression on Gaza Strip, Sami Abu Zuhri, senior Hamas official, said.

Qatar, Egypt and the United States sent senior officials to France to discuss the Gaza captive crisis with Israeli intelligence figures on Sunday.

09:45 AM GMT

Germany's Scholz and Egypt's al-Sisi back aid access for Gaza

Olaf Scholz, the German chancellor, and Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the president of Egypt, have agreed on the importance of allowing humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip during a phone call.

The chancellor and the president agreed that in the conflict between Israel and Hamas there is an urgent need to significantly improve access for humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and the provision of supplies to the Palestinians, a German government spokesman said on Monday in a statement, reported by Reuters.

The leaders call came as a growing number of countries, including Germany, paused payments to the United Nations aid agency for Palestinians in response to accusations from Israel that some of its workers were involved in the Oct 7 attack by Hamas.

09:32 AM GMT

Pakistan and Iran agree to expand security cooperation

Pakistan and Iran have resolved to expand security cooperation, stepping up efforts to mend ties after tit-for-tat missile strikes this month at what they said were aimed at militant targets.

Foreign ministers of the two countries held talks in the Pakistani capital days after their military tensions raised alarm about wider instability in the region since the war between Israel and Hamas erupted on Oct 7.

Jalil Abbas Jilani, Pakistans caretaker foreign minister, spoke at a joint press conference with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir Abdollahian. He said the neighbours were able to resolve misunderstandings fairly quickly.

The two countries also agreed to fight terrorism in their respective areas and allay each others concerns, Mr Jilani said.

09:15 AM GMT

America rejects Houthi claim they attacked US warship

Yemens Houthis said they attacked the US Navy mobile base at sea  something immediately rejected by an American defence official.

Brig Gen Yahya Saree, a Houthi military spokesman, said it fired a missile at the USS Lewis B. Puller, a ship that serves as a floating landing base, in the Gulf of Aden. He offered no evidence.

Houthi attacks will continue until the aggression is stopped, and the siege is lifted on the people of Palestine in the Gaza Strip, Mr Saree said.

Speaking anonymously, a US defence official said there had been no reported attack on the Puller. However, the Houthis have previously launched missiles that did not reach their intended target, instead crashing down onto the land or sea.

09:06 AM GMT

Israeli forces kill dozens of Gaza gunmen, military says

Israeli forces have killed dozens of Palestinian gunmen throughout the Gaza Strip in the past 24 hours, including four who were spotted preparing to ambush troops near Al-Amal hospital in southern Khan Younis, the military said on Monday.

08:54 AM GMT

David Cameron calls for Iran 'to de-escalate in the region'

Lord Cameron, the UK Foreign Secretary, has reiterated a call for Iran to de-escalate in the region.

He also condemned the attack against US forces by Iran-aligned militia groups in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

We strongly condemn 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.  David Cameron (@David_Cameron) January 28, 2024

08:48 AM GMT

UNRWA warns of very serious repercussions over funding cuts

Juliette Touma, the director of communications at the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), warned that a continued suspension of funding for the agency would have very, very serious repercussions.

It comes after several major countries, including the UK, suspended funding for 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.

Ms Touma told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: We are extremely desperate. It has come at a time when the humanitarian needs in Gaza are growing by the hour. The clock is ticking fast towards famine.

This lack of funding that we have been faced with now when at least 10 of the largest donors have put a temporary pause on the funding, this is going to have very, very serious repercussions.

08:42 AM GMT

In pictures: IDF operations

IDF operations in the Gaza Strip - Israel Defence Forces

The IDF is continuing its operations in Khan Yunis and Gaza City - Israel Defence Forces

The Paratroopers Brigade, which is operating in the heart of Khan Yunis - Israel Defence Forces

08:33 AM GMT

Israel's president says UN world court misrepresented his comments in its genocide ruling

Israels president has accused the UNs international court of misrepresenting his words in a ruling that ordered Israel to take steps to protect Palestinians and prevent a genocide in the Gaza Strip.

The courts ruling on Friday cited a series of statements made by Israeli leaders as evidence of incitement and dehumanising language against Palestinians. They included comments by Isaac Herzog, the Israels president, made days after the Oct 7 Hamas cross-border attack.

Gilad Noam, Israelian Deputy Attorney General for International Affairs, left, and lawyer Malcolm Shaw, right, before the International Court of Justice - MICHEL PORRO/GETTY

Talking about Gazas Palestinians at a news conference on Oct 12, Mr Herzog said that an entire nation was responsible for the massacre, the report by the International Court of Justice noted.

But Mr Herzog said that it ignored other comments in the same news conference in which he said there is no excuse for killing innocent civilians, and that Israel would respect international laws of war.

I was disgusted by the way they twisted my words, using very, very partial and fragmented quotes, with the intention of supporting an unfounded legal contention, he said.

08:18 AM GMT

Iran's top diplomat seeks to deescalate tensions on visit to Pakistan

Irans foreign minister is in Pakistan for talks on de-escalating tensions after air strikes by Tehran and Islamabad earlier this month killed at least 11 people.

Hossein Amirabdollahian has held in-depth talks with his Pakistani counterpart, Jalil Abbas Jilani, at the foreign ministry in Islamabad. The Iranian minister was also to meet with Anwaarul-Haq-Kakar, Pakistans caretaker prime minister.

Relations between the two countries were dramatically imperilled on Jan 17, when Iran launched air strikes in Pakistans southwestern Baluchistan province, targeting what Tehran said were hideouts of the anti-Iran militant group Jaish al-Adl, or the Army of Justice. Pakistan said two children were killed and three others were wounded.

Jalil Abbas Jilani, Pakistan's foreign minister, left, greets his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, right, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad - PAKISTAN FOREIGN OFFICE/AFP

Angered over the strikes, Pakistan recalled its ambassadors from Tehran and launched airstrikes against alleged militant hideouts inside Iran, in the Sistan and Baluchestan province, killing at least nine people. Islamabad said it was targeting Baluch militant groups with separatist goals.

Experts say the tit-for-tat strikes this month were at least partially prompted by internal political pressures though they also raised the threat of violence spreading across the Middle East, already unsettled by Israels war with Hamas in Gaza.

08:03 AM GMT

Hezbollah attack wounds two IDF soldiers

Hezbollah has wounded two Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers.

Both were taken to hospital after the Monday morning attack on the Biranit army base on the Lebanon-Israel border.

The Iran-backed terror group claimed earlier that it fired Burkan missiles at the base.

07:55 AM GMT

Austria suspends funding for UNRWA

Austria has suspended its funding for the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) after 12 of its workers were sacked following accusations they participated in the Oct 7 terror attacks.

We call on UNRWA and the United Nations to conduct a comprehensive, swift and complete investigation into the allegations, its foreign ministry said in a statement.

Austria donated 6.3million ($8million) to the UNRWA in 2022.

The United States, Britain, Germany, Japan, Canada, Australia, Italy, Finland and the Netherlands have all paused their financial support for the UNRWA since the allegations emerged.

07:48 AM GMT

Iran executes four alleged Mossad agents

Iran executed four men at dawn on Monday after its courts convicted them of being part of a Mossad conspiracy.

Mohammad Faramarzi, Mohsen Mazloum, Wafa Azarbar, Pejman Fatehi, were arrested in July 2022 and were accused of plotting a sabotage attack on a defence facility in the central Isfahan province.

The death sentence of four members of a group affiliated with the Zionist spy organisation, who were arrested ... for plotting a bombing operation in Isfahan, was carried out this morning, the Iranian judiciarys Mizan Online website reported.

07:41 AM GMT

Houthis attack US warship in Gulf of Aden

Yemens Iran-backed Houthi rebels launched a missile at an American warship in the Gulf of Aden on Sunday.

Its military spokesman said that it had attacked the Lewis B. Puller.

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By Dan Williams and Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber

JERUSALEM/GENEVA (Reuters) -An Israeli intelligence dossier that prompted a cascade of countries to halt funds for a U.N. Palestinian aid agency includes allegations that some staff took part in abductions and killings during the Oct. 7 raid that sparked the Gaza war.

The six-page dossier, seen by Reuters, alleges that some 190 UNRWA employees, including teachers, have doubled as Hamas or Islamic Jihad militants. It has names and pictures for 11 them.

The United Nations has not formally received a copy of the dossier, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said on Monday.

The Palestinians have accused Israel of falsifying information to tarnish UNRWA, which says it has fired some staffers and is investigating the allegations.

The dossier said one of the 11 is a school counsellor who helped his son abduct a woman during the Hamas infiltration in which Israel says 1,200 people were killed and 253 kidnapped.

Another, an UNRWA social worker, is accused of unspecified involvement in the transfer to Gaza of a slain Israeli soldier's corpse and of coordinating the movements of pick-up trucks used by the raiders and of weapons supplies.

A third Palestinian in the dossier is accused of taking part in a rampage in the Israeli border village Beeri, one-tenth of whose residents were killed. A fourth is accused of participating in an attack on Reim, site both of an army base that was overrun and a rave where more than 360 revellers died.

Foreign Minister Israel Katz said UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini should go. "UNRWA employees participated in the massacre of October 7," he said. "Lazzarini should draw conclusions and resign."

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh accused Israel of a "premeditated political attack" on the agency, which it has long criticized, and called for restoration of aid funds.

The dossier was shown to Reuters by a source who could not be identified by name or nationality. The source said that it had been compiled by Israeli intelligence and shared with the United States, which on Friday suspended funding for UNRWA.

An Israeli official told Reuters the 190 mentioned in the dossier were "hardened fighters, killers" whereas overall some 10% of UNRWA staff were believed to have more general affiliation with Hamas and Islamic Jihad.

The agency employs 13,000 people in Gaza. More than 10 countries, including major donors the United States and Germany, have halted their funding to the agency.

AID OPERATION JEOPARDIZED

That is a huge problem for an agency that more than half of Gaza's 2.3 million Palestinians look to for day-to-day assistance, and which has already been hard-stretched by Israel's war on Hamas in the enclave.

UNRWA said on Monday it would be unable to continue operations in Gaza and across the region beyond the end of February if funding were not resumed.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is due to meet with major UNRWA donors in New York on Tuesday, Dujarric said.

Guterres spoke on Monday with the leaders of Jordan and Egypt and also met with the head of U.N. internal investigations to ensure that an inquiry into the Israeli accusations "will be done swiftly and as efficiently as possible," Dujarric said.

Washington would be looking very hard at the steps UNRWA takes in response to the allegations, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said at a news conference, describing the allegations as "highly credible" and "deeply, deeply troubling."

Asked under what circumstances and how soon the U.S. could consider resuming support for UNRWA, Blinken said, "It is imperative that UNRWA immediately, as it said it would, investigate, that it hold people accountable as necessary, and that it review its procedures."

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency was set up for refugees of the 1948 war at Israel's founding in what had been British-ruled Palestine. It also tends to millions of the original refugees' descendants in Palestinian territories and abroad.

Israel has long accused UNRWA of perpetuating conflict by discouraging resettlement of refugees and on occasions in the past has said agency staff took part in armed attacks.

UNRWA denies wrongdoing, describing its role as relief only.

"From intelligence information, documents and identity cards seized during the course of the fighting, it is now possible to flag around 190 Hamas and PIJ terrorist operatives who serve as UNRWA employees," the Hebrew-language dossier says.

It accuses Hamas of "methodically and deliberately deploying its terrorist infrastructure in a wide range of U.N. facilities and assets" including schools. Hamas denies that.

Two of the alleged Hamas operatives cited in the dossier are described as "eliminated", or killed by Israeli forces. A 12th Palestinian whose name and picture are provided is said to have no factional membership and to have infiltrated Israel on Oct. 7.

Also in the list of 12 men are an UNRWA teacher accused of arming himself with an anti-tank rocket, another teacher accused of filming a hostage and the manager of a shop in an UNRWA school accused of opening a war-room for Islamic Jihad.

More than 26,000 people have been killed in Israel's military campaign against Hamas in Gaza, the enclave's health ministry said. With flows of aid like food and medicine just a trickle of pre-conflict levels, deaths from preventable diseases as well as risk of famine are growing, aid workers say.

Most of Gaza's people have become more reliant on UNRWA aid, including about one million who have fled Israeli bombardments to shelter in its facilities.

"The terrorist organisations are cynically exploiting the residents of the Strip and the international organisations whose mission is to provide aid ... and in doing so are causing de facto harm to residents of the Strip," the dossier said.

At the weekend, Guterres vowed to hold to account any employee involved in "abhorrent" acts, but implored nations to keep funding UNRWA for humanitarian reasons.

"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," Guterres said on Sunday. "The dire needs of the desperate populations they serve must be met."

(Writing by Dan Williams in Jerusalem; Additional reporting by Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber in Geneva, Ari Rabinovitch in Jerusalem, Ali Sawafta in Ramallah and Michelle Nichols at the United Nations; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne and Richard Chang)
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Israel alleges that 13 employees of the United Nations main relief agency in Gaza were associated with Hamas October 7 attack on Israel and took part in varying capacities, ranging from involvement in kidnapping hostages to being told to set up an operations room, according to the summary of the intelligence shared with CNN by an Israeli official.

The Israeli official shared with CNN information and allegations Israel had gathered on the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), which employs around 13,000 people in Gaza and provides humanitarian support including education, healthcare and food relief, to the enclaves population.

CNN has not seen the intelligence that underlies the summary of allegations and cannot corroborate Israels claims about individual staffers or about the agencys dynamic with Hamas and other groups operating in Gaza. The summary does not provide evidence to support its claims.

Of the 13 UNRWA employees alleged to have been associated with the attack, the Israeli document alleges 10 were Hamas operatives, two were Palestinian Islamic Jihad operatives and one is unidentified.

Israel believes that six UNRWA employees infiltrated Israel as part of the attack, four were involved in kidnapping Israelis, and three additional UNRWA employees were invited via a SMS text to arrive at an assembly area in the night before the attack and were directed to equip with weapons, but their presence on October 7 was not confirmed.

It also alleges that at least one UNRWA employee supplied logistic support to the attack.

This summary is part of what was provided to US Ambassador to Israel, Jack Lew, and Special Envoy for Middle East Humanitarian Issues, Ambassador David Satterfield, in a Friday briefing with Israels head of military intelligence, according to the Israeli official.

When asked about the allegations, the spokesperson for UN Secretary General, Stephane Dujarric, said the UN had not received the intelligence shared with news outlets, and that UNRWA operates in Gaza with the mandate of the UN General Assembly, a voting body of member states.

That information has not been given to us officially by the Israeli authorities, he said.

UNWRA has already fired several employees in the wake of the allegations, which first emerged last week, hours after the UNs top court ordered Israel to act immediately to prevent genocide in Gaza. UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini also ordered an investigation into the claims, to be conducted by the UNs Office of Internal Oversight Services.

In a statement Sunday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said nine UNRWA staff members at the center of the allegations had been fired. One other was dead and the identities of two others were still being clarified.

Any UN employee involved in acts of terror will be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution, Guterres said, adding that an independent review is forthcoming.

Palestinian Hamada Abu Salima, 59 -years-old, lives in a tent on the ruins of his house that was destroyed by Israeli raids on January 28, 2024 in Rafah, Gaza. - Ahmad Hasaballah/Getty Images

UNRWA has long been a target of Israeli criticism. Israel has accused the agency of anti-Israel incitement, which UNRWA denies. In 2017, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sought to dismantle the UN body, saying it should be merged with the main UN refugee agency.

Israel has also accused Hamas of using UN facilities in Gaza, alleging in its intelligence summary that operatives of the militant group have used a UNWRA school as a hideout and used mass evacuations to conceal themselves among the fleeing civilians. The UN has reported several strikes on UNWRA schools and shelters since the war began.

UNRWA denies allegations that its aid is being diverted to Hamas or that it teaches hatred in its schools, and has questioned the motivation of those who make such claims. The agency has condemned the Hamas attack on October 7 as abhorrent.

The fallout of the allegations has seen several of the agencys top donor countries, including the US, Germany and the UK, pull funding from UNRWA. Norway, Ireland, Turkey and Saudi Arabia are among the countries to have not halted funding.

UN officials warn that UNRWA would run out of money if countries suspend payment, threatening the organizations humanitarian relief for millions of people.

As Israels offensive enters its fourth month, entire neighborhoods in Gaza have been wiped out, critical supplies are dwindling, and the entire Gaza population  about 2.2 million people  face starvation, dehydration and deadly disease.

At least 152 UNRWA staffers have been killed in Gaza since the Israel-Hamas war began, according to the agency.

Since October 7, the death toll in Gaza has risen to 26,422 with 65,087 people injured, according to the Hamas-controlled health ministry, which says the majority of the dead are women and children. CNN cannot independently verify the figures due to the difficulties of reporting from the war zone

A growing chorus of world leaders have warned against the mounting Palestinian death toll. Israel has strongly opposed calls for a ceasefire, maintaining that it needs to press on with its aim of eliminating Hamas.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

CNNs Richard Roth contributed to this report.

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Philippe Lazzarini (2nd R), Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, speaks during a visit by the German Development Minister to the UNRWA headquarters in Amman. Hannes P Albert/dpa

Israel has cancelled at short notice a planned meeting with Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the embattled UN aid agency for Palestinian refugees.

Israeli Foreign Affairs Minister Israel Katz said that he scrapped the talks scheduled for Wednesday and that Lazzarini should leave his job.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) is under fire following accusations that 12 of its staffers in Gaza were involved in the October 7 attack on Israel.

"UNRWA employees participated in the massacre of October 7," Katz posted on X, formerly Twitter. "Lazzarini should draw conclusions and resign. Supporters of terrorism are not welcome here."

A cascade of countries, including the United States, Britain and Germany, have frozen their funding for the agency, which employs thousands of people in the Gaza Strip.

The UN agency has fired a handful of employees and says it is investigating the allegations.
As Israels war with Hamas drags into its fourth month, some Israelis are becoming increasingly angry at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his governments inability to free the remaining 136 hostages in the Gaza Strip.

Israeli protesters have called for Netanyahus resignation, while dozens of family members of the hostages stormed the Israeli parliament on Jan. 22, 2024, demanding a deal for the hostages release.

The Conversation U.S. spoke with Dov Waxman, a scholar of Israeli politics and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, to better understand the public pulse in Israel, and why some experts  including him  are saying that Netanyahu does not want to end the war.

Families of Israeli hostages protest in Tel Aviv, calling for the Israeli government to make a deal with Hamas and get the hostages released. Mostafa Alkharouf/Anadolu via Getty Images

How is Israeli public opinion on the war shifting?

For the first three months or so of the war, Israelis, specifically Jewish Israelis, strongly supported the war and the governments declared goal of defeating and dismantling Hamas. That consensus and unity are rapidly fraying.

Netanyahu says continuing the war is the best way to release the hostages, but more and more Israelis, including the families of the hostages, are arguing that with every passing day that the war continues, the lives of the hostages are in greater danger.

Theres also growing doubts about whether Israel can actually decisively defeat and destroy Hamas. More than three months into the war, Hamas is still standing and firing rockets into Israel. While Israel has assassinated mid-level Hamas commanders, Hamas leaders are still alive and able to call the shots.

You have said that Netanyahu does not want to end the war. Why would that be?

Netanyahu is widely unpopular in Israel. Many Israelis, including some of Netanyahus supporters on the right, hold him accountable for the cascade of failures that resulted in Hamas massive incursion and horrific attack on Oct. 7, 2023.

To restore his domestic support, Netanyahus only hope is to continue the war and try to achieve the total victory over Hamas that he has been promising. If he fails to deliver on this, and on the release of the hostages, his Likud party is likely to lose the next election and hell be out of office.

How does this political pressure influence Netanyahus response to the war?

In order for Netanyahu to hold his coalition government together and avoid an election, he has to appease the far-right and ultra-Orthodox parties in his government. For the ultra-Orthodox parties, that means ensuring that their constituents receive the generous government subsidies and welfare benefits that they depend on, not requiring them to serve in the Israel military  unlike other Israeli Jews  and maintaining the religious status quo in Israel. For the far-right parties, it means supporting Israeli settlers in the West Bank and expanding settlements there, and also preventing anything that will strengthen the Palestinian Authority, which the far-right wants to get rid of.

To keep his far-right allies in the government, Netanyahu has to block any post-war plan that gives the Palestinian Authority control over Gaza. Merely discussing the question of post-war Gaza is treacherous for Netanyahu because the far-right is calling for Israel to reestablish Jewish settlements there. The Biden administration opposes any long-term Israeli presence in Gaza and wants a revamped and revitalized Palestinian Authority to eventually return to oversee the territory.

Netanyahus way to evade these conflicting pressures is to avoid any discussion of the post-war governance of Gaza as much as possible.

Netanyahu has only said that Israel must have security control over Gaza, but what that actually entails is totally unclear.

Mourners in Tel Aviv cry on Jan. 23, 2024, during the funeral ceremony for an Israeli soldier killed in Gaza. Eyal Warshavsky/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

What are most Israelis increasingly focused on, regarding the war?

Most Israeli Jews are focused on the fate of the hostages and on Israeli military casualties  these are the stories that dominate Israeli media coverage. The families of the hostages have made sure that their plight is not forgotten. And since some of the hostages who were released back in November are recounting their harrowing experiences in captivity, this is also keeping public attention focused on the hostages still in Gaza.

The deaths of Israeli soldiers in Gaza also receive a lot of attention  on Jan. 23, the Israeli military had its deadliest day since the war began when 24 soldiers were killed. Most Israeli Jews have served in the military, and most have family members or friends currently serving. So they are very connected to the military, and military deaths resonate very powerfully in Israeli society.

What most Israelis are not focusing on is the suffering of Palestinian civilians in Gaza. Many are not even aware of what is happening to Palestinians in Gaza, because it receives little coverage in the Israeli media.

Families of the hostages are speaking out against the Israeli government and its inability to free the hostages. What kind of pressure is this creating?

It has a big effect. There is great empathy for what these families are going through. There is also a strong ethos that the state has a moral obligation to rescue its citizens, including its soldiers.

Many people feel that the state fundamentally failed its citizens on Oct. 7 because it failed to prevent or stop the massacre and abductions that took place. So it is now especially incumbent on the government to bring the hostages home. Even if Israel defeats Hamas but doesnt free the hostages, it will leave an open wound in Israeli society and damage, if not rupture, the relationship between the Israeli state and its citizens.

Why is it unlikely that the military can free the hostages?

The hostages are kept underground in tunnels that are hundreds of miles long. Its likely they are frequently moved around, so it is next to impossible to even locate them. And even if they are located, actually reaching them before they are killed by their captors would be very, very difficult.

The only feasible option to free the hostages is to strike another deal with Hamas. But it will be very hard for Netanyahu to accept the terms that Hamas is demanding, particularly ending the war. Netanyahu and his defense minister argue that the more military pressure Hamas is under, the more likely it is to accept a deal on terms that are acceptable to Israel. But the other members of the war cabinet, and growing numbers of Israelis, now believe Israel should make a deal to release the hostages whatever the price, even if that means ending the war without defeating Hamas.

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and analysis to help you make sense of our complex world.

It was written by: Dov Waxman, University of California, Los Angeles.

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Dov Waxman does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
The Kremlin prepares to destabilize Moldova, likely as a part of the efforts to hinder its EU integration, among other objectives, the U.S.-based think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW) wrote in its Jan. 28 assessment.

Tensions between Moldova and Russia escalated following Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with the pro-Western government of Moldova repeatedly accusing the Kremlin of destabilization attempts.

Alexei Polishchuk, the director of the Second Department of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Countries at the Russian Foreign Ministry, claimed in an interview on Jan. 28 for the Russian state-run media outlet TASS that Moldova began to "destroy its ties" with the Russian-led CIS organization, as the rumors about Moldova leaving the CIS by the end of 2024 are circulating.

The CIS was established following the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991, and it currently groups nine former Soviet republics. Moldova has not formally left the CIS but effectively suspended its participation in the organization in 2022.

Polishchuk alleged that leaving the CIS would not benefit citizens or the Moldovan economy. He also mentioned that the settlement of the Transnistria issue in Moldova is in a "deep crisis," and Russia could fix deteriorating relations between Moldova and Transnistria as a "mediator and guarantor" in this issue.

Transnistria is a breakaway region internationally recognized as part of Moldova. Russian troops have occupied Transnistria since the early 1990s when Russia invaded the region under the pretext of protecting ethnic Russians.

Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister Oleg Serebrian announced on national radio on Jan. 28 that Moldova would not return to the 5+2 Transnistria negotiating process that included Russia as the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine continues.

Speaking at a press conference on Jan. 29, Serebrian said Chisinau is determined to resolve the Transnistria issue "exclusively" through peaceful means.

"This position is supported by our colleagues in Kyiv. There are no plans for military or other kind of pressure on Transnistria," the official said.

According to the ISW, Russia could make similar claims to Moldova as to Ukraine, referring to Russias accusations of Ukraines "abandoning" the Minsk Agreements, used as part of justifications for the full-scale invasion.

In a previous assessment, the ISW determined that Russia is slowly shaping the information space aimed at destabilizing Moldova and justifying any future campaigns by framing Russia as a protector of "threatened Russian language speakers" in Moldova.

This approach is almost identical to the narratives constructed by Russia to justify the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

In January, Russian-state media continued to embolden pro-Russian separatists in Moldova, possibly in an attempt to sow political instability and division, the ISW reported.

Read also: Russian proxy leader in occupied Moldovan territory calls for military preparedness

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
(Bloomberg) -- Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni unveiled an investment plan worth more than 5.5 billion ($5.9 billion) to strengthen Italian relations with Africa, in an attempt to boost energy ties and curb migration flows.

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The premier hosted a meeting Monday of about 25 African heads of state and government as she seeks to forge an influential role for Rome as a political and economic bridge between the European Union and the African continent.

Mass illegal immigration will never be stopped, traffickers in human lives will never be defeated if we dont tackle the causes which push someone to abandon their own home, Meloni, who heads a right-wing coalition, told the conference at the Rome Senate.

That is exactly what we intend to do, on the one hand declaring war against the traffickers of the third millennium, and on the other working to offer the African peoples an alternative made up of opportunities, work, training and legal migration, she said.

Italys priorities will include energy, education and professional training, health, agriculture and water, Meloni said. The initial package, including loans, grants and guarantees, will be made up of about 3 billion from Italys climate fund and about 2.5 billion from development resources, she added.

The government, which aims to involve international financial institutions and other donor states, will by the end of the year set up a new financial instrument with state lender Cassa Depositi e Prestiti to facilitate private sector investment within the project, Meloni said.

Meloni announced her so-called Mattei plan for Africa shortly after she took office in 2022, but it has since been repeatedly delayed. The project is named after Enrico Mattei, the founder of Italian energy company Eni SpA which has often acted as a political and business link between Italy and the continent.

Group of Seven

The conference takes places as Meloni takes over the presidency of the Group of Seven countries this year.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, among attendees at the Rome event, backed Melonis initiative, saying it comes complementary to our European Global Gateway, the EUs infrastructure plan which includes investment worth 150 billion for Africa.

Meloni highlighted the energy sector, saying: The objective which Italy pursues is to help interested African nations to produce enough energy for their own needs and to export to Europe the excess part, combining two necessities: the African one, to develop this output and generate wealth, and the European one, to guarantee itself new energy supply routes.

Following Russias invasion of Ukraine, North Africa has become Italys biggest energy supplier, fueling economic relations between the two areas.

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The federal trial of two men charged in the killing of Run-DMC DJ Jam Master Jay got underway Monday.

Jurors were shown grisly photos from the 2002 New York City crime scene.

The hip-hop legend, given name Jason Mizell, was shot dead in his Queens recording studio.

People were screaming, bleeding, sobbing. A video game was still running on a TV set, recessed into the wall.

And slouched at the foot of a dark green couch was 37-year-old Jason William Mizell  hip-hop legend Jam Master Jay  dead in a pool of his own blood on the floor of his Queens recording studio.

"He died instantly," prosecutor Miranda Gonzalez told jurors, shot in the head at such close range, his hair was singed.

This was the scene of havoc and tragedy that a federal jury was plunged into in New York on Monday, as testimony began in the 2002 cold-case murder of the Run-DMC star.

An NYPD diagram of the Queens, New York studio where Jam Master Jay was shot dead in 2002. United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York/BI

Two men, Karl "Little D" Jordan Jr. and Ronald "Tinard" Washington, are on trial in Brooklyn's Eastern District of New York, accused of shooting Mizell in the head, execution style, more than 20 years ago in a dispute over 22 pounds of cocaine.

The trial's first witness was one of the first police officers at the scene, Detective James Lusk. He told jurors he responded to the shooting minutes after it happened, and ran up the stairway to Mizell's second-floor recording studio to the sound of cries and screams.

The stairs leading to Jam Master Jay's second floor recording studio in the Jamaica neighborhood of Queens, New York. United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York/BI

It was early evening, October 30, 2002, and behind the studio's glass door, in a cluttered, narrow room lined with couches, it was bloody bedlam.

"I saw a male lying, head toward the window," against a green couch, Lusk testified of Mizell.

Another man "was kind of scrunched up on top of that couch," Lusk said of a second victim. The man, Tony Rincon, had been shot in the leg and was screaming for help.

Within earshot, maybe in the hallway, a woman was "crying hysterically," Lusk testified.

A television set, which Lusk described as "old school," not a flat screen, "was showing video games."

Mizell had been playing video games when Jordan and Washington, both armed, were buzzed inside, prosecutors allege.

The shooting happened so fast, Gonzalez said in openings, that Mizell had no time to reach for the .380-caliber pistol right beside him, on the armrest of the green couch.

Prosecutors say this handgun was on the armrest of the couch Jam Master Jay was sitting on when two gunmen rushed the studio. The ambush happened so quickly, the rapper had no time to reach for it. United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York/BI

They "killed a world-famous musician," Gonzalez said. Then, "as quickly as they came, they fled," using the studio's fire escape, she told jurors.

The two gunmen quickly fled down the studio's fire escape. United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York/BI

"Did you have the opportunity to observe Mr. Mizell's body before and during when EMS arrived?" the detective was asked by prosecutor Artie McConnell.

"Yes I did," answered the detective.

Mizell "had a tremendous amount of blood already pooled on the floor," the detective told jurors. "He was unresponsive" to being shaken.

"I did see blood to the back of the head and assumed that was the injury," he added, as the jury viewed a photo of Mizell's slumped body, displayed for them on screens.

One of two handguns police said was used in the Jam Master Jay shooting, recovered from the parking lot outside the rapper's recording studio. United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York/BI

Mizell's killing remained a cold case until Jordan and Washington were charged in 2020. Both have pleaded not guilty.

Another man, Jay Bryant, has also been charged in the DJ's murder and has pleaded not guilty. He will be tried separately at a later date.

"The defendants allegedly carried out the cold-blooded murder of Jason Mizell," the then-acting US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Seth D. DuCharme said when Jordan and Washington were charged.

DuCharme called it "a brazen act that has finally caught up with them thanks to the dedicated detectives, agents and prosecutors who never gave up on this case."

Federal prosecutors allege that Mizell was in his studio in Jamaica, Queens, on October 30, 2002, when Washington and Jordan, armed with firearms, burst into the studio.

The prosecutors say that Washington pointed his gun at a person inside the studio and demanded that they lie on the floor, while Jordan approached Mizell and fired two shots at close range, with one hitting Mizell in the head, killing him.

The second bullet struck Rincon in the leg, according to prosecutors.

Both bullets passed through their victims, according to Lutz's testimony.

One bullet pierced a radiator cover on a far wall. That deformed slug was recovered from inside the cover, the detective told jurors.

One of two bullet holes caused in the 2002 shooting murder of Jam Master Jay. United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York/BI

The other bullet pierced a wall, causing a second hole. That bullet appears to have fallen into the wall and was not recovered, he said.

Gonzalez promised jurors on Monday that prosecutors would prove that Jordan boasted after the shooting, "I would kill him again," and that Washington told his girlfriend he was the second shooter and was proud he'd got away with it.

A lawyer for Jordan, John Diaz, meanwhile predicted in opening statements that the government will fail to prove his client was there at the murder or involved in narcotics dealing.

"This case will be about 10 seconds, 21 years ago," a lawyer for Washington, Ezra Spilke, said in openings, highlighting the difficulty in proving a murder that happened so quickly and so long ago.

"Their version is one version of many," he said of the government's case.

The fire escape Jam Master Jay's shooters used to flee his Queens, New York, recording studio in 2002. United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York/BI

Prosecutors have alleged that Mizell was murdered out of anger stemming from Mizell cutting Washington out of a drug deal.

"It was an ambush, an execution, motivated by greed and revenge," Gonzalez told jurors.

The investigation, according to prosecutors, revealed Mizell had acquired about 20 pounds of cocaine from a narcotics supplier in the Midwest and that the plan was for Washington, Jordan and other co-conspirators to distribute the drugs in Maryland.

Prosecutors allege that before Mizell's death, Mizell told Washington that Washington would not be involved in the drug distribution in Maryland, which led the suspects to plot to kill Mizell.

Mizell's family has maintained that the DJ was not involved with drugs, according to the Associated Press.

Washington and Jordan face at least 20 years behind bars if convicted in the case.

This story was updated to include newly-available photographs of crime-scene evidence.

Read the original article on Business Insider
NEW YORK  A man and woman who watched Jam Master Jays final moments are expected to break their silence and describe how he was murdered before their eyes at the Brooklyn trial of the hip-hop icons alleged killers.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Miranda Gonzalez said Monday that the Run-DMC founders manager, Lydia High, and his close friend, Uriel Tony Rincon, will both take the stand during the four-week Brooklyn Federal Court trial.

Rincon, who was shot in the leg inches away from the slain DJ in his Queens studio in 2002, told the New York Daily News in a 2007 interview that he never saw the killers face.

But Rincon finally admitted what he witnessed to law enforcement in 2016, and named Karl Jordan Jr. as the man who fired the fatal bullet, Gonzalez said.

Jordan, 40, and Ronald Washington, 59, are charged with murder while engaged in a narcotics trafficking conspiracy, as is a third man, Jay Bryant, who faces a separate trial in 2026.

Jurors on Monday saw photos of the crime scene, including pictures of Jay, real name Jason Mizell, dead on the floor near a green couch in his cramped music studio, his head haloed by a pool of blood and gore.

Oct. 30, 2002 was the last day of Jason Mizells life, Gonzalez told the jury in her opening argument Monday. It was an ambush, an execution, and youll learn that it was motivated by greed and by revenge.

Mizell knew both suspects well  Jordan was his godson, and Washington was his childhood friend. They had gotten into the drug trade together, after Mizell established himself as a middleman between a drug supplier in Baltimore and dealers in the New York area.

As the spotlight on Run-DMC began to fade, the money wasnt coming in to Jason Mizell as it once was, so he turned to drugs to make money, Gonzalez said, adding that Mizell cut Washington and Jordan out of a $200,000 narcotics deal, Gonzalez said.

Jordan and Washington were left with nothing, she said.

The night of the murder, Bryant was let in the front door of the rappers 24/7 Studio on Merrick Blvd. in Hollis, then headed to the back of the building to unlock the fire door, where Jordan and Washington entered, the prosecutor said.

Mizell, who had a .380-caliber handgun nearby, was playing video games with Rincon when the two walked into the studio, according to the prosecutor.

Jason stood up and Jordan greeted him, then pulled out his .40-caliber gun, Gonzalez said. He shot Mizell in the head and Rincon in the leg, she said. Washington then pulled out a gun of his own and ordered High to the ground, the prosecutors said.

High wouldnt come forward with what she saw until nine months later, Gonzalez said. High testified before a grand jury in 2005 and 2006, but it didnt amount to any indictments at the time.

Both men bragged about the killing, the prosecutor said, with Washington telling his girlfriend days later and another friend nine years after that, Gonzalez said.

Jordan said that if Jason Mizell were still alive, he would kill him again, Gonzalez said.

Washingtons lawyer Ezra Spilke countered that prosecutors were relying on half-remembered memories and rumors.

This whole case revolves around 10 seconds 21 years ago, a blink of an eye, a generation ago, he said. (Prosecutors) dont know who killed Jason Mizell. They have no clue who did it.  For years, the police could not figure out who did it.

He added, These folks pulled a rumor here, and a version of events there, and took a piece of taping glue and stuck it together.

As for the witnesses, Were not saying theyre all a bunch of liars. Were not saying that. But common sense tells you that memories can fade.

_____
This image provided by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency shows an image taken by a Lunar Excursion Vehicle 2 (LEV-2) of a robotic moon rover called Smart Lander for Investigating Moon, or SLIM, on the moon. A Japanese moon explorer is up and running Monday, Jan. 29, 2024, after several tense days without the sunlight it needs to generate power. | JAXA/Takara Tomy/Sony Group Corporation/Doshisha University via Associated Press

Japans first successful lunar mission is now considered a minimum success after its second moon lander, Moon Sniper, turned back on, per CNN.

Moon Sniper made its scheduled landing on Jan. 20 but landed upside down and its solar cells could not get sunlight, per BBC. Japans first moon lander, Hakuto-R, crash-landed on the moon back in April 2023, according to Scientific American.

Japan was able to restore communication to their moon lander and receive photos of the lunar surface, per The Associated Press.

According to CNN, the probe had to use limited battery power to accomplish its semi-successful landing before being shut off to conserve battery, with hopes that some sunlight would reach its panels as the moon rotated.

Its mission is expected to last for only a few Earth days, but Japan says it may not survive another cold lunar night, according to AP.

Who else has landed on the moon?

This landing makes Japan the fifth country to successfully make it to the moon, per BBC. Previously, only the United States, the Soviet Union, China and India were able to get their probes to successfully land, per AP.

But with successes come failures, especially when the moon is involved. The U.S. had launched a spacecraft in early 2024, but it ended up burning out over the Pacific Ocean, and in 2023, Russias moon lander spun out of control before crashing into the lunar surface, per BBC.

Why are countries trying to reach the moon again?

According to BBC, Japan is hoping to find potential sources of water, fuel and oxygen with its moon lander. CNN notes that multiple countries are hoping to find water in the moons southern pole, a place where sunlight cant reach.

Japan also hopes to find more clues about the moons formation by analyzing the composition of specific rocks known as olivine rocks with its multi-band spectral camera, according to AP.
Japan is an innovative country that leads the way on many technological fronts. But the wheels of bureaucracy often turn incredibly slowly there. So much so, that the government still requires businesses to provide information on floppy disks and CD-ROMs when they submit certain official documents.

That's starting to change. Back in 2022, Minister of Digital Affairs Taro Kono urged various branches of the government to stop requiring businesses to submit information on outdated forms of physical media. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) is one of the first to make the switch. "Under the current law, there are many provisions stipulating the use of specific recording media such as floppy disks regarding application and notification methods," METI said last week, according to The Register .

After this calendar year, METI will no longer require businesses to submit data on floppy disks under 34 ordinances. The same goes for CD-ROMs when it comes to an unspecified number of procedures. There's still quite some way to go before businesses can stop using either format entirely, however.

Kono's staff identified some 1,900 protocols across several government departments that still require the likes of floppy disks, CD-ROMs and even MiniDiscs. The physical media requirements even applied to key industries such as utility suppliers, mining operations and aircraft and weapons manufacturers.

There are a couple of main reasons why there's a push to stop using floppy disks, as SoraNews24 points out. One major factor is that floppy disks can be hard to come by. Sony, the last major manufacturer, stopped selling them in 2011 . Another is that some data types just won't fit on a floppy disk. A single photo can easily be larger than the format's 1.4MB storage capacity.
Former national security adviser John Bolton called for disproportionate strikes inside Iran after a drone attack killed three U.S. service members in Jordan over the weekend.

Bolton said Sunday night on NewsNation that the U.S. needs to carry out retaliatory attacks in the wake of the deadly drone strike. He said the U.S. needs to impose enough pain on Iran to ensure it does not attempt a similar attack on the U.S. again.

To be clear, I dont think it should be proportionate. I think it should be disproportionate. Thats how you create deterrence in the mind of your adversary, that the cost to them of attacking our forces is so high they wont do it again, he said.

Three service members were killed and another two dozen were injured in the drone attack in Jordan near the Syria border Saturday. President Biden said the attack was carried out by radical Iran-backed militant groups operating in Iraq and Syria, but Iran has since denied any involvement.

In the aftermath of the attack, GOP lawmakers called on Biden to retaliate against Iran and criticized him for past failed responses to other Iran-linked attacks.

Bolton suggested the U.S. target Iranian naval vessels in the Red Sea, Quds Force bases in western Iran and other air defense locations in Iran.

Any or all of them could be targets, said Bolton, who served in the Trump administration. None of this threatens the regime in Tehran  not that that would particularly bother me, but for those who are nervous  none of that threatens the regime, but it sends a very clear message.

National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby appeared on numerous morning news shows Monday to emphasize the U.S. is looking into Bidens options for a response.

That said, we certainly know Irans backing these groups, Kirby said on MSNBCs Morning Joe.

We know that they are resourcing, theyre supplying, in some cases theyre providing information that allows these groups to do this. Were taking that very seriously. We dont want to wider war with, with Iran. We dont want a wider war in the region, but we got to do what we have to do.

NewsNation is owned by Nexstar Media Group, which also owns The Hill.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A BASE jumper fell to his death after leaping 29 stories from a hotel roof and his parachute failed to open

A BASE jumper fell to his death in Thailand after his parachute failed to open.

The man had snuck up to the 29th floor of a condo for the jump, per local reports.

He was filming content for social media at the time, a friend said.

A British BASE jumper fell 29 stories to his death in Thailand after his parachute failed to work properly, according to multiple reports.

Nathy Odinson, 33, was found dead near a condominium in the beach resort of Pattaya at around 7.30 p.m. local time on Saturday, according to local news outlet Khaosod.

One of Odinson's friends, identified by Khaosod as Mr Boy, told police he had earlier helped Odinson access the rooftop so that he could film a new jump for his social media channels.

Footage published by MailOnline shows Odinson checking his helmet camera, then counting "three, two, one, see ya," just before he leaped from the building.

Boy told Khaosod that he spotted Odinson's parachute string was snagged after he jumped.

Local eyewitnesses say they heard a sickening thud as Odinson hit a tree, and then the ground.

Police say they found Odinson with his parachute unopened next to his body, the BBC reported.

An employee of the condominium told Khaosod that Odinson had done the jump from the building "many times before," seemingly in order to create video content.

A Facebook page identified by the outlet as belonging to Odinson features photos and videos from high above the clouds, and links to Thai Sky Adventures, a business advertising skydiving training and tandem jumps.

The page's last post was just hours before Odinson's jump. It is now inundated with condolence messages.

BASE jumping is an extreme sport where participants leap from fixed points like cliffs or tall buildings.

It's considered far more dangerous than parachuting out of a plane, with one 2007 study finding the risks of death were five to eight times higher than for skydiving.

Harry Hongjindapong, listed as the drop zone operator for Thai Sky Adventures, said on his Facebook page that a funeral will be held for Odinson in Pattaya on February 4.

Read the original article on Business Insider
UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday condemned the deadly violence over the weekend in the disputed Abyei Administrative Area, in which two peacekeepers and numerous civilians were killed, his spokesman said.

"He condemns the violence and attacks against the peacekeeping force and calls on the governments of South Sudan and Sudan to swiftly investigate the attacks, with the assistance of the peacekeeping force, known as UNISFA, and to bring the perpetrators to justice," said Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman. "He reminds all parties that attacks on UN peacekeepers may constitute war crimes."

Dujarric said Guterres conveys his deepest condolences to the families of the deceased peacekeepers from Ghana and Pakistan, the Abyei civilians and to the governments and people of Ghana and Pakistan.

Officials in Juba, South Sudan, confirmed on Sunday at least 42 deaths from clashes on Saturday between armed youth of the Twic community and Ngok Dinka.

Rou Manyiel Rou, the secretary general of Abyei Special Administrative Area, said attacks in Nyinkuac, Majbong, and Khadian areas by armed youth from the Twic community and youth loyal to their spiritual leader Gai Machiek also left 35 people wounded.

Simon Aguek Chan, the commissioner of Twic County of Warrap state, said 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. 
Tallahassee jurors convicted a Miami man of a murder that happened in a local apartment during a "botched home invasion robbery" in 2022.

Rovontai Payne, 29, was found guilty Friday of first-degree murder, second-degree murder and home invasion robbery with a firearm after a four-day trial, according to a news release from the State Attorney's Office. Payne's sentencing is set for March 4.

In the middle of the robbery, one of the residents "shot and killed one of the three robbers in self-defense," the news release adds.

Two men, Justin King  Payne's victim  and Quincy Barnes - one of the accused robbers  were found dead inside an apartment at Platos Villas at San Marcos on Tharpe Street, according to court records.

De Ante Green, 27, of Tallahassee also was charged with first-degree murder, second-degree murder and home invasion robbery with a firearm, according to court records. A trial date has yet to be set.

Elena Barrera can be reached at ebarrera@tallahassee.com. Follow her on X @elenabarreraaa.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Man found guilty of murder during 'botched' home invasion
A jury trial gets underway Monday for a Missouri man charged with multiple felonies in connection with the Capitol riot, including injuring an officer with a tent pole.

John George Todd III, of Blue Springs, faces six counts stemming from his actions on Jan. 6, 2021. Prosecutors say the incidents were captured on video.

Todd, 34, was originally charged in May 2022 with four misdemeanors. The government said he twice declined offers to plead guilty to a single misdemeanor. Instead, he opted to take his case to trial, then requested multiple continuances.

U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell had warned Todd that delaying his case would give the prosecutors time to keep investigating and possibly come up with more charges against him. And in preparing for the trial, the government said it uncovered additional video that showed Todd assaulting officers.

On Dec. 6, a federal grand jury indicted Todd on a felony charge  inflicting bodily injury on an officer  in addition to the four misdemeanor counts. Todd asked to testify before the grand jury and did so before its deliberations, an unusual move.

The grand jury then returned a second indictment on Jan. 17, adding a felony charge of obstruction of an official proceeding. Now, he faces more than 40 years in prison.

Howell on Friday denied a late motion to dismiss the obstruction charge during a pre-trial hearing in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia where she scolded Roger Root, one of the attorneys defending Todd, for failing to properly prepare for the trial.

She also appeared skeptical of several of Roots arguments and has denied the defenses attempts to argue that Todd was protected by the First Amendment when he entered the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

At one point, Howell said Root looked puzzled but he replied by saying he felt threatened by Howells stern warnings that he abide by rulings she made ahead of the trial about which arguments cant be used by the defense.

Youve threatened me, Root said. Id like to put on the record that its a little chilling.

Oh, dont be threatened, Howell said.

The government described Todds alleged actions in a recent court filing. Todd entered the Capitol on Jan. 6 through the Upper West Terrace at 2:44 p.m., the document said, carrying a fiberglass tent pole with an American flag attached to it. A minute later, it said, Todd entered the Capitol Rotunda through its west door, then left through the north door. He re-entered the Rotunda through the north door at 2:52 p.m.

While in the Rotunda, the defendant interacted with individuals, yelled at police, and smoked some type of cigarette, it said.

Todd exited and entered the Rotunda once more, the governments filing said, and encountered Capitol police officers who were trying to clear the area. From 3:10 p.m. to 3:17 p.m., he repeatedly pushed against police while being ordered to leave.

In body worn camera footage obtained from the Metropolitan Police Department, the Defendant was recorded yelling at law enforcement officers, it said. At one point inside the Rotunda, while near a law enforcement officer, the Defendant yelled, I swear to God, Ill hip toss your ass into the f-in crowd, mother f--!

Capitol Police Officer Noah Rathbun, one of those trying to clear the area, believed Todd was about to hit someone with the tent pole, the filing said, and tried to take it from him. While the two wrestled over the pole, it splintered.

The officer and the defendant both saw the splintered fiberglass, but the defendant then ripped the splintered pole out of Officer Rathbuns hands, it said. As a result, the splintered pole cut through Officer Rathbuns knuckle, creating a deep cut. The laceration exposed a tendon in his finger, requiring further medical attention.

Todd was forced out of the Capitol at 3:18 p.m., it said, then went to the Northwest Terrace. Over the next hour, Todd interacted with the crowd and shoved against police shields as officers tried to clear the northwest stairs, the document said.

By 4:50 p.m., the defendant had moved towards the West Tunnel, where police had engaged in an hours-long physical conflict with the crowd, it said. Todd leaned off railings and watched the violence occurring in the tunnel, then eventually left.

A Nov. 30 motion filed by Todds primary attorney, John Pierce  who has represented more than 20 Capitol riot defendants, including QAnon Shaman Jacob Chansley  argued that the officer wasnt badly injured and referred to the wound as a tiny cut.

Suffice it to say that the newly discovered bodycam video hardly shows an assault/resist/impeding of an officer with injuries, the motion said. In fact, the video shows an officer violently pulling Mr. Todds flimsy bamboo flag rod out of Mr. Todds grip where the officer appears to mildly cut his own palm after unnecessarily breaking the rod.

Todd argued in a later motion that the government filed the felony charge vindictively, to punish and retaliate against Todd and his attorneys for refusing to plead guilty.

Todd wanted to include in his defense the allegation that the FBI and other law enforcement officers played a role in provoking the riot. Howell rejected that argument in a Jan. 10 ruling, saying Todd had provided no evidence supporting any element of the defense.

She said he offered only the theory, without a scintilla of evidence, that there were many, soon to be revealed, lesser-known agents of the DOJ, particularly but not limited to the FBI (also including other undercover law enforcement, plainclothes officers, counter protestors and/or Antifa actors) who provoked him.

Howell continued: [S]oon to be revealed means this evidence remains nonexistent on the record in this case. Fictional courtroom dramas may build suspense for surprise reveals, but this defendant is facing real charges in a real courtroom requiring real evidence Defendants argument relies so-far on only hypothetical statements that are hypothetically misleading and that defendant hypothetically relied on, made by hypothetical individuals who hypothetically had the responsibility to interpret the relevant law. Such imagining may play well in some fora but not in a court of law.

Howell also shot down Todds request that the government produce all records and other discovery relating to two charter buses which arrived at Union Station on the morning of Jan. 6, 2021, full of Trump supporters with knee pads and elbow pads.

According to Todds motion, These dozens of men were seen dispersing in the direction of the Capitol and were likely materially crucial to later events at the Capitol, including events in which Todd was involved.

That theory surfaced at a congressional hearing in November, when U.S. Rep. Clay Higgins, a Louisiana Republican, suggested the FBI sent ghost buses filled with informants dressed as Trump supporters to incite the riot.

Howell agreed with the governments contention that Todds request amounted to little more than a fishing expedition fueled by conspiracy theories.

Defendant points to nothing, except passing conjecture by a member of Congress, that would explain how U.S. Attorneys Office employees or the two charter buses have any connection to his own conduct on January 6, 2021, she wrote.

The case has had other odd twists as well. Todd had been free on a personal recognizance bond after his arrest, but in April 2023 he was caught scaling a building while in possession of knives and razor blades. Prosecutors said he was trying to gain access to a person with whom he was upset.

Prosecutors said his bond should be revoked and he should be sent to jail. They said he also had previously violated his conditions of release by possessing a firearm while experiencing acute mental health concerns.

In a response, Pierce said Todd was an Afghanistan combat veteran who was dealing with combat-related PTSD. Instead of sending Todd to jail, a federal magistrate judge granted his request to move to South Carolina to live with his sister and her husband until his trial.
German arms manufactures have taken umbrage with comments made by German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius about the slow pace of weapons supply to Ukraine, reported Bild.

Germany is to supply Ukraine with 200,000 artillery ammunition, but it will depend on the weapons manufacturers, Pistorius said.

"The industry is trying incredibly hard, but it is still in pre-war mode, he said. It just doesn't happen that fast, obviously.



Thats not how German arms manufacturers see it.

"We can deliver quickly and in large quantities. All you have to do is give orders!", said Joachim Schranzhofer, marketing head at HENSOLDT, who produces radar systems for IRIS-T air defense systems.

Immediately after the Russian attack on Ukraine, the Defense Ministry asked us to do everything possible for the Bundeswehr (German military) to be ready for hostilities, said Dr. Hans Christoph Atzpodien, the CEO of the German Security and Defense Industry Association (BDSV).

"Almost nothing could be ordered in the very beginning due to budgetary reasons", he said.

Read also: Berlin sends Sea Kings to Ukraine for first time  What is known about them

The situation improved when Pistorius took over as Defense Minister, he added.

It is even more disappointing that the federal government did not heed his call to increase the regular defense budget, Atzpodien said. This naturally also puts pressure on companies' willingness to risk further capacity expansion without the prospect of a firm order. The earlier the order is placed, the faster the delivery is possible.

Nils Beyer, a spokesman for Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), which builds naval vessels, surface ships, and submarines, shared the sentiment.

"We aim to turn Wismar into a naval shipbuilding site for the construction of new submarines and frigates, he said. However, the federal government commissions and corresponding investments are crucial for the projects full activation. We are fully ready, anytime when the federal government needs us," he said.

Rheinmetall head, Armin Papperger, highlighted the close cooperation between the federal government and arms manufacturers.

Read also: Berlin delivers another military aid package to Ukraine

"Many things have changed for the better in military procurement, he said. Rheinmetall alone received orders or framework agreements from the federal government worth more than 10 billion euros ($10.8 billion USD) last year  for the Bundeswehr, and for Ukraine. This year, that amount will increase to at least 15 billion ($16.2 billion USD).

Papperger also disagreed that the pace of deliveries is slow.

The pace is fast: what used to take ten years is now achieved in a few months, he said. We will now build a new munitions factory in Germany in record time to create the strategic security of supply.

Read also: Berlin decries Russian strikes on Ukraine, but Scholz still opposes supplying Taurus missiles to Kyiv

Berlin plans to provide Ukraine with additional IRIS-T air defense systems and more than 80 Leopard-1A5 main battle tanks in 2024, Pistorius announced on Jan. 24.

Germanys Defense Ministry has promised to provide Ukraine with the following military aid in 2024:

 IRIS-T air defense systems

 Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft guns

 80+ Leopard-1A5 main battle tanks

 Additional artillery systems, with more than 230,000 shells

 Armored personnel carriers

 Engineering tanks

 Armored bridging vehicles

 450 armored vehicles

 Demining systems

 UAVs

 Radars and reconnaissance systems

The Bundeswehr also plans to train 10,000 Ukrainian troops in 2024.

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
A Des Moines man convicted in the vicious stabbing of his girlfriend has been sentenced to life in prison.

Clarence Reed Jr., 35, was convicted last year of first-degree murder in the 2022 death of Randi Light. Reed called police to report a woman was dead, and first responders found Light dead from numerous knife wounds. Evidence from the home suggested the attack had begun in the bedroom and continued in the living room, where her body was found.

Reed admitted to investigators he'd stabbed Light, claimed she had attacked him first with a hammer, and said that things "got out of hand."

Reed was tried in August 2023 before Judge Heather Lauber, and in September she filed her verdict finding him guilty. In particular, she wrote, Light's body had more than a dozen stab wounds to the arms and torso received prior to the cut across the neck that killed her, suggesting a protracted and intentional assault.

Randi Light

Even if Light had attacked Reed first, which Lauber wrote was not "supported by the evidence," the attack continued long after any legitimate claim of self-defense was over, Lauber found.

"By his own admission, Mr. Reed continued stabbing and slicing Ms. Light long after she was incapacitated on the floor of the living room," Lauber wrote.

Reed's attorney's also argued at trial that due to untreated mental illness, Reed was not capable of forming the specific intent to kill at the time of the stabbing. Lauber acknowledged Reed's mental illness and history of substance abuse, but said his interactions with police that night showed he understood his actions.

Reed apologizes; victim's mother wants to know why

At Friday's hearing, defense attorney Wendy Samuelson said nothing the court can do will erase the tragedy.

"This case is a difficult one," Samuelson said. "It clearly involves the loss of a person Mr. Reed loved very much."

Reed spoke briefly at the hearing to apologize to Light's family. Light's mother, Jerrie Kaye Redington, took the stand to thank him for that but say that the family still wants answers.

"I just wish we knew why," she said. "Maybe you dont know why."

More: Sioux City man charged with murder in stabbing of Nebraska priest in Fort Calhoun

Whatever happened, she said, Reed's actions have devastated both her family and his own, including his mother, who had to leave the courtroom after an emotional outburst. Still, Redington did not express any anger. She told Reed to take care of himself and stay on his medications in prison.

The mandatory sentence for first-degree murder is life without parole, and Lauber said that sentence is appropriate, as Light is "gone from this world forever" because of Reed's actions. Under Iowa law, he also must pay $150,000 in restitution to Light's estate.

Samuelson declined to comment after the hearing. Redington declined to be interviewed, but asked the Register convey one thing about her daughter: "She was a wonderful person."

William Morris covers courts for the Des Moines Register. He can be contacted at wrmorris2@registermedia.com or 715-573-8166.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Des Moines woman's murder leads to life sentence for boyfriend
The archbishop said that 'sadly' he would need to wait until the bills third reading to vote it down - AFP via Getty Images

As ever, the House of Lords was choice in its language. Lord Dobbs, the creator of House of Cards, mentioned muscular Turks, which must have had whoever mans the defibrillator in the Upper Chamber perking up to standby. Lord Germans complaint that the Rwanda Bill asked their lordships to believe black is white elicited the odd side-eye from peers.

The Earl of Kinnoull, convener of the Cross Bench peers, offered a learned discourse on the Salisbury Convention. On the day the PM had chosen to unveil a major policy announcement via an interview with the viral content spreader LADBible, it was nice to hear a speech that wasnt designed with TikTok in mind. That said, it would be sensational if the noble Earl did become a social media star: I can hear the hordes of South Korean teenagers screaming Kinnoull! now

Perhaps the most anticipated speech of the day came from Justin Welby, graduate of the Thomas Becket School of Church-State Relations. His assessment was clear: The Government is continuing to seek good objectives in the wrong way, leading the nation down a damaging path. Similar things might be said of Welbys tenure at Lambeth Palace and its effect on the Church of England. Physician, heal thyself!

You sensed that Welby knew he was in the limelight. More Grace Kelly than Your Grace. Behind this self-imagined role as unofficial Leader of the Opposition was a more conciliatory note. He praised the Government for bringing small boat numbers down, and even suggested  heresy on some of the reddest of the red benches  that agreeing effective controls on immigration was necessary. However, as the speech wore on, it was clear which way the archiepiscopal wind was blowing: the Archbishop said that sadly he would need to wait until the bills third reading to vote it down.

Clearly, recent censure of the bishops voting record was troubling His Grace. His most animated moments came as he tried to bat off these attacks. Welby isnt renowned for his ability to take criticism. Bishops often cancel each other out! he stropped. Their lordships obliged with a polite ripple of awkward laughter. He sounded like a man having a breakdown at a chess tournament.

Here we stand, we can do no other, concluded Welby, with a deliberate misquote of Martin Luther, before promptly sitting down next to the Bishop of London. Only the current CofE high command could turn up at a debate about the policy issue of the day, and end up making it about themselves.

The Lords tut-tutted, clutched their metaphorical pearls and belched out purple prose; Lord Hennessy described the rule of law as the most lustrous of our values, almost talismanic in its virtues. But alternative policies were thin on the ground. Lord Dobbs threw down the gauntlet; Im very much looking forward to hearing the specifics of what the Opposition will do, he said. We will wait, we will wait, and we will wait.

And wait we did. All people are made in the image of God, said the Bishop of London. Which means, presumably, that we can never refuse to admit anyone, ever again. We heard from that expert in all things Tory  Baroness Chakrabarti  who branded the Rwanda Bill un-conservative. The noble Baroness also bemoaned its impact on the separation of powers even though Britain doesnt have a separation of powers.

But it was Labours Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede who took the palm for the most motherhood and apple pie offering of the day. He wanted to stop the boats by restor[ing] the aid budget, developing a renewed focus on conflict and mitigation, and cooperating with our friends in Europe. He might as well have suggested a border force staffed entirely by unicorns.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer.
A juvenile was shot while confronting a man whom he saw committing a vehicle theft in Claremont, New Hampshire, according to police.

Claremont Police responded to the area of Front Street just before 5 a.m. Sunday morning where officers located a juvenile who was suffering from a gunshot wound.

According to police, the juvenile was heading to work and walking to his car when he found a man stealing items from another vehicle. The juvenile confronted the suspect and a physical altercation ensued.

During the altercation, the suspect fired multiple rounds from a stolen gun that was in his possession.

According to police, one of those rounds hit the juvenile in the left shoulder, who was taken to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. Police said the teenager is in stable but serious condition.

The responding officers, including a Police K-9, canvassed the neighborhood and located numerous pieces of physical evidence, including the gun that was used in the shooting and a duffle bag containing numerous articles of stolen property.

Within hours of the shooting, police were able to identify the suspect as 24-year-old Jared Strickland, of Claremont, and arrest him.

Strickland was charged with robbery, first-degree assault, criminal mischief, theft, falsifying physical evidence, and receiving stolen property. Police allege that these offenses were committed while Strickland was out on bail.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call 603-542-7010. Those who wish to provide an anonymous tip can call 603-542-7026.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. (WAVY)  Virginia Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services Committees, announced on Thursday a growing support for his amendment to maintain the requirement of a congressional notification for all U.S. assistance to foreign militaries.

The amendment comes after the draft national security supplemental funding bill that would waive any notification requirement for U.S. funding for Israel, while leaving the mandate in place for arms transfers of other nations. Kaines amendment, if passed, would preserve the notification process for Israel.

Support is growing for the commonsense proposition that Congress needs to be notified when the administration is transferring military aid to any nation, said Kaine. The American people and their representatives in Congress deserve transparency on these important matters. No president of any party should bypass Congress on issues of war, peace and diplomacy.

Kaine, who raised concerns on Dec. 30 amid the Biden administrations circumvention of congressional oversight in transferring weapons to Israel, has previously passed bipartisan legislation. One of which prevents any U.S. president from withdrawing from NATO without congressional approval, and one which repealed the Authorizations for Use of Military Force (AUMFs), reasserting congressional war powers.

Senator Kaine condemned the October 7 terrorist attacks on Israel, and has also been vocal about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, leading his colleagues in calling for a short-term ceasefire to ensure humanitarian assistance.

Keep up to date with the latest news on WAVY.com.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
Federal authorities planted a phony advertisement seeking a yoga instructor to capture the Texas woman later convicted of murdering an elite bicyclist and perceived romantic rival, officials said.

When detectives suspected that Kaitlin Armstrong, 36, was the person who murdered Moriah "Mo" Wilson, 25, their most daunting task was simply finding Armstrong, who had vanished from Austin, where the slaying occurred on May 11, 2022.

Tips eventually led authorities to Costa Rica, where Deputy U.S. Marshals Damien Fernandez and Emir Perez still had a needle-in-a-haystack challenge of finding their suspect in the tropical paradise filled with Americans living relaxed expat lives.

"We had other intelligence indicating that ... she was staying in hostels in Costa Rica," Perez told CBS' "48 Hours." "And I dont know if you know anything about Costa Rica, but Costa Rica has a lot of hostels  a lot, an unbelievable amount of hostels."

They found a businessman with connections to Armstrong, who was now going by the name "Beth" and, according to pictures provided by the contact, had changed her appearance.

And even when the search narrowed to the small mountain town of Santa Teresa, it was still a tough search.

"I think from the get-go we were told ... youre going to be in for a surprise, cause a lot of the women in Santa Teresa look just like Kaitlin  a lot of them," Fernandez told the CBS News show.

With little hope of finding Armstrong, authorities threw a Hail Mary pass.

We decided we were going to put an ad out ... or multiple ads for a yoga instructor and see what would happen, Perez told 48 Hours."

It paid off.

"We got a bite, somebody that, um, identified herself ... as a yoga instructor and said they wanted to meet with us at a particular hostel ... and we said ... 'this is, this is our chance!'" Perez told "48 Hours."

Perez met Armstrong and got close enough to see bandages on her face, which were later connected to cosmetic surgery she had had, allegedly to change her appearance and evade capture.

Still, the changes weren't enough to throw Perez off the trail.

"The eyes are the exact same ones that I saw in the picture," he said, according to the news show. "And this is her 100%."

Fernandez said of his partner, "He gets in the car, and he is like, 'Thats her. Shes in there.'"

Local police moved in for the arrest, and receipts were later found at Armstrong's hostel, showing payments for plastic surgery, officials said.

A Travis County jury convicted Armstrong of murder on Nov. 16. She was sentenced to 90 years in prison the next day.

Armstrong's attorney couldn't immediately be reached for comment Monday.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
NAIROBI, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Kenya on Monday launched the National Skills Inventory Database which is designed to enhance job placement of unemployed youth by effectively aligning available skills to the international labor markets.

Shadrack Mwadime, the principal secretary in the State Department of Labor and Skills Development, told journalists in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, that international labor recruiting agencies will be requested to submit their job orders and job opportunities to the digital platform.

"The digital skills database will support the government's skills migration agenda that is geared to ensure that surplus labor is henceforth exported to enhance the inflow of diaspora remittances," Mwadime said.

He noted that unemployed youth will be required to register their skills on the digital platform so that potential employers can have a pool of talent to choose from.

According to Mwadimu, the country has already signed several bilateral labor agreements with European and Middle East countries to streamline the process of Kenyans seeking work outside its borders. He added that Kenya has set a target to export at least 1 million laborers annually in the next five years. 
LONDON (Reuters) - Kate, the Princess of Wales, has returned home from hospital after a two-week stay following abdominal surgery, Kensington Palace said on Monday.

Kate, 42, the wife of heir to the British throne Prince William was making "good progress", the Kensington Palace statement said, after surgery for a non-specified, but non-cancerous, condition at the London Clinic.

Her father-in-law King Charles has also undergone treatment in the same hospital, having spent three nights there following planned treatment on Friday to address an enlarged prostate, with regular visits from his wife, Queen Camilla.

Kensington Palace said Kate was now back at home on the Windsor estate, west of London.

"She is making good progress," her office said. "The prince and princess wish to say a huge thank you to the entire team at the London Clinic, especially the dedicated nursing staff, for the care they have provided."

Kate is not due to return to public duties until after Easter. Her husband Prince William, the heir-to-the-throne, has postponed his engagements to look after their three children, Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5.

Few details of her illness or surgery have been given as Britain's royals usually regard all medical issues as a private matter.

Charles, however, chose to publicise his condition to encourage other men to have medical checks.

He visited Kate in hospital before having a "corrective procedure" to treat a benign enlarged prostate, a condition common among men over 50.

Charles's public engagements have also been postponed to allow a short period of recuperation.

(This story has been refiled to fix a typo in the spelling of prostate, in paragraph 9)

(Reporting by Sarah Young; Editing by William James and Alison Williams)
After dating the Kansas City Chiefs tight end for five years, Kayla Nicole says she thinks shes done with her athlete stage.

While Kansas City Chiefs fans are celebrating the teams spot in the upcoming Super Bowl, Kayla Nicole  who dated Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce for five years until 2022  doesnt foresee herself dating any more athletes.

During an appearance on the Beyond the Likes podcast Wednesday, Nicole opened up about her journey following her public breakup with Kelce. While the entrepreneur and influencer does not believe in the stigma that all athletes are the same, she says they are not at the top of her list when it comes to dating.

I dont really need to go to any more sporting events because I have a jersey on with somebodys name on the back. I did that; it was fun, [but] Im good, she told Winter and Chy, the podcasts hosts. Ill never say never, but I fully wholeheartedly believe that I am out of the athlete stage.

Social media influencer Kayla Nicole says athletes are not atop her list when it comes to dating after a five-year relationship with NFL player Travis Kelce. (Photo: Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for Smirnoff)

In October, Nicole penned an open letter to Black girls in response to the social media discourse surrounding her breakup from Kelce. In a video posted to Instagram, she shared an uplifting message of affirmation to her thousands of followers.

Black girl [] you dont have to participate in this tumultuous, often one-sided journey. Preserve your heart, she said in the video. Even when they try to quantify your character and test your boundaries, you do not have to engage. The rage of the world is loud. But Black girl, your God is louder, and your tribe is stronger. Your blood runs deeper and is filled with strength.

At the time, rumors had been swirling about Kelce and Taylor Swifts new relationship, and as a result, Nicole faced an onslaught of harassment online.

I was just at a crossroads where I felt unseen and unheard, and I felt like everyone was kind of talking for me in one way or another, she explained on the podcast. I was put in the middle of this social media s**tshow of a situation, and it was like I wanted to address things directly, but I knew that if I didnt do it in my way, on my terms, in my own time, it was going to be spun into something else. So, it was my little moment to just get some things off my chest without being too aggressive.

Despite social media sharing mixed opinions about her Dear Black Girl video, Nicole emphasized how the third-person narration was a message directed to both herself and others. Understanding that her experience is not singular but simply amplified by her platform, Nicole was left feeling very proud.

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Im so happy with what I did, she said. For me, personally, it was just like a buildup, like I needed to say something because at the end of the day, [] I was keeping the peace for everybody else, but like, what about the peace within me? What about my peace when I lay my head on the pillow at night?

Now, in this new season of her life, Nicole is focusing on tapping back into her broadcast journalism roots and building her health and wellness platform, Tribe Therepe. Shutting out social media has been a part of that journey.

When it comes to the internet, Ive just learned that in the long run, its a waste of my energy, she said. I turned off my comments recently; you cant DM me anymore because people just talk crazy, she told the hosts. Ive had enough. [] Its a new year, and to be honest, its the same me, so in order for it to be a new me, I need to do some new things. That starts with protecting my peace.

Kayla Nicole (center) attends a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers at Crypto.com Arena on November 01, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images)

While Nicole built a community based on her transparency on social media, shes setting boundaries moving forward. She even joked about keeping her next relationship so private that by the time social media sees it, she will be married and have a three-year-old child.

Ultimately, despite the drama that came from her last romance, Nicole is not letting societal pressure impact dating at 32.

All of my relationships have been building blocks to mold me into the woman that I am now, and so when I meet the right person, Im not starting from scratch, she said, sharing the best dating advice shes received since the breakup. [Instead] Im starting from this developed, evolved, confident, self-assured version of myself, and Im more ready now to be a wife or a mother than I was before. I didnt lose any of those things that I learned in the past; if anything, Im bringing value and something new.

Never miss a beat: Get our daily stories straight to your inbox with theGrios newsletter.

The post Kayla Nicole reflects on her open letter to Black girls and life post-breakup from Travis Kelce appeared first on TheGrio.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  Around 9:30 a.m., officers were called to a local hospital in regard to a domestic violence assault.

On arrival, officers contacted a woman who stated she had been inside a residence with a man when a disturbance broke out, during the course of the disturbance the man threatened the woman with a gun.

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The man was believed to be armed and refused to come outside when officers attempted to make contact. Officers tried to convince him to peacefully exit the residence.

Around 10:30 a.m., officers decided to deescalate and surround the residence to prevent escape and protect nearby residents.

They called for an operation 100/police standoff to bring additional resources and trained negotiators to the scene to bring a peaceful resolution to this situation.

Officers were updated that several children and pets were inside of the home.

At one point, the man emerged from a second story window armed with a rifle, and climbed out on the roof, numerous kids emerged and followed him onto the roof.

After a short time the kids all climbed down a ladder into a courtyard and the man reentered the residence.

Around 2:30 p.m., multiple children and dogs exited the residence and were brought to safety with family. It is believed the man was the only occupant inside of the home at that time

As negotiation efforts continued, the male subject is believed to have ignited a flame from within the home causing it to catch fire. KCFD was called to assist and worked to control the flames from behind an armored vehicle and help prevent surrounding homes from damage.

As the house fire grew, the man exited the residence armed with a rifle. Officers gave verbal commands to the man to drop any weapons and to walk away from the fire.

Potholes continue to cause problems for Kansas City area drivers

Around 6:30 p.m., the man complied with verbal commands and was taken into custody without incident.

He was transported to the hospital to check for injuries. The incident is still under investigation.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
After another round of unsuccessful appeals to quash his testimony under oath and end a wrongful termination lawsuit that kick-started a Texas House investigation that led to his impeachment, a defiant Attorney General Ken Paxton asked the Texas Supreme Court on Monday to again consider overturning his court-ordered deposition.

Paxton, who has continuously tried to avoid giving a deposition, scheduled for later this week, is arguing before the state's high court that a previous motion he filed to accept a final judgment in the case should negate the need for his sworn testimony.

As the whistleblowers  four former attorney general's office employees who say they were fired after complaining to the FBI about Paxton's possible misconduct in helping a friend and campaign donor  challenge Paxton's argument and continue pushing for his deposition, Paxton says the only thing left to decide are the terms of a settlement agreement, which is the plaintiffs' prerogative.

Attorney General Ken Paxton, speaking at a campaign event for state House candidate Tom Glass in Bastrop on Wednesday, is continuing to fight rulings that he must give a deposition in a whistleblower case against him.

"Because the depositions are scheduled to begin this Thursday, February 1, with the Attorney General going first, OAG has no adequate means for obtaining relief through the regular appellate process," Paxton's attorneys wrote in advocating for an emergency stay of the deposition order.

Paxton's legal team is asking the Supreme Court to intervene by Wednesday, the same day as a previously scheduled hearing in Travis County state District Court to discuss Paxton's motion for a final ruling in the 4-year-old whistleblower lawsuit.

Making their recycled argument from previous appeals in both the state's Supreme Court and the 3rd Court of Appeals, Paxton's lawyers say the court-ordered depositions of the attorney general and three of his high-ranking deputies are uncalled for due to the attorney general's court filing indicating his intention to accept a final ruling to settle the case.

More: Impeach Ken Paxton? Texas Republican who voted to acquit says Senate needs to reconsider.

Additionally, Paxton argues that the District Court "abused its discretion" in mandating the depositions, again pointing to the potential settlement agreement as the only outstanding issue in the case.

"Once that damage is inflicted, it cannot be undone," Paxton's attorneys wrote in the Monday filing.

Earlier this month, Paxton filed a motion asking District Judge Jan Soifer to reconsider her previous ruling upholding the depositions, which Soifer again denied. Paxton on Friday filed an appeal with the 3rd Court of Appeals that it rejected later in the day.

In her ruling rejecting Paxton's motion, Soifer said the timetable of the depositions does not warrant an emergency as both sides have been aware of the impending testimony since it was first approved in December.

Attorney General Ken Paxton arrives for his impeachment trial at the Capitol on Sept. 5. He was acquitted by the Senate.

Paxton's office did not respond to an American-Statesman request for comment on his appeal Monday to the Supreme Court.

In responding to Paxton's appeal to the 3rd Court of Appeals on Friday, the whistleblowers' attorneys argued that the state's top attorney is trying to have it both ways by agreeing to no longer contest the plaintiffs' claims of abuse while also seeking to stop such evidence from being brought into public view.

The attorneys responded Monday with the same argument, saying "both lower courts properly refused to endorse OAGs mockery of the judicial process."

Because of Paxton's unwillingness to address the whistleblowers claims or allow for evidence to be introduced to the public record, the attorneys argue that a court-ordered settlement might again be undermined by the Texas Legislature's refusal to fund the agreement out of a concern for missing evidence.

"What makes this case unique is that the Legislature has already considered and rejected OAGs request for funding to resolve it," the attorneys wrote Friday. "And, legislators and Governor Abbott have expressed a need for a complete record to make that determination."

Blake Brickman, a former senior-level employee in the attorney general's office and one of the whistleblowers, speaks at a news conference in the Capitol on Sept. 25.

Last year, the Texas House rejected Paxton's request for $3.3 million to pay for a settlement between him and the whistleblowers. The House instead initiated an investigation into the whistleblowers claims and on May 27 overwhelmingly voted to impeach him on 20 charges, including bribery and abuse of office. The Texas Senate held an impeachment trial and ultimately cleared Paxton of wrongdoing in September.

The whistleblowers' legal team has argued that Paxton's "desperate" effort to short-circuit the proceeding in favor of a final ruling does not address the possibility of the former employees being reinstated nor does it respond to their argument that it would hinder their ability to develop a full record of the situation in court.

More: Border, abortion and guns dominate debate among Democrats seeking to topple Ted Cruz

"To render a valid judgment for Plaintiffs, a court must receive proof of the claims or OAG must admit the truth of the allegations and the justness of the claims," the attorneys wrote. "But OAG is trying to prevent both."

Outside of the courtroom, Paxton received blowback last week from a fellow Republican, state Sen. Drew Springer of Muenster, who criticized the attorney general's motion for a final ruling as an admission of guilt to the whistleblowers' claims.

Springer, who has announced he is not seeking reelection, called for another impeachment trial out of a concern that Paxton's defense team might have misled the upper chamber during the trial last year.

Sen. Drew Springer, R-Muenster, has called for another impeachment trial for Ken Paxton.

"While AG Paxton claims this decision is not an admission of guilt, the fact of the matter is it is an admission of guilt," Springer wrote in his letter to his colleagues requesting an additional probe. "He can't accept the whistleblowers' claims against him while touting that he's innocent against those very claims."

After Paxton said people should not be concerned with the exiting senator's "sour grapes," Springer, on "Seeing Red," a conservative political podcast, said Paxton's trial should have been conducted in a court of law, where politics would not have had such an effect on the final verdict.

"This should have always been done in a court of law. It probably shouldn't have been through the legislative process," Springer said. "There wasn't that kill-shot smoking gun that everybody was expecting to be able to see."

"I would never vote for Ken Paxton again," Springer said.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Paxton appeals again as deposition looms
Rap trio Run-DMC in New York on 5 April 2001. From left: Jam Master Jay (Jason Mizell), DMC (Darryl McDaniels) and DJ Run (Joseph Simmons) (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

More than 20 years after Run-DMC star Jam Master Jays murder, two men are finally facing trial.

Ronald Washington and Karl Jordan Jr are accused of killing the New York-based DJ in his recording studio in the city in 2002.

Prosecutors believe the musician, whose real name was Jason Mizell, was killed over a drug deal, but for two decades, the shooting went unsolved, with witnesses remaining tight-lipped.

A breakthrough in the case finally came in 2020 when two men from Mizells Queens neighbourhood were arrested and charged.

The two men, both of whom have pleaded not guilty, began their trial at Brooklyn federal court on 29 January.

Here is what you need to know about the case:

Who was Jam Master Jay and what happened to him?

Jam Master Jay was the DJ for the hip-hop group Run DMC, one of the best-known rap acts of the 1980s.

The group, founded by Mizell alongside rappers Joe Run Simmons and Darryl DMC McDaniels, were known for espousing an anti-drug stance in lyrics and for hits including Its Tricky and a remake of Aerosmiths Walk This Way.

Run-DMC at the 31st annual Grammy Awards in New York City in 1998 (AP1988)

They have also been credited with bringing hip-hop into the mainstream, becoming the first rap artists to appear on MTV.

The group disbanded after Mizells death, which rocked the hip-hop world.

For years, the stars death lingered as a cold case, with witnesses reluctant to speak up despite more than $60,000 in reward money being offered for information.

Prosecutors allege Mizell was shot in the head inside his recording studio in Queens, New York, in 2002 after a drug deal went wrong.

According to prosecutors, Mizell became involved in trafficking cocaine in the mid-1990s and before his murder, he had acquired 10 kilograms (22 pounds) of the drug, which Mr Washington, Mr Jordan and others were going to distribute in Maryland.

Mr Washington, however, got into a dispute with another person involved in the scheme and Mizell cut him out of the deal. He and Mr Jordan then showed up armed at the DJs 24/7 recording studio in Jamaica, Queens, on the evening of 30 October 2002, prosecutors allege.

Mr Washington is accused of waving a gun and ordering one person to lie on the floor, while Jordan allegedly shot Mizell in the head, prosecutors said.

Who is on trial?

Jury selection in the trial of Mr Washington, 49, and Mr Jordan, 40, began on 29 January.

Prosecutors said the two men were arrested after witnesses identified them as the assailants. They also claim Washington has made statements corroborating his involvement with law enforcement and others.

Mr Washington, who was named as a possible suspect or witness as far back as 2007, had reportedly been living on a sofa at Mizells home in the days before his death.

A mural for Jam Master Jay in New York (Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

He was previously quoted in a Playboy article as saying he was on his way to the studio the night of the murder when he heard gunshots and saw Mr Jordan fleeing.

Meanwhile, lawyers for Mr Jordan said in court documents that his father was a lifelong friend of Mizell and that their families had been neighbours. They say Mr Jordan, then 18, was at his pregnant girlfriends home at the time of the murder and witnesses can place him there.

Both men are charged with murder while engaged in narcotics trafficking and firearm-related murder. The men face at least 20 years in prison if convicted.

A third man, named as Jay Bryant, was arrested in 2023 and will be tried separately in 2025 or 2026.
North Korea has said its leader, Kim Jong-un, supervised the launch of new cruise missiles fired from submarines on Sunday, part of a flurry of recent weapons tests.

State media reports said Mr Kim also reviewed the site of an under-construction nuclear submarine, while reiterating his regimes goal of building a nuclear-armed navy to counter perceived threats.

Sundays was the latest claimed launch of North Koreas Pulhwasal-3-31 cruise missile, which it also fired off its western coast from a land-based launch site last week.

Mr Kim has stepped up missile launches in recent weeks while declaring South Korea his principal enemy, as tensions on the Korean peninsula have reached levels not seen in years.

The leader of the hermit kingdom called Sundays test a success of strategic significance, state news agency KCNA said. It claimed that the missiles flew in the sky above the East Sea for more than two hours before accurately striking an island target, without specifying either the vessel used for the launches or the target itself.

Pictures published by the official Rodong Sinmun newspaper showed two missiles leaving thick grey clouds of smoke as they broke the waters surface and soared into the air at an angle of around 45 degrees, which possibly suggests they were fired from torpedo launch tubes.

The test firing of the submarine-launched strategic cruise missile Pulhwasal-3-31, at an undisclosed location in North Korea (Getty)

The state-run Korean Central News Agency also said the North Korean leader was briefed on efforts to develop a nuclear-propelled submarine and other new types of warship.

The expansion of nuclear-capable assets for the navy has been the key goal for Mr Kim recently. He made similar comments in September, while attending the launch ceremony of a new submarine capable of firing tactical nuclear weapons from underwater at a naval base in Sinpo.

Nuclear-propelled submarines can silently cover long distances and reach enemy shores for strategic strikes, aligning with Mr Kims goal of building a nuclear arsenal capable of threatening the US mainland. However, experts believe North Korea is unlikely to develop such submarines without external assistance in the near future.

Kim Jong Un reacts to the launch of a Pulhwasal-3-31 missile (Getty)

North Korea is believed to have approximately 70 to 90 diesel-powered submarines, constituting one of the worlds largest submarine fleets. However, these vessels are mostly ageing and can only launch torpedoes and mines.

Sundays launch came four days after North Korea test fired the Pulhwasl-3-31, describing the test as part of regular efforts to develop its military. North Korea also described the missile as strategic, suggesting its likely intent to arm it with nuclear weapons. On 14 January, North Korea said it had launched its first solid-fuel intermediate-range ballistic missile.
MOGADISHU, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Six aid workers lost their lives, while 18 others sustained injuries in Somalia in 2023, the United Nations humanitarian agency has aid.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) released its annual humanitarian access report Sunday evening, in which it said that 2023 underscored the challenges faced by humanitarian aid workers in operating safely within the current context.

According to the OCHA, instances of violence against humanitarian personnel, assets and facilities increased compared to the previous year, with 47 incidents reported in 2023 compared to 37 in 2022.

"All other categories of access constraints experienced an increase in incidents during 2023, indicating a deteriorating access environment," the OCHA said in the report released in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.

The report noted that humanitarian access remained challenging throughout 2023, with a total of 376 access incidents reported in Somalia. While this represents a significant decrease compared to 656 incidents in 2022, the report attributed this decline to a significant drop in military operations and ongoing hostilities impeding humanitarian operations -- 27 reported in 2023 versus 515 in 2022.

The top constraint, accounting for 24 percent, was related to the physical environment. The OCHA said that most of the 86 incidents were directly attributed to flooding at the end of the year, significantly impacting the ability of humanitarian aid workers to access locations and disrupting activities.

Interference in the implementation of humanitarian activities accounted for 23 percent of reported constraints, often leading to the suspension of activities and programs, according to the OCHA.

Restrictions on the movement of personnel or goods continued to be recorded as one of the top three access constraints affecting humanitarian operations, with 74 recorded incidents, a 42 percent increase compared to 2022, the report said.

"Overall, bureaucratic hurdles, security concerns, and flooding heavily impacted the ability of humanitarian partners to move around and access significant parts of the country, with critical missions often postponed or canceled, necessitating the implementation of alternative modalities of delivery," the OCHA concluded. 
Fueling this years general election is a fear that the democracy entrusted to the hands of the American people, as George Washington declared in his first inaugural address, is on the verge of collapse.

Democrats are terrified that former President Donald Trump, with his authoritarian impulses and his taste for revenge, will trash long-held standards and institutions that unify the nation and prevent it from devolving into a banana republic.

MAGA Republicans on the right, meanwhile, accept as an article of faith that the Justice Department and the deep state are out to destroy Trump in a bid to preserve their power. The system is rigged, they assert.

So, amid all this bipartisan anxiety about the fate of American democracy, how have the New Jersey Democratic Party  and the lobbyists in its orbit  responded?

By putting on a public clinic in anti-Democratic machine politics  a rigged system in action, flexing its hubris and arrogance.

First lady Tammy Murphy is shown in Glen Rock, where Gov. Phil Murphy later signed a reproductive rights bill, Tuesday, October 24, 2023.

New Jersey's Democratic leadership rapidly threw its political power behind first lady Tammy Murphys bid to capture the nomination for the U.S. Senate. That, in turn, has set the partys grassroots on a revolt-like footing.

As they quickly fell into lockstep, the leaders of Democratic powerhouse counties  Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex and Passaic in the north and the machine-controlled Camden County in the south  have given Murphy, a former Republican who has never held elective office, an enormous advantage over her rivals. Those endorsements normally translate into preferential bracketing on the county ballots, which almost always translate into primary victories. It's an enormous advantage.

Murphy got those endorsements within days of declaring her candidacy in November. The first lady did so without debating her opponents and without having to make her case directly to the rank and file of the partys committee members.

To many liberal activists, its an anti-democratic snub. And for many, it comes at a sensitive time.

Poised to find a possible successor for New Jersey's senior senator  Sen. Bob Menendez, who is under indictment again on a dizzying array of federal corruption charges  the Democratic Party reverted to its old, closed-door custom of conferring power without the broad consent of its own constituency, in this case the rank-and-file party regulars who make up all-important county committees. And worse, many argue, that the swift alignment around Murphy is a brazen example of fast-track nepotism.

People have not had a chance to look at the candidates. They haven't had a chance to look at their qualifications  or lack thereof," said Jean Mishkin, a Tenafly resident who joined a group of 100 people last Saturday to hear Rep. Andy Kim, D-Burlington, make his pitch for the nomination for U.S. Senate. Kim, the chief challenger to Murphy, announced his candidacy shortly after Menendezs indictment was unsealed last September.

They got everything arranged to maintain the status quo," Mishkin said, referring to Murphy and her husband, the governor, and the party machine officials aligned with them. And that's the issue: Mrs. Murphy is the corrupt status quo.

Andy Kim tries to create new advantage

Rep. Andy Kim (D-NJ), speaks during the Bergen County unity rally at Overpeck County Park on Sunday, May 16, 2021, in Leonia. Hundreds gathered to discuss the racism facing Asian Americans and to show support and unity.

An anger about disenfranchisement has swept through New Jersey's liberal, grassroots enclaves. Kim has been traveling to these bastions to convert that anger into votes, despite the institutional disadvantage of being denied formal party support in the big Democratic counties.

Kim has talked at fundraisers in private homes and other gatherings in Princeton, Tenafly and South Orange  all affluent, liberal enclaves where activists have been protesting the power of the old-guard Democratic Party machine for years. But the outrage is not solely among the engaged affluent, who have time to focus on civic concerns like the fate of democracy.

Kim has cast himself as a buck-the-establishment Democrat vowing to restore voter faith in a "broken" political system.

But it also comes at a time when President Joe Biden has sought to rally Democrats by framing his likely rematch as a fight to save Democracy from a Trumpian slide towards authoritarianism. Kim argues that the party roundup for Murphy flies in the face of Biden's clarion call in defense of Democracy.

"I was with the President when he gave his speech about Jan. 6, talking about how we need to protect our democracy and saying, you know, 'We know who Donald Trump is, but who are we?' " Kim told CNN, referring to Biden's speech on the anniversary of the attack on the U.S. Capitol. "And I think about that, in terms of who are we as the Democratic Party. We are better than what we see in New Jersey right now."

For many activists, the lockstep support among top Democratic leaders is an exhibition of rank nepotism. The first lady, a former registered Republican whose political resume is highlighted by her advocacy on maternal health and climate change issues, was able to leap to the front of the line of challengers solely because of her husbands power over the Democratic Partys agenda.

Just because your husband is [the governor], what does this mean for you? We don't know anything about you," said Rosiland McLean, a planning and zoning board secretary for Teaneck and president of Local 820 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. The union endorsed Kim in Hamilton Township earlier this month.

Yet, that kind of out reach may prove to be less valuable than obtaining the "line" on the county ballot. And that's where having a husband who happens to be the country's most powerful governor has come in handy.

Murphy controls the fate of judges, legislation, appointments and legislative pork coveted by party leaders and legislators. And several county-level Democratic Party chairs  in Middlesex, Essex and Somerset  double as lobbyists with business interests before the state. They have every incentive to stand in solidarity with the governors wife. Crossing him just might be bad for business.

More Charlie Stile: These are the political stories that will dominate NJ headlines in 2024

Team Murphy disputes allegations of nepotism

Tammy Murphy campaign officials  and the governor himself  dispute the charge that nepotism catapulted Murphy into her apparent position as front-runner.

They describe the endorsements as a result of relationships the first lady forged with leaders in recent years and her party-building efforts, raising money and stumping for Democratic candidates in past campaign cycles. Kim, by comparison, has raised little money for candidates outside of his South Jersey district and didnt reach out to some Democratic county chairs until after he announced his intention to run in September.

Long before running for office, Tammy has worked to strengthen the Democratic Party in New Jersey and across the country to advance issues critical to working families," Alex Altman, Tammy Murphys spokeswoman, said in a statement. Tammy worked to build the state party by helping it move to solid financial footing and reorganize in order to strengthen its ability to advance the Democratic agenda in New Jersey.

Yet that doesnt change the fact that the leadership of key county parties made up their minds in November without giving Kim a chance to make his pitch to county committee members, who, in most counties, formalize the endorsements in nominating conventions in the early spring.

Kim is effectively running an insurgency, hoping to bypass the leaders at the top of county parties by appealing to the rank and file by touting his record of flipping a Republican seat in 2018 and his foreign policy experience as a national security aide in the Obama administration. He will make the case that he represents the safer choice for holding the seat in November if Menendez loses the primary in June or simply decides not to seek reelection.

'How Jersey is presented'

Still, having the clubhouse door effectively shut on a battle-tested Kim while Tammy Murphy, who has never held office, is effectively anointed the party choice is what rankles activists the most.

The issue for us is how Jersey is presented to the rest of the United States when we have to contend with situations like the one we find ourselves in now," said Chad Coleman, a Tenafly Democrat. It is a concern to us. And you know, if regular voters cant participate and address these sorts of things  it won't get done.

Kims campaign has attracted activists who have mobilized in recent years in an effort to reform or abolish the county party ballot line, which confers an enormous advantage in primaries for incumbents and significantly limits the competitive threat of challengers. A recent study conducted by Julia Sass Rubin, a professor at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers, examined 45 congressional and Senate races in New Jersey between 2002 and 2022. The study found that on average, county-endorsed candidates placed in the line enjoyed a 38-point advantage.

Sass Rubin and other activists have traveled around the state crusading against the line and its dangers to the Democratic process. And now, the swift support for the first lady from the large county machine leaders served as a stunning Exhibit A of the process.

More Charlie Stile: Taking dead aim at Trump, progressive Latina jumps into Senate race in NJ

We are Democrats, and we shouldn't stand for that, said Bryan Randolph, also of Tenafly.

Yet Murphy allies point to a long list of faith-based and community groups supporting Tammy Murphys effort  a separate set of Democratic grassroots, so to speak. And despite the activists drawn to Kims campaign, Murphys campaign may have already calculated that the liberal wing is not large enough to prevent her from defeating Kim and other candidates  including Patricia Campos-Medina, a longtime labor activist, and Lawrence Hamm, a longtime civil rights and social justice leader in Newark.

Taking aim at Andy Kim's surrogates

That could help explain the salvo the Tammy Murphy camp fired at Kim last week after he snagged the endorsement of former Rep. Tom Malinowski, D-Hunterdon, who was defeated by Republican Tom Kean Jr. in a 2022 rematch.

Tammy Murphy called for a ban on congressional stock trading, arguing that our country is losing faith in our public servants, in part, because they believe that too many Washington politicians are more focused on increasing their personal wealth than our countrys prosperity," she said.

But Murphy went on to note that Kim introduced a similar ban only after it was learned that Malinowski was being probed by the House Ethics Committee for failing to properly disclose some $3 million in stock trades. Now, without irony, Kim accepted Malinowskis endorsement, she said.

The attack was eye-opening for a number of reasons. For one, Malinowski enjoyed strong support from the coalition of liberal activists in the 7th Congressional District of Hunterdon County and parts of Warren, Somerset, Union, Essex and Morris counties.

The Murphys also endorsed and contributed to Malinowski's 2022 campaign. And her swipe also recycles a line of attack that the Republican Kean used against Malinowski during the 2022 race.

The first lady, a first time candidate, was, perhaps, showing donors and supporters that she is not afraid to dust it up in the ring with an experienced candidate. Or there's another possible explanation: Kims insurgency is starting to take hold, and she needed to dim the halo hovering over him before it's too late.

Kim-mentum may prove to be just too real for the machine.

Charlie Stile is a veteran New Jersey political columnist. For unlimited access to his unique insights into New Jerseys political power structure and his powerful watchdog work, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: stile@northjersey.com

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ Senate candidates: Andy Kim hopes to use Tammy Murphy unease
The King has been released from hospital after successful treatment for an enlarged prostate.

The King and Queen were photographed walking to their car as they departed the London Clinic after Charles had been treated in the same hospital as his daughter-in-law the Princess of Wales.

The pair, dressed smartly and beaming, waved to well-wishers outside the hospital at 3pm. As he left, the King was heard to say that he was grateful for everyones kind wishes, thanking the crowd that had gathered outside.

He has been in hospital for three nights, longer than the overnight stay initially expected. Aides have emphasised his determination to work from home, continuing with his red boxes and even mooting the idea of bringing paperwork to his bed.

It is understood he will require around a month off public engagements  the longest he has been off duty as monarch.

Charles spent three nights in the same hospital as the Princess of Wales - Heathcliff OMalley

A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: The King was this afternoon discharged from hospital following planned medical treatment and has rescheduled forthcoming public engagements to allow for a period of private recuperation.

He would like to thank the medical team and all those involved in supporting his hospital visit, and is grateful for all the kind messages he has received in recent days.

The 75-year-old has generally enjoyed good health, other than sporting injuries as a younger man. In 2008, he had a non-cancerous growth removed from the bridge of his nose in a minor, routine procedure, and underwent a hernia operation in 2003.

He has had Covid twice, but suffered only mild symptoms and continued to work through it.

The King was heard thanking well-wishers outside the hospital - Heathcliff OMalley

On Friday morning, he was admitted to the London Clinic for treatment for an enlarged prostate. The Queen was with him, and he is understood to have visited the Princess of Wales before his surgery.

The Princess had been recuperating at the London Clinic after undergoing abdominal surgery last week, and was discharged on Monday.

The King received his diagnosis nearly two weeks ago, approving a statement from Buckingham Palace to give details of his condition in the hope of raising awareness of its symptoms.

NHS England said that after Charles shared news of the diagnosis, the enlarged prostate page on the NHS website received 26,170 visits in 48 hours, including another 9,760 visits on Thursday, compared with a daily average of 1,400 visits earlier in the week.

Prostate Cancer UK had 8,025 visits to its online risk check service, of which 6,800 were noted as high risk, more than double the previous day.

The King waves to well-wishers as he leaves the London Clinic after treatment - Heathcliff OMalley

On Jan 17, a spokesman for the monarch said: In common with thousands of men each year, the King has sought treatment for an enlarged prostate.

At the time, the King was at his Scottish residence at Birkhall, Aberdeenshire, and had cancelled a handful of engagements as a result of advice from doctors. He has since been at Sandringham and Clarence House as he awaited his treatment.

After his diagnosis, the Queen said the King was fine and looking forward to getting back to work. She visited him five times in hospital.

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The King and Queen leave The London Clinic after His Majesty's successful prostate operation - Heathcliff O'Malley

The King walked out of hospital with a wave and a smile, his wife by his side as cameras clicked and wellwishers shouted from windows and pavements around them.



Hours earlier, the Princess of Wales was ushered out of the same clinic unseen, only a written statement confirming her safe discharge home to her bed and her children.

Over the course of three hours, it was a snapshot of modern royal history in the making.

Two generations, two hospital stays and two very different approaches there for the watching world to see.

It signposts, of course, the severity of their surgeries: the 75-year-old monarch given routine treatment for an enlarged prostate, while the 42-year-old Princess had planned major surgery requiring many weeks of recuperation.

It also captures, in a neat tableau, the very different instincts of the two senior generations of the Royal family  the current King and Queen and future king and queen working together, separately.

Charles III plumped for an awareness-raising campaign and steadying stroll out of hospital to prove there is no royal crisis unfolding.

The Princess quietly returned to the three children who have been without her for two weeks, offering via statement a huge thank you to nursing staff and those who had sent their best wishes.

It offered a contrast with the Princess the public will remember leaving hospital after having Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. Then, she was photographed three times on hospital steps with a newborn in her arms and a proud husband at her side.

The Princess of Wales' exit from hospital is a sombre contrast to when she left after having her children - ISABEL INFANTES/AFP

In this latest hospitalisation, Prince William has been photographed just once, looking as tense as one might expect a worried spouse to appear.

Their children have not been seen visiting, nor have her close Middleton family.

The Waless office has taken a strict policy of declining to offer updates on her unnamed condition, repeating only that she wishes for her personal medical details to remain private.

In response, good taste and respect have prevailed. The Princesss health, in a hereditary monarchy, is indeed a matter of public interest, but (aside from the sewer of social media), the British peoples restraint in demanding details is admirable.

The Kensington Palace way, to offer limited information on its own terms at its own time, is set.

Led by Prince William, whose unapologetic instinct to protect his family comes first, it will likely see the Princess out of the public eye until she is fully back on her feet.

The Kings team, in contrast, has virtually shouted his diagnosis from the rooftops, in a laudable public awareness campaign that is already bearing fruit in a measurable rise in men seeking information about prostate health.

The Queen has walked in and out of the clinic no less than five times, looking relieved after the procedure went well and understood to have simply wanted to keep him company.

Simple as it sounds, it is a major departure from the more typical royal tendencies in years gone by of steering clear of personal hospital visits in favour of ploughing on with public duties.

I have to be seen to be believed, the late Queen Elizabeth II was fond of saying.

Her son and heir shows every sign of following that policy to the letter.

At a time of real uncertainty, with two senior royals out of action for a month, the King as Head of State has proactively shown the world he is fit and ready for work again.

His image, and that of his supportive wife, will be beamed across the world in a deliberate sign that all is well.



The timing, which is coincidental, meant that the spotlight of royal news was split.



The King has done his duty by steadying the ship. The Princess is free to convalesce in peace.

The Queen will continue with planned engagements as she has been doing all week. The Prince of Wales will return to his own once Catherine is settled at home.

Two generations, two hospital stays, two very different approaches it may be. But it is also one family.

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This satellite photo from Planet Labs PBC shows the military base known as Tower 22 in northeastern Jordan, on Oct. 12, 2023. U.S. officials said it was the site of a drone strike on Jan. 28, 2024, that killed 3 American troops and wounded dozens more. / Credit: Planet Labs PBC / AP

After Sunday's drone attack on an American military outpost in the Middle East killed three U.S. service members and left dozens more injured, a top Biden administration official said the U.S. "absolutely" will do what's necessary for its defense. But he also emphasized that staving off wider regional conflict is a priority.

"We are not interested in a broader conflict in the region, we're not looking for another war, but we absolutely will do what we have to do to protect ourselves," John Kirby, a spokesperson for the National Security Council at the White House, said in an interview Monday on "CBS Mornings."

Kirby's comments came as escalating assaults on U.S. forces stationed around the Middle East, in the wake of Israel's war with Hamas in Gaza, drive concerns about the involvement of Iran and its proxies. On Sunday, three U.S. troops were killed and at least 34 more suffered injuries when an aerial drone strike hit an American military base in northeastern Jordan, close to the Syrian border, the U.S. military and President Biden said. Jordan is a U.S. ally.

Mr. Biden said in a statement issued after the attack that "radical Iran-backed militant groups operating in Syria and Iraq" were behind it, and noted that the U.S. "will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner our choosing."

This satellite photo from Planet Labs PBC shows the military base known as Tower 22 in northeastern Jordan, on Oct. 12, 2023. U.S. officials said it was the site of a drone strike on Jan. 28, 2024, that killed 3 American troops and wounded dozens more. / Credit: Planet Labs PBC / AP

The strike appears to be the deadliest attack on U.S. service members since 13 Americans were killed in a suicide bombing in Kabul in 2021, as U.S. troops pulled out of Afghanistan.

It happened before dawn at a U.S. military outpost called Tower 22, where around 350 U.S. Army and Air Force personnel are stationed, according to the Department of Defense. The troops who were killed and wounded were in their barracks, "and given the hour, most likely, many if not all of them were in their beds," said Kirby.

"We think this was a single drone attack," he said, adding that U.S. officials were still "trying to get more information" about exactly what happened. Kirby noted that the number of injuries linked to the attack could potentially rise, "for instance, if some of them experience concussive symptoms, which would suggest maybe traumatic brain injury."

Pentagon releases names of 3 soldiers killed in drone attack in Jordan

This is only the most recent attack believed to involve Iran-backed militant groups since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. Yemen's Iranian-backed Houthi rebels have been attacking ships in the Red Sea, and in response, the U.S. began carrying out airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen last month. Houthi militants launched a missile toward a U.S. warship, the USS Carney, on Friday.

Republicans in Congress called on the Biden administration to retaliate against Iran in the aftermath of the attack on Tower 22, with House Speaker Mike Johnson saying the U.S. "must send a crystal clear message across the globe that attacks on our troops will not be tolerated." Sen. Lindsey Graham said, "Hit Iran now. ... Hit them hard."

Kirby told "CBS Mornings" that he did not have any new steps to announce at this time.

"The president has added force capability to the Middle East," Kirby said. "I don't have any force posture changes to announce today, but I can assure you that he'll make the decisions as commander in chief as appropriate, to make sure we can continue to defend ourselves."

He also acknowledged Iran's "destabilizing behavior."

"I would tell you that we are certainly mindful of the destabilizing behavior in actions of Iran, the way they support these groups, these militia groups, Syria, the maritime attacks that they're permitting by the Houthis," Kirby said. "We're mindful of the destabilizing behavior and the influence that they have in the region."

The White House said Mr. Biden was briefed on the attack after it happened Sunday morning and met with administration officials, including Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, later in the day.

At an event in South Carolina on Sunday afternoon, the president said, "We lost three brave soldiers in an attack on one of our bases. And I'm asking for a moment of silence for all three of our fallen soldiers. And we shall respond."

Pentagon identifies U.S. soldiers killed in drone attack in Jordan

King Charles III released from hospital after prostate procedure

Iran's influence, strategy in the Middle East
Photo taken on Jan. 29, 2024 shows the first session of the bilateral commission for the promotion and development of the Algerian-Tunisian border regions in Algiers, Algeria. The session kicked off Monday in Algiers to discuss a strategy to develop shared border regions of the two North African nations. (Xinhua)

ALGIERS, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- The first session of the bilateral commission for the promotion and development of the Algerian-Tunisian border regions kicked off Monday in Algiers to discuss a strategy to develop shared border regions of the two North African nations.

Co-chaired by Algerian Interior Minister Brahim Merad and his Tunisian counterpart Kamel Feki, the session unfolded with a commitment to fortifying shared border areas in the face of evolving security challenges, Algeria's state-run Radio Algeria reported.

Addressing the session's opening, Merad underscored "the critical importance of securing and fortifying shared border regions, with a particular focus on combating illegal migration," adding that "Algeria advocates a developmental approach based on intensified consultation and coordination between the two nations."

The Algerian minister noted that "the ongoing efforts are aimed at implementing diverse programs to foster development and enhance living conditions, with a strategic attempt to alleviate disparities and address imbalances in the border regions."

In his opening notes at the session, Tunisia's interior minister hailed the "fruitful and constructive" security coordination between the two countries, stressing the stability and security of Tunisia and Algeria are "interconnected" and that joint efforts are being made to bolster border security by countering terrorist threats and combating smuggling networks.

The bilateral commission, instituted in October 2023, has emerged as a strategic step to foster collaboration and create a framework for partnership opportunities between the two nations. 

Algerian Interior Minister Brahim Merad (R) shakes hands with his Tunisian counterpart Kamel Feki during their meeting in Algiers, Algeria, on Jan. 29, 2024. The first session of the bilateral commission for the promotion and development of the Algerian-Tunisian border regions kicked off Monday in Algiers to discuss a strategy to develop shared border regions of the two North African nations. (Xinhua)
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A man allegedly stole millions of dollars from investors, who believed they were funding a luxury watch resell operation, as part of a Ponzi scheme to fund his gambling habit, police write in documents the 8 News Now Investigators obtained.

Nicholas Trimble faces 17 felonies, including several counts of theft with a value of $100,000 or greater, records said. The amount of money stolen totals more than $3 million, according to documents.

Last September, multiple victims came forward to Las Vegas Metro police alleging investment fraud. Trimble reportedly described his business to [one person] as the buying and selling of high-end luxury watches, documents said.

Investors would give Trimble money to buy the watches and send them in for watch certification, documents said. Upon certification, Trimble would resell the watch at a higher cost than purchased, gaining profit.

Nicholas Trimble faces 17 felonies, including several counts of theft with a value of $100,000 or greater, records said. The amount of money stolen totals more than $3 million, according to documents. (LVMPD/KLAS)

An investor later demanded all her money back after hearing rumors Trimble was gambling with her investment money, police said. [The investor] stated after confronting Trimble multiple times, he admitted to her and [another person] he had spent all the money stating, It is all gone, police said.

A second victim told police they estimated to have lost $800,000 in cash and watches, documents said. One persons financial loss was $1.5 million, according to police.

At least one watch was fake, police said.

In 2017, Trimble formed a company in Colorado called Cherry Creek Capital, LLC, police said. The company went into default in 2018 and then again in 2022, police said, citing state records. In June 2023, Trimble filed the required report, curing this delinquency, police said.

FILE  The Wynn Las Vegas resort stands over the Las Vegas strip, July 26, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ty ONeil, File)

An analyst found Trimble withdrew cash several times at Las Vegas casinos, documents said, including nearly $50,000 at the Wynn Las Vegas, and $400,000 to Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa. Police also said Trimble used the money to pay personal living expenses, including [for] restaurants, bars, retail purchases and travel expenses.

Police said Trimble returned some of the money through the alleged Ponzi scheme, but that the money came from other investors, documents said.

Although Trimble did purchase several watches from local pawn and gold stores, the payments to and from these stores totaled only a small amount in comparison to the funds provided for this purpose, police said.

Metro police arrested Trimble on Jan. 23 during a traffic stop near Durango Drive and Sunset Road. Before his arrest, Judge Harmony Letizia granted him an own recognizance release, meaning he would be booked into the Clark County Detention Center but not jailed.

Records show Trimble was booked and released with a requirement to check on via a mobile app.

An attorney for Trimble was not listed in his court docket as of Monday.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
Hundreds of Afghan special forces soldiers abandoned by Britain despite risking their lives to fight against the Taliban are finally set to be given sanctuary in the UK in a major victory for The Independent.

Some 400 soldiers who served in two specialist units will have their applications to settle in the UK reviewed after the Ministry of Defence decided to change how it assesses their claims.

The dramatic U-turn comes after a joint investigation by The Independent, Lighthouse Reports and Sky News revealed how soldiers had been subjected to torture and murder at the hands of the Taliban after being denied help by the UK government, despite extensive evidence showing they were paid, trained and worked shoulder to shoulder with British special forces.

Afghan commandos fought side-by-side with British soldiers in their war against the Taliban (Supplied)

The two units are known as the Triples because their full titles are the Afghan Commando Force 333 and Afghan Territorial Force 444.

Our six-month long investigation revealed how their cases were not being properly considered by the government, even though they fitted the criteria for help under the flagship Arap (Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy) scheme, designed to relocate eligible Afghans who served with the British.

We found that in some cases seemingly no consideration had been given to official certificates and ID cards showing their closeness with the UK special forces (UKSF). In other instances, references from British colleagues and evidence of a payslip from the UK were ignored.

At least six Triples members have been murdered by the Taliban since the Wests withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021.

Now, after intense lobbying within government,The Independent understands ministers have agreed to review the soldiers applications after accepting they were indeed paid by the British.

If successful, the special forces soldiers will be allowed to bring their family members with them to the UK  meaning thousands in fear of their lives in Afghanistan and Pakistan could be given sanctuary.

Campaigners who have supported the soldiers welcomed the news and called on the government to do everything in its power to relocate these men and their families as soon as possible. They questioned the integrity of the MoDs decision-making and raised concerns over the departments desire to maintain a case-by-case review.

Colonel Simon Diggins, a former defence attache in Kabul, said he was pleased to hear that the government has committed to review the Triples cases and that the MoD has finally acknowledged  as has been long argued by many veterans  that these Afghan soldiers, who were paid by as well as trained and mentored by the UK, deserve our support and sanctuary.

He added: I note that there is still a case-by-case review process planned: this must not be used as a delaying tactic as these brave men and their families are at risk. This must take days, not years.

Timing is critical as up to 200 of the special forces who are living in Pakistan are also facing potential deportation back to Afghanistan if the UK does not relocate them soon.

Many former Triples have been tortured by the Taliban following the takeover (Supplied)

Security minister Tom Tugendhat said: We should never have left our comrades behind. [Veterans minister] Johnny Mercer has been working hard to turn this around.

A parliamentary statement on the changes is expected this week from the Ministry of Defence.

The Independent also understands that questions have been asked by officials working for the Independent Inquiry relating to Afghanistan, which is investigating alleged war crimes committed by the UK Special Forces in Afghanistan between 2010 and 2013, over the UKSFs unwillingness to approve Triples cases for UK resettlement.

When a former member of either the CF333 and ATF444 unit applies for help to the MoD, their case is referred to the UKSF for investigation, we found. According to sources, the UKSF has been obstructing the process and not approving many cases, leading to what were effectively blanket rejections.

It is understood that, before the U-turn, there was a feeling within the MoD that it would be too hard to help the Triples because the UKSF were failing to cooperate. Independent Inquiry officials are particularly interested in the Triples units because they may be able to provide testimony that is relevant to the inquiry, sources say.

Armed forces minister James Heappey has been pressed on the plight of the Triples in the Commons (PA)

Professor Sara de Jong, from charity the Sulha Alliance, said: This U-turn shows that the government can put things right after they get something wrong. Unfortunately, the special forces cases are not the only wrong decisions that desperately need a review. Our casework of interpreters and labourers also shows a catalogue of errors.

Sarah Fenby-Dixon, Afghanistan consultant at the Refugee Aid Network, said: This apparent change in government policy towards the Triples is very welcome and long overdue.

It is testimony to the tireless campaigning by lawyers, journalists and volunteers who recognised the horrific threats and attacks faced by these men as a direct result of their work alongside UK forces.

It is now imperative that the government does everything in its power to relocate these men and their families as soon as possible.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence said they would not comment on speculation and insisted that any Arap applications would be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

They added: We are honouring our commitment to those brave Afghans who supported the UK mission in Afghanistan, and have been granted settled status.

So far, we have brought around 24,600 people to safety from Afghanistan, including over 15,200 people from the Arap scheme, which is one of the most generous of any country, and thousands of Afghans eligible for our resettlement schemes."
Think $83.3 million is a lot of money? Well, hold onto your hat, buster, because this week, New York Judge Arthur Engoron is supposed to announce the penalty hes slapping on Donald J. Trump in the Trump Organization fraud case.

The case, brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James in 2022, accuses Trump of lying to bankers and insurers about the value of his properties. Last September, Engoron declared in a summary judgment that the evidence clearly said Trump had done so. He wrote in his ruling: In defendants world: Rent regulated apartments are worth the same as unregulated apartments; restricted land is worth the same as unrestricted land; restrictions can evaporate into thin air; a disclaimer by one party casting responsibility on another party exonerates the other partys lies. That is a fantasy world, not the real world.

Last month, Engoron said he was aiming to announce the fine amount by January 31. Thats Wednesday. James is seeking $370 million.

Last weeks damage award in the E. Jean Carroll case was staggering. We had a little office pool going (well, just three of us, and we didnt actually bet money). I came in highest at $40 million, so under traditional Price Is Right rules, I was the closest, but nevertheless light-years off. That rigged, deep-state jury took all of three hours to award Carroll more than three times what lawyer Roberta Kaplan was asking.

Is there a precedent there for a larger reward than was even being sought? Signs are promising. Engoron, youll recall, showed little patience for Trumps courtroom antics. Earlier this month, he nixed Trumps attempt to make a closing argument. Not having heard from you by the third extended deadline (noon today), I assume that Mr. Trump will not agree to the reasonable, lawful limits I have imposed as a precondition to giving a closing statement above and beyond those given by his attorneys, and that, therefore, he will not be speaking in court tomorrow, the judge wrote. Trump nevertheless managed to blurt out a few sentences of petulant nonsense. Please control your client, Engoron advised his counsel.

Bad? Yep. But the knife took another twist into Trumps flesh last Friday, the same day the Carroll jury threw all that buckshot in Trumps face. Barbara Jones was appointed last fall by Engoron to monitor some of the Trump Organizations transactions. On Friday, Jones wrote Engoron a 12-page letter saying, in part: I have identified certain deficiencies in the financial information that I have reviewed, including disclosures that are either incomplete, present results inconsistently, and/or contain errors. Sowhats your bet? Maybe $400 million? What about $500? Who knows?

The money isnt even the main factor in play, especially considering that Trump probably doesnt have it and wouldnt pay it even if he did. Nothe nuclear bomb here, the real psychological waterboarding of Donald John Trump, will come if Engoron strips him and his company of the ability to do business in New York state. This option is on the table because Trump was prosecuted under a 1956 law that allows courts the ability to issue a permanent and plenary ban on a company if the behavior is egregious enough to warrant it.

Sounds heavy, right? No question it would be a crushing blow to Trumps ego. But guess what? Trump is such an accomplished con man that this isnt even the first time the law has been used to prosecute him. Trump University set that precedent. One of Trumps lawyers whined last week that the law was overbroad and unfair: This is not just about President Trump. Every major bank CEO and every Wall Street participant should speak out now before the Attorney Generals shocking and tyrannical interference in the capital markets places all New York business transactions at risk.

Quick  does that statement remind you of anything? It should. To me it sounds an awful lot like Trumps own blubbering about presidential immunitythat all presidents need blanket immunity because someone is bound to sue them after they leave office over something they did.

Wellno: Somehow or another, weve had 46 presidents, and only one of them has faced this kind of legal scrutiny after he left office. Thats because only one president, so far as we know, spent his entire adult life in and out of office flagrantly ignoring the law (one other kind of did, but he resigned and retreated to a mostly quiet life of writing books, and society decided to leave him more or less alone).

So no, presidents dont need blanket immunity. Trump keeps inventing examplesmaybe an ex-president will be sued for having bombed some country. I guess any jerk can file any kind of nuisance lawsuit, but all Congress has to do is pass a law (if indeed one is not already on the books) protecting ex-presidents from legal action arising from policymaking decisions. Ex-presidentsand major bank CEOs and Wall Street participantswho obey the law dont need blanket immunity!

And speaking of immunity: Wheres the ruling on that? The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit heard arguments on January 9, and a lot of people are wondering whats taking so long. This was the hearing where one of the judges, Florence Pan, noted that under Trumps theory, a president could order Seal Team 6 to kill a political opponent and face no consequences. Its widely expected that the court will rule against Trump, and he will appeal.

What a way to start a year! Maybe about a half-a-billion dollars in fines, and a court ruling that is expected to torch his ridiculous immunity theory and allow other prosecutions to proceed. Speaking of which, Jack Smith is looming right around the corner. All while Trump is going to be crowned the Republican nominee. You have to believe that at least some normie Americans are going to see that somethings wrong with this picture.
Ukrainians have endured war for nearly two years. Since the Russian invasion of Feb. 24, 2022, more than 6.3 million Ukrainians have fled the country, while an estimated 3.7 million are internally displaced.

The war has had damaging geopolitical and ecological consequences. But it is ordinary Ukrainians, those who stayed to endure and fight, who experience its strains and horrors daily.

As the war enters its third year, what is the mood among these Ukrainians? As a political geographer who has worked with colleagues on surveys in the region for years, I know that measuring public opinion in wartime Ukraine presents many challenges.

Nearly 1 in 4 Ukrainians have had to move from their homes. And while the 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line has largely stabilized, missile and drone attacks are a daily occurrence. Patriotic feelings are high, and so also is distrust, especially in places formerly occupied by Russia.

Most public opinion research today in Ukraine is conducted by telephone interview. Survey companies make calls to randomly selected functioning numbers and ask citizens over the age of 18 to participate.

Response rates can be low. Nonetheless, survey companies manage through persistence.

The latest survey by the National Democratic Institute released on Jan. 26 provides insight into how Ukrainians are coping. Administered by the reputable Kyiv International Institute of Sociology, this telephone survey recorded the views of 2,516 Ukrainians from Nov. 14-22, 2023. Four findings stand out:

1. Costs in lives and mental health are high

Since the outset of the war, the National Democratic Institute has asked Ukrainians if they have experienced the loss of family and friends from the war. In May 2022, one-fifth of respondents indicated that they had. In November 2023, almost half said they had lost loved ones, with higher rates among middle-aged and young respondents.

The mental health costs to Ukrainians of war are considerable. Many are forced to flee to shelters at all hours. Almost three-quarters of women and half of male respondents report a deterioration of their mental health, according to the latest poll.

Lack of sleep is the single largest reported health cost of the war. But lost income, deteriorating physical health and family separation are also commonly reported.

Any post-war Ukraine will be a society where significant parts of the population are living with physical and mental disabilities. Human rehabilitation needs are already considerable and will grow.

2. More Ukrainians are willing to negotiate

Since the war began, the National Democratic Institute survey has asked if Ukraine should engage in negotiations with Russia to try to achieve peace.

A majority (59%) said yes just a few months into the war in May 2022. But, by August 2022, in the wake of accumulating Russian assaults and alleged war crimes, sentiment had flipped with a majority against. By January 2023, the share of those in favor had dropped 30 points to a low of just 29%.

Since then, this percentage has climbed upward. In November 2023, it rebounded to 42%.

As it stands, the majority of Ukrainians are opposed to seeking negotiations with Russia. Talks, in any case, are not on the agenda. In the current war climate, there appears little prospect of negotiations with Vladimir Putins Russia at a time when it is deepening the militarization of the state, economy and society.

Academic research, largely based on the U.S. experience since World War II, suggests that as casualties increase, public support for war declines.

Wars of defense against an invasion appear to be different, with greater public tolerance of loss because the conflict is perceived as necessary and just.

But as Ukraine drives to recruit 450,000 to 500,000 new soldiers to replace its fallen and wounded, this proposition will be significantly tested.

3. Resistance to land concessions continue

From the outset of the war, Ukrainians have been surveyed to elicit what they would accept as the price of peace. The question is difficult for Ukrainians who rightly feel victimized.

Research by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology since the outset of the war reveals overwhelming sentiment among Ukrainians against territorial concessions for immediate peace.

My own research with social psychologist Karina Korostelina in front-line southeastern Ukrainian cities revealed the overwhelming belief that Ukraines territorial integrity is sacred.

But so too, of course, is human life. Ukrainians are understandably divided over what should be prioritized: preserving territory or preserving lives.

Wartime experiences also matter. Earlier research suggested that those most affected by the war through displacement and most concerned about their immediate security are more likely to prioritize a cease-fire.

Russia occupies approximately 18% of Ukraine today, a figure composed of territories it controlled before February 2022 (Crimea and the Donbas) and territories it subsequently seized and retained. Some, but not much, territory has shifted hands this last year.

To most Ukrainians, it is unacceptable to hold only the territory it currently controls as the price for peace  71% strongly reject this, another 13% less strongly in the survey.

Only 12% see peace based on current territorial control as acceptable.

Meanwhile, a majority declare it is fully unacceptable to return to the pre-2022 borders. Slim majorities also say it is unacceptable that Ukraine renounces its aspirations to join NATO and the European Union as the price of peace.

These attitudes restrain Ukraines leadership, as U.S. officials signal that they do not foresee Ukraine retaking lost territory in 2024. Right now, it is safer politically to fight than confront an ugly peace.

4. Ukrainians expect a long war but remain optimistic

Ukrainians do not think the conflict will end any time soon, with 43% saying that war will go on for an additional 12 months, at least. A third responded that they simply do not know when the conflict will end.

In May 2022, just a few months into the conflict, 1 in 4 Ukrainians thought the war would end within three months. In November 2023, only 3% had that expectation.

War, paradoxically, generated a surge of optimism about Ukraines future as Ukrainians processed suffering into hope. That sentiment remained high in November 2023, with 77% of respondents saying they were optimistic about the countrys future, though fewer Ukrainians said that they were very optimistic. Data on this important metric in 2024 will be revealing.

The desire to resist

Ukraine war fatigue is growing among the countrys Western backers. But no group is more tired of this war than Ukrainians. The costs being paid by ordinary Ukrainians are enormous in terms of lives lost, settlements destroyed, environments poisoned and futures compromised.

And these costs come across in public opinion surveys. But so too does an enduring desire to have their war resistance mean something, to have it affirm Ukraines independence and territorial integrity.

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and analysis to help you make sense of our complex world.

It was written by: Gerard Toal, Virginia Tech.

Read more:



Gerard Toal receives funding from the US National Science Foundation and the Norwegian Research Council. He is a member of the advisory board of KonKoop, a research network of scholars researching conflict and cooperation run by the Centre for East European and International Studies (ZOiS), an independent, international, publicly funded research institute based in Berlin.
Tatjana Zdanoka allegedly offered detailed explanations of her work as an MEP to Moscow - Europa Press News

A Latvian member of the European Parliament helped arrange travel visas for Russian spies to visit Europe in her role as a double-agent for Moscow, according to a report.

Newly-leaked emails appear to reveal correspondence between Tatjana Zdanoka, 73, who was a member of the former Soviet Communist Party from 1971 to 1991, and two veteran handlers from Russias FSB security service, which date back to 2005.

She discussed funding from Russian sources to carry out her political duties in Brussels and offered detailed explanations of her work as an MEP in the messages, which were published by the Insider, a Russian independent news outlet.

The report comes amid escalating fears that the Kremlin is mounting a disinformation campaign aimed at causing unrest amongst ethnic Russian populations in the Baltic states.

Ms Zdanoka, who represents Latvias Russian Union party, has long-standing links with the Kremlin. She was condemned by Latvias foreign ministry in 2014 after travelling to Crimea as an independent observer in the referendum used by Vladimir Putin to illegally annex the peninsula from Ukraine.

She later travelled as part of a delegation of MEPs to Damascus, Syria to meet dictator Bashar al-Assad, whose regime was being militarily propped up by Russia at the time  a trip described as unacceptable by the European Parliament.

More recently, she voted against a European Parliament resolution demonstrating support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia, claiming the statement was an escalation of the military confrontation.

In a statement to the parliamentary chamber in Strasbourg less than a week before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Ms Zdanoka said: Russias military threat against Ukraine ... is not proved.

Plan to promote Russias Victory Day in Latvia

The leaked messages appeared to show that Ms Zdanoka was in direct contact with Dimitry Gladey, 74, an employee of the FSBs office in St Petersburg, Russia.

In the first exchange, the Latvian MEP forwarded an unpublished agenda for a conference event in Estonia to discuss the experience of Russian politicians participation in municipal governments.

She also sent apologies to the FSB handler for not sending the promised information from Strasbourg, the home of the European Parliaments second seat, while listing her recently completed tasks.

They also teamed up over a plan to promote Russias patriotic Victory Day in her native Latvia. She had requested $6,000 in funding, in addition to money she had secured from the EU, to organise the event in her capacity as an MEP.

The cash would have been used to buy St George ribbons to commemorate Soviet soldiers who died on the Eastern front during the Second World War.

While Ms Zdanoka has denied being a Russian double agent, she confirmed knowing Gladey for decades, saying they had met in the early 1970s at a tourist base in the North Caucasus, where they were learning to ski.

It is claimed she was later assigned over to a new handler, named by the Insider as Sergey Krasin, in 2013.

She allegedly worked alongside a third FSB agent called Artem Kurseeve, for whom she used her powers as an MEP to obtain a visa to visit the European Parliament two weeks after Russia invaded Crimea.

Ms Zdanoka did not respond to a request for comment from The Telegraph. A European Parliament spokesman said an internal investigation into the Latvian MEP had been launched.

On top of her parliamentary duties, Ms Zdanoka is the president of the EU Russian Speakers Alliance, an NGO that does not feature on the blocs lobbyist transparency list.

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The ruling coalition in Latvia has reached an agreement to ban grain imports from Russia and Belarus.

Source: European Pravda, with reference to Delfi, a Latvian news outlet

Details: Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina (Unity party), Agriculture Minister Armands Krauze (Union of Greens and Farmers) and Andris Suvajevs, leader of the Progressive party, announced following a ruling coalition meeting on 29 January that they are going to prepare and pass a draft law banning grain imports in February.

Latvia has been discussing the possibility of banning grain imports from Russia and Belarus for a long time, but until now the coalition believed this decision should be taken at the EU level, with a unilateral ban making no sense because Russian grain might end up in Latvia via other EU countries.

Last week, Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics said that he supported Latvia banning the import of Russian grain unilaterally.

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COLOMBO, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's Foreign Ministry has reached out to countries around where Somali pirates seized the multi-day fishing vessel from the South Asian nation, State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya told journalists on Monday.

Commenting on what the Foreign Ministry has done to secure the release of the vessel, Lorenzo Putha 4, and its crew of six, Balasuriya said Sri Lankan missions in Kenya and Ethiopia have informed nearby countries about the incident.

Officials at these missions are keeping in constant communication with neighboring countries, Balasuriya said.

The state minister said Sri Lanka has not received a ransom demand from those who took the ship.

Sri Lanka's fisheries department said on Saturday that the fishing trawler with six crew members was taken in the Arabian Sea, around 1,160 nautical miles away from the Sri Lankan maritime boundary. 
Colorado Congresswoman Lauren Boebert finished in fifth place, according to a straw poll  a devastating showing after the Republican switched to run in a new district.

Last week, Ms Boebert competed against eight other Republicans in a congressional primary debate in Fort Lupton, Colorado, in which she garnered just 10 per cent of the straw poll vote, landing in fifth place, according to Colorado Politics.

Ms Boebert earned 12 out of the 117 votes cast in the straw poll, the outlet reported.

Last year, the Colorado lawmaker announced she was switching from the 3rd Congressional District, where she has served since 2021, to the 4th Congressional District. She narrowly won the 2022 election in her district against Democrat Adam Frisch.

Many in politics had something to say about Ms Boeberts recent straw poll showing.

Texas Democratic Rep Jasmine Crockett remarked early on Monday morning, Before I go to bed, I thought it would only be fitting to send thoughts & prayers to my colleague, Lauren Boebert. Its my understanding that she placed 5th in her first straw poll of the election cycle.

She continued, Now how many of yall think BoBo gonna try to convince us that polls dont matter of course unless they are trash for Biden & great for Trump!

The X account Republicans Against Trump wrote, Lauren Boebert finishes 5th in a straw poll at the first GOP primary debate in her new district. She received just 10% of the vote from the Republicans who participated in the survey at the debate. The account added, Shes finished.

Ms Boebert has garnered headlines in recent weeks. Her ex-husband faces two sets of charges after separate domestic incidents, including one in which he and the congresswoman allegedly engaged in a physical altercation. Ms Boebert was not charged in the incident.

Her office told The Independent that the situation with her husband is part of why shes switching districts: This is a sad situation for all that keeps escalating and another reason Im moving. I didnt punch Jayson in the face and no one was arrested. I will be consulting with my lawyer about the false claims he made against me and evaluate all of my legal options.

In September, Ms Boebert was removed from a live-action musical stage version of Beetlejuice in Denver after audience members complained about behaviour during the show, including allegedly vaping near a pregnant woman, talking too loudly, taking flash photographs, and inappropriately groping her date.
Laurence Fox is the founder of the Reclaim Party - Leon Neal/2023 Getty Images

Laurence Fox has lost a High Court libel battle with two people he referred to as paedophiles on social media.

The actor-turned-politician was sued by former Stonewall trustee Simon Blake and drag artist Crystal over a row on Twitter, now known as X, in October 2020.

Mr Fox called Mr Blake and the former RuPauls Drag Race contestant, whose real name is Colin Seymour, paedophiles in an exchange about a decision by Sainsburys to mark Black History Month.

The Reclaim Party founder - who said at the time that he would boycott the supermarket - counter-sued the pair and broadcaster Nicola Thorp over tweets accusing him of racism.

In a ruling on Monday, High Court judge Mrs Justice Collins Rice ruled in favour of Mr Blake and Mr Seymour, dismissing Mr Foxs counter-claims.

She said: Mr Foxs labelling of Mr Blake and Mr Seymour as paedophiles was, on the evidence, probabilities and facts of this case, seriously harmful, defamatory and baseless.

The law affords few defences to defamation of this sort.

Mr Fox did not attempt to show these allegations were true, and he was not able to bring himself on the facts within the terms of any other defence recognised in law.

Fox described as alleged intelligent racist

During a trial in London in November, Mr Fox was described as an alleged intelligent racist with an agenda.

Lorna Skinner KC, representing Mr Blake, Mr Seymour and Ms Thorp, said the trio honestly believed, and continue honestly to believe, that Mr Fox is a racist.

In his written evidence for the case, Mr Seymour, a Canadian artist, said he had faced overwhelming and distressing abuse after Mr Foxs tweet, adding that he felt less safe as a drag performer.

Mr Blake, now chief executive of Mental Health First Aid England, said the incorrect suggestion that gay men are paedophiles is a trope as old as the hills.

However, Patrick Green KC, representing Mr Fox, told the court that neither Mr Blake nor Mr Seymour has suffered any actual, real-world consequences due to the actors tweets.

Mr Fox told the court he was horrified when he saw he had been called a racist, which he later described as a career-ending word and a reputation-destroying allegation.

The actor said he faced a significant decline in the number and quality of roles he was offered after he was accused of being a racist in the social media row.

Ruling is a nothing burger

Speaking outside the Royal Courts of Justice on Monday, Mr Fox described the ruling in his libel case as a nothing burger.

He said: It means that were going to have to go back to court, to appeal, to get a meaning of this word.

What is a racist? Every single person in this country knows what a racist is, except the people that dominate every single national institution that we have.

Mr Fox added: Racism as a term is used just as a point of disagreement, and a point of I dont like you, therefore youre a racist.

This is a great, wonderful country and I admire and I respect this country, and I fight for it and I fight for my children and I fight for everybody else out there who doesnt have my platform who gets called these vicious slurs, and I just want a definition of the word.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer.
The El Paso City Council is once again set to vote on hiring a firm to head up a national search to find a new, permanent city manager.

On Tuesday, City Council is expected to vote on a recommendation to hire Baker Tilly US, a Chicago-based advisory, tax and assurance firm, to conduct the search for an estimated $42,585.

The search was derailed in August when the City Council voted 5-3 to reject an earlier search firm recommendation in order to have more input on which firm is chosen. The firm under consideration during that meeting is the same one council members will vote on Tuesday.

The meeting agenda shows that the new contract represents an "85.15% increase due to additional scope of work added to the contract and price increases in the marketplace."

El Paso has been without a city manager since February 2023 when Mayor Oscar Leeser cast the tie-breaking vote to terminate former City Manager Tommy Gonzalez's contract. Interim City Manager Cary Westin was approved two weeks later and began his tenure at the end of June.

Interim City Manager Cary Westin speaks during a news conference Monday, Aug. 14, 2023, to discuss the city's no-new revenue budget for 2024.

The city manager is El Paso's top government administration job, overseeing the budget, all city departments, executing directives from City Council and signing off on contracts, tax abatements and grant applications among other things.

Gonzalez, who received a roughly $1 million payout when he was terminated by City Council last year, was being paid more than $436,000 at the time of his contract was terminated without cause.

The ongoing search is reminiscent of the recent police chief search, which utilized national firm Strategic Government Resources to wind up with the interim chief taking the reins of the department after fielding 25 candidates across 11 states.

The police chief selection process drew criticism from some community members for a lack of transparency. The city limited local reporter access to the candidates while they were in the city for a meet-and-greet.

There is currently no timeline for when city manager candidates will be announced or a final selection made.

Electing mayor pro tempore

Along with moving the city manager search ahead, the City Council will also have to select a mayor pro tempore, who leads meetings in the absence of the mayor.

Former District 2 city Rep. Alexsandra Annello, who resigned from her seat to mount a bid for the Texas Legislature, previously served as mayor pro tempore. Her absence leaves the City Council without a default leader in the mayor's absence.

Alexsandra Annello, District 2 City Council representative, attends a meeting.

Annello will be replaced on Tuesday by newly elected city Rep. Josh Acevedo, who won a runoff election last weekend to serve out the last 11 months of Annello's term. Despite him stepping into Annello's seat, it's highly unlikely that Acevedo will be tapped for the position.

The more likely selection would be city Rep. Joe Molinar, who has served as alternate mayor pro tempore since January 2023. If he's promoted to the mayor pro tempore position, City Council will have to select an alternate to replace him.

Removing commercial traffic from Bridge of the Americas

The planned Bridge of the Americas expansion has many detractors who insist that any plan should include removing commercial truck traffic from the port of entry  the City Council will vote Tuesday on whether to add its voice to that chorus.

The item, recommended by El Paso city Rep. Chris Canales, calls for the city to send a letter to the General Services Administration calling for the removal of commercial traffic from the port as part of its modernization project.

An inspection zone for commercial transport is photographed at the Bridge of the Americas port of entry. The 50-year-old land port of entry administrative building shows signs of age in its infrastructure.

"The focus of this action is on minimizing adverse effects on nearby residential areas while enhancing the bridge's functionality for regular users," a summary of the agenda item states. "This stance is based on community feedback expressing concerns during public scoping meetings about negative impacts on air quality, public health, and the character of nearby neighborhoods. The city aims to formalize this preference through this letter to ensure that community needs are central to the project's development."

If approved, the letter would put councilmembers in concert with El Paso County Commissioner David Stout, who has pushed for the removal of truck traffic from the land port since the modernization effort was announced.

El Paso County Commissioners Court backtracked on its earlier letter pushing for the removal of commercial traffic, leaving Stout as the lone voice of opposition on Commissioners Court.

Stout is joined by numerous community advocates who have insisted that their concerns are falling on deaf ears as the project moves forward with no substantive plan to remove truck traffic.

U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D- El Paso, a vocal supporter of the modernization plan, has warned that delaying the project could push the federal government to pull funding and allocate it to another community.

The modernization of the landmark port of entry is critical to the Borderland given the current facility is nearly obsolete.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: City manager search tops upcoming El Paso City Council meeting agenda
Alice Weidel, Parliamentary group leader of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, speaks alongside Tino Chrupalla, AfD federal chairman and parliamentary group leader, during a press statement before the start of the party's parliamentary group meeting. Michael Kappeler/dpa

Leaders of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) described mass nationwide protests against the party as "a distraction" and a desperate "last effort" to score political points before key state elections in eastern Germany later this year.

AfD co-chairwoman Alice Weidel argued on Monday that the anti-immigrant party was being "defamed and slandered," but vowed that the protests and negative press coverage "will not harm us in the long run, it will make us stronger."

Her co-chairman, Tino Chrupalla, claimed that the mass protests against the AfD and other far-right groups are "a distraction from the real problems in this country."

Chrupalla accused Chancellor Olaf Scholz's unpopular centre-left government of trying to use the demonstrations to turn public anger "toward the opposition."

Numerous cities across Germany have seen mass protests against the AfD following revelations in news reports that AfD politicians secretly met with far-right extremists, including a well-known Austrian white supremacist, to discuss ways to push immigrants out of Germany.

The discussions reportedly included the possibility of removing some German citizens, in addition to asylum seekers and other migrants.

Individual members of the ultraconservative Werteunion faction within the centre-right Christian Democrats (CDU) also attended the meeting.

AfD parliamentary faction leader Bernd Baumann claimed that the protests represented a "last effort" from political opponents.

"We have a total of 10 million voters, and now a few hundred thousand have taken to the streets in favour of left-wing green politics," Baumann said. "From our point of view, these are groups that have been called upon, which together represent this entire left-green caste in Germany."

Alice Weidel, Parliamentary group leader of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, speaks alongside Tino Chrupalla, AfD federal chairman and parliamentary group leader, during a press statement before the start of the party's parliamentary group meeting. Michael Kappeler/dpa

Tino Chrupalla, federal chairman and parliamentary group leader of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, speaks alongside Alice Weidel, parliamentary group leader, during a press statement before the start of the party's parliamentary group meeting. Michael Kappeler/dpa

Alice Weidel, Parliamentary group leader of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, speaks alongside Tino Chrupalla, AfD federal chairman and parliamentary group leader, during a press statement before the start of the party's parliamentary group meeting. Michael Kappeler/dpa
Alice Weidel, Parliamentary group leader of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, speaks during a press statement before the start of the party's parliamentary group meeting. Michael Kappeler/dpa

Leaders of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) have described mass nationwide protests against the party as "a distraction" and a desperate "last effort" to score political points before three key state elections in eastern Germany in September.

AfD co-chairwoman Alice Weidel argued on Monday that the anti-immigrant party was being "defamed and slandered," but vowed that the protests and negative press coverage "will not harm us in the long run, it will make us stronger."

Her co-chairman, Tino Chrupalla, claimed that the mass protests against the AfD and other far-right groups are "a distraction from the real problems in this country."

Chrupalla accused Chancellor Olaf Scholz's unpopular centre-left government of trying to use the demonstrations to turn public anger "toward the opposition."

Numerous cities across Germany have seen mass protests against the AfD following revelations in news reports that AfD politicians secretly met with far-right extremists, including a well-known Austrian white supremacist, to discuss ways to push immigrants out of Germany.

The discussions reportedly included the possibility of removing some German citizens, in addition to asylum seekers and other migrants.

Individual members of the ultraconservative Werteunion faction within the centre-right Christian Democrats (CDU) also attended the meeting, reports said.

Over the weekend, more than half a million people again turned out to anti-AfD protests, according to Interior Ministry estimates.

AfD parliamentary faction leader Bernd Baumann claimed that the protests represented a "last effort" from political opponents.

"We have a total of 10 million voters, and now a few hundred thousand have taken to the streets in favour of left-wing green politics," Baumann said. "From our point of view, these are groups that have been called upon, which together represent this entire left-green caste in Germany."

Baumann also claimed that a narrow AfD defeat in a local run-off election on Sunday was actually a sign of growing power for the party, which has come top of opinion polls in Brandenburg, Thuringia and Saxony before September's elections.

A centre-right Christian Democrat (CDU) candidate won the post of district administrator in Saale-Orla in the eastern state of Thuringia with 52.4% of the vote after running a unity campaign against the AfD, whose candidate received 47.6%.

"We put up a candidate, and all the other parties and parliamentary groups dug in behind another candidate, so to speak, and he won by a very narrow margin," Baumann said. "That shows our strength against all other parties."

Alice Weidel, Parliamentary group leader of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, speaks alongside Tino Chrupalla, AfD federal chairman and parliamentary group leader, during a press statement before the start of the party's parliamentary group meeting. Michael Kappeler/dpa

Alice Weidel, Parliamentary group leader of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, speaks alongside Tino Chrupalla, AfD federal chairman and parliamentary group leader, during a press statement before the start of the party's parliamentary group meeting. Michael Kappeler/dpa

Tino Chrupalla, federal chairman and parliamentary group leader of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, speaks alongside Alice Weidel, parliamentary group leader, during a press statement before the start of the party's parliamentary group meeting. Michael Kappeler/dpa

Alice Weidel, Parliamentary group leader of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, speaks alongside Tino Chrupalla, AfD federal chairman and parliamentary group leader, during a press statement before the start of the party's parliamentary group meeting. Michael Kappeler/dpa
In celebration of Black History Month, the Lebanon County NAACP is holding its second annual Freedom Fund Gala on Saturday, Feb. 24 from 6-9 p.m. in the ballroom of the WEPA Empowerment Center at 9 South 9th St. in Lebanon City.

The second annual Lebanon County NAACP Black History Month Freedom Fund Gala will be held on Feb. 24 from 6-9 p.m. in the ballroom of the WEPA Empowerment Center.

Inspired by Dr. King's unwavering commitment to equality and justice for all Americans, we in the Lebanon County Branch of the NAACP are delighted to host our Second Annual Black History Month Freedom Fund Gala, Branch President Pastor Tony Fields said in a press release. We warmly invite all community members to join us in celebrating the achievements of Black people in our community and the ties that bind us all together as a nation.

The evening features a soul food dinner by Aunt Hocker's Fish Fry Catering and live music by the Michael Kitchen Band. There will also be a cash bar and dancing.

The featured speaker is Dr. Sherry Washington, an educator and community leader. Washington is the chair of the Education Committee for the NAACP PA State Conference and owner of SRW Consulting Firm, LLC, based in York.

The cost for attending the gala is $50 per person. Check or cash payments can be made to 'Lebanon County NAACP," P.O. Box 74, Annville, Pa., 17003.

Tickets can also be purchased online at lebanonnaacp.betterworld.org/events/2nd-annual-gala.

Daniel Larlham Jr. is a reporter for the Lebanon Daily News. Reach him at DLarlham@LDNews.com or on X @djlarlham.

This article originally appeared on Lebanon Daily News: Second annual Freedom Fund Gala to feature food, dance and more
Sean Gahagan, 56, of Lebanon is facing various arson charges for allegedly setting a fire that destroyed a Montgomery County mechanic's shop where he used to work.

At 8:45 p.m. on Dec. 29, firefighters and Upper Moreland Police Department officers were dispatched to a fire at JG Transmissions, an auto mechanic shop at the 600 block of Davis Road. Upon arrival, crews found the commercial building engulfed in flames.

At 8:30 p.m. the same day, officials said Lower Moreland Police Department officers were called to a Huntingdon Pike residence for a shed fire. The fire was put out by police using with a fire extinguisher prior to the arrival of firefighters.

An investigation into the cause of both fires found that they were intentionally set, according to the Montgomery County District Attorney's office.

"Inside the shed, fire investigators found a can of fire-starting fluid and a can of 'Gum Cutter,' which is a highly flammable product used to clean various parts of automotive engines," officials said in a press release. "The fire investigators found that ''Gum Cutter'' is a product used by JG Transmissions."

During the investigation, police found that Sean Gahagan, a former employee of JG Transmissions, had visited the business at 10 a.m. on the day of the fire asking for work, but was told none was available. Gahagan was wearing a hooded camouflage jacket and driving a red Chevrolet Cobalt.

"Detectives secured surveillance video from the 600 block of Davisville Road captured a Cobalt type vehicle parking at a business near JG Transmissions, then showed a male running from the car toward JG Transmissions and running back to car about six minutes before the fire was reported to 911," officials said, adding the same car was sighted near the shed fire.

On Jan. 1, Lebanon City Police arrested Gahagan for allegedly trespassing inside a church. Officials said that at the time of Gahagan's arrest, he was wearing a camouflage jacket that matched the subjects jacket seen in the surveillance video.

License plate readers also matched Gahagans vehicle to the one at the shed fire.

Gahagan has been charged with first-degree felony arson, along with six other felony counts of arson, risking catastrophe, burglary, theft by unlawful taking, criminal mischief and possessing an instrument of crime.

Gahagan is being held at the Montgomery Correctional Facility, unable to make bail that was set at $500,000 as of Friday.

Matthew Toth is a reporter for the Lebanon Daily News. Reach him at mtoth@ldnews.com or on Twitter at @DAMattToth.

This article originally appeared on Lebanon Daily News: Lebanon PA man charged with burning down Montgomery Co. mechanic shop
PIERRE  Gov. Kristi Noem is calling for an emergency joint session of the Legislature to discuss the crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Gov. Kristi Noem tours the Texas-Mexico border on Jan. 26, 2024.

The speech, which is planned for 2 p.m. Wednesday, was announced Monday at the beginning of the House of Representatives session. The address will focus on the "warzone" at the southern border and what South Dakota's response can look like.

Because of the dire situation, it is pertinent that we have this conversation quickly, Noem wrote in a letter to the Legislature.

The announcement comes after the second-term Republican governor visited the U.S.-Mexico border Friday and met with the Texas National Guard and state troopers, received a briefing from Border Patrol agents and conducted a boat tour with the Texas Department of Public Safety.

It was Noem's second visit to the U.S.-Mexico border within six months. She's spoken at length about her support for Texas Gov. Greg Abbott while also being heavily critical of the Biden Administration's response to the crisis at the border. Prior to her visit, she and 24 other governors issued statements of support for Abbott.

More: Noem makes another visit to Texas-Mexico border

Noem told Fox News on Thursday that if Abbott needed razor wire, "Ill drive him more razor wire from South Dakota if I have to, for him to do his job."

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Jan. 22 that Abbott did not have the right to authorize the placement of razor wire at the border, according to USA Today. The razor wire had been erected along 29 miles of the Texas-Mexico border.

The South Dakota National Guard has been deployed to the southern border three times in the last two years, with the most recent deployment being in September.

A spokesperson for the Governor's Office wasn't immediately available to answer questions about why Noem is addressing the Legislature now.

Speaker of the House Rep. Hugh Bartels, R-Watertown, had spoken with Sen. Lee Schoenbeck, R-Watertown and the Senate Pro Temp, and the two planned to hold the joint session.

Rep. Will Mortenson, the House Majority Leader, told the Argus Leader he was aware of Noem's announcement before Bartels read the letter. The Fort Pierre Republican visited the southern border during the summer.

"It does seem like a critical moment in time in our nation's history and what's happening at the border should bring our attention and maybe scare a lot of us," Mortenson said.

On the other side of the aisle, Rep. Oren Lesmeister, the House Minority Leader, hoped that Noem wouldn't turn the conversation into a political stunt.

"She talks about what she's seen at the border, fine; she goes off on a rail for attacking the Biden administration for whatever they have or have not done in her eyes, it'll upset me that we waste the state's time, efforts and energies during session to have her call a joint session," Lesmeister, D-Parade, said.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: South Dakota Legislature to hold session on U.S.-Mexico border crisis
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  The victim of a Southeast Portland shooting was identified by Portland police on Monday.

On Friday, authorities were searching for a missing person in the Lents neighborhood and learned that he may have been locked in a secured house in the area.

After performing a welfare check, authorities said they found Phillip E. Pierce, 37, dead with a gunshot wound.

Witnesses share moments leading up to fatal pedestrian crash in Vancouver

According to the medical examiner, Pierced died from homicide.

Authorities are asking anyone with information about the case to contact police.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
Police intimidation and lax investigations into Islamist rioting that destroyed scores of Christian homes and businesses in Jaranwala, Pakistan in August has dampened hopes of justice for the victims, sources said.

Police harassment of complainants and witnesses, officers deliberately arresting innocent bystanders instead of known assailants, and Christian leaders failure to ensure proper investigation and legal cases has resulted in most suspects walking free on bail, said former Jaranwala councillor Shakeel Bhatti.

The police deliberately picked up several people whose presence on the scene could not be corroborated with evidence, Bhatti told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. We identified several suspects who were actively involved in the attacks, and there was video evidence against them too, but they havent been arrested yet despite repeated requests.

Bhatti, the key force behind 17 Christian complainants who filed cases against those who looted and burned properties, said most suspects in five cases registered by the government had been granted bail due to ineffective police investigation. Those bails also benefitted the suspects in the 17 privately filed cases as the same Joint Investigative Teams (JIT) probed all the First Information Reports (FIRs), he said.

Instigated by mosque leaders, Muslim mobs on Aug. 16 burned more than 20 church buildings and ransacked scores of Christian homes and businesses in Jaranwala Tehsil of Faisalabad District, Punjab Province, after two Christian brothers were accused of desecrating pages of the Quran and writing blasphemous comments.

Though 600-800 unidentified suspects were implicated in 22 terrorism cases  five registered by the state and 17 by local Christians  church sources said only 283 suspects were arrested. The government registered five FIRs under sections against terrorism, blasphemy, attempted murder, arson, hate speech and others on the day of the attacks, while 17 Christians filed private FIRs on similar charges on Aug. 21.

Most of the suspects, however, have been released on bail or discharged from the cases due to defective investigation by police, unsubstantiated nomination of suspects by some Christian complainants, and lackluster attitudes of senior Christian leaders, sources said.

Bhatti said that of the 281 bail applications filed in the Faisalabad anti-terrorism court, 223 were approved and 45 were denied, with13 still pending.

The Punjab government formed 10 Joint Investigation Teams to probe the cases, but the number of suspects winning bails has exposed the polices investigation and its commitment towards the dispensation of justice to us, Bhatti told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News.

The senior officers of the Faisalabad Police who make up the 10 JITs appear to lack commitment to punish the perpetrators of the Aug. 16 attacks, said Akmal Bhatti, a Faisalabad-based lawyer and chairman of the Minorities Alliance Pakistan (MAP).

He said rights advocates were expecting the JITs to conduct a professional investigation at least in the five cases registered by the government.

We were hoping that because of the scale of the attacks and the fact that the government itself was the complainant in five cases, the polices attitude would be different, but we are extremely disappointed by the outcome, Akmal Bhatti told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News.

Blaming defective investigation for the granting of bail to the suspects, he said police did not bother to corroborate evidence that could prove their involvement, enabling them to obtain bail.

There are hundreds of video footages of the Aug. 16 attacks in which the faces of the perpetrators are easily identifiable, Akmal Bhatti told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. However, the police neither used geofencing and face recognition technology to positively identify the culprits presence on the crime scenes, nor did it make any effort to substantiate the evidence against them.

Police failed to provide the concrete evidence that courts needed to decide bail applications, he said.

The state-registered FIRs nominated several hundred unidentified people armed with petrol bombs, batons, chemicals, etc. of being involved in the attacks, but the investigation reports fail to directly connect the acts with the detained suspects, Akmal Bhatti said.

Police Denial

Faisalabad Police spokesperson Shahid Malik denied that the JITs investigations were defective.

The JITs have to date arrested 357 suspects and sent them into judicial custody, Malik said. These suspects were identified individually through video footage of the rioting, and all efforts were made to conduct solid investigations against them. Raids are being conducted to arrest the remaining suspects whenever we get information about them.

He said police were sincerely fulfilling their responsibilities, and that officers were was not responsible for suspects obtaining their legal right to bail from courts.

The Jaranwala attacks are a stigma for the Faisalabad police, therefore we have a zero-tolerance policy for any lapse in punishing the perpetrators, Malik told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. If any complainant has any concerns over the investigations, they are welcome to share it with us, and we will look into it.

At least 10 suspects, however, secured bail based on affidavits from Christian complainants making statements in their favor under fear or pressure, said the lead lawyer for Christians True Spirit (CTS), a Non-Government Organization providing legal aid group.

At one point we were representing all 17 Christian complainants, but gradually they started to buckle under pressure, attorney Nadeem Hassan told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. Some of them submitted affidavits to police without our knowledge, while some simply stopped coming to the hearings. The situation reached the point where in one instance the judge ordered the police to forcibly bring the complainants to the court.

Police played an adverse role in these cases, he said.

They intimidated and humiliated the complainants and witnesses, deterring some from even identifying the detained suspects, Hassan said. The investigating officers did not share the official record with us despite repeated requests, and we could only access the reports when they were presented in the courtroom.

Christian Leaders

Along with deficient investigations, Shakeel Bhatti said Christian leaders were equally responsible for legal setbacks.

The onus of the flawed investigation also falls on Christian religious and political leaders who focused only on raising relief funds from their Western donors in our names instead of formulating a unified strategy for effective prosecution of the suspects, he said.

Most of the Christian complainants were poor daily wage workers, he said, and expecting them to withstand pressure from the police and local Muslims, especially activists of the Islamist extremist political party Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) that instigated the Aug. 16 attacks, was unjustified.

We took a stand despite the threats to our lives after our Christian religious and political leaders assured us of complete support and protection, Shakeel Bhatti said. It was their responsibility to provide the complainants with the finances and security to appear at court hearings and before investigation officers.

Christian leaders were also responsible for ensuring that the police conducted thorough investigations and arrested the identified suspects, he said, but they started ignoring us after the media hype over the incident ended.

Two days after the attacks in Jaranwala, Catholic Archbishop of Faisalabad Diocese Inderias Rehmat formed a Joint Action Committee (JAC) to engage with police officials and JITs and follow up with the investigations and legal matters. The JACs regular meetings with the security officials, however, have proven ineffective.

The Rev. Khalid Mukhtar, a Catholic priest in Jaranwala and member of the JAC, said that police officials repeatedly assured them of justice, but the majority of suspects obtaining bail has raised serious questions about investigations.

We were shocked when we learned in December that so many suspects have walked free on bail, Mukhtar told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. Some Christian lawyers had volunteered to pursue the matter in the Faisalabad anti-terrorism court, but they only informed us about the cases in which the bails had been rejected.

He added that they only came to know about the real situation when the complainants expressed concern over the mishandling of their cases.

At a meeting on Jan. 4, the JAC decided to engage a new legal team headed by a paid Muslim lawyer and comprising three voluntary local Christian advocates to pursue the cases in the Faisalabad anti-terrorism court. Another seven-member team of Christian lawyers will follow up the cases in Lahore High Court voluntarily, Mukhtar said.

We are also considering to demand fresh investigation in all the cases, he added.

The priests house was among the Christian properties that rioters burned, and though police have registered his FIR, investigation hasnt begun, he said.

Attorney Hassan of CTS said complainants were exploited by some vested interests. CTS was providing financial support to them for transportation to court hearings, he said, but in December, some persons instigated the complainants to demand dedicated vehicles for the court hearings which was not possible to manage for us.

We were then pressured to contribute 0.5 million rupees [$1,787USD] to a 5 million PKR victims fund that the same vested interests intended to create on the pretext of facilitating the complainants, Hassan said. We refused to contribute to a fund that has no credibility or transparency and instead offered to finance some of the complainants directly. We were surprised when we learned after some days that the complainants had withdrawn their cases from us and handed them to a new voluntary legal panel engaged by the fund people.

Akmal Bhatti of MAP said that regular protests by Christians would have maintained pressure on the provincial government and police authorities to ensure justice.

But the JAC leadership rejected our suggestion, believing that meetings with the police and administration officials would suffice, he said.

Meanwhile, top Christian leaders were more interested in appeasing the government by holding interfaith meetings thar reduced pressure on police investigators, he said.

Its now evident that this pacifist approach has failed to yield the desired results, Akmal Bhatti said.

Demand for Judicial Inquiry

Church leaders said they did not trust the police to conduct a fair investigation into the Jaranwala cases from the onset, given similar outcomes in previous attacks on Christian settlements.

Church of Pakistan President Bishop Azad Marshall said he had anticipated police negligence in investigating the cases, prompting him to demand a judicial inquiry into the rioting.

I moved a petition in the Lahore High Court in September demanding the formation of a judicial tribunal to investigate the underlying causes of such attacks, holding police and district officials responsible for inaction against the rioters accountable, and provide a lasting solution to prevent similar incidents in the future, Marshall said. Unfortunately, the Punjab government has yet to respond positively to our petition.

In December, the Punjab government told Lahore High Court Justice Asim Hafeez that the provincial cabinet had already formed 10 Joint Investigation Teams to probe the incidents, and that therefore a judicial inquiry was not needed. The judge, however, asked the Punjab government to review its decision and inform the court, though the matter has remained pending due to repeated adjournments.

Marshall emphasized that convictions in the Jaranwala attacks were important to ensure the protection of the Christian community in 96-percent Muslim Pakistan.

But justice in the Jaranwala cases seems a far cry, considering the grant of bails to a majority of the suspects, he said.

The Church of Pakistan was prepared to provide financial assistance to the complainants to pursue their cases, he added.

In an open letter to Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar Ul Haq Kakar in October, the National Commission on Human Rights (NCHR) urged the government to ensure thorough investigations into the Jaranwala attacks using the latest technology, including geofencing and CCTV cameras.

Analysis of criminal case-files of minority parties demonstrates numerous problems plaguing police investigations, delays, arrests without probable cause, proceedings in flimsy cases, etc., the NCHR noted.

It recommended that the state, as a party to the prosecution, should assist the courts for early dispensation of justice and follow up on the later stages of appeal till convictions.

Pakistan ranked seventh on Open Doors 2024 World Watch List of the most difficult places to be a Christian, as it was the previous year.
To the editor: Broken equipment isn't the only problem with public electric-vehicle chargers. Broken business models and broken software also contribute to slow uptake of these cars. ("Broken chargers, lax oversight: How California's troubled EV charging stations threaten emission goals," Jan. 24)

Most charger companies require signing up for their service, which can't be done on the spot. Then you have to clutter your phone with their bug-filled proprietary smartphone app. Some companies want you to prepay for the electricity. PowerFlex, widely used by L.A. County, is a major offender on these fronts.

Imagine driving into a gas station and discovering that you can't fill your tank until you register and download an app, and then you have to "load your account" with far more (nonrefundable) money than the amount of fuel you need. And after that, the pump doesn't work. I don't think most consumers would be happy.

The state should require all suppliers (including Tesla) to offer charging on a no-signup, pay-as-you-go basis, just like gas stations.

Geoff Kuenning, Claremont

..

To the editor: The problem of unreliable publicly subsidized EV charging stations demonstrates what happens when politicians in Washington or Sacramento jump on a bandwagon, spending huge sums of our money while racing ahead of technological development.

It's just another example that "throwing money" at a problem, so easy to do when it isn't your own, is not a prudent course of action.

Arthur Black, Fullerton

..

To the editor: I bought a Chevrolet Bolt EUV in May 2023 and immediately installed a home charger. Last December we took it on its first long-haul trip to Northern California, and we experienced the pain of public charging.

In Paso Robles there was one fast-charging station, and it was the Wild West. The station in Carmel required signing up for ChargePoint, which required entering the car's VIN, make and model (in the rain). In Berkeley, I had to call Electrify America for the chargers to be reset remotely.

Traveling beyond your car's range requires a massive amount of patience and a willingness to spend time and money consuming coffee as you wait, and wait, and wait.

Wendy Winter, Altadena

..

To the editor: I recently bought a Bolt EUV as my daily driver. The practical range is 150 miles, taking into account that you should charge to only 80% capacity and not run the batteries down below 20%.

This range suits my driving needs at least 95% of the time. I was able to reduce the cost of installing a home charger thanks to utility rebates, so I do not have to rely on public chargers.

When I need to go somewhere beyond the range of my Bolt, I take my Corvette. I enjoy both rides.

Robert Paris, Granada Hills

..

To the editor: When I first purchased my EV, I could pull up to the closest Electrify America charging station in Woodland Hills and reliably find at least one available charger. Now I find all chargers in use and a line of at least six cars waiting.

I observe the same phenomenon as I travel around the state. When EVs from other car makers start being able to use the Tesla network, the same thing is going to happen with those chargers.

Yes, reliability is an issue, but the real problem is that the rate at which fast chargers are being built is nowhere near sufficient for the rate of EV sales. We should have twice the number we have now and be building them at an equivalent rate.

This is our new transportation infrastructure. Perhaps every corner gas station should be required to install some chargers.

John Sherwood, Topanga

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Toys for Tots offers thanks to supporters of drive

To the editor:

We, Toys For Tots of Washington County, would like to thank and recognize our wonderful supporters for the years 2022 and 2023.

Our supporters include veteran's organizations, nonprofit organizations, large businesses, small businesses, labor unions, medical organizations, medical practices, churches, local government agencies, educational institutions, political parties and individual donors totaling over 200 supporters.

We extend a very warm thank you to all of them, their employers, employees and/or volunteers for their support and remind all of you that you are Toys for Tots, not me or any other volunteer, as if it weren't for you, there would be no Toys for Tots.

Our awesome coordinator, Diane Dutrow, brings all of this together up to and including distribution day.

The Antietam Detachment of the Marine Corps League, led by our esteemed commandant, Jeff Magnum, is not only our sponsor, but a huge supporter of Toys For Tots of Washington County, Md.

Jay KochCommunity LiaisonHagerstown

Washington County schools should return to six-period day

To the editor:

Beginning with the 2022-23 school year, Washington County Public School (WCPS) required its high schools to go from six or seven periods a day to eight (Greenfield).

WCPS claimed this would make students college- and career-ready by sophomore year, ensure all students would graduate on time, and allow students to take more classes so they would have a plan after graduation. Additionally, they thought it would make up for the loss of learning from the COVID-19 shutdown. While WCPS offered an array of reasons for its decision, it overlooked the negative impacts.

First, not all 16-year-old sophomore students know what college or career they would like to enter, and if sophomores are college- and career-ready, why should they be required to stay for two more years? Second, taking more classes each day increases students workload outside of the classroom, which consequently reduces the time for extracurricular activities, which support school engagement and perseverance among all students including vulnerable ones (McCabe 323).

Finally, more is not always better. In a controlled study of secondary schools, where the school day was reduced from a seven-period day to four, there was an increase in students GPAs, attendance and discipline, with parents reporting that less homework improved their family life (Khazzaka 95). Fewer classes each day would benefit the schools, families and more importantly, students.

At a minimum, WCPS needs to return to its previous six-period day and should make additional periods optional. Students who are college- and career-ready can take advanced placement courses and early college admittance classes.

By requiring eight periods per day, students are not getting in-depth learning, or the opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities. Furthermore, the coursework they offer is irrelevant to those who are not college-bound or have difficult circumstances. But thats another letter.

Works cited:

Greenfield, Sherry. Washington County Public Schools going to eight-periods next year. The Herald Mail. 29 April 2022. https://www.heraldmailmedia.com/story/news/2022/04/29/washington-county-public-schools-adjusting-high-school-schedules/9540067002/. 29 July 2023.

Khazzaka, Joseph. Comparing the Merits of a Seven-Period School Day to Those of a Four-Period School Day. The High School Journal 81.2 (1997): 8797. JSTOR. Web. 21 July 2023

McCabe, Julie, Veronique Dupere, Eric Dion, Eliane Thouin, Isabelle Archambault, Sarah Dufour, Anne-Sophie Denault, Tama Leventhal, and Robert Crosnoe. Why do Extracurricular Activities Prevent Dropout More Effectively in Some High Schools Than in Others? A Mixed-Method Examination of Organizational Dynamics. Applied Developmental Science 24.4 (2020): 323-338. doi:org10.1080/10888691.2018.1484746

Dominic McCormickHagerstown

Uvalde shows need for background checks and more

To the editor:

The city of Uvalde and the state of Texas failed.

Three-hundred-seventy-six good guys with guns spent 75 minutes fearing for their own life while an 18 -year-old with an AR15 killed 19 children and two adults. Who never wants to hear the phrase good guys with guns stop mass shootings. You know if 5- and 6-year-old kids can cope with active shooter drills, then gun owners can deal with background checks, waiting periods and red flag laws.

Patricia TaylorWilliamsport

Rising rent is a moral issue, not just one of profits

To the editor:

In Pennsylvania, the rise in rent is more than a financial burden  it's a reflection of the distorted realities of our housing market. Consider a two-bedroom apartment now costing upwards of $1,200 monthly. This, in a state where the minimum wage only recently rose to $11 an hour.

The math doesn't add up. And the question that haunts many of us is  What exactly are we paying for?

In my case, an outdated townhouse with a deck thats a safety hazard and carpets that tell tales of better days. Even basic repairs become a drawn-out saga.

The problem is clear  our housing market has lost its way, prioritizing profits over people. We need to advocate for policies that prioritize affordable housing and hold landlords accountable.

These homes arent suddenly worth more. Its not about the value of the homes themselves, but about the market, about homes as commodities.

The Glass-Steagall Act, repealed in 1999, once separated commercial and investment banking. Its repeal opened the floodgates for speculation, turning homes into investment vehicles. The impact is profound and personal. High rent and low wages have trapped many in a cycle of financial insecurity.

Were stuck paying more for less, with landlords benefiting from a market that rewards neglect. Our homes deteriorate, our bank accounts drain and our spirits falter, yet the rents keep rising. Its not just a roof over our heads; its about dignity, about being able to provide for our families in a place that feels like a home.

Reinstating regulations like the Glass-Steagall Act could be a start. Its about recognizing that homes should serve people first, not profits.

Affordable housing isnt just a policy issue; its a moral one. Its about ensuring that every American has access to a safe, decent and affordable place to live. Its about rebuilding the American dream from the foundation up, brick by brick, policy by policy.

Kayla Canfield-GarnerWaynesboro, Pa.

More funding needed for cultivated-meat research

To the editor:

Given the environmental, public health and animal-welfare concerns associated with factory farms, our legislators should include more federal funding for cultivated-meat research in the upcoming farm bill. For those who dont know, cultivated-meat is grown from livestock cells, without slaughter.

The new protein is currently too expensive to mass produce. Further development of the nascent field of cellular agriculture will help bypass this hurdle and others. Any politician interested in reducing our greenhouse-gas emissions, pandemic risk and the suffering we inflict on animals should support the effort.

Jon HochschartnerGranby, Conn.

This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Herald-Mail letters to the editor, Jan. 28, 2024
SIR  No amount of political posturing can disguise the fact that our Armed Forces have a major recruitment crisis (report, January 28).



There is nothing novel about the recruitment problem, or special to this country: it is why so many nations in both the past and present have resorted to conscription. The preferred British way to resolve the issue, however, has been the centuries-old tradition of a trained citizenry. Today organisations like the National Rifle Association, and events like the Kings Prize at Bisley, are ghosts of their former selves because their objectives have been countered by political decisions that have sought to segregate the military from civilian life, and sporting skill and interest.



If we are serious about the need to maintain a credible Armed Forces in the future, we must bridge that divide.



Richard Munday

Much Hadham, Hertfordshire





SIR  Recent articles on the crisis in our military and the reduction in regular service strengths have ignored a key factor, namely the reduction in the number of Reserve Forces locations.



While working for Lloyds Bank in the early 1980s, I joined the Territorial Army (TA) and found myself enjoying soldiering more than banking. I took a regular commission and served a decade in the Army. I was not alone in making that transition from the TA to the regulars and the TA also received many ex-regulars who retained their usefulness on the reserve list.

At the height of the Cold War, there were multiple TA drill halls, with units based in every reasonably sized town in Shropshire. Now, there is only one reserve forces centre, in Shrewsbury, meaning that the effort of travel within a rural county puts possible recruits off. More generally, there is no military presence in other towns in order to spark initial interest.



The reduction in reserve forces locations has contributed to the decline in regular Forces recruitment and post-regular service retention. These centres served as a vital gateway, introducing young people to military life. If new investment were available, expanding reserve forces locations might be a useful development.



John OBrien

Condover, Shropshire





SIR  Highlighting the Royal Navys lack of ability to conduct missile attacks on land targets (report, January 28) is correct.

The then defence secretary Geoff Hoon blocked my attempt as First Sea Lord to have the capability in the Type 45s, which had been designed with spaces for such a weapons fit. Thus the land attack capability of the Navy is vested in the submarine force and  more pertinently for operations in the Red Sea  our carrier aircraft.



Why has the RAF starved the carrier force of the aircraft required to enable a carrier to be deployed?



Admiral Lord West of Spithead (Lab)

London SW1

Women in prison

SIR  The authorities at Bronzefield Prison in Surrey are giving pregnant women personal alarms in order to call for help. In a recently built jail it is surprising that this should be necessary.



Sadly this is this just one of the recent reports that have emerged regarding the womens prison estate. Another even more troubling story is that assaults in womens jails have gone up three times in a decade, with more violence than in male establishments.



The truth is that very few women actually need to be in jail. Most female inmates have not committed any violent offence. Often they are there because of an unhappy past that has led them into trouble. They need support rather than incarceration.



Andrew McLuskey

Ashford, Middlesex

Young and homeless

SIR  I should like to address a question that must be confronted before the election: that is, the inability of all the main parties to address the problems facing young people.



My generation is very well provided for in terms of pensions and benefits. But for the young, their inability to buy a home of their own makes it difficult for them ever to establish a family. Even students trying to find rental accommodation are priced out of the market. Is it right that people who come here from abroad should have priority over them when it comes to social housing? I know one young man who has a good job but it pays 18,000 a year, which means it is unaffordable for him to rent and impossible for him to pay for transport from outside London. He is in fact homeless and lives in a tent but manages to wash and change his clothes wherever he can.



We are importing labour from abroad but we seem to be unwilling to do what is necessary to make affordable housing accessible to young people living here.



My (wartime) generation had it relatively easy in terms of housing; it is tragic that the young cannot hope to have what we took for granted.



Lady Nott

London SW3

A long way to the bank

SIR  The Post Office had already vanished when the two banks on Ascot High Street closed their doors a couple of years ago. Barclays helpfully informed us the closest alternative bank branch was now Bracknell, a train ride or car journey away.



On Saturday, with a masterful flourish of doublespeak, Barclays informed us: Were changing how we support you with your banking.

Theyre closing the Bracknell branch.



Trelawney ffrench

Ascot, Berkshire

Sightless shaving

SIR  Like Tim Pope (Letters, January 27), I shave with my eyes shut.



The reason? Years ago I was with a friend who was blind and he showed me how he managed to shave entirely by touch. I was living in lodgings at the time with no convenient mirror to shave by, so I gratefully started using the technique he showed me. Ive been shaving by touch ever since.



Clive Harding

Newcastle upon Tyne

SIR  Though I do not shave with my eyes shut, I dispensed with a mirror some time ago, and use feel alone. This saves a middle-aged man the trauma of viewing his own reflection before breakfast.



Neil Sewell-Rutter

Oxford

After Nottingham

SIR  Will lessons be learnt from the shocking killings in Nottingham by Valdo Calocane, a mentally disturbed man (Letters, January 26)?



In the accounts of his contacts with mental-health services, the circumstances sound familiar: he was diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic, frequently declined to engage with mental-health professionals, was thought to use cannabis, and regularly refused to take his prescribed medication. Most crucially, he had a record of aggressive behaviour.



It is about time the public was protected from such individuals, by a system that ensures either that  at the very least  they take their medication every single day, or that they are confined to a mental hospital and not left at large in the community.



Michael Staples

Seaford, East Sussex

SIR  Those who are bereaved and traumatised by heinous crimes must be allowed to express their views on the circumstances leading to such acts (Nottingham attacker wasnt schizophrenic as he stabbed my sister to death, report, January 27).



However, most of those who suffer from serious mental-health problems are not dishevelled; they do their utmost to conceal their hallucinations and delusions from others; and, when commanded by voices, will carry out their instructions with careful planning. At its most extreme, mental illness can overwhelm pre-existing personality and personal values, judgment and capacity.



This is what I have learnt from working for 40 years in the field of mental health and caring for a close relative with serious mental-health challenges which have put him at grave risk.



Jeremy Walker

London WC1

Parrots at play

SIR  We once had a group of parrots (Letters, January 27) at a bird rescue centre where I worked, keeping them in the main block while they waited for their premises to be built.



They learnt everyones phone ringtones, and would intersperse these with peoples names, which they would call out in the voices of members of staff. Its very weird hearing your own chuckle floating along on the breeze.



It was even more weird, during evening visits to check on the birds, to hear a little voice saying: Let me out



Sally Goulden

Ashford, Middlesex

The welcome vogue for mismatched earrings

Finishing touch: Young Women with Earrings (1657) by the Dutch master Rembrandt - PRISMA ARCHIVO / Alamy

SIR  How satisfying to read that counterparts of lost earrings, kept safely for years, can now make their comeback  with the Queens approval, it seems (The dos and donts of mismatched earrings, Features, January 24).



Margaret Reed

Trowbridge, Wiltshire

SIR  Visiting Edinburgh in 2011, after studying the line Leave symmetry to the cemetery in the Holyrood poem, I decided to get an extra piercing in my left ear as a 60th birthday statement. It was far less painful than a tattoo and gave me the opportunity to experiment with mismatched earrings. It caused consternation among family and friends at the time. Now it seems everyone of note is copying me.



Mary Ross

Warrington, Cheshire

Tory leaders have betrayed party members

SIR  Sir Simon Clarke MP writes (Commentary, January 24): If we change the leader to a prime minister who shares the instincts of the majority and is willing to lead the country in the right direction, we will recover strongly in 2024.



He also asks: Where is the radical supply-side programme to jolt our economy out of the low-growth rut we and much of the West are clearly trapped in?



May I remind him that the Conservative Party membership gave him just such a leader on September 6 2022? Just 50 days later she was forced by her colleagues to resign.



The membership is not deserting the Conservative Party; the parliamentary party has deserted the membership.



Andrew Perrins

Measham, Leicestershire



SIR  Dale Fletcher (Letters, January 26) suggests that Penny Mordaunt may be the one to unite both party and voters against Labour. The last thing the Tories need is yet another futile attempt to unite their present disparate group of MPs.



There are far too many whose natural home would be with the Liberal Democrats or the Greens, or even in Brussels. Voters will soon sort that out. The Tories future selection process should be far more rigorous and not aim for a broad church. The trouble with a broad church is that it doesnt stand for anything.



M A St Clair-George

Rye, East Sussex

SIR  Penny Mordaunt may well be an excellent choice for the next Conservative leader. The only problem is that The Daily Telegraph recently published a list of Tories at risk of losing their seats at the next general election, with Ms Mordaunt among the likely casualties.



Gordon Moser

Barkingside, Essex

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Cats safely relocated from zoo after monkey abuse sparks public outrage

08:35, January 29, 2024 By Yang Zekun ( Chinadaily.com.cn

Two cats were safely relocated from the monkey mountain enclosure at Kunming Zoo in Southwest China's Yunnan province on Saturday night following public outrage sparked by videos showing the monkeys dragging and pulling the stray cats.

After the two cats were removed from the enclosure, the zoo commissioned an animal hospital attached to the Yunnan Agricultural University to conduct a comprehensive examination. It confirmed that the two cats were in good health and had no external injuries.

The China Small Animal Protection Association, which sent staff members to help relocate the cats on Friday, said on Sunday afternoon that the two cats had arrived in Beijing. They will be cared for and rehabilitated at the association's facility, it said.

Video clips showing the monkeys at the enclosure dragging and hitting the cats went viral recently. Thousands of netizens questioned whether the zoo was mistreating the cats, and urged the authorities to ensure they were treated well and protected.

On Jan 18, the zoo said stray cats were introduced in the enclosure in 2013 as a rodent control measure. The cats did a good job of keeping rodents away.

The zoo said the cats and monkeys had coexisted peacefully for many years without any instance of mutual harm, and some cats had even reproduced in the enclosure. It said the issues raised by netizens involved playful interactions between the animals, and there was no evidence of abusive behavior.

Despite the explanation, netizens posted video clips again on Thursday questioning the zoo for housing monkeys and cats together, claiming the monkeys were pulling the cats' whiskers and tails.

Another video clip posted online on Friday showed visitors thwarting a woman's attempt to jump into the enclosure to rescue the cats. In a video posted later, the woman said she never intended to jump into the enclosure and only wanted to draw attention to the plight of the cats.

A netizen who has been following developments said: "Rescuing two cats may not change the world, but it can change their lives. It is recommended to regularly send inspectors to check the management conditions of zoos across the country to prevent similar incidents."

On Sunday morning, Kunming Zoo posted a statement on its micro-blog account which said: "We will carefully reflect on and improve the shortcomings and gaps in our work, and promptly incorporate opinions and suggestions from the public, to provide better living conditions for the animals."

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
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.



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.



Originally published by The Christian Post




Officials are warning Maine residents about ice safety after a father died saving his son on Friday from a frozen pond.

On the morning of Jan. 26, Kevin Howell, 51, and his 4-year-old son fell through ice as they were crossing Etna Pond in Carmel, Maine, the Penobscot County Sheriff's Office said in a news release. Howell was able to get his son out of the frozen pond and told him to get his mother, the sheriff's office said.

His son was able to reach their home, 1/3 of a mile from the pond, and inform his mother, according to the sheriff's office. "The mom told the young boy to stay at home, she called 911, and she rushed to help her husband," the sheriff's office said.

The mother, armed with an anchor and rope, reached the lake and secured the rope to the shore in an attempt to reach her husband but ended up falling into the frozen water, according to the sheriff's office.

Penobscot Sheriff Detective Jordan Norton, who was in the area and heard the 911 call, spotted Howell's wife in the water and crawled onto the ice, pulling the mother out of the freezing water using the rope, the sheriff's office said.

But Howell was nowhere to be found, according to the sheriff's office.

After Norton reunited Howell's wife and son, six Maine Warden Service divers and one State Police diver arrived to assist, the sheriff's office said.

After 20 minutes of searching, divers located Howell's body, according to the sheriff's office.

In a separate incident, five people, including three children, were rescued on Saturday after their utility vehicle fell through the ice on Moose Pond in Denmark, Maine, CBS News affiliate WGME 13 reported.

Officials are now warning Maine residents to be prepared with proper tools, like picks-of-life and ice chisels, before going on ice.

"These are just items that we carry if we fall through the ice, we can get ourselves out easily and efficiently," Maine Game Warden Emerson Duplissie-Cyr told WGME 13. "Even having an ice chisel like this, just checking the depth of the ice or the thickness of the ice as you go out."

"Continuously checking every few feet, just because where the ice is at one spot can change drastically," he added.

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King Charles III released from hospital after prostate procedure

Iran's influence, strategy in the Middle East
CAMDEN  BB-62. USS New Jersey. The Battleship. After over two decades at its pier here, this historic ship and waterfront museum is preparing to move. And soon.

The Battleship New Jersey will be towed to Philadelphia and dry docked for maintenance sometime in March, said Marshall Spevak, the museum's Interim CEO.

The departure date depends on the availability of the shipyard, the same one where the USS New Jersey was built in the early 1940s.

Workers recently removed the ship's mast and radar array, granting just enough space - about five to 10 feet of clearance - to squeeze the vessel under the Walt Whitman Bridge on its way down the Delaware.

Marshall Spevak, the Interim CEO of the Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial, walks near the radar array that was removed from the Battleship New Jersey in preparation of the upcoming trip to dry dock at the Philadelphia shipyard for major maintenance.

What is dry docking and why is it necessary?

Dry docking involves exposing typically submerged parts of a ship, like the hull, in a shipyard for cleaning, inspection and repair.

Navy regulations require decommissioned vessels to be dry docked for maintenance every 20 years.

For the USS New Jersey, it's been over 30.

"The longer we kick the can down the road, the more expensive the project becomes, so we've been pushing to do it now," Spevak said.

The museum will host weekend tours during its expected two-month stint in Philadelphia, offering a new spin on its typical educational experience.

"You won't be coming onto the battleship, you'll be going under the battleship," Spevak said.

During dry dock, the 887-foot-long ship will receive coatings to protect and seal its hull.

Workers also will inspect and replace some of the 1,200 zinc anodes that protect the hull from corrosion

And they'll inspect 600 through-hull openings that allow cooling water into the engines.

Additional smaller projects and maintenance efforts will also be undergone.

Spevak said the $10 million goal for the project had not been reached as of Jan. 18, but the museum has enough money in its account and in commitments to move "full steam ahead."

Though he declined to share the fundraising total, Spevak said that the project had received $5 million from the state last year. The museum is finalizing a bond transaction of $3.25 million in conjunction with the Camden County Improvement Authority and TD Bank, and is also in receipt of a $750,000 matching grant from the New Jersey Historic Trust.

Battleship's voyage will draw a crowd

The opportunity to see the battleship float down the Delaware is not lost on Spevak.

"For many ship veterans and our volunteers who are getting older, this will likely be the last time they ever see the ship move ... We take this obligation very seriously here," he said.

Marshall Spevak, the Interim CEO of the Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial located on the Camden Waterfront, will lead the Battleship through its upcoming historic dry docking maintenance project.

Celebrations are expected to mark the battleship's departure and return.

Maintaining a memorial

The Battleship New Jersey, currently located on the Camden Waterfront, will be towed a few miles down the Delaware River for major maintenance in the same South Philadelphia dry dock where it was built in the early 1940s.

As the move drifts nearer, electrical, mechanical and other utilities work is being completed on the ship to prepare for its movement.

A small crew will also be on board during the trip to handle any issues or events that may arise.

Spevak's "ambitious" goal is to have the ship back on Camden's Waterfront by Memorial Day weekend.

"We're a museum and memorial here, and it's incredibly important that we keep this ship here and floating and operating for future generations," Spevak said. "That's our mission."

Kaitlyn McCormick writes about trending issues and community news across South Jersey for the Courier-Post, The Daily Journal and the Burlington County Times. If you have a story she should tell, email her at kmccormick@gannett.com. And subscribe to stay up to date on the news you need.

This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Battleship New Jersey to leave Camden in March. How crews are preparing
A used car dealership and its owner have agreed to pay more than $6,000 in civil penalties, restitution and other costs to settle a complaint from a Wichita couple who bought a 2012 Ford Mustang last year but couldnt register or title it in their names.

Other people also tried buying the car  in September 2022 and in November 2022  but returned it to the dealership when they had the same problem, court records say.

The Sedgwick County District Attorneys Office said in a news release Monday that Maize Motors LLC, 5203 N. Maize in Maize, and its owner Gabriel Nicholson knew they couldnt give the buyers a title within 60 days of the sale as Kansas law requires  and didnt disclose that fact to customers.

The dealership and Nicholson instead tried to transfer ownership of the car using a Permit to Sell issued by the state of Louisiana from a towing and repair business there, according to the DA and court records. Maize Motors says it bought the Mustang from the towing and repair business in July 2022, according to court records.

Nicholson and Maize Motors sold the car to the couple for $14,136.25 on March 6, 2023, after two other failed sales.

When they couldnt register the car with the Permit to Sell, the couple hired a lawyer for $1,000 to file a quiet title action, a type of court proceeding used to clear up vehicle ownership matters.

The couple also filed a complaint on Oct. 26 with the Consumer Protection Division of the Sedgwick County District Attorneys Office, court records say.

The DAs Office said Monday that the dealership maintains it believed the Permit to Sell was sufficient to transfer title in Kansas.

Before settling the case, Maize Motors obtained a quiet title to the Mustang and delivered title to the consumers outside of the 60 days required by Kansas law, the DAs news release says.

Nicholson and Maize Motors deny intentionally violating the Kansas Consumer Protection Act in the sale.

But they agreed to pay $1,000 in restitution to the couple, $697 in investigative and court costs, and also be liable for $5,000 in civil penalties in a consent judgment filed in court and approved by District Judge Stephen Ternes on Jan. 23, the DAs Office said. The consent judgment settles the allegations.

They also agreed to be on probation for one year with the DAs Consumer Protection Division and give full refunds to any customer who cancels a sale if they dont receive their vehicle title within 60 days.

As part of the consent judgment, Nicholson and the dealership agreed to cooperate with any future complaints and are enjoined for five years from deceptive and unconscionable acts in consumer transactions, the DAs Office said.

In Kansas, a vehicle buyer is entitled to a full refund and the purchase is considered fraudulent and void if the seller doesnt turn over a certificate of title within 60 days. Used vehicles that dont have a Kansas title have to pass an inspection from the Kansas Highway Patrol before they can be registered.

For information on filing a consumer complaint in Sedgwick County, go to www.sedgwickcounty.org/district-attorney/consumer-protection-division.
IRON COUNTY, Mo.  A rural Missouri man was arrested in Kentucky over the weekend and will be extradited to face charges for the murder of his brother.

On the evening of January 25, deputies with the Iron County Sheriffs Office were dispatched to a home in the 60 block of Wild Turkey Road in Middlebrook after a body was found at the residence.

That individual, Derl Sharp, was believed to be the victim of a homicide. He was 65.

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At the time, Chief Deputy Sheriff Chuck Helton activated the Major Case Squad to tackle the investigation.

Following a brief investigation, authorities identified the victims brother, David Wayne Sharp, 58, as their suspect. The Iron County Prosecuting Attorneys Office issued at-large warrants charging David Sharp with first-degree murder, armed criminal action, and stealing a motor vehicle.

David Sharp was located and taken into custody at a motel in Louisville, Kentucky. The Mineral Area Major Case Squad has investigators in Louisville while extradition is processed.

CORRECTION: This story was originally written using out-of-date information. It has been updated to reflect that an arrest has been made and charges have been filed in the investigation. We regret the error.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
Travelers arrive at LAX in the rain last week. Another wet weather pattern is headed toward California, with rainfall expected through early next week. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times)

The first in a wave of wet storms is expected to hit California this week and extend into the next, bringing significant rainfall that could cause some localized flooding as well as strong winds and heavy snow.

Just a week after areas of downtown San Diego were hit by dangerous flash flooding from a historic deluge of rain  inundating homes and highways  forecasters say the region should be prepared for similar conditions into Thursday.

(Paul Duginski / Los Angeles Times)

Theres definitely a chance for heavy rain as well as thunderstorms, and that means we do have a risk of flooding on Thursday," said Brandt Maxwell, a National Weather Service meteorologist in San Diego. It would be difficult to get a repeat performance of what happened last Monday, but we cant rule it out."

With the atmospheric river storm still a few days out from Southern California, Maxwell said it's hard to pinpoint exactly where most of the rain will fall, or how fast. But it's possible that some coastal regions in Orange and San Diego counties could get close to an inch of rain within an hour  well above amounts that can prompt flash flooding, he said. But such high rates are expected to be short-lived, with rain totals likely remaining under 2 inches Thursday for much of Southern California.

But the storm is forecast to first hit the Pacific Northwest, as early as Tuesday night, before moving south.

The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch beginning late Tuesday for much of Northern California, including most of the Bay Area and parts of the Sacramento Valley and Central Coast, with urban and small-stream flooding possible and a few rivers poised to crest or overflow. A high wind warning is also in effect across the region, with gusts up to 50 mph possible, which could topple trees and knock out power.

And the chances for significant snowfall has continued to grow, with the weather service issuing a winter storm watch across the Sierra Nevada. Two feet of new snow is possible above 5,000 feet and almost 30 inches at 7,000 feet, according to the weather service.

Read more: SoCal sees two 'thousand-year' storms within weeks. More could be coming

When the system reaches Southern California, which is expected early Thursday, mountains above 6,000 feet could get up to a foot of snow.

Moderate rainfall is forecast across Central California and Los Angeles County, but no significant flooding is expected for the region during this first storm, said Lisa Phillips, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Oxnard.

We'll maybe see some flooding on roads, minor creek flooding," Phillips said, "but [we're] not expecting a flood watch."

In San Diego and Orange counties, flood advisories are likely to be issued if the storm proceeds as projected, Maxwell said.

And though forecasters warn that this week's is likely the first in a possible string of heavy storms, which can exacerbate already saturated grounds, there have been no substantiated projections for any kind of statewide "megaflood"  as has been rumored in some corners of the internet.

There is not currently any indication whatsoever of an extremely severe, statewide, catastrophic flood event, resulting from a multi-week sequence of storms, Daniel Swain, a UCLA climate scientist, said in a Friday webinar. Scientists have developed a model dubbed the "ARkStorm Scenario" to explore the potential consequences of a once-in-a thousand-years megastorm event that would cause flooding as devastating as the Great Flood of 1862, which reconfigured much of California's landscape.

Read more: Risk of catastrophic California 'megaflood' has doubled due to global warming, researchers say

Researchers in 2022 found that because of the worsening effects of climate change, such a massive storm is more likely to happen and to be more intense, with a 2% chance of occurring in any given year, as opposed to a 1% likelihood pre-global warming.

It is a real thing, but it is not something that is headed for California imminently, Swain said. The odds of it happening this year remain very low, and the odds of it happening in the next two weeks are close to zero.

Even still, this week's storm, possibly the first of many, is what Swain called a potentially high-impact storm pattern." The system falls in line with the typical El Nino pattern, fueled by a warm atmospheric river moving along a strong Pacific jet stream, Swain said.

A weaker yet still wet system is forecast to bring colder temperatures to Southern California on Friday, with some showers likely and even lower snow levels, Phillips said. And then another major storm will be moving in by Monday.

On the heels of the first storm  [the one next week] may even increase the threat for impacts, said Robbie Munroe, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard. He said the latest models Monday afternoon showed increased chances for significant flooding from that storm.

Early next week, we could get a pretty substantial storm system. Right now it looks slower-moving, so the rain could last longer, Maxwell said. It could be quite a wet February, at least a wet start."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
FILE - The Philips Center is seen, Jan. 27, 2015, in Amsterdam, Netherlands. On Monday, Jan. 29, 2024, Philips, the company behind a global recall of sleep apnea machines, said it will stop selling the devices in the U.S., under a tentative agreement with regulators that could cost the company nearly $400 million. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)

WASHINGTON (AP)  The company behind a global recall of sleep apnea machines said Monday it will stop selling the devices in the U.S., under a tentative agreement with regulators that could cost the manufacturer nearly $400 million.

Device maker Philips has recalled more than 5 million pressurized breathing machines due to risks that their internal foam can break down over time, leading users to inhale tiny particles and fumes while they sleep.

The company first announced the problem in mid-2021, but efforts to repair or replace the machines have dragged on for years, frustrating patients in the U.S. and other countries.

The Dutch manufacturing giant said it has agreed to a consent decree with the Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Justice. The deal has not yet been finalized and will have to be approved by a U.S. judge. Philips executives disclosed the tentative agreement during a quarterly earnings update.

Under the agreement's terms, Philips would continue servicing previously sold machines in the U.S., but couldn't sell new ones until it meets corrective actions laid out by the FDA. Company executives said they have set aside $393 million for operational changes and upgrades needed to comply.

The company promised it would put "safety and quality at the center of everything we do with a greater level of accountability, Philips CEO Roy Jakobs told analysts and investors.

The FDA's website warns patients that the risks of ingesting the sound-dampening foam could include headache, asthma, allergic reactions and more serious problems. In November, the agency issued a new warning that the machines can overheat, in rare cases causing fires.

The agency said it cannot comment on Philips' announcement until a final agreement is signed and filed with the court.

In 2022, the FDA took the rare step of ordering Philips to step up its outreach to customers about the recall including clearer information about the health risks of its products. At the time, the agency estimated only about half the people in the U.S. with affected machines knew they had been recalled.

Customers trying to obtain refunds or new or refurbished devices from the company have reported months of delays.

Most of the recalled devices are continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP, machines. They force air through a mask to keep passageways open during sleep. The company has also recalled certain lines of ventilators and other breathing devices.

Untreated sleep apnea can cause people to stop breathing hundreds of times per night, leading to dangerous drowsiness and increased heart attack risk. The problem is more common in men than women, with estimates ranging from 10% to 30% of adults affected.

On Monday, Philips again pointed to company-commissioned studies suggesting that inhaling foam from its machines is unlikely to result in appreciable harm to patients. The company has discontinued several of the recalled models.

The latest announcement does not resolve 675 personal injury lawsuits filed against the company over the devices. Those cases have been consolidated in a federal court in Pennsylvania.

Philips faces similar legal challenges in Canada, Australia, Israel and Chile, according to the company's update.

___

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
In his incisive Christianity Today article titled Xi Jinping Is Not Trying to Make Christianity More Chinese, Purdue University professor Fenggang Yang draws a distinction between Sinicization, or the cultural adaptation of religion to Chinese culture, and what he calls Chinafication, a more literal translation of the Chinese term Zhongguo hua () used in the current Sinicization of religion campaign.

The latter term, according to Yang, most clearly represents the aims of the campaign, which is more about political control than social assimilation or theological contextualization. Yang writes:

Western media and academia commonly translate this term as Sinicization, but this is interpretive, inaccurate, and misleading. Sinicization means assimilation into Chinese culture, especially the language, customs, norms, and national identity of the Han majority in China proper. However, the primary goal of Zhongguo hua is not cultural assimilation but political domesticationto ensure submission to the Chinese Communist party-state.

Political Control

As Yang points out, the fact that even Daoisma religion indigenous to Chinais subject to the demands of the campaign betrays the true motive of a regime that has made control over every area of society a hallmark of its governance. Renovating mosques to make them appear more Chinese, pulling down crosses from churches, and encouraging indigenous hymnology and theological literature may constitute some of the more public features of the campaign, but from a political standpoint, what is happening in the sphere of religion is not unique. No social group or organization can be allowed to function outside Party control.

The Sinicization campaign, along with a host of new regulations and the reorganization of the religious affairs bureaucracy in 2018, incorporating what had been the State Administration for Religious Affairs directly into the Partys United Front Work Department, are the regimes strategies for reining in religious communities whose foreign connections, competing ideologies, and ability to influence large numbers of citizens pose a potential challenge to the Partys nonnegotiable grip on society.

Competing Traditions

Particularly for those coming from a tradition that assumes separation of church and state, Chinas Sinicization campaign appears as little more than window dressing on what is otherwise a pure power play.

If one takes Xi Jinpings pronouncements about Chinese culture and national rejuvenation seriously, however, it is not so easy to simply write off the Sinicization campaign as merely another instrument of control. Given Chinas long tradition of state domination of religion, it may be argued that an enduring feature of Chinese political culture is the states prerogative to determine which religious teachings will be tolerated and to bestow legitimacy upon those who are allowed to propagate them, with the understanding that religious traditions outside this government-constructed box are illegal. Foreign-supported religious have long been suspect and have been excluded or only reluctantly tolerated for much of Chinas history.

Cultural and Political Symbiosis

In this sense, the cultural and political aspects of the Sinicization campaign go hand in hand. At its core, the campaign is all about political control. Yet, given Chinas culture of political dominance, it is also very much about culturea culture of obedience in which religion serves the interests of the state, a culture of conformity in which religion is expected to uphold those traditions the state finds useful for molding society, and a culture of deference with no room for parallel structures that could potentially compete for the loyalty of the governed.

The state retains the right to appropriate religious ideas and symbols for its own purposes. To the extent that Christianity fulfills these cultural expectations, it may be seen as having a place within the culture. Otherwise, it is considered an outlier.

Navigating Cultural Expectations

Understanding this cultural imperative does not necessarily make the current campaign any more legitimate. But it can shed some light on the perennial struggle by Chinese Christians not only to engage in appropriate cultural adaptation and contextualization, which Yang argues has been successfully underway within the Chinese church for some time, but also to articulate Christianitys place within a political culture that has, time and again, warmed to certain aspects of the faith that seemed to be good for China, only to turn against the church when it was perceived as a threat to the established order.

For those seeking to partner with the church in China, it is a reminder that our narratives about where we fit within this mix have often overlooked important underlying cultural assumptions about the appropriate role of religion in the Chinese state. It is also a reminder that our involvement changes the equation for Chinese believers, impacting how they and their faith are perceived within the larger society.

Those of us who are not mainland Chinese may have our own viewand a solid theology to back it upof how the church in China ought to be allowed to operate. But our stories are very different.

While we may have a role to play, we should be careful to follow the lead of our brothers and sisters in China as they navigate their own shifting cultural landscape.



Originally published by ChinaSource. Used with permission.

Dr. Brent Fulton is the founder of ChinaSource and served as its first president until 2019. Prior to that, he served as the managing director of the Institute for Chinese Studies at Wheaton College, and before that as founding US director of China Ministries International and the English publications editor for the Chinese Church Research Center in Hong Kong. Dr. Fulton holds MA and PhD degrees in political science from the University of Southern California and a BA in radio-TV-film from Messiah College. Currently, Dr. Fulton facilitates a network of member care professionals serving missionaries sent out from China and also consults with other organizations on the impact of China's religious policy.
HOBE SOUND  A 42-year-old man accused of breaking into a home last week and punching a 17-year-old girl has been apprehended, according to the Martin County Sheriffs Office.

Antonio Amaya-Guevara was taken into custody in Palm Beach County by investigators within hours of the Friday incident at a home on Southeast Alamanda Way in the Banner Lake community, west of U.S. 1 and south of Southeast Bridge Road.

The victim was in her back bedroom in a locked house, Martin County Sheriffs Chief Deputy John Budensiek has said. She hears a noise and came out of her back bedroom to confront a Hispanic male rummaging in her living room area.

Budensiek said the teen was caught off guard, initially thinking it could have been someone her father knew.

She called her father via Facetime, and the father said he didnt know the man and he shouldnt be there.

The man is accused of punching the teen several times in the face. He took her phone, though discarded it in some bushes. Sheriff's officials released a photo of the accused assailant Friday via social media.

Sheriffs officials in a 9:24 p.m. Friday social media post stated Amaya-Guevara was apprehended.

He was being charged with occupied burglary, battery, robbery by sudden snatching and child abuse, the sheriffs office stated.

Amaya-Guevara reportedly is from Honduras and is accused of re-entering the county illegally last year.

The sheriffs office stated the Palm Beach County Sheriffs Office and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security helped in the case.

Additional information, such as how investigators linked Amaya-Guevara to the incident, was not immediately available Monday.

The teen girl declined comment Monday.

Belinda Sherman said shes lived on Southeast Alamanda Way for 18 years. She wasnt home at the time, but was very concerned, and was glad there had been an arrest.

It was horrible, I have kids Sherman said. That girl had to be terrified. Shes young. I was feeling their pain.

Another resident of the street, Gustavo Gonzalez, 16, said he was at school when the incident occurred.

He said hes seen the girl in the case on the bus a couple of times.

When he returned home from school he said he noticed a number of law enforcement vehicles. When he found out what happened, he said he thought it was pretty crazy.

Another neighbor, Levon Wilkerson, said he heard about the altercation after a relative posted it on social media.

Wilkerson said it didnt necessarily surprise him that such an encounter could occur.

Life itself, from one day to the next, you never know what to expect, Wilkerson said. Life is filled with uncertainties.

Train crash: Brightline train, vehicle collide in downtown Jensen Beach

New details: Repo driver sustains six gunshot wounds in encounter at residence in Port St. Lucie

Will Greenlee is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Will on X @OffTheBeatTweet or reach him by phone at 772-267-7926. E-mail him at will.greenlee@tcpalm.com.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Arrest made in Hobe Sound burglary, attack to 17-year-old girl
An 18-year-old is recovering in the hospital Sunday afternoon after he was allegedly shot by his uncle in Visalia.

Officers responded around 2:50 a.m. to the 1000 block of North Leslie Street and found the teenager lying on the ground.

He was taken to a local hospital and is in stable condition.

The suspect, 46-year-old Samuel Bustos, was said to have pointed a gun at his wife and threatened to kill her, according to police.

Officers said the teenager is believed to have stepped in to protect his aunt and during a struggle over the gun, the nephew was shot.

Bustos was taken into custody and booked at the Tulare County Adult Pre-Trial Facility.

Bustos faces charges of suspicion of attempted murder, domestic violence, assault with a deadly weapon, child abuse, criminal threats and possession of a firearm by a felon.
COLUMBIA COUNTY, Ga. (WJBF)  55-year-old Michael Wayne Simpson was arrested Friday night, after allegedly refusing to leave a Columbia County restaurant after an argument about non-payment for a beer and later charged with Impersonating A Public Officer and Disorderly Conduct.

The incident happened January 26 at T-Bonz Steakhouse on N. Belair Square in Evans.

The report states that Simpson ordered a beer at the restaurant, put three dollars on the bar, and told the bartender to hold the beer while he put his service animal into his vehicle.

ALSO ON WJBF: Georgia State Trooper killed in weekend crash

The bartender then reportedly said no, as the beer cost more than three dollars. The incident report then states that Simpson began to furiously argue with the bartender before being asked to leave, which he refused to do. Simpson then allegedly yelled that he was going to his car because he had a gun in it.

Once Columbia County law enforcement arrived at the scene, Simpson allegedly identified himself as a Lieutenant with the Richmond County Sheriffs Office. When asked to provide credentials, Simpson claimed he was still in training but that he was automatically promoted to Lieutenant due to his experience.

A representative of the Richmond County Sheriffs Office stated to Columbia County investigators that he was NOT employed with them.

A search of Simpsons vehicle revealed a duty belt with holster, a BB gun made to look like a real Smith & Wesson handgun, and a radio attached to the belt.

Simpson was taken into custody and transported to the Columbia County Detention Center. He is charged with Impersonating a Public Officer and Disorderly Conduct.

Columbia County Animal Services was contacted to retrieve the dog.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A family is mourning and questioning the death of a Memphis mother who was shot and killed in Frayser Saturday morning after the father of her children allegedly confessed to her killing in a Facebook post.

The man the family says is responsible confessed to the shooting on Facebook, but tonight, the family is furious, because he still walks free.

ORIGINAL STORY: Woman dead, man detained after Frayser shooting

In a now-deleted Facebook post that had been shared almost 6,600 times, a man appeared to confess to the shooting of the mother of his children and said he mistook her for someone breaking into his home.

Her family members say they arent buying it.

I know for a fact that she announced herself or she told him that she was on the way over there. I dont think it was an accident at all, said a family member.

Memphis Police say officers responded to a home in the 1400 block of Alta Vista Avenue in Frayser just before 5 a.m. Saturday, where they found a woman dead.

Her family members identified her as Shunteria Virgous, a 27-year-old mother of two.

Shunteria Virgous

Shunteria Virgous

She was just an all-around sweet person and the things that happened to her and the story that theyre telling, it just doesnt add up, said a family member.

The family member we spoke to wants to remain anonymous because he says he is afraid of the man who made the Facebook post.

WREG is not identifying the man because no charges have been filed against him.

I am furious that no charges have been filed and Im really hoping that somebody could pick this up and have a thorough investigation going on, he said.

The family member says the two have been together off and on for eight years, and they share two children.

He says they have a violent and volatile history, but he never expected this.

 Download the WREG App today and stay up to date with breaking news and weather.

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 See more breaking news, local news and weather from WREG.com for Memphis and the Mid-South.

I was very surprised. I knew that theyve had issues but to take it this far? I was very hurt and surprised, he said.

He describes Shunteria as a loving person and a fabulous mother who was always smiling and laughing.

So, while he and his family work to figure out how to tell her young children their mother will not be coming home, he wants their father to step up and own what he did.

I think the right thing for him to do is tell the truth. Tell the truth. Give us some closure, let his kids know that hes the reason for this, said the family member.

We reached out to the Memphis Police Department for more information. All they would say is the case is still under investigation.

We also reached out to the man the family claims is the shooter in this case to hear his side of things, but so far, we have not heard back.

Memphis murders and homicides 2024

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
[Source]

A 29-year-old male suspect has been arrested in Honolulu for a recent chemical attack on a 25-year-old Chinese woman.

What happened: Danying Zhang was walking in the Ala Moana area on Tuesday night when Sebastian Mahkwan allegedly splashed an unknown chemical liquid on her at around 9:15 p.m. local time before fleeing the scene on foot. This resulted in Zhangs skin and clothes being burned. She immediately sought help inside a nearby Planet Fitness gym, where witnesses immediately provided help until paramedics arrived at the scene. Zhang was sent to the hospital in critical condition due to the severity of her burns.

Arrest and charges: The case has been classified as second-degree attempted murder. Mahkwan was arrested on Thursday but has not yet been charged. According to police, charges will be sought with the Honolulu Prosecutors Office.

Criminal history: Mahkwan reportedly had prior charges in October for assault and drug possession, and he was out on an $8,000 bail bond when he was apprehended on Thursday. He received several citations related to homelessness during the pandemic, including obstruction of a sidewalk in November 2021. Mahkwan, who appears to have moved to Hawaii from South Dakota, had multiple citations between May 2020 and October 2020 for various violations.

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About Zhang: The recent victim is a Chinese language teacher at the Maryknoll School in Honolulu. She was reportedly identified by the US-China Peoples Friendship Association, which sponsors her as part of an exchange program.

Update on the victim: According to the association, Zhang currently remains hospitalized, but reportedly remains optimistic about her recovery. The association noted that the news of the attack has gained attention in China, with efforts ongoing to establish communication with her parents, who are believed to reside in rural China. However, due to their potential status as farmers, internet access may be uncertain. Vernon Ching of the association also mentioned that Zhang is currently unable to speak and is limited in her ability to use a computer.

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She is all bandaged up to cover her wounds right now. She has tubes in her, Ching told Hawaii News Now. She is very upbeat and optimistic. She feels that she is going to get better.

GoFundMe campaign: The Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii has set up a GoFundMe campaign to help support Zhangs medical expenses, ongoing treatments and the extensive path to her recovery, including rehabilitation and counseling. The fundraiser has received more than $100,000, as of this writing.

Chinese Consulates message: The Chinese Consulate General in Los Angeles has dispatched a working group to Honolulu to address the incident. The Consul General in Los Angeles, Guo Shaochun, has raised the issue with Hawaii state officials, demanding a thorough investigation and justice for the victim. Chinese citizens are also reminded by the consulate general to be vigilant and enhance self-protection.

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PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now)  The Laurel Police Department said it arrested a man after he barricaded himself in his home in the early hours of Sunday.

Officers were notified about a stolen vehicle in the area of the 14600 block of Philip Court at about 12:50 a.m. Police saw a suspect getting out of the car and, when they tried to stop him, he fled and barricaded himself in his home.

He was identified as 40-year-old Jason Nathaniel Marks, of Laurel. He had four active warrants for his arrest on charges ranging from armed robbery to weapons and probation violations.

Sundays historic Ravens game is extra special to Pikesville family

Officers tried to negotiate with him, but he refused to respond, according to a post on Facebook by the police department. Residents from the building were evacuated and displaced for hours as Laurel Police Officers continued their negotiation efforts.

Eventually, they were able to get Marks to surrender peacefully and he was taken into custody.

He was taken to the Department of Corrections and is facing several charges, including possession of a controlled dangerous substance, motor vehicle theft and malicious destruction of property  as well as the four outstanding warrants.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Laurel Police Department at (301) 498-0092.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
A 35-year-old man will go to prison after being accused of attacking an older couple in Washington D.C., federal officials said.

In February 2022, Alexander Adams was outside a grocery store in Northwest D.C., when he asked John Hopkins, 78, and his wife Claudia Hopkins, 79, for $5, officials said.

The 78-year-old gave Adams $1, to which Adams replied, That is not enough!, federal officials said.

After the verbal exchange, Adams is accused of beating the man with his fist which caused him to fall, officials said.

Then, he grabbed the mans cane and began attacking his wife until she fell backwards and hit her head on the concrete, federal officials said.

A bystander walking his dog flagged down officers and medical personnel were sent to the scene, according to the arrest affidavit.

When officials got to the scene they found the woman in a pool of blood and a broken wooden cane beside her, according to the document.

She suffered a concussion, brain bleed, swelling of the brain and severe cognitive decline, officials said, adding that she will likely never recover.

McClatchy News reached out to Adams lawyer for comment on Jan. 29 but they did not immediately respond.

On Dec. 4, Adams pleaded guilty to the charges, according to the release.

Adams was sentenced to 96 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release, officials said.

If you suspect an elder adult or an adult with disabilities has experienced, is currently experiencing, or is at risk of experiencing abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or financial exploitation, your first step should be to contact the appropriate agency.

National Adult Protective Services Association has a list of state agencies you can contact confidentially. Find help specific to your area here.

75-year-old chases down accused attacker after antisemitic attack, California cops say

80-year-old woman hurled into traffic during road rage clash, Tennessee cops say

74-year-old father strangled by his daughter dies in hospital, California police say
The Islamic State (ISIS) claimed responsibility for a shooting at a Catholic Church service in Istanbul, Turkey on Sunday (Jan. 28) that killed a Muslim citizen, news agencies reported.

Authorities in Turkey have detained the two gunmen, both foreigners, who targeted a Turkish Muslim attending the service at the Italian Santa Maria Catholic Church in Istanbuls Sariyer District, according to Reuters, citing Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya.

The suspects, one from Tajikstan and the other Russian, were affiliated with the Islamic State, Yerlikaya told reporters. He said they were captured in raids on 30 locations in Istanbul in which 47 people were detained.

The mayor of Sariyer District, Sukru Genc, told local newspaper BirGun that the slain man was a Muslim from the Turkish city of Bayburt who was near the entrance to the church building when the gunmen opened fire, according to CNN. It stated that Yerlikaya identified the victim as Tuncer Murat Cihan.

According to the priest, he was constantly going to church, and the priest knew this person and referred to him as a good person, Genc told local BirGun, according to CNN.



Church lawyer Avsin Hatipoglu told AP that the victim, Cihan, was an Alevi. Alevism is a sect of Shia Islam; ISIS and most of the population of Turkey are Sunni Muslims.

Reuters reported that CCTV footage from inside of the church building showed the gunmen wearing masks enter the building and shoot a man walking in front of them.

Islamic States claim of responsibility, published on its media arm, Aamaq, asserted that one person had been wounded in addition to the one killed, but Turkish authorities said no one was injured except the slain man, according to The AP.

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, Yerlikaya said, according to AP.

ISIS had reportedly never targeted places of worship in Turkey previously, though its militants killed 39 people in an Istanbul night club in 2017 and 109 people in a 2015 bombing in Ankara, among other attacks.

Since June, Turkish authorities have detained 2,086 people suspected of ties to Islamic State during 1,046 operations, with 529 of them arrested, Yerlikaya reportedly said.

Reuters reported that President Tayyip Erdogan conveyed condolences and support to the churchs priest, and Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni on X condemned the shooting as a despicable act.
A Washington state man who made over 20 swatting calls around the country and in Canada, prompting emergency responses to his fake bombing, shooting and other threatening reports, pleaded guilty on Thursday to four crimes.

Ashton Garcia, 21, pleaded guilty Thursday in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to two counts of extortion and two counts of threats and hoaxes regarding explosives, U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman said in a news release. He was initially charged with 10 felony counts.

Federal prosecutors say Garcia used voice-over-internet technology to conceal his identity during the calls in 2022 and 2023. He also urged others to listen as he broadcast them on the social media platform Discord.

Garcia in several cases collected personal information about his victims and threatened to send emergency responses to their homes unless they turned over money, credit card information or sexually explicit images.

Law enforcement responded and entered some of the homes with guns drawn and detained people inside, prosecutors said.

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He also called in fake bomb scares for the Fox News station in Cleveland, Ohio, and for a flight from Honolulu to Los Angeles. In another instance, he threatened to bomb an airport in Los Angeles unless he received $200,000 in Bitcoin.

Such hoaxes can prove deadly. In 2017, a police officer in Wichita, Kansas, shot and killed a man while responding to a hoax emergency call.

The indictment does not indicate how investigators identified Garcia as a suspect. Prosecutors recommend that Garcia, of Bremerton, serve four years in prison as part of his plea agreement. His sentencing is scheduled for April.

Garcia placed the calls to agencies in Washington, California, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Colorado, and Edmonton, in Alberta, Canada, prosecutors said.

Garcia remains jailed at the Federal Detention Center at SeaTac, Washington.

IN OTHER NEWS:
The Greenville County Sheriffs office provided additional information Monday about a man charged with assault after a fatal shooting involving deputies that occurred late last Friday.

On Jan. 26, Greenville County Sheriff's Deputies arrived on S. Piedmont Highway and Cemetery Street in Piedmont after a service call was received shortly after 11 p.m. about a disturbance and an assault according to an email from Lt. Ryan Flood with the sheriffs office sent early Saturday morning.

Deputies encountered two individuals, one who was alleged to be armed. A shooting then occurred where at least one Greenville deputy fired their weapon, Flood said. The Greenville County Coroners Office pronounced the individual dead at the scene.

According to an email from Flood Monday, Greenville County deputies charged 38-year-old Larry Doyle Simmons with third degree assault and battery in relation to the incident. Simmons allegedly assaulted a victim with a wooden board that spurred the 911 call to police, the email said.

According to an arrest warrant, the victim of the assault and a witness to the incident both provided statements stating that Simmons opened the door to the victims vehicle and struck them with a board.

However, Simmons did not engage in a shooting with law enforcement and was not struck by gunfire, according to Flood.

Deputies on the scene found a wooden board and red marks on the victims face, the warrant said. According to a release from the coroner's office Saturday evening, the individual shot was identified as 51-year-old Robert Lee Campbell. Campbell's address was listed as the same one where the incident occurred. The time of injury was recorded at 11:19 p.m., and time of death at 11:57 p.m.

Campbell's manner of death was listed as a homicide, and cause of death from "multiple gunshot wounds."

More: Suspect killed in Landrum by police after house fire double homicide identified

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is investigating the incident.

The incident was the fourth shooting involving law enforcement in South Carolina in 2024 and the second shooting involving GCSO, according to a release from SLED Monday afternoon. In 2023, there were 43 officer involved shootings in the state and GCSO was involved in three.

A critical incident community briefing regarding the shooting will be released on March 12 at 8 a.m. on the GCSO YouTube page.

Terry Benjamin II covers public safety and breaking news for The Greenville News and can be reached at tbenjamin@gannett.com or on X @Terrybenji2.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Man charged with assault after fatal police shooting in Greenville
SHERBORN  Authorities have identified the man who died in a crash on Western Avenue last week.

Carlos Emilio Esquivel Diaz, 28, of Framingham, died Jan. 26 when he crashed his car into a guardrail and tree, authorities said.

The man was driving at least twice the 30 mph speed limit at the time of the 9:23 p.m. crash, Police Chief Thomas Galvin said Monday.

"It was tough," Galvin said. "The crash was actually witnessed by one of our sergeants, who happened to be in the area at the time."

Galvin said the 28-year-old man was driving a Volkswagen Rabbit from Framingham into Sherborn. The vehicle was moving at between 60 and 70 mph, while the speed limit in the area is 30 mph, the chief said.

'Technology is so advanced': Holliston has moved its 9-1-1 services to a regional center

"The car lost control and hit a wooden guardrail and slid sideways into a tree," Galvin said.

The car sustained heavy damage, with its driver side androof collapsing. The motorist was declared dead at the scene.

The driver was the only person in the car and no other vehicles were involved, Galvin said.

The crash remains under investigation by the Sherborn police and the Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney's Office.

"We don't know if alcohol or anything else was involved," said Galvin. "We have to wait for toxicology reports."

Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or nmiller@wickedlocal.com. For up-to-date public safety news, follow him on X @Norman_MillerMW or on Facebook at facebook.com/NormanMillerCrime.

This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Sherborn police report fatal car crash on Western Avenue
A 56-year-old man is dead after a single-vehicle crash in Wayne County, according to a spokesperson from the Indiana State Police.

>> Have you seen him? Local man wanted by U.S. Marshals

On Saturday, Indiana State Police and Cambridge City Police Department responded to a crash that occurred on Interstate 70 at the 141.3-mile marker around 8:45 p.m.

Jack Lyons, 56, of Monrovia, Indiana died on scene, the spokesperson said.

When police arrived, they found Lyons and began life-saving procedures.

A preliminary investigation found that Lyons was driving a 2015 Ford Taurus westbound on I-70 before losing control, the spokesperson said.

It is unknown why he lost control of the car, but he overcorrected and ran off the south side of the interstate.

The Ford entered a grassy median and the soft mud caused the car to roll, the spokesperson said.

Investigators determined Lyons was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from the car.

>> Police searching for inmate who escaped from transport van in Butler County

One of the tires from the Ford detached and hit another car traveling eastbound on I-70, the spokesperson said.

The occupants of this vehicle were checked out and released by medical personnel.

State troopers and Cambridge City officers were assisted on scene by the Wayne County Sheriffs Department, Wayne County Coroners Office, Centerville Volunteer Fire Department, Reid EMS, INDOT, and a towing company.

No additional information is available at this time.
SALT LAKE COUNTY, Utah (ABC4)  A homeless man is facing charges after he allegedly assaulted and tried to disarm two peace officers.

Kenneth Wesley Smith, 26, was arrested on two counts of disarming a police officer  firearm, a first-degree felony; two counts of assault against peace officer/military, a third-degree felony; and interference with a peace officer, a class B misdemeanor, the Salt Lake County Sheriffs Office said.

Woman facing felony charges after attempting $40K in fraudulent withdrawals

On Sunday, officers with SLCSO were dispatched on reports of a homeless man trespassing near Fort Union, sleeping in a hallway. Officers met with the manager, who reportedly told them they asked the man to leave, but he refused, the affidavit states.

The officers confronted the man, who identified himself as Smith. When the officers asked Smith to stand up and place his hands behind his back, he reportedly refused. Officers said they then tried to grab Smith but he kept pulling away.

Officers then tried to stabilize Smith on their car and on the ground, but Smith started fighting them, the affidavit states. One officer tried to stun Smith with his taser but was unsuccessful, the affidavit states.

During the fight, officers said Smith tried to grab their firearms twice.

Additional officers arrived, helped gain control of Smith, and put him in cuffs, the affidavit states.

Smith was then taken to the Salt Lake County Jail on the previously mentioned charges.

Smith reportedly has two active no bail warrants, one for assault on a police officer, the affidavit states.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
A Russian man who flew from Denmark to the west coast of the USA in November without a passport or ticket has been found guilty of being a stowaway on an aircraft.

Sergey Vladimirovich Ochigava arrived at Los Angeles International Airport on 4 November on Scandinavian Airlines flight 931 from Copenhagen.

In a case that baffled officials, US Customs and Border Protection officers could not find Ochigava on the flight's manifest or any other incoming international flights, according to a complaint filed on 6 November in Los Angeles federal court.

At the time, a spokesperson for Copenhagen Airport told The Independent that a man could be seen entering without a valid ticket and that it provided photo and video material to the authorities who are investigating the case.

After a three-day trial, a jury found Ochigava, 46, guilty of one count of being a stowaway on an aircraft. He faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison when he is sentenced on 5 February, the US Department of Justice said in a statement.

Prosecutors presented evidence at the trial that showed Ochigava entered a terminal at Copenhagen Airport in Denmark without a boarding pass by tailgating an unsuspecting passenger through a security turnstile. The next day, he boarded the plane undetected, prosecutors said.

The flight crew told investigators that during the flights departure, Ochigava was in a seat that was supposed to be unoccupied. After departure, he kept wandering around the plane, switching seats and trying to talk to other passengers, who ignored him, according to the complaint.

He also ate two meals during each meal service, and at one point attempted to eat the chocolate that belonged to members of the cabin crew, the complaint said.

Customs and Border Protection officers searched his bag and found what appeared to be Russian identification cards and an Israeli identification card, federal officials said in court documents. They also found in his phone a photograph that partially showed a passport containing his name, date of birth and a passport number but not his photograph, they said.

Ochigava gave false and misleading information about his travel to the United States, including initially telling CBP that he left his US passport on the airplane, according to the complaint, which said he claimed he had not been sleeping for three days and did not understand what was going on.

Additonal reporting by Associated Press.
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.

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.



Originally published by The Christian Post
Seattle Police are searching for a suspect after a man was shot in his car while driving in the Cherry Hill neighborhood.

The victim was driving west on East Jefferson Street past 21st Avenue at 9:15 p.m. Sunday when someone opened fire, according to Seattle police.

Passengers told officers that they thought the car had hit something in the road until they realized the driver had been shot.

The victim is believed to be 28 years old. He was taken to Harborview Medical Center in critical condition.

Police dont yet know what led up to the shooting and no suspects have been identified.

Homicide detectives are in charge of the investigation.

If you have information about the shooting, youre asked to call the SPD Violent Crimes Tip Line at 206-233-5000.
EUCLID, Ohio (WJW)  A man was taken into custody Sunday, following a carjacking and subsequent car chase through a few cities on the east side, according to the Cleveland Heights communications director.

Police were first made aware of the man around 10:30 a.m., after a woman reported her car stolen at gunpoint on the 3100 East Derbyshire Road in Cleveland Heights.

9-year-old killed, 6 people injured in Geauga County crash: OSHP investigating

The stolen car was tracked rolling through East Cleveland, Cleveland and Euclid on various traffic cameras.

Euclid police officers were able to spot the vehicle and began pursuing the man through the city, with the Cleveland Heights Police Department backing them up, according to the city.

The chase came to an end when the suspect drove into a pole, sustaining injuries.

Man killed in fiery Cleveland crash identified

The suspect was reportedly taken into custody and also transferred to University Hospitals for treatment.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
The Coordination Headquarters has decided to conduct mandatory evacuations in nine villages in the Marinka and Ocheretyne hromadas, Donetsk Oblast. [A hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories.]

Source: Donetsk Oblast Military Administration (OMA)

Quote: "We have decided to conduct a mandatory evacuation from the villages of the Marinka (Antonivka, Ilinka, Zoriane, Oleksandropil, Zhelanne Druhe) and Ocheretyne hromadas (Mezhove, Voskhod, Novoselivka Persha and Zhelanne)."

Details: Vadym Filashkin, Head of the Donetsk Oblast Military Administration, said it was essential to evacuate residents of the oblast, families with children, and people with health issues to safer areas.

"We are working on this with our international partners and friendly organisations," Filashkin said.

According to Filashkin, there were 72 children in the Marinka and Ocheretyne hromadas as of 24 January.

Background: On 27 January, Filashkin reported that 467 people, including 102 children, had been evacuated from contact line settlements during the week.

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Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is raising red flags on what he calls a growing problem linked to the rise of mobile payment services such as Venmo, Zelle and Cash App.

And Bragg said he is looking forward to working with those companies to secure people's money.

PHOTO: Stock photo (Hispanolistic/Getty Images)

Bragg told "GMA3" Monday that there has been a large jump in crime surrounding mobile payment services, with users having huge sums of money taken out of their accounts without their permission or knowledge and even becoming victims of alleged hold-ups on the street.

MORE: Venmo, Zelle, Cash App leaving users vulnerable to fraud: Manhattan DA

"So right now, [with] two taps, if someone has your phone, they can have your life savings," Bragg said.

Last week the DA sent letters to Venmo, Zelle and Cash App in which he expressed his concern about the problem and cited several examples of users being victimized.

In the past year, there have been thefts stretching from Los Angeles, where several people were robbed of thousands of dollars through Venmo at knifepoint, to Orlando, where a woman had thousands drained from her Venmo after a child asked to use her phone, the DA said.

Similar thefts and robberies have been publicly reported in several states across the country, according to Bragg.

The district attorney called on Venmo, Zelle and Cash App to adopt additional security measures, including imposing limits on transactions and requiring two-step verification. He also pushed for better computer monitoring services that could catch the fraud faster.

PHOTO: Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg speaks during a press conference in New York, Apr. 4, 2023. (Angela Weiss/Getty Images, FILE)

"It's 3 a.m. in France and you've never been in France before," Bragg cited as an example. "We want them to flag that transaction is suspicious."

The three major mobile payment companies released statements after Bragg sent the letters responding to his concerns.

Early Warning Services LLC, the network operator of Zelle, said in its statement that "as a result of our continued efforts to build a strong foundation of security, a less than one-tenth of 1% of transactions are reported as fraud or scams, and that percentage keeps getting smaller."

A spokesperson for Cash App said in its statement that it has several "preventative controls like multi-factor authentication, account transaction limits, fraud detection, and consumer education," and partners with law enforcement to crack down on fraud.

MORE: Video Venmo, Zelle, Cash App leaving users vulnerable to fraud: Manhattan DA

PayPal, the parent company of Venmo, said in a statement that it has "sophisticated fraud detection tools" to protect its users, and has "several options in place to enable enhanced layers of security and protection directly within our apps."

Bragg said he is still waiting for a meeting with the companies to address the problems and discuss more solutions before the fraud grows.

"So this is a big part of our life, and we see it in a lot of our enforcement where [more] people are using things. The fraud follows," Bragg said.

ABC News' Aaron Katersky contributed to this report.

Manhattan DA pushes Venmo, Zelle, Cash App to crack down on fraud originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
A long list of candidates are running to replace Sean Loloee in the Sacramento City Councils 2nd District, and new documents give voters a glimpse into whos funding their campaigns.

The winner will replace Loloee, who resigned earlier this month amid criminal federal labor charges regarding his grocery store business.

So far, former Assemblyman Roger Dickinson is far ahead of the pack when it comes to fundraising. As of Jan. 20, he has about $43,000 in cash on hand. His coffers include a $50,000 loan from himself but also a sizable amount from developers, politicians and labor groups. So far, no law enforcement unions have donated to his campaign.

Realtor Stephen Walton has raised the second-highest amount, $19,656, mostly from developers and landlords.

The remaining candidates have raised significantly less, but the North Sacramento district, with its relatively low number of registered voters, does not typically see much campaign spending.

As of Jan. 20, Penelope Larry has $8,081 cash on hand; Veronica Smith has $9,748 in cash on hand; Ramona Landeros has $1,203 in cash on hand; and Kim Davie has $794 in cash on hand. Daryl Collins has not yet raised any money.

The primary will be held March 5. If no single candidate receives a majority of the vote, the winner will be determined in a Nov. 5 runoff during the general election. Ballots will be delivered to voters mailboxes next week.

Whos funding Roger Dickinsons campaign?

Labor

 Sacramento Building and Trades Council: $1,000 in 2023

 Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 477: $6,800 in 2023

 Sacramento Area Firefighters Local 522: $6,800 in 2023

 Sacramento Building Trades Council PAC: $1,000 in 2023

 Sacramento Central Labor Council: $3,400 in 2023

 SEIU Local 1021: $2,050 in 2023

Politicians

 Sacramento City Councilwoman Katie Valenzuela: $100 in 2023

 (Former Assemblyman) Dave Jones For Treasurer: $2,050 in 2023

Developers

 Angelo Tsakopoulos: $1,000 in 2023

 Sotiris Kolokotronis, SKK: $1,000 in 2023

 Teichert Inc.: $2,050 in 2023

Other

 Derrell Roberts, Roberts Family Development Center: $250 in 2023

 Tamie Dramer, executive director of Organize Sacramento: $100 in 2023

 (Sacramento City Councilman) Eric Guerra for Council: $250 in 2023

Whos funding Stephen Waltons campaign?

 Mark Friedman, developer: $2,050 in 2023

 Associated Builders and Contractors of Northern California: $2,050 in 2023

 California Apartment Association PAC: $2,500 in 2024

 John Vignocchi, developer: $1,000 in 2024
ST. LOUIS  Many community water systems across Missouri have been honored with the Water Fluoridation Quality Award from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These communities are maintaining fluoride levels in their water supplies, a key measure in combating tooth decay and promoting oral health.

Among the awarded communities are many water systems in the St. Louis area.

This includes Missouri American Water, which provides service for many St. Louis and St. Charles County communities. St. Louis City and several Jefferson County Public Water Supply Districts were also commended. These systems represent a fraction of the 1,209 public water systems across 27 states that received the award for their efforts throughout 2022.

61-year-old run over, killed at Pacific nail salon

The fluoridation of community water supplies has been a cornerstone in public health strategy for preventing dental cavities in both children and adults. Casey Hannan, MPH, Director of the CDC Division of Oral Health, highlighted the cost-effectiveness of water fluoridation, noting that for every dollar invested, communities save $20 in dental treatment costs.

Recognized by the CDC as one of the 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century, water fluoridation is lauded for its practicality, cost-effectiveness, and safety. It stands as a testament to a communitys dedication to the oral health of its citizens.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
Two climate activists advocating for a sustainable food system has chucked soup at the glass casing of the famed "Mona Lisa" painting held in Paris's Louvre Museum last Sunday, Jan. 28.

The incident took place amid other protests launched by farmers in France and over two months since the "hammer attack" launched by Just Stop Oil against Diego Velazquez's "Rokeby Venus" held at the National Gallery.

Riposte Alimentaire's Food Attack Against the Da Vinci Painting

A video circulating online shows the two food vandals, one of whom wore a t-shirt with the words "Riposte Alimentaire" or "Food Response," throwing the pumpkin soup at the Leonardo da Vinci masterpiece.

They can be heard shouting: "What's the most important thing? Art, or right to healthy and sustainable food?"

"Our farming system is sick. Our farmers are dying at work," the activists added.

In the same footage, museum staff can be seen erecting a makeshift wall using black panels in front of the soup-doused glass casing of the painting before fully evacuating the room itself.

Later that day, Paris authorities released a public announcement saying two people were arrested after the incident at the Louvre.

On X (formerly Twitter), the group named "Riposte Alimentaire" claimed that it was them who planned and executed the food attack as part of its "campaign" calling for the "the integration of food into the general social security system."

The group has also named both of the assailants as 24-year-old Sasha and 63-year-old Mari-Juliette, saying that they have exercised the demands of their food campaign "through their non-violent action."

France's Minister of Culture Rachida Dati released a statement of her own denouncing the actions committed by the two activists, saying, "The Mona Lisa, like our heritage, belongs to future generations. No cause can justify it being targeted!"

This particular incident happened during a string of protests by French farmers, demanding better work regulations, increased pay, and lowered taxes.

The country's government has since been trying to minimize the discontent of these agriculture workers from worsening ahead of the European Parliament elections that will be held months from now.

Read Also: American Museum of Natural History Closes Two of Its Native American Displays Amid New Federal Regulations

 2024 Classicalite All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Irakli Kobakhidze, the current chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party, will take over as Prime Minister of Georgia, replacing Irakli Garibashvili, the pro-government TV channel Imedi announced on Jan. 29.

Garibashvili has served as prime minister since 2021, and previously from 2013-2015. He will take Kobakhidze's place as the party chair.

The news, which is expected to be formally announced later this week, came a month after Georgian Dream party founder and former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili said he was returning to politics as the party's "honorary chair."

Ivanishvili is the richest person in Georgia, and is widely believed to have remained the true power behind the government even during his ostensible tenure away from politics.

Georgian Dream has taken inconsistent positions on Russia and its full-scale war on Ukraine.

Garibashvili drew widespread criticism in May 2023 after he said that Ukraine was partially to blame for Russia's full-scale war.

Representatives from Georgian Dream did not vote for the Oct. 13 Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) resolution that declared Russia a dictatorship.

Georgia has also refrained from joining sanctions against Russia, often citing that doing so would harm its own economic interests.

Georgian Dream tried to enact a foreign agents law in 2023, characterized by some as a "kind of a copy-paste from Russia," but withdrew it from consideration after massive street protests broke out in response.

Read also: Opinion: Will the Kremlins war soon expand to a second front in Georgia?

Kobakhidze has been in Georgian politics since 2015 and was first elected to parliament in 2016. He has held the seat of Georgian Dream party chair since 2021.

Kobakhidze has gained attention and occasional condemnation for his inflammatory statements. While he has condemned Russia's full-scale war and supported Ukraine's territorial integrity, the Caucasus media outlet OC-Media found that Kobakhidze publicly criticized the West and Ukraine much more often than Russia.

The pro-Western Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili has denounced the anti-Western rhetoric often repeated by Kobakhidze and other Georgian Dream politicians.

Zourabichvili faced an attempted impeachment in October 2023, spearheaded by Kobakhidze and other Georgian Dream members, which ultimately failed to garner enough votes to pass.

Kobakhidze and Georgian Dream are "pushing the country towards isolation," Zourabichvili said at the time.

Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova all applied for EU membership after the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. The European Commission offered Georgia candidate status in November 2023, while Moldova and Ukraine were granted official recommendations to begin accession talks.

A report released by the EU's Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum (EaP CSF) earlier in January found that Georgia has made only minimal progress in its EU-required reforms and runs the risk of drifting toward Russia.

Georgian citizens remain overwhelmingly in favor of joining the EU, with a poll released in November 2023 showing that 86% of respondents supported EU accession. Another 55% said they were in favor of joining the EU even if it meant "cutting trade ties with Russia."

Read also: Kutelia, Sikharulidze: Ending Putins wars  dont forget Georgia

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Two Germantown School Board members, Tracy Pawlak and Tom Barney, are facing challengers at the ballot box this spring.

Pawlak is facing two opponents in a primary election Feb. 20. The top two candidates from the primary will face off in the general election April 2.

Separately, Barney has just one opponent, Fred Fleitz. With just two candidates, that race does not require a primary and will be decided April 2.

All school board seats in Germantown are elected "at-large," which means all voters in the school district can vote for each seat. The other five school board members, who hold staggered three-year terms, are not up for election this spring.

Heres what we know about the candidates in the primary election for Pawlaks seat.

Tracy Pawlak (incumbent)

Tracy Pawlak, a Germantown School Board member, is running for re-election.

Background: Pawlak was elected to the Germantown School Board in 2021. He also works as an AVP Wealth Training Consultant for Johnson Financial Group.

Websites: tracypawlak.com and facebook.com/pawlakforgsd

Supporters: Pawlak said he is self-funding his campaign and will not accept campaign donations. He said he is not aware of any endorsements.

Pawlak is a Germantown parent who started attending meetings in 2019

Pawlak, who has three children in the district, said he started attending school board meetings in 2019 and was concerned by the low attendance. He ran for a board seat in 2020 and lost, before winning in 2021 with a commitment to improve school board transparency. While changes were already in motion, he said he pushed to get all committee meetings streamed on YouTube, as they now are.

Advocates for raising teacher pay, increasing special education funding

Pawlak said he has prioritized running a balanced budget for the district, while in previous years the district had to dip into its savings to cover expenses. He said the district isnt anywhere near needing another referendum to increase tax funding, but he does hope to see the district raise teacher pay. Pawlak said state lawmakers should increase special education funding and re-examine the funding formula for schools.

Supported proposals for school safety officer, allowing concealed carry

Pawlak supported other board members proposals to add a school safety officer and ask state lawmakers to give school districts more options, such as allowing concealed carry in school buildings. Neither has been implemented.

Pawlak OK with removing some books from libraries, limiting CRT to high school

Asked his views on removing books from school libraries, Pawlak said he thought it was appropriate to do so based on sexual content. He also agreed with a school board decision in 2021 to limit any teaching about critical race theory to two high school courses and required those courses to notify parents about the mention of CRT.

Jeff Voyer

Jeff Voyer is running in the primary election for Germantown School Board Feb. 20, 2024.

Background: Voyer works as a Contact Sales Associate for Grand Appliance. He has two young children.

Website: facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554329828473

Supporters: Voyer said his campaign so far is self-funded and was unsure if he would accept donations in the future. He said he has been "offered" endorsements but rejected them, saying he thought it should be a non-partisan race. He declined to say who offered endorsements.

Voyer motivated by his kids, taxpayers

Voyer said he was motivated to run because of his two children, ages 5 and 2. He is running on a platform of "transparency; decency with age-appropriate materials; and not overburdening our taxpayers."

Wants parents notified about library books; opposes 'trans literature'

Voyer said he does not support fully removing books from libraries but would like to see a system for parental notifications on certain books for certain ages. He said he opposes "trans literature." "As far as trans literature or trans agenda, I don't believe it has a place in public school," he said.

Voyer opposes mentioning CRT at any level

Voyer said he opposes any mention of critical race theory in school curriculum. He disagreed with the school board's decision to allow discussion of CRT in two high school courses.

Plans to prevent DEI programs

Asked about his priority of "not overburdening" taxpayers, Voyer said he opposes DEI, which stands for diversity, equity and inclusion; he called DEI programs a "waste of funding." Asked for examples of DEI in Germantown, Voyer said he doesn't know of anything currently. "Everything that Im saying is future-driven," he said. "Its not something Ive seen but something I want to prevent in the future." Voyer also said he would look to "trim the fat" in the district's budget.

Bruce Warnimont

Bruce Warnimont, former Germantown School Board member pictured in a 2014 file photo, is running to rejoin the board. He declined to share a new photo.

Background: Warnimont previously served on the Germantown School Board from 2001 to 2016. He owns an engineering business.

Website: None

Supporters: Warnimont said he wasn't planning to accept donations and hadn't received endorsements.

Warnimont said board in his time was more communicative

Asked what he accomplished in his previous time on the board, Warnimont said the board was successful in reducing class sizes. He also thought the district at the time had better lines of communication between staff, parents and community members, and he said it seemed those had fallen "by the wayside," referencing the tenor of more recent conflicts about curriculum and critical race theory. "Having a reasonable chance for meaningful dialogue helps people understand where each other comes from," Warnimont said.

CRT not a focus

Asked his views on CRT, Warnimont said he's "not even sure what CRT stands for." He said it's not a focus for him. "The bigger issue to me is hearing people out," he said.

Would like to see increased enrollment

Warnimont said he's "not coming in with an agenda." "The first part of our name is 'German,'" he said. "Germans don't like change very much." He did say he would like to see the district increase enrollment, but how to do that is the "$64,000 question."

Says board should focus on the local level

Warnimont said he didn't think Germantown should advocate for funding or policies at the state level, saying he is too familiar with how "very little" a district can do to influence lawmakers. "It's not gonna change anything," he said. He did say board members should be open to considering going to voters with a referendum if more school funding is needed.

Residents of the Germantown School District can vote in the primary election Feb. 20.

Contact Rory Linnane at rory.linnane@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @RoryLinnane.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Meet the Germantown School Board candidates in the February primary
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni addresses the guests of the Italy-Africa international conference (A bridge for common growth) at the Italian Senate. Roberto Monaldo/LaPresse via ZUMA Press/dpa

Italy wants to use its current presidency of the group of the world's seven leading industrialized democracies (G7) to revamp relations with the African continent, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Monday.

The fates of Europe and Africa in particular are closely linked, Meloni said at the start of an Africa summit in Rome.

With a view to colonial history, she added that what is needed today is "cooperation among equals."

The head of the African Union, Azali Assoumani, expressed hope for extensive investment.

Officials said that leaders from more than 20 African countries came to Rome for the meeting, while other African countries sent their foreign ministers.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel took part on behalf of the European Union.

Since the beginning of the year, Italy has held the rotating presidency of the G7, which groups Britain, the United States, France, Italy, Japan, Canada and Germany.

Meloni assured that Africa would have a "place of honour" at the G7 summit in June in Apulia in southern Italy.

Von der Leyen once again spoke out in favour of joint efforts in the fight against gangs of traffickers who bring people across the Mediterranean to Europe at great risk.

Italy gets a particularly large share of migrants arriving in the EU. Last year, more than 160,000 people from Africa disembarked after crossing the Mediterranean.

During her electoral campaign Meloni, the leader of the ultra-right Fratelli d'Italia (Brothers of Italy) party, promised to reduce the number of new arrivals. In fact, it has increased significantly since she took office in October 2022.
This article was originally published in South Carolina Daily Gazette.

COLUMBIA  The number of mental health counselors in South Carolina schools doubled in a year and a half, according to a report released Thursday by the states Medicaid agency.

A 2022 statewide survey requested by the governor found a dearth of mental health counselors in the states schools, despite an increasing need for mental health services for children. On average, the state had only one counselor for every 1,300 students, and nine school districts didnt have any counselors at all, according to the report from the Department of Health and Human Services.

The improvement is partly due to the agency nearly doubling what it pays licensed therapists working in schools. The rate for a 30-minute session has jumped from $37 to $71 since 2022, according to the department.

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The department hit its goal: In September of 2023, schools had one counselor for every 653 students, the most recent report found. Overall, the number of mental health counselors working in schools went from 600 in January 2022 to 1,200 in September 2023.

Every district in the state had at least one counselor as of September, according to the report. In some districts, counselors spend all day every day of class in an assigned school, while in others they rotate from school to school.

The numbers are still far below recommendations of one counselor for every 250 students set by the American School Counselors Association. Nationwide, the average is closer to 400 students per counselor, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

The long-term goal for South Carolina is to have one therapist for every 325 students. The biggest thing standing in the way of that is that the state just doesnt have enough mental health clinicians to fill the need, said Jeff Leieritz, spokesman for the states Medicaid agency.

The agencys report came out a day after Gov. Henry McMaster touted the progress in his State of the State address with a preview of the surveys findings.

Related

10 Teens Talk Mental Health, AI & What Its Like to Be a Student in 2023

In just the past two years, we have made significant progress in providing school-based mental health services to school-aged children, McMaster said Thursday in a statement. With an ongoing mental health crisis, especially among our young people, it is critical that we continue to build upon these efforts and ensure mental health resources are available and accessible to our states children.

While children can get therapy outside of school, they are 21 times more likely to use mental health services available in their school, according to findings by the South Carolina School Behavioral Health Academy. That makes getting counselors into schools even more essential, said the states Medicaid director, Robby Kerr.

And the need for mental health services is growing.

Nationally, suicide rates for people ages 10 to 24 increased 62% from 2007 to 2021, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2021, 2.5 of every 100,000 children in South Carolina died by suicide, according to data from the state Committee on Children.

Beyond pay therapists more, changing how theyre paid also helped South Carolinas numbers.

The state Medicaid agency changed its policy to make it easier for schools to hire private clinicians and still send the cost to the agency, where before the need was filled by the states mental health workers.

That opened the door for districts to hire their own counselors, which was something nearly 60% of district leaders said they would prefer, according to the 2022 report.

As of the 2023 survey, around 600, or about half, of all in-school mental health counselors were employed by their districts instead of a state agency. School districts still have the option of partnering with the state Department of Mental Health or doing a hybrid model mixing state workers with private clinicians.

District-employed counselors can spend more time in schools instead of jumping from place to place, and less turnover means students are seeing the same person consistently, Leieritz said.

More counselors also means more support for students in crisis. Clinicians overwhelmed with day-to-day sessions often didnt have the time to help children having mental health emergencies, leaving those situations in the hands of untrained nurses or administrators, the 2022 report said.

SC Daily Gazette is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. SC Daily Gazette maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Seanna Adcox for questions: info@scdailygazette.com. Follow SC Daily Gazette on Facebook and Twitter.
A Mesa pet store employee was arrested and booked on a second-degree murder charge after a man was shot and killed Saturday evening behind the business.

Officers responded to a call reporting a possible shooting at approximately 6 p.m. near 800 S. Alma School Rd. behind Pratt's Pets, according to Mesa police.

The caller told police the shooter was an employee of the pet store, police said. Upon arriving, officers found a 32-year-old man on the south side of the strip mall who had suffered a gunshot wound. Police reported taking life-saving measures on the victim before he was transported to a hospital where he later died.

Officers located the suspect and identified him as 21-year-old Jakob Urias, who was on the clock at Pratts Pets when the shooting occurred, according to police reports. Officers detained Urias and questioned him.

After further investigation, detectives learned that Urias and two other female employees told the victim he was trespassing and advised him to leave the area behind the store. The employees realized the victim was intoxicated and went inside to call the police to have him removed, according to court documents.

Victim to violence: Slain man hailed as hero by dad for defending friend in Mesa shooting

Urias said while he was outside taking the trash out, the victim stood up from the ground and started aggressively "power walking" toward him after Urias told the victim that police were on their way.

According to court records, Urias said he removed a handgun from his waistband and told the victim he had a gun. The victim continued walking toward Urias, and Urias fired his gun three times.

The other two employees reported hearing three gunshots, court records stated. Officers located a semi-automatic handgun at the scene.

Urias was charged and booked into the Maricopa County Jail on one count of second-degree murder, according to reports from police.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Mesa worker jailed after a man was shot, killed behind pet store
Ahead of a major congressional hearing about children's online safety, Meta has announced a collaboration with the Center for Open Science, a nonprofit dedicated to transparency in academic research. As part of this pilot program, Meta says it will share "privacy-preserving social media data" with select academic researchers who study well-being.

At Meta, we want to do our part to contribute to the scientific communitys understanding of how different factors may or may not relate to peoples well-being. Were committed to doing this in a way that respects the privacy of people who use our app," said Curtiss Cobb, Meta's VP of Research, in a press release.

Academics have pushed for years to get platforms to share more data with them for their research, but as the impact of social media on mental health becomes an increasingly urgent concern in Congress, these efforts have accelerated. In November, Meta expanded researchers' access to data through a transparency product called the Meta Content Library, which made already available data like public posts, comments and reactions easier to analyze at scale.

On Wednesday, Meta founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg will testify before Congress alongside CEOs from Discord, Snap, TikTok and X as part of a hearing on children's online safety. In addition to throwing academics a bone in advance of the hearing, Meta also announced last week that it's rolling out new messaging restrictions on Facebook and Instagram, which will opt-out users under 16 from receiving messages from adults who they don't follow. Guardians will also be able to approve or deny teens' changes to default privacy settings. Meta has also taken some measures to limit teens' access to content about self-harm, suicide and eating disorders.

But these changes come amid escalating scrutiny. Earlier this month, unredacted documents in part of an ongoing lawsuit showed Meta's "historical reluctance" to protect children on its platforms.

Other social platforms have also been adopting new safety initiatives in the lead up to Wednesday's hearing. X announced it will hire 100 moderators in Austin, Texas for a "Trust and Safety" center; per Axios, CEO Linda Yaccarino has also been meeting with bipartisan members of Congress to discuss how X is handling child sexual exploitation on the platform. Meanwhile, last week, X faced a high-profile content moderation issue when nonconsensual, pornographic deepfake images of Taylor Swift went viral. The public concern about the abusive images even reached the White House, where press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre called on Congress to take legislative action.
The man suspected in the armed robbery of an East St. Louis convenience store has been arrested in Houston, Texas and is now facing a pair of federal felony charges.

Vernelle E. Hines, 30, arrested in Houston, Texas, was charged in the U.S. Court for the Southern District of Illinois with one count of interference with commerce by robbery and one count of carry and use of a firearm during a crime of violence.

Store employees should be able to show up for work and not fear for their lives due to weapons and violence, said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. Our partners in the Illinois State Police Public Safety Enforcement Group work tirelessly to bring justice to victims of crime and to protect businesses in the community.

Court documents allege Hines discharged a firearm and took money, alcohol and other items by force from the Mega Supermarket at 1901 Central Ave. in East St. Louis on Oct. 31, 2023.

If convicted, Hines could face up to 20 years imprisonment for the robbery charge and a minimum of 10 years up to life imprisonment for the use of a firearm.

The Illinois State Police Public Safety Enforcement Group led the investigation with assistance in making the arrest from the U.S. Marshals Service in the Southern District of Illinois and Homeland Security, according to a release from the federal court.
We are learning more about a metro reservist who was killed in a drone attack in Jordan, near the border with Syria.

The Department of Defense said Sgt. William Jerome Rivers, 46, of Carrollton, was killed along with Spc. Kennedy Ladon Sanders, 24, of Waycross, and Spc. Breonna Alexsondria Moffett, 23, of Savannah.

All three were stationed at Fort Moore.

Channel 2s Candace McCowan went to Carrollton on Monday after learning about Rivers death. She spoke to his widow, who was still in shock.

Rivers wife, who asked not to be identified, said her husband was passionate about his work with the Army.

He was away, and he just promised that he would be home safe. And unfortunately, that didnt happen, the wife said.

When Rivers was deployed in August, his family trusted that he would return home like he had so many other times after deployments.

They came to the door and told me that he had passed away in Jordan, which I didnt know he was in Jordan because, I guess, that was classified information, Rivers wife said.

The heartbroken wife said her husband of almost 11 years and father of their teenage son was always there for them, even when he was overseas.

Always smiling, always happy, always worried about his family, always took care of his family, a very hard worker for his family, the wife said.

Rivers was 46.

The family is still wrapping their head around losing their cornerstone.

Were all in shock right now. I dont know what to say, the wife said.

This is the first time U.S. troops have been killed by enemy fire since the start of the war in Gaza.

IN OTHER NEWS:
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - The presidential candidate from Mexico's ruling leftist party has the support of 48% of voters, a 16-point lead compared to the main opposition coalition hopeful, about four months ahead of the election, according to a new poll released on Monday.

Still, support for Claudia Sheinbaum, the candidate for the MORENA party of outgoing President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, dipped 6 points compared to the previous survey published by newspaper El Financiero.

Her main opponent Xochitl Galvez, the candidate representing a three-party coalition of ideological diverse parties, has 32% support in the poll, up 2 points since the previous survey in December.

A third candidate from a smaller opposition party, Jorge Alvarez, had 10% support, up from 7% last month, while another 10% were undecided.

Mexican voters will head to the polls on June 2 to pick a successor to the popular Lopez Obrador, who by law is limited to one six-year term, as well as scores of other elected positions across the country.

Mexico would see its first woman president if Sheinbaum, the former mayor of the capital, or Galvez, a senator who has stepped down to run, were to win.

The poll also showed that MORENA is favored by 40% of voter intentions for the lower chamber of Congress which will also be up for grabs, down 5 points from December, while the three main opposition parties - the conservative PAN, centrist PRI and leftist PRD - would win an accumulated 31%.

Polls in Mexico have a checkered record of predicting election results, and have diverged significantly from final results in some past elections.

The El Financiero survey polled 1,000 adults via phone calls, both landlines and mobile numbers, on Jan. 12-13 and Jan 26-27, with a margin of error of 3.1%.

(Reporting by Raul Cortes Fernandez; Writing by David Alire; Editing by Steven Grattan and Bernadette Baum)
Nicola Sturgeon used the Covid pandemic to further the aims of Scottish independence and destroy the UK, Michael Gove has claimed.

The levelling up secretary accused the SNP of searching for political conflict during the pandemic in order to make the case for an independent Scotland.

While Mr Gove said the Scottish governments decision making was overwhelmingly driven by a desire to do the right thing, he told the Covid inquiry Ms Sturgeon sought political advantage at certain points.

Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove giving evidence to the UK Covid-19 inquiry in Edinburgh (PA) (PA Media)

There are and were occasions when the Scottish government was thinking politically and of course it is the case the SNP has a political mission to achieve Scotlands independence, i.e. destroy the United Kingdom, Mr Gove said.

He added that it would be naive to think highly skilled politicians including Ms Sturgeon would not seek political advantage at certain points.

Mr Goves appearance at the inquiry came before former Scottish health secretary Jeane Freeman accused the UK government of lacking sufficient urgency at the outset of the pandemic.

Ms Freeman said there were times when Scottish government officials were frustrated by slow information or the absence of information.

My feeling [at that Cobra meeting in March 2020 was that there wasnt sufficient urgency from the UK Government and I do recall querying at that meeting, their intention to focus on flights to the UK from Wuhan, Ms Freeman added.

The pair were giving evidence to the inquiry on how the UK and Scottish governments worked together during the pandemic.

The then cabinet office minister Mr Gove said there were tensions at times within the UK government at Ms Sturgeon diverging from decisions taken in Westminster or making decisions unilaterally.

One example included Mr Gove describing "unhappiness in Downing Street when Ms Sturgeon appeared to ban events of over 500 people in Scotland unilaterally.

Mr Gove conceded that decisions were made in the public health interests of the people of Scotland. (PA)

He went on to tell the inquiry some of the language used by Scottish officials led him to believe there was a "desire for differentiation" from the UK government.

He said a temptation among the SNP to seek political advantage was clearly there given the cause to which they have devoted their lives (independence)".

I think that almost all of the time, decisions were made in the public health interests of the people of Scotland, he said.

He added: The Scottish government believed that if its handling of these matters was somehow superior to that of the UK government, that people would appreciate and recognise that and therefore people would be prompted to think: Well, how much better might life be if we gave the Scottish Government more powers and we moved further down the path to independence?.

The top Tory minister went on to claim that Ms Sturgeon and then prime minister Boris Johnson were "not soulmates" but they were "able to secure effective co-ordination on substantive policy".

Mr Gove served as a Cabinet Office minister during the pandemic, with a focus on intergovernmental relations and told the inquiry the relationship between the UK Government and the devolved administrations was "for the most part constructive" when dealing with the day-to-day management of the pandemic.

He said "we can learn from how we responded to this virus to consider how the devolution settlement can be evolved in the future" but the current balance of the constitutional settlement is "broadly right".
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  A federal judge has approved a stipulated order that substantially reduces the provisions that the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services must meet to end federal court oversight of Michigans child welfare system.

MDHHS announced the ruling Monday, made by Judge Nancy G. Edmunds of the U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of Michigan.

Child welfare in Michigan has been under federal court oversight for more than 15 years.

The order eliminates 31 remaining provisions and reduces the number of provisions to 23 that are subject to federal monitoring, according to MDHHS. An additional 20 requirements will not be actively monitored, but MDHHS will maintain them in-house.

Childrens Rights filed a lawsuit in 2006 against the state on behalf of nearly 20,000 children over foster care, child protection, health care and other child-welfare issues, as previously reported by WLNS. Court oversight began in 2008.

In 2016, the court approved an implementation, sustainability and exit plan in place of an earlier court agreement. The plan was further modified in 2019, MDHHS officials said.

Two DeWitt couples charged in child abuse conspiracy

MDHHS officials say this new change will allow the department to focus more on keeping children safe, rather than on complying with court reporting requirements.

We are closer to exiting federal court oversight of our child welfare system, said MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel in the news release Monday. More importantly, we are closer to our goal of keeping all Michigan children safe.

According to MDHHS, a few of the changes made in the child welfare system since 2008 are as follows:

The number of children in foster is currently 9,300down from more than 19,000 children in care in 2008.

The number of children placed in congregate care facilities is about 350down from more than 1,200 in 2008.

An increase in the number of youth 18 and older who leave foster care with a high school diploma or GED.

A statewide Centralized Intake Unit that answers toll-free calls from people reporting child abuse and neglect.

A Maltreatment in Care Unit.

More oversight of congregate care facilities. Congregate care usually includes group homes and other residential facilities.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
Internal turmoil is roiling the Michigan GOP as it looks to retake a key 2024 battleground thats shown signs of moving away from President Biden.

A Decision Desk HQ/The Hill average of polls out of the Great Lakes State shows former President Trump several points ahead of Biden after the Democrat flipped Michigan blue in the 2020 election. Concerns are also growing that the states sizable Arab American population wont turn out for Biden amid anger over the war in Gaza.

But the Michigan GOP is facing its own setbacks. Republicans there voted this month to oust the controversial Kristina Karamo from her role as state GOP chair, but shes insisted shes still in control  sparking a party leadership power struggle as the Republicans eye what should be a prime pickup opportunity.

We have all these opportunities in the state, weve got Trump with a significant lead in early polling, weve got an open Senate seat, weve got three competitive congressional races. Weve got control of the statehouse up for grabs, said Michigan-based Republican strategist Jason Cabel Roe. And most people, unfortunately, are spending their time and bandwidth talking about all the nonsense going on at the state party.

Michigan GOP committee members voted this month to oust Karamo, a vocal election denier, after less than a year in the post. Former Rep. Pete Hoekstra was picked to replace her, but Karamo called the meeting illegitimate and continued to assert herself as the party chair.

She accused Hoekstra of attempting to usurp the Michigan Republican Party.

Karamo and Hoekstra have put out recent statements under the party name, sowing confusion about who holds the top spot.

Over the weekend, Trump weighed in on the discord, throwing his support behind Hoekstra in a snub to Karamo, whom hed endorsed during her secretary of state bid in 2022  though he notably backed Karamos rival for state party chair last year.

An initial review of the matter from the Republican National Committee (RNC) found Karamo appeared to have been properly removed from the role, according to a letter from top RNC lawyers obtained by The Hill.

But the RNCs website now lists the Michigan GOP chair position as vacant.

The letter said the RNC has limited power to issue binding determinations in internal state party disputes, but has the authority to decide who its voting members are  and the national party is unable to conclusively rule on whether either Karamo or Hoekstra is a voting member of the RNC before its winter meeting this week.

As a result, neither will be credentialed as Michigan GOP chair for the meeting, according to the letter, and a body of RNC Members will move quickly to review this dispute and make such recommendation as they believe appropriate afterward.

Karamos general counsel, Dan Hartman, shrugged off the RNC letter as irrelevant in a statement to The Associated Press.

Two camps claiming chairmanship, claiming control, the RNC weighing in, Trump weighing in  its just a continuation of the dysfunction and the chaos that has gripped and subsumed the Republican Party in Michigan and, I think, a microcosm of the party across the country, said Jeff Timmer, a former executive director of the Michigan Republican Party.

Under Karamos leadership, the state GOP has grappled with disarray and debt, leading one former Michigan Republican lawmaker to tell The Hill last year that the state party is dead.

Timmer framed the ongoing dispute over the state partys leadership as factions of the America-first, MAGA fighting amongst themselves, and argued those factions are big enough to remain impactfully disgruntled even once the leadership squabble is settled.

The matter is also making its way through the courts, as a lawsuit from others in the state GOP looks to get Karamos removal officially declared.

Observers say some of the impact of the internal turmoil depends on how long the matter stretches out. Roe, for one, predicted Karamo and her supporters could keep agitating and making noise as the election cycle heats up.

Going into the 2024 elections, I dont expect Karamo and her supporters to go away or to in any way be quiet, Roe said.

But he also said Karamos ouster appears as a good sign that the party might be functional under Hoekstra once the dust settles from the leadership chaos.

Meanwhile, Democrats should certainly try to capitalize on that chaos, said Adrian Hemond, a Democratic strategist based in the Great Lakes State.

Theres been a lot of bad news for Democrats in Michigan, in polling around President Biden specifically, Hemond said. And so theyll take all the good news that they can get, and certainly, your opponents being disorganized and not having very much money is always going to be helpful when youre trying to win elections.

And though many Michigan voters may be unaware of the internal party squabbles playing out in recent weeks  or even unfamiliar with whos part of their state organization  the headline-making chaos isnt helpful as the party preps for important 2024 contests.

Michigan Republicans took hits in the 2022 midterms, when Democrats scored a trifecta  taking control of both chambers of the state Legislature, as well as the governors office, where Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) beat out a Trump-backed Republican challenger.

In 2024, theyre eyeing the U.S. Senate seat opened up by retiring Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D), as well as several competitive congressional and state-level races. Theyre also hoping to win Michigan in the presidential race, taking advantage of Democrats weak spots in the state.

The Decision Desk HQ/The Hill polling averages put Trump up 3 points on Biden in the state as reports signal Michigan Democrats may be moving away from Biden amid weak polling and problems with the states younger voters and its significant Arab American population.

For a presidential campaign, youd like to be able to show up in a state and have party infrastructure thats ready to work with you to go out and win an election in November, Hemond said, arguing the Michigan GOP isnt there at this point.

Timmer said the disorganization spells trouble for close races throughout the state.

Whether its the presidential or U.S. Senate, or the few big battles in the open congressional districts, or races for the Legislature  if everythings not pulling together the entire team right down to the grassroots volunteers, that still can make a difference in close races. Its going to hurt Republican candidates in those races, Timmer said.

David Dulio, a political science professor at Michigans Oakland University, said there are warning signs for the Biden campaign in Michigan, but stressed Trump still faces challenges in the state that went to Biden back in 2020.

Its a battle for swing voters. Its a battle for turnout, Dulio said.

Dulio expects the impact of the Michigan GOP turmoil on campaigns to be minimal, given that other groups and donors can weigh in to offset the state partys shortfalls in the state  but that the fissures and confusion could still impact Republican enthusiasm.

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

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella is appalled by all of the pornographic deepfakes of Taylor Swift that have been flooding social media feeds, particularly X, over the last week.

In a Friday interview with NBC, Nadella argued that it was "our responsibility" to "move fast" and introduce more "guardrails" to make sure that "more safe content" is being produced.

"I think we can govern a lot more than we think we give ourselves credit for," he added.

That last argument is especially pertinent, considering Microsoft itself was heavily implicated in the Swift debacle. Last week, 404 Media reported that users on 4chan and Telegram used simple workarounds to fool Microsoft's AI image generator Designer to produce fake and explicit images.

Microsoft claimed to have addressed the issue with an update this week, telling 404 Media in a statement that "we are investigating these reports and are taking appropriate action to address them."

In its own testing, the outlet found that specific workarounds users on Telegram and 4chan used no longer work.

At the same time, it's hard to imagine this will be the last time we'll come across abusive AI content that was abetted by big tech.

Alarming Deepfakes

The Taylor Swift story has prompted so much outrage that even the White House chimed in, describing the situation as "alarming" and calling on social media companies to reexamine the "important role" they play in making sure this kind of thing doesn't keep spreading.

Meanwhile, in a desperate last-ditch effort, X-formerly-Twitter blocked all searches for "Taylor Swift" on its platform over the weekend. As The Verge has pointed out since, a simple rearrangement of words still returns results, meaning that the hamfisted new policy has done little to help the situation.

In other words, tech companies are simply not doing enough. Despite Nadella's belated call to action, tech companies are clearly ill-prepared for the reality of the AI they're funding, which has opened the floodgates for all kinds of horrible content.

Worse yet, the laws surrounding the use of this kind of technology are still lagging far behind, giving Swift little, if any, legal recourse.

In short, Nadella may know that there's a "lot to be done"  but it's about time for him to put his money where his mouth is.

More on the situation: New Law Would Illegalize AI Taylor Swift Porn Flooding Internet
Abu Dhabi -- The pace of innovation around unmanned surface vessels is being hindered by the operational and environmental challenges that the waters in the Middle East present, according to the chief of the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command.

You bring things out, they look good on a powerpoint, they look good when they are tested back in the middle of America, Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, the USNAVCENT commander, said during a panel discussion at the UMEX conference in Abu Dhabi on Jan. 22. But when you bring them out in the Middle East and have them operate in the actual waters with the heat and the sand, some dont work as well.

Danish air-defense frigate heads to Red Sea as trade is under threat

The Middle East region is home to a number of important maritime passages and shipping lanes, each possessing their own characteristics that can make navigating an unmanned vessel challenging.

The Strait of Hormuz, connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, for example, is known to have relatively bad visibility year-round due to dust and haze. This may impact the range of vision of a USV while carrying out a surveillance mission.

The Red Sea, which touches Saudi Arabia and Egypt, is characterized by its considerable length of 2,250 kilometers (1,400 miles), extremely shallow waters, where about 40% of it is less than 100 meters deep, and its business as a vital trade route.

Cooper outlined a recent procurement effort seeking USVs that can operate effectively in such conditions.

With the Defense Innovation Unit out in Silicon Valley, we essentially said were looking for the very best the world can produce of USVs and AI and their applications to maritime domain awareness, he said. It took about nine days [after sollicitation went out] for 107 companies to come in with an input.

DIU whittled that down to about 15 companies, he said. We then brought them out here to the region and had them operate in the environment where the systems would ultimately serve, and in the course of doing that, we recognized wed probably choose winners and losers.

From these tests, the initial 15 companies short-listed were very quickly brought down to seven or eight, Cooper said.

Youll see a lot of good concepts in the experimental phase, but then you present them to a larger force and some of these concepts end up dying because they dont have the power of a legacy-acquisition system, Daniel Baltrusaitis, dean of the National Defense College in the UAE, said during the panel.

Another difficulty was identified by Holli Foster, chief technology officer at Task Force 59, a U.S.-deployed unit stationed in Bahrain that serves as a testbed for unmanned and AI innovations.

One of the biggest challenges we face is applying our systems of systems approach in a complex environment, she said. Fifth fleet area of responsibility isnt like testing environments we have stateside  our battlelab environment can quickly prove or disprove capabilities, she told Defense News in an email.

This is not just specific to unmanned systems themselves, she added, but also includes the communications infrastructure, the integration of data streams, and the interoperability with manned assets.

Other experts noted that the speed at which new autonomous capabilities are developed has far outmatched most national acquisition processes, which can further complicate their integration with legacy platforms in military operations.
The firm that left flyers promoting free migrant relocation trips at a Latino church in east Orlando  sparking controversy and questions among local advocates  is a state contractor for Gov. Ron DeSantis highly-publicized relocation initiative, records show.

Leaflets in English, Spanish and Creole were placed on the doorstep of the church about a week ago from an organization calling itself My Bright Horizons. State records show My Bright Horizons is actually a fictitious name for Access Restoration Services, a Texas-based company that is one of three firms receiving a lucrative contract under the program authorizing the state to transport migrants to other states.

Across Central Florida, entities ranging from churches, law enforcement and a nonprofit have received queries from the company seeking help in finding migrants to transport. Agencies reached by the Sentinel Monday said theyve ignored the inquiries.

The messages, and their recipients, reveal the strategy being pursued by at least one of the state relocation contractors to recruit migrants for transport in order to get paid under the terms of its deal with the state. Records show Access Restoration Services, or ARS, has been allocated at least $20 million.

As part of this program, we are coordinating with local Sheriffs Offices, Community Outreach programs and Homeless shelters to assist with the identification of eligible migrants that may be interested in voluntarily relocating outside of Florida, according to an email sent to one local church by My Bright Horizons.

That message was titled Governors Migrant Transportation Program and was signed by the Customer Care Team at My Bright Horizons.

A different email stated the company was an authorized vendor tasked with assisting the relocation of inspected unauthorized aliens and that it was entirely voluntary, and individuals will be treated with compassion and dignity.

All volunteers will be provided shelter, food, hygiene kits, medical examinations, and basic care prior to, and during transport, it reads.

It is not clear whether anyone has taken My Bright Horizon up on its offer.

Access Restoration Services has been paid more than $15 million so far this fiscal year by the DeSantis administration, state records show. One payment for $747,398 is labeled as unauthorized alien transport program, and another $807,000 payment is titled illegal migration. A $13.8 million transaction is listed as Public Assistance  state operations.

The company also has been involved in the DeSantis administrations efforts to fly Americans home from Israel in October following an invasion by Hamas, as well as in hurricane recovery efforts. It was also paid $830,400 last year for flights taking migrants to California.

ARS directed questions on its operations in Florida to the states Division of Emergency Management, which didnt respond to an emailed inquiry.

The Rev. Ken Green, a senior pastor at Prince of Peace, said his church had received at least four different emails from My Bright Horizons dating back to November, and said he was disgusted when he realized what they were for.

Since very few states do this, move migrants to other states as part of a program, I think of it as politicized, Green said Monday. Its just inappropriate for anyone to try to politicize churches  its not what were for.

Floridas migrant flights first made waves in 2022 when DeSantis sent about 50 migrants from Texas to Marthas Vineyard, rather than moving them from Florida. Then last year, the governor signed a bill creating a $10 million program for migrant relocations, which allowed Florida to move migrants from anywhere in the country.

Contracts with three vendors of the program were obtained by American Oversight, a nonprofit watchdog, which show expectations are for the contractors to Develop and providea detailed plan identifying and relocating a group of Inspected Unauthorized Aliens.

Prince of Peace, at the corner of Curry Ford Road and Semoran Boulevard in Orlando, draws about 250 people every Sunday, as well as about 60 people for its Spanish-language worship, Green said. The church also offers English and citizenship classes, he said.

The church is about two miles away from Iglesia Episcopal Jesus de Nazaret, the Azalea Park church that received them a week prior. There, hard copies of the flyers in English, Spanish and Creole were left at the doorstep, but the Rev. Jose Rodriguez told reporters Friday he removed them from public view before Sunday morning service began.

He and U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost, D-Orlando, said at the time they were aware of at least one other church that had received them.

The Orange and Seminole County Sheriffs offices each said they received similar messages as the churches, but arent working with My Bright Horizon. A homeless nonprofit also received several inquiries from the group.

Green said the flyers were sent to the churchs general email inbox and werent distributed.

Our main approach is people are in Orlando, we want them to feel like theyve found a home, Green said. We just deal with people as people and people need to build to build community.

Jeffrey Schweers of the Sentinel staff contributed.

rygillespie@orlandosentinel.com
I was out of my mind, Las Vegas business owner tricked into buying gift cards to save Facebook account

LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A woman wishes she had listened to her instincts before hackers convinced her to buy more than $3,000 in gift cards to unlock her Facebook business account, she told the 8 News Now Investigators as the FBI warns consumers about similar schemes.

The woman, who asked the 8 News Now Investigators to conceal her identity, runs a business and uses Facebook to advertise. An unsuspecting email ended up leaving her vulnerable not to just one, but two different hacking operations.

I just couldnt even believe that there were 48 complaints about my business, the woman said about an email she received last fall.

She could not believe it, because it was not true.

After I changed my password, my Facebook account started appearing in another language, the scam victim says. (KLAS)

It didnt look fishy to me, she said about the email, which turned out to be a scam. The woman clicked the link, which eventually had her changing her Facebook password.

After I changed my password, my Facebook account started appearing in another language, she said.

She then started getting emails in that other language and lost access to her Facebook account. Then, as many of us would, especially with a lifetime to her business in jeopardy, she started to search for help.

I googled how to report a hack on Facebook, she said, finding a phone number on Google for what she thought was for Facebook.

She called.

I googled how to report a hack on Facebook, the scam victim says, finding a phone number on Google for what she thought was for Facebook. (KLAS)

It seemed like I had reached a support person, she said.

But that person was another hacker who then scammed her out of more than $3,000 in gift cards. The man told her to download an app to her phone, which gave him access to it. The man said he was searching for the hackers, but in reality, he was attempting to steal her information for her social media and bank accounts.

Soon, he had her driving around to stores like Target and CVS, buying the gift cards.

And then they gave me specific instructions to go inside  to buy a gift card, she said. The woman bought the gift cards and then took photos of the cards and the secret code on them, granting the hackers the money.

I was out of my mind, she said. Honestly, my mother was dying, and I was not in a good state of mind.

Some of the gift cards the woman purchased as part of the scam. The cards were no longer valid. (KLAS)

Its an all-too-common scam that the FBI told the 8 News Now Investigators is getting out of control.

We get dozens of complaints a day, a Las Vegas-based FBI supervisory special agent said, adding hackers love small business owners who fear the consequences of getting locked out of their accounts.

Anytime you see something, and it gives you pause, do some research, the agent said.

The FBI warns consumers to be aware of the authenticity of any suspicious email or alert: Companies will not suddenly demand access.

Facebook is not going to ask you to get gift cards, the FBI agent said.

Gift cards are displayed at a Target store, in New York, Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. Americans were expected to spend nearly $30 billion on gift cards last holiday season, according to the National Retail Federation. Restaurant gift cards are the most popular, making up one-third of those sales. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

They need to have a responsibility to the public if theyre going to be serving the public to protect us as well, the scam victim said, adding Facebook and Google should do more to make sure this kind of double-headed scam does not happen to others. She believes it is unfair her account was compromised in the first place.

I was fooled, she said. You think you can trust a search that you look up for customer support and it wasnt customer support at all. So, what is the lesson? Dont believe everything you read or see? Im not really sure.

A Google spokesperson encouraged consumers to remain cautious.

While sometimes there is not much high-quality content available on the web for a specific query, Googles systems are highly effective at surfacing high-quality information and fighting spam, scams and malicious behavior across Search, the spokesperson said. Our advanced spam-fighting systems keep our results helpful and 99% spam-free for the billions of queries we see every day on Search. We also provide easy-to-use tools like About This Result to check the trustworthiness of sources on the web and encourage people to be cautious and double check the sites they visit.

A representative from Facebook did not return a request for comment.

The scam victim reported the incident to the FBI and was able to get most of the money she spent on the gift cards back from her bank. Anyone who believes they are the victim of any online fraudulent activity can report it directly to the FBI at ic3.gov.

The FBI also offers information on its website about how to spot the most common scams and cybercrimes.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
Trooper Ryan Londregan walks hand-in-hand with his wife to his first court appearance to answer to murder and manslaughter charges in the killing of Ricky Cobb II during a traffic stop last summer on Monday, Jan. 29, 2024 at the Hennepin Public Safety Facility in Minneapolis, Minn. (Renee Jones Schneider/Star Tribune via AP)

MINNEAPOLIS (AP)  A Minnesota state trooper accused in the fatal shooting of motorist Ricky Cobb II can remain free without bail while awaiting trial, a judge ruled Monday during a brief court hearing.

Trooper Ryan Londregan must surrender his passport and avoid contact with witnesses and Cobb's relatives, the judge ruled. The hearing was the first since Londregan was charged Wednesday with second-degree unintentional murder, first-degree assault and second-degree manslaughter in the death of Cobb, a 33-year-old Black man.

Its a start to something, Cobbs twin brother, Rashad Cobb, said of the legal proceedings. And I thank God for that.

Defense attorney Chris Madel has said that Londregan was acting to protect himself and a colleague. After the hearing, Madel spoke briefly to reporters while surrounded by dozens of current and former police officers.

Thank you for showing up and we appreciate it, he said. Onward with the case.

The shooting happened in Minneapolis, where the murder of George Floyd by police nearly four years ago sparked global protests on racial justice. In that case, then-officer Derek Chauvin was sentenced to 22 1/2 years for second-degree murder.

Two other troopers pulled Cobb over on Interstate 94 on July 31 and noticed that the lights were out on the Ford Fusion that Cobb was driving, according to the criminal complaint.

One of the troopers, Brett Seide, checked Cobbs record and found he was wanted for violating a protection order in neighboring Ramsey County. The troopers checked in with Ramsey County officials, who asked that Cobb be arrested.

Londregan arrived and went to Cobbs passenger-side door while Seide approached the drivers side, according to the complaint. The troopers asked Cobb to get out of the car. Seide told Cobb he was under arrest while Londregan reached inside, unlocked the doors and began opening the passenger door. The complaint said Cobb then shifted into drive and took his foot off the brake.

The complaint said Cobbs car began to slowly move forward. Londregan reached for his gun, and Cobb stopped the car. The trooper pointed his gun at Cobb and yelled at him to get out. Cobb took his foot off the brake again. In less than a second, Londregan fired his handgun twice at Cobb, striking him both times in the chest, the complaint said.

The car kept moving before striking a concrete median about a quarter-mile (400 meters) away. Cobb died at the scene.

Seide and Trooper Garrett Erickson said they believed lethal force was necessary, according to a court document filed by the defense.

At that time, I knew that Trooper Londregan and I were in danger of being run over by Cobbs car, being hit by an oncoming car on the highway, or otherwise being dragged away at a high rate of speed, Seide said, according to the filing.

Cobbs sister, Octavia Ruffin, said as she left the courtroom Monday that she wants justice for her brother  and nothing more.

Were coming respectfully, Ruffin said. We dont want no drama, no violence, no nothing. Justice for Ricky Cobb II. We will get that.

-

AP reporter Jim Salter in O'Fallon, Missouri, contributed to this report.
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  The Bakersfield Police Department is asking the community to keep an eye out for a missing man in northeast Bakersfield.

Steve Vanwinkle, 78, is an at-risk man reported missing on Jan. 28, according to Bakersfield police. Last seen around noon on the 3400 block of River Blvd., Vanwinkle is considered at-risk due to having dementia. He has no cell phone or any way to take care of himself, according to BPD.

Fourth annual Bakersfield Mouse-Con brings youthful joy back to longtime Disney fans

Police describe Vanwinkle as 5 feet, 6 inches tall, weighing around 200 pounds. He is bald, with blue eyes. He was last seen wearing a black jacket and hat, while possibly in possession of a cane.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact the Bakersfield

Police Department at 661-327-711.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17.
Semafor Signals

Insights from Al Jazeera, Al Quds, and Haaretz

The News

At least 15 countries, including the U.S., U.K., Germany, and Japan, have suspended funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), as a handful of others have promised to keep funding the agency.

Israel has accused 12 UNRWA employees of being involved in the Hamas attacks on Oct. 7. The staff members include individuals who are alleged to have kidnapped a woman, handed out ammunition, and taken part in a massacre at a kibbutz in Israel, according to an Israeli intelligence report reviewed by The New York Times. UNRWA said that it has terminated the contracts of the accused staff members.

Israeli authorities allege that the connection between UNRWA and Hamas goes deeper than these 12 staffers, telling U.S. officials that around 10% of UNRWAs Gaza staff have ties to militant groups in the Gaza Strip, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The allegations reportedly played a key role in convincing Washington and others to suspend aid to UNRWA. The organization is one of the few aid groups able to operate in the enclave during Israels military campaign.

SIGNALS

Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories.

Lack of UNRWA funds could have devastating impact in Gaza as soon as February

Sources: TIME Magazine, Al Jazeera, Al Quds

UNRWA does not have significant financial reserves, so the funding suspensions may impact the agencys services as soon as February, U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres said Sunday. Aid groups have warned of a catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza, with the World Food Programme estimating that Gaza is getting less than 30% of the required aid. UN officials are worried that UNRWA will be unable to fund the 150 shelters they run, which are currently home to approximately 1.2 million Gazans. The agency is also a key supplier of food, water, and medicine to civilians. The lives of people in Gaza depend on this support, the agencys commissioner-general said.

Israel says UNRWA will not be a part of the day after in Gaza

Sources: Haaretz, The Guardian, UNRWA

Israel is aiming to stop UNRWAs activity in Gaza for the long term. Foreign Minister Israel Katz wrote on X that the refugee agency will not be a part of the day after, the war, accusing the group of worsening the refugee crisis, obstructing peace, and serving as a civilian arm of Hamas in Gaza. There have been decades of tension between UNRWA and Israel, which has accused the agency of perpetuating the conflict by granting refugee status to the descendants of Palestinians who were forced out of modern-day Israel when the nation was established in 1948 and allowing anti-Israeli sentiments to dominate its schools. UNRWA has dismissed these claims, and has emphasized its neutrality in the conflict. It has also criticized Hamas for stealing its supplies, and condemned the storage of weapons in its facilities.

Arab countries could fill in UNRWA funding gap left by the West

Sources: Al Jazeera, El Pais

The 15 countries that have suspended their funding provided UNRWA with more than 60% of its financing in 2022. Some nations, including Norway, Ireland, and Spain, have said they will continue to fund UNRWA. We need to distinguish between what individuals may have done, and what UNRWA stands for, the Norwegian government said. Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said that while Spain is tracking Israels investigation closely, the accusations are aimed at only 12 out of 30,000 UNRWA employees. One former UNRWA spokesperson told Al Jazeera that Arab states, which have not been major funders of the agency so far, could make UNRWAs financial problems disappear overnight if they ramped up their contributions to compensate for the drop-off in Western funding.
Channel 2 Action News Investigates continues to hear from consumers who said they got contaminated gas at Georgia Costco locations.

Channel 2s Consumer Investigator Justin Gray was in Brookhaven on Monday, where he continues to hear from frustrated drivers after he first reported on the issue last week.

The first thing people need to do during these situations is immediately call Georgia Fuel and Measures to come out and test the pump.

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

Michelle Robinovitz shared her story last week about bad gas she believes came from a Costco gas station in Sandy Springs, causing $700 worth of damage to her car.

Robinovitzs mechanic even provided video evidence of the contaminated gasoline, but Costcos CEO claimed the damage to her car wasnt the stores fault.

Rachel Bernstein reached out to Channel 2 Action News after watching Robinovitzs story. Bernsteins gas came from the Brookhaven location. Both women ended up with $700 mechanic bills to flush out the bad gas.

I thought I was watching about myself. It was an almost identical situation that I went through, Bernstein said. When I brought (my car) in, they informed me that they had suspected bad gas. And once they tested it, it was confirmed.

TRENDING STORIES:

Bernstein emailed Costcos CEO Ron Vachris directly and got a response. Vachris wrote:

We have inspected our gas station and shown no signs of water in our gas tanks. I am not sure who informed you that your vehicles problems are from Costco gasoline. We are confident that is not the case.

Oscar Guevara said he got bad gas at a Georgia Costco while he was driving through on a business trip.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

They did send me a check for my membership, " Guevara said. So I do respect that. But obviously, the $60 or $55 is not the same as $1,400, right?

Costco has since reached back out to Robinovitz and offered to pay for her repair bill. Another Costco representative reached out to Bernstein and said the company will help cover her bill.

If you do suspect bad gas, immediately report it to Georgias Fuel and Measures Department, which can come out and test and shut down pumps.

Costco has still not responded to Grays calls or emails.

Channel 2 Consumer Advisor Clark Howard said you can be successful taking gas stations that sell you bad gas to court.

What youre left with is a good remedy, Howard said. You sued them in Magistrates court (which) is really easy to use across the state of Georgia. You dont need a lawyer. The filing fees are not terrible, particularly against the amount of money you need to repair your vehicle.




The Basmanniy District Court of Moscow had ordered the arrest in absentia of four associates of the imprisoned Russian opposition leader, Alexei Navalny, the Moscow Courts of General Jurisdiction's press service reported on Jan. 29.

The chairperson of Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation (ACF), Maria Pevchikh, Navalny's spokesperson, Kira Yarmysh, Russian journalist Dmitry Nizovtsev, and the head of the ACF's public opinion research, Anna Biryukova, are on the court's list.

All the Russian oppositionists arrested in absentia live abroad and are accused of organizing an extremist organization. Moscow listed the ACF as an "undesirable organization" last June and declared it a "foreign agent" in December 2022.

Pevchikh, a former head of the ACF investigation department, is also charged with vandalism and spreading fake news about the military, which usually implies information challenging the official position of Russias government about the war in Ukraine.

Yarmysh and Nizovtsev are accused of spreading fake news about the army as well, and Biryukova is charged with justifying terrorism. Russia often uses false criminal charges to repress domestic opposition.

The proceedings on fake news and terrorism justification were launched in August 2022, and the proceedings on organizing an extremist organization involving the ACF and Navalnys headquarters began before the Russian full-scale invasion.

Navalny remains in a penal colony in a remote settlement north of the Arctic Circle, with "tough conditions" and limited access to correspondence, according to Russian authorities.

The Russian oppositionist was sentenced to 19 years of imprisonment on "extremism" charges in August 2020. He denies all the accusations.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Copley Road between Storer Avenue and East Avenue, shown in 2022, has been listed as one of the top vehicle crash areas in Summit County.

The Akron Metropolitan Area Transportation Study (AMATS) has released its latest three-year analysis, revealing the region's most dangerous roads and intersections.

The report is based on AMATS analysis of more than 47,000 motor vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian-related crash records for area roadway sections and intersections obtained from the Ohio Department of Transportation. Crash data on interstate highways and the Ohio Turnpike was not included in the study.

For the 2020-22 report, the agency identified 144 high-crash roadway sections and 233 high-crash intersections in Portage and Summit counties and northeastern Wayne County.

More: Study: Traffic injuries on area roads dropped in 2022, but remained close to pandemic high

What are the most dangerous roads in Greater Akron?

The report lists state Route 59, from Alpha Drive to state Route 261, in Portage Countys Franklin Township, and state Route 241 (Massillon Road), from Krumroy Road to Oakes Drive, in Summit Countys Springfield Township, as the two highest-ranked high-crash roadway sections in the Greater Akron area.

The overall ranking is based on the total number of crashes and the percentage of fatal and injury crashes.

On the stretch of Route 59, there were 15 crashes over the three-year period, 60% of which resulted in injuries. On the section of Route 241, there were 11 crashes, just under 55% of which resulted in injuries.

Greater Akron gridlock: New study reveals where you're most like to get stuck in traffic

The section of Route 59 (Kent Road) from state Route 91 (Darrow Road) to Fishcreek Road in Stow had the highest number of crashes in the study area, with 92 over a three-year period, 33% of which caused injuries.

A one-third-mile stretch of state Route 14 in downtown Streetsboro, including where state Route 303 meets Route 14, had the highest number of crashes per mile per year. It's ranked 45th on the overall list, with 32% of crashes there causing injuries.

Five road stretches in Akron are among the area's top 10 high-crash roadway sections based on the number of crashes per mile per year:

Martin Luther King Boulevard (state Route 59) from the West Market Street overpass to North Broadway Street (second)

South Arlington Street from East Waterloo Road to East Wilbeth Road (third)

Copley Road from Storer Avenue to East Avenue (fifth)

Manchester Road from Robinson Avenue to Carnegie Avenue (sixth)

Merriman Road/Riverview Road from North Portage Path to Smith Road (10th)

Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard between the Market Street overpass and North Broadway, pictured in 2022, has been listed as one of the top vehicle crash areas in Summit County.

Other top 10 roadway sections with high crashes per mile include: East Main Street from Horning Road to Kent's eastern border (fourth); West Market Street from Miller Road to the eastern Fairlawn's eastern border (seventh); East Main Street from Freedom Street to state Routes 14/44 in Ravenna (eighth); and State Road from Cuyahoga Falls' southern border to Broad Boulevard (ninth).

More: Ohio roadways see more fatal crashes on these holidays, study says

Which local intersections are the most dangerous?

The intersections of Route 14 and Route 44 (North Chestnut Street) in Ravenna and Riverview and Ira roads in Cuyahoga Falls rank first and second, respectively, for the most dangerous intersections in the region. The overall rank is based on the number of crashes and the number of resulting injuries.

At the Route 14/44 intersection, there were 37 crashes, placing it eighth in the overall number of crashes at an intersection. Of those crashes, 57% resulted in injuries. There were 20 crashes at the Riverview and Ira roads intersection, with 65% resulting in injuries.

The highest-ranking Wayne County intersection is state Route 57 (Wadsworth Road) and Easton Road in Chippewa Township, which places seventh in the list. Of the 15 crashes there, 80% resulted in injuries.

The Route 14 and Mondial Parkway/Singletary Drive intersection in Streetsboro had 47 crashes, the highest total number in the study. It was ranked 59th most dangerous overall, with 34% of the crashes resulting in injuries.

S.R. 44, S.R. 14 intersection, Ravenna.

Ranked 69th overall, the North Arlington Street and East North Street interchange in Akron had 10 crashes. However, nine of those crashes resulted in injuries, making it the top-ranked with respect to percentage of injury crashes.

Akron intersections dominated the top 10 with respect to overall number of crashes:

South Broadway Street and East Exchange Street (second)

North Howard Street and North Street (third)

South Main Street and Wilbeth Road (fourth)

South Main Street and Thornton Street (tied for sixth)

Martin Luther King Boulevard and North High Street (tied for sixth)

Perkins Street and the state Route 8 southbound ramps/Goodkirk Street (eighth)

South Arlington Street and East Waterloo Road (10th)

Rounding out the top 10, Graham Road and Wyoga Lake Road/Oakwood Drive in Cuyahoga Falls is tied in fourth place in the number of crashes, and in Ravenna Township, the Route 14 and Route 44 N. Chestnut Street intersection is tied in eighth place for number of crashes.

More: Speed tables returning to Akron streets

Eric Marotta can be reached at emarotta@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Here are the most dangerous roads and intersections in Greater Akron
After months in a Georgia shelter, a beloved dog will get a new home  with an old friend.

A smiling Kano was met with a tight embrace when he and his former owner were reunited in DeKalb County, according to photos shared by the Atlanta-based LifeLine Animal Project.

The north Georgia woman described Kano as the the best, most loving dog and said his sweet homecoming was months in the making.

I knew in my soul he needed me; its like he was calling me somehow, she told the shelter. I know that sounds crazy.

Known as Skillet to his shelter friends, Kano was raised by the womans son in the Blue Ridge Mountains since he was a 6-week-old puppy, according to the shelter. However, the family was forced to give him up after the son enlisted in the Army and other commitments arose.

Months later, the woman said a gut feeling told her it was time to bring Kano home.

I just had an intuitive sense that I needed to look for him, she told the shelter. I randomly started looking online one night and I found another dog that looked like him. I found the LifeLine website and started going through it and there he was.

The woman said she has a new house with a fenced-in backyard for Kano to run and play. Her son, who is preparing to be deployed, hasnt seen Kano in person yet but both are always excited to see each other on Facetime, she told the shelter.

Its like it all came back together, the woman said. I still feel the guilt but I hope he knows and feels my love for him.

Stray dogs stuck together as best friends. Now they need a home  hopefully together

Cat with traumatic past shows up at shelter. Now fantastic feline needs new home

Watch dogs joyous reaction to being adopted out of Florida shelter. Im taken
It was a busy week for Sen. Bob Menendez, his wife and three New Jersey businessmen charged alongside him with bribery offenses in September.

Menendez made motions to suppress evidence, while the other four defendants indicted alongside him  his wife, Nadine Arslanian Menendez, and businessmen Fred Daibes, Wael Hana and Jose Uribe  filed court documents to make a statement on sealed documents.

The sealed documents were challenged this month by the Inner City Press and The New York Times and were joined last week by Gannett, representing The Record and NorthJersey.com.

Arslanian added a new attorney, with experience in illegal lobbying on behalf of a foreign country, to her team.

Here's a look at all that took place with the case this past week.

Manhattan, NY  October 18, 2023 -- Nadine Menendez, wife of Senator Robert Menendez enters the Federal Courthouse in lower Manhattan for a hearing on corruption charges.

New attorney for Nadine Arslanian Menendez

Arslanian has hired additional representation for the case using pro hac vice, a process that allows her to bring in an attorney who is not bar-certified in the state where the trial is taking place. In this instance that means shes hiring Mark MacDougall, who can work in Massachusetts and Maryland.

MacDougall is from the firm Schertler Onorato Mead & Sears in Washington, D.C., and has been certified as in good standing with the Maryland Supreme Court.

More: Most people call the police once or twice in their lives. Not when you're Nadine Menendez

He has experience with this type of case as well, having previously represented Bijan Rafiekian, a former business partner to former President Donald Trumps National Security Adviser Michael Flynn against the federal Department of Justice. Rafiekian had been accused of illegally lobbying on behalf of the Turkish government.

Senator Bob Menendez is shown as he walks toward federal court in the Southern District of New York, in lower Manhattan, Monday, October 23, 2023.

More Fourth Amendment attention

The senator is not alone in trying to suppress evidence found by investigators through the use of warrants. Arslanian also filed to have the evidence found in the Englewood Cliffs home she owns suppressed, including the cash and gold bars.

Menendez filed his motion on Monday and Arslanian joined it later in the week. His filing alleged that the governments apparent zeal to 'get back' at Senator Menendez for defeating its prior prosecution has overwhelmed its sound judgment."

The filing also alleged that several of the governments search warrants were "riddled with material misrepresentations and omissions that deceived the authorizing magistrate judge" and now require an evidentiary hearing. The filing argues that the search warrants were "overbroad and unparticularized."

Manhattan, NY  October 18, 2023 -- Fred Daibes, involved in the bribery case involving Senator Robert Menendez exits the Federal Courthouse in lower Manhattan for a hearing on corruption charges.

The investigation included recorded conversations from confidential sources in Arabic that were translated from 2019, interviews with confidential sources from 2020 through 2022, and search warrants that began in January 2022.

Sealed documents in Menendez case

Since the indictment went public in September, 14 sealed court documents have been filed, along with several pages full of redactions.

The New York Times and the Inner City Press made motions to unseal the documents early this month. Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC, on behalf of The Record and Northjersey.com, joined the motion last week to unseal the documents.

When Menendez made his motion to dismiss the superseding indictment, he said his actions were not official acts and that the prosecutors hid key evidence from the public and court. However, the descriptions of examples of more than a dozen pages are sealed documents.

Manhattan, NY  October 18, 2023 -- Wael Hana, involved in the bribery case involving Senator Robert Menendez enters the Federal Courthouse in lower Manhattan for a hearing on corruption charges.

The New York Times argued that one page redacts information about the senators 2021 trip to Egypt in which he describes a statement by a "key State Department official" that shows he was acting "consistent with what the Biden administration sought" and contrary to Egypt's interests.

Four more sealed documents were filed with the court on Jan. 18. Days later, Menendez, Arslanian Menendez, Hana, Uribe and Daibes all submitted documents in response.

More: Gov. Phil Murphy taps Francis K. O'Connor as new NJ DOT commissioner

Hana did not object. His attorney said even Hana himself has not seen some of the redactions meant for attorneys eyes only and does not object to the court's unsealing his filings and unredacted versions of his motions and supporting documents on the public docket.

Daibes, Uribe and Arslanian Menendez sent statements saying they took no position on the unsealing of documents.

Menendez took no position on the unsealing the certain documents or the redactions requested by the state.

Manhattan, NY  October 18, 2023 -- Jose Uribe involved in the bribery case involving Senator Robert Menendez enters the Federal Courthouse in lower Manhattan for a hearing on corruption charges.

The government said Menendez may and should file a less-redacted version of his memorandum of law in support of his motion to dismiss and an unredacted version of the supporting declaration and its exhibits.

The government also requests that the court maintain the materials placed in the vault (the 'Vault Materials') under seal.

Its unclear when to expect certain documents will be made available and what the judge will decide.

Background  the charges

The indictment alleges that between 2018 and 2022, Menendez and his wife engaged in a corrupt relationship with Hana, Uribe and Daibes to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes in exchange for Menendez using his power and influence to protect, to enrich those businessmen and to benefit the government of Egypt even as he sat as chair of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Bribes allegedly included cash, gold bars, payments toward a home mortgage, compensation for a low- or no-show job and a Mercedes-Benz  much of which is detailed in photographs in the 50-page indictment.

The most recent version of the indictment alleges that Menendez received payments from Daibes in return for helping him get a Qatari investment company with ties to that countrys government to invest in a Daibes property by doing things that were viewed as favorable to the government of Qatar.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Sen. Menendez, co-defendants in bribery case have busy week
A Myrtle Beach resort has agreed to pay $26 million to the family of a 6-year-old boy who received chemical burns while swimming in the hotels lazy river.

Brittain Resorts and its insurance companies have agreed to the payment in exchange for a dismissal of a federal lawsuit filed in 2021 by the family and to avoid an upcoming jury trial, according to a press release from Trial Lawyers for Justice, one of the attorney firms representing the family.

Alicia Noel Bolyard, an attorney representing Brittain Resorts, declined to comment Jan. 29.

I am relieved that justice has been served for my son, who endured unimaginable pain and suffering. No amount of money can erase the trauma he and my family experienced, or erase the permanent scarring, but this victory provides accountability and most importantly, closure and protection for other children, said Heather Douglas, mother of the toddler in a news release. My hope is that this serves as a wake-up call for all resorts to prioritize the safety of their guests, especially children, so that no other child or family has to endure such a horrifying ordeal.

The injuries were the result of chemical burns from one the swimming pools at Caribbean Resort and Villas, 3000 N. Ocean Blvd. The pool had dangerous high levels of chlorine. The North Carolina family was on vacation in Myrtle Beach over Memorial Day in 2020, staying at the resort.

The injury resulted in the closure of two of the resorts pools, as well as the arrest of the pool operator for falsifying the pools records.

The lawsuit alleged that the chlorine level records of the pool to state regulators had been falsified for years, according to the release.

According to DHECs report, two separate tests of Caribbean Resorts lazy river and a spa on that day showed chlorine levels of greater than 10. Tests also showed that the pH level at the lazy river was at 8.10, which is greater than the states regulatory range of 7 to 7.8. DHEC closed both facilities until corrections were made.

State law requires chlorine levels to be under 8 ppm.

In March, DHECs Office of Criminal Investigations arrested Juan Arocho Rivera on charges of forgery for falsifying chlorine and pH levels written on pool inspection logs at the resort. Rivera was employed as a pool operator for the Caribbean Resort and Spa, according to the arrest warrant.

The boy, who was three at the time, suffered serious physical and psychological injuries to his groin area, the lawsuit said.

The toddler was injured after swimming in the lazy river with family members. Family noticed the burns after they returned home from vacation, according to the release. His mother, Heather Douglas, discovered the burns after the boy began screaming and crying uncontrollably, noticing redness around his groin area. Over the course of several hours, the burns got worse. Douglas took the boy to the doctor and eventually he was admitted to the University of North Carolina burn center where he was treated for chemical burns, the release said.

The family then contacted the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, which checked the chemical levels at the resorts pool.
Representative Nancy Pelosi accused pro-Palestine protesters of having links to Russia and called for the FBI to investigate them.

During a Sunday interview with CNNs State of the Union, Pelosi was asked if she was worried that younger voters would abandon President Joe Biden due to his resistance to a cease-fire.

For them to call for a cease-fire is Mr. Putins message, Pelosi said, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Make no mistake, this is directly connected to what he would like to see.

I think some of these protesters are spontaneous and organic and sincere. Some, I think, are connected to Russia.

When asked if she thought some of the pro-Palestinian protesters were Russian plants, Pelosi said, I dont think theyre plants. I think some financing should be investigated. And I want to ask the FBI to investigate that.

Israels constant bombardment of Gaza has killed more than 26,500 people, primarily women and children, since October 7, according to Gazas health ministry. The vast majority of Americans, particularly younger voters, support a cease-fire. Growing numbers of lawmakers have also begun to call for an end to the fighting, but the White House continues to back Israel.

Pelosis comments sparked immediate backlash. The executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Nihad Awad, called Pelosis claim delusional and her call for an FBI investigation downright authoritarian.

Sadly, Rep. Pelosis comments echo a time in our nation when opponents of the Vietnam War were accused of being communist sympathizers and subjected to FBI harassment, he said in a statement.

Instead of baselessly smearing those Americans as Russian collaborators, former House Speaker Pelosi and other political leaders should respect the will of the American people by calling for an end to the Netanyahu governments genocidal war on the people of Gaza.

Many people on social media were quick to point out the hypocrisy of Pelosis comments. The majority of people who support a cease-fire are politically neutral or left-leaning, including thousands of Black American pastors, Doctors Without Borders, and according to some polls, 80 percent of Democratic voters.

Only Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats could go into an election year with a call for the FBI to investigate their own party's base   Jon Schwarz  (@schwarz) January 29, 2024

Others pointed out that the specific call for an FBI investigation marked a dangerous shift in the governments stance on involving law enforcement against anti-war efforts. Widespread crackdowns against pro-Palestine speech have been compared to a new wave of McCarthyism.

Bidens refusal to call for a cease-fire could well cost him in November. His popularity among young voters has dropped dramatically, primarily due to his stance on Israel. Bidens campaign manager traveled last week to Detroit, which has a large Arab-American community. Many of the community leaders refused to meet with her over Bidens Gaza policies.
Former House speaker Nancy Pelosi is under fire after she suggested some pro-Palestinian protesters are connected to Russia.

We have to think about what were doing, and what we have to do is try to stop the suffering in Gaza  but for them to call for a ceasefire is Mr Putins message, she said in an interview on CNNs State of the Union on Sunday morning.

Make no mistake, this is directly connected to what he would like to see. I think some of these protesters are spontaneous and organic and sincere. Some, I think, are connected to Russia.

Her comments came after she was asked if she feared that President Joe Biden would lose the electoral support of young voters at the polls over his vocal support for Israel and the nations prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the war on Gaza.

In a follow-up, she was asked if she thought some pro-Palestinian protests were Russian plants.

I dont think theyre plants, she responded. I think some financing should be investigated. And I want to ask the FBI to investigate that.

There is no reported evidence that Russia is linked to pro-Palestinian protests.

Ms Pelosis comments attracted criticism, with Nihad Awad, the head of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, describing her remarks as delusional.

Former House speaker Nancy Pelosi is under fire after she suggested some pro-Palestinian protesters are connected to Russia (Getty Images)

Rep Pelosis claim that some of the Americans protesting for a Gaza ceasefire are working with Vladimir Putin sounds delusional and her call for the FBI to investigate those protesters without any evidence is downright authoritarian, he said.

Her comments once again show the negative impact of decades of dehumanisation of the Palestinian people by those supporting Israeli apartheid. Instead of baselessly smearing those Americans as Russian collaborators, former House speaker Pelosi and other political leaders should respect the will of the American people by calling for an end to the Netanyahu governments genocidal war on the people of Gaza, the statement continued.

She was also criticised by journalist and activist George Monbiot. If Nancy Pelosi cant understand why people are calling for a ceasefire, she shouldnt be in office, he said on X.

A spokesperson for Ms Pelosi said the former House speaker supported and defended the right to peaceful protest but was acknowledging the history of foreign adversaries meddling in American politics to affect elections.

Speaker Pelosi has always supported and defended the right of all Americans to make their views known through peaceful protest. Informed by three decades on the House Intelligence Committee, speaker Pelosi is acutely aware of how foreign adversaries meddle in American politics to sow division and impact our elections, and she wants to see further investigation ahead of the 2024 election, the spokesperson said.

Ms Pelosis comments marked the first time a prominent US lawmaker has accused Russias leader of backing US protesters calling for a ceasefire.

Protests demanding a ceasefire in Gaza have recently occurred across the US 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 President Bidens speeches and events, as well as events attended by Ms Pelosi.

The protests have been organised by a range of human rights, Jewish and anti-war activist groups.

The UN has also demanded an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, where more than 26,000 Palestinians have died, 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.

A November 2023 poll found that the majority of the US public supports a ceasefire in Gaza, while most of their congressional representatives do not.
A Naples man who faces more than a dozen criminal charges related to child pornography possession has pleaded not guilty.

Giovana Linale Upson, attorney for Tyler Matthew Cifaldi, 31, entered the plea Monday before Collier Circuit Judge Elizabeth Krier. Cifaldi wasn't present at the hearing.

Cifaldi is charged with 18 counts of possession of child pornography.

A Southwest Florida task force focused on combatting human trafficking began investigating in response to multiple cyber tips about files with possible child sex abuse material uploaded to Cifaldi's Google photos account.

Hit-and-run search: Troopers search for black pickup with orange, red racing stripes that hit pedestrian

The sheriff's office said a search warrant turned up 18 files with child sex abuse material stored in Cifaldi's account. The files contained images of children 5 to 8 years old reportedly engaged in sexual activities with adults and other minors.

Detectives interviewed Cifaldi at his residence Monday and took him into custody, the sheriff's office said. He's next due in court Dec. 26 for his arraignment.

Cifaldi remained in custody Monday afternoon on a $120,000 bond. He's next due in court Feb. 29 for a case management conference.

Tomas Rodriguez is a Breaking/Live News Reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can reach Tomas at TRodriguez@gannett.com or 772-333-5501. Connect with him on Threads @tomasfrobeltran, Instagram @tomasfrobeltran and Facebook @tomasrodrigueznews.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Naples man enters not guilty plea in child pornography case
A 29-year-old man was charged with neglect after police said his child was fatally shot with the gun he left under a pillow in Indiana.

Travell Daniels told police he put the gun, which he said was normally loaded with a single bullet, under his pillow after he got to his home in Fort Wayne. Later, he put the child down for a nap in the same bed, police say.

Daniels said he left the room after he was sure the child was asleep, according to an affidavit. A few minutes later, he heard a bang and found the child with a gunshot wound. Daniels said he was unsure how it happened, according to police.

The child was immediately taken to a hospital, where they were pronounced dead on Jan. 27, police said. The age and gender of the child were not listed.

Attorney information for Daniels was not listed.

Daniels told police no one else knew about the gun under his pillow, according to the affidavit.

The girlfriend of Daniels brother was also in the home with her 5-year-old and 1-year-old children, according to an affidavit. The girlfriend told police she was asleep and woke up to a pop and Daniels running up the stairs.

She said she stayed in the room with her two children until the police arrived, according to police.

Daniels bond was set at $25,000, and he is charged with neglect of a dependent resulting in death, according to court documents. A hearing is scheduled for Feb. 1.

Fort Wayne is about 120 miles northeast of Indianapolis.

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Heads up, Nashvillians traveling to North Carolina will need to fasten their seat belts as they could experience a bumpier ride than normal.

A report by USA Today reveals that the 442-mile route from Nashville International Airport to the Raleigh-Durham International Airport experienced, on average, the most turbulence in North America in 2023. The data was analyzed using Eddy Dissipation Rate (EDR), which is a measure of turbulence intensity, according to the National Weather Service.

Despite BNA's high ranking, all North American air routes were lower than those of others worldwide. The route from Santiago, Chile, to Santa Cruz, Bolivia, led the way with the world's highest at 17.568 EDR.

Read ahead to see how BNA's route compared against other North American routes and more information on turbulence.

North American routes with highest average turbulence in 2023

What is turbulence?

Pilots report about 65,000 incidents of moderate turbulence every year, according to the National Center for Atmospheric Research.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, turbulence is air movement created by a variety of factors such as atmospheric pressure, jet streams, air around mountains, cold or warm weather fronts, or thunderstorms. It can be unexpected and can happen when the sky appears to be clear.

Turbulence can give an airplane a sudden jolt that can injure passengers and flight crewmembers who aren't buckled in, said the Federal Aviation Administration.

How does turbulence affect you?

How can passengers avoid injuries during turbulence?

The Federal Aviation Administration recommends the following tips for staying safe during turbulence:

Listen to the pilots and flight attendants  FAA regulations require passengers to be seated with their seat belts fastened whenever the seat belt sign is illuminated during flight.

Pay attention to the safety briefing at the beginning of your flight and read the safety briefing card.

Use an approved child safety seat or device if your child is under two.

Prevent inflight injuries by adhering to your airlines carry-on restrictions.

Methodology

The data in the study was taken from turbli.com. Turbli analyzed 150,000 airline routes worldwide and ranked those that were active as of December 2023. Turbulence was computed over an aircraft's geodesic, its dome-shaped flight path, and its average cruising altitude.

USA Today contributed to this report.

Diana Leyva covers trending news and service for The Tennessean. Contact her at Dleyva@gannett.com or follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter at @_leyvadiana

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville to North Carolina flight route the most turbulent in 2023
Events mark 60 years of key relationship

08:38, January 29, 2024 By Zhang Yunbi ( Chinadaily.com.cn

Maestro Xu Zhong, a leading Chinese orchestra conductor and president of Shanghai Opera House, traveled to Paris for piano studies at the age of 16 and began what he called "close contacts and engagement with France for a total of 18 years".

A keen advocate of bilateral cultural exchanges, Xu held the baton on Thursday at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing directing the opera Romeo and Juliette created by French composer Charles Gounod  the first of the Beijing-based events marking the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism.

He is a witness of how both governments value these events which also mark the 60th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations this year.

President Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron delivered video speeches respectively to a reception held prior to the opera's debut on Thursday.

"It is my utmost honor to present what I have learned in France on the stage tonight, and it is part of my conviction to give a boost to the cultural exchanges of the two peoples," Xu said.

On Saturday, Xi and Macron exchanged congratulatory messages to celebrate the establishment of diplomatic ties on Jan 27, 1964. In their messages, both leaders highlighted the ties' great impact and significance for the world.

Xi said that "today's world is once again at a critical crossroads", and he emphasized the two countries' shared identity as "independent and self-reliant major countries and permanent members of the United Nations Security Council".

He called on both nations to "honor the original aspiration of establishing diplomatic relations" and "jointly chart the path for humanity's development that leads to peace, security, prosperity and progress".

Showing his care for the further growth and development of bilateral relations, Xi said he is willing to work with Macron to take the anniversary as an opportunity to make the China-France comprehensive strategic partnership "even stronger and more dynamic", and to make greater contributions to the well-being of the people of the two countries and the world.

In his message, Macron said the world faces unprecedented crises, and it is more important than ever for France and China  as well as for Europe and China  to work together to find common solutions to global challenges.

He said that bilateral relations were "comprehensively revitalized" last year and added that France-China cooperation will go even further this year.

Paris looks to advance bilateral exchanges and cooperation in fields such as the economy, trade, culture and youth, and to strengthen communication and coordination on global issues, he said.

Xi noted that the establishment of diplomatic relations 60 years ago "is still highly relevant today".

The two countries have always honored independence and self-reliance, achieved common development and mutual learning, and played an important role in "promoting the world's multipolarity and democratizing international relations", he added.

Located in the heart of Beijing and known for its shape like a pebble, the National Centre for the Performing Arts is a landmark tourist attraction and another witness of China-France cooperation, as it was designed by the French architect Paul Andreu, who passed away in 2018.

Bertrand Lortholary, the French ambassador to China, hailed the building as "majestic", saying that Thursday's reception and the debut of the opera were "an epitome of our collaboration and arrangements with symbolic significance".

"Let us pay tribute to the men and women of China and France who have worked relentlessly over the past six decades to build strong bonds between our two countries in good times or difficult times," he said at the reception.

Mutually beneficial economic and trade cooperation "is a powerful engine of China-France relations", said Chinese Ambassador to France Lu Shaye.

"The two countries' traditional cooperation projects such as aerospace, civil nuclear energy and high-speed rail are progressing smoothly, while cooperation in emerging areas such as the digital economy, renewable energy and organic agriculture and food have a promising future," he wrote in a recent article.

France had set up more than 6,000 companies in China by the end of 2021, and China has been the number one Asian country investing and creating jobs in France for three consecutive years.

Last year, bilateral trade reached $78.936 billion.

Fabrice Fourcade, vice-president of French power supply giant Electricite de France and chairman of EDF China, voiced his great optimism over the relations' future as well as practical cooperation.

"I believe green energy  ranging from nuclear to renewable, offshore wind, photovoltaic technology  is very promising," he said.

Other promising areas include manufacturing and products from the agricultural, luxury and beauty sectors, he added.

Observers and officials noted that in addition to practical cooperation, in the political context the two sides have maintained great coordination on most regional hot spot issues and have expressed support for major international initiatives put forward by the other side.

"In particular, the two sides have carried out trendsetting cooperation on issues such as tackling climate change and preserving biodiversity," Chinese Consul General in Marseille Dong Guangli told local media.

Zhang Ji, professor and deputy dean of Fudan University's School of International Relations and Public Affairs in Shanghai, said that to make their relations more resilient, the two countries should "shape a correct perception of one another and further tap their leading roles in international affairs".

"France needs to eliminate prejudices on ideology and China's political system, and be more inclusive toward China's development and the Chinese path to modernization. As for China, it should better understand and honor France's leading role in the EU, its influence among many developing countries and its positive role in advancing multilateralism and cultural diversity," he said.

"By joining hands, China and France could and should help avert bloc-based confrontation, new divisions in the world and another Cold War," he said.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) urged Congress on Monday to approve a $310 million Biden administration proposal that would help alleviate a cross-border sewage crisis in the Tijuana River Valley.

San Diego County communities like Imperial Beach, which sits just a few miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border, have long been plagued by a perpetual pollution problem: the flow of raw sewage from Baja California into its U.S. neighbor of similar name.

Southern California communities have suffered from this crisis for far too long, impacting the lives and livelihoods of tens of thousands of people, Newsom wrote in the letter.

Facilitating the flow of sewage are both seasonal ocean currents and the Tijuana River Watershed, which starts in the U.S. but then heads into Mexico before returning to California. In recent years, climate-fueled weather extremes have only exacerbated the problem.

Congress in 2020 appropriated $300 million toward renovating the South Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant, a facility located on the California side of the border but run jointly by the U.S.-Mexico International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC).

The plant, located in the border-adjacent San Diego district of San Ysidro, treats some of Tijuanas sewage.

But the facility now requires an added $150 million in repairs, Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre recently told The Hill. Some of the sites sedimentation tanks are so clogged with solids that plants are sprouting out of them, she noted.

Aguirre stressed that the extra funds, which would not only fix but help expand the facility, are contingent on congressional approval.

President Biden this past October asked Congress to authorize an additional $310 million for the region in an emergency supplemental bill.

Newsoms letter on Monday  to high-ranking Democrats in both the Senate and the House of Representatives  emphasized the need to repair long-neglected infrastructure at the treatment plant.

He stressed that this is a federal facility on federal land, meaning that it is the federal governments responsibility to complete the capital improvements that are required.

Only doing so, Newsom noted, can stop the ongoing harmful discharges into the marine environment that are impacting public health, the local economy and ecosystems.

Congress must act quickly to approve the Presidents proposal and provide this much needed, urgent funding, the governor added.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Newton teachers will be picketing once again on Monday morning after the union and school committee could not agree to terms on a new contract Sunday night.

After a day of negotiating, the Newton School Committee told families Sunday evening there would be no school the following day.

Monday will be the seventh day of school students have had to miss due to the strike.

Earlier Sunday, the Newton Teachers Association said they offered a new cost of living adjustment (COLA) package proposal to the school committee.

We are fighting for supports for [the students], for mental health supports. Were fighting for them to have properly staffed classrooms, so the kids are safe, said Ryan Normandin, a math and science teacher and a member of the union. [The school committee] went through our package, and they accepted every conciliatory  everything we were giving up  and they plastered reject on everything else.

According to the school committee, the plan was not viable.

The NTAs revised proposal showed progress but was neither affordable nor sustainable, the school committee said in a statement. Accepting it wholesale would have required a reduction in force of more than 70 valued educators and support staff throughout the life of the contract.

The school committee presented a counterproposal at 3:15 p.m. that would have included increases to COLA, agreement on parental leave, wage increases to paraprofessionals, a commitment by the superintendent to increase the number of social workers across the district, and a revised transition to offset increases to health insurance costs.

The school committee says the NTA presented the COLA proposal in a take it or leave it manner, before walking away from the table. The NTA pushed back on that notion they werent bargaining in good faith.

The NTA did not walk away from bargaining. We received no clarifying questions from the school committee. Instead, they gave us a counter-proposal, in essence rejecting ours, an NTA spokesperson said.

The funding is there, this is a manufactured political crisis created by the Mayor, not a fiscal crisis, the NTA said in an early Sunday afternoon press conference.

Mayor Ruthanne Fuller told Boston 25 News directing any more city dollars toward the district would come at the expense of public safety and other city departments.

We are unwilling to lay off police officers, firefighters and other municipal employees to pay for a contract that we cannot afford, Fuller said. I have always prioritized the budget of Newton Public Schools. When I craft the budget, the department that gets the biggest increase is Newton Public Schools.

NTA President Mike Zilles said the school committee and the mayor are more committed to defeating the union than prioritizing school.

They dont care when the kids go back. They care about getting a cheap contract from us, Zilles said. Their interest isnt in a contract, it isnt in their students; its in winning.

Because teacher strikes are illegal in the Bay State, the NTA has racked up $375,000 total in fines thus far.

Fines were set to resume at $50,000 if the two sides were not able to reach a deal by 8:00 p.m. Sunday.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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Is Hamas waging a smear campaign against Egypt? By Khaled Abu Toameh

web posted January 29, 2024 According to Palestinian and Egyptian sources, Hamas seems to be behind the latest online campaign that accuses Egypt of preventing humanitarian and medical aid from entering the Gaza Strip. The sources believe that Hamas activists and supporters are responsible for the campaign, which is mostly taking place on social media and targeting the Egyptian regime, specifically President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Hamas is an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood organization, which was outlawed in Egypt after al-Sisi came to power. The Hamas-led campaign aims to embarrass the Egyptian authorities by depicting them as being in collusion with Israel to toughen the blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip and increase the suffering of the Palestinians living there. The sources also believe that Hamas was behind attempts to organize several rallies in the Egyptian capital of Cairo to demand that Egypt reopen the Rafah border crossing along its shared border with the Gaza Strip and allow more Palestinians to leave for medical treatment. The criticism on social media centers around Egypt's purported refusal to open the Rafah border crossing and claims that dozens of truckloads of food and medicine were stranded on Egypt's side of the border for no apparent reason. Additionally, there have been unconfirmed reports of Palestinians forced to pay bribes to Egyptian security officials to allow them to leave the Gaza Strip through the Rafah terminal. According to the reports, the bribes, ranging from $5,000-$7,000 per person, were being paid to the Egyptians through Palestinian intermediaries, ostensibly Hamas-linked men from the Gaza Strip. Egyptian government officials have denied claims that Egypt has been hindering the entry of humanitarian and medical aid into the Gaza Strip. Despite the denial, a campaign of incitement against Egypt and its president has continued. In some videos posted on social media, Palestinian children are seen pleading with apathetic Egyptian soldiers on the other side of the border to help them. The videos, apparently produced by Hamas supporters, are designed to embarrass President Sisi and the Egyptian authorities by depicting them as being responsible for the suffering of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. The Video Propaganda In one video, a Palestinian boy collecting dry leaves for heating takes a shot at the famous Arabic expression "Egypt, Um-El-Dunya," which translates to "Egypt, Mother of the World." This is an expression that Egyptians have long used about the country's ancient civilization and achievements. In the video, the boy looks at the camera and asks: "Have you ever seen a mother who abandons her children?" The underlying message: Egypt has abandoned the Palestinians. Another video features dozens of trucks stranded on the Egyptian side of the border with the Gaza Strip after being prevented (allegedly by the Egyptian authorities) from entering the coastal enclave. A comment in the video explains: "The aid allocated to Gaza has expired in Rafah, Egypt, and has been disposed of. While people are dying of hunger in Gaza, the Arabs are unable even to bring in expired food! What a shame." Osama Gaweesh, editor-in-chief of Egyptwatch.net, wrote to his 835,000 followers on X (formerly Twitter): "Just to clarify: Al-Sisi has flooded all the tunnels on the border between Egypt and Gaza since 2014. Al-Sisi has established a complete buffer zone, militarily fortified, between north Sinai and Gaza since 2015. Al-Sisi coordinates security with Israel along the Philadelphi Corridor." In a third video, a Palestinian man from the Gaza Strip is filmed standing close to an Egyptian watch near the border. "The Egyptian soldier sitting inside the tower is a good man," the Palestinian says. "He can't do anything. Here is the powerful Egyptian army sitting there and watching us die." Hamas officials (and other Palestinians) have privately and indirectly criticized Egypt and the Arab states for their purported failure to help the Palestinians of the Gaza Strip during the war. These officials, however, have been careful to watch their words for fear of retribution by Egyptian authorities. Some Hamas leaders have reportedly moved from Lebanon to Egypt after the assassination of top Hamas official Saleh al-Arouri in Beirut in early January. The Hamas leaders now fear that a public attack on Egyptian authorities would result in their expulsion from Egypt and a toughening of Egyptian security measures and restrictions along the border with the Gaza Strip. This accounts for the social media campaign unleashed against Sisi and the Egyptian government. Hamas aims to incite Egyptians to take to the streets in "solidarity" with the Gaza Strip, thus increasing the pressure on the Egyptian authorities. Ultimately, the goal is to force the Egyptian authorities to ease their harsh security measures along their border with the Gaza Strip. This move would serve as a lifeline for the beleaguered Hamas leaders. Khaled Abu Toameh is an award-winning Israeli Arab journalist, lecturer, and documentary filmmaker specializing in Palestinian affairs. A Senior Distinguished Fellow at the Gatestone Institute and a Fellow of the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, he has also worked as a senior producer for NBC in the Middle East and has reported on events in the West Bank and Gaza for several media outlets. Home
The left's politics are now little more than trying to destroy their opponents with lawfare and prosecution By Rachel Alexander

web posted January 29, 2024 There's been a strange transformation on the left in recent years, as its rhetoric has turned from championing real issues to bashing the right and salivating over putting Donald Trump and his associates in prison. Since the internet and social media have opened up so many new channels of information, the left is losing its former power over the flow of information, and has become forced to debate issues on the merits. Despite still maintaining a stranglehold over education, the legal system, the MSM, large corporations, and most of big tech, a new study found that teenage boys are the most conservative they have been in half a century. In reaction, the left is trying to deflect and avoid real debates by tarnishing the right with lawfare since the left now dominates the legal system. When you can get a judge to twist the jury instructions, disallow legitimate evidence and witnesses based on bogus excuses, and skew the jury pool by refusing to transfer the case outside of a heavily Democratic area like Washington D.C., you can ensure victories every time. The right allowed the left's domination of the legal system to happen, because we were too busy going to church, raising families and participating in typical Judeo-Christian charitable work  instead of spending our free time volunteering on busybody state bar and judicial committees, hanging out with politically correct legal groups late at night drinking and networking. This is why there has been such a rise in lawfare, it's now the left's most successful strategy for winning; destroy the right's arguments by creating the illusion they are so bad their opinions should be illegal. The judges all go along with it, because as I've written previously, they are terrified of having their pristine, mostly behind-the-scenes reputations destroyed, and their families harassed in public. The Democrats never talk about Joe Biden's positions on issues. They never discuss his latest initiatives. They know no one takes Biden seriously due to the dementia, and Democrats have lurched so far to the left that trying to take a defensive position and prop up their positions is futile. The transgender issue is a classic example; it's impossible to defend child mutilation, so the left is losing that debate. The best they can do is duck the argument and gaslight, changing the topic to magnify the flaws of Trump and others on the right. Unlike the right, the left never gets any satisfaction from watching people come to see the light like #WalkAway, or by giving a speech commending their leaders' bold visions. They don't even make a pretense of it anymore like they did last century (pretending Jimmy Carter had bold vision was a stretch). So in order to find some satisfaction, they have resorted to disguised fascist tactics, using the legal system to squelch free speech. The average American, who doesn't pay close attention to politics but still votes, can be easily swayed by this tactic since no one wants to be associated with a "criminal." Polls show that support for Trump greatly decreases if voters are asked whether they'd vote for him in prison. The left has a proven track record already, by successfully targeting fringe people and groups like Alex Jones and Q/QAnon . Since few conservatives aligned with them, they were a cinch to take down, and now the left has a blueprint to easily follow  even labeling people as QAnon who aren't. This transformation to this psychotic approach took place in part due to COVID-19 lockdowns driving mental illness on the left. Since the left insisted on locking down hard, unlike the right, they experienced more social isolation. One of their jobs that expanded during the lockdowns was trolling people on the right online from home, which further exacerbated the mental illness, being stuck with that miserable job all day long. The left has successfully changed real political debate into a terrifying "gotcha" Orwellian era, the beginning of fascism. Turn to the MSM and it is endless coverage of Trump's legal battles, as if there's little else going on. Their leading pundits like Ron Filipkowski hysterically post round the clock about every minor proceeding in the lawsuits and prosecutions of Trump. The Democratic Party should be honest and change its platform so that every prong states what it is really doing  take Trump and his associates down with lawfare, particularly through prosecution. Minor prongs are taking down his associates with lawfare. I keep wondering, "When are the grown-ups going to intervene and stop this Orwellian lawfare?" The Supreme Court has shown that it will not intervene in anything related to election fraud, but I predict it will draw the line at allowing Trump to go to prison, realizing that's a terrifying slippery slope to go down. While that intervention will stop people from deserting Trump, the Democrats have mastered election fraud so they won't need him in prison in order to "win" the presidential election. Their approach is "by any means necessary," so they are working all sleazy angles to avoid legitimate political debate. The Democrats have successfully implemented radical Saul Alinsky's Rules for Radicals, diverting attention from real political issues to destroying their political opponents with character assassinations. Since the average American doesn't have time to figure out the complex legal issues involved, they're getting away with it, as their comrades in the MSM hype up the caricatures of conservative leaders as traitors. It's not easy, but the right is going to have to figure out how to stop this transformation of political debate. I am forming an organization to combat the lawfare, especially against conservative attorneys. But that's only one angle, we need something pronto to get people to wake up and realize we no longer have free political debate in this country. Rachel Alexander and her brother Andrew are co-Editors of Intellectual Conservative. She has been published in the American Spectator, Townhall.com, Fox News, NewsMax, Accuracy in Media, The Americano, ParcBench, Enter Stage Right and other publications. Home
Noah Kahan will contend for his first Grammy Award when the ceremony gets underway on Sunday, Feb. 4. But the singer-songwriter, whose latest record earned him a coveted nomination in the Best New Artist category, has been rehearsing his Grammys acceptance speech since childhood.

"When I was falling asleep, I would practice my Grammys speech when I was a little kid," Kahan told "CBS Mornings" co-host Gayle King on Monday.

It went like this, he said: "Thank you to the Grammys. I deserve this." Laughing, Kahan added, "I never really got too far. 'Cause I think I stopped myself from believing it could be true."

Although Kahan catapulted to breakout success back in 2017, with the release of his chart-topping single "Hurt Somebody," his Grammys dream officially became a reality in November, when the Recording Academy unveiled its newest roster of nominees. A video that showed an overjoyed Kahan watching and reacting to the announcement quickly went viral online.

"It's surreal, first and foremost. But it's also something I'm very proud of," he said of the nomination. "I've been in the music industry for a long time and it's been a lot of hard work from a lot of people, and I just feel really proud of me and my team and the people who have believed in me for so long."

Noah Kahan performs during the Austin City Limits Music Festival on Oct. 14, 2023, in Austin, Texas. / Credit: Erika Goldring/FilmMagic

He said the potential for a Grammys nod was on his mind following the release of his third studio album, "Stick Season," in 2022, but he still refused to engage in conversations about that possibility  even with his mother or his managers  because he "didn't want to curse it or jinx it."

"So I think that day [when Grammy nominations were announced] was the first day I let myself really want it and allowed myself to believe that maybe I had a chance," Kahan said.

"Stick Season" has been met with praise from critics and fans, who had been anticipating its release as Kahan teased the drop on TikTok. The folk-pop performer has talked about creating the album from his home in Vermont after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and says incorporating themes around mental health, anxiety and depression into his work has always been important to him.

"I never found it hard to be open about my mental health and I owe that to my parents, who would always encourage me to talk about it," Kahan said. "I recognize the massive privilege in that my family was always able to provide me with resources for my mental health. And I realized later on how abnormal that experience really was, and so I felt a responsibility to speak about what I'm going through in hopes that maybe it opens up that conversation for others."

When Kahan hits the Grammys red carpet in Los Angeles on Sunday, he told King it will be his mother who accompanies him.

"When I was a little kid, my mom would say, 'When we go to the Grammys, you have to take me there.' And she was the first call I made," he said. "She's going to get styled up, we're going to go to the red carpet, I'm going to drive her home. It's going to be an awesome night. She's really excited."

The Grammys will be broadcast live on CBS and streaming on Paramount+ on Sunday, Feb. 4, beginning at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT.

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Does living near a hospital make you more likely to get the health care you need?

Even though the federal government requires nonprofit hospitals to regularly assess the health needs of their surrounding communities and publicly post a plan to address those concerns, many people living nearby struggle to get basic health care.

We are a political scientist and an urban sociologist who study how hospitals interact with and shape the communities in which they are located. As we explain in our book, The City and the Hospital, most top-ranked hospitals in the U.S. arent doing enough in this regard.

A paradox for local communities

Despite living in the shadow of world-class medical facilities, people residing in these communities often have poor health.

We call this the paradox of medically overserved communities.

Many nonprofit hospitals amass revenues in the millions and even billions. This economic power, coupled with their stated missions to take care of their local community, positions most of them well to benefit the neighborhoods surrounding their campuses.

Urban hospitals tend to be centrally located; residents of these city centers tend to be low income, and many of them are disproportionately Black and Latino. Using census data, we found that the neighborhoods around our case sites were, overall, less white, had lower household incomes, lower property values and greater vacancy rates than the rest of their cities. They also had worse health.

Worse off in terms of health

To better understand how hospitals serve local populations, we and our colleague, medical sociologist Berkeley Franz, conducted over 200 interviews.

We spoke with local residents, hospital administrators, business owners and health care advocates. Our conversations focused on three American hospitals: the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, Hartford Hospital in Connecticut and the University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora. Like these three, about half of U.S. hospitals are nonprofits.

In all three cities, these neighborhoods had lower rates of health insurance compared with citywide and national averages. And so, when looking at a map, these neighborhoods might appear to have greater access to health care than, for example, those living in rural communities. This is not the case.

We found that Americans residing in a census tract next to those three hospitals were actually more likely to be in poorer health than their fellow city dwellers.

We examined 12 key health conditions, including heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and mental illness. Local residents were faring worse than city averages 64% of the time and worse than national averages 80% of the time.

Sometimes low-income people living near prominent hospitals fear getting care at them because of billing concerns. SDI Productions/E+ via Getty Images

Vague mandate

Nonprofit hospitals get tax exemptions because the Internal Revenue Service recognizes that the promotion of health is a charitable mission that serves the public good. Because for-profit hospitals pay all applicable taxes, they are not subject to these IRS requirements.

Nonprofit hospitals save billions every year in federal, state and local taxes. But they are required to spend some of their money to provide what the government calls community benefit.

How much should these hospitals spend?

Until now, the authorities have not specified an amount or percentage of a hospitals revenues or profits. The IRS test for community benefit is vague. It requires that hospitals make investments that are broad enough to benefit the community and must serve a public rather than a private interest.

Although providing charity care isnt the only contribution hospitals make to their communities, its an important one. And in 2020, when the question was last looked at closely, nonprofit hospitals charity care totaled US$16 billion  during a year when they got $28.1 billion in tax breaks.

Some hospitals do little to nothing to meet this goal. The U.S. Government Accountability Office, a government watchdog, found 30 nonprofit hospitals that got tax breaks in 2016 despite reporting no spending on community benefits at all.

And although hospitals are required to report their community benefit activities to the IRS every three years, the government agency was unable to provide evidence that it did so because it did not have a well-documented process to ensure those activities were being reviewed, the GAO said in 2023.

Community benefit

People living near hospitals complained, as you might expect, about blaring sirens, helicopters and traffic. We also heard confusion over hospitals responsibilities toward their local community.

Local residents often told us they expected more from hospitals than other neighborhood institutions. As Mansfield Frazier, a Cleveland community advocate, put it, the Cleveland Clinic is not in the business of making widgets. Theyre in the business of promoting health.

On the other hand, hospital administrators at the three hospitals we studied insist that they spend generously to improve their local communities. One Cleveland Clinic administrator, for example, lamented, There are some people who think it is our job to repair potholes on their streets.

In terms of how well hospitals invest in community health, a health-focused think tank, the Lown Institute, graded our three hospitals as average: Hartford Hospital earned a B grade, and the University of Colorado Hospital and the vaunted Cleveland Clinic both earned a C.

The American Hospital Association has responded to these assessments by criticizing Lowns methods and data. Most notably, it accuses Lown of cherry-picking, insisting that delivering life-saving treatments and educating newly graduated physicians should be considered part of community benefit. Such activities are generally not considered part of hospitals broader nonprofit obligations because they are paid for the medical care they deliver and the physicians they train.

Appetite for land

Residents of the three neighborhoods where we conducted our research often noted their local hospitals prominence. But they also said they felt unwelcome there, using words like behemoth, intimidating and imposing when describing them.

They also told us they were upset when the hospitals purchased neighborhood homes and other buildings and razed them for new facilities. In Hartford, residents pointed to an example of how the hospital bought a family-run funeral home that had catered to the local Latino community and then turned it into a parking lot.

The local community expressed similar concerns about the Cleveland Clinics appetite for land, which threatened the future of the neighborhoods historic churches.

We also heard concerns over unfair billing practices that echoed what The New York Times has found  that overcharging patients entitled to free care is perhaps more common than previously believed.

In all three communities, people told us they avoided their local, prominent hospitals because of fears of the financial burden a visit would yield. Many local residents said they saw less celebrated hospitals that were farther from home as safer options in terms of what they expected to pay.

An unfulfilled promise

When Congress passed the Affordable Care Act in 2010, it reasserted the idea that nonprofit hospitals should provide substantial benefits to communities in exchange for their tax exemptions. That hasnt happened.

Scholars widely agree theres no evidence that nonprofit hospitals have generally done more to benefit their local communities with the ACA than they did without it.

Yet a lack of oversight has meant that hospitals have rarely faced penalties for noncompliance.

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and analysis to help you make sense of our complex world.

It was written by: Jonathan Wynn, UMass Amherst and Daniel Skinner, Ohio University.

Read more:



The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Prosecutors last week dropped charges against Vodrick Perry, described in an indictment as the operations manager for iCore Global -- a purported commercial real estate firm that had boasted on its website that it handled more than $47 billion in transactions annually from 156 offices around the world. In reality, its corporate address was a mailbox at a UPS store in Helotes. Its founder and CEO, Samantha Mueting, and its chief financial officer, Jospehus De Laat, have entered guilty pleas and are scheduled to be sentenced March 27. Shown is a screen grab of iCore's website in 2021.

Federal prosecutors have dropped charges against a San Antonio man who was indicted for alleged involvement in a scheme to defraud investors in a real estate company that claimed a global presence but in reality operated out of a Helotes post office box.

Vodrick L. Perry, 54, was charged with two other defendants over their roles in iCore Global LLC. The other defendants have pleaded guilty and are scheduled to be sentenced March 27.

A dismissal in a federal case is quite rare, John Convery, Perrys attorney, said Monday. I applaud the government for taking this action. Its the right thing to do. I hope that any recognition of the dismissal will serve to reinstate Vodrick Perrys good name.

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Convery declined to comment on why the U.S. Attorneys office moved to dismiss the charges Wednesday, and it didnt respond to a request for comment. U.S. District Judge Jason Pulliam signed an order dismissing the charges the same day.

The government informed me of their intention to dismiss the charges against Vodrick Perry  which Ive always urged them to do based on the facts and the amount of evidence, Convery said. The case had been set for a two-week trial starting Feb. 26.

Perry, iCores operations manager, was charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. He now works as a home health care provider.

His co-defendants  Samantha L. Mueting, 58, of Helotes, and Josephus De Laat, 62, of Spicewood  entered guilty pleas in 2022. Mueting pleaded guilty of conspiracy to commit mail fraud. Prosecutors agreed to drop seven counts of wire fraud and a single count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud in exchange for her plea. De Laat pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

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Each charge carries a prison sentence of up to 20 years.

In a statement in 2022, the U.S. Attorneys office said Mueting, iCores founder and chief executive, and Chief Financial Officer De Laat conspired to perpetrate a series of frauds upon couples nearing retirement. The pair promised to allocate the victims funds into a commercial real estate hedge fund but instead used the money for their own benefit, the statement said.

Perrys involvement in iCore was limited, at best and stemmed from a romantic relationship he had with Mueting, Convery said. Perrys actions were related to trying to protect her from people who were being mean to her, threatening her. Convery added that his client was duped by Mueting.

While free on bail, she allegedly convinced a Smithville business to invest $2 million with her over a three-month span. At a court hearing to take up the revocation of her bail, she entered a guilty plea. Prosecutors agreed not to bring any new charges against her.

Her plea agreement shows shell owe her victims about $7.2 million in restitution. She is currently free on $50,000 unsecured bond and has to wear a GPS monitor.

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The companys website said it had 156 offices in 64 countries and handled some $47.5 billion in annual transactions. The company also claimed to have 5,500 staff and agents, the indictment said.
Toyota Motor Corp. CEO Koji Sato bows in front of the media in Tokyo. Sato apologized Monday to customers, suppliers and dealers for flawed testing at a group company, which follows similar problems in recent years. Kyodo News via Associated Press

Toyota chief Koji Sato apologized Monday to customers, suppliers and dealers for another instance of flawed testing at a group company, the latest in a series of similar problems in recent years.

The apology came a day before Chairman Akio Toyoda is to announce a global vision for the Toyota Motor Corp. group.

The latest woes at Japans top automaker involve testing required for Japanese government approval at Toyota Industries Corp., which makes diesel engines.

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False results were found for certification testing and other sampling inspections for engines that claimed the products met standards when they actually didnt, according to Toyota.

We will do our utmost to resume production as soon as possible, Sato said at a hastily called news conference late Monday at Toyotas Tokyo office.

The San Antonio angle Toyota employs about 3,800 people at its plant on the South Side of San Antonio, where it builds gas- and hybrid-powered full-size Tundra pickups and Sequoia SUVs. Neither vehicle is involved in Toyotas latest testing problems. The companys 2,000-acre San Antonio campus also houses an additional 5,800 workers employed by parts suppliers for the factory, and the company said last year it has invested more than $4.2 billion in Texas. Toyota Motors North America is headquartered in Plano.

Management was not able to fully comprehend and keep track of the details of what was happening on the ground, he said.

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Skirting of required tests surfaced last year at Daihatsu Motor Corp., which makes small cars and is 100% owned by Toyota. That cheating, which came to light because of a whistleblower, spanned decades.

In 2022, Hino Motors, a truck maker thats also part of the Toyota group, said it had systematically falsified emissions data dating back as far as 2003.

No major accidents have been reported in connection with any of the cheating, but the news has raised serious questions about oversight at the companies, as well as at Toyota.

Production has stopped for many Toyota group models until proper testing can be carried out, although people who already own the models can continue to drive them safely, according to the companies.

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When asked about the root causes of the repeated scandals, Sato said better communication was needed among the companies, as well as more thorough education about the importance of complying with rules.

He also acknowledged that workers were feeling pressure to cut corners in an intensely competitive industry. Toyota management needs to better understand what is happening on the ground as auto industry technology rapidly evolves, Sato said.

We recognize that not only people at the testing site but also management did not have proper understanding of certification, he said.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, with his wife Fran DeWine, speaks to reporters in Los Angeles about Cincinnati, Ohio and The Bengals trip to the 2022 Super Bowl.

A Democrat in the Ohio House wants to shed more light on how much money the state spent protecting Gov. Mike DeWine while he attended Super Bowl 56 with 19 family members.

State Rep. Eliot Forhan, D-South Euclid, plans to introduce a bill to force disclosure of records showing how much it cost to send Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers to the event with DeWine.

Earlier story: Security costs to escort Mike DeWine to Super Bowl aren't public records, court says

Most Ohioans dont get to ever go to a Super Bowl, let alone in a 20-person entourage, said Forhan in a written statement. I dont think its fair that they have to foot a hefty part of the bill for the governor to do that but arent allowed to know how much it cost them. Ohioans deserve transparency regarding how the governor spends their tax dollars. My bill, the Super Bowl Entourage Expense Act, will provide it.

Opinion: Another loss for Ohio: Supreme Court rules DeWine's Super Bowl visit cost can stay secret

But Forhan's bill is likely to go nowhere.

Here is why:

the Ohio Supreme Court ruled that the records are not subject to disclosure under the state's open records law;

DeWine isn't likely to sign such a bill into law;

Forhan is a Democrat, which is the minority party in the Ohio General Assembly;

Forhan is being investigated by the Ohio Attorney General over allegations of a "continued pattern of harassment, hostility and intimidation."

DeWine and his wife Fran paid their own expenses for the February 2022 trip to SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. But the Ohio Department of Public Safety denied a Feb. 14, 2022, public records request for the flight, hotel, meal, vehicle rental and overtime expenses for troopers who made the trip. The department said the information could be used to attack or sabotage the governor or his detail at future outings.

The Cincinnati Enquirer sued to force disclosure of the records.

In a 4-3 decision, the court said the requested records could be withheld because they fell under the security records exemption in the law. Four Republicans signed onto the majority opinion. Three Democrats signed onto the dissent, written by Justice Michael Donnelly.

Laura Bischoff is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio Democrat wants disclosure of cost to protect Mike DeWine
The River Ranch RV Resort in New Braunfels will continue operating after the city settled a lawsuit that attempted to shut the business down. The city said the park, which sits on the banks of the Guadalupe River next to the I-35 bridge, was placing vehicles in the Guadalupe River's floodway in violation of city ordinances. Liz Teitz People clean up at the River Ranch RV Resort in New Braunfels on Oct. 14, 2021, after heavy rains from Tropical Storm Pamela caused the Guadalupe River to flood. One RV was swept away by the high waters and several others were damaged. The city of New Braunfels sued the RV park in 2022, accusing it of violating a city ordinance by placing RVs in the river's floodway. Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News People clean up at the River Ranch RV Resort in New Braunfels on Oct. 14, 2021 after heavy rains from Tropical Storm Pamela caused the Guadalupe River to flood. After the flood, the city of New Braunfels sued the park, but city officials have agreed to settle, allowing the business to continue operating for now. Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News

The city of New Braunfels is settling a lawsuit it filed against River Ranch RV Resort that accused it of illegally placing RVs in the Guadalupe Rivers floodway in violation of city code.

The park can continue operating with additional safety measures for now, though the city said the Texas Department of Transportation eventually plans to acquire the property for a project.

The resort sits on the banks of the Guadalupe River, in the shadow of the Interstate 35 bridge. The city sued the business in 2022, accusing it of violating city ordinances. About 90% of the property sits in the floodway, the city said. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, a floodway is the channel of a river that must be reserved to discharge floodwaters.

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The lawsuit followed a flood in 2021 that required evacuation of the park. Several people had to be rescued from an RV as it floated into the river.

The New Braunfels City Council voted unanimously to approve a settlement agreement with Jimon Inc., the parks owners, allowing the park to continue operating with vehicles in the floodway.

My clients been an RV park since 1985, and the city wanted to shut him down based on an ordinance passed many years after that business was established, said attorney Paul Barkhurst, who represents Jimon Inc. He argued the business was grandfathered in under prior rules.

After several hearings, the city was unable to convince the judge to shut down the park, he said. I think it was a good settlement, a fair settlement, and it avoided a lot of costly litigation.

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In a City Council agenda report, the city said the decision to settle and allow the park to continue operating was made in part because TxDOT plans to acquire the land.

In 2023, TxDOT revealed its plans to construct a flyover road that will require land acquisition of this RV park and other properties in the path of this project, the report said. During litigation, the city discussed buying the property, but it was cost prohibitive, the city said.

With TxDOT involved, the city would save millions of dollars in land acquisition costs, the city documents said.

The state agencys project is part of planned improvements to Texas 46 in Comal and Guadalupe counties between I-35 and I-10. Its intended to help congestion and safety along Texas 46, and will include ramp reconstruction along I-35, TxDOT said last year.

READ MORE: New Braunfels council says no to outdoor music venue near Gruene Hall

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As a result of TxDOTs plans to acquire this land, the recommendation is to temporarily allow the RV park to remain in business, the city said, with increased safety measures and consequences for non-compliance.

According to the city, those measures include a new siren, locking gate, restricted use of spaces closest to the river, and posted evacuation procedures and emergency numbers. The business also was required to deposit $13,000 cash bond to cover the citys estimated emergency response costs in a future flood.

Barkhurst said most of those safety measures were initiated by the parks expert witness, and both sides agreed to implement them.

I think weve created a compromise that keeps the public and the customers of the park safe and keeps the park in business, he said.

The city will pay $55,00 in attorney fees, the report said.
Paris Hilton threw an epic party with her celebrity friends to celebrate son Phoenix's first birthday.

The 42-year-old reality star and entrepreneur shared photos and videos from Phoenix's birthday bash on her Instagram story Jan. 27.

Before the festivities began, the mom of two uploaded a video of a blue and orange balloon display being set up in a backyard as "I Just Can't Wait to Be King" from "The Lion King" blasted in the background.

Paris Hilton celebrates son Phoenix's first birthday with a

But, it seems another classic Disney animation, "The Little Mermaid," might've inspired the theme for Phoenix's party. In the next clip, she gave a closer look at the birthday decorations, which included a massive archway with "Phoenix" on it, fish balloons and clear balloons that said "#slivingmom."

Beneath the post, she revealed that the specific theme of son's party was "Sliving Under the Sea."

The birthday boy finally made an appearance in the following story. The proud mom, who wore a star tiara, matching necklace, a white Chanel purse and a blue ballgown fit for Cinderella, held her son as she gushed about him turning 1 years old. Phoenix looked adorable in a pageboy hat, white collared Fendi shirt, khaki pants and white sneakers. The mother and son duo also sported matching white sunglasses.

"I'm so excited. I've thrown amazing birthday parties my whole life, so to now be able to do this for my little boy is just such a special memory," Hilton explained in the video.

"Are you ready for your birthday?" she asked the toddler. "Look this is all for you," she said as she carried him outside to the party.

There were quite a few stars in attendance to wish Hilton's son a happy birthday.

Kat Von D and her 5-year-old son, Leafar, made sure to greet the birthday boy. The tattoo artist and television personality later posted a photo on her Instagram story of her and Leafar snapping a picture with Hilton and Phoenix. Von D wished him a happy birthday in the caption.

Next up was Kelly Osbourne who attended the celebration with 1-year-old son Sidney.

Kelly Osbourne and son Sidney attended Phoenix's first birthday bash. (Paris Hilton / Instagram)

"We love a theme," Osbourne complimented Hilton before she picked Sidney up.

Fellow first-time mom Rumer Willis also stopped by with her daughter Louetta, who was born in April 2023.

Rumer Willis and her baby girl, Louetta, were also invited to the party. (Paris Hilton / Instagram)

Hilton said Willis' baby girl was "so sweet" in the clip.

The "Paris in Love" star later posed for photos with Phoenix in front of a grand archway.

Hilton and Phoenix posed for pictures together in front of a balloon display and a large archway with his name on it. (Paris Hilton / Instagram)

"I can't believe he's 1 already!" someone behind the camera said.

"I know," Hilton replied. "It's the best."

After their mini photoshoot, Hilton and Phoenix visited the petting zoo in another section of the backyard where there were chickens, ducks, rabbits and goats in an enclosure. Hilton held one of the goats and showed it to her son, but the 1-year-old seemed a little scared and cried.

Hilton and Phoenix visited the petting zoo with chickens, ducks, rabbits and goats. (Paris Hilton / Instagram)

Lance Bass and his 2-year-old twins, Violet and Alexander, decided to check out the petting zoo, too. The 'N Sync member came over and gave Hilton a kiss on the cheek before feeding and petting some of the animals.

Lance Bass and his twins, Violet and Alexander, met up with Hilton and Phoenix in the petting zoo. (Paris Hilton / Instagram)

Hilton also hired a "unicorn" to come surprise the children.

Sister-in-law Tessa Hilton, who recently announced she was expecting her third child with Barron Hilton, and her daughter Milou were in attendance along with Chanel West Coast and her daughter Bowie who were also invited guests.

Hilton shares Phoenix and daughter London, who arrived in November 2023, with husband Carter Reum. Read on to learn more about the reality television star's new life as a mom of two.

Paris Hilton is embracing her mom era

Has Paris Hilton gone from a socialite into a mama bear?

She decided to "clear the air" on social media about a scene in her newest reality show, Peacock's Paris in Love," in which she says that she first changed her son's diaper by herself one month after he was born.

"You're pooping a lot," Hilton says to 32-day-old Phoenix in a clip from from the second season of the show.

"Should I learn how to change his diaper?" Hilton asks sister Nicky Hilton Rothschild, who casually responds, "Yeah."

"OK ... I know I said I wouldnt do this on my birthday, but ..." Hilton says, as if she's mustering up courage, "I will for you. Anything for Phoenix."

Hilton marches the baby over to the changing table where her sister and nanny are waiting.

"OK, I'm scared," she says.

"You've never done it?" Rothschild asks.

"No," Hilton says as she lays Phoenix down.

Meanwhile, Rothschild admonishes Hilton, "Be gentle. Gentle," and she advises her to "get in the little crevices" as she cleans off Phoenix. The nanny adds, "When you do that, you have to talk to him."

As Hilton snaps up Phoenix's onesie, Rothschild says with a laugh, "That was half you doing it by yourself."

On Dec. 13, Hilton clarified that she played the scene for laughs: "On my show, #ParisInLove, I joked about changing a diaper for the first time, which, lets be honest, was just me having a bit of fun  as you can see I changed his diaper the night I brought him home."

And indeed, when Hilton brought baby Phoenix home for the first time, on the show she does say that she changed his diaper before they left the hospital.

Changing tone, Hilton discussed the importance she places on being a mother. "In all seriousness, when it comes to being a mom, Im fully involved and loving every moment of it. Its interesting how a playful comment can be taken so seriously. Even though this season was the most real, authentic and raw I have ever been with my fans," she wrote.

Fans seem to agree. The comments on her post are overwhelmingly supportive.

Hey there, it's Paris. Just wanted to clear the air about something. On my show, #ParisInLove, I joked about changing a diaper for the first time, which, let's be honest, was just me having a bit of fun - as you can see I changed his diaper the night I brought him home But, in pic.twitter.com/IUvcEvOCyr  ParisHilton (@ParisHilton) December 13, 2023

Citing the "whimsical character" she played on "The Simple Life," Hilton said that it is a role that's difficult to "shake off completely."

Hilton concluded, "While I love a good laugh, I also believe in being real and responsible, especially as a parent. Lets remember to find the humor in life, but also to cherish and respect the real moments. Thanks for understanding, Happy Holidays and much love to you all!"

After that episode was filmed, Hilton welcomed London, which means more diapers! She said she is swept up in her "mom era" now that she has two children.

Hilton stopped by TODAY with Hoda & Jenna at the end of November 2023 to chat about her new daughter London, little sister to Phoenix. Hilton shares both children, who were delivered through surrogacy, with Reum.

"She is just a little angel and my life just feels so complete with my little baby boy and my baby girl," Hilton told the co-hosts on Nov. 27. "We're just over the moon."

"I'm loving my mom era," Hilton added.

Now that she's a mom, Hilton says her heart is full.

"I just feel so at peace, just so happy (and) so grateful for my husband and this beautiful family and life that we're building together and I couldn't imagine anything else," she told TODAY.

Here's everything to know about Paris Hilton and Carter Reum's children.

Phoenix Barron Hilton Reum

No one knew that Hilton and Reum were expecting their first child together, not even their loved ones.

I just feel like my life has been so public and I just wanted something for me, Hilton told TODAY with Hoda & Jenna in March 2023. I didnt want the media and people online just speaking about my son even before he was here on this earth.

Privacy was so important, Hilton told Harper's Bazaar, that when her surrogate was in labor, the reality star checked into the hospital under a different name and in disguise.

In January 2023, Hilton shared the first photo of her son, showing only his little hand curled around her thumb.

You are already loved beyond words, she wrote.

In February 2023, Hilton discussed her son's "unique" name on her This is Paris podcast.

"I love that its not only a city but also has other meanings that are just beautiful," she said. "I really believe that names have power and we wanted a name for our baby boy that was uniquely remarkable."

"It stands for hope, rebirth and transformation, said Hilton.

Phoenix's middle name Barron is for her late grandfather who died in 2019.

In July 2023, Hilton celebrated Phoenix's half-birthday by sharing Instagram photos.

"This Barbie is a Mom," she wrote on the slideshow. "My baby boy Phoenix is 6 months old today. He is my world and makes my life feel so complete. Cant wait for all the magical memories we will create together! Mommy loves you so much angel baby."

For Phoenix's first birthday, Hilton planned a "Sliving Under the Sea" themed party that featured a petting zoo and plenty of celebrity guests.

Surrounded by blue, orange and fish balloons, Hilton posed for pictures with Phoenix and sat with him in the petting zoo so he could get a closer look at the rabbits and goats.

Lance Bass, Rumer Willis and Kelly Osbourne were some of the celebs in attendance who brought their children to the party and wished Phoenix a happy birthday.

London

In an Instagram post, Hilton announced the arrival of her daughter London on Nov. 23, 2023.

"Thankful for my baby girl," Hilton wrote on an Instagram photo of a baby's outfit branded with "London" and a pair of pink sunglasses, alongside a stuffed bunny.

While Hilton's extended family knew that baby London was on her way, they didn't know her due date. Hilton introduced them to her daughter on Thanksgiving Day.

Hilton always loved the name London for her future children.

I knew when I was a little girl that I always wanted to have a daughter one day named London because London is one of my favorite cities in the world, she said during the February 2023 This Is Paris podcast.

Phoenix is already quite taken with his little sister London, Hilton told TODAY with Hoda & Jenna on Nov. 27.

Hes just so gentle and sweet and hell put his hand out and rub her arm or her face, said Hilton.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
Reenactor Franklin Guidone, left, in character as William Barrett Travis, writes the victory or death letter that will turn the Alamo's siege and fall into a heroic American legend, while UTSA student Joshua Obadiah, right, stands guard as Traviss enslaved servant, Joe, during a photo shoot Tuesday at KLRN Studio. The scenes staged last week will become bronze statues depicting different points in the Alamo's 300-year history. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News

Joshua Obadiah had to consult his parents and carefully consider an unusual acting opportunity. But in the end, he agreed to portray an enslaved survivor of the 1836 Battle of the Alamo, known only as Joe in historical accounts.

That portrayal and others will be the first thing people see as they enter a new visitor center and museum set to open in 2027.

At first I was skeptical, because of the history behind that character. But I think that is a part of history that someone does need to play, or else it will be forgotten, said Obadiah, who came to San Antonio from Nigeria with his family when he was in elementary school.

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Soon, he will graduate with a degree in business management from the University of Texas at San Antonio. On Tuesday, he was before a camera in period costume, posing for a vignette, one of nine that will be cast into bronze statues to present a series of human perspectives in the Alamos 300-year history.

The statues will be placed against backdrops on the first floor of the $150 million, 132,000-square-foot visitor center, visible at night through windows facing Alamo Plaza.

Costume designer Mary Ellen Rose, right, dresses reenactor Manuel Cruz, who plays an Indigenous mission resident for a scene staged Wednesday at KLRN Studio that will be converted into bronze statues for the Alamo's new visitor center. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News

Costume designer Mary Ellen Rose shows off period clothing at KLRN Studio on Tuesday, where the Alamo Trust gathered reenactors to serve as models for bronze statues that will depict different points in the Alamo's 300-year history. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News

To create the scenes, the Alamo is using area reenactors and working with New York-based StudioEIS, which has produced similar projects at national historic sites, including the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia and the Virginia homes of two presidents who owned slaves, George Washingtons Mount Vernon and Thomas Jeffersons Monticello.

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Reenactors Hiram Polendo (from left), Michelle Rodriguez, Giana Madrigal-Arocho and Cesar Cabrera play a doctor inoculating a child against smallpox as her mother and father, a Spanish soldier, looks on. The historical vignette was staged Wednesday at KLRN Studio for a set of bronze statues for the Alamos new visitor center. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News

The process was in high gear last week, with a three-day photo shoot at KLRN Studio, using meticulously prepared costuming, makeup, wigs and props and recording the faces of the actors with a 3D digital scan.

Obadiah, 21, portrayed the 23-year-old Joe standing guard as his owner, garrison commander William Barret Travis, 26, writes at a desk. It places Joe at the moment Travis is composing his renowned victory or death letter, begging for reinforcements but vowing never to surrender to the Mexican army that has surrounded the fort.

About a week later, Texas would declare itself an independent republic. And in a few days more, Travis would be dead, his small force overwhelmed. But Joe would be spared, treated by the victors as a noncombatant.

Its a very intense situation, said Kolby Lanham, senior researcher and historian at the Alamo. Joes story is as important as Travis story when it comes to the Battle of the Alamo.

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Costume designs are checked for a historical scene photographed Tuesday at KLRN Studio. Reenactors depicting different points in the Alamo's 300-year history will serve as models for bronze statues to be displayed at the new visitor center. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News

The nine vignettes will begin with two that focus on the Indigenous people of the area before and during the Alamo mission era. Others will cover the Spanish colony that followed and Tejanos under Mexican rule. It will include scenes of the post-battle U.S. Army use of the Alamo; restoration of the site by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas; and two depictions of the 1960s civil rights era, from Mexican American and African American perspectives.

CINEmakeup Studios made wigs for the characters, from a traditional 1700s friars hairpiece to a classic curl set for civil rights leader Lillian Andrews, who coordinated local efforts to desegregate downtown lunch counters in 1960, company owner Zachry Smith said.

Wigs for actors playing the two women who saved the Alamo from a hotel development in the early 1900s, Adina De Zavala and Clara Driscoll, a wealthy socialite who was 20 years younger, were done in Gibson Girl hairstyles.

We kind of told their story of their age through their hair. One a little more matronly, and one a little bit more fun and young and loose, Smith said.

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Costumes were designed for accuracy in historical scenes photographed at KLRN Studio last week to serve as models for bronze statues at the Alamo' visitor center, set to open in 2027. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News

Mary Ellen Rose, a freelance costume designer who used to teach her craft at Trinity Universitys theater department, had outfits made or borrowed from costume houses in Los Angeles. A company specializing in historical pieces provided a reproduction of an 1848 sword and cast a special belt buckle for the depiction of Army Maj. Edwin Babbitt, who led the 1850 repair and restoration of the Alamo Church and Long Barrack for use as a quartermaster depot.

They made his coat, which is all accurate, down to the correct buttons with specific patterns on it, Rose said.

One vignette will show Juan Rodriguez, a Native American chief who helped found San Antonios missions, at Mission San Antonio de Valero with his family. When he began living there, he was already familiar with Spanish soldiers and missionaries and had clothes reflecting a blending of cultures.

Hair stylist Fabian Diaz, left, and makeup artist Zachry Smith, right, work on reenactor Manuel Cruz, who portrayed an Indigenous mission resident for a historical vignette at KLRN Studio on Wednesday. The scenes will be used as models for bronze statues at the Alamo visitor center when it opens in 2027. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News

READ MORE: City Council updated on Alamo plan progress

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Franklin Guidone, portraying Alamo commander William Barrett Travis, gets a 3-D digital scan Tuesday that will help create a bronze sculpture for the future Alamo visitor center. The Alamo Trust gathered reenactors at KLRN Studio last week to stage scenes depicting different points in the Alamo's 300-year history. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News

Were showing him both in homage to his Indigenous culture and heritage but also the influence of the incoming Spanish culture and heritage, said Kate Carey, the Alamo Trusts vice president of education, interpretation and guest experience. Youre seeing these anchor moments throughout the history of the site that expand the story beyond 1836 on either end.

Joe provided important early accounts of the battle. Texas independence from Mexico meant slavery was legalized, enshrined in the new republic's constitution, but Joe escaped in 1837. He disappeared from history until 1875, when he reportedly was seen and recognized in Austin, a decade after emancipation.

Makeup artist Zachry Smith, right, styles hair for Luz Perez, left, who portrayed an Indigenous mission resident for a historical vignette at KLRN Studio on Wednesday. The Alamo Trust gathered reenactors at KLRN Studio last week to stage scenes depicting different points in the Alamo's 300-year history. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News

I believe he did find his freedom, said Obadiah, who had to think about San Antonios role in the history of the United States before agreeing to play the part. San Antonio, he said, has become a place where anyone can achieve anything.
Albert Anthony Soliz, 31, was found dead Friday in rural southeastern Bexar County. Deputies said Soliz had several gunshot wounds to his upper body. Bexar County Sheriff's Office

A man found dead with multiple gunshot wounds in southeastern Bexar County over the weekend has been identified by the Bexar County Sheriffs Office.

Albert Anthony Soliz, 31, was discovered lying in the middle of the road in the 9500 block of W.W. White Road on Friday night.

Deputies said Soliz had been shot several times in his upper body. He was found around 7 p.m. by area residents who were driving by.

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Its certainly a pretty disturbing scene for them to come upon, Sheriff Javier Salazar said.

Salazar said it appeared that Soliz had died at the scene shortly before residents reported his body to authorities. The area where he was found, which is mostly rural, is one where bodies have been found before, Salazar said.
Vanessa Garcia, right, talks with Xavier Lopez, a judge in the Skills USA competition's screen printing component at Brackenridge High School on Saturday. Garcia, a senior at Brackenridge, plans to attend UTSA and become the first member of her family to get a college degree, with help from a new program that provides direct admission to the university for top-performing SAISD graduates. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News Vanessa Garcia, right, talks with Xavier Lopez, a judge in the Skills USA competition's screen printing component at Brackenridge High School on Saturday. Garcia, a senior at Brackenridge, plans to attend UTSA and become the first member of her family to get a college degree, with help from a new program that provides direct admission to the university for top-performing SAISD graduates. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News Vanessa Garcia, left, chats with Brackenridge High School principal Noemi Davila, right, before a Skills USA competition in screen printing Saturday. Garcia, a senior at Brackenridge, plans to attend UTSA and become the first member of her family to get a college degree, with help from a new program that provides direct admission to the university for top-performing SAISD graduates. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News Vanessa Garcia checks the ink on a screen print at a Skills USA competition at Brackenridge High School on Saturday. Garcia, a senior at Brackenridge, plans to attend UTSA and become the first member of her family to get a college degree, with help from a new program that provides direct admission to the university for top-performing SAISD graduates. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News

Vanessa Garcia, a senior at Brackenridge High School, is 17. Her grandfather was the same age when he came to San Antonio decades ago from Mexico, working and saving to move his family here.

Shes also one step closer to becoming the first college graduate in her family, approved for admission to the University of Texas at San Antonio in the fall through a new program created by UTSA and the San Antonio Independent School District.

As early as their junior year, SAISD students in the top quarter of their class can now qualify for admission to UTSA. Ranked 8th of 362 students, Garcia has avoided absences and completed every assignment, soaking up knowledge to support her dream of some day helping others as a mental health professional.

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The fact that I didnt have to re-prove myself through writing essays and doing all that stuff meant a lot to me. My hard work did do something, she said.

READ MORE: Pandemic effects seen in rise in school violence

Shes part of the first cohort of 282 SAISD students graduating with a guaranteed invitation to enroll at UTSA, even if theyre considering other options. After a lull in college enrollment rates among SAISD graduates during the pandemic, 64 percent of its grads went to college in 2023, up from 52 percent in 2019.

Many soon-to-be graduates in the direct-admissions program also are eligible for UTSAs Bold Promise, which covers tuition and mandatory fees for students whose annual household income falls below $70,000. UTSA consistently is among the top five institutions where SAISD graduates enroll, along with San Antonio College, St. Philips College and Texas A&M-San Antonio, said Dustin Nieto, coordinator for postsecondary services at the district.

For students like Garcia, whove been cleared for admission while still in their junior year, the program offers a break from the daunting process of testing, essays and recommendation letters that high school seniors normally endure with college applications.

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An early win is really nice, Nieto said. It helps with that relief from anxiety that students are going to feel, with all the stressors that come their senior year. They can say, I already have a great institution in my backyard where I can say Ive already been accepted.' How many other juniors can say that?

Maritza Rodriguez, 17, a senior at Jefferson High School, felt a sense of ease, knowing that Ive already been accepted into a wonderful college in my hometown. Ranked 13th of 298 students in the Class of 2024, Rodriguez has been taking dual-credit courses in government, economics and statistics, and has visited elementary schools through a program exposing her to what its like to be a teacher.

Her passion has been shaped by a fourth-grade teacher at Odgen Elementary who made learning fun, a seventh-grade science teacher who helped me be the best person I could be and a statistics instructor this year whos advised her on math and decisions about college. Shes received a Distinguished Presidential Scholarship from UTSA and is applying for more scholarships, believing the university will give her everything she needs for a long-term teaching career.

They have an incredible education program, Rodriguez said. My heart is set on being an elementary school teacher, to help children.

Garcia, now studying graphic design at Brackenridge, recently competed in screen printing for a SkillsUSA competition. She loves science, and is taking anatomy and forensics.

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But her dream, having seen a family member struggle with bipolar disorder, is to make helping others a part of her lifes work in the role of a child psychologist or psychiatrist.

Her parents were pretty proud when they found out about my automatic admission to UTSA, Garcia said. She may look at other schools, since its about finances right now.

If I do end up looking for other ventures, it gives me comfort to know that I already have something there for sure, she said.

Garcia credits her father and grandfather for her work and study ethic.

I feel like thats a trait that got passed down to me. And especially when it comes to school, I know that I dont want to be stuck in the hard life that they had to go through, she said.

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UTSA President Taylor Eighmy said the program reflects the universitys deep commitment to growing the workforce and positively impacting the economic development of San Antonio by preparing students to succeed in the jobs of the future.

We have enjoyed a strong partnership with SAISD for many years, but this new program is especially exemplary of UTSAs keen focus on student success and its desire to make higher education more accessible, especially for those from underserved communities, he said.

Breaking intergenerational cycles of poverty by eliminating barriers to enrollment is a long-term goal of the direct-admissions initiative, said SAISDs Nieto. The district, which is closing 15 of its 98 schools as part of a rightsizing plan in response to declining enrollment in San Antonios urban core, is working now to identify the next cohort of high school juniors who will start attending UTSA in fall 2025.

The number one tool for low-income students, to change their economic mobility, is college education, Nieto said. We know that to transform the SAISD community and landscape, to create a thriving environment, college education is one of those key things thatll help our families and our students.
U.S. President Joe Biden's $5 billion infrastructure investment will soon be announced. This will happen once he visits to Superior, Wisconsin, on Thursday, Jan. 25.

He will specifically return to the John A. Blatnik Memorial Bridge; one of the two bridges that connects Minnesota (Duluth) to Wisconsin (Superior).

When Biden first visited the Blatnik Bridge in 2022, he pointed out that the decades-old corrosion had already weakened the overpass. He also warned the decaying bridge could put Americans in danger.

Now, he will include the John A. Blatnik Memorial Bridge in his $5 billion infrastructure investment. Here are other things Americans can expect from this effort.

Joe Biden's $5 Billion Infrastructure Investment

According to CBS News' latest report, the $5 billion infrastructure investment will include 37 projects across the United States. At least 12 states are expected to benefit from these infrastructure efforts.

Most of the funds of the billion-dollar investment will go to repairs and new constructions of bridges. To give you more idea, here are some of the bridges and structures included in Joe Biden's $5 billion investment:

I-5 Bridge (Interstate Bridge): $600 million for its replacement.

Sagamore Bridge in Cape Cod, Massachusetts: $372 million.

John A. Blatnik Memorial Bridge: $1.06 billion for its replacement.

These are just some of the structures included in Joe Biden's latest infrastructure investment effort. Since it is a pretty big initiative, Olivia Dalton, the White House principal deputy press secretary, said that the president's upcoming Wisconsin visit will be a "full-circle moment" for him.

"He first visited the Blatnik Bridge about two years ago after the State of the Union in 2022 to talk about the important investments we're making through the bipartisan infrastructure law in America," said Dalton.

Read Also: Joe Biden Urged by Ex-White House Interns to Support Gaza Ceasefire After US Solely Vetoes UN Resolution for Truce

Will Joe Biden's Wisconsin Visit Benefit Him Politically?

The upcoming Wisconsin visit of U.S. President Joe Biden is not an official presidential campaign event, as reported by ABC News. But, analysts said that it could help the American leader regain a key Democratic stronghold.

"This was the rock-solid Democratic core," explained the Center for Hubert H. Humphrey School and the Department of Political Science at the University of Minnesota's Study of Politics and Governance Director Larry Jacobs.

"Over the last 20 years or so, that stronghold is gone," he added.

Aside from this, his visit also highlights Wisconsin's place as among the handful of genuine battleground states in politics.

Related Article: Biden Administration Postpones Massive Natural Gas Export Terminal Over Climate Impact Evaluation
Outbound tourism market booming ahead of Spring Festival

Xinhua) 08:51, January 29, 2024

LANZHOU, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Li Miaomiao, a resident of Lanzhou, capital city of northwest China's Gansu Province, embarked on a trip to Thailand with her 9-year-old son a few days ago.

Li and her son were among the tourists heading overseas ahead of the Spring Festival, which falls on Feb. 10 this year. As the winter vacation has also commenced, the processing of entry and exit documents has seen a significant increase in many regions across the country.

Even at noon, the service hall of the immigration department of the Lanzhou Public Security Bureau remains bustling, with citizens waiting to process their travel passes.

Over the past two weeks, the number of people applying for entry and exit documents has surged, with a daily average processing volume exceeding 1,200 cases, said Bai Lijuan, who works at the department.

Since the beginning of this year, about 60 percent of the passport applications have been for popular tourist destinations in Southeast Asian countries, Bai added.

The hustle and bustle has also been evident in the entry and exit service halls of other cities across the country. The city of Hangzhou, capital of east China's Zhejiang Province, handles more than 5,000 entry and exit cases per day, while the city of Qingdao, a coastal city in Shandong Province, has set up special sessions for processing entry and exit documents for primary and secondary school students who plan to travel overseas during the winter vacation.

Meanwhile, popular overseas destinations including Thailand, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Singapore have also taken a series of measures in 2024 to attract Chinese tourists, such as waiving visa requirements. Airlines are also increasing international flights and charter services to meet the growing travel demand.

The flight that Li took is one of the measures. It is the first international flight that China Eastern Airlines has resumed in Gansu in the past three years, and the first passenger route linking Thailand restored this winter at the airport in Lanzhou. On the inaugural day, its passenger load factor exceeded 90 percent.

China recorded 5.18 million inbound and outbound trips during the three-day New Year holiday, from Dec. 30, 2023, to Jan. 1, 2024, a 4.7-fold increase compared with the figure for the same period a year earlier and returning to the 2019 level, according to the National Immigration Administration.

Industry insiders in the tourism sector believe that, driven by the continuous improvement in the convenience of cross-border travel, the outbound tourism market is expected to usher in new development opportunities this year.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
A new study claims that American "nones" are increasing, even overtaking Catholics as the 2nd largest religious group in the survey.

The study was conducted by the Pew Research Center and was published on Jan. 24. The research called "National Public Opinion Reference Survey" is conducted by the American think tank annually.

In its latest one, Pew revealed that around 28% of American adults now consider themselves as nones. This is higher than the surveyed Catholics, which are only 20%.

Meanwhile, American Protestants take the place as the largest religious group in the Pew study.

New Study Claims American 'Nones' are Increasing

The Pew Research Center said that nones are Americans whose religion is called "nothing in particular." They are quite different from atheists and agnostics, but some agnostics and atheists consider themselves as nones.

According to Yahoo News, nones are less likely to participate in U.S. elections; with only around 17% of religious nones voting in the 2023 elections.

In 2022, only 39% of them voted compared to the 51% of religiously-affiliated American adults who participated. When it comes to civic engagement, nones are less likely to contact government officials or attend government conferences.

Based on the Pew survey, nones are usually under 50 years old. When it comes to gender, 51% of them are men and 47% of them are women.

Read Also: Catholic Organization Files Bankruptcy Due to Sex Abuse-Related Lawsuits-Blames 2019 State Law Change

Other Things To Know About American Nones

The Pew Research Center said that some American nones still believe in God.

"No, not all 'nones' are nonbelievers. They are far less likely than religiously affiliated Americans to say they believe in God 'as described in the Bible,' but most do believe in God or some other higher power," explained the American think tank.

Pew said that in their survey, only 29% of American nones said that they don't believe in God or a higher power/spiritual force in the universe.

On the other hand, 56% of nones said they believe in other higher power. Meanwhile, around 13% of them believe in God as described in the Bible.

When it comes to participating in religious activities, 3% of nones said that they attend religious activities at least monthly. Meanwhile, 7% said that they go to religious services a few times each year.

"Most 'nones' say they were raised in a religion, usually Christianity. Yet today, they tend to be disconnected from religious institutions," said the Pew Research Center.

When it comes to their reasons, Pew discovered that Americans become nones because of the following:

Question a lot of religious teachings: 60%

Don't like religious organizations: 47%

Don't see a need for religion in life: 41%

Don't believe in God or a higher power: 32%

Bad experiences with religious people: 30%

Don't have time for religion: 12%

Related Article: America's Declining Patriotism: Experts Now Blaming Individualism for Fewer Patriotic Americans
In the first round of Finland's presidential election, Alexander Stubb emerged as the frontrunner, securing the most votes. However, his narrow lead over Pekka Haavisto means that a runoff will be necessary next month.

The former Finnish politician, who retired from politics in 2017 and made a firm commitment to never come back, is being widely regarded as a frontrunner in the upcoming election, facing tough competition from the independent candidate representing the leftist Green Party.

Alexander Stubb Wins 1st Round of Finland's Presidential Election

The vote occurs in the midst of heightened tensions with Russia, following Finland's NATO membership and the closure of its eastern border. These developments were once considered highly unlikely.

According to election officials, former prime minister Stubb received 27.1 percent of the votes, while the former foreign minister Haavisto secured 25.8 percent. More than 99 percent of the votes have been counted.

The Finnish public broadcaster YLE previously predicted that Stubb would emerge as the frontrunner in the first round of the presidential election, securing 27.3 percent of the votes. Meanwhile, Haavisto, a former foreign minister, is expected to secure second place with 25.8 percent.

Stubb, 55, and Haavisto, 65, emerged as the top candidates in the election, which saw approximately 4.5 million eligible voters selecting a new president to succeed the widely admired President Sauli Niinisto, whose second term concludes in March. He was not eligible for reelection, as per Daily Mail.

In contrast to many European countries, the president of Finland wields significant executive power in shaping foreign and security policy, especially in relation to non-European Union nations such as the United States, Russia, and China.

In Europe's current security environment, the president's role as the supreme commander of the Finnish military is of utmost importance. Voting in various locations concluded at 8pm (1800 GMT). Approximately 4.5 million citizens had the opportunity to cast their votes for Finland's new head of state.

The pool of candidates consisted of nine individuals, including six men and three women. A successor is being chosen for the highly popular President Sauli Niinisto, whose second six-year term will end in March. It is anticipated that no candidate will secure more than 50 percent of the vote in Sunday's initial round of voting, resulting in a runoff on February 11.

Stubb, a member of the conservative National Coalition Party, previously served as the head of the Finnish government from 2014 to 2015. Haavisto, a seasoned politician and former UN diplomat, is running for the post for the third time. Both candidates are expected to receive between 23-27 per cent of the votes.

Parliamentary speaker and former leader of the far-right Finns Party, Jussi Halla-aho, has garnered approximately 18 percent of the votes, placing him in second position. Olli Rehn, the Bank of Finland governor and former EU commissioner, was anticipated to secure approximately 14 percent of the votes.

The outcome of the early voting, which saw a significant turnout of over 40 percent of eligible voters, was promptly released after the polls closed. The results revealed that Stubb emerged as the frontrunner with 28.3 percent of the votes, closely followed by Haavisto with 25.8 percent and Halla-aho with 16.2 percent.

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Finland Election 2024

A new president is set to assume responsibility for Finland's foreign and security policy, taking over from the retiring incumbent, Sauli Niinisto, who has served two consecutive six-year terms. Both Stubb and Haavisto have expressed their support for Ukraine and have advocated for strong actions against Russia.

During their electoral campaigns, Stubb and Haavisto adopted a more centrist approach, while Halla-aho remained committed to his right-wing conservative stance.Last year, the Nordic country's entry into NATO prompted its significantly larger neighbor to issue warnings of "counter measures."

In December, Finland took the decision to close its entire border with Russia to passenger traffic due to a significant increase in migrants attempting to cross. Moscow refuted the allegations made by Finland regarding the transportation of migrants.

According to Stubb, the upcoming president would not only be the first Finnish NATO president, but would also have a Western approach in various aspects. Stubb emphasized the importance of aligning with countries like the US, the UK, and Finland's Nordic neighbors in terms of foreign policy, Reuters reported.

Related Article: Pro-Taiwan Leader Loses Seat in Tuvalu Election, Partial Results Show
On Sunday, House Republicans unveiled two articles of impeachment against Alejandro N. Mayorkas, the homeland security secretary.

Republicans accuse President Joe Biden's top immigration official of failing to uphold the law and betraying the public's trust in his management of the influx of migration at the US border with Mexico.

Republicans Urge to Impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas

The House Homeland Security Committee leaders presented their arguments against Mayorkas in preparation for a Tuesday meeting to approve the charges. This sets the stage for a swift House vote, potentially as early as next month, to impeach him.

It would mark the apex of Republicans' criticisms of Biden's immigration policies and a remarkable decision considering the growing agreement among legal experts that Mayorkas's actions are not considered serious offenses.

House Republicans are strongly opposing a bipartisan border compromise that was negotiated with the help of Mayorkas and has the support of President Biden, thanks in part to encouragement from former President Donald J. Trump. House Republican lawmakers have criticized the agreement, claiming it is insufficient and expressing doubts about President Biden's ability to address migration given his previous track record.

If the allegations against Mayorkas are approved by the full House, it is highly unlikely that they will gain traction in the Democratic-led Senate. For Mayorkas to be convicted and removed, a two-thirds majority would be required, which seems unlikely to happen.

However, this would result in a captivating political event during an election year. It would essentially subject Biden's immigration record to scrutiny, as Trump, known for his strong stance on border control, aims to secure the Republican presidential nomination to challenge him.

The first impeachment article characterizes the Biden administration's border policies as a formal offense. The report alleges that Mayorkas has deliberately and consistently disregarded laws that mandate the detention of migrants by implementing policies that result in "catch and release."

This practice allows certain individuals to remain in the United States while their court proceedings are pending, and permits others from war-torn and economically devastated countries to temporarily live and work in the country. Immigration laws provide the president with significant flexibility to accomplish both.

In the second article, it is alleged that Mayorkas provided false information to Congress regarding the security of the border and impeded lawmakers' attempts to investigate him.

The Biden administration and Democrats have staunchly supported Mayorkas, asserting that his actions were lawful and honest. They contend that he fully cooperated with the GOP's investigations even prior to the initiation of an impeachment inquiry.

Critics have strongly criticized the impeachment, claiming that Republicans are using Mayorkas as a scapegoat to appease the hard right, instead of collaborating on bipartisan measures to address the border crisis, which leaders from both parties acknowledge, as per The New York Times.

The two articles represent the conclusion of an extensive investigation conducted by Republicans into the secretary's management of the border and their assertion that the administration has created a self-inflicted crisis.

Republicans argue that the administration, particularly Mayorkas, either eliminated Trump-era policies that had managed migration or implemented their own policies that incentivized illegal migration from various countries to the US through the southern border.

They also alleged that Mayorkas provided misleading information to Congress, citing his statements regarding the security of the border and the vetting process for Afghans brought to the US. Republicans highlight the increasing influx of migrants that has occasionally strained the ability of Customs and Border Protection authorities to handle and manage them.

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US-Mexico Border Crisis

The number of arrests for illegal crossings has exceeded 2 million in both of the US government's previous two budget years. In December, there was a significant increase in arrests for illegal border crossings from Mexico, marking a new record in the number of apprehensions.

Over the past budget year, the number of individuals in immigration court has increased by 1 million, resulting in a significant backlog. In the articles, Republicans claim that Mayorkas is intentionally disregarding immigration laws passed by Congress, including those that mandate the detention of migrants. They argue that his policies have led to a crisis at the border.

Mayorkas is being accused of releasing migrants without implementing effective measures to ensure their appearance in court or their removal from the country. They referenced an Immigration and Customs Enforcement memo authored by Mayorkas, which outlines the agency's enforcement priorities, as evidence of his leniency towards individuals who lack the proper authorization to remain in the country.

Critics also criticized the administration's utilization of the humanitarian parole authority, which grants the DHS secretary the power to admit specific migrants into the country. Republicans have criticized the Biden administration, claiming that it has implemented a parole program on a large scale without involving Congress.

They mentioned cities like New York, which have faced challenges due to large numbers of migrants, putting strain on housing and education systems. This serves as evidence of the financial burdens associated with immigration.

Democrats, along with Mayorkas, have contended that the administration's policies are not the sole cause of people attempting to migrate to America. They argue that this movement is a result of a larger global mass migration, driven by individuals fleeing wars, economic instability, and political repression, as per VOA News.

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The United Kingdom's Ministry of Defense announced that the UK vessel HMS Diamond shot down a Houthi drone in the Red Sea on Saturday, as tensions in the Middle East soar amid the ongoing war in Gaza.

The MoD said that none of the crew suffered any injuries, and the HMS Diamond remained undamaged.

UK Navy Ship HMS Diamond Shoots Down Houthi Drone

On Sunday, a ministry wrote on X, formerly Twitter, "Yesterday HMS Diamond successfully repelled a drone attack from the Iranian-backed Houthis in the Red Sea."

"Diamond destroyed a drone targeting her, with no injuries or damage sustained to Diamond or her crew," it added.

The Houthis did not immediately respond to a comment.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said the UK remained "undaunted" following the attack by the Iran-backed rebel group. Shapps claimed that the government's commitment to protecting innocent lives and the freedom of navigation was "absolutely unwavering."

The MoD released a statement saying that these intolerable and illegal acts are completely unacceptable and that they must protect the freedom of navigation in the Red Sea.

According to a MoD spokesman, this is the third incident involving HMS Diamond since December. The first occurred on December 16, and the second on January 9.

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Houthi Strikes in Red Sea

The Yemen-based group had previously vowed to hit Israeli-linked ships in the region in an attempt to put pressure on the country's government to stop bombing Gaza and allow additional humanitarian supplies to reach the coastal Palestinian enclave.

Houthi attacks in the Red Sea have seriously disrupted global commerce as the area is a key artery for marine trade.

Trade between Asia and Europe has slowed due to some of the biggest shipping corporations in the world ceasing operations in the area and transferring their cargo ships on a longer route around South Africa's Cape of Good Hope.

The US and the UK conducted several airstrikes against Houthi military positions, including missile depots and launching sites in Yemen, in response to the Houthi strikes on dozens of commercial vessels.

Furthermore, the US redesignated the Houthis as a "terrorist" organization, which was delisted by US President Biden in 2021.

The Houthis responded to the attacks by increasing the threat to any US and UK-linked ships in the region.

According to Al Jazeera, the Houthis have taken control of significant regions in northern Yemen since launching an operation against the government in 2014. The war forced internationally recognized Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi and his cabinet to flee to the southern port city of Aden, while it also triggered a brutal air bombing campaign led by Saudi Arabia.

A ceasefire has been in place since April 2022 as negotiations progressed between the Houthis and Riyadh over a permanent ceasefire.

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Japan has decided to suspend additional funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) in response to allegations of staff involvement in the October 7 attack by Hamas militants on Israel. The move follows similar actions taken by the United States, Britain, and several other countries.

The Japanese Foreign Ministry's Foreign Press Secretary, Kobayashi Maki, made this announcement on Sunday, expressing deep concern over the alleged participation of 12 UNRWA staff members in the Hamas-led October 7 massacre.

UNRWA's Long-Standing Denials

Kobayashi stated that Japan was "extremely concerned" about the allegations and would be suspending any new funding to UNRWA pending the completion of a thorough investigation. She emphasized Japan's strong urging for UNRWA to conduct the investigation promptly and comprehensively while taking appropriate measures to address the allegations.

Japan had earmarked approximately $35 million as a contribution to UNRWA in the supplementary budget for the current fiscal year through March. Notably, these funds have not been remitted yet.

The Government of Japan had previously contributed $1 million to UNRWA in support of Palestinian refugees affected by an Israeli Security Forces operation in the Jenin refugee camp on July 3-4, 2023. This funding was specifically directed towards UNRWA's Humanitarian and Early Recovery Appeal for Jenin.

The director of UNRWA Affairs in the West Bank, Adam Bouloukos, expressed gratitude for Japan's support, emphasizing the vital role the funds played in enabling UNRWA to continue essential work, including healthcare services for Palestine Refugees in and around Jenin.

However, the recent allegations have significantly strained the relationship between Japan, alongside other nations, and UNRWA. The agency, responsible for providing crucial services to 5.9 million Palestinian refugees across various regions, now faces a funding crisis of at least $363 million, impacting its $1.6 billion budget.

The aid agency has long faced criticism by Israel over its perceived close ties with the Hamas terrorist group and the inclusion of overtly antisemitic content in its teaching materials. However, the agency vehemently denies these allegations, stating that its mandate is set by the UN General Assembly.

Israel privately lodged allegations against UNRWA last week. In response, Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA's Commissioner-General, swiftly took action by terminating nine out of the 12 staff members implicated upon receiving the complaint.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres revealed that one staff member has been confirmed dead, while efforts are ongoing to ascertain the identities of the remaining two individuals.

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Concerns Over Humanitarian Impact

Suspending funding for Gaza's major humanitarian aid provider by donor countries has sparked apprehension among key observers, who are concerned that this move may worsen hunger in the region.

Jan Egeland, Secretary-General of the Norwegian Refugee Council, pleaded with donors, stating, "Donors, do not starve children for the sins of a few individual aid workers."

UN-appointed expert Michael Fakhri warned that the funding cuts make famine "inevitable" in Gaza, a region already grappling with numerous challenges. Even before the recent conflict, UNRWA had been struggling to secure funding, prompting warnings of a potential collapse.

Similarly, in a plea to donor nations, Guterres has also called for the continuation of funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), stressing the essential support it provides to two million civilians in Gaza for their daily survival.

Guterres acknowledged the concerns stemming from recent allegations against UNRWA staff members but emphasized the critical need to uphold operations for the vulnerable populations they serve.

The move to pause UNRWA funding has also elicited varied reactions from the international community. Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry expressed surprise and predicted more suffering for Palestinians, while the Turkish Foreign Ministry urged countries to reconsider their decisions.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, meanwhile, accused Israel of leading an oppressive campaign against the agency, framing it as an attempt to "liquidate the issue of Palestinian refugees."

Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri characterized Israeli accusations against UNRWA as a challenge to the International Court of Justice's recent decision ordering Israel to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza.

Despite the growing controversy, Norway and Ireland have declared their intention to continue funding UNRWA. Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide emphasized the agency's role as a lifeline for millions in distress in Gaza and the wider region.

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On Monday, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will announce a plan to ban the sale of disposable vapes to protect children's health and introduce a law preventing younger generation from vaping.

The new regulations would also limit the flavors that might be added to vapes, mandate plain packaging to make them less attractive to children, and make displays less visible in shops.

UK Plans to Ban Disposable Vapes

According to BBC News, the UK government is preparing measures to discourage vaping under 18 years old. The changes are anticipated to take effect at the end of this year or early 2025.

Sunak said in a statement that alongside their commitment to stop children who turn 15 this year or younger from ever being lawfully sold cigarettes, these changes will leave a lasting legacy by protecting children's health for the long term.

He continued, "As prime minister, I have an obligation to do what I think is the right thing for our country in the long term. That is why I am taking bold action to ban disposable vapes - which have driven the rise in youth vaping - and bring forward new powers to restrict vape flavors, introduce plain packaging, and change how vapes are displayed in shops."

According to The Guardian, the action is part of a larger response to a public consultation on smoking and vaping, which led to plans for some of the strictest anti-smoking laws in the world. The measure includes a ban on selling tobacco products to anyone born on or after January 1, 2009.

Although vaping can be a useful tool in helping adult smokers quit, doctors are still worried about the possible permanent health effects of vaping on children and their developing respiratory systems. In addition, it poses a risk of possible nicotine addiction, which can lead to anxiety, difficulty concentrating, and headaches during withdrawal.

Recent data showed the number of children who have used vapes in the last three years has tripled, with 9% of 11- to 15-year-olds now using vapes. In the previous two years, the proportion of 11- to 17-year-old vapers using disposables has increased almost nine-fold.

The ban will also reduce the major environmental impact of disposables since 5 million vapes are thrown away each week, compared to 1.3 million last year.

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UK Vaping Industries Speak Out

The UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) expressed its "dismay" at the ruling, saying it could discourage smokers from using vapes to quit, even if it welcomed on-the-spot powers for enforcement officers to deal with underage sales.

A spokesman stated that effective and proactive enforcement of the legislation, which prohibits the sale of vapes to minors, is the solution to the problem of teenage vaping rather than counterproductive bans and restrictions.

The UKVIA is submitting a plan based on an industry-wide consultation to parliamentarians in February to lawmakers that outlines measures to make it more difficult for rogue traders to sell to minors.

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Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is facing widespread scrutiny after suggesting that some Palestinian protesters may have links to Russia and has urged the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to investigate them.

Pelosi said that they need to be thinking about what the supposed Russian-linked demonstrators were doing. She added that they also need to be prepared with ways to stop the suffering in Gaza.

Pelosi Against Pro-Palestine Americans

However, she said that the protesters calling for a ceasefire were simply Russian President Vladimir Putin's message. During her remarks, on Sunday, she said that this is all directly connected to what the Kremlin leader wants to see.

Pelosi's comments came during a time when pro-Palestine protesters were demanding a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. These have repeatedly interrupted United States President Joe Biden's events as well as her own recent one that was held in Seattle.

She argued that while some of the protesters were "spontaneous and organic and sincere," others were connected to Russia. Pelosi noted that her claim is based on having looked at the situation for a long time now, as per CNN.

When asked whether or not she believes that some pro-Palestinian protesters were planted by Russia, Pelosi said, "I don't think they're plants." She added that there needs to be further investigation into the matter and expressed her desire for the FBI to take the issue.

Following her remarks, the head of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Nihad Awad, quickly criticized her. He said that the organization was "deeply disturbed" and called the former House speaker's suggestion that the FBI investigate the protesters "downright authoritarian."

In a statement, Awad said that they were deeply disturbed by Pelosi's remarks, adding that the claim that some pro-Palestine protesters were working with Putin sounded delusional. He added that the former House speaker's comments once again showed the negative impact of decades of dehumanization of the Palestinian people.

The protesters who disrupted Pelosi's Seattle event on Thursday called for a ceasefire and to "lift the siege on Gaza now." They also interrupted the former House speaker's speech by yelling, "Stop the genocide," according to the Rolling Stone.

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Calling for Ceasefire in Gaza

On the other hand, one of the events held by Biden that pro-Palestine protesters disrupted was one that was focused on abortion rights. The demonstrators interrupted the president's speech at least a dozen times, demanding a ceasefire in war-torn Gaza, prompting officials to remove them from the venue.

During the Democratic leader's speech in Charleston's Mother Emanuel AME Church as well as at a United Auto Workers event last week, pro-Palestine protesters took a stand. Biden said that the demonstrators "feel deeply" about Gaza.

Awad said that instead of Pelosi and others baselessly smearing pro-Palestine Americans as Russian collaborators, officials should respect the will of the people by calling for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's genocidal war on the people of Gaza to end.

Many progressive activists and voters who support a ceasefire in Gaza have previously warned President Biden that his current approach to the war could threaten his re-election changes. They argued that it could also cost the Democratic Party support at the ballot box in November, said the New York Times.

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Philippine President Bongbong Marcos was recently foul-mouthed by former Filipino leader Rodrigo Roa Duterte, who said that Bongbong is a "drug addict."

This isn't the first time that Rodrigo Duterte attacked him. In 2021, the ex-Philippine president said that Bongbong Marcos was a weak leader who was only relying on his father's name to gain political power.

Now, he took his attack against him to the next level; accusing the Philippine leader of being in PDEA's drug watchlist. However, this was strongly denied by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

Bongbong Marcos Drug Watchlist Allegation Denied by PDEA

On Monday, Jan. 29, the Presidential Communications Office announced on Facebook that PDEA "vehemently" denied the accusation made by the Davao strongman against Bongbong Marcos. Via its official news release, PCO said that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. was never included by PDEA in its watchlist for persons linked to illegal drug activities.

PCO also quoted the remark made by PDEA, which contradicted the claims that Rodrigo Duterte shared during a protest rally in Davao City on Sunday, Jan. 28.

"Based on all the foregoing facts, the PDEA asserts that President Marcos Jr. is not and was never on its watchlist," said the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

The Presidential Communications Office said that PDEA never placed Bongbong's name in its NDIS (National Drug Information System); an intelligence database of all drug personalities, which was established back in July 2002.

Aside from this, PDEA also stated that Bongbong Marcos wasn't included in the Inter-Agency Drug Information Database (IDI).

"It is worthwhile to note that, when the former President took over in 2016, his administration came out with a list, which was then initially called the 'narco-list, sometimes referred to as the Duterte list, and upon continuing validation and re-validation, it became the Inter-Agency Drug Information Database," explained PDEA.

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Rodrigo Duterte Foul-Mouthing Bongbong Marcos

Rodrigo Duterte foul-mouthed Bongbong Marcos as part of a protest rally organized by Duterte supporters for Vice President Sarah Duterte, who declared that she will run again for office in the 2025 midterm elections.

Although her daughter didn't specify the position she would focus on, Rodrigo Duterte still attacked Bongbong Marcos, saying that the Philippine president was "high" back then and still is now.

He even called out the Philippine military, as well as the Malacanang, claiming that they knew that Bongbong was a drug addict.

After saying these personal attacks, he claimed that he saw the president's name on PDEA's drug watchlist when he was still the mayor of Davao.

When he was done cursing the Philippine president, Rodrigo Duterte talked about his real issue with the Filipino leader, which was his administration's decision to not intervene in the ICC's probe against the crime allegations of Duterte during his anti-drug campaign.

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A Hong Kong court ordered the liquidation of property giant China Evergrande Corp over $300 billion in liabilities.

The decision is expected to send giant ripples across the Asian nation's financial markets as policymakers scramble to contain a worsening crisis. The move to liquidate the most indebted developer in the world was made by Hong Kong Justice Linda Chan.

China Evergrande Group's Liquidation

The judge noted that Evergrande had been unable to offer a concrete restructuring plan despite several months of delays. She said, "It is time for the court to say enough is enough" as she ordered the developer's liquidation.

Chan will later detail her reasons for ordering the liquidation of China Evergrande Group and it is expected that a provisional liquidator will be appointed to oversee the matter ahead of a permanent appointment.

The developer has $240 billion worth of assets and it sent a struggling property sector into a tailspin when it defaulted on its debt in 2021. Now, the Hong Kong court's liquidation ruling would likely further impact the already fragile Chinese capital and property markets, as per Reuters.

The situation comes as Beijing is currently grappling with an underperforming economy, its worst property market in nearly a decade, as well as a stock market experiencing near five-year lows. This means that any new negative impacts on the markets could further undermine policymakers' efforts to rejuvenate growth.

In a statement, Orient Capital Research managing director Andrew Collier said that Evergrande's liquidation is a sign that China is willing to go to extreme lengths to address the property bubble. He added that this is good for the economy in the long term but would be very difficult in the short term.

Before the hearing regarding its liquidation, Evergrande's shares were trading down as much as 20%. Then, trading was stopped in China Evergrande and its listed subsidiaries China Evergrande New Energy Vehicle Group and Evergrande Property Services following the judge's verdict.

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Massive Financial Impacts

The ruling comes as China's property sector contributes roughly a quarter of the world's second-largest economy. Liquidation is the process where a company's assets are seized and then sold off. The money is then used to repay the company's outstanding debts, according to BBC.

However, whether or not this process is followed could depend on the Chinese government and the liquidation order does not necessarily mean that Evergrande will go bust and collapse. The recent case against the company was brought by one of its investors, Hong Kong-based Top Shine Global, in June 2022.

The latter said that Evergrande had not honored an agreement to buy back its shares. However, what they owe is a fraction of the developer's total debts. The vast majority of the money that it owes is to lenders in mainland China who have limited legal avenues to demand their money back.

Evergrande has been facing scrutiny as it, and others developed, overbuilt, and over promised. They took money for apartments that had not been built and left hundreds of thousands of home buyers waiting on their apartments, said the New York Times.

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A disabled man in Miami-Dade County, Florida was brutally attacked by two big pit bull-type dogs, named Jumpety and Boo-boo. The incident left the man, known as 'Smokie,' knocked out of his wheelchair.

The gruesome incident left dozens of horrified neighbors powerless to intervene as the ferocious animals tore into the victim, leaving him with severe injuries, as per Daily Mail.

Pit Bulls Maul Disabled Man Despite Rescue Effort

The dogs, having escaped from a single-story residence where they were under the care of neighbors due to their owner's incarceration, went on a rampage, dragging Smokie over the sidewalk. Onlookers, unable to deter the bloodthirsty hounds, honked car horns and even edged a semi-trailer towards the scene in a desperate attempt to halt the attack.

Witnesses gave details of the tumultuous scene, as a crowd of about 20 to 30 people came together, throwing objects to momentarily distract the attention of the dogs. Regardless of all attempts, the pit bulls continued their attack, resulting in visible injuries to the victim. unexpectedly a video recorded the presence of two more dogs, who had just been introduced to the yard, barking furiously from behind a fence as the aggressive attack took place.

The victim, Smokie, was subsequently airlifted to Jackson South Medical Centre, where he underwent surgery to address severe injuries to his arms. Disturbingly, it emerged that at least one of the attacking dogs had a history of aggression, having attacked before. Neighbors, familiar with the animals, had differing opinions on their demeanor, with one describing Boo-boo as 'peaceful' and another expressing concern about Jumpety's dangerous tendencies.

Miami-Dade County Animal Services took swift action, seizing both Jumpety and Boo-boo. The fate of the dogs now hangs in the balance as authorities contemplate whether to euthanize them, given the potential public safety risk they pose. A spokesperson for the Animal Services emphasized adherence to Chapter 5 of the Miami-Dade County code, which guides humane euthanasia decisions in cases of dogs deemed a threat.

This unfortunate incident shows the big issue of dog attacks in the United States. According to the American Veterinary Association, around 800,000 people require hospital treatment for dog bites annually. Certain breeds, such as Pit Bulls, have been involved in a higher number of attacks compared to other breeds, according to Local10.

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Pit Bull Attacks Surge

Based on a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Pit Bulls were responsible for 28 percent of fatalities caused by dog attacks during a span of 20 years.

Recent pit bull attacks across the country have heightened concerns, including the case of Brittany Skoland in Fort Dodge, Iowa, who required a double amputation after being savaged by three pit bulls. Additionally, a 63-year-old woman in Utah lost her life in November after being mauled by her son's seven pit bulls, emphasizing the severity and frequency of such incidents.

In the Miami-Dade incident, the owner of the dogs was reportedly in jail, adding another layer of complexity to the situation. Jumpety, with a known history of aggression, had already garnered a reputation in Florida City for previous attacks.

The community remains on edge. Witnesses, who felt helpless during the attack, expressed frustration at their inability to deter the dogs. The victim, a familiar face in the neighborhood, survived but had to undergo arm surgery.

The decision on what will happen to Jumpety and Boo-boo is now under consideration, with Miami-Dade Animal Services placing great importance on thoroughly assessing any potential safety risks the dogs may pose to the public. The final result is to comply with the county code, demonstrating the importance of maintaining a careful equilibrium between protecting the community and making responsible decisions regarding animal welfare, WFLA reported.

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Year of Dragon stamp gets roar of approval in US

08:51, January 29, 2024 By Linda Deng ( China Daily

The stamp issued by the United States Postal Service to mark the Year of the Dragon. [PHOTO/CHINA DAILY]

On Thursday morning, Jason Sean joined a long line of people eagerly waiting to buy a commemorative Year of the Dragon stamp issued by the US Postal Service.

He was among the hundreds who waited at the International District/Chinatown Community Center in Seattle, Washington, for the first day of the issue ceremony for the stamp. Sean said purchasing stamps to celebrate the Lunar New Year is a tradition in his family.

"For many Asian Americans, the Lunar New Year offers the chance to leave behind the troubles of the past year and invite prosperity and good luck moving forward," said Connie So, a professor at the University of Washington.

"This Year of the Dragon stamp ceremony recognizes the importance of the diversity and cultural significance Asian Americans bring to the United States and provides Seattle an opportunity to promote the significance of the Lunar New Year," So added.

The Census Bureau's annual American Community Survey shows Seattle's Asian population stood at 135,300 in 2022, an increase of around 13,000 from 2021.

For more than three decades, the Postal Service has issued stamps highlighting the Lunar New Year, and it has been some of the most successful stamp releases in the long history of the Postal Service, said Eduardo H. Ruiz Jr, USPS vice-president of retail and delivery operations for the Postal Service's Westpac area, who served as the dedicating official.

"The Postal Service has one of the most diverse workplaces in the United States, and its customer base is as diverse as the country itself. This stamp is a great example that reflects our nation's rich, multicultural heritage and traditions," he added.

"I think we're really unleashing the power of the everyday and the power of the small," said Joel Barraquiel Tan, executive director of the Wing Luke Museum. "Everybody uses stamps. And to have it reflect the tradition of Lunar New Year is pretty incredible. That an object as small as this carries such huge intention, such big impact, is pretty amazing."

The stamp was designed by Antonio Alcala, the USPS art director, with original art by Camille Chew. It features a colorful, three-dimensional mask depicting a dragon, which is a contemporary take on the long tradition of paper-cut folk art crafts created by Chew. Gold and red colors represent prosperity in the coming year and good fortune.

The Year of the Dragon stamp is on sale now at post offices across the US and on USPS.com. In total, 22 million new stamps have been printed.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
Turkish officials confirmed that one person was shot dead when two masked gunmen attacked a Roman Catholic church in Istanbul during a Sunday morning mass.

The shooting happened at the Church of Santa Maria in the Sariyer district at around 11:40 am local time.

Gunmen Kill One Person in Istanbul Church Shooting

Turkey's Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said on X, formerly Twitter, "The two murder suspects have been captured," without providing further details on the motive of the attack.

According to CNN, the Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for the attack. The group claimed in a Telegram post that two of its militants had carried out the attack before escaping to safety.

Turkish media released a CCTV that captures the moment of the attack. Worshippers were standing and facing the altar when two gunmen entered the back of the church.

The gunmen appeared to be trailing a man who had just entered. They quietly fled after shooting and killing him.

Sariyer district mayor Sukru Genc told the Birgun daily newspaper that the gunmen fled after firing two shots due to a malfunctioning weapon. Genc also mentioned that Polish Consul General Witold Lesniak and his family attended the mass, but none of them were hurt in the attack.

The 19th-century church lies behind high walls, near a tiny fish market by the Bosphorus on the European side of Istanbul. The police have blocked off the nearby roadways. Investigators interviewed witnesses inside the church who had been there when the attackers struck. Yerlikaya announced that an individual identified only as CT had died in the attack.

Istanbul governor Davut Gul told reporters outside the church that the victim was a Turkish national and that no other people were harmed. He said the attackers only shot one person.

The deceased man's uncle claimed that the victim, who was 52 years old, was going to convert to Christianity but had not yet been baptized. Another relative insisted that he was not the target of the attack and claimed he was mentally ill.

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Turkish Leaders Offer Condolences

Mayor of Istanbul Ekrem Imamoglu wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter, that they would never allow those who try to disrupt their unity and peace by attacking the places of faith in their city.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also extended condolences over the attack. He said necessary steps were being taken to provide justice to the victim.

The Pope offered his support, expressing his connection to the Santa Maria church community during his weekly prayer in the Vatican.

The mayor said that such attacks on the Christian minority in Turkey are uncommon as Muslims and Christians coexisted peacefully in the area. He added that there was a real sense of shock among the community.

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Ukrainian authorities ordered the arrest of five individuals who work for an arms firm for allegedly conspiring with defense ministry officials to embezzle nearly $40 million.

The money was earmarked to purchase roughly 100,000 mortal shells that Kyiv will use in its war against Russia. Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) on Saturday said that the suspects have been charged, with one person detained while trying to cross the Ukrainian border.

Ukraine's $40 Million Corruption Scheme

If the defendants are found guilty of the charges against them, they could face up to 12 years of imprisonment. The investigation into the alleged corruption scheme comes as Ukraine tried to clamp down on financial misconduct in an effort to speed up its membership in the European Union as well as the NATO military alliance.

Officials from both blocs have demanded for Ukraine to conduct widespread anti-graft reforms before it can join their ranks. The situation comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was elected on an anti-corruption platform in 2018, a few years before Moscow's full-scale invasion of the region in February 2022, as per the New York Post.

Both Volodymyr and his aides have portrayed the recent firings of top officials as proof of their efforts to crack down on graft across the nation's government. The most notable of these was that of Ivan Bakanov, the former head of the State Security Service, who was sacked in July 2022.

Security officials have also argued that the current investigation dates back to August 2022, when officials signed a contract for artillery shells that are worth $39.6 million with arms firm Lviv Arsenal.

After taking the payment, company employees were supposed to transfer the money to a business that was registered abroad, which would subsequently deliver the ammunition to Ukraine.

Read Also: Ukrainian Intel Claims to Have Uncovered Weapons Procurement Fraud

Arrest of 5 Individuals

However, the SBU said that it never received the ammunition despite paying nearly all of the funds required by Lviv Arsenal. It argued that some of the money had been transferred to foreign accounts, including in the Balkans, according to CNN.

The investigation into the conspiracy also found that former and current high-ranking defense ministry officials, the head and chief commercial of Lviv Arsenal, as well as a representative of a foreign commercial group, were involved in the corruption scheme.

The discovery of the conspiracy is expected to have consequences for Ukraine as it continues to fight against Russia's continued aggression. The CEO of Lviv Arsenal, Yurii Zbitnev, said that the person who was responsible for the ammunition contract had already been fired.

He noted that the company is now working with the defense ministry in order to return the money to the state. This is so that the funds can be "used for more appropriate purposes" instead of being stolen in a corruption scheme.

Some detractors have argued that Ukraine's history of corruption is all the more reason to stop providing money to the European country. This is amid its nearly two-year war with Moscow. However, Ukrainian officials said that they are being extremely vigilant in fighting against graft, said the Washington Post.

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China's AI rush is quite intense as the Chinese government approves over 40 artificial intelligence systems. As of writing, China and the United States are competing in an artificial intelligence race.

It all started when the American tech firm OpenAI officially launched its popular chatbot ChatGPAT in late 2022. Its impact on China was seen in 2023 when Beijing announced that it would aim to become the global AI leader as early as 2030.

As part of its efforts to make this goal a reality, China approved more than 40 AI models in the past six months.

China's AI Rush: Over 40 Artificial Intelligence Models Approved

According to Yahoo Finance's latest report, the Chinese government approved more than 40 AI models for public use in the past six months. Chinese media claimed that Beijing did this as its way to keep up with the United States when it comes to AI development and integration.

This January, the Chinese state-backed Securities Times confirmed that the Chinese government granted approvals to 14 LLMs (large language models) so they can be used by the public.

This AI approval batch, which marks China's fourth batch of approval, includes 01.AI, 4Paradigm, and Xiaomi Corp. The Asian country had its first approval batch for AI models back in August 2023.

Among the first AI models that were approved for public use are LLMs developed and owned by Baidu, ByteDance, and Alibaba. In November and December 2023, Chinese regulators also granted more batches of artificial intelligence approvals.

Although the Chinese government didn't provide the exact number of approved AI models for public use, the Securities Times said on Sunday, Jan. 28, that China has already approved more than 40 LLMs and other AI models.

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China's Growing AI Development

China and the U.S. are both at different levels in the ongoing AI race, as reported by The Guardian. Experts said that the growth of China's AI development in its society and digital culture has been noticeable over the past decade.

The Chinese government has been implementing artificial intelligence models in schools, factories, and office buildings ever since the global COVID-19 began.

Chinese workers are already using smart glasses and helmets. AI-powered robots and machines, as well as AI facial recognition integration in factories and offices, are now just common sights in the Asian country.

Because of this, although the United States seemingly has the upper hand, thanks to ChatGPT, tech researchers are doubtful who would win in the AI race between China and the U.S.

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The West African nations of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have officially withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), as announced by their respective military juntas on Sunday.

The decision, effective immediately, stems from the leaders' dissatisfaction with what they deem as "inhumane" sanctions imposed by ECOWAS in response to recent coups in their nations, as per ABC News.

West African Nations Withdraw From ECOWAS

Colonel Amadou Abdramane, spokesperson for Niger's junta, delivered a televised address, asserting that ECOWAS had deviated from the principles of its founding fathers. He claimed that the regional bloc failed to support the three countries in their ongoing struggle against terrorism and insecurity, characterized by persistent Islamist insurgencies.

In response to the withdrawal, ECOWAS released a statement, expressing surprise at the decision and noting that it had not received any formal notification from the three countries. The statement reiterated the bloc's commitment to restoring constitutional order and finding a negotiated solution to the political impasse.

The military juntas, which formed a mutual defense pact in September, have not outlined a clear timeline for a return to democratic governance. This announcement marks a significant escalation in tensions, particularly following the military coup in Niger in July, the last of the three nations to lose its democratic government.

The roots of this crisis trace back to the initial coup in Mali in 2020, followed by a subsequent one in 2021. Burkina Faso experienced similar upheaval with two military coups in 2022. The July coup in Niger, a vital security partner for the West, shocked the region, leading ECOWAS to impose sanctions and threaten military intervention to restore the elected president.

The juntas criticized ECOWAS for what they termed "illegitimate, inhumane, and irresponsible" sanctions, asserting that the trade restrictions had further weakened populations already battered by years of violence. The impact of the withdrawal on ECOWAS and the three nations' ability to maintain the free movement of goods and people within the region remains uncertain, according to The Washington Post.

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West Africa Turns to Russia Amid ECOWAS Exit

In response to the security challenges in their countries, the military leaders ousted French troops, traditionally involved in counterterrorism efforts. Instead, they turned to Russia and Russian mercenaries, even as violence escalated sharply in the Sahel region. According to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project, conflict fatalities from political violence in central Sahel rose by nearly 40 percent in 2023.

Despite facing sanctions and threats of military intervention, the military leaders have failed to provide a clear timetable for the restoration of constitutional rule. They have accused ECOWAS of being influenced by external powers and have severed military and cooperation ties with former colonial power France, opting for security support from Russia.

The decision to withdraw from ECOWAS raises questions about its impact on the 15-member regional bloc, particularly considering the free movement of goods and citizens historically enjoyed by its members. According to the bloc's treaty, member states wishing to withdraw must provide a written one-year notice. It remains unclear if the three countries have adhered to this process, and if so, they are required to abide by the treaty's provisions during the year-long withdrawal period.

Furthermore, the three nations are also members of the West African Monetary Union (UEMOA), which utilizes the West Africa CFA franc currency pegged to the Euro. Following the coups, ECOWAS leaders, in conjunction with the monetary union, restricted Mali and Niger's access to the regional financial market and the regional central bank. While Mali's access has been restored, Niger remains suspended, adding another layer of complexity to the evolving situation in the region, Reuters reported.

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University of Georgia (UGA) students were met with a disturbing sight upon their return to campus as their dormitories at Ogelthorpe House were found to be infested with bats.

Ogelthorpe House, a residence hall situated near the heart of the school's central campus in Athens, houses approximately 500 students, with room and board costs ranging from $3,300 to $3,800, as per Daily Mail.

Bats Infest University of Georgia Dorms

Reports from residents indicate that they have observed numerous sizable bats for the past fortnight, with several sharing images and videos of the winged creatures online.

The university administration asserts that they have been actively addressing the issue for the past two weeks, having enlisted the services of pest control experts in an attempt to eliminate the infestation. As recently as Thursday, an additional 30 bats, which are protected under Georgia state law, were discovered inside the dormitory premises.

Ella Sather, a student, expressed her concerns to FOX 5, stating, "It's very alarming... There was one in the lobby, and it was like on the floor, and then all of a sudden it just got up and started flying at me, so I ran back to my room." She added, "It's been an adventure."

University officials informed FOX 5 that pest control measures are actively underway to tackle the infestation. Linda Casper, the executive director of university housing, informed the station that the bats were gaining entry through the roof into a mechanical space containing boilers. "We believe they were entering through that space and then getting in the stairwells through that opening," she explained.

Casper mentioned that pest control specialists have been methodically removing the flying mammals and sealing off entry points where they were able to infiltrate. "We expected it would take about three days to remove all the bats because the bats are so small, and they're very good at hiding," she remarked, noting that approximately 30 more bats were discovered on Thursday, with pest control teams remaining on standby, according to Fox News.

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Pest Control Tackles Bat Infestation

"We continue to tell students, 'Please, do not touch the bats,'" she emphasized. "'If you see one, please contact the desk or call the RAs.'" Bats hold protected status in Georgia, adding complexity to the situation.

James Hataway, representing UGA Marketing & Communications, disclosed in a statement that Aardvark Exterminating, a local pest control service engaged by University Housing, found "approximately 25 to 30 bats congregating in the rafters of a rooftop mechanical space" on Thursday. The bats were promptly removed, and residents were notified via email.

Previous communications to O-House residents highlighted efforts by pest control companies to seal off the bats' access points over the weekend, although a few sightings were still expected. Hataway noted that each night since, additional bats have been removed from the building. It is believed that the group discovered on Thursday had been present in the building all along. While the area where the bats were found is inaccessible to students, multiple videos of the bat congregation circulated on social media.

Hataway stated, "Facilities staff consistently adhere to cleaning procedures to address potential transmission of infectious diseases through surfaces in areas exposed to bats... All cleaning procedures will adhere to the guidelines provided by the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH)". University Housing is strongly encouraging O-House residents to participate in the DPH survey, which assesses the possibility of encountering bats and rabies, The Red & Black reported.

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Ghislaine Maxwell, the convicted sex trafficker and disgraced British socialite, is said to be writing a memoir while serving her sentence at FCI Tallahassee in Florida.

An individual, aged 62, currently serving a 20-year sentence, seeks to address what she perceives as 'misinformation' regarding her connection to the deceased financier Jeffrey Epstein, as per The Sun.

Ghislaine Maxwell Memoir

Exclusive information has been obtained by DailyMail.com regarding Maxwell's plans to release the book, which comes at a time of increasing controversy and public interest. Maxwell has purportedly encouraged fellow inmates to dismiss recent court documents that shed light on Epstein's associates and provide new insights into his dark grooming empire. A source revealed, "Max says the documents in the news are all false or misinformation. The truth will only come out when her book does."

Despite her claims of revealing 'the truth,' insiders caution against expecting a genuine confession, asserting that Maxwell's primary motive is to exonerate herself and assert her innocence. The source added, "She really thinks she hasn't done anything wrong and that her charges will be dropped when people read it."

Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted in 2021 on charges of sex trafficking minors and conspiracy, involving the recruitment of girls as young as 14 into Epstein's circle. While she maintained her innocence during a self-serving prison interview last year, recent court documents related to a defamation case filed by Virginia Giuffre, a Prince Andrew accuser, contradict Maxwell's claims.

The trove of documents, unsealed by a New York judge, implicated numerous individuals, including Bill Clinton, Michael Jackson, Donald Trump, and Stephen Hawking, as associates or friends of Epstein. However, testimonies from victims and former Epstein aides consistently asserted Maxwell's central role in the underage sex ring, aligning with the conclusions reached by jurors in her New York trial, according to Daily Mail.

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Ghislaine Maxwell's Prison Manuscript

Despite federal inmates being prohibited from engaging in publishing deals, Maxwell is reportedly exploiting her access to a typewriter to work on a 'private manuscript,' protected by the First Amendment. Her lack of access to a computer has not hindered her progress, and she has taken precautions to secure her work, moving it between lockers in the prison's legal area.

Sources close to Maxwell describe her current state as increasingly withdrawn and bitter. She has abandoned previous activities like hosting classes for fellow inmates and participating in outdoor activities, indicating a notable change in her demeanor. The source revealed, "Max is just not the same, upbeat person she was a year ago. She's lost all confidence, she just mopes around depressed all day."

The disgraced socialite's attempts to influence public opinion have extended beyond her memoir. Maxwell faced controversy for using the prison's video visit system to give an interview to UK broadcaster Jeremy Kyle, where she baselessly claimed a photograph of Prince Andrew and Giuffre was fake. This incident resulted in her spending 48 hours in the Special Housing Unit.

Maxwell's reputation within the prison has further declined due to her numerous complaints, earning her the moniker 'Prison Karen.' From criticizing the vegan menu to reporting on noisy neighbors, her behavior has contributed to a strained relationship with fellow inmates.

As Maxwell awaits the right moment to publish her memoir, she faces the reality of serving the majority of her sentence in FCI Tallahassee. Despite her hopes for exoneration, the public remains skeptical of her claims, given the mounting evidence against her in the ongoing fallout from Epstein's crimes, Metro reported.

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In a recent interview with British TalkTV's Douglas Murray, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted his country's determination to act independently in the ongoing conflict in Gaza, as President Joe Biden's stance on the United States support wavers.

Netanyahu stated, "A nation has to do what it has to do to survive." According to him, if leaders cannot endure public opinion pressure, then Israel will "do it alone" and do what is necessary.

US Encourages Israel-Hamas War De-Escalation

The Israeli Prime Minister's statements came after the Biden administration faced internal deliberations on its support for Israel, with signs of a possible reassessment amidst the growing anti-Israel protests in the US. Recent reports suggest that US officials are exploring the possibility of slowing or pausing some arms shipments to Israel to encourage a de-escalation of the military assault in Gaza and to pressure Netanyahu to change tactics.

During a recent phone conversation, Biden also reportedly communicated his concerns to Netanyahu expressing that he will not support a year-long war in Gaza. The US president urged a transition to low-intensity fighting against Hamas, emphasizing the need to minimize harm to civilians.

Biden sought clarity on Israel's strategy for ending the war and conveyed that he is not supportive of a prolonged year-long war. The call marked a point of growing divergence between Washington and Jerusalem on post-war plans, with the US advocating for reunification of Gaza with the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority.

Concerns within the Biden administration are mounting, with a Biden adviser expressing significant worry about the potential loss of support from young voters who oppose the president's stance on the Gaza war, according to an Axios report.

As per the news outlet, a source close to the White House emphasized the urgency for the administration to prevent the ongoing conflict and rising death toll from dominating the news as the elections draw near. Both the White House and the Israeli Prime Minister's Office opted not to provide comments on the matter.

In an additional development, the US has reportedly established a channel with Israel to discuss concerns over incidents in Gaza resulting in civilian casualties and the targeting of civilian facilities. Washington's frustration with Israel over the humanitarian situation in Gaza is evident, with calls for increased aid to minimize the plight of the civilian population.

For weeks, Biden has asserted his ongoing efforts to convince Israel to modify its military tactics. On January 8, when confronted by protesters advocating for a cease-fire, he mentioned actively working with the Israeli government to encourage a substantial reduction of their presence in Gaza, utilizing all available means to achieve this goal.

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Israel-Hamas Conflict

Netanyahu framed the war against Hamas as part of a broader struggle for "global domination" and against Iranian aggression, with Iran supporting extremist groups like Hamas in their attacks on Israel.

He warned of the potential consequences if Iran, with its nuclear ambitions, emerges victorious. "If barbarism wins here, Europe will be next. America will be next. Iran will emerge victorious," he stated, emphasizing the high stakes involved.

"This is part of a larger battle. And everyone has a stake in Israel's winning," the prime minister pressed.

Netanyahu urged world leaders, including Biden, to recognize the gravity of the situation, stating, "This is your war as well because this is not merely a minor skirmish."

Last weekend, the US military experienced its first casualties from enemy fire since the conflict began in Israel. Drones targeted an American base in Jordan, resulting in three service members losing their lives and 34 others getting injured. President Biden pointed to radical groups with Iranian backing operating in Syria and Iran as responsible for the attack.

Related Article: Biden Vows Retaliation After 3 US Troops Killed in Drone Attack in Jordan
How will the Ukraine-Russia war end? This is a hard question to answer as it is hard to conclude if Ukraine troops can prevent Russia's invasions or if Russian soldiers will overwhelm them.

The Ukraine-Russia war is already entering its second year. Although Russia is considered among the most powerful nations-being one of the countries with the best soldiers-Kyiv is still able to prevent it from completely invading its lands.

This is thanks to the military and financial aid provided by the United States and its other Western allies. But, a former NATO commander claims that the war could end badly for Ukraine.

Former NATO Commander Predicts Ukraine-Russia War's Ending

Ex-US Navy Adm. James Stavridis, a former NATO supreme allied commander, said that the Ukraine-Russia war could end just like the Korean War.

"Ultimately, this will end like the Korean War, meaning that Russia will probably still have control of some portion of Ukraine, Crimea, the land bridge to Russia," said the ex-NATO commander via Business Insider.

Stavridis said, during a radio interview, that Ukraine and Russia are becoming more and more exhausted in terms of economic sanctions and military capability as the war continues. He added that this could lead to a negotiation between the two countries once the war is over.

"When I kind of put it all together, John, I think toward the end of this year, probably after the US elections, we've got a moment for potential negotiation," explained the ex-US Navy admiral.

Despite predicting that the Ukraine-Russia war could face the same fate as the Korean war, Stavridis still sees something good happening to Ukraine, specifically an official NATO membership.

Read Also: Russian Military Plane Carrying Ukrainian POWs Crashes; Kremlin Officials Say It's Near Ukraine Border

When Will Ukraine-Russia War End?

According to Visit Ukraine Today, there's a chance that the Ukraine-Russia war could end before 2025. This was specifically shared by Oleh Zhdanov, a former Ukrainian military official.

He said that it is important to consider that over 50 countries are supporting Ukraine against Russia's full-blown invasion; and these nations are led by the US.

Zhdanov added that helping Ukraine win against Russia is a big deal for the US government, especially the Biden Administration.Scould peak in the spring of 2024 as he believes that US President Joe Biden would politically benefit from Ukraine's possible victory.

"Imagine coming in and starting an election campaign by declaring victory over evil in Europe," he explained.

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A Florida man was shot dead by law enforcement personnel after he killed one other individual and injured two police officers during a violent engagement.

Local authorities said that the incident occurred on Sunday afternoon when police officers responded to a domestic disturbance call. During a news conference, Palm Bay Police Chief Mariano Augello said that the two law enforcement personnel then encountered an armed 24-year-old man when they arrived at the residence.

Palm Bay Shooting

In a news release, police officials said that the suspect, identified as Brandon Kapas, refused to comply with law enforcement personnel's orders. Shortly after their initial encounter, they were involved in an exchange of gunfire. The shootout between officers and the suspect left the former injured as the latter fled the scene.

The release added that additional officers then responded to the area and pursued the suspect who fatally shot another person before engaging with law enforcement personnel and subsequently being shot dead, as per CNN.

The police chief noted that their officers did what they were trained to do, which was to neutralize and stop a threat to the community. Augello added that the suspect was killed after he engaged the police officers "with lethal force."

Law enforcement officials have not yet publicly named the fatal victim or the two injured police officers. The latter were shot and are being treated at a "local hospital - they are going to survive," said Augello.

In the police news release, they said that their heartfelt thoughts and prayers were with the families involved in the horrific incident and to the families of the officers. In a statement, Palm Bay Mayor Rob Medina said that he was saddened when he was informed about the tragic events in the beloved city.

The latest incident comes less than a week after a Florida man spiraled into a murderous rage after trying to pursue a romantic relationship with his 17-year-old daughter. The suspect reportedly shot dead a woman and injured his mother and the teenager, according to the New York Post.

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Florida Shooting Incidents

The man, identified as 42-year-old Michael Banks shot and killed his mother's friend, injured his mother, and hurt his teenage daughter at the family's Tampa home on Wednesday last week. He said that his family tried to stop his romantic pursuit of his own daughter and he opened fire on police officers who responded to reports of gunfire.

During a shootout between Banks and police officers, law enforcement personnel did not hit the suspect, who later surrendered and was taken into custody. A pre-trial detention motion that prosecutors filed accused the suspect of turning to violence after overhearing his mother and her friend talking about kicking him out of the family home.

A separate shooting in Florida involved a therapist who specializes in anger management and was accused of fatally shooting a homeless man and hiding the body in his car's trunk. Police from Deland, Florida, said that the suspect, 46-year-old Travis McBridge killed 51-year-old Clinton Dorsey.

During an investigation, police found Dorsey's body in McBridge's 2916 Nissan Versa hatchback. After law enforcement personnel tried to interview the suspect despite the allegations against him, he asked for an attorney before talking about the situation, said NBC News.



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On Monday, Philippine President Marcos expressed hope that talks on maritime cooperation between his country and Vietnam would be one of the cornerstones forged in a strategic partnership with its Southeast Asian neighbor.

Marcos is expected to meet with Vietnam's top officials to discuss arrangements on rice supply and coastguard cooperation. The Philippines is one of the largest grain importers in the world, and Vietnam is a major rice exporter.

Marcos Pushes Maritime Cooperation With Vietnam

Marcos is set off to Vietnam for a three-day State visit on Monday. He said in his pre-departure statement that his trip to Vietnam was vital as it has been the only strategic partner of the Philippines in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) since 2015.

"We hope to strengthen this aspect during my visit to promote peace and stability in our region," Marcos said before leaving for Hanoi for a two-day State visit.

He hopes his visit will strengthen their relationship and "usher in a new era of friendship and cooperation," discussing trade, business, education, tourism, and regional and multilateral issues of concern.

Marcos is optimistic that his visit to Vietnam will improve the 47-year relationship between the two countries.

Vietnam and the Philippines have generally friendly relations despite having overlapping claims in the South China Sea compared to the heightened tensions over disputed waters between Manila and Beijing.

The past year has seen a decline in relations between the Philippines and China, coinciding with a stricter stand by Manila and overtures by Marcos to establish stronger military ties with the United States.

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China Grants Philippines To Supply Troops at Disputed Reef

The Chinese coastguard claimed that "temporary special arrangements" have been established to allow the Philippines to supply troops stationed at a disputed reef with a grounded World War II-era warship.

According to AAP, the Chinese coastguard has previously sent out vessels to thwart operations by the Philippines to supply troops on the transport ship, which has turned into a military outpost at Second Thomas Shoal, 190 km off the Philippine island of Palawan.

On Saturday, a message was posted on the coastguard's official WeChat account saying it had allowed necessary supplies and would defend China's sovereignty, maritime rights, and interests at the Second Thomas Shoal and its adjacent waters.

"On January 21, a small aircraft from the Philippines airdropped supplies to the illegally beached warship," the WeChat statement said.

It added that the Chinese coastguard has followed up and monitored the situation in real-time, controlling and dealing with it in accordance with laws and regulations.

China claims sovereignty over nearly the entire South China Sea, indicating a line on its maps that crosses into the exclusive economic zones of Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia.

It has repeatedly urged the Philippines to pull the ship away based on a promise it said officials in Manila had made. However, Marcos has denied these claims.

A WeChat message from Saturday claimed that the "relevant parties" in the Philippines had deliberately distorted the facts and deceived international opinion, which would not help to reduce tensions in the South China Sea.

Related Article: China Expresses Strong Disapproval of Philippines' Response to Taiwan's Recent Election


Chinese New Year culture festival held in E China's town

Xinhua) 09:01, January 29, 2024

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)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) gathered at a meeting retreat at Luang Prabang, Laos on Monday (Jan. 29), agreeing on sending humanitarian assistance to Myanmar, the first time the bloc decided to intervene in the country since a military takeover created a political crisis in February 2021.

The Thai delegation revealed that the humanitarian aid would include medicines and medical and food supplies. All ASEAN members have agreed to push forward the supplies via the 2,000-kilometer Thai-Myanmar border.

Thai Deputy Prime Minister Pranpree Bahiddhanukara, who also holds the country's foreign ministry cabinet portfolio, told reporters that he and relevant Thai authorities were due to visit the border town of Mae Sot to seek an appropriate checkpoint to establish under the ASEAN Coordinating Center for Humanitarian Assistance (AHA).

"It is a good sign that Myanmar expresses its will to support and welcome ASEAN in setting up the AHA," he said, adding that humanitarian aid was expected to be sent to Myanmar by late February.

Laotian Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith also told a news conference that Myanmar had sent a senior civilian Foreign Ministry official, the first time the country has sent a representative to a high-level meeting of the bloc in more than two years.

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ASEAN Deals with Myanmar Problem

ASEAN has rejected the participation of military leaders in its meetings and asked Myanmar's regime to send nonpolitical representatives like bureaucrats, but the junta refused to do so.

"This time, we felt a bit optimistic that the engagement may work, although we realized that the situation in Myanmar cannot be solved overnight," Kommasith said. "It's a light at the end of the tunnel."

However, ASEAN member-states still insisted that Myanmar should make an effort to reach its "five-point consensus," which aimed to restore peace agreed upon in April 2021 between ASEAN leaders and Myanmar's military junta.

The consensus called for the immediate cessation of violence, the creation of constructive dialogue among all parties concerned, the sending of an ASEAN special envoy to facilitate peace talks, the provision of humanitarian aid, and the sending of a special envoy to meet all parties concerned in Myanmar.

Laos earlier sent veteran diplomat Alounkeo Kittikhoun as a special envoy to meet with Myanmar's junta leadership in early January. He was also delegated as ASEAN's special envoy during Monday's meeting.

"The arrival of Mr. Alounkeo in Myanmar in early January and the presence of Myanmar representatives in this [ASEAN ministerial meeting] are good signs for ASEAN to seek a peaceful solution for Myanmar," Thammasat University Institute of East Asian Studies deputy director Dulyapak Preecharush told Nikkei Asia.

ASEAN Foreign Ministers Also Talk About China

Meanwhile, the Associated Press reported that some of the ASEAN members having maritime claims over the South China Sea, particularly the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Brunei, also used the meeting as a way to deal with China's virtual claim of the waters.

While the ASEAN meeting was underway, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. would be traveling to Hanoi to also discuss the ongoing tensions in the South China Sea as Manila is looking to bolster its ASEAN diplomacy to counter Chinese aggression.

Related Article: Myanmar Violence, South China Sea Disputes Top Agenda at Divided ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting
CNN Philippines, the Manila bureau and franchise holder of the CNN International brand, ended its live broadcast on Monday morning local time (Jan. 29) with the end of the final episode of its breakfast program "New Day," after almost nine years.

Breakfast presenters Ria Tanjuatco-Trillo, Jamie Herrell, Paolo Abrera, and Christine Jacob-Sandejas became the last faces ever to be seen on live television as the character prompts read, "Thank you for watching CNN Philippines."

It was earlier reported that the network announced the end of its live broadcast on Monday, but management said it would discontinue its "operations on all media platforms" effective Wednesday (Jan. 31) due to financial struggles.

Op-Ed: Journalist Numbers Dwindling

In his opinion piece, PressOne.ph editor-at-large Manuel Mogato compared journalists to dinosaurs who have been "vanishing" in modern society as they have been replaced by social media influencers and ordinary vloggers who focus on mundane issues but are more relatable to the general public.

"People, including those in the media, were shocked to learn that CNN Philippines, the only English-language news channel, is set to close shop due to financial losses," he wrote.

Mogato, a Pulitzer Prize winner for his stint with Reuters as Manila correspondent, added that its main competitors in the predominantly English-language cable TV format have also been struggling, with the ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC) - the pioneer in the niche - on borrowed time as its original carrier Sky Cable would conclude its operations to focus on transitioning into an internet provider service after the acquisition process by telco firm PLDT was approved by the Philippine Competition Commission.

Both ANC and Sky Cable are owned by the Lopez family, who also owns ABS-CBN.

Meanwhile, OneNews, the cable news service of broadcaster TV5, would still be on the air for the time being, but Mogato indicated that it also "suffered losses" and scaled back its programming to stay alive.

He also cited the recent layoffs at the Los Angeles Times as a global example.

Read Also: LA Times Lays Off 115 Newsroom Journalists Amid Financial Crisis

Twitter Error

Mogato: Filipino Journalism Slow to Adapt

By the time the second quarter of 2024 rolls in, Mogato projected that many in the broadcast media industry, including several talented journalists, producers, and workers, would have to reinvent themselves as podcasters and content creators, squeezing themselves into a field that has been saturated since the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The news media cannot blame the internet and social media for the sudden demise of newspapers, radio, and television news," he added. "They were very slow to adapt to the changing attitude and behavior of news consumers who now put a premium on tailored and on-demand information any time, anywhere, and whatever interests them."

Mogato further noticed that news media the world over should have detected "the fast-changing political, economic, and sociocultural global landscape" prior to the pandemic or even before the rise of populist leaders like Donald Trump, Jair Bolsonaro, and Rodrigo Duterte. Such scenarios and shifts significantly affected - almost to the point of extinction - the consumption and reception of news in a public and generalized format through newspapers, radio, and television in favor of personalized information at their fingertips through social media and mobile devices, he added.

"Everything has changed. The people's attention span on the news was fleeting," Mogato lamented.

He then cited that the worst impact of the changing landscape of news media came from the decision the Philippine Congress made in July 2020, under the Duterte administration, to reject the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN, which was preceded by its permanent shutdown that May.

And yet, the movement that discredited the news media has since splintered into Duterte and Marcos factions, Mogato observed. This meant an opportunity for the news media industry to push back against disinformation and properly do their job.

"The news media must also explore and experiment on viable business models to gain back audience and advertising revenues to make news organizations financially sustainable," he suggested, indicating that they should learn from the closure of CNN Philippines and the imminent closure of ANC on Feb. 24, including ways on how to harness new technologies and produce more reliable news content while operating leaner manpower.

Related Article: CNN to Close Manila Bureau on Jan. 31 Citing Financial Losses
A document released on Monday gave details to a damning accusation against the U.N. agency UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency).

The Israeli document is filled with allegations against 12 UN workers that it claims actively participated in the Hamas assault on southern Israel that resulted in the deaths of 1,200 Israeli citizens and the kidnapping of 250 more.

The document claims seven of the employees stormed into Israeli territory as part of the Oct 7 assault, while two others participated in actual kidnappings. The revelations against the agency for Palestinian refugee relief prompted a freeze on funding for the humanitarian organization from Western nations.

Thousands of refugees depend on the UNRWA for food and other aid. The UN fired nine of the 12 accused staff members and condemned the actions of the alleged. The UNRWA and the Israeli government have been at odds with one another for years.

How Important Is The UNRWA?

The UNRWA employs approximately 13,000. Officials say the hostilities have resulted in a starvation threat to a quarter of the population of Gaza. The United States and Britain have cut funding while Japan and Austria have paused assistance.

The UNRWA has said that it will be forced to cease operations in just a few weeks if the funding cuts are not remedied. The UNRWA revelations came as Israel engaged in ongoing cease-fire talks, which have reportedly been constructive.

However, major agreement gaps remain between what Hamas wants and what Israel is ready to concede. These talks could result in a much-needed respite for the Palestinians trapped by the fighting, as well as secure the release of the hostages remaining in Hamas custody.

The Israeli document, which has been shared with U.S. officials as further revealed by the Associated Press, lists 12 people, their alleged roles in the attack, job descriptions, and photos.

The document further stated that 190 UNRWA workers were Hamas or Islamic Jihad operatives. However, no evidence was provided to support that. Of the 12 accused workers, nine were teachers while another was a social worker.

Seven of the accused employees are said to have crossed into southern Israel on the day in question. Two were alleged to have engaged in kidnapping or assisting in the abduction of others.

Another two are said to have actively engaged in raids, according to the document. Two of the twelve accused have been killed, according to the document.
The United States and China are at odds on yet another subject. This time, the Chinese government has protested to the U.S. government over the alleged unfair treatment of Chinese returning to study in the United States.

According to the accusations, reported by the Associated Press, some students had been interrogated for up to 10 hours, had their phones and computers checked and, in some cases, were forcibly repatriated and banned from the U.S.

Chinese Ambassador Xie Feng said dozens more Chinese students are being barred from entering the country every month when returning from overseas travels or from visiting relatives in China, according to the Chinese Embassy website.

"When they landed at the airport, what awaited them was an eight-hour-long interrogation by officers who prohibited them from contacting their parents, made groundless accusations against them and even forcibly repatriated them and banned their entry," he said Sunday at an event at the embassy on student exchanges. "This is absolutely unacceptable."

The U.S. and China are actively trying to boost student exchanges to fortify their relations, which have become increasingly contentious in recent years due to trade, human rights and conflicting governmental aims.

There are around 290,000 Chinese students studying in the United States, which is about one-third of the total number of foreign students studying in America. China has 1.3 million students studying abroad, more than any country in the world.

What Does China Have To Say?



The Chinese Embassy statement further stated that the affected students were prohibited from communicating with anyone outside and, in some cases, held for more than 10 hours. It said the actions of border officers "have had a serious impact on the studies of international students from China and caused great psychological harm." The statement also said that the actions ran counter to the agreement between Presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping at their meeting last November to promote people-to-people exchanges.

In 2022, NBC News reported that the FBI opened a new China-related espionage investigation every 12 hours and now has thousands of such cases. FBI Director Christopher Wray estimated that it amounted to two new cases per day.

"This one blew me away. And I'm not the kind of guy that uses words like 'blown away' easily," he said at the time. "There is no country that presents a broader, more severe threat to our innovation, our ideas and our economic security than China does," he said.
The attack on Sunday that resulted in the death of three U.S. troops and wounded dozens is amplifying pressure on President Biden to take decisive action against Iran. He remains reluctant over concerns of escalating tensions into a broader war.

According to Reuters, Biden's response could range anywhere from targeting Iranian forces outside or inside Iran, or opting for a more careful punishment aimed solely at the Iran-backed militants responsible for the mission.

American forces in the Middle East have been attacked more than 150 times by Iran-backed forces in Iraq, Syria, Jordan, and off the coast of Yemen since the Israel-Hamas war erupted in October. However, until Sunday's attack on an outpost known as Tower 22 near Jordan's northeastern border with Syria, the strikes had not killed U.S. troops nor wounded so many.

Biden said the United States would respond but made no mention of details.

Republicans are pointing the finger at Biden for letting American forces become sitting ducks, waiting for the day when a drone or missile would evade base defenses.

"He left our troops as sitting ducks," said Republican U.S. Senator Tom Cotton. "The only answer to these attacks must be devastating military retaliation against Iran's terrorist forces, both in Iran and across the Middle East."

Republican Representative Mike Rogers, who leads the U.S. military oversight committee in the House of Representatives, said, "It's long past time for President Biden to finally hold the terrorist Iranian regime and their extremist proxies accountable for the attacks they've carried out."

"Unless The U.S. Is Prepared For An All-Out War..."

Renewing calls for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, Democrat Representative Barbara Lee said, "As we see now, it is spiraling out of control. It's beginning to emerge as a regional war, and unfortunately, the United States and our troops are in harm's way."

Reuters reported expert's caution that any strikes against Iranian forces inside Tehran could force Tehran to react strongly, intensifying the predicament and dragging the U.S. into a major Middle East war.

Charles Lister of the Washington-based Middle East Institute said a possible response would be to go after a specific target or higher-up militant from Iran-backed groups in Iraq or Syria.

"What happened this morning, was on a totally different level than anything these proxies have done in the past two to three months... (but) despite all of the calls to do something in Iran, I don't see this administration taking that bait," Lister told Reuters.

A U.S. defense official, speaking under anonymity, said it was unclear what the second and third-order effects would be in going after Iran. "Unless the U.S. is prepared for an all-out war, what does attacking Iran get us," the official said.

While the situation remains critical BBC reveals Iran is denying their involvement in a drone strike on a U.S. base near Jordan's border with Syria.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq claims it was behind the ambush.

The umbrella group surfaced in late 2023 and is composed of several Iran-affiliated militias operating in Iraq. It has claimed other attacks against U.S. forces in recent weeks.

In a statement obtained by BBC, the group said it had targeted three U.S. bases in Syria - identifying them as Shaddadi, Tanf, and Rukban. However, Rukban rests on the Jordanian side of the border with Syria.

The BBC's U.S. partner, CBS, reported that U.S. troops were in their sleeping quarters when the drone struck their Tower 22 base in the early hours of the morning. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak condemned the attack and urged Iran to "continue to de-escalate tensions" in the region.

"We stand resolutely with our allies to bring stability and peace to the region," he said.

Last month, the U.S. carried out airstrikes against Iran-affiliated groups after three U.S. servicemembers were injured, one critically, in a drone attack on a base in northern Iraq.

Earlier in January, one retaliatory U.S. strike in Baghdad killed a militia leader accused of being behind attacks on U.S. personnel.

Biden has said the U.S. "will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner of our choosing."
According to the 13th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States slavery and involuntary servitude are abolished, except as a punishment for crime, within the United States and its territories.

For many of the millions of people incarcerated in the United States, slavery isn't something that happened long ago. It is part of their everyday reality. Also, whether we realize it, it is the reality of most Americans.

Many of our favorite brands could not exist without the cheap labor provided by incarcerated individuals. A new investigative report by the Associated Press traces the path of our favorite products, from their cultivation to their arrival into the supply chains of such favorites as Walmart, McDonald's and Cargill.

In the Louisiana State Penitentiary, prison-raised cattle are tracked 600 miles on what it calls an invisible web. From the facility at which prisoners provide farm labor, to a slaughterhouse, to many big-time fast food and supermarket merchandisers, to the table of millions of Americans, according to this extensive two-year report.

For the prisoners, described in the story as 'America's most vulnerable laborers, refusal to engage in free labor could affect parole chances or may result in additional punishment, such as solitary confinement.

Prisoners are not protected like other workers, even when they are seriously injured or killed while performing a job. Ball Park Franks, Gold Medal Flour, Riceland, Kroger, Whole Food and Target are a few more of the many corporations that benefit from prison labor.

The 13th Amendment

The 13th Amendment dates back to the immediate aftermath of the Civil War and came about to quench the need for free or cheap labor in immediately following the abolition of slavery. The 13th Amendment is being challenged at the federal level and there are ongoing efforts to remove such language from state constitutions as well.

According to AP, there are dozens of states looking to address this on the ballot this year alone. The fact that many of these prisoners are working on the same plantation soil as slaves from 150 years ago, and fielding the same crops as well (cotton and sugar cane) is not lost on many observers.

Louisiana has the highest incarceration rate in the country. followed by Mississippi, Oklahoma, Georgia and Arkansas. All of which are former Confederate, pro-slavery states.
A worker installs a new row of Bitcoin mining machines at the Whinstone US Bitcoin mining facility in Rockdale in 2021. MARK FELIX/AFP /AFP via Getty Images



In a boon for the volatile cryptocurrency industry, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission this month approved the buying and selling of what are known as spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds. The agency's blessing, which will make it as easy for people to invest in the worlds largest cryptocurrency as in stocks or mutual funds, may also end up posing a challenge to Texas' at-times fragile electric grid.

The SEC decision plays a role in legitimizing bitcoin, making it easier for an investment adviser to recommend bitcoin to clients and for institutional investors like pension funds to invest in it, said Lee Bratcher, president of the Texas Blockchain Council, an industry association for bitcoin miners.

The move could open up more capital to buy bitcoin, increasing its price in the long term and leading to more investment in mining operations, said Korok Ray, an associate business professor at Texas A&M University who teaches two courses on bitcoin.

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That means existing bitcoin companies that mine will be expanding their operations and new companies will enter the space to mine bitcoin, he said.

Close-up, low-angle view of the interior of a cryptocurrency mining computer designed to mine Bitcoin alternative coins, in San Ramon, Calif. Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images Technicians inspect bitcoin mining at Bitfarms in Saint Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada, in 2018. LARS HAGBERG/AFP via Getty Images

And that's where the pressure on the grid may come. Bitcoin is one of many cryptocurrencies, whose mines are essentially bank upon bank of computers competing to solve complex math problems and receiving bitcoin as a reward. Running these computers and the cooling they require consumes large amounts of energy; by one estimate, a single bitcoin transaction uses the equivalent of 26 days of the average U.S. household's power consumption.

Texas, which has emerged as the bitcoin mining capital of the world, has been luring crypto mining operations with the promise of cheap electricity with which to power its operations. That, in turn, has raised questions on its impact on electricity prices and grid stability. As of July, mines in Texas comprised 28.5% of the nation's bitcoin networks computing power, more than any other state.

Low electricity prices, the ability to avoid transmission costs, the state's friendly regulatory environment and financial incentives to power down during times of grid strain have fed Texas' dominance, said Ben Hertz-Shargel, global head of a team focused on grid technologies at Wood Mackenzie, an energy research and consulting firm.

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Close-up of maze of wires and Kill-A-Watt electric use monitor showing the power consumption of a computer engaged in cryptocurrency mining; electric monitors are commonly used by miners to monitor the profitability of their mining operations. Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images

Bratcher of the Texas Blockchain Council said the SEC decision, which deals with just one type of currency, is unlikely to substantially increase the slow and steady growth of bitcoin mining here. We're not hearing from any of our members that  they're all very excited about it, dont get me wrong  but this isn't changing their plans or investment decisions, he said.

The roughly 2,300 megawatts consumed by bitcoin mining in Texas represents 2% to 3% of all power consumed in the state, Bratcher said. That usage is enough to power 460,000 homes during peak demand.

Around 40,000 megawatts of demand are pending for what are called large flexible loads, which include bitcoin mines and other data centers, in the grid managed by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas. Much of that won't be built, as many bitcoin miners apply for multiple sites with the intention to only build one, he said.

The cryptomining industry represents the largest share of large flexible loads seeking to connect to the Texas electric grid, ERCOT spokesperson Trudi Webster wrote in an email. The grid operator has established a task force to identify what is needed to address the operational, planning and market impacts of these customers on the system, she said.

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The (task force) reviews how large flexible load impacts ERCOT peak load, to help operate these new large loads on the grid reliably and efficiently, she said.

An image of Bitcoin and US currencies is displayed on a screen as delegates listen to a panel of speakers during the Interpol World Congress in Singapore in 2017. ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP via Getty Images

Numbers go up

If the SEC decision compels a sizable fraction of projects in the pipeline to be built, consumer costs could skyrocket, Hertz-Shargel said. In a simulation for the New York Times, he found that bitcoin miners caused electric bills for Texans to increase by at least $1.8 billion per year, using data from 2022 to 2023. Thats because they raise overall demand for electricity on the grid, he said.

The bitcoin industry has fiercely contested the story. According to Bratcher, bitcoin miners in Texas have a net neutral effect on price. When electricity prices are above $200 per megawatt-hour, miners shut off because they dont want to be mining at a loss, he said. Thus, when the grid is stressed, bitcoin miners curtail their usage.

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They are decreasing prices during peak times because they're not on the grid and potentially increasing prices overnight or (in) low demand times, he said.

Bitcoin miners have pointed to their sensitivity to electricity prices as one way they benefit  rather than threaten  grid stability. Incentives are baked into the system that encourage bitcoin miners to curtail electricity use when the grid is stressed. ERCOT's so-called demand response programs pay large electricity users such as bitcoin miners to reduce usage during times of grid strain.

Samara Cohen, chief investment officer of ETF and Index Investments at Blackrock, center, rings the opening bell as Bitcoin Spot ETF's are launched on the Nasdaq Exchange on Jan. 11. Stephanie Keith/Getty Images

Some miners also have agreements with their retail electricity providers to sell electricity back to the grid when prices are high, which can at times be more lucrative than using that electricity to mine bitcoin, the price of which also fluctuates. In August, bitcoin miner Riot Platforms made $31.7 million in Texas during the heat wave for curtailing its electricity usage  $7 million from ERCOT and $24 million from its retail electricity provider. That month, it earned $8.6 million in net proceeds from producing bitcoin.

Bratcher compared the effect of bitcoin mines on the demand-side to grid-scale batteries on the supply side, which have been credited for their ability to rapidly deploy electricity to the grid when its most needed.

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There's more bitcoin mining than batteries in Texas. If we have an event where power is scarce, having 2,300 megawatts turned off is quite helpful, he said.

But bitcoin miners dont always shut down when prices are high, according to Hertz-Shargel. Wood Mackenzie data shows two miners were regularly operating on the ERCOT grid when electricity prices were high in the period from 2020 to 2022. Thats because some miners have fixed contracts with their retail electricity providers without the ability to sell power back to the grid at real-time prices, dulling the incentive to conserve, he said.

A woman poses with a Bitcoin mascot during the Thailand Crypto Expo 2022 in Bangkok. Lauren DeCicca/Getty Images

Jackie Sawicky, founder of the Texas Coalition Against Cryptomining, a grassroots organization opposing bitcoin mining in Texas, said she believes the industrys flexibility doesnt justify its intensive energy use.
"TRIS-ket" sandwich (sliced brisket sandwich with lettuce and Caesar salad dressing) and a barbecue tray with sides at CorkScrew BBQ, Spring J.C. Reid/Contributor

From Tex-Mex enchiladas to hatch chile salsa to good ole' sausage kolaches, there are plenty of Texas-famous recipes to try out any day of the week or find on the go. But five specific Texas staples, including a fudgy classic (any guesses?), made Southern Living's list of the most iconic Southern recipes.

Here's a brief history of each of the top picks.

1.Texas caviar, or 'cowboy caviar'

Legend has it this dish was first debuted at a New Year's Eve party at the Houston Country Club in the 1950s, by Helen Corbitt, who later became the food director of Nieman Marcus's restaurant, the Zodiac Room, in Dallas. The dish is in some ways like a black-eyed pea salsa or salad, depending on how you look at it. Cowboy Caviar even became a viral hit on TikTok in the summer of 2022, which sparked some controversy about its origins.

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Black-eyed peas were carried over to the Americas by enslaved West Africans, as long-standing staples of Senegalese cuisine. A common dish called Saladu Nebbe, a cold salad of black-eyed peas and other vegetables in an acidic dressing looks eerily similar to the dish Corbitt made famous in Texas, according to a story in the Washington Post. It's also known to be similar to Hoppin' John, a dish of black-eyed peas and rice popular in the southern U.S., originating from West African cuisine as well.

The dish also bears resemblance to Mexican ensaladas de frijoles, or bean salad, which sometimes uses black beans as well as black-eyed peas, according to the Washington Post.

2. Texas trash pie

A Hill Country staple, Texas Trash Pie is less like garbage and more like an everything-but-the-kitchen sink ice cream sundae ... in pie form. Created by the pie-loving family behind Royers Round Top cafe, the pie includes chocolate chips, pretzels, graham crackers, shredded coconut, pecans pieces, butter, coconut and sweetened condensed milk for a sweet and salty filling that gets gooey in the oven. And while it has its share of pecans, it's not quite like a pecan pie because the nuts share the spotlight with other popular snack items.

Royers Round Top cafe was founded in 1987, in Round Top, Texas, a town of 90 people also known for its antiques fair. The town is located right off Highway 290 between Austin and Houston. According to the restaurant's website, the family of six, with Bud "The Pieman" Royer at the helm, moved to Round Top, took over the 40-seat restaurant, and built the cafe into what it is now.

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3. Texas chili

This bean-less red chili, also known as chili con carne, has multiple origin stories, and a long history since its popularization. The generally accepted tale begins with the San Antonio "Chili Queens" in the 1890s who sold the chili with a side of frijoles at Military Plaza, according to Chili Appreciation Society International's "Unofficial History of Texas Chili." But some say Texas chili originated from cattle drives, and then others say it came from within the walls of Texas prisons, where freed prisoners reportedly said the only thing they missed about their time in prison was a bowl of Texas chili. But chili has a much longer history than any of the above, detailed in this thorough Texas Monthly article from 2017.

When San Antonioans set up a Texas Chili stand at the Chicago World's fair in 1983, word reportedly spread around the country and the dish became a staple in cities and households across the country. But not all kept resemblance to the iconic red chili that began the frenzy, such as the recipes in Greg Morago's roundup of the best recipes for National Chili Month (but you don't have to wait until October to try them).

4. Texas sheet cake

Ah, yes, we knew this one was coming. Texas sheet cake, known to many as Texas Funeral Cake for its reliable presence at Texas funeral wakes, is a chocolatey mouthful of warm cake and rich fudge frosting, topped with the star of Texas nuts, the pecan. There's some confusion around where exactly this cake comes from, but some early newspapers printed recipes quite similar to the one Texans have come to know and love.

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In 1936, the Galveston Daily News published a recipe of a large chocolate sheet cake and again in 1957 a Dallas Newspaper printed a recipe it received from a reader called German Chocolate Cake, notably with pecans on top. There are many different recipes for this cake, but the result is usually the same: an easy, delicious crowd-pleaser, and don't go light on the chocolate.

5. Texas barbecue brisket

Texas Barbecue is so famous, it could probably use its own story. With four different regions boasting four different types of barbecue, Central, South, East and West Texas barbecue, it can be hard to keep it all straight. Central Texas BBQ evolved from the classic tale of German and Czech immigrants who brought their meat-smoking traditions from Europe in the 1800s, South Texas, which can have hints of barbacoa and other Mexican and Spanish flavors, West Texas, where meat is generally cooked over an open fire, coined "cowboy barbecue," and East Texas barbecue, like much of the meats found in Houston, which originated from Freedman's town where many freed slaves fled after the Civil War and set up BBQ joints.
Sriracha honey wings at Dak & Bop Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer Budae jjigae is made tableside at Dak & Bop. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer Spicy popcorn chicken at Dak & Bop Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer Mussels at Dak & Bop Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer Kimchi pancake at Dak & Bop Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer Plum Soju Collins, left, and Lavender Haze at Dak & Bop Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer A selection of Korean drinks at Dak & Bop Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer Dak & Bop, 1801 Binz St., Suite 120 Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer Dak & Bop, 1801 Binz St., Suite 120, is shown Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024, in Houston. The Korean fried chicken restaurant is owned by Jason Cho. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer Dak & Bop is owned by Jason Cho. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer

When Jason Cho opened Dak & Bop almost a decade ago, he was a pioneer in bringing Korean-style fried chicken to Houston.

The restaurateurs fried chicken restaurant is breaking new ground again. But instead of on the food front, Cho is doing something that rarely happens: Last Thursday, he brought Dak & Bop back to its original Museum District location at 1801 Binz.

Restaurants opening, closing, moving or expanding to multiple outlets is nothing new, but going back to an old location is less common. Cho had opened a second location of Dak & Bop in Timbergrove just months before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, which he said pushed him to close the original spot.

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Its emotional for me because I never wanted to leave, Cho said. How many people leave a spot and can come back to a spot? I feel fortunate and blessed to have a chance to come back to where it all started.

Dak & Bop, 1801 Binz St., Suite 120, is shown Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024, in Houston. The Korean fried chicken restaurant is owned by Jason Cho. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer

HOUSTON EATS: The Chronicles top 100 restaurants

Theres been no shortage of restaurants serving Korean fried chicken since 2014, when Cho introduced Houstonians to the crispy, twice-fried wings, drums and tenders doused in sauces such as soy garlic, sriracha honey, buffalo and mango pepper tajin.

But the larger Timbergrove spot never felt quite as busy as the Museum District restaurant, and even three years later, customers constantly talked about the Binz Street location, he added.

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So when the space became available again, Cho said he knew he had to return. On Dec. 31, he closed the Timbergrove space to focus on just one Dak & Bop.

Cho, who also owns the upscale Korean steakhouse Karne in the Heights, said hes excited to show everyone what we have going on.

The interior and exterior of Dak & Bop, 1801 Binz St., Suite 120, is shown Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024, in Houston. Melissa Phillip / Staff Photographer The interior and exterior of Dak & Bop, 1801 Binz St., Suite 120, is shown Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024, in Houston. Melissa Phillip / Staff Photographer

MORE FROM BAO ONG: Chicken tender favorite Laynes sets opening date for first Inner Loop location in Montrose

This time around, the space features 18 tables and about eight bar seats. Cho said his goal is to create a casual hangout for the neighborhood, whether for families or customers who just want to swing by for a drink and small bites.

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The second act for Dak & Bop on Binz features some of the popular hits like kimchi fries and bao bun sliders. But Cho wanted to introduce Korean classics, including braised chicken (jjimdak), bo ssam (pork belly) and other dishes that pair well with drinks.

Made tableside, the Budae jjigae Army stew, and Korean soju are shown at Dak & Bop, 1801 Binz St., Suite 120, Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024, in Houston. Melissa Phillip / Staff Photographer Made tableside, the Budae jjigae Army stew, and Korean soju are shown at Dak & Bop, 1801 Binz St., Suite 120, Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024, in Houston. Melissa Phillip / Staff Photographer

When Cho first opened Dak & Bop, he said he was worried about the menu being too Korean, especially for a business operating outside of the Spring Branch area that some dub Houstons Koreatown. So he included more familiar dishes like garlic bread, Brussels sprouts and corn cheese.

Still, Korean fried chicken will remain the star of the Dak & Bop menu. There are more deep fryers in the restaurants kitchen this time around, but every piece of poultry will still be cooked to order, which can result in longer wait times when theres a rush of business.

But Cho said Houstonians are more familiar with Korean food and flavors than when he opened Dak & Bop nearly a decade ago.

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Fort Bend County employees are now entitled to six weeks of paid parental leave, following the unanimous approval of the policy by commissioners on Jan. 23, 2024 Fort Bend County Precinct 4

Fort Bend County employees are now entitled to six weeks of paid parental leave, following unanimous approval of the policy by commissioners on Jan. 23. The policy went into effect as soon as it was approved.

"We are about families in Fort Bend County and this policy change now fully reflects that value, said Dexter McCoy, Fort Bend County commissioner for Precinct 4, who drafted the policy. Every day our county employees work tirelessly to support families in Fort Bend County. It is our duty to make sure they also have the time to care for their own families. At such a pivotal moment, a paycheck should be the least of anyones worries.

FORT BEND: Brazos River erosion threatens 700,000 residents

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Full-time county employees will receive six weeks of paid leave for the birth, adoption, or foster placement of a child, according to the policy. In the event of a miscarriage, stillbirth, or a pregnancy-related emergency, the employee will receive three weeks of paid leave.

It comes at no extra cost to the county since the salaries are already budgeted for the employee unless it is determined that a temporary worker would need to be brought on, said Nadia Hakim, communications director for the precinct.

Hakim said the county did not foresee any difficulties securing sufficient staffing during employee leaves under this policy.

They have a good idea of when the employee will need to be out and for about how long, Hakim said. Departments will have months to split up and delegate those responsibilities to other staff with the bandwidth or determine that they will need to hire a temporary employee. Compare this to an employee suddenly getting sick for several weeks  where departments do not have the luxury of time to prepare.

By approving paid parental leave for county employees, Fort Bend County follows Houston, Harris County and the city of Sugar Land.

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Hong Kong: Suicide prevention aid enhanced

The Government today announced that it is extending the Three-Tier School-based Emergency Mechanism until December 31 and will launch measures to assist schools with identifying students with a higher risk of suicide at an early stage.

This move to extend the mechanisms implementation period came after it reviewed the circumstances and listened to the views of the sector, the Government explained.

Additionally, to enhance school personnels knowledge of and skills in supporting students with mental health needs, the Education Bureau will organise more than 40 training courses and workshops for schools from end-January to March to introduce practical skills, counselling techniques and intervention strategies.

The bureau will also collaborate with the Social Welfare Department to arrange for non-governmental organisations to visit secondary schools and hold mental health activities from February to April.

The aim of carrying out such activities is to enhance students awareness of mental health, help them develop positive thinking, and strengthen their adaptability and awareness of help-seeking.

Under the current three-tier mechanism, schools give priority to take care of and counsel students with higher suicidal risk through the schools interdisciplinary team in the first tier by providing timely assistance or seeking professional counselling or treatment services for them.

If schools have difficulty in deploying manpower, the bureau will refer the cases to the off-campus support network team organised by the department in the second tier.

The third tier, which is the last line of defence, provides medical services to students with severe mental health needs.

This story has been published on: 2024-01-29. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Children visit Beijing Auto Museum during winter vacation

Xinhua) 09:09, January 29, 2024

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)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Then Conroe City Councilman Jody Czajkoski speaks during a ribbon cutting for the University of St. Thomas new 1,500 square foot UST MAX Center microcampus, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2020, in downtown Conroe. The micro campus closed in December but the university will continue its presence in Montgomery County. Jason Fochtman, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Father Paul English blesses the University of St. Thomas new 1,500 square foot UST MAX Center microcampus, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2020, in downtown Conroe. The micro campus closed in December but the university will continue its presence in Montgomery County. Jason Fochtman, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer The University of St. Thomas new 1,500 square foot UST MAX Center microcampus is seen, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2020, in downtown Conroe. The micro campus closed in December but the university will continue its presence in Montgomery County. Jason Fochtman, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer St. Thomas University President Richard Ludwick speaks during a ribbon cutting for the universitys new 1,500 square foot UST MAX Center micro campus, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2020, in downtown Conroe. The micro campus closed in December but the university will continue its presence in Montgomery County. Jason Fochtman, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer The University of St. Thomas 1,500 square foot UST MAX Center microcampus is seen, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2020, in downtown Conroe. The micro campus closed in December but the university will continue its presence in Montgomery County. Jason Fochtman, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

The University of St. Thomas is exploring how to have a continued presence in Montgomery County after the university closed its satellite campus in downtown Conroe in December.

The USTMAX Center opened in October 2020 on the first floor of the Carter Building on the Montgomery County Courthouse square in downtown Conroe. It was a small satellite campus for the school that predominantly acted as a support system for local online students, but also held in-person continuing education courses for the community.

The University of St. Thomas new 1,500 square foot UST MAX Center microcampus is seen, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2020, in downtown Conroe. The micro campus closed in December but the university will continue its presence in Montgomery County. Jason Fochtman, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

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"We made the strategic decision to close the USTMAX Center in December when the lease was up for renewal," said Carla Alsandor, chief university services officer for the University of St. Thomas-Houston.

Alsandor was previously the senior director for the USTMAX Center.

"The center was successful for the university. As a marketing and recruiting center, it provided high visibility and access for us to interact with and learn what the communitys interest and needs are related to Catholic higher education," she said.

The ESL for adult learners, medical office assistant certification and phlebotomy technician certification classes were among the popular offerings, Alsandor said.

In addition to the micro-campus in downtown Conroe, the universitys accelerated bachelor of science in nursing program offered in Shenandoah has proven to be very popular, Alsandor said.

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The center had two full-time employees: Alsandor, who is in a new role with the university as of August 2023; and Brenda Banegas, who remained on with the university as a project manager.

One of Banegas' areas of focus is the university's continued presence in Montgomery County.

The Carter Building is one of downtown Conroe's historic buildings. It was renovated in 2020 and now contains two floors of mixed office and retail space.

Conroe Mayor Jody Czajkoski, president and CEO of MHW Real Estate that is affiliated with the building, said the space vacated by the USTMAX Center has already been occupied by the local development company Dirt Logic.

Dirt Logic was leasing space in the building on the second floor but sought more space and moved on the open location downstairs. They are currently doing business in the location.

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University officials are considering what the organization's future presence in Montgomery County will look like.

The University of St. Thomas 1,500 square foot UST MAX Center microcampus is seen, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2020, in downtown Conroe. The micro campus closed in December but the university will continue its presence in Montgomery County. Jason Fochtman, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

"We have made many strong relationships there and remain active in the downtown Conroe community, with the (Conroe Economic Development Council), Education for Tomorrow Alliance, the area chambers of commerce, and the area high schools, etc.," Alsandor said. "In addition, we will continue our popular Luminary Lecture Series, in partnership with Sacred Heart Catholic Parish. The next lecture will take place later this semester."

As a part of those plans, consideration is being given to a Catholic high school in Montgomery County.

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"A feasibility study was successfully completed in November. The results show support from the community for a new Catholic high school to serve Conroe and the areas to the north, northeast and northwest of the city," she said. "The next steps include presenting those results to the Archdiocesan Catholic Schools office for review and consideration, as well as a financial analysis."

Czajkoski also is in support of creating a new Catholic high school for the area.

Conroe's Sacred Heart Catholic School has long been a part of the community, but it only goes through the eighth grade.

"With the area growth, the study showed that there are plenty of students and plenty of demand for a Catholic high school in Conroe," he said. "The study came back very, very positive."

Visit the University of St. Thomas website for more on the school.
The Pearland ISD Administrative offices are located at 1928 N. Main Street in Pearland. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer

Pearland ISD officials approved a school calendar for the 2024-25 academic year with an additional short fall break.

The district's advisory calendar committee, which created the calendar, recently accepted public feedback for two drafted options. Committee members reviewed and shared the results with the district's board of trustees at a Jan. 23 meeting.

Students across the district will begin next school year on Aug. 12.

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Key differences

The new calendar includes an additional short fall break in October for students and teachers. Students will not have school from Oct. 16-18, and teachers will be off Oct. 17 and 18.

In the 2023-24 calendar, only students were given one day off on Oct. 9 for staff development.

Students will also receive the day off Feb. 17, giving them a four-day Valentine's Day weekend.

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Staff will receive one day off on April 18 for Easter break, compared to two days on March 29 and April 1 last year. However, students will still be off for two days on April 18 and 21 for the break in 2025.

School hours

Elementary schools, including Pre-K: 7:55 a.m.-3:15 p.m.

Middle/junior high schools: 8:35 a.m.-3:55 p.m.

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High schools, including PACE Center: 7:15 a.m.-2:35 p.m.

These times remained the same as the 2023-24 academic year.

NEWS TO YOUR INBOX: Sign up to stay updated on important news and stories to know around Pearland

Important dates

First day of school: Aug. 12

Labor Day: Sept. 2

Abbreviated fall break: Oct. 16-18

Thanksgiving: Nov. 25-29

Christmas/winter break: Dec. 23-Jan. 3

Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Jan. 20

Spring break: Mar. 17-21

Easter: April 18 and 21

Last day of school: May 22

High school graduation: May 23
Claire Hao is a Hearst Fellow for the Houston Chronicle's business desk, where she is covering electricity, renewable energy and the Texas power grid. She also spends one day a week covering breaking and trending news. Claire can be reached at claire.hao@houstonchronicle.com.

Claire spent her first-year fellowship rotation on the climate and environment team of The San Francisco Chronicle. She has previously interned on the news desks of Bloomberg Law and The Chicago Tribune as well as on the editorial board of The Washington Post.

She is a 2022 graduate of the University of Michigan, where she was the 2021 editor-in-chief of her college paper The Michigan Daily.
TOKYO, Jan 29 (News On Japan) - "Children's Cooking Picture Book: Ghibli's Table - Kiki's Delivery Service", set for release on March 14th, features recipes from the film, including herring and pumpkin pie baked by the lady with the blue-roofed house and the milk porridge made by Osono for Kiki.

This cookbook, published by Shufu no Tomosha, is inspired by the Studio Ghibli film "Kiki's Delivery Service," and follows the previous releases in the series: "Ghibli's Table - Earwig and the Witch," "Ghibli's Table - My Neighbor Totoro," and "Ghibli's Table - Castle in the Sky Laputa."

The book also features unique original recipes inspired by the film's world, such as "Witch's Ribbon Snack," "Black Cat Lollipop Cake," and "Tombo's Striped Jelly," allowing readers to reminisce about the story of "Kiki's Delivery Service" while enjoying the cooking process.

Key features of the book include:

1. Recipes that can be made with easily accessible ingredients from supermarkets.

2. Designed for elementary school children to cook with adults, with detailed photo instructions and furigana for beginners.

3. Recipes have difficulty level indicators, allowing for progression from easy to challenging dishes.

Some of the recipes featured are: - Guchoki Bakery's Mountain-shaped and Round Breads - Tombo's Purchased Cookies - Herring and Pumpkin Pie - Osono's Milk Porridge - Kiki's Special Crispy Hotcakes - Grandma's Special Chocolate Cake

Original recipes include: - Magical Berry Soda - Witch's Ribbon Snack - Black Cat Lollipop Cake - Attic Room Open Sandwich - Tombo's Striped Jelly

Book Information: Title: Children's Cooking Picture Book: Ghibli's Table - Kiki's Delivery Service Supervision: Studio Ghibli Editor: Shufu no Tomosha Cooking: Yusei Futaba Price: 1,760 (tax included) Release Date: March 14, 2024 (Thursday) Size/Page Count: B5 Variant, 64 pages

The book is available for purchase on Amazon and Rakuten Books.

The "Children's Cooking Picture Book: Ghibli's Table" series continues to be well-received, with previous releases supervised by Studio Ghibli, edited by Shufu no Tomosha, and recipes by Yusei Futaba. Each book is priced at 1,760 (tax included) and is B5 variant size with 64 pages. The series includes "Ghibli's Table - Castle in the Sky Laputa" (released on August 10, 2023), "Ghibli's Table - My Neighbor Totoro" (released on October 4, 2022), and "Ghibli's Table - Earwig and the Witch" (released on April 28, 2021), all available for purchase on Amazon and Rakuten Books.

Source: Dengeki
SIOUX CITY  Gov. Kim Reynolds says the bill amending Area Education Agencies in Iowa is about improving special education services and giving school districts local control over how they receive those services.

Reynolds, in an interview with the Sioux City Journal Friday, said the AEA system as it stands now is failing students with disabilities while making it so that school districts have no idea what they are paying for.

Were the only state in the entire country that takes that education money, the special education money, bypasses the school districts, gives it to the AEA and then tells the school districts theyre mandated to use the AEA services, she said. And if you ask school board after school board  they have no idea what theyre paying for the services.

Earlier this week, the Northwest AEA as well as local superintendents and the Sioux City School Board reacted to a proposed bill reforming the states nine regional Area Education Agencies, created in the 1970s to provide special-education support for school districts.

Reynolds said the bill was worked on while the Legislature was out of session.

I tried to put a bill together that was respective of rural Iowa, some of our larger school districts and to try to find a balance about how we move forward with this, she said. The AEA system as it is today  and over the last 20 years is failing our kids with disabilities.

Local school entities expressed concerns and questions about various aspects of the bill including who has oversight of the AEA, what services the AEA can provide, how the money is distributed and more.

Reynolds said the legislation is intended to address the states poor special education test results and review how the money given to the AEAs is being used.

$529 million going into a system that has no accountability or transparency with horrible results, she said. I have an obligation to the people and Iowa and to the taxpayers and to these kids, most importantly, to make sure that these dollars are being used in the right way.

The 2023 State of Iowa School Performance Profile shows 25.56 percent of students with disabilities were proficient in English language arts and 28.14 were proficient in mathematics.

The scores represent a 45.84 percent gap between students with disabilities and other students in English and a 41.36 gap in mathematics.

Reynolds also said the U.S. Department of Education had designated Iowa as needed assistance with compliance of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Its unconscionable that we continue to see the gaps that we are and not look at doing something differently, she said. By giving schools the ability to decide you start to bring in some accountability.

Like other departments in the state, Reynolds said there should be regular evaluations on how special education services are being delivered and whether or not theyre meeting the mark.

We have some good ones out there, she said. But we have some school districts that arent happy with the services that theyre getting. And so this would give them the option to do something different.

Giving schools more flexibility with funding

The bill will give school districts more options on how they receive special education services and how they use the funding currently given to the AEA.

Currently, all state and federal funding allocated for special education goes to the school districts but is immediately funneled to the AEA.

The bill would give districts the option to keep that funding and allocate it for special education services as they choose.

The money goes to the school districts. Theyre the customer, they need to know what these services cost and they should be in charge of it, to start to bring some accountability and some transparency to the system, Reynolds said.

She said she hears from school districts that they want local control.

If you control the money, you control the services, said Sioux City School Board Member Dan Greenwell. He said the bill gives the district the option to decide how the funding is used.

Sioux City School Board Member Lance Ehmcke agreed with Greenwell, saying it would be a good thing to have a voice in how the AEA money is spent.

Greenwell said he does not have an understanding of how much media services or professional development the district utilizes.

Reynolds said this is a common complaint. For example, she said the AEAs receive funding for media services from the state but then charge districts to use those services.

That doesnt sound very efficient and effective to me, because were paying for it twice, she said. And were discovering more and more and more of that as we look into the system.

Oversight by the Iowa Department of Education

Local administrators expressed concerns regarding shifting the oversight of the AEAs to the Department of Education.

I dont have a lot of faith that the Department of Education can take this on and oversee special education in all the school districts across the state, Earleywine said. I have a big concern with that and I think most of the superintendents in the state would mirror that.

Chad Janzen, superintendent of the Sergeant Bluff-Luton Community School District, said the AEA provides vital resources and training to the districts.

Our local AEA has been responsive to local needs. For example, area schools have asked for increased services in working with students who have English language needs, he said. A centralized system located in Des Moines will not respond to local needs as adeptly as a local system.

Reynolds said 25 years ago, the AEAs were overseen by the Iowa Department of Education and now, the AEAs need the checks and balances the department will provide. She said those people will be in the regions they oversee, not in Des Moines.

She said right now, 400 people in the AEA system provide compliance and oversight. After a review of those positions by the Department of Education, Reynolds said they can do that work with 139 full-time employees.

Comprehensive review

The Northwest AEA and Sioux City School Board Members asked why no comprehensive review took place before this bill was introduced; citing the most recent review was in 2010.

Reynolds said the true review of the system is the states test scores and the reviews done by the U.S. Department of Education and The Nations Report Card.

I actually did bring in some superintendents, sat down and walked through [the system,] Reynolds said. Theyre afraid of being penalized by the AEA so they were afraid to stand up and say anything publically.

She also said she received feedback on the AEAs during her travels through the state, speaking with education, parents, principals and superintendents.

What I was hearing is they werent happy with a lot of the services. There was no consistency, they werent showing up, she said.

She said the state has consistently underperformed and the students in the system deserve a corrected system.

No funding being taken away from special education services

Of the $529 million currently allocated to the AEAs, Reynolds said $294 million will go to local schools, $117 million would still go to the AEAs and $25 million will go to the Iowa Department of Education for supervision.

We are not taking any money out of special education, she said.

Her bill, as currently written, would eliminate property taxes that are collected to support AEA functions that are not related to special education.

Reynolds proposed an amended version that would allow the AEAs to continue providing general education services and media services. The agencies would continue to provide all the special education services they do now.

Reynolds said currently AEA chiefs receive approximately $410,000 in compensation, but many are making around $440,000. She said the savings from reducing overhead will stay in the education system and will be used to help teachers and students receive the services they need.

Increasing teacher salaries

A part of the bill that is not directly related to the AEA would increase the base pay for teachers. Sioux City School board members said they felt like it was a way to make the bill more appealing.

Reynolds is asking the Iowa Legislature to invest $96 million in new money to increase starting teacher pay by 50 percent, to $50,000, and to set a minimum salary of $62,000 for teachers with at least 12 years of experience.

"It smacks of that the AEA change is going to be so consequential in a negative way that the only way we can get the voting public in the legislature to go along with it is to offer something like increased teacher pay," Ehmcke said.

Board Vice President Treyla Lee said it appears the teacher salary was "a little carrot" in the bill as a reward for passing the AEA changes.

Reynolds said increasing teacher base salaries is directly related to improving services for Iowa students. She said the state wants the best and brightest going into education and by increasing the base salary that encourages more teachers to work in special education in the state.

Everybody tells me you cant get a special education teacher in rural Iowa. Were not competitive, she said. So it makes sense for me to put it in a bill that is not only trying to correct a system to provide teachers the support that they need, but to also encourage teachers to go into the teaching profession by increasing the beginning salary.

The Des Moines Bureau contributed to this story.

Photos: Missing children in Iowa Emily Joann Dudney Daquan Nelson Jade Colvin Fredrick Workman Benjamin Roseland Erin Pospisil Marc Allen Eugene Martin John Gosch Kimberly Doss Colleen Simpson
The Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District Board of Directors met on Thursday night for its regularly scheduled committee of the whole meeting. All directors were present, in addition to several NRD staff members and seven members of the public. A recap of the hourlong meeting is below.
Algeria has doubled down on violating the sovereignty of its neighbor Mali by addressing the Malian people directly, threatening them with civil war, in the latest episode of a diplomatic showdown that triggered Bamako to declare an Algeria-brokered peace deal null and void.

In a statement, the Algerian foreign ministry failed to respond to the accusations in a previous Malian statement announcing the end of the Algiers 2015 peace accords, which were supposed to lay the basis for a power-sharing peace deal with the armed Tuareg separatist rebels.

Mali accused Algeria of hostile acts, including hosting representations of Tuareg rebels, and said Algiers treated Mali as a backyard and violated its sovereignty in seeking to impose the now obsolete Algiers accord during a Non-Aligned Movement summit despite Malis objection. Bamako also accused Algeria of supporting sanctions against Mali and backing terrorism.

In response, Algeria issued a statement addressing the Malian people directly -instead of the Malian authorities- threatening an upcoming civil war, in total disregard for the sovereignty of the Malian governments sovereignty.

The Malians have denounced Algerias double-speak and its incapacity to stand as a neutral and credible mediator, citing Algerias connivance with Tuareg separatist groups and terrorist leaders such as Iyad Ag Ghali.

The Malian government wondered what would have been Algerias reaction if Bamako received at the highest-level representatives of the Kabylie independence movement MAK?

It also denounced Algerias condescendence with Mali, whom Algiers views as its backyard.

As for terrorism, Mali recalled Algerias hidden hand in the spread of terrorism in the Sahel by Algerian groups such as the GSPC and AQIM.

The diplomatic crisis between the two countries was building up since Mali kicked out French troops and took military action against the heavily armed Tuareg rebels in the north.

Algeria, a military dominated state, is ill-positioned to give lessons to Mali on political transition and military rule, Malian analysts say.

An authoritarian country and rentier economy, such as Algeria, whose presidential elections turnout in key regions such as Kabylie was near zero has no lessons to give to its neighbors, Sahel observers say.

Algerias reaction to a Malian sovereign decision to abandon a peace accord that has never worked also reflects that Algerias mediation was more about self-serving and postponing implosion in northern Mali than about finding a lasting peace.
Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have announced their withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), dealing a hard blow to France and the Algerian regime which is serving the agenda of the former French colonial power in the region.

In a joint statement released Sunday, the three Sahel countries said they took a sovereign decision of quitting the regional bloc after it drifted away from the ideals of its founding fathers and the spirit of Pan-Africanism.

The military rulers of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger said ECOWAS under the influence of foreign powers has betrayed its founding principles, becoming a threat to member states and peoples.

They accused the regional economic bloc, set up in 1975, of failing to help them address insecurity and jihadist terror, while imposing illegal, illegitimate, inhumane and irresponsible sanctions.

The three countries had already been suspended from ECOWAS after military coups took place in Niger in July 2023, Burkina Faso in 2022, and Mali in 2020.

According to some experts, their withdrawal from the regional bloc buries once for all the Algeria-Nigeria gas pipeline project, while the Moroccan-Nigerian project is gaining momentum driven by the African Atlantic cooperation project spearheaded by King Mohammed VI.

Within the frame of South-South solidarity-based cooperation, the Moroccan Sovereign has launched lately an international initiative to enable Sahel countries (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali and Niger) to have access to the Atlantic Ocean, a project that will transform the economies of these landlocked countries and the entire region.

These combined projects show Moroccos leadership in driving geostrategic changes in Africa for shared prosperity, co-development, regional peace and stability.
The Italy-Africa summit, held under the theme A Bridge for Common Growth, kicked off on Monday in Rome, with the participation of Aziz Akhannouch, Moroccos Head of Government, who is representing King Mohammed VI at the event.

During the Conference, Italy will share with African countries the guidelines of the Mattei Plan, which Rome intends to draw up with representatives of African governments and present to other European states as a model of cooperation and development on an equal footing.

The Italy-Africa Summit represents an opportunity to strengthen the foundations of this relationship, which is based on the main pillars of food security, culture and training, energy security, economic and infrastructural development, the fight against human trafficking and terrorism, and the governance of legal immigration.

In an opening address, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni underscored the vast potential and wealth of the African continent, particularly in terms of natural and human resources. She emphasized that global foresight cannot ignore Africa. The world cannot gaze into the future without turning its eyes towards Africa, she insisted.

Meloni outlined Italys cooperative vision with Africa, rooted in the Mattei Plan, which she described as an effective and tangible platform for collaboration based on equality. She expressed Italys commitment to creating conditions that enable young Africans to envisage their future in their home countries, thereby addressing the issue of human trafficking.

Antonio Tajani, the Italian Foreign Minister, stressed that Africa holds a position of priority in the foreign policy of Italy, which aspires to establish an effective and win-win partnership, in key areas such as agriculture, renewable energy, infrastructure, and digital and new technologies.

The President of the African Union (AU), Azali Assoumani, acknowledged Italys efficient support to African nations, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. He underlined that Italy as one of the largest investors in Africa, with an investment volume of 24 billion in 2018.

Africa is upbeat about Italys upcoming presidency of the G7 in 2024, anticipating a significant role in bolstering investments and infrastructure in low-income countries, Azali Assoumani said.

President of the AU Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat noted that Africa faces unique challenges in living standards, security, and climate. He commended the Mattei Plan as an effective model reflecting Europes concrete commitment to assisting Africa.

The Italy-Africa Summit marks a pivotal moment in the Italian governments ongoing efforts, initiated since it took office. The summit is part of a broader journey that includes bilateral meetings and the Conference on Development and Migration held in Rome in July, launching the Rome Process.

The upcoming Italian Presidency of the G7 in 2024 will continue this journey, with Africa being a central theme. The summit serves as a forum for high-level institutional discussions, focusing on responses to shared challenges in security, stability, and growth, translating these discussions into concrete initiatives.

The summit will delve into five main themes, namely Cooperation, Economic Development, and Infrastructure, Professional Training and Cultural Promotion, Migration Flows and Counterterrorism, Challenges of Food Security, and Energy Security.
Two Business Forums are held this Monday in Barcelona and Tuesday in Bilbao to discuss ways of strengthening the investment dynamic between Morocco and Spain.

The forums, bringing together over two hundred Moroccan and Catalan and Basque business leaders, are part of the implementation of the Morocco-Spain Joint Declaration drawn up in April 2022 after the meeting between King Mohammed VI and president of the Spanish Government, Pedro Sanchez.

The economic meetings attest to the shared desire to further strengthen, encourage, and catalyze existing investment opportunities for the business communities of both countries. They also reflect the strength of diplomatic relations and the renewed economic partnership between Morocco and Spain.

The program also includes several working meetings with Spanish business leaders in key sectors, including the automotive industry, aeronautics, railways, renewable energies, household appliances, textiles, and pharmaceuticals.

Addressing the opening of the high-level business meeting in Barcelona on the theme of Investing in Morocco, a competitive bet to explore new markets, Spains Secretary of State for Industry, Rebeca Mariola Torro Soler, highlighted the importance of her countrys economic relations with Morocco, noting that the Kingdom is standing out as a priority country for the development and international expansion of Spanish companies.

Morocco enjoys a favorable investment environment and is standing out as a destination of choice for international investment in the industrial and energy sectors, noted Soler.

Thanks to its skilled workforce, favorable business climate and the development of its emerging sectors, Morocco has enormous investment potential and offers significant opportunities for the Spanish entrepreneurial fabric, said the Spanish official, noting that the two countries, friends and neighbors, are determined to explore all development possibilities and take advantage of successful synergies.

We want to be the investor of reference in Morocco, insisted Soler, expressing her governments determination to push ahead with investment programs in the North African Kingdom.

She also recalled that Spain is Moroccos leading trading partner, with 17,600 Spanish companies exporting their products to the Kingdom, and that thanks to dialogue and ongoing bilateral cooperation, these figures will grow in the future.

Chakib Alj, chairman of the Moroccan Employers Association (CGEM), on his part said all the conditions are in place to take Moroccan-Spanish trade cooperation to an even higher level, noting that trade relations between the two countries are marked by an extremely positive dynamic and political will, proximity, favorable business environments, enormous economic complementarities and an astonishing and confirmed enthusiasm on the part of business leaders.

Morocco is experiencing an extremely positive dynamic. Our country is gaining in importance as a regional economic powerhouse, well positioned as a gateway to Africa and a springboard to Europe, said the CGEM chairman, recalling that over the past 25 years, under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, the Kingdom has put in place a solid base for trade and investment, with first-rate infrastructure.

Morocco, he added, also has a reservoir of young, qualified and highly competitive talents, with an average age of 29 years compared to 44.4 years in Europe, 180,000 university graduates per year, including 19,000 graduates in engineering, and a competitive, quality workforce.

The Kingdom offers a favorable environment for domestic and foreign investors, with multiple investment subsidy programs, including a new Investment Charter, a tailor-made government support package for strategic projects and easy access to R&D, Alj stressed. These measures are supported by special economic zones that facilitate installation and operations, as well as a secure environment for foreign investors, he said.

Catalonia offers excellent investment and co-investment prospects for Moroccan companies, and vice versa, he pointed out, adding that this autonomous Spanish community boasts one of the most competitive economies in southern Europe, accounting for 25% of Spanish industry.

In addition to its strategic position, its strong industrial ecosystem and its dynamic community of entrepreneurs and talent, Catalonia is now recognized as one of the worlds centers of R&D and technology, opening up further opportunities for growth and prosperity, he said.

Minister in charge of Investment, Convergence and Public Policy Evaluation, Mohcine Jazouli, who is leading the Moroccan delegation surveyed the assets offered by Morocco in terms of an innovative Investment Charter; a world-class infrastructure, citing the Tanger Med port, the leading container port in the Mediterranean and Africa; a young and skilled workforce, perfectly trained to meet the demands of the labor market; over 50 free-trade agreements signed by Morocco that provides access to a consumer market of 2.5 billion people, in addition to strengthened traditional industries, notably agri-food, pharmaceuticals and tourism, and stimulated emerging sectors, including the automotive industry and aerospace.

A pioneer of the green transition, Morocco is proud to be the leading producer of renewable energy on the African continent, and is strategically placed to take advantage of the reorganization of value chains and to play a key role in global decarbonization efforts.

Morocco, located at the crossroads of the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, naturally evolves as a regional investment hub and serves as a major gateway to Africa, he said.

The Moroccan delegation will visit Bilbao on Tuesday for talks with members of the Basque Business Confederation (CONFEBASK) on various topics relating to Basque investment in Morocco.

Visits are also scheduled to landmark production units of the Basque industry, as well as working sessions with members of the Spanish rail ecosystem association MAFEX.
Judge Frank Aguilar listens during a hearing in the 228th District Criminal Court on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse in Houston. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer

Harris County prosecutors asked Judge Frank Aguilar to step down from domestic violence cases involving seven defendants, citing his New Years Eve arrest involving similar accusations at his Galveston property, records show.

The recusal requests were filed last Monday, about three weeks after Aguilars arrest in connection with the alleged assault of his girlfriend of more than a year and before Galveston County prosecutors accepted the misdemeanor assault charge against him. By the weeks end, Aguilar, the elected judge in the 228th District Court, declined to recuse himself in each of the cases and has since referred the matter to the Eleventh Administrative Judicial Region of Texas to decide whether he should continue to preside over them.

CASE EXPLAINER: What to know about Harris County Judge Frank Aguilar following Galveston arrest

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No decision has been made as of Monday and more recusal motions are anticipated, officials said.

Aguilar remained on the bench Monday, handling the courts docket. His defense attorney, Mark Diaz, did not respond to a request for comment.

One could infer from these circumstances that Judge Aguilars alleged criminal conduct could cause a reasonable person to harbor a reasonable doubt as to his impartiality, wrote Meagan Scott, a general litigation prosecutor for the Harris County District Attorneys Office. "Under these circumstances, Judge Aguilar should recuse himself."

The felony cases with denied recusal requests that the Chronicle reviewed were filed before Aguilars arrest and involve choking allegations similar to what Galveston law enforcement accused him of. In one case, a man with a history of domestic violence choked his girlfriend until she was unconscious, according to court records. When she woke up, her hands were tied behind her back.

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A man put his hands around his girlfriends neck and pointed a gun at her days earlier in another case where prosecutors have sought a recusal.

Barbie Brashear, executive director of the Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council, has called on Aguilar to be removed from handling cases similar to the one against him in his court. She cited a 2010 domestic violence charge against Aguilar, which prompted a jurys acquittal, as a possible pattern of behavior.

She warned that choking starts causing a range of problems, such as seizures and loss of consciousness, within seconds.

This is not the first case for him, Brashear said. It leads me to question how someone can practice from a place from judicial unbias and judicial unfairness when they themselves had their own pattern in their history.

Court records do not indicate when Aguilar will be required to appear in a Galveston court.

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Aguilar's domestic violence accusation

The judges Dec. 31 arrest happened around 3:30 a.m. as the couple celebrated her birthday with others in the 9600 block of Teichman Road, where Aguilar owns a property, according to a search warrant affidavit. When police officers arrived, they suspected that Aguilar was intoxicated and that he had attacked her. The officers saw blood coming from the womans nose and marks on her neck from a possible assault.

The woman told police that Aguilar punched her repeatedly and held his foot to her neck in their kitchen, according to the court document. She was unable to breathe for about a minute, but at some point, managed to say she couldnt breathe, the search warrant continued.

The judge, in his own account, said the woman was "highly intoxicated" and throwing beer cans throughout the home and at him, court records show. He declined to tell the officer how the woman was injured.

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The judge was absent from the bench for several days after his arrest.
So sad. Truly unfortunate. Poor things. Ugh, thoughts and prayers.

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What the heck kind of surgery could she have gotten that would require being hospitalized for 2 weeks?

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In America it's hard to imagine - I had "major abdominal surgery" when I had c-sections and I was out after 3 nights

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Same and the NHS sent me home after 2 nights, but Im grateful, loved being in my own home, I was counting down the minutes.

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I donated a kidney and they discharged me after 2 days. Now I live in Portugal and they hospitalized me overnight because I had a bad flu. It's amazing how used to substandard care we Americans have become.

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Bizzare! On the NHS, no way would you be in for 2 weeks. I had a family member that had open heart surgery and was out in a week!



Edited at 2024-01-29 03:28 pm (UTC)

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Bowel resection.



My mom was in the hospital for about that length.



Your bowels freeze after the surgery and they don't let you leave the hospital until you poop, to prove that your bowels are working again.

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BBL- British butt lift

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Maybe some minor complication from the surgery required ax extended stay?

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My mom just had emergency abdominal surgery (large bowel) and will be in for almost 2 weeks by the time she gets out

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I was in the hospital for a week from my gallbladder because I was dying before surgery and then had some complications after surgery haha.

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Could be Chrones and a bowel dissection, and maybe they were going to do another procedure while there. Theres so much unknown like there could be a bleeding disorder or condition that necessitates more monitoring etc

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I KNOW its none of our business but my curiosity will kill me if she ends up never revealing what this surgery was lol

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I wonder what it was?

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Some kind of surgery in her digestive tract, like a bowel resection is my best speculation.



Doctors generally want you out of the hospital ASAP because risk of infection is way higher in the hospital than at home.



But for bowel surgeries, you have to stay in until you poop. lol. It takes a while for you digestive tract to get up and running again after a surgery like that (also it's a ROUGH recovery) and the doctors need to see that it's working before they let you go home. AKA you gotta poop. And that can take a while post-op.

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My mom was in for a like a week for the same surgery, but it's possible it could be stretched to 2

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yeah it really depends. my mom has had 2 bowel resections and she was in for like 10 days for one and 12 for another. she had a rough recovery so like. idk. it's the only surgery i can think of that would require a stay like that.



but i'm not a doctor



so.

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what necessitates a bowel resection? I can only guess cancer.

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I think for mine (I've had two) they wouldn't let me eat until I could pass gas. I don't remember what my criteria for release was the first time because sepsis and trauma and whatnot, but considering I was up and walking around sooner than I should have been they kicked me out in a week and a half after surgery. The doctor did straight up tell me they should probably have kept me in at least a few more days, but I was clearly climbing the walls.

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Welp. New fear unlocked.

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Woa! I didn't know risk of infections was higher in hospitals, always thought they were the safest place in regards to that.

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Also like KP says it was "planned" but "planned" here clearly just means she wasn't rushed from the emergency department to an operating theater. Because 2 overseas trips that had been announced just in the previous couple of weeks had to be canceled/rescheduled. So like, clearly this hasn't been on the books for months.



I hope Kate's able to recover well at home now and I'm glad she was able to discharged without the media snapping pics of her.

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yeah they've definitely been downplaying all of this. "planned" could mean like an hour or two in advance.

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I'm pretty confident they would extend the time she was in there to be absolutely sure, regardless of what it was, but good news it seems to have gone well and she is progressing.

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2 weeks in hospital sounds like a rough recovery. Also, tough when you have young kids. They want to be ON you all the time.

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Maybe thats part of why she stayed that long, knowing her kids, especially Louis at his age, would accidentally get too rough on her.

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I'm not sure about any of this but my best friend is getting a sort of complicated hysterectomy soon and the hospital also told her that she will require a two week hospital stay just in case. And she is just the most average run of the mill citizen here..

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My thoughts were abdominal hysterectomy because of the recovery time.

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I had a total hysterectomy and spent a whole day in the hospital. But I'm just a poor American. lol

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This was also my immediate thought. Because if they publish that Charles has prostate issues (which is already something that many men are very embarrassed about) but not what she got surgery for, it has to be something that's generally considered even more sensitive. And for a woman in these conservative circles, who's main/only purpose traditionally is to produce heirs, I think it would have to be something related to reproduction for them to be extra hush hush about.

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TIL Kate Middleton's first name is spelled with a C.

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Back when she was getting married, Charles and Camilla asked her to change her name to Katherine so that there wouldnt be another C name in the family. She politely declined.

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Lol theyre so ridiculous and self-absorbed!

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or they could have changed their names to Kharles and Kamilla.

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Oh my GOD, what? What a fucking ridiculous thing to think about/have an opinion on. Jesus.

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There was a rumor years ago that William referred to her as "Kate" around his family, but then when Kate met them she swiftly corrected Philip for it. Supposedly that did not go over well with the family.

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i understand the speculation on what this is but i hate it too and am falling prey to it myself

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For the sake of her kids, Im glad that shes home and is seemingly recovering well. I know from personal experience how stressful it is to have a parent in the hospital for a long time and my experience comes without media scrutiny.

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I saw a post saying Charlie is at the same hospital and that he might even visit Kate and everyone was like omg so thoughtful, their bond is so special and it was insane

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I think there was reporting that he did go visit her. IMO it's because Buckingham Palace is keen to portray a strong relationship between C&C and the Waleses so they can be seen as a united front.

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I've already seen plenty of conspiracy theories on Twitter about her hospital stay...

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LOL ME TOO



some ppl need to go touch grass

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oh god. so what "really" happened?

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Things I've seen:



1. She's getting a Mommy Makeover

2. She's making this a bigger deal than it is so that she can do even less work.

3. (this one is my favorite) The British Media wrote the articles about the problems with the charity that Harry is a board member of (like... serious problems... rangers raping and torturing women) in order to distract from Kate's medical issues.



PLEASE, get a grip, internet people!

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1- Kate had a mental breakdown and had to be hospitalized and they'll take this chance to make her disappear from the public eye because William wants a divorce 2- She is an alcoholic and needed to undergo treatment 3- She has an ED and needed to undergo treatment Take your pick, these are the ones I've seen

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Taylor secretly stabbed her

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I've seen speculation in comments on here too, and it makes me uncomfortable. People are being weird just because she doesn't want to disclose what her surgery was for, but that's something she should have the right to keep private if she wants to.

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Probably one of the worst parts of being a public figure, people speculating about your medical issues and fearing having them leak so having to get ahead of it, truly no one's business.

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FUCKING FINALLY

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Haha how did I end up tagging one direction? Whoops. Changed to Olympics!

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Lol I see it! Gave me a good chuckle, thank you! 

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lol youre welcome! I tried to remove it but I guess you cant 

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Come on Canada! 

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so is there going to be a legitimate ban on russian athletes yet? since they're clearly still doping while competing as ROC.

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I thought they were banned anyway at the moment but apparently the IOC is going to let them compete under a neutral banner

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it took an invasion for them to get barred.

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oh yes i read that the doping suspension was done but they're now banned for the invasion.. hm.

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OMG YES!!!!!!!!!!!! I really did not think this day would ever come, or that they would ACTUALLY disqualify her. Eat shit, Eteri! Apparently, one of the desperate, stupid stories they threw out there placed the blame on Kamila's dog. I wish Eteri would be banned permanently, but that will never happen.

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Her dog??? What

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Her dog spiked her oatmeal with the grandfathers heart medication

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but is her coach banned? that's what I'd really like to know. cause unless she's penalized, she's just gonna keep doing this.

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"Contaminated by her grandfather's heart medication" is a WILD excuse. It's almost poetic in its total absurdity.

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Whomp Whomp! Quit doping your athletes!

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It's the right decision. I do feel bad for her because those coaches are awful. They treat their athletes like dirt and they should be banned from the sport imo

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I had no idea this whole drama was still going on.



Shouldn't the coach be held responsible as well?

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As far as I know the authorities havent been able to demonstrate where the drugs came from. She has accepted accountability under the doctrine the athlete is responsible for what goes into their body. So unless she and others turn whistleblower they dont bring a case against the coach.

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WADA released a statement saying they are urging governments to make the doping of minors a criminal offense- going after doctors and coaches

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Contaminated by her grandfathers heart medication 



LOL



I vaguely remember this. I feel for her cause shes just a kid so this is a lot to deal at such a young age but lol bye at that excuse!!



On one hand good that USA, JPN, and CAN will get upgraded but really sucks they couldnt enjoy this at the actual Olympics :(





Edited at 2024-01-29 05:06 pm (UTC)

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Did she ingest her grandfather's medication? What a weird excuse.

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I think they were trying to argue she drank from his glass or something, it was absurd

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Maybe they're a bird family. Chews the food and spits it out before the next person eats it.

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we don't know what they're going to do with the olympic medals yet. there's a good chance gold gets vacated and the US and japan still get silver and bronze respectively

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Ahh yeah the reporting on this was a bit confusing when I made the post! But yes its up to the IOC. Thank you for the clarification!

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Three hours now since the CAS Valieva decision and the Intl Skating Union, the group that decides the medal order, is not answering emails and has gone silent. Im hearing they were totally unprepared for todays announcement. It would be laughable if it werent so pathetic.  Christine Brennan (@cbrennansports) January 29, 2024 apparently the ISU is was taken aback by the news and aren't answering calls or emails about it. lol

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Yeah, I feel like itll be a long while till theyll actually make a decision but hopefully, they let the teams be presented with their current medals for now

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Vacate? Do they hate upgrading medals or something?





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I can see why the media is trying to force their hand by reporting it this way

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contaminated by her grandfathers heart medication



That never happens. Like ever.

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I feel bad for her. She was a child.

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This is one of the reasons why I would be hugely in favour of the participation age being raised to 18 across the board for athletes to compete at senior eligibility - youre putting children into a position where they are being held to the same accountability as adults. Coaches often have as much or more influence as parents on young athletes, the power imbalance is huge. It would also prevent the burn out thats been so prevalent in sports like figure skating and in some gymnastics federations, where they are peaking at 15/16 and broken by 20 because theyve been hothoused.

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She is 17 NOW! So she was only 14/15 during the games in 2022, I guess. I feel bad for her, OMG

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I remember watching and she looked miserable the whole time, with her stern handlers around her.

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China and Russia aren't the only countries being given a "pass" from Yemen's Houthi rebels, but Saudi Arabia is also exporting crude oil through the Red Sea as if in perfectly normal times (well, almost).

At a moment that especially Western and any and all Israeli-linked vessels are being targeted by rocket and drone attacks out of Yemen, the head of Aramcos refining, oil trading and marketing division Mohammed Al Qahtani has confirmed to Bloomberg, "Were moving in the Red Sea with our oil and products cargoes." He added that the risks remain "manageable".

As we've been chronicling, a who's who of major tanker and container shipping companies have halted their Red Sea transit, instead opting for the much longer journey around the Cape of Good Hope in Africa. This typically adds some $1 million to the total transport bill for a tanker, LSEG Shipping Research data shows.

Bloomberg's analysis shows that even at this very moment in which US warships are coming under fire, Saudi transit through the vital waterway is alive and well:

In the first half of January, Aramco shipped as much crude from its Red Sea terminal at Yanbu northwards toward Europe as it did in the whole of the previous month, vessel tracking data compiled by Bloomberg show.

That is also giving us huge access and optionality, Qahtani said. We are assessing that almost on a daily basis.

Still, like the rest of the industry, Aramco is having to deal with fewer vessels willing to travel into the Red Sea and higher insurance costs for doing so.

In what was no doubt meant as a message adding insult to injury to the Israel-friendly Western allies, the Iran-linked Houthis starting over a week ago declared that Chinese and Russian-flagged or owned vessels would not be attacked in the Red Sea.

On January 19 a senior Houthi official, Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, mentioned these US rivals by name in an interview with the Russian outlet Izvestia. "As for all other countries, including Russia and China, their shipping in the region is not threatened," he said, stipulating this will remain in effect as long as they are not linked to Israel or its supporters.

Some of the vessels which have come under attack thus far actually have connection to various dozens of countries which aren't necessarily backing Israel's assault on Gaza (though these ships may have been headed toward Israeli ports), but ships with Russian or Chinese ownership, or deep ties, have yet to be attacked.

The US-UK coalition patrolling the Red Sea has at this point launched at least eight or nine significant rounds of airstrikes against Houthi positions, but this appears to have only deepened Houthi resolve.

As for Russia and China, they've been foremost among Washington's powerful rivals to criticize Israel's mass bombing of the Gaza Strip. They both have close ties with Iran, as well as with Assad's Syria, and China is busy inking multi-billion dollar infrastructure and energy deals with Iraq. Of course, these 'defiant' countries (Syria and Iran) are under US sanctions as well.

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Iran and Saudi Arabia recently achieved rapprochement and established diplomatic ties, which perhaps explains why Riyadh is now getting a 'free pass'.

By Zerohedge.com

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The upstream industry hopes 2024 can be a bounce-back year for high-impact oil and gas drilling after a lackluster 2023, with Africa and Latin America likely to spearhead activities. Rystad Energy has identified 36 potential high-impact wells to be drilled or spud in 2024, the highest annual total since we started tracking the market in 2015. This would be a sizeable jump from the 27 high-impact wells drilled last year, and operators will hope for a better success rate.

Of these 36 potentially significant wells, 13 are in Africa and 10 in Latin America, accounting for almost 64% of the global total. Explorers will drill six of these in Asia, two each in the Middle East, Europe and North America and one in Oceania, with TotalEnergies planned exploration in Papua New Guinea.

Only eight of the 27 high-impact wells drilled in 2023 resulted in commercially movable volumes, a success rate of less than 30%, well below the annual average of 42%. These wells discovered volumes of 1 billion barrels of oil equivalent (boe), a sharp decline from the 3.5 billion boe found in 2022. These high-impact wells accounted for 20% of the 5 billion boe discovered by all exploration activities globally last year. To make matters worse, 2023 was an expensive year, with drilling costs rising due to a significantly tighter rig market than in prior years, worsening the blow of a low success rate. Related: US Oil, Gas Drillers Add 1 More Rig As Production Plummets

Rystad Energy classifies high-impact wells through a combination of factors, including the size of the prospect, whether they would unlock new hydrocarbon resources in frontier areas or emerging basins and their significance to an operators strategy.

Despite disappointing results in 2023, the exploration industry remains confident that fortunes can turn around this year. Drillers are still investing in frontier, emerging and play-opening areas to find volumes, but they are more targeted in their exploration strategies. Companies are deprioritizing any short-term pay-off in favor of multi-year plans and focusing on wells that best fit their long-term vision. This is a fundamental shift in the market and is unlikely to change even if 2024 success remains muted, says Taiyab Zain Shariff, vice president of upstream research at Rystad Energy.

Of the high-impact wells planned this year, 14 will be drilled in frontier and emerging basins, with three opening up new plays entirely. So, despite a disappointing 2023, many operators continue exploring new plays and focusing on frontier regions. Eight planned high-impact wells target prospective offshore resources of more than 430 million boe and considerable prospective onshore resources of more than 230 million boe. The remaining 11 wells are strategically relevant for their respective operators, meaning exploration success would help them gain traction in the region or inform future operational decisions. If all planned wells proceed as scheduled, 2024 would see the highest number of high-impact wells drilled in at least 10 years, since we started tracking these wells in 2015.

The oil and gas majors  BP, Chevron, Eni, ExxonMobil, Shell and TotalEnergies  typically dominate high-impact well drilling, which will continue in 2024. About 16 (44%) of the total wells planned will be drilled by these companies, with TotalEnergies planning five, Shell three, and Chevron, Eni and ExxonMobil targeting two each. Most drilling will be undertaken in the Atlantic margin and Asian waters. National oil companies (NOCs) and internationally focused NOCs (INOCs) will account for eight (22%) of this years planned wells, with upstream operators responsible for 17% and smaller operators for the remainder.

Around 70% of African wells will be drilled in frontier and emerging basins or will open new plays. Important frontier wells include in the Red Sea offshore Egypt, in the Angoche Basin offshore Mozambique and in the Namibe Basin offshore Angola.

High-impact drilling in the Americas will be primarily focused on Latin America and dominated by wells that hold significance for each operators long-term goals rather than frontier basins. Only two of the 12 wells planned in the Americas are in North America, with one each in the US and Canada. In Latin America, a frontier well planned for offshore Argentina would be the first drilled well in the Argentine Basin. ExxonMobil also plans to drill a frontier well in the Orphan Basin offshore Canada.

A total of six high-impact wells are planned in Asia this year, including ultra-deepwater offshore drilling in Indonesia and Malaysia, the opening of Indias Andaman Basin and a potentially resource-rich well offshore China.

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By Rystad Energy

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Last year, the Biden administration issued the green light for ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) $8 billion Willow project in Alaska, ending the companys long wait much to the consternation and chagrin of environmentalists. ConocoPhillips is the largest crude producer in Alaska and also the largest owner of exploration leases, with extensive holdings in Prudhoe and the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A).

Whereas the Willow project has frequently garnered the lions share of attention and media coverage, another, even bigger, Alaskan energy project has been flying under the radar: the $43B state-led Alaska LNG project. Skeptics have been quick to point out that 2023 was yet another dry year for the ambitious project with no major deals or investments announced by the Alaska Gasline Development Corp., or AGDC. Things came to a head on Monday after Alaska Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavys administration presented the Senate Finance Committee with a $4.5 million budget request for the project, only to be met with pushback and sharp questions by three members of the committee.

In my eight years of being a legislator, I dont think theyve inked one investment. And so is this a good use of those funds?Or do we need a change in leadership over there? posed Wasilla Republican Sen. David Wilson.

For decades, elected leaders have dreamed about building a natural gas pipeline akin to Alyeska Pipeline Service Company's 800-mile long trans-Alaska oil pipeline, that could export gas to markets outside of the state, provide cheaper heating fuel for Alaska residents and generate thousands of construction jobs. Related: US Oil, Gas Drillers Add 1 More Rig As Production Plummets

Geared toward exports to Asian markets, the idea of the project was first mooted by Republican former Gov. Sean Parnell more than a decade ago and his successors, including Dunleavy, have continued to advocate for it. When complete, the project will source its gas from the enormous Prudhoe Bay and Point Thomson oil fields owned by ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil Corp. (NYSE:XOM) and Hilcorp.

A 800-mile gas pipeline would then run south to the Kenai Peninsula, where a LNG plant would liquefy the gas before loading onto tankers bound for Asia. North Slope fields are expected to deliver ~3.5 billion cubic feet of gas per day, enough to meet a quarter of Japans gas consumption.

Unfortunately, that dream has never been realized with the project struggling to assemble the necessary combination of oil companies willing to sell their gas at a competitive price, investors and customers despite the state spending hundreds of dollars in public funds on the project. The project is eligible for tens of billions of dollars in federal loan guarantees. Its not for lack of trying, though. Alaskas statewide elected officials have intensified their efforts to push the project ever since Russia invaded Ukraine two years ago. In 2022, Republican U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan pushed Alaska LNG to potential investors and buyers in Asia, with help from Rahm Emanuel, U.S. ambassador to Japan.

Currently, the project is trying to find investors or partners to provide the $150 million that AGDC needs to finish the engineering and design work required before a final investment decision (FID) can be made. AGDC is offering ownership of more than half of Alaska LNG to fund the entire project, with construction costs to be largely funded by investors or gas buyers.

Unfortunately, so far, nobody has been willing to bite. Back in July, the Wall Street Journal reported that potential customers in Japan and South Korea were looking at more competitive LNG projects elsewhere.

Nonetheless, multiple sources familiar with the nitty gritty of the project have revealed that two companies are seriously looking into it. The first is Venture Global LNG, a successful startup company with an operating LNG export plant in Louisiana. The company is, however, currently facing serious legal jeopardy with Shell Plc. (NYSE:SHEL) and BP Plc (NYSE:BP) among three companies seeking billions from the company through arbitration for what they claim is failure to fulfill previously negotiated long-term contracts with the European energy giants. On its part, Venture Global has defended itself by saying its under no obligation to fulfill those contracts until its export plant is complete and fully online.

The other company is Hanwha, a South Korean company with global operations that allegedly met with the Alaskan governor last year.

However, these claims cannot be verified after officials from Venture Global and Hanwha failed to respond to requests for comment.

Meanwhile, Joey Merrick, a prominent Alaska labor union leader, says hes leading a new group thats pitching AGDC on a potential investment in the project. Merrick says hes working with Fengate, an asset management business, and Ullico Inc., a labor-aligned insurance and investment company. Dubbed Alaska Gasline & LNG, Merrick claims his new company has access to the $150 million needed to advance Alaska LNG to its next stage.

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Were trying to, basically, take control of the project and work with AGDC and move it to the next stepIm very optimistic. I think this is exactly what the state needs  something to be able to give us some cheaper energy, and something to be able to get us a little income in a different way, Merrick has said.

By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com

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After reading Art Berman's excellent summary of how fast-growing U.S. natural gas exports are likely to reduce domestic supplies significantly over the next several years as shale gas output begins to decline, I want to assure you that everything has been going according to plan for the natural gas industry, that is, until now.

On Friday the Biden Administration announced a freeze on new permits for liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facilities that could last up to 15 months. The administration said that during the freeze it will review the environmental effects of such exports on climate and the communities in which the facilities are located. It is also possible that despite the industry's assurances, the administration may believe that supply problems and therefore higher prices lie ahead, something that voters won't like.

When U.S. oil and gas producers successfully lobbied the federal government for an end to restrictions on the export of crude oil and natural gas in the middle of the last decade, they loudly proclaimed that America could produce so much of both from the country's shale fields that the United States would have plenty left over for exportand that would boost the American economy while addressing the country's trade imbalance. They promised that this boom would go on for decades.

Of course, what those producers were really angling for was to integrate domestic oil and gas markets more fully with world markets in order to benefit from higher world prices and make a lot more money. In fairness, what they were asking for is what almost every other industry in the United States enjoys, the right to sell their products to the highest bidders no matter where those customers are on the globe.

Naturally, that argument would not have appealed to members of Congress whose constituents prefer low energy prices to high ones, so it was never advanced with any vigor.

We are now a decade into the U.S. experiment with largely unrestricted exports of oil and natural gas and as Berman suggests, the boom is leveling off and setting up for what looks like a decline. I'm focusing on natural gas in this piece, but you can read Berman's excellent coverage of the approaching decline in U.S. oil production here and here.

For context, the U.S. oil market was already integrated into the world market before the changes in U.S. policy except for a restriction on crude oil exports that tended to suppress domestic crude oil prices. U.S. refiners had long been allowed to export as much finished product (gasoline, diesel, etc.) as they liked.

Natural gas producers, however, were generally unable to access the world market as their gas was delivered by pipeline to domestic customers and to some customers in Canada and Mexico. This kept U.S. natural gas prices much lower than world prices for many years. So, the change in policy is having a much bigger effect on natural gas prices.

As the international LNG market expanded dramatically, U.S. gas producers saw their opportunity. If they could only get their gas turned into LNG, it could be shipped to higher-paying customers abroad. The more gas that went abroad as LNG, the higher prices would be for U.S. consumers and ultimately for LNG exporters, a double win for domestic producers.

The move has led to mixed results. This is in part because U.S. natural gas producers have shot themselves in the foot showing little discipline and overproducing. (The reason is often that the wells are drilled with borrowed money and therefore the producers must sell all the gas they can produce to pay back their creditors rather than wait for better prices.) There have been periods when U.S. natural gas prices jumped in the past 10 years, but those prices are currently stuck at levels reminiscent of the 1990s. World LNG prices, however, remain consistently and considerably above U.S. prices.

This differential has been driving a huge expansion in U.S. LNG export facilities, facilities that are likely to double the combined export capacity of the United States, Canada and Mexico by 2027, according to the the U.S. Energy Information Administration (if that expansion is allowed to proceed). Including all three countries in any assessment of LNG exports makes sense because of the dense network of natural gas pipelines that connect them and therefore affect the supply of natural gas available in all three.

It's important to understand that LNG delivery contracts usually run for 20 to 30 years. The customers receiving LNG are unwilling to invest the billions it costs to build and run a regasification facility without being guaranteed a consistent supply of LNG. That means that most of the natural gas leaving American shores cannot simply be held back and kept at home if America's natural gas supplies get low. And, some of those contracts are with America's gas-hungry allies in Europe. So, declaring a national emergency and depriving those allies of contracted natural gas supplies would have major geopolitical implications.

It now appears that the Biden administration may have figured all this out. The ostensible reason for the just announced moratorium on the permitting of new LNG export facilities is, of course, the environmental effects on climate and communities hosting LNG export sites. It seems likely, however, that someone whispered into the administration's ear something about the possibility of much higher domestic prices in the coming years if the U.S. LNG export juggernaut is allowed to continue.

Given the uncertainties surrounding U.S. production of both oil and natural gas, it seems likely that the United States will start putting more emphasis on making sure enough domestic production remains in the country to meet domestic demand and, in the case of natural gas, to keep prices down. (U.S. oil prices will continue to be linked to world prices under pretty much any scenario except price controls or extraordinary new export restrictions, both of which seem unlikely.)

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My guess is it will take a major crisis for U.S. export policies to actually go into reverse (rather than merely halt the expansion of exports as the Biden administration is considering). Producers have until then to maximize their gains before the curtain falls on the current U.S. export system that is now plumping up their profits.

By Kurt Cobb via Resource Insights

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Canadas western provinces have been hit by the worst drought in years and provincial utilities are getting into losses as their hydropower generating capacities are lower amid low reservoir levels.

In British Columbia, drought in the past year has forced BC Hydro to draw water for hydropower generation from the least affected areas and to import electricity, executives have told Bloomberg.

British Columbias utility corporation has been importing more electricity from neighboring Alberta and from some western U.S. states. No blackouts are expected but electricity imports have increased in recent months.

These are steps we will continue to take in the coming months, BC Hydro spokesman Kyle Donaldson told Bloomberg, describing the drought conditions as historic.

Last year, BC Hydro said in October that it prepares year-round and has stepped up its vegetation management program in recent years given the drought and weather-related challenges.

Although BC Hydros smaller plants on the South Coast have recovered, its larger facilities in the north and southeast of the province are still at lower-than-normal reservoir water levels for this time of year, the company said at the time.

BC Hydro is taking steps to actively manage the drought, including conserving water by drawing on less impacted regions and importing more power  a common activity during low water years.

During the record peak hourly electricity demand in the cold snap in the middle of January 2024, BC Hydro said that Though the historic drought has impacted some of BC Hydros largest reservoirs  the source of water for the clean power it generates  in the north and southeast of the province, its team has been planning in real-time for over a year to manage these conditions.

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According to data from the federal government, Canada is the second-largest producer of hydroelectricity in the world. Hydropower generation has typically accounted for around 60% of the countrys electricity supply, with British Columbia and Manitoba the key hydropower-generating provinces.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Italy is creating a $5.95 billion (5.5 billion euro) fund to boost its energy ties with Africa and support healthcare and education there in a bid to stem migrant flows from North Africa to Italian shores, Italys right-wing Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Monday.

Meloni unveiled the funding plan, dubbed Mattei plan  named after the founder of Italian energy major Eni, Enrico Mattei,  during a summit with dozens of African heads of state and government and EU officials, including Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission.

Energy is one of the five priorities for Italy in Africa, alongside education, healthcare, agriculture, and water resources, Meloni said.

Of the initial $6 billion funding for the Mattei plan, around $3.24 billion (3 billion euros) will come from the Italian climate fund and about $2.7 billion (2.5 billion euros) from resources for development cooperation, the Italian prime minister added.

Europe and Italys energy major Eni have been increasingly betting on Africa to import large volumes of pipeline gas and LNG to replace pipeline gas supply from Russia, which was Europes top gas supplier before the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Eni has been particularly active in securing more natural gas supply for Europe from Africa and has fast-tracked projects in Africa to meet Europes gas demand in the absence of Russian pipeline deliveries.

Early last year, Enis chief executive Claudio Descalzi told the Financial Times in an interview that Europe should look to Africa for a south-north energy axis that would deliver gas from Africa to the EU.

At the announcement of the 2022 results in February 2023, Descalzi said, During the year, we were able to finalize agreements and activities to fully replace Russian gas by 2025, leveraging our strong relationships with producing states and fast-track development approach to ramp-up volumes from Algeria, Egypt, Mozambique, Congo and Qatar.

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Refining margins for naphtha in Asia jumped to their highest level in nearly two years on Monday, following an attack in the Gulf of Aden on a tanker transporting Russian fuel.

The profit for making naphtha, a key feedstock for the petrochemicals industry, jumped in Asia on Monday to a premium of $0.25 over Dubai crude, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

Asian traders were spooked by the attack on the vessel carrying fuel from Russia, after the Iran-aligned Houthis had said earlier this month that Russian shipments were not targets of their attacks in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea.

But the attack on the oil products tanker Marlin Luanda late on Friday showed that even West-operated vessels that have been targeted can sometimes carry Russian fuels.

The Marlin Luanda tanker, operated on behalf of commodity trading giant Trafigura, was transporting Russian naphtha bought below the price cap in line with the G7 sanctions, a spokesperson for Trafigura told Reuters on Friday after the attack.

The petroleum products tanker was struck by a missile in the Gulf of Aden after transiting the Red Sea, Trafigura said late on Friday, adding that firefighting equipment on board was being deployed to suppress and control the fire caused in one cargo tank on the starboard side. No injuries or casualties have been reported, and as of Saturday, the vessel was sailing towards a safe harbor, Trafigura said in its latest update.

The Houthis targeted the Marlin Luanda because it was a UK-linked tanker, a Houthi spokesman has said, noting that the attack was in response to American-British aggression against our country.

The Red Sea/Suez Canal route is the shortest route for tankers from Russias western ports to Asia.

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Since the Houthi attacks near the Red Sea intensified earlier this month, many oil tanker and container ship operators have opted to send the vessels via the longer Cape of Good Hope route around Africa.

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The Biden administration is set to potentially renew sanctions on Venezuelan oil in April after the banning of an opposition candidate for this years presidential elections, Bloomberg reports. The six-month suspension of sanctions on Venezuelan oil ends in April, and the Biden administration may renew all sanctions at that time due to failure to meet the conditions for their lifting.

Last week, opposition leader Maria Corina Machado was blocked from running for president by a court ruling in a move she has referred to as judicial criminality orchestrated by Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.

Machado told media that the courts ruling reflects the fear of Maduro and the ruling party of having to face her in presidential elections. The opposition leader has refused to step out of the race despite being banned, saying that elections will not take place without her, though her leverage here remains unclear.

The deal that saw the Biden administration suspend, for six months, sanctions on Venezuelan oil were on the condition that Maduro cut a deal with the opposition to hold free and fair elections in 2024. Maduro has now broken that deal, though Venezuela was hoping to increase oil production from 786,000 barrels per day to 1 million barrels per day due to sanctions relief, which has also seen Chevron start drilling to boost production.

According to Bloomberg, the Biden administration is likely to renew sanctions once the easing expires on April 18 this year. The easing of sanctions authorized the production, lifting, sale, and exportation of oil or gas from Venezuela, and the provision of related goods and services, as well as payment of invoices for goods or services related to oil or gas sector operations in Venezuela. Authorization is also granted to new investments in oil or gas in Venezuela. Venezuela has the largest oil reserves in the world. Commodity giants jumped back into the Venezuela oil game immediately after sanctions were eased last year,

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In a Monday, May 21, 2018 file photo, Santa Fe High School freshman, Jai Gillard writes messages on each of the 10 crosses representing victims in front the school in Santa Fe, Texas. Steve Gonzales, MBO / Associated Press Warrior Spirit is unveiled as a remembrance of the ten victims, survivors of the Santa Fe shooting during the fifth year anniversary remembrance ceremony and dedication of the Warrior Spirit sculpture at Santa Fe High School on Thursday, May 18, 2023 in Santa Fe. Karen Warren/Staff photographer

Doctors at a Texas prison hospital again have declared the man accused in the 2018 mass shooting at Santa Fe High School incompetent to stand trial.

The declaration revealed in court records submitted Friday to the 56th District Court in Galveston County likely adds another long delay until Dimitrios Pagourtzis capital murder trial can begin.

FAMILIES SEEK JUSTICE: Five years after Santa Fe massacre, relatives still denied records of loved ones' last moments

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Pagourtzis, now 23, was arrested May 18, 2018, at the Galveston County high school where 10 people were killed and 13 others were wounded in a first-period shooting inside an art classroom and school hallway.

Pagourtzis was charged with capital murder of multiple persons and aggravated assault against a public servant.

He has been in custody at a North Texas prison hospital since 2019, when he was first declared mentally incompetent and unable to assist in his own defense.

Booking mug of Dimitrios Pagourtzis, 17, the suspected shooter at Santa Fe High School on May 18, 2018. Credit: Galveston County Sheriff's Office Galveston County Sheriff's Offic/Galveston County Sheriff's Depar

In a civil commitment order filed Friday, Judge Lonnie Cox ordered Pagourtzis be committed and treated for up to another year because he is mentally ill, likely to cause serious harm to others and not able to make a rational and informed decision at to whether to submit to treatment.

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Its the fifth time Pagourtzis has been committed for treatment.

In a statement, Galveston County District Attorney Jack Roady called the new commitment order extremely disappointing and frustrating news.

But the defendant remains confined and subject to these charges of capital murder and aggravated assault of a peace officer, and efforts to restore him to competency continue, Roady said. We remain hopeful and committed to seeing this case tried and justice done.

Details about Pagourtzis mental illness have never been released. Roady anticipated a hearing to be held within the next month where the court will request additional information about Pagourtzis treatment and progress. Its unclear if the hearing will reveal any new information in open court.

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Pagourtzis defense attorney, Nicholas Poehl, also said he was disappointed about the order, and he said it was not surprising.

It grows ever more difficult to see a path forward when the prospects for restoration steadily diminish the longer he remains incompetent, Poehl said. Our prayers are with everyone affected by this tragedy, and we continue to hope for an eventual resolution to this matter.
Crude oil prices started the week with a gain following a drone attack in Jordan that killed three U.S. military servicemen.

The news added to the bullish momentum of continuing Houthi strikes on ships in the Red Sea to push Brent crude well over $80 per barrel, with the benchmark close to touching $84 in midmorning trade in Asia.

West Texas Intermediate moved closer to $80 per barrel following the news of the deadly attack that led many to brace up for further escalation in the latest Middle Eastern conflict.

We believe the death of three U.S. service members today in Jordan marks a critical inflection point in the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and raises a specter of a more substantial U.S. involvement in the war, RBC Capital Markets Helima Croft wrote in a note, as quoted by Reuters.

It does appear that even with any softening were seeing to demand, geopolitics is shaping up so that oil prices could have more upside risk in them, Mizuho Bank Asia chief economist Vishnu Varathan told Bloomberg.

Vandana Hari of Vanda Insights, on the other hand, noted that the price rise could have been more substantial: The question is, why have we not seen Brent shoot up toward $90 or higher? she told Bloomberg. There would need to be a direct hit on a Middle Eastern oil cargo or oil production infrastructure for prices to skyrocket.

Indeed, there was a Houthi strike on a fuel tanker passing through the Gulf of Aden last week but while it helped prices go higher, it was not much higher. But this could yet change.

With oil tankers linked to the U.S. and UK now under threat of attack, the market is likely to reprice the risk of disruptions, analysts from ANZ said in a note quoted by Reuters.

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With severe weather and U.S. and European sanctions hitting Russian oil exports, Moscow has reportedly eased restrictions to allow ports to operate during major storms in order to maintain the pace of exports.

According to a Reuters report, traders interviewed said that there were both technical and environmental risks to the easing of restrictions at Russian ports in order to maintain export revenues.

Reuters cited three unnamed traders as saying that Russian ports had been given unofficial recommendations to load even during a storm and to avoid excessive restrictions when faced with ice in order to ensure that more tankers can load at the ports. Trader testimony said that loadings had continued at a Novorossisk port even in the face of waves as high as three meters.

Additionally, Reuters reported that ice class restrictions at Baltic ports had been eased due to a shortage of tankers as a result of Western sanctions.

Despite the unofficial easing of restrictions, Reuters cited an ecology official as saying that Russia would not be easing requirements for oil loadings from ports under the law.

Last week, 10 million barrels of Russian crude in 14 tankers were reportedly stranded off the coast of South Korea as a result of U.S. sanctions. The U.S. sanctioned multiple vessels and companies transporting Russias Sokol grade from its Sakhalin-1 project. The U.S. continues to attempt to restrict oil revenues for Moscow with sanctions and a G7 price cap implemented more than a year ago.

Despite these efforts, Ukrainian economists estimated that Moscow would see $178 billion in oil revenues last year, while the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air estimates that the sanctions and price cap have so far cost Moscows budget $37 billion in export revenues.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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The oil and gas industry is expected to spend more than $1 trillion on natural gas supply, driven by demand for gas in Europe, climate campaign group Global Witness said on Monday in a new analysis of Rystad Energy data.

The industry is set to invest $223 billion of the projected spending in the supply of natural gas for Europe by 2033, according to Global Witnesss analysis.

Europes gas demand is likely on a structural decline, but the continent needs supply to replace Russian pipeline gas, which was its top source until 2022. Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the slashed Russian deliveries of gas, Europe has turned to LNG and increased pipeline supply from Norway and Africa to meet its demand.

Despite climate and energy experts warnings that any new fossil fuel production will push the world beyond 1.5C heating, $223 billion of this trillion dollar sum is set to go on developing and operating new gas extraction sites to supply Europe, Global Witness says.

The supermajors ExxonMobil, Shell, TotalEnergies, Equinor, and Eni will be the top spenders of that sumtogether, these five companies are on track to spend a combined $144 billion into gas supply for Europe over the next decade, according to Global Witness.

The numbers are stark  Europe is hurtling down a dangerous path by doubling down on fossil gas, and needs to pull out all the stops to end the age of fossil fuels, Dominic Eagleton, senior fossil fuels campaigner at Global Witness, said in a statement.

The European Commission must seize its chance to quicken Europes exit from gas and set 2035 as a target date to phase out this costly, crisis-ridden and climate-boiling fossil fuel.

Just last week, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said that lower prices and higher demand this winter are set to drive a return to strong growth in global natural gas consumption in 2024.

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This year, natural gas demand is set for 2.5% growth, following a meager 0.5% increase in 2023, the IEA said in its latest Gas Market Report for Q1 2024.

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Three U.S. servicemen were killed in a drone attack in Jordan, with 34 wounded, Reuters has reported citing U.S. officials that attributed the attack to Iran-backed militant groups.

"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," President Biden said on Sunday.

"Have no doubt - we will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner of our choosing," Biden also said.

Irans mission to the United Nations denied the accusations, saying in a statement that "Iran had no connection and had nothing to do with the attack on the U.S. base," and added that "There is a conflict between U.S. forces and resistance groups in the region, which reciprocate retaliatory attacks."

A senior official from Hamas also commented on the attack, saying "The killing of three American soldiers is a message to the U.S. administration that unless the killing of innocents in Gaza stops, it must confront the entire nation."

Reuters notes that this is the first deadly attack on U.S. forces since the war between Israel and the Palestinians started in October, which makes it a significant escalation of the broadening conflict in the Middle East.

The report also noted that an organization called the Islamic Resistance in Iraq had claimed responsibility for three attacks on U.S. military bases including one near the Jordan-Syria border, where the drone attack was reported. The organization, says Reuters, is a group of militant entities backed by Iran.

Since October 2023, U.S. forces in the Middle East have been the target of more than 150 attacks, Reuters reports, coming from Iran-backed groups in the region.

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At the same time, the standoff with Yemens Houthis continues even though the U.S. maintains that it is not at war in the Middle East.

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Sometimes a body needs room to roam.

And sometimes, that body isnt an individual but a herd  or herds  of pronghorn antelope. To survive, they may need to move across vast tracts of land to avoid the worst weather and find food.

But the miles of fence strung across the western United States to keep cattle in pastures often serve as barriers to the movement of pronghorns and other wildlife.

On Thursday, Platte Basin Timelapse, a long-term storytelling project co-founded by Lincoln-based conservation photographer Michael Forsberg, will post a documentary short film that tells the story of one initiative to improve fence lines in the North Platte River Valley along the Colorado-Wyoming border to allow pronghorns and other wildlife to move more freely.

In the West, Forsberg said, effectively managing wildlife means managing it on private lands, not just on public parcels. Ranchers, meanwhile, have to balance benefits for wildlife with keeping the ranches profitable.

They love wildlife on these ranches, Forsberg said. And they understand the importance of these working landscapes.

Under the Wire, which will be posted on the organizations website and its social media channels, is directed by Omaha native Mariah Lundgren. Its one of a series of natural history films Platte Basin Timelapse has produced. Each is centered around a particular wildlife species in locales stretching from the mountains to the plains. Previous films have focused on the American dipper, North Americas only aquatic songbird, and the return of trumpeter swans and bighorn sheep to Nebraska.

Forsberg said the groups aim is to tell stories about the Platte River Basin and the relationships that bind the land and the people and the wildlife that live there, with water as the muse.

The organization, a partnership with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, also serves as learning laboratory to train future storytellers like Lundgren to bridge the gap between science, art and communication. A UNL graduate who now lives in the Denver area, she is one of a half-dozen employees. The group, primarily supported by funding from outside the university, also teaches classes and offers internships. The projects other co-founder is Mike Farrell, a veteran of Nebraska Educational Television, now Nebraska Public Media.

Lundgren said her job involves taking the photos, video and words Forsberg has collected over the years, rounding them out by capturing more footage and interviews, and turning them into films. The art form offers another way to engage people.

Its been reaching a much more diverse audience by having these films in tandem with these photos, stories and essays, she said.

The new film isnt just about pronghorn and fences but also focuses on the people  ranchers, conservationists and others  involved in the project, she said. It highlights the beauty and diversity of the land.

Unless you spend time in these places, its hard to really grasp whats out there, especially if youre just driving down the interstate, Lundgren said. Ive heard it called a wasteland before, and thats always stuck with me, because its definitely not. We hope this film shows that.

Under the Wire, in fact, started with a project Forsberg got involved in about four years ago. Hed given a talk with a Nebraska rancher about photography and storytelling at a meeting of western landowners in Billings, Montana.

Afterward, a ranch manager approached him and invited him to the A Bar A Ranch in southern Wyoming to see the herd of pronghorn that roam the area. The ranch, which also has a hospitality arm, is one of three contiguous family-owned properties that run nearly 30 miles from close to North Park, Colorado, to near Encampment, Wyoming.

Pronghorn can sprint faster than 60 mph, but they arent great jumpers, Forsberg said. To cross fences, they often limbo under. But negotiating fence after fence can take a toll.

Forsberg said the ranchers had learned through living and working on the land the locations of some crossing points. As part of the project that also produced the film, the team and ranch staff deployed additional cameras across the landscape to pinpoint other places where the animals were crossing and figure out what challenges they faced.

Burk Knowlton, an assistant ranch manager featured in the film, said the A Bar A previously had begun replacing some fence with wildlife-friendly fencing when the opportunity arose. Its a process thats occurring across the West and one that will continue.

The film focuses on an 8.5-mile conversion that took place in 2022, he said. The local Saratoga-Encampment-Rawlins Conservation District provided the funding, which originated from a number of sources and involved a host of partnerships.

While the specifics vary from site to site, Knowlton said, the conversion generally involves replacing the lower strand of barbed wire with smooth wire so pronghorns dont cut their backs when they duck underneath. They also raise it higher off the ground.

In most cases, the top strand also is lowered, making it easier for deer, moose and elk to get over, he said. The fences, however, still do their job of keeping cattle in their appointed pastures.

Deploying the cameras, however, revealed more than just wildlife movement patterns, Knowlton said. He and another assistant ranch manager developed a part of the ranchs hospitality arm that takes families and other groups on horseback and fishing adventures. They see a lot of wildlife.

But the cameras allowed them to capture the animals night moves, as well as their behaviors and interactions. They observed that when birds of prey land on a fencepost to eat a meal, for instance, they leave bits that ground-dwelling animals like weasels later climb up and devour.

Spoiler alert: In one scene they captured, a mother bobcat hones her claws on a log, trailed by a cub who perfectly mimics her behavior.

You put these game cameras out, Knowlton said, ... and you suddenly have this window into their lives when nobody else is looking, and its so much more intimate.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of January 2024
NEW YORK  Airbnb donated a total of $10 million to more than 120 nonprofits in 44 countries on six continents, the short-term rental giant's latest outlays in its unusual distribution of $100 million through its Airbnb Community Fund.

The grantees announced last week include Digify Africa, which helps young people join Africas digital economy, the Japanese Service Dog Resource Center, and the Atlanta Habitat for Humanity. All the groups receiving funds were selected, not by Airbnb or its employees, but by the hosts who rent out their properties on the platform.

While many corporations are shifting more of their philanthropy decisions from corporate suite executives to employees by matching their donations, few have gone as far as Airbnb  which has at times faced criticism for its effect on housing markets and tourist destinations  in turning over control of funds to outside groups.

Airbnb has a 21st century company view, said Janaye Ingram, Airbnbs director of community partner programs and engagement. We want to do things that benefit all of our stakeholders  our employees, our hosts, our guests, the communities in which we operate and our shareholders. Partnering with our host community is a really important way for us to share our success with them.

San Francisco-based Airbnb reported earnings of $4.37 billion, including a large one-time tax benefit, in the third quarter of 2023, the most recent quarter for which data is available. By supporting nonprofits that its hosts find valuable, Airbnb can get more funding to groups that help keep their communities strong, Ingram said.

It also strengthens the bond between the company and the hosts, who often make their properties available for rent on Airbnb and its competitors simultaneously. And it can help address Airbnb's sometimes-contentious relationship with municipalities where it does business.

In an appearance at the Stanford University Graduate School of Business last year, Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky said he has tried to meet with government officials, even when the meetings were a little hostile, adding, I told our team, I want to meet everyone who doesnt like me and it turned out they kept me busy for a long time  But I had a rule that Id always listen first and seek to understand them.

Chesky said about 90% of the Top 200 markets where Airbnb does business now have regulations for short-term rentals.That includes New York City where new legislation went into effect in September requiring hosts to share living quarters with guests who rent a space for less than 30 days.

Nadia Giordani, who has rented out the tiny house in her Atlanta backyard for eight years through Airbnb, said it's an amazing opportunity" to have a say in where the company donates in her community. She was one of 23 members of the Airbnb Host Advisory Board, which was founded in 2020 to help shape policies and programs. The board solicited recommendations for nonprofits from the hundreds of Airbnb Host Club leaders around the world.

Like many corporations, Airbnb increased its community outreach in the wake of the racial reckoning that followed the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis in 2020. It asked hosts about their experiences on the platform, as well as with their businesses, said Giordani.

Its hard to shut me up, she said, with a laugh. So I started participating and it sort of got me out there.

Giordani, who was already active in numerous local charities, including Clarks Christmas Kids, which ensures that Atlanta foster children receive holiday presents, and the nonprofit Hosea Feed the Hungry & Homeless, said she was thrilled to hear from fellow hosts about the nonprofits that were helping in their communities. She now looks forward to seeing the impact the donations will have.

Its important for us to be stewards of our community, she said. Were not just individuals living on a planet by ourselves. The impact we have is great.

Donor impact can be magnified when corporations coordinate the interests of various stakeholders the way Airbnb is doing, according to the nonprofit Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose. The group, which advises companies on sustainability and corporate-responsibility issues, says in its  Corporate Foundations: Designing for Impact  report that companies are more likely to support nonprofits in the way they want  through capacity building, research and capital grants  if they have a foundation.

Airbnb has its own foundation Airbnb.org, which focuses on providing shelter to those displaced by disasters or war. However, the Airbnb Community Fund is operated separately from that.

The Community Fund builds on all of that important work that weve done, Airbnbs Ingram said. But it really is about ensuring communities can have their needs met.

Philanthropy 50: Here's a look at Americas top 50 donors of 2022 12. George Roberts 14. Sobrato Family 16. John and Kathy Schreiber 18. Irwin and Joan Jacobs 19. Edward Avedisian 21. (tie) Marvin Mann 25. Stuart and Molly Sloan 26. David Baldwin 30. Richard and Melanie Lundquist 32. (tie) Stewart and Judy Colton 38. (tie) Jon and Mindy Gray 38. (tie) Roy and Diana Vagelos 43. John Metz and Ali Khan 44. Gordon and Joyce Davis 45. Harriet Macomber 46. John Martinson 47. David and Kathleen LaCross 48. Bastian Family 49. (tie) David Frederick and Sophia Lynn 49. (tie) Murry Gerber
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
WASHINGTON  States that have enacted data privacy laws and those pursuing them are migrating into disparate camps in their approaches to privacy protections, setting up a clash if Congress enacts federal legislation.

In the absence of nationwide policy, 13 states have enacted their own laws. California, the first state in the nation to pass a comprehensive law, formed a camp of its own with its 2020 measure that allows consumers to directly sue tech and online companies over data breaches involving personal information such as names, social security numbers and email addresses.

Twelve other states have taken a different approach, modeled on a bill first proposed in Washington state in 2019 but that has so far not been passed in that state. Data privacy laws now in effect in Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, Iowa, Florida, Montana, Oregon, Texas, Tennessee, Utah and Virginia dont allow individuals to sue tech companies for data breaches, and instead offer consumers a mix of basic and substantive protections.

California and the other states are similar in that each allows its attorney general to bring lawsuits against companies for violations.

Privacy advocates who are lobbying for action in other states, however, are pushing in another direction: a bipartisan congressional proposal that was approved in the House Energy and Commerce Committee in 2022 but failed to get broader support in Congress. That proposal would seek to minimize data collection.

Members of Congress from both parties, including Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., chair of the Senate Commerce Committee, and Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, have pledged to pursue federal data privacy legislation in the current session.

They are under pressure to act because of the rapid onset of artificial intelligence systems that use large volumes of data, threatening to worsen privacy protections for Americans. But with the November election fast approaching, Congress has little time left to reach consensus and pass a law that has eluded it for years.

Legislatures in seven other states are considering dozens of privacy bills this year.

Mozilla, a nonprofit foundation and maker of the Firefox web browser, wrote to lawmakers in Massachusetts and Maine on Jan. 11 asking them to consider proposals modeled on the stalled federal legislation instead of the Washington state model.

The letters author, Noam Kantor, a senior public policy analyst at the nonprofit, said in an interview that Mozilla wants tougher standards for a key element of privacy known as data minimization that was included in the federal proposal but not in many state ones.

Data minimization asks companies to collect only the data necessary to provide a service or sell a product.

Laws in states such as Connecticut act like they call for data minimization, but theyre actually not really putting any constraints on the kind of use and abuse of data we see in the marketplace, Kantor said. And that worries us because data minimization to Mozilla is a really important factor of privacy law.

The Connecticut law says companies and other entities must limit collection of personal data to what is adequate, relevant and reasonably necessary for the disclosed purposes for which the data is processed.

The federal proposal from 2022 says that any entity covered by the legislation may not collect, process, or transfer covered data unless the collection, processing, or transfer is limited to what is reasonably necessary and proportionate. But it also goes on to list more than a dozen permissible purposes for which data may be collected, a prescriptive clause that some of the other laws lack.

Washington state Sen. Joe Nguyen, who chairs the chambers Environment, Energy, and Technology Committee, was an author of the 2019 data privacy proposal in that state. He said in an interview that many legislatures and state regulatory agencies lack the wherewithal to enact technology legislation that is specific and prescriptive.

The data minimization requirement in the Washington proposal was a constant (under) the philosophy that you should minimize the data that youre using from consumers as best as possible, he said.

The proposal, sponsored by former Washington state Sen. Reuven Carlyle, was left open-ended to avoid a situation in which technology becomes moot and then you have to pass another law to fix it, said Nguyen, a Microsoft executive before entering politics.

Thats a big problem for part-time state legislatures with minimal staff that may not be adept enough to rapidly amend laws, Nguyen said. Additionally, some states lack the expertise and resources to develop legislation from scratch and must borrow proposals from elsewhere.

So why has Washington failed to enact data privacy legislation? Nguyen said the five unsuccessful attempts are attributable to consumer advocates pushing to include a private right of action similar to Californias provision.

The authors of the Washington proposal chose to lay power of enforcement with the attorney general because when youre talking tech companies with trillions of dollars, people will sue you just to sue you and hope for a settlement, Nguyen said.

Yet Washingtons model, which adapted many parts of the European Unions privacy law known as General Data Protection Regulation, has had a lot of influence, said Kate Goodloe, managing director at BSA Software Alliance, a trade group that represents more than 40 firms including Cisco Systems Inc., Oracle Corp. and Microsoft Corp.

That approach creates a new set of privacy rights for individuals and set of obligations on businesses, including both consumer-facing businesses and business-to-business data processors, she said in an interview. Privacy laws in Virginia, Connecticut and Colorado use the same structure but add more substantive protections for consumers.

Reproductive health care and data privacy: What we know, what we don't, and how to protect yourself Reproductive health care and data privacy: What we know, what we don't, and how to protect yourself What we don't know
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
ELY, Nev.  White attackers turned a lush, high desert oasis in eastern Nevada, with its bubbling springs and a rare stand of Rocky Mountain junipers, into killing fields. They massacred hundreds of Native people there in the 1800s  a horrific history once retold in hushed tones behind closed doors.

That was until tribal members reluctantly found themselves defending the valleys historical significance in state hearings. In the 2000s, they shared their painful past with authorities weighing whether to divert substantial amounts of groundwater that feeds the valley their relatives have long considered sacred.

To tribal members, Bahsahwahbee  Shoshoni for Sacred Water Valley  is where the spirits of their dead live on in the trees growing among the open graves, the final resting place of ancestors who remained where they were slain.

Now they want to tell their story on their own terms. The Ely Shoshone, Duckwater Shoshone, and the Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Reservation  a coalition representing about 1,500 enrolled tribal members  are lobbying the federal government to designate nearly 40 square miles as Bahsahwahbee National Monument.

The goal is to commemorate what happened there to protect the memory of that place, said Warren Graham, the Duckwater Shoshone chairman.

This lush section of the valley was visited by Shoshone and Goshute people, who were all related and called themselves Newe, for centuries, serving as a sacred site for healing and celebration. It was desecrated at least three times.

In the mid-1800s, federal soldiers carried out two massacres at Bahsahwahbee in retaliation for alleged attacks on settlers and their property.

During the final massacre in 1897, two girls were away on a walk during the fall harvest. Upon return, they found vigilantes killing their family and friends.

One of those girls was Laurene Mamie Swallow, grandmother to 86-year-old Delaine Spilsbury, an Ely Shoshone elder who has worked for years on federal recognition of the sacred site.

The people that were killed here were left here, said Spilsbury, sitting at dusk in a camp chair nestled among the trees. Their spirits, their bodies are in those trees. And so we darn sure are going to protect those people.

For more than a century, the history of the massacres was recounted on a need-to-know basis. Charlene Petes mother closed the doors and drew the blinds the day she told her children about the violence against their Goshute ancestors  trained from her days at a boarding school to believe shed face punishment for recalling her heritage.

Thats the first time Id ever seen my mom emotional like that, Pete said, recounting a wailing sound she later learned was customary for mourning. It was one of the few traditions her mother recalled from a time before the government forced her to attend a boarding school established to assimilate Native American children into white society.

When Las Vegas, which nearly doubled its population from 1990 to 2000, pursued a pipeline in the early 2000s to divert groundwater from the Bahsahwahbee area and pump it 300 miles to the burgeoning desert city, tribal members felt compelled to speak up.

It came to a point where we had to start talking to save it, said Ely Shoshone elder Alvin Marques. He testified in a multi-decade legal battle alongside ranchers, local officials and environmental groups who all opposed the project by the Southern Nevada Water Authority.

College of Southern Nevada biology professor David Charlet said the rare Rocky Mountain junipers tree likely wouldnt last more than a half-century with a depleted water table.

Ultimately, the Nevada Division of Water Resources denied the Southern Nevada Water Authoritys applications to pump water based on the protection of the cultural resource, said state engineer Adam Sullivan. Even if the land becomes a national monument, the water beneath Bahsahwahbee would remain under the states jurisdiction.

But the land and its heritage would be managed by the National Park Service, whose mission it is to preserve them, explained Neal Desai of the National Parks Conservation Association.

Bahsahwahbee is already listed on the National Register of Historic Places  a mostly symbolic title. It remains under the Bureau of Land Management. In becoming a monument, the land would transfer to the National Park Service, which would work alongside tribes to preserve the place and its history.

As a national monument, its story would join the ranks of other painful American memories elevated on the national stage, including Japanese internment camps, sites associated with lynching of African Americans, and places where other massacres of Native people occurred.

It would also join Avi Kwa Ame, a stretch of biologically rich mountains and valleys in southern Nevada, and Baaj Nwaavjo Itah Kukveni, an expanse of canyons, plateaus and streams in northern Arizona  both sacred to Native people in those areas. They are two of five national monuments President Joe Biden created in 2023.

The designation has broad support from the three tribes as well as the Nevada Legislature and the states U.S. senators, Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen, both Democrats who have lobbied Interior Secretary Deb Haaland on the issue. Cortez Mastos office said the senator expects to soon introduce a bill in Congress to designate the monument.

Spilsbury said she hopes the monument would help people heal, no matter who they are. She knows locals in nearby Ely whose ancestors were involved in the vigilante killing her grandmother witnessed.

I know that if they could go and say, this is where we made amends with these folks, that it would be just as important to them as it is to me, she said. Or maybe more.

Tribes push to preserve Nevadas Bahsahwahbee massacre site
HISDs Hattie Mae White Educational Support building on Thursday, June 1, 2023 in Houston. Elizabeth Conley/Staff photographer

Some Jewish Houston residents and Houston ISD community members are urging the states largest school district to restore the school holiday during one of the High Holy Days to the proposed academic calendar for the 2024-25 school year.

HISD announced last week that it was asking for community feedback until Friday on two draft calendar options for the upcoming school year. Neither of the options include a school holiday during either of the High Holidays, which are the two most significant holidays in the Jewish faith.

Both versions of HISDs calendar have a fall holiday scheduled on Friday, Oct. 11, which is the same day Yom Kippur begins. However, Yom Kippur begins during sundown on Oct. 11 and ends at nightfall on Saturday Oct. 12, meaning that the holiday is scheduled to occur after the school day ends instead of during the scheduled fall holiday.

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Members of the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston, Houston Congregation for Reform Judaism and other Jewish groups are urging the district to move the fall holiday to Oct. 3 so it falls during Rosh Hashanah instead of before Yom Kippur.

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Rosh Hashanah, which marks the start to the Jewish New Year, begins on sundown on Wednesday, Oct. 2 and ends at nightfall on Friday, Oct. 4.

Houston ISD spokesperson Joseph Sam said the district had received more than 4,000 responses to its survey about its calendar options and will consider all input before proposing a final recommended calendar to the school board.

Erica Winsor, a public affairs officer for the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston, said HISD has typically given students and employees a holiday on Yom Kippur if it is during the week, or a holiday for Rosh Hashanah if Yom Kippur is during the weekend.

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Winsor said Jewish students will be disadvantaged if they have to miss class for their religious holidays during the upcoming school year, and she hopes HISD moves the date of the holiday before the calendar is finalized. The appointed Board of Managers is expected to vote on the calendar on Feb. 8.

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We have (a) diverse student population, and this would be a way for HISD to show that they support their students who have this minority faith, support the Jewish community and allow us to observe our holy days the way that we hope that anyone gets to observe their holy days, too.

Windsor said.

Both calendar options include a spring holiday on April 18, which is Good Friday, a Christian holiday commemorating Jesus Christs crucifixion. Each option also has a school holiday on March 31 to honor labor leaders Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta, which also provides students and employees with a day off for Eid al-Fitr, a Muslim holiday.

Houston ISD announced last year that it would recognize Eid as a spring holiday for the first time, in addition to Good Friday and Yom Kippur, in its school calendars.
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."

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A Fremont man's death by a self-inflicted gunshot during an investigation by the Dodge County Sheriff's Office will be investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol.

The incident occurred Sunday afternoon in the 2500 block of East 34th Boulevard just outside of Fremont, a spokesman for the Nebraska State Patrol said Monday. The name of the deceased was not immediately released.

Deputies were conducting an investigation and attempted to contact the resident, but he initially refused to speak with them, the State Patrol spokesman said. A short time later, another resident allowed the deputies into the home and advised them that the person they were trying to contact had gone upstairs.

A preliminary investigation found that before deputies were able to contact the subject, they heard a single gunshot in an upstairs room. Deputies located the man they were seeking inside the room with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

No deputies fired their weapons during this incident and no other injuries occurred.
Delta Police Commissioner Yinka Adeleke has revealed investigation into the killing of Gov. Ifeanyi Okowas aide, Mr Lawrence Ijei (a.k.a. Ngozi) has begun.

Adeleke said this in a press statement issued on Monday by the Acting Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, ASP, Chuks Orisewezie, and made available to newsmen in Warri.

The governors aid was killed by yet-to-be identified gunmen inside his Toyota Camry car with registration number EFR 965 SN in Ekpan, near Warri last Friday.

Adeleke also appealed to the public to assist the police with useful information that could lead to the apprehension of the culprits.

The police have swung into full scale investigation and are prepared to do everything legally possible to bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to book in no distant time.

I am appealing to members of the public to give useful information that could lead to the arrest of the culprits; I assure them of their safety, he said.

The CP commiserated with the Gov. Okowa and the family of the deceased over the unfortunate incident.

He had on Saturday led a team of policemen to the scene of the incident and also held meetings with police authorities within the Warri Area Command and other stakeholders regarding the incident.

The commissioner also visited Ekpan General Hospital where one of the survivors of the attack was receiving treatment as well as the monarch of Uvwie, Emmanuel Fideso the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom.

Adeleke solicited the cooperation of the royal father and other stakeholders to achieve lasting peace and security in the area.
More than 600 people, most of them children, have tested HIV positive in a city in the southern Sindh province of Pakistan.

Concern grew after hundreds of people were allegedly infected by a doctor using a contaminated syringe in Rato Dero city and surrounding villages of Larkana district.

Some 681 people, of which 537 were children from two to 12 years of age, had been tested positive for HIV until yesterday in Rato Dero, special health advisor Zafar Mirza told a press conference in Islamabad.

He said 21,375 people had been screened in Rato Dero, adding that the increase in the number of patients testing positive for HIV was a matter of grave concern for the government.

One cause being investigated by Pakistani authorities is the use of unsafe syringes on patients.

Mirza said: Initial investigations reveal that used syringes are being re-packed, which may not only grow significantly the number of HIV cases but also other diseases.

The federal government is providing 50,000 HIV screening kits to Sindh.

Provincial health officials have also noted that patients are at particular risk of contracting diseases or viruses at these clinics, where injections are often pushed as a primary treatment option.

The government will get to the bottom of the outbreak and fully assist the provincial government to provide treatment to all patients, Mirza said, adding that a team of experts from the World Health Organization was also scheduled to arrive soon to assist Pakistani authorities in ascertaining the cause of the HIV virus in the area.

Prime Minister Imran Khan is going to unveil drastic measures to prevent the disease once we ascertain the cause of the spread of disease, he said.

Parents in the area fear their childrens futures have been irreparably harmed after contracting HIV, especially in a country whose masses of rural poor have little understanding of the disease or access to treatment.

Nisar Ahmed, the father of one of the affected baby girls aged just one, told AFP: We are told to go to Larkana for medicine. I curse the doctor who has spread this disease to every child.

Four of the children of my village have already been diagnosed HIV positive.

Pakistan was long considered a low prevalence country for HIV, but the disease is expanding at an alarming rate, particularly among intravenous drug users and sex workers.

With about 20,000 new HIV infections reported in 2017 alone, Pakistan currently has the second fastest growing HIV rates across Asia, according to the UN.

According to some government reports, around 600,000 quack doctors are operating across the country and around 270,000 are practising in the province of Sindh, according to UNAIDS.

Pakistans surging population also suffers the additional burden of having insufficient access to quality healthcare following decades of under-investment by the state, leaving impoverished, rural communities especially vulnerable to unqualified medical practitioners.

AFP

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THE Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) says it is yet to receive any direct formal notification from Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger Republic about their intention to withdraw from the Community.

In a statement on Sunday, the Commission 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 ECOWAS Commission remains seized with the development and shall make further pronouncements as the situation evolves, the statement added.

Earlier on Sunday, the military regimes in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger announced 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.

Struggling with insurgents and poverty, the 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.

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.
The Federal Government has inaugurated the National Health Research Ethic Committee to regulate health research and ensure that it meets all ethical criteria as part of the Ministry of Healths four point agenda.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony held on Thursday in Abuja, the minister of state for health, Dr Tunji Alausa noted that the establishment of the committee reflects the government unwavering dedication to fostering a healthcare system that is rooted in integrity, transparency and ethical conduct.

Alausa explained that members of the committee are appointed in line with the National Health Act of 2014, which clearly lists out the criteria, roles, and responsibilities of the committee, affirming that, the ethical dimensions of health research cannot be overstated.

In a statement by the director of information in the ministry, Patricia Deworitshe, the minister reiterated that the National Health Research Ethics Committee would play a crucial role in providing health research direction, while ensuring that responses are rooted in scientific rigor, compassion and a deep sense of social responsibility.

The committee comprises of eminent individuals from diverse backgrounds entrusted with the crucial task of overseeing and guiding ethical practices in Health research across the nation.

Members of the committee include Prof. Richard Adegbola (chairman), Dr. Adedeji Adefuye, Barr. A B Malle, Prof. Ibrahim Abubakar Iliya, Prof. Saleh Garba Ngaski, Dr. Geoffrey Okatubo, Prof. Misbau Rufai, Mrs. Ayodele Rotimi, Prof. Lawa Ahmadu Kuki, Prof. M A Sule, Mr. Ibrahim Muhd Mami, Mr. Ahmadu Adamu, Dr. UAC Okafor and Dr. Amina Ahmad Sheu.

Earlier in a welcome address, the permanent secretary in the ministry, Kachollom Daju, said health research is essential for the advancement of healthcare and the development of new treatment for diseases.

Daju disclosed that many different research studies are ongoing on Nigeria, ranging from socio-behavioural studies to clinical trials at various levels.

She explained that the inauguration of the committee was aimed at providing evidence that may lead to the development of new tools and methods for the control of major diseases, such as malaria and HIV/AIDS vaccine, which are preventable.

She continued, As we continue to promote health research in order to contribute towards improving the health status of Nigerians, we have taken it upon ourselves to strengthen NHREC to provide for and ensure adherence to a regulation for the protection of human participants in research.

In his acceptance speech, the chairman of the committee, Professor Richard Adegbola, noted that inauguration of the committee is a testimony to the readiness of the Federal Government to take a giant step in promotion and safeguarding the ethical standard of health research, which, according to him, is a cornerstone for progress and prosperity in the country.

Adegbola assured that the committee would strive to live up to its responsibilities, while ensuring that the industry adheres to ethical standard as legally prescribed.

While expressing his gratitude to Federal Government and the ministry, the chairman, on behalf of the committee members, assured of its determination to maintain unity and a shared commitment to ethical excellence in facilitating impactful health research in the country.
In a show of strengthening ties, China reaffirmed its UN Reforms, Infrastructures takes Centre-stage as Chinese Delegation Visits Tuggar

In a show of strengthening ties, China reaffirmed its commitment to Nigerias infrastructure development and economic growth during a high-level visit by a Chinese delegation.

The Director-General of the Department of African Affairs, MFA, China, Mr. Wu Peng, led the delegation and met with Nigerias Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, laying the groundwork for a potential miniterial and presidential visit later this year.

Infrastructure development took center stage in the discussions. China lauded its existing involvement in major Nigerian projects, emphasising its recent loan to the railway project. Tuggar, echoing this sentiment, highlighted infrastructure as a cornerstone of President Bola Tinubus development agenda. Both sides expressed a desire to further expand trade and economic cooperation, with Nigeria keen to see increased participation in the Belt and Road Initiative.

The talks went beyond just concrete and steel. China voiced its support for Nigerias industrialization and value-added manufacturing, particularly in battery-related minerals, a sector where Nigeria holds rich potential. Job creation and local economic empowerment were key themes, suggesting a shift towards deeper economic integration.

China pledged its support for Nigerias aspirations on the global stage, backing Nigerias call for increased African representation in the United Nations Security Council. This aligns with Chinas broader position advocating for a more equitable international order.

The Chinese delegation expressed great confidence in Nigerias economic future, seeing the 21st century as Africas time to shine. This optimism coincides with Nigerias own plans for reform and growth, creating a fertile ground for closer collaboration.

Both sides agreed to build on the momentum of this visit. A potential presidential trip to China and a reciprocating visit by Tuggar to his Chinese counterpart are in the pipeline, signifying a strong commitment to bolstering ties.

This visit underscores the deepening relationship between China and Nigeria, one that promises mutual benefits in infrastructure, trade, and global influence. As Africa rises in prominence, Nigeria, with Chinas support, appears poised to play a leading role in shaping the continents future.
**say call off recess, resume plenary immediately

The National Assembly should call off its recess and resume plenary immediately to address the ongoing killings and insecurity in Nigeria, a coalition of over 500 women organizations and activists under the aegis of Womanifesto, have said.

According to them, it was unimaginable that amidst the crisis, the National Assembly extended its holiday after a three-week Christmas and New Year recess, saying the action reeks of nonchalance and lack of empathy by those elected to represent the interest of Nigerians.

Womanifesto raised the concerns in a statement jointly signed by a former Minister of Education, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili; Executive Director of Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC), Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi; Kudirat Initiative for Democracy (KIND); Women Aid Collective (WACOL);

Baobab for Womens Human Rights; Amnesty International Nigeria; 100 Women Lobby Group (100WLG); Yiaga Africa and Women in Politics Forum (WiPF).

The activists cited Section 14(2b) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, which stipulated that the welfare and security of the citizens shall be the primary purpose of the government, even as the Constitution also guarantees the right to life, liberty, and personal security of every Nigerian citizen.

The statement said, The Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) reveals that over 380 people were kidnapped in Nigeria between December 1, 2023 and January 3, 2024. The number of reported kidnapped persons in Nigeria between June 2022 and July 2023 increased to 3,620, an analysis of data from SBM Intelligence reveals. Additionally, government statistics for Abuja show 40 kidnapping cases involving 236 victims between January 2021 and June 2023. We however believe that the exact number of people kidnapped in Nigeria in 2024 may be higher.

In the midst of this crisis, Womanifesto finds it unimaginable that the National Assembly extended its holiday after a three-week Christmas and New Year recess. This action, we believe, reeks of nonchalance and lack of empathy by those elected to represent the interest of Nigerians. This action is grossly unacceptable to us. We demand that the National Assembly calls off this recess and resumes plenary immediately.

The constant threat of violence and kidnapping has left many Nigerians feeling unsafe and vulnerable. Women and children are particularly at risk, with reports of kidnappings and sexual violence on the rise. This continued holiday is unacceptable and must be addressed urgently.

While we applaud recent efforts by security agencies in rescuing some of the kidnapped victims, we demand that the government takes concrete steps to ensure the safety of its citizens. Our security forces must be anticipatory rather than reactionary. This includes increasing security measures, providing support to victims of violence, and holding perpetrators accountable for their actions. We also call on the national lawmakers to prioritize this issue and take swift action to address it.

The people of Nigeria deserve to live in peace and security, and it is the responsibility of the government to ensure that this is the case. We urge the national lawmakers to take immediate action to address the insecurities and kidnappings in Nigeria.

The safety and security of Nigerian citizens, especially women and children, which should be the top priority of the government, has been rigorously threatened for years and has now come to a climax where citizens are being kidnapped from their homes in broad daylight. Nigerians have felt the burnt of this crisis and have had to crowdfund ransoms payable to criminals. Despite this, victims of kidnappings are still being murdered by criminals, leaving the nation in a dire state of distress.

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The bandits from Akaeze Community in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State that abducted 11 youths of the neighbouring Ugwueke Community in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State on Friday released the 11th hostage.

Ten of the abductees had been released on Wednesday, January 24 following intervention of the Abia State Deputy Governor, Ikechukwu Emetu and other government officials.

It was gathered that following the intervention, the captors released 10 of their captives to the police in Ishiagu Community in Ebonyi State who thereafter released them to the Ugwueke Community..

They however held onto Agbai Nwali, whom it was learnt they had planned to kill due to earlier disagreement they had with him for protesting against the forceful takeover of his farmland by Akaeze people.

A source told Impartial Observers that besides beating Nwali to a pulp like other hostages, the bandits gave him a matchete cut.

The Chairman of 2nd Ndiagbo Amaba Ugwueke Development Union, Agbai Okorie, disclosed that the captive was dumped in the bush where he was recovered.

He wrote in the Whatsapp forum of the community; Agbai Nwali was dumped at Kpokpoo Ndiagbo by Akaeze bandits but was found through intelligence approach and our youths went there and picked him.

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BY RAYMOND OZOJI, Awka

As the bill establishing the Nigerian Hunters and Forest Security Service (NHFSS) awaits President Bola Ahmed Tinubus assent to formalise its operations in the country, it is of paramount importance to state that the role of hunters in fighting crimes and criminalities can not be overemphasized because hunters have proven themselves to be credible security alternatives due to their vast experience as well as knowledge of the bushes and forests.

While other paramilitary outfits like the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, the Federal Road Safety Corps, the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Nigeria Correctional Service and some others exist to compliment the efforts of the Nigeria Police, the Military and others, the Nigerian Hunters and Forest Security Service (NHFSS) could come in handy to provide local security working in concert with local vigilantes in rural areas to beef up community policing.

Hunters have exhibited gallantry in their onslaughts against criminal elements through destruction of kidnappers den in the forests, rescue of kidnap victims from captivity, discovery of dead bodies in the forests and provision of local surveillance in the hinterlands.

In Anambra State, for instance, hunters have done great exploits especially with the rescue of a woman who was kidnapped in Aguleri-otu Anambra-East Local Government Area. The need for Nigerians to press for the signing of the Nigerian Hunters and Forest Security Service Establishment Bill into law would be ground-breaking as hunters are dependable security deposits.

Reports have it that Nigerian hunters have also proved their mettle in security operations in other states of the federation such as Kogi, Abia, Imo, Enugu, Bauchi, other states and the Federal Capital Territory Abuja. Hence the formalization of the operations of the Nigerian Hunters and Forest Security Service (NHFSS) by the presidency would further intensify the war against criminal elements across the country especially criminal elements hiding in the bushes and forests across Nigeria.

Local security is germane and the need to deploy the services of the officers and men of the Nigerian Hunters and Forest Security Service (NHFSS) would be proferring suitable solutions to security breaches in rural communities like Osumoghu, Lilu, Isseke, Mbosi, Azia, Ubuluisiuzo in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State because hunters are familiar with local terrains.

Rural communities in Bauchi state and other Northern states are beneficiaries of the exploits of hunters as they have helped tremendously to reclaim most communities in the North captured by kidnappers and other daredevils. In the last few months, hunters have established their presence in the FCT where the NHFSS operatives have fought gallantly to rid the nations capital city off hoodlums lurking around in surrounding bushes.

Given the foregoing senario, it would be near perfect situation to infer that the formal recognition of the Nigerian Hunters and Forest Security Service (NHFSS) as it concerns the signing of its Establishment Bill into law by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led federal government would be more proactive approach to combating forest crimes across the Nigerian soil.

To this end, a group under the aegis of North Central Youth Security Forum (NCYSF) had also called on the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration to assent to the Nigerian Hunters and Forest Security Service Bill already passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives without further procrastinations. The North Central Youth Security Forum also made case for NHFSS to be an autonomous organisation under the Ministry of Interior of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Moreso, many state governors like those of Kebbi, Imo, Plateau and others are already working with operatives of the Nigerian Hunters and Forest Security Service (NHFSS) by providing them with operational vehicles and other necessary equipment to carry out their patriotic services to their fatherland. From available records too, the NHFSS has been in existence for more than 10 years with well-structured and command control mechanisms.

Over 20,000 officers and men of the Nigerian Hunters and Forest Security Service operating across the 36 states and the FCT Abuja have been at the mercy of individuals and groups who believe and appreciate their exploits, gallantry and contributions to national security especially on intelligence gathering and technical operations within and around forests.

Hunters have displayed their bravery and intrepidity in the North-west and North-central especially with the resurgence of violent crimes in Plateau, Niger, Benue, Nasarawa and the federal capital territory Abuja have experienced a rise in killings and kidnapping for ransom by terror groups. The mass killings during the 2023 Christmas Eve that resulted in the death of over 200 people was one incident still fresh in the minds of Nigerians.

As a result of the disturbing trend, stakeholders in the security sector have called for more attention by security agencies to the Northern region of the country. Some of such stakeholders were the North-Central and North-West Youths who expressed solidarity with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who declared to work with special security outfits purely dedicated to fighting crimes that are planned and executed within and around the forests.

They therefore urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to please sign the Nigerian Hunters and Forest Security Service (NHFSS) Bill into law. They believe that the ratification of the hunters bill meant that the bushes and forests will no longer be safe heaven for criminal elements unleashing terror and mayhem on Nigerian citizens. They also believe that it would be a bold step taken in the right direction, should the Nigerian Hunters and Forest Security Service be domiciled in the forestry ministry.

The Nigerian Hunters and Forest Security Service (NHFSS) headed by the Commander General Dr. Joshua Osatimehin, have endeared themselves to the Nigerian populace by their prompt rescue operations. They have also won the endorsements and confidence of the Nigerian people by their bravery and rapid response missions which has saved more lives since inception.

It will therefore be a very wise decision for Mr. President to sign the Nigerian Hunters and Forest Security Service Establishment Bill into law without further delay to enable them to contribute their quota to national security.

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Pre-K bilingual teacher Claudia Hite works with her students at Highland Heights Elementary on Tuesday, April 11, 2023 in Houston. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer

Parents can apply for prekindergarten in Houston Independent School District in late February and will find out where they got a seat in April, according to a revamped application and enrollment process set for the 2024-25 school year.

Families can enroll their 3- and 4-year-old students in pre-K for free if they live within HISD boundaries and meet certain criteria, including being economically disadvantaged, military families or homeless. Students who dont meet eligibility requirements must pay tuition, which was about $6,500 for the 2023-24 school year.

Phase I of the pre-K application will open Feb. 28 and close April 22, while Phase II will begin May 10, according to the districts website. Families will learn about the Phase I results May 10 and must accept their students placement by May 30.

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Families seeking to enroll their children in pre-K for the first time must submit an application to enroll in their zoned pre-K campus, which will mean, in most cases, that the students do not need to participate in a lottery process. However, if there is not enough space available for all interested zoned students, HISD will run a lottery to determine which students get a seat.

HISD wrote in a message to families that it will guarantee that all eligible pre-K 4 students will have a seat somewhere in the district. State law requires the district to provide seats to all students eligible for free pre-K 4 before seats are provided to tuition-paying pre-K 4 students or students in pre-K 3.

Parents who want their child to enroll in pre-K at a different campus than their zoned school, including magnet pre-K programs and early childhood centers, must fill out the pre-K application and rank up to 10 options. The district will hold a lottery for the remaining seats in the school if there is space available after zoned students are provided seats.

THE REPORT CARD: Subscribe to the Houston Chronicles weekly newsletter recapping HISD news

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Three-year-old students in pre-K at HISD will automatically be enrolled at the same school to attend pre-K as 4-year-olds, while pre-K students entering kindergarten will automatically be enrolled in their zoned school. Parents do not need to fill out an application in either of these cases unless they are seeking to change schools.

Families seeking to enroll a student entering kindergarten in a school other than their zoned school must apply through the K-12 school choice application, which closes Feb. 23. Students enrolled in pre-K in a school that is not their zoned school will receive priority in the lottery to attend that school above other nonzoned students.
A female student of the University of Ilorin, Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, Miss Moyosore Bright of Zoology Department has miraculously escaped from her abductors after she boarded a minibus from the campus.

According to reports, Moyosore after her lecture on Thursday boarded a minibus popularly known as Korope heading towards her hostel in the Tanke area on the outskirts of the university community when the incident happened.

The student was, however, made unconscious by the driver and later found herself in the bush on the outskirts of Ilorin in the evening after she regained consciousness.

She reportedly went to the police station to report the incident by herself.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the command, Ejire Adeyemi Adetoun, said no traces of violence were found on the student after inspection.

Adetoun, however, said she was dispossessed of her Gold chain, her ATM cards and N3000, adding that investigation was on, to track the culprits.

She said her phone and other personal belongings were left with her.

READ ALSO: Just in: Abducted Lagos PDP chairman, Aivoji regains freedom

The statement titled Attempted Kidnapping and Robbery issued by the police spokesperson to journalists in Ilorin on Sunday evening reads: On 27th January, 2024 at about 2200hrs. The DPO Tanke received information that a 100 level student of the University of Ilorin was abducted within the school premises.

Upon receipt of the information,the DPO and team responded promptly. Preliminary Investigation revealed that on 26th January, 2024 at about 1400 hrs a female student named Moyosore Bright of Zoology Department, University of Ilorin boarded a mini bus (korope) at the school terminus on main campus alongside other students with the intent of heading to her hostel at Tanke.

However, she suddenly regained consciousness in the bush at about 1900hrs of the same day several kilometers away from Ilorin metropolis.

The Commissioner of Police CP VICTOR OLAIYA (psc+) reassures the public that the command will remain steadfast towards fighting all forms of crimes and criminalities while providing a secure environment for the good people of kwara.

The CP further urged everyone to report any suspicious movement of person(s) or item(s) they come across to the nearest Police Station or through any of the following emergency contact numbers:-07032069501 or 08125275046. You can also reach out via the social media handle on X (formally Twitter) @kwara_ppro.
The chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Philip Aivoji, who was kidnapped by unidentified gunmen along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway last Thursday has regained his freedom.

The Lagos PDP Publicity Secretary, Hakeem Amode, who announced the release of Aivoji in a short statement issued on Monday morning, said he had reunited with his family and is undergoing intensive medical checkup.

In the short statement, Amode said: Lagos State PDP Chairman released by the kidnappers. Hon Philip Olabode Aivoji the Lagos State PDP Chairman is free at last after 4days in the kidnappers den.

READ ALSO: Lagos PDP chairman remains in captivity as police engage kidnappers in gun battle

We use this opportunity to appreciate your prayers most importantly because Gods mercies were visible all the way. Thank you all for your concerns and prayers.

Aivoji was abducted alongside some other party chieftains at the Ogere area of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Thursday while returning from the partys Stakeholders Zonal Caucus meeting convened by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, and held in Ibadan, the state capital.

Mention however was not made about the others who were kidnapped along with Alvoli.
Thirteen children abducted by suspected bandits in the Katari area of Kaduna on January 6, 2024, have been in captivity for 23 days

The bandits allegedly killed a 53-year-old baker named Mr. Tijani Amedu and abducted his 13 relatives, mainly children, who were traveling with him in the Katari area of the state.

The incident occurred as the victims were returning to Kaduna after visiting Warri, Delta State.

On Sunday, Rasaq, the brother of the Edo State-born businessman, mentioned, They are still with the kidnappers.

When asked what the police had done concerning the matter, he said, Nothing please.

While narrating how the incident happened over a week ago, Rasaq said, They came to visit for the Christmas and New Year holidays. But they got attacked by bandits when they were going back to Kaduna, using two buses. I was told the bandits started shooting on seeing them. The first bus drove through them but the second bus stopped. My elder brother and the 13 kids were on the second bus. The bandits took all of them.

He conveyed that the family learned about the situation when the children began communicating from their captivity.

The family reports that the kidnappers are seeking N50m, having negotiated down from an initial demand of N200m.

My elder brothers head was hit and he fell (leading to his death), Rasaq said, according to the information given to him by the children, adding, They started (the ransom) negotiation from N200m, but now, were at N50m.

Zinab, Amedus wife, who confirmed her husbands death, stated that the family is seeking assistance on the matter.

They killed my husband and they went away with 13 children, Zinab earlier told our correspondent in a telephone interview, adding that the family was seeking prayers and help from anybody who can help. We have 13 of our children with them.

Upon contact on Sunday about the incident, Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mansur Hassan, affirmed an investigation, stating, We will investigate and get back to you. As of the reports filing, the PPRO had not yet responded.

Akeem Kareem was freed by kidnappers last week after spending about three days in their den.

He had been abducted along the Benin-Ore Expressway.

Sefiu, Kareems son, confirmed that his father was released after paying a ransom of N3m to the kidnappers

Kanyi Daily recalls that despite the efforts of security operatives to address the worsening security crisis in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, killings and abductions of residents persist
Rev. Gideon Haanongon has narrated how he was cured of acute idiopathic pollakiuria by bandits.

Recall that the chairman of Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State was released on Wednesday by his kidnappers.

He has now narrated how his sickness was cured by the bandits.

The LG chair, his driver, police orderly and personal assistant were kidinapped while going for the burial of Ter Katsina-Ala, Chief Benjamin Fezaanga Wonbo, penultimate Saturday.

Barely five days in the kidnappers den, a family source told journalists through phone call in Makurdi, the state capital that the kidnappers demanded N50m ransom.

Speaking to journalists at the 72 Battalion in Makurdi on Thursday, the released chairman said that the persistent pressure mounted on the kidnappers by military personnel helped his release and that of his personal assistant who were abducted.

He said on the day of his abduction, he was on his way to the burial of a traditional ruler in Katsina-Ala when he came in contact with some strange boys who were shooting sporadically and even killed someone.

He said, At that point, I told my driver to stop the car and they took us (himself and personal assistant) straight into the bush. They covered my face throughout the period of my captivity. I did not know when it was daytime or night. They kept us inside a thatched house without air.

Each day, the soldiers would come shooting but they manoeuvred their way through a bush path and hid us inside a river. The soldiers destroyed their camps and they kept moving us to another place.

They did not feed me because they did not have food themselves to eat. I was urinating often so they gave me banana leaves and it stopped.

At a point, they told me that these soldiers were disturbing them because of me and that the governor had appealed to them to release me and he would forgive them.

They said I should tell the governor to keep to his words and get them out of the bush. So, at about 8pm on Wednesday, we crossed a stream and trekked a very long distance almost like from Makurdi to Abinsi and they removed the blindfold and asked me to take a path that leads to Zaki-Biam.

But I recognised the village which is Tse Wombo in Katsina-Ala because my daughter is married there.

I must appreciate immensely the efforts of the military because it was their persistent pressure that made the kidnappers to release me. Also, the Special Adviser to Governor Hyacinth Alia on Security, Lt. Col. Alexander Ashungu (retd.), played a significant role in my release.

Earlier, the 72 Special Force Battalion under 401 Special Brigade Commander, Brig. Gen. A. Rabiu said that troops recovered the council chairman and his Personal Assistant who had been in the kidnappers den for more than two weeks on Wednesday in Katsina-Ala between 5 and 6 pm.

In the process of rescuing the abducted chairman and his PA, the commander said that troops who acted on distress calls carried out a rescue mission and destroyed three camps of the kidnappers.

When we recovered him, we brought him down to our barracks in Makurdi. We administered first aid on him and also, gave him food to eat. He is in good condition.

Rabiu further said, Early this year, we rescued eight female abductees who were kidnapped on their way to a wedding along the Benue-Enugu Road and even neutralised one of the kidnappers.

We are determined to secure the state as we have our men in all the 23 local government areas of the state.

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
By Mohammed Suleiman, Dutse.

UNICEF has vows its intention towards providing psycho-social support training to 6,000 teachers in Jigawa and Kano states with funding from the EU in 2024, the UNICEF Chief of Kano Field office, Mr Rahama Mohammed stated in an event to mark this years International Day of Education in Kano, while called for concerted efforts to enhance school safety in Nigeria.

Represented by Michael Banda, Senior Education Manager Kano field office, said the 2024 theme is education for lasting peace, a very apt theme because Education was a driver of security, peace, and economic prosperity all over the world.

According to him, education can only take place in an atmosphere of peace adding that insecurity has emerged as one of the greatest threats to the development of education in Nigeria, especially in the North-West.

We must therefore work hand in hand with the State and our community keep out schools safe, Mohammed said.

He further said that UNICEF considered education as a driver of peace, security, and safety as provided in its implementation strategy of Safe Schools Declaration and the Minimum Standards on Safe Schools in Nigeria.

Focusing on safe schools is important because education also promotes gender equity, economic prosperity, social cohesion, and social development, he said.

The chief field Officer however, said the agency had supported 13 highest risk states to develop coasted safe school implementation plans through steering committees.

UNICEF is also supporting the three states to develop evidence-based gender transformative, equity/disability inclusive and crisis/climate change resilient education sector plan.

The organization also trained teachers on psychosocial support especially when schools are under threat or attacked, UNICEF chief said.

Mohammed said that UNICEF had generated data for the implementation of the minimum standards in 6,000 schools in the Northwest.

Earlier, the state commissioner for education, Alhaji Umar Doguwa, said that the state government would invest heavily on education to cater for the students needs in the state.

According to him, the state government has set aside 29.7% of its 2024 budget to education as part of its efforts to revive the sector.

Some students who spoke at the occasion, have called for awareness campaign on safe school tips, climate change, school fencing and security.h

The theme of this years celebration is Education for lasting peace, and International Day of Education is celebrated annually on 24 January.

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Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, receiving the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, in Ibadan on Monday, disclosed that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has not called since the bomb explosion in Ibadan to commiserate with the people of the state.

Makinde noted that President Bola Tinubu contacted him through the telephone to commiserate with him and the people of Oyo State.

READ ALSO: Peter Obi visits Gov Makinde over Bodija bomb explosion

Governor Makinde had stated: I want to thank you especially for the visit. Out of the 3 major candidates who contested the 2023 election, only Atiku Abubakar, my own leader and our candidate has not called to commiserate the state.

I am saying this openly so that our leaders will know that we have time for politics and others. I want to thank you once again for coming.

Makinde also in a statement declared:

Seyi Makinde

@seyiamakinde

This morning, we received my brother, His Excellency @PeterObi and his team, who visited us in Ibadan to condole with us over the Bodija incident.

I thanked them for the visit and for putting politics aside at this time to sympathise with the victims especially those who lost loved ones.
Nigerian comedian, Ayo Makun, popularly known as AY, has taken legal action against Agozi Samuel, who accused him of having an affair with May Edochie, the first wife of Nollywood actor, Yul Edochie.

AY Makun submitted a petition to the Delta State Police Command accusing Agozi Samuel of criminal defamation and cyberstalking.

In a Facebook post, Samuel had alleged that AY was involved in an extra-marital affair with May Edochie, leading to the dissolution of her marriage with Yul.

Reacting on his Facebook page, the comedian strongly denied these allegations, describing them as false and baseless.

The petition, filed by AYs lawyers on January 24, 2024, outlined the malicious and defamatory statements made by Agozi in a viral video.

AY expressed his distress over the video and the subsequent messages he received from concerned friends, family, and business partners.

The comedian emphasized that the false statements made by Agozi Samuel were intended to generate traffic and views for his social media page, causing public outrage and unnecessary anxiety for AY and his family.

IAYs lawyers have requested the arrest, investigation, and prosecution of Agozi Samuel for the coordinated malicious and baseless publication.

The comedian also expressed his frustration, stating that he will no longer tolerate such acts that are designed to harm his reputation, career, ambitions, and relationships.

The petition partly read, On Monday, 22 January 2024, our client was inundated with a barrage of messages from concerned friends, family, and business partners regarding the circulation of four minutes, thirty-two seconds (4:32) video (Annexure 2) which purportedly emanated from the Facebook page of one Mr. Agozi Samuel with the user name, Agozi Commedy (the page/account) who is unknown by our client at all material times before the occurrence of this event.

In the four minutes, thirty-two seconds video titled AY comedian were is your wife which was posted on Saturday, 20 January 2024 on the page with a following of over 23,000 followers as can be seen in Annexure 1 to this letter. The suspect, in a mischievous attempt to generate traffic and views for his page and to gain cheap popularity, knowingly and intentionally made various statements that are not only false and baseless but also capable of causing annoyance, insult, enmity, hatred, public outrage and needless anxiety to our client and his family and exposing our client to hatred and public ridicule.

The said publication alleges that our client is involved in an extra-marital affair with one, May Edochie, the wife of Yul Edochie, and that our client was responsible for the marital crisis between May and her husband. 

The petition went further to state the allegations made by Agozi against AY.

For the purpose of clarity, the exact false, baseless, and untrue statements knowingly and intentionally made at several intervals by Agozi Samuel in the said video are reproduced below as follows:

You slept with May. Because of you, Yul Edochie and his wife separated because youre having an affair with Yul Edochies wife which is May. The general public did not know what was happening even the Court case that is going on the general public did not know.

I told you on the 31st night that in 2024, I will be the one to bring you down. For you to bring down a home that lasted for many years, you made them separated, you made the wife live differently and the husband. What are you looking for in somebodys wife that your wife does not have?

Your plan now is to go and marry May. I know all your plans, you want to go and marry May. You think I dont know?

This is what really happened. AY slept with May Edochie, that was why Yul Edochie and May Edochie are not together today.

Remember our conversation on the 31st night? I told you that I would be the one to bring you down in 2024. Since you dont want to apologise to Yul Edochie and apologise to his fans because youre the one masterminding everything. What kind of wicked man are you? AY, what kind of wicked man are you?

And I will teach you and you will learn the hard way. Mark my word

In the petition, the comedian through his lawyers requested that the police arrest, investigate, and prosecute Agozi for the coordinated malicious and baseless publication.

In his caption on Facebook, AY wrote, There are a lot of things that I have been letting go from colleagues, bloggers and clout chasers concerning my person. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

The more I continue to disregard or accept all these fake apologies flying online, the more all these acts of wickedness are designed to hurt me, my career, ambitions, and even relationships.

KanyiDaily recalls that Ayo Makun recently addressed the criticism from singer Seun Kuti, the son of afrobeat legend Fela Kuti.
Abia State Governor Alex Otti has expressed concern over the poor response of youths from the state to the ongoing police recruitment exercise.

A statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Okey Kanu, noted that it had come to the notice of the government that the quota allocated to the state in the recruitment exercise has been grossly underutilized.

According to the statement, 700 candidates from the state, who were invited for interview, towards recruitment into the Nigeria Police Force, failed to show up.

Regrettably, about 700 candidates invited for interview in the ongoing recruitment exercise are yet to show up.

To this end, the Governor of Abia State, Dr Alex Otti, has directed all local government Mayors, Chairmen of traditional rulers Councils and their members in all the LGAs, Presidents-general of town unions, and community leaders to immediately mobilize their youths for this very important exercise to ensure that the states quota is filled.

The Governor further directed all those who have been invited for the interview as a matter of urgency, to appear for the exercise.

Abia cannot be left out in the scheme of any aspect of Nigerias socio-political and economic life, the statement said.

The statement further urged all invited candidates who are yet to show up for the recruitment exercise, for one reason or the other, to approach the Office of the Commissioner for Information and Culture for further clarifications.
Daniel Bwala has shared a photo of him and President Bola Tinubu in Paris.

The former spokesperson to the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general election, Atiku Abubakar, said he met with President Bola Tinubu in Paris on Monday, January 29.

Bwala disclosed this in a post on his official X page.

He wrote: It was a pleasure to meet with the father of the nation @officialABAT President Bola Tinubu in Paris today. He continues to share his thoughts and demonstrate his passion to lead Nigeria out of the woods.
The All Progressives Congress, APC, has called out Governor Siminalaye Fubara.

The party accused him of flouting the peace deal brokered by President Bola Tinubu on the political crisis in Rivers State.

The Chairman of the APC Caretaker Committee in Rivers State, Chief Tony Okocha, who made accusation, said Fubara was not sincere in the implementation of the peace deal.

Okocha made the claim while speaking with journalists in Abuja.

He said, In one breath, the governor will probate and reprobate at the same time.

You dont say one thing during the day and another at night. It will not work.

He (Fubara) must obey the dictates of the proclamation he willingly accepted in the presence of President Tinubu.

Okocha added, The one that will hold the governor at the jugular is the issue of re-presenting the budget.

Insisting that Rivers States 2024 budget has not been presented, Okocha noted that Fubara cannot run the the state without a budget.

He recalled that Fubara had thanked Tinubu for his intervention in the crisis and promised to abide by the terms of the peace deal.

The political crisis in Rivers State followed a face-off between Fubara and his predecessor, Federal Capital Terrritory, FCT, Minister Nyesom Wike.
FILE - A sign outside the Internal Revenue Service building is seen, May 4, 2021, in Washington. The IRS has announced Jan. 29 as the official start date of the 2024 tax season, and expects more than 128.7 million tax returns to be filed by the April 15 tax deadline. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File) Patrick Semansky/Associated Press

The Internal Revenue Service is accepting the 2023 tax federal income tax returns starting Monday and has some tips for those preparing to file.

The IRS announced expecting more than 146 million individual tax returns for this 2024 season. Planning ahead can help a person file an accurate return and avoid delays that can slow your tax refund, according to the IRS's website.

Here's what to know about filing the tax income returns from the IRS:

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Obtain documents for tax returns

Before filing tax returns, gathering documents for preparation will help with the process. There are multiple forms for the tax records: W-2, 1099, 1095 and CP01A. A person can also file documents from the unemployment income, interest received, income from the gig economy and digital assets, according to the IRS's website.

The IRS announced the $600 threshold for payment apps and online marketplaces to report payments on Form 1099-K is delayed for the tax year 2023. The threshold will continue to be payments over $20,000 and 200 transactions, but taxpayers can get forms reporting less than the amount, according to the IRS's website. This announcement came following feedback from taxpayers, tax professionals and payment processors, and to reduce taxpayer confusion.

During this tax season, there are plans for a threshold of $5,000, according to the IRS's website.

It's also good to have the last filed tax return at hand. CNN reported that Tom O'Saben with the National Association of Tax Professionals said the 2022 tax return will give a good starting point for figuring out what documents to help fill out this year's return. According to the IRS, taxpayers should keep copies of their prior-year tax returns for at least three years.

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Update information for the tax return

The IRS recommends that everyone keep their information updated to prevent delays in processing tax returns and refunds. Any address, name, marriage status, investments, and/or receiving Social Security changes will need to be addressed when filing taxes.

When do I get my refund?

The IRS initially releases refunds within 21 days, however, they emphasize not relying on receiving a refund by a certain date due to some tax returns being delayed.

Most Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) related refunds should be available in bank accounts or on debit cards by Feb. 27 if taxpayers choose direct deposit and there are no other issues with their tax return, according to the news release.

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Get assistance, Taxpayer Assistance Center extended hours

The IRS announced expanding the office hours of 240 Taxpayer Assistance Centers to serve nationwide to give taxpayers additional time to get help to file their taxes. Taxpayers will need to contact local IRS offices to see the hours of operation. The extended office hours plan to launch through April 16.

"Special Saturday" hours are also available at some Taxpayer Assistance Centers from February through May.

To get help from the center, call 844-545-5640 to make an appointment or walk in to get help at a Taxpayer Assistance Center. Houston has designated centers.

Improvements for filing taxes

The IRS has said there are updates to tools including the "Where's My Refund," phone service, paperless processing and the online account. The "Where's My Refund" tool will allow taxpayers to see more detailed refund status messages and updates, according to the news release. The IRS announced increasing help on the toll-free line and expanded the customer callback feature. Paperless processing enhancement will enable taxpayers to submit correspondence, non-tax forms and responses to notices digitally. The taxpayer online account will include chat, the option to schedule and cancel future payments, revise payment plans and validate and save bank accounts.

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The IRS also launched the Direct File pilot program which is available to some people in Texas. The Direct File provides free tax preparation guidance from the IRS.

Be careful with identity theft

When filing their taxes, people will need to be cautious in case of tax-related identity theft. The identify theft consists of someone using stolen personal information to file a tax return to get a refund. Scammers would sometimes use mail, telephone and email to set up individuals, businesses, payroll and tax professionals, according to the news release.

For anyone who is a victim of identity theft, they should pay taxes and file the tax return even if they file a paper return, according to the news release. The IRS will work to detect, prevent and deter tax-related identity theft and fraud.

Deadline for filing tax returns

The deadline to file the 2023 tax return and pay any tax owed is April 15, except for those living in Maine or Massachusetts due to Patriot's Day and Emancipation Day holidays, according to an IRS news release. Those living in a state facing a federally declared disaster area also will have additional time to file their taxes.
The Federal Government has debunked reports being circulated on social media of a bomb explosion at the South African High Commission in Abuja, on Saturday.

In a statement issued in Abuja, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, said the report is fake news orchestrated by desperate opposition to cause panic and chaos among the populace.

The statement was signed by Segun Adeyemi, the Special Adviser to the minister.

Mr Mohammed said the video of the purported bomb explosion was that of abomb explosion at Emab Plaza, near Banex, Abuja, which occurred on June 25, 2014.

The minister said it was apparent that the desperate opposition had decided to use fake news and disinformation as handy tools in their avowed determination to make Nigeria ungovernable, having lost woefully at the polls.

A pattern is emerging of the antics of the desperate opposition to latch on to the use of fake news and disinformation as a strategy to trigger chaos in the country.

On Friday Sept. 6, 2019, they doctored and circulated the video of my appearance on Channels Television in January 2015 (when I was the spokesman of the APC) to make it look like I was begging Nigerians to forgive President Buhari for not having a school certificate.

Worse still, they posted the video afresh, giving the impression it happened last Thursday and that I acted in my capacity as Minister of Information and Culture.

One would have expected a party that trumpets its belief in the rule of law, a party that challenged the result of the last presidential election in court, to wait patiently for the impending judgment instead of engaging in underhand tactics and resorting to self-help, he said.

The minister appealed to Nigerians to be very discerning at this time, and to check the veracity of any information they received.

This is just the beginning. Nigerians should expect an explosion of fake news and disinformation in the days and weeks ahead, he said.

The Minister warned those behind the orchestration of fake news and disinformation campaign to stop forthwith or be made to face the music

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Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr Babatunde Fowler has been summoned before a Kano federal high court on October 7, 2019 to show cause why he should not be sacked.

The presiding judge of the High Court, Justice Lewis Allago, after hearing a plaintiffs counsel, ordered that the defendant should be served in Abuja and filed his defence within five days.

In court documents obtained on Saturday by PRNigeria with Suit No FHC/KN/CS/141/2019, the FIRS boss was sued for his continued stay in office after the expiration of tenure on August 18.

The plaintiff, Mr. Stanley Okwara, in a suit filed on September 18, 2019 and obtained, also joined the Attorney General of the Federation as the second defendant.

In the originating summon, Fowler and Malami were given 30 days to explain why Fowler who was appointed on the 20th August, 2015, is still the Chairman of FIRS after the 20th August, 2019 in accordance with the decision of the Supreme Courtand having regard to the combined provisions of Sections 3(2) (a), Section 4(a) and Section 11 (a) of the agency.

The plaintiff also sought to know whether the continuous stay of Fowler in the office is not illegal in view of the decision of the Supreme Court in Ogbuinyinya & Ors. vs. Obi Okudo & Ors. (1979) All N.L.R. 105 and having regard to the combined provisions of Sections of the FIRS [Establishment] Act, 2007.

Okwara in the suit filed through Johnmary C. Jideobi & Co, sought other reliefs including: A declaration that the 1st Defendant has ceased to hold office as the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service after the 20th of August, 2019; and that his continuous stay in the office is illegal.

He further sought an order barring the 1st Defendant from further holding himself out as, laying claim to or exercising the powers and functions of, the Executive Chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Service unless he is re-appointed by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

An order directing the 1st Defendant to return forthwith to the Treasury Single Account of the Federation all the salaries, emoluments and such other kindred monetary benefits he has been drawing on the purse of the Federal Inland Revenue Service and file an affidavit of compliance within 14 days after the delivery of judgment in this suit.

The plaintiff also asked that Fowler be caused to obey any other decision that the Court may deem fit to make in the entire circumstances of the case.

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The Islamic movement in Nigeria has called on the Nigerian Government to come to a round table for dialogue.

Malam Yahaya Yakubu, leader of the group in Katsina, said this while addressing journalists as part of activities marking the annual Arbaeen Trek, which is in commemoration of the murder of Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad.

He said, Our doors are always open for dialogue with the government, it is an unconditional offer to enable government understand us even though we have understood them already, we have no other country but Nigeria.

We have no other way to demonstrate and worship God than peaceful march through the streets and we have never instigated violence.

The government should provide evidence justifying that what we are doing is wrong even in the sight of God. If they can, we will stop.

We are in good relationship with our neighbours and even assist them in times of disasters.

We invited the media in order to open up our activities on what we are doing to promote religious peace and interfaith harmony.
Lafarge Africa Plc, a cement manufacturer, has confirmed that an Italian, who is the first case of coronavirus in Nigeria, visited its plant in Ewekoro, Ogun state.

Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, a spokesperson of the company, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.

She said all those who had direct contact with the Italian whose identity was not stated, have been identified.

The Lagos State Government has reported a first case of n-COVID19 (Coronavirus) in Nigeria. The individual concerned works for a vendor that provides services to Lafarge Africa Plc in Ogun State, the statement read.

As a business, we have immediately identified the persons who had direct contact with the concerned individual. We have equally initiated isolation, quarantine and disinfection protocol.

We thank the exemplary leadership of the federal ministry of health, Ogun and Lagos State Governments for swiftly providing response and testing facilities and we are working in full co-operation with all local authorities. Lafarge Africa is also working in close partnership with International SOS, our medical service provider, a leading global health company.

Health and Safety remains a core value at Lafarge Africa and we intend to leverage this strength at this critical time.
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The Sunday morning tragedy that shock a community in Lagos killing many, injuring many and causing damages worth billions  may not be the result of a pipeline explosion as reported by the federal government. This is following preliminary investigations by 247ureports.com.

According to the NNPC boss, M. Kyari, the pipeline explosion was the result of a spark around the pipeline in tandem with a leaking gas line  that resulted in a volatile reaction. This was the official statement of the NNPC. But when 247ureports.com questioned the NNPC boss on the cause of the spark, the NNPC failed to respond.

247ureports.com also turned to the DSS spokesman, Peter Afunaya PhD concerning the cause of the explosion. The question of whether the explosion was caused by foul play was posed to him. Also, an unverified video recording showing a piece of debris recovered at the explosion site was brought to the attention of the DSS spokesman. The piece of debris is suspected to be a bomb debris used for the explosion.

See the video below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpNjUjrgBZc

The video revelation comes amidst suspicion by residents of Lagos who reside within the vicinity of the explosion of the explosion being a bomb explosion even after the security operatives stated it was not a terrorist attack. Many of the eyewitnesses who visited the explosion site told 247ureports.com the nature of explosion was too jolting and the impact was massive  that it could not have been a mere pipeline explosion.

The majority of the effected were Christian school children and church goers.

One of the eyewitness recalled that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai had revealed that they have received credible intelligence that Boko Haram had already arrived Lagos  and are planning attacks on Lagos.

Interestingly, Buratai had made the statement on February 12, 2020 following an embarrassing attack by Boko Haram on Borno State on February 9, 2020 where 30 people were killed. Buratai stated that along with Lagos, other regions in Nigeria were not safe.

The Lagos State government in acknowledging Buratais revelations indicated that the State Government were already aware of the Boko Haram arrival into the State. The Governor revealed that the recent ban on motorcycle operators [Okada] was based on the intelligence received from the Nigeria security agencies. The Lagos State government mentioned that they received the information in December 2019.

247ureports.com reached out to the Nigerian Police through the national spokesman, Frank Mba concerning the perforation of Boko Haram agents into the many parts of the country. Frank Mba did not respond.

Meanwhile, the Ekiti Government signed into law the Amotekun security outfit today. It was signed today by the Governor. Other south west States have already signed the same version of the Amotekun into law.

Stay tuned
A Thai millionaire shocked the world when he made an offer online to give the sum of 240,000 and a stake in his multi-million pound fruit farm to any young man who will win his virgin daughters love and marry her.

But multi-millionaire farm owner Anont Rodthong, from Chumphon province, southern Thailand, already regrets his decision as thousands of young men have applied and they wouldnt stop calling his phone.

At first, after too many suitors applied to marry 26-year-old Karnsita, Mr Rodthong made plans for a tournament where suitors would compete for his daughters hand.

The tournament was meant to take place on his farm and last 3 months, during which he would narrow down the search. But he had to scrap the tournament due to the numerous calls he keeps receiving.

The 58-year-old millionaire said:

Interested sons-in-law, please stop calling me. Im dying because my phone has been ringing off the hook. Let me rest.

One of those who indicated interest in marrying Karnsita after the offer was made is Premyosapon Khongsai, 28, whose pitch gained 14,000 likes on Facebook.

His Facebook application reads:

Im interested. I am 28 years old. My family also grows durian in Trat province. We have over 300 trees  I can weather the sun and the rain. I can drive a 10-wheel truck and tractor. Please consider me, father Anont. Thank you.

But Mr Rotthong wrote him off because he is too handsome and could break his daughters heart.

Though Mr Rotthong is no longer interested in organizing the tournament to get a suitor for his daughter, he still plans to keep the promise he made to any man who marries his daughter.

He promised to waive the compulsory dowry men pay to marry a wife. In addition, he promised to give the man 240,000 and a stake in his farm. Although he has other children, including sons to take over his estate, he promised to give most of it to his future son-in-law.

He said at the time he made the offer:

As soon as I have an in-law, I will give up all my assets to him.

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This is a round-up of some-breaking news in Nigeria, Today, Tuesday, 14th, April 2020.

I Wont Return To Abuja Until Boko Haram Is Substantially Defeated  Buratai

The Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Yusuf Tukur Buratai has declared his interest to at this time remained in the Northeast and never return back to the federal capital territory, Abuja, until he, alongside his troops, substantially defeated Boko Haram insurgent in the region.

Naija News understands that Buratai vowed to remain with the theatre of Operation Lafiya Dole until he delivered the Northern region and the country at large from the hand of the terrorists.

Read more details here

Coronavirus: Six More Patients Discharged By Lagos State Government

The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Monday confirmed that six more patients have been discharged from the Yaba COVID-19 treatment facility.

Governor Sanwo-Olu in a statement released via his official Twitter account disclosed the six patients had tested negative before they were discharged.

Read more details here

Our People Are Farmers, We Cant Lockdown North  Northern Govs

The Northern States Governors Forum, following a meeting they held Monday, April 13, come to the conclusion that total lockdown would not work in their regions as most of the indigenes are farmers.

The meeting, which was conducted via teleconference by the governors to discuss the impact of coronavirus in the region suggests another measure to curb the spread of the global pandemic in the regions rather than declaring a total lockdown of its states.

Read more details here

COVID-19: NCDC Confirms 20 New Coronavirus Cases In Nigeria As Number Rises To 3434

Twenty new cases of the coronavirus infection have been confirmed on Monday by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, (NCDC).

Confirming the cases on its official Twitter account on Monday evening, the NCDC disclosed the confirmed cases were in Lagos, Kano, Edo, Ogun and Ondo States.

Read more details here

Important Things President Buhari Said During The National Broadcast

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday evening addressed Nigerians on the lockdown imposed on Lagos and Ogun States as well as the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Mr Buhari during the broadcast extended the lockdown in place by two extra weeks.

Read more details here

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Ndem Jacinta Chineye, a graduate of the University of Nigeria Nsukka, serving at High Court of Justice Katsina State, was among the three Corpse member killed in Sunday crash.

Before her demise, the corps member made a post on her Facebook page, which reads;

Never say never,

Life is a basket of surprises,

I am a living witness.

# seehowfatkatsinaismakingmelook #

# DDOS #

Meanwhile, friends have taken to social media to mourn her. Nwite Sampson wrote:

My heart is heavy, my day is dark,Ndem Jacinta Chinenye is still like a dream since yesterday night when i got this sad news of your demise i lost appetite, couldnt sleep,2014 i met you there at Ebonyi State University,we are in the same department where your kind, serves as the masses opium, Chinenye after all this stress, assignment,quiz, exams and you defeated all these hudles in 8 Semesters and its now,hmm, God if it pleases you so be it but if not come to our aid because the way our youths are dying in the course of serving this country is so apoly,is there still joy is serving Nigeria for a wasted one year,is it the monthly stipend called allowee 19k, Ndem Jacinta Chinenye is this the basket of suprises you mean in your last post on Friday which you said that life has, Jacinta your song Sampson nwoke gbara aji is beating in my heart as if you are here with me, (crying..) very difficult to say rest in peace but Jacinta, EBSU Class of 2018 is saying rest in peace, Lolo NFCS, NFCS Tansi-Nathy Chaplaincy Ishieke is saying rest in peace, Ezigbo Mmadu, rest in peace till we part to meet no more

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President of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Ghana (CIIG), Solomon Lartey, has said that the removal of non-life insurance from the Value Added Tax exemption list would lead to an increased cost of insurance and adversely affect insurance penetration in Ghana.



This calls for doubling their efforts as insurance professionals to deepen their understanding of insurance generally and the products offered specifically in order to either maintain their current low insurance penetration rate or improve upon it.



He said that the tax on premium insurance will discourage interest from Ghanaians.



According to him, the insurance sector in the country has a low penetration rate, which is less than 2%.



Solomon Lartey expressed his displeasure over the removal of exemptions for non-life insurance products in the country, which will result in a 21.9% Value Added Tax (VAT) on insurance industry.



In an interview with Peace FM News, he said the removal of the exemption for non-life insurance products in the country will affect the insurance industry.



He called for the need to maintain high professional standards and deepen insurance education, which has been heightened by current geopolitical and economic developments both globally and locally.



While Russia-Ukraine seems to have been navigated and relegated to the background, current unrest in the Middle East has also shaken the insurance landscape, throwing various reinsurance and insurance arrangements (like marine coverages) out of balance.



Since the industry is making underwriting losses, overall, it means that insurance companies rely on investment income to meet their claim obligations to policyholders," he said.



The CIIG is the mother body of all insurance professionals in the country, which brings together practitioners from life and general insurance, reinsurance, health insurance companies, broking firms, pensions, securities, and trustee firms.



Mr. Lartey is the CIIGs 9th president. He took over from Mr. Tawiah Ben-Ahmed, CEO of Sanlam Life Ghana.







Source: Prince Baffour Asamoah/Peace FM Newsroom









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has said processes have begun toward the implementation of a visa-free regime for all Africans to the country.



He emphasized that he is committed to completing the free visa process before the end of his term as President early next year.



The government of Ghana is committed to ensuring visa-free for all Africans, for all Africans travelling into our country, and the process has begun to get the policy implemented this year, he said



He said this at the Africa Prosperity Dialogues (APD) 2024 at the Peduase Presidential Lodge in the Eastern Region, where the President underscored the need for economic integration.



He stressed the need for the various African countries to devote their energies toward facilitating free movement of people, goods and services across the continent.



Through this, he said the continent can transform its prospects into prosperity as free movement of goods and services is critical to realising the benefits of regional integration and trade and ultimately, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).



The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) emerged as a transformative force, unifying the continents trade efforts toward balance and diversity. With a mission to establish a unified continental market among the African Unions 55 member countries and eight Regional Economic Communities (RECs), AfCFTA seeks to harness the potential of a population exceeding 1.3 billion and a combined GDP of around US$ 3.4 trillion.



Speaking in line with the theme of the 2024 APD  Delivering Prosperity in Africa: Produce, Add Value, Trade  the President reiterated that though Africa accounts for just three percent of the about US$25.3 trillion global trade, the continent must take robust measures to unlock its full trade potential.



He added that: To unlock the full potential of trade, let us prioritise the development of efficient transportation and logistics infrastructure, streamline trade processes and embrace digital technology that facilitates cross-border transactions without the need to depend on outside currencies.



He said the continent must ensure the resilience of key sectors such as agribusiness as well as ascertain how the private and public sectors can work as a united force towards realizing the Africa we hope for.



We must strengthen ourselves to work hand in hand with our governments in a free and fair democratic system of governance that promotes save and sound legal and institutional frameworks, Mr. Akufo-Addo added.

Source: B&FT









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Jo Ann Nicholas, whose daughter was killed in a botched drug raid, poses for a portrait at her home Wednesday, March 20, 2019, in Natchitoches. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Clifford Tuttle makes a statement via video call during a Tuesday news conference to update information on the lawsuit against the City of Houston,. Attorneys representing the families of two people killed in the Harding Street raid, Rhogena Nicholas and Dennis Tuttle, asked a judge to dismiss claims against the individual officers so that they could bring their case to trial against the city more quickly. Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Former Houston Police officer Gerald Goines attends a hearing in 228th District Criminal Court on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse in Houston. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer

At least once a month around 5:30 a.m., Jo Ann Nicholas is stirred awake by a phantom knock on her front door. It's a haunting reminder of the worst day of her life.

Five years ago at that exact time, she answered the door to her home in Natchitoches, La. and was met by two local police officers. They told Nicholas that her daughter Rhogena and her husband, Dennis Tuttle, were killed at their home in Houston during a botched drug raid.

Nicholas was stunned, she recently told the editorial board over the phone. She had just talked to Rhogena the previous night. Rhogena was worried about an approaching ice storm and wanted to make sure her mother had enough groceries to last her for a few days and that she didn't leave the house in bad weather.

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Exactly one hour after that final conversation, undercover narcotics officers with the Houston Police Department busted down Rhogenas door on Harding Street in Pecan Park. Gerald Goines, a narcotics officer who led the operation, obtained a no-knock warrant to raid their home based on allegedly fabricated evidence in which he claimed a confidential informant had bought heroin there. The end result was carnage: a hail of bullets that left both Rhogena Nicholas and Dennis Tuttle dead, as well as their pitbull. Four officers were also wounded by gunfire, with one paralyzed from the waist down. The only drugs found in the home were small amounts of cocaine and marijuana which investigators concluded were for personal use.

Months later, Goines was charged with murder and an assortment of other crimes, including federal charges against him and his partner Steven Bryant for obstructing justice by falsifying records and obstructing official proceedings. Given the high-profile nature of the raid, which made national headlines, we expected Goines' trial to move swiftly and hopefully give some sense of closure for the victims' families.

Instead, as we mark the five-year anniversary of the Harding Street raid, Goines remains free on bail. His murder case has stalled in a quagmire of continuances and procedural delays. While Bryant pleaded guilty to the federal charges, the federal case against Goines has barely budged. There is a "status conference" set for March 25, but no trial date yet. A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney's office told us that federal prosecutors "are still hard at work" on the case. On Wednesday, Houston City Council approved an additional $1.7 million to fund the legal defense to defend the city and former Police Chief Art Acevedo in a federal civil lawsuit brought by the families of Rhogena Nicholas and Dennis Tuttle.

Meanwhile, Jo Ann Nicholas, now 89 and in poor health, is forced to live with a prolonged, recurring nightmare that shakes her faith in a legal system that has, so far, failed to obtain justice for her daughter and son-in-law.

"The only thing I can say is God helps me get through every day," she told us. "If He didn't, I couldn't make it."

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One month after the raid, Acevedo told the editorial board that the Harding Street scandal "will not be in vain," a rather stunning reversal from his statement immediately after the raid, in which he hailed Goines and his narcotics team as "heroes." Instead, Acevedo left HPD in 2021 with the unresolved civil lawsuit in his wake and taxpayers paying the mounting millions of dollars in legal fees.

We are disappointed the City Council voted to continue bankrolling this case, which Mayor John Whitmire on Wednesday called "tragic." We urge the city to stop wasting taxpayer dollars and offer the victims' families a fair settlement.

In 2020, then-Mayor Sylvester Turner signed an executive order banning no-knock raids unless the police chief personally signed off. Whitmire deserves credit for pushing "remedial measures" at HPD that would firm up the policy requiring the chief's sign-off and also ensure raid warrants are signed by district court judges instead of magistrates. The city's assertion that it shouldn't be held liable for the actions of "rogue police officers" strains credulity, considering the systemic rot that, according to a Chronicle investigation, allowed Goines to obtain nearly 100 no-knock warrants based on scant evidence over the course of 12 years. An internal audit released more than a year after the raid found widespread problems within HPD's narcotics division from sloppy investigations to cases with missing documentation and evidence to incomplete offense reports.

As for the murder trial against Goines, court records show that District Court Judge Frank Aguilar has granted a slew of motions for evidence hearings and depositions that appear to have effectively slowed the case to a crawl. A spokesman for the Harris County District Attorney's office told the editorial board that the "state is ready to go" to trial. Goines' attorneys did not respond to requests for comment. Aguilar, meanwhile, has his own legal case to deal with, having recently been charged with domestic violence in Galveston County. There is a possibility that charge might lead the State Commission on Judicial Conduct to suspend him, which could further delay the trial.

"The lack of accountability doesn't make it difficult to grieve, it makes it impossible," Ryan Tuttle, Dennis' son, told the editorial board. "It raises more questions, leads to deeper confusion around motives and everything else. My dad's dead. (Rhogena) is dead. And these guys are walking around. That's not justice."

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The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has issued a statement indicating that it has not received any formal letter of withdrawal from Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso nor Mali.



On the 28th May, 1975, fifteen west African States came together to form the union which sought to promote economic integration in all fields of activity of the constituting countries.



However, in recent times, the Union has been hit with the political insurgencies in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. Democratically elected governments were overthrown by the military. This led the ECOWAS to issue sanctions on the countries.



In a video circulating on Social Media, Mali and Niger have issued a letter to ECOWAS clearly spelling out their withdrawal from the inion with immediate effect.



A letter published by ECOWAS on its official website emphasized that it has not received direct formal notification from the three member states about their intention to withdraw from the community.



The statement established that ECOWAS is still committed to working towards the restoration of constitutional order in Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali, describing them as very important members of the union.



The statement read, The ECOWAS Commission is yet to receive any direct formal notification from the three member states about their intention to withdraw from the Community."



"The ECOWAS Commission, as directed by the Authority of Heads of State and Government, has been working assiduously for the restoration of constitutional order in those countries.



"Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali remain important members of the Community and the Authority remains committed to finding a negotiated solution to their political impasses.



According to the ECOWAS, it will continue to monitor the situation and provide further updates as necessary.



The announcement to withdraw from the ECOWAS was done in a joint statement which was telecasted on national television.



Despite the sanctions, the military junta-led governments have rather hardened their decision to remain in power.









Source: Kobina Darlington/peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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A United Nations (UN) peacekeeper from Ghana has been killed alongside some civilians after clashes between rival local groups in the Abyei region on South Sudans border with Sudan, a UN statement said.



According to the statement by the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), the clashes occurred in three locations in the Abyei area on Saturday.



This led to casualties and the evacuation of civilians to UNISFA bases to provide safety for those caught up in the violence, the statement said.

During the fighting, one UNISFA base came under attack and although the attack was repelled tragically a Ghanaian peacekeeper was killed during the incident, the statement said.



The UN mission said it was still verifying the number of people killed, injured and displaced by the violence.



Clashes between different communities are common in South Sudan, which is still reeling from years of a devastating war that pitted the countrys leader, Salva Kiir, against his former deputy, Riek Machar, in a battle between rival tribes.



The UN statement did not say which tribes were involved in Saturday clashes.



The Abyei region, rich in oil resources, experiences frequent bouts of violence. Rival factions of the Dinka ethnic group are locked in a dispute over the location of an administrative boundary. The ownership of Abyei itself is disputed between Sudan and South Sudan, which declared independence from Sudan in 2011.









Source: graphiconline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has described as quite high the number of women opting for caesarean sections (CS) in the country as against the spontaneous vaginal delivery (SVD).



It said from the 2022 Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS) report released last week, one in every five women that delivered in the country did so through CS, a figure which it explained was quite high compared to World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendation for the country.



It said generally at the countrys population level, a 15 per cent CS rate was acceptable but that was not the case presently as the country, per the 2022 GDHS report, had a nationwide caesarean section rate of 21 per cent.



The high rate of CS had implications for the country, the Deputy Director, Reproductive and Child Health of the GHS, Dr Chris Opoku Fofie, stated in Accra yesterday at the dissemination of the 2022 GDHS report on maternal, child health and malaria.



The more we have women delivering through caesarean section, the more burden is put on the health system and so those that might need the intervention to survive would not get it in a timely manner.



We want to have caesarean sections, but there should be a way to ensure that those who need caesarean sections most are those getting it but not as a remedy for all other women who come around.



If you dont need it and you get it, you deprive others from getting the life-saving intervention, he explained.



C-section

A caesarean section is a surgery to deliver a baby through ones abdomen and uterus.

It is performed when a vaginal delivery is not safe or possible.

Dr Fofie explained that pregnant women that might require CS delivery included those whose babies were having problems coming out or the babys size was too big.



GDHS Report

The Demographic and Health Survey report is a population-based survey designed to monitor progress on health service utilisation and management to inform decision-making.



Since 1998, the survey has been conducted, led by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the GHS and other stakeholders.



The information is intended to be used by programme managers and policymakers to evaluate and improve existing programmes.



The fieldwork for the latest survey was conducted between October 17, 2022 and January 14, 2023.



A nationally representative sample of 15,014 girls and women aged between 15 and 49 years in 17,933 households, and 7,044 boys and men aged 15 to 59 years in half of the selected households were interviewed in the latest survey.



Urban

Dr Fofie explained that up to a certain level, caesarean sections would help to reduce complications and death but when it went beyond that level to a point where everyone was opting for it, that would not necessarily improve care.



He said the survey further looked at where the CS was performed most and from the report, it established that 27 per cent of urban dwellers opted for CS as against 15 per cent by rural dwellers.



For instance, the Reproductive and Child Health Deputy Director said from their facility data, the Greater Accra Region had a CS rate of 29 per cent of all deliveries as of last year, but when narrowed to specific hospitals, some of them were performing up to 45 per cent rate which, according to him, was alarming.



We are not saying caesarean section is bad, all we are saying is that we should be able to have a system where we will distinguish between those who really need it from those who are requesting it, so that when you need your caesarean section to survive, you get it in a timely manner, he said.



Touching on delivery, Dr Fofie said the report indicated that most deliveries were performed by the nurses and midwives group, representing 70 per cent, while for deliveries done by doctors, it was 19 per cent and unskilled delivery, that is those performed by traditional birth attendants, represented seven per cent.



Education, wealth quintile

The report also established a relationship between the level of education of mothers and the type of delivery they opted for or the venue of delivery.



Dr Fofie explained that while 74 per cent of women with no education had skilled delivery, the figure increased to 84 per cent for those who had primary education and for those with secondary education, 92 per cent of them had skilled delivery while those who had above secondary education were 99 per cent.



This means that if we invest in education, definitely we will get many more people delivering within our facilities.



So we have to focus on education, he said.



For wealth, he said, those that were in the lowest wealth quintile (the poorest), 73 per cent had skilled delivery as against 98 per cent for those with the highest wealth quintile (the wealthiest).



Remarks

A monitoring and evaluation specialist of the GHS, Solomon Boamah, stated that the findings of the report resonated well with GHS and the service appreciated the efforts put in by the GSS to produce the report.



A demographer at the Regional Institute for Population Studies (RIPS), University of Ghana, Professor Stephen O. Kwankye, said the report showed that the country was doing well even though there were gaps which needed to be tackled.

Source: graphiconline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Ashanti Regional Minister, Hon. Simon Osei Mensah, has hit back at the leader of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Former President John Dramani Mahama, accusing him of living in a fool's paradise for patting himself on the back over completion of developmental projects in the region by his administration.



According to Hon Simon Osei, the former President has been largely misinformed about projects in the Ashanti Region he (Mahama) believes to have completed.



"Indeed, most of these projects the former president claimed to have undertaken n the Ashanti region were not fully completed," he added.



With particular reference to the Kejetia Market, Hon Simon Osei asserted that the project was completed in 2019 under the NPP government.



He was speaking to Kwame Nkrumah Tikesie on Okayfm's Ade Akyi Abia on morning show.



".....even with the Kumasi airport, the project was started by the NPP government at the time when Mad. Cecelia Dapaah was the Sector Minister for Aviation.... His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, His Royal Majesty, Otumfour Osei-Tutu II, and the sector minister did the sod- cutting for the construction of the Kumasi Airport.



Former President Mahama spent over $20 million just for the construction of a runway, he added.



The Ashanti Regional Minister reiterated the NPP governments quest to make the living conditions of Ghanaians better. He noted that, the NPP government has been able to complete some hospitals across the country.





Source: Kobina Darlington/peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Security Analyst, Mr. Richard Kumadoe, has asked the Police service to mark the Hon. Kobina Tahir Hammond and his constituency, Adansi-Asokwa in the Ashanti Region, as one of the "red flags" in the upcoming December, 2024 elections.



The security analyst made this statement while granting an interview on TV3 on the Monday edition of the "New Day" morning show. According to him, the conduct of the NPP MP who doubles as Minister for Trade and Industry, does not portend good signals for December 2024 general elections.



The ruling New Patriotic Party organized an eventful Parliamentary Primaries on Saturday, January 27.



In the Adansi-Asokwa constituency, it is alleged that some macho men were present at the grounds of elections and some cases of assault, according to incumbent MP, was recorded. This infuriated the incumbent MP KT Hammond, thus leading to the issuing of threats in the presence of some officers of the Ghana Police Service.



In a video circulating on social media, Hon. KT Hammond was sighted to be threatening to beat his main contender Mr. Samuel Binfoh Darkwa, to pulp. This generated some conversations within the public space with some sections of the public demanding the arrest of the MP for the "unsavory" comment.



The Security analyst maintained that, "This is a typical red flag of what is likely to happen on election day December 7, and if we dont have large numbers of police officers in such places, the outcome will not be good.



Mr. Kumadoe, however, agrees that Mr. KT Hammond be invited to answer some questions. He said, "we have been warning that, during elections, key political figures like him should be mindful of what they say and their actions. Before this elections, he had been threatening his opponent.



"He was finding ways of disqualifying them so he goes unopposed but the National Executives gave the contestants the go ahead to participate in the contest, and so I am not surprised that he is issuing threats to his opponent.



"What surprised me, however is that he made those comments in the presence of the police officers who should have arrested him immediately but they were asking him to calm down.



Mr. Richard Kumadoe believed law enforcement officers must act professionally and conduct their businesses in the atmosphere of fairness and be objective, adding that they should not allow the politicians to drag them into the mud.





Source: Kobina Darlington/peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Members of the Kumasi Traditional Council convened to have a crucial meeting on Monday, 29th January 2024 at the Manhyia Palace.



The meeting was to decide the fate of the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.



The second-highest decision-making body of the Asante Kingdom, whose membership is limited to traditional leaders, had been livid about then-embattled Chairman Wontumis failure to honour their summons and appear before them.



This follows an altercation between Mr Antwi Boasiako and the Kokosohene, Nana Kwaku Dua, at the recent vetting of parliamentary aspirants in the Ashanti region.



Though Chairman Wontumi has denied the accusations, he was invited by the traditional council for a hearing, an invitation he failed to honour on health grounds.



The meeting which was rescheduled for Monday, 29th January, 2024 happened today with Chairman Wontumi finally appearing before the traditional council.



Based on the accounts and narrations from the various parties, the Council concluded that Chairman Wontumi had done nothing wrong in declaring that he has a kingdom as he had been accused, once it was made within a political context.



The Ashanti Regional Chairman was not found guilty on the charges levelled against him, which had to do with him disrespecting the Asantehene.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Asanteman Traditional Council has reportedly cleared the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, a.k.a. Chairman Wontumi, of any wrongdoing.



The chiefs summoned the NPP regional chairman after he allegedly made derogatory comments against the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.



The second-highest decision-making body of the Asante Kingdom, whose membership is limited to traditional leaders, had been livid about then-embattled Chairman Wontumis failure to honour their summons and appear before them.



This follows an altercation between Mr Antwi Boasiako and the Kokosohene, Nana Kwaku Dua, at the recent vetting of parliamentary aspirants in the Ashanti region.



Though Chairman Wontumi has denied the accusations, he was invited by the traditional council for a hearing, an invitation he failed to honour on health grounds



A report from the meeting says the Council directed that the Kokosohene, Nana Kwaku Dua, should vacate his position as the Chairman of the Council of Elders of the New Patriotic Party for the Manhyia South Constituency.



Wontumis accuser Kokosuhene, Nana Kwaku Duah, was also advised to abstain from bringing political issues to the Manhyia Palace.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Former Minister of Gender Children and Social Protection and Former Womens Organiser of the New Patriotic Party, Hon Otiko Afisah Djaba has called for the need for positive discrimination to ensure that a lot more women take up political and leadership roles.



Speaking to Peace News on the loss of about 7 female members of parliament including Hon Sarah Adwoa Sarfo, Hon Tina Mensah, Hon Zuweira Lariba Abudu, Hon Gifty Twum Ampofo amongst others and replaced by men during the NPP parliamentary primaries on Saturday, Hon Otiko Afisah Djaba said that, there is the need to take steps to protect women who break the glass ceiling in politics despite the long-standing patriarchal structures that have traditionally kept women away from the public eye.



According to her, the current number of women (40 out of 275) in parliament as it stands now represents just a minute portion of women in the country as women are more than men and this makes it difficult for their voices to be heard.



Hon Otiko Afisah Djaba said that the time has come for us to take deliberate steps to address the misrepresentation of women in key political and leadership roles in the country instead of lip service.



She also said that there is a need for a strong political will to pass the Affirmative Action Bill if possible this year. This she says will ensure steady development in the country as has been done in countries like Rwanda.



She further called for a National Policy that will allow the Electoral Commission to put a caveat on political parties to present a specific number of females as parliamentary candidates before they are permitted to contest in the general elections and also called on the political parties to ensure that, they provide quotas to ensure they reserve their safe seats for only females to contest.



Hon Otiko Afisa Djaba charged all the female parliamentary aspirants in both political parties to start mentoring younger females to enable more females to take up key positions in politics.

Source: Henry Akwasi Minkah - Contributor









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Senior Psychologist, Professor Joseph Osafo has described the New Patriotic Party parliamentary election over the weekend as a win for Ghana's democracy.



Professor Joseph Osafo, speaking to host Nana Yaw Kesseh on Peace FM's morning show "Kokrokoo", lauded the leadership and aspirants as well as the delegates and supporters of the party for a successful primary on Saturday, January 27.



He also applauded the Inspector General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare and the Police Service for doing a great job by maintaining law and order during the election.



The New Patriotic Party elected new candidates and in some constituencies maintained their Members of Parliament during Saturday's election held in constituencies with sitting Members of Parliament.



Some incumbent Members of Parliament lost their seats, among them was lawyer Sarah Adwoa Safo who is the MP for Dome-Kwabenya.



Other sitting MPs like Francis Asenso-Boakye, who represents Bantama constituency, retained their seats.



The party also saw new faces like the Spokesperson for Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Dr. Gideon Boako jump on the party's parliamentary ticket for this year's general elections.



Dr. Gideon Boako defeated the sitting Member of Parliament for Tano North, Freda Prempeh.



Prof. Osafo was delighted with the outcome of the NPP election saying "what happened is a win for democracy. It's a win for the NPP. It is a win for our security apparatuses".





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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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.

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Texas has had an estimated 26,000 rape-related pregnancies since the state enacted its abortion bans. Dreamstime/TNS

Abortion stats

Regarding "More than 26K rape-related pregnancies estimated after Texas outlawed abortions, new study says," (Jan. 24): This shameful outcome was predictable to most intelligent people. In spite of our illustrious Texas Gov. Greg Abbott making the vow in 2021 that he would eliminate rapists from the streets of Texas, its estimated that 26,313 rape-related pregnancies occurred in the 16 months after the state outlawed all abortions, with no exceptions for survivors of rape or incest, according to a research letter published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

This compares to the inhumanity of the Dark Ages. We should be considering how many unwanted children will have to be raised by mothers who are reminded constantly of such an act. I am usually an optimist, yet I cant help but imagine a less-than-promising future for those children and their mothers. Thank you, Julian Gill, for such thorough reporting.

Toy B. Halsey, Houston

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It was absolutely horrifying to read in the Chronicle that there were an estimated 26,313 rape-related pregnancies in the state of Texas after the full abortion ban. These are women and teenage girls who, every time they see their child, could see the face of a rapist  be the rapist a father, brother, husband, boyfriend or a stranger.

I have to ask the question: What are our legislators doing about these issues? In fact, I dont see or hear many people saying much about it. And it is not really helpful when we have a former president with multiple lawsuits related to his treatment of women.

Since many of the women who abort appear to come from families that are less educated and financially struggling families, it begs the question of help for these children. Yet Texas rejects programs designed to help needy children during the summer. We can spend billions of dollars and send thousands of National Guardsmen to the border, but can't find enough folks to administer a program that helps the poor.

It has been said that a society should be judged upon how it treats its children and its elderly. The state of Texas, as well as many states, fail this test. I think we need to look at the folks who are our governors, senators, representatives and ask them why they have allowed this situation to exist. If they cannot begin to sit down and pass laws that protect women, children and the elderly, then they need to move aside for folks who will.

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Tim Kavulla, Houston

Concerning trend

Regarding "Some Republicans call for Texas to ignore Supreme Court border ruling: Lets see them enforce it," (Jan. 23): We just blew by the anniversary of the Supreme Courts disastrous ruling on a womans choice of medical care for her own body. Right-wing individuals and media have cheered for this conservative stacked court  thank you, Mitch McConnell.

Now, according to the top story on last Wednesday's front page, that position seems to be losing some steam. Far-right individuals are now calling for Texas to ignore this lawless Supreme Court following the ruling against Texas razor wire use on the southern border. The juxtaposition of the application of the law is jaw-dropping. Louisiana U.S. Rep. Clay Higgins' belief that "the feds are staging a civil war shows that he fails to recognize that Texas is the instigator here, not the federal government.

Is it now time to ignore Supreme Court rulings that we dont agree with?

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A Marquette Law School Poll national survey found that 41% of adults approve of the job the U.S. Supreme Court is doing, while 59% disapprove. In September, 43% approved and 57% disapproved. So now the right-wing, it seems, may be jumping on the "disapprove" side. One must wonder just how low that might go. The trend certainly suggests its getting worse.

However, the Court can look on the bright side. According to December 2023 polling data, the approval rating for this 118th Congress is a dismal 15%. Just saying.
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Data augmentation methods applied to the dataset. Credit: Multimedia Tools and Applications (2024). DOI: 10.1007/s11042-023-17920-3

Poison ivy ranks among the most medically problematic plants. Up to 50 million people worldwide suffer annually from rashes caused by contact with the plant, a climbing, woody vine native to the United States, Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, the Western Bahamas and several areas in Asia.

It's found on farms, in woods, landscapes, fields, hiking trails and other open spaces. So, if you go to those places, you're susceptible to irritation caused by poison ivy, which can lead to reactions that require medical attention. Worse, most people don't know poison ivy when they see it.

To find poison ivy before it finds you, University of Florida scientists published a new study, in Multimedia Tools and Applications, in which they use artificial intelligence to confirm that an app can identify poison ivy.

Nathan Boyd, a professor of horticultural sciences at the UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center near Tampa, led the research. Renato Herrig, a post-doctoral researcher in Boyd's lab, designed the app.

"We were the first to do this, and it was designed as a tool for hikers or others working outdoors," Boyd said. "The app uses a camera to identify in real-time if poison ivy is present and provides you with a measure of certainty for the detection. It also functions even if you don't have connectivity to the internet."

The next step is to make the app commercially available, and there's no timetable for that yet, Boyd said.

The geographical representation of places where poison ivy images were collected from in the United States of America. Credit: Multimedia Tools and Applications (2024). DOI: 10.1007/s11042-023-17920-3

For the study, researchers collected thousands of images of poison ivy from five locations: Alderman's Ford Conservation Park and Hillsborough River State Park, both in Florida; Eufala National Wildlife Refuge in Alabama; York River State Park in Virgina and Fall Creek Falls State Park in Tennessee.

They labeled images, and in each image, scientists put boxes around the leaves and stems of the plant. The boxed images were critical because poison ivy has a unique leaf arrangement and shape. Scientists use those characteristics to identify the plant.

They then ran the images through AI programs and taught a computer to recognize which plants are poison ivy. They also included images of plants that are not poison ivy or plants that look like poison ivy to be certain the computer learns to distinguish them.

"We believe that by integrating an object-detection algorithm, public health and plant science, our research can encourage and support further investigations to understand poison ivy distribution and minimize health concerns," Boyd said. In their future work UF/IFAS researchers hope to expand the use of the app to identify more noxious plants.

More information: Renato Herrig Furlanetto et al, A mobile application to identify poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) plants in real time using convolutional neural network, Multimedia Tools and Applications (2024). DOI: 10.1007/s11042-023-17920-3
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A fire that destroyed around 600 hectares of a national park in Argentina was the result of arson, authorities say.

A fire that destroyed around 600 hectares of a national park in Argentina was the result of arson, an official said Sunday.

"We have confirmed that the fire originated intentionally," said Ignacio Torres, the governor of Chubut province, who had flown over Los Alerces National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, to inspect the destruction.

"Those responsible for starting the fire will have to answer to the courts," he added, calling for "exemplary measures."

Torres had alleged in an earlier radio interview that the fire was started by members of the Mapuche Ancestral Resistance (RAM), a marginal Indigenous group which claims land taken by the state during the 19th century and advocates against logging.

"The problem is not Indigenous people but these criminals who take land under false flags... I think it is time to put a definitive stop to it," he had said.

Firefighters are battling the blaze that has ravaged the park for three days, trying to prevent the flames from reaching the nearby towns of Esquel and Trevelin, about 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles) southwest of Buenos Aires.

They are being supported by two hydrant planes, an observation aircraft and two water-bombing helicopters, according to official information.

The Chubut governor's office said the work on Sunday was complicated by weather conditions, which caused smoke to hang over the area and reduce visibility.

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.

Los Alerces Park covers more than 260,000 hectares. Glaciers have shaped the landscape of the region, creating strings of ponds and lakes, hanging valleys and rivers.

It is also home to pristine forests of alerce trees, the second-longest living tree species in the world.

 2024 AFP
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Credit: NASA

Teams with NASA's Exploration Ground Systems Program began installing the four emergency egress baskets at Launch Pad 39B in preparation for NASA's Artemis II crewed mission at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

In the event of an emergency at the pad during the launch countdown, these baskets, similar to gondolas on ski lifts, will take the astronauts and pad personnel safely from the mobile launcher to the base of the pad where emergency transport vehicles will drive them away.

Following installation, teams will thoroughly test the baskets by placing water tanks filled at different levels to help simulate the different weights of the passengers and releasing them.

Once the basket testing is complete, teams will perform an emergency egress demonstration with the Artemis II crew to practice the route the astronauts will take during an emergency. The emergency egress system is one of several new systems and upgrades being installed in support of safety for crewed Artemis missions.

Provided by NASA
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Migratory pathway taken by the ancestors of banksias beginning 132 million years ago in north Africa. Note how the ancestors split into two groups on entering Antarctica from South America, banksia itself entering via southwest Australia and the rainforest species via Tasmania. Credit: Lamont et al. (2024) Perspectives in Plant Ecology Evolution and Systematics

Few plants conjure up the Australian bush better than banksias, whose beautiful flowers are irresistible to honeyeater birds, small marsupials and nature lovers.

But our research, published in Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics, shows that the ancestors of banksias actually migrated here from North Africa.

From early fossil pollen studies, we already knew that the protea family (Proteaceae), which includes banksias, grevilleas, waratahs and macadamias in Australia, originated in northwest Africa 130 million years ago.

Our task was to track their migration to Australia, where they became the unique symbols of the Australian bush that we admire today. To give credit where it's due, we need to know where our natural heritage originated. So, how did this iconic group of plants get here?

Looking at the entire family

Our study relied on two approaches. We used a DNA assessment of the entire protea family to create an evolutionary tree. Then we inserted key fossil pollen records of a known age into the tree, to serve as a "molecular clock." This helped us work out the time of origin of all genera in this family.

We then searched the literature for records of ancient sedimentary deposits that contain fossil pollen with affinities to banksias in Africa, South America, Antarctica (which was covered in forest until 40 million years ago) and Australia.

This was made possible by the fact the hard walls of pollen grains allow them to be preserved for millions of years. Also, the pollen grains of plants in the protea family are quite distinctive from those of other families. We then compared the dates and locations of the fossil pollen against our family tree.

This showed that by 120 million years ago, the ancestors of banksias had begun crossing into northeast South America. The two continents remained joined at their tips until 100 million years ago.

The plants then migrated down the east side of South Americafirst reaching the Scotia Isthmus about 110 million years agoand crossed onto the Antarctic Peninsula.

Two routes into Australia

Here, the ancestors separated into two groups. One, the soft-leaved group, followed a cool-temperate rainforest pathway (dark for up to four months of the year) along the south side of Antarctica. They entered Australia via Tasmania from 105 million years ago.

The rainforest elements continued up the east coast, with some eventually reaching New Guinea; others entered New Caledonian rainforests directly from southern Antarctica. This route remained open until 45 million years ago, when Australia and Antarctica finally separated.

The other, hard-leaved group followed an open, fire-prone woodland pathway along the warmer, sunnier northern side of Antarctica. They entered Australia via the southwest tip that remained attached to Antarctica until about 70 million years ago.

The two points of entry were separated by a huge inland sea that occupied the Great Australian Bight during that period.

A proliferation of banksias

Since banksia itself appears to have arisen 100 million years ago, the genus either evolved in northeast Antarctica or at the extreme corner of southwestern Australia. From there, they spread to the rest of Australia over the next 50 million years.

Banksias now consist of around 200 species, 90% of which are endemic to southwestern Australia. Ancestors of the bulk of the hard-leaved genera, such as grevilleas, hakeas, macadamias and waratahs, also entered Australia via the southwestern tip. They then migrated east along the margins of the Nullarbor Plainthickly vegetated back thento southeast Australia.

Until the results of our new study, it was believed the protea family arose in Australia and spread from here to Africa, South America, New Caledonia and Asia. Almost all migration would have needed to be over the oceans, as it was thought to have happened after the breakup of the Gondwanan supercontinent.

In fact, the journey was entirely overland as it occurred when Gondwana was largely intact, except for the early departure of Greater India.

Plants out of Africa

Anthropologists are keen to point to the "out of Africa" hypothesis for the origin and migratory history of humans. It now appears such a hypothesis is equally applicable to some important groups of plants.

This is the first time the southwest corner of Australia has been recognized as a major migratory route for the protea family.

We now need to take seriously the Antarcticsouthwest Australian link as a likely major entry route for many other hard-leaved plant groups into Australia. They could have originated in Antarctica and South America, and possibly even Africa.

This north Antarctic pathway might well also apply to eucalypts, whose oldest records are for southern South America, as well as currently endemic animals and microbes.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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SEM-BSE (back-scattered electron) micrographs at low magnification of typical organic particle morphologies in Winchcombe. Credit: Nature Communications (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45064-x

A team of researchers has examined the Winchcombe meteorite and demonstrated the existence in it of nitrogen compounds such as amino acids and heterocyclic hydrocarbonswithout applying any chemical treatment and by using a new type of detector design.

Meteorites are fragments of asteroids that find their way to Earth as shooting stars and provide information on the origins of our solar system. These cosmic sediments have frozen the primordial soup from which our solar system emergedpreserving it just like a time capsule. These rocks help researchers to get to the bottom of the origins of matter and of life on Earth.

Working together with British colleagues, Dr. Christian Vollmer from the Institute of Mineralogy at Munster University has examined one of these time capsules, and a very special onethe Winchcombe meteorite. The team of researchers is now the first to demonstrate, to a high degree of precision, the existence of some important nitrogen compounds in this meteorite with amino acids and heterocyclic hydrocarbonswithout applying any chemical treatment, and by using a new type of detector design. The results have been published in the journal Nature Communications.

The Winchcombe meteorite was observed by a camera network in England in February 2021, and it was collected within just a few days. "Normally, meteorites are tracked down in the cold and hot deserts on Earth, where the dry climate means that they don't weather very fast, but they do change as a result of humidity," says Christian Vollmer.

"If a meteorite fall is observed soon after the event and the meteorite is quickly collected, as was the case in Winchcombe, they are important 'witnesses' for us regarding the birth of our solar systemwhich makes them especially interesting for research purposes."

The origins of life on our planet are still shrouded in mystery, and some researchers assume that the first biologically relevant matter was transported to Earth in meteorites over four billion years ago. This matter includes for example complex organic compounds such as amino acids or hydrocarbons. However, these molecules have only very low concentrations, and the experts generally have to separate them out from the meteorite by using solvents or acids and then enrich them for analytical purposes.

Christian Vollmer's team was now the first to be able to demonstrate the existence of these biologically relevant nitrogen compounds in the Winchcombe meteorite without first treating them chemicallyalthough here too the concentrations of these substances are very low. In their work, the researchers used a modern, high-resolution electron microscope such as is found at only a few locations worldwide.

This "super-microscope" at the SuperSTEM laboratory in Daresbury, England not only depicts high-carbon compounds at atomic resolutionit can also analyze the samples chemically by means of a new type of detector.

"Demonstrating the existence of these biologically relevant organic compounds in an untreated meteorite is a significant achievement for research," says Vollmer. "It shows that these building blocks of life can be characterized in these cosmic sediments even without chemical extraction."

The development is also of great importance because chemical treatment includes the risk of these fragile substances being changed. This is why the analytical methods applied here to solid matter are potentially also valuable for research on small, extraterrestrial specimens brought back to Earth from space missionssuch as the dust particles from asteroids recently brought back by the Japanese Space Agency (Hayabusa2) and NASA (OSIRIS-REx).

More information: Christian Vollmer et al, High-spatial resolution functional chemistry of nitrogen compounds in the observed UK meteorite fall Winchcombe, Nature Communications (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45064-x Journal information: Nature Communications
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Credit: Edmond Dantes from Pexels

Many countries face general elections this year. Political campaigning will include misleading and even false information. Just days ago, it was reported that a robocall impersonating US president Joe Biden had told recipients not to vote in the presidential primary.

But can disinformation significantly influence voting?

There are two typical styles of election campaigning. One is positive, presenting favorable attributes of politicians and their policies, and the other is negativedisparaging the opposition. The latter can backfire, though, or lead to voters disengaging with the entire democratic process.

Voters are already fairly savvythey know that campaigning tactics often include distortions and untruths. Both types of tactics, positive and negative, can feature misinformation, which loosely refers to inaccurate, false and misleading information. Sometimes this even counts as disinformation, because the details are deliberately designed to be misleading.

Unfortunately, recent research shows that the lack of clarity in defining misinformation and disinformation is a problem. There is no consensus. Scientifically and practically, this is bad. It's hard to chart the scale of a problem if your starting point includes vague or confused concepts. This is a problem for the general public, too, given it makes it harder to decipher and trust research on the topic.

For example, depending on how inclusive the definition is, propaganda, deep fakes, fake news and conspiracy theories are all examples of disinformation. But news parody or political satire can be too.

Unfortunately, researchers often fail to provide clear definitions, and do not carefully compare different types of disinformation, adding uncertainty to evidence examining its effect on voting behavior.

Nevertheless, let's investigate the research on disinformation so far, which is generally viewed as more serious than misinformation, to see how much influence it can really have on the way we vote.

Unconvincing findings

Consider a study published in 2023, investigating the role of fake news in the Italian general elections in 2013 and 2018. It used debunking websites to help create a fake news score for articles published in the run-up to the election.

Then the researchers analyzed populist parties' pre-election Facebook posts containing such news content. This also generated an engagement score based on the number of likes and shares of the posts.

Finally, scores were combined with actual electoral votes for populist parties to gauge the possible influence of fake news on such votes. The researchers estimated that fake news added a small but statistically significant electoral gain for populist parties. But the researchers suggested that fake news could not be the sole cause of the overall increase in vote share for populist partiesit only seemed to add a small amount to the overall increase in vote share.

Similar studies showing low effects of fake news on persuading voters has led some researchers to argue that the panic about fake news is overblown.

Other recent studies have looked at the potential influence of disinformation by asking people how they intended to vote and whether they believed specific pieces of disinformation. This was examined in national or presidential elections in the Czech Republic in 2021, Kenya in 2017, South Korea in 2017, Indonesia in 2019, Malaysia in 2018, Philippines in 2022 and Taiwan in 2018.

The general finding among all these studies was that it is hard to establish a reliable causal influence of fake news on voting. One reason was that who people say they vote for and how they actually vote can be vastly different.

In fact, research has gone into understanding the reasons for dramatic failures of traditional pollsters to predict elections and referendums in Argentina in 2019, Quebec in 2018, UK in 2016 and US in 2016. People didn't, for many reasons, reveal their actual voting intentions to pollsters and researchers.

Who is susceptible?

What about specific groups of voters, though? Might there be some that are more influenced by disinformation than others? Political affiliation doesn't seem to matter. People tend to rate fake news as accurate when it's in line with their own political beliefs. For instance, in the 2016 US presidential elections, both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump supporters were equally likely to rate fake news about their opposition as accurate.

How about undecided voters? Some studies show that undecided voters are more likely than decided voters to consider fake news headlines as credible. But the opposite has also been shownthat they are less susceptible to political fake news.

Still, to maximize the influence of disinformation in an election, undecided voters would be the obvious target, especially in close-run elections. But accurately profiling undecided voters is difficultespecially since people are cautious in revealing their voting intentions and the reasons behind them.

And if politicians or campaign staff use disinformation in aggressive negative campaigning to sway undecided voters, they can end up increasing disengagement in the election processmaking some people even more undecided.

Ultimately, most research suggests that fake news is more likely to enhance existing beliefs and views rather than radically change voting intentions of the undecided.

Another issue that often gets ignored is a phenomenon known in psychology as the third-person effectthat we think that others are more persuadable, and even gullible, than ourselves.

So when it comes to who is susceptible to disinformation, it is likely that those studying it, as well as those participating in the studies, assume they are immune, but that anyone else, such as supporters of the opposing political party, are notmaking the evidence harder to interpret.

It would be naive to say that disinformation, such as political propaganda, doesn't have any influence on voting. But we should be careful not to assign disinformation as the sole explanation for election results that go against predictions.

If we assign disinformation such a high level of influence, we ultimately deny people's agency in making free voting choices. And studies show that we are aware that manipulative methods are used on us. Still, we all judge that we can maintain an ability to make our own choice when voting.

It's important to take this seriously. Our belief in free will is ultimately a reason so many of us back democracy in the first place. Denying it can arguably be more damaging than a few fake news posts lurking on social media.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Cover of the 1947 Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists issue, featuring the Doomsday Clock at seven minutes to midnight. Credit: Public domain/Wikimedia

Once every year, a select group of nuclear, climate and technology experts assemble to determine where to place the hands of the Doomsday Clock.

Presented by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, the Doomsday Clock is a visual metaphor for humanity's proximity to catastrophe. It measures our collective peril in minutes and seconds to midnight, and we don't want to strike 12.

In 2023, the expert group brought the clock the closest it has ever been to midnight: 90 seconds. On January 23 2024, the Doomsday Clock was unveiled again, revealing that the hands remain in the same precarious position.

No change might bring a sigh of relief. But it also points to the continued risk of catastrophe. The question is, how close are we to catastrophe? And if so, why?

Destroyer of worlds

The invention of the atomic bomb in 1945 ushered in a new era: the first time humanity had the capability to kill itself.

Later that year, Albert Einstein, along with J. Robert Oppenheimer and other Manhattan Project scientists, established the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, in the hope of communicating to the public about the new nuclear age and the threat it posed.

Two years on, the Bulletin, as it came to be known, published its first magazine. And on the cover: a clock, with the minute hand suspended eerily only seven minutes from midnight.

The artist Martyl Langsdorf sought to communicate the sense of urgency she had felt from scientists who had worked on the bomb, including her physicist husband, Alexander. The placement was, to her, an aesthetic choice: "It seemed the right time on the page  it suited my eye."

Thereafter, Bulletin editor Eugene Rabinowitch was the gears behind the clock's hands until his passing in 1973, when the board of experts took over.

The clock has been moved 25 times since, particularly in response to the ebb and flow of military buildups, technological advancement and geopolitical dynamics during the Cold War.

Nuclear risk did not abate after the collapse of the Soviet Union, even as the total number of nuclear weapons shrank. And new threats have emerged that pose catastrophic risk to humanity. The latest setting of the clock attempts to gauge this level of risk.

A precarious world

In the words of Bulletin president and chief executive Rachel Bronson:

"Make no mistake: resetting the Clock at 90 seconds to midnight is not an indication that the world is stable. Quite the opposite."

The Bulletin cited four key sources of risk: nuclear weapons, climate change, biological threats, and advances in artificial intelligence (AI).

Two ongoing conflictsRussia and Ukraine, and Israel and Palestineinvolve nuclear-weapon states. Longstanding bulwarks of nuclear stability, such as the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty between the United States and Russia, are barely functional. North Korea and Iran retain their nuclear ambitions. And China is quickly growing and modernizing its nuclear arsenal.

The impacts of climate change are worsening, as the world suffers through its hottest years on record. Six of nine planetary boundaries are beyond their safe levels. And we are likely to fall short of the goal set by the Paris climate agreementkeeping temperature increase to no more than 1.5C above pre-industrial levels. Dramatic climatic disruptions are a real possibility.

The COVID pandemic revealed the global impacts of a biological threat. Engineered pandemics, created using synthetic bioengineering (and perhaps soon aided by AI tools), could be more viral and lethal than any natural disease. Add to the challenge the continued presence of biological weapons programs around the world, and the shifting disease risk due to the effects of climate change, and biothreats will be a regular battlefront for many countries.

Finally, the Bulletin recognized the risk that comes with advances in AI. While some AI experts have raised the prospect of AI itself being an existential threat, AI is also a threat multiplier for nuclear or biological weapons. And AI could be a vulnerability multiplier. Through AI-enabled disinformation, democracies might struggle to function, especially when dealing with other catastrophic threats.

Subjective and imprecise, but does that matter?

The Doomsday Clock has its detractors. Critics argue that the setting of the clock is based on subjective judgements, not a quantitative or transparent methodology. What's more, it is not a precise measurement. What does "90 seconds to midnight" actually mean?

With the clock now set at its highest ever level, it naturally brings into question why we face greater risk than, say, during the Cuban Missile Crisis. What would it take to get closer than 90 seconds to midnight?

Fundamentally, these criticisms are accurate. And there are plenty of ways the clock could be technically improved. The Bulletin should consider them. But the critics also miss the point.

The Doomsday Clock is not a risk assessment. It's a metaphor. It's a symbol. It is, for lack of a better term, a vibe.

A powerful image of nebulous threats

From the very beginning, when seven minutes to midnight "suited the eye," the Doomsday Clock was an emotional and visceral response to the nuclear moment. Which is why it has become a powerful image, drawing the eyes of the world every year.

Global catastrophic threats are nebulous and complex and overwhelming. With just four dots and two hands, the Doomsday Clock captures the sense of urgency like few images can.

There are better and more actionable ways to assess risk. A handful of countries, for example, conduct national risk assessments. These are formal and regular processes by which governments assess a range of threats to the country, prioritising them on a quantitative scale and building response plans for the highest risk vectors. More countries should conduct these assessments, and be sure to catalogue global catastrophic threats.

Or take the World Economic Forum's annual Global Risk Report. Based on a survey of around 1,500 experts from across academia, business, government and civil society, it captures the greatest perceived threats over the following two and ten years. Following a similar method, the United Nations is currently conducting its own survey of global risk.

The Doomsday Clock does not replace efforts to understand and assess the greatest threats we face. If anything, it should inspire them.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Reconstruction of the locomotor behavior and paleoenvironment of Lufengpithecus. Credit: Xiaocong Guo; image courtesy of Xijun Ni, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Humans and our closest relatives, living apes, display a remarkable diversity of types of locomotionfrom walking upright on two legs to climbing in trees and walking using all four limbs.

While scientists have long been intrigued by the question of how humans' bipedal stance and movement evolved from a quadrupedal ancestor, neither past studies nor fossil records have permitted the reconstruction of a clear and definitive history of the early evolutionary stages that led to human bipedalism.

However, a new study, which centers on recently discovered evidence from skulls of a 6-million-year-old fossil ape, Lufengpithecus, offers important clues about the origins of bipedal locomotion courtesy of a novel method: analyzing its bony inner ear region using three-dimensional CT-scanning.

"The semicircular canals, located in the skull between our brains and the external ear, are critical to providing our sense of balance and position when we move, and they provide a fundamental component of our locomotion that most people are probably unaware of," explains Yinan Zhang, a doctoral student at the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (IVPP) and the lead author of the paper, which appears in the journal The Innovation.

"The size and shape of the semicircular canals correlate with how mammals, including apes and humans, move around their environment. Using modern imaging technologies, we were able to visualize the internal structure of fossil skulls and study the anatomical details of the semicircular canals to reveal how extinct mammals moved."

Three different views of the reconstructed inner ear of Lufengpithecus. Credit: Yinan Zhang, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

"Our study points to a three-step evolution of human bipedalism," adds Terry Harrison, a New York University anthropologist and one of the paper's co-authors.

"First, the earliest apes moved in the trees in a style that was most similar to aspects of the way that gibbons in Asia do today. Second, the last common ancestor of apes and humans was similar in its locomotor repertoire to Lufengpithecus, using a combination of climbing and clambering, forelimb suspension, arboreal bipedalism, and terrestrial quadrupedalism. It is from this broad ancestral locomotor repertoire that human bipedalism evolved."

Most studies of the evolution of ape locomotion had focused on comparisons of the bones of the limbs, shoulders, pelvis, and spine and the way they are associated with the different types of locomotor behaviors seen in living apes and humans. However, the diversity of locomotor behaviors in living apes and the incompleteness of the fossil record have hampered the development of a clear picture of human bipedalism's origins.

The skulls of Lufengpithecusoriginally discovered in China's Yunnan Province in the early 1980shave given scientists the opportunity to address, in new ways, unanswered questions about the evolution of locomotion. However, the heavy compression and distortion of the skulls obscured the bony ear region and led previous researchers to believe that the delicate semicircular canals were not preserved.

To better explore this region, Zhang, Ni and Harrison, along with other researchers at IVPP and the Yunnan Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology (YICRA), used three dimensional scanning technologies to illuminate these portions of the skulls to create a virtual reconstruction of the inner ear's bony canals. They then compared these scans to those collected from other living and fossil apes and humans from Asia, Europe, and Africa.

"Our analyses show that early apes shared a locomotor repertoire that was ancestral to human bipedalism," explains IVPP Professor Xijun Ni, who led the project. "It appears that the inner ear provides a unique record of the evolutionary history of ape locomotion that offers an invaluable alternative to the study of the postcranial skeleton."

"Most fossil apes and their inferred ancestors are intermediate in locomotor mode between gibbons and African apes," adds Ni. "Later, the human lineage diverged from the great apes with the acquisition of bipedalism, as seen in Australopithecus, an early human relative from Africa."

By studying the rate of evolutionary change in the bony labyrinth, the international team proposed that climate change may have been an important environmental catalyst in promoting the locomotor diversification of apes and humans.

"Cooler global temperatures, associated with the build up of glacial ice sheets in the northern hemisphere approximately 3.2 million years ago, correspond with an uptick in the rate of change of the bony labyrinth and this may signal a rapid increase in the pace of ape and human locomotor evolution," explains Harrison.

More information: Lufengpithecus inner ear provides evidence of a common locomotor repertoire ancestral to human bipedalism, The Innovation (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.xinn.2024.100580. www.cell.com/the-innovation/fu  2666-6758(24)00018-3
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Graphical depiction of the reaction and the associated variables. Credit: CrystEngComm (2024). DOI: 10.1039/D3CE01173A

Results of a large-scale innovative Citizen Science experiment called Project M, which involved more than 1,000 scientists, 800 samples and 110 U.K. secondary schools in a huge experiment, were published in the journal CrystEngComm.

The paper is titled "Project M: Investigating the effect of additives on calcium carbonate crystallization through a school citizen science program." The paper shares a giant set of results from the school citizen scientists who collaborated with a team at Diamond to find out how different additives affect the different forms of calcium carbonate produced.

These additives affect the type of calcium carbonate that forms, and thus its properties and potential applications. Being able to easily produce different forms of calcium carbonate could be very important for manufacturing.

Lead authors Claire Murray, Visiting Scientist at Diamond and Julia Parker, Diamond Principal Beamline Scientist and expert in calcium carbonate science who conceptualized the project, analyzed the data, and wrote and edited the manuscript explain that despite nature's ability to precisely control calcium carbonate formation in shells and skeletons, laboratories around the world are often unable to exact the same level of control over how calcium carbonate forms.

"Nature uses molecules like amino acids and proteins to direct the formation of calcium carbonate, so we were interested in discovering how some of these molecules affect the calcium carbonate that we make in the lab," said the researchers.

Project M engaged the students and teachers as scientists, making different samples of calcium carbonate under varying conditions with different additives. In all, 800 of these samples were then analyzed in just 24 hours in April 2017 using the X-ray powder diffraction technique at on beamline I11 at Diamond Light Source, the U.K.'s national synchrotron. This created a giant set of results that form the basis of the publication. A systematic study of this scale has never been completed anywhere else in the world.

The goal of this project was to find out how using different additives like amino acids affect the structure of the calcium carbonate. The mineral has three main forms called "polymorphs"vaterite, calcite and aragonitewhich can be identified using X-ray powder diffraction at Diamond's beamline l11.

Diamond Light Source produces one of the brightest X-ray beams on planet Earth, which allow scientists to understand the atomic structure of materials. Scientists come from all over the U.K. and further afield to use these X-raysas well as infrared and ultraviolet lightto make better drugs, understand the natural world, and create futuristic materials.

Understanding the impact of different additives on the production of polymorphs is of huge interest in industry such as in manufacturing, medical applications such as tissue engineering and the design of drug-delivery systems, and even cosmetics.

However, mapping such a large parameter space, in terms of additive and concentration, requires the synthesis of a large number of samples and the provision of high throughput analysis techniques. It presented an exciting opportunity to collaborate with 110 secondary schools making real samples to showcase the high-throughput capability of the beamline, including rapid robotic changing of samples, which means diffraction patterns can be collected and samples changed in less than 90 seconds.

"The project was led by a scientific question we had," explained Murray. "The idea to involve school students and teaching staff in the preparation of the samples followed naturally as we know chemistry projects are underrepresented in the citizen science space. The contribution that student citizen scientists can make to research should not be underestimated. These projects can provide a powerful way for researchers to access volumes of data they might struggle to collect otherwise, as well as inspiring future generations of scientists."

The project was designed with kit and resources to support the schools to learn new techniques and knowledge and to provide them with space to interact and engage with the experiment. After analysis at Diamond, the students had the opportunity to look at their results, see their peaks and determine what sort of polymorphs they had produced, and compare their results with the results obtained by different samples and different schools at different locations in the U.K.

Gry E. Christensen, former student and Project M Scientist at Didcot Girls' School, Didcot commented, "It was an amazing journey and I recommend that if any other schools have a chance to help with a similar project, then jump on board, because it is a once in a lifetime opportunity for the students, and you feel you can make a positive change to the world."

"The fact that we didn't know the answer yet was a motivational factor for the students," explains Murray. "The teachers told us they took everything more seriously, because this was real science in actionit really meant something. They shared how the students were excited to translate their lab skills to this experiment and that the students were able to contextualize their learning from their prescribed textbooks and lab classes.

"Teachers also highlighted their own interest and curiosity as many of them have trained as chemists in their education. They appreciated the connection to real science for themselves and the opportunity for continued professional development."

Matthew Wainwright, teacher and Project M Scientist at Kettlethorpe High School, Wakefield, adds, "The project offered our pupils a unique opportunity to take part in genuine scientific research and should act as a blueprint for future projects that aim to engage young people in science beyond the classroom."

Exploring the role of amino acids in directing crystallization with the Project M Scientists was an opportunity and an honor for the authors. Parker explained, "In our work we see how we can draw novel scientific conclusions regarding the effect of amino acids on the structure of calcite and vaterite calcium carbonate polymorphs.

"This ability to explore a wide parameter space in sample conditions, while providing continued educational and scientific engagement benefits for the students and teachers involved, can we hope in future be applied to other materials synthesis investigations."

Project M enabled schools to carry out real research and do an experiment that had never been done before, in their own school laboratory. It was the first "citizen science" project run by Diamond, which transported Diamond science to schools and enabled the production of a considerable set of results, which has now resulted in this successful publication in CrystEngComm.

More information: Claire A. Murray et al, Project M: investigating the effect of additives on calcium carbonate crystallisation through a school citizen science program, CrystEngComm (2024). DOI: 10.1039/D3CE01173A
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The average distribution of the El Nino maize yield impact in Malawi over seven El Nino years. Credit: International Food Policy Research Institute

Maize is the preferred staple of most of southern Africa. In Malawi it supplies two-thirds of national calorie intake. Nine out of 10 farming households produce maize and devote over 70% of their land to growing it.

Most farming households are vulnerable to the rainfall patterns. Over 90% of farming households in the country rely solely on rain to irrigate their maize plants.

We looked at possible weather pattern changes driven by El Ninoan unusual warming of surface waters in the eastern tropical Pacific Oceanand their impact on maize production in Malawi.

We did this by developing a model from historical district crop data and El Nino events since the 1980s. Econometric modeling, which uses statistics and mathematics, is useful in studying the cause and effect of relationships, in the case of weather patterns. Historically, two out of every three El Nino events have coincided with reduced maize harvests of, on average, 22.5%.

A fall of this magnitude would result in millions of people relying on food aid. The shortage would also affect both formal and informal maize markets while rural food producers would have much less maize to sell. Though higher prices would provide some support to rural households that successfully grow maize, urban households would have to cope with depressed economic conditions and higher prices.

Based on our findings, we recommend social protection programs for impoverished people in both rural and urban areas. These can include cash transfers or government food aid. In addition, policy makers need to monitor the impact of El Nino shocks so they can respond quickly by importing more maize, with international assistance.

And a set of policies needs to be developed, including investments in helping farmers install irrigation for their crops, and diversifying income-generating opportunities beyond traditional farming.

El Nino and Indian Ocean Dipole

The climate science community agrees that El Nino is under way. This year's El Nino is forecast to be among the strongest in the last 40 years and has been accompanied by a strong Indian Ocean Dipole, a similar climate event which often amplifies the impacts of El Nino.

Together, El Nino and the Indian Ocean Dipole typically cause either flooding or widespread drought. For example, in 2016, an El Nino drought in southern Africa left over 60 million people in the region seeking food aid, including 40% of Malawi's population of 17.41 million people at that time.

In Malawi, the El Nino season began in November 2023. Although it's too early to tell, it might affect the 2023-24 growing season. Not all El Nino years create food production shortfalls. Over the past 40 years, there were 11 El Nino episodes globally, of which, as our research explains, seven negatively affected crop production in Malawi and four did not. This is because El Nino differs from event to event: in some years, El Nino may bring more rainfall but in most years it causes less rainfall than normal.

However, in those seven negatively affected years, Malawi harvested 22.5% less maize than expected on average.

In addition, the changes in rainfall and temperature brought about by El Nino can have widely different impacts on crops and the rural population in different parts of the country. For instance, in both Malawi and Zambia, the southern districts often experience larger negative impacts than those in the north.

This is true across the region too, with some regions experiencing negative shocks while others benefit.

Can Malawi's farmers prevent devastating losses?

Malawi's ministry of agriculture has developed and is disseminating mitigation advice for rural farmers:

plant with the earliest effective rains

grow early maturing crops

practice farming measures to trap water and let it infiltrate into the soil, like digging small holes next to crops

start planting more drought resistant crops

use organic manure to improve soil moisture retention.

But these measures might not be enough. Some cost money that many farmers don't have. And domestic food production could still be negatively affected by El Nino this year.

If the much lower maize harvest does occur, many people in Malawi could end up relying on food aid, with people lining up for hours for sacks of maize as they did during the 2016 drought. Formal and informal imports of maize from neighboring countries are common practice and usually mean that maize is available for the government to buy and distribute. But, if there are poor harvests across the whole region, there won't be enough food to be sold informally or formally across borders.

Rural food producers will also have much less maize to sell. However, they will sell at higher prices, which will provide some support to rural households who are maize sellers. But urban households will have to cope with depressed economic conditions and higher prices for food.

What urgent steps can the government take?

Our modeling suggests that impoverished people in urban areas are notably vulnerable and must be included in social protection programs. Cash transfers are an obvious tool here, but when cash is distributed without sufficient food in the market, it might also push up food prices as consumers compete for the same scarce goods.

El Nino shocks to agriculture will have economy-wide impacts: reduced farm production, increased food prices, disruptions to the agrifood supply chains, and reductions in national income. Policymakers should closely monitor the impacts of El Nino and be prepared to respond in a quick and agile way as the situation unfolds.

The government can make arrangements ahead of time to ensure that maize can be imported quickly in case of a domestic shortfall in Malawi. Considering Malawi's weak macro-economic and fiscal situation, the international community may be required to finance any necessary food imports.

To prepare for the worst, should large-scale food and/or cash transfers be needed, plans for how their recipients will be identified and reached could be put in place already.

In the longer run, Malawi should prioritize investments aimed at diminishing its reliance on rainfed agriculture. This involves both broadening farmers' access to irrigation and diversifying income-generating opportunities beyond traditional farming.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Mali, Burkina and Niger announce their withdrawal from ECOWAS

Xinhua) 09:12, January 29, 2024

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.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Jose Mejia carries his daughter Fernanda into their home Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023, in the Colony Ridge neighborhood in Liberty County. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Jose Mejia holds his daughter Fernanda in their home Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023, in the Colony Ridge neighborhood in Liberty County. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Henry Javier Guerra works on a home that belongs to his sister Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023, in the Colony Ridge neighborhood in Liberty County. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer

The head of Texas public safety oversight panel on Thursday dismissed a right-wing conspiracy theory entertained by Gov. Greg Abbott that Mexican cartels are controlling parts of Colony Ridge, a sprawling development northeast of Houston that is home to many low-income and immigrant families.

Abbott has said there are serious concerns about the community of roughly 40,000 people in Liberty County turning into a so-called no-go zone, while Texas Republicans have cast Colony Ridge as a hotbed of cartel activity and right-wing news outlets have spent months pushing anti-immigrant conspiracies about the development. The governor asked lawmakers to investigate the community as part of the current special session.

But now Abbotts own appointees on the states Public Safety Commission, as well as top officials in the Department of Public Safety, which Abbott deployed to Liberty County amid the furor, are refuting those claims.

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It doesnt look a whole lot different than any other rural community, except for the concentration of people, said Steven P. Mach, who chairs the panel of Abbott appointees and said he recently visited Colony Ridge. The notion that its this lawless, no-go zone is simply inaccurate.

DPS officials briefed the commission on the ongoing operation in Liberty County, where they said they are mostly assisting the understaffed sheriffs office, which has struggled to keep up with the good-size city that grew up in a rural county.

Its just an absence of resources, said Freeman Martin, a deputy director overseeing homeland security operations. Were working a lot of crashes related to unlicensed drivers.

Martin said one of the biggest problems in the area is younger adult males that are affiliated with different gangs, but DPS Director Steve McCraw said that is no more a problem in Colony Ridge than in many other parts of the state.

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Is it a greater problem than other parts of the state? No, its not necessarily, except for theres not enough police officers and therefore thats why weve got a lot of troopers working there right now, McCraw said.

The Mexican cartels arent really operating command and control networks in Liberty County, he said.

Neither Martin nor McCraw offered further details on the extent of the operation there. A DPS spokesman would not say how many troopers are involved.

Their testimony came as state lawmakers have puzzled over how to address Abbotts directive on Colony Ridge. The governor called a special session this month and demanded legislation concerning public safety, security, environmental quality, and property ownership in areas like the Colony Ridge development in Liberty County, Texas. But weeks into the session, no such proposal has gained traction.

Why are we even here doing this? Rep. Jay Dean, R-Longview, wondered aloud during a House State Affairs Committee hearing last week, the Texas Tribune reported.

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A spokesman for Abbott said the governor still believes "the serious concerns raised about Colony Ridge are issues for Texans and must be looked into" by lawmakers. He said Abbott "looks forward to seeing the results of their legislative efforts to help address these concerns and maintain law and order in Texas."

Other statewide officials have zeroed in on Colony Ridge, as well, including Attorney General Ken Paxton, who wrote to members of Texas congressional delegation this month, calling it an issue of national concern that is attracting and enabling illegal alien settlement in the state of Texas.
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Skeletal remains of an adult and a child at Altwies Op dem Boesch. Credit: Foni Le Brun-Ricalens, Institut National de Recherches Archeologiques, Luxembourg

Poignant prehistoric burials containing the remains of an adult and child laid in a grave as though embracing in death have long fascinated archaeologists.

Using early Bronze Age examples from Luxembourg and Britain, a new study led by researchers from the universities of Mainz and Ferrara and published in Scientific Reports, provides insights into family relationships in prehistoric communities and the transition from collective to individual burial in 3rd millennium BC Western Eurasia.

The results provide the first genetic evidence that Bell Beaker communities in Northwest Europe buried children with their biological mothers and other close biological relatives.

Astonishing similarities between a double burial in Luxembourg and a British grave 500 kilometers away

In 2000, archaeologists from Luxembourg working on the construction of a highway in the south of the country at Altwies "Op dem Boesch," discovered graves dated to the Bell Beaker period (24501800 BC). One grave contained the skeletons of a woman and child, buried facing each other, the adult holding the head of the dead child in her hand in a final gesture of maternal love.

As part of a new project on the prehistory of Luxembourg, this ancient family tragedy has now provided a team of European researchers with an opportunity to answer wider questions about Bronze Age burial practices and family relationships in Europe using archaeology, anthropology, and ancient DNA. For the burial was not unique.

Work by Dr. Foni Le Brun-Ricalens, Director of the Institut National de Recherches Archeologiques (INRA) and one of the instigators of the study, uncovered another hauntingly similar grave from a round barrow at Dunstable Downs in Bedfordshire in Britainmore than 500 kilometers away from Altwies.

Skeletal remains of an adult and a child at Dunstable Downs. Credit: Illustration from the book "Man, The Primeval Savage" (1894) by Worthington Smith

This burial, uncovered in 1887, led archaeologist Dr. Maxime Brami of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU), one of the lead authors of the study, to investigate whether the two graves were connected in some way. What was the particular significance of the double burial? Did the adult and child die together, perhaps violently? Did these families know each other? Why were the burial rituals so similar? To answer these questions, a team was put together to analyze and compare the grave goods and skeletal remains from the graves in Britain and Luxembourg.

Ancient DNA analysis reveals that adults and children were closely related

The bones from Dunstable Downs were traced to Luton Cultural Trust with the help of Elise Naish, Head of Heritage and Collections at Luton Cultural Trust, and Dr. Katie Meheux from the UCL Institute of Archaeology Library. Despite their early excavation date in the late 19th century, the provenance of the skeletons was well-documented and the bones were in a good state of preservation.

Anthropologist Dr. Nicoletta Zedda from the University of Ferrara, a lead author of the study, was able to examine the remains. Together with geneticists from Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU), she was able to analyze the genomes of all four skeletons from the two adultchild burials.

The DNA revealed fascinating insights into shared ancestry and culture in Early Bronze Age Europe. All four individuals, although separated by hundreds of kilometers, traced most of their ancestry from steppe populations that migrated from Eastern and Central Europe in the 3rd millennium BC. Perhaps more significant was the intriguing family relationships revealed.

"The skeletons from Altwies were of a woman and a boy of around 3 years of age, and DNA analysis revealed that they were indeed mother and son," explained Dr. Nicoletta Zedda. "The picture looks different for Dunstable Downs: A young woman and a girl about 6 years old, but DNA revealed they are in fact paternal aunt and niece."

Credit: Universitaet Mainz

Genetic data suggest a patrilineal descent system

In continental Europe, the orientation of Bell Beaker graves followed strict rules based on the sex of the individual. In Altwies, the orientation of the grave was aligned with the sex of the child, a male, and not that of his biological mother. At Dunstable Downs, the adult and child were second-degree related on the paternal side, suggesting that here a paternal aunt perhaps played the role of substitute parent or primary caregiver for the child, at least in death.

"The data might hint at a patrilineal descent system for western Eurasian Bell Beaker people," said archaeologist Dr. Maxime Brami. "And our findings suggest thatat least in some Early Bronze Age communitiesextended families lived and buried their dead together, placing emphasis on biological and kin relationships."

A highly codified burial practice with a lost meaning

The cause of death and reasons for joint burial are still unknown. No marks of violence were found on the skeletons. Further research for the project uncovered more than a hundred joint burials of adults and children similar to the ones described here across Eurasia, dating from the 3rd and 2nd millennium BC.

The researchers could propose many explanations for joint burial and simultaneous death, perhaps violence, infections, or pandemics, but the astonishing similarities between the burials from Luxembourg and Britain suggest that communities, indeed perhaps families, in Bell Beaker Europe mourned their dead according to widely held and closely followed formal rituals.

"The body of a woman, lying as though sleeping, clasping a child in her arms, is poignant and emotive. Although that peaceful image may be deceptive, it still reflects a lost meaning retained across thousands of miles and among many diverse cultures," said Dr. Maxime Brami.

More information: Nicoletta Zedda et al, Biological and substitute parents in Beaker period adultchild graves, Scientific Reports (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-45612-3 Journal information: Scientific Reports
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Credit: Richard Hall

According to recent data, bird populations in North America have declined by approximately 2.9 billion birds, a loss of more than one in four birds since 1970. Experts say this bird loss will continue to grow unless changes are made in our daily lives.

"Habitat loss due to agricultural intensification and urbanization is arguably the biggest threat to birds, along with climate change," says Ashley Dayer, an associate professor in the College of Natural Resources and Environment and a Global Change Center affiliated faculty member at Virginia Tech. She also points to cats and window collisions playing a role in their deaths. Data shows up to one billion birds die each year after hitting windows. Cats are estimated to kill more than 2.4 billion birds annually in the U.S. and Canada.

Dayer understands the importance of birds to our environment. Her research focuses on social science applied to wildlife conservationparticularly birds. "They are often referred to as the 'canary in the coal mine,'" says Dayer. "Birds are indicators of environmental health for their own species, people, and other wildlife. They also provide many important functions like eating pests and disease vectors like mosquitoes." Her recent research also explores how their sounds and observations enrich people's lives and make them happier.

Ecological and social scientists and other conservationists are working vigorously to address the losses. "Virginia Tech and Georgetown University are playing a leading role in the Road to Recovery: Saving Our Shared Birds effort," says Dayer. In January, nearly 200 leaders in bird conservation, including Dayer, came together at the National Conservation Training Center to talk about how to change the approach to bird conservation and ensure that the population declines of over 100 "tipping point species" are reversed.

"It's critical that we improve our approach to bird conservation by all working together to do our part. From researchers to land managers to members of the public we must take action to more effectively conserve tipping point species," says Dayer. "Engaging people in the solutions is an important component to ensuring that we reverse declines in bird populations before it's too late. I watched a bird species (the Po'ouli on Maui) go extinct early in my career, and I don't want to ever experience that again."

To play your part in reversing the decline, Dayer also shares these recommendations:

Keep cats indoors. They make great pets, but more feral and pet cats roam freely in nature. Cats instinctively hunt and kill birds, even when well fed.

Make windows safer for birds. They perceive reflections in glass as a habitat they can fly into. Experts recommend installing screens or using film/paint to break up reflections.

Grow native plants to make yards or land a better habitat for birds.

Drink bird-friendly coffee to ensure tropical habitat is not lost. The coffee is certified organic, but its impact on the environment goes further than that. It is cultivated specifically to maintain bird habitats instead of clearing vegetation that birds and other wildlife rely on.

Participate in studies about birds. Project Feederwatch and eBird provide these opportunities for the public and lead to important conservation science discoveries.
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An artists rendering of US astronauts exploring the moon. Credit: NASA

A 2019 Time magazine cover portrayed four astronauts running towards the moon. Pictured alongside the headline "The Next Space Race," one of the astronauts carried an American flag, one carried a Chinese flag and the other two belonged to space companies owned by billionaires: Elon Musk's SpaceX and Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin.

Until recently, it seemed as if the US and SpaceX were set to win this race to return to the moon with Nasa's Artemis program. But a number of setbacks have called that into question. And Blue Origin, China and other countries and companies are continuing their own lunar efforts.

On January 9, 2024, Nasa announced that it was delaying the Artemis 2 mission, the first crewed flight of the Space Launch System (SLS) and the Orion capsulethe vehicles built to send astronauts back to deep space. The flight would slip from late 2024 to no earlier than September 2025. This was due to some safety issues that need to be fixed on Orion.

Consequently, Artemis 3, which is supposed to involve the first crewed lunar landing since 1972, will take place no earlier than September 2026. Artemis 3 is to use SpaceX's Starship orbiter as the lander for two crew members. This mission is set to put the first woman and the first person of color on the lunar surface.

A non-American crew member could also walk on the moon by 2030, highlighting the fact that Nasa has involved international partners in the Artemis venture. Up until now, just 12 humans have set foot on the moon. All of them have been male and all have been American.

However, the Starship orbiter, crucial to these aims, has experienced problems. A second test launch for the rocketship-like orbiter atop its huge booster rocket back in November 2023, was spectacularly destroyed eight minutes and six seconds after lift off.

It will have to be ready to go by 2026. But, before then, SpaceX will have to demonstrate that it can refuel in orbit and then land Starship on the moon without crew.

At the same time, however, Blue Origin is also working on a lander, called Blue Moon. Blue Moon is due to be used as the moon landing craft for the Artemis 5 and 6 missions in 2029 and 2030.

Time will tell which lander can actually be ready for use first. But competition is always a good stimulator, and it could accelerate achievements.

Commercial companies supporting Nasa in the Artemis program will have to put a lot of attention into what to do and when. The lives of crew members are at stake here, so missions have to proceed in a safe and sustainable manner.

As with Apollo, Nasa is also trying to use the program to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers and mathematicians. Baby boomers like myself are very proud to be "Apollo kids" who were inspired to study scientific subjects by those momentous achievementsparticularly the first steps on another world, viewed through black and white TVs in July 1969.

International competition

China is also preparing itself, together with several other countries including Russia, to develop a lunar base for humans, called the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS). Beijing and its partners will include also private sectors players and governmental and non-governmental organizations, with an organizational scheme which is a first.

The Chinese program's first human missions to the lunar surface are expected by 2030. Among the sites where they want to land is the moon's south pole. Nasa also wants to land here, but few of Beijing's choices are in overlap with the locations selected for Artemis.

The south pole is a target for both the US and China because countries want to extract the water ice that's hidden in craters there. This water could be used for life support at lunar bases and to make rocket fuel, helping bring down the cost of space exploration.

Space programs are never on time, and postponements are normal. Space agencies are more cautious nowadays, even more than before, because few tragedies we experienced in the past are obliging them to think very carefully before launching humans in space.

Safety of the crew is mandatory, and it must be always the first priority. So, if this is the reason why we have to wait a bit more before few human beings, after decades, will walk again on the moon, I'm happy to wait for it.

Going to space has never been easy, as demonstrated by several uncrewed missions to the moon over the last 12 monthsboth governmental and commercialwhich didn't make it. But perhaps it's better we fail now while we are preparing for the new phase of humanity's history.

The moon will soon experience human beings on its surface again, working and living on a regular basis. But when humans go back there, this time it will be to stay.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Credit: Tobias Bjrkli from Pexels

In the early hours, poster installers head out with buckets of wheat paste and gig advertisements, refreshing the thousands of square meters of street poster sites in Melbourne. Graffiti writers and artists also take to the walls with their pieces. Municipal surface cleaners soon follow with chemicals and pressure washers.

Our city buildings are covered with posters, signs, art and graffiti. Their creators' tools are images: profitable, seductive, confronting, removed.

Yet we rarely think about their collective role in articulating social values. While their creators' values might differ, their ambition is the same: a higher stake in shaping the image and values of the city.

Our research draws together municipal agendas with a critical history of how public images are produced and regulated in cities. The aim is to develop ways to deal with images in more responsive and creative ways. How can we better manage them to support social justice, diversity and belonging in cities?

Images are instruments of urban governance

Managing urban images is a priority for municipal governments across the world. Melbourne, the source of the images in this article, is no exception.

Urban branding, graffiti removal, mural art and graphic heritage are just some of the ways in which the city is governed through images. They contribute to how we read urban environments and can create a strong sense of place, identity and character.

At the same time, individual actions in creating images form a collective visual discourse. Displaying political placards in street-facing windows, writing graffiti on public walls or painting over unwanted tagging are all visual contributions to the city's image and character.

While we may not agree on which of these approaches should take precedence, images play a significant role in how we all encounter, navigate and experience urban spaces. They form an urban aesthetic that is continuously calibrated by state and private actors.

We value some images above others

The more successful instances of urban visual infrastructure are often innocuous. As the saying goes, great design is invisible. But it can also be informal, unregulated or even illegal.

A visit to the recently opened City of Melbourne Art and Heritage Collection reveals how unplanned images such as stickers, stencils or protest signs deserve attention alongside their standardized counterparts such as traffic signs, wayfinding signs, and memorial plaques. Yet our understanding of their cultural value remains partial and biased.

For example, more than 100 public murals are listed in the Victorian Heritage Register. Also listed are a handful of building signs that many Melbournians will know: the Skipping Girl, Pelaco and Nylex signs in Richmond, and the Whelan the Wrecker sign in Brunswick.

However, graffiti is nowhere to be found in the upper echelons of our value scales for urban images. Neither are street posters, stickers or other mundane images that shape and enliven our public spaces.

Recent research on the governance of graffiti and street art, alongside our interviews with local authorities and graffiti removal companies, indicate the following:

public image policies often value visual order above aesthetic and expressive diversity

the protection of private property is prioritized over the imaginative use of public surfaces as a shared, common resource

we enforce these values by privileging certain voices over others in the expression of public life and urban experience.

All public images are culturally significant

Could we apply heritage principles of cultural significance to the names and messages scribbled next to our local tram stop in the same way as we do to murals or ghost signs? And could we develop more nuanced value protocols for public images in the face of increased social division?

Images in public space reflect and represent divergent social values. As a result, they force us to confront our individual and societal biases.

Cities are never unanimous, harmonious congregations, and neither are their public images. They are also bastions of resistance, radical politics and competing claims to urban rights. Protest signs, graffiti tags and political posters and stickers are social infrastructure.

As urban dwellers, our right to the city includes the ability to edit our urban environments and contribute directly to urban visual culture. Healthy urban environments grow at the intersection of all these image types, in their places of tension and disagreementwhat we refer to as "urban visual justice."

On your next journey through the city, stop to appreciate the variety of images it shows you. Which values do they capture and promote? What is visible and what is not? And where do you fit in?

A research and policy framework for urban visual justice can lead to greater belonging, representation and justice in urban experience. It improves visibility and voice for communities in public space. If we pay enough attention, images can teach us everything we need to know about cities.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Diagram of the colloidal reservoir computer: polymer- and gold-covered particles, which are controlled by a laser and perform calculations. Credit: Frank Cichos, Leipzig University

Artificial intelligence using neural networks performs calculations digitally with the help of microelectronic chips. Physicists at Leipzig University have now created a type of neural network that works not with electricity but with so-called active colloidal particles. In their publication in Nature Communications, the researchers describe how these microparticles can be used as a physical system for artificial intelligence and the prediction of time series.

"Our neural network belongs to the field of physical reservoir computing, which uses the dynamics of physical processes, such as water surfaces, bacteria or octopus tentacle models, to make calculations," says Professor Frank Cichos, whose research group developed the network with the support of ScaDS.AI.

"In our realization, we use synthetic self-propelled particles that are only a few micrometers in size," explains Cichos. "We show that these can be used for calculations and at the same time present a method that suppresses the influence of disruptive effects, such as noise, in the movement of the colloidal particles." Colloidal particles are particles that are finely dispersed in their dispersion medium (solid, gas or liquid).

For their experiments, the physicists developed tiny units made of plastic and gold nanoparticles, in which one particle rotates around another, driven by a laser. These units have certain physical properties that make them interesting for reservoir computing.

"Each of these units can process information, and many units make up the so-called reservoir. We change the rotational motion of the particles in the reservoir using an input signal. The resulting rotation contains the outcome of a calculation," explains Dr. Xiangzun Wang. "Like many neural networks, the system needs to be trained to perform a particular calculation."

The researchers were particularly interested in noise. "Because our system contains extremely small particles in water, the reservoir is subject to strong noise, similar to the noise that all molecules in a brain are subject to," says Cichos.

"This noise, Brownian motion, severely disrupts the functioning of the reservoir computer and usually requires a very large reservoir to remedy. In our work, we have found that using past states of the reservoir can improve computer performance, allowing smaller reservoirs to be used for certain computations under noisy conditions."

Cichos adds that this has not only contributed to the field of information processing with active matter, but has also yielded a method that can optimize reservoir computation by reducing noise.

More information: Xiangzun Wang et al, Harnessing synthetic active particles for physical reservoir computing, Nature Communications (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-44856-5 Journal information: Nature Communications
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Pollen and chemical proxies for landscape and environmental change 1159 to 2011 CE when the ice core was extracted, marking transitions through the Medieval Warm Period (MWP), Little Ice Age (LIA) and Industrial Revolution. Spheroidal carbonaceous particles (SCP) are indicative of fossil fuel burning, while black carbon and ammonium suggest biomass burning of trees through human activities and/or forest fires. The purple dashed line indicates the point Dr Brugger and colleagues suggest the environment changed from being climate-modulated to human-modulated. Credit: Brugger et al. 2024.

Pollen can help scientists track changes in vegetation through time, as they respond to moderations of the climate, be that glaciation or deglaciation with transitions into and out of ice ages. Furthermore, it can help elucidate the interplay between climate and the impact early human settlement exploitation of the natural world had on forests.

Dispersal of pollen has evolved diverse mechanisms over millennia and can be carried over distances of hundreds to thousands of kilometers. Indeed, modeling shows that ice cores taken from southern Greenland preserve boreal and mixed-conifer forest pollen derived from >3,500 km away in eastern Canada at a resolution of five to 20 years.

New research, published in Geophysical Research Letters, has generated an 850-year pollen record (including the Medieval Warm Period, ~9501350 CE, and Little Ice Age, ~13501750 CE) from Greenland to determine the role of climate and humans in modifying boreal ecosystems, particularly high-latitude regions most susceptible to warming.

Dr. Sandra Brugger, of the Desert Research Institute, U.S., and colleagues used advanced techniques to isolate pollen from an archived ice core recovered at 2,120 m above sea level in 2011. Individual pollen grains were counted and identified under a light microscope at 400x magnification, indicative of their microscopic size. Additionally, the presence of spheroidal carbonaceous particles is a key marker for human occupation in the ice cores, being a distinct form of black carbon derived from burning fossil fuels.

Within the investigation, the scientists identified 111 pollen taxa in the ice core, with many being single occurrences, a characteristic of high-elevation ice cores that record a wide catchment area from wind-blown pollen grains and other aerosols. However, the more abundant taxa of boreal conifers included pine (Pinus), spruce (Picea), fir (Abies) and larch (Larix), while ragweed (Ambrosia) was used as an indicator of landscape disturbance as it is a flowering plant growing in clearings.

Pollen composition from two cores obtain from southern (ACT11d) and central Greenland (Eurocore). A) Boxplot of total pollen deposition through the 20th century preserved in the ice cores. B) Pollen abundances in the two records grouped by taxa and biome. C) Modelling simulations of atmospheric aerosol and pollen transport from eastern Canada. Credit: Brugger et al. 2024.

The research team identified distinct changes in boreal forest pollen coincident with the transition from the Medieval Warm Period to the Little Ice Age, with increases in pine, spruce, fir and birch (together comprising ~80% of the pollen assemblage at ~1400 CE) during the onset of this glacial event, when climate overall became cooler and drier.

Pine's proliferation in particular is important as it is a pioneer species, meaning it is one of the first to colonize relatively barren landscapes, and so likely expanded into wetland areas that were drying up as the Little Ice Age got underway. This coniferous pollen is linked to lakes in southern Quebec and Ontario, which today are surrounded by mixed conifer forests.

Subsequently, the record shows a noticeable decline in conifer pollen to ~40% from ~1650 CE, but this occurred while Little Ice Age conditions continued/proliferated, so Dr. Brugger and colleagues instead suggest that human impact from exploiting the forest for firewood and farming was having a much more noticeable effect.

This continued through to ~1760 CE, when a significant change in pollen towards that of the comparatively modern 20th century occurred. Here, pine dominated the pollen grains (~43%), while spruce and birch (Betula) were present in only small abundances of ~2-3%.

The remainder of the assemblage composition comprised tundra shrubs and herbaceous plants, which together indicates tree logging to produce clearings where weeds like Ambrosia could grow, thus human impact outweighed that of climate in the northern hemisphere.

Previous research in eastern Canada has supported this with evidence for a decline in white pine as it was a major target for timber exploitation by European settlers, so much so that by 1850 CE most of it had been irrevocably harvested in the region.

Following the termination of the Little Ice Age, as warming began, the research team did not identify a coincident increase in boreal conifers, as might be expected if the landscape was being modulated by climate alone. Instead, a combination of continuing permafrost, wetland expansion and human-induced logging may have kept pine abundances low post-1760 CE.

This research is important as climate change continues to rapidly alter Arctic ecosystems, with plant species migrating northwards into ever-warmer ecological niches. Such polar warming is exacerbated by positive feedback mechanisms, like ice-albedo, whereby melting ice caps and glaciers reduce the 'white' surface to reflect incoming solar radiation, thus comparatively 'darker' ocean and land absorbs more solar radiation and warms the ambient environment, leading to enhanced ice melt and so the loop continues.

Dr. Brugger and colleagues therefore suggest that such feedbacks prolong droughts in high latitude regions, increasing the risk of forest fires and biomass burning, which in turn contribute more carbon dioxide to the atmosphere and enhance global warming. It is unlikely that our boreal forests will return to the once-thriving ecosystems prior to the northern expansion of settlements since the Medieval Warm Period and modern industrialization.

More information: Sandra O. Brugger et al, Pollen in Polar Ice Implies Eastern Canadian Forest Dynamics Diverged From Climate After European Settlement, Geophysical Research Letters (2024). DOI: 10.1029/2023GL105581 Journal information: Geophysical Research Letters

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Researchers identified a previously unknown tuft-tailed rat (genus Eliurus) taxon in the Montagne dAmbre forest in northern Madagascar. Credit: Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciencia (IGC)

In an international effort, researchers have identified a previously unknown tuft-tailed rat (genus Eliurus) taxon in the Montagne d'Ambre forest in northern Madagascar, underscoring the region's extraordinary biodiversity. This discovery, published in Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, comes against a severe backdrop of habitat loss and fragmentation, threatening the survival of these unique species.

Madagascar, recognized as a hotspot of biodiversity, faces increasing challenges from habitat loss. Researchers at the IGC have been conducting fieldwork in Madagascar since 2005 and have captured small mammals (mouse lemurs, invasive rats, and endemic rats) since 2010. The tuft-tailed rat stands out as the most speciose genus of endemic rodents in Madagascar, with 13 described species.

These rodents inhabit two major habitat typesdry and humid forests, making them an ideal model for studying species adaptation to diverse environments and their responses to habitat loss. During this study, the research team acquired animal samples, extracted DNA, and obtained genomic data with partner institutions in Toulouse.

In what is the first genomic study carried out on endemic rodents of Madagascar, researchers compared genomic data across all individuals sampled in northern Madagascar. They also compared mitochondrial DNA obtained for these samples with the most extensive database, which had DNA sequences on most Eliurusspecies (10 out of the 13 recognized).

Gabriel Sgarlata and Lounes Chikhi, the study's first and last author, say that "adding a 14th species is thus quite a surprise for the team. We applied many approaches to check that the identified taxon differed from the closest taxa."

The findings didn't stop there. According to the researchers, the study revealed that "some of these species are also present in the humid forests of northern Madagascar. This is contrary to earlier understandings that these species were primarily found in the dry forests of western Madagascar."

The IGC Population and Conservation Genetic group leader and CNRS researcher, Lounes Chikhi, states, "The findings of a high occurrence of dry-adapted Eliurus species in humid habitats suggest that some of these species may contain genetic information that could contribute to our understanding of the past climatic change and past connectivity."

"In addition, this could be a great model to study the genomic basis of adaptation to dry and humid habitats," says the researcher, stressing the need to sample and conduct fieldwork in forests and natural environments in Madagascar and worldwide.

Overall, the discovery shows how genomic data are essential for species discovery, especially in groups with little morphological diversity. It also adds a new chapter to Madagascar's biodiversity narrative, emphasizing the importance of urgent and targeted conservation actions to safeguard these remarkable species from the escalating threats they face.

More information: Gabriele Maria Sgarlata et al, The Genomic Diversity of the Eliurus genus in northern Madagascar with a Putative New Species, Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2023.107997 Journal information: Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution

Provided by Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciencia (IGC)
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Pinot noir grapes at Oregon State University's Woodhall Vineyard undergoing smoke experiments. Credit: Sean Nealon

Spray on coatings for grapes in the vineyard have promise in preventing off flavors in wines that result from contact with wildfire smoke, according to new Oregon State University research.

Oregon State researchers are developing a product that vineyard managers could spray onto their grapes to protect from wildfire smoke before it reaches their vines. The researchers expect to have a spray coating to prevent smoke damage available in the next several years.

"Wildfire smoke is an increasing problem for wineries in the United States and around the world and right now vineyard managers really have no tools to manage the effects of the smoke," said Elizabeth Tomasino, an associate professor of enology at Oregon State. "This coating has the potential to transform the wine industry."

This research was prompted by wildfire smoke that enveloped much of Oregon, Washington, California and British Columbia in September 2020 and significantly impacted wine grape quality.

The fires coincided with the harvest time for grapes. At the time, vineyard managers were unsure of the impact of wildfire smoke on their crop and as a result many decided the uncertainty wasn't worth the cost to harvest their grapes and potential impact on wine quality.

The smoke event resulted in more than $3 billion in losses for the wine industry.

In a paper recently published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, Oregon State researchers, led by Yanyun Zhao, targeted three compounds known as volatile phenols that contribute to smoke taint in grapes.

Zhao, a university distinguished professor who has studied food coatings for more than 20 years, and Jooyeoun Jung, a senior researcher assistant professor in Zhao's lab, developed cellulose nanofiber-based coatings containing chitosan and beta-cyclodextrin that can be applied to grapes in the vineyard.

The work showed that depending on the formulations, the films can block guaicol and syringol and capture meta-cresol, wildfire smoke compounds that when absorbed by wine grapes result in off-flavors in wine.

The difference between blocking and capturing is important, Zhao said. Blocking means the coating doesn't absorb the phenol compounds and wouldn't need to be washed off before winemaking. Capturing means the coating absorbs the compounds and would need to be washed off.

"Not having to wash it off saves time, money and water for grape growers," Zhao said. "That is what we are aiming for."

Developing the coatings is challenging because the phenols have different chemical shapes, the researchers note, making it difficult to create a coating that adheres properly to all the shapes to block the smoke. The researchers are continuing to refine the coating formulations and perform cost analysis studies.

Their two years of coating application studies in the vineyard at Oregon State's Southern Oregon Research and Extension Center in Central Point, Oregon found that the coatings do not impact the growth and quality of the grapes.

The coatings were also applied at Oregon State University's Woodhall Vineyard outside Monroe, Oregon, where smoke chambers were placed over vines to test the smoke-blocking ability of the coatings. Wine from these grapes is currently being analyzed for quality attributes.

"Growers want something they can spray on their vines to protect them," said Alexander Levin, a viticulturist who is the director of the Southern Oregon Research and Extension Center. "If this becomes a commercially available thing it's going to be a big game-changer."

More information: Trung T. Tran et al, Evaluation of Functional Spray Coatings for Mitigating the Uptake of Volatile Phenols by Pinot Noir Wine Grapes via Blocking, Absorption, and/or Adsorption, Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry (2023). DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c05621 Journal information: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
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:

We select 10 and 5 candidate planets around nearby stars for ELT/HARMONI and ELT/METIS, respectively. As the spatial resolution of ELT/HARMONI is smaller than the plotting range, we only show the spatial resolution for ELT/METIS as the vertical dotted blue line. Planets located to the right of the dotted line are suitable planets for ELT/METIS. All colored points are suitable planets for ELT/HARMONI. The size of the colored point is proportional to the planet radius. The color of the point is based on the equilibrium temperature. All colored data points are the candidate planets listed in Table 1. Selection criteria can be found in Section 2.1. The gray points are other exoplanets from NEA that are less suitable for direct imaging with ELT. Credit: The Astronomical Journal (2023). DOI: 10.3847/1538-3881/ad109e

The next generation of advanced telescopes could sharpen the hunt for potential extraterrestrial life by closely scrutinizing the atmospheres of nearby exoplanets, new research suggests.

Published recently in The Astronomical Journal, a paper details how a team of astronomers from The Ohio State University examined upcoming telescopes' ability to detect chemical traces of oxygen, carbon dioxide, methane and water on 10 rocky exoplanets. These elements are biosignatures also found in Earth's atmosphere that can provide key scientific evidence of life.

The study found that for a pair of these nearby worlds, Proxima Centauri b and GJ 887 b, these telescopes are highly adept at detecting the presence of potential biosignatures. Of the two, findings show that only for Proxima Centauri b would the machines be able to detect carbon dioxide if it were present. Though no exoplanet has been found to precisely twin Earth's early conditions for life, this work suggests that if examined in greater detail, such unique Super Earthsplanets more massive than Earth but smaller than Neptunecould make a suitable target for future research missions.

To further the search for habitable planets, Huihao Zhang, lead author of the study and a senior in astronomy at Ohio State, and his colleagues also sought to determine the effectiveness of specialized imaging instruments like the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and other Extremely Large Telescopes (ELTs) such as the European Extremely Large Telescope, the Thirty-Meter-Telescope and the Giant Magellan Telescope at directly imaging exoplanets.

"Not every planet is suitable for direct imaging, but that's why simulations give us a rough idea of what the ELTs would have delivered and the promises they're meant to hold when they are built," said Zhang.

The direct method of imaging exoplanets involves using a coronagraph or starshade to block a host star's light, allowing for scientists to capture a faint image of the new world in orbit. But because locating them in this way can be difficult and time-consuming, the researchers aimed to see how well the ELT telescopes might handle the challenge.

To do this, they tested each telescope's instruments' abilities to differentiate universal background noise from the planetary noise they aimed to capture while detecting biosignatures; called the signal-to-noise ratio, the higher it is, the easier a planet's wavelength is able to be detected and analyzed.

Results showed that the direct imaging mode of one of the European ELT's instruments, called the Mid-infrared ELT Imager and Spectrograph, performed better for three planets (GJ 887 b, Proxima b and Wolf 1061 c) in discerning the presence of methane, carbon dioxide and water, while its High Angular Resolution Monolithic Optical and Near-infrared Integral field spectrograph instrument could detect methane, carbon dioxide, oxygen and water, but needed a great deal more exposure time.

Additionally, since these conclusions were about instruments that will have to peer through the chemical fog of Earth's atmosphere to progress the search for cosmic life, they were compared to JWST's current outer space capabilities, said Zhang.

"It's hard to say whether space telescopes are better than ground-based telescopes, because they're different," he said. "They have different environments, different locations, and their observations have different influences."

In this case, findings revealed that while GJ 887 b is one of the most suitable targets for ELT direct imaging as its location and size result in an especially high signal-to-noise ratio, for some transiting planets, such as the TRAPPIST-1 system, JWST's techniques for studying planetary atmospheres are more suitable for detecting them than direct imaging from the ELTs on Earth.

But because the study took on a more conservative assumption with the data, Zhang said, the true effectiveness of future astronomical tools could still surprise scientists. And subtle contrasts in performance aside, these powerful technologies serve to widen our understanding of the universe and are meant to complement each other, said Ji Wang, co-author of the study and an assistant professor in astronomy at Ohio State. It's why studies like this one, that assess the limitations of those technologies, is necessary, he said.

"The importance of simulation, especially for missions that cost billions of dollars, cannot be stressed enough," said Wang. "Not only do people have to build the hardware, they also try really hard to simulate the performance and be prepared to achieve those glorious results."

In all likelihood, as the ELTs won't be completed until the tail end of the decade, researchers' next steps will settle around simulating how well future ELT instruments will take to investigating the intricacies of our own planet's rampant proofs of life.

"We want to see to what extent we can study our atmosphere to exquisite detail and how much information we can extract from it," said Wang. "Because if we cannot answer habitability questions with Earth's atmosphere, then there's no way we can start to answer these questions around other planets."

More information: Huihao Zhang et al, Detecting Biosignatures in Nearby Rocky Exoplanets Using High-contrast Imaging and Medium-resolution Spectroscopy with the Extremely Large Telescope, The Astronomical Journal (2023). DOI: 10.3847/1538-3881/ad109e Journal information: Astronomical Journal
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Credit: Science of the Total Environment (2024). DOI:/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168959

Terrestrial hermit crabs are soft-bodied crustaceans that live near water in the world's tropical areas. Without any natural protection of their own, these crabs normally find shelter in discarded mollusk shells. But a number of terrestrial hermit crab species are beginning to opt for artificial shells frequently consisting of plastic objects found in beach trash.

New research on this topic, described in a short communication by a team from the University of Warsaw's Biological and Chemical Research Center and the department of Zoology at Poland's Poznan University of Life Sciences, appears in Science of the Total Environment.

Plastic pollution, which is increasing, already comprises 85% of marine pollution worldwide. Existing research shows that most of the plastic pollution in Earth's oceans arrives there via rivers, leading to plastic waste accumulation on coastlines.

Terrestrial hermit crabs (Coenobitidae) live on all the world's tropical coastlines, and typically acquire empty shells of gastropods to protect their soft abdominal region, known as pleon. The shells protect them from predators and also keep their pleon from drying out.

Studies on the crabs' selection of shells have shown the main factors include chemical signals gleaned from shells; proximity of predators; quality of shells; and rate of individual crab growth. It has also been shown that shells play a role in sexual signaling, as the size and state of male crabs' shells affect females' mate choices.

Coenobita purpureus with artificial shells: (A) plastic cap, (B) bulb fragment, (C) metal cap with a glass bottle fragment. Credit: Shawn Miller / Science of the Total Environment (2024). DOI:/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168959

An iEcology approach

In this new research, the team has taken an internet ecology (iEcology) approach. iEcology involves studying digital contentaudio recordings, videos, images, news, and user activity postspublished across news sites, social media and other platforms to learn about ecological events, directions and processes.

The researchers note that "While the validity of data collected on social media platforms has been readily demonstrated in conservation, its application to ecology and evolution is still very limited."

The team acknowledges the work of photographer Shawn Miller, who first posted images of hermit crabs using plastic waste as shells on his blog in 2014, when he found blueberry hermit crabs (Coenobita purpureus) doing so on the beaches of Okinawa. It was Miller's work that inspired this study.

iEcology survey reporting geolocalised imagery from social media platforms confirms the global occurrence of hermit crab species with artificial shells (n = 329; for 57 sightings (total n = 386), geolocalisation was not available). Credit: Science of the Total Environment (2024). DOI:/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168959

To quantify this kind of hermit crab behavior, the researchers reviewed images posted across several online platforms and paired their findings with a review of literature. Within their literature review, this behavior is first described in a 2009 study published in Marine Biodiversity Records.

The literature review on its own "revealed only four publications to date, reporting of two terrestrial hermit crab species, three marine hermit crab species and a total of 10 individuals with artificial shells," the paper notes.

Following the iEcology methodology permitted the team to augment their findings. They identified 386 individual crabsfrom 10 of 16 total terrestrial hermit crab specieswith artificial shells. Overwhelmingly, the images depicted crabs using black and white plastic caps (84.5%; 326 of 386 images). Those with shells of only metal or only glass represented 5.4% each, and the remaining 4.7% had shells of both metal and glass.

Of note with respect to the images are possible confounding factors: "...due to the often-contrasting color of plastic relative to other anthropogenic or natural materials, plastic may be easier to spot for people, thereby influencing the incidence of reporting. Additionally, data collected through iEcology may be affected by potential biases arising from various factors that influence data collection among observers. These factors include individual and cultural subjectivity, such as the likelihood of posting unusual behavior online," the paper states.

(A) Anthropogenic materials used as artificial shells by hermit crabs (n = 386). Plastic shells are the most widely used artificial shells (n = 326, 84.5 %), followed by metal (n = 22, 5.4 %), glass (n = 22, 5.4 %) and metal and glass (n = 18, 4.7 %). (B) Drivers of artificial shell use in hermit crabs and proposed tests. Credit: Science of the Total Environment (2024). DOI:/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168959

Why plastic instead of natural shells?

In discussing possible reasons for this behavior among Coenobitidae, the team notes the environmental availability of plastic waste, along with the growing scarcity of gastropod shells due to localized human activities. The researchers also suggest factors involved in individual choice, including:

Attractiveness of artificial materials to mating females

Lighter artificial shell weights that might benefit hermit crabs' energy

An odor cue of dimethyl sulfide, found in both natural shells and marine waste; and

The possibility that artificial shells may serve more efficiently as camouflage in polluted areas, given that shell selection is often made to blend into the localized environment.

These are all topics for further investigation.

The big question

"Are artificial shells setting the scene for a novel evolutionary trajectory in hermit crabs, or are they an ecological and evolutionary trap of the Anthropocene?" the researchers ask.

While this new behavior might be considered a clever adaptation, the main factor behind it is undeniable. In that vein, what this habit ultimately means for the evolution of terrestrial hermit crabs remains to be studied.

More information: Zuzanna Jagiello et al, The plastic homes of hermit crabs in the Anthropocene, Science of the Total Environment (2024). DOI:/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168959 Journal information: Science of the Total Environment

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Tucker Carlson speaks at the Turning Point Action conference, Saturday, July 15, 2023, in West Palm Beach, Fla. Lynne Sladky/AP

The claim: With ominous music playing in the background, former Fox News host Tucker Carlson presented his latest minidocumentary titled "The Invasion." In it, Carlson warns about massive demographic changes in the United States that he says are orchestrated by politicians. As he narrates, images of migrants sleeping on sidewalks and in public facilities such as airports and police stations across the U.S. scroll past.

Carlson paints a gloomy picture and makes several claims, including that, "In August 2023, illegal immigration outpaced American births." The claim is included in an excerpt from a video that was shared Jan. 17 on Facebook.

"It is ending: the country you grew up in no longer exists. Soon it would be unrecognizable," Carlson says. "Americans are being replaced. That is not a conspiracy theory, it is a fact."

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PolitiFact ruling: False. U.S. August births were 322,000, and although federal immigration authorities counted 304,073 encounters with migrants entering the U.S. illegally that month, that number includes events and not people.

Discussion

Carlson's comments are a nod to the "great replacement theory," a debunked conspiracy theory that claims Democrats and other people in power are replacing white people of European descent with nonwhite immigrants. The theory has been referenced by some mass shooters in the U.S. and abroad.

The Carlson video focuses on Chicago, which has struggled to house arriving migrants. Carlson said U.S. cities "are hellish and immigration is the reason."

The Facebook video was flagged as part of Metas efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed.

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PolitiFact asked the Tucker Carlson Network for evidence for this claim but did not receive a response.

In the Facebook video, Carlson refers to a chart around the one-minute mark that shows U.S. births versus migrants illegally entering the U.S. under both President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. The chart is attributed to an X account with username @fentasyl that identifies itself by the name "datahazard." The version that Carlson shows does not include precise numbers of births or migrants, or months of the year. The X account has shared multiple versions of the chart, one time correcting itself about which month migrant encounters supposedly outpaced births.

A modified version of the same graph was reshared Dec. 29 by Elon Musk, CEO of X, who said he was reposting it "to give you a sense of the immense and growing size of illegal immigration!"

To check this claim, we compared nationwide August birth data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention with August immigration data from Customs and Border Protection.

According to provisional 2023 data from the CDC, there were 322,000 births in August. The same month, federal agencies said there were 304,073 migrant encounters nationwide.

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But encounters represent events and not people and are not a reliable way to determine how many people have crossed the border illegally. The same people can be counted more than once if they have tried to cross the border multiple times. Therefore, its not accurate to say that 304,073 migrants illegally entered the U.S. in August.

It is also impossible to accurately measure the number of people who have illegally crossed the U.S. border because border authorities dont stop everyone.

The claim also fails to account for the 82,657 encounters that ended with people being removed or returned to their home countries, according to data from the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees CBP.
By Mohamed Jaward Nyallay

The southern Sierra Leone district of Moyamba is set to get electricity for the first time in 40 years. Over the weekend the Minister of Energy and other officials signed a deal with the Indian power provider, Shivary Company for the electrification of the district.

The deal is part of the Sierra Leone Electrification Project that is being rolled out across different districts in the country. Under this current project which is 100% sponsored by the Government of Sierra Leone, a total of six districts will be electrified by 2022. A similar project has been launched in Kambia, Koinadugu, Moyamba, Pujehun, Kailahun and Bonthe, all of which have gone decades without electricity from the main grid.

According to the Project Manager, Ing James Rogers, Moyamba will have 15 transformers, 4,800 millimeters of underground cable, 700 poles and 52,500 meter long cable coverage.

A new powerhouse will also be constructed to run the districts power supply. The project is expected to last for 18 months.

Ing. Rogers said that once the project was completed, dedicated transformers would be given to strategic places like the Harford Secondary School for Girls, the Government Hospital and Water Works.

This project is not a rehabilitation one but an entirely new project that will install brand new equipment or accessories. After the 18-month period of work some 550 households will be connected to the grid for the first phase, Ing. Rogers said during the signing ceremony.

Minister of Energy, Alhaji Kanja Sesay said the electrification project was part of the governments greater commitment to its people by electrifying the whole country.

He said towns like Bauya, Senehun, Shenge, Sembehun, Gbangbatoke and Bradford would all benefit from the project.

The Mokonde campus of Njala University which is in the district is also expected to benefit from a separate project for which funding has already been secured from the African Union.

Chairman of the Moyamba District Council, Joseph Gbogba told Politico that they were excited about the prospect of having electricity in the district after four decades.

He said electricity would bring enormous progress to the district.

This is extremely important to the people of Moyamba, because we have been in total darkness for over 40 years. All successive governments have failed us. The cry of the people has been mainly about three things: water supply, electricity and good road. And now the water supply and electricity project are going on side by side, the people are grateful, he said.

Gbogba said the infrastructure for the transmission and distribution of electricity had to be rebuilt from scratch after it had been destroyed during the countrys civil war.

The lack of electricity in the district has affected the growth of most businesses and even basic living condition.

The cost for some business is very expensive and that is why in our own district we cant even sell some foods because we dont have the power to preserve them.If you are running a business or a home with 5KVA generator you will be spending approximately Le70, 000 on a daily basis on fuel alone. If you multiply this over the month, it is a huge part of your capital, he explained.

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CAPE MAY  Curtis Bashaw will run for Senate as a Republican.

The Cape May businessman had signaled interest in the seat. On Monday, he made it official, with an announcement that he would seek the Republican nomination this year. State Sen. Mike Testa, who is also the GOP chairman for Cumberland County, will serve as his campaign chairman for 2024. The announcement from Bashaw pointed out that he served as co-chairman of the Trump for President campaign in New jersey in 2020.

Im running for United States Senate because we, as a nation, need to get back to our basic core values of liberty, prosperity, and the pursuit of happiness, Bashaw said in a statement Monday. Too many New Jerseyans believe the American Dream is out of reach and that Washington isnt working in their best interests. Im running to bring freedom, security, and opportunity to all New Jersey families  not just the political elite.

Bashaw, 63, is best known for the renovation of Congress Hall, bringing a dilapidated historic building from the brink of demolition to a high-end hotel. Hes also the co-founder of Cape Advisors and Cape Resorts, and started Beach Plum Farm.

He formerly served as executive director of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority. He left that job in 2005. Bashaw has masters degree in business from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and is the founder and managing partner of Cape Resorts.

Other Republican candidates include Christine Serrano-Glassner, attorney Gregg Mele, Daniel Cruz, Michael Estrada, Albert Harshaw, Justine Murphy and Shirley Maia-Cusick.

Curtis Bashaw weighs Senate run, potentially joining crowded field With Democratic incumbent Bob Menendez facing scandal and unlikely to win the nomination, Cape May businessman Curtis Bashaw is considering running for Senate as a Republican next year.

Incumbent Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez plans to seek reelection, despite widespread calls for his resignation after his indictment on federal corruption charges. Several Democrats plan to challenge Menendez, including U.S. Rep. Andy Kim and Tammy Murphy, the wife of Gov. Phil Murphy. Other candidates include Patrick Merrill, Lawrence Hamm, Kevin Cupples and Patricia Campos-Medina.

While this is not the first time Menendez has faced serious scandal, or even indictment, this time the Democratic leadership has called for his resignation rather than closing ranks. Federal investigators say they found more than a half-million dollars in cash and another $100,000 worth of gold bars at his house, allegedly from bribes.

In a statement, Testa sought to tie together Democratic leaders at every level.

Its time to make a change from the disastrous Biden-Menendez-Murphy policies that are failing New Jersey middle-class families, said Testa, R-Cape May, Cumberland, Atlantic. Curtis Bashaw has been a friend and supporter for many years. Hes an employer whos created over one thousand jobs who will bring back the American Dream for all New Jerseyans.

Bashaw serves on multiple boards and commissions, including time on the Board of Trustees of Stockton University and on the governors Tourism Advisory Council for New Jersey, and currently serves on the board of trustees of the New York Academy.

He lives in Cape May with his husband, Will.
OCEAN CITY  The local school district could have a new superintendent before classes dismiss for the summer, under a timeline presented by interim Superintendent Terrence Crowley Sr.

Its kind of an aggressive timeline, Crowley said at the January meeting of the Board of Education. It would mean the board would have a new superintendent named at its March 14 meeting.

Crowley wants the new superintendent to have a chance to see the district in operation and visit the three school buildings before the summer break, rather than start in July when previous superintendents have started their jobs.

Crowley just began his tenure as interim superintendent, replacing previous interim Superintendent Scott McCartney, who was appointed in the summer and served until the end of 2023. Hes the latest person to lead a district that has seen significant turnover in the job recently, and Crowley said at the meeting that he is the fifth superintendent many district students have seen.

The board also appointed a new committee to guide the search for a new superintendent, with two members voting against that move, saying the committee will not include all of the members who want to be a part of it.

I am not in favor of the small committee if it excludes members of the board who would like to be part of the search, said board member Liz Nicoletti. She and Board Member Catherine Panic, who ran with her when they were elected to the board, both voted against a motion made by board President Kevin Barnes creating the committee.

Nicoletti said the committee as appointed includes Barnes and members Chris Halliday, Michael Allegretto, Jacqueline McAlister and Fran Newman, who is one of the boards representatives from Upper Township, which sends students to Ocean City High School.

There was no criteria discussed for why some members were chosen and others were not, Nicoletti said at the meeting.

Ocean City school board to enter 2024 with new interim superintendent, 3 new members The Ocean City Board of Education had an evening of transitions Thursday, which was the last meeting for three board members and for Scott McCartney, the interim superintendent of schools appointed in the summer.

Appointing a committee to work with Crowley will speed the process of narrowing the number of applicants and deciding who will be interviewed, Barnes said.

The decision will be up to the full board, he said, and the full board will interview the finalists.

Were not hiding anything from anybody, certainly not on the board. We just want to get this done swiftly, Barnes said.

The deadline for applications was Monday, Jan. 29, Crowley said at the Thursday board meeting. Preliminary interviews could take place by the middle of February, he said, with candidate interviews with the board potentially taking place by the end of that month.

There is frustration in the community with the lack of a permanent superintendent, Nicoletti said, citing comments from a district employee who described the district as a rudderless ship, she said at the meeting.

That just breaks my heart, she said.

Longtime Superintendent Kathleen Taylor left the district in 2021. School employee Tom Baruffi filled in as interim super during an extensive search process, which resulted in the appointment of Matthew Friedman.

But Friedman lasted less than a year, accepting another job and ending his time in Ocean City last March.

Graphic novel challenged at Ocean City school board Anger, criticism over a book fair offering at Ocean City school brings parents to a Board of Education meeting.

The board expected to have someone in the position full time by now. McCartney was appointed until the end of the year, with no expectation that he would seek the position full time, and Crowley, who has had a career in education, made clear at the recent meeting that he will return to retirement when the district has a new superintendent.

The last search was underway for months when the district announced in October that it would suspend it and start over.

We have reached the point in the current search process where we find ourselves with no candidates that would be aligned with the districts visions and goals to carry us forward in a passionate, engaged, collaborative and stabilizing, educational-centric manner, Chris Halliday, then the board president, said at the time.

Crowley said competition for qualified candidates will be intense.

He agreed with Nicoletti that the district needs a full-time superintendent to succeed, saying it needs stability and consistency.

With interims, you just dont get that, he said. I hate to be that blunt. As good as I am, OK?
The North Scott school board approved several significant bids, including $1.4 million for the wrestling facility renovation.

Last Monday's school board meeting kicked off in recognition of students earning the following musical arts honors:

2024 Midwestern Choral Directors Honor Choir.

Mac Conference Honor Band.

Southeast Iowa Bandmasters Association Honor Bands.

Several members of John Glenn Elementary School's Student Council attended to speak about how their leadership positively impacts their peers and community. Advisers Jenna Irvin and Jana Kleman also explained how the Student Council's leadership study, school engagement and service projects help students develop into positive role models.

Next, the board approved several old and new business items.

Highlights:

A slew of bid packages for the ongoing Lancer Stadium renovation, the highest being a $594,000 bid from Sheets Design Build, LLC, for the project's general trades work. The alternate bid for Lancer Stadium's visitor locker rooms  for $396,128  was tabled after a tie vote.

A nearly $1.4 million bid from Valley Construction Co. for the wrestling facility renovation project.

A resolution to execute the payment and issuance of $25 million in district general obligation bonds in fiscal year 2024.

New business items included a slew of change orders for ongoing North Scott Vision 2025 projects, though Superintendent Joe Stutting said all project's price contingencies remain the same.

Notable change orders include:

A $5,404 contract increase with Industrial Steel Erectors, Inc. for the Alan Shepard Elementary School renovation, for a revised cost of $265,179.00.

A $155,039 contract increase with Russell Construction Co, Inc. for the upcoming Regional Innovation Center, for a revised cost of $413,039.

A $3,253 contract increase with Bill Bruce Builders, Inc. for the softball complex renovation, for a revised cost of $819,849.22.

In Stutting's procedural report, he noted recent proposals to overhaul Iowa's Area Education Agencies and other pending education legislation.

He also said Vision 2025 projects are progressing accordingly, with final project bids slated for next meeting.

Next meeting: 6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 12.

Photos: Genesis Shootout North Scott vs Moline
Pleasant Valley school leaders made strides on future high school expansions and gave several district recognitions last week.

With all school board members present, Mondays meeting started with communications and procedural board reports.

Highlights:

District 6 Director Jameson Smith thanked Leland Zenk and PVs maintenance staff for their work during winter weather conditions. He also advised the board to keep an eye on Senate File 2011 on open enrollment deadlines heading into the 2024 legislative session and noted the upcoming Bee Curious - Explore STEAM event at St. Ambrose University on Wednesday, Feb. 21.

Director Adrienne Wheeler gave a shout-out to the 182 PV students who participated in PTAs annual Reflections Awards program. Students entered works of art in categories such as dance choreography, virtual arts, music composition and photography, to be judged by local artists. Top submissions advance to the state contest.

In Superintendent Brian Struszs report, he also noted district maintenance and operation staffs diligence in ensuring PV students and facilities are safe amid weather-related cancellations and delays.

Next, he addressed pending legislation seeking to revamp Iowas Area Education Agencies, distributing information about how various services provided by the Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency (MBAEA) directly impact PV schools and students each day  saying the district is very gracious for the agency's support.

After subsequent board discussions, Bernie Brustkern  director of secondary education  gave the following junior high and high school recognitions:

The Spartan Shield newspaper staff, for winning Class C News Team of the Year at the Iowa High School Press Associations Fall 2023 Conference. The Valenian, PVs yearbook, also won Yearbook of the Year. On Monday, Spartan Shield adviser Maureen Dyer attended with a few PV student journalists, announcing the paper also recently won the 2024 SNO (School Newspapers Online) Distinguished Site award  the only Iowa school among 16 award-winners nationwide.

Junior high PE teacher Caitlin Schoville, for being selected as SHAPE Americas Central District Middle School PE Teacher of the Year before winter break. She is now one of three nationwide finalists for SHAPEs national award, announced in March.

Personal finance students who took the University of Northern Iowas credit exam  88% of whom passed, with 25% earning 90% or higher.

The high schools three Ethics Bowl teams, for placing first, second and third at the state competition  the third consecutive year PV has earned a state title.

With no old business, district leaders gave a brief presentation on the high schools future addition and expansion project.

As previously reported, this will expand PVs current high school building by roughly 75,000 square feet and make room for approximately 700 more students. After a required public hearing, the board unanimously approved a $23 million contract with Bill Bruce Builders for the project  nearly $7 million under initial cost estimates.

The board also unanimously approved the districts December financials and discussed several board policy updates.

Next meeting: 5:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 12.

Photos: Bettendorf Pep Band performs at basketball game
Following a request from a city elected official, the state auditor's office is reviewing the city of Davenport's settlements with three former employees.

The settlements include the city paying $1.6 million to its now-former city administrator, Corri Spiegel, in lieu of a harassment lawsuit, an agreement that was signed and consented to by the council a month before the November 2023 election, wasn't released until just before Thanksgiving and wasn't voted on in public until the final meeting before the end of the year.

"A good audit goes where the facts lead," Iowa Auditor Rob Sand said. "We have the authority and the legal ability to conduct a review, and where that review goes is going to depend on what we learn while we're doing it."

Sand's office has already requested some records, he said, and would continue to make necessary requests.

"We're going to look at the facts and circumstances surrounding the settlement, the process that led to the settlement, the basis for the settlement, then whether or not rules or laws were violated in that process as well as reviews of other aspects of it that might come to light while we're working on our investigation," he said.

The qualifying request came from a city elected official and was received by Sand's office Dec. 28. There are three mechanisms that can trigger an auditor's office review: requests by an elected official, an employee of the jurisdiction or via a petition with 100 signatures.

The elected official who made the request expressed several concerns, according to an auditor's office spokesperson, among them the process and timing of settlement agreements reached with three former city employees and the potential violation of open meetings laws.

Sand declined to say who made the request, citing his office's protections for whistleblowers.

Davenport corporate counsel Brian Heyer did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday regarding the auditor's review.

Sand also said his office had not yet received a qualifying request in regards to the May 28 building collapse at 324 Main St.
SIOUX CITY  Gov. Kim Reynolds says the bill amending Area Education Agencies in Iowa is about improving special education services and giving school districts local control over how they receive those services.

Reynolds, in an interview with the Sioux City Journal Friday, said the AEA system as it stands now is failing students with disabilities while making it so that school districts have no idea what they are paying for.

Were the only state in the entire country that takes that education money, the special education money, bypasses the school districts, gives it to the AEA and then tells the school districts theyre mandated to use the AEA services, she said. And if you ask school board after school board  they have no idea what theyre paying for the services.

Earlier this week, the Northwest AEA as well as local superintendents and the Sioux City School Board reacted to a proposed bill reforming the states nine regional Area Education Agencies, created in the 1970s to provide special-education support for school districts.

Reynolds said the bill was worked on while the Legislature was out of session.

I tried to put a bill together that was respective of rural Iowa, some of our larger school districts and to try to find a balance about how we move forward with this, she said. The AEA system as it is today  and over the last 20 years is failing our kids with disabilities.

Local school entities expressed concerns and questions about various aspects of the bill including who has oversight of the AEA, what services the AEA can provide, how the money is distributed and more.

Reynolds said the legislation is intended to address the states poor special education test results and review how the money given to the AEAs is being used.

$529 million going into a system that has no accountability or transparency with horrible results, she said. I have an obligation to the people and Iowa and to the taxpayers and to these kids, most importantly, to make sure that these dollars are being used in the right way.

The 2023 State of Iowa School Performance Profile shows 25.56 percent of students with disabilities were proficient in English language arts and 28.14 were proficient in mathematics.

The scores represent a 45.84 percent gap between students with disabilities and other students in English and a 41.36 gap in mathematics.

Reynolds also said the U.S. Department of Education had designated Iowa as needed assistance with compliance of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Its unconscionable that we continue to see the gaps that we are and not look at doing something differently, she said. By giving schools the ability to decide you start to bring in some accountability.

Like other departments in the state, Reynolds said there should be regular evaluations on how special education services are being delivered and whether or not theyre meeting the mark.

We have some good ones out there, she said. But we have some school districts that arent happy with the services that theyre getting. And so this would give them the option to do something different.

Giving schools more flexibility with funding

The bill will give school districts more options on how they receive special education services and how they use the funding currently given to the AEA.

Currently, all state and federal funding allocated for special education goes to the school districts but is immediately funneled to the AEA.

The bill would give districts the option to keep that funding and allocate it for special education services as they choose.

The money goes to the school districts. Theyre the customer, they need to know what these services cost and they should be in charge of it, to start to bring some accountability and some transparency to the system, Reynolds said.

She said she hears from school districts that they want local control.

If you control the money, you control the services, said Sioux City School Board Member Dan Greenwell. He said the bill gives the district the option to decide how the funding is used.

Sioux City School Board Member Lance Ehmcke agreed with Greenwell, saying it would be a good thing to have a voice in how the AEA money is spent.

Greenwell said he does not have an understanding of how much media services or professional development the district utilizes.

Reynolds said this is a common complaint. For example, she said the AEAs receive funding for media services from the state but then charge districts to use those services.

That doesnt sound very efficient and effective to me, because were paying for it twice, she said. And were discovering more and more and more of that as we look into the system.

Oversight by the Iowa Department of Education

Local administrators expressed concerns regarding shifting the oversight of the AEAs to the Department of Education.

I dont have a lot of faith that the Department of Education can take this on and oversee special education in all the school districts across the state, Earleywine said. I have a big concern with that and I think most of the superintendents in the state would mirror that.

Chad Janzen, superintendent of the Sergeant Bluff-Luton Community School District, said the AEA provides vital resources and training to the districts.

Our local AEA has been responsive to local needs. For example, area schools have asked for increased services in working with students who have English language needs, he said. A centralized system located in Des Moines will not respond to local needs as adeptly as a local system.

Reynolds said 25 years ago, the AEAs were overseen by the Iowa Department of Education and now, the AEAs need the checks and balances the department will provide. She said those people will be in the regions they oversee, not in Des Moines.

She said right now, 400 people in the AEA system provide compliance and oversight. After a review of those positions by the Department of Education, Reynolds said they can do that work with 139 full-time employees.

Comprehensive review

The Northwest AEA and Sioux City School Board Members asked why no comprehensive review took place before this bill was introduced; citing the most recent review was in 2010.

Reynolds said the true review of the system is the states test scores and the reviews done by the U.S. Department of Education and The Nations Report Card.

I actually did bring in some superintendents, sat down and walked through [the system,] Reynolds said. Theyre afraid of being penalized by the AEA so they were afraid to stand up and say anything publically.

She also said she received feedback on the AEAs during her travels through the state, speaking with education, parents, principals and superintendents.

What I was hearing is they werent happy with a lot of the services. There was no consistency, they werent showing up, she said.

She said the state has consistently underperformed and the students in the system deserve a corrected system.

No funding being taken away from special education services

Of the $529 million currently allocated to the AEAs, Reynolds said $294 million will go to local schools, $117 million would still go to the AEAs and $25 million will go to the Iowa Department of Education for supervision.

We are not taking any money out of special education, she said.

Her bill, as currently written, would eliminate property taxes that are collected to support AEA functions that are not related to special education.

Reynolds proposed an amended version that would allow the AEAs to continue providing general education services and media services. The agencies would continue to provide all the special education services they do now.

Reynolds said currently AEA chiefs receive approximately $410,000 in compensation, but many are making around $440,000. She said the savings from reducing overhead will stay in the education system and will be used to help teachers and students receive the services they need.

Increasing teacher salaries

A part of the bill that is not directly related to the AEA would increase the base pay for teachers. Sioux City School board members said they felt like it was a way to make the bill more appealing.

Reynolds is asking the Iowa Legislature to invest $96 million in new money to increase starting teacher pay by 50 percent, to $50,000, and to set a minimum salary of $62,000 for teachers with at least 12 years of experience.

"It smacks of that the AEA change is going to be so consequential in a negative way that the only way we can get the voting public in the legislature to go along with it is to offer something like increased teacher pay," Ehmcke said.

Board Vice President Treyla Lee said it appears the teacher salary was "a little carrot" in the bill as a reward for passing the AEA changes.

Reynolds said increasing teacher base salaries is directly related to improving services for Iowa students. She said the state wants the best and brightest going into education and by increasing the base salary that encourages more teachers to work in special education in the state.

Everybody tells me you cant get a special education teacher in rural Iowa. Were not competitive, she said. So it makes sense for me to put it in a bill that is not only trying to correct a system to provide teachers the support that they need, but to also encourage teachers to go into the teaching profession by increasing the beginning salary.

The Des Moines Bureau contributed to this story.

Photos: Missing children in Iowa Jillian Terry Jamira Debose Osbourne Breasia Terrell Julian Murray Daniela Salinas-mejia Fredrick Workman Benjamin Roseland Erin Pospisil Marc Allen Eugene Martin John Gosch Kimberly Doss Colleen Simpson Emily Joann Dudney Jade Colvin
Going out for dinner with Thom Hart was never a brief affair, his two children said.

It's an occupational hazard for someone who grew up as one of 20 kids, served as a six-year Davenport mayor, county supervisor, employee of state and regional economic development groups, Democratic party leader and was a regular attendee at mass.

Hart knew a lot of people in Davenport, and he never turned down a chance to make the connections he cherished.

You wouldn't be able to eat, Harts daughter, Mary-Kathryn Hart, said. It would be a three-hour ordeal. People would come up to the table and talk to him or hed see somebody and say hello, and then thered be a story, and then thered be another story

I think dad really thrived on building those personal, interpersonal human connections.

Thomas W. Hart, 70, died Wednesday, Jan. 24, at Genesis Medical Center, East Campus, surrounded by his family, according to his obituary.

Hart, as his obituary states, was the "ninth blessing of 20 children." He frequently discussed ideas with his siblings, Mary-Kathryn said; he believed having so many people in-house to bounce ideas off of was a key to his success in government and economic development. He stayed in their four-bedroom East Rusholme Street house, and raised his children there, where he grew up.

Hart ran for city council at an early age, and voters elected him to represent Davenports 4th Ward at just 20 years old in 1973 while he was a student at St. Ambrose College, making him the youngest elected official in Iowa at the time.

He met his future wife Jane Domeraski, whom Mary-Kathryn said was the greatest love of his life, at St. Ambrose. They married in 1976.

In 1978, voters elected Hart to the County Board of Supervisors. Then, the mayors office in 1985. He started his three-term, six-year tenure in 1986.

During his six years as mayor, he advocated for riverboat gambling as a way to spur new public and private construction downtown and along the riverfront. The city also primed the 53rd Street and I-74 area for development, which is now a bustling commercial hub in Davenport. In 1991, voters retired him in favor of Pat Gibbs.

A 1987 Times editorial endorsing Hart in his reelection campaign wrote his leadership style was quietly competent and praised his vision for downtown and riverfront development.

He hasnt been the kind of mayor who is flamboyant or overflowing with charisma. But Thom Hart has been quietly competent," the editorial said.

In that same vein, Mary-Kathryn said her father kept an aphorism commonly said by the 26th U.S. President Teddy Roosevelt on his desk: Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far.

People who worked with him agree. He didnt need to take credit for accomplishments, just worked to get things done for the Quad-Cities, said Bill Davis, former Scott County attorney who campaigned and worked with Hart at the county level.

"Thom did not always step in the limelight," said former state Sen. Pat Deluhery, who represented central Davenport for 24 years and was Hart's neighbor on Rusholme Street.

Deluhery remembers, in particular, Hart's efforts to design and enforce rules for transporting wind turbine blades. It didn't draw headlines, but the seemingly mundane rules to, for example, transport the giant blades only during the day accompanied by a second vehicle, were essential to anticipating and preventing deadly accidents and overcome opposition to ensure wind could power the state's energy grid, Deluhery said.

"There's a lot of political and economic interests that stand in the way of getting something like that done," Deluhery said. "Thom Hart is the reason that something like that got done in the state of Iowa."

Hart joined the Quad Cities Development Group, and led the organization from 2000-2007, according to Quad-City Times archives. He'd also served on the state's Iowa Transportation Commission, including as its chairman.

John Gardner, a former Quad-City Times publisher, hired Hart at the Quad Cities Development Group and recommended Hart to succeed him as its leader. Gardner called Hart the smartest man in town, someone who led expertly and with empathy.

During Hart's time at the development group, a key project was advocating to keep jobs at the Rock Island Arsenal, which has been among the largest employers for the Quad-Cities for decades.

Thom was a long-range thinker, and he was committed to whatever was good for one community was good for all of the Quad-Cities, Gardner said. He showed that in his work within the city and with the county. He was also a very smart tactician. He knew the right people and connected them to make the right decisions.

Thom retired a final time in 2012 from the Iowa Department of Economic Development.

Active in county Democratic politics, he chaired the county party for several years. He would often host campaign interns during the caucus cycle, Mary-Kathryn said, who she said he'd refer to as his "young friends" and he would keep in touch with.

"Anybody who met dad kind of got brought into an inner circle almost like another family member," Mary-Kathryn said. "He would check on people long after he had heard from them."

A memorial mass will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 10, at St. Anthonys Catholic Church, downtown Davenport. The mass will be live streamed at www.hmdfuneralhome.com. A visitation will be held 4-7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9 at the Halligan-McCabe-Devries Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Empowering Abilities.

Photos: Credit Island through the years 061919-qct-qca-Credit-Island-017 061919-qct-qca-Credit-Island-014 061919-qct-qca-Credit-Island-015 061919-qct-qca-Credit-Island-008 061919-qct-qca-Credit-Island-003 041119-qct-qca-flood-update-002 041119-qct-qca-flood-update-001 19690320 -- Flood of 1969 19690424 -- Flood of 1969 030919-qct-qca-flood-potential-005 030919-qct-qca-flood-potential-003 Saukenuk Paddlers Canoe and Kayak Club, New Year's eve paddle Saukenuk Paddlers Canoe and Kayak Club, New Year's eve paddle 101118-Flood-Feature-008 101118-Flood-Feature-007 100918-qct-qca-flood-002 093018-qct-qca-renfair-035 093018-qct-qca-renfair-034 093018-qct-qca-renfair-031 093018-qct-qca-renfair-021 093018-qct-qca-renfair-010 090418-Credit-Island-Docks-004 090418-Credit-Island-Docks-002 090418-Credit-Island-Docks-001 Net fishing at Credit Island 081918-qct-fea-plates-006 Davenport Harbor Tom Morrell Kayaking Davenport Harbor 072518-qct-qca-feature-005.jpg 072518-qct-qca-feature-002.jpg 072918-OUTTAKES-004 Donald Goering catfish Undated -- Davenport, Iowa Undated -- Davenport, Iowa 052318-qct-river-body Body found 011418-OUTTAKES-001 010618-WEATHER-ART-006 122817-WILD-ART-004 Sunday in the Park Alive! 043017-FLOOD-FEATURE-003 043017-FLOOD-FEATURE-004 040217-FEATURE-007 040217-FEATURE-004 040217-FEATURE-003 Fishing on a Sunday afternoon 031917-POLAR-PLUNGE-004 022617-FEATURE-006 RISING RIVER LOOKING FOR A CATCH TAKING A DIP RIVER WALK 122816-STANDALONE-CREDIT-ISLAND-013 122816-STANDALONE-CREDIT-ISLAND-010 122816-STANDALONE-CREDIT-ISLAND-009 122816-STANDALONE-CREDIT-ISLAND-007 TAKING FLIGHT TAKING FLIGHT TAKING FLIGHT Messy weekend, busy Monday Outtakes 050816-powwow009 050816-powwow008 050816-powwow005 050616 PowWow011 Ice fishing 020616-fat-fondo12 020616-fat-fondo10 020616-fat-fondo5 012416-weather01 010116-first-in-001 Haunted Island CKw34VqXAAAYDG2.jpg large.jpg RAGBRAI preparations RAGBRAI preparations BBQ and Brew Grillzilla ragbrai5 031215-creditIsland1 022215-ice-bikers1 022215-ice-bikers6 101814-tweed-ride12 101814-tweed-ride10 Families On! Challenge Families On! Challenge Credit Island Lodge 083014-qca-creditisland6 083014-qca-creditisland1 keel boat Plaque plaque for credit island 082314-qca50-Credit-Island-Clubhouse-02 070314-aerials-flood30 Credit Island flooding 2014 19800823 -- Credit Island Rock Concert 19800823 -- Credit Island Rock Concert 19800823 -- Credit Island Rock Concert 19800823 -- Credit Island Rock Concert 19800823 -- Credit Island Rock Concert 19780716 -- Mississippi River Jam 19780716 -- Mississippi River Jam 19780716 -- Mississippi River Jam 19780716 -- Mississippi River Jam ICE FISHING Pelican party Eagles Credit Island battle Credit Island Credit Island Harbor, August 1957 091113-low-water Credit Island 1850 ON THE WATER Credit island pavilion 1918 001.jpg credit island roller coaster 1918 001.jpg Credit island swimming dock 001.jpg Credit Island aerial 1975 001.jpg Credit Island aerial undated 001.jpg Credit Island entrance 1977 001.jpg Credit Island April 30, 1977 001.jpg Xstream Cleanup 061313-credit-Island4 061313-credit-Island5 Credit Island Clubhouse 1971 050413-photos-of-the-week-02 Credit Island Lodge Credit Island lodge credit island lodge credit island lodge Credit Island Flooding Credit Island Clubhouse Credit Island Clubhouse Credit Island fire Dirt Bikes on Ice Dirt Bikes on Ice Credit Island Bridge Credit Island Bridge Island bridge Credit Island Bridge Credit Island Park Flood Aerials Credit Island Flooding Credit Island Flooding No. 3: 22.33 feet on May 25, 2001 Flood_stuff_1_032311 Park Views Ron Lane Kayaks Battle of Credit Island Credit Island outfitters SeuratStatues061710js Earth Day Earth Day Students learn about Earth Day Chili Open Bald eagle FirstCanoe010110js XmasWeather122409js Refelections Fall_on_the_River1_LF_00008376A Flock of pelicans Credit Island Park to reopen Task force recommends turning Credit Island golf course into disc course Credit Island recreation bridge taking shape wintersunset025copy.jpg Blowing snow could make holiday travel treacherous Powwow in Q-C draws hundreds Rainfall prompts flood advisory Having a cool' time A very Chili Open Winter reappears in the Quad-Cities Canoe club takes its paddles into new year Riders lobby for Credit Island ATV trail Officially hooked on ATVs Cool weather, hot races for Rock Island Cross Country Invitational Cart tours give riverfront view May Waterways December Waterways River Views Walkabout the Quads with Barb 051320-StandAlone-JG-04.JPG 041420-qc-flood-update-5.JPG 041420-qc-flood-update-3.JPG 032920-standalone-07.JPG 032220-weather-15.JPG 032220-weather-16.JPG
X is reportedly planning to create a "Trust and Safety center of excellence" in Austin, Texas to moderate the content created on the platform.

The team will be tasked to enforce content and safety rules in the platform after a series of moderation concerns.

Read Also: Elon Musk: X Has Less Antisemitic Content Now Than Peers

X Plans for Resolving Content Moderation Issues

According to Joe Benarroch, head of business operations at X, the company will hire 100 full-time content moderators to be assigned to the new location. More specifically, the team will focus on working against posts related to child sexual exploitation while enforcing other social media rules.

"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 stated.

Since Elon Musk acquired Twitter, now known as X, the social media platform has been plagued with hate speech, violent posts, misinformation, and exploitation. It all started after Musk revised some of the policies to bring "free speech" to the service.

X Faces Probe on Child Safety Online

On January 31, CEOs from big tech companies will be testifying before the U.S. Senate hearing on online child exploitation. X CEO Y Linda Yaccarino will be joined by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew, Discord CEO Jason Citron, and Snap CEO Evan Spiegel.

During the hearing, the CEOs will be given a chance to "testify about their failure to protect children online." Previously, it was reported that only Zuckerberg and Chew voluntarily agreed to attend but other CEOs were issued subpoenas after refusing to negotiate.

"They finally are being forced to acknowledge their failures when it comes to protecting kids. Now that all five companies are cooperating, we look forward to hearing from their CEOs. Parents and kids demand action," Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) stated in a joint statement.

As for X, Benarroch shared that Yaccarino has been in talks with senators from both sides and has been highlighting the company's effort to various types of problematic content.

Related Article: X Has Lost 72% of Its Value Since Elon Musk's Acquisition, Reports Say
PIERRE  Gov. Kristi Noem is calling for an emergency joint session of the Legislature to discuss the crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border.

The speech, which is planned for 2 p.m. Wednesday, was announced Monday at the beginning of the House of Representatives session. The address will focus on the "war zone" at the southern border and what South Dakota's response can look like.

Because of the dire situation, it is pertinent that we have this conversation quickly, Noem wrote in a letter to the Legislature.

The announcement comes after the second-term Republican governor visited the U.S.-Mexico border Friday and met with the Texas National Guard and state troopers, received a briefing from Border Patrol agents and conducted a boat tour with the Texas Department of Public Safety.

It was Noem's second visit to the U.S.-Mexico border within six months. She's spoken at length about her support for Texas Gov. Greg Abbott while also being heavily critical of the Biden Administration's response to the crisis at the border. Prior to her visit, she and 24 other governors issued statements of support for Abbott.

Noem told Fox News on Thursday that if Abbott needed razor wire, "Ill drive him more razor wire from South Dakota if I have to, for him to do his job."

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Jan. 22 that Abbott did not have the right to authorize the placement of razor wire at the border, according to USA Today. The razor wire had been erected along 29 miles of the Texas-Mexico border.

The South Dakota National Guard has been deployed to the southern border three times in the last two years, with the most recent deployment being in September.

A spokesperson for the Governor's Office wasn't immediately available to answer questions about why Noem is addressing the Legislature now.

Speaker of the House Rep. Hugh Bartels, R-Watertown, had spoken with Sen. Lee Schoenbeck, R-Watertown and the Senate Pro Temp, and the two planned to hold the joint session.

This story originally appeared in the Sioux Falls Argus Leader.
Seven Montana organizations received grants from the National Endowment for the Arts in the latest round of funding, which was announced on Wednesday.

Theyre part of 1,288 grants and $32 million in 50 states and the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Here are the grants and the projects, according to a news release from the NEA and the descriptions in their database.

Archie Bray Foundation, Helena, $30,000

The ceramic center will get funding for its visiting artist program to bring in five creators for four- to six-week stints that include time to make work, give public workshops, talks and free exhibitions.

The Myrna Loy, Helena, $15,000

The money will go toward a performing arts series at the theater focused on Black culture in Montana through music, poetry, film and spoken word. The creators include jazz composer and vocalist Bruce A. Henry and poet Sean Hill, a professor at the University of Montana.

Glacier Symphony and Chorale, Kalispell, $10,000

The money will go toward a concert and educational outreach for students in the Kalispell and northwest Montana area featuring acclaimed fiddler and composer Mark OConnor.

Clay Studio of Missoula, $11,000

The grant will support a ceramic arts after-school program for Title I schools.

Missoula Art Museum, $10,000

This will fund a public mural at the Arlee Fire Department, made in collaboration with Arlee High School, Arlee Community Development Corp., Salish Kootenai Colleges TRIO-Upward Bound program and more.

Missoula Writing Collaborative, $40,000

The money will go toward creative writing residencies to place professional writers and poets in elementary classrooms on the Flathead Reservation. The students will learn Native writers poetry and work inspired by the natural world, with some work translated into Salish.

Whitefish Theatre Co., $10,000

The money will back a free performance by flamenco artist Jesus Munoz for students from rural communities.
While Montanas U.S. Senate race is already garnering significant national attention, the contest for the western congressional district isnt going to be left out in the cold.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which works to get party members elected to the U.S. House, announced Monday it is including Monica Tranel in its first round of the Red to Blue program. Tranel is the only Democrat who has announced for the race and looks to be headed for a rematch with incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke.

In 2022, Tranel lost to Zinke by 4% in the first contest for the newly created district. She didnt benefit from this type of national backing in that race. The Red to Blue program connects candidates with fundraising, strategic and organizational support, as well as staff resources and candidate training.

Monica Tranel is a champion for working families in Montana, saving taxpayers millions of dollars by standing up to price-gouging corporations and special interests, DCCC Chair Rep. Suzan DelBene said in a press release. Montana families know Monica understands what matters most to them and that shell deliver for them in Congress. Theres no better candidate to take on corrupt D.C. politician Ryan Zinke and flip this seat blue in November.

In a statement provided to the Montana State News Bureau, Tranel still highlighted the amount of her fundraising that comes from Montana. That was also a theme in her 2022 bid.

"Over 70% of contributions to our campaign are from Montanans. In contrast, only 11% of Zinkes contributions come from Montana, Tranel said. Montanans are ready for a representative who will work for us and get things done in Congress.

I live and work in Montana and am raising my family here. I know Montana. Ive put thousands of miles on my minivan traveling around the district listening to Montanans' concerns and joys. Montanans know they have a champion in me for the challenges we face in our district: housing, child care, health care, being stewards of our forests and public lands, and education. Montanans are tired of the chaos and know I will represent our community.

In 2022, the Montana House race was close enough that it couldn't be called until results from Lincoln County were finally tallied following a delay caused by a printing error that necessitated a hand count.

In 2018 election cycle, Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Tester won the western district by more than 10 points, and Democrat Kathleen Williams, running for what was then the state's sole U.S. House seat, also won the district by 3%. Democrats are banking on Tester's name on the ballot boosting turnout this November, helping down-ballot candidates.

Republicans took back control of the House in the 2022 election, while Democrats maintained their narrow majority in the Senate. Montana will play a major role in the fight for control in the upper chamber, as incumbent Tester is seeking re-election to a seat national Republicans have identified as a priority to flip. Montana voters have turned increasingly red in recent years, with every statewide GOP candidate on the ballot winning by a landslide in 2020, leaving Tester the lone remaining statewide Democrat.

Republican Tim Sheehy, a Bozeman CEO of an aerial firefighting company, was picked by the National Republican Senatorial Committee to run against Tester, but Republican U.S. Rep. Matt Rosendale is expected to enter the GOPs primary race soon.

Final fundraising reports following the 2022 race show Zinke outraised Tranel by a 2-to-1 margin, with Zinke bringing in $6.6 million to Tranel's $3 million. Zinke benefitted from $1.1 million from political action committees and other types of committees, while Tranel only saw $89,000 in contributions from those types of groups. Tranel has already raised $1.2 million in this year's race.

Tranel, who lives in Missoula, grew up on a ranch in eastern Montana and was an Olympic rower. She later was a staff attorney for the Public Service Commission and worked on the state's Consumer Counsel, and now runs the Tranel Law Firm, which works on clean energy, water and property rights and regulatory issues.
I found Republican U.S. Senate candidate Tim Sheehys statewide guest column to be quite informative. Before reading it, I knew little about him other than, like me, he moved from the Twin Cities metropolitan area to Montana. The main difference being that I moved here in 1996, and he moved here in 2014. But I wont hold Sheehys short time in Montana against him, as Ive always believed it to be unwelcoming to proclaim someone less than a true Montanan if their lineage here doesnt go back multiple generations.

Oh, and I also knew Sheehy was a Navy Seal. If you didnt already know that, dont worry, youll hear about it at least a thousand more times between now and Election Day. Thats because Sheehys campaign is mirroring the past campaigns of Navy Seal Ryan Zinke. You know, the man who became a national embarrassment for Montana with his comical self-promotion and extreme ethical deficiencies. Lets be realistic. Although being a Navy Seal is an honorable profession, it isnt any more relative to being a good senator than being a talk show host is relative to being a good president.

That said, I learned more about Sheehy via his use of the Republican Thesaurus than anything else. In his recent guest column, he trotted out all the required scary words and initialisms. Obviously, original thoughts arent his strong point. Lets look at a few of those:

Marxist: Yes, no Republican guest column shall pass up the opportunity to pigeonhole Democrats as Marxist/socialists, which the majority of their base equates with communists. In the real world, we all benefit from socialism every day, with public ownership of schools, roads, fire departments, police departments, Social Security, Medicare, and yes, even the Navy.

Woke: For anyone who doesnt know, the generally accepted definition of woke is to be informed, educated on, and aware of social injustices. In Sheehys own words, he thinks thats all woke crap. Hmmm ... Does someone have a bigotry problem?

DEI: Sheehy calls DEI cancerous. Of course, like socialism, the majority of Sheehys base doesnt know what DEI stands for, only that it must be bad. DEI is Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. So what Sheehy is actually saying is that if you arent a white, straight, far-right Christian, you are a cancer! Ah, now Sheehys bigotry issues become clearer.

ESG: Sheehy also calls ESG cancerous. Another scary initialism? ESG stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance. Its simply a framework used to evaluate a companys performance and business practices on sustainability and ethical issues. I never thought sustainability and ethical business practices were bad things, but then, Im not Tim Sheehy.

Radical: Obviously, the Republican Thesaurus requires that all Republican politicians call Democrats radical every time they put out a press release or guest column. Then, with no awareness of their hypocrisy, those same politicians bow down to Donald Trump, a man who led an insurrection against America, has been indicted for 91 felonies, and found guilty in civil courts of fraud, sexual abuse, and defamation.

If Sheehy thinks the hate and scare tactics he spouts represent Montana values, perhaps he should get to know us better. A good way to do that would be for him to run for some local office. Later, if he gets the hang of that, he might be qualified to represent Montana on a federal level.
Marisa Colon attends Virginia Commonwealth University through the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program, which covers the cost of tuition and fees for spouses and children of military service members who were killed, missing in action, taken prisoner or 90% or more disabled as a result of their military service.

Colon said the program has been nothing short of life-changing.

Every time I see that paid in full message on my financial statement, I am reminded that I am allowed this opportunity because of the sacrifices that my husband made during his time in the military, and that he continues to make because of the pain he endures daily, said Colon, a senior majoring in health, physical education and exercise science. I am thankful that Virginia takes care of veterans and their families.

Colon is one of nearly 1,200 students attending VCU this academic year through the program, which is run by the Virginia Department of Veterans Services in partnership with the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia and Virginias public colleges and universities. The program helps survivors and dependents of qualified veterans and service members achieve their educational goals.

VCU provides more tuition and fee waivers than any other institution in Virginia; nearly 25% of all waivers are provided by VCU.

The program has grown significantly at VCU in recent years. The projected 2023-24 class of VMSDEP students is roughly six times larger than the 2018-19 class of students.

That growth, however, has come with a cost for VCU. Since fiscal year 2017, the cost of the waivers has increased by more than $13.8 million. VCU anticipates that the cost will exceed $16 million for the current fiscal year and grow to $18 million in the following year.

VCU is requesting financial support from the state to help shoulder the cost of providing the waivers. Currently, VCU covers the costs in their entirety, drawing an increasing share of the universitys tuition revenue.

Stephen Ross, director of Military Student Services at VCU, said the program has been a difference-maker for our VCU military-affiliated community.

Many of these students would not have been able to attend VCU without this program or would have had to consider incurring significant debt, Ross said. This program is a perfect example of how the state of Virginia and VCU both work to support the military community.

VCU is designated as a Military Friendly School, earning a silver award for being in the top 20% of institutions, based on factors including retention, graduation, job placement, loan default rates and more. Additionally, VCUs military-friendly approach goes beyond educating students: It also includes trauma care training for military health care professionals; training educators at more than 150 universities to better serve military students; research to improve the lives of service members and veterans; and relationships with local businesses and Fortune 500 companies that lead to jobs and internships, networking and special events.
It was during a favorite family outing  Chesapeake Bay cleanup day at Mason Neck State Park  that Del. Kathy Tran, D-Fairfax, first heard people express rising alarm about something called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons seeping into the bay.

These toxic chemicals result from burning coal, gas and other organic material. The most common way they get into water is run-off from coal tar-derived driveway sealant.

Now, her three-year struggle to ban the product is one of the top priorities of the bays advocates working the halls of the General Assembly  along with securing funding for newly developed ways to revive endangered species of fresh water mussels. These involve fish in lab tanks and mussels that try the same kind of techniques human fishermen do in order to get a bite.

Mussels, if enough of them can find a home in the rivers and streams that feed the bay, could play a big role in filtering pollutants out of the way  just as oysters already do.

Also before this years General Assembly is a pilot program to better target bay cleanup efforts.

States behind on targets to clean bay

States in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, from Virginia to the central counties of upstate New York, are running behind targets to reduce the flow of the nitrogen and phosphorus that feed the algae blooms that create the bays huge, oxygen-starved dead zones every summer.

Efforts to cut the flow of dirt that clouds bay waters and blocks the sunshine also have a ways to go. The sunlight is important for underwater plants generating oxygen and providing places for young crabs and fish to grow.

The problem is what are called nonpoint sources: unlike the pipes from factories that once spewed toxic Kepone and other toxins into the James River, or the outflow from sewage treatment plants, it is hard to pinpoint a single source of nitrogen, phosphorus or sediment.

Which is why an outing to a state park  Mason Neck is our favorite  got Tran looking hard at PAH chemicals.

She said that what she found about one  the coal tar in the driveway sealants so common in her suburban neighborhood  was alarming.

It wasnt just the fish cancer and damage to shellfish, crabs and the various bugs and worms that fish, birds and mammals in the bay ecosystem feed on. PAHs are human carcinogens.

I kept thinking about kids playing in driveways and tracking that dust inside, she said.

A U.S. Geological Survey study has estimated the excess cancer risk for people living adjacent to coal tar-sealed pavement was 38 times higher, on average, than for people living adjacent to unsealed pavement.

Its as bad as breathing secondhand smoke, said Joe Wood, senior scientist with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

The Geological Survey also found that runoff from coal tar-sealed pavement killed all day-old fathead minnow and water fleas exposed to it.

A 2010 study found stunted growth in salamanders and newts exposed to such runoff, while the little animals had liver problems and difficulty swimming and righting themselves.

Exposure to PAH-laden runoff killed or slowed development of frogs, a 2006 study found.

Trans House Bill 985 would ban the sale or distribution of any pavement sealant that contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon concentrations greater than 1% by weight after July 1, 2024, and bans applying such sealant after July 1, 2025.

Tran has previously sought to give localities the option to prohibit the sale and distribution of any pavement sealant that contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon concentrations greater than 1% by weight.

A GOP-led subcommittee recommended defeat of Trans bill in 2022. In 2023, it was defeated on the floor of the House of Delegates.

The Virginia Manufacturers Association is among opponents of Trans legislation.

Legislature seeks to flex states mussels

The General Assembly will also look at other small actors  Virginias several species of endangered freshwater mussels  for help.

For many years now, environmentalists have been planting oysters in the bay and the saltier portions of the rivers feeding it, counting on the bivalves ability to filter 50 gallons of water a day to remove pollutants.

Freshwater mussels are trickier because they rely on other species  fish  to reproduce themselves.

Managing that in Charles City Countys Harrison Lake National Fish Hatchery, where wildlife scientists are trying to restore Virginias freshwater mussels, has taken years of effort to figure out.

The James and rivers in far Southwest Virginia that ultimate feed the Mississippi River once had some of the most diverse and dense populations of mussels in the world.

Mussels will dangle an egg-laden sack, much as fishermen might when casting a lure, to attract fish. When a fish bites, the just-hatched larvae make their way to the fishs gills, attaching there to feed on the fishs blood. After a few weeks, the young mussels drop off and settle, often far from their parents, for the rest of their lives.

The fish not only nourish the baby mussels, they spread them far and wide, said the Bay Foundations Wood.

He hopes a line in Gov. Glenn Youngkins budget proposal makes it through the General Assembly. It would set $400,000 over the next two years to support two additional staff biologists to develop and administer a statewide plan to protect and restore native freshwater mussel species.

A larger ask seeks $20 million

A bigger ask is for $20 million to launch a Virginia Clean Water Outcomes Fund. It would tackle nonpoint source flows of nitrogen and phosphorus by paying for outcomes from specific nature-based, private sector initiatives. The idea is to target efforts that produce the biggest reductions. To do that means looking at more detailed data on whats flowing in where.

A project on one farm might have a bigger impact than the farm next door simply because of the way the land lies, Wood said.

Trees have a big impact on preventing erosion, and keeping stream and river water clear, while their roots flow to groundwater so that pollutants have time to settle in the soil instead of flowing into streams and from there to the bay.

Bay advocates are pushing the General Assembly to enact bills filed by Dels. Patrick Hope, D-Arlington; Betsy Carr, D-Richmond; Rip Sullivan, D-Fairfax; and Karen Keys-Gamarra, D-Fairfax; and state Sen. Suhas Subramanyam, D-Loudoun, that aim to protect and plant trees.

Budget amendments from House Majority Leader Charniele Herring, D-Alexandria, and Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, would require Virginia to rejoin the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, an interstate pact to cut carbon emissions. That would generate millions for projects to manage sea level through nature-based programs such as living shorelines, said Bay Foundation Virginia executive director Chris Moore.

Youngkinn worked to remove Virginia from RGGI, calling it a tax. The governor has said the program shifts the costs of allowances to power companies customers and thus is not an effective incentive to get the companies to cut emissions.

In the meantime, environmentalists are asking legislators to allocate $200 million over the next two years in a state flood preparedness fund to keep such programs on track.

Virginia still has a lot more work to do to become a climate-ready commonwealth, Moore said.

The commonwealth desperately needs to act in order to shift from reacting to these damaging weather events driven by climate change to building our resilience, he said. We have plans and priorities in place, but its time to get more boots on the ground and ensure worthwhile projects already underway arent halted.

PHOTOS: Hollywood Cemetery, from the RTD archives
House Bill 1115, sponsored by Del. Keith Hodges, R-Middlesex, would have barred social media firms from implementing designs and features that tend to keep children and teenagers online for hours.

Those features include infinite scroll, auto-playing videos, push notifications, gamification  applying elements of game playing  and virtual gifts.

These are features designed to maximize time, attention and engagement ... they can cause children to be addicted, Hodges said.

There are certain things ... such as videos, push notifications, streaks and badges for frequent logins and virtual gifts and studies that have shown increased engagement on social media, he said.

So imagine going to get online and saying, Im just gonna look at this video. In the scroll, scroll, scroll up ... the next thing you know that rabbit hole, were looking at one hour, three hours into it, and thats whats happening to our children, he added.

As a pharmacist, Hodges said that when he knew a medication was addictive, he knew it needed controls. The same thing applies to those social media features, he said.

The other measure, House Bill 1161, sponsored by Del. Scott Wyatt, R-Hanover, would have required social media platforms to obtain verifiable parental consent prior to permitting any minor to create an account with such platforms.

The bill also said social media platforms would have to offer parents the option to consent to the collection and use of the minors personal data without consenting to the disclosure of that data to third parties.

The House Communications subcommittee tabled both on party-line votes of 6-4, effectively killing the measures, and signaling that if any similar or related bills were to get through the Senate, they are likely to stall.

On Monday, the Senate Courts of Justice Committee did not take up a bill that would direct social media firms to bar minors from access between midnight and 6 a.m. without a parent or guardians permission. Senators said it was likely to be killed in that forum, too.

Youngkin said Monday that he was disappointed by the votes.

I am very concerned about the impact of social media on the mental health of our children, he said in a brief interview. I absolutely think parents should be in control of this.

He called on the Democratic leaders of the House and Senate to reconsider the issue.

Del. Michelle Lopes Maldonado, D-Prince William, said she felt the bills were too broadly drawn. She asked the sponsors to work with firms and child advocates who are concerned with the issue to come up with more focused measures for the next session.

But Del. Tim Griffin, R-Bedford, said the time to act is now.

The question as I see it is whether our children are in crisis ... (and) ... what are we going to do about it, he said.

How the 'TikTok ban' and other social media legislation could restrict internet use How the 'TikTok ban' and other social media legislation could restrict internet use
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is unveiling its list of candidates that it will be investing in for its Red to Blue program. Missy Cotter Smasal, who is challenging Rep. Jen Kiggans, R-2nd, is on the list.

With Republicans holding a slim majority in the House of Representatives, the Democratic organization has its eye on what it sees as flippable seats around the country.

Cotter Smasal seeks to oust Kiggans, a former state senator and fellow U.S. Navy veteran.

Cotter Smasal, who sought a state Senate seat in 2019, is the director of a nonprofit that organizes runs to raise money for scholarships. She announced her candidacy in September with endorsements from local and state officials in coastal Virginia along with former Gov. Ralph Northam and his wife, Pam, and Rep. Jennifer McClellan, D-4th.

At the time of her campaign launch, the National Republican Congressional Committee issued a statement calling Cotter Smasal an extreme Democrat.

Meanwhile, Congresswoman Jen Kiggans is delivering support for service members mental health and fighting to preserve Medicare and Social Security, said Delanie Bomar, a spokeswoman for the National Republican Congressional Committee, in a statement.

Kiggans is a former Navy helicopter pilot and nurse practitioner. She flipped the district red when she defeated two-term Rep. Elaine Luria, D-2nd, in 2022.

Luria was also a Navy veteran. The district, based in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake and Suffolk, is home to a large portion of Virginias military population. Addressing the concerns of active-duty military and veterans will be a district-specific component of the campaigns of Cotter Smasal and Kiggans alongside such national issues as foreign policy, abortion and the economy.

When announcing her run, Cotter Smasal said she takes issue with some of Kiggans actions in Congress concerning veterans. For example, she challenged Kiggans for voting for a GOP bill to raise the debt ceiling while cutting spending, which narrowly passed the House on a party-line vote. The Department of Veterans Affairs claimed the measure would have cut funding for the VA by 22%  which Kiggans and other GOP lawmakers argued was not the case.

She also challenges Kiggans on her support of efforts by Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., to block some military promotions in protest of a federal policy to cover travel for out-of-state abortions to military members who live in states with deep restrictions. While Kiggans said she had disagreed with his method, she agreed with his reasons.

The 2nd is Virginias most volatile congressional district. It has had eight different representatives since 2000  five Republicans and three Democrats.

The district backed Democrat Northam for governor in 2017 and Republican Glenn Youngkin for governor in 2021. Democrat Aaron Rouse won a special election to fill Kiggans state Senate seat, then won a full four-year term in November.

A DCCC release notes that President Joe Biden carried the 2nd District in 2020 and that it overlaps with House of Delegates districts that Democrats won in 2023 elections that helped flip the chamber from red to blue.

Voters want sensible leadership that will work for them, not a representative beholden to an extreme MAGA agenda, said DCCC Chair Rep. Suzan DelBene in a statement. Thats why Missy will flip this district and deliver results for Coastal Virginians.

PHOTOS: Hollywood Cemetery, from the RTD archives
Cancun firemen use jaws of life to free trapped driver

Cancun, Q.R.  Cancun firemen had to use the jaws of life to free the trapped driver of an old model car. The 21-year-old man was cut free of his vehicle after an early morning accident Sunday.

According to Bomberos Cancun, the driver of the Tsuru was left trapped behind the steering wheel after colliding with a cargo truck on a section of highway outside Cancun. Firemen worked to free driver, Jose Julian from his crumpled car for a transfer to hospital.

Photo: Bomberos Cancun January 28, 2024.

National Guard were at the scene directing early morning highway traffic while firemen worked to free the male driver. The driver of the cargo truck is alleged to have fled the scene. Details surrounding the accident are unknown.
Former Puerto Morelos city council member arrested for illicit use of power

Puerto Morelos, Q.R.  A specialized police unit has arrested a former Puerto Morelos city council worker for illicit use of power. On Sunday, the State Attorney General (FGE) of Quintana Roo announced the arrest of Jose Antonio N.

Over the weekend, Jose Antonio N was taken into custody by the Specialized Prosecutors Office in Combating Corruption. The FGE says Jose Antonio N was taken into custody for his probable participation in events possibly constituting the crime of illicit use of powers and powers of the public service to the detriment of the public administration of the H. City Council of Puerto Morelos.

According to the FGE, the court order for his arrest derives from a complaint filed by the head of the Investigation Directorate of the Superior State Audit in which he declares that in the 2018-2021 municipal administration, a contract dated July 22, 2020 was made with a company that would carry out infrastructure work in the municipality.

These projects were not completed, but they were paid for and justified, simulating the completion of the work with the person now detained being responsible for overseeing the proper execution.

This omission caused patrimonial detriment to the Puerto Morelos City Council on the part of Jose Antonio N and other public servants. According to the FGE, the damage amounts to nearly 8 million pesos.

Jose Antonio N was picked up on an arrest warrant over the weekend and transferred to the Municipal Detention Center of Solidaridad. A judge has ordered him to remain in custody. His next court appearance is scheduled for February 1, 2024.
Netflix is already recovering after the first time it saw a first subscriber decline in 2022. However, there are still other dangers that could dethrone the streaming service from its top spot. According to the company, generative AI may pose a risk to its operations.

Netflix's Report Points to Gen AI

Netflix filed its annual 10-K report for the SEC on Friday, and under the section about video competition, the streaming giant listed generative AI as something that could create problems for the business seeing as it is now being adopted by countless companies.

In the filing, Netflix said that new technological developments, including the development and use of generative artificial intelligence, are rapidly evolving. If the competitors start using this to their advantage, the company might not be able to compete.

The streaming company said that such technologies cause its operations to be "adversely impacted." While the solution might be obvious, which is the company also taking advantage of artificial intelligence, Netflix had an answer for that as well.

Netflix added: "[T]he use or adoption of new and emerging technologies may increase our exposure to intellectual property claims, and the availability of copyright and other intellectual property protection for AI-generated material is uncertain," as mentioned in Variety.

This is merely a cautious addition to the filing, as Netflix is required to disclose to investors what might hurt the business. On the grand scale of things, it's unlikely that other steaming platforms will ever resort to creating content using generative AI.

For the same reason Netflix mentioned, the use of generative AI is still not as "free" as its users could hope. There are a lot of other creators who might see a resemblance between their work and AI-generated content and could sue the companies involved.

Read Also: Spotify Lets Select Users Generate Playlists Using AI

The Possibility of Gen AI in Streaming

Artificial intelligence is still a sore topic for creators, especially since countless have had their work used for machine learning without their consent, leading to users of AI tools managing to create outputs that look similar to licensed or copyrighted content.

In addition to that, the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes have also addressed this issue before the movement ended. With the threat of their jobs being threatened, the use of AI by streaming services could prompt another strike or at least some resistance.

Some companies are not too shy about using them. For instance, Marvel's "Secret Invasion" received backlash after using generative AI to create its intro, and that was just a few seconds before opening the episode. Imagine what would happen if the episode itself was AI.

YouTube has also developed an AI tool called Dream Track that allows you to create music using the voices of other artists such as Alec Benjamin, Charlie Puth, Charli XCX, Demi Lovato, John Legend, Papoose, Sia, T-Pain, Troye Sivan, per Smithsonian Magazine.

The songs can be used for YouTube Shorts, meaning that they can only last for about 30 seconds. The feature is still not open to others, but the platform might release it soon seeing as there are no oppositions, yet.

Related: TikTok Launches AI Song Generator to Select Users
Oaxaca man stopped for reckless driving now facing attempted murder of PDC officers

Playa del Carmen, Q.R.  A 34-year-old Oaxaca man stopped for reckless driving is now facing attempted murder charges. Police in Playa del Carmen upgraded the charges after being threatened at gunpoint by a man they say also tried to run them over.

The incident happened Sunday when Public Safety and Transit (SSP) motorcycle officers attempted to pull over the driver of a Kia for reckless driving. Instead of pulling over, officers say the driver tried, on several occasions, to hit them.

The driver of the car sped off which lead to a chase through west city streets. Once finally stopped, he is accused of pulling out a gun and threatening to shoot the arresting officers through his window.

In turn, one of the officers fired a warning shot, causing the driver to drop his weapon. After an inspection of the man and his car, police reported finding a variety of narcotics, a loaded handgun and ammo.

In an official statement, the Seguridad Publica y Transito Solidaridad (SSP) reported after a chase, Municipal Police arrested a subject for the possible commission of the crime of attempted homicide and seized a firearm, five cartridges and more than 60 doses of possible drugs after attacking the integrity of the officers in La Pedregal neighborhood.

Elements of the Preventive Police who were patrolling on motorcycles arrested Juan N, 34 years old from Oaxaca, who was driving a KIA model vehicle recklessly and tried to knock down the officers repeatedly.

Also during the arrest, the subject took out a firearm and pointed it out of the window at one of the police officers, so in view of the imminent danger, the second officer fired a warning shot, causing the subject to drop the weapon.
Over 90,000 cruise passengers expected for Cozumel on 33 ships this week

Cozumel, Q.R.  More than 90,000 cruise passengers are expected on the island of Cozumel this week with the arrival of ships. A total of 33 luxury vessels are scheduled to dock the islands piers before the week is out.

With an average ship passenger capacity of 3,000, around 90,000 guests are expected for the week of January 29 to February 3. Cruising Caribbean ships will begin arriving to Cozumel Monday with the scheduled docking of four vessels.

One of those vessels, Norwegian Escape has a passenger capacity of more than 4,200 while Seven Seas Grandeur, also expected Monday, will arrive with just over 700 passengers.

On Tuesday, the island will host seven vessels with the Norwegian Breakaway being the largest with just under 4,000 passengers. On Wednesday, another five ships are scheduled to arrive with more than 21,000 travelers between them.

Thursday will also be busy with the arrival of another seven ships carrying around 21,300 passengers and Friday, over 36,000 cruise passengers are expected on five vessels.

For Saturday, a total of five ships are scheduled. Each of those ships will spend the day docked at one of Cozumels three piers before moving on.

In the first two weeks of this year, 106 cruise ships docked in Quintana Roo between the passenger terminals of Mahahual and Cozumel. Governor Mara Lezama Espinosa says these figures confirm the tourism leadership of the state.
Residents capture and tie alleged land exploiter to town pole

Jose Maria Morelos, Q.R.  Municipal police were finally able to arrest a man being held by a group of angry residents who claimed ongoing threats due to illegal activity. A group from the Mayan town of Kancabchen in the municipality of Jose Maria Morelos captured and tied the man to a town post.

The individual, who was not identified by name, is alleged to be part of an illegal tree cutting operation where the timber is then sold. The allegations stem from an ongoing issue with area residents claiming the illegal felling of trees and the rustling of farm animals.

In total, two men are being accused of the illegal activities taking place on a nearby ranch. Over the weekend, one of the men suspected of participating and issuing threats against residents was captured and tied to a pole.

On Saturday, a group of angry residents who claimed the problems of land exploiting were years-old, captured the man near the ranch and tied him to a town pole where police eventually arrived.

Two police units were sent and initially tasked with calming residents who wanted to take matters into their own hands. The detainee is accused of illegally exploiting ejido lands and threatening community residents since 2022.
Two Mexican nationals extradited to U.S. to face charges of sexual abuse

Mexico City, Mexico  Two men wanted in U.S. courtrooms were extradited from Mexico Sunday. In compliance with the Extradition Treaty signed between Mexico and the United States, the Attorney General of the Republic (FGR) extradited Gonzalo G and Ricardo C, both wanted for sexual crimes.

Gonzalo G was wanted in Santa Barbara, California for the sexual abuse of three minors. The FGR reported that he was required by the Superior Court of the State of California in the County of Santa Barbara for sexual abuse against three minors.

The fugitive was located in August 2023 in Jocotepec, Jalisco, and detained for extradition purposes.

Ricardo C was wanted by a U.S. court also on sexual abuse charges. According to the FGR, Ricardo C sexually assaulted three minors and was wanted by the District Court of El Paso County, Texas.

He was located and detained by Mexican authorities for extradition purposes in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, in September of 2023.

Both men were handed over to U.S. agents at the Mexico City International Airport (AICM) Sunday for their transfer.
HUDDLESTON  After more than 32 years as the manager of Smith Mountain Lake State Park, Brian Heft will be retiring this week. During his long career, he has seen the park and the surrounding community grow from a quiet rural locale to a popular tourist destination.

Heft was named as the parks manager in 1992 after moving around from postings at other state parks in Virginia. His career started in 1987 as a chief ranger at Natural Tunnel State park before moving to False Cape State Park less than a year later to become the assistant park manager.

Three years later he moved to Hungry Mother State Park to be the assistant manager. He was in the position only five months before being hired at Smith Mountain Lake State Park.

While there was a lot of moving in his early career, Heft stayed in place once he arrived at Smith Mountain Lake. He saw it as the perfect spot for him due to his love of swimming and fishing.

I wanted to come here, Heft said. I enjoy being on the water.

When Heft arrived, Smith Mountain Lake State Park was still in its infancy. The shoreline park in Bedford County had opened to the public less than a decade earlier in 1983.

The same year Heft arrived in 1992, voters in Virginia approved a bond referendum on the ballot that provided $95 million in funds to state parks. A portion of those funds went to expansions at the Smith Mountain Lake park that he was directly involved in including significant upgrades, including to its cabins and campsites.

There was a lot that needed to be done, Heft said.

In addition to his work at Smith Mountain Lake, Heft worked with park groups developing prescribed burn plans, developing the first trail development and maintenance manuals. He was also worked with the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreations Law Enforcement Rangers and served as a lead firearms instructor.

At Smith Mountain Lake, Heft helped guide the parks first on-water interpretive programs. He also worked with groups on resource management projects including efforts to reestablish the American chestnut and control deer populations through herd reduction hunts at the park.

In those early days when Heft first arrived at the park, he said there were only around 100,000 visitors annually. In recent years that number has expanded to close to 500,000 visitors a year with more than 32,000 visitors just to the parks popular beach.

Along with the growth at the park, the communities around Smith Mountain Lake began to expand. Heft recalled in the early days there was only one grocery store and just a few restaurants. Back then many businesses closed during the winter.

With the population exploding in the past 20 years as well as tourist traffic during the summers, more businesses have opened allowing for a wide variety of options for food and shopping. Many of those business and restaurants have also opened year round in recent years.

Heft has seen the growth from his home located inside the parks 1,200 acres. Managers are provided with a home at the park so they can be nearby whenever needed. It is the home where Heft raised his two daughters who have now moved out and are on their own.

Now 63, Heft has decided to move on himself. He said he wants to retire while he still able to enjoy life and do the things he loves.

Its time, Heft said of coming to the decision.

After three decades of having a home provided for him, Heft recently purchased a home in western Maryland. His plan is to spend his days fishing and hunting as well as settling into his new home.

Ive got a lot of projects to do right now, Heft said.

With retirement a little more than a week away, Heft admitted there will be things he misses about the job. He loved meeting the many of the people who visited the park during his long career. He said he always tried to make sure everyone who visited the park had a good experience while they were there.

Heft said he is proudest of all the staff that he has worked with during his long career as well as his work to encourage and help people find a career in parks. Many of the people he has worked with and shown the ropes have moved on to be promoted to manager positions at other parks in Virginia.

So far, no replacement has been announced for the parks manager position. Heft said the search is currently ongoing.

While he likely wont be meeting his replacement before his final day next week, Heft did have some advice. Be flexible, be open minded and embrace the people that here to help you.
The United States is 3.8 million sq mi (9.8 million sq km) big, unevenly distributed among 50 states. Here are the five smallest states by square miles, listed in ascending size.

1. Rhode Island

Rhode Island's land area measures 1,033.6 sq mi (2,677 sq km), making it smaller than the Grand Canyon (1,904 sq mi or 4,931 sq km). Nicknamed the Ocean State, Rhode Island is 37 miles (59.5 km) wide and 48 miles (77.2 km) long.

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2. Delaware

Delaware, known for its diverse geography, has a land area of 1,948 sq mi (5,045.3 sq km). The capital city is Dover, the second-most populous city in the state, behind Wilmington. Delaware's state dog is rescue dogs.

3. Connecticut

Bordering New York sits one of the smallest states: Connecticut. The New England state is 5,018 sq mi (13,023 sq km), 4,841.1 sq. mi (12,539.2 sq km) of which are land area; the rest is water area.

There are 21 cities, 169 towns and eight counties in Connecticut. The state was the home of Charles Goodyear and Eli Whitney. The state's website says it is also where you can find "the best pizza in the world."

4. Hawaii

Hawaii's land area measures in at 6,420.7 sq mi (16,629.5 sq km). Located in the north central Pacific Ocean, the state is not part of the contiguous United States. Full of natural beauty, the fourth smallest state boasts a diverse landscape.

5. New Jersey

On the other side of New York is New Jersey, which is 8,719 sq mi (22,582.11 sq km), according to the US Census Bureau. The state has 7,352.9 sq mi (19,043.9 sq km) of land area and sits next to the Atlantic Ocean, with 127 miles of coastline. It is also part of the Coastal Plains ecoregion, along with states like Florida and parts of Texas.

Jersey may not be winning any prizes when it comes to land area size, but the state can say it has more horses per square mile when compared to other states.
DARLINGTON, S.C.  The State Law Enforcement Division is investigating a fire that burned a business in downtown Darlington on the morning of Jan. 25.

According to reports, firefighters responded to the blaze at Chiantis Wings and Things around 5:30 a.m. The restaurant is on the 100 block of Cashua Street. No information was available on the amount of damage caused by the fire.
EFFINGHAM  The South Carolina Department of Public Safety held a highway dedication in honor of fallen trooper Sgt. Robert A. Mobley, who was killed in the line of duty on July 19, 1979, in Florence County.

The ceremony was held Friday, Jan. 26, at the Evergreen Baptist Church in Effingham with close relatives, friends, law enforcement and first responders in attendance.

The S.C. Department of Transportation formally unveiled highway signs designating the portion of SC-51, Pamplico Highway, between Flowers Road and Willard Henry Road in Florence County the Sergeant Robert A. Mobley Highway.

Highway named for fall trooper Colonel Christopher Williamson, commander of the S.C. Highway Patrol, unveils the highway sign honoring Sgt. Robert A. Mobley.

Mobley was on duty in Florence County when he was killed while conducting a traffic stop. During contact with the motorcyclist, a struggle took place and the driver took control of Mobleys firearm, shooting Mobley six times. He died at the scene.

Although Sgt. Mobleys life was tragically lost while serving and protecting the state of South Carolina, we want to make sure his legacy lives on, said Robert G. Woods IV, director of SCDPS. These highway dedications serve as a solemn reminder to us all that life is precious. We must do everything we can to ensure these heroes, who gave the ultimate sacrifice, are never forgotten.

Mobley was born on Nov. 12, 1928, in Alabama, but grew up in Greenwood. After being honorably discharged from the Marine Corps, Mobley joined the South Carolina Highway Patrol in 1958 and patrolled the roadways of Anderson County during the first 14 years of his service.

Highway named for fallen trooper The ceremony was held at the Evergreen Baptist Church in Effingham with close relatives, friends, law enforcement and first responders in attendance.

In 1972, Mobley was promoted to corporal and transferred to Florence County. He was promoted to sergeant in 1978 and continued to serve in Florence County until his death in 1979.

Throughout his 21 years with the Highway Patrol, he was well-known and well-liked, and he treated others he met with professionalism, respect and fairness.

Although nearly 45 years have passed since Sgt. Mobley was laid to rest, we have not forgotten him, said Colonel Christopher Williamson, commander of the SC Highway Patrol. He spent much of his life wearing the Highway Patrol uniform and he will always be part of this family. These highway signs will serve as reminders to future generations of Sgt. Mobleys sacrifice in the line of duty.

At the time of his death, Mobley was survived by his wife, Nell Grover; his three sons, Dwight, Ralph and Walter; his mother; his brother and sister; and two grandchildren. He was buried with full military honors at the Florence National Cemetery and was inducted into the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame in 1986.

Mobleys son Ralph had been a SC Highway Patrol trooper for two years at the time of his fathers death in 1979. He went on to serve as colonel of the Highway Patrol in 1999 until his retirement in 2001. Colonel Ralph Mobley passed away in 2018.

The South Carolina Department of Public Safety includes the Highway Patrol, State Transport Police, Bureau of Protective Services, Office of Highway Safety and Justice Programs, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame.
The Merlion statue and the Marina Bay Sands Hotel in Singapore, on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023. Photographer: Lionel Ng/Bloomberg (Bloomberg)

By Chanyaporn Chanjaroen and David Ramli

(Bloomberg)  Three Chinese nationals working in Singapore sued a remittance firm after police in the mainland froze money they had transferred home, as China ramps up efforts to root out alleged money laundering and other illicit activities.

The trio are seeking 347,501 yuan ($48,417) from Samlit Moneychanger Pte, as part of other claims, alleging breach of agreements, according to a suit filed to the city-states courts in October and obtained by Bloomberg News. Samlit denied the allegations. It said it fulfilled its obligations and cant be responsible for what happens after money reaches designated accounts in China, according to court documents.

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The seizures comes as China cracks down on what it considers massive crime rings that have extended beyond its shores as more of its citizens leave home. Across Asia, nations from Singapore to Myanmar are grappling with scams and money-laundering cases that have spilled out from the worlds second-largest economy. Singapore in particular is seeing its biggest money laundering case play out with more than S$3 billion ($2.2 billion) of assets confiscated from ethnic Chinese in the city-state so far.

Police in China has blocked hundreds of remittances from Singapore, many of them sent by Samlit, a licensed money changer based in the citys Chinatown area, according to complaints made to authorities in Singapore.

In the lawsuit, Tan Mingshi said Chinese police allegedly froze 250,000 yuan that was transferred into his wifes bank account in 2022 because of suspicion of money laundering. Only after he followed police instructions to return to China and transfer 142,226 yuan to scam victims were the remaining funds released, according to court documents.

Peng Fang Fang, another claimant, said she gave S$40,000 to Samlit to send the equivalent of about 195,600 yuan to her account in China, only to have most of it frozen by police. Qi Chao, the third claimant, said most of the S$10,576 moved to his Chinese bank account was frozen as the police investigated his illegal activities related to the transfer, according to the court filing.

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Like Tan, Peng said she returned to China to answer questions from police. Qi also said he had to comply with instructions from police. Their frozen funds were transferred out of their bank accounts, with Peng notified that this was done by the Chinese police bureau, the lawsuit states. All three said they followed police orders for fear of criminal consequences, the suit alleges.

None of the claimants has been accused of any wrongdoing related to the fund transfers, according to their lawyer Pang Khin Wee of Hoh Law Corp. Pang said they are all blue-collar workers who have resided in the city-state for years.

In its defense filed to the court, Samlit said none of the claimants provided satisfactory evidence backing their frozen money claims. Samlit and its lawyer didnt reply to emailed requests seeking further comment.

As of Dec. 15, there have been more than 670 complaints to Singapore police about frozen remittances to China worth a combined S$13 million, according to authorities. Almost two-thirds of the reports were linked to Samlit, they added.

In response to the slew of seizures, the Monetary Authority of Singapore ordered remittance firms to only use banks or operators of a card network such as Union Pay International when transmitting funds to China. The remittance firms had often used overseas agents to save costs, rather than making direct bank transfers, MAS said in a statement last month. The restrictions are in place for three months starting Jan. 1, with a possible extension.

The directive wasnt related to any specific money laundering concern, the MAS said on its website in December.

The MAS and the Singapore police said at the time they havent received any information indicating that remittance companies have been involved in money laundering or scams, or that the funds were frozen because these firms had transfered proceeds from any criminal activity.

Singapore is seeking clarity from Chinas government on how remitters can unlock their money, Alvin Tan, a minister of state, said earlier this month. China is the worlds third-largest remittance recipient, netting $50 billion in 2023, according to a December report by the World Bank.

The Chinese embassy and government agencies havent responded to queries seeking comment on the situation.

With assistance from Josh Xiao.

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
The Swedish government's system could possibly take weeks before it returns to fully operational following a ransomware attack on its computer service provider.

According to Sweden's civil defense minister, at least 178 reports of potential data breaches were made after the cybercriminal group Akira hacked into Tietoevry Oyj's data centers in the country.

Tietoevry is the one digital service provider on Sweden's government systems.

The tech firm promised to make "every effort" to bring back its technical services as soon as possible. Tietoevry is now working with authorities on the investigation.

The cyberattack occurred on the night of Jan. 19 on its data center in Sweden. Tietoevry

Other than the Swedish government systems, several cinemas and retailers have also been reportedly affected by the cyberattacks.

Also Read: What to Know About Ransomware Threats in 2024

Tietoevry Cyberattack Blamed on Russian Government

Coincidentally, the cyberattack on the Swedish government occurred as the country was about to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

Finland, who also joined NATO last year, blamed Russian operatives for the recent attack on the neighboring country, claiming that a similar string of cyberattacks occurred.

One of the data breaches even occurred when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was speaking to Finland's parliament.

Sweden has already been notified earlier to expect hybrid attacks, including ransomware, following its decision to enter NATO.

It can be remembered that NATO is one of the first international organizations that sent troops in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The alliance even pledged 500 million to support Ukrainian soldiers' critical needs against Russian troops.

EU Cyberattacks on the Rise

However, it is not only those parts of NATO that have been experiencing an increase in cyberattacks in the past year.

Cyber experts have noted how attacks become more sophisticated and advanced as countries ramp up security measures against them.

According to EU's IT Governance, more than 109 million records were breached in November 2023 from the 47 publicly disclosed security incidents.

Cybersecurity experts have since warned that the attacks could increase with more criminal groups integrating powerful AI tools into their operations.

Related Article: UK Cybersecurity Agency Says Scams Will Be Harder to Detect Due to AI
As I watched my neighbourhood children play football on the field in the housing estate, a moment of envy flitted by. And their enthusiasm, energy and innocuous laughter momentarily transported me to my childhood.

Most of them were teenagers, with a sprinkling of younger boys, and they were playing with abandon, as boys are wont to do.

To the left, several young children were chortling or grimacing as they defied gravity on swings, with an adult either pushing the swing or watching alertly.

How lucky these children are, I thought.

Yes, Malaysian and Singaporean children are fortunate to be able to enjoy these pleasures of childhood and to grow up without a care in the world, getting to eat good food, sleeping in relative comfort, and going regularly to school to get an education.

Malaysian and Singaporean children make up one of every three children in the world who get the opportunity to enjoy such a peaceful life.

Laila Al-Sultan, a displaced Palestinian girl who was wounded in an Israeli strike that killed her father, plays with her brother Khaled inside their makeshift shelter, in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. (Photo: Reuters)

2 of every 3 children live in conflict-affected countries

The other two out of three live with, or under the threat of, hunger, malnutrition, displacement and the fear of injury and death. For they live in conflict-affected countries or territories such as Ukraine, Sudan, Yemen, Ethiopia, Syria, Myanmar, El Salvador and Palestine.

On 30 October, a UN official said almost 70 per cent of those reported killed in the fight between Israel and Hamas were children and women.

Sima Bahous, the executive director of UN Women, the United Nations agency promoting gender equality, said on 19 January that some 1 million women and girls had been displaced in Gaza, and that around 10,000 children had lost their fathers.

On 11 January, aid charity NGO Save the Children said it had been informed by the Palestinian health ministry in Gaza that more than 10,000 children had been killed by Israeli airstrikes and ground operations since 7 October last year, and that thousands more were missing.

The Palestinians also claimed the death toll had reached 25,000 on 21 January.

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Palestinians, who fled their houses amid Israeli strikes, take shelter in a United Nations-run school, after Israel's call for more than 1 million civilians in northern Gaza to move south, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. (Photo: Reuters)

Children among hostages

On 24 January, Save the Children and 15 organisations, noted that children were among the hostages abducted by Gaza fighters when they stormed southern Israel on 7 October, sparking the latest conflict.

They added, Armed groups in Gaza have continued to indiscriminately fire rockets towards population centres in Israel, disrupting school for children, displacing and threatening the lives and well-being of civilians.

In calling for a ceasefire and an immediate halt to the transfer of weapons, parts, and ammunition to Israel and Palestinian armed groups, they said more than 1,000 Palestinian children had lost one or more of their upper or lower limbs.

They added, Gaza today is the most dangerous place to be a child, a journalist, and an aid worker.

In 1994, Save the Children said wars had killed 1.5 million children from Laos to Somalia over the past decade and injured another four million.

It had added, "More than four million children have been disabled, maimed, blinded and brain-damaged. More than 12 million children have lost their homes."

Africa has highest number of children living in conflict zones

According to a report released last year by the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO), about 1.7 billion children under the age of 18 (68 per cent, or more than two out of three children) were living in a conflict-affected country in 2022.

These are among the findings mentioned in the report:

In 2022, about 468 million children (18.8 per cent, or more than one in six) were living in a conflict zone.

Around 96 million children were living in high-intensity conflict areas (with 100 or more killed within 50km of the fighting).

Close to 41 per cent of all children exposed to conflict lived in an area that experienced more than 25 battle-related deaths within a 50km radius.

In 2022, as in 2021, Africa was the region with the highest number of children living in conflict zones (183 million children). The total number in Asia was 145 million.

The Middle East continued to have the highest share of children living in conflict zones relative to the total child population (with as many as 39 per cent, or more than one third of all children in the region).

In the Palestinian Territories, the report said, practically all children lived within 50km of one or more violent events in 2022.

This is terribly, terribly disturbing.

Children exposed to violence become more aggressive

Can we in Malaysia and Singapore, living in peace, even imagine the trauma faced by these children? Can we visualise their lives growing up under such horribly uncertain, even dangerous, circumstances?

How many of these children, exposed to armed violence or abuse or slavery, will grow into adulthood scarred by their experience? How many of them are likely to take up arms in adulthood or even earlier, thus perpetuating the cycle of violence?

According to a study published in the journal Child Development in 2012, children exposed to ethnic and political violence in the Middle East were more aggressive than other children.

Participants of the study included 600 Palestinian-Arab families, 451 Israeli Jewish families, and 450 Israeli Arab families. It included children aged 8 to 14 years old.

Psychologist Paul Boxer, lead author of the study, had then said: We found that over time, exposure to all kinds of violence was linked to increased aggressive behaviour among the children.

We also found that these effects were strongest among the youngest age group, and that they appear to result from a chain of influence in which ethnic-political violence increases violence in families, schools, and neighbourhoods, which in turn increases aggressive behaviour among children.

The papers co-author, University of Michigan psychologist L. Rowell Huesmann, added: Importantly, we found that late childhood was a critical period. The children who were 8-years-old at the start of our study were more susceptible than older children to the effects of witnessing violence.

They found that Palestinian children were the most exposed to violence although Israeli Jews experienced more security checks and threats, and that Palestinian children, especially males, showed the highest levels of aggressive behaviour.

Say 'no' to war

There it is! Clear evidence of the harm war and armed conflict of any kind have on young minds.

No wonder the violence in places such as Palestine, Afghanistan, Sudan, Myanmar and Nigeria never seem to end, or erupt after short periods of peace.

Its time to end all wars, all armed violence to protect our future generations.

Do the adults who commit their communities or countries to war ever consider what it will do to their children? Or the long-term consequences of their agitated reactions?

Its a lesson for our leaders to always be conscious of their words and actions, and its a lesson for us too. The best option is always to meet at the discussion table, not on the streets and certainly not on the battlefield.

We need to do all we can to cherish the peace that we enjoy, and to build bridges with our neighbours - whether individuals or nations.

A.Kathirasen is a veteran Malaysian journalist/editor who has been writing columns, with breaks, in newspapers and online since 1981. All views expressed are the writer's own.

Do you have a story tip? Email: malaysia.newsroom@yahooinc.com.

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Whenever the topic of Filipino cuisine comes up, I can only think of lechon (roasted pork) and Jollibee. Sounds familiar? Well, Im not alone among Singaporeans who are unfamiliar with much of cuisine from Asias pearl of the orient. Thats changing as I headed to Kabayan Filipino Restaurant at level 3 of Lucky Plaza, determined to acquaint myself more with this cuisine.

kabayan - front view

I brought along Kai Le, our intern, who has many Filipino friends, making her the perfect companion for my first Filipino food adventure. We headed to Lucky Plaza on a sleepy Monday morning, and there wasnt much activity going on.

kabayan - interior

kabayan - dish choices

Inside Kabayan Filipino Restaurant, the self-service setting resembled our typical kopitiam cai fan stall, where you had to head to the front to choose your dishes. Over 20 dishes were proudly displayed in the glass showcase. Since it was only about 10-ish in the morning, the kitchen crew was still busy firing dishes to fill up the empty containers.

What I tried at Kabayan Filipino Restaurant

I stood in front of the menu for a good 5 minutes, attempting to decipher the foreign-sounding dish names like tapsilog, tosilog, sisig, and bangus with the provided illustrations, but it only left me more confused.

kabayan - lechon garlic

We started off with something I was familiar with from one of the standard sets on the menu, the Lechon Kawali with Egg & Garlic Rice (S$10.50). While I was familiar with lechon, I pondered over the term kawali. It turned out to mean frying pan, which coincidentally sounded the same in Peranakan/Malay to describe a wok.

kabayan - condiments

We helped ourselves to the condiments section. Starting in an anti-clockwise direction, the first was soy sauce with chilli padi, followed by the thick light brown sauce that Kai Le referred to as an all-purpose sauce. Next was a mixture of black vinegar, green chilli, and onions, and the last was fish sauce.

kabayan - lechon closeup

The first chunky piece of roast pork boasted a crispy, crackling skin reminiscent of the babi guling (suckling pig) that I had in Bali. In a peculiar way, it felt like I was chewing on glass. The meat was tender, and the fat just below the skin turned creamy and delicious after each chew.

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kabayan - lechon dip

We squeezed the calamansi into the soy sauce with the chilli padi.

Filipinos like their food sour. exclaimed Kai Le.

I dunked the lechon into the mixture and it tasted savoury with an acidic kick interesting, indeed!

kabayan - garlic rice

I was impressed with the garlic rice which possessed a slight oiliness akin to chicken rice. Embedded with fried garlic bits, it was aromatic and tasty.

kabayan - pickled papaya

A shoutout to the pickled papaya salad is a must. Tangy and featuring shreds of carrot and red capsicum, it added a palatable dimension, effectively cutting down the overall richness, similar to our local achar.

kabayan - fried egg

My only gripe with the dish was the fried egg, as it had an overdone yolk. Had the yolk been runny, it would have undoubtedly enhanced the overall experience.

kabayan - cai fan

We also selected 3 dishes cai fan style to go with plain rice from their vast selection of dishes. We chose Sinigang, which is supposedly one of their staples, Longaniza, a sausage of sorts and Ginisang Monggo, a bean stew.

kabayan - sinigang

The sizable pork pieces had an excellent meat-to-fat ratio, providing a sour and appetising flavour attributed to the tamarind in the soup. I found it amusing that it tasted just like my Nyonya grandmothers salted vegetable duck soup.

kabayan - sinigang vegetables

The Sinigang also included pieces of eggplant, daikon, and long beans. I showed a picture of it to my ex-colleague, Karlson, who hails from Pampanga, aka the culinary capital of the Philippines.

He remarked, Why does it look so pale and underwhelming? Well, as long as its sour, its good to go! I suppose its always best to ask a native.

kabayan - sausage

The Longaniza was a cured sausage with a slightly thick casing, proving rather challenging to separate with our fork and spoon. In terms of taste, it carried a subtle sweetness and hints of heat from the black pepper glaze used.

Kai Le mentioned that the sauce was too sweet and the sausage wasnt sour enough. Personally, I had no issues with it and quite enjoyed the dish.

kabayan - stew

At first glance, the Ginisang Monggo looked like a photocopy of a bowl of green bean soup. Kai Le said that the consistency should be thick and not watery like what we had. The stew consisted of green beans, sliced onions and tomatoes.

There were also tiny pink bits which turned out to be bagoong, a fermented shrimp paste. Karlson mentioned that this dish is a staple on Fridays when the majority of Catholics abstain from eating meat.

However, the flavour profile of this dish appeared to lack depth, as it tasted slightly savoury and nothing more. This turned out to be our least favourite.

Final thoughts

kabayan - overview

Dining at Kabayan Filipino Restaurant was an interesting experience, as I exposed myself to various unexplored flavour combinations. Im glad to have expanded beyond my small culinary bubble and can proudly say that Ive tried a few local favourites from Filipino cuisine.

Im looking forward to exploring another Filipino establishment soon and trying out different dishes.

Order delivery: foodpanda

Expected damage: S$7  S$12 per pax

The post Kabayan Filipino Restaurant: Filipino roasted pork with garlic rice & cai fan with over 20 dishes appeared first on SETHLUI.com.
BOYDEN, Iowa  A home near Boyden was completely destroyed in a fire Sunday.

The Sioux County Sheriff's Office said in a statement that 911 dispatchers received a report of a garage fire at 3420 Kennedy Avenue at 12:28 p.m. The residence is just over 2 miles south of Boyden.

Upon arrival, the Boyden Fire Department found a two-stall garage, which was attached to the home, on fire. They requested mutual aid from area fire departments. Firefighters used roughly 11,000 gallons of water to fight the fire.

"The fire quickly spread into the attic of the house and department members fought the fire from outside the house. Eventually, fire fighters were able to get inside and get the fire completely extinguished," the statement said.

The house was deemed a total loss. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The Boyden Fire Department and Boyden Ambulance were assisted by Sheldon Fire Department, Hull Fire Department and the Sioux County Sheriff's Office.
SIOUX CITY -- A Council Bluffs man has been sentenced to prison for writing fake checks and gaining more than $7,700 in cash from Sioux City banks.

A second Council Bluffs man was placed on probation for taking part in the scheme.

Nicholas Rounds, 26, pleaded guilty Friday in Woodbury County District Court to single counts forgery and second-degree theft. District Judge Zachary Hindman sentenced him in accordance with a plea agreement to five years in prison.

Duane Long, 46, was found guilty by a jury in November of two counts of forgery and one count of second-degree theft. District Judge Tod Deck on Friday suspended a five-year prison sentence and placed him on two years' probation.

Rounds was arrested in August and charged with presenting a check for $3,770.55 from Weinrich Truck Line Inc. to Primebank at 5680 Sunnybrook Drive on July 12 and receiving cash. He then went to Primebank's Hamilton Boulevard location, presented a similar check and received $3,970.55 in cash.

Long cashed a check from Weinrich for $3,888 at the Sunnybrook Primebank branch on July 12.

In all cases, the checks had not been issued by Weinrich Truck Line, but had been forged with the company's account information and the bookkeeper's signature.

Both men were ordered to pay restitution to Primebank for the money they received. Together, they must pay $775 to Weinrich. Long was ordered to pay an additional $5,423 to Weinrich.
WASHINGTON  By any standard, the past 18 months were remarkable for getting wrongfully detained Americans home. There were major swaps with adversaries such as Iran and Russia, including one that secured the freedom of WNBA star Brittney Griner, and a large prisoner exchange just last month with Venezuela.

But Harrison Li has had little to celebrate. Despite the succession of high-profile releases, jubilant family reunions and triumphant photos on government airplanes, his father, Kai, remains detained in China on espionage-related charges his family says are bogus and politically motivated.

Li, a Stanford University doctoral student, says though he feels "so much joy and happiness" for the other families  many of whom he's become friendly with over the years  "I'd be lying if I didn't say that then the next thought is, you know, when's it our turn?"

He added, "When you see so many folks come home but then you still see your loved one not, then, yeah, there's definitely an element of frustration."

Some see few signs of progress

Li is not alone. For all the releases of wrongly detained Americans, many more remain either locked up or missing in countries including Russia, Syria and Afghanistan  often held by a hostile foreign government.

In some instances, there have been few signs of progress, and families sometimes have seen the countries that are holding their loved ones release other detainees but not yet their relatives.

Those sensitivities are not lost on Roger Carstens, the special presidential envoy for hostage affairs and the Biden administration's public face for matters related to hostages and wrongful detainees  the label applied to Americans jailed in foreign countries for what the government considers legally specious allegations or for improper motivations.

He handles negotiations with foreign governments and once the deal is done flies out to bring the released American back, routinely telling them that, on behalf of the U.S. government, "I'm here to take you home."

"There's always a very short-lived celebration because we still have a lot of work to do to bring other people home," Carstens said in an interview.

Notable recent exchanges

The Biden administration has been notably aggressive in cutting deals, signing off on prisoner exchanges and other concessions that once would have been unthinkable and achieving releases at what advocates say is a historically high level.

Last month, Venezuela freed 10 Americans and returned to the U.S. for prosecution an indicted Navy contractor known as "Fat Leonard" in exchange for the U.S. releasing an ally of President Nicolas Maduro charged in a money-laundering conspiracy.

In September, five Americans jailed for years in Iran walked free in a deal that saw the release of nearly $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets.

Months earlier, Rwanda freed Paul Rusesabagina, who inspired the film "Hotel Rwanda," after a U.S. diplomatic intervention.

In 2022, the U.S. swapped an imprisoned Taliban drug lord for an American contractor in Afghanistan, and a notorious Russian arms trafficker for Griner.

U.S. officials called bringing home wrongfully detained Americans a core administration priority even when it collides with other foreign policy or law enforcement interests. In all cases, the ability to achieve a deal depends on negotiators reaching mutually agreeable conditions  no small thing when countries otherwise have little they agree on.

As hostage diplomacy generated front-page news and became a key area of focus  elevated in part by the October capture of scores of hostages in Israel by militant group Hamas  families of detainees jostled for attention from the U.S. government, including from President Joe Biden himself.

The president has met with some families  he had in-person and virtual conversations with families of American hostages held in Gaza  though some, like Li, are still seeking their first encounter.

Kai Li, a Chinese immigrant who started an export business in the U.S., was detained in September 2016 after flying into Shanghai. He was placed under surveillance, interrogated without a lawyer and accused of providing state secrets to the FBI. The U.S. government designated him as wrongfully detained. A United Nations working group called his 10-year prison sentence arbitrary.

Complicating the matter are diplomatic tensions between the U.S. and China. Harrison Li regards last November's summit between Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping as a missed opportunity to more forcefully move his father's case toward resolution.

Maryam Kamalmaz has seen no trace of her father, Majd Kamalmaz, since the Texas psychologist was stopped at a checkpoint in Syria in 2017 after traveling there to visit a family member. He remains one of several Americans missing in Syria, including journalist Austin Tice, despite a 2020 visit by Carstens to try to negotiate their release.

"Other families know their loved ones' condition. They know what's going on," Kamalmaz said. "In my father's case, there's been no trial, there's been no case. There's nothing against him. He's just basically disappeared into their system, disappeared completely."

Part of Carstens' job involves regular communication with families. Sometimes the updates are cheerful, sometimes they're painful.

Just before Griner's release, a representative from his office visited the sister of Paul Whelan, a corporate security executive from Michigan detained in Russia since December 2018, to break the news in person that Griner would be coming home but Moscow refused to free Whelan.

Carstens said deals like that are "no small thing" and weigh heavily on his team.

"Unless someone's coming off a plane, onto a tarmac, in the United States of America and into the arms of their loved ones," he said, "we're not getting a win."

Photos: US journalist Evan Gershkovich detained in Russia
WASHINGTON  U.S. forces may have mistaken an enemy drone for an American one and let it pass unchallenged into a desert base in Jordan where it killed three U.S. troops and wounded dozens more, officials said Monday.

Details of the Sunday attack emerged as President Joe Biden faced a difficult balancing act, blaming Iran and looking to strike back in a forceful way without causing further escalation of the Gaza conflict.

As the enemy drone was flying in at a low altitude, a U.S. drone was returning to the small installation, according to a preliminary report cited by two officials, who insisted on anonymity.

As a result, there was no effort to shoot down the enemy drone that hit the outpost. One of the trailers where troops sleep sustained the brunt of the strike, while surrounding trailers got limited damage from the blast and flying debris.

Aside from the soldiers killed, the Pentagon said more than 40 troops were wounded in the attack, most with cuts, bruises, brain injuries and similar wounds. Eight were medically evacuated, including three who went to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. The other five, who suffered minor brain injuries, were expected to return to duty.

The preliminary conclusion was first reported by The Wall Street Journal.

Asked if the failure to shoot down the enemy drone was "human error," Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh responded that the U.S. Central Command was still assessing the matter.

The Pentagon identified those killed in the attack as Sgt. William Jerome Rivers, 46, of Carrollton, Ga.; Spc. Kennedy Ladon Sanders, 24, of Waycross, Ga., and Spc. Breonna Alexsondria Moffett, 23, of Savannah, Ga.

The three U.S. Army Reserve soldiers were assigned to the 718th Engineer Company, 926th Engineer Battalion, 926th Engineer Brigade in Fort Moore, Georgia.

The explanation for how the enemy drone evaded U.S. air defenses came as the White House said Monday it's not looking for war with Iran even as Biden vows retaliatory action. The Democratic administration believes Tehran was behind the strike.

Biden met with national security advisers in the White House Situation Room to discuss the latest developments and potential retaliation.

"There's no easy answer here," said National Security Council spokesman John Kirby. "That's why the president is meeting with his national security team weighing the options before him."

The brazen attack, which the Biden administration blames on Iranian-based proxies, adds another layer of complexity to an already tense Mideast situation as the Biden administration tries to keep the Israel-Hamas war from expanding into a broader regional conflict.

"The president and I will not tolerate attacks on U.S. forces, and we will take all necessary actions to defend the U.S. and our troops," Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said.

The drone attack was one of dozens on U.S. troops in the Middle East since Hamas launched attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, igniting the war in Gaza. It's the first in which American service members have been killed.

Biden promised on Sunday to "hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner (of) our choosing" but said the U.S. doesn't want to get into another conflict in the Middle East.

Kirby also made clear that American patience is thin after more than two months of attacks by Iranian proxies on U.S. troops in Iraq, Syria and Jordan and on U.S. Navy and commercial vessels in the Red Sea. The proxy groups  including Yemen's Houthi rebels and Iraq based Kataeb Hezbollah  say the attacks are in response to Israel's ongoing military operations in Gaza.

"We are not looking for a war with Iran," Kirby told reporters. "That said, this was a very serious attack. It had lethal consequences. We will respond, and we respond appropriately."

On Monday, Iran denied it was behind the Jordan strike.

"These claims are made with specific political goals to reverse the realities of the region," Iran's state-run IRNA news agency quoted foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani as saying. Iran regularly denies involvement in attacks linked back to it through the militias it arms across the wider Mideast.

Kirby said U.S. officials are still working through determining which militant group was behind the attack. He noted that Iran has long equipped and trained the militias.

Republicans have laid blame on Biden for doing too little to deter Iranian militias, which have carried out approximately 165 attacks on U.S. troops in the region since the start of the war.

The attack hit a U.S. military desert outpost in the far reaches of northeastern Jordan known as Tower 22. The installation sits near the demilitarized zone on the border between Jordan and Syria along a sandy, bulldozed berm marking the DMZ's southern edge. The Iraqi border is only about 6 miles away.

The base began as a Jordanian outpost watching the border, then saw an increased U.S. presence after American forces entered Syria in late 2015. The small installation includes U.S. engineering, aviation, logistics and security troops, with about 350 U.S. Army and Air Force personnel deployed.

2023 in photos: Unforgettable images capture Middle East in turmoil
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. The Iowa State Patrol named the parents on Jan. 27, 2024, as Luke Dean Wilson and Samantha Light Hope.

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 northwest Iowa man who cut down and stole dozens of trees from state property  including one of the oldest bur oaks in the state  was ordered Friday to pay a fine of nearly $25,000, according to court records.

Jason Levant Ferguson, 41, of Rolfe, was found guilty of felony theft and 50 timber violations in November for stealing trees from the Stoddard Wildlife Management Area.

Jason Levant Ferguson, 41, of Rolfe (Booking photo courtesy of Pocahontas County jail)

He faced up to five years in prison for the theft charge and one year each for the timber violations when he was sentenced Friday. But a judge suspended the five-year sentence and did not impose any incarceration for the timber violations, court records show.

District Court Judge Derek Johnson wrote that the sentence provides for (Fergusons) rehabilitation and the protection of the community.

Instead, the judge ordered Ferguson to pay a $430 fine for each of the timber violations, which when combined with a court surcharge totaled $24,725.

Its possible Ferguson might be ordered to pay more for restitution at some point, the judges order said.

A forestry consultant estimated that the values of the stolen trees and the cost to restore the site  by replanting 55 trees  totals about $38,000, court records show.

The giant bur oak accounts for more than half of that total because it cannot be replaced and has historical significance, wrote Kevin Oetken, of Woodland Forestry of Monmouth, who estimated the values.

Jason Ferguson allegedly admitted to taking a massive bur oak from state property. (Courtesy of Iowa Courts Online)

The tree was about 175 years old, Oetken determined. It was six feet wide at its base, about 95 feet tall, and was of comparable stature to the state record bur oak.

The stump was sound with very little rot and could have lived even longer, Oetken wrote.

Ferguson had claimed he was harvesting dead or dying trees from the public area  which is not far from his acreage  and that he would use the pilfered trees to build a new house.

His attorney unsuccessfully argued that Fergusons right to preserve his life by using the trees for shelter and heat is paramount to Iowas laws that restrict taking trees from public areas without state approval. He also argued that the 800-year-old English Charter of the Forest protected Ferguson from prosecution. The judge disagreed.

However, Ferguson was successful at fighting numerous felony drug charges that resulted from the tree theft investigation. Searches of his property uncovered evidence that someone was producing marijuana and methamphetamine, and Ferguson faced decades in prison.

But the judge determined that the search warrants were improperly approved and that the evidence obtained during the searches could not be used to prosecute him. Those charges were dropped.

Photos: UNI men's basketball vs. Drake at Des Moines, Jan. 27
OpenAI, Google, and other AI firms will soon be required to alert the US government on new AI breakthroughs as the country ramps up regulatory rules on the technology.

US President Joe Biden is reportedly leveraging the Defense Product Act to compel Silicon Valley to disclose key information regarding their latest projects and safety testing, according to Wired.

The regulation is expected to take effect in the following days, including additional details on how it will be implemented.

US Commerce Department Clamps Down on AI Firms

US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said the DPA will allow the government to conduct a "survey requiring companies to share with us every time" they train a new AI model.

The department will also start requiring companies to disclose information when a "non-US entity" uses its cloud to train large language models.

The application of the DPA into the AI market follows the result of the Commerce Department to Biden's order last October.

The executive order pertains to the "development of safe, secure, and trustworthy AI systems" 270 days after the proclamation was published.

Various government agencies, including the Federal Trade Commission,

Also Read: FTC Probes into AI Deals of Big Techs Amid Rapid Developments

AI Development, Testing Remains in Secrecy

The secrecy in the development and testing of new AI models has been a headache for regulators for a long time trying to keep track of all the issues the technology poses.

Most notorious was OpenAI which has kept its doors closed regarding information on the successor of its GPT-4 model.

Many of the concerns arise from the company's transparency on the data used to train their "open source" AI models.

Experts have long expressed worries about the potential danger brought by AI development with "effectively zero outside oversight or regulation."

Raimondo said that the department is now looking at new guidelines that will prevent the AI from being misused, including those that may use it to commit human rights abuses.

Related Article: Big Techs Disregarding Human Rights in AI Pursuit, Says UN Chief
National Democrats have targeted an Eastern Iowa congressional district in their quest to regain control of the U.S. House in this falls elections.

The campaign arm of U.S. House Democrats announced Monday that Iowa City congressional candidate Christina Bohannan has been named to its "Red to Blue" program that works to help Democrats running against Republican incumbents flip control of competitive districts. The announcement was first reported by NBC News.

Bohannan is among House Democrats first slate of 17 candidates given the stamp of approval from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, sending a signal to donors and activists about whom they see as best positioned to win in critical districts.

Also named to the list is Lanon Baccam, a Democrat running for Congress in Iowa's 3rd Congressional District, which is represented by Republican U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn, of Bondurant. He is serving in his first term and narrowly defeated Democratic incumbent Cindy Axne in 2022 to win the seat that has flipped in two of the last three elections. Melissa Vine, a Des Moines nonprofit leader, also is running in that Democratic primary.

House Republicans control a razor-thin majority of the chamber, holding 219 seats to Democrats' 213. The Democrats Red to Blue program arms the partys top-tier candidates with organizational and fundraising support and the national committee provides strategic guidance, staff resources, candidate training and more.

Bohannan, a University of Iowa law professor and former state representative, is making her second bid for Iowas 1st Congressional District, which covers 20 counties in Southeast Iowa, including Johnson County. She is challenging Republican U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, of Ottumwa.

Bohannan lost by nearly 7 percentage points, or more than 20,000 votes, to Miller-Meeks in 2022, who won re-election to a second term in November after winning her first election by the slimmest of margins  six votes over Democrat Rita Hart in 2020.

Bohannan and the DCCC say they play to highlight Miller-Meeks record against abortion rights, including support of a nationwide abortion ban.

Miller-Meeks has said she supports a national 15-week ban on abortion with exceptions for rape, incest and life of the mother. She also co-sponsored the Life At Conception Act, which would criminalize abortion but would not allow the woman having the procedure to be prosecuted. It has no exceptions for rape, incest or the womans life.

As a doctor, I believe that every life is precious and should be protected, Miller-Meeks said in a video posted to X, formerly Twitter, earlier this month.

Speaking to reporters in August following a town hall in Iowa, where she fielded questions about womens reproductive rights, she criticized Democrats, who she said voted for a bill that would legalize abortion up until birth.

Shortly before the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade, which provided a federally protected right to abortion, Democrats in Congress introduced a bill that would allow abortion after a fetus is viable outside the womb in cases where the patients life or health is at risk. Republicans claim that the bill would allow abortion on demand up to the moment of birth. Democrats counter thats not what they support, and that such a scenario is exceedingly rare.

Bohannan told The Gazette she supports a return to Roe v. Wade.

I believe that we need to put Roe v. Wade back into federal law where it was before the Supreme Court overruled it, she said. You know, Roe vs. Wade was the compromise. It was the balance. It recognized a right to abortion. And recognize that women need to have the freedom and the privacy to make some of the most difficult and personal decisions that anyone will ever have to make. But, it also did allow the state to regulate abortion as the pregnancy progresses and it is a balanced approach. It was the compromise. We need to return to that. I support Roe. No more, no less.

Bohannan has also pledged to make passing a Farm Bill among her top priorities if elected to represent Iowa in Congress. She held a round table discussion last week in Walcott with a dozen farmers, rural landowners and a former state USDA official.

Lawmakers in Washington, failed to pass a Farm Bill before the end of the year. Instead, Congress extended the former bill for an additional year.

Bohannans announced raising more than $650,000 in the most-recent fundraising quarter, bringing her total contributions to $1.3 million since she launched her bid in August. Bohannans campaign said 81% of her contributors were from Iowans.

According to most-recent Federal Election Commission filings, Miller-Meeks raised more than $1.8 million this election cycle and had nearly $1.4 million cash on hand as of the end of September. She had not yet announced her campaign donations for the final fundraising quarter of 2023.

Photos: Congressional candidate Christina Bohannan visits with local farmers 012624-qc-nws-bohannan-1.jpg 012624-qc-nws-bohannan-2.jpg 012624-qc-nws-bohannan-3.jpg 012624-qc-nws-bohannan-5.jpg 012624-qc-nws-bohannan-6.jpg
PIERRE, S.D. -- Gov. Kristi Noem will address a joint session of the South Dakota Legislature at 2 p.m. Central on Wednesday about her recent trip to the Texas-Mexico border.

Noem has repeatedly applied the word warzone to the border and did so again in a Monday news release.

In a letter to legislators, Noem wrote, I will address the joint session of the Legislature on the current situation at the border and the potential South Dakota response. Because of the dire situation, it is pertinent that we have this conversation quickly.

The news release said the joint session would make South Dakota the first state in the nation to take the rare step of calling a joint session to support Texas.

Noem visited the border on Friday. Her office has not responded to South Dakota Searchlight questions about how she got there, how much the trip cost, or who paid for it.

The trip came on the heels of a statement Noem signed earlier last week with 24 other Republican governors. The statement expressed support for actions taken at the border by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.

The border has dominated national politics in recent weeks. The federal Border Patrol made 249,785 arrests for illegal border crossings in December, which was an all-time high. Meanwhile, Congress has been attempting to negotiate border policy legislation, and the issue has taken centerstage in the presidential campaign. Noem is widely considered to be a potential running mate for the leading Republican presidential candidate, former President Donald Trump.
Although its spotty and inconsistent in many places, wastewater testing is pointing to a new wave of COVID-19 infections, with as many as one-third of Americans expected to contract the disease by late February.

With pandemic fatigue also in full force, and deaths and hospitalizations well down from peaks in 2021 because of high vaccination and immunity rates, many people are inclined to shrug off the new wave, fueled by the JN.1 variant. But COVID-19 continues to take thousands of lives a month. Older, sicker people need to take particular precautions, experts point out, and everybody should think about the debilitating condition known as long COVID that can strike even young, healthy people and last years.

Wastewater testing indicates the current wave of COVID-19 peaked in late December with 1.9 million daily infections, the highest since the omicron wave of 2021. Iowas rate of COVID-19 infections was rated moderate during the second week of January, down from a high level the week of Dec. 31-Jan. 6, according to Iowa Department of Health and Human Services.

Some experts want to maintain and expand wastewater surveillance to stay on top of future waves at state and local levels, even as the public has wearied of COVID-19 mitigation efforts.

If you know you are one of the first communities where its surging, that could be very helpful, said Michael Hoerger, a Tulane University School of Medicine assistant professor who made the national estimate about peak infection rates and future infection forecasts.

Like many experts, Hoerger said everybody should be more aware of the high risk and try to avoid getting infected or reinfected with COVID-19, since every new infection increases the chance of long COVID. He said Americans might be experiencing descent neglect, the phenomenon that makes people more careless when things are getting better.

Everyone is vulnerable in some way. The best way to avoid getting long COVID is to avoid getting COVID, Hoerger said.

Deaths have declined more slowly in states with older populations such as Vermont, Hawaii and Maine, according to a Stateline analysis of preliminary data from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vermont hospital employees started masking again earlier this month amid the new surge.

Alarm bells are going off in other states as well: Indianas most populous county asked residents with mild symptoms to avoid crowded emergency rooms to prioritize care for patients seriously ill with COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses. Michigan reported its highest weekly COVID-19 death toll since late 2022, around 156, in mid-January. Illinois saw a 17% jump in COVID-19 hospitalizations in one week earlier this month.

It can be hard to get a read on local trends, however, when testing is inconsistent and methods of analysis vary.

The CDC publishes a current conditions map based on wastewater analysis that shows high or very high COVID-19 levels in wastewater for every state with sufficient data. Iowas level is currently very high based on six sites reporting. The categories are not specific but indicate virus levels that are high compared with the past.

But at the same time, public patience with masking and other precautions is at a low, making it more likely that infection will spread and claim new victims among the vulnerable.

In South Carolina, Clemson University got high marks in 2020 for its wastewater surveillance program, earning a congratulatory visit from the White House coronavirus task force. But today the university has lost interest, said David Freedman, an environmental engineering professor who ran surveillance for three sewer plants, including the universitys.

Today he monitors only one community plant, though he can see that its level of COVID-19 is higher than at any time since 2021 by looking at virus copies detected in tests. Even the universitys plant itself has dropped out of testing, he said.

The testing is free, but theres some labor involved in collecting the sample and sending it off, and I havent been able to convince the university to keep doing it, Freedman said. Interest in this has really fallen off.

To me its almost unethical that were not warning people that this highly transmissible virus is still with us and some people should really be taking precautions, he added. Some people with higher health risks should really be putting on a mask again.

A Clemson spokesperson, Joe Galbraith, said the university considers wastewater testing to be a valuable tool but decided recently to rely on individual COVID-19 testing instead to monitor the disease within the university. Clemson is, however, partnering with the state and other South Carolina universities to create a statewide wastewater testing program, Galbraith said.

There are statewide wastewater testing programs, based on partnerships with academia, in other states such as New York and Oregon.

Older people and cancer patients make up an increasing proportion of COVID-19 deaths, according to Statelines analysis. People 65 or older made up 88% of those deaths last year, compared with 69% in the peak year for deaths, 2021. Cancer patients made up 12% of COVID-19 deaths last year, up from 5% in 2021.

In some states with older populations, COVID-19 deaths remain stubbornly high compared with other states. Vermont had the lowest COVID-19 death rate in the country in 2021 but now ranks fourth in the number of deaths per capita, behind Kentucky, West Virginia and Mississippi.

Last year Vermont had 220 deaths related to COVID-19, according to the analysis. That was almost two-thirds of the 2021 total of 331 such deaths.

No other state had nearly as high a proportion: Hawaii was next with 35% of its peak-level 2021 COVID-19 death toll happening in 2023. That was followed by Maine (32%), Massachusetts (31%) and New Hampshire (29%), all states with relatively old populations.

Texas, which is relatively young, last year had 10% of the COVID-19 deaths that it did in 2021, about 4,700 compared with 48,000.

Vermont has seen increased hospitalizations for COVID-19 this year and has been suggesting that people wear masks if they think they were exposed or have a high risk of serious illness, said Ben Truman, a spokesperson for the state health department. The guidance also applies to the flu and RSV, which are peaking in winter months, he said.

Residents in Vermont reacted calmly and cooperatively in the early days of the pandemic, saving lives early on compared to other states, said John Davy, an epidemiologist for the state health department.

It wasnt divisive. It wasnt an identity issue here, Davy said.

In some areas the latest wave of infections may even be higher than the 2021 omicron wave, which crested at around 6.5 million infections per day, according to Hoergers analysis. In Santa Clara County, home of Californias Silicon Valley, wastewater shows some areas reached their highest infection counts ever earlier this month.
On Thursday night, Alabama executioners killed Kenneth Eugene Smith using nitrogen gas, the first ever use of this method to carry out a capital sentence in America. Smith argued that killing him with nitrogen would violate the Eighth Amendments bar against cruel and unusual punishment, but the Supreme Court declined to stay his execution by a 63 vote. On Saturdays Slate Plus segment of Amicus, Dahlia Lithwick and Mark Joseph Stern discussed the conservative majoritys refusal to halt Smiths grisly, torturous death, and how its abandonment of the Eighth Amendment could backfire against the death penalty in the long run. Their conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Dahlia Lithwick: We need to talk about the unspeakable, staggering news that the Supreme Court allowed the first American execution using nitrogen gas to move forward in Alabama on Thursday. The three liberal justices dissented. Mark, weve talked about the death penalty so many times over so many years that its hard to even think of what we could possibly say about what feels like an unholy experiment with the machinery of death that was just signed off by six justices.

Mark Joseph Stern: Without any opinion or justification, as usuala classic shadow docket order. Because how could they justify it? Its so easy to remain silent instead.

Its worth noting two damning points here. First, the defendant in this case, Kenneth Eugene Smith, was convicted of murder in Alabama. However, the jury voted 111 to spare his life, rejecting a capital sentence. The judge then overrode the jurys near-unanimous determination and instead sentenced him to death. That practice of judicial override, rejecting the decision made by a jury of the defendants peers, is now banned in every state.

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Related From Slate A Federal Judge Trusts Alabama to Run an Experimental Execution. Horrible Decision. Read More

Second, Alabama tried and failed to execute him already back in 2022. The executioners strapped him to a gurney and tried to insert a needle for lethal injection. But they couldnt tap a vein properly. They tortured him for hours, poking and prodding, trying to inject lethal chemicals into his vein until they finally had to give up. Then, instead of simply consigning him to life behind bars, Alabamas attorney general decided to use him as a guinea pig for a new method of execution, nitrogen gas. So, on Thursday night, the executioners strapped him to a gurney once again, put an off-the-rack mask on his face, and pumped nitrogen gas into his lungs, with orders that they stand by and not interfere, even if he began choking on his own vomit, which was a very real possibility.

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Alabama claimed that this would be a painless execution. It was not. Observers from the death chamber say that Smith struggled for two to four minutes, writhing and thrashing around on the gurney, followed by five minutes of heavy breathing, only then followed by deathwhich suggests that he was tortured to death. And that was entirely foreseeable, all enabled by the Supreme Courts 63 vote to let this moral abomination occur. Over a series of decisions, the conservative majority that has eroded all Eighth Amendment protections against cruel and unusual punishment, against absolutely barbaric methods of killing human beings, to the point that it wasnt even a real question what the court would do here. Everybody knew that Alabama was going to be able to do whatever it wanted.

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Lithwick: I commend listeners to read Justice Sonia Sotomayors dissent. Heres a line at the end: Not long ago, this Court remarked that the Eighth Amendments protection of dignity reflects the Nation we have been, the Nation we are, and the Nation we aspire to be. This case shows how that protection can be all too fragile. Twice now this Court has ignored Smiths warning that Alabama will subject him to an unconstitutional risk of pain. The first time, Smiths predictions came true. He survived to describe the intense fear and pain he experienced during Alabamas tortuous attempts to execute him. This time, he predicts that Alabamas protocol will cause him to suffocate and choke to death on his own vomit. I sincerely hope that he is not proven correct a second time.

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Mark, as you say, we have come such a long way from a court that at least paid lip service to the notion that we dont torture people as we attempt to end their lives, and have moved into this world in which, to use Justice Samuel Alitos construction, any attempt to have that conversation takes away the states rights to kill, kill, kill. And thats the world we live in now. I dont know what I can add other than holy cow, what a difference a couple of Supreme Court appointments make.

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Stern: The quote Sotomayor deployed there was from one of Justice Anthony Kennedys last Eighth Amendment opinions. Justice Kennedy really did believe in a baseline of human dignity that applied to all people and that states could not violate in their pursuit of executions. And a theme in his jurisprudence was that unconstitutional executions dont just harm the individual, they degrade the entire country in whose name the person is being executed. All of that went by the wayside almost as soon as Justice Brett Kavanaugh replaced Kennedy. Kavanaugh clearly does not believe in any guardrails here. So what we see now is the brutal reality of execution thrown in our faces.

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I cant help but see a connection here to the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade and framing itself as the great hero of democracy by returning this issue to the people. What weve actually seen is the grisly reality of women in emergency rooms being forced into sepsis and hemorrhage before theyre allowed to terminate a failed pregnancy. Weve seen rape victims being forced to cross state lines, even if theyre 10 years old, to terminate a pregnancy. Weve seen the ugly truth of abortion bans laid bare. And in response, there has been a real backlash.

I wonder if well see something similar with the death penalty. Because, again, what the Supreme Court has done is take away all of the guardrails. So the nation woke up on Friday morning to the news that a man was tortured to death in Alabama, gassed to death in the name of justice. And these disgusting executions are going to continue; Alabamas attorney general calls this a road map for other states to copy; hes encouraging other red states to adopt this method of death by nitrogen gas. This is being done in our name. This is being done in the name of the people. And Id like to think that much like Americans are paying attention to whats being done because of abortion bans, they will finally wake up to the fact that whatever euphemisms we use, execution is murder. The murder of a person by the state is always wrong. It can never truly be done painlessly or humanely. And it always degrades the dignity of us all.
Last week in New York, we saw Donald Trump locked inside a box that even Houdini couldnt escape. In E. Jean Carrolls second defamation suit, the combination of a persuasive set of facts, a no-nonsense judge, a strong showing by Carroll and her lawyers, a weak one by Trump and his counsel, and a New York jury produced a staggering $83.3 million verdict. Thats important as justice for Carroll and as a repudiation of what we call Trumpery: his penchant for trampling the rule of law to attack innocent victimsfrom sexual assault survivors to election officials (I just want to find 11,780 votes) to democracy itself. But it has a broader significance as well: All the factors that led to this verdict will also confront Trump in the next trial he faces, the 2016 election interference case being prosecuted in Manhattan by District Attorney Alvin Bragg.

Apart from the large size of the damages awarded, perhaps the biggest takeaway from the trial is that Trumps conduct throughout exhibited the very malice members of the jury had to consider. If they had any doubts about Trump, they could simply look over at the defense tablehis loudly whispered asides that it was a con job when the evidence was so clearly to the contrary; his grimaces; the frequent reprimands he and his counsel drew from the judge; and, perhaps worst of all, Trump walking out of court in the middle of Carroll lawyer Robbie Kaplans closing arguments.

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This judgment is an unalterable loss for Trump. His lawyer Alina Habba stated on Friday that he will immediately appeal. The two main issues for appellate review are the large size of the damages the jury awarded and the sharp limits on Trumps testimony.

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Both are sure losers. With the damages amount it decided, the jury hit a legal Goldilocks numberjust right. It was big enough to grab Trumps attention and materially affect him. But it was proportionate enough to the harm he caused that it accorded with precedent establishing legal limits on damages.

The jury awarded a total of $18.3 million in compensatory damagesthat is, compensation for Carrolls economic loss and emotional harm. (That number includes $11 million for a reputation repair campaign, which was within the scope of costs presented by Carrolls damages expert.) The jury then hammered Trump on punitive damageswhich are meant to punish for intentional harmrequiring him to pay an additional $65 million.

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Appellate courts are sensitive to excessive punitive damages and will overturn monetary awards that they deem extreme. While there is no bright-line rule, the Supreme Court has found that punitive damages four times the amount of compensatory damages might be close to the line but did not cross the line into the area of constitutional impropriety. Here, the $65 million in punitive damages is just under four times the $18.3 million in compensatory damages. That is within the acceptable range and wont give appellate courts pause.

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This is in contrast to the first Carroll defamation trial, where the compensatory damages of $2.7 million for the defamation claim dwarfed the punitive damages (which were just $280,000). (The jury in the first trial also awarded $2 million in compensatory damages and $20,000 in punitive damages for Carrolls separate battery claim.) Trumps continued defamation of Carroll after the first trial and even throughout the course of this onerepeating the lies he told about her over and over, and viciously attacking Carrolls characterclearly showed the jury the need for significant punitive damages here. Indeed, this was the focus of Kaplans closing argument, in which she suggested that the only way to conceivably stop Trumps abuse was for the jury to hit him where it hurt: his wallet.

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The other main element of the trial that has already drawn Trumps ire and will surely be appealed were the restrictions placed on his testimony by Judge Lewis Kaplan. That issue too is going nowhere on appeal.

Judges are the gatekeepers of evidence at a trial and have wide latitude to enforce those standards. Kaplan ruled that the first Carroll trial already established, as a matter of law, that Trump sexually abused and defamed Carroll. Therefore, the judge allowed no evidence to be introducedincluding any testimony from Trumpthat would contest those facts. Kaplan was strict, limiting Habba to just three relevant questions and Trump to short yes-or-no answers: that he stood behind his deposition, that he made his statement because Carroll made an accusation, and that he did not instruct anyone to injure Carroll.

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We think the judges handling of Trumps testimony was legally justified. Kaplan explained how the testimony Trump wanted to give could contain evidence that was legally precluded, so he asked Habba to make an offer of proof as to what precisely would be said. Habba agreed that the only thing Trump would say about his state of mind was that he had made his statement because Carroll had made an accusation. On the stand, Trump twice tried to go beyond that offer of proofby improperly denying the allegation again, and also by testifying that he denied her allegation in order to defend himself, his family, and the presidency. Each time, Kaplan struck those comments from the record, as they fell outside the scope of Habbas offer of proof and toward impermissible evidence.

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Moreover, in the course of the back-and-forth with Judge Kaplan, Habba may not have actually objected to his rulings sufficiently to preserve the issue for appeal. If she failed to do so, then Trump will have waived the right to appeal Kaplans limitations on his testimony. That would be a stunning failure of basic lawyering by Trumps counselbut we saw quite a bit of that during the trial.

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Habba has also indicated that Trump would raise a third issue on appeal: that there was an undisclosed conflict of interest because Carrolls lead lawyer Robbie Kaplan and Judge Kaplan worked for the same law firm for a couple of years at the same time in the early 1990s. This complaint is frankly ridiculous. First of all, Habba acts as if the wool was pulled over her eyes, but this fact was easily ascertainable through a quick Google search. But more to the point, under no circumstances does Robbie Kaplans employment as a junior associate where the judge previously was a senior partner create an improper conflict of interest.

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The verdict also may put Trump in a financial bind. In order to appeal the jurys judgment, Trump will have to put up the full amount beforehand or secure a bond. The state of his finances is unclear, and he may or may not have the liquidity to satisfy this judgment. (In the New York civil fraud case, we learned that Trump at one point called on his children to help him satisfy a large obligation.) And all that is before this weeks anticipated judgment in the civil fraud trial, where we expect Justice Arthur Engoron to rule that Trump owes hundreds of millions of dollars in damages in that case.

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The bad news doesnt stop there for the former president. Losing money is one thing, but losing your freedom is quite another. At the end of March, Trump is expected to go to trial for the 2016 election interference case. The same combination of factors that led to such a devastating financial penalty in the Carroll casepowerful evidence, a no-nonsense judge, a New York City jury, and above all, Trumps inability to control himselfrisks landing him in prison in the Bragg prosecution.

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Recall that Bragg is prosecuting Trump on 34 felony counts for allegedly falsifying business records to cover up payments to Stormy Daniels made at the end of the 2016 election. These payments were allegedly made to avoid a potentially campaign-ending scandal days after the Access Hollywood revelations and days before Election Day. Just as with the federal Jack Smith and Georgia election prosecutions, Braggs case is also an election interference caseand, unlike in 2020, the evidence suggests that the 2016 interference may have actually succeeded.

Related From Slate Trump Had a Very Good Reason to Take the Stand Against E. Jean Carroll Read More

Like in the Carroll case, Braggs proof is strong, with witness testimony corroborated by documentary proof of each of the false entriesincluding in Trumps own hand.

Justice Juan Merchan, like federal Judge Kaplan, is known as a tough and smart jurist who does not tolerate mischief in his courtroom. He has already presided over two criminal convictions related to Trump, that of the Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg and the company itselfand New York state courts regularly impose sentences of incarceration for those convicted of felony falsification of records.

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Moreover, the jury in the state case will be drawn from Manhattan only, whereas the federal Carroll trial drew from eight counties in and around New York City.

And, of course, Braggs defendant is the same one who so visibly could not control himself in court over the past weeks. Whether or not Trump chooses to testify in the criminal matter, we doubt, after observing him, that he will be able to refrain from the muttered comments, grimaces and walkouts that characterized his presence in the Carroll case. That clearly did him no favors with the civil jury and threatens to contribute to the same outcome in the criminal trial.

That means that both cases have one final commonality: Trump ultimately has no one to blame but himself for the box he is in.
Slovakia discovered the Slovak architect 15 years ago.

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It's not as tall as the other works of the Slovak architect, but it's the only monument left by him in Europe.

The chapel in the Stiavnicke Vrchy mountains, central Slovakia, from 1913 was consecrated 110 years ago, in July 1914. It stands near the Termal spa house in Vyhne.

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In the records of this Roman Catholic parish, there are mentions of how much the building cost and who contributed to it.

For decades, however, contemporaries had no idea that it was designed by world-renowned architect Ladislav Eduard Hudec, at that time still a student at Budapest University, referred to as the father of Asian skyscrapers.

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The most famous, Park Hotel, connected to the bank, designed by a native of Banska Bystrica, was the first and for decades the tallest building in Asia.

The architect did not only design high-rise buildings, he signed more than 60 buildings in China's most populous city. About a third are on the list of protected historical monuments.

Also a place for marriages

Slovakia discovered Hudec 15 years ago, when the Chinese were preparing an exhibition about his life and work.

A helping hand in the heart of Europe offers for you Slovakia travel guide.

A postcard of the spa church in Vyhne was found in his family archive, forgotten for almost a hundred years, with the words: "This is my first church building 1912/1913". It was a surprising discovery, says the text on the information panel beside the chapel.

"It's in good condition. Weddings were also held in it a few years ago," said the mayor, Martina Kmetova, adding that the chapel belongs to the Roman Catholic Church.

The door to the chapel is locked, the interior can be seen through the glass on the door. "We only open the chapel for an announced groups of visitors," explained parish priest Jan Matik from the parish office in Vyhne. By locking, they protect its interior from possible vandalism.

The area of the swimming pool stretches under the hill on which the chapel stands. The pool was constructed on the site of former bathhouses and hotels. The Vyhnianske Spa and its fame was buried by an extensive fire in 1945.

Twelve years after death

Ladislav Hudec was captured by the Russians in Siberia during the First World War. After escaping, fate led him to the Chinese city of Shanghai, where he lived for 29 years.

In 1947, he secretly left Shanghai, the reason being that social conditions had changed. He settled in Berkeley, USA. His name remained unknown for a long time. It was not mentioned in China, Czechoslovakia or Hungary for more than half a century.

He is buried in the family tomb at the Evangelical cemetery in Banska Bystrica; he himself designed its form. The underground part of the tomb was built by his father Juraj Hudec, a successful builder from Banska Bystrica. The above-ground section was drawn by Ladislav Hudec in 1920, the stone company finalising it 10 years later according to his design.

At that time, the forgotten architect died in 1958 in Berkeley, his remains transferred to the Banska Bystrica family tomb based on his wishes 12 years after his death.

Navigation advises you to turn earlier

Do not rely on the navigation if you want to visit the chapel, at least not in winter: it will point you to the first access road to the Vyhne chapel between the garages. The sloped approach to the garages covered with frozen snow is rather discouraging. But there is another way to approach the chapel.

A tourist has to turn off the main road a little further, right behind the primary school, which is next to the municipal office. Traffic on the steep and extremely narrow road is regulated by a traffic light, which alternately lets cars in from above and below.

You can park in the lot at the Sitno hotel. The walk to the Chapel of the Virgin Mary takes about five minutes from there.

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Ukraines prime minister coined the term after meeting Robert Fico.

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Welcome to your weekly commentary and overview of news from Slovakia. Fico and Pellegrini reinterpret Slovakias foreign policy, with rather different spins. MPs started debating the controversial changes to the penal and prosecution system. Anti-vaxxers are appointed to investigate Slovakias management of the pandemic management.

If you have a suggestion on how to make this overview better, let me know at michaela.terenzani@spectator.sk.

Just words, says Pellegrini

Ukraine is not a sovereign country; rather it is under the absolute influence of the United States. Furthermore, Ukraine should not expect to push out its Russian invaders. Prime Minister Robert Fico angered and confused Ukrainians with these statements, which he made shortly before his first prime-ministerial visit to Ukraine last week. But his coalition ally, who aspires to become the next president of Slovakia, suggests these are just words that should go in through one ear, out through the other, as the idiom is used in its Slovak iteration.

On Wednesday, Fico met with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal in Uzhhorod, the Ukrainian city closest to the Slovak border. He opted not to follow the example of his predecessors or Western leaders, who have shown their support for President Volodymyr Zelensky and other Ukrainian representatives by visiting them in Kyiv. This did not go unnoticed in Slovakia, even though Fico tried to make it into a practical matter.

Speaking to journalists after an out-of-office government session in eastern Slovakia the day before the visit, Fico said it just made sense to meet right over the border. A question about whether he was worried about travelling to the Ukrainian capital incensed him.

"And do you really think there is a war in Kyiv?" Fico said. "There is absolutely normal life there."

This was on the same day that Kyiv and Kharkiv were experiencing Russian drone and missile strikes, which killed 18 people and left dozens wounded, according to Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Uzhhorod

Shmyhal did not say whether he and Fico discussed what life is really like in cities that Russia can and does target with airstrikes at any time it pleases. He did tell Fico about the shelling of civilians and kidnappings of children, among other things. Despite some differences of opinion, we intend to develop a policy of "new pragmatism" with the Slovakian government that will benefit both states, Shmyhal tweeted after the meeting, which lasted about two hours.
Minors being on social media has been a long debate between users, regulators, and social media companies.

Among the primary arguments on the issue were the protection and freedom of underage users on these platforms populated by adults.

The issue recently gained new traction after Florida successfully banned access to social media for users aged 16 and under.

Children are Exposed to Explicit Content

A common reason for the restrictions on children was the social media platforms allowing underage users to be exposed to explicit and sexual content online.

Recent court documents on Meta have only further intensified calls for a new unified restriction on these platforms as it has proven that the companies have been negligent of the younger audience.

Reports of grooming and unsolicited messages to minors have become common as online predators were able to reach accounts of underage users with ease.

The rise of AI and deepfakes among regular users did not help the fear of parents and legislators that the likeness of children can be used and will be used for malicious acts.

Also Read: Meta Known for 'Historical Reluctance' to Protect Kids on Instagram, Court Documents Say

Social Media a Gateway Communication for Younger Generations

Many users, particularly younger generations, oppose the total ban on social media as it hinders their freedom of information and expression.

According to younger users, safer social media will offer better results to children rather than a completely inaccessible one.

A study by the American Psychological Association revealed that social media is critical in younger user's socialization and perception of their self, surroundings, and society.

According to the study, social media "provides opportunities young people to discover new information, learn about current events, engage with issues, and have their voices heard."

Many issues, including the problem of rampant sexual harassment online, will not be identified and raised to the public without social media.

Supervision from Parents and Guardians

One of the widely-regarded solutions is making parents and guardians more responsible on their children's online consumption.

Of course, this comes with educating parents and children on media information literacy to prevent them from being abused and exploited online.

Aside from initiatives from private and non-profit organizations, no proper guidelines have yet put the adults responsible for their child's access to the internet.

New Safety Protocols from Companies and Regulators

For parents to effectively guide their children on the wild internet, new rules and policies must first be implemented on these social media platforms.

Just this month, Snapchat implemented new parental controls that will allow guardians to prevent underage users from accessing features deemed unsuitable for children.

The Federal Trade Commission is also pushing for a revision in the Children's Online Privacy Protection Rule to further secure underage users' data from being marketed.

Related Article: FTC to Hire Child Psychologist to Guide Internet Regulation
Olga Smorkis, a music teacher by profession, has played the Ukrainian instrument, dubbed 'the voice of Ukrainian people', since early childhood.

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This story is also available in Ukrainian and Slovak.

Last summer several days before her concert in Palma de Mallorca, the capital city of the Spanish island of Mallorca in the Mediterranean, Olga Smorkis was dealing with what at first seemed to her a small problem: One of the strings on her instrument, the bandura, broke.

All her local friends, old and new, soon began to contact music shops on the island, and even reached out to music shops in mainland Spain, so that Smorkis could play a concert for Ukrainian refugees on this Balearic island. But their efforts turned out in vain.

There was no such string available in the shops. I had to order it all the way from Ukraine, the artist tells The Slovak Spectator.

For Spanish musicians and audiences - like for artists and listeners from other countries - who arent very familiar with Ukrainian music and culture, the bandura is an instrument theyve never seen or heard played before. The instrument, whose history dates to the 6th century, looks and sounds like the harp and the lute mixed together. However, to Ukrainians, it represents something more. Its their national musical instrument. Even their voice, some would say.

The bandura is an achievement of the Ukrainian people, an achievement of Ukrainian crafters and artists, the Ukrainian bandurist says. Thats what she often tells people coming to her shows. People themselves often ask her about the bandura. And I want to tell them more about it. Unfortunately, my English isnt perfect.

She admits that many Ukrainian people dont know about the bandura either.

Recently, Smorkis performed on the streets of Bratislavas Old Town. Like in Spain, she was again taken aback by the fact that local people didnt know the instrument but still found it exciting to listen to. In Bratislava, she is currently rehearsing for the Pearl Necklace of Music and Dance (Perlovy nahrdelnik hudba a tanca) show. It will showcase a part of Ukrainian culture, including the bandura, to the local crowd.

Olga Smorkis and Michailo Galechka (violinist) during the concert in Palma de Mallorca. (Source: O. S.)

Struggle to pursue a music career

Born in Lyuboml, a town of 10,000 near the border with Poland and Belarus, Smorkis started to play the bandura at the age of 7. But after graduating from a local music school, her mother convinced her to become a teacher.

She believed that was the best profession for her daughter, she says.

Five years into her studies to become a music teacher at the Lesia Ukrainka East European National University in Lutsk, northwestern Ukraine, she realised that teaching wasnt her dream. She picked up the bandura again after a long time and even finished second in a national bandurist contest for students. Nevertheless, her subsequent attempts to obtain a place at prestigious music colleges in Ukraine failed. Instead, she returned to Lyuboml, took up a teaching position, and continued participating in competitions and festivals.

It took Smorkis two years to enrol in one of Ukraine's music colleges.

However, after the artist graduated, she married and started her own family. As a result, she was forced to put her music career on hold to feed her family. It was in the late nineties that she began working as a seller of petroleum products.

Smorkis says that she couldnt count on her musical family to support her career in music.

Dads family sang so wonderfully! They had no music education, but when they gathered and started singing, it was like magic, Smorkis recalls. Despite this, her father wasnt happy about her dream of becoming a bandurist. My dad had always said that being a musician was a difficult profession. He didnt want me to do music.

Olga Smorkis during a charity fair in Bratislava. (Source: Yury Krivosheya)

Instrument that cant remain silent

Unlike Smorkis family, her husband supported her dream. However, the nature of his work required the family to move from one city to another. There was neither time nor energy, Smorkis says, to play the bandura.

Still, the passion for music didnt abandon the Ukrainian.

It was her husband who, in 2002, suggested that she take part in a festival in Kosiv, western Ukraine. She followed his advice and eventually took home the grand prix, despite not having practised for several years. The win, she says, convinced her to not give up on her talent, but at the same time she knew that she would have to return to her daily routine and work in sales.

I dont understand why the work of an artist is so poorly paid in Ukraine, she poses the question, not expecting a reply in return.

At one point, she caught herself thinking about where to get money from to buy a new bandura for herself. I couldnt find any answer, Smorkis says. Her friend and her husband gifted her a new bandura in 2005 to develop her talent.

The instrument was made by the Lviv-based craftsman Vasyl Gerasymenko. And he asked the artist to do him a favour: to pass the bandura on to someone else if she feels like not playing it and singing anymore. He is convinced that the bandura just cant be silenced, she explains.

Smorkis notes that one cant just play music with the bandura, they also have to sing.

A bandura. (Source: Tamara Zinchenko)

Part of Ukrainian history

The bandura is often mistaken for the kobza, which is a smaller instrument and has significantly fewer strings than the present-day bandura. The kobza was popular with Ukrainian warriors in the Middle Ages. Musicians playing the kobza and singing dumy (heroic songs about Ukrainian warriors) became known as kobzari or singing Homers.

The mediaeval instrument gradually evolved into the bandura, which can have up to 65 strings. It too became part of the Ukrainian identity.

However, under communism the Soviets tried to root out Ukrainian nationalism by destroying, among other things, Ukrainian culture. It is therefore no surprise to Smorkis that some Ukrainians dont know the bandura.

Once I was asked: What instrument do you play? Its the balalaika [a three-stringed Russian instrument of triangular shape], right? recalls the Ukrainian. Its very unfortunate to hear this because it shows how Soviet propaganda made people forget their history.

Thats why Smorkis has never stopped telling people how important the role of bandura has been in the history of the Ukrainian people, and what an unique instrument it is.

Olga Smorkis playing her bandura in Cafe L'Aura & Antik art shop. (Source: Tamara Zinchenko)

From factory to stage

The musician moved to Slovakia in 2019 with her husband and three children. At first, they lived in Piestany where her husband found a job. She worked in a factory producing clothes for forestry workers. The family later moved to Bratislava. Here, Smorkis had her Ukrainian diploma confirmed by state institutions, began to learn Slovak, and worked as a teacher in a local primary school.

But her passion for music also drove her to participate in several concerts. Her first concert in the city was held last autumn at Zichy Palace. Ahead of Christmas, she even organised a charity concert full of workshops, performances and exhibitions in cooperation with local and Ukrainian communities.

The concert went so smoothly that it cannot be called anything other than a Christmas miracle, the bandurist said.

This article was created thanks to the UNESCO programme "Supporting Ukrainian Refugees Through Mass Media", financed by the Japanese government.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240128/american-base-near-syria-jordan-border-attacked-amidst-rejection-of-us-role-in-area-1116455518.html

American Base Near Syria-Jordan Border Attacked Amidst Rejection of US Role in Area

American Base Near Syria-Jordan Border Attacked Amidst Rejection of US Role in Area

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A US base near the Syria-Jordan border was struck by an overnight drone attack in the latest demonstration of widespread rejection of the United States role in the region.

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A US base near the Syria-Jordan border was struck by an overnight drone attack in the latest demonstration of widespread rejection of the United States role in the region.The attack killed three US Army soldiers and injured more than 30, according to the latest reports from US officials Sunday.There is dispute over whether the targeted US installation was in Jordan or Syria. US officials have claimed the attack hit Tower 22 in Jordan, which US media describes as a small US outpost in the northeast of the country. Meanwhile Jordanian government spokesman Muhannad al Mubaidin told a local television channel the strike was actually against the Al-Tanf base, which hosts a substantial US military presence in Syria.The distinction is significant as the Syrian government and other countries consider the US presence in Syria to be illegal.The instance is the first known time US troops have been killed in attacks targeting the countrys presence in the Middle East since US backing of Israel provoked retaliatory strikes starting in October. US strikes are thought to have produced casualties as recently as four days ago, when the White House reported that an attack on Kataib Hezbollah likely killed several members of the militia.Although the United States has never formally declared war on Syria, the country has been involved in efforts to oust President Bashar al-Assad for more than a decade. Here, Sputnik takes a look at the controversial US role in the country, which has contributed to the death of at least half a million people.Covert OperationsMany of the details surrounding the genesis of US presence in Syria are still shrouded in mystery. The intervention is thought to have begun in 2012 or 2013 as a classified program of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) known as Timber Sycamore. The program was launched by the agencys infamous Special Activities Center, a division that conducts secret paramilitary activity, psychological operations, and economic warfare without oversight from the US public.Launched at a time of mass US public opposition to unpopular wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, CIA officials hoped they could topple Syrias government through the arming and training of rebel forces in the country. Ironically, many of the militants backed by the CIA had ties to ISIS*, a force the United States has ostensibly fought to defeat in the region. This led former US President Donald Trump to claim former President Barack Obama was the founder of ISIS.Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai has also claimed ISIS is a tool of US foreign policy, claiming he cannot distinguish between the United States and ISIS. Meanwhile Israel admitted in 2019 to arming ISIS-linked Syrian rebels in its shared desire with the US to eliminate al-Assad. Ex-US State Department official Michael Maloof has claimed US foreign policy in the Middle East is oriented around eliminating Israels enemies in Syria, Iran, and Libya, among other countries.Hefty PricetagThe CIAs Timber Sycamore program is thought to be one of the most expensive efforts in the agencys history. Its been reported that more than $1 billion in weaponry has been sent to Syrian rebels, although the exact figure is not known. Thousands of tons of arms have been shipped from allied US countries.The Al-Tanf base on the Syria-Jordan border is one of at least ten that the United States operates in Syria without the approval of the countrys government, which has ordered US forces to leave the country. Thousands of US troops have been stationed in the country and an unknown number of Special Operations Forces. The US military has worked to keep details of the US presence secret, and responded angrily when a Turkish news agency published a map of US installations.US politicians have typically sold the US military presence as necessary to combat ISIS, despite the countrys cooperation with ISIS-linked Islamic radicals in the country. The United States has long sought to expand its presence in the oil-rich region more broadly, to the exclusion of others. The US has criticized the presence of Russian forces in the country, who assist Syrias military at the invitation of the allied countrys government.In a rare moment of candor of the type that earns him opposition from members of the US intelligence community, former US President Donald Trump once proclaimed the United States maintains a presence in Syria only for oil.Legalities Be DamnedMany observers claim the American presence in Syria is contrary to US law and the so-called rules-based order often purportedly championed by the United States.US Senator Rand Paul has sought to end the war, which he points out has never been declared by Congress in line with the US Constitution. The wars backers insist US presidents have the authority to oversee action in Syria based on the 2001 Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) which gives the executive branch broad latitude in the so-called War on Terror. Others say the AUMF itself is an unconstitutional abrogation of Congresss defined constitutional powers.We need to have that debate about the authorization of military force, he added. There needs to be a definition of the mission of U.S. forces. There needs to be a set of metrics to measure their success or failure.Given that the CIAs intervention in the country may have begun without even informing the US president at the time, Americas decade-long presence in Syria raises questions about the sprawling US deep states lack of accountability.*Daesh (also known as ISIS/ISIL/IS) is a terrorist organization outlawed in Russia and many other states.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230315/twelfth-anniversary-of-war-how-syria-upended-wests-plans-to-nix-statehood-and-isolate-damascus-1108434106.html

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French Police Told to Stop Tractors From Entering Paris as Farmers Prepare for Protest

French Police Told to Stop Tractors From Entering Paris as Farmers Prepare for Protest

Sputnik International

Thousands police officers have been mobilized in the capital region of France ahead of the looming farmers rally to deny entry to tractors, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said Sunday.

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French farmers, angered by unfair competition from rivals, said they would drive heavy machinery to Paris on Monday to target Rungis food market on the capitals outskirts. The minister said 15,000 police officers were being mobilized in the capital region alone to protect Paris, Rungis and two of the major airports, Orly and Roissy-Charles de Gaulle. He said that the planned "occupation" of the food market and the airports was a red line for the government, and warned that the police would use armored vehicles and helicopters to protect them.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240129/air-defenses-at-us-military-base-confused-enemy-drone-for-american-drone---reports-1116472818.html

Air Defenses at US Military Base Confused Enemy Drone for American Drone - Reports

Air Defenses at US Military Base Confused Enemy Drone for American Drone - Reports

Sputnik International

US forces failed to stop an enemy drone attack on its base on Syrian-Jordanian border because the aircraft's approach coincided with the return of a US drone to the military outpost, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday, citing unnamed officials.

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According to the report, a militia backed by Tehran launched the enemy drone towards the Al-Tanf base, an outpost near the Syria-Jordan border.The report added that US officials have not found evidence indicating that Iran directed the attack.Later on Monday, US national security advisor John Kirby commented on the reports the drone that killed three servicemen was "mistakenly identified" as an American unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) by saying he will let the Pentagon "talk about the forensics." On Sunday, three US soldiers had been killed and 34 others injured in a drone attack on a US military base on the Jordanian-Syrian border.President Biden pinned the blame on unspecified Iran-backed militant groups, while also saying the US was still gathering the facts. Jordanian cabinet spokesman Muhannad Mubaidin said that the strike targeted the US's Al-Tanf base in Syria, not a base on Jordanian territory.Iran has nothing to do with the drone attack on a US military base, Iranian state-run news agency IRNA reported, citing an Iranian official.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240129/arab-officials-hold-4-way-meeting-to-discuss-post-war-gaza---reports-1116464987.html

Arab Officials Hold 4-Way Meeting to Discuss Post-War Gaza - Reports

Arab Officials Hold 4-Way Meeting to Discuss Post-War Gaza - Reports

Sputnik International

Security officials from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority held a secret meeting in Riyadh 10 days ago to coordinate plans for the post-war future of the Gaza Strip, seeking to involve the Palestinian Authority in governing the enclave, Axios reported on Monday, citing sources in the know

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The meeting in Riyadh was hosted by Saudi Arabia's national security adviser, Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban, joined by Palestinian general intelligence service chief Majed Faraj and his Egyptian and Jordanian counterparts, the sources were cited as saying. The Saudi, Egyptian and Jordanian officials reportedly told Faraj that the Palestinian Authority needed reforms to revamp its political leadership. They also asked that if a new Palestinian government was created, its new prime minister should gain some of the powers that in recent years had been in the hands of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Axios reported. The three officials also stressed the changes were necessary to bring the Palestinian Authority back to administering the Gaza Strip following the post-conflict transition period, one of the sources was quoted as saying. The Saudi national security adviser expressed his country's readiness to work on normalization with Israel in return for Israeli steps towards establishing a Palestinian state, the news outlet reported. The US and Israeli officials have been informed of the contents of the secret meeting by some of its participants, the sources added. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has previously rejected the possibility of the Gaza Strip going under the control of the Palestinian Authority once hostilities end. Netanyahu has on many occasions spoken against the two-state solution, which seeks to create an independent Palestinian state in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. On January 20, the Israeli prime minister took to social media to reiterate that his country would not "compromise on full security control" over all the territory west of the Jordan River, which he admitted was "contrary to a Palestinian state." 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. Over 26,400 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/as-palestinians-in-gaza-face-mass-famine-us--allies-cut-funding-to-un-aid-agency-1116442762.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240129/biden-may-order-direct-strike-on-iranian-officials-after-drone-attack-against-us-jordan-base--1116460046.html

Biden May Order Direct Strike on Iranian Officials After Drone Attack Against US Military Base

Biden May Order Direct Strike on Iranian Officials After Drone Attack Against US Military Base

Sputnik International

POTUS earlier promised to respond in kind, pointing the finger at what he described as radical Iran-backed militant groups operating in Syria and Iraq in connection with the drone attack.

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A deadly drone strike on a US base near the Jordanian-Syrian border could lead to a stronger response from Washington than it has so far since the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, Bloomberg quoted unnamed sources as saying.Regardless of the outcome, the [potential] attack presents [President Joe] Biden with a decision that will be one of the most consequential of his presidency, something that could put the US into direct confrontation with the leadership in Tehran, Bloomberg reported.This comes after Biden pledged that "we [the US] shall respond" to Monday's drone attack on Tower 22, an American military outpost in northeastern Jordan, which killed three US soldiers and wounded 30 others.Have no doubt  we will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner our choosing, the US president added as Iranian militia group known as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed responsibility for the attack.Jordanian government officials have since denied that the dead and injured US troops were stationed in their country, insisting that the drone strike occurred on Syrian territory at the Al-Tanf base.The attack comes amid rising tensions in the Middle East, as Tel Aviv continues its war on the Gaza Strip in response to the Oct. 7 attack by the Palestinian group Hamas in southern Israel that killed at least 1,139 people, according to Israeli officials.The Jewish state's subsequent assault on Gaza has already claimed the lives of more than 26,400 people, according to Palestinian officials based in the Strip.Adding fuel to the fire of Middle East tensions is the Red Sea crisis, which shows no signs of abating. The US has so far carried out 10 rounds of airstrikes against the Houthis in response to the Yemeni militant group's attacks on Israeli, US or British ships in the Red Sea over Tel Aviv's war on Gaza.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240128/american-base-near-syria-jordan-border-attacked-amidst-rejection-of-us-role-in-area-1116455518.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240129/direct-us-attack-on-iran-would-open-pandoras-box--mideast-experts-1116473612.html

Direct US Attack on Iran Would Open Pandora's Box  Mideast Experts

Direct US Attack on Iran Would Open Pandora's Box  Mideast Experts

Sputnik International

Having groundlessly accused Tehran of masterminding a recent deadly drone bombing on US personnel, President Joe Biden and his team are allegedly considering a covert strike on Iran or targeting Iranian officials, as per Bloomberg. How could the purported plan pan out for Washington?

2024-01-29T18:06+0000

2024-01-29T18:06+0000

2024-01-29T18:06+0000

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Three US soldiers were killed and 34 wounded in a drone attack over the weekend that is ramping up the pressure on Joe Biden ahead of the 2024 elections, according to the US press. The Biden administration rushed to pin the blame on Iran, presenting no evidence to back up its claims.Even though Tehran made it clear that it had nothing to do with the attack, Washington is reportedly planning to either conduct a covert strike on Iran and later deny it, or resort to extraterritorial assassinations of Iranian officials, as then-President Donald Trump did by ordering the killing of General Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad in 2020. "If the attack was from an Iraqi militia that Iran supports, then a US attack on the militia will affect relations with Iraq, which has already objected to other US responses to the militias and is engaged in talks for the US to exit Iraq. It is an election year in the US and there is a great deal of pressure on Biden to be 'tough' on Iran."Per Askari, Biden has found himself between a rock and a hard place: no matter what he does, he is likely to come under fierce criticism for either being too weak or escalating the conflict.He believes that Biden will strike nonetheless and that the strike will pour more gasoline on the fire as Tehran is "still looking for revenge for the assassination of General Soleimani and the Iraqi militia leader, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis."When asked what forces could be potentially involved in any "covert strike", the expert assumed that only cruise missiles and no planes or Special Forces are likely to be used. He added that no regional player would join the purported US action except, possibly, Israel. "But if the US allows Israel to join in, then this would become a much wider war with religious overtones," Askari warned.Even though neither the US nor Iran have an interest in a wider regional war, "there is a tug of war between the two countries to sway influence over the wider Middle East, and particularly the Arab Gulf States," echoed Dr. Imad Salamey, associate professor of political science and international affairs at the Lebanese American University."I believe the US will take on limited retaliatory attacks against [Islamic] Revolutionary Guards targets in Iran or Iraq without engaging in a wide-scale war," Salamey told Sputnik.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240127/us-think-tanks-cost-of-bidens-attacks-on-houthis-may-exceed-that-of-red-sea-trade-disruption-1116435814.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240129/eu-to-consider-alternatives-for-funding-kiev-only-after-february-special-summit--brussels-1116465334.html

EU to Consider Alternatives for Funding Kiev Only After February Special Summit  Brussels

EU to Consider Alternatives for Funding Kiev Only After February Special Summit  Brussels

Sputnik International

EU countries will consider alternatives to the current plan for long-term financing of Ukraine only after the special summit on February 1, as the current goal is to reach an agreement on the existing proposal, Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib said on Monday

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Earlier in the day, the Financial Times reported that the European Union was ready to cut off all funding to Hungary if Budapest did not lift its veto on providing 50 billion euros ($54 billion) in aid to Kiev. She did not comment on the Financial Times report, saying only that the February 1 summit would discuss the same draft that was proposed in December. In December, Hungary vetoed an enlargement of the EU's 2024-2027 budget to incorporate 50 billion euros in macro-financial aid for Ukraine. Media reported that Hungary had proposed splitting the package into four tranches subject to approval each year. However, several EU diplomats are reportedly opposed to giving Hungary the option of an "annual veto." Hungary is also currently blocking an eighth tranche of 500 million euros in military aid, 5 billion euros from the European Peace Facility for military support in 2024, and a broader package of 20 billion euros over the next four years. European Council President Charles Michel has scheduled a special summit for February 1 to try again to approve the financial package for Ukraine. European officials have repeatedly said that they are ready to study alternatives in the event of a final blocking of aid from the EU budget.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240129/eu-may-sabotage-hungarian-economy-if-budapest-not-lift-its-veto-on-aid-to-ukraine---reports-1116458023.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240129/hong-kong-high-court-orders-liquidation-of-chinas-evergrande-developer--reports-1116462207.html

Hong Kong High Court Orders Liquidation of Chinas Evergrande Developer  Reports

Hong Kong High Court Orders Liquidation of Chinas Evergrande Developer  Reports

Sputnik International

Hong Kong's High Court has granted a petition by creditors to liquidate Evergrande, one of Chinas largest property developers with a record debt among global developers, Chinese media reported on Monday

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"The hearing has lasted for one and a half years, and the company still has not been able to bring forward a concrete restructuring proposal [to restructure its $328 billion in liabilities]. I think it is the time for the court to say enough is enough," Justice Linda Chan was quoted as saying by the South China Morning Post newspaper. The company has the right to appeal the verdict. Provisional liquidators will now take over the management and affairs of Evergrande. Their tasks will include negotiating debt restructuring with creditors and controlling assets and accounting records in accordance with liquidation procedures in Hong Kong, the newspaper reported. The provisional liquidator is expected to be named later in the day. The court's ruling, however, faces cross-jurisdictional issues since most of the companys assets are located in mainland China, according to the report. Evergrande said in its 2022 annual report that it had over 1,200 projects at different stages of completion. Following the courts decision, the Hong Kong stock exchange announced the suspension of trading in Evergrande's underlying stocks, futures and options.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230811/us-role-in-chinas-real-estate-crisis-what-western-media-isnt-telling-you-1112516796.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240129/iran-may-collect-18bln-from-pakistan-for-delays-in-gas-pipeline-construction--reports-1116462891.html

Iran Could Impose $18Bln Fine on Pakistan Over Gas Pipeline Construction Delay

Iran Could Impose $18Bln Fine on Pakistan Over Gas Pipeline Construction Delay

Sputnik International

Iran may demand that Pakistan pay an $18 billion fine if Islamabad fails to make progress on a gas pipeline project between the two countries within the deadline, which Tehran has extended by 180 days to September 2024, Pakistani newspaper The News reported on Monday, citing senior government officials.

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If Islamabad fails to fulfill its obligations, Tehran plans to appeal to the International Court of Arbitration in Paris to collect the money, the officials said. An Iranian team of technical and legal experts was previously scheduled to arrive in Pakistan on January 21 for talks to resolve the pipeline issue, but the negotiations were canceled due to recent tensions between the two countries, the news outlet reported. Now, Iranian experts are expected to arrive in Islamabad in the second week of February. The Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project has been facing delays since 2014. In late 2022, Iran asked Pakistan to build part of the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project on its territory by February-March 2024 or be ready to pay a fine of $18 billion. Prior to this, in February 2019, Tehran sent a notice to Islamabad about the failure to lay its part of the pipeline on time and threatened to go to the arbitration court in Paris and apply penalties in the gas purchase agreement, which was signed in 2009 for a period of 25 years. Pakistan claims that it cannot implement the project on its territory due to US sanctions imposed on Iran. The gas purchase agreement between Iran and Pakistan was signed in accordance with French law, and the International Court of Arbitration in Paris reportedly does not recognize US sanctions.

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(Photo : Unsplash/Giovanni Gagliardi)

X is hiring 100 content moderators for its Austin, Texas Trust and Safety Center to combat the social media platform's child abuse, according to an executive.

"Trust and Safety Center of Excellence" Initiative for Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) on X

X, formerly known as Twitter, revealed a new "Trust and Safety Center of Excellence," which is part of the company's commitment to combat child sexual exploitation (CSE) on the social media platform, according to a blog post by CEO Linda Yaccarino on Friday.

Per Yaccarino, while X is not the favored platform for children and minors, with users between 13 and 17 making up less than 1% of its daily U.S. users, efforts have been taken to make it harder for bad actors to share or engage with CSE material on X, while also simplifying the process for users to report CSE content by enhancing its detection mechanisms to identify more content that can be reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).

Reported Accounts Breaking CSE Policies

The post mentioned X's suspension of 12.4 million accounts for breaking CSE policies in 2023, a significant increase from the 2.3 million suspensions in 2022, and the 850,000 reports to NCMEC, including X's first fully automated report, more than eight times the number Twitter reported before being acquired by Elon Musk's ownership group in 2022. After the acquisition,

Musk received criticism for changing the content moderation policies, leading some advertisers to reconsider spending on the platform.

READ ALSO: Meta Faces Unredacted Complaint, Denying Allegations Linked to Child Exploitation Content

Hiring of 100 Content Moderators for the Trust and Safety Center of Excellence in Austin, Texas

X is hiring content moderation staff for its new Trust and Safety Center of Excellence in Austin, Texas. According to Joe Benarroch, X's head of business operations, the Austin office's team is being assembled to assist X in combating various forms of harmful social media content to fill the positions by the end of the year, depending on finding the right talent.

X CEO Linda Yaccarino is scheduled to testify before Congress on Wednesday in a hearing about CSE. At the end of last week, the platform published a blog post detailing its efforts to combat such materials, saying it's "determined to make X inhospitable for actors who seek to exploit minors."

X's Investment for Offenders' Prevention in the Platform

According to Bloomberg, Benarroch stated that X does not have a specific business focus on children but emphasizes the importance of investing to prevent offenders from using the platform to distribute or engage with CSE content. The team will also address other content issues, including hate speech and "violent posts," as reported by Bloomberg. During his initial year at X, Elon Musk focused on transforming the platform into a stronghold of "free speech". It dismantled the content moderation teams established by Twitter before his takeover.

RELATED ARTICLE: X Corp Slashing 30% Trust and Safety Staff, a "Perfect Storm" on Online Safety and Moderation

 2017 Jobs & Hire All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240129/irans-army-military-might-formidable-enough-to-take-on-any-threat-1116467565.html

Iran's Army: Military Might Formidable Enough to Take on Any Threat

Iran's Army: Military Might Formidable Enough to Take on Any Threat

Sputnik International

A senior Iranian commander earlier said that the countrys army is highly prepared to give a "crushing response" to any kind of threat. So what is the Iranian army? Sputnik explores.

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2024-01-29T15:19+0000

2024-01-30T10:28+0000

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With Washington reportedly considering flexing its military muscles against Tehran, Iranian General Kioumars Heidari stressed that his countrys army currently stands at the highest level of combat readiness and defense capability.Heidari most likely referred to the Iranian Armed Forces as a whole.Iranian Armed Forces The Iranian Armed Forces are known to be the largest in the Middle East (and the seventh largest in the world) in terms of active troops, who currently number about 587,000 active-duty personnel, according to open sources. An additional 200,000 reserve personnel brings Irans total military manpower to about 787,000.The Iranian Armed Forces comprise the army, also known as Artesh, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (Sepah) and the Law Enforcement Force (Faraja). The current commander-in-chief of the armed forces is Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.Iranian Army The goal of the 310,000-strong army is to protect the territorial integrity of the country from external and internal threats and to project power.The Arteshs own Joint Staff coordinates its four separate service branches, which include ground forces air force, navy air defense force.The Iranian Army is divided into four military districts, and each such district comprises four motorized divisions six infantry divisions six artillery divisions two special forces units one airborne division an aviation group several logistics brigades.Artesh's Military Equipment The Iranian Army possesses domestically-made military hardware and ones manufactured in Russia, the US and the UK.Ground equipment includes: 1,634 tanks (the Zulfiqar, the T-72, M60A1, the Chieftain) 2,345 armored personnel carriers (M113A1/M577, Sarir) 870 multiple launch rocket systems (Fajr-5, BM-21 Grad) 670 infantry fighting vehicles (BMP-2) 1,800 howitzers (GHN-45, M101A1) 1,670 artillery installations (from HM-12 to HM-16).When it comes to the air force, among Iran's 300 or so combat aircraft are Russian-, American-, and Chinese-made warplanes, such as the MiG-29, the F14 and the J7, respectively.Iran's naval equipment includes the Russian Kilo-class submarines, domestically and British-made frigates and destroyers, as well as Chinese and French-made missile boats.Notably, almost all Iranian drones, such as the Karrar, the Mohajer-6 and the Shahed 149, are domestically made and were earlier reportedly tested in various armed conflicts. It is estimated that Iran's Aerospace Force has more than 200 drones in serviceRanking Iran's Military Power Global Firepower Index, an online military ranking website, earlier ranked Iran 13 in the world out of 136 countries.The websites listing is based on more than 50 factors including war-making potential in conventional (non-nuclear) forces, troops, geography and finance.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240128/iranian-armed-forces-plan-to-establish-presence-at-south-pole-1116456235.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240129/japan-suspends-funding-to-unrwa-pending-investigation-into-its-ties-to-hamas---ministry-1116458863.html

Japan Suspends Funding to UNRWA Pending Investigation Into Its Ties to Hamas - Ministry

Japan Suspends Funding to UNRWA Pending Investigation Into Its Ties to Hamas - Ministry

Sputnik International

Tokyo has decided to suspend funding to the UNRWA after agency staff were accused of involvement in the attack on Israel by Hamas in October, said the Japanese Foreign Ministry.

2024-01-29T04:29+0000

2024-01-29T04:29+0000

2024-01-29T04:29+0000

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united nations relief and works agency for palestine refugees in the near east (unrwa)

hamas

japan

gaza strip

philippe lazzarini

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israel-gaza conflict

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"Japan is extremely concerned about the alleged involvement of UNRWA staff members in the terror attack on Israel on October 7 last year. In response, Japan has decided to suspend additional funding to UNRWA for the time being while UNRWA conducts an investigation into the matter and considers measures to address the allegations," the ministry said in a statement. The ministry also called on UNRWA to promptly investigate and take action against the suspected employees "so that UNRWA can firmly fulfill the role it should play." The statement noted that Japan would continue to make diplomatic efforts to improve the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. According to the UNRWA website, the Japanese government allocated $7 million on October 24 to support displaced people affected by the fighting in the Gaza Strip.On Friday, UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini said that Israel shared with UNRWA data on the alleged involvement of some of the agencys staff members in the Hamas attack, and promised to hold accountable anyone who was implicated in acts of terrorism. The United States, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, Canada and some other countries swiftly responded by suspending funding for UNRWA.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240128/as-palestinians-in-gaza-face-mass-famine-us--allies-cut-funding-to-un-aid-agency-1116442762.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240129/north-korea-successfully-tests-cruise-missiles-in-submarine-launch---reports-1116456666.html

North Korea Successfully Tests Cruise Missiles in Submarine Launch - Reports

North Korea Successfully Tests Cruise Missiles in Submarine Launch - Reports

Sputnik International

North Korea has conducted a successful submarine launch test of its Pulhwasal-3-31 cruise missiles, the Korean Central Telegraphic Agency (KCNA) reported.

2024-01-29T00:52+0000

2024-01-29T00:52+0000

2024-01-29T00:52+0000

north korea

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"The cruise missiles travelled for 7,421 and 7,445 seconds [about two hours]... and accurately hit the target on the island," the agency wrote. According to the KCNA, the test launch had no impact on the security of surrounding countries. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un expressed great satisfaction with the result of the test. South Korean news agency Yonhap reported Saturday that the DPRK launched several cruise missiles towards the Sea of Japan.On January 24, the South Korean military previously reported the detection of a DPRK launch of several cruise missiles towards the Yellow Sea. North Korea subsequently announced that its General Directorate of Missile Engineering had conducted the first test launch of a new type of strategic cruise missile, the Pulhwasal-3-31, which is under development.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230312/north-korea-announces-test-firing-of-two-cruise-missiles-from-submarine-1108321831.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240129/official-lies-arent-what-they-used-to-be-1116451807.html

Official Lies Arent What They Used to Be

Official Lies Arent What They Used to Be

Sputnik International

The Bushies told us we had to invade Afghanistan to catch Osama bin Laden and then to go into Iraq because Saddam had WMDs. As the Pentagon knew, bin Laden was already in Pakistan; as Hans Blix and Scott Ritter told us, there was no evidence Saddam had proscribed weapons.

2024-01-29T05:41+0000

2024-01-29T05:41+0000

2024-02-19T10:51+0000

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pentagon

ukraine crisis

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The Bushies told us we had to invade Afghanistan to catch Osama bin Laden and then to go into Iraq because Saddam had WMDs. As the Pentagon knew, bin Laden was already in Pakistan; as Hans Blix and Scott Ritter told us, there was no evidence Saddam had proscribed weapons.Sure, they were lies. But they were plausible lies. Theoretically, UBL might have snuck into Afghanistan. Saddam might have acquired WMDs. Those things could have been true.Now theyre giving us implausible lies. Not only are their lies, well, liesthey say things that are untrue and cant possibly be true and that no one, no matter how stupid or uninformed, could believe.Democrats go on and on about how nothing is more important than defeating Trump. Democracy itself hangs in the balance! After Trump redux, the re-deluge.But they dont really believe that. If liberals really actually thought that Trump was going to suspend the constitution and send his enemiesthemto camps, their sense of survival would have prompted them to select the most charismatic, brilliant, popular, vigorous, 2024 Democratic presidential nominee possible. Instead, they gave us Biden.You cant think Trump is dangerous and go with Biden-Harris. For Democrats, protecting their partys corporatist status quo matters more Trumps purported threat to democracy. Thats the truth. We all know.Republicans wont shut up about out-of-control deficit spending and the $34 trillion national debt which, according to them, will tank the economy because, like a family that has to live within its means except for credit cards and student loans and car loans and home mortgages, the government cant keep spending cash it doesnt have even though it owns the U.S. Mint and has gotten away with it for, like, a century.We know that the fake deficit hawks dont actually believe what they are saying in real time, as theyre saying it, because while theyre threatening to shut down the government every few months, they keep throwing even more billions of dollars at the Defense Department than the DOD even asks for, so much that the military sucks up more than everything else the government does combined, and thats not including the wars they put off the books and the proxy wars and the wars they charge to the State Department, not to mention debt service on old wars.These diametrically opposed lines of rhetoric represent a dramatic shift away from old-fashioned political hypocrisy. If the military is your biggest expense by far and you keep raising it, and you claim to worry about spending, you are lying. No amount of cognitive dissonance can convince us otherwise. You know we know its crap yet you keep right on going.Normal communication by political elites has become prima facie impossible to take seriously.We used to be able to accept the announcement by a defeated primary candidate that they would endorse their rival and tour for him because primary campaigns involved incremental ideological variations and hadnt yet devolved to bloodsport.No more. Even after Trump implied that Ted Cruzs father assassinated JFK and had his surrogates impugn Ron DeSantis as a eunuch and a fey cuck, he collected both mens endorsements. Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden red-baited Bernie Sanders as an existential threat to the Democratic Party yet were rewarded with his fealty. This, we are supposed to think, is adults being adults and maybe this is so, but more than that its proof positive that nothing any primary candidate claims to stand for or against should ever be trusted.Everywhere we look, politicians are deploying lies whose obviousness is evident out of the gate. Elites will never be believed, they know it, and they dont care.Israels war cabinet tells its traumatized citizens that October 7th came as a surprise at the same time countless specific warnings and the IDFs eight-hour response time (!) prove that cannot possibly have been the case. As people shout bring them home, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says hes trying to do just that. But thats a lie and it has to be a lie because you dont bomb a place where hostages you care about are being held lest you kill them and anger their captors.Families of the doomed hostages cannot believe him and do not believe him yet they do not demand that the bombs stop falling or that those who drop them be removed from power.Ukraine, they say, is a fellow democracy even though it has canceled all elections forever and its press is censored and opposition parties are banned, and as a democracy it must be defended by us, who are not really much of a democracy either as Dean Phillips and Marianne Williamson and others who have been denied access to ballots can attest. The idea that this famously corrupt post-Soviet republic could have posed as a democracy was cute on its face, of course... shut up and fly your blue and yellow flag.Taiwan, Biden says, is a "country" that "must be defended from a Chinese invasion". At the same time, Biden also says, Taiwan is not a "country" at all nor should it become one, China is the One China, and Taiwan is a part of it, so China can no more "invade" Taiwan than the U.S. can "invade" Ohio, but still, well "defend" Taiwan, but in reality we wont. Realists call this strategic ambiguity, but, in fact, its just one of those lies-you-see-coming.Gender identity, woke elites insist, is not merely psychological but physically real as well: a transwoman is a woman, period. This cannot be true; a transwoman swimmer is not generically the same as her cis female competitors but they tell us that we should tell cis female athletes to chill, its not an issue when clearly its an issue, but the authorities dont want us to take their ridiculous word for it, just as it is with DEI and its clumsy flip-replacement of one form of systemic discrimination with another, they just want us to shut up.The era of the lie-you-know-from-the-start may be over soon.Next up: insane truths without the thinnest varnish of deception.Though not a renowned rhetorician, our president surely deserves historical credit as the first American leader to say, at the start of a war, that we will lose. Days after the U.S. military began what it plans to be a prolonged bombing campaign against Yemen, an effort to stop the Houthis from attacking ships in the Red Sea, Biden announced that future strikes would not succeed. Are they [US airstrikes] stopping the Houthis? No, Biden told reporters. Will they continue? Yes.Theyre not even trying anymore.(Ted Rall (Twitter: @tedrall), the political cartoonist, columnist and graphic novelist)

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230903/soros-foundation-vows-to-stop-maga-style-republicans-from-winning-2024-election-1113093040.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240128/american-base-near-syria-jordan-border-attacked-amidst-rejection-of-us-role-in-area-1116455518.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240129/protests-do-not-help-netanyahu-wags-his-finger-at-families-of-hostage-victims-1116457496.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240129/plot-to-sabotage-hungary-for-opposing-ukraine-funding-proves-eu-is-non-democratic---analyst-1116470795.html

Plot to Sabotage Hungary For Opposing Ukraine Funding Proves EU is Non-Democratic - Analyst

Plot to Sabotage Hungary For Opposing Ukraine Funding Proves EU is Non-Democratic - Analyst

Sputnik International

The EU is purportedly planning to sabotage Hungary's economy if the latter blocks a new funding package to Ukraine at a summit this week, the Financial Times reported citing a confidential Brussels plan.

2024-01-29T16:29+0000

2024-01-29T16:29+0000

2024-01-29T16:29+0000

hungary

world

europe

ukraine

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The EU is seeking to "imperil" Hungary's currency and drive a "collapse in investor confidence" in response to Budapest's opposition to the bloc's 50 billion ($54 billion) package for the Kiev regime, the FT revealed on Sunday after obtaining a secret grand design drawn up by EU officials. The newspaper later remarked that Hungary's currency fell 0.7% to Ft389 per euro in early Monday trading."If it exerts such brutal pressure on a member of the union that has a different opinion, it means they are afraid of this country, they are hinting that it should leave this union. But Hungary does not want to leave. Hungary is a European country, historically, culturally and so on. Hungary does not want to leave and will not allow itself to be forced out of the union. "Both Hungary and some other countries  this is not just about Hungary  want to reform the European Union, because this union is going in the wrong direction: it's going into the abyss."In December, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban vetoed EU funding to Ukraine. Earlier this month, he vowed to block it again should he need to. The package, named the Ukraine Facility, was designed to provide the Ukrainian leadership with financial assistance between 2024 and 2027 to reduce its soaring public deficit.Nuclear Option: Suspending Hungary's VetoPrior to FT's disclosure about Brussels' covert plan to undermine Hungary's economy, Politico reported that European diplomats were considering a "nuclear option" against Budapest, i.e. suspending its right to vote over the Ukraine stalemate."If we assume that Hungary will be punished in this way, then it will not be Orban who will be punished, the whole country will be punished, the whole country will suffer, which means collective responsibility. If they approve 50 billion, support Ukraine, [Brussels] will continue to destroy the European Union. This is worse than destroying one country," he continued."Politics is a game, a game of compromises. In politics, many countries behave like Hungary, and this is also very interesting. Big countries can do this, but small or medium-sized countries  after all, Hungary is a medium-sized country  cannot. How is that? How does this new world work?"Depriving Hungary of FundsIt's not the first time that the EU has tried to coerce Budapest into submission by sanction pressure: The bloc has suspended a large portion of funds for Hungary under the pretext that the country isn't democratic enough.In response to the release of the EU's alleged confidential plan to twist Budapest's hand, Hungary has vowed to defy the bloc's "blackmailing"."Hungary does not give in to blackmail!" Boka Janos, Hungary's minister for EU affairs, tweeted on January 29. "The document, drafted by Brussels bureaucrats only confirms what the Hungarian Government has been saying for a long time: access to EU funds is used for political blackmailing by Brussels."If Brussels continues to increase pressure on Hungary, some countries may decide to leave the bloc, according to Stier. Meanwhile, it appears that Eurocrats are seeking to deprive small and medium countries the right to veto the bloc's decisions, he suggested. "This means that only large countries will make all the decisions. This means that it is moving towards the federalization of the European Union," Stier remarked."There is one part of the European Union - the Poles, the Netherlands, the Scandinavians and the Baltic states. They did everything, absolutely everything, to ensure that Ukraine received money," he continued.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240124/slovakia-hungary-undeterred-by-pressure-and-threats-over-ukraine-aid-1116354480.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240122/hungary-to-not-participate-in-financing-arms-supplies-to-ukraine-from-epf-1116314974.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240116/hungary-offers-ukraine-funding-plan-that-avoids-straining-eu-budget-or-joint-loans--1116201886.html

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eu's confidential plan to derail hungary's economy, eu's plan to sabotage hungary's economy, eu blackmailing hungary over opposition to ukraine aid, hungary vetoed ukraine aid, hungary pledged to veto ukraine aid package
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240129/rockets-fall-near-us-base-in-syrias-oil-rich-town-of-ash-shaddadi---source-1116468913.html

Rockets Fall Near US Base in Syrias Oil-Rich Town of Ash Shaddadi - Source

Rockets Fall Near US Base in Syrias Oil-Rich Town of Ash Shaddadi - Source

Sputnik International

Two rockets fell on Monday near a US military base controlling Al-Jabsa oil fields in the northeastern Syrian town of Ash Shaddadi, a local source told Sputnik

2024-01-29T14:13+0000

2024-01-29T14:13+0000

2024-01-29T14:13+0000

world

syria

jordan

iraq

pentagon

middle east

us department of defense (dod)

iran

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"One of the two rockets fell in the vicinity of the field and the other near a mosque in the area adjacent to the US base, in the town of Ash Shaddadi," the source said. The US military scrambled helicopters in response to the attack, which comes a day after a drone attack that killed three US troops and injured 25 others at another US base in Jordan, near the border with Syria. The US and its allies control large swathes of land in northeastern Syrias gas and oil production region. Its bases in Syria, Iraq and Jordan have been a frequent target of attacks by what the Pentagon describes as Iran-backed militias.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240129/biden-may-order-direct-strike-on-iranian-officials-after-drone-attack-against-us-jordan-base--1116460046.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240129/russian-troops-liberate-tabayevka-settlement-near-kharkov---mod-1116464035.html

Russian Troops Liberate Tabayevka Settlement Near Kharkov - MoD

Russian Troops Liberate Tabayevka Settlement Near Kharkov - MoD

Sputnik International

The Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) shared incoming reports on the liberation of the village of Tabayevka near Kupyansk in the Kharkov region and the advance of Russian troops in other areas of the special operation zone.

2024-01-29T11:13+0000

2024-01-29T11:13+0000

2024-01-29T11:13+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

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kharkov

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In the course of the special military operation, Russian units of the Zapad battlegroup liberated the village of Tabayevka in the Kharkov region, the Defense Ministry said in a statement.In addition, Russian forces repelled three attacks by the Ukrainian 30th and 32nd mechanized brigades near Sinkovka. Near Kupyansk, Ukrainian forces lost up to 30 soldiers, two armored vehicles, three pickup trucks and one Msta-B howitzer. In addition, the Ministry of Defense published military reports on the advance of Russian troops in Donetsk and Krasny Liman. Over the past day, Russian forces repelled six attacks by Ukrainian troops near Donetsk and another one south of Donetsk."Enemy losses amounted to up to 280 soldiers, one tank and three vehicles [near Krasny Liman]," the Defense Ministry said in a statement, adding that Kiev also lost up to 210 soldiers in the Donetsk area.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240118/russian-troops-liberate-veseloye-settlement-in-donetsk-peoples-republic---mod-1116250817.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240129/russians-under-the-bed-pelosi-says-moscow-funding-pro-palestine-protests-1116457006.html

Russians Under the Bed: Pelosi Says Moscow Funding Pro-Palestine Protests

Russians Under the Bed: Pelosi Says Moscow Funding Pro-Palestine Protests

Sputnik International

Democrats in Washington stepped up their criticism of pro-Palestine activism Sunday as former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi called for the FBI to investigate pro-Palestine organizers.

2024-01-29T02:14+0000

2024-01-29T02:14+0000

2024-01-29T02:14+0000

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Democrats in Washington stepped up their criticism of pro-Palestine activism Sunday as former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi called for the FBI to investigate pro-Palestine organizers.I don't think they're plants, Pelosi added, when asked to clarify her stance. I think some financing should be investigated. And I want to ask the FBI to investigate that.Activists have increasingly demonstrated against the Democratic Partys support for Israels Gaza campaign in recent months, which has killed over 26,000 Palestinians. Recently, US President Joe Biden was interrupted 13 times at a campaign event designed to kick off the general election season, with protestors shouting ceasefire now and Genocide Joe.Pelosi suggested shes intimately familiar with the efforts of pro-Palestine protesters, noting, they're in front of my house all the time.Pelosi has played a key role in gatekeeping criticism of Israel within the Democratic Party. The powerful politician was one of a number of Democrats who pressured Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) to apologize after Omar criticized the influence of the pro-Israel lobby in Washington, taking to the floor of the House to slam the representative.Omar is one of only three Muslims currently sitting in US Congress. She reported receiving harassment and death threats after the unprecedented display of hostility from within her own party.Democrats have increasingly favored accusing their political opponents of ties to Russia since 2016, when members of the Hillary Clinton campaign devised the tactic as a way to distract from the candidates unanticipated loss to Donald Trump in that years presidential election.For a couple of hours, with Shake Shack containers littering the room, they went over the script they would pitch to the press and the public. Already, Russian hacking was the centerpiece of the argument.Senator Bernie Sanders has also engaged in the McCarthy-esque argument. Whos paying you? the Vermont politician who aligns with the Democratic Party angrily asked when confronted by a former campaign chief over his vote to arm Ukrainian neo-Nazis.In 2016 Democrats installed noise machines to drown out the chants of dissenting delegates at the partys Democratic National Convention.Nancy Pelosis reported net worth stands at over $114 million. The elite politicians wealth has increased dramatically during her time in Washington, with many observers accusing her and other high-profile lawmakers of engaging in insider trading informed by her privileged position in Congress.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20221119/pot-calling-kettle-black-lloyd-austins-russian-aggression-speech-evokes-snickers-online-1104442554.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240129/russias-trade-with-northeastern-chinese-provinces-up-by-over-50-in-2023---consul-general-1116464637.html

Russia's Trade With Northeastern Chinese Provinces Up by Over 50% in 2023 - Consul General

Russia's Trade With Northeastern Chinese Provinces Up by Over 50% in 2023 - Consul General

Sputnik International

Russia's trade with the northeastern Chinese provinces of Liaoning and Jilin increased by 53% and 71.6%, respectively, in 2023 due to the growing demand for Russian goods, especially food, in northeastern China, Russian Consul General in Shenyang Sergey Chernenko told Sputnik

2024-01-29T12:07+0000

2024-01-29T12:07+0000

2024-01-29T12:07+0000

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"At the end of 2023, Liaoning's trade with Russian regions reached 54.9 billion yuan [$7.7 billion], which is 53% more than a year earlier, including the province's imports from Russia increased by 63.5% - to 40. 5 billion yuan, exports by 29.4% to 14.4 billion yuan  Trade with Jilin Province increased even more noticeably - by 71.6%, surpassing the mark of 29.7 billion yuan," Chernenko said. He specified that the growth of Russia's trade with these provinces exceeds the dynamics of Russia-China trade as a whole. The demand for Russian goods among the local population is growing steadily, but the export potential has not yet been fully exploited due to the low level of recognition of Russian brands, Chernenko also said. The first "Made in Russia" festival-fair takes place from January 27 to February 5 in Shenyang and Dalian in Liaoning Province, with more than 130 companies from about 30 regions of Russia taking part in it. From January 28-30, a major conference on Russian-Chinese trade and economic cooperation with the participation of companies from the two countries is being held in Shenyang.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240111/russian-chinese-fms-positively-assess-outcomes-of-cooperation-in-2023-1116108675.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240129/share-of-brics-exceeds-g7-in-global-economy-by-end-of-2023--russian-central-bank-head-1116474426.html

Share of BRICS Exceeds G7 in Global Economy by End of 2023 - Russian Central Bank Head

Share of BRICS Exceeds G7 in Global Economy by End of 2023 - Russian Central Bank Head

Sputnik International

The share of the BRICS countries increased from 31% to 35% of global GDP in terms of purchasing power parity, exceeding the share of the G7 by the end of 2023, Russian Central Bank Head Elvira Nabiullina told Sputnik.

2024-01-29T17:42+0000

2024-01-29T17:42+0000

2024-01-29T18:04+0000

economy

russia

brics

g7

elvira nabiullina

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"The economies of the BRICS countries are developing quite rapidly. With the accession of new members, the share of BRICS in the global economy increased from 31% to 35% if we look at the results of 2023 in terms of purchasing power parity. And these figures are slightly higher than the share of the G7 countries. So the role of BRICS in the world is significant," Nabiullina said.In October 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that eventhough all BRICS countries have their own problems, but the growth of the potential of these states is obvious, including in the economy."All of our countries have their own problems. And who doesnt have them? We all do. This is not the point, the point is the growth of potential. And this growth is obvious, including in the economic sphere," Putin said in an interview with China Central Television.Putin added that the process of BRICS expansion is based on an objective reality - the creation of a multipolar world. This is also due to the growing potential of many countries, including China and India, the Russian leader said.He also noted that at the time of the BRICS summit in Johannesburg, the ratio of the economies of the G7 countries and the BRICS countries was in favor of the BRICS in terms of purchasing power parity.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230826/how-do-brics-stack-up-against-g7-1112913972.html

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(Photo : Unsplash/Niramay Kachhadiya)

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Tony Luke's, a popular Cheesesteak destination in Philadelphia, is now in the spotlight as Father and son co-owners Nicholas Lucidonio and Anthony Lucidonio Sr., also known as "Tony Luke," are sentenced for a decade-long federal tax evasion scheme, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

Neglect in Reporting Cash Receipts to the IRS

The owners neglected to report cash receipts amounting to over $8 million to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) between 2006 and 2016. The duo not only failed to deposit all of the business's cash into its bank account but also engaged in payroll tax fraud by paying a significant portion of employees' income in cash "off the books," as the U.S. Department of Justice stated.

Most employees received part of their wages on the books to avoid being caught. At the same time, the remainder was paid in cash, without the necessary deductions like federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare taxes submitted to the IRS.

READ ALSO: Common Forms You Need to Know to File Your Taxes

Inaccurate Tax Returns and Underreported Income

The Lucidonios did not inform their accountant about the cash wages, hiding millions of dollars and resulting in a decade of inaccurate tax returns with significantly underreported income. Following a guilty plea in 2022, 57-year-old Nicholas Lucidonio and 84-year-old Anthony Lucidonio Sr., who owned and operated Tony Lukes, have been officially sentenced to 20 months in prison each, followed by three years of supervised release. The IRS Criminal Investigation uncovered the tax fraud scheme, with some help getting tipped off identifying the issue.

"For a decade, these successful restaurateurs boldly cooked the books, cheating the government and honest taxpayers alike," said U.S. Attorney Jacqueline Romero, emphasizing that tax fraud is a serious crime with significant consequences, and those who commit it will be held fully accountable, as demonstrated by the investigation and prosecution.

Tony Luke's Franchising Rights Dispute Sparking the Tax Fraud Scheme

The problem came to light in 2015 during a dispute between Lucidonios and another person regarding Tony Luke's franchising rights, where the Lucidonios worried their tax fraud scheme might be revealed amid the dispute. As a precaution, they had the previous year's tax returns revised to reflect higher reported sales, according to the DOJ.

Luke Jr.'s Exclusion in the Indictment

The indictment did not include Luke Jr., the public face of Tony Luke, who separated from his father and brother in 2015, leading to a public court battle over franchising agreements and recipe ownership. He now owns additional Tony Luke's restaurants in various states.

Tax Scheme Causing a Million Dollar Loss to the U.S.

According to the DOJ, the two men persisted in concealing their payroll tax scheme, causing a loss of $1,321,042 to the U.S. After serving their sentences, the father and son were under three years of supervised release.

RELATED ARTICLE: Latest Facebook Scam Gives You $800 In Exchange For $100: 'Blessing Loom' A Big Ponzi Scheme?

 2017 Jobs & Hire All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240129/ukrainian-commander-in-chief-zaluzhny-told-to-resign-no-official-decree-yet---lawmaker-1116473518.html

Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Zaluzhny Told to Resign, No Official Decree Yet - Lawmaker

Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Zaluzhny Told to Resign, No Official Decree Yet - Lawmaker

Sputnik International

Reports on the resignation of Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Valery Zaluzhny are not true, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry said on Monday.

2024-01-29T17:35+0000

2024-01-29T17:35+0000

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valery zaluzhny

volodymyr zelensky

kiev

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"Dear journalists, we issue an answer to everyone  no, this is not true," the ministry said on Telegram, without specifying what exactly is not true.Earlier in the day, Ukrainian lawmaker Oleksiy Goncharenko said, citing sources, that Zaluzhny was allegedly told to resign but there was no official decree yet."Two sources told me that yes... Zaluzhny was told to resign, but there is no decree yet. He was offered a position of ambassador to one of the European countries. He refused," Goncharenko said on Telegram.Pentagon Refuses to Comment on Reports About Gen. Zaluzhny's ResignationThe US Department of Defense has no comments on reports about alleged departure of Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Valery Zaluzhny and refers to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, a Pentagon spokesperson told Sputnik on Monday.General Valery Zaluzhny was appointed commander-in-chief of Ukraines armed forces in July 2021. By the fall of 2022 he became the darling of Ukrainian and Western media outlets as territorial gains made by Kiev at the time were largely attributed to his strategic acumen. Zaluzhnys image as a capable general took a hit during the second half of 2023 when the much-anticipated counteroffensive ended in utter disaster, with thousands of Ukrainian troops dying for nothing. Kievs military blunders soon translated into intense political struggle as Zaluzhny and President Volodymyr Zelensky seemed keen to blame each other for the inability to prevail on the battlefield. The situation became further complicated by the fact that Zelensky may regard Zaluzhny as a potential rival in the upcoming presidential election (assuming, of course, that it takes place). Zaluzhnys remarks that the Ukrainian conflict may have reached a stalemate, published in November 2023, elicited savage criticism from Zelensky who challenged the generals assessment of the situation. In November, Zaluzhny's close aide Gennady Chastyakov was killed under suspicious circumstances while celebrating his 39th birthday: allegedly, one of the birthday presents he was unpacking contained a live grenade that Chastyakov ended up setting off. In December, inactive listening devices were allegedly discovered in Zaluzhnys office.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231105/zelensky-vs-zaluzhnyi-ukraines-president-censures-top-commander-over-stalemate-comments-1114746026.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231206/ukraines-ex-pm-reveals-why-zelensky-cant-just-get-rid-of-zaluzhny-1115435504.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240129/un-palestinian-agency-to-run-out-of-money-past-february-without-funding---un-spokesperson-1116477692.html

UN Aid Agency to Run Out of Money Past February Without Funding - UN Spokesperson

UN Aid Agency to Run Out of Money Past February Without Funding - UN Spokesperson

Sputnik International

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestine Refugees in the Near East may run out of money past February, spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Monday.

2024-01-29T22:47+0000

2024-01-29T22:47+0000

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"Right now, I think past February looks like they will run out of money," Dujarric told a briefing. UNRWA has 13,000 staff who work for us who serve over 2 million people in Gaza, he added. On Friday, UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini said that Israel shared with UNRWA data on the alleged involvement of some of the agencys staff members in the Hamas attack, and promised to hold accountable anyone who was implicated in acts of terrorism. The United States, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, Canada and some other countries swiftly responded by suspending funding for UNRWA. 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. Over 26,400 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/as-palestinians-in-gaza-face-mass-famine-us--allies-cut-funding-to-un-aid-agency-1116442762.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240129/us-senator-cruz-says-negotiators-refusing-to-provide-lawmakers-with-border-deal-text-1116473172.html

US Senator Cruz Says Negotiators Refusing to Provide Lawmakers With Border Deal Text

US Senator Cruz Says Negotiators Refusing to Provide Lawmakers With Border Deal Text

Sputnik International

US Senate negotiators working on a border security deal will not provide lawmakers the text of the proposed agreement, Senator Ted Cruz said on Monday.

2024-01-29T16:43+0000

2024-01-29T16:43+0000

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"I havent read the bill and theres a reason: nobodys read the bill. They wont actually give us the text," Cruz said during an interview with Fox News. "If youre hiding the text, it means its even worse than people think it is." Negotiators have only provided lawmakers with general "bullet points" about the potential deal, Cruz said. The deal would allow 5,000 migrants into the United States every day, totaling approximately 1.8 million per year, he said. Any president willing to enforce existing immigration laws does not need further legislation to secure the border, Cruz said. On Saturday, US House Speaker Mike Johnson likewise said that President Joe Biden does not need new legislation from Congress to begin securing the border. Johnson also said that the United States has "already been surrendered" if 1.8 million migrants are allowed to enter yearly, as is purportedly authorized under the proposed deal. However, White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre on Monday insisted that Biden requires new authorities from Congress to begin securing the border, when asked about Johnsons stance.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240128/biden-has-no-intention-to-close-border-and-even-if-he-did-its-too-late--analyst-1116445920.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240129/us-vows-response-to-deadly-attack-on-mideast-base-seeks-to-avoid-wider-conflict-1116470128.html

US Vows Response to Deadly Attack on Mideast Base, Seeks to Avoid Wider Conflict

US Vows Response to Deadly Attack on Mideast Base, Seeks to Avoid Wider Conflict

Sputnik International

The United States will retaliate to a deadly drone attack on its al-Tanf military base on Syrian-Jordanian border at a time and in a manner of its choosing, but it is not seeking a wider conflict in the region, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said on Monday.

2024-01-29T14:56+0000

2024-01-29T14:56+0000

2024-01-29T14:58+0000

americas

us

john kirby

joe biden

iran

syria

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white house

middle east

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Earlier in the day, Axios reported that President Joe Biden discussed a "significant military response" to the attack during a meeting with top US officials on Sunday. "As for our response options, the President is working his way through that right now. He had a good meeting yesterday with the National Security Team," Kirby told CNN. According to Axios, the White House and Pentagon are seeking to calibrate their retaliation to contain the risk of a wider conflict. Meanwhile, some hawks on Capitol Hill are pushing for strikes inside Iran, the report said.On Sunday, three US soldiers had been killed and 34 others injured in a drone attack on a US military base in Jordan's northeast near the border with Syria. President Biden pinned the blame on unspecified Iran-backed militant groups, while also saying the US was still gathering the facts. Jordanian cabinet spokesman Muhannad Mubaidin said that the strike targeted the US's Al-Tanf base in Syria, not a base on Jordanian territory. Iran has nothing to do with the drone attack on a US military base, Iranian state-run news agency IRNA reported, citing an Iranian official.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240117/scores-of-american-military-bases-in-iraq--syria-explicitly-serving-us-agenda--1116200064.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240129/violations-worth-13mln-discovered-in-one-of-ukraines-military-units---defense-minister-1116465590.html

Ukrainian Defense Minister Admits Violations Worth $1.3Mln Discovered in One of Military Units

Ukrainian Defense Minister Admits Violations Worth $1.3Mln Discovered in One of Military Units

Sputnik International

The Ukrainian Defense Ministry in the course of surprise inspections discovered violations regarding product supplies in one of the armed forces' military units worth 50 million hryvnias ($1.3 million), Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said on Monday

2024-01-29T13:02+0000

2024-01-29T13:02+0000

2024-01-29T13:12+0000

world

ukraine

volodymyr zelensky

kiev

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corruption

ukrainian crisis

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On January 8, Umerov said that over the past four months, internal inspections in the defense procurement sector resulted in uncovering "a lot of breaches" worth over $263 million.Earlier in January, Ukrainian Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin said that in 2023, 220 criminal cases were opened in connection with corruption in military registration, which is four times higher than in 2022, adding that criminal cases were also opened against seven defense ministry officials. Ukrainian authorities have been conducting inspections of military recruiting offices at all levels on the issue of corruption, with the state investigation bureau saying there are over 110 cases against personnel suspected of violations. In September 2023, Umerov was appointed as Ukraine's defense minister, designating the fight against corruption as his top priority.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240124/us-senator-urges-colleagues-to-reject-new-ukraine-aid-says-corruption-out-of-control-1116364641.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240129/why-natos-military-schengen-evokes-memories-of-nazi-germanys-anti-russia-past-1116466127.html

Why NATO's 'Military Schengen' Evokes Memories of Nazi Germany's Anti-Russia Past

Why NATO's 'Military Schengen' Evokes Memories of Nazi Germany's Anti-Russia Past

Sputnik International

The West is championing the idea of free military movement to get rid of bureaucratic procedures and red tape and is seeking to conclude a deal on the creation of military corridors across Europe by July, as per The Times. What's really behind the idea?

2024-01-29T14:13+0000

2024-01-29T14:13+0000

2024-01-29T14:20+0000

nato

military

europe

russia

germany

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The movement of troops and military cargo within Europe is reportedly complicated by numerous restrictions that prevent NATO forces from moving quickly across the Old Continent.The NATO leadership is concerned about the rules that limit the exchange and movement of military equipment not only between European countries but also between regions in a particular country (namely Germany), claiming that the red tape could become a serious hurdle were a conflict with Russia to occur. The alliance would like to see "a military Schengen" in Europe, akin to the political Schengen which ensures seamless movement across Europe. "I'm not surprised that NATO is creating a 'Schengen'," Professor Stevan Gajic, a research associate at the Institute of European Studies in Belgrade, told Sputnik. The military Schengen issue was raised by NATO in 2017 after identifying three different types of barriers in Europe: physical, legal and regulatory/administrative. By physical barriers, they meant the existing transportation infrastructure in the EU; legal barriers referred to sovereign rights of European states to refuse access to their respective territories by NATO troops; the regulatory barriers were defined as the set of rules indirectly hindering the alliance's movement, i.e. different national speed limits, police controls, obligation to declare what is shipped, prohibition to use specific roads, etc. However, the idea for a free movement zone did not get much backing at the time, but the Russian military operation in Ukraine has been used by the NATO establishment to revive the idea by groundlessly fanning an alleged "Russia threat."In late November, NATO warned its members that existing red tape would be a problem in the event of a hypothetical conflict with Russia, citing Moscow's ongoing special military operation in Ukraine. "We are running out of time," claimed Lieutenant-General Alexander Sollfrank, the chief of NATO's logistics command JSEC, to Reuters. "What we don't get done in peacetime won't be ready in case of a crisis of war."Per The Times, the alliance's leadership is presently negotiating the creation of military corridors across Europe within the framework of the "military Schengen" system; the results of the talks could be announced before NATO's July summit in Washington.During his previous presidential term, Trump repeatedly questioned the rationale behind maintaining the Cold War-era alliance. Per Gajic, NATO leaders would do everything, including all sorts of provocations against Russia, to prevent Trump from exiting the alliance in the event of his victory. The former president has outpaced his peers, emerging as the Republican frontrunner in the 2024 race.Meanwhile, Moscow repeatedly warned NATO against using provocative rhetoric to justify the creation of a military Schengen. "The alliance has always regarded our country as a so-called notional adversary. Now it openly considers our country to be an obvious adversary. This [statement] is nothing more than about fanning tensions in Europe which would have consequences," Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov told reporters on November 24. He said Moscow would respond appropriately if a military Schengen proposal became reality.Gajic noted that it's not the first time that Russia has been demonized to justify the Old Continent's militarism, citing Nazi German leadership and its racist idea of "Asiatic hordes" allegedly threatening Europe. Under the term "Asiatic hordes" the Third Reich propagandists meant the USSR, while touting itself as Europe's defender."In practice, geopolitically speaking, what NATO is creating is a repetition of a zone where the military force can move freely. And of course, this is very dangerous because of the historical analogies that are quite stark. We'll see what this will bring. But I think that this move is an escalatory one," Gajic stressed.Meanwhile, NATO kicked off its Steadfast Defender 2024 exercises this month - its largest in decades involving approximately 90,000 troops from 31 allies and Sweden. The drills, which are aimed at showing NATO's ability to "deploy forces rapidly from North America and other parts of the alliance to reinforce the defense of Europe," will continue until May 31 and will take part from the High North to Central and Eastern Europe. Per Gajic, the timing of the Schengen zone talks amid the unfolding drills is by no means coincidental.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240105/ukraine-de-facto-became-natos-testing-ground-for-digital-warfare-against-russia--moscow-1115984386.html

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Mark Etsell will have a number of opportunities to make appearances on stage at the 2023 O'Brien Awards, and that's not a surprise to Standardbred owner Peter Porter.

Porter, who has owned horses for nearly the last half century, speaks very highly of the conditioner who is up personally for Trainer of the Year and the O'Brien Award of Horsemanship while also the trainer of finalists Willowtime (Two-Year-Old Trotting Colt) and Adare Castle (Older Trotting Mare).

The winners of these awards will be revealed at the 2023 O'Brien Awards, taking place on Saturday, Feb. 3 at the Delta by Marriott Prince Edward in Charlottetown, P.E.I.

Etsell and Porter were first introduced through horseman Terry Devos.

"I've known Terry a few years and I had been buying part of his horses," Porter told Trot Insider. "He ended up suggesting we send our horses to Mark. It's been nothing but positive of course. It's not going to go on forever, I know that, but it's amazing  with Mark has had to work with  how well it's turned out."

Porter said that Etsell is meticulous in his approach in the stable and respects him for his fairness and honesty.

"You have to give the guy so much respect because it's like last year with Willowtime, they came to us and we could have gone into the million-dollar race. Mark said right off the bat, 'Don't forget,' he said, 'a few days after that race, we have to race again and we are not going to do both. The horse comes first. It's got nothing to do with money, the horse comes first.'

"You have to respect the guy. Not only did he bring him on late in the year, he only raced him five times," continued Porter. "Anybody else would have pushed him most likely. Six weeks or two months before and you know what could have happened. He'll do what's good for the horse."

Porter co-owns both O'Brien finalists Willowtime and Adare Castle.

Willowtime had a stunning freshman campaign. With only five starts on the resume of the Lookslikeachpndale-SOS Respect colt, Willowtime amassed a whopping $355,619 with four wins and one third. His success flowed in the Ontario Sires Stakes, where he took his mark of 1:54.2, as well as in the $180,800 Champlain Stakes. Porter owns Willowtime with Devos and Etsell.

Adare Castle, who was an O'Brien Award winner at three, posted six wins, three seconds and two thirds in 20 starts in her four-year-old campaign. The daughter of Muscle Mass and the Andover Hall mare, Pacific Edge, earned $201,300 last season to total $1,355,991 in her career. Adare Castle has a career record of 20-9-2 in 42 starts, only ever missing the top five twice in her career. Her mark of 1:52 was taken on June 3 in the Miss Versatility Series leg at Woodbine Mohawk Park. Porter owns the mare in partnership with Etsell, Robert Newton and Graham Hopkins.

While a broodmare career is certainly in the cards for Adare Castle eventually, that time to produce off the track will have to wait as the connections will look for the trotting mare to produce on the racetrack in 2024 as a five-year-old.

"I know what [Mark] wants to do. He wants to go down to the Little Brown Jug again [for the Miss Versatility final] and if things work out, he wants to go back to the Breeders Crown and show them."

Porter's own harness racing background extends back 45 years into connections with horses and horsemen the likes of John Bax and Hall of Famer Carl Jamieson, both O'Brien Award winners both personally and with equine talent.

"There's a guy in Port Dover here, Tony Schneider  who owned the Erie Beach Hotel, and he kind of got us interested. I got into it for maybe a few years and didn't have very good luck," explained Porter. "We had a sawmill and Carl Jamieson came to get sawdust at our place and one day, he said to me, 'Dr. [Bob] Boyce has got too many horses, he wants to sell part of one. Do you want to buy it?' I said, 'Sure. What does he want for it?' He said $8,000. I said that's fine, that is good to me. Anyway, the horse turned to be Cupcakesnwhipcream. That was the first real positive experience."

Cupcakesnwhipcream proved to be a sweet investment for Porter. The daughter of Camluck finished in the top two in 13 of 16 freshman starts (9-4-0) and banked more than $350,000 in that two-year-old season. That season landed Porter with his first O'Brien Award in 2000, landing another last year with Adare Castle. Twenty-two years between accolades and galas, the experience maintained its magnitude.

Porter won an O'Brien Award in 2000 with Cupcakesnwhipcream, a winner of the division for two-year-old pacing fillies.

"I'm looking at that O'Brien Award [from Cupcakesnwhipcream] now actually," Porter added. "[The gala] was just as good as it is now. It's a first class situation."

(Standardbred Canada; photos courtesy New Image Media)
World champion racehorse and sire American Ideal, a dual hemisphere stallion, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 28 at the age of 22.

He stood since the beginning of his career at Blue Chip Farms in the U.S. and had stood in Australia at Llowalong Farms in conjunction with Woodlands Stud of New Zealand.

While quarantined in Australia awaiting shipping back to the U.S., the horse developed severe colic. During emergency surgery, numerous cancerous masses were revealed, which resulted in the horse being humanely euthanized.

Its a sad day, as American Ideal was a longtime member of the Brittany family, and also endeared himself to everyone at Blue Chip Farms, said Art Zubrod, manager of Brittany Farms and Brittany Stallion Management. He was a sire who was an easy breeder with intelligence and a great personality.

I like to say he never had a down year, as since his first crop stepped on the track he has produced champions or prominent stakes winners every single year.

American Ideal p,3,1:47.4 ($855,928), by Western Ideal out of Lifetime Success, was bred and raised by Brittany Farms and sold as a Tattersalls yearling. He raced from 2004 through 2006 for Mac Nichol, who partnered with Brittany during the colts sophomore season.

American Ideals most prominent victories included a division of the Bluegrass Stakes in what was a world record at the time of 1:47.4, the Tattersalls Pace, Confederation Cup and the Oliver Wendell Holmes, all while under the care of trainer Casie Coleman.

With a stallion career managed by Brittany Stallion Management, American Ideal had sired the winners of more than $167 million in North America and $25.1 million in Australia. He had sired 15 millionaires in North America.

His progeny is led by such greats as two and three-year-old world champion American Jewel p,3,1:48.2 ($1,834,823), world champion and Meadowlands Pace winner Hes Watching p,3,1:46.4 ($1,129,215), Heston Blue Chip p,3,1:48f ($1,779,373) and American History p,3,1:47 ($1,725,230).

American Ideal is the all-time leading money-winning pacing sire in the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) program. Last year alone, his two and three-year-olds earned almost $2 million in NYSS competition and included NYSS Two-Year-Old Filly Pace champion Peace Talks p,2,1:55.4h ($229,329).

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the connections of American Ideal.

(With files from Brittany Stallion Management)
By Lee Yeon-woo

Korea Investment Corp. (KIC) will establish an office in India. It will be the sovereign fund's fifth overseas office.

KIC announced on Monday that it received establishment approval from the Reserve Bank of India for its Mumbai office. This new office follows the ones in New York established in 2010, London in 2011, Singapore in 2017, and San Francisco in 2021.

Previously, KIC broadened its focus beyond traditional financial hubs, aiming to establish a presence in emerging growth regions. Consequently, Mumbai, known as India's financial capital, was chosen as the ideal location. The sovereign fund has been preparing to set up an office there since last year.

"India is emerging as a new core of the global economy and has huge growth potential. It is very meaningful for KIC to enter the market for the first time as a Korean public institutional investor," KIC CEO Jin Seung-ho said. "Moving forward, the Mumbai office is committed to actively identifying investment opportunities within India, while also contributing significantly to reinforcing KIC's position as a distinguished global investor."

India is considered a principal beneficiary of global economic shifts, including the restructuring of supply chains. This is further bolstered by government support for a manufacturing revival through initiatives like the "Make in India," which has led to a rapid increase in foreign direct investment into the country. Additionally, India is recognized for its structural growth potential, attributed to its relatively young and dynamic population and an expanding consumer market.

Recognizing the country's advantage, foreign institutional investors are also rushing to enter the Indian market. In 2022, the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board from Canada opened an office in Mumbai. Last year, the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority officially announced its plan to enter the market. Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund is also known to be preparing to establish an Indian branch soon.

Through the Mumbai office, KIC aims to focus on uncovering promising alternative investment opportunities, with a keen focus on venture capital and private equity investments. It is also expected to invest in physical assets, such as infrastructure and real estate, to support India's economic advancement.
A Claremont man who was sentenced to additional prison time for entering the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, said he will be appealing the judges decision.

James Leslie Little, 53, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor offense of illegally demonstrating in the Capitol on the day Congress certified the results of the 2020 presidential election.

Little was initially sentenced to 60 days in prison and three years of probation. He served the prison time and 18 months of probation before a federal appeals court threw out the sentence. The appeals court ruled Little could not be sentenced to both imprisonment and probation.

Last week, Royce Lamberth, a judge for the U.S. District for the District of Columbia, ordered that Little serve another two months in prison.

Lamberth wrote that Little failed to take responsibility for his actions, citing social media posts in which Little described himself as a political prisoner.

When asked about the decision, Little said he will seek to have the new sentence reversed.

I'm definitely appealing and asking for a stay against any more political prison or probation until the appeals court decides on my new double (jeopardy) appeal, Little said in a Facebook message.

He continued: I do think it should be noted that WINNING AN APPEAL AND RESENTENCING IS supposed to benefit the DEFENDANT, and the REsentencing is for the Judge to CORRECT HIS MISTAKES NOT GET VENGEANCE ON ME FOR BEATING HIM ON APPEAL, and that TWO SENTENCES FOR ONE CRIME IS DOUBLE (JEOPARDY), UNCONSTITUTIONAL, and ILLEGAL all day every day.

Lamberth briefly addressed the question of double jeopardy, arguing that it does not apply in this case since Little was credited for his earlier imprisonment and probation.

Another reason Lamberth gave for imposing the additional prison time was that Little had not paid $500 in restitution. Little said that he did pay that amount for the damages other people did to the Capitol but that he sent the payment by certified mail and it had not arrived prior to the resentencing.
Getting out the vote means making sure people can vote. That was the goal at Shiloh AME Zion Church on Saturday in Statesville as it hosted a voter ID drive.

Keeping people informed, explaining the importance of voting to them, is an essential responsibility, Anthony Williams said. Its not just for you, but for your children and the future.

President of Voter Registration at Shiloh AME Zion Margaret H. Nelson and Williams, who is one of the churchs voter registration representatives, helped organize the event. Joining them were Iredell County Board of Elections Director Susie Jordan and Edward Mims to assist with the paperwork and to snap photos as voters made sure they would have a proper ID come election day.

J.D. Williams, one of those who came to get a voter ID card, said he has one of the eligible forms of identification, but came out to make sure he had another while supporting the churchs efforts as well.

Jordan said with a few weeks to prepare, drives like this can be set up at various events to help the public have a valid ID for voting purposes.

In last years elections, the state reported few issues and a very low percentage of ballots rejected due to the new laws.

According to the North Carolina State Board of Elections, drivers licenses are accepted, but there are other acceptable photo IDs. If a voter does not have one, they can get one free from their county board of elections or the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles.

The states website lists the following forms of identification that can be used to vote: North Carolina drivers license, state ID from the NCDMV (also called non-operator ID), drivers license or non-driver ID from another state, District of Columbia, or U.S. territory (only if voter registered in North Carolina within 90 days of the election), U.S. passport or U.S. passport card, North Carolina voter photo ID card issued by a county board of elections, college or university student ID approved by the State Board of Elections, state or local government or charter school employee ID approved by the State Board of Elections.

A voter 65 or older may use an expired form of acceptable ID if the ID was unexpired on their 65th birthday.

Any of the following, regardless of whether the ID contains an expiration or issuance date: Military or veterans ID card (with photo) issued by the U.S. government, Tribal enrollment card (with photo) issued by a tribe recognized by the state or a tribe recognized by the federal government ID card (with photo) issued by an agency of the U.S. government or the State of North Carolina for a public assistance program.
In Shaaban's view, the American forces within the Syrian Arab Republic are regarded as occupying forces, akin to Israeli and Turkish forces.

The presidential special adviser commented on the recent reports circulating in the American media, attributing information to sources within the White House, Ministries of Defense, and Foreign Affairs. The reports suggest that Washington is contemplating a withdrawal from Syria, dismissing these claims as mere propaganda orchestrated by the media.

Speaking to Al-Watan during her participation in an event hosted by the Indian Embassy in Damascus to commemorate Indian Republic Day, Shaaban expressed skepticism about the motives behind such narratives. She emphasized that, despite the American attempt to present themselves as non-occupiers, they are perceived as such by the Syrian government. In Shaabans view, the American forces within the Syrian Arab Republic are regarded as occupying forces, akin to Israeli and Turkish forces.

Shaaban asserted, Sooner or later, the Americans will be compelled to withdraw from our land. The presence of American forces in Syria is an occupation, and we will fully liberate our country.

In a related development, Alexander Lavrentyev, the Russian presidents special envoy to Syria, weighed in on the matter. Lavrentyev dismissed the possibility of the U.S. forces remaining east of the Euphrates if they withdrew from Iraq. He underlined that these forces will inevitably depart, stating, Sooner or later, the American soldiers will leave Syria.

According to information from the Kurdish network Rudaw, Lavrentyev conveyed, Once the US forces exit Iraq, the continuation of their presence east of the Euphrates becomes untenable. He stressed the importance of the Kurdish Autonomous Administration acknowledging that American troops will depart in due course, urging them to address their issues with the central authority sooner rather than later.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
Damascus expressed gratitude towards the Iranian leadership and its people for "their steadfast support of Syria".

In a significant move towards bolstering bilateral relations, Syrian Interior Minister, Maj. Gen. Mohammad Khaled al-Rahmoun, met with Irans Deputy Interior Minister for Security and Political Affairs, Majid Mirahmadi, on Sunday. The meeting focused on enhancing cooperation between Syria and Iran, particularly in the domain of security.

Maj. Gen. al-Rahmoun emphasized the ongoing collaboration between the two nations in combating terrorism. He expressed gratitude towards the Iranian leadership and its people for their steadfast support of Syria in its fight against terrorism and cybercrime.

On his part, Mirahmadi reaffirmed the strong strategic ties between Syria and Iran. He reiterated Irans commitment to supporting Syria across various sectors.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
President al-Assad acknowledged the responsibility and transparency demonstrated by the committee in facilitating rich dialogues across party branches

In a key development for Syrias political landscape, President Bashar al-Assad, who also serves as the Secretary General of the al-Baath Arab Socialist Party, engaged in a comprehensive review of the electoral process with the Higher Committee for Supervising Party Elections. The committee briefed President al-Assad on their recent activities, which included tours and meetings in various branches and governorates. They also discussed procedural issues raised during these dialogues, focusing on ensuring the integrity, fairness, and representativeness of the nomination, voting, and result processes.

In his meeting with the committee, President al-Assad acknowledged the responsibility and transparency demonstrated by the committee in facilitating rich dialogues across party branches. He emphasized the importance of this electoral supervision experience, seeing it as a foundation for future elections at different party levels following an expanded conference. The President stressed the need for a scientific and precise evaluation of this experience to identify and rectify any shortcomings in the implementation of regulatory rules.

The discussion with the committee also covered the methodology for the upcoming electoral process, including new aspects arising from branch meetings and the unique characteristics of different party branches. These factors implications on organizational elements were also considered.

The committee highlighted issues regarding undocumented partisans in certain governorates and the right of winning candidates at the Peoples level to withdraw at the branch level. Decisions on these matters are forthcoming, with the committee set to announce the start date for the party elections, expected to commence shortly.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
Your daily brief of the English-speaking press on Syria.

Three US troops have been killed and 25 injured in a drone attack on a US base, the US military said.

US Central Command (Centcom) said in a statement the casualties were caused by a drone attack at a base in northeast Jordan, near the Syria border. Jordan on the other hand, said the attack happened on Syrian territory.

US President Joe Biden said that the attack was carried out by radical Iran-backed militant groups.

This is the first time US soldiers have been killed in the region after Hamass 7 October attack on Israel.

There have been attacks on US bases in the region but so far there have been no casualties reported by the US army.

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, Mr Biden said in a statement.

Have no doubt  we will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner our choosing.

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, the statement added.

U.S. wont leave Iraq or Syria any time soon

An article from POLITICO, discusses the ongoing presence of U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria and the prospects of their withdrawal.

The article opens with a focus on the current talks about American forces withdrawing from Iraq and Syria, coinciding with increased attacks from Iran-backed militants in the region.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced formal discussions regarding the future of the 2,500 U.S. troops in Iraq. There are also internal discussions about withdrawing the approximately 900 troops from Syria, although the administration has denied any immediate plans for withdrawal.

According to the report, theres no imminent order from President Joe Biden for a withdrawal. The Pentagon also maintains that Iraq has not requested the U.S. military to leave.

This commission, agreed upon in August, is set to discuss the transition of the U.S.-led coalition to defeat ISIS based on various factors, including the threat level, operational requirements, and the capabilities of Iraqi security forces.

The article highlights the complexities in the region, such as Israels war in Gaza and attacks by Iranian proxy groups in Iraq and Syria. These tensions complicate the discussions about U.S. troop withdrawal.

Senior administration officials confirmed discussions about the withdrawal from Syria, focusing on the utility of troops, the missions duration, and the implications of a potential withdrawal.

The U.S. is evaluating the threat posed by ISIS if troops leave Syria and the risk of U.S. service members being injured by Iran-linked groups.

The discussions about ending Middle East missions could be politically beneficial for President Biden, especially in contrast to former President Donald Trumps foreign policy stance.

The article also touches on other international developments, including Russian President Vladimir Putins openness to talks to end the war in Ukraine and efforts by CIA Director Bill Burns to broker a deal between Israel and Hamas.

Overall, the article emphasizes the complexity of the decision-making process regarding the U.S. military presence in Iraq and Syria, considering various geopolitical factors and internal administration discussions.

Jordan: Fighting Syrian drugs could mean deals with groups

A DW report discusses the increasing military action by Jordans Air Force against drug and weapon trafficking targets in Syria, particularly focusing on the trafficking of Captagon, an illegal amphetamine. Recent strikes have resulted in casualties, highlighting the escalating situation. Jordans efforts are in response to the movement of weapons and explosives across the border, posing a significant security threat.

The Syrian government, which relies on amphetamine production for income, has condemned these airstrikes but expressed a desire to avoid escalating tensions with Jordan. Captagon trafficking to Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states has been a long-standing issue, driven by demand among party crowds and workers. Saudi Arabia has pressured Jordan to curb this trafficking, threatening economic consequences.

Jordan is also concerned about becoming a consumer market for these drugs and the increased flow of weapons, especially considering the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas and Jordans large Palestinian population.

Syria, having been readmitted to the Arab League in May 2023, claims to have increased efforts to curb trafficking. However, diplomatic efforts to address this issue have been largely unsuccessful.

The article notes that parts of the Syrian regime are involved in the drug trade, with the U.S. and EU imposing sanctions on individuals connected to the Assad regime for their role in Captagon trafficking. The scale of this trade is significant, with the Middle East seeing a dramatic increase in amphetamine seizures.

The complexity of the situation is heightened by the fractured state of Syria after years of war, with various regions controlled by different groups and the influence of foreign powers like Russia and Iran. Effective reduction of trafficking might require Jordan to collaborate with local proxies, which could be a challenging scenario for the Syrian regime.

Recently, there have been signs of potential cooperation between Jordan and local Syrian groups to combat smuggling, indicating a shift towards a collaborative approach to address this issue.

The Biden administration is repeating old mistakes in Iraq and Syria

In an article by The Telegraph, Columnist Daniel DePetriscritiques President Bidens Middle East policy, particularly in relation to the ongoing U.S. military presence in Iraq and Syria. DePetris argues that this policy is outdated and poses unnecessary risks to American lives.

The Middle East is depicted as a region of increasing conflict, with the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza and recent U.S. and UK strikes against the Houthis in Yemen.

About 45,000 U.S. forces are stationed in the Middle East. However, DePetris focuses on the 3,400 troops in Iraq and Syria, who have been subject to attacks from Iranian-backed militias.

The article mentions that U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria have been attacked 151 times since mid-October, including a significant attack on the Ain al-Asad airbase.

DePetris criticizes the Biden administration for continuing the policies of previous administrations, maintaining a military deployment that he argues serves little strategic purpose.

He reflects on the Obama administrations initial mission against ISIS, which was to destroy its pseudo-state in Iraq and Syria. This mission was considered successful with the liberation of Mosul and the defeat of ISIS in Baghouz by 2019.

The article argues that the Trump administration shifted the goals of U.S. presence in Iraq and Syria to broader, less achievable objectives, such as training Iraqi forces to Western standards and preventing Bashar al-Assads regime from retaking Kurdish-held areas.

President Biden is criticized for seeking an enduring defeat of ISIS without a clear definition or strategy, which DePetris views as an unrealistic and maximalist goal.

The article compares the fight against ISIS with the ongoing battle against Al-Qaeda, suggesting that completely defeating such non-state actors militarily is a futile endeavor.

DePetris concludes that the U.S. has done everything it can in Iraq and Syria and advocates for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from these regions, warning of the increasing risk of conflict with Iran.

The article presents a critical view of the Biden administrations policies in the Middle East, questioning the continued U.S. military involvement in Iraq and Syria and suggesting that it may be time for a strategic withdrawal.
The arrival of these reinforcements coincides with ongoing exercises conducted by U.S. forces in their eastern Syria bases, Athr Press says.

U.S. forces have deployed additional military reinforcements from Iraq to Syrian territory, crossing through the countryside of al-Yarubiyah in the northeast of the country.

According to sources from Athr Prss, the military and logistical convoy in the Yarubiyah countryside comprised 75 vehicles, including refrigerators, tankers, empty tankers, and others loaded with wooden boxes. These vehicles entered through the al-Waleed crossing in the Yarubiyah countryside and assembled at the American base in Kharab al-Jir.

It is reported that a portion of the convoy is expected to proceed to the US base in the city of al-Shaddadi in the southern countryside of Hasakeh, recognized as one of the largest U.S. bases in Syria. Meanwhile, other reinforcements are anticipated to be directed towards various sites and bases in the region.

The arrival of these reinforcements coincides with ongoing exercises conducted by U.S. forces in their eastern Syria bases. Notably, the U.S. Shaddadi base recently hosted joint military exercises on January 24, involving U.S. forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The exercises encompassed airdrops, simulations of hostage liberation, as well as targeting and striking simulated targets.

Furthermore, there have been multiple military movements observed at U.S. bases in eastern Syria, involving the transfer of troops and military vehicles between these bases. Athr Press sources previously noted the landing of three American helicopters at the U.S. base in the Ghwayran neighbourhood, south of the city of Hasakeh. One of these helicopters is designated for troop transport, while the other two are Apache helicopters.

These U.S. military actions in eastern Syria come amid an escalation in the targeting of U.S. bases and headquarters. In the latest incidents, the U.S. base in Tanf in southeastern Syria and the U.S. base in the Omar oil field in Deir ez-Zor countryside were targeted. Additionally, the center of the U.S. forces presence at the al-Hakmiah agricultural airport in Mayhat was attacked, targeting the village of Khirbet Adnan in the Malikiyah area of Hasakeh with drones.

New targets on U.S. bases in Syria

Currently, on Sunday, a coordinated campaign targeted three U.S. bases in Syria, focusing on headquarters and bases in the eastern and southeastern regions of the country.

Reports from Athr Press correspondents in eastern Syria confirm that drones targeted the U.S. base in -Tanf in southeastern Syria.

Prior to this incident, Athr Press correspondents had earlier informed about a drone attack on the center of the U.S. forces presence at Hakmiah Agricultural Airport in the village of Khirbet Adnan in the Malikiyah area of Hasakeh. Following this, another drone attack occurred on the U.S. base in the Omar oil field in the Deir ez-Zor countryside.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
Lawmakers and political advisors brainstorm to seize opportunity for AI growth

09:27, January 29, 2024 By Liu Caiyu ( Global Times

Recognizing the immense potential of artificial intelligence (AI), Chinese provincial lawmakers and political advisors are actively brainstorming innovative ideas to seize the opportunity for growth in the AI sector in their respective provinces.

As an important driving engine for the development of the digital economy, the role of AI in empowering "thousands of industries" is also becoming more prominent. Chinese security company 360 Security Technology's founder and chairman Zhou Hongyi had predicted that in 2024, the open-source large model will undergo a transformative shift, becoming more accessible and affordable for everyone.

In Beijing, Wu Wenyan, a member from the Beijing Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) submitted a proposal on the application of AI robots in the field of elderly care as China has entered into the aging society. She said the AI robots can follow instructions and provide services such as food assistance, medical assistance and mobility assistance 24 hours a day to improve the quality of life of the elderly.

In Shenzhen, Xia Jun, a CPPCC member believes that traditional Chinese medicine has the characteristics of high quality and high price, and if it is combined with AI, it is expected to better reach the balance of cost and utility. "The final output of Chinese medicine is not standardized enough due to factors such as planting environment and policies. The use of modern technology would put the whole process of Chinese herbal medicine cultivation into supervision, to ensure the quality of drugs."

In Shanghai, Jiang Biyan, a CPPCC member, emphasized the need for Shanghai to spearhead educational reform in the era of AI. Jiang suggests shifting the focus from imparting knowledge to fostering students' abilities, and from prioritizing teacher-led instruction to prioritizing student-centered learning. Additionally, she proposes moving away from evaluating students based solely on their knowledge mastery level, and instead, evaluating them based on their core qualities.

Zhou told the Global Times that China possesses the most extensive range of industries globally, encompassing a complete supply chain and industrial network. The most promising prospects can be found in the industrialization, specialization and vertical integration of technology.

To seize the opportunity to excel in the AI development, lawmakers and political advisors also provided suggestions on how their respective provinces can achieve their goal.

Xu Li, a member of the Shanghai Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), also the CEO of SenseTime, said Shanghai has many first-mover advantages, including various scenarios and vertical fields, as well as relatively good progress in basic and engineering sciences. Therefore, when making innovative breakthroughs, Shanghai can deviate from the Western path and instead focus on combining highly specific scenarios and data to refine end-to-end breakthroughs in large-scale models.

Guo Zhendong, a CPPCC member from East China's Shandong Province, admitted that compared to domestic pioneers like Shenzhen and Shanghai in terms of empowering the private sectors with AI, Shandong still has certain gaps though the province is a strong manufacturing base. He suggested local departments jointly research and formulate relevant documents for AI development, establish a good working mechanism and coordinate the development of the AI industry.

Shen Teng, a CPPCC member from Beijing, focused his attention on legal issues relating to AI. He suggested Beijing formulating a regulation on the promotion of the development of AI industry as soon as possible so as to establish a sound legal protection system, which he believed would provide clear legal guidance for the application of AI technology and industrial development.

On how to help Shenzhen narrow the gap in the AI sector with the Yangtze River Delta and the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, Tian Jiajun, a CPPCC member, said that collaborative development between Shenzhen and Hong Kong is expected to accelerate the establishment of the regional AI ecosystem.

Tian said that Shenzhen's role in leading the AI industry is relatively weak in terms of basic research areas. Hong Kong adjacent to Shenzhen has significant advantages in cutting-edge research and high-end talent cultivation in the field of artificial intelligence, which can complement Shenzhen.

Liu Gang, director of Economic Research Institute of Nankai University, believes that accelerating the implementation of application scenarios of AI, gathering innovative resources, receiving support from local government policies are crucial factors that influence and determine the development and enhancement of competitiveness in the regional AI industry. Cultivating a highly open industrial innovation ecosystem also plays a significant role in this regard.

According to a report on the Regional Competitiveness Evaluation Index of China's New Generation Artificial Intelligence Technology Industry in 2023 released in May 2023, in terms of the overall evaluation index of regional competitiveness in the country's AI technology industry in 2023, the top 10 provincial-level regions are Beijing, Guangdong, Shanghai, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Shandong, Sichuan, Liaoning, Anhui, and Hunan.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
Together with North Korea, Russia can disrupt US-led world order: experts

Editors note This is the first of a two-part series about Russia-North Korea military cooperation, shedding light on its potential dangers and to predict the extent of their ties by analyzing the mindsets of their leaders ED.

By Kang Hyun-kyung

Foreign policy observers are expressing confusion and concern while closely monitoring the risky military cooperation between Russia and North Korea. This collaboration has raised alarms not only in South Korea but also in the United States.

Understanding Russian President Vladimir Putin's intentions, among other factors, is particularly challenging, if not impossible. Moscow's weapons deal with Pyongyang is perceived as disproportionately benefiting North Korea, providing the reclusive state with numerous additional advantages beyond the revenues generated from arms exports.

The recent test-firing by North Korea of a solid-fuel intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) with a hypersonic warhead on Jan. 14 triggered speculation that Russia may have played a role in assisting the North in enhancing its hypersonic missile technology.

South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said the IRBM flew 1,000 kilometers, without providing other details about the missiles capabilities.

According to a South Korean media report, the missile reached a maximum speed of Mach 14 and an altitude of 100 kilometers. That suggests that North Korea has made significant progress in its hypersonic missile technology since the initial launch of its hypersonic missile in September 2021.

However, U.S. experts offer a somewhat different assessment of North Korea's missile capabilities.

Robert Peters, a research fellow for nuclear deterrence and missile defense at the Washington D.C.-based think tank Heritage Foundation, said North Koreas recently tested IRBM is hypersonic, but may not be as advanced as North Korea had previously claimed.

There are indications that it was just Mach 5, so it is technically hypersonic but its not hypersonic at the range of like Mach 10 which is some of the systems that were seeking to develop as well as what China and Russia are seeking to develop, he said in a Voice of America talk show streamed on YouTube on Saturday.

Peters noted the significance of North Korea's hypersonic missile test occurring as it increases military cooperation with Russia.

I think this may be another indicator that the Russians may be helping them with some technology transfer, he said.

He added that what North Korea might expect in return for supplying artillery shells and munitions to Russia might not involve hardware, such as fighter jets or submarines, as some speculated.

What I think is far more likely is that (Putin) will provide the North Koreans with technical capabilities so as to help North Koreans particularly in their missile program, he said.

A lingering question remains unanswered: What additional benefits would Putin have gained, beyond addressing shortages of artillery shells, from the deepening military ties with North Korea?

Experts suggest that Russia-North Korea military cooperation constitutes a mutually beneficial deal for both countries, with significant gains that Putin could derive from the arrangement.

Chris Monday, a professor at Dongseo University based in Busan, said North Korea is a useful card for Putin and he will exploit it as a tool to deflect attention from themselves.

For now, Putin needs North Korea for his war with Ukraine, he told The Korea Times. North Korea has the dumb weapons that cannot be electronically jammed, the bullets that the Russian convict brigades use to flush out Ukrainian positions for sophisticated drone strikes, and the cheap missiles used to overwhelm Western defense systems.

He noted that for Putin, North Korean aid is a blunt way to show that the West can no longer mount an overwhelming Desert Storm-style offensive.

The professor indicated that Russia needs outdated conventional weapons from North Korea to evade detection and possible disruption by the Wests modern military equipment.

He added that through military cooperation with North Korea, Putin is also attempting to use South Korea as an example to other countries.

South Korea, in his view, has become overly assertive, he said. Putin will try to use North Korea to deliver selective punishment on South Korea to be a lesson to other countries. He knows he cant invade the European Union. This is fantasy. So South Korea presents a handy target for Putin.

The Russian leader used a similar tactic in domestic politics.

Knowing that he cannot remove all of his critics and rivals, he has been selective and made an example out of someone. Monday said Alexei Navalny, a Russian opposition leader, lawyer and anti-corruption activist, became a victim by reportedly being sent to a remote prison colony, as Putin tried to use the case to warn other critics.

Putin is allegedly upset at South Korea because it is one of the countries having sided with the U.S.-led West against Russia in the war in Ukraine.

Russias foreign ministry reacted furiously to South Koreas announcement on Dec. 27 where it added over 600 types of goods that could potentially be used for military purposes to its export control list for Russia. Those goods include heavy construction equipment and rechargeable batteries.

This is an unfriendly move taken at Washingtons behest, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Marina Zakharova said during a news briefing on Dec. 27. It will damage South Koreas own economy and industry.

In an interview with Russias state media, Russian Ambassador to Korea Georgy Zinoviev warned of potential consequences in the event that South Korea provides lethal weapons to Ukraine to assist in the ongoing conflict against Russia. He characterized South Koreas direct weapons shipment to Ukraine as a red line. South Korean law prohibits exports of weapons to war zones.

Russia-North Korea relations showed signs of evolving into a greater international security threat as Putin vowed to make a reciprocal visit to Pyongyang, following Kim Jong-uns visit to Russia in September.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia and North Korea were discussing Putins visit to the North through diplomatic channels and the results would be announced once a decision was made.

Wi Sung-lac, former South Korean ambassador to Russia (2011-2015), said if Putin visits North Korea as he promised, their bilateral relations would deepen further.

It will be Putins second visit to North Korea. His first visit to the North came in 2000, Wi said. Putin is the first and only Russian leader who paid a visit to North Korea. No Soviet head of state had ever visited the North during the Soviet years.

Wi said Putin's potential visit to North Korea would carry more political implications than diplomatic consequences for the two countries. He added that the Russian leader might be using North Korea as a means to convey tailored messages to the West, as well as South Korea.

His message for the West will be that he is against the U.S.-led campaign to reset the international order and that it wont happen because there are other countries, such as Russia, China and North Korea that are against it, and if necessary, they can team up to prevent it from happening, he said.

According to Wi, Russia also wants the South to stop moving closer the U.S. and is signaling that South Korea could face consequences if it does not take heed of Russia's position.

Russia is not comparable to the U.S. in terms of its economic power, but its military and science technology are as strong as those of the U.S. and therefore Russia will try to fully use its influence to negatively affect the international security environment.

He said there is a role Russia can play as an obstructor.

Wi indicated that Russia, constrained by its limited power, may not be able to shape the world order entirely in its favor. However, with its military technology and capabilities, Moscow has the potential to disrupt it whenever it chooses, especially if Russia collaborates with a country like North Korea.
In July 2018, the regime released dozens of ISIS leaders and members who had been arrested from the Yarmouk Basin area, according to Syria TV.

In an operation carried out by local groups in Nawa, west of Daraa, seven ISIS members and leaders, including the Wali Houran, were killed. The attack, supported by the Eighth Brigade and the Central Committees, targeted a house in the northern neighbourhood of the city where the organizations leaders were located.

Among the deceased was the emir of the organization in Daraa governorate, Osama Shehadeh al-Azizi, also known as Abu al-Laith al-Azizi, who held the position of governor of Hauran (Wali Houran) in the organization. Another individual killed was Awad al-Shibli from the village of al-Qusaybah in the Quneitra governorate. The clashes resulted in the death of five others whose names are not yet known.

The Ahrar Houran Gathering confirmed Azizis death, stating that he held various security positions within the organization.Azizi had a leading role in the Yarmouk Basin area west of Daraa before 2018 and served as a member of the organizations Shura Council in southern Syria.

Local groups in Nawa surrounded the targeted house based on information from the Eighth Brigade, which had detained an ISIS operative two days prior. The clashes, involving RPG shells and anti-ground missiles, continued throughout the night. Two members of local groups were killed, and many others were wounded during the armed confrontations.

Notably, one of the organizations leaders detonated his explosive belt, causing the burning and charring of Azizis body. Another leader was observed wearing an explosive belt after being killed.

Its worth mentioning that approximately a year after the Syrian regime took control of the Daraa governorate in July 2018, the regime released dozens of ISIS leaders and members who had been arrested from the Yarmouk Basin area. Subsequently, the organization initiated security operations targeting members of the Syrian regime, opposition leaders, and civilians in Daraa governorate.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
No matter what happens at the end of Washington states current legislative session, conservative wishes like axing the state capital gains tax and preventing future carbon taxes could still be sent to voters in the fall.

Washington state conservatives, led by state Republican Chairman and 19th District Rep. Jim Walsh, have gathered hundreds of thousands of lines of signatures  particularly in three Southwest Washington counties  to send the initiatives to the Legislature, and if that doesnt work, to the ballots.

Some of the strongest support in the state was out of Cowlitz County, and Lewis County and Thurston, Walsh said. That makes sense with what the people in our area have said for years that they want to see.

The Secretary of States Office confirmed last week all six ballot initiatives sponsored by Walsh and the political group Lets Go Washington received enough signatures to move forward.

How did Cowlitz County help?

Steven Ferrell, building manager for the Cowlitz County Republican Party headquarters, helped gather signatures locally. The party kept signature sheets in its building and opened signing booths at the Go 4th Festival, the Cowlitz County Fair and other summer and fall events.

People were out looking for the sheets. Many people knew enough about the issues that they didnt have questions, they just wanted to sign, said Ferrell.

Some people gathered signatures on their own by taking the sheets to churches or family events, he added. However, neither local party leaders nor the Secretary of State office could confirm how many signatures came from Cowlitz County.

Ferrell and other Republican leaders said the most discussed initiatives were the two policy changes. One is the parental bill of rights relating to parents access to school materials. The proposal would require parents to see any curriculum on request, as well as all medical records or disciplinary records for their child.

Ferrell said parents who signed felt local schools were hiding behind some ambiguous language in some discussions about their children.

The other policy change would expand the ability of police departments to launch car pursuits. Most of the restrictions that were passed by the state Legislature in 2021 have already been walked back or loosened but the initiative would roll back the limits completely.

How could the initiatives become law?

There are three paths for the initiatives going forward over the rest of the the year.

The changes could be approved directly by the state Legislature  unlikely for the Democratic majorities but Walsh said theres been chatter that one or two could go through.

If the Legislature did nothing, the initiatives would go directly to the November general election ballots.

In the third option, the Legislature could pass its own alternate pitch to some of the measures, and both the original initiative and the alternate version would appear on the ballot as options.

Approved initiatives The following initiatives received enough signatures to be considered in the state Legislature, as well as to be placed on 2024 ballots. I-2081: Allow parents and guardians to view public school kids' instructional materials and student records upon request. I-2109: repeal the capital gains tax, which applies to people who make more than $250,000 per year in capital gains. I-2111: expand the state Constitution's ban on income taxes. I-2113: remove restrictions to allow law enforcement to pursue vehicles, including allowing pursuit when there is reasonable suspicion the person violated a law. I-2117: repeal parts of the Washington Climate Commitment Act and prohibit any future carbon taxing programs. I-2124: allow more Washingtonians to opt out of the long-term insurance program.

History

Walsh sponsored and helped write all six measures, based on failed bills that he and other Republicans tried to move through the state Legislature. Since becoming the chairman of the Washington State Republican Party in August, Walsh helped draw even more attention to the signature-gathering efforts over the summer.

The other leader of the initiative drive is businessman Brian Heywood, the founder and funder of Lets Go Washington. Heywood was behind a similar mass initiative drive in 2022 that unsuccessfully attempted to have 11 measures approved for the ballot. All of the six initiatives that moved forward this year had been part of that previous push, which may have helped them become better-known with the public this time around.

The initiatives needed 324,000 signatures from eligible Washington voters to qualify. Lets Go Washington turned in at least 430,000 lines of signatures for each initiative in December and the Secretary of States office estimated that around 350,000 of those signatures were valid.

The initiatives on the last two general election ballots worked on both sides of the aisle. When a similarly large slate of initiatives appeared on the 2016 ballot, voters supported a minimum wage increase and court-ordered removals of firearms but were against a carbon emissions tax. In 2020 voters approved a referendum requiring school districts to adopt sex education programs, which this years parents rights bill would make it easier to opt out of.

Walsh is optimistic about how well the initiatives would do later this year, saying many of the measures had polled well so far.

The groups that want to support the initiatives are going to have an easier time, he said. They can be straight about what the initiatives do and that is much easier persuasion than getting people to change their minds against them.
Four of the seven Woodland councilmembers voted to add longer severance packages for three top city officials before outgoing Mayor Will Finn terminated one of those employees and another top official just before his term ended.

Finn said the terminations were a way to protect the employees from being treated unfairly by incoming mayor Todd Dinehart  a claim Dinehart chalks up to Finns sore losing of the November election.

But before Finns abrupt decision  which Dinehart said cost the city $200,000  the City Council OKd upping the severance packages for three city leaders to match former City Administrator Peter Boyces six-month package. Now, a councilmember who voted for the change says he feels used by the outgoing mayor.

What happened?

Boyce and Public Works Director Tracy Coleman were let go from their contracts on Dec. 28 for no cause, according to termination letters from Finn, which also included compliments for both employees, showing they werent let go due to poor performances.

Their notices were given on a Friday, and Dineharts term started the following Monday.

Prior to any recent council-approved changes, all of the employees contracts included they could be let go for no cause.

On Nov. 20, City Council increased three severance packages to match Boyces: Colemans package increased from three to six months; Woodland Police Chief Jim Kellys went from four to six months; and Community Development Director Travis Goddards went from two to six months. A clause specifying the termination must be agreed to in writing by both the employer and employee was also added to each contract.

Only Coleman and Boyce were let go, while Kelly and Goddard still work for the city.

In addition to those changes, Woodland Police Lt. Jennifer Ortizs contract was also altered Nov. 20 to allow her to keep the dog in the departments canine program after working for a year, compared to three years under the previous agreement.

Ortizs position was eliminated in Woodlands 2024 budget OKd prior to Dinehart taking over, and Finn also spoke highly of Ortiz in his email announcing the terminations. The position was re-budgeted once Dinehart took office.

Who voted against contract changes?

Councilmembers who voted no to the November contract changes say they could tell the alterations seemed suspicious.

Councilmembers John Burke, Melissa Doughty and Monte Smith voted against increasing all of the department leaders severance packages.

Burke told The Daily News he voted no because the department heads recommended the changes. Before the Nov. 20 vote, Burke tried to remove the item from the agenda and postpone the issue to 2024, but the motion failed.

Smith told The Daily News he voted no because he didnt want to put a financial burden on the city. He said he wasnt told directly of Finns plan to let Boyce and Coleman go, but understood the measure was aiming to try to protect employees if they were let go unnecessarily.

He and Doughty also expressed concerns at the Nov. 20 meeting about the financial impact of extending severance packages, and Smith said potential wrongful termination suits could be filed against the city.

I would like to see any termination come before (the) City Council to make sure that its a valid termination before it just happens, he said during the meeting.

However, Boyce clarified at that meeting the mayor holds the authority to fire staff.

Who voted for contract changes?

Terry Hall, DeAnna Holland, Carol Rounds and Aaron Alderman voted to OK the contract changes, and one of the councilmembers says they now feel betrayed.

Alderman, who was replaced by Douglas Freimarck Sr. in the November election, said he voted for the change because Colman, Boyce and Goddard have done more for the city while theyve been in those positions than the previous office holders.

He also heard Dinehart was going to clean house.

(I was) under the impression (Dinehart) was going to come in and just wipe everything out, he sad. Anything or anybody that had anything to do with Will Finn was going to be gone.

Alderman said Finn brought up changing the contracts to protect the employees from the incoming mayor. He said he feels pretty used by Finn.

I think once he realized that he was not going to win the election, (he and the departing officials) had this worked out, said Alderman.

At the Nov. 20 meeting, Hall tried to reassure Burkes concerns about spending too much money. He said there would be costs associated with increasing the severances except in the case of a cavalier move to terminate somebody without cause.

Holland, who lost to Gabe Huston in the November election, said she stands by her yes vote. She said she voted to change the contracts to match Boyces six-month severance package with the other officials contracts to put everyone on the same playing field.

She said anyone who says they didnt know what they were voting on is lying because the changes were attached to the agenda well before the vote.

Im 1,000% OK with how I voted, she said. I remember the information that was provided at the time.

Huston, who was not on the council at the time of the vote, told The Daily News Finn, Boyce and Colemans exit was premeditated and dishonest.

At the Jan. 2 meeting, Dinehart said filing lawsuits against the terminations would be futile.

We cant chase good money out of bad money, he said, meaning litigation could cost the city more in attempting to retrieve the funds.

During the councils first meeting of the year, residents also sounded off about the changes.

Wow, Finn screwed the taxpayers, said Woodland resident and former city clerk Mari Ripp. Golden parachute for sure.
After missing the deadline to submit documents requested by the Washington State Department of Ecology (DOE), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will take the lead in investigating whether Portland Vancouver Junction Railroad (PVJR) impacted wetlands and streams in Chelatchie.

The DOE requested PVJR complete a wetland and stream assessment report and general stormwater permit application following an on-site investigation on Oct. 13.

PVJR submitted a draft for the stormwater general permit but missed the deadline for the wetland and stream assessment report on Jan. 21, DOE communications manager Mugdha Flores said in an email.

PVJRs road construction disrupted a tributary to Chelatchie Creek that had cutthroat and steelhead trout and coho salmon, according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Following an investigation into the construction, the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) issued a notice of violation, claiming the railroad violated the Clean Water Act after an on-site visit on Nov. 16. The USACE investigation found discharge of fill material into 200 linear feet of tributaries into the Chelatchie Creek and adjacent wetland, according to Col. Kathryn Sanborn.

PVJRs owner Eric Temple disputed the investigation findings in a letter to Clark County officials on Oct. 17 and again in a letter to the editor submitted to The Reflector on Jan. 2.

Completing the general stormwater permit may take more time as DOE has required PVJR to submit details about the entire construction project from Chelatchie to Vancouver, Flores said.

It might take a few months for them to submit everything [for the stormwater permit]. In the meantime, they are not allowed to conduct any earth/ground disturbing activities without the permit, Flores said.

With the EPA taking the lead in the investigation, the DOE will continue coordinating with federal and state agencies to determine the next steps, Flores said.

The EPA declined comment regarding PVJR and the investigation, as ongoing investigations cannot be discussed, according to EPA public affairs specialist Bill Dunbar.
A man who was arrested in November 2022 as part of an undercover Washington State Patrol operation for allegedly arranging to meet two children for sex in Chehalis was arrested again on Tuesday for allegedly sexually assaulting a child in Mossyrock.

The defendant, Gerry Gene Greatreaks, 51, has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Judge J. Andrew Toynbee ruled Wednesday to revoke Greatreakss conditions of release on the 2022 case, meaning he will remain in custody until that case is resolved.

For the new case, Toynbee granted the prosecutions request to set bail at $2 million.

It may be somewhat academic, but these cases stand alone, and if something happens in this (2022) case, I want to ensure there is something in place that protects the community, Toynbee said Wednesday.

Greatreaks was first arrested Nov. 12, 2022 for allegedly communicating with an undercover detective posing as the guardian of a 10-year-old female and a 12-year-old female and arranging to meet the two children for sex.

The detective was part of an Washington State Patrols Missing Exploited Children Task Force operation, dubbed Net Nanny, where detectives made profiles and posted advertisements on several websites with the goal of seeking individuals looking for sexual intercourse with minors in Lewis County and other communities in Washington, according to previous Chronicle reporting.

In that case, Greatreaks faces one count each of first- and second-degree attempted rape of a child and eight counts of first-degree possession of depictions of (a) minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

He posted $100,000 bail on that case on Nov. 22, 2022 and was released from custody.

Just over a year later, on Jan. 22, 2024, a woman and her 9-year-old son contacted the Lewis County Sheriffs Office to report the sexual abuse of the 9-year-old by a male the mother recently met, according to the court documents filed in Lewis County Superior Court.

The abuse reportedly occurred over the last weekend and consisted of the 9-year-old child being involved in sexual acts with the mother, and possibly physical contact by the mothers boyfriend, according to court documents.

The mother reported she met a male she knew as Gary Wilson via a dating app about 12 days prior, had a consensual sexual encounter, and parted ways. He reportedly called frequently over the next few days and then invited her to come to his house in Mossyrock and asked her to bring her son to go view some holiday lights, according to court documents.

When the mother and child arrived at the Mossyrock residence on Jan. 13, Greatreaks allegedly initiated a sexual encounter with the mother while the child was present. The mother reported she went along with it because she did not know what to do and was worried and afraid about what he would do.

When the mother and child left the next morning, Greatreaks allegedly told her not to say anything, or (the child) would be permanently taken from her, according to court documents.

Greatreaks allegedly called and texted (the mother) multiple times over the next week, and the mother and child returned to the Mossyrock residence on Jan. 19.

Between Jan. 19 and Jan. 22, Greatreaks allegedly sexually abused the child by involving him in multiple sexual acts with the mother. The mother reported both she and the child repeatedly told Greattreaks to stop while the abuse was happening.

When interviewed, the child did not want to talk about anything with his mother and him, but alluded he had more to say, but didnt want to talk about it at that time, according to court documents. A followup interview has been scheduled.

When detectives presented her with a photo montage, the mother reportedly pointed to a photo of Greatreaks and identified him as Gary Wilson.

When interviewed by detectives, Greatreaks allegedly admitted that he had met (the mother) but declined to speak further, according to court documents.

Greatreaks was arrested and booked into the Lewis County Jail at approximately 9:05 p.m. on Jan. 23.

He was charged Jan. 24 with eight felony child sexual assault charges. Seven of the eight are class A felonies with maximum penalties of life in prison. The eighth is a class B felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

Trial for the most-recent case is currently scheduled to begin March 4.

Trial for the 2022 case is scheduled to begin Feb. 26.
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 Roomba 980 vacuum cleaning robot is presented during a presentation in Tokyo, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2015. Amazon on Monday called off its proposed acquisition of iRobot, which was facing antitrust scrutiny on both sides of the Atlantic, with the ecommerce giant blaming undue and disproportionate regulatory hurdles. Credit: AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, File

Amazon called off its purchase of robot vacuum maker iRobot on Monday, blaming "undue and disproportionate regulatory hurdles" after the European Union signaled its objection to the deal.

The companies said in joint statement that they were disappointed but mutually agreed to terminate the acquisition. The deal faced antitrust scrutiny on both sides of the Atlantic, but most strongly in Europe, where regulators investigating competition concerns had been expected to issue a final decision by Feb. 14.

Amazon will pay the maker of the circular-shaped Roomba vacuum a previously agreed termination fee of $94 million, iRobot said in a separate announcement, which also disclosed that it would lay off about 31% of its staff and see its CEO depart.

Shares of iRobot tumbled as much as nearly 19% on news of the canceled deal. In 2022, Amazon announced that it would buy the Bedford, Massachusetts-based company for $1.7 billion in cash. But the value of the deal fell 15% after iRobot incurred new debt.

The European Commission, the European Union's executive arm and top antitrust enforcer, told Amazon last year of its "preliminary view" that the iRobot acquisition would hurt competition in the industry.

"Our in-depth investigation preliminarily showed that the acquisition of iRobot would have enabled Amazon to foreclose iRobot's rivals by restricting or degrading access to the Amazon Stores," Margrethe Vestager, the commission's competition chief, said Monday.

The investigation raised fears that Amazon would have been able to "delist or not list rival robot vacuum cleaners," reduce their visibility on its marketplace, limit access to "commercially attractive product labels" like Amazon's Choice, or make it costlier for iRobot's rivals to advertise and sell their products, she said in a statement.

It would have been "economically profitable" for Amazon to shut out rivals, limiting competition and leading to higher prices, lower quality and less innovation, she said.

British antitrust regulators cleared Amazon's purchase in June, but it still faced scrutiny in the U.S. by the Federal Trade Commission, which which filed a landmark antitrust lawsuit against the online retail giant last year.

David Zapolsky, Amazon's general counsel, lashed out at regulators and said consumers would lose out on "faster innovation and more competitive prices."

"Mergers and acquisitions like this help companies like iRobot better compete in the global marketplace, particularly against companies, and from countries, that aren't subject to the same regulatory requirements in fast-moving technology segments like robotics," he said.

An Amazon company logo is seen on the facade of a company's building in Schoenefeld near Berlin, Germany, on March 18, 2022. Amazon has called off its proposed acquisition of iRobot, with the ecommerce giant blaming "undue and disproportionate regulatory hurdles." The companies said in joint statement Monday, Jan. 29, 2024 that they entered into a mutual agreement to terminate their announced acquisition agreement." Credit: AP Photo/Michael Sohn, File

He added that "undue and disproportionate regulatory hurdles discourage entrepreneurs, who should be able to see acquisition as one path to success, and that hurts both consumers and competition the very things that regulators say they're trying to protect."

iRobot co-founder Helen Greiner also weighed in, saying the now-defunct deal represents a picture of government regulation gone awry.

"Robot investors need to make money to keep investing," Greiner wrote in a LinkedIn post. "This will make it even more challenging to raise money for consumer robotics, and the next generation of consumer robots will be designed and manufactured in China (or Korea or Vietnam)."

Now that the deal has been called off, iRobot said it would undergo a restructuring plan designed to stabilize the company. As part of those changes, the company will lay off roughly 350 employees.

iRobot Chairman and CEO Colin Angle also will step down, but remain a senior adviser to the company for up to a year to ensure a smooth transition. Glen Weinstein, the company's executive vice president and chief legal officer, will serve as interim CEO.

Consumer rights groups had voiced concerns about the Amazon-iRobot deal, saying it would broaden the e-commerce giant's dominance in the smart home market.

Amazon has purchased other smart home companies in the past, including home security camera maker Blink, doorbell camera maker Ring and the mesh-networking Wi-Fi company Eero.

This is the latest example of a deal involving U.S. companies that fell apart after facing scrutiny from European regulators.

Last year, Adobe abandoned its plan to buy online design company Figma for $20 billion because of EU and British antitrust concerns. Biotech giant Illumina was forced to undo its $7.1 billion purchase of cancer-screening company Grail after losing legal battles with antitrust enforcers in both Europe and the U.S.

 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

While working as a software development project manager in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Bianca Trinkenreich was always one of few women in the roomand she often wondered why. When she came to NAU as a Ph.D. student, she had the opportunity to search for answers.

Trinkenreich joined assistant professor Igor Steinmacher's Software Engineering Research Laboratory, where she investigated the hows and whys of women's underrepresentation in the field of open-source software development.

"When I looked at the many types of people who were not participating in open-source software development, I found that the representation of women was especially low," Trinkenreich said. "As a woman in tech, and as a mother with a daughter, I really wanted to understand why we're not there and what we can do to encourage future generations of women to be there."

Trinkenreich's findings, published in a dissertation last spring, netted her one of the industry's most prestigious distinctions: a dissertation award from the Association for Computing Machinery's Special Interest Group on Software Engineering. The recent NAU graduate is the first Brazilian and the first Latin American to win the award, which is given every year to just one Ph.D. graduate worldwide.

Trinkenreich had never planned to study diversity and representation in software. But when she heard that Steinmacher, a fellow Brazilian whom she'd met at a conference in 2015, was looking for a graduate research assistant to join a research project investigating diversity in the open-source software development sector, she jumped at the chance to apply.

"When I got to NAU, I said, 'OK, I've never worked in this area before, but I truly believe in inclusion and I want to help make software engineering more inclusive,'" Trinkenreich said.

Trinkenreich started with a deep dive into previous research on inequality in open-source software. She found that even when women possessed the same technical skills as men, their work was evaluated more harshly: When they submitted code anonymously, it was better received than when they submitted it with their names attached.

Trinkenreich believes today's unequal treatment has a lot to do with the way open-source software development began.

"In the past, it was a boys' club, a bunch of men in a garage," she said.

"Because so many of the biggest software companies started this way, it created this stereotype that women cannot do the hard things, put in the long hours, be part of the hard discussions. And because so many open-source projects start outside of the large companies and aren't brought under their roofs until later, there are no HR inclusion guidelines to protect women from being excluded or treated unfairly. Sometimes a code of conduct isn't enough."

Trinkenreich believes there's plenty of opportunity for open-source software communities to become more inclusive. In her dissertation, she proposed a mix of strategies to target many of the challenges faced by women in tech.

One way to attract women and minorities, she wrote, is to show them in recruitment materials, advertisements and company media assets to help aspiring software engineers see themselves in the field.

Another is to showcase successful women's stories across the company's websites and social media, demonstrating that the company supports and cheers on the women they employ. Yet another, she said, is to expose more young girls to coding and avoid writing off their abilities too early, lest that discourage them from pursuing tech careers.

"Studies show that in early education, girls solve problems differently than boys," Trinkenreich said. "Girls prefer to feel complete comprehension of a problem before solving it, whereas boys are more tinkerers. So it may seem to a teacher that a girl is slower to grasp a problem, but the reality is, she's taking the time to understand the problem as a whole."

Trinkenreich, now a postdoctoral scholar at Oregon State University, is proud to have won accolades for her dissertation, but she said she didn't do the work alone. NAU's focus on inclusive thinking deserves much of the credit: It steered her toward creating a dissertation committee made up of faculty in the computer and social sciences, which enriched her research.

"I feel like I'm giving back to women, and to all the students and professors I learned from during my time at NAU, with this dissertation," Trinkenreich said. "I hope it opens people's eyes to what it means to do research on all the aspects of diversitysuch as age, tenure, race, ethnicity, gender identityand how important that is."

More information: Understanding and supporting women's participation in open source software: biancatrink.github.io/files/pa  SERTATION_BIANCA.pdf
A Bryan man was arrested Saturday after allegedly assaulting the mother of his child causing her to sustain a brain bleed, according to the Bryan Police Department.

Jordan Antone Anderson-Stewart, 29, has been charged with aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury and interfering with an emergency call, according to Brazos County Jail records.

On Saturday, police said officers responded to a report of an altercation in the 1500 block of Dansby Street in Bryan.

Upon arrival, police said they interviewed the victim who said Anderson-Stewart had allegedly assaulted her causing her to fall and hit the back of her head on the concrete. The victim also told police that Anderson-Stewart had taken her cell phone and broken it so that she could not call 911.

The victim told officers she lost consciousness when she hit the ground. After regaining consciousness, the victim said she went to her vehicle and locked herself in so that Anderson-Stewart could not get to her.

At around 9 p.m. the same day, officers said they received a call from the victims sister stating that she had sustained a brain bleed and was in the ICU waiting on a neurosurgeon.

Officers said they contacted Anderson-Stewart who admitted to having had an altercation with the victim but said that she had tried to choke him first causing him to choke her. Anderson-Stewart told police that he and the victim had both fallen during the altercation, which is how the victim hit her head.

Aggravated assault causing bodily injury is a second-degree felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000. Interfering with an emergency call is a class-A misdemeanor with a maximum sentence of one year and a fine of up to $4,000.

Anderson-Stewart is being held under a $33,000 bond, according to jail records.

The alleged victims name is being disclosed due to her being a possible victim of domestic violence.
Four College Station men who were arrested last month for burglary have had their charges dropped, according to the Brazos County DAs office.

All four men had originally been charged with burglary of a habitation with the intent to commit assault, but the DAs office said it has rejected their charges on the grounds of misidentification.

At 3:55 a.m. on Dec. 2, 2023, police responded to the Standard Apartment Complex for a report that a man had been assaulted by a group of men, according to police. The victim told police that he was returning home to his apartment when he saw a group of five intoxicated males and two females banging on doors along the hallway.

The group allegedly walked toward the victims door and the victim told the group not to hit it, according to police testimony. The victim told officers that the group of males then surrounded him and began assaulting him by hitting him in the face and pushing him into his apartment.

According to the victim, the group of men allegedly continued assaulting him inside his apartment for several minutes. The group of men then ran out of his apartment and down the hall.

In a statement to The Eagle, the College Station Police Department said the investigation into the crime is still ongoing.

Editors note: This story has been updated since its original publication.
Spy agency confirms accidents occurred recently due to back wages

By Jung Min-ho

At least one North Korean government official was killed and three others were seriously injured in China after a series of protests by North Korean workers there earlier this month, an expert at a state-funded think tank claimed on Monday, citing multiple sources.

Asked by The Korea Times about the incident, an official at the National Intelligence Service confirmed that "accidents" involving North Korean workers overseas occurred recently due to poor working conditions. The official declined to elaborate and said only that the agency is now "gathering facts" about the accidents.

According to Cho Han-bum, a senior analyst at the Korea Institute of National Unification, a North Korean official who had been sent to Helong in Chinas northeastern province of Jilin to oversee workers at garment factories there died after violent protests erupted between Jan. 11 and 15. They were reportedly infuriated by the fact that their salaries paid for years had been sent to the ruling Workers Party in Pyongyang without their consent or knowledge, he said.

This claim comes after Ko Young-hwan, a former North Korean diplomat, said he was told by his sources in the region that thousands of North Koreans working at clothing factories and fisheries processing plants held protests demanding the payment of overdue wages.

According to Cho and Ko, the workers agreed to end their protest after the party assured them that they would receive their back wages.

If true, it was the first known display of organized defiance against the regime, which would have profound ramifications for the country and beyond.

The crisis for the regime isnt over yet, because it cannot pay them the money it promised, Cho said. This would continue to remain a political time bomb and may well trigger other workers in China and other countries to take the same action.

The exact number of North Koreans working overseas is unknown. But the U.S. government estimated in 2019 that about 100,000 North Koreans are working at construction sites, factories, logging camps and other places worldwide. Experts believe most of them are working in China, the North's main patron.

Most North Korean workers sent overseas are from privileged families in Pyongyang. This presents an unprecedented political challenge to Kim Jong-un, the North's 40-year-old ruler, Cho said.

If the party brings them all back to North Korea, there would be political agitation given the large number of the North Korean elite people involved. If the party doesnt take any action, they could act together to escape. Its a tense time now," Cho said.

In another stunning revelation, South and North Development, a research institute that works with defectors from North Korea, recently released a video showing a North Korean school teacher apparently being punished for attempting to create a political party for democracy between 2021 and 2023.

When asked about the video, an official at the Ministry of Unification told reporters that it could be a sign of growing frustration among North Koreans against the totalitarian regime.
North Korea's bellicose rhetoric, persistent weapons tests and pursuit of sturdier military ties with Russia are raising questions over whether it is time for the United States to recalibrate its policy and take a more creative approach.

After taking office in early 2021, the Joe Biden administration unveiled a "calibrated, practical" approach to Pyongyang, put out diplomatic feelers to the intransigent regime and emphasized its readiness to engage in dialogue "anywhere, anytime without preconditions."

But its approach has been hamstrung by the North's insular stance in the midst of COVID-19, its deepening distrust towards South Korea and the U.S., and America's heavy focus on handling more urgent geopolitical challenges, including Russia's war in Ukraine, observers said.

Calls for Washington to pay more heed to evolving North Korean threats have risen as North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's rhetoric against Seoul and his regime's tests of apparent nuclear weapon delivery platforms raised the specter of potential armed conflict on the Korean Peninsula.

Concerns have also been deepening over the dwindling space for diplomatic engagement with the North as Pyongyang has been turning to its traditional partners, Russia and China, in a way that has lessened its appetite for diplomacy with the U.S. or the South.

The Biden administration is credited with strengthening deterrence efforts with Seoul and Tokyo and tightening the enforcement of U.N. Security Council resolutions, but North Korean threats have continued unabated.

"It's unfortunate the U.S. government doesn't seem to have any creative North Korea policy besides finger wagging," Josh Rogin, a columnist, wrote in an op-ed on The Washington Post published Thursday. "The Biden administration has bolstered ties with (and between) Japan and South Korea, but alliance management is hardly sufficient."

At the start of the Biden administration, questions lingered over whether its approach toward the North would be a replica of a "strategic patience" approach that commentators said was pursued by the former Barack Obama administration.

Strategic patience refers to the U.S. waiting patiently until the North shifts towards denuclearization while heaping pressure on it through sanctions, diplomatic isolation and other measures.

The Biden administration's repeated dialogue overtures to the North under the "no-hostile-intent" mantra helped ease worries about the potential revival of a strategic patience approach, but concerns have reemerged amid a recent rise in tensions on the peninsula.

"I think the Biden administration's approach is inadequate because it hasn't adjusted to address North Korea's new posture, and it has already demonstrated itself ineffective in changing North Korea's behavior," Frank Aum, a senior expert at the United States Institute of Peace, told Yonhap News via email.

"Of course, the Biden administration argues that it is engaging seriously, beyond just rhetoric, by reaching out numerous times to North Korea to engage but to no avail."

Aum described the Biden administration's stance on the North as one similar to the Obama administration's second-term "pressure-based" approach that "used diplomatic isolation, economic sanctions and military deterrence measures."

During Obama's first White House term from 2009-2012, his administration sought to engage with the North -- an endeavor that led to the 2012 "Leap Day" deal under which the U.S. agreed to offer nutritional aid in return for Pyongyang's moratorium on nuclear and missile tests. But his policy took a shift after the deal broke down due to the North's subsequent rocket launch.

"Biden is maintaining the pressure-based approach, but he is open to talks 'without preconditions,'" Aum said. "But of course, there are preconditions in Biden's approach -- i.e., denuclearization has to be on the agenda, and talks have to start at the working level to demonstrate that North Korea is serious -- and North Korea is not interested in meeting those preconditions."

Commenting on Biden's approach to the North compared with Obama's formula, Patrick Cronin, Asia-Pacific security chair at the Hudson Institute, took note of changes in the security, political, and geostrategic landscapes in recent years.

Those changes involve Washington's navigation through a change from the former liberal South Korean government to the current conservative one, and ascendant competition with China and Russia, which Cronin said keeps North Korea as a "lower priority."

Against the backdrop of growing instability in the Middle East and other policy headaches, the Biden administration appears to have focused largely on "managing the status quo" when it comes to North Korea, Nam Chang-hee, political science professor at Inha University, said.

"The U.S. does not want to see a major clash on the peninsula flare up," Nam said. "And North Korea may have expectations for how things will unfold should former President Donald Trump return to the White House."

Nam was referring to Trump's presidency during which the former president sought leader-to-leader diplomacy with the North Korean leader, which led to three in-person meetings between them though serious negotiations stalled following their no-deal summit in Hanoi in 2019.

While the rise in tensions on the peninsula has drawn renewed attention to the U.S.' policy approach forward, views on whether tension would spiral into a bigger conflict varied.

The debate on the possibility of war picked up pace after Robert Carlin, a former North Korea analyst at the Central Intelligence Agency, and Siegfried Hecker, a renowned American nuclear scientist, recently said they believe the North Korean leader has decided to "go to war."

"That may sound overly dramatic, but we believe that, like his grandfather in 1950, Kim Jong-un has made a strategic decision to go to war," they said in a joint contribution to 38 North, a U.S. website devoted to analysis about North Korea.

But others differed.

"I think there are many rungs to the escalation ladder that North Korea could climb short of war," Victor Cha, senior vice president for Asia and Korea Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said.

"I would expect they would do that before going to all-out war. Having said that 2024 will be a year of many North Korean military demonstrations/ provocations," he added.

To chart a path for de-escalation at a minimum, experts called for more proactive diplomatic efforts.

"Instead of just preparing militarily, the U.S. and ROK should shift their approach so that they emphasize diplomacy," Aum said. "Right now, the alliance has a very narrow focus on deterrence and is ignoring all the diplomatic tools in their toolkit."

ROK stands for South Korea's official name, the Republic of Korea. (Yonhap)
U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and the secretary general of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) expressed concerns over North Korea's export of military equipment to Russia for use in Ukraine during their talks in Washington on Monday, the White House said.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg was in Washington to discuss maintaining support for Ukraine and preparations for the NATO summit slated to take place in the U.S. capital in July, among other issues.

"They exchanged views on allied progress in ramping up defense production and expressed concern over the DPRK's export and Russia's procurement of DPRK military equipment, as well as Russia's use of this equipment against Ukraine," the White House said in a readout.

DPRK stands for the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

The White House has said that Pyongyang provided Moscow with several dozen ballistic missiles for use in Ukraine in addition to its earlier supplies of military equipment and munitions.

Seoul, Washington and other governments have criticized arms transactions between the two countries as a violation of multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions banning arms trade with Pyongyang.

During Monday's talks, the two sides also welcomed Turkey's recent approval of Sweden's NATO membership and expressed a shared desire to see Sweden join the transatlantic alliance as soon as possible, according to the readout.

"Secretary General Stoltenberg noted NATO's Allies' unflinching support for Ukraine as it continues to defend itself against Russian aggression," it said. (Yonhap)
The United States on Monday reiterated its "ironclad" security commitment to South Korea as tensions flared anew following North Korea's recent test-firing of a claimed submarine-launched cruise missile (SLCM).

The North's Korean Central News Agency reported Monday (Korea time) that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un oversaw the test-fire of the newly developed SLCM and reviewed a project to build a nuclear-powered submarine the previous day.

"We are monitoring these activities and we won't comment on intelligence," Deputy Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh told a press briefing.

"We've been very clear on the threat posed by the DPRK and their military programs and our commitment to the Republic of Korea and Japan continues to be ironclad," she added.

Singh also commented on Russia's reported warning against South Korea's support for Ukraine.

"You see countries all around the world supporting Ukraine's cause and the fight for their democracy and the fight for their sovereign territory," she said.

She added, "You are seeing like-minded nations like the United States and other countries, stand in alliance in support of a democracy and in support of a sovereign country who was unjustly invaded by its neighbor. And we are very proud of the coalition that we've built in support of Ukraine." (Yonhap)
An SUV rammed into a guard post in front of the Russian Embassy in central Seoul, seriously injuring a police officer on duty, officials said Monday.

The incident happened at 10:10 p.m. Sunday, and the officer was taken to a hospital with serious injuries to his neck and shoulders, officials said.

The driver was not under the influence of alcohol, officials said.

Police are looking into the exact cause of the crash. (Yonhap)
Charlottesville police have charged a man with a pair of attacks on the Rivanna River Trail, but in the course of their work they have sealed their search warrant, refused to return the suspect's telephone a week after seizing it and have not submitted a written criminal complaint.

That's concerning at least one legal analyst.

"I find it highly unusual that so much information is concealed in a misdemeanor case," David Heilberg, who is a veteran defense attorney and the co-editor of a book on Virginia legal procedures, told The Daily Progress. "It's really unusual to hide the ball on a misdemeanor."

Police alerted the public to two alleged assaults on the popular riverside trail the day they reportedly occurred: Jan. 12. Asking for the public's help to bring the assailant to justice, they issued a description of their suspect: a thin White male, 20 or 30 years of age and standing about 6-foot-2.

Six days later, police announced that they had arrested a man. Though no injuries were reported and there's been no mention of sexual assault in public documents, the charging paperwork suggests that police are treating the case like a sexual assault, with the name of one reported victim reduced to her initials: J.L. The name and likeness of the alleged perpetrator, meanwhile, has been widely disseminated: 37-year-old, 6-foot-4 technology worker Patrick Joseph McNamara.

However much he may physically resemble the suspect's description, McNamara claims innocence. In an interview with The Daily Progress after his initial court appearance earlier this week, he said he was "100% innocent" and asserted that GPS-powered location data in his seized phone as well as colleagues who were on a video conference call with him at the reported time of the attacks would exonerate him.

Police have declined to say whether they have contacted any of these possible witnesses. They have also declined to say how McNamara became their prime suspect.

"Everyone is innocent until proven guilty," was all that Charlottesville Police Chief Michael Kochis told The Daily Progress.

But already the landlord at McNamara's home has rendered a verdict. The company has demanded that he immediately leave his River Road apartment  but still pay rent.

"Failure to vacate the premises on or before January 27, 2024 will result in legal action being filed against you," reads the Jan. 24 notice sent by Sarah Drumheller of Management Services Corporation. "We will expect payment in full monthly."

An MSC spokesman subsequently told The Daily Progress the company values safety above all else.

"MSC never makes the decision to terminate a lease agreement lightly," Stephen Colvin wrote in an email. "Decisions of this magnitude are made by MSCs executive leadership team only after careful consideration of all available information and based on guidance from legal counsel."

Faced with the prospect of fighting eviction proceedings on top of an impending criminal court battle, McNamara said he may move in with a friend in Maryland if he can get his bail conditions amended to let him leave the commonwealth.

McNamara is a fairly recent arrival to Charlottesville. He's been living in the city with his fiancee. His work as a senior director in business intelligence and analytics for a Boston-area software firm allows him to work remotely. Getting branded the Rivanna Trail attacker was not where he expected life would take him.

McNamara said that he can't understand how he could have been identified as the suspect since the only photograph police seemed to have of him prior to his arrest was an unclear image.

"It was a side-face shot with me in headphones," he told The Daily Progress in an email. "I do not know where it came from."

He said he was never asked to stand in a lineup. While such assemblies are typical of crime films, lineups are no longer common practice. Identifications today are more typically accomplished with a face-to-face meeting between a witness and a suspect called a "showup." Even more common, Heilberg said, is the practice of police showing a sequential set of photographs.

"They are supposed to do sequential photographs so as not to bias the witness," said Heilberg, who penned a chapter on identification procedures in "Defending Criminal Cases in Virginia," a handbook for lawyers.

A terrible way to secure an identification would be showing a witness a single photograph, he said.

"It doesn't disqualify the identification, but it makes it less reliable," said Heilberg. "And misidentification is one of the leading causes of wrongful convictions."

Heilberg devoted a section of his legal handbook to a North Carolina case  a "horror story," he calls it  in which the witnesses to one man's alibis were ignored for 44 years while he was wrongfully imprisoned.

McNamara isn't incarcerated, and he's urging police to keep it that way while they call his witnesses.

While he's free on $5,000 unsecured bail, he said that he has already had to step away from his job to focus on his defense.

Scott Goodman, another legal expert, said that police were understandably eager to reassure the public with a vigorous investigation after two attacks reportedly perpetrated by a stranger on the same day in the same area on a popular trail in the city.

"Most of the cases that we see in court are people who know each other," said Goodman. "But any case of stranger assault makes everyone afraid because anyone is a potential victim."

Goodman contends that the six days that elapsed between the day of the assaults and the day of McNamara's arrest suggest that police took their time and may have even consulted with the Charlottesville Commonwealth's Attorney's Office.

"I would guess that the commonwealth attorney thought there was sufficient evidence to charge this person, but probable cause and proven beyond a reasonable doubt are two different things," Goodman said.

Charlottesville Commonwealth's Attorney Joe Platania, who typically avoids pre-trial comment, declined to address that assertion.

Still, fellow legal analyst Heilberg said he's troubled by all the secrecy which, McNamara said, included not receiving a copy of the affidavit that led to the search warrant on his apartment nor an inventory of his possessions that police seized.

"It's definitely peculiar," said Heilberg. "Hopefully they'll have some explanation at some point. Whether it's a good one, I don't know."

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As she formally launched her latest political campaign in a south Lincoln union hall Saturday afternoon, state Sen. Carol Blood made no effort to mask her unsuccessful run for governor in 2022.

Instead, the two-term lawmaker and former councilwoman from Bellevue acknowledged her defeat to Gov. Jim Pillen while pointing out that she has won more elections than she's lost in Nebraska  even as a Democrat running to represent a conservative slice of Sarpy County in the Legislature.

Blood will seek to replicate such results in November, when she will likely square off as the Democratic challenger to Rep. Mike Flood, a Republican from Norfolk who won 58% of the vote in the November 2022 election that propelled him to his first full term serving Nebraska's 1st Congressional District.

Addressing a crowd of about 70 supporters at the IBEW Local 265s office Saturday afternoon, Blood pitched her campaign as one meant to usher a voice for Nebraskans to Washington, D.C., accusing Flood of "forgetting his nonpartisan roots" and aligning with the House GOP over his own constituents.

"It's about time your voices were heard," Blood told Saturday's crowd. "And it's about time for a win."

Blood took aim at Flood over his conservative views on abortion. Flood in 2022 indicated he supported "a legal protection from abortion to every preborn child at the moment of conception," according to the Nebraska Catholic voter guide.

She also attacked Flood over his trip earlier this month to the U.S.-Mexico border for what she called "his photo shoot."

Blood suggested Flood would try to hone in on immigration as a top issue in the lead up to November and suggested the mounting humanitarian crisis is the fault of Congress, which she said is "in disarray" and is on track to be "the most unproductive Congress in history."

And Blood targeted the 1st District Congressman's support for "school choice," saying she was proud to fight against the Opportunity Scholarships Act that state lawmakers ultimately passed last year.

Blood said she was proud, too, to have helped collect signatures that put a referendum on the controversial law  which provides tax incentives for donors to scholarship funds for private and faith-based schools  on the November 2024 ballot, though the bill's sponsor has asked the Secretary of State to remove the referendum from the ballot, citing constitutional concerns.

"I will protect our public schools because Mike Flood won't," Blood said at Saturday's kick-off event, where she was introduced by state Sen. George Dungan of Lincoln, who said Blood "always, always, always is fighting."

"She's fighting for you," Dungan said. "She's fighting for the people of Nebraska. And she does not give up. She is tenacious at her core."

Bloods announcement comes less than two years after she lost to Pillen in the 2022 race to succeed former Gov. Pete Ricketts. Blood received 36% of votes cast statewide in the November 2022 election after handily winning a noncompetitive primary contest between her and Roy Harris.

In the minutes after Saturday's launch, Blood told reporters that it was "a really hard decision" to seek office again this year. She said she was asked to challenge Flood more than 18 months ago but did not make up her mind until earlier this month.

"People always forget. They're like, 'Well, you just lost a campaign,'" Blood said. "And it's like, yeah, I did. But I have won four others  two of them in a highly-rated Trump area. And that wasn't an accident. It's because I do communicate with people and reach across the aisle. We have more in common than we don't."

When she was last elected to represent District 3 in Nebraska's Legislature in 2020, registered Republicans outnumbered Democrats in the district by more than 3,000 voters, though the district also counted 7,111 nonpartisan voters.

Blood won the district in 2020 with 50.4% of the vote.

Still, she will face an uphill battle in her expected November showdown with Flood, who filed to run for reelection last week in the state's 1st Congressional District, which encompasses Lancaster, Madison, Cass, Seward, Butler, Dodge, Colfax, Stanton, Cuming, Platte, Stanton and the eastern parts of Sarpy and Polk counties. It includes Lincoln, as well as Bellevue, Fremont and Norfolk.

As of this month, the district has 407,685 registered voters, including 186,808 Republicans, 116,416 Democrats and 95,627 nonpartisan voters.

Those figures aren't substantially different than they were in November 2022, when Blood won 58% of the vote.

"We do think that the population centers we can continue to build on, and then cut (Flood's) margins in rural areas," Nebraska Democratic Party Chair Jane Kleeb said Saturday, naming Lancaster and Sarpy counties as the crux of Blood's campaign. "So we definitely see a path."

Photos: Nebraska Legislature gavels in for first day of 2024 session
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In anticipation of the 70th Anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education, and in recognition of the role of Briggs v. Elliott the historic South Carolina case, the Cecil Williams South Carolina Civil Rights Museum will hold the first of five statewide roundtable discussions in Summerton, Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024, at 5:30 pm. A brief press conference will precede the program and discussions.

Hosted by the Summerton Community Action Committee and funded by SC Humanities, the event will be held at the historic Scotts Branch High School, 1154 4th St., Summerton. James Felder, chairman of the museums board of directors will moderate and the panel will include Briggs descendant, Nathaniel Briggs, Briggs v. Elliott Petition signer, Beatrice Brown Rivers, Attorney/Author/Humanitarian, Tom Mullikin, historian, Larry Watson and photographer/museum founder, Cecil Williams.

Get The Times and Democrat app today Local news has never been this personal. Free to download. Subscribers enjoy unlimited access.

The Cecil Williams South Carolina Civil Rights Museum (the Palmetto state's First and Only Civil Rights Museum) honors a generation of people, Black and White, throughout the Palmetto State, who deserve to be remembered for their unselfish commitments and sacrifices.

SC Humanities seeks to increase public understanding of and support for the humanities; telling the human story by awarding grants for high-quality public programs, by generating special humanities initiatives, and by bringing humanities perspectives to bear on contemporary issues.

This event is free and open to the public. For more information contact Jannie Harriot at 843- 639-2455 or director@sccivilrightsmuseum.org.
Is the curtain about to fall on the Serbian leaders long-running smash hit?

Following the Serbian interior ministers warning about a plot to assassinate President Aleksandar Vucic this coming February, Vucic announced that he would give an address to the public the next day, 22 January, from an exclusive location. But Vucic had a surprise in store: at the scheduled time, he appeared on TV screens from one of the new double-decker trains that he constantly boasts about as his nonstop campaign for re-election rolls on. Viewers saw the president and a journalist sitting in a train parked at a station, with cameras both inside the train and out on the platform.

There was practically no talk of the alleged plan to kill Vucic. Instead, during a two-hour interview broadcast on the countrys most popular television channel, Pink, he took shots at opposition politicians, tossed accusations and biting remarks at people who criticize the regime, and looked ahead to April, when voters will choose the next president and parliament. It was not the first time the president has used information or semi-information as a pretext to hold a live interview and gain more attention, although he hardly lacks for that.

Unlike in most of Europe and elsewhere, where the head of state appears only sporadically in the media and addresses the public only in particularly fraught situations or election campaigns, the Serbian media scene is practically impossible to imagine without President Vucic.

Big Airtime

TV viewers were treated to a large dose of Vucic in the second half of 2021. The president typically appeared live on at least one national TV station every day from July through December, according to the Serbian election monitoring and transparency group CRTA. While some of these events were genuine and newsworthy (national celebrations, anniversaries), CRTA said others were genuine but marginal, such as ceremonies for the opening of public buildings, and some were just pseudo-events: occasions that the government created or managed with the aim of garnering more extensive media coverage. In any case, for six months, not a day passed without a Vucic TV appearance. On average these broadcasts ran 55 minutes, for a total airtime of 203 hours over six months. In December alone, Vucic appeared at 52 events running to 70 hours.

The day after news broke of an alleged plot against him, Vucic gave an interview from the safety of a train. Screen grab from Pink TV.

And thats not all. In addition to these special broadcasts, Vucics appearances on the main news shows of five national TV stations, through 30 November, amounted to a full 100 hours, according to the Bureau for Social Research (BIRODI), a Belgrade-based think tank.

All of which tends to cast doubt on the presidents words to one interviewer: I dont often appear on television, I mostly [just] answer journalists questions.

Rope and Other Talking Points

These astonishing numbers are not the only thing that characterizes Vucics media appearances. First of all, they are verbally vivid.

On 14 December, with the Serbian power network collapsing amid heavy snow and mismanagement, the president gathered the competent ministers and company directors for a live session. Visibly annoyed by what he heard, he exclaimed, Its all my fault that I listened to all the environmentalists, fake experts, and foreigners who came to this country to teach me what to do. I could hang myself on the biggest chandelier here, just because I listened to them. As viewers might have spotted, the rooms ceiling sported not a single chandelier.

Hes used this particular image before, even during photo ops. At the opening of a wind farm not far from Belgrade in 2019, journalists went off-script to ask him about the rumor that the United States was proposing a division of Kosovo, to which he replied, I could hang myself on this wind generator here. Let a man take a rope and hang himself when he reads something like that.

And again, during a press conference in October with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov: Fortunately, we had the courage to build a gas pipeline with Russia. If we hadnt, I could just take a rope and hang myself.

Its not all about rope  the president regularly mentions how much he works and how durable he is.

I never work less than 12 hours, and sometimes 19 hours a day, he once said on national television.

I am the only one in this hall who has not left it in the last eight hours. I stood here in front of you for three hours. I sat and listened for the other five hours. Im the only one who didnt leave here. I did not go out to eat or drink, he informed lawmakers the day they confirmed him as prime minister in May 2014.

Four years later, he boasted that he reads between 500 and 600 pages of documents a day, both secret and public.

Speaking of attractions, Vucics performances also reveal his expressive body language. At practically every media appearance, he wipes his lips or forehead with a handkerchief, sighs a lot, takes long pauses between sentences.

Im perfectly normal. Screen grab from a satirical video on YouTubes Central Clips page.

A press conference he held last August provided a stage for perhaps his most characteristic display yet. As a journalist was asking a question, Vucic massaged his eyes with his hands, then took a bottle of water from the table, poured some into his hand and rubbed his face.

Some political observers explain this behavior as part of a calculated design to construct a cult of personality: here is a man who makes sacrifices far beyond what is expected, for the good of his own people, with no thought for himself, his health, even his life.

The Artful Dodger

Although as a public official Vucic is legally obliged to treat all citizens and media equally, he does not give statements or interviews to media outlets that he perceives as hostile, and whose only sin is criticizing the governments moves. At public events and press conferences, however, reporters from those media receive special attention: The president addresses them by name, speaks abusively about their employers, marks them as the opposition, ridicules them, lectures them.

A recent, fairly benign yet very illustrative instance occurred on 16 January when Vucic announced the results of the referendum on reforming the judiciary. A journalist from the FoNet news agency, where I also work, asked why members of his party standing around were not wearing protective masks.

I know that you are just as sharp when you go to [opposition politician] Dragan Djilas, he rejoined, adding that he was not like those promoted by your agency and many other tycoon media, successfully dodging the question.

A few days earlier, a journalist from national public broadcaster RTS dared to ask if he thought people believed he would step down as leader of the ruling party, as he promised. Instead of an answer, the journalist received a mocking smile and an assurance that he will now become a Twitter star.

International media groups almost unanimously decry the critical state of the media in Serbia following years of heavy political, legal, and economic pressure. The behavior of the president and his daily TV appearances hardly contribute to easing this situation.

Vucic has rarely been out of the spotlight during his 30 years in politics. But this time he might just be overplaying it. For a while now his regular daily live shows have aroused, not fear or anxiety, but ridicule. No matter how much and what he talks about, the president on the train, the president who praises himself, the president proud or angry, almost instantly becomes the subject of GIFs, montages, and jokes.

This sarcasm has had no political effect so far, but it could be significant. If only because throughout history, powerful rulers have feared the laughter of their subjects. And despite the circumstances, the laughter is getting louder.

Tamara Skrozza is a journalist and video production editor with the Belgrade-based FoNet news agency.
By Lee Hyo-jin

South Korea's already-strained relations with Russia have worsened further following Defense Minister Shin Won-sik's remarks on offering "full support" to Ukraine. Moscow interpreted this as a potential indication of Seoul providing military aid to Kyiv and warned of a "complete breakdown" of bilateral ties.

Seoul's foreign ministry reiterated Sunday that South Korea maintains its stance of not providing lethal weapons to Ukraine. It added that bilateral relations with Moscow will depend on Russia's future involvement with North Korea.

"The government maintains a stance of not providing lethal weapons to Ukraine while closely monitoring recent developments in military cooperation between Russia and North Korea and assessing their potential impact on our national security," the ministry said in a statement.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, South Korea has adhered to the policy of providing only financial and humanitarian aid to Kyiv, while remaining wary of its relations with Russia.

"Ballistic missile trade and military technology cooperation between Russia and North Korea constitute a clear violation of multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions. Such actions pose a serious threat not only to the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula but also to global peace," the ministry said.

This statement came as a response to the Russian foreign ministry's comments the previous day.

Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova had suggested that the South Korean military was considering sending weapons aid to Ukraine after rumors circulated of cooperation with Moscow and Pyongyang.

"We firmly reject any attempts by the United States and its satellite countries to make baseless accusations against our country ... We would like to caution Seoul against imprudent steps that could lead to a complete breakdown of once-friendly relations with Russia," she said.

Zakharova was referring to Shin's remarks during a recent media interview, in which he alleged Russia has already assisted North Korea with satellite and space-related technology. The minister anticipated that the military cooperation may evolve into sharing of ballistic and cruise missile technologies.

Shin also said he "personally sees" a need to offer "full support" to Ukraine, although he agreed with the government's current policy of sending only humanitarian and financial aid to the war-torn nation.

Relations between Seoul and Moscow have been tense since Russia began its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The South Korean government joined the international community's financial sanctions against Russia, prompting Moscow to designate the Asian country as an "unfriendly nation."

Tensions between the two nations escalated further following Russian President Vladimir Putin's summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in September last year.

South Korea speculates that Moscow has provided advanced military technology to Pyongyang in exchange for arms supply.

Russia, which dismissed such claims, has recently blamed South Korea-U.S.-Japan trilateral military cooperation for destabilizing security in the Northeast Asian region.
Despite a recent spate of storm systems that whipped the West with brisk winds and laid down fresh snow around the state, Wyomings winter on the whole remains mild, leaving snowpack below average in basins statewide and a long way-off from last years record-breaking accumulation.

Data from the National Weather Service reveals the aggregate snow-water equivalent across the states 19 basins currently stands at 79% of the 30-year average, with zero basins above average and some as low as 25% median.

The Lower Green River and Little Snake River basins in Wyomings southwest are showing the highest snowpack, hovering around 90% of the 30-year median. The South Platte Basin in Wyomings southeast, which serves the capital city Cheyenne, is showing lowest accumulation with only 25% average.

Snowpack data is collected by 129 high elevation snow telemetry (SNOTEL) sites across the state, and provide a forecast of runoff expectation for the year. The figures are closely watched by emergency managers, municipalities, agriculture industries, and water policymakers.

The broader Colorado River Basin, too, remains below average. Snowpack in the Upper Colorado River Basin  which includes Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah  currently sits at 80% of its 10-year average, in contrast to this time last year when it was at 132% and climbing. In spite of last years gains, long-term trends point to further diminishment of the iconic Western river that serves 40 million people, numerous tribes, and a vast ecological system.

Even after last years record accumulation, experts say it will take multiple years of abundant precipitation to restore the rivers typical flow. This year is not on course to be one of them. Of course, the winter has just begun, and water managers are not yet raising the alarm. For Wyomings agricultural sectors, the decisive data will arrive in the spring.

Id say its too early to panic since snow totals at this time of year are not very reflective of growing season water availability. There is still a lot of winter left so we are not getting too excited about snow right now, said Derek Grant, Public Information Officers for Wyoming Department of Agriculture, in an email. With that said, Wyomings producers are some of the best in the world at managing drought if it does come to that.

In the capitol city of Cheyenne, whose natural South Platte Basin has the lowest snowpack in the state, concern is minimized by the fact that it receives most its municipal water from a trans-basin diversion system that pipes runoff across the Continental Divide from the Snowy Range and Sierra Madres, whose snowpacks are only slightly below the 30-year average. That diversion system was built in the 1960s, overhauled in the 1980s, and remains the primary source for the citys water needs today.

Nonetheless, water managers are keeping a close eye on the data.

Weve still got quite a bit of winter, so were not concerned yet. But if were where were at right now during a March-April timeframe, then yeah, were gonna have some concerns, said the Director of the City of Cheyennes Public Utilities, Brad Brooks.
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.
Vice Veterans Minister Lee Hee-wan on Monday met with the new deputy commander of the U.N. Command (UNC) to discuss strengthening cooperation on veterans affairs projects commemorating UNC troops.

During the talks with Canadian Lt. Gen. Derek Macaulay at the UNC's headquarters in Pyeongtaek, 60 kilometers south of Seoul, Lee hailed the UNC as a symbol of the international community's "strong" will to defend freedom, according to the ministry.

Lee requested the unit's interest and support in the ministry's projects commemorating U.N. veterans, as well as former and current UNC and U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) personnel, with Macaulay promising close cooperation, the ministry said.

Since 2021, the veterans ministry has invited troops who served in the UNC and the USFK after the end of the Korean War to visit Korea to thank them for their service.

Macaulay officially took office last month, succeeding British Lt. Gen. Andrew Harrison. The U.S.-led UNC is headed by USFK Commander Gen. Paul LaCamera, who also doubles as the commander of the Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command. (Yonhap)
With ten people murdered between Thursday and Saturday, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley took to Facebook yesterday to assure citizens that State agencies will not give up the fight to rid our streets and other places of the evil that is now widespread as a gun culture in Trinidad and Tobago.

And in a voice note to the media, Commissioner of Police Erla Christopher said, We are determined to dismantle criminal gangs and make a difference in transforming impacted communities.
By day, Chris Nacion is sitting in a classroom at the University of Arizona, studying hard to earn a degree in biology and business.

But when Nacion comes home, he trades his backpack for a chefs hat, whipping up delicious cookies inspired by his Asian background.

Nacion opened his home bakery, Bake Box, last year, bringing his science skills to the kitchen to create the perfect cookie.

I'm just a sophomore here at college, I'm in my fourth semester right now, Nacion said. It has been really busy and I do have to manage my time really well. But I think I've been doing a really good job at it.

Nacion, who is originally from Chicago, has always loved baking, especially with his mom. But his idea for starting his own business came when he traveled more than a thousand miles away from home to attend school.

Last year, Nacion was part of the University of Arizona club FASA, the Filipino American Student Association. At one of their final events, he was asked to bake cupcakes. About 300 cupcakes later, Nacion realized he could make a business out of his lifelong passion.

In March 2023, Nacion officially launched Bake Box and started taking custom orders, making aesthetically-pleasing strawberry cheesecake and ube-flavored cupcakes. Over the summer, Nacion decided to put himself out there more in hopes of taking off.

After all the hard work he put into his business, he started to attend farmers markets at the end of September and advertised his business more, shifting his baking talents to cookies.

My first market was at the St. Philip's Plaza Market, north of the university, Nacion said. It definitely was really scary. I remember the manager, Cindy, was talking to me and she was like, wow, you just went straight into like the pretty hefty, popular market.

Drawing inspiration from Levain Bakery, a bakery in Chicago where Nacion used to visit, he decided to shift gears toward cookies, specifically New York City-style ones.

Nacion describes a New York City-style cookie as a really thick cookie that is crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside. They also tend to have a lot of toppings, which help the massive cookies hold their shape.

At Bake Box, Nacion said his NYC cookies are around five ounces and come in various flavors, some a nod to his Asian heritage. Even though it took a while to master the perfect NYC recipe, Nacion is able to get that same crispy and chewy texture from his home kitchen.

I have worked with some bakeries in the past and they have convection ovens, but being a home baker, I don't have the luxury of having all those different types of equipment, Nacion said. So I had to actually, like, alter the recipes myself and also how I use the different equipment, like the oven, in order to get it right. It was definitely a long, long process, but I think I mastered it.

Currently, Nacion has three NYC cookie flavors: Lotus Biscoff, matcha-damia and chocolate chip walnut. The Biscoff flavor has a Lotus-brand biscuit on top of the cookie as well as inside. It is also topped with a crunchy Biscoff royal icing.

The matcha-damia consists of white chocolate chips and macadamia nuts, topped with a matcha-white chocolate icing and culinary-grade matcha powder.

Lastly, the chocolate chip walnut cookies are exactly what they sound like: dark and milk chocolate chips combined with roasted chopped walnuts.

Along with the NYC cookies, Nacion also offers madeleines, a French-style small sponge cake that comes in a shell-like shape. raspberry with a raspberry-white chocolate shell, black sesame with a white chocolate shell and sesame seeds, matcha with a matcha-white chocolate shell, and yuzu mandarine with royal icing and a candied mandarine are the flavors you can indulge in.

My favorite item to make is, weirdly enough, my madeleines, which are pretty new to the menu, Nacion said. They are really forgiving, which a lot of people were actually surprised that it's a really forgiving recipe, because usually they think that it's going to be a harder thing to make because it's a French thing.

Finally, Nacion makes an ube cookie that is the prettiest shade of purple. His ube cookies tend to be the most popular among customers.

Since hes also a full-time student, Nacion typically attends markets on the weekends, using the entire previous day to make all his Instagram-worthy treats. He plans on attending the Moe Moe Pop-Up on Feb. 11 as well at the #ThisIsTucson's Tucson Together market on Feb. 24.

In the future, Nacion hopes to attend culinary school, more specifically a pastry school. But for now, Nacion continues to bring east coast treats to Southern Arizona. Like his Instagram says, baking is a science too!

Not only are they delicious, but I really love to incorporate a bunch of Asian cultural styles into my food you really won't get that anywhere else, Nacion said. Plus, you're supporting a student.
WASHINGTON  The Supreme Court has sent shockwaves through higher education with a landmark decision that struck down affirmative action and left colleges across the nation searching for new ways to promote student diversity.

Leaders of scores of universities said Thursday that they were disappointed by what they see as a blow to diversity. Yet many also voiced optimism that they would find new ways to admit more Black and Hispanic students, despite evidence that eliminating the practice often leads to steep enrollment decreases among them.

President Joe Biden said he disagreed with the decision and asked the Education Department to explore policies that could help colleges build diverse student bodies. He also pushed against policies like legacy preferences  admissions boosts given to the children of alumni  that tend to help white, wealthy students.

"We should never allow the country to walk away from the dream upon which it was founded," Biden told reporters. "We need a new path forward, a path consistent with the law that protects diversity and expands opportunity."

Yet evidence from states that previously outlawed affirmative action show it will be a daunting challenge.

As an alternative to affirmative action, colleges from California to Florida have tried a range of strategies to achieve the diversity they say is essential to their campuses. Many have given greater preference to low-income families. Others started admitting top students from every community in their state.

But years of experimentation  often prompted by state-level bans on considering race in admissions  left no clear solution. In states requiring race-neutral policies, many colleges saw enrollment drops among Black and Hispanic students, especially at selective colleges that historically have been mostly white.

At Amherst College, officials had estimated going entirely race-neutral would reduce Black, Hispanic and Indigenous populations by half.

"We fully expect it would be a significant decrease in our population," said Matthew McGann, Amherst's director of admission, earlier this year.

Facing a conservative Supreme Court that appeared skeptical from the start, colleges have been preparing for a rollback. Some were considering adding more essays to get a better picture of an applicant's background, a strategy invited in Thursday's Supreme Court ruling.

"Nothing prohibits universities from considering an applicant's discussion of how race affected the applicant's life, so long as that discussion is concretely tied to a quality of character or unique ability that the particular applicant can contribute to the university," Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for the court's conservative majority.

Other colleges were planning to boost recruiting in racially diverse areas, or admit more transfer students from community colleges.

The court took up affirmative action in response to challenges at Harvard University and the University of North Carolina. Lower courts upheld admission systems at both schools, rejecting claims that the schools discriminated against white and Asian American applicants. But at Supreme Court arguments in late October, all six conservative justices expressed doubts about the practice, which had been upheld under Supreme Court decisions reaching back to 1978, and as recently as 2016.

Nine states already have banned affirmative action, starting with California in 1996 and, most recently, Idaho in 2020.

After Michigan voters rejected it in 2006, the University of Michigan shifted attention to low-income students.

It sent graduates to work as counselors in low-income high schools. It started offering college prep in Detroit and Grand Rapids. It offered full scholarships for low-income Michigan residents. More recently, it started accepting fewer early admission applications, which are more likely to come from white students.

Despite those efforts, the share of Black and Hispanic undergraduates hasn't fully rebounded from a falloff after 2006. And while Hispanic enrollments have been increasing, Black enrollments continued to slide, going from 8% of undergraduates in 2006 to 4% now.

The campus is drawing more low-income students, but that hasn't translated to racial diversity, said Erica Sanders, director of undergraduate admissions at Michigan.

"Socioeconomic status is not a proxy for race," Sanders said.

At the same time, some of Michigan's less selective colleges have fared better. At nearby Eastern Michigan University, the number of students of color increased, reflecting demographic shifts in the state. It illustrates what experts say is a chilling effect seen most acutely at selective colleges  students of color see fewer of their peers at places like Ann Arbor, prompting them to choose campuses that appear more welcoming.

Growing up in Ann Arbor, there was an expectation that Odia Kaba would attend the University of Michigan. When her application was deferred, she started at Eastern Michigan with plans to transfer to Ann Arbor her sophomore year.

By then, Kaba was getting daily texts from her sister, who attended U-M, describing the microaggressions she faced as a Black student on campus. Rooms went silent when she walked in. She was ignored in group projects. She felt alone and suffocated.

"Why would I go to U of M?" Kaba, 22, remembers thinking. "I'm just going to be stuck with people that don't look like me, can't relate to me, and with no way to escape it."

Kaba stayed at Eastern Michigan and graduated with a degree in quantitative economics this year. Even though it's a mostly white campus, Kaba said she found pockets of diversity that helped make her comfortable.

The University of California also saw enrollment slides after a statewide ban in 1996. Within two years, Black and Hispanic enrollments fell by half at the system's two most selective campuses, Berkeley and UCLA. The system would go on to spend more than $500 million on programs aimed at low-income and first-generation college students.
When U.S. District Judge Edgar S. Vaught died in 1959, his obituary said he was best known for presiding at the trial of the kidnappers of the Oklahoma City oilman Charles Urschel.

Vaught gained national prominence from that trial of George "Machine Gun" Kelly and his cohorts, who kidnapped Urschel from his home and held him at a Texas farm until they received a $200,000 ransom.

Until that 1933 trial, the Oklahoma City judge had presided over primarily civil cases. The kidnapping trial, in which he found 20 defendants guilty, changed his interest from civil to criminal cases, and he was known from then on as a stern, just and fearless judge.

During the sensational trial, at which Kelly and the other defendants appeared in chains with armed guards, Vaught ignored threatening letters and ran the trials with vigilance. The FBI assigned agents to guard him around the clock. As a result, Vaught became a close friend of FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover.

"Perhaps the kidnapping case was the most important I ever tried as far as the public is concerned," he told an interviewer when he retired in 1956 after presiding over an estimated 20,000 cases.

The Kelly trial may have provided Vaught with his greatest prominence, but a 1959 Chronicles of Oklahoma story said, "His most enduring contribution to Oklahoma was his work as a member of the State Capitol Advisory Commission."

It was that commission that obtained the land, raised funds and recommended the site, approved by the Legislature, that straddles Lincoln Boulevard at Northeast 23rd Street for the Capitol. Vaught also served on the Capitol Building Co., where he was lauded by other members as the one who "contributed more freely than anyone."

Vaught had been among a group of men that Gov. Charles Haskell summoned June 12, 1910, to the Huckins Hotel in Oklahoma City after Haskell's secretary, W.B. Anthony, and Secretary of State Bill Cross arrived with the state seal, which they had removed from the Capitol in Guthrie. It was the day after Oklahomans voted to move the state capital to Oklahoma City. The move had not been expected until 1913, but Haskell directed Anthony early June 12 to take the seal to Oklahoma City.

Born on a farm in Virginia, Vaught moved to Oklahoma City in 1901 to be the high school principal. On his first Sunday there, he attended Sunday school at St. Luke's Methodist Church. The next week, he was named the church's Sunday school superintendent, a post he held until 1909, when he organized a class that he taught for the next 50 years.

He had served the church in many capacities, including supply pastor, and was the chairman of the church's board of trustees for 25 years until his death.

During his time as the principal, he studied law at night. He was admitted to the bar in 1906.

Vaught also was active in civic affairs. He was the president of the Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce in 1915. He was the president of the OKC Lions Club in 1921, when he attended the Lions International convention in Oakland, Calif.

A scheduled speaker at that convention did not show up, and the master of ceremonies called on Vaught to speak. He was so well-received that the Lions tried to elect him their international president ahead of the vice president in line for the job.

Vaught refused to accept the position at the 1921 convention, but he was elected a year later, ahead of the vice president who was to have moved up to the top spot.

Vaught was appointed a U.S. District Court judge in 1928 by President Calvin Coolidge. He retired in 1956 to devote his time to church work but continued to hear cases and helped clear up dockets in other jurisdictions.

Although he never held elective office, Vaught was once a member of the Republican State Central Committee and was a delegate to the national convention that nominated Coolidge in 1924.

He died Dec. 6, 1959, a month before his 87th birthday.

Like this column? Read all the columns in the Only in Oklahoma series from the Tulsa World Archive.
14 years ago today, President Obama declared a state of emergency in Oklahoma as the state continued to dig out after a late-week winter storm and in Tulsa where 7 inches of mainly snow accumulated.

Then-Gov. Brad Henry had asked for federal help less than 24 hours before. Statewide seven deaths and 1,200 injuries were recorded in the storm. More than 180,000 homes mainly in western Oklahoma did not have power. The Tulsa National Weather Service reported 6 inches of snow topped with  inch of sleet.
Sharon Bishop-Baldwin Sand Springs Leader Staff Writer Follow Sharon Bishop-Baldwin Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is asking the public for information about a traffic accident that left a Sand Springs woman critically injured.

Robyn Setzer was driving a 2020 Ford Explorer west on the Turner Turnpike about seven miles east of Stroud when a wheel came off an eastbound vehicle, jumped the median and crashed into Setzers windshield and roof, causing the roof to collapse on her head, the OHP reported. Her husband, David Setzer, said the crash happened about 10:20 a.m. last Wednesday.

Setzer, 59, was pinned in the wreckage and had to be cut out of her SUV by emergency responders, according to an OHP report.

Setzer was taken by ambulance to St. John Medical Center in Tulsa and admitted in critical condition with head trauma and other injuries.

The Highway Patrol posted pictures on its social media platforms on Thursday seeking help to locate the driver of the other vehicle, who the OHP says might not have realized what happened.

Authorities say they are looking for the driver of a maroon Ford F-250 pickup that was towing a bumper-pull car-hauler trailer.

Anyone with information about the accident is urged to call the OHPs Central Communications Center at 405-425-2323.

David Setzer told the Sand Springs Leader on Sunday that his wife initially was in the intensive-care unit suffering from a traumatic brain injury, multiple fractures to her face and skull, and a left hand that essentially was crushed, with three broken fingers and all the bones across the top of her hand broken.

Robyn Setzer, a senior account executive for NFP, is the brokerage representative for the city of Sand Springs. She was on her way to a work-related meeting in Oklahoma City at the time of the accident, David Setzer said.

He said his wife has been moved out of ICU and has progressed very quickly and beyond expectations, which he attributes to the power of prayer.

He said authorities estimated that the wheel that struck her SUV was likely traveling at more than 100 mph, and he added that the state trooper at the accident scene didnt think she was likely to survive.

Although she isnt expected to require surgery for her broken bones, the traumatic brain injury is the big deal, David Setzer said, adding that medical personnel have predicted it will take six months or more for her to recover from that.

The next stages are going to be very, very slow. Its like having a super concussion, he said, describing how the swelling in her brain prevents her from getting out of bed or even sitting up.

The bleeding in her brain finally stopped yesterday (Saturday), so now she can have proper pain meds, he said, explaining that until the bleeding had stopped, his wife could take only Tylenol for her pain.

If we can get her where she can sit up at a 45-degree angle, we can move her into a rehabilitation hospital in Owasso, he said. Its just going to be a very slow process from this point on.

He said the couple  who will have been married for 40 years in August and live near Keystone Lake  have three adult children, two of whom live nearby and have been able to help him take shifts at the hospital with his wife.

He said Robyn Setzers physical injuries have only been compounded by the fact that the other driver left the scene, unwittingly or not.

My wife and I are both well-insured, said David Setzer, a fiber optics engineer for Lumen. But because he didnt stop, Im going to have to pay out of my pocket for the deductibles and other expenses.

Its not something Im worried about. Its not something Im happy about, but its not something Im worried about, either, he said. But something like this happens and people run off, and you leave the victims completely on their own.

Theres just a lot of things that we have to take care of. I hope (the other driver) doesnt know (what happened), because if it was me, I couldnt live with myself.

David Setzer said hes not out for blood, but if anyone has any information, just please let the Highway Patrol know.

And just keep praying. Thank you to all that have prayed for us, and please, just keep it up, because it is working.

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Five years ago, the Shidler School District was in a tough spot.

Located in northwestern Osage County, the districts high school and middle school facilities  nearly 100 years old  had seen their better days.

A corner of one building was supported, in part, by a multi-ton jack to prevent collapse.

Natural gas to the school buildings had been shut off due to line leaks, forcing the cafeteria staff to use slow cookers and electric skillets to cook breakfast and lunch for students.

The school auditorium flooded nearly every time it rained. Once the water was so deep that the Fire Department was called to help pump it out.

Classroom floors and hallways were covered with plywood because the floors underneath had warped and weakened over time.

The schools property insurer and the state fire marshal were both saying time was running out to fix the problems.

But there was hope for the school district, which extends over 500 square miles in northwestern Osage and eastern Kay counties.

An 84-turbine wind farm had begun operation in 2015, and much of it was in Shidler Public Schools figurative backyard.

The 150-megawatt wind farm was built on 8,400 acres leased from surface estate owners in Osage County.

The project was expected to bring in $1 million per month for the wind farm owner, Osage Wind LLC, according to court records associated with the project. For the school district, the wind farm project was expected to bring in nearly $500,000 a year in additional revenue in the form of property taxes, franchise fees and other payments.

Based on the anticipated new revenue stream, Shidler school district voters on Feb. 2, 2019, approved by a 71% margin a nearly $17 million bond issue to construct a new high school and middle school.

In addition, the bonds financed construction of a new cafeteria, kitchen, safe room, library, lighted parking lots, turf courtyard, practice gym and meeting spaces for all patrons.

It honest to goodness saved our school district, Shidler Schools Superintendent Rick Rogers said, referring to the wind farm.

But now with nine years worth of payments left to retire the debt, Rogers said he has to rethink how the district of 180 students in kindergarten through 12th grade will repay the bonds after a federal judge in December ordered the removal of the wind farm.

Im feeling badly that we made a promise with the commitment from our partners at (Osage Wind owner) Enel that they were going to be unlike a lot of companies that protest their taxes down to a point where schools are waiting for years to get their money.

Theyve been a good, solid company to help us, Rogers said.

Definition of mining at crux of issue

After more than 14 years of litigation, a federal judge ruled Dec. 20 in favor of the United States and the Osage Nation, or more specifically the Osage Minerals Council, by granting a permanent injunction against the wind farm and ordering its removal. The Osage Minerals Council is an independent agency within the Osage Nation government.

Defendants in the case are Osage Wind LLC, wholly owned by Enel Kansas LLC, which is wholly owned by Enel Green Power North America Inc., according to court records.

Federal Judge Jennifer Choe-Groves, with the U.S. Court of International Trade, issued the ruling while sitting by designation in Tulsa federal court.

Prior to the ruling, the wind farm had survived two federal district court challenges before a federal appellate court reversed a lower court decision and ruled for the tribe and the United States.

At issue was Osage Winds use of materials excavated at the 84 wind turbine sites.

Osage Wind excavated sand, soil and rock while digging holes for the turbines. Some of the rock was crushed and used as backfill to support the wind turbines, according to court records in the case.

The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, in its 2017 ruling for the tribe and federal government, said Osage Winds crushing of some excavated rock for use as a structural support for each wind turbine constituted mining and therefore required a lease issued by the Osage Nations Minerals Council.

The U.S. Supreme Court subsequently turned down Osage Winds request to review the appellate court ruling.

The area now known as Osage County was designated by Congress in 1872 as a reservation for the Osage Nation.

Under the Osage Act passed in 1906, Congress severed the surface estate rights from the mineral estate rights.

Osage Nation members were allotted surface estate rights while the mineral estate was reserved for the benefit of the Osage Nation.

The Osage Nation could issue leases for oil, gas and other minerals with the approval of the secretary of the interior.

But Osage Wind never obtained a mining lease  either before or after the 10th Circuit ruling.

As a result, Choe-Groves determined that the wind farm had and continues to trespass on the Osage Mineral Estate in part because the continued use of rock as fill material for tower support falls within the definition of mining, triggering the need for the lease.

Trial to determine damages amount

Choe-Groves has set a May 20 trial date to consider how much in damages to award the plaintiffs.

The federal government and Osage Minerals Council have urged the court to adopt a damages estimate of nearly $26 million.

Osage Wind, meanwhile, has asked the court to adopt one of two damages calculations that places the value of the material used at between $68,993 and $247,979.

In considering whether to order removal of the wind farm, Choe-Groves had to weigh protecting the sovereignty of the Osage Nation against Osage Winds claims that removal would result in revenue lost to local schools, income for the six surface estate owners and renewable energy for 50,000 homes.

In addition to Shidler Public Schools, neighboring Woodland Public Schools also receives tax funding from the wind farm, according to Rogers, who previously worked there. A spokesperson at Woodland Public Schools could not be reached for comment.

Rogers, meanwhile, said he hopes his districts concerns arent lost in the ongoing debate over damages after revenue generated from the wind farm just completely turned things for the positive.

In addition to financing improvements to the middle and high school, revenue from the Osage Wind project, coupled with a sizable private donation from an anonymous alumnus, was combined to complete a $1.6 million renovation to the elementary school in the summer of 2023 at no cost to district taxpayers.

Rogers outlined for the Tulsa World the basic terms of the bond issue.

Currently, the Osage Wind project pays $495,000 of the districts annual $1.22 million bond payment for the new facilities, or about 40% of the total cost.

Rogers said he came forward with Shidler Public Schools story in hopes that it would let the public know the rulings impact on those outside of the Osage Nation and the wind farm company.

The other side of the story needed to be told, because if people know they are going to have to pay the equivalent of an additional half a million dollars a year  they cant afford that, Rogers said.

Rather than reallocate the bond payment to the property owners in the school district, Rogers said he more than likely will have to seek refinancing that extends the bond payments out more years.

Local attorneys representing Osage Wind declined to outline the economic impact of removing the wind farm or otherwise comment on the case. The Osage Minerals Council chairman could not be reached for comment.
Lenzy Krehbiel-Burton Tulsa World Staff Writer Follow Lenzy Krehbiel-Burton Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

Election deadline: Monday is the deadline to request an absentee ballot for the Feb. 13 school bond elections in Bixby, Jenks, Mounds and Sand Springs.

Bond information sessions: Mounds Public Schools will host an information session from 5-8 p.m. Monday at Mounds High School, 1603 Russell Ave., about the districts proposed two-part, $14.3 million bond package.

Sand Springs Public Schools will also host an information session Monday. Theirs is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at Clyde Boyd Middle School, 305 W. 35th St. The district has a two-part, $114.5 million proposal.

Bixby Public Schools will host a community forum about its $12 million proposal starting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the North Intermediate School cafeteria, 6941 E. 121st St. Attendees are asked to RSVP at bixbyps.info/forumsrsvp.

Incoming immersion expansion: On Wednesday, Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. signed the permanent reauthorization of the Durbin Feeling Language Preservation Act.

Among the measures provisions are $30 million to add a middle school to the Cherokee immersion schools Tahlequah campus and additional funds for improvements at the immersion schools Greasy campus.

Emergency certification update: Without discussion or debate, the Oklahoma State Board of Education approved 121 emergency teaching certificates at Thursdays meeting. Since the start of the fiscal year on July 1, the board has approved 3,929 emergency teaching certificates.

Schedule Tetris: At Thursdays meeting, the Oklahoma State Board of Education approved waivers for Antlers, Glencoe and Jennings to utilize 2024-25 academic calendars that have fewer than 165 instructional days.

State law requires districts to seek a waiver from the state if they want to use a calendar that has fewer than 165 instructional days but still has at least 1,080 hours of instructional time.

Instructional shifts: Liberty will have in-person classes Monday to make up a previous snow day.

Monday is a distance-learning day for Wagoner.

Due to testing, Wednesday is a distance-learning day for East Central High School students who are not classified as multilingual learners.

Friday is a distance-learning day for Broken Arrow and Catoosa. School is not in session Friday for Keystone due to parent-teacher conferences.

School board calendar: The boards of education for Tulsa Public Schools and Tulsa Tech each have a special meeting Monday.

The KIPP Tulsa board is scheduled to meet Tuesday.
Phan Xich Long Food Street in Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City, which was officially opened on Friday last week, is expected to be reminiscent of Hong Kong, but it needs to make breakthroughs to attract more visitors, according to local residents and traders.

Phan Xich Long Food Street covers the section from Phan Xich Long Street leading to the Rach Mieu residential area and all branch roads in Wards 1, 2, and 7 of Phu Nhuan District, news site VnExpress reported.

Following the opening, activities on the street have remained normal.

Nguyen Van Binh, the owner of an eatery on Phan Xich Long Street, said he saw the potential of the street, so he spent a large amount leasing a space there.

He expected the street to change significantly.

While the initiative for the food street is commendable, merely repaving sidewalks, displaying flower pots, and hanging new signboards fall short of addressing the essential aspects," Binh said.

"It is crucial to implement effective mechanisms and policies regarding sidewalk and space utilization to ensure a more comprehensive and sustainable improvement."

He added that with good, systematic plans, Phan Xich Long Street will be a culinary kingdom of Ho Chi Minh City and even a popular destination for local and foreign tourists in the future.

Sidewalks have been repaved. Restaurants along Phan Xich Long Street are allowed to provide vehicle parking services on the sidewalks, provided that they leave room for pedestrians. Photo: Nhat Xuan / Tuoi Tre

Many traders expressed the sentiment that Phan Xich Long Street resembles other streets in the southern metropolis, as it features large brands already present in various areas.

However, the smaller eateries on the street are perceived as lacking thoughtful planning and specialization in their respective types of cuisine or signature dishes.

The primary advantage of the street lies in its central location, characterized by a generously proportioned main street and perpendicular branch roads that effectively divide the space into cohesive squares.

Both traders and eaters highly evaluated the food street initiative but hoped the street would have more activities and services in the future.

Miniatures, lighting systems, and artistic programs should be added to attract customers.

A restaurant opened on Phan Xich Long Food Street in Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City on January 27, 2024.

Nguyen Thi Hang, a 25-year-old resident near Phan Xich Long Street, shared her familiarity with the eateries in the area.

She expressed joy at the transformation of the street into a food hub.

While noting limited observable changes, Hang expressed hope for enhanced professionalism, a reduction in street vendors and lottery ticket sellers, and an increase in well-known food and beverage brands on the street.

Many other visitors were excited about a new welcome gate, a LED light system, and Tet-themed miniatures on the street.

Duc Long, visiting from Hanoi, said the street was beautiful and bustling but there was nothing new following the food street inauguration.

He wished local authorities had called on restaurants to concurrently launch promotion programs in response to the opening of the food street.

New and audacious ideas are necessary to make the street well known in not only Vietnam but also other countries, like food streets in Thailand, Long noted.

An eatery on Phan Xich Long Food Street offers a 10-percent discount and a dish at no charge for customers in response to the opening of the food street. Photo: Nhat Xuan / Tuoi Tre

From the view of a trader, Le Hoang Viet, the manager of Nnice karaoke chain, said he was happy as Phan Xich Long Street became a food street.

The street was repaved and traders were allowed to make use of the sidewalk for vehicle parking services.

Meanwhile, some others are not fully satisfied with the street.

Doan Ba Thu, the owner of Dona Restaurant in Phu Nhuan District, said the street has no breakthroughs.

The city should facilitate large restaurants to improve their space to attract customers to not only enjoy food but also take photos.

The local administration should also supplement lighting systems as many areas on the street remain dark, Thu suggested.

Many traders said they were weighing leasing spaces to launch small stalls which will operate at night only.

A restaurant on Phan Xich Long Food Street introduces its menu on the sidewalk to attract customers. Photo: Nguyen Tri / Tuoi Tre

Some restaurants and eateries have launched promotion programs.

In particular, Le Quang Khoi, the owner of Tai Map Restaurant, which was opened two weeks ago, said the restaurant offered a 10-percent discount and a dish at no charge for customers.

Although the number of visitors to the street has not been as high as expected, [I] expect that after the food street was officially opened, it will become more popular and business activities will be busier, Khoi shared.

Traders on the street said they would support and accompany the city to organize music programs, food fairs, and other artistic activities to promote the food street and lure more customers, making it a new symbol in the city center.

Phan Xich Long Street has been known as a paradise of cuisine in Ho Chi Minh City with traditional Vietnamese and global dishes.

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An SUV rammed into a guard post in front of the official residence of the Russian ambassador to South Korea, seriously injuring a police officer on duty, officials said Monday.

The accident happened at 10:10 p.m. Sunday in front of the ambassador's residence in Seoul's central district of Jongno, and the officer was taken to a hospital with serious injuries to his neck and shoulders, officials said.

The driver was not under the influence of alcohol, officials said.

Police are looking into the exact cause of the crash.

Confirming the accident, the Russian Embassy sent out a consolation message to the injured police officer.

"We express our sympathies to the police officer injured in this accident and wish him a speedy recovery," the embassy said in a social media post.

The accident "did not create a threat to the safety of the staffers of the diplomatic mission," it said. (Yonhap)
Dragon statues are being erected in public places in Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province, south-central Vietnam, capturing the attention of locals and tourists, as the Lunar New Year holiday, commonly known as Tet, is approaching.

Statues of dragons have been displayed on large streets, such as Tran Phu, Hoang Hoa Tham, and Tran Hung Dao, in front of restaurants, hotels, and major trade centers.

Among the statues, the 'carp jumping the dragon gate' statue at Yen Phi Park, where a Tet flower festival is taking place, is especially impressive.

The lower part of the statue has carp moving upward, while the upper part is a meticulously sculpted dragon.

A flower street in Nha Trang City. Photo: Minh Chien / Tuoi Tre

Pham Vinh Nghiep from Nha Trang Urban Environment Joint Stock Company said workers were completing the decoration of the park. Besides statues of dragons, the park will feature coracles and ships.

Meanwhile, craft villages in Nha Trang are busy creating small dragon statues as souvenirs.

Pham Thi My Le, the owner of My Oc center in Vinh Phuong Commune, Nha Trang City, said workers were hurriedly making handicrafts from conch.

Dragon-shaped handicrafts sell like hot cakes. They are priced at VND70,000 (US$2.9) each, Le informed.

Workers complete miniatures on the flower street in Nha Trang City. Photo: Minh Chien / Tuoi Tre

In Truong Son craft village located in Vinh Nguyen Ward, Nha Trang, two dragon statues stand at an impressive height of nearly 4.5 meters and measure 10 meters in length each. These statues are crafted from synthetic plastic fibers.

Le Nguyen Ai Quynh, the manager of the craft village, said the two statues were completed in two months.

The craft village also has a model of a gliding dragon with 54 sections, representing 54 ethnic groups, and a length of 63 meters, representing 63 localities in Vietnam.

It took over a month to complete the model.

Le Nhu Thao, a visitor from Hanoi, said she had seen many dragon statues but she was impressed by the large handmade dragon model in the craft village.

The craft village also creates small dragon models from Japanese clay and Vietnamese rice flour.

Children dance in a musical performance in front of a dragon statue in Nha Trang City. Photo: Minh Chien / Tuoi Tre

A dragon model made of conch. Photo: Minh Chien / Tuoi Tre

Two dragon statues made of synthetic plastic fibers in Truong Son craft village in Nha Trang City. Photo: Minh Chien / Tuoi Tre

The toenails and scales of the dragon statue are made manually. Photo: Minh Chien / Tuoi Tre

A 63-meter-long dragon statue. Photo: Minh Chien / Tuoi Tre

Artisans make small models of dragons out of clay. Photo: Minh Chien / Tuoi Tre

An artisan paints a small dragon model. Photo: Minh Chien / Tuoi Tre

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A statue of Maitreya Buddha weighing over 5,100 metric tons, one of the largest of its kind in the world, has been inaugurated on the top of Ba Den Mountain, a famous travel destination in the southern Vietnamese province of Tay Ninh.

Most Venerable Thich Niem Thoi, head of the provincial Buddhist Executive Committee, chaired the statue inauguration ceremony on Sunday, with the participation of officials from the government committee for religious affairs, representatives of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, officials from the provincial administration, and thousands of Buddhists and visitors from across Vietnam.

Among the worlds largest statues of its kind, the Maitreya Buddha statue was made from 6,688 sandstone pieces and weighs 5,112 metric tons.

A vast scene of part of southern Vietnams Tay Ninh Province is seen from the back of the Maitreya Buddha statue on the peak of Ba Den Mountain. Photo: Chau Tuan / Tuoi Tre

Covering a surface area of 4,651 square meters at an altitude of over 900 meters from the mountain foot, the statue is 36 meters tall and 45 meters wide in maximum.

The statue is in a sitting position, surrounded with a system of fountains, and its front faces east where the sun rises.

The prominent features of the statue are a merciful smile and a big belly, which both demonstrate the typical characteristics of Maitreya Buddha.

During the ceremony, Most Venerable Elder Vien Minh, Deputy Supreme Patriarch of the Patronage Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, highlighted the significance of the Maitreya Buddha statue.

He underlined that the statue symbolizes qualities such as benevolence, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity.

According to Vien Minh, the Maitreya Buddha is seen as the Buddha of the future, representing the prosperity and well-being of the country's future.

Travelers take a sightseeing tour of the Maitreya Buddha statue located on the top of Ba Den Mountain in Tay Ninh Province using a cable car system. Photo: Chau Tuan / Tuoi Tre

Vo Duc Trong, deputy chairman of the provincial administration, praised Sun Group, a Da Nang City-based conglomerate and creator of the Maitreya Buddha statue, for contributing to the Tay Ninh tourism sector.

He mentioned that the statue, among the world's largest sandstone statues, has become a new symbol, elevating the stature of Tay Ninh in the realm of tourism.

We hope that the Maitreya Buddha statue will create a breakthrough for local tourism, turn Tay Ninh  a land with a long-standing historical, cultural, and religious faith tradition  into an interesting pilgrimage destination, attracting more domestic and international visitors, Trong told the ceremony.

Many solemn Buddhist rituals were held at the inauguration ceremony, while more than 20,000 colored lanterns bearing wishes handwritten by Buddhists and tourists will be lit on the top of the mountain to celebrate the debut of the statue.

The Maitreya Buddha statue located on the top of Ba Den Mountain in Tay Ninh Province is seen from one side. Photo: Chau Tuan / Tuoi Tre

The statue area boasts a breathtaking landscape, enhanced by a state-of-the-art fountain system and modern lighting technology, creating a spectacular and charming atmosphere.

Following the ceremony, thousands of travelers embarked on sightseeing tours of the statue area, utilizing the cable car system at the Ba Den Mountain Tourist Area.

On Saturday, the Ho Chi Minh City Buddhist Sanghas charity board and the tourist area management board jointly presented 500 Tet (Lunar New Year) gifts to poor families in communes and wards around the mountain.

The Maitreya Buddha statue is surrounded by a fountain system that combines with an advanced lighting system to create a spectacular scene. Photo: Chau Tuan / Tuoi Tre

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Doctors from the Vietnam National Heart Institute successfully performed a complex coronary artery intervention that was live-streamed from Vietnam to an international cardiology conference in Singapore on Friday.

The operation was carried out by a surgical team led by the institutes director, Prof. Dr. Pham Manh Hung, on Friday afternoon, according to the Vietnam News Agency.

The performance was transmitted live to the 33rd Annual Live Interventions in Vascular Endotherapy (Singapore Live 2024), in conjunction with the 13th CTO Interventions Live Course 2024, an annual international conference that took place at the Raffles City Convention Center in Singapore on January 25-27.

The intervention was performed for an 80-year-old female patient suffering from many underlying diseases, including hypertension, diabetes, and kidney failure, Dr. Hung said.

She only has her left kidney as the right one was previously removed because of kidney stones.

After being taken to a province-level hospital, the patient was transferred to the institute with complicated coronary artery damage, including many narrowed arterial segments and a complete calcification of all three coronary artery branches.

As the patient had a very high risk of complications during surgery, the surgical team decided to apply angioplasty and stent insertion, instead of an open-heart operation.

During the intervention process, doctors made the best use of different medical techniques to overcome obstacles caused by the womans complex health conditions and to ensure the highest possible safety level for her.

The successful intervention, which lasted for about one hour, was highly appreciated by leading cardiologists in the region, according to Nguoi Lao Dong (Laborer) newspaper.

It also proved the international integration ability of Vietnams interventional cardiology sector, as well as affirmed the position of Vietnamese cardiovascular doctors in world medicine.

Along with the Vietnam National Heart Institute, 14 other interventional cardiology centers in the world were also invited to perform live cardiological interventions at the event, one of the most prestigious annual scientific conferences on cardiology in Asia-Pacific, according to the Vietnam News Agency.

Interventional cardiology is a non-surgical option which uses a catheter  a small, flexible tube  to repair damaged or weakened vessels, narrowed arteries, or other affected parts of the heart structure, doctors said.

Vietnam now has 129 interventional cardiology centers across the country and these facilities have been successful in most interventions, especially acute myocardial infarctions.

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Two part documentary special Ruby Wax: Castaway screens on SBS on Tuesday.

Aside from the set-up period, most of this doco sees Ruby Wax existing Alone-style on a deserted island for 10 days, including manning camera and sound.

Comedian Ruby Wax has been battling depression for over 25 years. Now, shes putting her own mind through the ultimate test: shell be marooned on an isolated Madagascan Island for ten days, pitting her wits against the uncompromising force of Mother Nature, with only herself and her cameras to talk to. Itll be tough, solitary and unforgiving but it will also be chance to confront her fears and, she hopes, raise the public discussion about mental health.

Episode One:

Ruby Wax has tackled numerous daunting experiences during her career, but none more demanding than being cast away for 10 days alone on a tropical island, 60 kilometres from mainland Madagascar. Inspired by best-pal Joanna Lumley, Ruby seeks hilarious advice from her on how to escape intact. Ruby must build her own camp, collect food and water, and pit herself against the unforgiving weather. Landing on Ankerea, a totally uninhabited island, Ruby quickly realises that she is out of her depth.

Episode Two:

Its day three of complete isolation and Ruby is greeted by a torturous tropical storm. As the skies finally clear, shes able to forage for much needed calories, but when the deadly silence creeps in on her, she makes friends with a hermit crab. Hes going to become her companion for the rest of the adventure. As island life becomes tougher, Ruby reflects on her own personal traumas growing up, and what survival means to her. In Rubys final 24 hours on the island, she contemplates the effects solitude has had on her personality, and the true person she is underneath the showbiz mask she wears.

Double episode 8:35pm Tuesday January 30 on SBS.
Writer / Directors Renny Wijeyamohan and Sonia Whiteman, co-creators of ABC ME series The Disposables, have been selected to take part in the 2024 Series Mania Writers Campus in Lille, France, in March.

They are the only Australian creatives selected to take part in the campus run under the editorial supervision of Series Mania founder Laurence Herszberg, impact producer Isabelle Lindberg Pechou and script editor Ludo Smolski.

Their latest project in development, Scalpel, follows a promising young Tamil-Australian surgeon, Nishan, who risks everything hes worked for, when hes forced to become an underworld doctor-for-hire after his delinquent cousin is gunned down in a gangland shooting.

Wijeyamohan and Whiteman said: Off the back of our success as part of the creative team on ABCs

The Disposables, we are thrilled to be selected for the Series Mania Writers Campus, where we can deep dive into the development process with world-class mentors. Were super excited about Scalpel  its fresh, its gritty, its topical, and were excited to pitch it to Industry at the Series Mania Forum.

Previous showrunners and producers who have attended Series Mania masterclasses and networking events, include Ron Leshem (Euphoria), Bryan Elsley (Skins), Amit Cohen (No Mans Land), Eli Horowitz (Homecoming) and Sarah Treem (The Affair).
Screen Australia and the Australian Writers Guild have announced applications are open for The Creators program.

Now in its second year, The Creators is a career acceleration program for high-calibre, mid-career screenwriters to build toward the creation of their own shows.

Through the program, up to six writers with existing episodic slates will be selected to travel to Los Angeles USA to participate in training, industry meetings and networking events in 2024.

Applications close 1 February 2024 at 5pm AEDT.

Screen Australia.
Subscription prices on Disney+ are set to rise significantly from March.

From March 5, the $13.99 per month package will include restrictions on video quality and on how many people can simultaneously use an account. It will cost $17.99 a month to stay with the current 4K resolution video, high-definition audio and four simultaneous streams.

An annual subscription of $139.99 /year rises to $179.99/year for the 4K resolution.

Disney+ Standard Plan will be priced at:

$13.99 per month or $139.99 per year for Australia residents

The new Disney+ Standard plan is the same price as the existing Disney+ service but it has different features.

Australian Residents New Zealand Residents Disney+ Standard Disney+ Premium Disney+ Standard Disney+ Premium Subscription Monthly: $13.99/month

Annual: $139.99/year Monthly $17.99/month

Annual $179.99/year Monthly $14.99/month

Annual $149.99/year Monthly $18.99/month

Annual $189.99/year Video quality* Up to 1080p Full HD video Up to 4K UHD & HDR video Up to 1080p Full HD video Up to 4K UHD & HDR video Audio* Up to 5.1 audio Up to Dolby Atmos audio Up to 5.1 audio Up to Dolby Atmos audio Concurrent streams 2 4 2 4 Ad** Ad-free Streaming Ad-free Streaming Ad-free Streaming Ad-free Streaming Downloads Downloads on up to 10 devices Downloads on up to 10 devices Downloads on up to 10 devices Downloads on up to 10 devices

*Video and audio quality subject to internet service, device capabilities, content type, and service tier.

**All plans may include trailers, promotional content, sponsorship and alike.

Between 22 January 2024 to 4 March 2024, new, eligible returning, and existing monthly Disney+ subscribers may lock in 1 year of Disney+ (known as Disney+ Premium from 5 March 2024) at $139.99 for Australian Residents and $149.99 for New Zealand Residents via this link. Eligibility criteria and terms and conditions apply.

Disney+ last increased its prices in November 2022 from $11.99 to $13.99 per month.
By Lee Hae-rin

A 26-year-old Korean man who traveled to South Africa was fined 381,676 rand ($20,300) by a local court for illegally catching scorpions.

According to the Korean Embassy in South Africa, Sunday, the Paarl Magistrates Court in Western Cape recently sentenced the man, identified only by his surname Kim, to pay the fine or serve two years in prison.

The court noted that Kim still needs to pay 341,676 rand of the fine even if he serves the two-year prison term.

Kim was caught during a search and inspection on Dec. 26 last year for catching about 10 wild scorpions in Paarl, a town famous for wine, 60 kilometers east of Cape Town.

Since then, he has been confined in a local detention center while standing trial.

Kim is consulting his attorney on whether to appeal.

Animal hunting, including the act of collecting clams from the ocean or scorpions and spiders from parks, is strictly prohibited in South Africa.

In 2019, a Korean tourist was arrested after picking some wildflowers from a coastal area in Northern Cape and keeping them in a car trunk.

Any attempt to traffick endangered wildlife species into or out of the country can result in prison terms.

The embassy issued a notice for Korean tourists and residents in South Africa, saying, It is advised to be especially careful about collecting wild animals and plants without authorization in South Africa.
(Handout)

At 5.30am every Wednesday Dan Cullen-Shute is aboard his electric Brompton bike, pedalling from home to the station.

A year on since he moved from London to Yorkshire, he hasnt yet learnt to love this early morning ritual.

But his new home, community and proximity to some of the most beautiful countryside Britain has to offer more than compensates for that early alarm.

It has been bloody wonderful, he says.

Before the pandemic Cullen-Shute, 43, and his wife, Abigail, also 43, were living in Loughborough Junction. They shared their four-bedroom Victorian end-of-terrace with their two children, Stan, eight, and Mali, three, and the family cat, Royston.

The family of four relocated to a hamlet near Ilkley (Handout)

He co-founded advertising firm Creature in 2011 and after staff worked successfully from home during lockdown, he decided to move over to a hybrid system where staff go to the office on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

The rest of the week they can work from home, the office or wherever they happen to be.

This decision freed Cullen-Shute and his wife, who is about to start a new job as an operations manager, from living in London.

I grew up in south-east Wales in a tiny village and Ab grew up in Northumberland, really in the middle of nowhere, says Cullen-Shute.

"If we were going to move out, we wanted to move properly out  no disrespect to suburb-dwellers."

I think we always knew that the time would come when we would move out.

It wasnt going out on the town in London that the couple really missed when the world shut down during the pandemic, they realised, but being able to get away for weekends in the country and by the coast.

If we were going to move out, we wanted to move properly out  no disrespect to suburb-dwellers, says Cullen-Shute.

They swapped a 1.3 Victorian terrace in London for a detached house that was the same price (Handout)

Then, heading home after a visit to see his in-laws, the family found themselves in the Yorkshire countryside.

It was like driving into a Turner painting. We came up to explore on a half term and fell in love with the place.

Stan gave his approval to the idea and in 2022 the couple sold their London home for 1.3 million and traded up to a five-bedroom detached house in a hamlet near Ilkley, which also cost 1.3 million.

Story continues

In January last year they completed their family with boxer dog, Beryl.

The community and countryside around them is even better than the bigger house, they said (Handout)

Being in London two days a week has its perks for Cullen-Shute  he can catch up with friends, go to the pub, and eat out  but the morning cycle to the station at Ben Rhydding followed by a long train ride to Kings Cross has been tough.

Being away from the family  he stays over at a flat belonging to a friend of a friend on Wednesday nights  is also a drawback. But what he gets in return more than makes up for it.

It wouldnt be worth it for a bigger house alone, but there is more to it, he says.

"The countryside is wonderful and the people are wonderful.

"You hear some horror stories, but Ab and I have put ourselves out there a bit, even though we are both naturally quite shy, and we are surrounded by smart, lovely people.

"You do lose that big city anonymity, but we really love that.
Welcome Guest! You are here: Home  Views & Analysis

Communal Violence in India: Deepening Hatred, Hate Speeches and Impunity in 2023

The comprehension of communal violence against marginalized communities extends beyond overt physical manifestations such as communal riots, mob lynching, and hate crimes. Read More

Monday January 29, 2024 2:11 PM , Irfan Engineer and Neha Dabhade

In the preceding sections of the report, the CSSS communal violence report looked into two dimensions of communal violence: physical violence and symbolic or attitudinal violence. This section of the report will look into structural violence. The findings presented in this report are derived from CSSS monitoring of the Mumbai editions of five newspapers, namely, Times of India, Indian Express, The Hindu, Sahafat, and Inquilab for the year 2023. To enhance accuracy, CSSS has cross-verified the data from these sources with additional information obtained from other online sources.

Structural Violence

The comprehension of communal violence against marginalized communities extends beyond overt physical manifestations such as communal riots, mob lynching, and hate crimes. In recent years, a discernible shift has been observed towards a more insidious and potent form of violence known as structural violence. This mode of violence is rooted in social structures, encompassing laws, legislations, and policies enacted and enforced by the state. The state, in this context, encompasses its various branches, including legislatures, the executive (at all levels), law enforcement agencies, local administrative bodies, educational institutions, and the judiciary, all of which receive state support.

The evolution of structural violence is evident in the strategic formulation, adoption, and implementation of laws and policies by the state that discriminate against, incarcerate, criminalize, dispossess, marginalize and / or prevent the communally targeted communities from reaching their full human potential. Extra-judicial killings is an instance of structural violence. Structural violence treats the targeted community as if they were second-class citizens. The state through its legal framework or undue application of coercive its powers, or discriminates against a community indulges in structural violence. An examination of the various forms of structural violence that transpired in 2023 serves to elucidate the multifaceted dimensions through which this systemic injustice is manifested.

Demolitions

The demolitions of properties owned by Muslim individuals without following the procedures established by law with the intention to collectively punish the community and inflict economic, social and physical harm has been the declared state policy of the BJP ruled state. The demolitions are ostensibly carried out on allegations of illegal encroachments to defend it in courts of law. Uttar Pradesh, MP and other BJP ruled states have declared instant demolitions without following the procedures mandated by law as state policy. Remarkably, even valid legal documentation has been overlooked.

The administration's deployment of demolitions as a form of "collective punishment" deviates from established legal norms, sidestepping mandated due process and hearings. The frequency with which this punitive approach has been applied against the Muslim community has resulted in monikers such as "Bulldozer baba" for the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh.

Moreover, right-wing organizations affiliated with the ruling party have not only endorsed but also advocated for Chief Ministers of other states governed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to adopt similar demolition strategies. This pattern underscores a disconcerting departure from established legal and procedural norms, raising fundamental questions about the fairness and adherence to the rule of law in such actions.

The Prayagraj district administration demolished the house that was occupied by deceased gangster Atiq Ahmeds wife and two sons. The officials from the Prayagraj Development Authority claimed that the house was constructed without a sanctioned plan. They further claimed that the house in Chakia area belonged to one Zafar Ahmad and that he was served notices before the demolition but Zafar Ahmad failed to respond to them. The electricity connection was in the name of Shaista Parveen (wife of Atiq Ahmed). The property was valued at INR 3 crores. Atiq, his wife, brothers and sons are among several others named as accused in the murder of Umesh Pal, who was the main witness in BSP MLA Raju Pal murder case.

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Additionally, the Prayagraj Development Authority district administration and police on 20th March razed the house of Mohammad Ghulam, one of the prime accused in the Umesh Pal murder case. The house was located in Mehdauri Uparhar locality. The authorities alleged that the construction of the house was illegal. The first notice to the Ghulam for illegal construction was served on 30th January and the demolition-cum-vacation order was passed on 23rd February. Ghulam's family members, however, alleged that it was their ancestral house and had nothing to do with Ghulam. They claimed that he had already sold out his portion. Ghulam was one of the five assailants involved in Pal's murder and carrying a reward of Rs 5 lakh on his head. This is the fourth house of Atiq aides to be bulldozed after Umesh Pals murder. Earlier, three houses were razed by the PDA in Chakia, Kasari Masari and Asrauli localities.

In another bizarre incident, the local authorities had demolished alleged 'illegal' portions of homes belonging to three Muslim youth accused of 'spitting' water on a religious procession. As per a complaint filed with the police, some people, who were part of the 'Baba Mahakal Sawari' procession in Ujjain on July 17, reportedly saw a few youngsters standing on the balcony of a building and "spitting water on them.

Later the police clarified that they discovered during their investigation that the spitting by the three Muslim youth was unintentional. Two of the accused are minors and brothers. They were sent to a juvenile home after they were produced in a court while the third accused has been remanded to judicial custody. The local authorities claimed that the portions demolished were illegally constructed. The local authorities who went for demolition were accompanied by drummers (The New Indian Express, 2023). The witnesses in the case have turned hostile.

In the largest demolition drive in 2023, the local administration in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, razed more than 90 houses in Nai Basti, citing allegations of encroachment on public land. Nai Basti, located just 600 meters from the disputed site believed by some to be the birthplace of the Hindu god Krishna, is a predominantly Muslim neighborhood. Despite having a century-long history of residence in the area, the residents of Nai Basti received notices declaring their homes as 'encroachments' a few months prior to the demolition. According to the Railways, the area is being cleared to convert the 21-kilometer stretch from Mathura to Vrindavan from narrow to broad gauge to facilitate the operation of trains such as the Vande Bharat Express.

The demolition carried out by the railway administration has had a profound impact on the lives of the residents, with some families forced to live in the open. The majority of Nai Basti's inhabitants were involved in manual labor, and the demolitions abruptly halted their work, leaving them without the daily income essential for their survival. This drastic measure has resulted in severe disruptions and hardships for the affected families (Howale, 2023). The demolitions left more than 600 people homeless. The demolition was stayed by the Supreme Court.

Demolitions were employed as a tool for collective punishment in instances where properties owned by Muslims were dismantled by local administrations under the pretext of illegal construction, notably following communal riots in Vadodara and Nuh. The execution of these demolitions occurred in a markedly arbitrary manner, with affected individuals afforded insufficient opportunity to establish the legality of their properties. It is noteworthy that both communal riots were orchestrated subsequent to religious processions, and the demolitions followed hate speeches delivered by members of the ruling dispensation.

The aftermath of communal riots saw the demolition of properties, resulting in the displacement of hundreds of individuals who were not directly or indirectly involved in the acts of violence. This post-riot demolition practice signifies a paradigm shift in the discourse of communal violence, wherein the state assumes the role of an active participant, inflicting substantial harm on minority communities.

Reservations and state schemes for development of religious minorities

The constitutional framework has instituted safeguards aimed at ensuring equitable opportunities and development for marginalized communities. However, a disconcerting trend has emerged wherein the state apparatus appears to contravene these safeguards, contributing to the marginalization and economic impoverishment of minority communities. This systematic marginalization is manifested through the deliberate denial of due shares in budget allocations to minority communities, intentional deprivation of resources to minority institutions and scholarships, and the revocation of protective measures under the pretext of labeling them as migrants and stripping them off the benefits of reservations. The ensuing examples illustrate instances of these practices.

In 2023, in Karnataka, the BJP government scrapped 4% reservations for Muslims and redistributed the same among the Lingayats and the Vokkaligas. The Lingayat and the Vokkaligas are dominant castes in Karnataka. H. D Deve Gowdas government in 1994 had granted reservations to Muslims under 2B category of OBC quota. The granting of reservations to Muslims was upheld by the Supreme Court. The Karnataka government argued in favour of the move by claiming that Muslims were only economically backward and not socially backward.

It is quite contrary to the observations of the Third Backward Class Commission, headed by Retired Justice Chinnappa Reddy which highlighted that Muslims were socially and educationally backward. It had also declared that the economic plight of the Muslims is close to that of the scheduled castes and in many educational parameters, Muslims fare worse than the scheduled castes. Interestingly, in the order spelling out the reclassification of the categories, Jains (Digamabaras) and Christians remain eligible for quota even though they too are based on religion. Christians and Jains are classified under the 2D category as per the government order.

The Budget allocation for the Ministry of Minority Affairs was reduced by 38% for the financial year 2023-24 to the year 2022-23. Several scholarship and skill development schemes got major fund cuts including the merit-cum means scholarship for professional and technical courses for students from minority communities. The schemes have been allotted funds of 44 crore in 2023, while the Budget for the same was 365 crore in 2022.

In 2023, the Centre announced discontinuation of the Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF) which offers research fellowship from six notified minority communities. MANF scholars from across 30 universities have urged Ms. Irani and her Ministry for Minority Affairs, the nodal agency for distribution of MANF, to expedite the MANF hike process and disburse the fellowship on a monthly basis.

A study by Development Data Lab at Dartmouth College in the US, looking at patterns of residence of Muslims and those belonging to the Scheduled Castes (SCs) across cities and villages found that urban areas were as segregated as rural places for SCs and more segregated for Muslims. The study also found that public services such as piped water, closed drainage, schools and health clinics within cities were systematically allocated away from neighbourhoods where marginalised groups like SCs and Muslims lived. About 26% of urban Muslims live in neighbourhoods that are more than 80% Muslim while roughly 17% of urban SCs live in neighbourhoods where more than 80% of residents are SCs, which is very similar to the distribution of SCs in rural areas. "Cities replicate the social environments of their hinterlands. Districts with segregated villages have segregated cities," noted the study, adding that people living in highly segregated cities were on average poorer than those in less segregated cities.

In Assam, About 40 lakh Assamese-speaking Muslims have been recognized as indigenous Assamese Muslims and a sub-group of the Assamese community. This move officially distinguishes the Assamese Muslims from the Bengali-speaking Muslims who have migrated from present-day Bangladesh since the late 1800s. Five Muslim groups  Goria, Moria, Deshi, Jolha and Syed  will be known as indigenous Assamese Muslims.

Encroachments

A recurring trope employed to displace minority communities, particularly Muslims, revolves around the allegation of illegal encroachment of land. This pretext serves as a justification for the demolition of residences and, more alarmingly, places of worship belonging to these communities. Despite the presence of pertinent documentation attesting to the legal status of these structures in many reported cases, the administration consistently conducts encroachment drives, resulting in the displacement of the affected individuals.

In recent years, such endeavors have become notably prevalent in Assam, with authorities asserting claims of land occupation by purported Bangladeshi migrants. This assertion, however, is often contradicted by the documented legitimacy of the structures targeted in these displacement efforts. The persistence of such actions, conducted in disregard of factual legal standing, compounds the vulnerability of minority communities and raises concerns about the systematic infringement upon their rights and properties.

For instance, in February, the Assam government approved the clearance of 1,900 hectares of land in Sonitpur district, impacting over 12,000 individuals whom the administration accused of residing there illegally for many years. This marked the fourth such operation within two months, as the Sonitpur district administration, under heightened security, initiated the process to reclaim allegedly "encroached" land in the Burachapori Wildlife Sanctuary (BWS) and neighboring revenue villages on the southern bank of the Brahmaputra river in central Assam. While a majority of the occupants, mainly Bengali-speaking Muslims, had already vacated their homes after receiving notices in the preceding weeks, some were still in the process of relocating when the eviction drive commenced, as clarified by some affected families. These individuals asserted that they were never informed that the areas they inhabited were designated as forest or government land and claimed to have received benefits from various state and central government schemes (Deccan Herald, 2023).

Uttarakhand witnessed major anti- encroachment drives where the state claimed to have liberated 5000 acres of land previously encroached through what the CM referred to as Land Jihad. As part of an anti-encroachment campaign, the state has demolished approximately 500 Mazars and 50 temples. The Nainital district witnessed the highest number of such demolitions (Singh, 2023).

Police excesses / Extrajudicial killings

The phenomenon of extrajudicial killings and arbitrary police actions has become a pernicious instrument employed to suppress marginalized social groups, displaying alarming frequency and a blatant disregard for established legal norms. In states such as Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, these extrajudicial killings have not only garnered approval from right-wing organizations but have also generated a climate of fear among the minority communities. The chief ministers of these states have, paradoxically, received acclaim for such measures, exacerbating the sense of vulnerability among the minorities.

These instances of excesses compel victims and their families to confront a formidable challenge, as they find themselves compelled to contend with the very institutions entrusted with their protection and the upholding of the law. This divergence from established legal and ethical standards contributes to a broader context wherein the minorities encounter systemic obstacles in seeking justice and redress for the violence perpetrated against them.

In the Shahjahanpur district of Uttar Pradesh, the police fatally shot a resident of Mohalla Sarai in Katra who was accused of robbing the house of Alok Gupta on September 19th. During the robbery, Alok Gupta and his family members were stabbed when they resisted, leading to Alok Gupta's demise. Following a First Information Report (FIR), the police arrested Shahbaz. While being escorted for a court appearance after a medical examination in the evening, the police jeep lost balance on a highway near Batlaiya village due to a stray animal crossing its path.

According to the police, Shahbaz allegedly snatched a pistol from one of the police personnel and attempted to escape. Despite repeated warnings to surrender, Shahbaz reportedly fired at the police. In self-defence, the police claimed to have returned fire, resulting in Shahbaz being declared dead upon arrival at the hospital. The Superintendent of Police (SP) announced that the team, led by a circle officer, responsible for this commendable action would receive a reward of Rs 25,000 from the district police and Rs 50,000 from the state government (Rashid, 2023).

On September 22nd, Anish Khan, accused of assaulting a 40-year-old woman constable in the Saryu Express train on August 30, was shot dead by the Special Task Force (STF) of the Uttar Pradesh Police and a team from the Ayodhya police. The encounter occurred in the Pura Kalandar area of Ayodhya during a collaborative operation between the UP STF and Ayodhya Police. The assault on the woman constable had sparked outrage, prompting the Allahabad High Court to take suo motu cognizance of the incident. The constable was on her way to Ayodhya for Sawan Mela duty when the attack occurred (The Hindu, 2023).

In a heart-rending incident, Mohammad Sajid Abbasi, a 28-year-old daily wage worker from Rataul village in Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh, was apprehended by the police on July 2nd under suspicion of gambling. Subsequently, no evidence was found against him, leading to his release. Unfortunately, within hours of being released, Abbasi passed away. His demise was attributed to injuries sustained from alleged police brutality, as claimed by his relatives. The family contends that he was subjected to severe beatings by the police, rendering him unable to stand upon his return home. Additionally, he reportedly exhibited frothing from his mouth, indicating distressing circumstances surrounding his treatment (Times of India, 2023).

In a bizarre case, a woman was arrested for allegedly praying in an Islamic posture in a Shiva temple in Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh. The woman was a patient who had come to visit her father. She went to the temple to seek blessings for her better health. Someone shot a video of her praying and uploaded it on social media. It was alleged on the video that she was offering namaz in the temple. The police arrested her under under IPC sections 295A (outraging religious sentiment), 120B (criminal conspiracy) and 153A (promoting enmity between different groups) (Singh & Ansari, 2023).

Enactment of new Laws / Implementation of laws

In recent years, the state has implemented policies and laws that systematically marginalize vulnerable communities, employing legislative frameworks as ostensibly legitimate tools to perpetuate discrimination and criminalize specific social groups. A notable manifestation of this phenomenon is evident in the implementation of stringent anti-conversion laws, which, in practice, are wielded arbitrarily to incarcerate individuals on false allegations. These laws themselves in the first place are drafted deliberately in vague terms giving an advantage to the state to bring under its ambit a number of cases.

Furthermore, the state's imposition of policies related to the wearing of the hijab in educational institutions exemplifies the utilization of "dress code" regulations as a means to obstruct the educational opportunities of Muslim women. An illustrative case occurred at Hindu College in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, where several students were denied entry and compelled to remove their burqas at the college gate. The authorities invoked the college's dress code as the basis for refusing entry to students attired in burqas (CNBCTV18, 2023).

This trend underscores a concerning pattern wherein legal instruments and institutional policies are employed to perpetuate systemic discrimination and hinder the access of marginalized communities to education and other fundamental rights.

Anti-Conversion Laws

Imam Hafiz Iqbal was detained after right-wing members in Aligarh filed a complaint accusing him of "converting Hindus in his mosque". Iqbal was in jail since August 7. Imam was arrested under the states anti-conversion law. The imam was later released on 11th August after no evidence was found against him (Dilshad, 2023).

In a separate incident in Kanpur, Naib Tehsildar Ashish Gupta faced removal from his position in December after allegedly embracing Islam in order to marry a Muslim woman. An initial inquiry revealed a violation of the employee code, leading to his reassignment to the collectorate. Authorities conducted raids at various locations to locate the Muslim woman reportedly involved with Gupta. In response, the administration launched an inquiry led by the Tehsildar. Gupta's wife asserted that he was compelled to convert for the purpose of marrying the Muslim woman and subsequently filed an FIR against five identified and six unidentified individuals with the Maudaha police under Sections 3/5 (1), 5 (2) of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act. The police apprehended the mosque caretaker, Mohammad Mushtaq, along with Kutubuddin Siddiqui, also known as Munna, and Asghar Ali from Bahraich. Prior to their incarceration, all three underwent medical examinations (Hindustan Times, 2023).

Mohammad Sabbir, resident of Indore, was convicted under the Madhya Pradesh Religious Freedom Act, 2021 in August. Hailed as the first conviction under the anti-conversion law in Madhya Pradesh, Sabbir was accused of raping and converting a girl into Islam. He was ordered to pay a fine of INR 56000 to the victim and INR 50,000 as compensation. He was sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment (Times of India, 2023).

Namaz

Authorities at M S University in Vadodara faced demands for action against a student who was captured on video performing namaz within the university campus. The footage shows a female student engaged in prayer outside the botany department's lecture hall. This incident marks the third of its kind on the college campus. In response to the controversy, Professor Haribhai Kataria, the dean of the Faculty of Science, issued a notice imposing restrictions on all students and faculty members, prohibiting any form of religious activities within the faculty premises. The notice emphasized the Faculty of Science's status as a premier institute of higher education, stating that engaging in religious activities within its premises is deemed inappropriate. The notice warned that any violation of this directive would result in appropriate disciplinary action.

Delimitation

The utilization of delimitation as a strategic tool to manipulate constituency boundaries with the explicit intent of minimizing the electoral influence of Muslim populations has been observed, notably in the state of Assam. This strategic redrawing aims to render the votes of the Muslim community inconsequential, thereby facilitating the unimpeded dominance of the ruling party. Consequently, the ruling party is absolved from the necessity to engage with or safeguard the interests of the Muslim population.

The recent issuance of the final delimitation list for Assam, subsequent to a comprehensive revision of constituencies, underscores the culmination of this process. The conclusive delimitation order delineates adjustments to the boundaries of numerous constituencies, maintaining an aggregate count of 14 parliamentary and 126 assembly constituencies. Noteworthy alterations include modifications to 30 assembly constituencies, accompanied by the introduction of 26 new ones.

Critics posit that the delimitation proposal, ostensibly undertaken for administrative reasons, harbors a covert agenda to curtail the political representation of Assam's Bengali-origin Muslim community. This community is often stigmatized as illegal immigrants from neighboring Bangladesh. The All-India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), whose principal support base emanates from Assam's Bengali-origin Muslims, contends that the delimitation exercise is poised to reduce the number of Muslim-majority assembly constituencies in the state from 29 to 22.

It is imperative to highlight that the delimitation process relies on demographic data derived from the 2001 census, as opposed to the more recent 2011 census. This methodological choice entails that demographic shifts, particularly increases in the state's Muslim population, are not factored into the revision of existing Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) constituencies. Consequently, the preservation of these constituencies from being de-reserved remains unaffected by the evolving demographic landscape.

Conclusion

Structural violence, as manifested by the state, constitutes a systematic and deliberate means to marginalize vulnerable segments of society, resulting in their dispossession, displacement, and loss of life. This insidious form of violence is enacted with a high degree of organization and method, strategically implemented to render minority communities as second-class citizens, thereby contravening the principles outlined in the Constitution of India. This resultant marginalization extends beyond mere physical harm and encompasses a multifaceted assault on the rights, resources, and livelihoods of minority communities. The implications of such structural violence are particularly egregious, as it contravenes the foundational principles of equality and justice enshrined in the constitutional framework of India.

In this context, the state's role in rendering minorities as second-class citizens is not only a violation of constitutional principles but also indicative of a systemic failure to uphold the fundamental tenets of a democratic and inclusive society. The ramifications of such actions extend beyond individual instances of violence, posing a broader challenge to the principles of social justice and equality enshrined in the constitutional ethos of the nation.

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Violence in India After Ram Mandir Inauguration

The deliberate attempt to provoke Muslims look much more planned instead of sudden happening. Read More

Monday January 29, 2024 7:53 PM , Raqif Makhdoomi

On January 22, 2024 Prime Minister Narendra Modi of Secular India inaugurated Ram Mandir in a controversial ceremony . The demolition of Babri Masjid was called illegal by the Supreme Court of India. The ASI survey findings werent enough to claim that Babri Masjid was built on any Mandir. If one goes through the ASI survey report or the judgement he /she will come to know whose claims were right and whos wrong.

Soon after the inauguration of Ram Mandir , riots began to pour out and the extremist Hindu groups started to gather outside Masjids and began to dance on Ram Bajhans. The whole DJ system is being used to make sure that Muslims are provoked.

It all began with Mira Road . A Muslim dominated area, where the Hindu mob entered and started to shout Hindu slogans. This made the one group of Mira Road enraged and when they chased them off, the other group got angry and started the whole madness of playing loud music outside Masjids and dance.

The deliberate attempt to provoke Muslims look much more planned instead of sudden happening. Narendra Modi used the temple for his votes. The temple is still incomplete and it will take many more months to be completed. But the Modi fans are so happy that they are treating him like a god and the people who made their long pending dream come true are forgotten.

Rajiv Ghandi who has a big role to play isnt even spoken about and Congress is being presented as anti-Hindu party which it isnt. The BJP and Congress have only one difference and thats the BJP play hard Hinduism and Congress play Soft Hinduism. Otherwise both are same.

After the inauguration of the Mandir, Yogi Adityanath, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh said:

Now the gun shots wont be heard in the lanes of Ayodhya.

He wasnt right because after the inauguration a guy was seen brandishing a gun and shooting in Mumbai. The video is doing rounds on Twitter.

I dont understand the logic. They had to fight for 500 years for the Temple but they still are gathering outside Masjids and dancing. I feel, instead of Ram Mandir they are finding the peace in Masjids? Well, if this is the case they should often visit Masjids and find peace??

Another incident of dancing outside Masjid came from Bihars Drabhanga where a mob had swords with them and were openly displaying them and the police looked just helpless. They were dancing, showing their sword skills and the police was watching silently as if nothing was wrong.

There has also been an incident where the Hindu mob entered homes of some Muslims and destroyed their belongings. There was seriously none to stop them. A Hindu mob paraded a Muslim boy naked, tried to put his private part on fire and even video graphed it and the video is now on Twitter doing rounds. Similarly, in Mira Road, a family accuses the Hindu mob of attempting to kill their seven-year old son. Madhya Pradesh and Telangana also witnessed incidents of Hindu mobs dancing outside Masjids.

Incidents unfolding after the inauguration of Ram Mandir are seriously worrying and they say Ram Rajya when implemented will protect everyone. We can sense what will happen if India is ever declared Ram Rajya. Modi, the Prime Minister, in his speech said:

Ram is the law of India.

I fear if this is the law of Ram what will happen when and if India is declared Ram Rajya.

Theres a thing going on with Ram Mandir that its being built three kilometres away from where Babri Masjid actually was. But they arent paying heed to it and Modi media isnt circulating it.

Well be it three kilometres away or on the spot. The Ram Mandir is a reality. All we need to see is will it help them with employment, will it give food to those Indians who still sleep empty stomach, will it give education or will it only help Narendra Modi to win elections back to back.

[The writer, Raqif Makhdoomi, is a student of law and a Rights Activist. Views and opinions expressed in the article is personal.]

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Manila, Jan 29 (UNI) Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos left for Vietnam on Monday for a two-day state visit to boost cooperation.







"Maritime cooperation will be one of the cornerstones of the strategic partnership that we are going to forge, and we hope to strengthen this aspect during my visit to promote peace and stability in our region," Marcos said in his departure speech.







He added that he will also discuss with his counterpart, Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong, cooperation in trade and investments, education, and tourism, as well as regional and multilateral issues of mutual concern.







Calling the state visit to bring relations between the Philippines and Vietnam to "greater heights," Marcos is also scheduled to meet Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Chairman of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue.







The Philippines and Vietnam aim to boost bilateral trade by up to 10 billion U.S. dollars in the coming years. Vietnam is the Philippines' sole strategic partner in the ASEAN region, with ties spanning almost 50 years since establishing bilateral relations in 1976.







Vietnam is home to around 7,000 Filipino workers.

UNI/XINHUA XC SY ARN
HA NOI - The Viet Nam Embassy's Commercial Services in the Netherlands has issued a warning regarding a surge in online fraudulent activities against Vietnamese exporters as global demand for petroleum products increases.

The service said that fraudsters have chosen the northwestern European country as the Netherlands is reputed for its stringent legal system and reputable foreign partnerships, which can then be used to exploit the trust placed in its business environment.

The embassy said fraudsters have set up fake websites and employed impersonation tactics to deceive unsuspecting victims, who place excessive trust in the legal systems of importing countries and may forego thorough verification processes and hastily enter contracts with enticing terms, escalating the risks of disputes and fraud.

According to the Vietnamese trade authorities, fraudulent activities were not confined to the Netherlands alone. Various commercial services have also reported a growing trend in major markets including the United States, Canada, and Europe. As Vietnamese businesses seize opportunities in the expanding global market, the complexities and sophistication of trade disputes and fraud have increased.

As the global economic slowdown has reduced demand for goods and services across the world, some Vietnamese businesses have been prompted to neglect careful examination of contracts and partner verification, according to trade experts. Rushed negotiations could result in unfavourable terms related to payment methods, deposit percentages, and delivery conditions in international trade contracts.

Representatives from various industry associations have expressed concerns about fraud risks in payment and a lack of experience in negotiations among Vietnamese exporters.

Hoang Thi Lien, chairwoman of the Vietnam Pepper and Spice Association said the risks in large markets including conflicts, wars, and political instability were significant as foreign partners might struggle with their cash flow and payment method.

This could and had resulted in sizable losses for Vietnamese exporters.

She advised Vietnamese businesses to invest additional resources in the early detection of fraud and securing information on foreign partners, as well as the value of widely disseminating warning information, advice, and legal consultations through various platforms.

According to the association, businesses in connected countries must coordinate closely with Vietnamese commercial services and embassies to compile a blacklist of potential fraudsters while conducting businesses with increased caution.

Earlier, the association issued several warnings to its business members, which called for stronger support from Vietnamese commercial services and additional information provided to businesses trying to break into new markets. It highlighted the importance of a two-way identification method to help Vietnamese exporters verify and screen their foreign partners, mitigating fraud risks.

In addition, the association has called for the establishment of reference rules to protect Vietnamese exporters in high-risk markets, which may include a minimum deposit amount and preference of payment method across the entire industry.

According to the association, while some exporters have been sticking to full payment before delivery in high-risk markets a lack of common agreement and uniformity in the industry may expose some of its members to potential frauds. VNS
HCM CITY  French cheese producer Bel Vietnam Company has announced it will carry out meaningful and practical activities for street vendors in Viet Nam, aiming to help street vendors build more efficient and sustainable businesses, and thereby generate good income to support themselves and their families.

Under the plan, the company started its "Small and Micro Entrepreneur Support Programme  MSE Support Programme" for 2024 with many practical activities to support street vendors.

The company organised two significant events, featuring numerous beneficial activities to improve sales expertise and honour individuals with excellent business achievements in 2023.

In particular, Bel successfully organised the "Bel Factory Tour Day for Excellent Retailers  Street Sales Channel" in Binh Duong Province, with the participation of many street vendors.

At the tour, participants had the opportunity to experience the modern space and discover the realities of the professional production process.

In addition to having a deeper understanding of the factorys operation process, the tour also helped sellers fully grasp information about cheese products and production, giving street vendors the opportunity to boost sales and income.

In another development, the company hosted its year-end seminar, which attracted a lot of street vendors at traditional markets in HCM City, such as Thu uc Market, Binh ien Market and Hoc Mon Market.

At the event, all participants were directly trained on sales skills, how to set up booths, strategies to help attract customers, and the essential details regarding particular products.

This is the 13th consecutive year that Bel Vietnam has implemented the MSE Support Programme, which aims to increase income and business knowledge for street vendors in Viet Nam.

Up to now, thousands of street vendors and traditional market workers have had the opportunity to participate and receive training certificates. Thanks to training courses and seminars, participants' awareness of saving and financial management increased by up to 40 per cent, and income was also improved by 50 per cent.

Following the success of previous years, in 2024, Bel Group will continue to implement a series of activities to support sellers through promotions and technology application training, in order to gradually increase sales and income, the company affirmed.

Bel Group is a French cheese manufacturer that was established in 1865, notable for its Laughing Cow cheese brand in Viet Nam.

To date, Bel Group is present in nearly 120 countries and operates 37 subsidiaries, 29 factories, and three research and innovation centers.

Bel Group has opened a representative office in Viet Nam since 2007 and started domestic production since 2011, building and putting into operation a factory in Song Than 3 Industrial Park in Binh Duong since 2016. -- VNS
BANGKOK  Vietjet has been honoured with double prestigious awards by International Finance magazine, the worlds leading finance publication.

The airline has been named "Best Low-cost Airline in Southeast Asia" and "Best Finance Management-Aviation-Viet Nam. The grand award ceremony in Bangkok gathered hundreds of global business leaders.

The International Finance Awards has been organised annually for over a decade by International Finance, a premier finance and business magazine based in the UK. The award honours global industry-leading businesses, talents, leadership skills and capabilities in the fields of finance, banking, aviation, insurance, energy and services.

Vietjet is praised for its excellence achieved over time, especially in optimising the air travel experience for customers. The airline also continuously offers innovative and safe aviation products and services with affordable fares. The airline is also recognised for its impressive flight network expansion, covering most of the Asia Pacific. In terms of finance management, the airline stands out with positive business results in the post-pandemic era and develops sustainably with ESG goals.

Vietjet Chief Operating Officer Michael Hickey said: "Vietjet is proud to be a new-age carrier catering to customers diversified demands and taking the lead to provide civilised, modern and convenient travel opportunities at affordable costs to people and tourists within the region and around the world."

"The international business and finance community's recognition is also a testament to Vietjets effective and transparent financial activities, affirming its leading role in promoting the economy, trade and tourism while being a trusted partner in the global aviation industry," he said.

Vietjet currently operates a fleet of over 100 aircraft with an expansive flight network in Viet Nam and Thailand, as well as international routes to Australia, India, China, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Singapore and Kazakhstan, serving over 185 million passengers domestically and internationally.  VNS
Compiled by Hoang Ha

HA NOI  Viet Nam promotes building and developing a carbon credit market to utilise its great potential for carbon absorption from forest development.

Carbon credits, also known as carbon offsets, are permits that allow the owner to emit a certain amount of carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases. One credit permits the emission of one tonne of carbon dioxide (CO2) or the equivalent in other greenhouse gases.

2023 marked a significant milestone for the forestry sector as Viet Nam successfully sold 10.3 million forest carbon credits (10.3 million tonnes of CO2) for the first time through the World Bank (WB) for US$51.5 million, said Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Quoc Tri.

The sale was part of the Emission Reductions Payment Agreements (ERPA) in the north central region signed on October 22, 2020 between the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) of the WB and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD).

In early August 2023, the WB paid the first ERPA instalment of $41.2 million to the Vietnamese ministry, or 80 per cent of the contract.

The remaining $10.3 million will be paid after the transfer of 10.3 million tonnes of CO2 is completed.

The Viet Nam Forest Protection and Development Fund has received and disbursed all the first payment so that six north central provinces can urgently make payment plans for forest owners. Those provinces include Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri and Thua Thien-Hue. The financial resource will contribute to protecting forests and improving people's lives in these provinces.

Mai Van Minh, director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Quang Binh Province, said Quang Binh would transfer more than 2.4 million carbon credits to earn about VN235 billion in 2023-2025.

In 2023, Quang Binh received VN82.4 billion from transferring carbon credits - the second highest revenue among six provinces in the region, according to Minh.

In addition to the number of credits sold, the WB has confirmed the emission reduction results of the entire north central region in the first period (January 1, 2018 - December 31, 2019), reaching 16.21 million tonnes of CO2 (equivalent to 16.21 million credits).

According to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE), with more than 14.7 million hectares of forests, including about 10 million hectares of natural forests, Viet Nam's forests can generate huge financial resources from the carbon credit market to re-invest in forest protection and development.

To participate in domestic and global carbon markets, the Forestry Department proposes to pilot the transfer of emission reduction results for potential areas.

The Ministry of Finance is also coordinating with MONRE to develop a project building the domestic carbon market to submit to competent authorities for consideration and approval.

Carbon credit trading also opens a new business field for companies. In September 2023, CT Group launched its ASEAN Carbon Credit Exchange Joint Stock Company (CCTPA), becoming the first Vietnamese enterprise to kick off a voluntary carbon emissions exchange.

According to Hoang Bach Duong, deputy chairwoman of CT Group, building a carbon market and green finance market is a vital trend to improve businesses competitive capacity since meeting all requirements of carbon barriers that large markets are imposing will play a decisive role for the race in the global supply chain.

The launch of the CCTPA will encourage enterprises to shift to cleaner technologies which help reduce carbon emissions and achieve Viet Nams net-zero emissions goal by 2050.

Tang The Cuong, director of MONRE's Department of Climate Change, said that developing the carbon market in Viet Nam will contribute to implementing the goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting the development of low-emission technology.

However, there are still many obstacles that make localities with forests as well as investors intending to invest in Viet Nam's forest carbon credits, still very cautious.

At present, many localities have potential in exploiting forest carbon credits, but there are still no specific instructions on collecting and selling carbon credits.

The forested area of nearly 500,000 hectares, covering more than 60 per cent of Quang Nam's area, will generate one million carbon credits on average each year. So Quang Nam can earn over VN100 billion from selling the forest carbon credits.

This revenue is much larger than the revenue from forest environmental services. Not only forest owners but also local authorities have high hopes for the tradable carbon credits.

Over the next 10 years, Quang Nam's natural forest area is expected to increase by 20 per cent, contributing to the country's overall emission reduction goal.

Ho Quang Buu, vice chairman of the People's Committee of Quang Nam Province, said the authorities and also the forest owners hope that the Government will create a clear legal corridor for trading carbon credits.

Tuyen Quang Province now has nearly 426,000 hectares of forests, offering huge potential in trading forest carbon credits.

However, this province has had difficulty carrying out forest carbon credit trading activities due to the lack of regulations on processes, procedures, responsibilities of relevant parties, and financial mechanisms of a forest carbon credit trading project.

Nguyen Tuan Quang, deputy director of MONRE's Climate Change Department, said that to promote the development of the carbon market in Viet Nam, the tasks are now to develop regulations on carbon credit management and trading; establish a national registration system for carbon credits; and develop a list of activities and measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions for encouraging the exchange of carbon credits with international partners.

It should also negotiate to have agreements or contracts with international partners on exchanging carbon credits, resulting in reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

Along with that, Viet Nam needs to prepare professional human resources, infrastructure and necessary conditions to operate the greenhouse gas emission quota and the carbon credit exchange, according to Quang. It should have programmes on the development of voluntary and compliant carbon markets.

Meanwhile, Tran Quang Bao, director of the Viet Nam Department of Forest, said according to Government Decree 06/2022/N-CP, Viet Nam will pilot operation of carbon credit exchange in 2025 and officially run this market in 2028.

Accordingly, from now until the end of 2027, Viet Nam must focus on developing regulations on carbon credit management and exchange of greenhouse gas emission quotas and carbon credits.

It must develop regulations on operating the carbon credit market, pilot implementation of the mechanism for exchanging and clearing carbon credits in potential areas in accordance with domestic laws and provisions of international conventions to which Viet Nam is a member.

Vu Trung Kien, director of the Centre for Climate Change Response Support, said the carbon credit market is an important source of capital to help businesses and the country's economy transition from brown (resource-based) to green, both reducing greenhouse gas emissions and creating motivation and profits for businesses and the country.

Therefore, to build the carbon credit exchange, it is necessary to improve the domestic legal framework in accordance with international requirements, said Kien.

In addition, it should have more financial resources and technological innovation. These are also huge challenges, Kien said.  VNS
China, U.S. agree to boost cooperation in anti-drug, AI, people-to-people exchanges

Xinhua) 09:31, January 29, 2024

BANGKOK, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- China and the United States have agreed to launch a joint working group on anti-drug cooperation, the first meeting of the China-U.S. intergovernmental dialogue mechanism on artificial intelligence this spring, and take further steps to expand people-to-people exchanges.

Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, held a new round of talks with U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan here from Friday to Saturday.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Police will form a task force to enhance the safety of lawmakers and politicians ahead of April's parliamentary elections, following attacks against two high-profile lawmakers, the national police chief said Monday.

Less than a month after Rep. Lee Jae-myung, chairman of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), was stabbed in the neck during a visit to the southeastern city of Busan, Rep. Bae Hyun-jin of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) was attacked with a rock by a teenager in Seoul last Thursday.

"A task force will be established between the National Police Agency and each political party to prepare for dangerous situations and share relevant information," NPA Commissioner General Yoon Hee-keun told reporters after a meeting with PPP lawmakers.

Yoon also mentioned efforts will be made to prevent copycat crimes and to conduct regular screenings for threatening posts online or writing that indicates the possibility of copycat crimes.

"If necessary, we will respond in a manner that includes civil action responsibilities beyond criminal punishment," he said. (Yonhap)
HA NOI  Ocean liners bustling at ports, bringing thousands of foreign visitors to Viet Nam, and bookings for Tet (Lunar New Year holiday) tours on the rise are among the robust uptick for the tourism sector in 2024, according to insiders.

Vu Hai Sam, deputy director of the Domestic Tourism Division at Saigontourist Travel Services Co Ltd, said that tours to northern localities, ranging from VN9-15 million (US$366-610), have been attractive to visitors.

Besides, road trips departing from HCM City to explore such destinations as Bao Loc, Nha Trang, a Lat, Phan Thiet, Buon Ma Thuot, and Mang en have won favour among customers, he added.

Statistics from Saigontourist showed that bookings from the overseas Vietnamese have risen dramatically, accounting for up to 80 per cent of the total.

During the peak Tet season, which runs from February 2 to 9, the tour operator will service some 28,000 domestic and foreign visitors, up 20 per cent from the same time last year.

According to Nguyen Minh Man, communications and marketing director at TST Tourist, the overseas Vietnamese are interested in seven to ten-day tour packages to the northern region.

In the run-up to Tet holiday, HCM City has welcomed thousands of visitors a day who then continue their trips to the Mekong Delta and neighbouring countries.

Some 416,000 foreign visitors and more than 2.3 million domestic ones made their trips in the city, helping it generate nearly VN13 trillion in tourism revenue in January, up 57 per cent year-on-year, according to the municipal tourism authority.

Tan Son Nhat International Airport said it hosts 860-900 flights with 135,000-140,000 passengers a day from January 26 to February 24. The airport authority has penned detailed plans and arrange staff and equipment to prevent congestion and provide the passengers with the best services.  VNS
Dr. Mattias Larsson & Cynthia S Dacanay

Huyen, a content mother, had given birth to her daughter, Ngoc, who was now three months old. Ngoc was born full-term, weighing 3.5kg, and had no complications apart from some mild jaundice that did not require phototherapy. Ngoc had already received the initial vaccinations for Hepatitis B and BCG (Tuberculosis).

When it came time for the six-in-one vaccination, which included Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTP), Polio, Haemophilus Influenzae, as well as the Pneumococcal vaccine and Rota virus, Ngoc developed a low-grade fever below 38.5C. Also, Huyen herself had been ill at the time. Due to these circumstances, Huyen made the decision to delay Ngoc's vaccination for the time being.

A few days after attending a family gathering where everyone wanted to greet Ngoc, she began experiencing symptoms including a runny nose, mild cough, and a mild fever. Concerned about her well-being, Huyen took Ngoc to a local doctor who suspected it to be a viral infection but still prescribed amoxicillin antibiotics.

However, despite taking the prescribed medication, Ngoc's symptoms persisted and even worsened after ten days. Her cough became more severe and rapid, accompanied by a distinct "whoop" sound, vomiting, and exhaustion. Ngoc's condition took a concerning turn when she experienced a brief pause in breathing and her lips turned blue, causing her mother to become extremely worried.

Seeking further medical assistance, Huyen took Ngoc to Family Medical Practice, where they met with a pediatrician. Huyen explained the symptoms, duration of illness, and mentioned that Ngoc had not received the DTP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis) vaccination. After examining Ngoc, the pediatrician concluded that it was likely to be a case of whooping cough and initiated treatment with macrolide antibiotics.

Ngoc's PCR test revealed a positive result for pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, which is a highly contagious and hazardous respiratory disease. It typically affects around 80-90 per cent of individuals who are exposed to it and have not been vaccinated. The disease can be transmitted through coughing and sneezing, so it is crucial to avoid close contact until at least five days of treatment have been completed.

The doctor further explained that pertussis is caused by a bacteria known as bordetella pertussis and can be prevented through vaccination. Antibiotics are the recommended treatment, although the previously administered ones may not be effective. Administering antibiotics early in the course of the infection can potentially reduce the duration of symptoms and lower the risk of transmission.

The paediatrician, actively involved in pertussis research, provided insights from their work at the Vietnam National Children's Hospital. Over the course of three years (2015-2018), the hospital encountered over 1,000 laboratory-confirmed cases of pertussis. Among these cases, 40 per cent affected infants under two months of age, and 23 per cent experienced severe symptoms.

Infants are particularly prone to complications such as pneumonia, convulsions, and hypotension. The incidence of pertussis varied across seasons, with the highest number of cases occurring in the summer. However, the winter season witnessed a higher proportion of severe cases and fatalities.

Comparing non-vaccinated children to those who received the DPT (diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus) vaccine, the study revealed significant differences. Non-vaccinated children exhibited more severe symptoms, required hospitalisation for a longer duration and substantially higher medical costs. In contrast, DPT vaccination provided protection against pertussis infection and, in the event of an infection, reduced the severity of symptoms.

The doctor stressed the significance of vaccination in preventing Pertussis and other childhood diseases. It was emphasised that individuals of all age groups, including infants as young as six weeks old, pre-teens, and adults, should receive the Pertussis vaccine. Pregnant women, in particular, were highlighted as a group that should prioritise vaccination. Studies have shown that the protective effects of immunisation diminish over time, typically lasting between four to 12 years.

The doctor also explained that pregnant women who receive the Pertussis vaccine can provide protection to their newborns. This occurs through the transfer of antibodies from the mother to the baby via the blood exchange in the placenta and through breastfeeding. Huyen expressed her regret, stating that if she had been aware of this information earlier, she would have chosen to get vaccinated for Pertussis during her pregnancy. Family Medical Practice

Visit Family Medical Practice Hanoi 24/7 at 298I Kim Ma Street, Ba inh District.

To book an appointment, please call us at (024).3843.0784 or via Whatsapp, Viber or Zalo on +84.944.43.1919 or email hanoi@vietnammedicalpractice.com.

FMPs downtown location in Ho Chi Minh City is in Diamond Plaza, 34 Le Duan Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, and 95 Thao ien Street, District 2. Tel. (028) 3822 7848 or email hcmc@vietnammedicalpractice.com.
HA NOI  Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. and his spouse arrived in Ha Noi on Monday afternoon, starting their two-day state visit to Viet Nam at the invitation of President Vo Van Thuong and his spouse.

They were welcomed at the Noi Bai International Airport by Chairman of the President's Office Le Khanh Hai, Chairman of the Ha Noi People's Committee Tran Sy Thanh, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs o Hung Viet, and Vietnamese Ambassador to the Philippines Lai Thai Binh, among others.

This is the first visit to Viet Nam by the Philippine leader since taking office in 2022.

In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) ahead of the visit, Ambassador Binh said that the trip aims to reaffirm the solid strategic partnership, foster political trust at the highest level, 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 (known internationally as the South China Sea).

Through the visit, the strategic cooperation between the two countries is expected to be comprehensively consolidated, for the sake of their peoples, and for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and beyond, he said.  VNS
VIENTIANE  Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son suggested the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) enhance digital, infrastructure, institution and people-to-people connectivity, while addressing the ASEAN Foreign Ministers (AMM)' Retreat that opened in Luang Prabang city, Laos, on Monday.

ASEAN should work to raise its intra-bloc trade and investment, turning itself into an epicentre of growth, he said, noting cooperation strategies to 2045 need an inclusive, comprehensive, and creative approach.

On this occasion, the minister invited countries to attend an ASEAN forum on rapid and sustainable development with the people taken as the centre to be hosted by Viet Nam.

The forum, also initiated by Viet Nam, aims to create a platform for officials, experts, and scholars to exchange views and make policy recommendations regarding ASEAN development, connectivity, and cooperation.

Son affirmed Viet Nam's support for Laoss ASEAN Chairmanship, and that the country will participate in and contribute to upcoming events like the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit in Melbourne, Australia, and the 24th EU-ASEAN Foreign Ministerial Meeting in Belgium.

The official also proposed ASEAN maintain its solidarity and consensus, and uphold its independence and self-reliance.

Minister Son and other delegates reiterated ASEANs common principled stance on the East Sea (known internationally as the South China Sea), and called on the grouping to persistently support Myanmar.

ASEAN needs to maintain a balanced and objective approach, and raise its position and voice on issues relating to peace, security, stability and sustainable development in the region and beyond, he continued.

The participating ministers pledged to back and coordinate during the implementation of ASEAN priorities with the two central elements of self-reliance and connectivity.

They agreed with directions to accelerate the recovery and connection of economies, and consented to focus on sustainable and inclusive development, foster digital transformation, strengthen the capacity of the health system, protect the environment, respond to climate change, enhance culture and art cooperation, and promote the role and contributions of women and children.

The ministers expressed their wish to build the East Sea of peace, stability, cooperation, and prosperity, and committed to the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), towards a substantive, effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).  VNS
HA NOI  President of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics (HCMA) Nguyen Xuan Thang held a working session in Ha Noi on Monday with Chancellor of the Korea National Diplomatic Academy (KNDA) Park Cheol-hee.

Thang said the Viet Nam-Republic of Korea relationship is now at its best since the establishment of their diplomatic ties in 1992.

Highlighting the rapid and effective development of ties across politics, diplomacy, national defence-security, economy and trade bilaterally and multilaterally over the past more than three decades, he said Viet Nam prioritises the promotion of trade, science, investment, with a particular emphasis on energy transition, green transformation, artificial intelligence and semiconductor technology.

Given Viet Nam's rising prominence as a preferred destination for leading global semiconductor corporations like Intel and Samsung, Thang expressed a keen interest in furthering cooperation in this crucial sector. He also envisioned an expansion of collaboration in the industrial supply chain, semiconductor technology, carbon neutrality and trade facilitation through greenhouse gas reduction, clean energy, expanding rules of origin and core mineral resources.

Park, for his part, wished for enhanced cooperation through specialised training for officials and lecturers provided by the HCMA, along with courses for trainees. He also expressed a desire to hold a semiconductor forum.

Both sides discussed and agreed to cooperate on climate change response, especially in maritime security in the region.

At a seminar on maritime security cooperation in the region and cooperation in the Greater Mekong Sub-region co-organised by the HCMA and the KNDA earlier, the two sides reached consensus on key measures to create a safe maritime environment, emphasising the political will of countries to coordinate actions.

They highlighted the need for collective efforts involving organisations or countries rather than unilateral and separate actions. They also stressed the importance of implementing existing frameworks and mechanisms, building trust through the publication of white papers.

Additionally, cooperation measures in areas such as preserving marine biological resources, protecting the marine environment, and building capacity for law enforcement agencies at sea were identified as areas requiring stronger cooperation and agreements at the regional level.  VNS
HA NOI  President Vo Van Thuong hosted separate receptions in Ha Noi on Monday for new Ambassadors of Poland, Spain and Bangladesh to Viet Nam and the outgoing Mozambican Ambassador.

Receiving Polish Ambassador Aleksander Surdej, President Thuong expressed his belief that the diplomat would make positive contributions to strengthening bilateral ties, especially on the occasion of their 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2025.

He wished that the guest would facilitate the exchange of all-level delegations and step up the implementation of existing bilateral cooperation mechanisms. He also suggested reinforcing collaboration across education-training, tourism, culture, and people-to-people exchange, thereby expanding cooperation into other areas.

Additionally, he also hoped for greater interaction between Vietnamese and Polish citizens, encouraging more visits, study trips, and experience sharing between the two countries.

Surdej, for his part, expressed a desire for stronger coordination in economy, public policy, labour, and science and geology, alongside culture and art, especially in music.

Impressed by the participation of many talented young Vietnamese pianists in competitions in Poland, he hailed the Vietnamese community in Poland for contributing to development in the host country.

During a reception for Spanish Ambassador Carmen Cano De Lasala, Thuong proposed that both countries nurture political trust, diplomatic ties and promote high-level visits and exchanges.

In his view, leveraging cooperation mechanisms such as the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the EU-Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) will further increase two-way trade in the future. Many Vietnamese agencies and businesses have already embarked on studying technology, infrastructure and transportation - areas in which Spain excels.

The President also suggested further pushing forward ties across education, sci-tech, culture, sport and people-to-people exchange.

The Spanish Ambassador said the two countries are now in a very favourable stage to boost bilateral ties, especially in 2024 when they celebrate the 15th anniversary of strategic partnership toward the future.

Spain wishes to cultivate cultural and people-to-people exchanges, welcome more Vietnamese to visit, study and work in the country, she said.

Meeting with Bangladeshi Ambassador Mohammad Lutfor Rahman, the Vietnamese leader suggested both countries relevant agencies foster exchanges and mutual support for development as the two economies share similarities.

"Viet Nam is ready to serve as a bridge for Bangladesh to advance cooperation with ASEAN and hopes that Bangladesh will support the bloc's common stance on global and regional issues," he said.

Wishing for the further sharing of experience for development, the ambassador said Bangladesh expects to further fortify cooperation with Viet Nam, especially in agriculture, education, information and communication technology, cybersecurity, and launch of direct flights to boost people-to-people exchange.

Hosting Mozambican Ambassador Leonardo Rosario Manuel Pene in the afternoon the same day, President Thuong proposed the continued reinforcing of political trust as a foundation for collaboration beyond trade and investment.

He urged more drastic measures to increase coordination in culture, education, technology and people-to-people exchange.

The ambassador thanked the President and relevant Vietnamese authorities for their support in fulfilling his mission in Viet Nam.

Whatever position he will assume in the future, he promised to keep moving forward the Viet Nam-Mozambique relationship.  VNS
HA NOI  The Vietnam Social Security has proposed that health insurance plans be expanded to respond to peoples financial ability.

The suggestion comes as the agency, the health ministry and relevant departments are reviewing the execution of the Law on Health Insurance during 2009-2023.

More than 93.3 million people in Viet Nam have health insurance, equivalent to 93.35 per cent of the national population and exceeding by 0.15 per cent the target set in Government Resolution 01/NQ-CP.

In 2023, there were approximately 174.8 million medical examinations and treatments covered by national health insurance, totalling VN124.3 trillion (US$5.06 billion).

The insurance covered 1,037 types of medications and pharmaceutical products, alongside 229 oriental and 349 traditional medicines.

As of the end of 2023, Viet Nam had nearly 13,000 medical facilities partnered with the national health insurance, of which there were 1,768 public and 1,067 private facilities, alongside over 10,000 commune-level health stations.

Deputy health minister Tran Van Thuan pointed out several shortcomings in the implementation of the health insurance law, such as the differences in participation rate among those who are required to have health insurance, those whose premium payment is partially covered by the state budget, and those who voluntarily enrol in health insurance schemes.

Meanwhile, there is still room for improvement regarding health examination and treatment quality, especially at the community levels and in facilities in remote areas due to limited infrastructure and capacity, he said, while provincial and central-level hospitals are often overloaded.

Insufficient regulations have also led to exploitation and overspending of the health insurance fund in recent years, with unnecessary use of equipment installed with private capital or false reports of medical services and medications administered.

Modest communication activities mean that people in several localities are still unaware of new regulations related to health insurance, he added.

Le Van Phuc, director of the Department of Health Insurance Implementation at Vietnam Social Security (VSS) suggested that all citizens should be enrolled in national health insurance in a comprehensive and constant manner, especially those in the informal sector or temporarily laid off.

In addition to expanding the health insurance plans to better fit peoples financial ability, Phuc said that it is also necessary to review insurance benefit packages.

According to VSS deputy general director Nguyen uc Hoa, the three principles for effective execution of the health insurance law are the financial commitment from the government to support policy beneficiaries, community engagement and experiences in execution, and the balance between needs and interests of state management agencies, enforcement agencies and policy beneficiaries.

VSS will also work with the health ministry on amending the health insurance law and addressing the current shortcomings, especially issues related to payment, medical examination and treatment standards, and advanced technology application in management and operations.  VNS
LAO CAI  A New Year gathering was held in the northern border province of Lao Cai on January 29 evening, with a delegation from the provincial Party Organisation and authorities and their counterpart from Honghe county of Chinas Yunnan province taking part.

The event was part of the cultural exchange programme celebrating the Lunar New Year across the border and the Vietnam-China border festival 2024 held the same day.

At the event, Secretary of the Lao Cai provincial Party Committee ang Xuan Phong proposed that the Secretary of the Party Committee and leaders of Honghe county direct departments and agencies coordinate with Lao Cai province to swiftly resume the exchange of goods and residents through border gates and crossings, facilitate the opening of border gates between both sides, and build a pilot model of smart border gates at the Lao Cai - Hekou international border gate.

He urged Honghe county to recommend the relevant Chinese authorities designate the Lao Cai-Hekou international railway border gate as the primary entry point for Vietnamese agricultural products and fruits into the Chinese market. Furthermore, he suggested expanding the list of Vietnamese fruits allowed to be imported into China to bolster trade turnover through the Lao Cai-Hekou international border gate.

He sought Honghe countys continued support for the export of Vietnamese agricultural and aquatic products to China through border gates, stressing the importance of streamlined customs clearance for goods via the Lao Cai-Hekou international railway border gate.

He also suggested expanding the list of Vietnamese fruit items allowed for import into China to increase trade turnover through the Lao Cai-Hekou international border gate.

Secretary of the Honghe Party Committee Zhao Ruijun, for his part, said Honghe county wishes to further deepen ties between the two localities Party organisations, authorities and people.

He articulated a firm belief that, given the potential, advantages and robust traditional relationship, the two sides would forge more effective cooperation in the future, particularly in significantly increasing the current value of export-import turnover.

On the occasion, a number of cooperation agreements were signed by Lao Cai and Chinese partners.

The same day, the Vietnam-China economic and trade forum, along with media and youth friendship exchanges, and an interaction between young entrepreneurs, were also held.  VNS
According to the Foreign Investment Agency under the Ministry of Planning and Investment, over $2.36 billion in FDI was registered as of January 20, up 40.2 per cent on-year.

Among this, newly registered capital surged by 24.2 per cent on-year to reach $2 billion. The number of newly registered projects was 190, up 56.6 per cent on-year.

Meanwhile, adjusted registered capital contracted 23.1 per cent on-year to $235.4 million. There were 75 adjusted registered projects, down 15.7 per cent on-year. The number of capital contribution and share purchase deals was 174, down 14,7 per from a year ealier. The total value of these deals reached over 116.5 million, down 33.1 per cent on-year.

Soaring FDI registration is attributed to the 24.2 per cent increase in new projects. There are many large-scale projects worth more than $600 million.

Investments were made across 15 out of 21 industries in the national economic classification system. The real estate business took the lead with an investment of $1.27 billion, accounting for 53.9 per cent of the total registered capital and doubling the figure of last year's period.

Processing and manufacturing ranked second, reaching over $926 million, representing 39.2 per cent of total registered capital. It was followed by professional, scientific, and technological activities as well as wholesale and retail with registered capital of $65.2 million and nearly $54.5 million, respectively.

About 40 countries and territories invested in Vietnam in January 2024. Among them, Singapore took the lead with over $1.4 billion, accounting for 59.5 per cent in Vietnam and up 72.8 per cent from a year earlier. Japan came in second with nearly $297 million, accounting for 12.6 per cent and increasing more than seven-times from a year ago.

Foreign investors made investments in 35 localities in January. It was led by Hanoi with a total registered capital of $867 million, representing 36.7 per cent of the total sum and 39.7 times higher than the same period in 2023. Ba Ria-Vung Tau province was close behind with $282 million, making up 11.9 per cent of the total registered capital.

Vietnam's FDI story continues to blossom Vietnam's appeal to foreign investors continued to improve last year, as did the quality of the foreign direct investment (FDI) the country attracted, according to a VinaCapital report that was released on January 9.

FDI prospects off to stellar start for 2024 Numerous ventures worth hundreds of millions of USD are pouring into Vietnam, promising positive results in foreign investment mobilisation and contributing to economic growth for 2024.
Investigators have raided the home of the teenage suspect behind the physical attack on ruling party lawmaker Bae Hyun-jin as police are trying to determine the exact motive of the crime, officials said Monday.

During Sunday's search of the suspect's home in Seoul's Gangnam district, police seized his laptop, and an analysis is currently under way into his computer, as well as his mobile phone history, officials at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency said.

The 15-year-old male middle school student was detained Thursday shortly after attacking Bae of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) with a rock the size of an adult man's fist in Gangnam, southern Seoul.

Bae, a television news anchor-turned-lawmaker, was struck on the back of her head more than 15 times. She was discharged after being hospitalized for two days due to the bleeding wound she sustained in the attack.

The day after the attack, police put the suspect under emergency hospitalization, citing his age and health conditions, as he had been reportedly waiting to be admitted to a hospital for a depression relapse.

Police are expected to visit the suspect at the hospital for questioning after the emergency hospitalization period expires Tuesday, as they are trying to determine the exact motive behind his crime and trace his activities and the locations he visited before the assault.

A police official said it's too early to determine whether the suspect had any accomplice or his criminal motive at this stage, adding he will be questioned once or twice more in the future.

"We've questioned his parents about what he has done and what his general disposition was like," a police official said. "We plan to closely look into his phone communication records, CCTV footage and social networking service history." (Yonhap)
ACIAR helps Vietnam modernise its smallholder farming systems

For the past 30 years, Vietnams agriculture sector has been steadily modernising, progressing from an initial focus on food security to a robust, increasingly diverse agricultural economy. The country today is confident of achieving its goal of being one of the worlds leading food producers by 2030.

The story of development from largely subsistence farming to a food-exporting nation is a classic case study of what targeted agricultural research and extension can achieve. It also reaffirms the value and importance of the ACIAR sleeves up approach to this objective.

Australia also celebrates 50 years of diplomatic relationship with Vietnam, developing a comprehensive cooperation that has included partnerships with the centre over three decades.

ACIARs research helps to create new and profitable industries, contribute to sustainable and resilient livelihood, and ensure food safety and biosecurity.

In addition, the centre also implements research for innovation to help local farmers. One of the centre's key beneficiaries is smallholder farmer households, as its science-backed innovations are naturally designed around simple, inexpensive interventions so that they can easily adopt and change farming behaviours.

Farming techniques introduced by Vietnamese researchers have also helped farmers reduce farming time and labour, enabling them to enjoy various benefits. Their families also benefited from nutritional improvements from crop changes, particularly indigenous vegetables.

In particular, the centre pays attention to women's empowerment. One project empowered smallholder women vegetable farmers in Lao Cai province to better engage with high-value markets through participating in farmer business schools.

The current ACIARVietnam strategy has also pivoted towards supporting Vietnamese partners in helping the smallholder agriculture sector to commercialise, focusing on connecting agricultural scientists and farmers with the private sector.



Ambassador Andrew Goledzinowski (second from right) met farmers and researchers participating in ACIAR-funded projects at ACIAR Vietnam stakeholder meeting in Hanoi

Nguyen Van Bo, a member of Australias Commission for International Agricultural Research and former President of the Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences, said Vietnams relationship with ACIAR had helped to accelerate the countrys economic development.

Developing countries like Vietnam are in dire need of technology. Through cooperation with Australian scientists, we have gained access to the worlds advanced science and technology, said Bo.

A key feature of the relationship between the centre and Vietnam has been investment and support for capacity building in ways that build technical expertise in Vietnam and have value for Australia.

While building diplomatic relationships through science, the knowledge and experience gained by both Australian and Vietnamese researchers will help Australia prepare well for pests and diseases it has not yet encountered, said Bo.

In 2023, the centre coordinated with partners to organise several outstanding activities.

The first one was the press to meet partners and visit the ACIAR project. The centre organised two trips in May and August 2023 with the participation of 23 journalists from national and local press agencies. More than 75 news articles and reports on investment and long-term cooperation between the centre and Vietnam have been produced and broadcast.

This helped affirm the reputation and good development of research partnerships supported by the centre, to effectively translate research results into practical agricultural production and business.

The second was the graduation ceremony of John Dillon students. The 2021 John Dillon scholarship programme dedicated to 19 Vietnamese researchers and scientific managers ended with a graduation ceremony taking place at ACIAR headquarters in Canberra in September 2023.

Another outstanding activity of the centre was the visit of the delegation of the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) to ACIAR headquarters. ACIAR was honoured to welcome Minister of Science and Technology Huynh Thanh Dat on his and the delegation's business trip to Australia in September 2023.

The delegation of the MoST and the centre discussed strengthening cooperation in agricultural research; promoting innovation and creativity in agriculture; and improving the capacity of Vietnamese researchers.

Another activity was the Australian delegations participation in the International Festival of Vietnam's rice industry. Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Andrew Goledzinowski led the Australian delegation to participate in the first international festival for Vietnam's rice industry in Hau Giang province in December 2023. In high-level meetings with Vietnamese leaders, the ambassador stated that Australia was a trusted partner of Vietnam and pledged to support Vietnam in climate change and food security.

$15 million Australia packaging factory opens Hoang Ha Label Co., Ltd. (HHLC-QLM Vietnam) on December 12 inaugurated its new factory, located in the Vinh Loc Industrial Zone, Binh Chanh District, Ho Chi Minh City.

Australian fund helps Ba Ria-Vung Tau improve quality of refraction service The Fred Hollows Vietnam (FHFVN, Australia) has provided a 3.6-billion-VND (nearly 150,000 USD) aid package for the Eye Hospital of the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau to improve the quality of refraction services in the locality.
Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai presents gifts to poor people and policy beneficiary families in Dien Bien province's Nam Po district. (Photo: VNA)

Dien Bien  A working delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai on January 28 paid a visit to the northwestern mountainous province of Dien Bien on the threshold of the Lunar New Year (Tet), the most important and longest festival of Vietnamese people in a year.

The Deputy PM hailed the efforts of the Party Organisation, authorities, armed forces and people of Dien Bien in the past year in socio-economic development, achieving many positive results, contributing to the successful implementation of the country's socio-economic plan. By the end of 2023, the rate of poor households in the province had decreased by 4.17 per per year.

The Deputy PM said he hopes that the province will continue to take care of residents, especially policy beneficiary families, people who rendered service to the nation, poor households, disadvantaged people and those in highland and border areas so that they can enjoy a happy Tet.

He urged local authorities to strengthen inspections on food safety, environmental protection and disease prevention on this occasion, along with enhancing market management, ensuring that essential goods are available.

Visiting officers and soldiers of Si Pha Phin border guard station in Nam Po district, the Deputy PM requested the station to perform well political tasks, contributing to protecting territorial sovereignty and national border. They also were assigned to coordinate with other forces to take care of the lives of people in the locality during Tet.

During his trip, he also visited and presented Tet gifts to social policy beneficiary families, poor households, workers in difficult circumstances in Nam Po and Muong Cha districts.

Earlier on January 27, the Deputy PM and his entourage offered wreaths and incense at the Martyrs Temple in Dien Bien Phu Battlefield and the A1 Martyrs Cemetery. He also visited the Dien Bien Phu Victory Museum and handed over gifts to social policy beneficiary families in the city.

MHGroup transfers ginseng cultivation technology to Dien Bien province On June 25 at the headquarters of the northern province of Dien Bien, an MoU was signed between the provincial Peoples Committee and South Koreas ginseng producer and processor MHGroup. Dien Bien is the first locality in Vietnam to receive such a transfer.
Bernd Lange, chairman of the European Parliaments Committee on International Trade, last week had a meeting with trade ministers of EU member states, urging these nations to soon adopt the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA).

(Illustrative image. Source: VNA)

The ratification is too slow, making it difficult to increase the investment ties between both sides, Lange told VIR in an interview during his working trip to Hanoi more than a week ago. So far, 17 nations have passed the deal. We have held such a meeting every six months to review ratification.

The EVIPA was approved in February 2020 and then ratified by the Vietnamese National Assembly in June of the same year. The agreement will enter into force when it is ratified by all EU member states. It includes protective clauses and dispute resolution mechanisms similar to those found in bilateral investment protection agreements between EU member states and non-EU countries.

It would be unacceptable if the ratification process takes a long time. However, reality has shown that the ratification process of the similar agreements between the EU with Canada and Central America also took a very long time, at six and 11 years respectively, because of various reasons, Lange said.

Julien Guerrier, Ambassador and Head of the European Delegation to Vietnam, said, For some member states, the endorsement is more complicated as it involves wide consultations with parliamentary bodies at regional levels. Relevant services on the EU side have been trying their best to accelerate this process.

It is also reported that barriers behind the slow ratification also include complicated procedures within these countries parliaments, such as those of Germany, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands, with some parties not supporting trade liberalisation as they want to protect domestic production.

For example, in Belgium, the agreement must be ratified by the nations six states independently. Germany and the Netherlands, meanwhile, already have bilateral investment protection agreements with Vietnam that currently remain valid, making it more complex to approve it.

The EU hopes the EVIPA will boost investment in Vietnam, which is one of Asias fastest-growing economies and is also a gateway to the wider East Asia region. Vietnam is therefore a promising market, and relative to the size of its economy, it has attracted a very high rate of foreign investment, said a statement from the European Parliament.

In many high-level talks with both EU leaders and many EU member states that have yet to ratify the deal, the leaders of the Vietnamese government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) have highlighted the big need for the agreement to be passed as soon as possible.

During an official visit to Hungary over a week ago by Vietnams Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Hungarys PM Viktor Orban pledged to urge fellow EU nations to endorse the EVIPA during his countrys presidency of the EU Council in the second half of 2024. Also, while paying an official visit to Romania last week, PM Chinh also asked this nation to urge EU countries to soon adopt it. Hungary and Romania were among the first nations to approve the agreement.

During an official visit to Vietnam by Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte last November, PM Chinh suggested that the Netherlands soon ratify the agreement, and encourage Dutch firms to invest more in Vietnam in high technology, seaports, and strategic infrastructure.

PM Rutte agreed to speed up the ratification, spoke highly of Vietnams efforts to promote sustainable fisheries development, and pledged to work with other EU members to support Vietnam in the field.

MoFA Minister Bui Thanh Son said that the EVIPA aims to protect investors and financing in both Vietnam and the EU markets and ensures that they will be accorded fair treatment. Vietnam wants to woo more EU investment, and it will serve as a protector of investors rights and benefits, in addition to our improved business climate, Son said.

However, Lange also told VIR that currently investment from the EU keeps increasing even without the EVIPA, and thanks to the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement.

Full ratification will serve as a big impetus for the investment ties. However, what is also essential is that Vietnam must improve its business and investment climate, especially when it comes to administrative procedures, management, and licensing projects, Lang said. For example, currently many cumbersome and complicated procedures are making it difficult for EU wind and solar power plants to be licensed.

Once taking effect, the EVIPA will have many positive impacts on Vietnams investment and business environment, according to the Vietnamese Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI). Its study indicated that the agreement will pressurise Vietnam to boost its economic renewal, with a more favourable business and investment climate to be created for EU investors and businesses. Besides that, Vietnam will also be able to balance its investment attraction and protection of national interests and sustainable development.

Investment from the EU will be facilitated as the EVIPA will allow a rise in the blocs investment liberalisation into Vietnam, especially in a wide range of sectors such as finance, distribution, transportation, and telecommunications.

Data from the MPI indicates that the EU has a total stock of investment of about $28.3 billion, with around 2,450 projects.

Total trade between Vietnam and the EU is estimated to hit $59.1 billion last year, with the countrys export and import turnover of $44.1 billion and $15 billion, respectively.

Modelled on the EU-Singapore Investment Protection Agreement, the EVIPA will replace the 20 existing bilateral investment agreements between Vietnam and 21 EU member states. The agreement includes a new investment court system, comprising an investment tribunal and appeal tribunal to resolve disputes between EU investors and Vietnamese authorities (and vice versa). The system aims to offer a high level of protection for EU investors in Vietnam, ensuring that they are not targeted by abusive treatment disadvantaging them relative to Vietnamese operators, and that their assets are not expropriated without adequate compensation. At the same time, the agreement confirms the right of governments to achieve legitimate policy objectives, such as the protection of public health, safety, environment or public morals. The EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the EVIPA were initially negotiated as a single text, but in 2018 the EU and Vietnam decided to split them, following the approach chosen for the trade and investment agreements with Singapore. The EVFTA covers exclusive EU competences, and can therefore be ratified by the EU alone, without involving the member states. The EVIPA covers non-direct (portfolio) investment and investor-state dispute settlement mechanisms: these are shared competences, on which the EU shares decision-making powers with member states, meaning that the agreement must also be ratified by them. The two texts were signed by the EU and Vietnam in Hanoi in 2019. In 2020, the European Parliament gave its consent to both agreements, followed by the Vietnamese National Assembly in June of that year.Source: European Parliament

Localities anticipate criteria framework to attract FDI Many localities are waiting for more specific criteria for the attraction of high-profile foreign-led initiatives.
This service will help to improve the digital experience and meet the seamless and flexible shopping experience of modern users, with payment starting at only VND50,000 ($2).

Home Credit signed cooperation agreement for the Buy now, Pay later Home PayLater project with NextTech

According to a study by market research company Research & Market, the use of Buy Now, Pay Later facilities in Vietnam is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 31.1 per cent in 2023-2028.

This payment method is becoming increasingly popular with Vietnamese consumers, especially young people who are increasingly tech-savvy and financially independent.

Home Credit is well-established as one of the pioneers in this field. Home PayLater provides users with a quick and easy way to register for Buy now, Pay later - delivering convenient, seamless shopping for young digital savvy customers.

According to the partnership agreement, Home Credit, NEXTPAY, and Ngan Luong will develop and provide the new service to customers in Vietnam starting in January 2024.

The service will require a minimum instalment of VND50,000 ($2) and will have a maximum credit limit of VND25 million ($1,000). This partnership is a strategic move for the "Buy Now, Pay Later" Home PayLater product, as it expands the scope and terms of short-term loans to young customers, including students.

The partnership will benefit both customers and businesses. For customers, the "Buy Now, Pay Later" Home PayLater is a modern, simple, and quick payment solution that can improve individual spending power, helping people live the life they want now. For businesses, the "Buy Now, Pay Later" Home PayLater can help increase sales and draw in new customers.

In addition to providing the Buy Now, Pay Later financial solution for customers, Home Credit and NEXTPAY are also committed to sharing and using each other's available data, and effectively applying AI tools to improve the efficiency and quality of the payment service.

Specifically, Home Credit will support NEXTPAY and Ngan Luong by providing staff training and assisting in designing best practice policies for payment acceptance.

Home Credit signed cooperation agreement for the Buy Now, Pay Later Home PayLater project with NEXTPAY

Michal Skalicky, Home Credit Vietnams chief customer officer said, "This collaboration to enhance the 'Buy Now, Pay Later' Home PayLater project will bring a simple, fast, and innovative online payment and shopping solution to customers on the multi-utility payment platform NEXTPAY and Ngan Luong. The 'Buy Now, Pay Later' Home PayLater project promises to bring many benefits to both users and businesses, contributing to the development of e-commerce and the digital economy."

On behalf of NextTech, Nguyen Hoa Binh, chairman of the Board of Directors of NextTech Group said, "The strategic cooperation between Home Credit, NEXTPAY, and Ngan Luong will create a breakthrough payment solution for customers, while contributing to the development of the digital economy in Vietnam. We hope that this cooperation will bring many sustainable benefits to both sides and to customers over the coming months and years."

Home Credit Vietnam, along with NextTech, NEXTPAY and Ngan Luong, have partnered on the "Buy Now, Pay Later" Home PayLater project

Home Credit, NextTech, NEXTPAY, and Ngan Luong have set a goal of expanding the network of the "Buy Now, Pay Later" Home PayLater payment acceptance to 100,000 new points in 2024.

In addition, Home Credit aims to make the "Buy Now, Pay Later" Home PayLater an available payment method at over 200,000 websites using Ngan Luong's payment gateway service in 2024. These goals aim to consolidate the position of the parties in the growing digital payment market in Vietnam.

Home Credit sets sights on Vietnamese consumer finance Despite the recent headwinds in the consumer finance market, Home Credit Vietnam still has its sights set on Vietnam. Pham Ngoc Khang, the company's CFO, spoke with VIRs Thanh Van about his strategy to navigate amidst the turbulence.

Home Credit embarks on journey of responsible business Consumer financial enterprise Home Credit has embarked on a journey to develop a responsible business towards sustainable development.
Minister Airlangga Hartarto pointed out that Vietnam's existing trade deal with the EU, which has been an aspiration of Indonesia for many years, is significantly advantageous for Vietnamese exporters. The EVFTA, effective since 2020, eliminates 99 per cent of tariffs, paving the way for an array of goods, especially footwear, from Vietnam to penetrate the European market.

"Our footwear faces a 20 per cent import tax when exported to Europe and the US, while our competitor Vietnam enjoys a zero tariff," Minister Airlangga stated at an investor roundtable conference in Cirebon, a city in southwest Indonesia.

Footwear is one of Vietnam's key export items to the EU under the EVFTA.

The Observatory of Economic Complexity lists Germany and Belgium, both EU members, among the top five destinations for Vietnamese footwear exports in 2021. Vietnam's total footwear export value for that year was just under $20 billion.

By contrast, Indonesia's exports were a fraction of Vietnam's, totalling $5.8 billion in 2021, with exports to Germany and Belgium valued at $505 million and $284 million, respectively, compared to Vietnam's $1.04 billion and $722 million.

Since 2016, Indonesia has been negotiating a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the EU. The two parties have concluded their 16th round of negotiations and plan to meet again next month. The Indonesian government is keen to conclude the CEPA negotiations this year.

"This trade agreement is crucial for opening up market access opportunities," said Minister Airlangga.
German groups have been instrumental in medical equipment, chemicals, and more, photo Le Toan

During German President Frank-Walter Steinmeiers state visit to Vietnam last week, both nations agreed that the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) has and will continue to be a crucial driver of the two countries economic, trade, and investment ties.

Vietnam and Germany also pledged to facilitate investment flows thanks to the EVFTAs reduced tariffs. Thanks to the EVFTA, bilateral trade last year hit approximately $12 billion, tripling over the past 10 years.

Vietnam also asked Germany to soon ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement in service of investors from both sides.

The Vietnamese government pledges to always accompany and create all the best conditions for German enterprises to fruitfully do business and investment in Vietnam based on harmonised benefits, and sharing of risks, stressed Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

During German President Frank-Walter Steinmeiers state visit to Vietnam last week, both nations agreed that the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement has and will continue to be a crucial driver of the two countries economic, trade, and investment ties. It comes at a time when Vietnam and the European Parliament are ramping up progress on getting the accompanying EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement ratified as soon as possible. In the meantime, hundreds of German companies will continue to pour money into their operations in Vietnam, in areas from manufacturing and medical equipment to chemicals, vehicles, and high-tech products., photo VNA

According to statistics from Vietnams Ministry of Planning and Investment, currently, about 500 German companies are effectively operating in Vietnam, of which around 80 per cent have manufacturing plants in the country, creating as many as 47,000 jobs. Cumulatively as of December 20, German firms had 463 valid projects in Vietnam, registered at $2.68 billion.

The first German investments flowed into Vietnam shortly after the country opened its doors to foreigners. In 1992, Bultel, producing fashion for brands such as Camel Active, settled down in the southern province of Binh Duong. In the same year Tatonka, an outdoor brand, opened a backpack production line in Ho Chi Minh City. German investments began really gaining steam when Vietnam ascended to the World Trade Organization in 2007 and received another impetus with the 2015 amendments to the laws on enterprises and investment.

Currently, more than half of the German companies are concentrated in the south of Vietnam, with Ho Chi Minh City being the commercial centre. Some of the oldest and biggest German investments lie in the cities of Hanoi and Haiphong in the north, while central Vietnam is attractive because of its lower land and labour costs as well as good living conditions.

Recently, the main driver for German investments in Vietnam is the emerging diversification strategy followed by many companies in order to broaden their representation in different parts of the world and to reduce individual country risks.

The largest German investments have been implemented by Bosch (automotives), Stada  Pymepharco (medical equipment) and Messer Gases (chemicals). Bosch is employing a major manufacturing complex for push belts in the southern province Dong Nai while also operating a research and development centre in Ho Chi Minh City, while Stada  Pymepharco manufactures pharmaceuticals in its factory in the south-central Phu Yen province. And Messer is supplying gases to local customers such as Hoa Phat from its main production hubs in the northern province of Hai Duong and the south-central province of Quang Ngai.

German project developer PNE AG plans offshore wind farms off the coast of the south-central province of Binh Dinh with a capacity of up to 2GW and an investment volume of several billions of US dollars.

Most of the energy generated by offshore wind farms planned by PNE AG will be consumed in the region and thus does not burden the national power grid, which would enable the ideal symbiosis between economic growth and sustainable development.

Last September, German Leonhard Kurz Group also inaugurated a 12-hectare factory producing high-tech thin films with an investment of $40 million for the first phase in Binh Dinh. The factory has a total capacity of 15 million square metres of products a year, with environmental friendly materials used.

In 2022, the Binh Dinh government and Leonhard Kurz Group signed an MoU on implementing this project, with total capital for the two phases amounting to $100 million.

Several German companies have also successfully utilised merger and acquisition strategies to establish themselves in Vietnam.

For example, Ottobock, a German manufacturer of orthopaedic and prosthetic devices, has expanded its presence in Vietnam by acquiring a local competitor. The acquisition allowed Ottobock to establish branches in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, reaching a larger customer base, according to the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce (AHK Vietnam).

In another case, in the food industry, Gourmet Dairy Zott acquired Delys, a long-standing Vietnamese importer and distributor. As part of their commitment to consistently implement their planned development strategies, Zott Vietnam Co., Ltd. was founded, with its headquarters situated in Hanoi and a branch in Ho Chi Minh City.

This strategic step effectively solidified Zotts leadership position within the local dessert sector, said Marko Walde, chief representative of AHK in Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos.

What is more, FUCHS, one of the worlds largest lubricant manufacturers, has acquired 70 per cent of the lubricants business of STD & S Co., Ltd., a distributor of speciality lubricants based in Vietnam.

This expansion included the opening of a new high-tech plant in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau, responding to the growing demand for lubricants in the region, Walde said.

Meanwhile, HDI Global SE, a subsidiary of Germanys Talanx Group, invested in PVI JSC, a prominent Vietnamese insurance company. The investment aimed to access the rapidly growing Vietnamese insurance market and enhance PVIs growth. In October 2023, HDI submitted an application to acquire an additional one million shares of PVI with the intention of bolstering their investment and increasing their ownership stake. Before this transaction, HDI already held more than 90 million PVI shares, granting them a substantial 38.47 per cent ownership in the company.

Leader of German state optimistic about cooperation with Vietnam Following a five-day visit to Vietnam earlier this month, Minister-President of the German state of Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen) Stephan Weil said the trip has opened up major opportunities for cooperation between the German state and Vietnamese localities.
Announced by the Japan Trade Promotion Organization (JETRO) in Vietnam on January 26, the survey was conducted from August 21 - September 20, 2023.

UNIQLO Gigamall, the 23th store of UNIQLO, will open soon in Thu Duc city, Ho Chi Minh City

Nobuyuki Matsumoto, chief representative of JETRO in Ho Chi Minh City said that by industry group, the proportion of manufacturing enterprises wanting to expand operations was 47.1 per cent, and non-manufacturing enterprises 65.5 per cent.

Japanese businesses evaluate the attractiveness of Vietnam as a growing and potential market. The main strength is the stable socio-political situation and cheap labour. Vietnam will continue to receive a lot of attention in the China + 1 trend.

Further results from the survey pointed out that 56.7 per cent of Japanese businesses said they planned to expand business in Vietnam in the next 1-2 years, the second most in Southeast Asia, after Laos.

This rate decreased by 3.3 percentage points compared to the 2022 survey. Although expansion ambitions remain high, Vietnam is the only country among the six key Southeast Asian countries with a reduced expected expansion rate, said Matsumoto.

Across all Asia-Pacific markets that JETRO surveyed, the rate of Japanese businesses planning to expand business in Vietnam is behind India, Bangladesh and Laos. Thus, after two consecutive years of Vietnam leading Southeast Asia, Laos has surpassed the ranking, with 63.3 per cent of Japanese businesses wanting to expand their business inside the country.

However, the main risks that make them hesitant are complicated administrative procedures, increased labour costs and an incomplete legal system that lacks transparency in operations.

A trend to note is that Vietnam has the advantage of cheap labour but at the same time the risk is that costs are increasing. In addition, Vietnam is behind other countries in Southeast Asia in terms of infrastructure, he added.

The rate of Japanese businesses expected to be profitable when doing business in Vietnam in 2023 is 54.3 per cent, 6.6 per cent points lower than the Southeast Asia average. The cause is a decline in domestic and foreign demand, increased labour and input costs, and fierce competition with other competitors.

By 2024, half of businesses surveyed said profits would improve. "Although exports have had a difficult year, it is expected to recover," Matsumoto said.

Last year, the localisation rate of Japanese companies in Vietnam increased to 41.9 per cent. JETRO said that Japanese businesses still had high motivation to promote on-site purchasing activities, and at the same time expected the further development of the supporting industry.

"Going forward, high-quality personnel such as specialised engineers is an issue that needs attention," Matsumoto recommended.

According to the General Statistics Office, Japanese investors registered nearly $6.57 billion into Vietnam, accounting for nearly 18 per cent of the country's total foreign investment capital in 2023, an increase of 37.3 per cent compared to 2022, ranking second among countries and territories investing in Vietnam.

Japanese retailers jumping on board During the last few years, Japanese investors boldly expanded their influence in Vietnam, especially in the retail sector.
During last weeks official visit to Romania where he used to study and work as a diplomat, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh told leaders and companies that Vietnam is willing to boost its cooperation with Romania, particularly in the digital, green, circular, and sharing economies.

Romania playing active role in Vietnam, illustration photo/ Source: freepik.com

Vietnam welcomes all foreign investors including those from Romania, and will create the best conditions for them, so that they can make long-term, effective and sustainable investment in Vietnam in the spirit of harmonising benefits and sharing risks. We have been making great efforts to improve the investment and business climate in favour of businesses and investors, PM Chinh stated while attending the Vietnam  Romania Business Forum.

Vietnam is keen to advance collaboration in sectors where Romania possesses expertise and Vietnam has burgeoning potential, PM Chinh said, including education, culture, labour, and the burgeoning spheres of digital economics, green and circular economies, science and technology, AI, and emerging industries.

The Vietnamese leader said that Vietnam has focused on three breakthrough strategies on institutions, human resources and infrastructure which will create favourable conditions for enterprises and investors to reduce input costs and improve competitive capacity, thus having effective, sustainable and long-term development in the country.

While paying a visit to Prahova province, which is Romanias industrial, oil, and gas hub, PM Chinh said that Vietnam is expanding some oil refineries, constructing gas power plants, and investing in the sector. This is an opportunity for Prahova companies to cooperate with Vietnam.

We stand ready to cooperate. Romanian enterprises can come to invest and support the transfer of technology, human resources and equipment in the oil and gas industries, the PM said.

Romanian Minister of Economy, Entrepreneurship and Tourism Stefan-Radu Oprea called on Romanian businesses and Prahova province to increase investment in Vietnam.

Minister Oprea underlined that Vietnam has achieved rapid economic growth in many years, with a population nearing 100 million. The nation has also inked a large network of free trade agreements.

He also said that Romania can function as a gateway for Vietnamese products to penetrate the European market and its population of 500 million.

During his visit to the National Institute for Research and Development in Informatics (ICI) in Romania last week, the Vietnamese leader urged collaboration between Vietnamese and Romanian experts in research and development projects, focusing on AI, cybersecurity, and the application of IT in various social domains.

The ICI is responsible for establishing the internet infrastructure and data centres in Romania, developing cloud computing projects for state institutions, building supercomputers, establishing a cyber diplomacy centre, pioneering blockchain technology development, setting up a mobile data recovery centre, and creating virtual trading platforms.

The ICI stands ready to collaborate with Vietnam in advancing these fields, said ICI general director Adrian Victor Vevera.

Vietnam has mobilised all resources to serve the rapid and sustainable development of the country, relying on sci-tech and fostering innovation. PM Chinh proposed the ICI prioritise Vietnam as a key partner in expanding international cooperation.

In the near future, both sides will send working delegations to jointly formulate plans and cooperation programmes, he said, also suggesting that the ICI assist Vietnam in training high-quality human resources in this sector.

According to Vietnams Ministry of Industry and Trade, two-way trade between Vietnam and Romania reached nearly $431 million last year, marking a 1.4 per cent increase from 2022. Vietnams exports to Romania decreased by 12.5 per cent to $282.3 million, but imports from Romania surged by 44.8 per cent to nearly $148.7 million.

Key exports from Vietnam to the European market consist of machinery, equipment, textiles, aquatic products, computers, electronic products, steel, and coffee. Meanwhile, Vietnam imports wheat and maize, animal feed, pharmaceuticals, wool fabrics and wood.

Trade with Romania accounts for just 0.06 per cent of Vietnams total foreign trade, while trade with Vietnam makes up only 0.2 per cent of Romanias foreign trade.

As of December 20, 2023, Romania had six valid projects in Vietnam with a total registered capital of $1.68 million, ranking 92th out of 144 countries and territories investing in Vietnam. Meanwhile, Vietnam recorded one project worth $600,000 in Romania, ranking 65th out of 80 destinations of Vietnamese outbound investment, according to Vietnams Ministry of Planning and Investment.

Romania has played an active role in assisting Vietnam with the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement negotiations, leading to its ratification and implementation. Moreover, Romania was among the pioneering EU members to endorse the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement, showcasing its support for enhanced economic integration.

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Romania distinguished itself as the first EU country to provide vaccine aid to Vietnam, an act which was pivotal in enabling Vietnam to manage the crisis and pave the way towards economic resurgence.

Additionally, both nations have inked an education cooperation programme to last until 2026, deepening their collaborative efforts in education. There is a concerted push to fortify local-level cooperation, which promises to yield mutually beneficial outcomes and further the partnership between Vietnam and Romania.

Pham Minh Chinh, Prime Minister My lasting impressions of Romanias stunning landscapes, its industrious and warm people, and the hospitality and kindness I met at every turn, remain vivid in my heart. The formative years I spent in Romania, immersed in my studies and work, are indelibly etched in my mind. I fondly recall the endearing faces, voices, laughter, and moments shared with my Romanian mentors and comrades whose significant impact steered us international students towards our present successes. Both myself and fellow alumni, particularly the Vietnamese students who shared this journey, owe a debt of gratitude to the educators, peers, and gracious citizens of Romania who provided unwavering support throughout our academic sojourn. The skills and knowledge honed in this nurturing environment have been instrumental in our ongoing contributions to Vietnams development and defence. Moreover, they underpin our active role in nurturing the longstanding friendship and cooperative spirit between our nations. Returning to Romania is both a joy and an emotional experience for me. I hold on to the belief that this visit will serve as an impetus for further enrichment, deepening, and practical advancement of our amicable ties. Such enhancement serves not just our peoples, but fosters peace, collaboration, and progress on a regional and global scale.

Romanian shipyard employs 130 workers from Vietnam Vard Braila Shipyard, the company employing the largest number of workers in the eastern city of Braila in Romania, has employed 70 Vietnamese workers and plans to bring another 60 to cover its workforce deficit, the Romania-insider.com reported.
Tourists at a market in Ayutthaya, Thailand (Photo: AFP/VNA)

Bangkok - Thailand and China on January 28 signed an agreement to waive visa requirements for each other's nationals within the framework of Chinas Foreign Minister Wang Yi to Bangkok.

The agreement, signed after the talks between Thai Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, allows people from the two nations to travel to one another's country visa-free from March 1.

Thai authorities hoped that the agreement will encourage more Chinese tourists to travel to Thailand, helping the country to stimulate tourism - an economic industry that is struggling to recover after being hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking after the signing ceremony, Thai Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-nukara said the agreement will facilitate travel and tourism between the two countries while his Chinese counterpart also welcomed the agreement.

Details of the visa arrangements were not announced, but earlier this month Thai officials said the deal would allow stays of up to 30 days per visit.

China was a top source for Thailand's tourism industry, a major driver of Southeast Asia's second-largest economy before COVID-19, but the return of Chinese tourists to Thailand has been slow.

In 2023, the number of Chinese tourists to Thailand plunged to 3.5 million from 11 million in 2019 before the pandemic.

According to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Wang is visiting Thailand from January 26-29 at the invitation of Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara.

Thailand discovers nearly 15 million tonnes of lithium Thailand has discovered nearly 15 million tonnes of lithium deposits, a government spokesman said Friday, a boost for the kingdom's goal of becoming a regional hub for electric vehicle production.
The meeting was part of a tour of the Vietnam, the Philippines and South Korea from January 22 to February 1, with Vietnam being the first stop.

Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Jose Fernandez shared the direction of cooperation with Amcham's member in Ho Chi Minh City

Talking to the business community, Fernandez highlighted the strong economic relationship between Vietnam and the United States, especially after President Joe Biden's visit in September 2023 and the upgrade of the two countries relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

Details focused on the Biden-Harris Administrations efforts on climate change, clean energy, health, supply chain security, and other economic priorities.

He emphasised the importance of the MoU recently signed by Vietnam and the US in semiconductors and human resources for the industry in Vietnam. The goal is to promote Vietnam's participation in the global supply chain, thereby contributing to enhancing security and prosperity in the region. In addition, rare earths are also the focus of Fernandez's work agenda.

"The semiconductor supply chain is the main reason for me to come to Vietnam. We are proud to cooperate with Vietnam in semiconductors, which plays a key role today, he said.

Talking about investment opportunities between the two countries in the semiconductor chip industry, he noted that in 2022, about 1,000 billion microchips were traded globally.

The Chips and Science Act passed last year demonstrated the US commitment to invest more than $50 billion to support the introduction of chip factories into this market, including the International Technology Security and Innovation.

Under this plan, the US will spend $500 million to stabilise and expand global semiconductor production, ensure the semiconductor supply chain, and develop ICT.

"Vietnam, with its advantages in microchip assembly, testing and packaging skills, is an important partner in this initiative. Cooperation aims to diversify and strengthen the global microchip ecosystem, solving to resolve the challenge of human resource development in both countries," he said.

In the energy sector, the US, through the Clean Energy Demand Initiative (CEDI), has connected countries and companies committed to using renewable energy.

Since launching CEDI at COP26 a few years ago, the Clean Energy Buyers Alliance has partnered with 15 companies in Vietnam, signalling the ability to invest up to $8 billion in clean energy infrastructure.

There are also a number of companies that told us that they will be willing to invest even more if they could be assured of receiving renewable power from for their production facilities. So part of the reason for our comprehensive partnership is for finding ways to unlock this potential. And we hope that we can do that soon, he added.

In addition, he emphasised the importance of diversifying the rare earth supply chain, while maintaining environmental sustainability.

On the economic side, we see that investors and manufacturers searching for areas of production that offer a green environment and particularly a low carbon environment, he added.

In Vietnam, Fernandez cited the garments and textiles exports are declining slightly due to global economic influences, and to green initiatives that have been taken by other countries.

Some of your global brands who invest here are shifting some of their orders to countries like Bangladesh, which is committed to sustainability and green practices as part of their efforts to reduce their carbon footprint. We're here to discuss Ho Chi Minh City's ambitious to reduce emissions by about 10 per cent a year, he added.

He also mentioned expanding the carbon credit mechanism for the private sector.

The carbon crediting mechanism will support both public and private investments to upgrade and to green assets. So that one can attract private investment into the supply chain. We aim to do this through interventions such as energy efficiency for commercial industrial buildings, installation of rooftop solar panels and private buildings, and transition to electric vehicles and so on. These interventions are relatively easy to implement, but they're often very small and fragmented as considerable high-tech transaction costs are involved, he added.

The growth of trade between Vietnam and the US has proven the increasingly good relationship between the two countries.

In 2022, Vietnam - US bilateral trade turnover will reach more than $138 billion, and Vietnam currently ranks eighth among US trading partners in goods.

Vietnam and US companies collaborate on semiconductors and innovation High-level meetings between the US and Vietnam have paved the way for a strategic partnership focusing on the technology sector, with semiconductors and innovation at the forefront.

Semiconductors a future key industry of Vietnam To maintain a high growth rate of exports, it was necessary to target new trends, including semiconductors, said experts.
The assailant who attacked opposition leader Lee Jae-myung with a knife early this month was indicted Monday on charges of attempted murder and violation of the election law, the prosecution said.

The 67-year-old attacker, surnamed Kim, was apprehended on the scene after stabbing the leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) in the neck during his visit to this southeastern port city on Jan. 2. Kim has insisted he acted alone to prevent Lee from becoming president.

Wrapping up a weekslong investigation into the case, the Busan District Prosecutors Office announced the indictment of the assailant on the two charges, accusing him of attempting to influence April's general election by committing crimes and disrupting electoral freedom through violence.

The prosecution also indicted a 75-year-old man, whose identity was withheld, on charges of aiding Kim's attempted murder and violation of the Public Official Election Act.

The prosecution said it has concluded after investigating a total of 114 people surrounding the assailant that there were no additional accomplices or masterminds behind his crimes. (Yonhap)
Professionals in IT have a profound impact on various industries, including pharmaceuticals, banking, and finance. A survey of over 2,200 IT professionals during September-October 2023 by leading site ITviec, several interesting findings have emerged regarding the highest monthly salaries and other issues.

Pharmaceuticals, banking, and financial services emerged as the top three, with figures of VND47.9 million ($2,020), VND40.5 million ($1,705), and VND38.6 million ($1,625), respectively.

Vietnam's economic landscape is currently undergoing a period of revitalisation, driven by encouraging economic indicators and strong growth potential. After a modest deceleration to 3.7 per cent in the first half of 2022, the World Bank foresees a resurgence, with projected growth rates of 4.7 per cent, 5.5 per cent, and 6 per cent in 2023, 2024, and 2025, respectively.

This growth is supported by proactive fiscal policies that aim to stimulate short-term demand, eliminate obstacles to public investment, and tackle infrastructure limitations.

The appeal of Vietnam to international investors is clearly demonstrated in the latest data from Vietnam Briefing, a source for doing business in Vietnam.

According to their findings, the financial, banking, and insurance sector successfully enticed seven new projects, amounting to an impressive $1.53 billion in Newly Registered Capital (NRC) between February and July 2023. This sector secured the second spot on the NRC list, highlighting its appeal to foreign investors.

Amid Vietnam's fast-paced digital transformation, influx of foreign investments, and thriving sectors, IT professionals have a golden chance to make significant contributions and enjoy the advantages of the country's economic growth.

The financial landscape of Vietnam is undergoing a transformation due to the exponential expansion of digital financial services adoption, as emphasised in the e-Conomy SEA 2023 report. According to projections, there is a significant growth anticipated in the gross transaction value of digital payments.

It is estimated to increase by 19 per cent from 2022 to 2023, with the value reaching $126 billion in 2023 and an impressive $290 billion by 2030.

In this era of digital transformation, certain industries like digital lending and payment services are becoming increasingly important, facilitating trillions of online transactions and catering to the needs of millions of consumers.

Predictions from industry experts, such as Ha Nguyen, a research manager at SSI Securities Corp, suggest strong credit growth of 12 per cent to 14 per cent from 2024 to 2026.

The impressive growth in Vietnam's economy is set to help the government achieve its ambitious annual GDP growth target of around 6.5 per cent, according to an S&P Global, September 2023 report. This highlights the crucial importance of the banking sector in shaping Vietnam's economic path.

The pharmaceutical sector is experiencing significant growth, with a revenue of $5.9 billion in 2021 and projections pointing towards a potential value of $16 billion by 2026.

According to data from IBM, these projections are optimistic and suggest that the growth can be attributed to an aging population and increased healthcare spending.

There has been a notable increase in capital flowing into the pharmaceuticals sector from foreign corporations, with a particular focus on investments from Japan, South Korea, and the US. The attention from abroad highlights the sector's promising prospects for expansion and creativity.

In light of the growing demand for tech-driven services in healthcare, major drug retailers are increasingly meeting this market need with greater confidence.

By December 2023, the Long Chau chain had established a strong market presence, experiencing an impressive quarterly growth rate of 23 per cent since 2020.

Another major chain, An Khang, has also noticed a surge in the demand for modern drug retail services. Given the increasing number of users embracing modern healthcare services, there are numerous exciting projects and lucrative opportunities available for IT professionals skilled in handling complex healthcare systems and data.

The generous salaries earned by professionals in the IT field within the pharmaceuticals, banking, and finance sectors reflect the current state of prosperity and the promising outlook for continued growth.

In the midst of Vietnam's fast-paced digital transformation, influx of foreign investments, and thriving sectors, IT professionals have a golden chance to make significant contributions and enjoy the advantages of the country's economic growth.

The trajectory is evident  Vietnam has become more than just a place for investment; it is a promising hub for IT professionals who are skilled in handling advanced banking, finance and healthcare technologies and regulations.

Vietnam's economy likely to boom in H2: expert Vietnams economy is likely to strongly recover in the second quarter of 2023, said Tim Leelahaphan, Economist for Thailand and Vietnam at Standard Chartered.
Vietnam Airlines invites bidding for repair and overhaul of GEnx engines. Photo: wikipedia.org

Details are as follows:

Request for Proposal (RFP) to be issued from January 23, 2024 (Hanoi time) to at:

Vietnam Airlines JSC 200 Nguyen Son, Long Bien district, Hanoi, Vietnam

Attention: Hoang Hai Ho, supply and material director GEnx engines repair and overhaul during 2024-2027 - team leader

Email: hohh@vietnamairlines.com; dangnh@vienamairlines.com; hoangvx@vietnamairlines.com; phuocnh@vietnamairlines.com

Details of the requirements on technical, commercial terms and related services are specified in the RFP attached hereinafter.

Deadline for proposal submission: 16pm on Februay 16, 2024 (Hanoi time)

Please contact above address for further detailed information if needed.

Vietnam Airlines invites quotes for repair and overhaul of Boeing 787 engines Vietnam Airlines JSC would like to invite MROs to join the bidding for Repair & Overhaul for APS5000 APU during 2024-2027

Vietnam Airlines invites quotes for Repair and Overhaul for APS5000 APU Vietnam Airlines JSC would like to invite MROs to join the bidding for Repair & Overhaul for APS5000 APU during 2024-2027. New Closing Time for submission of Proposals: extended to 16:00 PM on 05/1/2024 (Vietnam time)
Vietnamese export staples enjoy growing demand, illustration photo/ Source: freepik.com

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, rice, coffee, and fruit and vegetables brought in over $14 billion in export revenues last year, the highest level ever. It is forecast that exports in these three categories will reach as much as $17.5 billion in 2024.

Already this year, Trung An High-Tech Agriculture JSC has signed six orders with a volume of 1,500 tonnes of rice for the EU, the United Kingdom, Malaysia, Dubai, and Australia, with the highest price of almost $1,400 per tonne.

General director Pham Thai Binh said, There are many opportunities for rice exports in light of the growing demand in major markets such as Indonesia, the Philippines, and China. Vietnams rice export may be similar to the volume last year, but the value is greater thanks to higher prices.

Meanwhile, Nguyen Dinh Tung, chairman of Vina T&T Group, said, The company has just exported the first shipment of durian to China and An Giang mango to the United States and Australia in 2024. The export market is sending positive signals as we achieve full orders from our traditional buyers.

Last year, Vina T&T Group generated $73 million in export revenue, up 40 per cent on-year. The company mainly exports durian, dragon fruit, mango, longan, grapefruit, and coconut to demanding markets such as the US, Australia, Europe, and China. The company expects its exports to achieve double-digit growth this year in light of the positive signals in the market.

Vietnams fruit and vegetable sector has become a bright spot in agricultural exports, as its export turnover hit a record high of nearly $5.6 billion last year. Among them, durian accounted for $2.4 billion, while processed fruits and vegetables made up $1 billion.

In addition, Vietnam also exported 1.61 million tonnes of coffee in 2023, earning $4.2 billion, down 9.6 per cent in volume but up 3.1 per cent in value on-year. The average coffee export price climbed 14.1 per cent on-year to $2.834 per tonne.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trades Agency of Foreign Trade, Vietnams coffee exports continue to benefit from the rise in robusta coffee prices, which is likely to reach a peak amidst the potential supply shortage.

Meanwhile, Vietnams rice exports also jumped to a record high of eight million tonnes last year, generating over $4.8 billion in revenue. The nation maintains an average rice export of 7-8 million tonnes per year, indicating stability in stock and supply chain. As a result, many foreign buyers are increasingly importing Vietnamese rice.

The Vietnam Food Association said that rice exports will continue benefiting from a favourable context in 2024 as the world is facing a shortage of five million metric tonnes, with importers such as Indonesia and the Philippines still having demand for imported rice, and India likely to maintain export restrictions.

Agricultural exports are expected to grow this year as Vietnams production, processing, and supply capacity are increasingly improved. The countrys agricultural products have been present in over 190 countries and territories.

However, Vietnam only holds a modest market share in major markets. Specifically, Vietnamese agricultural products account for less than 5 per cent of Chinas total import value within this product category. There is also ample room for growth in the US, EU, and Japan.

After successful exports of fresh durian, Vietnam has set its sights on frozen durian this year. The country has completed procedures and documents and is waiting for a licence for the official export of durian to China. Thus, durian exports could climb 30 per cent to reach $3.5 billion this year. In addition, Vietnamese authorities are also promoting the official export of other produce to China, such as fresh coconut.

Vietnamese export profits boost with green trade The direction of Vietnams imports and exports is changing due to a series of green trade revolutions, government policy, and global trends.
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Patricia Miller, the first woman elected to the McLennan County Commissioners Court, died Sunday at Baylor Scott & White Hillcrest Medical Center, according to sources including County Judge Scott Felton.

Miller, 65, reportedly had undergone surgery sometime over the weekend, though sources did not know why she entered the hospital. Felton said he texted with Miller on Friday, talking about county business, and there was no indication Miller was ill or had been hospitalized.

I am numbed and stunned, said fellow Commissioner Ben Perry. It appears she had been in surgery, and I dont know exactly what happened. She and I were very close, and she and I saw many things the same. I used to tease her and tell her she was more conservative than she thought she was, and she told me not to say that. She was a sweetheart to work with. Im broken-hearted, Im not going to lie to you. She will be missed greatly.

He said Miller was so spry, active and sweet that there was no indication her life was about to come to an end in a brief moment.

Perry and Felton said Miller protected county employees, championed issues affecting her constituents, such as reducing contamination in drinking water wells, and was attuned to the countys economic development efforts and attempts to keep the tax rate under control for taxpayers.

Felton said several commissioners had been suffering from colds, coughs and other cold weather maladies, Miller among them. He said during their conversation on Friday, Miller said she was feeling better.

Perry said it was his understanding that Millers husband had been sick the past couple of weeks, with what he did not know.

Miller was sworn in as Precinct 2 commissioner on Jan. 1, 2019, and was reelected in 2022. She was the first woman to be elected to the commissioners court and the first Black woman to serve on the court.

She was born in Brooklyn, New York, on Nov. 10, 1958, and moved to Waco with her family at age 10. She had lived in the Waco area ever since, attending the former Richfield High School and East Texas State University. She served for several years as office director for longtime Commissioner Lester Gibson.

Services for Miller were still being arranged Monday.
National Alliance on Mental Illness

The Waco chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness will hold a community coffee chat and town hall at 5 p.m. Wednesday at Be Kind Coffee, 1534 Washington Ave.

Participants at the open town hall conversation are encouraged to share ideas and input on supporting mental health.

Volunteers are sought. The meeting is open to the public.

Tax-Aide program

This year's AARP Tax-Aide program sponsored by NeighborWorks Waco will run Thursday through April 15, offering free tax assistance to anyone, with a focus on taxpayers who are older than 50 or have low to moderate income. Tax-Aide volunteers are trained and IRS-certified. The service will be available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the following dates and locations:

Tuesdays and Thursdays, Feb. 1 through April 11 at NeighborWorks, 922 Franklin Ave. For an appointment, call 254-752-1647, ext. 0.

Mondays and Wednesdays, Feb. 5 through April 15 at Ascension Providence Medical Center, 6901 Medical Parkway. For an appointment, call 254-751-4102.

Tuesdays and Thursdays, Feb. 1 through April 11 at First Baptist Church of Hewitt, 301 S. First St. For an appointment, call 254-214-9123.

Free legal clinic

Greater Waco Legal Services will offer its monthly free legal clinic from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 5, at Heart of Texas Goodwill, 1000 E. Waco Drive.

To make an appointment, call 254-733-2828.

Landscape painting

Local artist Wendy Michelle Davis will host a landscape painting workshop from 6:30 to 8:45 p.m. Thursday at her home studio.

The cost is $40. To register, email Wendymichelledavis@gmail.com.

Granny team performs

The Waco Granny League basketball team, Six Shooters, will play during halftime of the Baylor University women's basketball game that starts at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Foster Pavilion, University Parks Drive and Interstate 35.

The No. 13 Bears will hosts the No. 10 University of Texas Longhorns.

Lunar New Year Market

The 2024 Asian Leaders Network will hold a Lunar New Year Market from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 10 at the Waco Downtown Farmers Market, 500 Washington Ave. The event is part of the celebration of the Year of the Dragon in 2024.

With a festive atmosphere, the market will bring an extra 15 vendors, including Asian cuisines from food trucks and pop-ups, handmade goods and art, alongside community organizations and farmers market vendors.

Food truck showdown

The deadline to apply for the Food Truck Showdown is Wednesday.

To apply, visit thetexasfoodtruckshowdown.com and complete the application form.

The event takes place April 13 at Heritage Square in downtown Waco.

Valentine lunch

Lake Shore Funeral Home and Crematory, 5201 Steinbeck Bend Drive, will host its annual Widowed Men & Womens Valentine Luncheon starting at 11:30 a.m. Feb. 14.

The event is open to all who have lost their spouse or significant other. RSVP is required by noon Feb. 6.

For more information, call 254-752-5900.

Type 2 diabetes prevention

The Greater Waco YMCA, 6800 Harvey Drive, will offer a Type 2 diabetes prevention class starting from noon to 1 p.m. Feb. 5.

Cost is $37.75 per month. The program lasts a year.

For more information, call 254-776-6612 or email chernandez@ymcactx.org.

Genealogy Brown Bag

The Central Texas Genealogical Society will hold a Genealogy Brown Bag event, Proving Long-Lost Family the Indirect Way, from noon to 1:15 p.m. Feb. 5 at the West Waco Library, 5301 Bosque Blvd.

The program will include records and research with a resolution to a mystery that has been misunderstood for a century. Patti Gillespie, owner of genealogy services firm Family Lines and Stories, will demonstrate the long way round research strategies while offering hope for researchers with direct-line brick walls.

Participants should bring a lunch. Drinks will be provided. The meeting will also be available via Zoom at CTGS.org.

Voter registration

Feb. 5 is the deadline to register to vote in the March 5 primary elections.

Application forms are available at mclennanvotes.com or at any post office, city library or city office, and the county elections office, 214 N. Fourth St., Suite 300, in the basement of the county records building. English and Spanish versions are available.

Completed applications should be printed, signed and delivered in person or mailed to McLennan County Elections, P.O. Box 2450, Waco, TX 76703-2450.

Anyone unsure of their registration status can check at votetexas.gov.

Feb. 23 is the deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot by mail. Early voting will run from Feb. 20 to March 1 at five sites.

For more information, call 254-757-5043.
Hearts in the Arts Gala

Reservations are open for the 22nd annual Hearts in the Arts Gala, sponsored by the McLennan Community College Foundation. The Feb. 22 event features the McLennan Theatre performance of Into the Woods. Tickets are $100 each and include drinks and dining at 5:30 p.m. inside the Conference Center at MCC followed by the theatre performance at 7:30 p.m. at the Ball Performing Arts Center.

The Hearts in the Arts Gala is a celebration of creativity, talent and the educational journey.

The production, directed by Kelly Parker and choreographed by Joe Taylor, will feature elaborate costuming and sets to immerse the audience in this whimsical fairytale. Honorary Hearts in the Arts Chairs Drs. Diane and Clay Sawyer will host the evening.

All proceeds from the Gala event benefit MCC scholarships and special projects advancing visual and performing arts students and faculty. Reservations are being accepted through Feb. 15. To make reservations, contact the MCC Foundation at 254-299-8604 or reservations@mclennan.edu.

Valentine lunch

Lake Shore Funeral Home and Crematory, 5201 Steinbeck Bend Drive, will host its annual Widowed Men & Womens Valentine Luncheon starting at 11:30 a.m. Feb. 14.

The event is open to all who have lost their spouse or significant other. RSVP is required by noon Feb. 6.

For more information, call 254-752-5900.

Diabetes prevention

The Greater Waco YMCA, 6800 Harvey Drive, will offer a Type 2 diabetes prevention class starting from noon to 1 p.m. Feb. 5.

Cost is $37.75 per month. The program lasts a year.

For more information, call 254-776-6612 or email chernandez@ymcactx.org.

Genealogy Brown Bag

The Central Texas Genealogical Society will hold a Genealogy Brown Bag event, Proving Long-Lost Family the Indirect Way, from noon to 1:15 p.m. Feb. 5 at the West Waco Library, 5301 Bosque Blvd.

The program will include records and research with a resolution to a mystery that has been misunderstood for a century. Patti Gillespie, owner of genealogy services firm Family Lines and Stories, will demonstrate the long way round research strategies while offering hope for researchers with direct-line brick walls.

Participants should bring a lunch. Drinks will be provided. The meeting will also be available via Zoom at CTGS.org.

Cameron Park hike

Friends of Cameron Park Waco will meet for a Sunrise Hike at 7:30 a.m. Feb. 3 at Rock Shelter at the bottom of Jacobs Ladder in Cameron Park.

The hike will be 1.5 to 2 hours, though hike time is flexible with longer and shorter options offered. Participants should wear footwear appropriate for rocky trails and bring water and a snack. A walking stick or hiking poles may come in handy for the steeper sections.

The hike is free, but donations are accepted to help sponsor future programs, projects and events.

Members of the newly organized Friends of Cameron Park Waco are encouraged to bring friends or family along. Membership is $25 a year. Dogs are welcome on a leash, if owners bring their own poop bag. Participants can also bring a trash bag for any additional litter found along the trails.

Voter registration

Feb. 5 is the deadline to register to vote in the March 5 primary elections.

Application forms are available at mclennanvotes.com or at any post office, city library or city office, and the county elections office, 214 N. Fourth St., Suite 300, in the basement of the county records building. English and Spanish versions are available.

Completed applications should be printed, signed and delivered in person or mailed to McLennan County Elections, P.O. Box 2450, Waco, TX 76703-2450.

Anyone unsure of their registration status can check at votetexas.gov.

Feb. 23 is the deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot by mail. Early voting will run from Feb. 20 to March 1 at five sites.

For more information, call 254-757-5043.

Dam bike ride

Trek Bicycle Waco, 1120 Lake Air Drive, Suite 200, invites cyclists to take part in its 15-mile ride to Lake Waco Dam and back, leaving from the shop at 9 a.m. Feb. 3.

Doughnuts and coffee will be provided at the dam. Helmets and hydration are required.

To RSVP, go to eventbrite.com.

Eclipse event volunteers

Eclipse Over Texas: Live from Waco! is accepting volunteer applications to help with activities on eclipse weekend, April 5-8.

Volunteers receive one free admission ticket, one event volunteer T-shirt, a free parking spot, one pair of solar glasses and access to indoor breakroom.

Sign up at https://eclipseovertexas2024.com/volunteers.
JERUSALEM  Israel's military announced it would review the shooting of a Palestinian man who was killed in the Gaza Strip while walking in a group of people waving a white flag, saying footage of the episode raised concerns of possible wrongdoing by soldiers.

A video shows a group of five men walking slowly down a street in an area west of the southern city of Khan Younis, a current focus of Israel's ground offensive.

As clouds of dark smoke billow overhead, the men hold their hands in the air. One waves a white flag, an international symbol of surrender.

Suddenly, shots ring out, killing Ramzi Abu Sahloul, a 51-year-old Palestinian shopkeeper, who was part of the group.

The shooter is not seen in the video. But before the shots are fired, the camera pans, showing what looks to be an Israeli tank positioned nearby. Ahmed Hijazi, a citizen journalist who filmed the episode, told The Associated Press that an Israeli tank fired on the group.

After the soldiers shot him, I rushed to help, but the firing continued toward us, Hijazi said.

An Israeli military official said Sunday that the army was reviewing the shooting, which took place Jan. 22.

The official said the video, first broadcast by CNN, had helped authorities understand that there were military forces in the area and that there might possible wrongdoing by soldiers. The British channel ITV earlier had aired a similar video.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity because there had not yet been an announcement, would not say whether a formal investigation would take place.

The military says forces take great care to verify targets before they strike.

In the video, Hijazi interviewed Abu Sahloul shortly before he was shot. Abu Sahloul said that the group of men was trying to reach relatives whom they had left behind earlier in the day while evacuating their home in southern Gaza.

The Israelis came to us and told us to evacuate, but they didnt let my brother out, Abu Sahloul says. We want to go and try to get them, God willing.

Within seconds, Abu Sahloul is shot dead. The other men quickly grab his body and rush back in the direction from which they came. The men declined to be interviewed for fear of retribution.

Palestinians and human rights groups have accused the Israeli military of using disproportionate or indiscriminate force in its Gaza offensive, leading to heavy civilian casualties. They say that even when such killings are caught on video, military investigations rarely result in indictments of the soldiers involved.

Since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, over 26,000 Palestinians have been killed by a blistering Israeli ground and air offensive, according to health officials in Hamas-run Gaza. They do not differentiate between civilians and combatants but say two-thirds of the dead are women and minors.

Israel launched the offensive in response to an Oct. 7 Hamas attack on southern Israel in which militants killed 1,200 Palestinians and brought some 250 hostages back to Gaza.

Israel says that Hamas fighters have embedded themselves within civilian infrastructure, making it difficult to destroy the militant group without harming civilians. It says over 9,000 militants have been killed, though it hasn't released evidence to back the claim.

Abu Sahlouls widow, 50-year-old Hanan Abu Sahloul, said that in the hours before last week's shooting, the army had entered a building where the family was sheltering along with over 300 others. She said that Israeli forces ordered residents to leave without their belongings.

When I tried to take my bag, a soldier aimed his gun at my head and ordered me to leave it, she said.

In the video taken by Hijazi, Hanan Abu Sahloul can be seen running toward her husband, screaming, while the group of men hastily haul his limp body back toward safety.

As gunshots continue to ring out, a bloodstain quickly spreads over her husbands chest, dark red quickly enveloping the white flag that one of the other men placed on his chest.

He was immediately killed  without even a few breaths to say goodbye, Hanan Abu Sahloul said.
Police launch task force to strengthen protections

By Lee Hyo-jin

After a series of assaults on politicians raised concerns about potential copycat attacks ahead of the April 10 general elections, the police said Monday that they will create a task force with each party to strengthen protections.

Earlier in the day, Rep. Yun Jae-ok, floor leader of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), and Rep. Yu Eui-dong, the party's chief policymaker, met with National Police Agency Commissioner General Yoon Hee-keun, to discuss response measures following the attack on their fellow lawmaker Thursday.

"We will establish a task force between the police agency and each political party to share information regarding potential dangers and preparedness in related situations," Yoon told reporters after the meeting.

He also shared plans to increase police patrols to prevent similar offenses and strengthen monitoring of online copycat crime threats targeting key politicians.

The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) has called for the launch of a special committee dealing with political violence to develop comprehensive measures.

Rep. Bae Hyun-jin of the PPP, on Thursday, was attacked by a 15-year-old boy, who hit the lawmaker more than a dozen times in the back of her head with a rock. She was discharged from the hospital on Saturday after undergoing surgery.

The assault occurred less than a month after DPK leader Rep. Lee Jae-myung was stabbed in the neck by a knife-wielding man in his 60s in Busan on Jan. 2. Lee was released from the hospital eight days later.

Some online have said that more politicians should fall victim to similar crimes so they can "learn a lesson."

"I'm actually looking forward to another politician being beaten up. The next one will be Lee Jun-seok," a user wrote on Dcinside, one of Korea's largest online communities, a day after Bae's attack. Lee is a former PPP leader who recently founded the Reformist Party.

Another wrote, "How do politicians survive knife attacks or being hit in the head with a rock? They are like cockroaches."

One user said that more politicians should be attacked by minors, like Bae was, for them to realize the seriousness of juvenile crimes.

The boy who attacked Bae is said to have claimed legal immunity upon being arrested by the police. Under the Juvenile Act, offenders aged under 14 are not subject to criminal punishment. However, the assailant was found to be 15 years old.

With roughly 70 days remaining until the elections, lawmakers are urging for enhanced police security, expressing concerns that anyone could become the next victim.

However, critics say that the number of police security personnel may be insufficient to cover all the candidates running in the elections. Around 1,000 candidates nationwide are expected to vie for the 300-seat Assembly.

Plus, police protection would be limited to lawmakers' official events. Bae was attacked near a hair salon in Gangnam District during an unofficial schedule.
WATERLOO  An Illinois teen has been arrested after he allegedly stole a minivan in Waterloo and later led police on a high-speed chase that ended when he crashed.

A resident in the 400 block of Ricker Street called police around 9:30 p.m. Sunday to report his Toyota Sienna had been stolen, apparently while it was left running.

Hours later, officers spotted the vehicle leaving the Legacy nightclub on Sumner Street around 10:25 p.m. and heading into oncoming traffic, according to police reports.

Authorities attempted to stop the Sienna, but the vehicle continued on, heading up East Fourth Street and then turning onto Donald Street, reaching speeds of up to 110 mph in a 55 mph zone.

The driver eventually lost control and the vehicle rolled several times on Donald Street.

Officers arrested Martavian Marzhon McDowell, 18, of Crest Hill. Illinois, for eluding and second-degree theft. Bond was set at $10,000.

Officials believe the teen had planned to drive the stole minivan back to Illinois.
CEDAR FALLS  Valley Lutheran School will hold a series of community input forums in February as options are researched for enhancing the building.

Forums will be held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, 5 p.m. Feb. 6 and 7 p.m. Feb. 8, at the school, 4520 Rownd St.

When the building was constructed 20 years ago, it was not fully finished on the inside. Currently, about two-thirds of the main floor is complete. School officials are looking at finishing the remainder of the that floor, as well as the second floor for learning and classroom space, said the Rev. Henry Pahlkotter, Valley Lutheran executive director and high school principal.

We want to talk about the possibilities, he said. We have priced out different areas and broken it down into a couple of phases. There has always been a desire to do this. It is an exciting time, but we want to be good stewards and do all the research.

We have the capacity to add eight or nine classrooms on the main floor and another seven upstairs, Pahlkotter said.

Currently, the school has 15 usable classrooms, including music and art rooms, plus a gym.

This will allow us to serve more kids and more families. It will help us enhance our program. For example, we could offer Spanish K-12 instead of just in high school. We are talking about a student success room, where students who need extra help can get it. Maybe have more than one section of kindergarten.

This will also give us the chance to enhance the security of our building, he said. We have the responsibility of keeping our kiddos and families safe. We have a safety committee making recommendations.

We are working with an architect, a builder and a financier, Pahlkotter said. We are working with Lutheran Church Extension Fund to see what our capacity is in raising funds to finish more of our building.

Valley Lutheran welcomed 40 new students this school year, with enrollment numbers bolstered by education savings accounts, he noted. ESAs are a new option, signed into law last year, that allows families to use state funding to pay for private school tuition and other allowed education costs.

Thats huge growth, he said. The phone has been ringing off the hook. People who would never have been able to consider a parochial school before are able to now because of ESAs. Word is getting out. People are looking for choices where their children can be loved and their needs can be addressed. We work really hard to embrace each and every child.

Currently, 146 students attend Valley Lutheran, which is about 30 more than last years certified enrollment count. Pahlkotter anticipates hiring two new teachers next year.

After the forums, he expects things to move quickly.

We hope to have work start before the spring and have part of the additional space ready for kiddos for fall 2024.

Valley Lutheran has several other events scheduled.

An open house is set from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday.

Take a Look Tuesdays will be held from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Feb. 6 and 20 and March 5 and 19. Visitors can drop in during those times and receive a private tour of the school.

A parents class is scheduled for 6 p.m. Feb. 12. If interested in attending, call the school at (319) 266-4565.

Parents are their primary teachers. We want to walk alongside them. Help their children grow to become good citizens and followers of Christ. ... We want parents to know what we are teaching, Pahlkotter said. Our mission is to be more than a school.

Today in history: Jan. 29 1929: The Seeing Eye 1936: Baseball Hall of Fame 1963: Pro Football Hall of Fame 1963: Robert Frost 1984: Ronald Reagan 1995: San Francisco 49ers 1998: Birmingham, Alabama 2002: George W. Bush 2007: Barbaro 2012: I-75 2017: Quebec City shooting 2018: Cleveland Indians
WAVERLY  Jason Wester has removed himself from the final interviews for the superintendent position at Waverly-Shell Rock Community School District. He has accepted a position as superintendent at West Burlington Independent School District, according to a press release from Michael Kalvig, business manager/board secretary at Waverly-Shell Rock.

The Waverly-Shell Rock Board of Education will continue interviews with the two remaining finalists on Thursday, Feb. 1. The board then plans to discuss the candidates and reach a final decision soon after the formal interviews.

The next superintendent will begin leading the Waverly-Shell Rock Community School District effective July 1.
CEDAR FALLS  Mayor Danny Laudick and the City Council sought to leverage relationships with state legislators Friday while going over bills of interest a few weeks into the legislative session in Des Moines.

A familiar topic  affordable housing  came up in meeting with Sen. Eric Giddens and Rep. Bob Kressig, both Democrats, as well as Rep. Derek Wulf, a Republican, and the municipalitys lobbying firm Cope Murphy + Co. in the City Hall conference room during the public work session.

Lobbyist Jon Murphy brought up House Study Bill 557, which he said would significantly increase funding to cities through the state housing trust fund overseen by the Iowa Finance Authority.

The state housing trust fund is probably the most flexible money out there to help bolster affordable housing across the state, said Murphy.

However, as was highlighted in the citys recently completed housing needs assessment, Cedar Falls does not have a local housing trust fund and cannot tap into those funds at the moment.

I think were one of the only communities that doesnt have one in place to tap into, said Laudick.

Work is underway to get a housing trust fund established through a nonprofit. City officials asked that their state representatives do what they can to quickly grant that status.

Sometimes, us making a phone call can bump up things in the priorities, absolutely, said Giddens.

Sometimes it can hurt too, added Wulf to laughs.

Murphy brought up another housing-related bill, Senate File 182, during the hour-long session. The firm will be advocating for it on behalf of Cedar Falls. It would offer funding for dilapidated properties through a state land redevelopment trust, an opportunity to level out the risk among stakeholders.

Its not a silver bullet for more dilapidated properties, but it is another tool in the tool box for those types of properties, said Murphy.

Other bills on the radar

The lobbyists oppose Senate File 455, a bill they say would restrict cities ability to require stormwater runoff infrastructure and regulate topsoil application on newly developed residential lots beyond state standards.

Waterways like Dry Run Creek are at the forefront of concern if such a bill were adopted.

If youre looking at the state of Iowa, the type of ground in Northeast Iowa geologically is completely different than it is in southwest Iowa, said lobbyist Tom Cope. Having a one-size-fits-all requirement statewide is really concerning from a local government standpoint.

The lobbyists support Senate File 454, a bill they say gives cities greater flexibility with civil service hiring and hopefully leads to filling positions quicker.

Cope said the changes wouldnt lower the standards for anybody. Public Safety Director Craig Berte noted the current process is not detrimental but steps slow the process a little bit.

City Administrator Ron Gaines wants to compact the schedule: Its about three months at a minimum for us to do any type of hiring, and so when you get applicants ... a lot of times were losing them to other entities because of how long that takes.

The lobbyists also have concerns about Senate File 457, instilling changes to disciplining civil service employees. The bill changes the standards for triggering discipline.

They highlighted a bill passed last session: House File 718, the property tax bill. The firm wants to monitor the strain on local governments budgets.

The legislation eliminates a citys ability to tax through a $0.27 library levy and $0.02 municipal band levy. Both were Cedar Falls voter-approved levies and now are consolidated under the $8.10 general fund levy.

Cope noted that hurts cities as personnel costs continue to rise.

We certainly understand that valuations are growing, but you also have something called the residential rollback which is slowing the growth of those valuations as well, he noted.

I got to tell you weve had a lot of discussions on that bill here locally, added Kressig.  Hopefully we can get that fixed.

There was concern expressed about another bill on the floor, Senate File 550, converting the voter-approved local option sales tax into a statewide tax. It wouldnt take away the revenue used for roads in Cedar Falls, Cope pointed out. But theres a feeling that could change down the road if the bill is passed.

Our preference would be to keep it the way it is now, said Cope.

Another meeting highlight was the governors proposed budget, increasing the University of Northern Iowas state aid $2.49 million on top of the $100 million it receives for general operations and also including another $3.85 million to restore funds lost for an unexpected emergency repair.

Those funds ensure the construction of the UNI Industrial Technology Center is completed, the lobbyists said.

Councilmembers Gil Schultz and Daryl Kruse were absent.

PHOTOS: Dike-New Hartford hosted Roland-Story in a Top-Five girls' showdown Thursday
Russian Defence Ministry report on the progress of the special military operation

The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation.

In Kupyansk direction, units of the Zapad Group of Forces, supported by artillery and heavy flamethrower systems, have improved the situation along the front line.

Six attacks by assault groups of 25th air assault, 32nd, 60th mechanised, and 95th air assault brigades of the AFU have been repelled close to Sinkovka (Kharkov region), Novosyolovskoye (Lugansk Peoples Republic), and Terny (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

The enemy losses were up to 150 troops, three motor vehicles, and one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system.

In Krasny Liman direction, units of the Tsentr Group of Forces, supported by artillery and heavy flamethrower systems, have repelled three attacks by assault groups of the 13th Brigade of the Ukrainian National Guard and the 44th Separate Battalion of the AFU near Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk Peoples Republic) and Yampolovka (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

The enemy losses were up to 120 troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, three motor vehicles, as well as one Akatsiya self-propelled artillery system, and one D-20 howitzer.

In Donetsk direction, as a result of active actions by units of the Yug Group of Forces, in cooperation with artillery and heavy flamethrower systems, three attacks by assault groups of the 24th Mechanised Brigade and the 80th Air Assault Brigade of the AFU have been repelled near Shumy, Kirovo, and Georgievka (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

In addition, AFU 22nd, 28th, 42nd mechanised, and 17th tank brigades have been hit close to Krasnoye, Andreevka, Kleshcheevka, and Kurdyumovka (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

The enemy losses were up to 330 servicemen killed and wounded, one tank, two infantry fighting vehicles, four pickup trucks, one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, as well as one electronic warfare station.

In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces, supported by artillery, have repelled one attack by an assault group of the 128th Territorial Defence Brigade near Priyutnoye (Zaporozhye region), and defeated the AFU 79th Air Assault Brigade near Novomikhailovka (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

The enemy losses were up to 80 soldiers, two armoured fighting vehicles, two motor vehicles, and one Grad MLRS combat vehicle.

In Zaporozhye direction, units of the Russian Group of Forces, supported by artillery, have hit manpower of 65th, 118th mechanised, 128th mountain assault, 82nd air assault brigades of the AFU and the 3rd Brigade of the Ukrainian National Guard close to Rabotino, Verbovoye, Nesteryanka, and Kamenskoye (Zaporozhye region).

The enemy losses were up to 70 troops, two infantry fighting vehicles, four motor vehicles, and one D-30 howitzer.

In Kherson direction, as a result of fire attacks by units of the 35th Marine Brigade and the 121st Territorial Defence Brigade, the enemy losses were up to 55 Ukrainian servicemen, four motor vehicles, and one D-30 howitzer near Zolotaya Balka and Lvovo (Kherson region).

Missile Troops and Artillery, and unmanned aerial vehicles of the Russian Groups of Forces hit ammunition and fuel depots for AFU military hardware close to Dnepropetrovsk and Zaporozhye regions, as well as neutralised 118 AFU artillery units at firing positions, as well as engaged manpower and hardware in 137 areas during the day.

Air defence facilities have shot down three HIMARS and Uragan multiple-launch rocket system projectiles.

In addition, 28 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles have been destroyed close to Vodyanoye, Belogorovka, Maryinka, Yampolovka, Spornoye, Peski (Donetsk Peoples Republic), Privolye, Novoznamenka, Shipilovka (Lugansk Peoples Republic), Novaya Mayachka (Kherson region), Olshana, and Gorobyevka (Kharkov region).

In total, 568 airplanes and 265 helicopters, 11,311 unmanned aerial vehicles, 456 air defence missile systems, 14,814 tanks and other armoured combat vehicles, 1,211 combat vehicles equipped with MRLS, 7,887 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 17,990 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.

Tags:

WtR
By Jung Min-ho

Lee Jun-seok, the leader of a self-styled moderate conservative party, vowed on Monday to introduce legislation to require military service for all women who want to apply for certain government positions such as police officers.

Speaking to reporters at the National Assembly in Seoul, Lee, 38, said that he would press ahead with changing to the current system that requires all able-bodied men  only men  to serve in the military for at least 18 months.

The Reformist Party will make military service mandatory for those who want to apply for jobs police, maritime police, firefighting and correction divisions and agencies regardless of gender as early as 2030, he said. Article 39 (1) of the Constitution says all citizens should share the duty of national defense. But so far, only the half (of the population) has shared that burden.

Faced with intensifying security threats from North Korea amid South Koreas rapidly falling birthrate, Lee said such change is essential to sustain sufficient defense capabilities.

Military experience would be more useful for those jobs than getting one or two more correct answers on the qualification tests, Lee said, adding that the military would be able to recruit an additional 10,000 to 20,000 applicants annually if the new policy comes into force.

He added that his party would review whether to expand the policy to more government posts if it proves to be successful.

The message appears to be aimed at young male voters, the core base of his party, ahead of the general elections on April 10 as it tries to differentiate itself from the ruling conservative People Power Party.
On Jan. 28, three US service members were killed and 25 injured from a one-way attack UAS that impacted at a base in northeast Jordan, near the Syria border, CENTCOM said.

It was in illegal USA base located within Syria on the border of Syria with Jordan and nothing to do with Iran as being talked communicated about by our ~ illustrious president Biden ~ 

Iran-backed militias are responsible for these continued attacks on U.S. forces, and we will respond at a time and place of our choosing. The President and I will not tolerate attacks on American forces, and we will take all necessary actions to defend the United States, our troops, and our interests, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin added.

Thus, why again are we in Syria?

Time to wake up people as the powers that be walk you straight into a war with Iran, Russia, China and whomever else they can add to the list. When psychopaths and sociopaths have a party, you get chaos and lies.  kKEETON

WtR

PS:

Trita Parsi said about the three whom died at : They didnt die defending US interests, they died defending Bidens refusal to press Israel for a ceasefire. Their lives were put at risk by Biden to defend Israels ability to continue its carnage in Gaza.

Thus, why again are we in Syria?
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By Nam Hyun-woo

President Yoon Suk Yeol and ruling People Power Party (PPP) interim leader Han Dong-hoon had lunch together on Monday in what seems to be a gesture to address the purported conflict between them over Han's critical stance on controversies surrounding first lady Kim Keon Hee and the ruling party leader's public endorsement of specific figures as candidates for April 10 general elections.

According to the presidential office, Yoon, Han and PPP floor leader Rep. Yun Jae-ok had a luncheon at Yoon's office in Yongsan District, Seoul.

Their meeting continued for longer than two hours in the afternoon as they discussed "ways to alleviate difficulties in the public livelihood," according to the presidential office.

"During the meeting, Yoon said the government and the ruling party should double their efforts to make the public feel the improvements in their livelihoods," senior presidential secretary for public relations Lee Do-woon said in a statement.

Lee said the participants discussed various civil issues, including housing and transportation while expressing their concerns over continuing attacks on politicians. They also agreed to continue negotiations with the opposition over a workplace safety law that has been affecting small- and medium-sized enterprises since the past weekend.

The meeting came six days after Yoon and Han met at a traditional market in Seocheon County, South Chungcheong Province, as part of their inspection of the market, which suffered a fire.

At that time, it was seen as an effort to address their feud to avoid damaging the ruling party's campaign for the general elections but was viewed as a patchwork measure because they reportedly did not talk about the cause of their conflicts.

Earlier this month, the ruling party head revealed that Yoon had requested his resignation from the interim leader position through presidential chief of staff Lee Kwan-sup. Despite this, Han asserted that he has no intention of stepping down.

Reportedly, Yoon expressed concerns on Han's public endorsement of Kim Kyung-yul, a member of the PPP's interim leadership committee, for the Mapo B constituency in Seoul. The president's objection stems from the fact that the party's candidate recommendation rule has not been finalized, and Han's public endorsement of a specific individual could be perceived as "bid rigging."

At the same time, the PPP newcomers' criticism of allegations that the first lady received a Christian Dior handbag from a pastor in 2022 and Han's stance of considering it as "a matter of public concern" was also seen as a point of contention.

Against the backdrop, Monday's meeting between Yoon and Han is interpreted as an effort to show that the relations between the president and the ruling party remain intact.

Floor leader Yun told reporters after the luncheon that the participants only discussed matters related to public livelihood, and there were no talks related to political issues, such as controversies surrounding the first lady or the upcoming general elections.


December 2023 Quarterly Activities Report

Melbourne, Jan 29, 2024 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Cohiba Minerals Limited ( ASX:CHK ) ( CHKMF:OTCMKTS ) is pleased to provide an update in relation to the activities carried out during the December 2023 quarter.



Highlights



- Reconnaissance work was completed over the Canadian (Ontario) prospects at Gathering Lake, Rogers Creek and Ottertail,



- A review of the Horse Well and Pernatty C Project areas was undertaken to select and prioritise drill holes for the next field program,



- Lake Torrens tenements were placed on retention status whilst access issues are being negotiated,



- The Lake Pyramid tenements were combined into a single reporting structure,



- All tenements in South Australia, Western Australia, Queensland and Canada (Ontario) held in good standing,



- The Company successfully defeated a Statutory Demand from drilling company, Titeline Drilling Pty Ltd and was awarded costs,



- $1.5 M raised through a share issue to professional and sophisticated investors



*To view the full quarterly report, please visit:

https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/SB9ROCDQ





About Cohiba Minerals Limited





Cohiba Minerals Limited (ASX:CHK) is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange with the primary focus of investing in the resource sector through direct tenement acquisition, joint ventures, farm in arrangements and new project generation. The shares of the company trade under the ticker symbol CHK.

The Company recently acquired 100% of the shares in Charge Lithium Pty Ltd, which holds exploration licences in Western Australia.

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Quarterly Activities Report

Perth, Jan 29, 2024 AEST (ABN Newswire) - On 2 August 2022 BPH Energy Limited ( ASX:BPH ) announced that, following its shareholders' meeting on 21 June 2022 at which shareholders voted unanimously to approve an investment in hydrogen technology company Clean Hydrogen Technologies Corporation ("Clean Hydrogen" or "Vendor" or "Borrower"), BPH and its investee Advent Energy Ltd ("Advent" or "Lender"), together the "Purchasers", settled for the acquisition of a 10% interest in Clean Hydrogen for US$1,000,000 ("Cash Consideration") (8% BPH and 2 % Advent.



The Purchasers had a first right of refusal to invest further in Clean Hydrogen to a maximum of a further US$1,000,000 for an additional 10% interest. The Purchasers loaned a further US$950,000 ("Additional Cash Consideration") under this agreement and the Purchasers and Clean Hydrogen will execute a Loan Conversion Agreement which will enable the conversion of the US$950,000 loan into the relevant Subscription Shares Tranche 2, representing the Purchasers further 9.5% interest in Clean Hydrogen. BPH now has an interest of 15.6% and Advent has an interest of 3.9% interest in Clean Hydrogen. Clean Hydrogen will issue 760 share options to BPH and 190 share options to Advent, with an exercise price of USD$3,000 each, exercisable immediately, with the option to convert into shares in Clean Hydrogen expiring ten years from the date of issue.



The parties acknowledge and agree that the Cash Consideration and Additional Cash Consideration shall be used by Clean Hydrogen to design, build, produce and test a reactor that can produce a minimum of 3.2kgs and as high as 15kgs of hydrogen per hour and to submit at least 2 new patents in an agreed geography, relevant to the production of hydrogen from proprietary technology.



Clean Hydrogen has developed and tested its processing capabilities which have successfully produced hydrogen, with no CO2 emissions, achieving on average above 90% cracking efficiency.



Cracking efficiency refers to the percentage of hydrocarbons broken into solid carbon and hydrogen per hour. This high level of cracking efficiency has been consistently achieved across proof-of-concept tests undertaken by Clean Hydrogen in 2022 and 2023.



Clean Hydrogen have tested the performance of a number of catalysts in the period between April 2022 and September 2022 and have determined that several of the catalysts have given methane cracking conversion rate (efficiency) more than 90%, for several hours. To achieve these results, Clean Hydrogen currently uses methane as its feedstock however, in the future, plans to use natural gas as its feedstock through the pyrolysis method (explained further below).



Clean Hydrogen's development activities and testing have shown that, by pyrolysis processing (not burning) methane gas using its catalyst in a modified fluidised bed reactor, it can produce hydrogen with no CO2 emissions. This is referred to as Turquoise Hydrogen, which is hydrogen that is produced using a process called pyrolysis, where the feedstock is natural gas (specifically the hydrocarbons such as acetylene, methane, butane, propane, and others). Pyrolysis is defined as the method of heating solids, liquids, or gases in the absence of oxygen. The pyrolysis process is not new and has been used by the oil industry for many years. What is new, is Clean Hydrogen's success in the efficiency of its cracking the methane into Turquoise Hydrogen with non-CO2 emissions and the quality of the carbon black produced, being majority Carbon Nano-Tubes (CNTs), which are highly conductive and used in battery manufacturing.



In Clean Carbon's testing, the majority of the carbon formed (over 80%) from cracking hydrocarbons to date are CNTs. This type of carbon was determined using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis, which enables the high-resolution imaging of single nanoparticles with sizes well below 1 nm or micron, as is the case for CNTs. The Clean Hydrogen process is more specifically called a thermos-catalytic pyrolysis, which uses 800- 900 degrees heat centigrade in the reactor in the absence of oxygen.



The Company confirms that there are no non-CO2 greenhouse gas emissions that are produced or released as a result of Clean Hydrogen's production process.



Steam Methane Reforming vs Clean Carbon pyrolysis process



Over 80% of the world's hydrogen is produced using a process called Steam Methane Reforming (SMR). The Clean Hydrogen process requires similar energy needs as SMR and at scale, Clean Hydrogen is of the view that it can be produced at a similar price.



Clean Hydrogen's Chief Science Officer, Dr Vivek Nair (PhD material science engineering) has examined research undertaken by Nuria Sanchez-Bastardo, Robert Schlogl, and Holger Ruland published in Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research 2021 60 (32), 11855-11881, which shows that the electrical energy required to produce 1kg of hydrogen from SMR is 8.81 kwh, 39.69kwh for electrolysis and 5.24kwh for pyrolysis at the reaction level. As such, the pyrolysis process requires less energy than SMR to achieve cracking and uses the same feedstock, natural gas. This energy analysis is conducted without considering the benefits from the use of a catalyst in the pyrolysis process, such as Clean Hydrogen's catalyst, which implies that pyrolysis at scale can be cheaper than SMR. Further, as the process creates two products, which are hydrogen and CNTs, the combined income source provides a means to produce hydrogen at a cheaper net cost.



Clean Hydrogen



The Clean Hydrogen solution is being built with flexibility to work downstream at heavy transport fuelling hubs currently in use in the USA, mid-stream at steel plants replacing coking coal and upstream where the natural gas is processed into hydrogen, a much higher energy source which can be piped for all uses including the production of electricity. As such the technology being developed by Clean Hydrogen's solution requires very little change and impact to existing infrastructures and supply chains, unlike other solutions.



Clean Hydrogen has produced hydrogen beyond lab scale tests at the CoE and is now planning to scale up to a commercial production in 2024. There are three stages to Clean Hydrogen scaling to commercial production:



Stage 1 Completed Stage:



Clean Hydrogen has completed work in 2022 / 2023 on how to scale the catalyst production at the CoE. They have also scaled the reactor to 1/3 of the internal diameter of the full scale commercial system reactors planned for use in Stage 3, explained below.



Before moving to Stage 3, Clean Hydrogen plans to demonstrate the commercial viability of its two products; Turquoise Hydrogen and solid carbon. This will be performed using a reactor half the internal diameter of the Stage 3 reactor. It will also require Clean Hydrogen to build the end to end process for separating out the hydrogen from the uncracked hydrocarbons and then compressing it into hydrogen bottle storage. Clean Hydrogen will demonstrate the commercial viability of its products by selling a carbon product called carbon composite made from majority based CNTs and Alumina and bottled hydrogen of 99%+ purity. Clean Hydrogen is currently in the final stages of the assembly of the end to end systems for this.



Stage 3 Scale and Commercial:



The Stage 3 system is planned to have two reactors working together, illustrating that Clean Hydrogen can scale several reactors together. Clean Hydrogen's final customer systems are planned to have a network of several reactors working together. Stage 3 is planned for completion in 2024.



Capital



During the period:



- the remaining 4,450,000 shares (representing $89,000 of the $1.9 million Share Placement announced in the September 2023 Quarter) were issued, together with 1,483,333 associated Broker Options with an exercise price of $0.03 per option and an expiry date of 30 September 2024.



- 47,500,000 free listed share options with an exercise price of $0.03 per option and an expiry date of 30 September 2024 attaching to the September Placement were issued subsequent to shareholder approval at the Company's November 2023 Annual General Meeting



- 687,449 shares options with an exercise price of $0.03 per option were exercised



- 4,000 Cleansing Shares and 4,000 Cleansing Options were issued



- the award of 58,000,000 Performance Rights to Director David Breeze were approved at the Company's November 2023 Annual General Meeting. The Performance Rights shall vest upon approval by the Commonwealth - New South Wales Offshore Petroleum Joint Authority (Joint Authority) of the PEP11 Permit extension application (Milestone). If the Milestone has not been achieved prior to 30 November 2028, the Performance Rights will automatically lapse and will not be converted into shares.



- 5,250,000 Incentive Options were issued to staff and consultants with an exercise price of $0.05 per option and an expiry date of 7 December 2028.



Significant activities by the Company's investees' during the December 2023 quarter were as follows:



Advent Energy Limited ("Advent") (BPH 35.8% direct interest)

PEP 11 Permit



Advent Energy Limited's (BPH 35.8% direct interest) 100% subsidiary Asset Energy Pty Ltd is a participant in the PEP11 Joint Venture with partner Bounty Oil and Gas NL ( ASX:BUY ). PEP 11 interests are:



Advent Energy 85 % / Bounty Oil and Gas 15%



Asset Energy continues to progress the joint venture's applications for the variation and suspension of work program conditions and related extension of PEP-11. This application follows from the fact that in February 2023 a decision by the previous Commonwealth-NSW Joint Authority to refuse the application was quashed by the Federal Court of Australia. Asset has provided additional updated information to the Commonwealth-NSW Joint Authority and the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator ("NOPTA") in relation to its applications.



On 22 November 2023, the NSW Legislative Committee on Environment and Planning tabled its report into the Minerals Legislation Amendment (Offshore Drilling and Associated Infrastructure Prohibition) Bill 2023, which was referred to the Committee on 29 June 2023. The Bill sought to amend three Acts to prohibit offshore activities in NSW including drilling for petroleum. The inquiry investigated a range of issues, particularly whether the Bill raises any potential constitutional issues and unintended consequences, and its report sets out its findings and proposed recommendations.



The relevant link is set out below:



https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/committees/inquiries/Pages/inquiry-details.aspx?pk=2977#tabreportsandgovernmentresponses



The Committee heard from legal experts and has found that aspects of the proposed legislation may be constitutionally invalid and have unintended consequences. The report makes 10 findings and 2 recommendations. The Committee has accordingly recommended that the Bill not pass.



On 9 October 2023 NOPTA updated their website whereby the NEATS Public Portal Application Tracking has been updated to show Asset Energy's applications' status is now 'Under Assessment'.

The Company understands that the next step in the application process is for the Joint Authority to make its decision on Asset Energy's applications.



While the applications for the variation and suspension of work program conditions and related extension of PEP-11 are being considered by NOPTA, Asset is investigating the availability of a mobile offshore drilling unit to drill the proposed Seablue-1 well on the Baleen prospect which would take approximately thirty-five days to complete. Asset is in communication with drilling contractors and other operators who have recently contracted rigs for work in the Australian offshore beginning in the first half of 2024.



PEP-11 continues in force and the Joint Venture is in compliance with the contractual terms of PEP11 with respect to such matters as reporting, payment of rents and the various provisions of the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 (Cth).



Cortical Dynamics Limited ("Cortical") (BPH 16.4% direct interest)



Investee Cortical Dynamics Limited is an Australian based medical device neurotechnology company that is developing BARM(TM), an industry leading EEG (electrical activity) brain function monitor. BARM(TM) is being developed to better detect the effect of anaesthetic agents on brain activity under a general operation, aiding anaesthetists in keeping patients optimally anaesthetised, and complemented by CORDYAN(TM) (Cortical Dynamics Analytics), a proprietary deep learning system/App focusing on anaesthesiology.



The Australian manufactured and designed, electroencephalographically based (EEG-based), BARM(TM) system is configured to efficiently image and display complex information related to the clinically relevant state of the brain. When commercialized the BARM(TM) system will be offered on a stand-alone basis or integrated into leading brand operating room monitors as "plug and play" option.



Cortical raised $10,000 during the quarter from the issue of 50,000 shares at $0.20 and issued 1,150,000 shares to a director and staff as part of remuneration.





About BPH Energy Limited





BPH Energy Limited (ASX:BPH) is an Australian Securities Exchange listed company developing biomedical research and technologies within Australian Universities and Hospital Institutes.

The company provides early stage funding, project management and commercialisation strategies for a direct collaboration, a spin out company or to secure a license.

BPH provides funding for commercial strategies for proof of concept, research and product development, whilst the institutional partner provides infrastructure and the core scientific expertise.

BPH currently partners with several academic institutions including The Harry Perkins Institute for Medical Research and Swinburne University of Technology (SUT).

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According to the viewership data from Comscore, which measures digital readership, Moneycontrol recently outperformed its primary competitor, The Economic Times, across all significant metrics. To mark this success, the Managing Editor of Moneycontrol, Nalin Mehta on Monday addressed the entire Moneycontrol team in an email, congratulating them for beating a major competitor.

We are now 4x more than ET in time spent, more than double its size in page views and well ahead of it in unique viewers. This success is a testament to the sheer depth, breadth and value inherent in our broader coverage of markets, finance and business and the work you put in, said Mehta in the email to staff, which has been accessed by Adgully.

Explaining the editorial strategy, he added, We are strengthening our foundations for where we want to be as an essential must-have tool for anyone interested in Indian markets and business. This means a lot more exclusives, big interviews, more depth in our coverage, a wider news lens, and really upping our game in news writing for a fast-expanding digital audience.

Mehta expressed confidence about the opportunities in the new year, as he termed it a big news year. We have a big news year coming up, with the general elections and tailwinds in the economy. We have started 2024 with a bang. But this is just the beginning! We have a tremendous opportunity here to redefine business news in India and the wider news media market. he concluded.

Moneycontrol recently launched a 360 degree Indian Business ka King Kaun campaign to announce its leadership in the digital business news space. As part of this, Moneycontrol issued a front page ad in the Indian Express on January 29. The campaign will also go live on trade media, social and TV.
Main opposition leader Lee Jae-myung criticized the government Monday for its anticipated rejection of a special bill calling for a renewed investigation into the Itaewon crowd crush in 2022.

The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), which holds a controlling majority in the National Assembly, railroaded the special bill on Jan. 9, following the breakdown of negotiations with the ruling People Power Party (PPP).

"The government is expected to ultimately reject the Itaewon special bill," said Rep. Lee, the chairman of the DP, during the party meeting, calling the administration "cold-blooded."

The legislation aims to establish a special investigation committee to reexamine the tragedy that killed 159 people on a narrow back alley in the nightlife district of Itaewon on Oct. 29 during Halloween festivities.

The PPP and the government argue that the special bill is unfair, allowing the opposition bloc to fill a majority of the committee members with people favorable to the DPK, and that the investigation has already been conducted.

The legislation has been transferred to the government for deliberation.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will preside over a Cabinet meeting to discuss the bill and the government is likely to recommend President Yoon Suk Yeol exercise his veto power.

Once Yoon endorses the Cabinet's decision, the Itaewon bill will be sent back to the National Assembly to be scrapped.

This would be the fifth time that Yoon has exercised his veto power.

Civic groups and families of the victims, meanwhile, have argued for the passage of the bill, demanding further investigation to find out the cause of the probe. (Yonhap)
Indian media is seeing a repeat of cola wars of the 90s. Moneycontrol has launched a full-fledged offensive against The Economic Times, claiming the leadership in the business news segment.

In a front page advertisement issued in the Indian Express on January 29, Moneycontrol claims to have beaten the legacy leader Economic Times on all parameters.

According to the latest viewership data from Comscore, which measures digital readership. With 30.02 million unique viewers, Moneycontrol grew by 9 percent in December 2023 to forge ahead of ET (28.6 million) in readership size and monthly traffic.

Moneycontrol consolidated and extended its lead over ET in page views and time spent. These are the two key metrics of digital reader engagement and sustainable competitive advantage.

The platform garnered 368 million page views in December - more than double the page views of the No. 2 in this category, ET (173 million).

Moneycontrols complete dominance in this domain was also evident in time spends. The 863 million minutes Moneycontrol readers spent reading its pages in December was four times more than that spent on ET (199 million minutes).
Creating a home is a dream for many Indians; however, the home-building category often lacks significant engagement. People invest considerable time in selecting home designs and interiors, leaving the decision about procuring building materials primarily to the contractor. The intricacies of the category are not easily grasped by the common man. Consequently, most purchases are influenced more by peripheral advantages than the actual benefits of the products.

Tata Tiscon, Indias largest selling TMT rebar brand from the house of Tata Steel, has released a new campaign to address this concern. Focused on the latest range of 550SD rebars, the 360-degree campaign is built around a set of three TVCs. The commercials feature a friendly, neighbourhood engineer who educates the home builders, urging them to make an informed purchase decision. The underlying message emphasizes that by exploring deeper details, one can recognize the superior qualities of Tata Tiscon 550SD as a TMT rebar.

Delving deep into the campaign, Mr. Ashish Anupam, Vice President, Long Products, Tata Steel, says: Tata Tiscon has always striven to enable our customers to have a joyful home-building experience. This campaign attempts to guide our customers in making informed choices as they build their dream homes.

Mr. S Karthik Narayanan, Chief of Marketing & Sales, Tata Tiscon,Retail says: It is unfair to expect individual home-builders to have a thorough understanding of technical specifications required for selection of the right rebar. Hence, it is important for us to guide them in a customer-centric manner without overloading them with industry-specific terminologies.
In conversation with Adgully as part of the AG Talk series, Abhishek Gupta, Chief Marketing Officer, Edelweiss Tokio Life, speaks about the brand building efforts of the company, leveraging technology to enhance its marketing efforts, creating memorable experiences for all its partners, focus on sustainability and ethical practices, and much more.

In 2023, there seems to be a notable shift towards brand building. How does Edelweiss Tokio Life Insurance plan to reinforce its brand identity and connect with the audience in this evolving marketing landscape?

In any retail industry, more so in the life insurance industry, Brand plays a vital role in wooing customers because they expect trust, transparency and expertise from their preferred partner. While Product marketing has taken centre stage in recent years, Brand building efforts are unfolding in newer and more interesting ways.

In life insurance, distributor plays an important role in meeting the demands of the customer and ensuring a complete customer-centric approach. The sector continues to sell a majority of its products through an advisor (be it an agent, a Bank relationship manager, a broker or more). Therefore, it has become far more critical to become a Brand of preference for the distributor if we want to be a brand of preference for the customer.

We have been investing in building the right advisory tools, beefing up our training capabilities, automating fulfilment of marketing requirements and more. We want to attract the right kind of advisors and build their capabilities so that they are able to interact meaningfully with the customer not only when they are selling a product, but also when they are servicing their future requirements. We want to help them create relationships and not just customers.

As marketing trends continue to embrace automation and data-driven strategies, how is Edelweiss Tokio Life Insurance leveraging technology to enhance its marketing efforts and ensure a personalized experience for customers?

While digitization has been on the rise across sectors, a significant percentage of life insurance customers still prefer assisted buying. So, while the customers can buy online if they prefer, the industry is more focussed on strengthening its backend processes leveraging technology. Here are some noteworthy steps we have taken:

DigiTools and Mobcast: It is an automated marketing tool, which supports our advisors with marketing requirements on the go like personalizing communication to the customer. It reduces person dependency by bringing process orientation, and offers an easy access to diverse marketing tools, ensuring standardization within the brand framework.

DigiTools is supplemented by Mobcast which fulfils DIY training requirements through explanatory product videos, multi-language scripts for customer interactions, advisor recruitment videos and more. This simplifies and eases the access to necessary information that the distributor requires on-the-go and we have seen promising results with it.

U2: In our ongoing tech transformation project, we've introduced U Unlimited or U2. It completely revolutionizes the way insurance advisory has been happening by bringing a very solution-oriented and holistic approach. Through U2, our distributors get a comprehensive understanding of the customer needs and are therefore much better positioned in offering the right advisory.

BOLT: We have built in Insta-issuance capabilities by automating multiple processes in our customer journey including underwriting. This offers an instant decision to the customer on whether their policy has been instantly issued. Currently, we are issuing 20% of our policies through BOLT and are looking to improve this statistic as we progress further.

Within the insurance sector, what trends do you anticipate will have the most significant impact on marketing strategies in 2024, and how is Edelweiss Tokio Life Insurance preparing to stay ahead in this dynamic environment?

The last 2 years have been significant for the life insurance sector because we have seen notable regulatory transformation. For instance, the State Insurance Plan is a much-needed initiative which pools in the entire industrys marketing strengths in building awareness and trust in the category with a very local approach. We expect regulatory reforms to continue, and they will steer marketing efforts by the industry at large in the new year.

Digitalization has remained the flavour of the industry since the Covid years. A significant focus of the industry in 2023 was directed at leveraging new-age technologies to enhance distributional capabilities and digital capabilities, with the overarching goal of strengthening their customer and distributor experience.

For us, while customers are central to all our endeavours, we are looking at how we can create unique experiences for our distributors and deliver an extraordinary brand experience to them. For instance, our MDRT proposition is class apart in the industry. For several years now, we have been putting up huge outdoor ads for our MDRTs in their own city to celebrate their achievements and bolster their standing in the immediate social circle. This year, we introduced another initiative, wherein we did short ads promoting these MDRTs on a national TV channel. Both these initiatives are unique to Edelweiss Tokio Life and this innovative approach has helped us improve stickiness of our advisors and also motivate them to expand the scale of their business. We create such memorable experiences for all our partners and that will remain our focus in the year ahead.

Sustainability and ethical marketing are becoming increasingly important for consumers. How does Edelweiss Tokio Life Insurance incorporate sustainability and ethical practices into its marketing initiatives, and what role do these values play in the brands messaging?

A key to incorporating sustainability and ethical marketing is ensuring that your brand is always true to its core values. For us, CSR and customer centricity has been a part of our DNA since inception and we have continuously improved on both these vectors.

We have consistently carried out CSR efforts since our initial years like Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, raising funds for tragedy-struck regions, contributing to the Defence Welfare Fund, and more. However, more recently, these CSR efforts have become more cohesive. While we will continue to undertake these smaller initiatives, we have adopted a larger cause of Organ Donation because it coincides with the essence of our business which is Zindagi Unlimited. Purpose marketing is a very vital component of our brand building efforts because it resonates deeply not only with our customer, but also is close to the heart of our employees. We have seen an outpouring of support every time we run any CSR initiative and that also helps us enable our employees connect deeply with the brand purpose of protecting dreams and aspirations. It is also noteworthy that life insurance in itself is a noble and purposeful business  the essence of this business is securing families and loved ones which brings a significant level of emotional, ethical aspect to the way we deal with people at large.

With advancements in AI, big data, and real-time analytics, how is Edelweiss Tokio Life Insurance utilizing these technologies to gain insights, refine marketing strategies, and provide a more seamless experience for customers?

Over the years Al has positively impacted all aspects of insurance business, from distribution, underwriting, and fraud detectionto personalisation and customisation of products.

Our focus is on cultivating agility and scalability for the business and new-age technologies like AI have enabled that journey. Our AI initiatives go beyond mere operational enhancements; they play a crucial role in reshaping the entire customer journey. We have effectively implemented AI to streamline customer onboarding processes, bolster risk management, and simplify insurance advisory, ultimately leading to a more satisfying customer experience.

For example, U2, uses AI to a significant degree. While it identifies customer needs, and offers tailored solutions, it also learns from the data that it uses. We expect the tool to evolve as we continue using it and expect it to support distributors by offering business propensity. It can potentially double the productivity of distributors because the tool will keep learning and becoming better over time.

Considering the dominance of audio and video marketing, along with the popularity of short-form content, how is Edelweiss Tokio Life Insurance adapting its content strategy to engage with the audience effectively across different platforms?

This year short-form content stood out as a dominant force, particularly on platforms like Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts in various sectors including insurance. Its transient nature and visually engaging appeal align seamlessly with the shorter attention spans of todays audiences. Brands have leveraged short-form videos not just for advertisements but also for impactful storytelling, product launches, and authentic customer testimonials. We also saw a surge in audio formats, notably podcasts. The convergence of video and audio marketing is reshaping how brands connect with audiences and its an interesting time to be in the business of storytelling.

Now, turning our lens to Edelweiss Tokio Life Insurance, recognizing the significance of regional outreach, we have strategically prioritized language-specific video and audio content creation. This not only addresses the need for diversity but also builds trust, inclusivity, and relatability among customers as well as distributors. We have successfully implemented this strategy by creating videos in 9 local languages, witnessing a positive uptake across various channels. Looking ahead to 2024, we plan to deepen its regional impact by building further capabilities and delving into specific geographies.

The media landscape is experiencing fragmentation with advertisements on OTT premium platforms. How does Edelweiss Tokio Life Insurance plan to navigate this evolving landscape and connect with audiences through these channels?

Our brand has been consistently increasing its investments in the digital medium year after year. The emergence of OTT platforms presents an exciting opportunity for us. Given that our core target audience is actively engaged on these platforms, we see it as a captive and receptive base. We have leveraged OTT platforms in the past and will continue to explore them as and when our brand strategy demands it.

The role of customer service is evolving to be an extension of the brand experience. How does Edelweiss Tokio Life Insurance integrate customer service seamlessly into its overall brand strategy, and what measures are in place to ensure a positive customer experience?

Our primary objective is to be the preferred brand for both customers and distributors. Our focus is ensuring that we build capabilities across the board in delivering the intended brand experience. So, distributors and employees, both play a critical role at this point for us because they have a huge impact on the end customer. So, we are very focused on creating the right distributor and employee experience.

We already discussed tools like U2 and Bolt, which are retraining our employees and distributors in how we are now delivering insurance to our customers. We also have an acute focus on driving a purpose and value-driven culture internally. We do that through multiple initiatives like Townhalls, Leadership Connects, and much more.

We have never looked at Customer Experience as the responsibility of the customer service team  we have always driven a culture of Customer-First across functions. And that translates into the innovative products & services that we bring to the market, or the unique partner engagements we do like the MDRT outdoor ads.
Knotts Berry Farm jams and jellies wont be on grocery shelves much longer.

The J.M. Smucker Company has discontinued its brand of the popular jams. In a statement emailed to USA Today, Frank Cirillo, the senior manager of corporate communications for J.M. Smucker, said the decision to discontinue Knotts Berry Farm jams was in alignment with our strategy to continuously evaluate our portfolio.

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Alabama-founded BBQ sauce is coming to shelves nationwide

Knotts Berry Farms line of products included jams, jellies and preserves in the retail, gift boxes, and foodservice channels, according to a 2008 news release announcing the acquisition.

J.M. Smucker acquired the Knotts Berry Farm brand from ConAgra Foods, now Conagra Brands, in 2008.

We appreciate the fans of the brand and look forward to continuing serving them through our other offerings, Cirillo told USA Today in the statement.

While customers will no longer be able to find the jams on shelves, patrons will still be able to purchase the Knotts Berry Farms cookies, as well as other products under the brand, reports TODAY.com.

The Knotts Berry Farm brand is not discontinued from grocery stores or any other channel of business. The JM Smucker announcement was relative to jams and jellies only, Rob Gallitto, the vice president of retail and specialty at Biscomerica, told TODAY.com. Biscomerica (Rialto, California) is the sole licensee to bake and market Knotts Berry Farm cookies to all classes of trade. Our 300 employees at our family-run bakery work hard to bake this iconic brand daily.
Its no secret that white barbecue sauce is a tasty specialty in Alabama, beloved by folks who visit restaurants such as Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q, Miss Myras Pit Bar-B-Q and more. Now Southern Living has proclaimed Alabama white sauce as one of the Souths most iconic recipes.

Were happy to agree with that  and primed to slather some tangy white sauce on barbecue chicken as soon as possible.

While folks all over the South lay claim to dishes as their regional favorites, a tasty handful have been lauded as signature state recipes  and weve tasted a LOT of them! Southern Living said in recent list touting more than 30 iconic recipes. Its almost impossible to pick favorites, but these tasty dishes won over the hearts and tastebuds of our editors and Test Kitchen. (See the full list from Southern Living here.)

Alabama white barbecue sauce wasnt alone on Southern Livings roster of iconic recipes from the South. The magazine also lauded Alabama crab salad (a Gulf Coast specialty, also known as West Indies salad), and a spicy appetizer made with saltines, called Alabama Fire Crackers.

The three dishes from Alabama topped Southern Livings list, which was presented in alphabetical order by state. And, although were all about white barbecue sauce, some tempting dishes from other states caught our eye, such as Nashville hot chicken, Louisiana jambalaya, Maryland crab cakes and Kentucky bourbon pie.

Some of the recipes touted by Southern Living take time and effort to make, but white barbecue sauce tends to be quick and easy, using simple ingredients such as mayonnaise, vinegar and pepper. The magazine provided its favorite recipe for white barbecue sauce, and even suggested branching out from smoked or grilled chicken, using white sauce on fried turkey cutlets.

Want more recipes for white barbecue sauce? AL.com has the recipe used by Miss Myras, which you can find here, as well as a recipe recommended by longtime food writer David Holloway.

Alabama white sauce dates back to the 1920s, as far as we can tell, and is credited to Decatur restaurant patriarch Big Bob Gibson, a former railway worker who became a barbecue king. White barbecue sauce is now a classic throughout the state, and has inspired some creative contemporary dishes, such as the White Lightning Nachos at Rhythm on Monroe in Huntsville.
Two Mobile men have admitted to their role in a murder-for-hire scheme in Michigan which was thwarted by law enforcement before the intended victim could be found, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office in eastern Michigan.

Court documents show that Julius K. Jordan and Reginald L. Hunter were contacted by a person identified only a Person 1 in early February 2022, asking them to travel to Flint, Mich., to kill someone Person 1 accused of killing his little brother, a man named Dennis Denard Thomas.

Thomas was not a relative of Person 1, but rather an associate.

Thomas had been shot and killed a day earlier.

Person 1 sent money for Jordan and Hunter to use to rent a car to travel to Michigan and provided weapons when they arrived, the documents show.

On Feb. 15, 2022, as Jordan and Hunter drove around looking for their target, Jordan drove through a stop sign and was pulled over Michigan State Police troopers. During the stop, the troopers spotted assault rifles inside the vehicle -- one on the floorboard near Jordans feet and another near Hunters feet.

Hunter and Jordan were jailed on weapons charges, and recorded conversations from the jail with other individuals revealed the plot to kill their intended victim.

Jordan had previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced to nearly 16 years in federal prison. Hunter pleaded guilty Friday and is scheduled for sentencing on May 28. The investigation into Person 1 continues, the U.S. Attorneys Office said.

These defendants were hired guns who agreed to end someones life for money, but the outstanding work of the Michigan State Police undoubtedly saved a life, said U.S. Attorney Dawn N. Ison.
Two Tennessee deputies were wounded and a kidnapping suspect was killed in an exchange of gunfire on Interstate 75 after a pursuit across state lines, authorities said.

The pursuit began Sunday in Catoosa County, Georgia, when deputies tried to stop Tyler L. Roberts, 31, who was suspected of kidnapping a young child and assaulting an officer, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said in a statement.

The chase on I-75 crossed into Tennessee and deputies with the Hamilton County Sheriffs Office also began trying to capture the suspect and deployed tire deflation devices, the statement said.

After the vehicle came to a stop, the driver began shooting at deputies who returned fire and killed the suspect, the TBI said.

Two Hamilton County deputies were wounded and taken to an area hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening wounds, the sheriffs office said. The 18-month-old child was not injured, but was taken to a hospital for evaluation, the statement said.

While it is early in the investigative phase of this incident, it is apparent this individual was intent on getting away from authorities and clearly didnt care who he endangered in the process, Hamilton County Sheriff Austin Garrett said. This incident highlights the incredible dangers our personnel face each day while performing their duties.

No further information was immediately released.
By Park Gi-hyun

On Jan. 19, the two main parties rolled out two birthrate-boosting strategies that are aimed squarely at raising Koreas dire population trajectory. Statistics Korea revealed that the fertility rate in 2023 reached a record low of 0.75, a decline from 0.78 recorded a year earlier. The bleak record will inevitably weigh on Korean society and economy in the long run. To contain this, the government has continuously introduced a series of childbirth incentives, paternity leave benefits and all sorts of welfare programs for newborn babies and their parents.

Creating an environment to encourage people to have children and lessen the burden on new parents is highly commendable. But as a Korean mother currently raising two schoolchildren, I am somewhat discontent with the existing childcare programs. I find childrearing in Korea extremely challenging, unless you are guaranteed to get help from someone else, such as grandparents or a babysitter. Although I am very positive about children, I could not genuinely recommend anyone to become a parent owing to the harsh circumstances of raising a child.

Bringing up children gets harder once they start school. My youngest child is going into first grade in March. Just like other mothers with a child of the same age, I am now seeking the best way to support him while also working an office job. When I was a stay-at-home mother a few years ago, I could fully care for my eldest child when he first entered school. But things are different this year because I do have a job now. Figuring out ways to support him after school is a major source of stress. The biggest issue with first graders is the short school day, which ends before one oclock.

First graders are too young to return home by themselves and leaving them home unattended is an awful idea. After-school classes offered by a school can be an option. But only a handful of classes run every day and 5-day classes are very competitive to get enrolled in. The school my children attend offers only one class running for 5 days. What about a daycare program supervised by a school? It depends on how a school operates. In the case of the school my children go to, the limited space causes intense competition. Hence, the odds of me being able to take advantage of the program seems slim.

Apparently, many parents who have failed to benefit from school programs end up resorting to private institutes or hagwon. Maybe turning to these is the easiest way to assist first graders. This is why there are scores of yellow vans lining up in front of the school gate when the school bell rings. Not many alternatives are available for parents.

Most governmental strategies are too narrowly focused on pushing up the birthrate. Yet, I opine this would not fundamentally address the low childbirth. Solid childcare welfare should be established further to make the lives of parents more pleasant. Every effort will ultimately change the perspectives of prospective parents and make them increasingly become more favorable to parenting.





The writer (faith0906@gmail.com) is keen to explore the world outside the office and loves to weave stories from our daily lives.












An enemy drone that killed three American troops and wounded dozens of others in Jordan may have been confused with an American drone returning to the U.S. installation, two U.S. officials said Monday.

The officials, who were not authorized to comment and insisted on anonymity, said preliminary accounts suggest the enemy drone that struck the installation known as Tower 22 may have been mistaken for an American drone that was in the air at the same time.

The officials said that as the enemy drone was flying in at a low altitude, a U.S. drone was returning to the base. As a result, there was no effort to shoot down the enemy drone.

The preliminary conclusion was first reported by The Wall Street Journal.

Explanation for how the enemy drone evaded U.S. air defenses on the installation came as the White House said Monday its not looking for war with Iran even as President Joe Biden vows retaliatory action. The Democratic administration believes Tehran was behind the strike.P

Biden met with members of his national security team in the White House Situation Room to discuss the latest developments.

The brazen attack, which the Biden administration blames on Iranian-based proxies, adds another layer of complexity to an already tense Mideast situation as the Biden administration tries to keep the Israel-Hamas war from expanding into a broader regional conflict.

The president and I will not tolerate attacks on U.S. forces, and we will take all necessary actions to defend the U.S. and our troops, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Monday as he met at the Pentagon with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

Biden faces a difficult balancing act as he looks to strike back against Tehran in a forceful way without allowing the Gaza conflict to further metastasize. The drone attack was one of dozens on U.S. troops in the Middle East since Hamas launched attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, igniting the war in Gaza. But its the first in which American service members have been killed.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby reiterated a day after Biden promised to hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner (of) our choosing that the U.S. administration wasnt seeking to get into another conflict in the Middle East.

But Kirby also made clear that the American patience has worn thin after more than two months of attacks by Iranian proxies on U.S. troops in Iraq, Syria and Jordan and on the U.S. Navy and commercial vessels in the Red Sea. The groups  including Yemens Houthi rebels and Iraq based Kataeb Hezbollah  say the attacks are in response to Israels ongoing to military operations in Gaza.

We are not looking for a war with Iran, Kirby told NBCs Today show. We are not looking to escalate the conflict in the region.  Obviously, these attacks keep coming. Well keep looking at the options. I cant speak for the supreme leader or what he wants or he doesnt want. I can tell you what we want. What we want is a stable, secure, prosperous Middle East, and we want these attacks to stop.

Iran on Monday denied it was behind the Jordan strike.

These claims are made with specific political goals to reverse the realities of the region, Tehrans official IRNA news agency quoted foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani as saying.

Republicans have laid blame on Biden for doing too little to deter Iranian militias, which have carried out some 150 attacks on U.S. troops in region since the start of the war.

Bidens response to these attacks has been disorganized, ineffective, and weak, Republican National Committee spokesman Jake Schneider said in a statement. Now, more Americans have lost their lives because of Bidens incompetence.

Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump on Sunday called the attack yet another horrific and tragic consequence of Joe Bidens weakness and surrender.

The attack hit a U.S. military desert outpost in the far reaches of northeastern Jordan known as Tower 22. The installation sits near the demilitarized zone on the border between Jordan and Syria along a sandy, bulldozed berm marking the DMZs southern edge. The Iraqi border is only 10 kilometers (6 miles) away.

The base began as a Jordanian outpost watching the border, then saw an increased U.S. presence after American forces entered Syria in late 2015. The small installation includes U.S. engineering, aviation, logistics and security troops, with about 350 U.S. Army and Air Force personnel deployed.

Iraqs government condemned the drone strike in an apparent effort to distance itself from an attack likely carried out by the Iranian-backed militias that have a strong presence inside Iraq.

Government spokesman Bassem al-Awadi said in a statement on Monday that Iraq is monitoring with a great concern the alarming security developments in the region and called for an end to the cycle of violence. The statement said that Iraq is ready to participate in diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation.

An umbrella group for Iran-backed factions known as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq has claimed dozens of attacks against bases housing U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria since the Israel-Hamas war began. On Sunday, the group claimed three drone attacks against sites in Syria, including near the border with Jordan, and one inside of occupied Palestine but so far hasnt claimed the attack in Jordan.

The attack came as U.S. officials were seeing signs of progress in negotiations to broker a deal between Israel and Hamas to release the more than 100 remaining hostages being held in Gaza in exchange for an extended pause in fighting. While contours of a deal under consideration would not end the war, Americans believed that it could lay the groundwork for a durable resolution to the conflict.

Top U.S., Israeli, Egypt and Qatari officials held talks on Sunday in France about an emerging framework for a hostage deal. Israel said significant gaps remain but called the talks constructive and said they would continue in the week ahead.

The Jordan attack also had U.S. allies on edge that the situation in the Middle East could further spiral.

German Foreign Ministry spokesperson Sebastian Fischer said that in view of the extremely tense situation in the region, this act is completely irresponsible and could lead to pushing the region further toward escalation.

We expect from Iran that it finally exert its influence on its allies in the region so that there is no uncontrolled conflagration, in which no one can have an interest, Fischer said.
A Pensacola man was sentenced to moren than 16 years in a Florida prison after pleading no contest to charges he was uploading child pornography while working as a janitor at an Escambia County, Fla., elementary school.

DeAntonio Dornell Jackson, 37, was sentenced last Thursday after entering his no contest plea in November, according to WEAR in Pensacola.

Jackson was working as a custodian at Beulah Elementary school during the 2021-22 school year when authorities received a tip in January 2022 that files depicting the sexual abuse of two girls, one under the age of 12, one under the age of 8, had been uploaded.

The files all traced back to Jackson, investigators said.

Subsequently, Jacksons home was searched and his cell phone seized, with forensic analysis uncovering over 200 files of child porn, some of which depicted infants, toddlers and children under the age of 5, according to an arrest report obtained by the television station.

Jackson was arrested on June 1, 2022, and immediately terminated by the Escambia County School District, according to the report.

Jackson admitted to watching adult porn while at the school, but told investigators he had only once opened a file with child porn once by accident.

Jackson was sentenced to 195 months, minus the 538 days he has already spent in custody. Once released, he will spend 10 years on probation and be required to register as a sex offender.
A former FedEx delivery driver has pleaded guilty after authorities found hundreds of dumped packages in Blount County just before Thanksgiving 2021.

Deandre Rayshaun Charleston, now 24, was charged with five counts of cargo theft.

He pleaded guilty this month to one count of fourth-degree theft of property.

The other four charges against him are being dismissed upon payment of court-ordered of fines totaling $655, court records show.

Charleston received a one-year suspended sentence with two years of unsupervised probation.

We are very pleased that the D.A.s Office in Blount County considered all the evidence and, more importantly, the circumstances of Deandres life and his personal situation, said Charlestons attorney, Brett Bloomston.

Since this incident, Deandre has proved through his actions that he was deserving of a non-custody sentence, Bloomston said. He is a fantastic young man with a bright future.

The discovery was made in late November 2021.

Sheriff Mark Moon at the time said some 300 to 400 boxes of assorted sizes were found Nov. 24 in a ravine off River Oak Trail on private property near Hayden.

About 247 packages valued at $25,000 were unidentifiable or unable to be scanned by FedEx to determine a victim.

About $15,000 of the packages were able to be matched with a victim, the sheriff said. Affected customers were from Blount County and beyond.

Among the boxes, according to Moon, were pet items, childrens toys, food, Beanie Babies, and other collectibles.

Charleston told investigators he was distraught over a death in his family and other issues.

It appeared that he was very sorrowful for what hed done and just admitted he was having some hard times in his life and just made poor choices, Moon told a news conference, adding that Charleston was respectful and cooperative with investigators who interviewed him.
A Gulf Shores man has been charged with raping a woman in Orange Beach earlier this month, the Orange Beach Police Department announced Monday.

Police received a report of a sexual assault from an adult female on Jan. 17. The incident was reported in the 24000 block of Gulf Bay Road in Orange Beach.

Information from the victim and with assistance from other law enforcement agencies, 31-year-old Christopher Russihi Strachan became the primary suspect.

Strachan was taken into custody last Friday and charged with 1st-degree rape. He is being held in the Baldwin County Jail without bond pending an initial court hearing.

The jail docket also indicates there is an immigration hold on Strachan, who is believed to be from Jamaica, although further information on Strachans immigration status was not immediately available.
A Loxley man shot during an exchange of gunfire last Tuesday has died from his wounds, the Baldwin County Major Crimes Unit announced Monday.

Stanley Koenig Sr. suffered an unknown number of gunshot wounds during the incident and was transported to a local hospital with what were at the time described as life-threatening injuries.

He died sometime over the weekend, authorities said.

Loxley police and Baldwin County deputies responded to reports of shots fired at a residence in the 13000 block of Highway 90 in Loxley about 8:30 p.m. Tuesday.

After responding to the scene, the Major Crimes Unit was called in.

Preliminary investigation indicates Koenig and the unidentified suspect exchanged gunfire at Koenigs home, with Koenig struck at least once during the exchange.

Investigators say they are in the process of interviewing witnesses and processing evidence. No other details are being released.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the MCU at 251-972-8589.
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A horses tale

Weve all seen so many westerns that we could easily see horses as motorcycles that never broke down. You hop on, steer them toward where you want to go, hit the gas and take off.

In real life, theyre not always that predictable.

When the Conde Cavaliers opened the Mardi Gras season for downtown Mobile Friday night, a horse carrying a Marshal reportedly fell to the ground during the procession. Video shared on Facebook shows a handler getting the horse back up with the rider aboard to continue the ride.

As you can expect, social media lit up. Much of the criticism was aimed at the size of the rider.

AL.coms Greg Garrison reports that the Conde Cavaliers issued a statement to address the concerns, saying that the issue was not that there was a hoss on the horse.

Though his costume makes him appear large, the Marshal involved in the incident was below the size limits established by the stable. Measurements for all Marshals were submitted prior to the parade and horses were assigned by their staff.

The statement also said the horses are leased from a stable that provided trainers for the parade, and that the organization isnt aware of any medical conditions regarding the animals.

It continued: As explained by the trainer, the horse is healthy but became anxious due to the crowd noise and it laid down.

Regardless, Mardi Gras 2024 is now underway in its birthplace. Laissez les bons temps rouler, Alabama.

Your bid?

Gabrella Manor, a wedding venue in Birmingham's Roebuck Springs neighborhood.(Courtesy of Steve Johnson Fine Art Photography)

If youve ever wanted to buy an iconic wedding venue in Birmingham, nows your chance.

Gabrella Manor, on the edge of the Roebuck Springs neighborhood right off I-59, will be up for auction in February, reports AL.coms Mary Colurso.

The 5-acre property includes an 8,591-square-foot, Spanish Colonial Revival-style house with five bedrooms, six bathrooms and murals and stained-glass windows all around.

The current owners are Brenda Jones and Steve Johnson. They bought the property and got married there in 1997, then opened it the next year as a venue for weddings and other occasions. If youve never been to a wedding there, you mightve seen it during a tour of Roebuck Springs historic homes.

The bidding starts at $625,000.

Biopic in the works

Jazz legend Nat King Coles life is expected to be made into a movie, reports AL.coms Shauna Stuart.

Cole was a native of Montgomery and it was in Birmingham, at whats now Boutwell Auditorium, where he was assaulted by Klansmen in an event that is believed to have kick-started his civil-rights activism.

Colman Domingo talked to Variety about his plans to direct and star in the Nat King Cole movie. Hell be making his debut directing a feature film. Hes currently up for an Oscar for his leading role in Rustin.

Quoting

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.

The Alabama Democratic Party, on its X account, referencing the nitrogen hypoxia execution of convicted murderer Kenneth Eugene Smith after Gov. Kay Ivey posted on the social-media platform for Holocaust Remembrance Day.

More Alabama news

On the calendar

Sunday was the 10th anniversary -- 10th already! -- of an event that here in Alabama we call Snowpocalypse or Snowmaggedon. It wasnt as much snow as those words make it sound, but ice and weather circumstances wreaked havoc on roadways for days.

The podcast
A north Alabama attorney and former judicial candidate has been sentenced to prison for the theft of $250,000 from her clients.

DeKalb County Circuit Judge Jeremy Taylor sentenced 43-year-old Teresa Darwin Phillips to 20 years, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall announced Monday.

Phillips, a Republican, was an attorney practicing in Sylvania.

The investigation began in 2020 and was led by the DeKalb County District Attorneys Office. It showed that Phillips used the funds given to her by clients and other elderly individuals for whom she had been appointed as legal guardian or conservator for her own personal gain.

Phillips previously pled guilty on November 7, 2022, to nine felony offenses.

She had launched a campaign in 2019 seeking a district judge position.

Trust is fundamental to the attorney-client relationship. Once a lawyer has gained the trust of a client, particularly an elderly client, they owe that client the highest degree of honestly and loyalty, said Marshall said.

To see that trust betrayed on such a wide scale warrants a severe reaction from the justice system, he said. Our team saw to that.

Our community deserves to have attorneys who take their jobs seriously and works with integrity and honesty, said District Attorney Summer Summerford. My office will not stand for the intentional, premeditated targeting of vulnerable people who rely on attorneys for help in times of need. Although this sentence will not replace what the victims lost, hopefully it will provide the closure in this long case and deter other attorneys from making the same mistakes.
A reward is being offered for information in a fatal hit-and-run of a pedestrian in Montgomery.

Keith Randle, 46, was killed Jan. 5.

Police and fire medics responded shortly before 10:30 p.m. that Friday to the 1000 block of West South Boulevard. Randle was pronounced dead on the scene.

Authorities said the driver fled before first responders arrived.

Central Alabama Crime Stoppers on Monday announced a $1,000 reward for information leading to the identification of the suspect.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 334-215-STOP (7867) or 1-833-AL1-STOP (251-7867).
The U.S. Department of State has issued an important travel advisory for a popular travel destination.

The advisory, posted on Friday, warns travelers to exercise increased caution when traveling to The Bahamas due to crime. The alert is a Level 2 indicating the presence of widespread violent or organized crime with limited ability by law enforcement to respond.

The state department rates the criminal threat level in New Providence Island (includes Nassau and Paradise Island) as critical. The vast majority of crime occurs on New Providence (Nassau) and Grand Bahama (Freeport) Islands. Criminal activity on the outlying Family Islands does occur, but to a much lesser degree than on New Providence or Grand Bahama, the alert noted.

In tourist hot-spot Nassau, people were urged to exercise caution in the Over the Hill area south of Shirley Street due to violent crimes such as burglaries armed robberies and sexual assaults.

The alert comes after the U.S. Embassy in The Bahamas posted an alert urging citizens to be aware that 18 murders have occurred in Nassau since the beginning of 2024, USA Today reported. The murders have occurred in broad daylight and are believed to be motivated by retaliatory gang violence.

The embassy recommends travelers:
Suicidal after being denied parole, 44-year-old Christopher Mount found himself placed in a small prison cell with a man serving time for strangling a woman. His cellmate told a guard he would kill Mount if they didnt separate the two, a family lawsuit claims.

The guard did not intervene, the suit alleges, not even as Mount was being beaten and strangled to death.

Mount had served 17 years on his 30-year sentence for armed robbery, assault, burglary, theft and a drug charge. He had stayed in touch with his children and hoped to be released one day. After Mount was denied parole in 2021, his mental health went downhill, and he became suicidal, according to the complaint filed by his relatives, Brittani Lena Mount and Christy Michelle, in federal court in November.

The family members are suing corrections officer Jimmie L. Brayboy, Jr., alleging he ignored warnings and failed to prevent Mounts death.

The Alabama Department of Corrections and the Alabama Attorney Generals office, which is representing Brayboy, said they could not comment on the case.

In his answer to the suit, Brayboy said that he did not act with deliberate indifference in Mounts death and claimed immunity as a state official.

Plaintiff is unable to establish any causal connection, legal or proximate, between any action or inaction of Officer Brayboy and the injury or damages alleged in the Complaint or for which relief is sought, his answer states.

According to the suit, Mount was on suicide watch in a segregation cell in the B dorm of the Easterling Correctional Facility in Barbour County. The suit says he shared the cell with William Lynn Smith, 48, who was serving a 37-year sentence for murder. Court records say Smith strangled Jeanie Cheryl Kent, a woman he had been dating, in Cullman County in 2017.

As a matter of policy, inmates placed in a segregation cell are to be monitored continually by corrections officers to ensure the inmates safety, the suit says.

On May 10 of last year, the suit says, Smith warned Brayboy that he, Smith, or Mount needed to be moved from the segregation cell, and if this did not happen, he, Smith, would kill Mount.

The suit alleges Brayboy walked away. Then Smith attacked Mount. The lawsuit claims Brayboy knew Mount was being strangled and did nothing.

For many minutes, Smith violently assaulted Mount and eventually strangled him to death without intervention from Brayboy.

According to the suit, Mount was taken to the infirmary and declared dead that day.

Mounts injuries and death were the direct and proximate result of Brayboys deliberate indifference and his conscious disregard of the serious risk of harm to Mount, the lawsuit claims.

In his answer to the suit, in addition to denying the claims of deliberate indifference, Brayboy also disputes the date of the incident. He alleges it occurred on May 14, 2023.

Less than a month later, Smith was also found dead, alone in his cell. His death was ruled a suicide, according to the Department of Corrections.

Update: This story was updated at 4:35 on Monday, January 29 to include that Smiths death was ruled a suicide.
By Elizabeth Shackelford

The latest war between Israel and Hamas is the biggest conflagration in the Middle East today, but sparks and fires are emerging across the region. Each provides ample opportunity to launch a wider war.

The common thread is Iran. This means the key to preventing escalation lies in Iran as well.Iran, a Shia Muslim state, arms, trains and supports a network of militant groups across the region. While most tensions there historically fall along the Sunni-Shia religious divide, Irans  axis of resistance includes groups on both sides.

Right now, Iran is stirring up trouble on a half-dozen fronts. Its a major supporter of Hamas, the Sunni Muslim militant group that attacked Israel on Oct. 7. It bankrolls Hezbollah, which threatens Israel from the north.

In the Red Sea, the Yemen-based and Iran-backed Houthis endanger global shipping. And in just the past two weeks, Iran has attacked targets in Pakistan, Syria and Iraq.

The United States would love to detach itself from the Middle Easts problems, but Iran is making that impossible.Israel remains the main front of Irans aggression.

Though the United States assessed that Iran was not likely involved in planning the Oct. 7 attack, Irans long-standing support certainly facilitated Hamas actions then and its continued ability to fight in Gaza now.

The most likely trigger for widening the war is Israels northern border with Lebanon, where Hezbollah, a Shia Muslim militant group, has frequently skirmished with Israels military. Hezbollah stepped up attacks after Oct. 7, in solidarity with Hamas, which led Israel to respond in kind. Fighting on the border continues to intensify.Hezbollah was created by Iran in the 1980s specifically to oppose Israel.

Its well armed, boasts tens of thousands of fighters and generally does Irans bidding, for better or for worse. If Iran wants to keep this border from catching fire, it can.Another high-risk flashpoint is the Red Sea, where the Houthis, a Shia militant group that controls most of Yemen, have been attacking ships for months, disrupting commerce and leading major shipping companies to reroute around the Cape of Good Hope.

The Houthis claim they will continue targeting ships linked to Israel and its allies until Israel ends its war in Gaza.The United States and the United Kingdom scaled up their response to striking Houthi targets inside Yemen. But the Houthis didnt succumb to nearly a decade of Saudi Arabias pummeling during Yemens civil war, so its unlikely an air campaign will deter them.

Unless the United States is planning a ground invasion  improbable under any circumstances and more so in an election year. It will need a different approach to liberate this critical shipping chokepoint. More unexpected were the Iranian airstrikes on a Sunni militant group in southwestern Pakistan on Jan. 16.

Iran claimed it hit a base of the insurgent group Jaish al-Adl, which Tehran claims has launched deadly attacks inside Iran. Pakistan insists the attack was unprovoked, ousted Irans ambassador and then struck Baluch insurgent training camps in southeastern Iran in retaliation.

The presence of militant groups on each side of this border has long been a source of tension, but the two countries have had mostly friendly relations, and these high-profile attacks were unprecedented. In a measure of good news, Tehran and Islamabad quickly agreed to de-escalate the situation.But within 24 hours, Iran also launched missiles into Syria and Iraq.

In Iraq, Tehran claimed it hit Israeli intelligence assets, and in Syria, it targeted the Islamic State. These are very different missions against very different foes, and Iran taking direct action rather than relying on proxies and plausible deniability was a clear departure from the norm.Iranian-backed militants in Iraq have stepped up attacks on U.S. personnel and positions too, leading the United States to conduct significant airstrikes in response, in yet another sign of violence on the rise.

Most signs suggest that Iran, like the West, wants to prevent the conflict in Gaza from becoming a regionwide war. With an elderly supreme leader fighting for his legacy, major terrorist attacks on its territory and dust still settling from Irans biggest public uprising since the 1979 Islamic Revolution over the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini, this regime is not eager to stumble into a fight.

But Iran is clearly feeling the need to project power, and the risk of miscalculation or mistake gets higher by the day. Irans non-state actors have less to lose, which makes them more unpredictable. This isnt great news for Americas own interest in keeping the war contained. Our ability to shape Irans behavior with diplomatic or economic levers died when we left the Iran nuclear deal in 2018, leaving us only military tools to lean on, which are risky at best and could drag us into direct conflict with Iran.

Irans proxies have all tied their recent actions to the latest war between Israel and Hamas, so the best path America still has to rein in Iran is where we still hold sway: Israel. We have the leverage to do so, by conditioning our generous military assistance, but do we have the will?So far, politics say no. But if the alternative risks war with Iran, I hope well reconsider.

Elizabeth Shackelford is a foreign affairs columnist for the Chicago Tribune. She was previously a U.S. diplomat and is the author ofThe Dissent Channel: American Diplomacy in a Dishonest Age. This article was published in the Chicago Tribune and distributed by Tribune Content Agency.
This is an opinion column.

The outcome of the 2024 presidential election is far from certain. President Joe Biden, beleaguered by an immigration crisis, wars around the globe, and waning popularity orders a Navy SEAL team to storm Mar-A-Lago and assassinate Donald Trump. Under Trumps view of presidential immunity, Biden would be beyond the reach of federal prosecutors...potentially forever. The president must be free to make difficult decisions while in office, but Americans should not allow any politician to operate entirely above the law.

Trump has repeatedly argued for absolute presidential immunity for civil or criminal liability for official acts. More specifically, he claims that the president enjoys such immunity unless hes impeached and removed from office.

Even events that cross the line must fall under total immunity, Trump wrote in a recent Truth Social post. You cant stop police from doing the job of strong & effective crime prevention because you want to guard against the occasional rogue cop or bad apple. Sometimes you just have to live with the great but slightly imperfect.

In oral arguments Jan. 9 before the DC Circuit Court of Appeals, Trumps attorney, D. John Sauer, claimed that the any president should indeed, absent impeachment and removal from office, be immune from prosecution for ordering U.S. Navy commandos to assassinate a political rival.

Trump is correct on at least one front. We shouldnt permit criminal indictment and prosecution while a president is in office.

Even in extreme cases, we cannot allow a federal or state prosecutor to wield power over a sitting president of the United States. Criminal prosecution would undoubtedly tangle the president and prevent him or her from effectively carrying out the great demands of the position.

Americas public interest in an unfettered presidency ends the moment he or she leaves office. While its shameful for a former president to face criminal charges, the legal proceedings no longer burden executive branch functionality.

The Office of Legal Counsel at the Department of Justice (OLC) has, on at least two occasions, issued guidance specifically related to the issue of presidential immunity from criminal prosecution.

According to guidance issued in 2000 and updated in 2018, a sitting President is constitutionally immune from indictment and criminal prosecution.

Trump would add that a former president is immune from criminal prosecution indefinitely unless he or she is impeached and removed from office. All Americans, Republican or Democrat, should reject Trumps expansion of presidential immunity quickly and decisively.

The impeachment process is a purely political act. The Constitution limits its reach to removal from office. While impeachment is and should be a serious endeavor, many of the Constitutions due process safeguards in a criminal proceeding are conspicuously absent. For example, the impeachment jury is hardly impartial. Simply put, Congress isnt and shouldnt be a gatekeeper to the criminal prosecution of a former president.

One of Americas highest principles is that none of our leaders are above the law. Presidents take care that the laws are faithfully executed, but they are not kings who declare law by royal edict.

Trump argues that the mere possibility of prosecution upon departure from the White House would preclude presidents from executing their jobs while in office. A president might be so fearful of future prison time that he would be incapable of meeting their constitutional obligations.

As a practical matter, Americans shouldnt vote for candidates who arent sure they can faithfully execute the office of president without violating state or federal laws. Virtually all of Trumps predecessors have been able to pull it off.

Prior to Trump, President Ulysses S. Grant was the only president ever taken into custodyover an admitted speeding charge which resulted in release and a fine. Nixon certainly faced criminal liability, but he was pardoned by President Gerald Ford.

While great but slightly imperfect is a reasonable standard for a president, behaving like a rogue cop is not. Police officers arent immune from criminal liability even while on duty. We wouldnt want them to be. Police could shoot suspects with impunity. They could shake down drivers at traffic stops. If a kid decided to have a smart mouth, a night stick to the head would quickly shut him up.

Local law enforcement has one of the toughest, most thankless jobs in the nation, and they deserve our encouragement and support. Even so, only an insane person would suggest that we grant absolute criminal immunity to law enforcement because only a few of them might abuse it.

While Trump has the right to raise any number of defenses during his criminal proceedings, his new version of presidential immunity is both un-American and dangerous. He may well prove his innocence in court, but presidents do not and should not enjoy a get out of jail free card once they leave office.

Smith is a recovering political attorney with four boys, two dogs, a bearded dragon, and an extremely patient wife. Hes a partner in a media company, a business strategy wonk, and a regular on talk radio. Please direct outrage or agreement to csmith@al.com or @DCameronSmith on X or @davidcameronsmith on Threads.
The Rio Grande border conflict is not an isolated incident. It is part of the World Economic Forum program of "denationization" of the United States.

In the same way that a state is a form of self-organization of human society, a nation can also be treated as a form of self-organization. These terms are different in nuance, and Russian conservative philosopher Nicolai Berdyaev was the first to devise a formula to discern between them a century ago. His analysis proceeds from the application of the eschatological way of thinking. Berdyaev stated that humans are mortal; therefore, a state or government, as an example of human creation, is also mortal. Nation emerged when our ancestors realized the need to self-organize along transcendental lines rather than administrative ones.

The newly created self-organized form was intended to achieve what was radically unachievable -- immortality. Unlike all other animals, humans have always sought to transcend ordinary biological existence. Our predecessors figured that life is a process while death is an event and focused on life.

Berdyaev wrote in 1923 that [t]he manner of life of a nation is not to be defined nor explained, be it by race, nor by language, nor by religion, nor by territory, nor by state sovereignty, although all these signs more or less are extant for the national manner of life. And most correct are those who define the nation as a oneness of historical destiny. The awareness of this unity is also what comprises the national consciousness.

Finally, [t]he nation is not merely the generation alive today, nor is it the sum of all the generations. A nation is not a mere composite accumulation; it is something primordial, an eternally alive subject within the historical process, it is there live and dwell all the past generations, no less so than the contemporary generations. Nation possesses an ontological core. The national manner of life conquers time. The spirit of the nation forestalls the devouring of the past by the present and the future. The nation is always striving towards imperishability, toward a victory over death, it cannot allow the exclusive triumph of the future over the past.

A country is created when its boundaries are drawn and its administration is set up. A nation is created when a communication link is up and running, connecting the past, present, and future.

Compare Berdyaevs proposition with Edmund Burke, who, in his Reflections on the Revolution in France, described society as a partnership not only between those who are living, but between those who are living, those who are dead, and those who are to be born.

Berdyaevs nationalism concept casts the issue of mass illegal immigration in a very unusual light. Illegal aliens directly threaten the immortality facet of social self-organization because they alter and disturb -- sometimes beyond repair -- the communication mechanism connecting past, present, and future generations.

Berdyaevs theological argument is one of those rare contributions of divine inspiration to the field of realpolitik. The illustrated proposal clearly distinguishes between two items. The first is objective, material, measurable, and mortal -- a country, its citizens, and its government. The second one is subjective, immeasurable, and immortal -- a nation.

As a corollary, the terms National Conservatism, National Socialism, or National Bolshevism have no meaning as they attempt to unite ununitable mortal and immortal terms. However, as we know, these contradictory terms exist; therefore, we must use them with a strong reasoning that they can be applied only to a particular historical period and place. That also applies to another commonly reputable term: nation-state. The term Christian Nationalism is also an oxymoron as it unites ununitable items -- relationship with God and relationship with time.

The modern leftists are fighting so fiercely for the rights of immigrants, not because the fate of illegal aliens worries them in any way. It is because globalists anticipate illegal immigrants as the main engine of the revolution, which must bring about socialist transformations and catapult the globalists to power. Consequently, the greater the number of engines in a country, the happier the elite of the globalist party will be. So, naturally, they call (irrationally and contrary to common sense) for opening the United States borders, dissolving the Border Patrol, and granting the right to vote to non-citizens.

In essence, the World Economic Forum coterie runs the program of denationization of the United States. The position of globalists on this issue is ultra-uncompromising because, for them, illegal immigration is not a legal issue but a political and close to existential one.

Following globalists, this is not a matter of violating the countrys sovereign rights but a matter of political survival. In the opinion of globalists, illegal immigration encapsulates precisely that army of mere mortals stupefied by the propaganda of the masses. These mere mortals will be required to stand on the barricades to gain political power over every area of the planet.

Basically, the globalists idea might be expressed as follows: If our citizens do not vote for us, we will import hordes that will. The Texas National Guard on the banks of the Rio Grande protects not only the state and not only the country. They secure the immortality of the American nation.

Gary Gindler, Ph.D., is a conservative columnist at Gary Gindler Chronicles and a new science founder: Politiphysics. Follow him on Twitter/X. This piece is adapted from Garys forthcoming book, Left Imperialism (Paragon House, 2024).

Image: Marco Verch Professional Photographer
Randi Weingarten is really ramping up the rhetoric against parents in the fight for school choice.

She would, wouldnt she? Her position as a union boss -- president of the American Federation of Teachers -- has been credited with accelerating the abysmal decline in education for children nationwide.

Parents, for years, have been on to her union tactics, and that of her colleagues. They can hardly take seriously Ms. Weingartens latest meltdown asserting that parents undermine democracy, in their efforts to remove their children from failing schools.

Who can blame Weingartens sense of panic? Those undermining parents are making tremendous progress in their determination to seek out better education options for their children. Groups such as the pointedly named Parents with Pitchforks have galvanized their efforts, turning to conservative legislators, and have successfully expanded school-option legislation in 20 states in 2023.

This is very bad news for Weingarten and her 1.72 million union members. Their behemoth numbers would suggest they are bulletproof when it comes to job security -- if not for those loudmouthed parents.

The parents have become more of a thorn in the side of the teachers unions: They are now filing lawsuits in attempts to uncover the extent unions will go to protect unprofessional or incompetent teachers. Many of the sordid facts came out in a lawsuit filed by parents of minority students who claimed the unions were responsible for their childrens appalling education in California.

Former LA Unified School District superintendent John Deasy testified as a whistleblower confirming the parents worst suspicions. He alleged, in his testimony that it can take 10 years and $250,000 to $450,000 to fire a lousy teacher, according to a Wall Street Journal article.

The parents were already familiar with a perverse system cynically labeled, Dance of the Lemons. This Dance involves rotating incompetent teachers from one mostly minority school to another. Fewer than 0.002% of teachers in California were dismissed for unprofessional conduct or poor performance, according to the WSJ.

None of this is to suggest the parents are winning the war against unions controlling public schools, but the fight is expanding. And its getting nastier.

Parents are now outing" Democratic lawmakers -- who they claim make up a long line of hypocrites: They want to deny poorer parents the right of school choice, despite sending their own children to private schools, according to parents in the non-profit Education Freedom Institute (EFI).

The EFI offers an interactive map to help parents track down elected officials who live the school choice for me, but not for thee lifestyle, according to the map.

Most progressive legislators are better off ducking the issue of where they send their own children to school, but Gene Wu, Texas Democratic state representative, offered an excuse that served to further enrage parents.

See, most private schools have strict admissions standards, said Rep. Wu. Both of our kids had to TEST-IN. We spent weeks preparing them and paid for assistance. He was sensitive enough to ask the rhetorical question: How can low-income families afford this?

Really! What about school vouchers for alternative options? Or the attempts of parents to enroll their children in a charter school? Oftentimes, parents are filmed attending town hall meetings, using a lottery system, to select the name of the next lucky child to escape enrollment in the public school system.

Some of the parents are pictured actually praying for their childs name to be called.

In a predictable move, Mr. Wu, and his colleagues, were responsible for recently voting down Gov. Greg Abbotts signature education legislation, axing funds that would have provided school vouchers in the massive school bill.

This social phenomenon, say EFI parents, isnt confined to political representatives, but also applies to union leaders which makes up the most galling group of hypocrites.

Stacy Davis Gates, president of the Chicago Teachers Union, earns a lucrative $262,429 annual salary, enabling her (without the benefit of a voucher) to send her children to a private high school. She is among the most vociferous opponents of school choice, devoting her taxpayer-funded time to lobbying against a myriad of creative school options proposed by parents.

She is joined by Sean Denney, Illinois Education Association official, who sends his children to private schools, but his personal efforts have been devoted to opposing Illinois Invest in Kids" tax credit for scholarship programs.

His six-figure job enables him to send his own children to a Catholic school in Springfield.

Of course, parents would also greatly enjoy the ability to protect their children from schools where failure reigns at unprecedented levels of academic decline. The hypocrisy of the system could not be made more clear than progressive legislators and, even union leaders, searching for the best educational prospects for their children, and in the process not seeking out the union label.

Image: Hillel Steinberg
Are black voters turning on Democrats over the open border?

Has common sense finally come to Chicago?

According to Legal Insurrection:

Now that the true scope of the illegal immigration crisis is descending on Sanctuary Cities and Sanctuary States, some Democrats are now clamoring for the designationand its associated policiesto be ended. Take Chicago, for example. Government employee Cata Truss told Fox News @ Night Democrat voters like her are growing increasingly frustrated with the partys handling of the issue. There is no moneys to take care of the migrants, nor is there moneys to take care of the people that are there. And so we have a mess on our hands, Truss said Wednesday. Truss argued Windy City residents are upset over low income communities and schools being divested in while funds are used for the care of migrants instead. This is the sentiment from the city of Chicago: We would like to have our status as a sanctuary city removed, she said. We would also like to see a better plan in place.

Chicago's sanctuary city status has hit the black community hardest, what with parks and rec centers shut down and funds taken from community projects to pay for illegals, so now voices are arising, not for the federal government to shovel more cash for illegals, which is the standard Democrat line from blue cities, but for the actual law to be changed, ending Chicago's sanctuary city status.

As I noted here on January 5, polls show growing black voter opposition to open-borders immigration:

And what's a significant concern for black voters in this election: Illegal immigration. I know I've seen polls revealing stronger sentiment than this, but this recent poll, from KFF/GRIO on top issues for black voters found that 34% of black voters considered immigration, likely illegal, immigration, a leading issue, echoing the sentiments of other voters. There's nothing 'out there' about Fifty Cent's criticism of California's free health care for all illegal comers. The problem is the insular ruling class that doles out these goodies, and lets black voters absorb the higher costs in taxes and insurance premiums as a result of it. The man is immensely popular and influential. Now he's condemning the irresponsibility of free stuff for foreigners. Democrats can take that as a warning.

Leading black voices from popular culture, such as rap superstar 50 Cent, top radio host Charlamagne Tha God, and now rap legend Snoop Dogg have either blasted open borders or else declared respect for President Trump. The latter is noteworthy because he had been vehemently opposed to Trump and his admiring statements now indicate that he's hearing from people in his own community. The word out is that open borders are harming black people and President Trump is who these voters are looking to for leadership and a way out.

Illegal migrants not only chase Chicagoans out of their own parks and rec centers, and actually, airports now, they are actually chasing black Chicagoans out of their city, too, making the great replacement theory promoted by Republicans as the rationale for the open borders as a black and white and every race issue, one of foreigners versus citizens. Blacks are hardest hit, not just in their communities but in seeing migrants get free stuff while they go without, in being on the receiving end of migrant crime, and in jobs driving wages down for those on the lowest rungs of the economic ladder, which is often black people. In some cases, and I've heard this firsthand from actual black construction workers, they actually drive black people out of their own jobs, given that many construction job requirements include mastery of the Spanish language, but not mastery of English. You can see why they'd see the injustice there.

They see migrants coming first in every priority and black people forced to go to the back of the bus. See the angry community meetings of blacks speaking out against migrants on YouTube -- here, here and here.

So it's no surprise that now there's a movement afoot to end Chicago's sanctuary city status. Somebody's benefiting from it, but it's not them, and it's done by abrogating the law, just as surely as crossing the border illegally abrogates the law. Rightly, they are speaking out, and their voice sare growing louder. They see where the root of the problem is. Rightly, they want it gone.

Image: Screen shot from ABC News video, via YouTube
The electric bus scheme barreled in with a zero emission tagline, and if you ignore the environmental cost to manufacture the darn things, a large number truly have become zero emissions vehicles... but only because theyre now sitting in municipal lots broken down and unusedhow painfully ironic.

Earlier this week, Asheville, North Carolina reported that 60% of the e-bus fleet it purchased in 2018 was out of commission; earlier this month, we learned that 50% of Colorado Springss fleet, purchased in 2021, was also not in use; its the same story for Louisville, Kentuckys fleet, which by November 2022 was 100% out of commission (and had been for 2 years); Floridas Broward County received two batches of buses, with the first batch averaging 600 miles before breaking down, and the second batch averaging 1,800 miles before going belly-up. (For reference, a diesel bus averages a failure every 4,500 miles.)

All of these revelations come on the heels of this, reported by Breck Dumas at Fox News today:

In 2020, The Philadelphia Tribune reported SEPTAs entire $24 million fleet of Proterras had been pulled out of commission. A spokesperson for the transit agency would not get into the specifics of why the 25 buses  the third-largest fleet of all-electric buses in the U.S. at the time  were put on ice, but suggested the issues might be covered under the manufacturer's warranty. Then in Sept. 2021, the Daily Bulletin out of California reported that As of August, Foothill Transit, based in West Covina and serving the San Gabriel Valley, parts of Los Angeles and Pomona Valley, had 13 idled battery-electric buses out of 32 in its fleet. At one point, the agency indicated up to 67% of its electric buses were not operating during 2019 and 2020.

Needless to say, after more than 100 years, the technology isnt there.

As Dumas noted, a major part of the issue is that the company that made the buses, Proterra, filed for bankruptcy last August, and its been impossible for the bus buyers to get parts or service since then, even though serious quality control problems existed before that (as evidenced by the references to 2020 and 2021).

But dont let a bankruptcy filing make you think the market is killing an objectively terrible product, because as Dumas also reports, Proterra is fixing to make a comeback and heres why: Proterra has been split into three divisions, with the transit bus operation being purchased by another E.V. company, Phoenix Motorcars (PM). PMs chief revenue officer, Jose Paul, defended the E.V. scheme; heres this, per Dumas:

He [Paul]noted that EVs, like any new technology, have issues but are continuing to evolve and advance. When Henry Ford rolled out the Model T, it was not perfect, Paul pointed out, and says Proterras buses have continued to improve with each generation.

News flash buddy, theres a big difference: Henry Ford didnt need billions of seized taxpayer dollars to manufacture his Model T, and he didnt need a tyrannical government to outlaw the horse and buggy. He invested his money, and simply produced a better product that people actually wanted. Fords business operation relied entirely on mutual consent rather than extortion, confiscation, and dictatorial federal edicts/lawfarethe electric vehicle industry cant say the same. Ideas so bad, they have to be mandated.

Image: 42-BRT, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons, unaltered.
When sworn into the House, a new congressperson promises to bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of the United States and, by extension, to the United States itself. Ilhan Omar, however, recently gave a speech in Minnesota in which she identified her fealty as being to Somalia and Islam, boasted about her control over Americas foreign policy, and suggested that a purge or genocide was required in Somalia to purify it for true Somalis. Americas interests, of course, were irrelevant.

A little background of the past 47 years in Somalian history is required to understand what Omar was talking about. In 1976, a military junta under Major General Mohamed Siad Barre established a Marxist-Muslim government.

From 1987-1988, Barres government embarked upon a genocide of Isaaq civilians in western Somalia. Ultimately, Barres troops killed 50,000-200,000 Isaaqs. (Nobody knows for sure.) Ilhan Omars father was an officer in the army behind that genocide. Along the way, Barres government destroyed what were then Somalias second- and third-largest cities. Around half a million Isaaqs fled north and west to Ethiopia as refugees.

Image: Ilhan Omar. X screen grab.

By 1991, the Barre government collapsed, and a civil war began. The Isaaq region declared itself to be an independent nationSomalilandalthough neither the UN nor the international community recognizes it as such.

By 2000, one of two transitional national governments was put into place, with the second gaining international recognition by 2012. The government found itself fighting off Islamic pressure, which it did with help from Ethiopia and African Union peacekeepers. One of the Islamic factions that survived was Al-Shabaab, which successfully battled the government. Eventually, a coalition came together between the Islamists and the government, which booted out Ethiopian troops. Sharia law quickly followed. Thats pretty much the general outline of recent Somali history.

As for Omar, as noted, her father was a member of Barres military. When she was nine or ten, her family fled Somalias civil war, spending the next four years in a Kenyan refugee camp. The family arrived in America when Omar was 13, eventually settling in Minnesota, the state that, more than any other, had opened its doors to Somali civil war refugees. As of 2018, 43,000 Somalian-born immigrants lived in Minnesota, with approximately 94,000 people in Minnesota speaking Somali as their home language.

Its noteworthy, when it comes to Somalians, that half the shootings in Burlington, Vermont, were linked to resettled Somalis. Raised in war in their home nation and imbued with Islams inspiration to morally justified violence against those who offend Muslims, theyve brought that violence to a once-safe corner of the Northeast. Calvin Coolidge weeps.

With that context, you can imagine the dismay of the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Republic of Somaliland when she caught wind of a speech Ilhan Omar recently gave in Minnesota. In it, Omar demands that Somaliland cease its independent activities and became, again, a part of greater Somalia. The speech was especially disturbing because the daughter of a Barre officer said, Somalia is for Somalis only. In that context, the statement reeked of ethnic cleansing.

From an American perspective, Omars speech was equally disturbing. She identified not as an American but as part of a community that is Somalians first, Muslims second. In addition, she insisted that, thanks to her presence in Congress, American foreign policy must bow to her demands:

the US government will only do what the Somalians in the US tell them to do. They will do what we want and nothing else. They must follow our orders, and that is how we will safeguard the interest of Somalia. We Somalians must have that confidence in ourselves that we callthe shots in the US. We live in the US, pay taxes in the US, and have a real voice. The US is a country where one of your daughters is in Congress to represent your interest. And for as long as I am in the US Congress, Somalia will never be in danger, its waters will not be stolen by Ethiopia or others. The US would not dare to support anyone against Somalia to steal our land or oceans [or] sleep in comfort knowing I am here to protect the interests of Somalia from inside the US system.

Youve noted, Im sure, that Omar makes no pretense that her demands benefit the U.S. in any way, help to stabilize the world order, or answer to a higher moral imperative. Instead, shes simply announcing that the U.S. must bow to the will of Ilhan Omar and the Somalian government.

The arrogance is staggering, as is the lack of any pretense that she owes America fealty (with or without regard to her oath of office). These are not our parents generation of immigrants, filled with gratitude to be in a free land. These are conquerors.

Here is Omars speech, below which Ive included a slightly cleaned up transcript:

We were profoundly surprised, even shocked on discovering the remarks made by Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (D) of Minnesota in a recent public forum, widely circulated on most social media platforms and attached below for your reference.



The language she employed was regrettably pic.twitter.com/7Ag9ZafTKY  Ambassador Rhoda J Elmi (@AmbRhodaJElmi) January 28, 2024

We, as Somalians, we love each other. There are areas of frictionthat led us to kill each other but, in reality, we are an organized society, brothers and sisters, people of the same blood, people who know they are Somalians first, Muslims second, who protect one another, come to each others aid and to the aid of other Muslims, too. A couple of days ago, we heard [that] some people who call themselves Somalis (SOMALILAND) or claim to be Somalis have signed an MoU [Memorandum of Understanding] with Ethiopia on access to the sea. [snip] Many Somalians have personally called me to encourage me to speak to the US government and help Somalia. They wanted to know what the US government could do for Somalia to ensure the MoU never turns into a full bilateral agreement. My answer to Somalians was that the US government will only do what the Somalians in the US tell them to do. They will do want we want and nothing else. They must follow our orders and that is how we will safeguard the interest of Somalia. We Somalians must have that confidence in ourselves that we callthe shots in the US. We live in the US, pay taxes in the US, and have a real voice. The US is a country where one of your daughters is in Congress to represent your interest. And for as long as I am in the US Congress, Somalia will never be in danger, its waters will not be stolen by Ethiopia or others. The US would not dare to support anyone against Somalia to steal our land or oceans [or] sleep in comfort knowing I am here to protect the interests of Somalia from inside the US system. The woman you sent to Congress is working day and night to protect your interest. She knows your plight and that of Somalia. I am as concerned about Somalia as you guys are. Together, we will protect the interests of Somalia. President Hassan Sheikh, the current president of Somalia, has done a remarkable job of looking after Somalia. Mr. President, you have done an excellent job [presumably of fighting Ethiopia and Somaliland], and we are happy about it. You spoke to Somalians dispersed across the world that you are there to look after Somalia, however weak it is or is a failed state. We Somalians are resilient people who can fight against all odds, people who love their country [presumably Somalia]. We are people who will never allow someone else to steal our land. Therefore, I congratulate Somalian-Americans and other Somalis across the globe for sharing a remarkable level of unity [presumably against Ethiopia and Somaliland]. The way you rallied behind our president [meaning Somalias, not Americas] because he needs us today. Somalia is for Somalis only, as over 45% of Somalias population are not even ethnic Somalis. Somalia is one nation. We are all brothers and sisters. Our land cannot be divided. Ethiopia and Kenya have stolen and continue to occupy the Somali Region state, which belongs to Somalia. We will liberate the occupied territories stolen from, i.e., Somalia, Djibouti, Somaliland, and the North Eastern Province that belong to Greater Somalia. What remains of Somalia cannot be further divided.

UPDATE: I urge you to listen to Matt Walsh's opening monologue. He adds context to what I wrote:
Last week, Kari Lake forced the ouster of GOP Party Chair Jeff DeWit after releasing a ten-month-old recording of DeWit offering her lucrative financial benefits from powerbrokers back East should she drop out of the Senate race. People were simultaneously shocked because corruption should always shock us and unsurprised because theyve long suspected that this is the type of corruption that so often drives American politics. However, the response to Lakes action wasnt uniformly supportive, as demonstrated at the weekends Arizona GOP gathering.

On Saturday, the Arizona Precinct Committeemen met to elect a new GOP Party Chair. Gina Swoboda won by a huge majority after receiving an endorsement from President Trump. The problem for Lake is that she didnt initially support Swoboda, following along only after Trump did so. Thus, the Arizona Daily Independent reported:

In what some Republicans believed was a swipe at Lakes preferred candidate Jim OConnor, President Trump swiftly endorsed Swoboda along with most of the partys elected officials. Shortly after, Lake endorsed her as well. Swoboda easily defeated Arizona Corporation Commissioner Jim OConnor, who reportedly had advance knowledge of Lakes impending coup of AZGOP Chairman Jeff DeWit and was the choice of Lakes team to take over the party. The Trump endorsement of Swoboda, who is seen as a close associate of DeWit and other party officials, was likely the knockout blow to OConnors effort.

However, there was something else that happened on Saturday that probably came as a surprise to Lake. According to the same report:

In a telling sign of how many at the meeting disapproved of Lake secretly recording DeWit and waiting ten months to release the video, Lake herself was soundly booed by the raucous crowd while she was introducing Swoboda during the nomination process.

Wow. Kari Lake is getting booed.  Johnny V. Melton (@RinoLivesMatter) January 27, 2024

Kari Lake getting booed and heckled this weekend by Republicans at the AZ State convention. pic.twitter.com/fHFyK9hlba  Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) January 29, 2024

(Note, however, that its impossible to tell from the video whether the boos came from a small quadrant in the audience, the one being filmed, or whether it was a general reaction in the room.)

As a long-time observer of Arizona politics, my take is that Kari Lake has lost the momentum for the Republican nomination for the Senate. If I had to predict whats going to happen, I would say that Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb will soon be the new favorite. He's a good man with border experience. This matters because the border is arguably the biggest issue in the 2024 elections, whether in Arizona or America as a whole.

UPDATE: Here's more insight from a seasoned Arizona political observer.

Image: Kari Lake. YouTube screen grab.
Up until now, I've never been a Nikki Haley-hater.

She did a good job as governor of South Carolina, and as President Trump's ambassador to the United Nations, and she has a reasonably good take on the issues, based on her GOP debate performances. If Trump were one way or another taken out of the presidential race, I've been all ears for her as an alternative.

But now she's jumped the shark.

In an interview with NBC's Kristin Welker, Haley had this to say about a New York jury awarding E. Jean Carroll a mighty $83.3 million for defamation in a secondary trial following an earlier one where a jury found no evidence of her initial claim that Trump raped her in a Bergdorf Goodman's dressing room some time around thirty years ago, but did go with a sexual abuse verdict.

WELKER: What is unique about this case is that the jury has now ruled, they have found him liable of sexual abuse. Do you not trust the jury and their findings, ambassador? HALEY: I absolutely trust the jury and i think that they made their decision based on the evidence, i just don't think that should take him off the ballot, i think the american people will take him off the ballot. I think that's the best way to go forward is not let him play the victim, let him play the loser. That's what we want him to do at the end of the day.

Welker was doing an interesting switcheroo -- the current news is that a jury awarded Carroll an outrageous sum of money for "defamation" from Trump, who not surprisingly probably said something rude about her given that he was put through a trial at the same time several other cases mushroomed to the surface as his presidential campaign began, and insisted he didn't know her. (I wrote about that here). But Welker shape-shifted to the older case of the jury finding Trump guilty of sexual abuse, attempting to pin Haley down as someone who condoned sexual abuse. The initial question was about the jury award, not the earlier trial where the jury found no merit in any rape charge and then went with sexual abuse, which seemed a little questionable, too.

Haley failed to hit Welker for that little trick, almost as if she wasn't aware of what was going on in the case and was happy to be led on. Welker then pressed her again and again about whether Trump should be taken off the ballot, which if the sexual abuse were true, would be a pretty valid reason for keeping someone off the ballot. Trump would have caught that and called her out, but Haley wasn't as sharp and kept repeating the talking point that Trump shouldn't be kept off the ballot.

Haley was clearly commenting on the secondary award for defamation, not sexual abuse, and blathered on about not taking Trump off the ballot, rightly noting that that was third-world tinpot dictatorship stuff.

What wrecked her was her statement of trust in the jury -- an urban jury of solid Trump-hating Democrats with a prosecutor and judge deep in the same leftist camp, presiding of what most voters see as a politicized trial. Does she know these people? Were they really Trump's peers, given their solid-blue orientation? Of course she didn't know them, but hey, everything's on the up and up here, just like our free-and-fair elections where no Democrat would ever dream of cheating.

She's obviously out of touch with what a lot of the voters are seeing. She's obviously not in tune.

And she's mighty lackadaiscal about the problems presented.

Haley did note that later in her remarks that others would come forward with similar lawsuits, dragging Trump's presidency down forever. That doesn't bother her? To the rest of us, that's a problem in the hardware, not the software, a problem of jury consultants and rigging, as AT contributor Patricia McCarthy noted here, making justice unrecognizable, and which is something that might just need addressing. The prospect of endless lawsuits over questionable, long-ago, hazily remembered claims, didn't bother her? It should bother her, because she could be the next one on trial.

The over-sized dollar amount didn't give her pause?

E.Jean Carroll, who is feted wherever she goes, now can't come out in public because of the 'shame' of being insulted by President Trump? Where she lives, that's the opposite of defamation, it's a badge of honor, so it's a little hard to believe that she was defamed.

Haley "absolutely" trusts that jury? Why? Most of us can see something that doesn't look right here, a jury of leftists in a court of leftists, going where no post-presidency has gone before and setting the stage for the Latin Americanization of U.S. politics, where every ex-president needs to flee the country to avoid jailing by his opponents. That kind of crap happens in Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, etc.

Her statement of absolute trust when what looks like rigging going on makes her look like a total naif, an idiot, someone who's going to get eaten next by this fourth-world activity.

If she trusts this jury, she can have them. Nobody with a brain outside that loop, though, should trust her.

Image: Screen shot from NBC News video, via YouTube
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce expressed concerns Monday over Korea's proposed regulations aimed at preventing unfair market activities by major online platform businesses.

Charles Freeman, senior vice president for Asia at the U.S. Chamber, issued a statement opposing Seoul's push for the rules designed to step up oversight over market-dominant players to ensure fair competition.

Industry watchers forecast that major platform operators, including Naver, Kakao, Google and Apple could be subject to the rules should they be enacted.

"The U.S. Chamber is concerned about Korea's apparent rush to pass platform legislation," Freeman said in remarks posted on the chamber's website.

"It is critical that the full text of any proposed legislation be made publicly available, and that the government of Korea provide ample opportunity for engagement with a range of stakeholders, including the American business community and the U.S. government," he added.

Freeman claimed that having monitored legislative conversations in multiple countries, the U.S. Chamber can attest that these platform proposals are "deeply flawed."

"They trample on competition that clearly benefits consumers, ignore good regulatory practices fundamental to sound regulatory models, and place governments in a position of violating their trade commitments by arbitrarily targeting foreign firms," he said.

"We urge the Korean Fair Trade Commission to demonstrate the type of transparency and open dialogue that an action of this magnitude requires."

In December, Robert O'Brien, who served as national security advisor for then President Donald Trump from 2019-2021, made a similar case in a contribution to U.S. news outlet The Hill.

He stressed that Korea's proposed regulations would be a "gift" to China, warning they could cause friction with the United States if enacted. (Yonhap)
I cant say Im particularly fond of John Bolton, but the Iranians want to kill him, so he cant be all bad. That Iran has been fighting a declared war against America since 1979 always goes unmentioned by our appallingly anti-American media. Sadly, theyre merely a reflection of the appallingly anti-American Mummified Meat Puppet Administration (MMPA).

Our troops in the Middle East have been under constant attack, sufferingor so we are told by the MMPAonly wounds, no deaths, until recently, when a drone attack at one of our outposts in Jordan killed three and wounded more than 30. As this is written, the number of recent attacks on our troops approaches 200, resulting in only a few, largely ineffectual, pinprick air strikes against the Iranian proxy forces killing our troops. Theyre largely ineffectual because the MMPA warned Houthi terrorists beforehand so no terrorists would get hurt.

Graphic: Boston Iran War Protests 2020. Wikimedia Commons.org. CCA-SA 4.0 International

If the MMPA was trying to destroy America and aid our enemies, what would they be doing differently?

And now we learn the MMPA also warned the Iranians of an impending ISIS attack against them! One might think it wise to allow Islamist madmen to wipe each other out, however, as John Belushi used to say, but noooooooooo! Its apparently Americas moral duty to protect the pseudo-human savages killing and wounding our troops while they're constantly screaming death to America! Joe Bidens handlers, at all costs, want the diplomatic triumph of another Iran deal that will keep Iran from going nuclear. That Iran is about to go nuclear any day now does not dampen their fervor for that sort of accomplishment. But back to Bolton:

Many words describe President Bidens Iran policy. Craven, weak, obsequious and embarrassing, among others, come readily to mind. But there are no words to describe adequately the recent White House decision, first reported by The Wall Street Journal, to warn Tehran about a possible terrorist attack. Sundays serious American casualties in Jordan, at the hands of an Iran-backed militia, tragically underscore Bidens folly. Anonymous administration sources justified sharing intelligence with a US enemy by citing a duty to warn policy applicable to both citizens and noncitizens. Although the Journal story mentions exceptions to this policy, its administration sources were less than candid.

Perhaps these exceptions make more sense than anything the MMPA has done?

Broadly stated, the State Department shares threat-related information to both official and non-official Americans, which is especially important for our citizens living or traveling abroad. US law-enforcement and intelligence agencies were contemporaneously considering how to deal with information regarding American citizens facing specific terrorist threats.

Oh. Americans. That makes sense.

Claiming Biden officials had no choice but to disclose threat intelligence to Iran is flatly wrong.

Im liking Bolton more all the time.

It is nearly inconceivable US policymakers could believe it wise to disclose sensitive material to an enemy state currently taking numerous hostile steps against Americans.

Inconceivable? Were talking about the MMPA here.

ICD 191 is limited in significant respects. It is merely a policy statement, not a legislative requirement, and therefore subject to adaptation as circumstances require. Indeed, it already provides two justifications for not disclosing threat information that emphatically apply to Iran. The terrorists target here was memorial services for Qassem Soleimani, former head of Irans Quds Force, sent to his Maker courtesy of the United States in January 2020. These memorials were Iranian government events, attended by large numbers of government officials, especially from the Quds Force, the Revolutionary Guards (of which the force is a component) and others.

The MMPA didnt want ISIS to strike that gathering?!

ICD 191 authorizes waiving disclosure where the target is at risk because of its participation in an insurgency, insurrection or other armed conflict or where there is reason to believe the target is a terrorist, a direct supporter of terrorists, an assassin or commits other criminal activity. These exemptions define attendees at the Soleimani memorial services to a T.

One has to appreciate Boltons grasp of irony and understatement:

The White House decision to proceed anyway is an entirely unforced error.

Many claim this or that conduct constitutes treason, but theyre usually wrong. Heres USC 2381:

Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort within the United States or elsewhere, is guilty of treason and shall suffer death, or shall be imprisoned not less than five years and fined under this title but not less than $10,000; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States.

Conduct might be described as treasonous without violating USC 2381, but giving direct aid to a declared enemy actively killing our troops might qualify. But then again, the MMPA obviously thinks Iran an ally.

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.
You must have heard that lightening doesnt strike the same place twice. Say that to the natives of Venezuela and they will ride you down to the mouth of river Catatumbo and let you watch the spectacular lightening show of your life. The Catatumbo Lightning is one of the coolest natural phenomenon on earth. It occurs strictly in an area located over the mouth of the Catatumbo River where it empties into Lake Maracaibo. Over this relatively small area powerful flashes of lightening more than 5 km in height strike at surprising frequency - during 140 to 160 nights a year, 10 hours per day and up to 280 times per hour.

The Catatumbo Lightning is likely to be caused by ionised gases - specifically the methane created by the decomposition of organic matter in the marshes - rising from a swamp to meet cooler air descending from the Andes Mountains. The meeting of the two currents creates an electrical charge that is discharged as lightening. The lightning is seen most often in the afternoons, when evaporation is greatest.

This phenomenon, also known with the popular name of the Lighthouse of Maracaibo, is easy to be seen from hundreds of miles away. These thunderstorms have a beneficial effect on the earths ecosystem too because they produce a high percentage of all the ozone production worldwide. The Catatumbo lightning can be considered a major regenerator of the planet's ozone layer, as it produces approximately 1,176,000 kW of atmospheric electricity.
Samsung has returned to its dual-platform strategy with its in-house Exynos 2400 chip that replaces the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 from the Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S24 Plus in Europe and many other regions worldwide. Although Samsung isnt using its in-house Exynos chip in the ultra flagship, the Galaxy S24 Ultra, anywhere on this planet. So, is there still a significant performance disparity between the current Exynos and Snapdragon flagships that could otherwise hold back the ultra flagship?

Well, the Exynos 2400 performs a lot better in terms of both peak performance and power efficiency compared to its predecessors and it does outperform the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in certain places.

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Exynos 2400 outperformed the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in ray tracing performance

Golden Reviewer has tested out the performance and power efficiency of the Exynos 2400 chip with different synthetic benchmarks. Surprisingly, Samsungs deca-core Exynos 2400 managed to surpass the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 both in terms of FPS and power efficiency in 3DMark SolarBay. The Exynos chip scored 8642 FPS as compared to the 8601 FPS of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, its a win. even if the margin is smaller. Speaking of power efficiency, the Exynos 2400 consumed around 20% less power in this particular test. Samsung seems to have solved at least some of the issues with the Xclips 940 GPU.

Moving on to some other GPU tests, however, the Exynos chip was outperformed by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. For example, in the 3DMark Wildlife extreme, the Exynos 2400 scored quite a bit lower at 4360 as compared to the 5181 of the Snapdragon flagship. The power efficiency was also higher on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. Other GPU tests like the GFXBench 3.1 GFXBench Aztec also yielded similar results, i.e. close but still inferior to the Snapdragon counterpart.

Exynos 2400 still consumes a lot of power in places

The Exynos 2400 achieved 2266 points in Single-Core and 7326 points in Multi-Core test in Geekbench. NotebookCheck noted that it surpassed the average score of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in their benchmark database, albeit by a small margin. Additionally, NotebookCheck noted that the Exynos chip in question consumes more than 20 watts of power in places during the test. Datasheets from Golden Reviewer also show a higher average power consumption for both the Big Cortex-X4 core and the Mid cores.
After the initial leaked render not long ago, HMDs first smartphone was spotted online by the Finnish publication Suomimobiili. The image gives us a glimpse at the device and also confirms key details. For those unaware, HMD owned the Nokia brand for its smartphones since 2016. Rumors have been floating around since last year about HMDs foray into the smartphone industry.

HMDs first smartphone appears online

Suomimobiili reports that HMD Global posted an image of a mysterious device on the Nokia website. However, the page has since been taken down. The leaked image looks like a promotional render of the product. It shows a woman sitting on a smartphone which is in Cyan color.

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There is an HMD branding on the back panel and a rectangular module in Black. The latter has two camera sensors placed inside circular rings that are also accentuated by Cyan. There is also a third unit but its unclear if the device will feature a dual or triple camera setup. The module also has 108MP OIS text confirming the resolution of the primary camera and OIS support on the HMD phone. We could also spot the volume rocker buttons on the right edge of the device.

The latest development is in line with the previously leaked render of the HMD smartphone. While the back panel design is the same, the front will have a centre-aligned punch-hole display.

Six HMD phones are reportedly in the pipeline

Last week it was reported that HMD was working on launching six phones. These are codenamed Pulse, Pulse+, Pulse Pro, Legend, Legend+, and Legend Pro. An early information page on Nokias website revealed HMDs goal of making phones worth committing to. This means phones that are durable, fun, secure, fast, and affordable.

The exact launch timeline of HMDs first smartphone remains unclear at the moment. MWC is taking place at the end of February, hence we can expect the brand to share details around the same time.
Google Chrome, the worlds most widely used browser, is in the works for native support on Arm-based Windows devices. This move has been long awaited by users of devices like the Surface Pro X or the Lenovo ThinkPad X13s, which runs on the Windows on Arm platform. The Canary build of Chrome, compiled for Windows on Arm, ensures that the browser runs natively on Arm-based devices.

Google could release an official native Arm version of Chrome within the next few months

While this release is currently in the Canary channel, it signals that an official native Arm version of Chrome is in the works and expected to launch within the next few months. The addition of native support for Windows on Arm is a crucial development for Google Chrome.

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The Canary release is a clear indication of Googles commitment to bringing a native Arm version of Chrome. It will address concerns related to emulation performance. Currently, Windows on Arm runs Chrome as an X86 app through a translation layer, which hinders the responsiveness, notes Ars Technica.

Chromes native support on Arm-based devices should improve the responsiveness

The timing of this support aligns well with the anticipated advancements in Arm-based Windows PCs in 2024. The Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite platform is likely to bring substantial performance improvements to future Windows on Arm devices. This move by Google ensures that Chrome users on the Windows-on-Arm platform will experience improved performance. The native support instead of an extra layer in between will offer a more responsive and seamless browsing experience.

Googles decision to optimize Chrome for Windows on Arm follows a broader trend in 2024, where various applications are pledging support for the platform. Last year, Blackmagic Design committed to releasing a native Arm version of DaVinci Resolve. It promised enhanced video editing capabilities for the machines. With these developments, 2024 appears to be a promising and transformative year for Windows on Arm PCs, with both software and hardware advancements contributing to an improved computing experience.
Google Search is facing a problem, as are many major search engines. Search results in 2024 often bring up SEO or AI-generated content that is only tangentially related to user queries. This isnt just speculation anymore, either: a recent study proved that search engines are less effective today than they were in the past. The problem might be getting worse because Google is firing some of its search quality raters.

In a move that will take effect March 19, Google will end its contract with one of its top search quality rating contractors, according to SearchEngineLand. Appen, the contractor in question, also announced the news in a financial release. It said that the company generated nearly $83 million in revenue from Google last year. Though it isnt known exactly how many Appen contractors were working for Google as search quality raters, Appen likely represented a large portion of Googles contractors. Google said it had roughly 16,000 search quality raters as of November 2023.

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The news is unexpected and disappointing, particularly considering the progress made against Appens transformation and performance in November and December 2023, Appen said in its release. Appen had no prior knowledge of Googles decision to terminate the contract.

Google outsources its search quality rating program to third-party contractors. While the raters do not directly affect where sites appear in results, they are an important part of the ranking process. Instead, the search quality raters can help evaluate Googles internal ranking systems. Theoretically, the raters can help Google identify flaws in its systems. On a long-term scale, these raters can improve the quality of search results overall.

What does this mean for other Google Search raters?

A potential concern is that Appen is just the first contractor to be given notice that their services are no longer needed. Google could begin firing other search quality raters as part of a general shift. The company might leverage artificial intelligence more in ranking search results or could move the rating system internally. Its also possible that Google will increase the number of contractors it hires from other companies, thus not losing any raters overall. However, this is all speculation. We dont know what the Appen decision means for Google Search strategy yet.

What we do know is that Apples $83 million in revenue likely comes from thousands of search raters. A significant portion of Googles search quality rating staff has now been fired, at least for now. Its the latest in a string of layoffs for Google in 2023 and 2024. Google has fired thousands of workers in-house, so its unsurprising to see these financial woes affect external contractors too.
Of all the countries whose citizens use ChatGPT, Italy seems to be the most cautious. Notably last year, the Italian government banned ChatGPT from being used in the country. However, about a month later, the government reinstated the ChatGPT. Well, it seems that the drama isnt over, as Italy says that ChatGPT actually breaches the countrys data-protecting rules.

OpenAI has never really been on Italys good side. The country expressed great concern over the privacy of its citizens. This is valid, as in order to train ChatGPT, OpenAI has to feed it tons of data from around the internet. This has gotten OpenAI into some legal battles over the past year. One of the most recent courtroom specs dealt with the Wall Street Journal looking to sue open AI over copyright.

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Italy says that ChatGPT breaks data protection rules

Back when ChatGPT was reinstated in the country, Italys General Data Protection Regulation (GDPA) launched a fact-finding activity. This continues to look into the company for any potential data privacy risks. Well, it appears that it found something, as Italy says that ChatGPT violated its data protection rules. However, the GDPA did not specify which rules were broken, at least not publicly. What we do know is that open AI has 30 days to respond and address the issues.

ChatGPT is under the watchful eye of the EU government. The EUs General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) actually set up a dedicated task force charged with looking into OpenAI and ChatGPT.

ChatGPT was able to satisfy the Italian government last year, however, it does want to push things way further. For example, it wants OpenAI to implement age restrictions on people who use it along with giving users the ability to opt out from letting the company use their data.

These are all steps that the country wants to take to make sure that its users are protected. Data privacy is one of the main concerns in our modern AI-driven World.
Microsoft recently disclosed a nation-state attack on its corporate systems from Russian state-sponsored hackers. It turns out the Windows maker was not the only target of this hacking campaign. The same group of attackers has also been targeting other organizations.

Microsoft sheds more light on the recent Russian attack

On January 12, Microsofts security team detected a breach in its corporate systems and immediately activated its response process to mitigate the attack. An internal investigation revealed that the hacker group Nobelium, believed to be working for Russias Foreign Intelligence Service, was behind the attack. The group also carried out the sophisticated SolarWinds attack in 2020.

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Microsoft referred to the attackers as Midnight Blizzardother industry names of the hackers include Cozy Bear, APT29, and The Dukes. According to the company, the attack began in late November last year and was not the result of a vulnerability in its products or services. Instead, the attackers used a password spray attack to compromise a legacy non-production test tenant account to access its systems.

In this attack, the threat actors try to sign into accounts by using the most popular or most likely passwords. The compromised account did not have multifactor authentication (MFA) enabled, which made the job easier for the hackers. Midnight Blizzard also employed other techniques to evade detection and avoid account blocks, including launching these attacks from a distributed residential proxy infrastructure.

These techniques obfuscated their activity, allowing them to persist the attack until successful. The breach exposed the corporate email accounts of a very small percentage of Microsoft employees across various internal divisions, including cybersecurity and legal. The tech giant found that Midnight Blizzard initially targeted email accounts for information related to itself. The attackers seemingly wanted to find out what Microsoft knew about them.

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The group is targeting more organizations

In a new blog post, Microsoft revealed that Midnight Blizzard has also been targeting other organizations, likely with a similar intent. The firm didnt name the organizations that might be under attack from Russian state-sponsored hackers but said it has already begun notifying them. It added that the investigation is still ongoing. The Windows maker plans to share more details as appropriate.

Meanwhile, Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) recently revealed that Midnight Blizzard gained unauthorized access to its cloud-based email environment, hosted by Microsoft. This attack might be part of the same espionage campaign run by the Russian hackers. As of this writing, there is no report that these attacks compromised customer data. We will keep a close eye on it and let you know as soon as we have more information.
Expanded visa-free policies demonstrate China's confidence, openness

09:38, January 27, 2024 By He Yin ( People's Daily

China and Singapore signed a mutual visa exemption agreement on Jan. 25, which will come into effect from Feb. 9. Chinese and Singaporean citizens holding ordinary passports will be allowed to enter and stay in each other's countries visa-free for up to 30 days.

The expanded visa-free access will facilitate the personnel exchanges and strengthen exchanges and cooperation between China and relevant countries. It showcases China's confidence and opening attitude.

Tourists enjoy beautiful views and watch seagulls at a seaside park in Rongcheng, east China's Shandong province, Jan. 15, 2024. (People's Daily Online/Wang Fudong)

So far, China has signed mutual visa exemption agreements with 157 countries, covering various types of passports. Simplified visa procedures agreements or arrangements have been reached with 44 countries. Mutual visa exemptions have been achieved with 22 countries, including Singapore, the Maldives, Kazakhstan, and others. In addition, over 60 countries and regions offer visa-free or visa-on-arrival policies for Chinese citizens.

The convenience of Chinese citizens' outbound travel has been greatly improved, which lifts the "value" of Chinese passports. At the same time, China's continuous efforts to optimize its visa policies are providing more convenience for foreigners to travel, work, study, and live in China.

China is continuously optimizing its visa policies, showcasing its openness, inclusiveness, confidence, and strength to the world.

Starting from Dec. 1, 2023, China has implemented a unilateral visa-free policy for ordinary passport holders from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia on a trial basis. Recently, China announced that it will apply unilateral visa-free policy to Switzerland and Ireland.

By last November, China has expanded the scope of its 72/144-hour transit visa-free policies to 54 countries.

Since Dec. 11, 2023, Chinese embassies and consulates have implemented a temporary measure to reduce visa fees. Starting from Jan. 11 this year, China's National Immigration Administration has officially implemented five measures to facilitate the entry of foreign nationals coming to China.

These measures have practically facilitated the exchange of personnel, economic and trade cooperation, and cultural exchanges between China and foreign countries, demonstrating China's commitment to promoting people-to-people ties and advancing exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations.

China's continuous optimization of visa policies has received widespread acclaim from the international community and positive responses from relevant countries.

Technicians of the Zhangye branch of China Telecom debug a 5G base station on the peak of the Ba'ersi Snow Mountain in Sunan Yugur autonomous county, Zhangye, northwest China's Gansu province, Jan. 22, 2024. (People's Daily Online/Yang Xiao)

International personages praised China for introducing a series of convenient visa policies, saying China always brings surprises. They called China's optimization of visa policies good news and an important signal to promote tourism and economic exchanges.

Malaysia has decided to offer a 30-day visa-free entry to nationals from China. The French government has announced that holders of a master's degree from China with study experience in France can obtain a 5-year visa. Switzerland said it will provide more visa convenience for Chinese citizens and Chinese enterprises investing in Switzerland. Ireland has expressed its willingness to actively consider providing more convenience for Chinese citizens visiting Ireland, saying it welcomes more Chinese companies to invest and do business in Ireland.

The expanding visa reciprocity will effectively promote exchanges between China and relevant countries, further strengthening the mutually beneficial cooperation between them.

China's continuous optimization of visa policies and promotion of exchanges between Chinese and foreign individuals marks an important measure to serve the country's high-quality development and high-level opening-up, and it will also inject greater confidence and momentum into the common development of all countries.

China, after a 45-year journey of reform and opening-up, has gained a deeper understanding that the more open a country is, the more it develops and gains confidence, and the more it can contribute to the common development of all nations in the world.

China actively builds various open platforms to share development opportunities with other countries. It strives to optimize foreign investment and intellectual property protection, and accelerate the construction of a market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized first-class business environment. China also collaborates with relevant parties to advance the Belt and Road Initiative, expanding cooperation with them in infrastructure, industry, trade, and technological innovation. Through concrete actions, China is opening its doors wider and wider to the world.

The United Nations World Tourism Organization believes that China is becoming increasingly open, and the vibrant development of China's tourism industry will also drive the common development of tourism in neighboring countries.

China will continuously expand its high-level opening-up, firmly pursue a mutually beneficial strategy of opening up, steadily expand institutional opening-up with regard to rules, regulations, management and standards, and continuously expand the development space for Chinese modernization.

China will commit itself to openness to foster synergy for cooperation and deliver benefits to all, help different civilizations learn from each other, live in harmony and reinforce one another, and work with all relevant parties to build a community with a shared future for mankind.

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun)
Less than half of South Korean students think unification is necessary
A newborn baby cried in distress as her on-the-run parents refused help days before she was found dead in a shopping bag, a court has heard.

Wealthy Constance Marten, 36, and her partner Mark Gordon, 49, were allegedly motivated by a selfish desire to keep their daughter Victoria after four other children were taken into care.

They travelled across England in taxis and ended up living off-grid before their arrest in East Sussex last February, jurors heard.

Constance Marten and Mark Gordon deny manslaughter by gross negligence of the girl between January 4 and February 27 last year (GMP/PA)

Days later, their child was found dead in a Lidl supermarket bag covered in rubbish inside a disused shed, the Old Bailey has heard.

On Monday, a member of the public described confronting the couple near Harwich port in Essex after watching a news report about their disappearance.

Dale Gosling was taking his dog for a walk when he came across the defendants sitting on a flower planter and recognised them from the television, he told jurors on Monday.

He said: It was freezing cold. There was frost on the floor. There was chill in the air, a fresh January morning to say the least.

Mr Gosling said the baby was dressed in a white onesie and wrapped inside Martens coat in a towel or blanket.

She gave the kind of cry he could not walk away from, Mr Gosling said.

Prosecutor Joel Smith asked: To you, did the baby sound distressed?

Mr Gosling said: Most definitely.

Describing his exchange with the pair, Mr Gosling told jurors: I said Excuse me, are you the people who are on the television advertised as missing with a new baby?

I cannot remember his exact words but he denied it.

I offered them a lift to the hospital. He said he was doing the best for his child, he wanted to keep his family together and do the right thing and something like that.

They said they thought they had plans. They knew what they were doing.

They said they were trying to go to London to try to see family or friends.

Mr Gosling said he felt compelled to turn around and speak to them again because something was not right.

He said the baby was crying consistently as Marten walked around cradling her in her arms trying to settle her.

Mr Gosling said he offered to take the couple home with him, give them a cup of tea and then take them to hospital.

He added that even though he thought his wife would do her nut at the idea, he felt it was the morally correct thing to do.

Ms Marten, she seemed compliant, she was willing to come, maybe have a cup of tea, maybe get a lift to the hospital. She seems a bit swayed, he said.

Marten (green arrow) and Gordon (yellow arrow) allegedly walked into Bolton bus interchange with the baby (pink arrow) under Martens coat on January 5 2023 (Met Police/PA)

Mr Gordon was quite insistent he was alright. He had a plan, he was going to London to stay with his friends and family.

During the conversation, Mr Gosling was asked what he would do for his child and he responded that he would go to the ends of the earth to protect my son, that any parent would rightly do.

He stressed to the couple that his concern was for the well-being of the baby and not about anything they had done, the court was told.

But Gordon just fobbed him off, the witness said.

Mr Gosling added that Marten looked scared and anxious and like a woman who had just given birth.

Mr Gosling denied a suggestion by Gordons defence that he had embellished his evidence and that the baby was not crying.

He said: I recall a child screaming to the point where I had to physically turn around and involve myself with people because the child was distressed.

It was really traumatising to listen to.

Jurors were told that a missing persons inquiry was launched after the defendants Peugeot car caught fire on a motorway near Bolton, Greater Manchester (Met Police/PA)

He added that as a father himself, he knew the difference between ordinary crying and genuine distress.

Challenged on if it was a Lidl bag he had seen the couple with, Mr Gosling said he shopped there rather than another supermarket like Waitrose.

Earlier, jurors heard how a missing persons inquiry was launched last January 5 after the defendants Peugeot car caught fire on a motorway near Bolton, Greater Manchester.

A placenta and items belonging to Marten were found in the burnt out vehicle on the M61 and a woman was seen climbing over the motorway barrier, the court was told.

A local resident who gave the couple a lift into Bolton town centre that evening described the baby as being wrapped in a blanket.

Jurors were shown CCTV footage of the couple walking into Bolton bus interchange with the baby allegedly underneath Martens coat.

They took a taxi to Liverpool for around 80 before taking another cab some 240 miles, arriving in Harwich in Essex in the early hours of January 6, it is claimed.

Cab driver Ali Yaryar told jurors how a man and a woman had flagged him down on Edge Lane in Liverpool.

He said the woman was shivering and asked for him to turn the heating on before giving their destination in Essex.

He told jurors: I said this is a long journey. We go to Heathrow Airport from Liverpool for 500 but its a quiet night, I can go there if you want for 400.

Mr Smith said: What did you notice about the lady?

Mr Yaryar said he saw there was a baby inside the womans jacket dressed only in a nappy.

He offered the use of a car seat for the child but she declined, saying the baby was too small, the witness said.

During the journey, Mr Yaryar said he heard the couple arguing, with the woman saying hes not very helpful.

Cross-examining for Gordon, John Femi-Ola KC suggested the baby did have clothes and only had a nappy on while being changed.

Mr Yaryar replied: I think the baby had no clothes.

The court was told items belonging to Marten were found in the burnt out vehicle (Metropolitan Police/PA)

Jurors were told it had been a cold night and the man had not been able to calm the baby down as she was crying.

The witness said he saw news stories a few days later and recognised the people he had taken in his taxi.

As the defendants were en route to Harwich, Greater Manchester Police had identified them as the occupants of the broken-down Peugeot from Martens passport and other documents.

They checked into the Harwich Premier Inn under the false name of Thomas with Marten paying in cash at 3am, jurors were told.

Staff noticed she seemed quite distressed and declined the use of a cot for the child strapped to her front under a blanket.

She appeared drained, spoke with a posh accent and looked like a character from the Disney film Brave, the court heard.

That afternoon, receptionist Rae Robson told jurors Marten appeared stressed when told she would have to vacate her room because she did not have any identity documents.

Giving evidence, Ms Robson said: She asked to extend her stay for another night.

The trial was being held at the Old Bailey in London (Daniel Leal-Olivas/PA)

She only had cash, she had no identification on her or a bank card because it was left in the car that broke down.

I told her I would give her about 10 minutes to get her stuff together and leave.

Me and my manager then knocked on the door to encourage them to leave.

After the couple came out, Ms Robson went into the room and noticed a smell like rotten flesh or an infected piercing, she said.

The defendants, of no fixed address, deny manslaughter by gross negligence of the girl between January 4 and February 27 last year.

They are also charged with perverting the course of justice, concealing the birth of a child, child cruelty, and causing or allowing the death of a child.

The Old Bailey trial was adjourned until Tuesday morning.
Lord David Cameron has condemned the actions of Iranian-backed militias after three American troops were killed and dozens injured in north-east Jordan amid fears of a wider conflict with Tehran.

The UK Foreign Secretary renewed calls for Iran to de-escalate in the region following the first US deaths since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.

President Joe Biden said on Sunday that the US shall respond to the overnight drone strike near the Syrian border.

US officials were working to identify the group behind the attack but have so far assessed that one of several Iranian-aligned groups was responsible.

Mr Biden said in a written statement that the US will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner (of) our choosing.

We strongly condemn 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.  David Cameron (@David_Cameron) January 28, 2024

In a post on X later on Sunday, Lord Cameron said: We strongly condemn 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.

US forces have long used Jordan, a kingdom bordering Iraq, Israel, the Palestinian territory of the West Bank, Saudi Arabia and Syria, as a base.

US Central Command put the toll at three killed and 34 injured.

Since the war in Gaza began, Iranian-backed militias have struck American military installations in Iraq more than 60 times and in Syria more than 90 times with drones, rockets, mortars and ballistic missiles.

The attack on Sunday was the first targeting US troops in Jordan during the conflict and the first to result in American deaths.

The militias have said that their strikes are in retaliation for Washingtons support for Israel in the war in Gaza, and aim to push US forces out of the region.

The US in recent months has hit targets in Iraq, Syria and Yemen in response to attacks on its forces and to diminish the threats from Iranian-backed Houthi rebels to commercial shipping in the Red Sea.

The US and UK launched a second round of joint strikes against the rebels earlier this week, which appears to have done little to deter Houthi action.

A British-linked oil tanker went up in flames after an strike claimed by the Yemen-based group on Friday before a further attack on HMS Diamond, the British destroyer stationed in the Red Sea, was successfully repelled.

The Ministry of Defence earlier branded ongoing action by the Houthis as intolerable and illegal and said Britain and its allies reserve the right to respond appropriately.
By Ko Dong-hwan

An environmental group has condemned Korean companies and banks involved in an ongoing liquefied natural gas (LNG) extraction project in the waters off Mozambique, arguing that the project has forcibly displaced local residents and increased the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere, according to the Seoul-based organization, Monday.

Solutions for Our Climate (SFOC) said that the country's major private construction companies, state-run gas field development firm and public banks are part of the controversial project now under a watch by international environmental campaigners and demanded they pull out of their roles.

The project targets Rovuma Basin near Cabo Delgado Province in the northern part of the African country and runs six extraction areas above the natural reserve. SFOC said the reserve contains at least 150 trillion cubic feet of LNG  the largest volume discovered worldwide in recent years. Korean firms are involved in extraction areas 1 and 4.

SFOC said Korea Gas Corp. (KOGAS) owns 10 percent of Area 4's operation share and has invested 1.2 trillion won ($900 million) in the project since 2008 until last August. The campaigners said KOGAS has also requested the Korea Development Institute for a feasibility study on another project in the area and, if the agency approves it, KOGAS will begin the new project this year extending its investment into the area to over 9.3 trillion won.

Samsung Heavy Industries and Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries, SFOC added, have signed letters of intent (LOI) to build eight and nine LNG tankers, respectively, for Area 1. Daewoo E&C has earned a job worth 500 billion won to build a plant at the Afungi LNG site in the same area.

The Export-Import Bank of Korea, the Korea Trade Insurance Corp. and Korea Development Bank are also backing the Korean firms, having funded them with over 3.6 trillion won altogether, according to SFOC.

Kim So-min, a campaigner from the group, said these banks didn't properly evaluate the project's potential risks in terms of human rights, environment and financial security before deciding to fund the companies.

Construction in Area 1 has been put on hold since 2021 when a local militant group opposing the project attacked the city of Palma near an LNG plant in the area. As a result, this led to TotalEnergies, a French multinational firm that owns the biggest operation share in the area, evacuating its employees.

Kim said TotalEnergies, borrowing the authority of local soldiers in 2016, relocated over 550 households near the plant site without offering enough restitution and fueled local dissatisfaction against the project. It led to the formation of Al-Shabaab, a local military group, which started attacking local residents a year later and has displaced over 1 million people as of November 2022.

"If the Korean banks and the companies continue to invest into this controversial project, they will never get away from being held responsible for the local conflicts in Mozambique which violate human rights," Kim said. "Besides, the global movement of energy transition is increasingly reducing global demand for natural gas. It could potentially put the whole project on hold."

SFOC cited Daniel Ribeiro, founder of the Mozambique regional office of global environmental group Friends of the Earth, saying that local residents who lost their livelihoods and lands due to the project have been mobilizing against the government.

"If investors are concerned about the well-being of Mozambique and its people then they should reconsider investing in the gas projects in the north of the country," Ribeiro said in a press release distributed by SFOC. "Besides, economic studies have shown unfair benefit sharing, which will leave Mozambique with a number of heavy economic risks and little wealth."

A Samsung Heavy Industries official said the company's LNG tanker construction deal for the project hasn't been finalized yet and has no particular comment at this point.

When contacted by The Korea Times, KOGAS declined to comment on the matter.
Family and friends of jailed British-Russian dissident Vladimir Kara-Murza have become increasingly concerned about his fate after he disappeared from a prison colony in Siberia.

Mr Kara-Murza, who has survived two poisonings since 2015, was jailed for 25 years in April 2023 by a Moscow court on charges of treason over his opposition to the war in Ukraine.

He has been held in solitary confinement in a maximum-security penal colony in Omsk for the past four months, but on Monday his wife, Evgenia Kara-Murza, said he has been moved to an unknown location.

Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron said he was deeply concerned about Mr Kara-Murza and urged Russia to provide the captives lawyers with details about where he is being held.

Russian opposition activist Vladimir Kara-Murza during an earlier court appearance in Moscow (Dmitry Serebryakov/AP)

She said: Today, I learned that my husband Vladimir Kara-Murza, sentenced to 25 years for denouncing the crimes of the Putin regime, was moved from the maximum security prison colony in western Siberia, where he had been kept in a punishment cell since September 2023, in an unknown direction.

There are no grounds for his transfer and that makes it even more frightening as my husband is in the hands of the same people who tried to kill him twice, in 2015 and 2017.

I demand that the Russian government provide us with information about my husbands whereabouts.

Mrs Kara-Murza has previously expressed serious concerns about her husbands health while in prison, saying the attempts on his life have left him with polyneuropathy, a form of nerve damage.

She has also repeatedly called on the Government to do more to help secure the release of Mr Kara-Murza, a British citizen, saying she fears he will die if he is not freed soon.

We just learned that after 4 months of solitary confinement my husband @vkaramurza left (as put by an official) the strict-regime penal colony in Omsk in an unknown direction #WhereIsKaraMurza pic.twitter.com/Jsn2hgibL1  Evgenia Kara-Murza (@ekaramurza) January 29, 2024

Bill Browder, a friend of Mr Kara-Murza and head of the Global Magnitsky Justice Campaign, described the removal of the dissident as pure sadism.

He said: As hes a UK citizen, our Foreign Secretary David Cameron should be using all tools to get Vladimir released. The Government must act decisively before he dies in prison, which will likely happen if hes not released.

MPs have also called on the Government to act, including Commons Foreign Affairs Committee chairwoman Alicia Kearns.

Ms Kearns said: (Russian President Vladimir) Putins toying with Vladimir Kara-Murza is a sign of weakness and of how much Putin fears those who represent freedom of thought and will challenge his kleptocracy.

Kara-Murza is a political prisoner and British citizen; my thoughts go out to his incredible wife, family and friends.

This is yet another example of Putins Russias disregard for the rule of law and use of arbitrary detention to deter dissent. The UK must appoint a dedicated national hostage lead to better protect and advocate for British nationals wrongly held abroad.

Russia must urgently provide Vladimir Kara-Murza's lawyers with his whereabouts, following reports that he has been moved from Omsk to an unknown location. I'm deeply concerned for Mr Kara-Murza  a British national imprisoned in Russia for speaking out against the invasion of  David Cameron (@David_Cameron) January 29, 2024

The removal of Mr Kara-Murza from the facility in Omsk echoes the treatment of prominent Putin critic Alexei Navalny, who disappeared for several weeks in December before resurfacing in a prison colony in the Arctic.

Lord Cameron tweeted: Russia must urgently provide Vladimir Kara-Murzas lawyers with his whereabouts, following reports that he has been moved from Omsk to an unknown location.

Im deeply concerned for Mr Kara-Murza  a British national imprisoned in Russia for speaking out against the invasion of Ukraine.

I stand with his wife, Evgenia, and plan to meet her soon.

Foreign Office officials said they had regularly raised Mr Kara-Murzas imprisonment with Russian authorities, including with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Moscow on January 19 and during multilateral engagements.

Vowing to continue those efforts, the department said its staff are providing consular support to Mr Kara-Murzas family and continue to request consular access.

The Foreign Office said it has sanctioned 11 individuals in response to his sentencing and appeal, as well as two individuals involved in his earlier poisoning.
Michael Gove has told the UK Covid-19 inquiry some of the language used by Scottish Government officials led him to believe there was a desire for differentiation from the UK Government during the pandemic for the sake of advancing a political agenda.

Giving evidence to the inquiry as it sits in Edinburgh, Mr Gove referenced evidence the inquiry heard last week of WhatsApp messages between Scotlands former first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, and her then chief of staff, Liz Lloyd, about starting a good old-fashioned rammy with the UK Government so she could think about something other than sick people.

Levelling Up Secretary Mr Gove told the inquiry that the temptation at certain points to seek political advantage is clearly there with the Scottish Government, given the cause to which they have devoted their lives (independence).

He said: Some of the language used, the desire to have a good old-fashioned rammy with the UK Government, and some of the other language used, which I shant repeat now, does lead me to believe that at that point, there was a desire to pursue differentiation for the sake of advancing a political agenda.

Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove arrives at the UK Covid-19 inquiry hearing at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (Jane Barlow/PA)

I want to take as balanced as an approach that I can, paying tribute to her (Nicola Sturgeons) energy and hard work in seeking to do what was right while at the same time acknowledging the SNP is a political movement with a clear goal and its members and its leadership have seldom missed an opportunity in other times to seek differentiation to advance their cause.

Counsel to the inquiry, Jamie Dawson KC, asked Mr Gove if there was a completely dysfunctional relationship between the UK and Scottish Governments at times.

Mr Gove disagreed and said: No, I dont believe they are politically motivated in everything they do. I think, I have great respect for the professionalism with which many Scottish Government ministers conducted themselves. I do believe their overwhelming motivation was to protect the people of Scotland from a virus.

However, there are and were occasions when the Scottish Government was thinking politically, as we can see, and, of course, it is the case the SNP has a political mission to achieve Scotlands independence, i.e. destroy the United Kingdom and it would be naive not to be aware that highly skilled politicians, including those at the top of the Scottish Government, might well see what they perceive to be political advantage at certain points.

But, I think, its important to note that while that did happen at certain points, the day-to-day management of the pandemic preoccupied them as it did other ministers.

Mr Gove served as a Cabinet Office minister during the pandemic, with a focus on intergovernmental relations and told the inquiry the relationship between the UK Government and the devolved administrations was for the most part constructive when dealing with the day-to-day management of the pandemic.

He said we can learn from how we responded to this virus to consider how the devolution settlement can be evolved in the future but the current balance of the constitutional settlement is broadly right.

The inquiry, chaired by Baroness Hallett, continues.
The DUP is set for a crunch meeting on Monday as its party leader briefs senior members on Government proposals aimed at ending Stormonts powersharing impasse.

The DUP has been using a veto power to blockade Stormont s devolved institutions for two years in protest at post-Brexit trading arrangements that have created trade barriers between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The party 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.

If Sir Jeffrey Donaldson reaches a deal to restore Stormont, Sinn Fein vice president Michelle ONeill would become First Minister (Liam McBurney/PA)

On Friday, members of the DUPs 130-strong party executive were invited to a short notice meeting at 7pm on Monday.

The invitation said the gathering, at a yet undisclosed location in Northern Ireland, 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.

They believe the boycott should only end once all the economic barriers created by Brexits Northern Ireland Protocol, and the subsequent Windsor Framework, are removed.

While the mooted deal being offered by the Government will seek to reduce red tape associated with arrangements, and offer additional measures aimed at strengthening GB-NI ties, they will not result in the axing of the EU and UKs jointly agreed protocol and framework.

Last week, in an impassioned speech at Westminster, Sir Jeffrey said he had received threats amid the speculation over an impending deal. The DUP has reported the incidents to the police.

On Sunday Sinn Fein called on the DUP to step off the endless merry-go-round of its Stormont boycott and return to powersharing.

Senior party TD Pearse 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?

Traditional Unionist Voice leader Jim Allister has told the DUP to hold firm and maintain its boycott (PA).

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.

On Friday, senior DUP MLA and former party leader Edwin Poots criticised some other unionists who have accused his party of being traitors.

He suggested his party had extracted meaningful concessions from the Government.

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, 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 family of one of the students stabbed to death in Nottingham have condemned the disgusting lack of calls for a public inquiry into the triple killing.

Valdo Calocane stabbed 19-year-old students Barnaby Webber and Grace OMalley-Kumar and school caretaker Ian Coates, 65, to death with a dagger in the early hours of June 13 last year.

Last week, a judge handed the 32-year-old a hospital order at his sentencing for manslaughter by diminished responsibility after Nottingham Crown Court heard he had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, which Mr Webbers family called a huge insult.

Ian Coates, Barnaby Webber and Grace OMalley-Kumar were stabbed to death in Nottingham by Valdo Calocane (Nottinghamshire Police/PA)

The healthcare watchdog has been asked to report by March on its findings in an investigation into the care Calocane received at Nottinghamshire Healthcare Foundation Trust before the killings occurred.

Health Secretary Victoria Atkins, announcing the Care Quality Commission (CQC) review, said it will provide quicker answers for the families of victims than a public inquiry would.

However, Mr Webbers parents said a review would be just a toe in the water and not enough, calling for a full public inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the attack.

His mother, Emma Webber, told BBC Breakfast: I have heard the comments of Victoria Atkins and I disagree. It needs to be much more than reviewing the mental health failings and services in Nottingham.

I bet its not just Nottingham that there are failings going on, by the way  I think its across the whole country  but its also the failings of the police to investigate and act accordingly up to the attacks, and also the investigation of the case.

Weve got real concerns about the way that weve been managed by the CPS; of course were really unhappy with the outcome from last week.

The students father, David Webber, said he and his wife are horrified that there are currently no plans for an inquiry.

If they dont feel that warrants a public inquiry, what does? Its disgusting.

Valdo Calocane was sentenced to a hospital order for manslaughter by diminished responsibility (Nottinghamshire Police/PA)

Theres so much stuff that goes on in this country at the moment  were seeing the Post Office scandal taking countless years and wrecking countless lives to get there. Does this need to be another one of those? Do we need to keep fighting for the rest of our lives to get some form of justice and get this looked at properly?

Mrs Webber added: We dont want to be the next Post Office families or Hillsborough families, but I say this to anybody in charge and decision-makers: you have got the full weight of the Webber family, the OMalley-Kumar family and the Coates family all united behind this.

And if were still here  and I have to be here in 20 years time claiming my pension  Ill still be fighting to get appropriate justice and appropriate answers.

The couple attended a meeting with Sir Keir Starmer at Labours headquarters in London on Monday along with Ms OMalley-Kumars father Dr Sanjoy Kumar and mother Sinead OMalley as well as Mr Coates son James.

The victims family members are also due to meet Ms Atkins while Mr Webbers parents have said they want to speak with Janine McKinney from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

Sir Keir Starmer met with the victims family members (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Meanwhile, Attorney General Victoria Prentis was due to meet Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Parkinson to discuss the case.

Mrs Webber told ITVs Good Morning Britain she was aghast at the opening statements from the CPS barrister in court last week, adding: I will never accept anything other than Barnaby was murdered.

She also believes there were no obvious signs of psychosis from Calocane on the day of the attack, and told of her concerns that the killer could be released if he responds well to treatment in hospital.

Judge Mr Justice Turner said Calocane will 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 other people.

The Attorney General is considering whether judges should review the sentence after receiving a submission that it could be unduly lenient.

Asked why the Government had not set up a public inquiry, the Prime Ministers official spokesman said: We havent ruled out further action at this stage. There is already work going on across government.

The Health Secretary has ordered a review into the mental health services at the NHS trust where Calocane was treated, the Attorney General is also looking at the sentence and will meet with the Director of Public Prosecutions, I believe, to discuss that later today.

The policing minister is meeting senior leaders at Nottinghamshire Police to discuss the circumstances.
Leicestershire Police has referred itself to a watchdog over its investigation into alleged attacks by Valdo Calocane in May 2023  weeks before he knifed three people to death.

Paranoid schizophrenic Calocane, 32, was last week handed a hospital order after stabbing 19-year-old students Barnaby Webber and Grace OMalley-Kumar and school caretaker Ian Coates, 65, with a dagger and running over three other people in Nottingham in the early hours of last June 13.

After his sentencing at Nottingham Crown Court for the merciless killings, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said several incidents involving previous police contact with Calocane have been brought to our attention which we were unaware of.

Ian Coates, Barnaby Webber and Grace OMalley-Kumar (Nottinghamshire Police/PA)

This includes an attack on two people Calocane worked with at a factory in Kegworth, Leicestershire, on May 6.

Leicestershire Police said no one was seriously hurt in the factory assault and Calocane had reportedly been escorted off site by security before police arrived.

The IOPC said it requested more information about the attack from Leicestershire Police after Calocanes sentencing last Thursday.

The watchdog also asked Nottinghamshire Police to give more details about a warrant issued for Calocanes arrest in 2022 after he failed to appear in court for allegedly attacking a police officer.

In a statement to the PA news agency, the IOPC said: Following the sentencing of Valdo Calocane several incidents involving previous police contact with him have been brought to our attention which we were unaware of.

As a result, we asked Nottinghamshire Police and Leicestershire Police to provide us with information promptly about those incidents to establish whether there are any matters that should be referred to us.

We have this afternoon received a referral from Leicestershire Police about its investigation into assaults Valdo Calocane was alleged to have committed on 5 May 2023, which we are assessing to determine what further action may be required from us.

In relation to a warrant being issued for Mr Calocanes arrest in 2022 Nottinghamshire Police provided us with information about that shortly after the tragic events of 13 June 2023.

We decided it did not meet our referral criteria because the contact had not been recent and no conduct issues were identified for any individual officer.

Nottinghamshire Police subsequently carried out an internal review of matters linked to the warrant and we have now also requested details of that learning exercise, in case there are any issues that would require our involvement.
Former Scottish health secretary Jeane Freeman and Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove will appear before the UK Covid-19 Inquiry on Monday.

Ms Freeman served in the post from the beginning of the pandemic before she left Holyrood following the 2021 election.

Among the decisions Ms Freeman was involved in during her time in the cabinet was the discharge of hospital patients to care homes without testing them for the virus.

According to evidence heard earlier in the inquiry  which is currently sitting in Edinburgh as it probes the Scottish Government response  82% of the 3,595 patients discharged between March 1 and April 21 2020 were not tested for the virus.

Michael Gove will appear before the inquiry on Monday (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

A Public Health Scotland report in 2020 also found more than 100 people who had previously tested positive for the virus were admitted from hospital to a care home before returning a negative test.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has described the situation as one of the worst atrocities of the pandemic, as he called for answers for the families of the bereaved.

Jeane Freeman and Nicola Sturgeon were responsible for this decision and this week they will have the opportunity to give families the answers they deserve, he said.

In Scotland, the inquiry has placed a focus on the retention of informal messages by Scottish Government ministers and officials.

Former first minister Nicola Sturgeons messages were deleted, with some being handed over by other witnesses who corresponded with her, while her former deputy John Swinney was also unable to provide messages.

A table submitted to the inquiry shows Ms Freeman has retained some messages, including from a WhatsApp group of health secretaries from all four nations of the UK, although it goes on to say there was no other WhatsApp groups or other informal messaging with key decision-makers.

Mr Gove served as a Cabinet Office minister during the pandemic, with a focus on intergovernmental relations.

The inquiry is expected to quiz Mr Gove on how the Scottish and UK Governments worked together.

The latest hearing comes against the backdrop of a mounting political storm, with opposition politicians making demands of the Scottish Government.

Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross urged First Minister Humza Yousaf to refer himself for investigation under the ministerial code after he told journalists last year he had not deleted WhatsApp messages relating to the pandemic.

It later transpired the First Minister did delete his messages in line with Government guidance, but was able to retrieve them from an old phone.

Meanwhile, Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton made a similar call in relation to the lack of minutes from so-called gold command meetings held between senior ministers and officials.
The Big Issue is launching a recipe section after an idea by one of the magazines vendors.

Chef and child health campaigner Jamie Oliver has thrown his support  and some recipes  behind the idea, which was inspired by Paul Logan, who sells the magazine in London.

He met actress and Big Issue ambassador Sophie Winkleman and mentioned the potential in a low-cost recipe section in the magazine.

She called Jamie Oliver who said: When I heard about Pauls wish to have low-cost recipes in the magazine, I wanted to share these budget-friendly ones.

With financial pressures as high as ever, knowing how to cook has never been more relevant. Ive created these to help your money go further.

Whether its making the most of your oven or freezer, or using store-cupboard ingredients, these flavour-packed favourites are nutritious and delicious.

Sophie Winkleman, said: I met vendor Paul Logan on the coldest day of the year. He told me hed always harboured a dream for there to be a recipe page.

We chatted more and it clearly was a brilliant idea  weekly inspiration on how to eat well on a super-tight budget.

I called my friend Jamie when I got home to tell him about Paul. He thought it was a brilliant idea too, and offered to launch Pauls idea with some recipes of his own.

Paul McNamee, editor of the Big Issue, said: We want to build a useful recipe collection, of delicious meals at pocket-friendly prices.

Were delighted that long-time friend of Big Issue Jamie Oliver is launching the collection today. We want to keep it going.
Kim Kardashian will executive produce a documentary series about screen siren Dame Elizabeth Taylor for the BBC.

The three-part boxset will feature privileged access to those who knew the Cleopatra star best, including relatives, friends and colleagues.

The series, which has a working title Elizabeth Taylor: Rebel Superstar, will look at her craft and technique as an actress, as well as how she reinvented the nature of fame and become a billion-dollar businesswoman, activist and advocate.

Dame Elizabeth Taylor with then-husband Richard Burton in 1967 (PA)

It will aim to tell the story behind the soap opera narrative  from child star to Hollywood legend, with eight marriages, a diamond obsession and various addictions, reframing her as an actor, rebel and mogul who created the blueprint for modern celebrity.

The series, commissioned by BBC Arts, will draw on never-before-heard audio tapes, interviews and unseen TV footage, alongside her film archive.

Among Dame Elizabeths best-known films are National Velvet, Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, Whos Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and Butterfield 8.

The London-born star died in Los Angeles in 2011.

Dame Elizabeth in 2002 (PA)

The series will also feature interviews with a range of high-profile stars who knew Dame Elizabeth personally  including Kardashian, who conducted the last interview with her before she died.

Also featured will be Dame Joan Collins, her friend and contemporary who competed with her for the role of Cleopatra, and Margaret OBrien, who went to school with her on the MGM backlot.

Leading scientist Dr Anthony Fauci, former chief medical adviser to the US president, will also feature to discuss his work alongside Dame Elizabeth in the fight against Aids.

Kardashian said: Elizabeth Taylor was unapologetically herself, a fighter.

Dame Elizabeth in Cleopatra (PA)

She is proof that you can keep evolving and changing and have different chapters in your life  and she paved the way for all of us who came after her with that blueprint.

Alistair Pegg, commissioning editor at the BBC, said: This exciting series promises a new understanding of Elizabeth Taylor  both her technique and power as an actor, and her capacity for reinventing herself.

The series is in production and will air on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.
The King has left hospital after spending three nights receiving medical care following treatment for an enlarged prostate.

Charles, 75, smiled and waved to a few members of the public as he left the private London Clinic on Monday afternoon with the Queen by his side, and would now have a period of private recuperation, Buckingham Palace said.

Camilla had arrived at the hospital ahead of the King being discharged, and had visited her husband every day since he was admitted on Friday.

Buckingham Palace said in a statement: The King was this afternoon discharged from hospital following planned medical treatment and has rescheduled forthcoming public engagements to allow for a period of private recuperation.

His Majesty would like to thank the medical team and all those involved in supporting his hospital visit, and is grateful for all the kind messages he has received in recent days.

Charles was joined by Camilla as he left hospital (Victoria Jones/PA)

The King underwent a corrective procedure for the benign condition and it has been reported Charles could take up to a month off from public duties as he recuperates.

He left the London Clinic a few hours after the Princess of Wales was discharged from the same hospital, almost two weeks after undergoing abdominal surgery.

Charles spent time at his daughter-in-laws bedside before his own treatment; Kate is not expected to return to official duties until after Easter.

The King is expected to spend time recuperating after his treatment (Victoria Jones/PA)

The King was diagnosed with the benign condition on January 17 while staying at Birkhall in Scotland, after going for a check-up because he was experiencing symptoms.

He is understood to have wanted to share the news to encourage other men to get themselves checked.

The King, who acceded to the throne 16 months ago, was urged to rest by his doctors ahead of the corrective procedure.

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.

Charles, pictured at his Accession Council, acceded to the throne 16 months ago (PA)

Buckingham Palace has said the King was delighted to learn his diagnosis was having a positive impact on public health awareness.

One in three men over the age of 50 will have symptoms of an enlarged prostate, including needing to visit the toilet more often and with more urgency and difficulty emptying the bladder.

An enlarged prostate, known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, does not usually pose a serious threat to health and it is not cancer.

But patients may need to have several tests for the condition to rule out the possibility they have another illness with similar symptoms, such as prostate cancer.

Surgery is usually only recommended for moderate to severe symptoms which have not responded to medicine, the NHS website says.

Treatment can include a number of procedures, including removing part of the prostate gland with a laser, water ablation using the pressure of the water to destroy prostate tissue, or urethral lift implants, which hold the enlarged prostate away from the urethra so it is not blocked.

Other options include a prostate artery embolisation, during which tiny plastic particles are injected into blood vessels to shrink the prostate gland by reducing its blood supply.
The King has spent a third night in hospital after undergoing a procedure for an enlarged prostate.

Charles was twice visited by the Queen on Sunday, the third and fourth times she has been to see him at the private hospital since they arrived on Friday.

Camilla smiled as she arrived at The London Clinic in central London by car at midday on Sunday, leaving again just over three hours later.

She returned between 6pm and 7pm and was smiling as she left.

It is the same hospital where the Princess of Wales is being cared for after abdominal surgery.

Camilla told people inside The London Clinic on Friday that the King was doing well after the procedure.

After he was admitted on Friday, Charles took time to visit his daughter-in-law, Kate, who is now on the 14th day of her hospital stay after undergoing a major operation last week.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman previously said the King was admitted to a London hospital for scheduled treatment.

Camilla leaves the London Clinic in central London (James Manning/PA)

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.

The King arrived in London from Norfolk on Thursday, ready for the procedure after squeezing in a couple of behind-the-scenes official duties.

He 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.

The Princess of Wales underwent surgery at the same hospital (Kirsty Wigglesworth/PA)

Charles, 75, who acceded to the throne only 16 months ago, cancelled engagements and was urged to rest by his doctors ahead of the corrective procedure.

The exact nature of his 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.
By Lee Min-hyung

A controversial pro-labor safety act will harm the interests of small business owners, as most of them are not ready to allocate relevant budgets or hire personnel in order to better abide by the law, which punishes employers for any serious workplace-related accidents, Korea Enterprises Federation (KEF) Chairman Sohn Kyung-shik told reporters during a press conference, Monday.

The remarks came in reaction to the expanded enforcement of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act on small businesses  in which the number of employees is more than five but less than 50. The act took effect on Jan. 27 after the ruling and opposition parties failed to reach a consensus on giving an additional two-year grace period.

It is regretful that the law became effective without any further grace period, even if we delivered desperate appeals for the need to delay it again, Sohn said. The focus of the act should be on the prevention of such workplace accidents, not the punishment of employers, according to the KEF chief.

He raised concerns over the negative domino effect of the act.

When heads or employers of small businesses are arrested for violating the act, the companies will collapse and their workers will, subsequently, lose their jobs, Sohn said. It sounds complacent that punishment can be a cure-all to prevent accidents in the workplace. Any labor reform should win a national consensus before it becomes effective.

He urged the National Assembly to review its revision, before unprepared small firms fall victim to the act.

In 2022, the act took effect on businesses with more than 50 employees, but those with less than 50 were given a two-year grace period. Under the act, business owners will face a prison term of more than one year or fines of less than 1 billion won ($748,000), when one of their employees loses their lives in the workplace. They will also be punished if more than two employees are injured requiring more than six months of treatment.

According to data from the Ministry of Employment and Labor, the number of small firms reached 837,000 nationwide.
People who attended a private school are more likely to say they learned about pensions at school (20%) than those who were state-educated (6%), a survey has indicated.

More than two-fifths (42%) of privately educated 35 to 44-year-olds said they reviewed or reassessed their pension pot at least once a year, compared with less than a fifth (17%) of state school-educated peers of the same age.

Privately educated people were also more likely to hold private pensions outside of employment-linked pensions (40%), compared with people who were educated at state school (26%), the research found.

On average, people who were educated at a state school said they had 112,765 in their retirement pot, while those who were privately educated had 302,782, according to the research released by annuity comparison service Annuity Ready, part of the Legal & General Group.

More than a third (37%) of privately educated people said they would rely on financial advisers to guide them with their pension and retirement decisions, while three in 10 (30%) people who were educated at a state school would rely on family and friends for retirement advice.

State school-educated people reaching retirement were more likely (22%) to say they did not know they could shop around with their pension pots than privately educated (5%) people.

More than half (57%) of people across the survey agreed that planning for retirement felt like navigating a complex minefield due to lack of knowledge.

A third of people surveyed generally said they felt anxious or overwhelmed (35%) about their retirement planning.

Sarah Lloyd, commercial director at Annuity Ready, which has launched a Get Britain Pension Ready campaign, said: No-one, from any background, should get left behind. Were encouraging everyone to get pension ready with our free online resources and seek the guidance they need, to understand all the financial options available to them when they come to retire.

Joanna Elson, chief executive at Independent Age, said: Far too many older people in financial hardship face later life with little or no savings, struggling to afford even basic essentials.

Many of the older people we speak to have worked all their lives and yet do not have enough money in retirement. One person told us he expected his private pension to be 400 a month when in reality it was only 90, which left him unable to make ends meet.

TV presenter Angellica Bell, an ambassador for the Get Britain Pension Ready campaign, said: It really is important that we help everyone cut through the jargon and simplify this important topic so that everyone feels informed and empowered when managing their finances for retirement.

It all starts with education, and as the research very clearly shows, the earlier we start learning about pensions and thinking about the future, the better.

The survey was carried out by OnePoll on behalf of Annuity Ready, with 4,000 adults across the UK surveyed in December 2023.

Free Government-backed services such as the MoneyHelper website and Pension Wise are available to help people understand more about their pensions. People can also use the Pension Tracing Service to locate lost pension pots.
Rap superstars Nicki Minaj, Doja Cat, and 21 Savage have been unveiled as the headliners for Wireless festival.

The three-day event in Finsbury Park will also see J Hus, Future, Rema, Sean Paul and Ice Spice take to the stage in July.

Minaj will return to London to headline on Friday, following the release of her chart-topping album Pink Friday 2.

Also on the line-up that day will be Jamaican rapper Sean Paul, behind classic hits such as Get Busy, Temperature and Breathe, as well as trap star Future, who last played at the festival in 2021 when he brought out Drake as a surprise guest.

21 Savage, who was born in London but raised in Atlanta, Georgia, will treat fans to hits from his third solo record American Dream on Saturday night

He said: Im so happy to be returning home to the UK and headlining Wireless for the very first time.

PHASE 1 NAMES ARE HERE  Phase 2 coming next week @NICKIMINAJ @1future @21savage @jhus @DojaCat Exclusive 48 Hour presales are now LIVE for existing @Barclaycard & @ThreeUK customers until 9AM on Wednesday 31st Jan. Full details can be found via the link in our bio  pic.twitter.com/Y64GUTDkjB  Wireless Festival (@WirelessFest) January 29, 2024

British rapper and Afroswing pioneer J Hus will also perform at the festival that day.

A global star thanks to his blend of UK rap, Afro-beats, dancehall and R&B, he will return home after the release of his third album, Beautiful and Brutal Yard, and hit single Who Told You, featuring Drake.

The festival will close with a performance from Paint The Town Red star Doja Cat, who will also perform a string of shows at the O2 in London in June.

Wireless Festival runs from July 12 to July 14 in Finsbury Park.

Tickets go on general sale at 10am on January 31.
Memorial plaques have been unveiled to commemorate the life of a firefighter who died in the line of duty on the first anniversary of his death.

Barry Martin, 38, died on January 27 2023 after he was critically injured while fighting a large fire at the former Jenners department store in Edinburgh earlier that week.

A Fire Brigades Union (FBU) Red Plaque and a Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) Memorial Plaque were unveiled on Saturday at McDonald Road fire station where the father of two was based.

Members of Mr Martins family, fire service colleagues and representatives from the FBU and SFRS were among those at the private ceremony.

Barry Martin died in January last year (SFRS/PA)

Mr Martins wife Shelley Martin said: Barry Martin was, and will always remain, the heart and soul of our family.

There is nothing right about our profound loss, but what we must do is do right with what we are forced to live with.

That is, living a life without him physically here to have and to hold.

Therefore, what is right is to celebrate our extraordinary Barry, who shines through his beautiful sons Oliver and Daniel, and forever blazes with a ferocious love in our hearts.

We thank everyone who helped us to make this day about our Barry.

Mr Martin was the first Scottish firefighter to die in the line of duty since Ewan Williamson, who died after being injured in Edinburgh in 2009.

Shelley Martin, widow of Barry Martin, with their twin sons Oliver and Daniel at his funeral in Edinburgh (Jane Barlow/PA)

The Red Plaque project is funded by the Firefighters 100 Lottery and creates memorials for firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty across the UK.

Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, said: As we mark one year since he lost his life in the line of duty, Barry Martin and his loved ones will be in the thoughts of firefighters everywhere.

The plaques unveiled in his memory will provide a place of reflection and remembrance for all who knew him, and for future generations of firefighters to pay their respects.

The Fire Brigades Union honours Barrys dedication and bravery. We commemorate his life and work with pride, and we will ensure he is remembered always.

Seona Hart, FBU Scotland treasurer, said: The Red Plaques play an important role for the loved ones of the firefighters they remember, as well as sharing their stories with the community.
Rishi Sunak has set out plans to get rid of disposable vapes to protect childrens health as he faces a backlash from the Tory right over his proposed tobacco sale ban.

During a school visit on Monday, the Prime Minister said he is taking strong action to stamp out youth vaping, following a public consultation on the issue in which almost 70% of respondents were in favour of a ban.

It is already illegal to sell vapes to anyone under 18, but evidence shows disposable vapes  which are cheaper and sold in smaller, more colourful packaging than refillable ones  are driving the rise in youth vaping.

In 2021, only 7.7% of current vapers aged 11 to 17 used disposable vapes, but this increased to 52% in 2022 and 69% in 2023.

Headteachers and parents have expressed concerns over the rise in youth vaping, with data showing 7.6% of 11 to 17-year-olds now vape regularly or occasionally, up from 4.1% in 2020.

Last year, the Government also announced a ban on the sale of cigarettes to anyone born on or after January 1 2009.

This has angered former prime minister Liz Truss, who said on Sunday the move is profoundly unconservative.

She said: 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.

A Conservative Government should not be seeking to extend the nanny state.

The plan forms part of the Governments response to its consultation on smoking and vaping (Nicholas Ansell/PA)

This will only give succour to those who wish to ban further choices of which they dont approve.

The newly-elected National government in New Zealand is already reversing the generational tobacco ban proposed by the previous administration.

The Government urgently needs to follow suit and reverse this profoundly unconservative policy.

Former trade minister Sir Edward Leigh also last year said he would vote against the ridiculous measure.

Mr Sunak has promised MPs a free vote on the plan, calling it a matter of conscience for parliamentarians.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer criticised the delay in abolishing disposable vapes but said we will vote for it and so this measure will go through.

Former prime minister Liz Truss dubbed the move to ban the sale of tobacco products to anyone born on or after January 1 2009 profoundly unconservative (Yui Mok/PA)

Mr Sunak told broadcasters on Monday some people will disagree with me, adding: I dont think theres anything unconservative about caring about our childrens health.

But on smoking, theres been a long tradition in Parliament of these being free votes, which arent party political, people will have their own held views on that, thats the same as its been in the past.

So I respect that some people will disagree with me on this but I think this is the right long-term thing for our country. Smoking causes one in four cancer deaths. Its responsible for a hospital admission every minute.

And if we dont do something about it, hundreds of thousands of people will die in the coming years and I think that we do have a chance to do something about it.

Mr Sunak said the rise in vaping among children is worrying, adding: Children shouldnt be vaping, we dont want them to get addicted, we still dont understand the full long-term health impacts of vaping. So it is right we take strong action to stamp this out.

The ban on disposable vapes will use powers already in place under the Environmental Protection Act and is expected to come into force early next year.

Under the new plans, powers will also be introduced to restrict flavours which are specifically marketed at children and ensure that manufacturers produce plainer packaging and change how vapes are displayed in shops, moving them out of childrens sight.

New 100 fines will also be brought in for shops in England and Wales which sell vapes illegally to children.

Trading standards officers will be given powers to act on the spot to tackle under-age tobacco and vape sales. This builds on a maximum 2,500 fine that local authorities can already impose.

Vaping alternatives  such as nicotine pouches  will also be banned for children.

Some 30 million new funding a year will be provided to bolster enforcement agencies  including Border Force, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and Trading Standards  to implement these measures.

Lynne Neagle, the Welsh Governments deputy minister for mental health and wellbeing, said: We want to take all actions possible to stop young people from starting smoking in the first place, to prevent youth vaping and to tackle the effects single-use vapes are having on our environment.

Jenni Minto, Scotlands public health minister, said: I have worked closely with circular economy minister Lorna Slater on disposable vapes.

These are a threat to both public health and the environment  from litter on our streets, to the risk of fires in waste facilities  thats why we will act on our Programme for Government commitment and move to ban them.

Rishi Sunak has promised MPs a free vote on the plan, calling it a matter of conscience for parliamentarians (Nicholas Ansell/PA)

Health Secretary Victoria Atkins told BBC Radio 4s Today programme on Monday the market around vaping has developed very, very quickly.

She added: What I think has shocked a lot of parents is how cynically the companies have marketed their products towards children and young people through, for example, creating flavours such as bubble gum and candy floss, but also through the very bright colours of the packaging.

And what we want to do is to stop the sale of disposable vapes because we know theyre that much cheaper than reusable vapes, and they are marketed in the way that they are.

Asked what her message to Ms Truss is, she said: Well, this is a big change. We absolutely acknowledge this.

I think its rather like the debate that we had a decade ago about whether adults should be able to smoke in cars with their children.

There was a lot of debate about that. But are we honestly saying now 10-12 years later that we would go back? Of course not.

So to the debate even further back in time to smoking in public places, we wouldnt go back to the days of smoke-filled pubs.

And so this is one of those long-term decisions for the future that the Prime Minister wants to make and the Government is very, very ambitious about.

David Fothergill, chairman of the Local Government Association Community Wellbeing Board, said: Were delighted that the Government has listened to the longstanding concerns of the LGA and councils and are taking decisive action to ban single-use vapes.

The UK Vaping Industry Association said it is dismayed by the ban on disposables which have played a key role in helping millions of adults quit and stay off cigarettes.
Laurence Fox is set to discover the outcome of his High Court libel battle with two people he referred to as paedophiles on social media in a ruling on Monday.

The actor-turned-politician was sued by former Stonewall trustee Simon Blake and drag artist Crystal over a row on Twitter, now known as X, in October 2020.

Mr Fox called Mr Blake and the former RuPauls Drag Race contestant, whose real name is Colin Seymour, paedophiles in an exchange about a decision by Sainsburys to celebrate Black History Month.

The Lewis star  who founded the Reclaim Party  counter-sued the pair and actress Nicola Thorp over tweets accusing him of racism.

Mr Fox said at the time he would boycott Sainsburys, accusing it of promoting racial segregation and discrimination.

Mrs Justice Collins Rice is due to issue her written ruling over the case on Monday.

Nicola Thorp claimed that Laurence Fox had outed himself as a racist (Lauren Hurley/PA)

During a trial in London in November, Mr Fox was described was an alleged intelligent racist with an agenda.

Lorna Skinner KC, representing Mr Blake, Mr Seymour and Ms Thorp, said the trio honestly believed, and continue honestly to believe, that Mr Fox is a racist.

She said the actor has made a number of highly controversial statements about race, adding: If and to the extent that Mr Fox has been harmed in his reputation, it is his own conduct and not the claimants comments on it that caused that harm.

The barrister highlighted several of Mr Foxs social media posts, including a June 2022 tweet of four pride flags arranged in the shape of a swastika.

In his written evidence for the case, Mr Seymour, a Canadian artist, said he had faced overwhelming and distressing abuse after Mr Foxs tweet, adding that he felt less safe as a drag performer.

Mr Blake, now chief executive of Mental Health First Aid England, said the incorrect suggestion that gay men were paedophiles was a trope as old as the hills.

Broadcaster Nicola Thorp claimed that Mr Fox had outed himself as a racist with a tweet calling for a boycott of the supermarket.

She said that any reputational harm Mr Fox suffered was because of what he did, not because of what I said.

Patrick Green KC, representing Mr Fox, told the court neither Mr Blake nor Mr Seymour has suffered any actual, real-world consequences due to the actors tweets.

The barrister said the posts did not cause people to think worse of Mr Blake and Mr Seymour, and that people did not believe they were paedophiles.

Instead, Mr Green said readers would have understood that Mr Foxs posts were a retort to an allegation of racism rather than a factual allegation.

Mr Fox told the court he was horrified when he saw he had been called a racist, which he later described as a career-ending word and a reputation-destroying allegation.

He said his life was destroyed by hurtful racism allegations and he was left unable to get a mortgage.

The actor said he faced a significant decline in the number and quality of roles he was offered after he was accused of being a racist in the social media row.

Mrs Justice Collins is expected to issue her ruling at 3pm.
Rishi Sunaks Rwanda deportation plan is leading the nation down a damaging path, the Archbishop of Canterbury has warned.

In a withering rebuke to the scheme to send asylum seekers who cross the Channel in small boats on a one-way flight to Kigali, the Most Rev Justin Welby accused the Government of outsourcing the countrys legal and moral responsibilities.

The top Anglican cleric also argued a pick-and-choose approach to international law undermined the UKs global standing as he signalled he may seek to block the policy at a later date.

The archbishop was was among some 66 members of the House of Lords listed to speak during the second reading debate of the Governments Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill.

The controversial draft legislation seeks to address the legal challenges which have dogged the plan and gives ministers the power to ignore emergency injunctions.

Speaking during the debate, Mr Welby said: We can, as a nation, do better than this Bill.

With this Bill the Government is continuing to seek good objectives in the wrong way, leading the nation down a damaging path.

He added: We need a wider strategy for refugee policy which involves international co-operation and which equips us for the far greater migration flows, perhaps 10 times greater in the coming decades, as a result of conflict and climate change and poverty. Instead this Bill offers only ad hoc one-off approaches.

Rwanda is a country I know well, it is a wonderful country and my complaint is not with Rwanda, nor with its people. It has overcome challenges that this House cannot begin to imagine.

(PA Graphics)

But this Bill continues, wherever it does it, to outsource our legal and moral responsibilities for refugees and asylum seekers, with other countries far poorer already supporting multitudes more than we are now and to cut back on our aid.

He said: The UK should lead internationally as it has in the past, not stand apart.

A pick-and-choose approach to international law undermines our global standing and offends against the principle of universality that is their increasingly threatened foundation.

Given the Lords was a revising chamber, Mr Welby said sadly he would not back a Liberal Democrat-led move to block the Bill at second reading, although he found the argument made for it convincing and powerful.

He pointedly added: But I think we have to wait until third reading and have done our revising work.

Labour former home secretary Lord Blunkett said: This is nothing to do with finding solutions, it is everything to do to virtue signalling, as you might in quotes put it to a particular part of the electorate and to find scapegoats for Government failure.

The number of migrants who made unauthorised Channel crossings of the Channel this year passed 1,000 after more than 300 made the journey at the weekend (Gareth Fuller/PA)

Opening the debate, Tory frontbencher Lord Stewart of Dirleton said: This Government remains resolute in its commitment to preventing the misuse and evasion of our systems by illegal migrants, stopping these dangerous crossings and addressing the concerns of the British people.

Operationalising the Rwanda scheme is a key part of the Governments efforts to deliver this mission.

He added: Doing nothing is not an option.

Labour frontbencher Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede said: There is a very real problem that needs fixing. This Bill, like its predecessors, will not do that.

Opposing the legislation, Liberal Democrat Lord German said: This Bill asks us to believe that black is white; that facts are not facts. It breaches conventions and treaties to which we are signed up. It damages our credibility on the world stage.

He added: It offends against the rule of law and fundamentally it treats some of the most vulnerable people in the world, people who are facing persecution, torture and fleeing for their lives as undesirables. And for us on these benches that is unconscionable.

Mr Sunaks Safety of Rwanda Bill survived third reading in the Commons after the Prime Minister saw off a rebellion by the Tory right which had sought to toughen the legislation.

In the end just 11 Conservatives voted against the legislation but it faces a bigger test in the Lords, where many members have expressed unease about the plan.

The Prime Minister has urged peers against blocking the will of the people by opposing the Bill as he faces an election year (Ian Forsyth/PA)

The Prime Minister has urged peers against blocking the will of the people by opposing the Bill as he faces an election year having made stopping the boats a key pledge of his leadership.

Meanwhile, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has warned the Bill risks the UK breaching its obligations under international law.

It argued the draft legislation undermines the universality of human rights and in doing so could expose people to harm and breaches of their right to life, their rights to be free from torture and inhuman or degrading treatment and their right to effective remedy.

The number of migrants who made unauthorised Channel crossings of the Channel this year passed 1,000 after more than 300 made the journey at the weekend.

First blood was drawn against the Rwanda policy in the Lords last week, when peers backed by 214 votes to 171 an unprecedented move seeking to delay a treaty with the country which underpins the Governments plan.

The asylum scheme comes with a 290 million bill but a series of legal challenges has meant no flights have taken off since it was first proposed in 2022, when Boris Johnson was in Number 10.

Under the plan, people who cross the Channel in small boats could be removed to Rwanda rather than being allowed to seek asylum in the UK.

The legislation, along with the recently signed treaty with Kigali, is aimed at ensuring the scheme is legally watertight after the Supreme Court ruling against it last year.
Rishi Sunaks proposed Rwanda asylum law has cleared its first major hurdle in the House of Lords, but faces a bruising ride as the Archbishop of Canterbury warned it is leading the nation down a damaging path.

In a withering rebuke to the scheme to send asylum seekers who cross the Channel in small boats on a one-way flight to Kigali, the Most Rev Justin Welby accused the Government of outsourcing the countrys legal and moral responsibilities and signalled he may yet seek to block it.

The top Anglican cleric also argued a pick-and-choose approach to international law undermined the UKs global standing.

A barrage of criticism was levelled at the Governments Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill, during its lengthy second reading debate in the upper chamber, with accusations that it was immoral, repugnant and an attempt to legislate a lie.

It even saw Tory grandee Ken Clarke warn over the risks of moving the UK towards an elective dictatorship.

But ministers argued that the Bill was the moral course and the humane thing to do.

The controversial draft legislation seeks to address the legal challenges which have dogged the stalled policy by compelling judges to regard the east African country as safe, while giving ministers the power to ignore emergency injunctions.

While the Bill survived a Liberal Democrat-led bid to derail it, the unelected chamber is certain to seek numerous changes, putting them on a collision course with the Tory administration and an extended tussle between the Commons and Lords during ping-pong.

The Prime Minister had warned peers against blocking the will of the people by frustrating the passage of the legislation ahead of an election, having made stopping the boats a key pledge of his leadership.

Speaking during the debate, Mr Welby said: We can, as a nation, do better than this Bill.

With this Bill the Government is continuing to seek good objectives in the wrong way, leading the nation down a damaging path.

He added: Rwanda is a country I know well, it is a wonderful country and my complaint is not with Rwanda, nor with its people. It has overcome challenges that this House cannot begin to imagine.

But this Bill continues, wherever it does it, to outsource our legal and moral responsibilities for refugees and asylum seekers, with other countries far poorer already supporting multitudes more than we are now and to cut back on our aid.

He said: The UK should lead internationally as it has in the past, not stand apart.

A pick-and-choose approach to international law undermines our global standing and offends against the principle of universality that is their increasingly threatened foundation.

Given the Lords is a revising chamber, Mr Welby said sadly he would not back the move to block the Bill at second reading, although he found the argument for it convincing and powerful.

He pointedly added: But I think we have to wait until third reading and have done our revising work.

Labour frontbencher Lord Coaker warned the Government over flouting international law.

He said: If we dont think international law matters, what are we doing in Ukraine? What are we doing in the Red Sea with respect to the Houthis?

He added: If international law and conventions dont matter, and you can disregard them when you want, what does that say for the international rules-based order?

(PA Graphics)

Home Office minister Lord Sharpe of Epsom said: Stopping illegal migration is an important issue for both the public and this Government. Parliament and the British people want an end to illegal migration and therefore we need a deterrent.

The Archbishop of Canterbury and other members were right to place this Bill in its moral context but proceeding with this Bill is the moral course.

We must put a stop to the dangerous Channel crossings that are putting lives at risk and we must put an end to this mass trafficking of people to save lives. That is the humane thing to do and it is the fair thing to do.

Meanwhile, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has warned the Bill risks the UK breaching its obligations under international law.

It argued the draft legislation undermines the universality of human rights and in doing so could expose people to harm and breaches of their right to life, their rights to be free from torture and inhuman or degrading treatment and their right to effective remedy.

The number of migrants who made unauthorised Channel crossings of the Channel this year passed 1,000 after more than 300 made the journey at the weekend.

The asylum scheme comes with a 290 million bill but a series of legal challenges has meant no flights have taken off since it was first proposed in 2022, when Boris Johnson was in Number 10.

Under the plan, people who cross the Channel in small boats could be removed to Rwanda rather than being allowed to seek asylum in the UK.

The legislation, along with the recently signed treaty with Kigali, is aimed at ensuring the scheme is legally watertight after the Supreme Court ruling against it last year.
Rishi Sunak has urged Iran to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East after three US troops were killed in a drone strike on a US base in Jordan.

The Prime Minister expressed his concern on Monday about the attack near the Syrian border which has raised fears about an escalating military conflict in the region.

Joe Biden has blamed Iran-backed militias for what were the first US fatalities after months of strikes against US forces since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.

The president has vowed that the US shall respond as Iran-back fighters in eastern Syria reportedly began evacuating their posts fearing air strikes.

At least 34 US troops were also said to have been injured in the strike on the support base known as Tower 22 on Sunday.

Speaking to broadcasters on a trip to the north-east, Mr Sunak said: We are concerned and would urge Iran to continue to de-escalate tensions in the region.

We absolutely condemn what has happened over the past couple of days.

Rishi Sunak condemned the attacks (Ian Forsyth/PA)

My thoughts are with all of those impacted, those who lost their lives, their families and those that are injured.

We stand resolutely with our allies to bring stability and peace to the region. And thats what well continue to work towards.

US officials were working to identify the group behind the attack but have so far assessed that one of several Iranian-aligned groups was responsible.

Downing Street blamed radical Iran-backed militant groups for the strike as it backed the US assessment.

Mr Biden said in a written statement that the US will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner (of) our choosing.

The Prime Ministers official spokesman declined to comment on whether it would back any US reprisals, but said: We will stand with our US allies in our continued and shared fight against terrorism.

He insisted that Britain was working to ensure regional stability and was very alive to the desire for some groups to stoke instability.

Meanwhile, Britain unveiled sanctions against seven Iran-linked individuals said to have played a role in threats to life or assassinations overseas.

Sir Keir Starmer said those behind the drone strike should be held to account but expressed fears about the febrile situation widening.

We strongly condemn 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.  David Cameron (@David_Cameron) January 28, 2024

Speaking during a visit to the north-west, the Labour leader told broadcasters: I am concerned about the possibility of escalation of an already dangerous situation in the Middle East.

So we have to see this in that context and do everything that we can to ensure there isnt escalation of the conflict, and on the contrary, that we find ways to bring this conflict to the immediate end.

US forces have long used Jordan, a kingdom bordering Iraq, Israel, the Palestinian territory of the West Bank, Saudi Arabia and Syria, as a base.

Since Hamas launched its attack on Israel on October 7, Iranian-backed militias have struck American military installations in Iraq more than 60 times.

In Syria, they have struck more than 90 times with drones, rockets, mortars and ballistic missiles.

British destroyer HMS Diamond, stationed in the Red Sea, successfully repelled an attack on Saturday (LPhot Chris Sellars/MoD/Crown Copyright/PA)

Militias have said that their strikes are in retaliation for Washingtons support for Israel in the war in Gaza, and aim to push US forces out of the region.

The US in recent months has hit targets in Iraq, Syria and Yemen in response to attacks on its forces and to diminish the threats from Iranian-backed Houthi rebels to commercial shipping in the Red Sea.

Britain has joined two strikes against the militants in Yemen, though they so far seem to have done little to deter Houthi action.

A British-linked oil tanker went up in flames after a strike claimed by the Yemen-based group on Friday before a further attack on HMS Diamond, the British destroyer stationed in the Red Sea, was successfully repelled.

The Ministry of Defence earlier branded ongoing action by the Houthis as intolerable and illegal and said Britain and its allies reserve the right to respond appropriately.
The UK Government did not use the Covid-19 pandemic to strengthen support for the union, Michael Gove has said, as he argued Scottish ministers diverged on policy to advance their political agenda.

The Levelling Up Secretary told the UK Covid-19 Inquiry as it sits in Edinburgh that language used in WhatsApp messages between former first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, and her then chief of staff, Liz Lloyd, about starting a good old-fashioned rammy with the UK Government showed clear temptation to use the pandemic for political gain.

He said: Some of the language used, the desire to have a good old-fashioned rammy with the UK Government and some of the other language used  does lead me to believe that at that point, there was a desire to pursue differentiation for the sake of advancing a political agenda.

Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove giving evidence to the UK Covid-19 inquiry in Edinburgh (Inquiry/PA)

He added: There are, and were, occasions when the Scottish Government was thinking politically, as we can see, and, of course, it is the case the SNP has a political mission to achieve Scotlands independence, i.e. destroy the United Kingdom and it would be naive not to be aware that highly skilled politicians, including those at the top of the Scottish Government, might well see what they perceive to be political advantage at certain points.

But, I think, its important to note that while that did happen at certain points, the day-to-day management of the pandemic preoccupied them as it did other ministers.

Mr Gove, who served as a Cabinet Office minister during the pandemic, with a focus on intergovernmental relations, told the inquiry the relationship between the UK and the devolved administrations was for the most part constructive in relation to the day-to-day management of the pandemic.

However, counsel to the inquiry Jamie Dawson KC later showed Mr Gove a Government document produced by him entitled state of the union.

It showed the 70% of the surveys respondents believed the Scottish Government were implementing the right pandemic procedures, compared to 27% for the UK Government.

Mr Gove wrote of changing the perception in the report, adding: Theres a real opportunity to outline how being part of the union has significantly reduced the hardship faced by individuals and businesses.

Asked by Mr Dawson if he was setting out a strategy to use the Covid-19 pandemic to strengthen the union, Mr Gove said: I think its the case that Im seeking to make sure that people appreciate the way in which the existence of the United Kingdom and its institutions has enabled us to deal effectively with the Covid pandemic.

He added that the UK Government had to address the appearance it was hiding its light under a bushel.

Later, Mr Gove said the Scottish Government did not want intergovernmental relations to work.

Mr Gove also told the inquiry: I think, almost all of the time decisions were made in the public health benefit of the people of Scotland.

But I think the Scottish Government believed that its handling of these matters was somehow superior to that of the UK Government and that people would appreciate that and be prompted to think how much better might life be if we gave the Scottish Government more powers and moved further down the path to independence.

He also told the inquiry that former finance secretary Kate Forbes had been one of the most constructive ministers in the Scottish Government, but former first minister Nicola Sturgeon was sometimes political in her correspondence with UK counterparts.

He also said former prime minister Boris Johnson was irritated by Ms Sturgeons divergent decision to ban large gatherings shortly after a UK Cobra meeting had concluded.

The inquiry, chaired by Baroness Hallett, continues.
Irelands deputy premier has said the suspension of funding for a relief agency in Gaza could be catastrophic, and added he will raise the issue with other countries.

Tanaiste Micheal Martin said the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) is an essential linchpin and to remove funding during the Israeli offensive in Gaza would be devastating.

Mr Martin said he understood concerns about recent allegations relating to agency employees, but there needed to be a sense of perspective about the number of employees involved.

UNRWA 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 attack on October 7.

The US State Department has said the allegations relate to 12 employees.

The UK, the US, Australia, Italy and Canada temporarily paused funding for UNRWA, which is playing a central role in providing aid for Gazans amid the Israeli offensive in the enclave.

Asked about the funding pause, Mr Martin said: UNRWA is the key humanitarian intervention for decades and ever since the Nakba, as Palestinians would call it.

UNRWA had been supporting Palestinian refugees in Jordan, in the West Bank, in Gaza, for decades now, it is the essential linchpin of economic support, humanitarian support in the form of food, healthcare supports in terms of health centres and hospitals.

When I was in Gaza, it was UNRWA who were supporting the primary school system, and to pull that out now would be catastrophic in the context of a terrible war.

So our impulse is fundamentally a humanitarian impulse, realising the enormity of the UNRWA contribution to basic necessities of life in Gaza. To pull away that now, I think, would be devastating for Gazans and devastating for ordinary people living in Gaza.

I cant understand how we could contemplate it, to be honest, from a humanitarian point of view.

Asked if he would raise the issue during meetings with the UK and the US, Mr Martin said: I will be advocating with whomever I meet, yes, for the restoration of support to UNRWA.

Asked whether it would be raised during St Patricks Day events in March, the foreign affairs minister said: I would hope it will be restored before then.

Mr Martin said he had no issue with the European Union reviewing the situation as long as aid keeps flowing.

I have met Philippe Lazzarini on a number of occasions. He has asked Irelands assistance in the past to endeavour to make UNRWA sustainable into the future from a financial perspective.

I understand the concerns, but I do believe he will deal with it, he will deal with the issues as they have arisen, but in my view, given the size of the organisation  30,000 people altogether in UNRWA, 13,000 working in Gaza  there has to be a sense of perspective in terms of whats been alleged and the numbers involved.

He said what happened on October 7 was a heinous, appalling act of inhumanity, but people in Gaza are starving and children are being killed.

We want the violence to stop, we want a humanitarian ceasefire. But above all, when we met with the Arab states last week at the Foreign Affairs Council, they repeatedly said to us at the end, Can you get more trucks in, we just need aid, we need help.

Asked if Ireland has made any decisions on whether to join South Africas case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, he said he would need to brief opposition parties in Ireland.

I have been briefed preliminarily by my own legal team here in the department and this is complex. Its not at all simple  were talking about the International Court of Justice, were talking about the Genocide Convention and I will discuss this with all of the opposition parties because they need to be apprised, I think, of what actually is involved here.

Weve also been in touch with the South African government officials as well. They met with our officials in The Hague, they havent filed any substantive case yet and there are indications it will take some months for them to do that.

The fundamental point with intervention is the basis upon which one intervenes in a case of this magnitude and gravity, so theres a lot of work to be done yet. We will engage with the opposition parties.
A drone attack on a base in Jordan killed three American troops Sunday, with President Joe Biden blaming Iran-backed militants and vowing to hold the perpetrators to account.

It is the first time American military personnel have been killed by hostile fire in the Middle East since the start of Israel's war with Iran-backed Hamas, and the incident will further raise tensions in the region and fuel fears of a broader conflict directly involving Tehran.

"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 on the attack, pledging to hold "all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner of our choosing."

Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were briefed Sunday afternoon on the attack by several cabinet-level national security officials, the White House said.

Speaking later in the day at a South Carolina church banquet center, the president doubled down on his pledge of reprisals.

"We shall respond," the president told the attendees, after holding a moment of silence for the U.S. troops killed in the attack.

U.S. Central Command put the number of wounded from the attack near the Syrian border at 25, and said the identities of those killed will be withheld pending notification of their families.

Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri called the attack "a message to the American administration that unless the killing of innocent people in Gaza stops, it may be faced with the entire (Muslim) nation."

"The continuation of the American-Zionist aggression on Gaza risks a regional explosion," Abu Zuhri said.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said he was "outraged and deeply saddened" by the deaths and injuries.

Jordanian government spokesman Muhannad Mubaidin meanwhile expressed his country's "condolences to the United States for the victims of the attack," which he said caused no Jordanian military casualties.

The escalating Middle East conflict poses a challenge to Biden in an election year, with various Republican politicians seeking to use the deadly attack to score political points, including former president Donald Trump, who described the situation as a "consequence of Joe Biden's weakness and surrender."

U.S. and allied forces in Iraq and Syria have been targeted in more than 150 attacks since mid-October, according to the Pentagon, and Washington has carried out retaliatory strikes in both countries.

Many of the attacks on U.S. personnel have been claimed by the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a loose alliance of Iran-linked armed groups that oppose U.S. support for Israel in the Gaza conflict.

On Sunday, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq said it targeted U.S. personnel with drones at three locations in Syria, including two bases near where the borders of Iraq, Syria and Jordan meet.

The latest round of the Israel-Hamas conflict began when the Palestinian militant group carried out a shock attack on Oct. 7 that resulted in about 1,140 deaths, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of official figures.

Following the attack, the United States rushed military aid to Israel, which has carried out a relentless military offensive that has killed at least 26,422 people in Gaza, most of them women and children, according to the Gaza health ministry.

Those deaths have sparked widespread anger across the region and stoked violence involving Iran-backed groups in Lebanon, Iraq and Syria as well as Yemen.

The Lebanon portion of the conflict has been limited to near daily exchanges of fire between Hezbollah and Israel, but American forces are directly involved in Iraq and Syria, as well as in Yemen.

Yemen's Iran-backed Huthi rebels have carried out more than two months of attacks on shipping, saying they were hitting Israeli-linked vessels in support of Palestinians in Gaza.

The United States and Britain have responded with two rounds of joint strikes against the Huthis, while American forces have also carried out unilateral air raids against the rebels, who have also declared U.S. and U.K. interests to be legitimate targets.

The growing violence in multiple parts of the Middle East has raised fears of a broader regional conflict directly involving Iran  a worst-case scenario that Washington is desperately seeking to avoid. (AFP)
Students choosing between school lunch options in Pembroke, NC. The Washington Post

Arby's Foundation is alleviating student lunch debt for tens of thousands of students across the US.

It has already committed to wiping the debt of 7,413 students in Georgia.

An estimated 30.4 million students across the US have student lunch debts.

The Arby's Foundation has committed $1 million to wipe the lunch debt burden for tens of thousands of students across the US, including 7,413 students in Georgia.

The nonprofit announced that students in four metro Atlanta public school districts, will get their outstanding lunch debts paid off with a $203,534 donation, said a Good Morning America report.

The remaining $800,000 will be allocated to schools across the country, seeking to help an estimated 47,000 students.

Rita Patel, Arby's brand president, said the foundation is committed to ensuring reliable access to meals for children, addressing childhood hunger nationwide, and supporting communities.

An estimated 30.4 million students have student lunch debts, totaling a combined debt of $262 million per year, according to the Education Data Initiative.

Amid COVID-19, Congress made school lunches free and universal for two years. The school lunch provisions were part of the pandemic-era stimulus.

The switch away from universal free lunches has been a challenge for some parents. They need to prove they qualify for free and reduced-price lunches.

Some families who don't qualify can't afford to buy school meals, Business Insider's Juliana Kaplan reported in 2022.

An elementary school in Ohio came under fire last year when it excluded indebted children from buying ice cream on "Ice Cream Friday."

Kids with outstanding school lunch debt were prohibited from buying ice cream even if they came with the necessary $1.

The debt problem persists despite legislative efforts such as the School Lunch Debt Cancellation Act of 2023.

Last year, in collaboration with actress and comedian Tiffany Haddish, Arby's cleared student lunch fees in Boardman, Ohio, where the fast-food restaurant chain originated in 1964.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Two people are in custody in connection with the abandonment of a newborn girl who was found behind dumpsters at a Mississippi mobile home park, authorities said.

The two people were arrested Friday afternoon, the Marshall County Sheriffs Office said on Facebook. Authorities did not provide further details on who they were but noted that the newborn remained in good condition and is recovering at a hospital.

The sheriff's office said the baby was discovered around 7:00 p.m. local time Wednesday. She was bundled up in several blankets and in a car seat behind dumpsters at the Grove of Cayce mobile home park in Marshall County, about 35 miles southeast of Memphis near the Tennessee border.

The baby was transported to Le Bonheur Children's Hospital in Memphis in good condition, authorities said.

"We would like to thank you for your help, support and prayers for this little girl," the sheriff's office said on Facebook.

The incident spurred discussion of Safe Haven laws with some community members calling for more publicity on safe surrenders and baby boxes. A spokesperson with Le Bonheur Children's Hospital declined to comment on the ongoing investigation but cited Tennessees Safe Haven law  which allows mothers to surrender unharmed newborns to designated facilities within two weeks of birth without fear of being prosecuted, according to the state's Department of Children's Services and WREG-TV.

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Every state has a Safe Haven law

All 50 states in addition to the the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico have enacted a Safe Haven law, according to the Child Welfare Information Gateway. Safe Haven laws provide a way for a person to safely relinquish an unharmed newborn without any risk of prosecution.

But the laws do vary from state to state. In most states, either parent may surrender their baby to a Safe Haven location, according to the Child Welfare Information Gateway.

"Approximately seven states require parents to relinquish their infants only to a hospital, emergency medical services provider, or health-care facility," the Child Welfare Information Gateway states. "In 32 states, Guam, and Puerto Rico, fire stations also are designated as safe haven providers. Personnel at police stations or other law enforcement agencies may accept infants in 27 states and Puerto Rico."

While Safe Haven laws generally allow parents to remain anonymous, meaning some states won't compel them to reveal their identity, the process is not entirely anonymous.

According to Monica Kelsey, founder of Safe Haven Baby Boxes, it can be considered abandonment if a parent does not directly hand their child to an employee at a Safe Haven location. In 2018 and 2019, authorities investigated two cases in Kentucky and Louisiana where babies were left outside a fire station and a hospital.

A parent may also be asked to voluntarily fill out paperwork on the child's medical history or provide any other relevant information to the Safe Haven location. Once the child is deemed unharmed, the parent is able to leave.

'I instantly fell in love': Florida firefighter adopts baby found in Safe Haven Baby Box

Some states have anonymous Safe Haven Baby Boxes

After learning she was abandoned as an infant, Kelsey founded Safe Haven Baby Boxes to educate others on Safe Haven laws and help mothers who want to stay completely anonymous, according to the non-profit organization.

"The Safe Haven Baby Box takes the face-to-face interaction out of the surrender and protects the mother from being seen," the organization states.

Currently, 15 states have baby box locations, according to the organization. In Arizona, Banner Hospital introduced baby drawers, which are a similar device.

Baby boxes are devices typically installed at fire stations and hospitals that parents can use to surrender their babies. These boxes are accessible from the outside of buildings and are equipped with silent alarms that will alert personnel after a box is opened.

The boxes automatically lock once a baby is placed inside and the door is closed, according to Safe Haven Baby Boxes. The boxes also have cooling and heating features to keep the child safe until personnel arrives, which is usually in less than 2 minutes.

Contributing: Rasha Ali, USA TODAY; The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2 in custody after newborn baby found behind dumpsters in Mississippi
JUBA, South Sudan (AP)  Gunmen attacked villagers in the oil-rich region of Abyei claimed by both Sudan and South Sudan, leaving at least 52 people dead, including a U.N. peacekeeper, and 64 wounded, a regional official said Sunday.

The motive for the attack Saturday evening was not immediately clear but it was suspected to revolve around a land dispute, Bulis Koch, Abyei information minister, told The Associated Press in a telephone interview from Abyei.

Deadly ethnic violence has been common in the region, where Twic Dinka tribal members from neighboring Warrap State are locked in a land dispute with Ngok Dinka from Abyei over the Aneet area, located at the border.

The attackers in Saturdays violence were armed youth from the Nuer tribe who migrated to Warrap state last year because of flooding in their areas, Koch said.

In a statement, the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) condemned the violence that killed the peacekeeper.

UNIFSA confirmed intercommunal clashes took place in the Nyinkuac, Majbong and Khadian areas leading to casualties and the evacuation of civilians to UNISFA bases.

The UNISFA base in Agok came under attack by an armed group. The mission repelled the attack, but tragically a Ghanaian peacekeeper was killed, the statement said.

Sudan and South Sudan have disagreed over control of the Abyei region since a 2005 peace deal ended decades of civil war between Sudans north and south. Both Sudan and South Sudan claim ownership of Abyei, whose status was unresolved after South Sudan became independent from Sudan in 2011.

The regions majority Ngok Dinka people favor South Sudan, while the Misseriya nomads who come to Abyei to find pasture for their cattle favor Sudan. Currently, the region is under the control of South Sudan.

An African Union panel proposed a referendum for Abyei but there was disagreement over who could vote. Currently, the region is under the control of South Sudan.

Inter-communal and cross-border clashes have escalated since South Sudan deployed its troops to Abyei in March.
By Ricardo Brito and Lisandra Paraguassu

BRASILIA (Reuters) -Carlos Bolsonaro, a son of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, was targeted by federal police raids on Monday in an investigation into suspected illegal spying on political foes during his father's term, two sources familiar with the matter said.

Federal police, who are investigating accusations of illegal monitoring of citizens by the Brazilian Intelligence Agency (Abin) during Bolsonaro's 2019-22 administration, served search and seizure warrants against Carlos, according to the sources.

A police statement said eight warrants were being served in Brasilia, Rio de Janeiro and two other cities to identify "the main recipients and beneficiaries of information illegally produced by Abin through clandestine actions."

The operation was the closest police probes have come to the far-right Bolsonaro, who has been declared ineligible for office until 2030 for abuse of power and misuse of the media when president.

Son Carlos, a city councillor in Rio, was essentially Bolsonaro's propaganda minister and ran an office inside the presidential palace suspected of putting out fake news against his father's political adversaries and authorities that opposed his actions. Carlos has denied running a fake news operation.

Now he is being investigated for allegedly using data collected by the Abin agency through an Israeli software called First Mile used to track the location of private cellphones, a federal police source told Reuters.

Asked if information received by Carlos from the spy agency was used to feed fake news against government opponents, the senior police officer said: "Possibly. Let's delve deeper into this now."

Carlos is already a target of an investigation opened by the Supreme Court for allegedly leading a fake news operation from the presidential office dubbed the "cabinet of hatred."

Last week, federal police launched raids targeting former Abin head and congressman Alexandre Ramagem, a Bolsonaro loyalist planning to run for mayor of Rio de Janeiro, as part of the probe.

Ramagem is suspected of using the spyware to track political opponents. He has denied wrongdoing.

Supreme Court documents unsealed on Thursday showed that the spy agency is accused of illegal surveillance on at least three Supreme Court justices and a former Lower House speaker during Bolsonaro's presidency.

(Reporting by Lisandra Paraguassu and Ricardo Brito; Writing by Gabriel Araujo and Anthony Boadle; Editing by Steven Grattan, Andrew Cawthorne and Nick Macfie)
Two elderly people in South Carolina were found dead in a bedroom during a wellness check last week, with police saying that the home's heater had reached 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit  so hot the victims' bodies had exceeded 106 degrees.

In a police report obtained by CBS News, an officer said that he went to their residence on Jan. 6 to conduct a wellness check after their family had not heard from them in three days. Officers had to enter the home through the bedroom window, at which point the pair  84-year-old Joan Littlejohn and 82-year-old Glennwood Fowler  were found dead in their bed. There were no signs of a struggle or foul play.

The responding officer said they "noticed the residence was extremely hot" as soon as they entered. And when medics went to obtain the victims' body temperatures, he recorded each at over 106 degrees Fahrenheit  the highest his device would register.

According to Mayo Clinic, the average body temperature should range between 97 degrees and 99 degrees Fahrenheit. If the core body temperature surpasses 104 degrees, individuals "need immediate cooling and urgent medical attention."

When the fire department arrived, they found that the interior temperature of the house was over 120 degrees  after the residence had been open to the cold weather "for about 20 minutes," the police report says.

"They then checked the basement of the residence where the heater and hot water heater were located," the police report states. "One firefighter stated the heater was so hot it looked as if the basement was currently on fire."

After deactivating the heater, they found that the temperature of the heater measured at over 1,000 degrees.

Spartanburg Coroner Rusty Clevenger said his office is "concerned with why the temperature was so high" in the house," but that no foul play was detected. Carbon dioxide levels in the house were not of concern, police said, and the coroner said that his office "will continue to investigate."

Upon speaking to the victims' family, the responding officer learned that hot water heater and heater "both were out and the residence was getting too cold" the last day the family saw the pair. The family ended up "fiddling" with the hot water heater, and family members left the home.

Mysterious deaths of three Kansas City Chiefs fans who froze to death outside friend's home

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In a rare change of pace, tax legislation passed out of the Ways and Means Committee last week with overwhelming, bipartisan support. In a more common turn of events, it may not get much further thanks to a small group of passionate, but misled lawmakers known as the "SALT Caucus."

This coterie of 33 members hail from states with high income tax ratesCalifornia, Connecticut, Maryland, and Minnesotawhere the Caucuss stated mission is to make life more affordable for middle-class families.

That's a laudable aim, but their method of achieving it is backward.

Instead of advocating for the reform of burdensome income taxes in their own states, SALT Caucus members are holding federal tax relief hostage just to undo a 2017 law that capped the amount of state and local taxes (SALT) mostly well-off taxpayers could deduct from their federal tax bills.

Leading up to 2017, many high-tax states could get away with keeping their taxes high in part because itemizing taxpayers could write off their state and local tax bills when filing with Uncle Sam. By placing a $10,000 cap on the SALT deduction, the tax code became more neutral. An autoworker in Michigan no longer had to foot the bill for a hedge fund manager in New Jersey to write off his state tax bill. Despite the SALT Caucus claims that the 2017 reforms raised taxes on their constituents, overall, the law reduced tax burdens for the vast majority of taxpayersincluding many affected by the cap.

These were prudent changes. Yet the SALT Caucus continues to wage battle against congressional tax writers while seemingly ignoring what is occurring back home.

Tax hikes in many of these states continue to emerge. California recently raised its top marginal tax rate on wage income to 14.4%, the highest in the nation. Meanwhile, people are leaving the coasts for more tax-friendly jurisdictions. Data show states like New Jersey and Illinois are consistently in a net loss position for interstate migration decisions.

If members of the SALT Caucus are interested in providing tax relief to their constituents, theyd be better served lobbying state tax writers in Albany or Sacramento. Because if they look closer at state-level trends, theyd recognize their states are missing out on the ongoing revolution in state tax policy.

Many states are taking advantage of the revenue surpluses that emerged from the pandemic by lowering personal income tax rates for their workers. If your state tax bill gets reduced, the SALT cap immediately becomes less meaningful. Of the 43 states that tax income, 25 have adopted rate cuts since 2021. While many factors influence where a family decides to buy a home or where an entrepreneur opts to open a business, the evidence continues to show that taxes matter.

The SALT Caucus House members need to consider the trade-offs of their policy decisions. The bill from the Ways and Means Committee is not perfect, but Tax Foundation modeling finds the near-term effects would boost after-tax incomes for all taxpayers while remaining roughly revenue neutral. Meanwhile, eliminating the SALT cap would largely benefit only the top 20% of taxpayers while potentially adding $226 billion to the debt. Elected members should not be holding even imperfect tax legislation hostage over an issue that the federal tax code is not meant to fix.

The 2017 tax reform was also imperfect, but it brought tax relief to millions of Americans and has supported business investment and hiring across the country. The current bill would address some of those imperfections, but the real challenge for lawmakers will arrive next year when tax rates will go up for practically everyone if Congress fails to act.

The SALT Caucus and other special interest factions in Congress should avoid disrupting opportunities for meaningful, pro-growth changes to the tax code. A well-designed tax code requires lawmakers to think long-term and nationally, rather than parochially. Criticisms of this legislation should be aimed at finding ways to make its best components permanent. But if lawmakers acquiesce to the demands of the SALT Caucus and use the federal tax code to bail out bad state tax decisions, it will represent a failure of sound tax policy.

Daniel Bunn is president and CEO of the Tax Foundation, a nonpartisan research organization in Washington, D.C.

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Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley was confronted during a Sunday rally by a protestor, who urged the White House hopeful against more wars as she called for greater sanctions on Iran amid the increased tensions in the Middle East.

Haley, speaking to a rally in Conway, S.C., on Sunday, called out the White Houses loosening of sanctions on Iran and suggested the administrations weak leadership has contributed to the recent attacks on U.S. forces and coalitions by Iranian-backed groups or proxies.

And then he [Biden] just continued to be weak. When have we ever let men and women sit and take strikes like that? And do nothing to stop to stop it? Hes done nothing, said Haley, a former United Nations ambassador. Hes got to put the sanctions back on. Hes got to stop trying to get into an Iran deal that doesnt help us and hes got to start making sure that we show American strength. Thats the only way we will get that done.

Haley was referencing the drone strike the previous day in Jordan that killed three U.S. troops and injured at least 25 other U.S. service members.

The strike was carried out by radical Iran-backed militant groups on Saturday, President Biden announced Sunday. Calling the strike a One-Way Suicide Drone Attack on a Patrol Base, the Pentagon confirmed it occurred near the Syrian and Iraqi border in northeastern Jordan.

A man toward the front of the audience then stood up, and shouted, No new wars.  Im done with the military-industrial complex.

Haley responded, None of us want new wars.

The man then appeared to say, Were sick of the wars; we want America first, before chatter spread among the crowd. The man then ripped up a sign and was escorted out of the rally.

Several audience members booed the man as he was escorted out of the rally.

You know, dont be offended by that. Because my husband and every military member sacrifices every day for his right to do that, Haley said, before turning the conversation toward China.

Before the interaction, Haley referenced Irans ties to groups involved in ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, including the militant Palestinian group Hamas, which is fighting a war against Israel in Gaza. She also referenced Hezbollah, a Lebanon-based Shia Islamic organization, and Yemens Houthi rebel group, which has waged several attacks against commercial shipping vessels in the Red Sea.

When I was at the U.N., we passed the largest set of sanctions we decimated the Iran deal, we pulled out of it, Haley said. We emptied their coffers, there would be no cash. There would no Hamas without Iran, there would be no Hezbollah without Iran, there wouldnt be the Houthis without Iran. Without Iran, there wouldnt be these proxies in Iraq and Syria. Or the ones that hit those military men and women and Jordan, without Iran.

Biden came under fire Sunday following the drone strikes in Jordan by several Republican lawmakers who argued the president has not done enough to deter attacks from Iranian proxies. These attacks on U.S. bases and forces in the Middle East have ramped up since Israels war with Hamas began in early October and have further fueled concerns of a widening conflict in the region.

Later in the rally, Haley was discussing boosting Americas military, prompting another protestor to stand up from the crowd. It was not immediately clear what the protestor said to Haley, but they were quickly escorted out of the rally.

Yall, dont let it bother you. Thats what Trump does. He does disruption. Thats the only way he thinks he can win by planting people like this. I think were getting under his skin, just saying.  I dont know, Haley said.

The Hill reached out to Haley and Trumps campaign for further comment.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
You're bound to fall in love with them all.

Shutterstock/Allrecipes

Conversation hearts, those chalky Valentines Day staples, were invented in 1902. Yes, they have progressed with the times in the form of the now-sold-out Sweethearts Situationship Boxes, but that doesnt make them taste any better. Now theres a far more enticing way to send an edible message to your love.



On Monday, Jan. 29, Krispy Kreme enters the amorous conversation with its all-new Dough-Notes Collection. The four flavors of heart-shaped doughnuts come in a box designed to be decorated with personalized messages of love, lust, or, if necessary, confusion. Because what says "I love you" better than a box of sweets for your sweet?



Krispy Kreme

Krispy Kremes New Dough-Notes Collection

Whether you choose to give your heart-shaped doughnuts to a loved one or enjoy them all to yourself, chances are that youll be compelled by the appealing limited-edition flavors.

Krispy Kreme

You Color My Word Doughnut

Dipped in cherry-red icing and dotted with heart and rainbow sprinkles, the Kreme filling in this doughnut is cake batter flavored for extra indulgence.

I Love You a Choco-Lot Doughnut

Living up to its name, this doughnut is both chocolate-dipped and chocolate-filled, the key to many a heart. Its also one of the prettiest in the bunch, piped with a long-stemmed red rose.

You're Berry Sweet Doughnut

This one is bursting with a classic white Kreme filling and is dipped in pink, strawberry-flavored icing. Half of the heart is decorated with red sprinkles and a white heart, for a zippy asymmetrical look.

Without You I'd Crumble Doughnut

A doughnut for the cookie lovers. The top is completely covered in chocolate chip cookie crumbles, held in place with chocolate icing. Inside, cookie dough Kreme icing doubles the pleasure.



Where To Get Krispy Kremes New Doughnuts

Dont live near a Krispy Kreme? Your paramour isnt completely out of luck. Participating stores including locations of Walmart, Kroger, Food Lion, Publix, and Stater Brothers will all carry six-packs filled with You Color My World, I Love You a Choco-Lot, and Chocolate Iced with Valentines Sprinkles Doughnuts. Theyll be delivered fresh to the stores daily through Valentines Day.



Krispy Kreme is encouraging customers to share their personalized Dough-Notes compositions with the world by using #KrispyKreme and tagging @krispykreme on social media. What will yours say?



Read the original article on All Recipes.
Turkish authorities have captured two gunmen who shot one person dead on Sunday during a service at a church in Istanbul and who are believed to be tied to Islamic State, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said.

Yerlikaya had earlier said that the attack, which Ankara condemned, took place around 08:40 a.m. at the Italian Santa Maria Catholic Church in Istanbul's Sariyer district, and that one Turkish citizen  who was targeted by the gunmen  was killed while attending the service.

Speaking to reporters later, Yerlikaya said authorities had carried out raids on more than 30 locations across Istanbul and detained 47 people until now. The suspects were captured in one of the last raids, he said.

"Both of the suspects are foreign nationals. One of them is from Tajikistan and the other is Russian, and we evaluated them to be with Islamic State," Yerlikaya said, adding they would be questioned about the attack.

Earlier, Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement on Telegram, saying it was in response to a call by the group's leaders to target Jews and Christians.

CCTV footage from inside of the church, verified by Reuters, showed the masked gunmen entering the building and shooting the man who was walking in front of them. The CCTV footage shows the men leaving almost immediately afterwards.

President Tayyip Erdogan called the church's priest to offer his condolences and support, his office said, publishing a video of the call.

Pope Francis conveyed his condolences over the attack after his weekly Angelus prayer.

"I express my closeness to the community of Saint Mary Draperis Church in Istanbul that suffered an armed attack during mass that caused one death," he said.

Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni said on X that Italy's foreign ministry was following updates on the "despicable act" and condemned it.

Islamic State has conducted numerous attacks across Turkey, including on a nightclub in Istanbul on Jan. 1, 2017, in which 39 people were killed.

Yerlikaya said Turkish authorities had detained 2,086 people suspected of ties to Islamic State during 1,046 operations since June 2023, and that 529 people had been arrested. (Reuters)
Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, left; signatures of former President Donald Trump and former first lady Melania Trump appear on their individual tax returns, center; Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, right. AP Photo (from l to r: Pablo Martinez Monsivais/Jon Elswick/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Charles Littlejohn confessed to leaking Donald Trump's tax returns.

Federal investigators were not aware he was the leaker, new reporting from The Wall Street Journal reveals.

The investigators had focused on Littlejohn for a separate leak involving billionaires Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk.

The man who leaked Donald Trump's tax returns nearly evaded federal investigators entirely, only getting caught when he was targeted as the suspect for another leak of ultrawealthy Americans' financial information, The Wall Street Journal reported.

IRS contractor Charles Littlejohn pleaded guilty in October to one count of taking tax return information without authorization. On two separate occasions, Littlejohn provided tax documents belonging to Trump, Jeff Bezos, and Elon Musk to two news organizations.

Littlejohn initially provided The New York Times with 20 years of Donald Trump's tax returns in 2019, which the news organization published a story about in September 2020.

Federal investigators looking into how the information got into reporters' hands came up short partly due to Littlejohn's technical skills , The Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter. Per the Journal, investigators were unsure if the returns were revealed through a government leak or from someone outside the government who had access to the documents.

That investigation was put to the side due to insufficient concrete information. Later, investigators began looking into a separate incident involving ProPublica , which published dozens of articles in 2021 on the tax returns of uber-wealthy Americans like Amazon's Bezos and SpaceX CEO Musk .

The amount of information that ProPublica received, which included tax information from thousands of people, indicated to investigators an internal leak from the IRS had occurred, the Journal reported. From there, investigators began combing through employee and contractor search data to see if there were unusual queries that did not align with their specified job descriptions, the Journal reported, citing those same unnamed people.

The Journal reported that these searches weren't fruitful, but investigators eventually had an unspecified breakthrough in their hunt and focused on Littlejohn. The contractor confessed to leaking the data provided to ProPublica  and to The Times, as well.

The DOJ and attorneys for Littlejohn did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent by Business Insider outside regular business hours.

Littlejohn is set to be sentenced on Monday for a single count of taking tax return information without authorization, as the statute of limitations had passed related to the 2019 leak of Trump's returns. Republican lawmakers, incensed about the leaks, are demanding that Littlejohn receive a maximum sentence of five years in prison. Prosecutors are also seeking a maximum sentence . Meanwhile, attorneys for Littlejohn have argued that the maximum would be an "extreme" punishment, the Journal reported.

The bombshell reports provided by the Times and ProPublica based on Littlejohn's leaks revealed that ultrawealthy Americans received massive tax breaks and skirted rules to receive financial benefits.



Trump's tax returns showed the former president paid just $750 in federal income taxes in 2016 and 2017. Bezos's returns showed that in 2007 and again in 2011, he paid nothing in federal income taxes. Musk's tax returns showed he paid $455 million in taxes on $1.52 billion in income between 2014 and 2018.

The financial dealings of the ultrawealthy have long been the subject of intense scrutiny. However, few public figures have been subject to as much public interest as former president Trump, who is currently battling an investigation related to his New York business fraud case.

On Friday, a letter written by former federal judge Barbara Jones, the court-appointed special monitor overseeing the fraud case, appeared to indicate that Trump may have engaged in massive tax evasion by claiming he owed more than $48 million in debt to one of his companies  but the loan never existed.

Read the original article on Business Insider
A New York City woman previously taken for a psychiatric evaluation after police said they found human remains including a man's head in a taped up refrigerator in her home was due in court Monday after being arrested in connection to the grisly discovery.

Heather Stines, 45, of Brooklyn, is charged with concealment of a human corpse after body parts were discovered at her apartment in the city's in East Flatbush neighborhood in the city's southeast area, a New York City Police Department spokesperson confirmed to USA TODAY on Monday.

According to police, officers responded to the home for a welfare check just after 7 p.m. on Jan 22 and "observed an unconscious and unresponsive unidentified male inside the apartment."

Paramedics pronounced the man dead on scene, police said, and as of Monday, the New York City' medical examiner's office had not yet determined the man's cause of death, a police spokesperson told USA TODAY.

The case also remained active, police said, and remained under investigation.

Human remains found in freezer: Police investigating homicide after human remains found in freezer of Colorado home

Victim identified through fingerprints as Kawsheen Gelzer

Officials confirmed the victim was identified by the medical examiner through fingerprints as Kawsheen Gelzer.

Online records show Gelzer was age 40 when he died and was a registered sex offender.

'Without ventilation and without water': Man opens emergency exit door on plane, walks out onto wing before takeoff

A tip, a welfare check and an arrest

Police have not yet said how long they believe the body had been in the fridge.

Officers initially responded to a tip from someone who said they saw what appeared to be a human head in a black bag in the refrigerator of Stines' home, according to court records and information obtained by the New York Times and the Associated Press.

USA TODAY has requested the police report from the Kings County Criminal Court clerk's office, where online records show it was filed.

New York Police Department (NYPD) officers are seen in April 2023 in the city. Police said they found human remains including a man's head in a taped up refrigerator in a woman's Brooklyn home on Jan. 22, 2024. Heather Stines, 45, is charged with concealment of a human corpse after body parts were discovered at her apartment in the city's in East Flatbush neighborhood.

When officers visited Stines' home, the Associated Press reported, they found multiple black bags in the refrigerator and freezer full of body parts.

"The refrigerator was taped shut at the time," Joseph E. Kenny, NYPD chief of detectives, said after the find the Times reported and  according to the police report, Stines pleaded with the officers not to open it."

According to police, Stines told detectives the body had been in the fridge "for several months" and belonged to a man who her husband had an argument with over drugs in September, the Times reported. The woman allegedly told investigators her husband killed the man and put his body in their refrigerator.

Two days after the body was found, on Jan. 24, police said they arrested Stines in connection to the finding.

After her arrest, Stine was taken for a psychiatric evaluation at a local hospital then was later booked into jail.

So far no other arrests made in case

As of Monday, police told USA TODAY no other arrests had been made in the case.

The suspect's 79-year-old aunt, Aime Stines, told the Times her niece moved to New York City around eight years ago after her father died and had "a history of drug use but never appeared to be violent."

There is no way  I couldnt believe it, Stines told the Times she recalled after her nieces arrest. Heather was always smiling and talking. She has this voice where she talks so fast that I can hardly understand her. She always seemed happy.

A $50,000 bond and a not guilty plea

Court records show Stines pleaded not guilty to the charge in Brooklyn Criminal Court on Jan. 25 and was set to reappear in court Monday in connection to the case.

Records also show Stines remained in custody on $50,000 bond on Monday.

USA TODAY has reached out to Stines' attorney.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Heather Stines charged after man's head, remains found in fridge
The Oscar winner certainly wasn't acting when he slurped up the oyster on camera

Michael Douglas / Instagram Michael Douglas eats a large oyster in an Instagram clip

Michael Douglas is showing off a new talent more than five decades into his career!

The Oscar-winning actor, 79, shared a clip of himself on Saturday devouring what he described as "the biggest oyster I have ever seen" in just 20 seconds.

The Instagram video, filmed by his son Dylan Douglas, showed the Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania star as he held up the massive mollusk for the camera and began to down it without much hesitation.

After giving the camera a nod, Douglas puckered up and began to slurp and wince, chewing on the oyster for his son's enjoyment. He then can be heard saying something along the lines of the oyster being "good" with a full mouth.

"That was good," Dylan, 23, responded as his dad set the shell down on his plate. "Cheers!"

Related: Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas Celebrate 23rd Wedding Anniversary: 'May Our Dance Never End'

Douglas captioned the video, "What can I say. ," as several friends and fans alike left both congratulatory  and silly  messages in the comment section.

"No dialogue needed," wrote filmmaker Romani Flaminia. "The enjoyment can be seen through your eyes."

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Douglas' oyster-eating performance comes after his wife, Catherine Zeta-Jones, shared a handful of family snaps on Instagram in December. The couple and their kids enjoyed a vacation together in India over the holidays.

"Selfie stick silliness," Zeta-Jones captioned the photos, which captured her spending quality time with Dylan and his sister, Carys, 20.

The actress, 54, previously celebrated her and her husband's 23rd wedding anniversary in November, writing on Instagram: "Today we celebrate 23 years of marriage. Darling Michael, your Nobel Peace Prize awaits."



For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.
By Melanie Burton and Katya Golubkova

MELBOURNE/TOKYO (Reuters) - Australia's resources minister has begun a week long trip to South Korea and Japan to discuss gas exports and critical minerals opportunities, as its government on Monday released a "prospectus" of 52 investment ready critical minerals projects.

The resources-rich nation is seeking investment from allies in projects to develop minerals critical to green energy and at risk of supply chain disruption, spanning rare earths processing to various cobalt and nickel producing mines and plants.

"Australia's critical minerals are key to the world's energy transformation," said Minister Madeleine King in a statement.

"But we need to attract investment to get these minerals out of the ground, to process them here, to build the batteries, wind turbines and solar panels required make the switch to a lower carbon economy," she said.

King will be meeting Japan's trade minister Ken Saito, and South Korean trade and energy minister Duk-geun Ahn, she said in a statement.

The minister is also expected to engage her counterparts on natural gas as Australia develops its future gas policy, given both nations are large customers of the major exporter.

"As Australians ... we can't ignore the role we need to play in providing for the energy security of large economies like Japan, and also others like (South) Korea and China as well as Singapore ... the Philippines as well as Malaysia," King told reporters in Tokyo.

The push for investment comes amid a global downturn in prices for electric vehicle battery materials lithium and nickel, which have been hit by slower-than-expected electric vehicle uptake. For nickel, a flood of Indonesian supply has also hit prices.

Already this year, a string of Australian nickel projects have been iced, including part of BHP's operations in the state of Western Australia. More are expected as miners report production this week.

King spent last week meeting industry leaders at several round tables in the country's resources heartland of Western Australia state amid announcements of closures and job cuts.

She pledged support for the sector and said she was determined to ensure Australian miners could compete with cheaper but lower grade minerals produced in less environmentally friendly ways overseas.

"Australia has the potential to become a long-term reliable supplier to Japan of critical minerals and rare earths. Just as Japan helped build Australia's iron ore and LNG industries, Japan can help Australia's critical minerals and rare earths industries," King said in Tokyo.

(Reporting by Melanie Burton in Melbourne and Katya Golubkova in Tokyo; Editing by Christopher Cushing)
The Supreme Court recently heard a pair of cases challenging the Chevron doctrine. That doctrine is the product of the landmark 1984 case Chevron U.S.A. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, which ruled that judges should defer to a regulatory agencys interpretations of the laws that the agency administers as long as the law is ambiguous and the agencys interpretation of it is reasonable. The eventual decision in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo and its companion case, Relentless, Inc. v. Department of Commerce, might have direct implications for the power of the administrative state and the shape of administrative law. But some have argued that getting rid of the Chevron doctrine can help fix Congress. Thats mistaken.

During oral arguments for Loper Bright Enterprises, attorney (and former solicitor general under George W. Bush) Paul Clement argued that Chevron deference is responsible for Congress retreat from relevance. As Clement put it,

I think you just have to look at this courts docket. Its been one major [agency] rule after another. It hasnt been one major statute after another. I would have thought Congress might have addressed student loan forgiveness if that were really such an important issue to  Congress. I would have thought maybe they would have fixed the  eviction moratorium.

Clement was putting his finger on a very real phenomenon. In recent years, Congress has not legislated all that much on the public policy issuesabortion, gun policy, environmental regulationthat matter most.

Despite that insight, Clements Chevron-centered explanation for Congress increasing irrelevance is not persuasive. He argued that because of the excessive flexibility that Chevron affords administrative agencies, members of Congress trying to take action on a salient public policy issue often face an easy choice: Either, as Clement framed it, compromise and forge a long-term solution at the cost of maybe getting a primary challenger or, instead, just call up your buddy, who used to be your co-staffer, in the executive branch now and have him give everything on your wish list based on a broad statutory term.

But the argument that Chevron created a permission structure to forgo passing meaningful legislation runs into a timing problem. For one, Chevron was decided in 1984, but political science research indicates that Congress capacity to pass legislation on salient issues has been dwindling in fits and starts since the 1940s. And one of the exceptions to that decline came in the second half of the 1980simmediately after Chevron was decidedwhen Congress passed major legislation addressing taxes, in the Tax Reform Act of 1986; immigration, in the 1986 Reagan Amnesty; and environmental regulation, in the 1990 amendments to the Clean Air Act. These issues have bedeviled Congress for the past three decades, but the passage of these bills suggests that Chevron is an inadequate explanation for Congress modern deadlock.

The fact that gridlock on salient issues has hit historic highs since the 2010s indicates that larger forces are to blame. As Clement noted, members of Congress care about getting reelected. That is their priority. Political polarization and gerrymandered districts have reduced the competitiveness of general elections, thereby focusing members energies on their primaries. The real problem driving congressional gridlock is that surviving those primaries disincentivizes compromising with the other side, even though such compromise is necessary to pass legislation. When these warped electoral incentives meet Congress supermajoritarian legislative hurdles like the filibuster, gridlock ensues. The surest way to get reelected as a legislator is to avoid the risk of legislating. Its better to stay pure and ward off a potential primary challenger than to strike a compromise and do something meaningful.

That dynamic, not Chevron, is what explains the shift in the Supreme Courts docket from fights over statutes to fights over agency rules. Everyone agrees on the effects: With Congress doing next to nothing, agencies are left trying to leverage old statutes to solve new problems. For example, the Clean Air Act was originally designed to reduce air pollutants like sulfur dioxide and lead, and, at the very least, was not tailored to address the unique challenges of carbon dioxide emissions and global warming. But with Congress incapable of passing legislation on the matter, the EPA is left trying to leverage its statutory language to regulate CO 2 , first by including the gas within the acts definition of air pollutant and then by designing novel, complex regulatory schemes based on barebones legislative text. Litigation ensues, the Supreme Court increasingly slaps down the EPA, and then everyone gets angry at the court. But its essential to appreciate that agency reliance on Chevron is a symptom more than a cause. Congress political and structural incentives are what initiate this recurring cycle.

Still, its heartening that leading legal conservatives like Clement are voicing discomfort with the current state of play in Congress. Conservatives often emphasize the importance of the separation of powers, but modern constitutional conservatism has also long been concerned with maintaining a proper balance of power between Congress, the executive branch, and the courts. This is why during the conservative legal movements early stages in the 1980s-1990s, leading lights like Justice Antonin Scalia were strident defenders of Chevron. Back then, the fear was that the Warren Court had arrogated too much power to the federal courts. When faced with the question of who should decide how to resolve statutory ambiguity in administrative lawagencies or the courtsconservatives were primed to opt for the agencies.

Things have changed. As the American Enterprise Institutes Yuval Levin observed, conservatives efforts to remake the judiciary have reached an impressive high-water mark. Meanwhile, the administrative state has expanded in size and power, while Congress has devolved into a parliament of pundits. In other words, to quote Levin, conservatives have under-emphasized the importance of Congress for too long. That needs to change, and Clements high-profile argument is in certain respects a very welcome sign of a shift.

Congress needs to be stronger if we are to restore a proper balance of power in our constitutional order. Conservatives are increasingly appreciating this insight.

But courts are a tool too blunt and unresponsive to provide the necessary change. Undue reliance on them to respond to political problems, even systemic ones, will invite blowback. Tinkering with administrative law doctrines like Chevron is not going to save Congress from obsolescence. Under additional judicial pressure, our current Congress may opt to undermine the judiciary before it assumes the costs of legislating. The only way out is through: Congressional weakness must be attacked directly. And the root of that problem is electoral incentives.

Those concerned with the state of Congress should back reform proposals that will recenter Congress members electoral incentives on passing legislation on the issues that matter. That wont come through Chevron, but it can come through two other methods: First and foremost, reforming our system for primary elections. Perhaps ranked choice voting could offer a solution, as is being tried in Maine and Alaska. Maybe state nonpartisan redistricting commissions or national limits on partisan redistrictingimposed by Congress, not the courtsmight halt the state-level gerrymandering arms race that has reduced the number of swing districts. Removing limits on contributions to political parties could help re-empower our weak parties, disempower the extreme interest groups that have taken their place, and thereby reduce incumbents fears of getting primaried for any attempt to work with colleagues across the aisle. Second, we need to make it easier to pass legislation in the first place, through such means as reforming (not abolishing) the Senate filibuster. These are just proposals to be debated. We dont have the answers. But we are certain that the solutions to congressional dysfunction are rooted in the legislatures own incentives more than they are in the courts legal doctrines.

Congressional decline has been decades in the making. It didnt start with Chevron, and a Supreme Court ruling will not provide a quick fix. Removing the warped electoral incentives that drive inaction might be a slower path to reform, but its also a surer path.

Read more at The Dispatch

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Hundreds of mourners gathered Saturday to say goodbye to Minnesota comedian and Hmong community activist Tou Ger Xiong, who was allegedly kidnapped and killed last month while on a trip to Colombia.

After visiting a friend in the city of Medellin, Xiong, 50, called his brother in the U.S. saying hed been kidnapped and that his captors demanded $2,000 in ransom, according to accounts by prosecutors and Xiong's brother. His body was found in a wooded area on Dec. 11.

News of Xiongs death shocked the St. Paul community, and tributes poured in from friends, loved ones and elected officials.

He was one of the funniest and most sincere people Ive ever met, Mayor Melvin Carter said in a series of tweets. His light enlivened everyone around him.

In accordance with Hmong tradition, Xiongs memorial will span three days, beginning with the ceremony Saturday and ending with his committal service Monday.

GENERAL INFORMATION: Feature on Tou Ger Xiong, who bills himself as being multicultural, multilingual, multicool. He's a diversity consultant, comedian, storyteller and rap artist. We're gonna see him in action during two programs at the St. Michael-Alb (Darlene Pfister / Star Tribune via Getty Images file)

At the funeral, his brother Eh Xiong spoke to NBC affiliate KARE of Minneapolis about saying his final farewell. He described his brother as someone with deep love for his community and spirit that always drove him to fight for justice.

Its sad, my family is sad, he said. But we are glad that we can finally put closure to his life here and then move beyond this point.

Funeralgoers said theyd remember him as someone who brought light and laughter to their lives.

Everywhere he goes, he leaves a little thing that people will never forget about him, a friend at the funeral said.

Xiong was born in Laos in 1973, and just two years later his family fled to Thailand as refugees, according to a 2020 Pioneer Press profile. After four years in a refugee camp, the family settled in St. Paul, where Xiong continued to spend his life advocating for the Hmong community.

In a statement after Xiong's death, former Minnesota state Sen. Mee Moua, who is also Hmong, spoke about how deep his impact had been.

Today the Hmong diaspora around the world, whether in Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, China, France, Australia, Canada, South America, and the United States of America, have lost a one of a kind modern day hero, she said. Tou: In a time when we needed belonging, your stories anchored our Hmong children in their roots. Your songs and your dance invited elders to embrace the new without fear of losing their cultural identity.
Federal authorities planted a phony advertisement seeking a yoga instructor to capture the Texas woman later convicted of murdering an elite bicyclist and perceived romantic rival, officials said.

When detectives suspected that Kaitlin Armstrong, 36, was the person who murdered Moriah "Mo" Wilson, 25, their most daunting task was simply finding Armstrong, who had vanished from Austin, where the slaying occurred on May 11, 2022.

Tips eventually led authorities to Costa Rica, where Deputy U.S. Marshals Damien Fernandez and Emir Perez still had a needle-in-a-haystack challenge of finding their suspect in the tropical paradise filled with Americans living relaxed expat lives.

"We had other intelligence indicating that ... she was staying in hostels in Costa Rica," Perez told CBS' "48 Hours." "And I dont know if you know anything about Costa Rica, but Costa Rica has a lot of hostels  a lot, an unbelievable amount of hostels."

They found a businessman with connections to Armstrong, who was now going by the name "Beth" and, according to pictures provided by the contact, had changed her appearance.

And even when the search narrowed to the small mountain town of Santa Teresa, it was still a tough search.

"I think from the get-go we were told ... youre going to be in for a surprise, cause a lot of the women in Santa Teresa look just like Kaitlin  a lot of them," Fernandez told the CBS News show.

With little hope of finding Armstrong, authorities threw a Hail Mary pass.

We decided we were going to put an ad out ... or multiple ads for a yoga instructor and see what would happen, Perez told 48 Hours."

It paid off.

"We got a bite, somebody that, um, identified herself ... as a yoga instructor and said they wanted to meet with us at a particular hostel ... and we said ... 'this is, this is our chance!'" Perez told "48 Hours."

Perez met Armstrong and got close enough to see bandages on her face, which were later connected to cosmetic surgery she had had, allegedly to change her appearance and evade capture.

Still, the changes weren't enough to throw Perez off the trail.

"The eyes are the exact same ones that I saw in the picture," he said, according to the news show. "And this is her 100%."

Fernandez said of his partner, "He gets in the car, and he is like, 'Thats her. Shes in there.'"

Local police moved in for the arrest, and receipts were later found at Armstrong's hostel, showing payments for plastic surgery, officials said.

A Travis County jury convicted Armstrong of murder on Nov. 16. She was sentenced to 90 years in prison the next day.

Armstrong's attorney couldn't immediately be reached for comment Monday.
ISTANBUL (Reuters) -Turkish authorities have captured two gunmen who shot one person dead on Sunday during a service at a church in Istanbul and who are believed to be tied to Islamic State, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said.

Yerlikaya had earlier said that the attack, which Ankara condemned, took place around 0840 GMT at the Italian Santa Maria Catholic Church in Istanbul's Sariyer district, and that one Turkish citizen - who was targeted by the gunmen - was killed while attending the service.

Speaking to reporters later, Yerlikaya said authorities had carried out raids on more than 30 locations across Istanbul and detained 47 people until now. The suspects were captured in one of the last raids, he said.

"Both of the suspects are foreign nationals. One of them is from Tajikistan and the other is Russian, and we evaluated them to be with Islamic State," Yerlikaya said, adding they would be questioned about the attack.

Earlier, Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement on Telegram, saying it was in response to a call by the group's leaders to target Jews and Christians.

CCTV footage from inside of the church, verified by Reuters, showed the masked gunmen entering the building and shooting the man who was walking in front of them. The CCTV footage shows the men leaving almost immediately afterwards.

President Tayyip Erdogan called the church's priest to offer his condolences and support, his office said, publishing a video of the call.

Pope Francis conveyed his condolences over the attack after his weekly Angelus prayer.

"I express my closeness to the community of Saint Mary Draperis Church in Istanbul that suffered an armed attack during mass that caused one death," he said.

Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni said on X that Italy's foreign ministry was following updates on the "despicable act" and condemned it.

Islamic State has conducted numerous attacks across Turkey, including on a nightclub in Istanbul on Jan. 1, 2017, in which 39 people were killed.

Yerlikaya said Turkish authorities had detained 2,086 people suspected of ties to Islamic State during 1,046 operations since June 2023, and that 529 people had been arrested.

(Reporting by Tuvan Gumrukcu; Additional reporting by Angelo Amante in Rome and Ahmed Tolba and Hatem Maher in CairoEditing by Bernadette Baum, Jane Merriman and Diane Craft)
By Alexander Tanas

CHISINAU (Reuters) - Moldova's top negotiator in resolving the three-decade-old dispute with its pro-Russian Transdniestria separatist enclave on Sunday ruled out any role for Russia in finding a solution as long as it was engaged in its war in Ukraine.

Deputy Prime Minister Oleg Serebrian made his comments on national radio as Moldova's pro-European government pressed ahead with its drive to secure European Union membership.

The country's prime minister on Saturday said the newly appointed minister for European Affairs would head Moldova's team at membership talks, which were the green light by European Union leaders last month.

Serebrian said the 5+2 Transdniestria negotiating process in place for 20 years -- which included Russia and Ukraine as well as the United States and European Union as observers -- could serve no purpose as long as Russia pursued its invasion.

"Returning to that format for a peaceful settlement depends on improved relations between Moscow and Kyiv," he said. "It has not been officially disbanded, but it is frozen."

Little progress could be expected for now on the "third basket" of the talks dealing with the enclave's future status in a country lying between Ukraine and Romania.

Serebrian said Moldova's priority for 2024 was proceeding with gradual integration with the EU. President Maia Sandu, who denounces Russia's invasion of Ukraine, has called for a greater role for the EU in resolving the standoff with Transdniestria.

Transdniestria split from Moldova before the 1991 collapse of Soviet rule and fought a brief war against the newly independent state, but has remained on the country's eastern fringe for more than 30 years with a minimum of turmoil. It has no international recognition and is heavily dependent on Moscow.

The two sides hold periodic one-on-one talks, but the latest round this month was beset by new Moldovan customs duties -- part of its EU membership drive -- denounced by the separatists as harmful to its businesses.

Transdniestrian negotiators say they will no longer attend talks in areas controlled by the government as they fear arrest under new tougher laws against separatism.

Prime Minister Dorin Recean on Saturday announced in a video presentation that Cristina Gherasimov, previously foreign ministry secretary of state, would serve as European integration minister and chief negotiator in negotiations on EU membership.

Gherasimov will also head a new European Integration Bureau dedicated to proceeding with those talks. Her appointment, and that of new Foreign Minister Mihail Popsoi, followed the resignation last week of Foreign Minister Nicu Popescu.

(Reporting by Alexander Tanas; Editing by Ron Popeski and Leslie Adler)
A Philadelphia teen murder suspect who escaped en route to a hospital in the city last week is back in custody, police said Sunday.

Shane Pryor, 17, was captured by members of the U.S. Marshals Service and the Philadelphia Police Department while boarding a public transit bus, said Sgt. Eric Gripp, a police spokesman.

Pryor was captured at 3rd Street and Roosevelt Boulevard and then taken to the police Homicide Unit, Gripp said. The marshals service's Philadelphia division said on X that Pryor was taken into custody at 6:30 p.m.

Investigators were conducting surveillance in an area that Pryor was known to frequent when he was seen boarding a Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority bus, the marshals service said. They were able to pull the bus over and arrest him without incident.

Pryor escaped at around noon Wednesday when he was being transported in a van to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia for a hand injury, police said at the time.

As the male was exiting that car, he was able to escape from staff and run from this area on foot, Deputy Police Commissioner Frank Vanore told reporters Wednesday.

Pryor was not handcuffed when he got out of the van, Vanore said, adding that he wasn't sure whether he broke out of them or he never had them on.

Pryor is still awaiting trial on a 2020 murder charge. He is accused of fatally shooting a woman in the head in an alley when he was 14 years old, NBC Philadelphia reported, citing court documents.

He was taken into custody when he was 15 years old, Vanore said.
U.S. and Chinese officials will meet in Beijing Tuesday for their first talks in years to stem the production of ingredients for the drug fentanyl, senior Biden administration officials said.

The meeting of the counter-narcotics working group comes after Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged during a summit with U.S. President Joe Biden in November to clamp down on the trade.

"For years bilateral cooperation between the United States and the People's Republic of China on counternarcotics has been suspended which has hindered our progress," a U.S. official said.

"But that changed during the Nov. 15 meeting," the official told reporters on condition of anonymity.

Washington hopes to get China to cooperate on tackling companies that manufacture the precursor chemicals to make fentanyl, a synthetic opioid many times more powerful than heroin, and on cutting financing for the trade.

Fentanyl has caused an epidemic of addiction in the United States, with 100,000 overdose deaths a year, making it the leading cause of death of people aged 18 to 49, the official said.

Since the summit China has shut down one company, blocked some international payments and resumed sharing information on shipments and trafficking, added the official.

The meeting, featuring U.S. justice, homeland security, diplomatic and counternarcotics officials, will focus on "ongoing coordination to support concrete enforcement actions."

Xi said after meeting Biden in California in November that China "deeply sympathizes" with victims of fentanyl.

China and the United States have been trying to stabilize relations after years of tensions, with Beijing's top diplomat Wang Yi and U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan meeting in Bangkok this past week.

Another senior U.S. official said after those talks that cooperation on fentanyl between the two countries "needs to be continuous and ongoing. It's not just one snapshot in time." (AFP)
By Doina Chiacu and Daphne Psaledakis

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The United States and Britain on Monday imposed sanctions on a network of people who targeted Iranian dissidents and opposition activists for assassination at Iran's direction, the U.S. Treasury Department said on Monday.

The U.S. Treasury in a statement accused the network of being directed by Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security and put sanctions on 11 people connected to it, including Iranian narcotics trafficker Naji Ibrahim Sharifi-Zindashti, who it said is the leader.

The Treasury said Zindashtis network had carried out assassinations and kidnappings across a number of jurisdictions, aiming to silence Tehran's perceived critics.

"The Iranian regimes continued efforts to target dissidents and activists demonstrate the regimes deep insecurity and attempt to expand Irans domestic repression internationally," said Brian Nelson, Treasury's under secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence.

The Treasury action freezes any U.S. assets of those targeted and generally bars Americans from dealing with them.

In announcing the targets for the sanctions, the Treasury Department said that in 2021, the network recruited Canadian national and British Columbia-based Hells Angels Outlaw Motorcycle Group member Damion Patrick John Ryan to assassinate individuals in the United States who fled Iran.

Ryan also recruited Canadian national and Hells Angels affiliate Adam Richard Pearson to carry out the murders, Treasury said. Both are presently jailed abroad on unrelated criminal matters.

Zindashti, Pearson and Ryan were charged with conspiracy to use interstate commerce in the commission of a murder-for-hire plot, the Department of Justice said in a statement on Monday. It said the three conspired with each other in a plot to murder two residents of the state of Maryland who had fled to the U.S. after one of them defected from Iran.

Also targeted were people involved in the assassination of Iranian cybersecurity official turned critic Masud Vardanjani and British-Iranian dissident Saeed Karimian, Washington said.

Britain imposed sanctions on Iranian officials it said were involved in threats to kill journalists on British soil, and others it said were part of international criminal gangs linked to Iran.

The sanctions targeted seven individuals and one organisation, Britain's Foreign Office said.

The sanctioned Iranian officials are members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Unit 840, which an ITV investigation in Britain said was involved in plots to assassinate two television presenters from news channel Iran International in Britain.

(Reporting by Susan Heavey, Doina Chiacu and Daphne Psaledakis in Washington and Sachin Ravikumar, Muvija M and Michael Holden in London; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama, Alison Williams and Nick Macfie)
By Jack Kim

SEOUL (Reuters) -North Korea tested its new submarine-launched cruise missiles (SLCM) on Sunday, firing an upgraded missile for the second time in a week and accelerating its navy's nuclear armament, state media reported on Monday.

Leader Kim Jong Un supervised the test of the missile, called "Pulhwasal-3-31," which is identical to the strategic cruise missiles that the North test-launched last week as part of upgrading its weapons system.

State news agency KCNA and official Rodong Sinmun newspaper said the missiles flew above the sea off the country's east coast for 7,421 seconds and 7,445 seconds and hit an unspecified island target, indicating the flight time exceeded two hours.

Kim called the test a success, KCNA said, "which is of strategic significance in carrying out the plan...for modernizing the army which aims at building a powerful naval force."

South Korea's military said on Sunday that the North fired multiple cruise missiles off its coast but did not provide details. On Monday, it said the claimed flight time was an exaggeration saying it tracked the missiles real time and also played down the possibility it was propelled by solid fuel.

Last week, the North said it had tested a new strategic cruise missile, implying it was designed to carry a nuclear warhead, but at the time did not mention it was being developed for submarine launch.

State media photographs published on Monday showed a missile launching into a cloudy sky from the water trailed by a plume of smoke which obscures the type of platform it was being fired from.

North Korea's cruise missiles are typically less controversial and are not explicitly banned under U.N. Security Council resolutions. But analysts have said intermediate-range cruise missiles were no less a threat than ballistic missiles and are a serious capability for North Korea.

In recent months, the North has tested an array of weapons that include ballistic missile systems that are under development and an underwater drone.

Kim separately inspected the construction of a nuclear submarine and discussed issues related to the manufacturing of other types of new warships, KCNA said but gave no details.

North Korea last year launched what it called its first operational nuclear attack submarine, which analysts said appeared to be a modified from an existing submarine and likely designed to carry ballistic and cruise missiles.

There was scepticism over the real-world utility of such a vessel, especially compared to the more advanced land-based missile systems, because its diesel propulsion generates noise and is limited in range, according to weapons experts.

South Korea's military said on Monday it believed the submarine "has no military use" and the vessel appeared to be under repair or maintenance.

Kim said at the time the country would accelerate the programme to build nuclear-powered submarines.

(Reporting by Jack Kim;Editing by Andrew Cawthorne, Lisa Shumaker, Leslie Adler and Diane Craft)
Comedian Pauly Shore has been accused of abetting a violent attack at The Comedy Store club a little over a year ago.

Sean Kehoe and his daughter Kirra Lyn Potts filed a lawsuit against Shore and The Comedy Store in the Los Angeles County Superior Court Thursday, according to court documents obtained by USA TODAY on Sunday. Shore and The Comedy Store face charges of battery, assault, intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligence, among other claims.

Kehoe and Potts allege in the 17-page complaint that Kehoe was "violently grabbed and attacked," including being dragged, during their November 2022 visit to The Comedy Store's Hollywood location in West Hollywood. The pair claims the attack was carried out by the establishment's security personnel.

"Shore knew that (the group) planned to assault Kehoe and agreed with and encouraged (them) to assault Kehoe, andShore intended that the assault be committed," the lawsuit reads.

Pauly Shore has been sued on charges of battery and assault following an alleged attack at The Comedy Store club in November 2022.

As a result of the alleged attack, Kehoe suffered "severe injuries and mental and emotional distress," while Potts underwent "mental and emotional distress" in witnessing her father being injured, per the filing.

USA TODAY has reached out to representatives for Shore and The Comedy Store for comment.

Kehoe and Potts are also accusing Shore and The Comedy Store of failing to intervene in the alleged attack on Kehoe by security staffers and for not having "adequate employees, managers, contractors and security personnel" to protect club patrons, according to the lawsuit.

Additionally, Kehoe and his daughter claim The Comedy Store and Shore were negligent in the hiring of security personnel, who were "unfit and incompetent to perform the duties for which they were hired."

Kehoe and Potts are seeking a jury trial for the case, as well as repayment of damages that cover past and future wage loss and medical expenses.

An iconic fixture of LA's Sunset Strip, The Comedy Store was founded by Shore's parents, Sammy and Mitzi Shore, and screenwriter Rudy DeLuca in 1972. Mitzi took ownership in 1974, following the couple's divorce.

Shore recalled how much his mother, who died in 2018, truly cared for the club's talent in the 2020 Showtime docuseries "The Comedy Store."

"Comics are  I dont want to say wounded birds, but were a weird breed," Shore said at the time. "So, just to feel that kind of love from her. ... She had a natural instinct to develop and kind of guide someone that she felt thathad a something special."

'Don't believe everything you read': Richard Simmons says he's not involved in film starring Pauly Shore

Pauly Shore opens up about past: Comedian talks his 'Mother Teresa of comedy' mom and her famed 'Comedy Store' at center of docuseries

Contributing: Erin Jensen, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pauly Shore sued by man for alleged battery and assault at comedy club
Six people were injured after an American Airlines plane made a hard landing at Kahului Airport in Maui on Saturday afternoon, according to federal officials.

In a statement, the Federal Aviation Administration said it is investigating after American Airlines Flight 271, an Airbus A320, "made a hard landing" on the runway around 2:00 p.m. local time.

In a statement to USA TODAY, American Airlines said one passenger and five flight attendants were taken to the hospital in stable condition and then released.

The flight which was arriving from Los Angeles, had 167 passengers and seven crew members on board, the airline said.

The aircraft taxied to the gate under its own power and customers deplaned normally," American Airlines said in their statement.

The airline added that the plane was taken out of service for inspection by our maintenance team.

The safety of our customers and team members is our top priority, the company said.

Citing the Kahului Airport, NBC News reported that the flight arrived more than an hour after its scheduled touch down at 12:47 p.m. after taxiing at LAX before takeoff. It's unclear, however, why it had been stalled and if that had any connection to the flight's hard landing.

USA TODAY has reached out to the Maui Police Department and Hawaii's Department of Transportation for comment.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: American Airlines plane makes hard landing at Hawaii's Kahului Airport
Former President Trumps 2024 reelection campaign targeted ABC Newss Martha Raddatz on Sunday, taking the opportunity to criticize the media and claim that Trump derangement syndrome was on full display during the networks political news program earlier in the day.

Raddatz hosted ABCs This Week on Sunday, which featured an interview with Trump surrogate Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and a panel with Trump supporters.

Martha Raddatzs Trump Derangement Syndrome was on full display this morning  as she nearly fought back tears, just as she did on Election Night 2016, the campaign said in a statement. After President Trumps dominant and historic victories in both Iowa and New Hampshire, the Fake News is melting down, and its never been more obvious.

Raddatz did not appear to fight back tears during the show, as the campaign claims.

Her interview with Scott on Sunday did feature her pushing Scott when the senator avoided a question about the $83 million defamation ruling against Trump this week, and another on his thoughts about Trumps attacks against rival Nikki Haley.

Raddatz tried several times to try and get him to stay on topic.

I want to talk about Donald Trump, Raddatz said at one point when Scott pivoted to focusing on Haley. Please  please answer the question about him calling her a birdbrain.

But lets , Scott began to say.

You worked with her. She appointed you a senator. Do you like that kind of language? Raddatz asked.

His language is far more provocative than mine, Scott responded.

Scott, who suspended his 2024 bid late last year, quickly threw his support behind Trump instead of Haley, who appointed him as a senator.

Raddatz was one of two moderators, along with CNNs Anderson Cooper, of a notorious debate between Trump and then-Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in 2016. That debate featured testy back-and-fourths between Trump and the moderators and was notable due to the candidates not shaking hands at the beginning and Trump inviting accusers of Clintons husband, former President Bill Clinton, to sit in the audience.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A teenage murder suspect who escaped from a hospital Wednesday has been captured, the Philadelphia Police Department confirmed Sunday.

Shane Pryor, 17, who was in custody for a 2020 fatal shooting and who had escaped from the Juvenile Justice Services Center staff at a hospital on Wednesday, was taken into custody "without incident" by the U.S. Marshals Service, authorities said. He was being taken to the Philadelphia Police Department Homicide Unit, police said.

No further information is available, authorities said.

MORE: Woman mouths 'help me' to police in alleged Atlanta hostage situation

At a news conference Wednesday, Deputy Commissioner of Investigations Frank Vanore said Pryor escaped from the emergency room parking lot of Children's Hospital of Philadelphia shortly before noon on Wednesday after he was transported there from the Juvenile Justice Services Center for an apparent hand injury.

"He was able to escape from staff and run from this area on foot," Vanore said.

PHOTO: Escaped prisoner Shane Pryor in images released by police. (Philadelphia Police Department)

According to court documents, Pryor was being held on murder charges for the October 2020 shooting of Tanya Harris. He was 14 years old at the time of the alleged shooting, which occurred in an alleyway in the Holmesburg neighborhood of Philadelphia. In December 2023, the courts decided to try Pryor as an adult.

At the time of his arrest, Pryor told police he solicited the victim for sex but that the woman was shot by another man, according to court documents.

Pryor's defense attorney, Paul DiMaio, said his client "has always maintained his innocence," and pointed to the December 2023 court decision as a motive for his escape. "He may have felt he wasn't going to get a fair shake," DiMaio told WPVI.

On Friday, police arrested the alleged accomplice of Pryor -- 18-year-old Michael Diggs.

Diggs was Pryor's alleged getaway driver, police said. Diggs was detained several hours after the escape and now faces multiple felony charges, authorities said Friday.

MORE: Activists splatter 'Mona Lisa' with soup in Louvre Museum in Paris

Following his escape from custody, Pryor was observed on surveillance footage entering a Children's Hospital of Philadelphia building, where he asked an employee to use her cellphone but was denied, Clark said. He left and was able to use a civilian's phone to allegedly call his "associate," Diggs, according to U.S. Marshals Deputy Rob Clark.

Diggs arrived around 12:30 p.m. and allegedly picked up Pryor in a cream-colored Ford Fusion and left the University City neighborhood, Clark said.

Diggs has since been charged with hindering apprehension, escape, use of communication facility and criminal conspiracy in connection with Pryor's escape, police announced on Friday. Attorney information for Diggs wasn't immediately available.

ABC News' Meredith Deliso, Chris Donato and Leah Sarnoff contributed to this report.

US Marshals capture escaped teenage murder suspect in Philadelphia originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
An investigation was underway after a visitor said she was stranded in a snow resort gondola overnight in South Lake Tahoe, California.

Monica Laso was at Heavenly Mountain Resort with friends Thursday when she became tired and asked a worker for directions to a gondola that would take her to the base, she said in an interview with NBC affiliate KCRA of Sacramento.

A woman said she was stuck on a gondola overnight after getting on at a snow resort the previous day. She yelled for help but wasn't reached until 15 hours later - the next morning. (via KCRA)

The worker guided her to a gondola, she said, with a few minutes to spare before 5 p.m., but when she got in and started her trip down, it stopped, stranding her for 15 hours.

She didn't have her phone, so she yelled for help, she told the station, but there was no response.

"I screamed desperately until I lost my voice," Laso said.

Her friends, meanwhile, reported her missing to the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office. Laso said she was only safely on the ground again when the gondola started running anew Friday morning.

"I felt very frustrated," she told KCRA.

Temperatures in the area have been in the mid-20s overnight, according to National Weather Service data. Laso said she kept warm by rubbing her hands and feet together.

Kim George, fire marshal at the South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue Department, said by email that deputies reached the woman in the morning and contacted her agency.

First responders from the South Lake Tahoe department responded to the base of the gondola at 8:28 a.m., George said. Laso "was assessed and refused transport," she said.

Heavenly Mountain Resort is investigating what happened, said Tom Fortune, its vice president and chief operating officer. The safety and wellbeing of our guests is our top priority at Heavenly Mountain Resort, he said in a statement.

The 2.4-mile gondola is normally scheduled to run from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., according to the resort's website and the website of the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority. It wasn't clear why it would be running just before 9 a.m. or 5 p.m.

Fortune said in a statement that the resort wants to get to the bottom of the incident. "We are investigating this situation with the utmost seriousness," he said.
Orla Baxendale, 25, was an exquisite ballet, contemporary, and Irish step dancer who was incredibly cautious, knowing her peanut allergy was severe  but the cookies labeling made no mention of nuts.  Yahoo News (The Independent UK)
The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for an attack on a Roman Catholic church in Istanbul during a Sunday Mass that killed one person.

The extremist group said in a statement late Sunday that it attacked a gathering of Christian unbelievers during their polytheistic ceremony" inside the Santa Maria Church in the Buyukdere neighborhood in Istanbul.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said shortly before midnight that two men he described as members of the Islamic State group had been arrested in the attack. One of the suspects is from Tajikistan and the other from Russia, he said.

The statement claiming responsibility for the attack was published on Aamaq, the media arm of the militant group, along with photos of two masked men holding guns whom it identified as the attackers.

It described the attack as killing one person and wounding another, while Turkish authorities said no one was injured other than the person who was killed.

Yerlikaya said police raided 30 locations and detained a total of 47 people as part of the investigation into the attack.

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, Yerlikaya said.

Turkish authorities instituted a media ban on coverage of the attack.

Sukru Genc, mayor of Sariyer district where the attack took place, told the newspaper Birgun that the gunmen fled when their weapon jammed after firing two rounds.

Genc said the people attending the Mass included Polish Consul General Witold Lesniak and his family, who were all unharmed in the attack.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called Lesniak and Santa Marias priest, the Rev. Anton Bulai, to offer his condolences.

On Jan. 3, 25 suspected Islamic State members were arrested across Turkey and accused of plotting attacks on churches and synagogues, according to the state-run Anadolu Agency.

The Islamic State has not previously targeted places of worship in Turkey but has carried out a string of deadly attacks in the country, including a shooting at an Istanbul night club in 2017 that killed 39 people and a 2015 bomb attack in Ankara that killed 109.

Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu offered his condolences and support for religious minorities in the city, which like the country is primarily Muslim.

There are no minorities in this city or this country. We are all actual citizens, he told reporters.

Pope Francis noted the attack in remarks at St. Peters Square in Vatican City on Sunday.

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.

The church is run by an Italian order of Franciscan friars. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said his ministry was following the situation along with the Italian Embassy in Turkeys capital, Ankara, and the consulate in Istanbul.

I express my condolence and firm condemnation for the vile attack on Santa Maria Church," Tajani tweeted. I am certain that the Turkish authorities will arrest those responsible. (AP)
On January 19, the Central agency issued a fresh summons to Lalu and his son Tejashwi

NEW DELHI: In a sweeping move against Opposition leaders, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday interrogated former Haryana chief minister and senior Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda in a money laundering case related to a land deal.

Simultaneously in Patna, the agency questioned former Bihar chief minister Lalu Yadav in a PMLA case linked to the land-for-jobs scam case. The ED also visited the residence of Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren in connection with a separate case related to land fraud in the state.

In the morning, the Central agency quizzed Mr Hooda over alleged irregularities in land acquisition at Manesar during 2004-07 with the alleged connivance of senior government functionaries and bureaucrats for over six hours. Earlier on January 17, he appeared before the ED sleuths and recorded his statement in this case.

A day after Rashtriya Janata Dal, the largest constituent in the mahagathbandhan, lost power in Bihar, party supremo Lalu was questioned by the ED for more than nine hours in the land-for-jobs case. The 75-year-old leader reached the agency's office at around 11 am and was relieved around 8.30 pm.

Rajya Sabha MP and his daughter Misha Bharti, who is also a co-accused in the case, accompanied the leader to the office. A large number of RJD workers also gathered outside the agency's office and shouted slogans against the Central government.

On January 19, the Central agency issued a fresh summons to Lalu and his son Tejashwi. The notice was physically handed over at the residence of Lalus wife and former Bihar chief minister Rabri Devi in Patna. The summons asked both the RJD leaders to appear before it on January 29 and 30. Tejashwi is likely to appear before the agency on January 30 at Patna office, sources said.

In response to the summons, Ms Bharti said that this was not a new thing. This greeting card is being sent to those who are not coming with them. Whenever any agency calls our family, we go there and cooperate with them and answer their questions," she said.

"Whenever any agency calls our family members for questioning, we go there, cooperate with them and answer all their queries," Ms Bharti added.

"Everyone knows about the health condition of my father, he can't even walk without support. Despite that, ED officials did not allow any assistant to enter their office and accompany him. It's inhuman behaviour by ED officials...shame on you (ED officials) and your boss (top ED officials)," Lalus younger daughter Rohini Acharya wrote on X in Hindi.

"This is not an ED summon, but a BJP summon... This will go on till 2024. Till then please do not call it ED summons... Why should we be scared?," RJD MP Manoj Jha said.

In New Delhi, an ED team visited the residence of Mr Soren to question him in connection with a money laundering investigation in an alleged land fraud case and camped there for over 13 hours

Official sources claimed Mr Soren was "missing" and could not be contacted by the federal agency but a family member alleged that a "false" narrative was being set to "delegitimise" the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader's position.

Officials of the federal probe agency accompanied by Delhi Police personnel reached the 5/1 Shanti Niketan building in South Delhi around 9 am, while a large number of mediapersons stood outside.

Meanwhile, the JMM leader who had left for Delhi from Ranchi on January 27 night has sent an email to the agency in which he has agreed to a fresh round of questioning on January 31 at his Ranchi residence around 1 pm.

The ED had questioned Mr Soren at his official residence in Ranchi on January 20 and had issued a fresh summons asking him to confirm his availability for questioning on either January 29 or January 31, the sources said.

He had sent a communication to the ED for further questioning but had not confirmed the date and time for questioning, according to the sources.

While the chief minister's office was tight-lipped on the development, Jharkhand governor C.P. Radhakrishnan said he was keeping a watch on the situation in the state in the wake of the ED summons to the CM.

"I am keeping a watch on the overall situation as the custodian of the Constitution. It is the job of the governor, I am doing it. We will cross the bridge when it comes," he told media.

In Ranchi, security was tightened at the CM House, Raj Bhavan and Central government offices as visuals from the south Delhi house of Mr Soren flashed through the day. A massive rally was also taken out by the JMM workers in Ranchi accusing the ED of targeting Mr Soren, also the executive president of the ruling JMM.

About the possibility of imposition of the President's Rule in the state, the governor said it was just "guesswork" at present, adding that political parties should not get involved in it.

A top Jharkhand government official said, "It is an unprecedented situation here. No one knows the whereabouts of the chief minister."
Mamata Banerjee accuses BJP of playing the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) card again to woo voters in the upcoming Lok Sabha Election

Kolkata/Guwahati: Union minister of state for ports and shipping, Shantanu Thakurs statement asserting that the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) would be implemented across the country in the next seven days led to protests in various parts of the country. In Assam, the Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuva Chhatra Parishad (AJYCP) organised a sit-in protest on Monday, demanding the immediate scrapping of the legislation. They threatened to intensify the agitation if it is implemented in the state, stating, "The CAA is simply an anti-Assam act and it has to go away. If CAA is implemented fully, the Assamese language will die."

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the BJP on Monday of playing the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) card again to woo voters in the upcoming Lok Sabha Election. She also accused the Border Security Force (BSF) of issuing new identity cards to villagers at international borders.

Banerjee urged people not to accept these cards to avoid coming under the National Register of Citizens (NRC). She said, "If BSF tortures you, lodge an FIR with the police first. It is now trying to hand the villagers at the border a new identity card. Don't accept it. If you do, you will fall under the NRC. All of you will be dropped as citizens."

"We have fought against the NRC. Rajbanshis are citizens of India. But now, they (BJP) have again started crying CAA, CAA to get votes," she stated at an event in Coochbehar in North Bengal.

Banerjee assured the crowd, "All of you are citizens. We have given permanent addresses to all colonies. They go to school and get ration, scholarships, and benefits from welfare schemes like Kishan Bondhu, Shikkhashree, Oikyoshree, Lakshmir Bhandar."

She questioned, How could these people get the benefits if they were not citizens? Could they cast their votes if they were not citizens? BJP first instill fear and then conduct polls through agencies.

AJYCP leaders asserted that the Assamese identity and community would cease to exist if CAA is implemented. They demanded the introduction of Inner Line Permit (ILP) in Assam to protect the existence of indigenous people instead of implementing CAA.

Thakur claimed that "the CAA will be implemented across the country within the next seven days" . On December 27 last year, Union home minister Amit Shah stated that no one could stop the implementation of the CAA, calling it the law of the land, and accused Mamata Banerjee of misleading people on the issue.
by Melani Manel Perera

Appeal to the government launched by the National Peace Council, which asks to consult the opposition and civil society before approval. "The entire democratic process" is at risk. According to critics, "the support of the international community" seems to be a priority by producing laws rather than guaranteeing justice and representativeness for ethnic and religious minorities.

Colombo (AsiaNews) - The government law on the establishment of the Commission for Truth, Unity and Reconciliation (Ctur) being examined by Parliament must be discussed with the opposition and civil society, it cannot be achieved with a majority.

This is the appeal launched to the leaders of the executive by the National Peace Council (NPC), which asks not to rush the time to get to the vote but to pay attention to the indications and findings of the entire society.

In a note, the group, recognized in the country for its work to protect rights, returns to the controversial Online Safety Bill, hoping for greater attention to the opposition's findings and to wait before converting it into law with the signature of the President of Parliament, but to evaluate all amendments first.

We welcome the announcement by the Speaker of the House Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena of further investigations by the Attorney General into the amendments inserted during the legislative process to evaluate their correctness and compliance with the directives of the Supreme Court.

The right to free expression - continues the NPC note - is a fundamental democratic right which, if violated, would put the democratic process at risk.

The group continues by underlining that it wants to "address the bill on the Commission for Truth, Unity and Reconciliation (Ctur) published on January 1st of this year. We invite the government not to rush its approval" as well as that "on online safety or on the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation (Onur)" passed Parliament on 9 January "without taking into account the opinions of the opposition and the civil society".

For activists it is "worrying" that the bill on the commission was prepared and published "even before the presentation of the report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry".

In the synopsis of the report of the Commission [led by Justice Ahmd] Nawaz and published in February last year, the commissioners referred to a commission whose contours and responsibilities would be defined in due course, and not before the final report.

However, the government's urgency to hastily pass the law, without even waiting for the Nawaz Commission to submit its report, and with minimal consultation of the opposition and civil society, suggests a motivation that goes beyond reconciliation.

There appears to be a desire to gain the support of the international community by producing the TURC law, even though it may not have the support  explains the statement  of the harmed ethnic and religious minorities it is intended for.

Like the Onur, the aim of the commission renamed Ctur is to strengthen the process of national reconciliation. Therefore, it must be based on the consensus of the government and the parties representing the opposition and ethnic and religious minorities, rather than being crushed by a majority vote in Parliament, critics note.

Hence the final invitation from NPC activists to the government to "discuss the bill" and obtain the "consent" of the opposition and civil society before proceeding to the vote in the Assembly.
The number is even more significant given Japans demographic winter, and growing labour shortages. Topping the list are workers from Vietnam with 518,364, or 25.3 per cent of the total.

Tokyo (AsiaNews/Agencies)  The number of foreign workers in Japan at the end of last October exceeded two million for the first time, this according to government data released last Friday.

The record number of 2,048,675 is due to the arrival of 225,950 foreign workers, plus 12.4 per cent, in 2023 over the previous year, partly due to the end to Japans strict border controls.

Japan's foreign workforce has been growing steadily since 2013, driven by companies in certain sectors in need of foreign nationals to cope with the country's labour shortages.

With the construction and medical and welfare sectors hiring more (foreign workers), the rate of increase has come close to pre-pandemic levels," a Labour Ministry official said.

By nationality, Vietnamese workers accounted for the largest proportion, at 518,364 people, or 25.3 per cent of the total. But there is a dark side.

Speaking to a Japanese NGO, 36 Vietnamese interns out of 59 said that they have had to resort to contraception to work in Japan, even though the law allows foreign trainees to get pregnant and receive subsidies from their employer before resuming work. Vietnamese interns in Japan are around 10,000.

In addition to Vietnamese, government data show that 397,918 Chinese nationals work in Japan, equal to 19.4 per cent of the total, followed by 226,846 Filipinos (11.1 per cent), and 145,587 Nepalis (7.1 per cent).

Some 595,904 foreign workers are specialist and engineer visa holders, up 24.2 per cent, while the number of interns rose 20.2 per cent, to 412,501, up for the first time in three years.

Although the number of people working under the technical internship programme is up, the government appears inclined to scrap the controversial scheme introduced in 1993 since it is seen by many as a way for Japanese companies to import cheap labour, with the rights of Vietnamese female workers particularly violated.

As for location in Japan, Tokyo is in first place with 542,992 foreign workers, followed by Aichi Prefecture in central Japan, and Osaka Prefecture with 210,159 and 146,384 respectively.
Today's news: attack against US troops in Jordan; North Korea launched more missiles off its east coast; In Maharashtra another disputed place of worship generates religious disputes; New tensions in Belucistan; In Myanmar, the Pa-O ethnic group also decided to fight against the army; Restrictions on journalists in Kazakhstan.

CHINA

This morning a Hong Kong court ordered the liquidation of the Chinese Evergrande group, the most indebted real estate developer in the world which has been in a liquidity crisis since 2021. The decision is likely to impact Chinese markets at a time when local authorities are trying to curb a stock market sell-off. Evergrande shares fell more than 20% in Hong Kong after the announcement and trading was suspended.

NORTH KOREA

North Korea fired several cruise missiles into waters off its eastern coast over the weekend, the South Korean military said, adding that leader Kom Jong Un oversaw the launch and reviewed a project to build a submarine nuclear powered. In recent months Pyongyang has proved increasingly aggressive, putting an end to various peacekeeping mechanisms and intensifying military action.

INDIA

Once again a religious place is at the center of a religious dispute in India: the Haji Malang sanctuary located on a hill on the outskirts of Mumbai is seen as a symbol of assimilation and tolerance and is frequented by believers of all religions. However, the prime minister of the state of Maharashtra earlier this month claimed that the structure was a temple belonging to Hindus and declared his commitment to "liberate" it.

IRAN  PAKISTAN

Some gunmen killed 9 Pakistani citizens in the Baluchistan region, while Tehran and Islamabad are trying to mend their ties after the exchange of missiles in recent weeks: Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian is scheduled to visit Pakistan today. Calling the attack a "terrorist act", Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said it was in contact with Iranian authorities and had asked Tehran to investigate the incident.

JORDAN

Three US soldiers were killed and 34 others wounded in a drone attack by pro-Iranian militants against American troops in northeast Jordan, near the Syrian border, US President Joe Biden said, while Tehran denied any involvement. This is the first attack against American targets since the start of the war between Gaza and Israel.

MYANMAR

The Pa-O National Liberation Army (PNLA), one of Myanmar's ethnic militias, has abandoned peace talks with Myanmar's coup junta and said it will join the fight against the regime. The ceasefire agreements with the central government were signed in 2015. This is an interesting development in the Burmese conflict, considering that in the last three years several Pa-O groups have fought on the side of the army.

RUSSIA

After the spontaneous protests in Yakutsk in Siberia, the authorities of the region sent the police for mass raids among migrants, with searches in almost 200 buildings and checks on violations of the rules, to which around 800 people were subjected, mostly some from Central Asia, and 108 were arrested. 10 people have been charged with violations, 5 will be deported, 22 have been drafted for the war in Ukraine.

KAZAKHSTAN

In the new draft law on communications of the Astana government it is proposed to change the rules of accreditation of foreign media and their journalists, giving the Foreign Ministry the right to refuse or revoke it "in case of threat to the national security of Kazakhstan", with a direct procedure without the possibility of legal appeal.
The former and current presidents have accused each other of being addicted to drugs, and Duterte's younger son, Sebastian, called on Marcos to resign during a rally yesterday. His eyes are set on the midterm elections. In the meantime, Marcos has arrived in Vietnam to discuss anti-Chinese maritime cooperation.

Manila (AsiaNews/Agencies) - There is a dispute between Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the former head of government, Rodrigo Duterte, whose daughter, Sara, currently holds the position of vice-president and minister of education: the two families exchanged criticisms and jokes regarding the so-called "war on drugs", implemented by the Duterte administration to combat drug trafficking (with killings and arbitrary arrests).

Since his arrival in power in 2022, the policy has been revised by President Marcos, who this morning arrived in Vietnam to promote maritime cooperation between the two countries against Beijing's interference in the South China Sea, another important change in direction of the new presidency compared to the previous one which was, on the contrary, much more pro-Chinese.

After Duterte yesterday defined Marcos as a "drug addict" (allegations also denied by the Philippine anti-drug agency), the latter responded to journalists by commenting: "I believe it is fentanyl, the most powerful painkiller you can buy .

It is highly addictive and has very serious side effects, he said, explaining that the former president has been taking the drug for a long time now. I hope his doctors take better care of him." In 2016, at the beginning of his mandate, Duterte - whose violent anti-drug policies have killed thousands of innocent people - admitted to having used fentanyl, but denied being addicted to it.

To make matters worse against Marcos, the youngest son of the Duterte family, Sebastian, mayor of Davao (the same position held first by his father and then by his sister), who, addressing a group of his supporters, also added , openly asked for the president's resignation: "If you do not show love and aspiration for the country, it is better for you to resign", said Duterte "junior", arguing that in the city, with the relaxation of his father's campaign, there is There was a new increase in crime.

At the same time, in the capital Manila, thousands of people were gathering to take part in a demonstration chaired by the president, who launched the "Bagong Pilipinas" (New Philippines) campaign "to accompany the nation towards change and development".

Sara Duterte also took part in the event before flying to Davao - the third most populous city in the Philippines - and joining her family instead.

It is now clear that the union between the two clans has fallen apart and - with the mid-term elections around the corner next year - the fracture seems irreparable. But it does not just concern a different political vision, but rather the maintenance of power: relations between families have in fact begun to deteriorate after Marcos' proposal to amend the Constitution, drawn up in 1987 after his father - dictator and namesake of the current president - he was ousted from power and driven into exile.

Marcos Jr. proposed the change saying he wanted to increase foreign investments, but - according to the Dutertes and also some experts - in this way it would be easy to modify the legislation that prohibits the president from governing for more than one term.

In 2022, Rodrigo Duterte had in fact his daughter Sara as a candidate because he was unable to run for a new six-year term and, according to some, it seems that he wants to nominate his son Sebastian for the 2028 elections.

Meanwhile Marcos today arrived in Hanoi, Vietnam, where he will discuss agreements on cooperation between coast guards and on the supply of rice, of which the Philippines is a large importer. Before leaving the country, the Philippine president had said that with this visit he hoped to elevate bilateral relations and "inaugurate a new era of friendship and cooperation".

Although the two South-East Asian nations both claim overlapping portions of the sea, they find themselves united towards China, which for years has crossed the borders of the exclusive economic zones of various countries in the region.
by Vladimir Rozanskij

Baku continues to demand from Yerevan the "rejection of revanchism" over Nagorno Karabakh citing the preamble of the charter. But Armenians speak of a pretext to push away a peace agreement that Aliev now does not need. While an Azerbaijani TV channel also claims the ancient Armenian church of Aricavank in the Sirakh region as 'national property'.

Yerevan (AsiaNews) - As stated by the well-known Armenian political scientist Sergej Melkonyan, in an interview with Kommersant, the idea of a new constitution in Armenia, put forward in recent days by Prime Minister Nikol Pasinyan, depends on pressure from Azerbaijan, which insists for "the rejection of revanchism" by the Armenians.

In fact, Azeris see an insurmountable obstacle in Armenia's Declaration of Independence, whose preamble referred to in the constitution speaks of the "reunion between Armenia and Artsakh".

According to Melkonyan, the Yerevan leadership would be willing to make concessions on this point, and the example would be the modification to the fundamental law, which Pasinyan presents as necessary to "build a new democratic country".

In reality, there would be no such obvious reasons to change the text, if not for the concerns of Baku, which wants to eliminate any basis for reopening the conflict in Nagorno Karabakh.

The problem, according to the political scientist and many other observers, is that the peace agreement between the two Caucasian countries is decidedly not very credible, there still remains strong tension, which will hardly be calmed by the signing of some paper.

As Melkonyan states, "Aliev doesn't need the agreement, he has already obtained everything he wanted, Karabakh, the corridor and the communication routes, Baku now has full control".

The Azerbaijanis' strong position is also confirmed in recent days by an episode denounced by Armenia's former human rights guarantor, Arman Tatoyan, who accused Azerbaijan of wanting to take over another monument of Armenian culture.

The ancient Armenian church of Aricavank in the Sirakh region, dating back to the 5th century, was presented by a Baku TV channel as a Turkish-Christian monastery owned by Azerbaijan, which in reality did not exist at that time, much less can he claim rights over churches and monasteries.

According to Baku's version, that area of Armenia is to be considered part of the so-called "Western Azerbaijan", into which various areas of other peoples are included, from Armenians to Turks and Persians.

According to Tatoyan "the real purpose of these statements is the total occupation of Armenia, within the not only anti-Armenian but also anti-Christian policy of Azerbaijan". Under these conditions, all declarations on the peace agreements appear to be merely elements of control over the general situation in the region.

The Aricavank monastic complex was built from the 7th century to the 13th century, and is considered a jewel of medieval Armenian architecture, with a great wealth of decorations and bas-reliefs. The war between Armenia and Azerbaijan continues at various levels, including that of appropriation of cultural heritage.
The Islamic State claims responsibility for the attack against the Latin church. The two attackers were arrested trying to escape. The community is "terrified, shocked", said Bishop Palinuro. The incident raises questions "about the future of the Christian presence". Vicar of Anatolia notes that the government arrested 25 terrorists who wanted to attack churches and synagogues, but "they did not warn us".

Istanbul (AsiaNews) - The Catholic community "is terrified, shocked, by this attack, which seems to be "clearly religious motivated, said Apostolic Vicar of Istanbul, Bishop Massimiliano Palinuro speaking to AsiaNews.

This act of terrorism [is] linked to Islamic fundamentalism," he added, as evinced "by the videos and testimonies collected so far", and from online claims.

Tensions and a climate of fear have resulted since the Franciscan Church of Santa Maria, the only Latin parish in the Strait, was attacked yesterday morning during Mass. Built in 1864-1866, it is located in Sariyer, a district overlooking the Bosphorus.

The incident raises questions about the future of the Christian presence in this country, laments the prelate. More recently, an atmosphere of greater serenity had prevailed; we only hope that this event can be isolated.

More details have emerged a day after the attack. Two men affiliated with the Islamic State (IS) are thought to be responsible, as investigators had initially suggested yesterday.

The jihadi group, which has carried out other attacks in Turkey, claimed responsibility for the operation in a post on its Telegram channel.

Meanwhile, police have already identified and arrested two individuals, who carried out the attack with their faces covered, as they tried to flee the scene.

About 40 people were present at the Mass, while the victim was a man called Tuncer Cihan, who was attending the service.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that all "necessary measures" would be taken to punish the perpetrators, while Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu (an opposition leader) pointed the finger at those who undermine "our unity and peace".

"The pope's words at the Angelus have been a great encouragement and comfort to the local Catholic community, Bishop Palinuro said. Next week we will be in Rome for the ad limina visit and, probably, this will also be discussed.

A few minutes after the attack, the pontiff addressed a message of closeness and solidarity to Turkish Catholics.

"The clues lead to a religious motivation," the prelate explained, but we still have to wait because the investigation is still ongoing. Nevertheless, I must say that since October, since the events of the Gaza war, there has been a climate of growing hostility towards the West in general and, consequently, towards Christianity as well.

Terrorists, he noted, "are usually unable or unwilling to make distinctions between the West, Israel, Christianity, and the Catholic Church. Paradoxically, Christian sites are being targeted, when Christians in Gaza are, along with Muslims, victims of attacks by Israeli troops.

For the Apostolic Vicar of Istanbul, The other factor that could also have moved these attackers is the reaction to the climate of 'Islamophobia' that is taking hold and growing in the West" in an unconscious way.

This remains a big problem because it hardens feelings, and creates further enmity. The burning of the Quran has a huge resonance here, but it does not get necessary and proper condemnation.

For this reason, the attack claimed by the Islamic State against the Church of Santa Maria "could also be a sort of retaliation for the burning of the Quran.

While newspapers in the West easily deal with the story with a few lines, here the hatred inspired by a pseudo-religion is fed, smoulders under the ashes, and explodes at the first opportunity."

"We leave it to the investigators to get to the truth. We have confidence in the Turkish judiciary and police forces, so we expect justice to be done for the good of everyone, for the honour of this noble nation, and for the good of Christian communities that have inhabited it for two thousand years."

The Apostolic Vicar of Anatolia, Bishop Paolo Bizzeti, wonders why "we were not warned in time of possible attacks", after the government "said it had arrested 25 terrorists who were studying and planning attacks on churches and synagogues. Why," he added, "did they not warn us or boost measures for Sunday Masses?"

The prelate addressed a thought "to the victim, a sympathiser who had been approaching the church for some months, and was shot by chance, perhaps because he stood in the way of the attackers who were people prepared to strike, to kill.

We ask, the bishop said, for a different climate, not of opposition or discrimination, but of freedom in which everyone can express themselves.
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The 44th International Tourism Trade Fair closes the doors on a successful edition whose figures reflect the growth that world tourism has experienced in the past year and lays the foundations for its consolidation in 2024. FITUR has announced that over the course of its five days it received a total of 250,000 visitors, of which 153,000 were professionals (from 24 to 26 January) and more than 97,000 visitors attended during its two days open to the public (Saturday 27 and Sunday 28). These figures, in line with the estimate made by IFEMA MADRID, represent an increase of 13.7% compared to 2023.

FITUR 2024 also stands out for its record-breaking exhibition space, with a total of nine pavilions, one more than in 2023, as well as for the consolidation of its global influence with 152 countries and 96 official country participations.

Organised by IFEMA MADRID, the Fair was inaugurated on 24 January by Their Majesties the King and Queen of Spain, with the presence of Ecuador as a Partner Country and the participation of all the players in the tourism industry's value chain, which demonstrated the dynamism of the sector through numerous business operations, the increase in contact networks and the exchange of best practices and knowledge.

The official balance sheet for FITUR 2024 shows record participation figures with 9,000 companies, 152 countries, 96 official representations (20 more than in 2023), 806 exhibitors, 9 pavilions, 10 monographic sections for tourism segments -FITUR 4all, Cruises, Know-How & Export, LGTB+, Lingua, Screen, Sports, Talent, TechY and Woman- and the work carried out by the FITURNEXT Observatory as a channel for the International Tourism Trade Fair's sustainable commitment.

It should also be noted that the influx of visitors to FITUR will generate around 430 million euros in revenue for Madrid.

Strong institutional and industry support

This 44th edition, as every year, in addition to the support of the international tourism sector, stands out for the strong institutional backing received. In addition to the Royal Court's show of support for the tourism industry, with the presence of Their Majesties Don Felipe and Dona Letizia, FITUR was attended by prominent leaders such as Daniel Noboa, President of Ecuador, which this year was the International Tourism Trade Fair's Partner Country. It has also received the official visit of the President of the Spanish Government, Pedro Sanchez; the Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama; representatives of UN Tourism together with its Secretary General, Zurab Pololikashvili, the Ibero-American Secretary General, as well as more than ten regional presidents of Spain. In total, the Fair was attended by more than 400 authorities including Ministers, Secretaries of State, ambassadors, business managers and mayors from different regions.

Media and social media coverage of FITUR 2024

The growth of the fair has been reflected in the extensive media coverage registered with more than 37,000 news items published about FITUR 2024 during its celebration in national and international media, and with the presence at the Fair of more than 6,800 accredited journalists, 6,192 national and 610 international from 53 countries.

In addition, in the social media environment, during the first two days of FITUR there has been a growth of 10,602 followers on Facebook, X, LinkedIn and Instagram, reaching a total community of 311,341 followers. The nearly 860 posts published have reached more than 6.5 million impressions and 83,000 interactions. Finally, FITUR generated a high volume of traffic to the website, with approximately one million visits.

IFEMA MADRID is now looking ahead to FITUR 2025, to be held from 22 to 26 January, with Mexico taking over as Partner Country.
The Trans Am was the king of the Firebird castle in 1979, reaching a record of 117,000 units produced for this model year. It was the highest the Trans Am ever got, with the production dropping substantially a year later to a little over 50,000 units.

The Formula was the least common Firebird version in 1979, accounting for 24,851 units of the entire production.The car was available with a 301 V8 in the standard configuration, but customers could also order more powerful choices, including a four-barrel version of the same mill. The 400 and the 403 were available on the Formula, too.Customers in California could get the Formula with a 305 instead of the 301.Someone on eBay has recently posted one of the most intriguing Firebirds I've seen lately. Their 1979 Formula looks really good, and I won't comment too much on the cosmetic side of the car because anyone can see most tidbits in the photo gallery.However, the best part about this Formula is the number on the odometer. The car comes with only 11,900 miles (19,100 kilometers) on the clock. It's a Canadian car, so the odometer shows kilometers, but the owner doesn't share more specifics as to how the mileage remained so low. Most cars with low miles typically spend decades in storage, so I wouldn't be surprised if this Formula was part of a collector's garage or a private museum.The car comes with the matching numbers 301 under the hood, and while no specifics are available, I believe the original mill is still in running condition. The 301 was installed on only 7,015 Firebirds with an automatic transmission in 1979, with the same engine matted with only 1,590 manual gearboxes.This one is an automatic, as if the 7K figure wasn't already intriguing, it's also a Canadian example, becoming even rarer. I don't have any numbers regarding the number of Firebirds exported to Canada, but it's safe to assume not too many units were destined for non-American customers.Considering the matching-numbers engine and low miles, the car's price makes perfect sense. However, the one thing you must know is that the car remains mostly original, with one exception. It has already received a repaint, so the coat of paint it currently wears isn't the one sprayed by Pontiac in 1979. The quality of the job is good, but you'll have to see it in person to get a clearer picture.Seller Napoli Classics is willing to let this Formula go for $32,000, but they also enabled the Make Offer button on the eBay page. It means you can send them your offer if you're interested in the car and don't want to pay that much, though I don't expect to get the price lower than $30K.
The Rolls-Royce of electric vehicles just got hit with its first recall. A little over 100 examples of the Spectre have been recalled in the United States market due to potential adhesive residue on the ground connection cable connector eyelet. Said residue may result in unwanted electrical resistance and further cause an insufficient ground connection.

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The ground connection cable connects the front drive unit to the vehicle chassis. BMW of North America informed the federal watchdog of two potential risks. Firstly, the service technician may be injured in case of a short circuit. The worst-case scenario would be a thermal event, which isn't pretty in a vehicle equipped with a high-voltage battery.A Rolls-Royce retailer discovered the aforementioned condition on December 20 last year, during a pre-delivery inspection. A stop delivery order was issued on January 11, and six days later, BMW of North America decided to inspected all potentially affected vehicles for extra peace of mind. To date, BMW -owned Rolls-Royce is aware of zero incidents  or worse  related to the condition.LEONI AG of Nuremberg, Germany supplied the suspect component, which bears part number 61 29 5A66D97 in the automaker's parts system. Suspect vehicles were manufactured in the period between October 24, 2023 and December 11, 2023 at the Goodwood assembly plant in the United Kingdom.Dealers nationwide will be informed about this recall on February 1. Owner notifications will be mailed via first-class mail on March 15. Knowing the British manufacturer, owners may have already been informed by their respective R-R dealerships. Regarding the remedy, service technicians will inspect the eyelet at the end of the cable (which attaches to the front electric motor) for adhesive residue. If necessary, excess adhesive will be carefully removed prior to reconnecting the ground cable.Based on the Architecture of Luxury aluminum-intensive platform of the Ghost, Cullinan, and Phantom, the Spectre is Rolls-Royce's first battery-electric vehicle. Revealed in October 2022 with a starting price of $413,000 in the US market, the Spectre boasted no fewer than 300 orders at the moment of its unveiling in this part of the world.Its battery is listed with a capacity of 102hours. R-R says that lithium and cobalt are sourced from strictly controlled sources in Australia, Argentina, and Morocco. The cells are produced with green electricity, and Rolls-Royce tested this battery in temperatures ranging from -40 C to 50 C before giving it the OK for production. In Fahrenheit, that would be -40 to 122 degrees.Tipping the scales at 2,890 kilograms (6,371 pounds), the Spectre is minutely smaller than the entry-level Ghost in both overall length and wheelbase. Its dual-motor setup is rated at 430and 900 Nm, meaning 576 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque. Zero to 60 miles per hour (97 kilometers per hour) takes 4.4 seconds, andrange is estimated at 530 kilometers (329 miles). By comparison, the EPA range is 291 mi (468 km).It should be noted that the current Ghost, Cullinan, and Phantom are Rolls-Royce's final internal combustion vehicles. The ultra-luxury marque intends to switch to electric-only muscle after 2030, meaning that the Spectre coupe will be joined at some point in the coming years by at least one zero-emission sedan and one zero-emission
Back in March 2022, the Kia Corporation announced that it would launch 17 electric vehicles by the year 2030. No surprises here, but what's truly surprising is that Kia further confirmed two pickup trucks. The first is a dedicated model, which means that it's probably based on the current E-GMP or the upcoming eM electric vehicle platform.

Photo: Woopa Blue SkyWoopa TV on YouTube

EV

The second truck was described as being a strategic vehicle tailored for emerging markets. In other words, it will be offered with both internal combustion and electric muscle. Said truck has been recently under camouflage in a parking lot in South Korea. Everyone and their dog is looking forward to a body-on-frame truck based on the Mohave's platform, as well as turbo diesel power.Potential engine choices include the 2.2-liter Smartstream D2.2, the 3.0-liter Smartstream D3.0, the 2.5-liter Smartstream G2.5T, and the 3.5-liter Smartstream G3.5T. This prototype is equipped with a two-pedal transmission, likely a torque-converter automatic rather than a dual-clutch unit. Kia has already trademarked Tasman in a handful of countries, including back home in South Korea. This moniker also figures on IP Australia, which shows that Kia applied for this mark on May 2, 2023. Codenamed TK, the heavily anticipated Tasman is expected to enter series production in February 2025.From a design standpoint, it's easy to see bits of Telluride and bits of EV9 in this dual-cab truck. Further gifted with rear bumper steps, the 2025 Kia Tasman is equipped with a relatively short bed. Then again, this fellow is a Ranger-like midsizer rather than a half-ton truck such as the F-150.The cabin has a modern yet utilitarian look to it. Rear legroom appears to be surprisingly adequate for a mid-size pickup, whereas zooming in on the center console reveals a toggle switch that allows the user to select between two- and four-wheel-drive modes. Pictured on 265/65 R17 tires at every corner, the camouflaged prototype further sweetens the deal with Wrangler-like square mirror caps.Unfortunately for prospective customers in the United States, the Tasman isn't coming stateside due to the Chicken Tax. Local production isn't possible either, not when Hyundai and Kia are so focused on electric vehicles to the detriment of internal combustion vehicles. The other pickup, however, is certain to be offered in the United States due to its-only platform. Be it the E-GMP of the EV6 and EV9 or the eM of the upcoming GT1 , there's no denying that Kia can assemble it in the US of A.Turning our attention back to the Tasman, unconfirmed reports from South Korea suggest a payload capacity of 1,000 kilograms and a braked towing capacity of 3,500 kilograms. Otherwise put, 2,204 pounds and 7,716 pounds, respectively. For reference, the US-spec 2024 Ford Ranger is rated at 1,805 pounds (819 kilograms) and 7,500 pounds (3,402 kilograms).Kia's Australian division is said to have contributed greatly to the development of the Tasman, which is rumored with a performance off-road specification a la the 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor. In this case, we can definitely imagine the 3.5-liter gasoline V6 rather than the smaller 2.5 or a diesel engine. In the Genesis GV80, the Smartstream G3.5T makes 375 horsepower (380 ps) and 390 pound-feet (530 Nm) of torque.
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They are basically attacking the legacy automakers from all directions, save one. With the Tesla Model 3 'Highland'  which early this year also launched at home in America  they are offering a modernwith many flaws that bewildered people well taken care of. Sure, not everything is perfect, but the company strives to give us more things to love rather than hate.The story of the Tesla Model Y near-premium mid-size crossoveris one for the ages  and it could easily get adapted for a Hollywood blockbuster. 2023 was its year of make-it-or-break-it, by the way. At home in the United States, it was 'only' the fifth best-selling nameplate with an estimate of around 386k units, but that was mainly because the Ford F-Series, Chevy Silverado, Ram Trucks, and Toyota's RAV4 are still a bit hard to beat. But it will be an overkill when Tesla gives the Model Y the same range of upgrades as the Model 3.Also, all around the world, it is shaping up as the worldwide best-selling vehicle  in Europe, it's clearly number one, and according to the most recent estimates, it also dethroned the Toyota RAV4 compact crossover SUV across the automotive industry with 1.23 million deliveries last year! That's quite impressive, right? As for Cybertruck, that one is a regional hero, at most  and it will severely impact the EV pickup truck market in America rather than the world at large.Anyway, we said earlier that Tesla is basically attacking all old-school OEMs from all angles, bar one  the cheap and compact Tesla EV. That's another one of Musk's bedtime stories, but the problem is that all the other ones have come true  including the hype surrounding the Cybertruck pickup and the Model Y becoming the world's best-selling nameplate. As such, we had better prepare ourselves for the arrival of a smaller and even more affordable Tesla.According to the imaginative realm of digital car content creators and the rumor mill, that may happen as soon as next year as it turns out. But while most rumors about the cheap '$25k' Tesla speak about a smaller Model 3 sedan, this time around, the parallel universes of vehicular CGI have tried their magic on a nimbler and more affordable Model Y crossover SUV sibling.More precisely, Vince Burlapp (aka vburlapp on social media or burlappcar.com) is a prolific virtual artist who loves to dream of all the latest models across the wide-ranging automotive realm  and the pixel master recently cooked up an unofficial Tesla compact crossover SUV that looks exactly like an updated and nimbler Tesla Model Y CUV. Obviously, he is tying into the ' Redwood ' rumors  and do we like that or not?
Quad-motor electric vehicles can do some neat tricks that no other cars can. The so-called tank turn is one of them, although few understand why you would ever need it. However, a more helpful feature based on the tank turn is parallel parking in tight spaces, which BYD's YangWang U8 demonstrated in a recent video.

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Watch the @BYDCompany U8 SUV effortlessly parallel park into the tightest spots with its quad motors! While it's a game-changer for urban maneuverability, the strain on the powertrain and rear wheels is something to keep in mind for long-term durability. #BYD pic.twitter.com/5eNWPQQ0nx  Garage Klub (@garageklub) January 27, 2024

As electric vehicles prove more popular,carmakers have started flooding the market with new EV models. This is no longer enough in China, as more car brands have been registered. Many of them are solely destined for the local market, with brand names that are impossible to pronounce by a foreigner. YangWang is one of the lesser-known Chinese brands in BYD's portfolio , recently launched as an upscale brand with cutting-edge vehicles.I'm sure you have heard about the YangWang U8, thanks to some videos shared on social media showing it floating on water. The Chinese drew inspiration from Elon Musk's claims that the Cybertruck might float "for a while," but they did it seriously. The U8 SUV features a floating mode that can keep the heavy SUV from sinking for 30 minutes. Well, it turns out that floating is not U8's only superpower.Although the YangWang U8 is not a pure electric vehicle (it uses a 2.0-liter engine as a range extender), it does have four electric motors, one for each wheel. This allows it to perform neat tricks like the coveted tank-turn move. Last October, California Governor Gavin Newsome went to China and was offered the chance to test the U8, including the tank turn . Newsome appeared to make fun of this feature, not understanding its usefulness. Considering the rubber left on the ground, it might not be wise to do it anyway.Still, there are situations when moves like that can save the day. In another video shared on social media, we see what the YangWang U8 can do when it only counter-rotates its rear wheels. The SUV can use this feature to slide the rear left or right around the front axle. If you wonder what the point is, the video below is self-explanatory. The YangWang U8 maneuvers in a tight parking spot like a pro in just two simple moves.Before cheering that this is the best car for a rooky driver, allowing them to parallel-park without breaking a sweat, consider the downsides of this for a moment. The move is likely to cause a lot of wear not only on the tires but also on the rear drive units and suspension components. There's a reason why Rivian gave up on the tank-turn feature, leaving its fans in tears.On the bright side, this trick should work on a tri-motor vehicle like the Tesla Model S Plaid or the Cyberbeast if the software is updated to allow it. However, just because it's possible doesn't mean it's recommended. Carmakers who plan to offer the tank turn on their EVs caution owners to only use it on soft terrain precisely because things can break if the grip is too high.
Samsung Galaxy S24 is the best the world's number one phone maker can offer today, so you can't blame customers for expecting a flawless experience. After all, they paid over $1,000 for the Ultra model, so everything should be top-notch on every front.

However, early buyers have already discovered the first major problem, and unsurprisingly, it impacts the Android Auto experience.Users claim their shiny new Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra can't run Android Auto wirelessly despite a correct connection between the phone and the head unit. The device can run Android Auto with a cord, so the app is properly configured, and the initial setup is completed, but once the cord is removed, the application shuts down.Galaxy S24 buyers claim they've tried the generic workarounds to restore Android Auto, including several resets, pairing, and unpairing, but nothing fixes the wireless connection. The only workaround is to run Android Auto with a cable All users struggling with a wireless connection in their car with a Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra claim everything worked correctly before upgrading to the latest-generation smartphone. Most owned other Samsung Galaxy S models, and running Android Auto wirelessly worked as expected, with no issues when disconnecting the cable from the device.If you're a long-time Android Auto user with a Samsung phone, you probably remember that such issues are common for new-generation devices launched by the South Korean firm. Every time it launches a new Galaxy S phone, users end up struggling with Android Auto. The same thing happened when the company released the Galaxy S22 series and happened again when the Galaxy S23 came out The Galaxy S24 is no exception, though the bugs seem to only plague the wireless connection.One of our readers and an early Samsung Galaxy S24 buyer told me that running Android Auto without a cord works correctly when they use an adapter. Wireless Android Auto adapters convert the connection mode from wired to wireless, though they are aimed at vehicles where the manufacturer doesn't offer Android Auto wireless built-in. For some reason, the Galaxy S24 can't connect wirelessly directly to the head unit.A Google Community Specialist has already chimed in and asked for additional information about the bug. However, based on what happened when the previous-generation models came out, Android and Android Auto are not the culprits. The issue resides in Samsung's software, and unless the phone maker ships a patch, it's safe to assume the connection problems will persist.Samsung has remained tight-lipped on the reported Android Auto errors, and it's still too early to tell if everybody is impacted. However, more buyers will receive the S24 this week, so it won't take long before we get a clearer picture of how widespread the bug is.
Autonomous cargo drones are seen as the life-saving tech for an industry that is so booming that it kind of chokes under its own weight. Admittedly, there is still much waiting to be done until you or your business can get delivery of precious cargo by means of autonomous drones, but we're getting there.

Photo: MightyFly

Photo: MightyFly

Most of the companies currently working on such delivery machines present drones that can fly themselves to where they need to be. Almost all of them, however, require the presence of humans to load the cargo, and even arrange it inside in such a way that it does not disrupt the aircraft's center of gravity.But what if I told you someone is working on a delivery drone so advanced it can load and unload on its own, and on top of that it will be able to arrange cargo inside its bay also on its own, in a manner it senses it won't be a problem?I'm not sure how many of you have heard about a company called MightyFly . These guys came together in 2019 in San Francisco to develop autonomous cargo aircraft and save the shipping industry a lot of time and money.The company's efforts are focused on a drone called Cento, a vertical take-off and landing machine powered by electricity. Supported by eight electric vertical lift fans and a forward propulsion propeller, the carbon fiber-bodied aircraft has been designed to carry 100 lbs (45 kg) of cargo.This is done inside a cargo bay large enough to accommodate anywhere between 96 and 212 small USPS packages for distances as large as 600 miles (965 km), and at speeds that can reach as much as 150 mph (240 kph).The last time we heard anything about the MightyFly Cento was in the summer of last year, when the company said it would fly the drone for demonstrative purposes in the state of Michigan.So far that did not happen, but we do know MightyFly decided to start the new year by showing a new version (the third generation, they call it) of the Cento.Although design-wise and from the performance point of view the autonomous cargo drone remains largely the same, some upgrades have been made to the way the thing can carry its load.Aside from getting a slightly larger cargo bay (we're not told by how much, but there was talk a year ago of it being able to carry 500 pounds/227 kg of cargo), the Cento now packs something called the Autonomous Load Mastering System (ALMS). This system lets the aircraft open (and close) the cargo bay doors on its own so that packages can be loaded inside.Not only that, but the drone will be able to determine on its own the weight and balance of the cargo, so that its flight will not be disturbed.That's not something we haven't heard about before, but you do have to keep in mind the Cento will do everything above on its own, without any help from humans, not even when it comes to arranging the packages inside the bay.The technology, not completely detailed, has caught the eye of the U.S. Air Force (USAF). Through the Agility Prime and Air Mobility Command, the military branch is looking at the tech as a potential solution for its "most pressing autonomous aerial logistics needs."I said earlier that the Cento remains largely the same when it comes to its design, but that doesn't mean some modifications were not performed. The tandem wing design, which allows a large trim of the aircraft center of lift, has been refined. Then, structural conductors and a composite structure were used to reduce weight, and a canard landing gear is now in place as a means to lower drag.The company says the third-gen Cento will enter qualification tests as soon as February 2024. Later this year, the aforementioned delivery flights are set to debut in Michigan. The autonomous loading, unloading, and balancing of packages will be demonstrated in front of the USAF's top brass in early 2025.Because the third generation of the drone is now larger than before, and can accommodate a large range of payloads' center of gravity, it has also become ideal to carry more various hardware. Just to give you an idea of what that means, consider the drone can now accommodate stuff the size of the cooler boxes used to transport donor organs.The drone is, of course, not meant solely for the needs of the military. Because it was primarily designed to serve the civilian sector, it will probably spread like wildfire in the fields of logistics, manufacturing, healthcare, and even automotive. Disaster relief and other emergency response uses are also being considered.MightyFly does not say how much a Cento drone costs.
Because the American space agency has a lot more projects running, and plans for the future that dwarf anything else on this planet, it's easy to overlook what others are doing. And that's a shame, and just to give an example of why that's so, I'll just tell you Europe is presently planning the most Star Trek-ish mission you've heard in a very long time.

WHAT IS LISA?

Photo: ESA

THE MISSION

Photo: ESA

Last week NASA announced the end-of-mission for the Ingenuity Mars helicopter after three years of doing some incredible science over the surface of the Red Planet. Naturally, that caught all of our attention, and we almost missed some incredible developments taking place over in Europe.It is there from where last week news surfaced of two brand new exciting missions being planned for the start of the next decade: LISA and EnVision. Both are daring enough to potentially change the way we understand our solar system, so we've decided to give them both a closer look.We'll start today with LISA, which is an acronym for Laser Interferometer Space Antenna. It's a mission that is led and run by the European Space Agency (ESA) but it also involves its American counterpart.We're used to spacecraft being singular devices sent in space and elsewhere to perform a certain task. That's pretty much what LISA is about, except in its case we're not talking about a single spacecraft but three of them.The project is in its early stages, having just been cleared for design and build, but we do know each of the three spacecraft will be gifted with solid gold-platinum cubes (smaller than a Rubik cube) installed at the heart of each of them, and floating freely inside special housings.These platinum cubes will be used to detect gravitational waves, which is the main mission of the LISA effort.After launch, the three spacecraft will position themselves behind our planet, trailing it in its orbit around the Sun. Each of the spacecraft will be positioned in a different orbit to form an equilateral triangle with each side measuring 2.5 million km (1.55 million miles).The spacecraft will communicate with one another by means of laser beams. The cubes I mentioned earlier are there to measure the "tiny changes in the distances between the masses in the different spacecraft," which in turn may point to the presence of gravitational waves.Building the three spacecraft to be so accurate as to determine changes in the distance of masses "down to a few billionths of a millimeter" is no easy task. As per ESA, the "spacecraft must be designed to ensure that nothing, besides the geometry of spacetime itself, affects the movement of the masses, which are in freefall."More than a century ago one of the greatest minds that ever lived, Albert Einstein, predicted that massive space objects the likes of black holes literally shake the fabric of spacetime when they accelerate. This shaking generates gravitational waves that behave like ripples.These disturbances are minuscule in the large place that is our Universe and very difficult to detect. In fact, an attempt to measure them on this scale and from space has never been made before, making the LISA spacecraft the first of their kind.Similar studies have been conducted before from right here on Earth, but placing these ripple detectors in space will allow for the detection and measurement of gravitational waves of lower frequencies.What this means is that we'll be getting an unprecedented look back in time right to the beginning of time, to just a few seconds after the Big Bang.Although the exact details of the hardware are not yet known, ESA is hopeful the tech will allow it to detect the most elusive of such signals. They will capture the ripples in spacetime coming from the collision of black holes at the center of galaxies across the entire Universe.What will we learn from this? Well, for one we'll get a better sense of how things as massive as black holes come to be. Then, we'll get a better understanding of how they evolve, and how they influence the development of the galaxies that spin around them.The cherry on the cake, LISA will possibly help with more accurately measuring the change in the expansion of the Universe.ESA plans to begin work on assembling the three spacecraft one year from now  it's unclear at this point exactly who will be building it. The Europeans will handle the spacecraft, launch, and mission operations, while NASA will supply the lasers for the ships, their telescopes, and the charge management devices for the test masses.The LISA mission is set to depart our planet in 2035 on an Ariane 6 rocket. There is no word on how long the missions will last, but we are promised that "data will be publicly available to the global scientific community to enable a wide array of scientific investigations."
The official, Kamal Kharrazi, also heads Irans Strategic Council for Foreign Relations reportedly linked to Khameneis office. He had served as Iranian foreign minister from 1997-2005.

The Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict was high on the agenda of Kharrazis separate talks with Pashinian and Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan.

Minister Mirzoyan presented Armenias approaches in detail, emphasizing the imperative of unconditional respect for Armenias territorial integrity, inviolability of borders and sovereignty, said the Armenian Foreign Ministry.

Both Pashinian and Mirzoyan were reported to stress the importance of Tehrans positive reaction to Yerevans Crossroads of Peace project which they view as a blueprint for opening the Armenian-Azerbaijani border to travel and commerce.

The project says that Armenia and Azerbaijan should have full control of transport infrastructure inside each others territory. Irans Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian praised it during a December visit to Yerevan.

Azerbaijan afterwards renewed its demands for an extraterritorial corridor that would connect it to its Nakhichevan exclave through Syunik, the only Armenian region bordering Iran. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said people and cargo should be allowed to move through that corridor without any checks. Yerevan continues to reject those demands.

Iran has repeatedly warned against attempts to strip it of the common border and transport links with Armenia. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi reportedly told a visiting Azerbaijani official in October 2023 that the corridor sought by Baku is resolutely opposed by Iran. Khamenei likewise made this clear to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan when they met in Tehran in 2022.

Armenias position on the issue has been criticized by not only Azerbaijan and Turkey but also Russia, its longtime ally. Russias Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov complained on January 18 that Yerevan opposes Russian control of a Syunik road and railway leading to Nakhichevan. Lavrov claimed that a Russian-brokered agreement that stopped the 2020 war in Karabakh calls for neutral border and customs control there. Armenian leaders deny this.
29 January 2024 12:47 (UTC+04:00)

By Doctor Sana Imran

The value of the Southern Caucasian region in Central Asia cannot be overemphasised. Nestled in the historical legacy of the former Russian, Persian, and Ottoman Empires, this geographical expanse is rich with a profound sense of antiquity and modernity. The recently settled issue of Garabagh, which used to linger as a festering wound, has now been resolved due to valiant actions by brave Azerbaijani troops. The illegal occupation of Azerbaijani lands by Armenia for nearly three decades now is a blatant disregard for the four UN resolutions passed in favour of Azerbaijan. For the liberation of Azeri lands, Turkey and Pakistan afford unconditional and guaranteed support to Azerbaijan. Armenia, on the other hand, seeks support from Russia and Iran.

Most recently, India, an extra-territorial player, has made headlines, attempting to alter the security dynamics of a highly volatile region. Traditionally, Armenia forged low on the priorities of Indian foreign policy makers, but recent Indian exports of military hardware to Armenia manifest deeper Indian designs to partake in the long-standing conflict. New Delhi has staked out a fairly defined position by aligning itself with Yerevan. India's strategic interests in the region's security calculus have become increasingly apparent as India seeks to improve its geopolitical clout. This newfound assertiveness reflects India's aspirations to be recognised as a great power with a global reach.

New Delhis support for Yerevan is not only a diplomatic show of force but also has complex military strings attached to it. Multiple shipments of military equipment from India to Armenia, including Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launchers, anti-tank missiles, rockets, ammunition, and the recently reported Indian-developed anti-drone system (Zen), reflect the same. According to the latest reports, India is set to export the Akash Air Defence System to Armenia. The latest batch of weapons for Armenia is currently undergoing testing, with positive feedback regarding their effectiveness in countering threats, especially from Azerbaijani drones. Indian weapon systems will not only enhance Armenia's military muscle for flexing against Azerbaijan but will also compound the entangled security matrix.

The arms sales from India to Armenia have raised concerns in Azerbaijan, with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev holding France and India responsible for potential conflicts. In utter disregard for such concerns, Armenia sees India as a reliable weapons supplier. The Indian media, on the other hand, highlights a strategic geopolitical background to these arms sales, positioning India against the Azerbaijani-Turkish-Pakistani axis. With these efforts, India is trying to establish strategic partnerships beyond its traditional allies while navigating the complex security cobweb of the South Caucasus region. With an aim to expand its defence industry, India, under the policy of Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self  Reliant India) has focused its attention on Defence Indigenization. For exports of military equipment and weapons, Armenia presents itself as a reliable market.

Pakistan and Azerbaijan enjoy strong diplomatic relations. However, there is a need to improve economic ties. Contrarily, Islamabad has not established any diplomatic relations with Armenia due to the former 'Nagorno-Karabakh' conflict. Pakistans support for Azerbaijan remains closely linked to its strategic ties with Turkiye, which also serves as Bakus primary supporter. Pakistans exports to Azerbaijan stood at a paltry US$25.8 million in 2022. With an aim to further enhance bilateral trade, Pakistan and Azerbaijan have decided to revive talks on the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA). This bilateral cooperation will not only be limited to the economic domain but will foster a broad-based strategic partnership between the two brotherly states. The recently concluded visit of Pakistans Chief of Army Staff, General Asim Munir, to Azerbaijan further cements military-to-military cooperation.

The whole regional equation is not that simple. With Turkiye and Pakistan supporting Azerbaijan and Russia and Iran and India aligning with Armenia, it will not be wrong to say that blocs have gradually emerged in the simmering South Caucasus region. Pakistan-Azerbaijan-Turkiye is a time-tested reality that should not be mistaken by anyone for any misadventure. Following the 2020 Second Garabagh War, Ankara, Baku, and Islamabad have actively worked together to strengthen their trilateral relations. Similarly, in September 2021, the Azerbaijani, Turkish, and Pakistani militaries conducted a joint military exercise, named "Three Brothers2021, in Baku. While Russia is caught up in Ukraine, Armenia has its eyes focused on India and Iran for support. Armenia's shift towards acquiring weapons from India indicates a re-evaluation of its traditional reliance on Russian and Soviet-made military hardware. This change has also led to tensions with Russia. Similarly, it is crucial to highlight Iran's historical relations with India and Armenia as well. Iran's standpoint on Garabagh, economic interests and geo-political interests add another layer of complexity to this problem. Armenia, fostering strategic ties with New Delhi, suggests the creation of a Persian Gulf-Black Sea Corridor through Iran, either as an extension of INSTC or a new branch. The aim of the initiative could be to facilitate connections between Indian traders and regions spanning Russia and beyond up to Europe. Potential exists for a trilateral coalition involving India, Iran, and Armenia to counterbalance the axis formed by Pakistan, Azerbaijan, and Turkiye.

Through leveraging its economic strength and diplomatic clout, India aspires to establish crucial alliances in the South Caucasus, positioning itself as a pivotal player. Indias military aid to Armenia may have far-reaching implications, which can escalate tensions and potentially trigger an arms race. The regional dynamics of the South Caucasus are becoming more intricate, with the stakes of many extra-regional players embedded in them. The escalating conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan is being exacerbated by increasing regional complexities. Russia has expressed its readiness to facilitate a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Responsible mediation is therefore imperative; otherwise, the ongoing conflict may create an environment where extra-regional powers like India can solidify their positions and exploit the situation, potentially leading to security dilemmas and an arms race. New Delhis active participation in the region emphasises the necessity for vigilant monitoring and the adoption of effective countermeasures to avoid disrupting the established balance of power in the region.

Author: Doctor Sana Imran, Assistant Professor at National University of Science and Technology (NUST) Islamabad

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29 January 2024 16:17 (UTC+04:00)

Nigar Hasanova Read more

In a decisive move to safeguard the environment and advance socio-economic goals, Azerbaijan has implemented a groundbreaking decision, limiting the importation of passenger cars over 10 years old into the country. Cabinet of Ministers Decision No. 94 aims to curtail harmful emissions, drive the adoption of environmentally friendly vehicles, and stimulate the growth of the national automobile industry. This article delves into the nuanced aspects of this transition, focusing on the market for hybrid cars and providing more granular details.

The restriction on older cars serves a multitude of purposes, ranging from environmental protection to advancing socio-economic goals outlined in the order titled Azerbaijan 2030: National Priorities for Socio-Economic Development. With over 80% of the country's 1.4 million passenger cars being more than a decade old, the move is expected to bring about several positive changes.



The decision encourages the adoption of hybrid and electric vehicles, aligning with global efforts to reduce carbon emissions. Notably, electric cars have been exempted from value-added tax since 2019, and recent VAT exemptions for hybrid cars underscore the commitment to cleaner transportation.

The Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan, based on proposals prepared by a specially created subgroup within the working group of the Commission on Business Environment and International Ratings, "On changes in the goods nomenclature of the foreign economic activity of the Republic of Azerbaijan, rates of import customs duties and rates of export customs duties," According to Decision No. 411 dated November 11, 2022, the existing 15% import duty on only electric motor passenger cars up to 3 years from the factory release date was set to 0%. At the same time, according to the decision, the import duty rate on the second and third-level electric chargers for electric vehicles was also reduced from 5% to 0%.

Recycle for safer travel

The removal of older cars from circulation is contributing to renewing the national car fleet. This not only enhances road safety by eliminating potential hazards but also aligns with the country's strategic documents, emphasising the need for a modernised transport system.



The restriction opens avenues for stimulating the domestic automobile industry. With a push towards cleaner energy, there is an opportunity for the production and promotion of hybrid and electric vehicles within the country. The exemption of electric cars from customs duties further incentivizes local manufacturing. As the automobile sector expands, there is a potential for an increase in qualified personnel in the field. This aligns with the broader goals of socio-economic development outlined in Azerbaijan's strategic documents. The country's commitment to fostering a skilled workforce is vital for sustainable growth in the automotive sector.

Concessions for electric and hybrid cars, including VAT exemptions and customs duty reductions, have been implemented to encourage their import and use. This aligns with global trends towards sustainable transportation and positions Azerbaijan as a favourable market for environmentally conscious consumers.

While the decision promotes positive changes, it's essential to assess the impact on the hybrid car market within Azerbaijan with a more nuanced lens.

Regardless of the increasing interest, challenges persist in the widespread availability of infrastructure for electric vehicles. The limited number of charging points in the country remains a concern for potential buyers. Strategic investments in charging infrastructure will be pivotal in addressing this hurdle.

Bringing these cars into Azerbaijan presents its own set of challenges, particularly related to customs duties and subsequently the high prices placed on the domestic market, especially for electric cars.

Most importantly, the restriction will reduce the supply of older but cheaper passenger cars. This in itself also actualizes the price increase. That is, in the second-hand market, you will see only old cars that have been used in the country. On the other hand, the low age of the cars to be brought to the country means that their price will be high. This can inevitably push buyers to turn to cheap cars, even if they are old on the market. As a result, it leads to a significant price increase.

As previously mentioned, the restriction on older cars has led to a temporary increase in prices for second-hand vehicles, particularly those with an older production year. While official dealers contribute to the hybrid market, the majority of hybrid cars in Azerbaijan are second-hand vehicles imported from Georgia. The foremost challenge is the significant customs duty imposed on hybrid cars. In stark contrast to neighbouring Georgia, where 4 out of every 10 cars are hybrid or electric due to favourable policies, Azerbaijan faces reluctance to reduce customs duties. However, experts believe this rise may stabilise over time, with a modest increase of around 2% anticipated in the near future. Continuous monitoring of market dynamics is crucial for assessing the long-term impact on prices.

In conclusion, Azerbaijan's shift towards hybrid cars aligns with global trends in sustainable transportation. The decision to restrict older cars not only addresses environmental concerns but also sets the stage for a dynamic transformation in the country's automobile industry. As the market adapts to these changes, the government's commitment to sustainable practices and strategic investments in infrastructure will be key to shaping a greener future for Azerbaijan's roads.

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Nigar Hasanova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @SNova_000

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29 January 2024 21:27 (UTC+04:00)

Abbas Ganbay Read more

The Armenian diaspora, which is engaged in promoting separatism and spreading the so-called artsakh mentality to the world, experienced its next disgrace.

As could be expected, the "great" protest of the Armenian Diaspora, scheduled for January 27-28 in 50 European cities, gathered a small number of protesters. The latest anti-Azerbaijani statements in the European Parliament and PACE, as well as in many countries, encouraged the Armenian Diaspora to continue the idea of returning the "great Artsakh". Protests were held in Georgia (Tbilisi), France (Nice, Alforvil), and Canada (Montreal) under the slogan "Europeans for Artsakh".

However, the output of all efforts was disappointing for many of their virtual supporters across the world. Although Armenians announced that the protests would take place in many European cities with a large number of protesters, in the end, the actions took place only in a few countries with very few people involved.

Armenian Diaspora of France expected about 1000 people to participate in the protest action in Nice, France, but surprisingly not more than 50 people appeared in a large square.

In fact, this is not so surprising from a realist point of view. Because not all Armenians living in France can be considered supporters of rotten Armenian separatism. Obviously, among thousands of Armenian population, there are those who have rational thinking. For this reason, there is no one who believes in the "artsakh" ideology either outside of Armenia, or even inside the country. There are not even people who have desire to serve in military. Everything is already in plain sight, and it is not worth believing that 3-5 Armenian lobbyists by creating artificial agitation can enormously influence organizations in the Western world except for certain ones that have sold their consciences.

Nevertheless, there are still some separatist elements among the protesting Armenians who believe that through rallies and ardent actions it will be possible to achieve the release of the separatists, as well as the return of "artsakh" ideology back to Garabagh. But time has shown us that such protests do not benefit the relations between the countries and only aggravate the already tense situation in the South Caucasus. Thanks to the recent actions of France, a country allied to Armenians (resolutions, sanctions) in support of "revanchist forces", the signing of a peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia has remained in limbo for a long time.

As if France deliberately took the separatist elements of Armenia under its protection in order to bring the situation to a more critical state. However, these are the same separatists, who celebrated 30th anniversary of their occupation of Azerbaijani lands, destroyed cultural heritage, illegally exported historical relics of Azerbaijan and sold on the black market. Although Azerbaijan has offered Armenians who voluntarily left Garabagh to return and accept Azerbaijani citizenship, the protesters barely denied the truth.

Currently, the European Union has chosen to become an unconditional ally of Armenia, ignoring justice in its biased and hostile attitude towards Azerbaijan. This contradicts the stated values of the European Union and may lead to the rise of political tensions in the region. Europe's policy of inciting Armenia in the South Caucasus and hindering peace processes contradicts the principles declared by the European Union. Such a position, supporting conflicts outside its region for its own motives, creates an impression of double standards in diplomacy.

It is also worth mentioning that at one of the Armenian protests in front of the Culture Ministry of France against the newly appointed Minister of Culture Rashida Dati was brutal. The protesters vandalized the entrance with blood-like paint and scattered fake bills. Rashida Dati is one of the few French politicians who have a fair and positive attitude towards Azerbaijan. Together with other members of the European Parliament and French politicians, she has repeatedly made statements in support of Azerbaijan in the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict. Compared to what is going on in front of the buildings of pro-Armenian officials and ministries in France, the Armenian protest is just an inflated bubble.

Rashida Dati stated that Azerbaijan is capable and should be an example for the whole world in the future in the context of relations between religions and ethnic groups. In addition, it is known to everyone that the Armenian lobby is engaged in propaganda of separatism and revanchism. The fact that such a provocation is as dangerous as the mines buried in Garabagh is a serious threat to both European-Azerbaijani relations and security in the South Caucasus region.

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Abbas Ganbay is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @Noend33

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29 January 2024 14:58 (UTC+04:00)

Nigar Hasanova Read more

Currently, 12 trading houses are operating in foreign countries outside of Azerbaijan.

Azernews reports that Yusif Abdullayev, the executive director of AZPROMO, said this at a press conference on the results of the previous year on January 29.

He said that in 2023, two more Azerbaijani trade houses will start operating in Beijing and Xi'an, the capital of China.

"Last year, 7 contracts worth 2.1 million dollars were signed for the export of food, beverage products, and carpets to China," said Yusif Abdullayev.

"In the last 3 years, the export of non-oil products increased by 82 percent," the executive director also added. He said that last year, non-oil products were exported to 110 countries.

"Last year, a record was recorded in the export of non-oil products from Azerbaijan. Thus, in 2023, non-oil products worth 3.348 billion dollars were exported from Azerbaijan, which is 9.8 percent more than in 2022. Among the countries that export the most products, the first place is Russia, the second place is Turkiye, and the third place is Hungary."

Azerbaijan is also expected to attend exhibitions in Japan, Korea, and Germany this year, the Executive Director of the Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Agency (AZPROMO), Yusif Abdullayev, said during a press conference.

Last year, Azerbaijani companies took part in five international exhibitions, he noted.

According to Yusif Abdullayev, the National Export Forum will be held in Azerbaijan in the autumn of this year. The event is currently being discussed and awaits approval. The forum will examine challenges connected to export growth and share experiences with international countries.

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29 January 2024 15:56 (UTC+04:00)

Nigar Hasanova Read more

To enhance the accessibility of financial resources for business entities, in 2023, the Entrepreneurship Development Fund allocated 193.8 million manats ($113.86 million) in concessional loans, supporting the financing of 3,276 investment projects with a total investment volume of 459.9 million manats ($270.23 million). According to Azernews, this was shared by Azerbaijani Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov on the X social network.

The Minister says that this initiative resulted in the creation of over 3,000 new jobs.

Notably, 99.8% of the loans were extended to micro, small, and medium-sized businesses in terms of project numbers and 91.1% in terms of loan amounts.

To enhance the accessibility of financial resources for business entities, in 2023, the Entrepreneurship Development Fund (@sahibkarliq) allocated 193.8 mln.  in #concessionalloans, supporting the financing of 3,276 #investment projects with a total investment volume of 459.9 pic.twitter.com/OKKXVQLtQJ  Mikayil Jabbarov (@MikayilJabbarov) January 29, 2024

It should be noted that the President of the National Confederation of Entrepreneurs (Employers) Organisations of Azerbaijan, Mammad Musayev, informed that the Azerbaijan Entrepreneurship Development Fund has provided preferential loans to more than 45,600 business entities over the past 20 years.

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29 January 2024 17:16 (UTC+04:00)

Nigar Hasanova Read more

The delegation headed by the non-resident ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark to Azerbaijan, Danny Annan, met with the Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, Mukhtar Babayev, Azernews reports, citing the Ministry.

The sides exchanged views on preparations for the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will be held in Azerbaijan in November this year.

The meeting also discussed the prospects of cooperation in the field of environmental protection between the two countries.

It should be mentioned that at the end of last year, Azerbaijan`s ambassador to Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Denmark, Zaur Ahmadov, met with the Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Danish Parliament, Lise Bech, and Vice Chairperson Per Husted. The sides exchanged views on the extensive potential of Azerbaijani-Danish relations, including the development of interparliamentary cooperation.

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29 January 2024 17:35 (UTC+04:00)

Nigar Hasanova Read more

There was a meeting between the Minister of Energy, Parviz Shahbazov, and the delegation led by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany, Jennifer Morgan.

Azernews reports that at the meeting, issues related to Azerbaijan's green energy transition course and activities within the framework of the country's presidency of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) were discussed.

It was noted that the policy of the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, which aims to achieve green growth by 2030, the declaration of 2024 as the Green World Solidarity Year, and the hosting of the COP29 event by our country will further increase national contributions to the "green energy transition" process.

The construction of wind and solar power plants will ensure a significant increase in the share of renewable energy in the production capacity of electricity in our country. With the integration of these powers into the energy system and the creation of the Green Energy Corridor with the participation of 4 countries to export green energy from the Caspian Sea to Europe, free information was provided on the measures implemented in the direction of turning the territories into a green energy zone.

During the conversation, views were exchanged on the role of the energy sector in the fight against climate change and global obligations.

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29 January 2024 08:30 (UTC+04:00)

Editorial

There is a saying that to know your enemy, strain his patience.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan was remembered for his unique but a little bit spiced-up statements he made the other day.

The process of peace negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan is still delayed due to long and winding discussions. Although the reason has not yet been fully disclosed, it became clear from tones of expressions in the Prime Minister's statements.

"In recent years, the government has signed contracts for the purchase of weapons and ammunition worth several billion dollars."

Why is Armenia, instead of being interested in opening the borders with Turkiye in the region and signing peace with Azerbaijan, joining a number of large-scale projects, it is heading towards France and distant India through the ulterior motive of neighboring Iran? From the above-mentioned Pashinyan's speech, it is already clear that for Armenia, it is not the economy playing vital role, but its military power that forms the main pillar of revanchism.

If we take a closer look at the processes, we can say that Pashinyan does not need to get into so much trouble to increase his military potential. Because, on the one hand, Armenia remains a landlocked state with lesser option to expand its economic cooperation, and on the other hand, the sharp decrease of interest in the military in the country does not require spending billions of drams on expensive weapons. As important as weapons are in the military, manpower and morale play a leading role. However, as mentioned in the speech of the Armenian Prime Minister, desertion in Armenia is constantly increasing.

When it comes to military evasion in Armenia, this can also be called the awakening of national consciousness. The population, which had a rational approach to the processes, was aware that in 2020, they had lost lives and material in vain in Garabagh. Fighting on someone else's territory and introducing the concept of a false homeland by convincing oneself hypothetically is not as easy as words say. When a normal Armenian family sends their child to the military, knowing why and for what purposes he will fight, this will make no sense to equip him with French or even NATO weapons. So reality cannot be considered the same as dreams. Pashinyan's dreams of building a "great army" are partly inspired by the West.

The RA military-industrial complex has an unprecedented order from the RA government for several hundred million dollars," Pashinyan said.

The administration of Yerevan, which increases the country's budget through illegal income or literally by circumventing the sanctions imposed by the West and Europe, its selfish ally, is struggling with the project of building a powerful army, half by borrowing and half by using all available funds. This kind of unprecedented progress is presented by Armenia as a first. As for the signing of the peace treaty, Armenia should first of all sit at the table with priority issues related to the region, not with the thesis of third parties trying to influence in various ways.

The President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, has repeatedly stated in his speech that "Azerbaijan has no eyes on the territory of any state". The fear of invasion and attack in Yerevan is only because it sees itself as weak. The fact that a state that once occupied the lands of another state has become devoid of many opportunities and miserable after its humiliating defeat. Armenia, which once saw the Russian peacekeeping forces in Garabagh as a source of hope for itself, is now following impossible dreams by turning to the West. However, this does not indicate a bright future for Armenia.

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29 January 2024 10:00 (UTC+04:00)

Azerbaijan expects severe punishment for perpetrators of the terrorist attack on the embassy in Iran, said Azerbaijani Ambassador to Iran Ali Alizadeh on X (Twitter), Azernews reports.

"On the anniversary of the death of our dear brother Orkhan Asgarov, who was killed in a terrorist attack on the Azerbaijani embassy, we paid our respects at his grave. May the Almighty Rest His Soul! As a result of the terrorist act, our staff were also injured. May the Almighty help them! We expect complete and severe punishment for those guilty of this terrorist act and hope that the Iranian judiciary will make a fair and honorable verdict," said the ambassador.

Visited the grave of our precious brother #Orkhan Askerov on his death anniversary, who was martyred as a result of the terrorist attack against our #Embassy @AzEmbIran, and paid tribute to his dear memory. RIP !



As a result of this terrorist attack, we also had seriously pic.twitter.com/p3vLi0jOQu  Ali Alizada  (@Ali_F_Alizada) January 27, 2024

Recall that on January 27, 2023, the Azerbaijani Embassy in Iran was subjected to a terrorist attack. As a result of the attack, Orkhan Askgarov, the Embassy's security chief, was martyred and two employees of security, Vasif Taghiyev and Mahir Imanov, were wounded. Following the attack, Azerbaijan evacuated the personnel of the embassy and their family from Tehran for security issues.

The first session of the trial for the terrorist who attacked the Azerbaijani Embassy in Iran was scheduled for January 27.

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29 January 2024 10:58 (UTC+04:00)

Abbas Ganbay Read more

It became known that the Sabail District Court of Baku City extended for 4 months the preventive measure for Ruben Vardanyan, known as a billionaire separatist, Azernews reports.

This decision was appealed by Ruben Vardanyan's defense counsel.

As a result of the process held in the Baku Court of Appeal, the court's decision was announced. Based on the decision, the appeal was not satisfied, and R. The decision of the court of first instance to extend the arrest against Vardanyan remained in force.

Ruben Vardanyan, who is currently held in the pre-trial detention centre of the State Security Service together with other separatists, is charged under Articles 214-1 (financing of terrorism), 279.3 (participation in the creation and activities of armed formations or groups not provided for by law), and 318.1 (illegal crossing of the state border of the Republic of Azerbaijan).

Recall that the BBC, the world's leading media organisation, has published extensive research material exposing the image of scandalous billionaire and separatist Ruben Vardanian.

The BBC journalists described him in a very interesting way: behind his image of a philanthropist and visionary lies a cunning man of the 90s who got rich with black money, trying to create a noble image for himself, whose activities are aimed at money laundering.

The article presents the "Troika Dialogue" he created and the dirty machinations of a whole system of offshore companies through which money from influential names is extorted and secretly transferred abroad.

The BBC talks about the big geopolitical game, such as Ruben Vardanian's "hand of Moscow" in getting Russian citizenship immediately and "somehow" comfortably by moving to Garabagh and taking up a "post" in the separatist regime, as well as his attempt to evade Western sanctions with his and other people's dirty capital, and then his ambitions to come to power in Yerevan.

It also talks about how Azerbaijan disrupted this game in which Ruben Vardanyan lost his post in the separatist regime under pressure from Azerbaijan, and his disappearance was not allowed.

Currently, the Main Investigation Department of the State Security Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan is investigating Ruben Vardanyan under Articles 214-1 (financing of terrorism), 279.3 (participation in the creation and activities of armed formations not provided for by law), and other articles of the Criminal Code.

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29 January 2024 10:15 (UTC+04:00)

Abbas Ganbay Read more

Following the instructions of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, the return of former internally displaced persons to the restored city of Fuzuli continues, Azernews reports.

Another group of former IDPs, consisting of 27 families or 115 people, left the Gobu Park 3 residential complex in Garadagh for Fuzuli on January 29.

The resettled families will settle in the houses where they once lived in Fuzuli, which were restored or rebuilt based on instructions from the head of state after the end of the Armenian occupation. Fuzuli residents thanked President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva for their comprehensive care and expressed gratitude to the valiant Azerbaijani Army, which liberated the lands from occupation.

Thus, until today, a permanent settlement in the city of Fuzuli has been provided for 527 families - 1969 people.

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29 January 2024 11:19 (UTC+04:00)

Abbas Ganbay Read more

The Public Council under the Ministry of Ecology of Azerbaijan urged Armenia to stop work on the Amuldag gold mine, Azernews reports.

"We urge the Armenian government and companies engaged in gold mining at the Amuldag gold deposit to immediately stop work, the exploitation of which is carried out without taking into account any environmental norms," said Amin Mammadov, chairman of the Public Council under the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan.

"Since Armenia expressed its desire to build a plant on the border with Nakhchivan on the side of Arazdeyen village last June, several statements have been made. An open letter was sent to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in this regard.

We consider the protest of civil society organisations and eco-activists in Armenia that the exploitation of the Amuldagh mine poses a serious threat to biodiversity and water resources commendable. Last June, we made several statements that Armenia wants to build a factory on the border with Nakhchivan in the direction of the village of Arazdeyen.

Unfortunately, there was no reaction from the Armenian civil society. Now more than 100 civil societies and eco-activists in Armenia have made statements about the Amuldagh gold mine and its consequences. As a result of this activity, heavy metals are discharged into the Bargushad River and pollute the Araz River through the Hakari River.

Unfortunately, foreign companies act as investors here," Mammadov added.

It should be noted that the Amuldag deposit is located 13 kilometres away from Istisu, a deposit of natural mineral water. Exploitation of the deposit causes destructive damage to the mineral springs of Istisu.

The deposit is also located in the area between the Arpachay and Bazarchay rivers. Both rivers flow through Azerbaijan and into the Araz River. The use of toxic substances, which have been banned for a long time and are highly dangerous for the environment, in the exploitation of the Amuldag field destroys nature and leads to acidification of river waters and water poisoning. In addition to the fact that gold mining pollutes the waters of this river, it also hurts the ecosystem of Lake Goycha, located near this area.

At the same time, this industry also poses a serious threat to the Caspian Sea basin. Flowing through the territory of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan, the Arpachay River and the Bazarchay River flow into the Araz River and, from there, into the Caspian Sea. Thus, the exploitation of the field causes serious environmental damage not only to Azerbaijan but also to Iran and other Caspian countries.

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29 January 2024 14:36 (UTC+04:00)

Abbas Ganbay Read more

On January 28, a cultural action of Azerbaijanis living in this country was held on one of the central squares of the Czech capital Namesti Republika (Namesti Republiky), Azernews reports, citing Azertac.

The action aimed to draw public attention in this European country to the problem of Armenia's mine terror, the devastating consequences of the Armenian occupation in the territory of Azerbaijan, the double standards of several European states about Azerbaijan, and the hopes of the Western Azerbaijani Community. The action was initiated and organized by the Union of Czech Azerbaijanis.

The action was attended not only by representatives of the Azerbaijani Diaspora but also by Czech citizens who share our concerns.

Head of the organisation, Farid Amiraliyev, said in an interview with Azertac that Azerbaijanis living in the country through such actions inform both the Czech public and citizens of third countries living here about the injustice faced by our people during the years of occupation, which continues at present.

The participants in the action handed out booklets and leaflets to passersby on the square and answered their questions. Photos reflecting Armenia's mine terror, as well as the 30-year occupation, recently ended by the victorious army of Azerbaijan, were presented on easels.

Attempts by the Armenian Diaspora to have the action cancelled at Prague City Hall proved futile.

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29 January 2024 15:39 (UTC+04:00)

Abbas Ganbay Read more

Jennifer Morgan, special representative of the German Federal Foreign Office for International Climate Policy, told reporters in Baku that Azerbaijan has assumed a great role in hosting COP29, Azernews reports.

"We congratulate Azerbaijan on holding this event. This year has been one of the warmest periods in history," she noted.

Morgan emphasised that the Paris Agreement promotes multilateral cooperation.

"One of the directions within the framework of this agreement is adaptation to climate change. And the other track concerns the financial sphere. Many countries around the world have set a goal to reach zero emissions by 2050. We hope that Azerbaijan will also achieve this goal by mid-century," the special envoy added.

The special representative of the German Federal Foreign Office added that an important topic of COP29 is financing.

"It is also necessary to make changes in the financial system. It is necessary to move from financing fossil fuel projects to renewable energy sources," she said.

Special Representative Jennifer Morgan also noted that Germany is ready to work with Azerbaijan within COP29.

"The success of COP conferences is their inclusiveness. NGOs and civil society actively participate in these events. The participation of the private sector within the framework of this conference is of great significance," she noted.

Jennifer Morgan added that developed countries are committed to playing an active role in climate finance, and Germany is committed to taking leadership on this issue.

The Special Representative noted the importance of the Green Climate Fund as well as the Loss and Damage Fund.

"We take this issue very seriously. Germany can share with Azerbaijan its experience in water management," Jennifer Morgan added.

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29 January 2024 17:43 (UTC+04:00)

Abbas Ganbay Read more

Former Turkish Minister of National Defence and Chairman of the Parliamentary National Defence Commission, Hulusi Akar, who is on a visit to Azerbaijan, said that peace and stability in the South Caucasus are important for Turkiye, Azernews reports.

The former minister noted that some want to turn Armenia into a proxy state.

"If Armenia follows this wrong path, it will again face severe consequences like in the Second Garabagh War. We need to prevent this from happening. Peace, stability, and the future of the Caucasus are important for us," Akar said.

He noted that Armenia should accept the hand of peace extended to it by Azerbaijan: "Peace and stability should come to the region as soon as possible. Provocations and pressure do not benefit Armenia and the region."

Akar added that Turkiye and Azerbaijan continue their cooperation: "Our cooperation in the defence industry continues."

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29 January 2024 18:17 (UTC+04:00)

Abbas Ganbay Read more

Chairman of Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova met with a delegation headed by Chairman of the National Defense Committee of the Turkish Parliament Hulusi Akar, Azernews reports.

The meeting was held within the framework of the Turkish delegation's visit to Azerbaijan, the Milli Majlis press service reported.

Gafarova expressed confidence that ex-Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar, as a member of the Turkish Parliament, will continue to promote cooperation between the two countries.

Akar expressed gratitude for the reception and noted that it is a source of pride for Turkiye that Azerbaijan has restored its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The sides exchanged views on several issues of mutual interest.

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30 January 2024 00:50 (UTC+04:00)

As the extraordinary presidential elections to be held in Azerbaijan on February 7, 2024 are approaching, Azerbaijanis living in different countries of the world express their support for the candidacy of Ilham Heydar oglu Aliyev, the architect of Azerbaijan's happy future.

Our compatriots living in different countries are inviting the Azerbaijanis of the world to show national unity and be active in the elections through the "WE - Continue the Victory Road" platform created on the Facebook social network.

Aladdin Karabagli, the chairman of the "Maarif" organization operating in Georgia and the editor-in-chief of the "Maarif" newspaper, issued a statement inviting all our compatriots living in different countries of the world to be active in the propaganda of the Leader who wrote the name of our nation in golden letters in the list of victorious nations and ensured our territorial integrity: "We are sure that the choice of our people will be the victorious Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev."

Sevda Badaliouri, chairman of the "Khari Bulbul" House of Azerbaijani Culture operating in Berlin, Germany, said that the exceptional achievements achieved in the field of promoting economic development, social and cultural initiatives in our country under the leadership of Ilham Aliyev are commendable: We invite you to support Commander Ilham Aliyev."

Taleh Gurbanov, president of the Azerbaijani Turkic Culture Association operating in Slovenia, noted that Azerbaijani citizens living in Slovenia will take part in the extraordinary presidential elections on February 7, 2024 with a sense of joy and pride and will be proud to express their support for the President who has written victory for the destiny of our country.

Rafiq Niftaliyev, the head of the Azerbaijan Society of Warwick University of Great Britain, also stated that they support his candidacy in his appeal to President Ilham Aliyev: "We believe that you are the unshakable guarantor of the independence of Azerbaijan and the safe future of our people."

In the statement of the chairman of the "Cultural Center of Azerbaijani Schoolchildren and Youth Living in Georgia", Jeyran Gurbanova, expressed unwavering support for the Commander-in-Chief, who gave our people the joy of Victory: "All our compatriots living in different countries of the world are active in the propaganda of our Leader, who wrote the name of our nation in golden letters on the list of victorious nations and ensured our territorial integrity. We are sure that the choice of our people will be the victorious Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev.

Emiliya Jabrayilova, a diaspora activist living in Great Britain and the author of the Azerbaijani language book "Nightingale", said that the restoration of our territorial integrity and state sovereignty is proof of Ilham Aliyev's strategic vision and unwavering loyalty to the welfare of Azerbaijan: "Azerbaijan needs a leader with proven experience to ensure prosperity and stability. We believe that under the visionary leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan will continue to grow stronger and will play a key role in shaping a prosperous future."

Head of department of the Saudi Arabian Insurance Association in Bahrain, doctor Ellada Abdullayeva said that the Azerbaijani community in the Kingdom of Bahrain "Continue on the Victory Road!" She wholeheartedly supports the respected President who continues the path of the great leader Heydar Aliyev with the slogan: "The people of Azerbaijan love our President. He is proud that he is the Leader of our strong, powerful state, our proud and invincible people. We invite every citizen of Azerbaijan who has the right to vote to be active in order to support our victorious leader. We are sure that the choice of our people will be the victorious Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev!"

The California Azerbaijan Friendship Association also announced its position on the February 7 elections. The chairman of the association, Elnura Hashimova, said: "We, as the Azerbaijani diaspora, believe in the victory of Ilham Aliyev in the upcoming extraordinary presidential elections. We are sure that under his wise leadership, we will witness the next successes of our state and people."

Ali Badirov, the general director of the "LAW" Legal Aid Center operating in Georgia, emphasized that they support the candidacy of Ilham Heydar oglu Aliyev, who proudly continued the policy of national leader Heydar Aliyev in the extraordinary presidential elections, under the slogans "Winning Leader of the Winning People" and "Leader of the World Azerbaijanis". : "You can be sure that Azerbaijani citizens living in Georgia will support you. We are always ready to be active in the propaganda of the Leader who wrote the name of Azerbaijanis in the list of victorious nations in golden letters and ensured the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. We are sure that the choice of our people will be the victorious Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev."

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China's top legislative body pledges further cooperation with Kazakh parliament

Xinhua) 09:39, January 29, 2024

ASTANA, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- The National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislative body, pledged further exchanges and cooperation with the Kazakh parliament as a senior Chinese legislator wrapped up a five-day visit to the country on Saturday.

Hao Mingjin, vice chairperson of the Standing Committee of the NPC, made the remarks during his visit from Jan. 23 to 27, heading a Chinese delegation, at the invitation of the Kazakh parliament.

During the visit, Hao met respectively with Maulen Ashimbayev, chairperson of the Senate of Kazakhstan, Yerlan Koshanov, speaker of the Mazhilis, or lower house of Kazakhstan's parliament, Roman Sklyar, first deputy prime minister, and Meirzhan Otynshiev, chairperson of the Almaty Maslikhat, the local representative body.

China and Kazakhstan are close neighbors, trusted friends, and mutually supportive partners, Hao said. Under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China and Kazakhstan have established a permanent comprehensive strategic partnership, pioneered a bilateral community striving towards a shared future, and set an example of friendly exchanges between neighboring countries.

China's NPC is willing to continue to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with the Kazakh parliament, implementing the consensus reached by two heads of state, and contributing to the development of bilateral ties, he said.

Hao also briefed the Kazakh side on the 20th CPC National Congress, Chinese-style modernization, the whole-process people's democracy, and the Belt and Road Initiative.

The Kazakh side reiterated that it firmly upholds the one-China principle, is ready to promote cooperation between the two governments and two legislative bodies, as well as ready to deepen cooperation in various fields and continue to promote Kazakhstan-China relations.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
29 January 2024 09:10 (UTC+04:00)

Thailand and China agreed on Sunday to waive visa requirements for each other's nationals to facilitate travel and tourism between the two countries, hurt by COVID-19, Azernews reports citing Reuters.

Thai Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-nukara and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi signed the mutual visa exemption, which takes effect on March 1, at a ceremony after meeting in Bangkok.

"This visa-free era will bring people-to-people exchanges to a new height," Wang told a joint press conference.

China was a top source for Thailand's tourism industry, a major driver of Southeast Asia's second-largest economy before COVID, but the return of Chinese tourists to Thailand has been slow.

"There will be a big increase in the number of Chinese tourists visiting Thailand," Wang said.

The number of Chinese tourists to Thailand plunged to 3.5 million last year from 11 million in 2019 before the pandemic.

Beijing and Bangkok also pledged to speed-up the construction of the China-Thailand railway and work together in combating transnational crimes, Wang said.

He and US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan held talks in Bangkok on Friday and Saturday about issues including bilateral relations, Taiwan and Iran.

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29 January 2024 21:45 (UTC+04:00)

The UK government will introduce a bill that will ban the sale of disposable vapes in the country, Azernews reports, citing the office of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Rishi Sunak.

It is noted that the ban will be introduced against the background of an almost nine-fold increase in the number of teenagers aged 11 to 17 using disposable vapes over the past two years. Sunak's office noted that currently 9% of Britons aged 11 to 15 years smoke vapes.

"The long-term health effects of vaping are unknown, but the nicotine contained in them can be highly addictive. At the same time, abandoning them sometimes provokes anxiety, problems with concentration and headaches. Vapes can help adults quit smoking cigarettes, but children should never use them," the statement said.

It says that about 70% of Britons support the government's initiative.

It also provides for the introduction of new fines for the sale of vapes to minors and a ban on the sale of nicotine spiders to persons under 18 years of age.

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29 January 2024 21:20 (UTC+04:00)

Qatar's state oil and gas company Qatar Energy has signed a 15-year contract with American Excelerate Energy to supply Bangladesh with up to 1 million tons of liquefied natural gas (LNG) annually from 2026, Azernews reports, citing the company's press release.

"QatarEnergy and Excelerate Energy have signed a long-term agreement on the purchase and sale of LNG for supply to Bangladesh. According to the agreement, Excelerate will purchase up to one million tons of LNG per year from Qata rEnergy, which will be supplied to floating storage facilities and regasification plants in Bangladesh for 15 years, starting in January 2026," the statement said.

Excelerate will purchase 0.85 million tons of LNG per year in 2026-2027, and then 1 million tons annually from 2028 to 2040.

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29 January 2024 20:15 (UTC+04:00)

Spanish Defense and Foreign Ministers Margarita Robles and Jose Manuel Albares disagreed over the kingdom's participation in the European mission to ensure the safety of navigation in the Red Sea, Azernews reports, citing foreign mass media.



The head of the defense department made it clear that Madrid would not participate in the operation. In turn, as Albares stated, Spain does not plan to do this, but this does not mean that the situation will not change in the future.

The media draws attention to the lack of coordination between departments and the different positions of ministers in front of one of the most serious military tasks the EU has ever faced.

As noted, the Spanish Defense Ministry considers the situation in the Red Sea to be very dangerous with a high risk of escalation, and the European mission has not yet been sufficiently designated.

The Foreign Ministry advocated in some way to help ensure the safety of navigation in the Red Sea.

Earlier, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez did not rule out that Madrid could send liaison officers to participate in a military operation conducted by the US-led coalition in the Red Sea. Nevertheless, the sources of the publication in the Ministry of Defense rejected such a possibility.

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Lincoln City Readies Great, Big Citywide Antique Week to Take Over Central Oregon Coast

Published 1/25/24 at 5:25 p.m.

By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff

(Lincoln City, Oregon)  One Oregon coast town is gearing up to be the center of antiquing in the Pacific Northwest in February, with what will essentially be a citywide antique sale accompanied by hordes of special events  including a lot of glass floats.

Lincoln City's Antique & Collectibles Week Returns for 2024, this time happening on February 17 - 24. Vintage shops and old timey finds will abound, which includes used books stores and a special exhibit at the North Lincoln County Historical Museum featuring Jim Watsons famed glass float collection.

As they say on the infomercials: But that's not all, folks. Lincoln City's coveted Finders Keepers program goes decidedly old school, dropping Japanese-style glass floats on the beach for the whole week. These aren't the actual antique ones that used to wash up on the Oregon coast  that's no longer a thing as they stopped landing here in the '80s. The 100 glass balls dropped on Lincoln City beaches that week are artisan-made, let loose on those sands from Roads End down to Siletz Bay, all seven and a half miles of the town's beaches.

You find one, you keep it.

Lincoln City has in the past been named one of the country's foremost undiscovered places for antique and vintage collectibles. Its home to numerous vintage shops and used bookstores, and has long been considered an antiquing hotspot on the Oregon coast.

"Our annual Antique & Collectibles Week celebrates Lincoln City's enduring legacy as the Oregon Coast's premier antique destination," said Kim Cooper Findling, director of Explore Lincoln City. "From uncovering hidden gems in our charming vintage shops to glimpsing into bygone eras at the North Lincoln County Historical Museum, visitors can take in the rich stories of our past. And those looking to make their own exciting discoveries can try their luck by hunting for antique-style Japanese glass floats we've sprinkled along our beautiful shoreline."

Also see Oregon Coast's 2024 Festival Preview: Food, Fun and Sandcastles to Tunes, Floats - Sandcastles, food, a boatload of live music, crab, some hauntings, wine, antiques

Part of the time travel fun here is the North Lincoln County Historical Museum's new exhibit on February 17, featuring an extensive and rare collection of glass floats. Then, they help you figure out what kind of float you have: on February 24 from 11 am to 4 pm, the Museum will also feature Float ID Day. Bring in your own glass ball from the deep and get help identifying it from glass float specialists. Participants will also have an opportunity to get hands-on experience and learn about the different clues around the identification of fishing floats.

Also see 2024 Oregon Coast Glass Bottle, Glass Float Drops for Lincoln City, Bandon, Gold Beach -

A full listing of the antique shops and used bookstores participating in this years Antique & Collectibles Week can be found on the online event map here.

Lincoln City's Antique & Collectibles Week got its start in 1991, when June Minor, the founder of Rocking Horse Mall, brought it into existence. The building housing it opened in 1920 as the Oceanlake Pavilion Dance Hall, and now features two floors of antiques including glassware, pottery, vintage furniture, dollhouse miniatures and beach treasures.

For more information about Antique & Collectibles Week, please visit https://www.oregoncoast.org/events/annual/antique-collectibles-week/

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Under the cover of Covid, and now in the shadow of the infamous Election Irregularities of that fated 2020 presidential election, with current emerging alleged election fraud in Nevada and Pennsylvania inconveniently slipping into the public discourse, there is proved a colluded ongoing Election Interference in the nomination of the Republican candidate, the likes of which has never occurred in our Constitutional Republic's history, albeit, the question remains: Do you support the plain-sight Election Interference of the Democratic Socialist party, employing its minions in their Propagandistic Media, and their Two Tiered Justice System?

98.25% No, I do not support Election Interference; I am a patriot unto our Constitution.1.75% Yes, I do support Election Interference; the alternative, Donald Trump, to this mentally diminished president is far worse.0% "What, me worry" if elections are rigged?
75 years ago this Christmas Eve, Gen. Anthony McAuliffe wrote this letter to his troops during the Battle of the Bulge. Today we remember the service members who served during the holidays both then and now and wish you a Merry Christmas! #NoVeteranEverDies pic.twitter.com/VuYyhYqqVj  National Cemeteries (@VANatCemeteries) December 24, 2019

In stripping away the heavy varnish of fakery by the heavy handed Corrupt Corporate Media; in taking a true view of what is real, right now with clear open eyes: How do you see this 46th President of these States United; what is your visceral first impression of Joe Biden after nearly 3 years on the job? A good man, wise and kind The Socialist President A president in praise of his son The Non Patriot President A successful president The Idiot President A knowledgeable president A corrupt president A perfect leader of the Democratic Socialist party The man is married to a "Doctor" 563 total vote(s) What's your Opinion?



Brigadier General Anthony McAuliffe and his men - many from the 101st Airborne Division, along with some stragglers from Pennsylvania's 28th Infantry Division (known as) and the 9th ArmoredDivision - spent Christmas of 1944 in the Belgian city of Bastogne, surrounded by an ever-encroaching enemy and greatly outnumbered.On December 22, the German commander sent word to McAuliffe, informing him that he and his troops were surrounded and demanding that they surrender. He warned the American general that if he did not surrender, the attack would be swift and merciless - and he promised that the inevitable civilian casualties would be blamed on the Americans.McAuliffe responded to the German threat with just one word:And, as promised, the German army began to tighten its grip on Bastogne. Machine-gun fire and approaching tanks met any American soldier who approached the perimeter, and Junkers Ju 88 bombers flew over the city as visibility allowed. The Germans also blanketed the area with pamphlets promising relief from the hunger and frigid conditions to anyone who surrendered.And so it was that on Christmas Eve, McAuliffe sent a letter to rally his troops:McAuliffe's letter began with the headingThat night, the Junkers dropped one-ton bombs on the city of Bastogne. They destroyed a makeshift hospital, killing dozens of wounded soldiers, nurses, and medics. But McAuliffe's men held the city, earning for the 101st Airborne Division the nicknameGeneral George S. Patton arrived the day after Christmas, bringing with him the necessary strength to break the siege and relieve McAuliffe's men.
About 18% of new nursing and healthcare positions offer signing bonuses for new employees, according to new research from job search engine Adzuna.

Adzuna examined 8 million U.S. jobs advertised on the job search engine in December, identifying 428,908 job postings offering a signing bonus.

Here are 11 ASC specialty job listings, along with their average advertised signing bonus:

Physician: $47,993

Optometrist: $25,595

Nursing director: $17,216

CT technologist: $17,106

Physical therapist: $12,350

Registered nurse: $11,143

Physician assistant: $9,714

Occupational therapist: $7,188

Nursing assistant: $3,912



Nurse practitioner: $3,627

Medical assistant: $2,711
Port Arthur-based Medical Center of Southeast Texas, an affiliate of Dallas-based Steward Health Care, will close its campus in Beaumont Feb. 2.

The closure of the physician-owned facility includes its emergency department and all hospital-related services, which will be relocated to the center's Port Arthur campus.

"We found that the Beaumont campus was severely underutilized given the needs in the region," a Steward spokesperson said in a statement shared with Becker's Jan. 25. "TMCST remains committed to serving the needs of our community at the Port Arthur campus, including world-class stroke and trauma care, our neonatal intensive care and our orthopedic services, while supporting our staff and providers."
Low reimbursement rates have plagued gastroenterology for years. Here's what gastroenterologists have to say about how it's affecting the field.

Note: These responses have been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Vivek Kaul, MD. Segal-Watson Professor of Medicine in the Gastroenterology and Hepatology Division at the University of Rochester (N.Y.) Medical Center: There is the well-known issue of decreasing reimbursement over time for procedures that already have existing CPT codes, and that too in the face of the post-pandemic increased demand, higher costs of doing business and staffing issues. In addition, a real challenge we are facing is the inability to get reimbursed for a host of relatively newer (but well established) endoscopic procedures that have emerged in the last decade or so. Oftentimes, these are minimally invasive, transformational interventions for our patients that help reduce morbidity, length of stay and overall healthcare costs but are poorly reimbursed or not reimbursed at all, in some cases.

Read the full story here.

Benjamin Levy III, MD. Gastroenterologist at University of Chicago Medicine: [Decreased reimbursements are] concerning because GI practices and endoscopy centers and hospitals require so many staff to take care of our patients. There's a cost to have nurses, anesthesiologists, nurse anesthetists or CRNAs, and people that process insurance. So anytime we talk about decreased reimbursements, that puts a squeeze on the amount of money that's coming in to pay for all this required staff in order to do our job the best possible way that we can.

Read the full story here.

Pankaj Vashi, MD. Department Head of Gastroenterology and Nutrition at City of Hope Chicago (Zion, Ill.): My major concern regarding procedure reimbursement is continued increase in costs of doing procedures and denials from payers with decreasing payments, especially by government payers. The only way ASCs can survive is by increasing efficiency and volume and maintaining quality care.

Read the full story here.
Grady Memorial Hospital, part of Atlanta-based Grady Health System, is waiting on a certificate-of-need application response for a planned $46 million project that includes upgrades to its Walter L. Ingram Burn Center.

Of the $46 million, $22.6 million would go to its burn unit upgrades, with the remainder being used to renovate the hospital's lab space, a spokesperson for Grady Health System said in a statement shared with Becker's.

"The Walter L. Ingram Burn Center serves a critical role in the region. The space was last renovated in the early 2000s. This plan will update the rooms, expand capacity by 11 beds, and bring operating rooms closer to burn services," the spokesperson said.

In the certificate-of-need application, obtained by the Atlanta Daily World, Grady also proposed the addition of 69 new full-time employees, including 44 registered nurses. Grady aims to renovate around 28,000 square feet for its lab and about 26,000 square feet for the burn unit, the publication reported Jan. 28.

Should Grady receive a certificate-of-need approval, the project is expected to begin in June and be completed by April 2025.

Grady Health is made up of over 3,000 physicians representing 80 different medical specialties.
An Illinois hospital that closed last winter will catch its second wind this spring.

The former St. Margaret's Health-Peru (Ill.) has been purchased by Peoria, Ill.-based OSF HealthCare, according to a Jan. 29 news release from the 16-hospital system. It is tentatively scheduled to reopen April 7 as OSF HealthCare Saint Elizabeth Medical Center-Peru.

OSF has planned the opening in two phases. The first will provide limited inpatient beds and emergency services, including diagnostic imaging, laboratory, pharmacy, EKG and respiratory for those patients. The second will broaden service lines and programs.



"There are still many elements that will need to be finalized before officially opening," according to the news release. "OSF is appreciative of the collaboration between many entities throughout the state of Illinois and within the Illinois Valley."

The original hospital  operated by Fargo, N.D.-based SMP Health  cited multiple reasons for its abrupt closure Jan. 28, 2023: a fizzled contract with its provider of emergency physicians, a cyberattack that interfered with its billing and payment system, and broader financial circumstances. The following March, Spring Valley, Ill.-based St. Margaret's Health revealed that it was considering selling the facility to a larger health system.

OSF has hired more than 450 former employees, physicians and advanced medical providers of St. Margaret's Health to staff the hospital and other recently opened locations. So far this month, the health system has opened new primary care locations in Spring Valley and Oglesby, Ill., and an obstetrics and gynecology medical group in Peru.
A hacker who pleaded guilty to aiding hospital cyberattacks was sentenced to five years and four months in prison.

Vladimir Dunaev, 40, of Amur Oblast, Russia, had been indicted for helping further the Trickbot malware used in ransomware attacks against millions of victims and causing tens of millions of dollars in losses. He was extradited from the Republic of Korea to Ohio in 2021, according to the U.S. Justice Department.

"Dunaev developed malicious ransomware and deployed it to attack American hospitals, schools, and businesses in the Northern District of Ohio and throughout our country, all while hiding behind his computer," said Rebecca Lutzko, U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, in a Jan. 25 news release. "Dunaev's case demonstrates that the Justice Department and our office will use all available resources to investigate and prosecute cybercrime."

Hackers involved in the Trickbot ransomware plot reportedly extorted $100 million from U.S. hospitals, allegedly attacking dozens of healthcare institutions in 2020. Mr. Dunaev had faced up to 35 years in prison.
Nearly all of the $60 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds Arkansas earmarked has been committed after four more hospitals were approved for funding, the Arkansas Democrat Gazette reported Jan. 26.

Funding was awarded to:

Green River Medical Center (Blytheville): $3.8 million

South Mississippi County Regional Medical Center (Osceola): $3.4 million

Bradley County Medical Center (Warren): $3.4 million

Mena Regional Health System: $2.7 million

A little more than $283,000 remains in the program, an Arkansas Department of Human Services spokesperson told the newspaper. Seventeen hospitals have been awarded funding. Funds must be fully committed to projects by the end of the year and distributed to those projects by Dec. 31, 2026.






Granite City, Ill.-based Gateway Regional Medical Center has welcomed seven new chief officers to its leadership team.

In a letter posted on Facebook, the hospital announced the following appointments:

Aundrea Styles, RN, is the new CEO.

George Mehjian, MD, was named chief medical officer.

Michelle Waller, MSN, RN, was named chief clinical and operations officer.

Aimee Monrotus, MSN, RN, was named chief quality officer.

Rob Boyd was named chief human resource officer.

Elizabeth Rosenthal was named chief compliance officer.

Edward Maszak was named CFO.

The letter said the hospital aims to establish partnerships with local organizations and healthcare professionals, and that its leaders are focused on quality, innovation and staff empowerment.

Gateway Regional is a 278-bed facility with a 100-bed behavioral health unit, according to its website.

In November 2022, Brentwood, Tenn.-based Quorum Health announced that it was selling Gateway Regional to Glendale, Calif.-based American Healthcare Systems.








Claudia Felberg, MD, has been elected president of the medical staff at White Plains (N.Y.) Hospital.

Dr. Felberg  a board-certified internal medicine, pulmonary medicine and critical care physician  previously served as vice president of medical staff, according to a Jan. 25 news release shared with Becker's. She is also the medical director of Scarsdale (N.Y.) Medical Group and chief of pulmonology at the hospital.

She makes history as the first woman to hold the position, and her term will last through the end of 2025.

White Plains Hospital is a member of the New York City-based Montefiore Health System.
Peter Banko, president of a three-state division within CommonSpirit and former CEO of its Centura Health joint venture, has stepped down from the organization.

A spokesperson for Chicago-based CommonSpirit confirmed Mr. Banko's departure. "We are grateful for Peter's many contributions and we wish him all the best," the spokesperson said in a statement shared with Becker's.

Mr. Banko previously served as CEO of Centura Health since 2017. The Centennial, Colo.-based system was a joint venture that CommonSpirit shared with Altamonte Springs, Fla.-based AdventHealth for 27 years. In August 2023, the systems ended their partnership, with CommonSpirit folding 20 Centura hospitals into its organization with plans to sunset the brand.

At that time, Mr. Banko's role was adjusted from Centura CEO to president of CommonSpirit's Colorado/Kansas/Utah Division, with his leadership team continuing to lead the 20 hospitals in Colorado, Kansas and Utah that transitioned from Centura to CommonSpirit.

Upon Mr. Banko's departure, CommonSpirit's Mountain Region has named Matt Brown as the interim region president, a system spokesperson told Becker's. Mr. Brown has served as CommonSpirit's chief transformation officer for more than four years.
Mark A. Wallace has served in a leadership role in Houston-area hospitals for more than four decades, giving him a front seat to healthcare's evolution as well as changes in the state and at his organization.

In 1977, Mr. Wallace joined The Methodist Hospital in Houston. He was a senior vice president at the organization before becoming president and CEO of Texas Children's Hospital in 1989 while in his 30s. Today, Texas Children's is one of the largest and most comprehensive pediatric and women's healthcare organizations in the U.S. The organization includes more than 2,000 medical professionals who work in more than 40 subspecialties.

Mr. Wallace, who remains CEO of Texas Children's after Debra Feigin Sukin, PhD, began her role in January as the organization's new president, told Becker's he is excited about the future and remains focused on issues such as healthcare access and coverage, research and workplace culture. He outlined his vision for 2024, discussed changes he has seen during his tenure at Texas Children's and shared what he would tell his younger self.

Editor's note: Responses were lightly edited for length and clarity.

Question: What is the biggest way your organization has changed in the last year? Looking ahead, do you see those things pivoting in 2024?

Mark A. Wallace: We've changed for the better in a lot of amazing ways. We expanded our women's services and recently opened Texas Children's Pavilion Tower II in the Texas Medical Center. This beautiful building is connected to the original Pavilion for Women by a newly built sky bridge and houses our women's services outpatient clinics, including The Women's Specialists of Houston, Partners in OB-GYN Care and Women's Physical Therapy.

We also developed an even stronger focus on behavioral health and have partnered with the Menninger Clinic as well as some of Houston's greatest experts to combat this epidemic.

As we continue to grow and expand our system, we adjusted Texas Children's medical and executive staff governance structure to include eight hospital in-chiefs and seven executive vice presidents.

Lastly, in May, the board and I announced that we were going to begin a nationwide search for Texas Children's next president and I would remain CEO. In September, we appointed [Dr.] Sukin to the role, and I couldn't be more excited for what's ahead.

Things are only getting better for Texas Children's in 2024. I've spent the last year telling our team to think differently and lead differently. We've always done this, but COVID-19 really changed the ways companies operate globally and domestically. As a result, we need to have a strong focus on leadership.

Over the last 34 years, we've built an amazing culture at Texas Children's. Even so, my priority over the last year has been to retain, sustain and build on that culture. Today, it is more critical than ever to have a positive culture and a great leadership team. Healthcare leaders should be engaged, caring and visible to their employees and medical staff  and I continue to call on our entire team to do just that.

Q: Over your tenure as CEO, how have you witnessed the healthcare industry change both for better and for worse? Do any examples of healthcare industry change specific to Texas Children's stand out? How about change specific toTexas?

MW: It's changed for the better because we've certainly had more vertical integration. We've also had a chance to get a lot closer to our patients and their families by expanding our Texas Children's Pediatrics network, adding more Texas Children's Urgent Care sites, our Specialty Care Centers, as well as our community hospitals. We've also expanded into Central Texas and are only days away from opening Texas Children's Hospital North Austin. We've done an incredible job enhancing our flagship location in the Texas Medical Center, but we've also committed to building a dynamic system that allows us to meet our patients and families where they are.

For Texas Children's, it's important that we continue to improve accessibility and coverage because all uninsured children deserve the same high-quality care regardless of their family's ability to pay. This is why we opened our Community Cares Centers in Houston and Austin. We remain committed to serving and advocating for the underserved, and our eight Community Cares locations allow us to accomplish this vision.

Q: What do you consider your greatest accomplishment as CEO? What made that endeavor so successful and so memorable?

MW: In my 34 years of leading Texas Children's, I've helped to build the nation's largest pediatric and women's healthcare enterprise that is both sturdy and innovative. The Texas Children's system is large and decentralized enough to provide the very best primary and subspecialty care in the world. Even better is knowing that we are nowhere near finished growing and expanding to meet the needs of even more children and women across the globe, and it is truly a privilege being able to watch it unfold.

Q: If you could go back to your first year as CEO, what would you tell yourself knowing all that you know now?

MW: When I started in 1989, I was focused on building a strong clinical engine given our size and financial position. However, the investment in our research enterprise has been transformational. We have expanded our Feigin Center  which is fully dedicated to research  and developed the world-renowned Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute. Most recently, I appointed the world-renowned Huda Zoghbi, MD, as Texas Children's research-in-chief, recognizing the need for research leadership as part of our medical staff governance structure. As part of this focus, the Texas Children's board and I have committed to investing another $250 million in research over the next five years. When you commit to research, you create new cures, discover breakthroughs, develop new treatments and provide hope for every parent, child and family who needs it.
Mass General Brigham has withdrawn its physicians from Steward Health Care's Holy Family Hospital campuses in Haverhill and Metheunin, Mass., the Boston Business Journal reported Jan. 26.

The Somerville, Mass.-based system notified staff of the change in a Jan. 26 email, saying physicians will no longer perform elective and emergency procedures or surgical cases at the hospital, according to the report.

"This decision was made because of concerns about practicing in an environment that does not meet our standards of safe patient care," the email read, according to the Boston Business Journal.

Tom Sequist, MD, chief medical officer of Mass General Brigham, said the health system made the decision after learning that certain surgical equipment may not be available at Holy Family.

Dr. Sequist said "a small number" of physicians were performing surgeries at the hospital.

"We have contacted impacted patients, and we are working to reschedule their procedures as soon as possible at a nearby Mass General Brigham or community hospital location," he told Becker's on Jan. 26. "We do not have specific knowledge of safety concerns at Holy Family, and we are working through this situation as it evolves so that we are in a position to best serve our patients."

Steward said Mass General Brigham physicians will remain as on-call providers and treat unstable patients requiring emergency care at Holy Family. The hospital operator also stood behind Holy Family Hospital's surgical care quality, citing a history of strong positive performance in CMS and Leapfrog safety rankings.

"We deeply regret Mass General Brigham's decision to no longer conduct surgeries at Holy Family Hospital, a facility that serves a vulnerable patient population in their community, who need and deserve quality healthcare close to home," a Steward spokesperson told Becker's, adding that the decision will exacerbate health disparities in the community.

"The fact that one of the largest healthcare providers in Massachusetts rescinded their care underscores the fact that Steward hospitals do not receive the support they need, nor the recognition of the quality care they provide," the spokesperson said.

The move comes as Steward looks to sell Holy Family Hospital and three other Massachusetts hospitals amid continued financial turmoil. Craig Jesiolowski, president of Holy Family's Methuen campus, also shared plans last week that he will exit for a new role with Carbondale-based Southern Illinois Healthcare.

Dallas-based Steward, which owns and operates 33 community hospitals in nine states, has reportedly hired a law firm and turnaround consulting firm to explore restructuring options, The Wall Street Journal reported Jan. 25. At the end of 2023, Steward was around $50 million behind on rent to Medical Properties Trust, the largest hospital landlord in the U.S.
The new paper from the Marxists in Britain is out now! The Communist is a revolutionary weapon, wielded by a red army of comrades that is on the march. Join us today, and help build The Communist and the Revolutionary Communist Party!

Nows the day,

And nows the hour.

 Robbie Burns, poet and revolutionary

The first edition of The Communist has landed  a truly historic breakthrough! This launch of a brand new paper is part of the campaign to found a Revolutionary Communist Party in Britain: a vital step in the preparation for the stormy period that lies ahead.

The past few years have been marked by an astonishing rise in the ideas of communism, especially amongst younger generations.

The response to our Are You A Communist? campaign has been fantastic, demonstrating the radically changing mood in society. This has also coincided with the reawakening of the working class in Britain, reflected in a surge of strikes.

Revolutionary explosions

The hatred towards the capitalist establishment and its political representatives is palpable.

The hatred towards the capitalist establishment and its political representatives is palpable / Image: The Communist

The genocide in Gaza is again exposing the stinking hypocrisy of capitalist politicians and their media mouthpieces. The bombing of Yemen by the British and American imperialists is setting the region ablaze.

The lights are absolutely flashing red on the global dashboard, according to Lord David Cameron. There is no doubt we face the greatest risk to the global order in the post-war era, echoes President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.

It is becoming increasingly clear that capitalism has reached its limits. Ever since the great slump of 2008-09, in particular, the system has been in a blind alley. Instability has become universal, while the gap between rich and poor has become a chasm.

The deepening crisis of world capitalism is amplified by the long-term decline of British capitalism. Taken together, this is fomenting the conditions for revolutionary explosions.

According to the latest report from the Centre for Social Justice, Britain is at risk of slipping back to a level of social divide not seen since Dickensian times.

This is a dire warning for workers in Britain. Under capitalism, we are heading for disaster.

Question of leadership

The revolutionary wave that is being prepared requires bold revolutionary leadership.

The leadership of the labour movement is woefully inadequate, however. They are blind to everything taking place. Instead of fighting for a revolutionary programme, they offer platitudes.

All that Conservative-clone Keir Starmer has to offer is more austerity and praise for capitalism / Image: The Communist

Even the lefts have no perspective of changing society. They meekly want to reform capitalism, nothing more.

The trade unions are facing the threat of new draconian anti-strike laws. But the TUC leaders, instead of preaching class war, are holding a demonstration in Cheltenham  a former spa town renowned for its horse racing. The Tory government must be shaking in its boots!

All that Conservative-clone Keir Starmer has to offer, with his admiration for Thatcher, is more austerity and praise for capitalism.

The Labour left has thrown in the towel, meanwhile. They had the chance to sweep out these Blairite gangsters under Corbyn, but they ran a mile. Such weakness is a reflection of their weak reformist politics.

The term socialism has become devalued as a result. The word has lost all its meaning. Even Starmer calls himself a socialist. At best, it is seen as representing a desire to reform capitalism, not socialist revolution.

Clean banner

Given the betrayal of the socialist leaders in the First World War, Lenin proposed that revolutionaries cast off the soiled shirt of socialism, and put on the clean linen of communism.

This represented a return to the genuine ideas of Marx and Engels in the Communist Manifesto  those of world revolution. We think the same is required today.

Over many years, the old Communist Party, which adheres to Stalinism, has degenerated and collapsed. The remnants around the Morning Star have become thoroughly reformist. They have nothing in common with communism.

It is therefore time to build a revolutionary communist party anew.

Workers paper

For this reason, we are proud to launch a new paper  The Communist.

The new paper sees a merging of the forces around Socialist Appeal with those of Revolution in Scotland, in the fight for the overthrow of capitalism, across these islands and worldwide.

As Lenin explained when launching Iskra, the first Marxist Russian paper:

We do not intend to make our publication a mere storehouse of various views. On the contrary, we shall conduct it in the spirit of a strictly defined tendency. This tendency can be expressed by the word Marxism.

We intend to make The Communist not simply a paper for workers, but a workers paper.

While maintaining our high-quality theoretical material and political analysis, we will open our pages to workers in struggle. And our paper will increasingly become an organiser, especially as we move  in the not too distant future  from a fortnightly to a weekly.

Revolutionary Communist Party

Lenin dedicated his life to the building of a revolutionary party, the Bolshevik Party. On this basis, he was able to lead the working class to power in Russia in 1917.

In the words of Lenin, we must strive to build the party. This is the most important task facing us. We must train people who will devote the whole of their lives, not only their spare evenings, to the revolution, he explained.

But such sacrifice comes from a confidence in the ideas of Marxism. These are daily being confirmed by the crisis of capitalism.

We appeal to you, our readers, to help us build the communist alternative to capitalist exploitation, austerity, and war.

Help us increase the sales of The Communist in your workplace, school, or college. Write for the paper.

Above all, help us build a powerful Revolutionary Communist Party, with the aim of overthrowing capitalism and creating a communist future for humanity.

Help build The Communist!

This week sees the launch of the first edition of our new paper, The Communist.

This publication is not just the same old Socialist Appeal with a new lick of paint. The Communist will be a vital addition to our arsenal; an essential tool for reaching and organising wider layers of revolutionaries than ever before.

The launch of this new paper could not be more timely. Workers and youth across the world are turning towards communism in droves, as the only solution to capitalisms impasse.

This means there are opportunities to promote the paper everywhere. Comrades should think about ways to drive up circulation and subscriptions  not just within our ranks, but in workplaces, communities, schools, universities, and amongst friends and family.

To make a splash in this launch week, branches should organise multiple sales over the coming days, including a bumper weekend of recruitment stalls.

Sales should be organised both at regular locations on high streets and outside stations, and also in areas where we dont currently have a presence. Budding communists met on these stalls could provide the basis for new cells and branches.

First ever sale of #TheCommunist?



The Mile End and Whitechapel branches were out on Queen Mary campus with ISSUE 1 of the brand new workers' newspaper 'The Communist'.



Our slogans 'Sweep away their system!' and 'Hands off Yemen! Hands of Gaza!' went down very well. 20 sold!  pic.twitter.com/DLHUU2bL2c  Tower Hamlets Communists  (@THcommunists) January 24, 2024

Hype and anticipation can be built beforehand through a campaign of postering, stickering, and social media posts, letting everyone know that the communists are coming!

Those who we meet on these stalls should be invited to launch parties, celebrating the release of our exciting new paper. These are a great chance to educate comrades on the political importance of the revolutionary press. Our new pamphlet on this topic can help with this.

The Communist will not just be a paper for workers. It will be a true workers paper, reflecting the lives, experiences, and interests of the working class.

We shouldnt just aim to maximise sales of The Communist, therefore, but must actively seek out powerful content to fill it.

We want The Communist to be packed with contributions from you, our readers.

We want letters detailing the daily injustices of life under capitalism. We want real stories that reveal the rotten conditions that workers face, and expose the hypocrisy and lies of the bosses and their representatives. And we want reports from the frontlines  from the strikes and struggles breaking out across the country.

Comrades should see themselves as correspondents, consciously on the lookout for material that can bring the class struggle to life on the pages of The Communist. Head to communist.red/submit to send in any material, suggestions, or feedback.

Utilised correctly, The Communist will be a lever for enormously increasing the size and influence of the Marxists in Britain  and a key stepping stone to the founding of the Revolutionary Communist Party.
Nurses at Ascension Saint Joseph-Joliet (Ill.), who are members of the Illinois Nurses Association, have called for their third strike in the last year.

The union represents about 500 nurses at the facility. The hospital is part of St. Louis-based Ascension, one of the nation's largest nonprofit and Catholic hospital systems, with about 140 hospitals and other healthcare facilities in 19 states.

Union members previously voted to authorize their bargaining committee to call a series of strikes if needed, according to an INA news release shared with Becker's last year. On Nov. 10, they announced the first of this potential series of strikes will take place during Thanksgiving week. The union and hospital have been in negotiations since May.

During negotiations, union members, who also went on strike in August, rejected a contract proposal from hospital management in December. Now, the hospital has unilaterally implemented that offer, the union contends in a Jan. 29 news release shared with Becker's.

"The Illinois Nurses Association  has clarified that the parties cannot be at [an] impasse," the release states. "The union has announced its willingness to continue making movement in negotiations, and has requested additional bargaining dates.

"The union nurses overwhelmingly rejected Ascension's last offer for several reasons, including the company's insistence on certain non-monetary terms and conditions of employment which would pose serious health and safety risks to both nurses and patients."

Ascension issued a response Jan. 29, saying that the hospital reasserted to INA its last, best and final offer for a new labor contract and declared an impasse on Dec. 22.

"Given our impasse with INA, we made the decision to move forward with implementing our last contract offer," the statement reads. "We can no longer delay paying our nurses a competitive wage and must be able to successfully recruit and hire nurses to support our care teams. Joliet residents deserve ready access to the quality care they expect from Saint Joseph-Joliet, and we have the responsibility to ensure we have the ability to provide that care to all who need it."

Since Dec. 22, union leadership has not provided their counter proposal to the hospital's offer, and has instead opted to strike, according to Ascension.

"Patient care, quality and safety remain our top priorities, and Ascension Saint Joseph-Joliet is once again well-prepared to remain open and care for our patients during this strike," Ascension's statement reads. "We have a comprehensive contingency plan in place to ensure there is no disruption in care or service for those we are privileged to serve."

The strike is scheduled to take place in early February.
Kevin Tracey, MD, was trained as a neurosurgeon. In 1985, at what was then New York Hospital Cornell Medical Center, an 11-month-old girl was brought in with severe burns after a boiling pot of spaghetti water splashed onto her skin. After a month of fighting, she died in Dr. Tracey's arms. He didn't know it then, but the moment would define his life's work researching sepsis.

Now, president and CEO of the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research at Northwell Health in Manhasset, N.Y., Dr. Tracey continues his work, researching the No.1 killer in America's hospitals. He also helped found the Global Sepsis Alliance.

Things have come a long way since then, but sepsis still kills 270,000 hospital patients each year and 1.7 million patients develop the condition in hospitals annually.

"When I started this work, sepsis mortality hovered around  dependent on complicating conditions  anywhere between 40% and 60%. None of us I mean, no one understood it, No one knew what to do," Dr. Tracey told Becker's. "Now we understand a great deal more about successfully treating patients with sepsis, and the mortality rate is much less than that today. The impact of the lives saved over the decades of this work is significant, but there's more to be done."

Both Dr. Tracey and Steven Simpson, MD, chair of the Sepsis Alliance Board of Directors and a professor of medicine at the University of Kansas, have been involved in advocacy for more to be done at a federal level to address sepsis in hospitals.

"It's been a long time coming, but I'm one of the people who have been beating the drum for two decades, so to me, the new guidelines it's still not enough response. It will take vigorous efforts," Dr. Simpson told Becker's. "I am glad to see more attention on this from CMS and the CDC, and glad to see more intention on this issue."

A call to action for hospitals

As part of new CMS rules that take effect in 2026, hospitals must adopt additional safety measures for sepsis care outlined by the agency to continue to receive certain funding.

Some organizations, including the American Hospital Association, have pushed back on some specifics of the rules, but at the end of the day Dr. Tracey said the issue is not necessarily one of resources, but rather "it's about changing processes."

"Let's start with the facts. Hospitals are under increasing financial pressures from declining reimbursements from the federal government and from insurance providers. It's a very, very, very unforgiving and difficult business," he said. "I can't make a specific recommendation, of course, on how hospitals prioritize these precious resources, but I can speak to the fact that if you deploy and launch metric-driven treatment of patients with sepsis that you will save lives. And if you're saving lives, it's quite likely that you're shortening hospital stays and reducing costs too."

The CDC has also launched a new program in August 2023 that focuses on enhancing sepsis care and improving patient outcomes in hospitals nationwide.

"To implement the new requirements, hospitals will have to invest in creating a robust program where leaders and team members have dedicated time and the resources to address sepsis," Namita Jayaprakash, head of Henry Ford Health's sepsis program, said to Becker's. "The CDC's core elements provide a great guide for areas to focus on."

Both the CMS rules and the CDC hospital program are part of increasing pressures from the government on hospitals and health systems to do more to reduce these outcomes. National sepsis guidelines exist in other countries, but it's something the U.S. has for the most part lacked, which is where organizations like the Sepsis Alliance step in to advocate for policy and help craft strategies for healthcare leaders to follow.

"If you're in a big complicated hospital, and you don't have a system in place for sepsis, but think you have a case  from the time the order for antibiotics is placed until the time the pharmacy receives the order, until the time that the antibiotic is processed, to the time it is brought back to the floor, to the time that is hung on IV pole and plugged into the patientyou might not make that window of critical treatment time," Dr. Tracey said. "The hospital at all levels has to be engaged in a plan. Everyone at the medical staff level and at the administrative level have to accept the urgency of sepsis and treat it that way. And then, in order to know that you're doing it effectively, you have to follow metrics, which is what these CMS and other proposals like from the CDC are about."

The work is far from complete

Major health systems, including Henry Ford Health in Detroit, Mich., ChristianaCare in Newark, Del., and Northwell Health, have doubled-down on measures to do their part to work toward reducing sepsis deaths, including everything from employing ED nurses in more direct ways for detection, using technology and changing workflows.

Part of the difficulty with sepsis is that it typically isn't the reason a patient seeks care, but develops as the result of infection in the body and can become deadly within just 12 hours.

Now, with advancements in technology, researchers are testing and developing various "rapid sepsis detection" tests with the aim to serve as more of a guiding map for clinicians as they do their best with the strategies and collaboration they develop around sepsis internally.

In August 2023, Baton Rouge, La.-based Our Lady of the Lake Health became the first hospital in the nation to deploy a 10-minute rapid sepsis test. After just one month of use, physicians at the hospital told Becker's in a previous interview that it had already helped clinical teams prioritize faster care for 15 at-risk individuals.

While technology will be of great aid to clinicians, there's still a lot about sepsis physicians don't understand, and are working to.

"Sepsis has been an under-resourced area in hospitals for far too long," Dr. Jayaprakash said. "The potential to impact lives is so significant that the focus and change in prioritization is long overdue."

The next challenge Dr. Tracey and others are staring down in the fight against sepsis is on the outcomes of survivors, many of whom develop neurological and cognitive impairments and have higher mortality rates.

"When you look at how many people survive sepsis, and it's hundreds of thousands in the United States alone, these survivors, they have a 50% mortality rate within five years," he said. "That's a staggering number. And many don't go back to work because they have severe cognitive impairments and other disabilities  some cardiac and real disabilities. We need to rethink what that means. We don't understand. None of us know the reason why that mortality is so high."
Despite fears that artificial intelligence would kill jobs, the technology has helped create the "hottest new role in corporate America": the chief AI officer, The New York Times reported Jan. 29.

A variety of industries, including healthcare, have been appointing AI chiefs to keep up with new developments in the technology, such as generative AI and large language models, according to the story. Scottsdale-based Mayo Clinic in Arizona named its first chief AI officer, Bhavik Patel, MD, in September.

"It helps to have a coordinating function with the depth of expertise," Richard Gray, MD, CEO of Mayo Clinic in Arizona, told the newspaper. "We're really trying to foster some of these data and AI capabilities throughout every department, every division, every work group."

In 2023, 122 chiefs or vice presidents of AI joined a forum on company review site Glassdoor, compared to 19 the year prior, The Times reported. However, a 2023 Harvard Business Review article contended that chief AI officers are "set up for failure" because of the risks of the new technology, while LinkedIn's chief economist told the newspaper that AI-specific job titles will eventually go away because the technology will become so ubiquitous.

Other health systems that have recently hired AI leaders include UC San Diego Health and Sacramento, Calif.-based UC Davis Health.
An employee at Ascension Columbia St. Mary's Hospital in Milwaukee was stabbed in the emergency department early Jan. 29, according to police.

Milwaukee police confirmed to local news outlets that an 18-year-old man stabbed a 47-year-old hospital employee around 6 a.m. In a statement to Becker's, Ascension confirmed the employee was a security guard.

"One of our security guards was injured during an altercation with an individual who entered the emergency department," a spokesperson for Ascension Wisconsin said in a statement. "The security guard was treated for their injuries and has been released. Milwaukee Police were on scene almost immediately and took the individual into custody. We are cooperating with MPD on their investigation. The ER remains open. Safety is our top priority and we would like to thank everyone who worked together to ensure the safety of our patients, visitors, associates and providers."

The suspect was arrested and charges will be referred to the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office.
New York City-based Mount Sinai is looking to new technology this year to streamline care and enhance the patient experience, according to LeWanza Harris, MD.

Dr. Harris is the vice president of quality and regulatory affairs at Mount Sinai. She recently spoke with Becker's about her goals for 2024, the trends she is following in healthcare and how health systems can improve clinician well-being.

Editor's note: Responses were lightly edited for clarity and length.

Question: What goals have you set for yourself in 2024?

Dr. LeWanza Harris: For myself, it's really about how we're going to leverage technology to streamline care and make sure we're improving the patient experience. One of our big initiatives that's a part of the hospital readmissions reduction program is how we work with our priority conditions  like congestive heart failure, pneumonia, acute myocardial infarction and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease  to make sure that vulnerable populations are not coming back to the hospital unnecessarily. We've been looking at how we can leverage machine learning and algorithms in order to make sure we're identifying these patients accurately so they then can be connected to our transitions of care program and get the necessary [information] they need to make sure these nurses are answering those questions and thus in turn, reduce our readmission rate.

We're also exploring how we may be able to use secure messaging so we can send certain reminders and texts to [patients] to see how they're doing. To me, this is a way of becoming more efficient and making sure we're improving the patient experience while improving quality at the same time.

One of the pushes that I've been doing since my tenure here is how we create the right infrastructure to drive quality and secure safety for our patients. That entailed making sure we had the right infrastructure in place as it related to our department, which is now a system department. We've collaborated with many stakeholders throughout the organization, and one of our key stakeholders involves our physicians. So looking at how we integrate our clinical departments and integrate their clinical department quality infrastructure into our health system quality infrastructure. I believe this is going to lead to better alignment, which results in more shared accountability, capacity building and the sustainability of our efforts.

Q: What are the biggest trends you are following in healthcare today?

LH: [One Is] how we use artificial intelligence and technology to solve problems. Artificial intelligence and technology can really drive improvement. It can help us to reduce costs as well as to optimize opportunity dollars that we may be leaving on the table, and to optimize our efficiencies in the delivery of care we provide.

The other is looking at how we advance equity and quality. There's an interrelatedness of quality, equity, cost and patient experience. So we have to continue to develop strategies that are going to deepen our understanding of the differences or the disparities that we see in our data. That will help us develop innovative solutions to try to solve them.

Q: How do you hope to see the healthcare industry evolve in 2024?

LH: What Covid taught us, which is what we have always known but I think it came to a head then, was the importance of really looking at staff and clinician wellbeing. The fact is our health system runs smoothly because of the people who have the skills and expertise that they lend to take care of our patients. Before we can heal others, we have to make sure we can heal ourselves. So we have to continue to promote an environment where our wellbeing is a priority. I think Mount Sinai has done a great job in doing that at the Center for Stress, Resilience and Personal Growth that was created. I hate to say that it's a trend, but it's something we need to focus more on because we're seeing the vestiges of the pandemic through staffing shortages. We see it in terms of what the priorities are for our residents who are in training, as well as for our physicians and our nursing staff. So how do we build an environment where we're saying, "Look, you need to take a mindfulness moment"?

On my calendar every day, I have 30 minutes that's blocked off and it's called mindfulness. That's an opportunity for me to do whatever. It's really a time for me to recenter and refocus because you have these back-to-back meetings and I need to take a breath. We need to encourage people to use their time to take a break, and it could be five [or] 10 minutes, but I think it's very important so we don't become burned out because burnout is real. I think because of how we're socialized in healthcare, we don't really acknowledge it, but I think we've been doing a great job in doing so of late.

Q: Is it hard to schedule that break into your day?

LH: My assistant does a great job in making sure she moves that around, but there are some days where it does not happen and I can feel it, but I look at my calendar and it is there. It's just a great time for me to take a breath or read something because people are constantly sending me things to review, to comment on that I have to respond to. It could be an hour. It could be 30 minutes. You could put it at the very beginning of the day, in the middle of the day or you can block up some time at the end of your day. It helps you to better disconnect. If you don't have any breaks in the day where you can take the time to think about what it is that you have to do, then you're going to carry all of that home and that leads to further burnout. So scheduling that time is critical.

The other thing that I do, and I got these tips from this Harvard Business Review article, is that if there are very important tasks that you have to do, put them on your calendar. If I know I need to read something or whatever it may be, I schedule that time on my calendar. I could be looking at other institutions to see what their best practices are ... I think it's unusual for people to hear about you doing that in the daytime. They expect you to take that home or read it on the weekends. I'm at my peak during these hours. Why wouldn't I do that during these hours? So schedule that mindfulness break. Call it what you want to. I know some executives who block out the first couple of hours of the day. That way they can center themselves. They're taking in all the information from all their reports, they're reviewing a lot of data and then they hit the ground running. Whatever works for you is important, but disconnecting is important.

Q: Is enough being done right now to support clinicians?

LH: I think so. Whenever you have any type of crisis [or] conflict that happens, one or two things can happen. Either you do things the same or you change. What we recognized was that we can't do things the same way. We have to change the way we work and we have to be more efficient. We have to be more cognizant of how our colleagues are feeling. I think we've done a great job in really opening those doors for conversations and coming up with concrete plans in terms of, what does it look like when we say, "You need to disconnect"? What does that mean we have to do as leaders, as managers and as your colleagues to make sure you're able to disconnect and take care of yourself? I think it is a journey, and I'm glad that we started that journey because it's really needed because there's so much sensory overload that we have with news and social media. We live in a very busy city in New York City, so you're constantly being overstimulated. So I think we are on the right path and we're only at the very beginning of it. It's great that we're having these conversations.
Many healthcare workers left their jobs a year into the pandemic even though overall employment in the sector remained steady, according to a new study that adds texture to the ongoing examination of workforce tumult facing hospitals and health systems.

The study, published in JAMA Health Forum, was conducted by researchers with Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health to further examine how the COVID-19 pandemic affected employment entries into and exits out of healthcare.

Their findings follow an analysis that suggested the Great Resignation storyline may no longer hold for hospitals and health systems since employment levels have come to exceed pre-pandemic levels.

The JAMA findings from Hopkins add a bit more granularity, showing that although healthcare employment appeared steady by the end of 2021, the industry saw steady exits through that time  first for workers exiting to nonemployment, and then exiting to other industries.

Here are five findings from the analysis (accessed in full here):

1. In Q1 2020, most healthcare workers who left their jobs didn't go to work elsewhere. By Q4 2021, workers exits were dominated by those leaving the field to find jobs outside of healthcare.

2. More people started working in healthcare starting in Q3 2020 and by Q4 2021, with entry rates into the industry exceeding the 2018 baseline and reaching a level similar to exit rates. The proximity of entry and exit rates suggests that healthcare employers were able to offset more resignations by hiring additional personnel toward the end of 2021.

3. "While the increase in entrants means that total employment did not decrease by as much as the increase in exits alone would suggest, it implies that health care organizations after the pandemic are operating with more staff with less experience than in the pre-pandemic period," the authors note. Employment headcount may exceed pre-pandemic levels, but that does not hold true for professional experience.

4. A higher proportion of those leaving healthcare jobs were women, while fewer women and Black workers started jobs in healthcare compared to before the pandemic, suggesting a "net loss" of both demographic groups.

5. The study used the U.S. Census Bureau's Job-to-Job Flows data as its primary source and state-level data from Q1 2018 through Q4 2021. Alaska, Arkansas, Hawaii, Mississippi and Tennessee were excluded due to data limitations.
Nicholas Grosso, MD, said he hopes the physician-payer relationship can evolve to be more cooperative than adversarial. The mindset is one of the tools that he hopes will strengthen The Centers for Advanced Orthopaedics.

Dr. Grosso, who is president of the Bethesda, Md.-based orthopedic group and management services organization MedVanta, spoke with Becker's about the strategies that he is leveraging into 2024.

Note: This conversation was lightly edited for clarity and length.

Question: What are your top goals for the year?

Dr. Nicholas Grosso: What we're really doing is trying to embrace the future, which is right now anybody's guess. What we see as the most likely scenarios going forward is value-based care is going to become more and more prevalent as time goes on, although that term, value-based care, means a lot of different things to a lot of different people. What we see happening over the next number of years is a lot of things are going to be happening in parallel.

You're still going to have fee-for-service  that isn't going anywhere. It's going to be around for probably the foreseeable future. But you're also going to have all these different programs that are going to pop up, whether it's a bundled payment program with individual states or the federal government, or whether it's a shared savings program with individual payers. Each of these programs are going to have different rules, different criteria and different metrics. Eventually we think we're going to get to the point where we're going to go full capitated care. We think that's the ultimate value-based care. But in order to do that, you have to have certain things that none of us have right now, which are the tools necessary to manage these programs.

So our goal for 2024 is to continue what we started in 2023, which is building our platforms. MedVanta has invested millions of dollars into our analytics platform and our digital front door, and our ability to provide care remotely. We think that's really going to set us up for the future as these programs begin. We're in our third year of a basically a bundle type program with the state of Maryland. We've done very well, actually. We've been the best performing entity in the state by far. We're also in a shared savings program with one of our major payers, and we're in the final negotiating phases with other of our payers.

Q: When it comes to payer negotiations, what strategies have helped you have an advantage?

NG: The relationship between payers and physicians has been a long and tumultuous one. I was in the Army for 23 years, and then I went into private practice when I got out. That was a long time ago, back in 2001, and I couldn't get over the animosity and negativeness. They'd come back every year and try to beat you down a few more dollars per CPT code. We were taking less and less every year. It got to the point where it really was a very one-sided relationship with the payers, and the physicians unable to really have any negotiating power. Even if you were in a 10- or 12-physician group back in the early 2000s, it really didn't mean anything to the payers because they would just as soon dump you for anybody else, and they played one against the other. It was a race to the bottom.

When we formed CAO, it put us in a much stronger position to negotiate. We were able to negotiate better reimbursement rates on our fee-for-service. We tried to build relationships with the payers, and we had better relationships with some because we were really built to get to this value. We saw the writing on the wall. We knew value-based care was going to come eventually and just took a lot longer than we thought it would, and so we kind of built ourselves to do that and leave the talking to the players the whole time saying we're ready, and they really haven't been. Now they're starting to get that way as they update and modernize their systems.

I really hope going forward it's more cooperative. I mean, there's always going to be that tension there. They're the payer and we're the provider. But as we move toward capitated care, that kind of shifts the dynamic. I'm hoping it's not just an adversarial relationship where we go to the table and try to see who can take advantage of each other, because I think if we work together, we could get to that value-based care.

Q: How else do you plan to approach the different economic headwinds that independent practices have been facing?

NG: They obviously continue with CMS cutting physician pay. Although I do think Congress is going to move on that, but we'll have to wait and see what happens. The key is, if you're negotiating with a payer from a position of at least being equal, they can't stop us for being too big. We cover too much of a geographic area, and whether they like it or not, they have to work with us. I hate saying that to make it sound like we're trying to be a bully, and we're not. We're just trying to be fair because our costs go up every year or our salaries go up, our prices go up, and everything goes up. Cost of living goes up. If they want to keep our doors open and provide care for their patients, we've got to make ends meet.

Q: Circling back to data and analytics, can you talk more about what you're planning to leverage this year and any advice you have for other practices interested in leveraging data?

NG: There's so many different aspects of being able to have your data and analyze it correctly, and one of them is go back to the negotiations so we can go back to them and say, "Hey, look, we're a little more expensive than the guy down the street, but our outcomes are better. We see the patients less often. We use less physical therapy." If you could show that, it really makes negotiations go a lot smoother.

What I would say to the other guys out there is this is a hugely expensive enterprise to undertake. The average group out there, unless they're part of one of the mega groups, they're not going to be able to afford to build these tools on their own. They're going to have to rely on third-party vendors.

That's what some private equity-based groups are doing. They're building these same platforms. They're offering to provide the same services to these smaller groups that they just come on board. MedVanta is doing the same thing. We think our model for the physician that wants to remain fully independent in private practice is superior, because we're not PE-backed. Physicians are fully independent, and they can be owners. The way we built MedVanta is we want every physician to be an owner so no one's taking advantage of each other.

Q: When you think about the outlook for independent spine and orthopedic surgeons in 2024, should they be optimistic or worried?

NG: I'm an optimistic guy, so I think they should be optimistic. There's headwinds, but there's nothing that we can't handle. No one's going to be going out of business. We're all going to be OK. You just gotta be smart about what's going on. The groups I worry about are the ones that have their heads in the sand and aren't really preparing for this. But if they get their heads up and they're paying attention to what's going on and they know what's happening in the market, and if they're prepared for it, they're going to do fine.

Q: Do you think unprepared groups can do well if they start preparing now, or is it too little, too late?

NG: There's always hope for them. But what I worry about is a lot of these groups get pulled ahead and they panic and run to a hospital, and the hospital buys them. Or they run to a group and let a private equity group buy them. So I would prefer them to pay attention sooner rather than later so they don't panic and they make reasonable decisions and look at all the options before acting.
Here are two recent layoffs in the spine and orthopedic industry that Becker's has reported on since Jan. 9:

1. NuVasive is laying off 157 employees at its San Diego headquarters, according to WARN notice data from the state of California.

2. Rothman Orthopaedic Institute will lay off 5% of its workforce, a spokesperson for the Philadelphia-based practice told Becker's. The layoff process started Jan. 8.
Tacoma, Wash.-based MultiCare Health was sued by the U.S. and the state alleging they hired Jason Dreyer, DO, knowing he was accused of performing medically unnecessary spine surgeries.

Dr. Dreyer performed cases at MultiCare Deaconess Hospital in Spokane, Wash., between 2019 and 2021, according to a Jan. 26 news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office of the Eastern District of Washington. In 2019 he resigned from Providence St. Mary Medical Center in Walla Walla, Wash., amid allegations he was falsifying diagnoses and doing unnecessary cases.

Last year, Dr. Dreyer paid $1.17 million to settle allegations he performed medically unnecessary neurosurgeries. He and another spine surgeon, Daniel Elskens, DO, faced the allegations during their time at Providence St. Mary Medical Center.

A 2022 class action lawsuit accused Dr. Dreyer of operating on a woman's neck without recommending conservative treatment first. A series of spine surgeries in the following years allegedly led to permanent damage.

The Justice Department is now accusing MultiCare of endangering patients and falsely and fraudulently claiming and receiving reimbursement for medically unnecessary spine care. The Justice Department also alleges the health system became aware of "red flags" about Dr. Dreyer but chose to hire him because he was a "workhorse." In October 2019 the health system allegedly saw Dr. Dreyer was performing a high volume of cases, and he was put on an incentive compensation structure to encourage increased volume and more complex surgeries.

A spokesperson for MultiCare told Becker's the system is aware of the allegations and "believe them to be unfounded and without merit." The health system plans to defend itself.

"We can assure you that MultiCare's commitment to our mission  partnering for healing and a healthy future  and our dedication to the health of the communities we serve is as strong as ever," the statement said. "The safety of our patients is and will always be our highest priority."
A Belfast restaurant has regained the prestigious Bib Gourmand award from the Michelin Guide.

Bib Gourmand was created in 1997 and is given to restaurants for "good quality, good value cooking".

The Michelin Guide said Home in Belfast has regained its Bib Gourmand thanks to a new chef and some terrific produce. The extensive menus include a host of delicious dishes at an attractive price, accompanied by friendly service and a welcoming feel.

Home started as a pop-up restaurant in Belfast City Centre in 2011.

Initially for three months, the pop-up venture was an instant hit with foodies so much so that the restaurant extended its tenure for almost a year, before taking up a permanent residence in Belfasts Wellington Place.

The restaurants source meats from trusted farms such as Lisdergan Meats and fruit and vegetables from local farmer Drew Frazer.

The Bib Gourmand is an award dedicated to the best value for money restaurants  offering a three course meal at a reasonable price.

Home is currently running a Prix Fixe Menu where you can get 2 courses for 19.50 or 3 courses for 23.50.

Home is one of six NI restaurants recommended by the Michelin guide.

The others are Edo in Upper Queens street, Waterman House in Hill Street, Blank on the Malone Road, Fontana in Holywood and Artis in Londonderry.

This years Michelin Guide UK & Ireland awards ceremony will take place in Manchester on February 5, at which restaurants awarded stars in the 2024 guide will be revealed.
Following the article on James Joyces Ulysses, published in issue 39 of In Defence of Marxism magazine, Hamid Alizadeh of the IDOM editorial board writes on Joyces Dubliners: a masterful critique of the paralysis, hypocrisy and alienation of Irish bourgeois society in the 20th century, which epitomised the ferment brewing in Ireland in the years prior to the Easter Rising of 1916.

Letter from an editor: James Joyces Dubliners

When the soul of a man is born in this country there are nets flung at it to hold it back from flight. You talk to me of nationality, language, religion. I shall try to fly by those nets.[1]

James Joyce

As I was reading John McInallys article on the centenary of James Joyces Ulysses in preparing issue 39 of the In Defence of Marxism magazine, I was drawn to read Joyce for myself. There could hardly be better proof that the article served its purpose to the fullest: to expand the horizons of our readers and assist them in delving into the great treasures of world literature.

So, after a bit of research, I decided to start with Joyces first major work, Dubliners, an unassuming book of fifteen short stories, which according to Joyce run in the order of childhood, adolescence, maturity and public life, each depicting everyday episodes in the lives of ordinary Dubliners, told in simple and plain language.

But looks can be deceiving. Behind the books innocent outward appearance, I discovered a deeply penetrating and razor-sharp critique; a damning indictment, not just of Irish society circa 1900, but of capitalist society itself. As Joyce himself put it:

For myself, I always write about Dublin, because if I can get to the heart of Dublin I can get to the heart of all the cities of the world. In the particular is contained the universal.[2]

Paralysis

There was no hope for him this time: it was the third stroke.[3] These are the opening shots of the first story, The Sisters, which depicts the legacy of Father Flynn, a Catholic priest who, towards the end of his life, appears to have lost his faith, along with his sanity. The story offers a fitting metaphor for the senility of the Catholic Church in Joyces Ireland and the weight that its veritable dictatorship imposed on its people.

Joyces narrator, a young boy who is under the influence of Father Flynn, continues in the same opening paragraph:

...I said softly to myself the word paralysis. It had always sounded strangely in my ears, like the word gnomon in the Euclid and the word simony in the Catechism. But now it sounded to me like the name of some maleficent and sinful being. It filled me with fear, and yet I longed to be nearer to it and to look upon its deadly work.[4]

In these heavily loaded lines, Joyce formulates his mission statement: to look into the deadly work of the maleficent and sinful paralysis covering the Irish nation, which he proceeds, calmly and methodically, to dissect and examine over the course of the following fifteen stories. His critique is made all the more powerful by his spiteless and undramatic style, which leaves no excuses to reject him out of hand.

Childhood

Leon Trotsky once noted that the idealisation of childhood as a time of peace, happiness and freedom belongs to the realm of privileged and aristocratic literature. Life strikes the weak, he wrote, and who is weaker than a child?[5] In Dubliners, childhood is presented as it is for most people: a time of fear, uncertainty and oppression.

In the chilling story of An Encounter, we are introduced to a group of adventurous school boys, full of vitality, joy, and playful curiosity. They like playing cowboys and Indians, and reading American magazines and detective stories. We learn, however, that their naturally childish behaviour is not condoned. The narrator recounts an episode where Father Butler, their teacher, shames and scolds one of the boys for reading American comic books rather than studying the Roman Empire.

One day, in an attempt to escape the heavy atmosphere of their familiar surroundings, some of the boys decide to skip school and go on an adventure through Dublin. But the world outside offers little respite. At first, our adventurers are verbally attacked by two other little boys from poor backgrounds, who mistake them for Protestants  a harsh reminder of the class divisions in society and the reactionary role of religious sectarianism.

Passing the first danger, the main characters eventually run into a greater one. An older man approaches. He appears to be warm and friendly. But gradually we begin to discern that he is in fact seriously disturbed, and has sadistic and perverse tendencies. Joyce brilliantly conveys the nervous tension and anxiety that creeps over the narrating little boy, before he manages to break away from the old man.

A close call, perhaps. No crime has taken place. And yet, unspeakable damage has been done. The day started as an adventure, an attempt at liberation, but ends with the boys feeling more entrapped and isolated than before. There is no escape.

The casual way the story is told merely tells us that such episodes happen all the time, and over time, the fire of life and adventure that every child is born with, is gradually extinguished. Its place is taken instead by shame, fear and paralysis.

The simple premise posed in the beginning of the book, is allowed to develop into its full stature as the book moves from childhood to adolescence, and then adulthood. The stories are not carried by bombastic drama, but by the subtle, yet violent struggle between the inner life force of Joyces characters and the morality of the existing order.

Like the lotus feet of the decrepit Chinese aristocracy, his Dubliners are gradually broken, bound and squeezed into stiff and narrow moulds that are far too small for their souls. They grow to be deformed creatures, who find themselves alienated from society, from one another, and even from themselves. Nevertheless, Joyce always shows us the embers of humanity still alive underneath it all and ceaselessly trying to find a way to the surface. It is precisely that human spirit that Joyce wishes to awaken with his work.

The Church

...the plague of Catholic[ism] the vermin begotten in the catacombs issuing forth upon the plains and mountains of Europe. Like the plague of locusts described in Callista they seemed to choke the rivers and fill the valleys up. They obscured the sun. Contempt of [the body] human nature, weakness, nervous tremblings, fear of day and joy, distrust of man and life, hemiplegia of the will, beset the body burdened and disaffected in its members by its black tyrannous lice.[6]

The Catholic Church receives a particularly thorough undressing throughout Dubliners. At the end of Counterparts, for instance, the main character, Farrington, a failure and a drunk, comes home one evening to find that only his small children are there, one of whom tells him that their mother is at the chapel. Finding no food, and with the fire having gone out, Farrington unleashes his pent up frustrations on his little boy, whom he vigorously strikes with a stick. The terrified little boy gets on his knees begging, O, pa! Don't beat me, pa! And Ill Ill say a Hail Mary for you Ill say a Hail Mary for you, pa, if you don't beat me Ill say a Hail Mary[7]

The heartbreaking, fruitless and humiliating attempt at appeasing his monstrous assailant is clearly a metaphor for the relationship that Joyce sees between the Irish people and the Catholic Church.

Against the stream

Joyce puts Irish bourgeois society to the test, and finds it lacking: the church, hypocritical and oppressive; bourgeois nationalism, impotent and cowardly; the petty bourgeoisie, ignorant and narrow-minded.

Page up and page down, he meticulously demystifies all the moral pillars of Irish society: religion, tradition, nation and class  nothing escapes scrutiny. And gradually, the book proves that what appear to mankind as independent, mythical and timeless entities, are nothing but the products of human relations themselves.

The moral decay portrayed in Dubliners merely reflects the degenerate and conservative nature of the upper echelons of society, which stood in direct opposition to the needs and aspirations of the masses. This was fully revealed in the revolutionary events of the Easter Rising in 1916, which was thoroughly betrayed by these same upper layers. Incidentally, while not dismissive of it, Joyce did not outright support the rising. His work, however, can be seen as a part of the general ferment anticipating these events, with a crisis of the old ideas and the rise of new revolutionary ones.

Indeed, although he did not explicitly state this, Joyces ideas were nothing but revolutionary. Like the little boy in the fairy tale who proclaims that the emperor is naked, he exposed the true, monstrously reactionary nature of the status quo, under the weight of which the souls of the Irish people were being crushed. For that, the establishment never forgave him. He spent the bulk of his life in self-imposed exile, which he saw as the only manner in which he could practise his art. Throughout his life he was harassed by the church and other authorities, both in Ireland and elsewhere too. In fact, it took him nine years to get Dubliners published, after unsuccessfully approaching countless publishers.

The correspondence with Joyces main publisher reads like an additional chapter of the book, revealing the suffocating influence that the establishment exerted over culture and the cowardice of the petty bourgeoisie. In letter after letter, the publisher attempts to censor different aspects of the book to avoid offending bourgeois public opinion. Joyce stands his ground and insists that what he has written is nothing spectacular, but merely what is.

Although not explicitly stated in his art, Joyce's ideas were revolutionary: he sought to plainly state what was in rebellion against the status quo / Image: Adolf Hoffmeister

In a letter from June 1906 he wrote: I seriously believe that you will retard the course of civilisation in Ireland by preventing the Irish people from having one good look at themselves in my nicely polished looking-glass.[8]

What makes this work stand out is precisely the blunt manner in which Joyces Dubliners are portrayed as what they are, what they are made to be. The image is not very flattering. The characters often appear pathetic, weak, at times even sick and disturbed. But there is no malice on Joyces part. In fact, one senses a deep respect and compassion for the damaged people of his country.

What we have is not the aimless, nihilistic critique of a postmodern writer, but the exact opposite. It is a revolutionary act, a rebellion of enlightenment, a lifting of the veil of hypocrisy and deception and looking reality straight in its face.

I fight to retain [the original text] he wrote to his publisher, because I believe that in composing my chapter of moral history in exactly the way I have composed it I have taken the first step towards the spiritual liberation of my country.[9]

The Dead

In his unfinished autobiographical novel, Stephen Hero, which was written around the same time as Dubliners, Joyce describes his own ambition to be the voice of a new humanity, active, unafraid and unashamed.

We come closer to this voice in Dubliners final and longest story, The Dead. This brilliant work has been dubbed by many as the greatest short story ever written. I would agree. The Dead is an endlessly thought-provoking treasure that can be read again and again. Here, Joyce takes a different tone to the rest of the book, focussing instead on the beautiful sides of Irish culture: the familiarity, the joyfulness and the hospitality which finds room in its heart for everyone.

The story also gathers the threads that have previously been laid out for us, when at the end, the main character, Gabriel, experiences an epiphany after having been through an evening of disappointments and personal defeats. As a result, he sees all that he took for granted in life, all that he based himself on, whether it be his political views regarding Ireland, his moral principles or his relationship with his wife, fall apart. His old ideals and illusions about life and about society lie in ruins and consequently so does his self-image.

Joyce takes us through the emotional pain that such an all-encompassing blow inflicts on a person; the heavy heart that such a stark realisation conjures. And there is no turning back. Life will never be the same again. Indeed, because in reality, Gabriels life is only just beginning. Finally he is facing the world and seeing it all, with open, unclouded eyes. He is painfully aware of the deep wounds within himself and his society. But the demise of his illusory freedom, the understanding of his conditions, is also the beginning of his real freedom. He will go into tomorrow as a new man; the paralysis is broken. The story ends with these beautiful words:

It had begun to snow again. He watched sleepily the flakes, silver and dark, falling obliquely against the lamplight. The time had come for him to set out on his journey westward. Yes, the newspapers were right: snow was general all over Ireland. It was falling on every part of the dark central plain, on the treeless hills, falling softly upon the Bog of Allen and, farther westward, softly falling into the dark mutinous Shannon waves. It was falling, too, upon every part of the lonely churchyard on the hill where Michael Furey lay buried. It lay thickly drifted on the crooked crosses and headstones, on the spears of the little gate, on the barren thorns. His soul swooned slowly as he heard the snow falling faintly through the universe and faintly falling, like the descent of their last end, upon all the living and the dead.[10]

Truth

Joyce is a master. His work is brimful of meaning and life lessons. But at no point do you feel that he is lecturing or pushing towards a certain conclusion. Not once does he bend the storylines for the sake of moralising or in order to squeeze in a political or philosophical point. Such political art is tiresome at best, but cringeworthy for the most part. Joyce rejects idealising art. He follows his art where it takes him. But this is not an abstract, untethered art for arts sake.

(...) I have written it for the most part in a style of scrupulous meanness he retorted to his publisher who wanted him to censor parts of the book, and with the conviction that he is a very bold man who dares to alter in the presentment, still more to deform, whatever he has seen and heard. I cannot do any more than this. I cannot alter what I have written.[11]

Joyce presents us with what he sees, and we are left to draw our own conclusions. The point, however, is that he has a supremely clear vision, an encyclopaedic knowledge of culture and a sublime control over the English language. Yet his work oozes politics, philosophy and moral lessons because he manages to capture the living essence of humanity itself; the inner principle that drives us on a day to day basis, our desires and aspirations, and our relationship to wider society. Art is true to itself when it deals with truth,[12] he once said  and Joyce does indeed show a glimpse of the real, living, struggling truth of humanity in the present epoch of capitalist decline. In this he has done an inestimable service for those who struggle for a better world today.

Notes:

[1] J Joyce, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, Wordsworth, 1992, pg 203

[2] A Power, James Joyce - The Irishman, The Irish Times, 30 December 1944

[3] J Joyce, Dubliners, Penguin Books, 1996, pg 9

[4] ibid.

[5] L Trotsky, My Life, Wellred Books, 2018, pg 1

[6] J Joyce, Stephen Hero, New Directions, 1963, pg 194

[7] J Joyce, Dubliners, Penguin Books, 1996, pg 98

[8] R Ellman (ed.), Selected Letters of James Joyce, Viking Press, 1975, pg 90

[9] ibid., pg 88

[10] J Joyce, Dubliners, Penguin Books, 1996, pg 223

[11] R Ellman (ed.), Selected Letters of James Joyce, Viking Press, 1975, pg 83

[12] R Ellman (ed.), Selected Letters of James Joyce, Viking Press, 1975, pg 83
Family-run Belfast gym business GymCo has announced plans to open another five locations around Northern Ireland as it invests 0.3m in renovating an existing property.

Brothers Jim, David and Martin Conlon have said they could create up to 100 new jobs as they expand beyond their gyms in CitySide Retail & Leisure Park and the Devenish Complex in Finaghy, starting with a new site in east Belfast.

The brothers announced theyve now completed a 0.3m renovation at Cityside, where theyve recreated five new jobs.

And theyve also entered a long-term partnership to use equipment provided by Northern Ireland fitness firm BlkBox.

It has acquired new equipment including HIIT cardio machines, Olympic lifting platforms, racks, barbells and an adjustable bench. The steam room, sauna and changing facilities at Cityside have also been upgraded.

Jim Conlon, co-owner of GymCo, said: We are delighted to announce the completion of a 300,000 renovation programme of our CitySide location. We have reconfigured the gym floor and transformed the space to create a versatile training area for members and also introduced the new HYROX style of training.

Mr Conlon, who also has interests in hospitality, added: This investment also represents our commitment to the area of north Belfast which has seen massive regeneration in recent years including the newly opened Ulster University campus and the 10m refurbishment of York Street Train Station which is due for completion this year.

His brother David said the company had gone from strength to strength since it was founded in 2014. We are looking forward to building on this and have exciting plans to open five new locations across Northern Ireland and create up to 100 new jobs in the next number of years.

"We have started identifying potential sites and a new GymCo in east Belfast is set to be the first location that will be announced in the months ahead.
Rap group Run DMC poses at the 31st annual Grammy Awards in New York in 1998 (Mark Lennihan/AP)

Two men accused of killing Run-DMCs Jam Master Jay were both close to the trailblazing DJ, but were driven by greed and revenge over a failed drug deal when they ambushed him at his recording studio more than 20 years ago, prosecutors argued as the mens trial began on Monday.

In opening statements in Brooklyn federal court, assistant US attorney Miranda Gonzalez laid out the prosecutions case that Karl Jordan Jr, the hip-hop stars godson, and Ronald Washington, a childhood friend, killed the 37-year-old in 2002 after they were cut out of a lucrative cocaine deal.

Both men have pleaded not guilty.

While the case languished for almost two decades until Jordan and Washington were arrested in 2020, becoming one of the hip-hop worlds most elusive mysteries, Ms Gonzalez told jurors that they would hear from eyewitnesses who were in the studio that night, and that the pair confessed their involvement to others.

Rap trio Run-DMC including Jam Master Jay, left, pose in New York in 2001 (Jim Cooper/AP)

Each defendant was proud that they had taken down Jam Master Jay and got away with it, she said.

Washingtons lawyer Ezra Spilke, however, argued the case was held together with tape and glue and declared that prosecutors have no clue who killed Jay, who was born Jason Mizell.

This case is about 10 seconds, 21 years ago, he said. Its a blink of an eye, a generation ago.

The men face at least 20 years in prison if convicted. The government has said it would not seek the death penalty.

Mizell worked the turntables alongside rappers Joe Run Simmons and Darryl DMC McDaniels as the group helped bring hip-hop into the mainstream in the 1980s with hits such as Its Tricky and a remake of Aerosmiths Walk This Way.

Run-DMC famously espoused an anti-drug stance in lyrics, but Ms Gonzalez said that as the spotlight faded, Mizell turned to the drug trade, serving as a middleman to sellers and buyers across the country. A few simple calls, she said, could earn him hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Mizell had allegedly acquired 10kg of the drug, which Washington, Jordan and others were going to distribute in the Baltimore area. But the dealer Mizell was working with refused to work with Washington, cutting both defendants out of a potential 200,000-dollar (157,600) payday, she alleged.

Ms Gonzalez said that in the days leading up to his death, Mizell acted troubled and carried a gun. On the night of October 30, 2002, however, he barely had time to react when the two men appeared at his studio in Jamaica, Queens.

Prosecutors say Washington waved a gun and ordered one person to lie on the floor, while Jordan shot Mizell in the head at point-blank range, killing him instantly.

Another shot hit and wounded another man in the studio at the time, Mizells friend Uriel Tony Rincon, before the pair fled, Ms Gonzalez said.

It was a brazen murder of a world-famous musician, she said, but police struggled to close the case because witnesses did not fully co-operate and even moved to another state.

Lawyers for Jordan and Washington argued that the police still have not worked it out, and they urged jurors to be skeptical of witnesses who are co-operating in exchange for leniency on their own legal troubles.

Mr Spilke, Washingtons lawyer, questioned why his client would want to kill Mizell since they were not only friends, but also because Washington relied on the rap star financially. Washington, he said, was an alcoholic living on Mizells sisters couch.

Why bite the hand that feeds? Mr Spilke said. Why kill the one man that was helping you?

A mural, by artist Art1Airbrush, of rap pioneer Jam Master Jay in the Queens borough of New York (John Minchillo/AP)

In a Playboy article published a year after the killing, Washington was quoted as saying he was on his way to the studio the night of the killing when he heard gunshots and saw Jordan fleeing.

Jordans lawyer John Diaz, meanwhile, said his client was not even at the studio that night. His lawyers have said in court documents that Jordan, then 18, was at his pregnant girlfriends home at the time of Mizells death and that witnesses can place him there.

He was first named as a possible suspect in the killing in 2007, while he was on trial for a string of armed robberies, though he maintained he had no involvement.

Jordan also faces gun and cocaine charges in the trial to which he has pleaded not guilty. While he has no prior adult criminal record, prosecutors allege he has continued to be involved in drugs trafficking and say they have footage of him selling cocaine to an undercover agent.

The trial will resume on Tuesday after the jury heard on Monday from three police officers, including crime scene investigators who collected evidence, and a detective who was among the first on the scene.
Laurence Fox got involved in a social media row after a post he made about Sainsburys (Ian West/PA)

Laurence Fox is set to discover the outcome of his High Court libel battle with two people he referred to as paedophiles on social media in a ruling on Monday.

The actor-turned-politician was sued by former Stonewall trustee Simon Blake and drag artist Crystal over a row on Twitter, now known as X, in October 2020.

Mr Fox called Mr Blake and the former RuPauls Drag Race contestant, whose real name is Colin Seymour, paedophiles in an exchange about a decision by Sainsburys to celebrate Black History Month.

The Lewis star  who founded the Reclaim Party  counter-sued the pair and actress Nicola Thorp over tweets accusing him of racism.

Mr Fox said at the time he would boycott Sainsburys, accusing it of promoting racial segregation and discrimination.

Mrs Justice Collins Rice is due to issue her written ruling over the case on Monday.

Nicola Thorp claimed that Laurence Fox had outed himself as a racist (Lauren Hurley/PA)

During a trial in London in November, Mr Fox was described was an alleged intelligent racist with an agenda.

Lorna Skinner KC, representing Mr Blake, Mr Seymour and Ms Thorp, said the trio honestly believed, and continue honestly to believe, that Mr Fox is a racist.

She said the actor has made a number of highly controversial statements about race, adding: If and to the extent that Mr Fox has been harmed in his reputation, it is his own conduct and not the claimants comments on it that caused that harm.

The barrister highlighted several of Mr Foxs social media posts, including a June 2022 tweet of four pride flags arranged in the shape of a swastika.

In his written evidence for the case, Mr Seymour, a Canadian artist, said he had faced overwhelming and distressing abuse after Mr Foxs tweet, adding that he felt less safe as a drag performer.

Mr Blake, now chief executive of Mental Health First Aid England, said the incorrect suggestion that gay men were paedophiles was a trope as old as the hills.

Broadcaster Nicola Thorp claimed that Mr Fox had outed himself as a racist with a tweet calling for a boycott of the supermarket.

She said that any reputational harm Mr Fox suffered was because of what he did, not because of what I said.

Patrick Green KC, representing Mr Fox, told the court neither Mr Blake nor Mr Seymour has suffered any actual, real-world consequences due to the actors tweets.

The barrister said the posts did not cause people to think worse of Mr Blake and Mr Seymour, and that people did not believe they were paedophiles.

Instead, Mr Green said readers would have understood that Mr Foxs posts were a retort to an allegation of racism rather than a factual allegation.

Mr Fox told the court he was horrified when he saw he had been called a racist, which he later described as a career-ending word and a reputation-destroying allegation.

He said his life was destroyed by hurtful racism allegations and he was left unable to get a mortgage.

The actor said he faced a significant decline in the number and quality of roles he was offered after he was accused of being a racist in the social media row.

Mrs Justice Collins is expected to issue her ruling at 3pm.
Judge also issues warning that masked individuals are not welcome in court

Two men have pleaded guilty to charges arising from the murder of Ian Ogle.

Mr Ogle was beaten and stabbed to death close to his Cluan Place home in east Belfast on January 27 2019.

A trial involving eight defendants was due to commence at Belfast Crown Court on Monday.

While the non-jury trial didn't start, two men  Reece Kirkwood and Thomas McCartney  who were charged with lesser offences and linked to the fatal incident asked to be re-arraigned and admitted their guilt.

As Mr Ogle's family sat in the public gallery, the first defendant in the dock was Kirkwood (26), from Tower Court in Belfast.

At the request of his barrister, Kirkwood was re-arraigned on a charge of withholding information concerning an arrestable offence between January 26 and 29, 2019.

He was charged that knowing other persons had committed murder or a relevant offence, he had information likely to secure apprehension which he failed to give to a constable.

When asked how he pleaded, Kirkwood replied "guilty."

His barrister told Mr Justice O'Hara that pre-sentence reports were being sought and was informed by the senior judge that sentencing will take place at the conclusion of the murder trial.

Next to be re-arraigned on a charge of assisting an offender was 36-year-old McCartney.

From Wolff Close in Belfast, McCartney was charged that between January 26 and 29 2019, knowing another person has committed murder or a relevant offence, he acted with intent to impede their apprehension by taking possession of and retaining a set of Seat Leon car keys.

After the charge was put to McCartney, he entered a 'guilty' plea.

Like co-accused Kirkwood, pre-sentence reports will be compiled and McCartney will be sentenced at a later date.

Both men were released on continuing bail.

A total of six men now face trial - five charged with murder and one with assisting offenders.

Those charged with murdering Mr Ogle on January 27, 2019 are Jonathan Brown (38) from Whinney Hill in Dundonald, Walter Irvine (42) from Litchfield Street in Belfast, Glenn Rainey (37) whose address was given as Ballyhalbert Caravan Park, Mark Sewell (45) from Glenmount Drive in Newtownabbey and 41-year-old Robert Spiers from Millars Park in Dundonald.

Christopher Haire (54), from Killagan Bend in Belfast, faces a single charge of assisting offenders between January 26 and 29, 2019.

When he enquired about the commencement of the trial, Mr Justice O'Hara was told by a Crown barrister: "There is evidence upon which the prosecution intend to rely that is the subject of a legal argument as to its admissibility."

The prosecutor asked that this legal argument be held over the next few days and proposed that following this, the Crown may be in a position to open its case either this Thursday or next Monday.

Mr Justice O'Hara then addressed the public gallery and said: "In order to avoid what happened in the Smyth case late last year, let me make this clear.

"There are no faces to be covered at any time in court. There are no heads to be covered at any time in court. There are no sunglasses to be worn at any time in court.

"There are no hats and scarves to be worn in court, no hoods up in court, no scarves over faces and no masks or balaclavas.

"Anyone who is seen to have breached those will be removed from the court and I'll leave it for the police to deal with it."

Masked men appeared during the unrelated trial over the killing of Eamon Fox and Gary Convie in November 1994. James Stewart Smyth (57), from Forthriver Link, Belfast, denies murdering them.
A convicted killer extradited back to Northern Ireland from the Republic was today ordered to stand trial accused of being unlawfully at large.

Appearing at Lisburn Magistrates Court by videolink from prison, James Meehan (54) confirmed he was aware of the charge that he was unlawfully at large on October 9 last year.

In 2009, Meehan, whose address has been listed as c/o HMP Maghaberry, was handed a life sentence, with an order to serve a minimum of 14 years in jail, for the murder of Derry man Jim McFadden.

The 42-year-old victim was repeatedly punched in the chest and died from a ruptured heart in an attack that took place after the wedding reception of Mr McFaddens sister-in-law in Donegal in May 2007.

According to legal proceedings in Dublin High Court, where Meehans lawyers unsuccessfully applied for a stay on extradition proceedings, Meehan had been freed in October last year and allowed to live at an address in Limavady. However, warrants were issued for his arrest when he was found not to be there.

While his lawyers contended that he had been released on his lifelong licence, one of the warrants issued states that Meehan was on temporary release, so when he absconded from his address, he was, in fact, unlawfully at large.

In court today, a prosecuting lawyer submitted there is a prima facie case against Meehan, which was conceded by defence solicitor Aiden Carlin, while the defendant himself declined to exercise his rights to comment on the charge or to call evidence on his own behalf.

Returning the case to Craigavon Crown Court for trial and remanding Meehan back into custody, District Judge Rosie Watters scheduled the arraignment to be heard on March 5.
A man was remanded into custody today accused of setting fire to his mothers house.

Appearing at Coleraine Magistrates Court by videolink from police custody, Michael Ward (21) was charged with arson intending to endanger the lives of people in the adjoining properties and causing unnecessary suffering to his mothers dog.

Ward, from Queens Road in Antrim, confirmed he understood the two charges against him, both of which are alleged to be aggravated by reason of domestic abuse.

A police officer said he believed he could connect the alleged arsonist to the charges.

During an application for bail, the officer outlined how Ward had returned home highly intoxicated at around 10am on Saturday, January 27, but because he was being verbally abusive to his mum and sister, they opted to defuse the situation and left the house to go to the shops.

When they came back, however, they found that Ward had locked them out of the house and he was shouting at them through the window, threatening to burn the house down and holding the dog up to the window.

Police were called and when officers arrived the house was on fire. Though they forced entry to check the property, the heat was so fierce that they could not get upstairs to retrieve the dog.

Firefighters arrived shortly afterwards and were able to put the fire out and save the dog.

The court heard that extensive damage was caused to the rear-bedroom ceiling and the roof, that the fire had burned through the floor boards and that there was also smoke damage caused to the adjoining properties.

The constable said he was objecting to bail due to fears that Ward would commit further offences, revealing that the defendant is currently subject to a probation order which hasnt deterred him from this incident.

Defence counsel Grant Powles told the court that Ward has a limited record, adding: He certainly isnt admitting it but isnt denying it in terms of what happened.

He argued that, with a proposed bail address in a different part of the town, Ward could be freed.

District Judge Peter King, however, said: Im not going to grant bail to any address, given the background.

I have a very clear understanding that he presents a danger to anyone he is going to reside with.

He added that, to his mind, theres a clear risk of reoffending and a clear risk to the safety of the public, so he is not a suitable candidate for bail.

Remanding Ward into custody, District Judge King adjourned the case to February 20.
Dr Maria OKane said waiting lists in NI were among the worst in Europe. Credit: Getty Images (stock image)

The chief executive of the Southern Health Trust has issued a dire warning to her board, warning that it was in an impossible position and may no longer be able to meet all of its obligations in terms of quality healthcare delivery.

Dr Maria OKane said waiting lists in Northern Ireland were among the worst in Europe  but would continue to deteriorate.

And she added that in order to modernise, we almost need to collapse some services which give her real safety concerns.

She told the Southern HSC Trust board meeting held in Craigavon Area Hospital on January 25 that they were facing a perfect storm of major challenges.

Dr Maria O'Kane

Following the presentation of a Financial Performance Report detailing the current situation, she said: This is an impossible position.

Essentially when you put together all the figures, there has been no uplift in the budget and we already have a deficit mounting up against that.

We dont know if we will get [the same budget] next year. We suspect that well be asked to make 7% efficiency savings on that.

We think that the level of concern around this is considerable.

We can see, for example, that in relation to medical locums spend, regionally we could make inroads into that, but thats a slow process because it involves a lot of negotiation and organisation with different departments and trusts, so that will not be quick and it could take us the next number of months to settle that.

But in terms of any other huge opportunities for savings, they are few and far between, and I think we are now getting into the position of considering absolute costs to the NHS, based on the position that were in.

And I think other Trusts are in exactly the same situation.

She said she believed everybody has rationalised as far as they possibly can.

There will always be some changes that you can make, but it will never be enough to cover all of this, the health chief said.

The other part that is really important is that in previous years we wanted to modernise services. As it stands at the minute, in order to do the modernisation that we need, we almost need to collapse some services in order to change our way of working, and thats a hugely challenging environment to be in. It has real safety concerns.

The biggest problem for us, I think, is that on the one hand we are told very clearly that we have a statutory requirement to provide quality care, and we cannot reconcile those asks at the same time any more.

In order to be able to do that, we will have to reduce what we do.

There is a suggestion that our level of unscheduled care activity has increased to 70% of our total business. It used to be about 45%. That is having an impact on the rest of the services. Fundamentally, what happens is that it extends the waiting lists for diagnostics and investigations.

So if we are using 70% of our CT scanning capacity on unscheduled care, that is then less available for our other referrals that are made, and the waiting list gets longer and longer.

We now know that Northern Ireland has the worst waiting times in the UK for lots of services, and some of the worst waiting times in Europe. That position is going to continue to deteriorate, unless there is a stabilisation of the budgetary situation.

Dr OKane said it was difficult to plan ahead.

I think we are also compromised by the fact that from a budgetary point of view we organise year on year, its not a three-year cycle or a five-year cycle. It really does limit our ability to plan, she said.

Its a completely perfect storm in relation to the increase in clinical demands, the rationalisation of the budget, the difficulty with the absence of an Executive to help us with the policy changes that are needed, and the legislative changes that are needed at this point in time to help us change services beyond what we can do ourselves.

Plus all the demands that are made on services in terms of an increasingly tired workforce here, completely disillusioned because of the pay status and everything else.

This sense of futility around industrial action. I cant stress hard enough, this is a perfect storm, and in the middle of that weve got patients and service users.
Two men charged with the murder of Kevin Conway in west Belfast

West Belfast murder victim Kevin Conway sent his girlfriend a voice memo saying he was playing the PlayStation minutes before he was shot dead, a court has been told.

Two men have been remanded into custody after appearing in court accused of murdering the 26-year-old on January 9.

Aidan OKeefe (27) and Fergal Kane (53) stood alongside each other in the dock at Belfast Magistrates Court on Monday where they were also accused of possessing a firearm, namely a shotgun and handgun, and ammunition with intent to endanger life or cause serious injury to property or to enable another person to do so.

No bail application was made for either of the men, who both have addresses in Belfast.

A police officer said he believes both suspects can be connected to the charges.

Detective Chief Inspector McGuinness also told the court that Mr Conway had text his partner moments before he was gunned down in his home in Rossnareen Park on Tuesday, January 9.

The court was told that Mr Conway sent a voice memo to his partner at 9.18pm.

We know from telecommunications research that Kevin sent a voice memo to his partner, recording a small snapshot of what he was doing, playing the PlayStation, the detective disclosed.

It is believed that the victim was slain two minutes later at 9.20pm .

DCI McGuinness said a shotgun used in the attack appeared to be somewhat ineffective but did cause a non-fatal head injury.

The senior officer said investigators believe the pistol was used to fire the fatal shot that caused Mr Conway to die fairly quickly.

The court heard that police were able to trace the movements of two vehicles they believe were used in the attack, including a white Toyota Proace company van which was in the possession of OKeefe on January 9.

Victim: Kevin Conway

DCI McGuinness said the work van, which has GPS tracking installed, was seen travelling in convoy with a BMW belonging to Kane on the night of the murder.

The court was told that OKeefe attended the emergency department of the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast earlier on the evening of the murder.

Based on CCTV, registration plate sightings and the GPS tracking device, investigators believe he left the hospital without advising staff.

It was claimed that the van was driven through a number of streets in the west of the city before linking up with Kanes BMW car.

DCI McGuinness told the judge that evidence indicates that both vehicles pulled up very close to the victims home at 9.09pm.

He referred to CCTV footage which shows two masked men wearing dark clothing emerged on foot from the direction of a pedestrian cut-through in the area at 9.15pm and proceeded towards the victims home.

The court was told one the men can be seen carrying a handgun.

According to DCI McGuinness, two men can then be seen retracing their steps towards the abandoned car and van at 9.22pm after the attack is believed to have been carried out.

He said CCTV footage and GPRS tracking data shows the vehicles then left the area and split up.

The policemen said OKeefe then returned to the hospital later that night and stayed there until he got a taxi home at 1.35am on January 10.

The court heard that initial results of swab tests taken from the BMW indicate one particle of cartridge discharged residue was detected in the boot, passenger footwell and drivers side of the vehicle.

Read more Second man (53) charged with murder of Kevin Conway

The detective also described how OKeefes work van was subsequently located and seized by police.

DCI McGuinness told the court that three men dressed in black were seen approaching the van while it was being monitored by plain-clothed officers.

An officer shouted a warning to colleagues and the three men made off on foot, he said.

It is my belief these men were there to destroy the van or take it away and put it out of police hands.

The court was also told that Kanes phone has been seized by police. However, the accused has failed to provide officers with passcodes to access the device.

Both men have refused to answer any questions while in police custody.

Asked in court if they understood the charges against them, Kane maintained his silence.

OKeefe spoke only to say: I do, yeah.

A solicitor representing the two men requested an adjournment due to the considerable amount of material he and his clients were hearing for the first time, despite being in the custody suite for 48 hours.

Philip Breen questioned the PSNIs claim that the vehicles were parked one or two minutes walk from the victims address on the night he was shot, claiming it was 3.5 to four minutes away.

The legal representative also questioned the reliability of very poor quality CCTV footage of two men seen in the area and asked why portions of the footage were not presented to his clients during questioning.

But DCI McGuinness rejected the description, although he did concede that the footage isnt perfect adding: Its not necessarily our case at this time that the accused in the dock are the two individuals seen walking on foot.

District Judge Steven Keown said he was entirely satisfied that he had heard detailed information connecting both of the accused to the vehicles and information that connects the defendants to each other in the lead-up to the murder.

The court was told that a bail application will be made for both OKeefe and Kane at a hearing set for February 20.

A third man arrested in connection with Mr Conways murder was released on bail to allow for further police enquiries.

Mr Conway was linked to an organised crime gang known as The Firm and was on bail at the time of his death after being charged with the murder of Shane Whitla in Lurgan in January 2023.
Faisal Noor (16) has been located safe and well.

Police thanked everyone for their assistance in locating the teenager, who was last seen in south Belfast earlier this month.
An inquest into the death of Belfast schoolboy Noah Donohoe is set to commence in September and could last up to six weeks (Family Handout/PA)

An inquest into the death of Belfast schoolboy Noah Donohoe is set to commence in September and could last up to six weeks, the coroners court has heard.

Noah, 14, was found dead in a storm drain in the city in June 2020  six days after he went missing as he cycled to meet up with friends.

His mother Fiona Donohoe is hoping to secure answers to some of the questions surrounding the death of her son through the inquest process.

Fiona Donohoe arriving at Belfast Laganside courts for a previous inquest hearing for her son Noah (Mark Marlow/PA)

The inquest was originally scheduled to take place last year but was then delayed after a ruling from coroner Joe McCrisken that it should proceed with a jury, following an application from Ms Donohoe.

At a preliminary hearing in the coroners court in Belfast on Monday, legal representatives discussed scheduling issues related to the substantive inquest.

Along with Mr McCrisken, they provisionally agreed to a start date of Monday September 16, pending court availability.

The coroner ringfenced the Thursday and Friday of the previous week to provide court time to address any outstanding legal issues ahead of swearing in the jury on the following Monday.

Brenda Campbell KC, representing the Donohoe family, suggested that hearing evidence on four days each week might be more manageable and effective than running the inquest for five full days.

Im thinking particularly of Noahs mother in these circumstances and whether or not she is capable of standing the intensity of a five day week, she said.

But also in terms of management of witnesses and preparation for witnesses  this is going to be a fairly intensive process.

Coroner McCrisken said he had no issue with that approach, adding that he had found a four day week useful in previous inquests.

He said he would plan for the inquest to run for up to six weeks.

Issues around the disclosure of documents in the case remain outstanding, with Noahs family having made several requests for material from the police.

The coroner is to hold a half day hearing on March 5 to hear submissions related to the disclosure issues.
Sacking of NCA boss may lead to appeals against EncroChat cases in NI

Prosecutions linked to infiltration of criminal network to be challenged, says lawyer

Former NCA director Nikki Holland

Allison Morris Mon 29 Jan 2024 at 08:00

Dozens of serious criminal cases here involving evidence gained from the EncroChat network hack are in doubt after the director of the National Crime Agency (NCA) was sacked from her post in December.
Stormont return dependent on government passing new agreed legislationAssembly could be back within days after two-year impasseProposals will exceed the expectations of many, claims DUP leaderTUV accuses Donaldson of caving in as critics blast Surrender DealHeated executive meeting continued past midnight, as details leaked on social mediaProtesters gathered outside venue, with some DUP members jeeredParties set to meet on Tuesday as Heaton-Harris hails significant step

Protesters pictured outside the Larchfield Estate, near Hillsborough in Co. Down, where the DUP are holding their meeting to decide on a return to Stormont Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye

DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson leaving his party's HQ at Dundela in east Belfast, where he briefed senior members on Government proposals aimed at ending Stormont's powersharing impasse. Liam McBurney/PA Wire

DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson pictured at a press conference after his partys Executive meeting in County Down. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said he has been given a decisive mandate to move forward after the DUP agreed to endorse a deal to restore power-sharing.

He said the party will return to Stormont after a two-year boycott provided the government tables key legislation which has been promised.

The announcement, shortly before 1am on Tuesday, followed a marathon meeting of the party executive that lasted more than five hours.

Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris called the DUP move "a welcome and significant step", adding that parties entitled to form an executive will meet later on Tuesday.

Watch: DUP agrees deal to restore power-sharing

But in a sign of the deep divisions within unionism, there were protests outside the DUP meeting, held amid much secrecy outside Lisburn.

Parts of Sir Jeffreys address were leaked to loyalist blogger Jamie Bryson, who posted details on X, formerly Twitter.

Afterwards, TUV leader Jim Allister accused the DUP of caving in on key demands.

"Sadly, in betrayal of their own solemn pledges, the DUP has caved in on an Irish Sea border, EU law and the suspension of Article 6. Seems not one word of the Union-dismantling Protocol has been removed, he said.

The DUP has boycotted government at Stormont since February 2022 in protest at post-Brexit trade arrangements.

But Sir Jeffrey said a package of measures proposed by Westminster provides a basis for the party to return once key parts of the deal are implemented.

Watch: Protesters outside Larchfield estate as DUP meeting takes place

As he addressed the media, Sir Jeffrey was pressed on whether he had the partys full support, and insisted there had been a decisive decision of the party executive that gives me the mandate I need to move forward.

He said he was happy with the support received at every level of the party.

Asked if the deal met the DUPs seven tests, he replied absolutely and there was a strong case for moving forward once the government delivers on its side.

Sir Jeffrey insisted the proposals would exceed the expectations of many.

He also hit out at nonsense and misinformation in recent days about what was contained in the proposals.

While no timetable for a return to Stormont was laid out, Sir Jeffrey said he believed the government can move quickly to bring forward the legislation at Westminster, leading to the rapid return of devolved government.

Protesters pictured outside the Larchfield Estate, near Hillsborough in Co. Down, where the DUP are holding their meeting to decide on a return to Stormont Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye

Questioned about potential opposition from senior party figures, Sir Jeffrey said: My party voted on the decision tonight and we are a democratic party and I am confident that all members of the party will accept what was a decisive move by the party executive this evening.

"On that basis, where we continue to have a different perspective; where we differ, we can differ well, and that we can work together to deliver the further change that we need.

Sir Jeffrey said the DUP was not done with this but acknowledged they had come a long way and made real progress.

He said he believed the party had a good case to put and we will do it together as a party.

Sir Jeffrey said the package, which he said would be published by the Government in due course, safeguards Northern Ireland's place in the Union and restores its place within the UK internal market.

"It will remove checks for goods moving within the UK and remaining in Northern Ireland and will end Northern Ireland automatically following future EU laws," he said.

"There will be legislation to provide new legal and practical protections for the Acts of Union and which guarantees unfettered access for Northern Ireland businesses to the rest of the United Kingdom.

"In the coming days, in addition to the publication of the details of the new package of proposals, the UK Government will be required to deliver on the legislative commitments they have made to us."

Reacting to the news, Mr Heaton-Harris, the Secretary of State, said: "I am pleased the DUP have agreed to accept the package of measures that the UK government has put forward and as a result they are ready to return to the Northern Ireland Assembly and nominate representatives to the Northern Ireland Executive.

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has said this is subject to the binding commitments between the Democratic Unionist Party and the UK government - I can confirm that we will stick to this agreement."

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Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald said she was optimistic Stormont could return before the next legislative deadline for forming an administration, February 8.

"I am optimistic having heard Jeffrey Donaldson's public declaration that we will see the northern institutions back up and running before the February 8 deadline with a fully functioning Assembly and Executive and north south bodies," she said.

"Sinn Fein will now engage with the parties and both governments to ensure we now all press on without delay.

"It is vital there is political stability to address the scale of the crisis across our public services.

"Let's now focus minds on the job at hand and to the solutions required to support workers and families who want and deserve functioning government."

But there was also criticism from hardline unionists.

Mr Bryson said: Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has tonight abandoned every single pledge he made. He has betrayed the Union.

He added: Now all those who will refuse to implement the Irish Sea border must continue the fight.

Sir Jeffrey had been driven into the Larchfield estate near Lisburn shortly before 7.20pm for the short-notice gathering of the 130-strong executive.

Senior party figures Edwin Poots, Ian Paisley, Sammy Wilson and Emma Little Pengelly were among those seen arriving for the event.

Around 50 protesters assembled at the gates of the venue, many carrying posters and banners. One warned: No Sea Border  stop DUP sellout.

Those protesting cheered or booed each vehicle, depending on which DUP member was inside the car.

There was much secrecy around the meeting, with members only given details late on Monday afternoon, amid DUP frustration at leaks to the media.

But within minutes of it starting, Mr Bryson was reporting details of what he said was Sir Jeffreys address on his social media account.

DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson leaving his party's HQ at Dundela in east Belfast, where he briefed senior members on Government proposals aimed at ending Stormont's powersharing impasse. Liam McBurney/PA Wire

At one stage, the meeting was reportedly halted after the DUP learned it was being live-tweeted.

Mr Bryson reported the meeting had descended into mayhem as Sir Jeffrey said texts were being sent to Jamie Bryson who is giving a blow by blow account (of) the meeting.

One post claimed Sir Jeffrey told the meeting that the PSNI had been brought in to try and block phone signals.

A PSNI spokesperson told this newspaper: The Police Service of Northern Ireland has no involvement in this.

Mr Beattie, the UUP leader, shared a Belfast Telegraph report of the nights events, posting: Where I accept the DUP shredded the UUP with relish when the tables were turned this humiliating of the party and leader is not in the best interests of unionism.
An anti-protocol rally takes place on the Shankill Road in Belfast on June 10, 2021 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph)

Protest rallies against the Northern Ireland Protocol could return to the streets if the DUP returns to Stormont without its seven tests being met, it has been warned.
US response to Gaza violence has been atrocious, says party leader Colum Eastwood

THE SDLP leader has said his party will not attend this years St Patricks celebrations at the White House, as he could not rub shoulders, drink Guinness and have the craic with the US administration while the civilian population in Gaza lives in constant fear of eradication.

The move will be seen as putting pressure on Sinn Fein, which has already said it will travel to the US for the annual event.

President Joe Biden is proud of his Irish roots and is seen as supportive of the nationalist cause.

On Saturday, former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams placed his partys relationship with Irish America ahead of any boycott.

He said Palestinian people will understand the partys decision to visit the United States for St Patricks Day, adding: What is important for us in the USA is Irish-America.

But Colum Eastwood said that the scale and intensity of the violence in Gaza cannot be justified.

He added that the US should become an advocate for a ceasefire to preserve the dignity and humanity of the civilian population in Gaza and southern Israel.

The SDLP said it will instead send a delegation to Washington DC to engage with senior lawmakers, Irish Americans and Palestinian Americans to make the case for an end to violence.

Mr Eastwood said: The scenes of destruction and annihilation in Gaza represent, in my view, a clear act of genocide. With more than 26,000 people dead, and more than 10,000 of them children, the response of the international community has been heinously deficient. The response of the US administration has been particularly atrocious.

Mr Eastwood said he had seen the impact of unspeakable violence in Gaza 10 years ago when he visited Khan Younis days after an appalling escalation in violence that left more than 100 civilians dead and hundreds more injured.

I have seen childrens playgrounds reduced to rubble and homes destroyed. The people of Gaza now go to bed again every night knowing that they may never wake up, the Foyle MP said.

In that context, and having seen its impact before, I cannot in good conscience attend White House parties for St Patricks Day while the administration turns its face the other way and refuses to call for an immediate ceasefire.

I could not rub shoulders, drink Guinness, and have the craic while the horrifying impacts of the brutal war in Gaza continue. It would be the very opposite of solidarity with a people on the brink of destruction.

Every leader will have to take their own decision on how they approach St Patricks Day. I am offering no criticism of anyone else because there is no easy answer to any of this. But I know that my own conscience, and the values of the party I lead, are not consistent with celebration in the face of overwhelming violence, he said.

President Joe Biden speaks while in Pennsylvania (Evan Vucci/AP)

Mr Adams argued at the weekend that those involved in the struggle would understand Sinn Fein putting its own cause first.

So we dont agree with US foreign policy, and neither should we. What is important for us in the USA is Irish-America, he said.

That is what is important. It is clearly important to get the administration there to take up the positive positions it has taken in our peace process.

He said that serious people involved in struggle, particularly people who are involved in national liberation struggles, understand that your own struggle whether it be internationalist has to be your primary focus.

He added: So they will expect you to raise their issues and we should. They would expect you to stand with them, and so we should.
The deputy Irish premier has refused to comment on speculation the DUP is close to ending its Stormont powersharing boycott (PA)

The deputy Irish premier has refused to comment on speculation the DUP is close to ending its Stormont powersharing boycott.

Micheal Martin said he wants to give the DUP the space to hold its crunch meeting on Monday evening, which will see its party leader brief senior members on UK Government-proposed measures aimed at resolving their post-Brexit concerns.

The DUP has refused to take part in Stormonts devolved institutions for two years in protest against post-Brexit trading arrangements, which have created trade barriers between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The party has been holding meetings with the UK Government in a bid to secure concessions to alleviate their concerns around trade and sovereignty.

Speaking after the Brexit Stakeholders Forum discussing Brexit-related changes, Mr Martin said: Well, I think everybody knows that I would like to see the restoration of the Executive and the Assembly, and that said I think less is more today in the sense that the DUP is meeting today.

I respect the fact that they are meeting and having internal discussions; theyve had discussions with UK Government on an ongoing basis for the last number of months and so we all know whats involved and we all know the details here.

So its really a matter for the DUP to meet. I want to give them the space now to have their meeting.

Mr Martin said he is in regular contact with Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris, with whom he spoke before and after Christmas.

Mr Martin added: Given that the DUP are meeting this evening, Im not sure its helpful that I would start discussing whats on the table and whats not on the table.

Im aware of what they are seeking and I think there have been discussions, very lengthy discussions, between the UK Government and the DUP and my view is that the restoration of the Assembly and the Executive is in the best interest of Northern Ireland and its people and above all the economy of Northern Ireland.

I think what has been agreed over time now puts Northern Ireland in a very strong position to grow economically, and in discussions with the business sector and the industrial sector in Northern Ireland they are very clear about the potential win-win now for Northern Ireland on all fronts under the present frameworks.
The Government has not ruled out a public inquiry into alleged missed opportunities to stop triple killer Valdo Calocane before he stabbed three people to death, the father of one of the victims has said.

The 32-year-old stabbed students Barnaby Webber, 19, Grace OMalley-Kumar, 19, and school caretaker Ian Coates, 65, with a dagger in Nottingham in the early hours of June 13 last year.

Last week, the killer was given a hospital order for manslaughter by diminished responsibility after the citys crown court heard he had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. Mr Webbers family called the hospital order a huge insult.

It has emerged that police failed to arrest Calocane for allegedly attacking two people weeks before the stabbings.

A special review has also been ordered into the mental health trust that treated him before the killings.

Rishi Sunak has previously declined to back calls for a public inquiry but it emerged on Monday night that he told the victims families at a meeting in Downing Street that he had not ruled one out.

Mr Webbers father David said: We did get an assurance from the Prime Minister himself that if its required, theyre not ruling out a public inquiry, and they will do a public inquiry.

Ms OMalley-Kumars brother James said: Were not in a rush. Weve lost our loved ones now, weve lost Grace, weve lost Ian (Coates), weve lost Barnaby (Webber)  we want (an investigation into the attacks) to be as thorough as possible to make sure those gaps are filled and the relevant people have been held accountable.

Ian Coates, Barnaby Webber and Grace OMalley-Kumar (Nottinghamshire Police/PA)

The Prime Minister said that there are plenty of options that could be taken (including) the public inquiry.

Mr Coatess son James said there had been failings by all the different agencies involved in dealing with his fathers killer.

He said: They all need looking into, obviously this is just the start.

I do feel listened to, I think weve spoke to the right people that can push this in the right direction, we now just have to wait.

It doesnt matter how long it takes as long as its done properly  it has to be deep, it has to be detailed, it has to be independent. So we can get results, and everyone else can get results, because at the end of the day theres a lot more people out there.

Valdo Calocane (Nottinghamshire Police/PA)

Miss OMalley-Kumars father Dr Sanjoy Kumar added: We have concerns about the police and how they investigated, we have concerns about the CPS and how the case was built, we have concerns about what happened in the custody suite and samples not being taken, and the mental health trust.

I cant see how all of these agencies can be covered without something really comprehensive.

I think it will be something like an inquiry in my mind. There is going to have to be something really umbrella-like.

The families also said they were glad to have the opportunity to speak with the Prime Minister.

The healthcare watchdog has been asked to report by March on its findings in an investigation into the care Calocane received at Nottinghamshire Healthcare Foundation Trust before the killings.

Health Secretary Victoria Atkins, announcing the Care Quality Commission (CQC) review, said it will provide quicker answers for the families of victims than a public inquiry.

However, Mr Webbers parents told BBC Breakfast a review would be just a toe in the water and not enough as they called for a full public inquiry.

David Webber said he and his wife were horrified there were no plans for an inquiry.

The families met Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer at the partys London headquarters earlier on Monday.

Sir Keir Starmer met the victims families (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Mr Webbers parents have said they want to speak with Janine McKinney from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

Mrs Webber told ITVs Good Morning Britain she was aghast at the opening statements from the prosecution barrister in court last week, adding: I will never accept anything other than Barnaby was murdered.

She also believes there were no obvious signs of psychosis from Calocane on the day of the attack, and told of her concerns that he could be released if he responds well to treatment in hospital.

Judge Mr Justice Turner said Calocane will 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 other people.

The Attorney General is considering whether judges should review the sentence after receiving a submission that it could be unduly lenient.

Asked why the Government had not set up a public inquiry, the Prime Ministers official spokesman said: We havent ruled out further action at this stage. There is already work going on across Government.
We will be covering the House of Commons and House of Lords throughout the day.

All timings are approximate and subject to business.

House of Commons:1430 Education questions1530 Trade (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) Bill  second readingAn adjournment debate on police investigations into road traffic deaths

Westminster Hall1630 E-petition 641904 relating to the next general election

House of Lords1430 Oral questions1520 Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill  second reading
the Most Rev Justin Welby accused the Government of outsourcing the countrys legal and moral responsibilities (Yui Mok/PA)

Rishi Sunaks Rwanda deportation plan is leading the nation down a damaging path, the Archbishop of Canterbury has warned.

In a withering rebuke to the scheme to send asylum seekers who cross the Channel in small boats on a one-way flight to Kigali, the Most Rev Justin Welby accused the Government of outsourcing the countrys legal and moral responsibilities.

The top Anglican cleric also argued a pick-and-choose approach to international law undermined the UKs global standing as he signalled he may seek to block the policy at a later date.

The archbishop was was among some 66 members of the House of Lords listed to speak during the second reading debate of the Governments Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill.

The controversial draft legislation seeks to address the legal challenges which have dogged the plan and gives ministers the power to ignore emergency injunctions.

Speaking during the debate, Mr Welby said: We can, as a nation, do better than this Bill.

With this Bill the Government is continuing to seek good objectives in the wrong way, leading the nation down a damaging path.

He added: We need a wider strategy for refugee policy which involves international co-operation and which equips us for the far greater migration flows, perhaps 10 times greater in the coming decades, as a result of conflict and climate change and poverty. Instead this Bill offers only ad hoc one-off approaches.

Rwanda is a country I know well, it is a wonderful country and my complaint is not with Rwanda, nor with its people. It has overcome challenges that this House cannot begin to imagine.

(PA Graphics)

But this Bill continues, wherever it does it, to outsource our legal and moral responsibilities for refugees and asylum seekers, with other countries far poorer already supporting multitudes more than we are now and to cut back on our aid.

He said: The UK should lead internationally as it has in the past, not stand apart.

A pick-and-choose approach to international law undermines our global standing and offends against the principle of universality that is their increasingly threatened foundation.

Given the Lords was a revising chamber, Mr Welby said sadly he would not back a Liberal Democrat-led move to block the Bill at second reading, although he found the argument made for it convincing and powerful.

He pointedly added: But I think we have to wait until third reading and have done our revising work.

Labour former home secretary Lord Blunkett said: This is nothing to do with finding solutions, it is everything to do to virtue signalling, as you might in quotes put it to a particular part of the electorate and to find scapegoats for Government failure.

The number of migrants who made unauthorised Channel crossings of the Channel this year passed 1,000 after more than 300 made the journey at the weekend (Gareth Fuller/PA)

Opening the debate, Tory frontbencher Lord Stewart of Dirleton said: This Government remains resolute in its commitment to preventing the misuse and evasion of our systems by illegal migrants, stopping these dangerous crossings and addressing the concerns of the British people.

Operationalising the Rwanda scheme is a key part of the Governments efforts to deliver this mission.

He added: Doing nothing is not an option.

Labour frontbencher Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede said: There is a very real problem that needs fixing. This Bill, like its predecessors, will not do that.

Opposing the legislation, Liberal Democrat Lord German said: This Bill asks us to believe that black is white; that facts are not facts. It breaches conventions and treaties to which we are signed up. It damages our credibility on the world stage.

He added: It offends against the rule of law and fundamentally it treats some of the most vulnerable people in the world, people who are facing persecution, torture and fleeing for their lives as undesirables. And for us on these benches that is unconscionable.

Mr Sunaks Safety of Rwanda Bill survived third reading in the Commons after the Prime Minister saw off a rebellion by the Tory right which had sought to toughen the legislation.

In the end just 11 Conservatives voted against the legislation but it faces a bigger test in the Lords, where many members have expressed unease about the plan.

The Prime Minister has urged peers against blocking the will of the people by opposing the Bill as he faces an election year (Ian Forsyth/PA)

The Prime Minister has urged peers against blocking the will of the people by opposing the Bill as he faces an election year having made stopping the boats a key pledge of his leadership.

Meanwhile, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has warned the Bill risks the UK breaching its obligations under international law.

It argued the draft legislation undermines the universality of human rights and in doing so could expose people to harm and breaches of their right to life, their rights to be free from torture and inhuman or degrading treatment and their right to effective remedy.

The number of migrants who made unauthorised Channel crossings of the Channel this year passed 1,000 after more than 300 made the journey at the weekend.

First blood was drawn against the Rwanda policy in the Lords last week, when peers backed by 214 votes to 171 an unprecedented move seeking to delay a treaty with the country which underpins the Governments plan.

The asylum scheme comes with a 290 million bill but a series of legal challenges has meant no flights have taken off since it was first proposed in 2022, when Boris Johnson was in Number 10.

Under the plan, people who cross the Channel in small boats could be removed to Rwanda rather than being allowed to seek asylum in the UK.

The legislation, along with the recently signed treaty with Kigali, is aimed at ensuring the scheme is legally watertight after the Supreme Court ruling against it last year.
Restaurant owner Claire Criscuolo spoke about her employees' use of Connecticut paid family leave benefits at an event in New Haven on Jan. 25, 2024. Liese Klein

Restaurant owner Claire Criscuolo has long believed that her workers should be able to take paid time off for pregnancy or to care for loved ones. Funds to pay those workers during their time off the job came out of the restaurants revenues for most of its 49-year history.

But for the past two years, the 24 employees at Criscuolos New Haven eatery, Claires Corner Copia, have been paying one-half of 1 percent of their checks into a state fund that pays for family leave. Two workers have since taken time off for pregnancies  at no cost to the restaurant.

This was a godsend, because we could save that money, Criscuolo said. That extra revenue helped Claires survive the lingering impact of the pandemic on the restaurant industry in Connecticut. We almost went out of business. I mean, it could have been bad, she added.

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The impact and future of Connecticuts paid family leave program was discussed Thursday at a roundtable with Julie Su, acting U.S. Secretary of Labor. Several dozen state lawmakers and nonprofit and business leaders gathered to praise the program and advocate for its expansion on a national scale.

Acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Julie Su spoke at an event in New Haven on Connecticut's paid family leave program on Jan. 25, 2024. Liese Klein

Currently 12 states have joined Connecticut in setting up paid family leave programs, which allow workers to take time off for pregnancy or caregiving. The Biden administration has pledged to support and expand on state paid leave programs, and a bipartisan group of House lawmakers released a framework on a national policy earlier this month.

Were here to celebrate momentum and progress on paid leave, Su said at the event, held at New Havens Manufacturing and Technical Community Hub. We know that paid leave policies, they work ... it allows all working people, especially women, to make better choices  better for their families, better for themselves, better for their communities.

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Expanding paid leave on a national scale would boost the economy and womens participation in the workforce, Su said. If the U.S. adopted paid leave policies similar to Canadas and Germanys, another 5 million women could enter the workforce and generate an additional $775 billion worth of economic activity, she said.

Since it went live on Jan. 1, 2022, Connecticuts paid leave program has been used by more than 93,000 workers and has paid out more than $549 million in benefits, according to Paid Leave Authority CEO Erin OBrien Choquette. The program is administered by 40 staff members and has a balance of $564 million in its trust fund, according to its website.

Workers can take up to 14 weeks of paid leave in some cases, but the average applicant takes only about six weeks, Choquette said.

I think one of the things that are the most important as we try to expand  is to reassure the people who are worried that our workers are very smart, capable people ... that are capable of self-interest and self-control, Choquette said. They are going to use what they need  theyre not going to steal from employers.

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State Republicans have argued that the paid leave program takes too much money from workers paychecks and expands government bureaucracy in Connecticut.

If the recent actions of its board of directors are any indication, (the paid leave program) will continue to grow by leaps and bounds regardless of need or cost to the taxpayer, State Rep. Vincent Candelora, R-North Branford, said in a November post on CT Insider.

Expansion of the paid leave program is a priority for many in Hartford, said state Sen. Julie Kushner, D-Danbury, who spoke at Thursdays event. Lawmakers are seeking to expand benefits for workers who don't qualify as poor but make less than $100,000 a year, many of whom get only 65 percent of their wages covered under paid leave.

State Sen. Julie Kushner, D-Danbury, co-chairs the Labor and Public Employees Committee and introduced legislation to the Senate in 2023 that would expand the state's paid sick leave law to nearly all workers. John Voorhees III / Hearst CT Media Group

Really that group of people should be our focus, Kushner said. She added that advocates are also seeking to inform more workers about the benefits and the need to apply for job protection in addition to paid leave.

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Hartford lawmakers are also gearing up to push for universal paid sick leave, a benefit out of reach for many low- and minimum-wage workers in the state. Businesses with fewer than 50 workers are currently exempt from requirements to offer paid sick days.

A bill expanding sick leave passed the state Senate but failed to come up for a vote in the House prior to the close of the last session in June.
A former contractor for the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) who pleaded guilty to leaking tax information has been jailed (Susan Walsh/AP)

A former contractor for the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) who pleaded guilty to leaking tax information to news outlets about former president Donald Trump and thousands of the countrys wealthiest people was sentenced to five years in prison on Monday.

Charles Edward Littlejohn, 38, of Washington, DC, had pleaded guilty to one count of unauthorised disclosure of tax returns and return information. He gave tax information to two news outlets, The New York Times and ProPublica, between 2018 and 2020.

US District Judge Ana Reyes said she handed down the highest possible sentence to deter anyone else who might feel an obligation to break the law.

Littlejohn apologised to the people affected and said he expected to face consequences. I acted out of a sincere, if misguided, belief I was serving the public interest, he said. Instead, my actions undermined the fragile trust we place in government.

In 2020 the New York Times reported on Donald Trumps tax returns (John Locher/AP)

Defence lawyer Lisa Manning argued for a lower sentence in line with typical guidelines for someone without a criminal record. The judge, though, said the crime was extraordinary because Littlejohn targeted the president.

When you target the sitting president of the United States, you target the office, she said. It can not be open season on our elected officials.

She also sentenced Littlejohn to three years of supervised release and a 5,000-dollar (3,940) fine.

Republican Senator Rick Scott of Florida said he was among those whose tax information was leaked by Littlejohn.

He said the possibility it could be published affects his entire family and Littlejohn should have faced additional criminal charges from the Justice Department for exposing personal information just to harm people, he said.

Justice Department prosecutors did not name the outlets in the charges, but the description and time frame align with stories about Mr Trumps tax returns in The New York Times and reporting about wealthy Americans taxes in the nonprofit investigative journalism organisation ProPublica.

The 2020 New York Times report found Mr Trump, who had broken with tradition and refused to voluntarily release his tax returns, paid 750 dollars (591) in federal income tax the year he entered the White House and no income tax at all in some years thanks to colossal losses.

Six years of his returns were later released by the then-Democratically controlled House Ways and Means Committee.

ProPublica, meanwhile, reported in 2021 on a trove of tax-return data about the wealthiest Americans. It found the 25 richest people legally pay a smaller share of their income in taxes than many ordinary workers do.

Both publications have declined to comment on the charges, and ProPublica reporters previously said they did not know the identity of the source.

The stories sparked calls for reform on taxes for the wealthy  and calls for investigations into the leaking of tax information, which has specific legal protections.

The IRS has said any disclosure of taxpayer information is unacceptable and the agency has since tightened security.
Indian and Seychelles forces separately rescued two fishing vessels on Monday hijacked by Somali pirates, and freed 23 crew members from Iran and Sri Lanka, both countries said in statements.

The Seychelles defence forces and coast guard rescued six Sri Lankan fishermen whose vessel was hijacked by Somali pirates two days earlier while the Indian navy said it freed 17 crew members in an Iranian fishing vessel that was hijacked by pirates off the east coast of Somalia.

The Seychelles Defence Forces Special Forces and coast guard led a successful operation to regain control of a Sri Lankan vessel hijacked by armed Somali pirates, the presidents office said in a statement.

The three hijackers were arrested, and the fishermen and their boat were safe and being taken to the Seychelles, according to Susantha Kahawatta, a top official in the Fisheries Department of Sri Lanka. He said the Sri Lankan envoy to the Seychelles told him of the successful rescue operation.

The hijacking came two weeks after Sri Lanka said it would join a US-led operation to protect merchant vessels sailing in the Red Sea against attacks by Yemen-based Houthi rebels.

Other suspected hijackings in waters off Somalia have raised concern that Somali pirates have resumed activity a decade after they caused chaos in international shipping.

The piracy occurred in international waters about 840 nautical miles (1,555 kilometers) east of Somalia, 1,100 nautical miles (2,040 kilometers) from Sri Lanka and north of the Seychelles, according to Sri Lankan navy spokesperson Captain Gayan Wickramasuriya.

Sri Lankan officials had informed all countries in the region about the hijacking.

The Seychelles coast guard was also on alert and when the hijackers entered their waters, the Seychelles coast guard arrested the hijackers, took control of the boat and released the fishermen and the vessel, which are now being taken to a port in the Seychelles, Mr Kahawatta said.

On Saturday, an armed group arrived in an area where about 30 Sri Lankan vessels were fishing. Two to three armed men who had arrived in a 23-metre (75-foot) vessel boarded the fishing trawler, fired shots apparently to warn away the other fishing boats and took away the trawler and the fishermen, Mr Kahawatta said.

Fishermen in the other trawlers who identified the attackers as Somali recalled the details of the abduction, Mr Kahawatta said.

Sri Lankas navy said two weeks ago it would provide a ship to protect merchant ship traffic, but the date has not been set and the area Sri Lanka will patrol has not been finalised.

Separately on Monday, the Indian navy said it freed an Iranian fishing vessel that was hijacked by pirates off the east coast of Somalia.

Indias navy wrote on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, that the fishing vessel named Iman had been boarded by pirates and its crew taken hostage. It said the naval force freed all 17 crew members along with the boat.

The fishing vessel was later released for onward transit, it said.

The Indian navy did not immediately say what had happened to the pirates responsible for the hijacking.
Japanese citizens have launched a civil lawsuit against the countrys police, accusing the authorities of racial profiling and discrimination and demanding an end to the alleged practice.

The case, to be heard in Tokyo District Court, comes as Japan in recent years has seen an influx of workers from abroad.

The number of non-Japanese living in Japan reached a record high last year, at nearly three million people.

One of the three plaintiffs, Syed Zain, a 26-year-old Japanese citizen of Pakistani descent, says he has been repeatedly stopped by police, including getting searched in front of his home.

He said he has lived in Japan for two decades, attended Japanese schools and is fluent in the language.

They dont recognise us as a Japanese, Mr Zain said of the police. From the first moment, they think Im a criminal.

The three plaintiffs are demanding three million yen (15,900) each in punitive damages over unconstitutional and illegal treatment, plus 300,000 yen (1,590) per plaintiff in legal fees.

The plaintiffs and their legal team arrive at the Tokyo District Court (AP)

Their claim alleges: Racial profiling is nothing but discrimination on the basis of race, nationality and colour.

The complaint targets the government as well as the national, Tokyo and Aichi prefectural police departments.

The plaintiffs claim that getting stopped by police for apparently no reason violates the Japanese constitution, which provides equality under the law and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race. They also say it goes against international treaties Japan has signed.

Motoki Taniguchi, one the lawyers representing the three, said it was difficult for foreigners or Japanese people of non-Japanese ancestry to sue the government because of their concerns about being targeted by police.

Hearings in the case are expected to last about a year.

Efforts have been growing lately to increase diversity in Japan, with more businesses seeking women executives, and global companies tending to have more non-Japanese representation, according to Daisuke Uchida, professor of business at Keio University.

Whats started is still just a tiny step, he said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko shake hands during a meeting of the Union State Supreme Council in St Petersburg, Russia, on Monday (Dmitry Astakhov, Sputnik, Government Pool Photo via AP)

The leaders of Russia and Belarus met on Monday to discuss ways to further expand their close alliance that has seen the deployment of some of Russias nuclear weapons on the territory of its neighbour.

President Vladimir Putin emphasised that Russia and Belarus have developed a strategic partnership as part of their 25-year union agreement.

That pact stopped short of a full merger, but envisaged close political, economic and military ties between the two nations.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, background centre left, and Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, background centre right, attend a meeting of the Union State Supreme Council in St Petersburg (Vyacheslav Prokofyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

Its important that amid an unprecedented foreign pressure Russia and Belarus have closely co-operated on the international arena and have offered unfailing support to each other as true allies, Mr Putin said at the start of the talks in St Petersburg that involved senior officials from both countries.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has relied on Russian subsidies and political support to rule the ex-Soviet nation with an iron hand for nearly three decades.

Moscows backing helped Lukashenko survive months of major protests against his re-election in a 2020 vote that the opposition and the West saw as rigged.

Mr Lukashenko allowed the Kremlin to use Belarusian territory to send troops into Ukraine in February 2022.

Last year, Russia moved some of its short-range nuclear weapons into Belarus, closer to Ukraine and onto Natos doorstep. Their declared deployment was widely seen as part of Moscows efforts to discourage the West from increasing military support to Kyiv.

Mr Lukashenko said last month that the deployment of Russian nuclear weapons was finalised in October. He didnt say how many of them were stationed in Belarus.
It feels Herculean in some respects to ask readers to still care about events from 30 years ago.

Yet the Chinook crash on the Mull of Kintyre will always be relevant when the reason for it remains unknown.

In the immediate aftermath of the pandemic restrictions, myself and Trevor Birney and Andrew Tully from FinePointFilms sat down to reflect on a story I have committed my entire career to.

I was the most junior reporter in the Belfast Telegraph at the time of the crash, and my news editors, the late Norman Jenkinson and Murray Morse, had drilled into me the need to stay with a story.

Little did I know, three decades on, I havent been able to let Chinook go. Older readers remember where they were when the news broke of the loss of ZD576, and all onboard.

The 29 people were four Special Forces crew and 25 members of the intelligence community who were at the forefront of the Troubles.

The two pilots, Flight Lieutenants Jonathan Tapper and Richard Cook, were accused of gross negligence a year after the crash. But what emerged in the years to come was that the aircraft had problems.

The widespread feeling was that the pilots were scapegoated. After a long campaign, their names were cleared in 2011.

Among those who campaigned for this day were Tony Collins of Computer Weekly and James Arbuthnot, the former Hampshire MP whom I briefed in 1995 on the problems with the aircraft.

In the two-part documentary appearing on the BBC, we hear from families who have not previously spoken of their loss. Among those are Chris Deverell, whose father John was the deputy head of MI5 and weeks from retirement. Reflecting on the 30 years, it is a feeling of sadness.

Yet with the passage of time, there remain those in England who have information about the crash who have stayed silent.

It is my hope that after watching the documentary they will feel, in retirement, enough time has passed and the truth shall out. Malcolm Rifkind, who was the Defence Secretary at the time of the crash, says in the documentary he felt misled once he discovered the severity of concerns about the aircraft.

The bureaucracy of permanent government is still at it. The official papers related to the crash were earmarked for destruction until an intervention.

Even so, they have been placed under lock and key to be released only in 2094, 100 years after the crash. Why? Until we know, the story will stay with me.

David Walmsley was named NI Young Journalist of the Year in 1995 partially for his investigative work into the crash. Today, he is the editor-in-chief of The Globe and Mail in Canada and deputy president of the World Editors Forum
Protesters pictured outside the Larchfield Estate, near Hillsborough in Co. Down, where the DUP are holding their meeting to decide on a return to Stormont Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson will be grateful that history didnt repeat itself as his party executive met in what was supposed to be a secret location in Co Down on Monday night.

The Larchfield Estates website reveals how, in 1772, a mob of 300 Hearts of Steel, an exclusively Protestant movement originating in Co Antrim, assembled to burn the house down, but were with some difficulty dissuaded.

On Monday night, loyalists again gathered outside what is now a wedding venue. Despite their anger, they kept their powder dry again and any fire was in their bellies, as they jeered or cheered the cars entering the venue depending on the stance of the DUP politicians inside.

Hours before, as the sun set over east Belfast and the streets filled with busy people on their way home from the office, Sir Jeffreys work had just started.

Watch: Protesters outside Larchfield estate as DUP meeting takes place

The DUP leader arrived at party headquarters on Dundela Avenue shortly after 4pm, but remained tight-lipped as journalists surrounded him.

Despite their best attempts, the DUP was always going to struggle to keep key meetings out of the public eye.

Sir Jeffrey was business-like, carrying a briefcase, as he hurried through the door of DUP HQ. Arriving later, deputy leader Gavin Robinson joked you didnt give me much of a chance as journalists surrounded his car, hungry for details.

DUP chief executive Timothy Johnston was also silent, briskly stepping past the waiting media. Another unexpected passer-by was Glenn Patterson, the award-winning novelist, screenwriter of the Good Vibrations movie and director of the Seamus Heaney Centre at QUB. Spotting the media, he joked: They really picked a secret location, didnt they?

After speculation that the DUP might have been giving different politicians different locations in a bid to flush out a leak, one social media user joked it was like Flagatha Christie.

As reporters and cameramen waited at the side door, one of the partys press officers snuck out the main entrance with posters and a lectern, ahead of the main meeting of the evening, a 30-minute drive away at Larchfield.

It was reported at 6.30pm that tea had stopped being served inside, as party executive members embarked on their journeys to the luxurious country estate.

Sir Jeffrey spent two hours laying out the details of his recent negotiations with the Government to the rest of his partys parliamentary members. As it broke up after 6.30pm, MPs and peers departed, but were staying silent on what they had heard.

North Antrim MP Ian Paisley, thought to be opposed to a deal, departed with what one observer remarked was a face like thunder.

Sources had stressed this was persuasion day, not decision day  trying to convince the 130-odd members of the executive to back a deal which could see Stormont restored after a two-year impasse.

As the Dundela meeting broke up, Sir Jeffrey headed to the party executive gathering, with the following media wondering what kind of new Union would emerge from the wedding venue in the heart of his Lagan Valley constituency.

Throughout the day rumours had spread about where the location might be, with loyalist blogger Jamie Bryson revealing on social media that it would be in Larchfield Estate  invite only.

Larchfield seemed carefully selected. A long lane leads up to the venue, keeping prying eyes at bay, not that it stopped protesters gathering.

They certainly didnt seem wedded to any deal that might be about to emerge.
If St Patrick came to Ireland now, he might not be as welcome as the festivities in his name suggest
The west Belfast rap group regularly court controversy  is that part of their act?Warning: Some listeners may find language used in this podcast offensive

Kneecap unveil a new mural in the Hawthorn Street area of west Belfast on August 11th 2023 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Feile 35)

West Belfast rap crew Kneecap have been in the headlines from day one.

Performing mostly in Irish about drugs, the DUP and social exclusion, thats perhaps not surprising.

The band have made a semi-fictionalised film about themselves starring Hollywood A-lister Michael Fassbender. The film Kneecap premiered at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival.

Picked up by Sony for world distribution, its coming to a cinema near you.

Kneecap at Sundance Film Festival in Utah

The film has attracted rave reviews, but concerns have been raised over some of the public funding it received. The biopic was part-funded by the National Lottery via the British Film Institute (BFI)  who provided 810,000  alongside Northern Ireland Screen, who awarded 805,000 in funding.

Some victims of republican violence believe that funding was wrong as they perceive the band to be glorifying republicanism.

Is that true?

What are they really singing about?

And is it that controversy has got them where they are today?

Niamh Campbell is joined by Belfast Telegraph reporter Liam Tunney and music journalist Dave Hanratty, meanwhile Olivia Peden spoke to ex-PSNI officer Jon Burrows who voiced his concerns.
Graduate Jordan left bar job behind to follow his dream

Jordan, 'Meatball' Molly McCann and the piece he created for her

Jordan with a piece commissioned by the assistant manager of retail at Hugo Boss America

A Co Fermanagh artist who started painting during lockdown is now flat out with commissions.

Jordan Breen, from Enniskillen, had been juggling painting with bar work in Liverpool after completing a graphic design degree at the citys John Moores University.

It got to a point where it didnt feel sustainable. I felt like it was harder to take in commissions and it was harder to get the price that I wanted for them, he explains.

It was probably mostly self-doubt. I felt I was in between things. I was trying to work in the pub and do the painting, but I couldnt really do both effectively.

It got to December 2022. I had done loads of paintings all year but pretty much had no money in the bank. I wasnt in a position to go full-time with painting.

I was fed up with working in the pub because I felt like I was going nowhere. I decided to hand in my notice, December 28, 2022, and decided to go full-time painting.

Jordan (25) started 2023 with no money in the bank and no commissions.

Jordan with a piece commissioned by the assistant manager of retail at Hugo Boss America

I remember at the time I had less than 2,000 followers on Instagram. I decided that I would try and grow my Instagram for the next six months as the main focus, then whatever commissions came my way because of it, happy days.

For the next 12 months I worked nearly every day, morning and night, on painting, trying to grow on Instagram, trying to figure out how to get better at making content and trying to get better at painting. And then it kind of all fell together for me.

Though having self-doubt, there was a level of confidence that spurred him on, with Jordan saying he was prepared to take on a less artistic job if needed.

I knew that if I never stopped, I wouldnt fail. I felt as long as I kept going, something would work out.

Previous commissions included working alongside clothing and manufacturing companies, as well as individual client requests.

I had a big breakthrough towards the start of December, says Jordan, who moved back to Enniskillen last July.

In September I opened my bookings for Christmas  15 paintings. (It was) pretty decent money at the time, better than anything I got before.

Coming up to December, my Instagram was growing. I had a few videos that got multiple million views. I went up 150,000 followers and I had an email waiting list. More than 2,000 had signed that. When I had all these people, I could almost state my price.

Jordan with a piece commissioned by local DJ Tom Muldoon

Jordan now has more than 370,000 followers on Instagram and in excess of 10,600 likes on TikTok. On both, he explains the painting process and the number of hours it takes to create a piece, offering an insight into his craft.

I always had the doubt I could keep doing this, but now it feels more like I can keep doing this, he admits.

Ive cracked it with my Instagram. I know how to construct the videos to make people like it. People seem to like me, so its a nice combination where they like the art and like my personality and it all comes together.

People buy from people. When I started being fully myself, people liked it way more. I got art collectors writing to me saying they value the person behind the art as much as the art.

Anytime I do a painting and reveal it on Instagram, I always try to create a narrative around it so its not just showing it.

A recent painting of a dog got in excess of 3.3 million views, with Jordan gaining 50,000 followers in just two days.

He has produced paintings for UFC star Meatball Molly McCann and Northern Irish fitness expert Sean Casey.

His largest painting was commissioned by the assistant manager of retail for Hugo Boss America and is now in New York.

I think the biggest compliment, or my favourite thing about it, is not even the money, says Jordan of the growing interest in his skills.

Its a nice feeling that people want my stuff, or Im the one they trust to create special pieces for people who have passed away. I do a lot of pictures where I combine photos together.

Its nice having that privilege. Its also pressure, but I guess pressure is privilege, especially coming up to Christmas when I had all these deadlines and pieces to do. But I love the pressure, so its a good thing.

Jordan, 'Meatball' Molly McCann and the piece he created for her

He has picked up more of a structured business approach through the years.

Three years ago I started. For the first two, two-and-a-half years, I took a painting on as someone booked it in, a buy anytime model. That was okay, but since Christmas I closed my bookings and reopened them to give them a bit more structure.

I knew if I took on 15 paintings, I could work through them every week and could spend the same time on each of them.

The longer Ive done it, Ive got better at managing everything. I treat it like a full-time job  I paint from eight to seven, whatever needs to get done.

Jordan is also on a mission to help budding artists, offering tutorials and speaking with schoolchildren interested in pursuing a career in the field.

Rather than me going into schools and teaching them how to paint because the art teacher probably knows to paint, a lot of people dont really know how to make money from art, how to market themselves or grow on social media, especially in school, he adds.

I can go and teach the modern approach to marketing yourself as an artist and these different techniques and methods Ive built up over the last years. [Its] giving artists hope that they can make money.

When I was in school, I was pretty good at art, but it was never seen as a long-term sustainable thing. It was just something I was good at. Id like to be that shining light and give them a bit of hope.

Theres money to be made in it. Getting yourself out there is the hardest part.

Jordan with a painting created for fitness influencer Sean Casey

He praises his parents for always encouraging him to continue with painting.

I guess it was the thing I was naturally good at and naturally interested in. Ive always had a bit of talent at it since I was young. I was always obsessed with it, so I must have enjoyed it.

They (his parents) never pushed me against it, always pushed for it.

While he feels his business has only started to become sustainable in the past few months, its clear theres plenty of art-interested people who want a piece by Jordan on their walls.

Jordan with a recently completed commission

Follow Jordan on Facebook at Jordan Breen Art and Instagram and TikTok @jordanbreen_art
Victim likens one of NIs most prolific paedos to late, disgraced TV star

A victim of Bangor Grammar beast Lindsay Brown has said he exploited his do-gooder reputation to mask his crimes in the same manner as Jimmy Savile.

Tony Brown (no relation) told Sunday Life there were numerous missed opportunities to stop the relentless paedophile who he said was hiding in plain sight.

I was at the grammar from 1985-86 to 1991, it was well-known, everybody joked about it and about being careful around Brown but he got away with it, recalled Tony.

Everybody talked about it but nothing ever got done, so there was this belief nothing would ever get done.

Only as an adult do I now look back and realise how wrong it was, at the time it almost seemed normal because everyone talked and knew about it and you turned a blind eye.

Tony Brown

Tony said Brown was able to get away with it because of the positions and stature Brown had within the school, heading the Scripture Union and eventually becoming vice principal.

You turned a blind eye because he had the ability to be, whilst abusive, also caring  he was responsible for pastoral care from first year to third year when I was there, he said.

You felt that you had a friendly uncle in the school and back then all the teachers wore the black gowns and it was sir and miss and you stood up when a teacher came in.

He stood out from all the other teachers, he was one you felt you could go to and he abused that powernobody would believe it of the man.

Almost because he did so much goodhe was in such a place of responsibility, his brother Godfrey was Moderator of the Presbyterian Church.

To a certain degree it was like Savile, that he did so much good that these other stories couldnt possibly be true about them.

Convicted paedophile Lindsay Brown died late last year

Tony (49) believes there are far more victims of Brown than have ever made complaints to the authorities.

I have absolutely no doubt, I never came forward at the time, partly because I believed the man was my friend and I didnt fully understand what was going on, he said.

I went through a period of real guilt and I knew so many people who had come forward and I didnt, I didnt step up to the plate.

All the good he did was almost the cloak, its Jimmy Savile nobody would ever believe that he was capable of this  he was promoted to vice principal and there had been years of speculation and people joking about it.

Tony added: He had such a back story of normality that you wouldnt believe it unless you experienced it.

You knew it was wrong but you didnt fully understand how wrong it was so you would compensate for it and you would turn a blind eye.
Stew Leonards Wines and Spirits of Norwalk, Danbury and Newington started stocking their shelves with THC beverages in September 2023. The CANN THC tonics pictured above at the Norwalk location come in flavors like lemon lavender, grapefruit rosemary, and blood orange cardamom. Kalleen Ozanic/Hearst Connecticut Media Group Cans of THC seltzer sold in Connecticut with labels indicating serving size. Submitted/Larry Cafero Stew Leonards Wines and Spirits of Norwalk, Danbury and Newington started stocking their shelves with THC beverages in September 2023. The CANN THC tonics pictured above at the Norwalk location come in flavors like lemon lavender, grapefruit rosemary, and blood orange cardamom. Kalleen Ozanic/Hearst Connecticut Media Group Delta Light and CANN THC beverages at Beverage King in Norwalk, Conn. on Jan. 18, 2023. Kalleen Ozanic/Hearst Connecticut Media Group Cans of THC seltzer sold in Connecticut with labels indicating serving size. Submitted/Larry Cafero

Connecticut law restricts the sale of cannabis to a small number of licensed, highly regulated stores. Among the products are gummies and cans of infused seltzer, and a single dose of each can contain enough THC to get an adult high.

But that exact same can of seltzer is being sold in liquor stores and markets across Connecticut, none of which are licensed to sell cannabis products. Those stores are selling the cans legally and don't actually need a license under what multiple people interviewed for this story called a "loophole" that has to do with the listed serving size.

The cans that you buy in a cannabis retail outlet might be 7.5 ounces and are considered one serving, just like a can of soda or iced tea that can be bought at a local gas station. However, the same can of cannabis-infused seltzer, sometimes 7.5 or 12 ounces, is labeled as five servings in a package at a liquor store or market.

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The label denoting five servings rather than one is added after production of the cannabis seltzer, rendering it legal to be sold anywhere in the state, provided other elements of the packaging align with state rules.

You can sell that in a local convenience store. It's a seltzer. It doesn't have any alcohol in it. It is a non-alcoholic beverage, said Larry Cafero, Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of Connecticut executive director. The manufacturer, in order to get around a Connecticut law, is creating stickers that turns a 12-ounce can that they had initially labeled as one serving into multiple servings, so that they could comply with the THC-per-serving standard.

So, we have this little loophole, said Cafero, the former Republican leader in Connecticut's House of Representatives.

Department of Consumer Protection spokesperson Kaitlyn Krasselt confirmed that a package containing less than 1 milligram of THC per serving and less than 5 milligram per package is not considered cannabis, and may be produced and sold without a license.

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The issue that Cafero and others have raised demonstrates the continually evolving nature of Connecticut's one-year-old cannabis market. The law that allowed THC-infused seltzers to be sold in package stores and convenience stores went into effect in October, and lawmakers say they are considering revisions to that law in the upcoming legislative session, an attempt to close the "loophole" Cafero described.

This is constantly evolving, and we realized as a committee that we've got to get further ahead of this so that's why this session we're going to be changing that definition to make it even just a more bright line rule, said state Rep. Michael D'Agostino, D-Hamden, chairman of the legislature's general law committee. The legislative session convenes Feb. 7.

The current plan, he said, is to reduce the limit to .5 milligrams of THC per container. Any products containing more THC than that would be only legally sold in licensed cannabis retail outlets and dispensaries.

DCP issued further guidance this past week to liquor stores, clarifying that while THC-infused seltzers are legal to sell, they cannot be labeled as "cannabis." That includes seltzers labeled as canna-beverage." As a result, some liquor stores began removing products from their shelves after receiving the guidance. The guidance followed inquiries made by a CT Insider reporter to DCP about the cannabis-infused seltzers that have been sold in liquor and grocery stores.

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The question is, what is cannabis or not cannabis right now? The products that do not meet the definition, i.e. under 5 milligrams of THC per container, are not cannabis and therefore they're not subject to the cannabis laws, DAgostino said. But once we change this and lower the threshold, even more of those laws will apply.

Retailers across Connecticut have been selling these seltzers that contain cannabis legally, but many said they pivoted in the last week when the guidance came out.

"As we understand this very new development, the DCP issued a statement that THC-infused beverages are legal, however the can must have the verbiage 'THC-infused' and not use the word 'cannabis,'" said Blake Leonard, president of Stew Leonards Wines & Spirits. "Weve been advised by the distributors to cover the word 'cannabis' on the packaging with a sticker. Stews Wines will re-label all THC-infused beverages so that the word 'cannabis' is no longer visible as we await newly packaged product from our distributors."

New York-based Sarene Craft Beer Distributors, which distributes brands including Delta Cannabis Water and Cann said they "were very recently made aware" of the "specific label issues regarding the use of the word 'cannabis' among other things." Co-founder Matthew Schulman said in an email that the company has advised suppliers that "we are no longer selling their products, and are actively communicating and working with them to ensure proper compliance going forward."

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Edward Cooper, vice president for public affairs and community relations at Total Wine & More, which previously stocked cannabis seltzers, said "We are reviewing and responding to the DCPs recent guidance to the industry and taking immediate steps to ensure that all THC-products sold in our stores comply with that guidance."

A separate set of regulations

While a sticker changing the serving on the back of can allows retailers across the state to sell a THC-infused seltzer, that same can may be sold without that sticker by licensed cannabis retailers and dispensaries.

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Krasselt confirmed that licensed cannabis retailers in Connecticut may legally sell THC-infused beverages that exceed the per-serving standard, but they are not subject to the same regulatory scrutiny as other cannabis products sold by the same retailers. The THC in such beverages has been converted from legal CBD, derived from hemp.

Because it's been processed from hemp, and because it falls below the statutory limit of 5 milligrams per container or one milligram per serving, it's not legally considered cannabis and so it is not subject to the same regulations.

Cannabis THC products sold legally by licensed cannabis retailers must be grown, processed and tested in Connecticut. Krasselt confirmed that hemp-derived products -- containing THC that has been converted from CBD -- may be grown, processed and manufactured elsewhere, and are not subject to the states seed-to-sale tracking program. Sales of such products are not tracked by the state.

I don't know if we are able to regulate that stuff coming in from out of state other than making sure it's sold in our regulated stores, DAgostino said. I guess the analogy is, there's plenty of wine made in Connecticut that we regulate and oversee in Connecticut but you can also buy beer made elsewhere out in Connecticut and that can be a function of legalization of the marketplace.

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Cafero said THC products should be regulated in the same manner that alcoholic beverages are regulated, regardless of how they are made.

I'm in an industry that is one of the most heavily regulated ever. They tell you where to sell it, who could sell it, to whom you could sell it, what time you could sell it, what you could sell it for, etc, etc., and that's proper. I was a free market Republican, but that's proper when you're talking about an intoxicant. Its a drug, he said. I don't care whether it's derived from hemp, oranges, whales, I don't care what it's derived from. If you ingest it, and it causes a high that could pose a danger to others in a motor vehicle or in any other way, it should be regulated."

Among the brands of THC seltzer sold in Connecticut are Cann, Delta Light, Flyers Cocktail Co., Groov, Pamos, Rebel Rabbit and Wynk. The total THC content in those beverages ranges from 2 to 5 milligrams of THC in 7.5- and 12-ounce cans.

THC beverage manufacturer, Wherehouse Beverage Co., which makes the Wynk brand, said in a statement that the company is committed to leading the way in creating a responsible, trustworthy industry with safe, vetted products.

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In accordance with Connecticut law, Wherehouse said none of its beverages contain more than 5 milligrams of THC in one can.

Connecticuts hemp-derived framework allows for no more than 5 milligram g of THC per container  Wynk contains 2.5 milligrams or 5 milligrams of naturally-occurring THC, falling within the guidelines, the companys statement said. Specific cannabis licenses are not required to sell products at or below the limits of high THC products as previously defined.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers a speech during the kick-off rally for the New Philippines movement at Quirino Grandstand in Manila, Jan. 28, 2024.

In a snide counterattack, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Monday that the extended use of the opioid painkiller fentanyl by his immediate predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, might have caused the former leader to accuse him of being a drug addict.

Marcos hit back at Duterte in a feud simmering between the countrys top two dynastic political families, which had allied together in the last election. Dutertes daughter, Sara, is the vice president under Marcos.

The rift first took an ugly turn when Duterte, at a rally on Sunday, called Marcos a son of a bitch. In addition, but without presenting evidence, the famously foul-mouthed 78-year-old said that the current president and namesake son of a former Philippine dictator was hooked on illegal drugs.

When reporters questioned Marcos on Monday about Dutertes drug allegations against him, the Philippine president referred to a 2016 admission by the former president, who, according to various news reports, had said that he had used fentanyl to relieve pain.

I think its the fentanyl. Fentanyl is the strongest pain killer that you can buy. It is highly addictive and it has very serious side effects, and [Duterte] has been taking the drug for a very long time now, Marcos, 66, told reporters before embarking on a two-day visit to Vietnam.

When was the last time he told us that he was taking fentanyl? About five, six years ago, something like that. After five, or six years, it has to affect him and that is why I think he is acting that way. So, you know, I hope his doctors take better care of him than this.

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte addresses supporters at a rally in Davao City, in Mindanao island, Philippines, in this video grab, Jan. 28, 2024. [Ferdinandh Cabrera/AFP]

Earlier on Monday, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency said that Marcos had never been on a watchlist for persons linked to illegal drug use. Duterte had once used the so-called watchlist to scare opponents and critics in accusing them of protecting drug syndicates.

The ex-presidents lawyer, Salvador Panelo, also weighed in on Monday, saying that Duterte had stopped taking fentanyl before he became president in 2016, the Associated Press news agency reported.

Duterte, who has been widely criticized by human rights advocates for his administration's bloody war on drugs during his 2016-2022 tenure, had never targeted Marcos back then. While he was in office, Duterte had thanked the current presidents family for funding his presidential campaign.

But on Sunday, the gloves came off.

I am telling you, Bongbong Marcos was high before. Now that he is the president, he is still high, Duterte said, using the presidents nickname.

You in the military, you know that, especially those in Malacanang [presidential palace]. The Armed Forces of the Philippines, you know. We have a drug addict president. Son of a bitch.

The feud between the two powerful families is now out in the open.

A scant two years ago, the two sides had joined forces for the presidential election, with Sara Duterte agreeing to run as Marcos vice president on a unity team ticket. In addition to serving as vice president, she is also the education minister.

On Sunday, the two political camps held separate rallies, putting Sara Duterte in an awkward position.

She briefly appeared at Marcos rally in Manila, held to introduce a new slogan Bagong Pilipinas, which means New Philippines, but later in the day, she flew to Davao city to address the crowd in her and her fathers southern hometown.

Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte speaks during the kick-off rally for the New Philippines movement at Quirino Grandstand in Manila, Jan. 28, 2024. [Jam Sta Rosa/AFP]

Duterte supporters said their rally was a protest against a Marcos-backed campaign to amend the constitution, ostensibly to allow in more foreign investment, but critics say may also remove presidential term limits.

The former presidents supporters are also upset that a team from The Hagues International Criminal Court had been in the country last month to gather evidence for its case against Dutertes deadly drug war.

But after the news emerged last week, Marcos firmly said that his administration would not lift a finger to help the ICC investigation, which was a threat to the countrys sovereignty.

Meanwhile in a statement on Monday, Sara Duterte said she would remain at her cabinet post unless Marcos fires her.

I do not deserve the despicable treatment that I am receiving from sectors within the circle of the president, she said without elaborating.

However, it is common knowledge that Dutertes daughter is feuding with a cousin of Marcos, House Speaker Martin Romualdez, who has shown an interest in running in the 2028 presidential election.

Sara Duterte has said she would contest the same election, but has not specified for which position, although she is widely expected to run for president.

Presidents in the Philippines are restricted to a single six-year term.

The Marcos and Duterte clans therefore appear to be on a collision course, ahead of both the mid-term polls for the Senate and Congress next year, and the 2028 presidential election.

Marcos will weather this feud

One political analyst said that the episode that started at the weekend may have been the beginning of a fallout and political war between the Marcoses and the Dutertes.

The feud has broken out as the Marcos administration is dealing with big geopolitical problems, such as balancing relations with the U.S. and China amid regional and territorial tensions over Taiwan and the South China Sea, and as the two rival superpowers compete for influence in Southeast Asia.

Marcos and Duterte could be seen as acting as warring proxies for the U.S. and China, respectively, according to Chester Cabalza, president of International Development and Security Cooperation, a local think-tank.

Though the intrusion of foreign powers in local politics is not new to the rising middle power, what is certain is that the U.S. will not withdraw its support for President Marcos given his clear vision for a peaceful, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region, Cabalza told BenarNews.

What is disturbing is how China will influence the Dutertes to cripple the Marcos administration and its legitimacy, Cabalza said, indicating that Beijing would side with the former president because Marcos was questioning Chinas expansive claims in the disputed South China Sea.

Marcos has realigned the Philippines back with the United States, its traditional defense ally, earning Washingtons full backing. Duterte, with his anti-West policy, fully embraced China and praised Russia during his term.

Marcos has also allowed American forces to access more Philippine military bases, while boldly speaking out against Chinas alleged harassment in the disputed South China Sea.

Cabalza said the Marcos side has the upper hand in the feud with the Dutertes, because the president is currently enjoying a surge in popularity due to his firm stance on China.

Cabalza predicted that the Marcos administration will weather this feud.

Gerard Carreon in Manila contributed to this report.
Bennington, VT (05201)

Today

Light snow this morning will give way to snow showers this afternoon. Temps nearly steady in the upper 30s. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 60%..

Tonight

Variably cloudy with snow showers. Low 28F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 50%. Snow accumulations less than one inch.
The town council will hold a public hearing to discuss amending the town charter in order to create an economic development authority with a focus on purchasing and improving the Wintonbury Mall. Steven Goode / Hearst Connecticut Media

BLOOMFIELD  The Town Council has voted unanimously to schedule a public hearing to discuss amending the town charter in order to create a commission whose focus would be acquiring and restoring the long-neglected Wintonbury Mall.

The move comes following a special meeting and executive session to discuss ongoing litigation with the mall's current owners, California-based Los Cabos II Equity LLC, and efforts to acquire the mall.

The company is suing the town and Mayor Danielle Wong, alleging that she and other town officials have made public statements about taking the mall by eminent domain as well as calling into question conditions at the shopping center across from Town Hall. The suit alleges that those comments have hurt the mall's value and made it difficult to attract new tenants.

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The owners have said that the mall was valued at $5.2 million when it was purchased in 2015.

Town officials have estimated that occupancy at the mall hovers around 30 percent.

Carbone's Kitchen has been one of those tenants since 2012. Owner Vinnie Carbone said Thursday that when he moved into the mall, he and other business owners there urged town officials to buy it when it was for sale.

"Then we got into it bad with out-of-state ownership," Carbone said.

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Carbone said there have been ongoing problems with decaying infrastructure issues that still aren't being addressed.

"Electrical nightmare, plumbing nightmare, water nightmare  you can go on and on," Carbone said.

The date of the hearing, in which the council is seeking input from the public about its plan, has not been scheduled yet.

"If the amendment is approved by this council, the ordinance will create a special development authority with a laser-focused initiative of creating an economic development plan for the center of Bloomfield," Wong said Thursday.

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Wong said the commission, which would be called the Town Center Economic Development Authority (TCEDA), will work directly with Bloomfield's legal, planning, and economic teams to create and present a plan for developing a town center.

"Weve heard the communitys desperate cries for action over the past several years, and the council is prepared to answer this call," Wong said. "This action comes after thoughtful and deliberate conversations and it was not undertaken lightly. It has become clear to us all that it is time for a bold move forward."

Wong said that under the proposed ordinance, the entire council would be non-voting members of the TCEDA.

An attorney for the mall's owners did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday about the town's plan.
BENNINGTON  A defendant charged in the brazen hit-and-run of an elderly woman in January 2022 was arraigned Monday on an updated charge of aggravated vehicle operation without the owners consent just prior to his February trial.

Grant Bentley, 44, is scheduled to go on trial in February on three counts, including leaving the scene of a crash with serious injury, aggravated assault, and now aggravated vehicle operation without permission  all felonies.

Bentley was already charged with vehicle operation without consent  minus the enhanced "aggravated" stipulation  a month after being arrested in the Walmart incident after the owner of the vehicle told police Bentley did not have permission to use the car. That vehicle, a white Chevrolet Traverse SUV, was the vehicle that Bentley was driving when he allegedly hit the elderly woman as she crossed a walkway at Walmart a month earlier. The entire incident was captured on surveillance video.

Mondays arraignment on the enhanced charge stems from Bentley allegedly causing injury while using that vehicle.

The hit-and-run incident on Jan. 10, 2022 occurred when Bentley allegedly hit the elderly woman as she walked her shopping cart in the parking lot outside Walmart on Northside Drive in Bennington. Bentley allegedly struck the womans cart, knocking her to the ground. Bentley then tried to pick her up, but, when he couldnt, he was seen on a surveillance video dropping the woman, who banged her head on the pavement, before taking off.

During the initial investigation, police located an identical white Chevrolet Traverse SUV from the video in Bennington. The vehicle is owned by a local woman, who informed police that the SUV had not been used in quite a while. When police looked at the vehicle closer, they noticed damage to the license plate and salt covering the entire car, consistent with a car used during snowy weather in Bennington.

Bentley is currently facing a life sentence if he is found guilty of any of the three charges because he is charged as a habitual offender, being convicted of three or more felonies in Vermont.
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Kelsey Juliana greets supporters in June 2019 outside a federal courthouse in Portland, Ore. Juliana is the lead plaintiff in a years-long lawsuit brought by young people who say U.S. energy policies are causing climate change and hurting their future.
Bob Alexander of Middletown died at the age of 91 on Jan. 15, 2024. Submitted/Jennifer Alexander Bob Alexander of Middletown died at the age of 91 on Jan. 15, 2024. Submitted/Jennifer Alexander Bob Alexander of Middletown died at the age of 91 on Jan. 15, 2024. He is shown here, with his wife, Lucille. Submitted/Jennifer Alexander Bob Alexander of Middletown died at the age of 91 on Jan. 15, 2024. Submitted/Jennifer Alexander Bob Alexander of Middletown died at the age of 91 on Jan. 15, 2024. Submitted/Jennifer Alexander

There once was a lost trove of original sheet music by Broadway luminaries like Ira Gershwin and Cole Porter, hidden away in a New Jersey warehouse owned by Warner Music where it was left, and presumably forgotten.

There were apparently only two Warner Music employees who knew it existed and understood its value. One of them was Bob Alexander and, according to composer Michael Feinsteins book, Nice Work if You Can Get It: My Life in Rhythm and Rhyme, that long-forgotten library of musical theater history might have been destroyed, if not for Alexander.

He was once at a lecture in New York City about the Gershwins, and the person on the stage talked about how some manuscripts had been saved by Bob Alexander, and otherwise they wouldnt be here at all, Alexanders daughter, Jennifer Alexander, said of her father. It was pretty thrilling for him, sitting in the audience.

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Alexander, who died at the age of 91 on Jan. 15, was himself a musician and a composer, but Jennifer Alexander remembered him first as a man of deep empathy as well as creativity.

I remember when I was very, very small, packing a suitcase and saying, I'm leaving. I'm gonna run away. I marched out of the house and then marched down the driveway, which is maybe 50 feet, and he came running out and he got all the way down. I remember he was just right at my eye level, Jennifer Alexander recalled. He said, I know I'm supposed to let you go because you're supposed to learn some kind of lesson from this, but I just can't. Please stay. I just had this feeling like, this is somebody you don't hurt. You know? Like, its not right to play games with his feelings.

That was pretty much the story of my whole life: Realizing that my dad was not a typical man at all, she said.

Robert Alexander was born in east Texas, but found his way to New York City after a stint in the U.S. Army, serving during the Korean War. I have to believe he was drafted. I don't think he would have signed up, his daughter said.

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He did not come from a musical family. He grew up in the kind of town that has a town square with a lot of movie theaters on it, and he used to walk down to the square and go to the movies, and he just lost his heart to all of the old movie stars and the big movie musicals, Jennifer Alexander said.

He began taking lessons on the piano at age 11, and eventually became proficient.

Alexander used his piano skills to snag a job as a typist and spent his two years in the service in Stuttgart, Germany. It afforded him the chance to experience Europe and he came back after those two years, just so enriched musically, Jennifer Alexander said.

He also met a songwriting partner, and the two soon moved to New York. His day job in music publishing eventually became a career, though he also worked as a songwriter for, among others, Stephen Sondheim collaborator George Firth.

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In maybe 1956 or 57, he saw an ad in the New York Times that said apartment for rent with a piano, and so he and his partner went and looked at the apartment. And it was my mom, who had an apartment on 93rd Street, and she was a music teacher who was looking for roommates to make the New York rent, Jennifer Alexander said.

That music teacher was named Lucille, 11-years his senior and twice divorced with two children. The two married soon after.

A musical theater community

Bob and Lucille Alexander raised their growing family in New Jersey, eventually moving to Middletown where Jennifer Alexander had settled down after graduating college. The move would allow Bob to be caregiver for his wife when her Alzheimers became pronounced. But the music still flowed.

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He immediately got immersed in the music scene here, Jennifer Alexander said.

Carolyn Kirsch, now 81 and living in Middletown, also spent much of her adult life in Manhattan, though she was born in Louisiana. She performed in 15 different Broadway shows over a 21-year period  including the original cast of "A Chorus Line,"  working primarily with Bob Fosse and Michael Bennett.

Kirsch later changed careers and became a nurse, but she could not fully excise musical theater from her bones. She landed in Middletown and found a small but strong musical theater community there, of which Alexander was no small part.

I bought a house, decided to stay up here and then thought I was gonna lose my mind, she said, I thought, What am I doing, what am I doing? But I ran into Bob Alexander, who was the real deal.

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Alexander introduced Kirsch to Jane McMillan, the founder of The Vintage Players, a community theater group in Middletown, that allowed both Kirsch and Alexander to scratch their musical theater itch.

I fell into a position of being director a lot of the times, as well as performing," Kirsch said of the group, which recently lost McMillan who died in December. "I always wanted musical interludes from Bob. So we integrated music throughout the productions and Bob would be at the piano.

He also was fun enough and brave enough to get up there and play a comedic role on his own, Kirsch said. She agreed that their troupe was not very well known, but said their audiences, like the performers, were passionate. We were well hidden in a way, in that we were insular in the city of Middletown. But we drew, we drew great audiences. We had a very loyal audience that would come see everything.

Alexander soon became known in Middletown, not only for his presence in the local musical theater scene, but also for being a friendly presence downtown. People who own restaurants on Main Street are contacting me saying, We will never forget your dad, it was so wonderful to see him coming in with your kids and we remember his kind and gentle ways and how sweet he was, Jennifer Alexander said.

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When Bob Alexander was diagnosed with dementia, his children helped him achieve a dream to live in midtown Manhattan for a while, but the disease progressed and the pandemic hit. He returned to Middletown a few years later.

The last time he played piano was a week before he died, Jennifer Alexander said. We grew up with this sense that you do what you love, and it's not work. I think thats, in some ways, been the biggest gift that he's given me and my kids.
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Indian medical devices sectors contribution has become even more prominent since India supported the domestic and global battle against COVID-19 pandemic through the production of medical devices & diagnostic kits.

Empowering the medtech and healthcare industry as a cornerstone of the Indian economy requires a dynamic shift towards Atmanirbhar Bharat and innovation. The diagnostic and medical devices industry players lay down their expectations from Union Budget 2024-25.

It is heartening to see that the government has placed affordability as one of its top priorities. However, the customs duties and taxes levied on medical devices in India are one of the highest in the world and highest among the neighbouring countries which directly impacts patient affordability; this is therefore contradictory to what the government is trying to achieve. As per government data, more than 80% of critical medical devices are imported into India to meet the rising demand for quality healthcare. We hope that as the preparation for the Union Budget 2024 gets underway, a correction on the tariff rates is urgently being considered, said Pavan Choudary, Chairman, Medical Technology Association of India (MTaI).

"In the upcoming budget, the government could further support the medtech sector by reducing import duties and lowering GST on locally procured raw materials, particularly for critical medical devices such as stents, heart valves, knee and hip implants. Incorporating advanced treatment methods like TAVI/TAVR into the Ayushman Bharat  Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) insurance scheme, and encouraging private health insurance companies to follow suit, can significantly enhance healthcare access for economically weaker sections",Vivek Shah, Chief Executive Officer, Meril voiced his opinion.

Sharing his perspective, Mandeep Singh Kumar, Vice President and Country General Manager, Intuitive India said, With the need for adoption of modern technology in various aspects of healthcare, accessibility to advanced surgical technologies like robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) must be a continued focus in this years union budget. Streamlined approval processes for high-tech devices across various ministries, coupled with a fair and predictable policy regime, would accelerate patient access to life-saving technologies and improve clinical outcomes. A reduction in the high customs duties for medical devices will enable the industry to expand its distribution in India and help the industry grow to its potential. Abolishing the 5% health cess ad valorem tax on imported medical devices is imperative to help the country gain better access to advanced technologies in healthcare.

Through preferential treatment for homegrown companies in tender allocation and increased customs duties on readily available equipment, the nation can create the groundwork for a thriving ecosystem supporting the growth of local manufacturers. Furthermore, continued funding along with comprehensive technological and manpower-related assistance from the administration will establish a welcoming environment for Indian startups to flourish, leading to unprecedented technological advancements within the borders and beyond, Chander Shekhar Sibal, Sr. Vice President & HOD, Healthcare Business, Fujifilm India further added.

Giving an overview on behalf of the diagnostic industry, Chandra Ganjoo, Group Chief Executive Officer, Trivitron Healthcare said, The industry advocates for a comprehensive strategy: incentivising R&D and indigenous production, streamlining regulatory processes for faster product approvals, and enhancing infrastructure and skills. Tax incentives for investment in advanced technology, streamlining bureaucratic procedures, and fostering industry-academia collaboration can stimulate domestic manufacturing. This approach should align with global standards and ensure a stable regulatory environment to attract investments.

Laying emphasis on the diagnosis of rare diseases, Surajit Chakrabartty, Chief Financial Officer, MedGenome said, We would urge the Government of India to lead awareness campaigns that can educate and build trust around the effectiveness and benefits of genetic testing in identifying and managing the genetic diseases. Making prenatal genetic testing accessible across all socioeconomic backgrounds coupled with nationwide awareness campaigns on rare diseases, will empower early interventions. For further progress and building a robust genomics infrastructure, increased investment in research is crucial along with establishing strict regulatory guidelines and ethical frameworks which address aspects like partnerships, data storage, usage protocols, consumer protection, de-identification methods, potential discoveries, and outcome distribution."

"With the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and infectious diseases, we underscore the importance of comprehensive screening and diagnostics programmes, along with expanded skilling courses for healthcare professionals to attract and enhance talent in the advanced diagnostic field, said Gaurav Srivastava, Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer, HaystackAnalytics.

Adding another perspective, Sandeep Gulati, General Manager, South Asia, ResMed said, Considering the dynamic healthcare landscape, there is potential for medical equipment and home healthcare using telemonitoring to be covered under insurance. We also encourage the inclusion of sleep-related disorders such as Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) to the classification of Noncommunicable illnesses (NCDs). Additionally, there is a need to incorporate sleep testing in the category of diagnostics under National Diagnostics Essential List.

Summing it up, Jatin Mahajan, Secretary, Association of Diagnostic Manufacturers of India (ADMI) said, "Even though the government has created a policy for purchase preference for Made in India products, unfortunately, this policy has not worked. In most government purchases, there is no preference for 'Made in India' as the state governments are not implementing this policy effectively. This policy is either ignored or side-lined."

"The government must work with the industry to identify the specific need-gap for timely addressal of the issue. Industry-academia linkages should be strengthened, and more professional courses that fully cater to the industry's skill requirements and ensure higher employment for the trained personnel need to be introduced", Mahajan concluded.
A woman walks by a Yale sign reflected in the rainwater on the Yale University campus, Aug. 22, 2021, in New Haven, Conn. Yale agreed this week to settle a lawsuit accusing the school (and others) of illegally fixing prices. Ted Shaffrey, STF / Associated Press

Yale and four other elite private universities agreed this week to pay a total of $104.5 million to settle a class-action lawsuit related to alleged price fixing of student financial aid, court documents show.

Besides Yale University, Columbia University, Brown University, Emory University and Duke University, along with a dozen other elite schools, stood accused of illegally conspiring to limit financial aid to students through shared formulas for calculating need.

In court filings, the universities have denied all allegations of wrongful or illegal behavior. In a statement late Thursday, a Yale spokesperson said the settlement does not represent an admission of wrong-doing but "allows the university to avoid the cost and disruption of further litigation."

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"As families nationwide face the pressure of rising college costs and student debt levels, Yale is proud of its 60-year tradition of need-blind admissions and its commitment to making undergraduate education accessible to students from all socioeconomic backgrounds," the spokesperson said.

The class-action suit, filed in January 2022 in an Illinois federal court, was brought by former students who described the universities as a "price-fixing cartel" that illegally constrained financial aid payments to low- and middle-income students, over-charging more than 200,000 students by "billions of dollars collectively."

Since 1994, universities have benefited from an antitrust exemption that lets them collaborate on financial aid guidelines, as long as they engage in "need-blind" admissions, meaning they don't consider ability to pay when deciding whether to accept new students. Using that exemption, several dozen top schools formed a consortium through which they set common financial aid standards.

But according to the suit, the schools did not operate in a need-blind way in all cases, thereby violating the exemption.

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"Defendants' misconduct is particularly egregious because it has narrowed a critical pathway to upward mobility that admission to their institutions represents," lawyers for the students wrote in the suit.

The consortium of schools, known as the 568 Presidents Club, disbanded in 2022 in response to the lawsuit.

As part of the newly announced settlement, which still must be approved by a judge, Yale and Emory will each pay $18.5 million. Columbia and Duke will pay $24 million each, while Brown will pay $19.5 million. Previously, the University of Chicago reached a $13.5 million settlement, and Rice University has reportedly agreed to pay an additional $33.8 million to settle the suit.

Ten other elite colleges, including Cornell University, the University of Pennsylvania and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, have not settled and continue to face the suit. No trial date has been set, as yet.

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India Air Force (IAF) helicopters fly past during the 75th Republic Day parade, at the Kartavya Path, in New Delhi, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. (Photo: Defence PRO/ PTI)

NEW DELHI (PTI): India has celebrated its 75th Republic Day with a grand display of 'Nari Shakti', rich cultural heritage and military might comprising missiles, warplanes, surveillance gadgets and lethal weapon systems with French President Emmanuel Macron gracing the occasion as the chief guest.



The Republic Day Parade on Friday, January 26, at the Kartavya Path in the heart of the national capital commenced with President Droupadi Murmu taking the salute shortly after she and Macron, flanked by the President's Bodyguards, arrived in a 'traditional buggy'.



Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, several other Union ministers, the country's top military brass, foreign diplomats and senior officials were among those who witnessed the impressive show that also included a fly-past by helicopters and other aircraft, with even a dense fog cover failing to dampen the spirits of the spectators.



Soon after, Murmu and Macron left from the Kartavya Path in the 'buggy', which made a return after 40 years. After the end of the parade, PM Modi, wearing a multi-coloured 'bandhani' print safa, mingled with the excited crowd as people clicked pictures and welcomed him with claps and slogans of "Bharat Mata Ki Jai".



For the first time, an all-women tri-services contingent marched down the ceremonial boulevard reflecting the country's growing 'Nari Shakti' (women power).



In another first, the parade was heralded by over 100 women artistes playing Indian musical instruments such as 'shankh' and 'nagada' instead of traditional military bands.



The first Army contingent leading the mechanised column was the 61 Cavalry, which was raised in 1953. It was followed by 11 mechanised columns, 12 marching contingents and a fly-past by advanced light helicopters of the Army Aviation Corps.



The T-90 Bhishma tanks, NAG missile systems, infantry combat vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, weapon locating radar system 'Swathi', drone jammer system and medium-range surface-to-air missiles were among the key displays by the mechanised columns.



The all-women tri-services contingent, led by Captain Sandhya of the Army Military Police, with three supernumerary officers Captain Sharanya Rao, Sub Lieutenant Anshu Yadav and Flight Lieutenant Shrishti Rao, drew huge applause.



Another all-women Armed Forces Medical Services contingent, headed by Major Srishti Khullar with Captain Amba Samant of the Army Dental Corps, Surgeon Lieutenant Kanchana of the Indian Navy and Flight Lieutenant Dhivya Priya of the Indian Air Force also marching down the majestic avenue.



The Army's marching contingents included the Madras Regiment, the Grenadiers, the Rajputana Rifles, the Sikh Regiment and the Kumaon Regiment.



The Indian Navy's contingent consisted of 144 men and women Agniveers, led by Lt Prajwal M as commander and Lt Mudita Goyal, Lt Sharvani Supreiya and Lt Devika H as platoon commanders.



It was followed by a naval tableau, depicting the themes 'Nari Shakti' and 'Sea Power Across the Oceans Through Indigenisation'.



The themes of the celebrations were  'Viksit Bharat'; and 'Bharat  Loktantra Ki Matruka' (India  Mother of Democracy).



A 95-member marching contingent and a 30-member band contingent from France also took part in the parade.



Two Rafale fighter jets and an Airbus A330 multi-role tanker transport aircraft of the French air force also featured in ceremony that culminated with a jaw-dropping fly-past by 46 aircraft of the Indian Air Force.



The IAF fleet included 29 fighter jets, seven transport aircraft, nine helicopters and a heritage plane. These aircraft operated from six different bases.



Fifteen women pilots, including six from the fighter streams, operated the IAF platforms during the fly-past.



For the first time, indigenously-built Tejas aircraft flew in a formation of four aircraft.



The ceremony started with the Prime Minister's visit to the National War Memorial, where he led the nation in paying solemn tributes to the fallen heroes by laying a wreath.



Minutes later, President Murmu and her French counterpart Macron arrived in the 'traditional buggy' as the crowd sought to capture the moment on their mobile phones.



The national flag was then unfurled, followed by the national anthem with a 21-gun salute using the indigenous 105-mm Indian Field Guns.



"The 75th Republic Day Parade showcased the nations extraordinary Nari Shakti as impressive march-pasts by women received standing ovation by the invitees. President Droupadi Murmu and the French President Emmanuel Macron arrived at the Kartavya Path in the traditional buggy which made a comeback after 40 years," the Rashtrapati Bhavan said in a post on X.



Four Mi-17 IV helicopters of the 105 Helicopter Unit showered flower petals on the audience present at the Kartavya Path.



The Kartavya Path also witnessed a march past by a combined band and marching contingent of the French armed forces.



Gallantry award winners, and winners of Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar riding jeeps decked up with flowers, also took part in the parade.



Officials said about 77,000 guests are estimated to have attended the event, which included 13,000 "special invitees". A senior official of ISRO said, "About 200 women from ISRO" also attended the event, some of them accompanied by their spouses.



A total of 16 tableaux from states, Union territories and nine from central ministries and departments rolled down the Kartavya Path during the parade.


Top Chinese diplomat meets U.S. national security advisor

Xinhua) 09:42, January 29, 2024

Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, holds talks with U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in Bangkok, Thailand, Jan. 26, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Teng)

BANGKOK, Jan. 27 (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 U.S. 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-U.S. 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 U.S., 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-U.S. relations. The U.S. side must abide by the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiqus, 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-U.S. relations; launch a China-U.S. counter-narcotics cooperation working group in the near future; hold the first meeting of China-U.S. 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.

Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, holds talks with U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in Bangkok, Thailand, Jan. 26, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Teng)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Leeanne Griffin is a senior food reporter for CT Insider, handling coverage of restaurant openings and closings, trends, events and general news about Connecticut food and beverage businesses. She covers statewide food happenings, with a focus on Hartford County, and curates CT Insiders weekly Taste of Connecticut food newsletter. Leeanne joined Hearst Connecticut in 2021, but has been working in Connecticut news since 2006. Before joining Hearst, she was the food and dining reporter for the Hartford Courant for a decade. She has earned several awards over the years from the Connecticut Society of Professional Journalists and the New England Newspaper & Press Association, including a recent first-place SPJ honor for a story about lobster rolls. She has also served as a past Northeast regional panelist on the James Beard Foundation Restaurant and Chef Awards Committee. Leeanne lives in Hartford County with her husband and their three-pound Holland lop rabbit. A native of Worcester, Massachusetts, she holds a master's degree in journalism from Quinnipiac University, where she first learned about the magic of New Haven apizza. Reach Leeanne at Leeanne.Griffin@hearstmediact.com.

Kaitlin Lyle is thrilled to nurture her journalism career as a weeklies reporter with Hearst and looks forward to becoming better acquainted with the communities in her coverage area. While she enjoys the opportunity to cover breaking news, her beat is generally focused on local profiles and school-centered stories. Outside of her reporting work, she is an avid reader, baker and cyclist.

Jarrod Wardwell is a local reporter covering Fairfield and Easton for Hearst Connecticut Media Group. He recently graduated with a journalism degree from the George Washington University, where he served as the editor in chief of The GW Hatchet and interned with CNN. Wardwell is originally from Winthrop, Massachusetts and is now based at the Connecticut Post in Bridgeport.

Lau Guzman is a bilingual reporter at the Latino Communities Reporting Lab of the Record-Journal. She is also a corps member with Report for America, a national nonprofit that places journalists in local newsrooms to cover underserved communities. Her favorite color is yellow.


President Droupadi Murmu with the Chief Guest French President Emmanuel Macron, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Second Lady Sudesh Dhankhar leaves after the 75th Republic Day ceremony in New Delhi on Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. (Photo: PTI/ Defence PRO)

NEW DELHI (PTI): India and France on Friday unveiled an ambitious defence industrial roadmap to co-develop critical military hardware, firmed up a space situational awareness programme even as the Tata Group and Airbus announced to jointly build H125 helicopters following talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron.



Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra, announcing the outcomes of Thursday's Modi-Macron talks in Jaipur, said a scheme for exchange of professionals in the age bracket of 18 to 35 years and activation of Schengen visas with a five-year validity for Indian postgraduate alumni of French institutions were among other key decisions.



The two sides inked a total of nine agreements that would provide for cooperation in a large number of areas including defence-space partnership, satellite launches, boosting engagement in the healthcare sector and scientific research.



The pacts inclucded the defence industrial roadmap and the Tata-Airbus deal. The two sides also announced operationalisation of India's Unified Payment Interface (UPI) at Eiffel Tower.



The French President began his two-day visit to India from Jaipur and was the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations in Delhi on Friday.



At a media briefing, Kwatra said both sides deliberated on various aspects to advance civil-nuclear energy cooperation and that there was a "very positive, forward leaning" ongoing conversation on small modular reactors (SMRs).



Modi and Macron also expressed "grave concern" at the possibility of further expansion of the conflict in the Middle-East, including in the Red Sea, which already has a significant "economic impact", a joint statement released late in the night said.



"They recalled the utmost importance of upholding freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and of respecting the international law of the sea. They had detailed conversation aimed at coordinating their efforts in that region in this regard," it said.



In the talks, Macron reiterated France's intention to create conditions to attract up to 30,000 Indian students annually to French institutions of higher learning.



The joint statement said both the leaders welcomed the decision of Airbus and the Tata Advanced System to begin the assembly of civilian helicopters in India as they will become the first private sector companies to produce helicopters in the country.



Under the deal, Airbus Helicopters will be partnering with the Tata Group to establish a Final Assembly Line (FAL) for H125 helicopters in India. The FAL will produce the helicopters from its civil range for India and export to some of the neighbouring countries.



Modi and Macron also expressed commitment to deepening the integration between defence industrial sectors of the two nations and to work together to identify opportunities for co-design, co-development, co-production with the objective of not only fulfilling the defence needs of India, but also to provide a reliable source of defence supplies to other friendly countries, the statement said.



The two leaders welcomed the adoption of the ambitious defence industrial roadmap, it said.



"They welcomed the progress in the establishment of the MRO for LEAP engines in India by Safran and the plans to add MRO for Rafale engines, a comprehensive helicopter partnership with a joint venture for IMRH (Indian Multi Role Helicopter) engine between Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd and Safran, and the Scorpene submarines constructed in India, including indigenisation," the joint statement said.



There was no announcement on India's proposed procurement of 26 naval variants of Rafale jets and three Scorpene submarines from France as it is understood that price negotiations for the multi-billion dollar deals are still underway.



The pact on defence space partnership would facilitate joint work on a space situational awareness program, being billed as very significant for developing military satellites and sharing of crucial information on space traffic and debris.



Kwatra said the defence roadmap will provide for technology collaboration in the spheres of air, space, underwater domain awareness, land warfare, robotics, cyber defence, artificial intelligence as also autonomous vehicles and platforms.



The focus would be on defence manufacturing in a manner that can harness the compatibilities and competencies of the two economies in the defence sector, he said. It has been agreed that the year 2026 will be celebrated as India-France year of innovation, Kwatra said.



The pact between NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) and French space agency Arianespace , the two sides will aim to co-develop, manufacture and launch of satellites and payloads, besides carrying out research in new launch vehicle technologies.



Modi and Macron also touched upon ongoing cooperation between the two nations in the Indian Ocean Region as well as the Indo-Pacific.



On India-France civil-nuclear cooperation, Kwatra said there are several elements to it including localisation, financial viability, cost effectiveness and the two sides are continuing the discussions.



The foreign secretary described the area of small modular reactors (SMRs) as a relatively new domain space in terms of discussion between the two countries.



"Technology needs to come together, viability needs to come together and its positioning in the overall energy mix needs to come together. There was a very positive, forward leaning ongoing conversation between the two countries (on it)," he said.



According to the joint statement, both Modi and Macron strongly condemned the terrorist attack on Israel on October 7 and expressed solidarity with the people of Israel.



"Condemning the huge loss of civilian lives in the ongoing conflict, they emphasised the need to respect international humanitarian law and to create conditions, including through a humanitarian ceasefire, for aid to flow to the affected population in the Gaza region," it said.



Both leaders also called for an immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.



They also reaffirmed that a political process leading to a two-state solution for the Israeli and Palestinian people is required for lasting peace and stability in the region.



The two leaders also reaffirmed their unequivocal condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross border terrorism, and shared their resolve to stand together in the common fight against the global menace.



Modi and Macron further agreed that no country should provide safe haven to those who finance, plan, support, or commit terrorist acts.



"The leaders also called for concerted action against all terrorist, including through designations or individuals affiliated with groups that are listed by the UN Security Council 1267 Sanctions Committee," the statement said.



"The two sides emphasised the importance of upholding international standards on anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism, consistent with Financial Action Task Force recommendations," it added.



Kwatra said the French side has always been forthcoming in supporting India's candidacy for the membership of the International Energy Agency.



He also said that following up on a decision taken during Modi's visit to Paris in July last year, the Indian consulate in the southern French city Marseille and the French bureau in Hyderabad are now fully ready to be operational.



Kwatra said India and France also decided to set up a solar academy in Senegal under the Star Sea programme of the International Solar Alliance that was launched in 2015.


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Postal Code
Kim Kardashian will executive produce a documentary series about screen siren Dame Elizabeth Taylor for the BBC.

The three-part boxset will feature privileged access to those who knew the Cleopatra star best, including relatives, friends and colleagues.

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The series, which has a working title Elizabeth Taylor: Rebel Superstar, will look at her craft and technique as an actress, as well as how she reinvented the nature of fame and become a billion-dollar businesswoman, activist and advocate.

Dame Elizabeth Taylor with then-husband Richard Burton in 1967 (PA)

It will aim to tell the story behind the soap opera narrative  from child star to Hollywood legend, with eight marriages, a diamond obsession and various addictions, reframing her as an actor, rebel and mogul who created the blueprint for modern celebrity.

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The series, commissioned by BBC Arts, will draw on never-before-heard audio tapes, interviews and unseen TV footage, alongside her film archive.

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Among Dame Elizabeths best-known films are National Velvet, Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, Whos Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and Butterfield 8.

The London-born star died in Los Angeles in 2011.

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Dame Elizabeth in 2002. Photo: PA.

The series will also feature interviews with a range of high-profile stars who knew Dame Elizabeth personally  including Kardashian, who conducted the last interview with her before she died.

Also featured will be Dame Joan Collins, her friend and contemporary who competed with her for the role of Cleopatra, and Margaret OBrien, who went to school with her on the MGM backlot.

Leading scientist Dr Anthony Fauci, former chief medical adviser to the US president, will also feature to discuss his work alongside Dame Elizabeth in the fight against Aids.

Kardashian said: Elizabeth Taylor was unapologetically herself, a fighter.

Dame Elizabeth in Cleopatra. Photo: PA.

She is proof that you can keep evolving and changing and have different chapters in your life  and she paved the way for all of us who came after her with that blueprint.

Alistair Pegg, commissioning editor at the BBC, said: This exciting series promises a new understanding of Elizabeth Taylor  both her technique and power as an actor, and her capacity for reinventing herself.

The series is in production and will air on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.
The closure of Holly Cairns' office in Cork has been labelled "shocking" after a decision was taken to close the premises due to safety concerns.

A decision was taken to close the Social Democrats leader's constituency office in Bandon following a security review.

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Ms Cairns has represented Cork South West as a TD since 2020 and had been a member of Cork County Council prior to her election to the Dail.

As reported by the Irish Examiner, Ms Cairns' home in West Cork was previously visited by an online stalker.

In a statement, Ms Cairns explained: "Following a security review last summer, in consultation with my team, a decision was made to close the office."

She reiterated that gardai had previously advised her against holding clinics in her constituency.

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All signage at the constituency office, just off Weir Street in Bandon, has been removed in recent days following the decision.

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Responding to the news, the chair of Cork City Council's women's caucus, Fianna Fail Councillor Mary Rose Desmond, said public representatives should be able to carry out their work safely.

"It's shocking to think that any public representative, or anybody at all in society, would have to close their premises for safety reasons, and that they can't have freedom in the job and be accessible in the manner which having a constituency office provides for constituents and people in the locality," Cllr Desmond told Newstalk.

"To have to close like that due to various security reasons is just shocking altogether, in any walk of life," she added.
A High Court judge has directed that Google Ireland's bid to challenge the decision of the Data Protection Commission (DPC) to probe complaints about how the internet giant processes personal data should be heard on notice to the DPC.

Google Ireland claims that the DPC's inquiry is flawed and has brought High Court judicial review proceedings aimed at quashing the decision to commence an inquiry under the 2018 Data Protection Act.

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The DPC commenced its single complaint inquiry last October on foot of six separate complaints made against the Irish-based supplier of Google's services in the European Economic Area by consumer agencies in Spain, France, Slovenia, Norway, and Greece and the Czech Republic.

The DPC's inquiry concerns the examination and assessment of issues including if Google has complied with its transparency obligations regarding the processing of personal data as part of the registration process when setting up a Google account, and the consents given by users during the 'sign-up.'

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The inquiry also concerns Google's compliance with various articles of GDPR, the EU law that protects personal data rights in respect of the processing of personal data during the registration process when setting up a Google account.

The inquiry further proposes to probe whether the consent obtained through key choices presented to individuals for consent in relation to web and App activity, You Tube history and Ad Personalisation at the point of sign up for a Google account satisfies various GDPR requirements.

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Represented by Paul Gallagher SC and Caren Geoghegan SC Google Ireland claims that the decision is flawed on several grounds including that the DPC failed before establishing the inquiry if the complaints were validly made or are admissible.

Google Ireland also claims that the DPC failed to verify the Google account identifier, such as the email accounts, of each of the data subjects making the complaints.

It is also claimed that the decision to commence the inquiry was made in breach of Google Ireland's right to fair procedures, and that the DPC has failed to give reasons for its assessment that the complaints are such that they allow the commission to open an inquiry.

In its action against the DPC, Google Ireland seeks various orders, including one quashing the decision of October 23rd to open the inquiry, and various declarations.

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The declarations include that by commencing an inquiry DPC has acted outside of its powers, and has acted in breach of Google Ireland's rights to fair procedures.

It is also seeking a stay on the investigation until the High Court has determined the action.

Google Ireland says it wrote to the DPC outlining its concerns regarding the validity and admissibility of the DPC's complaints, the material scope of the inquiry and the confidentiality and use of material provided by the applicant to the commission.

In reply, the DPC said Google Ireland was looking for information not present in the complaints and said that it would engage with the consumer associations to get additional information.

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Google Ireland then made an offer to the DPC that it would not bring any proceedings in regards to the issues it had raised until the DPC had provided a substantive response to the issues the applicant had raised.

In return, it claims it asked the DPC to allow it further time in which to bring a court challenge against the decision to commence an inquiry.

The DPC, Google Ireland claims, rejected that offer.

When the case came before the High Court on Monday, Ms Justice Niamh Hyland said that she was not prepared to grant Google permission at this stage to bring its proceedings against the DPC.

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The judge directed that the 'leave' application be heard in the presence of lawyers for the DPC.

This the judge said could help resolve the issues raised by Google in its correspondence with the DPC, and the case will be back before the court in a matter of weeks.

The judge noted that in correspondence the DPC was attempting to address certain issues raised by Google Ireland.

Putting the application on notice may help to expedite the proceedings, the judge added.

While the judge noted the applicant's opposition to this course of action, the court said Google Ireland would not suffer any prejudice by having to apply for leave on notice to the respondent.
The HSE has issued an apology to the family of a young psychiatric patient who took her own life while being treated at a high observation unit at Tallaght University Hospital four years ago.

Danielle Creighton (24) of Glenshane Grove, Tallaght died by suicide while under the care of doctors at the HSE-run Aspen psychiatric unit at TUH on October 21st 2020.

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An inquest into her death at Dublin District Coroners Court heard concerns voiced by her family about the care she received as a psychiatric patient.

In a statement, the HSEs head of service for Dublin South, Kildare and West Wicklow Community Healthcare, Mary OKelly, expressed regret and sadness at the young womans death.

Apology

Ms OKelly unreservedly apologised for the standard of care provided to Danielle, which she acknowledged was not the standard which was considered appropriate.

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The deceaseds mother, Rhoda Creighton, told the hearing on Monday that her daughter had been transferred to TUH from St Jamess Hospital on October 20th 2020.

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However, she complained that she had not been told that Danielle had also tried to take her own life while a patient in St Jamess on the day before her actual suicide.

Mr Creighton also claimed that her daughter was being monitored every 30 minutes, when she understood that she was to be observed on a 24-hour basis.

Danielle was left on her own, she claimed.

CCTV

However, the inquest heard that continuous CCTV monitoring was available after Danielle was placed in an isolation ward within the psychiatric unit at TUH under hospital protocols while she was being tested for Covid-19.

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Although Danielle had her shoes, shoelaces and phone charger taken away from her on admission to TUH for her own safety, evidence was heard that part of a piece of clothing that she was wearing was found near her body.

The inquest heard evidence from a number of psychiatric nurses that Danielle appeared anxious and paranoid on her admission to TUH.

A staff nurse, Ciara Shields, said she had explained to Danielle on the morning of October 21st, 2020 that she would have to stay in her room until the results of her Covid test came back after she had complained of being bored and not having a TV.

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At midday, she appeared settled when telling the nurse all good things about her boyfriend and family.

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Ms Shields said she had not eaten her lunch but had explained to staff it was because she was vegetarian.

The nurse said she went down to collect food and other items from the patients mother around 2:30pm, with whom she spoke for around 10 minutes.

Ms Shields said she was in absolute shock when she discovered what had happened as Danielle had appeared quite settled and pleasant throughout the day.

Evidence

A clinical nurse manager at TUH, Brian McMahon, gave evidence that the patient was not in her bedroom when he went to tell her at around 2.50pm that her Covid test was negative, and she could move more freely around the unit.

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Mr McMahon said he called a female colleague so that they could check the bathroom.

He described finding Danielle in an unresponsive state on the floor of the bathroom with marks on her neck.

Mr McMahon said he started CPR on the patient after failing to detect a pulse, but she was formally pronounced dead a short time later.

A psychiatric registrar who examined Danielle in St Jamess Hospital, Mawada Babiker, confirmed that the patient had tried to take her own life while in its emergency department.

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Dr Babiker said she believed Danielle had experienced a drug-induced psychotic episode for which she required hospital treatment, and she had arranged for her transfer to TUH.

The witness said the deceased believed she was being persecuted by a group of people which she had linked to two individuals she had bullied when in primary school.

Dr Babiker said Danielle thought these people wanted to kill her, and she would rather go out on her terms.

Another psychiatrist, Ciara OConnor, who examined the patient on her admission to TUH, said Danielle believed bad things had been happening for a number of months.

Dr OConnor said she had admitted smoking joints of cannabis several times a week.

However, she said Danielle was glad to be in hospital as she felt safe.

While she had suicide ideation, Dr OConnor said she had no active plan to end her life.

A consultant psychiatrist at TUH, Thomas McMonagle, said the deceased had been placed under his care, although he had not seen her before she died.

Dr McMonagle told the coroner, Aisling Gannon, that medical staff had become more reassured about her condition while she was under their care and her actions were out of kilter with her clinical presentation.

Regret

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The psychiatrist said he had a bitter sense of regret over what happened but was uncertain if the outcome had been any different if he had examined her.

Dr McMonagle also stated that procedures in the unit had changed as a result of Danielles death, which he remarked had been the subject of a considerable matter of soul-searching within the HSE.

Offering her condolences to the deceaseds family on a very distressing experience, Ms Gannon returned a verdict of death by suicide with psychosis as a contributory factor.

Danielles father, Darren Creighton, who did not attend the inquest, had previously claimed in a newspaper interview that he believed that the violent death of her only sibling was a factor in her suicide.

Her brother, Dale, was assaulted on a footbridge over the N81 Tallaght Bypass between Greenhills Road and St Dominics Road in the early hours of January 1st 2014 in a prolonged attack that lasted 14 minutes.

He died in hospital the following day from blunt force injuries to his face and head.

Seven young people, including one female were subsequently convicted of offences in relation to Dales death with five pleading guilty to manslaughter, one pleading guilty to violent disorder and another pleading guilty to possession of a knife.
A 20-year-old man has been accused of violent disorder and producing a steel-handled brush as a weapon when he "retaliated" to his father being shot in a restaurant in Dublin on Christmas Eve.

Gunman Tristan Sherry (26) died of blunt force trauma to the head after he shot Jason Hennessy Snr at Browne's Steakhouse in Blanchardstown on December 24th.

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Mr Hennessy (48) had been having dinner with family and friends before the attack, and died 11 days later in hospital.

His son, Brandon Hennessy, of Sheephill Avenue, Dublin 15, was arrested on Sunday. He was subsequently charged and appeared before Judge Gerard Jones at Blanchardstown District Court on Monday morning.

He is accused of engaging in violent disorder by using or threatening to use violence with six others, which would cause another person present to fear for their safety.

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He also faces a second charge for the production of a commercial dustpan and brush with a steel handle capable of inflicting serious damage during the course of an offence of violent disorder.

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'He retailiated'

Garda Alan Murphy gave evidence at Monday's hearing, and told the court the accused "made no comment" when he was charged at 8.54pm on Sunday.

Defence solicitor Simon Fleming said there was no objection to bail, subject to conditions, but asked that the conditions not be read aloud during the brief hearing.

He added that the terms had been agreed upon with Gda Murphy.

Judge Jones asked Gda Murphy what was alleged, to which the garda said the matter concerned the incident in Browne's Steakhouse, and "this male was involved with a number of other males".

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Mr Fleming told the court: "His father was murdered, and it is alleged that he retaliated against the person who did the murder."

Judge Jones imposed the conditions sought and remanded the accused on bail to appear in court again on March 12th for directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The judge also granted Mr Hennessy legal aid after noting he was not working.

The young man, dressed in a navy and green tracksuit, did not address the court and has yet to indicate a plea.

Arrests

Brandon Hennessy is the seventh person charged in connection with the incident.

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Last week, gardai charged a 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named, with engaging in violent disorder in the restaurant at the time of the shooting.

Jonas Kabangu (18) was also charged earlier with engaging in violent disorder. Earlier this month, he was granted bail pending directions from the DPP.

Four other co-defendants charged over recent weeks are in custody on remand.

David Amah (18), of Hazel Grove, Portrane Road, Donabate, Dublin, Michael Andrecut (22), of Sheephill Avenue, Dublin 15, and a 17-year-old boy, who cannot be identified because he is a minor, have been charged with Mr Sherry's murder.

Another co-defendant, Wayne Deegan (25) has been charged with producing a knife as a weapon, assault causing harm to Mr Sherry, and violent disorder.
A man who denies flying a drone that allegedly interfered with the operation of Dublin Airport has been served with a book of evidence and sent forward for trial.

Ainis Guzauskus, 42, is accused of an offence under the Air Navigation and Transport Act for unlawfully and intentionally interfering with the operation of an air navigation facility, Dublin Airport, by flying a DJI Mavic mini 2 drone on July 2nd 2022.

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The father of two, of Ridgewood Close, Swords, Dublin, appeared again at Dublin District Court, which had already heard he denies the charges.

Judge Treasa Kelly noted that the State had completed a book of evidence and served it on the accused in court.

She then granted a return for trial order, sending him forward to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, where the case will be listed for mention on February 22nd.

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Judge Kelly remanded Mr Guzauskus on bail with several conditions, including a ban on drone flying.

The court has heard the accused lived in Ireland for 14 years and did not require an interpreter.

The court heard that Mr Guzauskus is working full-time but was entitled to legal aid.

The Director of Public Prosecutions had consented to "summary disposal on a guilty plea" at the District Court level. But he indicated he was contesting the case, meaning he would face trial on indictment before a jury in the higher court, which has broader sentencing powers.

It is illegal to fly drones within 5 km of the airport; certain drones must be registered, depending on their sizes, and each device has a unique digital fingerprint for identification.
A convicted murderer is entitled to copies of prison CCTV footage relating to him for a month and a day, the High Court has ruled.

However, Stephen Penrose (40) is not entitled to more than a year of footage which he had sought, Ms Justice Marguerite Bolger ruled.

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Penrose was convicted of murdering his friend, Philip Finnegan (24), and burying his body in a shallow grave in August 2016.

Penrose has brought High Court proceedings against the governor of Mountjoy Prison, the Irish Prison Service and the Department of Justice over the authorities' decision to place him in solitary confinement, or the Challenging Behaviour Unit, as it is now officially called.

He says he frequently asked to be moved out of solitary and was refused. He accepts he refused offers of move on a few occasions due to pending court applications, but otherwise says claims by the governor of him refusing to move are untrue.

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The respondents say he is in solitary due to threats he made against staff and disciplinary sanctions imposed on him as a result of his conduct.

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Last June, Penrose was given a two-year sentence for threatening to burn down a prison officer's home. He also has three convictions for assaults on prison officers.

His judicial review proceedings over solitary confinement have yet to go to hearing. In the meantime, he has sought discovery of film footage for October 2021 to November 2022, which he says he needs for his case.

'Fishing'

The prison authorities opposed his application, saying most of the footage he seeks is irrelevant, not necessary, constitutes "fishing" (for information), and would be unduly onerous as it would involve providing hours and hours of footage.

They offered to supply him with three specific days of footage from dates on which he was offered a move from solitary confinement but which they say he refused and may be potentially relevant to his case.

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He says those dates were selective, claiming the respondents were trying to mislead the court.

In making his case for some 13 months of footage, Penrose said he believes the recordings will prove he was unlawfully detained in solitary.

Representing himself, he also told the court that he has a large amount of documentation that will prove his case, adding the footage is extra to what he already has, but he said he was not going to reveal my hand at this stage.

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He said he had very detailed and accurate notes of every conversation he had with prison staff while he was in solitary, including with the governor, as he had little else to do.

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Ms Justice Bolger noted he did not utilise those notes to narrow down the days or times of the day for which he wanted to see the footage.

She said he cited nothing, apart from his own assertions of truth and lies to supplement his claim that he was entitled to discovery of the footage in order to challenge the truth of the respondents affidavits.

The judge said such bare averments are insufficient, given case law which has found that discovery cannot be used merely to test averments in the absence of evidence to support the grounds advanced.

While Penrose may be offered some indulgence as a lay litigant, particularly one who is currently in custody, Ms Justice Bolger said that cannot allow the clear requirements of the jurisprudence to be overridden.

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However, the judge accepted there may be footage which could be relevant to his case, but the scope of what he sought must be narrowed.

She ordered the prison to make discovery of footage for the entire of January 2022, when he says he made daily requests to be moved, along with footage from July 25th, 2022, a day on which he says the footage would prove his case and disprove the veracity of an affidavit sworn by the governor and of the governor's log.
The SDLP has said it will not attend celebratory St Patricks events at the White House in protest at the situation in Gaza, but will send a delegation to Washington to raise its concerns.

The decision comes amid calls from pro-Palestinian supporters on the island of Ireland for parties to boycott the annual St Patricks engagements in Washington in March, because of the USs ongoing support for Israel as it pursues its offensive in Gaza.

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SDLP leader Colum Eastwood MP said he could not in good conscience attend celebratory events at the White House while the civilian population in Gaza lives in constant fear of eradication.

He accused the US administration of an atrocious response to the conflict.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar presents US President Joe Biden with a bowl of shamrock during last years St Patricks Day reception. Photo: Niall Carson/PA.

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Mr Eastwood said the scale and intensity of violence could not be justified and called on the US to become an advocate for a ceasefire.

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He said his party would send a delegation to Washington to engage with senior lawmakers, Irish Americans and Palestinian Americans to make the case for an end to violence.

The bonds of friendship and shared history between Ireland and the United States have forged one of the warmest and most enduring international relationships in the world today, he said.

It is because we are so close historically, diplomatically and, many of us, personally, that we have a duty to be honest with our friends and allies, especially when we think theyre wrong.

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The scenes of destruction and annihilation in Gaza represent, in my view, a clear act of genocide.

With more than 26,000 people dead, and more than 10,000 of them children, the response of the international community has been heinously deficient. The response of the US administration has been particularly atrocious.

I have seen the impact of unspeakable violence in Gaza. In November 2012 I visited Khan Younis and the surrounding districts days after an appalling escalation in violence that left more than 100 civilians dead and hundreds more injured.

I have seen childrens playgrounds reduced to rubble and homes destroyed. The people of Gaza now go to bed again every night knowing that they may never wake up.

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In that context, and having seen its impact before, I cannot in good conscience attend White House parties for St Patricks Day while the administration turns its face the other way and refuses to call for an immediate ceasefire.

I could not rub shoulders, drink Guinness and have the craic while the horrifying impacts of the brutal war in Gaza continue.

It would be the very opposite of solidarity with a people on the brink of destruction.

Sinn Fein has faced criticism from pro-Palestinian activists in Ireland for not boycotting Washington in March.

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The party has said it will use events in the US capital to raise its concerns about the situation in Gaza.

On Sunday, Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty said his party would not shirk its responsibility to voice its opposition to the US administrations stance.

Mr Eastwood said every party leader would have to make their own decision on how they approach St Patricks Day in the US.

I am offering no criticism of anyone else because there is no easy answer to any of this, he said.

But I know that my own conscience, and the values of the party I lead, are not consistent with celebration in the face of overwhelming violence.

The SDLP will send a delegation to Washington DC. We will meet with senior lawmakers, with Irish-American leaders and with Palestinian-Americans to make the case for an end to violence.

It is in our partys DNA to work toward peace wherever possible. We will use our influence to press strongly for an immediate ceasefire and the release of hostages held by Hamas.

I am not naive to the scale of the impact this action will have. But faced with the scenes of destruction across Gaza, one of the most densely populated areas of human habitation on our planet, I honestly believe it would be wrong to attend these celebrations and that not attending sends a far more powerful message.

The first and most important principle of peace is that the killing must stop.

The US has enormous influence over the pace of that first step in Gaza and southern Israel. I sincerely hope that they use it and join those of us calling for an immediate ceasefire soon.
The sentencing of a Dublin man for the sexual abuse of two young girls was halted at the Criminal Courts of Justice after the accused was assaulted in the dock in a serious breach of security.

Two men approached the accused man in the dock while evidence was being heard and a scuffle ensued. The men were restrained and removed from the courtroom by prison staff and gardai.

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The accused man, who was bleeding in the aftermath, was taken to get medical attention.

The incident occurred while the prosecuting garda was giving evidence of the abuse of the two girls.

Mr Justice Paul Burns said the events represented a serious breach of security, adding that what occurred would have to be investigated by the Courts Service.

He said further steps may have to be taken to secure the safety of persons in the building.

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Abuse

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Following a trial at the Central Criminal Court last December, the 46-year-old accused man was convicted of 11 counts of sexual abuse including sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, oral rape, anal rape, vaginal rape and sexual exploitation against one girl on dates between 2019 and 2020. The girl was aged between 15 and 16 at the time.

He was also convicted of one count of causing a child to watch pornography in relation to a second teenage girl, aged between 14 and 15, in 2019.

After order was restored in the courtroom on Monday, Mr Justice Burns said what had taken place was unacceptable.

He noted the accused man had been the subject of an assault and one of the injured parties in the case, who was present at the time, was clearly traumatised by what occurred.

I know emotions can rise high in Central Criminal Court cases, but this is not an excuse for this type of behaviour, Mr Justice Burns told those present. He added that he assumed appropriate steps would be taken in relation to what had happened.

The judge remanded the accused man in continuing custody and adjourned the sentence hearing to continue on February 26th.
A woman has been jailed for her role in two robberies, including one in which a 79-year-old widower was attacked with a clawhammer and stabbed multiple times.

The man had opened his front door to a woman who sought shelter from the rain, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court previously heard.

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The pensioner knew the woman as Christine Ward (36) as she had called to his address five or six times previously asking for money and each time he had given her sums of 5, 10 or 20.

Once Ward was in the hallway, the court heard, she was followed into the house by her former partner Derek Bewley who was wielding a claw hammer.

Christine Ward (36) pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary at a house in Artane on November 2nd 2018, with seven other counts taken into consideration.

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Derek Bewley (48) pleaded guilty to possession of a hammer and stealing a wallet containing 600 during the same incident.

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The former couple also pleaded guilty separately to robbing a wallet and an iPhone from a visually impaired man earlier on the same date, November 2, 2018, on Dublins North William Street.

Ward, with an address at De Paul Ireland, Little Britain Street, Dublin 7, was today jailed for eight and a half years.

Imposing sentence on Ward on Monday, Judge Orla Crowe said these were the most serious offences and handed Ward a total sentence of 10 years with the final 18 months suspended.

The judge said it was an aggravating factor that this was offending against especially vulnerable members of society. She also noted the breach of trust in relation to the elderly man who had previously given Ward money on a number of occasions.

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Two victims

Judge Crowe noted the mitigation and Ward's remorse, adding that while Ward saw herself as a victim of her very difficult childhood, there were only two victims in court.

Her co-accused Bewley, with an address at North William Street Flats, Dublin 1, is due to be sentenced on Thursday, February 1st.

At a previous sentence date, Garda Brian Morrissey told prosecuting counsel that the 79-year-old widower had answered his doorbell at 8pm on the night to Ward, who asked if she could come in for a minute out of the rain.

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Ward went into the mans hallway and started crying, saying her cancer was back, and she couldnt take it anymore, adding: How can I tell my kids Im going to die?

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Her phone then lit up and her co-accused, Bewley, came into the hallway with a clawhammer shouting and demanding money.

A struggle ensued when the widower tried to grab the clawhammer, and he was struck on the ear with it, shattering his hearing aid.

The man was also being stabbed repeatedly on his hands and was bleeding heavily as he made his way from his front door to his kitchen, leaving a trail of blood.

Ward and Bewley robbed the mans wallet which contained 600 in cash.

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They also stole his phone and his Skoda Octavia car.

Because he had no car, the victim had to walk from Artane to Coolock village to summon help from his son.

He was brought to Beaumont Hospital and a medical report said he had been stabbed multiple times with a kitchen knife. He received 25 stitches in his hands and arms and sustained bruising to his ear.

In a victim impact statement read out on his behalf, the man said his economic losses totalled 4,775.

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This figure includes the loss of the cash in his wallet, his housekeys, his car keys and his phone worth 900.

Blood spattering

The court heard his hallway and kitchen had to be redecorated due to damage caused by blood spattering at a cost of 3,000.

The man said his life changed forever when someone that he had shown kindness and charity to came to his house armed and with an accomplice.

He said he genuinely thought he was going to die that night and that his son had to move in with him afterwards to ensure his safety.

My faith is very important to me, and its clear that it was only for the grace of God that I survived that night, the man wrote.

He said he used to enjoy going to the post office to collect his pension and having cash in his wallet and that he no longer does this anymore.

Judge Crowe asked if Ward did have cancer at the time and her defence counsel, Cathal McGreal BL, replied: There was no cancer, but there certainly are children.

In relation to the second robbery, Garda Shane McGrath told Jennifer Jackson BL, prosecuting, that he was alerted of the robbery and he met the victim, a 56-year-old visually impaired man who had been walking from the post office when he was mugged.

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The man said a girl and a guy came up to him from behind and grabbed his wallet from his back pocket.

He initially thought it was just a girl but then noticed another hand and a struggle ensued.

The victim said the man stabbed his right hand and his lower waist nine times with a sharp object and that the girl stabbed him on the left side of his face.

During the struggle, the mans iPhone worth 300 fell out of his pocket and the girl took it and both accused ran away.

The victim was brought to the Mater Hospital and prepared a victim impact report which was read out on his behalf.

The damage to his phone cost 280 while the repair of his specialist glasses cost 320.

He suffered stab wounds under his left eye and nine stab wounds to his arm.

The man said he no longer goes near groups and doesnt go out at all after 6pm. He said he feels afraid and very vulnerable due to his visual impairment.

The court heard that when Ward was arrested, she initially denied all involvement but later identified herself in CCTV footage.

Bewley has 79 previous convictions including theft, drugs offences, assault, criminal damage and production of an article.

Ward has 25 previous convictions, all from the District Court, including 18 road traffic offences and others for theft and drugs.

Mr McGreal said his client has no history of violence and that she and Bewley were both long-standing drug users.

Ward took a trial date but failed to show on her trial date and pleaded guilty last October, the court heard.

Mr McGreal said Ward was herself very vulnerable and the mother of three children whom she visits regularly.

The court heard that she was born into the Travelling community and suffered greatly after the death of her brother in a car accident when she was 11.

Ward has been homeless since the age of 16 when she ran away to avoid an arranged marriage, the court heard.

She told gardai she had only ever been clean of drugs for two weeks.

Counsel said all of Wards previous partners had been violent to her causing her to be hospitalised several times.

She has since expressed significant remorse for her offences and accepts her role in all the offences, saying it was about getting money for drugs.
A woman who agreed to smuggle a 16-year-old girl into the State in a crime of desperation has been jailed for 16 months.

Anele Ngwenya (32) of Johannesburg, South Africa, came forward to Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on signed pleas of guilty from the District Court in relation to assisting the entry into the State of another person at Terminal Two, Dublin Airport on October 5th 2023.

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She has no previous convictions from Ireland or from her own country.

Joseph Barnes BL, prosecuting, told the court that Ngwenya told gardai that she agreed to travel with the teenager, on a fake passport for the child, after being requested to do so by members of her church in Johannesburg.

The teenager, who is a Congolese national, didnt offer much information to the gardai. She just claimed she was travelling with Ngwenya and said she had permission from her parents to travel.

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Gardai were unable to establish what the purpose of escorting the child was, but there were two people of interest in the investigation - one woman who was supposedly an aunt of the teenager and a man.

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These people denied any knowledge of the child coming to Ireland, even though there was mobile communication between them both and the child. The girl is now under the care of Tusla.

An investigating garda told Mr Barnes that Ngwenya and the child arrived into Dublin Airport from Paris. The woman got off the plane separately to the child before she presented herself to Immigration Control.

The teenager went to another booth. Immigration officers became suspicious in relation to Ngwenyas purpose of travel.

It was then established that they had travelled together - the teenager using a fake passport, which had been destroyed en route to Dublin.

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Ngwenya was co-operative with gardai.

She said she had been struggling for money, and she agreed to escort the child for payment. She was told she would be paid the equivalent of 971 and the travel arrangements were made for her.

Michael Bowman SC, defending, asked the court to accept that there was no evidence of aggravating features in the case.

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He said his client was one of 13 siblings and that both her parents died of HIV when she was seven years old. She then went to live with her grandmother who died when she was 12 years old.

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Ngwenya was then cared for by her grandfather, who was also taking care of some of her cousins. Counsel said Ngwenya was effectively then used as a domestic to look after these children.

She went to live with an older sister but that sister then passed away and for some time she was caring for her sisters children.

Ngwenya has two children of her own who are now 13 and 11 years old. Mr Bowman said that her older daughter was brutally attacked in 2018 and has been left with injuries that required surgery.

The family live in a corrugated shack, he said.

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Mr Bowman said his client acknowledges that she knew what she was doing was wrong and understood it was illegal but Ngwenya believed she was facilitating the members of her church.

She was naive but also quite desperate. She took the opportunity presented to her and is now paying the price for it, counsel said.

Judge Martin Nolan said it is a serious offence to traffic a child in this way, but accepted it was a crime of desperation.

She was desperate for some funds and temptation was put in her way and she succumbed to it, Judge Nolan said before he added that it was not an insidious human trafficking.

Her parents wanted the child to come here for a better life - as simple as that. She deserves to be punished but not an overly harsh imprisonment, he said before he imposed a 16 month sentence.
An enemy drone that killed three American troops and wounded dozens of others in Jordan may have been confused with an American drone returning to the US installation, two US officials said on Monday.

As the enemy drone was flying in at a low altitude, a US drone was returning to the small desert installation known as Tower 22 and may have been allowed to pass by mistake, according to a preliminary report cited by the officials, who were not authorised to comment and insisted on anonymity.

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As a result, there was no effort to shoot down the enemy drone that hit the outpost early on Sunday morning. The US troops at the outpost use trailers for their sleeping quarters.

On Monday the Pentagon identified those killed in the attack as Sgt William Jerome Rivers, 46, of Carrollton, Georgia; Spc Kennedy Ladon Sanders, 24, of Waycross, Georgia, and Spc Breonna Alexsondria Moffett, 23, of Savannah, Georgia.

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The three US army reserve soldiers were assigned to the 718th Engineer Company, 926th Engineer Battalion, 926th Engineer Brigade in Fort Moore, Georgia.



Spc Kennedy Sanders, 24, who was confirmed as being among the three US service members killed on Sunday (Shawn Sanders via AP)

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Officials said that of the more than 40 wounded troops, most had cuts, bruises, traumatic brain injuries and similar wounds. Eight were medically evacuated and the most seriously hurt service member is in a critical but stable condition.

The preliminary conclusion was first reported by The Wall Street Journal.

Explanation for how the enemy drone evaded US air defences on the installation came as the White House said on Monday it is not looking for war with Iran even as President Joe Biden vows retaliatory action. The Democratic administration believes Tehran was behind the strike.

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Mr Biden met members of his national security team in the White House Situation Room to discuss the latest developments.

The brazen attack, which the Biden administration blames on Iranian-based proxies, adds another layer of complexity to an already tense Middle East situation as the Biden administration tries to keep the Israel-Hamas war from expanding into a broader regional conflict.



US defense secretary Lloyd Austin, right, listens during a meeting with Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg, left, at the Pentagon in Washington (Susan Walsh/AP)

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The president and I will not tolerate attacks on US forces, and we will take all necessary actions to defend the US and our troops, US defence secretary Lloyd Austin said on Monday as he met Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg at the Pentagon.

Mr Biden faces a difficult balancing act as he looks to strike back against Tehran in a forceful way without allowing the Gaza conflict to further spread. The drone attack was one of dozens on US troops in the Middle East since Hamas launched attacks on Israel on October 7, igniting the war in Gaza. But it is the first in which American service members have been killed.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby reiterated a day after Mr Biden promised to hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner (of) our choosing that the US administration was not seeking to get into another conflict in the Middle East.

But Mr Kirby also made clear that the American patience has worn thin after more than two months of attacks by Iranian proxies on US troops in Iraq, Syria and Jordan and on the US Navy and commercial vessels in the Red Sea.

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The groups  including Yemens Houthi rebels and Iraq based Kataeb Hezbollah  say the attacks are in response to Israels ongoing to military operations in Gaza.

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We are not looking for a war with Iran, Mr Kirby told NBCs Today show.

We are not looking to escalate the conflict in the region. Obviously, these attacks keep coming. Well keep looking at the options.

I cant speak for the supreme leader or what he wants or he doesnt want. I can tell you what we want. What we want is a stable, secure, prosperous Middle East, and we want these attacks to stop.

Iran on Monday denied it was behind the Jordan strike.

These claims are made with specific political goals to reverse the realities of the region, Irans state-run IRNA news agency quoted foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani as saying. Iran regularly denies involvement in attacks linked back to it through the militias it arms across the wider Middle East.



US President Joe Biden met members of his national security team to discuss the latest developments (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)

Republicans have laid blame on Mr Biden for doing too little to deter Iranian militias, which have carried out some 150 attacks on US troops in region since the start of the war.

Bidens response to these attacks has been disorganised, ineffective and weak, Republican National Committee spokesman Jake Schneider said in a statement. Now, more Americans have lost their lives because of Bidens incompetence.

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Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump on Sunday called the attack yet another horrific and tragic consequence of Joe Bidens weakness and surrender.

The attack hit a US military desert outpost in the far reaches of northeastern Jordan known as Tower 22. The installation sits near the demilitarized zone on the border between Jordan and Syria. The Iraqi border is only 10 kilometres (six miles) away.

The base began as a Jordanian outpost watching the border, then saw an increased US presence after American forces entered Syria in late 2015. The small installation includes US engineering, aviation, logistics and security troops, with about 350 US army and air force personnel deployed.

Iraqs government condemned the drone strike in an apparent effort to distance itself from an attack likely carried out by the Iranian-backed militias that have a strong presence inside Iraq.

Government spokesman Bassem al-Awadi said in a statement on Monday that Iraq is monitoring with a great concern the alarming security developments in the region and called for an end to the cycle of violence.

The statement said that Iraq is ready to participate in diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation.

An umbrella group for Iran-backed factions known as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq has claimed dozens of attacks against bases housing US troops in Iraq and Syria since the Israel-Hamas war began.

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On Sunday, the group claimed three drone attacks against sites in Syria, including near the border with Jordan, and one inside of occupied Palestine but so far has not claimed the attack in Jordan.

The attack came as US officials were seeing signs of progress in negotiations to broker a deal between Israel and Hamas to release the more than 100 remaining hostages being held in Gaza in exchange for an extended pause in fighting.

While contours of a deal under consideration would not end the war, Americans believed that it could lay the groundwork for a durable resolution to the conflict.

Top US, Israeli, Egypt and Qatari officials held talks on Sunday in France about an emerging framework for a hostage deal. Israel said significant gaps remain but called the talks constructive and said they would continue in the week ahead.

The Jordan attack also had US allies on edge that the situation in the Middle East could further spiral.

German foreign ministry spokesman Sebastian Fischer said that in view of the extremely tense situation in the region, this act is completely irresponsible and could lead to pushing the region further toward escalation.

We expect from Iran that it finally exert its influence on its allies in the region so that there is no uncontrolled conflagration, in which no one can have an interest, Mr Fischer said.
A former contractor for the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) who pleaded guilty to leaking tax information to news outlets about former president Donald Trump and thousands of the countrys wealthiest people was sentenced to five years in prison on Monday.

Charles Edward Littlejohn, 38, of Washington, DC, had pleaded guilty to one count of unauthorised disclosure of tax returns and return information. He gave tax information to two news outlets, The New York Times and ProPublica, between 2018 and 2020.

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US District Judge Ana Reyes said she handed down the highest possible sentence to deter anyone else who might feel an obligation to break the law.

Littlejohn apologised to the people affected and said he expected to face consequences. I acted out of a sincere, if misguided, belief I was serving the public interest, he said. Instead, my actions undermined the fragile trust we place in government.

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In 2020 the New York Times reported on Donald Trumps tax returns (John Locher/AP)

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Defence lawyer Lisa Manning argued for a lower sentence in line with typical guidelines for someone without a criminal record. The judge, though, said the crime was extraordinary because Littlejohn targeted the president.

When you target the sitting president of the United States, you target the office, she said. It can not be open season on our elected officials.

She also sentenced Littlejohn to three years of supervised release and a 5,000-dollar (3,940) fine.

Republican Senator Rick Scott of Florida said he was among those whose tax information was leaked by Littlejohn.

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He said the possibility it could be published affects his entire family and Littlejohn should have faced additional criminal charges from the Justice Department for exposing personal information just to harm people, he said.

Justice Department prosecutors did not name the outlets in the charges, but the description and time frame align with stories about Mr Trumps tax returns in The New York Times and reporting about wealthy Americans taxes in the nonprofit investigative journalism organisation ProPublica.

The 2020 New York Times report found Mr Trump, who had broken with tradition and refused to voluntarily release his tax returns, paid 750 dollars (591) in federal income tax the year he entered the White House and no income tax at all in some years thanks to colossal losses.

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Six years of his returns were later released by the then-Democratically controlled House Ways and Means Committee.

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ProPublica, meanwhile, reported in 2021 on a trove of tax-return data about the wealthiest Americans. It found the 25 richest people legally pay a smaller share of their income in taxes than many ordinary workers do.

Both publications have declined to comment on the charges, and ProPublica reporters previously said they did not know the identity of the source.

The stories sparked calls for reform on taxes for the wealthy  and calls for investigations into the leaking of tax information, which has specific legal protections.

The IRS has said any disclosure of taxpayer information is unacceptable and the agency has since tightened security.
Protesting farmers were encircling Paris with tractor barricades and drive-slows on Monday, using their vehicles to block motorways leading to Frances capital to pressure the government over the future of their industry, which has been shaken by repercussions of the Ukraine war.

The targeting of Paris  host of the Summer Olympics in six months  and traffic-snarling protests elsewhere in France promised another difficult week for new Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, less than a month into the job.

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Protesters said Mr Attals attempts last week at pro-agriculture measures fell short of their demands that producing food should be more lucrative, easier and fairer.



Farmers block a motorway near Jossigny, east of Paris with hay bales (Sylvie Corbet/AP)

Farmers responded by deploying hundreds of tractors, trailers and even rumbling harvesters to block and slow traffic in what they described as a siege to squeeze more concessions.

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Some protesters came with reserves of food and water and tents to stay at their barricades if the government does not cede ground.

The barricades highlighted gulfs in economic and social opportunity between town and country in France. Protesters said they felt ignored by government ministers they accused of rarely venturing to farms and getting their shoes dirty.

The government announced a deployment of 15,000 police officers, mostly in the Paris region, to head off any attempt by protesters to enter the capital.

Officers and armoured vehicles were stationed at Pariss hub for fresh food supplies, the Rungis market.

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At Jossigny near the Disneyland theme park outside Paris, protesters blocked all six lanes of the A4 motorway, parking their tractors so they formed what looked like an ear of wheat when seen from the air.

Some vehicles carried placards declaring No food without farmers and The end of us would mean famine for you.



Police monitor a farmers demonstration in Argenteuil, north of Paris (Christophe Ena/AP)

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South of the capital, protesters used forklift trucks to deposit large hay bales to block the A6 motorway, broadcaster BFM-TVs images showed.

Our goal isnt to bother or to ruin French peoples lives, Arnaud Rousseau, president of the influential FNSEA agricultural union, said on RTL radio. Our goal is to put pressure on the government to rapidly find solutions out of the crisis.

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The movement in France is another manifestation of a global food crisis worsened by Russias nearly two-year full-scale war in Ukraine, a major food producer.

French farmers assert that higher prices for fertiliser, energy and other inputs for growing crops and feeding livestock have eaten into their incomes.

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Protesters also argue that Frances massively subsidised farming sector is over-regulated and hurt by food imports from countries where agricultural producers face lower costs and fewer constraints.

Mr Rousseau used Ukrainian sugar producers as an example, saying their soaring exports to Europe since Russia invaded in February 2022 are untenable for European counterparts.

Taxi drivers with other grievances also organised drive-slow protests on Monday.

Authorities elsewhere in the country also reported disruptions and recommended that road users switch to public transport if possible.
The executive chairman of Iceland supermarket has given his backing to Labour, saying the party was the right choice for business and voters.

Richard Walker, the executive chairman of the supermarket and a former Tory donor, quit the Conservative party last October in a blow to Rishi Sunak.

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Now Mr Walker has switched his support to Sir Keir Starmers party.

Writing in The Guardian, he said: Labour is the right choice for the communities across the country where Iceland operates  and the right choice for everyone in business who wants to see this country grow and prosper.

Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer (PA)

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The Iceland chairman praised Mr Starmer for having transformed his party in the wake of Jeremy Corbyns leadership and said the Labour leader understands pressures facing households.

Mr Starmer, Mr Walker wrote, demonstrates a compassion and concern for the less fortunate that contrasts very favourably with the attitude of most of his opponents.

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He absolutely gets it when I talk to him about the way that the cost of living crisis has put unbearable strain on the finances of so many of my customers and their families, and the urgent need for a government that does everything in its power to ease their burden.

While Mr Walker said he would be supporting Labour at the next British general election, he said he was not becoming a party member.

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The Labour leader, who is set to visit a branch of Iceland later to meet staff and shoppers, welcomed the endorsement.

He said: The work that he and his colleagues at Iceland have done to help customers through the cost of living crisis has been commendable.

With Labour, shoppers and shop workers will get a fair deal. Well tackle the cost of living crisis, get Britains economy growing again and get our countrys future back.
Britain's Princess of Wales has left hospital and returned to her home in Windsor almost two weeks after undergoing major abdominal surgery, Kensington Palace has said.

She was admitted to the London Clinic  the same private hospital where Britain's King Charles has undergone treatment for an enlarged prostate  for a planned operation on January 16th.

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The 42-year-old future Queen is not expected to return to official duties until after Easter, and Britain's Prince William has temporarily stepped back from his royal role to juggle caring for her and their children.

Kate is likely to be given sitting and standing exercises as she recovers (PA)

A Kensington Palace spokesperson said: The Princess of Wales has returned home to Windsor to continue her recovery from surgery. She is making good progress.

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The Prince and Princess wish to say a huge thank you to the entire team at The London Clinic, especially the dedicated nursing staff, for the care they have provided.

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The Wales family continues to be grateful for the well wishes they have received from around the world.

Kate left the London Clinic earlier on Monday, and it is understood her return to official duties will depend on medical advice nearer the time.

Once the Kate care and recovery has settled, the Prince of Wales plans to resume his public engagements.

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The Waleses with their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, on their first day at Lambrook School in September 2022 (PA)

Charles, 75, visited his daughter-in-laws bedside after being admitted himself on Friday, January 26th, on the 11th day of Kates stay.

The exact details of her condition have not been revealed, but the Palace said previously it was not cancer-related.

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News of Kate's surgery was announced by Kensington Palace on January 17th, with Buckingham Palace triggering a double royal health scare 90 minutes later when it revealed Charles was to be treated in hospital for an enlarged prostate.

Heir to the throne William, who has spent time at his wifes bedside, has been looking after Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, with all his official duties on hold.

A royal source told The Sunday Times the Waleses have switched to 100 per cent family first, day job second.

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Prince George, the Princess of Wales, Prince Louis, the Prince of Wales, Princess Charlotte and the King and Queen after Trooping the Colour in 2023 (PA)

Kate will be under the careful watch of royal doctors and also benefit from the London Clinics aftercare, with dedicated physiotherapists on hand with a personalised plan and a video check-up at home with a nurse specialist on offer.

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NHS advice about recovering from abdominal surgery says that, after a major operation with a large incision, it takes two to three months to be able to move around comfortably.

But this will be quicker if the procedure was keyhole surgery.

Patients who have major abdominal surgery are urged to avoid lifting anything heavier than the weight of a full kettle  around 4.4lb-6.6lb (2kg-3kg).

The then-duke and duchess of Cambridge with Prince George and the then-Queen and nanny Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo in 2015 (PA)

It can also take two years for the strength of the abdominal wall to return to its previous condition.

Sitting and standing exercises are recommended to build strength, with an aim of walking gradually each day, increasing distance to reach 30 minutes daily within two to three months.

The family live in Adelaide Cottage in Windsors Home Park and are being supported by their staff, including loyal, long-standing nanny Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo.

Kates parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, and siblings, Pippa Matthews and James Middleton, are also expected to be hands-on in helping the Waleses navigate the next few months as the princess recovers.
Laurence Fox has said he hopes to appeal after losing a High Court libel battle in the UK with two people he referred to as paedophiles on social media.

The actor-turned-politician was sued by former Stonewall trustee Simon Blake and drag artist Crystal over a row on Twitter, now known as X, in October 2020.

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Mr Fox called Mr Blake and the former RuPauls Drag Race contestant, whose real name is Colin Seymour, paedophiles in an exchange about a decision by Sainsburys to mark Black History Month.

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The Reclaim Party founder  who said at the time that he would boycott the supermarket  counter-sued the pair and broadcaster Nicola Thorp over tweets accusing him of racism.

In a judgment on Monday, Mrs Justice Collins Rice ruled in favour of Mr Blake and Mr Seymour, dismissing Mr Foxs counter-claims.

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She said: Mr Foxs labelling of Mr Blake and Mr Seymour as paedophiles was, on the evidence, probabilities and facts of this case, seriously harmful, defamatory and baseless.

The law affords few defences to defamation of this sort.

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Mr Fox did not attempt to show these allegations were true, and he was not able to bring himself on the facts within the terms of any other defence recognised in law.

However, Mrs Justice Collins Rice did not make a ruling on whether describing Mr Fox as a racist is substantially true, after finding the three tweets in his counter-claim were unlikely to cause serious harm to his reputation.

She said: Mr Foxs principal project is to put his views and challenges about racism to the UK electorate in the political arena.

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Laurence Fox made a statement outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London after the ruling (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

That, rather than a court of law, is in any event likely to be the determinative last word in relation to his reputation on such matters, given the path down which he has set.

His world view and his politics are not on trial in these proceedings, only the factual impact of what he said, and what was said about him, on this particular occasion.

Speaking outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, Mr Fox described the ruling as a nothing burger and said that here we are sat, two million bloody quid in.

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Mr Fox added he plans to appeal against the ruling to get a meaning of the word racist.

He said: What is a racist? Every single person in this country knows what a racist is, except the people that dominate every single national institution that we have.

Mr Fox continued: Racism as a term is used just as a point of disagreement, and a point of I dont like you, therefore youre a racist.

This is a great, wonderful country, and I admire and I respect this country, and I fight for it and I fight for my children and I fight for everybody else out there who doesnt have my platform who gets called these vicious slurs, and I just want a definition of the word.

Simon Blake (left), Nicola Thorp and Colin Seymour (right) arriving at the Royal Courts of Justice (PA)

During a trial in London in November, Mr Fox said he faced a significant decline in the number and quality of roles he was offered after he was accused of being a racist.

But in the 41-page ruling, Mrs Justice Collins Rice said it would be extremely long odds for the trios tweets to have caused the current state of his acting career, or other serious harm.

She continued: It is not only what he says, but how he says it, that regularly ignites controversy around Mr Fox, deliberately or otherwise.

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There are indeed choices to be made about the exercise of free speech, and there are consequences, the judge added.

Mondays ruling was welcomed by Ms Thorp and Mr Seymour.

In a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter, the drag artist said: Ironically for Mr Fox, this victory is a victory for free speech.

The freedom to express an opinion and not be sued for doing so. Free speech does not cover factual allegations of criminality such as paedophilia.

Mr Seymour added: This judgment unequivocally states that his tweet was defamatory and that it caused me harm. I am very happy to have this finalised and I hope it will make some difference in the ongoing demonisation of queer people as groomers or dangerous.

This is a lesson: we will not take it.
The Big Y supermarket at 150 Boston Post Road in Milford, Conn. on Wednesday, January 12, 2021. Brian A. Pounds / Hearst Connecticut Media An Amazon Fresh was proposed at The Post Plaza Shopping Center at 1076 Post Road East in Westport, Conn. Big Y announced on Tuesday that it plans to open a supermarket at that location. Brian A. Pounds/Hearst Connecticut Media The Amazon Fresh storefront on Candlewood Lake Road in Brookfield, Conn., in March 2023. The Amazon Fresh signs were removed in 2023, and Big Y announced on Tuesday, Jan. 23 that it plans to open a supermarket at that address. Alexander Soule/Hearst Connectic Big Y on Route 17 in Middletown Connecticut December 16, 2023. Hearst Connecticut Media Big Y under construction on Route 17 in Middletown in December 2023. Hearst Connecticut Media

Big Y Foods Inc. announced plans on Tuesday to open new supermarkets in Brookfield and Westport, taking over locations where Amazon Fresh stores had been expected to open.

Big Y said the stores will be at 14 Candlewood Lake Road in Brookfield and 1076 East Post Road in Westport  the same plazas where Amazon Fresh supermarkets have been planned but long delayed.

Like any retailer, we periodically assess our portfolio of stores and make optimization decisions that can lead to closing existing locations or choosing not to pursue building a planned location," Jessica Martin, a spokesperson for Amazon, said in a statement on Wednesday. "Well continue to open new Whole Foods Market stores, and will do so selectively with Amazon Fresh as we see results we like. Were encouraged by early signs of our new store design in Chicago and Southern California, and will proceed adaptively.

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Brookfield officials have said that Amazon had reaffirmed multiple times that it was still interested in opening a store in town, despite removing the stores signs from the Brookfield and Westport locations last year.

That changed Tuesday morning.

Amazon Fresh has told us that they have decided to 'pivot and they will no longer be opening a store in Brookfield at this location and they have reached an agreement with Big Y to take over the space, Brookfield First Selectman Steve Dunn said in an email. Big Y will be opening a store and have told us it should be up and running in the June/July time frame.

Westport First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker said she is not aware of any timeline for Big Y opening a supermarket in Westport, but that the new supermarket will "add to choice for our residents and to the greater Fairfield County." Regarding Amazon's decision not to open, Tooker said she believes it was a business decision on Amazon's part.

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"Amazon has been a great partner here, to us, in Westport," she said, "so I anticipate Big Y will, as well, be the same, so we're very happy to welcome them to town."

The Amazon Fresh stores were meant to offer a new grocery shopping experience where customers could use a "virtual cart," pay by scanning a code or their palm, and "just walk out" of the store, the company says.

Over the past year, the company has closed some Fresh stores, cut Fresh jobs and announced a pause on expansion of these supermarkets. However, CNBC reported in November that company's reopening of three Fresh stores in Los Angeles were part of Amazon's commitment to revamp the grocery shopping experience.

But Big Y Foods said it reached an agreement to acquire the leasehold interests for the Brookfield and Westport locations, as well as a store in Westborough, Mass. Amazon was reportedly planning to open a store at 290 Turnpike Road in Westborough, according to local media reports.

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All of us at Big Y are excited about an opportunity to enter into these communities with our unique fresh and local foods along with our exceptional and knowledgeable employees, Big Y President and CEO Michael DAmour said in a statement. These locations fit nicely within our current store footprint.

Big Y teams, meanwhile, scrutinized each location to assess how soon they can convert the spaces into Big Y supermarkets, the company said. Remodeling work could start as early as within four to six months depending on equipment lead times, according to Big Y.

The three new locations tie in with Big Ys growth strategy, which includes a new supermarket under construction in Middletown and a new supermarket planned for Uxbridge, Mass., the company said. The new locations will bring Big Ys total number of supermarkets to 77 stores.

There are also nearby Big Y stores in Bethel, Newtown and New Milford as well as Monroe, Stratford, Derby, Milford and Naugatuck.

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Rishi Sunak has set out plans to get rid of disposable vapes to protect childrens health as he faces a backlash from the Tory right over his proposed tobacco sale ban.

During a school visit on Monday, the British prime minister said he was taking strong action to stamp out youth vaping, following a public consultation on the issue in which almost 70 per cent of respondents were in favour of a ban.

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It is already illegal to sell vapes to anyone under 18, but evidence shows disposable vapes  which are cheaper and sold in smaller, more colourful packaging than refillable ones  are driving the rise in youth vaping.

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In 2021, only 7.7 per cent of current vapers aged 11 to 17 used disposable vapes, but this increased to 52 per cent in 2022 and 69 per cent in 2023.

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Headteachers and parents have expressed concerns over the rise in youth vaping, with data showing 7.6 per cent of 11 to 17-year-olds now vape regularly or occasionally, up from 4.1 per cent in 2020.

Last year, the British government also announced a ban on the sale of cigarettes to anyone born on or after January 1st, 2009.

This has angered former prime minister Liz Truss, who said on Sunday the move was profoundly unconservative.

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She said: 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.

A Conservative government should not be seeking to extend the nanny state.

The plan forms part of the UK governments response to its consultation on smoking and vaping. Photo: Nicholas Ansell/PA.

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This will only give succour to those who wish to ban further choices of which they dont approve.

The newly-elected National government in New Zealand is already reversing the generational tobacco ban proposed by the previous administration.

The British government urgently needs to follow suit and reverse this profoundly unconservative policy.

Former trade minister Sir Edward Leigh also last year said he would vote against the ridiculous measure.

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Mr Sunak has promised MPs a free vote on the plan, calling it a matter of conscience for parliamentarians.

With Labour backing for the smoking ban, the measure would likely pass through the Commons with relative ease.

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Former prime minister Liz Truss dubbed the move to ban the sale of tobacco products to anyone born on or after January 1st, 2009 profoundly unconservative Photo: Yui Mok/PA.

Mr Sunak told broadcasters on Monday some people will disagree with me, adding: I dont think theres anything unconservative about caring about our childrens health.

But on smoking, theres been a long tradition in Parliament of these being free votes, which arent party political, people will have their own held views on that, thats the same as its been in the past.

So I respect that some people will disagree with me on this but I think this is the right long-term thing for our country. Smoking causes one in four cancer deaths. Its responsible for a hospital admission every minute.

And if we dont do something about it, hundreds of thousands of people will die in the coming years and I think that we do have a chance to do something about it.

The ban on disposable vapes will use powers already in place under the Environmental Protection Act and is expected to come into force early next year.

Under the new plans, powers will also be introduced to restrict flavours which are specifically marketed at children and ensure that manufacturers produce plainer packaging and change how vapes are displayed in shops, moving them out of childrens sight.

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New 100 fines will also be brought in for shops in England and Wales which sell vapes illegally to children.

Trading standards officers will be given powers to act on the spot to tackle underage tobacco and vape sales. This builds on a maximum 2,500 fine that local authorities can already impose.

Vaping alternatives  such as nicotine pouches  will also be banned for children.

Some 30 million new funding a year will be provided to bolster enforcement agencies  including Border Force, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and Trading Standards  to implement these measures.

Lynne Neagle, the Welsh governments deputy minister for mental health and wellbeing, said: We want to take all actions possible to stop young people from starting smoking in the first place, to prevent youth vaping and to tackle the effects single-use vapes are having on our environment.

Jenni Minto, Scotlands public health minister, said: I have worked closely with circular economy minister Lorna Slater on disposable vapes.

Mr Sunak has promised MPs a free vote on the plan, calling it a matter of conscience for parliamentarians Photo: Nicholas Ansell/PA.

These are a threat to both public health and the environment  from litter on our streets, to the risk of fires in waste facilities  thats why we will act on our Programme for Government commitment and move to ban them.

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UK health secretary Victoria Atkins told BBC Radio 4s Today programme on Monday the market around vaping has developed very, very quickly.

She added: What I think has shocked a lot of parents is how cynically the companies have marketed their products towards children and young people through, for example, creating flavours such as bubble gum and candy floss, but also through the very bright colours of the packaging.

And what we want to do is to stop the sale of disposable vapes because we know theyre that much cheaper than reusable vapes, and they are marketed in the way that they are.

Asked what her message to Ms Truss is, she said: Well, this, this is a big change. We absolutely acknowledge this.

I think its rather like the debate that we had a decade ago about whether adults should be able to smoke in cars with their children.

There was a lot of debate about that. But are we honestly saying now 10-12 years later that we would go back? Of course not.

So to the debate even further back in time to smoking in public places, we wouldnt go back to the days of smoke-filled pubs.

And so this is one of those long-term decisions for the future that the Prime Minister wants to make and the Government is very, very ambitious about.
Laurence Fox is set to discover the outcome of his UK High Court libel battle with two people he referred to as paedophiles on social media in a ruling on Monday.

The actor-turned-politician was sued by former Stonewall trustee Simon Blake and drag artist Crystal over a row on Twitter, now known as X, in October 2020.

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Mr Fox called Mr Blake and the former RuPauls Drag Race contestant, whose real name is Colin Seymour, paedophiles in an exchange about a decision by Sainsburys to celebrate Black History Month.

The Lewis star  who founded the Reclaim Party  counter-sued the pair and actress Nicola Thorp over tweets accusing him of racism.

Mr Fox said at the time he would boycott Sainsburys, accusing it of promoting racial segregation and discrimination.

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Mrs Justice Collins Rice is due to issue her written ruling over the case on Monday.

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Nicola Thorp claimed that Laurence Fox had outed himself as a racist (Lauren Hurley/PA)

During a trial in London in November, Mr Fox was described was an alleged intelligent racist with an agenda.

Lorna Skinner KC, representing Mr Blake, Mr Seymour and Ms Thorp, said the trio honestly believed, and continue honestly to believe, that Mr Fox is a racist.

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She said the actor has made a number of highly controversial statements about race, adding: If and to the extent that Mr Fox has been harmed in his reputation, it is his own conduct and not the claimants comments on it that caused that harm.

The barrister highlighted several of Mr Foxs social media posts, including a June 2022 tweet of four pride flags arranged in the shape of a swastika.

In his written evidence for the case, Mr Seymour, a Canadian artist, said he had faced overwhelming and distressing abuse after Mr Foxs tweet, adding that he felt less safe as a drag performer.

Mr Blake, now chief executive of Mental Health First Aid England, said the incorrect suggestion that gay men were paedophiles was a trope as old as the hills.

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Broadcaster Nicola Thorp claimed that Mr Fox had outed himself as a racist with a tweet calling for a boycott of the supermarket.

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She said that any reputational harm Mr Fox suffered was because of what he did, not because of what I said.

Patrick Green KC, representing Mr Fox, told the court neither Mr Blake nor Mr Seymour has suffered any actual, real-world consequences due to the actors tweets.

The barrister said the posts did not cause people to think worse of Mr Blake and Mr Seymour, and that people did not believe they were paedophiles.

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Instead, Mr Green said readers would have understood that Mr Foxs posts were a retort to an allegation of racism rather than a factual allegation.

Mr Fox told the court he was horrified when he saw he had been called a racist, which he later described as a career-ending word and a reputation-destroying allegation.

He said his life was destroyed by hurtful racism allegations and he was left unable to get a mortgage.

The actor said he faced a significant decline in the number and quality of roles he was offered after he was accused of being a racist in the social media row.

Mrs Justice Collins is expected to issue her ruling at 3pm.
By September 2020, Australian investment in Myanmar was world-leading  39 per cent of international permits, or 11, had gone to Australia, surpassing China (36 per cent), Thailand (11 per cent), Japan (7 per cent) Vietnam (4 per cent) and the United Kingdom (3 per cent). Loading One of those companies to eventually be granted a licence was PanAust, an Australian-incorporated copper and gold mining producer headquartered in Brisbane. In its 2021 Business Review and Sustainability Report, PanAust stated while it had stopped all mineral exploration activities in Myanmar since the coup, it would continue to make financial payments in line with its statutory obligations, including maintaining tenement licences, tax obligations and administrative fees. According to the companys corporate income tax filings, Wuntho Resources Company Limited, which PanAust holds a 90 per cent interest in, paid the junta dead rent payments  annual permit costs  of $US287,000 ($436,369) in the year to September 2021, and $US150,000 in the six months to March 2022.

These payments went to the military junta  and any revenue received by them can be used in its brutal campaign against the people of Myanmar, Justice for Myanmar said in its report. Also, payments of this kind can also send legitimacy to the illegal Myanmar military junta. PanAust said: PanAust has decided to exit Myanmar and is in the process of withdrawing. We expect that this may take several months. In the meantime, our focus is on continuing to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our people on the ground in Myanmar. ALS Testing Services Company, the Myanmar-registered subsidiary of Australian Laboratory Services, has provided sample testing services to Myanmar-based mining company Access Asia Mining and two junta-controlled universities after the coup attempt, according to financial statements leaked to Justice for Myanmar. Anti-coup protesters call for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi. Credit: AP Myanmars government in exile has designated the universities as restricted entities in an attempt to dissuade companies from doing business with them.

In a statement, ALS said none of its clients were subject to sanctions and it took its obligations to comply with the laws seriously. As part of our process of continuing to meet these obligations, we have a due diligence process to screen and monitor clients in countries to which sanctions are applied, including Myanmar. Other companies operating in Myanmar include the Australian branch of the global consulting firm Knight Piesold. It has undertaken work on copper mines for the China-owned Wanbao Mining, a company that operates in partnership with Myanmar Economic Holdings, a conglomerate Australia sanctioned last year. Knight Piesold managing director David Morgan told the activist group its work with the mining companies had been limited to preparing an environmental and social impact assessment. At no time has it been involved, directly or indirectly, in what might be described as the physical act of mining, the extraction of minerals from the earth, he said. The company did not respond to inquiries from this masthead. Cornerstone Resources, which was Australian registered and one of the first foreign companies to receive a permit, meanwhile, has continued to mine and refine zinc in Shan state. It has traded with the Myanmar Economic Corporation, a military conglomerate, since the coup, according to leaked documents obtained by Justice for Myanmar. Meanwhile, Access Asia Mining, which is registered in Singapore but has Australian shareholders, has been communicating with senior members of the junta to continue and expand its exploration operations under its wholly-owned Myanmar-incorporation subsidiary Access Resources Asia. The activist group cited a pro-junta media website reporting on the juntas Shan State Minister of Natural Resources inspecting Access Resource Asias test drilling operations in May 2022, and published leaked documents showing Access Asia Mining procuring services in Myanmar in April 2022.

In its report, Justice for Myanmar said the encounter between the company and the junta-appointed minister legitimised the armed forces, undermined sanctions and, if production starts, created the risk that revenue could be funnelled to the junta. The Albanese government sanctioned the Myanmar Economic Corporation and Myanmar Economic Holdings last year, as well as 16 military regime members, but so far, has resisted pressures to sanction Mining Enterprise No.1 and Mining Enterprise No.2, state-owned enterprises under junta control. The three-fingered salute, used by anti-coup protesters, is a symbol of resistance and solidarity for democracy movements across south-east Asia. Credit: Getty By highlighting the extent of Australian business in Myanmar, democracy activists are pleading with Australia to follow the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and European Union by imposing further sanctions. I was alarmed by the scale and the size of Australian activities in mining, said Htwe Htwe Thein, an associate professor at Curtin University with 20 years of experience in business and economic development in Myanmar.

If Australia had imposed sanctions on mining enterprises, this would not have happened. Sanctions send out a message that we dont agree with what the junta is doing. Loading These businesses arent doing anything illegal because Australia hasnt sanctioned these entities, but companies have their own codes of conduct, their own commitments to human rights, labour and environmental laws, and they should be aware that they are working in a country under the violent military, which is under condemnation from the international community. Thein said mining companies couldnt do business without directly or indirectly bankrolling funds to the military junta, which is heavily relying on the sector to pump up its coffers as international sanctions make it difficult for the armed forces to transact in foreign currencies. Oil giant Woodside last year followed TotalEnergies and Chevron in deciding to formally withdraw from Myanmar following the coup, and exit its remaining petroleum exploration permits and contracts held with the Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise.

Since the coup, the junta has launched more than 4200 aerial, shelling and artillery attacks, killed 45,000 people and arbitrarily detained 20,000 people. Myanmar scores 23/100 on Transparency International Australias corruption perceptions index, making it a very risky place for Australian-linked mining companies to do business, according to chief executive Clancy Moore. Myanmar Campaign Network campaign manager Tasneem Roc is hoping smaller companies will follow suit. Its not possible to have responsible business conduct in Myanmar given the egregious human rights violations, Roc said. Australia hasnt issued sanctions [that go far enough], and thats why these companies have been free to bolster the regime and continue to operate there because weve been so slow to issue sanctions. A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesman, responding on behalf of Foreign Minister Penny Wongs office, said all Australian businesses operating internationally have a responsibility to respect human rights in their operations and supply chains.
X, formerly known as Twitter, has blocked all searches for Taylor Swift after sexually explicit AI-generated images of the pop star inundated social media last week.

When searching for the singers name on the site, an error message reads: Something went wrong. Try reloading. However, it only applies when searching for the singers first and last name consecutively.

X has blocked all search results for Taylor Swift after graphic images of the singer went viral last week. Credit: AP

The decision to block such content is a temporary action, said Xs head of business operations, Joe Benarroch, and is being handled with an abundance of caution to prioritise safety.

Last week, sexually explicit and abusive fake images of Swift began circulating online, triggering fans to flood the social media platform with more positive images of the singer alongside the #ProtectTaylorSwift hashtag.
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Review Eating outBrunswick East The delicious little birdies Anthony Bourdain loved are better than ever at this new-look Melbourne icon Its hard to go past Rumis greatest hits. But changes at its new home ensure its relevant to a new generation of diners. Besha Rodell 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

As featured in the Melbourne hit list February 2024 See all stories .

1 / 10 Light-filled Rumi 2.0 has a hint of industrial chic, but some of its Melbourne-ness has been lost. Chris Hopkins 2 / 10 Delicious little birdies: the quail kabobs that Anthony Bourdain ate. Chris Hopkins 3 / 10 Creamy, nutty almond taratour, best enjoyed with dukkah. Chris Hopkins 4 / 10 Almond taratour, this time with zhoug, a punchy coriander sauce. Chris Hopkins 5 / 10 Fish of the day (barramundi on this occasion) with tahini, walnuts, pine nuts and almonds. Chris Hopkins 6 / 10 Lamb shoulder with sirkanjabin, a mint vinegar syrup. Simon Schluter 7 / 10 Barbecued chicken with rose harissa and warrigal greens, one of Rumis new dishes. Simon Schluter 8 / 10 Freekeh salad. Chris Hopkins 9 / 10 Apricots, labne and honey, one of the simplest and greatest desserts ever. Chris Hopkins 10 / 10 Rumi co-owner and chef Joseph Abboud at the new digs. Simon Schluter Previous Slide Next Slide 14 / 20 How we score Middle Eastern$$$ The quail kabobs at Rumi really ought to count as one of Melbournes most iconic dishes at this point. They were one of the things I was most excited about eating when I moved back to Australia, mostly thanks to the scene in Anthony Bourdains No Reservations Melbourne episode, in which he gobbles up one order of them and then orders another, exclaiming delicious little birdies like a maniacal quail fiend. That scene spoke to my memories of growing up in Melbournes inner north, and the fantastic Middle Eastern meals my family had in Brunswick restaurants. It looked to me as though Rumi was taking that history and updating it ever so slightly, to fit in with the aesthetics of a more modern city. It made me excited to come home. Rumis quail kabobs are better than ever. Chris Hopkins

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After 17 years on Lygon Street (in two different locations), Rumi has entered its next phase in a new home in the East Brunswick Village development just off Nicholson Street. Owners Joseph and Nat Abboud have also opened a small wine bar next door called Rocket Society. Rumi restaurant launches Rocket Society with $8 Lebanese wraps by day, bar snacks by night The new Rumi space is bigger, brighter, and far more modern. Its pretty  light-filled thanks to its large corner windowed location, and with a bit of an industrial chic vibe  but something of the Melbourne-ness has been lost. Its a restaurant in a mixed-use shopping development, and it looks the part, which means it could exist just about anywhere in the world. But those quail kabobs ($22), marinated in saffron then lacquered with verjus and grape molasses before being cooked to juicy, meaty pink excellence, are as good  if not better  than ever. Delicious little birdies, indeed. This is comfort cooking, but its also precise, assured, and deeply delicious.

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This is one of those restaurants where you come for your favourites, knowing theyll be done right. I have a hard time wavering from the greatest hits: the quail; cheese cigars ($16); creamy, nutty almond taratour ($14), best enjoyed with a sprinkling of dukkah ($2); the marinated lamb shoulder ($40) with sirkanjabin, a mint vinegar syrup. The glorious, tender hunk of meat could easily feed a whole table with a salad or two on the side, making it one of the better deals in town. But theres reason to branch out, too. Half a barbecued chicken ($40) is accompanied by rose harissa and mloukieh, a Middle Eastern staple that is here made with warrigal greens rather than the traditional mallow, lending it an Australian flare. The fish of the day ($36)  barramundi the evening I visited  comes with a crisp skin and a cornucopia of nuttiness in the form of tahini, walnuts, pine nuts and almonds, along with Turkish chilli. This is comfort cooking, but its also precise, assured, and deeply delicious. Barramundi, the fish of the day, is plated with a cornucopia of nuttiness. Chris Hopkins Dessert presents the same conundrum  how do I bypass the apricots with labne and honey ($12), one of the simplest and greatest desserts ever? I took a chance instead on the baklava ice-cream sandwich ($16), made with creamy macadamia ice-cream scooped between two layers of crunchy filo pastry. It was fun, but Ill probably go back to the apricots next time round.

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One of the most exciting developments of the new location is the wine list, which has quintupled in length and now has around 100 bottles, including a robust selection of Middle Eastern wines alongside a fun list of more local drops. I especially loved a Lebanese sparkling pet nat from Mercel ($85), cleverly named Leb Nat. Brilliant ruby in colour, juicy and extremely food-friendly, its an absolute summer banger of a wine. The new Rumi space is bigger, brighter, and far more modern. Chris Hopkins Rumi has a history of hiring younger folk from the neighbourhood as staff  Abboud once touted his 9 under 18 staff members on Instagram  which makes for a service experience that I appreciate, greatly. The place runs like a machine, to be honest, though some of the servers are green when it comes to wine knowledge and tableside manner. On the other hand, some have been here for years, and it shows. Theres so much about the neighbourhood that Rumi embodies  its history as a bastion of Lebanese culture, its sense of family and community, and now, the proliferation of mixed-use developments that are gobbling up Brunswick. Mostly, it is still a place that represents our citys delicious Middle Eastern heritage, as well as its bright and diverse future.

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The low-down Vibe Airy, colourful, casual Go-to dish: Quail kabob ($22) Drinks Short cocktail list with Middle Eastern twists on classics; fun Australian and Middle Eastern wines Cost About $120 for two, excluding drinks All aboard the Bourdain taste-tour of Melbourne
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Review Eating outMalvern East This family-friendly Greek restaurant is a great place to come with a group The food at familial five-year-old tavern Theio Theo is simple but excellent, and the $70 set menu is a feast. Dani Valent 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

As featured in the Melbourne hit list February 2024 See all stories .

1 / 5 Charcoal grilled lamb skewers with a wedge of lemon, of course. Joe Armao 2 / 5 Char-grilled roasted eggplant, capsicum and zucchini. Joe Armao 3 / 5 Loukaniko (pork and orange sausages). Joe Armao 4 / 5 Horta (braised wild greens). Joe Armao 5 / 5 Galaktoboureko. Joe Armao Previous Slide Next Slide Greek$$$ Oh, the lemon guy is here. Thats Takis, walking in halfway through dinner service with a box of gleaming yellow citrus over one shoulder. The fruit ferryman is greeted by Theio Theo  Uncle Theo, your genial host  who ushers him into the kitchen. The lemons come from backyards around Melbourne. Takis gets word when the trees are laden and the householders have surplus. You dont have to sit for long at Theio Theo to realise why a steady supply of lemons is necessary. Theres spritzy citrus wafting by as waiters move through the restaurant and every plate on every table seems to have a wedge of lemon tucked in among the food. Along with lemon, theres salt, pepper, olive oil, sometimes a little oregano: these are the mainstay caresses for the simple but excellent food at this five-year-old Greek tavern.

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This is a great place to come with a group: the set menu is a feast, theres music and dancing on Friday nights, and kids are welcomed. Simple rarely means easy: a minimal list of ingredients doesnt account for the careful sourcing, well-judged charcoal cooking and extra pinch of love that goes into the dishes. Black-eyed beans with spring onion, dill and vinegar are a hearty but jaunty pulse dish to mop up with a crusty roll. Horta  braised wild greens, maybe chicory, whatevers good  are simply boiled and dressed. Roasted eggplant, capsicum and zucchini are char-grilled to the perfect texture: tender but with a little bite. Loukaniko is a pork and orange sausage, lightly smoked, grilled and served with, you guessed it, olive oil and lemon.

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The seafood is excellent: apparently a two-year-old started bawling recently because grandpa ate the last piece of octopus. Theo Poulakidas delivers dishes at his restaurant Theio Theo. Joe Armao Theo Poulakidas has a long history in food. Firstly in his native Pylos, in the Messinia region of southern Greece, and since 1998 in Melbourne. The olive oil used in his restaurant is from his home patch. Theres Greek wine, too (and ouzo and tsipouro, the Greek version of grappa), but Theos wife Stella also stocks many Australian wines because she thinks they match beautifully with the cuisine. Theio Theo is spacious and comfortable, with dark blue walls that soothe rather than dazzle like the piercing blue and white of many Greek eateries. Bentwood bistro chairs and paper over linen-clothed tables offer an approachable sense of occasion. This is a great place to come with a group: the set menu is a feast, theres music and dancing on Friday nights, and kids are welcomed.

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Galaktoboureko. Joe Armao Long-time chef Manos Krassadakis handles most of the cooking but Uncle Theo takes care of a few passion projects. Its his deft digits that roll the baklava fingers and he is the Greek god of galaktoboureko, the custard and filo dessert that wobbles delectably as its carried from kitchen to table. Rare leftovers are given away to staff or customers. Like everything here, its simple  just sugar, milk, eggs, corn flour, filo  but infused with care and pride. The low-down Vibe: Honest flavours, fun times Open: Tue-Sun 5pm-late Go-to dish: Galaktoboureko ($6) Drinks: Greek and Australian wines, plus ouzo and tsipouro, the Greek version of grappa Cost: Dips and mezze: $10-$22.50; Larger: $22-$70; Set menu: $70
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.
Im committed to working with wildlife groups and hunter groups to get the right balance there. But my initial reaction is, to be honest, is sitting in front of a computer wont cut it. Loading Premier Jacinta Allan, who has among the largest proportion of registered duck and quail hunters in her electorate of any Labor MP, was not at the press conference. A government spokeswoman said on Monday the premier was busy with cabinet committee meetings. When asked if the decision to retain duck hunting was a captains call by the premier, Dimopoulos said it was a consensus decision but would not go into further detail owing to cabinet rules. Animal Justice Party MP Georgie Purcell on Monday reiterated her threat to vote against Labor in the upper house more often. She labelled cabinets decision the ultimate betrayal to voters and everyone who took part in the recent parliamentary inquiry.

Im looking forward to when the government comes to me  and needs my vote for something, Purcell told radio station 3AW. The crossbench MP later told reporters: Im going to be pissed off about this for a long time. Labor does not have a majority in the Legislative Council and needs the support of the Greens and at least two other crossbenchers  usually the two representatives from the Legalise Cannabis Party  to pass legislation opposed by the Coalition. Government sources have previously described Purcells vote as their spare. One upper house Labor MP, speaking on the condition of anonymity to speak freely, said: Watch that space. It will be interesting to see what the crossbench do.

Sporting Shooters Association of Australia spokesman Barry Howlett said he was pleased by Mondays announcement. Loading Were reassured that the government has listened to the evidence and has outlined a clear path forward, he said. Shooters, Fishers and Farmers MP Jeff Bourman said cabinets decision was made possible with the help of some unions and Labor MPs. An upper house inquiry, established last year, recommended in August that Victoria put an end to its duck hunting seasons. Western Australia banned duck hunting in 1990, NSW followed suit in 1995 and Queensland banned the practice in 2005.

While last years inquiry was under way, a bloc of trade unions with links to Labor publicly campaigned against a ban. They alleged a ban would form part of an ongoing effort to limit outdoor recreation enjoyed by their members such as boating, camping and fishing. The Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) was one of the organisations opposed to the ban, with leader John Setka telling 3AW radio on Monday that the hobby had been passed down for generations. I just think some of this is  wokey politics, theres a small minority always calling for something, and people pandering to them. Its good to see the government has listened to the voters.

He said the unions would have taken industrial action on government projects if the ban had gone ahead. Opposition Leader John Pesutto said on Monday that hunting was a sustainable practice. Jacinta Allan should have just sided with us in the first place, Pesutto said. What were seeing is a government that makes it up as it goes along. It commissions a parliamentary inquiry, pretends to listen to it, then completely ignores it. Weve seen this show before. Greens leader Samantha Ratnam accused the state government of siding with the shooting lobby instead of progressive Victorians.
The Australian government is being urged to intervene in negotiations over a China-Papua New Guinea security deal after PNGs Foreign Minister Justin Tkachenko said one of Australias closest neighbours was in early talks with Beijing.

Tkachenko told Reuters on Monday that Port Moresby and Beijing were in early negotiations over a policing deal after deadly riots swamped the capital in January.

We deal with China at this stage only at the economic and trade level. They are one of our biggest trading partners, but they have offered to assist our policing and security on the internal security side, he said.

Port Moresby, PNGs capital, was hit by rioting earlier in January. Credit: AFP

They have offered it to us, but we have not accepted it at this point in time.
This is the sort of moment that could ensnare America in another disastrous war.

The provocation: Irans puppets and proxies have launched some 180 attacks on US forces in the Middle East since October 7, but now one penetrates American defences and succeeds in killing troops on a US base in Jordan on the weekend. Three American soldiers are dead and more than two dozen injured.

Joe Biden said we shall respond, but without any detail. Credit: AP

The reaction: President Joe Biden says we shall respond, without any detail. Donald Trump says the attack is a result of Bidens weakness and surrender. He calls for immediate return to peace through strength, without any detail.

Some key Republicans demand that Biden strike not only the terrorists of Axis of Resistance who carried out the attack but also their sponsor, Iran, the most militarily powerful nation in the Middle East, according to Global Firepowers ranking.
Stamford resident Jim Sabia votes at the District 10 polling center at Cloonan Middle School in Stamford, Conn. Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023. Tyler Sizemore/Hearst Connecticut Media Joyce A. Murray votes at South Norwalk Neighborhood School in Norwalk, Conn. Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023. Tyler Sizemore/Hearst Connecticut Media A sample ballot is displayed at the District 6 polling center at Old Greenwich School in Old Greenwich, Conn. Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023. Tyler Sizemore/Hearst Connecticut Media

In about two months, registrars of voters across the state will run early in-person voting for the first time.

Cities and towns  no matter their size  will have up to $10,500 in grant funding from the state to help defray the costs of offering early voting for the April 2 presidential preference primary.

There was no differential in big cities versus small towns, so thats what were working with, Stamford Deputy Democratic Registrar Monica DiCostanzo told the city's Board of Finance.

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Stamford isn't alone in questioning the rationale for the uniform funding.

Providing a flat amount to every town isnt the most logical method of allocating the funds, but its certainly the easiest, said Fred DeCaro, the Republican registrar of voters in Greenwich.

So why the flat funding?

Stamford state Rep. Matt Blumenthal, D-147, who co-chairs the General Assemblys Government Administration and Elections Committee, said the $10,500 amount was based on an estimated cost of operating one early-voting location.

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Well be continuing to monitor feedback from municipalities around the state about implementation, Blumenthal said, noting that the legislature will be in session until May this year. If issues do arise, well be prepared to address them.

Weve never done this before, DiCostanzo told the Stamford Board of Finance. Running one is, we believe, sufficient at this point in time, and obviously well take it from there.

Early voting will also be available for the Aug. 13 primary election for other federal and state offices and for the Nov. 5 general election. The Secretary of the States office is advocating for more election funding from the General Assembly, including an adjustment to Connecticuts biennium budget, said Director of Communications Tara Chozet.

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Connecticut voters approved a referendum in 2022 to change the states constitution so lawmakers could institute early in-person voting. The General Assembly then passed legislation allowing early voting to start this April.

Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas announced this month that four Republican candidates  former President Donald Trump, Nikki Haley, Ron DeSantis and Ryan Binkley  qualified for the presidential primary. DeSantis dropped out of the race on Sunday.

President Joe Biden and three other candidates  Dean Phillips, Marianne Williamson and Cenk Uygur  qualified on the Democratic side.

Municipalities can put their $10,500 grants toward costs such as labor, printing, facilities, voter education, equipment and supplies.

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Since it is the first time registrars are overseeing early voting, DeCaro said there will be inefficiencies and excess costs because we dont know what the volume is and no one wants to be caught flat-footed. For example, registrars will likely print more ballots that they will end up needing, he said.

Early voters will be entered into a state computer system while they are voting to ensure that none of them vote again on Election Day, the Greenwich registrar said. It is a new process for registrars, who must go through training before early voting begins.

Norwalks Democratic registrar of voters, Stuart Wells, described early voting as in-person absentee balloting, without the application form.

The bigger issue is that early voting means a lot of extra work for registrars around the state, without any compensation, Wells said in an email. Most registrars are part-time employees of their town or city, and being required to work extra days will result in the loss of income from their other jobs.

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State law calls for 25 days of early voting this year  four days for the presidential preference primary, seven days for the August primary and 14 days for the general election.

Wells said he believes the additional required work days will lead to the loss of a lot of experienced registrars this year and in the future.

Its not like democracy work is high-paying in the first place, Wells said.

As of this past Novembers municipal election, Stamford, Norwalk and Greenwich were in the top 10 in terms of municipalities with the most registered voters.

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Stamford had 70,977 registered voters  more than any other city or town in Connecticut, according to data on the Secretary of the States website. Bridgeport, the only city in the state with a population larger than Stamford, had 69,687 registered voters as of the November election.

Norwalk had 56,009 registered voters as of the most recent election, and Greenwich had 38,905, putting them in fourth and 10th place in the state, respectively.

For each of the last two presidential elections, about 80 percent of Stamfords voters turned out. Greenwichs turnout was slightly over 85 percent in 2016 and 2020, while Norwalk averaged about 76 percent.

DeCaro said it is difficult to predict how many voters may vote in person early.

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He said organisations such as the Red Cross operated at a much smaller scale than UNRWA, which runs most of the schools in Gaza as well as medical centres and teacher training facilities. Loading The United States, Canada, Britain, Finland and Italy have also temporarily halted funding to the agency, which announced it has terminated contracts with several employees and ordered an investigation after Israel provided information alleging they played a role in the October 7 attack. Opposition foreign affairs spokesman Simon Birmingham welcomed the decision but questioned why Wong announced extra UNRWA funding during a trip to the Middle East earlier this month given concerns about the organisation were well known. Not one dollar of Australian taxpayers money should be going to activities that could fund or support terrorism, could promote or exacerbate extremism, he told Sky News on Monday.

We must be very careful and cautious to ensure that Australian taxpayers dollars are supporting genuine humanitarian needs. Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi called for the government to reverse its decision, saying: Suspending life-saving funding to the largest relief provider in Gaza is nothing short of catastrophic. It is a despicable and heartless act from Australia and other countries who have completely failed to condemn Israel for its war crimes for 114 days but jumped immediately to further collectively punish 2 million people in siege. Alex Ryvchin, the co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, said: We welcome the governments announcement and hope the suspension of funding is made permanent in time. Extreme care must be taken to ensure that Australian aid spending never goes to malevolent actors like UNRWA ever again.

UNRWA, a standalone agency devoted to Palestinian refugees, employs thousands of Palestinians and provides 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. Loading 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. UNRWA denies those allegations and says it took swift action against the employees accused of taking part in the attack. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said 2 million Palestinians in Gaza, or 87 per cent of the population, rely on UNRWA services that would be scaled back as soon as February if the money is not restored.

WHAT IS UNRWA AND WHY WAS IT CREATED? The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East was established to provide aid to the estimated 700,000 Palestinians who fled or were driven out of what is now Israel during the 1948 war surrounding the countrys creation. The Palestinians say the refugees and their descendants, who now number nearly 6 million across the Middle East, have the right to return to their homes. Israel has refused because if the right of return were to be fully implemented it would result in a Palestinian majority inside its borders. The fate of the refugees and their descendants was among the thorniest issues in the peace process, which ground to a halt in 2009. UNRWA operates schools, health clinics, infrastructure projects and aid programs in refugee camps that now resemble dense urban neighbourhoods 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 per cent of territorys 2.3 million people have fled their homes, over 1 million are sheltering in UNRWA schools and other facilities. WHAT DO ISRAEL AND OTHER CRITICS SAY ABOUT UNRWA? Israel accuses UNRWA of turning a blind eye as Hamas, which has ruled Gaza since 2007, siphons off aid intended for civilians and fights from in and around UN facilities, several of which have been struck during the war. It has also exposed Hamas tunnels running next to or under UNRWA facilities, and accuses the agency of teaching hatred of Israel in its schools. UNRWA denies those allegations. It says it has no links to Hamas or to any other militant groups, and that it thoroughly investigates any allegations of wrongdoing and holds staff accountable. It says it shares lists of all of its staff with Israel and other host countries. The 12 employees are said to have participated in the surprise October 7 attack in which Hamas fighters from Gaza overran Israels extensive border defences. Other militants joined in the subsequent rampage through nearby communities, which left 1200 people dead, mostly civilians. Around 250 others, including children, were captured and dragged into Gaza.

UN chief Guterres said nine of the accused UNRWA employees were immediately terminated, one was confirmed dead, and the other two still need to be identified. He said all would be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution. Neither the details of the allegations nor the evidence supporting them has been made public. The New York Times on Monday local time published accusations contained in a dossier provided to the United States government that details Israels claims against a dozen employees of the agency. UNRWA has condemned the October 7 attack and called for all the hostages to be freed. Earlier this month, before the latest allegations, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini announced an external review of the agency to determine which accusations are true or untrue and what is politically motivated.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the agency should be shut down. But his government has continued to allow UNRWA to operate in the West Bank and Gaza, where it provides basic services that might otherwise be the responsibility of Israel as the occupying power. No other entity would be able to quickly fill the void if UNRWA ceased operations. WHAT DO THE FUNDING CUTS MEAN FOR GAZA? The United States, which was the first country to suspend funding, is the biggest donor to UNRWA, providing it with $340 million in 2022. Nine countries  including the US and Australia  together provided nearly 60 per cent of UNRWAs budget in 2022. It was not immediately clear when or how the suspension of aid would affect the agencys day-to-day operations. Norway and Ireland said they would continue funding UNRWA, while other donors have not yet made a decision. The war has plunged Gaza into a severe humanitarian crisis. One in four Palestinians in the territory faces starvation, according to UN officials, who say aid operations are hampered by the fighting and Israeli restrictions.

Our humanitarian operation, on which 2 million people depend as a lifeline in Gaza, is collapsing, Lazzarini posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. He expressed shock that countries would suspend aid based on alleged behaviour of a few individuals and as the war continues, needs are deepening & famine looms. The war has killed more than 26,000 Palestinians, most women and children, and wounded more than 64,400 others, according to Gazas Health Ministry. It does not differentiate between civilians and combatants in its toll but says most of those killed were women and children. The death toll includes more than 150 UNRWA employees, the most aid workers the UN has lost in a single conflict. With AP
Theres plenty of options out there  you just need to know where to look, said Clunes. As brokers, we need to position ourselves as the expert guides that will walk them through this often-confusing market.
International sanctions, a drought, typhoons and Covid-19 have contributed to malnutrition for millions. (Photo: Reuters / KCNA)

In a move that has heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula, North Korea conducted multiple cruise missile launches off its eastern coast early Sunday. This marks the regime's second such military maneuver in less than a week, intensifying its confrontational posture towards the United States and its allies. According to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), the missiles were launched around 8 a.m. local time and are currently under analysis by South Korean and U.S. intelligence authorities to ascertain their capabilities and range.

The missile tests follow North Korea's recent announcement of a new strategic cruise missile, dubbed "Pulhwasal-3-31," which Pyongyang suggests could be nuclear-capable. This recent flurry of military activity underscores North Korea's continued defiance against international sanctions and diplomatic efforts aimed at curbing its weapons development program.

In response to these developments, South Korea's military has ramped up surveillance and vigilance, working in close coordination with the United States to monitor further signs of provocations from the North. This latest series of missile tests not only challenges regional security but also underscores the escalating arms race on the peninsula.

North Korea's state media, KCNA, has been vocal in denouncing recent U.S. and South Korean military drills, describing them as "nuclear war exercises" and threatening "merciless" consequences. Pyongyang's rhetoric and actions signal a readiness for heightened military confrontation, dismissing efforts towards peaceful reunification with South Korea and bolstering ties with strategic allies such as Russia and China.

The international community, particularly neighboring South Korea, has condemned these missile launches as a grave threat to regional peace and stability. Seoul's defense ministry has labeled the tests as provocations that undermine efforts to achieve peace on the Korean Peninsula and beyond.

The timing of these missile launches is noteworthy, occurring shortly after a Chinese diplomatic delegation concluded a visit to Pyongyang. Both China and North Korea have pledged to deepen tactical cooperation and safeguard their shared interests, further complicating the geopolitical dynamics in the region.

As tensions continue to escalate, the global community watches closely, with the hope that diplomatic channels can be reopened to de-escalate the situation and pave the way for lasting peace and stability in the region.
The promoter family of Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd is looking to raise the stake in the company by 5 per cent soon and eventually take it up to 26 per cent, Subhash Chandra, chairman emeritus of the company, said in an interview on Monday.

"I've personally encouraged both my immediate and extended family to increase their holdings in Zee," Chandra said in an interview with The Economic Times (ET), hinting that they may not raise funds from outside to fund the buying.

"I've also approached my younger son, Amit Goenka, a successful NRI and he has agreed to invest in Zee instead of other companies," he added.

Chandra also said that as a promoter, he was "seriously considering" filing a criminal case against Sony. "If I were the CEO of the company, I would have sued them already," he said, adding that it was the Japanese company's "criminal design" to start the merger process and then withdraw.

Earlier this month, Culver Max Entertainment, the owner of Sony, called off the $10 billion merger agreement it had signed two years ago with Zee. The company had also sought $90 million as the termination fee from Zee on alleged breaches of the contract.

Sony was reportedly unhappy with the ongoing regulatory probe against Zee Chief Executive Punit Goenka, who was to lead the merged entity. Later, Zee said that it "categorically denies" all the allegations.

Both companies have moved to court against each other.

In the interview, Chandra said that Goenka's stepping down was discussed within the family last year and "Punit and the family collectively decided he should step aside". The decision, he said, was communicated to Sony, but it wasn't acceptable to Sony.

"I believe this was Sony's strategy all along to engage with Zee and eventually withdraw, portraying Zee as vulnerable," he said.

Chandra added that in the case it has filed against Sony, it will be demonstrated that Zee has met most of the conditions and prerequisites.
On Thursday, the rupee rose 1 paisa in a range-bound trade to close at 83.11 against the US dollar | Photo: Bloomberg

The rupee depreciated 4 paise to 83.15 against the US dollar in the morning session on Monday, amid elevated crude oil prices and dollar demand from importers.

Forex traders said the rupee is trading in a narrow range as the support from positive domestic equities was negated by foreign fund outflows.

At the interbank foreign exchange, the rupee opened at 83.14 against the dollar, then fell to 83.15, registering a decline of 4 paise from its previous close.

On Thursday, the rupee rose 1 paisa in a range-bound trade to close at 83.11 against the US dollar.

Forex market was closed on Friday on account of Republic Day.

"The rupee looks to be in a range in today's trading session as the market awaits for the US Federal Reserve interest rate decision in the week," Anil Kumar Bhansali, Head of Treasury and Executive Director at Finrex Treasury Advisors LLP, said.

Meanwhile, brent crude futures, the global oil benchmark, was trading higher 0.47 per cent at $83.94 per barrel.

"Oil prices rose on Red Sea worries as US troops were killed by mercenaries in Jordan while Houthis attacked a fuel tanker in the Red Sea," Bhansali added.

The dollar index, which gauges the greenback's strength against a basket of six currencies, was trading 0.09 per cent higher at 103.52.

In the domestic equity market, the 30-share BSE Sensex was trading 566.99 points or 0.80 per cent higher at 71,267.66 points. The broader NSE Nifty rose 175.15 points or 0.82 per cent to 21,527.75 points.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) were net sellers in the capital markets on Thursday as they offloaded shares worth Rs 2,144.06 crore, according to exchange data.

Meanwhile, India's forex reserves jumped $1.634 billion to $618.937 billion for the week ended January 12, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said on Friday.
An Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) institute has signed a first-of-its-kind agreement in India with a start-up to develop lab-grown fish meat.

The Kochi-based Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has entered into a collaborative research agreement with Neat Meatt Biotech, a start-up working on cultivated meat.

Although fish lovers may find it fishy, lab-grown fish meat is an area of research in several countries including Israel, US, Singapore and Korea, but none have commercialised it yet.

Lab-grown meat or alternative proteins is gradually attracting big investments globally. As of 2020, around $3.1 billion capital was invested in the smart proteins sector, according to reports. Some studies suggest that the niche market is projected to reach $290 billion by 2035. Major agencies also predict that it would make up 4 to 60 per cent of the world meat market by 2040.

In India, work is on to create cell-based meat of high-value marine fishes such as king fish, pomfret and seer fish, senior scientists said.

The CMFRI project aims to propel India in cultured marine fish meat, with a stated goal of meeting increasing demand for seafood while alleviating the excessive strain on wild resources, an official release said on Monday.

Cultivated fish meat or lab grown fish meat is produced by isolating specific cells from the fish and growing them in the laboratory setting using animal component free media. The final product will replicate the original flavour, texture and nutritional qualities of the fish, the statement said.

We also call this ahimsa fish meat as no actual fish is being harmed in the process. But, we are isolating fish cells to be developed in labs by activating the medium to grow, Kajal Chakraborty, head and principal scientist at CMFRIs marine biotechnology, fish nutrition and health division, told Business Standard.

He claimed that the lab-grown fish meat would taste exactly like real fish and also have the same texture and colour, if not the shape. We cant give any time frame as to when a final product will be available as it is an exploratory project, Chakraborty said.

According to the Memorandum of Understanding, CMFRI will carry out research on early cell line development of high-value marine fish species. This will involve isolating and cultivating fish cells for R&D. CMFRI will also handle genetic, biochemical and analytical work linked to the project.

Neat Meatt, which has expertise in cell culture technology, will lead the optimisation of cell growth media, development of scaffolds or micro carriers for cell attachment, and scaling up production through bioreactors. The startup will also provide consumables, manpower, and any additional equipment needed for the project.

This project aims to accelerate development in this field, ensuring India is not left behind in this emerging industry, A Gopalakrishnan, director, CMFRI, said in the statement.

Lab-grown fish offers immense potential for environmental and food security benefits, and this collaboration leverages CMFRIs marine research expertise with Neat Meatts technological know-how in this field, paving the way for a sustainable and secure future for seafood production in India, Gopalakrishnan said.

Sandeep Sharma, co-founder and chief executive officer of Neat Meatt Biotech, expressed confidence that the proof of concept of the project would be established within a couple of months.
Google Doodle is celebrating the 86th Birth anniversary of Indonesian actress Aminah Cendrakasih. She was one of the most popular and prolific Southeast Asian entertainers of her time.

Aminah was best known for her role as Lela in the television series 'Si Doel Anak Sekolahan.' She starred for the first time in 1955's Ibu dan Putri (Mother and Daughter). She has done over 100 movies in her career and received Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Bandung Film Festival and the Indonesian Movie Awards.

Google Doodle Celebrates Indonesian Actress





ALSO READ: Google's doodle on 75th R-Day shows transition from analogue to digital era Google Doodle released a creative illustration today in respect of Indonesian actress Aminah Cendrakasih. The Google Doodle shared a TV frame with floral designs in the backdrop on her 86th birthday. In this doodle, which spans the region of Indonesia over its visibility, the letter 'o' of the word 'Google' is replaced with Aminah's image.

Early life of Aminah Cendrakasih

She was born in Magelang, Central Java, which is located in Dutch East Indies on January 29, 1938. She moved to Jakarta during her childhood and studied at Sekolah Kepandaian Putri which is a school that teaches household skills to young girls.

She started her acting career as a teen, at first on stage and later in films. Aminah soared in popularity after taking the role of Dancer in Serampang 12 (1956).

Aminah wasn't new to the entertainment industry as her father was a comedian, and her mother was an actress. Aminah followed the footsteps of her parents during her teens and then rose to success.

She gained applause for her performance in the movie Serampang 12 which was a popular dance movie, which is centred on a love story that skyrocketed her fame. She has done over 100 roles in over five decades. Her popular movies include Taman Harapan (Garden of Hope) and Si Doel Anak Sekolahan (Doel the Schoolchild).

Awards

Aminah Cendrakasih has received several awards for her performance, which include two Lifetime Achievement Awards from Bandung Film Festival and the Indonesian Movie Awards.
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Monday announced he would hand over his ancestral house in Banyani in Rohtak district to the village for setting up an e-library for children.

Khattar reached his native village in the morning.

Talking to reporters, the chief minister said, "I have come to my village. This village is special to me as I spent my entire childhood and did my schooling from here".

"I thought my ancestral house should be of some use to the village. Today, I have made an announcement. Along with this house, in the neighbourhood, there is also a house of my cousin. The whole property is about 200 square yards which I have handed over to the village so that villagers can open an e-library and use it for other purposes for the benefit of children," Khattar said.

The chief minister also took stock of developmental works being carried out in the village.
SpiceJet on Friday said it has received Rs 744 crore as the first tranche of funds being raised through allotment of securities on a preferential basis

The Delhi High Court on Monday told low-cost carrier SpiceJet to pay $4 million to its engine lessors Team France 01 SA and Sunbird France 02 SAS by February 15.

The airline had sought more time for payment and said they could pay $1 million upfront. SpiceJet is supposed to pay close to $11 million to the lessors.

The lessors told the High Court that the airline had made an offer to settle the dispute but the terms of the offer were not aggregable to them. They said now they wish to pursue litigation against SpiceJet. The next hearing in the case is on February 22, 2024.

The court on December 19, 2023, had told the airline to pay the two lessors $450,000 by January 3 to settle its outstanding dues. Spicejet has paid this amount and the lessors are now pushing for a further payment to clear the amount outstanding.

The lessors had told the court that the airline had not paid them $12.9 million in over two years. They also observed that the airline was using its three engines even after the termination of the lease.

"In case of default, we can give them 10 days within which the engine should be grounded," the lessors told the High Court.

They said that they have received the first tranche of $90 million and the next tranche of $4 billion in cash will be received soon.

Currently, insolvency applications of three aircraft lessors, namely Aircastle (Ireland), Willis Lease Finance Corporation, and Celestial Aviation, are being heard before the National Company Law Tribunal against SpiceJet over non-payment of their dues in 2023.

In the Supreme Court (SC), SpiceJet is in a battle with Credit Suisse over non-payment of dues. In September, the SC permitted SpiceJet to pay the Swiss firm $1 million per month for six months to settle its $3 million arrears.

SpiceJet on Friday said it has received Rs 744 crore as the first tranche of funds being raised through allotment of securities on a preferential basis.

On December 12, the airline had said it would raise fresh capital of Rs 2,250 crore through issuance of securities.

According to a release, on January 25, the company's board of directors approved the allotment of 5.55 crore equity shares on a preferential basis to 54 subscribers.

The airline has allotted shares and warrants totalling Rs 744 crore on a preferential basis in the first tranche.

According to news reports, the airline, In an internal note to the senior staff last Monday, said it now has a substantial bank balance of more than Rs 900 crore, including Rs 160 crore received as an instalment under the government's Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS).



The Company is in constant discussion with Team to settle the matter and has also provided a payment plan for the same which is pending consideration. We are confident of resolving the matter, said SpiceJet spokesperson.
The Connecticut State Capitol Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media

The Connecticut Secretary of the States office, under a previous administration, failed to keep track of office property and did not adequately account for sales of publications purchased by various agencies and the public, according to a new state audit.

The problems included not knowing where over $50,000 worth of items were located, auditors pointed out.

In 11 cases, auditor's said, the office's inventory report indicated the equipment was located at 30 Trinity Street, a building the office has not occupied since June 2020.

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The audit covered two fiscal years ending in June 30, 2022.

The SOTS office, which has since come under new leadership, agreed with the findings and promised to fix the issues.

As a new administration, we have brought fresh eyes to this offices processes," said Tara Chozet, a spokeswoman for SOTS Stephanie Thomas, who took office in January 2023. "We are confident that we are on the path to resolve the issues.

Merchandise controls

Auditors pointed out the SOTS sells various publications to state agencies, local governments and the public, such as the state manual, widely known as the "Blue Book," which contains historical information, voting histories and lists of local and state officials, and copies of various state statutes.

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Auditors said the office did not adequately account for those sales.

We reviewed 15 transactions, totaling $24,918, and noted that none were supported with orders or invoices, auditors said. As a result, we could not determine the specific items customers ordered, or whether the office charged the correct amount and properly removed them from inventory. Furthermore, in four instances, the office could not provide support for sales receipts.

Auditors added records also indicated there were 271 copies of six other publications for sale, with a retail value of $30,997. The actual inventory was 95 items, with a $13,661 retail value, auditors said. It appears that when the office sold an item, it did not perform a corresponding adjustment. Our review also found that the office did not perform an annual physical inventory of merchandise for sale during fiscal year 2022.

SOTS officials agreed with the findings.

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Due to staff turnover and limited staff capacity, we have been limited in our ability to comply with this requirement, SOTS said, adding it is taking steps to hire appropriate staff.

Property controls

Auditors said a review of property control report balances contained discrepancies, including an equipment balance reported as about $13,500 less than other records showed and a lack of support for about $280,000 in stores and supplies balances

Since the office did not comply with the State Property Control Manual, the states accounting records were not accurate, auditors explained.

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The agency agreed with the finding.

Due to staff turnover and limited staff capacity, we have been limited in our ability to comply with this requirement, SOTS said. But the agency said it planned to seek to hire an administrative assistant to help.

The office was also cited for poor inventory controls. According to auditors, the offices inventory report, as of June 2022, noted it had only inventoried 32 percent of equipment since 2016.

In our review of 15 equipment items listed at $71,733 on the report, the office could not locate 12 items listed at $51,939, auditors pointed out. In 11 of these instances, the report indicated the equipment was located at 30 Trinity Street, a building the office has not occupied since June 2020.

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SOTS agreed with the finding and repeated the earlier explanation regarding staff shortages.

Revenue unaccounted for

The auditors pointed out the SOTS collected about $48 million and $50.7 million in business filing receipts during the two fiscal years examined. But the office did not provide reasonable assurance that all of the receipts were properly accounted for, auditors said.

The agency agreed with the finding.

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The Director of Management and Support Services (MSS) will establish a monthly reconciliation process, SOTS wrote in its response.

Auditors also pointed out state agencies are required to submit an annual report of unearned revenue to the Office of the State Comptroller if the amount is greater than $300,000 and state law establishes a one-year limit for refunds of any filing fee overpayments.

Positive customer account balances should be considered earned revenue a year after receipt if the account has had no subsequent filings or the customer has not requested reimbursement, the auditors said.

SOTS reported more than $3.3 million in unearned revenue to the comptroller as of June 30, 2022, but the office could not provide supporting documentation, auditors said.

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The office maintained active account balances that are no longer eligible for refund and incorrectly reported them as unearned revenue, the auditors noted. The office should continue to pursue the termination of accounts no longer eligible for refund. The office should also maintain support for the unearned revenue balances it reported to the comptroller."

The SOTS's office agreed with the finding and proposed a legislative fix.

Since moving to the Business Registration System in 2021, we improved our process to address positive customer account balances, SOTS told auditors. As noted by the auditors, the voucher balances reflect activity that is decades old and we have proposed a legislative fix in order to address ... We urge the legislature to pass this language to finally address this issue.

Past due balances

Auditors also faulted SOTS for underreporting its receivables by nearly $4.3 million and its uncollectible balances by approximately $2 million.

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Inaccuracies in reporting to the state comptroller could result in misstatements in the states financial statements, auditors said. There is a potential loss of revenue to the state when the office does not promptly follow up on past due balances.

The office agreed with the finding and pledged to find a fix.
The Indian envoy to Bhutan, Sudhakar Dalela, called on the newly-elected Prime Minister of Bhutan, Tshering Tobgay and conveyed the greetings of India's leadership for assuming responsibility as the Bhutanese PM.

Ambassador Dalela also affirmed country's commitment to working closely to foster India-Bhutan ties.

Taking to X, Indian Embassy in Bhutan posted about the meeting, saying, "Ambassador @SudhakarDalela paid a courtesy call on Hon'ble Lyonchhen @tsheringtobgay and conveyed greetings of India's leadership on his assumption of responsibility as the Prime Minister. committed to working closely to further strengthen India-Bhutan unique ties of friendship."

Later on, the Indian envoy called on Bhutan's Foreign Minister and conveyed External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar's greeting to the Bhutanese minister for assuming charge of his post.

"Amb @SudhakarDalela paid a courtesy call on Lyonpo D.N Dhungyel and conveyed greetings on EAM's behalf on his assumption of responsibility as Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade. We look forward to working together to further deepen exemplary ties across sectors," Indian embassy in Bhutan posted on X.

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his heartfelt congratulations to People's Democratic Party (PDP) and the party chief, Tshering Tobgay for their triumph in the parliamentary elections in Bhutan.

The Prime Minister said in a post on X, "Heartiest congratulations to my friend @tsheringtobgay and the People's Democratic Party for winning the parliamentary elections in Bhutan. Look forward to working together again to further strengthen our unique ties of friendship and cooperation."

Bhutan's People's Democratic Party (PDP) won the largest number of seats in the parliamentary elections and formed the new government.

PDP won 30 out of the 47 National Assembly seats and the Bhutan Tendrel Party secured 17 seats.

This was Bhutan's fourth general election since transitioning from a traditional monarchy to a parliamentary form of government 15 years back.

Nestled between China and India, the majority-Buddhist nation ushered in democracy with its first free vote in 2008, two years after former king, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, abdicated in favour of his Oxford-educated son Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.
The war has killed more than 26,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials, destroyed vast swaths of Gaza and displaced nearly 85 per cent of the territory's people | (Photo: PTI)

Israel said significant gaps remain after cease-fire talks Sunday with the United States, Qatar and Egypt but called them constructive and said they would continue in the week ahead, a tentative sign of progress on a potential agreement that could see Israel pause military operations against Hamas in exchange for the release of remaining hostages.

The US announced its first military deaths in the region since the war began and blamed Iran-backed militants for the drone strike in Jordan that killed three American service members amid concerns about a wider conflict.

The statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office on the cease-fire talks did not say what the significant gaps were. There was no immediate statement from the other parties.

The war has killed more than 26,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials, destroyed vast swaths of Gaza and displaced nearly 85 per cent of the territory's people.

Israel says its air and ground offensive has killed more than 9,000 militants, without providing evidence. The October 7 Hamas attack in southern Israel killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and militants took about 250 hostages.

With Gaza's 2.3 million people in a deepening humanitarian crisis, the United Nations secretary-general called on the United States and others to resume funding the main agency providing aid to the besieged territory, after Israel accused a dozen employees of taking part in the Hamas attack that ignited the war.

Communications Director Juliette Touma warned that the agency for Palestinian refugees, known as UNRWA, would be forced to stop its support in Gaza by the end of February.

Cease-fire talks to continue



Sunday's intelligence meeting included CIA Director Bill Burns, the head of Israel's Mossad intelligence agency, David Barnea, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, and Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel.

Ahead of the meeting, two senior Biden administration officials said US negotiators were making progress on a potential agreement that would play out over two phases, with the remaining women, elderly and wounded hostages to be released in a first 30-day phase. It also would call for Israel to allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza. The officials requested anonymity to discuss the ongoing negotiations.

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.

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, speaking to troops, 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.

At least 17 Palestinians were killed in two Israeli airstrikes that hit apartment buildings in central Gaza, according to an Associated Press journalist who saw the bodies at a local hospital. One hit a building in Zawaida, killing 13 people, and the other an apartment block in the Nuseirat refugee camp, killing four.

Also Sunday, 10 Palestinians were killed in a strike that hit a residential building in the Shati refugee camp in Gaza City, said Dr. Moataz Harara, a physician at Shifa Hospital, where the dead were taken.

Israel's military said troops were engaging in close combat with Hamas in neighborhoods of the southern city of Khan Younis, Gaza's second-largest.

US deaths highlight regional tensions



The three deaths announced by Biden were the first US fatalities in months of strikes against American forces across the Middle East by Iranian-backed militias amid the war in Gaza. US Central Command said 25 service members were injured.

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. US officials insisted it took place in Jordan, which US 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.

A Gaza lifeline at risk of collapse



UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the abhorrent alleged acts" of staff members accused in the October 7 attack "must have consequences, but added the agency should not be penalised by the withholding of funding, and "the dire needs of the desperate populations they serve must be met".

The United States, the agency's largest donor, cut funding over the weekend, followed by eight other countries including Britain and Germany. Together, they provided nearly 60 per cent of UNRWA's budget in 2022.

Guterres said that of the 12 employees accused, 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.

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. 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 programmes for sheer survival, including food and shelter, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said.

A quarter of Gaza's population is facing starvation as fighting and Israeli restrictions hinder the delivery of aid, which has been well below the daily average of 500 trucks before the war



In the past week, hostages' family members and supporters have blocked aid trucks from entering at the Kerem Shalom crossing. Dozens 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.

With Gaza's future being debated, thousands, including far-right lawmakers in Netanyahu's coalition and senior Cabinet ministers, gathered in Jerusalem to call for renewing Jewish settlement in Gaza. Settlements there were evacuated in 2005, ending a 38-year-occupation, during a unilateral withdrawal of troops that bitterly divided Israel.

Crowds chanted death to terrorists as far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir took the stage and declared it was time to encourage immigration of Palestinians from Gaza.

The international community, including the US, has said it will oppose any attempts to expel Palestinians from Gaza. It also overwhelmingly considers settlements on occupied territory illegal.

Netanyahu has said such views do not reflect official policy and he has no plans to resettle Gaza, but he has released few details of a postwar vision for the territory.
Aria Holding to invest over INR 2,000 crore to establish a state-of-the-art float glass plant in Maharashtra to bolster infrastructure and drive economic growth.

The MoU was signed by Mr. Suraj Thampi, Group Chief Executive Officer of Aria Holding, in the presence of the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Mr. Eknath Shinde, and the Minister of Industries, Mr. Uday Samant, at the World Economic Forum held in Davos, Switzerland.



Aria Holding, a leading global conglomerate based out of Qatar, and the Government of Maharashtra, entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the World Economic Forum 2024 Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, under which Aria Holding will invest over INR 2,000 Crores to establish a state-of-the-art float glass manufacturing facility in Maharashtra. The agreement was signed by Mr. Suraj Thampi, Group Chief Executive Officer of Aria Holding, and Dr. Harshdeep Kamble, Principal Secretary of the Industries Ministry, in the presence of the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Mr. Eknath Shinde, the Minister of Industries, Mr. Uday Samant, and Mr. John Douglas, Commercial Director, Alutec Facades.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240128985934/en/

Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Mr. Eknath Shinde and Group CEO of Aria Holding, Mr. Suraj Thampi, along with the Minister of Industries, Maharashtra, Mr. Uday Samant and Principal Secretary of Industries, Maharashtra, Mr. Harshdeep Kamble. (Photo: AETOSWire)

"The Government of Maharashtra welcomes this investment by Aria Holding, and this MoU marks a significant milestone in our efforts to promote the local economy and attract new investors to the state, stated His Excellency Mr. Eknath Shinde, Chief Minister of Maharashtra. We are confident that this investment by Aria Holding will fortify the state's manufacturing sector and create a spectrum of job opportunities, from skilled labour for manufacturing to professionals, and will bring tangible benefits to our state. We are committed to providing all necessary support for successfully establishing the float glass plant.

The MoU aligns with the Make in India initiative launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, repositioning India as a critical market to do business in, attracting unprecedented growth in foreign investments. Infrastructure development is core to Indias growth strategy, and float glass plays a pivotal role across sectors, including construction, automotive, and industries. A significant amount of float glass requirements is still met through imports, and demand continues to increase. Aria Holdings investment will boost the domestic supply of float glass and is intertwined with India's development strategy, supporting infrastructure expansion, automotive growth, energy efficiency, employment generation, and technological advancements.

"It is rewarding to see our continued expansion and investment into new markets through this MoU, remarked His Excellency Sheikh Ali Bin Hamad Al Thani, Chairman, Aria Holding. India is a compelling destination for investment, and Maharashtra, with its location, workforce, infrastructure, and progressive policies, provides us with a great platform to establish our factories.

The strategic partnership demonstrates the Government of Maharashtras dedication to fostering development in the state and providing a conducive environment for businesses to thrive and contribute to its progress.

"Aria Holding is excited to be a part of Indias growth story through this strategic investment. Our state-of-the-art factories in Maharashtra will manufacture glass for local, national, and international demand. India is going through a massive boom in infrastructure development nationally, and we plan to capture a significant share of that growth. Through our portfolio companies, we also plan to establish a robust export strategy for our products," said Suraj Thampi, Group CEO of Aria Holding.

About Aria Holding:

Aria Holding, a multinational conglomerate headquartered in Qatar, operates across diverse sectors, including engineering, industrial, technology, business services, and trading. With a portfolio of industry-leading companies like Alutec (Facade Engineering) and Vistas Global (Technology & Business Services), Aria fosters growth and innovation within its portfolio while creating enduring value for its stakeholders, employees, and the communities it operates. Our unwavering dedication to excellence drives us to seek new opportunities and continuously evolve, ensuring we remain at the forefront of our chosen sectors. Our roots lie in a passion for entrepreneurship, commitment to excellence, and a relentless pursuit of sustainable growth. Through responsible business practices, we actively contribute to making a meaningful difference for a better tomorrow.

To learn more about Aria Holding and our portfolio, please visit www.ariaholding.com.

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Source: AETOSWire

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240128985934/en/
Tatvic recently formed a global reseller partnership with User Centric, a Google Certified Consent Management System (CMS). This collaboration took place on January 17th 2024. With this partnership, Tatvic aims to seamlessly integrate a state-of-the-art CMS into websites, effectively tackling the essential need for global data compliance and protection regulations.



DMA, CCPA,

Tatvic's new role as a Global Reseller is underscored by its commitment to aligning with international standards in data protection like GDPR FADP and other global regulations. This partnership signifies a shared dedication to fostering a secure digital ecosystem.

Understanding the significance of current data protection regulations, Tatvic emphasizes the importance of compliance with laws such as GDPR. The partnership with User Centrics ensures a robust solution for handling user data with user consent across geography and thus aligning with the evolving landscape of data protection.



Exploring the rising need for a Consent Management System with the changing regulations regarding cookies globally. The solution ensures compliance with location-specific regulations, a feature becoming increasingly crucial in regions like China and India, along with other South Asian countries.



Google Certified Partner



Ruhbir Singh, CEO of Tatvic, states, "This partnership aligns perfectly with our commitment to providing best-in-class data privacy solutions to our clients. User Centric's innovative CMS will empower businesses to navigate the complex landscape of global data regulations with ease and confidence." , "This partnership aligns perfectly with our commitment to providing best-in-class data privacy solutions to our clients. User Centric's innovative CMS will empower businesses to navigate the complex landscape of global data regulations with ease and confidence."



Recognizing Google as a prominent gatekeeper under the EU Digital Marketing Act , Tatvic acknowledges the responsibility of upholding data consent hygiene. User Centrics' CMS emerges as a pivotal tool in ensuring stringent adherence to these vital data protection standards.

Key Benefits to Clients

As an official reseller, Tatvic has commenced product deployment, reaching out to existing clients and gradually expanding its client base in collaboration with Google. The partnership is poised to provide clients with cutting-edge compliance and data protection solutions. Benefits to clients from this partnership would be:



Simplified Compliance - User Centric's CMS helps businesses achieve and maintain compliance with various data privacy regulations, including GDPR, CCPA, and PECR.

- User Centric's CMS helps businesses achieve and maintain compliance with various data privacy regulations, including GDPR, CCPA, and PECR. Official Google Partner - Tatvic is an official Google reseller so we have adopted a standardization process to deploy Google products.

- Tatvic is an official Google reseller so we have adopted a standardization process to deploy Google products. Enhanced Consent Management - The platform provides granular control over how consent is collected, managed, and documented, ensuring transparency and user trust.
Michelle Troconis appears in court on day 11 of her criminal trial at Connecticut Superior Court in Stamford, Conn. Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. Troconis is on trial for charges related to the disappearance and death of New Canaan resident Jennifer Dulos. H John Voorhees III/Hearst Connecticut Media Michelle Troconis leans over a kisses the cheek of a family member as they walk out of court on the 11th day of her trial at Connecticut Superior Court in Stamford, Conn. Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024. Troconis is on trial for charges related to the disappearance and death of New Canaan resident Jennifer Dulos. Friday, January 26, 2024, Stamford, Conn. H John Voorhees III/Hearst Connecticut Media Michelle Troconis walks to court on the 11th day of her trial at Connecticut Superior Court in Stamford, Conn. Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024. Troconis is on trial for charges related to the disappearance and death of New Canaan resident Jennifer Dulos. Friday, january 26, 2024, Stamford, Conn. H John Voorhees III/Hearst Connecticut Media Defense attorney Audrey Felsen, left, speaks with her client, Michelle Troconis, on day 11 of Troconis' criminal trial at Connecticut Superior Court in Stamford, Conn. Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. Troconis is on trial for charges related to the disappearance and death of New Canaan resident Jennifer Dulos. H John Voorhees III/Hearst Connecticut Media

STAMFORD  As a jury on Friday continued to watch footage from Michelle Troconis' 2019 interviews with law enforcement officers on the 11th day of her trial on charges she conspired with Fotis Dulos to kill his estranged wife, her lead defense lawyer tried to turn the tables on police tactics in court  and her family delivered the message to cameras waiting outside.

Family on the offensive

As Troconis remains stoic at the defense table, notwithstanding the occasional tear, her family has repeatedly gone on the offensive in the war of public opinion outside the courthouse to declare her innocence.

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On Friday morning, prosecutors continued showing hours of video during which Troconis proclaimed her innocence while cops dismissed and confronted her with information they said showed she was not telling the truth.

After the court broke for lunch on Friday, one of Troconis' sisters, Claudia, told reporters "this is a very hard day for us as well."

"We're finally seeing how my sister attempted to cooperate, not once, not twice, but three times with the police, saying everything trying to assist them as best as she could," she said, standing between her two parents in front of television microphones.

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"I know that everyone wants answers, but my sister is not the right answer," Claudia Troconis said, wiping tears from her eyes. "She doesn't know anything and she's innocent."

Defense targets police tactics

Of course, police noted that Troconis repeatedly gave them bad or contradictory information, and found what they called "alibi scripts" at the home she shared with Fotis Dulos at the time with a description of their whereabouts that day, omitting information like dumping trash in Hartford cops would later connect with Jennifer Dulos' disappearance.

Retired Connecticut State Police Detective John Kimball holds up a piece of evidence while testifying on day 11 of Troconis' criminal trial at Connecticut Superior Court in Stamford, Conn. Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. Troconis is on trial for charges related to the disappearance and death of New Canaan resident Jennifer Dulos. H John Voorhees III/Hearst Connecticut Media

Schoenhorn, who has noted English is not Troconis' first language, has put blame squarely on Fotis Dulos and said the video speaks for itself as to "whether things were said that allegedly were changed, whether things were being clarified, whether she was being cut off."

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In court, he tried to elicit sympathy for Troconis while targeting the tactics used by police to question her.

During the interview, investigators at times misled Troconis with incorrect information  either purposefully or not.

As the video of the meetings played in court Thursday and Friday, Assistant State's Attorney Sean McGuinness paused occasionally to draw distinctions in the police questioning, in an apparent attempt to head off similar arguments made unsuccessfully by Schoenhorn in pretrial suppression hearings that police bullied Troconis with illegal tactics like threatening to take her daughter away.

For example, at one point, investigators asked Troconis to tell them about the night before Jennifer Dulos went missing, and she said she went to sleep in her daughters bed because the 12-year-old was scared of a storm.

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Police initially dismissed Troconis' assertions. At one point, former Connecticut State Police Detective John Kimball cited two apps on his phone he said showed "minimal" precipitation that night.

On direct examination, McGuinness asked Kimball if his information was accurate, and Kimball said it was not  but that the mistake was not intentional.

Schoenhorn revisited the point on cross-examination, at one point even submitting a map from the National Weather Service and nearby surveillance footage into evidence to show that it did rain heavily in the area the night before the disappearance.

Retired Connecticut State Police Detective John Kimball watches a screen showing a weather map aspart of his cross examination by Defense attorney Jon Schoenhorn on day 11 of Troconis' criminal trial at Connecticut Superior Court in Stamford, Conn. Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. Troconis is on trial for charges related to the disappearance and death of New Canaan resident Jennifer Dulos. H John Voorhees III/Hearst Connecticut Media

"Is it at least conceivable, Officer Kimball, that the sources you were looking at were not actually looking at the Farmington/West Hartford area at that moment?" Schoenhorn asked.

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"Yes, it's conceivable," said Kimball, later saying the mistake was "not an attempt at deception."

So, as far as you know now, she was telling the truth, Schoenhorn said.

Prior to the end of testimony for the day, the defense attorney revisited the police tactics, citing a time when they were misleading Troconis intentionally.

At one point during her first interview with police, for example, Detective Corey Clabby showed her surveillance photo he said depicted Jennifer Dulos' blood on a stained pillow pulled from a trash container in Hartford, where Fotis Dulos and Troconis had been pictured.

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Retired Connecticut State Police Detective John Kimball watches a screen playing Michelle Troconis' first interview video with Connecticut State Police on day 11 of Troconis' criminal trial at Connecticut Superior Court in Stamford, Conn. Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. Troconis is on trial for charges related to the disappearance and death of New Canaan resident Jennifer Dulos. H John Voorhees III/Hearst Connecticut Media

McGuinness then paused the video and asked Kimball whether police ever confirmed the information about the photo told to Troconis. Kimball said they had not, and that the line of questioning was an example of a "ruse," a tactic in which law enforcement officers lie to suspects while questioning them in an effort to elicit information.

On cross-examination, Schoenhorn went back to the issue.

"You can create a ruse, like a fake scenario?" he asked.

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"I dont remember saying that," Kimball said.

"You told Michelle something that wasnt true, but the goal would be to use some kind of a false statement to try to elicit a response." Schoenhorn said. "Youre allowed to do that, right? Nobodys told you you cant do that, right?"

"No," Kimball responded.

Defense attorney Jon Schoenhorn walks into court on the 11th day of her trial at Connecticut Superior Court in Stamford, Conn. Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024. Troconis is on trial for charges related to the disappearance and death of New Canaan resident Jennifer Dulos. Friday, january 26, 2024, Stamford, Conn. H John Voorhees III/Hearst Connecticut Media

Defense prepping for testimony from Fotis Dulos' former employee

After court adjourned, Schoenhorn told reporters he expected Pawel Gumienny, the former employee of Fotis Dulos' company, who Kimball has suggested Fotis tried to frame, will testify next week.

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Early in the investigation, a sudden change of appearance from Fotis Dulos caught the police attention, Kimball said in a 2020 interview about the case. In the days before the disappearance, Fotis Dulos shaved his head, possibly in an attempt to look more like Gumienny, who had closely cropped hair, Kimball said  and whose truck Fotis Dulos borrowed the morning of the disappearance.

The new look surprised Gumienny, who told investigators he even made a comment about it to Fotis Dulos when he first saw him with the shaved head, Kimball said.

Schoenhorn has previously opined that Gumienny, who has been given immunity, could reveal heretofore unknown facts about the case while on the stand.

"You might hear Monday or Tuesday from the employee, Mr. Gumienny," Schoenhorn said, noting that prosecutors are presenting their case and control who gets called to the stand. "Everything's tentative, I hear these things. I'm going to review all my notes and prep for that, and we'll see what happens."

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Monday, January 29, 2024 at 1:31AM

Photo: Samsung

Samsung recently unveiled its highly-anticipated Galaxy S24 series, showcasing a range of cutting-edge AI-powered features. The new devices promise an immersive and advanced user experience, but what about existing Samsung users, especially those wielding the Galaxy S22 series?

During a conversation with TechRadar after the Galaxy Unpacked 2024 event, Patrick Chomet, Samsung's head of Customer Experience, shed light on the future of Galaxy AI compatibility for older devices. While the Galaxy S23, Galaxy Z Fold 5, and Galaxy Z Flip 5 are slated to receive Galaxy AI upgrades within the first half of the year, the fate of the Galaxy S22 line remains uncertain.

Chomet revealed that bringing Galaxy AI to the S24 series was a significant undertaking, expressing exhaustion at the effort involved. He explained, "TM Roh [President of Samsung's mobile division] wanted to announce [at Unpacked] that we can support Galaxy S23 devices with Galaxy AI, which we will [now be doing] within the first half of the year."

The decision to exclude the Galaxy S22 series from immediate AI upgrades was justified by Chomet, who emphasized the company's focus on securing the quality and performance of the deployed features. He explained that Samsung is taking a cautious, step-by-step approach to ensure optimal AI experiences on its devices.

Chomet elaborated, stating, We want to ensure that, over time, our AI experiences can be supported by [mobile] performance, which leads to CPU and GPU capability. So for now, we are learning; we are going step-by-step. We know that Galaxy AI works well on the Galaxy S24 series and we know it will work well on [the Galaxy S23 series]. But we don't know what the intensity of AI usage will be for the average customer, and [therefore how that] intensity will impact on-device resources and cloud resources."

The decision to limit Galaxy AI to last-gen devices, such as the Galaxy S23 FE, Z Fold 5, and Z Flip 5, was made to gauge the performance and user interaction with the advanced features. Chomet acknowledged the chipset uniformity between the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE and Samsung Galaxy S22, both equipped with the Exynos 2200 chipset, but clarified that, for now, Galaxy AI would be exclusive to last-gen devices.

While Chomet carefully used phrases like "for now" and "step-by-step" when discussing future Galaxy AI compatibility, speculations arise about whether the Galaxy S22 and older models will eventually receive the coveted upgrades. With the One UI 6.1 update expected to bring Galaxy AI features to the S23, S23 FE, Z Fold 5, and Z Flip 5, the omission of the Galaxy S22 from immediate plans raises questions about its inclusion in Samsung's flagship experience moving forward.

As Samsung gears up for more product announcements in 2024, the Galaxy S22 users remain in anticipation, hoping that the acclaimed Galaxy AI features will find their way to their devices sooner rather than later.

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You could say that a lot is riding on the Lexus LBX. Not only is it Lexus first three-letter named model after the LFA supercar, but becaus...
Defense attorney Jon Schoenhorn walks into court on the 11th day of her trial at Connecticut Superior Court in Stamford, Conn. Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024. Troconis is on trial for charges related to the disappearance and death of New Canaan resident Jennifer Dulos. Friday, january 26, 2024, Stamford, Conn. H John Voorhees III/Hearst Connecticut Media

STAMFORD  The Michelle Troconis trial resumed Friday with more interviews she had with police after Jennifer Dulos disappeared in 2019.

Former Connecticut State Police Detective John Kimball returned to the stand on Day 11 of the trial as the prosecution presents the jury with Troconis' second and third interviews with police. Troconis got emotional, wiping away tears, on Thursday when the first of her interviews began playing.

Troconis, 49, has pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit murder, tampering with evidence and hindering prosecution. She is accused of trying to create an alibi for Fotis Dulos the day his estranged wife disappeared in May 2019. Troconis is also accused of helping Fotis Dulos clean a pickup truck belonging to one of his employees that police said was used in the crime.

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Fotis Dulos died by suicide in January 2020 while facing murder and other charges. Jennifer Dulos has never been found, but a judge has declared her legally dead.

Here's a look at what happened on Day 11 of the trial Friday at the Stamford courthouse:

Fotis' former employee could testify next week: Schoenhorn

After court adjourned, Schoenhorn told reporters he expected Pawel Gumienny, the former employee of Fotis Dulos' company whom Kimball has suggested Fotis Dulos tried to frame, will testify next week.

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Schoenhorn previously has opined that Gumienny, who has been given immunity, will reveal heretofore unknown facts about the case while on the stand.

"You might hear Monday or Tuesday from the employee, Mr. Gumienny," Schoenhorn said, noting that prosecutors are presenting their case and control who gets called to the stand. "Everything's tentative, I hear these things. I'm going to review all my notes and prep for that, and we'll see what happens."

Weather map entered in evidence

Just after 4 p.m., Schoenhorn entered a National Weather Service map into evidence to draw attention to the fact that it rained in Farmington the night before Jennifer Dulos' disappearance.

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During the police interviews, police dismissed Troconis' assertions that she had woken up in the middle of the night because thunderstorms had frightened her daughter. At one point, Kimball cited two apps on his phone he said showed "minimal" precipitation that night.

"Is it at least conceivable, Officer Kimball, that the sources you were looking at were not actually looking at the Farmington/West Hartford area at that moment?" Schoenhorn asked.

"Yes, it's conceivable," said Kimball, later saying the mistake was "not an attempt at deception," repeating an earlier answer he gave to McGuinness.

Schoenhorn then played a portion of surveillance video from a location on Old Farm Road in Avon from around the same time that showed heavy rain.

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Schoenhorn: People 'react differently' to being arrested

After court resumed about 3:35 p.m. following afternoon recess, Schoenhorn began his cross-examination of Kimball by pointing out the then-detective's AV equipment for the second interview on June 6 at the office of Andrew Bowman, who was at the time Troconis' lawyer, was much better than that of the New Canaan police station, where the first interview took place.

He then noted that state police arrested Troconis late at night in front of her daughter and drove her to the New Canaan Police Department, arriving early in the morning June 2, where she then had to wait several more hours for her attorney to arrive.

Schoenhorn then turned to Kimball's training in interrogation tactics, and how people react to "unknown situations for a lot of people if they suddenly find themselves in police custody."

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Kimball stared blankly at the defense lawyer.

"What is the question, attorney Schoenhorn?" Judge Kevin Randoph interjected.

"People react differently in your experience when they find themselves in police custody, isn't that a fair statement?" Schoenhorn asked.

"Yes," Kimball responded.

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Timelines omitted Hartford trip

Troconis told police during the interview that the so-called "alibi scripts," or "timelines," as witnesses have been instructed to refer to them during the trial, were written on the advice of Fotis Dulos' divorce attorney, to write down their hourly whereabouts since Dulos had a court-ordered supervised visit with his five children at Jennifer Dulos' home two days before she vanished.

But as the police noted  and McGuinness paused the video to ask Kimball  there was no mention in the documents of the pair's trip to Hartford, where Troconis admitted to police they were seen on surveillance footage as Fotis Dulos threw things into garbage containers along Albany Avenue.

"Is there any mention of dumping trash in that timeline?" McGuinness asked Kimball

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"There is not," Kimball replied.

Retired Connecticut State Police Detective John Kimball watches a screen playing Michelle Troconis' first interview video with Connecticut State Police on day 11 of Troconis' criminal trial at Connecticut Superior Court in Stamford, Conn. Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. Troconis is on trial for charges related to the disappearance and death of New Canaan resident Jennifer Dulos. H John Voorhees III/Hearst Connecticut Media

'My sister is not the right answer'

During the court's lunch recess, one of Troconis' sisters, Claudia, told reporters that "this is a very hard day for us, as well."

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"We're finally seeing how my sister attempted to cooperate, not once, not twice but three times with the police, saying everything trying to assist them as best as she could," she said, standing between her two parents in front of television microphones.

"I know that everyone wants answers, but my sister is not the right answer," Claudia Troconis said, wiping tears from her eyes. "She doesn't know anything and she's innocent."

Troconis: I told Fotis 'I'm fed up'

Troconis in the interview told police that Fotis Dulos was never violent during their relationship.

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"He never hit me. He never talked aggressively to me," Troconis said. "We have fights as couples, but I'm also very dominant."

She went on to detail a past spat the couple had, as well as revealing she told Fotis she was leaving in the days after Jennifer Dulos disappeared.

"This is enough. I'm fed up. After this is finished and she appears I'm leaving. I'm going to Colorado," Troconis told police she said to Fotis, calling her time in Connecticut "two years of torture" that were "like a nightmare."

Troconis told police he begged her to stay with him.

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"He knows that you have information," Kimball said. "He is keeping you with him to control you."

Defense attorney Audrey Felsen, left, speaks with her client, Michelle Troconis, on day 11 of Troconis' criminal trial at Connecticut Superior Court in Stamford Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. Troconis is on trial for charges related to the disappearance and death of New Canaan resident Jennifer Dulos. H John Voorhees III/Hearst Connecticut Media

'I think that she's still somewhere'

About an hour and 20 minutes into the interview, Kimball asks Troconis what she thinks happened to Jennifer Dulos.

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I think that shes still somewhere, I hope, hiding, Troconis says, relating a story Fotis Dulos told her of Jennifer Dulos having a rift with her parents when younger and disappearing temporarily to live off an inheritance.

Kimball points out Dulos had five young children, and reminds Troconis she has a 12-year-old daughter.

"Would you ever leave and go hide and not tell your 12-year-old daughter where you were?" he asks, to which Troconis replies that it would "never even cross my mind."

While Troconis was talking with detectives about when Fotis Dulos had her shave his head, Kimball said he didn't buy the answer, based on how fast the freshly shaved heads of state police cadets grow back hair.

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Then-States Attorney Richard Colangelo then interrupts to tell Troconis he didn't believe she had advance knowledge of Jennifer Dulos' killing  which she now is accused of helping to plan.

"I would not have talked to your attorney and asked you to come in if I thought in a second that you knew what he was going to do," said. "I would have just said both, arrest them.

"We're here ... because you can help yourself," Colangelo said.

Michelle Troconis walks to court on the 11th day of her trial at Connecticut Superior Court in Stamford Friday. H John Voorhees III/Hearst Connecticut Media

'Nobody in the world believes you'

As the interview progresses, Troconis becomes more forthcoming with investigators  and began to walk back some of the information she had told them days before.

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For example, she told police she didnt actually shower with Fotis Dulos the morning of Jennifer Dulos' disappearance, and that she saw co-defendant Kent Mawhinney in Fotis Dulos home office that morning.

But police told her she was still holding back.

Nobody in the world believes that you didnt know what was going on, Clabby said at one point.

Michelle Troconis appears in court on day 11 of her criminal trial at Connecticut Superior Court in Stamford, Conn. Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. Troconis is on trial for charges related to the disappearance and death of New Canaan resident Jennifer Dulos. H John Voorhees III/Hearst Connecticut Media

'We know you know'

Kimball began the second interview by pressing Troconis to tell investigators more.

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"We know you know," he said. "We just want you to come clean and tell us everything you know."

Kimball went on to tell Troconis that he had just spoken with the prosecutor handling the case  Richard Colangelo, at the time the state's attorney of the Stamford-Norwalk Judicial District, who would go on to be appointed as the state's chief prosecutor before retiring amid a nepotism probe prior to Troconis' trial.

Kimball told Troconis that investigators had found the so-called "script" they suspected she wrote with Fotis Dulos. He said the interview was Troconis' chance to not be charged with murder, but said that, per orders from Colangelo, police would walk out on the interview if she reverted to her earlier version of events.

"We don't want to go through the script," Kimball said. "We found the script."

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Jury to see Troconis' second interview with police

Prior to court adjourning Thursday, prosecutors finished showing video of Troconis' first interview with police on June 2, 2019.

On Friday, with Kimball still on the stand, they are expected to play Troconis' second interview with police from June 6, 2019, when investigators confronted Troconis about some of the alleged inconsistencies between what she told police in the first interview and what their investigation had uncovered.

Testimony was expected to begin about 10 a.m. Friday. Prosecutors initially had said they wanted to break up their presentations of the different interview videos during the trial, but the judge ruled Thursday that they have to be presented consecutively.

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'The most evil look'

During Troconis' first interview with investigators at the New Canaan Police Department on June 2, 2019, one day after she and Fotis Dulos were arrested for the first time, police told her they feared for her life.
Carter Center to release results of Georgia Mental Health Parity Campaign at press event following Inaugural Mental Health Parity Day

What: The Carter Center will host its inaugural Mental Health Parity Day by the Georgia State Capitol. This public event will engage a diverse group of stakeholders in Georgia to discuss how to advance implementation of the bipartisan Mental Health Parity Act passed in April 2022. Parity Day will include a free public event for mental health stakeholders, legislators, and leadership from several state agencies from 11 a.m.  2 p.m. at Central Presbyterian Church (lunch included). Pre-registration is required.

Carter Center Mental Health Parity Day Event

Where: Central Presbyterian Church, Tull Fellowship Hall

When: Thursday, Feb. 8, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

RSVP: Those interested in attending the Parity Day event should register at tinyurl.com/mhparityday2024 by Feb. 5. Please email Sarah Phillips at Sarah.Phillips@cartercenter.org with any questions.

Click here for the Carter Cental Mental Health Parity Day Agenda.

Carter Center Press Event

The Carter Center will host a press event from 2-2:30 p.m. to announce the results of its Georgia Mental Health Awareness Parity Campaign, launched in fall 2023 with support from the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation.

Where: Georgia State Capitol, South Wing

When: Thursday, Feb. 8, 2-2:30 p.m.

Speakers:

Paige Alexander, Chief Executive Officer, The Carter Center

Dr. Eve Byrd, Director, Mental Health Program, The Carter Center

Sarah Phillips, Mental Health Program, The Carter Center

Representative Mary Margaret Oliver, Georgia House of Representatives, 82nd District

Representative Todd Jones, Georgia House of Representatives, 25th District

Media RSVP: To request interviews or to RSVP for the press event, please email Rennie Sloan at Rennie.Sloan@cartercenter.org.
PPC concludes 51% CIMERWA stake disposal

ICR Newsroom By 29 January 2024

PPC has concluded the sale of its 51 per cent stake in CIMERWA, Rwanda. The South Africa-based cement producer sold its shareholding for US$42.5m to National Cement Holding Ltd. The sale enables PPC to focus on its core domestic market, where it sees opportunities to improve profitability and secure a more sustainable return on capital, reports The Chronicle.



In a notice to shareholders, PPC Chief Executive Officer, Matias Cardarelli, said: "I am pleased with the timely completion of the sale of our stake in CIMERWA. CIMERWA is now part of a regional group that is better placed to support its growth.



"The disposal allows us to focus on our core southern African markets where we see opportunities to drive improved profitability and secure a more sustainable return on capital."



All conditions precedent to the disposal have been fulfilled and the proceeds received. Approval by the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Competition Commission, which is not required before implementation of the disposal, is anticipated to be received within 120 days.



"Consequently, the effective date of the disposal is 25 January 2024. The PPC Group is net cash positive following receipt of the proceeds of the disposal," added Mr Cardarelli.

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A drone spray washes a building. Middletown's Board of Education has approved a drone small business class that will focus on development of this type of business. The class will be offered in partnership with Aquiline Drones of Hartford, which is in the spray washing business. Middletown Public Schools / Contributed Middletown High School senior Kris Glaser works on a drone. Courtesy of Middletown Public Schools

MIDDLETOWN  At least 100 students at Middletown High School have taken a course in drone and flight science.

Now, they will have the opportunity to learn how to put that knowledge to work.

The Board of Education on Tuesday unanimously approved a drone small business course.

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The course will be taught in partnership with Aquiline Drones, a minority-owned business based in Hartford, according to Assistant Superintendent of Schools Stacey McCann and written material on the course prepared by aerospace education teacher Paul Pelletier.

Completion of the drone and flight science course is a prerequisite for the drone small business course, according to the written material, and McCann said at least 100 students have completed the prerequisite.

According to Pelletiers written material, the course will focus on planning and operation of a business using drones to power wash buildings, which is one of Aquiline Drones businesses.

This course highlights mission planning and operations management of running a drone power-washing business, the course description says. Students will study topics such as Industry Overview, Commercial Drone Systems, Business plan, Financial services, Mission assets.

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The course can lead to a Connecticut State College System certificate, according to the description.

McCann said the school system has worked with Aquiline Drones in the past, as students have done summer internships at the company. It has contracted to host Middletown students as interns for three summers, according to the written material submitted to the school board by Pelletier.

Board of Education member Deborah Kleckowski expressed enthusiasm about the new course. She said at Tuesdays board meeting that it is so important because college isnt for everybody.

Kleckowski added that utilizing our community partners should be a priority.

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Middletown students have started learning how to work with drones as early as middle school.

During an aerospace and manufacturing education workshop last year, a group of students that ranged from a seventh grader to a high school senior used high-tech drones to make a three-dimensional image of Beman Middle School.

The drones were equipped with thermal imaging to find hotspots. In the course of the project, the students discovered about eight malfunctioning solar panels on the schools roof and cells in a number of others that were not working properly.

The first project in the workshop was 3D mapping of a school bus, in which the drones orbited around the vehicle, taking thousands of photographs every two seconds.

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Until the addition of the drone small business class, the high schools aerospace and manufacturing education program consisted of three courses, in mechanical technology and aerospace design as well as the drone and flight science course.

The existing drone course can lead to Federal Aviation Administration certification as a commercial drone pilot.

In the mechanical technology course, students can build a real RV-12 airplane.

The aerospace design course focuses on making aircraft parts. It offers three college credits in an introduction to aerospace manufacturing.
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Two Hamilton County deputies were shot on Sunday night in an exchange of shots with an alleged kidnapper, who was shot dead by law enforcement.

The deputies were involved in a pursuit that began in Catoosa County involving the kidnapping of an 18-month-old child and an armed suspect. The call originated with the Catoosa County Sheriffs Office.

The pursuit ended after HCSO deputies were able to successfully spike strip and box the vehicle in near the I-75 Ooltewah Exit.

The Sheriff's Office said, "Immediately following this maneuver shots were exchanged between the suspect and deputies. The suspect is deceased, and two Hamilton County Sheriffs Office deputies were shot in the exchange of gunfire. Both deputies were transported by Hamilton County EMS to a local hospital with what appear to be non-life-threatening injuries. Thankfully, the 18-month-old child involved in the incident did not receive any serious injuries and was transported to a local hospital for medical review."

Sheriff Austin Garrett said, While it is early in the investigative phase of this incident, it is apparent this individual was intent on getting away from authorities and clearly didnt care who he endangered in the process. I am grateful the child is safe, and our deputies only sustained non-life-threatening injuries. This incident highlights the incredible dangers our personnel face each day while performing their duties. I am honored to serve alongside the brave men and women of the HCSO as they protect and serve our community.

Hamilton County District Attorney Coty Wamp has directed the TBI to conduct the investigation into the deputy-involved shooting.

Northbound I-75 was closed for a lengthy period while investigators conduct an investigation.

The names of the two deputies are not being released at this time.

The man who shot the deputies and was killed was identified as Tyler Lebron Roberts, of Ringgold, Ga.

Catoosa County Sheriff deputies responded to 641 Karen Dr. on Sunday around 8:30 p.m. for a report of a domestic violence incident occurring at that residence and one person having a gun.

As deputies arrived on the scene a woman was in the yard and Roberts was in a vehicle attempting to leave. The woman yelled to the deputies that her baby was in the car, and he was taking him. Roberts hit a parked car and ran over a bicycle that deflated his passenger front tire while trying to leave the scene.

Deputies confronted Roberts in the roadway with their weapons drawn and he raised the child in front of him. Deputies gave commands to stop but he drove through them, striking one of them in the leg but not causing injury.

Deputies pursued Roberts into Tennessee where Tennessee law enforcement ultimately took the lead in the pursuit and stopped him.

Tyler Roberts is the boyfriend of the woman at the scene, and they live at the incident location. They had been arguing most of the day and Roberts had a knife and a gun with which he threatened the victim. The victim said he slashed the tires on her car so she could not leave and kept her phone from her.

Roberts is the father of the juvenile and, according to the victim, he thought if he allowed her to leave, she would take the child away from him. The victim was finally allowed to have her phone and she called a family member to come get her and she called 911.
Recent Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Capt. Larry Taylor died on Sunday night after a long struggle with cancer.

He had been ill as local military personnel and supporters urged that he receive the honor for his heroics in a dramatic helicopter rescue in Vietnam.

He was able to attend the presentation ceremony last September when it was awarded by President Joe Biden at the White House. Afterward, there was a celebration in his honor in downtown Chattanooga.

At the presentation, Capt. Taylor was accompanied by family and friends, as well as Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagarty, as he was honored for his heroics that saved the lives of four soldiers. Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly and Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp were also on hand.

President Biden recited how then-Lt. Taylor flew his Cobra on a daunting rescue mission on a moonless-night as the four men were surrounded by enemy soldiers.

He was eventually able to land the Cobra and the men scrambled aboard.

The president told how then it was found that the plane was almost out of gas, so there was another landing and the men, who had been hanging onto the sides of the two-seater, then saluted and disappeared into the forest. All made it safely back.

Prior to the daring rescue, a helicopter that was due to take part was canceled and Lt. Taylor was ordered to call off his rescue attempt. He continued on, however.

President Biden said he "changed the course of the lives of four families."

Among those attending a parade in his honor in downtown Chattanooga were four men who previously were presented the Medal of Honor.

Congressman Chuck Fleischmann said, I am heartbroken to hear about the passing of Captain Larry Taylor last night. Cpt. Taylor exemplified the best of Tennessee and America and what it means to serve others and freedom. One of the greatest honors and privileges Ive had in my life was getting to know Larry and his family and participating in advocating for Cpt. Taylor to be rightfully awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic and selfless actions during the Vietnam War that saved the lives of his brothers in arms.

Please join Brenda and I in praying for Cpt. Larry Taylor as he is reunited with the Lord and his family during this difficult time. We thank God for Larry Taylors life and service to America and the cause of freedom. We will never forget this great Tennessean, patriot, and hero.

Larry Taylor was born in 1942 in Chattanooga. He grew up in a family and community that emphasized the importance of military service. His great-great-grandfather fought in the Civil War, his great-uncle in World War I and his father and uncles in World War II.

He joined the U.S. Army Reserve Officer Training Program at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Upon graduation in June 1966, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army Reserve, then joined the regular Army in August, volunteering as an armor officer.

After graduating from the U.S. Army Armor School at Fort Knox, Kentucky, Taylor quickly realized he was better suited to be a pilot than an armor officer. He had already obtained a fixed-wing pilot's license before joining the Army and thought that experience would make it easier to learn rotary-wing flying. After receiving permission to train as a helicopter pilot, he attended the U.S. Army Primary Helicopter School at Fort Wolters, Texas, and then advanced helicopter training at Fort Rucker (renamed Fort Novosel in 2023), Alabama, where he qualified as an Army aviator in June 1967.

Capt. Taylor served in Vietnam from August 1967 to August 1968, flying some of the first Bell AH1-G Cobra attack helicopters in combat. Serving with D Troop (Air), 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry, 1st Infantry Division, Taylor flew over 2,000 combat missions in UH-1 and Cobra helicopters.

He was engaged by enemy fire 340 times and was forced down five times. The U.S. Army awarded him at least 50 combat decorations, including the Silver Star, 43 Air Medals, a Bronze Star and two Distinguished Flying Crosses. He also received the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Bronze Star.

Among his many harrowing operations, the most dangerous and frightening took place on June 18, 1968, when he rescued a four-man long range patrol team at significant risk to his own life. For his heroic actions that night, the Army awarded him the Silver Star, which President Joe Biden upgraded to the Medal of Honor.

Capt. Taylor concluded his military service as a captain with the 2nd Armored Cavalry in West Germany. After his Army service, he operated a successful roofing and sheet metal company in Chattanooga and was involved with several veterans' organizations. He has also been a generous donor to charitable nonprofit organizations in the Chattanooga area.

He and his wife, Toni, resided at Signal Mountain.

General B.B. Bell said, No Mission Too Difficult, No Sacrifice Too Great, Duty First. The motto of the Armys 1st Infantry Division. Larry Taylors purpose for life. Larrys mission on this earth is now over and he is forever safe and indeed home in Gods forever attack helicopter base camp. During his military service in Vietnam with the 1st Infantry Division amid the enemys vicious Tet Offensive of 1968, Larry saved many American lives by repeatedly risking his own while piloting his various war machines on loan from the Army - Attack Helicopters.

"Among all the men who depended on Larry for their lives, there were none more noteworthy than the men of the 1st Divisions Long Range Patrol, Wildcat 2. Larrys intrepidity in and around the village of Ap Go Gong on 18 June 1968 directly saved the lives of four Americans and is now for all time recorded by Americas awarding him the Medal of Honor.

"In James Micheners novel about the Korean War, Admiral George Tarrant asks the question, Where do we get such men? Well, I suppose we get some of them from here -- in and around Chattanooga. The boys of Andrews Raiders, the warriors of Missionary Ridge, fighters of World War II, including Charles Coolidge, Desmond Doss, and Paul Huff, and most recently a grand fighter of Vietnam, Larry Taylor. There were others.

"Larrys earthly remains will now reside forever just down the high circle road from Charlies and just this side of Desmonds in the Chattanooga National Military Cemetery. All three of these Medal of Honor recipients are up there where Grant stood when he led the breakout of Federal Forces from Chattanooga and set the stage for the end of the Civil War. Sacred ground. More sacred now with Larrys remains to be interred there. Chattanooga, the birthplace of the Medal of Honor. Larry Taylor, one of those born here who fought for us so we could live quiet, protected, safe lives. Where do we get such men?

Col. Frank Hughes said, Today, our country has lost a great American hero with the passing of Medal of Honor recipient Captain Larry Lowe Taylor.

"On June 18, 1968, Captain Taylor went above and beyond the call of duty, risked his own safety and saved the lives of his fellow soldiers  forever changing the fate of four families for generations to come. His actions on that day would eventually lead to him receiving the Medal of Honor and being honored as one of our nations bravest heroes. As Captain Taylor would often say, I was just doing my job. I knew that if I did not go down and get them, they would not make it. We never leave a man behind.



"Taylor served in Vietnam for one year, flying one of the first Bell AH1-G Cobra attack helicopters in combat. He flew more than 2,000 combat missions, was engaged by enemy fire 340 times and was forced down five times. During this time, the Army awarded Captain Taylor more than at least 50 combat decorations, including the Silver Star, a Bronze Star and two Distinguished Flying Crosses and 43 Air Medals.

"His legacy truly exemplifies the best of American values - patriotism, courage, sacrifice and commitment. Its fitting that his legacy will be told at the Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center where his heroic act of valor will continue to serve as an inspiration for all of us, today and into the future, on how ordinary people can face and overcome extraordinary challenges in their life to make a difference. My thoughts and prayers are with the Taylor family during this difficult time.

Major General Bill Raines said, Ever since I first met Captain Larry Taylor and read about his Silver Star, it was clear that he deserved to receive the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions on 18 June 1968. It was a true honor and privilege to recommend him for an upgrade to the Medal of Honor and be a part of the effort that took this campaign all the way to the White House until Captain Taylor was finally awarded the Medal of Honor on September 5, 2023.



"Those who knew Captain Taylor understood he was a larger-than-life person. He was a living John Wayne who did the right thing and would not leave a soldier behind. John 15:13 says it best, Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for a friend. That verse embodies Captain Taylor in how he was willing to do just that for his fellow soldiers. When facing insurmountable odds, he refused to give up, refused to leave a fellow American behind and refused to put his own life above the lives of others in need. His story of courage and commitment embodies the Medal of Honor and will continue to be shared at the Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center. It was a true honor to call Captain Taylor a friend, and he will be truly missed."
An aerial view of Hartford Patrick Sikes/For Hearst Connecticut Media

Connecticut is one of the most racially and economically segregated places in the country and both forms of division are increasing in at least some areas of the state, according to a new state-funded study.

Segregation in the state of Connecticut is high, concluded the 106-page report, the result of months of study by a New York City-based economic consulting firm Urbanomics, which was hired by Governor Ned Lamonts Office of Policy and Management to conduct the analysis.

When looking at the state as a whole, racial segregation has decreased somewhat since 1990, but zoom in and data shows that in many suburbs it is holding steady or increasing, the report said. Meanwhile, economic inequality is increasing across Connecticut.

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The report blames a slew of historical practices  including exclusionary zoning, allowing local officials to control what gets built, opposition from residents to new development, bias in real estate and an overall lack of sufficient motivation to change  for creating segregation and allowing it to persist and in some cases grow in recent decades.

There are serious ramifications for people, for communities, and for our state to continue to not address this issue, said Connecticuts House Majority Leader Jason Rojas, D-East Hartford, adding that an affordable housing panel he co-chairs plans to review the reports recommendations to consider potential legislative proposals.

Research has long shown that where someone grows up matters. Those growing up just a few blocks apart in different municipalities have drastically different outcomes in life. Life expectancy is much shorter in segregated neighborhoods, data from the National Center for Health Statistics show. Children who grow up in segregated neighborhoods are also more likely to be incarcerated when they grow up, have children young and never make above poverty wages, a team from Harvard, Brown and the U.S. Census Bureau found. The Brookings Institution found it costs 3.5 times more to live in communities with well-resourced, high-performing schools in Connecticut, one of the largest disparities in the country.

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Rojas, the first person of color in the states history to become a leader of either the state Senate or House, has for years made it his priority to try and tackle housing segregation in the state and pushed for this report to be complete. He said he didnt find any surprises in the report, but hopes it opens others eyes to the reality of these pervasive problems.

It confirms what I already knew to be true. But consistently seeing people doubt that segregation exists in Connecticut  or even exists to the extent that it does  I don't know that we can deny that looking at this report, he said during an interview.

House Majority Leader Jason Rojas speaks during the opening day of the 2022 legislative session. Brian A. Pounds/Hearst Connecticut Media

The report found Connecticut's metropolitan areas, including Bridgeport and Hartford, remain among the most segregated in the nation in terms of race and ethnicity and among the highest in income inequality.

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The report found the majority of municipalities  124 of 169  have seen increases in the wealth gap, with North Haven and Old Lyme increasing the most. Racial and ethnic segregation has been reduced in core central cities and increased in some suburbs.

Asked Thursday about the report's findings, Lamont said it was on his reading list, and wanted to know if people are living in segregated neighborhoods by choice, or because they arent able to move elsewhere.

Is it all about geography and where people live? Or is it about self selection in schools? Is it self selection and how we live our lives or where we work? I got to do a little work on that to understand, he said.

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The report completed for his team did not get into personal preferences of where people choose to live.

Recent research published in the American Economic Association Journal by researchers from Harvard and MIT, however, found when low-income families and individuals who receive government-subsidized housing vouchers were given the assistance to use their voucher in another community  and move out of economically isolated neighborhoods  53% did.

"Many low-income families do not have a strong preference to stay in low-opportunity areas and that barriers in the housing search process are a central driver of residential segregation by income, the report from Harvard and MIT concluded.

In June 2021, state legislators asked Lamonts office to compile this report to understand just how segregated the state is, and whether government subsidized housing  and where its located  is fueling this separation.

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The report found that in Connecticut, those who live in subsidized housing are disproportionately people of color. For example, while 29% of residents in the state are people of color, 71% of those living in federally-funded subsidized housing are.

The researchers found a connection between segregation and where government subsidized housing is built or used. But they were not able to directly blame the presence of government subsidies on that reality because of many other factors that contribute to housing choice and development patterns.

Those contributing factors include exclusionary zoning practices and resistance from local officials and residents to allow anything but expensive single-family homes to be built on large lots.

This is not a new finding. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvanias business college in 2006 found Connecticut had the 15th most-regulated residential building environment. The former chair of the Hartford Planning and Zoning Commission and Cornell Law professor in 2021 found over 90% of zoned land in Connecticut only allows for single-family housing, often on large lots. Connecticut also had more law firms than any other state specializing in land use and restrictive zoning, Brookings Institution found in 2011. And in a 2015 federal study of 21 states, Connecticut had the second highest level of concentration of affordable housing in high-poverty neighborhoods, largely because of zoning restricting it being built in better-resourced suburban communities.

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The report released last week recommended vouchers as a potential solution to giving more people choices to live in well-resourced, integrated neighborhoods  but pointed out the value of those vouchers is far behind what is needed to find a place to rent in many communities.

Rojas acknowledged that huge barriers exist for people to find a place to use vouchers, but said the recommendation for increasing funding for more vouchers stands a chance amid political headwinds.

Rojas said not enough of the members in his party have been willing to tackle segregation. Democrats have controlled the state legislature for over two decades and the governors office for 13.

Its painful incrementalism. We will continue to try and inch our way forward, said Rojas.

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Just getting this study to happen was an uphill task.

In June 2021, members of the General Assembly in June 2021 passed legislation that called for the governors office to complete an analysis on whether the states subsidized housing policies are fueling segregation every two years, beginning with a first report released by January 1, 2022. That never happened. So, in the state budget approved in 2022 the legislature included $140,000 for the governors policy office to hire a contractor to do the report and ended the requirement that it be done every two years.

Some are pessimistic this report will just gather dust on a shelf.

Theres a long trail of studies. When is the state going to do something about it, said Sean Ghio, policy director at the Partnership for Strong Communities, a housing advocacy nonprofit. We should be long past the point of having to prove this over and over again.

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Gov. Ned Lamont speaks to reporters in early January. Dave Zajac / Contributed photo

The governor has been loath to force suburban towns to allow affordable housing to be built, hoping instead he can lure them with state aid for the construction of such housing.

Instead, he said, he is focused on helping to fund more market-rate housing to be built in more cities.

In our cities, we have a lot of growth, a lot of opportunity. A lot of people want to move there. They often are saying, I need all types of housing, including market rate housing, and that brings a certain diversity, he said on Thursday.

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In Hartford, the state has backed an approach by paying to have more market-rate housing built in segregated communities that already have a lot of subsidized affordable housing. Of the $800 million in funding the legislature included for the construction of new housing in the current state budget, $60 million is earmarked for construction this approach.
The East Tennessee Symphony Orchestra will host its sixth annual Sweet & Salty Valentines Day concert Wednesday, Feb. 14, 7 p.m., at Founders Hall at The Commons (4950 Swinyar Dr. in Collegedale).

By tradition, the all-volunteer symphony orchestra will open its two-part Valentines Day themed concert with its sweet portion, featuring romantic classical favorites, and end with an assortment of salty big band selections.

This family-friendly event is free and open to the public with first come, first serve seating available and complimentary desserts and beverages.



A schedule of future concerts will be available on the ETSOs website. For more information, contact Mathew Miller at 580-4999, or visit etsomusic.org.


3/18/2024

Chief John Ross Chapter, NSDAR had their March meeting on the 13th, and the meeting theme was Womens History Month. Officials said, "Chapter member, Kay Sencabaugh, presented an entertaining ... more
Senate Finance, Ways and Means Chair Bo Watson, R-Chattanooga, and House Finance, Ways and Means Chair Patsy Hazlewood, R-Signal Mountain, were introducing legislation Monday to increase the punishment of repeat offenders who have committed multiple misdemeanors in Tennessee.

Rep. Hazlewood said discussions began with District Attorney Coty Wamp after a prominent Lookout Mountain resident, Chris Wright, was shot and killed in downtown Chattanooga by a man with multiple misdemeanor arrests.

She said she was advised that there are a group of individuals who are continually arrested for non-felonies and "only get a slap on the wrist."

Senator Watson said, Criminals who have a long history of committing misdemeanors need stronger penalties to discourage criminal activity and prevent them from carrying out new crimes. This legislation ensures that if you repeatedly break our laws, you will receive much harsher punishments. I look forward to working with Chair Hazlewood and my colleagues in the Senate on passing this bill and on our continued efforts to make our communities safer.

The joint legislation would make it a Class E felony to commit six or more qualifying misdemeanors within a specific number of years. The list includes 37 total crimes ranging from assault to DUI.



It is unacceptable for criminals to commit multiple crimes in our communities without any significant consequences for their actions, said Rep. Hazlewood. This legislation will hold these habitual offenders more accountable and send a strong message that this behavior is not tolerated in Tennessee. My colleagues and I remain committed to increasing public safety across our state.

In addition, if a person is found guilty of committing any combination of three or more misdemeanors from a more specific list, they would also face a Class E felony. Those misdemeanors include:

assault against a first responder or nurse;

child abuse;

child neglect or endangerment;

domestic assault;

unlawful carrying or possession of a firearm;

violation of an order of protection or restraining order; or

violation of a no contact order.

The legislation does not apply if there are more than 10 years between the current, most recent qualifying misdemeanor and another misdemeanor from the list. Under state law, a Class E felony is punishable by up to six years in prison and can include a fine of up to $3,000.

The Tennessee General Assembly passed truth in sentencing reform in 2022, requiring offenders convicted in eight categories of violent crimes to serve 100 percent of their court-imposed sentences. The proposed legislation builds upon those efforts to increase public safety statewide.
A Georgia State Trooper was killed on Sunday while pursuing a fleeing motorcycle north of Atlanta.

The Georgia Department of Public Safety announced the line-of-duty death of Trooper Jimmy Cenescar.

Trooper Cenescar was attempting to stop a fleeing motorcycle for a traffic violation on Interstate 85 North near Old Peachtree Road in Atlanta. Trooper Cenescar's vehicle left the roadway and struck an embankment. Emergency personnel responded to the scene and attempted life-saving measures. Trooper Cenescar was rushed to Northside Gwinnett Hospital, where he passed away.

Trooper Cenescar has been employed with the Georgia Department of Public Safety since January of 2023 and was a graduate of the 114th Trooper School.
This 27-year-old womans 60-year-old parents are super wealthy, but she doesnt take any of their money.

Her mom and dad did pay for her to go to college, which she is enormously appreciative of, but after she graduated, she started her career, moved into a place she paid for on her own, and did not ask her parents for any financial support.

There are two things, though, that really upset her about her parents. The first thing is that they love to have anything to hold over her head, which seems to be the only reason they buy her presents.

Any time her parents purchase gifts for her birthday or Christmas, they will always throw it back in her face that they got her something great.

For example, I got expensive ski equipment from them for Christmas, and they have brought it up countless times as money they gave me, she explained.

This just feels icky to me; I also got them presents and never bring it up as a bargaining chip.

The second thing is that her parents cannot comprehend the fact that she is broke in comparison to them, and this makes it extremely difficult for her to maintain a relationship with them.

Although she doesnt have nearly as much money as her parents, they dont see that she simply cannot afford what they can.

She has attempted to say this to her mom on dad on several occasions, but they dont get the picture.

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Two young boys have been deemed heroes of their community after launching a school club aimed at providing food for the homeless in the downtown San Jose area.
The Bible differs from Darwinian thought in fundamental respects. But the early authors of Scripture and the architects of evolutionary science shared a similar challenge: Both were looking to make sense of environments characterized by aggression, violence, and fierce competition for scarce resources. Biblical scholar Dru Johnson, director of the Center for Hebraic Thought, spells out this and other surprising parallels in his book What Hath Darwin to Do with Scripture? Comparing the Conceptual Worlds of the Bible and Evolution. Matthew Nelson Hill, author of Embracing Evolution: How Understanding Science Can Strengthen Your Christian Life, spoke with Johnson about reconciling biblical and scientific accounts of reality.

What is the elevator pitch you would give to summarize your book?

The biblical authors have a particular conceptual model that governs how they think about reality. What Darwin would later call natural selection is something they actually talk about quite vigorously in the early chapters of Genesis, even if not explicitly in those terms. My goal in the book is putting this biblical model into conversation with the Darwinian model of evolutionary science, to see where the underlying worldviews compare and contrast. My contention is that these worldviews are more complementary than we sometimes might suppose.

How do you work to maintain a high view of Scripture as you put it into conversation with Darwinian science?

This is the highest view of Scripture you could have, because it makes a serious effort to evaluate the motives and philosophical notions of its writers. And yet this often causes discomfort among those who say they have a high view of Scripture, because were not always used to entering the intellectual world of the authors themselves.

We often think of science as inherently secular in its perspectives and assumptions. But when you study it alongside the conceptual world of the Hebrew Bible, you can see how it represents one of the greatest expressions of that conceptual world. Ive spent lots of time in the Hebrew text, and I believe that if you could time-warp writers of that era into the present and catch them up on our knowledge of things like solar systems and galaxies, they would find that it all makes sense.

Early in the book, you argue that science is telling a story and also that Scripture is not merely a story. Can you elaborate?

Anytime you read a scientific explanation, it almost always comes packaged in a larger narrative. Especially at the quantum level, many scientific facts are almost inexplicable without a narrative framework to help us make sense of them.

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When you read evolutionary accounts of how humans emerged from various hominid ancestors, you realize that every worldview has an origin story, which is supposed to tell us where morality comes from and explain the reality we see today. Scripture, in this light, isnt doing anything weird by giving an origin story meant to provide a foundation for morality and ethics and explain the development of things like families, nations, and political systems.

Lots of people come to the early chapters of Genesis with one question: Did all this really happen? I do think the ancient Hebrews would have read these stories as accounts of things that really happened. But in another sense, the Bible resists this kind of framing, because its trying to offer something beyond a functional explanation for how the world came into being.

In one section of the book, you deal heavily with sexual reproduction, a topic that both evolution and Scripture care deeply about. How are we to talk about this topic in productive ways?

If youre prudish about sex, then buckle up, because the biblical writers are not, especially when it comes to the necessity of continuing family lines. You could point to the account of Lots two daughters, who got their father drunk to have sex with him and produce offspring. Or you could point to Abraham, who prostitutes his wife as a means of saving his life and preserving the possibility of the family God had promised.

Why is all this included? I think part of the answer is that these stories convey something of the sobriety that the biblical authors brought to the brokenness and fragility of humanity and its need for redemption.

Death, as you show, is part and parcel of nature. Yet Scripture depicts death as a great enemy to be defeated. How can we reconcile these two perspectives?

The biblical authors are very attuned to the fact that death happens and that its horrible. They are aware of how it shapes the world around them, but they are also aware that this isnt the way its supposed to be.

In the book, I use the language of the Gloria Patrias it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall beto outline this reality. The hymn itself, of course, testifies that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. But the language hints at the way that things are different after the Fall, that Gods original design has been broken because of sin. So we can imagine a world where nature is crafted toward a good end, without the necessity of death.

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If, as you contend, real scienceresearch and exploration governed by the scientific methodbegan about 500 years ago, how can the Bible be seen as telling us anything about science?

There is a recurring question in the history of science that essentially asks, Why did science start? Because clearly there are great intellectual pursuits taking place in China, Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, Rome, and other major empires. Theres no shortage of very smart people doing very smart things. So why does science develop in the West with people who have essentially appropriated a Hebrew view of reality?

One good answer begins like this: There is just no good version of science grounded in the assumption that none of what we observe around us is really real. You cant say that all the real stuff is in the heavens or being animated by spirits behind the trees, to mention just a few broad generalizations of certain religious or philosophical schools of thought. You cant say that our senses are fundamentally deceiving us.

The Hebrew Bible takes a very different position: that what we observe around us is real, knowable, and regulated, even if it leaves room for divine interruption. The gift of the Hebrews is a scheme for discerning the workings of natural reality and letting that reality correct us, which is an aspect of science that I wish theology would pick up more often.

What is your greatest hope for readers of this book?

It has nothing to do with evolution or Darwinism. My biggest goal is getting people to think seriously about the intellectual world of the biblical authors and of biblical literature itself. I hope readers will see how those authors are addressing more issues than we might notice on the surface.

To take one example: You dont see the modern institution of policing in the Bible. From that you might conclude that the Bible doesnt say much about police work. It actually has a lot to say, but you need to know how to listen. Overall, I want readers to take the leap from Bible literacy, where you know whats in the Bible, to Bible fluency, where you can extend its way of thinking into all kinds of practical areas.

[ This article is also available in Portugues. ]

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Home News Kappa Kappa Gamma may make trans candidate first male president of sorority over women

The womens sorority Kappa Kappa Gamma allegedly fast-tracked a man who identifies as a female into a leadership position despite the fact that he doesn't meet the standards required of female members. The sorority is potentially looking to elect him as president, according to a recent lawsuit.

The plaintiffs in the suit, Patsy Levang and Cheryl Tuck-Smith, became lifetime members of Kappa Kappa Gamma over 50 years ago, and the pair have served the sorority through a variety of positions. Levang and Tuck-Smith are also part of the Independent Womens Network, which advocates against allowing men who identify as female into womens spaces.

On Thursday, the Kappa Kappa Gamma alumnae filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio against multiple sorority officials after the group allegedly expelled the pair for supporting plaintiffs in another lawsuit filed in April in the U.S. District Court for the District of Wyoming.

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Kappa Kappa Gamma did not immediately respond to The Christian Post's request for comment.

In the suit, six members of the University of Wyoming chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma opposed the induction of a man into the all-female sorority, claiming that it made multiple girls uncomfortable. A federal judge dismissed the lawsuit in August, contending that the organizations bylaws dont define what a woman is and the court would not offer a definition. The case is now before the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals.

After Levang and Tuck-Smith openly supported the plaintiffs in the Wyoming lawsuit, the pair allege that Kappa Kappa Gamma expelled them on Oct. 27, 2023, in retaliation.

May Mailman is the director of the Independent Womens Law Center and serves as co-counsel for plaintiffs in this case.

Kappa leadership continues to disrespect its members not only by denying them the single-sex organization they were promised but by lashing out in hopes of silencing the truth. This violates Kappas Bylaws and the basic freedoms women deserve, Mailman stated in a press release on Friday.

The lawsuit also accused Kappa Kappa Gamma of demonstrating an unfair bias against female members for the purpose of expanding membership qualifications. According to the complaint, the sorority admitted a male candidate around 2021 through its alumna candidate selection process.

The suit cited the organizations bylaws as proof that an individual must be a woman to be admitted as an alumna candidate. In addition, a certain number of votes are required before an individual can be admitted as an alumna candidate member.

Fraternity members had no vote concerning the admission of a man into the fraternity, and only a few members were aware that this action was taken by the Fraternity Council, the complaint states.

Once admitted, the Candidate was fast-tracked to a KKG leadership position, despite not having contributed the years of service to KKG that is consistently required of other long-time female members, the lawsuit continued. Indeed, within one month of joining KKG, the Candidate was assigned a volunteer position as the Alumnae Advisor for a university chapter.

Despite failing to meet the requirements for a volunteer position on the bylaws committee, the lawsuit alleged that the fraternity counsel appointed the male candidate to the role. An alumna candidate must be active in fraternity work to qualify for a position on the bylaws committee; however, no female member with the same limited fraternity work experience has ever been appointed to this position, according to the complaint.

In 2022, the same male candidate was also nominated to serve as district director, a position open to alumna who held certain leadership positions within the organization. While the man had experience with Sigma Pi, the fraternity he was part of when he identified as male, the candidate and fraternity council reportedly concealed this information during the election process.

Only a few voting members at the Convention were aware that a man was slated for election, the suit adds. On information and belief, no other KKG member, or alumna candidate, has been nominated to a District Director position with such limited Fraternity experience as the Candidate.

According to the complaint, the male candidate has applied to be considered for a leadership position, and a vote is expected to take place in April. The lawsuit speculated that the role could include the position of Kappa Kappa Gamma president.

Most members remain unaware that the candidate is a man, the lawsuit notes.

Evidence cited in the complaint included Kappa Kappa Gammas initial bylaws, which declare that [a]ny lady may become a candidate for membership who shall be of good moral character, and of above average talent; and who, at the time of proposal, either is or has been in attendance at some college or seminary.
Home News Supreme Court urged to stop West Point from considering race in admissions

An advocacy group has appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court to stop the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York, from using race as a factor in its admissions policy after the high court struck down similar policies at other institutions last year.

Students for Fair Admissions recently filed litigation against West Point and the U.S. Naval Academy in Maryland, hoping to add the issue to the Supreme Courts emergency docket later this week.

Every year this case languishes in discovery, trial, or appeals, West Point will label and sort thousands more applicants based on their skin color  including the class of 2028, which West Point will start choosing in earnest once the application deadline closes on January 31, SFFAs lawyers wrote in the application for an injunction pending appellate review.

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Should these young Americans bear the burden of West Points unchecked racial discrimination? Or should West Point bear the burden of temporarily complying with the Constitutions command of racial equality?

Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor ordered West Point to respond to the petition by 5 p.m. Tuesday, according to The Hill, with Sotomayor possibly referring the issue to the full court.

Earlier this month, U.S. District Judge Philip M. Halpern, a Trump appointee, rejected the SFFAs petition for a preliminary injunction, arguing that such a measure could cause major issues at West Point.

A full factual record is vital to answering this critical question whether the use of race in the admissions process at West Point furthers compelling governmental interests and whether the governments use of race is narrowly tailored to achieve that interest, Halpern wrote, as quoted by The Washington Post.

Last December, U.S. District Judge Richard Bennett in Baltimore rejected the groups request for an injunction against the Naval Academy because he believed it had failed to show that the lawsuit was likely to succeed.

In June 2023, the SFFA scored a victory when the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in the case of Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College, that Harvard and the University of North Carolina could not use race as a factor in student admissions.

Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in the majority opinion that the courts have permitted race-based admissions only within the confines of narrow restrictions.

University programs must comply with strict scrutiny, they may never use race as a stereotype or negative, and  at some point  they must end, wrote Roberts, alluding to the 2003 Supreme Court decision Grutter v. Bollinger, which said that the use of racial preferences for admissions will no longer be necessary within the next quarter century.

Respondents admissions systems  however well intentioned and implemented in good faith  fail each of these criteria. They must therefore be invalidated under the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

Sotomayor dissented, being joined by Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson, arguing that the Fourteenth Amendment enshrines a guarantee of racial equality.

The Court long ago concluded that this guarantee can be enforced through race-conscious means in a society that is not, and has never been, colorblind, wrote Sotomayor. Today, this Court stands in the way and rolls back decades of precedent and momentous progress.

It holds that race can no longer be used in a limited way in college admissions to achieve such critical benefits. In so holding, the Court cements a superficial rule of colorblindness as a constitutional principle in an endemically segregated society where race has always mattered and continues to matter.
Home News Lawmakers demand swift response from Biden after 3 US soldiers killed, 34 wounded

Three U.S. service members were killed and 34 injured in a drone strike at a base in northeast Jordan, near the Syria border, U.S. Central Command confirmed, leading to severe criticism of the Biden administrations weakness and demands for military retaliation as soldiers in the Middle East have sustained over 160 attacks since October.

The attack was executed by a one-way attack Unmanned Aircraft System, U.S. Central Command said in a statement Sunday, adding that, in line with Department of Defense policy, the identities of the servicemembers were being withheld until 24 hours after next of kin notification.

CENTCOM, which oversees forces in the Middle East, initially estimated the number of injured service members to be 25, but that number later rose to over 30. Late Sunday night, CENTCOM confirmed at least 34 soldiers had been injured, a defense official told CBS News.

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Reuters reported that the soldiers were being evaluated for possible traumatic brain injuries.

House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., expressed condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers, attributing the attack to Iranian-backed forces. In a statement, she criticized President Bidens approach toward Tehran, accusing his administration of weakness and calling for a return to the Trump-era Maximum Pressure Campaign against Iran. We can only achieve peace through strength, she said.

Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., echoed Stefaniks sentiments, condemning Biden for emboldening Iran and leaving U.S. troops vulnerable. The only answer to these attacks must be devastating military retaliation against Irans terrorist forces, both in Iran and across the Middle East. Anything less will confirm Joe Biden as a coward unworthy of being commander-in-chief, he said in a statement.

The incident is the first American troop fatalities in hostile action since the Hamas-Israeli conflict in Gaza, The Wall Street Journal noted, reporting that the drone strike occurred at Tower 22, a small outpost near the Syria border, targeting troops living quarters.

Biden and the Secretary of Defense have indicated plans for retaliation.

Iran denied involvement, blaming U.S. military actions in the region. The attacks implications are significant, with potential military and economic responses being debated in Washington. Options include striking Iranian paramilitary Quds Force personnel in Syria, Iraq and Yemen, or Iranian naval assets, former officials were quoted as saying.

The attack on Tower 22, a logistics hub for Al Tanf Garrison in southeastern Syria, represents a major escalation, likely aimed at driving U.S. forces out of Syria. Eight of the injured service members required evacuation, with the possibility of more injuries emerging.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a pro-Iranian militia umbrella, claimed responsibility for attacks on three U.S. bases in Syria, including Al Tanf, according to WSJ.

The Biden administration has been balancing responses to Iran-backed militia attacks with avoiding broader regional conflict.

The WSJ Editorial also criticized Bidens response to over 160 Iranian proxy attacks since October, suggesting the need for a stronger stance against Iran. It argued for direct action against Iranian military or commercial assets.

The Daily Wire reported bipartisan Senate support for direct military action against Iran. Senators from both parties called for accountability and decisive action, with some advocating for strikes inside Iran.

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, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., was quoted as saying. Hit Iran now. Hit them hard.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said: We cannot afford to keep responding to this violent aggression with hesitation and half-measures. The entire world now watches for signs that the President is finally prepared to exercise American strength to compel Iran to change its behavior. Our enemies are emboldened. And they will remain so until the United States imposes serious, crippling costs  not only on front-line terrorist proxies, but on their Iranian sponsors who wear American blood as a badge of honor.

Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., wrote on X: Iran must be held accountable.
Home News Church leaders demand justice as femicide in Kenya is on the rise

A ground-breaking study, Silencing Women, highlights the devastating toll of women killed by their partners or family members in Kenya from 2016 to 2023.

Femicide is the most extreme form of gender-based violence against women. It is often fuelled by gender stereotypes, harmful social norms and an unequal balance of power between men and women.

In 75% of the 500 cases the study covered, the killers were individuals known to the victims  intimate partners, relatives, or friends. Husbands or boyfriends emerged as the biggest culprits contributing to nearly two-thirds of the cases. Only about 15% of cases involved women being killed by strangers.

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The murders often stem from family quarrels, with approximately 80% of homicides occurring within these confines. The analysis also indicates that femicide is often preceded by domestic violence, aligning with findings from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

The UNODC and UN Women produced the second joint edition of a report on gender-related killings of women and girls titled Statistical framework for measuring the gender-related killing of women and girls (also referred to as 'femicide/feminicide'). According to the report, in 2022, Africa recorded the largest absolute number of female intimate partner and family-related killings with an estimated 20,000 victims; followed by 18,400 in Asia; 7,900 in the Americas; 2,300 in Europe; and 200 in Oceania.

Irene Kibagendi, the executive director of the AEA Womens Commission, reflected on the study, noting that the violence against women is turning homes, traditionally places of refuge, into unsafe spaces for women.

The finality of this cruel and intentional act that many women and girls are experiencing is robbery to one's life, taking into account the inhumane process that causes trauma, fear, agony, psychological and physical isolation for hours or days before they are finally killed. This is quite disheartening, said Kibagendi.

She condemns these acts and urgently calls for the governments intervention, highlighting the apparent inadequacy of current efforts to protect women. She further lamented the role of social media in perpetuating insecurities and unrealistic expectations that often lure girls into dangerous situations.

Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit of the Anglican Church of Kenya addressed the public outcry and called for expedited investigations into the recent and recurrent killings.

He said, for those apprehended, we call for tough measures and they should never return to society. We call for life imprisonment and any other tough measures to ensure they are never let out to mingle with our children.

Renowned Kenyan journalist, John Allan-Namu, speaking about the study on X (formerly Twitter), commended the work done by Odipodev and Africa Data Hub in compiling cases of femicide in Kenya from 2016 to 2023. He said that in his many years of covering femicide stories, he has found one disturbing pattern, "if there is a relationship or marriage that has a consistent pattern of abuse, it often ends up with the death of that woman. He further observed that due to data limitations, uneven news coverage and underreporting in some regions, the numbers could be higher.

Two murders of women in January 2024 in Nairobi have made headline news and were trending social media topics in the country. The first was Starlet Wahu, who was brutally murdered in an Airbnb with CCTV footage showing her last moments as she checked into the apartment with her would-be assailant, who was later arrested.

The second case was that of Rita Waeni. Chief Government Pathologist Johansen Oduor said, I have never seen anything like this before while giving a press brief on the case and further confirming that Ritas killer cut her skin with a sharp object and then cut through her bones with a hacksaw.

The creation of the "Silencing Women" database offers a resource to track femicide cases in Kenya.

The article was originally published by Christian Daily International.
Home News Girls at Church of England school traumatized after trans-identified boy exposes his 'willy' Student allegedly told classmates about 'dark spirits that will suck their souls out'

A Church of England primary school in the southeast of England has sparked controversy by allowing a 4-year-old boy to enroll as a girl, leading to distress among students and parents. The childs true sex was initially concealed from classmates, resulting in confusion and trauma when it was revealed.

The situation has drawn the attention of high-ranking government officials. Education Secretary Gillian Keegan and Women and Equalities Minister Kemi Badenoch have expressed concerns and intend to intervene, according to The Telegraph.

Badenoch said the schools actions might contravene new government guidance, emphasizing that social transitioning is unsuitable for primary school-aged children.

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The boy, now 7 or 8 years old and in year three, has attended the school as a girl since he was 4.

A former non-teaching staff member and parent at the school, who was instructed not to disclose the childs biological sex, shared her daughters distress upon discovering her friends true identity. The child exhibited signs of stress, including behavioral changes and insomnia.

The mother recounted her daughters shock at learning her friend was a boy, exacerbated by the trans-identifying childs inappropriate behavior, such as flashing [his] willy at girls and telling them about dark spirits that will suck their souls out.

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

The family has raised multiple safeguarding concerns with the school and its governors, feeling their worries have been ignored.

The U.K. governments draft guidance for schools, published in December, aims to address concerns about children identifying as the opposite sex in school. It advises caution in handling requests from primary school children to change their gender, referencing a report by Dr. Hilary Cass, which warns of the significant impact of social transitioning on childrens psychological functioning.

The Church of Englands current guidance, pending an update following the governments draft guidance, focuses on preventing bullying but does not specifically address gender-questioning children. The school, following this guidance, has stated its commitment to the safety and well-being of all pupils, handling concerns in accordance with statutory and local guidelines.

This incident is part of a broader debate within the CofE and its schools.

In March 2023, a couple withdrew their son from a CofE school over concerns about a book promoting gender confusion. The book, My Shadow is Pink by Scott Stuart, is centered around a young boy who likes princesses and other things typically seen as intended for girls. Instead of a blue shadow, the boy has a pink one, and he learns to accept himself with the support of his dad. The story is told through rhyme, and the book uses the concept of everyone having colored shadows to represent the idea of gender identity.

In July 2023, a parent in Norfolk appealed to the Churchs Chief Education Officer over RSHE (relationships, sex and health education) lessons he deemed inappropriate, highlighting the ongoing tension between educational policies and parental beliefs. The materials used taught children as young as 7, that some people can be born a boy but feel like a girl, while others might identify as "pangender"  someone who does not feel like a boy or a girl. It was also claimed that pupils were allowed to take part in pretend same-sex weddings.

The Department for Education emphasizes the legal requirement to record a childs sex accurately in the admissions register and expects schools to align with government guidance on gender-questioning children. The Office for Standards in Education, Childrens Services and Skills, while not commenting on individual schools, says it takes all concerns seriously.
Home News Texas doctor blasts 'corrupt' DOJ probe after blowing whistle on 'child abuse' at kids' hospital 'These people are simply bullies,' Dr. Eithan Haim tells CP

A whistleblower who exposed the largest pediatric hospital in the U.S. for allegedly prescribing puberty blockers to minors despite claiming otherwise said he remains unafraid despite what he described as a politically motivated federal investigation against him.

"These people are corrupt," Dr. Eithan Haim, 33, told The Christian Post. "And the only way to expose it is to not play in to this Kabuki theater, like these people are practitioners of justice. Because if we were to collude with them, we would be sanctioning our own destruction."

'Not at all' frightened

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Haim, now a general surgeon in the Dallas area, said he's "not at all" frightened of the consequences he might face after coming forward to journalist Christopher Rufo last year with whistleblower documents.

The internal documents he provided alleged that the Houston-based Texas Children's Hospital (TCH), where he completed his surgical residency, was continuing to conduct so-called "gender-affirming services" on minors despite telling the public it had paused such procedures.

Following a February 2022 formal opinion from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton that labeled some sex-change procedures and puberty blockers for minors as "child abuse" under Texas law, Gov. Greg Abbott issued an order that month instructing state agencies to investigate them as such.

In the wake of Abbott's order, TCH said in a March 2022 statement that they would be shutting down such procedures.

"After assessing the Attorney Generals and Governors actions, Texas Childrens Hospital paused hormone-related prescription therapies for gender-affirming services," the hospital said. "This step was taken to safeguard our healthcare professionals and impacted families from potential criminal legal ramifications."

Haim at first came forward anonymously with the documents that featured in a City Journal article penned by Rufo on May 16, 2023. The story claimed that despite the assurances from TCH, the hospital "secretly continued to perform transgender medical interventions, including the use of implantable puberty blockers, on minor children."

Within 24 hours of Rufo's story, the Texas state Legislature passed SB-14, which rendered such procedures for minors illegal in the state effective Sept. 1.

The story prompted Paxton to launch a formal investigation into TCH, and the hospital's CEO Mark Wallace subsequently issued a statement that pledged to finally shut down the facility's trans procedures for minors by the time the law went into effect.

'Evil ideology'

On June 23, 2023, weeks after Rufo's story broke, two agents with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General reportedly showed up at Haim's home on the day of his residency graduation.

Describing the experience to CP as "terrifying," Haim said, "After a few minutes, you realize that this is a political investigation meant to support this evil ideology."

The agents inquired about "medical records" and informed him he was a "potential target" in an unspecified criminal investigation, according to a letter his lawyers fired off on Jan. 24 to Reps. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, and Chip Roy, R-Texas.

Jordan chairs the House Judiciary Committee and the Subcommittee of the Weaponization of the Federal Government, while Roy chairs the Select Subcommittee on the Constitution and Limited Government. Roy responded to the letter on social media, suggesting Haim was the subject of the Biden administration's "#WeaponizedDOJ."

New whistleblower info sent to me & @JudiciaryGOP re: Dr. Eitan Haim, the Tx Doctor being targeted by Bidens DOJ for exposing Tx Childrens child sex-change program. Thank you @realchrisrufo & @TuckerCarlson for reporting on this. #WeaponizedDOJ cc: @Riley_Gaines_@ChoooColepic.twitter.com/Pdrd8v7qf2  Chip Roy (@chiproytx) January 24, 2024

The letter to the congressmen claimed the investigation into Haim was "exceptionally fast" and predicated on evidence that had not been adequately reviewed. They also alleged the investigation emerged from the "easily disproved falsehood" that Haim violated the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) by leaking unredacted patient information.

Based on phone calls with her, Haim's lawyers also claimed that Assistant U.S. Attorney Tina Ansari, the lead DOJ prosecutor in his case, showed evidence of bias and aggressively targeted not just Haim, but his wife.

Ansari, who allegedly described trans procedures as the "last hope" for families of such children, urged Haim to admit to wrongdoing to avoid felony prosecution and claimed it was not his job to expose trans procedures at the pediatric hospital. She also allegedly used a personal cellphone to communicate with Haim's attorneys.

They also claimed that Ansari threatened Haim's wife because she advised her husband not to submit to an interview with federal agents without an attorney present. His wife has been awaiting the completion of a federal background check to become a U.S. assistant attorney herself, a fact the prosecutor allegedly attempted to weaponize.

"The prosecutor (who holds the same position) said that she and the agents would not mention Mrs. Haim's behavior to the background investigators 'unless [Mrs. Haim] becomes difficult,'" the lawyers wrote.

Haim told CP that his wife "worked her entire life to be able to be in a position where she can work for the Department of Justice, and it's a privilege for her to do that because she believes in her country and believes in justice."

"And for them to use that as a way to threaten me is despicable," he added. "It's beneath the stature of assistant U.S. attorney."

Neither the HHS nor the DOJ responded to CP's request for comment.

'Petty tyrants and neurotic bureaucrats'

Haim went public with his identity earlier this month, speaking to Rufo in an hour-long interview on X and appearing in outlets such as Fox News, The Daily Wire, and The Blaze. Despite the headwinds of opposition he is facing from those in power, he was adamant to CP that he did the right thing.

"If I don't stand up to these people, then what kind of future would I deliver my children into?" he said. "Because these people are just petty tyrants and neurotic bureaucrats. And what that boils down to is that these people are simply bullies. When you're fearful, when you're afraid, that's when they're most effective. So to be fearful and scared is to seal your own death warrant."

Haim said he also derives courage from his family history, noting that his maternal grandfather was a Christian who rescued Jews after he was drafted into the German army during World War II.

"He had always refused to join the Nazis, but when he was drafted, he had to go," he said of his grandfather. "But when he was in Italy, he saved Jews from the concentration camps by getting them to Northern Africa." He added that he believes today "there are parallels of the same type of totalitarian ideology" that afflicted Nazi Germany.

Haim said his father's Jewish side of the family, who fled Iraq in the 1950s, were among the first generation to settle in the state of Israel despite having to live "in squalor and in tents."

'Sickness in the medical community'

Haim suggested that his heritage has steeled him to stand up against wrongdoing, which he maintained is something that many of his colleagues in the medical profession seem unwilling to do.

Haim said there has been "a sickness in the medical community for a long time" that only became readily apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic. Medicine, he said, is increasingly grounded not in science, but in ideology and the "belief that there's no objective reality, that everything is subjective; that something is true because you say it's true, and not because you observe it in the reality around you."

"This is concerning when you see it in the college classroom, but totally different when it's the driving force behind medical recommendations," he added.

Haim worries the average person's trust in medicine is consequently eroding.

"I think we're already beyond that point, because people have lost so much trust in their doctors because of what doctors were willing to do, and stay silent in the face of, during COVID, and especially now with the transgender ideology," he said.

"Because if you have a doctor who's unwilling to speak up about this, what else are they willing to accept?" he added. "And people should be suspicious of that. The only way for doctors to regain the trust of their patients is by speaking up against things like this. They have to speak up for the principles of medicine."

Haim, who claimed he and his family have drained "the entirety of our retirement, investments, savings, and almost all of our disposable income to pay the legal bills to keep the case alive," has set up a legal defense fund for his fight against the inexhaustible resources of the federal government.

Haim, who told CP he intends to keep fighting, has raised more than $150,000 of his fund's $500,000 goal, as of Monday.
Senior Chinese diplomat meets Thai Princess Sirindhorn

Xinhua) 09:55, January 29, 2024

Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand meets with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, in Bangkok, Thailand, Jan. 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Teng)

BANGKOK, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, on Sunday met here with Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand.

Wang said he met with Thai Minister of Foreign Affairs Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara on Sunday for the annual consultation, in which both sides reached important consensus on deepening the China-Thailand community with a shared future.

The two sides also signed an agreement on mutual visa exemption, which would further facilitate people-to-people exchanges, Wang said, adding that China and Thailand are as close as one family, and more exchanges will bring the two countries even closer.

Wang said he hopes the royal family of Thailand, which has always attached great importance to the friendship between China and Thailand, will continue to make new contributions to the development of China-Thailand friendship under the new circumstances.

Princess Sirindhorn is Chinese people's good and old friend, Wang said, adding that she has been awarded the Medal of Friendship and visited China more than 50 times, facilitating deeper mutual understanding between the two peoples. The Chinese foreign minister said Princess Sirindhorn is a symbol of China-Thai friendship.

Noting that the two countries will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations next year, Wang said China stands ready to maintain high-level exchanges with the Thai side, carry out closer people-to-people exchanges, and take the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries to a new level.

For her part, Sirindhorn said that she has cherished the friendship with China, often presenting the Medal of Friendship to her students. She hoped the exchanges and cooperation between the two countries will be strengthened in the fields of education, traditional medicine, science and technology, and aerospace.

The princess added that she is looking forward to visiting more places in China in the future.

Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand meets with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, in Bangkok, Thailand, Jan. 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Teng)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Then-Senate Republican Leader Len Fasano, R-North Haven, (right) watched the votes on a tally board with Michael J. Cronin, then staff attorney for Senate Republicans, back in March 2018. Cronin was recently released from state prison after three months on larceny and forgery charges. Emilie Munson/Hearst Connecticut Media

Republicans in the state Senate this week dropped their civil lawsuit against Michael J. Cronin, their former top lawyer who stole a quarter million dollars from a GOP political action committee, then repaid it last year before he was led out of a courtroom in handcuffs to serve three months in prison.

The case dates back to December 2018, after Cronin admitted to years of stealing from the Senate Republican Leadership PAC, for which he was treasurer. He was arrested in February 2019. After court delays during the COVID pandemic, Cronin last year pleaded guilty to the thefts and other charges.

Before his October sentencing, Cronin and his lawyer presented the court with a $248,000 check. Minutes later, Cronin, whose law license had previously been suspended, was sentenced to seven years, suspended after six months in prison and was led away from the courtroom by marshals.

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The PAC's lawsuit was withdrawn on Wednesday, less than a month before it was scheduled for trial in Hartford Superior Court, according to court filings. A request for comment from Cronin was not immediately returned on Thursday.

Current Senate Minority Leader Kevin Kelly, R-Stratford, said Thursday afternoon that his staff is negotiating with the State Elections Enforcement Commission to transfer Cronin's restitution check into another PAC. The previous political action committee had been terminated.

"Yes, Mike did make restitution in connection with his criminal matter," Kelly said in a phone interview. "I know our office has been working with the SEEC so we can pay all outstanding invoices for vendors. Were working with them that all to make sure the appropriate accounting is done with regard to those restitution funds."

According to the original GOP complaint, in the late fall of 2018, then Senate Minority Leader Len Fasano of North Haven was informed that an $11,000 check for a vendor's election-year work was returned for insufficient funds. On the morning of Dec. 3, 2018, Cronin admitted to Fasano that he had misappropriated PAC money for his personal use. Fasano fired Cronin from his job, and charged in the criminal court documents at the time that the lawyer had taken nearly $93,000.

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In September of 2020 Cronin was arrested again and charged with forgery and identity theft, while revised court filings estimated his theft from the PAC at $267,800. The lawsuit asked the court for triple damages, interest, punitive damages and attorney's fees.

During the hour-long sentencing in October that preceded his being led out of the courtroom in handcuffs, Hartford Superior Court Judge David P. Gold stressed that Cronins theft and forgery crimes warranted a period of incarceration because he had been a lawyer, even with the $248,670 raised by his family to provide restitution to the GOP PAC.
Home News Indiana may allow public schools to employ chaplains

Indiana lawmakers are considering legislation that, if enacted, would allow religious chaplains to be employed by public schools to provide both secular and religious services.

Known as Senate Bill 50 and authored by Republican Sen. Stacey Donato of District 18, the proposal was introduced earlier this month and passed committee last week.

The Republican Party controls both houses of the state legislature and the executive branch.

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The legislation would allow a school superintendent or principal to employ or "approve as a volunteer" a chaplain, provided the person has "a master's degree in divinity, theology, religious studies, or a related field," two years of experience in counseling, passes a criminal background check and "has never been convicted of an offense requiring registration as a sex offender."

Additionally, the chaplain can only provide secular support to students or faculty unless a student, school employee or "a parent or guardian of the student receiving services" gives permission to receive religious services.

Donato says her legislation aims to give schools "an option to add additional resources for emotional needs of students."

"We are just trying to provide another tool for schools to help with the production of great students  offering an option for a chaplain to come in and assist," said Donato, as quoted by The Journal Review.

Under Indiana law, chaplains are already allowed to volunteer at public schools. The new bill would allow them to be school employees who provide "secular support." Donato says chaplains "must follow the same rules as school counselors."

The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana opposes the legislation, arguing SB 50 would pave the way for violations of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

"The primary role of chaplains is to provide pastoral or religious counseling to people in spiritual need," stated the ACLU of Indiana.

"Allowing them to assume official positions  whether paid or voluntary  in public schools will create an environment ripe for religious coercion and indoctrination of students."

The Rev. Gray Lesesne, pastor at Christ Church Cathedral in Indianapolis, gave testimony against the legislation, claiming that the measure would blur "appropriate professional boundaries."

"Even if I were to dispense secular advice to a young person as a chaplain, they would have a difficult time separating me from my role and calling, and could interpret that as religious counseling  whether that was intended by me or not," Lesesne said, as quoted by The Journal Review.

"I believe there is a place for clergy and people of faith in schools, and that is serving as a volunteer.  That is what chaplains are trained to do. We are not licensed, trained or called to serve in secular settings, or as mental health professionals or counselors."

In June of last year, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed legislation allowing school districts in his state to vote to approve the placing of chaplains in their public schools.

Texas Pastor Ryan Binkley, who is running a longshot campaign to get the Republican presidential nomination, told The Christian Post in an earlier interview that he supported the Texas legislation.

"I think the intent behind it is good and that's really just to try and provide ... better counseling support for our younger generation, and I think that's needed," Binkley said.
Home News Influential group of black churches push for cease-fire in Gaza as Pelosi calls it Putins message

An influential group of more than 1,000 black pastors with thousands of congregants are calling on President Joe Biden and his administration to push for a cease-fire in Gaza as the war between Israel and Hamas deepens, but former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says the call for a ceasefire is the message of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Black faith leaders are extremely disappointed in the Biden administration on this issue, the Rev. Timothy McDonald, senior pastor of First Iconium Baptist Church in Atlanta, which has more than 1,500 members, told the New York Times.

We are afraid, said McDonald who was one of the first pastors of more than 200 black clergy in Georgia to sign an open letter calling for a cease-fire. And weve talked about it  its going to be very hard to persuade our people to go back to the polls and vote for Biden.

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The call for a cease-fire in Gaza isnt new and has been a constant refrain from groups such as the Black Church Pac which began calling for a cease-fire almost as soon as the war began.

Megachurch pastor, the Rev. Jamal Bryant, who leads the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Stonecrest, who is one of the founding members of the Black Church Pac, told the NY Times that he believes the war in Gaza could threaten Bidens chances for re-election in November.

I think Biden threatens his own success, he told the publication, noting that Democrats seem to be almost on cruise control and feel like: Oh, the black people will come around. Theyll be forgiving, and theyll go along with us.

The pastors, who are also calling for the release of hostages held by Hamas, as well as an end to what they describe as Israel's "occupation of the West Bank," according to the Times, said that unlike other wars, the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza has resonated with black Americans.

We see them as a part of us, Rev. Cynthia Hale, founder and senior pastor of Ray of Hope Christian Church in Decatur, explained. They are oppressed people. We are oppressed people.

Black clergy have seen war, militarism, poverty and racism all connected, Barbara Williams-Skinner, co-convener of the National African American Clergy Network, whose members lead some 15 million black churchgoers added. The Israel-Gaza war, unlike Iran and Afghanistan, has evoked the kind of deep-seated angst among black people that I have not seen since the civil rights movement.

A survey conducted Oct. 20-25 by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in the wake of the Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, found that 43% of black Americans supported some form of cease-fire in Gaza, while 24% believe the U.S. should not get involved in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The survey of 1,600 adults which included 800 black Americans and 800 white Americans had a margin of error of +/- 3.6% for the black sample of respondents and +/- 3.51% for the white sample of respondents.

While the feelings of black Americans toward Biden remained largely unchanged, in general, as a result of the war, the study found independent, and young voters felt slightly worse about the president. Though nearly half of black Americans said they did not feel connected to the plight of Israelis or Palestinians, more of them said they felt connected to Israelis, the report said.

Yvette Carnell, president and co-founder of The American Descendants of Slavery (ADOS) Advocacy Foundation, questioned the framing of the narrative presented by the black church leaders in the NY Times piece and whether or not their claim is truly representative of the hundreds of thousands of congregants that make up their churches.

Support what you want, but I tire of this framing, Carnell began in a statement on X, in response to the groups call on Biden.

There are African leaders/dictators who oppress African people. Russia is bombing Ukraine. Bosnia, Herzegovina etc. Oppression is not a lens through which we find sameness. There are oppressed people everywhere. Are the Jews the same as #ADOS bc of the Holocaust? Werent Palestinians just recently calling a dead Black Israeli soldier the N word? Carnell asked.

And is this where black pastors take a stand? Plant their flag? I was at the Baptist Convention last week, and although I heard Dr. Cornel West speak on Palestine, I didnt hear it anywhere else. Are these black pastors representing their constituents? The needs of their constituents?

When asked by CNN political commentator Dana Bash on "State of the Union" Sunday if she was concerned young people, progressives and Arab Americans might stay home instead of voting this year due to anger over Bidens support for Israel in the war against Hamas, former House speaker, Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said the call for a ceasefire is Russian President Vladimir Putins message.

"For them to call for a ceasefire is Mr. Putin's message," she said. "Make no mistake, this is directly connected to what he would like to see. Same thing with Ukraine. It's about Putin's message. I think some of these protesters are spontaneous and organic and sincere. Some, I think, are connected to Russia. And I say that having looked at this for a long time now, as you know."

Pelosi further noted that while she doesnt think people protesting the war in Gaza are Russian plants she does believe some organizations protesting Bidens position on the war could be influenced by Russian money.

I think some financing should be investigated, she said. And I want to ask the FBI to investigate that.
Home News Islamic State claims attack against Catholic Church in Istanbul that killed disabled Muslim man 'We are worried about the future,' apostolic vicar of Istanbul says

The Islamic State claimed a Sunday terrorist attack against a Roman Catholic church in Istanbul, Turkey, that killed a mentally disabled Muslim man.

The terrorist organization admitted through its media arm to attacking "a gathering of Christian unbelievers during their polytheistic ceremony" at the Santa Maria Church in Istanbul's Buyukdere neighborhood, according to The Associated Press.

Footage obtained by Reuters shows the moment masked gunmen opened fire during the church's Sunday Mass.

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Two masked gunmen shot one person dead during Sunday service at a church in Istanbul, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said https://t.co/FLIXYiCV5fpic.twitter.com/gLJyPZBRkK  Reuters (@Reuters) January 28, 2024

Police arrested two men early on Monday, one of whom is Russian and the other from Tajikistan, according to Turkey's Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya. The arrests followed police raids at more than 30 locations, during which 51 suspects were detained, AP reported.

"Both of the suspects are foreign nationals," Yerlikaya said. "One of them is from Tajikistan and the other is Russian, and we evaluated them to be with the Islamic State."

Yerlikaya also said Sunday in a post on X that he and the Turkish government "strongly condemn this vile attack."

Tuncer Cihan, 52, who was shot and killed during the attack, was "a person who had done nothing wrong," according to the church's lawyer, Avsin Hatipoglu, who spoke to the AP. He said the church is reportedly requesting increased security in the vicinity.

The lawyer added that Cihan was not even a Christian but Alevi, a sect of Shia Islam. Cihan's nephew identified him and noted that he was mentally disabled, according to The New York Post. Yerlikaya also confirmed the identity of the victim.

Sukru Genc, the mayor of Sariyer District, told a local news outlet that Cihan was standing near the entrance to the church when the attack took place, according to CNN.

"According to the priest, he was constantly going to church, and the priest knew this person and referred to him as 'a good person,'" Genc said.

"Such provocations will never be allowed in our country," Akif Cagatay Kilic, one of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's top political advisers, wrote in a statement posted to X on Sunday. "The perpetrators will be caught as soon as possible and held accountable before justice."

Bishop Massimiliano Palinuro, who serves as the apostolic vicar of Istanbul, told EWTN News that Cihan was murdered "during the consecration while all the congregation was praying."

"We are worried about the future because if this is a sign of the religious intolerance, for our community, it could be a bad sign. Let us pray," Palinuro said.

In response to news of the arrests, Palinuro said, "We trust in the justice of God."

The Turkish bishops' conference condemned the attack in a Sunday statement, urging people to pray and to avoid "[spreading] the culture of hatred and religious discrimination," according to Catholic News Agency.

"We firmly condemn this act of violence against humanity," the statement said, which was signed by Archbishop Martin Kmetec of Izmir.

"We trust that the Turkish state security forces will find those responsible and that justice will be done," he said. "We firmly demand that the truth be revealed and that greater security be guaranteed to our communities and churches."

Pope Francis wrote on X: "I express my closeness to the community of the Church of St. Mary Draperis in Istanbul, which suffered an armed attack during Mass that killed one person and injured several others."

I express my closeness to the community of the Church of St. Mary Draperis in Istanbul, which suffered an armed attack during Mass that killed one person and injured several others.  Pope Francis (@Pontifex) January 28, 2024

Approximately 25,000 Roman Catholics live in Turkey as of 2022, according to the U.S. State Department.

Yerlikaya claimed Turkey has detained 2,086 people with suspected ties to the Islamic State and arrested 529 since last June, according to Reuters.

Twenty-five people suspected of having ties to the Islamic State were arrested in Turkey on Jan. 3 amid allegations that they were planning to attack churches and synagogues, according to the Turkish news outlet Anadolu Agency.
Home News 'Gender Indoctrination' podcast exposes growing influence of gender ideology in American culture (pt. 1)

A groundbreaking podcast is examining the growing influence of gender ideology in American culture and the exhaustive, though sometimes covert, efforts those across the social, political and religious spectrums are taking to address the issue at the state and national levels.

In the premiere episode of Gender Indoctrination: Inside the Transgender Battle titled A Breaking Point? Legislatures Revolt Against Gender Ideology, Christian Post social commentator, podcast host and author Brandon Showalter interviewed Jay Richards, a senior research fellow at the Heritage Foundation, who has been at the forefront of the fight against gender ideology.

Richards highlighted the pervasive nature of this ideology, emphasizing that it has infiltrated various aspects of society, from education to social media, affecting even the most unexpected places.

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Though gender ideology has seen increasing visibility in media in recent years, Richards pointed out that the issue did not suddenly emerge in 2015 but had been developing for decades in academia and other institutions.

The changes were happening behind the scenes sort of undetectably or at least not obviously, he said. It was happening in law schools and in schools of education and in gender studies departments and universities for decades, honestly, going back at least to the 1980s.

One of the key aspects of the discussion revolved around the state-level legislative efforts aimed at curbing trans medicalization, including the use of puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and irreversible surgeries on minors.

Richards said he initially believed that only a few states might enact such laws but was pleasantly surprised when 17 more states throughout the South and Midwest followed suit despite facing legal challenges.

Everybody, especially social conservatives, are just used to losing, he said. That spirit of despair and, The Lords coming back any day, so we're all going to lose, that is the wrong attitude. We have been put here for a reason. We can fight this and we are going to win this. We're going to win this fight on the gender medicalization of kids. There's no doubt in my mind.

The podcast also features lawmakers, public policy experts and activists who've been actively shaping the discourse on gender ideology for years.

Robin Lundstrum, a state representative from Arkansas, discussed her experience as the lead sponsor of the SAFE Act, a bill that aimed to prohibit gender medicalization in minors. Despite facing opposition, the bill eventually passed and was signed into law, marking a significant victory.

We're running into a burning building for these children, she said.

Gabe Firment, a Louisiana state representative, shared his journey in pushing similar legislation in his state. He highlighted concerns about becoming a destination for body-mutilating trans procedures if neighboring states did not implement similar laws.

The discussion also touched upon the legal challenges faced by these state laws. Some have already been upheld by federal courts, while others are making their way through the legal system. It is expected that these laws might eventually lead to a circuit split, forcing the issue to the Supreme Court for a national resolution.

"When it hits the Supreme Court, the opinions are irrelevant, but they're going to look at the science and they're going to look at, 'What's the long-term implications,'" Lundstrum said. "This isn't going to be pretty when ... when they're going to look at chemical castration, shrinking a penis to a peanut and cutting breasts off little 13 and 14-year-old girls. That's ugly, and people don't like that type of thing and they're not going to want to see this on the six o'clock news."

Joseph Kohm, public policy director of the Family Policy Alliance, emphasized the bipartisan nature of support for these laws. He revealed that many legislators, regardless of their political affiliation, recognize the need to protect children from potentially harmful medical interventions.

Sixty percent of these bills that have been passed were passed with some measure of bipartisan support. I love that because it rebuts both the media and cultural narrative that this is some radical right-wing push, a big pull of bigoted hatred against trans youth. And that stat blows that messaging line apart, he said.

In addition to legislative efforts, the podcast explored the issue of conscience rights for healthcare professionals who object to providing so-called "gender-affirming" care.

Andrea Picciotti-Bayer, director of the Conscience Project, highlighted cases where healthcare workers and religious institutions stood up against government mandates to provide such care, emphasizing the importance of protecting the rights of conscience.

I think there will continue to be a push for the manipulation of our health system to perpetuate the goals of gender ideology and to use medical professionals, hospitals, insurers, pharmacists, to further their ends, even in spite of religious and conscience rights objections, she warned.

In a particularly poignant segment, the episode also featured Kara Dansky, a former ACLU attorney and radical feminist, who has been a vocal opponent of gender ideology.

She discussed the challenges faced by Democrats who dissent from the party's stance on trans issues and expressed concerns about the party's potential attempts to downplay their previous support for gender ideology.

I think, at the federal level, support for so-called gender identity is less strong than it may seem. And I say that because I do a lot of analyzing of what's going on behind the scenes, she said.

As it becomes more and more known and appreciated just how deeply unpopular trans and gender identity are, I worry that the Democrats in power and the media and the traditionally progressive organizations are just going to quietly stop talking about it, and they're going to pretend like it never happened, she stressed. They're going to deny that they ever supported allowing convicted male rapists and women's prisons, they're going to deny that they ever supported transing of kids. They're just going to deny that any of this ever happened.

Click here to learn more about "Generation Indoctrination: Inside the Transgender Battle."
Home News Ukraine has right to crackdown on weaponized churches, religious freedom expert says

Ukraine's strategy to crack down on what it perceives as "weaponized" religious institutions aligned with Russian aggression, including the Russian Orthodox Church and its Ukrainian affiliates, might be extreme but justified, a human rights expert argues.

In an op-ed published in National Review, Nina Shea, a human rights lawyer and director of the Center for Religious Freedom at the conservative Washington-based think tank Hudson Institute, stresses that Patriarch Kirill of the Russian Orthodox Church is not a passive observer but an active participant in Russia's war efforts. She believes that Ukraine has every right to "defend itself from Russia's aggression, and that should include defending itself from a weaponized church."

Her piece comes as the Ukrainian government has escalated its actions against Ukrainian Orthodox Churches and leaders, including the arrest of 68 priests and Metropolitan Pavel. Ukraine has also added Orthodox Patriarch Kirill of Moscow to its "most wanted" list in December.

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Kirill has blessed Russia's invasion of Ukraine that began in February 2022 and has portrayed it as a holy war, intertwining religion with the Kremlin's political ambitions, Shea wrote. She added that the Russian Orthodox Church has historically aligned itself with Soviet authorities and continues to support President Putin's regime.

"Religion was not Putin's primary reason for invading Ukraine, but Kirill has been his stalwart partner in the fight," wrote Shea, a former member of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom.

"In 1927, after Stalin slaughtered or imprisoned over 50,000 Orthodox religious, and even greater numbers of laity, the Russian Orthodox leadership capitulated with a 'Declaration of Loyalty to the Soviets.' Today, the Moscow Patriarchate continues as an active and loyal Putin ally."

A delegation from the Ukrainian National Council of Churches and Religious Organizations, representing several different churches excluding the UOC, defended Kyiv's actions during an October meeting with the Hudson Institute.

They detailed instances of UOC clergy acting as Russian military collaborators and propagators of Moscow's disinformation.

"They told of UOC clergy serving as Russian military collaborators, spotters for snipers, spies, conveyors of strategic information, and propagators of Moscow's disinformation," she wrote.

The Kremlin, Shea added, leverages the Moscow Patriarchate to morally justify its aggression, with Kirill persuading the Russian Orthodox populace of the war's righteousness.

In contrast, Bob Amsterdam, an attorney representing the UOC, criticized the Ukrainian government's actions in an interview with Tucker Carlson late last year.

Amsterdam argued that the UOC, having declared independence from Moscow in May 2022, is unjustly targeted. He accused the Ukrainian government of political motivations, aiming to suppress the UOC in favor of the newly established Orthodox Church of Ukraine, recognized by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.

The lawyer accused the Orthodox Church of Ukraine of engaging in an "unlimited campaign to steal property, harass, intimidate and jail clerics, force conscription on believers, act in a manner that is almost unbelievable in a civilized society.

Theyll use the excuse that this church, which, by the way, completely separated from Moscow in May of last year, is somehow connected to the Russian [Federal Security Service], Amsterdam said. But based on the testimonies Ive reviewed, there seems to be little substance to this allegation.

Last December, Ukraine passed a law to ban religious organizations linked to Russian influence, citing national security concerns.

Some experts argue that the law while safeguarding Ukraine's "spiritual independence," has raised questions about religious freedom. The domestic security agency's counterintelligence operation against the UOC has led to investigations of over dozens of priests and raids on religious sites.

The situation is complex, with the UOC's historical significance and its recent formal disassociation from the Moscow Patriarchate. The UOC's split in May 2022 was seen by many as insufficient in distancing itself from Russian influence. The Orthodox Church of Ukraine, now the majority church in Ukraine, represents a shift in religious dynamics, further complicating the government's stance on the UOC.

Internationally, the U.S. has provided substantial aid to Ukraine, raising concerns about the implications of supporting actions that could be perceived as infringing on religious freedoms. Comparisons have been drawn to U.S. policies in other regions, questioning the consistency of America's stance on religious liberty.

As Shea and other experts note, the Ukraine conflict has a significant religious dimension that cannot be ignored. The politicization of the Moscow Patriarchate and its role in the war adds layers to the ongoing crisis.

Ukraine's efforts to restrict the Moscow Patriarchate and its Ukrainian loyalists are seen by some, like Shea, as necessary for national security, while others view them as a troubling infringement on religious freedom.
Home News World War III 'will not stop world evangelization, John Piper says

John Piper expressed optimism about the future of global Christian missions even if current conflicts in Eastern Europe and the Middle East lead to World War III.

On an episode of the Ask Pastor John podcast, a listener identified as Malcolm asked about wars raging across the globe, noting that he was anxious about the state of the world.

All the worlds major armies seem to be awakening from a long slumber, said Malcolm. As we step into this new age of global tension, and as you see the news  the wars and the rumors of wars  what are your spiritual reflections about global conflicts?

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How do you comfort yourself with biblical truth and with Gods sovereignty when it seems that the world is growing more hostile, and World War III is talked about more and more openly as a real possibility in the near future?

Piper decided to narrow his answer to the issue of what happens to the global missionary enterprise in times of wars and rumors of wars, believing that such upheavals might lead some believers to forsake or neglect or minimize the command of Jesus to make disciples among all the peoples of the world.

Piper referenced Matthew 24:5-14, in which Jesus talks about wars and rumors of wars, as well as that, leading up to the End Times, this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations.

This connection makes plain wars and rumors of wars will not stop Gods mission, said Piper. The mission will be completed in spite of, sometimes because of, nation rising against nation.

Whatever disruptions in missions are caused by wars and rumors of wars, the words of Jesus stand firm. Wars and rumors of wars will not stop world evangelization.

Piper then turned to history, noting that many prominent missionary organizations and efforts that were founded in Europe and the United States during the Civil War.

He also pointed to other major conflicts and how revivals and evangelistic organizations were launched, even as the world found itself dealing with major military conflicts.

Pipers examples included how the Interdenominational Foreign Mission Association was founded during World War I, Wycliffe Bible Translators was launched during World War II, and the World Evangelical Alliance and Campus Crusade for Christ were organized during the Korean War.

This is just a tiny taste of the truth that wars and rumors of wars are not going to stop Gods promise to complete the task of world missions, Piper added. So, Malcolm, this is what the Lord has been using recently in my life to strengthen my heart and encourage me to press on in this great work.

Pipers comments come as the conflict in the Middle East appears to be expanding. Among other things, the United States recently launched strikes on the Iran-backed Houthi militia group in Yemen, while Lebanon-based Hezbollah has been launching missile attacks on Israel.

On Sunday, three U.S. service members were killed and 34 injured in a drone strike at a base in northeast Jordan, near the Syria border. This marked the 160th attack on U.S. troops since mid-October.

The escalation  and the inherent dangers for the futurereflects a merger of crises in the Middle East, reported The New Yorker earlier this month.

Ten conflicts among diverse rivals or in different arenas over disparate flash points and divergent goals are now converging. For all the recent punditry warning about a widening war, the trajectory has long been obvious.
Home Opinion Christian Nationalism? Yes, please (and thank you for the compliment)

Is the rhetoric of James Carville against conservatives and Christians similar to the othering rhetoric used against the Jews 90 years ago in Germany? It seems the answer might be yes.

Democrat and Marxist crusaders have always been shrewd in their use of language. To sell their lighter version of communism and lull unsuspecting citizens into believing their doctrines, socialists use words quite strategically. Well-sewn, oft-repeated terms are used to demonize and silence voices of disagreement.



Woke, globalists and Marxists of the 21st century have taken the leveraging of language to new heights (or should I say depths?). With a malicious acumen that would make the talking snake of Genesis 3 proud, the woke left wants you to believe all honest disagreement comes from places of racism and fear. So, they smear their opposition as hateful and phobic. In the minds of woke activists, thats all that any of the rest of us are.



Decades of struggle to save the three Cs



There are three Cs that woke activists hate. And people who, knowingly or not, represent the three Cs are viewed with more than contempt by the DEI / woke / Marxist globalists. The three Cs, so despised by the left are, Conservative, Constitutionalist, and Christian.



Patriotic advocates of the three Cs have included many brilliant (e.g.,Antonin Scalia), eloquent (e.g.,William F. Buckley), and media-savvy (e.g.,Rush Limbaugh) Americans. Numerous clergy over the last few decades, mindful of the religious freedoms at risk should leftists realize their dream of a militantly secular America, have invested much pulpit time on the subject (Pat Robertson, Dr. Alveda King, Father Frank Pavone, Franklin Graham, et al).

The Democrat party, tirelessly fighting for decades to obliterate the three Cs, has morphed into a regime enforcing things I am convinced would horrify FDR, JFK, and LBJ. On December 2, 2023, Clinton acolyte James Carville told Bill Maher that what Mike Johnson stands for (Constitutionalism?) and these people (Christians?), are a bigger threat to this country than Al Qaeda.

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No one would ever describe James Carville as objective, but it shows the myopia of leftist apologists that he and Bill Mahr would deride 63% of US adults as, these people. (That is the estimate of how many identity as Christian, be they Catholic, Protestant, or Orthodox).



Lets proudly embrace the lefts most potent slur of all.



And now ... lets consider what I am sure the woke activists hope is their most effective slur against those who believe in God and who care about Americas future: Christian nationalist.



Just about the only word that Democrats are strategically tossing out more than democracy these days is the term, Christian nationalist. Their hope is that all conservative, constitutionalist, Christians will clam up, shrink back from political engagement, and contritely promise to never do it again.

Militants on the left and milquetoasts on the right should remember that over the past 2,000 years, essentially all progress on behalf of human rights and the spread of moral truth have depended on Christian involvement. Some of historys most fortuitous moments resulting in the betterment of the human condition have come about when followers of Christ inserted themselves into governmental and cultural affairs.

Many evangelical celebrities use their social media platforms to remind Christians that our hope is not in politics. It does sound pious to say that Our allegiance is to God, not man. Our priority is the Gospel, not government.

For the Christian believer, of course, our ultimate home is heaven. Certainly, our number one priority is to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ the Savior. But should the church be politically vocal, and can we do this without compromising our loyalty to our King and His Kingdom? Absolutely. In fact, we have inherited many blessings today from courageous Christians before us who were intensely politically engaged.

Most have heard of William Wilberforce and his crusades before Parliament to end slavery in Britain. Perhaps less well-known is his colleague Thomas Clarkson, but together they acted on their deeply-held Christian convictions, speaking publicly about (and to) the British Empire. They successfully engaged the help of Parliament member Thomas Buxton in their establishment of abolitionist societies, their work on behalf of child rights, and ultimately, the ending of slavery.



Good thing that these men (and their contemporaries) were eager to have their Christianity shape their cultural involvement. For those who wish for Christians to abandon political engagement, it is helpful to remember the immeasurable good done by Christians who were courageous enough (and wise enough) to understand the churchs responsibility to a lost world: servant of the poor, Mother Theresa; civil rights reformer Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., evangelist Billy Graham, educator Jerry Falwell, and prison ministry champion Charles Colson  to name but a few.

If caring about God and America makes me an undesirable, so be it



In 1941, Hitler staffer Reinhard Heydrich mandated the Jewish badge, visibly labeling all Jews age six and up. This planned labeling would publicly target for elimination those whom the Nazis found so undesirable.

In trying to demonize Constitutionalist conservatives as evil, Christian nationalists, the woke Dems of today are doing the same thing. Had Americas lefties been amongst the German territories in 1941, they would have been enforcing the Star of David, just like with Christian nationalism theyre badging political enemies today.



Dont believe it? Well, look at whos been standing with terrorists since October 7 who wish to drive the Jewish nation into extinction. Theyre the same new-world-order globalists who want to expunge Christians from the U.S.



Fellow Christian, be not afraid to own the term, Christian nationalist. We believe in and acknowledge God, and we care about the future of America. We have convictions and courage. We cant be bought, and unlike the woke left, we Christian nationalists are not in anybodys hip pocket.



Mr. Carville, we thank you for the compliment, and we thank God for our freedoms.
Democracy is having a moment

(Photo: Unsplash/Element5 Digital)

According to a recent article in the Los Angeles Times, a record 4.2 billion people could vote in elections around the world this year. Ballots will be cast on every continent except Antarctica, and that's only because penguins can't vote.

To be sure, too many of these elections will not be free, fair, or secure. And, in too many places, an election could only escalate political tensions and further the loss of freedoms. A couple weeks ago, voters in Taiwan elected a new president from the Democratic Progressive Party, increasing tensions between the independence-minded Taiwanese and the Chinese Communist Party.

India's incumbent prime minister, a Hindu nationalist, is expected to easily win a third term this spring, which likely means persecution against Christians and Muslims will intensify there. The election in Bangladesh earlier this month is widely believed to have been a sham, and the upcoming election in Russia will likely have even less credibility.

Some view these failures as proof that democracy doesn't work. LA Times columnist Joe Mathews predicted that after seeing all the "ugliness" on display in so-called democratic elections across the world this year, people might finally start looking for a "better way."

Still, the very fact that so much of the global community recognizes corruption and unfair elections as "ugliness" is itself a testament to the power and durability of democratic ideas. The world wasn't always like this. Before America's founding, representative democracy was far from the norm, and even then, it wasn't expected worldwide. As Christian ideas about universal human value and dignity expanded across the West, so did the notion that all people should have the right to participate in their own governments. These same ideas are why we reject sham elections and authoritarianism. These ideas are why nations aspired to equality and honesty, and why they now seem obvious goods.

Though the ancient Greeks are often credited with "inventing" democracy, women and slaves had no right to vote or participate in government. Often, free men of wealth didn't have the option to participate but were mandated to do so.

In the early 1800s, French philosopher and political historian Alexis de Tocqueville visited the newly independent United States. In his published collection of observations, Democracy in America, de Tocqueville credited Christianity with giving the world its first real philosophical foundation for real democracy: "Christianity, which has rendered all men equal before God, will not be loath to see all citizens equal before the law."

The idea that humans had inherent dignity and were therefore equal to one another is a uniquely Christian idea, de Tocqueville argued, and fundamentally unlike the utilitarian philosophies that gave rise to the so-called "democracies" of ancient Greece: "It was necessary that Jesus Christ come to earth to make it understood that all members of the human species are naturally alike and equal."

Obviously, democracy in America at the country's founding also fell disastrously short of this ideal. Slaves, women, and even free African Americans were denied the right to vote and, particularly in the case of slavery, were treated as subhuman. The truth held to be "self-evident, that all men were created equal and endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights" was an aspiration not met. However, it is because of this aspiration that we recognize our profound moral failures as a nation.

In the same way, the corruption and dishonest elections we will likely witness around the globe this year do not prove that democracy is a bad idea. Rather, they are proof of another biblical description of the human condition. Humans are fallen and are subject to sin's corruption.

The LA Times may be concerned about whether humans can survive democracy. A better question is whether democracy can survive fallen humanity. This was another of Alexis de Tocqueville's observations: That just as Christianity provides the philosophical and moral grounding for democracy, Christian morality is the only system that can keep democracy from devolving into tyranny.

A democracy can only be sustained if informed citizens operate within a moral framework. This, in turn, requires an understanding of the world as it actually is, especially what it means to be human. Elected representatives who can't distinguish good from evil, or "man" from "woman" can hardly be expected to enact policies that allow men and women to seek the good. As John Adams, the second U.S. president, wrote, "our constitution was made only for a moral and religious People. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other."

God has placed us in this moment, a moment that is really a historical anomaly. Among other things, this implies we have a responsibility to be the moral people upon which democracy depends. Thus, we must commit again to loving one another, to governing our tempers, ambitions, greed, and tendency toward selfishness, and to never compromising on the truth of what it means to be human or what it means to seek the good.

Copyright 2024 by the Colson Center for Christian Worldview. Reprinted from BreakPoint.org with permission.
Puerto Rican Troubador Hermes Croatto is part of Borricorridor, a yearlong tour that will visit Hartford, Boston and New York. Contributed by Boricorridor /Hearst Connecticut Media The members of Jazz Boricua pose for a portrait. The group is part of Borricorridor, a yearlong tour that will visit Hartford, Boston and New York. Contributed by Boricorridor, Agora Cultural Architects Comedy sketch troupe Las Jevas are part of Borricorridor, a yearlong tour that will visit Hartford, Boston and New York. Contributed by Boricorridor, Agora Cultural Architects Joaquin Jarque, left, and Gretza Merced, right, as the characters of Quintuples, a classic Puerto Rican play. The play is part of Borricorridor, a yearlong tour that will visit Hartford, Boston and New York. Contributed by Boricorridor, Agora Cultural Architects Musician Kiani Medina is part of Borricorridor, a yearlong tour that will visit Hartford, Boston and New York. Contributed by Boricorridor, Agora Cultural Architects

HARTFORD  Cultural organization Agora Cultural Architects has launched BoriCorridor, a new, yearlong tour that features a diverse mix of five Puerto Rican artists, comedians, musicians and actors scheduled to entertain New York, Hartford and Boston.

Were trying to show the world the cultural richness of Puerto Rico with these five artists, said Agora co-director Elsa Mosquera in Spanish. What we want is to serve our Boricua population and simultaneously offer opportunities to Puerto Rican artists so they can connect with audiences that are sadly decreasing on the island.

BoriCorridor Tour 2024 | Hartford Las Jevas de Teatro Breve

Saturday, March 16, 2024 | 7:00 pm

Hoffman Auditorium, University of Saint Joseph (West Hartford) Jazz Boricua

Saturday, April 13, 2024 | 7:00 pm

Church of the Good Shepherd Parish House Hermes Croatto

Friday, May 3, 2024 | 7:00 pm

Church of the Good Shepherd Parish House Kiani

Friday, October 18, 2024 | 7:00 pm

Charter Oak Cultural Center Quintuples

Saturday, November 16, 2024 | 7:00 pm

Charter Oak Cultural Center

High numbers of Puerto Ricans have moved to the Northeast since after World War II. In 2020, the U.S. Census reported that Puerto Ricans were the largest Hispanic group in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. In Connecticut, 288,344 residents, or about 8% of the population, are Puerto Rican. Many of them are concentrated in large urban centers like Hartford, where the census estimated that 28% of the population was Puerto Rican in 2022.

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Compiling directory

Despite the high numbers of Puerto Ricans in the region, Mosquera had a difficult time connecting stateside Puerto Rican audiences with artists from her home island. As a result, she proposed BoriCorridor: a corridor for Boricuas, or Puerto Ricans, to connect with their cultural heritage.

Puerto Rico is a diasporic nation and a nation that has always questioned its identity. We reaffirm our identity through culture, Mosquera explained.

The tour is funded by a two-year grant of $700,000 from Carnegie Mellon and is the second part of a yearlong project to create a directory of mainland cultural centers for Puerto Rican artists.

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So far, Mosquera said that Boricorrridor has identified about 800 cultural institutions in the continental US and formally registered about 130 through its website. She explained that not just formal cultural institutions can register, but also invited smaller committees like Puerto Rican festival committees and individual promoters to participate in her initiative.

"We want all cultural spaces, festivals, promoters, and presenters providing services to Puerto Rican communities to be part of this directory, which will serve to develop new opportunities and continue promoting our Puerto Rican identity," said Agora co-director Zeida Garcia in a statement.

Creating the tour

BoriCorridor decided to partner with PR Ticket, a Puerto-Rican based company to create ticketing through Boritix.com instead of giving the ticketing money to an external company.

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In Hartford, Agora partnered with Charter Oak Cultural Center to present all five dates of the tour. However, the centers facilities are under renovation, so some of the dates are scheduled at other local cultural organizations.

We are delighted to partner with Agora Cultural Architects once again as one of the hosts of the BoriCorridor Tour. Charter Oak Cultural Center is proud to bring this marvelous celebration of Puerto Rican culture to Connecticut," said Executive Director Rabbi Donna Berman in a statement.

The tour is set to premiere in March with a presentation of Las Jevas, an improv comedy sketch group from Puerto Rican theater collective Teatro Breve. There is also a jazz group, a traditional Puerto Rican troubadour, a musician and a presentation of Quintuples, a classic play from Puerto Rican theater.

Actor Cristina Soler has worked at Teatro Breve for years and is one of the four actors who will be touring the Northeast with Las Jevas. She explained that a Jeva is someone who is empowered, sure of herself, happy, unafraid, and ready to learn at any age.

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The comedy troupe has seen success on the island, which Soler attributed to the unique space of Teatro Breve, which she compared to a laboratory for theater. Now, she said that she is excited to bring the show to new audiences who havent had the chance to go see a show at Teatro Breve in San Juan.

Teatro Breve is where you go to laugh and laugh and laugh. And when you leave, it makes you think, she said. Its a space of a lot of freedom and a lot of expression.

BoriCorridor shows run from March 16 to November 16 in different locations. Tickets can be purchased at boritix.com. The directory can be accessed at boricorridor.com.

Correction: This story has been updated to correct the name of Agora Cultural Architects co-director Elsa Mosquera.
Not only does culture define who you are and how you interact with one another, it also impacts a teams performance and productivity. Poor culture impacts a teams delivery  having a really good culture means delivering whats needed for the business, Dundas says.

Phil Dundas, CTO for Fixed Income, Prudential Global Investment Management Prudential Global Investment Management

Making culture stick

One of the most important rules of making culture stick is breaking down silos and creating a more holistic community of IT. First Citizens Bank, which over the past decade-plus has grown from $17 billion to $210 billion in assets driven by a flurry of mergers and acquisitions, has made a concerted effort over the years to establish a team DNA instead of individual fiefdoms.

If the network team, DBA team, or application team drops the ball, it should reflect on all of us in IT, not just on individual team delivery, explains Dede Ramoneda, executive vice president and CIO for the bank. We broke down silos and redefined our identity as delivering the whole of an IT solution rather than delivering a specific piece. Sometimes you have to suboptimize individual parts to optimize the whole and that changes how you work with your peers and how you challenge each other.

Dede Ramoneda, EVP and CIO, First Citizens Bank First Citizens Bank

Its also important to be intentional and explicit in reinforcing key values to keep everyone onboard. Ramonedas leadership team makes it a point to constantly connect the impact of the services IT delivers to its customers lives, especially when theres a problem. For example, IT leaders shared stories of when a downed ATM network prevented a customer from getting cash to fund the purchase of an engagement ring or another missing their cruise departure time because they were waylaid by a faulty ATM. We use these types of storytelling to underscore that were not just supporting systems, were supporting technology that affects peoples lives, Ramoneda says.

At Brown & Brown Insurance, the IT culture is all about building close alignment with the business to drive positive outcomes  a partnership that is continually reinforced by listening, immersing IT leaders in the business, and changing its interviewing and recruiting process to zero in on people who are partnership- and business-focused, not just technically literate, says Gray Nester, BBNIs executive vice president and CIO.

Patience and grace must be part of the process as people may not initially understand what youre asking them to do and why they might need to change behaviors.

Gray NestEr, EVP and CIO, Brown & Brown Insurance Brown & Brown Insurance

You have to be willing to give people feedback and examples on a regular basis to drive a different result, Nester says. The real hard part starts with moving the needle  you have to be willing to spend time with the business, spend time with leadership, and be willing to put progress over perfection.

Whats a key measure that an IT culture is well formed and delivering results? For Deepa Soni, CIO at The Hartford, its tied up in validation that the IT organization is seen as a strategic partner to the business  a point driven home when organizational leaders, including the CEO, cite technology transformation as a key lever for the insurance giants competitive advantage.

When business leaders talk about how enhanced capabilities and digital tools help them take market share or feel good about how theyre competing in the market, thats what success looks like to us, Soni says.

Deepa Soni, CIO, The Hartford The Hartford

Perhaps the most important advice from Soni and other CIOs focused on IT culture: Dont take your foot off the gas.

You realize pretty quickly that without continuous reinforcement of principles, culture can erode pretty quickly, says PNNIs Abrahamson. Patience and staying power on strategy is really key.
Decision support systems definition

A decision support system (DSS) is an interactive information system that analyzes large volumes of data for informing business decisions. A DSS supports the management, operations, and planning levels of an organization in making better decisions by assessing the significance of uncertainties and the tradeoffs involved in making one decision over another.

A DSS leverages a combination of raw data, documents, personal knowledge, and/or business models to help users make decisions. The data sources used by a DSS could include relational data sources, cubes, data warehouses, electronic health records (EHRs), revenue projections, sales projections, and more.

Purpose of a decision support system

DSSes differ from other operations applications in that their purpose is to analyze data rather than collect it. A DSS integrates and synthesizes multiple variables to project the likelihood of various outcomes.

The concept of decision support systems grew out of research conducted at the Carnegie Institute of Technology in the 1950s and 1960s, but took root in the enterprise in the 1980s in the form of executive information systems (EIS), group decision support systems (GDSS), and organizational decision support systems (ODSS).

With organizations increasingly focused on data-driven decision-making, decision science (or decision intelligence) is on the rise, and decision scientists may be the key to unlocking the potential of decision science systems. Bringing together applied data science, social science, and managerial science, decision science focuses on selecting between options to reduce the effort required to make higher-quality decisions.

Decision support system examples

Decision support systems are used in a broad array of industries. Examples include:
Concurs de selectare a 2 experti/ experte in storytelling pentru dezvoltarea capacitatilor copiilor de a impartasi experienta lor de aparare a drepturilor omului prin intermediul storytellingului
Anunt concurs pentru post vacant Institutia Publica Centrul de Consiliere Agricola si Rurala (CCAR) este in cautare de un profesionist dinamic si dedicat, pentru pozitia de Sef/a de Sectie la sectia Inovare si transfer de cunostinte in cadrul institutie
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Last week, culture secretary Lucy Frazer urged the British public to get over its squeamish attitude to philanthropy and a tendency to view charitable donations, particularly by businesses, with mild suspicion.

Her words echoed those of Orlando Fraser, chair of the Charity Commission, who last year warned trustees they could face regulatory action if they demonstrate personal squeamishness around sources of philanthropic funding.

Unlike the Commission chair, Frazer gave examples of charities being pressured into rejecting money from organisational funders.

It has to start with applauding  not seeking to find fault with  those organisations who give generously, whether thats through sponsorships or donations.

Just look at the past few years. The Science Museum forced to abandon its backing by Shell.

The National Portrait Gallery received a great deal of unwarranted criticism for its sponsorship by a law firm.

For its recent commitment of 50m to the British Museum, the biggest donation of its kind, I think we should say to BP, thank you.

The examples relate to money from fossil fuel giants, with the law firm, Herbert Smith Freehills, having represented several oil and gas firms including BP.

Many other charities have taken a stand on climate change recently, with the Church of England announcing its divestment from fossil fuels last year.

Charity sector groups have campaigned prominently on green issues in recent years, including NPCs Everyones Environment programme and NCVOs Fuelling Positive Change initiative.

Partnering with fossil fuel giants risks undermining all of this work.

A complicated decision

Frazer oversimplified the decision charities face when they are criticised for taking money from a divisive source.

The charities she named do not merely have to choose between money and morals  by accepting one, large, controversial donation, they risk putting off other would-be donors, not to mention their staff and volunteers, who are equally rare and treasured assets during a cost-of-living crisis.

Autistic Nottingham chief executive Claire Whyte wrote for Fundraising Magazine recently: We would sacrifice the faith and trust of our beneficiaries if we took funds from an unethical source, which, at the end of the day, would leave us with a lot of cash in the bank and no one to give it to.

Frazer quoted the Commission chair in her speech last week: Giving is good for those who give, it is good for those who benefit, and it is good for society as a whole.

This is a nice phrase but it deserves scrutiny. Why is it good for those who give? On a basic level, the donor loses money.

What wealthy organisations gain from large, high-profile donations is legitimacy. Polls in recent years have shown that the general public increasingly trusts charities, unlike other institutions.

Last year, charities public trust rating rose to 6.3 out of 10, compared to 5.0 for private firms.

Charities are therefore a shrewd investment for organisations with cash to spare seeking to boost their own profile by association.

It is vital that charities consider the potential impact on their reputation that an association with a less popular organisation could have.

Charities, and the general public, would be naive not to consider why an organisation would want to make a large donation with their own branding prominently positioned.

The timing of these speeches is curious, too, with English Heritage returning a 11.2m donation , the largest in its history, last year after the Hamish Ogston Foundations founder was accused of human trafficking.

Presumably, Fraser and Frazer would not consider the conservation charitys trustees squeamish for doing so.

Applying pressure to the wealthy

It is welcome to hear the culture secretary and Commission chair each express ambitions for an increase in philanthropic giving in the UK.

But it is unhelpful for them both to imply that recipient charities bear some responsibility for British philanthropists lack of generosity.

Pressure should be applied to the high-net-worth individuals and organisational donors hoarding funds rather than the charities in desperate need of them.

Writing for Civil Society last year, Alliance magazine executive editor Charles Keidan proposed that charitable trusts in the UK should be required to pay out at least 5% of their assets each year in grants.

The 5% requirement would match the amount that foundations in the US, Canada and Australia are required to donate and could raise an estimated 1bn more for charities.

While this proposed intervention was unpopular with many in the sector , it would arguably be more likely to boost charities incomes than mere encouragement.

In the meantime, lets start with applauding charities that do make the difficult decision to turn down funding for the good of their cause.
When disaster hits in the US, the federal government gives aid to states and counties, but also to individuals. In 2022, the Federal Emergency Management Agency delivered $3.25 billion to nearly 1.4 million households recovering from damaging floods and fires. The aid money helps cover things as large as home repairs and as small as diapers, drinking water, food and other necessities.

This aid regime was created by Congress: The Stafford Act of 1988 threw a lifeline to Americans who were not covered by private insurance, a group assumed to be small. But that can no longer be taken for granted. Insurance rates are rising as costly disasters become more frequent, and with more and more people living in higher-risk areas such as coastal Florida and wildfire-prone parts of the West. Insurance companies are now stepping back from some markets. Just earlier this week, The Hartford announced it would become the latest major insurer to stop writing new policies in California.

I am starting to see the insurance model breaking down faster, said Craig Fugate, FEMAs administrator during the Obama administration. There are more people that, probably 15 or 20 years ago, had adequate insurance that today are either underinsured, or not even able to afford insurance or get coverage.

As the need for household assistance has grown, theres been increasing scrutiny of how the government distributes it. A raft of academic studies have shown that zip codes with fewer White residents get less aid for comparable disasters. And everywhere, people complain about long waits and bureaucratic red tape. Timeliness is of the essence for post-disaster aid. Fast funds to replace, for example, a ripped-off roof can make all the difference to a family, ensuring theyre able to stay put in their community and keep their same jobs and schools, rather than being forced to move away or into government-funded temporary housing, which is also pricey.

A house in Fort Myers Beach, Florida, destroyed by 2022s Hurricane Ian. Photographer: Eva Marie Uzcategui/Bloomberg

FEMA has been listening. In 2021 it solicited public comments on how to improve its Individual Assistance program. Last week it announced what it called the biggest reforms to the program in two decades, with the intention of streamlining processes and giving out aid more equitably.

Four major changes were:

A $750 cash benefit for urgent needs will be available automatically in any disaster that qualifies for Individual Assistance. (This replaces a similar benefit that needed to be approved on a disaster-by-disaster basis.)

Flexible displacement assistance, an upfront cash benefit for displaced people, can be paid to family and friends who are sheltering survivors until a more permanent solution can be found.

Survivors can seek grants from FEMA without having to first apply for a home repair loan from the US Small Business Administration.

A new home repair allowance of $42,500 will be available for people who have private insurance, for costs exceeding the insurance payout.

When current FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell announced the reforms, she acknowledged ever-greater demand because of climate-fueled catastrophes. Theres been a sharp increase in US disasters that cause upwards of $1 billion in damages. The average annual number of such events over the past four decades (from 1980 to 2023) was 8.5, but in 2023 alone there were 28, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

We are breaking records year after year with these disasters, and we need to be better prepared and informed to recover faster and more effectively, Criswell said in a call to reporters.

Its not in FEMAs purview to do anything about private insurance. But if the underlying problem  an underinsured populace  remains unsolved, it can only lead to more taxpayer subsidies. FEMA estimates the new reforms will add at at least another half billion dollars a year to the federal tab.

Fugate doubts the country will fix this feedback loop anytime soon. Weve been underpricing risk in this nation so long, weve built this dynamic now where people have built and live in areas that are increasingly vulnerable to these disasters, he said. The insurance industry cant make it work, so the taxpayer will pay more and more.

Top photo: A house in Fort Myers Beach, Florida, destroyed by 2022s Hurricane Ian. Photographer: Eva Marie Uzcategui/Bloomberg

Copyright 2024 Bloomberg.
Vale SA, BHP Group and their Samarco iron ore venture must pay 47.6 billion reais ($9.7 billion) in compensation for damages caused in a 2015 tailings dam disaster in Brazil, a judge ruled.

The decision allows for the companies to appeal the sentence. It also states that the damages figure should be adjusted to reflect interest, given the time passed since the disaster.

Vale swung briefly on the news before extending earlier losses to trade 2.9% down for the day in New York.

A resolution over damages would help ease the legal uncertainty hanging over the companies, after the tailings dam collapse eight years ago at Samarcos that mine killed as many as 19 people, and contaminated waterways in the Brazilian states of Minas Gerais and Espirito Santo.

The companies had been seeking a negotiated settlement outside of court, and had offered to pay 42 billion reais, while the authorities were seeking 126 billion reais, Bloomberg reported in December.

The companies need to meet environmental obligations in addition to making compensation payments, and had provided 34 billion reais in reparations by late last year.

The sentence was issued in response to a request from public prosecutors of two affected states and the federal government for an early trial of a public civil action used as a benchmark in the case. The authorities had asked the firms to be sentenced to pay the equivalent of at least 20% of the profits of Vale and BHP in the last three years.

Vale and BHP said they have yet to be notified of the decision. Samarco declined to comment.

Vale and BHP are also facing a parallel UK class action lawsuit, involving as many as 700,000 people.

(Updates with Vale and BHP comments)

Top photo: A firefighter takes part in the search for victims at the Vale plant after the rupture of a tailings dam in Corrego do Feijao, Brazil in 2019. Photographer: Douglas Magno/AFP/Getty Images.

Copyright 2024 Bloomberg.
Westbrook Cinemas at the Westbrook Outlets photographed on January 26, 2024. Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media

WESTBROOK  Will it stay, or will it go? Thats the question about the future of Westbrook Cinemas in light of recent plans for a $425 million redevelopment of Westbrook Outlets.

The theater is located on the east end of the shopping center.

Harold Blank, co-owner of the Westbrook Cinemas, does not know how the theater will fit in with the multi-million dollar mixed-use complex. Part of the redevelopment calls for the demolition of four retail buildings on the outlet center property.

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When we made a deal with the landlord it was a temporary deal, Blank noted.

Its always been temporary, with the understanding that thered be a redevelopment of the center, he said.

Blank said there is no specific timeframe for the short-term lease, but its in their favor, in the sense that if they needed me to go, I would go.

The former 40,000-square-foot Marquee Cinemas, with 12 screens, opened in January last year as Westbrook Cinemas under the ownership of Blank and Bill Dougherty.

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Bill Dougherty in Westbrook Cinemas shortly after it was purchased last year. Kelly Goddard

Blank said the theater is doing fine in the current location.

Its an older theater, it does not perform like the modern, stadium theaters, but its been fine, he said.

Were happy there, he said. Were playing all the first-run movies, actually adding in some art films since the New Haven theater has closed, he said, referring to the former Criterion Cinemas in New Haven.

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I hope to see a theater remain in Westbrook, he said. Its a good location, halfway between Saybrook and Branford.

Blank and Dougherty are also owners of Mystic Luxury Cinemas, Madison Cinemas and All South County Luxury in South Kingston, RI.

Movie posters at the Westbrook Cinema at the Westbrook Outlets photographed on January 26, 2024. Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media A directory for the Westbrook Outlets photographed on January 26, 2024. Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media Stores at the Westbrook Outlets photographed on January 26, 2024. Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media Stores at the Westbrook Outlets photographed on January 26, 2024. Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media The Marquee's Westbrook Cinema 12 at the Westbrook Outlets photographed on January 26, 2024. Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media

Blank talked about the Madison theater, which was completely renovated after the team purchased it in late 2021 from longtime owner Arnold Gorlick.

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Ive always wanted this theater to be a theater for the people of the town, everybody from a pure art lover to the young families, he said.

Thats what were doing, he said. Were playing a mix of films, were doing the operas, were doing Maestro, these smart films that out there right now, he said.

Were doing the best we can to play a mix so that the theater will survive long term, he said. I think that long term the theater has a life.

In Westbrook, representatives for Hartford-based Lexington Partners and officials with the outlet center went before the town's Zoning Commission on Monday, Jan. 22 to do a pre-application presentation of their plans for the outlet.

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The $425 million project would include 595 apartments, 100 town homes, a 100-room hotel and 75,000 square feet of retail space and restaurants on the 49.7 acre property on Flat Rock Place, according to Town Planner Peter Gillespie.

Outlet center giant Tanger Outlets sold the Westbrook retail center to a limited liability company, T Westbrook Center, for $40 million in May 2017, according to municipal records. Records filed with the Connecticut Secretary of States office at the time identified the principal of T Westbrook Center LLC as Hoche Partners Real Estate, which is a U.S. affiliate of a French company.

Since the sale of the property, Gillespie said the level of tenants at Westbrook Outlets has declined steadily. The retail center has 290,000-square-feet of space, but is only about 25 percent occupied, he said.



Blank said he will work to keep the theater where it currently is located.

At some point Im going to speak with the landlord, once they get things going, and well go from there, Blank said.

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WASHINGTON, D. C. - A project that encompasses Ohio, Illinois and Wisconsin is getting a $15 million National Science Foundation regional innovation engine award for a project to develop smart water recovery systems that will save water and make Great Lakes manufacturing more sustainable.

It is one of 10 regional innovation engines designated throughout the country on Monday. The National Science Foundation says all will build on regional scientific and technological strengths to build new industries and workforces and spur economic development in those areas.

The 10 projects will all bring together private industry; venture capital; state and local governments; institutions of higher education, including community colleges and technical schools; labor unions; Tribal communities; and nonprofit organizations to transform their communities and regions over the next decade, the National Science Foundation says.

The NSF Regional Innovation Engines program was authorized by the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act, which President Joe Biden signed in 2022. White House Office of Science and Technology Policy director Arati Prabhakar told reporters that law is starting to achieve its critically important goal of spurring innovation and creating good paying jobs and communities in every part of America.

These innovation engines will help tackle the climate crisis, will help feed our country, improve our health, secure our supply chains and protect our national security, Prabhakar said.

National Economic Council director Lael Brainard described the program as an integral part of the presidents bottom up middle out strategy to support innovation clusters around the country, including in regions that were left out of the recent decades technology boom.

National Science Foundation director Sethuraman Panchanathan said the NSF engines program represents one of the single largest broad investments in place based research and development in the nations history, uniquely placing science and technology leadership as the central driver for regional economic development. He said up to $16 billion will be invested in the program over the next decade.

The inaugural NSF engines awards demonstrate our enduring commitment to create opportunities everywhere across our nation and enable innovation, innovation anywhere in our nation, Pancanathan told reporters.

He said the Great Lakes Water Innovation Engine project aims to discover develop and deploy innovative key technologies that essentially attract water intensive manufacturers to the region, recover valuable energy and mineral resources from wastewater streams, and foster workforce opportunities, all while maintaining environmental health.

NSF officials said project, which includes Ohio, Illinois and Wisconsin, will be led by a Chicago-based nonprofit water innovation hub with a mission of bringing together stakeholders, companies, nonprofits, state and local governments, as well as higher education to be able to drive forward the blue economy in Great Lakes states.

This is it really is a very remarkable in a project, Pancanathan said.

Over the next decade, these 10 NSF Regional Innovation Engines will be eligible to receive upwards of $2 billion, with a goal of stimulating economic growth across a range of sectors, including semiconductor manufacturing, clean energy, sustainable textiles, climate-resilient agriculture, regenerative medicine, and more, the National Science Foundation said.

Sabrina Eaton writes about the federal government and politics in Washington, D.C., for cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer.
Motorists proceed on Main Street as light snow falls in downtown Cromwell, Tuesday, January 16, 2024. Connecticut is expected to see a mix of rain and snow throughout Sunday and into Monday, but most parts will receive less than an inch of precipitation, the NWS said. DAVE ZAJAC/Hearst Connecticut Media

The National Weather Service has issued winter weather advisories and hazardous weather outlooks for several parts of Connecticut as they anticipate snow starting Sunday and continuing into Monday.

A winter weather advisory has been issued for Tolland and Windham counties until 7 p.m. on Monday and a hazardous weather outlook was issued for parts of Fairfield, New Haven and Litchfield counties.

https://twitter.com/NWSNewYorkNY/status/1751770861118558665

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The weather service said that the state is guaranteed to receive rain or snow throughout Sunday. Litchfield County could see anywhere from 2 to 6 inches of snow by noon Monday. Yet, the weather service said that Hartford County, which is beside Litchfield County, will see "little or no snow accumulation" on Sunday.

New Haven and Fairfield counties are likely to get less than a quarter of an inch during the day, according to the weather service. But, Tolland and Windham counties are predicted to see little, if any, snow accumulation, the weather service said.

"Slick travel anticipated this evening & for the Monday AM commute," the NWS said.

https://twitter.com/NWSBoston/status/1751700051821539707

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In north central Fairfield County, the NWS issued a flood warning due to a possible rise in the water levels of local rivers.

In anticipation of a possible winter storm, officials in Bristol announced there would be a parking ban in the city starting from 10 a.m. Sunday through 10 a.m. on Monday. City police added that the ban excluded residents who lived on Lakeside and Ebert drives.

There were also parking bans in East Windsor, Putnam, Stafford and Windsor Locks.

As of 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, there were no known school delays or cancelations scheduled for Monday.

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The wintry mix will clear up for a time late Monday morning, the NWS said, but then will come back for a time in the mid-afternoon before departing again.

The weather service said the state will reach the high 30s during the day but should remain mostly in the low 30s.

In addition to rain, the weather service said gusts should remain in the range of 11 to 15 mph during the day.

By Monday evening, the NWS said, the skies will be mostly cloudy before leading into a sunny but cold Tuesday with highs in the low 30s.
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Five of the market-leading "Magnificent 7" stocks are among the more than 100 companies in the S & P 500 reporting earnings this week. We'll review an options trade for one of those names near an all-time high that gets investors long exposure to the stock with some insurance, so they don't feel like they are just chasing the name. The five reporting this week  Microsoft, Apple, Alphabet, Amazon, and Meta  represent more than 23% of the index by market capitalization. In total, over 41% of the index by market cap will be reporting their most recent quarterly results. The 10 companies below, based on their market capitalizations and their earnings-related implied moves are those likely to have the largest impact this week. But let's focus on Microsoft (MSFT) . Breaking down MSFT fundamentals Microsoft is one of the most important technology companies in the world. As of this writing, it is the only publicly traded company in the world with a market capitalization exceeding $3 trillion, a number so large it is hard to get our head around, but consider this: The company's market capitalization is 50% larger than Saudi Arabian Oil Company, aka "ARAMCO" which represents 14% of global oil production. Windows, the company's most familiar software product, is the dominant desktop computer operating system (OS) with greater than 70% market share. While Windows may be the most familiar Microsoft product, it is not their largest source of revenue, trailing cloud services. Although Microsoft has continued to see stellar revenue growth, far exceeding the growth in the economy overall, it has slowed slightly over the past years, averaging 7.5% year-over-year over the past 4 reported quarters vs. an average growth rate of 16.4% over the prior 12 reported quarters between 2019 and 2022. Net Income has been a bit lumpier, averaging 11% growth year-over-year in the past 4 reported quarters vs 20.5% over the prior 3 years. This is important because investors are willing to pay a higher multiple for faster growing companies. MSFT valuation Earnings that surprise to the upside lead investors to pay a bigger turn on a larger number. Over the past five years, Microsoft's price-to-earnings ratio has been as low as 25.8 and as high as 41. Microsoft hit a new high on January 25th and is currently up more than 7.4% for the year. Buying a stock close to all-time highs is a bit nerve-wracking. So much good news is already "baked in" to the stock price. What are the future sources of earnings growth? Assuming the company can return to higher rates of revenue growth, it must also maintain or grow profit margins. On this metric, Microsoft has been quite consistent over the years, averaging 35%. The 8% headcount reduction the company announced last week in their gaming division was likely needed as the company eliminated some redundancy after the acquisition of Activision Blizzard was finalized in October of last year. Microsoft sales are driven primarily by corporate IT spending. If the most recent economic data is to be believed, IT infrastructure spending may be higher than many analysts may have been anticipating. Azure will continue to grow as the cloud computing tailwind continues. The biggest buzz, of course, is the potential contribution of generative artificial intelligence. Microsoft is, ultimately, a company focused on productivity and business process support, and generative AI is likely the next step to change as the alliance with OpenAI strengthens (recall that OpenAI CEO Sam Altman was fired from the company, but quickly returned in large part because of the support of Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella). Some are anticipating organic sales growth of 15%, double the 7.5% average the company experienced over the past 4 quarters. The trade I get that chasing a stock already up over 7% for the year, and more than 60% over the past 52 weeks is nerve-wracking. So instead consider purchasing a call spread for $12.50 ($1,250 as each contract represents 100 shares), an outlay of 3% per share. The trade: Bought April $410 call Sold April $450 call Generally, technical resistance occurs at a prior high, in this case, $407, if we assume we want to participate if it breaks out above that level we could purchase the April $410 calls for $16.50 and sell the April $450 calls at $4 against it, thus spending $12.50 in premium. Right now the options market is implying a move of 4.3% higher or lower the day after the company reports, the upside breakeven for the call spread is 4.5% above the current stock price, but it expires on April 19th. DISCLOSURES: (Long MSFT) THE ABOVE CONTENT IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY . THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSITUTE FINANCIAL, INVESTMENT, TAX OR LEGAL ADVICE OR A RECOMMENDATION TO BUY ANY SECURITY OR OTHER FINANCIAL ASSET. THE CONTENT IS GENERAL IN NATURE AND DOES NOT REFLECT ANY INDIVIDUAL'S UNIQUE PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCES. THE ABOVE CONTENT MIGHT NOT BE SUITABLE FOR YOUR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES. BEFORE MAKING ANY FINANCIAL DECISIONS, YOU SHOULD STRONGLY CONSIDER SEEKING ADVICE FROM YOUR OWN FINANCIAL OR INVESTMENT ADVISOR. Click here for the full disclaimer.
A view of a scaled-up mock of a Louis Vuitton bag during a promotional event by the French luxury brand in Shanghai on Dec. 4, 2023. Future Publishing | Future Publishing | Getty Images

BEIJING  China's luxury sales are rebounding, and while they're not back to 2021 levels yet, industry analysts and financial releases from major brands point to new growth opportunities versus pre-pandemic trends. LVMH was the latest luxury giant to announce 2023 results on Thursday, and noted that fashion and leather goods saw growth of more than 30% in China in December. The company's results showed that despite some resumption of overseas travel, more of China's consumers are buying luxury products at home. "Regarding the size of stores in China ... there are twice as many Chinese customers as in 2019," Bernard Arnault, chairman and CEO of LVMH, said on an earnings call, according to a FactSet transcript. "It means that the domestic purchase in China has grown significantly, so we have to meet that," he said.

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The mainland China personal luxury market grew by about 12% last year to more than 400 billion yuan ($56.43 billion), according to consulting firm Bain & Company. While that's still not back to 2021 levels, due to soft consumer sentiment and the resumption of some overseas luxury shopping, Bain expects the domestic luxury market to only grow in the coming years. Luxury purchases in mainland China accounted for about 16% of the global market last year, and is expected to reach at least 20% in 2030, said Weiwei Xing, a Hong Kong-based partner at Bain's consumer products and retail practices in Greater China. "All of that data points to the importance of the Chinese luxury consumer and the China market," she told CNBC. Cartier parent Richemont said earlier this month that sales in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao grew by 25% in the three months ended Dec. 31. In an earnings call, the company's CFO Burkhart Grund described the Chinese business overall as "rebuilding," especially in the context of the prolonged real estate slump and the slow recovery of overseas tourism by Chinese shoppers. Consumers in China have been reluctant to spend in the last few years due to uncertainty about future income and a broad slowdown in economic growth. Luxury brands have increasingly turned to online channels to ensure customer engagement, said Xing from Bain. She added that companies that did well in 2023 sold luxury goods deemed investible, having iconic aspects that would last over the years.

Niche brands and markets

In all, about half the leading brands and several niche brands, have rebounded to 2021 sales levels, the Bain report said, without sharing specific names. "Niche brands that have consistently invested in building brand desirability over multiple years have experienced success," the report said. As companies compete for a slice of the Chinese consumer market, one emerging segment is bedding and fine linen. At least four investment deals have occurred in that category in the last 18 months, according to PitchBook data. The latest transaction listed was the acquisition in August of Italian luxury bedding company Frette by investors that included Ding Shizhong, the chairman of Chinese sportswear company Anta. "Consumer attitudes toward bedding products are gradually changing, with more consumers willing to pay for high-quality bedding and placing greater emphasis on product quality, functionality, and additional services," said Ashley Dudarenok, founder of ChoZan, a China marketing consultancy.
Republican presidential candidate, former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign event on January 06, 2024 in Newton, Iowa.

WASHINGTON  The former Internal Revenue Service contractor who leaked the tax records of former President Donald Trump to The New York Times as well as the tax records of billionaires like Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk to ProPublica was sentenced Monday to five years in prison.

Charles Littlejohn pleaded guilty in October, and prosecutors sought the statutory maximum of five years in federal prison, saying that he "abused his position by unlawfully disclosing thousands of Americans' federal tax returns and other private financial information to multiple news organizations." Prosecutors said that Littlejohn "weaponized his access to unmasked taxpayer data to further his own personal, political agenda, believing that he was above the law."

Littlejohn was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Ana C. Reyes at a hearing at the federal courthouse in Washington. He will also have to pay a $5,000 fine.

"You can be an outstanding person and commit bad acts," Reyes said. "What you did in targeting the sitting president of the United States was an attack on our constitutional democracy," she added.

Reyes compared Littlejohn's actions to other recent attacks and threats against elected officials as well as to Jan. 6 defendants she has recently sentenced. She described his actions as a deliberate, complex, multiyear criminal scheme, but said she believed he "sincerely felt a moral imperative" to act as he did.

Littlejohn's attorney argued that he had committed the offense "out of a deep, moral belief that the American people had a right to know the information and sharing it was the only way to effect change" and that he believed he was right at the time.

While Littlejohn's conduct was "inexcusable," his lawyer said, and "breached the trust placed in him by the United States government and violated the privacy of thousands of taxpayers," a "strong message of general deterrence" had already been sent to the public.

Littlejohn, 38, who grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, briefly addressed the court before receiving his sentence, saying that he "acted out of a sincere but misguided belief that I was serving the public."

Taxpayers deserved to know how easy it was for the wealthy to avoid paying into the system, Littlejohn added, saying he believes that Americans make their best decisions when properly informed.

"I made my decision with the full knowledge that I would likely end up in a courtroom," he said.
Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley drew a sharp line Monday between her views on trade and the tariffs proposed by her rival, Republican front-runner Donald Trump.

"This is a man who now wants to go and put 10% tariffs across the board, raising taxes on every single American. Think about that for a second," Haley said on CNBC's Squawk Box.

Trump has repeatedly proposed the idea of a blanket 10% tariff on all imported goods.

"What Donald Trump's about to do, is he's going to raise every household's expenses by $2,600 a year," said Haley, citing a figure from the fiscally conservative National Taxpayers Union.

"It's going to raise the cost of anything from baby strollers to appliances, under Donald Trump," she added. "Middle class families can't afford that."

In addition to his proposed 10% universal tariff, Trump has also privately discussed a massive 60% tariff that would be applied to all imports from China, The Washington Post reports.

Over the weekend, Trump suggested tariffs were the way to force automobile manufacturers to build cars in the United States.

"[I] would require China, and other countries, through TARIFFS, or otherwise, to build plants here, with our workers," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Experts say the impacts of the scale of trade wars that Trump is proposing are difficult to quantify.

"They can't model that, because they don't really understand what the second and third order effects are, and more importantly, they don't grasp that Trump isn't talking about a 10% tariff just because it's a 10% tariff," Michael Every, a global strategist at Rabobank. recently told CNBC.

Trump "is talking about structurally breaking the global system, by hook or by crook, to basically re-industrialize the U.S. ... putting up a barrier between it and the rest of the world so it's cheap to produce in America and more expensive to produce everywhere else if you're importing into America," said Every.

The trade war that Trump waged with China while he was in office is estimated to have cost 245,000 American jobs, according to the U.S.-China Business Council.

This, and Trump's proposed tariffs if he were elected to a second term have left many Wall Street investors deeply concerned about what the global economy would look like in a second Trump administration.

These concerns have accrued to Haley's benefit, and she has consistently enjoyed backing from Wall Street donors.

Haley was under pressure from these donors to win in New Hampshire after her third-place finish in the Iowa caucuses. Last week, CNBC reported that LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman did not plan to give more money to Haley after her second place finish in New Hampshire.

But this has not slowed down Haley's fundraising juggernaut. The Haley campaign says it raised $4 million just last week, a massive haul for the former U.N. ambassador's presidential bid.

The campaign also has more than 10 high-dollar fundraisers scheduled in the coming weeks, several of which will be in New York City on Monday and Tuesday.

The hosts of a Tuesday night event include Home Depot Co-Founder Ken Langone and billionaire investor Stanley Druckenmiller.

Haley also vowed to stay in the race and said her campaign would keep building up to the Feb. 24 South Carolina primary in her home state.

"It's far from over. And what I'll tell you is, look, (Trump) has been literally unhinged ever since I got 43% of the vote in New Hampshire," Haley told CNBC.
Switzerland's Holcim will spin off 100% of its North American operations in a New York flotation which could value the business at $30 billion, the building materials giant said on Sunday, as it also named a new chief executive.

Its shares were almost 4% higher on Monday afternoon in Europe.

Miljan Gutovic, currently head of Europe at Holcim, will replace Jan Jenisch as CEO beginning May 1, said the company, one of the world's biggest cement makers.

In the biggest shake-up at Holcim since the Swiss company took over French rival Lafarge in 2015, the divestment will likely be completed in the first half of 2025.

"Our North American business is a real rock star. We doubled the company just in the last four years by strong organic growth, by acquisitions. And we have leading margins, the EBITDA margin is already above 27%," Jenisch told CNBC on Monday.

"Now I'm happy we can kick off the next level of performance for the business to take it to $20 billion of sales. We want to separate it to have more focus on the North American customers, on getting all the synergies from our supply chain."

The spin-off could value the new company at around $30 billion, Jenisch told reporters, with Holcim retaining no stake.

"We're going to do a full capital market separation of our North American business, so we will list 100% of the business on the New York Stock Exchange," said Jenisch, who was confident of getting shareholder backing for the flotation.

Jenisch told CNBC that Holcim's operating model was already focused on North America, with five R&D centers in the region. The company sees "minimum implementation costs" of the spin-off, he added.

The U.S. business aims to boost annual sales from around $11 billion at present to more than $20 billion and generate operating profit of more than $5 billion by 2030, the company said.

The rest of Holcim's global business - in Europe, Latin America, Africa and Asia - would remain listed on the Swiss blue-chip SMI index, and focus on building solutions like roofing products.

Jenisch, who has led Holcim since 2017, will remain as chairman and will lead the planned listing in the U.S., where building materials companies trade at higher earnings multiples than in Europe, potentially improving its valuation.

Analysts were positive about the listing, which would be one of the biggest in the construction industry for many years.

"As transatlantic synergies are limited, it makes sense to me," said Zuercher Kantonalbank analyst Martin Huesler.

"The valuations of U.S. building material peers are higher than Holcim, so I consider it as positive."

The transaction has been planned for a long time, according to a person familiar with the matter, and came about because Holcim thought its North American business was undervalued compared to peers like Carlisle, RPM and James Hardy.

Holcim North America was trading at only 7 times operating profit, far less than the 10 to 15 times multiple of peers.

Describing the U.S. as one of the world's most attractive construction markets, Jenisch said the move would help the new company capitalize on the region's infrastructure and construction boom.

Holcim is the biggest cement maker in North America, where it employs 16,000 people across 850 sites. The business competes in the region with companies like Carlisle, and RPM in building products and solutions, and Eagle Materials and Summit Materials in the cement industry.

The North American business made up a quarter of Holcim's sales in the first nine months of 2023, and was also the company's most profitable region, with sales growing by more than 20% on average in recent years. The remaining Holcim business will have sales of around 17 billion Swiss francs ($19.69 billion), and employ 48,000 people.

The U.S. operations were "simply too successful to be run as a subsidiary," Jenisch said.

CNBC's Jenni Reid contributed to this report.
Viktor Orban, Hungary's prime minister, arrives on day one of the European Union (EU) leaders summit at the EU Council headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, on Monday, May 30, 2022.

Hungary accused the European Union of blackmail after a leaked document reportedly suggested that the bloc plans to sabotage Budapest's economy if it vetoes fresh aid for Ukraine at a summit later this week.

Hungary's minister for EU affairs took to social media to lambast the paper drawn up by EU officials and cited Sunday by the Financial Times, which said that Brussels has developed a strategy to target Hungary's economic weak spots and undermine investor confidence over its blockade of funds to Kyiv.

"Hungary does not give in to blackmail," Janos Boka wrote in a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

"The document drafted by Brussels bureaucrats only confirms what the Hungarian Government has been saying for a long time: access to EU funds is used for political blackmailing by Brussels," he added.

According to the report, Brussels said that if Budapest does not back down, EU leaders should pledge to shut off all funding to the country, which in turn would spook markets, weaken the country's forint currency and lead to a surge in the cost of borrowing.

A senior EU official on Monday described the document as a background note characterizing the current state of the Hungarian economy, and said that it did not outline any specific plan relating to Budapest, the EU budget or Ukraine funding. The official told CNBC's Silvia Amaro that budget talks remain ongoing and will continue to be based on reaching a compromise that is acceptable to all 27 member states.
YEOVIL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 18: Catherine, Princess of Wales visits the Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton on September 18, 2023 in Yeovil, England. The Princess of Wales is visiting the airbase following her appoint as Commodore-in-Chief, Fleet Air Arm (FAA). (Photo by Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images)

Kate, the Princess of Wales, has been released from the hospital nearly two weeks after undergoing planned abdominal surgery, Kensington Palace said Monday.

The 42-year-old wife of Prince William, Britain's future king, will now take a prolonged period of rest, putting her normally busy schedule of public and private engagements on hold.

"The Princess of Wales has returned home to Windsor to continue her recovery from surgery. She is making good progress," the palace said in a statement.

"The Prince and Princess wish to say a huge thank you to the entire team at The London Clinic, especially the dedicated nursing staff, for the care they have provided.

The statement added: "The Wales family continues to be grateful for the well wishes they have received from around the world."

Kate was admitted to The London Clinic, a private hospital, on Jan. 17 for unspecified surgery. The palace said at the time that she may be recovering until after Easter, which this year falls on March 31.

The palace said when she was admitted that William would also step back from some engagements and would cancel forthcoming foreign trips to focus on the couple's three young children.

On Friday, King Charles III arrived at the same private London hospital for a "corrective procedure" to treat an enlarged prostate, Buckingham Palace said.
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham speaks at a press conference at the U.S. Capitol on August 05, 2022 in Washington, DC. Kevin Dietsch | Getty Images

Congressional lawmakers are demanding President Joe Biden strike Iran after three U.S. troops were killed Sunday night in Jordan in a drone strike claimed by the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an Iranian-backed militia group. The deadly drone attack, which also injured at least 34 U.S. personnel, marks the first deaths of U.S. troops by enemy fire since the latest Israel-Hamas war began after Palestinian militant group Hamas' Oct. 7 terror attack on Israel. Iran has denied involvement in the strike, while Jordan's government denied it took place on its soil. "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," Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said 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," he added. "Hit Iran now. Hit them hard." Roger Wicker of Mississippi, the most senior Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said: "We must respond to these repeated attacks by Iran and its proxies by striking directly against Iranian targets and its leadership. ... The Biden administration's responses thus far have only invited more attacks." Biden for his part vowed to retaliate, saying in a statement that "we will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner our choosing."

An infographic titled 'Three US service members killed, dozens injured in drone attack' created in Ankara, Turkiye on January 28, 2024. Elmurod Usubaliev | Anadolu | Getty Images

The attack marks another regional escalation in a war that the Biden administration has tried to contain. Already, conflict has spilled over into the Red Sea, with Yemeni Houthi rebels attacking ships in protest of the Israeli bombardment of Gaza and Israel's U.S. backer. The U.S. and U.K. have launched airstrikes against Houthi positions in Yemen, but so far have failed to deter the group's activities. Meanwhile, Lebanese Shia militia group Hezbollah and Israel are exchanging fire along the Israeli-Lebanese border, while Iran earlier this month struck targets in Iraq, Syria and Pakistan. Only the Iraqi target was purportedly linked to Israel, but Tehran's recent assertiveness is likely a signal to the U.S. and Israel about its capabilities. Both Hezbollah and the Houthis are supported by Iran. Despite this, numerous regional analysts warn that Iran does not necessarily have full control over the actions of the proxy groups that it arms around the Middle East. "Unlike Lebanese Hezbollah, which has been more measured in its response to the Gaza war, the Iraqi militias and the Houthis have displayed a high tolerance for direct confrontation with the United States," Helima Croft, head of global commodity strategy and MENA research at RBC Capital Markets, wrote in an analysis note.

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The risk of wider conflict and deeper U.S. involvement led oil prices to jump Monday morning. Both Washington and Tehran have expressed their desire to avoid more kinetic involvement in the war, likely understanding the sheer scale of destruction a direct confrontation between the two adversaries would cause. "Striking Iran directly would be extremely costly, extremely risky for the U.S.," Dominic Pratt, a senior country analyst for the Middle East and Africa at the Economist Intelligence Unit, told CNBC. Short of that approach, he said, would be for the U.S. to continue on its current path of attacking Iranian proxy groups in Syria, Iraq and Yemen, as well as expanding financial pressures like sanctions.
Environmental activists calling for an international moratorium on deep-sea mining. Sopa Images | Lightrocket | Getty Images

Norway says its controversial decision to approve deep-sea mining is a necessary step into the unknown that could help to break China and Russia's rare earths dominance. In a vote earlier this month that attracted cross-party support, Norway's parliament voted 80-20 to approve a government proposal to open a vast ocean area for commercial-scale deep-sea mining. It makes the northern European country the first in the world to move forward with the process of extracting minerals from the seabed. Norway's government said the practice could be one way to help facilitate the global transition away from fossil fuels, adding that every country should be exploring ways to sustainably collect metals and minerals at their disposal. Scientists, however, have warned that the full environmental impacts of deep-sea mining are hard to predict, while environmental campaign groups have slammed the approval of what they call an "extremely destructive" process that sends a "terrible signal" to the rest of the world.

The goal of any exploration activities should be to better understand the scale of the environmental threats deep-sea mining poses  not to justify a practice we know will have vast negative impacts on marine life and the planet's health. Anne-Sophie Roux Deep-sea mining Europe lead at the Sustainable Ocean Alliance

Essential metals such as cobalt, nickel, copper and manganese can be found in potato-sized nodules on the seafloor. The end-uses of these metals  along with other strategic minerals and rare earth elements  are wide-ranging and include electric vehicle batteries, wind turbines and solar panels. As a result, demand is growing fast. The IEA expects this trend to continue as the clean energy transition gains pace, noting that demand for cobalt and nickel jumped 70% and 40%, respectively, between 2017 and 2022. "Today, we are almost dependent on Russia and China and we have to diversify the global supply chain production of minerals around the world," Norwegian Energy Minister Terje Aasland told CNBC via videoconference. "We have been looking into the seabed minerals opportunity for a long time. We have a really reliable tradition on how we use the resources in the Norwegian continental shelf. We do it sustainably and we do it step by step."

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As part of the rapid uptick in demand for critical minerals, the IEA has warned that today's supply falls short of what is needed to transform the energy sector. That's because there is a relatively high geographical concentration of the production of many energy transition elements. Most rare earth reserves are located in China, for example, while Vietnam, Brazil and Russia are also major rare earths countries based on reserve volume.

Knowledge gaps

Norway's parliamentary decision paves the way for companies to apply to mine in its national waters near the Svalbard archipelago. The area, which is part of Norway's extended seabed shelf, is estimated to be larger than the U.K. at roughly 280,000 square kilometers (108,108 square miles). Norway's government does not intend to immediately start drilling for minerals. Instead, companies will need to submit proposals for licenses that will be voted on a case-by-case basis in parliament. Aasland said the first commercial licenses for exploring the seabed could come "maybe next year" but a license to extract these minerals would likely not happen this decade.

(L-R) Norwegian member of Parliament Arild Hermstad, French climate activists Camille Etienne and Anne-Sophie Roux, and French actor Lucas Bravo attend a demonstration against seabed mining outside the Norwegian Parliament building in Oslo, Norway on January 9, 2024. Javad Parsa | Afp | Getty Images

The approval of deep-sea mining puts Norway at odds with both the U.K. and the European Commission, the EU's executive arm, which have pushed for a temporary ban on environmental concerns. In response to the criticism, Norway's Aasland said the vote outcome would help lawmakers better understand whether hunting for minerals on the seafloor can be done in a sustainable way. "One of the key issues in the debate is we don't have enough knowledge to decide if we can go to extract these minerals  and I totally agree," Aasland said. "We have to collect more information before we can take a decision about extracting these minerals. That is what this opening is all about. It is not the same as approving extraction."

'A nail in the coffin' of Norway's climate credentials

Anne-Sophie Roux, deep-sea mining Europe lead at the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, said Norway's decision to greenlight commercial deep-sea mining is "irresponsible" and "puts a nail in the coffin" of the country's proclaimed role as a climate leader. "The goal of any exploration activities should be to better understand the scale of the environmental threats deep-sea mining poses  not to justify a practice we know will have vast negative impacts on marine life and the planet's health," Roux told CNBC via email.

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Marine ecosystems are not well understood. Campaigners fear that exploration and exploitation activities in the deep sea could permanently alter a home that is unique to known  and many as yet unknown  species. "The argument put forward by the Norwegian government  and the deep-sea mining industry  that 'deep-sea mining can be done in a sustainable way' goes against the large consensus of scientific literature," Roux said. "There is no way to sustainably mine the deep sea in our current day and age, as it would inevitably lead to ecosystem destruction, species extinction, various sources of pollution and disruption of the climate ecosystemic services of the ocean."

A slide show of texts are projected onto the side of the Hidden Gem during the demonstration. Charles M. Vella | Lightrocket | Getty Images
Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, attends the 54th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Jan. 18, 2024.

OpenAI said on Monday that it's partnering with Common Sense Media on an initiative designed to help teens understand how to use artificial intelligence in a safe manner.

"We want to figure out how to make this tool safely and responsibly and broadly available to teens and people who are going to use it as part of their educational experience," OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said at a Common Sense event in San Francisco.

Common Sense, a nonprofit focused on making technology safe and accessible to kids, has been working to develop an AI ratings and review system intended for parents, children and educators to better understand the technology's risks and benefits. Some of the questions Common Sense wants to answer include whether AI fosters a love of learning among youth, if it respects human rights and children's rights and if the technology can perpetuate the spread of misinformation.

The goal of the new partnership is to help create AI guidelines and education materials for children, educators and parents and to help curate "family-friendly" GPT-branded large language models that adhere to Common Sense's rating and standards. GPT is the backbone of OpenAI's ChatGPT chatbot, which was launched in late 2022.

Common Sense Media CEO Jim Steyer said in a statement that the materials developed through the partnership "will be designed to educate families and educators about safe, responsible use of ChatGPT, so that we can collectively avoid any unintended consequences of this emerging technology."

At the event on Monday, Altman briefly spoke about the partnership and AI more broadly, saying that he hopes it will "benefit kids without access" to AI. Part of OpenAI's mission is to "make really helpful AI available for free," he said.

In September, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, the Craigslist founder's philanthropic arm, said it contributed $3 million to help fund a Common Sense AI and education initiative. Craig Newmark told CNBC at the time that some of his concerns about AI include the possibility that bad actors can use the technology to influence the information ecosystem and contribute to societal discontent.

OpenAI and Common Sense didn't say how LLMs will be tweaked to help aid educators or teens. Altman said LLMs customized for educational purposes could help teens "who want to learn about science or learn about biology."

"I don't think we know yet exactly how people are going to want to use it," Altman said. He added that he envisions a world in which "every teen or every adult is going to have a personalized AI."

Regarding the upcoming elections and the potential risks posed by so-called deepfakes to confuse people, Altman acknowledged that AI-generated images pose problems but said "I think people are much more sophisticated than we give them credit for, and you don't believe every image you see."

He talked about how OpenAI is preparing for the potential ways bad actors could use AI.

"We've set up a big response effort," he said. "This will be monitored very closely."

WATCH: Microsoft-OpenAI created the greatest hype campaign in tech history
Frank Weishaupt wants to share a wake-up call for bosses in 2024. Weishaupt is a boss himself: He's the CEO of Boston-based Owl Labs, which makes video conferencing equipment, and has more than 20 years of executive experience at companies ranging from startups to Yahoo. Over those two decades, and especially since the Covid-19 pandemic, Weishaupt says he's observed and learned from shifts in the workplace. Right now, he is embracing flexible work, believes employees shouldn't be micromanaged and encourages his workforce to dress comfortably, he says. Here's why he wants other CEOs to embrace those same concepts this year, too.

Stop trying to get workers back into the office

As the tug-of-war between leadership and employees around remote work continues, Weishaupt says traditional in-office expectations should cease. "We hire people to do a job. I don't hire people to watch them work," he says. "I do love the in-office participation when we get it, but I want it to be organic. The office has a role, but mandating that you must come into the office on this day, at this time, and leave no earlier than this time  that is a dead concept." Companies like Amazon and Disney have enacted stringent in-office work policies in recent months, with some citing reasons like office costs and employee productivity. But most bosses want to work from home as much as, if not more than, their employees do, according to a survey of 3,000 American workers and managers from software firm Checkr. Resolve that dissonance once and for all, Weishaupt suggests. "The office has a role, but it's more task based," he says. "If I have meetings on Wednesday morning that need to be in person, in the office, I will be. And if I choose to be in the office the remainder of the day to finish my work, I'll do it. But if I want to do it in another location, I should be able to have that flexibility."

Embrace a more casual dress code

Flexible work arrangements may challenge your office's traditional dress code of suits, below-the-knee skirts and dress shoes. Indeed, more than seven in 10 employees in the United States dress in business casual attire or streetwear to work, according to a September 2023 poll from Gallup. Weishaupt says he's noticed that employees are more productive, relaxed and feel less restricted when they're able to incorporate casual wear into the office. "When it comes to dress codes, people want their environment to mimic the comfort that they have in an alternative location, whether that be home or somewhere else," he says. "So they don't want to have to think and act and dress differently for one location versus the other." Many workplace dress codes are legal, but can have exclusionary or discriminatory undertones for people of different genders, cultures and ethnic backgrounds  particularly when it comes to topics like hair styles, clothing length and body modifications. They're "another concept that doesn't make a lot of sense [in this] day and age," Weishaupt says.

Ditch the employee tracking software
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday published his income over a two-year period, as he looks to promote transparency as part of Kyiv's push for European Union membership.

Ukraine formally started the screening process to begin talks over its future membership of the EU on Thursday, and faces stringent conditions to increase transparency and root out corruption.

Zelenskyy has called for all public officials to disclose their incomes, while the U.S. and other allies supporting Ukraine's war effort have sought assurances about the country's efforts.

According to the declaration, the president and his family members received 10.8 million hryvnias ($286,168) in 2021, the last year before Russia's invasion of Ukraine, down 12 million hryvnias from the previous year. The 2021 also included income from the sale of around $142,000 in government bonds.
Ryanair on Monday trimmed its profit forecast for the year to the end of March after some online travel agents suddenly stopped selling its flights in December, forcing it to cut fares to fill seats as costs per passenger inched up.

Ryanair had for years accused the websites of adding illegitimate extra charges and launched a series of court cases against them, but appeared to be taken by surprise when they stopped selling the airline's tickets.

The airline, Europe's largest by passenger numbers, forecast an after-tax profit of between 1.85 billion and 1.95 billion euros ($2 billion to $2.1 billion) for its financial year to March 31.

That is down from its November forecast of 1.85 billion and 2.05 billion euros, but would still beat its previous record of 1.45 billion euros in 2018.

Ryanair shares were down 2% in early trading.

The sudden halt of sales by the online travel agents increased the proportion of empty seats on flights by around 1 percentage point, forcing the airline to stimulate bookings over Christmas and New Year with fares that were "slightly lower than we'd anticipated," Chief Financial Officer Neil Sorahan said in a pre-recorded presentation.

Net profit for the three months to the end of December, the third quarter of its financial year, was 15 million euros, significantly lower than the 49 million euros expected by analysts polled by the company.

The higher percentage of empty seats, in addition to higher productivity pay agreed with staff, meant full-year ex-fuel unit costs were expected to rise by around 2.5 euros, Sorahan said.

The fallout from the travel agents' move is beginning to "fizzle out," Sorahan said, with several agents approaching the airline to secure new, more transparent deals.

Traffic in the third quarter was up 7% to 41.4 million passengers, while average fares were 13% higher than last year, the airline said.

Chief Executive Michael O'Leary said he was looking to the summer with some optimism as constrained European short-haul capacity would mean higher ticket prices. He said capacity in summer could be 92-93% of pre-COVID levels or even lower.

O'Leary said he was committed to his target of flying 300 million passengers by 2034, up from 183.5 million in the current year, and was open to increasing his order for 737 MAX 10 aircraft from Boeing if other customers cancel orders due to delays.
Europe's equivalent to the S & P 500 Index, the STOXX 600 Index, broke out to a new 52-week high last week, helped by an earnings-driven breakout from bellwether LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton . The breakout acts as a positive technical catalyst that supports having broad-based exposure to European equities, which can be achieved via the iShares MSCI Core Europe ETF (IEUR) . Last week's upmove in IEUR resulted in an upward shift in our short-term momentum indicators, suggesting the ETF has emerged from its recent pullback. The short-term catalyst comes within the context of a cyclical bullish long-term trend for IEUR, which is intact above support from the weekly cloud model (shaded area on the chart). (A reminder: The cloud model, also known as Ichimoku, is a forward-looking indicator from Japan derived from mid-points of price and projected forward.) The European proxy is supported by positive intermediate- and long-term momentum, suggesting resistance going back to former support from 2021 (near $55) is surmountable. A breakout by IEUR above that level would target final resistance near $60, above which momentum would likely increase. The bullish setup would be invalidated by a breakdown below support from the weekly cloud and 200-day (40-week) moving average (about $52) as a point of reference for a possible stop-loss for long positions. Relative to the S & P 500, IEUR has a long-term downtrend in place reflecting underperformance versus U.S equities. However, the ratio of IEUR vs. SPX is showing signs of downside exhaustion per the DeMARK Indicators (red "13" on the chart), supporting improved relative strength in the near term. Katie Stockton Access research from Fairlead Strategies for free here . DISCLOSURES: (None) THE ABOVE CONTENT IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY . 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Donald Trump at a courthouse in Lower Manhattan, New York, on Oct. 17, 2023. John Taggart | The Washington Post | Getty Images

Donald Trump on Monday lashed out at the financial monitor overseeing the Trump Organization and urged a judge to fire her days after she reported a range of issues  and flagged a questionable $48 million loan  in the former president's New York civil business fraud case. The independent monitor, Barbara Jones, "desperately seeks to justify the continued receipt of millions of dollars in fees going forward," an attorney for Trump wrote in a letter to Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Arthur Engoron. The attorney, Clifford Robert, said Jones has collected more than $2.6 million in 14 months on the job. New York Attorney General Letitia James has asked Engoron to order that Jones continue to monitor the Trump Organization for at least five years as part of his judgment in the case. But Robert wrote that Jones' findings "simply do not support or provide any evidentiary basis for continued oversight." Robert made that argument three days after Jones submitted a report to Engoron accusing the Trump Organization of providing incomplete, inconsistent or incorrect information about its financial disclosures. In a footnote in that report, Jones said she identified a loan between Trump himself and an entity related to Trump Chicago Tower that later turned out not to exist. She was told that the loan was believed to total $48 million, but that there are no agreements memorializing it.

Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago, 401 N. Wabash Ave., on Oct. 4, 2022. Terrence Antonio James | Tribune News Service | Getty Images

"However, in recent discussions with the Trump Organization, it indicated that it has determined that this loan never existed" and that it would be removed from subsequent forms, Jones wrote. Robert called that "a demonstrable falsehood" in his letter Monday. "The Trump entities of course never said the loan did not exist," he wrote. "Rather, they provided a copy of an internal memorandum reflecting simply that 'no liabilities or obligations are outstanding' under the loan at that time." "The Monitor's deliberate mischaracterization casts further doubt on her competency and veracity" and "simply fails to support continued oversight," he added. Jones did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment on Robert's letter. Jones' report came days before Engoron was expected to deliver a verdict in James' case accusing Trump, his two adult sons, his company and its top executives of fraudulently inflating Trump's asset values to boost his net worth and obtain financial perks. James seeks to ban Trump for life from participating in New York's real estate industry or serving as an officer or director of a business in the state. She also seeks five-year bans with the same conditions for Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, who took over the Trump Organization after their father became president in 2017. The attorney general also seeks more than $370 million in penalties.

The public entrance to Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue in New York. Robert Alexander | Archive Photos | Getty Images
Shortly after the opening bell, we're initiating a position in Abbott Laboratories (ABT), buying 275 shares at roughly $112 each. Following the trade, ABT will represent roughly 1% of Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust. We're pulling the trigger on this Bullpen name following the stock's roughly 2% pullback on earnings, which were released on Jan. 24. Followers of the Trust know that we caught a double in Abbott from the summer of 2017 through early 2022 when we exited near $120 per share. At the time, we didn't want to overstay our welcome with our Covid winners. Abbott shares have been choppy but mostly sideways since then, biding their time as the market struggled to figure out how to properly value the company amid declines in Covid testing and growth in the firm's "base" business. Now that Covid testing has become less of a driver of earnings, we think enough time has passed to take another look at this leader in medical devices and other health-care solutions. ABT 5Y mountain Abbott Laboratories 5 years Abbott's best-known franchise is medical devices. The group became a little controversial over the summer after Novo Nordisk announced the results of a trial that evaluated weight loss drug Wegovy's ability to reduce negative cardiovascular outcomes. What the market assumed is that the rise in usage of these GLP-1 drugs, like Wegovy and Novo's Ozempic, which help patients manage diabetes better, lose weight, and generally become healthier, would disrupt Abbott's leading diabetes and cardiology units. Abbott is the maker of the FreeStyle Libre continuous glucose monitoring system, which is a market leader in diabetes care and by sales dollars has become the most successful medical device in history. The way Abbott's stock has traded, it's acted like GLP-1s were a cure and people would no longer need these devices. The thought was that the adoption of GLP-1s, which also include Club name Eli Lilly 's Mounjaro for diabetes and Zepbound for weight loss, and the Libre system were a zero-sum game and both could not coexist. As it turns out, the company's studies show GLP-1 adopters are seeing better results when they use Libre along with the drugs. To be fair, we're still cautious about the impact this new class of drugs will have on the food industry, especially salty snacks and confections, but less so on the health-care side. Outside of devices, Abbott has some other interesting parts of its business, including Nutrition, which management thinks will grow around 6% this year. Believe it or not, pediatrics isn't the exciting part of the story even though it has returned as the market leader after a rough 2022 due to recalls. We're more focused on the innovations happening on the adult side with its nutrition shakes. We think these could be of good use to those trying to limit the muscle loss associated with GLP-1 use. Abbott sees an opportunity here as well, and they plan on launching a new nutritional drink specifically for GLP-1 users later this year. Thirty million people in the United States could be taking these drugs by 2030, according to JPMorgan, meaning a lot of people could be taking daily protein supplements in the future. Another one of Abbott's main segments is Established Pharmaceuticals. Sales from this division come from the company's portfolio of established drugs  branded generic medicines  that are sold in both developed and key emerging markets. While not the most glamorous business, it has grown organic sales by double digits for three straight years and has expanded margins. The company also has a big Diagnostics business that is best known for its Core Laboratory suite of products and rapid diagnostic tests. The main brand under Core Laboratory is the Alinity family of systems, which are designed to "run more tests in less space, generate test results faster, and minimize human errors." On Abbott's fourth-quarter earnings call, management pointed out that Alinity continues to have high contract renewal re-rates, and it's winning new business. Now that the market is coming around to the idea that Abbott isn't just a Covid testing company and its premier diabetes franchises won't be wrecked by GLP-1s, we think it's time to appreciate it again for all the growth and innovation that's happening here. The company reported solid earnings Wednesday morning (Jan. 24), capping off a terrific 2023 during which organic revenue, excluding Covid testing sales, grew 11.6%. Over the full year, Medical Devices organic sales increased 14.2%, Nutrition was up 13%, Established Pharmaceutics grew 10.9%, and Diagnostics, ex-Covid tests, increased 5.8%. For 2024, Abbott expects organic sales to increase 8% to 10%, which is still faster than the 7% rate it grew at before the pandemic. There are not a lot of companies of Abbott's size  almost $200 billion market cap  that can say they are putting up those types of numbers, let alone in health care. Yet, the stock dipped on earnings day. Sure, Q4 earnings per share matched expectations at $1.19 and the midpoint of its full-year outlook range of $4.50 to $4.70 was a few pennies shy of $4.64. However, management is historically conservative at the start of the year, so we think they are setting themselves up for beats and raises. Now that expectations have cooled down, we think this pullback is one worth buying. With this buy, we're initiating Abbott Labs with a price target of $130, which would put the stock's multiple at around 28 times forward earnings. While that's a premium to its historical average of around 24 times, we think it's justified by the company's sustained high growth rate. (Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust is long ABT, LLY. See here for a full list of the stocks.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks with CNBC's Andrew Ross Sorkin at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland on Jan. 16th, 2024.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy published his income for the first time as he looks to promote transparency and tackle corruption as part of the country's push for European Union membership.

Ukraine formally started the screening process to begin EU membership last week and faces stringent conditions on addressing its historic corruption problem.

The Zelenskyy family income fell almost threefold between 2021 and 2022, according to the declaration Sunday on the presidential website.

Zelenskyy and his family members received 10.8 million Ukrainian hryvnias ($286,168) in 2021, the year before Russia invaded Ukraine, which was down almost 12 million hryvnias from the previous year. The 2021 figure included around $142,000 in income from the sale of government bonds.

"Volodymyr Zelenskyy continues to own a number of trademarks. In particular, in 2021, the process of registering 22 trademarks, which began long before his election as President of Ukraine, was completed," the president's first-ever public declaration of income said.

In 2022, the Zelenskyy family income fell to 3.7 million hryvnias due to the "temporary termination of lease agreements on the territory of Ukraine as a result of the beginning of Russia's full-scale aggression."

The family's cash balance at the end of 2022 dropped by almost 1.8 million hryvnias, the declaration said, while its asset, real estate and vehicle ownership was unchanged over the two years.
Open-source multi-platform device management vendor Fleet recently introduced Windows support to its existing software, which already enables IT to manage Linux and Apple devices within a single console.

The multi-platform upgrade comes as many companies continue to manage their way through the impact of Broadcoms acquisition of VMware, a move that appears to be generating challenges for some admins. I spoke once again with Fleet CEO Mike McNeil and Customer Solutions Architect Brock Walters about what the company is doing.

Apples enterprise ascendancy is no fable. In the US, it is grabbing huge chunks of share in what was once a Windows-dominated part of the market.

There is no question that Apple is growing in the enterprise," said Creative Strategies President and Principal Analyst Carolina Milanesi, recently echoing analysts across the board. In particular, Apple is clearing up the high-end laptop market there, particularly with its super-powered M3 MacBook Pro.

The proliferation is a big opportunity for mobile device management (MDM) vendors. The growing number of MDM tools shows theres more room in the market than people once thought. After all, if anyone had asked how many MDM products the market needed a decade ago, youd probably have said two.

The move toward multi-platform IT is also prompting some consolidation among veteran firms in the space  hence the Broadcom/VMware event. But not everyone seems happy with that move, yet, according to McNeil. Were hearing stories from admins following the purchase, theyre looking for other places to go.

Is it Fleet youre looking for?

Fleet could, he argues, be that place. The company has an open-source vision for multi-platform MDM solutions for enterprise and education admins. The idea is to lean into open-source to create a device management solution that works effectively across all major operating systems, now including Windows.

It was like, cool, we managed to squeeze in kind of like remote lock and remote life on Linux and we've added support for BitLocker for disk encryption, support for autopilot for Windows, said Brock.

Thats not for everyone, of course, but for some in the space the ability to manage all these devices using familiar open-source tools matters. Its about addressing the competing priorities within corporate IT.

Some are Windows, others are Mac, and there may be Linux users in the team. The challenge usually is that while some multiplatform device management options do exist, they may not deliver as much as focused solutions.

IT has this problem where they have like 50 engineers who really love their Linux laptops and don't want to give them up and they're very influential people, and yet they also have to hit their compliance goals and, like, pass audits and stuff, McNeil said.

Migration is complicated, so dont complicate it

Brock explained the complexity of trying to migrate between MDM platforms. Following the VMware purchase, the company he was with at the time wanted to migrate to another option  and management had mandated it be a unified solution across all the supported platforms.

But his group handled five platforms with effectively two and a half teams. Those teams (and the wider business) had different priorities, budgets, and personalities. It meant decisions were difficult to reach, and senior management frequently didn't recognize the challenges of the transition.

It was just a mess because there were all these competing priorities, he explained. I think if you can get something that everyone  engineers and business leaders  agree on, then it should make those kinds of projects easier to achieve.

Migrating between device management platforms is complex because it can involve huge numbers of devices across different platforms, all of which may already be in use.

In a perfect world, youd throw money at the problem. But in the real world, IT has to somehow achieve the complex task on a budget and within a limited time-frame.

Perhaps open-source tools are right for your fleet?

With its roots in open-source, Fleet thinks it offers businesses seeking to support multiple platforms a viable option that could allow them to use one basic solution  particularly as its solution is integrated with osquery and uses the GitOps workflow.

Together, these might help manage costs, because they should seem familiar to IT while providing deep insight into managed devices. Fleet also integrates with leading configuration management platforms such as Chef, Ansible, and Puppet, and works with the MDM capabilities baked inside the platforms it supports.

To Fleet, this support means experienced IT admins can turn to a tool they are already fairly familiar with to diagnose deep information concerning their managed device.

You can craft queries to identify which Windows devices are at risk in near real-time and then, leveraging your configuration management tools or Fleet's remote script execution, swiftly initiate remediation procedures, they said. It's about marrying the foundational strengths of MDM with the analytical power of osquery.

Fleet claims to have combined open source with existing platform-based MDM APIs to both deliver a relatively consistent end-user experience while also being configurable to meet the specific needs of IT. This also means developers with coding experience can tweak the software to meet their companys needs and give them insight into versioning and change management.

Managing complex needs

I think its a perfect product for handling those little pockets of computers (within a companys overall fleet) that the enterprise doesnt want to purchase a separate product for, said McNeil.

When it comes to Windows and Mac, Microsoft Endpoint Manager (which includes Intune) is a widely used management choice, but its grasp seems increasingly weak. That's because of the changing platform usage patterns in the enterprise.

Think about a large company with an Apple-at-work scheme thats seeing rapid Mac deployment. Does that company really want to invest in a Microsoft solution to manage its Macs? Is it enough of a reason to upgrade to an E5 license? McNeil said.

Another strong argument is that the open-source nature of Fleet brings big benefits. Even if you've never done an MDM migration, you've probably heard it isnt easy, he said. But it should be. Weve worked extremely hard to make it easy for our customers to get their data in and to get it out.

"We're not trying to lock you into a certain way of doing things. We couldn't, even if we tried. It's open source.

Please follow me on Mastodon, or join me in the AppleHolics bar & grill and Apple Discussions groups on MeWe.
China has approved more than 40 AI models for public use over the past six months, according to a report from the countrys state-owned publication Securities Times.

Beijing, which has passed approvals in four tranches since it set up its approval process around August last year, reportedly approved 14 AI models last week. Companies that received approvals for their models include Xiaomi, 4Paradigm, and 01.AI.

The first tranche of approvals was given to firms, including Alibaba, Baidu, and ByteDance. The second and third tranches were approved in November and December.

Last year, state-run research institutes in China reported that Chinese technology firms had launched 79 large language models (LLMs). The Chinese government has not revealed the actual number of approvals for AI it has given out to date.

The number assumes significance as China is embroiled in a battle of supremacy in the technology sector with the US, which has seen both nations deploy strategies that thwart each others progress.

The report comes at a time when the US is readying an executive order to monitor AI models being trained on cloud service providers, such as Microsoft, Google, and AWS, in order to take additional steps to address the National Emergency with respect to significant malicious cyber-enabled activities.

However, both the countries at last years UK AI Safety Summit signed the Bletchley Declaration, an agreement that seeks cooperation from several countries including the US and China to form a common line of thinking that would oversee the evolution of AI and ensure that the technology is advancing safely.

Just like Beijings approval mechanism for AI approval, US President Joe Biden in October last year issued an executive order that hammered out clear rules and oversight measures to ensure AI is kept in check, while also providing paths for it to grow.

Currently, OpenAIs ChatGPT  the most popular generative AI  is facing several lawsuits, especially the one from The New York Times, that questions the method through which data was used for training the generative AI platforms underlying LLMs.

The country has also seen the rise of a startup that is offering a program that certifies an AI model based on what kind of data it is trained on.
More than half the people that California Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed to state boards, commissions, agencies and task forces last year were white, a report found, renewing interest in a bill that would require the governors office to release demographic data of its appointees. Juliana Yamada/The Chronicle 2023

When it came to filling vacancies on nearly 500 state boards, commissions, agencies and task forces last year, California Gov. Gavin Newsom delivered more than half of the appointments to white people, a report found  renewing calls for equity in state leadership and interest in a bill that would require the governors office to release demographic data of its appointees.

The report, released this month by Hispanas Organized for Political Equality, or HOPE, found racial and geographic disparities among the people who were appointed to statewide bodies in 2023. While Newsom made strides in appointing more people of color and reached near gender parity last year, the researchers said nonwhite people remain underrepresented in positions that play a critical role in advising the governors administration and establishing statewide policies.

According to the report, the governors office appointed 480 people during Jan. 1-Dec. 15, 2023. Of those appointments, 52% went to white people, 17% to Latinos, 11% to Black people, nearly 9% to Asian American and Pacific Islander people, and 2% to Native Americans.

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With just over 39 million people in California, white people make up 34% of the population, Latinos/Hispanics 40%, Black people 5%, and Asian Americans 15%, according to census data.

Were missing out on hearing from the voices of communities that may be underserved, Helen Torres, CEO of HOPE, told the Chronicle. Diversity among appointees is a fail-safe to ensure that all Californians have representation on some of the most important commissions that make the most important decisions.

The government bodies include the Public Utilities Commission, which regulates Pacific Gas and Electric Co. and other power companies; the Agricultural Labor Relations Board, an agency that protects the rights of agricultural workers; and the Board of Parole Hearings, which determines when people serving prison sentences are suitable for release.

Geographically, 41% and 22% of appointees live in Northern California and the Bay Area, respectively. According to the report, 15% come from Los Angeles County (the most densely populated county in the state), 3.5% from Orange County, 3% from the Central Coast, and 5% apiece from the Central Valley, Inland Empire and Greater San Diego. A majority of the Northern California appointees live and work in Sacramento County because theyre required to work where the state Capitol is located, the report noted.

Torres said HOPE conducted the report in response to Newsom vetoing a bipartisan bill last October  introduced by state Sen. Monique Limon, D-Santa Barbara  that wouldve required the governors office to release an annual report containing demographic data of state board and commission appointees. This was the third time the bill was vetoed.

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In his veto message, Newsom said he continues to be deeply committed to making appointments at every level of government that reflect the states diversity, but that demographic information for appointees is optional and self-reported, therefore incomplete. I have vetoed a similar measure for this reason, and my concern remains, the governor wrote.

A spokesperson for the governors office said Newsoms administration has made diverse appointments to senior leadership positions, including U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla, who became the first Latino senator to represent California, as well as Patricia Guerrero, who was the first Latina court justice and chief justice on the California State Supreme Court.

In an email, Newsom communications director Erin Mellon noted that HOPEs report only looked at 2023 while a similar report in 2022, by the UCLA Latino Policy & Politics Institute, showed that nearly 71% of Latinos tend to be more recent appointments to the executive branch and were predominantly appointed under the Newsom administration from 2019 to 2022.

However, that same UCLA report, which specifically looked at Latino appointee representation, said the number of Latino executive appointees, especially women, did not reflect the groups population in California. For instance, the UCLA report showed that Latinos made up only 15% of appointed positions in charge of regulating the environment.

This is particularly troubling given that Latinos are disproportionately impacted by the health and economic threats of climate change, the report said.

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Limon, who reintroduced her bill this year and was not involved with the more recent HOPE report, said what stood out to her was that a bulk of appointments came from larger metropolitan regions such as the Bay Area and Los Angeles County. That, she said, underscores the importance of having appointees from different parts of the state who may better understand the needs of a specific area.
Ah, the Amish. A strange, wide-hatted people that always inspires the thought, Oh yeah, those guys. Even as the appeal of a Luddite lifestyle might seem more and more like it isnt all bad, its still a highly curious lifestyle choice. What inspires more confusion is if you ever have the chance to spot an Amish person using something youre pretty sure theyre not supposed to be using. Not that youd know who to call, nor that theyd be able to pick up.

It turns out, though, that the Amish have some significant flexibility in certain areas (admittedly, customs vary from community to community, but nobody wants to read an article full of constant caveats, so lets acknowledge that up top). Here are seven Amish loopholes to make you go hmmmm

7 Pneumatic Power Tools Pixabay The sparks from my angle grinder prove the glory of god! This one feels especially weird, given the mental picture most have of the Amish. An essential part of our imagination is them toiling away old-school on their farm, callousing up their hands with good honest work. And so, power tools seem like exactly the sort of thing theyd attribute to Satan as a source of sloth and an enemy of good character. Piety can only argue with productivity for so long, however, and they figured out how to make it work. Amish people use modified power tools that operate on pneumatic motors instead of electric ones. Here I thought the word motor would still be a problem, but they argue otherwise.

6 Trains Versus Planes You would assume that Amish people cannot travel by plane (except in severe emergency), and you would be right. The idea of a great steel bird violating the gravitational will of God is a step too far for them. Weirdly, though, its not necessarily just the technological aspect, but because they consider air travel a luxury. Not too crazy, based on plenty of Instagram accounts Ive seen. So whats a long-haul Amish to do? Board the Amtrak. Despite the fact that were a long way from steam engines, electricity-powered Amtrak trains have become a common Amish hauler. Advertisement

5 Being on Reality Shows Another reason that Amish arent often taking to the skies has to do with identification, or lack thereof. In accordance with Amish custom, having your photo taken is a form of blasphemy, to the tune of making unto thyself a graven image. Not an ID-friendly statute. So, then, you can find problems with the preponderance of Amish reality shows far before getting into any of the icky emotional baggage. After all, the word Amish Celebrity is a straight-up oxymoron. I assume they allow it in pursuit of some sort of outreach, as if the people watching dogshit reality TV four hours a day are good candidates for a cordless life. Advertisement Advertisement

4 Buggy Turn Signals Pixabay The most common phrase in the Amish vocabulary: Go around!" Heres one that, to be fair, theyre probably not particularly happy about either. The horse and buggy, the traditional mode of Amish transportation, is so deeply connected to them that it might be the first thing that comes to mind when you hear them mentioned. The thing about horse-drawn buggies, though, is that they travel the same roads as regular old cars, as residents of some parts of Pennsylvania well know. Because of this, they're required to have basic lighting systems and turn signals. Not that brake lights are that important when youre going five miles an hour because youre stuck behind a fucking horse. Advertisement

3 Cell Phones Okay, lets move from the entries that inspire a hmm, I guess that makes sense into ones that deserve a straight up fuck off. First up: cellphones. Despite topping any Family Feud board of things Amish people arent allowed to use, theyre cleared in some communities, albeit with rules. The most common one is that they can never be brought inside the household, so I guess theres some sort of weird wooden phone booth with a Motorola RAZR sitting in it. Still, doesnt seem quite disconnected enough. The Amish should have more separation from a cellphone than a kid in timeout does. Advertisement Advertisement

2 The Amish Computer Pixabay Best Butter Churn 2024 Reddit  An oxymoron brought into existence through an absolute religious minefield, computers for the Amish do indeed exist. To be fair, theyre so old as to barely be considered modern technology, given that they arent capable of connecting to or doing much of anything. Their main use? Spreadsheets. Imagine you, tired of the daily rat race, give it all up and flee to an Amish community, looking forward to a life of simple, honest work, and when you get there, they plop you in front of Amish Excel. Id throw myself into a wheat thresher. Advertisement
If youre drinking a soda, theres a pretty good chance youre doing something inadvisable: eating fast food, staying up until 3 a.m. playing video games, or maybe, if 90s TV commercials are to be believed, participating in some kind of sport that theoretically requires a helmet. (If youre drinking a pop, youre doing all that in Minnesota.) So no one opens a can expecting gourmet shit. Its artificial flavoring, high fructose corn syrup and carbonation. Its going to taste like candy beer, and theres just no way around that.

On the other hand, candy and beer are both shortcuts to the happiest parts of the brain, so cracking open a cold one with the little boys is great under the right circumstances. No one also takes a sip expecting it to taste like broccoli, and if they did, they could be forgiven for curb-stomping that can until its a broken mess of foam and lies. Yet history has given us some terrible soft drinks, and some of them werent even that long ago.

1860s: Celery Soda Before it was the default drink option in your combo meal, soda was actually a health elixir. You know what they say: A spoonful of carbon dioxide helps the medicine go down. At least, that was the thinking of a possibly fictional doctor who added carbonation to his medicinal celery tonics in 1868 to make them easier to stomach, giving birth to Dr. Browns Cel-Ray Soda. Though its obviously fallen out of favor, you can still buy it if youve got a bottomless self-loathing or a really good idea for a prank.

1870s: Moxie Advertisement You know how there are people who claim to be Star Wars fans but cant seem to name anything good about the franchise? Thats how Moxie drinkers feel about their favorite soda. One of the kindest descriptions of its flavor suggests minty and licorice-y notes, while others suggest root beer thats gone really funky. It was invented in 1876 as a drink that could supposedly cure everything from nerves to crime and briefly became more popular than Coca-Cola. Today, its confined to New England, especially Maine, where a three-day festival is held every year in honor of an admittedly terrible beverage. Advertisement

1910s: BOOST! When BOOST! was developed by a New Jersey pharmacist, it wasnt as a soda but a flat, thick, weird-tasting syrup. It could be mixed with carbonated water to create a brown beverage with a strong, sappy, citrus flavor, but it was also often mixed with milk or even baby formula, as it was said to somehow soothe the stomach. It never quite found a market outside the state, but plenty of Jerseyans fondly remember sucking down bottles filled with milky, caffeinated sludge. Advertisement

1930s: Orangina Advertisement Advertisement Have you ever taken a sip of an ice-cold Fanta and thought to yourself, I just wish it were meatier? No? Then the makers of Orangina have nothing for you. Despite sounding like a sex toy carved from fruit (its actually pronounced oran-geena), the combination of orange pulp, juice, sugar and fizz first marketed in France in 1935 became a hit in its home country, if not so much anywhere else. Its commercials were even a kind of early meme, featuring a Shake Weight-like marketing gimmick instructing consumers how to properly mix in the pulp. In their soda. It probably went great.

1980s: 7 Up Gold Advertisement Advertisement The soda game was surprisingly stagnant during the otherwise culinarily grotesque mid-20th century, but the 1980s were a carbonated wild west. Chocolate sodas were popular, even a Fudgesicle soda, and people drank Hubba Bubba bubblegum-flavored soda. It seemed like you could market anything as long as people knew what it was, which was a box 7 Up Gold failed to tick. It was a dark-colored, spice-flavored caffeinated soda developed from an unused Dr Pepper recipe after the companies merged and named specifically so that people might try it without knowing what it tasted like. It turns out most people wont do that, and it didnt even last a year.

1990s: Orbitz Advertisement Advertisement Like Orangina in the 30s, the 90s answered the crucial question, What if there was weird shit floating around in my soft drink? The makers of Orbitz, which was launched in 1996 and shuttered in 1999, will tell you the answer, which was, Ew, get it out. Orbitz were clear sodas containing mysterious edible orbs that came in ridiculously complicated flavors like pineapple banana cherry coconut. They were supposed to be reminiscent of lava lamps, see. Kids love drinking lava lamps, right?

2000s: Coca-Cola Blak Advertisement Advertisement Coke has experimented with lots of different flavors since that first cocaine-and-wine concoction, but few were as gross as Coca-Cola Blak, introduced in 2006. The coffee-flavored cola ran into a number of obstacles in its preciously short 17-month lifespan, from the cost (they tried to get away with pricing it like its Starbucks) to the taste, which was described as a double whammy of bitterness from the coffee and the artificial sweeteners. Coca-Cola executives insisted the product was merely ahead of its time, which is why you see all those other coffee-flavored colas dominating the shelves today.
It was a big freaking deal in the early 1980s when producer Dick Ebersol, whod taken over for Lorne Michaels, lured SCTVs Catherine OHara to New York to join his new cast. Unfortunately for Ebersol, his new hire didnt last long in the States. According to Saturday Night Live mythology (and Ebersol), an out-of-control Michael ODonoghue spooked OHara right off the show before she could shout a single Live from New York  its Saturday Night!

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Heres the legend: ODonoghue had returned to the show as head writer but was determined to take down SNL like a flaming Viking ship. As part of ODonoghues plan of destruction, he took a can of red paint and sprayed the word DANGER on the writers room wall. In that very first meeting with Michael, when he was telling everybody the show is shit, and spraying all over the writers wall, Ebersol said in Live From New York: The Complete, Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live, it really scared Catherine OHara  scared her right off the show. She packed up her stuff and went home to Canada that night.

Decades later, OHara is setting the record straight. Theres been BS stories about I was supposedly scared by somebody, she recently told PEOPLE. But that isnt what happened after all. The real reason can be traced back to the erratic production schedule of SCTV, a show thats now legendary but had sporadic luck getting on the air back in the day.

Our producer would get a deal with a network, and wed have a show for a season or two, and then that deal would go away, OHara explained. Thered be a break, then wed do the show again.

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SCTV was in television limbo when Ebersol came a-calling with an offer to join Saturday Night Live. Since it was unclear when (or if) the Canadian sketch show would start up once more, Of course I said yes, she says. Who doesnt want to do that? But once OHara made her way to New York, she got the call that SCTV had landed a new deal and would resume production.

Basically I said, Oh, sorry, I gotta go be with my (SCTV) family, she confessed, lamenting that it was stupid not to have waited to see if her former show would get another green light. Yeah, not cool to take a job and leave it. You know what I mean?

Cool or not, OHara doesnt regret the decision to rejoin SCTV. It all worked out the way it was supposed to.
You needed to be a sharp-eyed fan to spot yet another celebrity guest on last weekends Saturday Night Live. No, not Jimmy Fallon in his Barry Gibb disco suit. Nope, not Shark Tanks Mark Cuban and Barbara Corcoran. If you look closely at host Dakota Johnson waving goodnight at shows end, youll see controversial comic Dave Chappelle clapping along on Stage Left. Weird  he wasnt in the show at all so whats he doing on stage? Keep looking and youll notice another curiosity, at least if youre a comedy conspiracy theorist: Bowen Yang is standing as far as possible from Chappelle on the other side of the stage. What the what? Lets go, Twitter  time to cook up some SNL drama!

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Yang certainly looks as if someone just poured sour milk on his Lucky Charms. Check out Sarah Shermans reaction below when  were spitballing here  Yang alerts her to Chappelles offending presence and suggests they scooch as far away as possible.

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Pride.com speculated that Yangs discomfort was related to Chappelle self-identifying as a trans-exclusionary radical feminist, or TERF, and for promoting nasty and homophobic rhetoric in his Netflix specials The Closer and The Dreamer. Its as good a theory as any.

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The last time he was on the show, neither Yang, Sherman, nor the non-binary castmate Molly Kearney were involved in that taping, noted Pride.com, which could also add to the shock Yang and Sherman experienced when Chapelle (sic) showed up unannounced.

Er, thats not exactly true. Chappelle hosted just last season, an episode in which Yang (as Brian Kilmeade in a Fox and Friends sketch), Sherman (doing Sarah News on Weekend Update) and Kearney (the star of a Please Dont Destroy sketch) all appeared. If they were angry about sharing a show with Chappelle, their principled stance wasnt enough to give up any screen time.

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OR WAS IT? Check out the goodbyes that night  no Yang, Sherman or Kearney in the shot! Was it a conscious boycott? Were others missing in the shot  Cecily Strong, for example  expressing their disgust as well? With this additional puzzle piece, lets hope Twitter can get to the bottom of the Yang/Chappelle feud that may or may not be happening but likely is, at least as far as we know. Probably.
The dude behind the dude playing a dude disguised as another dude didnt drop the act when the camera stopped rolling, according to the other dude.

Robert Downey Jr. is a frontrunner for the honor of Best Supporting Actor at this years Academy Awards, but for all the fanfare his performance in Oppenheimer has garnered, he still cant stop talking about the first time he was in the running for the award back in 2008. Just a couple weeks ago, Downey Jr. made a stop on the Oscars campaign trail to speak on the Literally! With Rob Lowe podcast where he defended his lauded performance as Kirk Lazarus, a method actor playing a Black character in the movie-within-a-movie in Tropic Thunder, against all the criticisms of racism that absolutely no one has thrown at Downey Jr. in recent years.

While blackface is universally acknowledged by non-bigots as an incredibly racist practice with grim historical roots, Tropic Thunders treatment of the topic is widely regarded as one of the few instances where the poignancy of the satire properly contextualized the use of blackface within the film as both unacceptable and hilarious. Tropic Thunders only (actually) Black lead concurs with the comedy worlds conclusion on the non-issue  on a recent episode of Reallyfe Street Starz Podcast, Brandon T. Jackson explained his behind-the-scenes experience with Downey Jr.s methods, saying, He was amazing. Killing it. They yell cut, hes still going, like, You know how we always late, Im like, I dont know how we always late!

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Just as Kirk Lazarus stayed in character through the recording of the DVD commentary, so did Downey Jr. (The Tropic Thunder commentary track with Downey Jr., Jack Black and Ben Stiller is still one of the most iconic extras ever included in a DVD release.)

Jackson, who played the rapper-turned-actor Alpa Chino who sparred with Downey Jr.s Lazarus for the entirety of Tropic Thunder, explained exactly why he didnt have a problem acting alongside a white actor in blackface, even if the act didnt stop between takes. My character justified it, said Jackson, clarifying that, I dont wanna say justified, but (Alpa Chino) called it out. He was the real person in there who would say, Hey, look, you cant do this.

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In fact, Jackson was a little too comfortable with Downey Jr.s performance for the taste of Stiller, who directed Tropic Thunder while starring in the film. Stiller wanted Jackson to channel real anger; or as Jackson recalled, They, like, psychologically made it become real, because I wasnt mad, I was laughing.  And theyre like, Are you not mad? You dont know the history of this? and Im like, Man, Im 23, and Im flying girls to Hawaii. What?
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, shown campaigning Saturday in Las Vegas, has garnered slightly more GOP support in California than in the rest of the nation. John Locher/Associated Press Republican presidential Nikki Haley, shown campaigning Saturday in Mauldin, S.C., has the support of about 16% of Republican Californians. Matt Kelley/Associated Press President Joe Biden, shown campaigning Saturday in Columbia, S.C., has the support of likely California voters only in the Bay Area and Los Angeles County. Jacquelyn Martin/Associated Press

Even in deep-blue California, Republicans back Donald Trump.

The former president has consistently polled above the other candidates for the Republican nomination, though hes garnered slightly more support in California. About 71% of Republican voters nationally said theyd vote for Trump in the March 5 primary election, according to poll averages calculated by news and data site FiveThirtyEight on Saturday. Thats a bit less than the 74% of California Republicans who said theyd back him.

An average of about 16% of Republican Californians said theyd vote for former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, Trumps sole remaining competitor for the Republican nomination. Thats about the same level of support shes received nationally, FiveThirtyEights calculations show.

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Haley has pledged to stay in the race, despite her loss in the recent New Hampshire primary election and Trumps public demand that she drop out. But President Joe Biden said its already clear hell face Trump for the presidency in November.

Even in the Bay Area, by some estimates Californias most Democratic region, Trump has by far the most backing of any Republican candidate. About 53% of likely Republican voters in the Bay Area said theyd vote for him in the primary election, according to a poll by the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies. Though that was by far the lowest share of any California region, the data suggests that if Bay Area Republicans decided the partys nominee, Trump would win.

Data for the poll, the most recent large survey of California voters, was collected from Jan. 4 to 8, when Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy were still in the running for the nomination.

Haley also had far more support among likely Bay Area Republican voters than in the rest of California  21%, compared with 11% statewide. About 10% of surveyed voters, in both the Bay Area and California overall, said they hadnt decided whom to vote for.

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Statewide, Trump received particularly high rates of support among Republicans who identified as strongly conservative and among those making less than $60,000 a year.

Of course, the Bay Areas status as a Democratic stronghold means that Republicans are a minority in the region. Thats reflected in the areas relatively strong support for Biden. About 61% of likely Bay Area voters said theyd vote for Biden in the general election, higher than the statewide percentage of 47% and the largest share of any California region. But only in the Bay Area and Los Angeles County did a majority of likely voters say theyd reelect the president.

Bay Area voters also backed Trump at the lowest rate of any region, just 18%. Roughly 31% of likely California voters said they would vote for him.

The California regions where Biden had the lowest levels of support included the San Joaquin Valley and the Inland Empire, where voters were among the most likely to say theyd vote for Trump. But in no region did a majority of likely voters express support for Trump.
It is as if a light went on within the Canadian government this month as it took steps to tighten control over the risk presented by China, Russia, and Iran to sensitive research being funded by the federal government. With its New Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern, Canada named more than 100 entities, all of which fall under the rubric of presenting a high risk to the countrys national security. The policy includes documents that inform research entities desiring government funding around sensitive technology areas that there are new swim lanes in effect.

The effort highlights how openness in academia and research can make those research entities target for foreign influence. The policy cites dual-use technology in areas such as AI, quantum computing, and genetic engineering as examples of areas of concern.

The document states that research grant and funding applications submitted by a university or affiliated research institution to federal fund-granting bodies in Canada that involving research in sensitive technology areas wont get any money should they partner with any foreign entity on the list that is deemed a threat to Canadas national security. To support this, Canada is releasing two lists that provide clear, defined, and transparent guidance so that researchers can quickly and efficiently determine if these new requirements apply to their research, the policy states.

Those two documents provide an explicit framework for avoiding the kind of brain drain that China in particular has excelled at for decades, sliding into agreements with Western academics and industry to gain access to cutting-edge technology for its own purposes. Indeed, while a handful of Russian and Iranian outlets are noted in the long blacklist, by far the most numerous cited are Chinese.

Canada moves to protect sensitive technology research areas

In the document Sensitive Technology Research Areas Canada identifies areas of research which may be of interest to foreign state, state-sponsored, and non-state actors, seeking to misappropriate Canadas technological advantages to our detriment.

Non-funding provisions are explained within the primer Named Research Organizations, which is an integral part of the program:
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Alphabets Earnings  What to Expect

Source: Refinitiv

For Alphabets upcoming results, expectations are for a broad recovery on all fronts. Double-digit growth in both its key segments (Google Cloud and Google Services) is expected to power a 12.1% year-on-year (YoY) growth in overall revenue to US$85.3 billion.

Likewise, its 4Q 2023 earnings per share (EPS) is expected to improve to US$1.59 from the previous quarters US$1.55, which will extend its streak of positive YoY EPS growth to the third straight quarter.

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Rebound in advertising activities to continue in 4Q 2023

Advertisement revenue accounts for 78% of Alphabets top-line. Having reverted to positive YoY growth over the past two quarters, the recovery momentum for the segment is expected to continue with a stronger 11.6% growth in 4Q 2023, up from 9.5% in 3Q 2023.

Increasing views of a US soft landing and further clarity of a peak in the Federal Reserve (Fed)s hiking cycle in 4Q 2023 may see business confidence return, which could further accelerate ad spending ahead. Back in 3Q 2023, Alphabets management guided that there has been some stabilisation in advertising spend, which seems to set the tone for better times ahead.

Source: Refinitiv

Ongoing race to unlock synergies of generative AI on product offerings

With the ongoing traction towards generative artificial intelligence (AI), Alphabet has previously incorporated AI-powered solutions like Search and Performance Max to help customers increase their ads return on investment (ROI), which may allow Alphabet to defend its edge over the broader advertising industry.

Further integration of Bard with Google apps and services will also be on the lookout, but no doubt it will be a race against time against Microsoft, which has been a first-mover with its ChatGPT. Microsofts Copilot feature to integrate AI into its office applications will also serve as a threat to Alphabets cloud-based products, including Google Sheets and Google Docs, while further developments of Microsoft's search engine Bing could continue to compete for Googles market share.

The race to unlock synergies of generative AI on product offerings will remain tight, with any progress of new features on close watch at the upcoming earnings call.

Cloud business performance will remain high on market participants radar

In the 3Q 2023 results, Alphabet topped both revenue and EPS estimates, but its share price plunged as much as 10% in a single day due to a miss in its cloud revenue. This highlights the importance that market participants are placing on this segment as Alphabets key growth driver, amid the rising trend of generative AI which should translate to growing demand for public cloud services.

Any lack of growth momentum on that front could mean losing market share to Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure  the other frontrunners in the highly competitive cloud computing space. With that, a significant miss on this segment could singlehandedly drag the stock price down, given that the company has been investing heavily in its cloud unit and market participants naturally carry high expectations for its growth.

Source: Refinitiv

Can YouTube continue to hold up against its competitors (eg. TikTok)?

YouTube Shorts (Alphabets short-form video feature as a reply to competitor TikTok) has been delivering thus far. In the 3Q 2023 results, it is reported to have 70 billion daily views, a significant growth from the 50 billion daily views at the beginning of 2023.

With that, some focus will be on whether the solid momentum in both YouTubes ads and subscription businesses from 3Q 2023 can be mirrored in the upcoming results as well.

Technical analysis  Alphabets share price eyeing for a retest of its all-time high

Alphabets share price has been trading on a series of higher highs and higher lows since the start of 2023, with price movement fitting into a broad ascending channel pattern. Trading above its Ichimoku cloud on the daily chart, along with various moving averages (MA) (100-day, 200-day), validates the overall upward trend as well.

On the weekly chart, its weekly relative strength index (RSI) has also been trading above its key 50 level since March 2023, briefly retesting the key level back in October 2023, which managed to see some defending from buyers. Ahead, buyers may eye for a potential retest of its all-time high at the US$152.00 level, with current prices standing just 3% away from the target.

On the downside, immediate support to defend may be at the US$142.50 level. A stronger area of support confluence may be found at the US$132.40 level, where the lower channel trendline coincides with the lower edge of its Ichimoku cloud on the daily chart.

Source: IG charts
China's public offering fund value hits 27.6 trln yuan

Xinhua) 10:25, January 29, 2024

BEIJING, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- The assets under the management of China's public offering funds totaled 27.6 trillion yuan (about 3.88 trillion U.S. dollars) by the end of 2023, data from the Asset Management Association of China shows.

By the end of last year, a total of 11,528 public offering funds were being operated by 145 fund management companies, the association said.

The scale of closed-end funds topped 3.8 trillion yuan, while that of open-end funds was at about 23.8 trillion yuan, the data shows.

Of the 145 fund management companies, 49 are foreign-funded and 96 are domestic firms, the association said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Mario Cortez joined The Chronicle Food & Wine team in 2022. He is originally from San Diego, where he contributed to local and online publications. He last worked at the Eureka Times-Standard, where he was sports editor and a staff reporter. Cortez was also a regular writer for Eater San Diego.

He likes analog photography, playing soccer and, naturally, great food.

He can be reached at mario.cortez@sfchronicle.com.
The Biden administration has identified consolidation among U.S. alcohol distributors as one of the greatest threats to the industry. Steven Boyle / The Chronicle

The average American drinker wouldnt know Southern Glazers Wine and Spirits by name. But chances are good that theyve consumed its beverages, which include top-selling brands like Grey Goose, Smirnoff, Bacardi, Jameson, Patron, Josh Cellars and Meomi.

Southern Glazers doesnt make these products; it distributes them, serving as the middleman between the maker and the seller. The company is not only the countrys largest alcohol distributor, but also the 10th-largest private company in the U.S., according to Forbes.

Critics of Southern Glazers have long argued that its too large and powerful for the good of the industry. But now, the company is facing a level of heat that appears unprecedented. The Biden administration has raised concerns about its dominance in the market. The Federal Trade Commission has said its investigating the company for possible violations of a federal law. The Internal Revenue Service and the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau descended on one of the companys Bay Area offices in what officials described as an official activity.

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And Southern Glazers is now battling an antitrust lawsuit that has the potential to threaten its command of the American alcohol industry, some experts say. If successful, this lawsuit could force Southern to stop bullying potential competitors, said Taylor Katzman, the founder and CEO of Provi, the company that brought the lawsuit. (Southern Glazers did not respond to a request for comment for this story.)

Liquor bottles, including many sold by Southern Glazers Wine and Spirits, behind the bar at Sams Tavern in San Francisco. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle

Provi is an online platform connecting alcohol suppliers, distributors and retailers. A liquor store owner, for example, can use Provi to order from multiple distributors at once, including Southern Glazers. Between 2016 and 2021, Southern Glazers fulfilled more than 120,000 orders via Provi, worth about $200 million, according to the lawsuit.

But then, Provis lawsuit alleges, Southern Glazers and its closest competitor, Republic National Distributing Co., began to boycott Provi. They each created online marketplaces similar to Provi, the lawsuit says, and forced their customers to use those proprietary platforms instead. Southern Glazers and Republic National nearly simultaneously announced that they would no longer accept orders that came through Provi, according to the complaint, and even blocked emails from Provi so that any orders placed through Provi would never be completed.

Because Southern Glazers controls the distribution of so many must-have brands, said Katzman, this boycott significantly impaired Provis business.

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Both Southern Glazers and Republic National have denied the allegations in interviews with other publications and have filed a motion to dismiss. A decision on that motion is expected soon from a judge in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division.

The Prisoner is one of the many popular wines distributed by Southern Glazers Wine and Spirits. Preston Gannaway/Special to The Chronicle

Legal challenges are nothing new for Southern Glazers. Some of the recent lawsuits against the company have alleged it engaged in a pay-to-play scheme in Pennsylvania (for which it paid a $5 million fine); that it processed fake orders in order to drive up sales numbers (that case was dismissed); that it charged customers higher late-payment fees than was legal (for which it paid a $5.5 million settlement).

But Provis lawsuit, filed in 2022, shocked Sean OLeary, an alcohol lawyer in Chicago who is not involved in any litigation with Southern Glazers. Cases against Southern Glazers often fall apart, he said, because the company has so many resources. Provis challenge was unusually formidable: This is a well-written brief by a well-funded company, and they have very good lawyers, OLeary said.

While that plays out in court, Southern Glazers is facing additional pressure from the federal government.

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Last year, the Federal Trade Commission opened an investigation into Southern Glazers for potentially violating the Robinson-Patman Act, which prohibits discriminatory pricing. Essentially, under the 1936 law, you cant give a deal to Bobs liquor store and not give it to Petes, explained OLeary. The commission has since sued Total Wine, one of the countrys largest alcohol retail chains, for records related to the investigation. (A commission spokesperson declined to comment on the investigation.)

Bottles of Empathy wine, one of the many brands that Southern Glazers Wine and Spirits distributes. Noah Berger/Special to The Chronicle

That investigation is part of a larger effort by the Biden administration to increase competition in various industries. In 2021, the president issued an executive order on competitiveness; the following year, the U.S. Department of the Treasury published a report that raised concerns about consolidation in the alcohol industry, among other fields, noting that the countrys largest alcohol distributors may be able to push out smaller competitors.

The Federal Trade Commission may not be the only federal agency investigating Southern Glazers. In 2022, regulators from the IRS and the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau arrived at the Union City offices of Southern Glazers and were engaged in an official activity there for most of the day, a spokesperson told the Chronicle at the time. Its not clear whether the agencies will take any official action against the distributor. (The IRS and the trade bureau declined to comment for this story.)

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The challenge is that the government hasnt brought these big antitrust cases in quite some time, said Rebecca Stamey-White, an alcohol lawyer with the San Francisco firm Hinman & Carmichael LLP. So whether they can accomplish much is unproven.

But Provis case could aid the governments efforts, Stamey-White said. If the lawsuit is not dismissed, it will move into the discovery phase, which might reveal new evidence not currently available to the government.
The Baka people are trapped in tragedy  one partly funded by Western donors and governments. The forest they cherish and have cared for as expert custodians for generations is no longer their home.

Following The Mail on Sunday's powerful revelations, Survival International is launching a public campaign to urge Prince Harry, who states his commitment to social justice, to step down as a director of African Parks and to distance himself from an organisation complicit in allegations of appalling abuse of these forest guardians.

And we want donors, such as the EU, to withdraw support until the Baka are allowed to return to the park with land ownership rights recognised.

Of course, everything possible must be done to protect our precious environment, including forests under pressure from mining, logging and other industries. But there are deep problems with the way conservation is often carried out in many parts of the world.

On one side are people such as the Baka, whose intimate relationship with the forest and its abundant wildlife has made them nature's remarkable guardians.

Prince Harry, seen here in Malawi, was the president of African Parks for six years before moving to its governing board of directors last year

African Parks rangers have been accused of widespread human rights abuses in the Kokoua National Park in the Republic of Congo

Survival International is an NGO that advocates for the rights of indigenous peoples around the world

On the other are national parks and their rangers  such as those managed by African Parks, an organisation founded by a Dutch billionaire whose firm had business links to South Africa's apartheid state.

I have been told numerous stories of brutality and torture. These atrocities have been going on for years. We first raised them with African Parks' management more than a decade ago.

Perhaps the charity's donors are ignorant of what is really going on just like the tourists who spend $9,690 for four-day trips to enjoy 'Odzala Gorilla Discovery Camp' in Congo's Odzala-Kokoua National Park.

EXCLUSIVE Read More: Family in Congo-Brazzaville tell of terror at hands of African Parks rangers Advertisement

Survival International has gathered other appalling testimonies from indigenous people in countries from central Africa to south-east Asia  all cast on the scrap heap at the altar of conservation's 'Protected Areas'.

This uses a model of 'fortress conservation' with communities evicted from ancestral lands  and all too often terrorised and even killed by armed guards enforcing this system. Such cruelty is often justified on the basis that 'humans'  by which they mean local people  are considered a threat to the environment and that the indigenous people's livelihoods are incompatible with protecting nature.

Yet there is incontrovertible evidence dating back millennia that local people such as the Baka are the best guardians of the natural world.

This is not just an issue of human rights. The Baka rely on the forest for their food, medicine and shelter. Their relationship with the forest is central to their way of life and identity.

Over countless generations, they have developed sophisticated conservation practices and environmental and botanic knowledge. It is no coincidence that 80 per cent of all the biodiversity on Earth is found on indigenous peoples' lands.

The solution to protecting the natural world involves respecting and protecting their rights. But when conservation charity rangers target these people who are least responsible for environmental destruction, these international organisations fail to tackle the real roots of the problem: over-exploitation of natural resources and destruction of rainforests for profit, led by the industrialised world.

And the abuses against the Baka and other indigenous people are often funded with our taxes and donations, so we share responsibility.

If any rainforest is to survive for future generations, it will only be if indigenous peoples are allowed to return to their ancestral lands.

As they say: 'The forest misses the Baka. The Baka belong to the forest. If there are many animals in the forest, it's because there are Baka in the forest.'

www.survivalinternational.org/
What on earth is the Tory government doing promoting illiberal, nannying policies instead of the issues that people actually care about?

As part of Rishi Sunaks crusade against smoking, the Government now plans to ban disposable vapes and restrict sweet and fruity e-cigarette flavours.

The move is intended to cut youth vaping and will be twinned with previously announced legislation to impose a generational ban on tobacco products for anyone born on or after 1 January 2009.

I do not doubt the Prime Ministers good intentions, but it is not the job of Conservatives to tell people how to live their lives. Why, in an election year, is Rishi Sunak pushing eccentric, niche legislation when he desperately needs to nurture the support of the Tory faithful with proper centre-Right policies?

Vapes contain addictive nicotine and shouldnt be encouraged, but in banning disposable ones, Rishi Sunak is going too far, Mick Hume writes

The first thing to understand is - contrary to Sunaks intentions - this policy will actually have a detrimental effect on public health. According to the anti-smoking charity Ash, 2.7 million Brits use e-cigarettes - including disposable vapes - to help them quit.

And Prof Jamie Brown, senior author of a Cancer Research UK-funded study into the Governments proposals, says Sunaks ban may discourage use of e-cigarettes among people trying to quit smoking and may induce relapse among those who have already used disposables to quit.

Additionally, the free-market think-tank the Institute of Economic Affairs has described the scheme as effectively pro-smoking policies that will drive vapers back to cigarettes.

Some 35 years ago, as a chain-smoker in my twenties, I had to give up the coffin nails - as we called Players Number 6 cigarettes - by emptying East London sweet shops of sugary, tooth-rotting lollipops, and sucking one every time I wanted to light up. Without doubt, a cheap and handy vape wouldve helped me kick the habit far sooner.

Of course, vapes contain the addictive nicotine and shouldnt be encouraged, but in banning disposable ones, Rishi Sunak is going too far. The implications for public health could be catastrophic, putting millions - especially young people - on cigarettes, in some cases for the first time.

Worse still, not everyone will turn to traditional tobacco products to sate their addiction. Plenty will instead buy readily available black-market vapes, some of which have been shown to be laced with THC - the psychoactive compound of cannabis - and vitamin E acetate, often used in skin products but dangerous to inhale.

These doctored vapes were implicated in the case of three school children collapsing in Sleaford town centre in Lincolnshire last March. After hospital treatment, the teenagers recovered - a lucky escape given that illicit vapes are thought to be responsible for scores of deaths in the US each year.

These vapes are the real enemy, not licensed off-the-shelf products that the Government wants to ban.

Rishi Sunak's smoking ban will create 'a two-tier justice system - and the absurd prospect of, say, 45-year-olds in future being denied the right to buy fags but 46-year-olds legally able to enjoy them,' Mick Hume writes

And ban - typically Labour Party parlance - now seems to be the word du jour for Rishi Sunak. For the vape crackdown comes alongside his equally nonsensical wheeze to bar the next generation from smoking altogether. Those aged 15 and younger today will have their behaviour policed as adults in a way that their older peers will not, creating a two-tier justice system - and the absurd prospect of, say, 45-year-olds in future being denied the right to buy fags but 46-year-olds legally able to enjoy them.

In 2021, New Zealand became the first country to announce such a measure under lockdown zealot and former Leftist prime minister Jacinda Ardern. But when the new centre-Right coalition was elected last year, one of its first steps was to scrap the draconian plan.

Yet in the UK, the supposedly Conservative Government seems determined to emulate Arderns hysterical authoritarianism.

My question for the PM is this: in an election year, is prohibition really the political hill upon which you want to plant your tattered flag?

Mick Hume asks: 'In an election year, is prohibition really the political hill upon which you want to plant your tattered flag?'

Perhaps the dictators of the world - to say nothing of the nannying Labour party - would give their nod of approval. But aside from autocrats and Leftists, who does the government think it will win over with this intervention?

It is Monday, so our Prime Minister will apparently be fasting today - a weekly habit revealed by a friend of his at the weekend. His abstemiousness may be commendable on health grounds but millions of people like the odd drink, smoke or vape, and as adults should surely be free to live their lives.

For heavens sake, Rishi - learn to pick your battles.
After meeting in 1976, Jeri and Mike Wirtz fell hard and fast for each other - and have overcome the highs and lows of life to make their marriage last for decades.

The interracial couple, based in Los Angeles, who are both 72, were living in the same apartment complex when they met - and it was love at first sight.

Less than a decade before, the landmark Supreme Court ruling of Loving v. Virginia in 1967 had declared anti-miscegenation laws unconstitutional, supporting the right to marry regardless of one's racial background.

The couple, who have celebrated 46 years of marriage, piqued the interested of younger generations after their love story went viral online, following their son Ryan posting a video to social media.

After meeting in 1976, Jeri and Mike Wirtz fell hard and fast for each other - and have overcome the highs and lows of life to make their marriage last for decades

The interracial couple, based in Los Angeles, who are both 72, were living in the same apartment complex when they met - and it was love at first sight

'Many people ask us if racial divide impacted our relationship and commitment to each other,' Jeri shared.

'To be honest, it didn't. California had already abolished its anti-miscegenation laws well before we married,' she continued. 'So we were able to have a relationship with minimal opposition.'

The couple dated for just a year before getting married, exchanging their vows 46 years ago.

Back then, the landscape for interracial couples was vastly different from what it is today.

Their love has seen the highs and lows of life, with the pair's bond unwavering, sticking with each other in sickness and in health.

Both have battled cancer  Jeri is still fighting Stage 4 breast cancer, while Mike fought prostate cancer.

The couple have built a beautiful family together and share two children -Nicole, born in 1980 and Ryan, born in 1985. They also share three grandchildren.

It was son Ryan who encouraged the retired couple to start posting their love story online.

Less than a decade before, the landmark Supreme Court ruling of Loving v. Virginia in 1967 had declared anti-miscegenation laws unconstitutional, supporting the right to marry regardless of one's racial background

The couple dated for just a year before getting married, exchanging their vows 46 years ago

Their love has seen the highs and lows of life; with the pair's love unwavering, sticking with each other in sickness and in health

The couple share two children together and three grandchildren (pictured with their daughter Nicole, born in 1980)

The couple hope to inspire others to live authentically and fearlessly, also sharing how opposite personality can result in harmonious partnerships

'Our son truly believed in us and our unique story,' Jeri explained.

'He saw something special in our journey and said, "Mom, Dad, you've got something extraordinary to share with the world,"' she shared.

They began sharing their love story and the life they built together to TikTok and Instagram, amassing over 227,000 followers, with more than 14.7 million likes on TikTok.

The couple's son Ryan first encouraged them to start posting their love story online

The couple hope to inspire others to live authentically and fearlessly, also sharing how opposite personality can result in harmonious partnerships.

'We are very different. I'm the outgoing one, and Michael is a little more shy,' Jeri explained.

'I love R&B, and Mike loves Rock and Roll. I'm always late, and Mike's always on time.'

They also gave some insight into how they've kept their relationship strong after so many years, saying love and respect is the most important part of maintaining their strong union.

'First and foremost, you need to be friends who genuinely like each other. You can't mold each other into something you're not,' Jeri advised.

'It's about accepting your partner for who they are, quirks and all, while they do the same for you,' she continued. 'And at the core of it all, it's about cultivating love, mutual respect, and unwavering trust in each other.'
A small town girl has lassoed millions of fans with her horseback riding ranch flare and stunning beauty as she rises to the top ranks of TikTok.

Keaton Belle, 24, has left people on the web falling head over boots by boasting her love for rock and roll, rodeo, risky skateboard maneuvers and tattoo modeling on the video-sharing app.

The Canadian content creator has garnered over 1.6 million followers in just five years as she worked hard to break the limits of her small town to achieve big time.

Keaton has worked her way up and has risen to stardom on the social media platform - all while running a customized streetwear fashion e-commerce, and showcasing her figure on OnlyFans.

Keaton Belle, 24, has lassoed fans in with her horseback riding ranch flare and stunning beauty as she rises to the top ranks of TikTok

She has left people on the web falling head over boots by boasting her love for rock and roll, rodeo, risky skateboard maneuvers and tattoo modeling on the video-sharing app

The Canadian content creator has garnered over 1.6 million followers in just five years as she worked hard to break the limits of her small town to achieve big time

The brunette beauty, who goes by the pseudonym Notsick3, began her journey in a small town in British Columbia, where she enjoyed a childhood filled with adventures.

She recalled: 'It was pretty sick. I grew up in a small town with my siblings and parents. We would chill at the lake in the summer and snowboard in the winter.

'I was riding horses and competing in rodeos from a young age.

'Nowadays, I tend to rock and roll a bit more. But I still love a good hoedown.'

Keaton began boasting her extraordinary skateboarding skills online in 2019.

Just one year later, the model had garnered viral success and crossed the one-million-follower mark.

As her fanbase continued to swell, she seamlessly transitioned into the realm of entrepreneurship, harnessing the power of her burgeoning social media presence to propel her online store to new heights.

With an astute eye for diversification, Belle expanded her offerings, transforming her online store into a one-stop shop for various products.

Keaton has worked her way up and has risen to stardom on the social media platform - all while running a customized streetwear fashion e-commerce, and showcasing her figure on OnlyFans

The brunette beauty, who goes by the pseudonym Notsick3, has been able to carve out her own niche

Keaton's journey began in a small town in British Columbia, where she enjoyed a childhood filled with adventures

From cosmetics that exuded her unique sense of style to cutting-edge skateboards that mirrored her passion and even trendy keychains and other items, her separate Instagram account became a thriving marketplace that resonated with her dedicated followers.

Her creativity won her followers over, with her tattoos showing fans how she expressed herself through art.

She explained: 'When I started getting tattooed, I was worried it would put me in a box.

'But the more I got, the more I got to be myself, and it's really cool being seen for who you are.'

Her body art includes a diverse range of tattoos, from a bat on her shoulder to a bottle of poison on her arm.

'My favorite tattoo is my jackalope on my chest,' Keaton revealed before recalling how her childhood inspired her to get inked.

Keaton began boasting her extraordinary skills online in 2019

Just one year later, the model had garnered viral success and crossed the one-million-follower mark

Her creativity won her followers over, with her tattoos showing fans how she expressed herself through art

'Funny story, when I was younger, we would go to a lodge at a lake with a Jackalope on the wall.

'One time we were there, I asked my dad, "Why have we never seen a rabbit with antlers?'"... I thought jackalopes were real.

'I have only ever got black tattoos and patchwork. I don't get realism or big pieces. My most painful tat was the one I had on my back because I did it all in one sitting.

'It took at least six hours to complete. Having my toe knuckles inked was not a walk in the park either. I also have multiple random piercings, which I add to each year.'

In addition to spending her time at the tattoo parlor, the 24-year-old can also be found on OnlyFans.

The social media star has found success by showing off her unique style that marries rock and roll and cowgirls.

She even incorporates these elements into her brand NS3XD, which combines rodeo imagery and aesthetics with skateboarding-inspired products.

In addition to spending her time at the tattoo parlor, the 24-year-old can also be found on OnlyFans

She has found success by showing off her unique style that marries rock and roll and cowgirls

She even incorporates these elements into her brand NS3XD, which combines rodeo imagery and aesthetics with skateboarding-inspired products

Being in the public eye, Keaton has faced both admiration and criticism. However, she has learned to stay true to herself despite online scrutiny.

'Early on, when social media started to pop for me, the comments would get me down,' she admitted. 'But nowadays, I just try to be me because everyone will have opinions.'

Looking ahead, Keaton has exciting plans for her brand and her personal journey.

'Last year, I released two different skate shoes through NS3XD and plan on dropping more this year, including clothing, accessories, and more sneakers.

'This year, I plan to travel the world and make content for OnlyFans and my brand,' she revealed.
He dressed Grace Kelly and Wallis Simpson. Cecil Beaton compared his creative genius with that of Picasso, while Coco Chanel and Christian Dior revered him.

The King Is Dead! read the Womens Wear Daily headline announcing his death in 1972.

And now, the life of the secretive Spanish designer, regarded as the master of Parisian haute couture, is the subject of a new six-part Disney+ series  simply called Cristobal Balenciaga. It sheds light not just on the scandals of his life, but on just how much fashion owes to him.

He abhorred logos and instantly recognisable motifs, so theres no Balenciaga equivalent of a Chanel boucle jacket or Lady Dior bag.

Yet so many of the items we take for granted today  the funnel neck, the cape dress  were his creations.

Here is our guide on how to get the Balenciaga look  on a budget.

GREATEST CAPES

Balenciaga Autumn/ Winter 23

Dress, 116, karenmillen.com

Balenciagas Autumn/ Winter 23 show won extraordinary attention, not least because it was the houses first since the advertising scandal that engulfed it in 2022.

A return to an iconic Balenciaga creation  the cape dress  seemed sensible.

Models stormed the runway in artfully draped designs of which the houses founder would surely have approved.

A scarlet Balenciaga cape dress comes in at 8,850 today. Goodness. The Karen Millen 116 version might have to do, instead.

SPIN A COCOON

A model in a balloon-style Balenciaga dress in the Disney+ series

Cocoon coat, 99, winserlondon.com

The New Look Dior popularised in the 1950s was characterised by hourglass shapes that made for a hyper-feminine silhouette.

Balenciaga, with his naturally disruptive style, kicked back with his balloon-style cocoon coat and babydoll dress.

These were sculptural not restrictive; form-framing rather than straight-jacketing.

In the Disney+ series, we see a model in a monochrome balloon dress that would have required the kind of architectural skills that Sir Christopher Wren needed for the dome of St Pauls Cathedral.

Strange to think the obliteration of the waistline was so controversial at the time. Cocoon shapes are fundamentals of high street collections today.

A Balenciaga cocoon coat costs about 3,000, but head to Winser London for a flattering version in the sale for 99, and available in three colours.

ROLL WITH IT

Balenciaga stand-up collar in the Disney+ series

Sweater, 15, hm.com

With the roll neck, Balenciaga did for womens turkey wattles in the 1950s what top surgeons on Harley Street do for them today. He nipped and tucked, but through fabric. He was known for his obsessive precision. And turkey wattle or not, theres an unrivalled joy in wearing what is effectively a built-in scarf through the winter months.

A roll neck sweater on Balenciagas website is priced at 2,290. At that price, you might as well go to Harley Street. But worry not: the high street is teeming with the things. H&M has a boxy roll neck in a vivid cerise, reduced to just 15 (hm.com).

ROCK THE BOAT (NECK)

Boatneck dress in the Disney+ series

Boatneck cashmere sweater, 130, boden.co.uk

Meghan Markles wedding dress wasnt designed by Balenciaga, but it could have been. This is no coincidence: for it was Givenchy, a fashion house whose founder was Balenciagas protege.

The structure of Meghans dress  the way it stood away from the body rather than skimming it  and boat neck was so Balenciaga.

The designer popularised the neckline as an alternative, for older clients, to Diors strapless designs. It allowed them to show a hint of shoulder without baring all.

It remains a subtly elegant look today. Nicole Kidman attended Balenciagas A/W 24 show last December in a boat-necked coat dress.

Bodens boat neck sweaters (130, boden.co.uk), make a versatile wardrobe staple.

BOW DOWN

Nicole Kidman wears a Balenciaga dress laden with bows, September 2023

L-R: Mules, 745, Balenciaga at luisaviaroma.com; mules Zaras 35.99 version (zara.com)

Balenciaga had to manipulate fabric with geometric precision in order for it to hold the elaborate shapes he so loved.

Outsize bows were the ultimate test of this geometry. The one that adorned the back of his 1965 Tulip dress, for example, required origami-like engineering.

Nicole Kidman opted for a Balenciaga gown dripping in bows for a film premiere last September  a bespoke version of a dress seen on the fashion houses A/W 23 haute couture runway.

Bows adorn the brands shoes, too. You can find an homage to Balenciagas 745 bow mules at Zara for 35.99.
After her admission to hospital for abdominal surgery, the Princess of Wales faces a long recovery period at home. We often think about how important the care we receive in hospital is, but its when were home that the recovery really starts.

Anyone who has gone through surgery will know that leaving hospital and rejoining the real world can come as a shock to the system. Suddenly, there are no doctors on hand, no nurses looking at the wounds or guiding you to the bathroom.

There are also the pressures we put on ourselves. It can feel lazy to lie around all day even if youre still recovering. Perhaps you should tackle that pile of paperwork in the corner? A few chores wont hurt, will they?

Of course, Kate is our future queen so, naturally, she has a level of help around the house that the rest of us dont.

She may not be concerned with hanging out the washing for example, but she will, I suspect, feel the desire  just as you or I would  to be back up on her feet, whizzing around at full speed.

The Princess of Wales was admitted to hospital for abdominal surgery and faces a long recovery at home

Very few of us are lucky enough to avoid a hospital stay in our lifetimes, so being prepared for what happens next is crucial.

Once home, youre surrounded by the minutiae of daily life, the to-do list lurking at the back of your mind. For parents there are children nagging you to play when you still feel so tired.

Even if Kate avoids the more physically demanding aspects of her role  she has been signed off official engagements until Easter  there is the mental load to consider and the toll that can take on her recovery.

Entertaining people and being emotionally present and well-briefed requires an energy level she may feel she cant achieve for some weeks. She is, after all, human just like the rest of us. So my advice for Kate is the same I would give to you if youre recovering  or if youre helping a loved one after an intended hospital stay.

1. Be prepared. Im sure Kate can call on the services of a palace chef, but the rest of us will benefit from stocking the pantry and filling the fridge before a planned hospital stay.

Prepare and freeze meals in advance and get in some microwave meals. After surgery, patients often find eating large meals difficult, so make sure you have plenty of healthy smaller snacks.

When I was discharged after my recent hernia operation, I could barely make myself toast, let alone a hearty lunch.

Make sure you are asking for  or offering  help.

Kate has been signed off official engagements until Easter  but there is also the mental load to consider and the toll that can take on her recovery

2. Take notes. People can feel groggy for several days after surgery from the anaesthetic or pain medication, so its easy to forget what the doctor has told you before discharge. Take a notebook with you when youre admitted and jot down any advice. Ensure you have numbers of who to call if there are complications.

3. Be patient. If youre recovering from a big or invasive operation, you might want to ask your employer to consider whats called a phased return, so you can ease yourself back into working life. Dont push yourself. Accept that your body will take weeks, and sometimes months, to fully heal.

4. Walk every day, even if its a short distance. This will strengthen your muscles and reduce the risk of blood clots in the legs.

5. Sit up. Bedrest causes a loss of one per cent of muscle mass per day in young people and up to five per cent per day in older people. It tends to be seen most in antigravity muscles  those used to sit up, stand up and pull up  so sitting up in a chair is better than lying in a bed.

6. Get rid of clutter and get some torches. Tripping on things can cause real complications to the surgery and healing. Make sure theres nothing on the floor, including magazines or plastic bags which are particularly easy to slip on. Put your slippers under your bed, not next to it at night. Painkillers might make you feel groggy, which can also increase the risk of falls. You might not have had one since you were a toddler, but torches make trips to the loo a lot safer.

7. Move bedroom. If your bed is upstairs and youre going to have to be alone for any period of time, its best to sleep downstairs until you feel confident enough to tackle stairs.

8. Stock up on books and box sets, as this will help avoid the temptation to check emails or tackle the ironing.

9. Eat a bag of oranges. I used to work for a surgeon who would insist on telling every patient he discharged after an operation to eat as many oranges as they could every day. Vitamin C isnt stored in the body but is vital for wound healing.

Dr Max Pemberton (pictured) offers advice for anyone recovering or helping a loved one after a hospital stay

10. Keep warm. The body finds it harder to regulate temperature after an operation, so make sure you have a small heater, blankets and slippers to hand.

11. Quit smoking. Recovery times and wound healing are dramatically affected in people who smoke. Quitting will not only benefit your overall health, but also help heal your wounds.

Half of young people using disposable vapes never smoked, a study shows. I wouldnt recommend non-smokers start vaping but the overall risks are low.

I fear more that unfounded hysteria will curb something that, for many, is an effective way to stop smoking.

Time to sign up the snowflakes

I gave a wry smile when I read comments from General Sir Patrick Sanders, head of the British Army, warning that, because of dwindling UK troops, young Brits could be called up to fight in a war against Russia.

Weve managed to create a generation who seem to be afraid of its own shadow. They need trigger warnings on Jane Austen novels, for goodness sake, so how on earth would they cope on the battlefield?

I see so many feckless, indulged, directionless young people who lack discipline and have never developed any resilience or grit. Surely National Service would act as the perfect counterpoint to the damaging, self-obsessed and cossetted environment theyve grown up in.

So few young people now have the chance to feel part of something bigger than themselves. In trying to make the next generations lives as pleasant and easy as possible were doing untold damage.

As with other countries, we could offer either a stint in the Army or the choice of voluntary work. National Service would give them the dose of life skills they desperately need.

Recent measles fears have led to a sharp increase in children receiving catch-up jabs as cases continue to rise. I hope this trend continues. Vaccination is arguably the single most effective medical intervention. The World Health Organisation estimates it saved ten million deaths from 2010 to 2015 alone.

Yet vaccination numbers have been falling so low that there are now outbreaks. The MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccination in Britain has fallen to a record low and, oddly, the middle classes are turning their back on it most, though we know it can save countless lives.

DR MAX PRESCRIBES...

NHS Talking Therapy

A new NHS mental health campaign encourages those struggling with low mood, excessive worry, social anxiety, stress or obsessions and compulsions to seek help through NHS Talking Therapies services  as early as possible. We know early help means problems can be nipped in the bud and stop them spiralling into a mental illness. The drive comes as a new survey found more than half of respondents felt worried about their mental health in the past year, with one in five being very concerned.
Trans woman Debbie Hayton considers a question that cuts to the heart of her being. Her honesty is lacerating and often controversial. She says if she could turn back the clock she would probably never have transitioned.

It is a staggering  and poignant  admission. 'I transitioned because I thought I was some kind of woman and because there seemed to be no alternative,' she says.

'The received wisdom at the time was that my mental health would deteriorate  and it had done so to the point where I even considered suicide  so I saw transition as the only possible escape from psychological dysfunction.

But now I realise the whole premise on which I transitioned was wrong. Trans women are not women. Yet I turned my life and my family's lives upside down, causing them shock, embarrassment, hurt and upset because I thought I was a woman.

'Looking back now, I realise I didn't need to transition, but if I hadn't I would only have been increasingly frustrated and distressed. My grandmother would have said: 'I could have told you but you had to learn the hard way.'

Wedding day: Debbie (then David, left) and Stephanie in 1993

Debbie, left, and Stephanie today

She laughs ruefully. 'I do like my body,' she adds. 'I much prefer it now.' She is just shy of 6 ft in her size 9 ballet flats, with long, silver hair, clear skin, an imposing bosom and long legs.

'There is a lot of conflict still. It can look complicated. Why on earth did I do this? Where have I got to? But I can make the situation I find myself in work for me.'

Stephanie, 53, her long-suffering wife of 30 years, sits beside Debbie, 55, who used to be her husband David, who remains, of course, the father of their three adult children. Their children  a daughter and two sons in their 20s  still call Debbie 'Dad'. 'I would be upset if they didn't. I am their dad. I'm proud to be their dad and happy they acknowledge me as such.

'But they're conscious of their environment. If they were here today with us, they'd refer to me as 'she'. Among strangers I'm 'she'. It just makes life easier.'

Much more weighty changes than the public adoption of a feminine pronoun have occurred in the relationship between Debbie and Stephanie. They are still married  although there were times when they came perilously close to divorce  but now they have no sexual relationship. Upstairs in their compact modern home in Bristol, they still share a bedroom, but their double bed has been replaced by two singles.

'For a couple in their 50s that is not so unusual, but the reasons are,' says Debbie.

Stephanie, who is pretty, tall and serene with a river of long, dark hair, says she is 'no longer romantically attracted to Debbie' as a trans woman. The feeling is not shared. 'Do you still fancy Stephanie?' I ask Debbie. 'Oh yes,' she says without hesitation.

'So the lack of physical intimacy must be really hard for you.'

'Yes, it is. I thought Stephanie was beautiful when I first saw her. I still do.'

'So are you celibate now?'

'Yes. And I am sad because of what was lost. I regret that. There are no other women, no affairs. Straying is not an option,' says Debbie. 'We've both made sacrifices because we love each other profoundly. What I want is the relationship with Stephanie.

'What's important to me is that, 'Let's nip out for a walk together before it starts raining'; that deep-seated need for company and friendship which I find in Stephanie and wouldn't swap for anything. I'm just incredibly sad that our sexual relationship has ended.'

Stephanie, too, regrets the end of their sex life. She would not, however, contemplate physical intimacy with a partner who now has a vagina, constructed during surgery from her male genitalia.

'Yes, the lack of physical closeness is a loss,' Stephanie concedes, 'but our friendship is a compensation. Years ago someone said we work well together. It sounds practical and pragmatic but that's still there.

'I got married at 23. Debbie was 25. We have a long history behind us. We've been together the majority of our adult lives and have shared friends, shared experience of parenting. We've lived together so long we tend to know what the other is thinking.'

Would Stephanie consider an affair? 'No, but I have very good friendships with men that are not sexual.'

On Saturday the Mail published the first extract from Debbie's incendiary new book, Transsexual Apostate, in which she graphically described the surgery, eight years ago in February 2016, in which her male genitals were repurposed to create 'an aesthetic and functional facsimile' of female genitalia.

She also explained how her beliefs  most controversially that trans women are not and never can be biological women  formed after her transition are viewed as heretical by a militant trans lobby gripped by gender identity ideology.

'The basic biological fact  and I speak as a science teacher  is that we cannot change the sex we were born with,' she asserts.

Yet her belief that trans women are men, ludicrously denounced as 'hate speech', prompted her hounding from the TUC's LGBT+ committee, and vilifying as persona non grata among what she refers to as the 'trans tribe'.

Twitter trolls besieged the school in which she then taught in Coventry with tweets accusing her of being a danger to children. However, the school's head and staff stood by her and her pupils could not understand what the fuss was about.

Debbie says: 'The basic biological fact  and I speak as a science teacher  is that we cannot change the sex we were born with'

Stephanie, left, and Debbie (then David) before her transition

Further, she decried government proposals to update the Gender Recognition Act, enshrining in it the principle of gender self-declaration  allowing anyone to simply choose their gender and legal sex  realising that it would be disastrous and potentially dangerous to women.

'Allowing self-declared transgender women into female-only safe spaces like women's prisons presented a massive safeguarding loophole,' she says.

Today, it is the personal aspects of her transition she and Stephanie discuss with me. Both Stephanie and Debbie have PhDs in physics; they use the title Doctor which is useful for Debbie, 'because you are making no statement about your sex whatsoever. I'd never use Ms'.

She also deplores the trend for badges declaring pronouns and has always refused to advertise hers: 'I don't care what pronouns people use. I really don't.'

Debbie teaches physics at a Bristol secondary school; Stephanie  who also used to teach physics  now works for the Church of England overseeing training of the laity in her diocese. Both she and Debbie are church-going Christians.

Debbie first recalls being drawn to women's clothes at the age of three. Then a boy called David, she furtively dressed in her mum's tights. The desire to wear women's clothes, which she thought would pass, actually escalated.

She resisted the compulsion, comparing it to trying to keep a beach ball under water, but recalls covertly buying women's clothes and wearing them secretly.

She felt compelled to admit her predilection to Stephanie  whom she met at university  when they started going out.

'You said it had happened once or twice in the past and not since,' Stephanie recalls as we chat. 'I wasn't aware it was a current thing or that it would recur.

'But I remember being rather taken aback. I suspect now it was a really significant admission for Debbie. At the time I didn't quite know how to handle it, but I wasn't aware of how big it was.'

'I'd spent three days working up to that admission,' recalls Debbie. 'I didn't tell Stephanie for her benefit, but mine. In my mind I needed to disclose it to be fair to Stephanie. Then I was happy I could move on.'

Indeed, it seemed, to begin with, she could. She was besotted with Stephanie. 'She was 20 and perfect in every way; not only beautiful, but also a physicist. Life could not have been better for me. We talked about the possibility of marriage and a future together. I disposed of my secret bag of women's clothes for what I thought was the last time and told myself that I had finally broken the cycle.'

They married in the summer of 1993 at the church they both attended weekly, then trained as teachers. Their daughter arrived in 1997 and two sons in 2000 and 2002. Life was busy; they were a family of five.

But Debbie's compulsion resurfaced: 'I started secretly buying women's clothes again, feeling terrified I'd be spotted. My inner world spiralled. I finally let the beach ball come to the surface. I told Stephanie something was wrong, but I did so incrementally, to try to soften the blow.'

It was the spring of 2011 when Debbie made the first, tentative suggestion to Stephanie about transitioning. 'She said she wanted to transition but she wouldn't,' recalls Stephanie. 'Then she said, 'If only I could grow my hair' and then: 'Actually I am going to have to transition.'

'I was shocked. There were private tears. I spent a lot of time praying. But my main focus was: 'How can we manage this and keep the children as safe as possible?'

'Initially, Debbie said: 'I'll wait until the kids have left home before I transition.' But every few weeks the date came forward by months. In the end, Debbie transitioned three months after we told the children.'

In the early days they pledged to keep Debbie's momentous news private but to Stephanie's dismay, Debbie flouted her promise. Stephanie lived in fear that news would filter through to the children before they had planned the revelation.

'When I first told Stephanie my feelings it was terrifying but also liberating. The rush was addictive and, to her distress, I told other people. It was really hard for her,' says Debbie with understatement. 'Marriage involves intimacy on so many levels; you go to your spouse for advice. But I was not. I was going to chat groups, getting advice from the internet rather than my wife.

'My mental health was breaking down. The compulsion to transition was overwhelming. I became increasingly distant from Stephanie and reality.

'The transition stories I saw on the internet transfixed me. People like me  engineers, medics, teachers  were becoming their true selves, or so they assured me. There was no shortage of online advice and before-and-after photos. I was jealous and desperate to follow.

'Transition became an imperative. I was going 100 times too fast for Stephanie. I was growing my hair long. I told senior managers then a few colleagues at my school that I was going to transition.'

Stephanie interjects, her manner calm, reasonable: 'Debbie underestimates it. What I perceived was self-hatred. She did not care about how she looked any more. Her personal hygiene was rubbish. Coming home from school she'd tell me: 'I almost stepped under a bus.'

'I told her: 'If that's what you're going to do, I can't stop you.'

'I'm not sure my responses were very helpful.'

'I was in a very bad way,' confirms Debbie. 'There was a fast goods train that came through the station and I used to think: 'I could jump in front of it.' You put yourself in desperate situations to prove how bad things are.

'You talk yourself into believing the only solution is transitioning.'

'By thinking about killing herself, Debbie was moving the problem from us. She felt self-hatred partly because of the pain she was causing us,' says Stephanie.

Was there a point when Stephanie felt divorce was the only option?

'Yes, it was April 2013,' she says. 'Debbie was just doing things without consulting me and if she did ask me, my view didn't matter. She was a firebrand, a whirlwind, and she had been like that for over a year.

'She had told her brother she was transitioning even though she'd promised not to tell him. I don't want to seem like an abused wife but I felt I had no power. I had to go along with it  or divorce. At one point Debbie said she needed to transition even if it meant separating.

'Separation was never in my life plan, but I told Debbie she'd have to take my view into account if we were going to stay together.'

Stephanie's approach was  and remains  considered, measured, without a trace of melodrama. She weighs her words carefully, with a scientist's precise attention to detail.

Considering her view meant working out a careful strategy; planning how to tell the children and significant people in their lives.

'It was very carefully choreographed. We told senior teachers at all three of the kids' schools so they knew before the children were told. Back then, trans stuff was very new. Both the boys were in the Scouts so their leader got to know  and church was a big one,' says Debbie.

'A couple of comments had been made about Debbie's hair, which I found awkward,' says Stephanie, a lay reader at the church.

'We negotiated a letter with the vicar which went out to every member of the church. There were very mixed reactions. Some were lamenting and others rejoicing. Someone said God would not speak to me again until I was divorced.

'For Debbie it was very freeing: This is who I am! But how to hold the tension? Others focused on me and thought: 'Poor Stephanie.' '

How did the children react? Their daughter was 15 when Debbie transitioned; the boys 12 and ten. Stephanie is careful to respect their privacy.

'All three reacted differently,' she says. 'British teens are very open about LGBT matters and very happy for their friends to be, but excruciatingly embarrassed if it's a parent. That was a very different matter. It was important when each of them managed to tell a friend.'

Stephanie acted like a single parent going alone to school events, while Debbie sat apart to spare their children's embarrassment.

Meanwhile, at home Stephanie felt as if she was negotiating a delicate path between two teenagers working out their roles in life: 'One was my 15-year-old daughter, the other was 44 and unmanageable.'

By now, Debbie was a zealous convert to make-up and women's fashions.

'I booked a consultation with a personal shopper at Debenhams explaining I was a man who was going to transition. I overcompensated and bought all this make-up and they're desperate to advise you because you'll spend a lot of money. I bought everything: blusher, BB cream, eyeliner, eye shadow.'

'By then, I think I was resigned to what was happening,' says Stephanie. 'But Debbie wasn't aware of the nuances of dressing differently for evening and daytime. Even with a teen you're cautious of saying: 'That's a nice outfit but not very sensible for school.' It's even worse when you're trying to explain to someone your own age: 'That's a special top, not one for daytime.'

'Debbie did not realise, either, that you don't sit with your knees apart when you wear a skirt. These things are drilled into girls before they grow up.'

'Were you aware of how insufferable you were?' I ask Debbie.

'I don't think I was. I just needed advice most women in their 40s aren't used to giving their spouses.'

Today, perhaps the most remarkable thing about Debbie and Stephanie is the palpable ease with which they co-exist. Lots of people mistake them for lesbians, although Debbie's birth certificate still records her sex as male.

'People assume we're gay but, technically and legally, we are a trans woman and a woman in a heterosexual marriage,' says Stephanie.

The semantics of their relationship are tortuous but in the end love has prevailed.

'We are no longer man and wife,' Stephanie concedes. 'But we still think of ourselves as a couple.'

Transsexual Apostate by Debbie Hayton (16.99, Swift Press)is published on February 8.  Debbie Hayton 2024. To order a copy for 15.29 (offer valid until February 17, 2024; UK P&P free on orders over 25), go to mailshop.co.uk/books or call 020 3176 2937.
What are the psychological processes behind victim blaming?

London-based forensic psychiatrist Dr Sohom Das, has a YouTube channel called A Psych for Sore Minds, where he covers a range of mental health and crime-related topics, on top of his practice.

The NHS doctor's broadcasts see him discuss what he's learned from some of the cases that he's encountered.

In a recent video Do bad things only happen to bad people? he tackled the topic of why some people victim blame.

According to the American Psychological Association (APA) blaming the victim is can help people make sense of the world, and in a way, make it feel like a more rational place.

According to forensic psychiatrist Dr Sohom Das (pictured), there is a specific theory which explains why people often victim blame

The APA explains: 'It is a social psychological phenomenon in which individuals or groups attempt to cope with the bad things that have happened to others by assigning blame to the victim of the trauma or tragedy.

Victim blaming serves to create psychological distance between the blamer and the victim, may rationalise a failure to intervene if the blamer was a bystander, and creates a psychological defense for the blamer against feelings of vulnerability'.

The reason people believe bad things happen to bad people, Dr Das explained, is due to a phenomenon called the Just World Hypothesis.

In the video, the psychiatrist explains the theory, and how it works.

He says: 'So many people hold this subconscious belief in a just world where good things happen to good people and bad things happen to bad people.'

This, he explains, subsequently leads to people thinking that if something bad happens, logically, it is deserved.

Or as Dr Das explains it: 'So this leads to this like erroneous attribution of blame towards the victim in a negative situation.

'So basically saying if something bad has happened, then she must be for some way to be blamed for it.'

The Just World Hypothesis is 'based on the idea that the world is 'a fair and orderly place where what happens to people generally is what they deserve'

The theory was first proposed by a Canadian psychologist called Melvin J. Lerner.

As the APA explains, it is based on the idea that the world is 'a fair and orderly place where what happens to people generally is what they deserve'.

In other words, it says, 'bad things happen to bad people, and good things happen to good people'.

It concludes by saying: 'This view enables an individual to confront their physical and social environments as though they were stable and predictable but may, for example, result in the belief that the innocent victim of an accident or attack must somehow be responsible for or deserve it.'

Dr Sohom Das can be found on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok, as well as YouTube.
People protest against vaccine mandates in San Francisco on Nov. 11, 2021. Growing vaccine hesitancy is just a small part of a broader, orchestrated rejection of scientific expertise that could have an impact on the 2024 election and dire consequences for public health. Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle Dorit Reiss, a vaccine policy researcher at University of California Law San Francisco, draws parallels between todays backlash against public health and the early days of climate change denial. Brittany Hosea-Small/Special to the Chronicle 2021

Rates of routine childhood vaccination hit a 10-year low in 2023. That, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, puts about 250,000 kindergartners at risk for measles, which often leads to hospitalization and can cause death. In recent weeks, an infant and two young children have been hospitalized amid an ongoing measles outbreak in Philadelphia that spread to a day care center.

Its a dangerous shift driven by a critical mass of people who now reject decades of science backing the safety and effectiveness of childhood vaccines. State by state, theyve persuaded legislators and courts to more easily allow children to enter kindergarten without vaccines, citing religious, spiritual, or philosophical beliefs.

Growing vaccine hesitancy is just a small part of a broader rejection of scientific expertise that could have consequences ranging from disease outbreaks to reduced funding for research that leads to new treatments. The term infodemic implies random junk, but thats wrong, said Peter Hotez, a vaccine researcher at Baylor College of Medicine in Texas. This is an organized political movement, and the health and science sectors dont know what to do.

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An anti-science movement picked up pace as Republican and Democratic perspectives on science diverged during the pandemic. Whereas 70% of Republicans said that science has a mostly positive impact on society in 2019, less than half felt that way in a November poll from Pew. With presidential candidates lending airtime to anti-vaccine messages and members of Congress maligning scientists and pandemic-era public health policies, the partisan rift will likely widen in the run-up to Novembers elections.

Dorit Reiss, a vaccine policy researcher at the University of California Law San Francisco, draws parallels between todays backlash against public health and the early days of climate change denial. Both issues progressed from nonpartisan, fringe movements to the mainstream once they appealed to conservatives and libertarians, who traditionally seek to limit government regulation. Even if people werent anti-vaccine to start with, Reiss said, they move that way when the argument fits.

Even certain actors are the same. In the late 90s and early 2000s, a libertarian think tank, the American Institute for Economic Research, undermined climate scientists with reports that questioned global warming. The same institute issued a statement early in the pandemic, grandly called the Great Barrington Declaration. It argued against measures to curb the disease and advised everyone  except the most vulnerable  to go about their lives as usual, regardless of the risk of infection. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization, warned that such an approach would overwhelm health systems and put millions more at risk of disability and death from COVID-19. Allowing a dangerous virus that we dont fully understand to run free is simply unethical, he said.

Another group, the National Federation of Independent Business, has fought regulatory measures to curb climate change for over a decade. It moved on to vaccines in 2022 when it won a Supreme Court case that overturned a government effort to temporarily require employers to mandate that workers either be vaccinated against COVID or wear a face mask and test on a regular basis. Around 1,000-3,000 COVID deaths would have been averted in 2022 had the court upheld the rule, one study estimates.

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Politically charged pushback may become better funded and more organized if public health becomes a political flash point in the lead-up to the presidential election. In the first few days of 2024, Floridas surgeon general, appointed by Republican presidential candidate and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, called for a halt to use of mRNA COVID vaccines as he echoed DeSantis incorrect statement that the shots have not been proven to be safe and effective. And vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is running for president as an independent, announced that his campaign communications would be led by Del Bigtree, the executive director of one of the most well-heeled anti-vaccine organizations in the nation and host of a conspiratorial talk show. Bigtree posted a letter on the day of the announcement rife with misinformation, such as a baseless rumor that COVID vaccines make people more prone to infection. He and Kennedy frequently pair health misinformation with terms that appeal to anti-government ideologies like medical freedom and religious freedom.

A product of a Democratic dynasty, Kennedys appeal appears to be stronger among Republicans, a Politico analysis found. DeSantis said he would consider nominating Kennedy to run the Food and Drug Administration, which approves drugs and vaccines, or the CDC, which advises on vaccines and other public health measures. Another Republican candidate for president, Vivek Ramaswamy, vowed to gut the CDC should he win.

Demonstrators protested in 2021 against a policy at Houston Methodist Hospital to fire any employee who was not immunized against COVID-19. Growing vaccine hesitancy is just a small part of a broader, orchestrated rejection of scientific expertise. Yi-Chin Lee/Associated Press

Todays anti-science movement found its footing in the months before the 2020 elections, as primarily Republican politicians rallied support from constituents who resented pandemic measures like masking and the closure of businesses, churches and schools. Then-President Donald Trump, for example, mocked Joe Biden for wearing a mask at the presidential debate in September 2020. Democrats fueled the politicization of public health, too, by blaming Republican leaders for the countrys soaring death rates, rather than decrying systemic issues that rendered the United States vulnerable, such as underfunded health departments and severe economic inequality that put some groups at far higher risk than others. Just before Election Day, a Democratic-led congressional subcommittee released a report that called the Trump administrations pandemic response among the worst failures of leadership in American history.

Republicans launched a subcommittee investigation into the pandemic that sharply criticizes scientific institutions and scientists once seen as nonpartisan. On Jan. 8 and 9, the group questioned Anthony Fauci, a leading infectious disease researcher who has advised both Republican and Democratic presidents. Without evidence, committee member Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., accused Fauci of supporting research that created the coronavirus in order to push vaccines: He belongs in jail for that, Greene, a vaccine skeptic, said. This is like a, more of an evil version of science.

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Taking a cue from environmental advocacy groups that have tried to fight strategic and monied efforts to block energy regulations, Hotez and other researchers say public health needs supporters knowledgeable in legal and political arenas. Such groups might combat policies that limit public health power, advise lawmakers, and provide legal counsel to scientists who are harassed or called before Congress in politically charged hearings. Other initiatives aim to present the scientific consensus clearly to avoid both-sidesism, in which the media presents opposing viewpoints as equal when, in fact, the majority of researchers and bulk of evidence point in one direction. Oil and tobacco companies used this tactic effectively to seed doubt about the science linking their industries to harm.

Kathleen Hall Jamieson, director of the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania, said the scientific community must improve its communication. Expertise, alone, is insufficient when people mistrust the experts motives. Indeed, nearly 40% of Republicans report little to no confidence in scientists to act in the publics best interest.

In a study published last year, Jamieson and colleagues identified attributes the public values beyond expertise, including transparency about unknowns and self-correction. Researchers might have better managed expectations around COVID vaccines, for example, by emphasizing that the protection conferred by most vaccines is less than 100% and wanes over time, requiring additional shots, Jamieson said. And when the initial COVID vaccine trials demonstrated that the shots drastically curbed hospitalization and death but revealed little about infections, public health officials might have been more open about their uncertainty.

As a result, many people felt betrayed when COVID vaccines only moderately reduced the risk of infection. We were promised that the vaccine would stop transmission, only to find out that wasnt completely true, and America noticed, said Rep. Brad Wenstrup, R-Ohio, chair of the Republican-led coronavirus subcommittee, at a July hearing.

Jamieson also advises repetition. Its a technique expertly deployed by those who promote misinformation, which perhaps explains why the number of people who believe the anti-parasitic drug ivermectin treats COVID more than doubled over the past two years  despite persistent evidence to the contrary. In November, the drug got another shoutout at a hearing where congressional Republicans alleged that the Biden administration and science agencies had censored public health information.

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Hotez, author of a new book on the rise of the anti-science movement, fears the worst. Mistrust in science is going to accelerate, he said.

And traditional efforts to combat misinformation, such as debunking, may prove ineffective.
The American reboot of Thomas the Tank Engine has 'lost the magic' of the original series, according to its creator.

Based on a series of books Wilbert Awdry and his son, Christopher, which were published from 1945, the show was based on the adventures of steam trains.

The original series, adapted by Britt Allcroft, now 80, is partly known for being narrated by Ringo Starr, whose dulcet Liverpudlian tones suited the story well.

It was first broadcast in 1983, when it scored a legion on fans, following the activities of Thomas the protagonist and his train friends, based on the island of Sodor.

But the franchise was bought by Mattel for $680 million, with its version of the production, Thomas and Friends: All Engines Go, premiering some 10 years later in 2021, according to the Times.

The much beloved original character of Thomas the Tank engine in the UK version of the popular programme

The creator of the UK version, which first broadcast in the early 80s, is no fan of the new US version (pictured)

Unfortunately, Allcroft is no fan of the reboot, which she says has 'tarnished' original classic.

He went as far as saying that the new reboot was missing the 'magic' of the much earlier, original reversion.

According to Allcroft: 'There is only one Thomas. Thomas doesnt want to be reimagined. Sadly, Mattel now has control of Thomas and there is nothing I can do.'

The reboot has seen Mattel make a number of changes, as it says it wants to take an 'entirely new approach' to the popular show.

In addition to changing the animation style, there are new characters.

One is kana, a female high-speed locomotive, while another is Bruno the Brake Car, who is autistic.

Some have praised the addition of a neurodiverse character.

Bruno the Brake Car will be voiced by Elliot Garcia, nine, from Reading, Berkshire, who is also neurodiverse.

The US version (pictured) is much more slick, with cleaner, more modern animation, which is likely to be more familiar to many modern viewers

Detail-oriented Bruno enjoys schedules, routine, and knows where all the tracks lead. Bruno has stairs and a lantern on his bright, red exterior that indicate his emotional state, moving when he is excited or cautious.

Elliot said: 'Bruno is a Brake Car, and he is a new friend for Thomas and his friends, and he's also autistic, like me. He is funny, smart, and he's a very relaxed character.

'He can get really overwhelmed, he can get worried, and he uses comedy to get past situations. Bruno loves schedules and timetables and when everything goes to plan.

'He can flap his ladders to tell you if he's upset or if he's really excited, so he can use his items to show you how he's feeling.

'His ear defenders, I do relate to, because if there's a really loud noise, I can't cope. I can get quite worried about things, I have to think of new strategies, same as Bruno.

'When I won the role of Bruno, I imagined that it was a dream, but it wasn't! I felt really excited and happy.'

According to Allcroft, the reboot is neither Thomas created in the series of books by Awdry, or it is faithful to the Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends original television series she helmed.

This Spring, a new series will be broadcast on Channel 5.

The older version was controlled by radios and figurines and the characters all had UK accents - unlike the new version (old version pictured)

Those used to the moving models controlled by radios and figurines may be surprised to see the new animated style - as well as the US accents.

The Times pointed out that the original series has once 'been the unlikely subject of controversy'.

This is back in 2014, when a comment piece in The Guardian criticised the programme.

It described the isle of Sodor as 'colonial, adding that the Fat Controller acted as a 'Monopoly dictator' over the engines.

The author of the piece, Tracy Van Slyke, said: 'The constant bent of messages about friendship, work, class, gender and race sends my kid the wrong message'

All Engines Go is available to watch on Paramount+ and has been shown in the UK on Channel 5.

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Nestle has launched a brand new flavour of its Aero chocolate bar, with fans rushing to get their hands on the 'amazing' treat.

The choco hazelnut flavour has been spotted by some keen-eyed shoppers in the UK and posted on multiple snack pages - although, it's not officially been released yet.

A British food blogger, who goes by UK Newest Foods, posted pictures of the new bar to both Facebook and Instagram, exciting fans.

They wrote: 'New Aero Choco Hazelnut! Coming soon to Iceland and The Food Warehouse, may be out already in some stores'.

Although the Iceland website says that the bar is not available online yet, it's been popping up on the shelves of some stores.

Nestle has launched a brand new flavour of its Aero chocolate bar, with fans rushing to get their hands on the 'amazing' treat

The product description reads: 'Enjoy the light yet indulgent flavour of Hazelnut in a chocolate bar with its unique bubbly aerated centre that melts in your mouth.

'This sharing bar is made of nothing but our famous bubbly chocolate'.

One commenter on the UK Newest Foods Facebook post, wrote: 'This looks amazing'.

Meanwhile, another shopper penned: 'Aww I bet this tastes delicious'.

A third user tagged her friends and insisted: 'It's a need, not a want'.

Others added: 'Omg I need' and 'Need to find!!'

Another UK snack blog, Snack News & Reviews, also took to social media to share the find on their Facebook page back in December.

Excited chocolate fans wrote: 'Can't wait!,' 'I reckon this needs to get in my belly' and 'Wooo yes'.

A British food blogger, who goes by UK Newest Foods, posted pictures of the new bar to both Facebook and Instagram, exciting fans

Meanwhile, someone else argued: 'Be rude not to try'.

Others quipped: 'Need, need, need' and 'I wanna try this so bad,' with a third branding the chocolate a 'game changer'.

It comes just after Nestle confirmed last month that it had axed two popular sweet treats, after shoppers admitted to hunting up and down the country for them.

The multinational confirmed on X, formerly known as Twitter, that they'd axed Polo Fruits and Polo Gummies in the UK.

One eagle-eyed fan had been roaming supermarket aisles for a while before he asked the food giant: 'Do you still make fruit Polo? I've not seen them anywhere for ages down in the southeast of the UK, yet been told you can still get them up in places like Yorkshire'.

Nestle replied: 'Unfortunately, our Polo Fruits and Polo Gummies were not as popular as others in the range and have been discontinued.

'But we'll surely let the team know you'd like to see them back'.

The chocolate giant also got rid of the fan favourite Caramac bar back in November, prompting fans to set up a petition to get it back.

It was axed by the brand who claim it's not as popular as others in their range but it's been a lifelong favourite for many Britons.

The caramel-based chocolate bar first appeared on shelves in 1959, making it a staple for Generation X and beyond. It was created by confectionary firm Mackintosh's before the brand was taken over by Nestle in 1988.
A curvy influencer has angrily called on airlines to make their plane seats bigger as she can't fit her 'big' bum in them.

Gracie Bon, 26, from Panama, shared a video of the challenges she faces every time she takes a flight as a plus-sized woman, pouting on the plane as she struggled to put on her seatbelt.

She was then seen walking through the airport on a moving walkway, glancing behind her to smile while showing off her figure.

The Panamanian Instagram model exclaimed: 'Airplanes should have bigger seats.

A curvy model has angrily called on airlines to make their plane seats bigger as she can't fit her 'big' bum in them

'So today I had a flight and even if I was flying in first class, I couldn't fit on the airplane - so this is a petition for all the airlines so big girls like me can fly.'

Gracie insists: 'It's not my fault I have an a*** this big. Please just make them bigger.'

She shared the clip on Instagram for her 4.5 million followers where it went viral with 1.3 million views and 3,500 comments.

However, not everyone agreed and viewers were quick to argue that her issue is self-inflicted after she chose to have body modification surgeries.

One user penned: 'What you need is a bigger brain,' meanwhile a second wrote: 'It's your fault. You paid for the surgeries'.

Another remarked: 'Buy two seats instead of one, clearly you've got plenty of money to afford them.'

Meanwhile, others quipped: 'Take a train' and 'Buy two seats instead of one, clearly you've got plenty of money to afford them'.

Someone else jokingly questioned: 'Who else's fault is it? No one forced you to get the surgeries'.

The clip shows the 26-year-old plus-sized woman pouting on the plane as she struggles to put on her seatbelt

Others penned: 'You get them surgeries by accident?' and 'Stop having surgery to make it bigger'.

However, some users agreed with the model, with one commenter writing: 'Agreed. I definitely need a larger seat and a seatbelt that doesn't have such a hard buckle. Could they throw in a tray that fits over big boobs?'

Another added: 'I agree! One of my cheeks is always spilling over'.

Meanwhile a third quipped: 'Let's start a rebellion! This is unjust and unfair!'.

Someone else pointed out: 'The only surgery she has had was a tummy tuck. Her hips are naturally that large'.

It's not been confirmed which surgeries the Panamanian model has undergone.

The debate about whether larger people should pay for an extra plane seat or get one for free has been dividing opinion for years.

In 2023, a plus-size influencer is doubled down on her demand that airlines scrap their 'discriminatory' policies and give overweight passengers extra seats for free, as one expert suggested it was her human right to get what she wants.

Gracie insists: 'It's not my fault I have an a*** this big. Please just make them bigger'

Jaelynn Chaney made headlines when she called for the FAA to offer 'an extra free seat, or even two or three seats depending on their size' to obese flyers.

Chaney, of Vancouver in Washington, conceded other passengers may have to foot the bill through increased fares.

In a new interview with CNN Travel, Chaney - who is a size 6XL - maintained that airline policies are 'discriminatory' and that it's unfair they have to pay more than thinner people.

The debate also comes just after an 'obese' woman who paid for an extra seat to accommodate her size revealed that a mom asked her to give up the second chair and 'squeeze into one' so that her toddler could use it - and when she refused, it lead to a major disagreement.

The self-proclaimed 'fat' woman, 34, who did not share her name, opened up about the situation on Reddit last month, while asking the internet if she was in the wrong for not sacrificing one of her seats for the youngster.

Under the subreddit Am I the A**hole?, she explained that she was flying 'across the country' to see her brother for Christmas and decided to 'book an extra seat so everyone can be more comfortable.'

She said 'everything went smoothly' until after she boarded, when a mom sitting in the same row approached her and 'told her to squeeze in to one seat so her 18-month son could fit in the other.'
A Black former Bachelor in Paradise star has opened up about the shocking discrimination she faced while searching for her wedding dress - revealing that she was told she'd have to pay extra for her gown because she has a darker skin tone.

When Bachelor in Paradise Canada alum Tessa Tookes finally found her dream wedding dress she was over the moon until she realized a shocking policy meant she had to pay more for the design because of the color of her skin.

Now, Tessa - who got engaged to fellow Bachelor star Joey Kirchner in 2023 - is opening up about the experience in a bid to raise more awareness about what it means to plan a wedding as a Black woman.

It really felt like that "Say Yes to the Dress" moment that I was looking for, 28-year-old Tessa told Good Morning America, recalling first trying on the wedding gown.

A Black former Bachelor in Paradise star has opened up about the shocking discrimination she faced while searching for her wedding dress

Tessa Tookes (pictured with fiance Joey Kirchner) finally found her dream dress and was over the moon - until she realized she had to pay extra for nude colored cups to match her skin tone

But then the conversation took a turn,' she shared.

Tessa had been wedding dress shopping at several stores but actually ended up finding her ideal gown on Instagram - traveling to Ontario, Canada to try it on.

When she went to the store she loved the dress and knew it was the one - but was shocked when the wedding boutique store assistants told her it would be an extra $200 for a darker nude underlay to match her skin color.

'The sales assistant told me, "For brown cups that will be more,' the model and HR specialist recalled on GMA.

However, the built-in beige cups that came with the dress already were free with the design.

I just received the information in silence and defaulted to being uncomfortable, Tessa, who got engaged to Joey in season two of Bachelor in Paradise: Canada in 2023.

She also noted she was the only person of color in the store at the time, and she was instantly taken back to being a child and having to dye and alter clothing - like ballet shoes - to match her skin tone.

'I'm standing there feeling so like, isolated,' she admitted. 'I had to make this choice in the moment to either say, "Cool, I'll take the extra charge."' or kind of pivot in a different direction - which is what I did.

'I was not acutely aware of my blackness until [that moment], she continued. It was incredibly isolating, and I felt very othered.

Tessa, who is getting married later in the year, went home and talked to Joey and her future mother-in-law about the situation, reflecting on what had happened in the store.

'Thats when I actually accepted and acknowledged how the experience made me feel,' Tessa admitted.

Tess's fiance Joey took to social media slamming the unnamed bridal boutique for their policy.

'Wedding dress designers of TikTok and Instagram, we got a problem,' Tessas fiance, Joey, raged in a now-viral Instagram video.

'My beautiful, gorgeous, strong, confident future bride Tessa went to buy a wedding gown,' he continued, Saying the wedding dress experience was meant to be 'one of the most magical days of her life,' but she was told it was more for a darker undergarment.

'Are you fist f***ing me,' he said in disbelief.

Season two "Bachelor in Paradise Canada" couple is shocked to learn about a racial disparity while planning their wedding day. Their story is blowing up on social media. ABC's @ReenaRoy has the details. https://t.co/dU25se74DI pic.twitter.com/d3JW3i526v  Good Morning America (@GMA) January 29, 2024

Tess's fiance Joey took to social media slamming the unnamed bridal boutique for their policy

She also noted she was the only person of color in the store at the time, and was instantly taken back to being a child and having to dye and alter clothing to match her skin tone

Tessa and Joey have been together since 2023, after meeting on Bachelor in Paradise: Canada

Instagram users shared their thoughts on the matter, commenting on Tessa and joey's GMA segment

Are you telling me it's free to be white but if my bride has a different skin tone than white she has to pay extra to get the undergarment to match her skin tone?

Tessa added she was pleasantly surprised by the support she was shown from the 'wonderful community online' after the video went viral.

Instagram users shared their thoughts on the matter, commenting on Tessa and joey's GMA segment.

'Whats crazy is the term nude is relative to the person making it. They need to identify the person creating the dress and just say the white dress comes with white undergarments, the term nude is just insulting,' one Instagram user wrote.

'Nude should match every skin tone. So sad that she had to experience this,' wrote another furiously.

'So sad that things like this are still happening in 2024!!!' agreed another.

Tessa said her wedding dress is now 'up in the air,' although she did end up putting a deposit down with plans to dye the cups.

However, after several Black designers reached out to her to make a wedding gown, she may opt for that instead.

'It just feels a lot more aligned with my feelings on the matter and wanting to support and uplift this community of women,' she explained.
Now a parent, she shared safety tips for fellow parents to keep them safe

After being kidnapped and raped over 21 years ago, Elizabeth Smart has developed some strict practices in place to keep her own children safe from the horrors she faced - including 'practicing screaming', which she says is an essential tool for guarding kids against stranger danger.

Elizabeth, now 36, was abducted from her Utah bedroom in 2002 when she was 14, and held captive in the woods for nine months, before being returned to her family in 2003.

The child safety activist and author shares three children, Chloe, eight, James, five, and Olivia, four, with her husband, Matthew Gilmour, whom she married in 2012.

But in addition to the everyday strain of raising three kids, Elizabeth admitted that teaching them about stranger danger has become 'one of the most stressful parts' of her life in recent years.

After being kidnapped and raped over 21 years ago, Elizabeth Smart has developed some strict practices in place to keep her own three children safe from the horrors she faced

Elizabeth (pictured with her three children in 2022) said she encourages parents to practice screaming with their children - as it can alert those around them if they're in danger

'When my oldest was three years old, she started asking me questions,' Elizabeth, who will be appearing on Fox's America's Most Wanted on Monday, told Fox News Digital.

She recounted some of her eldest daughter's questions, which included: 'What happened to you? How did you get hurt?'

'They were questions that I was not prepared to answer,' the mom admitted. 'I thought I still had years to talk about it.'

However, Elizabeth acknowledged the questions have forced her into some tough conversations.

'Now, I feel like I talk about it so much with my kids that they just roll their eyes at me,' she said.

'Im like, "Do you understand why were talking about this?" And they respond, "Yes, you dont want us to get hurt. Yes, you dont want this bad thing to happen to us. Yes, we know."'

'But its so important,' she added.

Elizabeth added that she hopes other parents talk to their children as much as she had.

'[Hopefully] their kids also go, "I know, Ive heard this a thousand times,"' she shared. 'I think it does take a thousand times for things to penetrate.'

The child safety activist and author will be a special guest on Monday's episode of "Americas Most Wanted

Elizabeth, pictured with her family, said her kids have started asking about her kidnapping

In addition to the strain of raising three kids, Elizabeth admitted that warning them about stranger danger is 'one of the most stressful parts' of her life right now.

Elizabeth founded the Elizabeth Smart Foundation in 2011, which fights against sexual violence and promotes educational programs such as the Smart Talk podcast and self-defense training for women and young girls.

'One of the first things that we have our class attendees do is yell because thats one of the most powerful tools you have  to just scream,' she explained.

She continued pointing out it's effective because 'very rarely do we have someone just scream at the top of their lungs and not feel embarrassed.'

Elizabeth added usually there's 'embarrassed laughter or embarrassed smiles' when someone first screams and maybe the loudest person screaming is doing so at '50 percent volume.'

'And if we cant really scream in a safe environment without feeling silly or embarrassed, were probably not going to be able to call on that when we actually need it,' she pointed out.

'So, dont be afraid to practice screaming.'

Smart was rescued in March 2003 after someone recognized her outside and called the police (Elizabeth in pictured with her parents at the White House)

Brian David Mitchell (left) was sentenced to life in prison for kidnapping and raping Smart. His wife Wanda Barzee (right) was also in prison but was unexpectedly released in 2018

Elizabeth was 14 years old when she was kidnapped from her Utah home by a street preacher and held in captivity in the woods for nine months

In 2002, Elizabeth was kidnapped at age 14 from her Salt Lake City bedroom at knifepoint by street preacher Brian David Mitchell, who climbed through an open window.

She was held captive for nine months in a camp in the woods, where Mitchell performed a mock-wedding ceremony before raping her for the first time,

To keep her from escaping, she was tied up with steel cables in a dugout filled with mice and spiders.

Smart was forced to take drugs and drink alcohol, she testified in 2009, and was raped daily  as often as four times a day.

Previously Elizabeth opened up about the agonizing moment she was almost rescued from her abusive captors during a run-in with police - months before she was eventually freed - before the near-rescue was ripped from under her when her captors managed to fool cops by masquerading as 'ministers of Christ'.

She recalled how a police officer had come up to her kidnappers, Brian David Mitchell and Wanda Barzee, at a library just a few months after her abduction - and questioned them about the teen, who was wearing a veil to mask her identity.

Mitchell told the officer he and his wife were 'ministers of Christ,' and the veil was used to shield their daughter for her future marriage.

During the exchange, Barzee grabbed onto Elizabeth's leg in a warning to keep quiet.

This was the moment that Elizabeth figured out how the couple was using religion to hide their horrific actions from the public while Mitchell 'just wanted to rape little girls,' she said.

Smart was rescued in March 2003 after a couple recognized Mitchell and Barzee from an episode of America's Most Wanted, and called the police.

Mitchell was sentenced to life in prison for kidnapping and raping Smart. Barzee was also in prison but was unexpectedly released in 2018. Her initial sentence was set to go until 2024.
Now close to two years on, she has had multiple surgeries, sharing her recovery

Her nose was ripped off by the dog, who belonged to a family friend

A woman has documented her brave recovery after suffering horrific facial injuries when her nose was torn off by a dog in a terrifying attack.

Jordan Wilson, 26, has had 10 grueling surgeries after being savaged by a Boerboel in a freak attack in April 2022 - and along the way has earned social media stardom by candidly opening up about her journey online.

The mom and her boyfriend had been staying with his brother and his girlfriend who owned the Boerboel, when the attack happened.

'We had just returned home from dinner and were all sitting together on the floor,' the Pennsylvania native recalled. 'The dog was on a leash at the time because he was known to be quite territorial.'

A woman has documented her recovery after suffering horrific facial injuries when her nose was torn off by a dog in a terrifying attack (pictured before the incident)

Jordan Wilson, 26, had to undergo 10 surgeries (seen after her first procedure) to repair the damage done when she was lunged at by a dog, which belonged to her brother's girlfriend

Jordan (seen during her treatment process) has candidly been documenting her recovery on social media

Jordan said she 'kind of blacked out' when the dog attacked, but her boyfriend later filled her in on what happened, telling her the dog leaned in as though it was going to lick her face but instead quickly lunged at her.

'[The dog] locked his jaw around my nose and refused to let go,' Jordan recalled.

'When the owner finally managed to get him off me, I remember holding my face and seeing blood pouring down,' she described of the horrifying injury.

While everyone else was 'screaming and freaking out,' Jordan said she remained 'completely calm' - despite almost having her nose completely ripped off.

'I just knew that we needed to go to the emergency room as soon as possible,' she asserted.

Jordan was rushed to Tampa General Hospital, but the hospital didn't have the qualified plastic surgeons she required. She was then taken to a different hospital in an ambulance, and underwent her first operation.

The doctors cleaned the wound and covered it with an artificial skin substitute; however, what Jordan really needed was a forehead flap.

A forehead flap is one of the oldest recorded surgical techniques for nasal reconstruction and has been shown to maximize both functional and aesthetic outcomes of the surgery.

'[The dog] locked his jaw around my nose and refused to let go,' Jordan recalled

After the attack Jordan was rushed to hospital, but they didn't have the plastic surgeons she required. She was taken to a different hospital and underwent her first of many operations

The doctors cleaned the wound and covered it with an artificial skin substitute; however, what Jordan really needed was a forehead flap, a procedure she later underwent

Due to the nature of the procedure being so specialized, there were only a handful of surgeons worldwide who perform it on Jordan (seen left before the attack and right after surgeries)

In this operation, a reconstructive surgeon uses skin from the forehead above the eyebrow and pivots it vertically to replace missing nasal tissue. However, it was hard to find a surgeon qualified for the specific type of reconstruction.

'Unfortunately, due to the nature of the procedure being so specialized, there are only a handful of surgeons worldwide who perform it,' she explained.

Determined to find the most qualified person for the job, Jordan embarked to Miami to see a string of different physicians in the hopes someone would agree to perform the surgery.

'My numerous appointments ended in disappointment because my requests for a forehead flap were repeatedly denied,' she recalled.

Jordan discovered there was a surgeon in the United States who was well-known for his work in the field of forehead flap surgery - however he had retired.

Thankfully, the Dallas-based doctor was able to make a recommendation for one of his former colleagues, whom he had worked with for a long period of time.

Even though it meant relocating to Dallas for six months while undergoing to carious surgeries and treatments involved, Jordan and her boyfriend didn't hesitate in getting on the plane.

After 'numerous appointments ended in disappointment,' Jordan finally found a doctor to help her reconstruct her nose

However that doctor had retired - and Jordan (seen after several surgeries) was referred to one of his associates

The mother-of-one (seen left before the attack and right after several surgeries) was forced to move to Dallas for six months in order to undergo treatment

With Jordan undergoing a procedure the day she arrived in Dallas, her recovery was officially underway - even though there was still a long journey ahead.

In order to have more skin to work with when rebuilding her nose, Dr Thornton inserted a tissue expander into her forehead.

The next operation was on the forehead flap, which was performed in four distinct stages. Unfortunately, she experienced 'difficulties with an infection' after the surgery, which set her recovery back.

She has since undergone a total of nine surgical procedures but is happy to report the operation recovery is going 'well.'

According to Jordan's TikTok, as of July 2023 she had undergone 10 reconstruction surgeries, and said remaining optimistic about her future was the key to her speedy recovery.

'I quickly accepted the reality that I would never have the same face again, and as a result, I haven't spent a lot of time being overly depressed about the situation,' she explained.

'I have good days and bad days, but having my boyfriend, who has been my biggest supporter through all of this definitely had an impact on my ability to remain positive,' Jordan admitted.

Jordan announced her first pregnancy in March, 2023 and gave birth to her first child, River, in August 2023

'The unreserved love and concern he has shown for me throughout this ordeal is something truly remarkable. I cannot believe how fortunate I am to have him,' she gushed.

In addition to love and support, Jordan extensively uses various self-care practices to help speed up her recovery and calm her on 'dark days,'

She sights things like meditating daily, keeping a journal, practicing yoga, and spending at least 15 minutes outside in the sun as being 'extremely important driving forces' in her recovery.

Jordan announced her first pregnancy in March, 2023 and gave birth to her first child, River, in August 2023.

The brave woman is loving her new role, reflecting on motherhood in an Instagram post, writing: 'The hardest job on earth, no doubt, but the most beautiful and honorable one I'll ever have.'
A partially blind woman has opened up about how she lost her eye in a minor car crash after her designer glasses shattered in her face.

Hannah Oliver, 29, from Atlanta, Georgia, has more than 100,000 followers on TikTok, where she educates people about the hidden dangers of plastic, nylon, and glass lenses.

The content creator, who uses the handle @hannahnoliver, went viral after detailing how her luxury eyewear 'shredded' her eye after she got into a fender bender in August 2021.

'So you want to know how my sunglasses shattered,' she began her video. 'Let me just tell you, you probably do this all the time. I was driving along, and, of course, I had my sunglasses on.'

Hannah Oliver, 29, from Atlanta, Georgia, went viral on TikTok after sharing how she lost her eye in a minor car crash after her designer sunglasses shattered

Oliver is partially blind and wears an ocular prosthesis following the accident in 2021. She is pictured before she lost her eye in 2017 (L) and after in 2023 (R)

Oliver recalled how a man pulled out in front of her and slammed on his brakes, saying she 'did not react fast enough' and 'hit him from behind' going 25 miles per hour.

'When that happened, my airbag came out, hit my precious designer sunglasses, and they shattered into a million pieces,' she said.

'I just remember when I got back into consciousness, looking up at my rearview mirror, [and] this whole part of my eyelid was hanging over.

'My bottom eyelid, as you can see, is pretty much non-existent. My eye was gone. It deflated on impact. My optic nerve was severed, and my retina was detached.'

Oliver said she didn't understand why the EMT who arrived on the scene told her 'they might be able to save [her] eye.'

'When I look at the photos, my eye literally was shredded. It looked like it had gone through the garbage disposal. Literally, all of the glass had shredded my eye into pieces.'

The entrepreneur said the life-changing accident inspired her to share her story on TikTok and found her company Blue Eye, a line of shatter-resistant sunglasses.

'I think it's crazy the fact that people don't know that their sunglasses can do this,' she said. 'Over 75 percent of them are made with either plastic, nylon, or glass lenses, which means they'll shatter right on impact.'

Oliver (pictured 40 days after her accident) said her airbag was deployed during the fender-bender and her sunglass lens broke into pieces. 'My eye literally was shredded,' she recalled

The entrepreneur said losing her eye inspired her to share her story on TikTok and found her company, Blue Eye, a line of shatter-resistant sunglasses

Oliver explained that starting her business made her realize 'sunglass manufacturers could produce shatter-resistant lenses for literally pennies.'

'They choose not to, mainly because no one knows that this happens, and they don't really care about your safety,' she said.

The entrepreneur noted that she only wears shatter-resistant sunglasses now because she has to 'protect' the eye she has left.

She pointed to her ocular prosthesis, saying it took her six surgeries to get to this point.

'I'm partially blind, and I've got to live with this for the rest of my life all because of some designer sunglasses that I thought were cute on my face, that I thought were gonna protect me, but they didn't,' she concluded.

'It is crazy to think that the most expensive sunglasses can be the most dangerous,' she added in the caption. 'When I was only driving 25 mph and got in a minor car accident, those sunglasses changed my whole life.

Oliver noted that she only wears shatter-resistant sunglasses now because she has to 'protect' the eye she has left

Oliver pointed to her ocular prosthesis, noting it took her six surgeries to get to this point. 'It is crazy to think that the most expensive sunglasses can be the most dangerous,' she said

Oliver's video has been viewed more than 190,000 times and has received nearly 300 comments since it was posted a few days ago

'I now hope that my story can change the way people look at sunglasses. We should be able to have stylish fun sunglasses that also protect our eyes.'

Oliver's video has been viewed more than 190,000 times and has received nearly 300 comments since it was posted a few days ago.

Many people admitted that they had no idea this could happen and thanked her for sharing the details of her accident to educate others.

'Certified optician here - always go for polycarbonate lenses when possible in both Rx and nonRx eyewear!! Polycarb is the most impact resistant,' one person wrote.

'You were only driving 25 mph?! Omg this is so scary! I'm so sorry that happened,' someone else responded.

'Oh my goodness. I live in my sunglasses and never knew this or thought of this!! I'll be checking yours out asap,' another added.
Luckily, the youngster was able to scream for help as the water wasn't too high

The eight-year-old's hair got tangled in the valve and pinned her under water

Adrienne Exum revealed that her young daughter almost drowned in the spa

A mother has issued a stark warning for other parents after her daughter almost drowned in a jacuzzi-style bath while rinsing her hair.

Adrienne Exum, who is based in the US, detailed the harrowing moment she realized her eight-year-old daughter Elizabeth was in trouble when she began screaming for help during her bath time.

Rushing in to the bathroom, she saw the youngster's hair had been sucked into the valves on the bathroom spa through the holes in the cover - consequently pinning her underwater.

'Thankfully, the water wasn't covering her mouth and she was able to scream for help,' the post, which was initially shared on social media by Adrienne, read.

Adrienne Exum, based in the US, detailed the harrowing moment she realized eight-year-old daughter Elizabeth was in trouble while bathing after hearing her screaming for help

'Our family had a scare that could have been tragic...

'Had the water been any higher or had we not been in the room, the outcome may have been very different,' she pointed out grimly.

Adrienne and her husband drained the water in the spa, and worked to untangle Elizabeth's hair from the valve.

'We were prepared to cut it off, but since she was not in any harm, we took a few minutes to save her hair,' the exasperated mom concluded the terrifying post.

Adrienne initially posted the incident to Facebook in 2020, but it was re-shared recently by the Australia children's safety page titled CPR Kids.

'Please, make sure your kids know to NEVER put their heads under the water in a spa bath and hair should always be tied up,' the site wrote alongside the post.

Many parents and child safety pages have issued similar warnings about children's safety in water.

In 2023, a swim teacher went viral after sharing the terrifying reason why you should never put your kids in a blue bathing suit.

Nikki Scarnati, a certified Infant Swimming Resource instructor from Florida, went viral after she issued a stark warning to parents regarding their children's swimming apparel

She explained that youngsters should never go in the water while donning a blue outfit, since it might make it hard for an adult to spot them if they start drowning

In a clip posted to TikTok, Nikki Scarnati, a certified Infant Swimming Resource instructor and mother-of-two from Spring Hill, Florida, issued a warning how the seemingly-innocent color choice could actually leave your children in serious danger.

The self-proclaimed 'water safety advocate' explained that youngsters should never go in the water while donning a blue outfit, since it might make it hard for an adult to spot them if they start drowning.

She then turned the camera to show her two-year-old daughter swimming in a blue one-piece - revealing just how hard it was to spot the toddler because her swimsuit matched the water around her.

'Look how difficult it is to see her under the water. And this is in calm water, this is not with a whole bunch of other kids playing and splashing around and having fun,' Nikki continued.

'Even look in the sunlight, look how difficult it is to see her with that bathing suit on. It's the same color as the environment, so do not buy blue bathing suits, guys.'
Australian shoppers are overjoyed ahead of international fashion brand Shein's summery beach pop-up store.

Fashion lovers will get to experience new trends and eye-catching designs first-hand at the Brisbane location, where they can feel the fabrics and try on the latest styles.

The exclusive store will be located at the Brookside Shopping Centre in Mitchelton from February 9 to February 11 from 9am to 5pm.

Shein is offering up a wide selection of apparel, accessories, footwear, beauty products, home and interior items, pet supplies, and more - all tied together to celebrate the Australian summer.

The beach club pop-up promises affordable and size-inclusive apparel and accessories for all genders and ages - a feature many are drawn to considering how difficult it is to purchase clothes for plus-size people in Australia.

Australian shoppers are overjoyed ahead of international fashion brand Shein's summery beach pop-up store

Fashion lovers will get to experience new trends and eye-catching designs first-hand at the Brisbane location

Brisbane shoppers will enjoy a range of exclusive experiences and immersive offerings from the brand - including an Instagrammable ball pit, a beauty bar for hair and makeup tutorials, a live DJ, and special giveaways for customers.

Shein has previously experienced overwhelming success with its Australian pop-ups in Sydney and Melbourne, and the Queensland location is sure to stun bargain-hunters and fashionistas alike.

Since launching online in the US and Europe in 2012, SHEIN has established its reputation thanks to its diverse offering, with over 17 categories and trend-driven styles.

Unlike most other brands that stop at size XL, Shein's plus-size collection goes all the way up to 5XL.

The exclusive store will be located at the Brookside Shopping Centre in Mitchelton from February 9 to February 11 from 9am to 5pm

What collections will be at the Shein pop-up in Brisbane? EZwear - the line dials in casual cool with the latest in laid-back threads including t-shirts, shorts, summer skirts, and more Frenchy - this on-trend 'French girl' collection delivers stylishly chic elements of French dressing that pair perfectly with slicked-back buns and red lipstick ICON - shoppers who love being the centre of attention will enjoy 'Icon as it ensures you never go unnoticed with always-trendy looks SXY - the line embraces everyone's natural curves to elevate confidence and showcase how being sexy can be size-inclusive Advertisement

Shein has previously experienced overwhelming success with its Australian pop-ups in Sydney and Melbourne

'Shein is thrilled to bring our unique immersive shopping experience to Brisbane, our first stop in Australia this year,' a SHEIN spokesperson told FEMAIL.

'We look forward to celebrating Summer at our beach club-themed pop-up, inspired by the sun-kissed beaches in Australia.'

The store will hero four of its new collections: EZwear, Frenchy, ICON, and SXY.

The lines were created to appeal to current fashion trends and build on a shopper's capsule wardrobe.
Australians are obsessed with a brand new chocolate block that has just hit the shelves at Coles - but not everyone is pleased with the delectable treat.

New Zealand chocolate brand Whittaker's has just released a 'Choc Cross Bun' chocolate bar ($6.90) with natural mixed spices, fruit, and orange oil ahead of Easter.

The chocolate marries the bold flavours of hot cross buns with the brand's signature creamy milk chocolate, an all-time favourite combination for Aussies.

While many claim the indulgent flavour is their 'new favourite', others simply claimed the blend was 'yuck'.

The limited-edition buy is however not yet available in New Zealand, and Kiwis are flaming over the snub.

New Zealand chocolate brand Whittaker's has just released a 'Choc Cross Bun' chocolate bar

The Choc Cross Bun bars will be available in New Zealand from February 5, but Aussies can find them on shelves at Coles now.

A few furious fans pointed out that it was 'unfair' that Australia received shipments of the chocolate first because the bars are produced in New Zealand.

'Why does Australia always get the limited editions first now?' one asked.

'Made in NZ and Australia gets it first. Gutted,' a woman said,

'This is my dream combination, but I live in Auckland,' another wrote.

'WE NEED THIS IN NZ!' a foodie exclaimed.

On the other hand, Australian food influencers dropped their honest reviews, with South Australia foodie Michael Jaimie claiming the bar had 'a lot going on'.

'It smells super familiar, like ginger cookies with white icing that you get in Christmas tins,' he said in a video.

'There are chunky raisins and the chocolate is quite spicy - but not heat-wise. This is indulgent - you'd only need a few squares and you'll be all right.

'If you like fruit and nut chocolate and traditional hot cross buns, you'll love this.'

The Choc Cross Bun bars will be available in New Zealand from February 5, but Aussies can find them on shelves at Coles now

Others also shared their excitement over the brand new buy.

'Sitting here eating it now. It's delicious!' one said.

'I'm dying to try this,' added another.

But a few were left disappointed.

'That looks yuck,' a woman wrote.

'Wait I thought they were doing the actual buns! I am gutted,' a second said.
Former San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo impressed the editorial board with a 53-page book outlining his three policy priorities  homelessness, crime and the cost of living  and his earnest and measured responses to questions. Tony Avelar/Special to the Chronicle 2020

When Democratic Rep. Anna Eshoo announced in November that she would not seek reelection to the House seat that shes held for three decades, she set off a Succession-worthy scramble among the politically ambitious in her Silicon Valley district, home to some of the wealthiest neighborhoods in America.

A whopping 11 candidates are on the March 5 primary ballot  nine Democrats and two Republicans. Peninsula and South Bay voters in the 16th congressional district are spoiled for choice. We were impressed by three candidates in particular: Sam Liccardo, the former mayor of San Jose, a former prosecutor in the Santa Clara County District Attorneys office and a law lecturer at Stanford; Joe Simitian, a Santa Clara County supervisor whos also served as an Assembly member and state senator, and Palo Alto City Council member and mayor; and Julie Lythcott-Haims, a Palo Alto City Council member, author and former Stanford dean of freshmen and undergraduate advising.

Liccardo, 53, had by far the most detailed and thought-out responses to our questions. Its obvious that he delights in the nitty-gritty aspects of complex policy debates and isnt interested merely in climbing the political ladder or throwing out quick soundbites.

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This was evidenced not only by the 53-page book he put together outlining his three policy priorities  homelessness, crime and the cost of living  but by his earnest and measured responses, which we believe will help him find common ground and get things done in a divided and historically unproductive Congress.

At the federal level, Liccardo wants to allow federal housing vouchers to be used for prefabricated, modular homes, which can be built quickly and cheaply and serve as transitional housing for people exiting homelessness. He also wants to repeal a policy that limits federal funding for mental health facilities with more than 16 beds, which has hampered states ability to care for their most severely ill patients. And hes interested in tightening federal restrictions for certain types of ammunition, which may be more politically feasible than regulating guns themselves.

Some might worry that Liccardos outspoken defense of tech companies could lead to him turning a blind eye to the potential dangers of artificial intelligence. While Liccardo told us he plans to advocate for the innovation economy central to his district, he also said that Congress should mandate transparency for the data undergirding AI tools and develop a national regulatory framework to avoid a confusing and counterproductive hodgepodge of state rules.

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Simitian, 70, has an impressive track record. As a state lawmaker, he authored numerous forward-looking bills, including legislation to significantly ramp up the states renewable energy goals, establish transitional kindergarten and require cell phones to be used in hands-free mode while driving.

Simitian also received Eshoos endorsement. But in his interview with us, he gave few details about specific policies he would champion, focusing more on his past accomplishments. Though we respect his decades of public service, its critically important for the districts next representative to hit the ground running with fresh ideas and a fresh perspective.

The third candidate of note is Lythcott-Haims, 57. Whip-smart, Lythcott-Haims would bring much-needed energy to Congress. The only female candidate in the race, she spoke passionately about the importance of replacing Eshoo with another woman, especially at a time when California is losing senior female leadership in Congress and reproductive rights are being rolled back nationally. She also emphasized her unique perspective as a Black queer woman. Lythcott-Haims has a bright future in politics, but her campaign unfortunately lacks specific policy details.

Ultimately, we believe it is Liccardo who stands out for the clarity of his vision, the precision of his policy ideas and his obvious commitment to working across the aisle and finding common-sense solutions.

Other notable candidates in the race include Democrat Peter Dixon, a former Marine who served in the State Department and Pentagon before co-founding a nonprofit and starting a cybersecurity company. Dixon put forth strong ideas for military reform but was less well-versed in other policy areas.

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Democrat Rishi Kumar, a tech executive who ran against Eshoo in 2022 and received more than 42% of the vote, identified many challenges facing his district but was less clear on potential solutions.

Democrat Evan Low, a state Assembly member and former Campbell City Council member and mayor, spoke passionately about his advocacy for Asian American and LGBT rights but lacked concrete policy ideas.

Democrat Greg Lin Tanaka, a Palo Alto City Council member, had perhaps the most ambitious ideas of any candidate  including undergrounding Caltrain and building housing on the newly freed-up land  but didnt convince us that he would be able to muster the political or financial support to turn those visions into reality.

Republican Peter Ohtaki, a finance executive whos served as a Menlo Park City Council member and mayor, impressed us with his commitment to fiscal responsibility and his proven ability to work across the aisle but failed to articulate a coherent congressional agenda.

Democrat Ahmed Mostafa, a womens rights attorney, was the first candidate in the race to call for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war.

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Also running are Democrat Joby Bernstein, a Stanford graduate student and climate investor, and Republican Karl Ryan, a small-business owner.
The term is scary and can push patients into more aggressive treatment

Dr Laura Esserman, a professor of surgery and radiology at the University of California , San Francisco, said: 'The word "cancer" engenders so much anxiety and fear'

An increasing number of doctors are proposing that some cancers are no longer called cancer.

Low-grade prostate cancers that grow very slowly should not be called cancer or carcinoma, some doctors have said.

This is because it can scare men, their families and even their doctors into more aggressive treatment than patients need, resulting in severe side effects, rather than a monitored 'wait and see' approach.

Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among men in the US and the second-biggest cancer killer, but more than a quarter of men diagnosed have the lowest-risk grade.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was released from hospital this month after prostate cancer surgery. Austin was hospitalized on January 1 but originally kept his treatment a secret from the White House.

King Charles also recently underwent a corrective procedure for an enlarged prostate, which can cause many of the same symptoms as prostate cancer, including pain while urinating.

King Charles (left) recently underwent a corrective procedure for an enlarged prostate, which can cause many of the same symptoms as prostate cancer, including pain while urinating. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin (right) was released from hospital this month after prostate cancer surgery. Austin was hospitalized on January 1 but originally kept his treatment a secret from the White House

Researchers found that the mortality rate was the same among people who initially received treatment (red, blue lines) and for those who were instead monitored by a doctor until they needed it (dotted line)

Changing the name of conditions is not unheard of.

Some thyroid, cervical and bladder cancers have been reclassified, sometimes in part to prevent people becoming overly anxious about cancers that are not likely to spread.

Papillary thyroid cancer was described as a lesion or as abnormal cells, rather than as a cancer, which was found to lessen patients' anxiety in a study.

Dr Laura Esserman, a professor of surgery and radiology at the University of California, San Francisco, told the Wall Street Journal: 'The word "cancer" engenders so much anxiety and fear.'

She is recommending that a type of lower-risk breast cancer is renamed, too.

'Patients think if I dont do something tomorrow, this is going to kill me. In fact, thats not true,' she said.

Screening technology has improved and checks have become more common, meaning more cancer is being found and diagnosed in its early stages.

If watched carefully, some may retreat and not pose a great health risk, some doctors have said.

Dr Esserman said that screenings can find 'a reservoir of disease that is less aggressive and some of it may even go away on its own.'

Prostate cancer is sorted into grade groups from one to five, with five being the highest-risk.

Grade 1, the lowest-risk cancers, account for around a quarter of men diagnosed with prostate cancer, said Dr Scott Eggener, a professor of surgery and urologic oncologist at the University of Chicago.

Treatment for prostate cancer can vary from active surveillance, when men undergo regular tests, to radiation or surgery.

The most aggressive form of treatment is a prostatectomy - surgery to remove part or all of the prostate gland - which can leave patients with urinary and sexual dysfunction.

Radiation can result in urinary, erectile and bowel dysfunction.

Doctors tend to advise active surveillance for low-grade cancers, whereas moderate and high-grade patients will have surgery or radiation.

Research shows that around 60 percent of men with grade group one prostate cancer go for active surveillance, said Dr Eggener. The rest have surgery or radiation.

But some doctors think that low-grade cancers should still be called cancer.

Biopsy samples are sometimes inaccurate, said Dr Samson Fine, an attending urologic pathologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York.

Biopsies only look at a small number of cells, meaning they can be tricky for doctors to classify.

Between 20 and 35 percent of grade 1 group cancers in men who later have surgery end up being higher-grade cancer, said Dr Fine.

One study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, looked at data from 1,643 men diagnosed with prostate cancer in the UK.

Each had a relatively mild case with no detected spread of the cancer.

The population was split into three groups based on what treatment they received at the start of their fight against the disease.

Among the group, 553 received the surgery and 545 went into radiation treatment. A third group of 545 people received neither.

Instead, the last group was regularly monitored by a doctor for the progression of the disease.

If their cancer reached a later stage, or spread to another part of the body, then they were offered appropriate treatment.

After 15 years, 17 of the 545 people in the monitoring group died, or 3.1 percent of them.

This matched the 12 or 553 people from the surgery group that died  2.1 percent  and the 16 members of the treatment group  2.9 percent.
right 'highlighter vapes' are sold in child-friendly flavours like bubble gum

Victoria Atkins today claimed a ban on disposable vapes would help kids 'avoid the horrendous pull of a nicotine habit'.

The Health Secretary insisted the Government's tough anti-vaping plans would help thwart the UK's child e-cig epidemic.

Under the crackdown, vapes are expected to be limited to four flavours, sold in plain, tobacco-style packaging and displayed out of sight of kids. New 'on the spot' fines will be brought in for shops illegally selling vapes to children.

Vapes, which are sold for as little as 3, have been compared to highlighters due to their snazzy appearance.

Ms Atkins criticised the marketing of vapes with flavours like bubblegum and candy floss and slammed the 'very bright colours' they're sold in.

Vapes, which are currently sold for as little as 3, have been compared to highlighter pens because of the snazzy displays in shops across the UK. Brands such as Elf Bar and Lost Mary are hugely popular among teenagers. The number of children using vapes in the past three years has tripled. Figures show nine per cent of children aged 11 to 15 now vape, with the long-term health impacts still unknown

Health Secretary Victoria Atkins insisted the Government's tough anti-vaping plans, set to be officially unveiled by Rishi Sunak later today, would help thwart the UK's child e-cig epidemic. Pictured, Ms Atkins appearing on BBC Breakfast today

Shock data earlier this year revealed a record 11.6 per cent of 11 to 17-year-olds in Britain have now tried vaping. This is up on 7.7 per cent last year and twice as high as rates seen a decade ago, before the UK's kid vaping epidemic blew up

She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'What I think has shocked a lot of parents is how cynically the companies have marketed their products towards children and young people.'

Ms Atkins said the landmark plans will 'help ensure people don't start smoking in the first place'.

During a school visit this morning, the Prime Minister said he is taking 'strong action' to 'stamp out' youth vaping.

The PM told broadcasters: 'You talk to any parent or teacher, they'll talk to you about the worrying rise in vaping among children.

'Children shouldn't be vaping, we don't want them to get addicted, we still don't understand the full long-term health impacts of vaping.

'So it is right we take strong action to stamp this out.'

He rejected concerns that the move could lead to more people taking up tobacco.

'It is important that we maintain vapes for adult smokers who want to stop,' he said, describing the proposals as 'balanced'.

'We have got the balance right, supporting adult smokers to stop smoking but targeting all the things that make sure children don't have access to vapes.'

The number of children using vapes in the past three years has tripled. Figures show nine per cent of children aged 11 to 15 now vape, with the long-term health impacts still unknown.

This is despite sales of e-cigarettes to under-18s being banned.

Experts have welcomed the crackdown, saying that they 'fully support' the approach and were 'extremely pleased' to see restrictions on packaging.

But others have also cautioned that 'legislation in this area should be nuanced and careful', given vaping can help people who smoke tobacco cigarettes to quit.

Health campaigners have long called for much tougher regulations on marketing to children and a tax on the disposable vapes.

Mr Sunak said that the ban on disposable vapes  set to be enforced by early 2025  was balanced and the 'right' action.

When implemented, the proposals will follow in the footsteps of countries including parts the US and Canada that already restrict flavours.

The Government blames rules inherited from the EU, which it claims has led to a system where vapes are being routinely promoted and marketed to children at scale.

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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

A major study found that more than 7 per cent of 18-to-24 year olds who have never been tobacco-users, use the devices. Stock

Shares in vaping firms have today already tumbled following the announcement.

Chill Brands, which manufacturers Chill Zero vapes and herbal blend CBD cigarettes, saw shares slide by as much as 35 per cent in early trading as a result, while rival business Supreme saw shares drop around 12 per cent.

Chill's market value had fallen by over 3million, with over 10million knocked off Supreme's valuation during the morning trading session.

E-cigs allow people to inhale nicotine in a vapour  which is produced by heating a liquid, which typically contains propylene glycol, glycerine, flavourings, and other chemicals.

Unlike traditional cigarettes, they do not contain tobacco, nor do they produce tar or carbon  two of the most dangerous elements.

Although widely viewed as safer than smoking, the long-term effects of vaping still remain a mystery.

Doctors have expressed fear there could be a wave of lung disease, dental issues and even cancer in the coming decades in people who took up the habit at a young age.

Last year leading paediatricians also warned children were being hospitalised with vaping-induced breathing difficulties amid a 'disturbing' youth vaping epidemic.

NHS figures show a rise in the number of children admitted to hospital due to vaping.

Forty children and young people were admitted to hospital in England last year due to 'vaping-related disorders', which could include lung damage or worsening asthma symptoms, up from 11 two years earlier, the NHS said.

Responding to the announcement today, 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'.

Chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty also said: 'If passed, this legislation would have a major public health impact across many future generations.'

In June a MailOnline investigation found almost 1,000 serious adverse reactions to e-cigs had been logged by Britain's health watchdog including blood, nervous system and respiratory disorders, as well as cancer and injuries like burns. This includes five deaths linked to the devices

Yet the wider range of proposals  which includes a plan to eventually ban children from ever being able to legally buy cigarettes in the UK  have been criticised as 'nanny state' by critics and Tories.

Vocal nay-sayers include former PM Liz Truss who 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.'

But asked today what her message to the former PM, Ms Atkins told LBC Radio: 'Well, this, this is a big change. We absolutely acknowledge this.

'I think it's rather like the debate that we had a decade ago about whether adults should be able to smoke in cars with their children.

'There was a lot of debate about that. But are we honestly saying now 10-12 years later that we would go back? Of course not.

'So to the debate even further back in time to smoking in public places, we wouldn't go back to the days of smoke-filled pubs.

'And so this is one of those long-term decisions for the future that the Prime Minister wants to make and the Government is very, very ambitious about.'

Mr Sunak has promised MPs a free vote on the smoke-free plan  meaning they will not be put under pressure on how to vote  and said it was a 'matter of conscience'.

He said that 'some people will disagree with me', adding: 'I don't think there's anything unconservative about caring about our children's health.

'But on smoking, there's been a long tradition in Parliament of these being free votes, which aren't party political, people will have their own held views on that, that's the same as it's been in the past.

'So I respect that some people will disagree with me on this but I think this is the right long-term thing for our country. Smoking causes one in four cancer deaths. It's responsible for a hospital admission every minute.

'And if we don't do something about it, hundreds of thousands of people will die in the coming years and I think that we do have a chance to do something about it.'
Poll Should disposable vapes be banned? Yes No Should disposable vapes be banned? Yes 3543 votes

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Disposable vapes are set to be axed under a tough Government crackdown on youth vaping to prevent thousands of children from becoming 'hooked for life'.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the ban, expected to come into force by the end of the year or in early 2025, was balanced and the 'right' action.

Although widely viewed as safer than smoking, the long-term effects of vaping still remain a mystery.

Doctors have expressed fear there could be a wave of lung disease, dental issues and even cancer in the coming decades in people who took up the habit at a young age.

The number of children using vapes in the past three years has tripled.

Figures show nine per cent of children aged 11 to 15 now vape, with the long-term health impacts still unknown.

Campaigners have warned for years that kids are being targeted by eye-catching ads for vapes, which cost as little as 3, on social media and being lured in by their child-friendly flavours such as bubble gum and strawberry.

MailOnline app users can vote in the poll by clicking here.

E-cigs allow people to inhale nicotine in a vapour  which is produced by heating a liquid, which typically contains propylene glycol, glycerine, flavourings, and other chemicals.

Unlike traditional cigarettes, they do not contain tobacco, nor do they produce tar or carbon  two of the most dangerous elements.

Kids as young as eight have picked up the vaping habit, according to Trading Standards.

While it is illegal to sell them to under-18s, social media is flooded with posts from teenagers showing coloured vapes and discussing flavours, such as strawberry ice cream, cotton candy and cherry cola.

Some brands can also feature cartoon characters as part of their tactics to appeal to customers. Many contain addictive nicotine.

Shares in vaping firms have today already tumbled following the announcement.

While it is illegal to sell them to under-18s, social media is flooded with posts from teenagers showing coloured vapes and discussing flavours, such as strawberry ice cream, cotton candy and cherry cola

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

Chill Brands saw shares slide by as much as 35 per cent in early trading as a result, while rival business Supreme saw shares drop around 12 per cent.

Chills market value had fallen by over 3million, with over 10million knocked off Supremes valuation during the morning trading session.

But the expected crackdown on disposable vapes follows a major study last week, which revealed seven per cent of 18 to 24-year-olds who have never smoked were now vaping.

Yet the wider range of proposals  which includes a plan to eventually ban children from ever being able to legally buy cigarettes in the UK  have been criticised as 'nanny state' by critics and Tories.

Vocal nay-sayers include former PM Liz Truss who said the Government 'should not be seeking to extend the nanny state'.
Dozens of British Army personnel stationed in Kenya were sickened in an diarrhoea outbreak of unprecedented magnitude.

One hundred and seventy two soldiers became ill at the Nanyuki barracks between February and April 2022  almost a fifth of the 1,200 troops active there at the time.

Some were left battling their illness for over a week.

Military medics believe it is the first cryptosporidium outbreak in the British Army's history.

Cryptosporidium, which can cause vomiting, stomach pains and a fever, can survive in water for up to a week.

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The outbreak is the largest ever reported by the Army globally. Health officials were initially baffled as to the source of the outbreak. But investigations revealed most cases could be traced to contaminated fresh water, collected from rivers, where the trainees swam in Nanyuki. Pictured, British Army soldiers during a military exercise at the ol-Daiga ranch, Nanyuki, Kenya in 2018

Outbreaks are typically traced back to swimming pools.

The chlorine-resistant parasite is spread by contaminated faecal matter entering the mouth, such as while swimming. Traces of dried poo can easily wash off an infected person's anus.

Officials were initially baffled as to the source of the diarrhoea outbreak in Nanyuki, located around 120 miles (193km) north of Nairobi.

Faecal samples from sickened soldiers who tested positive for cryptosporidium were repatriated.

What is cryptosporidium? Cryptosporidium, which can cause vomiting, stomach pains and a fever, can survive in swimming pools for up to a week. The chlorine-resistant parasite is spread by contaminated faecal matter entering the mouth, such as while swimming. Traces of dried poo can wash off an infected person's anus. Infected people can shed up to 100million cryptosporidium germs in a single bowel movement, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Swallowing just ten is enough to get ill. Advertisement

Army chiefs also shipped samples from water tankers and rivers back to British labs for in-depth testing.

Investigations revealed the water that soldiers swam in was contaminated. Soldiers also reported that raw sewage entered the same bodies of water that they used recreationally.

Although the cluster of cases in rural Kenya happened nearly two years ago, details only came to light this week.

Writing in the journal, Open Forum Infectious Diseases, researchers from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine Royal Centre for Defence Medicine at Queen Elizabeth Hospital said all cases were isolated as they collected outbreak data.

Military personnel from the US, Germany and France have previously been hit by outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis 'in small numbers'.

But no previous reports have been logged in Sub-Saharan Africa.

A handful of cases had also eaten at local restaurants before symptoms began, while other samples were linked to poultry eaten during a 'survival exercise', they said.

For most people, cryptosporidiosis  the technical name for the infection  is mild.

In October UKHSA officials revealed 2,411 cases of the stomach bug have been spotted across the UK, with weekly notifications peaking at 450 towards the end of September - triple the level normally expected

It typically clears on its own without any treatment within a few days or weeks.

However, for vulnerable people, like those with weakened immune systems and the elderly or patients undergoing cancer treatment, it can be more serious.

Due to its highly infectious nature people with symptoms such as diarrhoea and vomiting are told to stay off work or school until they have been free from these symptoms for at least 48 hours.

In October, UK Health Security Agency officials said Britain was being battered by an 'unprecedented' outbreak of the parasite.

Officials investigating the unusual cluster of cryptosporidium cases believed it could be linked to holidays abroad, as dozens of affected Brits had travelled to Spain and other Mediterranean countries.
Given they're plastered in a rainbow of colours, purposely made to taste like sweets and sold for as little as 3, is there really any wonder as to how Britain's children got hooked on vapes?

Shocking stats show a quarter of today's children have tried puffing on the nicotine-laden gadgets that litter shops across the country.

What's worse, a tenth are now regular users, sparking fears of a future health crisis given the mystery surrounding the long-term safety of e-cigarettes.

But, after years of impassioned pleas to tackle what has been dubbed an 'epidemic', the Government today promised a tough crackdown to stop kids getting addicted.

In his war on vaping, Rishi Sunak announced ministers will ban disposable vapes  the weapon of choice for teenagers in 2024.

NHS Digital data shows the number of children who are current vapers has soared in recent years, jumping from 6 per cent in 2018 to 9 per cent in 2021

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E-cigs are also set to be limited to a handful of flavours, sold in plain, tobacco-style packaging and displayed out of sight of kids under the ambitious plans.

It will mean the end of bubblegum 'clouds' and predatory packaging designed to make vapes look like highlighter pens.

New 'on the spot' fines will be brought in for shops illegally selling vapes to children, under Mr Sunak's plan.

Experts, perhaps unsurprisingly, wish the Government had taken action to combat the problem sooner. Yet, the actions are undoubtedly welcomed.

Imperial College London's Professor Andrew Bush, one of the UK's most renowned paediatric respirologists, told MailOnline he is '100 per cent' behind the plans.

'I wish it had come in earlier, and I wish we were not waiting to the end of the year, but certainly good to hear this announcement,' he said.

While acknowledging some of the concerns regarding how the ban could hit adults wanting to give up smoking, Professor Bush said they came second to stopping 'out of control' childhood vaping.

'The interests of children and young people must be paramount,' he said. 'Childhood vaping is out of control, and something must be done.'

However, liberal thinktanks and vaping groups have condemned the proposals as a 'pro-smoking' policy.

Christopher Snowdon, head of lifestyle economics at the free market think tank, the Institute of Economic Affairs, said: 'The Government is trying to ram through illiberal and counterproductive policies before anyone thinks about them too carefully.

'Most of the Governments anti-vaping policies are effectively pro-smoking policies as they will drive vapers back to cigarettes.'

He added that while action on vaping amongst children was necessary and 'long overdue', Mr Sunak's newly announced plans risked 'throwing the baby out with the bathwater'.

Vapes, which are currently sold for as little as 3, have been compared to highlighter pens because of the snazzy displays in shops across the UK. Brands such as Elf Bar and Lost Mary are hugely popular among teenagers. The number of children using vapes in the past three years has tripled. Figures show nine per cent of children aged 11 to 15 now vape, with the long-term health impacts still unknown

Prime Candy on Oxford Street, where MailOnline found huge vape displays alongside many different types of American sweets

'The real answer is to enforce the law banning the sale of e-cigarettes to minors which is being flouted up and down the country,' he said.

MailOnline reporter reveals her firsthand experience of predatory sweet shops selling vapes Inside the eerily quiet shops themselves, employees are ready to pounce on potential customers. After kindly telling shop workers I didn't need help, they hovered over my shoulder, intensely watching me browse the hundreds of products on offer. In an exchange that seemed innocent to begin with, I was asked my age. A usual question for purchasing a vape - which is supposedly illegal for kids to buy, I thought. However his predatory intentions soon became obvious. Beautiful young girls have to pay 5 just for looking in the shop, he said. So do other people not have to pay?' I quipped back. 'Or is it just what you call beautiful young women? He replied: Let me guess your age. You look young but I think you are older. Do you prefer to be called a beautiful girl or a lady? How old do you think I am? This was, quite clearly, not about whether I was old enough to purchase a vape. Advertisement

But health and environmental groups said they were 'delighted' with the disposable vape ban.

Dr Mike McKean, vice president for policy at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, said: 'Were delighted that the Westminster Government has heard our calls and is rightly prioritising the health and wellbeing of our children and the planet.

'As a respiratory consultant it is not lost on me that smoking remains the single biggest cause of preventable illness and disease in the UK.

'We know this because we have 60-plus years of research and data on cigarette use on a population level.

'But the research and data around widespread e-cigarette use is still very much in its infancy. The long-term impacts, especially for children and young people, remain unknown.'

Deborah Arnott, chief executive of Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), called it a 'vital stepping stone on the path to ending the smoking epidemic'.

'The Governments strategy is the right one: stop smoking initiation, support smokers to quit by using the most effective methods, while protecting children by curbing youth vaping.'

And Dame Rachel de Souza, the Childrens Commissioner for England, said when speaking to young people a couple of years ago she was 'shocked and concerned' to hear children as young as 12 say vaping was 'normalised among their peers'.

'This announcement will help tackle that issue and I know that many children and parents will be extremely relieved.'

Professor Chris Whitty, the chief medical officer, also said: 'If passed, this legislation would have a major public health impact across many future generations.'

Educators have also welcomed the move.

Glyn Potts headteacher at Newman Catholic College in Oldham told BBC Radio how even one single puff from a vape had been enough to land one of his pupils in hospital.

Two-and-a-half-years-ago we had a student who stole a vape off their big brothers bedside table, he said.

They travelled on the school bus and in the final few seconds, as the bus was pulling into the school grounds urged by his friends, he took a very large gulp of this vape pen.

As he got off the bus, he started to feel unwell and he collapsed.

He had to go to hospital.

The vape in question was later found to have 12-times the level of nicotine than a cigarette.

But Mr Potts said another worrying development was other substances being added to the disposable vapes favoured by children, something he feared would have fatal consequences.

We also know vape pens, particularly disposable ones, are being repurposed to contain cannabis derivatives, and even Spice, and sold to young people in a network which will hospitalise, and forgive me, if we dont do something about it, kill young people, he said.

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

But some health groups are concerned about the potential knock-on effects to adults wanting to use to quit more harmful traditional tobacco smoking.

Dr Ian Walker, executive director of policy at Cancer Research UK, said the ban must be matched by a Government commitment to adequately fund ensure stop-smoking services.

'Smoking is the biggest preventable cause of cancer, and research shows that vapes are far less harmful than smoking and can help people to quit,' he said.

'If this legislation is passed, the UK Government should ensure local smoking cessation services are adequately funded, and those trying to quit are given as much support as they need to help them do so.'

Dr Ruth Sharrock, clinical lead for tobacco dependency at the North East and North Cumbria NHS Integrated Care Board, was also concerned.

'The immediacy of a disposable vape makes such a difference,' she said. 'It is as if we are taking a cigarette out of their hand and replacing it with a vastly safer product.'

Vaping groups were, unsurprisingly, critical of the proposals.

Simon Clark, director of the smokers lobby group Forest, said: 'Vaping has been a free market success story. Millions of smokers who want to quit have done so by switching voluntarily to e-cigarettes and other reduced-risk products.

'The convenience of single use vapes has played an important part in that process.'

John Dunne, director general of the UK Vaping Industry Association, added that stopping youth vaping lay in 'effective and proactive enforcement', not a ban.

He also claimed the disposable vapes ban announcement will put children at 'greater risk by turbo-charging the black market'.

Independent British Vape Trade Association Marcus Saxton added that the ban will benefit traditional smoking and sellers of illicit vapes.

'Big tobacco will be rubbing its hands with glee in anticipation of possible vape bans and increasing their sales,' he said.

'Further, with an estimated third of the UK vape market comprising illicit products, a ban will simply benefit those pushing illegal and unregulated products as people seek out single-use and flavoured vapes from illicit sources.'

Bob Blackman MP, chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Smoking and Health, has also said the legislation will need to be scrutinised when put before Parliament, as the 'devil will be in the detail'.

Announcing the action, Mr Sunak said that the issue of child vaping was one many parents across the country were worried about.

'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,' he said.

'The long-term impacts of vaping are unknown and the nicotine within them can be highly addictive, so 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.

'That is why I am taking bold action to ban disposable vapes  which have driven the rise in youth vaping  and bring forward new powers to restrict vape flavours, introduce plain packaging and change how vapes are displayed in shops.'

MailOnline has been told that e-cigarette use is so rife in schools there has been an increase in fire engine callouts because so many pupils are vaping in toilets. Teenagers told this website they suffer regular coughing fits and have to use inhalers to breathe properly after just a year of regular e-cigarette use

Disposable vapes are popular form of using e-cigarettes with a recent study finding they are regularly used by more than 300,000 people who have never smoked.

As vaping has taken off in Britain, so too have the number of children picking up the habit.

Data suggests the proportion of 11 to 17-year-old vapers using disposable devices has increased nine-fold in just two years, from 7.7 per cent in 2021 to 69 per cent last year.

The environmental cost of disposable vapes is also colossal, with some 5million thrown away each week, the Government has said.

Shares in vaping firms today tumbled following the announcement.

Chill Brands, which manufacturers Chill Zero vapes and herbal blend CBD cigarettes, saw shares slide by as much as 35 per cent in early trading as a result, while rival business Supreme saw shares drop around 12 per cent.

Chills market value had fallen by over 3million, with over 10million knocked off Supremes valuation during the morning trading session.

E-cigs allow people to inhale nicotine in a vapour  which is produced by heating a liquid, which typically contains propylene glycol, glycerine, flavourings, and other chemicals.

One in 10 Estonian's now vape regularly each month, cementing its position as the e-cigarette capital of the world, fresh data revealed this week. Published by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)  a forum of 37 countries with market-based economies founded in 1961  it also found just four countries rank higher than the UK

Unlike traditional cigarettes, they do not contain tobacco, nor do they produce tar or carbon  two of the most dangerous elements.

Although widely viewed as safer than smoking, the long-term effects of vaping still remain a mystery.

Doctors have expressed fear there could be a wave of lung disease, dental issues and even cancer in the coming decades in people who took up the habit at a young age.

Last year leading paediatricians also warned children were being hospitalised with vaping-induced breathing difficulties amid a 'disturbing' youth vaping epidemic.

NHS figures show a rise in the number of children admitted to hospital due to vaping.

Forty children and young people were admitted to hospital in England last year due to 'vaping-related disorders', which could include lung damage or worsening asthma symptoms, up from 11 two years earlier, the NHS said.

MailOnline has previously exposed the predatory tactics of some sweet shops selling capes, including products resembling popular sweet brans like Skittles and Jolly Ranchers.

The Government has also promised to extinguish traditional smoking in Britain by bringing in a progressive age based ban that would mean children aged 14 or younger would never be able to legally buy a cigarette.

MP Bob Blackman, chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Smoking and Health, added that the legislation will need to be scrutinised when put before Parliament, as the 'devil will be in the detail'.

Revealed: Meet the child victims of England's vaping epidemic

Amid a long-awaited cramdown on childhood vaping MailOnline looks at those youngsters left scarred by the devices.

Now 19, Tom Padley, from Putney, London, has been using vapes since he was just 13.

He told MailOnline he picked up the habit in boarding school and how the fact that could be used indoors was a considerable advantage.

'Its not like cigarettes, where you would have to find a place to go outside and do it you can just do it non-stop indoors,' he said.

'Its such an insane amount of nicotine when youre that young especially.'

Tom Padley, pictured here when he was 16, said he is angry he was able to get vapes so easily as a kid and now suffers health complications from his nicotine addiction

Tom said he got hold of the devices either by ordering them online where they arrived in 'nondescript packaging' or knowing which shops wouldn't ask for ID.

He added that the fruity and sweet flavour options of vapes made them specifically more attractive to kids.

Some kids wouldnt get into smoking because they purely cant handle the gross sort of sick smell,' he said.

'But its pretty easy to get into nicotine and fit in with other smokers, if you think that image is kind of cool, if youre only tasting strawberries.

And he said that only six years into vaping he was already experiencing health problems.

'I get ill a lot more. I get ulcers occasionally in my mouth. I have a lot of coughs. I guarantee its massively increased due to vaping,' he said.

And despite that he still finds himself unable to kick the habit, trapped by his addiction.

'You get a bit sketchy, all you can think about is you want it, youre just a bit on edge, anxious. Your whole body is telling you thats what you want right now,' he said.

Tom said he was angry that he was able to get vapes so easily as a kid and said that in his opinion they were definitely being marketed to children.

'The brand JUUL was very sort of marketed to be like a USB and very sleek and subtle,' he said.

'The whole thing amongst students is you could plug a JUUL into your laptop and teachers wouldnt even notice it right there.'

Speaking about the vaping market as a whole, he added: 'I think they thought they needed to go to the next generation because they are gullible, theyll buy and once theyre addicted they're addicted.'

Another former vaper Ewan Fisher, 22, from Nottingham, has been left with the lungs of an 80-year-old smoker after vaping for just six months.

At just 16 he spent weeks in intensive care after his lungs failed the night before he was due to start his GCSE exams.

He had originally picked up vaping in an attempt to give up cigarettes.

But he ended fighting to survive for 10 weeks in hospital at one point needed to be put on an artificial lung.

Ewan Fisher, 22, from Nottingham, has been left with the lungs of an 80-year-old lifelong smoker after vaping for just six months in an attempt to give up cigarettes. Pictured left before he started vaping before and right now

The then 16-year-old needed an artificial lung to survive and spent 10 weeks in hospital as doctors fought to save his life

Despite being under age at the time, Ewan said 'it was easy' to buy either cigarettes or e-cigarettes in his home city in 2017.

'The flavours are really addictive,' he said. 'When I went into the hospital they took my vape and I was vaping blue flush (blackberry flavour) and I had a rhubarb and custard one too.

'It's that sort of stuff that got me addicted. Those sweet flavours are addictive and they entice young people.'

Ewan is believed to have suffered an exaggerated immune response to chemicals found in e-cigarette fluid.

He said: 'They tried telling me that I'd make a full recovery, but it's nearly four years on and I still really struggle.

'I used to be really healthy. I can't run, I really struggle up hills. It's ruined all my joints. My life's changed massively.

And the mother of teenager Rosey Christoffersen, who died after her lungs collapsed, believes e-cigarettes were the cause, according to The Guardian.

Rosey had been an occasional smoker but then started using flavoured vapes, and then quickly became addicted.

Rosey's mother Rachel Howe, 45, of The Wirral, said: 'There would be coconut, cherry, bubble-gum vapes. It was constantly in her mouth.'

She said her daughter would buy them from the local corner shop.

The 18-year-old began to experience pain in her chest as well as exhaustion but her GP said the cause was likely a pulled muscle.

But she later the teenager collapsed in the street on February 14, 2015 - three days before her 19th birthday.

Both of her lungs had collapsed and she was brain dead by the time she arrived at hospital.

Mrs Howe is convinced vaping caused her daughter's death.

And another mum, Holly Smith's had her 11-year-old daughter rushed to hospital after the young girl used a vape last year.

Miss Smith, 29, knew something was wrong when she found her daughter extremely lethargic and almost unable to stand.

Miss Smith said she knew her daughter had 'taken something' and called an ambulance to take her to Gorleston's James Paget University Hospital.

The vape was allegedly purchased by another child for just 8.

In Yarmouth, where Miss Smith lives, there have been multiple complaints about traders involving under-age vape sales, including three about the same trader, according to Trading Standards at Norfolk County Council.
Disposable e-cigarettes are set to be banned across the UK in a bid to stop children getting hooked on the devices, the Government confirmed today.

The plans are also expected to see vapes restricted to just four flavours, sold in plain packaging and displayed out of sight.

While health chiefs have hailed vapes as a safer alternative to cigarettes and recommend them to help smokers quit, use of them has soared among youngsters.

Top doctors have warned the trend risks a wave of ill health in the future.

Campaigners have blamed eye-catching ads for vapes on social media and flavours, such as strawberry, banana and mango, for luring kids in.

Here, MailOnline sets out all you need to know about the expected ban.

Disposable e-cigarettes are set to be banned across the UK in a bid to stop children getting hooked on the devices, the Government confirmed today

The plans, confirmed by the Prime Minister today (pictured), will also see vapes restricted to four flavours, sold in plain packaging and display them out of children's sight

Shock data earlier this year revealed a record 11.6 per cent of 11 to 17-year-olds in Britain have now tried vaping. This is up on 7.7 per cent last year and twice as high as rates seen a decade ago, before the UK's kid vaping epidemic blew up

Why are disposable vapes being banned?

Officials said the ban will tackle youth vaping rates and protect children's health.

E-cigarettes, which can cost just 3, have become a must-have gadget among kids.

One in five secondary school children now have tried vaping, according to data from the School Health Research Network, released in September.

Kids as young as eight have picked up the habit, according to Trading Standards.

The Government said disposable vapes have been a key driver behind this trend.

They are sold in flavours such as strawberry ice cream, cotton candy and cherry cola, while some brands also feature cartoon characters.

The ban is expected to come into force at the end of 2024 or the start of 2025.

READ MORE: Inside Britain's child vaping epidemic MailOnline exposes the predatory marketing tactics of vape retailers accused of preying on kids, with their pervasive schemes so successful that officials are now proposing an outright ban Advertisement

Will a ban work?

Experts have hailed the 'landmark plans' as 'nothing but good news'.

Dr Mike McKean, vice president for policy at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), said: 'Bold action was always needed to curb youth vaping and banning disposables is a meaningful step in the right direction.'

Dame Rachel de Souza, the children's commissioner for England, said the move will tackle the normalisation of vaping among children.

Health Secretary Victoria Atkins said: '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.'

Councillor David Fothergill, chairman of the Local Government Association's Community Wellbeing Board, said the products are 'inherently unsustainable', 'blight our streets as litter' and are difficult to recycle. An outright ban 'remains the most effective solution to this problem', he added.

Libby Peake, head of resource policy at Green Alliance, said the ban 'can't come soon enough' to protect future generations' health and the planet.

'This bold move by the government is nothing but good news,' she added.

However, Mr Sunak has faced criticism for his wider smoke-free Britain plans, which would ban on the sale of cigarettes to anyone born on or after January 1, 2009.

Former Prime Minister Liz Truss yesterday said the move was 'profoundly unconservative'.

She said: '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.

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A Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development 2023 health report showed 12.7 per cent of Brits over the age of 15 smoke cigarettes daily, far higher than the US and New Zealand

'A Conservative government should not be seeking to extend the nanny state.

'This will only give succour to those who wish to ban further choices of which they don't approve.'

Former trade minister Sir Edward Leigh also last year said he would vote against the 'ridiculous' measure.

Why is the Government acting now?

The proportion of 11 to 17-year-old vapers has surged nine-fold in just two years, leading the Government to take action now before vaping becomes endemic.

Officials hope banning vapes, restricting the flavours they are sold in, introducing plain packaging, forcing shops to display them out of sight children and new on-the-spot fines for retailers that sell vapes to kids will reverse the trend.

HISTORY OF SMOKING POLICY IN THE UK 2004: Ireland bans smoking in enclosed public places, including pubs, clubs and restaurants 2006: Scotland implements smoking ban on indoor public spaces 2007: England, Wales and Northern Ireland bring in indoor ban. In England, smoking is banned in almost all enclosed public spaces and the NHS goes smoke-free. Legal age to buy cigarettes raised from 16 to 18 2008: Cigarette companies told to feature pictorial health warnings on packets 2010: Government announces it will enforce tobacco display ban and consider plain packaging for tobacco products 2015: Smoking in cars with children banned in England and ban on the display of tobacco in small shops comes into force throughout the UK 2017: Government issues target to reduce smoking prevalence among adults to 12 per cent or less by 2022 2019: Department of Health publishes plans to make England smoke-free by 2030 2020: Menthol cigarettes are banned in the UK and EU Advertisement

It also adds to Mr Sunak's anti-smoking legacy.

A bill to make Britain smoke-free is expected to be debated in early February.

It would see the legal smoking age rise by one year every year, meaning anyone under the age of 14 today would never be able to legally smoke.

Mr Sunak 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.

'The long-term impacts of vaping are unknown and the nicotine within them can be highly addictive, so 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. That is why I am taking bold action to ban disposable vapes  which have driven the rise in youth vaping  and bring forward new powers to restrict vape flavours, introduce plain packaging and change how vapes are displayed in shops.

'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.'

What are the flavours that vapes can be sold as?

Mr Sunak confirmed that he will bring forward powers to restrict vape flavours.

Officials have not yet confirmed which ones would still be available.

Ministers are thought to be considering tobacco, mint, menthol and fruit but are still considering the knock-on effects this could have for adult smokers turning to vapes to quit cigarettes, The Times reported.

Experts have long warned that sweet and fruit flavoured options, such as strawberry, banana and mango, are appealing to kids.

Will bland packaging also help stop kids vaping?

Vape manufacturers could be forced to sell their products in plain packaging, under the Government's plans.

Officials said this will make the products 'less visually appealing' but the exact details of the rules on packaging have not yet been detailed.

Tests on e-cigarettes confiscated from youngsters found they contained dangerous levels of lead, nickel and chromium. Some were almost ten times above safe limits. Exposure to lead can impair brain development, while the other two metals can trigger blood clotting

NHS Digital data, based on the smoking, drinking and drug use among young people in England survey for the year 2021, showed 30 per cent of children in Yorkshire and the Humber have used a vape

As it stands, the products are often sold in bright colours, resembling highlighters, with some even carrying sweets branding and cartoons.

Standardised packaging was fully rolled out for tobacco in the UK in 2017, despite being first suggested in 2008. The policy ordered manufacturers to remove brand images, bright colours and promotions from tobacco products.

Research from the University of Oxford and University of Bath suggest the move reduced smoking rates. However, tobacco manufacturers dispute this.

Dr Mike McKean, of the RCPCH, said he was 'extremely pleased' to see restrictions on packaging to help curb youth vaping.

Millions knocked off value of disposable vape firms ahead of ban Shares in vaping firms tumbled on Monday morning after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak confirmed the devices will be banned in Britain. Chill Brands saw shares slide by as much as 35 per cent in early trading as a result, while rival business Supreme saw shares drop around 12 per cent. Chill's market value had fallen by over 3million, with over 10million knocked off Supreme's valuation during the morning trading session. The announcement forms part of the Government's response to its consultation on smoking and vaping, which was launched in October. The ban is expected to come into force at the end of 2024 or the start of 2025. On Monday, Chill Brands, which makes nicotine-free vapes and CBD products, stressed that it is 'committed to strict compliance with all relevant laws'. Callum Sommerton, chief executive officer of Chill, said it will continue to sell its products across UK and US retailers but they are prepared to adjust to rule changes. He said: 'The vaping landscape is constantly evolving, creating opportunities for businesses that are able to navigate the regulatory environment. 'The Chill brand has gained rapid traction with the support of major retailers, and I am confident that it will continue to do so as we move forward with our plans to launch reusable pod system vapes. 'Chill Brands Group is an agile company, and we are prepared to adjust to any legislation that may be enacted.' Rival Supreme, which has brands including 88Vape, also saw its shares knocked by the announcement. The company, which has yet to comment on the latest announcement, said in October that it was 'fully supportive of any further legislation in the sector'. Advertisement

Henry Gregg, director of external affairs at Asthma + Lung UK, said brightly-coloured packaging has contributed to the increase in under-18s taking up vaping.

He said 'immediate action' is needed to restrict packaging, which along with rules on flavours and displays in shops, will 'reduce their appeal and availability to children'.

What else is the Government doing in its vaping crackdown?

As well as banning vapes and placing restrictions on their flavours and packaging, the Government will set out restrictions on where they can be displayed.

Full details of this measure have not been set out but will involving changing 'how vapes are displayed in shops so they don't appeal to children'.

They must be placed 'out of sight of children and away from products that appeal to them like sweets', under the Government's proposals.

MailOnline's expose last spring revealed that shops on Oxford Street were selling imported sweets, such as Blue Raspberry Jolly Ranchers and Sour Apple Laffy Taffy, just metres away from similarly-sounding flavoured vapes, such as Grape Apple, Blue Fruits and Bubblegum.

Other measures aim to clamp down on vapes being sold to children and from illegal varieties entering the UK in the first place.

Trading standards officers will be empowered to issue new on-the-spot fines for retailers that sell vapes to kids, under the vape crackdown. This is on top of the maximum 2,500 fine that local authorities can already impose.

Additionally, the Government will give an extra 30million to enforcement agencies  including Border Force, HM Revenue and Customs and Trading Standards  to implement these measures and stamp out opportunities for criminals.

Are vapes safe?

While health chiefs insist that vapes are safer than cigarettes, they are not risk-free.

E-cigarettes contain harmful toxins and their long-term effects remains a mystery.

Some doctors fear a wave of lung disease and even cancer in the coming decades due to vaping.

Experts are also concerned the high nicotine content might increase blood pressure and cause other heart problems.

Freedom of Information requests revealed that 24 children in England were hospitalised due to vaping since the start of 2022. These could include lung damage or a worsening of asthma symptoms.
A man left with a collapsed lung after using disposable e-cigs for just four months has warned kids to never start vaping.

Alex Gittins, from Bishop Auckland in County Durham, was hospitalised last spring after he became short of breath following a vape.

The 31-year-old needed part of his lung removed and stapled back together, spent weeks on a ward recovering and couldn't work for months.

Mr Gittins has warned that 'kids could die' from vaping and urged smokers looking to quit to turn to nicotine patches instead of the devices.

It comes as the Government today announced disposable vapes would be axed as part of a crackdown on youth vaping after years of impassioned pleas to tackle what has been dubbed an 'epidemic'.

Alex Gittins (pictured), from Bishop Auckland in County Durham, was hospitalised last spring after struggling to breathe after vaping. He was forced have part of his lung removed and stapled back together, spent weeks on a ward recovering and couldn't work for months

Mr Gittins has warned that 'kids could die' from vaping and urged smokers looking to quit to turn to nicotine patches instead of the devices. Mr Gittins began buying six disposable vapes for 20 from a corner shop early last year a nd had smoked several without any issue. But last May he suddenly experienced a 'horrible taste' in his throat that left him struggling to breathe

After his chest pains worsened while driving, he rushed to a walk-in centre in Hartlepool and was instructed to go to nearest hospital instead. Once at A&E in Darlington, medics told him his right lung had collapsed. He was transferred to a respiratory ward to reinflate his lung

Shock data earlier this year revealed a record 11.6 per cent of 11 to 17-year-olds in Britain have now tried vaping. This is up on 7.7 per cent last year and twice as high as rates seen a decade ago, before the UK's kid vaping epidemic blew up

Under proposals that are hoped to prevent thousands of children from becoming 'hooked for life', vapes are expected to be limited to just four flavours, sold in plain, tobacco-style packaging and displayed out of sight of kids.

Additionally, new 'on the spot' fines will also be brought in for shops illegally selling vapes to children.

E-cigs work by heating a liquid that typically contains nicotine, propylene glycol, vegetable glycerine, flavourings and other chemicals, which users inhale.

Unlike traditional cigarettes, they do not contain tobacco, nor do they produce tar or carbon  two of the most dangerous elements.

Although widely viewed as safer than smoking, the long-term effects of vaping still remain a mystery.

What are the symptoms of a lung collapse? A lung collapses, medically called a pneumothorax has variety of symptoms. The common symptoms area sudden shortness of breath and chest pain. This pain may be sharp and become worse with coughing and breathing. Patients can also experience a dry cough. In some cases, where air has leaked into the muscles and skin in the chest wall, patients may notice a swelling and 'bubble wrap' sensation as they press on their chest. If the leak of air from the lung is very large people can also feel faint or lightheaded. Advertisement

Doctors have expressed fear there could be a wave of lung disease, dental issues and cancer in the coming decades among people who began vaping when young.

Mr Gittins said: 'The ban is a step in the right direction but I'd also be worried that it might lead to a increase in black market sales.

'If they stop selling in shops, someone will sell just sell fake ones. But hopefully overall it will reduce the number of people vaping.'

Speaking of his injuries he added: 'My major concern is that this could have happened to kids.

'You know what a fag does to you, you don't know what a vape does. Something's not right  kids could die.'

Mr Gittins began buying six disposable vapes for 20 from a corner shop early last year and had smoked several without any issue.

But last May he suddenly experienced a 'horrible taste' in his throat that left him struggling to breathe.

He said: 'I started smoking it when it suddenly didn't create the mist properly. There was a horrible taste in my throat.

'Then five or ten minutes later I was stood there and breathing in, but it felt like I had a massive stitch. It started getting worst over the next hour.'

Vapes, which are currently sold for as little as 3, have been compared to highlighter pens because of the snazzy displays in shops across the UK. Brands such as Elf Bar and Lost Mary are hugely popular among teenagers. The number of children using vapes in the past three years has tripled. Figures show nine per cent of children aged 11 to 15 now vape, with the long-term health impacts still unknown

After his chest pains worsened while driving, he rushed to a walk-in centre in Hartlepool and was instructed to go to nearest hospital instead.

Once at A&E in Darlington, medics told him his right lung had collapsed. He was transferred to a respiratory ward to reinflate his lung.

A collapsed lung, known medically as pneumothorax, occurs when air leaks into the pleural cavity  the space between the outside of the lung and ribcage.

Pneumothorax can be caused by various respiratory conditions, congenital defects in the organ that are only cause issues later in life, or traumatic injury.

However, in many occasions it is spontaneous with no apparent cause. Some cases have been linked to vaping.

About one in three people who suffer a pneumothorax go on to suffer another lung collapse within a year, according to the NHS.

A chest drain or needle is often used by medics to relieve pressure on the lung and remove the excess air.

But Mr Gittins' lung failed to reinflate two days after his chest drain, with fluid still stuck in his lung.

He was transferred to a hospital in Middlesbrough, where surgeons removed a piece of his lung before stapling it back together.

He was only discharged on June 9 and returned to work two months later in August.

Now largely nicotine free, he only wears a nicotine patch when at the pub.

He said his advice to people looking to quit smoking is: 'Go get a box of nicotine patches. Vaping is not a good idea.'

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

Experts have welcomed the crackdown, saying that they 'fully support' the approach and were 'extremely pleased' to see restrictions on packaging. But others have also cautioned that 'legislation in this area should be nuanced and careful', given vaping can help people who smoke tobacco cigarettes to quit

Campaigners have long called for much tougher regulations on marketing to children and a tax on disposable vapes, which are most popular among teens.

In his war on vaping, Rishi Sunak announced ministers will ban disposable vapes  the weapon of choice for teenagers in 2024.

E-cigs are also set to be limited to a handful of flavours, sold in plain, tobacco-style packaging and displayed out of sight of kids under the ambitious plans.

It will mean the end of predatory packaging designed to make vapes look like highlighter pens.

New 'on the spot' fines will be brought in for shops illegally selling vapes to children, under Mr Sunak's plan.

The number of children using vapes in the past three years has tripled. Figures show nine per cent of children aged 11 to 15 now vape, with the long-term health impacts still unknown.

This is despite sales of e-cigarettes to under-18s being banned.

Experts have welcomed the crackdown, saying that they 'fully support' the approach and were 'extremely pleased' to see restrictions on packaging.

But others have also cautioned that 'legislation in this area should be nuanced and careful', given vaping can help people who smoke tobacco cigarettes to quit.

Mr Sunak said that the ban on disposable vapes  set to be enforced by early 2025  was balanced and the 'right' action.

When implemented, the proposals will follow in the footsteps of countries including parts the US and Canada that already restrict flavours.
Leovani Vera was born at just 27 weeks old, weighing less than one pound

A baby boy in Texas who was born the size of a Coca Cola can has celebrated his first birthday.

Leovani Vera of was born at just 27 weeks and weighed only 14.5 ounces, less than one pound.

He was so small that his father's wedding ring fit his wrist like a bracelet, and he spent three months in the hospital gaining strength and learning to breathe on his own.

As premature births increase in the US, babies born as small as Leovani can be subject to lasting physical and mental health issues, including asthma, autism, and cerebral palsy.

Now coming in at 14 pounds and eight ounces, Leovani has just learned to crawl and celebrated his birthday with cupcakes and a trip to Chuck E Cheese.

Leovani was so small that his father's wedding ring fit his wrist like a bracelet

Leovani Vera of Texas was born at just 27 weeks, weighing as much as a can of Coca Cola (left). He has since defied the odds and celebrated his first birthday (right)

Leovani's growth started slowing during pregnancy, his mother, Isabel Vera, said. At his 20-week ultrasound scan, he measured five weeks behind.

In December 2022, nearly three months before Leovani's due date, doctors realized that Ms Vera had high blood pressure, which can be a sign of the pregnancy complication preeclampsia.

The only cure for preeclampsia is giving birth, so Leovani was born at just 27 weeks.

'I begged and begged for the doctors to do what they could,' Ms Vers said.

Due to his small size, he spent the next 127 days in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) where doctors made sure his health and weight progressed.

According to nonprofit March of Dimes, one in 10 babies in the US are born prematurely, before 37 weeks.

'I barely left his side when he was born, and even at home, I would be checking the camera to make sure he was okay in the hospital,' Leovani's mother, Isabel, said. She now calls Leovani her miracle baby

Leovani is now hitting his milestones, including recently learning to crawl

Being born too early means that premature babies don't have enough time for their organs to fully develop, namely their lungs and brains.

This could leave them vulnerable to lasting complications like asthma, infections, developmental disoders such as autism and ADHD, and neurological conditons like cerebral palsy.

Premature babies often also have trouble breathing and feeding on their own, so they have to stay in the hospital until they can do so.

Ms Vera, 32, said she went into survival mode when Leovani was born.

'I barely left his side when he was born, and even at home, I would be checking the camera to make sure he was okay in the hospital,' she said.

'I just kept crying and I hardly stopped to even process what we were going through. When he was in the NICU I commuted there daily to visit him.'

'There were some nights that were some nights I was there so late that I'd sleep in my car or the waiting room, I just didn't want to leave him.'

Ms Vera was at first afraid to reveal Leovani's weight to people over worries they wouldn't be supportive but has since been able to meet other families on social media going through the same situation.

This made her confident that he would pull through.

'When it finally got to his first birthday we wanted to make it as special as possible but obviously didn't want to overwhelm him,' she said.

'We kept it very small and with immediate family only due to cold season. We had a lovely dinner and some cake at our home.'

Leovani also got to have a family day out at Chuck E Cheese, complete with cupcakes.

'His favorite part was the cupcake,' Ms Vera said. 'I had to take some away from him because he wouldn't stop eating it.

'Seeing him celebrate his first birthday was like a full circle for me.'

'Leovani is my miracle, and I am just over the moon to be able to say he's a happy and healthy one-year-old.'
Sitting next to someone with a hacking cough on a crowded plane or train, hearing the friend you had a drink with last night has since tested positive for Covid, or your child's schoolfriend has thrown up in the classroom, most of us fear the worst and wonder if, or simply just when, we'll come down with the same lurgy.

With the winter flu and vomiting bug seasons well underway, Covid infections still circling  and now news of measles outbreaks  it might seem inevitable that you're going to get ill with one of them.

Or, we come down with a bug and try to work out 'whose fault it was'  a kind of blame game that's often seen in homes and workplaces alike. But not all infections spread as easily as others.

This depends on the interplay of factors, including how robust the infected person's immune system is and the incubation period, i.e. the number of days it takes for symptoms to appear after someone is infected with a virus.

You catch cold or flu by inhaling particles of the virus, usually in a droplet of mucus from someone who is infected, via coughs or sneezes  but also from touching surfaces that have been contaminated, says Professor Eccles

But one of the most important factors is the pathogen's reproduction rate (or R rate), a measure of how contagious it is, based on the average number of secondary infections one person causes.

An R rate of 1 means that on average every person who is infected will infect one other person.

Interestingly, two of the most infectious diseases of all are measles (caused by a virus, morbillivirus) and whooping cough (caused by a bacterium, Bordetella pertussis), with the highest R rates  15-20 and 15-17 respectively. This means one infected person can infect up to 20 others with measles, and up to 17 for whooping cough.

This is why the current measles outbreaks in Birmingham and London are causing such concern, as nine in ten people who've been in a room with someone infected will catch it if they don't have immunity either from past exposure or from vaccination.

At the other end of the spectrum, tuberculosis (TB), one of the deadliest infectious diseases, has an R rate in the UK of less than 1 (although higher in other parts of the world where it's more prevalent), which means an infected person is unlikely to infect someone else  you'd need prolonged close contact to catch it, not just sitting next to someone on a bus, for instance.

Bugs that spread well have certain characteristics that help them do this. For example, the bacterium that leads to whooping cough causes a cough for six to ten weeks, to maximise its spreading potential.

Also unique to each bug is its incubation period  with some infections (e.g. common cold) you will notice symptoms within a few days after exposure, but with others it can take several weeks for any symptoms to appear. For instance, measles and chickenpox (caused by the varicella-zoster virus) have an incubation period of up to three weeks.

Most viruses infect us via the same mechanism. Whether they enter through nasal passages, orally or via the skin, they get into cells and hijack the machinery to aid replication. They then burst out and travel around to infect more cells

Whether or not an infected person is contagious during the incubation period depends on the type of infection  with measles and chickenpox, for example, the individual may be unaware they are infected and could be spreading the viral droplets to others for weeks before their own symptoms appear.

'It's not clear why some have a longer incubation period than others, but it's probably because they are evading the immune system,' says Ron Eccles, an emeritus professor and former director at the Common Cold Centre at Cardiff University.

'A range of factors will affect whether you catch an infection or not, including how much of the virus the person you are in contact with is 'shedding' at that moment; whether you are in an enclosed space or not; the temperature and humidity of the environment (for instance, cold viruses survive better in humid conditions)  and if you have immunity, as well as your age, general health and genes.'

Most viruses infect us via the same mechanism. Whether they enter through nasal passages, orally or via the skin, they get into cells and hijack the machinery to aid replication. They then burst out and travel around to infect more cells, explains Professor Eccles.

READ MORE: My 11-month-old son was rushed to hospital with measles - I want the MMR vaccine to be offered before the age of one Advertisement

'It's at this stage that your immune system starts to detect the virus. In the first stage, the white cells will release peroxide chemicals that can damage or ingest the pathogens, but after five to ten days you start to produce antibodies that are specific to the virus which clear the body of the infection.

'It's this response that starts to generate symptoms, such as feeling shivery and hot: these are signs the body is trying to fight off the infection,' he says.

Genetic factors may also play a part in whether you catch an infection and develop symptoms, adds Professor Sheena Cruickshank, an immunologist at the University of Manchester.

'In studies where people are exposed to common viruses such as the common cold under laboratory conditions, some people don't catch the viruses, whereas others become seriously ill,' she says. 'This is down to how efficient your immune system is and our genetics.

'Also, the more immune you are to the pathogen, the less likely you are to be a good host for that virus to replicate and then spread to other people  which is an argument for vaccination; you're not just protecting yourself, but others, too.'

We asked leading experts for the low down on the 'catchability' of some of the most common infections and how best to protect yourself.

MEASLES

WHAT IS IT: Caused by a virus, morbillivirus, this is very infectious and causes flu-like symptoms initially, and then a red, blotchy rash on the skin.

SPREADABILITY: The R rate (how contagious it is, based on the average number of secondary infections one person causes) is 15 to 20.

The measles virus spreads easily via droplets in coughs and sneezes (this is different from chicken pox, which can also get into skin particles that form a fine dust that is spread through the atmosphere).

The measles virus is airborne and you can catch it even two hours after an infected person has left the room.

INCUBATION PERIOD (how long it takes for symptoms to appear once infected): Seven to 18 days. On average, symptoms such as a cough, fever and runny or red eyes begin after ten to 12 days  these symptoms can look very similar to a common cold.

Three to five days after that, a skin rash will appear. 'The measles rash usually starts behind the ears and spreads along the hairline and down the body,' explain Dr Samira Neshat, a consultant critical care paediatrician at the Royal London Hospital in London and the private HCA The Portland Hospital for Women and Children.

This delayed response is because it takes time for immune cells to bind to the virus and they become stuck in the skin  'this is when spots appear', says Professor Eccles.

HOW LONG ARE YOU INFECTIOUS? You can shed the virus and infect others from four days prior to the rash starting, to four days after the rash appears.

Dr Neshat says measles can be a scary disease unless you are vaccinated, or have immunity, because 30 per cent of people can develop complications such as severe diarrhoea and middle ear infection  and more serious complications such as encephalitis (an infection of the brain), which can prove fatal. 'It's so important to get your child vaccinated as full vaccination with two shots is 97 per cent effective against it.'

COMMON COLD AND FLU

WHAT IS IT: There are hundreds of different cold viruses  around 200, half of them are rhinoviruses ('rhino' means of the nose, and they are spread by respiratory droplets). There are more than 60 flu viruses  the four main strains are A, B, C and D; seasonal flu is caused by A and B strains, which mutate each year.

SPREADABILITY: R rate for both is 1 to 2 but can vary.

Cold and flu viruses spread easily; you'll probably have more colds in your lifetime than any other disease. 'This is because colds generally cause a mild illness and people go to work and school and keep spreading the viruses,' says Professor Eccles. 'Flu viruses are slightly more contagious as there are new ones every year, so you won't have immunity to them and, as a result, they have more chance of successfully taking hold.

'You catch cold or flu by inhaling particles of the virus, usually in a droplet of mucus from someone who is infected, via coughs or sneezes  but also from touching surfaces that have been contaminated with these droplets (the viruses can survive for a few hours outside the body) and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes,' adds Professor Eccles.

'The viruses can attach to cells at the back of the nose, and that's where you'll often get the first signs of infection  a sore or tickly throat, for instance.

'While flu virus is slightly more infectious than a cold virus, the problem with colds is they cause a relatively mild illness and don't provoke a strong antibody response, so you may catch the same virus again after a few weeks.'

INCUBATION PERIOD: 12 hours to three days of becoming infected with either type of infection.

HOW LONG ARE YOU INFECTIOUS? Up to 14 days after symptoms start, or even 1-2 days before. You are most infectious in the first three days of symptoms starting, then gradually less so as your immune system response kicks in.

'Technically you can be infected and have no symptoms and still spread it  but this is unusual,' says Professor Eccles.

NOROVIRUS

WHAT IS IT: Also known as the winter vomiting bug, this is a highly contagious virus, causing vomiting and diarrhoea. It can spread rapidly through households, hospital wards, care home and schools.

SPREADABILITY: R rate is 1.1 to 7.2.

It only takes less than 100 particles to make you sick, and people shed billions in their stools and vomit. It is airborne, so you can become infected by breathing it in, but also from infected food and water and contaminated surfaces (it can live on hard surfaces for 12 hours; soft surfaces such as carpets for up to 12 days).

INCUBATION PERIOD: 12 to 48 hours.

HOW LONG ARE YOU INFECTIOUS? The NHS says you are still infectious for 48 hours after your symptoms have stopped; but some studies suggest you can still spread it after several weeks.

The reason norovirus is so infectious is that it has so many methods of transmission and lingers for some time outside the body, says Professor Cruickshank.

'It can spread easily as sometimes people don't realise it's airborne, and that if you don't put the loo cover down, for instance, virus particles will be in the air and can be breathed in or contaminate nearby surfaces.

'It also mutates every year and some strains are very good at evading the immune system, have higher replication rates and are better at getting into cells.'

COVID-19

WHAT IS IT: An infectious disease caused by the SARS-Cov-2 virus. It can latch on to cells all around the body, causing a wide range of symptoms, from a continuous cough and shortness of breath, to gut problems such as diarrhoea and vomiting.

Despite Covid-19 spreading easily, Professor Kucharski says: 'There is a lot more immunity in the population now, because of vaccination and from catching the virus previously, so it will generally cause a milder illness than in 2020.'

SPREADABILITY: R rate is 1.9 to 3.9.

Like many viruses, Covid spreads easily via tiny droplets in coughs and sneezes  and to a lesser extent, touching an infected surface (the virus loses its infectiousness in six to 12 hours on surfaces, says Professor Eccles).

While it's a respiratory infection primarily, this virus has the ability to attach to receptors throughout the body.

Adam Kucharski, a professor of infectious disease epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, says the reason Covid spread so effectively was that people were infectious before they developed symptoms  and that's still the case.

'From a virus transmission point of view, that works in the virus's favour as you have a whole bunch of people shedding a lot of the virus unaware that they are infectious.

'People might worry when they hear someone with a lingering cough in a public space, but by that stage it might be the tail end of their infection and the amount of virus coming out  if any  is lower.'

He adds that if one person is infected, the real-world risk of someone else in their household becoming infected is around 25 per cent.

INCUBATION PERIOD: 2 to 14 days. 'People seem to be developing symptoms much more quickly now, within two days in some cases,' says Professor Eccles.

HOW LONG ARE YOU INFECTIOUS? This varies depending on the quality and quantity of immunity you have (e.g. from vaccination or prior infection)  some people are no longer infectious after five days, but others can be infectious up to ten days, according to the NHS.

Danny Altmann, a professor of infectious diseases at Imperial College London, says that since the pandemic started four years ago, the Covid virus has changed. New variants have got better at spreading between cells in the body and better at evading our antibodies.

The latest Covid variant JN.1 is 'magnificently better' than the variant of six months ago, in terms of its ability to get into cells and the speed of spreading between them, he adds.

Despite it spreading easily, however, Professor Kucharski says: 'There is a lot more immunity in the population to Covid now, because of vaccination and from catching the virus previously, so it will generally cause a milder illness than in 2020.'

WHOOPING COUGH

WHAT IS IT: Caused by a bacterium, Bordetella pertussis, it affects the lungs and airways, causing a cough that can last up to ten weeks.

SPREADABILITY: R rate is 15 to 17.

The bacteria sit in the cilia hairs inside the nose and spread easily through the air via sneezing and coughing.

INCUBATION PERIOD: 5 to 10 days.

HOW LONG ARE YOU INFECTIOUS? Cold-like symptoms start after the incubation period. Two weeks later, these can worsen into coughing fits (followed by a whooping sound as you gasp for air).

You are infectious from six days after becoming infected, when the flu/cold-like symptoms begin until three weeks after the coughing fits start. You can have symptoms for up to ten weeks, but not necessarily still be infectious. Treatment includes antibiotics and earlier treatment can reduce the severity of the coughing fits.

Dr Neshat says: 'It's not always obvious if someone has whooping cough in the early stages. It can appear to be nothing more than the common cold. The main difference is that, in babies, it can cause apnoea, which are life-threatening pauses in breathing. Babies in the UK are vaccinated at eight weeks against whooping cough routinely and this is the best way to get protection.'
Colorado is set to become America's third 'suicide tourism' destination under a new bill being considered by the state's senate.

Assisted dying is already legal in Colorado, but the new bill would allow terminally ill people from anywhere in the US to travel to Colorado to end their lives  similar to laws already in place in Oregon and Vermont.

The bill would also give the green light for anyone approved to end their lives to do so within 48 hours of the request  rather than the 15 days currently required for Coloradans.

Campaigners have previously raised concerns over suicide tourism, warning doctors 'hardly know' the patients to whom they are prescribing it to.

Oregon is now seeing a record number of people ending their lives in the state, after it became America's first suicide tourism destination in 2022

Among those using the measure to end their lives was Lynda Bluestein, 76, from Connecticut, who was diagnosed with terminal cancer. She died this year in Vermont after the state changed its laws to allow those from out-of-state to use its assisted dying provisions

Eight of the nine states that allow assisted dying are Democrat-led, as well as both states that allow people from other states to come to them to end their lives.

Oregon became the first 'suicide tourism' destination in the US in 2022.

Official figures show that since then at least three people have traveled to the state to end their lives.

But experts say this figure is likely a huge underestimate because the vast majority of assisted dying prescriptions do not record a person's residency address.

At the same time, the number of people using assisted dying in Oregon has hit a record high  with 431 prescriptions for the measure written in 2022.

This was up 12 percent on the previous year and double the number from five years ago.

Of those who were prescriped assisted dying in 2022, a total of 278 followed through with the measure to end their lives.

The rest may not have either because they changed their minds or because they died before they could use the provision.

There is no data yet on the number of people traveling to Vermont to end their lives.

Among those traveling from other states to Vermont was Lynda Bluestein, a 76-year-old from Connecticut with a terminal cancer diagnosis  who lobbied Vermont to ease its out-of-state restrictions on assisted dying.

She traveled to Vermont to end her life this month, with her husband Paul describing his wife's final moments as 'comfortable and peaceful'.

He said her last words were: 'I'm so happy I don't have to do this [suffer] anymore.'

Colorado's new law  dubbed SB 24-068  was proposed by Democrat state senator Joann Ginal at the start of this year.

It has been referred to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, which will start considering the move in late February.

The bill still has a long path to become law, needing to clear the committee and votes in the Senate before also passing votes in the House. It will also need to be signed into law by Democrat Governor Jared Polis.

Only about a third of beneficiaries said they were worried about a lack of 'pain control.' A worrying 17 patients said they were ending their lives because they were worried about medical bills piling up.

In total, there have been 203 reportable events in the state since they first legalized it in 2013, with 73 percent of the people who chose to die because they had cancer

Colorado first approved assisted dying in 2016 in a statewide public vote.

Under the current provision, someone must be from within the state and two physicians must agree an adult is mentally competent to make the decision to end their life and has six months to live.

They must also make the request twice at least 15 days apart before being prescribed the lethal cocktail of drugs.

If the new law is passed, Colorado could also become at least the third state to reduce the waiting time to 48 hours  after California also reduced the waiting time in 2022. Oregon doctors can also waive the 15-day waiting period if a patient is likely to die before this period ends.

But campaign groups are starting to raise concerns over making access to assisted dying provisions easier.

The executive director of the campaign group Oregon Right to Life, Lois Anderson, said last year doctors were increasingly writing prescriptions for patients they had only known for a few days.

'The physicians providing these deadly prescriptions hardly know their patients and are often abandoning them in the last moments of their lives,' they said.

'They have increasingly become absent even when the lethal drugs are ingested. That's not care. That's churning people through the "Death with Dignity" machine.'

Anita Cameron, 57, said her mother was given just six months to live by doctors when she was diagnosed with a terminal lung disease. But the mother-of-four ignored doctors and lived another 12 years and ten months

The co-executive director of the Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, Julie Reiskin, also suggested that speeding up the timeline could result in people deciding to die when they are despairing over a diagnosis.

Ms Reiskin, speaking to the Denver Post, revealed her own experience  saying that when she first became disabled she thought she would rather die than use a wheelchair.

But over time, she added, she has found life as fulfilling as ever. She said: 'That just feels way too fast.'

In another case, a mother-of-four with a terminal lung disease revealed how she lived for nearly 12 more years after doctors said she would barely survive six months.

Alice Bozeman, now aged 72 years and from Colorado, had ignored the suggestions in 2009 saying she was 'too ornery to die'. Ornery means stubborn, bad-tempered or combative, according to the Oxford English dictionary.

'I'm just so thankful,' her daughter Anita Cameron told DailyMail.com. 'We wouldn't have had 11 years and ten months more of my mom, to see her grandkids get married and have kids.'

The daughter worries America is now racing toward a Canadian-style euthanasia free-for-all situation where people with as little as hearing loss can opt to end their lives.

Supporters of assisted suicide schemes say, however, that they help some desperately sick people end their suffering.

Data shows most of the people who choose to end their lives are over 65 years old and suffering from cancer, heart disease or brain disease.

Another 18 states are considering legalizing assisted dying this year  including Tennessee, which could become the first Republican bastion to pass the measure.
Francesco Covucci, left, and Peter Fazio, have a deal in place to purchase San Franciscos North Beach Restaurant. They dont expect to change much of the iconic eatery. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

The original proprietors of San Franciscos iconic North Beach Restaurant said last year that they planned to shutter the Italian eatery after nearly 50 years in business  unless a new owner stepped up to carry on its traditions into the next half century.

Fortunately for the restaurants longtime patrons and aficionados, a pair of willing buyers has emerged.

Restaurateur Francesco Covucci and his business partner Peter Fazio confirmed to the Chronicle that they are under contract to purchase North Beach Restaurant from Leo Petroni, the son of Lorenzo Petroni, one of the restaurants late founders.

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The partners declined to disclose the purchase price as the transaction has not yet closed. However, Petroni sought roughly $4.5 million for the restaurants assets and the 6,400-square-foot, 1920s-era building that houses it at 1512 Stockton St. Santino DeRose and Catherine Meunier of Maven Commercial brokered the transaction.

Covucci  who, along with Fazio, co-owns Il Casaro Pizzeria, Barbara Pinseria and the California Fish Market in North Beach, a second Il Casaro location at 235 Church St., as well as Casaro Osteria, which opened its doors in Cow Hollow last year  said that the acquisition of North Beach Restaurant will complete the partners package of restaurants with a more formal and elegant concept and a full menu.

We dont want to change much, said Covucci, adding that North Beach Restaurant will retain its name and even several signature dishes from its original menu. The plan, though, is to bring in a new chef to work on updating it. The partners also want to spruce up the restaurant space with the help of an interior designer.

Just like North Beach Restaurantss late Tuscan founders, Lorenzo Petroni and Bruno Orsi, Covucci and Fazio are Italian immigrants who settled in San Francisco decades ago.

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Fazio and Covucci both hail from Calabria, Italy. Fazio immigrated to the city as a teenager in 1952, and opened his home to Covucci when he arrived two decades ago.

Fazio started his career operating a newspaper stand at Polk and Washington streets, before getting a job at Buchanan Market at 2131 Buchanan St., which he eventually acquired with a partner.

In 1986, Fazio sold the building and the business and made a foray into real estate, building a small empire of apartment buildings in the city, which he sold in the early 2000s.

Fazio and Covucci opened their first restaurant together in 2005 at 550 Green St., which is now known as the California Fish Market.

The elder Petroni, who opened North Beach Restaurant in 1970 with Orsi, was, as his son put it, relentless in his pursuit of the American dream. Lorenzo Petroni worked his way up from dishwasher to renowned restaurateur. He ran the restaurants front of the house for decades, famously rubbing shoulders with businessmen and politicians  like former San Francisco Mayors Willie Brown and George Moscone  and serving generations of San Franciscan families.

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The younger Petroni, who most recently led North Beach Restaurant, told the Chronicle last year that his fathers death in 2014 was the end of an era for the business, which also struggled to recover from the pandemic.

Its new proprietors agreed that it is a challenging time to operate a restaurant in the city, but said that they are hopeful that North Beach Restaurants legacy will help sustain the business in years to come, despite the headwinds.
Whistleblowers have blamed a bad working culture and staff shortages for leading to avoidable baby deaths at an NHS trust.

Cheltenham Birth Centre, a midwife-led birthing unit, has been accused of serious failings which may have contributed to the deaths of two newborns.

Jasper White died in July 2019 and Margot Bowtell the following May after complications during delivery.

In the event of an emergency, mothers being cared for at the unit were taken to Gloucester Royal Hospital.

But a BBC Panorama report says two midwives did not transfer their patients quickly enough, and that this may have been linked to the babies' deaths.

Cheltenham Birth Centre, a midwife-led birthing unit, has been accused of serious failings which may have contributed to the deaths of two newborns.

The graphic shows the NHS trusts in England that have logged the biggest drop in midwives between September 2022 and July 2023  the latest data available. Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust has seen its midwife workforce drop 12.8 per cent over this nine-month period, while Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust has 8.8 per cent fewer staff compared to 10 months earlier, NHS workforce data shows

It comes just weeks after Victoria Atkins vowed to improve maternity services, admitting she experienced 'the darker corners of the NHS' when expecting her son as she vowed to improve maternity services.

Speaking at a Woman's Health Summit, the Health Secretary said she was determined to stop women 'facing the fear' she endured when about to give birth in 2011.

Laura Harvey, Margot's mother, had two bleeds while in labour and twice asked to be transferred to Gloucester Hospital but paramedics only arrived when she made her third request.

When Margot was born she was not breathing and was transferred to Bristol, where she died three days later.

Her parents told Panorama a Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch (HSIB) report into her death concluded that if she had been transferred from the birthing unit to the hospital sooner, Margot could have lived.

Timeline of the NHS maternity scandals A swathe of scandals have hit NHS maternity care. An inquiry into failings at Morecambe Bay NHS Trust  where 11 babies and one mother suffered avoidable deaths  found a group of midwives' overzealous pursuit of natural childbirth had 'led at times to inappropriate and unsafe care'. The investigation report, published in March 2015, revealed 20 'serious and shocking' major failures had occurred between 2004 and 2013. An October 2021 report revealed that a third of stillborn babies may have survived if there were not serious mistakes at Llantrisant's Royal Glamorgan and Merthyr Tydfil's Prince Charles hospitals in south Wales. The inquiry was launched in 2019 after the maternity services at Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board were put into special measures. Another probe into Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Trust, led by midwifery expert Donna Ockenden, found that 300 babies had died or been left brain-damaged due to 'repeated errors in care'. The two-year investigation, published in March 2022, highlighted staffing and training gaps as well as midwives being determined to keep caesarean section rates low as causes of some deaths. Another report published in October 2022 exposed the failures of two hospitals which are part of East Kent Hospitals Trust. It revealed there were 12 cases where a baby suffered brain damage due to getting insufficient oxygen, but there could have been a different outcome had the baby received better care. An investigation at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, which started in September 2022, is looking into 1,700 similar cases. A final report is due in 2024. Already reports claim there were dozens of deaths, stillbirths and babies left with brain damaged after mistakes. Nottinghamshire police announced in September 2023 that they are launched a criminal probe into failings. Advertisement

Meanwhile a midwife, known as Michelle, said she sounded the alarm over two midwives who had been caring for Ms Harvey and Margot some 11 months previously.

The pair had also been caring for Jasper and his mother.

Laura White, Jasper's mother, told Panorama Jasper's health deteriorated within minutes of him being born at the centre.

There was a 50-minute delay in transferring him to the neonatal unit in Gloucester and he died 11 hours after he was born, according to the programme.

A HSIB investigation into his death found a total delay of almost 90 minutes between when Jasper was first unwell and his arrival at hospital. But investigators said they could not be sure if the delay contributed to his death.

Michelle told Panorama she reported concerns to hospital management following Jasper's death and again after Margot's.

The Cheltenham Birth Centre is currently only used for antenatal appointments.

The Panorama report also claimed that in the first six months of 2023, the trust was short of more than 50 midwifery staff on average.

Midwifery staff told Panorama that maternity management at the trust had, at one point, discouraged them from formally reporting staffing concerns as there was 'no point... because we can't do anything about it'.

In a statement, Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: 'We are deeply sorry that failings in our care led to these tragic deaths and how devastating this has been for those families.

'We are determined to learn and change when things go wrong. As a result of our internal and independent investigations we have made significant improvements to our maternity services in the past three years.

'We have a new and expanded maternity leadership team and have increased the number of midwives and doctors into the service to support women and babies, alongside a range of other safety improvements, including an enhanced risk assessment process and extra daily staffing reviews on wards.

'The significant changes made have been driven by our staff, working closely with families and communities, to ensure everyone has a voice so that we provide the best and safest care.'

The trust said that the number of midwives has increased from 243 in 2020 to 264 in December 2023.

It follows a litany of maternity failures including Shrewsbury and Telford and East Kent NHS Trusts, with a record number of services now failing to meet safety standards.

The Care Quality Commission found some 65 per cent are now rated 'inadequate' or 'require improvement' for safety.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: 'We're committed to making sure every mother receives the highest quality maternity care. We are backing the NHS with billions in funding, including for more nurses and midwives.

'As of October 2023, there are 23,154 full-time equivalent midwives working in NHS trusts and other core NHS organisations in England. This is almost 20 per cent more than in 2010.'

Sarah and Tom Richford with their son Harry who died seven days after he was born in November 2017 at the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital in Margate. East Kent Hospitals admitted failing to provide safe care for the mother and baby and was fined 733,000 in 2021. A 2022 probe into the trust revealed dozens of babies and mothers died or were injured during childbirth

Richard Stanton and Rhiannon Davies, pictured at their home in Hereford. Their daughter Kate died moments after she was born on March 1, 2009 at Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Trust. Her death was later found to have been avoidable. An inquiry into the trust found that 300 babies had died or been left brain-damaged due to 'repeated errors in care'

An NHS England spokesperson said: 'While the NHS has made improvements to maternity services over the last decade, there is much more to do to improve the experiences of women and their families across the country.

'The NHS will also continue to work closely with trusts to implement the NHS three-year delivery plan for maternity and neonatal services, including recommendations from recent maternity reviews, to ensure safer, more personalised and equitable maternity care for all women, babies and families.'

Kate Terroni, deputy chief executive at the Care Quality Commission, added: 'We know that many women receive good, safe maternity care, but sadly that's not everyone's experience.

'At some NHS hospital trusts we have found that issues such as the quality of staff training; poor risk assessment; and a failure to engage with, learn from and listen to the needs of women are still impacting on the safety of services, and we have been clear with those hospitals where action must be taken.

'The increased national focus on maternity safety is both welcome and crucial to improvement, but as we highlighted in our 2022/23 State of Care report - we are yet to see the progress needed and current ratings show too many maternity units where there is more to do.

'Safe, high-quality maternity care for all is not an ambitious or unrealistic goal. It should be the minimum expectation for women and babies - and is what staff working in maternity services across the country want to provide.

'It's not acceptable that maternity safety is still so far from where it needs to be. As a healthcare system, we need to do better for women and for babies.'
Thirty-four years. That's how long I spent going back and forth to see various doctors, during which time my symptoms  including agonising 'electric currents' that shot through my thighs, muscle weakness in my legs, hearing loss, constant fatigue and pain  were regularly trivialised or dismissed.

As time went by I also developed crippling irritable bowel syndrome that became so bad I didn't want to go out. But still it was repeatedly implied that the real symptoms I experienced were down to anxiety, depression or, worse, I was imagining or exaggerating the problems.

'Responds well to reassurance,' it says in my medical notes, implying that all I needed was a comforting pat on the head. When I was in my early 30s, one female doctor even said, 'Have you ever considered just growing up?'.

Having first felt unwell in my teens, it wasn't until 2016, when I was 48, having gone through this scenario time and time again, that I discovered my symptoms were all due to a progressive genetic condition that would have been present since birth. By the time I found this out I was getting so used to being repeatedly told that my 'ill health' was all in my head that I was starting to question whether that might be the case.

There's a term for this  medical gaslighting  and it's more common than you might think.

Being constantly dismissed for your very real symptoms can have its own very real effects.

Phillippa Lee started feeling unwell in her teens - but was repeatedly fobbed off by doctors

In 2014, as I sat in front of yet another specialist and recounted my painful and embarrassing medical problems for the umpteenth time, I felt such a sense of dread about the belittling comments that might soon come my way that I started sweating and waves of nausea swept over me. I even felt tears building up.

Two years later, as I ran for a bus, my legs failed me, like I was wading through wet cement. I made an urgent appointment to see my GP, who referred me to a specialist neurological hospital where a young registrar noted my exaggerated reflexes (when my knee was lightly tapped my leg jumped), my shaking and the muscle tightness in my legs.

Six months later, following a barrage of tests, I was finally told that I have hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP), a rare form of motor neurone disease.

It is a genetic disorder; a mutation in my DNA causes some of the nerves between my brain and spinal cord to die.

The nerve signals that move my limbs and keep my bladder and digestive system in order, as well as my hearing, are getting 'scrambled', like a phone connection where the line keeps breaking up.

The symptoms include muscle stiffness and weakness, spasms, and problems with the bladder, bowel and swallowing.

I left the hospital after receiving my diagnosis feeling shaken and scared, but I was relieved  this was not all in my head.

I knew something was not right in my teens, but it was when I became pregnant with my daughter aged 21 that my lower back, neck and legs started causing me significant pain, often bad enough to stop me sleeping.

After I gave birth my symptoms got worse. Every time I exercised I would get severe muscle cramps, feel faint or have flu-like symptoms. My work as a writer was suffering, as I was constantly exhausted and couldn't concentrate due to chronic pain and 'brain fog'.

My hearing was going, even though I hadn't hit 30, which left me feeling isolated and frustrated. By the age of 28, I needed hearing aids. But still I was fobbed off at each medical appointment.

In 2013, I was in Hawaii about to do a bucket-list trek through the rainforest, and a photo of me in a bikini there showed that my left calf muscle looked shrunken compared with my well-toned right leg. This time my GP seemed concerned and sent me for an MRI and to see a neurologist.

When I walked in, the neurologist was sat imperiously behind his desk, a medical student hovering at the back of the room.

The neurologist asked for my medical history  back pain ('Immaterial,' he announced); neck pain ('irrelevant'); my mum's possible multiple sclerosis (only 'possible', as a diagnosis back in the 1980s relied on a lumbar puncture, often an inconclusive test anyway  the neurologist arched his eyebrow at this); moderate deafness (he leaned forward like a predatory hawk  'You don't seem very deaf').

I showed him my hearing aids and carried on . . . depression . . . 'Ah!'  he exchanged a knowing nod with the student. The MRI revealed 'focal atrophy' (wasting) of the calf muscle, but the medics had no explanation for it, except that I must have had a crush injury of the leg at some point.

I told the neurologist that I hadn't, but he stabbed the desk with his pen and repeated that I must have. I left feeling like a fraud. I wish I'd reported him, but I was nervous I wouldn't be believed.

Three years later would come the diagnosis  but even then, I felt cut adrift and abandoned.

I left hospital with no information leaflet or any insight into what might come next, beyond a follow-up appointment in a year.

I did what you aren't meant to do and Googled my condition. It is incurable, degenerative and progressive; there is no way to know what my prognosis will be.

It was like a form of bereavement, and I began to go through the 'five stages of grief'.

What's more, the trivialisation and dismissal didn't stop with the diagnosis. Several years ago, I saw a different neurologist who, on reading my notes, said, 'Hereditary spastic paraplegia? You evidently aren't paraplegic!' I responded by asking if he'd like me to have the name of the disease changed.

I wish the neurologist I saw in 2013 could see me now.

My walking and balance have become precarious and I have a high risk of falls. I have chronic pain due to muscle spasms and nerve damage, as well as mild cognitive problems affecting concentration; my hands and arms are now impacted; and I can choke easily due to trouble swallowing.

I can only walk safely for short distances  I rely on crutches and a powered wheelchair.

The treatment for HSP only involves management of the symptoms, as there is no cure . . . yet. But I now have an incredible team of clinicians and I'm grateful for those who take me seriously.

I understand that it's frustrating for doctors to have seemingly 'unfixable' patients, and I doubt that the 'gaslighting' is always deliberate, but it needs addressing.

I now give talks to medical students as a rare patient voice  hopefully things will change with a new generation of doctors.

Yet those previous experiences haunt me. I still get nervous before appointments, forever expecting to be called out as a 'fake' when I'm anything but.

Tomorrow on Mail+: How to tell if your doctor is gaslighting you
A special Lamborghini Diablo custom built for Donald Trump almost 30 years ago has sold at auction for five times the car's estimated value.

The limited edition 1997 Diablo VT Roadster - one of just 132 made for the US market - sold at the weekend for a staggering $1.1million (870,000) at a Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale Arizona.

Having Mr Trump, 77, as the first keeper in the owner's manual triggered ferocious bidding, which eventually saw the hammer drop at a price well above what experts say the car would be worth without the former president's name associated to it.

Donald Trump's 1997 Diablo sold at auction for $1.1million. That's a lot more than the car's worth without the former POTUS' name associated with it

Donald Trump's famous custom-ordered Lamborghini Diablo VT Roadster is one of only 132 produced for the US and the only to be customised in this blue paint colour. Pictured: Trump in 1995 with a similar car

The auction provided an extremely rare chance to own a piece of automotive and presidential history

Trump made special requests when he ordered his Lambo, including a plaque on the inside of the car door with 'Donald Trump 1997 Diablo' inscribed. On the outside, the vendor has added a 'Trump 2016' motif

The weekend's auction presented an extremely rare chance to own a piece of automotive and presidential history.

The Diablo - a poster supercar of the nineties - was delivered to the former US president in 1997 and even has a 'Donald Trump 1997 Diablo' plaque mounted to the inside of the door.

The Lamborghini has just 15,431 miles on the clock and has had two owners since Mr Trump parted with it in 2002.

The auction house had not set a pre-sale guide price for the Lambo, though there had been an indication of its value based on its last sale figure seven years ago.

When the Italian supercar was purchased by the vendor in 2016, they paid $460,000 (around 360,000 at the time).

However, the sale - which incredibly took place on eBay - happened in September that year, which was four months before his presidency reign began.

As such, we predicted earlier this month that it would far exceed its previous sale price when the gavel dropped over the weekend. And our forecast was correct.

John Mayhead, editor of the Hagerty Price Guide - which measures the value of classic and collectible vehicles based on auction and private sales - said the winning bid is five times what the Diablo VT is worth without a POTUS's name on the history file.

'This car was unusual anyway, being a rare VT Roadster model with just three owners from new and 15,400 miles on the clock,' John told us.

'But the sale price of $1.1million (870,000) is five times the Hagerty Price Guide excellent value of 174,000, meaning Donald Trumps ownership had a huge impact on value.

'Each year, Hagerty publishes the Power List, showing the premium celebrity ownership has on car values.

'This sale puts Trump just below Jay Leno but above Simon Cowell in that list.'

The former president, 77, snapped in 1995 filling up a Lamborghini Diablo - likely loaned from the brand during a partnership - similar to the one he ordered for himself

The Diablo succeeded the fabled Countach which also featured supercar scissor doors

The VT variant of the Diablo arrived in 1995 with four-wheel drive to improve handling and cornering

At the time Donald Trump ordered this very car, he had already formed a special relationship with Lamborghini.

In the late 1990s, the Italian marque provided him with loan Diablos for brand and model promotional purposes.

Lamborghini indulged Trump to uniquely customise his Diablo and make it the standout Donald version.

The Diablo supercar was first introduced in 1993 as the successor to the Lamborghini Countach and was offered as a coupe or as a roadster. The VT (standing for 'Viscous Traction') arrived in 1995.

It stood apart from other Diablos for its all-wheel drive system, which was managed by a viscous centre differential - hence the nameplate.

This was a modified version of the all-wheel-drive setup in Lambo's LM002 SUV.

It was officially the first Lamborghini capable of surpassing 200mph, so is fondly remembered and valued by collectors.

 Slide me  The 1997 Lamborghini Diablo VT Roadster is finished in the brand's 'Blu Le Mans' paint. It was custom built for Trump

The Diablo VT mixes celebrity and supercar culture with the Presidential power - which is why it sold for a figure well above guide price

With a 5.7-litre V12 engine, the Diablo VT was the first Lamborghini to surpass the 200mph mark

Trump enjoyed a special relationship with Lamborghini that allowed him to custom-fit his Diablo

The interior is finished in cream on black leather with a retro CD player and a 5-speed transmission

This scissor-door VT model is powered by a mid-mounted 5.7-litre V12 engine, which produces 492bhp and is linked to a five-speed manual transmission.

Zero to 60mph takes just 4.1 seconds and the top speed is a claimed 202mph.

This VT was one of the rarest derivatives of the first-generation Diablo.

The second-gen version ran from 1999 onwards, with Diablo production ending in 2001.

With the Diablo Lamborghini continued its tradition for naming its cars after fighting bulls; the Diablo takes its name from a legendary bull that battled matador 'El Chicorro' in the 19th century.

The car's manuals, original books, pair of tool bags and rain cover were included in the lot.

History files sold with the cherished motor will likely also include the name of the former POTUS.
Ryanair has reduced its annual profit forecast due to rising fuel costs and the removal of its flights from some online travel agents.

Europe's largest airline now anticipates profits of between 1.85billion (1.58billion) and 1.95billion (1.66billion) for the year ending March, after previously guiding for 1.85billion to 2.05billion.

Although the group reported a strong Christmas and New Year peak trading period, fares were lower than expected as many booking sites, including Booking.com and Kayak, took Ryanair flights off their websites in early December.

Lower guidance: Europe's largest airline now anticipates profits of between 1.85billion (1.58billion) and 1.95billion (1.66billion) for the year ending March

Ryanair welcomed the move, having previously accused the sites, whom it repeatedly called 'pirates,' of overcharging customers, pricing and refund scams, and providing fake contact information.

But it warned last month that the measure would negatively affect short-term fares and load factor - the percentage of seats filled by an airline - as it would be cutting prices to try and boost demand.

The Dublin-based company's total turnover still grew by 17 per cent to 2.7billion in the three months ending December, thanks to passenger traffic and average fares increasing by 7 per cent and 13 per cent, respectively.

Yet this was offset by soaring fuel bills, which climbed by 35 per cent to 1.2billion (1billion), with staff expenses and timing of maintenance also contributing to rising operating costs.

As a result, Ryanair's third-quarter profits plummeted by 93 per cent from 211million the prior year to 15million.

For the current quarter, the group warned sales would be impacted by the 'partial unwind' of free ETS (Emissions Trading Scheme) carbon credits' from the start of January.

In addition, chief executive Michael O'Leary said full-year guidance 'remains heavily dependent upon avoiding unforeseen adverse events,' including the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.

Fellow low-cost airlines EasyJet and Wizz Air suspended flights to Israel following the October 7 attacks and observed demand for travel to Jordan and Egypt slow significantly.

O'Leary also cautioned that Ryanair's results would count on delays in the delivery of new fuel-efficient airplanes as a consequence of extra safety checks.

The company expects to have up to 174 Boeing 737 MAX-8 aircraft, seven fewer than forecasted, by late June, in time for the peak summer season, when it will have 169 new routes on sale.

Ryanair ordered 150 Boeing MAX-10 aeroplanes, with an option for 150 more, in a 32billion deal last year under plans to expand its annual passenger numbers to 300 million by March 2034.

It has told Boeing it would receive delivery of any MAX-10 aircraft cancelled by US airlines 'at the right price.'

Ryanair shares were 2.4 per cent down this morning at 18.35 on the Euronext Dublin exchange.
Superdry revealed it is looking at several ways to cut costs, which could see the troubled retailer close stores and cut jobs.

The Cheltenham-based firm told investors today it was exploring 'the feasibility of various material cost saving options'.

It comes as Sky News reported the group is working with advisers at PwC on a plan which could lead to CVA (company voluntary arrangement) or another form of restructuring.

The Cheltenham-based firm told investors it was exploring 'the feasibility of various material cost saving options'

Such a move could result in store closures and potentially force through rent reductions with landlords.

On Friday, it was revealed Superdry finance boss Shaun Wills will step down at the end of March after the struggling fashion retailer reported a wider half-yearly loss.

The group blamed unusual weather and the cost-of-living crisis for an adjusted pre-tax loss of 25.3million for the six months to 28 October, up from a 13.6million loss last year.

Superdry, known for the Japanese graphics on its t-shirts and hoodies, saw revenues plummet 23.5 per cent to 219.8million over the period.

The business has struggled for some years with weaker sales and profit warnings, partly exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic forcing clothing shops to temporarily shut to customers.

UK retail sales fell by 3.2 per cent in December, the fastest decrease in nearly three years, according to the Office for National Statistics, as Britons bought their Christmas presents early or utilised Black Friday deals.

Superdry was among many companies to endure a problematic festive season, with the group's revenues sinking by 13.7 per cent in the 12 weeks ending 20 January.

Julian Dunkerton, Superdry's founder and chief executive, admitted it had 'clearly been a difficult period,' as he warned the firm 'does not expect market conditions to get any easier in the near-term'.

Superdry shares were up 7 per cent to 17.58p in Monday morning trading.
Ian Taylor: Paid 5,700 in July but was still chasing up his payment five months later

Desperately worried savers are contacting us in droves about huge state pension top-up payments that have gone missing for up to a year.

We highlight ELEVEN cases today of This is Money readers in despair over lost money.

Their tales reveal administrative turmoil in the system run jointly by HMRC and the Department for Work and Pensions.

Retired firefighter Ian Taylor, 65, pictured right, insists he followed instructions to the letter when he transferred 5,700 to HMRC last July.

He condemns the 'sad and inefficient' process which left him still chasing up the payment in December.

Some readers flatly reject the official statement made to us at the end of last year that there is 'no general delay' in the processing of top-ups payments.

'What planet are they living on?' asks one, while another claims: 'It is total chaos and the system is clearly broken.'

Sophia Burke, 63, a financial administrator who paid 4,100 in January last year and whose cheque was cashed the same month, told us: 'I don't know where the money has gone. Into a black hole.'

Retired radiographer Lesley Wood also handed over 3,900 last January, and when she turned 66 in May was shocked to be informed by government staff it could take another whole year for her payments to be processed.

The Government says hundreds of thousands of people have contacted it about top-ups over the past year and the vast majority of payments resulted in records being updated within days, but complex cases including international applications can take longer to resolve.

'We're making good progress on reducing those wait times,' it adds - read its full statement below.

Why are people complaining about top-up delays?

Buying top-ups can give a generous boost to retirement income if you buy the correct years on your record.

Buying state pension top-ups The state pension is currently worth 10,600 a year if you qualify for the full rate, and this will rise to 11,500 next April. Top-up prices are now frozen until April 2025. And you can continue to benefit from a special concession allowing you to fill up or buy extra state pension qualifying years going back to 2006/07, rather than just the typical six years. But it can be hard to work out which years if any will benefit you individually, and the Government itself and other money experts warn you should check with the DWP before handing over your cash. > Read This is Money's guide to buying state pension top-ups.

However, the system was overwhelmed early last year when a rush of buyers jammed phonelines ahead of a crunch deadline - ultimately forcing the Government to extend it twice.

We have covered a string of cases where people paid large sums and waited months for state pension top-ups to be processed, without knowing if they are just in a queue or lost because they receive no receipt or acknowledgement of purchase.

Many readers report long delays to get through on Department for Work and Pensions and HMRC phonelines, getting passed from one department to the next, and receiving no help from staff.

However, in some of the latest cases covered below, staff did give useful information and resolve issues for those experiencing delays.

Our cases today span the whole of last year, with people who bought-tops in October reporting problems now.

The process currently involves contacting the DWP, which checks and tells you which years are worth topping up; obtaining a reference number from HMRC before making a purchase; HMRC taking the payment for extra contributions and then updating National Insurance records; then the DWP recalculating state pension forecasts or payments.

A new online top-ups service has been promised by the spring, which should make the purchase stage easier - though it could create another rush and bigger backlog, as it is unclear so far if the later stages of updating NI records and state pensions will be improved.

The Government says it has extra staff answering phone calls and dealing with correspondence about top-ups.

Former Pensions Minister Steve Webb says: 'It is deeply frustrating for people to hand over large amounts of money into what can seem like a black hole where nothing seems to be happening and no-one can give an answer.'

Webb, who is now a partner at LCP and This is Money's pension columnist, says of the reader experiences we highlight today: 'These cases show delays both with HMRC crediting contributions to accounts and DWP then updating state pension records.'

'Whilst a move to a digital online service could streamline the process, the government needs to make sure that it has the capacity to deal with a potential surge in top-ups.

'There is a risk that if the promised digital service goes ahead it could create a fresh wave of contributions leading to new delays.

There is a risk that if the promised digital service goes ahead it could create a fresh wave of contributions leading to new delays Former Pensions Minister Steve Webb

'It is vital that HMRC and DWP plan ahead and put enough staff in place to make sure that the whole system does not fall over as a result.

'There also need to be improved routes in to HMRC and DWP for people contributing from outside the UK who can find it exceptionally difficult to find out what is going on and who may be excluded from any new digital service if they cannot access it via the Government Gateway system.'

Liberal Democrat Work and Pensions spokesperson, Wendy Chamberlain, says: 'Why this Government can't meet basic standards such as keeping track of tax payer money astounds me.

'If a bank was losing customer money at this rate, they'd be facing a national scandal and investigation. We should expect more from our elected representatives not less.

'These systems must be overhauled, starting with providing a proper receipting system for payments. I called on the Pensions Minister to commit to these reforms earlier this month, and will certainly do so again when I meet with him. There is no excuse for complacency when it comes to losing tax payers' retirement savings.'

Former Pensions Minister Ros Altmann says: 'There is clearly a huge backlog within DWP and the complexity of the state pension system, coupled with the need to liaise with the Treasury on people's records, has caused worrying delays, that have unsettled people.

'I am hoping that this will be resolved, but it is high time there was more coordination between departments so that one place can take charge of this.

'Something as important to people as their state pension  which for many is their only significant income after state pension age  needs to be dealt with efficiently.

'I know that the DWP is trying hard to improve the situation, but clearly your case studies suggest there is lots more work to do.

What to do if your top-ups cash has gone missing Having trouble with top-ups? Email pensionquestions@thisismoney.co.uk Please put STATE PENSION TOP UPS in the subject line. Unfortunately we can't reply to everyone, so it is a good idea to contact your MP too and ask them to help. Find your MP here. Doing this will also raise awareness among politicians about state pension top-up failures, which This is Money readers have kept reporting to us for months.

'I hope that people closest to pension age are being prioritised and receiving attention and responses very quickly, but of course those who are planning ahead also need to know their money is safe.'

Top-ups system is 'sad and inefficient'

'I grow increasingly concerned, given the HMRC's glacial system, that I will reach pension age without having my voluntary NI payments being taken into account,' a retired firefighter from Lancashire told This is Money.

Ian Taylor, 65, paid 5,700 in July but was still chasing up his top-ups five months later. After a call to HMRC in December, he says: 'I had the distinct impression that they could not trace the payment.'

A promised letter did not arrive, but when he rang again in January he found out from a staff member his NI record had been updated.

'She stated that the delay from when I first made the payment at the beginning of July last year was caused by them not knowing where the payment should be allocated!

'In other words, they had received the payment, along with the 18-digit reference number that they themselves had supplied to me, but they hadn't known what to do with it! I double-checked the number when it was given to me and my contemporaneous notes reflect this.

'As to why they didn't make some enquiries about it during the five month period that they had the cash, well that remains a mystery.'

Mr Taylor says it was an 'enormous relief' this 'rather stressful' issue was resolved.

'I'm sure that it will resonate with the experiences of many others,' he says. 'I can only hope that the very many other people who are still affected by this sad and inefficient system achieve a satisfactory resolution soon.'

'It is total chaos and the system is clearly broken'

A couple who live in France say our previous stories about top-up delays are still 'bang on the money' following their experience in October.

Sylvia Popplestone, a 66-year-old retired campsite worker, spent 5,700 on top-ups. Her husband Paul describes 'being sent from pillar to post between the DWP and HMRC and countless hours waiting on the phone or for letters that were promised but never received'.

He went on: 'It is as if the money has disappeared into a black hole. To be fair, the HMRC site did state that it could take up to eight weeks to allocate funds but we are now coming up to 10 weeks.

'The situation is still unchanged, it is total chaos and the system is clearly broken.

'A commercial trading company would no doubt face legal proceedings if they acted in such a way. Clearly this lack of improvement needs bringing to the fore in the most public and shaming way possible.'

When This is Money flagged Mrs Popplestone's case to the Government, we found HMRC had updated her NI record in October, but her state pension increase had not been processed by the DWP by January, though the reason for this remains unclear.

Her state pension has now been increased from 166 a week to the full 203.85, and she will get 415 in arrears.

Paul and Sylvia Popplestone: We were sent from pillar to post between the DWP and HMRC, spent countless hours waiting on the phone, and were promised letters that never arrived

'HMRC are quick to impose fines and interest on late payers'

A retired nurse who bought 4,900 worth of top-ups in May last year told us she was suffering 'stress and frustration' over her missing money.

Kate Martin (name has been changed) says of earlier Government statements that there is no general issue with processing payments: 'What planet are they living on?!'

The 66-year-old from Scotland, who complained to her MP, says of her experience buying top-ups: 'There appears to have been a complete lack of proper administration and communication between HMRC and DWP.

'I was told my payment couldn't be found; I was told it had been deposited into the wrong account; I was told HMRC would inform DWP and my pension would be increased. I have checked online and have never received official confirmation that my payment was received by HMRC. It seems that telephoning or writing letters gets me nowhere.'

She adds: 'HMRC are very quick to impose fines and interest charges on those who are late in making payments to them. I trust there will be a reciprocal compensation for me for losing the use of nearly 5,000.

'Further, this whole saga has been worrying and stressful - as a minimum, a letter of apology would be appreciated.

This is Money says state pension top-ups are in dire need of an overhaul by DWP and HMRC This is Money has made calls to action to fix chaos in top-ups system. 1) Create one state pension top-ups department, under one boss, that deals with the entire top-ups process from start to finish, whether online or offline. 2) Find out where the current worst delays are happening, which would be easier if there weren't two departments that can blame each other, and then sort out the bottlenecks. 3) Revamp the call centre operation so people who ring up about top-ups receive help with their problem, by introducing an effective filtering system so all queries are dealt with, while the most serious issues are sent up the line. 4) Do a sweep for the oldest complaints about top-ups, however intractable they might look, and get a trouble-shooting team onto them. > THIS IS MONEY COMMENT: Older people need a competent department to handle state pension issues

'There is something seriously wrong with a system if the public have to involve their members of parliament to help resolve difficulties in what is essentially a simple administrative process.'

Ms Martin's top-ups were still not processed and This is Money was continuing to urge HMRC and the DWP to sort out her case as we went to press.

'I was told the money had gone missing'

While his first top-up payment of 7,300 made in February vanished, a later one of 1,800 in September was processed correctly, according to a 65-year-old delivery driver from Hertfordshire.

John Davies (whose name has been changed) got in touch to say: 'I have rung them three times in July, September and December and on each call been told my case was being referred to a 'back office' but nothing has happened.'

Of his December call, he says: 'I was told the money had gone missing and would have to be traced. I am becoming quite stressed about the situation.'

After we intervened, his payment was found.

'I don't know where the money has gone. Into a black hole'

Sophia Burke, 63, paid 4,100 for state pension top-ups last January, and her cheque was cashed that month.

The financial administrator from the Isle of Man says: 'I don't know where the money has gone. Into a black hole.'

When she spoke to the DWP's Pension Service a year on, she was told most of her money would be used to boost her state pension record by a further 13 years, and she would receive 1,170 back. She has now got her refund.

'It's not fair. They have got our money'

A retired radiographer and medical data administrator who lives on the Wirral also waited a year to get her payment sorted out.

Lesley Wood said of her 3,900 worth of state pension top-ups paid in January 2023: 'These have still not been credited on my account. When I paid them I was told they would be credited within six to eight weeks. I started to receive my old age pension in May 2023.'

When she phoned up at around the time she turned 66, Mrs Wood was shocked to be told it could take another year for her money to be processed.

She says: 'I am in a position where I can wait but some people might struggle. It's not fair. They have got our money.'

After This is Money intervened, HMRC updated Mrs Wood's NI record this month, and she has received a boost to her state pension from 176 to 199 and arrears of 900.

'After two years of hell, I have given up expecting anything from the UK'

A freelance musician says she has spent the past two years struggling to find out information about top-ups and get them paid and processed from Portugal, as a necessary first step to claiming her other pensions from Canada, Italy and France.

Angela West (name has been changed) paid 7,000 for top-ups eight months ago, and says she was finally informed in December they had been added to her state pension record.

But she is still lacking the vital document confirming this, because she cannot access her state pension details online from overseas.

The 66-year-old told us: 'Currently, I have no income. Frankly, after two years of hell, I have given up expecting anything from the UK.

'That has totally paralysed my other pension funds from being accessed.'

The DWP said a state pension forecast was issued in mid-December. However, Ms West had still not received it by the end of January, and This is Money has asked for it to be resent.

'I was told not to expect any response for 46 weeks'

Jamie Chaplin, 65, paid nearly 4,700 for top-ups between September 2021 and August 2022, but his efforts to get them processed as he approaches state pension age this spring went nowhere.

'I started my voluntary contribution 'journey' whilst Covid and its consequences were ongoing, and I get it that there will be delays.

'What I find very difficult to understand is why HMRC never communicate properly with people or customers,' says the former policeman and retired security manager, who lives in Thailand.

'Maybe they don't relate to people as 'customers'. This is especially so in the case of the International Section. Even the HMRC call service operators can't put you through.

'The final straw for me was when I spoke to an operator at the end of July 2023, and she told me not to expect any response for another 46 weeks.'

Mr Chaplin says he wrote two letters to HMRC, which he knows were received, but neither was acknowledged or responded to.

After This is Money raised his case his top-ups were processed, but Mr Chaplin is owed a refund of some of his money which he is awaiting.

'I would very much like to receive my pension'

Christine Walker (name has been changed) paid 6,500 for top-ups in October, and her cheque was cashed the following month.

The 66-year-old, who lives in UAE, has deferred claiming her state pension while her payment is being sorted out.

She wrote to HMRC with questions about her NI record in May last year but her letter went unanswered.

She says: 'I have made multiple calls for an update but responses have varied from 'we're very busy it could take a year' to 'you'll receive an email response in four weeks'. None of these deadlines have been met.

'I would very much like to receive my pension.'

Mrs Walker's payment was processed earlier this month, and she has the option of paying for another two years for top-ups to boost her state pension.

Pauline Kirk: Direct debit NI contributions were stopped without explanation after she made a top-up payment

'I'm not prepared to sit on hold for an hour from Singapore'

A 45-year-old expat made top-up payments worth around 6,500 last May while on a visit to the UK.

Pauline Kirk, an author and speaker who lives in Singapore, says these were not processed - but her direct debit NI contributions which she has been making for the past few years stopped at that time without explanation.

Since then she was not able to get them restarted, or trace her missing money.

When her elderly parents tried to track down her top-ups from the UK, Government staff told them there was a backlog and no further check should be made for another eight weeks.

She says: 'Given I sat on hold for an hour whilst visiting the UK, I am not prepared to again sit on hold for this long when paying international phone rates from Singapore.'

Ms Kirk notes that she is missing out on interest payments on a large sum of money, adding: 'Someone is making some money somewhere on it.'

After This is Money flagged her case, her NI record was updated but she is still trying to get her direct debit reinstated to make future contributions towards her state pension.

'I just keep making phone calls and nothing happens'

A 70-year-old retired data administrator paid 565 to boost her state pension last July, but struggled when trying to chase it up.

'After numerous calls to the tax office, many being cut off, I found they had inputted one year wrong,' says Susan Wylie, who lives in Greater Manchester.

'I rang the Pension Service who took all my details and said they would pass it on to the relevant department and I would receive a letter in seven to 10 days. That was in October.

'I have just had my 70th birthday and feel I just keep making phone calls and nothing happens.'

After This is Money raised her case, the DWP said Mrs Wylie's NI record was updated in October. Her state pension was increased this month from 189 a week to 201 and arrears of 290 paid.

What does the Government say?

'Over the last year, hundreds of thousands of people have contacted us about voluntary contributions, with the vast majority of payments resulting in records being updated within days,' says a Government spokesperson.

'Complex cases requiring specialist caseworkers, including international applications, can take longer to resolve - but we're making good progress on reducing those wait times.

'A new online service to allow most people to see if making voluntary contributions would increase their State Pension, and then make any payments, is expected to be ready later this financial year.'

The Government adds that payments requiring manual processing, for example those made by cheque, and more complex cases requiring further checks including applications from abroad, can take longer to resolve depending on individual circumstances.

The DWP aims to update state pension records as soon as possible once notified that HMRC have allocated a payment to someone's National Insurance record. The Government also have extra staff answering phone calls and dealing with correspondence on voluntary contributions.

The vast majority of customers will be able to use a new online digital service which HMRC and DWP are aiming to introduce later in financial year 2023-24, once development and testing have been successfully completed. Guidance will be issued on GOV.UK advising customers who will be able to use the new digital service and how.
The students' names are not being released as they are all under age but shocking video of an attack on Kuch was posted online before her death

Four juveniles have been charged with harassment pertaining to an alleged attack on Kuch that happened in a school hallway two days before her suicide

One of the four teens accused of attacking 'bullied to death' New Jersey teen Adriana Kuch, 14, is facing a conspiracy to commit aggravated assault charge

One of the four girls accused of brutally attacking a New Jersey teen who later committed suicide is facing a conspiracy to commit aggravated assault charge on top of a previous harassment charge.

Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a statement Thursday that one of girls who allegedly participated in an attack on Adriana Kuch, 14, just days before her death is facing the additional charge.

Video of the February 1 beating was posted online and led to additional harassment and bullying for Kuch, who was just one month from celebrating her birthday.

As of Thursday, one teen has been charged with aggravated assault and three have been charged with conspiracy to commit aggravated assault.

The students, who are not being named due to their young age, would be facing third-degree crimes if tried as adults which could result in up to five years in prison and thousands in fines.

Adriana Kuch, 14, took her own life on February 3, two days after she was brutally attacked in the hallway at Central Regional High School in Berkeley Township, New Jersey

Adriana Kuch, attended Central Regional High School in Berkeley Township, and was found dead at her home two days after the shocking video surfaced on Feb 1, said police

Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer has confirmed the additional charge for one of the four teens accused of viscously attacking Adriana Kuch

On top of the charges they face, all four teens have been suspended indefinitely from Central Regional High School in Berkeley Township, New Jersey.

In a recent interview with FOX News, Adriana's father, Michael Kuch, said he is intent on making sure the students responsible for the attack are punished.

'I want laws put in place that these kids are prosecuted for making, posting, and sharing these videos,' Michael said.

'I would love it if these kids were not even allowed to have a phone in school. I mean, that would stop this because there's a culture where these kids think it's fun,' the grieving father said.

The video the father is speaking of shows Adriana and a friend walking down the hallway before a girl walks up and begins hitting her in the face with a water bottle.

Adriana falls to the ground and is repeatedly punched and kicked by a group of students as cheering is heard.

Eventually, two school workers stepped in and stopped the unprovoked attack.

'These 4 girls planned and executed an attack. If you watch the videos I have, they are laughing while talking about what they are going to do at the start of the video,' he said.

The father posted a message along with grabs of the video to his Facebook page.

Michael said his daughter faced bullying for months before the video was taken.

'I do know why it happened. It happened because these two haven't liked each other for a couple years, and she had been threatening my daughter online,' he stated.

The death Adriana Kuch, 14, has left a New Jersey community in shock and has led to accusations against Central Regional School District for ignoring bullying

Adriana killed herself sometime after 10.46pm on February 2

According to her father Kuch was 'smashed in the face three times with a water bottle' and 'blacked out.' He then had to take his blood covered daughter to the police station to file a report because the school refused to do so

Adriana's bruised legs after the attack. Her father said she was mostly 'humiliated' by the video, which made her feel like she'd been attacked 'twice'

One of the girls involved in the attack posted these heartless messages on Snapchat. Adriana's father said: 'It used to be you'd go to school, get bullied and then you left. But now you come home and you keep getting bullied - they still keep picking at you home.'

Michael Kuch, shown here at his daughter's visitation, told DailyMail.com that he in discussions with a family lawyer regarding the family's next legal steps

Michael Kuch speaking to DailyMail.com outside of his daughter's visitation

Just last week, DailyMail.com reported on several students coming forward to allege how taunting and intimidation was rife in classrooms and hallways.

Multiple pupils from Central Regional School District say that bullying was part of everyday life at the school.

Critics, including Adriana's former classmate Emily Strick, are blaming the school district for neglecting and inadequately addressing such incidents.

'It was absolutely terrible and it was unbelievable that they didn't do anything about it', Strick told Fox News last week.

Emily said that at one stage the bullying got so bad she was afraid to go to her classes.

'I didn't go to school for a full week because in Central you could get jumped very easily. I didn't want to go. I was terrified. There were rumors and everything you can imagine. I'm not sure if the bullies got punished, but I'm pretty sure they did not.'

Emily's mother, Jo Siclari, explained how despite efforts to alert the school, the district, and the police, no action appeared to have been taken.

'I went to the school and went to the police and file reports. I wrote letters to the Board of Education and the superintendent. I sent everything certified actually, at the advice of Diane Grossman, who created Mallory's Law after her daughter committed suicide, and I got no response,' Siclari told Fox.

'It makes me very angry. I mean, sending our children to school every day should not be a liability, and they're the people that are there. We're not there as parents, so we expect them to be our stand-ins when they have our children in the building.

'They won't tell us if the bullies got punished or not.'

The school district has had issues with bullying in the past, it has been revealed, as parents and students continue to come forward detailing how they or their loved ones were bullied at the high school, where they say the administration failed to act.

Several students, including Adriana's former classmate Emily Strick say the school and district completely ignored and inadequately handled bullying issues. Emily's mother, Jo Siclari, left, also tried to bring the matter to the attention of the school but to no avail

More than 200 students protested outside Central Regional High, demanding action over bullying which they believe is systemic across the school district

Students from the Central Regional High School were protesting on February 10 over the suicide of Adriana due to bullying

In reviews posted online from six years ago, students shared how they were 'constantly bullied, and no one tried to stop it no matter what'

Amanda Ramirez, mother of Nevaeh Alvarez Ramirez a student who took part in a protest following Adrianna's death told DailyMail.com as she mourned the loss of the 'beautiful' teen, she supports the students speaking out about the bullying.

'I 100 percent support her it's just hard to watch these kids hurting they just want to be heard,' she said.

She was appalled by the lack of sensitivity shown by the school saying there was 'no moment of silence or assembly' for the students or staff to process the horrific death.

'It was just like swept under the rug they talk about how 'oh if you're fighting there will be consequences' but a kid is gone because nobody did anything,' she said.

'The fact that she was beat up on school premises, she blacked out, that her parents weren't called, that an ambulance wasn't called a kid blacked out that is a medical emergency.

'Her hair was ripped out and on the floor like it's just disgusting and I hurt because I have a lot of respect for teachers there, but hearing that some of them saying it 'wasn't a big deal' that's, uh, a lot it's just mental health is so serious.'

Trisha Tucker, who had also been paying her respects at the visitation told DailyMail.com that her daughter had also been bullied at the school.

'My daughter was being bullied from September/October and I'd been to the freshman principal numerous times told me that it was being handled, my daughter went from being an honor role student to dropping out of marching band to failing her classes and not even wanting to go to school,' she said.

'Now she's cutting herself so yeah they don't do a damn thing they don't care about these kids they're going to sweep it under the rug so they aren't embarrassed.'

In response to the community's concerns, the district released a statement, saying that they are evaluating all current and past allegations of bullying and will be undergoing an independent assessment of their anti-bullying policies.

Dr. Triantafilos Parlapanides, the former superintendent, also resigned following a series of interviews that caught the attention of the school board including some with DailyMail.com.

Dr. Triantafilos Parlapanides, the former superintendent, also resigned follows a series of interviews that caught the attention of the school board including some with DailyMail.com

This is the email response Parlapanides provided to DailyMail.com when asked what counseling Adriana had been given. He claimed her 'choices declined', that her mother committed suicide 'since her father had an affair'

In his interviews, Parlapanides made comments regarding Adriana's behavior and possible drug use, which prompted action from the board.

'The Central Regional School District Board of Education has accepted the resignation of Dr. Triantafillos Parlapanides,' the board said in a statement on Saturday evening.

'The Central Regional family continues to mourn the loss of one of our children. We are all praying for the family and loved ones and our entire community. The Central Regional School District is evaluating all current and past allegations of bullying.

'The District has contacted the Department of Education and will undergo an independent assessment of the District's anti-bullying policies and ensure every necessary safeguard is in place to protect our students and staff. Dr. Douglas Corbett is acting Superintendent effective immediately.'

Parlapanides told DailyMail.com personally, 'Her father was having an affair at the end of her 6th grade. Her father married the woman he had an affair with and moved her into the house.'

He continued, 'Her grades and choices declined in 7th and 8th grade. We offered her drug rehab and mental services on five occasions but the father refused every time.'

His comments sparked backlash from the community which led to his resignation.
Change is sweeping through the royal houses of Europe.

After more than half a century on the throne, Margrethe is no longer Queen of Denmark.

And, almost unthinkably, Queen Elizabeth II has passed away after 70 years as Monarch of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

But for some young heirs, there is a little longer to wait yet before they get their chance to fulfil their destiny.

Long may their parents reign - although it is to be hoped that the next in line aren't forced to endure the same record-breaking wait as our own King Charles III...

Prince Jacques of Monaco, nine

Nine-year-old Crown Prince Jacques is next in line for the throne of Monaco after Prince Albert is

Jacques was born at the Princess Grace Hospital Centre in December 2014 - two minutes after his twin sister, Princess Gabriella

Monaco is one of the few countries in Europe still governed by male-preference primogeniture. So Jacques will inherit the title even though he is a few minutes younger than his twin sister,

Next in line for the throne of Monaco after Prince Albert is Crown Prince Jacques.

The young Prince, who is the son of 65-year-old Prince Albert and Princess Charlene, also holds the title Marquis of Baux, which has been passed on to Monegasque heirs apparent since 1641.

Jacques was born on December, 10, 2014, having been delivered via caesarean section at the Princess Grace Hospital in Monaco, named after Albert's mother, Hollywood actress, Grace Kelly.

He was born two minutes after his twin sister Gabriella, a statement from the palace confirmed at the time.

Their births were celebrated with 21 cannon shots each, 15 minutes of church bells and boat horns.

The twins, both eight, were formally presented to the public on January 7, 2015, and the date has since become a recognised as a public holiday in Monaco.

While Jacques is a few minutes younger than his twin sister, Monaco is one of the few countries in Europe still governed by male-preference primogeniture - meaning the eldest son inherits the throne over any older sisters.

It is only if a female heir has no eligible brothers or brothers with surviving male descendants that she will take the throne.

Jacques is said to be quieter and shyer than his sister

Jacques is a popular name in southern Africa, where Princess Charlene grew up

Jacques also has an older half-sister, Jazmin Grace Grimaldi, and an older half-brother, Alexandre Grimaldi-Coste, from their father's previous relationships.

The young prince was baptized at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on May 10, 2015, where he was also awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of Grimaldi.

Princess Charlene chose the name Jacques as it is a name native to South Africa, where she grew up.

He and his sister are currently enrolled at the L'Institution Francois d'Assise-Nicolas Barre since September, which is a private school in Monaco.

Talking to People, Prince Albert added that the twins are 'very curious about geography and science.'

'We went through a whole phase of them wanting to know all about the oceans and planets and everything about the solar system,' he explained

Prince Albert revealed to People that Jacques is quieter and shyer than his sister, but said he 'comes up with some funny things'.

He added that the younger twin is an observer who first likes to size things up before making a decision.

Although the twins have made public appearances with their parents, their lives for the most part are kept out of the spotlight so that they can enjoy their childhood.

Princess Estelle of Sweden, 11

Princess Estelle is the eldest grandchild of King Carl XVI Gustaf and the eldest child of heir to the Swedish throne, Crown Princess Victoria

Crown Princess Victoria pictured with her father the King and daughter Princess Estelle

Born in 2012, Princess Estelle is the eldest grandchild of King Carl XVI Gustaf and the eldest child of heir to the throne, 46-year-old Crown Princess Victoria.

As Estelle was the firstborn child of the heir to the throne, her birth in Solna was celebrated with two rounds of twenty-one gun salutes.

She has a collection of royal godparents, including King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, Crown Prince Haakon of Norway and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark.

The princess previously attended a pre-school near Stockholm which followed the Ur and Skur outdoor teaching methods to focus on the natural world.

She now attends Campus Manilla in Stockholm where she was joined last year by her younger brother, Prince Oscar.

The 1979 Act of Succession means that Estelle, as the eldest child, will inherit the throne rather than her younger brother and is now second in line to the throne after her mother.

The princess is second in line to the throne after her mother. She is pictured here with her father Prince Daniel, grandmother Queen Silvia, Crown Princess Victoria and her younger brother Prince Oscar

Estelle has attended a pre-school near Stockholm which follows outdoor teaching methods to focus on the natural world

Estelle is pictured here with her family on Swedish National Day

The young Princess Estelle regularly makes appearances with mother Crown Princess Victoria and father Daniel Westling. Westling, Victoria's personal trainer, married her in 2010

The law, which came into effect some time ago (on 1 January 1980) had also meant that Estelle's mother, Crown Princess Victoria, became heir to the throne when she was two years old - a title which was stripped from her younger brother, Carl Philip, at the time.

Reflecting on the change in an interview with local news channel SVT earlier this year, Estelle's grandfather King Carl Gustaf said he felt it had been unfair to apply the new law to his children after they were already born.

'It's tricky to have laws that work retroactively. It doesn't seem wise,' he said.

'You can accept the next generation  that's okay. But it was my son who was born, and they got rid of it all,' he said, adding: 'It's quite strange. You can't do that.'

When the interviewer asked him if it had been unfair to strip his son of his title after he'd already been born, he replied: 'Yes, I think so.'

The young Princess Estelle regularly makes appearances with her mother Crown Princess Victoria and her father Daniel Westling, who was Victoria's personal trainer and married the royal in 2010.

She carried out her first royal engagement in 2014 at just two years old when she opened a 'fairytale path' at Linkoping Castle.

Prince Charles of Luxembourg, three

Prince Charles was born on May 10, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic

He was baptised on September 19, 2020, at the Abbey of St. Maurice and St. Maurus of Clervaux in Luxembourg

In March of this year, Charles became an older brother to Prince Francois, who is third in line

Prince Charles is second in the line of succession to the throne of Luxembourg.

He is the eldest child of Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stephanie and was born on May 10, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

He was born at Grand Duchess Charlotte Maternity Hospital in Luxembourg City and weighed 3.190kg.

Luxembourg's Palace announced the happy news on Twitter, sharing that their son was born at 5.13am at la Maternite Grande-Duchesse Charlotte.

Images of baby Charles were also shared on Twitter and gave royal fans the first glimpse of the newborn.

The announcement read: 'Time stood still at the Chateau de Berg during a video call during which the Grand Duke and the Grand Duchess had the immense joy of meeting their grandson for the first time: Prince Charles.'

In a series of snaps, the young royal proved he had quite the sweet tooth as he was pictured tucking into cake with his parents

He was first introduced to his grandparents, the Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, over a video call given the lockdown regulations.

Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume, 42, also spoke a few hours after the birth of Prince Charles about the wonderful new addition to the family.

The new father shared his joy at becoming a father for the first time.

He said 'today is a wonderful dayperhaps the most incredible day that we will have in our lives, to be able to greet a child that comes into one's life is the most magical thing a couple can have.'

Prince Charles was baptised on September 19, 2020, at the Abbey of St. Maurice and St. Maurus of Clervaux in Luxembourg. His godparents are his maternal aunt Countess Gaelle de Lannoy and his paternal uncle Prince Louis of Luxembourg

To mark the young royal's birthday in May, his parents shared a series of snaps of Charles and his younger brother Prince Francois, who was born in March.

Prince George, ten

Prince George was the Page of Honour at King Charles's coronation last year. Along with three other page boys, he helped carry his grandfather's cape

Prince William and Princess Kate presented their newborn son, Prince George, to the world the day following his birth at St Mary's Hospital, Paddington

George wore baby blue for his appearance at the annual Trooping The Colour - an echo of the outfit worn when William was himself a baby in 1984

With the passing of the late Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022 and King Charles' ascension to the throne, Prince George was moved up to second in line for the British throne.

Prince George was born at 4.24pm on July 22, 2013, at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, London - he is the eldest child to Prince William, now 41, and 42-year-ld Catherine, Princess of Wales.

The royals left hospital with their new son on 23rd July, but not forgetting to pause on the steps of the Lindo Wing to show the world a first glimpse of the new prince.

George was christened on October 23, 2013, at The Chapel Royal, St James's Palace by The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby.

The young prince made his royal tour debut when he was 9 months old when the family spent three weeks in New Zealand and Australia in April 2014 - giving him a taste of his role as future King.

The following year, George made his first public appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace following the Trooping the Colour parade and stole the show with his adorable facial expressions - which were identical to a young Prince William.

In January 2016, George began his education at the Westacre Montessori School nursery in Norfolk, before moving to Thomas's Battersea School just over a year later.

In 2022, the family moved to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor. And since September, George and his siblings, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, have attended Lambrook, an independent preparatory school in Berkshire.

George recently served as a page of honour at his grandfather's Coronation in May.
Pensioners who spent 100,000 in a failed legal battle to force their neighbours to remove a large lantern have blasted the High Court after losing their appeal.

Roger and Margaret Hunt, both 80, launched a private prosecution against their neighbours over a Victorian-style lantern, which Mr and Mrs Hunt insist shone into the bedroom window of their home in Deal, Kent.

Frances and Graham Pollard had bought the former Methodist school building next door to the couple in late 2020, but tensions arose shortly after they moved into the four-bed property.

The Hunts, who live with their adult son Jonathan, claimed the Pollards put up the Victorian lantern in order to spite them and cause a nuisance.

After an exhaustive process, Folkestone Magistrates' Court and the High Court found that the Hunts could not prove that the lantern constituted a statutory nuisance.

Roger and Margaret Hunt, both 80, launched a private prosecution against their neighbours over a Victorian-style lantern, which Mr and Mrs Hunt insist shone into the bedroom window of their home in Deal, Kent.

Retired police officer Frances Pollard and her husband Graham (pictured) won a court battle after their neighbours took legal action over a decorative lantern outside their home

Roger and Margaret Hunt, both 80, complained that the vintage light outside the Pollards home (pictured) was stopping them from sleeping

Mrs Hunt, a retired school teacher, said today: 'This is just us being picked on  we are lucky we have the means to stick up for ourselves in this case.'

Retired accountant Mr Hunt added: 'We were made to pay 6,000 pounds of costs to them after we lost the initial findings. That is very unusual in a statutory nuisance case, you're normally immune.

'But then when we tried to dispute the magistrates' findings  the costs racked up to over 100,000 including our solicitors.

'The stupid thing is we aren't that worried about losing 75,000 - because we're more worried about what they may do next.'

Their son Jonathan Hunt, who is in his 40s, was forced to retire from teaching classics at Winchester College private school due to chronic health issues and moved in with his parents in 2012.

Mr and Mrs Hunt said they fear that the Pollards are attempting to wear them down to the point they sell their house.

Their son Jonathan said: 'I think [the Pollards] have an ambition to develop that property. And they see us as being in the way.

'I think that nothing would please our next-door neighbours more than if we were to sell our house and leave.

'There is still a boundary dispute between us with the Land Registry and the council. That's why I think they want something.

'It's been running for a year or so we we've tried to settle it now. It's still sitting around. I wouldn't exactly rush into court and do it. But it won't go back to court quickly.

'We are just worried about what will happen next. We don't think that this is over even after the court action.

Mrs and Mrs Hunt's son Jonathan (pictured), who attended the hearing, said after court: 'I told my parents not to do this'

The pink house owned by Mr and Mrs Pollard in Deal, Kent

'Bringing this court action and lawyering up and spending 35,000 even when the case was found in their favour  they're either mad or they have something else in mind.

Jonathan added: 'We clearly don't have infinite supplies of money to bring or defend legal actions. We have not been able to stop harassing acts like their spotlights being flashed at us and wind chimes being wrung out.

'Only our solicitors have been able to get them to stop doing things they've been doing. But we don't have endless money and we don't know what to expect next. We just don't understand them.'

Jonathan also slammed the advice his family were given.

Mr and Mrs Hunt did not initially get legal representation after reading that their statutory nuisance claim could be resolved in court without a barrister.

Their son Jonathan said: 'Many local councils including Dover District Council publish advice to householders like us saying if you can't get joy through our environmental health department, they advise ordinary people like us to bring statutory nuisance cases in the court - and they say you don't necessarily need a lawyer to do this, you will get quicker relief.

'If they're telling people, you don't need legal representation, that going up against people who have it, then there's not going to be a fair and balanced.'

Further criticising the court process, Jonathan added: 'They made my parents give their evidence orally - they should have been able to have their witness statements in front of them.

Beside them, Mr and Mrs Hunt live in the yellow building

'My barrister had an hour with me in the witness box to try and read the entire complaint from beginning to end and I'm working from memory on the stand with a chronic health condition.

'I haven't worked in ten years and was a litigant in person. For my parents and me. That's arduous. It was horrific, actually.'

Speaking of the works done since the beginning of the dispute, Jonathan added: 'The lantern creates a sort of great big ball of light over the yard. And it does affect my parents' bedroom window.

'But it's clever legally because the light isn't shining in a straight line in the window  it bounces off the church at the rear of the property and then off of that.'

The neighbours have feuded over a series of perceived slights on both sides  including a scuffle on the Hunts' driveway, which the Pollards have right of way over.

The Hunts say they moved into their home with their son in 2012 to enjoy a more quiet and restful time in the picturesque Kent town.

In a bizarre twist, they added: 'We think the lantern was actually first attached to our house! There was a widow who downsized from here to the Pollards' house and we have seen pictures on the brochure for this house where the lantern is on ours.'
An Egyptian renovation that will see a pyramid clad in granite blocks has been likened to 'straightening the Tower of Pisa' by experts.

Work at Egypt's Menkaure pyramid at Giza shown in a video of the renovation has triggered a wave of criticism, with one expert decrying its 'absurdity'.

Mostafa Waziri, the head of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities, has in contrast dubbed it 'the project of the century'.

In a video posted on Facebook, Waziri showed workers setting crude and chunky blocks of granite on the base of the pyramid, which sits besides the sphinx.

As workers toil beside the juxtaposing grey and golden blocks, Waziri gestures as he informs viewers about the process.

In a comical video posted on Facebook on Friday, Waziri showed workers setting crude and chunky blocks of granite on the base of the pyramid, which sits besides the sphinx

Mostafa Waziri standing beside the blocks. As workers toil beside the juxtaposing grey and golden blocks, Waziri gestures as he informs viewers about the process

Work at Egypt's Menkaure pyramid at Giza shown in a video of the renovation has triggered social media criticism, with one expert decrying its 'absurdity' (File Photo)

Under the video, some commentators reacted with sarcasm.

'When will the project to straighten the Tower of Pisa be planned?' asked one.

'Rather than tiles, why not wallpaper the pyramids?' said another.

Others reacted more angrily with Egyptologist Monica Hanna writing: 'Impossible!'

'The only thing missing was to add tiling to the pyramid of Menkaure! When are we going to stop the absurdity in the management of Egyptian heritage?' she asked.

'All international principles on renovations prohibit such interventions,' Hanna added, calling on all archaeologists to 'mobilise immediately'.

When originally built, the pyramid was encased in granite, but over time lost part of its covering. The renovation aims to restore the structure's original style by reconstructing the granite layer.

Camel standing before the Pyramids of Giza, Menkaure, Khafre, and the Great Pyramid of Khufu, in Cairo (Stock Image)

Work is slated to last three years and will be 'Egypt's gift to the world in the 21st century', said Waziri, who heads the Egyptian-Japanese mission in charge of the project.

The issue of heritage preservation in Egypt - which derives 10 per cent of its gross domestic product from tourism - is often the subject of heated debate.

Recent destruction of entire areas of Cairo's historic area led to powerful mobilisations by civil society, which is largely banned from political activity and now concentrates the bulk of its fight with the government on urban planning and heritage issues.

The debate has lately focused on the fifteenth-century Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi mosque in the coastal city of Alexandria, Egypt's second largest.

Local authorities announced an investigation after a contractor in charge of renovation decided to repaint in white the ornate, carved and coloured ceilings of the city's largest mosque.
Garry Tan, the CEO of the startup accelerator Y Combinator, attacked San Francisco Supervisors Aaron Peskin, Dean Preston, Shamann Walton, Myrna Melgar, Hillary Ronen, Ahsha Safai and Connie Chan in a profanity-laced post on X, formerly Twitter, in the early hours of Saturday morning, Mission Local reported. NurPhoto via Getty Images 2018

A prominent San Francisco political donor and technology executive apologized over the weekend after seeming to wish death upon seven city supervisors in what appeared to be an alcohol-fueled social media post.



Garry Tan, the CEO of the startup accelerator Y Combinator, attacked San Francisco Supervisors Aaron Peskin, Dean Preston, Shamann Walton, Myrna Melgar, Hillary Ronen, Ahsha Safai and Connie Chan in a profanity-laced post on X, formerly Twitter, in the early hours of Saturday morning, Mission Local reported.

Die slow motherfers, Tan concluded. After someone responded by suggesting Tan was drunk, he replied, You are right and motherf our enemies, according to Mission Local. He appears to have deleted the tweet.

Tan has been a major donor to San Franciscos political moderates and their affiliated causes in recent years. He gave about $100,000 to support the 2022 recall of former progressive District Attorney Chesa Boudin and also heavily backed Proposition D, the failed housing ballot measure spearheaded by Mayor London Breed, later that year. He is a board member of the moderate political advocacy group GrowSF.

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Tans temper and scathing tweets are well-known in San Francisco political circles, as is his proclivity to preemptively block numerous public figures and journalists  including many Chronicle reporters who have never spoken to him.

In a subsequent post, Tan indicated that his die slow tweet was a reference to the late rapper Tupacs notorious dis track Hit Em Up, though he said it still wasnt a good call. He then issued a more thorough apology later Saturday.

I apologize to the Board of Supervisors for my comments late last night in a post, Tan wrote. There is no place, no excuse and no reason for this type of speech and charged language in discourse. I am sorry for my words and regret my poor decision. I love San Francisco. I know the community will hold me accountable and keep focused on our true mission: making San Francisco a vibrant, prosperous and safe place.

Some of the subjects of his initial tweet were not pleased.

Can we finally stop calling these toxic millionaires who spread disinformation and incite violence against political opponents moderates? Preston wrote in an Instagram post that included screenshots of the Mission Local story about Tans tweet. Tan last year pledged $50,000 to a GrowSF campaign organized to oust Preston.



Preston went further on Monday and called on politicians that received donations from Tan to return the money or give it to charity. He specifically called out Bilal Mahmood, who is challenging Preston in the November election. Tan gave $5,000 to support Mahmoods candidacy for a seat on the Democratic County Central Committee.



At a time of rising hate and violence, every elected leader, candidate and political organization has a responsibility to make clear that death threats from public figures cannot and will not be tolerated, Preston said in a statement. Mahmood did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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Tan also contributed to Breeds re-election campaign. A campaign representative declined to comment Monday on the donation.

Walton, meanwhile, said he didnt even know Tan.

People I never even heard of wishing death on me. Wow! he wrote on Instagram. Thank God Im blessed by the best.

Aldo Toledo contributed reporting.
Heavy rainfall from the remnants of former Ex-Tropical Cyclone Kirrily will cause flooding in the east while a heatwave continues to swelter across the country.

While a heatwave is set to impact large areas of Western Australia, the Northern Territory, and Queensland, along with New South Wales, Sydney and Melbourne are expected to be spared from the extreme heat.

Thunderstorms combined with moisture from Kirrily's tropical low saw a month's worth of rain dumped over regions in Queensland in just a few hours on Sunday.

The former cyclone remains over northwest Queensland where it is continuing to deliver heavy rainfall and thunderstorms.

Nearly 800,000 lightning strikes hit the region over the 24 hours to midday Sunday as storms developed through Queensland's central west and southeast.

Ex-Tropical Cyclone Kirrily is forecast to bring heavy rain to Queensland's southeast and northwest (pictured, three-day rain forecast to Tuesday)

Brisbane remains in the firing line of the system, with storms forecast on Monday and Tuesday, followed by showers on Wednesday.

'Tuesday is looking like a potentially very wet day in the southeast, as a coastal trough looks to form, followed by a low-pressure system over the water,' Weatherzone's Joel Pippard said.

'Some models are suggesting widespread rainfall of 100-200mm, isolated 300+mm falling in just one day.

'So best to keep an eye on the warnings and Weatherzone news feed for more updates on the upcoming rain.'

Darwin is also looking wet with rain forecast through to the end of the week and temperatures in the low 30Cs.

Queenslanders affected by Cyclone Kirrily have been offered disaster assistance.

Personal hardship grants of up to $180 for individuals and up to $900 for families of five were announced on Saturday following the cyclone's crossing on Thursday.

Some 9,400 north Queensland resident remain without power following Kirrily's crossing on Thursday (pictured, Ergon workers restoring power)

Thousands of residents in the state's northeast are still without power.

The Bureau of Meteorology warned Ex-Tropical Cyclone Kirrily will remain over inland Queensland in coming days, bringing the risk of widespread rain and flooding to areas of the northern interior, central and western Queensland.

'The low is likely to remain slow moving during the week with potential to move north towards the Gulf of Carpentaria, northwest over the Northern Territory or even towards the east coast of north Queensland,' it said.

'Although there is a small risk it will be over Gulf of Carpentaria by Friday, at this stage the likelihood of it redeveloping into a tropical cyclone is very low.'

The Bureau of Meteorology warned heavy rainfall (totals above) from Ex-Tropical Cyclone Kirrily would cause floods in Queensland

A flood watch is in place for the the Georgina River and Eyre Creek.

Moderate flood warnings have been issued for the Flinders River, Western River, Diamantina River, Warrill Creek and Bremer River.

The Bureau issued minor flood warnings for the Herbert River, Logan River, Albert River, Norman River, Gilbert River, Paroo River, Thomson River, Barcoo Rivers and Cooper Creek.

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Heavy rain in Western Australia over the weekend threatened residents along the Fitzroy river in the west Kimberley region.

The Bureau issued a minor flood warning for the Fitzroy and a final flood watch for parts of Salt Lakes District Rivers.

However, Perth is set to see a sunny week with clear skies forecast through to Sunday.

Temperatures in the city are forecast to steadily rise through the week with a high of 30C on Monday, 36C on Tuesday, 39C on Wednesday and 40C on Thursday.

The extreme temperatures are part of a widespread heatwave affecting large parts of WA, the NT, Queensland, NSW and the ACT.

'Extreme to severe intensity heatwave conditions over parts of eastern coastal Queensland, including Cairns,' the Bureau said.

'Severe to low intensity heatwave conditions over parts of northwest and northern inland WA, and parts of central NT.'

A heatwave will affect large parts of WA, the NT, Queensland, NSW and the ACT this week

Low intensity heatwave conditions are expected over the remaining parts of western and central WA including Perth, southern and northeastern NT, northern South Australia, western Queensland, inland NSW, the ACT and pockets of northeast Victoria.

Sydney will technically avoid the heatwave but is still set to see high temperatures ranging from 28C to 30C through the week.

Partial clouds over the city are forecast to develop into showers on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Canberra is also forecast to see showers on Tuesday and Wednesday alongside temperatures in the high 20Cs.

The capital's hottest day is set to fall on Friday with a top of 32C.

Melbourne will cool as the week progresses with a high of 28C on Monday falling to 24C on Tuesday and 22C on Wednesday.

The worst of the heatwave (pictured) is expected to hit over parts of eastern coastal Queensland

Clear skies over Adelaide on Monday are set to grow cloudy on Tuesday with grey skies to hang over the city through to Saturday.

Hobart is looking to be the coolest of Australia's cities this week with a maximum temperature of just 18C on Friday.

Until then, high temperatures in Tasmania's capital are forecast to stay in the mid to low 20Cs.
It was one of the fleet of warships that played a heroic role in the Falklands conflict 42 years ago.

Clyde-built frigate HMS Ambuscade survived an attack by Argentinian Exocet missiles to bring its crew of nearly 200 sailors home safely from the war in 1982.

Now it is set to make a triumphant return to the city it was built in to serve as a floating museum dedicated to the Falklands.

The 384ft vessel had been sold to Pakistans navy in the 1990s but will be repatriated after being acquired by Glasgow businessman David ONeill.

HMS Ambuscade was sold to Pakistan Navy

The director of Clyde Naval Heritage said he secured the ship, which had been renamed PNS Tariq, for free after making a cheeky Glaswegian request to its owners. The Yarrow-built vessel was set to be destroyed by being used for target practice in training exercises after being decommissioned last summer.

After three years of talks, Mr ONeill is in the final stages of planning its return from Karachi. He said: I took the cheeky Glaswegian tongue-in-cheek approach with Pakistan and said, We would like this ship but weve got no money.

They said she was worth $2million even as scrap and said, You think we will give you this ship for nothing? But they agreed. It has produced a fantastic response here and in Pakistan. Its uniting communities.

HMS Ambuscade on launch day at the covered slipway at Yarrow Shipbuilders, Glasgow in 1973

Mr O'Neil secured the ship, which had been renamed PNS Tariq, for free after making a cheeky Glaswegian request to its owners

Unrest in the Red Sea has complicated the logistics but the Ambuscade is expected to be moved to the Clyde in four months by a US heavy-lifting vessel.

Mr ONeill hopes to secure a permanent berth for the ship in Glasgow or Greenock and said it could attract more than 350,000 visitors a year as part of a bigger collection of Falklands artefacts.

The Ambuscade was one of eight Amazon-class frigates commissioned by the Royal Navy from 1974 to 1978. Two of its sister ships  Antelope and Ardent  were sunk during the Falklands War.
Dear Mum,

You want me to take you to Dignitas when the time comes. Thank goodness you are aged only 86 and that time is not yet close. But I know you fear the indignity of all that comes with old age. And I have said I would go with you to Zurich, even though I don't agree with it.

You are my Mum, I love you, and I will do as you ask. You have done so many things for me, and I cannot refuse you this last kindness. And, yes, I do remember that I have to bring your ashes back in a posh Harrods bag, not a cheap supermarket one!

But I have to tell you why I am so against it.

You will remember, years ago, that I was at a very low point in my life and I thought about ending it all. It was mental not physical pain  but it was pain nonetheless.

And when I shared my darkest thoughts with friends, I didn't really expect them to say: 'OK then, it's your choice.' I think it was their duty to try and talk me out of it. And they did thank goodness. I want to try and do the same for you.

You want me to take you to Dignitas when the time comes. Thank goodness you are aged only 86 and that time is not yet close. Pictured: Giles with his mother

Sir Keir Starmer has said that if he gets elected as Prime Minister, he will consider changing the law to allow assisted dying.

Let's call it what it is: this is helping people to commit suicide.

It seems many now agree with this. Public opinion has certainly shifted. The British Medical Association used to be firmly against it, and now it is neutral. Even some fellow vicars agree, as well as a former Archbishop of Canterbury, George Carey.

Yet there are cases that should encourage us to think again about the direction in which we are travelling  such as that of Alastair Hamilton, a 47-year-old chemistry teacher not suffering from any kind of chronic illness, who was helped by a clinic in Switzerland to end his life, entirely without his family's knowledge.

I also know that, having been a nurse, you have seen many people die in painful and terrible ways, and you don't want that for yourself or, indeed, for others. Compassion has always been your guiding principle. And no one can think that is wrong.

But do you remember, all those years ago, when you ran a Leonard Cheshire care home for young people with considerable physical disabilities? You looked after so many of them with such care and love. I think working there, with you, taught me so much about what loving your neighbour means.

On Radio 4's Moral Maze recently, we had a lovely chap, Miro Griffiths, who has spinal muscular atrophy, a progressive muscle weakening condition. He says he feels people are forever sizing him up and wondering if his life is really worth it.

'I can't stress enough how much people start to make assumptions about my quality of life. They say: "Oh, it must be awful for you, because you can't move anything other than your fingers on your hand," and, "It must be awful that you have to rely on people to feed you, assist you to the toilet."'

I also know that, having been a nurse, you have seen many people die in painful and terrible ways, and you don't want that for yourself or, indeed, for others. Pictured: Giles Fraser as a baby with his mother

He doesn't feel like that at all, and thinks it's wonderful that he can get the support he needs.

But he is constantly aware of other people thinking that his can't be much of a life and wondering to themselves whether he'd be better off quietly slipping away in the night  perhaps with the help of a draught of medicine to ease him along.

And here is the most frightening issue for me. Miro is also aware of how the system of care he receives is constantly being assessed for value for money.

The Canadian government in 2016 voted through a Medical Assistance in Dying Bill, specifically for those people whose death from a terminal illness is reasonably foreseeable.

Just five years later, the scope of assisted suicide legislation was extended to those whose death is not reasonably foreseeable.

Ahead of that vote, the Canadian parliamentary budget office explained that the new law would lead to healthcare savings of $149 million [87 million]. Such savings are a shocking incentive for society to encourage, however subtly, those who are coming towards the end of their lives to reach it more quickly.

And what does it say about our attitude towards the value of human life that we subject it to a cost-benefit analysis in this way?

Wrapped up in all of this is an assumption that, if you are old, or suffering, or mentally distressed, or disabled, your life is somehow of lesser value.

We have a loving family and if I ever helped you to go to Dignitas (pictured), it would be because I thought it might be the most loving thing for a son to do

I don't want to live in that sort of a society.

You, Mum, as a nurse, and I, as a priest, have been at the bedside when people die. We know what a traumatic business it can be  not just for the person dying, but for their families. Often, relatives are trying to juggle their everyday lives  taking the children to school, getting supper organised, worrying about the bills  alongside caring for an ailing parent. It can be an enormous stress for everyone involved.

And the dying parent can see all this. Which is why they may feel it would be better for all concerned if they just went away quietly; they don't want to be a burden.

So let me make this crystal-clear: I want you to be a burden. I want to care for you, whatever the circumstances. That is what it means to say: 'I love you.'

We now live in a world that considers personal autonomy and personal choice to be among the most important things in life. I do understand that. But at its worst, this attitude encourages a society that is all about the individual.

When someone is sick or disabled, they have to rely on others. And this interdependence can teach us all a thing or two about what a good society should look like  not a collection of solitary individuals, but a group of families and communities where people need, support and rely on each other.

This is more the sort of world that I, and you, would want.

As far as the State is concerned, I want it to be in the business of protecting people.

We have a loving family and if I ever helped you to go to Dignitas, it would be because I thought it might be the most loving thing for a son to do. But not all families are like this. And looking at the astronomical price of care homes, there will be some who will think it would be better to spend the price of Granny's end-of-life care on their children, for instance. Or worse, a new car.

This is a Pandora's box of nastiness. Once the State allows assisted dying, it is the most vulnerable in our society who will be most at threat.

Mum, you taught me a great deal of what I now value as a priest. Specifically, that Christianity is a call to care for, and to protect, the vulnerable.

One day, that vulnerable person might be you. And you must allow me to care for you just as you have lovingly cared for so many others in your time.
Sir Keir Starmer has refused to recommit to spending 140billion to create a zero carbon electricity system by 2030.

In the latest suggestion he will scale back plans to borrow billions to meet the pledge, the Labour leader would only confirm the mission to clean power remains in place.

Labour originally promised in 2021 to invest 28billion a year until 2030 in green projects if it came to power  totalling 140billion. But last year shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves said the figure would instead be a target to work towards in the second half of a first parliament.

In an exclusive interview with the Mail, Sir Keir insisted the commitment to clean power by 2030 remains  but he refused to recommit to spending the sum Labour originally said was needed.

'Of course we need the investment,' said Sir Keir. 'It is catalytic investment, because for every one pound we put it we want three pounds of private money, private investment, triggered by it.

In the latest suggestion he will scale back plans to borrow billions to meet the pledge, the Labour leader would only confirm the mission to clean power remains in place. Pictured: Sir Keir Starmer during a visit to the Beatrice wind farm off the Caithness coast

Labour originally promised in 2021 to invest 28billion a year until 2030 in green projects if it came to power  totalling 140billion

'So the 28billion will be realised in the second half of the Parliament, subject to the money the Government's already earmarked... and subject to our fiscal rules.'

Pressed on whether he would spend 140billion by 2030, Sir Keir said: 'The mission is clean power by 2030. Investment will go in the way I've described  ramping up in the second half.'

The Tories have questioned how Sir Keir can deliver his 2030 pledge without meeting the 28billion a year, since this figure is a result of Labour's own costings.

And the Institute for Fiscal Studies has highlighted that Labour has not promised any more money for health, education or local government. It comes as Labour's shadow business secretary yesterday said his party remains committed to invest 28billion a year in green projects as its 'level of ambition'.

Jonathan Reynolds conceded the investment may not be seen until the latter part of the next parliament and that 'circumstances do change'.

It was reported that Sue Gray  Sir Keir's chief of staff  has expressed sympathy with the costly green plan amid fears that backing away from it may be seen as another U-turn. A source told the Sunday Times 'she thinks Keir will look weak otherwise'. Divides between the fiscal hawks within the party  including Rachel Reeves, Wes Streeting and Pat McFadden  and the likes of Ed Miliband, who believe in a more expansive economic policy, have been exposed by the plan, the paper said.

Last week, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said: 'The 28billion figure is often discussed without any fundamental interrogation of where it came from.

'The 2030 target and 28billion spending plan are not separate, they're two sides of the same coin. Starmer needs to explain how can a government he leads deliver that mission without the investment it said was so necessary in 2021?'
This is the horrifying moment two huge pit bull-type dogs maul a disabled man after knocking him out of his wheelchair.

Dozens of appalled neighbors were powerless to stop the two beasts from ripping 'chunks' out of the victim in Miami-Dade County, Florida.

The dogs, named Jumpety and Boo-boo, had escaped from the yard of a single-story where they had been cared for by neighbors since their owner was jailed.

The victim, known as 'Smokie', was dragged over the sidewalk as onlookers honked their car horns and one edges his semi-trailer towards the bloodthirsty hounds.

A car horn proved useless as a deterrent as the dogs tore into their helpless victim

Another neighbor edged his truck towards the two animals in a bid to scare them off

'Everybody was gathering around, you know 20 or 30 people, throwing things and that worked for a while,' one neighbor told local10.

'But then they just kept going. Chopped man and you know his face was red.'

Two other dogs which neighbors said had recently moved into the yard are seen on the video barking wildly from behind the fence as the attack unfolds.

A wheel of the victim's overturned wheelchair spins uselessly in the air as the two pit bulls continue their frenzied attack.

Their victim was eventually airlifted to Jackson South Medical Centre where he underwent surgery for severe injuries to his arms, as it emerged that at least one of the dogs had attacked before.

Both animals were well known to neighbors and one said that Boo-boo was thought to be 'peaceful'.

'He got out the other day and my mom was able to take him and give him food and he went right back inside of his kennel,' she added.

'He was probably attacking because he was hungry and scared.

'Jumpety, he jumps over the fence, he literally can jump over the fence I was amazed and surprised by that, I think he's very dangerous because he did attack another person before.

Boo-boo was stained with the blood of his victim when he was seized by animal welfare

One neighbor said that both dogs were well-known and that Jumpety had attacked before

The gap in the fence at the home near Northwest 10 Street and Fifth Avenue through which the dogs are thought to have escaped before carrying out their attack

The victim's wheelchair and the clothes that had been torn from his body were still lying in on the sidewalk hours after the attack

The two animals were seized by officers from Miami-Dade County Animal Services which is considering whether to destroy them.

'If it is determined that these dogs pose a public safety concern, the department would humanely euthanize the dogs in accordance with Chapter 5 of Miami-Dade County code,' a spokesman said.

About 800,000 people receive hospital treatment for dog bites in the US each year according to the American Veterinary Association, and Pit Bulls are responsible for more attacks than any other.

They are also more likely to kill their victims, accounting for 28 percent of deaths over a 20 year period studied by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Grisly video caught the moment an Iowa mom was savaged in the street last month by three ferocious pit bulls who left her needing a double amputation before a police officer ran up and shot them dead.

Brittany Skoland, 37, was calling on a friend near her home in Fort Dodge when the animals escaped the house and tore into her.

Her friend was not there but the dogs were and police were called after a neighbor reported 'screaming' in the street.

A 63-year-old Utah woman died in November, a week after she was mauled by her son's seven pit bulls in her backyard in Taylorsville.

And just day's before the Fort Dodge attack a two-year-old boy was savaged on his Texas doorstep by a pit bull as he left with his mother for daycare.

Brittany Skoland, 37, was savaged in an Iowa street last month by three ferocious pit bulls who left her needing a double amputation before a police officer ran up and shot them dead.

Two-year-old CJ Wright was savaged on his Texas doorstep by a pit bull as he left with his mother for daycare in November

Mom Chante Wright-Haywood managed to snatch her child from the dog's jaws and run back into their Austin home before the animal attacked the front door, breaking its hinges as the rest of the family struggled to keep it shut.

Photos taken by Miami-Dade County animal services show Boo-boo stained with his victim's blood after he was caught.

If the department decides to euthanize the animals, their owner will be entitled to appeal the decision.

'Smokey is an excellent guy,' said John Oz, a friend of the victim. 'You know he's homeless but he's got people that support him.

'I have known him since 2018. He frequents Walmart, my wife knows him.

'I know that he was in a couple of surgeries to repair his arm. He's a very good guy and it's a shame he got bit by dogs that should never have attacked him.'
A small sunroom has been listed for rent for at a staggering $320 a week - and it doesn't even have a door.

The ad, listed on Facebook, showcases a sunroom in Bondi with curtains substituting for a door, revealing the desperate measures some renters take to secure accommodation.

'One small room (sunroom) for rent in a house, Bondi. There is also another single bedroom available soon. The period is for one month and might extend later,' the ad said.

'Clean, tidy and professional people only. Thanks.'

The lack of privacy and size did not go unnoticed by Aussies who viewed the listing.

The rental ad was posted to a local Facebook group page on Friday, and was advertised as a converted sunroom for a whopping $320 a week - even though the single mattress is on the floor

'In year 11, we went to Long Bay Jail on a Legal studies excursion; the cells were bigger and had a door,' one said.

'How much yard time are you allowed per day?' another added

'Wow, $320?! For a tiny room that looks awful! Curtains instead of a door. Mattress on the floor. No cupboard. You must be joking!!' another wrote.

However, the head tenant who put the room up for rent hit back and explained why he was charging such a high amount.

'My rent was increased from $950 to $1250. The house has lots of space, so thanks for judging without taking the time to visit,' he wrote.

It comes as homelessness groups are demanding the federal government prioritise renters, as Australians are slugged a new weekly record of $601 in rent and demands for homelessness services surge.

Data released by CoreLogic has revealed the soaring cost of housing across the country, as renters faced a median cost of $31,252 a year to keep a roof over their heads.

Rent has jumped by a median of $164 to $601 per week in December 2023, from $437 per week in August 2020.

Sydney topped the market as the most expensive city to rent in, setting people back $745 per week.

Canberra followed in second place at $651 per week and Perth ranked third as renters forked out $630 per week.

Brisbane recorded the fourth highest weekly rental price at $627, with Darwin coming in fifth at $611 per week.

Melbourne and Adelaide were tied at $565 per week.

Hobart was the cheapest capital city to rent in, with a median price of $535 per week.

The portion of gross median household income needed to pay for rent surged from 26.7 per cent of income in March 2020 to almost a third in September last year.

'The reduction in social housing supply as a portion of all dwellings over the decades has placed more pressure on the private rental market, as has a declining rate of home ownership,' CoreLogic's report says.

Bondi, the popular beach-side suburb in Sydney's east has a median house rent of $1550 a week, up 10.7 per cent on the previous 12 months

Meanwhile, the Productivity Commission's annual report on government services shows the number of people leaving homelessness support and falling into rough sleeping has jumped by almost a quarter.

Requests for accommodation have risen, and 57,519 people have been identified as needing shelter but not provided with it.

Homelessness Australia has urged Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to support people unable to afford private housing as Labor considers a cost-of-living package.

'Huge swathes of Australians have been absolutely crunched by the housing crisis,' the statement reads.

'Providers are being asked to make impossible choices, like turning away a teenager fleeing an abusive home because a mum with young kids has also walked through the door.'

Homelessness Australia estimates an extra $450 million is needed to respond to the crisis.

The federal government's $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund and national housing accord will deliver 40,000 social and affordable rental homes.
A teenage boy has thrown a bottle of milk over a group of young women from a bridge while they were trying to enjoy a peaceful afternoon with a picnic on a boat.

Melbourne woman Veronica Burgess shared footage of the aftermath of the milk attack on Sunday.

She and three friends had paid for a picnic on the Yarra River using a GoBoat rental but had an entire bottle of milk poured over them as they went under Evan Walker Bridge.

The women, as well as their food and handbags, were left completely covered in milk.

'Would love to find the kid that ruined our day,' Ms Burgess captioned the clip.

Footage showed the distraught group shaking milk off their speaker and while worrying they were 'going to stink'.

Thousands of Aussies blasted the attackers for spoiling the women's day out.

'That's so mean. I'd cry,' one said.

'So sorry this happened to you. Shame on that person!,' another wrote.

Four women's picnic boat tour of Melbourne was ruined when a young boy poured a bottle of milk (pictured) over them

The young boy who attacked the woman uploaded a video of the incident to TikTok, bragging about the 'milking incident.'

The complete disregard for the women blew commenters away with one writing, 'Did your parents not teach you manners?'.

'Why would you do this? So shameful, I hope the police get involved,' one wrote.

'Bet your parents will be proud,' another wrote.

'It's so mean. He ruined the party and their food. Their clothes are sticky now so they can't go about their planned day instead have to go home and change,' another said.

A fourth person commented: 'Those people on the boat had their whole day ruined for views.'

Viewers rushed to report the boy's video to try and get ahead of 'milking' becoming a trend.

GoBoat helped the women (pictured) clean off and gave them credit for another boat day

Fortunately for the four women, GoBoat gave them credit to rent another boat on a different day and helped clean the mess.

'GoBoat were so great and helpful about the situation. They helped clean us up so we could go home,' Ms Burgess said.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted GoBoat and Veronica Burgess for comment.
Peers will launch a fresh bid to delay Rwanda removals today as Rishi Sunak's crucial new legislation reaches the House of Lords.

Dozens of amendments are expected to be tabled by the unelected Upper House, including attempts to put off migrant deportations by months.

The Safety of Rwanda Bill's second reading in the Lords this afternoon will be the first time peers have had the opportunity to debate the measures.

The Bill aims to declare Rwanda a safe country and overcome objections raised by the Supreme Court, which declared the scheme unlawful in November.

The Safety of Rwanda Bill's second reading in the Lords this afternoon will be the first time peers have had the opportunity to debate the measures (Pictured: The state opening of Parliament in May 2022)

One leading peer last night said that he expected a number of amendments that would attempt to make fundamental changes to the Bill

Earlier this month the Prime Minister warned peers not to 'frustrate the will of the people', urging them to 'do the right thing' and pass the Bill 'as quickly as possible'.

But last week Lords defeated the Government in a separate vote on a treaty signed with Rwanda which will introduce a number of safeguards for asylum seekers sent to the east African nation.

They backed a ten-point plan that would mean removals could not take place until all the safeguards have been fully introduced and 'bedded in'.

Ministers are not bound by last week's vote, but in the next stage the Lords can attempt to water down the legislation.

One leading peer last night said that he expected a number of amendments that would attempt to make fundamental changes to the Bill.

Top barrister and crossbench peer Lord Carlile KC said: 'I think there will be a head of steam in the House of Lords to ensure that the ten-point plan  in a legislative framework  is satisfied before anybody can be removed to Rwanda.'

Lord Carlile said 'the Bill can go through as long as this is done', adding: 'The Government has been very laconic in its attitude so far and has attempted to brush aside opposition, pretending it is not an issue. But it is a huge issue.'

Earlier this month the Prime Minister warned peers not to 'frustrate the will of the people'

A Liberal Democrat and Green Party attempt to kill off the Bill with a 'fatal motion' in the Lords today will not win the support of Labour, meaning it will almost certainly fail.

Church of England bishops are also expected to voice their opposition to the Bill.

In last week's debate, the Bishop of Gloucester Rachel Treweek said it was 'remarkable' that the Government was asking Parliament to state that Rwanda is a safe country for asylum seekers.

Bishop Treweek added: 'The Prime Minister has called on peers to get on board and do what is right, but I fear it cannot be right to assure ourselves that asylum seekers will be protected by a few sheets of paper.'

More than 70 peers are due to speak during today's debate, with individual amendments voted on at a later stage.
A 16-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder after the body of a man was found on a residential street.

Police said the 51-year-old local man was found in Littlehampton, West Sussex, at around 6am on Sunday morning.

A police spokesman said despite the best efforts of paramedics, the victim was pronounced dead at the scene on Gladonian Road.

Officers launched a murder investigation and the boy, also from Littlehampton, was arrested on suspicion of murder. He remains in custody.

Pictures from the scene on Sunday evening show a tent erected and a police cordon in place on the suburban road.

Pictures show a tent erected and a police cordon in place on the suburban road

They launched a murder investigation after the man was pronounced dead at the scene on Gladonian Road

A police spokesman said despite the best efforts of paramedics, the victim, from Littlehampton, was pronounced deceased at the scene

The victim's next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers.

Detective Superintendent Andy Wolstenholme, said: 'We understand this is a shocking incident for a close-knit community in Littlehampton.

'My condolences are with the family and friends of the victim, and anyone affected by this death.

'We are working hard to establish the facts surrounding the tragic events of last night, and need the assistance of the public to do so, especially by calling in if you were in Gladonian Road between midnight and 6am, either on foot or in a vehicle.

General view of Gladonian Road, Littlehampton, West Sussex

'It would also support the investigation if any social media posts did not speculate about what happened.

'If you have information, please call in to the police and we will take that information from you.'

Anyone with information is asked to contact police online, or by calling 101 quoting Operation Sett or by calling Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Hundreds of Afghan soldiers denied relocation to the UK despite standing 'shoulder to shoulder' with British forces on the front line are set to be granted sanctuary in a Government U-turn.

Ministers are expected to announce this week that the cases of at least 400 members of two elite units  known as the Triples  will be reviewed, with the majority likely to be allowed entry to Britain.

Soldiers in Commando Force 333 and Afghan Territorial Force 444 were trained and paid by this country while fighting alongside UK forces, including the SAS, against the Taliban.

Many applied to come here under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) but have either been refused or are awaiting a decision  some for more than a year. The Mail's award-winning Betrayal of the Brave campaign has highlighted how members of the Triples have been hunted down, beaten and murdered by the Taliban in revenge for working with Britain.

Up to 200 of the soldiers, who fled to neighbouring Pakistan, faced deportation into the arms of the Taliban after Britain failed to offer them a safe place to live.

Members of the Triples, paid and trained by the UK, prepare to go on patrol with British forces during the war in Afghanistan

Johnny Mercer, the minister for veterans' affairs, has championed the cause of soldiers from the Afghan units

Security minister Tom Tugendhat has also argued within government that the Afghan special forces should be given sanctuary in the UK

Last night, the servicemen welcomed the Government's review but pleaded with the ARAP team to 'move quickly before more lives are ruined'.

Defence sources stressed it was important not to 'raise expectations' because not all who served with the Triples will be eligible for relocation. A 35-year-old soldier, who was initially rejected for relocation but is awaiting the outcome of an appeal, says he has been tortured by the Taliban. He said: 'Life has been 'hell' for those left behind, each day we wonder if it is the last  we survive, we don't live.

'Every day of delay is a risk and we are tired of hearing of our friends and their families being attacked. There are too many victims.'

The refusal to allow the men to move here with their families when hundreds of other Afghans are being relocated to the UK has been branded a 'disgrace' and a 'betrayal' by senior military officers who worked with them. Another said there was 'a cast-iron and irrefutable' case for admission.

Many of the soldiers were given character references by British military colleagues, some who did were never contacted by the ARAP team.

In December, the issue appeared to have led to a rift within the Government. Armed Forces minister James Heappey played down the help that could be offered to the Triples, telling MPs that the soldiers were 'not automatically in scope for relocation'. Mr Heappey defended the Government's record, explaining 'how hard' it was 'to verify the service of those who just served in the units rather than explicitly alongside UK personnel'.

But veterans minister Johnny Mercer, who has championed the cause of soldiers from the units  with whom he worked with when he served as an officer in Afghanistan  and security minister Tom Tugendhat contended that the Afghan special forces should be given sanctuary in the UK.

It is understood that the Government has now accepted the weight of evidence supporting their relocation and will order a review on a case-by-case basis by the ARAP team.

The evidence is said to include documents long held by the Ministry of Defence that prove the Triples were paid as well as trained by Britain. Afghan soldiers have told the Mail how they received regular payments from the UK and that they were recorded in ledgers at the time.

Campaigners who have worked for more than three years to prove that the Triples qualify for relocation also say the Government had documents and data which 'clearly' showed they had been trained and paid by Britain. The decision to review the cases is a victory for former members of the military, campaigners and MPs.

The Afghan soldiers have paid a high price for supporting UK forces since the Taliban swept into Afghanistan's capital Kabul and seized control of the country in August 2021.

Within a month, the militants had begun to carry out acts of retribution for their actions. A former CF333 sniper, who had been trained by UK Special Forces, was shot and killed by two Taliban gunmen in front of his family. More abductions and beatings followed as Triples signed up to be included in the ARAP process.

Last August, one of them  an Afghan officer  died in hospital after being beaten by militants. He had been arrested and tortured three times over five weeks.

An MoD spokesman said: 'We cannot comment on speculation. We are honouring our commitment to those brave Afghans who supported the UK mission in Afghanistan and have been granted settled status.

'So far, we have brought around 24,600 people to safety from Afghanistan, including over 15,200 people under the ARAP scheme, which is one of the most generous of any country.'
Arati Prabhakar, left, head of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, sits with President Joe Biden and Gov. Gavin Newsom at a panel on artificial intelligence in San Francisco last June. In a new interview with the Chronicle, she says efforts to ensure the safety of AI are just starting. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle 2023

As an engineer with a Ph.D. in applied physics who once ran the U.S. governments advanced defense research lab, there arent many technical challenges Arati Prabhakar cant solve.

But assessing whether artificial intelligence is safe for the public to use  at least for now  might be one of them, said Prabhakar, the director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, in a recent interview. A member of President Joe Bidens cabinet and one of the presidents top tech policy advisers, Prabhakar sat down with the Chronicle at the Palo Alto VA Medical Center during a Silicon Valley tour.

Even with the might of the U.S. government behind her, and a host of large AI companies making all the right noises about building safe technology, it is nearly impossible to assess the security and reliability of huge AI models with opaque inputs and outputs, Prabhakar said.

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The stakes are significant. Left unchecked, large AI programs could potentially create malicious cyberattacks on demand or spit out instructions on how to build a deadly weapon. Theyre already capable of generating fake images and voices that are increasingly difficult to distinguish from real ones.

That has gotten the attention of governments the world over, including in California, where lawmakers intend to craft legislation this session aimed at assessing whether AI programs are safe for public use.

Prabhakar also discussed what the federal government can and cant do to protect working people from losing their jobs to AI automation and laid out the administrations priorities for AI this year.

Guarding against potentially nefarious uses of AI programs like OpenAIs ChatGPT is something tech companies and civil society groups are also concerned about.

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On Monday, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman spoke at a summit in San Francisco on childrens online safety and announced a partnership that would work up guidelines to make his companys chatbots safe for young people to use.

We want to figure out how to make this tool safely, responsibly, and broadly available to teens and people who are going to use it as part of their educational experience, and work with you all on how to do that, Altman said, sitting onstage during an interview with Jim Steyer, the founder and CEO of Common Sense Media, a nonprofit that helps parents evaluate the suitability of online content for children.

Altman also acknowledged other potential dangers AI technology could pose, like deepfakes created by AI during this years elections. He said OpenAI had people working on the issue, but did not go into specifics adding, Were only one company.

Making AI programs safe

State Sen. Scott Wiener is expected to add detail to a bill he introduced last year on AI regulation during the current legislative session in Sacramento. A cornerstone of that effort will be finding ways to ensure companies that create big AI models  like OpenAI, Anthropic, Google and others  make them safe for the public to use.

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Safe is somewhat vague here but generally means making sure that chatbots cant be used to produce bomb-building instructions, for example, or to be coaxed into producing the kinds of nonconsensual deepfakes of disrobed celebrities currently sweeping the internet.

When it comes to AI chatbots, for instance, How do you really know how effective the guardrails are? Prabhakar said, her eyes framed with square blue spectacles below a shock of white hair.

Will it generate cyberattacks if prompted, or will it not? Will it help you build a bio weapon? Is it much more dangerous than just doing a search? Those are unanswered questions, she said.

And determining if a piece of technology will or wont do those things is presently not fully in our grasp.

I think what we all need to understand is that the technical capability to assess how effective, safe and trustworthy a model is, barely exists, Prabhakar said.

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By comparison, assessing whether a piece of facial recognition software treats people with different skin colors differently  a long-running problem in a corner of the AI world  is a more straightforward task.

Indeed, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, which Prabhakar herself ran decades ago, has tackled that problem, along with evaluating other AI-type tools.

But for this generation of very sophisticated, general purpose AI models, many of which are still evolving, more research and compute power has to be dedicated to the issue, she said.

The federal government has taken steps to move that kind of research forward, including in Bidens executive order on AI, which tasked NIST with setting standards for AI technology that is used by the public, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security with applying those standards to critical infrastructure.

The funding of the so-called National AI Research Resource across U.S. universities and government agencies will create more computational firepower to assess hugely complex AI models, Prabhakar said.

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The program, which is supported by the federal government and industry players like Amazon, IBM, Microsoft and Meta, is asking for $2.6 billion in funding from Congress.

Wieners bill envisions companies and the state working together to assess the safety of AI tools. But based on what Prabhakar said, the technical capacity to make those kinds of safety evaluations may not be there yet.

What AI could mean for workers

International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva wrote in a recent blog post that AI technology will likely worsen inequality, with the potential to affect something like 40% of jobs globally by replacing some roles entirely and complementing others.

That would present a challenge for the Biden administration, which has promoted itself as among the most pro-labor of any in U.S. history.

I think theres a dystopian view that (AI is) just going to eliminate all work. Theres a utopian view that everyone will be far more productive or that no one will need to work at all, Prabhakar said. And I think you just have to realize that the reality is going to have all of those different elements.

Asked what role, if any, the federal government should play in resisting what she called dehumanizing tactics like AI-enabled workplace monitoring, Prabhakar said thats something that I think unions have pushed back on, in the past, and could be the subject of future bargaining.

That is similar to what acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Julie Su told the Chronicle last year during a visit to San Francisco to tour the Salesforce Transit Center when she was asked about AI-related labor disruptions.

Ultimately, Prabhakar said, there are specific roles the government plays in the workplace, like enforcing safety standards or rooting out discrimination. And existing law still applies no matter the technology being deployed, she said, referring to a U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission statement on fighting unfair discrimination and bias in automated systems.

Put simply, it turns out discrimination is illegal, and even if you use AI, its still illegal, Prabhakar said.

The year ahead

The Biden administration is still implementing its sweeping AI executive order, and more planned hearings on Capitol Hill will chew over how the technology will affect everything from housing to intellectual property to veterans affairs.

So what does Prabhakar want to tackle this year?

No. 1 is helping departments and agencies implement the executive order, including making sure major agencies have an embedded AI technology expert, she said.

The White House released a fact sheet Monday outlining those efforts 90 days after Bidens executive order. It included assessing AI risk in critical infrastructure, as well as funding for research programs, among other points.

Priority No. 2 is advancing the know-how to evaluate the technology when it comes to AI effectiveness, safety and trustworthiness, including through the National AI Research Resource, Prabhakar said.

Lastly, she said the administration has to underscore to the public why getting AI policy right is important.
An independent book store owner has issued a grovelling apology after causing an online uproar when she called for more books with 'white kids on the cover'.

Susanne Horman, who own the Robinsons Bookshop chain, had also vowed to stop stocking titles that 'divide people'.

Ms Horman was forced to shut down her account on X, formerly Twitter, and clarify her comments after tweets she posted last month were 'taken out of context' and 'edited'.

Booklovers vowed to boycott Melbourne's biggest independent book retailer after several tweets from Ms Horman's account ending with the hashtag #weneedbetterstories went viral on Instagram and Reddit.

The first tweet listed what content was missing from the shelves at Robinsons Bookshop's seven outlets.

Robinsons Bookshop owner Susanne Horman claims her tweets have been 'taken out of context' and 'edited by individuals'

'Positive male lead characters of any age, any traditional white family stories, kids picture books with just white kids on the cover, and no wheelchair, rainbow or indigenous art, non indigenous Australian history,' Ms Horman wrote on December 9.

A follow-up tweet the next day listed the books the retailer didn't need and would no longer stock.

'Hate against white Australians, socialist agenda, equity over equality, diversity and inclusion (READ AS anti-white exclusion), left wing govt propaganda. Basically the woke agenda that divides people. Not stocking any of these in 2024,' Ms Horman wrote.

Ten days later, she returned to X with a public plea and ultimatum to publishers.

'I am advocating for a substantial shift in the focus of Australian publishers to be in line with public opinion and requests for books and for what is GOOD!' Ms Horman wrote.

'We aren't going to stock books that intend to cause harm and make Australians hate each other.'

The screenshots of the three tweets show a minimal reaction on X, apart from a single retweet.

The book chain has since issued a public apology to anyone offended by the comments.

It also claimed Ms Horman's tweets were taken out of context and 'edited by individuals'.

Robertson's Bookshop (pictured) issued an apology on Sunday after a series of tweets sparked online backlash and threats from book lovers and authors to boycott the store

Store owner Susanne Horman says she's been forced to shut down her X account after recent tweets (pictured) went viral

'They are being taken out of context and being misrepresented as the views of Robinsons Bookshop when they are not,' a social media post from the chain stated on Sunday.

'We clearly state, so there is no misunderstanding, that we fully support and encourage stories from diverse voices, minorities and we are most definitely stocking these important topics and the authors that write them.

'As a business we will continue advocating for positive hope-filled stories that bring out the best in all our community and make all people feel supported and fulfilled.'

The post ended with a plea to customers to treat store staff with kindness and respect in the wake of the backlash directed at the business.

Ms Horman has since clarified comments regarding the 'little variation of themes' in books recently released by publishers.

'For one reason or another we have various categories of books not being written or published in sufficient quantities to meet customer demand,' she told The Age.

'Some genres are overflowing on our shelves and others are noticeably bare. Positive stories with men and boys as the hero are almost missing from the mix.'

Ms Horman has taken down her X account due to the fierce backlash her posts attracted.

'People tend to say things that are untrue and can get quite nasty on X,' she said. 'This X account was barely used and had very few followers.'

The book shop has reinstated it will continue advocating for 'positive hope-filled' book titles

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Ms Horman for further comment.

Questions about the posts were left unanswered on Monday.

'If they were edited and taken out of context, why was the twitter account get deleted?' one customer wrote. 'We could have then seen the context.'

Another added: 'It's wonderful to hear that you support and encourage diverse stories and authors, although I question how reproducing the tweets in their entirety is editing, misrepresenting, or taking out of context?'

Others leapt to the defence of Robinsons Bookshop staff and called for Ms Horman to take more responsibility for the furore.

'The apology and explanation of so-called context should come directly from the individual who wrote the posts,' one woman commented.

'What weve read was on Ms Hormans X feed before she deleted it, or it is screenshots, it's unedited - this misinformation only makes the apology less sincere.'

Ms Horman has since clarified recent comments regarding the 'little variation of themes' in books recently released by publishers.

Some authors led calls for their books to not be stocked by the chain.

'I would prefer Robinsons were not given the opportunity to stock my books. I invite you all to do the same,' Wirlomin-Noongar writer Claire G Coleman wrote.

The outrage prompted several customers to come out in defence of the owner.

'Fantastic to see Robinson Book shops and Susanne Horman say what we are all thinking about books!' one man wrote.

'We are sick of the rainbow themes, race, and woke agenda in books, most Australia agrees. Ignore the lefty media backlash.'

Robinsons Bookshop celebrated its 60th anniversary last year.

The original store in Frankston has expanded to six more outlets since Ms Horman took over as owner in 2007.
Top CIA officials have met Egyptian, Qatari and Israeli intelligence bosses in Paris ahead of a possible ceasefire and hostage exchange deal.

Among those at the summit were CIA director William Burns, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, the prime minister of Qatar, and Mossad chief Dadi Barnea.

The bosses of Israel's internal security service Shin Bet and the Egyptian intelligence minister Abbas Kamel were also present.

Yesterday, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said that the talks had been 'constructive' but warned there were still 'significant gaps' between negotiating delegations.

Among those at the summit were CIA director William Burns (pictured), Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, the prime minister of Qatar , and Mossad chief Dadi Barnea

Some 136 people remain unaccounted for after being abducted and taken hostage in Gaza after attack by Hamas on October 7 last year. Pictured, protesters lift national flags and portraits of Israelis held hostage by Palestinian Hamas militants in Gaza since October 7

Follow-up meetings have been scheduled for this week and the Israeli war cabinet is due to meet today, according to Israeli officials.

The possible breakthrough comes less than a week after Hamas allegedly rejected a two-month ceasefire deal in exchange for the release of all the remaining hostages.

The Washington Post reported that US President Joe Biden had sent Mr Burns to try to negotiate the release of the remaining hostages in exchange for a ceasefire.

On Friday, Mr Biden spoke to Qatar's head of state, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, to discuss efforts to free the hostages.

Benjamin Netanyahu 's office warned there were still 'significant gaps' between negotiating delegations

Qatar has played a crucial role in peace talks after brokering a seven-day ceasefire and hostage release deal in November.

Some 136 people remain unaccounted for after being abducted and taken hostage in Gaza after attack by Hamas on October 7 last year.

They include 19 females and two British-Israeli people.

However, at least 25 of these are believed to be dead.

More than 26,000 Gazans, including civilians and soldiers, have been killed by Israel in its military offensive, the Hamas-controlled health ministry said.
A Las Vegas judge has been slammed for posting a photograph of her in a hot tub with two public defenders.

Erika Ballou sparked an ethics probe after she shared the image on her Facebook with the caption: 'Robson is surrounded by great t*ts.'

The picture showed her in a bathing suit with Shana Brouwers and Robson Hauser, with the latter shirtless and smiling for the camera.

She latter appeared to stand by the post by penning expletive-ridden Cardi B lyrics that included the line: 'Went from makin' tuna sandwiches to makin' the news.'

The Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline has now filed a formal statement of charges against Judge Erika Ballou, left, who serves in the Clark County District Court for this hot tub posting where she is seen posing with Robson Hauser, center, and Shana Brouwer, right

Las Vegas judge, Erika Ballou, is under scrutiny for ethics violations after sharing a photo on Facebook in a hot tub with two Clark County Public Defenders

The Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline filed a formal statement of charges against Ballou for the hot tub posting.

The commission also filed a second complaint for a second social media post where she suggested defendants who are not in custody should have their cases tossed.

That posting read: 'Life is STILL beautiful, despite the fact that Billie Eilish doesn't start for 30 minutes and I have an 8:30 calendar tomorrow.'

The posting included the hashtags, 'Vacatethe[Explitive]OuttaOutofCustodyCases' and 'WhereInTheWorldisCarmenSanDiego.'

In the hot tub posting, the commission alleges Ballou violated basic rules requiring a judge to promote public confidence and avoid impropriety.

The commission says the duties of a judge should be placed above their personal and extrajudicial activities in order they maintain the appearance of impartiality.

Ballou earns over $155,000 a year - although her total pay and benefits exceed $262,000 according to Transparent Nevada, which tracks public workers' salaries.

A second complaint has been filed for this Instagram posting in which she suggested defendants who are not in custody should have their cases tossed out

The Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline says the duties of a judge should be placed above their personal and extrajudicial activities in order they maintain the appearance of impartiality

In a second count, the commission similarly alleges the Facebook post demonstrates Ballou again violated the same three rules that requiring judges to promote public confidence, avoid impropriety and not participate in activities that could appear undermine the judge's independence, integrity or impartiality.

So far, Ballou has responded to her potential disciplinary charges with the lyrics from a Cardi B song, including the words: 'Get money, go hard, you're motherf***** right'

A hearing for the judge, who was sworn in January 2021, has not yet been set.

Ballou has responded to her potential disciplinary charges with the lyrics from a Cardi B song, including the words: 'Get money, go hard, you're motherf***** right', reports 8NewsNow.

'Went from makin' tuna sandwiches to makin' the news,' Ballou posted on Facebook this weekend using the songs lyrics, according to the news outlet.

'Get money, go hard, you're motherf***** right. Never been a fraud in my motherf***** life. Get money, go hard, damn f****** right. Stunt on these b****** out of motherf***** spite.'

Calls for Ballou's resignation previously arose in July 2022 after she told a criminal in her courtroom she didn't know if she would 'walk away alive' from cops.

Judge Ballou told a defendant he should have walked away from officers, after being arrested for committing battery against an officer in Nevada while on probation.

In 2022, the judge was branded as 'biased' against law enforcement leading to calls for her to resign her post after comments made to a defendant were 'unethical and irresponsible'

The Las Vegas Police Protective Association, the union which represents Metro police officers, demanded an ethics investigation.

'Hey, Judge, you are a disgrace to the bench,' the police union tweeted at the time. 'You have dishonored the robe you wear. You need to resign immediately.'

At the time, Ballou had been addressing a defendant had been on probation while accused of committing battery against an officer.

'You're the one making the decisions not to walk away from cops. You're a black man in America. You know you don't want to be nowhere where cops are,' Ballou said at the time.

'You know you don't want to be nowhere where cops are cause I know I don't, and I'm a middle-aged, middle-class black woman. I don't want to be around where the cops are because I don't know if I'm going to walk away alive or not. You know that.' she said.

Judge Ballou reduced the man's sentence from original 24 to 60-months to 19 to 48 months.

She added: 'Even if the cop like came after and was harassing your group, you should have walked away instead of staying.

Judge's history of controversial statements Judge Erika Ballou has hit the headlines multiple times in recent years, over controversial statements or sentences made in her court. In June 2022, Katie Moriarty claimed a COVID infection had scrambled Ballou's mind after she was sentenced to 364 days behind bars on top of 364 days time served for a reckless driving crash. Moriarty told the Nevada Current: 'Judge Ballou was suffering from COVID and not able to appear in person the day of my sentencing (and) made it clear she was not fit to be making such important decisions.' Meanwhile, in January 2021 Ballou raised eyebrows after weeping while sentencing a teenage serial criminal. Jailing armed robber Javier Torres-Murillo, 17, for up to five years, Ballou sobbed: 'I hope you see how hard it is for me to do somebody as young as you, and I hope you think about that every single day because I will probably think about this every single day for the rest of my life.' Advertisement

'You needed to walk away because you knew you were on probation, you knew.'

The LLVP, which represents Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officers called for her to quit over the comments.

A spokesman said: 'On behalf of the men and women of law enforcement, the Las Vegas Police Protective Association takes exception to Judge Erika Ballou's disparaging comments about police officers.

'We call upon Judge Ballou to resign from the bench. We also ask the Judicial Ethics Commission to sanction her for violating the Nevada Code of Judicial Conduct.

'Among other obligations, the rules require the judiciary to, '[A]spire at all times to conduct that ensures the greatest possible public confidence in their independence, impartiality, integrity, and competence.'

'Judge Ballou has demonstrated that she is biased against law enforcement and cannot live up to the standards required of a jurist.

'Judge Ballou's comments, from the bench, that she, 'does not want to be around where cops are because I don't know whether I am going to walk away alive or not...' are both unethical and irresponsible.

'Police officers and the law abiding citizens of our community deserve better from the judiciary.'

Judge Ballou was elected to bench in November 2020, taking her position in January 2021, and previously served as a Deputy Public Defender for Clark County Public Defenders office for 15 years.

Her term runs through 2027.

She was also caught on camera becoming emotional while sentencing a repeat teenage offender in January 2022.

The offender had eight previous counts for armed robbery, with Judge Ballou telling him she would 'think about this every single day' for the rest of her life.

In 2016, while working as a public defender Erika Ballou rrefused to remove her 'Black Lives' button from her blouse despite a judge's request

In 2016 Ballou refused to remove her 'BLM' badge from her blouse when asked to by Clark County District Court Judge Douglas Herndon. She said at the time 'In a free country, I shouldn't be afraid of the police, but I am'

Before stepping up as a Judge, Ballou was also a social justice organizer and member of the Democratic Socialists of America.

She also found herself in hot water after she refused to remove a 'Black Lives Matter' pin in court in September 2016, while still working as a deputy public defender.

Clark County District Court Judge Douglas Herndon requested she remove the badge from her blouse while representing a white domestic battery defendant at a sentencing hearing.

However she later accepted that she would not be allowed to wear the pin, as courtrooms should be 'viewpoint-neutral'.

At the time Ballou said she knew wearing her pin would be controversial after the Las Vegas police union sent a letter to judges complaining about what the union executive termed 'Black Lives Matter propaganda' in courtrooms.

In a statement she said: 'In a free country, I shouldn't be afraid of the police, but I am.'

Court officials say Judge Douglas W. Herndon (pictured) is responsible for applying rules of decorum, proper attire and dignity and asked Ballou to remove her Black Lives Matter pin

The pin, the judge said, 'is making a political statement, that, 'I wear this in protest of how the court is treating minority defendants.''

'Wear it in the hallway. Wear it in front of the courthouse,' Herndon added. 'Demonstrate. Protest. Use your voice. But that's not what dealing with justice on an individual case is about.'

Ballou, a self-described 'middle-aged, middle-income' woman, said she feared for her life when she was surrounded by four Nevada Highway Patrol officers during a traffic stop.

In Las Vegas, race in criminal justice has been a controversial issue in recent years.

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department drew scrutiny from the U.S. Justice Department's office of Community Oriented Policing Services and began in 2013 to change a range of policies after a review of officer-involved shootings over several years.
Donald Trump has warned 'we are on the brink of World War Three' as he blamed Joe Biden for Iran-back terrorists killing three American soldiers in Jordan.

The former president blasted the Biden administration's 'weakness and surrender' a day after the suicide drone strike on a remote compound near the Syrian border.

He claimed it would 'never have happened if I was president, not even a chance' as he penned a furious Truth Social post following the brutal killings.

The Biden administration hit back, claiming those trying to 'politicize our national security are illogical and detrimental to our safety and security'.

It comes after eight other American soldiers were medically evacuated from Tower 22 in Jordan while 34 were treated for injuries.



Former President Donald Trump believes a third world war is imminent as he blamed Joe Biden's 'weakness and surrender' for the suicide drone strike that killed three U.S. service members in Jordan Saturday

Trump's statement comes as eight American service members were medically evacuated from Tower 22 in Jordan, the same base where the three soldiers were killed. At least 34 service members are injured

Trump wrote on Sunday: 'This brazen attack on the United States is yet another horrific and tragic consequence of Joe Biden's weakness and surrender.

'This attack would NEVER have happened if I was President, not even a chance - Just like the Iranian-backed Hamas attack on Israel would never have happened, the War in Ukraine would never have happened, and we would right now have Peace throughout the World. Instead, we are on the brink of World War 3.'

Trump argued that he had Iran 'weak, broke, and totally under control' when he left office.

'Thanks to my Maximum Pressure policy, the Iranian Regime could barely scrape two dollars together to fund their terrorist proxies,' he wrote.

'Then Joe Biden came in and gave Iran billions of dollars, which the Regime has used to spread bloodshed and carnage throughout the Middle East. This attack would NEVER have happened if I was President, not even a chance.'

He promised to bring back those policies if he defeats Biden in the November election.

'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,' he wrote.

Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates responded angrily to Trump and other Republican critiques of Biden's policies in a statement to DailyMail.com Sunday.

'As President Biden said today, we will respond decisively at a time and place of our choosing,' Bates said. 'President Biden has acted swiftly and forcefully to hold the Iranian backers of these hostile groups accountable  including with multiple air strikes.

'Attempts by far right congressional Republicans to politicize our national security are illogical and detrimental to our safety and security.'

'In fact, these Republican officials never criticized the previous administration when the same militias attacked American troops, including in 2020.

'If congressional Republicans share President Biden's priority of holding Iran accountable, they should back his retaliation against the groups who committed today's acts, as well as the national security supplemental request  and they should stop giving Iran a pass for helping Russia attack Ukraine,' Bates added.

However, Biden has also taken a hammering in the mainstream press over this attack, which is seeing more wounded soldiers pile up by the hour.

Max Boot, an anti-Trump Washington Post columnist, said that Saturday's attack was 'had to happen.'

He said that the Biden administration 'needs to do more than it has' against Iran and replicate Trump's drone strike to kill Major General Qasem Soleimani in 2020.

'That did not stop the Quds Force from continuing to support militias across the region, but, according to retired Gen. Kenneth 'Frank' McKenzie Jr., then the head of U.S. Central Command, the killing of Soleimani did disrupt and deter Iranian attempts to target U.S. personnel in Iraq,' Boot wrote.

Trump argued that he had Iran 'weak, broke, and totally under control' when he left office

The drone attack impacted a U.S. 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

He also implored the Biden administration to impose tougher sanctions against Iran, which Biden has softened in an attempt to bring back the failed Iran nuclear deal.

'Biden has been cognizant of the need to deter Iran while not getting into a major war with the Islamic republic, but clearly the steps he has taken so far have been insufficient to protect U.S. forces in the region. The United States needs to do more  without going too far and triggering a wider regional conflagration,' he added.

The Wall Street Journal Editorial Board echoed Boot by saying the attack was 'bound to happen' but called Biden's statement on the attacks 'inadequate and infuriating.'

'The sorry truth is that these casualties are the result of the President's policy choices,' they wrote.

'Mr. Biden has tolerated more than 150 Iranian proxy attacks on U.S. forces in the Middle East since October. Only occasionally has he or the Administration registered more than rhetorical displeasure by retaliating militarily, and only then with limited airstrikes.'

They noted a former Democrat president's trouble in the region and how it might lead to the demise of Biden's presidency.

'In the 1970s, Iran helped to ruin Jimmy Carter 's Presidency by seizing hostages. Mr. Biden should worry that it will also take down his Presidency if he won't respond with enough force that the mullahs get the message,' the board concluded.

The mainstream press has also heavily criticized Biden's respon

During a campaign stop at a church in Columbia, South Carolina, President 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 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 22 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.
An Aussie property manager has shared her top tips to unlocking the keys to your dream rental - and the things you should never do at inspections.

Alicia McColloch from Aqwasun Estate Agents in Perth, Western Australia, told Daily Mail Australia appearances do matter when attending open homes for rentals.

'My tips are from first-hand experience within the real estate industry and are to help people be successful when applying for properties,' she explained.

'I recommend not drinking alcohol during the inspection.'

Ms McCulloch recounted a story of a woman who came into the open home drinking a bottle of booze.

The rental property manager, Alicia McColloch,(pictured) said agents cannot lie to owners when they ask how an applicant presented and behaved well at an open home

'She came into this open home drinking alcohol, which you're allowed to do; it just didn't look very good,' she said.

'Then her sister who's with her came in in her pyjamas, this was at 4pm in the afternoon. And that's fine as well. It just doesn't set a very good impression.

'I would never tell someone what they can wear or what they can drink, but appearances do matter.

'I know it's really hard at the moment, so you want to do everything you absolutely can, and this doesn't present well. Perception is key.'

The Perth property manager said first impressions were important because owners want to know how potential renters behaved.

'When presenting applications to the owner, the owners often ask us questions about how they presented at the home open, how they acted.

'We cannot lie to the owners and give factual feedback to the owner.'

The Perth-based property manager said her tips were a friendly reminder as she knew how competitive the rental market is (pictured stock photo of tenants lining up to inspect a property)

There are also other behaviours Ms McColloch urges applicants to avoid

'We have had people smoking out the front, while waiting for a home open. I would recommend holding off until after the home open,' she said.

'Also, people park on the lawn out the front of the house, which I highly recommend not to do!'

The agent also advises leaving any drinks in the car, including non-alcoholic beverages and to be 'decently' presented, with work uniforms 'not a problem'.

Other handy tips the agent shared with Daily Mail Australia include not delaying applying for the property, and applying before the inspection if allowed.

To avoid their application being delayed, potential renters should make sure all their information is correct and they have all current documents.

Ms McColloch also said it can also help if you make your application more personal.

'When applying for a property online, there is often space for an about me paragraph. Fill this out with just a short spiel about you and your family' she said.

'This space can be used in replacement of the cover letter that we would often see back when we were doing paper applications.'
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.

New claims of UNRWA's alleged involvement with the October 7 massacre have tonight emerged.

David Bedein, of Israel's Centre for Near East Policy Research, told the Sun that survivors claimed that the agency's staff were 'involved in actual murder  wielding guns and killing people'.

He said: 'People under attack recognized their attackers.'

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

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

Bedein says that while 12 people have so far been implicated, they are only the 'tip of the iceberg.'

'We've been researching UNRWA for years and found it's been thoroughly infiltrated by Hamas.'

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.

'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 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.
A mother of two allegedly shot at home in Queensland has been identified as devastated friends vow to always watch over her orphaned children.

Keira Marshall, 29, was allegedly shot in the chest at a unit complex on Grant Road in Morayfield, just north of Brisbane, shortly after midnight on Sunday.

Emergency services rushed to the apartment building after neighbours reported hearing gunshots, but despite the best efforts of paramedics, Ms Marshall died at the scene.

An 18-year-old male, known to Ms Marshall and found at the scene, is helping police with their inquiries. No charges have been laid.

Investigators are yet to determine the exact nature of the pair's relationship, but say the matter is not being treated as domestic violence related.

Friend Tarli Salter said Ms Marshall was a caring friend who supported her when her children's father passed away in 2022.

She said she would always remember how much Ms Marshall loved her children.

Keira Marshall, 29, (pictured) was allegedly shot at a home in Morayfield, north of Brisbane, during the early hours of Sunday morning

'She was a loving caring mother,' Ms Salter told Daily Mail Australia.

'She had her struggles in life but she never let them define her.

'I sadly miss her everyday and will forever be there for babies.

'Rest in paradise beautiful angel. Until we meet again.'

Another friend said she was reeling in shock.

'This is beyond f***ed up!!!! I only spoke to you yesterday!!!' she wrote online.

'Keira Marshall I f***ing love you! I will always be here for your kids and your family!!! Im so sorry I didnt come and see you yesterday like you wanted me to! Im so sorry.'

Detective Inspector David Harbison said on Sunday 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.'

Police are pictured at the scene of the alleged shooting on Sunday morning

Detective Inspector David Harbison said the pair knew each other but did not live in the unit (pictured, a car on the property)

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.

Officers were seen searching through bins at a childcare centre across the street from the unit on Sunday as they looked for evidence.

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.
A major Australian bank has announced it's closing more branches, just months after its boss revealed it was pursuing an 'almost solely digital' future.

Bankwest, which serves 1.1 million customers across the country, has recently announced the closure of three stores in Western Australia, citing a 'surge in digital transactions and the rapid decline of demand for cash services'.

The bank, which has been owned by Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) since 2008, provoked outrage in 2022 when it shuttered all of its remining 14 branches on the east coast.

Its only physical presence is now in Western Australia.

But even that is shrinking after it closed its Armadale branch in south east Perth on 18 January.

CEO of CBA Scott Comyn, who is ultimately accountable for Bankwest, hinted at a senate inquiry in September last year that the subsidiary bank was planning to further reduce its already dwindling number of branches and pursue an 'almost solely digital' future

In recent days, the bank has announced the permanent closure of a further two branches: Maddington in Perth's south east and Kununurra in far northern WA, 45km from the Northern Territory border.

In August last year, Bankwest announced it would close branches in Baldivis, South Perth and Osborne Park, following Subicaos closure the month before.

That same month, Bankwest's general manager of personal banking Scott Spittles told a senate inquiry into bank closures in regional Australia that they 'expect to operate fewer branches in Bankwest in the future'.

READ MORE: The scary sign Australia is about to go completely cashless Advertisement

'Bankwest's strategy is to grow as a digital and broker-first bank for home buyers,' Mr Spittles added.

Mr Spittles claimed that over-the-counter transactions have decline by around 44 per cent in the last three years, while digital payments now account for 97 per cent of all transactions.

Bankwest did not respond to further requests for comment over whether it planned to close more branches.

CBA has promised not to close any more branches until 2026.

However, Bankwest has not made the same commitment.

When queried on this at the senate enquiry in September, CEO of CBA Scott Comyn, who is ultimately accountable for Bankwest, hinted that the subsidiary bank was planning to further reduce its already dwindling number of branches.

'Strategically, Bankwest is moving to predominantly and probably over time almost solely digital only,' Mr Comyn told the inquiry.

Mr Comyn admitted: 'For those who value and would like face-to-face services and in-branch services those will be scarcer for Bankwest customers over time.'

He also revealed that the cost of providing cash to CBA customers amounted to $400million a year - or $40 each for its 10 million customers.

In February 2022, Bankwest announced it was no longer offering new business accounts.

Bankwest's only physical presence is in Western Australia but even that is dwindling

Instead, new and existing customers would be redirected and transitioned to CommBank.

Last week, one Bankwest customer was left 'absolutely gobsmacked' after told he could not withdraw cash from a rural branch.

Western Australian man Graeme Reid and his wife, who live in Latham, a rural town about 300km northeast of Perth, embarked on a 130km round-trip to their nearest Bankwest branch in Dalwallinu to withdraw $300 last week.

But Mr Reid's wife was told she was unable to withdraw the cash and instructed to use the post office instead.

'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'.

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.
Neighbours star Madeleine West has revealed how she confronted and secretly taped the paedophile who had sexually abused her and six other children 40 years earlier.

The Underbelly and House Husbands actress was wired up by detectives to record a conversation with Peter Vincent White, her childhood abuser in the 1980s in country Victoria.

In an interview to air this Sunday, West told 60 Minutes how White's 'face dropped' when she walked in to face him, now in his 70s.

'I knew he'd been waiting for this day,' she said.

Nevertheless, as the recording - publicly broadcast for the first time - shows, White told West he couldn't remember his crimes.

'I don't understand,' he said. 'I'm not quite sure what you're asking me.

I am so sorry. I dont remember doing anything like that. I am sorry, please, please forgive me.

'If  if I did, I  I dont remember. Im very, very sorry if I did ... its been washed from my mind.'

TV star Madeleine West was secretly wired up to confront her childhood abuser. The tape led to his conviction as a sexually abusive paedophile who stalked kids in a country Victoria town

Town plumber Peter White - who lured children with lollies and games and then molested them - has now been jailed for his crimes of 40 years ago

On this street in Woodend, Victoria, White abused children in his marital home while his own kids and his wife, who was deaf, slept in adjacent rooms

In the 60 Minutes episode, West will say she had worked with police to trap White after being in 'the deepest darkest hole I've ever been in my life' following the abuse.

'I just needed justice to be served ... it all comes back to you. You want forgiveness.'

West is one of two of Vincent's female victims who confronted White in 2022 after reporting the abuse to police.

The talented performer, whose childhood name was Melanie Ann Weston, was abused by White between the ages of five and 10 when her family were the offender's unsuspecting neighbours.

Between 1977 and 1988, while working as a plumber and woodfire heater installer in Woodend, 70km northwest of Melbourne, White abused the children in bizarre and cruel ways.

He encouraged his victims into playing and then performing degrading sexual acts and coerced them to use toys and balloons on his private parts.

His abuse happened when he was aged between 26 and 38, inside his family home, often at night when his children were asleep nearby and when his wife, who was deaf, was unlikely to rouse.

West is wired up by detectives before secretly recording White as she confronted him about his sexual abuse of her decades earlier

West was one of seven children, aged between four and 14, who were cruelly tricked by paedophile White, then a married father aged between 26 and 38

One girl, aged six, vomited after White forced her to perform a sex act. He also urinated on one of his friend's sons.

Another child was abused during a game of hide and seek, after White said that they should 'hide' in a bed together.

At a Victoria County Court plea hearing last year, Madeleine demanded White look her in the eyes while she read out her victim statement.

She later said on Instagram that 'he wept, looked away. Time and again I demanded he meet my gaze.

'For the first time in his miserable life show a shred of integrity by looking at me and listening.

'His legacy will not be as the good bloke, the loving husband, the proud father and grandfather.

"No.. the world will remember him as the monster who molested little children. It stops now.'

The actor described her anguish and tumultuous feelings years after being abused by White who preyed on the kids of Woodend, 70km northwest of Melbourne

White, aged 73, pleaded guilty to 33 charges of child sexual abuse against the seven victims, who were aged between four and 14.

The charges included sexual penetration of a child aged under 10 and gross indecency with a child.

He was sentenced last December to 15 years in prison, but will be eligible for release on parole in nine years when he would be 82 years old.

After the sentencing, Madeleine celebrated with other victims, saying the ruling 'took 40 years to be delivered but now its here.

'Its just a pittance compared to the life sentence served by victims of childhood sexual assault, but (it) demonstrates that victim survivors are not alone, it was never our fault, we arent broken and that justice is possible.

'This is a crime against children. Of the worst possible kind.

'By continuing to pretend it doesnt happen we willfully endanger our kids, just as we were left in danger like so many generations before us.

'Ignorance is no longer an excuse.'

Justice Amanda Chambers told the court there was no doubt White's offending had a profound and devastating impact on the lives of each of his victims.

She found his plea was an indication of remorse, but there was little other evidence he was genuinely remorseful for his offending or its impact.

'Offending of this kind strikes at the very heart of the morals of a decent and civilised society,' she said.

1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)

National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
by Sanchita Bhattacharya





Maldives recorded no terrorism-linked fatality in 2023, as in the preceding five years. The abduction and killing of blogger Yameen Rasheed by a local affiliate of Al-Qaeda on April 23, 2017, was the last terrorism related killing in the country. There have, however, been at least nine terrorist attacks since the Rasheed killing, including three in 2019, four in 2020 and one each in 2021 and 2022.





President Dr Mohamed Muizzu [The President's Office, Republic of Maldives]





The last terrorism-linked incident of violence in the Maldives was reported on August 22, 2022, when the then Maldivian Minister of State for Environment, Climate Change and Technology, Ali Solih, was attacked with a knife and injured when he was traveling on his scooter in the Hulhumale area of capital Male. The attacker, who came and stood in front of the Ministers scooter, chanted some verses from the Quran and subsequently launched the attack. The video of the incident over social media shows the attacker making several failed attempts to slit the Ministers throat, but could only slash a portion of his left arm. The Minister managed to save his life by running away. The attacker, Mohamed Jameel, who was arrested soon after the incident, was wearing a shirt bearing the logo of the Islamic State (IS).





There was no incident of arrest of a terrorist in the country in 2023, as against 26 in 2022.





Nevertheless, the shadow of Islamist terror continues to lurk over Maldives. On November 8, 2023, the Criminal Court slapped Mohamed Ameen, who is believed to be the leader of Maldivian faction of the IS, with a prison sentence of 27 years on two charges related to terrorism. State prosecutors accused Ameen of being the leader of a terrorist organisation and for conspiracy to carry out an act of terrorism. He was found to have recruited and sent Maldivians to fight in the civil war in Syria, conspired to recruit Maldivians to fight for the Islamic State  Khorasan Province (IS-KP) in Afghanistan, after the Syrian conflict ended, and propagating an extremist religious ideology.





Ameen was the first Maldivian to be listed as a terrorist by the United States, in 2019.





On July 31, 2023, the US Department of the Treasury issued a list of 20 Maldivian individuals and 29 companies that are believed to have ties with IS, IS-KP and Al-Qaeda, and have been funding their terrorist activities in the Maldives, and had applied sanctions against them. Following the sanction, US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller disclosed that the aim of these designations was to deter and disrupt financial and other forms of support for terrorist activities within the Maldives. Miller stated, The United States is steadfast in its commitment to counter the threats posed by these terrorist support networks, both locally and internationally, and to ensure they are deprived of funding and resources for carrying out attacks.





The targeted individuals and entities have been linked to Mohamad Ameen. Some of the designated individuals were involved in planning and executing attacks against journalists and local authorities.





Further according to latest US Department of States Country Reports on Terrorism 2022, published on November 30, 2023,





Maldives established general regulations and a regulation on rehabilitation and reintegration under the Antiterrorism Act (ATA) and passed a Prohibition on Chemical Weapons. There were no significant changes to law enforcement capacity. The Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF), including the marines and coast guard, and Maldives Police Service (MPS) remained jointly responsible for CT response. The MNDF conducted multiple cooperative engagements with U.S. forces focused on CT operations and enhancing maritime security capabilities to increase domain awareness and security





The illegal narcotics trade is rampant in Maldives. A report, Maldives, by the Global Organised Crime Index, published on September 26, 2023, noted that the Maldives remained a strategic transit country for heroin trafficking, with foreign criminal networks based in Pakistan controlling a large portion of the trade. Heroin is sourced from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iran and then transported to the Maldives and other nearby islands using the sea route. The Maldives also has its own considerable local supply and consumption market for heroin. The cocaine trade is also present in the Maldives, primarily as a transit country to Thailand and the Philippines. As earlier, Pakistans role was demonstrated in the April 3, 2022, incident, in which two Pakistani nationals who smuggled drugs into the Maldives were arrested at Velana International Airport. Ahmed Ali (32) and Moimina Gulfam (20), were arrested after drugs were found in their bags and hidden inside their bodies. 2023 also witnessed several cases related with Narcotics seizure in maldives, from Pakistani nationals. For instance, on October 7, 2023, Heroin weighing a total of 4.72 kilograms was seized from a Pakistani national, in Male. Earlier on June 5, 2023, a Pakistani national travelling from Faisalabad (Pakistan) was arrested in Male along with 10.14 kilograms of heroin.





Criminal gangs have also been involved with terrorist organisations. In July 2023, the US Department of the Treasury observed that Ahmed Alif Rauf (Alif), Mohamed Inthif Rauf (Inthif), and Ibrahim Aleef Rauf (Ibrahim) led the IS-aligned, Maldives-based criminal gang Kuda Henveyru. The Kuda Henveyru gang has attempted to fundraise for Maldivian IS and has carried out organized large-scale robberies to generate finances. Alif, Inthif, and Ibrahim played a critical role in obtaining funding to support ISs activities abroad as well. Specifically, Alif used Kuda Henveyru to recruit and radicalize young men, who were then sent to conflict zones. In addition, Maldives-based companies  Street Investments Pvt. Ltd; Street Motor Services; and White Beach Watersports Pvt. Ltd.  were owned or controlled by Alif. Maldives-based companies Baum Pvt. Ltd. and Maroc International Pvt. Ltd. were owned or controlled by Inthif.





The results of the Presidential election of 2023 have been vital for the archipelago nation. On September 30, 2023, Male City Mayor and Peoples National Congress (PNC) candidate Mohamed Muizzu, won 54.06 per cent of vote, defeating the incumbent, Ibrahim Solih, to become President. Muizzu led an India Out campaign in the run-up to the presidential elections. His party, PNC, had a tie-up with the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) led by former President Abdullah Yameen Abdul Gayoom. Muizzu is considered to be a protege of Gayoom. Gayooms Presidency (2013-18) had been marked by a surge in extremist mobilization in the country, as well as the migration of over 250 Maldivians to Iraq and Syria, to join the Islamic State. Muizzus, flagship India Out campaign also ties up with China, which had always been looking to make inroads in the region. Recognizing the opportunity, China has capitalised on the situation, pushing several infrastructure and connectivity projects, including the Male-Thilafushi project, under its broader string of pearls plan.





The coming months will be crucial for Maldives. Though the country has not recorded any terrorism related incident in the recent past, the underlying danger of radicalization cannot be denied. The strong Islamist and anti-India sentiments of the current political dispensation are, moreover, likely to provide fertile ground for various radical Islamist organisations working from Pakistan to restore their activities in the Maldives. Maldives has a history of falling prey to Jamaat-ud-Dawa and Lashkar-e-Taiba, as had happened in the wake of the Tsunami in 2004. Domestic extremist formations and their criminal gang affiliates are also likely to find the political environment under the present regime easier to operate within.





Sanchita Bhattacharya is a Research Fellow at Institute for Conflict Management in New Delhi, India
To most who lived through them, the strike-ridden 1970s are a grim memory of power cuts, rubbish in the streets and the transport system grinding to a halt.

To the hard-Left, however, they were glory days  when all-powerful trade union barons could hold the country to ransom at will.

The Thatcher revolution thankfully swept most of them away. But in Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan and his executive, their truculent spirit lives on.

The train drivers' union begins another wave of strikes today, inflicting yet more pain and inconvenience on millions of long-suffering passengers.

Their campaign of disruption has now been rumbling on for 18 months and shows little sign of abating. While every other rail union has settled, Aslef refuses to accept a pay rise which would see a driver's base salary hit 65,000 for a four-day week.

This is around twice the average working wage and comes with a gold-plated final salary pension. Yet Mr Whelan and his militants appear to regard the offer as somehow derisory.

While every other rail union has settled, Aslef refuses to accept a pay rise which would see a driver's base salary hit 65,000 for a four-day week. Pictured: Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan (second right) on a picket line at Euston with union members last October

Unions' campaign of disruption has now been rumbling on for 18 months and shows little sign of abating

So why aren't the train operating firms using new minimum service legislation to fight back against these unwarranted and hugely damaging rolling strikes?

EXCLUSIVE READ MORE: Rail bosses cash in on huge bonuses and pay rises amid strike hell on trains as nine days of walkouts start Advertisement

Since December 8, they have been empowered by law to mandate staff and unions to maintain up to 40 per cent of services on strike days, so the country can at least keep moving. If they refuse, unions can lose their protection against being sued for compensation.

Yet farcically, no company has invoked the legislation. LNER recently served notice that they intended to, but crumbled when Aslef threatened further retaliatory strikes. It was a craven capitulation.

No one believes enforcing these new laws, which also apply to a list of other public services including health, fire and rescue, and education, will be easy. The unions and Labour will fight them tooth and nail.

But if they are to serve the public and keep us moving, rail bosses must face down the wreckers. As we reveal today, many receive shockingly lavish pay rises and bonuses. It's time they started earning them.

UN's Gaza aid woes

It's no great surprise that UN aid workers in Gaza loathe Israel and support the Palestinian nationalist cause. But the news that 12 allegedly took part in the slaughter of 1,200 Israelis on October 7 is horrifying.

In response to the UK and other countries suspending their funding, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency sacked the employees concerned and promised a full investigation. But how many more within the UN believe the massacre was a legitimate act?

Even secretary general Antonio Guterres said it should be seen in the context of '56 years of suffocating occupation'. This was widely regarded in Israel as giving moral cover to murderers.

Withholding aid is a drastic step and will undoubtedly cause more hardship in an already devastated region. But before turning the tap back on, donors must be confident their money is not going into the hands of terrorists.

The news that 12 UN aid workers allegedly took part in the slaughter of 1,200 Israelis on October 7 is horrifying. Pictured: - Displaced Palestinians receive food aid at the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) on January 28

Surrogacy dilemma

For many couples, the urge to have children is primal. So, it is understandable that when biology or circumstance make it impossible, some turn to a surrogate.

But there are practical as well as ethical complications in a woman carrying and giving birth to a baby for someone else. Surrogacy is essentially about the needs of the adults involved, rather than the child.

Tory MP Miriam Cates has called for the practice to be outlawed. She is brave to tackle such a sensitive issue, and some will profoundly disagree. But she throws up many questions which are deserving of much fuller debate.
The energy minister responsible for promoting heat pumps has admitted that he does not have one himself and instead warms his London home with a gas boiler.

Lord Callanan has said that increased government grants for heat pumps mean that there has 'never been a better time to make the switch'.

But, at a business event in central London, the Minister for Energy Efficiency and Green Finance admitted that his residence in the capital is heated with gas, the Daily Express reports.

The Tory peer insisted his Newcastle home is heated electrically and maintained that the government's net zero approach is working as consumers are incentivised to go green.

Heat pumps reduce energy bills, but can cost anywhere between 8,000 to 30,000 to buy and fit. To encourage homeowners to make the switch, the Government rolled out a Boiler Upgrade Scheme, offering grants of up to 7,500.

Lord Callanan has said that increased government grants for heat pumps mean that there has 'never been a better time to make the switch'

Figures from the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) show the number of people applying to the Government's Boiler Upgrade Scheme in December jumped by 49 percent compared to the same month in 2022.

Lord Callanan said: 'These figures show more people want the cleaner heating and more stable bills you get with a heat pump.'

READ MORE: Homeowners could get 10,000 for fitting a heat pump under new scheme Advertisement

But Mike Foster, the CEO of the trade body Energy and Utilities Alliance said the government is failing to meet its targets, despite upping the subsidies.

'We need to decarbonise homes; we want to get to net zero but in a just way,' he said.

'Giving a cash bung of 7,500 to those who can afford to add a further 6,000 themselves just to replace their ageing boilers with a heat pump is not what I call a "just transition."'

Sir John Redwood, Tory MP for Wokingham, said that 'few people can afford a heat pump' and questioned whether those who promote them necessarily practice what they preach.

'I reckon most Ministers and Shadow Ministers who recommend them to others do not have one themselves,' he said.

The government's scheme to help people purchase the pumps is one of the most generous of its kind in Europe, MP Claire Coutinho has insisted.

Heat pumps reduce energy bills, but cost between 8,000 to 30,000 to buy and fit (stock image)

The Energy Security Secretary said: 'We recently made our Boiler Upgrade Scheme one of the most generous schemes in Europe. Applications are now up by nearly 50 percent compared to last year.

'Helping people, rather than forcing them, to make the right choices for their homes will always be my priority.'

As part of their commitment to Net Zero, the government announced in October last year that it wants to install 600,000 heat pumps a year by 2028.
A judge ordered police to delete photos they took in their raid on Givens' house

Police say they were hunting a thief when GPS led them to Dermot Givens' home

A judge in Los Angeles has ordered police not to reveal what they found when they raided the home of an attorney representing Black Lives Matter.

Officers from LAPD took photos in the house of Dermot Givens on Tuesday as they hunted for a suspect they were following via an AirTag tracking device.

Givens claimed the snaps included legal documents concerning BLM leader Melina Abdullah, who is suing the department after they descended on her $1.6million home in 2020 in response to a reported swatting incident.

'It's totally f***ing embarrassing,' Givens, 67, said. 'I'm not a conspiracy theorist, but this is something that was planned.'

Police say they were hunting a thief when GPS led them to the home of attorney Dermot Givens

Givens claimed the photos included legal documents concerning BLM leader Melina Abdullah

BLM leader Melina Abdullah is suing the department after they descended on her $1.6million home in 2020 in response to a reported swatting incident

Abdullah, who co-founded the city's BLM chapter, claims officers violated her civil rights in 2020 by forcing her at gunpoint out of her home in the Crenshaw neighborhood after receiving a hoax call about a hostage situation there.

She has alleged that police used the prank call, which was carried out by teenagers, as pretext to 'terrorize' her for her role in organizing protests following the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police in 2020.

She was swatted again a day after filing the lawsuit in September 2021 and a third time just days later.

'While the LAPD response was far more restrained than last year's, and not blatantly violent, it triggered traumas from the previous incident, as I believe was their intent' the professor of Pan-African Studies wrote afterwards on Instagram.

'I find it incredulous that such an incident would occur less than 24 hours after my attorneys, and I announced a lawsuit against the LAPD for their extremely violent response and infliction of harm against me in August 2020.

'The timing is not coincidental.'

The campaign group has been dogged by questions over what has become of the $90 million in donations it received in the aftermath of Floyd's death, and its purchase of a $6million compound in Los Angeles.

Givens said officers 'ransacked' his home in their search for firearms and ammunition, identity theft and forgery-related materials, cameras, lock-picking equipment and cellphones and other communication devices

Abdullah's home in the Crenshaw neighborhood was repeatedly swatted as her profile soared

She said the police response was designed to intimidate her and family in 'retaliation' for her anti-police activities

Abdullah (seen above in Los Angeles in June 2020), is a co-founder of BLM's LA chapter

The 6,500-square foot Southern California mansion was bought by BLM on October 27, 2020, for $5.8 million despite the fact the seller, Dyane Pascall, had purchased it for $3.1 million just six days earlier.

BLM also allegedly wished to keep the house purchase a secret despite three of its former leaders reportedly filming a series of videos dining and drinking Champagne outside the estate in Spring 2021.

Documents and internal communications reportedly reveal the luxury property's purchase was handled in ways that 'blur boundaries' between charitable use and those that would benefit some of the organization's leaders, New York magazine reported.

The discrepancy between BLM's purchase price and that paid by Pascall also appears to remain unexplained.

Meanwhile, just 33 percent of Black Lives Matter's accumulated donations of $90 million found its way to charitable causes, a shocking report released last summer stated.

The group doled out around $30 million between 2020 and 2022, during which time it collected $90 million in donations as it promoted itself as the preeminent civil rights organization in the US.

Among the benefactors of BLM's paltry donations were friends and family of co-founder Patrisse Cullors, in particular her graffiti artist brother, Paul, who received $1.7 million in salary and contracts during that time period.

According to property records, Abdullah owns three homes - two in Los Angeles and one in Baltimore; their total value exceeds $2.2million.

The Crenshaw home that was 'swatted' is said to be worth between $1.3million and $1.6million, according to realtor web sites.

Givens said police gave him just part of a warrant before they 'ransacked' his home, emptying drawers, opening his safe, and rifling through his briefcase.

The warrant allowed officers to search for firearms and ammunition, any 'identity theft and forgery-related materials,' cameras, lock-picking equipment and cellphones and other communication devices.

'I go, 'Are you all swatting me?' Givens told the LA Times.

'And they said, 'Who are you?' And I said, 'I live here!'

The attorney said police 'know exactly who I am and where I live' and accused them of 'retaliation and intimidation', for his work representing clients suing the LAPD.

LA judge Rupert Byrdsong ordered police on Friday to destroy any photos they took inside Given's home and hand over the rest of the warrant.

Property photos show the luxurious seven-bedroom, 6,500-square foot $6million Los Angeles mansion was reportedly purchased with Black Lives Matter donations

The property's patio and outdoor yard features an in-ground pool and cabana

The property boasts more than half-dozen bedrooms and bathrooms, a 'butler's pantry' in the kitchen (pictured) as well as multiple fireplaces and a 'mud room'

Abdullah said: 'The first thing I thought was, like, 'Oh, that's crazy that they swatted the attorney who is suing them on my behalf for swatting me.'

'Along with, 'Is Dermot OK?'

A police spokesperson said the department was conducting an internal investigation and declined to provide further details about the search.

'This is an open criminal investigation as well as an internal affairs investigation,' spokesperson Captain Kelly Muniz added.
The brother of a British base jumper has revealed the 'simple' mistake he made with his parachute that caused him to plunge to his death 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 unwittingly leaping to his death.

Now his brother Ed Harrison, 39, has said chilling video footage of the daredevil's last moments shows that his mini pilot chute was caught in his harness, meaning there was 'no chance' it would have deployed.

Mr Harrison, from St Neots, said that despite his brother's significant experience - having undertaken '5,000 jumps around the world' - he made the fatal error 'without realising' and leapt to his death.

Paying tribute, Mr Harrison told The Sun that his sibling 'will be missed by so many... He was fun-loving and joyful and great with kids. He was a hero to my three.'

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

Horrifying footage shows self-professed 'adrenaline junkie' Mr Odinson counting down 'three, two, one, see ya' before jumping into the night sky.

He is then sent 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.

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.
Ofsted should come up with an alternative to single-word judgements when inspecting schools following the suicide of headteacher Ruth Perry, the Education Committee has said.

The Commons committee added there is need for 'more action' to address 'widespread and deep concern' about the inspections system, including the blunt 'inadequate' category for troubled schools.

Their report recommends the Department for Education (DfE) and Ofsted - headed by new chief inspector Sir Martyn Oliver - develop an alternative to the single-word judgements 'as a priority' and called on the two bodies to review the support on offer to school leaders during and after an inspection.

The contents of the report were welcomed by Mrs Perry's family, who took her own life after an Ofsted report downgraded her Caversham Primary School in Reading from its highest rating to its lowest over safeguarding concerns.

In December, a coroner concluded the Ofsted inspection in November 2022 'likely contributed' to Mrs Perry's death.

The Commons committee added there is need for 'more action' to address 'widespread and deep concern' about the inspections system, including the blunt 'inadequate' category for troubled schools. Pictured: Ruth Perry

The contents of the report were welcomed by Mrs Perry's family. Pictured: A photograph of Ruth Perry attached to the fence outside John Rankin Schools in Newbury, Berkshire

Since the inquest, the watchdog has made some changes and it has published a policy on how school inspections can be paused in exceptional circumstances - including where the headteacher requires support.

Referring to the Education Committee's report, Professor Julia Waters, Mrs Perry's sister, said: 'My family and I can only hope that this report and its recommendations will help to bring about the change needed to prevent other tragedies from occurring in the future.'

She called on Gillian Keegan to act, saying: 'The Education Secretary has been keen in the past to ask people to congratulate her on what a great job she has done, while others have sat down and done nothing. It's time she got to her feet now to end single-word judgements.'

Bridget Phillipson MP, Labour's Shadow Education Secretary, commented 'Rebuilding the fractured relationship between schools, families and government will be a key priority for an incoming Labour government as part of our mission to break down barriers to opportunity.'
Schools are 'off-rolling' poorly-performing pupils to protect their academic profile despite the practice being prohibited.

The Centre for Social Justice believes a spike in exclusions during January 2023 is due to schools deliberately dumping those likely to do badly in their GCSEs.

They were taken off the register just before the date at which their grades would count in official league tables.

Many of these students, who may simply be struggling academically, end up in 'pupil referral units' (PRUs) with badly behaved children.

But others can be taken in by other schools or taught at home, despite warnings about it first emanating in 2018.

Schools are 'off-rolling' poorly-performing pupils to protect their academic profile despite the practice being prohibited (Stock image)

According to the CBJ, a centre-right think-tank, the number of Year 11 pupils in PRUs rose by 488 in January 2023, compared to a net increase of 395 the previous term.

The rise in the number of Year 11s entering the PRUs in January 2023 was bigger than in any other term across every other age group.

This evidence comes despite school inspectorate Ofsted ruling the practice can be 'unlawful' and is in all cases 'never acceptable'.

Schools are meant to expel pupils only as a last resort and that 'academic attainment/ability' is not a valid reason to expel a pupil.

Andy Cook, CSJ chief executive, told the Sunday Times: 'Our reports today support what many parents who work with our front-line charities have been saying for years, namely the practice of schools dumping kids in Year 11 to sustain their performance data.

'A system which effectively rewards schools for exiting academically underperforming students is not acceptable.

Andy Cook (pictured), CSJ chief executive, described the practice of dumping pupils in Year 11 to sustain their performance data as 'not acceptable'

'At a time when we have high levels of children absent from school, and record levels of suspensions, it beggars belief that the system is incentivising schools to exit students to protect their exam results.'

A Department for Education spokesman said: 'We back heads to use suspensions and permanent exclusions where required as part of behaviour management, so they can provide calm, safe, and supportive environments.

'Permanent exclusion should only be used as a last resort and we are clear schools may not permanently exclude pupils because of their ability or attainment.'
Humza Yousaf risked sparking a row with Downing Street after he confirmed the Scottish government will not suspend funding from the UN's relief agency after allegations some members participated in Hamas' terror attack on Israel.

The First Minister announced that funding will not be suspended to the UNRWA - the UN's Relief and Works Agency for Palestine - after 12 of the organisation's 13,000 employees were accused of being involved with the October 7 attacks.

Mr Yousaf, who has been vocal in calling for an immediate ceasefire in the region, insisted the Scottish government would not provide further support at this stage - but has not 'paused or withdrawn' funding.

On Saturday the UK government announced a suspension of donations, along with the US State Department, Australia, Canada, Germany, Finland, the Netherlands and Italy.

The First Minister announced that funding will not be suspended to the UNRWA - the UN's Relief and Works Agency for Palestine

Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner-General, (pictured) did not specify how many employees were implicated in the scandal

Former Cabinet Minister Theresa Villers said last night: 'The idea of UNRWA workers being involved in the 7th October attacks is sickening.

'I find it shocking that the Scottish Government has not suspended support for UNRWA.

'There have been problems with UNRWA for years. This latest scandal should trigger a complete reset of the way aid is delivered to the Palestinians.

'The Scottish Government should recognise that we now urgently need to clean up UN aid provision.'

Scottish Conservative Leader Douglas Ross added: 'This intervention from Humza Yousaf is not only out of step with the UK, Germany and the US, but the position of his own government spokesman.

'The public will no doubt be confused by these seemingly contradictory statements - and concerned that the First Minister appears to be going against the international consensus on this extremely serious issue.

'It's deeply disappointing to see the First Minister engage in this apparent double-speak over such a complex and developing situation.

'If Humza Yousaf really felt the need to say something, he should simply have reiterated the grave concerns people have after hearing the claims some UNRWA staff were involved in the Hamas terrorist attacks.'

Responding to reports that Scotland had mirrored Westminster and halted funding, Mr Yousaf said: 'To be clear, [the Scottish government] has not paused or withdrawn aid to UNRWA

'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

'The people of Gaza are dying in the midst of a humanitarian catastrophe, they cannot be collectively punished. Aid must get to those who are already suffering so badly.'

Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch told Sky News: 'There have been very significant allegations made that people from the UN's relief works agency participated, or certainly had knowledge of, the 7 October attacks.

'That's extremely serious and I think it's 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 wouldn't be in a position to say, but it's absolutely the right thing to do.'

UNRWA has already announced a full investigation into the allegations, with the 12 staff members accused of participating in the attacks having their contracts terminated.

Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch told Sky News: 'There have been very significant allegations made that people from the UN's relief works agency participated, or certainly had knowledge of, the 7 October attacks'

View of destroyed houses during Isreali military operation in Al Maghazi refugee camps in southern Gaza Strip

The organisation was founded in the wake of the creation of the state of Israel in 1948 to provide hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees who were forcibly displaced with education, healthcare and other essential services.

It now supports nearly 6 million Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, as well as in neighbouring Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.

'Palestinians in Gaza did not need this additional collective punishment,' Philippe Lazzarini, the UNRWA commissioner-general, said. 'This stains all of us.

'UNRWA is the primary humanitarian agency in Gaza, with over two million people depending on it for their sheer survival.'

Ex-Labour MP Claudia Webbe, who now sits as an independent after being suspended from the party, said 'freezing funding to UNRWA is premeditated murder and inhumane'.

Labour appeared to back the government's decision to suspend aid, however.

Shadow International Development Secretary Lisa Nandy said yesterday: 'Allegations this serious demand a serious response.

'As the UK rightly ensures our aid is never used to support terrorism, we are seeking urgent discussions with Ministers to ensure ordinary Gazans can access aid.

'The humanitarian crisis in Gaza cannot wait.'
The boyfriend of a former ABC-TV newsreader will soon be in charge of a $300billion Australian government wealth fund.

Greg Combet, who served as a cabinet minister under Labor prime minister Julia Gillard from 2010 to 2013, has been named as the new Future Fund chairman.

Mr Combet, the partner of former longtime Sydney ABC-TV newsreader Juanita Phillips, will replace former Liberal treasurer Peter Costello, who established the fund in 2006 to finance public service superannuation liabilities.

The Future Fund now manages $272billion worth of assets, including Labor's $10billion Housing Australia Future Fund, charged with building 10,000 social and affordable dwellings over five years.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers on Monday announced Mr Combet would take over as chair of the Future Fund board of guardians in the middle of 2024.

'Mr Combet has a distinguished career and extensive experience in investment and superannuation, government and the climate and energy transformation,' he said.

Power couple: The boyfriend of a former ABC-TV newsreader will soon be in charge of a $300billion Australian government wealth fund (Greg Combet is pictured right with Juanita Phillips in 2014)

'His appointment will bring deep, diverse experience and fresh leadership to the Future Fund.'

Mr Combet and Phillips began dating in 2012 when he was a cabinet minister and she was the ABC's 7pm television newsreader in Sydney.

He separated from his wife Petra Hilsen while she left her husband Mario Milostic.

Phillips delivered her last bulletin in September, signing off for the final time after 21 years, surpassing her predecessor Richard Morecroft's 19-year run.

She had previously been a Ten newsreader in Brisbane and Sydney during the 1990s, and joined the ABC, initially as a co-host with Tony Eastley in 2002 after several years abroad working for CNN International and BBC World News.

Mr Combet was secretary of the Australian Council of Trade Unions, before being parachuted into a safe Labor seat in Newcastle in 2007.

This was after he led the campaign against the then Coalition government's hated WorkChoices laws which forced new workers on to individual contracts without a no-disadvantage test.

He became a parliamentary secretary under incoming prime minister Kevin Rudd.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers announced Mr Combet would take over as chairman in the middle of 2024

He was promoted to Cabinet with the climate change portfolio in September 2010 after Ms Gillard formed a minority government with the Greens.

Since leaving politics in 2013, he has sat on several boards, including the National COVID-19 Coordination Commission under the previous Coalition government.

He is now chair of the Net Zero Economy Agency, and has been the chairman of IFM Investors and a trustee of AustralianSuper and Superannuation Trust of Australia.
They're private so their careers can remain 'entirely separate'

Star ABC journalist Sarah Ferguson has revealed the reason she and her husband keep their relationship private.

During an interview for 'The ABC Of', Ferguson told host David Wenham she and her partner, Tony Jones, met while working in Paris.

Jones, best known as the former host of Q&A, was working as a London correspondent for the ABC when he hired Ferguson to help him on a story about French politics in 1992.

The chance encounter was not only the beginning of Ferguson's stellar career but the start of a romantic relationship that led to marriage and three children.

When looking back at footage of Jones from 1992, Ms Ferguson said: 'That is the man that I fell in love with.

'I've spent my entire career not saying things like that publicly and keeping our careers entirely separate.

'But that is absolutely the man that I fell in love with at that moment, more or less.'

Sarah Ferguson (right) and Tony Jones (left) married in 1993 but have kept their relationship private to keep their 'careers entirely separate'

She joked: 'I've broken the rules of my entire professional life just then. I feel like the ground is cracking beneath me.'

Ferguson admitted that she initially didn't expect to get along with Jones after trying to organise their piece together in the days before they met.

'I didn't like him at all,' she said.

'We spent a week on the phone setting up our first story together and I thought he was pretty irritating. He kept changing the story.'

But everything changed the moment the pair met at the airport.

'He walked through the doors of the airport. They opened up and that was that, and here we are,' Ferguson said.

The couple wedded a year after they met and have followed job opportunities around the globe together over more than 30 years of marriage.

The pair have frequently worked on projects together and when discussing how they solve professional differences, Ferguson said, 'Unfortunately, there is no court of appeal'.

'There's just quiet days that follow disagreements,' she said.

'We can get pretty fierce about politics ... We're both journalists of the heart, we love what we do.

'So it's not a separate thing, it's just part of dinner in the evening.'

Ferguson also opened up about the difficulty she experienced in trying to secure an interview with disgraced former judge of the Federal Court of Australia, Marcus Einfeld - who she was living next door to at the time.

Ferguson (above) said she met her husband while reporting on French politics for the ABC in 1992

The experienced journalist said she'd convinced Einfeld to do an interview but he backed out at the last moment.

'I'm constantly ringing him, and I can hear my phone ringing in the house next door where he lives and I can hear him walking around and he's not picking up the phone,' she said.

'I can hear him talking about the fact that I'm ringing and he's not going to pick up the phone.'

The ordeal left her with the following advice for young reporters: 'Never, ever, make a program about the person who lives next door.'
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has been called out by the Opposition after he used one simple phrase to assure the public Labor isn't going after negative gearing: 'We haven't changed our view'.

Dr Chalmers was asked on Monday about any future potential changes to negative gearing policies - where Australians get tax benefits for investment properties when their expenses are greater than the income they generate.

The Treasurer was adamant such a policy change wasn't on the horizon - but repeated the same words Prime Minister Anthony Albanese used when he ruled out breaking his promise on the Stage Three tax cuts.

'We're not contemplating or considering resurrecting the policies that we took to the 2019 election,' he said.

'We haven't changed our view.'

That last sentence was Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's go-to line before he announced he was, in fact, changing the Stage Three cuts last week.

'We have not changed our position,' Mr Albanese told voters, journalists and colleagues.

During the PM's National Press Club speech on Thursday, he indicated this phrase was especially formulated to keep the government's plans under wraps.

Mr Albanese told reporters as late as Monday that the government's 'position had not changed'.

He later said it was technically true as 'we changed our position on Tuesday in the Cabinet'.

Deputy Opposition Leader Sussan Ley told Daily Mail Australia there is a 'clear pattern in the language' used by the senior Labor figures.

'Sneaky Jim Chalmers - "we have not changed our position" means watch out,' she said.

'The problem with having a liar in the Lodge is you can't trust anything anyone says in this shifty Labor government.

'Australians are learning the hard way that when Labor runs out of money, they come after yours.'

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)

The Treasurer was called out about the similarities during the press conference, and asked 'why people should believe you this time?'

Dr Chalmers said: 'Because when we came to a different view on the stage three income tax cuts we were upfront about why.

'Weve made it really clear that thats not something we have considered or are considering and, again  I think the Australian people expect us to do the right thing by them. This is not about the political argy-bargy.'

Asked to reiterate his position, Dr Chalmers said: 'We havent changed our view on that. Weve found other ways to support the housing market.

'We have changed our view on stage three tax cuts, and thats why Im here explaining to you why.'

It's understood some Labor MPs are campaigning internally for Labor to revisit its negative gearing policy.

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 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.

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'.

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 transport 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.'
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.





A supporter of Niger's National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland demonstrates in Niamey. [Photo: AFP/Getty Images]





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.
These days they are regarded as great destinations for a Caribbean holiday.

But the islands of St Kitts and Nevis once had darker links to Britain - as the home of slaves owned by Greene King brewery founder Benjamin Greene.

Now officials on the islands say they have arranged meetings with the firm - Britain's leading pub company and brewer - to discuss the issue of reparations, in the form of compensation or investment in education.

Following Greene King's 2020 admission of historical wrongs in the wake of Black Lives Matter protests, the company vowed to become a 'truly anti-racist organisation', with its leadership team to 'fully embrace antiracism in philosophy and practice'.

The Berkeley Memorial stands in the centre of the Circus in Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis (stock photo)

St Kitts and Nevis once had darker links to Britain - as the home of slaves owned by Greene King brewery founder Benjamin Greene (stock photo)

Research into founder Benjamin Greene, who began the company in 1799, found he had owned 231 slaves, whose labour was used on sugar plantations, in St Kitts.

He was compensated the equivalent of around 500,000 in today's money when British trade in enslaved people was abolished in 1833.

While the firm renamed four pubs which had names with racist connotations, three called The Black Boy, in Bury St Edmunds, Sudbury and Shinfield, and the Black's Head in Wirksworth, there has been disappointment at the lack of a concrete commitment to the island where these wrongs took place.

Carla Astaphan, chairman of the St Kitts and Nevis reparations committee, told the Sunday Telegraph that reparations should be made, and that 'discussions are planned to look at some form of reparatory justice for St Kitts and Nevis'.

Prof Verene Shepherd, Jamaica's reparations lead and chairman of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, has previously suggested that European governments owe Caribbean nations billions in reparations for centuries of slavery and subsequent colonial rule.

The member states of the Caribbean Community ('Caricom') developed a ten-point plan setting out its demands for repertory justice, but little progress has been made with European governments, and it has now also trained its sights on institutions once involved in the slave trade.

Last year it was reported that the Royal Family would be among those institutions asked to make amends.

Greene King yesterday could not confirm or deny that talks were scheduled over possible reparations (Pictured: St Kitts)

Research by Desiree Baptiste, the writer and researcher, revealed that the King is the direct descendant of Edward Porteous, a merchant who used slave labour on tobacco plantations in Virginia.

The Royals also played a part in founding the slave-trading Royal Africa Company, from which they earned a return.

The shift in strategy, from pursuing government agreements to seeking institutional reparations, was inspired in part by former BBC correspondent Laura Trevelyan, who has given 100,000 to atone for her family's ancestral slave holdings.

Greene King yesterday could not confirm or deny that talks were scheduled over possible reparations. The company gained the 'King' in its name after a merger in 1887.

Nick Mackenzie, chief executive officer at Greene King, said: 'It is inexcusable that one of our founders profited from slavery and argued against its abolition in the 1800s.

'In 2020, we took decisive action, publishing an action plan for how we can play our part in 'Calling Time on Racism'.

Since then we have been working hard to become a truly anti-racist organisation and have invested, and continue to invest, in supporting race diversity in our business, the pubs sector and our wider communities.

'But we know we still have more to do on this agenda. Our focus will continue to be on listening to our teams' priorities and acting to ensure racism and discrimination have no place within our company or broader society.'
A prominent academic and self-described 'part-Aboriginal Australian' insists there is nothing offensive about the word 'Aborigine' and he will go on using it.

Anthony Dillon, a well-known commentator on Indigenous affairs, said no one had been able to explain to him why the term was now considered insensitive.

He believed some Australians who identified as Indigenous might not feel comfortable that 'Aborigine' could evoke an image of a person who was 'clearly and unmistakably a full-blooded Aboriginal person'.

'I have no problem with the word,' Dr Dillon told Daily Mail Australia.

'Twenty, 30 years ago it was fine but then overnight someone said you're not allowed to use that word. I said, "Why?" and a reason was never given.

Anthony Dillon, a 'part-Aboriginal Australian' academic and commentator on Indigenous affairs, insists the word 'Aborigine' is not offensive. He is pictured with Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, the federal shadow minister for Indigenous affairs

'It was like the term "part-Aboriginal" - that was fine for many years and then overnight someone said, "Oh, that's offensive".

'Now, I'm open to hearing the reason but no one has offered me a reason yet.'

Human rights group Amnesty International advises on its website against calling someone an Aborigine, even if they are Aboriginal.

"'Aborigine" is generally perceived as insensitive because it has racist connotations from Australia's colonial past, and lumps people with diverse backgrounds into a single group,' it states.

'If you can, try using the person's clan or tribe name. And if you are talking about both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, it's best to say either "Indigenous Australians" or "Indigenous people".'

Dr Dillon, an honorary fellow at the Australian Catholic University, said there was nothing offensive about calling someone an Aborigine.

'I think it was just arbitrary,' he said. 'Also, perhaps "Aborigine" conjures up images like the guy on the $2 coin, that sort of thing.'

Anthony Dillon believes some Australians who identify as Indigenous might feel 'Aborigine' conjures an image of someone like Bwoya Jungarai (above), who appears on the $2 coin, and that is not how they see themselves

Gwoya Jungarai, who survived the 1928 Coniston massacre in Central Australia, is depicted on that coin with traditional headband, flowing beard and tribal scars across his chest.

The picture of Jungarai, or someone like him, might not fit with how the increasing number of light-skinned Australians who identified as Aboriginal saw themselves, Dr Dillon suggested.

Gwoya Jungarai appeared on a postage stamp as well as the $2 coin

'We know in the last 10 or 20 years more and more people are identifying as Indigenous on the basis that they have some indigenous ancestry,' he said.

'I'm not saying they can't. I'm just saying we don't have to change the language, or at least don't tell me what language I can use and not use.'

At the 2021 census, 812,728 Australians identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, up from 649,171 in 2016.

'Someone can have one drop of Indigenous ancestry,' Dr Dillon said. 'If they want to identify, that's their business. But I see nothing wrong with calling them an Aborigine.'

Dr Dillon also believed some people just enjoyed taking offence.

'Because to be offended is to feel important and people love to take offence,' he said.

Human rights group Amnesty International advises on its website against calling someone an Aborigine, even if they are Aboriginal. 'Invasion Day' protesters are pictured in Sydney on January 26

'They like to be the gatekeepers. People either like to be the offended or the rescuers. The thought police.'

Dr Dillon had no problem with language changing and gave the example of preferring to say 'a person with diabetes' than 'a diabetic'.

'There's a rationale behind that,' he said. 'We're talking about the person, we're not defining them in terms of the illness they have.

'But no one has been able to explain to me why the term Aborigine is not allowed.

'Having said that, I will often say "Aboriginal people" because I don't go out to deliberately provoke. But I will at times say 'Aborigine' and I won't apologise for it.'

The Macquarie Dictionary defines an Aborigine as 'a member of a tribal people, the earliest known inhabitants of Australia' or 'a descendant of this people'.

It also warns the word can cause offence and suggests using other descriptions.

'The nouns Aborigine(s) and Aboriginal(s) are considered by some to carry negative, even derogatory, connotations,' the Macquarie states.

Aboriginal people have increasingly identified themselves by language groups, using phrases such as 'Bundjalung man' or 'Noongar woman'. Protesters gather in Melbourne on January 26

'The use of Aboriginal as an adjective, forming noun phrases such as Aboriginal people, Aboriginal woman, Aboriginal Australian etc is preferred by many.

'The adjective Indigenous can be used to encompass both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

'Indigenous Australians from particular regions of Australia are also sometimes referred to by names from Indigenous languages.'

Aboriginal people have increasingly identified themselves by language groups, using phrases such as 'Bundjalung man' or 'Noongar woman'.

The Creative Spirits website, which provides research material about Aboriginal culture, recommends using 'First Nations people'.

'People have used many terms for Australia's First Peoples,' it states. 'Early terms were utterly racist and remain offensive.

The Creative Spirits website, which provides research material about Aboriginal culture, recommends using 'First Nations people'. Protesters are pictured in Adelaide on January 26

'Then "Indigenous" was very popular before the politically more correct "Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander" replaced it.

'But all these terms were coined by non-Indigenous people. The new term that is emerging in Australia now is "First Nations people(s)".

Creative Sprits says that term should be preferred because Aboriginal people inhabited Australia before anyone else and formed nations rather than small groups.

'Each nation, just like any other nation on the planet, has its own culture, history and language,' it states. 'The plural, nations, alludes to the diversity of all nations within Australia.'

Creative Sprits does not like 'Indigenous' because it 'generalises mainland and islander cultures into one, ignoring the many different cultures that exist'.
She had never spoked publicly about the incident

A dog owner who was savaged by her Rottweilers says she will never stop loving them, after they were euthanised in the wake of the vicious attack.

Nikita Piil, 31, almost died when her two dogs, Harlem and Bronx, mauled her at her Success home, in the southern suburbs of Perth, on September 16.

Her family later said she was trying to calm the dogs following an incident in the neighbourhood when she unfortunately got caught in the crossfire and was attacked herself.

Ms Piil was raced to hospital with severe injuries to her arm, legs and head injuries and has since undergone at least five life-saving operations.

During the attack, police were forced to shoot Bronx following failed attempts to distract and Taser the dog. He was later euthanised by vets.

About six weeks later, she was asked to surrender Harlem to City of Cockburn's animal management centre so he could be put down.

Ms Piil has never spoken publicly about the attack, but it can now be revealed that she has quietly turned her social media bios into tributes for her beloved pets.

Nikita Piil (pictured) almost died after she was mauled by her own Rottweilers in Perth

Ms Piil (pictured in hospital) almost lost her arm and has undergone at least five life-saving surgeries

'My existence is forever altered, irrevocably changed in your absence, Im broken. Harlem & Bronx,' she wrote on Facebook.

On Instagram, she said: 'No words can aptly capture the torment that engulfs my heart.

'Harlem & Bronx - you made life, worth living. I will never stop loving you.'

She included a wilted rose emoji in both posts.

Ms Piil only gave Harlem up to the council because she was given an ultimatum - she could either comply with the state's dangerous dogs requirements or he would be put down.

To keep Harlem, she would have had to have kept him in an escape-proof and child-proof enclosure, place 'dangerous dog' signs at property access points, and he would need a leash and muzzle at all times in public areas.

On October 25, the council confirmed Harlem had been euthanised humanely.

Police were alerted to the attack by neighbours who heard Ms Piil's screams at about 4.45pm on the day of the attack.

Nikita Piil quietly changed her Facebook profile to include a tribute to her dogs (pictured)

Ms Piil turned her her Instagram bio into a tribute to her dogs (pictured)

One neighbour, Bryn Spencer, said he and another person tried to intervene but couldn't access Ms Piil's backyard without putting themselves in danger.

'I was hearing 'help, help, please help!',' Mr Spencer told Nine News

'I was contemplating jumping the fence and getting in there to try to rescue her but, obviously, there were two Rottweilers in there.

'I didn't have a knife, I didn't have anything really good to take this dog out.

'I only had a bat. All I could really do was watch this girl get mauled apart while I am smacking the fence.'

Another neighbour turned a hose on one of the dogs, momentarily distracting it.

'The dog stopped for a bit and it was looking at me deciding what to do next,' Mr Spencer said.

'I kept screaming at it and smacking the fence and then it decided, "stuff you" and it got the girl and dragged her behind the back corner.'

Ms Piil's oldest dog, Bronx, was shot by police during the attack while her youngest, Harlem, was euthanised (Harlem and Bronx pictured)

Nikita Piil (pictured) was attacked on September 16 and both her dogs were put down

Mr Piil's family revealed in a GoFundMe post she almost died during her operations.

'The rehabilitation journey ahead will be painful, long and costly,' they said.

'We nearly lost our precious girl a couple of times  but as you all know, Nikita is our little fighter.'

The City of Cockburn had previously received complaints from neighbours over the Rottweilers' excessive barking, however there were no reported incidents of attacks prior to September 16.

Ms Piil loved Rottweilers and was part of multiple breed-specific groups on Facebook prior to the attack.

She once described Bronx as her 'whole world - loyal, intelligent and protective'.
A 31-year-old woman has been found dead on a popular Los Angeles surfing beach - less than four hours after her boyfriend reported her missing.

Jennifer Hanie's body was discovered on the sands of Manhattan Beach, just yards from the West Coast's oldest pier.

Hanie became separated from her boyfriend and a group of people while walking on the beach in the early hours, Manhattan Beach Police said in a statement.

Her boyfriend tried to find her for two hours before raising the alarm at 6.40am, sparking an intensive search across the shore and the water.

'The reporting party stated he last saw his girlfriend near the water line,' police said.

Police erected screens around a car after Hanie's body was found on Friday morning

The LA County Lifeguards, Manhattan Beach Fire Department and the US Coast Guard joined police in the hunt before her body was discovered at 10.13am

Hanie became separated from her boyfriend and a group of people while walking on the beach in the early hours, Manhattan Beach Police said in a statement

'The reporting party and his friends searched for the female, and when they could not find her, they called MBPD.'

The Strand and the beach's bike path were shut down between the Manhattan Beach Pier and 15th Street before a lifeguard stumbled across Hanie's body near the 2300 block of The Strand at 10.13am.

It was not clear whether Hanie had been in the water and washed ashore, and the LA County Medical Examiner's office has yet to release a cause of death.

But her disappearance at the popular filming location coincided with the aftermath of Wednesday's full moon and a high tide at 9.04am on the morning of her death.

'When I got up in the morning I noticed some activity out on the beach and didn't really think anything of it, and then I went to work and I noticed more activity going on,' said Bob Beverley who owns the Shellback Tavern on the pier.

'They had found a body out on the beach and it's a very sad situation, and it appears to be a young girl.'

The LA County Medical Examiner's office confirmed Hanie's identity but has yet to release a cause of death as investigations continue

Beverley said Hanie was thought to have been staying in a nearby vacation rental and gone out for an early morning swim.

'Well it's not that common in late January,' he added. 'It's usually pretty quiet out here and the surf has been very strong.'

'Absolutely heartbreaking,' wrote Brenda Bush-Campos on the police's Facebook page. 'Prayers to the family and friend.'

'I checked the tide charts and the tide was coming in so bigger waves,' added Stacy Mason.

'Did she get snatched by a rogue wave? Did she commit suicide, did someone drown her?

'There have to be a lot of cameras around there and it will get figured out.' Police said the case remains an ongoing investigation.

'The female was positively identified by officers through photographs as well as next of kin as the missing person,' a spokesman added.
She pleaded not guilty and will return to court on Feb 12

A millionaire conwoman accused of scamming the US Army out of $100million has been allowed to retire with full benefits - despite being under criminal investigation.

Janet Yamanaka Mello is accused of using ill-gotten money to buy 80 supercars and 31 homes.

She was arrested in December but pleaded not guilty and is due to return to court in February.

In the meantime, her sweet set of civil servant retirement perks remains unfrozen.

The military admitted there was nothing they could do to strip it from her because she was protected under a federal law that was held up in government bureaucracy.

Janet Yamanaka Mello, 57, was able to retire from her civil service job with full benefits during the investigation into her shell company

Mello, 57, (right, with her attorney Albert Flores left) is accused of taking military funds and spending millions of dollars on blingy jewelry, clothing, luxury vehicles, and real estate in one of the biggest fraud cases the army has ever dealt with

Mello's $3.1million property in Preston, Maryland. She regularly filed fraudulent paperwork and deposited grants a total of 40 times into her fake business during a six-year period, securing over $100,000,000 for herself, court documents allege

The 57-year-old from San Antonio, who was not held in jail ahead of her trial, is accused of a mammoth six-year fraud that she kept hidden from army brass.

She allegedly created a shell company in 2016 to stash huge sums destined for military youth programs across the country.

But Mello was finally rumbled when IRS agents started digging into her finances and how she was affording luxury properties, vacations and supercars.

An Army spokesman said: 'The command has no authority to impact Ms. Mello's retirement.'

While there are exceptions for treason and bigger offenses, 'there is no similar statutory authority for denying retired pay based on a conviction of other offenses,' she added.

Albert Flores, Mello's attorney, told the San Antonio Express-News his client 'earned it', referring to her retirement benefits.

'I don't see how one thing is related to the other,' he said of the investigation impacting those benefits.

Mello worked as a civilian finance manager at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, most recently making $130,000 per year.

Her retirement is covered by the Federal Employee Retirement Service (FERS), which offers her a basic benefit plan, social security and thrift savings plan.

The basic benefit plan takes into account an employee's number of years of service, their 'high three' salary years and a multiplier of one per cent.

Social security for FERS workers is similar to a private sector employee, contributing at a rate of 6.2 per cent.

The thrift savings plan operates similarly to a 401k, with a one percent basic pay deduction plus whatever optional contributions the employee wants to make themselves.

Her advantages highlights the protections of public sector workers, whose private sector counterparts are fired at triple the rate, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Flores added he believes his client's case is en route to a quick resolution, saying they've been 'very cooperative' in turning over Mello's various assets.

According to federal court documents, Mello also owned a 2018 Maserati Granturism (file photo). It was named as one of the assets they are attempting to seize

Mello used some of the $100million she siphoned from the US Army to buy a $250,000 Land Rover Range Rover, federal prosecutors say

He added that she will also likely sell some possessions like cattle to reimburse the feds.

Aside from allegedly funneling Army funds into a defunct business she created, Mello is also accused of forging her boss' signature on paperwork that allowed her to move the money without anyone questioning it.

Prosecutors believe that this is how she was able to keep the act going for six years.

Mello's scathing federal indictment claims that she used the digital signature 'S.K' - which was not her own - on multiple signoffs while working as a CYS Financial Program Manager at Fort Sam Houston in Texas.

'S.K' refers to the chief of the CYS program, Suzanne King, who was Mello's boss, reports the Express-News.

King has worked as the head of the US Army's Installation Management Command G-9 Division of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation for at least four years.

Mello used King's signature to siphon federal funds into her own fake business, CHYLD, as recently as August 29 last year, prosecutors claim.

As a result, questions have been raised about how the Army worker was able to steal over $100 million, in a relatively short time period, without being checked.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Simmons said the Army hadn't conducted an audit of the program, while others close to the investigation say that the Army just worked on the assumption of goodwill of its employees.

A source familiar with the investigation told the Express-News about the Army leaders: 'They stove-piped the process to only one person.

'They gave her complete carte blanche, and she found all the loopholes.'

Mello's scathing federal indictment alleged that she used the digital signature 'S.K' which refers to the chief of the CYS program, Suzanne King (pictured) who was Mello's boss

Mello also owns a 2003 Aston Martin Vanquish (file photo)

Mello was given more autonomy in her position, according to sources, and the Army had relaxed some administrative restrictions as part of an 'organizational shake-up.'

An insider told the local paper: 'It speaks to the nonchalant-ness of the command and its lack of internal controls.'

Ex-federal prosecutor Robert Almonte Jr. said that government programs are not 'equipped to monitor these things' and that Mello's alleged scheming is 'nothing super complex' nor was she 'discreet on her part.'

Almonte told the paper: 'In some fraud instances, they at least take steps to make sure to hide their fraud. There was no apparent attempt to hide what she was doing with the money after the fact.'

Former IRS' criminal investigation division Mike Lemoine said that Mello was essentially 'hiding in the open.'

Since Mello's alleged fraud came to light in December, job adverts have been put out to find her replacement.

Fort Sam Houston is searching for a new CYS Financial Program Manager, offering a salary of $118,000 to $138,000 per year.

This is one of the biggest fraud cases the military has ever dealt with.

In 2016, Mello allegedly created a shell company, Child Health and Youth Lifelong Development, which she fraudulently used to collect money from the 4-H military partnership grant.

Mello also owns this $870,000 home in Lakewood, Colorado. Mello had amassed a portfolio of homes in Texas, Maryland, Colorado, Washington, and New Mexico - all of which, the prosecutors claim, she bought with the frauded cash.

This is Mello's $2.3million estate in Castle Rock, Colorado

The firm, which was meant to help the children of army personnel, allegedly never did. Instead, it received dozens of monetary grants - without examination - for six years.

Mello has nearly 80 vehicles and 31 properties across five states up for forfeiture - as federal prosecutors allege she lived a life of luxury and opulence that was clearly not supported by her $130,000 a year government salary.

She reported that her company CHYLD earned a profit of $483 on revenue of $2,152 for training consultations in 2017. But since then, she has not filed any tax returns.

She regularly filed fraudulent paperwork - and deposited grants into her fake business 40 times, securing over $100,000,000 for herself, documents allege.

Transaction details show she allegedly wire transferred $264,874 from the account to buy herself a 2023 Land Rover Range Rover last year.

She also sent herself $3,308,157 to purchase real estate property in Canyon Lake, Texas, documents state.

The court has listed a total of 78 luxury cars and motorbikes that Mello owns - and has demanded the assets in a bill of forfeiture. They include numerous Maseratis, Ferraris, Aston Martins, Mercedes, Teslas, Harley-Davidsons, and Land Rovers.

Among her collection that has been ordered to be seized is a 1955 Ferrari Fratelli (file photo)

This home was listed as one of the properties to seize. It cost Mello $1.1million and is in San Antonio, Texas

A 1935 Plymouth Sedan, which Mello owned (file photo)

As well as vehicular assets, they have named 31 of her real properties. These span across multiple states - with mansions worth over $3 million, ranches, sprawling acres of farmland, and luxury high-rise apartments and condos.

Mello had amassed a portfolio of homes in Texas, Maryland, Colorado, Washington, and New Mexico - which, the prosecutors claim, she bought with the frauded cash.

Documents also claim that Mello has six bank accounts, and she held a minimum of $32,000 in each.

It was the IRS flagged that her lifestyle - buying million-dollar homes multiple times a year - was not supported by her salary.

Their criminal investigations division worked with army investigators as they put the pieces of the puzzle together - before Mello was criminally indicted in December 2023.

On December 6, the US Attorney's Office in the Western District of Texas said that a federal grand jury in San Antonio charged Mello with 10 counts.

The statement said: 'Mello claimed that CHYLD provided services to military members and their families, when, in reality, CHYLD did not provide any services.

'The indictment alleges that Mello instead used the funds to buy millions of dollars in jewelry, clothing, vehicles, and real estate. Additionally, Mello is alleged to have falsified the digital signature of one of her supervisors on multiple occasions.'

Mello is charged with five counts of mail fraud, four counts of engaging in a monetary transaction over $10,000 using criminally derived proceeds, and one count of aggravated identity theft.

The San Antonio woman is facing up to 20 years in prison for each fraud charge, 10 years for each spending change, and a mandatory minimum of two years in prison for the aggravated identity theft charge.
A tiny Georgia town is in uproar amid plans for a huge $400million breeding farm for 30,000 monkeys who will be sold off for animal testing.

Safer Human Medicine sparked fury in Bainbridge, in the south west of the state, by proposing the sprawling site for the long-tailed macaques.

It filed plans earlier this month to erect huge sheds across a 200-acre estate near the town of 14,000 people, which will hold the doomed primates.

But it has been met with fierce resistance, with locals claiming it will smell and depreciate the value of their homes.

Others raised fears the monkeys could escape during a hurricane or tornado while animal rights activists attacked the firm for selling them for animal testing.

Johnny and Penny Reynolds stand in their front yard with a sign that reads 'stop monkey farm!,' which is to be built about 300 feet from their property in Bainbridge, Georgia

Safer Human Medicine wants to build a $396 million complex that would eventually hold up to 30,000 long-tailed macaques. The company says it plans to employ up to 263 workers

Artist drawings of the complex see monkeys in rooms surrounded by toys and obstacles

An artist's impression of how the facility might looks on the inside

The $396 million complex would hold some 30,000 monkeys - double the city's human population

The site occupied more than 200-acres and will be built by the end of 2024

Environmental impact is also a concern with locals cherishing the Flint River, which flows into Lake Seminole and whose waters reach the Gulf of Mexico.

Safer Human Medicine is led by executives who formerly worked for two other companies that provide animals for medical testing.

One of those companies, Charles River Laboratories, came under investigation last year for obtaining wild monkeys that were smuggled from Cambodia.

The monkeys were falsely labeled as bred in captivity, as is required by U.S. rules, federal prosecutors have alleged. The company suspended the shipments from Cambodia.

Charles River had proposed a similar facility in Brazoria County, Texas, south of Houston, but it has been stalled by local opposition.

The Bainbridge facility would provide a domestic source of monkeys to offset imports, the company said.

Concerned citizens of Decatur County and the surrounding areas attend a in Bainbridge, Georgia to share their opposition to the monkey breeding facility

The residents of Bainbridge, Georgia are working to stop a monkey breeding facility being built in the rural community

Medical researchers use the animals to test drugs before human trials, and to research infectious diseases and chronic conditions like brain disorders.

Because of their similarities to humans, the primates have essential for research into a wide range of diseases and infections.

Their use has led to breakthrough treatments for Parkinson's, sickle cell disease, polio and COVID-19, according to the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine.

On the 'current state of the science,' there are 'no alternatives that can fully replace nonhuman primates', the National Academies say.

'In the aftermath of the pandemic, we learned the hard way that our researchers in the U.S. need reliable access to healthy primates to develop and evaluate the safety of potentially life-saving drugs and therapies for you, your family, your friends, and neighbors,' Safer Human Medicine wrote in an open letter to the Bainbridge community.

Medical researchers use macaques to test drugs before human trials, and to research infectious diseases and chronic conditions like brain disorders

Neighbors, Penny Reynolds and Ashton Cato, discuss their opposition to the monkey breeding facility to be built just a few hundred feet from their properties in Bainbridge, Georgia

'Many of the medicines in your medical cabinets today would not exist without this essential medical research and without these primates, research comes to a halt.'

But People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and some local residents say they fear the possibility of monkeys escaping into the community along with other harms.

'They're an invasive species and 30,000 of them, we'd just be overrun with monkeys,' Ted Lee, a local resident, told WALB-TV.

'How are we supposed to survive this? They have diseases. We have a huge water right here, the Flint River, so the environment is a big thing too. It's overall jacked up,' said Yvena Merritt, a concerned resident added.

'It's like putting a nuclear plant in your backyard. Think about what this thing is going to smell like,' said James Chestnut, 65, who lives close by, to USA Today.

The company say such fears are unfounded stressing how the facility 'will not pose a threat to the citizens' and 'nothing discharged from our facility will create an environmental hazard or risk.'

Local residents had plenty of questions about the proposed site which has been approved

'It's like putting a nuclear plant in your backyard. Think about what this thing is going to smell like,' said James Chestnut, 65, who lives close by

Lisa Jones-Engel, PETA's science advisor on primate experimentation, said there's a risk that local people will be exposed to pathogens and diseases.

'In a bid to attract a few jobs - many of them low-paying and risking exposure to zoonotic diseases - city and county officials have rolled out the red carpet for an unethical plan by some questionable characters that could spell ecological disaster and potentially spark the next pandemic,' Jones-Engel said in a statement.

'PETA urges Bainbridge officials to withdraw their support and shut down this project before a shovel hits the dirt,' she wrote.

The company and local officials said the nonprofit and community's concerns are baseless.

Residents who live close to the facility believe it will bring down the value of their homes but the decision has essentially been made to go ahead with the building of the site.

David and Donna Barber discuss their opposition to the monkey breeding facility that is to be built on the land they are standing on in Bainbridge, Georgia

'They should have talked to us,' said 70-year-old David Barber, left, a semi-retired farmer. 'We shouldn't have had to find out about this in the paper.'

'Was a decision made based on good information? Because I think information has been exposed now, and it's going to hurt my property value. There's no doubt about it,' one concerned local said.

'The citizens that live near this project and the community as a whole loses if something goes wrong. Anybody who did not do the background on this project should be fired.'

'First I heard about it I worried about myself, what my property value is going to do, what it was going to do to our health, and then all of sudden it wasn't about just me. It was really about all these people in this area,' neighbors of the proposed facility Penny and Johnny Reynolds said.

'We want to stop the breeding facility. That's our overall goal. We love to be outside, and I'm concerned about our environment, about the noise. 30,000 monkeys...,' Penny added, worried about how their quality of life would be affected.

'It's unreal. Our world is upside down. This is a disaster. I don't want the kids playing out here, breathing in that monkey stuff. What if one gets out? That's all it takes.'

The entire process for the agreement of the facility has been shrouded in secrecy only further serving to raise residents anger and suspicions.

County and city officials have all signed non-disclosure agreements meaning the public were only told once the deal with Safer Human Medicine signed.

Local officials in December even agreed to 100 percent property tax breaks for the project - waiving them for the first 10 years and then gradually decreasing tax breaks until they end after 20 years.

'They should have talked to us,' said 70-year-old David Barber, a semi-retired farmer. 'We shouldn't have had to find out about this in the paper.'

Rick McCaskill, executive director of the Development Authority of Bainbridge & Decatur County, said risks are low because veterinarians and trained staff will be working with the monkeys.

PETA is against the project, emphasizing potential environmental hazards, while community meetings took place in order to strategize

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals have been proactive in putting forward their case as to why the lab should not be allowed to be constructed

'It's a cross between a maximum security prison and a daycare. There are going to be a lot of monkeys, there's no question. We got more cows in the county then we got people too, and we got more chickens in the county then we have people too,' McCaskill said.

'So, you got to kind of take a deep breath and look through all the misinformation out there.'

Artist drawings of the complex see monkeys in rooms surrounded by toys and obstacles.

The company has said the monkeys will be in a secured environment but with plenty of space 'to forage, eat and play.'

'The leadership of Safer Human Medicine have dedicated their careers to responsibly managing and caring for animals in medical research,' the company said in a statement.

'We are all proud to have done our part in making safe, life-saving medicines a reality to Americans and their families. We have always been committed to operating responsibly and ethically throughout our many decades in this field.'

Investors expect the facility to be constructed will be fully operational by the end of 2024 although the full 30,000 monkeys would not be on site for about nine years.
EXCLUSIVE

A mother who was allegedly murdered at home wrote a post just days ago revealing she was preparing for a 'big year' ahead.

Alana Martin, 30, was allegedly killed at a property on Old Gympie Road in Owanyilla, in Queensland's Fraser Coast region, at the weekend.

Her ex-partner Daniel Noel Holm, 43, from Owanyilla, allegedly handed himself in at Maryborough Police Station about 5.30pm on Sunday.

Police then went to the home where they discovered Ms Martin's body inside.

The pair were believed to have been living together at the time, the Townsville Bulletin reports.

Daily Mail Australia can reveal Ms Martin was a doting mother of four young boys.

'She was a loving and caring mother who put her boys first before her self,' Ms Martin's sister Meg Radford said.

Alana Martin, 30, (pictured) was allegedly found dead at a property in Maryborough on Sunday

Officers went to a property on Old Gympie Road (pictured) in Owanyilla after Mr Holm allegedly handed himself into police

Just seven days ago, Ms Martin shared her last post on Facebook - a photo of two of her sons in their school uniform.

'My big man and littlest man starting high school and kindy today,' she wrote, alongside a photo of two of her sons in their school uniform.

'Big year for us all this year.'

Over the past few years, Ms Martin seemed to be on an upward trajectory, sharing photos of her weight loss journey with friends and loved ones.

In 2020, she revealed she was going through an amazing phase in her life and hoped it would not end.

'Feeling pretty great with life at the moment,' she said. 'Hoping it lasts a little longer'.

Detective Inspector Wade Lee said police would alleged there were children in the home at the time of her death.

Detectives were still working to determine the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

He urged anyone with dashcam video who travelled around Old Gympie Road, the Bruce Highway and near the police station between 2pm and 5pm on Sunday to come forward.

Ms Martin was a mother of four. Just days ago, she wrote a post saying she was bracing herself for a big year ahead as her children returned to school

They are also seeking footage of a silver green Toyota Camry, during the same time frame, that belonged to Ms Martin.

Det Insp Lee said police investigations and external reviews would be undertaken to determine whether more could have been done to prevent Ms Martin's death.

However, speaking generally, he urged members of the community to 'speak up' if they witness an offence.

'We need to have these conversations in the broader community to keep people safe,' he said.

Mr Holm faced Maryborough Magistrates Court on Monday, charged with one count of murder (domestic violence offence).

The case was adjourned for eight weeks to allow police to produce a full brief of evidence against Mr Holm.

He was remanded in custody and is next due before court on March 25.

A GoFundMe has since been set up to support Ms Martin's kids.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000

For confidential support, contact 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732
Staff from a United Nations' aid agency committed atrocious acts against Israel during the October 7 Hamas attacks, a damning new dossier has claimed.

Members of the UNRWA took part in killings, kidnappings and arming terrorists during raids on settlements, the explosive document alleges.

One worker allegedly took part in one of the kibbutz massacres that killed 97 of the 1,200 Israeli victims that day, another is accused of kidnapping an Israeli woman into Gaza, while one more is said to have handed out rocket-propelled grenades during the bloody ambush.

Israel claims 12 employees from the UNRWA took part in Hamas' October 7 terror attacks - which sparked a series of countries to pull their funding.

The UN aid agency said it had fired those workers who were still alive while they launched an investigation into the bombshell claims.

The accused, who have not been named, include teachers, other forms of school workers, a clerk, a social worker and a storeroom manager.

Members of the UN's agency for Palestinian refugees are alleged to have committed heinous acts against Israelis during the Hamas October 7 terror attacks as the US and several other nations cut funding

The damning accusations say the UNRWA employees did everything from a school counselor who allegedly helped kidnap a woman, others who gave out ammunition and rocket-propelled grenades and another that supposedly took part in a kibbutz slaughter that killed 97 people

The allegations come from dossier given to the US by Israeli intelligence, which American officials called 'credible enough' to justify defunding the UN agency.

It was put together when officials tracked the movements of a dozen men in Israel on the day of the Hamas attack using their phone records and phone calls, the New York Times reports.

At least three of them were allegedly told via text message to report to evacuation locations on that day, with at least one told to bring along RPGs that he kept as his house, the dossier says.

Those accused are listed by their names - which have not been released - and contains a full description of their alleged behavior that day.

Of those accused, ten are believed by the Israelis to be members of Hamas, while seven were also labeled as teachers, a clerk, a social worker, the storeroom manager and other employees for UNRWA schools.

A school counselor from the south of Gaza is believed by Israeli intelligence to have teamed up with his son to abduct an Israeli woman. Around 250 people were taken hostage the day of the attacks.

The social worker, from central Gaza, is alleged to have given out ammunition, coordinated vehicles and retrieved a dead Israeli soldier and brought him back to Gaza.

The UNRWA said Sunday it had fired nine employees over Israel's accusations, while two others have since died.

The US Department of State said it was 'extremely troubled' by the claims and called for 'complete accountability' for those involved in the October 7 attacks.

An aerial view of destroyed buildings as a result of the Israeli attack on Nuseirat refugee camp, in Deir al-Balah, Gaza, on January 26

An aerial view of the tents where Palestinians are trying to survive in difficult conditions after fleeing their homes for safety in Deir al-Balah, Gaza, on January 27

Internally displaced Palestinians move past Israeli tanks after the Israeli army told residents of Khan Yunis camp to leave their homes and head towards Rafah camps near the Egyptian border, in the southern Gaza Strip, on January 27

Donors including Germany, Britain, Italy, Australia and Finland have also followed the lead of the United States, which said on Friday it had 'temporarily paused additional funding' to the agency while it reviewed the claims as well as the UN's plan to address concerns.

Japan late on Sunday said it has also decided to suspend additional funding.

'In Gaza's rebuilding, UNRWA must be replaced with agencies dedicated to genuine peace and development,' Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said in a statement, urging more donors to suspend funding.

The organization is promising a thorough investigation into the claims, even before the explosive nature of the allegations was revealed.

The UK's Foreign Office also announced on Saturday it would halt future funding of the UNRWA pending a review of the 'concerning allegations'.

A statement from the Foreign Office said it was 'appalled' by the allegations but remained 'committed' to getting humanitarian aid into Gaza.

Damage to their homes caused by Israeli air strikes, in Rafah, Gaza, on January 27

People walk on a damaged road filled with rainwater amid Israeli attacks on Gaza, on January 27

Displaced Palestinians walk past Israeli tanks after the IDF asked residents of Khan Yunis camp to leave their homes and go to Rafah camps near the Egyptian border, south of the Gaza Strip, on January 26

Palestinians fleeing Khan Younis move towards Rafah amid the ongoing conflict, on January 27

On Saturday, Hamas slammed Israeli 'threats' against the UNRWA, urging the United Nations and other international organizations not to 'cave in to the threats and blackmail'.

Relations between Israel and the UNRWA, which have been strained for years, deteriorated further in recent days, with the UN agency condemning tank shelling it said had hit a shelter for displaced people in Gaza's main southern city of Khan Yunis.

The agency said tens of thousands of displaced people had been registered at the shelter and Wednesday's tank shelling killed 13 people.

Asked about the incident, the Israeli army said 'a thorough review of the operations of the forces in the vicinity is underway', adding that it was examining the possibility that the strike was a 'result of Hamas fire'.

UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini slammed Wednesday's 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.

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 territory's 2.3 million people.

The Hamas attack in southern Israel killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and about 250 hostages were taken.

Before fighting broke out, the UNRWA struggled to meet funding requirements.

The agency's chronic budget shortfalls worsened dramatically in 2018 when former US president Donald Trump cut support to the agency.

But US President Joe Biden's administration has fully restored support, providing $340 million in 2022, making it the agency's largest bilateral donor.

Internally displaced Palestinians move past Israeli tanks after the Israeli army told residents of Khan Yunis camp to leave their homes and head towards Rafah camps near the Egyptian border, in the southern Gaza Strip, on January 27

Palestinian people holding empty bowls try to reach out for food distributed by volunteers at donation point as Israeli attacks continue in Rafah, Gaza, on January 26

A displaced Palestinian child holds up an empty pot as she waits with others to receive food aid provided by a Palestinian youth group in the Rafah refugee camp, in the southern Gaza Strip, on January 25

Several key donor countries said on Saturday that they would halt their funding, prompting Lazzarini to say 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 on Friday for 'playing a vital role over many years supporting vulnerable Palestinian refugees'.

But he said the bloc expected 'full transparency on the allegations' as well as 'immediate measures against staff involved'.

The Palestinian Authority, based in the West Bank, urged donors to reverse their suspension, calling on Saturday for 'maximum support for this international organization and not stopping support and assistance to it'.

Johann Soufi, a lawyer and former director of the UNRWA's legal office in Gaza, said the agency had 'always had a zero-tolerance policy for violence and incitement to hatred'.

'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 after the UN's top court ordered Israel to do everything it can to prevent any acts of genocide in Gaza.

The International Court of Justice on Friday handed down its first judgement in a landmark case brought by South Africa.

Soufi said the timing of the allegations against the UNRWA 'raises questions'.
An elderly man has been placed in an induced coma after being pulled from the water at one of Sydney's most popular swimming spots.

The man, aged in his 80s, is understood to have suffered a medical episode while swimming at Clovelly Beach, in the city's east, just before midday on Monday.

He was treated at the scene by paramedics before being rushed to St Vincent's Hospital in a critical condition.

It's understood he was placed in an induced coma as he continues to fight for life.

More to come
Chinese property giant Evergrande has plunged into liquidation, potentially jeopardising demand for Australian iron ore used to make steel.

The future of Australia's biggest export could be rocky after a Hong Kong High Court judge Linda Chan ordered it to wind up its business owing to a 'lack of progress on the part of the company putting forward a viable restructuring proposal'.

A glut of apartment towers saw China's second biggest apartment builder incur debts of more than $400billion, sparking concerns from the Communist Party government about its solvency.

This could have serious economic ramifications for Western Australia, the world's biggest supplier of iron ore, as Evergrande's liquidation undermines confidence in China's property market.

Chinese property giant Evergrande has plunged into liquidation, potentially jeopardising demand for Australian iron ore used to make steel (pictured is an Evergrande commercial complex in Beijing)

Evergrande had been given a reprieve in December to restructure its debts.

Fergus Saurin, a lawyer representing an array of creditors, said the Guangzhou-based company had avoided talking with them.

'The company has failed to engage with us. There has been a history of last-minute engagement which has gone nowhere,' he said.

In August 2020, Chinese President Xi Jinping's government introduced a new 'three red lines' policy requiring developers to sell assets, even at a cheap discount, to avoid piling on more debt they could not service.

Iron ore is now trading at $US137.50 a metric tonne, a big drop from $US216 in July 2021 during the Covid pandemic when Evergrande's debt issues became more of a concern.

Evergrande's liquidation threatens to undermine confidence in China's financial system, in the nation of Australia's biggest trading partner.

The developer's billionaire founder Xu Jiayin was at the centre of a political storm in Australia in March 2015 after it emerged China's 15th richest man had failed to seek permission to buy Villa del Mare in Point Piper, in Sydney's eastern suburbs.

Mr Xu, who founded Evergrande in 1996, loved this ritzy postcode where mansions with a pontoon for the boat are a much more common than mega high-rise apartments.

The glut of apartment towers saw China 's second biggest apartment builder incur debts of more than $400billion, sparking concerns from the Communist Party government about its solvency (pictured are residential buildings in Nanjing in China's east)

The developer's billionaire founder Xu Jiayin was at the centre of a political storm in Australia in March 2015 after it emerged China's 15th richest man had failed to seek permission to buy Villa del Mare in Point Piper, in Sydney's eastern suburbs

He forgot to tell the Foreign Investment Review Board about his November 2014 purchase of a six-bedroom, Mediterranean-style residential house on Wolseley Road in Australia's most expensive and exclusive suburb.

Then Liberal treasurer Joe Hockey, in the final months Tony Abbott's prime ministership, announced the forced sale of Villa de Mare, less than half a year after LJ Hooker at Double Bay oversaw the trophy transaction.

Under Australian law, foreigners must seek approval from FIRB before buying residential real estate.
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.
A new theory has emerged in the mysterious disappearance of four missing Vietnamese exchange students who have all vanished from South Australia over the past two months.

The strange and unusual case made headlines earlier this month when the host family of one of the students, Sunnie Nguyen, 17, made an impassioned plea for information to help bring her home.

The Year 11 student had dinner with her host family at their South Plympton home, in Adelaide's inner-south, on the evening of January 8 before she was later discovered missing from her room.

Her phone was also immediately switched off and social media accounts shut down.

As her host mother May Zervaas sought answers from authorities, it was later revealed there were three other international students who had been reported missing between December 2023 and January 2024.

Now, South Australia Police have revealed they believe the teenagers are on the run and 'actively avoiding authorities'.

Sunnie Nguyen, 17, (pictured) went missing from her host family's South Plympton home on January 8

READ MORE: Why Chinese students in Australia are faking being KIDNAPPED with bizarre trend on the rise Advertisement

'All lines of enquiries in the investigations indicate that some of these youths may have travelled interstate and still remain there,' an SA Police spokesperson said.

'There is nothing currently identified in any investigation that would indicate these youths are in immediate danger and they appear to be actively avoiding police.

'SA Police continue to work with interstate policing counterparts and AFP to help locate these youths.'

SA Police said they have since been able to make contact with the families of the youths in Vietnam, who have not shared any concerns for the students' welfare.

Ms Zervaas was checking Sunnie's room at around 11pm on January 8 when she discovered the teenager was gone - along with her backpack, laptop, a few important ID documents and some clothes.

Her daughter Mary told Daily Mail Australia at the time they were very worried as she was very shy and struggled speaking English.

'She has come out of her shell with the students here and with us, but when we go out in public, she is still gets other people to talk for her,' Mary said.

'When she first arrived, if she went out alone she would come home almost instantly because she couldn't speak English.

'We have tried our best to teach her English and encourage her talking in English at home. She has improved a lot but not enough to get by.'

Sunnie is described as 'very kind' but very shy

Daily Mail Australia understands each case is being treated as a separate matter.

At the time of Sunnie's disappearance, a Vietnamese community leader in Adelaide said the missing students may have travelled interstate.

'I hope that this is a case of, because of school holidays, kids, 17 years old, want to get together to go somewhere and not (tell) anyone,' said Lien Nguyen-Navas of the Vietnamese Womens Association.

'I hope that was the case.'

The Zervaas family hope if Sunnie sees this story, she will get into contact and let them know she is okay.

Sunnie is known to frequent Adelaide's CBD, Marion, and South Plympton.

Anyone with information is urged to contact SA Police on 131 444 using report number 2400009568.
Sara Lee will remain afloat and in Australian hands in a major development after the much-loved frozen desserts brand plunged into administration three months ago.

The company has been saved by Klark and Brooke Quinn - the Quinn family having also come to the rescue of chocolate brand Darrell Lea when it went into voluntary administration back in 2012.

Sara Lee went into administration on October 17, shocking many Aussies who'd regularly indulged in the brand's supermarket aisle favourite desserts.

The sale means Sara Lee's 200-strong workforce will stay in their jobs.

Administrator Vaughan Strawbridge said the sale was expected to be completed in the coming weeks.

'Staff and consumers have rallied behind the business during this tough time, and we are so grateful to the loyal workforce and management team who have made this process a success while they have continued to produce amazing products,' he said.

Sara Lee has been bought by a private company owned by an Australian family - after the much loved frozen desserts brand fell into administration three months ago

'We have enjoyed working with the Sara Lee team and are pleased to see them come through this process.

'Many staff have been with Sara Lee a long time and we have seen their passion for the business.

'In addition to the staff, we would also like to thank all the suppliers who have continued to support the business and to the customers, who have been vital to the continuation of the business. We look forward to its future success.'

Klark Quinn is the son of Tony Quinn, who founded the VIP Petfoods business which sold for $410million in 2015.

Tony bought up Darrell Lea for $11million, and watched its value skyrocket before then selling it for $200million in 2018.

Sara Lee had administrators appointed on October 17, shocking many Aussies who'd regularly indulged in the brand's iconic frozen desserts

'We are a small Aussie family that shared in the tradition of having Sara Lee Apple Pie and Vanilla Ice-cream every Sunday night at the dinner table and could not be more proud to put the Aussie made and owned stamp on the Sara Lee brand,' Klark and Brooke Quinn said.

Sara Lee was established in Australia in 1971 on the NSW Central Coast.

A desperate hunt was launched to find a new buyer for the company following its administration.

The company operates in Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East and South East Asia.

TV star Sophie Monk was once an ambassador for the brand.

Its most popular dessert is its French Vanilla Cheesecake.
Anthony Albanese has started 'consulting with the King' about Australia's next Governor-General - but refused to give any clues about his recommendations as speculation mounts the appointment will be an Indigenous person.

Current Governor-General David Hurley's term concludes in mid-2024, and Prime Minister Albanese was reportedly due to give his suggestions by December 2023.

Daily Mail Australia recently revealed that insiders said the PM was considering Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney for the job - a suggestion she didn't rule out at the time.

But since then, other key figures in the fight toward reconciliation have also been touted as potential replacements for Mr Hurley.

The PM was asked about the role on Monday morning, and conceded: 'I am consulting with the King as is appropriate.

'It's important that proper process be undertaken.'

Anthony Albanese has started 'consulting with the King' about Australia's next Governor-General

King Charles was hospitalised in London suffering an enlarged prostate and is currently receiving treatment following an operation.

Several upcoming public engagements have been postponed as the King recovers.

On Monday, the PM was asked whether he would confirm whether Tom Calma or Ms Burney are in the running for the role.

'I am not going to go through the options, because then you get into ''will it be a man, will it be a woman'',' he said.

'We'll consult with the palace, which is what our constitution requires.'

Mr Albanese - a staunch republican - has met with King Charles twice. The first was when the PM travelled to London after the late Queen's death, and the second was when he travelled for the coronation.

He has extended an invitation for the King to visit Australia later in the year, to align with an already scheduled visit to the Pacific Islands.

Insiders said the PM was considering Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney for the job - a suggestion she didn't rule out at the time

Current Governor-General David Hurley's term concludes in mid-2024, and Prime Minister Albanese was reportedly due to give his suggestions by December 2023

READ MORE: Will Australia become a Republic under Anthony Albanese? Advertisement

'Those things are not related,' he clarified.

'The current Governor-General finishes at the end of this financial year.'

Mr Albanese and Ms Burney are close allies and friends, and their inner-Sydney electorates of Grayndler and Barton sit next to each other.

The Indigenous Australians minister, who previously held the seat of Canterbury in the NSW parliament, largely credits the PM for encouraging her to run for federal politics.

One well-placed source told Daily Mail Australia that Ms Burney's move to Governor-general had been 'floated for a while' and was 'openly discussed' by some running the failed Indigenous Voice to Parliament 'Yes' campaign.

Another Canberra source said Ms Burney's move to the Governor-General would allow the promotion of Malarndirri McCarthy from assistant minister after her strong performance when she was deployed toward the end of the referendum campaign to promote the Yes campaign.

She received widespread praise for the way in which she handled heated exchanges and tough questions about the proposal, which was already polling badly.

But Professor Calma is also being touted as a potential option, refusing to deny his interest in the role.

He publicly endorsed the PM appointing an Indigenous representative - which would mark the first time a First Nations person was in the role.

'I would think it is time for an Aboriginal person,' he said.
Australia must consider bringing back conscription to prepare for a potential third World War in the coming decades, a senior defence analyst has warned.

Dr Alexey Muraviev of Curtin University in Western Australia said the current conflicts in eastern Europe and the Middle East could be the spark for a nuclear catastrophe.

'The primary consideration is on readying countries and coalitions for the possibility of an all-out world war,' he wrote in an opinion piece for Sky News.

The associate professor of national security said there are 'several potential flashpoints' in countries close to Australia, which could lead to 'open confrontation'.

'Perhaps it is time for Australia to consider... the return of national service,' Dr Muraviev said.

Australia must consider bringing back conscription to prepare for a potential World War 3 in the coming decades, a senior defence analyst has warned. An Australian soldier is pictured

Dr Alexey Muraviev of Curtin University in Western Australia said the current wars in eastern Europe and the Middle East could be the spark for a nuclear catastrophe. Australian soldiers deployed to the UK are pictured training Ukrainian recruits

Poll Should Australia bring back conscription? Yes No Not sure Should Australia bring back conscription? Yes 652 votes

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A report prepared for the Albanese government last year based on top-secret war-gaming exercises found the Australian Defence Force (ADF) would struggle to respond to a plausible scenario, such as China setting up a military base in a nearby Pacific nation.

That would bring the Chinese military within 2,000km of Australia and have major implications for the balance of power in the South Pacific.

'The question of the ADF's size came to the fore during Australia's contingencies in Afghanistan and Iraq, both of which required considerable commitments supported by regular rotations of personnel,' Dr Muraviev wrote.

'As the risk of Australia being drawn into a major war increase, we are facing a short window of opportunity to address some of the shortfalls in our defence capability.'

Dr Muraviev is far from the first Australian in recent time to suggest conscription should be brought back.

Australian soldiers are pictured conducting mission training before heading to the UK to help train Ukrainian soldiers

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In November 2022, former prime minister Tony Abbott said high school graduates should be forced to spend 12 months serving in the military.

'Saying to people who turn 18 or who leave school, "We expect you to spend a significant period of time, six months, 12 months, whatever, doing something for our country, giving something back, whether it's putting on the uniform and becoming at least a basically trained infantry soldier",' Mr Abbott said in a podcast.

There are also growing calls in Europe for conscription to be brought back.

Last week, British Army head General Sir Patrick Sanders proposed a 'citizen army' as a way of growing the size of the UK's standing force.

'Taking preparatory steps to enable placing our societies on a war footing when needed are now not merely desirable but essential,' he said.

'We need an Army designed to expand rapidly to enable the first echelon, resource the second echelon and train and equip the citizen army that must follow.'

Former UK prime minister Boris Johnson used his Daily Mail column to back Sir Patrick, vowing to fight in the British army if war breaks out with Russia.

Australia currently recruits its defence force on a completely voluntary basis and has not conscripted soldiers since the Vietnam war.

A Labor government under then prime minister Gough Whitlam abolished the national service in peacetime in 1972, though they left open the possibility that it could be reactivated in times of war.

Dr Muraviev said that with the Russia-Ukraine war in Europe, the Israel-Palestine war in the Middle East and increasing tensions between China and Taiwan, now is the time for Australia to reconsider conscription.

'Tough times call for tough measures. And they might include the need to step outside of everyone's comfort zones, unless we don't really believe in sovereignty, independence and freedoms,' he said.

A Labor government under then prime minister Gough Whitlam (pictured) abolished the national service in peacetime in 1972, though they left open the possibility that it could be reactivated in times of war

'We should be asking ourselves and Labor under Anthony Albanese if we should consider reintroducing a form of national service to increase a pool of trained reserves while we still have time.'

He said the other option was to wait to be dragged into a major conflict and deal with the consequences then.

'Australia's proactive stance on the international scene and our reinforced commitment to key alliances with the US and the UK and other partners doesn't really leave a room for a third option.

'So, what is it going to be,' Dr Muraviev said.
A bank teller has saved a couple $40,000 after she noticed they were being scammed.

Erin Bugg, a customer advisor at the National Australia Bank branch in Rosny, Hobart, was asked by the husband and wife to have their account unblocked so they could send money to an 'online investment firm'.

The couple were attempting to have the first of two instalments - $40,000 - sent to the fake firm in Perth.

The scammers promised a 12 per cent return on their term deposit and a guaranteed payout if the firm was to go bust, both of which sent Ms Bugg into high alert.

'If there was a scam red flags bingo card, 'online investment opportunity' would be top of the list,' Ms Bugg revealed in a statement by the bank.

'Immediately, alarm bells went off for me. It sounded like an investment scam and I was concerned this couple could lose their life savings.'

NAB bank teller, Erin Bugg (pictured), saved a couple from losing $40,000 to a 'too good to be true' investment scam

The customers were sure they weren't being conned and started to become desperate in having their money transferred to the firm.

While Ms Bugg dug into the firm and found their website to appeared to be legitimate with several news articles being written about them, the rates they were offering were 'too good to be true'.

'No one likes to be told they're being lied to, especially when they feel like they've done all the right things,' Ms Bugg said.

'They had done their own research, and even spoken to the company on the phone.'

The bank teller said another alarm bell rung when the wife mentioned a man at the firm kept calling her and insisting she open the account to transfer the money.

After speaking to the bank's fraud department who agreed the investment opportunity was an 'elaborate scam', the couple then called the firm to try and get them to say otherwise.

'I declined to speak to the 'firm', but I could hear them telling the customers, 'Oh, NAB always flags us as a scam',' Ms Bugg said.

The fraud team urged the couple to talk to the bank in charge of the firm's account to confirm if they were who they were claiming to be.

Ms Bugg's cautiousness paid off as the bank confirmed the account was not connected to the firm and urged them not to transfer any money to them.

'It was such a relief to hear from the customer that they'd avoided being scammed,' she said.

'I was put in a difficult position with all the pressure on me, and I'm so glad I didn't waiver  I stood my ground and followed my gut, preventing them from losing their life savings.'

The couple were trying to send the money to an investment firm in Perth and were adamant it wasn't a scam, before Ms Bugg and the NAB fraud team urged them not to (pictured, Launceston branch)

Were it not for Ms Bugg's intervention, the couple would have joined more than 3,500 Aussies who had fallen victim to an investment scam in 2023, according to ScamWatch.

Investment scams were by far the most affective scam throughout last year, costing Aussies more than $276million.

The ScamWatch website urged Aussies to be weary of deals that seam 'too good to be true'.

'Scammers trick you into believing you're getting an incredible deal or offer. They pressure you to act quickly so you don't miss out,' the website reads.

'Remember, deals that seem too good to be true, usually are.'
The deputy to Texas governor Gregg Abbott has insisted his state has the right to defend America as he was challenged over whether its stand-off with the White House could plunge the country into civil war.

Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick urged Joe Biden to de-escalate the stand-off between federal immigration officers and the Texas National Guard facing an 'invasion' of migrants crossing the southern border.

The two sides are battling in the courts over the state's recent seizure of Shelby Park near Eagle Pass, the removal of razor wire erected by Texas, and the placement of buoys in the Rio Grande.

Fox News anchor Maria Bartiromo demanded to know where the dispute is heading as she challenged Patrick on Sunday Morning Futures.

'What is this going to turn into a civil war? I mean, you've got the Texas rights versus federal rights, both sides with guns?'

Fox anchor Maria Bartiromo asked Texas Lieutenant governor Dan Patrick about the prospect of 'civil war' if the stand-off escalates at the border

Texas has continued to reinforce the border with razor wire despite last week's Supreme Court decision to allow federal agents to remove it

The measures have done little to stem the flow of migrants which topped 300,000 last month

'We have a right to defend our citizens,' Patrick retorted, 'We have a right to defend this country. And we're just doing the job.

'These young men and women who serve our National Guard and our DPS, these are the best of the best. Why would he want to send anyone down to confront them?'

It came days after the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the administration by granting an emergency appeal to permit agents to continue cutting the razor wire set up by Texas, overturning a lower court's decision.

But Texas has continued to reinforce the border and has signaled its refusal to comply with the administration's demand to vacate the Shelby Park area.

Border agents have claimed the razor wire is impeding their ability to safely apprehend undocumented migrants.

But US Border Patrol said last week there are currently 'no plans' to dismantle the razor wire.

It came as House Republicans unveiled two articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas over his failure to secure the 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.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas (right) with President Joe Biden faces an impeachment vote in the House over his handling of the border crisis

Immigrants from Venezuela pass Texas National Guard soldiers after crossing the Rio Grande into the United States on January 8 in Eagle Pass, Texas

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.

Meanwhile several Republican governors have expressed support for Texas to continue the standoff between the state and the federal government.

'When I say it's an invasion, it is an invasion,' Patrick said.

'It's a cartel army. You know, the founders never dreamed we'd have a president like this one who would just open the door to everyone.

'And they said, well, invasion if an army came. Well, we're facing an army. We're facing an army, but they're well-armed. They're well coordinated.

'Don't mess with Texas. We're serious about securing our border.

'And I'm glad the president stood down on Friday and did not confront us. That would be the wrong thing to do. We don't want a confrontation and they shouldn't want a confrontation. 'Well, we're just doing our job. Let us do our job.'

The Biden administration maintains Texas is impeding the federal enforcement of immigration law.

A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated this week: 'Enforcement of immigration law is a federal responsibility.

'Rather than helping to reduce irregular migration, the State of Texas has only made it harder for frontline personnel to do their jobs and to apply consequences under the law.

'We can enforce our laws and administer them safely, humanely, and in an orderly way.'

But a senior CBP official told Fox News the relationship between Texas and Border Patrol officials on the ground remains 'strong.'

'While this issue plays out in the courts, the relationship between Border Patrol, Texas DPS [Department of Public Safety], & TMD [Texas Military Dept.] remains strong,' the official added.

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

'Our focus is and will always be the mission of protecting this country and its people. On the ground, we continue to work alongside these valuable partners in that endeavor.'

'Bottom line: Border Patrol has no plans to remove infrastructure (c-wire) placed by Texas along the border.

'Our posture remains the same. If we need to access an area for emergency response, we will do so. When that happens, we will coordinate with Texas DPS & TMD.'
Police who botched an investigation into the racist murder of Jay Abatan in Brighton partied with suspects arrested over his death and even went on a holiday with them to a French chateau, it was claimed today.

The 42-year-old tax accountant, from Eastbourne, died five days after he was attacked outside the Ocean Rooms nightclub in January 1999. He had been punched and fell to the ground, causing his skull to fracture on the pavement, in a vicious assault.

Now it has been alleged Sussex police officers, heavily criticised for the way they handled the case, astonishingly partied with Jay's suspected murderers, with a cop grabbing lunch with one suspect in a cafe in Hove - just a stone's throw from the murder scene.

Jay had gone to the club with his brother, Michael, and danced with a white woman who was with the attackers.

The siblings where brutally set upon by a group of white men as they left Ocean Rooms to get a taxi, in what is believed to have been a racially motivated attack.

Jay Abatan, 42, died five days after he was attacked outside a nightclub in Brighton in January 1999

Jay had been dancing with a white woman at the Ocean Rooms club, and was brutally assaulted by a group of white men as he left with his brother to get a taxi

Michael saw his brother's final moments as he collapsed to the floor only for the group of men to then turn on him and pummel him for 15 seconds.

Once he recovered from the barrage of punches and kicks, he rushed to Jay's side where he found him with his eyes open and his left hand still in his pocket.

Coroner Veronica Hamilton-Deeley recorded a verdict of unlawful killing saying the attack was 'unprovoked', but no one has ever been brought to justice in the 25 years since Jay's death.

Two men were arrested on suspicion of manslaughter but the charges were dropped due to a lack of evidence, while two others were acquitted for the attack on Michael.

Graham Curtis was one of the men charged with Jay's death with a witness telling The Guardian he said 'he would take the fall for the group'. He killed himself in June 2003.

The witness also alleges the attackers went on holiday together to a chateau in northern France months after Jay was killed. They claimed that the partner of a police officer and his children were also present with a Sussex police officer later joining the group on the holiday.

The witness claims a month later they saw an officer with one of the alleged attackers at the Concorde nightclub in Brighton.

Michael has alleged police officers were drinking with the attackers before they went to the club, while in 2010 he says he saw an officer, who had worked on the case, having lunch with one of the suspects at a cafe in Blatchington Road, Hove.

Jay pictured with his partner Tanya Haynes at their son's first birthday party. A coroner recorded a verdict of unlawful killing saying the attack was 'unprovoked'

Jay, a tax accountant, from Eastbourne, had gone to the club with his brother, Michael. No one has ever been brought to justice in the 25 years since his death

Michael (pictured in 2004 with Tanya) claims in 2010 he saw a police officer grabbing lunch with one of the suspected attackers

Internal police documents seen by The Guardian show the force made a catalogue of errors during the investigation including:

missing potential witnesses and forensic evidence;

officers used racist language;

the probe was under-resourced; and

officers failed to investigate it properly

Michael has called for a public inquiry and for a new force to take over the investigation. He said: 'I just want the truth and I am sick of being lied to and treated like a fool. I trusted the authorities to do their job and they let Jay down.'

Sussex police's investigation was heavily criticised, with Essex Police identifying more than 50 failings and Jay's family lodging 80 complaints, with comparisons being drawn to Stephen Lawrence's murder.

The Conservative MP Peter Bottomley, who has supported the Abatan family, said: 'One or more people in the police have questions to answer about their links to the suspects, before, during and after the events outside the Ocean Rooms.'

The Independent Office for Police Conduct said that it had received no referrals from the force about allegations of unauthorised association between a serving officer and suspects.

Sussex police said: 'Two Sussex police officers were interviewed as witnesses as part of the investigation. This was shared with Jays family. Neither were present during the incident and were not part of the investigation team into Jays death.

'Sussex Police Chief Constable Jo Shiner and Detective Chief Superintendent John Boshier met the family of Jay Abatan in August 2022 to further apologise for mistakes made during the initial investigation into his unlawful killing and we regret that nobody has been convicted in relation to Jays tragic death.

'We had apologised publicly for the failings in 1999 but reinforce that current investigative practices are vastly different. We remain committed to investigating any significant new information that will assist in convicting those responsible for Jay's death.

'Senior detectives have met and corresponded with the Abatan family on a number of occasions over the years in order to respond to their concerns and to provide answers to any questions raised. The initial investigation into Mr Abatan's death was subject to considerable, well-documented scrutiny.

'Its shortcomings, for which former Chief Constable Joe Edwards personally apologised to Jays family in 2005, were highlighted in an independent review that resulted in a second investigation and review.

'At their request the family were provided with a detailed account of this investigation. The Force has completely updated and reorganised the way it investigates both major crime and critical incidents since 1999.

'Significant changes to our investigative practices include a dedicated Major Crime Team, accredited senior investigating officers and trained family liaison officers.

'In 2020, we repeated our appeal for information about this tragic death and offered a 10,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of any person responsible for the death of Jay.

'A potential witness came forward who was interviewed by detectives. However there was no information from the witness which could progress the investigation.

'However if you have any information about the case please report to Sussex Police online or call 101 quoting Operation Dorchester.

'Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or report it online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.'

Ocean Rooms, in Morley Road, was shut down in 2010 after clubber Ricky Brown, 25, was attacked on New Year's Day. He died from a brain injury he suffered when he fell to the ground and hit his head.

Chancey Cummings admitted to killing Mr Brown and was jailed for a minimum of four years after he pleaded guilty to manslaughter and grievous bodily harm.
A scientist was fired by the Bureau of Meteorology after he was caught secretly working from overseas for multiple weeks, the Fair Work Commission heard.

Research scientist Diandong Ren lodged an unfair dismissal application to the Fair Work Commission in July 2023, claiming his sacking by the bureau was harsh, unjust or unreasonable.

The BOM denied the allegations, stating Mr Ren lied to his bosses about his location and potentially breached security risks by accessing the IT systems from overseas without permission from the Commonwealth.

The Fair Work Commission (FWC) backed the bureau's case, with commissioner Scott Connolly finding the termination of Mr Ren's employment 'was not hard, unjust or unreasonable' and he was not unfairly dismissed.

A research scientist for the Bureau of Meteorology (pictured) has been found to have been working from the United States of America when he said he was working from home

Mr Ren travelled from Melbourne to the United States for a holiday for four weeks between August and September 2022.

Nine days after he returned back to work, Mr Ren's boss realised he wasn't coming into the office, wasn't online and wasn't attending any meetings.

According to the Commission's decision, Mr Ren claimed he was working from home, but the bureau tracked his IP address and found it was located in Austin, Texas.

He told his supervisor he had left his computer in the US but failed to provide evidence of his travel back to Australia, the Commission heard.

In October, Mr Ren was asked to again provide evidence of his travel dates to the US and requested his records from the Department of Home Affairs.

A formal investigation was then launched by the bureau and Mr Ren was issued with a draft report from the investigation in December, but the research scientist claimed he 'truly did not recall' his travel details.

Mr Ren was not accused of any criminal wrongdoing.

Records obtained by Home Affairs revealed Mr Ren did not arrive until October 6, more than two weeks after he was due to return home.

The scientist hadn't returned to the office after his holiday to the country, forcing his boss to trace his IP to Austin, Texas, leading to his firing from the Bureau (stock image)

In December, the bureau told Mr Ren he had breached cybersecurity policies but he claimed his time in the US were 'all legal logons'.

'As it started from a scheduled PCL travel, and I did not bring any BOM device with me. How can I misused the BOM property?' Mr Ren responded.

'Also I travelled according to a schedule discussed with my manager, I am still unaware what is wrong. You may cast this spell on my head but I wish to know why?'

He claimed his flight back to Australia was interrupted by a positive Covid-19 test in Doha, which is why he didn't return to the office for two weeks as he was working from home.

Documents from Home Affairs further revealed Mr Ren had returned to the US for three months while under investigation from January to March 2022.

He told his boss he was working from home during this period.

The bureau had refused his request to take personal leave to visit the US on the second occasion, and claims Mr Ren further breached its cybersecurity policies.

Mr Ren denied claims he returned overseas and told the Fair Work Commission his passport had been stolen after he returned home.

He told the FWC there 'exists a slight possibility of identity theft' and his passport was used by someone else.

The scientist was fired by the bureau in May 2023 following findings from the nine-month long internal investigation.

He was told his termination was the result of a 'deliberate refusal' to accept the bureau's rules with regard to working remotely and accessing its IT systems, which had potential implications for security.

According to the Commission's decision, Mr Ren was told his conduct was 'deliberately evasive and untruthful', and 'inconsistent' with expectations placed on him by the Code of Conduct.

Management told Mr Ren they no longer had trust and confidence he could do his job.

An investigation by the Bureau to defend a Fair Work Commission case from the scientist found he had flown back to Australia more than two weeks after he was supposed to

The Fair Work Commission found the Bureau was in their right to fire the researcher as he had risked a security breach by working internationally without seeking permission

In his unfair dismissal claim, the scientist claimed he had permission to work overseas and IT had installed programs on his computer to allow him to do so.

He also claimed working overseas was common practice among staff, and the bureau had accepted it allowed during the pandemic.

But the bureau argued Mr Ren's actions were without his supervisor's knowledge.

Commissioner Scott Connolly ruled it was not for Mr Ren to decide 'when and from where he can access the employer's IT networks' without approval.

While he found Mr Ren 'genuinely formed' the opinion he had the bureau's permission to work from wherever was convenient for him, he accepted the scientist did not bother with formal approval to do so.

'I have also considered the seriousness of potential breaches to Commonwealth IT networks and systems and I am convinced that this ground alone would have warranted the Respondent (BOM) to take decisive action,' Mr Connolly ruled.

'While I empathise with Mr Ren and what he perceives to have occurred to him, after considering all the materials and submissions presented, on the balance of probabilities, I find that Mr Ren has not been unfairly dismissed.'

The case was dismissed.
A car crash last year left Samantha Bovingdon suffering aches and pains all over her body, so when she later began to suffer stomach pains she put them down to the accident.

But the discomfort didn't go away, leading the mum-of-three from Adelaide to visit several doctors - before an ultrasound finally revealed the cause.

The tests found a 20cm cyst on one of her ovaries, leading doctors to believe she had ovarian cancer.

Ms Bovingdon had a full hysterectomy on November 14 last year, but then it was realised that the cyst was not consistent with ovarian cancer after all.

A car crash last year left Samantha Bovingdon with suffering aches and pains all over her body and when she later got stomach pains she put that down to the crash too. Ms Bovingdon is pictured with her children Dakota, 13, Darcy, 9, and Dayna, 3

It was only then that Ms Bovingdon received the heartbreaking diagnosis that she had stage four bowel cancer and which had spread to her liver, lungs and stomach.

The distraught 43-year-old asked her physicians 'What's going to be done, how do we get rid of it?', the Advertiser reported.

The answer was she had to have chemotherapy. She has now just finished her second round.

This time, she has been in hospital since January 11 and is finding it very hard to cope, not being able to spend time with her daughters Dakota, 13, Darcy, 9, and Dayna, 3, during the summer holidays.

'I just take it day by day because I'm stuck to different bits and pieces because of the issues that are going on,' Ms Bovingdon said, adding that her life 'just stopped'.

She is now using her horrific experience to call for early testing for bowel cancer.

'What could've been done to have caught it earlier? How long have I had it? Where did it come from? Why wasn't my body not telling me something wasn't right?

'Why did it wait till then? What was going on? All of that goes through your mind,' she said.

Her husband Ivan said: 'It's hard when you sit there and there's nothing you can do. It's a horrible thing to go through, there's no other way to explain it.'

Ms Bovingdon's close friend Tammy Taylor has set up a GoFundMe page to help the family and it has already had more than 200 donations and raised more than $20,000.

Ivan and Samantha Bovingdon (front) are pictured in their car with their three daughters

'Sam hasn't be able to work since her hysterectomy. Ivan has also had to take time off work to help take care of Sam, take her to her appointments and look after their three beautiful girls,' Ms Taylor wrote.

'So myself and some others want to help raise some money to help Sam, Ivan and the girls at this difficult time.

'It's enough to have to deal with cancer and having to do chemo let alone worrying about how you're going to pay your bills, school fees, sports, medication and anything else that pops up in between.'

She said Ms Bovingdon had previously helped her to raise money after her sister in-law was diagnosed with stage four ovarian cancer.

'Sam helped me bake all the hundreds of cupcakes I sold. She also help me with the fundraiser I organised when my best friend was diagnosed with breast cancer.

'So I'm hoping I can do it all again to help her. If anyone ever needed anything Sam will always try and help,' Ms Taylor said.
Rishi Sunak sounded defiance today as he faces another revolt over his 'nanny state' plans for a 'rolling' ban on buying cigarettes.

The PM insisted there was nothing 'un-Conservative about caring about our children's health' after predecessor Liz Truss joined criticism of the proposals for a rising age limit on buying tobacco products.

'I respect that some people will disagree with me on this but I think this is the right long-term thing for our country. Smoking causes one in four cancer deaths. It's responsible for a hospital admission every minute,' Mr Sunak said on a visit to Darlington.

'And if we don't do something about it, hundreds of thousands of people will die in the coming years and I think that we do have a chance to do something about it.'

Mr Sunak confirmed the measures will be subject to a free vote, even though they are being put forward by the government.

The proposals would ban 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.

Labour has backed the move, meaning it will almost certainly be passed by Parliament. However, the government is braced for a significant mutiny by Tory MPs.

The premier is trumpeting the smoking plan along with a new crackdown on youngsters vaping.

Rishi Sunak (pictured on a visit to Darlington today) is facing another revolt over his 'un-Conservative' plans for a 'rolling' ban on buying cigarettes

Former PM Liz Truss is among the senior figures bidding to block legislation implementing a rising age limit on buying tobacco products

The proposals would ban 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 (file picture)

Ms Truss said ministers '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.'

Mr Sunak is struggling to quell mounting Tory dissent over his leadership, after suffering a series of rebellions on the Rwanda deportation plan.

Former Cabinet minister Simon Clarke broke cover to warn last week that Mr Sunak must be replaced to avoid the party being destroyed by Labour at the election.

In a broad package to crack down on use of nicotine products by children, disposable vapes will be banned in the UK.

The government will use powers already in place under the Environmental Protection Act for the restrictions which is expected to come into force at the end of 2024 or the start of 2025.

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.

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.

Scotland and Wales, which have devolved powers, are taking similar action.

Mr Sunak 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.'

Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting said: 'We've seen before that sensible measures are met with resistance from Conservative backbenchers, but Labour will ensure these important measures to protect children's health are brought in, even when Rishi Sunak is weak.'
International community's prevailing consensus on upholding one-China principle will become more solid

10:51, January 29, 2024 By Zhong Sheng ( People's Daily

China and Nauru signed a joint communique on the resumption of diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level on Jan. 24, which made Nauru the 183rd country to have diplomatic ties with China.

The resumption of diplomatic relations between China and Nauru once again proved that the one-China principle is where global opinion trends and where the arc of history bends.

There is but one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory and the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal Government representing the whole of China. This has been clearly recognized by United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 and widely recognized by the international community.

As an independent sovereign country, the Republic of Nauru announced that it recognizes the one-China principle, breaks the so-called "diplomatic ties" with the Taiwan authorities and reestablishes diplomatic ties with China. It is in line with the interests of Nauru and the will of the people in the country. It conforms to basic norms governing international relations and the trend of history.

The resumption of diplomatic ties between China and Nauru shows that "Taiwan independence" goes against the tide of history, and it is a path to nowhere. Since 2016, 11 countries including Nauru have established or resumed diplomatic relations with China, and severed "diplomatic relations" with the Taiwan region.

Recently, following the elections in China's Taiwan region, over 100 countries and international organizations have reaffirmed their commitment to the one-China principle, their firm support for China's effort to safeguard the nation's sovereignty and territorial integrity, their opposition to any form of "Taiwan independence" and their support for China's cause of national reunification.

This represents the call for justice and peace from the international community, and reflects the extensive consensus of the international community in firmly upholding the UN Charter and the basic norms governing international relations.

Taiwan has never been a country and will never be one. Those who seek Taiwan's independence to split the Chinese territory will surely be severely punished by history and the law. Any country that violates the one-China principle, interferes in China's internal affairs and infringes on China's sovereignty will be jointly opposed by all the Chinese people and the international community as a whole.

China and Nauru see vast prospects for cooperation after their resumption of diplomatic relations, which will benefit Nauru's economic development and improve people's livelihoods. It will also contribute to peace, stability, and prosperity in the Pacific island countries.

China's policy toward Pacific island countries is founded on the "four fully respects." First, China fully respects the sovereignty and independence of Pacific island countries, and upholds the equality of all countries, big or small; second, China fully respects the will of Pacific island countries and follows the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution, shared benefits, and win-win results; third, China fully respects the cultural traditions of Pacific island nations, and pursues harmony without uniformity and the common development of diverse cultures; fourth, China fully respects Pacific island countries' efforts to seek strength through unity, and supports them in implementing the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, so as to contribute to the building of a peaceful, harmonious, secure, inclusive, and prosperous Blue Pacific.

Under the guidance of the "four fully respects," China's exchange and cooperation with Pacific island countries have been continuously expanding, bringing immense benefits to the people of both sides.

In recent years, the Solomon Islands and Kiribati have successively chosen to establish and restore diplomatic relations with China, removing political barriers for cooperation with China. China started vigorous exchange and cooperation with the two countries in various fields and at all levels. They signed Belt and Road cooperation documents and have achieved many early fruits in mutually beneficial cooperation.

After restoring diplomatic relations, China and Nauru will engage in practical cooperation in various fields on the basis of equality and mutual benefit, which will open up a brighter future for Nauru's development.

China will achieve national reunification and Taiwan will inevitably return to the embrace of the motherland. Standing up for the one-China principle is the right thing to do and a trend that no force can hold back.

It is believed that more members of the international community will recognize the trend of history, and establish or restore diplomatic relations with China. The international community's prevailing consensus on upholding the one-China principle will become more solid. The Chinese people's just cause of opposing "Taiwan independence" separatism and external interference and striving for national reunification will win more understanding and support.

(Zhong Sheng is a pen name often used by People's Daily to express its views on foreign policy and international affairs.)

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun)
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.
Rail passengers are facing severe disruptions to their journeys today as Aslef train drivers begin their nine-day overtime ban.

Thousands of trains are likely to cancelled at short notice across the UK each day, thanks to an overtime ban across all train companies from today until Tuesday, February 6.

There will also be one-day strikes across 17 different operators from tomorrow until Monday, February 5.

The first train strikes of 2024 were announced on January 15 by drivers' union Aslef as it continues its long-running dispute with train companies over pay and working arrangements.

London's key train services including South Western Railway, Southeastern and Govia Thameslink Railway - which encompass Southern, Gatwick Express and Thameslink - will all be affected by Tuesday's disruption.

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.

Services that are running could start later and finish much earlier than usual - typically running between 7.30am and 6.30pm.

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'

Yesterday, MailOnline revealed that 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 the nine days of walkouts by train drivers is implementing the requirement to provide at least 40 per cent of normal services.

It means the industrial action 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.

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.

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

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 Sacha 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'.
A British climber has been airlifted to hospital 'seriously hurt' after a fall of more than 30 feet.

The 80-year-old is said to have suffered multiple injuries including head injuries in the accident near the village of Murla, a half-hour drive inland from the Costa Blanca town of Moraira.

An air ambulance helped to take him to Alicante's Doctor Balmis Hospital after he was stabilised at the scene.

The alarm was raised just before 2pm yesterday.

Firefighters and the emergency helicopter that ended up transporting him from the scene of the accident were mobilised as part of the emergency response.

Emergency services providing assistance to the man at the scene of the accident

Emergency services at the scene of the incident in Murla, a half-hour drive inland from the Costa Blanca town of Moraira

Emergency services workers beside the air ambulance providing assistance to the 80-year-old climber

The team inside the air ambulance as the man is taken away for treatment after the accident near the village of Murla

It was not immediately clear this morning if the injured man had been with anyone else at the time and what his current condition is.

A spokesman for firefighters in Alicante said: 'Our rescue team has assisted in the rescue of an 80-year-old British climber in Murla.

'He suffered multiple injuries following a 32ft fall.

'He was taken to a fire station in Denia where an ambulance was waiting to take him to hospital.'
Venice is set to install speed cameras on its canals after a spate of deadly accidents.

The cameras will be placed along the length of the city's waterways and fines will be given to boats that violate the rules after local lawmakers backed a move to enforce the same laws that govern the region's roads on its canals.

MP Martina Semenzato told Italian media: 'The roads [of Venice] are the lagoon canals so boat traffic must be controlled more effectively.'

The city's canals are often crowded with ferries, motorboats, gondolas and other vessels, especially during the summer peak season.

Boats are allowed to travel at up to seven kilometres per hour in the main canals and five kilometres per hour in smaller ones. However, the speed limits are often ignored and there has been and a series of deadly incidents in recent years, raising concerns over the safety of locals and tourists.

The cameras will be placed along the length of the city's waterways and fines will be given to boats that violate the rules after local lawmakers backed a move to enforce the same laws that govern the region's roads on its canals (Stock Image)

In 2019, three men died in a high-speed crash in the city's lagoon and the same year large cruise ships were banned from the Giudecca canal after five tourists sustained injuries in a crash.

In 2013, a German tourist was crushed to death when the gondola he was in was involved in a collision with a water bus on the Grand Canal.

In 2022, a Belgian tourist stole a water taxi and took it for a high-speed ride on the Grand Canal before he was stopped and fined by the police.

In August of that year, two Australians were filmed whizzing along Venice's Grand Canal on 20,000 electric hydrofoils, infuriating both tourists and locals alike.

Regulatory gaps in the application of fines for vessels found to have contravened local rules have led to a backlog of administrative disputes and an increasing number of unpaid fees.

Semenzato said that the changes, which are still awaiting final parliamentary approval before they come into force, would make Venice safer and see new technology utilised to catch those flouting speed rules.

'The amendment introduces a specific speed camera, named Barcavelox, to monitor and record the speed of boats and craft plying the canals of the lagoon city,' she said.

The speed limits will also help to protect Venice's lagoon ecosystem and architecture, which are at risk of being further damaged by the 'wave motion' from boats that pass its waters.

Experts have warned that this affects canal walls below the waterline and damages historic buildings.

The announcement came as Venice was preparing for its annual Carnevale, which starts this week and draws millions of tourists each year.

The city's canals are often crowded with ferries, motorboats, gondolas, and other vessels, especially during the summer peak season (Stock Image)

In December, the city revealed plans to further crack down on mass tourism, announcing new limits on the size of tourist groups.

Starting in June, groups will be limited to 25 people, or roughly half the capacity of a tourist bus, and the use of loudspeakers, 'which can generate confusion and disturbances', will be banned, the city said in a statement.

The city official charged with security, Elisabetta Pesce, said the policies were aimed at improving the movement of groups through Venice's historic centre, as well as the popular islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello.

The city previously announced plans to test a new day-tripper fee last year.

The five euro (4.34) per person fee will be applied on 29 peak days between April and mid-July, including most weekends.

It is intended to regulate crowds, encourage longer visits and improve the quality of life for Venice residents.

The UN cultural agency cited tourism's impact on the fragile lagoon city as a major factor in it twice considering placing Venice on UNESCO's list of heritage sites in danger.

The city escaped the first time by limiting the arrival of large cruise ships through the Giudecca Canal and again in September when it announced the roll-out of the day-tripper charge, which had been delayed when tourism declined during the COVID-19 pandemic.

But with tourism levels back to pre-pandemic levels, chaos in the Floating City appears to be at an all-time high.
The deaths of three US soldiers in a drone attack by Iran-backed militants risk further inflaming the on-going crisis in the Middle East, experts have warned.

A former CIA director called the weekend strike on the US base a 'dangerous escalation' in tensions that have already engulfed the region following Hamas's October 7 terror attack on southern Israel, and Israel's subsequent assault on Gaza.

After he warned that the US 'shall respond' to the strike, analysts say US president Joe Biden must be calculated in his retaliation and strike a balance between pleasing those at home who want to see a show of force, and averting a wider conflict.

If the White House is not strong enough in its response, experts say Iran's proxies will remain undeterred and continue to carry out attacks. Too strong, and Biden risks plunging the Middle East into a deeper conflict.

Further escalation, one expert warns, 'would bring the Middle East to the precipice of a regional war', while another said they expect a 'expect a serious escalation around the corner.'

But in doing so, Biden also runs the risk of playing into the 'optimal scenario' for Vladimir Putin, whose war in Ukraine would benefit greatly from a wider conflict.

Meanwhile, one British MP warned that the escalation in the volatile region also affects the UK, saying that it could become a 'necessity' for Britain to get involved.

'It's important that the British people understand this: This is one example of many of the new era of insecurity that we've entered and that we need to prepare for,' said former Defence Select Committee chairman and soldier Tobias Ellwood.

Such concerns come amid fears that the wars in Europe and the Middle East could proliferate into something even larger, with former US president Donald Trump warning on Sunday: 'we are on the brink of World War Three'.

The deaths of three US soldiers in a drone attack by Iran-backed militants on US base Tower 22 in Jordan (pictured) risk further inflaming the on-going crisis in the Middle East, experts have warned, and could lead to a wider conflict

'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 following the strike. 'Have no doubt - we will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner of our choosing,' he warned.

At least 34 personnel were also injured in the Sunday attack in northeastern Jordan near the Syrian border, according to a statement from US Central Command.

The US military said the attack occurred at a base near the Syrian border.

It did not name the base, but a person familiar with the matter identified it as Tower 22 in Jordan - a base which holds a strategically important location in Jordan, at the most northeastern point where the country's borders meet Syria and Iraq.

Iran's mission to the United Nations said in a statement on Monday that Tehran was not involved in the attack.

The attack came amid concerns that Israel's war against the Iran-backed Hamas terror group in Gaza could spread into a wider conflict involving Iran's proxies in Lebanon, Yemen and Iraq.

US and allied forces in Iraq and Syria have been targeted in more than 150 attacks since October 7, according to the Pentagon, following the deadly Hamas terror attack on southern Israel which sparked the on-going Israeli offensive in Gaza.

Washington has already carried out retaliatory strikes in both Iraq and Syria.

Former CIA Director John Brennan described the deadly attack as a 'dangerous escalation' in the Middle East amid the Israel-Hamas war.

'Given that there were three American military personnel killed, and over two dozen injured - it's a sizeable attack,' Brennan said on MSNBC's 'Inside with Jen Psaki'.

'Whether it was one or more drones, these are drones that are packed with explosives and then detonate upon impact. But to have that type of the number of casualties suggested it was a fairly sizeable one,' he added.

The former CIA man also predicted there would be 'consequences' to the attack.

'As the White House has pointed out, Iran has cultivated relationships with a number of the militia and extremist groups in Syria, Iraq and other areas as a way to put pressure on regional adversaries as well as on the United States,' Brennan said.

'So the big question, I think, for the White House is whether or not this is an Iranian supported group, or whether we want the indirect attack, but either way, I think [there are] going to be consequences.'

In a scathing attack on Biden, former US president Trump suggested the strike on the Jordan base brought the US to the brink of World War Three.

Trump wrote on Sunday: 'This brazen attack on the United States is yet another horrific and tragic consequence of Joe Biden's weakness and surrender.

'This attack would NEVER have happened if I was President, not even a chance - Just like the Iranian-backed Hamas attack on Israel would never have happened, the War in Ukraine would never have happened, and we would right now have Peace throughout the World. Instead, we are on the brink of World War 3.'

Former President Donald Trump believes a third world war is imminent as he blamed Joe Biden's 'weakness and surrender' for the suicide drone strike that killed three US service members in Jordan Saturday

Michael Butler, associate professor of political science at Clark University, Massachusetts, said the attack was a 'game changer' for the Biden administration's strategy in the Middle East, adding that he expects a 'serious escalation' soon.

'The attack on Tower 22 is undoubtedly a game changer for the Biden Administration's policy of deterrence,' Butler said.

'While the US has been trying to thread the needle between degrading the capacity of Iranian proxies without directly engaging Iran itself, it is hard to envision that policy remaining viable now.

'I'd expect a serious escalation is around the corner,' he added.

However, experts have also warned that the US must find the right balance in its response, or risk bringing the Middle East 'to the precipice of a regional war'.

'The challenge for those crafting the US response is to ensure that it is significant enough to prevent additional attacks on US forces while also not starting another war in the region,' Alex Plitsas, of the Middle East Programs' N7 Initiative, told the Atlantic Council think tank.

'This is why the United States and its allies must hold adversaries accountable at lower levels of deterrence to prevent movement up the escalation ladder that would bring the Middle East to the precipice of a regional war,' he added.

Sir Hew Strachan, a professor of international relations at St Andrews University, said Biden is 'caught between his desire not to escalate the situation in the Middle East and the domestic pressures not to seem weak during an election year.'

He said based on Biden's initial comments, he expected the US's initial response will be calculated and un-rushed, but that the attack cannot go unpunished.

'He cannot let the attack pass unpunished but he will do his best not to court escalation. Some form of long-distance and specifically targeted response using drones and/or guided missiles is the obvious outcome,' the professor said.

Sir Strachan played down the possibility of the UK getting involved in the conflict at this stage, saying that the US, UK and their ally Jordan do not wish for escalation.

However, he added, 'the problem for all three is that a wish not to escalate the situation from their side does not rule out a wish to do so from the other.'

As for what such a US response could look like, Matthew Kroenig - senior director of the Atlantic Council's Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, said targets could include 'Iran's navy, its top leadership, or even its nuclear program.'

He said that Iran has been waging a 'shadow war' against the US in recent weeks, and blamed America's 'cautious' response out of fear of an escalation for demonstrating to Iran that it could 'attack with impunity'.

'Deterrence works by convincing an adversary that the costs to attacking the US and its allies and interests greatly outweighs any conceivable benefits,' he said, before calling on US forces to 'hit Iran hard'.

'Washington could sink the Iranian navy, like then President Ronald Reagan did in the 1980s,' he told the Atlantic Council.

'It could strike Iranian naval bases. It could target Iranian leadership, following in the footsteps of then President Donald Trump's killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani. It could seize this opportunity to degrade Iran's nuclear and missile program - which must be addressed soon regardless.

Such actions, he said, 'would convey to Iran that it badly miscalculated and that attacking the United States was a foolish decision that should not be repeated.'

The drone attack 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

But the US response to the strikes, experts have warned, also run the risk of directly playing into the hands of another of its adversaries: Vladimir Putin.

With the Russian president currently waging war in Ukraine, Moscow would greatly benefit from further distraction in the form of a wider Middle East conflict, says Vlad Sutea, founder and lead analyst at threatcasting group T-Intelligence.

Kyiv has been provided with funds and military assistance by its Western allies since Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

However, that support has hit road blocks in recent months, with the attention of the US and its allies being split due to Israel's on-going fight against Hamas, as well as attacks on ships by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebel group in the Red Sea.

'Global geopolitical and war risks are at their highest in recent years, with tensions escalating on every continent,' Mr Sutea told MailOnline over the weekend.

'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.

'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,' he said.

Meanwhile, British MP and former soldier Tobias Ellwood warned that any escalating conflict in the Middle East also impacts the UK.

Speaking to TalkTV, he said: It's worth just stressing, and it's important that the British people understand this: This is one example of many of the new era of insecurity that we've entered and that we need to prepare for. That's why there's been so much discussion about the size and complexion of our armed forces.

'This does affect Britain, we need to make it very clear: This is not an operation of choice, it's a necessity because our economy is increasingly being affected by instability in the Middle East,' he added.

'And that of course don't forget, all prices going up, is to Iran's benefit.'
Laurence Fox is set to discover his fate today as a judge will rule on the outcome of his High Court libel battle with two people he referred to as paedophiles on social media.

The actor and right-wing activist was sued by former Stonewall trustee Simon Blake and drag artist Crystal over a row on X in October 2020.

Fox, 45, called Mr Blake and the former RuPaul's Drag Race contestant, whose real name is Colin Seymour, 'paedophiles' in an exchange about a decision by Sainsbury's to celebrate Black History Month.

The Lewis star - who founded the Reclaim Party - counter-sued the pair and actress Nicola Thorp over tweets accusing him of racism.

The actor and right-wing activist told the High Court that a tweet by actress Nicola Thorp calling him 'unequivocally, publicly and undeniably a racist' ended his career.

Mr Fox said at the time he would boycott Sainsbury's, accusing it of promoting 'racial segregation and discrimination'.

Mrs Justice Collins Rice is due to issue her written ruling on the case later today.

Laurence Fox is set to discover his fate today as a judge will rule on the outcome of his High Court libel battle with two people he referred to as paedophiles on social media

Simon Blake (left), Nicola Thorp and Colin Seymour (right) pictured on November 22

The actor and right-wing activist told the High Court that a tweet by actress Nicola Thorp calling him 'unequivocally, publicly and undeniably a racist' ended his career (pictured with girlfriend Elizabeth Barker outside court on November 22)

During a trial in London in November, Mr Fox was described was an alleged 'intelligent racist with an agenda'.

Lorna Skinner KC, representing Mr Blake, Mr Seymour and Ms Thorp, said the trio 'honestly believed, and continue honestly to believe, that Mr Fox is a racist'.

She said the actor 'has made a number of highly controversial statements about race', adding: 'If and to the extent that Mr Fox has been harmed in his reputation, it is his own conduct and not the claimants' comments on it that caused that harm.'

In his evidence discussing his call for a boycott of Sainsbury's, Mr Fox said the supermarket had been 'essentially emotionally blackmailing their customers' and that he has not shopped there since.

He continued: 'I felt that rather than genuinely trying to tackle racism, Sainsbury's were trying to improve their own image, branding themselves as the anti-racist supermarket.

'I see the phrase 'safe space' as just locally friendly language for discrimination by segregation, dividing people down the line of skin colour.'

Mr Fox added that he believes Black History Month is 'a grift, designed to make black people feel like they're in some way undervalued in our society' and called the Black Lives Matter movement 'extremely divisive'.

Ms Skinner previously highlighted several of Mr Fox's social media posts, including a June 2022 tweet of four pride flags arranged in the shape of a swastika.

Mr Fox, who denies being a racist, said in his written evidence he was 'horrified' when he saw he had been called a racist, which he later described as 'a career-ending word, and a reputation-destroying allegation'

'Such a disgusting post could only be made by a complete ignoramus or an intelligent racist with an agenda. Mr Fox is the latter,' she said.

In his written evidence for the case, Mr Seymour, a Canadian artist, said he had faced 'overwhelming and distressing' abuse after Mr Fox's tweet, adding that he felt less safe as a drag performer.

Mr Blake, now chief executive of Mental Health First Aid England, said the incorrect suggestion that gay men were paedophiles was 'a trope as old as the hills'.

Broadcaster Nicola Thorp claimed that Mr Fox had 'outed himself as a racist' with a tweet calling for a boycott of the supermarket.

She said that any reputational harm Mr Fox suffered 'was because of what he did, not because of what I said'.

Patrick Green KC, representing Mr Fox, told the court neither Mr Blake nor Mr Seymour 'has suffered any actual, real-world consequences' due to the actor's tweets.

The barrister said the posts did not cause people to think worse of Mr Blake and Mr Seymour, and that people did not believe they were paedophiles.

Instead, Mr Green said readers would have understood that Mr Fox's posts were a 'retort to an allegation of racism' rather than a factual allegation.

Mr Fox told the court he was 'horrified' when he saw he had been called a racist, which he later described as 'a career-ending word and a reputation-destroying allegation'.

He said his life was 'destroyed' by 'hurtful' racism allegations and he was left unable to get a mortgage.

Mr Fox said in his witness evidence he had a 'vibrant and busy' work life before the tweets and before Ms Latimer dropped him, he was asked to audition for roles including Batman and Succession

He said in court: 'Without the prospect of work from her and the income from it, I couldn't get a mortgage.

'The only income I earned at that point was from the Reclaim Party. To this day I haven't bought a house, I only received one mortgage offer very recently, and it was far too high and wouldn't have been worth my while to take it.'

Mr Fox later said he has faced similar issues to Nigel Farage being 'debanked', with his bank 'regularly questioning' legitimate transactions and claimed his car insurance premium increased by nearly 9,000.

He added in his witness evidence he had a 'vibrant and busy' work life before the tweets and before Ms Latimer dropped him, he was asked to audition for roles including Batman and Succession, and 'multiple other Netflix, Disney+ and HBO productions'.

He continued: 'It's a source of incredible sadness to me that my skill set, which has been highly trained, used at great length over 23 or 24 years - it's just been completely put away.'

The actor said he faced a 'significant decline' in the number and quality of roles he was offered after he was accused of being a racist in the social media row.

Mrs Justice Collins is expected to issue her ruling at 3pm.
The parents of Barnaby Webber  a 19-year-old university student who was stabbed to death in a city-wide rampage last June  have hit out at the authorities for failing to stop Nottingham triple killer Valdo Calocane.

David and Emma Webber have called for a public enquiry into why Calocane was able to carry out his frenzied attack in Nottingham city centre on June 13 last year, which left student Grace O'Malley Kumar, Barnaby Webber, both 19, and school caretaker Ian Coates, 65, dead.

Speaking to Richard Madeley and Susanna Reid on Good Morning Britain, Mrs Webber said: 'I will never accept anything other than Barnaby was murdered.

'He was murdered by somebody that knew what he was doing, he knew that it was wrong and he did it anyway - and he's admitted that. He's actually said that.'

Paranoid schizophrenic Calocane pleaded guilty to manslaughter by diminished responsibility. He also admitted attempting to murder three pedestrians who were hit by a van on June 13. He was sentenced to a hospital order with restrictions.

Emma Webber (pictured) speaking on Good Morning Britain this morning

Barnaby Webber, 19, (pictured), was stabbed to death on June 13 last year by triple killer Valdo Calocane

Barnaby Webber's parents Emma (left) and David (right) speaking on Good Morning Britain this morning

Valdo Calocane (pictured) was sentenced to a hospital order after admitting manslaughter by diminished responsibility and attempted murder

Speaking two days after an interview with the Mail, Mrs Webber said 'where do you start with the failings?', explaining how officers failed to arrest Calocane for an assault of his co-workers just weeks before.

Mrs Webber said she was 'aghast' at the the opening statements from the Crown Prosecution Service in court at Calocane's trial and has asked for a meeting with Janine McKinney from the CPS.

Ms Webber said: 'We sat in court and were aghast at the opening statements from the CPS barrister last week, it was worded in such a way that the acceptance of manslaughter was after consultation with the families, oh it wasn't, anything but.

'We saw the CPS for the very first time as I said in my statement on the Friday November 24, the weekend before the pre-trial hearing, they had actually asked if we'd have that meeting on the morning of the hearing.'

Mrs Webber suggested Calocane was not showing signs of 'obvious psychosis' on the day of the Nottingham attacks and could be seen changing his clothes and interacting with people beforehand.

'What really concerns us is it's not been delved into how he (Valdo Calocane) acted,' she said.

'We sat through six hours of the most traumatic images and timeline of what this monster did. From leaving St Pancras in London to when he was arrested we've seen his movements and they really alarmed us, there was no obvious psychosis.

'He encountered lots of other people, didn't do anything, we didn't even know he had a rucksack full of weapons with him.

'He changed his clothes, there's very little reference to the Slazenger bag that's gone missing, he hid in the shadows for nearly 10 minutes waiting for our kids and then he calmly walks away, phones his brother, admits what he's done, and goes to the secure unit and has a face-to-face interaction with the warden, doesn't attack him.

'But that wasn't even raised properly last week in court and so for us we're questioning how can this be the actions of somebody in such a psychotic state?'

It comes as two consultant psychiatrists submitted opinions that Valdo Calocane 'knew what he was doing' and was 'not insane' while carrying out the attack, 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 being told three psychiatrists had assessed Valdo Calocane and jointly concluded that he was suffering from paranoid schizophrenia at the time of the offences.

Mrs Webber added: 'It's insulting that he's (Calocane) in hospital now, he continues to receive his benefits and be treated. We are left with...all we get from the Ministry of Justice is 12 therapy sessions and you're on your own. How do you begin to rebuild?'

Barnaby's parents raised concerns that Valdo Calocane could be released in the future if he responds well to treatment.

Speaking later on the show, Health Minister Victoria Atkins said Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will meet with the families of the victims of the Nottingham attacks.

MP Atkins said: 'The Prime Minister will be meeting the families, I reached out to the families last night.

'I have had many many years of working with grieving families and the most important thing is that rather than people clamoring and stepping on their grief, that we let them start the process as and when they feel able and read to do so.

'I will meet with them as quickly as we possibly can - and the Prime Minister.'
A furious Aeromexico passenger forced open his plane's emergency exit door and walked on to the wing after being stuck on board without water or aircon.

He was one of dozens of passengers - who credit him with saving their lives - trapped onboard for over three hours as crew attempted to find a maintenance fault which had the flight grounded for over three hours last Thursday.

However, at least 77 of his fellow passengers signed a statement saying that he had their full support amid 77 Fahrenheit temperatures in Mexico City.

The flight from Mexico International Airport eventually landed in Guatemala City four hours and 56 minutes late, after the man's actions led him being arrested as all other passengers needed to change aircraft.

Having been scheduled to depart Mexico International Airport at 8.45am, the flight eventually arrived at its destination just over seven hours later.

A video showed passengers pleading with cabin crew as they were trapped in an Aeromexico plane for over three hours before a man forced the emergency exit open and walked onto the wing

Passengers, who were without water or aircon as the plane remained on the tarmac at Mexico International Airport, signed a joint statement supporting the man's actions, saying 'he saved our lives'

The emergency exit being opened forced the flight to change aircraft, and it eventually arrived in Guatemala City nearly five hours late

The airport said in a statement that 'a passenger on a flight to Guatemala opened an emergency door on a plane while it was stationary at a remote position, stood on a wing and then re-entered the cabin, without affecting the aircraft or anyone else.

'In line with international security regulations, this person turned himself over to the authorities.'

One of those onboard scribbled a hand-written statement in a notepad supporting his actions.

It read: 'The delay and lack of air created conditions that endangered the health of the passengers. He saved our lives.'

An incident report filed with airport authorities largely confirmed that version of events.

'Around 11:37 a.m., a Mexican airline reported the beginning of a disturbance due to passenger discontent on flight AM672,' according to the report.

'The flight had been due to lift off at 8:45 a.m. Thursday, but because of a maintenance alert on the plane, the captain had to return to the gate for the required maintenance.

Mas de 3 horas esperando a que @Aeromexico solucionara la falla de su aeronave, sin aire, con puertas cerradas, sin agua, sin informacion, senoras de la tercera edad al borde del desmayo y su empleada (de cuarta por cierto) burlandose de la situacion @lopezdoriga @CarlosLoret pic.twitter.com/PiFkbd56Vr  Regina (@regina_villazon) January 25, 2024

El pasajero abrio la puerta y se avento hacia el terreno cerca de las 11:30 del jueves 25 de enero, lo que retraso el despegue del vuelo que ya estaba demorado.



: Especial pic.twitter.com/cxDTAkmF51  El Financiero Nacional (@EF_Nacional) January 26, 2024

'The passengers were unhappy and one of them opened the emergency door and stepped out on the wing. This event required the plane to be changed.'

Airport authorities did not identify the man, and they declined to comment on whether he remains in custody or faces charges.

A video apparently recorded aboard the flight showed passengers fanning themselves and asking a flight attendant for water.

Aeromexico did not immediately respond to an email request for comment.
Sir Keir Starmer grabbed himself an Iceland bargain today as the frozen food chain's ambitious multi-millionaire boss defected to Labour - after the Tories refused to give him a safe seat.

Richard Walker, the executive chairman of the supermarket and a former conservative donor, quit the party last October in a blow to Rishi Sunak.

It was later revealed that he had demanded a safe seat at the next election, but the Tories had refused to bend their selection rules for him.

Today he gave his backing to Labour, saying the party was the 'right choice' for business and voters.

Mr Walker told the BBC this morning that the country is 'in a mess' and accused the Conservatives of having 'failed the nation'.

But it will raise questions about what Sir Keir has offered the businessman in return for his defection. While Mr Walker said he would be supporting Labour at the next general election, he said he was not becoming a party member.

A Tory source told MailOnline: 'Walker is supporting Labour because the Conservatives refused to circumvent selection rules to hand him a safe seat despite an intense campaign which went as far as getting his dad to write to the party on his behalf. This just proves the party was right.

'Given his clear lack of principles he should fit in well with Sir Keir Starmer.'

Richard Walker, the executive chairman of the supermarket and a former conservative donor, quit the party last October in a blow to Rishi Sunak.

Today he gave his backing to Labour, saying the party was the 'right choice' for business and voters.

The Labour leader, who is set to visit a branch of Iceland later to meet staff and shoppers, welcomed the endorsement.

Writing in The Guardian, he said: 'Labour is the right choice for the communities across the country where Iceland operates - and the right choice for everyone in business who wants to see this country grow and prosper.'

The Iceland chairman praised Sir Keir for having 'transformed' his party in the wake of Jeremy Corbyn's leadership and said the Labour leader understands pressures facing households.

Mr Walker delivered a blow to Mr Sunak by quitting the Tories at the start of their annual conference in Manchester in October.

He claimed the Tories attempted to 'gag' him from being outspoken on issues such as food banks and sewage and fumed at being told to 'pipe down' during his efforts to become a Conservative MP.

He claimed the party was 'drifting out of touch' with both business and voters, while he also lashed out at the 'sluggish economy' and 'high levels of regional inequality'.

But it later emerged he had pleaded with Mr Sunak to be a Tory election candidate just months previously.

In a letter to the PM, Mr Walker detailed his 'fervent wish' to join the list of approved Tory candidates.

He wrote that he had 'done everything' asked of him by the party 'and more'.

This included supporting the Tories in the media and 'keeping my distance from any policy area or organisation that may be at odds with the party's position',' he added.

The 43-year-old pleaded with Rishi Sunak to be a Tory election candidate in a letter less than a year ago.

But he changed his tune today as he came out in favour of Labour.

Sir Keir, Mr Walker wrote, 'demonstrates a compassion and concern for the less fortunate that contrasts very favourably with the attitude of most of his opponents'.

'He absolutely gets it when I talk to him about the way that the cost of living crisis has put unbearable strain on the finances of so many of my customers and their families, and the urgent need for a government that does everything in its power to ease their burden.'

While Mr Walker said he would be supporting Labour at the next general election, he said he was not becoming a party member.

The Labour leader, who is set to visit a branch of Iceland later to meet staff and shoppers, welcomed the endorsement.

He said: 'The work that he and his colleagues at Iceland have done to help customers through the cost of living crisis has been commendable.

'With Labour, shoppers and shop workers will get a fair deal. We'll tackle the cost of living crisis, get Britain's economy growing again and get our country's future back.'
Six people have been injured after an American Airlines flight had to make a 'hard landing' after it 'experienced an issue'.

Flight 271 took off from Los Angeles International Airport on Saturday 27 January before landing in Kahului Airport in Maui, Hawaii just after 2 p.m. local time.

One passenger and five flight attendants had to go to hospital with minor injuries following the 'hard landing' - the aircraft has now been taken out of service to undergo an inspection.

FlightAware, a plane tracking website showed that Flight 271 was scheduled to land at 12:47pm but was delayed for nearly 79 minutes before take off in LA.

Flight 271 took off from Los Angeles International Airport on Saturday 27 January before landing in Kahului Airport in Maui, Hawaii just after 2 p.m. local time. Stock image of American Airlines plane.

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the cause of the 'hard landing'

American Airlines reported that the plane had been carrying 167 passengers and seven crew members when it 'experienced an issue upon landing'.

The Federal Aviation Administration is also investigating the cause of the 'hard landing.'

While Maui Police Department said that medics responded to a dispatch call at 2:21 p.m., according to Hawaii News Now.

The airline said: 'The aircraft taxied to the gate under its own power and customers deplaned normally.

'The safety of our customers and team members is our top priority.'

An American Airlines plane has skidded off the runway and on to the grass at Rochester Airport in New York as it landed

This comes just one week after another American Airlines plane skidded off the run way, from the snowy conditions and onto the grass at Rochester Airport in New York as it landed.

The AA5811 flight from Philadelphia had 53 people on board, but there were no reported injuries.

One person wrote on X: 'We just landed and were taxiing back. The pilot while taxiing took the turn too quickly and we skidded into the grass.

'The plane is fine and everyone is ok theyre just not telling us anything about when we are getting off.'

FAA and American Airlines officials confirmed the Embraer E145 was being taxied to the terminal around 4 p.m. when it slipped because of the 'snowy airfield conditions' brought on by light snowstorms across the area.
A mum accused of giving her adult son a fruit juice laced with a fatal dose of prescription medication allegedly had her daughter stand lookout as she blended the deathly drink, a court has heard.

Maree Mavis Crabtree pleaded not guilty in Brisbane Supreme Court on Monday to murder, attempted murder and attempted fraud following the death of her son Jonathan Crabtree in July 2017.

Crown prosecutor Philip McCarthy KC told the jury the body of the 26-year-old was 'found draped across his bed' and he had allegedly 'been dead for hours' before paramedics were called to the Maudsland house on the Gold Coast on July 19, 2017.

It will be alleged Mr Crabtree died from a fatal overdose of oxycodone, plus a combination of other drugs, which was later discovered in his bloodstream.

The jury was told Mrs Crabtree allegedly deliberately gave her son a fruit juice drink containing oxycodone that she'd made using a blender hours before his death.

Maree Mavis Crabtree, a mother accused of killing her disabled son Jonathan (both pictured), is alleged to have had her daughter stand guard while making the poisonous fruit juice

She had used prescription medication that was prescribed for her daughter, Tara, which was readily available in their home.

Mr McCarthy alleged Mrs Crabtree gave the drink to her son to kill him.

Mrs Crabtree allegedly blended the drink in an attempt to hide the smell of the oxycodone, the court was told.

Mr Crabtree allegedly drank the juice prepared by his mother in the kitchen before returning to his bedroom.

The jury was told they would hear evidence throughout the trial from Tara Crabtree, the daughter of the accused, who lived in the Maudsland home with her mother and brother.

'Tara will tell this trial of her mother's plan to kill her brother,' Mr McCarthy said.

'Tara will tell us she helped her mother, she helped by keeping a lookout (while her mum went) to prepare the drink in question to ensure her brother didn't come from his room.

'His sister Tara will tell us from her room she could hear her brother coughing and struggling into the night.

'How next morning her mother told her not to go into her brother's room and he was dead.'

Mr McCarthy said the jury will hear that this was 'not the first time' Mrs Crabtree tried to kill her son.

Ms Crabtree (pictured) is alleged to have used prescription medication in a blended fruit juice to her son to kill him

The body of the 26-year-old (pictured) was 'found draped across his bed' and he had allegedly 'been dead for hours' before paramedics were called in July 2017

EXCLUSIVE READ MORE: Chilling last posts of Maryborough, Queensland, mum found allegedly murdered at home are revealed Advertisement

The Crown will allege Mrs Crabtree had tried to fatally overdose her son in January 2017 but her attempts were unsuccessful.

Following his death in July 2017, Mrs Crabtree is also alleged to have tried to claim more than $100,000 from her son's life insurance.

The jury was told Mr Crabtree, his mother and sister had been in a car accident in 2015 before and he was entitled to an insurance payout.

Mrs Crabtree had been previously appointed by a court order as her son's guardian, including his financial decision.

Mr McCarthy said the jury would hear that Mr Crabtree was 'no saint' and was a 'troubled young man' who 'abused drugs'.

He'd also been investigated by police over an alleged armed robbery of a chemist.

Mr McCarthy said Mrs Crabtree had told police after her son's death he'd been 'upset' after an appointment with a specialist determining his insurance case the day he died.

Mr McCarthy said this specialist was the final appointment Mr Crabtree required before he was granted the insurance money.

The Crown will allege Mrs Crabtree killed her son for his insurance money because she was concerned about financial stress placed upon them following his alleged involvement in the armed robbery.

'Tara will tell us that Jonathon's involvement in an armed robbery had placed their finances in jeopardy and also their family home,' Mr McCarthy said.

'That was the express reason his life had to be ended ... he had to be killed.'

The jury were told Mrs Crabtree had told a number of friends about her concerns of how violent her son had become since the car crash.

Several witnesses are expected to give evidence throughout the trial about conversations they'd had with Mrs Crabtree where she'd told them her son 'didn't have long to live'.

Following his death in July 2017, Mrs Crabtree (pictured) is also alleged to have tried to claim more than $100,000 from her son's life insurance

The jury was told Mrs Crabtree had also told friends on several occasions she'd wished her son had died in the car crash in 2015 because he'd become a burden on the family.

Mr McCarthy said Mrs Crabtree would had 'significant financial reasons to end her son's life' because Mr Crabtree was 'difficult to live with' and 'her son was violent'.

The jury was told she was also concerned they would lose the family home and about the likelihood Mr Crabtree would be sued by the victims of the armed robbery

Mrs Crabtree's defence barrister Angus Edwards KC is expected to address the jury on Monday afternoon.
The Archbishop of Canterbury waded into the Rwanda Bill row today despite Rishi Sunak warning peers not to frustrate the 'will of the people'.

Justin Welby insisted Britain must 'do better' than the government's crucial legislation as it was debated in the House of Lords for the first time.

He cited the teachings of Jesus as he rejected calls for religious leaders to stay out of the issue.

But the Archbishop did said he will not be supporting a Lib Dems motion that would stop the Bill in its tracks tonight - an unusual step at second reading stage.

Instead he made clear he would be looking to amend the Bill and take a view at third reading.

The attempt to crash the proposals immediately is almost certain to fail as Labour is set to abstain.

Justin Welby insisted Britain must 'do better' than the government's crucial legislation as it was debated in the House of Lords for the first time

The House of Lords has started debating the government legislation this afternoon

Peers will bid to kill the Rwanda Bill today despite Rishi Sunak (pictured in Darlington today) warning them not to oppose the 'will of the people'

A file photograph of migrants about to be picked up in the Channel

The Safety of Rwanda Bill's second reading in the Lords this afternoon will be the first time peers have had the opportunity to debate the measures.

The Bill aims to declare Rwanda a safe country and overcome objections raised by the Supreme Court, which declared the scheme unlawful in November.

Earlier this month the PM warned peers not to 'frustrate the will of the people', urging them to 'do the right thing' and pass the Bill 'as quickly as possible'.

But the Bill was booed as it was formally introduced to the House.

And last week Lords defeated the Government in a separate vote on a treaty signed with Rwanda which will introduce a number of safeguards for asylum seekers sent to the east African nation.

They backed a ten-point plan that would mean removals could not take place until all the safeguards have been fully introduced and 'bedded in'.

Ministers are not bound by last week's vote, but in the next stage the Lords can attempt to water down the legislation.

Some 71 members of the upper chamber are expected to speak at the second reading debate of the draft law on Monday.

Among them is the Archbishop of Canterbury, who has voiced profound concerns about the plan to send asylum seekers who cross the Channel in small boats on a one-way flight to Kigali.

Lord Carlile of Berriew, who earlier this month warned the Government is moving towards 'totalitarianism' in its handling of the policy, is also due to appear.

The crossbench peer has suggested the Lords would seek to undo what he described as politicians 'meddling' in the independent courts.

Lib Dem Lord German has tabled a 'fatal' motion that would decline the second reading, arguing that the legislation would put the UK 'at risk of breaching its international law commitments', undermine the courts and heap costs on the taxpayer.

Baroness Patience Wheatcroft told BBC Radio 4's Westminster Hour that the mood in the Lords is 'absolutely opposed to the Rwanda scheme apart from some of the Tories'.

She said she knew of Conservatives who were voting with the government out of duty, but felt 'absolutely distraught' about what was being planned.

Praising the dismissal motion being tabled by the Lib Dems, Lady Wheatcroft denied that the Salisbury convention - which suggests the Lords does not meddle in flagship government measures.

'I will certainly be voting in favour of that because I think it is not covered by the Salisbury convention that being the case it seems to me that this is desperately flawed legislation,' she said.

'No amount of amending it will ever turn it into a respectable piece of legislation. It goes against the Supreme Court, it leaves the way open to breach international law and it deprives individuals of rights that we have always thought they should have.'

Lady Wheatcroft said she did not want to spend an 'interminable amount of time, many late nights, trying to amend it to turn it into something reasonable'.

One leading peer last night said that he expected a number of amendments that would attempt to make fundamental changes to the Bill.

Top barrister and crossbench peer Lord Carlile KC said: 'I think there will be a head of steam in the House of Lords to ensure that the ten-point plan  in a legislative framework  is satisfied before anybody can be removed to Rwanda.'

Lib Dem Lord German has tabled a 'fatal' motion that would decline the second reading, arguing that the legislation would put the UK 'at risk of breaching its international law commitments', undermine the courts and heap costs on the taxpayer

Lord Carlile said 'the Bill can go through as long as this is done', adding: 'The Government has been very laconic in its attitude so far and has attempted to brush aside opposition, pretending it is not an issue. But it is a huge issue.'

A Liberal Democrat and Green Party attempt to kill off the Bill with a 'fatal motion' in the Lords today will not win the support of Labour, meaning it will almost certainly fail.

Church of England bishops are also expected to voice their opposition to the Bill.

In last week's debate, the Bishop of Gloucester Rachel Treweek said it was 'remarkable' that the Government was asking Parliament to state that Rwanda is a safe country for asylum seekers.

Bishop Treweek added: 'The Prime Minister has called on peers to get on board and do what is right, but I fear it cannot be right to assure ourselves that asylum seekers will be protected by a few sheets of paper.'

More than 70 peers are due to speak during today's debate, with individual amendments voted on at a later stage.
A veteran has miraculously survived shooting himself in the face with a shotgun and almost drowning in his own blood after he spiralled into a depression when he was kicked out of the army.

Joshua Duncan, 26 from Phoenix, Arizona had been in the United States Army with a Military Occupational Specialty in communications for two years when he was kicked out for a series of infractions such as being late and not being in uniform.

He described the 'shame' as so great that he could not bring himself to tell anyone, feeling so 'lost and upset' that he began to drink heavily and fell into a depression, before having to move back into his family home.

In November 2022, while putting the family's shotgun into storage, he said how he first had the thought to shoot himself and in a 'split second decision' he turned the gun on himself and pulled the trigger.

'I thought 'all of this could be over, I have a shotgun in my hands. I won't be a burden to my family, they'll feel bad for a little bit then they'll get over it,' he said.

Joshua Duncan, 26 from Phoenix, Arizona had been in the United States Army with a Military Occupational Specialty in communications for two years

He described the 'shame' as so great that he could not bring himself to tell anyone, feeling so 'lost and upset' that he began to drink heavily and fell into a depression

In November 2022, while putting the family's shotgun into storage, he said how he first had the thought to shoot himself and in a 'split second decision' he turned the gun on himself and pulled the trigger

In the immediate aftermath Joshua remained conscious, and managed to crawl across the carpet and knock on the bedroom wall to alert his brother Anthony, 32, in the room next door as he began 'drowning in his own blood'.

Anthony, initially opened the door armed with an AR-15-style rifle in the fear that there could be an intruder, called an ambulance and he was rushed to Nashville Hospital.

Where he woke up screaming in pain before having to undergo multiple surgeries.

The attempt on his life left him with damage to his tear ducts, nasal cavities, his oral socket, both his upper and lower maxilla, along with facial nerve damage and becoming deaf in one ear.

He also believes his memory has been affected by the shooting as he now struggles with maths and spelling.

Now a year later and after a miraculous recovery from his horrific injuries, the TikTok creator has had time to come to terms with what happened and hopes by sharing his story he will encourage others to ask for help if they need it.

Joshua remained conscious, and managed to crawl across the carpet and knock on the bedroom wall to alert his brother Anthony, 32. Image of Joshua's jaw.

Joshua's suicide attempt he has left him with damage to his tear ducts, nasal cavities, his oral socket, both his upper and lower maxilla, along with facial nerve damage and becoming deaf in one ear

Joshua said: 'I live in America so we all have guns in our rooms. I was carrying it back to my bedroom and I went to put it under my bed, which is where it goes. '[It was a] split decision'

He said: 'I live in America so we all have guns in our rooms. I was carrying it back to my bedroom and I went to put it under my bed, which is where it goes.

'[It was a] split decision.

'I thought 'all of this could be over, I have a shotgun in my hands. I won't be a burden to my family, they'll feel bad for a little bit then they'll get over it. I won't have to deal with all these issues mentally and physically'.

'It's going to sound sick but I felt this relief that it was all going to be over soon. It was a sick sense of 'it will all be over soon'.

'Without giving it a second thought, I turned it around and I pulled the trigger.

'Instantly, it was a moment of shock. One side of my brain was speaking to the other, like 'did we really just do that?'

'Like 'yeah, you really just shot yourself in the f*cking face with a f*cking shotgun'.

'Like all violent suicide attempters will tell you, there was a feeling of instant regret.

'I have a big hole in my face. Because the injury was around my mouth and my throat, I started to suffocate. I was breathing in puddles of blood. I start drowning.

'I thought 'we need to breathe' so I turned my injured side down so the blood would drip away from my throat.'

He continued: 'I'm yelling for him, the best I can with half my jaw gone.

'I'm on my hands and knees at this point and it was like someone was pouring a hot bucket of water down me.

'It did not hurt at all, probably because of the shock. My body felt shockingly cold, like beyond cold.

'After that he's trying to talk to me, but I can't hear anything. One of my ears ripped off and the other was ringing so bad.

'My brother is the toughest guy you've ever met. For the first time in his life, he had concern on his face.'

Joshua was taken to a hospital where he woke up screaming in pain before undergoing multiple surgeries

However, 14 months on, Joshua has miraculously recovered and had the time to reflect on what happened, now feeling like he is less impulsive and more introspective

He called on people to 'Check on your friends. Ask for help if you need it, that's the hardest part. Have those difficult conversations, even if they are difficult'

Joshua believes had he been more focused on combat he might not have been kicked out.

He said: 'If my training was based around keeping my team alive, I'd have taken it a bit more seriously.

'[Being kicked out] was one of the most devastating things I've been through.

'I had thousands of dollars of uniform, cold weather gear, hot weather gear.. I remember being so upset that I just threw it all in a dumpster.

'For years, I never told anyone. Such a giant piece of shame comes with being part of something great then was no longer being part of it.

'It definitely played a giant part [in the trajectory towards my suicide attempt]. I got out of the army and felt so lost, not knowing what to do with my life.'

However, 14 months on, Joshua has miraculously recovered and had the time to reflect on what happened, now feeling like he is less impulsive and more introspective.

He is now in a relationship and hopes that by sharing his story he can help to encourage others who are struggling to speak out, even if it's difficult.

Joshua said: 'I wish I could say that this attempt snapped me into a better mindset, but it took a lot of work for a long time.

'It took a good year of having to strongly reflect and come to terms with how my life has turned out.

'This won't sound profound at all, but I make my bed everyday. I used to not make my bed every day.

'Check on your friends. Ask for help if you need it, that's the hardest part. Have those difficult conversations, even if they are difficult.

'Give yourself time. All of this sounds so cliche, but tell someone. You have to be really blunt and say 'if things don't change in my life, I plan to kill myself'.

'Sometimes you have to be really forward. Even saying it outloud for the first time.'

For confidential support, call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch. See www.samaritans.org for details
A teenage boy who was knifed to death in Birmingham city centre suffered an 'unsurvivable stab wound to the chest,' an inquest has heard.

Muhammad Hassam Ali, 17, was rushed to Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital on January 20 after being stabbed in Victoria Square shortly before 3.30pm.

He died in hospital three hours later despite the best efforts of doctors.

Detective Inspector Michelle Thurgood, from West Midlands Police homicide team, previously said the 'tragic' death appeared to be, 'a case of mistaken identity'.

Muhammad Hassam Ali, 17, was rushed to Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital on January 20 after being stabbed in Victoria Square shortly before 3.30pm. He died in hospital three-hours later despite the best efforts of doctors

Victoria Square is pictured. A post-mortem examination gave the provisional cause of death as a stab wound to the chest

The opening of an inquest into Muhammad's death today at Birmingham and Solihull Coroner's Court heard the Pakistan-born victim was a student from Perry Barr.

A post-mortem examination gave the provisional cause of death as a stab wound to the chest.

Proceedings were adjourned with the police's criminal investigation ongoing.

Muhammad's body has now been released back to his family for a funeral to take place, the inquest heard.

Louise Hunt, the Senior Coroner for Birmingham and Solihull, said: 'The sad circumstances of this death are such that it was a violent death and therefore an inquest is required.

'Today I'm just going to deal mainly with who has died because the case will need to be adjourned pending the outcome of the criminal investigation.'

Ms Hunt read a statement from coroner's investigator Karen Jones and said: 'This confirms the deceased's full name is Muhammad Hassam Ali.

'He was born in Pakistan and was a 17-year-old student living in Perry Barr in Birmingham.'

Giving details of the circumstances surrounding the teenager's death, Ms Hunt said: 'West Midlands Police were called to Victoria Square, Birmingham city centre, to reports of a male having been stabbed.

'Police and ambulance arrived and sadly discovered that the deceased had been stabbed.

'He was treated at the scene and taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital where they tried to save him.

'Despite all the efforts of the medical team his injury was un-survivable and he died, sadly, at 6.41pm on January 20.

'A post-mortem examination was undertaken by a forensic pathologist. The provisional cause of death has been provided as stab wound to the chest.'

Proceedings were adjourned with the police's criminal investigation ongoing

A 15-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons due to his age, was charged with murder and possession of a bladed article

The coroner said she was made aware by the Crown Prosecution Service that a charge has been made.

A 15-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons due to his age, was charged with murder and possession of a bladed article.

The inquest was adjourned to allow the criminal prosecution to be pursued. No date was set in relation to any inquest.

Ms Hunt added: 'I am satisfied that Muhammad can be released to his family for his funeral. I would like to take this opportunity to offer my condolences to his family and friends at this extremely difficult time.'
A woman has died after being hit by a bus outside Victoria station in central London this morning.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed the pedestrian was killed just after 9am when a bus smashed into them outside Victoria Bus Station.

The incident comes three years after a bus driver caused the death of a female pedestrian at the same station when he accidentally pressed the accelerator rather than the brake pedal.

Photos of a number 13 double-decker bus that had crashed into a passenger shelter at Terminus Place were shared on social media this morning.

Multiple Metropolitan police units were in attendance along with officers from British Transport Police and the London Ambulance Service.

Despite their best efforts, the female was pronounced dead at 9.26am, while the bus driver was also taken to hospital. Police are working to trace the victim's next of kin.

The station has been cordoned off with large piece of black tarpaulin and specialist police traffic investigators are on the scene to examine the circumstances of the collision.

Police and emergency service crews surround a bus that crashed into a pedestrian outside London Victoria Bus Station

The bus (pictured) crashed into the pedestrian outside Victoria Bus Station this morning

Multiple police cars and fire engines could be seen at the site shortly after 9.15am this morning outside London Victoria station

Commuters gather at the scene of the crash after hearing the bus station is closed for the foreseeable future

Police build a makeshift cordon around the scene as London's mayor Sadiq Khan confirmed that the station had been closed 'for the foreseeable future'

Melissa Burr, 32, from Rainham in Kent, was killed outside Victoria Railway Station in August 2021

The bus station is closed for the foreseeable future but the railway station is not affected, the Met said.

Medics treated a third people at the scene who has since been assessed and discharged.

A London Ambulance spokesperson said: 'We sent some resources, including two ambulance crews and a medic in a fast-response car. We also dispatched London's Air Ambulance. We treated three people at the scene.

'A person was taken to hospital and another patient was assessed and discharged.

'Unfortunately, despite our teams' best efforts, a person was pronounced dead at the scene.'

London's mayor Sadiq Khan called today's crash an 'awful tragedy'.

He said: 'I've been told about the tragic news that a pedestrian has lost their life as a consequence of an accident.

'My thoughts are with the bereaved family, it's really important that we allow them to be informed first about this tragedy. There is a full investigation under way.

'I'm sure I speak for all of us when I say our thoughts and prayers are with this person's family.'

British Transport Police (BTP) confirmed it was assisting the police with their investigation into the 'deeply distressing incident'.

Glynn Barton, TfL's Chief Operating Officer, said: 'Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the person who was tragically killed following a collision with a bus in Victoria this morning.

'This will have been a deeply distressing incident for everyone involved and we have support available for those affected. TfL and the operator RATP are assisting the police with their investigation.'

Fire crews begin to clear away the broken glass after a double-decker bus smashed into a passenger shelter

The front of the Victoria Station has been cordoned off and specialist police traffic investigators are on the scene

The bus station is closed while the collision is investigated but the railway station is not affected

Melissa Burr, from Rainham in Kent, was killed outside Victoria Railway Station in August 2021.

Olusofa Popoola, 61, killed the 32-year-old commuter outside the London railway station when pressing his vehicle's accelerator instead of the brake.

Mr Popoola had accidentally accelerated into the back of a stationary bus, shunting it forward into Ms Burr who died from multiple injuries.

Mr Popoola continued to accelerate for six seconds after he collided with the bus in front. He said he had mistakenly pressed the accelerator instead of the brake.

Married father-of-four Popoola, from Peckham in south-east London, admitted causing Ms Burr's death by careless driving.

He told jurors he pressed the accelerator by mistake.

After a retrial, he was cleared of the more serious charge of causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury to the other driver.
One of Britain's most senior GPs has been struck off after he was arrested, convicted and disgraced in court over a haul of child abuse pictures which he claimed he downloaded because he was 'exhausted' by his 75-hour working week.

Dr Robert Varnam, 52, who was in charge of improving doctor performance at NHS England was detained by police in 2020 after he was caught with a library of 241 indecent images of youngsters - some aged as young as six.

Detectives interrogated Varnam's online devices and found two photographs showing young children being forced to take part in penetrative sexual activity. Other images showed other depraved sexual acts involving children aged up to 17.

He had used online search terms to access the images.

When quizzed Varnam insisted he had no sexual interest in children and had downloaded the images while exhausted after working 75-hour weeks.

Dr Robert Varnam, 52, was detained by police in 2020 after he was caught with a library of 241 indecent images of youngsters - some aged as young as six

Varnam claimed he downloaded the images as he was 'exhausted' by his 75-hour working week

But he was later ordered to sign the Sex Offender Register and hauled before a judge who condemned him for indulging in an 'evil trade worse than drug dealing'.

At the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service, Varnam who lives in an imposing 750,000 five-bedroom Victorian semi in Withington, Manchester was ordered to be erased from the medical register after his fitness to practise medicine was found to be impaired.

He previously said he has no intention of returning to clinical practice.

The disciplinary sanction brings to an end a 27 year career for Varnam. As Director of General Practice Development for NHS England, he was the face behind a proposed 2.4billion investment in general practice which vowed to change GP consultation methods, reduce the numbers of patients who fail to attend appointments and increase social prescribing.

He was also working as a GP Principal, at the Robert Darbishire Practice in Rusholme, Manchester when police caught him at home with the collection of child abuse images after receiving intelligence gathered during investigations into online predators.

The General Medical Council were alerted to Varnam's arrest in December 2020 after Greater Manchester Police found he had downloaded 226 indecent images in Category C, 13 in Category B and two in the most serious Category A over a six month period.

In July 2023 at Manchester Crown Court he was sentenced to a two year community order, a rehabilitation activity requirement and 150 hours of unpaid work to be completed within 12 months after he admitted three charges of making indecent photographs.

He was also ordered to sign the Sex Offender Register and abide by the terms of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for five years.

Varnam has been ordered to sign the Sex Offender Register and abide by the terms of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for five years

At the time the judge Mr Recorder Jason McAdam told him: 'This sort of offending offends the principles of every rightminded thinking individual.

'As regards the taking of such images or posting of such images, I accept you did not do either of those things - you just looked at them. But it is an evil trade, in some ways worse than drug dealing.

'It causes untold misery for the victims and it is done simply to line the pockets of such people who trade in such matters, or to trade with other people who have a similarly perverted mindset. For that reason, the courts take this sort of offending extremely seriously.'

Counsel for thee GMC Ms Georgina Goring told the MPTS hearing in Manchester: 'This conviction brings the medical profession into disrepute and involves grave matters which seriously undermine public trust in the profession.

'Over 200 indecent images of children were recovered from Dr Varnam's devices and the ages of the children depicted in the images ranged from 6 to 17, with the majority falling between ages 8 to 12.

'Two of the images were 'Category A', the most serious category of indecent image. This was not an isolated incident as the images had been downloaded over a period of five to six months in 2020. His continued denial of a sexual interest in children raises doubts about his insight into his offending. There is a risk of repetition.'

For Varnam, Lee Hughes said his client had been on a 'journey of reflection' since his arrest and had completed rehabilitation programmes which he said 'addressed his unwanted behaviours.'

The GP has since installed Covenant Eyes software on his devices to ensure he does not access pornography.

Varnam himself provided a signed witness statement detailing so-called 'triggers' for his offending and admitting he was 'sickened' by his behaviour.. He said prior to his arrest, he was working 'very long hours in his clinical roles and often worked up to 75 hours per week, rarely took a break and neglected his self-care.'

He said he initially looked at naturist photographs of children, but subsequently downloaded more sexual abuse images of youngsters.

He claimed he had no recollection of downloading the images, and denied a sexual interest in children. However police provided details of the various online search terms used by Dr Varnam to access the images.

Varnam claimed he had no recollection of downloading the images, and denied a sexual interest in children

MPTS chairman Mrs Fiona Barnett said: 'The offences for which Dr Varnam was convicted did not relate in any way to patients or his clinical practice so the Tribunal was therefore satisfied that the conviction did not place patients at unwarranted risk of harm.

'However, given the nature and seriousness of the conviction and the sentencing remarks of the Crown Court Judge, the Tribunal concluded that it brought the profession into disrepute. The conclusion of the Tribunal was that the search terms he used strongly suggest he was searching for images of young females, and was likely to find them given the particular search terms that he used.

'The Tribunal found it unlikely in these circumstances that he did not have a sexual interest in children. '

She said the tribunal had assessed Varnam's risk of repetition as being 'low' but added: 'A conviction for making indecent images of children is not a matter which is 'easily remediable' because it relates to behaviour which is integrally linked to core attitudes and thinking skills.

'Dr Varnam has expressed remorse and having considered the witness statement, the Tribunal accepted that the remorse was genuine. But it did not accept Dr Varnam's assertion that he had no sexual interest in children.

'Dr Varnam's conviction is for an offence of the utmost seriousness which has far-reaching and damaging consequences for the victims of such offending. Further, individuals who commit such offences encourage the demand for indecent images of children to be available on the internet.

'Dr Varnam is now a registered sex offender and members of the public would be appalled to learn that a registered Doctor has a conviction for making indecent images of children.'

An NHS spokesperson said: 'Having been notified by the local safeguarding team in December 2020 that Greater Manchester Police had executed an arrest warrant, NHS England took steps to suspend Robert Varnam from the NHS primary care performers list the same day and then subsequently from his employment with NHS England.

'Robert Varnam ceased employment with NHS England in April 2021 and he was terminated from the NHS primary care performers list following his conviction.'
Infamous vegan protestor Tash Peterson has thanked organisers of a planned protest outside her home for bringing attention to her animal rights cause.

The protest is expected to draw more than 500 people to her home in Perth on May 24 to enjoy a meat-packed barbecue in opposition to her disruptive public demonstrations.

For years Ms Peterson has stormed fast-food chains, restaurants, rodeos and petting zoos, with fake blood and a megaphone to denounce meat-eaters.

The glamorous influencer has even appeared topless in many of her stunts and has faced court on several occasions.

The organiser of the protest, Ben D'Arcy, said he started the event because Ms Peterson is a 'serial pest' and needs a 'taste of her own medicine'.

Ms Peterson said she is glad her protests had caused enough of a stir to justify a retaliation and thanked those attending for raising attention about veganism.

Infamous vegan protestor Tash Peterson has thanked organisers of a planned protest outside her home for bringing attention to her animal rights cause

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'It has resulted in an entire group of people who feel so triggered they call me such names and state that my activism is ridiculous and has no meaningful impact,' Ms Peterson told PerthNow.

While the protest isn't worrying her, she said it is 'very saddening that they will be cooking the body parts of animals who were brutally murdered who screamed and fought for their lives'.

Police will be in attendance for the protest to make sure the event remains peaceful, however Ms Peterson said are unlikely to do 'anything about it anyway'.

'The only concern the police have for me, is charging and arresting me as much as they can,' she said.

Just days prior Mr D'Arcy claimed that he had the support of both the public and the police with him because of Ms Peterson's frequent protests.

'The public are sick of her, business owners are fed up, and the police hate having to deal with her on a constant basis,' he told Youth Jam News.

'Since she feels its appropriate to go into peoples businesses and create havoc, I thought it would be a good idea to show her what that feels like.'

Mr D'Arcy pledged to keep organising regular barbeques outside Ms Peterson's home until she stops organising events of her own.

He has also promised to pay the local council for approval to shut down the street during the counter-protest.

The organiser of the barbecue described Ms Peterson as a 'pest' who needed a taste of her own medicine after years of public protests (stock image)

Ms Peterson's protests have included going nearly nude in Melbourne (pictured), pouring fake blood on herself in Sydney and appearing topless in a mockup meat tray

Ms Peterson, who originally comes from Perth, temporarily had to move to Melbourne after being handed a 12-month state-wide ban from licensed venues in WA.

The 29-year-old used the ban as another opportunity to promote her activism, torching what she claimed to be the police notice she was served informing her of her ban.

'My freedom of speech has been taken away from me ... I'm just going to protest over there [Melbourne and Sydney],' she said at the time.

'I will continue to go into restaurants and places with liquor licenses if they are profiting and serving animal abuse, torture, enslavement and murder.

'No-one can stop me from bringing to light the largest holocaust in history where trillions of non-human people are brutally murdered simply for human pleasure.'

The ban was prompted by her surprise visits to celebrity chef John Mountain controversially banned vegans from his Fyre restaurant in Perth.
Rishi Sunak has been dealt a fresh blow after experts predicted he'll fail to win the support of an extra 2.3million British expats getting a vote for the first time this year.

Earlier this month, new rules came into effect that gave British citizens living abroad the right to 'votes for life'.

This abolished a previous rule that someone could only register to vote at general elections for 15 years after they left the UK.

But, despite the policy being pushed by the Conservatives, it is expected the rule change will instead boost the number of votes for both Labour and the Liberal Democrats.

This is due, in part, to British expats punishing the Tories for the UK's depature from the EU.

Many UK citizens living in Europe are set to vote against the Conservatives as they are 'still living in the consequences of Brexit', one academic said.

Rishi Sunak has been dealt a fresh blow after experts predicted he'll fail to win the support of an extra 2.3million British expats getting a vote for the first time this year

British nationals are pictured waving the EU and Spanish flags as they take part in a protest against Brexit in Malaga in 2019

At the 2019 general election, the Tories' manifesto promised to 'make it easier for British expats to vote in Parliamentary elections and get rid of the arbitrary 15-year limit on their voting rights'.

From 16 January this year, the rules on eligibility to register as an overseas voter changed - a move that had been opposed by Labour.

It means, ahead of the next general election expected this year, any British citizen living abroad can register to vote as an overseas voter if they have either previously been registered, or were previously resident in the UK before moving abroad.

Overseas voters must apply to register in the local authority of the last address they were registered to vote or were resident.

The Government has estimated that 2.3million British citizens living abroad will be newly enfranchised and able to participate in the general election.

Dr Susan Collard, from the University of Sussex, told The Times there was no evidence to suggest that voting intention among Britain's expat community had changed since she carried out a 2020 study into the potential impact of the rule changes.

The study found the Tories' share of overseas votes fell by two-thirds between general elections in 2015 and 2019.

The combined vote share for Labour and the Liberal Democrats rose from 56 per cent in 2015 to 85 per cent in 2019, it also showed.

Dr Collard said evidence suggested the voting intention of British expats living outside the EU was not 'dissimilar' to those living in Europe.

She told the newspaper: 'Given the unpopularity of the Conservative Party in this country, I can't see anything that they've done that would change the negative outlook for them based on the results of the data that we had.'

Dr Pollard added that the main driver of the vote had been Brexit, adding: 'They're not forgetting. Many are still living in the consequences of Brexit so all I could say is there isn't any evidence that the mood has changed among those voters.'

She also dismissed a view that British exparts are more likely to vote Tory as 'a stereotype that belongs to the 1980s'.

'The whole question of mobility in the EU has meant that going to live abroad is no longer posh people going to live in villas on the Mediterranean  it's a hugely diverse population, they have hugely diverse views,' she continued.

Sir John Curtice, professor of politics at Strathclyde University, said: 'Whatever benefit the Conservatives might have gained in the past from enfranchisement of overseas British citizens - and, in truth, no one can be sure how far that has been the case - there must be question marks about how much support the party can now hope to garner from expatriates living in the European Union, many of whom could well feel that their lives have been made more difficult by Brexit.'
A British base jumper who died after a fatal parachute error that saw him leap from a 29-storey tower block had filmed a similar stunt just days before his death.

Nathy Odinson, 33, from Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, illegally climbed to the top of the 29th floor of an apartment building in the coastal resort of Pattaya, Thailand, on Saturday night before unwittingly leaping to his death.

Footage shows the Briton performing a similar stunt just days earlier, when he jumped from a dangerously low apartment building, also in Pattaya.

In the video, Nathy can be seen balancing on a narrow ledge before jumping off, with his parachute being deployed immediately.

He was using the 'static line' method of base jumping. The line connecting his chute is tied to the ledge and successfully causes the break cord to snap, which deploys the parachute.

The base jumper planned to use the same method on Saturday night, but video of the tragic plunge shows how the release line was tucked under the parachute straps without Nathy noticing. The error caused the fatal accident.

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)

Footage shows the Briton performing a similar stunt just days earlier (pictured), when he jumped from a dangerously low apartment building in Pattaya

In the video, Nathy can be seen balancing on a narrow ledge before jumping off, with his parachute being deployed immediately (pictured)

This comes after Nathy's devastated brother Ed Harrison, 39, said there was 'no chance' the mini pilot chute would have deployed.

Mr Harrison, from St Neots, said that despite his brother's significant experience - having undertaken '5,000 jumps around the world' - he made the fatal error 'without realising' and leapt to his death.

An experienced skydiver who was friends with Nathy and also lives in Thailand said he noticed the mistake 'as soon as I saw the video'.

Jimmy Andrews, from Cardiff, South Wales, said: 'I just couldn't understand how he didn't realise or check the parachute release line was clear. In the video I immediately noticed it was trapped behind his backpack strap.

'The height of the building was too low for the parachute to release manually, which is why he had the release line for the parachute fixed to the roof. Normally the tension pulls the cord and deploys the parachute.

'Nathy was a really experienced skydiver. It's tragic that he didn't check such a simple requirement.'

Horrifying footage shows self-professed 'adrenaline junkie' Mr Odinson counting down 'three, two, one, see ya' before jumping into the night sky.

He is then sent 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.

Horrifying footage shows self-professed 'adrenaline junkie' Mr Odinson counting down 'three, two, one, see ya' before jumping into the night sky.

He is then sent 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.

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

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

Wearing vans for the audacious stunt, he skims a dusty floor as he is suspended beneath a green parachute.

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

Nathy Odinson pictured landing with a parachute while wearing his signature vans

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.

Paying tribute, Mr Harrison told The Sun that his sibling 'will be missed by so many... He was fun-loving and joyful and great with kids. He was a hero to my three.'
The parents of a two-year-old toddler who climbed Mount Everest quit their jobs, rented out their home and took their son travelling around the world for a year.

Ross Dallas, 35, and his wife Jade, 31, took their son Carter on the whirlwind adventure which included visiting the Everest base camp, travelling to India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

The council worker and sales manager quit their jobs for their son's round-the-world trip, with Cambodia next on the list.

The pair - from Glasgow - said doctors were 'amazed' he didn't suffer from altitude sickness when they took Carter to the south site of the world's largest mountain, in Nepal - carried on the back of his father.

The spur-of-the-moment ascent, after arriving in Nepal's capital Kathmandu, came as part of the global tour.

Young Carter has been hailed as a medical marvel for his endurance - with his parents admitting he performed even better than them in tests and checks.

The family now staying in Cambodia revealed how they plan many more adventures ahead for the youngster - while also insisting on his healthiness.

Carter Dallas (pictured, left) 'climbed' to the south site in Nepal - located 17,598ft above sea level - on October 25

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

Ross and Jade Dallas are seen on one quad bike, left, with their son Carter accompanied by Ross's father Craig on the other as they ride through the Cameron Highlands in Malaysia

Carter made it up to Everest base camp 17,598ft above sea level on October 25 - breaking a record previously held by a four-year-old from the Czech Republic.

His father, former senior sales manager Ross, hailed how Carter 'coped better' than both he and Jade did as they suffered from 'slight altitude sickness'.

Mr Dallas also described how two medics at nearby villages carried out blood tests 'to check he was fine', adding: '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.'

Mr Dallas believes they were well prepared for the trip because they regularly practice 'breathing techniques' and all do cold ice bath plunges - including Carter.

The couple trekked in everyday trainers, with Carter strapped to his father's 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 last August.

They flew to India before visiting Sri Lanka and the Maldives, with trips back to India in between - then went to Nepal before going to Malaysia for a wedding.

They later went to Singapore where they spent Carter's birthday at Universal Studios, followed by Christmas in Penang before crossing the border into Thailand and seeing in the New Year on the Thai island Koh Lanta.

Carter Dallas and his parents Ross and Jade have embarked on a year-long tour of Asia, first setting off from their Glasgow home last August with more countries in store to explore

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

Carter Dallas, two, in a sleeping bag during his family's trek around South East Asia

Ross, Jade and Carter Dallas at Sagarmatha National Park in Nepal

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They recently hit the jungle at a Thai nature reserve in Khao Sok, before making it to the country's capital Bangkok - and are now in Cambodia.

Carter's father also says he has loved lapped up all different cultures, adding: '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.'

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 - though his favourite dish is Pad thai.

The family say highlights have included visiting an elephant orphanage and bathing with the animals, seeing the Taj Mahal and swimming with sharks in the Maldives.

Mr Carter 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.'

Yet the Everest ascent posed potential dangers - with medics warning that altitude sickness poses a risk to young children who can find it harder to adjust to the change in atmosphere and lack of oxygen.

London-based medic Dr Ann Nainan, known as 'The Travelling Doc', outlined potential travel risks to youngsters such as altitude sickness, nausea, dehydration and swerves between sunburning heat during the day and freezing chills at night.

She told MailOnline: 'I would be worried especially since young children can't verbalise their complaints - they're not able to say, "I'm feeling cold" or "I'm feeling dizzy" or "I'm feeling breathless".'

More than 100 doctors and paediatricians working in the French Alps were asked about advice for parents wanting to travel to extreme heights with their children - and suggested under-twos should not be at an altitude of more than 2,000m, according to a study last October.

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

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

The Dallas family at Jatayu Earth's Center in India - Ross says Carter has lapped up all different cultures and is absolutely loving it

Doctors recommend not taking children under two higher than 2,000m, while similar restrictions were applied for prolonged stays at high altitude.

This makes locations such as La Paz in Bolivia (3,500m), Santa Fe in New Mexico (2,100m) and Machu Picchu (2,400m) theoretically off limits - let alone Everest base camp at 5,364m.

But many parents believe exposing their children to new experiences and environments at a young age is a good thing and can expand their interest in the world around them.
Hopes are rising that the government of Northern Ireland could restart after two years of political deadlock over Brexit.

The Democratic Unionist Party is set for a crunch meeting tonight as its party leader briefs senior members on Westminster plans to get them to return to work.

The DUP has been using a veto power to blockade Stormont 's devolved institutions since February 2022 in protest at post-Brexit trading arrangements that have created trade barriers between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The party 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 Government's proposed measures. Northern Ireland Minister Chris Heaton-Harris said last month the government is offering in excess of 3billion, up from an earlier offer of 2.5billion.

It comes 10 days after thousands of public sector workers took to the streets across Northern Ireland in the biggest strike action in the regions recent history.

A mass rally in Belfast heard calls for Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris to release pay awards for workers and also for the DUP to end its boycott of Stormont.

The invitation said the gathering, at a yet undisclosed location in Northern Ireland, would see party leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson (left) provide a 'detailed update on the current political situation'.

The DUP has been using a veto power to blockade Stormont 's devolved institutions since February 2022 in protest at post-Brexit trading arrangements that have created trade barriers between Great Britain and Northern Ireland .

On Friday, members of the DUP's 130-strong party executive were invited to a short notice meeting at 7pm tonight.

The invitation said the gathering, at a yet undisclosed location in Northern Ireland, 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 Government's proposals and a Stormont return, he is expected to face stiff opposition from some unionists, both inside and outside his party.

They believe the boycott should only end once all the economic barriers created by Brexit's Northern Ireland Protocol, and the subsequent Windsor Framework, are removed.

While the mooted deal being offered by the Government will seek to reduce red tape associated with arrangements, and offer additional measures aimed at strengthening GB-NI ties, they will not result in the axing of the EU and UK's jointly agreed protocol and framework.

Last week, in an impassioned speech at Westminster, Sir Jeffrey said he had received threats amid the speculation over an impending deal. The DUP has reported the incidents to the police.

On Sunday Sinn Fein called on the DUP to step off the 'endless merry-go-round' of its Stormont boycott and return to powersharing.

Senior party TD Pearse Doherty said the time had come for the DUP to make a decision.

'We've been here so many times, there's 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, won't they?'

He added: 'They should absolutely jump but the British government needs to stop facilitating them, they've told us that the negotiations are over.

'And they (the DUP) need to get back into the Assembly. There's nothing more to talk about.'

On Friday, senior DUP MLA and former party leader Edwin Poots criticised some other unionists who have accused his party of being 'traitors'.

He suggested his party had extracted meaningful concessions from the Government.

'Why would we have done what we've done for the last two years and go back with nothing, and people should reflect on that,' he told BBC Radio Ulster.

On Saturday, 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 Ireland's 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.'
Rishi Sunak will ban disposable vapes in an announcement later today, in a bid to protect childrens health and prevent them becoming hooked for life on the e-cigarette devices.

The measure is expected to come into force , with hopes it will halt the trend of vaping among children.

The crackdown on smoking comes amid fears disposable vapes risk hooking a new generation of youngsters on nicotine.

So, how exactly will the new smoking ban work? When will vapes be banned in the UK? Read on below for a full list of changes to vape and smoking laws proposed by the UK Government.

Pictured: disposable vapes on sale in a shop in central London. Disposable vapes are set to be completely outlawed in the UK, partly on environmental grounds, with around 844million vaping devices are dumped worldwide each year  the same weight as six Eiffel Towers

How will the new smoking ban work?

Following a similar policy to that adopted by New Zealand in 2022 - which banned the sale of cigarettes to anyone born after 2008 in a bid to eradicate smoking - the UK is looking to adopt similar measures.

In his speech to Parliament on November 7, the King said the Government would 'introduce legislation to create a smokefree generation by restricting the sale of tobacco ... and restricting the sale and marketing of e-cigarettes to children'.

This will effectively raise the age of tobacco sale by one year every year, the Government said, to prevent this and future generations from ever taking up smoking in the first place.

This follows previous measures introduced in the UK, which saw the introduction of standardised packaging in 2016 and the removal of menthol cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco from shops in May 2020.

'No parent ever wants their child to start smoking. It is a deadly habit  killing tens of thousands of people and costing our NHS billions each year, while also being hugely detrimental to our productivity as a country.

'I want to build a better and brighter future for our children, so that's why I want to stamp out smoking for good. These changes will mean our kids will never be able to buy a cigarette, preventing them getting hooked and protecting their health both now and in the future,' the Prime Minister said of his plans to eradicate smoking in the UK.

Are vapes going to be banned in the UK?

Today, Mr Sunak will reveal a plan to bring in new legislation, using existing powers under the Environmental Protection Act, during a visit to a school.

The measure is expected to come into force early next year, with hopes it will halt the trend of vaping among children.

The ban concerning the use of disposable vapes in the UK are partly on environmental grounds, with around 844million vaping devices dumped worldwide each year  the same weight as six Eiffel Towers.

Along with environmental concerns, the proposed vaping ban will come into force because of a surge in popularity among youngsters, with one in five secondary school pupils reported to have tried vaping this year. This number has trebled in the last three years.

A huge increase in the number of children and teenagers who have taken up vaping could see the Government restrict vape flavours, regulate their packaging and change their point of sale displays. Pictured: File photo of a man vaping

A huge increase in the number of children and teenagers who have taken up vaping could see the Government restrict vape flavours, regulate their packaging and change their point of sale displays.

A Whitehall source said officials are working on a watertight legal definition of what constitutes disposable vapes.

Chief Medical Officer Professor Sir Chris Whitty said: 'Vaping can be useful for smokers to quit, but should not be marketed to non-smokers and marketing them to children is utterly unacceptable.'

The consultation will run for eight weeks and measures could be introduced next year.

Although health is a devolved issue, authorities in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have taken the unusual step of agreeing to a joint consultation.

The King's speech promised a 'further crackdown on youth vaping'.
A pair of eco-protesters who chucked soup over the Mona Lisa in Paris on Sunday are part of a protest group that boasts of its links to notorious climate activists in Britain, it has emerged.

Riposte Alimentaire ('Food counterattack') claimed responsibility for the stunt, which saw two women - Sasha (24) and Marie-Juliette (63) - hurl pumpkin soup at the bullet-proof glass protecting Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece in the French capital's Louvre museum.

'What is more important? Art or the right to healthy and sustainable food,' the activists asked, standing in front of the painting, addressing the shocked crowd.

The group later said the soup throwing marked the 'start of a campaign of civil resistance with the clear demand... of the social security of sustainable food'.

According to its website, Riposte Alimentaire is demanding the French government ensure food security in the country, including the distribution of 'food cards' holding 150 'per month per person to buy approved food products.'

Eco-morons hurled soup at the bullet-proof glass protecting Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa painting at the Louvre in Paris on Sunday (pictured)

The duo stand in front of the splattered artwork with one revealing a white t-shirt with the words 'Riposte Alimentaire' ('Food counterattack')

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 website also explains that the group is an offshoot of a larger climate activist collective called 'Last Renovation' - which is part of a campaign that has seen protesters target historic landmarks, artwork and commuters across Europe.

Riposte Alimentaire's website says the group 'was built as a result of the Last Renovation campaign, which in 2022 and 2023 led actions throughout France to demand an energy renovation plan for buildings.

'Strengthened by a community of civil resistance which obtained a first victory, the Last Renovation campaign was transformed to tackle an even more ambitious and systemic subject: Social Security for Sustainable Food,' it adds.

But the page also explains that Riposte Alimentaire and Last Generation are part of an even larger collective of activists, who fall under the 'A22' network.

'France and 11 other countries around the world are coordinating their efforts to take, at home, the first urgent and essential step to truly implement the necessary transformation of our societies,' the website says, before listing its other groups.

Activists under the A22 umbrella have poured black dye into Rome's iconic Trevi Fountain while calling for the end of fossil fuels. Others have dyed Venice's famous canals green.

Last Generation protesters have also blocked busy roads during rush hour in some of Europe's busiest cities, forcing locals into dragging them out of the way.

A22 also includes Just Stop Oil, a British group which has pulled similar stunts in the UK, much to the chagrin of politicians and the public.

In October 2022, two activists from the Just Stop Oil group grabbed headlines when they splashed tomato soup over the glass protecting Dutch master Vincent van Gogh's 'Sunflowers' at the National Gallery in London.

At the time, they complained that art lovers were more concerned with paintings than the planet.

Last year, climate activists waded into the waters of Rome's world-famous Trevi Fountain and poured in a black liquid to symbolise oil

Extinction Rebellion activists turned Venice's canals green in December in a protest over what the group said at the time was a lack of progress at climate talks during Cop-28 in Dubai

The website also lists groups in Sweden, the United States, Germany, Switzerland, Norway, Italy, New Zealand, Denmark, Canada and Austria.

In its defence of Sunday's stunt, Riposte Alimentaire referred to a survey of 996 people last year by the Ipsos polling group that found that one in three French people were not always able to afford enough healthy food for three meals a day.

Member Till Van Elst said the group wanted the state to allow people to buy selected food items at reduced rates through a specialised social security card. Under the scheme, democratic assemblies would choose the food to be subsidised.

'We want citizens to really be able to... decide what is in their plates,' he told AFP.

Culture Minister Rachida Dati led criticism of the soup attack.

'The Mona Lisa, as our heritage, belongs to future generations. No cause can justify targeting it,' she wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

Italy in particular has seen several stunts, prompting the country to bring in a law that would see activists fined up to 50,000 euros for forms of protest.

Last year, climate activists waded into the waters of Rome's world-famous Trevi Fountain and poured in a black liquid to symbolise oil.

'Our country is dying,' they shouted after unfurling a banner, as tourists visiting the monument took photos, cheered and booed.

While the group said the liquid was carbon based and would not damage the fountain, Rome's mayor said regardless, the city would have to throw away the 300,000 litres of water circulating the Trevi Fountain and replace it.

The group has also hurled paint at Milan's famous La Scala opera house, food at the glass protecting iconic paintings, and sprayed the Italian Senate with orange paint.

Its members have also blocked traffic, infuriating motorists.

Several videos have shown the activists sitting across the middle of busy roads, causing long traffic jams during morning and afternoon rush hours.

This has invariably led to members of the public taking matters into their own hands, ripping banners out of the activists' hands and dragging them off the road.

In October irate motorists repeatedly kicked and dragged climate protesters blocking traffic in Milan.

Around 20 'Ultima Generazione' - translated as Last Generation - activists blocked a road, drawing the anger of several drivers left stuck in the resulting traffic.

Footage showed several activists sitting on a crossing point over the multi-lane road at a busy intersection, causing chaos for drivers during rush hour by linking hands and holding up an orange climate emergency banner.

Several drivers, furious at the protesters for blocking their way, got out of the cars and banded together to carry them off the road in shocking scenes caught on video.

Three environmental activists attached themselves to the glass cover of the iconic renaissance painting in the Sala Botticelli of the Uffizi Gallery in Italy in July 2022

Activists from Last Generation threw flour over a car painted by the Pop Art icon that was on display in Milan's Fabbrica del Vapore art centre, in November 2022

Other climate activist groups have also been active in Italy.

In December, protesters from Extinction Rebellion used a dye to turn Venice's famous Grand Canal green, in protest over what they said at the time was a lack of progress at the COP28 climate summit in Dubai .

Activists from the group were seen dangling from the Rialto Bridge over the canal with the aid of hard hats and climbing ropes, while displaying a banner that read: 'COP28: While the government talks, we are hanging by a thread.'

And in 2022, Italian eco-zealots glued their hands to Botticelli's masterpiece Primavera at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence.

That same year, 11 activists threw flour over a car painted by Andy Warhol that was on display in Milan's Fabbrica del Vapore art centre.

Sunday's action in the Louvre comes as French farmers have been protesting for days to demand better pay, taxes and regulations.

The government has been trying to keep discontent among the agricultural workers from spreading months ahead of European Parliament elections, which are seen as a key test for President Emmanuel Macron's government.

Prime Minister Gabriel Attal on Sunday scrambled to announce new measures to avert a possible blockade of the city by farmers on Monday.

However, French farmers began moving on Paris threatening to choke off major motorways and blockade the capital to press their demands.

French farmers began moving on Paris today threatening to choke off major motorways and blockade the capital to press their demands

In recent weeks there have been a slew of protests in the European Union's largest agriculture producing country by farmers angry about insufficient income, red tape and environmental policies they say undermine their ability to compete with less stringent countries.

'We need answers,' said Karine Duc, a farmer in the southwestern Lot-et-Garonne department as she joined a convoy of tractors heading for Paris.

'This is the final battle for farming. It's a question of survival,' she told AFP.

A banner on a tractor in the convoy said: 'We will not die in silence.'

Farmers said they plan to step up their pressure campaign by establishing eight chokepoints along the major arteries to Paris on Monday afternoon.

In response, the government ordered the deployment of 15,000 police and gendarmes. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin told the forces to show moderation.

But he also warned the farmers not to interfere with strategic spots.

'We're not going to allow government buildings or tax offices or supermarkets to be damaged or lorries transporting foreign produce to be stopped.

'Obviously, that is unacceptable,' he said.

In October 2022, two activists (pictured) from the Just Stop Oil group grabbed headlines when they splashed tomato soup over the glass protecting Dutch master Vincent van Gogh's 'Sunflowers' at the National Gallery in London

Environmental activists from Just Stop Oil slow march from Trafalgar Square in central London as they continue their latest round of protest actions against fossil fuels in London, United Kingdom on November 20, 2023

The iconic 'Mona Lisa' itself has been attacked several times before.

A man threw a custard pie at her in May 2022, also saying artists were not focusing enough on 'the planet'. Her thick glass casing ensured she came to no harm.

She has been behind glass since a Bolivian man threw a rock at her in December 1956, damaging her left elbow.

The glass was made bulletproof in 2005.

In 2009, a woman threw an empty teacup at the painting, which slightly scratched the case.
This is the moment the daughter of murdered Muriel McKay met her mother's killer who showed her on a map where he buried the victim's body more than 50 years on from the horrific crime.

Dianne McKay embraced Nizamodeen Hosein and kissed him on each cheek as they met in his native Trinidad, where he was deported having served 20 years in jail.

In the warm greeting, Mrs McKay, 84, said: 'Hello, it's me. I came all this way to see you' to which the killer replied: 'Thank you, God bless you'.

The last time she saw him was 54 years ago at the Old Bailey, where she remembers feeling hatred and thinking he looked 'evil'.

Brothers Nizamodeen and Arthur Hosein were found guilty of killing Muriel in 1969 after carrying out a convoluted but error-strewn abduction before inflicting torturous cruelty on their helpless victim.

The pair had snatched the mother and demanded a 1million ransom after mistaking her for media mogul Rupert Murdoch 's first wife Anna in December that year.

They killed Muriel at a farm in Hertfordshire - with Nizamodeen believed to have placed her body in an unmarked grave. Her remains were never found.

Chillingly, in a meeting over the weekend, Hosein pointed to a spot on a photograph of the farm where Muriel was held, and told her daughter: 'This is where I buried her.'

Dianne McKay coming face to face with her mother's killer Nizamodeen Hosein in his native Trinidad

Hosein pointed to a spot on a photograph of the farm where Muriel was held, and told her daughter: 'This is where I buried her.'

Mother-of-three Muriel McKay, went missing from her home in Wimbledon, south-west London, in December 1969 in a suspected kidnap and murder

Brothers Arthur, left, and Nazamodeen Hosein were found guilty of her murder

According to The Times, Hosein told Dianne: 'I was young and scared of my brother. I just did what I was told.

'Muriel called me son and that's the hardest part about it. I regret every single bit of it and I wish I could turn back the hands of time but I can't. My head has been in turmoil. I cannot sleep at night and I want closure. I get up and walk for miles, the police find me in the street and have to take me home.'

Dianne told the newspaper she will never be able to forgive Hosein but just wants the help.

He claimed that he is now trying his best to help as he hasn't got much time left.

Dianne asked the killer to show her the spot where her mother was buried as she is still determined to give her the 'burial she deserves'.

Police had searched an area of the farm in 2022, but Hosein claims they searched the wrong area.

Speaking about the emotional meeting, Dianne told Sky: 'I think you've got to see Nizam as the young man that did the crime, not this funny old guy. You've got to see through all that. That's the only way I can cope.

'He was young and very much under the influence of his brother who was a horrible person. Nizam hadn't long arrived in Britain and knew no one. He went along with what his brother told him to do.'

This is the moment the daughter of murdered Muriel McKay met her mother's killer

Dianne asked the killer to show her the spot where her mother was buried as she is still determined to give her the 'burial she deserves'

He claimed that he is now trying his best to help as he hasn't got much time left

Alick McKay makes an appeal from his home in Wimbledon for the safe return of his missing wife Muriel, on 9th January 1970. He is accompanied by his son Ian and daughters Jennifer (left) and Dianne (right)

Mother-of-three Muriel, 55, was grabbed from her London home and taken to a farm which was owned at the time by killer brother Arthur Hosein, who died in prison.

The Hosein brothers mistook Mrs McKay for Anna Murdoch after seeing their car by her house.

Murdoch and Anna had loaned their chauffeur-driven Rolls-Royce to Mrs McKay's husband Alick, an executive at News Limited and deputy to Murdoch's deputy, while they were on holiday, unaware a 1million kidnap plot was under way.

The scheme was the brainchild of Arthur Hosein, who had arrived in Britain in the 1960s and borrowed heavily to buy his farmhouse.

His brother Nizam, 12 years younger, followed him here in summer 1969 and became embroiled in the kidnap plan.

The pair spent several days following the Rolls-Royce, thinking they were tracking Anna Murdoch - but instead seized Muriel as she returned to her home from dropping off her cleaning lady on December 29.

The abduction is believed to have involved a case of mistaken identity - with the kidnappers intending to seize Anna Murdoch, first wife of media tycoon Rupert Murdoch

Nizamodeen Hosein was 22 when found guilty of Mrs McKay's murder

Nizamodeen Hosein served 20 years in prison before being deported to his native Trinidad

The family of murder victim Mrs McKay, pictured, have been pushing for new information about where her body might have been left

Police searched fields at Stocking Farm near the village of Stocking Pelham in Hertfordshire in 2022 while looking for Muriel McKay's remains

Her husband arrived later to find the front door open, lights on and no sign of his wife - while in the hallway, the phone had been pulled from the wall.

The contents of his wife's handbag were strewn across the stairs and a rusty meat cleaver was on the floor.

Mrs McKay's daughter Dianne, then 29 and a mother of two young children, took a phone call the following day from a man she now knows was Nizamodeen.

He told her they were 'the mafia' and had Dianne's mother, before the family then received a scribbled note in Mrs McKay's handwriting begging them to 'do something to get me home' and a ransom letter demanding 1 million.

After a bodged attempt to pick up a suitcase of ransom money, the kidnappers were arrested at the farm in January - but there was no sign of Mrs McKay.

The Hosein brothers refused to say where she was, leading to grisly speculation that her body had been fed to the pigs on the farm - and when they took the stand at their Old Bailey trial in September 1970, each tried to blame the other.

Both were found guilty of kidnapping and murder and sentenced to life imprisonment, though Nizamodeen was released in 1990 and deported.

The two brothers were locked up in one of the first times a murder conviction was brought without a body - though both then refused to admit their part in a crime which made headlines around the world.

They were depicted in waxworks in the 'Chamber Of Horrors' at the Madame Tussaud's museum in London.

Mrs McKay was seized outside her family's home in Wimbledon, south-west London

Detectives launched a murder hunt in December 1969 and scoured the Hertfordshire farm

Arthur and Nizamodeen Hosein were remanded in custody by Wimbledon magistrates

The pair would later be found guilty of murder despite no body being found

Nizamodeen refused for years to give details about Mrs McKay's fate - yet now claims she collapsed and died of a heart attack at the remote farm where he and his brother were holding her.

Hosein now claims to be certain he could remember the spot where he buried Mrs McKay's body - despite the buildings and surrounding farmyard and fields having significantly altered since the kidnap in 1969.

He says he panicked and buried her body under a dung heap behind the farmhouse.

The Metropolitan Police said earlier this month: 'We most recently met some members of Muriel's family in May 2023 and continue to keep in contact with them.

'An extensive search for Muriel's remains was conducted in March 2022 at a site in Hertfordshire, unfortunately it concluded unsuccessfully.

'We continue to review any opportunities to recover Muriel's body and return her to her family.'

MailOnline has contacted the force for further comment.
Alex Murdaugh is returning to court in South Carolina today in an attempt to prove that jury tampering led to him being found guilty of murdering his wife and son.

The jurors involved in the case which saw Murdaugh found guilty last March will be grilled after the convicted double-murderer's attorneys alleged that a clerk of court tampered with the jury.

Colleton County Clerk Becky Hill is also expected to be quizzed by lawyers for the 55-year-old, who is currently serving two consecutive life sentences without parole.

Judge Jean Toal ruled at a pretrial hearing this month that the defense must prove that potential misconduct including alleged comments by Hill warning jurors not to trust Murdaugh when he testifies directly led jurors to change their minds from innocent to guilty.

Even if Murdaugh gets a new murder trial, though, he will not walk free - after being handed a 27-year sentence for admitting to stealing $12million from his law firm and from settlements he gained for clients on wrongful death and serious injury lawsuits.

Alex Murdaugh (pictured in November) is returning to a court today in an attempt to prove that jury tampering led to him being found guilty of murdering his wife Maggie and son Paul

He was sentenced to life in prison without parole for the June 2021 killings last March

Pictured: Murdaugh with his wife Maggie and their sons Buster (left) and Paul (right)

Murdaugh has remained adamant that he did not kill his son Paul with a shotgun and his wife Maggie (both circled) with a rifle

Judge Toal's pretrial ruling was a blow to the defence who have criticized the high threshold they would be required to prove to win their case.

The defense argued if they prove the jury was tampered with, it shouldn't matter whether a juror openly said their verdict changed, because the influence can be subtle and still keep Murdaugh from getting a fair trial.

Their statement claimed: 'According to the State, if Ms. Hill had the jury room decorated like a grade-school classroom with colorful signs saying "Murdaugh is guilty" that would not violate Mr. Murdaugh's right to a fair trial... so long as jurors did not testify that they voted guilty because of the decor.'

Toal also will not let the defense call the trial judge Clifton Newman as a witness, nor prosecutors or other court workers.

The judge also limited what can be asked of Hill, with Toal telling lawyers they cannot question the elected clerk about a criminal investigation announced by state agents into whether she used her office for financial gain, emailed prosecutors with suggestions on how to discredit a defense expert, conspired with her son who is charged with wiretapping county phones, or plagiarized part of her book on the case using a passage from a BBC reporter who accidentally emailed her instead of her boss with a similar address.

'I'm very, very reluctant to turn this hearing about juror contact into a wholesale exploration about every piece of conduct by the clerk,' Toal said.

Hill, in a sworn statement, has denied any jury tampering.

Murdaugh is expected at the hearing in a prison jumpsuit and even if he got a new murder trial he would not walk out free.

He is also serving 27 years after admitting he stole from his law firm and from settlements he gained for clients on wrongful death and serious injury lawsuits - a sentence he promised not to appeal as part of a plea deal.

But Murdaugh has remained adamant that he did not kill his son Paul with a shotgun and his wife Maggie with a rifle.

He told deputies he found their bodies at their Colleton County home in June 2021 after returning from seeing his parents nearby.

The jurors, their anonymity protected, will be allowed to enter the Richland County Courthouse through a private entrance.

Judge Jean Toal, former South Carolina Supreme Court Justice, ruled that the defence must prove that alleged misconduct directly led to jurors changing their mind

The jurors involved, and clerk Becky Hill (pictured) are expected to be quizzed by the 55-year-old's lawyers

The hearing will be televised, but their faces cannot be shown and they will only be identified by their juror numbers.

If this effort fails, Murdaugh may still attempt to use the regular appeal process where his lawyers are expected to argue a number of reasons why his murder trial was unfair, including the judge allowing voluminous testimony of his financial crimes.

They said this enabled prosecutors to smear Murdaugh with evidence not directly linked to the killings.

Maggie and Paul were killed on June 7, 2021, and Murdaugh has one surviving son - Buster - who has branded his father a psychopath.
A convicted paedophile asylum seeker has admitted to raping a 19-year-old woman on a train because 'he felt like it', a court heard.

Sefatullah S., 30, approached a woman who had fallen asleep on an ICE train going from German city Stuttgart to Ulm. The shocked victim woke up to find him orally raping her, the court in Stuttgart heard.

Prosecutors told how the 19-year-old woman was sleeping with her head resting on a table when her attacker struck at 3.45am on August 7 last year.

The defendant, reportedly an Afghan refugee, admitted the rape, telling the court: 'I felt like it, so I did it'.

Sefatullah S., who has 11 siblings, has previous convictions for 'sexual crimes to the detriment of children', according to German tabloid Bild.

Sefatullah S., 30, approached a woman who had fallen asleep on an ICE 619 train from German cities Stuttgart to Ulm (file image of ICE trains in Frankfurt)

The refugee, who can neither read nor write, arrived in Germany in 2015, blew his state handouts on booze and drugs while he lived rent-free in a refugee flat, the court heard.

He said during the trial: 'I use my welfare money to buy whisky and cannabis.'

The 30-year-old accused also dismissed the process at Stuttgart District Court as 'blah blah', local media reported.

Sefatullah S. was in custody for three months before he was transferred to a psychiatric hospital in Ravensburg claiming he hears 'voices'.

READ MORE: Paedophile refugee who raped a 10-year-old boy can stay in Australia after landmark High Court ruling against indefinite detention Advertisement

Police told the court that he had refused to take up a place in a programme to control sexual re-offenders.

Presiding Judge Jasmin Neher-Klein, 63, and her colleagues are due to deliver a verdict on February 7.

There has been no information available on the status of his asylum application.

This comes after a Sudanese refugee was given final leave to remain in UK while he was facing rape charge after attacking a drunk university student as she slept in her bed.

Adam Mohammed, aged 24 from Exeter, Devon, was found guilty of one count of rape following a trial at Exeter Crown Court in June 2023.

He was sentenced on January 12 to eight years in prison, of which he will serve two-thirds before being up for release on licence.

Restaurant worker Mohammed, originally from Sudan, says he came to the UK in 2016 because of ongoing conflict in his country.

Last year, he was granted final leave to remain in the UK by the Home Office, despite the charge against him.

But he may now face deportation after serving his sentence and will remain on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

During the trial, Exeter Crown Court heard how in March 2021 the victim, who was a student at the time, had been socialising with friends at her accommodation block on Exeter University campus.

Several people had joined the party, including three men who were unknown to the victim and to the rest of her friends.

At around midnight, the victim was put to bed by friends and her door was left unlocked so that friends could check in on her throughout the night.

At around 2am, the victim woke up in bed to find Mohammed raping her. She initially froze before pushing him away and fleeing to a friend's room for help.

Police were alerted and officers were immediately on the scene and searches were carried out. Mohammed was arrested. He denied the offence, but was later charged with rape.

From forensic examination of the victim's clothes, DNA was linked to Mohammed. He had stated that his DNA, which was found on the victim's underwear, had got there due to the group playing drinking games that evening, something the victim and the witnesses all refute.

The jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict, and Mohammed was convicted of one count of rape following a trial on June 8 last year.
King Charles III smiled and waved as he was discharged from hospital today, three days after undergoing a successful procedure for an enlarged prostate.

Wearing a grey suit and blue coat, Charles appeared steady on his feet as he walked out of The London Clinic in Marylebone with Queen Camilla by his side following three nights under observation.

The 75-year-old monarch was admitted to the private hospital last Friday morning at about 9am as he underwent a corrective procedure for the benign condition.

It comes just hours after his daughter-in-law the Princess of Wales left the same clinic after two weeks following planned abdominal surgery.

The road had been cleared but a large crowd of children and onlookers had gathered to watch as they got into a waiting black Audi.

There was a strong presence of uniformed police officers who stood guard as the royal couple were driven away.

It has been reported Charles could take up to a month off from public duties as he recuperates.

King Charles walks out of The London Clinic today following a three night stay in hospital after prostate surgery

The 75-year-old monarch left the hospital with Queen Camilla by his side

A beaming Charles waves as he is driven away. The King was twice visited by Queen Camilla yesterday, the third and fourth times she has been to see him at the private hospital since they arrived

The King appeared to be fit and healthy as he left via the front entrance. A large crowd of children and onlookers had gathered outside

His Majesty gives another wave before being driven away. The road had been cleared prior to his exit

Charles places his hand on the bonnet of a black Audi after leaving hospital following a three-night stay

TODAY -- A smiling Queen Camilla arriving at The London Clinic earlier ahead of her husband's discharge from hospital

Buckingham Palace released a statement in which His Majesty thanked those who sent him kind messages

Buckingham Palace released a statement following the King's release from hospital which read: 'The King was this afternoon discharged from hospital following planned medical treatment and has rescheduled forthcoming public engagements to allow for a period of private recuperation.

READ MORE: Flowers given to Princess Kate by well-wishers are taken back to Windsor by royal aides as she continues recovery Advertisement

'His Majesty would like to thank the medical team and all those involved in supporting his hospital visit, and is grateful for all the kind messages he has received in recent days.'

Kate Middleton also returned home today after a two-week stay in hospital following abdominal surgery - with flowers showing a royal aide driving flowers left by wellwishers back to Windsor.

Kate, 42, is not expected to carry out official engagements until after Easter, with her husband Prince William clearing his diary of official duties as she recovers at Adelaide Cottage in Windsor Great Park.

Kate went into hospital 14 days ago on Tuesday, January 16 - with royal aides saying she was 'making good progress' and would now continue her recovery from home.

MailOnline understands her return to official duties will depend on medical advice closer to the time, and William will return to public engagements once she is settled.

The King was twice visited by Queen Camilla yesterday, the third and fourth times she has been to see him at the private hospital since they arrived.

Camilla smiled as she arrived by car at midday yesterday, leaving again just over three hours later. She returned between 6pm and 7pm and was smiling as she left.

A large crowd gathered outside the hospital and held up their mobile phones to take pictures of the King and Queen as the royal couple left the hospital

Charles could take up to a month off from public duties as he recuperates (Pictured: His Majesty gazes upwards after leaving The London Clinic)

The jovial King points and smiles at the adoring crowd which had gathered outside

Charles 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

There was a strong presence of uniformed police officers who stood guard as the royal couple were driven away

TODAY -- Two police officers stand outside The London Clinic in Marylebone this morning

TODAY -- Police stand outside The London Clinic today where the royals have been treated

Kate, Charlotte, George, William and Louis at the Sandringham Christmas Day 2023 service. King Charles left hospital just hours after his daughter-in-law was released from the same clinic

Flowers left for Kate by wellwishers are seen being taken back to Windsor by a royal aide

Kate's personal assistant Natasha Archer is pictured leaving The London Clinic this morning

Royal aides at Kensington Palace said the Princess of Wales was 'making good progress'

YESTERDAY -- Queen Camilla is pictured leaving The London Clinic after visiting King Charles

SATURDAY -- Queen Camilla visits King Charles III at the London Clinic in Marylebone

LAST FRIDAY -- Queen Camilla leaves the London Clinic at 3pm as Charles receives treatment

Camilla told people inside The London Clinic on Friday that the King was 'doing well' after the procedure.

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.'

The King arrived in London from Norfolk last Thursday, ready for the procedure after squeezing in a couple of behind-the-scenes official duties.

He 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, 75, who acceded to the throne only 16 months ago, cancelled engagements and was urged to rest by his doctors ahead of the corrective procedure.

The exact nature of his treatment is not known.

LAST FRIDAY -- King Charles III arrives at the London Clinic at about 9am for his treatment

LAST THURSDAY -- The King arrives at Buckingham Palace before heading to Clarence House

LAST MONDAY -- The King is photographed driving on public roads in Sandringham, Norfolk

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.

Camilla had previously said her husband is 'fine' and looking forward to getting back to work.

News of his diagnosis on January 17 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 Prince William clearing his diary of official duties for the time being.
Plans have been submitted to turn the Grade II listed village pub where Paul Hollywood met his landlady wife into housing after no one wanted to buy the 1million business.

Melissa Spalding's family owns The Chequers Inn in Smarden, Kent where she has served as landlady for 16 years.

Despite rumours that Jonny Depp was going to buy it, the 500-year-old pub has had no takers since it was listed on Rightmove in April last year for 999,995.

The pub has seven rooms, a bar, a restaurant with a pizza oven, and a large two-bedroom owner's accommodation.

Melissa Spalding's family owns The Chequers Inn in Smarden, Kent where she has served as landlady for 16 years. The 500-year-old pub has had no takers since it was listed on Rightmove in April last year for 999,995

Paul, 57, met Melissa, 39, in the pub 5 years ago when he moved to the village - the pair got married in Cyprus last September

The pub has seven rooms, a bar, a restaurant with a pizza oven, and a large two-bedroom owner's accommodation

Paul, 57, met Melissa, 39, in the pub 5 years ago when he moved to the village - the pair got married in Cyprus last September.

But the historic site - which dates back to the 16th century - could now be converted into a 'single dwelling' home after a planning application was submitted to Ashford Borough Council last week.

It highlights how The Chequers struggles to compete with nearby pubs The Flying Horse and The Bell, which are both owned by breweries.

This comes after the Great British Bake Off star suddenly abandoned plans for a new dining room and kitchen at his 1m Kent farmhouse last week.

The application says: 'With three public houses serving such a small community and with a changing approach to drinking in the 20th century it was always going to be difficult for all three to survive.

'There is no obvious other commercial use to which the building could be put and the decision made was to seek a residential use of the building.

The planning application states that owner Glenn Spalding and his wife have reached 'retirement age' and have recognised that the business is 'unsaleable'

'Whilst the business has good Tripadvisor reviews, Smarden is not located in a prime position to capitalise on the tourist trade and the trade there is, is no longer adequate to maintain the business.

'Use of the guest rooms, which underpinned the business, has been heavily undermined as the three local attractions drawing visitors now have accommodation options closer to them.

'Headcorn Aerodrome now provide accommodation in Egerton as part of a package deal, the nearby Big Cat Sanctuary now provides accommodation adjoining the site and Sissinghurst Castle is now served by closer accommodation available at The Three Chimneys and The West House Restaurant in Biddenden.

'This has left The Chequers struggling.'

Before lockdown in 2020, Paul star judged a village baking event held at the venue to raise money for Smarden Parish Council

Factors like local competition and not being close enough to benefit from tourism trade have left The Chequers 'struggling'

The application says the pub has battled to stay afloat since the pandemic and amid rising energy costs.

It says the reason the business survives is largely because Glenn lives on-site, takes no 'salary' and has help from family to staff it, 'thus keeping the overheads low'.

'The situation now is that bar trade is insufficient to justify seven-day trading and the public house element now closes from Mondays to Wednesdays,' it adds.

'In three years of marketing, there have been no viewings, presumably because potential purchasers can see the same issues.'

In April, it was reported that Johnny Depp had his eye on the 1million boozer and was said to be a 'huge fan' of the pub.

However, the Spalding family branded the rumours 'absolute rubbish'.

Before lockdown in 2020, Paul star judged a village baking event held at the venue to raise money for Smarden Parish Council.

The quaint, weather-boarded pub reportedly possesses a secret underground passage to the parish church next door, but its whereabouts is uncertain.

According to local legend, it is inhabited by the restless ghost of a French soldier who was a prisoner of war in the area during the Napoleonic Wars.

In more recent times The Chequers won a Tripadvisor excellence award and made it into the 2019 AA Guide 'pick of the pubs'.
Michael Gove accused Nicola Sturgeon of using Covid as a 'political' weapon for independence today.

Appearing before the official inquiry, the Levelling Up Secretary said the SNP had a clear 'mission' to 'destroy the UK'.

He pointed to 'direct evidence' that had been presented about the Scottish Cabinet discussing how the pandemic could enhance the push for independence.

And Mr Gove, who was responsible for coordinating with the devolved administrations, claimed Ms Sturgeon's remarks in private sometimes had a 'political complexion'.

The minister denied that the Westminster government had also been playing politics, saying: 'I think the most important thing that we felt was to ensure that lives were saved across the UK.'

Despite repeatedly attempting to 'gazump' Westminster with announcements during the pandemic, Ms Sturgeon was always adamant she had no intention of politicising it.

On June 30, 2020 Ms Sturgeon told a briefing on the raging crisis that anyone 'trotting out political or constitutional arguments is in the wrong place completely'.

But records of a Scottish Cabinet meeting from the same day, highlighted at the Covid Inquiry, showed it covered 'restarting work on independence and a referendum' and suggested that arguments should 'reflect the experience of the coronavirus crisis'.

WhatsApp messages between Ms Sturgeon and her then chief of staff Liz Lloyd also revealed they wanted to start a 'good old-fashioned rammy' with the UK government.

Appearing before the official inquiry, Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove said the SNP had a clear 'mission' to 'destroy the UK'

Ms Sturgeon (pictured in June 2020) faced anger after Scottish government papers showed her Cabinet did discuss using Covid to boost the drive to break up the UK

Mr Gove described Ms Sturgeon as 'someone who was undoubtedly a focused and disciplined minister'.

But he added: 'It would sometimes be the case that there would be a political complexion to some of the points she chose to make.'

Mr Gove told the official inquiry - sitting in Edinburgh as it considers Scottish issues: 'There are and were occasions when the Scottish government, as we can see, was thinking politically.

'Of course it is the case that the SNP has a political missions, which is to achieve Scotland's independence  ie to destroy the United Kingdom...

'It would be naive not to be aware that highly skilled politicians, including those at the top of the Scottish government, might well see what they would perceive to be political advantage at certain points.'

Mr Gove said the 'inquiry has heard and seen direct evidence of the Scottish government thinking politically'.

Pressed on whether the UK government was doing the same he said 'no'.

'I think the most important thing that we felt was to ensure that lives were saved across the UK,' he said.

Ms Sturgeon was seen as leading a strong response to Covid in the initial stages, although public support for her performance cooled later.

She has since quit as SNP leader and first minister, and is now caught up in the ongoing furore over the nationalists' finances - although she denies any wrongdoing.

The Scottish Cabinet minutes were aired at the Covid Inquiry earlier this month as it took evidence from Kenneth Thomson, who was head of the Covid Coordination Directorate north of the border at the time.

Jamie Dawson KC, lead counsel for the inquiry's module on Scotland, read Mr Thomson the June 30, 2020 minutes.

They said the Cabinet 'agreed that consideration should be given to restarting work on independence and a referendum, with the arguments reflecting the experience of the coronavirus crisis and developments on EU Exit'.

Mr Dawson asked whether that showed the Scottish government was trying to 'politicise' the situation.

Mr Thomson denied that but acknowledged that 'as we moved out of the lockdown restrictions, more of the ordinary business of the Scottish Government started to resume, including this bit'.

Scotland was still tightly in the grip of the Covid crisis in June 2020

Former ministers were enraged by Ms Sturgeon's habit of trying to upstage the UK government during Covid,.

Giving evidence to the official inquiry last month, Matt Hancock complained that she would 'spin' policies to make it look like she was ahead of Westminster, even when issues had been discussed collectively.

The Covid-19 Inquiry was shown WhatsApp messages from Mr Hancock from July 2020, regarding communications around travel from Spain and quarantine.

When told that No10 wanted to communicate the matter 'ASAP', Mr Hancock replied: 'Me too. It will leak anyway  and the Scots will try to get their announcement out first.'

How Nicola Sturgeon 'gazumped' her way to a Covid support surge Nicola Sturgeon spent much of the initial phase of the pandemic elbowing in at the top table of UK politics. Taking full advantage of the devolved institutions having broad power over health policies, the then-First Minister quickly launched her own TV briefings for Scotland. Because those were at lunchtime, it meant she was often able to pre-empt what the UK government was going to announce in the evening. She also frequently took a harder line on policies, pitting her approach against that of Westminster, which was often agonising about civil liberties. As far back as April 2020 she used an appearance to declare that the lockdown would stay in place for 'at least' another three weeks - hours before a crunch meeting of Cobra, where the official decision was to be taken. Nicola Sturgeon spent much of the initial phase of the pandemic elbowing in at the top table of UK politics The 'gazumping' also included announcements on allowing multiple households to meet indoors. Ms Sturgeon was said to have forced the government into tougher border restrictions in the middle of 2020. Former health secretary Matt Hancock has accused her of 'bouncing' the UK government into face mask rules. He said ministers were 'blindsided' by her announcement in August 2020 and decided to U-turn in order to avoid 'a big spat with the Scots'. Ms Sturgeon also made great play of maintaining stronger messaging when the Stay at Home branding was dropped by Boris Johnson. And weeks after the UK Government dropped its daily news briefings, Ms Sturgeon was still benefiting from daily exposure on television. Whether intentional or not, the antics certainly saw a surge in support for independence. Backing for 'yes' reached 55 per cent in polls in the summer of 2020. But later in the pandemic much of the lustre came off Ms Sturgeon's performance, with the UK taking credit for the vaccine drive and a more timely easing of lockdown. Advertisement

Giving evidence to the official inquiry last month, Matt Hancock complained that Ms Sturgeon would 'spin' policies to make it look like she was ahead of Westminster, even when issues had been discussed collectively

By August 2020 polls were showing support for independence riding high, in part because of Ms Sturgeon's response to Covid

'We found it much more difficult when decisions went up to first minister level, particularly with Nicola Sturgeon.

'Because we would find that sometimes some kind of spin was put on what was essentially substantively the same decision. So it was a frustration, I've got to be honest about that.'

Scottish Conservative shadow constitution secretary Donald Cameron said today: 'This astonishing and shameful revelation from the UK Covid inquiry explains why Nicola Sturgeon and many of her senior colleagues were so keen to delete their WhatsApp messages.

'If a discussion on pushing their independence obsession was talked about around the cabinet table, we can only imagine the extent of the SNP's crass constitutional opportunism on private messaging.

'The Scottish people are entitled to know why a government that assured us public safety was its sole focus was gaming its push for another independence referendum while the death toll mounted.

'Humza Yousaf was a senior figure around the cabinet table at the time. Did he voice any objections to this disgracefully skewed priority? If not, why not?

'The Scottish people deserve an explanation for the scandalous decision to focus on SNP political objectives during a public health emergency.'
NBC's flagship show Saturday Night Live is being mocked for trying to ridicule ex-President Donald Trump's use of the phrase 'de-bank' during a rally last week.

During the show's Weekend Update segment, host Colin Jost, a Harvard graduate, said that he didn't know 'What the hell 'de-bank' means?'

'Trump did have a slight stumble this week while talking about banks, and he introduced an interesting new term called de-bank. I don't know what the hell de-bank means, but you might have to take 'de-ambulance' to see 'de-doctor,' Jost, who serves as SNL's head writer, joked.

De-banking, which can also be referred to as de-risking, occurs when a financial institution closes the account of someone deemed to acting criminally or someone who could post a reputational risk to the bank.

In the UK, the phrase became mainstream in 2023 when Trump associate Nigel Farage saw his account closed by British bank Coutts & Co. Farage is an avid fan of Donald Trump's and has attended rallies in Iowa and New Hampshire so far this year.

'Were also going to place strong protections to stop banks and regulators from trying to de-bank you from your Your political beliefs, what they do! They want to de-bank you,' Trump told supporters at an event in New Hampshire last week.

'Trump did have a slight stumble this week while talking about banks, and he introduced an interesting new term called de-bank. I don't know what the hell de-bank means, but you might have to take 'de-ambulance' to see 'de-doctor,' Jost quipped

Trump made the remarks during a campaign rally in New Hampshire last week



A former close aide of Sen. Ted Cruz's, Steve Guest, rushed to Trump's defense after the SNL gag posting on X: 'The woke smugness from SNL is out of control.'

Another conservative activist, Doug Powers, wrote: 'SNL's in such a hurry to dunk on Trump that they made themselves look like idiots again.'

A California State Senate candidate, Michael Oxford, also had a hot take.

'This is similar to when Dennis Prager said they are putting tampons in men's bathrooms, and Bill Maher's entire audience laughed at him. The left doesn't realize what's happening, until it's too late. Then their cognitive dissonance forces them to justify why it's a good thing,' he wrote.

Earlier in the bit, Jost and his fellow host Michael Che mocked Trump's legal troubles, including being forced to pay $83 million to the woman he sexually assaulted in the 1990s.

Jost pointed out that despite murdering two people, OJ Simpson was only asked to pay his victims families $33 million, which would be worth around $63 million today.

'The only way this could've gone worse for Trump is if they took away his businesses. Which is, of course, what happens in next week's trial,' referencing Trump's next legal battle in New York City.

Trump superfans were outraged by Jost's joke on X

Writing for MSNBC's website, Ja'han Jones wrote that Trump 'appeared' to be referring to far-right activists who have seen their accounts frozen in recent years, including MAGA zealot Laura Loomer.

One of the hosts of The New Abnormal podcast, Andy Levy, also had a take on Trump's comments and de-banking.

'The interesting thing here is that most of this 'debanking' is done against sex workers. You know, places like PayPal will not allow it to be used as a payment method for OnlyFans and for stuff like that. Generally, this sort of thing is used to target sex workers,' he said.

The practice is similar to social media companies choosing to de-platform certain people, such as Trump.

Following the deadly white nationalist protests in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017, Google, Facebook and PayPal began banishing extremist groups and individuals who identified as or supported white supremacists.

A March 2023 Newsweek feature found that charities such as The National Committee for Religious Freedom (NCRF) were de-banked.

The group later told by JP Morgan-Chase that it would be allowed to maintain a customer if it provided a list of donors. The charity refused.

A similar group, Alliance Defending Freedom, encountered a problem with Fidelity Charitable saying that donors could not donate to the ADF without disclosing personal information.
A mother-of-two and quadruple amputee has learnt to eat by herself with a specially adapted fork, saying she will do 'whatever it takes' as she returns home.

Lucinda Mullins, 41, went into hospital for a routine kidney stone removal surgery just before Christmas, however complications in the procedure led to an infection that caused septic shock, resulting in both her arms and legs having to be amputated.

In the video, published onto her Facebook page, you can see the specially adapted device, a black strap that can fix onto her arm with a fork jutting out of it, in action.

Mrs Mullins moves her arm down to a bowl of fruit in her lap before successfully spiking one and lifting it up to her mouth to eat, completely on her own.

In the video, published onto her Facebook page, you can see the specially adapted device, a black strap that can fix onto her arm with a fork jutting out of it, in action

Mom-of-two Lucinda Mullins, 41, lost both her legs after a routine kidney stone surgery became a desperate battle against sepsis

Cindy, her husband DJ, and their two young sons before the sepsis that nearly killed her

'I know things will never be the same and that's okay. But just to be able to have somewhat of a life that I had back before would be great,' she tells DailyMail.com

The nurse from Kentucky had been recovering at the Cardinal Hill rehabilitation hospital in Lexington, but was able to go home with husband DJ, 43, and sons Teegan, 12 and Easton, seven on 12 January.

She has remained overwhelming positive despite her ordeal, as she exclusively told DailyMail.com 'I just want people to know this is not a sad story. This has a happy ending. I'm alive. I get to be with my children and my husband.'

Since going through rehabilitation she has learnt to drive a mobility scooter with her head, to 'booty scoot', stretch her muscles and sit upright by herself and even to use her nose to scroll though the countless supportive messages, as she continues to strive for her independence.

More than $280,000 has now been raised by a GoFundMe appeal to pay for the 'overwhelming' medical costs Cindy and her husband DJ face after the 'perfect storm' that ravaged her body.

However the family is still adjusting to the changes, including having to start each day with a two-hour process whereby DJ dresses and wraps his wife's recovering wounds to keep them clean, watertight and free of further infection.

The mom-of-two has been using her head to steer a mobility scooter through the hospital

The determination is clear as Cindy learns to scroll a cellphone with her elbow and her nose

Husband DJ is determined to get the best possible treatment for his wife of 13 years. The pair began dating in their teens after they met riding jet skis at Pulaski County Park and he waited 10 years to propose

None of this is standing in Lucinda way, as she said she is determined to get back to her job, where she has worked for 17 years as a certified medical assistant at Bates, Miller & Sims, a local family practice, as soon as possible.

When the kidney stone became septic she was first taken to Fort Logan Hospital in Stanford and from there to a University of Kentucky hospital in Lexington on an ambulance.

But doctors made the decision to amputate both of her legs and informed her she would lose both of her arms below her elbows too, otherwise she would die.

When she was told of her fate by the doctors, she recalled: 'Surprisingly, I wasn't upset, I didn't question it. I wasn't angry.

'I know there will be hard times ahead but just knowing I could see my kids again and that I had the support of my family, I think that gave me peace to be okay with it.'

'I just want people to know this is not a sad story,' Lucinda told DailyMail.com. 'This has a happy ending. I'm alive. I get to be with my children and my husband'. She's pictured with her husband, sons, mother and sister

Friends and family have remained incredibly supportive and praised Cindy's spirit as she tackles her grueling rehabilitation.

'Cindy had another great day of therapy, she also had a wonderful visitor that brought her some delicious sweets,' friend Heather Beshears, who set up the GoFundMe wrote.

'Let's pray that every day gets a little bit better.'

Cindy said she had been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support which has included more than 40 hospital visitors at the same time.

Her GoFundMe page reads: 'Cindy and her family will have to make a few adjustments to their home to accommodate Cindy's needs as well as her prosthetics and adaptive equipment.

'The costs of all of this can be overwhelming. We started this fundraiser because we want to support our hero Cindy, as well as her husband DJ who has been by her side every step of the way.

'Cindy and DJ have two young children who are missing their mom and dad terribly. Sometimes life is hard and there's no way around it.

'Cindy and DJ's world has come to a complete stop, but the world around them continues to move forward. Let's help ease their burden while they heal and get back to their lives. We hope to be able to allow Cindy to focus on her recovery.'
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The EU has called for 'gendered language' such as 'no man's land' and 'Joe Public' to be axed.

A 61-page document advises policymakers, legislators and the media to revise the order of common phrases such as 'King and Queen' or 'brother and sister' in which the male comes first.

It suggests to 'try swapping the order of these phrases sometimes'.

Bureaucrats say 'Joe Public' should be replaced with 'average citizen' and 'no man's land' should be substituted with 'unclaimed territory'.

Tory MP Nick Fletcher has called the guidelines 'nonsense' and argued that the EU had 'far more serious issues' that it should be concerned about.

Bureaucrats say Joe Public' should be replaced with 'average citizen' and 'no man's land' should be substituted with 'unclaimed territory' (Stock Image)

Tory MP Nick Fletcher has called the guidelines 'nonsense' and argued that the EU had 'far more serious issues' that it should be concerned about (File Photo)

The 'Toolkit on Gender-sensitive Communication' document compiled by the The European Institute for Gender Equality highlights language that needs to be changed and notes alternatives.

'Gendered language' alternatives Joe Public - Average citizen No man's land - Unclaimed territory King and Queen - Queen and King Virile - Strong, energetic Shrill - High pitched, grating voice Bossy, pushy - Assertive Best man for the job - Best candidate for the job Master of ceremonies - Host Repairman - Repairer, technician Advertisement

It adds that terms such as 'shrill' and 'pushy' have 'strong connotations that are strongly associated with only women' and should be replaced with 'high-pitched' and 'assertive' respectively.

It says that 'virile', considered 'strongly associated with only men', should be substituted with 'strong or energetic'.

The famous Star Trek line, 'To boldly go where no man has gone before', is noted in the bundle as an example for which 'women may be subject to invisibility or omission'.

Don Valley MP Nick Fletcher told The Telegraph: 'I think it's nonsense, especially when there's far more serious issues going on at the moment that we need to be concerned about.

'The EU needs to take a good hard look at themselves and think about what other problems are going on in the world at the moment.'

He added: 'We've got wars being waged, an energy crisis and a lot of countries are dealing with the same kind of problems that we are in the UK.

'Things like this are a waste of our time.'

Former Tory MP Ann Widdecombe told The Sun: 'It's ridiculous.'

Nigel Mills, Conservative MP for Amber Valley, told the newspaper: 'This is utter madness. It's an attack on the English language.'

Even though Britain officially left the EU in January 2020, English is still its official language.
One of the men charged over a college machete brawl is a resident of a seaside hotel that houses asylum seekers, it emerged today.

Mohammed Dawood, 24, was arrested following the street fight in Bournemouth, Dorset, that left five people injured last Thursday afternoon.

The ordeal happened in the road located between the entrance to the Bournemouth and Poole College on one side and the Roundhouse Hotel on the other - where Dawood was said in court to be living.

It is claimed the brawl involved two rival gangs of Afghan and Romanian people - with police confirming that a knife and a glass bottle were used during the incident.

Three of the five people who were taken to hospital with injuries were male students from the college.

Dawood and Ali Nakouda, 25, have been charged with violent disorder. They appeared at Poole Magistrates' Court on Saturday where they were both remanded in custody.

The ordeal happened between the entrance to the Bournemouth and Poole College and the Roundhouse Hotel (pictured) - where Dawood was said in court to be living

Multiple marked and unmarked police vehicles attended the scene on Thursday

Armed police were at the scene following the street fight in Bournemouth

Two roads in the Lansdowne area of Bournemouth town centre were cordoned off

Dawood's address was given in court as 1 Meyrick Road, Bournemouth, which is the Roundhouse Hotel. The establishment has been housing asylum seekers while their applications are processed for several years. Nakouda's address was listed as 'unknown'.

Both defendants will appear at Bournemouth Crown Court on February 29.

A 17-year-old girl from Bournemouth, who was arrested on suspicion of assault and wounding with intent, has been released on police bail pending further enquiries.

A 19-year-old woman from Bournemouth has been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

Two male teenagers and a man in his 20s were also taken to hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

Tensions are said to have been simmering between the two rival groups in the past few weeks after a previous confrontation. Two young men were said to have pulled out machetes during the fight.

Two machete-wielding groups took part in a mass brawl outside a college last week

Police officers carry out investigations following the incident in Meyrick Road, Bournemouth

The South West Ambulance Service Trust (SWAST) confirmed it conveyed five people to hospital and treated a sixth at the scene

One student, who asked not to be named, said last week: 'There are Afghan and Romanian gangs at the college and they hate each other. There was a fight a few weeks ago and they said ''this is not over'' and it all kicked off again.

'Two of them pulled out machetes and we think two people were stabbed. We think police may have found one of the knives in a bin. An hour before this happened, we were doing a survey in the college about whether we feel safe.'

A mother who was at the college to collect her son said last week: 'I just saw the start of the fight, college security staff flew out the doors but the fight was like a free for all in the road.'

She said she went inside and when she came back out she said it was like a 'bloody movie scene with blue lights.'

Another woman who witnessed part of the incident said previously: 'I suddenly saw this mass brawl. There were 10 on each side and they were fighting. I think they were two groups of college students. I saw one of them lifting another boy's shirt up to check if he had been hurt.'

Anyone with information has been urged to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55240012914.
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This video is no longer available

A hero grocery store manager has been rushed to hospital after allegedly being stabbed by shoplifters who were trying to make off with a jar of Nutella.

Emergency services were called to the IGA in Riverstone, northwest Sydney, at 4.15pm on Sunday where the 47-year-old manager was found with multiple knife wounds to his side and chest.

He and a co-worker had chased down a man and a woman suspected of stealing various items including a jar of Nutella.

The manager was rushed to Westmead Hospital where he remains in a stable condition after undergoing surgery, while his female colleague was allegedly struck in the face.

Police seized a 25cm knife and arrested a 31-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman at the scene.

The man was charged with wounding a person with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm, while the woman was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and larceny.

A heroic grocery store manager was rushed to hospital after allegedly being stabbed by shoplifters

CCTV footage shows the workers wrestle with a woman who was pushed a shopping trolley out of the store.

With one hand on his chest where he was stabbed, the manager used his free hand to grab onto the trolley, while kicking at the woman to force her away.

A man can then be seen rushing towards the manager before he waved an object at him, forcing the manager to grab a chair to defend himself.

The female coworker, still struggling for control of the cart, was then struck in the face by a woman while a bystander and another worker came to her aid.

After the man and woman were chased away from the scene, the manager lifted up his shirt to reveal a stab wound to his abdomen.

Emergency services were called to the IGA in Riverstone, northwest Sydney , at 4:15pm on Sunday where the 47-year-old manager was found with multiple knife wounds to his side and chest (scene pictured)

Facing Blacktown Local Court on Monday, both the man and woman claimed their actions were done in self defence.

Only the soon-to-be mother was granted bail, with the man remanded in custody.

The knife seized at the scene has been sent for forensic examination.
A dried out 285-year-old lemon has sold at auction for a staggering 1,400 after sparking an unlikely bidding war.

The ancient citrus fruit was discovered in the bottom drawer of a 19th century chest salvaged during a house clearance.

The vendors were sorting through their uncle's possessions and thought the cabinet may be valuable so they took it to an auctioneer in Newport, Shropshire.

Owner of Brettells Auctioneers David Brettell said: 'The lemon arrived in an ordinary late 19th century Chinese collectors chest.

'It was right at the back of one of the drawers so we took it out.

They were taken aback by an inscription that had been carved into the yellow zest dating it to 1739. It states that the citrus was 'given by Mr P Lu Franchini Nov 4 1739 to Miss E Baxter'

The ancient love token lemon sold at auction for 1,100 whilst the 19th century chest that it was found in sold for 32

'Who knows how long it had been in there for, but I suppose it is not something you would have ever taken out.

'I think it must have been a love token brought back from colonial India.'

They were taken aback by an inscription that had been carved into the yellow zest dating it to 1739.

It states that the citrus was 'given by Mr P Lu Franchini Nov 4 1739 to Miss E Baxter'.

The 2-inch wide lemon is brown and completely dried out but 'remarkably well preserved' and still maintaining its shape.

Since it was so unusual, they stuck it into the auction for a bit of fun with an estimate of 40-60.

Mr Brettell said: 'The bidding started at 40 but suddenly it ramped up to 340, then 440 and higher.

'By the time we got to 700, there were two bidders battling it out.

'There was a round of applause when the hammer went down at 1,100.'

There were 35 bids in total, with a British collector winning out paying a total of 1,416 with auctioneers fees added.

The cabinet the lemon was found in went for a hammer price of 32 - so the lemon made 50 times that sum.

Mr Brettell said: 'I was telling them that you are never going to see an object like this at auction again. It is completely unique.

'One dealer joked to me afterwards that he was going to buy some lemons and go home and stick them in the oven!'
Kate Middleton returned home today after a two-week stay in hospital following abdominal surgery - with flowers and a gift bag left by wellwishers driven back to Windsor by a royal aide.

The Princess of Wales, 42, is not expected to carry out official engagements until after Easter, with her husband Prince William clearing his diary of official duties as she recovers at Adelaide Cottage in Windsor Great Park.

Kate went into The London Clinic 14 days ago on Tuesday, January 16 - with royal sources saying she was 'making good progress' and would now continue her recovery from home.

MailOnline understands her return to official duties will depend on medical advice closer to the time, and William will return to public engagements once she is settled.

The Princess of Wales was discharged from hospital just hours before King Charles also left the London Clinic after a three-day stay to recover from prostate surgery. The beaming was pictured leaving the clinic with Queen Camilla by his side.

Flowers left for Kate by a wellwishers are seen being taken back to Windsor by a royal aide

Kate's personal assistant Natasha Archer is pictured leaving The London Clinic this morning

Two police officers stand guard outside The London Clinic in Marylebone this morning

Police stand outside The London Clinic today where Kate Middleton has been treated

Royal aides at Kensington Palace said the Princess of Wales was 'making good progress'

Charles visited Kate last Friday morning before his operation and has also been visited by his wife Queen Camilla four times at the hospital in in Marylebone.

A Kensington Palace spokesman said: The Princess of Wales has returned home to Windsor to continue her recovery from surgery. She is making good progress.

READ MORE: DR MAX PEMBERTON - Here's how Kate can get back on her feet post-op - with a bag of oranges and gentle walks Advertisement

'The Prince and Princess wish to say a huge thank you to the entire team at The London Clinic, especially the dedicated nursing staff, for the care they have provided.

'The Wales family continues to be grateful for the well wishes they have received from around the world.'

Charles walked out of The London Clinic in Marylebone with Queen Camilla by his side today following three nights under observation.

The 75-year-old monarch was admitted last Friday morning at about 9am as he underwent a corrective procedure for the benign condition.

The road had been cleared but a large crowd of children and onlookers had gathered to watch as they got into a waiting car.

There was a strong presence of uniformed police officers who stood guard as the royal couple were driven away.

It has been reported Charles could take up to a month off from public duties as he recuperates.

The King was twice visited by Queen Camilla yesterday, the third and fourth times she has been to see him at the private hospital since they arrived.

King Charles walks out of The London Clinic today following a three night stay in hospital after prostate surgery

The 75-year-old monarch left the hospital with Queen Camilla by his side

A beaming Charles waves as he is driven away. The King was twice visited by Queen Camilla yesterday, the third and fourth times she has been to see him at the private hospital since they arrived

Prince William leaves the London Clinic in Marylebone after visiting his wife Kate on January 18

Prince William wants to spend time by his wife's side as she convalesces. They are seen at Bisham Abbey on Mental Health Day in October

READ MORE King Charles receives an evening visit from a smiling Queen Camilla as he recovers from prostate surgery Advertisement

Buckingham Palace released a statement following the King's release from hospital which read: 'The King was this afternoon discharged from hospital following planned medical treatment and has rescheduled forthcoming public engagements to allow for a period of private recuperation.

'His Majesty would like to thank the medical team and all those involved in supporting his hospital visit, and is grateful for all the kind messages he has received in recent days.'

The King arrived in London from Norfolk last Thursday, ready for the procedure after squeezing in a couple of behind-the-scenes official duties.

He 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.

King Charles III arrives at the London Clinic last Friday at about 9am for his treatment

Queen Camilla (centre) was also seen with Charles at the Marylebone Clinic

King Charles was driven to Clarence House on Thursday after arriving from Norfolk by helicopter

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.

Camilla had previously said her husband is 'fine' and looking forward to getting back to work.

News of his diagnosis came on the same day that Kensington Palace announced the princess was in hospital on January 17.

King Charles and Kate (seen together at the Royal Albert Hall) have a warm relationship. In Kenya last year, he referred to her as his 'beloved daughter-in-law'

Royal health troubles: The Duchess of York , 64, has been diagnosed with malignant melanoma  an aggressive form of skin cancer
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This video is no longer available

Stuart Anderson erupted in fury when detectives accused him of killing his elderly neighbour, after he previously told a TV reporter he hoped the killer was caught.

Last month, the handyman was found guilty of beating Vicki Ramadan, 77, to death at her Sydenham home in Melbourne's north-west almost five years ago.

Ms Ramadan's decomposing body was found in the hallway of the property on April 6, 2019 - she had been badly beaten and was laying in a pool of her own blood.

In a police interview, Anderson said 'Prove it' and 'You've got to charge me or let me the f*** go, because I've had enough,' to the detectives.

Then, in an explosion of rage, he slammed his fist on the table and roared at them that 'I'm trying to tell you I've got no idea (who killed Ms Ramadan)'.

Stuart Anderson erupted in fury when detectives accused him of killing his elderly neighbour Vicki Ramadan (pictured)

READ MORE: Stuart Anderson said he 'hopes the coppers catch' the person who killed Vicki Ramadan. There was just one problem Vicki Ramadan (pictured) was found in a pool of her own blood after she had been murdered in 2019 Advertisement

Anderson claimed to have stumbled upon Ms Ramadan's body - and asked his partner Jade to call triple zero.

The operator asked Jade some questions and then requested Anderson could come on the line.

When he did, she asked 'Can you tell how she died?'

'I've got no idea, look there's blood everywhere. She's got blood all over her, there's blood all over the floor. There's blood on the walls,' he replied.

A Current Affair reporter Sam Cucchiara spoke with Anderson days later and got a bad feeling from him.

'Unfortunately it's a tragedy what happened. I really hope the cops catch the son of a b****,' Anderson said, before cracking a disturbing smile.

'She seemed like a very lovely lady. She didn't deserve this at all.'

The murderer was playing the part of a grieving neighbour and said 'A big shock of fear went through me' when he found the body.

'We've never even seen her, never met her before until she come and knocked on me door, asking us for help,' he said.

'And being the type of people we are we decided to help her.'

He had built Ms Ramadan a wardrobe but snapped on that day and she reported him to the police.

It was one of the last times she was seen alive.

Anderson beat his victim so horrifically her teeth were found scattered on the floor around her and parts of her skull had pierced her brain.

As detectives interviewed him and spoke with people who knew him, the pressure got to Anderson.

One Sunday night at dinner time he phoned Sergeant Patrick Derksen and said 'I know youse (sic) have been asking a lot of questions about me to a lot of people.

'I just want to be able to have a word to you about a couple of things.'

Stuart Anderson (pictured) said 'Unfortunately it's a tragedy what happened. I really hope the cops catch the son of a b****,' Anderson said, before cracking a disturbing smile

Ms Ramadan was last seen on this CCTV of her entering a police station on March 23, 2019

When he went to the police station the next day, Anderson confessed to staging the discovery of the elderly woman's body.

He claimed he found her the night before when he broke in to her house to retrieve tools he left behind, which he needed to fix his car to get a roadworthy certificate.

But that was another lie. His car has passed the roadworthy test weeks before he smashed into Vicki's home.

'I freaked out and I ran,' he said.

After three Victorian Supreme Court trials - including the first which resulted in a hung jury and a second that had to be aborted - Anderson was finally found guilty of murder just before Christmas.

Ms Ramadan's close friend Christine Valla (pictured) said 'I can't even describe the heartache, the void that she left

He has never revealed why he murdered his neighbour, though police suspect it was most likely a burglary gone wrong.

Ms Ramadan's close friend Christine Valla said 'I can't even describe the heartache, the void that she left.

'I hope the person responsible gets what's coming to him ... for somebody to do that to another human being, it's absolutely atrocious.'

Anderson will be sentenced later this year.
At least 11 key members of Rotherham sex grooming gangs sentenced to over 180 years in jail have been quietly released after serving half their sentences or will be released on parole in the next few weeks.

A MailOnline investigation has revealed that 11 out of 22 core members of linked Rotherham sex gangs are back on the streets despite being involved in the abuse and trafficking of up to 1,400 girls.

A twelfth member, Zalgai Ahmadi, now 51, was told on Friday 26th January, 2024, that the Parole Board had recommended his release. He was serving a nine-and-a-half year sentence for being part of a gang that held a 14-year-old girl in his flat against her will.

The panel ruled that the abuser, convicted of conspiracy to commit sexual assault and false imprisonment and jailed at Sheffield Crown Court in May 2017, was no longer a threat to the public.

The Secretary of State for Justice has 28 days to ask the Parole Board to reconsider its judgement. It does not have the power to overturn the decision.

A spokesperson for the Parole Board said: 'We can confirm that a panel of the Parole Board has directed the release of Zalgai Ahmadi following an oral hearing.

A MailOnline investigation has revealed that 11 out of 22 core members of linked Rotherham sex gangs are back on the streets despite being involved in the abuse and trafficking of up to 1,400 girls. Pictured left to right: Mohammed Whied, Waleed Ali, Asif Ali

The Secretary of State for Justice has 28 days to ask the Parole Board to reconsider its judgement. It does not have the power to overturn the decision. Pictured: Naeem Rafiq (left) and Masaued Malik (right)

'Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community.

READ MORE: Rotherham grooming gang ringleader admits historic rape of a 13-year-old girl who he plied with drugs and alcohol in sickening campaign of abuse Advertisement

'A panel will carefully examine a huge range of evidence, including details of the original crime, and any evidence of behaviour change, as well as explore the harm done and impact the crime has had on the victims.

'Members read and digest hundreds of pages of evidence and reports in the lead up to an oral hearing.

'Evidence from witnesses such as probation officers, psychiatrists and psychologists, officials supervising the offender in prison as well as victim personal statements may be given at the hearing.

'It is standard for the prisoner and witnesses to be questioned at length during the hearing which often lasts a full day or more.

'Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority.'

In further developments, three more members of a grooming ring sentenced on charges including rape and having sexual intercourse with a girl under 13 years old have been referred to the Parole Board for appeals.

The hearings for Nasar Dad, Matloob Hussain and Mohammed Sadiq, who were jailed for a total of over 40-years in February 2017, will be heard in months and they could be freed by the early summer.

MailOnline understands that 10 have already been freed and were automatically released on licence half-way through their sentence. A 12th was released at the end of his sentence after a rejected parole. Pictured: Sharaz Hussain (left) and Zaheer Iqbal (right)

Amjad Ali, then 38, jailed with Dad, Hussain and Sadiq in 2017, after pleading guilty to one count of sexual intercourse with a girl under 13. He was jailed for 11 years

The trio were all jailed in 2017 when they were found guilty of abusing two 'naive and vulnerable' young girls in Rotherham between 1999 and 2001. Three other men were also jailed at the same time.

Dad, then 36, was jailed for 14-and-a-half years for one count of rape, inciting indecency with a child and false imprisonment.

Hussain, then 42 and Mohammed Sadiq, 40, were both found guilty of sexual intercourse with a girl under 13. They were both jailed for 13 years.

The Parole Board confirmed the trio have been 'referred to the Parole Board by the Secretary of State for Justice and are following standard processes.

'Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community.'

MailOnline understands that 10 have already been freed and were automatically released on licence half-way through their sentence. A 12th was released at the end of his sentence after a rejected parole.

Under the current legal system, a prisoner serving a determinant sentence for a fixed length of time, will be released under the supervision of the probation service after serving half their term.

Because of the legal rules in place governing inmates' rights under determinant sentences, officials were unable to refer their cases to the Parole Board for assessment.

Karen MacGregor, then 58, who was found guilty in 2016 of two counts of conspiracy to rape, conspiracy to procure prostitutes and false imprisonment. She was jailed for 13 years

Her halfway tariff - taking into consideration time held on remand - was passed in 2023

MailOnline put the list of those understood to be released to the Ministry of Justice but it said it does not comment on individual cases.

They are: Karen MacGregor, then 58, who was found guilty in 2016 of two counts of conspiracy to rape, conspiracy to procure prostitutes and false imprisonment. She was jailed for 13 years.

Her halfway tariff - taking into consideration time held on remand - was passed in 2023. The other ten are:

Amjad Ali, then 38, jailed with Dad, Hussain and Sadiq in 2017, after pleading guilty to one count of sexual intercourse with a girl under 13. He was jailed for 11 years.

Waleed Ali, 34, was jailed in for 13-years for rape and indecent assault in 2016.

Asif Ali, 30, was one of eight men found guilty in November 2016, for sexually exploiting and causing 'immeasurable and far-reaching harm' to a teenage girl.

He was found guilty of rape and jailed for 12 years.

In the same trial, Naeem Rafiq, 33, was jailed for eight years for conspiracy to commit indecent assault and false imprisonment.

The panel ruled that the abuser, convicted of conspiracy to commit sexual assault and false imprisonment and jailed at Sheffield Crown Court (pictured) in May 2017, was no longer a threat to the public

Three men jailed together in November 2017 and convicted of a total of 15 counts of indecent assault on a teenage girl are believed to have been released.

Sajid Ali, 38, was convicted of seven counts of indecent assault and jailed for seven-and-a-half years.

Zaheer Iqbal, 40, was found guilty of five counts of indecent assault and given a seven-and-a-half year prison sentence.

Riaz Makhmood, 39, was convicted of three counts of indecent assault and jailed for six years and nine months.

In August 2019, Masaued Malik, 35, was jailed for five years after being found guilty of one count of indecent assault.

Sharaz Hussain, 35, was jailed for four years after being found guilty of one count of indecent assault.

Mohammed Whied, 32, jailed in November 2016 for five years for aiding and abetting rape had a parole appeal rejected in 2021. He is believed to have subsequently been released at the end of his sentence.

An official report released in 2014 found that 1,400 women and girls in Rotherham were subjected to sexual exploitation as children by multiple gangs between 1997 and 2013 in the UK's biggest sex abuse scandal.

The report commissioned by Rotherham Borough Council found that children as young as 11 were raped by multiple perpetrators, abducted, trafficked to other cities in England, beaten and intimidated.

The council's leader Roger Stone who had held his post since 2003 stepped down with immediate effect after publication of the report, saying: 'I believe it is only right that as leader I take responsibility for the historic failings described so clearly.'

Shaun Wright also quit as South Yorkshire's police and crime commissioner after weeks of pressure over the report's findings.

Mr Wright, who was elected as PCC in 2012, had been in charge of children's services in Rotherham between 2005 and 2010.

The inquiry team noted fears among council staff that they would be labelled 'racist' if they focused on victims' descriptions of the majority of abusers as being Asian men.

Report author Professor Alexis Jay said there had been 'blatant' collective failures by the council's leadership, while senior managers had 'underplayed' the scale of abuse.

Jay also criticised South Yorkshire Police for failing to prioritise the issue.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice said: 'Sex offenders face some of the strictest licence conditions and can be put back behind bars if they break the rules at any point. We've also changed the law so the most serious criminals spend longer in prison.'
Britain should withhold millions of pounds in aid funding for Mauritius over a new law threatening critics with up to 10 years in prison if they describe the British Indian Ocean Territory as 'British'.

The Indian Ocean state, which is allied to China, lays claim to the Chagos Islands, an archipelago that includes the major Anglo-American airbase on Diego Garcia.

But in 2021 it passed legislation that threatens anyone who describes the archipelago as being owned by Britain as part of its claim to the volcanic outcrops - which are 1,300 miles from it.

In a new report today the centre-right think tank Policy Exchange says the UK should withhold some 3.3million in aid earmarked for the Mauritius in the 2023/24 financial year.

In his foreword to the report Sir Robert Buckland, the former attorney general, said the law was 'a brazen act of intimidation dressed as foreign policy' and likened it to repressive Chinese laws in Hong Kong.

'A transfer of sovereignty is not in the interests of the Chagossians. Further, a transfer is not in the interests of the environment (given that the UK currently protects 250,000 square miles of ocean around the islands) and it is certainly not in the interests of international security in this important region,' he added.

The Indian Ocean state, which is allied to China , lays claim to the Chagos Islands, an archipelago that includes the major Anglo-American airbase on Diego Garcia.

In his foreword to the report Sir Robert Buckland , the former attorney general, said the law was 'a brazen act of intimidation dressed as foreign policy' and likened it to repressive Chinese laws in Hong Kong .

Diego Garcia is nicknamed 'the unsinkable aircraft carrier in the Indian Ocean'.

It played a crucial role in the first Gulf War to liberate Kuwait, in 2001 to fight the Taliban in Afghanistan and in the Iraq War in 2003.

In September year it was revealed talks are underway to hand the island group to Mauritius - while retaining control of Diego Garcia, raising alarm bells due to Mauritius's close relationship with China.

However new foreign secretary Lord Cameron this month appeared to dampen talk of a transfer. He told the Foreign Affairs Committee: 'With any negotiated outcome, it has to be beyond doubt that there is no danger to this vital national US-UK asset of not being able to function and operate properly. Whether that is Chinese influence or what might happen in the future to Mauritius, or what might happen with other states and the outer islands, all those questions are absolutely front and centre in my mind in looking at this issue.'

Diego Garcia is nicknamed 'the unsinkable aircraft carrier in the Indian Ocean'.

The British base, which is leased to the US Navy, is home to some 1,700 military personnel and 1,500 civilian contractors, and includes port facilities, an airstrip capable of handling large aircraft, a support structure for submarine fleets, a sophisticated radar nerve centre and US Space Operations Command.

The Pentagon fears Beijing is looking for a similar military foothold in the region and even possibly on Diego Garcia. Washington has been increasingly concerned by the growing relationship between Mauritius and China.

In his report for Policy Exchange, Dr Yuan Yi Zhu, a law professor at Leiden University in the Netherlands, wrote: 'The Mauritian law constitutes an audacious and offensive effort to intimidate UK officials and parliamentarians, as well as Chagossian activistsmany of whom are UK nationalswho oppose Mauritius territorial ambitions over the Chagos Islands.

'Much like Hong Kongs National Security Law, it seeks to silence both at home and abroad any criticism of its governments claim to sovereignty over the Chagos islands, a claim which the UK rightly rejects as incompatible with the agreements made to detach the Chagos from Mauritius in 1965.

'As long as it is left unchallenged, the Mauritian law provides a template for other foreign governments who actively claim territories under the sovereignty of the United Kingdom.'
A victim of a suspected Xl Bully attack in Scotland has revealed how 'screamed for help for 15 minutes' during the savage mauling before eventually escaping into a corner shop when a passerby poured water over the animal - ending the assault.

Michael McCafferty claims he had been walking with his girlfriend when he was set upon by the large dog named Zeus, which clamped onto his leg and dragged him '20ft along the grass.'

The dog, which was shot dead by police is thought to have been previously abandoned and then rescued by one of the people it attacked.

During the attack in the Loudonhill Avenue area of Hamilton last week, it was stabbed by its own owner, named locally as William Hunter, who was also being attacked.

Describing his ordeal, Mr McCafferty said: 'I was screaming for help. My girlfriend grabbed the dog by the back legs, all while the dog was still attached to my leg.'

The large dog named Zeus was filmed in a corner shop prior to the attack

William Hunter with the dog, Zeus, which is believed to have attacked him

The dog, which was shot dead by police is thought to have been previously abandoned

Now footage has emerged of the animal inside the shop prior to the horrific attack.

In the footage, the beast can be seen leaning over the counter as if it was begging for treats.

Zeeshan Rashid, owner of the Day Today convenience shop on Silverton Avenue believes the dog was previously abandoned before being rescued by its new owner, stating it had 'lots of scars on its face'.

He said: 'The dog was very nice to be honest - it came in a couple of times during shift.

'We always keep dog treats so whenever he came in with his owner we would give him one.

'He never gave us any bother in the shop. I don't know what happened that day, whether something was wrong with the dog or not.

'I think it had been abandoned before its new owner as it had lots of scars on its face.

'His new owner looked after the dog very well. I think he had spent a lot of money on saving him.'

The attack, which has left one person with 'life-threatening' injuries, is believed to have involved an XL Bully-type dog

Police investigators - including scene of crime officers in white forensics overalls - assess the scene of a savage dog attack in Hamilton, Lanarkshire

Mr Rashid said he believes police killing the animal was 'too much' and he suggested dogs should instead be tranquillised in such circumstances.

He said the owner was still in hospital as of Wednesday, but he has not heard anything since.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'The body of the dog which was shot dead by armed officers during an incident at Tinto View in Hamilton on Tuesday was taken for specialist veterinary assessment.

'The animal is described as a large bulldog-type dog but it was not possible to establish its specific breed or history from this assessment.

'Inquiries remain ongoing into the circumstances of the incident.'

The Scottish Ambulance Service attended the scene following the incident and took the dog owner to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow with serious injuries.

As a firearm was used in the incident, it has been reported to the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (Pirc).

XL bully dogs in Scotland will soon be subject to new safeguards as the Scottish Government replicates the legislation in place south of the border after being criticised for failing to respond.

The Scottish Government has accepted there has been an influx of XL bullies to Scotland since the change in the law in England on December 31 banned the breeding, selling or abandonment of the dogs.

The first phase of the Scottish regulations will make it an offence to sell, abandon, give away, or breed an XL bully.

A date for when the rules will officially be imposed has yet to be confirmed, however owners wishing to keep their dogs will need to keep the XL bully on a lead and muzzled in public.

The second phase will see owners able to apply for their dogs to be added to an exemption index to keep them.

The Scottish Government will also look to make potential improvements to the 2010 Control of Dogs Act to enhance the preventative dog control notice scheme.
Keir Starmer hinted he will reward a former Tory candidate with a government job today after he defected to give his backing to Labour.

Iceland's executive chairman Richard Walker, 43, was unveiled by the opposition as a supporter today, months after he quit the Conservatives when they wouldn't make him a parliamentary candidate.

Mr Walker, who was handed his top job by his dad, Iceland founder Sir Malcolm Walker, said the party was the 'right choice' for business and voters.

He told the Guardian he did not plan to become a Labour donor or a party member - the latter a prerequisite for standing as an MP.

But on a visit to an Iceland store in Warrington this morning, Sir Keir was asked about the prospect of Mr Walker being part of a future Labour government.

'Richard Walker is wanting to work with us. He's made it absolutely clear why he supports us and we'll continue to talk to him,' he said.

It came as it was revealed that Mr Walker's father became involved in his efforts to become a Tory MP. MailOnline has learned that Sir Malcolm wrote to the Tories last year expressing frustration that his son had not been shortlisted for the new Cheshire seat of Chester South and Eddisbury, where he lives.

Richard Walker, the executive chairman of the supermarket and a former conservative donor, quit the party last October in a blow to Rishi Sunak.

Today he gave his backing to Labour, saying the party was the 'right choice' for business and voters.

The Labour leader, who is set to visit a branch of Iceland later to meet staff and shoppers, welcomed the endorsement.

Richard Walker quit the Tories last October on the eve of the party conference in Manchester. It was later alleged he had demanded a safe seat at the next election, but the Tories had refused to bend their selection rules for him. He denies the claim.

A Tory source told MailOnline: 'Walker is supporting Labour because the Conservatives refused to circumvent selection rules to hand him a safe seat despite an intense campaign which went as far as getting his dad to write to the party on his behalf. This just proves the party was right.

'Given his clear lack of principles he should fit in well with Sir Keir Starmer.'

Writing in The Guardian, he said: 'Labour is the right choice for the communities across the country where Iceland operates - and the right choice for everyone in business who wants to see this country grow and prosper.'

The Iceland chairman praised Sir Keir for having 'transformed' his party in the wake of Jeremy Corbyn's leadership and said the Labour leader understands pressures facing households.

Mr Walker delivered a blow to Mr Sunak by quitting the Tories at the start of their annual conference in Manchester in October.

He claimed the Tories attempted to 'gag' him from being outspoken on issues such as food banks and sewage and fumed at being told to 'pipe down' during his efforts to become a Conservative MP.

He claimed the party was 'drifting out of touch' with both business and voters, while he also lashed out at the 'sluggish economy' and 'high levels of regional inequality'.

But it later emerged he had pleaded with Mr Sunak to be a Tory election candidate just months previously.

In a letter to the PM, Mr Walker detailed his 'fervent wish' to join the list of approved Tory candidates.

He wrote that he had 'done everything' asked of him by the party 'and more'.

This included supporting the Tories in the media and 'keeping my distance from any policy area or organisation that may be at odds with the party's position',' he added.

The 43-year-old pleaded with Rishi Sunak to be a Tory election candidate in a letter less than a year ago.

But he changed his tune today as he came out in favour of Labour.

Sir Keir, Mr Walker wrote, 'demonstrates a compassion and concern for the less fortunate that contrasts very favourably with the attitude of most of his opponents'.

'He absolutely gets it when I talk to him about the way that the cost of living crisis has put unbearable strain on the finances of so many of my customers and their families, and the urgent need for a government that does everything in its power to ease their burden.'

While Mr Walker said he would be supporting Labour at the next general election, he said he was not becoming a party member.

The Labour leader, who is set to visit a branch of Iceland later to meet staff and shoppers, welcomed the endorsement.

He said: 'The work that he and his colleagues at Iceland have done to help customers through the cost of living crisis has been commendable.

'With Labour, shoppers and shop workers will get a fair deal. We'll tackle the cost of living crisis, get Britain's economy growing again and get our country's future back.'
A San Francisco victim's advocate has been fired from the office of district attorney Brooke Jenkins after sending her an email asking what 'color panties' she was wearing.

Jovan Thomas reportedly sent the inappropriate message on Friday as he responded to a calendar invite for an event memorializing the 1998 torturing and killing of gay college student Matthew Shepard.

The email was addressed to Jenkins and to the entire DA's office, as reported by The San Francisco Chronicle.

Soon after Thomas sent the email, Chief Assistant District Attorney Ana Gonzalez send the office an email saying the issue was being handled by the administration and asking staff to delete the email and not share it.

Thomas, on his part, claimed he meant to send the message as a joke to a fraternity brother.

A San Francisco victim advocate has been fired from the office of district attorney Brooke Jenkins after sending her an inappropriate email about the 'color of her panties'

Jovan Thomas reportedly sent the inappropriate message on Friday as he responded to a calendar invite for an event memorializing the killing of gay college student Matthew Shepard

He wrote: 'Please know this is not who I am as a person as I carry myself with respect and dignity. I am sincerely sorry and would never do such a thing on purpose.'

A spokesperson for Jenkins confirmed to local media that Thomas had been fired.

A statement read: 'To be clear, there is no relationship between the District Attorney and the individual who sent this email.

'This misogynistic behavior violates the offices code of conduct and this individual has been terminated. The District Attorneys Office is committed to maintaining a professional office environment where all staff members are treated with dignity and respect and not subject to harassment or a hostile work environment.'

It's not the first time Thomas is in the news for alleged workplace harassment.

Thomas was previously sued for allegedly sexually harassing a victim he had been assigned to support, according to The San Francisco Standard.

He was accused of taking advantage of a woman sexually after she went through a robbery and gang violence.

The victim, who went by Jane Doe in court documents, said Thomas 'stroked' her butt and asked her to come to his home, where they went on to drink and have sex.

Jane Doe went on to claim Thomas continued calling and texting her and that she feared she wouldn't get victim's services if she turned down his advances.

She dropped the case against Thomas in 2019, and a judge dropped the case in 2021 after the city of San Francisco argued it was not on responsible for Thomas's alleged behavior because it 'was not in the course and scope of his employment.'

It's just the latest trouble for DA Jenkins, who last year was sued by former investigator Jack Friedman who claimed she 'painted him as dishonest' after she dropped charges against a cop for fatally shooting a carjacking suspect.

The lawsuit stemmed from a decision made by former District Attorney Chesa Boudin to charge Officer Christopher Samayoa for the 2017 fatal shooting of Keita O'Neil, the first time a San Francisco officer had been charged with on-duty homicide.

After Jenkins took office, she dropped the charges, claiming political motivation and eventually fired Friedman. State Attorney General Rob Bonta also cleared Samayoa.

Jenkins, an outspoken supporter of police reform, had claimed the charges were 'politically motivated' in February and dropped them.

Friedman alleged that his right to free speech was violated, and he faced retaliation - claiming Jenkins used him as a scapegoat in the dismissal of a historic homicide case against a the San Francisco police officer this year.
X has fired 80 per cent of moderators since Elon Musk took over in 2022

New 'Trust and Safety center of excellence' comes ahead of Senate hearing

X is hiring 100 employees to monitor the site for child phonography

Elon Musk is hiring moderators to police X for child pornography ahead of a Senate hearing on protecting children online after he shed 1,200 'trust and safety' specialists during his takeover.

The social media company, formerly known as Twitter, is planning to employ 100 new workers to monitor the website for child abuse-related content.

X will create a new 'Trust and Safety center of excellence' in Austin, Texas, where the new moderating team will work from.

The social media giant was recently exposed by Australia's online safety commissioner, eSafety, for axing 80 per cent of its safety engineers since Musk took over in 2022.

Musk's decision to hire 100 employees for the new safety team comes ahead of the January 31 Senate hearing on protecting children online.

Elon Musk is hiring moderators to police X for child pornography ahead of a Senate hearing on protecting children online after he shed 1,200 'trust and safety' specialists during his Twitter takeover

The social media company X (formerly known as Twitter) is planning to employ 100 new workers to monitor the website for child abuse-related content

The eSafety Commission obtained a detailed breakdown of software engineers using Australia's groundbreaking Online Safety Act and found that 1,213 specialist 'trust and safety staff', including contractors, had left X since it was acquired by Musk.

Australia's eSafety commissioner Julia Inman Grant, who formerly worked at Twitter, said it was the first time detailed figures were revealed.

'To take 80 percent of these specialist engineers away, it would be like Volvo -- known for its safety standards -- eradicating all of their designers or engineers,' Inman Grant told AFP.

'You've got a perfect storm. You're drastically decreasing your defences, and you're introducing repeat offenders back onto the platform,' she said.

Australia has spearheaded the global push to regulate social media, forcing tech companies to outline how they are tackling issues such as hate speech and child sexual abuse.

In October last year, the eSafety Commission slapped X with an AUD$610,500 (US$388,000) fine, saying it had failed to show how it was cracking down on child pornography.

X ignored the deadline to pay the fine, before launching ongoing legal action to have it overturned.

The social media platform has now made the decision to hire more content moderators right before the U.S. Senate hearing that is expected to also grill CEOs of Meta, Snap, TikTok and Discord on child sexual exploitation online.

In a blog post on Friday, X said it suspended 12.4 million accounts last year for violating its rules against child sexual exploitation.

This is a dramatic increase from the 2.3 million account suspensions in 2022.

X have made the decision to hire more content moderators right before a U.S. Senate hearing that is expected to grill CEOs of X and other social media platforms on child safety online

The Musk-owned social networking site will create a new 'Trust and Safety center of excellence' in Austin, Texas, where the new moderating team will work from. The current X HQ (pictured) is in San Francisco

Members of the public were quick to call X out for firing the moderators in the first place in light of new hiring plans.

'Guess a lot of those people that got fired for not doing thing were actually doing something,' a user on Reddit commented on the news.

'So basicallyannounce this, mention it during the hearings, and then never actually stand it up afterwards, but continue to mention how they plan to use it when questioned by media,' another said.

Musk has faced previous backlash for trying to minimize moderation on the social media site.

Musk has faced previous backlash for trying to minimize moderation on the social media site

The X owner tried to prevent a California law that regulates online content moderation which would require social media companies to reveal moderating information in detailed annual reports.

X faced controversy last week after explicit AI-generated pictures of popstar Taylor Swift were shared on the website.

In a dramatic move, X blocked any searches for Taylor Swift's name in the fallout from the pictures.

The dozens of graphic images were originally uploaded to Celeb Jihad and showed Swift in a series of sexual acts while dressed in Kansas City Chief memorabilia and in the stadium.

One image of Swift shared on X was viewed 47 million times before the account was suspended, according to a New York Times report. The company was widely criticized for its seemingly slow response to the emergence of the pictures, eventually suspending the account where they originated
A popular restaurant and nightclub near Los Angeles has been dragged into the lawsuit brought against General Hospital star Haley Pullos over a near-fatal car crash she was involved in while allegedly drunk and high on drugs.

The driver seriously hurt in the accident - Courtney Wilder - is now also suing the No Comment Lounge in Pasadena, claiming the 25 year-old actress was working there as a hostess the night of the pileup.

Wilder is accusing the upscale lounge of plying the actress with booze and then letting her drive herself home.

Pullos - who is also facing felony DUI and hit-and-run charges in criminal court - 'was encouraged by the owner of the No Comment Lounge to drink with the parties she was hosting,' said Wilder's attorneys in new court documents obtained by DailyMail.com.

Haley Pullos, 25, was charged with a DUI following a crash in April, which cops said happened while she was driving the wrong way on a Pasadena freeway

The driver she crashed into is now suing the No Comment Lounge, where Pullos worked as a hostess, for allegedly plying her with booze then letting her drive

Pullos 'was encouraged by the owner of the No Comment Lounge to drink with the parties she was hosting,' said the victim's attorneys in new court documents

'She did exactly that. On the night of the incident, she even drank with the owner/manager of the No Comment Lounge (identified in the court papers as Vazgen Semerdjian).

'Despite this instruction from her manager and owner of the No Comment Lounge, there was no plan provided to safely get Haley Pullos, or any other employees whom were encouraged tom get intoxicated to increase profits, home.

'The No Comment Lounge put making money above the safety of the general public. Courtney Wilder paid the price for (this) profit grab.

'Photos of the owner of No Comment Lounge and Haley Pullos drinking alcohol on the night of the incident exist..'

The new court papers added that the nightclub 'could easily have provided an Uber or taxi for Pullos, instead they saved money and allowed her to drive away intoxicated from her shift.'

Wilder, 23 - who is also suing the State of California Transportation Department, claiming the road where the accident happened is in 'dangerous condition' - is seeking cash damages from Pullos and the No Comment Lounge for 'negligence.'

Meanwhile Pullos - who has played Molly Lansing-Davis on the daytime soap since she was 11 - is facing up to four years in jail if convicted of the two DUI felonies she was charged with following the April 2023 crash that happened when she was driving the wrong way on a LA freeway.

She was also charged with hit-and-run - which carries another year in jail for a conviction - resulting from allegedly running into a parked car just before the freeway crash.

She has pleaded not guilty to all charges and the next hearing in her criminal case is scheduled for February 28.

The new court papers obtained by DailyMail.com claim that the nightclub 'could easily have provided an Uber or taxi for Pullos, instead they saved money and allowed her to drive away intoxicated from her shift'

Police say that Pullos - who was dropped from General Hospital a month after the accident - drove her white 2019 Ford Fusion westbound on to the eastbound 134 Freeway and smashed head-on into Wilder's Kia which was traveling east at 60mph.

Weeks after the crash, Pullos wore a brace on her ankle for several weeks

Both cars were completely wrecked and when first responders arrived, say cops, Pullos was unable to exit her car, so firefighters had to use the jaws of life to get her out.

Several mini bottles of tequila, plus edible marijuana wrappers were allegedly found in her car.

Police at the crash scene reported that she smelled of alcohol and had slurred speech and glassy eyes.

Wilder - who was rushed in critical condition to a local hospital to undergo emergency surgery - accused Pullos in his lawsuit of 'attacking' and abusing first responders in a 'rage' at the accident site, and even hitting and yelling at a fireman for touching her expensive designer shirt.

'Haley Pullos acted maliciously and without any regard for the safety of others, as evidenced by her rage when she was pulled from her vehicle by first responders,' said Wilder in a written declaration to the court.

'She acted maliciously by attacking the officers and yelling profanities in front of witnesses and directed toward those who were trying to help her.

'In her fit of rage, Haley Pullos battered a firefighter and yelled at him to take his hands off her '$400 fing shirt.'

Marijuana edibles and tequila bottles were found during a search of Pullos' white 2019 Ford (seen here), which photos show sustained severe damage as a result of the accident

After the April crash, California Highway Patrol and Pasadena fire officials released photos of the late-night crash's aftermath, showing both Pullos' and the 23-year-old victim's cars completely totaled and sprawled along Arroyo Seco Parkway

The driver of the other car - the Kia seen at left - was hospitalized and almost died, and is now suing the actress for reckless endangerment

'Despite having just caused two accidents, one of which resulted in serious, life-threatening injuries, she cared more about her overpriced clothing than she did the safety and all-being of the victim of her reckless, intentional and despicable conduct.

'As more evidence of her abhorrent behavior, Haley Pullos continued to fight medical staff and was forced to be sedated.

'Not only was she driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol, but she was drinking behind the wheel, as evidenced by the edible wrappers and empty alcohol.'

Pullos - who wore a brace on her ankle for several weeks after the crash - told Soap Opera Digest she was taking a break from her role on the long-running daytime show to recover from the crash.

'Unfortunately, I was involved in an automobile accident and I'm doing OK, but I am going to need a little time to recover,' she told the publication at the time. 'I will be back as soon as possible!'

Shortly afterward, in May 2023, she was spotted by DailyMail.com checking into a luxury rehab facility in Malibu.
An Israeli intelligence dossier that prompted a cascade of countries to halt funds for a U.N. Palestinian aid agency includes allegations that some staff took part in abductions and killings during the October 7 raid that sparked the Gaza war.

The six-page dossier also alleges that some 190 UNRWA employees, including teachers, have doubled as Hamas or Islamic Jihad militants. It has names and pictures for 11 them.

The Palestinians have accused Israel of falsifying information to tarnish UNRWA, which says it has fired some staffers and is investigating the allegations.

Meanwhile the UN aid agency has said the decision by Britain, the US and others to pause their funding 'will have serious repercussions in Gaza'.

One of the 11 is a school counsellor accused in the Israeli dossier of providing unspecified assistance to his son in the abduction of a woman during the Hamas infiltration in which Israel says 1,200 people were killed and 253 kidnapped.

Another, an UNRWA social worker, is accused of unspecified involvement in the transfer to Gaza of a slain Israeli soldier's corpse and of coordinating the movements of pick-up trucks used by the raiders and of weapons supplies.

The UN aid agency whose staff are accused of taking part in the October 7 Hamas terror attack on Israel has said the decision by Britain, the US and others to pause their funding 'will have serious repercussions in Gaza '. Pictured: The aftermath of the Hamas attack in October

Several countries have paused funding for UN Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA) following allegations by Israel that 12 of its 13,000 staff in Gaza were involved in the attack which killed around 1,200 people and led to 250 others being kidnapped

The UN agency provides health, aid, shelter and education services to the millions of Palestinians in Gaza, as well as the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria

A third Palestinian in the dossier is accused of taking part in a rampage in the Israeli border village Beeri, one tenth of whose residents were killed. A fourth is accused of participating in an attack on Reim, site both of an army base that was overrun and a rave where more than 360 revellers died.

The dossier was shown to Reuters by a source who could not be identified by name or nationality. The source said that it had been compiled by Israeli intelligence and shared with the United States, which on Friday suspended funding for UNRWA.

An Israeli official told Reuters the 190 mentioned in the dossier were 'hardened fighters, killers' whereas overall some 10% of UNRWA staff were believed to have more general affiliation with Hamas and Islamic Jihad.

The agency employs 13,000 people in Gaza.

Asked about the dossier, a spokesperson for UNRWA said she could not comment due to an ongoing probe by the United Nations.

Britain, the US, Canada and Australia have been joined by EU members including Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Finland and Austria in pausing the funding for the agency which provides health, aid, shelter and education services to the millions of Palestinians in Gaza, as well as the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.

The United Nations has urged the countries to reconsider the pause in funding, pledging that any staff found involved in the Hamas attack would be punished and warning that aid for some two million people in Gaza was at stake.

Juliette Touma, Director of Communications at UNRWA, said the funding pause will have serious repercussions for people in Gaza, and has warned that the agency would be forced to stop its support in the territory by the end of February.

She told the BBC's Today Programme that the allegations are 'extremely serious' and pointed to the decision of UNRWA's director to suspend the accused staff members and for an 'immediate' investigation to be ordered into the accusations.

'These accusations, when we became privy to the information about them, firstly we took them very very seriously. We were shocked by the level of these accusations.'

She said UNRWA has not been given the dossier, but that the organisation would report on the UN's findings into the agency as soon as the outcomes were available.

However, she also stressed how desperate the agency now is following the decision by some of its largest donors to pause funding to UNRWA.

'We're extremely desperate,' she stressed to the BBC. 'It's come at a time when the humanitarian needs in Gaza are growing by the hour.

'I was there myself just last week, it's absolutely desperate. People continue to be displaced, people are hungry, the clock is ticking fast towards famine, and we are doing everything possible to avert us from getting towards famine.

'But this lack of funding that we've been faced with now when at least 10 of the largest donors of the agency have put a temporary pause of the funding  this is going to have very serious repercussions on what is right now, the largest humanitarian operation in Gaza,' she warned.

Her comments came as the European Commission said on Monday it would review whether it could continue to fund UNRWA in light of the allegations.

The pauses in funding is a huge problem for an agency that more than half of Gaza's 2.3 million Palestinians look to for day-to-day assistance, and which has already been hard-stretched by Israel's war on Hamas in the enclave.

The damning accusations say the UNRWA employees did everything from a school counselor who allegedly helped kidnap a woman, others who gave out ammunition and rocket-propelled grenades and another that supposedly took part in a kibbutz slaughter that killed 97 people

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency was set up for refugees of the 1948 war at Israel's founding in what had been British-ruled Palestine. It also tends to millions of the original refugees' descendants in Palestinian territories and abroad.

Israel has long accused UNRWA or perpetuating conflict by discouraging the resettlement of refugees, and has on occasion said agency staff took part in armed attacks against it.

UNRWA denies wrongdoing, describing its role as relief only.

'From intelligence information, documents and identity cards seized during the course of the fighting, it is now possible to flag around 190 Hamas and PIJ terrorist operatives who serve as UNRWA employees,' the Hebrew-language dossier says.

It accuses Hamas of 'methodically and deliberately deploying its terrorist infrastructure in a wide range of U.N. facilities and assets', including schools. Hamas denies that.

Two of the alleged Hamas operatives cited in the dossier are described as 'eliminated', or killed by Israeli forces. A 12th Palestinian whose name and picture are provided is said to have no factional membership and to have infiltrated Israel on Oct 7.

Also in the list of 12 men are an UNRWA teacher accused of arming himself with an anti-tank rocket, another teacher accused of filming a hostage and the manager of a shop in an UNRWA school accused of opening a war-room for Islamic Jihad.

More than 26,000 people have been killed in Israel's military campaign against Hamas in Gaza, the enclave's health ministry said. With flows of aid like food and medicine just a trickle of pre-conflict levels, deaths from preventable diseases as well as risk of famine are growing, aid workers say.

Most of Gaza's people have become more reliant on UNRWA aid, including about one million who have fled Israeli bombardments to shelter in its facilities.

'The terrorist organisations are cynically exploiting the residents of the Strip and the international organisations whose mission is to provide aid ... and in doing so are causing de facto harm to residents of the Strip,' the dossier said.

At the weekend, U.N. head Antonio Guterres vowed to hold to account any employee involved in 'abhorrent' acts, but implored nations to keep funding UNRWA for humanitarian reasons'

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,' he said. 'The dire needs of the desperate populations they serve must be met.

An aerial view of destroyed buildings as a result of the Israeli attack on Nuseirat refugee camp, in Deir al-Balah, Gaza, on January 26

The allegations have stoked longstanding tensions between Israel and UNRWA.

Israel says Hamas uses the agency's facilities to store weapons or launch attacks from. UNRWA says it does not knowingly tolerate such behaviour and has internal safeguards to prevent abuses and discipline any wrongdoing.

The agency's commissioner, Philippe Lazzarini, recently announced that he was ordering an external review of the agency's operations and its safeguards.

Israel has long been critical of the agency and accuses it of helping to perpetuate the 76-year-old Palestinian refugee crisis.

UNRWA says it cares for the vast needs of millions of Palestinians across the Middle East that have been sharply exacerbated by the latest war.

The allegations come from a dossier given to the US by Israeli intelligence, which American officials called 'credible enough' to justify de-funding the UN agency.

It was put together when officials tracked the movements of a dozen men in Israel on the day of the Hamas attack using their phone records and phone calls, the New York Times reports.

At least three of them were allegedly told via text message to report to evacuation locations on that day, with at least one told to bring along RPGs that he kept as his house, the dossier says.

Those accused are listed by their names - which have not been released - and a full description of their alleged behaviour that day is included in the dossier.

Of those accused, ten are believed by the Israelis to be members of Hamas, while seven were also labelled as teachers, a clerk, a social worker, the storeroom manager and other employees for UNRWA schools.

A school counsellor from the south of Gaza is believed by Israeli intelligence to have teamed up with his son to abduct an Israeli woman.

The social worker, from central Gaza, is alleged to have given out ammunition, coordinated vehicles and retrieved a dead Israeli soldier and brought him back to Gaza.

The UNRWA said Sunday it had fired nine employees over Israel's accusations, while two others have since died.

The UN previously said one was still being identified.

The US Department of State said it was 'extremely troubled' by the claims and called for 'complete accountability' for those involved in the October 7 attacks.

An aerial view of the tents where Palestinians are trying to survive in difficult conditions after fleeing their homes for safety in Deir al-Balah, Gaza, on January 27

Internally displaced Palestinians move past Israeli tanks after the Israeli army told residents of Khan Yunis camp to leave their homes and head towards Rafah camps near the Egyptian border, in the southern Gaza Strip, on January 27

Donors including Germany, Britain, Italy, Australia and Finland have also followed the lead of the United States, which said on Friday it had 'temporarily paused additional funding' to the agency while it reviewed the claims as well as the UN's plan to address concerns.

Japan late on Sunday said it has also decided to suspend additional funding.

'In Gaza's rebuilding, UNRWA must be replaced with agencies dedicated to genuine peace and development,' Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said in a statement, urging more donors to suspend funding.

The organisation is promising a thorough investigation into the claims, even before the explosive nature of the allegations was revealed.

The UK's Foreign Office also announced on Saturday it would halt future funding of the UNRWA pending a review of the 'concerning allegations'.

A statement from the Foreign Office said it was 'appalled' by the allegations but remained 'committed' to getting humanitarian aid into Gaza.

On Saturday, Hamas slammed Israeli 'threats' against UNRWA, urging the United Nations and other international organisations not to 'cave in to the threats'.

People walk on a damaged road filled with rainwater amid Israeli attacks on Gaza, on January 27

Displaced Palestinians walk past Israeli tanks after the IDF asked residents of Khan Yunis camp to leave their homes and go to Rafah camps near the Egyptian border, south of the Gaza Strip, on January 26

Palestinians fleeing Khan Younis move towards Rafah amid the ongoing conflict, on January 27

Relations between Israel and the UNRWA, which have been strained for years, deteriorated further in recent days, with the UN agency condemning tank shelling it said had hit a shelter for displaced people in Gaza's main southern city of Khan Yunis.

The agency said tens of thousands of displaced people had been registered at the shelter and Wednesday's tank shelling killed 13 people.

Asked about the incident, the Israeli army said 'a thorough review of the operations of the forces in the vicinity is underway', adding that it was examining the possibility that the strike was a 'result of Hamas fire'.

Lazzarini slammed Wednesday's 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.

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 territory's 2.3 million people.

The Hamas attack in southern Israel killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and about 250 hostages were taken.

Before fighting broke out, the UNRWA struggled to meet funding requirements.

The agency's chronic budget shortfalls worsened dramatically in 2018 when former US president Donald Trump cut support to the agency.

But US President Joe Biden's administration has fully restored support, providing $340 million in 2022, making it the agency's largest bilateral donor.

Internally displaced Palestinians move past Israeli tanks after the Israeli army told residents of Khan Yunis camp to leave their homes and head towards Rafah camps near the Egyptian border, in the southern Gaza Strip, on January 27

Palestinian people holding empty bowls try to reach out for food distributed by volunteers at donation point as Israeli attacks continue in Rafah, Gaza, on January 26

A displaced Palestinian child holds up an empty pot as she waits with others to receive food aid provided by a Palestinian youth group in the Rafah refugee camp, in the southern Gaza Strip, on January 25

Several key donor countries said on Saturday that they would halt their funding, prompting Lazzarini to say 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 on Friday for 'playing a vital role over many years supporting vulnerable Palestinian refugees'.

But he said the bloc expected 'full transparency on the allegations' as well as 'immediate measures against staff involved'.

The Palestinian Authority, based in the West Bank, urged donors to reverse their suspension, calling on Saturday for 'maximum support for this international organisation and not stopping support and assistance to it'.

Johann Soufi, a lawyer and former director of the UNRWA's legal office in Gaza, said the agency had 'always had a zero-tolerance policy for violence and incitement to hatred'.

'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 after the UN's top court ordered Israel to do everything it can to prevent any acts of genocide in Gaza.

The International Court of Justice on Friday handed down its first judgement in a landmark case brought by South Africa.

Soufi said the timing of the allegations against the UNRWA 'raises questions'.
Rogers said she decided to get involved in the case because it was 'eerily similar' to her niece's missing person case

Rogers started to organize searches in Lake County, Florida for Nicole Baldwin who was last seen on November 2

The home of a missing persons advocate who led searches for a Florida woman who vanished without a trace has been raided by cops who believe she has 'withheld information.'

Terri Rogers has organized multiple searches in Lake County, Florida for Nicole Baldwin, 41, a mother of three who was last seen on November 2.

The volunteer protested her innocence after the Mount Dora Police Department and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement executed a search warrant for electronic devices at her home on January 19.

'I've not done anything wrong. All I've done was given my time, and my emotions, and my heart and soul for looking for Nicole,' Rogers told News 6 Orlando.

'Im not hiding anything. Hook me up to a lie detector test!'

Terri Rogers' home was raided by cops on January 19 over claims she she 'withheld information' on a missing person case that she has organized searches for

Nicole Baldwin, 41, a mother of three who was last seen on November 2. Approximately a week after she was reported missing, Rogers decided to organize searches to help find her

Baldwin was last seen by her daughter Alisha the night before she went missing and was last seen wearing a pink and white night gown and did not have shoes on

Mount Dora police officers responded to Baldwin's home on November 5 in reference to a missing adult and search teams have been looking for her ever since.

Rogers got involved in the case approximately a week after Baldwin went missing and said that she did so because the woman's case was 'eerily similar' to her niece's case.

Her niece, Tonya Whipp, was reported missing in Polk County on June 29.

Rogers went on to tell the local news outlet that she chose to advocate for Nicole 'because she did not have anyone else to do it for her.'

On top of four community searches, Rogers said that she also went out with smaller groups and sometimes on her own to try and locate Nicole.

A copy of the search warrant that was presented to Rogers stated that electronic devices may be 'evidence or evidence relevant to proving' second degree murder, Inside Lake reported.

'Court orders are approved by the State Attorney and the Court of Law. MDPD executed a lawful search warrant to continue the search for missing person Nicole Baldwin,' the Mount Dora Police Department said in a statement.

After Nicole was reporting missing in early November, authorities and Lake County Sheriff's Office crime scene investigators went on to search her home for evidence.

Her daughter was the last person to see Nicole as they celebrated her 20th birthday the day before her mysterious disappearance.

The mother was last seen wearing a pink and white night gown and did not have shoes on. Police also said that she left her home without her wallet, purse, car or Apple Watch.

Police went on to investigate her husband, Bret Baldwin, 43, in December and allegedly found 31 images of child sex abuse on his phone, Fox News reported.

Baldwin's husband Brett was arrested on December 14 by U.S. Marshals and has been charged in federal court with possession of obscene material after child sex abuse was found on his phone. Authorities said that his arrest is unrelated to his wife's disappearance

Rogers revealed that the Florida Department of Law Enforcement told her that they needed to confiscate her electronics because they believed she was protecting Nicole's daughter Alisha. Pictured: Nicole with her daughter Alisha

Brett was arrested on December 14 by U.S. Marshals and has been charged in federal court with possession of obscene material and is being held without bond.

On the day he was taken into custody, Alisha said her father's arrest 'does not have anything to do with my mother.'

Authorities have also confirmed that Bret's arrest is unrelated to his wife's case and that his case is now being handled by Homeland Security.

'Good news, a little bit at least, going through the phones they haven't found anything that could incriminate my father or anything,' Alisha told WESH 2.

'So that's good news because everybody's trying to say me and my father are involved in some way and ridiculous things.'

Rogers revealed that the Florida Department of Law Enforcement told her that they needed to confiscate her electronics because they believed she was 'protecting Alisha,' as the two reportedly became close while looking for Nicole.

She said that if police had asked for her phone, she would've given it to them without an issue.

There is currently a $5,000 reward for any information on Nicole and the investigation into Rogers' suspected involvement is ongoing

A friend of Rogers went on to create a GoFundMe page for her called 'Missing Person Advocate unjustly Targeted' and the investigation into her suspected involvement is ongoing

After the warrant was served, Rogers, who had planned another search for Nicole, abruptly canceled it.

A friend of Rogers went on to create a GoFundMe page for her called 'Missing Person Advocate unjustly Targeted.'

'In light of everything that has happened to her she does not want to give up searching for Nicole and bring closure to her children So that Nicole can be properly laid to rest,' the donation page said.

'Please understand, Terri never met Nicole or her family And has only tried to help because she knows what it feels like to have a missing family member with no answers and no Justice!!'

There is currently a $5,000 reward for any information on Nicole and the investigation into Rogers' suspected involvement is ongoing.
Police have rushed to a London hospital after an incident involving a man at its A&E department turned aggressive.

It is understood officers attended Kingston Hospital in south west London after a confrontation on Monday.

An incident involving a prisoner unfolded which prompted a significant police presence at the NHS premises on Galsworthy Road.

A Met Police spokesperson told MailOnline: 'Officers attended the hospital to transport a man, who had allegedly been acting aggressively, to court.'

Police attended Kingston Hospital on Monday after a 'violent incident' at an A&E department

A large number of police officers were spotted outside the hospital in south west London

The prisoner had been in custody throughout the weekend and later became involved in an argument, UKNIP reported.

During the incident, patients were advised to remain in secure areas while police were present on site.

Kingston Hospitals X/Twitter account said on Monday: Our emergency department is very busy today.

It is understood the incident involved a prisoner who was being held in custody

If you need urgent care you may be seen more quickly at Teddington UTC, open until 8pm.

However, it is not known if the post is in connection with the incident.

A spokesperson for Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust said: As has been reported in some media outlets, police presence earlier today did not result in a lockdown or incident at the hospital.

"Patient and staff safety is a priority for us at Kingston Hospital, in our Emergency Department and across our services.
White House national security spokesman John Kirby insisted Monday that there will a 'very consequential response' to the weekend drone attack that killed three Americans on a base in Jordan  even as the U.S. seeks to avoid a war with Iran.

Kirby spoke after President Joe Biden met with his security team to develop options following the attack, which threatened to bring the U.S. into an expanded regional conflict that Biden says he hopes to avoid as the U.S. tries to discourage further brazen attacks on American forces.

The U.S. will respond 'in a very consequential way,' Kirby told CNN in one of a series of interviews as national security leaders develop next steps.

'He'll do this in a time and a manner of his own choosing, and we'll respond as he said  we'll respond and we'll respond in a very consequential way. But we don't seek a war with Iran. We're not looking for a wider conflict in the Middle East,' he said.

Kirby didn't respond to directly to a question about whether there were targets inside Iran. 'In fact, every action the president has taken has been designed to de-escalate, to try to bring the tensions down,' he said. Kirby said the U.S. has a 'pretty good sense' about which group was responsible, but said the U.S. is still working on the attribution.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby vowed a 'consequential response' following the drone attack that killed three Americans at a base in Jordan, but declined to reveal details on its nature or timing

It was one of several times when Kirby cautioned against escalation on Monday, while the White House is also engaged in multilateral talks seeking to free hostages held by Hamas inside Gaza.

'We're not looking for a broader war in the region. We certainly aren't looking for a conflict with Iran,' Kirby told ABC's 'This Week' Monday.

'But make no mistake, Iran is supporting these groups that are already resourcing them training them. You know, certainly not discouraging these attacks at all,' he said.

Then Kirby rattled off just some of the militant proxies that Tehran has backed in the region, with more than 150 attacks on U.S. forces since Israel launched its war in Gaza after the October 7 attacks.

'We know they support the Houthis Hezbollah, Hamas, they are definitely causing a lot of these attacks to happen. We just  we're going to work through the right options here and make the right decisions,' he said.

That prompted interviewer George Stephanopoulos to tell him that deterrence 'does not seem to be working.'

Kirby didn't give any clues about the size or the pace of the U.S. response, which Biden said Sunday would come at the time of America's choosing.

'He's going to have to weigh what the options are going to be. There will be a response,' he underlined. 'This was a consequential attack, no question about it and our thoughts and prayers go to the families that are cut the worst possible news over the weekend,' Kirby said.

Kirby gave a series of interviews Monday, as Republican critics demanded Biden respond forcefully, with some calling for U.S. strikes inside Tehran

His comments came after Biden addressed the attack over the weekend in South Carolina, amid pressure from Republican critics to undertake strikes inside Iran as punishment for its support for proxy forces hitting U.S. troops and commercial targets in the region.

Biden vowed that 'we shall respond' following the Saturday night attack  which also injured dozens and required some to be evacuated for treatment in a sign of the seriousness of injuries.

'We had a tough day last night in the Middle East. We lost three brave souls,' he said during a visit to a church in Columbia, South Carolina, where he also asked for a moment of silence for those lost.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq took responsibility for the attack, but Tehran has denied involvement in planning it.

Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said it was 'not involved in the decision making of resistance groups' over how they 'defend Palestinians or their own countries'. He called claims of Iran's own involvement 'baseless.'

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.'

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.'

The deaths of three US soldiers in a drone attack by Iran-backed militants risk further inflaming the on-going crisis in the Middle East, experts have warned.

A former CIA director called the weekend strike on the US base a 'dangerous escalation' in tensions that have already engulfed the region following Hamas's October 7 terror attack on southern Israel, and Israel's subsequent assault on Gaza.

After he warned that the US 'shall respond' to the strike, analysts say US president Joe Biden must be calculated in his retaliation and strike a balance between pleasing those at home who want to see a show of force, and averting a wider conflict.

If the White House is not strong enough in its response, experts say Iran's proxies will remain undeterred and continue to carry out attacks. Too strong, and Biden risks plunging the Middle East into a deeper conflict.

Further escalation, one expert warns, 'would bring the Middle East to the precipice of a regional war', while another said they expect a 'expect a serious escalation around the corner.'

But in doing so, Biden also runs the risk of playing into the 'optimal scenario' for Vladimir Putin, whose war in Ukraine would benefit greatly from a wider conflict.

Meanwhile, one British MP warned that the escalation in the volatile region also affects the UK, saying that it could become a 'necessity' for Britain to get involved.

'It's important that the British people understand this: This is one example of many of the new era of insecurity that we've entered and that we need to prepare for,' said former Defence Select Committee chairman and soldier Tobias Ellwood.

Such concerns come amid fears that the wars in Europe and the Middle East could proliferate into something even larger, with former US president Donald Trump warning on Sunday: 'we are on the brink of World War Three'.

The deaths of three US soldiers in a drone attack by Iran-backed militants on US base Tower 22 in Jordan (pictured) risk further inflaming the on-going crisis in the Middle East, experts have warned, and could lead to a wider conflict

'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 following the strike. 'Have no doubt - we will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner of our choosing,' he warned.

At least 34 personnel were also injured in the Sunday attack in northeastern Jordan near the Syrian border, according to a statement from US Central Command.

The US military said the attack occurred at a base near the Syrian border.

It did not name the base, but a person familiar with the matter identified it as Tower 22 in Jordan - a base which holds a strategically important location in Jordan, at the most northeastern point where the country's borders meet Syria and Iraq.

Iran's mission to the United Nations said in a statement on Monday that Tehran was not involved in the attack.

The attack came amid concerns that Israel's war against the Iran-backed Hamas terror group in Gaza could spread into a wider conflict involving Iran's proxies in Lebanon, Yemen and Iraq.

US and allied forces in Iraq and Syria have been targeted in more than 150 attacks since October 7, according to the Pentagon, following the deadly Hamas terror attack on southern Israel which sparked the on-going Israeli offensive in Gaza.

Washington has already carried out retaliatory strikes in both Iraq and Syria.

Former CIA Director John Brennan described the deadly attack as a 'dangerous escalation' in the Middle East amid the Israel-Hamas war.

'Given that there were three American military personnel killed, and over two dozen injured - it's a sizeable attack,' Brennan said on MSNBC's 'Inside with Jen Psaki'.

'Whether it was one or more drones, these are drones that are packed with explosives and then detonate upon impact. But to have that type of the number of casualties suggested it was a fairly sizeable one,' he added.

The former CIA man also predicted there would be 'consequences' to the attack.

'As the White House has pointed out, Iran has cultivated relationships with a number of the militia and extremist groups in Syria, Iraq and other areas as a way to put pressure on regional adversaries as well as on the United States,' Brennan said.

'So the big question, I think, for the White House is whether or not this is an Iranian supported group, or whether we want the indirect attack, but either way, I think [there are] going to be consequences.'

In a scathing attack on Biden, former US president Trump suggested the strike on the Jordan base brought the US to the brink of World War Three.

Trump wrote on Sunday: 'This brazen attack on the United States is yet another horrific and tragic consequence of Joe Biden's weakness and surrender.

'This attack would NEVER have happened if I was President, not even a chance - Just like the Iranian-backed Hamas attack on Israel would never have happened, the War in Ukraine would never have happened, and we would right now have Peace throughout the World. Instead, we are on the brink of World War 3.'

Former President Donald Trump believes a third world war is imminent as he blamed Joe Biden's 'weakness and surrender' for the suicide drone strike that killed three US service members in Jordan Saturday

Michael Butler, associate professor of political science at Clark University, Massachusetts, said the attack was a 'game changer' for the Biden administration's strategy in the Middle East, adding that he expects a 'serious escalation' soon.

'The attack on Tower 22 is undoubtedly a game changer for the Biden Administration's policy of deterrence,' Butler said.

'While the US has been trying to thread the needle between degrading the capacity of Iranian proxies without directly engaging Iran itself, it is hard to envision that policy remaining viable now.

'I'd expect a serious escalation is around the corner,' he added.

However, experts have also warned that the US must find the right balance in its response, or risk bringing the Middle East 'to the precipice of a regional war'.

'The challenge for those crafting the US response is to ensure that it is significant enough to prevent additional attacks on US forces while also not starting another war in the region,' Alex Plitsas, of the Middle East Programs' N7 Initiative, told the Atlantic Council think tank.

'This is why the United States and its allies must hold adversaries accountable at lower levels of deterrence to prevent movement up the escalation ladder that would bring the Middle East to the precipice of a regional war,' he added.

Sir Hew Strachan, a professor of international relations at St Andrews University, said Biden is 'caught between his desire not to escalate the situation in the Middle East and the domestic pressures not to seem weak during an election year.'

He said based on Biden's initial comments, he expected the US's initial response will be calculated and un-rushed, but that the attack cannot go unpunished.

'He cannot let the attack pass unpunished but he will do his best not to court escalation. Some form of long-distance and specifically targeted response using drones and/or guided missiles is the obvious outcome,' the professor said.

Sir Strachan played down the possibility of the UK getting involved in the conflict at this stage, saying that the US, UK and their ally Jordan do not wish for escalation.

However, he added, 'the problem for all three is that a wish not to escalate the situation from their side does not rule out a wish to do so from the other.'

As for what such a US response could look like, Matthew Kroenig - senior director of the Atlantic Council's Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, said targets could include 'Iran's navy, its top leadership, or even its nuclear program.'

He said that Iran has been waging a 'shadow war' against the US in recent weeks, and blamed America's 'cautious' response out of fear of an escalation for demonstrating to Iran that it could 'attack with impunity'.

'Deterrence works by convincing an adversary that the costs to attacking the US and its allies and interests greatly outweighs any conceivable benefits,' he said, before calling on US forces to 'hit Iran hard'.

'Washington could sink the Iranian navy, like then President Ronald Reagan did in the 1980s,' he told the Atlantic Council.

'It could strike Iranian naval bases. It could target Iranian leadership, following in the footsteps of then President Donald Trump's killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani. It could seize this opportunity to degrade Iran's nuclear and missile program - which must be addressed soon regardless.

Such actions, he said, 'would convey to Iran that it badly miscalculated and that attacking the United States was a foolish decision that should not be repeated.'

The drone attack 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

But the US response to the strikes, experts have warned, also run the risk of directly playing into the hands of another of its adversaries: Vladimir Putin.

With the Russian president currently waging war in Ukraine, Moscow would greatly benefit from further distraction in the form of a wider Middle East conflict, says Vlad Sutea, founder and lead analyst at threatcasting group T-Intelligence.

Kyiv has been provided with funds and military assistance by its Western allies since Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

However, that support has hit road blocks in recent months, with the attention of the US and its allies being split due to Israel's on-going fight against Hamas, as well as attacks on ships by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebel group in the Red Sea.

'Global geopolitical and war risks are at their highest in recent years, with tensions escalating on every continent,' Mr Sutea told MailOnline over the weekend.

'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.

'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,' he said.

Meanwhile, British MP and former soldier Tobias Ellwood warned that any escalating conflict in the Middle East also impacts the UK.

Speaking to TalkTV, he said: It's worth just stressing, and it's important that the British people understand this: This is one example of many of the new era of insecurity that we've entered and that we need to prepare for. That's why there's been so much discussion about the size and complexion of our armed forces.

'This does affect Britain, we need to make it very clear: This is not an operation of choice, it's a necessity because our economy is increasingly being affected by instability in the Middle East,' he added.

'And that of course don't forget, all prices going up, is to Iran's benefit.'
British jihadi brides detained in a Syrian camp have expressed fears that they will die if they are not repatriated after an 'alarming' collapse in living conditions.

The testimony of the mothers detained at the Roj camp in the north east of the country, also home to Shamima Begum, was revealed in a series of WhatsApp messages seen by the Guardian.

It will ramp up pressure on the UK government to repatriate them and their children.

In one message, sent last September, a British mother in her 20s says she feels that UK authorities have ignored her.

'I'm going to die here if they don't get me out soon,' the message sent to UK family members said. 'I really, really want to go back and be with you guys. I really need hospital care.'

Camp Roj is one of several camps that has been holding families of individuals with alleged links to ISIL for the past five years, according to the UN (File Photo)

An estimated 60 Britons are based in the camp, including Shamima Begum, who departed from London as a teenager in 2015 to join Islamic State (File Photo)

Others, sent by a small number of British mothers to the UK throughout last year, depict abysmal conditions within the camp, which holds about 3,000 people, 65 per cent of whom are children.

Camp Roj is one of several camps that has been holding families of individuals with alleged links to ISIL for the past five years, according to the UN.

The WhatsApp messages describe children ravaged by hunger, premature deaths from treatable diseases, and harmful fumes from oilfields aggravating those with asthma, as well as lung inflammations and suspected deaths.

An estimated 60 Britons are based in the camp, including Shamima Begum, who departed from London as a teenager in 2015 to join Islamic State.

Of these, around 40 are children, the majority of whom are under 10 and detained indefinitely since the collapse of Islamic State in 2019.

Most European countries, including Spain and France, as well as the United States, have repatriated their citizens so that they can be met with justice.

They have expressed worries about the squalid conditions and that not returning them hinders worldwide attempts to eradicate terrorism.

The British government has taken citizenship away from most of the women.

Besides Australia, it is the last western country to routinely block the return of families with connections to the Islamic State.

Sources say that the UK is aware of the deteriorating conditions within the camp and note that the UN has frequently raised the issue.

The WhatsApp messages describe children ravaged by hunger, premature deaths from treatable diseases, and harmful fumes from oilfields aggravating those with asthma, as well as lung inflammations and suspected deaths (File Photo)

Additionally, British intelligence officials are believed to access the camps on a regular basis.

Katherine Cornett, head of the unlawful detentions team at human rights charity Reprieve, said recent Turkish strikes left the camp without power and running water for a number of days last week, according to local reports.

Cornett said: 'The situation really is getting worse. British detainees, none of whom have been charged with a crime or tried for a crime, have been held in awful conditions for years now.

'Children have died from a lack of access to hospital care. It's just a matter of time before the same fate will befall a British woman or child.'

Other WhatsApp messages sent to UK family members reveal that detainees cannot access medicines, with one describing a dentist offering to tug a child's tooth out without anaesthetic due a shortage.

The message said the mother declined because the girl was 'really scared'.

Another mother wrote: '[I'm in] too much pain, I hate seeing [my son] go through all these things. I hope that the government says yes to me coming home.'

A message from last July revealed how one mother asked her family in the UK for assistance due to worrying about her child's condition, which included an ongoing high temperature, diarrhoea, inability to walk and shortness of breath.

Others complained about emissions from nearby oil refineries.

A message from last September read: 'I know my lungs haven't been the same since corona [Covid 19] two years ago, the production of crude oil and the smell from it is I think making it hard for me to heal better as I can feel the burn inside.'
Bullfighting has returned to Mexico City after nearly a two-year hiatus following a Supreme Court ruling that removed its suspension.

Six bulls were fought and all were killed on Sunday as more than 40,000 fans packed Monumental Plaza de Toros Mexico, the world's biggest bullfighting right.

However, the resumption with met with angry protesters who chased workers and required riot police to be called to the gathering.

Renowned Mexican matador Joselito Adame was the first bullfighter to enter the ring with enthusiasts cheering the return of 'fiesta brava,' as bullfighting is known in Spanish. Some could be heard shouting, 'long live freedom,' as the first bull entered the arena.

'I'm very excited,' said Aldo Palacios, who brought his two children and other relatives to the arena, not only to see the inaugural bullfight, but also to celebrate his 42nd birthday at the event.

Mexican bullfighter Joselito Adame kills a bull during a bullfight event at the Monumental Plaza de Toros Mexico in Mexico City on Sunday following an 18-month hiatus

Anti-bullfighting protestors and members of different animal rights groups protested against bullfights outside of the Monumental Plaza de Toros Mexico on Sunday

Activists lie on the ground outside Monumental Plaza de Toros Mexico in Mexico City on Sunday where they protested the resumption of bullfighting in the Mexican capital after the Supreme Court revoked an earlier suspension

The return of bullfights, which has been celebrated in Mexico since the 16th century, was met with scrutiny from about 300 animal rights supporters, who gathered outside Monumental Plaza de Toros Mexico to protest bullfights.

Activists could be seen chasing arena workers, tossing plastic bottles and rocks before police with riot gear intervened.

One of the demonstrators could be seen trying to knock down an entrance gate while another stood on a building column and used a crowbar to break a light.

'Why the bullfights were allowed to return when there is so much evidence of all the damage they do to a living being, such as the bull,' questioned activist Guillermo Sanchez, who was holding up a sign that read 'Sadism disguised as culture, sport and tradition.'

Bullfighting was outlawed by a Mexico City court in 2022 after an injunction was filed by human rights organization Justicia Justa.

Activities at the famous bullfighting arena were set for Sunday following the Supreme Court of Justice's decision in December to revoke the suspension while the merits of the case are discussed, and a decision is reached on whether bullfights affect animal welfare.

Another civil organization filed an appeal Friday on animal welfare grounds as part of a last-minute effort to prevent the resumption of bullfighting. A ruling was not expected before Sundays event.

A man wearing a traditional mariachi hat watches a bullfight at the Monumental Plaza de Toros Mexico in Mexico City on Sunday

Demonstrators calling for the ban of bullfighting in Mexico City gathered for a protest outside of the Monumental Plaza de Toros Mexico on Sunday

Protesters calling for the ban of bullfighting clash with police at an entrance gate at Monumental Plaza de Toros Mexico in Mexico City

Mexican bullfighter Diego Silveti performs during a bullfight event at the Monumental Plaza de Toros Mexico in Mexico City on Sunday

Animal rights groups have been gaining ground in Mexico in recent years while bullfighting followers have suffered several setbacks.

Sinaloa, Guerrero, Coahuila, Quintana Roo and the western city of Guadalajara, judicial measures now limit the activity.

Ranchers, businessmen and fans maintain that the ban on bullfights affects their rights and puts at risk several thousand jobs linked to the activity, which they say generates about $400 million a year in Mexico.

The National Association of Fighting Bull Breeders in Mexico estimates bullfighting is responsible for 80,000 direct jobs and 146,000 indirect jobs.

The association has hosted events and workshops in recent years to promote bullfights and find new, younger fans.
A 17-year-old awaiting trial for a 2020 murder has been arrested after he escaped from a Philadelphia hospital and was on the run for five days.

Shane Pryor was captured on Sunday by U.S. Marshals and taken into custody without incident around 6.30pm outside of a bus.

The teen was being held at a juvenile detention center in the City of Brotherly Love for the last three years after he was charged with killing Tanya Harris, 54, in an alleyway in October 2020.

Pryor and another teen, Kiyan Williams, met with the victim for sex, according to police and The Philadelphia Inquirer.

The suspect was being treated for a hand injury at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia when he ran from the emergency room's driveway.

Surveillance video caught him getting into a getaway car driven by his friend, Michael Diggs, 18. When authorities found the car, Pryor was not inside. The driver of the vehicle was later arrested, officials said.

Marshals caught up with the teen fugitive who was on a SEPTA bus going north after a 'crucial tip' came in from a Target employee where Pryor was seen on Friday afternoon buying a pair of pants, U.S. Marshal Rob Clark said, 6ABC News reported.

U.S. Marshals nabbed Shane Pryor off a SEPTA bus on Sunday night around 6.30pm before he will be handed over to homicide detectives

Pryor was arrested after running from a hospital as he awaited trial in connection to the 2020 murder of a 54-year-old woman

Pryor, now 17, was charged in the October 2020 homicide and has been in juvenile detention center since

Victim: Tanya Harris, 54, was killed in a Northeast Philadelphia alleyway in October 2020

'There was a very conscious employee that was able to call that tip. This was crucial in the investigation, having the employee identify him,' Clark told the news outlet.

Police have not said where the bus was headed.

Since his escape, investigators had been searching for the teen and reviewing surveillance video.

One of those videos was from the Target on Bustleton Avenue in Northeast Philadelphia, where Pryor is seen in the store dressed in black hooded jacket and wearing a navy backpack and looking at a receipt.

The day he escaped from the hospital, Pryor was seen on video going in and out of the buildings in the area, and seen on surveillance 'asking for a phone,' Deputy Commissioner of Investigations Frank Vanore said, the Associated Press reported.

Authorities said that within an hour of the escape, he was picked up by a getaway car.

Police announced on Friday that Diggs is accused of hindering apprehension, escape, criminal conspiracy and use of a communication facility, and said the city public defenders office had not been assigned to the case.

Aside from Diggs, who was the driver, there was another person in the car. The person whose name was not released was questioned by police, but no charges were filed against them.

Pryor was caught on surveillance at the Target on Bustleton Avenue in Northeast Philadelphia where he is seen dressed in black hooded jacket and wearing a navy backpack

A recent photo of Pryor, who taken into custody by U.S. Marshals on Sunday night after being on the run for five days

Harris was killed by a gunshot to the head. Her body was found hours after she lay dead in the alleyway. Surveillance video captured two teens running out of the alley ten minutes after the shooting, police said.

According to the affidavit, Pryor told detectives he was at the scene but did not pull the trigger.

Pryor's mother had told her son to turn himself into the authorities, though she said on Thursday that he maintains his innocence.

She said that her son, who turns 18, in two weeks feared being transferred to an adult prison, and that was the reason why he was on the run.
Mbabane - Patrons were left yearning for more after Young Stunnas performance at Mega Lounge in a show dubbed The First Assembly 3rd Edition.

The event saw a number of patrons dressed in their school uniforms jamming to thrilling performances. Excitement filled the air as the main act mounted the stage. They sang along to his songs. Some were packed like sardines on the dance floor as the Adiwele hitmaker served a killer set. Dressed in a white T-shirt with accessorised denims, Young Stunna was a super star.

His energy filled the arena as he shared his hit songs. It is worth noting that this was not his first time in the country. Last year, he was at Solanis Shisanyama, where he had an unforgettable performance. Efforts to get an interview from the star proved futile.

The Camagu hitmaker was supported by the best local acts. Linda Dlamini, who is an award-winning Gospel musician, ushered patrons into the presence of the Lord. It is not very popular to have a gospel musician at a club, but Dlamini took them back to church. The Prefect who is one of the bubbling best female DJs gave a stellar performance. The Bishops also made them dance, as they served a Deep House music set, fused with a bit of Amapiano. Other acts who helped fun lovers create more memories through their sets, were Supa CDQ, Matamza and Sbu da Drum DJ to mention a few. The night ended on a high note with people dancing and cheering.
Labour ministers in Wales sparked fury today after it was revealed they spent 4.25million of taxpayers' money on a farm to play host to a music festival, only for the plan to be scuppered by a pair of ospreys.

The Welsh Government shelled out for Gilestone Farm in Powys in 2022 to provide a permanent base and spin-off site for the Green Man festival - because organisers did not have the money.

But last year a pair of the imposing fish-eating raptors set up home at the site 60 miles from Cardiff, the furthest south they have nested in Wales in 200 years.

Because ospreys are a protected species, a 750m restricted zone has been put in place around the nest.

In a written statement today, economy minister Vaughan Gething said that 'the full commercial and charitable objectives of the Green Man Group, as set out in its business plan for the use of Gilestone Farm, can no longer be realised'.

But Welsh Secretary David TC Davies said: 'Labour should explain why they wasted over 4million on a non-existent music festival when they should have been cutting waiting lists.

'The only song and dance arising out of this farce will be from taxpayers who want to know why their money has been wasted.'

Last year a pair of the imposing fish-eating raptors set up home at the site 60 miles from Cardiff, the furthest south they have nested in Wales in 200 years.

The main Green Man Festival has been running from a site near Crickhowell in Powys since 2003 and regularly attracts crowds of up to 25,000.

In a written statement today, economy minister Vaughan Gething said that 'the full commercial and charitable objectives of the Green Man Group, as set out in its business plan for the use of Gilestone Farm, can no longer be realised'.

The main Green Man Festival has been running from a site near Crickhowell in Powys since 2003 and regularly attracts crowds of up to 25,000.

Headliners last year included Spiritualised and Young Fathers, with Kraftwerk among previous bill-toppers.

Gilestone Farm, near Talybont-on-Usk, was not planned as a replacement site but an extra, permanent facility for the company that would have hosted smaller events with up to 3,000 people.

But the government attracted criticism for buying it before Green Man submitted a business plan for it.

Mr Gething, who is the frontrunner to become the new First Minister when Mark Drakeford steps down later this year, said the festival was 'a great commercial and cultural asset for Wales'.

'The arrival of the ospreys, and the presence of their nest, is a hugely significant development from a nature perspective, but despite the exclusion zone now in place at Gilestone Farm, there still remain opportunities for sustainable farming and economic development at the site,' he said.

'We are engaging with relevant partner organisations around the potential to develop these opportunities for the longer term. While we undertake this work, we will continue to manage the farm appropriately.

'We are also extending the existing Farm Business Tenancy to allow conversations around future potential uses for the site to take place. The Welsh Governments well-established principles for use and disposal of land and property assets will provide a basis for making decisions about the future of the farm. '
An axed bus service which was a 'lifeline' to many villagers is back on after outraged locals won their fight to have journeys resumed.

Bus company Arriva had ruled drivers did not have time to reach the 500-population village of Llandegla due to Wales' default 20mph speed limit.

Disappointed locals argued the lost service would have a 'huge impact' on everyone who relied on it in the Denbighshire village.

But the company says it will now bring back the service on the X51 route - even if only for the first and last journeys of the day.

Conservative Senedd Member Darren Millar said a temporary minibus would also run in and out of the village to ensure passengers didn't miss out while a further solution is sought.

He said: 'Residents of Llandegla will be thrilled that a solution has been found and that this service will resume. This service is a lifeline to many and I am pleased that this has been recognised.

Bus company Arriva ruled drivers did not have time to reach the 500-population village of Llandegla due to the 'go slow' speed limit

'Obviously it is a concern that the service will run until May 31st only, when there will be a further review of services.

'I will be pushing to ensure that when this review takes places, the genuine concerns that I raised on behalf of residents will be fully considered and that this service will continue indefinitely.'

Arriva announced earlier this month that the X51 service would no longer visit the village on January 14 due to the 20mph limit.

Councillor Gwyneth Dillon had said: 'It is going to cause a huge amount of hardship.'

Mrs Dillon said people at different stages of their lives, from the elderly to teenagers in college, would feel the impact.

'That includes health and social reasons. The college students won't be able to get to their colleges too.'

At the time of the decision, Arriva Wales said it had reviewed 'our timetables since the introduction of the 20mph speed restriction, following this review we are now able to make a number of changes to our network across North Wales in January.'

The service to Llanedgla was diverted to the main A525 road - and would stop serving the Tweedmill Shopping Outlet in St Asaph, popular with shoppers.

Arriva announced earlier this month that the X51 service would no longer visit the village on January 14 due to the 20mph limit

A spokesperson for Arriva Wales earlier said: 'The withdrawal of this service in Llandegla is due to the impact of 20mph on the 51 and X51 services. To be clear this is not to say that Llandegla and its speed limits are the issue but now the service overall is taking longer to operate due to reduced speeds across the network.

'The consequences of this change in speed has been severe and has caused increased lost mileage and reduced punctuality.

'We have been open in raising our concerns with Transport for Wales, the Welsh government and local authorities. There have also been press statements and questions raised in the Senedd about this on the basis of our concerns and the consequences.'

MailOnline has contacted Arriva Wales for comment.
Ex- FBI and Homeland Security officials are warning that a terror attack on the U.S. is 'imminent' after 'military-aged' foreigners have streamed across the porous southern border.

National security top brass wrote a chilling letter to congressional leaders in which they say the ongoing invasion of young men from terror-linked regions into the U.S. creates an 'unprecedented and imminent danger.'

The letter was sent Jan. 17 to leadership in the Senate and House, warning members about 'the danger represented' by the influx of young single adult males from 'hostile nations.'

Their 'background, intent, or allegiance is completely unknown,' the former law enforcement officials state.

The letter was signed by former Terrorist Screening Center Director Timothy Healy, former FBI assistant directors Kevin Brock and Chris Swecker, former Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Mark Morgan and six other officials.

It comes as the Biden administration grapples with a continuing crisis at the border.

December set a record for the most migrant encounters in a single month - over 302,000 - not including 'got-aways' - migrants that illegally entered the country without being detected.

National security top brass wrote a chilling letter to congressional leaders in which they say the ongoing invasion of young men from terror-linked regions into the U.S. creates an 'unprecedented and imminent danger'

That same month, 19 individuals on the FBI terror watchlist were encountered.

'In its modern history, the U.S. has never suffered an invasion of the homeland and, yet, one is unfolding now,' they continue in the letter.

'Military aged men from across the globe, many from countries or regions not friendly to the United States, are landing in waves on our soil by the thousands  not by splashing ashore from a ship or parachuting from a plane but rather by foot across a border that has been accurately advertised around the world as largely unprotected with ready access granted,' the letter continued.

The authors chillingly warn that there is a 'distinct possibility' that a large number of military-aged males that have entered the U.S. illegally could conspire and attacked unarmed Americans in an imitation attack similar to the one orchestrated by Hamas on October 7.

Migrants stand at the river bank of the Rio Grande in Eagle Pass, Texas, where tens of thousands of migrants have crossed into the US since December

'We would be remiss not to call out this potentially grave threat in the most direct terms. The warning lights are blinking,' the letter warns.

'For these reasons, elements of this recent surge are likely no accident or coincidence,' the former officials wrote.

'These men are potential operators in what appears to be an accelerated and strategic penetration, a soft invasion, designed to gain internal access to a country that cannot be invaded militarily in order to inflict catastrophic damage if and when enemies deem it necessary.'

The border crisis has been so pronounced that Republicans in Congress are preparing to remove the head of the Department of Homeland Security, Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

The Republican-controlled House Homeland Security Committee is set to vote Tuesday on articles of impeachment against the DHS secretary, aiming to send them to the full House for consideration.

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

'Weve already seen instances of the Biden Administration releasing known terrorists into our country for weeks at a time without a care,' Rep. Ashley Hinson told DailyMail.com in a statement.

'Every day that Biden refuses to enforce our immigration laws and secure the border will be treated as an open invitation for those that wish to do us harm  whether its Hamas terrorists or illegal immigrants from our most hostile adversaries like China and Russia  to enter our country and pursue their malicious agenda against America,' she continued.

There have been over six million migrant encounters along the southern since Mayorkas took over as DHS chief in February 2021.

'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 states.

Democrats, however, have largely supported Mayorkas and Biden's handling of the southern border. One House Democrat even suggested that the president take control of the Texas National Guard to gain even more control over the ongoing migrant crisis.

Republicans, meanwhile, have pushed to impeach Mayorkas since taking control of the House in 2023.

If presented with articles of impeachment, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson said Friday he would push to get a vote on the floor as soon as possible.

At the same time, Senate leaders Chuck Schumer and Mitch McConnell have been negotiating a deal to address the border crisis for months.

That deal, which would tie U.S. foreign aid funding for Ukraine to new domestic immigration policy, is dead on arrival in the House, Speaker Johnson has indicated.

And, to the frustration of many GOP senators, the negotiators are still working move forward on the bill this week.

The frustration stems from the still-unreleased details within the proposed deal.

A group of several Republican senators even held a press conference bashing the deal last Wednesday.

'What's holding this up is that there isn't a bill,' Utah Sen. Mike Lee told DailyMail.com Friday. 'We haven't seen text. They've been negotiating it for about four months and they won't share it with us.'

'Even after we raised those concerns, they still won't share text with us,' Lee continued. 'It's just enough to raise some real red flags.'
Hunter Biden's former business partner revealed new striking details about President Joe Biden's alleged involvement in his sons deals, including that Joe met now-missing Chinese oil giant CEFC Chairman Ye Jianming in 2017.

Republicans are investigating how Joe Biden may have benefitted financially from the relationships with 'Chinese sources' and other foreign entities developed by his son Hunter and brother James Biden.

Hunter's partner Rob Walker disclosed that the meeting had occurred during a closed-door deposition Friday as part of the GOP's impeachment investigation. Walker was summoned to testify under a subpoena along with several other Hunter Biden associates.

According to a source familiar, Walker claimed that when Joe met with the CEFC officials at the Four Seasons in Washington, D.C., in 2017 he was just 'checking in on' his son.

The brief meeting occurred around the time that $3 million was wired from the Chinese company to Biden family associates and is evidence of 'swampy influence peddling,' say Republicans leading the impeachment inquiry into Joe.

In addition, during the closed-door interview, Walker addressed a series of text messages and emails in which he invoked Joe's name. But he brushed it off, saying he sent the text messages at 2 a.m. and they were just texts, nothing more formal than that.

Walker also told investigators that when Hunter used Joe's name in the messages with the Chinese, it was because 'he was on drugs.'

The source told DailyMail.com that Walker attempted to 'downplay' Joe's involvement and that his answers were often 'inconsistent and in conflict' with one another.

CEFC chairman Ye Jianming, who bought a four-bedroom, 5,278 sq ft top-floor apartment at the coveted 15 Central Park West in May that year. The meeting appears to have gone well. Jim Biden wrote in an email to Hunter the next day: let's go thru list of To-Do's before you take off. Kevin ect. [] Great day yesterday!! We are on our way

Republicans are investigating how Joe Biden may have benefitted from the relationships with 'Chinese sources' and other foreign entities developed by his son Hunter and brother James Biden

Top Republicans James Comer, R-Ky., and Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, said in a statement to DailyMail.com that the meeting and additional details revealed by Walker is 'evidence' of how the the Bidens sold their 'brand' to enrich themselves.

They went on, saying that Walker revealed that Hunter's work with the Communist Chinese Party (CCP)-linked company CEFC started a year before Joe left the vice presidency.

'But the Bidens and their associates held off being paid by the Chinese while Joe Biden was in office,' say the Republicans.

Another source with knowledge of Walker's interview said that it would be 'incorrect' to say that the $3 million CEFC payment had anything to do with Joe's stopping by the lunch at the Four Seasons.

Joe 'briefly exchanged pleasantries' with the CEFC executives and 'no business' was discussed, according to the source.

According to Walker, Joe Biden did not know what the 'purpose' of the lunch was, and the Chinese business associates may not have even known who the former vice president was.

The source reiterated that Joe only 'dropped by' to check on his son Hunter, who was 'in and out of sobriety' and Walker said it was the only business meeting where he saw him come by.

DailyMail.com previously reported that, according to bombshell texts, Joe Biden also may have met with Ye and his son in New York at his $59 million penthouse in 2017.

Hunter Biden texted his business partners in Chinese oil giant CEFC that Joe Biden would join them for a meeting in August 2017.

My uncle will be here with his BROTHER who would like to say hello to the Chairman, Hunter wrote, referring to CEFC chairman Ye Jianming, who bought a four-bedroom, 5,278 sq ft top-floor apartment at the coveted 15 Central Park West in May that year.

During the closed-door interview, Walker also disputed allegations by Republicans that then-Vice President Joe was involved in funneling of millions in foreign money to Biden family members.

'President Biden  while in office or as a private citizen  was never involved in any of the business activities we pursued,' Walker said in his opening remarks obtained by DailyMail.com.

As Hunter's partner, 'I always understood and respected that boundary,' he added while saying 'any statement to the contrary is simply false.'

The GOP is narrowing in on tracing the millions of dollars that flowed between Chinese businessman Mervyn Yan and family associate John 'Rob' Walker, who they say used shell companies to allegedly deposit the foreign money into Biden bank accounts.

Rob Walker was considered to be a 'surrogate' for the Biden family members when it came to business dealings and he helped facilitate lucrative opportunities with China and Romania.

Walker glowingly described Hunter as an 'intelligent, caring, and generous person' and said his 'demeanor' and 'strong interpersonal skills' made him an excellent and 'valued' partner.

He told investigators Friday that he first became friends with Hunter in 1999, shortly after he joined the Clinton administration and their partnership abroad began in 2008.

They enjoyed many years together before Hunter 'lost his way' in his battle with addiction.

Top Oversight Committee Democrat Jamie Raskin told reporters staked outside the deposition that Walker 'was clear' that Joe Biden was 'never involved' in any business activities.

Yan similarly told investigators on Thursday that he never had 'professional' contact with Joe Biden, but was clueless as to why the Biden family was involved in energy deals in the first place, without having experience in the sector.

According to top Republican James Comer, R-Ky., Yan 'admitted on the record' during questioning that the Biden family had 'no experience in the energy and infrastructure sectors and was not sure what they brought to the table.'

But Democratic investigators insisted that Yan testified he 'never did business with' or had any 'personal or professional communications' with Joe Biden.

He apparently told the committees that Hunter contributed 'legitimate value' through 'sourcing deals' and 'identifying projects' for their joint venture, according to a source.

Hunter Biden confirmed that he will also appear for his own testimony at the end of next month - a sign that Republicans are getting closer to wrapping up their probe.

He had previously rebuffed a subpoena compelling him to sit for a closed-door interview and the GOP started the process to hold him in contempt of Congress.

Walker worked with Hunter Biden on Sinohawk Holdings - a joint venture with Chinese energy firm CEFC under the leadership of its Chairman Ye Jianming.

Rob Walker worked with Hunter Biden on Sinohawk Holdings - a joint venture with Chinese energy firm CEFC under the leadership of its Chairman Ye Jianming

Ye gave Hunter a diamond in 2017 as they pursued a business relationship immediately after Joe Biden left the vice presidency.

But in November 2017, the company was accused of bribery in Africa by the Justice Department. He was arrested in China on March 2018, reportedly on the orders of Xi Jinping, and has not been seen or heard from since.

Mervyn Yan, a CEFEC executive and Ye's former associate, also worked with Hunter on his Hudson West III venture.

Yan's attorney previously told Chairman James Comer that his client 'has had no professional contact or communication with President Biden at any time' and he had no documents which demonstrate 'misconduct' by Joe.

Of particular concern to the lawmakers are millions of dollars from China and Romania that they say snaked from foreigners into shell companies and then into the hands of Joe's family members.

Walker established 'Robinson Walker, LLC' a limited liability company that Republicans say was 'used as a vehicle to receive foreign funds and send a percentage of the money to Biden family members.'

That includes millions of dollars from a company owned by Romanian Gabriel Popoviciu, who was at the time under a corruption investigation.

'Following the receipt of this money, Robinson Walker sent over one million dollars to Biden family accounts, including those of Hunter Biden,' the Republicans accuse.

In a memo released last year, the GOP laid out documents showing Hallie received $35,000 in two transfers from Walker.

The money came after Walker received a $3 million wire from the Chinese State Energy HK Limited, a firm affiliated with CEFC.

In November, Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., unveiled a $40,000 direct payment to Joe from 2017 labeled as a 'loan repayment' that he claims is 'laundered money' that can be traced back to Chinese Communist Party-connected CEFC.

In WhatsApp messages from August 2017 previously published by DailyMail.com, Hunter demanded $10 million from CEFC, and claimed his father was 'sitting here' next to him during the exchange.
A four-day working week trial has started in Germany as the country battles to revive its struggling economy.

This week, several German companies will give their employees one extra day off every week - while still paying them their full pay.

Unions have claimed that working less would make staff more productive, but also healthier and happier, which participants in the pilot hope the trial will prove.

Additionally, it could provide companies with a way to attract new staff, as a skilled labour shortage in Germany meant employers have been struggling to fill open job postings.

A four-day work week could result in a drop in costly absences due to stress, illness and burnout, according to Bloomberg.

Unions have claimed that working less would make staff more productive, but also healthier and happier, which participants in the pilot hope the trial will prove (file image)

Germany has long been considered the powerhouse of Europe. But with crippling strikes by rail workers angry over pay and working conditions paralysing the country, combined with an eight-day nationwide protest by farmers (pictured), it is fast becoming the 'sick man of Europe'

Farmers and other protesters block a major road in Berlin with tractors and other vehicles on the first day of a week of demonstrations on January 8

This would help Germany, considered to be the 'sick man of Europe', since on average, workers missed 21.3 work days in 2022.

This caused the country to lose out on 207billion in value added, according to data from the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

One of the 45 participating companies is event planning agency Solidsense.

Its co-founder, Soren Fricke, told Bloomberg about the pilot: 'I'm absolutely convinced that investments in 'new work' pay off because they increase well-being and motivation, subsequently increasing efficiency.

'The four-day week, if it works, won't cost us anything either in the long run.'

By 2035, more than 7 million people will have left the German workforce - but there is no one to replace them, since birthrates and immigration can't seem to bridge the cap.

The managing director of another participant in the pilot, window-making company Eurolam, said his company was getting involved to be 'modern' and embrace change - if it didn't, there wouldn't be 'anyone left' to work for them.

Despite having the biggest economic output in Europe, Germany's productivity has been held back by a lack of investment in innovation and digitization - and without improvement in these areas, even a four-day week would not generate more productivity, according to economist Enzo Weber.

Another economist, Martin Ademmer, is also sceptical whether a potential increased productivity could have make up for the hours employees aren't working.

'A four-day week could lead to higher hourly productivity but its very unlikely that a productivity boost can compensate for the reduced working hours,' he told Bloomberg.

'Together with a shrinking labor force this would be a major obstacle to economic growth.'

Farmers in hundreds of tractors take part in a protest rally in Augsburg, southern Germany, on Wednesday

Farmers are protesting about the axing of fuel subsidies, while rail workers want a reduction in the number of hours they work  but without any pay cuts

Germany's problems are compounded by the fact that it is governed by a three-party coalition led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz (pictured) that is failing to agree on anything, bringing inertia that plays into the hands of the extremist AfD party

But previous trials in the US and in Canada have shown that there potential gains in the four-day week, as employees reported feeling better physically and less burnt out.

After these trials, none of the participating companies switched back to a five-day work week.

A similar trial here in the UK saw a 65 per cent decrease in sick days, while a study in Portugal showed that anxiety and sleeping problems were reduced by about 20 per cent.

This comes as tensions between German employees - who have been seeking higher wages while keeping the flexibility and independence they gained during the pandemic - and their employers have been rising.

Just this month, tractors blocked cities protesting increased production prices and train employees went on strike, demanding to cut the work week from 38 to 35 hours.

Equally the construction union, which represents 930,000 workers, asked for a pay rise of more than 20 per cent.

Germany's problems are compounded by the fact that it is governed by a three-party coalition led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz that is failing to agree on anything, bringing inertia that plays into the hands of the extremist Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.

The indecision, in-fighting and finger-pointing over the crippling strikes, protests and ongoing immigration concerns during 'Germany's winter of discontent' has led analysts to predict the far-Right will make huge gains in an election later this year.

David Young, an expat who lives in Dusseldorf, sums up the anger and frustration of those living in Germany who are exasperated by the strikes.

'When the tractors blocked the city, it was chaos,' he said. 'There is still some sympathy for the farmers, but very few people have any support for the rail strikes.

'They are on a good deal, and what they want seems unreasonable. Unlike most workers they can retire at 63 rather than 67, so the people I talk to don't feel they have a bad deal.'

Farmers are protesting across Germany this week against proposed government measures that would reduce federal benefits for the agricultural sector

Tractors are seen lined up in central Halle, in Germany's Saxony-Anhalt region

Farmers use their tractors to block access to roads on the first day of a week of protests on January 8, 2024

Protesting farmers and others line Strasse des 17. Juni street with tractors and other vehicles as the Brandenburg Gate stands behind on the first day of a week of protests on January 08, 2024 in Berlin, Germany

Lawyer Jakob Unger from Munich said the strikes would have a huge impact if they stretched into the coming months.

He said: 'If the rail strikes continue, there will be a lot of problems. So many people rely on the rail network, not just for work but to get around the country.

'It is so strange to see photos of empty platforms. If this goes on into February and March, the Government will be in trouble.'

Two weeks ago the famed German rail network Deutsche Bahn effectively ground to a halt with normally bustling rail hubs in Cologne, Berlin and Frankfurt deserted.

Those commuters who braved the freezing conditions stood waiting for up to an hour on a platform for one of the regional trains still running.

To make matters worse, those trying to get to work by car found the motorways blocked by striking farmers and lorry drivers.

Germany finds itself in the grip of a winter of discontent that began when farmers brought major cities to a standstill with blockades and slow-moving convoys.

The farmers are protesting at the axing of fuel subsidies, while the rail workers want a reduction in the number of hours they work  but without any pay cuts.
Britain today joined America in slapping sanctions on senior Iranian officials linked to a plot to murder TV news presenters in London.

A total of seven individuals are now subject to travel bans and asset freezes in action coordinated with Washington.

A group within Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), known as Unit 840, has also been sanctioned.

Foreign Secretary David Cameron warned of Tehran's 'unacceptable threat' to Britain's security as he unveiled the measures.

The sanctions come at a time of increasing tensions between Iran and the West, with Iranian-backed Houthis launching attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea.

Iranian-backed militants have also been blamed for Saturday's drone attack on a US military base on the border of Jordan and Syria, which killed three servicemen.

Police officers are pictured in November 2022 outside the offices of the Iran International TV news channel in west London

Foreign Secretary David Cameron warned of Tehran's 'unacceptable threat' to Britain's security as he unveiled the new sanctions

A group within Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (pictured during a military drill in 2022), known as Unit 840, is among those sanctioned

Unit 840 was exposed in an ITV investigation into plots to assassinate two TV presenters from news channel Iran International on British soil.

The Government said at least 15 such threats have taken place since January 2022.

Iran International, which has been one of the most prominent providers of news on anti-regime protests in Iran, suspended its operations in Britain last year due to threats against its London-based journalists.

This was despite an armed police presence being stationed near the channel's studios in Chiswick, west London, after two of their employees were warned of a risk to their lives.

The Persian-language channel has since continued to operate from its offices in Washington DC.

Lord Cameron said: 'The Iranian regime and the criminal gangs who operate on its behalf pose an unacceptable threat to the UK's security.

'Today's package exposes the roles of the Iranian officials and gangs involved in activity aimed to undermine, silence and disrupt the democratic freedoms we value in the UK.

'The UK and US have sent a clear message  we will not tolerate this threat.'

Those sanctioned today include Naji Ibrahim Sharifi-Zindashti, known as the head of an international drug and trafficking cartel who was linked to the 2019 murder of an Iranian dissident in Istanbul.

Four others linked to the killing of an Iranian dissident in Istanbul have also been sanctioned, while two people named in the ITV report on the Iran International plot have also been hit with travel bans and asset freezes.

Unit 840 is said to have coordinated the Iran International plot and is known as a secretive group tasked with staging assassinations abroad.

Home Secretary James Cleverly said: 'The Iranian regime has tried to undermine our democracy through repression  we will continue to take action when necessary to protect our country, values and freedom of speech.

'We cannot allow foreign regimes to collaborate with criminals to threaten us. Sanctioning these criminal networks working for the Iranian regime will remind them that we will fight back.

'My priority is to protect our people and to defend our way of life, and the UK will not tolerate threats from the Iranian regime.'
Konther was sentenced to 140 years in prison on Friday with a judge labeling him a 'sexual carnivore'

After DNA testing linked him to the crime, Konther's attorney tried to blame the suspect's twin brother

Kevin Konther, 58, raped a nine-year-old in 1995 and a 32-year-old in 1998 but was only arrested in 2018

A California rapist has been sentenced to life in prison after DNA testing linked him to rapes in the 1990s - despite efforts to frame his identical twin brother.

Kevin Michael Konther, 58, was sentenced to 140 years in prison on Friday after an Orange County Superior Court jury last year found him guilty of committing multiple rapes.

Konther raped a nine-year-old girl in Lake Forest in 1995 and a 31-year-old woman in Mission Viejo in 1998.

Investigators employed the same DNA testing that was used to catch the Golden State Killer and determined both rapes were committed by the same person.

Testing led investigators to Kevin and Stephen Konther, who - as twins - share DNA, and the brothers were taken into custody.

Kevin Michael Konther (pictured), 58, was sentenced to life in prison for committing two rapes in the 1990s

The suspect was unknown until 2018 when cutting-edge DNA testing technology, also used to catch the Golden State Killer, linked Konther and his twin brother Stephen to the crimes

The twins were secretly recorded in a police vehicle while waiting to be booked in jail - during which Kevin admitted to his brother 'I'm a criminal in my past. I have serious issues. Now I've got to pay for it, and I don't want to.'

Kevin told his brother 'I just hate women. That's my problem,' and said he's been fighting that demon for a long time - also mentioning a 'chemical imbalance' in his brain.

Judge Richard M. King on Friday described Konther as a 'sexual carnivore' before sentencing him to the longest possible sentence - 140 years with no parole and life in prison.

King described the nature of Konther's attacks as 'heinous' and said Konther was a 'calculated' rapist and a 'sexual carnivore'.

'The defendant committed heinous acts upon these women in a serial manner. This is a man who deserves no leniency,' King said.

'This is like a cat, a lion, a cheetah looking for prey,' the Judge said in court. 'Vultures don't do this to their young, rats don't do this.'

Konther's first known attack was of a nine-year-old girl who was walking home from a store near a heavily wooded community park in Lake Forest .

The young girl was pulled into the bushes and raped - she testified that a man came up to her and put his hand over her mouth, telling her he had a knife.

She pleaded with him to not kill her as he forced her to take off her clothes and raped her.

When she told the rapist she was only nine-years-old, he reportedly laughed.

The victim, now 37, testified in court in January, 2023.

'I was terrified, I thought he was going to kill me,' she said. 'I begged him not to hurt me. I still had quarters in my pocket I told him he could take. I didn't know what he wanted.'

Both of the rapes took place in California - one in Lake Forest (pictured: Serrano Creek Park) and the other in Mission Viejo

In 2018 - Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes (pictured) announced the significant arrest of Kevin Konther in the two cold-case rapes from the 1990s

Konther's next reported attack came three years later - when a woman was running along a secluded bike trail in Mission Viejo.

She was attacked and dragged down an embankment where she was raped.

Another crime that Konther was accused of came from a previous girlfriend who he lived with in Hunting Beach and Highland.

His at-the-time girlfriend claimed that Konther committed lewd acts on her pre-teen daughter - including going into her room at night naked and standing uncomfortably close to her bed.

It was reported that on several occasions he pulled her pants down and stared at her while she pretended to be asleep.

After the cutting-edge DNA technology matched the Konther twins to the previously unknown suspect - Kevin's lawyer tried to pin the crimes on Stephen.

Deputy Public Defender Jessica Ann Sweeny argued during the trial that Kevin had taken the blame for his brother's crimes - suggesting that he had heard details of the sexual assaults and repeated them to save his brother.

Sweeny told jurors that Kevin was the 'black sheep' of the twin brothers, but said that they had been close all their lives.

'Kevin was not the one who committed these crimes, it was (his brother),' the defense attorney said. 'Just as he has his entire life, Kevin covered for (his brother) and decided he would be the one to take the blame.'
Laurence Fox has already said he will appeal a 2 million High Court ruling after he lost his libel battle with two people he referred to as paedophiles on social media.

The actor and right-wing activist was found guilty of libelling former Stonewall trustee Simon Blake and drag artist Crystal over a row on X in October 2020.

Fox, 45, called Mr Blake and the former RuPaul's Drag Race contestant, whose real name is Colin Seymour, 'paedophiles' in an exchange about a decision by Sainsbury's to celebrate Black History Month.

The Lewis star - who founded the Reclaim Party - tried but ultimately failed to counter-sue the pair and actress Nicola Thorp over tweets accusing him of racism.

Fox suggested after the ruling that his counterclaim was unfairly dismissed because the judge 'could not define what a racist was'.

Speaking outside court, Fox planted a kiss on his girlfriend Elizabeth Barker before telling reporters: 'So what we've got is nothing. It means we are going to have to go back to court, to appeal, and finally get to the meaning of this word - what is a racist?'

As for his guilty verdict for referring to Blake and Seymour as 'paedophiles', he said: 'It was a rhetorical device in response to what they said. I apologised to each of them in court.'

Laurence Fox has already said he will appeal a 2 million High Court ruling after he lost his libel battle

Fox kisses his girlfriend Elizabeth Barker outside court after his guilty verdict today

The actor and right-wing activist was found guilty of libelling former Stonewall trustee Simon Blake and drag artist Crystal over a row on X in October 2020

The Lewis star - who founded the Reclaim Party - tried but ultimately failed to counter-sue the pair and actress Nicola Thorp over tweets accusing him of racism

Simon Blake (left), Nicola Thorp and Colin Seymour (right) pictured on November 22

Laurence Fox makes a statement outside the the Royal Courts Of Justice, central London

The actor and right-wing activist told the High Court that a tweet by actress Nicola Thorp calling him 'unequivocally, publicly and undeniably a racist' ended his career.

But in her ruling today, Mrs Justice Collins Rice said: 'Mr Foxs labelling of Mr Blake and Mr Seymour as paedophiles was, on the evidence, probabilities and facts of this case, seriously harmful, defamatory and baseless.'

She added that Fox did not attempt to show the allegations were true or provide 'any other defence' recognised in law.

As for Fox's countersuit, the Judge ruled: 'The law does not regard the particular imputations against Mr Fox that he was a racist, made by Mr Blake, Mr Seymour or Ms Thorp, as defamatory.'

The Judge added that although such opinion is an 'inherently defamatory tendency', Mr Fox did not sufficiently show that the tweets themselves caused harm to his reputation or 'make readers adversely change their minds about him to that degree'.

She added: 'In those circumstances, the law does not require Mr Blake, Mr Seymour and Ms Thorp to be put to any further defence of the opinions they expressed.'

Summarising, she said: 'Mr Blakes and Mr Seymours claims succeed. Mr Foxs counterclaims are dismissed.'

In a statement outside court, Fox told reporters that it was an 'interesting day'.

He said: 'So today the Judge ruled that I didn't suffer any serious harm through the allegations of racism. Which is strange because at the same time she also declined to define the meaning of the word racist. So I'm at a slight loss as to how you can be defamed whilst not defining what you are being defamed for.'

Summarising his point, he persisted: 'I just want a definition of the word'.

Continuing, he said: 'I was active for 22 years and very successful. And my most successful job was the last one where I pointed out something that upset me about how Sainsbury's were behaving towards their black employees and that it was discriminatory and racist.

'Yes Sainsbury's I think you are racist', he declared to the cameras.

'And I asked to just find out what that word means. So here we are sat, two million quid in, and now we're going to have to go through another court to find out what it means.'

Taking to social media after the verdict, Nicola Thorp wrote on X: 'We won. On all counts.

She continued: 'For the last three years, Laurence Fox has held us responsible for the downfall of his acting career, his failure to become London Mayor and even the increasing cost of his car insurance. During my cross-examination, his barrister even suggested I was responsible for his arrest in October last year. All because on 4th October 2020 we exercised our right to free speech by expressing our honestly held opinions.

'The same man who later told a black man to "f*** off back to Jamaica", posted pride flags in the shape of a swastika and shared blacked up images of himself and his children. Its time that Mr Fox accepted that any damage to his reputation is entirely his own doing.'

Fox is supported by his partner as he makes a statement after his court loss today

Speaking after the ruling, Fox suggested that his counterclaim was unfairly dismissed because the judge 'could not define what a racist was'

In a statement outside court, Fox told reporters that it was an 'interesting day'

Laurence Fox walks arm-in-arm with his girlfriend after coming out of High Court in London

During a trial in London in November, Mr Fox was described an alleged 'intelligent racist with an agenda'

During a trial in London in November, Mr Fox was described an alleged 'intelligent racist with an agenda'.

Lorna Skinner KC, representing Mr Blake, Mr Seymour and Ms Thorp, said the trio 'honestly believed, and continue honestly to believe, that Mr Fox is a racist'.

She said the actor 'has made a number of highly controversial statements about race', adding: 'If and to the extent that Mr Fox has been harmed in his reputation, it is his own conduct and not the claimants' comments on it that caused that harm.'

In her ruling today, the Judge established: 'This judgment accordingly contains no determination of, or any view about, whether or not (a) the opinion that Mr Fox was a racist was one "an honest person could have held" and was indeed genuinely so held or (b) the imputation that Mr Fox was a racist was "substantially true"'.

In his evidence discussing his call for a boycott of Sainsbury's, Mr Fox said the supermarket had been 'essentially emotionally blackmailing their customers' and that he has not shopped there since.

He continued: 'I felt that rather than genuinely trying to tackle racism, Sainsbury's were trying to improve their own image, branding themselves as the anti-racist supermarket.

'I see the phrase 'safe space' as just locally friendly language for discrimination by segregation, dividing people down the line of skin colour.'

Mr Fox added that he believes Black History Month is 'a grift, designed to make black people feel like they're in some way undervalued in our society' and called the Black Lives Matter movement 'extremely divisive'.

Ms Skinner previously highlighted several of Mr Fox's social media posts, including a June 2022 tweet of four pride flags arranged in the shape of a swastika.

'Such a disgusting post could only be made by a complete ignoramus or an intelligent racist with an agenda. Mr Fox is the latter,' she said.

In his written evidence for the case, Mr Seymour, a Canadian artist, said he had faced 'overwhelming and distressing' abuse after Mr Fox's tweet, adding that he felt less safe as a drag performer.

Mr Blake, now chief executive of Mental Health First Aid England, said the incorrect suggestion that gay men were paedophiles was 'a trope as old as the hills'.

Broadcaster Nicola Thorp claimed that Mr Fox had 'outed himself as a racist' with a tweet calling for a boycott of the supermarket.

She said that any reputational harm Mr Fox suffered 'was because of what he did, not because of what I said'.

Patrick Green KC, representing Mr Fox, told the court neither Mr Blake nor Mr Seymour 'has suffered any actual, real-world consequences' due to the actor's tweets.

The actor and right-wing activist told the High Court that a tweet by actress Nicola Thorp calling him 'unequivocally, publicly and undeniably a racist' ended his career (pictured with girlfriend Elizabeth Barker outside court on November 22)

Mr Fox, who denies being a racist, said in his written evidence he was 'horrified' when he saw he had been called a racist, which he later described as 'a career-ending word, and a reputation-destroying allegation'

Mr Fox said in his witness evidence he had a 'vibrant and busy' work life before the tweets and before Ms Latimer dropped him, he was asked to audition for roles including Batman and Succession

The barrister said the posts did not cause people to think worse of Mr Blake and Mr Seymour, and that people did not believe they were paedophiles.

Instead, Mr Green said readers would have understood that Mr Fox's posts were a 'retort to an allegation of racism' rather than a factual allegation.

Mr Fox told the court he was 'horrified' when he saw he had been called a racist, which he later described as 'a career-ending word and a reputation-destroying allegation'.

He said his life was 'destroyed' by 'hurtful' racism allegations and he was left unable to get a mortgage.

He said in court: 'Without the prospect of work from her and the income from it, I couldn't get a mortgage.

'The only income I earned at that point was from the Reclaim Party. To this day I haven't bought a house, I only received one mortgage offer very recently, and it was far too high and wouldn't have been worth my while to take it.'

Mr Fox later said he has faced similar issues to Nigel Farage being 'debanked', with his bank 'regularly questioning' legitimate transactions and claimed his car insurance premium increased by nearly 9,000.

He added in his witness evidence he had a 'vibrant and busy' work life before the tweets and before Ms Latimer dropped him, he was asked to audition for roles including Batman and Succession, and 'multiple other Netflix, Disney+ and HBO productions'.

He continued: 'It's a source of incredible sadness to me that my skill set, which has been highly trained, used at great length over 23 or 24 years - it's just been completely put away.'
Triantafillos Parlapanides, the former superintendent, is accused of engaging in a smear campaign through emails sent to media outlets

They argue administrators failed to prevent harassment and bullying before she took her life at home

The family of a New Jersey teen who took her life following relentless bullying is suing the school district for failing to protect her.

Adriana Kuch, 14, died by hanging after she was bashed over the head with a water bottle and jumped by a group of girls in a school hallway.

The vicious attack at Central Regional High School was filmed and uploaded to social media, triggering a flood of abuse and vile messages towards the teenager.

Juts days after her death, the then Central Regional School District Superintendent Triantafillos Parlapanides told media outlets that Koch began using drugs after her father had an affair, claims that her family has denounced as defamatory.

Her father and stepmother, Michael and Sarah Kuch, are now suing the district and administrators for failing to act to prevent their daughter from taking her life.

The suit comes after four youths were charged in connection to Kuch's death, three with third-degree felony assault and another with disorderly conduct. One of the girls was handed an additional charge of conspiracy to commit aggravated assault.

The family of New Jersey teen Adriana Kuch, 14, who died by suicide last year, is suing the Central Regional School District, arguing administrators did not act to prevent her death

Among the parties named in the suit is Triantafillos Parlapanides, the former superintendent, who is accused of unleashing a smear campaign against the dead girl and her family

Two other students jumped Kuch in the halls of Central Regional High School and posted the attack to social media. The 20-second clip shows several students attacking the teen, hitting her with a water bottle and punching and kicking her

The suit names Central Regional High School Principal Irene Marousis, Assistant Principals Darryl Heale and Angelo Mazzuca, Anti-Bullying Coordinator Thomas Gallahue and Anti-Bullying Specialist Jennifer Mullins.

An additional 20 John and Jane Does are identified only as 'administrators, teachers, or other individuals affiliated with Central Regional School District.'

Kuch's family argues that administrators permitted 'a culture of climate of harassment, intimidation, and bullying' to endure at the high school.

The suit alleges that they knew of physical attacks being recorded and posted to social media, contrary to School Board policy.

Furthermore, while another policy allowed school officials to seize and review the contents of students' cell phones, minimizing the risk that recordings would be shared online, they failed to do so.

After Kuch was assaulted on February 1, administrators 'neglected to appropriately, adequately, and timely investigate the attack,' the suit claims.

According to Parlapanides, the district decided not to pursue criminal charges against Kuch's attackers 'to avoid saddling the students who committed the attack with a "double whammy,"' or discipline by both school officials and law enforcement.

The district's inaction created a climate where Kuch was bullied without consequence and videos were subsequently posted online, 'accompanied by devastating commentary,' for all to see including the 14-year-old.

As a result of their inaction, the suit argues, Kuch suffered severe injuries including bruises, swelling and cuts to her head, face, body and legs.

It contends she suffered 'emotional distress, humiliation, and embarrassment' as a result of the assault and cyberbullying that ultimately led to her death.

Michael Kuch, shown here at his daughter's visitation, is suing the district and several administrators with the teen's stepmother, Sarah

Parlapanides wrote to DailyMail.com and several other outlets in February, claiming her mother died by suicide after her father had an affair and saying the girl was offered drug counseling services by the school, which her father declined

Kuch was badly bruised after the attack, in addition to suffering 'emotional distress, humiliation, and embarrassment' that led to her death, the lawsuit claims

The second argument centers around remarks made by Parlapanides in the wake of Kuch's death, characterizing them as 'cruel, malicious, callous, insensitive' and 'entirely false.'

This includes communications with DailyMail.com, which are paraphrased in legal documents.

In an email exchange last year, Parlapanides claimed that Kuch's mother killed herself due to an affair her father had while she was in 6th grade.

'Her father married the woman she had an affair with and moved her into the house,' he wrote.

When the teen was in 7th and 8th grade, he alleged that Koch 'started making bad choices and using drugs,' adding: 'We offered her drug rehab and mental services on 5 occasions but father refused every time.'

On February 8, two days before his communications with DailyMail.com, the disgraced administrator told another reporter that the girls who attacked Koch were friends who suspected she had laced the marijuana they smoked together.

'The father is very upset and has lost his child so sometimes you just have to eat the shit sandwich,' Parlapanides wrote.

The suit alleges negligence, invasion of privacy for disclosing the teen's drug use and need for mental health counseling, and defamation.

The suit introduces the counts of negligence, invasion of privacy for disclosing the teen's drug use and need for mental health counseling, and defamation

One of the girls involved in the attack posted to Snapchat after news of Kuch's death broke. 'Nobody wanted that lil girl to die,' she wrote, before arguing that none of the students cared about Kuch before her death

The 14-year-old hanged herself sometime on the night of February 2 and was found the following morning by her father and stepmother

Kuch hanged herself in her family home sometime on the night of February 2.

Two days earlier, a video was posted to social media showing the 14-year-old walking through the school halls with a friend before another girl approached and smacked her in the face with a water bottle.

Kuch fell to the ground and was repeatedly punched and kicked by students identified in the lawsuit as A.M. and K.B. Eventually, two school workers stepped in and stopped the attack.

Two other girls named as J. P. and A. L. recorded the brutal assault on their cell phones before sharing it online.

After news of Kuch's suicide broke, A.L. took to Snapchat.

'Y'all she reported the vid of her getting her ass beat,' she wrote, accompanying her message with a laughing emoji and urging others to reach out if they wanted to view it.

'Nobody wanted that lil girl to die,' she continued before asserting that those upset about Kuch's death did not care about the teen while she was alive.

'It was the complete opposite...keep it a buck no matter what,' A.L. wrote.

Parlapanides resigned at the end of February, but the district's business administrator confirmed that he was still receiving his $195,353 salary

Michael Kuch is pictured outside his daughter's visitation. He has spoken out against the former superintendent's claims, calling him a 'piece of s***'

Kuch's father disputed Parlapanides' claims in an interview with DailyMail.com last year.

He said Kuch's mother struggled with addiction and died in 2015 when the girl was seven years old.

He rejected claims that 'drug counseling' was offered to his daughter, explaining that he and his wife sought help for her because she had been smoking marijuana through a vape.

'I don't know how to respond to this insane deflection,' the grieving father said, calling Parlapanides a 'piece of s***.'

Of his daughter, he said: 'She was so embarrassed that they jumped her. She would say, "I don't want to be made fun of." It was like she was attacked twice.'

The morning after her death, Kuch's stepmother went to her room to wake her up and began to scream.

'I was in the kitchen, the wife went downstairs and I just heard her screaming "no,"' her father said.

When he hurried downstairs and didn't see the teen in her bed, he suspected she'd sneaked out to her boyfriend's house - before turning to find her hanging in the closet.

'She had on the same clothes that she'd been wearing the day before. A brown jacket I had just bought her,' he recalled. 'She loved that jacket.'

Parlapanides resigned at the end of February, but the district's business administrator confirmed that he was still receiving his $195,353 salary at the time.

The superintendent does not appear to have accepted another position since then, and his LinkedIn profile describes him as 'retired.'

His successor, Michelle CarneyRay-Yoder, who assumed the position in October, told DailyMail.com that the district had yet to be served with legal documents.

'At this time, the Central Regional School District has not been served with a copy of the Complaint and as such, has not yet had an opportunity to review it,' she said, declining to comment.
A pregnant primary school teacher tragically took her own life after a midwife wrongly told her medication for acute morning sickness was harming her unborn child, an inquest heard today.

Jessica Cronshaw, 26, had been 'over-the-moon' after learning she was expecting her first child with partner Eddie Leck, the hearing was told.

But she struggled to eat and was left bed-ridden after being 'reduced to a shell' by hyperemesis gravidarum, an acute form of morning sickness which the Princess of Wales suffered from during each of her pregnancies.

'She went from an outgoing, energetic young woman to struggling to lift her head from the pillow at times,' her mother Susan Cronshaw told today's hearing.

Finally Miss Cronshaw obtained some relief after being prescribed anti-vomiting medication Xonvea.

But during a telephone consultation she was wrongly told it could harm her baby, and began reducing her dose.

Jessica Cronshaw (pictured), 26, was 28 weeks and five days pregnant with her daughter, Elsie, when she and Elsie died earlier this month after Jess had been suffering with hyperemesis gravidarum (HG)

Today Philip Holden, representing Miss Cronshaw's family, put it to the midwife who made the call, Allison Whitehead, that she now understood that Xonvea was not in fact dangerous to an unborn baby

Her condition worsened again, and tragically on November 14, 2022 she was found hanged in her bedroom at the family home in Accrington, Lancashire.

After being rushed to hospital, her daughter Elsie was born was caesarean section.

But four days later the tiny premature baby died at the side of her mother, who was in intensive care.

The following day the family were told Miss Cronshaw had suffered irreversible brain damage, and agreed to the withdrawal of life support.

She died on November 19.

Since their tragic deaths, Ms Cronshaw's partner and family have been campaigning for greater mental health support for women during pregnancy.

In response, Health and Social Care Secretary Victoria Atkins last week highlighted the tragedy as she announced new support for mothers-to-be across England.

READ MORE: Why are pregnant women still NOT being treated for hyperemesis gravidarum? The extreme vomiting condition that hit Kate Middleton and drove one expectant mother to despair Advertisement

A 'high achiever', Miss Cronshaw was a 'driven, confident and loyal' daughter who 'achieved everything she set her heart on', her mother Susan said in a statement to the hearing in Accrington today.

She said her daughter had been 'elated' at learning that she and partner Eddie Leck were expecting a baby in May 2022.

But the onset of intense nausea meant she had to take time off from her job as a teacher at St Nicholas Primary School in Accrington and ended up being confined to bed, she said.

When a doctor at Wigan Infimary A&E told her it was 'just morning sickness' she was left feeling 'deflated' as she 'knew it was more than morning sickness', she added.

'She found it difficult to maintain conversation on the phone,' Mrs Cronshaw said.

'She said all she could do was lie in bed.'

In June she was diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) by a doctor at her local surgery, Peel House Medical Practice, in Accrington.

'Jess told me she was feeling a lot better, believing she would receive advanced care,' her mother said.

But the only direct support the surgery offered her for the condition was a leaflet outlining the support available for HG, the hearing was told.

In the weeks that followed, Miss Cronshaw continued feeling constant sickness and was losing weight.

She was finally admitted to Burnley General Hospital and placed on an intravenous drip and given medication.

But her mother said it didn't help, adding: 'I believe Jess thought the medical professionals weren't taking her seriously.

Ms Cronshaw struggled to eat and was left bed-ridden after being 'reduced to a shell' by hyperemesis gravidarum, an acute form of morning sickness

Ms Cronshaw's mother, Susan

'She was being sick multiple times a day, feeling weak and not eating.'

Mrs Cronshaw said a doctor simply advised her to 'eat as often as you can', saying she could go to McDonald's if she wanted.

'We were extremely frustrated,' she said.

'We explained she could not eat.'

Her daughter began withdrawing from friends, saying she had a sickness bug as she didn't want to tell them she was having a baby so early in the pregnancy, she added.

Mrs Cronshaw said her daughter's 12 week scan at the end of July 'should have been the most magical time, but the hyperemesis gravidarum took it away from us'.

At an antenatal appointment the following month she said her daughter felt 'out of place', clutching a sick bowl while seated alongside 'blooming' mothers-to-be.

She said a consultant changed her medication to a new drug called Xonvea and said she would be 'back at work in two weeks'.

What is hyperemesis gravidarum? Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is a condition that causes persistent and excessive vomiting during pregnancy. Sufferers can be sick lots of times every day and be unable to keep food or water down, impacting their daily life. It is unlikely to harm the baby, but if it causes a women to lose weight during pregnancy there is an increased risk their baby will have a low birth weight. It is different to sickness during pregnancy - often called morning sickness - which is normal and affects eight in 10 pregnant women. For most, this stops or improves around weeks 16 to 20. Meanwhile, HG may not get better by this point and can last until the baby is born. Symptoms of HG include prolonged and severe nausea and vomiting, being dehydrated, weight loss and low blood pressure. Being dehydrated raises the risk of having a blood clot  deep vein thrombosis  but this is rare. It is not clear what causes the condition, or why some women get it and others don't. Some experts think it may be linked to the changing hormones in the body that occurs during pregnancy. And there is some evidence that it runs in families and women who suffered it during their first pregnancy are more likely to have in any subsequent pregnancies. Women suffering from HG can be given medicine to improve their symptoms, such as anti-sickness drugs, vitamins B6 and B12 and steroids. Some women have to be admitted to hospital if their nausea cannot be controlled with medicines at home. They may require fluids and anti-sickness drugs to be administered through an IV. Source: NHS Advertisement

The new drug enabled her to eat slightly more, but she continued to have no energy and spent most of her time in bed, she said.

'Each day was a struggle,' Mrs Cronshaw said.

'Jess looked very unwell, she was extremely skinny with sunken eyes, pale skin and hair matted.

'This was a different Jess to the one I know.'

She added: 'I thought the professionals were more focused on how the baby was doing than how Jess was presenting.'

On September 13 she said her daughter was informed by phone that she needed to reduce her dose of Xonvea due to the risk of 'side-effects' to her unborn baby.

Today Philip Holden, representing Miss Cronshaw's family, put it to the midwife who made the call, Allison Whitehead, that she now understood that Xonvea was not in fact dangerous to an unborn baby.

'Absolutely,' she answered.

Continuing her statement, Mrs Cronshaw said the call had been 'a pivotal moment that would ultimately lead to the most tragic consequences for Jess, Elsie and our whole family'.

As she tried to reduce her dose, Miss Cronshaw's condition deteriorated again and she stopped eating almost entirely.

At another appointment at her GP surgery on November 8 her daughter said she felt 'low', she said.

But Mrs Cronshaw said she was 'shocked' that she wasn't offered help with her mental health.

'This was a huge missed opportunity,' she added.

She said had been 'obvious red flags' which weren't acted upon by medical professionals.

Telling her daughter over the phone that the medication she was taking could harm her unborn baby was 'completely unacceptable', she added.

'She would do anything to make sure Elsie was ok.

'She would have been the most amazing mum to Elsie.

'I'm broken by this. Watching her was soul-destroying.'

Questioned by Mr Holden, midwife Ms Whitehead said she had never heard of Xonvea when Ms Cronshaw called the antenatal unit asking for a repeat prescription.

She said she 'tactfully' passed on the advice about it being potentially harmful to an unborn child in good faith after speaking to two doctors.

Saying 'hindsight is a wonderful thing', the midwife said in retrospect she should have booked a consultant appointment for Miss Cronshaw.

'It was a very busy shift,' she added. 'I'm human, I didn't do it.'

She said she had since read up on Xonvea in her own time and accepted that it was not dangerous to an unborn child.

Ms Whitehead said she had not picked up any concerns over Miss Cronshaw's reaction to her advice.

But she said it could be 'difficult to grasp' a mother-to-be's state of mind over the phone.

'I think a face to face conversation would have perhaps altered my reaction,' she added.

The family's campaign has been supported by charity Pregnancy Sickness Support and Hyndburn MP Sara Britcliffe, who last July raised their concerns in a Westminster Hall debate.

Announcing changes to maternal care at last week's inaugural Women's Health Summit, hosted by The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, the Health Secretary referenced the deaths of Miss Cronshaw and her daughter.

Highlighting the 'enormous mental and emotional toll' that pregnancy and birth can have on women, Ms Atkins said: 'This was demonstrated in the case of a young woman who passed away when extreme pregnancy sickness left her unable to eat, drink or complete daily tasks.'

In response, Ms Britcliffe said: 'I am so happy that through their tireless work and by bringing Jess' story to Parliament, Jess and Elsie's family have made a difference and created change for all women who suffer from HG in the future.'

In his own statement, Mr Leck described a 'rapid transformation from an energetic, active woman to a woman who barely had the strength to get out of bed in the morning'.

Speaking of the repeated medical appointments, he said 'it felt like no-one was listening to us'.

Obstetrician Dr Helen Collier, who prescribed Xonvea to Miss Cronshaw after alternatives failed to help, said the drug was safe to use throughout pregnancy.

Asked by Philip Holden, representing the family, if it had been 'appropriate' for another doctor to recommend cutting the dose without seeing the patient face-to-face, Dr Collier replied that it would have been 'preferable' to have spoken to her directly.

The hearing continues.
MPAKA  Some destitute pupils have resorted to charging E50 to wash a sizeable load of dirty laundry, just so they can go back to school.

About 60 pupils owing school fees at three high schools under Malindza still have hopes of returning to the classroom, but they need to work extra hard for it. The pupils were enrolled in different classes at Malindza High, Mpaka High and Ntandweni High last year. They have not been attending lessons since schools opened last week Tuesday due to owed fees. Twins Lerato and Lusizo Mbatha were supposed to be in Form II at Ntandweni High, but they both owe last years school fees in Form I. Lerato has resorted to washing clothes for community members, charging E50 per washing basket. She narrated that sometimes, she washed three washing baskets per day from different households. If Lerato would wash at least three loads within a 30-day period, she would amass E4 500. Her brother Lusizo also helps in blockyards around the Ntandweni community and sometimes earns E50 per day, which equates to E1 400 per month.

Fees

Each child owes school fees of E5 690. The twins live with their mother, Nelisiwe Nkambule, who is unemployed. Nkambule said she was frustrated and depressed due to the fact that her children were not attending school as they owed last years school fees. She urged members of the public and government to assist with the payment of the school fees as her children were losing out. It hurts to see other children in the morning walking to their respective schools while mine remain at home. I have been praying that God hears my cries and my children return to school, she said. Anele Khoza is supposed to be in Form II at Mpaka High and lives with his grandmother. He also owes school fees of E5 400. I am now employed as a herdboy to raise the money I owe at school. It is depressing because Im missing out on lessons while trying to raise the money, he said in an interview that was conducted in the presence of his grandmother. He has been promised to earn E1500.

According to Gcebile Gwebu, the mother of Noncedo Mdluli, her daughter owes about E7 760 for last years Junior Certificate (JC) examination fee and school fees at Mpaka High. Gwebu said her daughter sat the JC examination last year and she obtained a Second Class pass. She shared that her daughter had been isolating members of her family and was always found seated alone, raising eyebrows that she might be compelled by the situation at home not to return to school. Gwebu said she owed E1 200 for the exam and E6 550 for school fees. She appealed to members of the public and the business community, including non-governmental organisations, to assist in the payment of the owed money, so that her daughter could continue to pursue her academic prospects.She said the father of her daughter left to look for greener pastures in South Africa and did not return.

The mother said she was unemployed and survived through working as a domestic worker for community members under Sulutane area. Dvokodvweni Indvuna Yenkhundla Sabelo Coca Cola Fakudze said according to statistics, he had over 60 children who were not attending school due to owing school fees. Fakudze appealed to government to intervene in addressing this predicament as some of the vulnerable children might resort to committing suicide due to frustration and depression. The indvuna, who is also the school committee chairperson at Mpaka High, further urged the corporate community to also assist children facing the same situation as part of their corporate social initiatives. It is unfortunate that lives are lost when the children resort to committing suicide due to that they were not continuing with their academics. I would like to urge members of the public to extend a helping hand, so that the child can pursue her future goals. I can be contacted at 7614 2004, he said.

SCHOOLS NEED MONEY TO FUNCTION - HEAD TEACHER

SITEKI  A head teacher in one of the schools owed school fees described the matter as a sensitive one on the basis that schools need money to function irrespective of the situation faced by the pupils.

The head teacher, who asked not to be named, said schools provided stationery and expensive textbooks to the learners, despite the pupils backgrounds. The administrator said he was afraid to say as head teachers, they would allow negotiations of payment plans with parents because this would open a door for everyone to come up with excuses. He said the issue of school fees was a sensitive one as primarily; schools suffered in their operations due to insufficient funds to run them. If not the parent, then who is supposed to pay because schools use the funds to pay for administration costs and support staff, to mention a few. I believe once government increases the OVC grants, pupils will not be sent home for owing school fees, said the head teacher.
A baby girl found dead in a pub is believed to have been stillborn in a ladies toilet cubicle, police said today as an officer told the mother: 'I'm not here to arrest you.'

The body was discovered at the Three Horse Shoes in Oulton near Leeds at 4.45pm yesterday while the pub was said to have been busy with customers for its carvery.

A member of pub staff is understood to have found the baby naked with part of the umbilical cord in place. The girl was later confirmed as deceased by paramedics.

West Yorkshire Police detectives are now urgently searching for the baby's mother amid concerns for her welfare and urged her to come forward or seek medical help.

Officers are studying CCTV in a bid to identify the mother, and forensics specialists worked inside the pub today, which had its doors shut and curtains drawn.

The Three Horse Shoes pub in Oulton is pictured today after a newborn baby was found dead

Investigations by West Yorkshire Police continue today at the Three Horse Shoes pub in Oulton

Detective Chief Inspector James Entwistle (left), from West Yorkshire Police's Homicide and Major Enquiry Team; and Karen Sykes (right), Head of Safeguarding at Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust, making a joint appeal outside Leeds General Infirmary to the baby's mother today

At a press conference in Leeds city centre today, Detective Chief Inspector James Entwistle, from the force's homicide and major inquiry team, said the information he has points to the baby being stillborn and having been born in the toilet cubicle.

READ MORE Police appeal for baby Elsa's missing mother - after newborn girl was found dumped in street in shopping bag amid minus 4C freeze Advertisement

Addressing the mother directly, he said: 'From a police perspective I just want to be really clear. I'm not here to arrest you, I'm not here to arrest anyone else.'

Mr Entwistle said the evidence so far suggested the baby's death was 'a stillbirth, and a stillbirth that may have taken place within that bathroom cubicle'.

He said: 'Please, get in touch with us, get in touch with our NHS colleagues and please make sure that we can get you the care you need.

'All I want to achieve is making sure that this doesn't happen again to you or to anyone else.

'I'm here to make sure I understand what's happened and make sure that you get the medical attention that you need.'

West Yorkshire Police have said an investigation is ongoing and stressed their 'priority is to ensure the mother's welfare'.

Also speaking at the press conference was Karen Sykes, head of safeguarding at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said: 'To the mother of this baby girl - we are really concerned about your medical, physical and emotional well-being at this point in time and urgently ask you to seek some medical help and advice.

'You can either go to your GP, but if you don't feel comfortable going to your GP, come to one of our emergency departments.'

Investigations by West Yorkshire Police continue today at the Three Horse Shoes pub in Oulton

The Three Horse Shoes pub in Oulton is pictured today after a newborn baby was found dead

The Three Horse Shoes pub in Oulton today, after a newborn baby was found dead in a toilet

Ms Sykes said the mother could also call 111 or go to one of the trust's maternity assessment centres.

According to LeedsLive, is understood that a member of staff discovered the baby.

Earlier, Mr Entwistle said: 'This is a tragic incident and we are urgently appealing for the mother of the baby girl to contact us or seek medical help as she has been through an extremely traumatic ordeal and could well need treatment herself.

'If the mother is comfortable speaking to the police then she can do so by calling 101 or she can use LiveChat online to talk to us remotely.

'If she doesn't want to speak to the police, she can contact the Leeds Maternity assessment unit on 0113 3926731.

'Our inquiries into the incident remain ongoing today with NHS partners but our main priority remains the mother's welfare and safety.'

Investigations by West Yorkshire Police continue today at the Three Horse Shoes pub in Oulton

The Three Horse Shoes pub in Oulton is pictured today after a newborn baby was found dead

Pub manager Joe Anderson, 35, confirmed that it would not be opening today.

He said: 'Sorry for the delayed post this morning but with careful consideration and for the welfare of our team we will not be opening today.

'We apologise and hope you all understand, please bear with us with messages, emails and phone calls. Bookings will be contacted directly. Thank you for understanding.'

Last night, the pub apologised to customers on Facebook.

A post read: 'I've been writing post after post for the past hour but I don't think right now is the best time given the circumstances.

'We're sure there's speculation of something that happened at our establishment this evening. All I can say at the minute is I'm sorry to everyone that was in with us during the time this happened and to all that was due to come in and couldn't.

West Yorkshire Police investigate at the Three Horse Shoes pub in Oulton yesterday evening

Police cars and vans outside the Three Horse Shoes pub in Oulton after the incident last night

The pub last night apologised to customers on Facebook following the incident

'A massive thank you to those that helped us whilst we were struggling as a team it really doesn't go unappreciated. Lots of love, Team Three Horse Shoes.'

Staff were said to have been 'visibly upset' by the discovery but continued to work in 'clearly distressing circumstances'.

Lee Connor told the pub's staff on Facebook: 'You were absolutely amazing and everyone understands that you will need time to process and be with your friends and family to offload what was a nightmare of a situation.'

And Nicole Connor commented: 'The staff all did amazing to somehow manage the toughest situation they could face without causing alarm and panic amongst the customers, which isn't an easy feat given the situation.'

In separate incident earlier this month in East London, a baby was discovered by a dog walker in East Ham on the evening of January 18 in freezing temperatures.

The Metropolitan Police believe the baby  who was named Elsea by hospital staff - was less than an hour old when she was found wrapped in a towel in a shopping bag.
Jill Biden is taking on Donald Trump, slamming him for making her husband Joe Biden 'look bad' and accusing him of trying to tank a border deal 'for his own political gain.'

The first lady went on the attack at a fundraiser in Houston on Saturday night, after Trump publicly opposed a border compromise being worked on in the Senate.

'You see what happened today with the border, and now Trump is trying to do everything he can to make Joe look bad, you know, even at the lives  sacrificing lives of so many people just for his own political gain,' she told donors to her husband's re-election campaign.

'I know it's early to start, but I want you to sort of think after you leave tonight that yes, I am committed to a democracy. And yes, I'm going to fight as hard as I can and not let anything like 2016 happen again.'

Jill Biden has taken on Donald Trump directly, attacking him for 'trying to do everything he can to make Joe look bad'

Jill Biden was on a three-day fundraising swing through South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida and Texas to tout Joe Biden's accomplishments in office and to rake in campaign cash.

She has increased her role on the campaign trail and has served as an attack dog on Republicans following the policies of the former president. Both Bidens have embraced criticizing 'MAGA Republicans' as a threat to democracy.

Her attack on Trump came after President Biden embraced tough new border restrictions being laid out in the Senate, including shutting down the US-Mexico border.

Biden's border policy has been particularly influenced by the first lady, his advisors told the Wall Street Journal, because of her reaction to the Trump administration's policy of family separations and his 'Remain in Mexico' program.

During the 2020 campaign, Jill Biden visited a tent camp of migrants living just across the southern border in Matamoros, Mexico.

President Biden has embraced the border deal because Senate Republicans have tied it to aid for Ukraine, another priority for the Biden administration, but also because it solves a political hot potato as he campaigns for a second term.

Biden's support for the border compromise is in contrast to president's past stance - where he emphasized 'humanitarian' measures - and comes as the 2024 campaign moves into focus. With Trump's recent wins in Iowa and New Hampshire, he is increasingly looking like the Republican presidential nominee.

President Joe Biden has embraced a compromise border deal being worked out in the Senate while Donald Trump blasted it, saying no bill was better than a bad bill

An aerial view of Eagle Pass, Texas, as migrants walking along razor wire after crossing the Rio Grande into the United States

Trump, meanwhile, blasted the Senate bill as he tries to keep the border issue alive on the campaign trail where it's proved a winning issue for Republicans.

'We need a Strong, Powerful, and essentially 'PERFECT' Border,' Trump wrote on his Truth Social account late Thursday.

The former president said that unless Republicans achieve those goals, 'we are better off not making a deal.'

The 'unsustainable invasion' at the southern border is considered a 'death wish' for the United States, he added.

Republican rejection of the bill would deny Biden a political win as he prepares to face his 2020 rival.

Under the border plan still being worked on in the Senate, the Department of Homeland Security would be granted new emergency authority to shut down the border if daily average illegal crossings reach 4,000 over a one-week span. Certain migrants would be allowed to stay if they proved to be fleeing torture or persecution in their countries.

The text of the proposal is expected to be out soon but has not been finalized.

'This bill focuses on getting us to zero illegal crossings a day,' Senator James Lankford, the Republicans' lead negotiator, said on Fox News Sunday. 'There's no amnesty, it increases the number of border patrol agents, it increases asylum officers, it increases detention beds so we can quickly detain and then deport individuals.'

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

Jill Biden has become a prime advocate for husband Joe Biden's re-election campaign

But House Speaker Mike Johnson suggested the compromise on border could be 'dead on arrival' in his chamber, setting up an intra-party fight on the issue.

Republicans repeatedly point to the historic numbers of migrants that have come to the U.S. during Biden's presidency.

Biden's team argues that global unrest is driving the migration and that the president has sought to implement humane policies on border enforcement.

Border crossings hit another record in December.

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.

'Securing the border through these negotiations is a win for America,' Biden said in the statement endorsing the Senate deal. 'For everyone who is demanding tougher border control, this is the way to do it.'

A CBS News poll conducted earlier this month found Biden's approval rating on handling immigration issues is at a record low with 68% saying they disapproved of his border policies and 63% saying they wanted him to be tougher.

If the deal collapses, it also could leave congressional leaders with no clear path to approving tens of billions of dollars for Ukraine.
This is the shocking moment an innocent medical worker pleads with a police officer that he has got the wrong person - after he was mistaken for the subject and punched in the head.

In horrifying footage audiologist Rasike Attanayake desperately says 'I'm the one who called you' after being handcuffed, pinned to the floor and brutally hit in the head.

As he is forced to the ground by PC Jonathan Marsh he says 'can you not do that' - but his cries are ignored as the uniformed officer shouts: 'Get on the f*****g floor now. Get on the f*****g floor'.

Mr Attanayake was found to have sustained abrasions to his face following the incident.

PC Marsh then continues to cuff the medical worker and restrain him, saying 'stop resisting' as he says it was him who had asked for them to attend the scene.

In the final moment of the footage he asks his colleague, PC Simran Bogle, to put the stricken man's glasses back on.

Mr Attanayake had called 999 reporting a drunk man for smashing the notice board outside his practice HearHear in Romford in November 2022.

PC Marsh, from Canvey Island, Essex, was found guilty of common assault at City of London Magistrates' Court on Monday after he punched an innocent medical worker in the head

Rasike Attanayake called 999 to report a drunk man damaging his audiology practice but was mistaken as the culprit, being taken to the ground, punched and arrested by PC Marsh

In horrifying footage audiologist Rasike Attanayake desperately says 'I'm the one who called you' after being handcuffed, pinned to the floor and brutally hit in the head (pictured)

As he is forced to the ground by PC Jonathan Marsh he says 'can you not do that' - but his cries are ignored as the uniformed officer shouts: 'Get on the f*****g floor now. Get on the f*****g floor'

PC Marsh then continues to cuff the medical worker and restrain him, saying 'stop resisting' as he says it was him who had asked for them to attend the scene

The officers tried to find the suspect but mistakenly identified Mr Attanayake as the culprit and bundled him to the ground.

He was handcuffed and put in the back of a police car, before the officers realised their mistake and de-arrested him.

Mr Attanayake complained to the Met, and the force referred the case to watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) to investigate.

Marsh, from Canvey Island, Essex, was found guilty of common assault at City of London Magistrates' Court on Monday, and will be sentenced on February 29.

IOPC regional director Charmaine Arbouin said: 'Police officers may only use force when it is necessary, proportionate, and reasonable in the circumstances.

'There was no policing purpose or justification for the officer to strike the man, who posed no genuine risk.

'The shopkeeper was a law-abiding member of the public who had called the police to report a crime when he became a victim of mistaken identity.

'We appreciate cases of mistaken identity can happen, however, Pc Marsh made no attempt to establish the facts and the situation escalated quickly when he immediately used unnecessary force on the man who posed no threat to him or his colleague.

'Now Pc Marsh has a conviction against his name.'

Mr Attanayake was found to have sustained abrasions to his face following the incident.

It has not yet been decided whether Marsh will face a disciplinary hearing over the case

It has not yet been decided whether Marsh will face a disciplinary hearing over the case.

Giving evidence in court PC Bogle said: 'At the time I strongly believed this was the suspect, the description given to us matched perfectly, the clothing described, that Mr Attanayake was wearing.

'He had his hands in his pockets at the time which was a cause for concern.

Due to the nature of the incident of how high risk I had assessed it, I believed Mr Attanayake could have something in his hands that he was concealing, that could be a weapon he could use against us.'

PC Bogle claims she then told Mr Attanayake 'show me your hands' before she and Marsh took hold of him bar the arms 'to speak to him'.

She said at that point she believed he was the suspect so her intention was to 'approach him and arrest him for the offence that was alleged on the initial phone calls.'

She added: As I took a hold of Mr Attanayakes right arm, I recall Mr Attanayake tensing his arms whilst I was trying to take his hands out of his pockets.

It made me believe this male could be violent and could try to harm us.

In delivering her verdict, District Judge Annabel Pilling described the assault on Mr Attanayake as 'gratuitous violence'

PC Marsh initiated taking him to the floor by doing this we were able to encourage his arms from underneath his body so we could apply the handcuffs.

The incident unfolded very quickly from being told Mr Attanayake was the suspect to engaging him from that point onwards.'

Prosecutor Tom Broomfield told City of London Magistrates Court: PC Marsh, in those few seconds the prosecution, say lost his head.

It was a punch born of frustration because PC Marsh wanted Mr Attanayake, without any explanation, to immediately and passively comply with his aggressive and contradictory commands.'

In delivering her verdict, District Judge Annabel Pilling described the assault on Mr Attanayake as 'gratuitous violence'.

She said the level of force Marsh had used was 'not necessary, justified, or proportionate to effect arrest.

'Nor was it necessary or reasonable self-defence for either you our your fellow officer.'

She also questioned the truthfulness of his defence during the trial, saying: 'I didn't find you gave honest evidence, and you were never under the impression that a weapon was involved or that you were concerned about his mental health.

'You didn't strike him to keep yourself or PC Bogle safe.'

She added: 'I'm sure he was not resisting and I don't believe you thought he really was.

She concluded: 'I have no doubt you are guilty of this offence, and caused the injuries described.'
Archive has emerged from the Christopher Foyle library for sale for 3,000 at auctioneers Dominic Winter, of Cirencester, Gloucs

Dickens did 'property inspections' and supplied tenant with hay and wine

Fascinating historical letters documenting Charles Dickens' purchase of his 'dream home' and how he was a convivial landlord have been discovered.

The Victorian writer who originally hails from Portsmouth, Hampshire walked past Gad's Hill Place as a child with his father who told him 'you will live there one day if you work hard enough'.

After finding fame, the renowned novelist brought the late 18th-century country home in Higham, Kent, for 1,780, the equivalent of 142,000 today, in 1855.

At the time the property was being rented out by a tenant, the Reverend Joseph Hindle.

Rather than evict him when he took over ownership, Dickens allowed Rev Hindle to carry on living here for two more years while he did repairs to the property.

Dickens' letter dated March 17th 1856 making arrangements for the payment of rent following his purchase of Gad's Hill PLace

The documents reveal that Dickens was a fairly reasonable landlord as he charged 51-6-8 for six month's rent and 'had no wish to intrude upon or disturb' his tenant

Charles Dickens in his study at Gad's Hill Place - the same home where he died from a stroke in 1870 aged 58

After finding fame, the renowned novelist brought the late 18th-century country home in Higham, Kent, for 1,780, the equivalent of 142,000 today, in 1855

In a 1855 letter, Dickens begins by writing 'as I have now completed the purchase of Gad's Hill Place'.

He then outlines to Revd Hindle how he would like the rent to be paid, through his trusted assistant William Henry (WH) Wills.

The documents reveal that Dickens was a fairly reasonable landlord as he charged 51-6-8 for six month's rent and 'had no wish to intrude upon or disturb' his tenant.

Correspondence from Mr Wills to Revd Hindle mentions Dickens did 'property inspections' and supplied him with hay and wine - that's far more than some landlords today might add!

Writing on the Oliver Twist author's behalf, Mr Wills said that Dickens had 'no wish whatever to allow any active operations that would intrude upon, or disturb you to be begun until entirely given up possession'.

Other correspondence explained that Dickens himself would visit to inspect and value the fixtures including fireplaces, grates and a kitchen range and to arrange for a builder to 'take dimensions' for the repairs.

Revd Hindle vacated the property in 1857 and Dickens moved in, writing A Tale of Two Cities and Great Expectations, one of his seminal works, under its roof.

Dickens was part-way through The Mystery Of Edwin Drood when he died of a stroke at Gad's Hill Place in 1870 aged 58.

The archive has emerged from the Christopher Foyle library for sale for 3,000 at auctioneers Dominic Winter, of Cirencester, Gloucs.

Foyle, a descendant of the Foyles Bookshop family, died recently and over 700 of his books and letters are going under the hammer.

Charles Dickens birthplace can still be visited today as a popular tourist attraction located in Portsmouth, Hampshire

A first edition copy of Charles Dicken's a Christmas Carol book will be going to auction

The book was published on December 19, 1843 - just six weeks after Dickens began writing the story

Also in the sale is an English School portrait of Charles Dickens as a young man in 1840 that could fetch 1,500

Chris Albury, books and manuscripts specialist at Dominic Winter, said: 'Dickens had seen the house as a child, when walking with his father from Chatham.

'His father is said to have pointed it out to him as the spot where he might one day live himself if only he worked hard enough.

'After protracted negotiations with the seller, Dickens paid 1,790 for the house and, the repairs complete, moved in during the summer of 1857.

'It was to be his country residence until his death, where he wrote A Tale of Two Cities and Great Expectations.

'Dickens is perennially popular with dramatisations of his works as he was a brilliant character writer and storyteller.

'He was popular in his lifetime and that has only continued on and on, so I would expect huge interest in this lot from collectors in Britain, America and further afield.'

Also in the sale is an English School portrait of Charles Dickens as a young man in 1840 that could fetch 1,500.

The sale takes place on Wednesday.
A teenager has revealed that he used Krav Maga skills to defeat a knife-wielding thug who threatened shoppers at a Jewish grocery store in Golders Green and shouted anti-Semitic slurs.

Officers were called to Kay's Supermarket on Hamilton Road following reports that an alleged knifeman was making threats to customers and shop assistants and shouting anti-Jewish slurs.

Yosef Chaim Reitman, 18, the son of the shopkeeper whose store was targeted by the attacker, said that he was forced to intervene after the 34-year-old attacker demanded that staff answer his questions about events 'in Palestine'.

He told the Jewish Chronicle: 'He told me I live here, let's go around the corner and speak. I didn't want to do that, I said let's stay here.

'That's when he got very angry and he grabbed my neck. I learned Krav Maga at school and other martial arts, from years five to seven.

'I tried to tackle him and restrain him. I wanted to stop him.

Police apprehended a knifeman outside a Jewish supermarket in Golders Green, Northwest London

The 34-year-old man allegedly shouted antisemitic slurs and threatened staff and shoppers with a large knife

'That's when people shouted 'knife' and I quickly let go, even before I tried to trip him over he had the knife out.

'He went towards my father with the knife. Then he went towards me. Hashem gave me the idea to take out one of the trollies and then I pushed it against his stomach to try and repel him.

'He kept coming at me. As he started coming towards me I quickly through the trolley towards him.'

The man is seen in one piece of footage wearing a grey hoodie and threatening members of the public an staff with the weapon, whilst they protect themselves using supermarket trolleys to ram into him.

The suspected knifeman crossed the road and entered a house where he changed clothes.

When he left the building he was tackled to the ground by members of Shomrim, a community patrol group, and arrested by police on suspicion of an offensive weapon, criminal damage and racially-aggravated affray. He has since been taken into custody.

In a video taken of the arrest, a man could be seen in a black hoodie lying face down on the floor while officers attempted to put handcuffs on him.

Police say a knife was recovered from the scene there were no reports of any injuries. The incident is not being treated as terror related.

A spokesperson for The Community Security Trust praised the 'brave staff' who kept the attacker at bay and called the police who arrived within ten minutes.

The man allegedly entered the kosher supermarket demanding to speak to staff about events 'in Palestine ' and when staff refused to talk, he pulled out a knife

Police were called and arrested the man. No one was injured and the incident is not being treated as a terror related

They said: 'We thank the Metropolitan Police Service and Shomrim NW London for their brave and urgent response to this alleged antisemitic attack. We are following the matter closely and will give further updates when we can.'

Inspector Scott Barden-Marshall, from the local policing team in north-west London, said: 'I know this incident will cause concern in the community.

'An investigation is now under way.'
An Iran-backed drone which killed three American troops in Jordan on Saturday tricked US forces into thinking it was one of their own, a Pentagon official told Politico.

The suicide drone trailed an American aircraft returning to base - Tower 22 close to the Syrian border - and US defenses confused the two.

It was launched from Iraq by a militia backed by Iran, the main supporter of anti-Israel group Hezbollah, according to US officials. At least 34 people were also injured in the strike.

The attackers saw an 'opportunity' to trail the US plane and 'exploited' it, according to a US Department of Defense official who spoke with Politico on condition of anonymity.

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 42, near the Syria border, and resulted in at least 34 other injuries

Modern military aircraft, naval vessels and ground vehicles are fitted with technology known as Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) Transponders, which identify 'friendly' vehicles.

It's unclear whether the system in use at the Jordan base malfunctioned or if human error was involved.

The defense official also told Politico that just 90 minutes after the strike on Tower 22, Iranian proxies launched a second drone at a US base at al-Tanf Garrison, which is just across the border in Syria.

This drone was shot down by a US drone called RTX's Coyote uncrewed aerial system, according to the outlet.

President Joe Biden announced the deaths of three American troops the morning after the attack.

'Today, Americas heart is heavy,' he wrote 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.'

Meanwhile, conflict in the war-torn Middle Eastern region continues to escalate, with the war in Gaza still ongoing, and Iran currently exchanging airstrikes with US ally Pakistan.

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.'

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

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.

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

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

The Houthis have since targeted ships in the region sporadically, with the attacks ramping up recently.

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.
As another 388 migrants arrived here over the weekend after crossing the Channel illegally, a Russian lorry driver was starting a prison sentence for helping foreign nationals trying to leave Britain.

Yes, you did read that correctly. Nikolai Kuznetsov, 39, was arrested at Dover attempting to board a ferry bound for France.

Border Force officers discovered 22 people of North African origin, including a five-year-old girl, stowed away in the back of his vehicle.

They were all taken into custody and, presumably, are still here, billeted in a four-star hotel somewhere. Thats unless they were immediately released into the community and have subsequently managed to make it over to France, which is all they wanted to do in the first place.

Border Force bring 50 migrants ashore at Dover Docks on Saturday afternoon

Kuznetsov was intercepted back in August and appeared before magistrates in Canterbury, Kent, last Friday. He pleaded guilty to facilitating illegal entry to an EU member state and was sentenced to four years and four months in jail.

National Crime Agency operations manager John Turner hailed the success of a job well done. 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.

Treble Glennhoddles all round, chaps!

But hang on a minute. With the exception of the five-year-old girl  who wont have had a say in the matter  all of those found in the back of his lorry were in there voluntarily.

They actively wanted to be smuggled out of Britain and had paid for the privilege. Were not told how or when they arrived, or whether they had any right to be here. My guess would be no right.

Nikolai Kuznetsov, 39, was arrested at Dover attempting to board a ferry bound for France

Doesnt really matter, though. They had chosen to leave and we had no good reason to stop them.

As for Kuznetsov, hes obviously a crook linked to the Russian mob, or some other gang. But he, too, was attempting to leave the country.

Why was he charged with facilitating illegal entry to an EU member state? Surely that should be entirely a matter for the French, had they managed to intercept him at Calais, or wherever the ferry docked. Let him do his time in a Gallic jail, not Ford Open.

Whats it got to do with us? Were not in the EU any more. And the French are hardly doing us many favours when it comes to preventing smuggling gangs facilitating illegal entry to the UK  despite us bunging them the thick end of 500million to stop the boats.

Since 2020, more than 100,000 have made the crossing. And, other than a symbolic handful of Albanians, theyre all still here.

Thats largely down to the concerted sabotage efforts of the taxpayer-funded yuman rites lobby, the courts, and the cowardice of the government in refusing to withdraw from the jurisdiction of European judges because of fierce opposition from politicians who place the sanctity of international institutions above their duty to serve the best interests of the British people.

The row over the Rwanda deportation scheme kicked off in the House of Lords again today, with unelected peers  including an assortment of bishops  planning a whole series of amendments to delay the scheme for months.

But the political obstructionism is only part of the problem. The entire immigration system is a complete clustershambles. Most of us thought the job of Border Force was to stop people entering Britain illegally  not prevent them leaving.

So those of us who have been making Hotel California jokes ever since the migration crisis started have been proved right.

You can check out any time you like. But you can never leave.

We have no way of knowing if the 22 stowaways detained at Dover planned to settle in France or head home to Africa.

If it was France, the sensible thing to do would have been to load them into one of the hundreds of dinghies abandoned over the past four years, wish them a fond farewell and point them in the direction of the Pas de Calais.

Missing you already.

If getting back to Africa was their goal, we could always offer them a free one-way ticket on the first plane out to Rwanda. Thats if the House of Lords doesnt succeed in stopping it taking off.

BEWARE THE SEA EAGLES

The committee which convenes once a month to give Gary something to draw has been putting in the overtime lately.

Direct from Creepy Crawly Corner comes news that the Portuguese pine processionary caterpillar  a toxic cousin of our old friend the oak processionary moth  is headed our way from Southern Europe. Something to do with climate change, probably.

Elsewhere, a wallaby called Wes is on the run in Devon after escaping from a farm shop near Exeter, where it is believed to have been working behind the counter.

In Scotland, a full-scale search operation was launched yesterday for a runaway monkey. Animal welfare officers scrambled surveillance drones to hunt for the male Japanese macaque, which legged it from a wildlife park at the start of the mating season and was last spotted roaming around the village of Kincraig.

And as part of the latest rewilding vogue, sea eagles are being reintroduced at Poole, in Dorset.

If you thought seagulls nicking your fish and chips on the promenade were bad enough, just wait until sea eagles start swooping down and carrying off your kids.

Gary, its over to you.

FORGET AMERICAN MOLLS

The latest trend among women old enough to know better is Mob Wife chic, modelled on Tony Sopranos Carmela.

Instead of apeing American molls, why dont they look closer to home, at the birds who used to hang around the Krays in the 1960s?

Squeeze: Baps Windsor and her then husband, villain-cum-nightclub owner Ronnie Knight

British gangsters wives all aspired to dress like a cross between Babs Windsor  during her marriage to villain-cum-nightclub owner Ronnie Knight  and Anita Dobsons Ange from EastEnders.

As Squeeze observed: Aint it funny how their missus always looks the bleedin same?

HOMES FOR HAMAS

Ministers have decided against denying foreign nationals convicted of terrorist offences the right to social housing. Yes, really.

After a consultation, they concluded that even being found guilty of fundraising for Hamas would be no bar to eligibility for a council house, provided the conviction was spent.

I suppose this shouldnt come as any great surprise. Look at the money weve lavished on homes for terrorist enablers like Finsbury Parks Captain Hook, now serving 1,000 years-to-life in America.

In the UK, he got a 1 million council home and all the benefits he could eat, including getting his toenails cut on the taxpayer. In the U.S., he got banged up in a supermax prison, and they took away his hook. Just about sums up Soft Touch Britain.

After World War I, British Tommies were promised Homes for Heroes.

A century later, were building Homes for Hamas.

WOKE REVISION CONTINUES

The woke rewriting of history gathers pace. According to a new exhibition funded by the Arts Council and Lambeth Council, the early British people were black for 7,000 years until the whites arrived.

A couple of weeks ago, I joked that it was probably not long before LGBTQWERTY+ revisionists claimed Admiral Lord Nelson as one of their own, on the strength of Kiss Me, Hardy. I should have known better. Having featured him alongside a genderless migrant goddess, in the shape of a black woman, the National Maritime Museum is now reimagining Nelson as a gay icon as part of something called Queer History Club Night.

You couldnt make it up.

At this rate, its only a matter of time before they tell us that Nelson was black, too.
Cops in Paris are investigating the alleged sexual assault of an American woman who says that she was 'raped and left at the side of the road' while visiting the city to attend Fashion Week.

'An American tourist said she was raped after a party in a hotel bar,' in capital's northwestern 17th district, the public prosecutor's office said.

French daily Le Parisien said that the American tourist, who had come to the French capital to attend shows during this month's Fashion Week, was raped by two men after taking drugs that one of them had given her.

According to the newspaper, the assault happened in a house that the woman was subsequently unable to locate. The woman said that the two men brought her to that home.

The tourist was in Paris for Fashion Week

Reports in France say that police were called to a street around 20 minutes drive from the Four Seasons around 8:30pm local time on Saturday night.

The woman was with others who said that she had described them being raped earlier that evening.

The Le Parisien report said that she was 'raped and then left by the side of the road.'

The woman said that after the assault, she was forced back into the car that took her to the home, and then forced out a few minutes later.

At the time of writing, there are no suspects in custody.
The Archbishop of Canterbury waded into the Rwanda Bill row today despite Rishi Sunak warning peers not to frustrate the 'will of the people'.

Justin Welby insisted Britain must 'do better' than the government's crucial legislation as it was debated in the House of Lords for the first time.

He cited the teachings of Jesus as he rejected calls for religious leaders to stay out of the issue.

But the Archbishop did said he will not be supporting a Lib Dems motion that would stop the Bill in its tracks tonight - an unusual step at second reading stage.

Instead he made clear he would be looking to amend the Bill and take a view at third reading.

The attempt to crash the proposals immediately is almost certain to fail as Labour is set to abstain.

Justin Welby insisted Britain must 'do better' than the government's crucial legislation as it was debated in the House of Lords for the first time

The House of Lords has started debating the government legislation this afternoon

Peers will bid to kill the Rwanda Bill today despite Rishi Sunak (pictured in Darlington today) warning them not to oppose the 'will of the people'

A file photograph of migrants about to be picked up in the Channel

The Safety of Rwanda Bill's second reading in the Lords this afternoon is the first time peers have had the opportunity to debate the measures.

The Bill aims to declare Rwanda a safe country and overcome objections raised by the Supreme Court, which declared the scheme unlawful in November.

Earlier this month the PM warned peers not to 'frustrate the will of the people', urging them to 'do the right thing' and pass the Bill 'as quickly as possible'.

But the Bill was booed as it was formally introduced to the House.

And last week Lords defeated the Government in a separate vote on a treaty signed with Rwanda which will introduce a number of safeguards for asylum seekers sent to the east African nation.

They backed a ten-point plan that would mean removals could not take place until all the safeguards have been fully introduced and 'bedded in'.

Ministers are not bound by last week's vote, but in the next stage the Lords can attempt to water down the legislation.

Some 71 members of the upper chamber were down to speak at the second reading debate of the draft law this afternoon.

Mr Welby said: 'We can, as a nation, do better than this Bill.

'With this Bill the Government is continuing to seek good objectives in the wrong way, leading the nation down a damaging path.'

He added: 'We need a wider strategy for refugee policy which involves international co-operation and which equips us for the far greater migration flows, perhaps 10 times greater in the coming decades, as a result of conflict and climate change and poverty. Instead this Bill offers only ad hoc one-off approaches.

'Rwanda is a country I know well, it is a wonderful country and my complaint is not with Rwanda, nor with its people. It has overcome challenges that this House cannot begin to imagine.

'But this Bill continues, wherever it does it, to outsource our legal and moral responsibilities for refugees and asylum seekers, with other countries far poorer already supporting multitudes more than we are now and to cut back on our aid.'

Lord Clarke of Nottingham, the former Tory chancellor, said - despite having backed previous legislation on the Rwanda plan - he could not support the Government's new Rwanda Bill unless it was 'substantially amended'.

He said Parliament overruling the courts on Rwanda's safety set a 'very dangerous constitutional provision'.

'They have decided to bring an Act of Parliament to overturn a finding of fact made by the Supreme Court of this country,' Lord Clarke told peers.

'And if we pass this bill, we are asserting as a matter of law that Rwanda is a safe country for this purpose, that it is always going to be a safe country for this purpose until the law is changed, and the courts may not even consider any evidence brought before them to try to demonstrate that is not a safe country.

'This is a very dangerous constitutional provision.'

Lord Blunkett, the former Labour home secretary, told peers the Rwanda plan was merely 'virtue signalling' to the public and would not solve the small boats problem.

'This is nothing to do with finding solutions, it is everything to do to virtue signalling, as you might in quotes put it to a particular part of the electorate and to find scapegoats for Government failure,' he said.

'The scapegoats are of course the Opposition, the courts themselves, and this House.'

Lord McDonald of Salford, the former top civil servant at the Foreign Office, branded the Rwanda Bill 'fundamentally flawed legislation'.

'Rwandan institutions depend on [President] Paul Kagame. What happens when he goes is uncertain,' he said.

'A country whose institutions are only 30 years old and one-man deep cannot be said to be safe for vulnerable refugees simply because it signs a treaty promising to treat those asylum seekers well.

'But such a country can provide reassurance by proven good performance over time.'

Lord Carlile of Berriew, who earlier this month warned the Government is moving towards 'totalitarianism' in its handling of the policy, claimed ministers were attempting to 'legislate a lie' with the Rwanda Bill.

The crossbench peer referred to reports in the Observer newspaper which suggested Rwandan refugees had been granted asylum in the UK at the same time ministers were attempting to legislate for their countrys safety.

He said: 'We have the spectacle in the teeth of the evidence of His Majestys Government telling us Rwanda is safe, asking us to legislate a lie. I hope we will not legislate that lie.'

Lord Carlile has previously suggested the Lords would seek to undo what he described as politicians 'meddling' in the independent courts.

Lord Clarke of Nottingham, the former Tory chancellor, said he could not support the Government's Rwanda Bill unless it was 'substantially amended'

Lib Dem Lord German has tabled a 'fatal' motion that would decline the second reading, arguing that the legislation would put the UK 'at risk of breaching its international law commitments', undermine the courts and heap costs on the taxpayer

Lib Dem Lord German has tabled a 'fatal' motion that would decline the second reading, arguing that the legislation would put the UK 'at risk of breaching its international law commitments', undermine the courts and heap costs on the taxpayer.

Baroness Patience Wheatcroft told BBC Radio 4's Westminster Hour last night that the mood in the Lords is 'absolutely opposed to the Rwanda scheme apart from some of the Tories'.

She said she knew of Conservatives who were voting with the government out of duty, but felt 'absolutely distraught' about what was being planned.

Praising the dismissal motion being tabled by the Lib Dems, Lady Wheatcroft denied that the Salisbury convention - which suggests the Lords does not meddle in flagship government measures.

'I will certainly be voting in favour of that because I think it is not covered by the Salisbury convention that being the case it seems to me that this is desperately flawed legislation,' she said.

'No amount of amending it will ever turn it into a respectable piece of legislation. It goes against the Supreme Court, it leaves the way open to breach international law and it deprives individuals of rights that we have always thought they should have.'

Lady Wheatcroft said she did not want to spend an 'interminable amount of time, many late nights, trying to amend it to turn it into something reasonable'.

One leading peer last night said that he expected a number of amendments that would attempt to make fundamental changes to the Bill.

Top barrister and crossbench peer Lord Carlile KC said: 'I think there will be a head of steam in the House of Lords to ensure that the ten-point plan  in a legislative framework  is satisfied before anybody can be removed to Rwanda.'

Lord Carlile said 'the Bill can go through as long as this is done', adding: 'The Government has been very laconic in its attitude so far and has attempted to brush aside opposition, pretending it is not an issue. But it is a huge issue.'

A Liberal Democrat and Green Party attempt to kill off the Bill with a 'fatal motion' in the Lords today will not win the support of Labour, meaning it will almost certainly fail.

Church of England bishops are also expected to voice their opposition to the Bill.

In last week's debate, the Bishop of Gloucester Rachel Treweek said it was 'remarkable' that the Government was asking Parliament to state that Rwanda is a safe country for asylum seekers.

Bishop Treweek added: 'The Prime Minister has called on peers to get on board and do what is right, but I fear it cannot be right to assure ourselves that asylum seekers will be protected by a few sheets of paper.'

More than 70 peers are due to speak during today's debate, with individual amendments voted on at a later stage.
Democrat Rep. Dani Issacsohn and Republican Rep. Bill Seitz have sponsored the new bill to reduce absenteeism

Democrat Rep. Dani Issacsohn and Republican Rep. Bill Seitz have sponsored the new bill to reduce absenteeism

Chronic absenteeism in Toledo Public Schools was approximately 42 percent for the 2022-2023 year - compared to the state average of 26 percent

House Bill 348 would also give cash incentives to kindergarteners, ninth graders, high school students who graduate and those with top grades

Ohio is considering paying some school students to attend class and extra if they graduate under a pilot program aimed at reducing absenteeism.

The trial, detailed in House Bill 348, hopes to 'increase student attendance and graduation rates through financial awards and incentives.'

Officials will randomly select half of kindergarteners and ninth graders at one rural and one urban school to receive $50 a month if they maintain an attendance rate of 90 percent or higher - while the others will remain in a 'control' group and receive nothing.

The legislation has been co-sponsored by Democrat Rep. Dani Issacsohn and Republican Rep. Bill Seitz.

'I hope this pilot works. But either way, we need to be figuring out what the answer is to the issue of chronic absenteeism,' Rep. Issacsohn told WKYC.

House Bill 348, hopes to 'increase student attendance and graduation rates through financial awards and incentives' at struggling districts such as in Toledo which had a 42 percent absenteeism rate for the 2022-2023 year, compared to the state average of 26 percent

The financial incentive would be distributed in bi-weekly payments of $25 to participating freshman students and to the parents and guardians of kindergarteners.

If the bill is passed, students and their parents would earn $150 at the end of each quarter and $500 at the end of the school for showing up at least 90 percent of the entire school year.

The bill also includes a separate incentive for high school students that graduate, also referred to as an 'eligible student.'

The student would need to graduate from a 'qualifying school district' in order to receive $250 to each student upon graduation.

If the high school senior finished with a grade point average of 3.0 or more, they are set to receive another reward up to $250, for total of $500.

If the student had a grade point average pf 3.5 or more, they could make an extra $500.

Chronic absenteeism - when students miss 10 percent or more of the school year - was 42 percent in the Toledo Public Schools district for the 2022-2023 year, while the state average was about 26 percent, according to state records.

Michael Carter, a parent of a student at Sylvania Southview High School said that even though his children go to school every day, he know that others struggle to do the same.

'I think it could be helpful with parents that need help with getting their child to school,' Carter said.

Ohio State Rep. Dani Issacsohn, a co-sponsor on the bill has backed his decision to support it by comparing the cost of paying students and parents to the cost of sending a child to juvenile detention centers

The Department of Education have chosen to give cash transfer incentives to the parents of kindergarteners and ninth grade students. Pictured: Sylvania Southview High School

Other parents and lawmakers have strongly disagreed with the proposed legislation in the swing state.

Republican State Rep. Josh Williams, who serves in the primary and secondary education committee, said he 'knew; he was going to disagree with the bill 'and its premise.'

'You already pay taxes to provide a free education to those children. But now you're going to actually pay a parent next door, out of your pocket, to make sure their kids get up and get on a school bus,' Williams said.

'Dumb idea. Parents need to be responsible,' a commenter online said about the proposal.

Another said: 'Just imagine what the teachers could do for the kids if they had $500 PER STUDNET in their classroom budget. Don't pay the kids, support the teachers!'

Rep. Issacsohn backed up his support for the bill by comparing the cost of rewarding students and their parents to the cost of sending a child to a juvenile detention center.

'If one student spends a year in the Department of Youth Services or in juvenile detention, we're talking a six-figure cost to the state and to the government,' he said.

According tot the bill, the total amount of money that would be put toward the pilot program would be $250,000 in the 2024 fiscal year and $500,000 in 2025. Pictured: Byrnedale Elementary School

The total amount of money that would be put toward the pilot program would be $250,000 in the 2024 fiscal year and $500,000 in 2025.

Only schools that are ranked in the lowest 20 percent of school districts will be considered for the trials.

Schools who are interested in this plan would have to sent an application to the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce.

Other states in the US that have faced a surge in absenteeism include Alaska with 44.97 percent, the District of Columbia at 43.6 percent, Florida at 30.9 percent, and Hawaii at 30.4 percent, according to research conducted by Future Ed.
MBABANE - The lack of infrastructure to accommodate people with disabilities in the countrys prisons has seen a visually impaired rapist walking free.

Daniel Masimula (60), who has reportedly developed other sickness which has rendered him bedridden, has been in custody since 2022. He was convicted of raping a teenage girl, by the Piggs Peak Magistrates Court and was awaiting sentence. However, due to his condition, His Majestys Correctional Services (HMCS) Chief Medical Officer, Doctor Mulume Ngoie, wrote to the director of public prosecutions (DPP), outlining why it would no longer be prudent for the institution to continue keeping the convict. In turn, the prosecution moved an application at the High Court to have Masimula released, on what it termed as free bail. Judge Bonginkhosi Magagula who heard the application then endorsed that Masimula be released on free bail as prayed for by the prosecution. When moving the application, prosecutor Mxolisi Dlamini, informed the court that this was an extraordinary application. He told the court that the Correctional facility had no option but to apply that the convict should be released on free bail as the institution was unable to continue keeping him due to his fading health condition.

Attention

The prosecutor brought it to the attention of the court that they feared that the convict might die, hence the need to have him released to his family. In his report to the DPP, Dr Ngoie stated that during his last visit at Piggs Peak Correctional Centre, on January 16, 2024, together with a nurse, they noted that Masimula was bedridden, semi-conscious, communicated poorly and lost his vision. He highlighted that they also observed that the glycaemia readings were high and they referred him to Piggs Peak Government Hospital. Glycemia refers to the concentration of sugar or glucose in the blood. The chief medical officer mentioned that Masimulas current health condition, was not improving and he needed to be physically assisted continuously, by a third person to enable him to meet his day-to-day personal/natural needs.

Considering that our Correctional clinics are not yet equipped with the palliative care unit to provide these services, I therefore recommend that the patient (Masimula) be discharged home, where he will benefit from the tender-loving care from his family members, which he needed the most at this particular stage of his sickness, reads part of the letter by the doctor that was presented in court. Also annexed to the application for the release of Masimula is a psychosocial enquiry that was prepared by the institution. In the inquiry report, it is stated that the Correctional facilities had a legal obligation to accommodate the needs of blind and visually impaired offenders. As per the report, the blind and visually impaired inmates should be entitled to certain accommodation and support to ensure their safety and well-being. This according to the institution should include, providing material in accessible formats such as braille or audio, ensuring that facilities are navigable for those with visual impairments and offering support services such as mobility training.

Infrastructure

However, Correctional Services facilities do not have such infrastructure to accommodate visually impaired inmates. They do not have equal access to prison services and privileges available to other inmates. They have to rely on other inmates to help them navigate prison facilities as they lack the basic housekeeping skills to do things on their own, reads part of the psychosocial inquiry report. According to the report, visually impaired inmates relied on other prisoners to move around, to take a bath or even going to the toilet. The court was informed through the report that, the above depicted the situation Piggs Peak Correctional Centre and Masimula were currently faced with. It was brought to the courts attention that when Masimula was arrested and brought to the Piggs Peak Correctional Centre, on December 23, 2022, it was observed that he was visually impaired.

In the report, it was further stated that since the institution did not have accommodation for people with physical disabilities, Masimula was kept at Dormitory 5, where there were few inmates. The court was further told that ever since Masimula was incarcerated, he had been struggling with day-to-day activities such as bathing, washing, going to the toilet and feeding due to his condition. The institution mentioned that Masimula relied on other inmates for his basic housekeeping skills. Exacerbating the situation, Masimula has developed other sicknesses which have resulted in him being in and out of hospital, stated the institution. Meanwhile, there is a pending court case at the High Court where the lack of infrastructure to accommodate inmates with physical disabilities is being used as a ground to motivate a bail application filed by Gawuzelas son Zweli who is an amputee. Zweli and his co-accused brother, Jabulani Simelane, who is a member of the Swaziland Liberation Movement (SWALIMO) are facing charges under the Suppression of Terrorism Act.

Facilities

As an amputee, Zweli informed the court that he used crutches to move around and he was unable to carry out the most basic personal chores without being assisted or using specialised facilities such as toilets and bathrooms specifically designed to accommodate him in his amputee condition. It is my submission that I have spent over nine months in the second respondent's (Correctional) facility but I have not been shown or taken to a specialised toilet or bathroom. It is, therefore, my submission that the Kingdom of Eswatini is yet to construct facilities to accommodate persons with disabilities. The second respondent's Correctional facilities in the country were not built to accommodate persons with disabilities, said Zweli.

According to Zweli, he believed that his detention in the Correctional facility, which had a lot of physical barriers, violated the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and the Optional Protocol to the Convention, to which the Kingdom of Eswatini is a signatory. He averred that the conditions under which he was detained did not meet the standards for the detention of persons with physical disabilities such as him. He informed the court that, on daily basis, he was at the mercy of a fellow inmate to assist with the basic personal chores such dishing up food, which he could not do since his hands were invariably fixed on the crutches to support his balance and movements. Zweli further pointed out that he could not wash his clothes, bath properly and use the toilets because such places were only designed for able-bodied inmates. Zwelis bail application, which is being opposed by the prosecution, is still pending in court.
A bipartisan group of senators is on the verge of finalizing their immigration deal, but Republican intra-party warfare could threaten its passage.

Former President Donald Trump is urging Congress to abandon the deal before the text of the deal has even been released.

He lambasted the deal in post on Truth Social Monday, saying the 'horrific' bill is being used by Democrats to put the 'border disaster' onto the 'shoulders of Republicans.'

'There is zero chance I will support this horrible open borders betrayal of America,' Trump also said of the deal at a rally over the weekend in Nevada.

'A lot of the senators, they're trying to blame it on me,' he went on. 'I say, 'that's okay, please blame it on me.' I'd rather have no bill than a bad bill.'

But the White House insists the deal will institute 'the toughest and fairest set of reforms to secure the border we've ever had in our country' and give Biden new executive authority to 'shut down the border.'

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said during the daily briefing Monday that Speaker Mike Johnson must 'step up' and provide the 'authorities' needed to secure the border.

Former President Donald Trump is urging Congress to abandon the deal before the text of the deal has even been released

Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., a leader on the border talks, was censured by his home state GOP over the weekend

But Johnson has said Biden could take executive action to 'immediately' reverse the 'catastrophe' at the border - and doesn't need Congress' help.

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,' Johnson said in a statement over the weekend.

He also threatened that the Senate deal would be 'dead upon arrival' in the House and any bill that allows 'even one illegal crossing' is a 'non-starter.'

White House officials, including Homeland Security Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas, became involved in the Capitol Hill talks in mid-December. December saw the highest number of migrant arrests at the U.S.-Mexico border of all time at over 302,000 according to official Border Patrol figures.

Biden said in a written statement on Friday 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.'

But Trump insisted Congress did not need to pass legislation - that the executive branch already has the authority it needs to secure the border.

'I had the safest and most secure Border in U.S. History. I didnt need a Bill! They are using this horrific Senate Bill as a way of being able to put the BORDER DISASTER onto the shoulders of the Republicans. The Democrats BROKE THE BORDER, they should fix it. NO LEGISLATION IS NEEDED, ITS ALREADY THERE!!!' he wrote on Truth Social.

And while the official details of the proposal are few, House Speaker Mike Johnson said the House won't take up the legislation unless it ends catch-and-release and reinstates the Remain in Mexico program.

Senate Republicans have expressed frustrations and even accused their colleagues of opposing the border bill over election year politics.

Any border "shutdown" authority that ALLOWS even one illegal crossing is a non-starter. Thousands each day is outrageous. The number must be ZERO.  Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) January 29, 2024

An aerial view of the area as migrants walking along razor wire after crossing the Rio Grande into the United States on January 28, 2024

'It is interesting, Republicans four months ago, would not give funding for Ukraine for Israel and for our southern border because we demanded changes in policy. So we actually locked arms together and said, We're not going to give you money for this. We want to change the law,' Sen. James Lankford, Okla., said on Fox News over the weekend.

'A few months later, when we're finally going to the end, they're like, "Oh, just kidding. I actually don't want to change in law because the presidential election year,"' he went on.

Back home Lankford was censured over the weekend by the Oklahoma GOP, which threatened to withdraw support for him if he did not 'cease and desist jeopardizing the security and liberty of the people of Oklahoma.'

'The fact that [Trump] would communicate to Republican senatorsthat he doesn't want us to solve the border problem because he wants to blame Biden for it is really appalling,' Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, told reporters last week.

'If we fail to get this passed, Im going to file exactly the same bill if Trump wins and we have a majority of the Senate. Ill guarantee you that everybody whos against it. Its all about politics and not having the courage to respectfully disagree with President Trump and tell him: This will help him. He has requested it before,' Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., said.

'I didnt come here to have a president as a boss or a candidate as a boss. I came here to pass good, solid policy that will help a president who is serious [about] securing the border.'

Lankford avidly disputed Trump's assertion that the deal would lead to 'open borders' - and reports that it would allow up to 5,000 crossers per day before allowing immediate expulsion.

'It would be absolutely absurd for me to agree to 5,000 people a day. This bill focuses on getting us to zero illegal crossings a day,' he said.

The Oklahoma Republican insisted the deal would increase the number of border agents and asylum officers, increase detention beds, end catch and release, up the number of deportation flights and speed up asylum screening.

'It is a shutdown of the border and everyone actually gets turned around. Okay, that's the focus that we have right now. Is how do we actually intervene in this administration, in turn people around not let people in,' he said.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was back at work at the Pentagon Monday for the first time since undergoing prostate surgery, following a weekend drone attack that killed three U.S. service members at an air base in Jordan.

He was back at the office amid tense strategy sessions about how the U.S. should respond to repeated attacks on U.S. forces that the White House says is being backed by Iran and carried out by its proxies.

'At this important time, I'm glad to be back at the Pentagon,' Austin said at the top of a meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

'I feel good and recovering well, but still recovering, and I appreciate all the good wishes that I have received thus far,' he said.

Austin made no mention of the work from home controversy that infuriated top officials and caused changes in federal policies.

He was last in the Pentagon December 21, and had surgery for prostate cancer December 22  in an episode that left the White House unaware of his location and publicly calling him out for failing to disclose the situation.

He had emergency surgery at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center following complications from his earlier procedure. That resulted in a two week hospital stay, and revelations that he hadn't told the White House about his cancer diagnosis or his procedure. He also didn't tell President Biden or congressional leaders.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was back at work at the Pentagon for the first time since his December surgery for a procedure he did not disclose to the White House in advance. He attended a meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the Pentagon Monday

His return underlined the severity of the military and diplomatic situation the U.S. was facing following the attack that killed three U.S. troops and injured 30. His earlier hospitalization also coincided with attacks on U.S. forces, but the White House said he was monitoring the situation and participating in meetings remotely from his hospital room even amid his recovery.

Austin addressed the attack, expressing 'outrage and sorrow for the death of three brave U.S. troops in Jordan and for the other troops who were wounded.'

'The president and I will not tolerate attacks on U.S. forces and we will take all necessary steps to defend the US and our troops,' he said, reading from prepared remarks before welcoming Stoltenberg and flashing a smile when he pivoted to welcoming his guest.

It was his first public appearance since he took part in a zoom meeting on Ukraine, appearing gaunt.

Austin's return to the office came on a day White House national security spokesman John Kirby insisted there will a 'very consequential response' to the weekend drone attack that killed three Americans  even as the U.S. seeks to avoid a war with Iran.

Kirby spoke after Biden met with his security team to develop options following the attack, which threatened to bring the U.S. into an expanded regional conflict that Biden says he hopes to avoid as the U.S. tries to discourage further brazen attacks on American forces.

Austin was back at the office for a meeting with with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the Pentagon. It was his first time there since his hospitalization for complications from cancer treatment that he initially failed to disclose to the president and Congress

Austin and top Pentagon officials are advising President Biden on how the U.S. should respond, amid some Republican officials calling for the U.S. to strike inside Iran

Tough cookie: Austin said he was still recovering following his surgery and hospitalization. He appeared thinner than before his hospitalization

A noticeably slimmer Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was seen for the first time in a month on last week in the aftermath of the scandal over his secret hospital trip to treat complications from prostate cancer surgery

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, 70, was hospitalized on January 1 and released on January 15th. He is pictured December 20 before he went in for surgery

The U.S. will respond 'in a very consequential way,' Kirby told CNN in one of a series of interviews as national security leaders develop next steps.

'He'll do this in a time and a manner of his own choosing, and we'll respond as he said  we'll respond and we'll respond in a very consequential way. But we don't seek a war with Iran. We're not looking for a wider conflict in the Middle East,' he said.

Kirby didn't respond to directly to a question about whether there were targets inside Iran. 'In fact, every action the president has taken has been designed to de-escalate, to try to bring the tensions down,' he said. Kirby said the U.S. has a 'pretty good sense' about which group was responsible, but said the U.S. is still working on the attribution.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby vowed a 'consequential response' following the drone attack that killed three Americans at a base in Jordan, but declined to reveal details on its nature or timing

It was one of several times when Kirby cautioned against escalation on Monday, while the White House is also engaged in multilateral talks seeking to free hostages held by Hamas inside Gaza.

'We're not looking for a broader war in the region. We certainly aren't looking for a conflict with Iran,' Kirby told ABC's 'This Week' Monday.

'But make no mistake, Iran is supporting these groups that are already resourcing them training them. You know, certainly not discouraging these attacks at all,' he said.

Then Kirby rattled off just some of the militant proxies that Tehran has backed in the region, with more than 150 attacks on U.S. forces since Israel launched its war in Gaza after the October 7 attacks.

'We know they support the Houthis Hezbollah, Hamas, they are definitely causing a lot of these attacks to happen. We just  we're going to work through the right options here and make the right decisions,' he said.

That prompted interviewer George Stephanopoulos to tell him that deterrence 'does not seem to be working.'

Kirby didn't give any clues about the size or the pace of the U.S. response, which Biden said Sunday would come at the time of America's choosing.

'He's going to have to weigh what the options are going to be. There will be a response,' he underlined. 'This was a consequential attack, no question about it and our thoughts and prayers go to the families that are cut the worst possible news over the weekend,' Kirby said.

Kirby gave a series of interviews Monday, as Republican critics demanded Biden respond forcefully, with some calling for U.S. strikes inside Tehran

The deaths of three US soldiers in a drone attack by Iran-backed militants on US base Tower 22 in Jordan (pictured) risk further inflaming the on-going crisis in the Middle East, experts have warned, and could lead to a wider conflict

The drone attack 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

His comments came after Biden addressed the attack over the weekend in South Carolina, amid pressure from Republican critics to undertake strikes inside Iran as punishment for its support for proxy forces hitting U.S. troops and commercial targets in the region.

Biden vowed that 'we shall respond' following the Saturday night attack  which also injured dozens and required some to be evacuated for treatment in a sign of the seriousness of injuries.

'We had a tough day last night in the Middle East. We lost three brave souls,' he said during a visit to a church in Columbia, South Carolina, where he also asked for a moment of silence for those lost.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq took responsibility for the attack, but Tehran has denied involvement in planning it.

Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said it was 'not involved in the decision making of resistance groups' over how they 'defend Palestinians or their own countries'. He called claims of Iran's own involvement 'baseless.'

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.'

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.'

The deaths of three US soldiers in a drone attack by Iran-backed militants risk further inflaming the on-going crisis in the Middle East, experts have warned.

A former CIA director called the weekend strike on the US base a 'dangerous escalation' in tensions that have already engulfed the region following Hamas's October 7 terror attack on southern Israel, and Israel's subsequent assault on Gaza.

After he warned that the US 'shall respond' to the strike, analysts say US president Joe Biden must be calculated in his retaliation and strike a balance between pleasing those at home who want to see a show of force, and averting a wider conflict.

If the White House is not strong enough in its response, experts say Iran's proxies will remain undeterred and continue to carry out attacks. Too strong, and Biden risks plunging the Middle East into a deeper conflict.

Further escalation, one expert warns, 'would bring the Middle East to the precipice of a regional war', while another said they expect a 'expect a serious escalation around the corner.'

But in doing so, Biden also runs the risk of playing into the 'optimal scenario' for Vladimir Putin, whose war in Ukraine would benefit greatly from a wider conflict.
A 72-year-old pensioner has been jailed by Putin for criticising the war in Ukraine.

Yevgeniya Maiboroda, from Russia's Rostov region, is to serve five and a half years for two social media reposts in one of the most draconian punishments since the war started almost two years ago.

Maiboroda said she was distraught because it came as her brother was buried under the rubble by a Russian missile attack.

The harsh sentence is part of Russian law banning 'false information' about Putin's army and has been interpreted as a warning to others from the government.

Maiboroda admitted reposting material on her VK social media account but denied that she was motivated by 'political hatred' as prosecutors alleged, according to the OVD-Info rights group.

Yevgeniya Maiboroda, from Russia's Rostov region, is to serve five and a half years for two social media reposts in one of the most draconian punishments since the war started almost two years ago

The harsh sentence is part of Russian law banning 'false information' about Putin's army and has been interpreted as a warning to others from the government

One of the two reposts was an 'emotional video' about the conflict, and the other was about the number of soldiers killed in the war.

Maiboroda said at the time that she made the post when her brother, who lived in Dnipro, was hit by a Russian strike on the Ukrainian city, which saw him buried beneath the rubble of his house.

The Russian woman has been fined twice since the end of 2022 for 'discrediting' the army.

Ten months ago she was briefly jailed twice for 'displaying Nazi symbols' and 'sharing extremist materials'.

Russia's election commission today formally registered Putin as a candidate for the March presidential election, a vote in which he's all but certain to win another six-year term in office.

Putin, 71, is running as an independent, but he retains tight control over Russia's political system that he has established during 24 years in power.

With prominent critics who could challenge him either jailed or living abroad and most independent media banned, his re-election in the March 15 to 17 presidential vote looks all but assured.

In 2018, Putin also ran as an independent, snubbing the United Russia party that nominated him to run in 2012. With his approval ratings hovering around 80 per cent, Putin is far more popular than United Russia, which is widely seen as a part of the Kremlin-controlled state bureaucracy rather than a political force.

Maiboroda said she was distraught because it came as her brother was buried under the rubble by a Russian missile attack

The Central Election Commission formally cleared Putin for the race after reviewing 315,000 signatures gathered by his campaign from all 89 regions of Russia.

Russian election law requires independent candidates to present at least 300,000 signatures to get on the ballot.

The commission already has approved three other candidates who were nominated by parties represented in parliament and weren't required to collect signatures: Nikolai Kharitonov of the Communist Party, Leonid Slutsky of the nationalist Liberal Democratic Party and Vladislav Davankov of the New People Party.

All three parties have been largely supportive of the Kremlin's policies. Kharitonov ran against Putin in 2004, finishing a distant second.

Boris Nadezhdin, a 60-year-old liberal politician who serves as a local legislator in a town near Moscow, is also seeking to run. He has openly called for a halt to the conflict in Ukraine and starting a dialogue with the West.

The announcement from Russia's election commission came as Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko met today to discuss ways to further expand their close alliance that has seen the deployment of some of Russia's nuclear weapons on the territory of its neighbour.

Putin emphasized that Russia and Belarus have developed a 'strategic partnership' as part of their 25-year union agreement. That pact stopped short of a full merger, but envisaged close political, economic and military ties between the two nations.
A candidate to become Wales's new Labour first minister backs the UK rejoining the EU Single Market, he said today.

Jeremy Miles said that rejoining the SM, which would include a return to freedom of movement, would 'enable us to make up for a lot of the damage' of Brexit and could form part of discussions between a Labour UK government and Brussels.

However the comments from the Senedd member from Neath put him at odds with Sir Keir Starmer.

While the UK Labour leader wants a closer relationship with the EU he has specifically ruled out rejoining the Single Market or the Customs Union.

Speaking to Byline Times, Mr Miles, a former Brexit minister in the Senedd, said he would 'strongly' advocate for the change if he beats economy minister Vaughan Gething.

Jeremy Miles said that rejoining the SM, which would include a return to freedom of movement, would 'enable us to make up for a lot of the damage' of Brexit and could form part of discussions between a Labour UK government and Brussels.

While the UK Labour leader wants a closer relationship with the EU he has specifically ruled out rejoining the Single Market or the Customs Union.

Labour will elect a successor to Mark Drakeford as party leader and first minister in March.

The 69-year-old Labour politician, who has been Wales' leader since December 2018, said in December he was quitting.

He has suffered a slump in poll ratings and has come under fire for policies including the widespread use of 20mph limits on Welsh roads.

A YouGov poll of 1,004 Welsh voters for ITV Cymru Wales and Cardiff University last month found his popularity is at an 18-month low, with 56 per cent believing he is doing a bad job of being First Minister.

Mr Miles admitted to Byline that the next Senedd election in 2026 would be 'challenging' for the party, but added: 'Every election becomes more challenging than the last, the longer you are in.'

Labour ministers in Wales sparked fury today after it was revealed they spent 4.25million of taxpayers' money on a farm to play host to a music festival, only for the plan to be scuppered by a pair of ospreys.

The Welsh Government shelled out for Gilestone Farm in Powys in 2022 to provide a permanent base and spin-off site for the Green Man festival - because organisers did not have the money.

But last year a pair of the imposing fish-eating raptors set up home at the site 60 miles from Cardiff, the furthest south they have nested in Wales in 200 years.

Because ospreys are a protected species, a 750m restricted zone has been put in place around the nest.

In a written statement today, economy minister Vaughan Gething said that 'the full commercial and charitable objectives of the Green Man Group, as set out in its business plan for the use of Gilestone Farm, can no longer be realised'.

But Welsh Secretary David TC Davies said: 'Labour should explain why they wasted over 4million on a non-existent music festival when they should have been cutting waiting lists.

'The only song and dance arising out of this farce will be from taxpayers who want to know why their money has been wasted.'
This is the moment a police K9 came to the rescue of an 11-year-old girl who went missing in Florida and was found locked in a park bathroom.

Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office responded to a call for help in a missing-persons case on Friday, January 26 at 7:57 pm.

The K9 named Mary Lu and Deputy Sarah Ernstes showed up at 16000 block of Carlton Lake Drive to assist in the search of a 'missing and endangered' girl.

Bodycam footage showed the moment Mary Lu managed to lead the deputy to a public bathroom at a park in the area.

The K9 followed the girl's scent and sniffed around the bathroom doors, indicating that she was inside.

Hillsborough County Sheriff Deputy Sarah Ernstes (pictured) and K9 Mary Lu responded to a call for help in a missing-persons case on Friday, January 26

The pair showed up at 16000 block of Carlton Lake Drive to assist in the search of a 'missing and endangered' girl just before 8pm

Bodycam footage showed the impressive moment that Mary Lu managed to lead the deputy to a public bathroom at a park in the area where she sniffed around the bathroom doors, indicating that the girl was inside

'She does have happy tail over here at these bathrooms which she only does when she's close to somebody,' the deputy says in the bodycam footage.

Ernstes and a fellow male deputy assured the little girl that it was safe to come out and she eventually emerged from the locked public bathroom.

'It's just me, a female deputy, my dog and another deputy. You're not in trouble - we just need to talk to you,' Ernstes told the girl who was still shut inside the park restroom.

The deputies were able to successfully talk the girl into unlocking the door and she was found safe without injury.

After being lured to safety by the deputies, Ernstes asked the girl 'do you like dogs?' before encouraging her to let Mary Lu give her a kiss as her 'reward'.

'I promise she won't hurt you,' Ernstes told the 11-year-old as she approached the hero-dog.

In a heart-warming moment, Mary Lu embraced the rescued girl and gave her a comforting lick.

'Our teamHCSO K9 Unit has once again proven its invaluable role in our community,' said Sheriff Chad Chronister.

'She [Mary Lu] does have happy tail over here at these bathrooms which she only does when she's close to somebody,' the deputy says in the bodycam footage

Ernstes and a fellow male deputy assured the little girl that it was safe to come out and she eventually emerged from the locked public bathroom uninjured and safe

Sheriff Chad Chronister said: 'Our teamHCSO K9 Unit has once again proven its invaluable role in our community,' referencing Mary Lu and Deputy Ernstes's success

'With their exceptional skills, they successfully located and brought home a missing 11-year-old girl, reuniting her safely with her family. I couldn't be prouder of our team's commitment to service and determination to protect and serve.'

It was reported that after Mary Lu's initial track, the deputies were led to a neighbor's house - where they learned that residents had driven her to an apartment building in Wimauma, the sheriff's office reported.

As of now - it's unclear whether the 11-year-old left her home willingly or why the neighbors had given her a ride to the nearby complex.

Nobody has been charged in relation to the girl's disappearance as of the latest reporting.
Venezuelan socialite Michelle Troconis has arrived at court arm-in-arm with her father as her murder trial continues on Monday.

Troconis, 49, is accused of helping her late boyfriend Fotis Dulos cover up the killing of his estranged wife Jennifer Dulos at her New Canaan home on May 24, 2019, after she dropped their five kids off at school.

Her trial started at Stamford Superior Court on January 11 and her sisters, along with their parents Carlos and Marisela, have supported her at each hearing.

Dramatic scenes unfolded outside the courthouse after Troconis' last hearing on Friday, when one of her sisters, Claudia, broke down in tears while giving an emotional statement to media.

A similar situation unfolded inside court the day before when Troconis herself began sobbing while prosecutors played police interrogation videos with the socialite from the days after Jennifer's disappearance.

Troconis wore a determined expression as she approached the courthouse while linking arms with her father, a cardiac surgeon

Venezuelan socialite Michelle Troconis has arrived at court arm-in-arm with her father as her murder trial continues on Monday

Jennifer Dulos (left) vanished on May 24, 2019, amid a divorce from her husband Fotis (right), who was later charged with her murder. Fotis killed himself in January 2020, leaving his new lover Michelle Troconis to face trial alone for allegedly helping him conceal the killing

On Monday, Troconis wore a determined expression as she approached the courthouse while linking arms with her father, a cardiac surgeon.

Her mother Marisela was also nearby, along with her lawyer Jon Schoenhorn, a mystery man spotted last week, and a second unknown man, both wearing sunglasses, smart coats and shirts.

Jurors are set to hear more evidence from Connecticut State Police retired detective John Kimball, and from Fotis Dulos' luxury property business employee Pawel Gumienny.

Prosecutors allege that Fotis used Gumienny's red pickup truck in part of the plot to kill Jennifer, who was 50 at the time she disappeared.

Fotis was charged with Jennifer's murder, while Troconis was accused of Fotis was charged with Jennifer's murder while his alleged accomplice Troconis was accused of conspiracy to commit murder, evidence tampering and hindering prosecution.

The Greek luxury real estate developer was embroiled in acrimonious divorce and child custody proceedings with Jennifer at the time she went missing.

He denied having anything to do with her murder, but killed himself in January 2020 at the age of 52, leaving Troconis, who has also pleaded not guilty, to face the music alone.

Dramatic scenes unfolded outside the courthouse after Troconis' last hearing on Friday, when one of her sisters, Claudia, broke down in tears while giving an emotional statement to media

Claudia Troconis broke down in tears outside Stamford Superior Court on Friday

Troconis' sister Claudia (center, flanked by her parents Marisela and Carlos) cried outside court

Claudia Troconis insisted that her sister Michelle 'cooperated with police' on the murder case involving missing Connecticut mother-of-five Jennifer Dulos

'I know that everyone wants answers, but my sister is not the right answer, she doesn't know anything, and she's innocent,' Claudia Troconis said as she wiped away tears

Two mystery men also attended court for day 12 of Troconis' trial on Monday

Several people have joined Troconis for her trial at Stamford Superior Court this month, including her family, and two mystery men (pictured)

Michelle Troconis (left) and Fotis Dulos (right) were living together in his Farmington CT home at the time of his ex-wife Jennifer's disappearance on May 24, 2019

Claudia Troconis broke down in tears as she insisted that her sister is innocent outside Stamford Superior Court on Friday.

'I want to say something as Michelle's sister. This is evidently a very hard day for us as well,' she said while flanked by her parents.

'We're finally seeing how my sister attempted to cooperate not once, not twice but three times with the police, saying everything, trying to assist them as best that she could.

'And yet she was charged. And this is more than 10 hours of my sister saying "I'll do anything to help you, I don't know anything".

'I know that everyone wants answers, but my sister is not the right answer, she doesn't know anything, and she's innocent'.

Jurors have begun hearing from former Connecticut State Police Detective John Kimball, who oversaw the investigation into Jennifer's disappearance and interrogated Troconis.

They previously heard from several other detectives in the force, who described finding blood-stained items in Jennifer's New Canaan home where it is alleged Fotis killed her.

State prosecutors also presented several blood-soaked items including a bra, long-sleeved shirt, zip ties and razor which were retrieved from several trash cans around Hartford, CT.

Troconis conferring with her lawyer Jon Schoenhorn in the courtroom on Wednesday

A blood-soaked bra that cops recovered from a trash can that the State alleges Fotis Dulos, with the help of his lover Michelle Troconis, disposed of evidence in

Zip ties that were covered in blood were also recovered from a local trash can

Nanny Lauren Almeida previously said Jennifer was an 'incredibly nurturing mother' to her five kids, who were aged between eight and 13 when she disappeared on May 24, 2019

Detective Matthew Reilly said they also found traces of blood in Jennifer's Chevy Suburban, which were illuminated by a test for blood and other substances called luminol.

Prosecutors allege that Fotis brutally attacked Jennifer in her rented New Canaan property when she returned from the school run for their five kids, who were then aged between eight and 13, on the morning of May 24, 2019.

The state claims he cleaned up the evidence at her home before putting her body in her Chevy and driving it around three miles away, where it was found abandoned. Jennifer's body was never found.

Fotis and Troconis are accused of dumping garbage bags containing bloody evidence, including the bra, t-shirt and razor, into various trash cans around Hartford in his Ford Raptor.

Jurors were shown images of each bloodied item, along with several of them which were present in the court room, and surveillance footage of Fotis and Troconis disposing of the items in the Connecticut town.
Results of the raid were revealed Saturday as the government battles to regain control of prisons influenced by notorious gangs

Some prisoners were able to exchange their normal cells for ones that came equipped with double beds

Soldiers and cops inspecting in prison in Cotopaxi, Ecuador, discovered it was reconfigured with a pool and nightclub

Ecuadorian security forces took control of a jail where gang members and other criminals were enjoying a Club Med-like stay.

The prison, located in the central province of Cotopaxi, featured a swimming pool and a nightclub with LED lighting where well-off prisoners serving sentences and awaiting trial enjoyed their time away from law-abiding citizens, the military revealed Saturday.

Some inmates at the penitentiary benefited from the comfort of so-called 'VIP cells' that featured double beds.

Cops and soldiers also recovered premium liquor bottles and drugs the prisoners had direct access to as well as brand name clothing, cellphones, watches, internet adapters, memory cards for laptops, a wireless speaker and a surveillance camera.

'There is no longer luxury or privileges thanks to the soldiers of the armed forces,' a military spokeswoman said in the video as Tupac Shakur's 'Dear Mama' played in the background.

Soldiers and cops carried out a raid at a prison in the central Ecuador province of Cotopaxi and discovered a swimming pool. The military said that the jail also featured a nightclub along with cells that were equipped with double beds for inmates

Ecuadorian soldiers display bottles of liquor, cellphones, watches and drugs that were confiscated at prison in the central province of Cotopaxi

One prisoner, who did not have the necessary amount of money to enjoy the luxury tastes that other did, welcomed the surprise raid because he felt a sense of 'tranquility.'

'The truth is, we didn't all eat. They only made us an alleged soup that was water with bones,' he said. 'Sausages and tuna were for commanders. That's what they ate and they gave us pure water.

'We're all the same here. We all eat the same. We're noticing an improvement.'

The operation is part of the government's ongoing war against gangs after an armed group barged inside the studios of TC Television on January 9.

Jose Villamar, leader of Los Choneros, one of the Ecuadorian gangs considered responsible for a spike in car bombings, kidnappings and slayings, was discovered missing a day earlier from his prison cell where he was serving a sentence for drug trafficking.

The escape of Jose 'Fito' Villamar from a prison in the Pacific port city of Guayaquil and a wave of violence that has swept across the Andean nation has led to reform.

President Daniel Noboa instituted a 60-day State of Emergency, which has suspended the rights of citizens and allowed the military to enter prisons, and designated 22 criminal gangs as terrorist groups.

The military is allowed to enter prisons and conduct searches as part of the 60-day State of Emergency that Ecuador President Daniel Noboa declared earlier this month

Jose 'Fito' Macias is the leader of Los Choneros, an Ecuadorian gang with ties to the Sinaloa Cartel, who is missing after he fled from guards who accompanied a jail in Guayaquil to a clinic for a doctor's appointment on December 25

On Friday, Ecuador's Supreme Court blocked nine questions that Noboa wanted to put to Ecuadoreans in a referendum on security issues.

The court ruled the president's plan failed to meet constitutional requirements.

Six other questions for the referendum were approved, while four more, including on the extradition of Ecuadoreans and the recognition of international arbitration, will be reexamined, the Constitutional Court said.

Noboa had said he hopes to hold the referendum in March.

In its ruling, the Constitutional Court said it blocked the nine questions because they do not change current regulations, are imprecise, or address multiple topics.

Among questions the court denied were those on allowing security forces to carry out operations preempting organized crime, as well as on changes to sanctions and pardons regarding the use of force.
A top Republican says China emboldened Iran to launch deadly strikes on the U.S., and President Biden must step up and show strength by hitting back swiftly.

Over the weekend, three American soldiers were killed and over 30 wounded in a Iran-backed drone attack on a military base in Jordan. In addition, there have been over 150 attacks on U.S. troops by Iran proxies since October.

House China Select Committee Chairman Mike Gallagher told DailyMail.com that Iran's acts of deadly aggression have been facilitated by China.

'It's impossible to make sense of the situation in the Middle East without considering the role that China wants to play in the region,' he said.

China is the 'senior partner' in the 'global alignment of authoritarian revisionist powers' determined to 'end' American leadership, Gallagher, R-Wis., continued.

'China may not be giving all the orders in this cabal that includes Russia, Iran and North Korea, but it's very much the senior partner and it's bankrolling the other members providing key assistance to enable the aggression we're seeing today from Ukraine to the Middle East,' said Gallagher.

As for a response to the deadly attack Saturday night, Gallagher is urging Biden to 'restore deterrence' through force.

The drone attack 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 deaths of three US soldiers in a drone attack by Iran-backed militants on US base Tower 22 in Jordan (pictured) risk further inflaming the on-going crisis in the Middle East, experts have warned, and could lead to a wider conflict

'I would advocate for a forceful response on Iranian targets and certainly Iranian proxy targets,' he told DailyMail.com.

'And that's the only way that we can possibly start to restore deterrence in the Middle East.'

President Biden vowed that 'we shall respond' following the attack that took the lives of three service members on Sunday.

'We had a tough day last night in the Middle East. We lost three brave souls,' he said during a visit to a church in Columbia, South Carolina, where he also asked for a moment of silence for those lost.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby insisted Monday that there will a 'very consequential response'  even as the U.S. seeks to avoid a war with Iran.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq took responsibility for the attack, but Tehran has denied involvement in planning it.

Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said it was 'not involved in the decision making of resistance groups' over how they 'defend Palestinians or their own countries'. He called claims of Iran's own involvement 'baseless.'

Gallagher's committee is holding two major hearings this week focused on the global 'authoritarian alignment' and the CCP's infiltration of technology.

Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta are the witnesses in the first of two hearings this week.

'I think having two former cabinet secretaries, one from each party, testify and tease out the connections between China, Russia and Iran and the Middle East will go a long way towards informing the committee's work and hopefully improving our overall strategy,' he said on a call with DailyMail.com to preview the hearings.

Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., said the U.S. 'must absolutely respond' with strength after the attack.

Gallagher says that as the Chinese military is becoming increasingly hostile toward U.S. troops, it is a 'strategic imperative' to have safe and viable fuel storage in the region

'There's a there's an important alliance between these authoritarian regimes. And what you do with one is related to others. You cannot be strong in response to some but weak on others,' he continued.

'You can't be tough on China and weak on the Houthis,' he added saying it's why the president's request for $110 billion in supplemental assistance is critical.

He hopes the hearing Tuesday will shine light on how to more forcefully 'deter' the CCP from 'conflict and aggression.'
The letter claims Border Patrol agents once moved barriers installed by Texas to allow over 300 migrants into the state illegally

The attorneys general argue that Texas is allowed to protect itself from 'invasion'

More than two dozen Republican attorneys general have signed a letter supporting Texas' right to defend its borders against migrant invasion, telling President Biden to 'get out of the way.'

In a blistering rebuke of President Joe Biden's border crisis, 26 attorneys general expressed their support of Texas' ongoing efforts to secure the U.S.-Mexico border.

The letter condemns Biden and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas for impeding Texas' efforts to stem the flow of migrants entering the state illegally.

The release of the letter is timely, as last week the Supreme Court decided 5-4 to temporarily overturn a lower court's injunction that banned federal officials from cutting razor wire barriers Texas had placed along its border while litigation continues.

The authors state that Border Patrol officials, who report to Mayorkas, repeatedly cut holes in razor wire place by Texas to allow migrants into the country illegally.

In one instance, the letter states, Border Patrol used a forklift to move barriers placed by Texas to allow a group of more than 300 migrants into the state illegally.

'The federal government must secure the border, and if they're not going to do it they shouldn't be trying to keep Texas from doing the job they just won't do,' Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird, who organized of the letter, told Fox News in an interview Monday.

'If the administration would put half as much energy into securing the border as they have fighting with Texas over Texas doing the job they wont do, I think this problem might be a lot better off right now,' she added.

The letter is signed by the attorneys general from Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming.

'Millions of people illegally coming into Texas as part of a coordinated assault on our border is an invasion' the attorneys general wrote, adding 'states must be able to defend themselves from invasion.'

'What you should do is simple: enforce the law and protect the border,' the AGs said. 'If you cannot bring yourselves to enforce the law, get out of the way so Texas can.'

Texas National Guard soldiers patrol the Rio Grande near Shelby Park in Eagle Pass, Texas

The Supreme Court's ruling allows Border Patrol officials to cut razor wire barriers constructed by Texas along the southern border

Texas, meanwhile, has continued to reinforce the border and has signaled its refusal to comply with the administration's demands.

Texas Governor Abbott has asserted the state's 'right to self-defense' against what he has termed a migrant 'invasion,' declaring: '[President Biden's] actions have caused an unprecedented invasion that we must defend against.'

The authors also write that Texas should be recognized for its efforts to secure its borders despite federal intervention working to do the opposite.

'Texas should be applauded for continuing to try to protect the border despite the federal government now, again, being able to try to destroy the barriers Texas builds,' the attorneys general wrote.

Since Biden took office there have been more than 6 million migrants encountered entering the country illegally, according to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data.

December set a record for the most migrant encounters in a single month - over 302,000 - not including 'got-aways' - migrants that illegally entered the country without being detected. The same month, 19 individuals on the FBI terror watchlist were encountered.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the administration was 'glad' after hearing the results of the Supreme Court's ruling

The ruling does not disallow Texas National Guard soldiers from constructing barriers along the border

The wire was installed by the Texas National Guard to deter migrants from crossing into the U.S. from Mexico

Border Patrol officials, however, have indicated that they will not work to remove the barriers constructed by Texas.

'Bottom line: Border Patrol has no plans to remove infrastructure (c-wire) placed by Texas along the border,' a senior CBP official told Fox News.

In another recently released letter, former FBI and DHS officials wrote a chilling warning to congressional leaders in which they say the ongoing invasion of young men from terror-linked regions into the U.S. creates an 'unprecedented and imminent danger.'

The border crisis has been so pronounced that Republicans in Congress are preparing to remove the head of the Department of Homeland Security, Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

The Republican-controlled House Homeland Security Committee is set to vote Tuesday on articles of impeachment against the DHS secretary, aiming to send them to the full House for consideration.

If presented with articles of impeachment, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson said Friday he would push to get a vote on the floor as soon as possible.

At the same time, Senate leaders Chuck Schumer and Mitch McConnell have been negotiating a deal to address the border crisis for months.

That deal, which would tie U.S. foreign aid funding for Ukraine to new domestic immigration policy, is dead on arrival in the House, Speaker Johnson has indicated.

And, to the frustration of many GOP senators, the negotiators are still working move forward on the bill this week.
A former taxi driver accused of pulling out a fake gun on a terrified passenger and smacking him with it over a suspected drugs debt will stand trial in just a few months.

Former FonaCab driver Brian Alexander Stalford, 49, was filmed last year pulling out a pistol that appeared to be a replica of a Desert Eagle and striking a passenger while issuing a string of expletive-filled threats while in a car in Northern Ireland.

Stalford previously claimed that the incident was a 'consensual planned prank'

In the one-minute clip, believed to have taken place in Holywood, County Down, a few miles outside Belfast, Stalford allegedly told the as-yet-unnamed front passenger: 'You are f***ing lucky Im not f***ing taking your knees out down this f***ing car park son.

'Im f***ing telling you now, because thats the f***ing mood Im in. Believe me.

Former FonaCab driver Brian Alexander Stalford, 49, (pictured, left) is accused of threatening a passenger with a fake gun

He denied the charges during proceedings at Belfast Crown Court (File image)

'Now Im telling you, see what happens in this car, see if I hear anybody f***ing talking about it mate, I will take your f***ing head off.

'You f***ing hear me? Right, this is the f***ing last of it son. You f***ing do what you do, you make up what you need to f***ing make up  quickly.'

The aggressive driver also makes reference to a back seat passenger also unnamed, indicating that he knows him and suggests that because of this, the punishment threat would be worse.

He says: 'You work your f***ing debt off. Im telling you, see the next time I come back, Im taking your f***ing legs off. Only because thats my f***ing mate, and only he is my mate, I would be taking your legs off.

'Thats it, it finishes here. I promise you, thats it over and done with, Ill not come back near you. You f***ing make improvements.'

The shaken back seat passenger then asks the driver to get them out of the car park.

He says: 'Lets get the f*** out of here mate. You didnt f***ing tell me that mate. F*** me Im shaking like a leaf here mate.

Stalford was sacked from his job as a FonaCab taxi driver shortly after video of the incident was shared online.

He today pleaded not guilty to charges of possessing an intimidation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, common assault and making threats to kill, as well as assaulting a front seat passenger and threatening to kill the same male on the same date, during proceedings at Belfast Crown Court.

Judge Donna McColgan KC, presiding over the case, set the date for the hearing as April 10, and that a review would be help at some point in March.
MBABANE  The effects of climate change are biting deep into the rural communities, as the harvest of marula products was dealt a substantial blow this season, threatening the existence of the industry estimated to be worth E100 million.

Devastating hailstorms battered and stripped marula trees of the potent fruit, shattering whole communities hopes for income. People who process the marula traditional beverage (buganu) said this week that over the years, they sold each 25-litre container for E370. They managed to sell at least 30 of the 25-litre containers per season, earning roughly E11 250 in the two months of the marula season, on average. A study supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) recently found that the number of marula trees is estimated at two million nationwide.

Products

It further reveals that each tree produces an average of 500 litres of the marula beverage. This puts the rough estimate of the marula industry at E100 million on an annual basis. This amount excludes the commercialisation of other marula products (apart from the traditional beverage). Active marula brewers, who are mourning the loss this year include communities of Mtfongwaneni, Logwazela, Ethembeni, Bulunga, Ngculwini, Ntabamhloshana, Mafutseni, Bhudla, Mkhuzweni, Mkhondvo, Sidvokodvo and others. Effectively, marula brewers within most parts of the Manzini Region were affected. The initial storm struck the region towards the end of November last year, which was followed by a more severe hailstorm, on December 8, sealing the fate of marula brewers.

Hloniphile Gadlela of Mafutseni was found with a group of women processing the marula brew by extracting the seeds from the fruit. This is what I do every year. Im not employed, so I have to work something with my hands, to support my family. Over the years, I have used the money to buy food, pay for childrens school fees and even buy household goods, she said.

Gadlela said none of the marula fruits she was processing were collected from Mafutseni. We had to hire cars to bring the fruit all the way from Manjengeni, in northern Hhohho. Our trees were shaken by the heavy winds and hailstorms, just as they were bearing fruits. We were so disappointed, she said. Gadlela said on average, she made 30 of 25-litre containers per season and had been a supplier for some regular customers. She said she was not aware of Swati Secrets, a beneficiation company that deals with other marula products, apart from the alcohol. I always throw away the seeds after extracting them from the fruit. I did not know there was a company specialising in them, she said.

Meanwhile, Bonisile Nkomo of Ethembeni, under the Mtfongwaneni Inkhundla, said she had to walk over three kilometres, in search of marula fruits last week. In past years, I simply collected the fruit from the trees close to my home. However, it has been a struggle this time around. I doubt if I will make even two 25-litre containers, because the fruit is very scarce.

Hailstorm

The hailstorm knocked down the fruit before it was ripe this year, she said. Nkomo said in the past years, she sold a 25-litre containers for E250, because marula was not scarce in her community. This time around, I will definitely put a higher price, because I really struggled to get the fruit, she said. Mtfongwaneni Indvuna Yenkhundla Themba Nxumalo said areas affected in his constituency included Logwazela, Ndoda, Ethembeni and others. The number of homesteads that were affected by the hailstorm was between 700-800 and a number of the people rely on marula to pay school fees for thier children. I have just been to the schools to discuss a possible solution to the high number of children who were removed from class because they had not paid school fees, he said.

Nxumalo said most parents reported having relied on proceeds from the sale of marula over the years, to pay school fees and buy uniform for their children. Mtfongwaneni Bucopho, Musa Gadlela also concurred with Nxumalo, saying in one season, some people were making E3 000 from the sale of marula beer. During the official opening of schools, parents usually negotiate with head teachers to allow children into class, with the promise of paying the school fees by the end of the marula season. However, this season, things have turned for the worst because parents cannot promise to pay with marula proceeds. Head teachers are not compromising and have sent the pupils home, he said. Gadlela said the families were relying on Gods provision for sustenance, following the hail storms. They were still mourning the damaged roofs and windows; now they have to be worried about their loss of income from the marula brew, he said.
A former IRS contractor was sentenced to five years in prison on Monday for leaking the tax records of former President Donald Trump and thousands of other wealthy Americans to media organizations.

Charles Littlejohn, 38, pleaded guilty in October to a charge of disclosing income tax return information without authorization.

Sentencing Littlejohn U.S. District Judge Ana C. Reyes in Washington D.C. told him: 'You can be an outstanding person and commit bad acts. What you did in targeting the sitting President of the United States was an attack on our constitutional democracy.'

Federal prosecutors had sought a five-year sentence, the maximum allowed under U.S. law, arguing that Littlejohn compromised the security of sensitive personal information.

They said he 'weaponized his access to unmasked taxpayer data to further his own personal, political agenda, believing that he was above the law.'

Charles 'CHAZ' Littlejohn, the sx-IRS contractor sentenced to five years in prison for leaking Trump tax records

Charles Littlejohn walks out of United States District Court in Washington, DC, on Thursday, October 12, 2023

A former IRS contractor Service has been sentenced to five years in prison on Monday for leaking the tax records of former President Donald Trump and thousands of other wealthy Americans to media organizations

Before he was sentenced Littlejohn addressed the court, saying he had 'acted out of a sincere but misguided belief that I was serving the public.'

He added: 'I made my decision with the full knowledge that I would likely end up in a courtroom.'

According to prosecutors he sought a position at a consulting firm that works with the IRS in 2017 in hopes of accessing and disclosing records on Trump, who was president at the time.

Defense lawyers said he was motivated by a 'deep, moral belief' that the public had a right to know the information he shared, but now regrets his actions.

They did not request a specific sentence but sought a punishment comparable to prior government leakers.

The exterior of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) building in Washington

IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel testifies before House Committee on Ways and Means on 'Accountability and Transparency at the Internal Revenue Service' on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., April 27, 2023

Littlejohn secretly downloaded years of Trump's tax records in 2018, later sharing them with reporters from the New York Times, according to court documents.

The newspaper published a series of articles in 2020 revealing that Trump paid no income tax in 10 of the 15 years before he was elected president.

Littlejohn later leaked tax information on 'ultra-high net worth taxpayers' to the investigative news outlet ProPublica.

Elon Musk was among the thousands of Americans who had personal tax information leaked

Jeff Bezos also had his tax information leaked in the massive data breach

He was motivated by concerns about economic inequality and wanted to spur reforms to the U.S. tax system, his defense team wrote in court documents.

ProPublica published nearly 50 articles based on the information, revealing how the wealthy evade income taxes in the United States.

Trump became the first major U.S. presidential candidate in decades not to release his tax returns when he ran for the White House in 2016.

A U.S. House of Representatives panel released six years of his tax records in 2022 after a court battle.
More than 1,000 migrants have made it across the Channel and arrived in the UK this month, despite the government bringing in extra measures to deter small boat crossings.

Home Office figures show more than 300 people made the journey at the weekend, with 112 recorded in two boats on Saturday and 276 on Sunday in five boats. This takes the provisional total for 2024 to date to 1,057.

The highest number to cross in a single day so far this year was 358 in eight boats on January 17.

With figures tracking slightly higher so far in 2024 than at the same time last year, Downing Street said there were 'variations' in the number of crossings taking place.

When asked whether the Prime Minister was on track to achieve his pledge to 'stop the boats', No10 said it was 'too early to say what the trend is for this year' .

Border Force bring 50 Migrants ashore at Dover Docks on the afternoon of Saturday, January 27

A Border Force support vessel carries rubber dinghies used by migrants to cross the Channel into the Port of Dover on January 17

The crossings come as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is braced for another battle in Parliament over his bid to revive the Government's plan to send migrants to Rwanda, which has been stalled by legal challenges.

In the House of Lords, 71 peers are due to speak at the second reading debate of the proposed Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill on Monday.

Profound concerns have arisen about the deportation scheme which will see asylum seekers who cross the Channel put on a one-way flight to the east African country's capital, Kigali.

The provisional annual total for last year, 29,437, was 36 per cent lower than the record 45,774 crossings for the whole of 2022. But is still the second highest annual total on record, above the figure for 2021 (28,526).

Earlier this month Home Secretary James Cleverly - who has set himself a target of meeting Mr Sunak's 'stop the boats' pledge by the end of this year - insisted the weather was not a 'contributory factor' to last year's falling number of migrant crossings.

The decrease was instead because of co-operation with Europe, disrupting the supply chain of engines and boats, and 'going after the money of these people smugglers', he said.

The Government argued the figures were evidence of the UK's 480 million agreement with France to beef up efforts to stop migrants making the journey starting to pay off as well as the effectiveness of a fast-track returns deal struck with Albania.

A group of migrants are ferried into the Port of Dover by a Border Force vessel after being intercepted in the English Channel on January 17

But the Immigration Services Union, which represents border staff, said the drop in arrivals was likely to be a 'glitch', with 'higher numbers' of Channel crossings expected this year.

READ MORE: Home Office to spend 36 million a year on private vessels to patrol the English Channel for migrant crossings Advertisement

Labour's shadow immigration minister Stephen Kinnock said: 'After all the Prime Minister's boasts, almost 400 people crossed the Channel in small boats over the weekend - four times the average yearly capacity of Rwanda's asylum system.

'It could take years to remove those who arrived this weekend, even if the Prime Minister did manage to get a few symbolic flights off the ground.'

A Home Office spokesman said: 'Our priority is to stop the boats, which is why we have taken robust action to crackdown on vile people smuggling gangs, deter migrants from making dangerous crossings and, alongside our French counterparts, intercept vessels.

'This relentless action reduced crossings by 36 per cent last year, which saw similar weather conditions to 2022, and more than 26,000 attempts were prevented.

'The fact we have seen three devastating fatal incidents in three months highlights the unacceptable risks that migrants and criminal gangs are running in pursuing these dangerous, illegal and unnecessary crossing attempts.'

The Government is 'working very closely with our French counterparts', Mr Sunak's spokesman also said.
The cousin of a murdered mother-of-three who was found in a sex offender's freezer now helps other families who have lost loved ones to deal with their grief.

Mihrican 'Jan' Mustafa, 38, was strangled by Zahid Younis, who then locked her body in a freezer unit alongside Henriett Szucs, 34, who was murdered in 2016.

The pair had been not been seen for months before their remains were found in April 2019 at the deserted home in Canning Town.

The loss of Jan devastated her family, but her cousin, Ayse Hussein, has since used her experience of the ensuing grief to help others who are going through a similar ordeal.

She now works alongside the likes of the mother of Olivia Pratt-Korbel - a nine-year-old girl who was killed by a gunman in Liverpool in 2022 - and Farah Naz, the aunt of Zara Aleena, who was sexually assaulted and murdered as she was walking home in London in the same year.

Mihrican 'Jan' Mustafa, 38, pictured before her tragic death

Relatives of Jan speaking outside of court. Pictured left to right are Ayse Hussein, niece Zeyhal Ozulku, sister Mel Mustafa, Jade, and Kazim Salih

Zahid Younis (pictured) was found guilty at Southwark Crown Court of murdering Henriett Szucs, 34, and Mihrican 'Jan' Mustafa

Ms Hussein runs annual events, where the families and friends of murder victims gather to support one another and also acts as an Independent Domestic Violence Advocate.

The ex-finance worker told The Mirror she is 'immensely proud' of what she has achieved.

READ MORE - Cousin of murdered mother-of-three who was found in a sex offender's freezer slams Met Police for not taking her disappearance seriously enough Advertisement

She founded The Table of Love and Loss, where those who have lost loved ones to violence in London come together. At the event, friends and family members set up a table in memory of the victims.

They place photos, personal items and other mementos to help remember who they have lost.

Ms Hussein told The Mirror: 'A father who'd lost his daughter, he said he never came to these things, and on his walk up it was really daunting, because it was so big it was quite scary he found. But by the end he said it was something he really needed, and he got so much comfort and love out of it.'

She said she set up the event after she lost her cousin and began attending vigils.

When she set up something to honour Jan, she wanted other families to be a part of it, and when someone told her they understood what she was going through, 'they really actually did'.

Ms Hussein previously said the family felt let down by the Met Police, criticising the way the force handled the investigation after Jan was reported missing in 2018.

Police visited Younis' home five weeks after Ms Mustafa had disappeared because his name came up on her phone records.

Mihrican, also known as Jan or Mary-Jane, was reported missing in May 2018

The officers, however, merely put a leaflet through the his door despite being aware of his disturbing history of abusing women which saw him jailed for getting a child bride pregnant when she was 14.

It was only after concerns were flagged of Younis' whereabouts when officers searched the flat and discovered the two bodies in the freezer.

It emerged in the murder trial in 2019 that Younis preyed on women who were vulnerable and easy to manipulate.

Relatives said the mother-of-three was caught up in drugs after she became unable to continue receiving housing benefits and ended up losing her home.

Ms Hussein said she believes her cousin might have lived if officers had taken the case more seriously and that the force dismissed her disappearance due to her chaotic lifestyle.

The family, who were not permitted to hold a press appeal, even took matters in their own hands and made their own missing person posters.

Forensics officers leave the flat in Canning Town, East London, in April 2019

Evidence markers laid across Younis's bedroom floor after police searched the flat in 2019

The body of Henriett Szucs (pictured) was also discovered in the padlocked freezer

When police caught up with Younis, they found the bodies had been frozen for so long that they had become fused together.

Bodycam footage released by Scotland Yard showed police officers searching the flat before they made the grim discovery in April 2019, with one detective heard saying: 'There's a freezer here I want to get into but it's locked.'

How the double murderer preyed on vulnerable women Double murderer Zahid Younis has a history of preying on the vulnerable. Both of the women he murdered and left in a freezer had led somewhat chaotic lives - they had been homeless at times and had struggled with drugs. They were easy to manipulate. Investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Simon Harding, of the Metropolitan Police, said: 'Zahid Younis is a particularly dangerous and what I would describe as a repugnant individual who preys on vulnerable women in particular and abuses them, brings them into his control and causes them significant injury.' He described Younis's life as 'a pattern of lies', adding: 'He is a person who uses drugs and would manipulate and lie to people to get money.' Younis, 36, murdered Hungarian national Henriett Szucs, 34, and mother-of-three Mihrican 'Jan' Mustafa, 38. Ms Szucs had last been seen in August 2016 and Ms Mustafa in May 2018. Their bodies were found in a padlocked freezer with flies swarming around it at Younis's flat in Vandome Close, Canning Town, in April 2019. The grim discovery was made by a uniformed police officer who had only gone to the flat in search of Younis after he had been reported as missing. DCI Harding said the freezer was forced open by one of the officers on 'an old-fashioned police hunch' about what was inside it. He said: 'He broke open the freezer and discovered what could only be seen, at the time, as only one body. 'It actually took the freezer being taken away and X-rayed for it to be seen there was another body underneath that. It was a gruesome discovery for the officers.' The 'horrendous scenes' faced by his team, who are trained for their jobs, is nothing compared to the 'bravery' of the victims' families whose ordeal has spanned, not just their loved ones' disappearance and killing but now also this court case, he said. DCI Harding said: 'It is incomprehensible to imagine what the families are going through. 'They have been incredibly brave throughout this entire ordeal. It is an ordeal in court listening to his lies. It is hard to listen if you are a family member to hear what he is saying about your daughter, sister or mum.' Advertisement

Both victims had suffered appalling injuries including multiple broken ribs. Ms Mustafa had suffered a fractured larynx and Ms Szucs's skull had been fractured.

The judge, Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb, said at the sentencing: 'It will surprise no one in this room that the defendant has declined to attend his sentence, while he sits in the cells below, but I will address these remarks to him so when he has the courage to read them he will understand why the court has reached the conclusion it has.'

She branded Younis an 'arch-deceiver', calling him a 'heartless man and a narcissist', adding: 'You have preyed upon the vulnerable with superficial charm.

'You have been convicted by the strong prosecution case. Not only were the bodies of two women found in your home, hidden in a locked freezer purchased for that purpose, they showed signs of violence which you failed to explain.'

The judge said Younis had 'robbed' his victims of 'all happiness in life and dignity in death,' and said: 'You have no remorse.'

Younis had abused girlfriends for many years and left one partner with a broken arm in 2007.

He married a 13-year-old girl in a Walthamstow mosque when he was 20 and admitted unlawful sexual activity with a child the following year in 2005 when she fell pregnant.

Younis also admitted common assault after he put the teenager in a headlock to drag her out of a supermarket.

She was introduced to him when she was 12 and they began a sexual relationship when she was 13.

A year later they were married in an Islamic ceremony at the mosque.

Younis was given 30 months for having sex with her in 2005 and in 2008 he was jailed for breaking the arm of another teenage lover in three places.

He was sentenced to nearly five years in jail after admitting two counts of wounding and one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm against the 17-year-old.

Younis left her covered in bruises and isolated from her friends while threatening to set her family home on fire if she confided in anyone about the abuse.

Another girlfriend who went on to have his child was locked in an airing cupboard for hours by Younis.

He also imprisoned her in a telephone box when she tried to call her mother and threatened to throw her in front of a train.

The Met Police previously said in a statement that it referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct after Jan's death.

The IOPC referred the matter back to the Met for the Directorate of Professional Standards to investigate.

But the statement went on to say: 'The DPS investigation concluded Mihrican's death could not have been prevented or foreseen. There was no indication that police actions and decisions caused or contributed to her death and no misconduct identified for any officer.'
Court Clerk Becky Hill made just $100,000 from her book about the trial of Alex Murdaugh, she told a court on Monday.

Hill took the stand in Columbia, South Carolina, in a hearing to determine whether Murdaugh will get a new trial for the murders of his wife and son. In his quest for a new trial, the disgraced lawyer has argued that the Colleton County court clerk tampered with the jury that convicted him.

Defense attorney Jim Harpootlian's asked Hill about her television appearances following Murdaugh's guilty verdict, and about the book she published on the case, Behind the Doors of Justice.'

Hill said she did not make 'a lot of money' from the book about the case, before saying she made about $100,000 after expenses. She admitted that she spoke to people about the possibility of publishing a book before the murder trial ended last year.

She also admitted the book has now been taken off shelves after she plagiarized parts of it.

On the stand, Hill denied trying to influence the jury in any way, and denied a juror's claim that she had warned the jury to 'watch Murdaugh closely' before his testimony.

Court Clerk Becky Hill has taken the stand in a hearing to determine whether Alex Murdaugh will get a new trial for the murders of his wife and son

Convicted killer Alex Murdaugh is back in court as he tries to get a new murder trial

'I did the jury to pay attention just generally,' Hill added.

Hill admitted she sent an email saying she believed the jury would not take long to come up with a verdict

Hill published a book, Behind the Doors of Justice: The Murdaugh Murders, on the trial in July

'It's a gut feeling, that's all I meant by that,' Hill told the court when asked by she said the jury would not take long to deliver on Murdaugh's fate.

The court clerk also admitted telling a court reporter she told Murdaugh was guilty, but added: 'none of us were jurors.'

Hill's testimony came after Murdaugh's team had a win in court when one of the jurors who convicted him said their verdict was influenced by Hill.

The first juror questioned on Monday, Juror Z, shocked the room as she said that her verdict was indeed influenced by court clerk Hill. They claimed that before the verdict was reached Hill approached the jury telling them to 'watch Murdaugh closely.'

'She made it seem like he was already guilty,' the first juror questioned on Monday told the court.

Juror Z added that she felt pressure from the other jurors to convict Murdaugh, and that Hill pushed the jury to appear on television after the verdict.

However, Juror Z was the only of 12 jurors who said her verdict was influenced by Hill. Nine jurors said they did not hear comments from Hill, and two said they heard comments but they did not influence their thinking.

Judge Toal, a former state Supreme Court Chief Justice, was forced to stop the hearing on Monday after learning the jury had been watching the livestream from the jury room with their cellphones, which hadn't been confiscated.

Defense attorney Jim Harpootlian's asked Hill about her television appearances following Murdaugh's guilty verdict, and about the book she published on the case

'They tuned this thing in on Court TV and listened to all of what just went on,' judge Toal told the court.

A somber-looking Murdaugh entered the packed court room on Monday in handcuffs and shackles before he joined his defense team.

As Judge Toal welcomed the jury that convicted Murdaugh back to the court, she clarified they are not accused of any misconduct and apologized for the 'terrible inconvenience.'

'You have done absolutely nothing wrong - none of you. You didn't ask to serve but you served and did your duty,' he said.

Jury tampering is the basis for Murdaugh's appeal, but Judge Toals rulings after a pretrial hearing this month have set a difficult standard for his lawyers to prove.

One juror - Juror X - already took the stand in Murdaugh's appeal on Friday, and denied that Hill affected their verdict in any way.

Toal ruled the defense must prove that potential misconduct including alleged comments by Hill warning jurors not to trust Murdaugh when he testifies directly led jurors to change their minds to guilty.

Judge Toal was forced to stop the hearing on Monday after learning the jury had been watching the livestream from the jury room with their cellphones

Colleton County Clerk of Court Becky Hill, pictured with Judge Newman, is being accused by Murdaugh's defense team of influencing the jury as they move for a retrial

Murdaughs six-week murder trial, which concluded in March, became a sensation with its mix of privilege, brutality and power. The judges, lawyers and Hill herself all became minor celebrities.

The defense made a number of allegations after the guilty verdict, including that Hill told jurors their deliberations shouldnt take long, thereby implying Murdaugh was guilty.

Murdaughs attorneys have also said Hill had conversations in a private bathroom with the jury forewoman and handed jurors business cards of media members who wanted interviews before deliberations.

Hill and three jurors did end up in New York City after the trial for a NBC interview. Hill wrote in her self-published book it was her first plane trip.

The defense has argued if they prove the jury was tampered with, it shouldn't matter whether a juror openly said their verdict changed, because the influence can be subtle and still keep Murdaugh from getting a fair trial.

Judge Jean Toal ruled that only the 12 jurors who convicted Murdaugh of his wife and son's murders can testify as the disgraced lawyer seeks a new trial

Murdaugh has remained adamant that he did not kill his son Paul with a shotgun and his wife Maggie (both circled) with a rifle

Toal also won't let the defense call the trial judge Clifton Newman as a witness, nor prosecutors or other court workers who might testify that Hill seemed certain of Murdaugh's guilt or tried to influence the case.

The judge also limited what can be asked of Hill. Toal told lawyers they can't question the elected clerk about a criminal investigation announced by state agents into whether she used her office for financial gain, emailed prosecutors with suggestions on how to discredit a defense expert, conspired with her son who is charged with wiretapping county phones, or plagiarized part of her book on the case using a passage from a BBC reporter who accidentally emailed her instead of her boss with a similar address.

'I'm very, very reluctant to turn this hearing about juror contact into a wholesale exploration about every piece of conduct by the clerk,' Toal said.

Hill, in a previous sworn statement, has denied any jury tampering.

James McDowell, Gwen Generette and Amie Williams waived their right to anonymity to appear on NBC's TODAY show to discuss the case that captivated the nation for six weeks

Even if Murdaugh gets a new murder trial he won't walk out free. He's also serving 27 years after admitting he stole $12 million from his law firm and from settlements he gained for clients on wrongful death and serious injury lawsuits.

Murdaugh promised not to appeal that sentence as part of his plea deal.

He has remained adamant that he did not kill his younger son Paul with a shotgun and his wife Maggie with a rifle since the moment he told deputies he found their bodies at their Colleton County home in 2021. He testified in his own defense.

If this effort fails, Murdaugh hasn't even started the regular appeals of his sentence, where his lawyers are expected to argue a number of reasons why his murder trial was unfair, including the judge allowing voluminous testimony of his financial crimes. They said this enabled prosecutors to smear Murdaugh with evidence not directly linked to the killings.
Leicestershire Police has referred itself to the watchdog amid a probe into whether the force failed to arrest the Nottingham triple killer Valdo Calocane for assault weeks before his knife rampage.

Paranoid schizophrenic Calocane, 32, was last week handed a hospital order after stabbing 19-year-old students Barnaby Webber and Grace O'Malley-Kumar and school caretaker Ian Coates, 65, with a dagger and running over three other people in Nottingham.

After his sentencing at Nottingham Crown Court for the 'merciless' killings, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said several incidents involving previous police contact with Calocane have been 'brought to our attention which we were unaware of'.

It comes just hours after the heartbroken parents of tragic university student Barnaby Webber called for a public enquiry into why Calocane was able to carry out his frenzied attack in Nottingham city centre on June 13 last year.

The victims' families had previously accused Nottinghamshire Police of having 'blood on their hands' for failing to stop Calocane - who they were seeking to arrest for attacking a police officer at the time he carried out the triple killings on June 13 last year.

Paranoid schizophrenic Calocane pleaded guilty to manslaughter by diminished responsibility

CCTV of Valdo Calocane shows him being boxed in whilst driving the stolen white van then tasered by police and finally arrested

Grace and fellow University of Nottingham student Barnaby Webber, both 19, were killed by Calocane

Calocane then stabbed Ian Coates (pictured) to death and stole his van. He mowed down three pedestrians but they all survived

Paranoid schizophrenic Calocane pleaded guilty to manslaughter by diminished responsibility following the attacks that left Grace, Barnaby, and school caretaker Ian Coates dead in the early hours of last June 13.

He also admitted attempting to murdering three pedestrians who were hit by a van on June 13. He was sentenced to a hospital order with restrictions.

It emerged during Calocane's sentencing hearing last week that in early May 2023 - around five weeks before his frenzied attack - that he started working in a warehouse in Kegworth, Leicestershire, where he was accused of attacking two employees.

Leicestershire Police said no one was seriously hurt in the factory assault and Calocane had reportedly been escorted off site by security before police arrived.

The IOPC said it requested more information about the attack from Leicestershire Police after Calocane's sentencing last Thursday.

The watchdog also asked Nottinghamshire Police to give more details about a warrant issued for Calocane's arrest in 2022 after he failed to appear in court for allegedly attacking a police officer.

In a statement, the IOPC said: 'Following the sentencing of Valdo Calocane several incidents involving previous police contact with him have been brought to our attention which we were unaware of.

'As a result, we asked Nottinghamshire Police and Leicestershire Police to provide us with information promptly about those incidents to establish whether there are any matters that should be referred to us.

Calocane (top left) glances at a group of youngsters while riding a tram on the same night as his rampage

Calocane appearing at Nottingham Crown Court on January 23

'We have this afternoon received a referral from Leicestershire Police about its investigation into assaults Valdo Calocane was alleged to have committed on May 5 2023, which we are assessing to determine what further action may be required from us.

'In relation to a warrant being issued for Mr Calocane's arrest in 2022, Nottinghamshire Police provided us with information about that shortly after the tragic events of June 13 2023. We decided it did not meet our referral criteria because the contact had not been recent and no conduct issues were identified for any individual officer.

'Nottinghamshire Police subsequently carried out an internal review of matters linked to the warrant and we have now also requested details of that learning exercise, in case there are any issues that would require our involvement.'

The knifeman - who said he was hearing voices urging him to kill and believed he was controlled by MI5 and sonic waves - will 'very probably' spend the rest of his life at high-security Ashworth Hospital for massacring the innocent trio.

But prosecutors decided not to charge Calocane with murder and instead accepted his guilty plea of manslaughter with diminished responsibility.

Two consultant psychiatrists submitted evidence to his sentencing hearing that Calocane 'knew what he was doing' and 'was not insane' - but it was ultimately decided he was a 'paranoid schizophrenic'.

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.

Prosecutor Karim Khalil said the experts concluded the condition 'resulted in an abnormality of mental function and an inability to exercise full control.'

Emma Webber (pictured) speaking on Good Morning Britain this morning

David and Emma Webber called for a public enquiry this morning into why Calocane was able to carry out his frenzied attack in Nottingham city centre on June 13 last year.

Speaking to Richard Madeley and Susanna Reid on Good Morning Britain, Mrs Webber said: 'I will never accept anything other than Barnaby was murdered.

'He was murdered by somebody that knew what he was doing, he knew that it was wrong and he did it anyway - and he's admitted that. He's actually said that.'

Speaking two days after an interview with the Mail, Mrs Webber said 'where do you start with the failings?', explaining how officers failed to arrest Calocane for an assault of his co-workers just weeks before.

Mrs Webber said she was 'aghast' at the the opening statements from the Crown Prosecution Service in court at Calocane's trial and has asked for a meeting with Janine McKinney from the CPS.

Ms Webber said: 'We sat in court and were aghast at the opening statements from the CPS barrister last week, it was worded in such a way that the acceptance of manslaughter was after consultation with the families, oh it wasn't, anything but.

'We saw the CPS for the very first time as I said in my statement on the Friday November 24, the weekend before the pre-trial hearing, they had actually asked if we'd have that meeting on the morning of the hearing.'

Mrs Webber suggested Calocane was not showing signs of 'obvious psychosis' on the day of the Nottingham attacks and could be seen changing his clothes and interacting with people beforehand.
The body of a former counter-terror officer who 'tipped petrol onto the floor' of his luxury cottage and is suspected of killing himself after lighting it could not be identified from his remains, an inquest has heard.

Ex Scotland Yard Superintendent Malcolm Baker is believed to have died when the inferno destroyed his cottage home on Exmoor in September 2020.

At a pre-inquest review today, the senior Somerset coroner Samantha Marsh revealed that there were 'very, very little remains recovered from Malcolm Baker'.

She said DNA was not conclusive and no expert was able to produce a report saying it was the 60-year-old.

She said there were little remains 'due to the heat of the fire or the building collapsing or both'.

Baker worked on the 2006 poisoning of KGB defector Alexander Litvinenko and the 7/7 London terror attacks in 2005.

Ex Scotland Yard Superintendent Malcolm Baker (pictured) is believed to have died when the inferno destroyed his cottage home on Exmoor in September 2020

Neighbours previously told MailOnline that officers were called to the luxury detached property (pictured before the blast) by his wife during a row

The review, held in Taunton, Somerset, heard that local police had gone to the cottage near Dulverton that day and Baker was in an upstairs room.

The inquest into Baker's death will also look into his mental health history and any recognised diagnosis.

His wife Francesca Onody, 50, and their teenage daughter were away when the explosion and fire broke out.

Neighbours previously told MailOnline that officers were called to the luxury detached property by his wife during a row.

When they arrived, he ran upstairs with cans of petrol, which he set alight before the officers could overpower him, it was reported.

As flames raged through the property following the violent explosion, the officers led Mrs Baker and their two teenage children to safety.

A villager in remote Brompton Regis, Somerset, said the couple's marriage had broken down and the pair had had a series of bitter arguments in recent months, leading to the police being called to the house on several occasions.

Today, all that remains of the house is the ground floor exterior walls.

The blast was heard almost a mile away from the house - which had no mains gas supply - destroying the upper floor and blowing off the roof.

Pictures taken after the blast show the remains of the cottage afterwards

The roof was blown off completely and windows were shattered

All that remains of the house is the ground floor exterior walls after the explosion

Former Met Det Chief Insp Mick Neville told The Sun at the time that the incident was 'tragic' but also seemed like a 'wicked act of spite to his partner and children'.

Mr Baker's estranged sister, Phillipa Baker, said previously that she suspected foul play.

READ MORE - Ex-Litvinenko terror cop doused his home in petrol and then blew himself up while his wife and children were evacuated to safety by police, neighbours claim Advertisement

The 62-year-old said: 'Malcom wouldn't end his own life. Killing himself in an explosion is absolute nonsense, it wouldn't happen.

'I'm absolutely positive he wouldn't take his own life, especially in that absolutely ghastly way.

'No he wouldn't do that, it is absolutely odd.'

Mrs Baker, from Caterham, Surrey, said her brother 'cut me off' almost 20 years ago after a family dispute and said she hadn't seen him since.

But she added: 'My brother will have made enemies in his life... He was a leader... he didn't suffer fools lightly.'

Mr Baker is said to have cancelled his family's house insurance and emptied bank accounts he held with his wife, before the explosion, according to The Sun.

The ex-cop assisted US authorities in response to the 9/11 atrocities in 2001 as well as the fatal poisoning of ex-KGB agent-turned Russian dissident Alexander Litvinenko, in London in 2006.

Avon and Somerset police referred his death to the police watchdog because of the contact they had with Baker which was of a domestic nature.

The full inquest is due to be held at the end of this year.
Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) is being accused of 'treason' and calls to be removed from Congress as she faces fierce opposition for a speech where she unapologetically declared she is 'Somalia first.'

Somaliland Ambassador Rhoda Elmi reposted video of Omar's speech on X and called it 'regrettably unbecoming' and 'lacking in common decency.'

The leaked video of Omar's speech on January 27 quickly went viral and garnered widespread criticism, including from far-right Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) who accused her colleague of using her position to protect people who 'hate America' and also said she's clearly admitting to putting another country ahead of American interests.

House Majority Whip Tim Emmer, who also represents a district in Minnesota, called for his colleague's resignation.

'Ilhan Omar's appalling, Somalia-first comments are a slap in the face to the Minnesotans she was elected to serve and a direct violation of her oath of office,' Rep. Emmer said in a statement, according to Alpha News. 'She should resign in disgrace.'

Omar decried the criticism as 'completely off,' claiming she is saying that her top priority as a U.S. member of Congress is to represent the best interests of Somali people in America.

The squad member was speaking in Somalian at a Minneapolis event on Saturday when the moment was captured on camera and circulated online.

'Sleep in comfort knowing I am here to protect the interest of Somalia from inside the U.S. system,' Omar said, according to a translated version of the video.

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) is facing backlash for her comments claiming she puts Somalia's interests first in her role as a U.S. member of Congress

ACT for America founder and Chairwoman Brigitte Gabriel wrote on X: 'Ilhan Omar puts Somalia first, Islam second, and America last'

She also uplifted Somalia's 'unity' against Ethiopia and Somaliland, which is an unrecognized state considered part of Somalia, and supported Somalia forcibly retaking land around their country.

ACT for America founder and Chairwoman Brigitte Gabriel wrote on X: 'Ilhan Omar puts Somalia first, Islam second, and America last.'

'We hope the house leadership and her caucus will take note of her public conduct, unbecoming a United States Congresswoman nor representative of the august house she serves in,' Elmi wrote in her lengthy statement posted to X.

Rep. Greene wrote: 'Terrorist sympathizer Ilhan Omar in her own words: Somalian first. Muslim second. She never mentions America.'

'She flaunts using her position as congresswoman to protect Somalia's border while our border is invaded by MILLIONS of illegals who are a danger to America,' she added. 'These people hate America and they're so emboldened by the Democrats' disdain for our country, they're not even trying to hide it anymore.'

Oamr said in her speech that 'the US government will only do what Somalians in the U.S. tell them to do. They will do what we want and nothing else.'

'They must follow our orders and that is how we will safeguard the interest of Somalia,' she adds. 'We Somalians must have the confidence in ourselves that we call the shots in the U.S.'

'Together we will protect the interests of Somalia.'

Americans for Prosperity Tennessee Ambassador Robby Starbuck accused Omar of 'openly admitting allegiance to a foreign nation and to using her position in government to put that foreign nation first.'

'This is treason,' he declared. 'Ilhan Omar is an agent for Somalia. It's all out in the open. She should be removed from Congress at the very least. Absolutely insane.'

Somaliland Ambassador Rhoda Elmi reposted video of Omar's speech on X and released a lengthy statement where she called the remarks 'regrettably unbecoming' and 'lacking in common decency'

Omar speaking in Somalian at a Minneapolis event on Saturday when the moment was captured on camera and circulated online. She said: 'Sleep in comfort knowing I am here to protect the interest of Somalia from inside the U.S. system'

Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R) also weighed-in with a post on X stating Omar 'flaunts using her position as congresswoman to protect Somalia's border' and accused her of 'hating America'

This isn't the first time calls have ensued to remove Omar from her position in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Omar's previous anti-Semitic remarks as well as her demanding Israel stop defending itself against Hamas terrorists in Gaza have led to calls from Republicans that she be removed from Congress and sparked censure resolutions from colleagues.

She is part of the progressive 'squad' of lawmakers, which includes the likes of Reps. Alexandria Ocasi-Cortez, Ayanna Pressley and Rsahida Tlaib, who is Palestinian-American.

Of those claiming Omar is 'Somalia first' based on her remarks over the weekend, the lawmaker claims: 'It's not only slanted but completely off, but I wouldn't expect more from these propagandists.'

'I pray for them and for their sanity. No nation state can survive if its states start to get involved in land lease negotiations with other countries without the consent of the federal government,' she added in a post on X. 'Somalis in Somalia and in the diaspora are united in that effort and I stand in solidarity with them.'

'No amount of harassment and lies will ever change that.'
Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that Germany risks being drawn into World War Three if Russia defeats Ukraine and takes over the nation's land.

Zelensky, 46, appeared on a German talk show to lobby Berlin into giving his nation's army long-range Taurus missiles, and praised leader Olaf Scholz for recognising that Russia was 'drawing closer.'

'My impression is that the chancellor [Scholz] has understood a few things better: that Putin is not just a name, but a threat, and not only for Ukraine,' Zelensky said.

He added: 'I think the chancellor understands that there is such a risk [of a Russian attack on NATO]. And that certainly means the Third World War.'

The Ukrainian leader said he hoped that Berlin would soon change its tune and begin handing over Taurus cruise missiles, which can travel at least 300 miles, hinting that he knew Scholz was not personally blocking their delivery.

Voldymyr Zelensky, 46, (pictured) appeared on a German talk show to lobby Berlin into giving his nation's army long-range Taurus missiles

He praised leader Olaf Scholz (pictured) for recognising that Russia was 'drawing closer'

Taurus missiles are long-range weapons that can travel at least 300 miles

'Im just disappointed that the people in todays world tend to be pragmatic and dont step in right away when there is one challenge or another.'

He said that the argument that Germany needed to keep its own stockpile levels up was bogus, telling the chat show: 'The weapons will hardly help you then [if Russia attacks NATO]. That is another kind of war. These are another kind of people. Russia is totally different.'

Zelensky also admitted that he was worried about the US' support for Ukraine if Donald Trump won the next election.

While Ukraine has been scared that Trump would force Ukraine to agree to a bad deal with Russia to end the conflict, Zelensky said that he was confident that both Republicans and Democrats understood the gravity of the conflict.

'Its not likely that US policy depends on a single person,' he said.

The US is currently preoccupied with the deaths of three of its soldiers in Jordan, following a drone strike.

Experts have warned that the attack by Iran-backed militants risk further inflaming the on-going crisis in the Middle East.

A former CIA director called the weekend strike on the US base a 'dangerous escalation' in tensions that have already engulfed the region following Hamas's October 7 terror attack on southern Israel, and Israel's subsequent assault on Gaza.

A Ukrainian soldier prepares a mortar before shooting a target in the direction of Bakhmut,

Zelensky admitted that he was worried about the US' support for Ukraine if Donald Trump won the next election

A Ukrainian border guard strokes a cat as he walks to his base after Ukrainian-Belarusian border patrolling in Chernigiv region

After he warned that the US 'shall respond' to the strike, analysts say US president Joe Biden must be calculated in his retaliation and strike a balance between pleasing those at home who want to see a show of force, and averting a wider conflict.

If the White House is not strong enough in its response, experts say Iran's proxies will remain undeterred and continue to carry out attacks. Too strong, and Biden risks plunging the Middle East into a deeper conflict.

Further escalation, one expert warns, 'would bring the Middle East to the precipice of a regional war', while another said they expect a 'expect a serious escalation around the corner.'

But in doing so, Biden also runs the risk of playing into the 'optimal scenario' for Vladimir Putin, whose war in Ukraine would benefit greatly from a wider conflict.

Meanwhile, one British MP warned that the escalation in the volatile region also affects the UK, saying that it could become a 'necessity' for Britain to get involved.

'It's important that the British people understand this: This is one example of many of the new era of insecurity that we've entered and that we need to prepare for,' said former Defence Select Committee chairman and soldier Tobias Ellwood.

While Zelensky may not be able to rely on the US for much longer, he still has powerful allies in the EU, who have this week made efforts to strongarm Hungary into backing down from its veto of a 50bn (43bn) aid package.

Ukrainian soldiers ride a tank to the frontline in the direction of Bakhmut

Zelensky still has powerful allies in the EU

The plans, drawn up by EU officials, are reported by the FT to explicitly target Hungary's economic pressure points, destabilise the already-weak forint, Hungary's currency, and force investor confidence to plummet in a bid to attack 'jobs and growth', if the nation refuses to lift its veto against aid to Ukraine.

Viktor Orban, Hungary's far-Right leader who has been in high office since 2010 and has close ties with Vladimir Putin, has consistently taken a hard stance against Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022.

On Thursday, he vowed to block the EU from using its budget to provide 50bn (43bn) in financial aid to Ukraine, during an emergency summit of world leaders.

The drafted plans, first revealed on Sunday night, would see EU leaders publicly vow to shut off all EU funding to Budapest if Orban did not back down from his position before an upcoming summit.

The plans state that 'in the case of no agreement in the February 1 [summit], other heads of state and government would publicly declare that in the light of the unconstructive behaviour of the Hungarian PM... they cannot imagine that' EU funds would be provided to Hungary.

The plans claim that without that crucial funding, 'financial markets and European and international companies might be less interested to invest in Hungary', which 'could quickly trigger a further increase of the cost of funding of the public deficit and a drop in the currency'.
Major European cities in Paris, Germany and Belgium were placed under siege by militant farmers across the continent tonight.

Armoured cars and 5,000 extra police surrounded Paris on Monday as a 'quasi-military' blockade swung into action, while police in Hamburg, Germany, were called out to deal with farmers who have been protesting Chancellor Olaf Scholz's decision to cut subsidies.

Over in Belgium, a minister was forced to evacuate the site of a protest on a major highway in the Walloon region.

As night fell, some 1500 tractors were in place at six major junctions entering Paris, while agriculture workers called for more protection against rising costs, and for an end to the EU's green net zero policies.

Protesting farmers started the operation by blocking the A13 highway to the west of the capital, the A4 to the east and the A6 on which hundreds of tractors rolled towards Paris from the south.

By midafternoon they appeared to have met their objective of establishing eight chokepoints on major roads into Paris, according to Sytadin, a traffic monitoring service.

Walloon Minister for Environment, Nature, Animal Welfare and Rural renovation Celine Tellier flees from the scene of a farmers protest at the Daussoulx interchange

A mannequin in the effigy of French President Emmanuel Macron hangs next to tractors during a road blockage of the A6 highway near Villabe

Farmers block a highway on January 29, 2024 in Argenteuil, north of Paris

Protestors use their tractors to block traffic in central Hamburg, on January 29, 2024

Dozens of tractor behind some marquees to spend the night on the A-15 motorway at Argenteuil, north of Paris

Farmers take part in the blockade of the M7 motorway in Pierre-Benite, near Lyon, central-eastern France

Another target was the Rungis International Market - nicknamed the 'belly of Paris' - which serves the majority of the capital's restaurants, cafes and supermarkets.

'This is a battle for our lives,' said Gilles Balland, who had travelled from his farm the south west of the country, close to the Spanish border.

'Farmers are committing suicide, and all of us are struggling to stay in business - it's the same everywhere,' said Mr Balland.'That's why this siege will go on for as long as it takes.'

And Stephane Sanchez, director of France's FNSEA agriculture union, said 'the siege of Paris' had been prepared with 'quasi-military' precision.

There were similar sieges in other cities and towns, including Lyon, Limoges and Toulouse, where massive traffic jams built up and food deliveries were cancelled.

In turn, Agriculture Minister Marc Fesneau called for 'zero tolerance for violence and degradation' by the farmers.

They have already been involved in criminal acts in around France, including setting fire to foreign lorries and their produce.

Supermarkets have also been raided by groups of militant farmers, who have stolen produce from overseas and set it ablaze outside the stores.

Mr Fesneau said criminal behaviour was unacceptable, and a blockage of the city of Paris was largely useless.

People walk next to tractors on the A1 highway during a protest over price pressures, taxes and green regulation

A mannequin in the effigy of French President Emmanuel Macron hangs next to tractors during a road blockage of the A6 highway near Villabe, south of Paris

An effigy hangs from a bridge as people gather at a blockade point on the A4 highway at Jossigny, near Paris

Interior Minster Gerald Darmanin confirmed that a security operation was designed 'to prevent any blockage of Rungis and the airport'

'It is an act which, in the end, mainly penalises Parisians,' he said. 'I'm not sure that blocking the whole of the Ile de France [greater Paris] will serve the interests of the farmers.'

Interior Minster Gerald Darmanin confirmed that a security operation was designed 'to prevent any blockage of Rungis and the airport.'

'We're not going to allow government buildings or tax offices or supermarkets to be damaged or lorries transporting foreign produce to be stopped,' he said.

Darmanin said the protests would also not be allowed to affect Paris's Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports, or the Rungis international wholesale food market south of the city.

The nationwide farming demonstrations have already left two dead - a car rammed into a roadblock last Tuesday, killing a woman and her teenage daughter and seriously injuring her husband.

President Emmanuel Macron has ordered Gabriel Attal, the country's new prime minister, to focus on quelling a potential 'peasants' revolt' (A 'jacquerie' in French)

Farmers protests across Europe are growing as they demand better conditions to grow produce and maintain a proper income

Some of the farmers are already calling themselves the Gilets Verts, for green vests

He fears another Yellow Vests, or Gilets Jaunes, style uprising that saw hugely violent riots against fuel tax hikes around the country from 2018 to 2020.

Some of the farmers are already calling themselves the Gilets Verts, for green vests.

Farmer leaders said the government's responses so far were insufficient.

'The prime minister has given us nibbles, and now we'd like him to work a bit harder and give us more,' said Arnaud Lepoil, a member of the leading farmers' union FNSEA.

Arnaud Rousseau, the FNSEA's leader, and Young Farmers union boss Arnaud Gaillot were to meet with Attal later Monday, sources told AFP.

'Our goal is not to annoy French people or make their lives difficult but to put pressure on the government,' Rousseau told the RTL broadcaster.

Other groups have jumped on the protesting bandwagon. Earlier, around 30 activists from environmental group Greenpeace launched smoke grenades on Paris's Place de la Concorde near the Champs-Elysees.

Farmer leaders said the government's responses so far were insufficient

A grain farmer looks on as French farmers block a highway with their tractors during a protest over price pressures, taxes and green regulation

A farmer stands at a barbecue as he blocks a highway, Monday, Jan. 29, 2024 in Argenteuil, north of Paris

They also unfurled a banner in support of the farmers before being escorted away by police.

Taxi drivers staged their own protest movement on Monday against what they say is insufficient remuneration for the transport of patients by the French health services.

Their go-slows added to the disruption on motorways.

Similar farming disputes have been taking place in other EU countries, with tractors on the move in countries including Germany, Italy and Spain.

Germany today saw tractors line up across central Hamburg, following farmers' fury at a government decision to cut subsidies and tax breaks on diesel and agricultural vehicles.

While the government partially climbed down from its decison, saying that the car tax exemption would be retained and the cuts in the diesel tax breaks would be staggered over three years, farmers' unions were still not happy.

The German Farmers' Association said this was not enough and insists the plans must be reversed fully if the government wants to avoid demonstrations.

The protests in Germany come as populist Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD) party seeks to capitalise on the discontent, launching a social media campaign that paints a picture of ordinary people being 'driven into ruin by an irresponsible political leadership like in the middle ages'.

It has called for German citizens to go on a 'general strike' to voice their displeasure with Scholz's coalition, while its supporters have begun sharing graphics and AI-generated images of farmers' tractors descending on Berlin.

'Come to Berlin and chase away the traffic light! Germany is turning blue,' one such slogan shared on social media said in a reference to AfD's colours.

In neighbouring Belgium, farmers have stepped up their own campaign, with protests springing up in Walloon, a region of Belgium for which 43% of rural land is used for agriculture.

Protesting farmers in Walloon, much like their counterparts across the continent, are furious with rising production costs and falling product prices.

They fear farming in Belgium is not economically viable in the long term, and are worried young people aren't attracted to the profession as a result.

Protests in the region got so vicious that a regional minister in charge of farming was forced to run away as crowds became more restless when she visited.

Walloon Minister for Environment, Nature, Animal Welfare and Rural renovation Celine Tellier was seen fleeing a protest held at the Daussoulx interchange between the E42 and E411 highways.

The Young Farmers' Association, which represents the next generation of agricultural workers in Belgium and helped organise the protests, said: ' Citizens must understand that we are also acting in their interest. A society where agriculture is in danger poses a threat to everyone.

'Relying on other regions of the world for vital resources can have many impacts, notably financial. We must all fight together to prevent this from happening in agriculture.'

The outer ring for the Brussels Ring Road was also blocked off by tractors, with local authorities saying that it was not possible to enter the city's ring road.

In recent weeks farmers' protests have also grown in Poland, Romania and the Netherlands.

The wave of protests came as British group Get Fair About Farming also said UK agriculture is 'on its knees'.
A married couple, who avoided extradition to India to face charges for murdering two family members, have been revealed as two of the world's most prolific drug barons, having shipped tens of millions of pounds worth of cocaine across the globe.

Arti Dhir, 59, and husband Kaval Raijada, 34, smuggled more than half a tonne of the Class A drug to Australia in one consignment alone, amounting to an estimated 57million.

And the couple took inspiration from the hit TV drama Breaking Bad by laundering their money using a car wash as a front.

Arti Dhir, 59, (right) and husband Kaval Raijada, 34, (left) smuggled more than half a tonne of cocaine to Australia in one consignment alone, amounting to an estimated 57million

Large quantities of cash and bullion, accrued during a prolific drug-shipping spree between 2019 and 2021, were found by National Crime Agency officers in their west London home

Dhir and Raijada avoided extradition to India around four years ago to face charges that they murdered their 11-year-old adopted son and his brother-in-law in Gujarat.

Teenager Gopal Sejani was stabbed to death by two men on motorbikes in a hit that yielded a 150,000 insurance pay-out in February 2017.

Sejani's brother-in-law Harsukh Kardani was also caught up in the attack and died in hospital from his injuries after he stepped in to defend the 11-year-old.

Dhir and Raijada were arrested in the UK in June 2017 after a request from the Indian government but the extradition request was refused in July 2019 on human rights grounds.

The couple denied arranging to have Sejani killed.

But the law has caught up with the pair after large quantities of cash and bullion, accrued during a prolific drug-smuggling spree between 2019 and 2021, were found by National Crime Agency officers in their west London home.

Hundreds of thousands of pounds of cash was also deposited in multiple bank accounts with a further 522,900 stumped up to purchase their house in the capital.

Officers also found 3million in cash and silver bars in a safety deposit box.

The couple now face a jail sentence after being convicted of 12 charges of cocaine exportation and 18 of money laundering.

Dhir and Raijada were arrested in the UK in June 2017 after a request from the Indian government but the extradition request was refused in July 2019 on human rights grounds

The couple now face a jail sentence after being convicted of 12 charges of cocaine exportation and 18 of money laundering

Raijada (pictured unloading cocaine) denied trafficking the Class A drug and claimed that his wealthy father in India would send him money through Western Union, Moneygram and by courier service

Prosecutor Hugh French told Southwark Crown Court that the duo were 'very different from the average married couple'

In May 2021, authorities in Australia, where cocaine goes for up to three times more on the street than in the UK, searched six metal crates which contained 568kg of cocaine in 514 individual bricks, with an estimated street value of 57million.

Raijada denied trafficking cocaine and claimed that his wealthy father in India would send him money through Western Union, Moneygram and by courier service while his wife insisted that her funds also came through legitimate means.

Prosecutor Hugh French told Southwark Crown Court that the duo were 'very different from the average married couple'.

'It was not the 25-year age gap that makes them different - it was the fact that they were operating in the world of international organised crime,' he said.

'Even at the defendant's highest figure, 70,000 was legitimately made at the carwash.

'The carwash, just like in Breaking Bad, is a front to launder money.'

Mr French added: 'In spite of their efforts to conceal their involvement the chain of evidence led back to this husband-and-wife team.

'Not only did the officer find cash and bullion in their home address, but they also found a storage unit in which, the Crown say, they had stored nearly 3million in cash, which was their profit from drug smuggling.'

Piers Phillips, NCA Senior Investigating Officer, said: 'Arti Dhir and Kavaljitsinh Raijada used their insider knowledge of the air freight industry to traffic cocaine worth tens of millions of pounds from the UK to Australia where they knew they could maximise their revenue.'
MBABANE  The Judicial Commission of Inquiry set to investigate alleged malpractice in the Office of the Master of the High Court has 54 cases on its lap so far.

The number of cases received by the commission was disclosed by its Secretary, Siphiwo Nyoni. It has been reliably gathered that among the 54 reported and filed complaints, they involve the estates of the late prominent Lawyer Collin Ntiwane, late astute businessman Leo Bloza Maziya, who held the title in properties worth over E37 million and that of Piggs Peak businessman Calvin Ndlovu, the father of former minister Hlobisile Ndlovu. Last Wednesday, during the first sitting of the commission, an allegation was made that Chief Justice (CJ) Bheki Maphalala, told the daughter of a deceased businessman Sikhakhane Dlamini that when a wealthy person died, the master and her deputy had the tendency to keep the file.

Willingness

The number of cases to be heard by the commission is expected to rise to over 100, as more people have reportedly expressed their willingness and readiness to appear before the commission. It is expected to continue hearing submissions today. So far, two individuals appeared before the panel of the commission of inquiry, which is held at the Industrial Court of Appeal, housed at the FINCORP Building, along Gwamile Street. Thembi Dlamini was the first person to appear before the commission. She is the daughter of the late well-known Matsapha businessman Sikhakhane. Thembi, among other allegations, told the commission that her fathers estate was being looted at the Masters Office. The second woman to appear before the commission was Sibongile Dlamini, who is the widow of Hamilton Nxumalo, who was employed at Gwamile Voctim.

She accused the master of continuing to distribute her husbands estate despite a pending court case in which she is challenging her purported divorce decree, which she wants to be nullified. The commission sits on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Thursdays and Fridays are reserved to consider written submissions as well as documents presented by those who appeared before it for oral evidence. The commission receives both written and oral submissions. It was established by CJ Maphalala and its mandate is to investigate allegations of impropriety, maladministration, abuse of power and incidental matters at the Masters Office. Members of the panel are Judge Majahenkhaba Dlamini (Chairperson), Judge Mzwandile Fakudze, Judge President Sifiso Nsibande, Judge Maxine Langwenya and Judge Lorraine Hlophe.

Meanwhile, today, the commission will be continuing with its sitting, which will be the second, against the backdrop of a complaint filed by the Law Society of Eswatini (LSE) to the CJ, wherein it presented 22 reasons why he should stop the commission. In the correspondence, the law society brought it to the attention of the CJ that the legal authority to establish a commission into the Masters Office vested in the minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, being the minister with the responsibility of the Judiciary and the administration of estates.

Minister

According to the LSE, the responsibility was assigned to the minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs by His Majesty the King, in terms of Legal Notice No.189 of 2015, titled Assignment of Responsibilities to Ministers. The lawyers highlighted that in doing so, the King was exercising powers conferred on him by Section 70 of the Constitution. Section 70 states that;  The King may, after consultation with the prime minister, assign to the prime minister or any other minister responsibility for the conduct of any business of the government, including the administration of any department of government. The lawyers further cautioned the CJ against allegedly playing with public emotions on a matter of public importance.

SIMILAR PROBE SET UP BY EXECUTIVE ARM IN SA

MBABANE  A similar probe has been set up in South Africa, but the difference is that theirs had been put in place by the Executive arm of government.

The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa states: The president is responsible for appointing commissions of inquiry. It was reported that this investigation was necessitated by several allegations of maladministration and corruption, wherein it is alleged that an official in the Masters Office amassed R1.7 million through fraudulent activities. It was recently reported that Offices of the Master of the High Court in the neighbouring country had to close as part of the investigation into allegations of maladministration, corruption and fraud.

The closure of the offices was announced by that countrys Justice Minister Ronald Lamola, after a search and seizure operation that was conducted by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) at the Masters Office in Johannesburg.

According to the Department of Justice, the investigation will look into maladministration in relation to the estates of deceased and insolvent persons, as well as the protection and administration of the funds of minors, contractually incapacitated and undetermined and absent heirs, which have been paid into the Guardians Fund. In the Kingdom of Eswatini, the Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate the allegations of impropriety, maladministration, abuse of power and incidental matters at the Masters Office has been put in place by Chief Justice (CJ) Bheki Maphalala.

Appointment

The CJ said the appointment of the commission was in terms of Section 139(5) of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Eswatini. Section 139(5) provides that; Subject to the provisions of the Constitution, the chief justice is the head of the Judiciary and is responsible for the administration and supervision of the Judiciary. Lawyers, however, are of the view that the powers to appoint the commission are vested in the Executive arm of government, not the CJ. The lawyers alleged that by appointing the commission, the CJ acted beyond his legal authority or power, which could not be derived from Section 139(5) of the Constitution. The learned friends based their argument on Section 3 of the Commission of Enquiry Act of 1963. They argued that Section 3 of the Commissions of Enquiries Act provides that the function of appointing a commission of inquiry vests in the Executive arm of government.

Section 3 ( 1) provides that: Any minister may, by notice in the gazette, issue a commission appointing one or more commissioners and may therein provide that one or more members shall constitute a quorum for the purposes of the enquiry. It further stipulates that any minister may, in appropriate circumstances and for a specific purpose and with the approval of Cabinet, appoint, by notice published in a gazette, a committee on such terms and conditions to carry out specific work or task, as the case may be.
The Princess of Wales is out of hospital after abdominal surgery, but experts say her road to recovery at home has only just begun.

Kate, 42, left The London Clinic after 14 days, and is now back home at Adelaide Cottage in Windsor Great Park, surrounded by her husband and three doting children.

While Palace insiders have said she is keen to return to work 'as soon as possible', it won't be back to normal yet for the Princess, with her and Prince William's current focus '100 per cent family first, day job second'.

The royal will not carry out official engagements until after Easter and could undertake any necessary work from her bed, with her return to public duties depending on medical advice closer to the time, MailOnline understands.

Her husband Prince William will take on additional parenting responsibilities and has cleared his diary of official duties as she recovers, only returning to public engagements once she is settled.

Flowers left for Kate by a wellwishers are seen being taken back to Windsor by a royal aide

Two police officers stand guard outside The London Clinic in Marylebone this morning

The Princess of Wales is out of hospital after abdominal surgery, but experts say her road to recovery at home has only just begun. Kate is pictured in May last year

As news that Kate had been discharged emerged, a Kensington Palace spokesman said: 'The Princess of Wales has returned home to Windsor to continue her recovery from surgery. She is making good progress.

'The Prince and Princess wish to say a huge thank you to the entire team at The London Clinic, especially the dedicated nursing staff, for the care they have provided.

'The Wales family continues to be grateful for the well wishes they have received from around the world.'

There were previously concerns that the length of Kate's stint in the exclusive London Clinic suggested the procedure was 'serious'.

The exact details of the princess's condition have not been revealed but the Palace said previously it was not cancer-related and that Kate wished her personal medical information to remain private.

While bed rest is advisable for anyone recovering from invasive surgery, doctors also highlight the importance of sitting up to avoid muscle wastage and gradually trying to get back to an active lifestyle, in accordance with your condition.

But she is likely to be avoiding any strenuous activities for the time being, with William understood to be covering both dropping-off and picking-up their three children from school.

The heir to the throne is said to be a 'hands-on' father and is regularly seen the school gates at Lambrook School in Berkshire, with insiders saying he 'won't be fazed' about parenting Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis as his wife recovers.

Kate's parents Carole and Michael Middleton and siblings Pippa Matthews and James Middleton are also expected to help the Waleses navigate the next few months as the princess recovers.

The family live in Adelaide Cottage in Windsor's Home Park and are being supported by their staff, including loyal, long-standing nanny Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo.

NHS advice about recovering from abdominal surgery says that, after a major operation with a large incision, it takes two to three months to be able to move around comfortably.

But this will be quicker if the procedure was keyhole surgery.

Patients who have major abdominal surgery are urged to avoid lifting anything heavier than the weight of a full kettle - around 4.4lb-6.6lb (2kg-3kg).

Royal aides at Kensington Palace said the Princess of Wales was 'making good progress'

Police stand outside The London Clinic today where Kate Middleton has been treated

It can also take two years for the strength of the abdominal wall to return to its previous condition.

Sitting and standing exercises are recommended to build strength, with an aim of walking gradually each day, increasing distance to reach 30 minutes daily within two to three months.

READ MORE: DR MAX PEMBERTON - Here's how Kate can get back on her feet post-op - with a bag of oranges and gentle walks Advertisement

Downing Street welcomed Kate's discharge from hospital, with the Prime Minister official spokesman telling reporters at a Westminster briefing as the news broke: 'That would be welcome news both to the royal family and I'm sure to the public more widely.'

Among the engagements the princess will miss over the coming weeks are the Baftas in February, the annual Commonwealth Day service in Westminster Abbey, and the St David's Day Parade at the start of March, as well as the St Patrick's Day parade with the military later the same month.

Aides insist the princess will be out of sight over the next few months but is likely to be working behind the scenes on her early years projects.

She recently launched a campaign to raise awareness around the importance of the first five years' of a child's life, dubbed Shaping Us.

'Her passion for the early years is clear, there will be a huge continuation of that campaign and she will be keen to be out continuing that conversation with the nation as soon as possible,' an aide told The Times.

Engagements with the Princess of Wales' 30 charities and patronages are being cancelled, rescheduled or postponed while she recuperates.

Official overseas tours for William and Kate, including a scheduled trip to Italy in March, are also off the table for the time being.

As she recovers, Kate is expected to have 'lots of care and support at home,' a source close to the royal household told PEOPLE.

They added that the Princess is 'a fit young woman' and that they are 'sure she will bounce back.'
The three American soldiers killed in suicide drone strike on a US base in Jordan have been identified as Specialist Kennedy Ladon Sanders, 24, Specialist Breonna Moffett, 23, and Sgt. William Rivers, 46.

The drone attack late Saturday impacted a base in the northeast part of the country known as Tower 22 near the Syria border, resulting in the three deaths and injuring at least 34 other troops.

The troops were in their sleeping quarters at the time and the Pentagon confirmed Monday that the victims were likely in bed.

The three soldiers were assigned to the 718th Engineer Company, a US Army Reserve unit based out of Fort Moore, Georgia.

Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters: 'What was different about this attack is where it landed. It did impact where the living quarters, and I believe it was pretty early morning so people were actually in their beds when the drone impacted.'

Kennedy Ladon Sanders, 24, was among three US soldiers killed in the drone strike

Sgt. William Jerome Rivers, 46, of Carrollton, Georgia died in the drone strike of a US airbase in Jordan

Specialist Breonna Moffett, 23, of Savannah, Georgia has been identified as one of the soldiers killed in the drone strike

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

Chief of Army Reserve, Lt. Gen. Jody J. Daniels, said: 'The loss of Sergeant William J. Rivers, Specialist Breonna A. Moffett and Specialist Kennedy L. Sanders has left an indelible mark on the United States Army Reserve.

'On behalf of the U.S. Army Reserve, I share in the sorrow felt by their friends, family, and loved ones. Their service and sacrifice will not be forgotten, and we are committed to supporting those left behind in the wake of this tragedy.'

Rivers, of Carrollton, Georgia enlisted in the Army Reserve in 2011 as an Interior Electrician.

His awards and decorations include the Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, two Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with 'M' Device and the Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal with Campaign Star.

Sanders graduated from Ware County High School in 2017 and enlisted in the Army Reserve in 2019 as Horizontal Construction Engineer.

Sanders father, Shawn Sanders, said on Facebook: 'Our family would like to thank you for the respect given to Kennedy. Munchkin will be missed by many.'

Her mother, Oneida Oliver-Sanders, said: 'I just cant believe Ill never be able to hug and kiss my baby again. Life is so unfair. I just want my baby.'

The government of Waycross said on Facebook: 'The City is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Kennedy Ladon Sanders, who gave her life in service to our country.'

'We offer our heartfelt condolences to her family and friends during this difficult time. In honor of her sacrifice, the City has lowered our flags to half-mast today. We are also working on additional ways to pay tribute to Kennedy and her service.'

'Our thoughts and prayers are with her loved ones as they mourn this tremendous loss.'

Sanders awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with 'M' Device.

Moffett enlisted in the Army Reserve in 2019 as a Horizontal Construction Engineer and received the National Defense Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.

Moffett's mother, Regina RaMo, said, 'This is one of the saddest days of my life. With a heavy heart I have to say that my Angel my first born has going on to be with GOD today. The pain will never go away and my life is forever changed.

'I will never get to cook your favorite food, we will never get to talk on the phone and I will never see you walk through my front door again. Breonna Moffett was killed this morning. Just know that a piece of my heart and soul will always be missing. Love you Baby Girl. Rest Easy. Always will be my first born.'

The city of Waycross will lower their flags to half-mast to honor Sanders sacrifice

Family members of the 24-year-old Waycross, Georgia native confirmed Sanders was one of the soldiers killed in the attack. The other two have not been identified

Sanders mother, Oneida Oliver-Sanders, said, 'I just cant believe Ill never be able to hug and kiss my baby again. Life is so unfair. I just want my baby'

Sanders graduated from Ware County High School in 2017

As of Sunday morning, Iran - the main backer of anti-Israel group Hezbollah - and its proxies are the main suspects, officials said.

The Wall Street Journal has reported that the US failed to stop the attack because the enemy drone approached its target at the same time as a US drone returning to base and the two were confused.

Modern military aircraft, naval vessels and ground vehicles are fitted with technology known as Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) Transponders, which identify 'friendly' vehicles.

It's unclear whether the system in use at the Jordan base malfunctioned or if human error was involved.

The suicide drone was launched by from Iraq by a militia backed by Tehran, according to US officials, and hit the base which sits close to the borders of both Iraq and Syria.

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.

Biden issued a statement on Sunday 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. 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 said.

'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.'

Moffett's mother, Regina RaMo, said, 'This is one of the saddest days of my life. With a heavy heart I have to say that my Angel my first born has going on to be with GOD today'

All three soldiers were assigned to the 718th Engineer Company, a US Army Reserve unit based out of Fort Moore, Georgia

'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.

The suicide strike comes as conflict in the war-torn 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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

The Sunday attack shows the group's continued resolve to support Hamas, which Israel recently pledged to continue to try to eradicate.
Grace O'Malley-Kumar's heartbroken brother has revealed he's 'struggling immensely' as he calls for an inquiry into failures that led to Nottingham triple-killer Valdo Calocane's bloody rampage.

Grace and fellow University of Nottingham student Barnaby Webber, both 19, and school caretaker Ian Coates, 65, were all killed by Calocane - a 'paranoid schizophrenic' who dodged a murder verdict and was handed a hospital order instead.

It emerged that Nottinghamshire Police failed to arrest Calocane for allegedly attacking two people weeks before the stabbings. A special review has also been ordered into the mental health trust that treated him before the killings.

Asked how he has been since the attack, Grace's teenage brother James O'Malley-Kumar, who has set up a charitable foundation in his sister's honour, admitted: 'I'm not coping well, I've lost my best friend, I've been lost since June 13 and I'm struggling immensely.'

James, who spoke outside of Downing Street, after Rishi Sunak said he wouldn't rule out a public inquiry, said: 'This is what I can do to make my sister proud, so I will do everything I can.

Undated handout photo issued by Nottinghamshire Police of (L-R) Grace, Dr Sanjoy Kumar, Sinead O'Malley and brother James

Grace's family joined Barnaby's and Ian's outside Downing Street tonight

Valdo Calocane (pictured) was a 'paranoid schizophrenic' who dodged a murder verdict and was handed a hospital order instead

'That's why I'm here today.'

Last week, the killer was given a hospital order for manslaughter by diminished responsibility after Nottingham Crown Court heard he had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. Barbaby's family called the hospital order a 'huge insult'.

The victims' families have backed calls for a public inquiry. Rishi Sunak has previously resisted them but it emerged on Monday night that he told the families at a meeting in Downing Street that he had not ruled one out.

Mr Webber's father David said: 'We did get an assurance from the Prime Minister himself that if it's required, they're not ruling out a public inquiry, and they will do a public inquiry.'

Speaking outside Number 10, Grace's brother continued: 'We're not in a rush, we've lost our loved ones now, we've lost Grace, we've lost Ian [Coates], we've lost Barnaby [Webber] - we want [an investigation into the attacks] to be as thorough as possible to make sure those gaps are filled and the relevant people have been held accountable.

'The Prime Minister said that there are plenty of options that could be taken [including] the public inquiry.'

Mr Coates's son James said there had been failings by 'all the different agencies' involved in dealing with his father's killer.

James, Grace's brother, set up a charitable foundation in his sister's honour

Emma Webber (pictured), mother of murdered student Barnaby, has called for a public inquiry into why and how Calocane was able to carry out the attack

He said: 'They all need looking into, obviously this is just the start.

'I do feel listened to, I think we've spoke to the right people that can push this in the right direction, we now just have to wait.

'It doesn't matter how long it takes as long as it's done properly - it has to be deep, it has to be detailed, it has to be independent. So we can get results, and everyone else can get results, because at the end of the day there's a lot more people out there.'

The healthcare watchdog has been asked to report by March on its findings in an investigation into the care Calocane received at Nottinghamshire Healthcare Foundation Trust before the killings.

Health Secretary Victoria Atkins, announcing the Care Quality Commission (CQC) review, said it will provide quicker answers for the families of victims than a public inquiry.

Ian Coates was one of the three people killed by Calocane

Ian Coates' sons James (pictured) seen arriving at Nottingham Crown Court for the sentencing of Valdo Calocane

Barnaby Webber's father David Webber and brother Charlie Webber outside Nottingham Crown Court after Valdo Calocane, who stabbed three people to death in Nottingham city centre and attacked three others, was sentenced to a hospital order

However, Mr Webber's parents told BBC Breakfast a review would be just a 'toe in the water' and 'not enough', as they called for a full public inquiry.

David Webber said he and his wife were 'horrified' there were no plans for an inquiry.

The families met Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer at the party's London headquarters earlier on Monday.

Mr Webber's parents have said they want to speak with Janine McKinney from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

Mrs Webber told ITV's Good Morning Britain she was 'aghast' at the opening statements from the prosecution barrister in court last week, adding: 'I will never accept anything other than Barnaby was murdered.'

She also believes there were 'no obvious' signs of psychosis from Calocane on the day of the attack, and told of her concerns that he could be released if he responds well to treatment in hospital.

Judge Mr Justice Turner said Calocane will '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 other people.

The Attorney General is considering whether judges should review the sentence after receiving a submission that it could be unduly lenient.

Asked why the Government had not set up a public inquiry, the Prime Minister's official spokesman said: 'We haven't ruled out further action at this stage. There is already work going on across Government.'
Channel 4 announces plans to leave its London HQ and make hundreds of staff redundant.

The broadcaster has outlined a five year digital-first strategy which includes plans to vacate the Horseferry Road office, which Channel 4 have been based out of since 1994, and find a new office elsewhere in London.

Channel 4 has previously committed to 600 roles being moved outside of London by the end of 2025.

On Monday, Channel 4 revealed the Fast Forward strategy, which also includes axing the small linear channels such as music video station The Box and others, the broadcaster said.

As a part of cost-cutting measure, a number of programmes, such as the popular reality show SAS: Who Dares Wins and talk show Steph's Packed Lunch, have been cancelled.

Channel 4 has been based out of Horseferry Road since 1994. The broadcaster has outlined a five year digital-first strategy which includes plans to vacate the office and find a new HQ elsewhere in London

Former Health Secretary Matt Hancock was a contestant on the most recent series of SAS: Who Dares Win. The popular reality show is one of the programmes Channel 4 has scrapped

Steph McGovern has hosted Steph's Packed Lunch since 2020. As a part of cost-cutting measure, a number of programmes, such as Steph's Packed Lunch, have been cancelled

Channel 4 chief executive Alex Mahon blames 'the rapid downshift in the UK economy and advertising market demand' for the job cuts at the broadcaster. Last year, Ms Mahon and other top Channel 4 bosses declined a pay rise and deferred their bonuses

Under the plans, headcount will be similar to 2021 levels by reducing current roles by 18%, making around 200 staff redundant and axing around 40 unfilled roles, and getting rid of approximately 70% of legacy operations staffing.

Across 2022, more than 500 staff joined the broadcaster, taking the total number of full-time employees to just under 1,200.

Channel 4 chief executive Alex Mahon said: 'While getting ourselves into the right shape for the future is without doubt the right action to take, it does involve making difficult decisions.

'I am very sad that some of our excellent colleagues will lose their jobs because of the changes ahead.

'But the reality of the rapid downshift in the UK economy and advertising market demand that we must change structurally.

'As we shift our centre of gravity from linear to digital, our proposals will focus cost reductions on legacy activity. In preparing for a new digital-first future, I hope we can make Channel 4 simpler - for staff and our suppliers - and create a more efficient, inclusive and high-performing organisation.'

Last year, Ms Mahon and other top Channel 4 bosses declined a pay rise and deferred their bonuses.

Channel 4's commissioning team will be reorganised to drive more streaming content and there will be more focus on drama, high-end documentaries, comedy and reality, under the plans.

The Fast Forward strategy aims to increase digital revenue to 30% in 2024 and 50% by 2030.

Digital revenues accounted for 27% of total revenues last year and non-advertising revenues, which include partnerships and film revenues, have risen to make up 10% of the total income.
Israeli forces will 'very soon go into action' near the country's border with Lebanon, the country's defence minister has told troops, as fears mount that clashes with Hezbollah could spiral into a full-scale regional war.

Defence Minister Yoav Gallant told troops near the border with the besieged Gaza Strip that others were being deployed to Israel's north 'so the forces [there] are reinforced'.

He added that reservists would be gradually released 'to prepare and come ready' for future operations.

Since the outbreak of war between Hamas and Israel on October 7, the Lebanese-Israeli border has seen near-daily exchanges of fire between Israel's Defence Forces and Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah movement, a Hamas ally.

It comes following reports that Israel is determined to prevent a repeat of the bloody invasion in the north of its territory, and that 'Israeli doctrine is to take the war to the other side.'

Defence Minister Yoav Gallant told troops near the border with the besieged Gaza Strip that others were being deployed to Israel's north

Israeli soldiers patrol an area near the northern kibbutz of Kfar Blum close to the border with Lebanon on January 25

Hezbollah today claimed responsibility for at least 12 attacks on Israeli army positions near the border, using Iranian-made Falaq-1 and Burkan missiles.

Later in the day, the Israeli army said it carried out air strikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.

'The targets included Hezbollah's infrastructure and an observation post located in the southern Lebanese areas of Markaba, Taybeh, and Maroun al-Ras,' the army said in a statement.

The army also confirmed several projectiles had been launched from Lebanon and said forces 'responded by targeting the launch sites and other locations in Lebanon'.

Israel's army chief Herzi Halevi said earlier this month that the likelihood of war on the northern border has become 'much higher'.

'I don't know when the war in the north is, I can tell you that the likelihood of it happening in the coming months is much higher than it was in the past,' Halevi said.

More than 200 people, most of them Hezbollah members, have been killed in south Lebanon by Israeli fire since October 7, according to an AFP tally.

On the Israeli side of the border, nine soldiers and six civilians have been killed, according to Israeli officials.

Smoke billows following Israeli shelling on the outskirts of the southern Lebanese village of Kfar Kila near the border with Israel on January 29, 2024

A view shows snow-covered trees and houses in Faraya as seen from Kfardebian, mount Lebanon

Funded by Iran, Hezbollah has been building its military strength over years, stockpiling a huge arsenal of some 100,000 rockets.

The border tensions have ramped up over the last few months, reviving memories of Hezbollah's 2006 war with Israel that killed more than 1,200 people in Lebanon, mostly civilians, and 160 in Israel, largely soldiers.

The conflict ended thanks to a UN ceasefire resolution which agreed that all armed forces, except for UN peacekeepers and the official Lebanese army, would be moved north of the Litani River.

Search and rescue efforts continue at the area in Az Zawayda town of Deir Al Balah, Gaza after an Israeli airstrike on January 29, 2024

The Israel-Hamas war has killed more than 26,000 people in Gaza, according to local health officials, and has destroyed vast swathes of the enclave

But instead, over the years that followed, Hezbollah remained in the south and built up its fortifications near the borders, claiming that it was protecting against the Israeli threat. Israel may now be keen to push them back, according to reports.

In Gaza, Gallant today said that Hamas is running out of supplies and ammunition, but the war against Hamas 'will take months'.

The prospect of a prolonged war comes as Palestinians are facing a worsening humanitarian crisis, with funding to UNWRA, which provides assistance to around half of the Strip's population of 2.3 million, being halted.

More than 26,000 people have been killed during Israel's onslaught in Gaza, according to local health officials.

The conflict, which is well over 100 days old, has destroyed vast swathes of the enclave and displaced nearly 85 per cent of the population.

The Hamas attack in southern Israel killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and saw about 250 people taken hostage.
Iranian Naji Sharifi Zindashti, 49, is accused of recruiting two Canadian nationals in the murder plot

Three men have been charged over a $350,000 murder-for-hire plot targeting Iranian nationals who fled to the United States.

Naji Sharifi Zindashti, 49, who has ties to the Iranian government, is accused of recruiting Canadian nationals Damion Patrick John Ryan, 43, and Adam Richard Pearson, 29, to murder two Maryland residents.

The men allegedly used an encrypted messaging service called SkyECC from December 2020 through March 2021 to recruit individuals who would travel to the United States to carry out the murders.

They discussed at length the identities and locations of their targets, planned how to carry out the murders and negotiated payment for completion of the 'job' according to the indictment by the United States District Court of the District of Minnesota.

The would-be victims had previously fled to the United States after one of them defected from Iran.

While both Ryan and Pearson hailed from Canada, Pearson was living in Minnesota to escape murder charges in his home country. He was arrested in July 2021 and extradited the following year.

Two Canadians and one Iranian national (Naji Sharifi Zindashti, 49, pictured) have been charged over a murder-for-hire plot targeting Iranian nationals who fled to the United States

Local outlets in Iran have outlined Zindashti's alleged connections to the government militia, which is said to support his drug cartel

In January 2021, the men discussed a job in the United States, with Ryan noting that it would be challenging, but that he 'might have someone to do it.'

He messaged Pearson, a Hells Angels motorcycle gang member with a checkered criminal past, about a 'job' in Maryland.

Pearson stated, 'shooting is probably easiest thing for them,' and that he was 'on it.' Ryan advised '2 guys go with proper equipment.'

Pearson said he would encourage the recruits to shoot the prospective victim in the head, stating: 'we gotta erase his head from his torso.'

Later that month, Zindashti messaged Ryan asking for an update. Ryan said he was getting 'things in order' and requested money.

A few days later, Zindashti told Ryan that his organization was ready to move forward with the plan.

Zindashti and Ryan agreed on a $350,000 payment in addition to $20,000 to cover expenses.

After Zindashti introduced Ryan to an individual identified in the indictment as Co-Conspirator 1, Ryan stated: 'We have a 4 man team ready.'

The unnamed co-conspirator sent Ryan information about the would-be victims, including their pictures and a map showing their known address.

Co-Conspirator 1 also facilitated a $20,000 payment to Ryan to cover travel expenses.

Zindashti, Ryan and Pearson are charged with one count of conspiracy to use interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire.

Pearson is also charged with possession of a firearm by a fugitive from justice as well as possession of a firearm by an alien unlawfully in the United States.

Zindashti currently resides in Iran, and local outlets have outlined his connections to the government militia, which allegedly supports his drug cartel.

The Iranian national allegedly recruited Canadians Damion Patrick John Ryan, 43, and Adam Richard Pearson, 29, in the scheme. Both men have extensive criminal records

The men have been charged with one count of conspiracy to use interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire, with Pearson facing two additional charges related to possession of a firearm

In addition to paying bribes, sources say the 49-year-old supplies opium and heroin to senior officials in Iran's Supreme National Security Council and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

An investigation by Iran International found that his gangs traffic more than 20 percent of the drugs distributed across the country and about 35 percent in the capital Tehran.

Both Canadian suspects are already in prison.

Ryan awaits trial for separate offenses in Manitoba. In February 2022, the 43-year-old was hiding out in a luxurious Ottawa home once owned by members of a Canadian criminal organization.

Police conducted a search and recovered a dozen illegal handguns, several high-capacity magazines, ammunition, and a device used to convert a semi-automatic pistol to fully automatic. Many weapons were loaded.

Ryan was charged with four firearms-related counts, one count of possession of a magazine for the purpose of trafficking and one of possession of ammunition for a dangerous purpose.

The three men spoke over an encrypted messaging app called SkyECC from December 2020 through March 2021 as they planned how to carry out the murders and negotiated payment for completion of the 'job'

These were stacked on top of counts stemming from an investigation in 2018, where Ryan was one of 22 people charged in connection to international shipments of firearms and drugs.

The 43-year-old has an extensive criminal history spanning multiple provinces. In 2015, he was hit with drug trafficking charges in Ontario.

He pleaded guilty to two trafficking counts and one count of possession of stolen property in 2016 and sentenced to three months.

A decade earlier, in 2005, he was sentenced to five years in connection with a home invasion related to a marijuana-growing operation.

Pearson is awaiting court proceedings after being charged with first-degree murder in the death of Alberta man Cody Michaloski.

A Canada-wide arrest warrant was issued for the 29-year-old in 2020. He was arrested by the FBI in Minneapolis in 2021 and extradited in February of the following year.
Sydney Harbour is a 'love nest' of the species

Experts confirm she was bitten by bull sharks

A marine biologist has highlighted the common act that put a Sydney woman at risk after she was attacked by a bull shark and rushed to hospital with severe injuries.

Lauren O'Neill, 29, was bitten on the right leg in Elizabeth Bay around sunset on Monday and will undergo surgery this afternoon.

The incident has raised questions about why Ms O'Neill was swimming in the shark-infested harbour as night fell.

'My first reaction is, why is someone in the harbour at night?' marine biologist Lawrence Chlebeck said on Sunrise on Tuesday.

Lauren O'Neill is now in a stable condition after being mauled by a bull shark in Sydney Harbour. She will undergo surgery on her right leg this afternoon

Shark attack victim Lauren O'Neill climate change activist who volunteers for a bunch of different groups and helps the homeless

'It's not advisable. It's an area of high shark activity. We need to recognise where the best places to swim are, and where to maybe not,' he said.

Mr Chlebeck said there was a long history of shark bites in Sydney Harbour.

He said abattoirs once dumped waste in the harbour, adding that sharks retained a 'generational intelligence' telling them it was a good place to feed.

'These are areas sharks know to go. We know that the harbour has this shark activity. People need to be made aware of the risk,' he said.

'During the day, in full sun, these are times when sharks are a little less active.

'Their sensors are heightened in the evening and early mornings. Those are the times I would avoid swimming in the harbour.'

Bull sharks use Sydney Harbour as a love nest for mating before migrating thousands of kilometres up the coast to far north Queensland, chasing food.

Sydney Harbour is home to many bull sharks, including this 2.7m long monster caught and released in 2020

James Murray reeled in a monster three-metre bull shark while fishing at Birchgrove in Sydney Harbour last July

Mr Murray said it took 25-minutes to reel in the bull shark before he measured, tagged and took a photo of his catch (pictured)

They prefer water temperatures above 20C, slightly deeper water during the day, and shallower water at night. They are more active at dawn and dusk.

Tagging and tracking in the past 15 years has revealed bull sharks use all areas of the harbour from Parramatta and Lane Cove rivers to Middle and North harbours.

The NSW government says people should avoid swimming in canals and river or harbour mouths, and steer clear of in murky, dirty water following heavy rainfall as well as areas where baitfish and diving birds are gathered.

Monday night's attack came just months after fisherman James Murray reeled in a massive three-metre-long bull shark from the harbour at Birchgrove.

The catch was tagged before being released back in the harbour.

Two years earlier, a 2.7m long bull shark was found in the harbour close to where kayakers enjoyed a paddle and boozed-up partygoers leapt into the water from boats.

A vet and her neighbours are being praised for saving the life of Ms O'Neill after the horrific attack.

Michael Porter had just arrived home from work when he heard faint yells for help through his open window.

'It was horrifying, I've never experienced anything like it,' he told Nine's Today program on Tuesday.

Mr Porter said Ms O'Neill was swimming outside a 'netted harbour pool,' and was 'swimming around the boats'.

'Lauren, the victim, was trying to pull herself up off the side the harbour pool, trying to get into the safe enclosure,' he said.

'Her leg was sort of trailing behind her - behind her was all red blood.

'The whole thing was totally surreal and I still haven't processed it all, to be honest.'

He was quickly joined by several other neighbours, including 'hero' vet Fiona Crago who applied tourniquets to stem the bleeding.

The victim's significant wounds meant 'blood was everywhere' and, while in little pain, she struggled to maintain consciousness before paramedics arrived and rushed her to nearby St Vincent's Hospital.

'Fiona is a hero and I believe she saved her life,' Mr Porter said.

The young woman was attacked near a jetty in Elizabeth Bay in Sydney Harbour

A woman will undergo surgery after she was bitten by a shark while swimming in Sydney Harbour at Elizabeth Bay. Pictured are paramedics treating the woman on Monday night

'I'm not sure what would have happened but it wouldn't have been good.'

Ms O'Neill studied science at the University of Sydney and works for the NSW government in the Department of Climate Change.

She has volunteered for a range of charities and organisations from 2012, when she was 15.

Bull sharks, tiger sharks, and great white sharks are among the three species responsible for the most fatal sharks worldwide.

In February 2022, British man Simon Nellist was killed by 4.5metre great white shark off Little Bay in Sydney's south-east.

His was the first confirmed shark attack death in Sydney in 60 years.
Boy rushed to hospital in serious condition

Sydney's rail network has been thrown into chaos after a teenage boy fell off a train.

Emergency services were called to the railway line between St Peters and Sydenham stations early Tuesday morning after a boy aged in his mid teens was found on the tracks suffering from serious head injuries.

Daily Mail Australia understands that the boy fell off a train.

He was rushed to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in a serious condition.

The incident has caused major disruptions to the T3 Bankstown Line, T4 Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra Line, and SCO South Coast Line.

'Some trains will be stopped at platforms while this incident is ongoing. Delay travel if possible or consider using other nearby public transport services,' a Sydney Trains alert stated.

Commuters have been warned to expect delays after a teen fell off a train between Sydenham and St Peters stations. Pictured is Sydenham station early Tuesday morning

Early morning commuters at Sydenham station described the scenes on the platform as chaos

Photos supplied to Daily Mail Australia show dozens of commuters on the platform at Sydenham waiting for announcements.

A train can also be seen 200m further down the tracks, surrounded by emergency services, including a medical retrieval ambulance crew.

Commuters at Sydenham heading into the city had to board a train to Wolli Creek and switch services there.

'It was chaotic, the platforms were packed and nobody knew what to do,' commuter Steve told Daily Mail Australia.

'Some people chose to get on the buses at the bus stands and some others were jumping on and off trains not knowing if the train they were on was going to move.'

A boy fell of a train between Sydenham and St Peters, sparking major delays

Replacement buses were organised to run between Redfern and Sydenham, while a shuttle train service will run between Hurstville and Cronulla.

Commuters are urged to allow extra travel time as trains will be stopping at different platforms and may be delayed, while stops may change at short notice.

'The incident requiring emergency services is now over, and trains are now able to run between Sydenham and Redfern again,' the latest alert states.

'Trains should be on the move soon. However, there will be flow on delays as we work to restore trains back to normal running.'
Dozens of US government workers will stage a one-day hunger strike to protest the Biden's administration support for Israel amid the war with Hamas.

Members of Feds United for Peace told The Guardian that employees from over two dozen government agencies - including the Departments of Defense and State - plan on a day of fasting on Thursday.

The officials participating will show up at work either dressed in black or wearing 'keffiyeh scarves or other symbols of Palestinian solidarity.'

They said they are protesting 'starvation as a weapon of war by intentionally withholding food from entering Gaza,' where more than 26,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed since the war began, according to the Health Ministry in the Hamas-ruled territory.

Dozens of US government workers will stage a one-day hunger strike to protest the Biden's administration support for Israel amid the war with Hamas

Over 26,000 people have died in Gaza since the start of the Hamas-Israel war

Residents and civil defense teams carry out a search and rescue operation around the rubble of a building demolished after an Israeli attack in El-Zawaida, Gaza on January 29

The activist federal employees say their goal is to force a conversation in their offices. They claim many federal employees support a ceasefire but are scared of speaking out for fear of retribution.

The group, which also includes staff at Homeland Security, cited the United Nation's report that said as many as two million people in Gaza are on the verge of famine.

Feds United for Peace is the same group that organized a walk-out they called a 'Day of Mourning' earlier this month to protest the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The walk-out never happened, according to Al Jazeera, and the group instead took a collective leave from their jobs to mark 100 days of the Israel-Hamas war on January 16.

It was never designed as a walkout. It was designed as a day of mourning. And employees took different types of leave for this day of mourning and used it in different ways,' one of the organizers told the Qatari state media outlet.

Still, the planned walk-out drew criticism for Republicans in Congress, with some, including Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, arguing the employees should be fired.

Other groups of federal employees supporting a ceasefire in Gaza have recently emerged, including one called Staffers for Ceasefire that published an open letter top Biden on January 3.

The 17 staffers called upon President Biden to demand a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

President Biden was hit from the inside after a group of 17 current Biden campaign staffers published a letter slamming Biden for his approach to the Israel-Hamas war out of 'tough love'

'As your staff, we believe it is both a moral and electoral imperative for you to publicly call for a cessation of violence,' Biden's campaign staffers wrote.

'Complicity in the death of over 20,000 Palestinians, 8,200 of whom are children, simply cannot be justified.'

There are concerns that Biden's support for the conflict is costing him significant political currency, particularly with young voters, just as his 2024 re-election campaign heats up.

The Biden administration has so far sent upwards of $14 billion to Israel alongside significant military support, with United Nations estimates placing the number of displaced Palestinians since at 1.9 million people - 85 percent of its population.

The protests lay bare the tensions Biden is facing within his own party as he struggles with the fallout from his handling of the war while honoring the First Amendment rights of his critics to speak out. Bidens ability to navigate those crosscurrents will be critical to his reelection effort as he tries to energize Democrats this fall, especially young people who are particularly concerned about the wars effects.

'The president is concerned, as I said at the very outset, with the 100-plus hostages,' national security spokesman John Kirby has said. 'Hes not looking at the electoral calendar'

Bidens administration keeps pressing Israel to reengage with Palestinians as partners once fighting in Gaza is over and support their eventual independence. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu keeps saying no.

That cycle, frustrating to much of the world, seems unlikely to end, despite Secretary of State Antony Blinkens fourth urgent diplomatic trip to the Middle East since the Israel-Hamas war started. Though the United States, as Israels closest ally and largest weapons supplier, has stronger means to apply pressure on Israel, it shows no willingness to use them.

Biden and his aides have said they do not want to see any civilians die in Hamas-ruled Gaza, and Biden helped broker a temporary ceasefire that saw critical aid reach the territory and the release of some hostages held by the militants.

During a visit to Tel Aviv, Biden warned the Israelis not to be 'consumed by rage.' But Biden has also said he believes Israel has the right to defend itself and he has asked Congress for billions to help Israel in its war effort.

'The president is concerned, as I said at the very outset, with the 100-plus hostages,' White House national security spokesman John Kirby said. 'Hes not looking at the clock and the electoral calendar.'

Democratic voters in New Hampshires primary on Tuesday were roughly split on how Biden has handled the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, according to AP VoteCast. Just 4 in 10 of those who disapproved of how Biden has managed the conflict voted for him. But among those who approve of Bidens leadership in the Middle East, nearly 8 in 10 voted for him.
Laurence Fox has vowed to appeal a 2 million High Court ruling after he lost his libel battle with two people he referred to as paedophiles on social media.

The actor-turned-activist was found to have libelled former Stonewall trustee Simon Blake and drag artist Crystal over a row on Twitter/X in October 2020.

Fox, 45, called Mr Blake and the former RuPaul's Drag Race contestant, whose real name is Colin Seymour, 'paedophiles' in an exchange about a decision by Sainsbury's to celebrate Black History Month.

The Lewis star - who founded the Reclaim Party - tried but ultimately failed to counter-sue the pair and actress Nicola Thorp over tweets accusing him of racism.

Fox suggested after the ruling that his counterclaim was unfairly dismissed because the judge 'could not define what a racist was'.

Appearing to speak to his followers from the back of a black cab, controversial actor said: 'People from all around the world, we all know what it means.

Laurence Fox makes a statement outside the the Royal Courts Of Justice, central London

Appearing to speak to his followers from the back of a black cab, controversial actor said he would take the case 'down the road' to another judge

The actor and right-wing activist was found to have libelled former Stonewall trustee Simon Blake and drag artist Crystal over a row on X in October 2020

Laurence Fox has already said he will appeal a 2 million High Court ruling after he lost his libel battle

Simon Blake (left), Nicola Thorp and Colin Seymour (right) pictured on November 22

'But a judge, 2million in to a trial, doesn't want to define the meaning of the word racist?

'She can't tell me what that means but she can tell me I have suffered no serious harm as a result of the allegation?

'It's like - boohoo sweetheart! We're going to have a fight about this because I live on words. I live on the meaning of words.

'So we're left with no opportunity but to take it up the road to another judge who's going to have to define the meaning of the word racist.'

The actor and right-wing activist told the High Court that a tweet by actress Nicola Thorp calling him 'unequivocally, publicly and undeniably a racist' ended his career.

But in her ruling today, Mrs Justice Collins Rice said: 'Mr Foxs labelling of Mr Blake and Mr Seymour as paedophiles was, on the evidence, probabilities and facts of this case, seriously harmful, defamatory and baseless.'

She added that Fox did not attempt to show the allegations were true or provide 'any other defence' recognised in law.

As for Fox's countersuit, the Judge ruled: 'The law does not regard the particular imputations against Mr Fox that he was a racist, made by Mr Blake, Mr Seymour or Ms Thorp, as defamatory.'

The Judge added that although such opinion is an 'inherently defamatory tendency', Mr Fox did not sufficiently show that the tweets themselves caused harm to his reputation or 'make readers adversely change their minds about him to that degree'.

The actor now says he will take the case as high as the Supreme Court - the final court for appeal cases - in his bid to get the word 'racism' defined.

He continued: 'This judge has dodged the bullet. And it was not what I was expecting - I was expecting her to face down what it was.

'So now we're five judges in and we'll have to go one more up, and we'll end up in the Supreme Court and we'll see if they can tell me what a racist is.'

The Lewis star - who founded the Reclaim Party - tried but ultimately failed to counter-sue the pair and actress Nicola Thorp over tweets accusing him of racism

Fox kisses his girlfriend Elizabeth Barker outside court after his guilty verdict today

She added: 'In those circumstances, the law does not require Mr Blake, Mr Seymour and Ms Thorp to be put to any further defence of the opinions they expressed.'

Summarising, she said: 'Mr Blakes and Mr Seymours claims succeed. Mr Foxs counterclaims are dismissed.'

In a statement outside court, Fox told reporters that it was an 'interesting day'.

He said: 'So today the Judge ruled that I didn't suffer any serious harm through the allegations of racism. Which is strange because at the same time she also declined to define the meaning of the word racist. So I'm at a slight loss as to how you can be defamed whilst not defining what you are being defamed for.'

Summarising his point, he persisted: 'I just want a definition of the word'.

Continuing, he said: 'I was active for 22 years and very successful. And my most successful job was the last one where I pointed out something that upset me about how Sainsbury's were behaving towards their black employees and that it was discriminatory and racist.

'Yes Sainsbury's I think you are racist', he declared to the cameras.

'And I asked to just find out what that word means. So here we are sat, two million quid in, and now we're going to have to go through another court to find out what it means.'

Speaking outside court, Fox planted a kiss on his girlfriend Elizabeth Barker before telling reporters: 'So what we've got is nothing. It means we are going to have to go back to court, to appeal, and finally get to the meaning of this word - what is a racist?'

As for his guilty verdict for referring to Blake and Seymour as 'paedophiles', he said: 'It was a rhetorical device in response to what they said. I apologised to each of them in court.'

Taking to social media after the verdict, Nicola Thorp wrote on X: 'We won. On all counts.

She continued: 'For the last three years, Laurence Fox has held us responsible for the downfall of his acting career, his failure to become London Mayor and even the increasing cost of his car insurance. During my cross-examination, his barrister even suggested I was responsible for his arrest in October last year. All because on 4th October 2020 we exercised our right to free speech by expressing our honestly held opinions.

'The same man who later told a black man to "f*** off back to Jamaica", posted pride flags in the shape of a swastika and shared blacked up images of himself and his children. Its time that Mr Fox accepted that any damage to his reputation is entirely his own doing.'

Also taking to social media, drag artist Crystal said they were 'incredibly pleased' to see the result of the case.

They said: 'I am incredibly relieved to have this outcome - a huge weight I've been carrying for over three years has just been lifted.

Fox is supported by his partner as he makes a statement after his court loss today

Speaking after the ruling, Fox suggested that his counterclaim was unfairly dismissed because the judge 'could not define what a racist was'

In a statement outside court, Fox told reporters that it was an 'interesting day'

Laurence Fox walks arm-in-arm with his girlfriend after coming out of High Court in London

During a trial in London in November, Mr Fox was described an alleged 'intelligent racist with an agenda'

During a trial in London in November, Mr Fox was described an alleged 'intelligent racist with an agenda'.

Lorna Skinner KC, representing Mr Blake, Mr Seymour and Ms Thorp, said the trio 'honestly believed, and continue honestly to believe, that Mr Fox is a racist'.

She said the actor 'has made a number of highly controversial statements about race', adding: 'If and to the extent that Mr Fox has been harmed in his reputation, it is his own conduct and not the claimants' comments on it that caused that harm.'

In her ruling today, the Judge established: 'This judgment accordingly contains no determination of, or any view about, whether or not (a) the opinion that Mr Fox was a racist was one "an honest person could have held" and was indeed genuinely so held or (b) the imputation that Mr Fox was a racist was "substantially true"'.

In his evidence discussing his call for a boycott of Sainsbury's, Mr Fox said the supermarket had been 'essentially emotionally blackmailing their customers' and that he has not shopped there since.

He continued: 'I felt that rather than genuinely trying to tackle racism, Sainsbury's were trying to improve their own image, branding themselves as the anti-racist supermarket.

'I see the phrase 'safe space' as just locally friendly language for discrimination by segregation, dividing people down the line of skin colour.'

Mr Fox added that he believes Black History Month is 'a grift, designed to make black people feel like they're in some way undervalued in our society' and called the Black Lives Matter movement 'extremely divisive'.

Ms Skinner previously highlighted several of Mr Fox's social media posts, including a June 2022 tweet of four pride flags arranged in the shape of a swastika.

'Such a disgusting post could only be made by a complete ignoramus or an intelligent racist with an agenda. Mr Fox is the latter,' she said.

In his written evidence for the case, Mr Seymour, a Canadian artist, said he had faced 'overwhelming and distressing' abuse after Mr Fox's tweet, adding that he felt less safe as a drag performer.

Mr Blake, now chief executive of Mental Health First Aid England, said the incorrect suggestion that gay men were paedophiles was 'a trope as old as the hills'.

Broadcaster Nicola Thorp claimed that Mr Fox had 'outed himself as a racist' with a tweet calling for a boycott of the supermarket.

She said that any reputational harm Mr Fox suffered 'was because of what he did, not because of what I said'.

Patrick Green KC, representing Mr Fox, told the court neither Mr Blake nor Mr Seymour 'has suffered any actual, real-world consequences' due to the actor's tweets.

The actor and right-wing activist told the High Court that a tweet by actress Nicola Thorp calling him 'unequivocally, publicly and undeniably a racist' ended his career (pictured with girlfriend Elizabeth Barker outside court on November 22)

Mr Fox, who denies being a racist, said in his written evidence he was 'horrified' when he saw he had been called a racist, which he later described as 'a career-ending word, and a reputation-destroying allegation'

Mr Fox said in his witness evidence he had a 'vibrant and busy' work life before the tweets and before Ms Latimer dropped him, he was asked to audition for roles including Batman and Succession

The barrister said the posts did not cause people to think worse of Mr Blake and Mr Seymour, and that people did not believe they were paedophiles.

Instead, Mr Green said readers would have understood that Mr Fox's posts were a 'retort to an allegation of racism' rather than a factual allegation.

Mr Fox told the court he was 'horrified' when he saw he had been called a racist, which he later described as 'a career-ending word and a reputation-destroying allegation'.

He said his life was 'destroyed' by 'hurtful' racism allegations and he was left unable to get a mortgage.

He said in court: 'Without the prospect of work from her and the income from it, I couldn't get a mortgage.

'The only income I earned at that point was from the Reclaim Party. To this day I haven't bought a house, I only received one mortgage offer very recently, and it was far too high and wouldn't have been worth my while to take it.'

Mr Fox later said he has faced similar issues to Nigel Farage being 'debanked', with his bank 'regularly questioning' legitimate transactions and claimed his car insurance premium increased by nearly 9,000.

He added in his witness evidence he had a 'vibrant and busy' work life before the tweets and before Ms Latimer dropped him, he was asked to audition for roles including Batman and Succession, and 'multiple other Netflix, Disney+ and HBO productions'.

He continued: 'It's a source of incredible sadness to me that my skill set, which has been highly trained, used at great length over 23 or 24 years - it's just been completely put away.'
Hong Kong: Health chief meets national experts

Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau today met experts of various national chest pain centres to exchange views on the establishment of Hong Kong's first chest pain centre that will meet national accreditation standards.

The expert delegation was led by Chinese Academy of Sciences academician Prof Ge Junbo and comprised members including China Chest Pain Centre Accreditation Committee Chairman Prof Huo Yong.

At the meeting, Prof Lo thanked the experts for visiting Hong Kong from different places on the Mainland to offer guidance and exchange views on national accreditation standards of chest pain centres.

He introduced to the delegation the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Governments latest policy initiatives on establishing a chest pain centre and cross-boundary medical collaboration.

The health chief highlighted that the Hong Kong SAR Government has all along been committed to enhancing public healthcare services, adding that the Policy Address included an initiative to establish Hong Kong's first chest pain centre in Queen Mary Hospital (QMH) in 2025 in accordance with national accreditation standards.

The initiative aims to further streamline the treatment protocols for patients suffering from cardiovascular diseases, thus shortening the treatment duration as much as possible, achieving better treatment results and boosting the survival rate.

Prof Lo noted that the Hong Kong SAR Government and the Hospital Authority are actively taking forward high-quality healthcare talent training and exchange programmes between Hong Kong and the Mainland.

He said the Hong Kong SAR Government will also continue to work together with various counterparts on the Mainland to reinforce collaboration on healthcare service development, with a view to levelling up the healthcare quality together.

During their stay in Hong Kong, the delegation will attend a chest pain centre forum in QMH to share national experiences in implementing standardised treatment protocols for high-risk acute chest pain such as acute myocardial infarction, and the national accreditation standards.

They will also conduct an inspection and a clinical demonstration in QMH as well as visit Prince of Wales Hospital and Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

This story has been published on: 2024-01-29. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Commentary: China, a pioneer in enriching global human rights practice

Xinhua) 10:59, January 29, 2024

BEIJING, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- During a UN Human Rights Council conference at Geneva, over 120 countries have applauded China's unwavering commitment to and historic achievements in protecting and promoting human rights, a signature Chinese path towards human rights progress.

Over the years, China has been committed to enhancing the well-being and basic rights of its citizens. Meanwhile, it is making every effort to help charting the course for the advancement of human rights worldwide.

China has lifted nearly 100 million rural population out of poverty by the end of 2020, realizing the poverty reduction goal of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 10 years ahead of time, a brilliant feat in safeguarding people's rights to subsistence and development.

China is willing to share its experience of poverty alleviation with the rest of the world and has already actively engaged in cooperation with other developing countries to address the challenge.

Take the Belt and Road cooperation. Since the Belt and Road Initiative was proposed in 2013, over 3,000 cooperation projects have been initiated, generating at least 420,000 job opportunities for participating countries and lifting about 40 million people out of poverty. Significant improvements have also been made in infrastructure, connectivity, education, health, food safety and other fields.

As Chen Xu, permanent representative of China to the UN office at Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland, has said, China has pursued a human rights development path that aligns with the current global trends and suits its national conditions, providing a model for international progress in human rights.

During the recent human rights event in Geneva, China announced 30 new measures aimed at protecting human rights, including initiatives to enhance people's livelihoods, strengthen legal protection of human rights, promote international human rights cooperation and support the work of the UN human rights mechanisms.

China accepted 284 recommendations related to human rights protection proposed by various countries during the third round of review of the UN Human Rights Council in 2018, demonstrating its open and inclusive mindset on human rights issues.

Moreover, China has been elected for a sixth time as a member of the UN Human Rights Council, a record enjoyed by only a few countries worldwide. The fact demonstrates the international community's full affirmation of China's achievements in the cause of human rights and its active participation in international human rights cooperation.

All these attest to China's firm commitment to the cause of human rights protection, which has been well acknowledged by the international community.

Despite the West's attempts to politicize and weaponize human rights issues, China, as a pioneer in global human rights practice, is resolute in taking even solider strides toward greater progress in this respect.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
MBABANE  Hundreds of emaSwati whose lives depend on Phalala Medical Referral Fund to foot their medical bills are at risk, as the fund has stopped new intakes due to financial constraints.

The fund, whose objective is to assist deserving emaSwati, who would otherwise not have access to specialised medical care, cannot perform its mandate, due to financial constraints.

Some of the specialised treatments are done locally in private hospitals, but in most cases, experts from neighbouring countries, in particular from South Africa, are often used. Alternative

This has led to hundreds of emaSwati, who require the specialists services being left to die or rather find alternative means to pay for their medical procedures. The non-performing fund affects the poor of the poorest, who cannot afford medical aid.

This occurs at a time when public health facilities are also facing a serious drugs shortage, which has led to the formation of a special task team to restore public healthcare. During a visit to the Phalala offices on Friday, which are located at the Mbabane Government Hospital, this journalist saw first-hand the hopelessness and plight of emaSwati, who desperately need the services of the fund. People who had come to seek the services of the fund, carrying referral forms from their doctors, left the offices dejected, after they were told that the fund was no longer taking in new applications. During engagements with some of the employees, it was revealed that the officers were idle most of the times, because the sole purpose of the office could not be served.

While the reporter was observing this, a woman and an elderly couple came in with forms to submit to the office. Another woman made enquiries about a child who required heart surgery outside the country. She was told by the employees that she would not be assisted as yet because the fund stopped over two years ago to take heart-related referrals to South Africa. Among the elderly couple, one needed the services of a local doctor, but required the fund to foot the bill. The employees received the forms but were heard talking among themselves about the plight of the patients. They rhetorically asked each other when these individuals would be assisted since the fund was as good as non-existent.

Disappointment

The disappointment was written all over the patients faces, as they left for the premises, passing piles of files, which were assistance request forms. It was gathered that the fund had not been taking new patients for over two months now (since December 2023). At first, they stopped taking those who required assistance in institutions outside the country. Currently, the fund is not even considering applications for referral to local doctors. Sources confided that the fund had a waiting list of over 150 people since its last intake last year. However, it was alleged that the list might be longer, because some patients had been on the waiting list even before the fund stopped entertaining the applications. It was further revealed by sources that there were suspected activities of fraud among some of the invoices that had led to the debt exceeding E200 million, which is E50 million more than the annual budget of the fund.

Invoices

The sources stated that some of the invoices were suspected to have been doctored or there were double payments that were made to some of the specialists. The sources said the investigation of the invoices might take longer, because there were a lot of them and there were many stages that needed to be passed. It is unfortunate that the suspected fraudulent claims have left emaSwati to die, said the source. According to a highly-placed source, the fund owes over E250 million in medical bills. As a result, specialists in South Africa no longer accept patients who come through the fund, unless at least 50 per cent of the bill could be paid up-front. The sources revealed that it was not only the specialists in South Africa who were sceptical of Phalala patients, but even those operating locally. Would you continue to offer services to someone who doesnt pay you? asked the source.

It was further revealed that there were piles of files of applications for Phalalas help. This is not the first time that the fund encounter challenges. At the end of October last year, a monthly management report of the fund showed that the debt owed to the South African health facilities had shot up to over E220 million. In August last year, 23 Phalala patients were stuck in South African hospitals without assistance, as government owed E181 million. The facilities included the Chris Hani Baragwanath Academy Hospital and Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academy Hospital.

Hospitals

It was said both hospitals, including Concordia Lodge, where they were accommodated during the course of their treatment, were owed monies dating back to 2018. At the time, when the Finance Minister, Neal Rijkenberg, was asked about the payments not being made to the service providers, he said the ministry had submitted payments for Phalala Medical Referral Fund during the month of July, amounting to E58 million. In 2019, the fund owed SA hospitals medical bills estimated to be around E66 million and the waiting list was over 315. It was stated that some of the outstanding bills dated back to the year 2013. In 2014, the same occurred as the Phalala Medical Referral Fund was haunted by debts to the tune of nearly E40 million. The debts, mainly unpaid bills to health service providers, in and outside the kingdom, were accrued from the year 2008 to 2012. At the time, about 128 patients could not benefit from the Phalala Medical Referral Fund, as the State was defrauded E9 million due to multiple payments in the past three years.

Accountant General (AG) Phestecia Nxumalo, in her performance audit report on the utilisation of Phalala Medical Referral Fund at the time, said the State lost the money due to multiple payments. She mentioned that an estimated 128 patients (E8 990 882.92) could have benefitted emaSwati when using the average service charge of E70 000 per patient. Nxumalo said when reviewing the payment vouchers, auditors discovered that 297 invoices were double paid or even paid three times. The auditors discovered that payments amounting to E1 068 810.51 were overpaid for 2010/2011, while the 2011/2012 financial year was heavily overpaid with E6 412 264.62. She said 2012/2013 was the second most overpaid period, with E1 509 807.79.

WE ARE VERIFYING INVOICES  PS

MBABANE  The Ministry of Health Principal Secretary, Khanya Mabuza, confirmed that the fund was not performing normally and was not taking in new patients.

He said there was a huge backlog of cases and payments that they were trying to sort out. We are verifying all the unpaid invoices and we are working on paying the debts of Phalala. Some of the debts are old. The Ministry of Finance is assisting us as well, he said. The PS could not disclose how many patients were in the waiting list. He conceded though that there were indeed challenges in terms of having new patients, because the specialists needed upfront payments. When he was asked about the hundreds of emaSwati who have been left to die while they investigate the invoices, the PS said they tried to negotiate with specialists when there were extreme cases. We negotiate for critical cases that need to be transferred outside the country and also speak to our local specialists as well, he said.

The PS was also asked to; Enlighten the public on the duration for which the fund stopped accepting new patients? How many patients were on the waiting list? Provide an update on how much had been paid so far, and how much was remaining. If the ministry requested a supplementary budget to settle the debts to resume the acceptance of new patients? Provide an update on the suspected cases of fraud in the fund?

ASSURE US PEOPLE WONT DIE TUCOSWA

MBABANE  The Trade Union Congress of Swaziland (TUCOSWA) urges government to ensure that no one dies while verifying the invoices.

TUCOSWA Secretary General (SG) Mduduzi Gina said the Phalala Medical Referral Fund was a very good initiative, which was part of what they classified as quality public health support. This means you then get to be referred through the support of the State for private attention, save that it appears that there is a threat that the whole health system and operations have been engulfed with corrupt tendencies, he said. Gina said the irregularities meant that there was too much money that was not being supervised. The SG said it was depressing that while the ministry decided to close shop while verifying invoices, the most vulnerable class was left to die.This is because it will only be the most vulnerable citizens who can wait for the fund to function again, because they would not have alternatives. Those who have alternatives would be treated, he said.

The SG added that it was demotivating that the ministry would announce certain initiatives aimed at stopping activities that jeopardised the operations and performance of the sector, but there were no changes on the ground. He highlighted that currently, the ministry said it was saving the health system and delivering medication in public health facilities, but the nurses on the ground said there was still a shortage of drugs and nothing had changed. While government is busy with whatever, please give the country confidence that people will not die. Government must do everything in its power to ensure that no lives are lost while verifying the invoices, which in our view are as a result of non-supervision, he said.
Chicago's migrant crisis is creeping into the city's suburbs as Texas Governor Greg Abbott's buses bypass the city center with 34,000 people arriving since 2004.

After Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson announced strict guidelines for buses dropping people in the city center, Texas governor Greg Abbott started busing migrants from the border straight to the suburbs, bypassing the city entirely.

City officials said hundreds of people have been dropped in the surrounding area over the past month, with the local authorities given no prior warning of their arrival.

Local residents and volunteers have gathered supplies and clothes to offer the arrivals and have helped put them onto transportation into the center, according to the New York Times.

The new tactic comes as Mayor Johnson says the city's 28 shelters are at capacity as he meets with mayors from the surrounding area to ask for help.

Progressive Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson is struggling with his approval ratings just eight months after taking the job

The city's 28 shelters are full and Mayor Johnson has said he will not open any more in the city

At meetings last Monday, Johnson reportedly told local mayors that he will no longer build shelters for the new arrivals as the costs are 'too high' and the city has no money left.

He said he will no longer add new beds and will operate a one in one out policy at shelters as city councilmembers have been pushing for towns and suburbs to share the burden.

Two weeks ago a document obtained by Politico revealed that 608 buses of migrants have arrived at the city in total with 501 buses coming since last May.

The city has spent $156 million on the crisis but still has 14,200 migrants in its 28 shelters.

In the week to January 19 alone, it was short of 216 beds for migrants, with 1,105 being placed in temporary shelters.

Now the city is fighting with the state of Illinois about if and where to build more beds.

But State Governor JB Pritzker said the state has allocated an extra $160million to help the city.

He added: 'The city has not told the state where they would like us to put our resources to build new shelters or help them build new shelters, so we cant help if we cant identify those locations.'

The state has increased funds to build new shelters, but Johnson wants them to be built outside of the city

Nearly 397 migrants arrived at the various train stations in New Jersey earlier this month after they boarded buses from Texas and Louisiana

But last week, Mayor Johnson told reporters that the Illinois state government could 'build a shelter anywhere in the state of Illinois' and added it 'does not have to build a shelter in Chicago.'

In December, Mayor Johnson started penalizing any bus operators that dropped off passengers outside of set times and locations in the city.

In response, buses started dropping migrants off in the suburbs to get around the penalties.

A similar situation has played out in New York, with busloads of migrants being dropped off in New Jersey.

Earlier this month, migrants were dropped off at New Jersey train stations in an attempt to bypass New York City Mayor Eric Adams' executive order that has limited bus arrivals from Texas.

Cata Truss, a government employee in the Chicago neighborhood of Austin, complained too much money was being spent on immigrants

The city has spent $156 million on the crisis and still has 14,200 migrants in its 28 shelters, and is fighting with the state of Illinois about where to build more

Meanwhile, a Democrat who successfully sued Chicago to block a local park being turned into a migrant shelter, announced she wanted the city's sanctuary status revoked.

Cata Truss, a government employee in the Chicago neighborhood of Austin, complained too much money was being spent on immigrants.

Truss wants Chicago residents to stop paying for more migrants, as thousands more are bussed in, and start turning them away.

'There is no moneys to take care of the migrants, nor is there moneys to take care of the people that are there. And so we have a mess on our hands,' she told Fox News.

'This is the sentiment from the city of Chicago: We would like to have our status as a sanctuary city removed. We would also like to see a better plan in place.'

Truss said residents of low income communities were sick of seeing their neighborhoods and schools be 'divested' of funding to finance the migrant crisis.

She claimed a 'a lot of us (Democrats) are jumping ship' and she didn't understand why Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson hadn't changed his strategy.

'He has to have regrets, because people have regrets. We are not happy with what is happening here,' she said.

Johnson insists the city would not open any more migrant shelters, and called on Illinois Governor JB Pritzker to make good on promises to build its own ones.

The plan is linked to Johnson's new policy of only letting migrants stay in city-run shelters for 60 days before they are evicted to other accommodation.

The first evictions were supposed to be last week, but were twice delayed until February 1 due to harsh weather hitting Chicago.

About 8,000 eviction notices went out, but 710 received further extensions, and the deadline may be pushed back again with more freezing temperatures forecast.

When asked how they felt Johnson was performing, just 21 percent replied that they approved of his performance as mayor

Johnson's short tenure has been shadowed by the migrant crisis in the city, which has received nearly 35,000 migrants since 2022

A poll last week, found Johnson is struggling with his approval ratings just eight months after taking the job.

Only about one-fifth of voters in the Windy City said they approve of the freshman mayor in a new poll conducted by Democratic pollster Tulchin Research.

When asked how they felt Johnson was performing, just 21 percent replied that they approved of his performance as mayor, as first reported by the Chicago Sun-Times, which called the results are 'staggering.'

Seven percent of survey responders rated Johnson's performance as 'excellent,' while another 14 percent answered it was 'good.'

Meanwhile as many as 69 percent disapprove of the mayor's performance, with 27 percent rating it as 'only fair' and 43 percent as 'bad.'
A man has been arrested in Devon on suspicion of child neglect following the death of a nine-year-boy.

Devon and Cornwall Police were called to Glenmore Road in Brixham, Devon, at 6.20pm on Sunday January 28 following a report that a man had been seen walking with a child who looked unwell.

The child was located at a nearby address where emergency first aid was given before he was taken to hospital. Tragically, the boy was later confirmed dead at the hospital. His family have been informed.

The nine-year-old's death is being treated as unexplained and enquiries are ongoing.

Police have arrested a 47-year-old man on suspicion of child neglect and as of writing he remains in custody.

Glenmore Road in Brixham, Devon. Police were called to the address at 6.20pm on Sunday January 28 following a report that a man had been seen walking with a child who looked unwell

Brixham in Devon. A boy was rushed to hospital, following reports he was seen looking unwell with a man, where he sadly died. Police have arrested a 47-year-old man on suspicion of child neglect and as of writing he remains in custody

In a statement, Detective Inspector Jen Rose said: 'I'm appealing to hear from for anyone who was in Drew Street, Penn Lane, Castor Road, Greenswood Road and Bolton Street between 5pm and 7pm and may have witnessed the incident.

'We believe that there were members of the public who attempted to speak to the man and child.

'I'd urge anyone who hasn't yet spoken to police, anyone who has footage of any kind, including dashcam, mobile phone and doorbell footage to please get in touch.'

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting lo 580 of 28 January.
A young swimmer screamed out in pain as she desperately tried to climb up a jetty ladder in Sydney Harbour after being mauled by a bull shark, horrified witnesses said.

Emergency services rushed to an apartment building's private wharf in Elizabeth Bay, in the city's east, at 7.45pm on Monday to find Lauren O'Neill, 29, suffering major blood loss from a severe bite to her right leg.

Elizabeth Bay resident Michael Porter said he saw Ms O'Neill 'propped up' on a ladder after crying out - and immediately rang Triple Zero.

'Her leg was sort of trailing behind her, and the water behind her was all red with blood,' he said.

Ms O'Neill, who is a keen kayaker, had been swimming outside a netted harbour pool. Vet Fiona Crago, who was passing by, jumped to her aid and quite likely saved the woman's life.

Photos show emergency services workers and Ms Crago surrounding Ms O'Neill as she lay on the jetty.

'She (Ms Crago) was an absolute hero... and I think she saved her life,' Mr Porter said.

Emergency services and bystanders are seen at the scene of the shark attack at Elizabeth Bay on Monday night. Hero vet Fiona Crago is the blonde woman on the left

Lauren O'Neill is now in a stable condition after being mauled by a bull shark in Sydney Harbour. She will undergo surgery on her right leg on Monday afternoon

Shark attack victim Lauren O'Neill is a climate change activist who has also volunteered for various charities

'She had wraps and tourniquets and just got straight into emergency mode, and we were all just sort of there together as a team.'

He added despite being in a 'complete state of shock' from the trauma of the attack, Ms O'Neill was 'very lucid'.

'People were holding her hand and helping her and she was extremely brave the whole time,' he said.

Ms O'Neill was taken by ambulance to St Vincent's Hospital where she remains in a stable condition.

'She had serious bleeding. Her injuries are severe,' a NSW Ambulance spokesman told Daily Mail Australia on Monday night.

Ms O'Neill is now in a stable condition and is expected to undergo surgery later on Tuesday

Ms O'Neill works for the NSW Department of Climate Change

Ms O'Neill studied science at the University of Sydney and works for the NSW government in the Department of Climate Change.

She has volunteered for a range of charities and organisations from 2012, when she was 15.

According to her LinkedIn profile, Ms O'Neill has given her time to the SES, the Fred Hollows Foundation, Pink Ribbon Day, Daffodil Day, and Spinal Cord Injury Australia.

She has served meals for the homeless, helped create a map of wheelchair-accessible public toilets, and walked foster dogs.

Authorities have confirmed that a bull shark (stock image above) attacked Ms O'Neill

Veterinarian Fiona Crago (pictured above) applied a tourniquet to the leg of Lauren O'Neill, 29, on Monday evening before emergency services arrived on the scene

READ MORE: Inside hero vet's fight to save shark attack victim Hero vet Fiona Crago (pictured above) applied a tourniquet to the leg of Lauren O'Neill, 29, on Monday evening before emergency services arrived on the scene Advertisement

Following the attack, Ms Crago and her wife Georgia were first on the scene and managed to keep Ms O'Neill alive until emergency services arrived.

Georgia said the couple heard a shout, and the victim 'swam up to a boat, but on the way back she got bitten by a bull shark'.

'We ran out, my wife's a vet, she basically bandaged it up... bone's broken, its pretty hectic actually,' she said.

'She seems to be OK, she's in a lot of shock. So am I.

'We kept her warm, and my wife basically bandaged her up to stop the bleeding.

'If she got bitten (further) out there, she wouldn't have survived.'

A resident who lives nearby, who gave his name only as Romain, told the Sydney Morning Herald that he saw Ms O'Neill try to pull herself out of the water.

'She had been attacked about 20 metres off from the jetty - there was blood all throughout the water and all over the jetty,' he said.

Marine biologist Lawrence Chlebeck said no-one should swim in Sydney Harbour at night.

'My first reaction is why is someone is in the harbour at night. It's not advisable. It's an area of high shark activity,' he told Sunrise.

'We need to recognise the best places to swim and where maybe not.

Ms O'Neill is seen with a friend at Bondi Beach

The young woman was attacked near a jetty in Elizabeth Bay in Sydney Harbour

Ms O'Neill is treated by paramedics after the attack

Emergency services rushed to Elizabeth Bay at 7.45pm on Monday to find Ms O'Neill with a severe bite to her leg and suffering 'major blood loss'. A blood-stained boardwalk is pictured at the scene

Georgia (pictured) and her wife, who is a veterinarian, were the first on the scene

'Historically, there's been bites in the harbour. Abattoirs used to dump in the harbour and there's generational intelligence ... where they can get a feed - these are areas sharks know to go.

'We know that the harbour has this shark activity. People need to be aware of the risk. During the day, in full sun, is when sharks are a little less active.

'Their sensors are heightened in the evening and early mornings. Those are the times I would avoid swimming in the harbour.'

Female bull sharks have also been known to mate in Sydney Harbour.

Shark expert Dr Daryl McPhee, an Associate Professor of Environmental Science at Bond University, said along with Great Whites and tiger sharks, bull sharks were responsible for the most bites and fatalities.

'Bull sharks are found seasonally in Sydney Harbour during the warmer months of the year,' he said.

'They are generally found in water less than 5 metres deep, near sharp drop-offs.

'While the risk of a shark bite is extremely low, I advise people to stay out of Sydney Harbour waters until further notice by the Government.'

Shark ecologist Dr Amy Smoothey said summer and autumn were the 'key times' for bull sharks as they preferred warmer waters.

Elizabeth Bay resident and witness Michael Porter said there was blood everywhere

Pictured is the jetty where Ms O'Neill was attacked near on Monday night in Elizabeth Bay

One local resident is seen swimming near the jetty where Ms O'Neill was attacked

'Bull sharks like warm water, 22 to 23 degrees is their preferred temperature and we know that is currently the case in Sydney Harbour and off our coastal beaches,' she told Sunrise.

'We also know from our tagging and tracking research that bull sharks are more active during low-light periods such as dawn, dusk and evening so we advise caution during those times.'

She said while bull sharks have a reputation for being aggressive, in actual fact they are just more capable of living in various environments.

'For example, bull sharks are born in fresh water environments, they can live in these environments for four to five years and stay there as juveniles and then move into the brackish and the marine environments,' she said.

'So they're highly versatile and capable species that are able to be in our blue backyard like Sydney Harbour. So it's not that they're more aggressive, it's just that their capabilities allow them to utilise more environments.'

City of Sydney Councillor Linda Scott said she was 'extremely concerned' to hear about the attack.

'Please, stay out of the harbour until further notice,' she said.

'Thank you to the bystanders who stood in to bravely help, and to St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney for their care for the victim.'

In February 2022, British man Simon Nellist was killed by 4.5metre great white shark off Little Bay in Sydney's south-east.

He was the first confirmed fatal victim in Sydney in 60 years.

A tourniquet was applied to try to stem the bleeding from Ms O'Neill's leg
The Pentagon said Monday that 'fingerprints' on the drone attack that killed three U.S. troops in Jordan pointed to an Iran proxy group  with no clear answer yet on how or where the U.S. would respond.

Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh identified a militia backed by Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps, while revealing the number of injured U.S. injured in the brazen drone attack has climbed to 40.

'We know this is an IRGC backed militia, it has the footprints of Kata'ib Hezbollah but not making a final assessment on that,' she said, identifying an Iraqi Shiite militia backed by Tehran.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby had earlier called the group 'responsible' for the attack.

'Our teams here are continuing to do the analysis but we know that Iran is behind it,' he said.

The White House put out an image of President Biden meeting with his security team, including Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, on Monday as the administration prepares to respond to an attack on a U.S. base in Jordan

'Iran continues to arm and equip these groups to launch these attacks and we will certainly hold them responsible,' she added.

But the White House and the Pentagon stopped short of saying the attack was directed from inside Tehran, stressing that Iran has funded and equipped proxy forces in the past.

Kirby also would not rule out U.S. strikes inside Iranian territory, while stressing repeatedly that the U.S. does not seek war, as U.S. forces suffer repeated attempted attacks amid Israel's war in Gaza.

Singh said U.S. Central Command was assessing how the one-way attack drone was able to successfully hit the U.S. base. Singh said the drone hit a 'contained housing unit' in the early hours Saturday night, and that troops were sleeping there at the time.

The Pentagon identified the three U.S. troops killed in the attack.

They were Sgt. William Rivers, 46 of Carrollton, Georgia, Specialist Kennedy Sanders, 24 of Waycross, Georgia and Specialist Breonna Moffett, 23, of Savannah, Georgia, the Department of Defense announced Monday.

Rivers, Sanders and Moffett were assigned to the 718th Engineer Company, 926th Engineer Battalion, 926th Engineer Brigade stationed at Fort Moore, Georgia.

The new details about the attack and preparations for a U.S. response came as President Biden held his second meeting with his security team since the attack. The White House released an image from the Situation Room that showed the president looking to his left, with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin seated next to him in that direction.

The president again warned that the U.S. would hold those responsible 'to account.' He met with members of his security team including Austin, who has been working at home for weeks after being hospitalized

Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh identified a militia backed by Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps, and Iran was 'behind' the attack. The Pentagon identified by name three U.S. troops killed in the attack on a base in Jordan

That came after Austin was back at work at the Pentagon Monday for the first time since undergoing prostate surgery, following a weekend drone attack that killed three U.S. service members at an air base in Jordan.

He was back at the office amid tense strategy sessions about how the U.S. should respond to repeated attacks on U.S. forces that the White House says is being backed by Iran and carried out by its proxies.

'At this important time, I'm glad to be back at the Pentagon,' Austin said at the top of a meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

'I feel good and recovering well, but still recovering, and I appreciate all the good wishes that I have received thus far,' he said.

Austin made no mention of the work from home controversy that infuriated top officials and caused changes in federal policies.

He was last in the Pentagon December 21, and had surgery for prostate cancer December 22  in an episode that left the White House unaware of his location and publicly calling him out for failing to disclose the situation.

He had emergency surgery at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center following complications from his earlier procedure. That resulted in a two week hospital stay, and revelations that he hadn't told the White House about his cancer diagnosis or his procedure. He also didn't tell President Biden or congressional leaders.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was back at work at the Pentagon for the first time since his December surgery for a procedure he did not disclose to the White House in advance. He attended a meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the Pentagon Monday

His return underlined the severity of the military and diplomatic situation the U.S. was facing following the attack that killed three U.S. troops and injured 30. His earlier hospitalization also coincided with attacks on U.S. forces, but the White House said he was monitoring the situation and participating in meetings remotely from his hospital room even amid his recovery.

Austin addressed the attack, expressing 'outrage and sorrow for the death of three brave U.S. troops in Jordan and for the other troops who were wounded.'

'The president and I will not tolerate attacks on U.S. forces and we will take all necessary steps to defend the US and our troops,' he said, reading from prepared remarks before welcoming Stoltenberg and flashing a smile when he pivoted to welcoming his guest.

It was his first public appearance since he took part in a zoom meeting on Ukraine, appearing gaunt.

Austin's return to the office came on a day White House national security spokesman John Kirby insisted there will a 'very consequential response' to the weekend drone attack that killed three Americans  even as the U.S. seeks to avoid a war with Iran.

Kirby spoke after Biden met with his security team to develop options following the attack, which threatened to bring the U.S. into an expanded regional conflict that Biden says he hopes to avoid as the U.S. tries to discourage further brazen attacks on American forces.

Austin was back at the office for a meeting with with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the Pentagon. It was his first time there since his hospitalization for complications from cancer treatment that he initially failed to disclose to the president and Congress

Austin and top Pentagon officials are advising President Biden on how the U.S. should respond, amid some Republican officials calling for the U.S. to strike inside Iran

Tough cookie: Austin said he was still recovering following his surgery and hospitalization. He appeared thinner than before his hospitalization

A noticeably slimmer Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was seen for the first time in a month on last week in the aftermath of the scandal over his secret hospital trip to treat complications from prostate cancer surgery

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, 70, was hospitalized on January 1 and released on January 15th. He is pictured December 20 before he went in for surgery

The U.S. will respond 'in a very consequential way,' Kirby told CNN in one of a series of interviews as national security leaders develop next steps.

'He'll do this in a time and a manner of his own choosing, and we'll respond as he said  we'll respond and we'll respond in a very consequential way. But we don't seek a war with Iran. We're not looking for a wider conflict in the Middle East,' he said.

Kirby didn't respond to directly to a question about whether there were targets inside Iran. 'In fact, every action the president has taken has been designed to de-escalate, to try to bring the tensions down,' he said. Kirby said the U.S. has a 'pretty good sense' about which group was responsible, but said the U.S. is still working on the attribution.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby vowed a 'consequential response' following the drone attack that killed three Americans at a base in Jordan, but declined to reveal details on its nature or timing

It was one of several times when Kirby cautioned against escalation on Monday, while the White House is also engaged in multilateral talks seeking to free hostages held by Hamas inside Gaza.

'We're not looking for a broader war in the region. We certainly aren't looking for a conflict with Iran,' Kirby told ABC's 'This Week' Monday.

'But make no mistake, Iran is supporting these groups that are already resourcing them training them. You know, certainly not discouraging these attacks at all,' he said.

Then Kirby rattled off just some of the militant proxies that Tehran has backed in the region, with more than 150 attacks on U.S. forces since Israel launched its war in Gaza after the October 7 attacks.

'We know they support the Houthis Hezbollah, Hamas, they are definitely causing a lot of these attacks to happen. We just  we're going to work through the right options here and make the right decisions,' he said.

That prompted interviewer George Stephanopoulos to tell him that deterrence 'does not seem to be working.'

Kirby didn't give any clues about the size or the pace of the U.S. response, which Biden said Sunday would come at the time of America's choosing.

'He's going to have to weigh what the options are going to be. There will be a response,' he underlined. 'This was a consequential attack, no question about it and our thoughts and prayers go to the families that are cut the worst possible news over the weekend,' Kirby said.

Kirby gave a series of interviews Monday, as Republican critics demanded Biden respond forcefully, with some calling for U.S. strikes inside Tehran

The deaths of three US soldiers in a drone attack by Iran-backed militants on US base Tower 22 in Jordan (pictured) risk further inflaming the on-going crisis in the Middle East, experts have warned, and could lead to a wider conflict

The drone attack 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

His comments came after Biden addressed the attack over the weekend in South Carolina, amid pressure from Republican critics to undertake strikes inside Iran as punishment for its support for proxy forces hitting U.S. troops and commercial targets in the region.

Biden vowed that 'we shall respond' following the Saturday night attack  which also injured dozens and required some to be evacuated for treatment in a sign of the seriousness of injuries.

'We had a tough day last night in the Middle East. We lost three brave souls,' he said during a visit to a church in Columbia, South Carolina, where he also asked for a moment of silence for those lost.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq took responsibility for the attack, but Tehran has denied involvement in planning it.

Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said it was 'not involved in the decision making of resistance groups' over how they 'defend Palestinians or their own countries'. He called claims of Iran's own involvement 'baseless.'

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.'

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.'

The deaths of three US soldiers in a drone attack by Iran-backed militants risk further inflaming the on-going crisis in the Middle East, experts have warned.

A former CIA director called the weekend strike on the US base a 'dangerous escalation' in tensions that have already engulfed the region following Hamas's October 7 terror attack on southern Israel, and Israel's subsequent assault on Gaza.

After he warned that the US 'shall respond' to the strike, analysts say US president Joe Biden must be calculated in his retaliation and strike a balance between pleasing those at home who want to see a show of force, and averting a wider conflict.

If the White House is not strong enough in its response, experts say Iran's proxies will remain undeterred and continue to carry out attacks. Too strong, and Biden risks plunging the Middle East into a deeper conflict.

Further escalation, one expert warns, 'would bring the Middle East to the precipice of a regional war', while another said they expect a 'expect a serious escalation around the corner.'

But in doing so, Biden also runs the risk of playing into the 'optimal scenario' for Vladimir Putin, whose war in Ukraine would benefit greatly from a wider conflict.
A convoy of conservative activists, who call themselves 'God's Army', set off for this country's southern border on Monday to protest the numbers of migrants breaking into the United States

Dozens of people joined the self-styled grassroots movement 'Take Our Border Back' in Norfolk, Virginia where organizers slammed the Biden administration for leaving the U.S. frontiers 'wide open.'

Craig Hudgins, a former United Airlines pilot-turned-Christian activist, urged those eventually planning to travel to Eagle Pass in Texas to ignore calls made on social media to use violence to make their point.

A handful of media outlets had seized on a string of inflammatory messages posted in the organizers' Telegram channel as proof that the protest was merely a front for far-right extremists.

Many of the participants brandished U.S. flags and placards in support of those convicted for taking part in the January 6 riots.

A convoy of conservative activists, who call themselves 'God's Army', set off for this country's southern border on Monday

Dozens of people joined the self-styled grassroots movement 'Take Our Border Back' in Norfolk, Virginia to set off on their nearly 2,000 mile trip

A woman poses in front of her vehicle that says 'Take Our Border Back' at the convoy in Virginia on Monday

Texas National Guards on Monday place razor wires at the Shelby Park area which is the most preferred area for irregular migrants to enter as the guards continue to patrol the Rio Grande River

'People are making up all kinds of stuff,' he said during an impromptu speech from the back of a pick-up truck as supporters gathered before starting their near-four-day journey to one of the nation's illegal migration hotspots.

'This is about being a peaceful demonstration. We do not want our National Guard guys to take the brunt of what is going on.

'I am hearing 40,000 truckers coming from all over the country,' he said before a fellow organizer led this morning's 40-strong group in prayer and then the Pledge of Allegiance.

The first leg of this convoy's journey is set to end in Jacksonville, Florida late on Monday evening before heading on to Baton Rouge, Louisiana on Tuesday.

Rallies are planned for later this week in Texas, Arizona and California.

DailyMail.com saw at least 25 vehicles - but no trucks - by the time it hit the I-95, one of the main roads south from Virginia which winds through North and South Carolina, as well as Georgia.

Similar demonstrations took place in 2022 in both the United States and Canada over opposition to Covid vaccination mandates.

The week-long protest, which will also have a similar convoy traveling from California, focuses on what will be one of the top issues in this year's presidential election.

Figures from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection show that more than 2.5 million people entered this country through its southwestern border.

Republican officials will start the process on Tuesday to impeach Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas over the border crisis.

Lawmakers in Congress are also refusing to sign off on Joe Biden's aid packages for Ukraine and Israel without tougher anti-immigration measures.

A deal currently being hammered out would require the federal government to shutter the border if 5,000 migrants sneak into the United States each day.

It will also ban migrants from claiming asylum if they cross over illegally and they could be faced with deportation to Mexico or their home country.

In December, federal agents recorded multiple days when more than 10,000 people made illicit crossings into this country.

People take the pledge of allegiance before the start of the 'Take Our Border Back' convoy

The convoy of truckers is making its way to three migrant hotspots across three states in a bid to shame the White House into tackling the worsening migrant crisis

TEXAS, USA - JANUARY 29: Shelby Park area is the most preferred area for irregular migrants to enter the US as the Texas National Guards continue to patrol the Rio Grande River

TEXAS, USA - JANUARY 29: Texas National Guards patrol the Rio Grande on Monday

A woman reads a map in a car as people gather for the 'Take Our Border Back' convoy

A man wears a shirt that says 'Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you, Jesus Christ and the American veteran'

Many of the participants brandished U.S. flags and placards in support of those convicted for taking part in the January 6 riots

A handful of media outlets had seized on a string of inflammatory messages posted in the organizers' Telegram channel as proof that the protest was merely a front for far-right extremists

Overworked border guards often release migrants immediately because they do not have the resources to screen everybody for asylum.

If passed, it would represent the biggest bipartisan overhaul of U.S. immigration law in three decades.

The migration row flared up again last after the Supreme Court gave the go-ahead for federal authorities to remove barbed wire that encircles Texas's border wall.

The Lone Star state's Republican governor, Greg Abbott, has vowed to fight any attempt to remove the fencing.

And in a clear sign of how that issue is resonating with U.S. voters, Take Our Border Back has racked up an incredible $130,000 in donations to help bankroll this week's rallies.

Their fundraising page states the money will be used to finance transport, media support, and other expenses linked to holding those demonstrations.

'Our national security and families' safety at risk,' the page on popular crowdfunding platform GiveSendGo reads.

Cherise Moser, a New York native joining the convoy, said it was unfair for asylum-seekers to be 'putting all the burden on American taxpayers.'

'I understand that we are a melting pot. I understand that immigration is part of it. Yes, we do need some labor,' she told DailyMail.com. 'But if you want to come here, you should come through the door not the windows.

'It's not fair on those people who come from other countries and do it the right way. They are committed to being and it shows a desire to do something really positive (in the United States).'

Jarred Crook, a 24-year-old out-of-work insulation installer, said he was 'frustrated' watching footage on TV of asylum-seekers pouring over the border with Mexico.

He claimed that American businesses were favoring those who entered the country illegally, rather than U.S. citizens who had been born and raised here.

'The company I used to work for, half of the staff were illegals,' he said. 'I would go to these job sites and they were just two percent white people. I'm not a racist or anything, but I can't help but notice.

Migrants wrapped in aluminum blankets for warmth after being picked up at the border on Monday

Texas National Guards patrol the Rio Grande on Monday amid a huge surge of migrants

The week-long protest, which will also have a similar convoy traveling from California, focuses on what will be one of the top issues in this year's presidential election

The first leg of this convoy's journey is set to end in Jacksonville, Florida late on Monday evening before heading on to Baton Rouge, Louisiana on Tuesday

DailyMail.com saw at least 25 vehicles - but no trucks - by the time it hit the I-95, one of the main roads south from Virginia which winds through North and South Carolina

In October, President Joe Biden requested emergency funding - asking Congress for more border agents, officers and deportation flights

Hundreds - possibly thousands - of big rigs are planning to head for Eagle Pass in Texas, Yuma in Arizona and San Ysidro in California

A massive convoy of truckers were seen making its way to migrant hotspots in a bid to shame the White House into tackling the worsening crisis

'Basically, they were 90 percent Mexicans. The whole job site. Doing all the work. What happened to all the jobs? Why is it just illegal immigrants getting hired?'

But many other nationalities are managing to enter the United States by crossing with the border with the help of people-smuggling cartels in Mexico.

Illegal entries into this country are believed to be worth an estimated $12 billion each year to those gangs.

DailyMail.com revealed in September how male migrants from Africa were snapping up seats at vastly inflated prices on a Turkish Airlines flight from Istanbul to Bogota in Colombia.

The would-be asylum-seekers then fly to Nicaragua via Ecuador so they can avoid the lawless jungle of the Darien Gap in Panama.
Democrats are raising concerns over Biden's response to Israel's war in Gaza and blasting the administration for transferring weapons to Israel without congressional approval.

In a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, 19 Democrats blasted the administration's decision to repeatedly use emergency authorities to 'circumvent congressional review.'

The lawmakers wrote that they 'shared the world's horror' at Hamas over the terrorist attack on October 7, but they were also 'deeply disturbed' by Israel's response.

It's the latest action by Democrats who have been growing increasingly critical of the Biden administration's response to Israel's war in Gaza.

'It is highly unusual for the president to bypass congressional oversight through an emergency declaration,' the letter reads.

Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts led a coalition of lawmakers seeking information from the Biden administration on the US response to Israel's war in Gaza

Secretary of State Antony Blinken meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv, Israel on January 9, 2024

It states such authority has only been used 18 times in nearly 50 years, but the Biden administration has used the authority twice in a single month.

'It is essential for Congress to be able to conduct oversight of these arms transfers and determine whether they are consistent with humanitarian principles and U.S. law, and whether they advance or harm U.S. national security,' the lawmakers wrote.

More than 22,000 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict since the October 7 attack on Israel and more than 65,000 Palestinians have been injured, according to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry.

The letter, dated January 26, was signed by nineteen lawmakers including Senators Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Independent Bernie Sanders of Vermont as well as Congresswomen Pramila Jayapal of Washington and Maxine Waters of California.

The lawmakers reference the Arms Export Control Act which requires the State Department notify Congress of major arms sales and states the review can only be waived if Congress is notified an emergency exists.

Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Congresswoman Jayapal of Washington are among the 19 lawmakers who sent a letter to Blinken on arms deal

Search and rescue efforts in Gaza after an Israeli airstrike on January 29, 2024

'We appreciate that your administration has repeatedly urged the Israeli government to take additional steps to reduce civilian casualties,' the lawmakers wrote.

'However, we are concerned that these transfers and the administrations evasion of congressional oversight may be inconsistent with broader U.S. foreign policy goals.'

They are demanding the Biden administration provide its rationale for determining an 'emergency' exists to make the immediate transfers to Israel.

They have also asked why the administration believes Israel needs 155mm artillery ammunition, such as those approved in December, which organizations have warned pose a serious risk to civilians and whether the U.S. will provide Israeli forces with capabilities to further mitigate civilian harm.

The lawmakers have asked the Biden administration to provide a response to those questions and others by February 9.

The letter comes as 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.

It is also reported Biden has privately told Netanyahu he won't support Israel's war in Gaza lasting a year.
Police said they also had a 'hit list' where they wanted to kill politicians and celebrities

Two brothers from Queens have been indicted after cops found a cache of IEDs, ghost guns, homemade bombs and a 'hit list' that included 'cops, judges, politicians, celebrities, and banker and corporate scum' on it.

The brothers - identified as Andrew Hatizagelis, 39 and Angelo Hatziagelis, 51 - were charged with 130 counts of criminal possession of a weapon, and other charges and were arraigned on Monday.

Their sinister plan was thwarted after police executed a search warrant at their home in Astoria on January 17, where the two men live with their mother and another brother, prosecutors said.

Members of the NYPD Bomb Squad were called to the scene after live IED's were found in the apartment that is located directly across from the Con Edison power plant near 36th Avenue in Astoria.

Brothers Andrew Hatziagelis (left), 39, and Angelo Hatziagelis (right), 51, were indicted on 130 counts of criminal possession and other related charges after police executed a search on their apartment in Astoria and found instructions for homemade bombs, ghost guns, anarchist propaganda, etc.

The building was evacuated and both men were arrested. If convicted they each face up to 25 years in prison.

During the search warrant, law enforcement officials seized eight operational improvised explosive devices, one partially constructed trip-wire IED, two loaded AR-15 style ghost gun assault weapons, each with a detachable magazine, muzzle compensator and threaded barrel.

Also found were two loaded 9 mm semiautomatic ghost gun pistols, two loaded 9 mm semiautomatic 3D printed ghost gun pistols, one partially constructed AK-47 style ghost guns, and over 600 rounds of ammunition for each of the firearms.

Additional items include, one 3D printer, three sets of body armor, six additional AR/pistol lower receivers, twenty-nine high-capacity ammunition feeding devices - thirteen of which were personally manufactured utilizing a 3D printer, tools to assemble ghost guns and metal knuckles.

A radio set to the frequency of the 114th Precinct in Astoria was also discovered in their Queens apartment, in addition to several other electronic devices - phones, computer.

Handwritten notes were scrawled on numerous notebooks that contained instructions on the manufacture of explosive devices and anarchist related propaganda

Police also seized nine pyrotechnic smoke bombs, explosive residue, and components to manufacture additional IEDs.

Homemade weapons that the brothers made out of their Queens apartment with the intent of causing malice

Documents were shown at Monday's press conference held by Queens DA Melinda Katz of detailed instructions on the weapons of mass destruction

Handwritten notes of the 'Hit List' created that included 'cops, judges, politicians, celebrities.' They also noted that they wanted to do wipe away with 'corporate and banker scum'

The breakdown of charges in the 130-count indictment include, eight counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the first degree, nine counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, forty-seven counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, according to the Queens DA office.

Six counts of criminal possession of a firearm, eight counts of reckless endangerment in the second degree, fourteen counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree, six counts of criminal sale of a firearm in the third degree.

Fifteen counts of make/transport/dispose/deface weapons and dangerous weapons, three counts of unlawful purchase of body armor, one count of attempted criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree.

One count of attempted criminal possession of a firearm, and three counts of unlawful possession of a pistol or revolver ammunition, and nine counts of unlawfully dealing with fireworks and dangerous fireworks.

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz shared some details about the six-month investigation during a press conference on Monday and said 'the city is safer today.'

'My Crime Strategies and Intelligence Bureau launches investigations every day so that we find illegal weapons, including guns and in this case explosive devices,' Katz said.

'We cannot measure the number of lives that were saved, but we do know that these weapons will never hurt anyone.

'My Crime Strategies and Intelligence Bureau launched this investigation. Upon securing a search warrant we worked with the NYPD, Homeland Security, State Police and uncovered eight fully operable bombs, several guns and numerous other weapons.'

Queens District Attorney (pictured fourth right to left) Melinda Katz with her NYPD counterterrorism team standing in front of a table covered with an array of weapons, IED's, assault rifles, ammunition that were seized from the brother's home on January 17

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz is pictured holding up one of the assault rifles seized

NYPD Commissioner Edward A. Caban said the cache of weapons found, explosives and untraceable, 3D-printed ghost guns, had the 'potential to wreak horrendous carnage.'

'Todays charges underscore the harsh reality that our communities contain a small number of people who conceivably harbor evil intent,' he said.

He expressed gratitude to the NYPD investigators, local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, for their 'persistence in identifying, investigating, and holding fully accountable anyone who poses a risk to New Yorkers safety and well-being.'

Homeland Security Investigations New York Acting Special Agent in Charge Erin Keegan said their agency 'is committed to supporting our law enforcement partners when they call.'

'In this case, the collaboration among various law enforcement agencies led to a discovery that most certainly could have saved lives,' Keegan said.

'I thank the members of the HSI Border Enforcement Security Task Force (BEST) and the Queens District Attorneys Office, along with the NYPD, ATF, and the New York State Police, for their outstanding efforts to resolve a potentially dangerous situation.'

An email request for comment to the attorney listed for Andrew Hatziagelis wasn't immediately returned Monday.

Angelo Hatziagelis is being represented by The Legal Aid Society, it remains unclear who the attorney is that will be representing younger brother Andrew Hatziagelis, NBC4 New York reproted.

Their next court date is schedule for February 15.
A 19-year-old woman was found dead inside a suitcase at the home of her soldier boyfriend at their home in Medellin, Colombia.

The prosecutor's office said Isabella Mesa's corpse was stuffed in the luggage bag, which was discovered in one of the rooms by the mother of the alleged killer, Sebastian Villegas, 2, on Sunday night.

Villegas, an officer in the Colombian army, turned himself in to Metropolitan Police on Monday afternoon, a spokesperson with the Colombian Attorney General's Office confirmed to DailyMail.com.

Authorities said Mesa, a mother of the two-year-old son, had been living in Mexico and recently returned to Medellin to spend time with Villegas.

Isabella Mesa, 19 was found dead inside a suitcase at the home of her Colombian soldier boyfriend, Sebastian Villegas, 21, in Medellin on Sunday evening. Villegas' mother made the discovery and alerted police. Villegas, who is enlisted with the army, turned himself in to the police on Monday

Colombian soldier Sebastian Villegas turned himself in to the police in Medellin on Monday, a day after he allegedly murdered his girlfriend and left her body stuffed inside a luggage bag

Colombian authorities said Isabella Mesa had returned from Mexico, where she was living, to spend time with her boyfriend and army soldier, Sebastian Villegas

Villegas had asked his mother for permission to allow Mesa to stay at their home from Thursday until February 2.

A woman told Noticias RCN that Villegas presented a strange behavior after he asked residents for help in finding a cart.

'(He said) that he had a garbage that was too heavy, that he needed to take it out and we told him that we did not have any here,' she said.

'He then went to a neighbor's (home) and he was not there. When he saw the police he took off, but nobody knew what had happened.'

A man told the station that Mesa's body was wrapped with a cloth inside the suitcase.

Isabella Mesa leaves behind a two-year-old boy. The 19-year-old was found dead inside a suitcase at her boyfriend's home

Isabella Villegas was allegedly killed by her army soldier boyfriend and left stuffed in a suitcase at his home in Medellin, Colombia

John Poulos (left) is facing charges in Bogota, Colombia for the January 2023 murder of his girlfriend Valentina Trespalacios (right), whose body was found inside a suitcase in a dumpster

Authorities have not said how she was killed and did not provide a motive.

Villegas, who is awaiting charges, could serve up to 50 years in prison if he convicted.

Mesa's murder evoked memories of Valentina Trespalacios, the 21-year-old dj whose body was found jammed inside a suitcase after it was abandoned in a dumpster in Bogota on January 22,2023 by her American boyfriend, John Poulos.

Poulos recently told Colombian news magazine Semana that he and Trespalacios took drugs and drank alcohol during his visit.

Prosecutors alleged that the divorced father-of-three, strangled Trespalacios after he beat and had set with her and then stuffed her body into a luggage bag.

Poulos then drove to El Dorado International Airport and boarded a flight to Panama City. He was apprehended two days later at Tocumen International Airport, where he was planning to take a second flight to Istanbul, Turkey.

He had also purchased a ticket to Montenegro, which does not have an extradition with Colombia.
Georgia lawmakers mourned the loss of three U.S. soldiers from their state who were killed in an 'infuriating' Iran-backed drone strike.

The drone attack on a U.S. military base in Jordan late Saturday resulted in three deaths and over 40 injuries.

The three soldiers killed were Sgt. William Rivers, 46 of Carrollton, Georgia, Specialist Kennedy Sanders, 24 of Waycross, Georgia and Specialist Breonna Moffett, 23, of Savannah, Georgia, the Department of Defense announced Monday.

Georgia Republican Gov. Brian Kemp wrote that he was saddened to learn that the three soldiers killed in Saturday's attack were all Georgians.

'These soldiers gave the last full measure of devotion in service to this country,' Kemp wrote in a statement.

'This inexcusable loss of life and the attack from terrorists that resulted in these casualties is a reminder of why we stand with the friends of liberty.'

Specialist Breonna Moffett, 23, of Savannah, Georgia has been identified as one of the soldiers killed in the drone strike

One of the American soldiers killed in suicide drone strike on a base in Jordan has been identified as Kennedy Ladon Sanders (pictured)

Georgia Republican Rep. Buddy Carter said he too was saddened and infuriated by the attack that claimed his constituents lives.

'The First Congressional District, along with the state of Georgia, and our country grieve today as 2 of its very own lost their lives defending this great nation,' Rep. Buddy Carter of Georgia posted on X.

'We will never stop praying for our troops and the families as they grieve their loved ones,' Carter wrote. 'Breonna & Kennedy are, and will forever be remembered as, heroes.'

There are 13 military bases in the Peach State representing every branch of the military except the Coast Guard.

Sanders' father, Shawn Sanders, said on Facebook, 'Our family would like to thank you for the respect given to Kennedy. Munchkin will be missed by many.'

Her mother, Oneida Oliver-Sanders, said, 'I just cant believe Ill never be able to hug and kiss my baby again. Life is so unfair. I just want my baby.'

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp shared his condolences in a statement posted on X

The drone attack late Saturday night impacted a U.S. 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

Republican Rep. Buddy Carter posted on X that Sanders and Moffett were from his district

Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said all three soldiers were assigned to the 718th Engineer Company, a U.S. Army Reserve unit based out of Fort Moore, Georgia.

The government of Waycross said on Facebook, 'The City is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Kennedy Ladon Sanders, who gave her life in service to our country.'

'We offer our heartfelt condolences to her family and friends during this difficult time. In honor of her sacrifice, the City has lowered our flags to half-mast today. We are also working on additional ways to pay tribute to Kennedy and her service.'

'Our thoughts and prayers are with her loved ones as they mourn this tremendous loss.'

Sanders graduated from Ware County High School in 2017.

Moffett's mother, Regina RaMo, said, 'This is one of the saddest days of my life. With a heavy heart I have to say that my Angel my first born has going on to be with GOD today. The pain will never go away and my life is forever changed.

'I will never get to cook your favorite food, we will never get to talk on the phone and I will never see you walk through my front door again. Breonna Moffett was killed this morning. Just know that a piece of my heart and soul will always be missing. Love you Baby Girl. Rest Easy. Always will be my first born.'

The city of Waycross will lower their flags to half-mast to honor Sanders sacrifice

Family members of the 24-year-old Waycross, Georgia native confirmed Sanders was one of the soldiers killed in the attack. The other two have not been identified

Sanders mother, Oneida Oliver-Sanders, said, 'I just cant believe Ill never be able to hug and kiss my baby again. Life is so unfair. I just want my baby'

Her father, Shawn Sanders, said on Facebook, 'Our family would like to thank you for the respect given to Kennedy. Munchkin will be missed by many'

Sanders graduated from Ware County High School in 2017

As of Sunday morning, Iran - the main backer of anti-Israel group Hezbollah - and its proxies are the main suspects, officials said.

The Wall Street Journal has reported that the U.S. failed to stop the attack because the enemy drone approached its target at the same time as a U.S. drone returning to base and the two were confused.

Modern military aircraft, naval vessels and ground vehicles are fitted with technology known as Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) Transponders, which identify 'friendly' vehicles.

It's unclear whether the system in use at the Jordan base malfunctioned or if human error was involved.

The suicide drone was launched by from Iraq by a militia backed by Tehran, according to U.S. officials, and hit the base which sits close to the borders of both Iraq and Syria.

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.

Biden issued a statement on Sunday 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. 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 said.

'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.

Moffett's mother, Regina RaMo, said, 'This is one of the saddest days of my life. With a heavy heart I have to say that my Angel my first born has going on to be with GOD today'

All three soldiers were assigned to the 718th Engineer Company, a US Army Reserve unit based out of Fort Moore, Georgia

The suicide strike comes as conflict in the war-torn 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.

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.

In 2019, the nuclear-capable country acknowledged the involvement of the force in the Iraq and Syria conflicts, spurring the U.S. 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.

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.

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 U.S. on Yemen, targeting anti-ship ballistic missiles used by another rebel group backed by Iran, the Houthi.

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

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.

In response, the U.S. 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.

The Sunday attack shows the group's continued resolve to support Hamas, which Israel recently pledged to continue to try to eradicate.
A framework for a hostage release and pause in fighting in Gaza is to be put to Hamas, officials revealed tonight, but the Palestinian authorities have insisted a prisoner exchange will only take place once Israel agrees to a ceasefire.

Representatives from Israel, the US, Egypt and Qatar struck the potential deal following talks in Paris and it was expected to be proposed to Hamas today.

But the terror group tonight restated its position that it wants a 'complete and comprehensive ceasefire' in Gaza, not a temporary truce,' and that once the fighting stops 'the rest of the details can be discussed' including a hostage release.

It comes after Qatar's prime minister said he believed Hamas had 'moved' from its demand for a ceasefire as a condition of any deal, something that has been wholly rejected by Israel.

Fears are mounting for the more than 100 hostages who are still being held in Gaza - almost four months after they were kidnapped during Hamas' bloody incursion into Israel on October 7.

Families of Israeli hostages gather for a demonstration demanding an immediate deal as they block off a road near the Israeli Ministry of Defence in Tel Aviv on January 29, 2024

More than 100 hostages have been released so far, many of whom were sent back to Israel during a temporary truce in November, which was brokered by Qatar.

The captives, all of whom were either women, children or elderly people, were returned home in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.

A new deal would reportedly see the release of Hamas-held hostages in phases, along with pauses in fighting and deliveries of aid to Gaza.

Palestinian prisoners held by Israel are also expected to be freed. Qatari prime minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said the deal still needed to be relayed to Hamas but 'good progress' had been made.

He said he hoped Hamas would 'engage positively and constructively in the process'. US President Joe Biden called him for talks about the issues last week.

Search and rescue efforts continue at the area in Az Zawayda town of Deir Al Balah, Gaza after an Israeli airstrike on January 29, 2024

Israeli soldiers sit on an armored personnel carrier near the border with Gaza on January 29

An Israeli broadcaster, Channel 12, reported that the framework included a 45-day pause in fighting in exchange for the release of 35 hostages. Up to 250 Palestinians could also be released.

Israel Hayom, a Hebrew language newspaper, said Israeli envoys told negotiators their government would not agree to end the war.

The officials from Mossad and Shin Bet reportedly said Israel was willing to negotiate pauses in fighting, prisoner releases and deliveries of aid. The Israeli prime minister's office said some reports of the terms of the deal were not correct and would not be accepted.
A new partnership between Crowne Plaza Bahrain and Bahrain Down Syndrome Care Centre aims at focusing on providing employment opportunities to talented individuals with Down syndrome, promoting inclusivity and diversity within the workforce.

We are thrilled to collaborate with Crowne Plaza Bahrain in this groundbreaking initiative. This partnership is a testament to their unwavering dedication to promoting inclusivity. By providing employment opportunities, Crowne Plaza is setting a remarkable example that we hope will inspire other organisations to follow suit, said Ahmed AlAli, Executive Manager of the Society.

The Bahrain Down Syndrome Care Centre is a renowned institution dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals with Down syndrome through education, vocational training, and employment support.

Charbel Hanna, General Manager from Crowne Plaza Bahrain, said: "We are delighted to extend our warm welcome to our new colleague Abdulla from The Down Syndrome Care Centre.

We are proud to be the first property in this collaboration in the hospitality industry of providing employment opportunities from the society. Their presence not only add value to our team, but also enhances the overall guest experience. Together, we aim to create an inclusive work environment that serves as a shining example for the hospitality industry.  TradeArabia News Service
An urgent search has been launched to trace a missing teenager who was seen with a man at a railway station before boarding a train to Manchester Airport.

Lidia Lupo, 17, was last seen in person at around 4.40pm on Saturday on Church Street in Preston, Lancashire.

The teenager, who also has links to Oldham and Manchester, was then captured on CCTV cameras at Preston railway station the following day at around 2.30pm.

She was with an unknown man before later catching a train to Manchester Airport, Lancashire Constabulary said.

Lidia Lupo, who was last seen at around 4.40pm on Saturday

She was with an unknown man, before later catching a train to Manchester Airport

Lancashire Constabulary say officers are 'concerned' for her welfare and are urging anyone with information about her whereabouts, or who recognise the man seen in CCTV, to come forward. People have been told to call 999 if they see her.

Lidia is white, of a slim build, with dark eyes, dyed red hair and braces. She was last seen wearing a black jacket, white top, black leggings, and white Nike trainers. She speaks with a Romanian accent.

A police spokesperson added: 'If you know who this man is, or if this is you, please come forward and contact us as you may have information that can help us find Lidia.

'If you have any information, please contact us on 101 quoting log 0957 of January 27. For immediate sightings please call 999.'
Dozens of protesters calling for a cease fire in the Middle East interrupted Vice President Kamala Harris' event in San Jose on Monday as she attempted to talk about reproductive rights with actress Sophia Bush.

'We want a cease fire now,' the protesters shouted as some waved the flag of Palestine.

The vice president was greeted by dozen of protesters when she arrived at the Mexican Heritage Plaza. San Jose Police got into a scuffle with some outside the event, according to local reports.

'Biden, Harris, you can't hide, we charge you with genocide,' the protesters chanted.

Pro-Palestinian protesters disrupt a conversation with Vice President Kamala Harris and actress Sophie Bush

Vice President Kamala Harris, right with actress Sophia Bush on left, had barely started speaking when she was interrupted by protesters

Harris was interrupted at least three times at her event, from the moment she set down until the protesters were escorted out.

'We all want this conflict to end as soon as possible,' she said as protesters shouted.

She tried to talk as security escorted the protesters out. She began to speak again about reproductive rights and was interrupted - again.

'The topic for this discussion is what we need to do to fight back against laws that are criminalizing health care providers and making women suffer,' she said as protesters were removed.

The audience chanted 'four more years' to drown at protesters.

'There are a lot of big issues impacting our world right now,' said Harris. 'The topic for today, here, is the topic of what has happened in our country after the Dobbs decision, which took away the rights of people to make decisions for their own body. We should not be distracted from any important issue.'

The organizers of the protest said reproductive freedom is also an issue for the women of Gaza.

'The call for cease-fire, is a call for reproductive freedom,' Zahra Billoo, the Center for American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) San Francisco Bay Area Executive Director told a local news station.

The rally, organized by CAIR and joined by a number of other organizations, is protesting the Biden administration's support of Israel.

President Joe Biden and his officials have been plagued by protesters at their events who are pushing the administration to support a cease fire in Gaza.

Hamas invaded Israel on Oct. 7, killing some 1,200 Israelis and taking about 240 people hostage, resulting in Israel firing back on the Gaza strip.

The Biden administration has not pushed for a cease fire and has been strong in its support for Israel. But the war is becoming a political hot potato for Biden amid increasing calls of support for Palestine and as American troops in the Middle East become targets for Iranian-backed terrorist organizations.

A joint campaign event with the president, first lady Jill Biden, Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff was interrupted about 15 times with protesters.

The groups even followed the president to Nantucket for his Thanksgiving holiday and protested as he shopped with his family.

At Harris' event, the protesters tied their cry to her push for reproductive rights in America, which have been curtailed after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.

Help the 'women of Gaza,' one woman shouted at the vice president.

Vice President Kamala Harris was in California to talk about reproductive rights

The protesters called for a cease fire in Gaza and noted mothers there lack basic healthcare

Actress Sophia Bush was moderating Vice President Harris' talk on reproductive rights

The protesters spoke in support of Palestinian mothers lacking basic healthcare.

'Palestinian mothers are facing miscarriages, they don't have access to feminine hygiene products, they cannot access anesthesia, and now, the us is urging their starvation,' Billoo said.

Mothers in Gaza are struggling to find clean water and baby formula for their newborns. Food and clean water has become a critical issue there amid a humanitarian crisis.

Israel is blocking much aid from reaching the area, saying they are concerned the supplies will end up in the hands of Hamas.

The health ministry in Gaza says more than 26,000 Palestinians have been killed in the fighting, a majority being women and children.

Harris was marking the second stop on her nationwide 'Fight for Reproductive Freedoms' tour.

She was in California to highlight how her home state has worked to protect reproductive rights since the Supreme Court ruling in June 2022.
QUESTION What is the story of Peter Scott, the man who taught the Duke of Edinburgh to fly?

Peter Scott was a close friend of HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and introduced him to gliding, but he did not teach him to fly.

The Duke began flying training on November 12, 1952, at White Waltham Airfield near Maidenhead. His instructor was Flt Lt Caryl Ramsay Gordon. The Duke flew the De Havilland Chipmunk and later the North American Harvard.

He was awarded his 'wings' by Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir William Dickson at Buckingham Palace on May 4, 1953. Three years later, he obtained his helicopter wings and then gained his private pilot's licence in 1959. In 45 years as a qualified pilot, the Duke amassed nearly 6,000 hours in 59 different types of aircraft, including Concorde.

Sir Peter Markham Scott (1909-89) was a pioneering British ornithologist, conservationist, painter, naval officer, broadcaster and sportsman. The only child of Antarctic explorer Robert Falcon Scott, he had a passion for flight.

Prince Philip climbs into the cockpit while Peter Scott looks on in 1957

In World War II, he served in the Royal Navy and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for bravery. He was a co-founder and first chairman of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and was responsible for its famous panda logo.

He was one of the first people to recognise the power of TV in bringing the natural world into people's living rooms and presented the BBC's first natural history programme live from his home at Slimbridge in 1953. As a wildlife artist, he exhibited widely, including a number of works that were shown at the Royal Academy.

Scott was a yachting enthusiast from an early age. He was part of the UK team for the 1936 Summer Olympics and won a bronze in the sailing event. He took up gliding in 1956. After soloing in gliders, he quickly became involved in cross-country and competition flying.

He became a British champion in 1963. He was chairman of the British Gliding Association (BGA) for two years from 1968 and had been vice president of Bristol Gliding Club since 1957, the year he gained publicity for the club by arranging a visit by the Duke on May 15, with a flight in his Eagle glider, piloted by Peter Collier. The Duke subsequently became patron of the British Gliding Association.

Both Scott and the Prince were dedicated pilots, sportsmen and conservationists and both possessed a wicked sense of humour. The Prince would often stay with Scott to host WWT and WWF meetings. During these, Scott would scribble beautifully rendered wildlife sketches.

Mrs K. A. Adams, Wells, Somerset.

QUESTION In Jailhouse Rock, Elvis sings about a 'jelly roll'. What was this?

A jelly roll was an American equivalent of our Swiss roll, a dessert made of sponge cake spread with jam (or jam mixed with cream) and rolled up into a log.

However, when used in the world of traditional blues music, the term usually refers to an intimate part of the female body. About a hundred years ago, the notable jazz pianist Jelly Roll Morton adopted the name when working in a Louisiana brothel.

When Jerry Lee Lewis later sang 'I like coffee, I like tea, but jelly-jelly-jelly is the thing for me', it is unlikely he was referring to something with custard... Bessie Smith bragged that Nobody In Town Can Bake A Sweet Jelly Roll Like Mine.

The same thing has happened with many blues lyrics which British bands have sung innocently for years and years. Typically, most British bands have played the blues classic I'm A Hoochie Coochie Man, without realising that 'hoochie coochie' referred to the same part of the female anatomy... which accounts for the wildly enthusiastic female screams from the audience in Muddy Waters's famous live recording of it!

Ian Boughton, Dilham, Norfolk.

A jelly roll was an American equivalent of our Swiss roll (pictured), a dessert made of sponge cake spread with jam (or jam mixed with cream) and rolled up into a log

QUESTION What was the earliest known accusation of plagiarism?

Plagiarism, the act of taking another's work and passing it off as your own, has been with us since the dawn of the written language. Antiquity lacked copyright law, and no accused plagiarist ever faced legal charges, but they did risk social ostracisation. In ancient Greece, it was simply known as 'theft'.

TOMORROW'S QUESTIONS.... Q: Why were estate cars so-called? Why were they once referred to as shooting brakes? Q: What are the most patronising pop songs ever written/ Another Day in Paradise by Phil Collins springs to mind. Q: Do any of the Xanadu Houses, a series of early computerised houses built in the UK, still survive? Advertisement

Perhaps the earliest case was that of Empedocles of Akragas who was said to have been expelled from the Pythagorean Order in about 460 BC for 'stealing discourses'. The Athenian philosopher Aeschines Socraticus (425 BC-350 BC) was accused of having appropriated many dialogues of Socrates as his own.

The astronomer Heraclides Ponticus (390 BC to 310 BC), best remembered for proposing that the Earth rotates on its axis, from west to east, once every 24 hours, is said to have published various authors' plays and discourses under his own name.

The second-century Roman playwright Terence opens his play The Eunuch, first performed on the Palatine Hill in Rome in the year 161 BC, with a denial of accusations of plagiarism.

Pliny the Elder complained in his Natural History that while he faithfully cited his sources, others 'of a perverted mind and bad disposition' steal the works of others to pass off as their own.

The word plagiarism comes from plagiarius, the Latin for a kidnapper, and was coined by the Roman poet Martial (AD 40 to AD 104).

He had condemned another poet, Fidentinus, for passing off the poems as his own and, hence, had 'stolen the servants of his imagination'.

The word plagiarism is thought to have made it into the English language in 1601 when author and satirist Ben Jonson used the word 'plagiary' to describe literary theft. In 1755, the word 'plagiarism' was included in Samuel Johnson's dictionary defined as: 'A thief in literature; one who steals the thoughts or writings of another.'

Jon Wallace, Oxford.

Is there a question to which you want to know the answer? Or do you know the answer to a question here? Write to: Charles Legge, Answers To Correspondents, Daily Mail, 9 Derry Street, London W8 5HY; or email charles.legge@dailymail.co.uk. A selection is published, but we're unable to enter into individual correspondence.
The Princess of Wales has been reunited with her three children for the first time in two weeks after finally leaving hospital.

Kate, who is said by Kensington Palace to be doing well, left The London Clinic in Marylebone yesterday morning after being admitted for surgery on January 16.

King Charles was also discharged yesterday after surgery for an enlarged prostate, with the two royals leaving the central London hospital within hours of each other.

The King has been advised to avoid public engagements for up to a month, although he will be working through his red boxes of state papers almost immediately. Kate, 42, is unlikely to be seen in public until after Easter.

The Mail can reveal that Prince George, ten, Princess Charlotte, eight, and five-year-old Prince Louis were not taken to visit their mother in hospital after she recovered from what has been described as abdominal surgery.

Kate is expected to have reunited with her children this afternoon after they returned from school. Pictured: The family arrive to attend the Christmas day service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham

Two police officers stand guard outside The London Clinic in Marylebone this morning

Royal aides at Kensington Palace said the Princess of Wales was 'making good progress'

Flowers left for Kate by a wellwishers are seen being taken back to Windsor by a royal aide

Kate's children did not visit her while she was recovering from surgery, and would only have seen her this afternoon after school. Pictured: Together in April 2023

William, Kate, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis at the Together At Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey in early December

As her children would have been in school when she arrived back at her Windsor home, it is likely they would only have seen her for the first time when they returned to Adelaide Cottage later in the afternoon from Lambrook School, a ten-minute drive away.

It will almost certainly be the longest period the Princess has been away from them.

William and Kate have both prioritised their children over everything, arranging engagements so at least one is able to do the school run where possible.

They have also ensured that foreign tours are shorter to allow them to be home at weekends, the only exception being their 2022 trip to the Caribbean.

It is understood that Prince William, who had cleared his diary to be by his wifes side throughout, was at the hospital when she was discharged and is likely to have driven her home.

In a statement yesterday, a Kensington Palace spokesman said: The Princess of Wales has returned home to Windsor to continue her recovery from surgery. She is making good progress.

The Prince and Princess wish to say a huge thank you to the entire team at The London Clinic, especially the dedicated nursing staff, for the care they have provided.

The Wales family continues to be grateful for the well wishes they have received.

It is thought the princess left through a private exit at around 11am in a car with her husband.

Prince William leaves the London Clinic in Marylebone after visiting his wife Kate on January 18

Prince William wants to spend time by his wife's side as she convalesces. They are seen at Bisham Abbey on Mental Health Day in October

King Charles walks out of The London Clinic today following a three night stay in hospital after prostate surgery

A beaming Charles waves as he is driven away. The King was twice visited by Queen Camilla yesterday, the third and fourth times she has been to see him at the private hospital since they arrived

Kensington Palace staff were seen leaving half an hour later, one with an arrangement of white orchids in their car.

Kate will now recuperate at home and her return to official duties will depend on medical advice closer to the time.

It has been suggested she might not be able to undertake public duties until after Easter, meaning all planned engagements  including two foreign trips  have been cancelled, although aides hope they can be rearranged.

It is understood William plans to restart public engagements once his wife is settled and recuperating at home, with further details to be announced.

He has had help from the couples nanny, Maria Turrion Borrallo, and his in-laws, Michael and Carole Middleton, who will continue to lend a hand.

Kensington Palace said they will not discuss the princess condition any further and that it is her wish for her personal medical information to remain private.

King Charles, however, made a very public exit from hospital yesterday with his wife, Queen Camilla, who has visited him daily and spent hours at his bedside.

The 75-year-old monarch scotched claims there had been fears for his health, smiling broadly and waving to the public and media as he left at 3pm. His condition is benign.

The 75-year-old monarch left the hospital with Queen Camilla by his side

The Prince of Wales, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis and the Princess of Wales during the Royal Carols - Together At Christmas service at Westminster Abbey in December

King Charles and Kate (seen together at the Royal Albert Hall) have a warm relationship, and he visited her on Friday morning before his operation

He went to his car without a sign of discomfort, even winding down the window to smile and wave again.

The King has been praised for his openness about his diagnosis in the hope it will encourage other men to come forward and seek help. One in three men his age experiences prostate problems.

NHS England said the enlarged prostate page on its website received one visit every five seconds on the day the Kings diagnosis was announced, with further boosts in the following days.

Camilla had previously said her husband is 'fine' and looking forward to getting back to work.

Buckingham Palace said yesterday: The King has rescheduled forthcoming public engagements to allow for a period of private recuperation.

He would like to thank the medical team and all those involved in supporting his hospital visit, and is grateful for all the kind messages he has received in recent days.

Kate went into The London Clinic 14 days ago on Tuesday, January 16 - with royal sources saying she was 'making good progress' and would now continue her recovery from home.

Charles visited Kate last Friday morning before his operation and has also been visited by his wife Queen Camilla four times at the hospital in in Marylebone.

King Charles was driven to Clarence House on Thursday after arriving from Norfolk by helicopter

Queen Camilla (centre) was also seen with Charles at the Marylebone Clinic

The 75-year-old monarch was admitted last Friday morning at about 9am as he underwent a corrective procedure for the benign condition.

The road had been cleared but a large crowd of children and onlookers had gathered to watch as they got into a waiting car.

There was a strong presence of uniformed police officers who stood guard as the royal couple were driven away.

The King was twice visited by Queen Camilla yesterday, the third and fourth times she has been to see him at the private hospital since they arrived.

The King arrived in London from Norfolk last Thursday, ready for the procedure after squeezing in a couple of behind-the-scenes official duties.

He 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.

News of his diagnosis came on the same day that Kensington Palace announced the princess was in hospital.

Kate's long road to recovery: How Princess of Wales plans to 'work from bed' at Windsor and won't be doing the school run as she recovers from abdominal surgery - with royal duties ruled out until Easter

The Princess of Wales is out of hospital after abdominal surgery, but experts say her road to recovery at home has only just begun.

Kate, 42, left The London Clinic after 14 days, and is now back home at Adelaide Cottage in Windsor Great Park, surrounded by her husband and three doting children.

While Palace insiders have said she is keen to return to work 'as soon as possible', it won't be back to normal yet for the Princess, with her and Prince William's current focus '100 per cent family first, day job second'.

The royal will not carry out official engagements until after Easter and could undertake any necessary work from her bed, with her return to public duties depending on medical advice closer to the time, MailOnline understands.

Her husband Prince William will take on additional parenting responsibilities and has cleared his diary of official duties as she recovers, only returning to public engagements once she is settled.

The Princess of Wales is out of hospital after abdominal surgery, but experts say her road to recovery at home has only just begun. Kate is pictured in May last year

As news that Kate had been discharged emerged, a Kensington Palace spokesman said: 'The Princess of Wales has returned home to Windsor to continue her recovery from surgery. She is making good progress.

'The Prince and Princess wish to say a huge thank you to the entire team at The London Clinic, especially the dedicated nursing staff, for the care they have provided.

'The Wales family continues to be grateful for the well wishes they have received from around the world.'

There were previously concerns that the length of Kate's stint in the exclusive London Clinic suggested the procedure was 'serious'.

The exact details of the princess's condition have not been revealed but the Palace said previously it was not cancer-related and that Kate wished her personal medical information to remain private.

While bed rest is advisable for anyone recovering from invasive surgery, doctors also highlight the importance of sitting up to avoid muscle wastage and gradually trying to get back to an active lifestyle, in accordance with your condition.

But she is likely to be avoiding any strenuous activities for the time being, with William understood to be covering both dropping-off and picking-up their three children from school.

The heir to the throne is said to be a 'hands-on' father and is regularly seen the school gates at Lambrook School in Berkshire, with insiders saying he 'won't be fazed' about parenting Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis as his wife recovers.

Police stand outside The London Clinic today where Kate Middleton has been treated

Kate's parents Carole and Michael Middleton and siblings Pippa Matthews and James Middleton are also expected to help the Waleses navigate the next few months as the princess recovers.

The family live in Adelaide Cottage in Windsor's Home Park and are being supported by their staff, including loyal, long-standing nanny Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo.

NHS advice about recovering from abdominal surgery says that, after a major operation with a large incision, it takes two to three months to be able to move around comfortably.

But this will be quicker if the procedure was keyhole surgery.

Patients who have major abdominal surgery are urged to avoid lifting anything heavier than the weight of a full kettle - around 4.4lb-6.6lb (2kg-3kg).

It can also take two years for the strength of the abdominal wall to return to its previous condition.

Sitting and standing exercises are recommended to build strength, with an aim of walking gradually each day, increasing distance to reach 30 minutes daily within two to three months.

Downing Street welcomed Kate's discharge from hospital, with the Prime Minister official spokesman telling reporters at a Westminster briefing as the news broke: 'That would be welcome news both to the royal family and I'm sure to the public more widely.'

Among the engagements the princess will miss over the coming weeks are the Baftas in February, the annual Commonwealth Day service in Westminster Abbey, and the St David's Day Parade at the start of March, as well as the St Patrick's Day parade with the military later the same month.

Aides insist the princess will be out of sight over the next few months but is likely to be working behind the scenes on her early years projects.

She recently launched a campaign to raise awareness around the importance of the first five years' of a child's life, dubbed Shaping Us.

'Her passion for the early years is clear, there will be a huge continuation of that campaign and she will be keen to be out continuing that conversation with the nation as soon as possible,' an aide told The Times.

Engagements with the Princess of Wales' 30 charities and patronages are being cancelled, rescheduled or postponed while she recuperates.

Official overseas tours for William and Kate, including a scheduled trip to Italy in March, are also off the table for the time being.

As she recovers, Kate is expected to have 'lots of care and support at home,' a source close to the royal household told PEOPLE.

They added that the Princess is 'a fit young woman' and that they are 'sure she will bounce back.'

Additional reporting: Elena Salvoni
A judge has denied Alex Murdaugh's request for a retrial, ruling the jury was not influenced by the court clerk's comments about him.

'I do not believe the authority of our South Carolina Supreme Court requires a new trial on the strength of some fleeting and foolish comments,' said Judge Jean Toal.

'This is a matter within the discretion of the trial judge. I do not feel that I abuse my discretion when I find the defendant's motion for a new trial, must be denied.

'It is so ordered. I will file a full order which denies this motion.'

Murdaugh, 55, was convicted in March 2023 of murdering his wife Maggie and son Paul in June 2021.

Prosecutors based their case on damning cell phone evidence that showed him at the crime scene near the time of the murders. The pair were both shot dead at the family's hunting lodge.

He has maintained his innocence throughout and claims the 12-person jury pool was tainted from the beginning, influenced by a swarm of media attention and by the actions of Becky Hill - who went on to write a book about the case.

Alex Murdaugh, center, talks with his defense attorney Jim Griffin, left, during a jury-tampering hearing at the Richland County Judicial Center on Monday

Jurors said court clerk Becky Hill influenced their decision. The judge today said Hill was attracted by the 'siren call of celebrity' to write a book

They asked for a retrial based on jurors' remarks that court clerk Becky Hill made improper comments to them that they said sounded as if she was trying to influence them by telling them to 'watch' Murdaugh 'closely'.

One of the 12 jurors said that Hill's conduct did influence her.

'To me, it felt like she made it seem like he was already guilty,' the juror testified on Monday.

Asked whether this influenced her vote to find him guilty, she said: 'Yes ma'am.'

In later questioning, the juror told the judge that her August affidavit was accurate, in that she felt her fellow jurors, rather than Hill, convinced her to convict Murdaugh.

'I had questions about Mr Murdaugh's guilt but voted guilty because I felt pressured by other jurors,' she said.

Judge Jean Toal said Hill was attracted by the 'siren call of celebrity' because she wanted to write a book about the trial.

While the judge undermined her credibility, she praised the jury for reaching a verdict in the high profile trial last year.

Murdaugh's lawyers, speaking outside court, said that the judge found Hill was 'not credible', and that will assist their case at the court of appeals.

Jim Griffin said that they had 'indications from lawyers representing jurors' that they needed to talk to Hill, and 'she told us things that were jaw-dropping.'

Griffin continued: 'We were denigrated, made fun of, in our filing for pointing out that she had a profit motive for this. And the judge agreed with us.

'This is not the final step. If we had won today, the state would be appealing. It's all going to go to the state Supreme Court.'

Dick Harpootlian, another of Murdaugh's lawyers, added: 'We all agree that Becky Hill tried to influence these jurors. The judge said the law is unsettled. So we will go to the state Supreme Court.'

Hartpootlian added: 'This issue is not harmless error. It can't be.'

He insisted Murdaugh did not kill his wife and son, and said they intend to find 'who really did it'.

Asked how Murdaugh reacted to the decision, Hartpootlian replied: 'Fine.'

Eric Bland, a lawyer representing five of the 11 jurors, said they were 'pleased' at the result.

'The decision was their own conscious. It was not influenced by anything anyone said or done,' said Bland.

'Yes, there was one juror. That is her conscience. But like the state said, we can't have verdicts that go in perpetuity: that was my verdict then, and this is it now.

'The verdict was the product of free negotiations in the jury room. She did not feel that this verdict was the result of anything Becky Hill said or did.

'We cannot continue to have trials that go over and over again.'

Bland said he had 'a big problem with some things Becky said.'

He said 'Becky may have to answer for some of the things.'

Hill wrote a book about the case, 'Behind the Doors of Justice', but made just $100,000 from it, she told the court on Monday.

Harpootlian asked Hill about her television appearances following Murdaugh's guilty verdict, and about the book.

She admitted that she spoke to people about the possibility of publishing a book before the murder trial ended last year.

She also admitted the book has now been taken off shelves after she plagiarized parts of it.

On the stand, Hill denied trying to influence the jury in any way, and denied a juror's claim that she had warned the jury to 'watch Murdaugh closely' before his testimony.

Court Clerk Becky Hill is seen on the stand in Monday's hearing to determine whether Alex Murdaugh will get a new trial for the murders of his wife and son

Convicted killer Alex Murdaugh was back in court as he tries to get a new murder trial

'I did tell the jury to pay attention just generally,' Hill added.

Hill admitted she sent an email saying she believed the jury would not take long to come up with a verdict

Hill published a book, Behind the Doors of Justice: The Murdaugh Murders, on the trial in July

'It's a gut feeling, that's all I meant by that,' Hill told the court when asked why she said the jury would not take long to deliver on Murdaugh's fate.

The court clerk also admitted telling a court reporter she told Murdaugh was guilty, but added: 'none of us were jurors.'

A somber-looking Murdaugh entered the packed court room on Monday in handcuffs and shackles before he joined his defense team.

As Judge Toal welcomed the jury that convicted Murdaugh back to the court, she clarified they are not accused of any misconduct and apologized for the 'terrible inconvenience.'

'You have done absolutely nothing wrong - none of you. You didn't ask to serve but you served and did your duty,' he said.

Jury tampering is the basis for Murdaugh's appeal, but Judge Toal's rulings after a pretrial hearing this month have set a difficult standard for his lawyers to prove.

One juror - Juror X - already took the stand in Murdaugh's appeal on Friday, and denied that Hill affected their verdict in any way.

Toal ruled the defense must prove that potential misconduct - including alleged comments by Hill warning jurors not to trust Murdaugh when he testifies - directly led jurors to change their minds to guilty.

Judge Jean Toal is seen in court on Monday

Colleton County Clerk of Court Becky Hill, pictured with Judge Newman, is being accused by Murdaugh's defense team of influencing the jury as they move for a retrial

Judge Jean Toal ruled that only the 12 jurors who convicted Murdaugh of his wife and son's murders can testify as the disgraced lawyer seeks a new trial

Murdaugh has remained adamant that he did not kill his son Paul with a shotgun and his wife Maggie (both circled) with a rifle



Murdaugh's six-week murder trial, which concluded in March, became a sensation with its mix of privilege, brutality and power. The judges, lawyers and Hill herself all became minor celebrities.

The defense made a number of allegations after the guilty verdict, including that Hill told jurors their deliberations shouldn't take long, thereby implying Murdaugh was guilty.

Murdaugh's attorneys have also said Hill had conversations in a private bathroom with the jury forewoman and handed jurors business cards of media members who wanted interviews before deliberations.

Hill and three jurors did end up in New York City after the trial for a NBC interview. Hill wrote in her self-published book it was her first plane trip.

The defense has argued if they prove the jury was tampered with, it shouldn't matter whether a juror openly said their verdict changed, because the influence can be subtle and still keep Murdaugh from getting a fair trial.
Even today, 100 years after it was first revealed, crowds of all ages still come to be enthralled by our smallest royal residence.

Displayed inside Windsor Castle, Queen Mary's Dolls' House is not only the world's largest and best-known miniature palace. It is also a mesmerising snapshot of early 20th-century royal life, right down to the tiny, fully-functioning gramophone in the nursery, the racks of real wine in the cellars and the working lift.

Designed by the great architect Edwin Lutyens on a rigorously imposed scale of 1:12 (1 in for what would, in reality, be 1 ft), this was to be a showcase of great British creativity. More than 1,500 leading craftsmen and women would donate their expertise and their handiwork.

Yet its greatest feature of all was its library. The leading writers, poets and artists of the day were invited to pen miniature works. They jumped at the chance, producing hundreds of tiny books, paintings and drawings. These included a new Sherlock Holmes story by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, poems by Thomas Hardy and an autobiography by Sir J.M. Barrie, author of the Peter Pan novels.

Now, to celebrate the library's centenary, Queen Camilla has commissioned the first ever additions, so that future generations will have an inkling of 21st-century writing, too. All the new writers given this honour have been subjected to the same constraints, limiting their handwritten words and illustrations to pages not much larger than a postage stamp. Each book has then been bound in leather by leading designer bookbinders, including those working in the Royal Bindery at Windsor, and will now become part of the Royal Collection.

Robert Hardman received an email from the Royal Librarian to ask if he would be interested in writing a new book for Queen Mary's Dolls' House

Housed inside Windsor Castle , Queen Mary's Dolls' House is not only the world's largest and best-known miniature palace. It is also a mesmerising snapshot of early 20th-century royal life

For the authors (I am one of them), it has been a daunting but immensely enjoyable challenge. Just like those writers a century ago, we have had a free rein in deciding our small contribution to posterity  but with the emphasis on small.

It was a year ago that I received an email from the Royal Librarian to ask if I would be interested in writing a new book for the dolls' house. This was a new initiative by the Royal Collection Trust, championed by Her Majesty the Queen as part of her long quest to improve and celebrate literacy in all its forms, especially among young people.

Since taking on the patronage of the National Literacy Trust in 2010, followed by BookTrust, Book Aid International, The Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competition, The Queen's Reading Room and much else, she has been a champion for scribblers everywhere.

As with the original library, the idea has been to draw together a cross-section of writing, among them some of the leading novelists, playwrights and poets of today. The list of 20 contributors includes poets Simon Armitage and Sir Ben Okri, playwrights Sir Tom Stoppard and Alan Bennett, novelists Philippa Gregory and Sebastian Faulks, and biographer A.N. Wilson. Literature for children and young people is represented by Anthony Horowitz, Malorie Blackman, Dame Jacqueline Wilson, Julia Donaldson and Charlie Mackesy. Flying the flag for the world of food-writing is the Queen's son, Tom Parker Bowles, the Mail on Sunday columnist, restaurant critic and broadcaster. And on the journalistic front, the honour has fallen... well, to me.

We were all invited to pay a visit to Windsor to see the dolls' house library. I was bowled over by the depth of detail and sheer genius of the whole thing  particularly the library, which runs the full depth of the house. Here was A.A. Milne's contribution, introducing a boy called Christopher Robin to the world: 'Hush! Hush! Whisper who dares. Christopher Robin is saying his prayers...'

Here were poems by Aldous Huxley, doodles by G.K. Chesterton and an essay by Joseph Conrad. To say that I felt humbled is an understatement. Having now discovered the identities of my contemporary contributors, I don't feel much different.

But what to write? If there has been one contemporary event which seemed essential to capture for a library at Windsor Castle, it was the first crowning of a monarch in 70 years. My one concern was the illustrations. This is, after all, a library for all ages. And I cannot draw to save my life. Fortunately, my daughter Phoebe, 14, who has inherited genuine artistic flair, willingly agreed to be illustrator.

The library room in Queen Mary's Doll House. Leading writers, poets and artists of the day were invited to pen miniature works for the tiny room

Robert Hardman's tiny book he wrote for the library. He joins writers such as Thomas Hardy who have contributed books to the library

The throne in Queen Mary's Dolls' House. More than 1,500 leading craftsmen and women would donate their expertise and their handiwork to build the doll house

The saloon in Queen Mary's Dolls' House. The doll house was designed by the great architect Edwin Lutyens

The entrance hall of the doll house. Crowds of all ages still come to be enthralled by our smallest royal residence

An envelope soon arrived in the post containing small sheets of high-quality paper. We also received a stencil for mapping out (lightly and in pencil) the precise space within which to write on each page (3.3cm by 2.75cm).

After a lot of trial and error on rough bits of paper, I worked out a word count for each page, a page count for each chapter and where Phoebe's illustrations would fit. 'The Coronation of King Charles III And Queen Camilla' would incorporate 1,200 words, spanning 96 pages, all written out first in pencil to ensure that everything fitted into the allotted space.

I frequently had to give my eyes a break. No wonder Thomas Hardy, in his 80s by the time he was asked to contribute, gave up trying to do his own writing and asked the calligrapher to inscribe his words.

The pictures were even more demanding. From Westminster Abbey through to the final balcony appearance by the King and Queen, Phoebe sketched everything in the finest pencil before painstakingly colouring each scene.

We now have a photograph of our finished book, beautifully bound in purple, black, red and gold by Ted Bennett, a designer bookbinder, but have yet to see it in person. That will happen today when the Queen hosts a reception and a viewing for all the authors, illustrators and bookbinders at the castle. All the books will go on display in an exhibition that runs all year.

It is accompanied by a fascinating new book by Elizabeth Clark Ashby, which tells the story of the dolls' house and, in particular, of the library. Having read it, I am even more pleased to have played a tiny part in this colossal endeavour. Queen Mary was famous for her love of miniature objets d'art but it was her friend and cousin, Princess Marie Louise of Schleswig-Holstein who was the driving force behind the dolls' house. She persuaded Lutyens to design it.

The centrepiece would be the great library. Princess Marie Louise badgered 'every author of note' to take part and the result was no less than 176 new manuscripts.

There would be a further 132 printed publications, from miniature newspapers and railway timetables, plus 24 music scores and even two 1:12-scale stamp albums with miniature stamps, a homage to George V's love of stamp-collecting.

Created in the aftermath of the Great War, there are minuscule anthologies of war poems, while the 774 miniature drawings and watercolours for the library cabinets include sketches of the trenches and of a ruined Ypres.

When the dolls' house was unveiled at the British Empire Exhibition at Wembley in 1924, it was the star of the show. It was the same the following year at the Ideal Home Exhibition. And the house has been raising funds for charity ever since.

As Queen Camilla quotes in her foreword to the book: 'How many London residences have a library consisting of 200 books written in their authors' own hands? I doubt even if you could find the counterpart of these in the real Buckingham Palace.'

The little book which Phoebe and I have produced will never be a bestseller because it is a limited edition  of one.

I will never have my own copy but I can honestly say that I am as proud of this thumb-sized offering as anything I have ever written.

The Miniature Library Of Queen Mary's Dolls' House by Elizabeth Clark Ashby (Royal Collection Trust, 16.95).
A heroic vet has revealed the 'strange coincidence' that enabled her to save the life of young woman mauled by a shark in Sydney Harbour.

Fiona Crago and her wife Georgia, who live in an apartment overlooking a private wharf in Elizabeth Bay, rushed out of their apartment around 7.30pm on Monday after hearing repeated screams of 'shark attack!'.

Quick-thinking Ms Crago, a former lawyer and TV producer who retrained as a vet around a decade ago, had grabbed two compression bandages her wife had only just bought that day for another purpose.

The couple discovered a scene of horror as their neighbour Lauren O'Neill, 29, lay on the private jetty suffering major blood loss after a bull shark bit her right leg.

'She was severely mauled on her right leg and she was losing a lot of blood,' Ms Crago told Channel 10.

'Neighbours had already started to render first aid to her. We had quite a few people that were so helpful.

'People were throwing down towels and blankets to keep her warm but I just focused on what I had to do, which was to stem the blood flow and bandage the leg as best I can with what I had and just stabilise it. And then put a tourniquet on.'

Ms Crago, whose actions may well have saved the victim's life, said that she normally carried bandages due to her line of work but in recent days did not have the usual amount to hand as she had swapped cars.

Hero vet Fiona Crago (pictured above) applied a tourniquet to the leg of Lauren O'Neill (below), 29, on Monday evening before emergency services arrived on the scene

'But as a strange coincidence, my wife had actually gone up the road and bought two new compression bandages yesterday for another purpose, so I knew exactly where they were and just grabbed them, so it was quite lucky,' she said.

Her wife Georgia, who was interviewed on Monday night in the aftermath of the attack, said the victim had suffered a broken bone.

'If she got bitten (further) out there, she wouldn't have survived,' Georgia said.

A friend of the couple said Ms O'Neill owes them her life.

'Fiona knew what she was doing tonight if it wasnt for her and her wife Georgia the poor victim would have died,' the friend told Daily Mail Australia.

'Im so so proud of them, their deserve an award. That girl got lucky tonight having them home.'

But Ms Crago refused to accept plaudits.

I'm in no way heroic, I just did my job and I just did what I was trained to do,' she said.

Emergency services rushed to Elizabeth Bay at 7.45pm on Monday to find Ms O'Neill with a severe bite to her leg and suffering 'major blood loss'. A blood-stained boardwalk is pictured at the scene

One resident said there was 'blood everywhere' (pictured: Ms O'Neill on the wharf)

Ms O'Neill was taken by ambulance to St Vincent's hospital where she remains in a stable condition. She is expected to have surgery today.

Elizabeth Bay resident Michael Porter, who rang triple zero, also praised Ms Crago.

'She was an absolute hero... and I think she saved her life,' he told the Today Show.

'She had wraps and tourniquets and just got straight into emergency mode, and we were all just sort of there together as a team.'

Mr Porter said Ms O'Neill was swimming outside a 'netted harbour pool,' and was 'swimming around the boats'.

'Her leg was sort of trailing behind her, and the water behind her was all red with blood.

He added despite being in a 'complete state of shock' from the trauma of the attack, Ms O'Neill was 'very lucid'.

'People were holding her hand and helping her and she was extremely brave the whole time,' he said.

Ms Crago, her wife Georgia (both pictured) and their neighbours rendered first aid to Ms O'Neill until emergency services arrived

One local resident is seen swimming near the jetty where Ms O'Neill was attacked

'She had serious bleeding. Her injuries are severe,' a NSW Ambulance spokesman told Daily Mail Australia on Monday night.

Ms O'Neill studied science at the University of Sydney and works for the NSW government in the Department of Climate Change.

She has volunteered for a range of charities and organisations from 2012, when she was 15.

According to her LinkedIn profile, Ms O'Neill has given her time to the SES, the Fred Hollows Foundation, Pink Ribbon Day, Daffodil Day, and Spinal Cord Injury Australia.

She has served meals for the homeless, helped create a map of wheelchair-accessible public toilets, and walked foster dogs.
Police are probing the London Victoria bus crash which left a 56-year-old woman dead - three years after another pedestrian was killed outside the station.

Land and air ambulance crews battled to save the pedestrian, but she died at the scene at around 9am. Her family have been informed of her death.

A 46-year-old woman who was driving the bus was taken to hospital before being discharged.

Photos of a number 13 double-decker bus that had crashed into a passenger shelter at Terminus Place were shared on social media this morning.

The incident comes after a bus driver caused the death of Melissa Burr at the same station in 2021, when he accidentally pressed the accelerator rather than the brake pedal.

Police and emergency service crews surround a bus that crashed into a pedestrian outside London Victoria Bus Station

Police close off the area after a person was killed when a bus crashed into a bus stop outside Victoria Station in London

The bus (pictured) crashed into the pedestrian outside Victoria Bus Station this morning

Multiple police cars and fire engines could be seen at the site shortly after 9.15am this morning outside London Victoria station

Commuters gather at the scene of the crash after hearing the bus station is closed for the foreseeable future

Police build a makeshift cordon around the scene as London's mayor Sadiq Khan confirmed that the station had been closed 'for the foreseeable future'

Melissa Burr, 32, from Rainham in Kent, was killed outside Victoria Railway Station in August 2021

London

Passengers have warned about the unsafe layout of Victoria Bus Station after a woman died having been hit by a bus at the centralsite this morning.

Frequent users of the bus station have criticised its design and layout, believing it makes the area unsafe.

A 60-year-old commuter told MailOnline: 'I don't like the layout of Victoria. It is extremely confusing. It is really unsafe because there is just too much crossing traffic. It is the same at Kings Cross to a lesser degree.'

Multiple Metropolitan police units were in attendance along with officers from British Transport Police and the London Ambulance Service.

Despite their best efforts, the female was pronounced dead at 9.26am, while the bus driver was also taken to hospital.

The station was cordoned off with large piece of black tarpaulin and specialist police traffic investigators were on the scene to examine the circumstances of the collision.

A London Ambulance spokesperson said: 'We sent some resources, including two ambulance crews and a medic in a fast-response car. We also dispatched London's Air Ambulance. We treated three people at the scene.

'A person was taken to hospital and another patient was assessed and discharged.

'Unfortunately, despite our teams' best efforts, a person was pronounced dead at the scene.'

London's mayor Sadiq Khan called today's crash an 'awful tragedy'.

He said: 'I've been told about the tragic news that a pedestrian has lost their life as a consequence of an accident.

'My thoughts are with the bereaved family, it's really important that we allow them to be informed first about this tragedy. There is a full investigation under way.

'I'm sure I speak for all of us when I say our thoughts and prayers are with this person's family.'

Fire crews begin to clear away the broken glass after a double-decker bus smashed into a passenger shelter

The front of the Victoria Station has been cordoned off and specialist police traffic investigators are on the scene

The bus station is closed while the collision is investigated but the railway station is not affected

Three years prior to today's tragic event, Melissa Burr, from Rainham in Kent, was killed outside Victoria Railway Station.

Olusofa Popoola, 61, killed the 32-year-old commuter outside the London railway station when pressing his vehicle's accelerator instead of the brake.

Mr Popoola had accidentally accelerated into the back of a stationary bus, shunting it forward into Ms Burr who died from multiple injuries.

Mr Popoola continued to accelerate for six seconds after he collided with the bus in front. He said he had mistakenly pressed the accelerator instead of the brake.

Married father-of-four Popoola, from Peckham in south-east London, admitted causing Ms Burr's death by careless driving.

He told jurors he pressed the accelerator by mistake.

After a retrial, he was cleared of the more serious charge of causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury to the other driver.

Today, another passerby says he has used the bus station many times, and would not be put off by the two tragic deaths.

The 28-year-old added: 'I still feel safe here. It happens. It is absolutely horrible, but accidents do happen all the time.

'Bus drivers are humans too and they make mistakes. Sometimes terrible things happen.'

Operator RATP Dev Transit London confirmed it is investigating the death.

A spokesman said: 'Emergency services are in attendance and our teams will be working closely with the relevant authorities to determine the circumstances of the incident.

'Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the pedestrian who has sadly passed away.'

The Metropolitan Police are urging any potential witnesses to contact the force by calling 0208 543 5157 quoting CAD 1417/29Jan.
A young woman whose online post made her new relationship 'Instagram official' was killed hours later by her deranged stalker.

Celeste Manno was stabbed 23 times to death in her own bed by Luay Nader Sako on November 16, 2020 after he became enraged upon seeing her hand-in-hand with her new boyfriend Chris Ridsdale.

She was just a few days short of her 24th birthday.

Sako, 39, of Roxburgh Park, appeared in the Supreme Court of Victoria on Monday where he is representing himself in a pre-sentence hearing.

He pleaded guilty to her murder in April after trying to contest the charges for years.

Celeste Manno went 'Insta public' with her relationship with Chris Ridsdale (pictured) with this post. Hours later, she was killed by Luay Sako

Luay Sako is led into court in July last year

The court heard Sako had bombarded Ms Manno with endless messages professing his love for her in the year before he ended her life.

Sako had worked with her briefly at Serco's call centre in South Morang - she was a team leader - before he was sacked.

Ms Manno had shown kindness to Sako on his final day, walking him to his car and wishing him well before he unexpectedly kissed her on the cheek.

Sako murdered Ms Manno inside her family home in Mernda, in Melbourne's northeast, at 4.10am.

He smashed his way into her bedroom with a hammer and attacked her in her bed.

The whole ugly incident took just two-and-a-half minutes, with Sako then driving directly to a local police station to admit what he had done.

CCTV footage captured from cameras across the road showed the moment Sako fled the Manno property after committing his heinous crime.

Sako had already been charged for stalking and harassing Ms Manno and had been subject to a intervention order supposedly protecting his victim at the time of her murder.

Both Ms Manno and her mother had pleaded with Sako for him to leave her alone in the months and weeks before he struck.

The court heard Sako peppered her with creepy, lewd and menacing messages via Instagram through various accounts, concluding with a three-and-a-half-page rant in which he demanded she withdraw her police complaints against him.

Sako's deranged messages to Celeste Manno

'I'm sorry but I can't stop thinking about you. I have never felt like this about anybody in my entire life, it's bordering along a OCD. I'm totally infatuated with you, captivated and fascinated by you. You're all I think about,' he wrote.

'After leaving you my productivity and my personal life in my new job has been impacted. This obsession with you, which is a crush, is an addictive and destructive feeling that is interfering with my ability to concentrate, deal with others and go about my daily routine.'

Sako begged Ms Manno 'put an end to his suffering' by being direct with him in her feelings towards him.

His terrified victim politely responded to Sako in the hope he would leave her alone.

'Hi Luay, those are really sweet words and I appreciate you saying all of that to me. I'm a bit surprised to read this all as it is new to me.

'As much as I appreciate this, I only feel in a professional way towards you and I wish you all of the best in your new job and journey.'

But her gentle tone only seemed to make things worse, with Sako pledging to give his life just to be with her.

'I'm so infatuated with you that it's now become unhealthy. I know my words don't help me ... I'm sorry for coming on strong Celeste. I'm just another rival for your affection,' Sako wrote.

When Ms Manno pleaded with Sako to stop messaging her, Sako became enraged.

'I'm truly sorry for making you feel uncomfortable. I really just wanted to speak with you and I honestly thought you were ignoring me,' Sako responded.

'My impression of you has changed. You're no different to the majority of women. I'll remember you and this lesson for all life and I will devote every ounce of energy I have to climbing up and proving to the world that I'm somebody.

'That is my promise to you and my final contact with you.'

Celeste Manno had been in the prime of life when she was stabbed to death in her own bed

Sako bombarded Celeste with messages

Celeste tried to be polite to her stalker

As the messages continued, Ms Manno contacted Sako directly telling him they were going to the police to report his harassment.

While Sako stopped briefly, the respite was short lived, with Victoria's Covid-19 lockdowns seemingly fueling his obsession, the court heard.

Sako was later seen lurking around Ms Manno's vehicle outside her workplace, with a court issuing an interim intervention order against Sako on July 3 that year, the court heard.

The soon-to-be killer refused to accept the order, listing the matter for a contested hearing in March the following year.

Detectives arrested Sako in August, charging him with breaches of the order before releasing him back into the community.

With Sako back on the loose, Ms Manno confided in her boss that she believed her days were numbered.

'He's really going to kill me,' Celeste confided in her colleague.

Hours after going public with her secret relationship to Mr Ridsdale she would be dead.

The court heard Sako stabbed Celeste to death in a wild frenzy, with defensive wounds found on her arms and hands as she fought for her life.

When he was done he told cops where they could find Celeste's body.

'She's dead. Go have a look,' he said. 'You know what happened. It's your fault.'

The mother of Celeste Manno, Aggie Di Mauro (centre) along with family and friends, are seen leaving the Supreme Court of Victoria in Melbourne on Monday

Sako, 37, attended a local police station hours after Celeste's death and was taken to hospital under police guard, and was charged with murder

The home where Celeste Manno was murdered in her bed

In a further cruel blow to the friends and family, Sako contested the number of times he stabbed his victim.

The move required a forensic expert to give graphic evidence in court of the way Ms Manno was killed.

Celeste's family has been forced to endure watching Sako cross examine the expert on the various stab wounds he inflicted on their loved one.

Dressed in grey prison garb and wearing dark-rimmed glasses, the twisted killer did his best impersonation of a lawyer as he questioned the doctor's findings.

Sako has taken issue with the doctor's assessment of the injuries, claiming many of the wounds on Celeste's body were caused by broken glass.

Sako sacked his barrister Tim Marsh on the eve of the trial over the issue, maintaining he only stabbed Celeste twice.

Mr Marsh told Justice Jane Dixon on Monday he was happy to assist in Sako's plea hearing as a 'friend of the court' but was no longer acting for the cold-blooded killer.

Sako had originally been represented by high profile criminal barrister Sam Norton, of the firm Stary Norton Halphen.

Mr Norton was forced to dump Sako after he ignored his advice to plead guilty to the crimes when his mental impairment defence was deemed no longer viable.

Sako attempted to change his guilty plea after employing Mr Marsh last year.

The road to bring Sako to justice has been long, with the alleged killer appearing in court repeatedly over the years in an effort to convince forensic doctors he had been insane when he killed his victim.

In March 2022, the court heard while Dr Andrew Carroll - on behalf of Sako - argued the killer was too mentally unwell to properly direct his lawyers, Dr Clare McInerney - for the prosecution - believed that prognosis could be cured.

Crown prosecutor Patrick Bourke asked Sako be assessed yet again - this time by forensic psychologist Professor James Ogloff.

A plan to put Sako to trial over his mental impairment was abandoned in February when the court heard the once conflicted doctors had come to the conclusion that Sako indeed knew what he was doing at the time of the murder and was well enough to stand trial.

Ms Manno was Sako's team leader at a Serco call centre before he was fired from the role

Heartbroken mum Aggie Di Mauro pictured with her beloved daughter

But even then, Sako sought to delay his May 16 murder trial long enough to convince doctors he was again too sick to stand trial.

The court heard Sako insisted on remaining locked away from other inmates in an isolation unit where he refused to take medications.

Sako had repeatedly threatened suicide if he were to be moved out of his isolation cell, where he spends up to 23-hours a day in lockdown.

Ms Manno's friends and family are expected to read their victim impact statements to the court on Monday afternoon.

The hearing continues.
The heartbroken mother of slain Melbourne woman Celeste Manno claims her daughter was let down by the justice system after doing everything she could to shake off the unwanted advances of an obsessed ex-coworker.

Celeste Manno was stabbed 23 times to death in her own bed by Luay Nader Sako on November 16, 2020, after he became enraged upon seeing a photo of her hand-in-hand with her new boyfriend Chris Ridsdale.

Aggie Di Mauro branded Sako a 'beast', shouting at him from the witness box as she delivered her gut wrenching victim impact statement in the Supreme Court of Victoria on Monday afternoon.

Aggie Di Mauro blames herself for allowing her daughter to be murdered in her bed while she slept just down the hall

Celeste Manno had been in the prime of life when she was stabbed to death in her own bed

Before addressing Sako in person, a touching video was played to Justice Jane Dixon outlining Ms Di Mauro's raw pain at not being able to save her daughter from the deranged stalker.

Voiced over a photo montage of Ms Manno's short life, Ms Di Mauro told the court she could not forgive herself for failing to save her daughter that awful night.

'I'll never forgive myself sweetie. Never. How did I not hear it? How did I not hear you? Did you scream sweetie? Did you call me? You must have. What were you thinking baby? Where was I? Why wasn't I coming?

'I'm so sorry sweetie. I'm sorry I failed you. People say I couldn't have changed the outcome. Maybe not. But I'll never know,' she said.

Sako murdered Ms Manno inside her family home in Mernda, in Melbourne's northeast, at 4.10am that morning.

He smashed his way into her bedroom with a hammer and attacked her in her bed.

The whole ugly incident took just two-and-a-half minutes, with Sako then driving directly to a local police station to admit what he had done.

CCTV footage captured from cameras across the road showed the moment Sako fled the Manno property after committing his heinous crime.

Sako had already been charged for stalking and harassing Ms Manno and had been subject to a intervention order supposedly protecting his victim at the time of her murder.

Both Ms Manno and her mother had pleaded with Sako for him to leave her alone in the months and weeks before he struck.

Celeste Manno went 'Insta public' with her relationship with Chris Ridsdale (pictured) with this post. Hours later, she was killed by Luay Sako

Luay Sako is led into court in July last year

When the video was finished, Ms Di Mauro's grief turned to rage, addressing Sako directly from the witness box where she delivered her statement to the court.

'Look up. Look ahead. I'm here. You gutless, gutless wonder. I hate you and the only other person I hate more than you is me,' Ms Di Mauro told Sako.

'You extinguished one of the only two reasons I lived for. She was everything to me. Nothing to you. My sweety felt safe with me. I thought she was safe with me. But she wasn't, was she? I couldn't protect her from you.'

The pair had no idea Sako knew where she lived after enduring a year of torment by the deranged stalker.

'Look at me. What did you achieve? You're such a coward, at least look at me. Is this what your family raised?'

'You showed her. You showed me. You showed the world who you were,' Ms Di Mauro told Sako.

'You called yourself a beast ... you are a beast. You're an evil, repulsive demonic beast.'

The court heard Sako had previously threatened to kill himself when arrested by police over his relentless stalking.

'You threatened to kill yourself at a train station. I felt sorry for you ... God I wish you'd done it,' Ms Di Mauro said.

The devastated mum claimed she had told police she was afraid Sako would retaliate after he sent a three page letter pleading with her daughter to withdraw her police complaints against him.

While an intervention order saw Sako cease his harassment for three months, the peace would not last.

'We actually thought it was over. We thought he'd learnt his lesson,' Ms Di Mauro said.

'It provided a false sense of security and that proved to be our downfall.'

The mother of Celeste Manno, Aggie Di Mauro (centre) along with family and friends, are seen leaving the Supreme Court of Victoria in Melbourne on Monday

Ms Di Mauro told the court she struggled to come to terms with how she could have slept through her daughter's murder.

'I tortured myself for weeks trying to understand how I could have been too late. I knew how fast I ran into that room that night. So it didn't make sense,' she said.

'It wasn't until I was finally told that the crash I went to was not the crash of him breaking in, but the crash of him leaving ... I slept through the last two minutes and 39 seconds of the most horrific and crucial moments of my daughter's life. And I was too late to protect her or be of any use to her.'

Ms Di Mauro took aim at the justice system that she claimed failed her daughter, pleading with Justice Dixon to sentence Sako to life in prison.

One by one, Ms Manno's loved ones complained to the court at the level of redactions that were made to their victim impact statements.

Ms Di Mauro begged Justice Dixon not to fail her daughter.

'As a grieving mother I can't accept what the justice system delivers,' she said.

'The expectation of the law has, that any parent is subjected to accept leniency or mercy shown to their child's killer is unreasonable - cruel and inhumane.

'My sweetie was failed miserably. She was failed by a flawed system, the police and she was failed by me. Something I'll have to live with for the rest of my life because of this beast. So I'm begging you, please don't allow Celeste to be failed by the system that already failed her all over again.'

Sako's deranged messages to Celeste Manno

Ms Di Mauro told the court she spent her last Sunday together with her daughter watching a movie and planning her birthday celebration just six days later.

Ms Manno wanted a coconut cake, which her mother has since baked three times and taken to her daughter's gravesite - having never tasted it.

Ms Di Mauro said she had tucked her daughter into bed every night despite her age, kissing her goodnight for the last time on the night she died.

'She didn't know him, and she didn't want to know him. He was a co-worker to her, nothing more ... she didn't provoke or insult him, Your Honour. Celeste had no interest in him and he couldn't accept it,' she told the court.

Ms Manno had done everything expected of her in attempting to deal with Sako's unwanted advances, she said.

'She didn't provoke or insult him, Your Honour. Celeste had no interest in him and he couldn't accept that. She wasn't walking alone at night, she didn't put herself in dangerous situations, she didn't associate with the wrong crowd or make poor choices,' Ms Di Mauro said.

'And she wasn't in the wrong place at the wrong time. 'We thought she was safe and sound asleep in the bed.'

Ms Manno had been murdered just hours after making an online post making her new relationship 'Instagram official'.

Sako, 39, of Roxburgh Park, pleaded guilty to her murder in April after trying to contest the charges for years.

Heartbroken mum Aggie Di Mauro pictured with her beloved daughter

Sako, 37, attended a local police station hours after Celeste's death and was taken to hospital under police guard, and was charged with murder

The court heard Sako had bombarded Ms Manno with endless messages professing his love for her in the year before he ended her life.

Sako had worked with her briefly at Serco's call centre in South Morang - she was a team leader - before he was sacked.

Ms Manno had shown kindness to Sako on his final day, walking him to his car and wishing him well before he unexpectedly kissed her on the cheek.

The court heard Sako peppered her with creepy, lewd and menacing messages via Instagram through various accounts, concluding with a three-and-a-half-page rant in which he demanded she withdraw her police complaints against him.

'I'm sorry but I can't stop thinking about you. I have never felt like this about anybody in my entire life, it's bordering along a OCD. I'm totally infatuated with you, captivated and fascinated by you. You're all I think about,' he wrote.

'After leaving you my productivity and my personal life in my new job has been impacted. This obsession with you, which is a crush, is an addictive and destructive feeling that is interfering with my ability to concentrate, deal with others and go about my daily routine.'

Sako begged Ms Manno 'put an end to his suffering' by being direct with him in her feelings towards him.

His terrified victim politely responded to Sako in the hope he would leave her alone.

'Hi Luay, those are really sweet words and I appreciate you saying all of that to me. I'm a bit surprised to read this all as it is new to me.

'As much as I appreciate this, I only feel in a professional way towards you and I wish you all of the best in your new job and journey.'

Sako bombarded Celeste with messages

But her gentle tone only seemed to make things worse, with Sako pledging to give his life just to be with her.

'I'm so infatuated with you that it's now become unhealthy. I know my words don't help me ... I'm sorry for coming on strong Celeste. I'm just another rival for your affection,' Sako wrote.

When Ms Manno pleaded with Sako to stop messaging her, Sako became enraged.

'I'm truly sorry for making you feel uncomfortable. I really just wanted to speak with you and I honestly thought you were ignoring me,' Sako responded.

'My impression of you has changed. You're no different to the majority of women. I'll remember you and this lesson for all life and I will devote every ounce of energy I have to climbing up and proving to the world that I'm somebody.

'That is my promise to you and my final contact with you.'

Celeste tried to be polite to her stalker

As the messages continued, Ms Manno contacted Sako directly telling him they were going to the police to report his harassment.

While Sako stopped briefly, the respite was short lived, with Victoria's Covid-19 lockdowns seemingly fueling his obsession, the court heard.

Sako was later seen lurking around Ms Manno's vehicle outside her workplace, with a court issuing an interim intervention order against Sako on July 3 that year, the court heard.

The soon-to-be killer refused to accept the order, listing the matter for a contested hearing in March the following year.

Detectives arrested Sako in August, charging him with breaches of the order before releasing him back into the community.

With Sako back on the loose, Ms Manno confided in her boss that she believed her days were numbered.

'He's really going to kill me,' Celeste confided in her colleague.

Hours after going public with her secret relationship to Mr Ridsdale she would be dead.

The court heard Sako stabbed Celeste to death in a wild frenzy, with defensive wounds found on her arms and hands as she fought for her life.

When he was done he told cops where they could find Celeste's body.

'She's dead. Go have a look,' he said. 'You know what happened. It's your fault.'

The home where Celeste Manno was murdered in her bed

In a further cruel blow to the friends and family, Sako contested the number of times he stabbed his victim.

The move required a forensic expert to give graphic evidence in court of the way Ms Manno was killed.

Celeste's family has been forced to endure watching Sako cross-examine the expert on the various stab wounds he inflicted on their loved one.

Dressed in grey prison garb and wearing dark-rimmed glasses, the twisted killer did his best impersonation of a lawyer as he questioned the doctor's findings.

Sako has taken issue with the doctor's assessment of the injuries, claiming many of the wounds on Celeste's body were caused by broken glass.

Sako sacked his barrister Tim Marsh on the eve of the trial over the issue, maintaining he only stabbed Celeste twice.

The hearing continues.
New Delhi, Jan 29 (UNI) The inaugural edition of India-Saudi Arabia Joint Military Exercise SADA TANSEEQ commenced in Mahajan, Rajasthan, on Monday.

According to an official statement, the aim of the exercise is to train troops of both sides for Joint Operations in Semi Desert terrain under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.

The exercise will enable both sides to share their best practices in the tactics, techniques, and procedures of conducting operations in the sub-conventional domain. It will facilitate developing interoperability, bonhomie, and camaraderie between troops from both sides.

The exercise will involve Establishment of Mobile Vehicle Check Post, Cordon and Search Operation, House Intervention Drill, Reflex Shooting, slithering, and sniper firing.

The exercise will provide an opportunity for both contingents to strengthen their bond. It will act as a platform to achieve shared security objectives, enhance the level of defence cooperation, and foster bilateral relations between the two friendly nations.

The exercise will conclude on February 10.

The Saudi Arabian continent, comprising 45 personnel, is represented by the Royal Saudi Land Forces, while the Indian Army continent, also comprising 45 personnel, is represented by a battalion from the Brigade of the Guards (Mechanised Infantry).

UNI RBE ARN SY
A billion streams puts you in the same league as musicians including Drake, Taylor Swift and Harry Styles.

But one producer has hit this milestone by focusing on four-legged, furry listeners instead of human beings.

Speaking from Los Angeles, Amman Ahmed tells DailyMail.com he pioneered the idea of music for pets via a YouTube channel, playing songs and listening to dog owner feedback until he created music which genuinely relaxed the animals.

He tapped into a post-pandemic trend when separation anxiety among pets got worse when animals got used to spending so much time with their working-from-home owners.

Amman Ahmed started investigating what music relaxes dogs and cats (Music for Pets)

The pioneering dog musician now offers dozens of playlists to relax cats and dogs, and says that his creative process is driven by his four-legged listeners themselves.

Hip hop fan Ahmed said: 'I initially started out making music for people to help with insomnia - and one friend joked, "Let me try that on the dog."

To begin with Ahmeds approach was experimenting and coming up with ideas, but most importantly relying on feedback from dog owners on what worked and what didnt.

When we started, there was only a little bit of scientific research on this, he said. So the tracks we made, some worked, and sometimes it didnt. But we got the basic idea: "OK, maybe theres something here."'

We started producing different frequencies, different kinds of music, and most importantly, getting as much information as possible, from the dog owners, the dogs that are using it, and then learning from there.

He said: 'This is focused purely on how we can have a positive impact on the life of a cat and dog. And as long as that's like front and center, we can build around that.

'Then we started to get messages about how the music was the only thing that would help dogs with their anxiety - and how even particular songs were the ones that helped. So we built from there.

His company, Music For Pets, was acquired by U.S. based Create Music Group after a surge in popularity for animal playlists, with Create now planning to invest $10 million in the company and its brands Relax My Dog and Relax My Cat.

Some dogs enjoy the music from Music for Pets so much that they rely on it to relax every day - and one dog even had a track played at his funeral, Ahmed said.

Music For Pets has playlists for cats and dogs (and has experimented with creating music for guinea pigs and hamsters) and Ahmed said that users rely on them to deal with dogs' separation anxiety, or when they take the animal to the vet.

The company has had feedback from owners who say that the music can help with everything from canine depression to hyperactivity in cats.

He says that the company now has 'superfans' who rely on the music to calm their animals.

He said: 'We got a message saying, 'My dog really loved this track. It was the only thing that helped them with anxiety for years, and my dog passed away recently. Can I use the music for our dog's funeral as a way to remember?' That really left me speechless.'

The company has experimented with using sounds only animals can hear, but mostly tries to create music both dogs and humans will enjoy.

Ahmed said: 'It's always split down the middle, because the dog and the human are both going to be consuming it, knowing that if the human is consuming it and the human is relaxed, that energy passes on to the dog as well. We've always had both in mind.'

Subscriptions to the service cost $4.99 a month, and more than 42 million animals have tuned in, the company says.

The service offers music and videos tailored to dogs and cats (Music for Pets)

Cats are difficult customers, Ahmed admits (Alamy)

The company also makes videos aimed at cats and dogs, and has now recorded videos in Los Angeles, Barbados and Portugal among others (with some taking the form of 'virtual walks) and others involving drone footage.

Ahmed says that while creating music that dogs respond to is relatively easy, entertaining cats is a much more difficult job (and it's also difficult to work out if cats even enjoy the music.

He said: 'Cats are a very, very tricky audience. We took the same approach with Relax My Cat, but there's a lot more guessing, because you don't ever really own a cat, and they're obviously very stubborn as well.'

'We've experimented a little bit with guinea pigs and hamsters and rabbits, but that's even harder.'

He says he now hopes to expand his team, create more content and forge new partnerships.

He said: 'The lives of the pets we have touched, those stories, I always love to keep that idea front and center, knowing this is the impact that we have. I am a dog lover myself.'

Ahmed says that he previously launched a music business (for humans) in his native Britain, which failed, which taught him a lot of lessons, and informed the approach he has taken with Music for Pets.

He said: 'I grew up in not the best environment, and I managed to scrape through college and somehow start a business.

'When you grow up in a rough environment, it can go both ways - it can impact in negative ways, or you can take the positive out of all the negative experiences and it eventually helps you to be positive in life.'
Billionaires are well-known for buying nuclear bunkers and remote properties in hopes of surviving a coming collapse - but some have set their sights on the open sea as a new home.

Wealthy investors including Silicon Valley investor Peter Thiel have planned to launch floating cities where they will be exempt from the laws that govern nations in the world, and potentially safe from disasters engulfing land-dwellers.

The Seasteading Institute, backed initially by an investment from Thiel, has spent 15 years researching the idea of permanent floating communities living in international water, free from regulation.

In 2022, company Ocean Builders - backed by Bitcoin trader Chad Elwartowski - unveiled the Seapod, a floating building with 733 square feet of living space, which stands on a pole seven feet above the water.

SeaPods will offer floating homes for the wealthy (Ocean Builders)

The Seasteading Institute planned a floating city off Polynesia (Seasteading Institute)

Ambitious designs would create Utopian floating towns and villages in international waters (Seasteading Institute)

Other planned floating cities include Oceanix Busan

But the first Ocean Pod collapsed as it was unveiled in September 2022, with its makers blaming a bilge pump malfunction.

Elwartowski also constructed a floating fiberglass home off the coast of Thailand in 2019 for himself and his wife, Nadia Thepdet,

However, the couple was forced to flee before a police raid after the couple posted videos of themselves drinking champagne in the seastead.

The couple were facing a possible death penalty after the Thai government said their actions challenged the country's 'independence'.

French Polynesia pulled out of a proposed deal for a cryptocurrency-funded floating city in 2017 - with the Seasteading Institute blaming false information spread during an election campaign.

Thiel has cooled on the Seasteading Institute in recent years, but the non-profit is still thriving.

Joe Quirk, President of the Institute, said in a YouTube video this year: The technology for floating startup governments is at hand and we're eager to make it happen as soon as possible.

Ocean Builders have ambitious plans for the SeaPod (Ocean Builders)

The plans for the 'SeaZone' floating city were ambitious (Seasteading Institute)

A prototype SeaPod was unveiled in 2022 (AP)

'I came here from the opposite of a floating city, which is San Francisco, California. A lot of people are not satisfied with the way it's [San Fran] governed.

'But imagine if we could bring San Francisco up into lots of little pieces, and people could move about and choose the neighbors they want. We'd have variation by governance providers and selection by citizens.

Let a class of people try lots of ideas, so we'll discover the best solutions for how to live.

The Seasteading Institute hopes that floating cities would have significant political autonomy.

The Institute says: Nearly half the worlds surface is unclaimed by any nation-state, and many coastal nations can legislate seasteads in their territorial waters.

A 'seastead' raided by Thai police in 2019 after Bitcoin entrepreneur Chad Elwartowski set up the seastead in international waters (EPA)

Bitcoin entrepreneur Chad Elwartowski set up the seastead in international water but was threatened with the death penalty (EPA)

We promote the creation of floating ocean cities as a revolutionary solution to some of the worlds most pressing problems: rising sea levels, overpopulation, poor governance, and more.

The idea of living on the high seas has a long history, with the L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Church of Scientology having created the Sea Organisation or Sea Org based on ships in the 1960s.

And the dream is still alive around the world.

Florida company Arktide plans to build 'affordable real estate on the seas' in the coming decade, while SeaPod is planning constructions in Asia and Europe.

SeaPod proclaims: 'The dawn of the aquatic age has begun!'

Meanwhile, the UN-backed Oceanix project in Korea has unveiled its own vision of a floating city to help coastal communities cope with rising sea levels.

Oceanix says: 'Busan aims to provide breakthrough technology for coastal cities facing severe land shortages that are compounded by climatic threats.'
Alex Honnold first shot to fame back in 2018, when he became the first person in the world to climb the sheer face of Yosemite's El Capitan with no rope.

Yet despite being joined by some of the world's best climbers, and actually putting on a harness this time, his latest project is no less death-defying.

Alex has taken on Greenland's Ingmikortilaq - one of the biggest unclimbed rock faces in the world.

During the risky mission, Alex was blinded by freezing blizzards, had his face cut open by falling ice, and navigated a minefield of hidden crevasses, all before he even reached the cliff.

MailOnline spoke with Alex about his perilous ascent - and why he thinks we should all face death a little more openly.

Alex Honnold is best known for making the first 'free-solo' climb of the terrifying El Capitan. Yet despite being joined by some of the world's best climbers, and actually putting on a harness this time, his latest project is no less death-defying.

Alex Honnold's latest challenge was to climb Ingmikortilaq, an incredibly remote sea cliff in the east of Greenland

Who is climbing legend Alex Honnold? Alex Honnold, 38, is one of the biggest stars of the rock climbing world. He was made famous by his death-defying 'free solo' climb of El Capitan in 2007. Alex was the first person to ever climb the 2,900-foot cliff without ropes or other protection. The documentary about the climb, Free Solo, won the Oscar for Best Documentary that year. He is also passionate about fighting climate change. He operates the Alex Honnold Foundation which funds solar projects for deprived communities around the world. Advertisement

To reach Ingmikortilaq, Alex and the team had to make a six-week trek through remote Greenland.

Along the way, they faced deadly shards of falling ice on the first ascent of a dizzying 1,500-foot cliff, and hiked through blizzards across the crevasse-filled Renland Ice Cap.

After all that, they reached their final destination: Ingmikortilaq - a teetering wall of crumbling rock and ice looming over an iceberg-filled fjord in eastern Greenland's Nordvestfjord.

At 3,750ft (1,145m) tall, Ingmikortilaq is nearly 1,000ft taller than El Capitan and more than twice the height of the Empire State Building.

But despite the monumental challenge of making the first ascent of one of the tallest and remote walls on Earth, Alex says the cliff wasn't even the biggest obstacle.

He said: 'The biggest challenge, as it turned out was the weather. I've done trips that were technically chillier but it was really fricking cold.

'It's just hard living; you're constantly wet, it's snowing, you're towing sledges hiking very very far and carrying a lot of weight for very long distances.'

While the conditions were rough, you might not know it from watching Alex climb.

At 3,750 feet (1,145m) Ingmikortilaq is nearly 1,000ft taller than El Capitan and more than twice the height of the Empire State Building

Ingmikortilaq (pictured) is a sea wall in eastern Greenland's Nordvestfjord and is one of the biggest rock faces on the planet and has never been climbed before

Happily smiling while thousands of feet above frozen water, or resting calmly in a tent clipped to the side of a cliff, Alex seemed remarkably unfazed by one of the biggest challenges of his life.

But, while taking on something like this might seem unthinkable to most people, Alex says that the level of preparation he and the other climbers put in is often forgotten.

'I think it's hard for people to understand just how deeply immersed I am in this,' Alex told MailOnline.

'People always ask "How did you train for the expedition?" but I don't really have to train for an expedition because this is what I'm doing all year round.

'People see what's happening on camera and assume that's the one time you did that but that's what I do day in day out, five days a week for the last 20 years.'

Towering above an ice-filled fjord, it took Alex and the team six-weeks of travelling and climbing to reach the summit of one of the largest cliffs in the world (pictured)

Before getting to their destination, Alex and his team, including Greenland guide Adam Mike Kjeldsen (pictured) had to make the first ascent of a cliff so tall they had to camp in tents clipped to the cliff overnight

Even after ascending the first cliff, the crew, led by explorer Aldo Kane (pictured), had to cross the Renland Ice Cap. They faced blizzards and white-outs as they navigated through the crevasse-filled expanse

READ MORE: Greenland Ice Sheet is the hottest it has EVER been and will cause global sea levels to rise by 20 INCHES by 2100 if it continues warming at the current pace Advertisement

What made this latest challenge different to Alex's previous projects is the team joining him for the adventure.

Alex was not only joined by professional climbers Hazel Findlay and Mikey Schaefer and a team of guides, but also by Dr Heidi Sevestre, an expert on glaciers and ice melt.

Aside from being the first team to conquer Ingmikortilaq, the goal was also to gather vital data on the warming Arctic.

'It heightens the stakes a bit,' Alex said.

'If we were just on a climbing expedition and don't succeed it's not that big a deal.

'But in some ways, I think it makes the whole project feel more meaningful, everyone else is bringing their A-game and working really hard so you want to make sure you live up to that effort.'

And Dr Sevestre's efforts could not have come at a more important time.

During Arctic Assent, Alex is not only joined by professional climbers and guides but also by Dr Heidi Sevestre (pictured), an expert on glaciers and ice melt

Dr Sevestre joined the expedition to gather vital data on how climate change is affecting the remotest regions of Greenland's Ice Sheet. Here she examines layers of snow on the Renland Ice Cap. Each line in this snow sample shows a period in the last six months when the ice cap was melting

More than 80 per cent of Greenland's surface is covered by a vast ice cap called the Greenland Ice Sheet.

This is the second largest body of ice on Earth and holds enough water to raise sea levels by more than 210 feet.

Worryingly, scientists believe that the Ice Sheet has lost 1,965 square miles of ice since 1985, an area three times the size of London.

At every step of their perilous journey, Dr Sevestre took the opportunity to gather cutting-edge data on some of the least accessible parts of the Arctic.

From the first radar scans of the Renland Ice cap to launching a NASA temperature probe, the data she captured on this expedition will help scientists understand how the planet is changing.

Alex says that bringing a team along with him for the expedition heightened the stakes as he wanted to live up to the effort that everyone was putting in

'If there wasn't a purpose behind it then I could just go an exhibition like that by myself and keep it simple,' Alex told MailOnline.

'It's a really incredible opportunity to climb a wall like that but somehow it means more when you can also contribute to human knowledge.

'It's not even sort of esoteric science, this is stuff that directly impacts human lives.'

While clinging to the face of Ingmikortilaq, Alex and the team received a particularly pressing reminder of that impact.

He said: 'On Ingmikortilaq we were drilling temperature sensors into the rock with this enormously long drill that was like a meter long.

'These big mountains are held together by freezing basically and as it warms they collapse in to the fjord.

'Those sensors are exploring the way that some walls like that are collapsing.'

With little previous climbing experience, Dr Sevestre (right) was able to get the help of some of the world's best climbers to reach places that scientists have not been able to visit in decades like this ice shaft on the Renland Ice Cap

And, true to Alex's prediction, at times during their ascent it really seemed like the cliff was collapsing around them.

As Alex led a section of the assent, chunks of rock shed from the rockface with almost every step, plummeting to where Hazel was waiting below.

At one point, a rock smashed into pieces mere inches from Hazel's perch, so close that she could touch the dent in the wall left by the falling stone.

During an earlier climb, tackling the 1,500-foot 'Pool Wall' to reach the top of the ice cap, Alex's nose was even cut open by a falling shard of ice.

'It's definitely way better to get hit by ice than rock,' Alex told the camera.

'If that had been a rock that size that hit me it for sure would have broken my nose at least.

'If not put a hole straight through my face.'

While climbing the 'Pool Wall' Alex was struck in the face by a falling chunk of ice. He says that if it had been a rock it might have 'put a hole straight through my face'

While he says that bringing Dr Sevestre, Hazel and the rest of the team raised the stakes, he never considered turning back or calling off the mission.

He told MailOnline: 'There's a huge spectrum between having to retreat and reform your plan and just calling it off.

'For me, just calling it off was never on the table but you're always considering having to retreat a few steps to figure out a different way.'

In characteristically cheery fashion, Alex seemed to be undaunted by the peril around him.

'I always like to joke that if you're seeing something on television, it's not actually dangerous,' he said.

'I mean, in this case it is definitely more dangerous than other things you might see on television but it's definitely way less dangerous than what you don't see.'

Despite the dangers and the freezing cold, Alex says that he never considered turning back or calling off the expedition

While it might be easy to assume that Alex is a risk-taking adrenaline-junkie, speaking with him, it becomes clear that this is not the whole picture.

'I'm not taking a risk for the sake of taking risks,' Alex tells MailOnline.

'I never gamble, I don't like to roll the dice.

'But in my case, it's about having something that you care about enough that you are willing to take risk.'

In this case, the thing that is so important for Alex is climate change.

Alex donates a third of his income to various climate projects and has even created the Alex Honnold Foundation, a non-profit focused on providing low-cost solar power to deprived communities around the world.

Alex (right) worked with veteran climber Hazel Findley (left) to lead the expedition up the most challenging assents. Despite the apparent danger, Alex says that he only takes risks for things he believes are truly important

Alex told the MailOnline that he was motivated to make this documentary to capture the effects of climate change. Here in the fjord by Ingmikortilaq, you can see the icebergs produced as nearby glaciers collapse into the water

Although Alex has described himself as an optimist about the climate, he tells MailOnline that the picture is somewhat more complex.

'If you asked me if I'm optimistic about Earth's ecosystems staying relatively stable and the same over time, then no, I'm not that optimistic about it,' he said.

'The thing that I am relatively optimistic about is the steady improvement of human life quality and hopefully being able to save enough nature.

'There's this tremendous opportunity to improve life on earth for all the people who are really being left behind.

'We have a chance to live in a better world if we choose to, we just haven't really chosen to yet.'

Alex (pictured) attempts a particularly challenging lower section of the cliff. During the climb, the crumbling rock constantly threatened to hit the rest of the team waiting below

When it comes to how we should actually make that change, Alex's advice might seem a little unusual.

Alex says that people should 'maybe take a little bit more risk in life, and just live a bit more intentionally.'

'A big part of rejecting the status quo is making intentional choices around your life, doing the things that are most important to you and ignoring the things that don't matter,' he added.

'Facing risk in your life, facing your mortality, that really helps you look at what matters to you. When you know you have a limited amount of time, it makes you choose what to do with the rest of it.

'It's not like I'm advocating that people risk their lives, but I think that humans in general would be well served to think about their own mortality more often.'

Alex (left) told MailOnline that he thinks people should think about their own mortality more to help them make good decisions about living their lives

Alex (standing) and Hazel (sitting, left) became the first people to ever reach the summit of Ingmikortilaq, but he says that his next real challenge will be the birth of his second daughter in a month

In terms of what comes next for Alex, he says his next challenge will be a lot closer to home.

'The real thing that is next is that my wife is having a baby next month so we're in family mode,' he said.

But, when it comes to the future of his own life, Alex still has a lot to think about.

'There obviously won't always be something more impressive because at some point I'll get older and there just aren't that many more unclimbed big walls in the world,' he added.

'Eventually you run out of superlatives, and that is something I'll definitely be grappling with.'

Having literally and figuratively climbed to the top of his career in his early 30s, Alex says he has had to rethink what he wants out of a project.

He concluded: 'Realistically, nothing I ever do will top free solo.

'I'm never going to do a whole mainstream film project like that again. That doesn't mean that I can't do other useful, meaningful, inspiring things; it's just not going to be quite that.'

Arctic Ascent with Alex Honnold premieres on National Geographic on Sunday 4th February 2024 at 9pm and 10pm and concludes on Sunday 11th February at 9pm.
Whether it's Optimus Prime or the Daleks from Doctor Who, most robots have the same monotonous, automated voice.

But research suggests certain groups of people might prefer it if they used a familiar accent or dialect.

A study has found that speaking in a local accent can - in certain circumstances - make robots seem more trustworthy and competent.

Scientists from the University of Potsdam, in Germany, recruited 120 people living in either Berlin or Brandenburg to take an online survey.

They asked participants to watch videos in which a robot using a male human voice spoke either in standard German or the Berlin dialect, which is considered working-class.

Most robots - like the Daleks and Optimus Prime - have the same monotonous, automated voice

A study has found that speaking in a local accent - such as the Berlin (pictured) dialect - can make robots seem more trustworthy and competent

People were asked to rate the robot's trustworthiness and competence, and to fill out a questionnaire which included sections on how well they spoke to Berlin dialect and how often they used it.

In general, the respondents preferred a robot speaking standard German.

But those who were more comfortable with the Berlin dialect preferred the robot speaking their local language.

Lead author Katharina Kuhne said: 'If you're good at speaking a dialect, you're more likely to trust a robot that talks the same way.

'It seems people trust the robot more because they find a similarity.'

The team said context could play an important role in determining when a local accent is suitable.

For example, it could be useful in a care home scenario when it is important for people to feel a connection with the robot.

But in other situations - such as in a hospital or hotel - people may prefer a robot that speaks in a standard accent.

The findings were published in the journal Frontiers in Robotics and AI.
The new emoji coming to your iPhone later this year have finally been revealed.

Among them are a lime, a phoenix, a brown mushroom, a broken metal chain, two shaking heads and four gender neural families.

There's also more than 100 people facing sideways in a range of skin colours and genders, including some holding canes and others in wheelchairs.

The new emoji will be available on Apple devices with the latest iOS update  iOS 17.4  which is due in the spring.

It'll be a follow-up to iOS 17.3, which was released earlier this month with security fixes for more than a dozen bugs.

A lime a shaking head and four gender neural families are among the new emoji available on Apple devices with the latest iOS update. There's also a phoenix, a brown mushroom and a metal chain being broken and smileys shaking their heads up and down

The 118 new emojis coming to iOS 16.4 Head Shaking Horizontally Head Shaking Vertically Phoenix Lime Brown Mushroom Broken Chain There's also: - Four new non-gender-specifying family emojis - Direction-specifying versions of six existing people emojis (amounting to 108 emojis) Advertisement

Emojipedia  which is part of the Unicode Consortium, the central bank of all approved emoji  approved the new emoji release  called 15.1.

'The new emojis in today's beta release are drawn from Unicode's September 2023 recommendations  Emoji 15.1,' said Keith Broni, editor in chief of Emojipedia.

'Based on past iOS beta history it's likely that the final public release of iOS 17.4 will come to users in March or April 2024.'

The draft list of new emoji was approved back in September, but now Emojipedia has published the first look at Apple designs that will come to iOS.

Companies apply stylised versions of the new emoji designs to their own operating systems  including Samsung and Google, as well as Apple.

As Apple's emoji designs show, the four gender neural families take the form of silhouettes, similar to the existing 'Bust in Silhouette' and 'Busts in Silhouette'.

Apple's gender neural family emojis are white on a light blue background, while rival Samsung has black figures on a grey background.

They consist of two parents and a child, one parent and two children, one parent and one child, and two parents and two children.

Since 2019, Apple has offered iPhone users non-binary versions of nearly every human emoji, ranging from merpeople to chefs.

Revealed: The four new non-gender-specifying family emojis, specific to Apple's operating system (iOS)

Samsung's designs (pictured) are slightly different from Apple's. For example, Samsung's chain is thicker, while its lime looks more cartoonish

Other differences are noticeable when looking at Samsung's versions of the new emoji.

For example, Samsung's chain is thicker, while its lime looks less realistic and more cartoonish than Apple's.

Apple's phoenix, meanwhile, is facing sideways rather than forward and has more detail on its wings.

The vast majority of the 118 new emoji is made up of new direction-specifying versions of six existing people emojis, in a range of genders and skin tones.

The six existing people emojis are person walking sideways, person kneeling, person with cane, person in motorized wheelchair, person in manual wheelchair and person running.

Notably, the new list includes no flag emojis  not only geographical flags, but also pride flags, language flags and other colour-based flags.

Pictured, Apple's new direction-specifying versions of six existing people emojis. These amount to 108 new emojis when the numerous gender and skin tone variations are accounted for

A decision to create no more flag emojis was revealed earlier this year, due to the 'transient nature' of many pride flags, and the 'challenges including some identities while excluding others', Emojipedia said.

Looking forward, the next batch of emoji is likely to be revealed in the summer and approved in September before a release in 2025.

To be considered, the candidate emoji must have multiple uses, use in sequences, break new ground, be distinctive, be compatible and be frequently used, according to Unicode Consortium.

In the past, Emojipedia has previously revealed new emoji around the time of World Emoji Day  July 17  so it's likely that the next batch will be announced then.
Musicians have done new recordings of many hits for today's audiences to enjoy

Academics ranked 120 songs of 17th century to create historical 'top of the pops'

Although the UK Singles Chart only started in 1952, Brits have been enjoying the hottest pop hits for several centuries, academics reveal.

The experts have ranked 120 popular songs from the Elizabethan and Stuart eras  and they're somewhat more risque than the likes of Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift.

Among the 17th century 'top of the pops' is the song about the Scotsman who felt the wrath of god after trying to seduce his sister.

Another composition is about a woman who kept her imprisoned father alive by breast-feeding him through the bars of his cell.

Musicians have created new recordings of the historical hits for today's audiences to enjoy  providing a fascinating glimpse of the origins of pop music.

Number one on the list and therefore 'top of the 17th century pops' is 'The Wandering Prince of Troy', a ballad first licensed for printing in the 1560s

Top of the 17th century pops! Notable hits from the 100 Ballads list #32: A tribute to John Ward, the pirate said to have been the influence for Jack Sparrow of the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' films. #38: About a woman who keeps her imprisoned father alive by breast-feeding him through bars of his cell. #62: Tale of a heroic London apprentice who goes to Turkey and is fed to the lions - but he manages to kill them by reaching into their throats. #66: Advice to the ladies of London on how to choose their husbands. #77: Where a Scotsman feels the wrath of god after trying to seduce his sister. #98: Sex ballad in which the sound of the nightingale singing is a euphemism for the womans orgasm. #113: Lively tale of romantic trickery (a woman, pregnant out of wedlock, tricks a man into marrying her). Advertisement

The '100 Ballads' project is the work of two UK historians  Professor Christopher Marsh at Queen's University Belfast and Dr Angela McShane at the University of Warwick.

The 120 songs from 17th-century Britain includes stories of lovers, pirates, ghosts, murders, battles, strange romances and 'patriotic hero-worship'.

'We here identify and present a body of the biggest hits from seventeenth-century England,' the academics say on the newly-published 100 Ballads website.

'Such an exercise has never been attempted before.'

Professor Marsh and Dr McShane describe the songs as 'broadside ballads'  single sheet songs that were sold and performed widely in the likes of taverns and town squares.

Their ranking is based on several metrics, including how many known printed editions of the sheet music there have been, as well as how many editions were historically published in short time periods.

Number one on the list  and therefore 'top of the 17th century pops'  is 'The Wandering Prince of Troy', a ballad first licensed for printing in the 1560s.

It tells the story of mythological Trojan Aeneas, the hero of Virgil's epic poem 'Aeneid', during his journey after the fall of Troy in the 13th or 12th century BC.

One of the most colourful songs is a bizarre ballad about Jasper Coningham from from Aberdeen who tried to seduce his sister.

Mr Coningham was of the opinion that there was no god, nor devil, heaven nor hell  and so had no qualms saying to his 'faire and bright' sister: 'Let me have pleasure.'

Shortly after, a 'heavie judgement the Lord did on him bring' and his 'eyes fell from his head' and 'his foule blasphemous tongue' rotted away.

Professor Marsh told MailOnline: 'The unfortunate Scottish gent, Jasper Coningham, is incinerated at the climax of number 77.

'It wasn't good to be an incestuous atheist in seventeenth-century England!'

Many were about love but there were also hit songs about family relations, heroic escapades, supernatural abductions, kings in disguise, religion, politics and death (file photo)

READ MORE Henry VIII's secret book doodles show he was riddled with 'anxiety' Markings made by pious passages suggest the king was beset by a fear of God Advertisement

Another notable composition, placed at number 32 on the list, is about Kent's John Ward, the fearless pirate who later converted to Islam and terrorised English ships.

As 'The Seamans Song of Captain Ward' goes, the 'riches he hath gained' and by bloodshed obtained 'may well suffice for to maintain a king'.

John Ward (1553-1622) is famous for being the inspiration for Jack Sparrow, the fictional pirate in the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' film franchise played by Johnny Depp.

Unfortunately, the listing for this composition has the words but no new recording, because the original tune has been lost to history, Professor Marsh said.

Another pirate song at number 21 celebrates the Sottish sailor Andrew Barton (1466-1511), who gained notoriety as a privateer that raided Portuguese ships.

As legend goes, Barton was shot and killed by an English archer after his ship was captured off the coast of Kent by the English.

'In these songs, the pirates seem to be condemned and celebrated at the same time,' Professor Marsh told MailOnline.

The death of Andrew Barton, illustrated in James Grant's British Battles on Land and Sea, 1873

Other 'personal favourites' of the academic's is number 38 (about a woman who keeps her imprisoned father alive by breast-feeding him through the bars of his cell).

This song detailing the 'extreme act of subservience' was highly successful for around 200 years following its first appearance in the late 16th century.

'Arguably, the sexual undertones of the story are still more unsettling,' the academics admit.

Meanwhile, number 98 is a 'sex ballad' in which the sound of the nightingale singing is a euphemism for the woman's orgasm.

For the project, most of the tunes have been newly-recorded by English folk musician Andy Watts along with more than 20 other musicians.

The project website presents the recordings freely to all users, along with facsimile images of the original songs, full transcripts, and a wide range of contextual information.
NASA's hunt for life on Mars is far from over - its rover has found evidence of an ancient lake that may have been home to microbial life.

The Perseverance rover has been exploring the Jezero Crater where it identified sediments deposited by water, confirming speculations that the formation was flowing with water three billion years ago.

The car-sized, six-wheeled machine captured images of the crater, allowing scientists to see a cross-sectional view of rock layers 65 feet that was 'almost like looking at a road cut.'

The findings reinforced what previous studies have long suggested - that cold, arid, lifeless Mars was once warm, wet and perhaps habitable.

The Perseverance rover has been exploring the Jezero Crater (pictured) where it identified sediments deposited by water, confirming speculations that the formation was flowing with water three billion years ago

Scientists chose Jezero Crater for the rover's mission due to previously finding a display of water-rich minerals in the basin

The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, which is circling the Red Planet, has also revealed that the crater contains clays, which only form in the presence of water.'

However, the team said the recent evidence from Perseverance proves there was water flowing in the basin.

The findings were uncovered using Perseverance's instrument that fires radar waves below the Martian surface at 10-centimeter intervals and measures pulses reflected from depths about 65 feet below the surface.

Scientists were able to see down to the deep base of the sediments, finding two distinct periods of sediment deposition in the middle of two periods of erosion.

The findings were uncovered using Perseverance's instrument that fires radar waves (black and white) below the Martian surface at 10-centimeter intervals and measures pulses reflected from depths about 65 feet below the surface

The team at the University of California (UC)- Los Angeles and Norway's University of Olso noticed the crater floor below the delta was not uniformly flat, which could only mean erosion from water had occurred before the deposition of lake sediments.

'The radar images show that the sediments are regular and horizontal  just like sediments deposited in lakes on Earth. The existence of lake sediments had been suspected in previous studies, but has been confirmed by this research,' researchers shared in the announcement.

A second period of deposition occurred when fluctuations in the lake level allowed the river to deposit a broad delta that once extended far out into the lake, but has now eroded back closer to the river's mouth.

First author David Paige, a UCLA professor of Earth, said: 'The changes we see preserved in the rock record are driven by large-scale changes in the Martian environment.

'It's cool that we can see so much evidence of change in such a small geographic area, which allows us to extend our findings to the scale of the entire crater.'

Scientists chose Jezero Crater for the rover's mission due to previously finding a display of water-rich minerals in the basin

Perseverance launched on July 30, 2020, carrying along its travel companion the Ingenuity helicopter. Perseverance touched down at the base of Jezero on February 18, 2021, with a mission to find ancient signs of life inside the 820-foot-deep crater.

The discovery was made while Perseverance was traveling across the crater floor between May 10 and December 8, 2022.

The rover was heading to an adjacent expanse of braided, sedimentary-like features resembling, from orbit, the river deltas found on Earth.

'From orbit, we can see a bunch of different deposits, but we can't tell for sure if what we're seeing is their original state, or if we're seeing the conclusion of a long geological story,' said Page regarding the Mars orbiter that hangs over the Martian world.

'To tell how these things formed, we need to see below the surface.'

Perseverance launched on July 30, 2020, carrying along its travel companion the Ingenuity helicopter.

Perseverance touched down at the base of Jezero on February 18, 2021, with a mission to find ancient signs of life inside the 820-foot-deep crater.

While the rover is still alive and well, Ingenuity now sits on the dusty landscape after an accident that damaged 'one or more' of its blades.

The tiny copter took off on January 18 but lost contact with the commands team and when communication was regained, one of the craft's blades showed damage.

Ingenuity was originally designed to perform up to five experimental test flights over 30 days when it first landed in 2023.

But the helicopter, which cost $85 million, surpassed expectations with 72 flights and flew more than 14 times farther than planned while logging more than two hours of total flight time.

Data showed the helicopter achieved a maximum altitude of 40 feet and hovered for 4.5 seconds before starting its descent at a velocity of 3.3 feet per second on its last fatal flight.
An airport worker has revealed the hilarious message she left for a passenger after they accidentally left their iPad behind on a flight.

Christianna Peterson, from California, works at Hollywood Burbank Airport and provides ground support.

The 24-year-old frequently shares her day-to-day life on her TikTok, where she boasts over 14,600 followers.

Most recently, she sent viewers into a fit of giggles as she branded the passenger 'crazy' for leaving their device behind.

Christianna Peterson, from California, works at Hollywood Burbank Airport and provides ground support

Most recently, she sent viewers into a fit of giggles as she branded the passenger 'crazy' for leaving their device behind

In a now viral video, which has so far amassed over 8.3 million views, Christianna showed herself finding the iPad and the surprise recording she left on it.

She explained: 'I found this iPad on the plane, right? I'm about to show you the video. I'm gonna show you the video.

'If you left your iPad on the plane, you would wanna see this video too.'

Pointing the camera at the screen, Christianna said in the pre-recorded message: 'I had to leave this video because you're crazy for leaving this on the plane.

'You're lucky. Hope you don't show this to one of my employers.

'But you're lucky my black a** found this and I'm holding it hostage until the gate agent come around so I can give it to him.'

She explained that the device was left on a seat in 'first class,' adding: 'He was really in a rush.'

At the end of the clip, she concluded: 'You're lucky because somebody would have taken it and never been honest about it. And this is a nice iPad. I'm sorry, I'm all up in your stuff.'

In a viral video, which has so far amassed over 8.3 million views, Christianna showed herself finding the iPad and the surprise she left on it

People flooded the comments section of the light-hearted clip as they struggled to contain their giggles

Speaking to Newsweek, Christianna said before taking the video she 'went to look for the gate agents but either one wasn't anywhere to be found, so I'm like "I can't just leave it. How about I take a video maybe [the iPad owner] will see it."'

People flooded the comments section of the light-hearted clip as they struggled to contain their giggles.

One person said: 'The end has me cackling, the poses.'

Another user added: 'Real.'

'This is actually amazing lmfao,' commented one user.

'I would never delete that video off that iPad if it was mine,' wrote someone else.
Kanye West has banned his wife Bianca Censori from using social media to protect her from negative comments, according to insiders, who claim her friends believe it's really another tactic to further 'isolate' her.

DailyMail.com previously reported her friends' ongoing fears that the rapper, 46, is manipulating his so-called 'wife'  and many believe his latest actions continue to highlight a pattern of 'controlling' behavior.

Despite the architectural designer's loved ones even staging an intervention concerning her relationship with the rapper and his 'controlling ways,' her husband appears to have changed her attitude towards social media.

'Bianca has always had social media and she was active on it  until she married Kanye,' an insider exclusively told DailyMail.com.

'He doesnt want her to have it because he thinks that it will hurt her if she had to read the nasty things that people say.

Kanye West, also known as Ye, has banned his wife Bianca Censori from using social media to protect her from negative comments

However, friends are concerned that it is yet another tactic to 'isolate' his partner and control her public narrative

'He convinced her that, since she is a star now, she has to remain a mystery and it is creepy to those who know her as it feels like another form of control.'

However, friends have taken issue with the fact the rapper, who goes by the name Ye, is posting racy images of his wife on his own Instagram account  despite allegedly claiming she needs protection.

The insider added: 'He is pushing her nakedness all over his own [account] so that he can control her narrative. It is disturbing, and by shutting her off from the world he is causing her to become more and more isolated.'

Friends are said to be stunned to see the usually assertive designer going along with Kanye's demands as the source stressed: 'This strong Bianca that was not going to deal with his s*** anymore has seemingly vanished once again.

'She is wearing what he wants, going where he wants and doing what he wants because she really has no other choice. She went from being his designer to his wife, which is unfortunately, not a paid position. Shes trapped.'

Back in October, DailyMail.com revealed that the Grammy-winning rapper had instructed his wife to 'never speak'  and issued her a set of rules to live by, including specific foods she can eat and what she can wear.

Insiders claimed the designer has 'no mind of her own anymore' and instead simply 'obeys' the controversial rapper, because he has convinced her they have 'royal' status.

'Kanye has a set of rules for Bianca, which includes never speak and wear what he wants her to wear,' the source explained. 'She is also required to eat certain food items and to work out even though Kanye doesnt work out.'

Bianca has reportedly allowed her husband to change her attitude towards social media  having previously been a regular user of platforms such as Instagram

In recent weeks, Kanye has posted images of Bianca in the typically revealing outfits that he chose for her

Friends have taken issue with the fact the star is posting racy imagery of his wife on his own Instagram account  despite his claims of her needing protection

Bianca and Kanye secretly wed in December 2022, just one month after he finalized his divorce from Kim Kardashian, 43.

The designer, the daughter of a notorious Australian gangster, grew up in an upper-class neighborhood in Melbourne and attended the prestigious Carey Baptist Grammar School.

To mark her birthday, he posted a rare throwback of the architectural designer

One of her former classmates previously described her as a 'social butterfly who was friends with everyone' before finding fame.

The couple, who were first pictured together in January, have continuously exhibited some bizarre outfits since going public, with Bianca frequently spotted wearing nude tights and flesh-flashing tops.

Earlier this month he shared a series of revealing snaps of his wife on Instagram.

He first posted a trio of pictures of Bianca to his 18.4million Instagram followers, showing her dressed in a black string bikini top and thong.

The rapper declared there will be 'no pants this year,' alongside one image of her in a string thong and fur bralette, while another showing her spilling out of a barely-there top, read: 'Dropped sumn?'

Kanye's post raised eyebrows as he had previously criticized his ex Kim for being 'overly sexualized,' while promoting her SKIMS brand, and once also claimed the wet look Thierry Mugler dress she wore to the 2019 Met Gala was 'too sexy'.

Those close to Bianca were given hope that she might start fighting back against Kanye's demands at the end of 2023 after she reportedly grew tired of being treated like his silent mute'.

Bianca and Kanye secretly wed in December 2022, and have continuously exhibited some bizarre outfits since going public

Kanye's decision to style Bianca in such revealing attire has raised many eyebrows after he had previously criticized his ex-wife Kim Kardashian for being 'overly sexualized'

Following her solo trip home to Australia, she is said to have threatened he would lose her if the behavior continued.

She was also reported to have laid a 'smack down' on her husband over his unhinged and offensive anti-Semitic outbursts.

Insiders revealed: 'She told him that his recent behavior was unacceptable and that he needs to apologize because he was putting them in danger and setting a horrible example for his children.

'Bianca is really sick of his attention seeking and she knows that this is not who he truly is.'

He was slammed for anti-Semitic lyrics in his new track Vultures, which he performed at club Blu Dubai in Dubai alongside rappers Ty Dolla $ign and Lil' Durk late last year.

In front of a large crowd, Kanye rapped, 'How am I anti-Semitic? I just f***ed a Jewish b****'  a reference to the anti-Semitic scandal last year which saw him booted from his lucrative partnerships with Adidas and Balenciaga.

Kanye has a documented history of antisemitism and last year lost out on a number of partnership deals after going on an explosive anti-Semitic rant.
A woman explosively berated her single costar for her 'disrespectful' etiquette in TLC's raunchy new dating show Love and Translation - leaving the male singletons baffled as they don't even speak the same language.

The bizarre new series descended into chaos after Moroccan native Imane, 21, lost her cool when German contestant Tulay, 25, took a shower in the men's living quarters, with the furious contestant calling out the behavior with the help of a translator gadget.

In a dramatic clip from episode two, Imane was seen shouting at Tulay in front of the other singletons as she insisted that in her culture it is 'not normal' to shower in a bathroom belonging to the opposite sex.

The argument erupted when Imane started grilling Tulay about where she had showered after she walked down the stairs wearing just a towel.

Moroccan native Imane, 21, blasted her fellow contestant in episode two of Love and Translation

Tulay, 25, was forced to defend herself after taking a shower in the boys' bathroom

Answering her question, Tulay responded: '[I showered] downstairs. I was in that room because the showers here are cold.'

Clearly unimpressed by her answer, Imane stood to her feet while wildly gesticulating.

Explaining herself to the group, Tulay then said: 'He was finished, so I was in this room because the shower here is cold.'

But Tulay's explanation was lost on Imane, who yelled: 'In my room, the shower works. But you prefer to shower with them?'

Speaking in her confessional, she continued to rage: 'If I had a shower with a guy, to me I'm sorry but that's not normal. In my culture, that's not normal.'

Addressing the entire villa, Imane added: 'We are all in one house. There are 12 people here.

'If someone showers there, and not down here, I'm sorry, but I will ask the question.'

At this point, a confused Tulay fought back, and asked: 'Why do you cause unnecessary stress?'

Imane confronted Tulay in front of the entire villa - causing a huge commotion

Tulay sparked uproar after she came down the stairs from the men's quarters in just a towel

The fellow women were aghast after realizing Tulay didn't shower in the women's bathroom

Appearing to simmer down, Imane said: 'I just wanted to know why she showered with them and not with us. That's all.'

In Imane's native Morocco - a Muslim country - bathrooms are predominantly single sex.

Love and Translation premiered on January 21 on TLC and follows three American men - Tripp Bromley, Dylan Hodge, and Kahlil Haughton - as they move in with 12 women from nine different countries in an attempt to find true love in an exotic location.

The snag? The women can't speak English.

A confused Tulay snapped back at Imane for causing 'unnecessary stress'

Speaking in her confessional, Imane said: 'If I had a shower with a guy, to me I'm sorry but that's not normal. In my culture, that's not normal'

Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com, 24-year-old bachelor Kahil confirmed that there's a lot of skin-on-skin contact because the singletons aren't able to use English to communicate.

'I think touch was the best substitute that we had,' he said.

'You can make someone feel comfortable through touch, like dancing. And it feels natural.'

The Texas native continued: 'I feel like touching was our most useful form of communication in a way. And I mean, sometimes it would lead to like more kissing and some other extra stuff or something.

'I think it was one of the most the most useful things that we did.'

Love and Translation airs Sundays at 10 pm ET/PT on TLC.
Iran not linked to Sunday attack against US base in Jordan

Tehran, Jan 29 (UNI) Iran had nothing to do with Sunday's drone attack on a US military base in Jordan that left three US soldiers dead and dozens injured, Iranian state-run news agency IRNA reported on Monday, citing an unnamed Iranian representative to the UN.

On Sunday, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said three US soldiers had been killed and 25 others injured in a drone attack at a US military base in Jordan's northeast, near the border with Syria.

On Monday, CENTCOM said the number of injured US soldiers had risen to 34, eight of whom had to be evacuated.
Armie Hammers blood lust was so intense that he once killed a deer, ripped out its heart out and ate it raw while it was still warm, a former girlfriend has claimed.

And the accused cannibal told her he constantly liked to find new vanilla girls who he could subject to his twisted sexual fantasies.

Effie Angelova, 27, the first woman to accuse the Call Me By Your Name star of abuse made these claims in an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com, three years after she became the first woman to accuse Hammer.

She made the decision to speak  and to publish a memoir of the abuse online  because she feels, Hammer has shown no remorse.

Ive been scared to speak about my trauma because I get victim-blamed and bullied and harassed by rapist supporters, the Bulgarian national said.

But I keep hearing that my abuser continues to hurt more girls.

He hasnt changed. It seems hes become more manipulative.

Effie Angelova, 27, shared a disturbing account of the 'abuse' she endured during her four-year relationship with Armie Hammer and the toll it continues to take on her

Angelova first came forward with the allegations in 2021, when she filed a complaint alleging that he raped her in 2017, however, prosecutors would ultimately decide against pursuing charges years later

Justice has not been served, Angelova added. I want rapists to be held accountable. He is a rapist, and he should be held accountable.

A spokesperson for Hammer declined to comment on Angelovas claims but when announcing his offices decision not to prosecute, LA DA George Gascon admitted, due to the complexity of the relationship [between Hammer and Angelova] and inability to prove a non-consensual, forcible sexual encounter we are unable to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt.

Other women came forward after Angelova. They leveled similar allegations that the actor had subjected them to violent kinky sex that left them bruised, bleeding and traumatized and that he had professed a love of cannibalism.

Angelovas decision to speak out comes after DailyMail.com revealed a new woman in Hammers life last month. Kazakh-born IT specialist Marina Gris claimed they were due to marry but have now called off their relationship.

Gris did not level accusations of abuse at the actor who first made it big playing both Winklevoss twins in The Social Network, the 2010 movie about the founding of Facebook.

Hammer and Angelova started dating in 2016 after meeting on Facebook when she was just 20. Now she has revealed in candid detail how a toxic pattern of coercive control enforced with threats emerged.

Effie Angelova described Hammer's alledged abuse on the website Medium using her full name Efrosina Angelova

She says Hammers nauseating fantasies included his fixation with cannibalism, blood play, knives, breaking bones and even violent death during sex.

As their relationship continued, Angelova recalls how Hammer increasingly spoke of his fascination with blood  playing with it and even drinking it.

Hammers alleged fixation with cannibalism is first and foremost in Angelovas recollections of their twisted relationship.

In dozens of texts  apparently quoted by Angelova verbatim  Hammer shared dark sexual fantasies that involved inflicting harm and even death in a bid to consume her.

She claims he told her, I will kill you. Thats the only way you can die. Do you understand?

Blood is just so primal,' he allegedly said. 'And pure. Its the purest form of someones life force. And if you want to eat someone alive its the closest you can get.

Another time he told her: Please fix my soul. I need you to help me. I want to eat you alive. I want to bite f***ing pieces off of you. I need to devour you. Thats my skin. I would eat it if I was there.

I would swallow it. Id chase you down and pounce on you so fast if you tried to walk away. Youll need something strong to hold me back from you. Im feeling very possessive.

He then added: Ive cut the heart out of a living animal before and eaten it while still warm. I shot it, ran up, pulled out a knife, cut the heart out and ate it. Raw. Still warm.

The feeling of the muscle fiber, the taste of the iron in the blood. I couldnt stop. I smeared blood on my face.

Id eat your heart too if I wasnt stuck without you after.

Effie shared screenshots of messages from the actor, some too disturbing to publish, in which he expressed his dark, sadistic fantasies

He told her he wanted to 'devour' her and 'eat her alive' and underlined just how literally he intended those statements to land, by claiming to have once eaten the 'still warm' heart of a deer

Hammer described fantasies that involved inflicting harm and even death in a bid to consume her

Last year the Los Angeles District Attorneys office announced it would not press charges against Hammer despite Angelovas claim that he had raped her in 2017.

Angelova claims that when she accused Hammer of rape he replied: I still have some pent up aggression to take out on your body.

She admits that she kept going back to Hammer as he played on her emotions. She describes the reason was they shared a trauma bond.

She says he love-bombed her with messages. He wanted her so badly that he called her the golden standard among women, or in his words The Michael Phelps of f***ing.

Do you remember how many nights we stayed up all night talking? he wrote to her.

How much we shared with each other? It all meant something and it was all beautiful and no matter how poorly I handled the situation (very poorly) I dont think it should deminish (sic) that

You deserved way better All signs here point to my fault. And I know I said this before but I am so sorry. So, so sorry.

He even told her of his fantasy of them both dying during sex.

Ill choke you to death and as you die you will be holding a rope to a contraption that will cut my throat so as we die we feel the warmth of my blood covering us.

Two years later, she claims, Hammer reached out to her and expressed a desire to make amends.'

The shocking messages appear to support her claims that Hammer was fixated with cannibalism, blood play, knives, violent death during sex and the breaking of bones

She writes that he told her, I have been in years of intensive therapy, and its changed my life.

But in fact, two women  Dallas-based app founder Courtney Vucekovich and professional skier-turned-Instagram model Paige Lorenze  came forward with their own accounts of traumatic experiences with Hammer the very next year.

Lorenze claimed that the fallen star cut her with a knife and branded her.

And just last week comedienne Brittany Schmitt sad they had a brief fling last summer and he tattooed her on their first night.

'Theyre on my hand. Theyre cute,' said Schmitt, 32, said. 'He was just doing stick and poke, but it did escalate over the time that he was staying with this guy he was sober companioning.'

Schmitt said Hammer called the tattoos 'cannibal ink' as a joke.

According to Angelova, Hammer said he liked to initiate new girls into his dark fantasies.

I like newbies because I can totally train them, he supposedly said.

If I find a vanilla girl, I make it my job to find the kink in her and pull it out. I want to find her limits and then push and expose her to more than she thought she could handle.

He said of one such woman: We met working together. She was a vanilla until I turned her out. We got into blood playme drinking her blood.

Angelova says that she repeatedly refused Hammers invitations to join him in New York, Saudi Arabia and Canada  all places where, she alleges, he told her he intended to inflict torture upon her.

I felt suicidal, she admits. And blocked him for some time. But due to the trauma bond I went back and kept trying to heal him with spirituality which, needless to say, didnt work.

Angelova admits she was locked in a toxic and addictive cycle from which she struggled, and repeatedly failed, to break free.

She would cut Hammer off. He would love bomb and coerce her. She would relent only for him to make increasingly degrading demands in a bid to convert her into his little slave.

I wanted to find excuses for him, she states. And I wondered whether his disturbing behavior was due to his drug use.

But Hammer himself, she says, rejected that as too simplistic a reading and wrote to her, Its too easy to just pass it off as drugs. And feels dismissive. Dont blame drugsits much more complicated than that.

She called him a monster. She says she tried to leave but again and again she stayed, until the day that she didnt.

In February 2020 something in Angelova began to break. She confronted Hammer over the alleged rape and this time she didnt let it drop.

Prague-based Marina Gris, a Kazakh-born IT specialist is the latest woman that Hammer has been known to be with. They gt engaged last year but have since split. Gris has not made allegations of any abuse y him but

Hammer and ex-wife Elizabeth Chambers were married for ten years before announcing their divorce - which was finalized in June 2023

Hammer's former girlfriends Paige Lorenze (left) and Courtney Vucekovich came forward after Effie Angelova first made her allegations. Both said the actor was fixated with eating parts of their body

Comedienne Brittany Schmitt said Hammer ttattooed her hand on their first night while talking on her friend Brittany Furlan's 'This is the Worst' podcast

Looking back, Angelova recalls, she told him, Even though youre still in denial about your actions and want to blame others, youve permanently damaged me. I can only hope there arent too many other girls youve abused suffering in silence. You need to stop hurting women

I will never forgive you.

The following month an anonymous rape allegation against Hammer surfaced online. According to Angelova it was so similar to her own experience that, It shattered me.

Then, texts between Hammer and another woman bullied into silence in 2018 also emerged online.

Angelova could take no more. She found her voice and filed her complaint only to have the District Attorney decline to press charges.

But while she may not have got the justice she sought, there is still a way in which Angelova believes she may find some peace.

I suffer from complex post-traumatic stress disorder every day because of what Armie has done to me.

For my healing, I want Armie to show genuine remorse for what hes done to me.
Kate Beckinsale was spotted in public for the first time since lambasting the British Academy of Film and Television Arts for what she called a 'cold' and 'heartless' email regarding her step-father and his inclusion on the annual In Memoriam segment at the upcoming awards.

The actress, 50, arrived at the airport in Los Angeles Saturday with a couple of assistants for what appeared to be a business trip of some sort.

The Fool's Paradise star looked casual in a black and white plaid shirt with frayed seams. The top was unbuttoned at the bottom, giving a glimpse of her toned tummy.

The in-demand actress wore distressed low cut jeans with tears at the knees and various graphics, accessorized by a rhinestone belt.

The 5-foot-seven star added to her height with a pair of high heel white lace up sneakers.

Kate Beckinsale, 50, was spotted as she arrived at the airport in Los Angeles. It was the first time the actress was seen in public following her lambasting of BAFTA for an email she received after the death of her stepfather

Her long blonde hair was styled in a high pony tail with a 50s kind of curl, accessorized with a large black bow.

Kate wore a diamond necklace and dangling earrings.

The Prisoner's Daughter actress' makeup looked natural with a soft pink lip and she wore large, dark sunglasses.

The grieving star recently won a small victory following the death of her step-father, Roy Battersby.

After initially being told Battersby, who passed at the age of 87, might not make it into the annual BAFTA In Memoriam tribute, the influencer announced on social media that the widely respected director would be honored for his contribution to the film and television industry.

However, the Underworld franchise star said she has not received a formal apology from the organization.

'In lieu of an apology which is now redundant,' she wrote on social media, 'I would like a public and permanent assurance that BAFTA make a major change to their policy of wording emails to anyone who has been bereaved; whether that person is a DP, a sound or vVFX technician, costume department, editor, electrician, grip or carpenter, let alone someone honoured in the way Roy had been.'

Kate will next be seen in the thriller Canary Black.

The Fool's Paradise star looked casual in a black and white plaid shirt with frayed seams. The top was unbuttoned at the bottom, giving a glimpse of her toned tummy. She wore distressed low cut jeans with tears at the knees and various graphics, accessorized by a rhinestone belt

The actress' long blonde hair was styled in a high pony tail with a 50s kind of curl, accessorized with a large black bow. She wore a diamond necklace and dangling earrings. Her makeup looked natural with a soft pink lip and she wore large, dark sunglasses

According to Movie Insider, she will star as a CIA agent whose husband has been kidnapped by terrorists.

In order to save his life, she must use her underworld contacts to gather the information the bad guys want.

Saffron Burrows and Rupert Friend co-star in the thriller which was shot in Croatia.

No release date has been announced.
Married at First Sight series 11 is set to premiere on Channel Nine on Monday evening and its relationship experts say viewers can expect one of the 'craziest' seasons yet.

Sexologist Alessandra Rampolla, 49, told The Daily Telegraph on Saturday that she will be watching the series alongside viewers to see the chaotic events unfold.

'I am ready to watch the craziness unfold. The experts don't see what happens during the week, so to watch the episodes gives me the full experience,' she said.

Rampolla added that rather than focus on how many couples are successfully matched, viewers should look to the show as a guide for recognising red flags in a relationship.

'It's not about how many couples we get right. We're showing Australia and the world what not to put up with and what not to do.

Married at First Sight series 11 is set to premiere on Channel Nine on Monday evening and its relationship experts say viewers can expect one of the 'craziest' seasons yet. Pictured L - R: Series experts Alessandra Rampolla, John Aiken and Mel Schilling

'It's about learning about interactions and being better partners and getting discussions going so we can all do better. And if love pops up, it's a celebration.'

Meanwhile, fellow relationship expert Mel Schilling, 51, was quick to dismiss claims the show was not a successful dating experiment, with only four couples from 10 seasons still together.

'I don't focus on that at all. There are so many ways to measure success in this show. I focus more on whether people have grown, developed and gained something out of the process.'

Sexologist Alessandra Rampolla , 49, told The Daily Telegraph that she will be watching the series alongside viewers to see the chaotic events unfold: Pictured: New Brides Lauren Dunn (left) and Sara Mesa (right)

Elsewhere, series expert John Aiken, 53, told 9now that viewers could expect brutally honest and 'raw' confessions from the cast.

'What really stands out is there's this very raw Confessions Week which brings out some secrets and revelations we've never heard on MAFS before.'

The new series will feature some of the show's hottest cast members ever when it launches.

Ahead of the highly anticipated premiere on January 29, Channel Nine released official photos of this year's participants.

The upcoming series will feature a former MAFS groom's younger brother and a same sex couple.

It will also feature the show's 'oldest ever groom': a 62-year-old motivational speaker.

Married At First Sight 2024 premieres on Channel Nine on January 29 at 7.30pm.
Grieving fans of Neighbours star Troy Beckwith have noticed a heartbreaking detail in a social media announcement confirming his death aged 48 over the weekend.

Troy's Neighbours co-star Kym Valentine announced the tragic news in a Facebook post on Saturday, revealing that he would not be having a funeral.

'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.

It is unclear why Troy did not want a funeral. Daily Mail Australia has reached out to family and friends friends for comment.

Grieving fans of Neighbours star Troy Beckwith have noticed a heartbreaking detail in a social media announcement confirming his death aged 48 over the weekend. Troy is pictured left in recent years

Valentine's post was flooded with messages from heartbroken colleagues and friends of the late star.

Legendary casting director Jan Russ commented on Valentine's post with condolences, writing: 'Oh no!!! Dear Troy... That is so sadgorgeous boy.'

Actor Brett Blewitt - who memorably played Brett Stark on the soap and who recently returned to the revival - also shared kinds words.

Troy's Neighbours co-star Kym Valentine (right, with Troy in their youth) announced the tragic news in a Facebook post on Saturday, revealing that he would not be having a funeral

'Another member of our TV family gone way too soon. There will be no funeral as per Troy's request,' Valentine wrote

'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.

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.'

Beckwith played Michael Martin between 1991 and 1998 on Neighbours (pictured)

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

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.
Madeline Holtznagel made a captivating entrance at the Australian Open in Melbourne on Sunday, stealing the spotlight at the men's final.

The model, 27, donned a chic sleeveless plunging beige top that showcased her timeless beauty and highlighted her flawless skin, perfectly paired with matching pants.

The bombshell completed her outfit with tan heels and accessorised with a designer clutch and gold earrings.

The younger sister of fellow model Simone Holtznagel wore her blonde locks in a bun and gave her appearance that extra edge with a striking layer of makeup.

As she gracefully entered the Rod Laver Arena, Madeline's presence quite literally turned heads, drawing the attention of onlookers who couldn't help but give her a second glance.

Madeline Holtznagel (pictured) made a captivating entrance at the Australian Open in Melbourne on Sunday, stealing the spotlight at the men's final. The model, 27, donned a chic sleeveless beige top that showcased her timeless beauty

She was then seen taking a seat next to her billionaire pub baron beau Justin Hemmes, 51, with the pair continuing to turn heads with their elegant style.

The pair have been dating for several years now and she even spent lockdown at his Vaucluse mansion in 2020.

In October, Madeline celebrated her 27th birthday alongside family and friends, thrown by her partner Justin.

She was ecstatic upon discovering he had thrown her a surprise bash at his luxury $100million home in Vaucluse, Sydney.

The younger sister of fellow model Simone Holtznagel wore her blonde locks in a bun and gave her appearance that extra edge with a striking layer of makeup

She began the joyful day arriving via boat to the waterfront property, where she discovered all her friends waiting to surprise her.

Sharing a video to Instagram of the moment they jumped out to wish her a happy birthday, Madeline wrote: 'The best surprise ever.

'Thank you to my amazing boyfriend and friends who made my birthday so special.'

Madeline was surprised as she arrived at Hemmes' home in her gym gear.

She threw her arms around Justin and thanked him, before getting glammed up in a dress more fitting for the birthday girl.
Rebel Wilson and fiancee Ramona Agruma were spotted returning to the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas at 2 a.m.

The Pitch Perfect star, 35, surprised her partner with a serenade from Kylie Minogue, 55, for her 40th birthday.

The couple then attended Kylie's Las Vegas residency concert, where they danced and sang their hearts out.

Afterward, Rebel carried the pink boa she wore to the show and Ramona wore a light blue faux fur coat as they traipsed through the casino after the high-energy concert.

On Sunday morning, the Isn't It Romantic actress posted a video of herself and Ramona hanging out in Kylie's dressing room.

Rebel Wilson and her fiancee Ramona Agruma were spotted at 2am at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas

The Pitch Perfect star, 35, surprised her partner with a serenade from Kylie Minogue, 55, for her 40th birthday.

A very special Happy Birthday to a very special girl. Be HAPPY, baby,' Rebel wrote next to the video.

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.'

Ramona commented on the post: 'Best birthday ever! Thank you my love.'

A song from Kylie wasn't the only birthday surprise Ramona received  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.'

'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.

Rebel and Ramona met sometime in 2021 and pictures of them together date back to January 2022 on social media.

The couple then attended Kylie's Las Vegas residency concert where they danced and sang their hearts out

Afterward, Rebel carried the pink boa she wore to the show and Ramona wore a light blue faux fur coat as they traipsed through the casino after the high-energy concert

On Sunday morning, the Isn't It Romantic actress posted a video of herself and Ramona hanging out in Kylie's dressing room

A very special Happy Birthday to a very special girl. Be HAPPY, baby,' Rebel wrote next to the video

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.' Ramona commented on the post: 'Best birthday ever! Thank you my love'

A song from Kylie wasn't the only birthday surprise Ramona received  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'

'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

Rebel and Ramona met sometime in 2021 and pics of them together date back to January 2022 on social media. They went public with their relationship in June 2022

They went public with their relationship in June 2022 and got engaged in February 2023.

The Senior Year star announced their engagement on Instagram. She popped the question at Disneyland.

'We said YES!. Thank you @tiffanyandco for the stunning ring and to Bob Iger and the incredible team at Disneyland @disneyweddings for pulling off this magical surprise,' she wrote at the time.

In another Instagram post she gushed about her partner, writing: 'I thought I was searching for a Disney Prince but maybe what I really needed all this time was a Disney Princess #loveislove.'
Neighbours star Troy Beckwith's death at age 48 followed a 'tough battle' with cancer.

The Melbourne-based actor's death was announced on social media on Wednesday by his sister Juanita Sanger.

'Troy we will always remember that most mischievous, contagious laugh. Everyone loved you,' she wrote.

'Boy did we have fun growing up. A free spirit that couldnt be held down. And the storieswe could write a book!'

'I know Mum will be so happy to be reunited with her boy. Peace at last.'

At the end of the post, Ms Sanger wrote '#cancersux'.

News of Beckwith's death made headlines over the weekend after his friends and former Neighbours co-stars shared the sad news on social media.

Troy Beckwith's sister Juanita sanger (pictured together) announced on Wednesday that her brother died following a battle with cancer

Juanita Sanger said her mother would be 'so happy' to be reunited with Troy Beckwith (family pictured together)

The Melbourne-based actor's death was announced on social media on Wednesday by his sister Juanita Sanger (pictured)

One friend, Selina Bonica, wrote on Saturday: 'On the 24th of January, we lost a star and the heavens gained one. Troy, you were a pain in my ass, but I loved you dearly.'

'Im just glad youre free from pain.

'Love forever, your Sel x.'

On Monday, one of the actor's relatives, Shane Beckwith, addressed rumours about Beckwith's cause of death.

'The family would like everyone to know that Troy fought a tough battle with cancer,' he said.

His former Neighbours co-star Kym Valentine, who starred as Libby Kennedy on the soap, wrote: '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 Troy's request.

Troy Beckwith was an Australian actor in the late 80s and 90s (picturd)

He was known as one of Neighbours' most iconic villains with his character branded as 'Sicko Micko'. Pictured on the soap

'Thanks for all the memories my cheeky mate and all my love to your friends and family.'

Actor Brett Blewitt, who played Brett Stark, described Beckwith as a 'lovely person'.

'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 broken heart emojis.

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.

'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'.

'Another member of our TV family gone way too soon. There will be no funeral as per Troy's request,' Kym Valentine wrote

Former Neighbours actress Kym Valentine shared a throwback photo with Beckwith (pictured)

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.

Beckwith mysteriously disappeared from his Cranbourne home on May 31, 2017.

Police reports at the time said he was home in the early hours of the morning, but had disappeared by the time she got home at 11am.

He had his phone but was not answering calls.

His family was concerned because he had a 'medical condition'.

The last time his partner heard from him was when he called to say he had cancelled an appointment.

About two weeks later, on June 17, Victoria Police announced Beckwith had been located 'safe and well'.

The reason for his disappearance was never revealed.

As per the actor's request, there will not be a funeral.
The Apprentice star Selina Waterman-Smith made a terrifying daredevil choice to illegally sneak across the United Arab Emirates border and into Oman as she dodged 'bogus' legal charges.

Businesswoman Selina, 39, who starred on the hit BBC show in 2015, was in a 'living hell' over a 'bounced cheque' and was warned she faced being locked up if she didn't pay 27,750 - despite claiming she never wrote any cheque.

Her passport had been taken and she faced life in prison by fleeing the UAE after living in Dubai, so she paid 17,000 to be smuggled over the border and set free so she could return to the UK.

Selina told The Sun: 'I had lost everything due to corruption in the UAE. I felt I had nothing to lose. If I had been caught they would have locked me up. I can never go back.'

She claims she has been the victim of harassment and extortion for nearly five years after a former business associate exploited a loophole UAE law that meant she could be convicted while she was abroad.

The Apprentice star Selina Waterman-Smith made a terrifying choice to illegally sneak across the United Arab Emirates border and into Oman as she dodged 'bogus' legal charges (pictured in 2015)

The reality star said she was found guilty in her absence without any examination of the evidence as the complainant had supplied the wrong contact information for her.

She claims the man, from South Africa, has been harassing and extorting her since 2019, prompting her to file a complaint with the Dubai Police.

She said the whole ordeal caused her a nervous breakdown and she was also diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), anaemia, adrenal exhaustion, a kidney infection, and hair loss from acute stress.

As a result of the court ruling against her, Selina had been stuck in the UAE with a travel ban for two years, without a bank account or medical insurance, a blocked trade license, and her then soon-to-be-cancelled residency visa.

She added to The Sun: 'I appealed the ludicrous outcome but was told because I was a woman I couldnt run a business anyway. I was also advised a man doesnt need any evidence to prosecute a case against a woman in Dubai.

'There was not a shred of evidence against me. I had nothing to lose, so I paid 10,000 to be smuggled out of the country. I was in limbo with my passport blocked.'

The person who was meant to help her out of the country let her down so she paid 7,000 to someone else.

She claims she was told to duck down in the back of the car as it was driven over the UAE-Oman border, adding that custom officials did not check the vehicle properly as it moved through.

Selina, 39, who starred on the hit BBC show in 2015 (pictured), was in a 'living hell' over a 'bounced cheque' and was warned she faced being locked up if she didn't pay 27,750

Selina returned to the UK and then went to Thailand where she has been located since the end of last year.

The television personality, who made it as far as week nine on The Apprentice, claims the male complainant initially posed as a wealthy investor and reached out to her growing restaurant business in 2018.

But after their business arrangement broke down, she said he started demanding a salary from the business, an allowance to rent office space, and regular dividends - despite not investing the agreed capital.

She claimed when she refused his request he became 'very aggressive' and would threaten her over the phone - leaving her in a constant state of fear and stress.

Selina said she discovered his back story had been 'fabricated' and he wasn't legally permitted to invest in the UAE.

And she claims she has since been subjected to a campaign of threats, cyber-harassment and phone calls from people claiming to be connected to him.

Some Instagram messages have come in the form of threats about 'getting revenge'.

Selina said the man has also since launched his own rival food company with an almost identical concept to hers.

She claims she never wrote a cheque, her passport had been taken and she faced life in prison by fleeing the UAE after living in Dubai, so she paid 17,000 to be smuggled over the border (Dubai Marina pictured)

She previously said: 'There have been times in the last two years where I have suffered extreme depression, as I can't see any other way of escaping his abuse.

'He [the unnamed businessman] seems to relish having power over me and destroying a strong woman.

'A man so brazen about threats, harassment, and committing fraud, is a real danger to me, and potentially other female victims.'

She added: 'He continued to cyberstalk me daily, via threats and invasive action, and find ways to intimidate me wherever I was.

'The love-bombing in the beginning with grand claims about his potential contribution to my business, and then his switch into an aggressive monster leads me to believe that this is narcissistic abuse.'

She claims she has also repeatedly spoken to police and lawyers about the ongoing abuse, which has now been going on for nearly five years.

She added: 'Whenever I've spoken to authorities they've advised me that I had done nothing wrong legally and to "ignore him", and that he would eventually get bored.' Sadly, this has not been the reality.

Selina said she eventually had little choice but to eventually close her business - writing off her own 75,000 investment.

She claims she's victim of harassment and extortion after a former business associate exploited a loophole UAE law that meant she could be convicted while she was abroad (L-R: Selina, Ruth Whiteley and Scott Saunders pictured on The Apprentice in 2015)

But she claims the abuse continued and he was kept tabs on her movements via her social media and when she left the UAE in 2021 for a much-needed vacation, he filed a civil case just a few days later - over a bounced cheque.

This carried a draconian punishment in the UAE including seizure of assets, a travel ban, and jail time.

She says no cheque was mentioned in his testimony, but instead he allegedly claimed that she borrowed money from him and refused to return it - a claim she denies.

Selina, who has previously spoken about being kidnapped and attacked by three men, said: 'I will probably always have PTSD after being kidnapped and assaulted in 2013, especially when it comes to trusting men, and what I find most upsetting here is that I think this is why he targeted me, assuming that because I'm vulnerable I would be easier to manipulate.

'When I refused a lot of his demands for money, he resorted to more immoral tactics.'

Despite her claim that there is no evidence, the court has refused to grant an appeal, claiming that his testimony is sufficient, and due to Sharia Law are unwilling to overturn the original decision of the judge.

London-based organisation Detained in Dubai, which is supporting her, confirmed there was no financial proof of any cheque in the full case file, which was never examined in court.

After winning the case in absentia in 2021, and being awarded funds seized from her personal savings account, Selina said she was sent a new threat demanding a further 65,000, which she ignored on advice from her lawyer.

She added: 'He's even claimed in his testimony my business ideas were his - despite us operating for two years before he approached me.

'Now he's filed a bounced cheque case but the case mentions a personal loan without any bank statements or proof, so clearly even he is confused as to the reason he's demanding money this time round.'

The reality star said she was found guilty in her absence without any examination of the evidence as the complainant had supplied the wrong contact information for her (The Apprentice boss Lord Alan Sugar pictured this year)

Radha Stirling, of Detained in Dubai, said: 'Securing a conviction against a rival in the UAE is often simply as easy as making an accusation, as we see in Selina's case.

'No substantial evidence is required, no proof, and the accused is frequently never even made aware of the case until they discover they have been convicted.

'It is disturbing that Selina decided to give the country a second chance after the nightmare of her violent assault 10 years prior, only to once again find herself victimised by both a ruthless predator and the legal system that unquestioningly took his side.

'It is a harrowing and cautionary tale - one of countless others - that Western tourists and business people should keep uppermost in their minds when considering visiting or moving to the UAE.'
Sarah Jessica Parker joined husband Matthew Broderick at the star-studded afterparty following the gala opening of their play Plaza Suite at London's Savoy Hotel on Sunday.

The actress, 58, dazzled in a gold sequinned midi-dress with sheer overlay which hugged every inch of her toned figure.

Sarah added extra height to her frame with a pair of pointed black heels and toted her essentials in a sparkly bag.

Meanwhile Matthew, 61, who shares 21-year-old son James and 14-year-old twin daughters Tabitha and Marion with his wife, cut a dapper double-breasted pin striped suit.

The couple were joined by their director John Benjamin Hickey as they mingled with the other guests following the performance.

Sarah Jessica Parker joined husband Matthew Broderick, 61, at the star-studded afterparty following the gala opening of their play Plaza Suite at London's Savoy Hotel on Sunday

The actress dazzled in a gold sequinned midi-dress with sheer overlay which hugged every inch of her toned figure

Earlier in the evening Hannah Waddingham and Sheridan Smith led the stars arriving to take their seats for the show.

The Ted Lasso actress, 49, was the epitome of sophistication in a stylish blue satin suit which boasted a tailored blazer and dramatic shoulder pads.

Hannah teamed it with high-legged trousers and blunging blouse along with a matching scarf draped around her neck.

She appeared in very high spirits as she graced the red carpet and playfully posed for the cameras before taking her seat to enjoy the show.

Meanwhile Sheridan, 42, who will soon be returning to the West End stage in new musical Opening Night, put on a very leggy display in a pair of skimpy Chanel hot pants.

She layered the look with an oversized tuxedo jacket and slipped her long toned pins into tights and a pair of suede ankle boots.

Suite Plaza is the West End revival of Neil Simon's play of the same name which debuted at Broadway in 1968.

They were originally announced to star in the play back in September 2019, though the opening night was delayed nearly two years due to COVID-19 .

Sarah added extra height to her frame with a pair of pointed black heels and toted her essentials in a sparkly bag

The couple share M21-year-old son James and 14-year-old twin daughters Tabitha and Marion

Meanwhile Matthew cut a dapper double-breasted pin striped suit.

The couple were joined by their director John Benjamin Hickey (L) as they mingled with the other guests following the performance

Earlier in the evening Hannah Waddingham (L) and Sheridan Smith (R) led the stars arriving to take their seats for the show

The Ted Lasso star was the epitome of sophistication in a stylish blue satin suit which boasted a tailored blazer and dramatic shoulder pads

Sarah hasn't appeared on Broadway since 1995, when she took over the Rosemary Pillkington role from Megan Mullally in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.

Meanwhile, Matthew's last foray into theatre was in 2019 when he made his West End debut in The Starry Messenger with Elizabeth McGovern.

Sarah has finished filming And Just Like That..., a continuation of Sex And The City, which has been renewed for a third series.

Matthew most recently starred in comedy film No Hard Feelings starring Jennifer Lawrence and comedy-mystery Only Murders In The Building.

Sarah recently revealed one of the things she loves about London is its public transport.

Hannah teamed it with high-legged trousers and blunging blouse along with a matching scarf draped around her neck

She appeared in very high spirits as she graced the red carpet and playfully posed for the cameras before taking her seat to enjoy the show

The blonde beauty had a great time on the busy red carpet

She seemingly did a spot of Thai Chi

Hannah ensured all eyes were on her

Onlookers were left in hysterics by her antics

Meanwhile Sheridan, 42, who will soon be returning to the West End stage in new musical Opening Night, put on a very leggy display in a pair of skimpy Chanel hot pants

She layered the look with an oversized tuxedo jacket and slipped her long toned pins into tights and a pair of suede ankle boots

She showed off her very toned figure in the skimpy ensemble

Sheridan sported a face of glamorous make-up and wore her blonde tresses poker straight

Sheridan flashed a huge smile

She spotted someone in the crowd as she walked the red carpet

Martin Freeman, 52, made rare red carpet appearance with girlfriend Rachel Mariam, 30,

The lovebirds wrapped their arms around each other as they graced the red carpet

Meanwhile David Tennant opted for a classic black suit

The Doctor Who started layered his tailored blazer over a stylish sweater

Elsewhere James McAvoy cut a cool figure as he donned a pair of dark shades

Joely Richardson caught the eye in a flowing pink dress adorned with floral detailing

She accessorised with chunky boots and a swanky Dior saddle bag

TV's Jenni Falconer flaunted her long legs in a very high-high frock

Jenni risked a wardrobe malfunction before taking her seat inside the theatre

The Crown's Olivia Williams made her own rare red carpet appearance alongside husband Rhashan Stone

The couple who wed in 2003, wrapped up warm from the winter chill

Sarah and Matthew received a standing ovation as they took their curtain call

The actors donned vintage costumes as they took to the stage

She looked worlds away from her chic Sex And The City character in a 70s floral frock and huge hat

(L to R) Cast members Eric Sirakian, Charlie Oscar, Sarah Jessica Parker, Matthew Broderick and Rohit Gokani

Gushing to MailOnline: 'It's nice to see new things Learning the Tube. The buses.' Look out for her on the top deck of the No 189 to Cricklewood!'.

'I admire her so much,' Matthew gushed about his wife to The Guardian in August.

'Never mind personally  loving her and all that  but I admire her acting, too. Sarah started her career on the stage as well'.

'So she's great at handling an audience. She's as sharp as can be. She's got real chops.'

Sarah Jessica Parker fans will also be glad to hear that Sex and the City's full six seasons will stream on Netflix for the first time this year.

The HBO drama - which ran from 1998-2004 and stars Sarah, Kim Cattrall, Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis - will be added to the rival platform in early April as a co-exclusive with the show's home streaming network Max (formerly HBO Max), according to The New York Times.

Russell Tovey looked stylish in a fur trimmed aviator jacket

Downton Abbey's Elizabeth McGovern was the epitome of chic

Her plunging silk blouse teased a hint of cleavage

Sweeping back her silver locks she added a slick of classic red lipstick

Derry Girls' Siobhan McSweeney showcased her unique sense of style

James Bond star Samantha Bond (L) joined former Strictly judge Arlene Phillips (R) on the red carpet

Sex And The City's Mario Cantone was on hand to support his pal and co-star

Dutch actress Celinde Schoenmaker (L) joined West End star Lucy Jones (R)

Actor Robert Glenister was joined by his wife Celia at the show

Netflix will stream all 94 episodes of the show but will not have both Sex and The City movies or the spin-off series, And Just Like That - which is set for a third season.

It is not known how much Netflix will pay to license the series - the licensing deal forms part of a content agreement the streaming service made with HBO parent company Warner Bros. Discovery last July - although SATC's inclusion was not originally announced.

HBO previously shied away from licensing its original content to Netflix - but last year sent series including Six Feet Under, Band of Brothers and Ballers to the streamer - which saw the shows gain huge popularity once again.

The latest acquisition shows Netflix continues to dominate the 'streaming wars' and is so dominant the major studios have capitulated and are allowing the No1 platform to show their major releases instead of keeping them exclusively for their own channels.

The landmark moment effectively means that Netflix's rivals have handed in the towel, with the major movie and TV studios who spent fortunes developing competitors  an estimated $5bn in the past year alone  admitting they will never topple the streaming giant.
Jeremy Renner is opening up about getting back to work on his Paramount series The Mayor of Kingstown, admitting he is a bit hesitatnt to return after his traumatic injury.

The series debuted in 2021 and was renewed for a second season, which debuted in January 2023, not long after his near-fatal snowplow accident.

The upcoming third season will be his first project back to work since the accident, and he admitted to being 'a little bit scared' to be back at work.

He admitted, 'I don't know if I'm looking forward to it. Again, I try to just do everything kind of step by step here,' after admitting he had 'a lot of callousness squashed out of him' from the accident.

'That's one foot in front of the other one. Then you're walking. I think I'm excited when I'm there and I get in a rhythm there,' he added.

Jeremy Renner is opening up about getting back to work on his Paramount series The Mayor of Kingstown, admitting he is a bit hesitatnt to return after his traumatic injury

The upcoming third season will be his first project back to work since the accident, and he admitted to being 'a little bit scared' to be back at work

'I'm excited about the character and, of course, all the people involved and all that in the storyline, but for me, I'm just tentative of confidence in work' Renner continued.

He admitted the show is 'arduous' since he films between 14 and 18-hour days, 'in the freezing cold outside in Pittsburgh.'

On top of the long hours, he added he's, 'scared of slipping and falling,' since he doesn't possess the, 'lower body strength' he had before the accident.

Still, he admitted that he was, 'excited' to be back on the show, which started production earlier this month.

The actor shared an Instagram post from the set on January 10, admitting he was 'nervous' to get back to work.

'Hope this works out that I can ACTUALLY pull this off for our production and more importantly the fans @mayorofkingstown @paramountplus, he wrote in the caption.

At the same time, Paramount+ officially announced production had begun on the forthcoming third season of the series.

The show, 'follows the McLusky family, power brokers in Kingstown, Michigan, where the business of incarceration is the only thriving industry.'

'I'm excited about the character and, of course, all the people involved and all that in the storyline, but for me, I'm just tentative of confidence in work' Renner continued

He admitted the show is 'arduous' since he films between 14 and 18-hour days, ' in the freezing cold outside in Pittsburgh'

The show, 'follows the McLusky family, power brokers in Kingstown, Michigan, where the business of incarceration is the only thriving industry

Earlier this month, he opened up about his injuries on the one-year anniversary of the snowplow accident, that resulted in over 30 broken bones

At the same time, Paramount+ officially announced production had begun on the forthcoming third season of the series

Earlier this month, he opened up about his injuries on the one-year anniversary of the snowplow accident, that resulted in over 30 broken bones.

'My friend reminded me I got home from ICU a year ago. Lucky man' he said on an Instagram story post.

'I certainly got a lot of callousness squashed out of me by that machine,' he said in an interview with People published on Saturday.

'I've never been bitter but always maybe a little more callous, a little bit more tough,' he explained.

'And I just think those calluses are just scraped off me at this point. Literally, I feel pretty open and wonderfully sensitive and youthful. I've been blessed.
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EastEnders bosses have unveiled a first look at Karen Taylor's return to Albert Square after she fled Walford having taken the blame for her grandson Albie's kidnapping.

Karen, played by Lorraine Stanley, 47, went away to start a new life with with Mitch Baker (Roger Griffiths) and their children last month.

in new pictures, Karen can be seen walking through Walford as she returns in search of her son Keanu.

Karen immediately finds an enemy in Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) on her return as he demands the stolen 500k kidnap ransom back.

Her return is much to the horror of Linda Carter (Kellie Bright), Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner), Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth) and Suki Panesar (Balvinder Sopal), Denise Fox (Diane Parish) and Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) who were involved in his Christmas Day killing.

EastEnders bosses have unveiled a first look at Karen Taylor's return to Albert Square after she fled Walford having taken the blame for her grandson Albie's kidnapping

in new pictures, Karen (Lorraine Stanley, right) can be seen walking through Walford as she returns in search of her son Keanu (Actress Clair Norris pictures as Bernadette Taylor, left, and Steve McFadden seen as Phil Mitchell, centre)

Karen has no idea her son is dead after he was stabbed by Linda as he strangled Sharon on Christmas Day.

It comes after it emerged a legendary pregnant character could be set for a dramatic exit after she gets hit by a car.

The star was snapped filming what could be one of her final ever scenes on the dramatic BBC soap alongside her co-stars Natalie Cassidy, James Farrar, and returned icon Patsy Palmer.

During the evening scene, heavily pregnant Whitney (played by Shona McGarty), can be seen walking into trouble as she tries to look out for a young mysterious girl.

Bianca, Zack, and Sonia were also spotted trying to lend Whitney a helping hand.

However, things quickly spiral out of control when the four of them come across the young girl's mother, who is also a drug addict, and a violent fight breaks out.

Tragedy then quickly struck after heavily pregnant Whitney suddenly gets hit by a car, sparking speculation that the star could be about to have a heartbreaking end to her time on the show.

During the devastating scene, Zack and Sonia can be seen looking on in utter shock as they witness Whitney being run over and the scene ends on a dramatic cliffhanger.

Karen immediately finds an enemy in Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden, centre) on her return as he demands the stolen 500k kidnap ransom back

Karen has no idea her son Keanu is dead after he was stabbed by Linda as he strangled Sharon on Christmas Day (actor Danny Walters pictured as Keanu Taylor)

Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) grabbed a knife and stabbed Keanu in the back in a bid to save Sharon Watt's (Letitia Dean) life while he strangled her

However, fans will have to wait and see whether this tragic accident will be linked to her exit.

It comes after Shona McGarty, 31, revealed last year that she would be quitting the soap after portraying Whitney for 15 years, after joining at the age of 16 in 2008.

Speaking to The Sun on Sunday about her decision to leave Albert Square, Shona said: 'I have decided to spread my wings and will be leaving EastEnders. I have loved my years in the show.' A source told the publication that it 'wasn't an easy decision' but that Shona feels now is the right time to 'try something new.'

They added: 'She is hoping the door will be left open for her character to return one day, but nothing is guaranteed and it is all in the hands of the scriptwriters.'

As the adopted daughter of the infamous Bianca Jackson (played by Patsy Palmer), Whitney was part of several hard-hitting storylines.

In 2008 Whitney was groomed and abused by her onscreen mum's partner and in 2020 she killed deranged Leo King for the soap's 35th anniversary.

It is thought Shona will pursue a singing career, something she hasn't shied away from.

In 2012, she performed on Children in Need singing Sam Cooke's A Change is Gonna Come.

It comes after it emerged a pregnant Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty, pictured) could be set for a dramatic exit after she gets hit by a car

She also released a charity song for Great Ormond Street Hospital in 2018 and covered The Beatles' Let It Be in 2021 for the charity Mind.

And just last year we saw her sing at the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance for BBC1.

The source told The Sun: 'As well as acting, Shona loves singing and has a real musical talent, so that is one of the options available.'

The star narrowly missed out on winning the Best Leading Performer at last year's British Soap Awards, but EastEnders bagged the big prize  Best British Soap.
Maya Jama revealed she has got a new ankle tattoo as she posed for an Instagram video on Sunday teasing the inking.

The Love Island host, 28, seemed in high spirits as she beamed at the camera while lying on her front on a bed as the artist drew the design of a lion on her ankle.

Maya showcased her incredible figure during the outing in a pair of blue denim long shorts which she teamed with a white crop top.

Speaking to the camera and giving fans a glimpse into her new inking, she said: 'So we have basically decided to get a tattoo on a hangover.

'I didn't know what I wanted until about two seconds ago. I've decided to get a lion.'

Maya Jama revealed she has got a new ankle tattoo as she posed for an Instagram video on Sunday teasing the inking

The Love Island host, 28, seemed in high spirits as she beamed at the camera while lying on her front on a bed as the artist drew the design of a lion on her ankle

It comes as Maya is reportedly being lined up to host the 2024 BRIT awards alongside two mystery presenters, after Mo Gilligan, 35, stepped down.

The presenter, 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.

'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.

Maya showcased her incredible figure during the outing in a pair of blue denim long shorts which she teamed with a white crop top

Speaking to the camera and giving fans a glimpse into her new inking, she said: 'So we have basically decided to get a tattoo on a hangover'

She said: 'I didn't know what I wanted until about two seconds ago. I've decided to get a lion', as she showed off her new inking

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.'
Farrah Abraham is speaking out about a recent proposed Florida law that would prohibit social media usage for minors under the age of 16.

The 32-year-old Teen Mom OG star - who was recently sued for alleged assault and battery - spoke with TMZ about the law.

The law overwhelmingly passed in a bi-partisan vote 103-17 on Wednesday in the Florida House of Representatives, and now it goes on to the Florida Senate.

'So, I think Florida's law that they're trying to pass all the way to ban any social media for anyone younger than 16 year-olds, to not use social media, I feel like for myself, I have taken the time to let my daughter know about like tools, other people who are running these social platforms, have creators come together for safety, to report people, all of those things,' she began.

'So, social media has been a successful, helpful tool, and when we've noticed, whether that's bullying, predator-ship, just online criminal activity, we turn those things in and people have been removed,' Abraham continued.

Farrah Abraham is speaking out about a recent proposed Florida law that would prohibit social media usage for minors under the age of 16

The 32-year-old Teen Mom OG star - who was recently sued for alleged assault and battery - spoke with TMZ about the law

'But I do not feel that children need to, basically, be to blame for other adults and other predators and other bullies not being held accountable,' she added.

She added that she thinks, 'a big issue in our justice system is penalizing the innocent, and allowing criminal activity to go rampant.'

'I hope to help children, I hope to advocate, and I know my daughter Sophia has stated she is not OK with children being taken offline,' she said.

'That's an outlet for creativity, for mental health, for wellbeing, you know, that could be used for success,' she added.

'I tell parents who do not allow their children on social media, they have not equipped them to be successful adults when they grow up,' she added.

'You can't hide from the Internet your entire life, and I just think it's an injustice to what we need for our mental health, our wellbeing and our safety growing up,' she concluded.

Her stance comes just weeks after Abraham was sued by a female security guard who claimed she was injured in an incident that lead to Abraham's January 2022 arrest.

The lawsuit alleges she lost wages and racked up significant medical bills from the alleged attack.

'But I do not feel that children need to, basically, be to blame for other adults and other predators and other bullies not being held accountable,' she added

The reality star was pictured being escorted out of the restaurant and bar Grandmaster Recorders in Hollywood.

She was subsequently seen being pinned to the ground on her side by someone who appeared to be a security guard.

The reality star was subsequently arrested and charged with battery, and she claimed she had become 'suicidal' and suffered lingering physical damage as a result of the restrained on the ground.

A representative for Abraham told DailyMail.com that neither she nor her legal team had been served the lawsuit yet. They added that her attorney has 'footage' and 'actual evidence' of the alleged assault.
Deborra-Lee Furness split from husband Hugh Jackman after 27 years of marriage last year.

And now speculation is growing that the actress, 68, could leave her current home in New York and return to Australia.

According to Woman's Day, Deb's friends have 'been in her ear' about relocating Down Under now that her marriage is over.

It's unclear if Furness is listening to her pals, but she has been spending time in Sydney in recent weeks to promote her new film Force of Nature: The Dry 2 and to attend the Australian Open.

Jackman and Furness purchased a USD$21million New York City home before their shock split last year.

Speculation is growing that Deborra-Lee Furness (pictured) could move back to Australia soon following her split from Hugh Jackman

The 54-year-old X-Men actor and 68-year-old Correlli actress splashed the cash for a penthouse in New York City's Chelsea district on August 2022.

The 440sqm apartment is located in an ultra chic building which boasts 57 units and listed with Noble Black Real Estate.

The property features a light and airy open layout with four bedrooms centred around the communal living areas.

It has floor-to-ceiling windows which stand over four meters and boasts 343sqm of outdoor space with a massive rooftop terrace.

The purchase had come just weeks after the thespian couple listed their incredible three-story condo in New York City for sale.

The former couple had lived in their swanky downtown Manhattan apartment since 2008 and they listed it in June 2022 for the whopping price of USD$38.9million

Jackman and Furness purchased a USD$21million New York City home (pictured) before their shock split last year

The pair had lived in the swanky downtown Manhattan apartment since 2008 and they listed it in June 2022 for the whopping price of USD$38.9million.

Deborra-Lee and Hugh announced their split last year, explaining at the time that they wanted 'to pursue individual growth.'

'We have been blessed to share almost three decades together in a wonderful, loving marriage,' the couple said in a statement to People.

'Our journey now is shifting and we have decided to separate to pursue our individual growth.

'Our family has been and always will be our highest priority. We undertake this next chapter with gratitude, love, and kindness. We greatly appreciate your understanding in respecting our privacy as our family navigates this transition.'

The pair tied the knot in 1996 after meeting on the set of Correlli in 1995. During the course of their marriage, they adopted two children: son Oscar, 23, and daughter Ava, 18.
Kyle Sandilands and Jackie 'O' Henderson made a mother and daughter's day on Monday when they gave them free tickets to see Taylor Swift.

The radio stars were speaking to Melbourne mother Kelly who revealed her sister Sam was heartbroken after being scammed out of $1200 when she attempted to purchase tickets to Swift's Australian leg of her tour.

Kyle, 52, and Jackie, 48, quickly decided they had to rectify the situation to ensure Sam's devastated nine-year-old daughter Charlie still got to see her idol in concert.

The hosts sent round a KIIS FM team member to their home to deliver them the tickets in person and got young Sam on the phone.

'Hi Charlie, Kyle and Jackie O have come to the rescue with free concert tickets. We are going to give you our tickets so you can go see her for free,' Kyle told the youngster.

Kyle Sandilands and Jackie 'O' Henderson made a Melbourne mother and daughter break down in happy tears on Monday, after giving them free Taylor Swift tickets. Both pictured

The nine-year-old was so moved by the extraordinary act of kindness she immediately burst into tears and thanked the hosts for their generosity.

'I couldn't have a little sweetheart like you be so excited to see her but then have someone steal the tickets. So, you're going to go see her,' Kyle said.

The radio hosts then told the pair to have the time of the lives at Swift's upcoming concert in February.

The radio stars were speaking to Kelly from Melbourne who revealed that her sister Sam was heartbroken after being scammed out of $1200 on tickets to Swift's show. Kyle and Jackie O then sent round a KIIS team member to give free tickets to the family, who broke down in tears

Swift will arrive in Australia in February to perform seven sold out shows, with the expected revenue reaching hundreds of millions of dollars.

The 34-year-old pop star's Aussie tour is set to benefit many Australians in unexpected ways, with countless Swifties forking out big bucks on costumes and accessories for her show.

'The spend on fashion and craft supplies in the lead-up to the concert are additional to the usual visitor expenditure bundle,' a representative for economist Deloitte told Nine.

'Hi Charlie, Kyle and Jackie O have come to the rescue with free concert tickets. We are going to give you our tickets so you can go see her for free' Kyle told the youngster. The nine-year-old was so moved by the extraordinary act of kindness that she immediately burst into happy tears

They added that a jaw-dropping $220million was expected to be spent by Australian Swifties excited about seeing their idol perform live.

In addition to the millions of dollars spent on tickets, interstate fans will spend big travelling to shows, booking hotels, buying food and drinks, and merchandise.

An estimated $126million has already been spent by fans on concert tickets and, when combined with the additional $220million, Aussies are spending a whopping $346million on Swift's 2024 Eras Tour in Australia.

Taylor Swift (pictured) will arrive in Australia in February to perform seven sold out shows, with the expected revenue reaching hundreds of millions of dollars
Chrisean Rock has revealed a new portrait tattoo of baby daddy Blueface on her face as she made a plea for him to be released from jail as fans are not happy about their reconciliation.

The 23-year-old rapper proudly showcased the fresh ink which she got in honor of their romance and relationship just weeks after the father of her child was jailed for more than six months after violating his probation.

In an Instagram video set to Blueface's new single Pop, Rock can be seen sitting down with her long locks pulled back and the outline of the tattoo drawn out on the right side of her face.

Moments later, the rapper and television personality shared the finished product by posing in the same position in another room.

With her eyes almost completely shut, the Baltimore, Maryland native showcased the piece, which looks like a spot-on replica of Blueface (born Johnathan Jamall Porter), by remaining still for a few moments.

Chrisean Rock, 23, showed off her new face tattoo of Blueface's face, al while making a plea for the rapper to be released from jail following his arrest for a probation violation

Set to a clip of Blueface's tune Pop It, the face tattoo of her baby daddy looked like a spot-on replica of the rapper

The Baby Father Drama star (born Chrisean Eugenia Malone), 23, also used the social media post as a show of support for the Holy Moly rapper, who's been back behind bars for a probation violation.

'#freeblueface free my Daddy I love you papa @bluefasebabyy,' Rock, 23, wrote in the caption, in a reference to him being arrested one again, in connection to a 2021 assault case.

The new ink is situated right next to another one of Rock's tattoo tributes, which includes his birth name in bold cursive letters, just above her eyebrow.

Fans are again expressing their concern for Rock, considering she and Blueface have been known to have a toxic and abusive relationship, which has been chronicled by a number of publications like HNHH (Hot New Hip Hop).

A slew of people had been taking to her posts to share their concerns for her, especially in the wake of her announcement that she had moved back in with the Los Angeles native.

Many of them sounded like they were fed up with her latest token of affection, with some of them hoping that this was just a stunt to gain attention.

'I really pray this is fake,' one worried fan wrote that seemed to sum up the thoughts of others, while another follower posted, 'You ruined your face girl.'

Blueface's legal concerns started when he was arrested in November 2022 on charges of attempted murder in connection to a shooting in Las Vegas the previous month.

Off the top of the video, the Word To My Brother rapper showed the ink outline of the tattoo while sitting down with her hair pulled back for easy access for the artist

The clip started with an outline of the tattoo that the artist worked from, and then shared a peak at what the end result looked like

Rock used the new Instagram post as a show of support to 'free my Daddy' after Blueface's most recent arrest on a probation violation

After being imprisoned in the Clark County Detention Center, a judge sentenced him to nearly seven months in jail and three years probation the following October, with a possible two-to-five year prison sentence if he violates probation, as reported by Fox 11 Los Angeles

He previously pleaded guilty in October to charges related to a shooting outside at a Las Vegas strip club.

Record show his current release date is set for July 2, 2024.

The Baddies star and the Chose Me rapper dated for about three years, beginning in 2020, until their split in 2023.

The new Blueface face tattoo had a strong resemblance to the rapper's mugshot

Blueface (born Johnathan Jamall Porter) has been behind bars for a probation violation in connection to his assault case in Las Vegas in November 2022

The Blueface & Chrisean: Crazy In Love starlet expressed her 'love' for 'Daddy' again, while offering another look at the new face ink

Rock and Blueface are the parents to son Chrisean Jesus Malone, Jr., who was born in September 2023; this is her first child and his third

During that time she went public and announced her pregnancy, and then gave birth to their son, whom they named Chrisean Jesus Malone, Jr.

Blueface signed Rock to his BluefaceLLC label after he witnessed how popular she had become with her OnlyFans platform.

In 2020, she released her debut single Lonely, a collaboration with the label head.

Not long later, she released her popular tune Vibe, which has garnered over eight million streams on Spotify.
Dina Manzo's ex-husband, Tommy Manzo, is asking a judge to throw out a racketeering case that accused him of hiring a mobster to beat up Manzo's then-boyfriend, now husband, David Cantin.

The restaurateur's attorneys, Marc Agnifilo and Zach Intrater, asked a federal judge to dismiss the case, claiming he's been denied a 'speedy trial' as per the New York Post.

The case goes back to a 2020 indictment that claims Manzo made a deal with a a soldier in the Lucchese crime family to attack Dina's, 51, boyfriend, 44, in a North Jersey parking lot five years earlier.

Mobster John Perna, 44, of Cedar Grove, New Jersey was found guilty of the attack in 2015, and sentenced to two-and-half years.

But Manzo wants the case thrown out, claiming the court's exceedingly slow pace has violated the federal Speedy Trial Act of 1974.

Dina Manzo's, 51, ex-husband, Tommy Manzo (seen with Dina) is asking a judge to throw out a racketeering case that accused him of hiring a mobster to beat up Manzo's then-boyfriend, now husband, David Cantin, 44

The restaurateur's attorneys asked a federal judge to dismiss the case, claiming he's been denied a 'speedy trial' as per the New York Post; Dina pictured with David

'The last day that Mr. Manzo could have been brought to trial on the Indictment in compliance with the [law] was December 10, 2022,' the federal court filing, submitted on January 19th, read.

'But no effective continuance was signed until nearly eleven months later,' it went on.

'There is no question that there has been a violation of the [Speedy Trial Act] in this case the indictment against Mr. Manzo must be dismissed,' the filing concluded.

Intrater also added that Manzo is 'a respected businessman who looks forward to these charges being dismissed so that he can get back to his family and the work that he loves' in a statement on Friday.

Perna pleaded guilty in 2020 to a federal charge of committing a violent crime in aid of racketeering activity.

In exchange for his services, Perna allegedly was given a huge discount on his wedding reception at Tom Manzo's Patterson restaurant in Brownstone.

'The reception was attended by over 330 guests, many of whom were members of the Lucchese Crime Family,' the statement seen by the New York Post said.

Perna and a mobster associate attacked Cantin with a slapjack, a club weapon favored by mobsters, in the parking lot of a New Jersey strip mall in July 2015, according to prosecutors.

Mobster John Perna, 44 - a member of the Lucchese crime family - was found guilty of the 2015 attack in 2021, and sentenced to two-and-half years

Prosecutors said Dina's ex-husband hired Perna to attack Cantin because he was angry she had moved in with her new boyfriend after they separated

Perna and a mobster associate attacked Cantin with a slapjack, a club weapon favored by mobsters, in the parking lot of a New Jersey strip mall in July 2015, according to prosecutors

In exchange for carrying out the attack, prosecutors say Manzo allowed Perna to host a lavish wedding reception at his Brownstone Restaurant (pictured) in Paterson, New Jersey for a fraction of the price

The incident left Cantin, who married Dina in 2017, with a permanent facial scar

The incident left Cantin, who married Dina in 2017, with a permanent facial scar.

Dina and Manzo broke up in 2012 and divorced in 2016, with their marriage on the way out at the time of the assault.

Both Manzo and Perna were arrested and charged with conspiracy and committing a violent crime in aid of racketeering activity.

Manzo pleaded not guilty. He was later charged in a separate incident in which he and an associate are accused of targeting his wife and her new husband in a 2017 home invasion.

Manzo co-owns the Brownstone venue with his brother Albert. The venue appeared in episodes of the RHONJ when Dina was on the show.

In addition to arranging the alleged assault, Manzo was also accused of falsifying and concealing records when federal authorities investigating the assault subpoenaed the venue for documents related to the wedding.

Manzo failed to turn over relevant documents in response to those subpoenas and deliberately submitted a false document regarding the reception, the indictment says.

Dina (seen here in 2010) starred in seasons one, two, and six of Real Housewives of New Jersey and also appeared as a guest in season four

FBI agents raided the venue in November last year and seized invoices for the wedding reception, as well as other relevant documents, that were not previously turned over.

Dina appeared on the first two seasons of The Real Housewives Of New Jersey in 2009-2010 before returning in 2014 for season six.

She appeared alongside her siblings Caroline Manzo (seasons 1-5) as well as brother and sister-in-law Chris and Jacqueline Laurita (seasons 1-5). She is the Godmother to co-star Teresa Giudice's youngest daughter, Audriana, 10.

She has one daughter from a previous relationship, Alexia Ioannou, 23, who was born in 1996.
ABC star Leigh Sales is set to expand her career in a new TV role after leaving the network's current affairs show 7:30 in 2022.

The veteran journalist, 50, has been approached by producers of the ABC drama series The Newsreader to appear in a cameo role in season three, reports New Idea.

The popular series explores the professional and personal lives of Australian journalists working in a newsroom in the 1980s and discusses real life events from the era.

An insider told the magazine production staff think that Leigh having a small role on the show is a 'fun idea' and speculate she could play a colleague of one of the main characters.

Last year, Sales revealed on Instagram the show's creator Michael Lucas had reached out to her to discuss her experiences as a junior journalist breaking into the industry.

ABC star Leigh Sales (pictured) is set to expand her career in a shock new role, after leaving the network's current affairs show 7:30 in 2022

'Some of my experiences went into the characters,' Leigh wrote at the time and admitted she also had discussed the show on her podcast.

From 2011 - 2022, Sales had one of the most high-profile jobs in Australian TV as host of the ABC's 7.30 program.

But after stepping away from her role in June 2022, Sales has been keeping busy by spending more time with her two sons James and Daniel.

The veteran journalist, 50, has been approached by producers of the ABC drama series The Newsreader to appear in a cameo role in season three, reports New Idea

'They want me home with them before 8.30pm and I don't think that's too much for two little boys to ask,' she said at the time of her resignation.

Sales had earlier taken a six-week break to homeschool her kids in 2021 during the Covid pandemic - highlighting the pressure she faced heading a national program and being a single mother.

In her post-7:30 Report life, Sales has been keeping herself busy hosting the ABC docuseries Australian Story.

'It means a lot to me to host this program, mostly because I've always thought it's brilliant,' she told the ABC.

In addition to her television endeavours, Sales has embraced the world of podcasting with her show 'Chat 10 Looks 3', which she co-hosts alongside ABC journalist Annabel Crabb. The show covers the world of literature.

'I also have a book coming out later this year that I started during lockdown. It's called Storytellers: Questions, Answers and the Craft of Journalism,' she told the ABC.

As for her love life, Sales says she prefers to 'keep it under the radar' following her split with ex husband Phil Willis in 2016 after 20 years together.

The Newsreader series explores the professional and personal lives of Australian journalists working in a newsroom in the 1980s. Last year, Sales revealed the show's creator Michael Lucas reached out to her to discuss her experiences as a journalist breaking into the industry
Jackie 'O' Henderson is one of Australia's wealthiest and most successful media personalities.

So it's no surprise that the 48-year-old's wardrobe is far from cheap.

On Monday, the radio host strolled through Melbourne Airport in a pair of designer cargo pants from Acne Studios worth $930.

She paired the pants with a denim tank top and a pair of Birkenstock sandals.

The Kyle and Jackie O Show co-host was joined by her best friend and business partner, Gemma O'Neill.

Jackie 'O' Henderson strolled through Melbourne Airport in a pair of designer cargo pants from Acne Studios worth $930 on Monday

She paired the pants with a denim tank top that showcased her slim figure

The besties had been at the Australian Open together, but it looks like they're now headed back to Sydney.

The trip comes just days after Jackie hinted she will be renovating her $13million Clovelly mansion in the near future.

In her Instagram post last week, the co-host of the Kyle and Jackie O Show shared a picture of herself finalising her designs for the luxury home.

Jackie was seen sitting across from her architect with plans and illustrations laid out in front of her.

The Kyle and Jackie O Show co-host was joined by her best friend and business partner, Gemma O'Neill

The besties had been at the Australian Open together, but it looks like they're now headed back to Sydney

'Final design meeting,' the blonde beauty captioned the image, tagging her architect Madeiline Blanchfield.

In March, it was revealed that Jackie had splashed $13.25million on a three-storey oceanfront house in Clovelly at an open auction.

The fixer-upper is set back from the road, offering privacy she didn't have on the narrow streets of her former address.

Jackie had previously complained about intrusive paparazzi as the reason for her sale of her past home.
Nicki Minaj released a Megan Thee Stallion diss track called Big Foot on Sunday night, and took aim at her alleged secret cosmetic surgery.

One line in the 41-year-old rapper's heavily insulting song goes, 'Um, why did you lie about your lipo?' and is followed by the bar, 'F**kin' your best friend man is crazy, you the type, though.'

It comes two days after Megan, 28, released the music video for her song Hiss, which appeared to mock Nicki and her husband Kenneth Petty.

Over the weekend, Nicki  real name Onika Maraj  shared the cover of her new single alongside a photo of Megan's face on social media app X.

The once friendly pair have been at odds since Megan recited the lyric, 'These h**s don't be mad at Megan / these h**s mad at Megan's Law,' referring to the US law requiring law enforcement to share information about registered sex offenders with the public.

It was perceived by Nicki's fans as a diss toward her husband, who is a registered sex offender and was convicted of attempted rape charges, spending four years in prison.

Nicki Minaj released a Megan Thee Stallion diss track called Big Foot on Sunday night, and took aim at her alleged secret cosmetic surgery

One line in Nicki's heavily insulting song goes, 'Um, why did you lie about your lipo?' and is followed by the bar, 'F**kin' your best friend man is crazy, you the type, though'

Minaj took to X after releasing the single, and pinned the lyrics in a post on her page.

She also took the time to repost a selection of supportive posts from her legion of 'Barbz,' who weighed in on the beef.

The mother-of-one, who was raised in Queens, New York shared a screenshot of a RocNation ad promoting Meg's new song.

She added, 'Spending SOOOOOOOO MUCH MONEY. but shes the lil broke independent artist.'

Entertaining her 28.1 million followers on the app, she added, 'Desiree, you gotta let it go, baby. The world knows shes ass & cant rap. Stop fkng trying to make fetch happen.'

Then she bragged, 'I just put out a song with NOOOOOO promo. No video. Its alrdy #2.'

Following Nicki's recent jabs, she has been inundated with comments from fans under her posts. One wrote: 'Pass the popcorn cause I really like rap beef.'

Nicki and Megan previously collaborated on the 2019 song Hot Girl Summer, but the former's new song stresses that the latter lacks real rap skills.

The pair's feud ignited after Megan appeared to mock Nicki and her husband Kenneth in her new track, Hiss

Before putting out the diss track, Nicki brewed anticipation with menacing tweets

Nicki Minaj Big Foot Lyrics [Intro]Your flow is such a bore / Drinkin' a bottle of Henny through a straw B*tch, you better stop that dialogue / 'Fore I hit Carl and buy your catalogue How you f**k your mother man when she die? / How you go on Gayle King and can't cry? / Child, bye Big foot, but you still a small fry / Swearin' on your dead mother when you lie [Verse] This little beggin' w***e talkin' 'bout Megan's law / For a free beat, you can hit Megan raw / If you a ghost writer, party in Megan jaw / Shots thrown but I still ain't let Megan score Bad b*tch she like six foot / I call her, "Big Foot" / The b*tch fell off, I said, "Get up on your good foot" Uh, she ain't still topped Red Ruby / Tryna steal the sauce, I said "Get up out my cookbook" But really I'm a sweetie pie / P-R-T-T-Y but I'm P-E-T-T-Y Um, why did you lie about your lipo? / F**kin' your best friend man is crazy, you the type, though You was lyin' to the Queen and you went lyin' to the King, Gayle / That thirty-year-old tea, so stale Kylie kicked you out and made you stumble to the car / Barbz, I need a good alcohol bar Roman, wait, that was the bar / Like a body builder, I keep raisin' the bar / F**k you get shot with no scar? This little piggy toxic, somebody adopt it / Sh*t'll get dark like chocolate I'm 'bout to get up in your *ss, b*tch, clench / Mm, yeah, sort of like French They got you all them Grammys but your flow's still a no / What a Fiasco, Lupe Future made you pay /She wanna party with DaBaby while rubbin' on Tory toupe I guess she needed money bags for them Trey Songz / She G-Eazy, Carl made her crawl for it And, why the f**k they poke the Monsta? F**kin' with Nicki, this year, ho, I'm comin' like a porn star She just mad that no n***a ever loved her / No n***a gon' stan ten toes behind her Is it my fault I got good vagin-er? / Why the f**k is you humpin' on a minor? 'Cause she was lyin' on your dead mama / On, on your dead mama / Lyin' on your dead mama / Lyin' on your dead mama / On, on your dead mama / Lyin', lyin', lyin', lyin' on your dead mama [Outro] Now, listen up, Big Foot. You know I got a lot of tea, I went easy on you (Glass fragment foot *ss, bitch) I know it's the most attention you've ever gotten, one flow h*, but, uh, trust Um, and also, I'd like to say to my supporters: I love you, may God bless you, you're amazing Um, all the good p**sy gyal dem too, yes. But, I'm very serious. H*, the things that you've lied about, even pertaining to your mom... You don't want them out, okay? We'll all join in. We'll all play the reindeer games. Soon as your new nose heals and soon as your  Well, let's leave that for the second installment Advertisement



The line in Megan's Hiss track may have also been aimed at Minaj's brother, Jelani Maraj, who was convicted in 2017 of predatory sexual assault for the rape of his 11-year-old stepdaughter.

Minaj additionally fired back in an Instagram live video on Sunday, in which she told Megan to, 'conjure up her mother and apologize' while also bashing her for the July 2020 Tory Lanez shooting.

'You let just everyone be thrown under the bus. You let Da Baby be thrown under the bus, Tory (Lanez), your best friend, your mom. You better go conjure up your mother and say... and apologize,' Minaj said in the IG live session.

Megan's mother, Holly Thomas, passed away in March 2019 from a cancerous brain tumor, and she mentioned her death on Flip Flop from her 2022 album Traumazine.

Megan has not commented publicly on Nicki's comments or the scathing song.
Kelly Osbourne was left exasperated on Sunday after her son Sidney threw up over her lap during a flight.

The TV personality, 39, was travelling with her son, 14 months, after attending Paris Hilton's son Phoenix's first birthday party in Los Angeles.

Kelly took to her Instagram Stories to say she was having an early start, before snapping a photo of her and Sidney in the car on the way to their 'new adventure'.

They soon arrived at the airport and the reality star showed her followers a photo of the American Airlines plane on the runway.

However, once they had boarded the flight disaster struck, with Kelly sharing a snap of her lap in her seat, covered in a wet patch.

Kelly Osbourne was left exasperated on Sunday after her son Sidney threw up over her lap during a flight

The TV personality, 39, was travelling with her son, 14 months, after attending Paris Hilton 's son Phoenix's first birthday party in Los Angeles

Kelly took to her Instagram Stories to say she was having an early start, before snapping a photo of her and Sidney in the car on the way to their 'new adventure'

Captioning the photo, she explained: 'When you are on a plane and your baby vomits all over you.'

After landing at the next airport, Kelly posed for a fed up snap with Sidney, showing her wearing a pair of grey jogging bottoms still covered in a huge stain from the accident.

Thankfully, she later updated her followers once again, sharing a photo of her giving Sidney a sweet kiss, after she had changed into a pair of clean jeans.

Kelly and Sidney had spent the weekend celebrating at Paris' house for her 'Sliving Under the Sea'-themed bash for her son's big day.

The reality star, 42, transformed her backyard to look like the bottom of the ocean with a whimsical arch filled with red, blue and orange balloons as well as a few in the shapes of various fishes.

Paris also arranged a petting zoo, complete with rabbits, baby goats, chickens and sheep, at the party, which was attended by other famous faces like Lance Bass and Rumer Willis.

Kelly's airplane ordeal comes after she revealed her regret over a racist Latino remark she made while appearing on The View in 2015, calling it 'the worst thing I've ever done'.

She was on the show during Donald Trump's campaign for president and on the heels of his 'Mexico isn't sending their best' speech, as she declared: 'If you kick every Latino out of this country, then who is going to be cleaning your toilets?'

They soon arrived at the airport and the reality star showed her followers a photo of the American Airlines plane on the runway

Once they had boarded disaster struck, with Kelly sharing a snap of her lap in her seat, covered in a wet patch, captioned: 'When you are on a plane and your baby vomits all over you'

Kelly and Sidney had spent the weekend celebrating at Paris' house for her 'Sliving Under the Sea'-themed bash for her son's big day

She quickly received shocked gasps from the audience and co-hosts Whoopi Goldberg and Rosie Perez who said: 'Oh, that's not... oh, no!' as Raven-Symone said: 'There's more jobs than that he can use them for.'

Sensing things were tense, Kelly clarified: 'In a sense, you know what I mean? In L.A. they always...'

But Rosie interrupted to say: 'Latinos are not the only people doing that,' causing Kelly to backtrack and defend herself, saying: 'I didn't mean it like that! Come on, I would never mean it like that. I'm not part of this argument'.

During the commercial break, Kelly burst into tears, saying: 'Everyone is going to think I'm racist. I can't believe this' and her remarks were met by huge backlash, accusations of racism, and death threats.

Looking back, she realizes the comment 'hurt a lot of people', and told Rolling Stone in a new interview: 'That to me, is by far makes it the worst thing I've ever done...

'And to be labeled as something you're not is really difficult. But it happened. There's nothing I can do.'

When asked about who she saw when she looked at that video now, she replied: 'A self-righteous little c**t.'

She went on: 'I hate it. I hate it so much because I look at it and I'm like, "You think you know everything and you know nothing. Nobody wants to hear [your] opinion on this".'

Kelly's airplane ordeal comes after she revealed her regret over a racist Latino remark she made while appearing on The View in 2015, calling it 'the worst thing I've ever done'

She was on the show during Donald Trump 's campaign for president and on the heels of his ' Mexico isn't sending their best' speech, as she declared: 'If you kick every Latino out of this country, then who is going to be cleaning your toilets?' shocking her co-hosts

When asked in a new interview about who she saw when she looked at that video now, she replied: 'A self-righteous little c**t' as she reflected on the backlash

However, Kelly admitted that she can now see a bit of the humour in the 'cringe' moment, thanks to a new TikTok trend where users recreate the clip by sharing their own problematic stereotypes.

She said of the trend: 'It's the most cringe moment of my entire life. But to see people be creative with it does put a smile on my face. It turns something so ugly into something funny.'

Though she did add that seeing the original clip has not gotten any easier: 'I'd be lying if I said I didn't hate myself a little bit more each time I see it.'

The daughter of rocker Ozzy Osbourne and TV personality Sharon Osbourne then clarified what she meant by the words she said eight years ago.

She said: 'This whole country is built on immigrants, and if you stop people from coming into this country who do the jobs that make this country exist and thrive and flourish, who's going to do all the jobs that you don't want to do yourself? It came out so wrong.'

She then touched on the subject of privilege, saying: 'I didnt know what white privilege was because you just go along living your life and until somebody points out that something is, you don't f*****g know.'

'I am privileged not just because of who my parents are or the color of my skin, it's that the life that I have is very privileged. And for a long time, I took that for granted because I didn't understand it.'

Kelly was then asked is she plans to speak to Sidney about 'his privilege as a white person' saying: 'I'm going to have to play that video for my son at one point and explain it to him. That is probably the cherry on the cake of how painful all of this is.'

Kelly shared that since the incident she's 'learned when to shut up and to stop talking' and that 'nobody wants to hear from a white person about race.'
Sarah Jessica Parker's West End debut has been met with a slew of scathing two star reviews following the show's debut on Sunday night.

Plaza Suite, where the SATC star features alongside her real life husband Matthew Broderick, was unveiled at the Savoy Theatre in front of a slew of star in the wake of uproar over the obscenely priced tickets.

The revival of Neil Simons triptych of sketches, which the couple took to the Broadway stage previously, is directed by John Benjamin Hickey and helmed by the superstar couple, aged 58 and 61 respectively, who have been married since 1997.

The plays, all set in suite 719 in New Yorks Plaza Hotel, are called Visitor From Mamaroneck, Visitor From Hollywood and Visitor From Forest Hills - and while the fusty stories were criticised, the couple were praised for carrying the play.

With top-end tickets reaching nearly 400, nearly every review gives a nod to the price tag, with a gaping divide among critics as to whether it is worth it for the SATC star and her spouse, who returns to the West End after The Starry Messenger in 2019.

Sarah Jessica Parker's West End debut has been met with a slew of scathing two star reviews following the show's debut on Sunday night alongside her husband Matthew Broderick

Plaza Suite was unveiled at the Savoy Theatre in front of a slew of star in the wake of uproar over the obscenely priced tickets

The website for the play, originally performed on Broadway's Plymouth Theatre in 1968, lists: 'A delightfully witty exploration of love and marriage, Plaza Suite had New York City audiences enchanted with its charm and its starry cast....

'Now, from January 2024, Londons West End gets the chance to witness two world-class performers and Hollywood icons transform into three unique couples, each finding themselves entangled in hilariously outlandish situations within the walls of the legendary Plaza Suite hotel room.'

The three stories go as followed: 'Karen and Sam are a long-married pair whose relationship may be headed for an early checkout. Muriel and Jesse are former high school sweethearts who seem destined for an extended stay...

'And Norma and Roy are the mother and father of the bride, ready to celebrate their daughters nuptials  if only they can get her out of the bathroom'.

The Independent's Alice Saville was wholly unflattering, with as lacklustre two stars for her review of the play alongside the scathing prose: 'Real-life couple Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick cannot save Neil Simons dated romcom'.

The Guardian branded the play 'a celebrity circus', with Arifa Akbar blasting the audience's feverish excitement - complete with stealth phone usage and prolonged applause - despite the play's alleged 'flat and forgettable' form.

She penned: 'The production seems effectively to coast on the fame of its two stars. What a low, lazy bar to set at such a high price (some premium package seats have reportedly sold for 395)...

'Times are tough for the arts but commercial theatre can surely be braver than this.'

Plaza Suite's website lists the play as: 'A delightfully witty exploration of love and marriage, Plaza Suite had New York City audiences enchanted with its charm and its starry cast'

PLAZA SUITE: The Reviews THE INDEPENDENT Rating: The husband-wife duo are not always in on the jokes... The jokes feel effortful and small c conservative: landing them would be a stretch for far more accomplished stage actors than Parker and Broderick, who are just about good enough here. Real-life couple Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick cannot save Neil Simons dated romcom THE GUARDIAN Rating: This is a celebrity circus. Even costume changes get audience oohs and aahs. It seems oddly disproportionate because, as exciting as it may be to see Sex And The Citys Carrie Bradshaw on stage, the production is flat and forgettable, not testing either actors seasoned skills on the boards (though this is Parkers debut in the West End). That adaptation has a corny, period look but its performances are more nuanced than they are here. It might be that the play has dated badly (and this production makes little effort to give it a fresh spin), or that it does not fare well under such blunt, vaudevillian treatment. THE STAGE Rating: Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Brodericks combined star power struggles to enliven this outdated matrimonial comedy. Do you have a hankering to see Carrie Bradshaw and Ferris Bueller in the flesh? Why else would anybody rush to this mechanical revival of Neil Simons dull and dated 1968 comedy. The glitzy casting of Sex and the City star and her actor husband also accounts for the much-discussed, eye-watering ticket prices. Even their biggest fans must be thinking: theyd better be worth it. THE I Rating: Relationship discord plays out amid the Regency-style decor and before anything to do with the play itself, there dawns the disconcerting realisation that despite Parker and Broderick's 32-year relationship they manifest almost zero chemistry together on stage. John Benjamin Hickey, a Tony Award-winning actor, is the director of only his second production. A more experienced hand might have curbed some of Parker and Broderick's worse excesses, but goodness knows what anyone would do with the third act THE EXPRESS Parker and Broderick throw themselves into the roles, with exaggerated physical and vocal tics playing to the gallery. The laughter flows but it's also ridiculous and rather uncomfortable when viewed with modern eyes. SJP fans, of course, will happily fork out to see their idol in the flesh and she makes a confident, accomplished West End debut. I'd rather see what she can do next time with more substantial material. THE FINANCIAL TIMES Rating: Parker, in particular, is a joy, bringing zest, precise detail and sharp comic timing to her characters. But its not quite enough to blow the dust off the play and its creakily dated depiction of the sexes. More than 50 years on, the comedy has aged; each act, though short, feels overextended, while the scenes never really explore the loneliness and pain that can lurk beneath the comedy. TIME OUT Rating: it feels like a decent premise let down by lumpen writing and low-level misogyny, but theres some solid physical business and [the third section is] definitely the most overtly fun sequence. Ive moaned, but its an unusual prospect, a comedy that would almost certainly never have been revived were it not for the attachment of the two leads. Parkers presence (her West End debut) is basically a license to print money  the top-priced tickets are over 300  but I dont think this is a cynical choice of play. Indeed, they could have made life a lot easier for themselves with material thats easier to sell. But they really give it a go. WHAT'S ON STAGE Rating: Parkers honesty, her vigour, and her pure gift for comedy both physical and verbal, disguise some of their obvious shortcomings. Shes a revelation. THE TIMES Rating: Are the VIPs any good? The audience at the performance I saw had already made up its mind on that score, breaking into prolonged applause, Broadway-style, when they made their entrances in the first instalment. THE EVENING STANDARD Rating: John Lee Beattys set is a clunky idea of five-star decor, the supporting cast almost unnoticeable and the whole thing occupies a very rarefied niche of New York society. But complaining that a Broadway show is too New Yorky is as pointless as whining about its high ticket prices in London. Plaza Suite is pretty much sold out because people will pay for sensational event theatre and the chance to see a star in the flesh, especially one this consistently fascinating. If you can afford it, Sarah Jessica Parker  with Broderick as Ken to her Barbie  is worth it. THE TELEGRAPH Rating: The Sex and the City star and her husband Matthew Broderick are superb in Neil Simon's sexually inhibited 1968 hit. But are they worth 395? DAILY MAIL They say chintz is coming back into fashion, but it's still a slightly frumpy, frowning spectacle. However, frisky performances lighten the visual load and lift the spirits. Whether that justifies the admission price, gentle reader, only you can tell. But it's a top-of-the-range revival of a comic antique. All you need, ladies, is a Mr Big who will not flinch at the price tag  which is a good test of his character too. Advertisement

The show follows three different couples in one famous hotel room, and Jessica stars alongside real-life partner Tony Award winner Matthew Broderick

Sarah is pictured at the gala performance of the show on Sunday night

Sarah Hemming, of The Financial Times, gave a lukewarm three stars but placed more blame on the age of the play and its fusty writing than the stars.

She wrote: 'More than 50 years on, the comedy has aged; each act, though short, feels overextended, while the scenes never really explore the loneliness and pain that can lurk beneath the comedy.'

Time Out's Andrzej Lukowski joins the masses in commenting on the ticket price, noting that it is Sarah's presence which warrants 'printing money' with the price.

He wrote: 'If you dont know or care who Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick are and arent some sort of crazed Neil Simon completist, then theres definitely no reason you need to see Plaza Suite. If youve come for the leads  well, they put on a show for you. Maybe it would have been nice if it was a different show...

'If youve essentially checked into Plaza Suite to spend two-and-half-hours with Sarah Jessica Parker, youre unlikely to be complaining to the manager.'

While a number of reviews carried an eye-watering two stars, the feedback was not all bad, with The Evening Standard reporting: 'People will pay for sensational event theatre and the chance to see a star in the flesh, especially one this fascinating'.

The Times added to the fanfare surrounding the tickets, with Clive Davis penning: 'And with the power couple come Broadway prices...

'Part of me feels guilty writing in praise of this venture, which comes with a top-price ticket of 300. Utter madness, I hear you say. And you would be right'

Checking in: Matthew Broderick in the hit Broadway production of Neil Simon's Sixties comedy about marriages teetering on the brink in a New York hotel room

Sarah Crompton of What's On Stage echoed her peers in stating that superstar Sarah is the lure of the play, with a mediocre three stars.

She penned: 'Parkers honesty, her vigour, and her pure gift for comedy both physical and verbal, disguise some of their obvious shortcomings. Shes a revelation.'

The Stage's Sam Marlow gave another two star review and penned: 'But this is largely his wifes show. Thats an achievement on Parkers part, I suppose, given that the three women she plays do little more than fuss, flirt and twitter, feebly beating their wings against the bars of the cage of domesticity and monogamy...

'And perhaps itll be enough for the fans. Theres nothing subtle about any of it  yet one mystery remains: of all the plays in the world, why choose this one?'

The i's Fiona Mountford was scathing in her review, insisting the married couple lacked chemistry in their performance and largely failed to illuminate the stage.

Alongside her two star rating, she penned: 'I could not wait to check out of Plaza Suite... There dawns the disconcerting realisation that despite Parker and Broderick's 32-year relationship they manifest almost zero chemistry together on stage.'

She claimed that the third installment saw Sarah masquerade 'soulsapping levels of performative hysteria' as she depicted a desperate mother

She claimed that the third installment saw Sarah masquerade 'soulsapping levels of performative hysteria' as she depicted a desperate mother.

The Daily Mail's Patrick Marmion wrote: 'You want showbiz? You want celebrity? You want reassuringly expensive A-lister stardust?..

'Here it comes in the shape of Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick, with their hit Broadway production of Neil Simon's Sixties comedy about marriages teetering on the brink in a New York hotel room...

'With a few tickets retailing at an eye-watering 300 (decent seats are 75-125 and good ones 200), it's pulling a notably well-heeled crowd  TV favourite Hannah Waddingham was among the guests at the gala performance last night...

'And I'm not sure who's stooping lower with the Moet & Chandon vending machines  the producers, the punters or the wine-makers. But John Benjamin Hickey's production doesn't scrimp on the stage set.'
BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend 2024 will be held in Luton, it has been announced.

Stockwood Park will host the annual festival from May 24-26, where over 100,000 music fans are expected to attend.

Around 100 talented artists will perform, with the full line-up and ticket details set to be announced in the coming months.

Musicians will be spread across four stages - Radio 1 Main Stage, Radio 1s Future Sounds, Radio 1 Dance and BBC Introducing.

In a statement, Breakfast Show host Greg James said: 'Radio 1's Big Weekend is our favourite time of the year and we love taking it somewhere new every year.

BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend 2024 will be held in Luton, it has been announced

Last year, the music festival took place in Camperdown Park in Dundee, Scotland with over 80,000 music fans attending the three-day festival over the late May bank holiday weekend (Lewis Capaldi pictured performing at the festival)

'This year is the turn of Luton to experience the full Radio 1 treatment. It's a simple mission really: we just want everyone who comes along to have the best time.'

Aled Haydn Jones, Head of Radio 1, added: 'Radio 1's Big Weekend always kicks off the UK festival season in style and I'm so excited that this year, it will be a three-day, four-stage, live music spectacular for our listeners to enjoy.

'We have some incredibly exciting ideas in the pipeline as well as some of the biggest artists to announce in the coming months, I can't wait to celebrate in Luton.'

This year, the BBC is working closely with Luton Council to ensure the event is a safe and secure environment for all those attending.

Cllr Hazel Simmons MBE, Leader of Luton Council, says: 'The fact that BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend, one of the UK's largest and most popular music festivals, has chosen Luton is fantastic news for our town, especially our young people, and will showcase all the wonderful things about Luton.

'Not only will this event give a multi-million pound boost to Luton's economy and provide a number of opportunities for local young people and businesses, with tens of thousands in attendance and millions tuning in across the BBC, it gives us an opportunity to step forward and showcase the very best of our ambitious, brilliantly vibrant, wonderfully diverse and transforming town.'

Last year, the music festival took place in Camperdown Park in Dundee, Scotland with over 80,000 music fans attending the three-day festival over the late May bank holiday weekend.

Radio 1's Big Weekend was originally set to go to Dundee in 2020 but due to the Covid-19 Pandemic it was unable to go ahead.

On Saturday, The 1975 and The Jonas Brothers headlined, with appearances from ArrDee, Jess Glynne, Joel Corry, Mimi Webb and Tom Grennan.

Meanwhile, FLO, Headie One, Pale Waves, Romy, Rudimental, Self Esteem and The Snuts performed on the Future Sounds stage.

BBC Radio 1 will broadcast live from the festival site across the weekend, with performances and tracks available live and on demand across Radio 1's iPlayer channel and BBC Sounds

The full line-up for Sunday included Lewis Capaldi, Wet Leg and Niall Horan headlining the main stage.

They were joined on the main stage by chart-toppers such as Anne-Marie, Becky, Nothing But Thieves and Zara Larsson.

On the Radio 1 Future Sounds stage was Arlo Parks, Ashnikko, Cassyette,Cat Burns, Inhaler, RAYE and Sub Focus.

BBC Radio 1 will broadcast live from the festival site across the weekend, with performances and tracks available live and on demand across Radio 1's iPlayer channel and BBC Sounds.
Emily Skye is engaged to her long time partner Declan Redmond after more than 10 years together.

Declan got down on one knee and popped the question to the fitness influencer, 39, on a Gold Coast beach amid long-stemmed roses sticking from the sand.

The romantic scene, shared to Instagram on Saturday, was eerily reminiscent to Blink 182 drummer Travis Barker's proposal to Kourtney Kardashian.

But Emily appeared to adore the inspired engagement, as she was seen becoming very emotional during footage she posted online over the weekend.

Garbed in a beautifully flowy white dress, the Gold Coast native was welcomed to a heartwarming scene when she stepped out on the beach by the Langham Hotel.

Emily Skye, 39, (pictured) is engaged to her long time partner Declan Redmond after more than 10 years together

Her soon-to-be fiance and their two children, Mia, six, and Izaac, three, greeted her on the sand at sunset where they were surrounded by roses.

Emily could barely hold back her tears as Declan got down on one knee and slipped a massive round solitaire diamond onto her finger.

After sharing a passionate kiss while their young children watched on, the Emily Skye Fit founder and her love had a romantic dinner before staying in a hotel.

Declan got down on one knee and popped the question to the fitness influencer on a Gold Coast beach amid long-stemmed roses sticking from the sand

'I burst into tears the moment I saw Dec, Mia, and Izaac waiting for me on the beach,' Emily wrote in the caption of the happy footage.

'The kids ran up to me, and Mia said, "Mummy, Daddy wants to make you a Redmond."

'When I reached Dec, he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. It was absolutely perfect.'

The romantic scene, shared to Instagram on Saturday, was eerily reminiscent to Blink 182 drummer Travis Barker's proposal to Kourtney Kardashian

Travis, 45, and his now-fiancee Kourtney, 42, had a similar engagement in October 2021 at the Rosewood Miramar Hotel in Montecito, California

Travis, 45, and his now-fiancee Kourtney, 42, had a similar engagement in October 2021 at the Rosewood Miramar Hotel in Montecito, California.

The lavish proposal saw Travis get down on one knee amid a sea of red roses in the shape of a heart surrounded by white candles as the sun was setting.

Emily and Declan began dating in 2013.

The fitness icon gave birth to their first daughter together, Mia, in 2017, before they welcomed son Izaac in 2021.
Justin Hemmes is known for treating his Merivale staff to the wildest party of the year every January.

And the billionaire pub baron spared no expense as he hosted a rave at Sydney nightclub Ivy on Monday.

The 51-year-old had his model girlfriend Madeline Holtznagel, 27, on his arm and she was dressed to impress.

Madeline stole the show in a barely-there blue bikini top that barely covered her bust and was adorned with teardrop jewels.

She matched it with sheer tights with racy cut-outs at the sides in lilac and blue tones.

Justin Hemmes is known for treating his Merivale staff to the wildest party of the year every January. And the billionaire pub baron spared no expense as he hosted a rave at Sydney nightclub Ivy on Monday. Pictured with Madeline Holtznagel

Thee 51-year-old had his model girlfriend Madeline Holtznagel, 27, (pictured) on his arm and she was dressed to impress. Madeline stole the show in a barely-there blue bikini top

For makeup, she chose a pink and blue palette with a nude lipstick and wore her blonde locks down in mermaid waves

Madeline added to her futuristic look with a metallic purse and reflective bug eye sunglasses.

For makeup, she chose a pink and blue palette with a nude lipstick and wore her blonde locks down in mermaid waves.

Justin meanwhile went for a hippy theme in an orange shirt and green striped animal print vest along with marijuana themed green corduroy trousers.

Also making a statement was Dina Broadhurst who turned heads in a latex crop top and bright orange short shorts.

The top barely covered her bust and was adorned with teardrop jewels

She matched it with sheer tights with racy cut-outs at the sides in lilac and blue tones

Also making a statement was Dina Broadhurst (pictured) who turned heads in a latex crop top

She also had on a pair of bright orange short shorts

The 'nude artist' had her toned figure on display and wore her hair in space buns, adding designer sunglasses and clear heels

The 'nude artist' had her toned figure on display and wore her hair in space buns, adding designer sunglasses and clear heels.

Head of PR Holly Madeline Kaiser was a vision in a 2000s look that included a graphic blue mini dress and chunky Mary Jane sandals.

The night's DJ, Ruby J, went for a '90s raver look in furry white boots, space buns and reflective sunglasses.

The staff partied into the night, showing off their raver ensembles as they struck a pose.

The venue was decorated with enormous blow up animals in psychedelic colours as well as smiley face balloons and yellow stars.

Head of PR Holly Madeline Kaiser (right) was a vision in a 2000s look that included a graphic blue mini dress and chunky Mary Jane sandals

The night's DJ, Ruby J (pictured), went for a '90s raver look in furry white boots, space buns and reflective sunglasses

Ruby jumped on the decks to do her thing for the assembled crowd

The venue was decorated with smiley face balloons and yellow stars

There were also enormous blow up animals in psychedelic colours

A DJ took the stage to kick off the dance party, with the floor heaving with revellers while a light show added atmosphere.

Justin's huge parties for his staff have become folklore at Merivale, and are traditionally held at the end of January after the Christmas period when the hospitality industry is quieter.

At last year's party, Justin thanked his staff for the 'best year of his life'.

'I am so grateful to you all and I want you to have the best night tonight. Look around, this is electric, it is magic, and it is all because of you guys. So thank you for the best year of my life and here is to a better year ahead!' he said to rousing applause.

Staff took selfies in the bathroom that featured purple lights

A DJ took the stage to kick off the dance party

The staff partied into the night, showing off their raver ensembles as they struck a pose

While it's not known exactly how long they've been dating, Justin and Madeline have been publicly together for about four years.

Madeline previously hinted they'd known each other for much longer.

Speaking to The Sydney Morning Herald in October 2020, she said they had actually met two years before reports emerged of their relationship.

'We have known each other for two years and met when I was modelling in Singapore,' she said at the time.

Justin's huge parties for his staff have become folklore at Merivale, and are traditionally held at the end of January after the Christmas period when the hospitality industry is quieter

The floor was heaving with revellers while a light show added atmosphere

It was also reported that Madeline was living in a penthouse apartment owned by Justin in the beachside Sydney suburb of Coogee.

The Aussie couple often show of their lavish lifestyle on Instagram, posting photos while on private jets and yachts.

Justin made his debut on the Financial Review Rich List in 2018 with an estimated net worth of $951million.

In 2022, his fortune was estimated to be worth $1.31 billion, making him number 101 on the list.
Bradley Cooper was pictured stepping out of his hotel in London on Sunday - days after he stepped out holding hands with his new girlfriend Gigi Hadid.

The Hollywood sensation, 49, wrapped up in a black peacoat and matching scarf, teamed with navy trousers.

The Maestro star  who was snubbed by the Oscars in the Best Director category  rocked a pair of shades and finished off with a pair of Nike's Air Jordan I collaboration with Travis Scott.

The Hangover favourite seemed in good spirits, as he also took some time to stop to sign autographs for his dedicated fans who were waiting outside.

The American actor and filmmaker was at the centre of the spotlight just days ago - after he put on a loved-up display with supermodel Gigi, 28, for the first time.

Bradley Cooper was pictured stepping out of his hotel in London on Sunday - days after he stepped out holding hands with his new girlfriend Gigi Hadid

The Hollywood sensation, 49, wrapped up in a black peacoat and matching scarf

On Friday, the lovebirds cemented their new relationship as enjoyed a daily stroll in London, and were spotted departing New York City together a couple of days earlier.

Gigi and Bradley sparked up a romance in October after they were reportedly 'introduced' by Bradley's ex Irina Shayk, 37.

Gigi shares daughter Kai with former One Direction member Zayn Malik, 31.

On Wednesday the American Sniper star made his first public appearance after the Oscar snub, as he was in London for a In Conversation event at BFI Southbank.

The star looked in good spirits as he enjoyed acclaimed director and producer Stephen Daldry on stage.

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 Bradley was snubbed again for a Best Director Oscar nomination for Maestro.

Despite the overlooking of his directing, the film scored numerous other nods.

The Netflix film received seven Academy Awards nominations  Best Picture, Best Actor for Cooper, Best Actress for Carey Mulligan, Achievement In Sound, Cinematography, Makeup and Hairstyling, and Original Screenplay.

He directed and starred in Maestro, the critically-acclaimed biopic about composer Leonard Bernstein.

The latest snub comes six years after he was similarly passed over for a directing nod for 2018's A Star Is Born.

The Maestro star  who was snubbed by the Oscars in the Best Director category  rocked a pair of shades

The Hangover favourite seemed in good spirits as he was captured beaming on his way out

He took some time to stop signing autographs for the dedicated fans outside

The American actor and filmmaker was at the centre of the spotlight just days ago - after he put on a public loved-up display with supermodel Gigi, 28, for the first time while strolling in London (pictured)

On Wednesday, the American Sniper star made his first public appearance after the Oscar snub, as he was in London for a In Conversation event at BFI Southbank (pictured)

There were several other notable snubs for this year's Oscars. Among them was Leonardo DiCaprio, who was not recognized for his acting on Killers Of The Flower Moon.

Penelope Cruz was also not singled out for her very strong performance as Laura in Ferrari.

And The Color Purple did not land in the Best Picture category which went to American Fiction, Anatomy of a Fall, Barbie, The Holdovers, Killers of the Flower Moon, Maestro, Oppenheimer, Past Lives, Poor Things and The Zone of Interest.

He directed and starred in Maestro, the critically-acclaimed biopic about composer Leonard Bernstein
Angela Rippon is planning to celebrate her 80th birthday with three 'crazy days' in Las Vegas later this year.

The newsreader, 79, will toast the milestone age in October and has admitted dancing has made her 'stronger' following her age-defying stint on Strictly Come Dancing last year.

The journalist doesn't seem to have any plans to slow down, as she told Platinum magazine about her birthday blowout in Vegas: 'I'm still thinking about how to celebrate my 80th this October.

'I had a big party when I was 60 and I said that would be the last of my parties. When I was 70 I took myself off alone to Oman and stayed in a beautiful hotel in Muscat.'

The Strictly sensation will enjoy a great company, as six of her pals promptly said yes when she mentioned the idea of a trip to Vegas trip for her 80th.

Angela Rippon is planning to celebrate her 80th birthday with three 'crazy days' in Las Vegas later this year (pictured last month)

The veteran newsreader, 79, admitted dancing has made her 'stronger' following her age-defying stint on Strictly Come Dancing last year (pictured with partner Kai Widdrington)

The journalist told Platinum magazine about her birthday blowout in Vegas: 'I'm still thinking about how to celebrate my 80th this October' (pictured in September 2023)

She said: 'At my age I should be allowed the latitude to do what I like and if I want to spend three crazy days in Las Vegas that's what I'll do.

'In my head I've never grown up. I may not be quite as strong as I was in my 40s or 50s but I am still flexible and the dancing has made me stronger.'

Angela stunned viewers with a slew of dance routine performances alongside her pro partner Kai Widdrington during the 21st series of the hit BBC competition - more than 30 years after she hosted the original version of the show 'Come Dancing'.

The TV favourite was the oldest contestant in the show's history - but certainly gave her fellow celebrities a run for their money, becoming the eight participant to be eliminated.

She revealed she had at least one cryotherapy ice bath a week as well as a deep tissue massage to maintain her body strong and healthy for the dancing competition.

The BBC star previously spoke about her age while on Strictly and said: 'I don't want people to concentrate on my age, it shouldn't be a factor in what I'm doing.

'If it's something that encourages people to think more positively about themselves as they get older, then I think that's probably a good thing, but personally in my head, I've been 30 for the last 40 years. It's not something that really concerns me.'

Angela is currently busy with the Strictly Come Dancing live tour which kicked off on January 19 in Birmingham, and has already touched down Sheffield, Newcastle and Glasgow.

'In my head I've never grown up. I may not be quite as strong as I was in my 40s or 50s but I am still flexible and the dancing has made me stronger,' Angela added

Angela was partnered up with English pro dancer Kai Widdrington during her triumphant stint on Strictly Come Dancing late last year

On the first live show in Birmingham, Angela was seen performing a spectacular high kick.

Speaking ahead of the opening night in Birmingham, she said: 'I said to Kai at the beginning, just challenge me with everything. We've been rehearsing eight to ten hours a day and yesterday we had a 12-hour day going through the whole tour.'

The newsreader added she prepared for the 30-date tour by taking morning walks.

'For 50 years I've exercised and stretched every morning so I'm continuing to do that.

'I spent part of my Christmas break in Devon with my family. So I had lovely long early morning walks on Dartmoor, getting that fresh clean air and going up and down endless hills.'

She revealed she had almost lost her voice, but added: 'As long as these [my legs] work it doesn't matter what happens.'

During a candid chat, Angela previously admitted she is feeling in the 'best shape of her life' after appearing on the BBC series.

The broadcaster revealed: 'I feel in the best shape of my life. I've lost about a stone from when I started the show.'

The TV star also admitted she may have even made dance her career if there had been more options when she was young.

She told The Mirror: 'I don't care how late it's come. I'm loving it. So many people go through life with a 'what-if' moment  through Strictly now I get to scratch that itch.'

Speaking of the tour she said: 'The 17-year-old me who would love to have been a professional dancer, she's been 60 years in the wings, waiting patiently. Now I'm unleashing her. In my head I'm still only 30. I really am having the time of my life.'

Angela was seen performing a spectacular high kick during the first live show from the Strictly Come Dancing live tour earlier this month
Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick have one of Hollywood's longest-lasting marriages, having tied the knot in 1997 and remained strong ever since.

The couple first met in November 1991, where they starred together on stage in Sarah's brothers Toby and Pippin's theatre company Naked Angels Theatre Company production of How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying on Broadway.

Their meeting came four years after Matthew killed a mother and daughter while driving with then-girlfriend Dirty Dancing star Jennifer Grey in Northern Ireland. His relationship with Jennifer did not survive the tragedy however did lead him to Sarah.

And in a full circle moment, 32 years later, the duo, who Sarah says have 'never spent a night apart' save for work and a family emergency, hit the stage in the West End for the first time on Sunday night to debut their new play Plaza Suite.

Critics have admitted the couple's on-stage presence justifies the show's whopping price tag, with their real life romance translating to the three couples they play in the revival of Neil Simon's triptych of sketches at The Savoy Couple.

So how did the actors behind Carrie Bradshaw and Ferris Bueller go from fresh-faced stars to the New York Royalty of married couples?

Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick have one of Hollywood's longest-lasting marriages, having tied the knot in 1997 and remained steely ever since (pictured in 1995)

The couple first met in 1991 before starring together in her brothers' 1996 production How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying (left) and in a full circle moment, are now starring together in the West End in Plaza Suite (right, on Sunday)

So how did the woman behind Carrie Bradshaw and Ferris Bueller go from fresh-faced actors to the New York Royalty of married couples? (pictured in 2003)

Sarah and Matthew are pictured in 1994, shortly after they began dating

WHERE IT ALL BEGAN

Before meeting her future husband, Sarah has another high-profile romance with Robert Downey Jr. from 1984 until 1991 after meeting on the set of Firstborn. His addiction issues led to the demise of their romance.

She said of her relationship with Robert: 'People around him would be dismissive of me, but I had given him stability and tried to create a steady heartbeat that allowed him to show up on time. That made me angry and embarrassed me.'

Before meeting her future husband, Sarah has another high-profile romance with Robert Downey Jr. from 1984 until 1991 after meeting on the set of Firstborn (pictured in 1990)

She later briefly dated John F. Kennedy Jr., before finding love with Matthew.

Matthew was dating Dirty Dancing star Jennifer Grey in 1987, when tragedy struck and while driving a rented car outside Tempo, Northern Ireland, he crossed into the wrong lane and collided head-on with another car.

The driver, Anna Gallagher, 28, and her mother, Margaret Doherty, 63, were both killed instantly. He suffered a fractured leg and ribs, a concussion, and a collapsed lung, while Grey suffered severe whiplash, which later required surgery to avoid paralysis.

He was charged with causing death by dangerous driving, which carries a penalty of up to five years in prison. In the end, the star pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of careless driving, and paid a fine of $175. Margaret's family have confirmed they forgive the star.

Sarah and Matthew first met in November 1991 at the Naked Angels Theatre Company. The company was founded by Sarah's two brothers Toby and Pippin.

Matthew previously dated Dirty Dancing star Jennifer Grey in 1987, when tragedy struck and while driving a rented car outside Tempo, Northern Ireland, he crossed into the wrong lane and collided head-on with another car (pictured in 1981)

The couple were both dating other people when the first met, however knew they had to end their relationships. Sarah said: 'We were both seeing other people, so it was illegal, and we stayed away from one another...

'We understood that we had to do right by the other people and break up officially.'

They went on to star together in How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying on Broadway in 1996 just one year before they tied the knot.

Speaking to the Los Angeles Times prior to opening night, she said: 'He's the funniest fellow I've met in my whole life. He's so bright, so handsome. I think he's the most handsome man I've seen in my life and he inspires me. I'm mad for him.'

She recently shed light on how she met when they first met, saying: 'He's so smart, he's so funny, I like this choice of friends, the way he was living in New York, what was important to him, how he kind of travelled around the city...

'He was always travelling around on his bicycle, he's been riding bikes since he was 14. [He's] really smart and really talented. And he was, I thought, so beautiful and handsome and charming.'

Matthew meanwhile echoed that it was love at first sight, saying: 'The first time I met her. I saw her walking down the street, and thought, 'That's it.''

Speaking to the Los Angeles Times prior to opening night, she said: 'He's the funniest fellow I've met in my whole life' (pictured in 2004)

Matthew meanwhile echoed that it was love at first sight, saying: 'The first time I met her. I saw her walking down the street, and thought, 'That's it.'' (pictured in 2000)

MARRIAGE AND BABIES

The couple married at New York's Angel Orensanz Synagogue on May 19, 1997, with 100 of their nearest and dearest filling the venue.

Five years after tying the knot, Sarah and Matthew welcomed their first child, son James Wilke Broderick, on October 28, 2002.

In 2009, the couple welcomed their two twin daughters, Marion Loretta Elwell Broderick and Tabitha Hodge Broderick, via surrogate on June 22.

Sarah has previously described the couple's quest to ensure their children do not take things for granted - particularly the value of money.

She said: 'You want your children to understand what it means to earn money, what it takes to earn money, the value of it. They [should know] the expectations will be the same for them...

'I think it's a great way of living for children, that their needs are met  to be fed, safe and loved. The important things in life: books and food and interesting experiences, and they're warm in the winter and cool in summer...

'But they should pine for things, they should want things. And we should also be interested in, how do they contribute to the things, at a certain point?'

Sarah and Matthew welcomed their first child, son James Wilke Broderick, on October 28, 2002. In 2009, the couple welcomed their two twin daughters, Marion Loretta Elwell Broderick and Tabitha Hodge Broderick, via surrogate on June 22 (the family pictured in 2017)

Sarah's son proudly shared snaps of their whole clan on Instagram

She has shared tributes to her beloved husband on Instagram

THE BIG APPLE, AN ANGLOPHILE AND THE EMERALD ISLE

Sarah revealed in the past that she loved that Matthew wanted to set up life in her beloved New York - something they have done since first meeting.

She said: 'I love being home in New York. I wanted to build a life here and he was born and raised in the West Village, literally, he's never lived north of 11th Street.'

As well as their love of the Big Apple, the couple have made no secret of their love of Ireland, often jetting to the Emerald Isle for getaways.

The couple have a holiday home in County Donegal and even spent last Christmas in the quaint landscape - which Matthew previously lauded.

He said: 'You know the landscape, the hiking but it's also the people there that I grew up knowing. Real farmers who worked the hay in the summer and milked cows...

'I really, really got to know my neighbors and that just doesn't happen in the same way here in the US. We just really felt welcomed there [in Donegal]. It's another culture, a wonderful place.'

As well as both Ireland and NYC, Sarah has been very candid about her love of England and particularly the capital, where they have recently landed.

Sarah revealed in the past that she loved that Matthew wanted to set up life in her beloved New York - something they have done since first meeting (pictured in 2006)

OVER THE YEARS

After 20 years as a couple, Sarah spoke about her relationship with Matthew, detailing how they work together after so long.

She said: 'We've been together for 20 years and you have good days, you have decent days, and you have bad days. That's a marriage. That's a relationship. That's a friendship even. Relationships outside of marriage run the same course...

'If you're in it for the long haul and you want meaningful relationships, you are going to go through lots of different periods.'

Celebrating their 20-year wedding anniversary in May 2017, Sarah shared a sweet snap of the couple on Instagram, writing: 'It flew by baby. Good golly I love you.'

Last year, Sarah revealed the couple have never spent a night apart with the exception of work and a family emergency.

She said: 'We've never spent a night apart since then, with the exception of work on location. Or, his mother was ill for a bit so he went to take care of her. But from that first night, we've never been apart.'

Sarah previously revealed the secret to their marriage is not discussing their union. She said: 'I've always said one of the reasons we've had success is because we don't talk about our marriage...

'I'm not flattering myself that anyone's discussing my marriage, but we're certainly not going to add to it by saying, 'Well, this is why it works.' Next thing you know, there'll be a very public divorce. So we just try to respect each other.'

Matthew meanwhile confessed he does not know why their relationship works, but finds things 'amazing' in their love.

He said: 'I don't know the secret at all, but I, you know, I'm very grateful and I love her. It's amazing. I mean, I can't believe that it's been that long. It doesn't feel like it.'
Kyle Sandilands broke down during the Australian Idol premiere on Monday night after watching a moving performance by the show's first auditionee.

The usually stoic KIIS FM radio star, 52, was brought to tears by musician Dylan Wright who dedicated his song to his late mother.

Singing Better Be Home Soon by Crowded House, the father-of-two touched Kyle so deeply with his audition, the radio star couldn't keep his emotions at bay.

Dylan's moving performance honoured his mother who died a decade ago after a years-long battle with acute lymphoblastic Leukemia.

The judges were stunned to silence, with Marcia Hines breaking it to say: 'That's one of the most heartfelt performances I've seen You've touched me.'

Kyle Sandilands, 52, (pictured) broke down during the Australian Idol premiere on Monday night after watching a moving performance by the show's first auditionee

It was at this point Kyle struggled to get his words out as he became teary-eyed.

'Sorry,' he said as Marcia, 70, offered a comforting hug.

'How did I turn from the asshole into the guy who bursts into tears?'

'That was so beautiful. I don't usually cry in the presence of other men, but what a sweetheart you are. I loved that,' he added.

The usually stoic KIIS FM radio star was brought to tears by musician Dylan Wright who dedicated his song to his late mother

It comes after the shock jock, who is now in his ninth season of the singing competition, revealed he felt like a fish out of water when he first joined in 2005.

'I remember the first year I ever did it, I thought, "F**k, what am I doing? Like, what am I supposed to say?"' the radio titan told The Daily Telegraph this week.

'Marcia didn't like me. Mark was weird and he and I would get stoned on the sly - everything was just a bit odd,' he said, referring to his then co-judges Marcia Hines and Mark Holden.

Singing Better Be Home Soon by Crowded House, the father-of-two touched Kyle so deeply with his audition, the radio star couldn't keep his emotions at bay

His relationship with Marcia has completely changed since their earlier days, with the music veteran returning to the rebooted franchise this season as a judge.

'We couldn't get her on that first [rebooted] season because she had like 9000 different RSLs that she was touring around  the woman never stops,' Kyle said of Marcia.

Marcia will replace both outgoing judges Meghan Trainor and Harry Connick Jr.

She and Kyle will host this year's season alongside Aria-winning musician Amy Shark.
Lee Byung-hun has had his home trashed by burglars.

The Squid Game star, 53, was away from home when a member of his team reportedly called in to check in on his property in LA only to find that it had been ransacked.

Sources told TMZ that the thieves had 'smashed a sliding glass door' to gain access to his home.

But it remains 'unclear' what was actually taken - if anything - or what any items stolen may be worth.

The actor - who played Front Man in the Netflix series, will be working with police over the coming days to determine what has happened, according to the outlet.

Lee Byung-Hun - who is known for playing Front Man in Netflix hit series Squid Game - has had his LA home ransacked by burglars, (pictured in a still from the show)

The South Korean-born star will be working with police over the coming days to determine what has happened

Law enforcement officials don't believe that Lee was a specific 'target' of the burglars and has more fallen victim as a resident of an affluent place in the Californian city.

They noted that the crime appears to be 'appears to be the work of one of the burglary crews that have been robbing wealthy neighbourhoods' in the area.

MailOnline has contacted representatives for comment.

The incident comes just weeks after Master Of None star Lena Waithe lost $200,000 worth of jewellery to brazen burglars who broke in through a window at her West Hollywood mansion.

The 39-year-old comedian and writer was out of town when a group of thieves smashed a window and slipped inside, according to TMZ.

Law enforcement sources told the outlet the robbers snatched $200,000 worth of jewellery during the brazen break-in.

The crime was discovered by a member of Waithe's staff, who arrived at the house the next day and found the front door unlocked.

The actress purchased her six-bedroom, eight-bathroom Studio City home for $6.4 million in 2021.

Law enforcement officials do not believe that the Netflix star (pictured in October 2023 ) was a specific target for the thieves

Towards the end of last year, comedienne Lena Waithe lost $200,000 of jewellery to brazen thieves who smashed through a window in her West Hollywood mansion while she was out of town

The 39-year-old is best known as Denise in Netflix series Master Of None and as creator of The Chi, a drama based on her own upbringing on Chicago's South Side

The sprawling mansion is just shy of 7,000 square feet and features an outdoor kitchen, backyard sauna and in-ground pool.

Waithe is best known as Denise from Netflix comedy Master of None and creator of The Chi, a drama series influenced by her upbringing in Chicago, Illinois.

She knew as a child that she wanted to write for television and was encouraged to do so by her single mother and grandmother, Waithe told Vogue in 2015.

After moving to Los Angeles, she secured a job as an assistant to the executive producer of Girlfriends, a sitcom centering on a friendship group of black women.
by Bill Benzon

Frank Foster leading and fronting the Count Basie Orchestra in 1994

I headed off to the State University of New York at Buffalo (aka UB) in the Fall of 1973. While I was going for my Ph.D. in English Literature, I was also interested in the schools music offerings. Id just gotten my trumpet out of storage, a year or so ago and I decided I wanted to sharpen my jazz chops. So I looked through the UB catalogue and noticed they had some guy named Frank Foster teaching jazz improvisation. Id never heard of him. But, hey, I looked him up anyhow, you never knowplayed and arranged with Basie, Elvin Jones, Sarah Vaughan, hmmm, says I to my little-too-smart self, maybe hell do.

He did.

I forget just how I made my way into his improv workshop. While I was registered in the English Department and took courses there, there was no problem about showing up in Franks class and just hanging out. I didnt even register for credit. Just showed up. (Maybe I officially audited the course, as its called, but I dont really remember the arrangement.)

Frank had no problem with that. Neither did anyone else.

So, anyhow, I show up in the room. Other folks came in. We got out our horns and warmed up in that checkin everyone out way that musicians have. Naturally I was apprehensive about whether or not I could hang with these musicians. True, most of them were a bit younger than I was, but I figured most of them would have been music majors whereas music had never been my central focus.

Then Frank came inhe must have, because thats how it had to be, no? But I dont actually remember that first day. I remember other days, but not that one. So Im pretty much making it up about that first day.

Frank comes in, says Hi to folks he recognizes. Does some administrative crap, and gets down to business. He goes to the chalk board, writes out the head (melody) and chord changes to a tune, say, Blue Bossa. He then explains a thing or two about harmonic relevance (his term) and were blowing. The rhythm section  bass, drums, piano, guitar  starts and then we all play the head with Frank. Frank takes a chorus or two and then sends it around the room. Everyone took a turn.

But maybe I didnt take a solo, not that first day. Now that I heard these cats, I wasnt feeling so cocky with my Blood, Sweat and Tears Chicago Transit Authority jazz-rock solo chops. Eventually I got up there, though with Billy Skinner in the room it was a little scary, and I blew some. Probably sucked (that is, was merely adequate), too. But that was OK.

I took notes, wrote out exercises based on the tunes Frank called, and practiced diligently (while at the same time taking courses in the English Department and teaching composition). I would compare notes with the other musicians. And over time I got better. One day we were playing one of Franks tunes, Whos That Rocking My Jazz Boat  a title that speaks volumes about the fate of jazz (recorded with Elvin Jones as Someones Rocking My Jazzboat). Funkier n shit. And I got off a good solo. When I was done, Frank looked at me, then looked at the rest of the group. He pointed at me and smiled.

That made my day. Made my day. My week. I got the nod from Frank.

I was not, of course, the only one. Lots of folks got the nod from Frank. And by the by I figured out that I wasnt the only non-enrollee in the course. There were others. Heck, some of those others werent even students at UB. They were just local jazz musicians who dropped in to hang out and jam with The Master.

And Master he was.

One day we were jamming on Giant Steps. For those of you who dont know, the name says what the tune is, giant freakin steps. Fast furious and more changes than a chameleon on speed. You had to be damn good just to keep up, and to make actual music on that tune, few managed.

And Frank was one of those few. Things were movin along and the piano player lost it. And then the bass player. So it was just Frank and the drummer. He killed it! Killed it dead! A capella, all in his head, Frank hit every change right on, and made music out of it.

Astounding, both in his physical mastery of the horn and his conceptual mastery of the music.

Theres the day he broke out singing Hello, Dolly, sounding just like Louis Armstrong. It shocked the bejesus out of us standing around. Whod have thought this bad-ass post-bop Basie arranger and contemporary of Coltrane had a world-class Pops imitation in him? Think of the cultural history collapsed into the one moment. Armstrong has been one of the earliest jazz pioneers. By the 1930s he had become a major entertainer and public figure in America and Europe but by the 1950s he was two style revolutions behind the times and jazz was being displaced by rock and roll. In 1964 his recording of Hello, Dolly became his best-selling record, putting him on the charts along side the Beatles. Is that when Frank first developed his Armstrong imitation of the tune? I have no idea. By the time he regaled us with his singing Armstrong had been dead for four or five years and so been transmuted into pure myth and symbol. And thats what we heard, an icon made flesh through the voice of Frank Foster.

And then, and then, then theres the day he was kind enough to be embarrassed on my behalf. The school decided they wanted to have a big band. So they held auditions. And of course I auditioned. While mostly a soloist, I really wanted to play in the big band.

I got in there. They put a chart in front of me, the lead trumpet part for Central Park North. I sucked. I knew I would. My sight-reading chops just were not anywhere near my jazz chops. This was, maybe, three years from when Id first showed up in Franks improv workshop and Id gotten to be a damn good soloist. And, in Franks world, the world of professional jazz musicians, damn good soloists can also read fly shit on paper. So Frank, Im sure, expected me to kill the audition. Which I did, but not it the good sense of kill. In the bad sense (but not, you know, the good sense of baad). As I said, I sucked.

I was disappointed and embarrassed. And the thing is, so was Frank, on both counts. Disappointed, yes, because maybe I wasnt going to be the lead trumpet player he was looking for. But also embarrassed, like it was his failure too.

Of course it wasnt. The failure was all mine. But it was kind and sweet of him to be embarrassed on my behalf. He was that kind of man.

Oh yes he was.

* * * * *

In 2002 the National Endowment for the Arts presented Foster with the NEA Jazz Masters Award. Four years before that William Brower, Jr. had interviewed him for the Smithsonian Jazz Oral History Program. A 178 page transcript of the interview is available on line. Ive selected a few excerpts.

Fosters style

Stylistically Fosters heart was in bebop, but he spent much of his career with the Count Basie Orchestra, which has grounded in the swing era, jazzs major stylistic movement prior to bebop. But he as stretched to various post-pop developments and at times flirted with avant-garde outside playing.

Lets start with the special connection he felt with John Coltrane [pp. 22-23]:

Foster: I brag about having the same birthday as Trane. Where were we? []

Brower: And I wondered, and this is a real digression, is there some connection? I mean do you feel a connection with Coltrane? Does the 23rd  does that day  does that mean something to you?

Foster: Definitely. I feel a connection  theres a fact that in although were two years apart, he having been born in 1926. Before he joined  was it with Monk first or Miles?

Brower: I think it was Miles first. I think it was Miles, Monk, Miles.

Foster: Miles, Monk, Miles, yeah. Before his first tour of duty with Miles, his style and my style were very similar. This is around 1954, I think, 55. I remember hearing a recording of his and I remember remarking to myself, wow, he sounds a lot like me.

Then he got with Miles and I with Basie, and our paths went in vastly different directions. Trying to fit with the Basie orchestra and being torn between the Lester Young approach, and the Buddy Tate, Don Byas approach, and really being in love with Sonny Stitt, I was all kind of messed up, while Trane, his direction was very definite and intense. Here I  while Im trying to fit with this institution, long-standing institution, by veering back and forth between Prez and Don Byas and Buddy Tate, my style became diffused, whereas Trane was pinpointed in a certain direction. Then he left me in the lurch.

Later in the interview Foster mentions that Davis had actually offered him a gig with his band, but he turned it down because the gig with Basie paid more, an important consideration for a man whose wife was pregnant with his first child.

Heres how Foster characterized bebop [pp. 37]:

Foster: Being a bebopper meant that you concerned yourself with certain elements of the music, like melody and chord changes, especially the chord changes, and rhythms where instead of the [Foster sings a repetitive drum pattern], the heavy four associated with the swing era, you had [Foster sings a widely varied rhythm], drummers dropping bombs. That became the expression used for the way drummers, Max Roach and Kenny Clarke, et cetera played. We liked the idea of playing with drummers who dropped bombs instead of [Foster again sings the repetitive pattern].

Brower: Instead of a steady chug.

Foster: Yeah, right. We liked the freedom that it afforded us, and we became more aware of what chord changes were. The melodies that were created by Dizzy Gillespie and Bird, we emulated these melodies. We analyzed what they were doing in terms of extensions of what  before we were just aware of the root third, and the fifth, and maybe the sixth, but now here we were hearing the major seventh, the ninth, and the raised eleventh, the thirteen. We were getting into these extended intervals and we really  we were considering ourselves 

Brower: Artists?

Foster: Many notches above the swing-era people and old heads who said, Oh, that bebop aint nothing but a lot of noise. They dont know what theyre doing.

The Early Years in Ohio, the Army

Foster was born in 1928 in Cincinnati, Ohio, and grew up there. Of his early exposure to music [p. 5]:

Foster: Certainly. I think its most important to say that at a very early age I discovered that I had a strong appreciation for music, music that I refer to now as quality music. For instance when I was five years of age, I really got off on Tchaikovskys Nutcracker Suite and things of that nature.

I didnt hear any jazz per se until I was about nine years old. Its not that it wasnt  I wasnt frequenting places where at that age  I wasnt hearing much on the radio, but I was hearing a lot of classical music and popular music, and my mother regularly took me to what was referred to as the summer opera at the Cincinnati Zoo. They had a pavilion where they had operatic performances every summer. I saw most of the major operas by the time I was ten years of age. I really loved classical music and some of the better popular songs of the day, but Id like to say that very early I developed a taste for quality music and a distaste for garbage.

Here are some remarks about race relations in his early years as a musician [pp. 15-16]:

Brower: In these places, were you playing for black folks, white folks, mixed audiences?

Foster: We played for black folks. There were no mixed audiences in those days. You either played for all black audiences or all white audiences.

Brower: Would there be some white people at the black thing but no black people at the white thing?

Foster: Exactly, yeah. Some white, only a smattering.

Brower: Were they typically musicians or more hip people? Who were the whites

who ventured into the black world to hear this music?

Foster: A lot of them were so-called slummers. You know, Lets go slumming tonight. Lets go see whats happening, and so forth. Not particularly hip people but people who  they may have had black friends who brought them to the affairs, or they may have been people who actually had an appreciation for music and who didnt know where else they would be able to hear this band, so they would come to this black dance.

In 1951 Foster was drafted into the Army and served in Korea in the infantry. Foster didnt see combat [pp. 81-82]:

Foster: No, I didnt see combat, but every night we could hear small arms fire going, machine guns.

Brower: What did the experience of being, and I guess youre getting to this, but how did it feel being in a war? How did it affect you as a human being?

Foster: It didnt feel good at all. I did not like it. I did not like the Korean countryside. I hated the army experience of getting up early in the morning and having a long day, a long hard day, and finally getting to bed at night and getting  wed get a pass to go into a local village. All you could smell was fertilizer when you went into the village. It seemed like our only recreation was going into the village and uh 

Brower: The great uh. Foster: Yeah, the great uh.

Brower: Uh.

Foster: We did discover marijuana stalks growing in the fields, marijuana stalks that grew to six feet in height. Wed cut them and pluck the branches off the main stalk. Wed hang them upside down to let the essence flow to the leaves. Then wed fill an empty cake box, like if somebodys mother sent them a fruitcake. As soon as we finished the fruitcake, wed fill the cake box with dried marijuana leaves. That was our best recreation. []

Brower: Was it boring?

Foster: Huh?

Brower: Was it boring? Did you think it would end?

Foster: Strangely enough it was not boring. I though it would never end, yeah.

Brower: You thought it seemed endless.

Foster: It wasnt boring, because  we did have some music to listen to. We won a tape recorder in a contest. We would record our own music on this tape recorder, and we would 

Brower: Were the units segregated?

Foster: No, no. The training unit at Camp Roberts California, was segregated. The army on an overall basis was integrated by that time in the early 1950s, but the integrated status hadnt gotten to Camp Roberts yet. So we trained as a segregated unit, but as soon as I got to Japan everything was totally integrated. All organizations, band, every area was totally integrated.

Brower: Now I want to maybe make the transition to how you got from there to Basie, unless theres some other aspect of your time there or the military experience thats either musically or personally significant to you.

Foster: Yes. In February of 1953  I was scheduled to be released in May, so in February of 1953 I got a hold of a Down Beat magazine. I saw a picture of the Basie orchestra with inset photos of Paul Quinichette and Eddie Lockjaw Davis. I remember saying to myself, Man, I sure would like to be in that band, not realizing that less then four months I would sitting in that band. I got out in May. I went back to Detroit, and I freelanced around Detroit. I played with Kenny Burrell

Four months after he left the army Foster was playing with Basie, which he did for well over a decade, after which he lived the life of a freelancing musician based in New York City. Its during that period that he taught at UB (1972-1976) and then spent another ten years freelancing.

Running the Count Basie Orchestra

Foster took over the Count Basie Orchestra in 1986, where he received two Grammy Awards. Here he talks about the challenges and opportunities that afforded him [pp. 175-176]:

Foster: When I heard the band under Thad Jones, I wondered how it was going to do. I wondered how long it would last. Thad took it in another direction, because Thads arrangements were some of the most progressive of anyone this century. Thad kept it going until his health failed and he had to resign.

I thought when I took over I would uphold the Basie tradition. The fact that I wasnt overly successful in my professional life up to that time  I was very unfulfilled. I didnt get to hear my band but once every seven or eight months, and I had  just having a rehearsal was like pulling teeth to get everybody to come to a rehearsal. Was it a rehearsal for a particular gig? Aw, no, theres no gig, I just want to rehearse the music. If theres no gig in sight, why do you want to rehearse? I just want to hear the music. Ill try to make it by, but I cant guarantee.

Brower: So its too frustrating.

Foster: I was highly frustrated and just doing little gigs that didnt have anything to do with my ambitions, just to make money to pay the mortgage. Doing a gig, a club date or a gig with some guys who couldnt play that well, just for that $150 or $200, and going doing a workshop and a clinic and playing with some students 

Brower: So what kept you from snapping?

Foster: I had a good marriage going, a good marriage and a good partnership. She was encouraging me, Do what you want to do. Do what you do best. She didnt say, go out and play some rock-and-roll, or go out and play some funk, or write some commercial stuff for this whatever. She encouraged me to do whatever  what I wanted to do, what I did best.

So when I toured with the Basie band, I said, heres a regular job in front of a good organization that was going to play the music well. So I was all gung ho about upholding the tradition, not writing anything that the Chief wouldnt like. After about a year of being in this power struggle, I was beginning to get weary and frustrated again, but still even so I had these excellent musicians in front of me every night, playing this music very well and very satisfactorily, not playing it sloppy and not having me have to make speeches. Man, you all sounded  you all sucked. You all sounded horrible. It was no more of that. Because I had cursed my own band out several times about sounding bad and sounding sloppy. Thats because I had too many mediocre musicians in there with the cream, and they took the level down.

But still I was falling in love with swing all over again and deciding that when I get out of this context and back into my own, the numbers are not going to last 20 minutes and a half hour for one number. Im going to keep my numbers inside of five minutes, six minutes, and still have everybody playing solos and have a whole lot of ensemble going on, just the same as in the Basie orchestra, because in the Basie orchestra no tune lasted more than five minutes and most of them were over in three and a half, four minutes. I got accustomed to that. I got to liking the fact that you could play 10 to 12 pieces in an hour instead of just two to four pieces.

* * * * *

Frank Foster  Lets Jazz Party

Tracklist:

00:00  Giants Steps

06:59  Joy Spring

15:08  Simone (A Foster original, which we played in the workshop)

24:50  Just 40 Bars

29:25  A Blues Aint Nothing But a Trip

42:00  Fat Shoes

46:50  Escale a Victoria

51:29  My Heart Stood Still

57:33  Theme for Ernie

01:07:33  Ill Take Romance

01:12:56  The Things We Did Last Summer

01:16:56  Chiquito Loco

01:29:24  Shiny Stockings (Fosters best-known composition)
Kim Kardashian is gearing up to produce and feature in BBC's upcoming three-part documentary, covering the life of Elizabeth Taylor.

The billionaire-businesswoman, 43, was the last person to interview the late movie star before her death in March 2011, aged 79.

And now over a decade later, Kim, who has long idolised Elizabeth, will delve deep into her life for the new docuseries.

The documentary Elizabeth Taylor: Rebel Superstar is executive produced by Kim, Kari Lia and Hamish Fergusson.

It will dive into her early fame, acting career, many marriages and how she went on to be a billionaire-businesswoman, activist and advocate.

Kim Kardashian, 43, is gearing up to produce and feature in BBC 's upcoming three-part documentary, covering the life of the late Elizabeth Taylor, who died aged 79

The billionaire-businesswoman was the last person to interview the late movie star (pictured in 1950) before her death in March 2011

Kim said: 'Elizabeth Taylor was unapologetically herself, a fighter. She is proof that you can keep evolving and changing and have different chapters in your life  and she paved the way for all of us who came after her with that blueprint.'

Elizabeth's close friend Dame Joan Collins, school friend Margaret OBrien and close friend Carole Bayer Sager will also appear on the documentary.

Alistair Pegg, Commissioning Editor at the BBC added: 'This exciting series promises a new understanding of Elizabeth Taylor  both her technique and power as an actor, and her capacity for reinventing herself.'

Elizabeth Taylor, one of the great Hollywood beauties, led an infamously scandalous life with many men and a mindboggling eight marriages.

But as the wife of a US senator living in the stodgy nation's capital, the glitzy star became a 'drunk and a junkie,' according to Kate Andersen Brower's Elizabeth Taylor: The Grit and Glamour of an Icon biography.

When Elizabeth was married to her seventh husband, Republican Senator John Warner of Virginia in the late 70s, she once summoned one of her adult sons from a previous marriage to her bedroom where she was clad only in revealing underwear.

'She was pretty f***ed up on something. She was seated on the edge of the bed in her underwear and had a syringe of Demerol, [an addictive opioid] in her right hand,' recalled Christopher Wilding, son of Elizabeth's second husband, the British actor Michael Wilding.

'She pointed to a spot on her thigh,' and asked him to inject the needle. When he couldn't, the Oscar-winning star 'steadied her hand and plunged the needle into her flesh.'

And now over a decade later, Kim, who has long idolised Elizabeth, will delve deep into her life for the new docuseries

In March 2011, Elizabeth suffered congestive heart failure, and died six weeks later (pictured in 2009)

The documentary Elizabeth Taylor: Rebel Superstar is executive produced by Kim, Kari Lia and Hamish Fergusson

It will dive into her early fame, acting career, many marriages and how she went on to be a billionaire-businesswoman, activist and advocate (pictured in 1955)

Elizabeth's close friend Dame Joan Collins (pictured), school friend Margaret OBrien and close friend Carole Bayer Sager will also appear on the documentary

During the Warner marriage, the gorgeous Elizabeth known for her seductive violet eyes and once spectacular figure  unhappy with her life as a senator's wife in the ritzy and conservative Georgetown enclave  ate and drank so much that she ballooned 40 pounds to more than 170 pounds, igniting Warner to call her his 'little heifer,' writes Brower.

The marriage lasted six years - a relatively long time for eight-times married Elizabeth, who was in and out of marriages like a revolving door.

Her other turbulent marriages included a brief union with Paris Hilton's great uncle, Conrad Nicky Hilton, film producer Mike Todd, crooner Eddie Fisher, and Richard Burton.

At 18-years-old, Elizabeth married her first husband Conrad Hilton and got her first four-carat diamond ring.

They honeymooned in Europe but the thrill was gone within just two weeks, when Hilton virtually abandoned her and went on a drink and gambling binge.

He soon became abusive and kicked her in the stomach causing a miscarriage.

In 1952, Taylor married the British actor Michael Wilding, who was 20 years her senior.

Because of the age difference the couple had little in common, so little that, according to the author, Taylor had an affair with Frank Sinatra, and got pregnant.

Elizabeth married her seventh husband Republican Senator John Warner (pictured) in 1976

The marriage lasted six years - a relatively long time for eight-times married Taylor

At just the tender age of 18, Elizabeth married her first husband, Conrad Nicholas Hilton, Jr., the great-uncle of Paris Hilton, at the Bel Air country club in 1950

Elizabeth went on to marry second husband, British actor Michael Wilding in 1952, who was 20 years her senior

Hollywood beauty and icon Elizabeth was known for her seductive violet eyes and once spectacular figure during the age of classical Hollywood cinema

In 1957, the same year her marriage with Wilding ended, Elizabeth moved on quickly, marrying film producer Mike Todd and honeymooning in Acapulco, Mexico (pictured)

Todd (far left) was killed in a plane crash 13 months later and she began a relationship with popular young crooner Eddie Fisher (right) who infamously ended his marriage with Debbie Reynolds and married Elizabeth

In 1957, the same year her marriage with Wilding ended, Elizabeth moved on quickly, marrying film producer Mike Todd and honeymooning in Acapulco, Mexico.

But 13 months after their March 1958 marriage, Todd was killed in a plane crash.

In 1959, the popular young crooner Eddie Fisher infamously ended his marriage with Debbie Reynolds and married Elizabeth.

Elizabeth had become famous at age 12 after playing the lead in the film, National Velvet in 1944, but she felt abused with the MGM studio system that addicted their young stars to pills  amphetamines and sedatives.

In all, Elizabeth made over 60 films, most for the silver screen and some for television.

Several times she came back from the dead from illnesses and suicide attempts and overdoses, heart attacks, three hip replacements, and more.

'I've been through it all, baby. I'm Mother Courage. I'll be dragging a sable coast behind me into old age,' she said, according to the author.

In March 2011, Elizabeth Taylor suffered congestive heart failure, and died six weeks later.
Kylie Jenner was joined by her adorable daughter Stormi on Monday as she graced the front row at the "Les Sculptures" Jacquemus' Fashion Show on Monday.

The billionaire businesswoman, 26, was once again making an impression as she left jaws dropping at Fondation Maeght in Saint-Paul-De-Vence.

The Keeping Up With The Kardashians star who was a constant at the hottest shows in Paris Fashion Week last week, continued her French visit in style.

This time she was joined by Stormi, who matched her mother's colour palette and donned a scarlet jumper wrapped over a T-shirt.

While seemingly stealing from the Eighties with her look, Kylie wowed in a skin-tight red mini dress with bold shoulder pads and a mesh overlay detail.

Kylie Jenner was joined by her adorable daughter Stormi on Monday as she graced the front row at the "Les Sculptures" Jacquemus' Fashion Show on Monday (pictured with Tina Kunakey)

Kylie was once again making an impression as she left jaws dropping while attending the show at Fondation Maeght in Saint-Paul-De-Vence on Monday morning

Stormi matched her mother's colour palette and donned a scarlet jumper wrapped over a T-shirt and paired with red trousers

Kylie was sure to turn heads as she attended the show in the sizzling mini dress, which showed off every inch of her hard worked figure

A host of fellow superstars were in attendance at the show, including Julia Roberts and Kristin Davis who were putting on stunning displays in suited looks.

Kylie was sure to turn heads as she attended the show in the sizzling mini dress, which showed off every inch of her hard worked figure.

Like the rest of the Kardashian-Jenner sisters, the brunette beauty is known for working hard in the gym to attain their toned physiques.

She perfected the retro vibes with her wide-rim sunglasses paired with a voluminous blow-dry being coiffed by an aide as she sat on the FROW.

A host of stars attended the event, including Hollywood royalty in the form of Julia who dazzled with a chic fringe glamming up her look.

She opted for a wholly more wrapped up look to Kylie, as she sported a black coat, tights and heels to add a wintery edge to proceedings.

Proving herself to be well in with the fashionistas, Julia posed up a storm with Vogue editor Edward Enninful, who looked stylish in a suit.

Sex And The City star Kristin was flying the flag for the fictional fashionistas as she made a show-stopping arrival in a chic lemon-hued ensemble.

Her incredibly coordinated look comprised a loose-fitting suit, a matching blouse, chiffon scarf and handbag - all in the same stunning pastel shade.

She boosted her height with a pair of pointed patent heels with a delicate bow

She slicked her famously plump pout with lashings of lipgloss

Seemingly stealing from the Eighties with her look, the mother-of-two wowed in a skin-tight red mini dress with bold shoulderpads and a mesh overlay detail

Like the rest of the Kardashian-Jenner sisters, the brunette beauty is known for working hard in the gym to attain their toned physiques

A host of stars attended the event, including Hollywood royalty in the form of Julia Roberts who dazzled with a chic fringe glamming up her look

Proving herself to be well in with the fashionistas, Julia posed up a storm with Vogue editor Edward Enninful, who looked stylish in a suit

Sex And The City star Kristin Davis was flying the flag for the fictional fashionistas as she made a show-stopping arrival in a chic lemon-hued ensemble

Her incredibly coordinated look comprised a loose-fitting suit, a matching blouse, chiffon scarf, shoes and handbag - all in the same stunning pastel shade

She was looking radiant as she showed off her glowing skin and coiffed locks

The stars were on and off the runway, as Kylie's pal Gigi Hadid was one of the models

Emily Ratajkowski joined the legion of stars at the event - showcasing another Eighties-inspired look

Emily stormed the runway in a belted black coat dress with oversized shoulders that she paired with a snake print handbag and slingback heels

While she is no longer in Paris, her looks are seared into the memory of the Fash Pack, including an incredible homage to her sister.

Kylie channelled one of sister Kim's most famous looks as she attended the the Maison Margiela show during Paris Fashion Week on Thursday.

She was joined by Kim, 43, along with her mother Kris Jenner at the event where she appeared to take inspiration from Kim's 2019 Met Gala look.

Kylie went for a wet look for the event as her brunette locks featured a damp sheen, similar to her sister's hairstyle at the A-list bash five years ago.

The mother-of-two looked nothing short of sensational in a short-sleeved silver mini dress with a scooped neckline.

The skintight garment highlighted the reality star's incredible figure and also featured a sequinned embellishment.

She was showing off her endless legs in the sizzling mini dress

The look was straight out of the Eighties - giving off Dynasty vibes (Joan Colins and Linda Evans, pictured on the show)

Former French Vogue editor Carine Roitfeld posed with Kylie as they sat side by side at the show

Kylie was sure to show off her endless legs in the sizzling ensemble

She showed off her angular features as she posed on the FROW

As a make-up mogul, Kylie was naturally beautifully dolled up

Julia looked simply sensational as she beamed at surrounding cameras

Edward and Julia were practically inseparable at the event

Julia and Edward flashed winning smiles as they hit the front row

Julia stole a moment to pose with the man of the hour - Simon Porte Jacquemus

Julia was extremely snap happy at the event as she posed with a slew of fashionistas

TV veteran Kristin brought the glamour of Carrie Bradshaw and her crew to the event

Kristin looked to be warmly congratulating Simon on the show

Jack Harlow shook hands with Simon at the event

Zeyne looked elegant in a deconstructed ensemble with an open back

Sampha looked trendy in an over-sized linen suit

Shay was radiant in a racy dress with a side-boob flashing low side

PinkPantheress opted for the same yellow shade as Kristin

Gigi looked phenomenal at the event as she sashayed down the runway

Kylie channelled one of sister Kim 's most famous looks as she attended the the Maison Margiela show during Paris Fashion Week on Thursday.

Kylie's stunning appearance at the show comes after she shared new content with her near 400million followers, where she was joined by her two kids daughter Stormi, 5, and son Aire, 1, ahead of their birthdays on February 1 and 2 respectively.

She used the social media app's Stories feature to upload a selfie in which she wore large black sunglasses and a trench coat. The hood of her outerwear was pulled over her head as she sat in a vehicle with a black leather interior.

She wrote, 'Next adventure,' and added an airplane emoji, leaving fans to guess where she's off to. The mogul shares her two kids with ex-boyfriend Travis Scott.

Since their final split in early 2023, she has moved on with new love interest Timothee Chalamet.

Kylie's stunning appearance at the show comes after she shared new content with her near 400million followers, where she was joined by her two kids
2024 will mark the 44th ever BRIT Awards ceremony, which are gracing Britain's screens soon - and here's all you need to know.

The ceremony, which celebrates the best in British pop music film will be broadcast on March 2 on ITV1 and ITVX at 8.30pm.

This year's BRIT awards will take place at the O2 Arena again - just like the year before, which was hosted by Mo Gilligan, 35.

A presenter is yet to be announced but the comedian has confirmed that he will not be returning to the coveted gig for a third time, citing his first US tour as a reason.

International music fans can watch the awards ceremony on the official BRITS YouTube channel.

How to watch the BRITS 2024: What time is the awards show and what TV channel is it on? (Pictured: 2023 BRITs presenter Mo Gilligan)

BRIT AWARD NOMINATIONS AT A GLANCE ARTIST OF THE YEAR Arlo Parks Central Cee Dave Dua Lipa Fred Again... J Hus Jessie Ware Little Simz Olivia Dean Raye GROUP OF THE YEAR Blur Chase & Status Headie One and K Trap Jungle Young Fathers SONG OF THE YEAR Calvin Harris - Miracle Ray - Prada Central Cee - Let Go Dave - Sprinter Dua Lipa - Dance the Night Ed Sheeran - Eyes Closed J Hus - Who Told You Kenya Grace - Strangers Lewis Capaldi - Wish you the best Pink Panthers - Boy's a Liar Raye - Escapism Rudimental - Dancing is Healing Stormzy - Firebae Switch Disco - React Venebee - Messy in Heaven Advertisement

This year's nominations were unveiled in January and saw Tooting native Raye, 26, rack up a record-breaking total of 7 nominations.

In another first, a whopping 98 artists are up for the prestigious prizes in 2024.

Leading the pack, Raye, is up for Album Of The Year for her long-awaited debut album My 21st Century Blues, while its third single, Escapism, is nominated for Song Of The Year.

Raye is also included in the five strong Best New Artist category and will also compete as a nominee in the categories for R&B Act and Pop Act.

She has beaten reigning champions Craig David, Robbie Williams and the Gorillaz who all had been nominated for six awards in previous years.

The British Phonograph Industry - who organize the annual event - admit gender balance has been readdressed following last year's controversial decision.

Speaking on Wednesday, BPI Chair Yolanda Brown, said: 'We shared our upset that no women or R&B artists were represented last year.

'We consulted with our advisory group, we thought long and hard about moving forward'.

In 2022, Raye earned her first solo BRIT Awards nomination: best dance act but just two years later she broke records for her staggering SEVEN nominations

Big hitters Kylie Minogue, Taylor Swift, Lana Del Rey and Miley Cyrus have been nominated for International Artist of the Year.

While Billie Eilish's What Was I Made For, Doja Cat's Paint The Town Red and Olivia Rodrigo's Vampire are all up for International Song of the Year.

Dua Lipa's limited output over the last year hasn't stopped her featuring in two additional categories at the forthcoming event.

Her latest single, Houdini - one of only two original tracks to be released by the artist since 2020 album Future Nostalgia - features among the nominees for Song of the Year, as well as a nomination for best Pop Act.

The full list of 2024 nominations can be accessed here.
Ed Westwick has popped the question to Amy Jackson.

The Gossip Girl star, 36, got down on one knee in G'staad, Switzerland as he asked the Bollywood actress, 31, to be his wife in front of a crowd of onlookers.

Taking to Instagram to share the news, the pair shared a slew of sweet snaps together, captioning the images: 'Hell Yes [ring emoji].'

Ed starred as anti-hero and playboy Chuck Bass in hit U.S. drama Gossip Girl and fans were quick to joke that Chuck was finally settling down.

The university lecturer's son, who was raised in Stevenage, Herts, met Amy, 31, a Bollywood star with a four-year-old son by an ex-boyfriend, at Silverstone racetrack in 2021.

Ed Westwick is engaged to Amy Jackson after he popped the question on romantic holiday in Switzerland and shared the news on Instagram on Monday

The Gossip Girl star, 36, got down on one knee in G'staad, Switzerland as he asked the Bollywood actress, 31, to be his wife in front of a crowd of onlookers

The couple looked smitten as they posed together on the moutainside

A source told The Sun on Sunday at the time: 'Ed and Amy are a really good match. They hit it off straight away.

'Both like to have fun and are career-driven. Theyre enjoying getting to know each other for now.'

The couple went Instagram official just before Valentine's Day in 2022, with Amy penning a sweet note on her social media just in time for the occasion.

She wrote: 'Happy Valentine's Baby - forever grateful for the endless belly laughs and ultimate love!'

Last year the couple moved into a new home and have been kept busy with the renovations.

'We got a new place in the countryside just outside of London,' he told the Daily Mail of his move from the capital.

'I'm decorating the house right now  I'm a bit of an interior designer.'

Speaking about Amy, he added: 'Things are wonderful  she's my best mate.

'She's a great mother, all those things you want that I saw with my mum and dad. I hope I can have my version.'

Their proposal attracted quite the crowd of onlookers who gathered on the bridge

Ed played the troubled but loveable private school teen Leighton Meester who was known for boozing and dating girls like his fellow St. Jude's student, Blair Waldorf (Leighton Meester)

Ed was quick to joke that Chuck was finally settling down

Last year, when asked about the prospect of marriage and children in an interview with Hello! magazine, Ed said: 'Yes! One hundred per cent. I grew up in a wonderful household where my mum and dad were married.

'My parents loved each other fiercely right up to the end. I idolised them and their relationship. Just that kind of support!'

The actor went on to explain that his father died 10 years ago and his mother passed away in September 2022.

Ed's mother died from Mesothelioma - a type of cancer caused by asbestos.

The star said while he cannot talk to his parent, he knows she is still there with them.

'I remember her hands or her shoulders, which I'd touch. I have her voice notes and clips of videos of her', he added.

'I miss her enormously, but I try to think about the future to stay positive, like marriage and kids and all of that.'

Amy was previously in a relationship with hotelier George Panayiotou, with the pair getting engaged in January 2019 and welcoming a son that September.

They broke things off in 2021, before her relationship with Ed began later that year. The model and the hotelier's son, named Andreas, is now four.

Amy has starred in a string of Indian films, predominantly in Tamil, Hindi, and Telugu languages - after auditioning for one in London in a twist of fate.

Ed was previously dating South African model and influencer Tamara Francesconi for two years, before the couple parted ways in 2021.

He is best known for playing the troubled but loveable Chuk Bass in Gossip Girl, a character known for boozing and dating girls like his fellow St. Jude's student, Blair Waldorf (Leighton Meester).

Ed was previously dating South African model and influencer Tamara Francesconi for two years, before the couple parted ways in 2021

Amy was previously in a relationship with hotelier George Panayiotou, with the pair getting engaged in January 2019 and welcoming a son that September

After the show ended in 2012 it was rebooted with a fresh cast, and Ed confessed he'd be more than happy to reprise his role if they'd have him.

Unfortunately, the series was cancelled after two seasons.

The original show followed the lives of privileged teenagers attending an exclusive private school in Manhattan and the mysterious blogger that anonymously dished out their scandalous secrets.

'It blows my mind and it feels crazy to have been a part of something so big,' Ed confessed. 'It was a big part of my life back then and it still is, and now with the reboot a whole generation get to enjoy it.'
She was the nation's sweetheart set for a long and illustrious career at the forefront of British television.

But following her 'year from hell', which saw her embroiled in Phillip Schofield's controversial This Morning exit and become the subject of a terrifying kidnap plot, Holly Willoughby could be set to continue her TV career in America.

It's a scenario that seemed highly unlikely just 18 months ago, when in-demand Ms Willoughby, 42, was locked in a contract battle between ITV and the BBC.

Yet for the first time in her career she's now a 'free agent' and is keen to explore opportunities across the pond and draw a line under her domestic troubles.

It's a prospect she's 'excited' about, even though discussions are still at a relatively early stage.

She was the nation's sweetheart set for a long and illustrious career at the forefront of British television but following her 'year from hell' Holly Willoughby could be set to continue her TV career in America

It's a scenario that seemed highly unlikely just 18 months ago, when in-demand Ms Willoughby was locked in a contract battle between ITV and the BBC

The Dancing On Ice host feels there's no harm in seeing what's out there and discovering whether she can follow in the footsteps of Cat Deeley, pictured, by landing TV jobs across the pond

Given her three children are settled at school and her husband Dan Baldwin fronts a highly successful TV production firm, a switch Stateside would be a seismic move for all concerned, which she's only too aware of.

But currently the Dancing On Ice host feels there's no harm in seeing what's out there and discovering whether she can follow in the footsteps of fellow Britons James Corden and Cat Deeley by landing lucrative TV jobs across the pond.

A source said: 'Holly's had an incredibly tough year, it's really taken it out of her.

'She thought long and hard about returning for Dancing On Ice and it's proved to be the correct decision, it's got her back in the groove again.

'Jobs in America have always been at the back of her mind but due to circumstance, now they've become a genuine reality and she's excited by that.

'Discussions are taking place and she's in no rush to take on any roles, but if there is a presenting gig she feels passionate about Stateside, she has the freedom now to explore it.'

Ms Willoughby quit This Morning after 14 years in October following Schofield's sacking from the broadcaster.

Schofield left the show after admitting to an affair with a younger colleague and lying to his co-star when questioned about the mounting speculation.

Ms Willoughby quit This Morning after 14 years in October following Schofield's sacking from the broadcaster (pictured in May)

She deliberated over whether to present Dancing On Ice with new co-host Stephen Mulhern, finally deciding to return to work in the New Year (pictured in January)

Corden hosted American talk show The Late Late Show from 2015 until 2023, establishing himself as an A-list star in the States (pictured in November)

After she returned to the ITV programme without him, Ms Willoughby was mocked for the statement she made addressing the nation, asking whether viewers were 'okay' following the revelation.

She then faced a further setback as a man was arrested for an alleged plot to kidnap and murder her, leaving her terrified.

According to reports, she was too afraid to leave her house after Gavin Plumb was charged for the crime, forcing her off-air for months.

She deliberated over whether to present Dancing On Ice with new co-host Stephen Mulhern, finally deciding to return to work in the New Year.

But it could be the last UK show she presents before going to America with sources close to Ms Willoughby saying it is the first time in her career she's a 'free agent' and looking for new prospects.

A source told the Sun on Sunday said that Ms Willoughby is meeting with 'US bigwigs' including bosses at streaming platform Disney+.

They explained: 'Holly's a free agent and for the first time in years she's 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 she's caught the attention of some major brands.'

Ms Willoughby won't be the first British star to crack America.

TV presenter Ms Deeley spent 14 years in Hollywood after becoming an award-winning host for So You Think You Can Dance.

Meanwhile, Corden hosted American talk show The Late Late Show from 2015 until 2023, establishing himself as an A-list star in the States.
Gigi Hadid marked her runway return in style as she graced her first catwalk of the year on Monday.

The supermodel, 28, looked sensational in a voluminous cream coat for the Les Sculptures Jacquemus' Fashion Show at Fondation Maeght in Paris' Saint-Paul-De-Vence.

It marked her first runway show since Miu Miu's Paris show in October.

The mother-of-one exuded glamour in a belted longline coat with puffed shoulders and a dramatic lapel.

She layered the garment over a scoop neck white blouse and accessorised with a cream handbag and dainty jewellery.

Gigi Hadid returned to the runway in style on Monday as she modelled a voluminous cream coat at the Jacquemus show in Paris for her first catwalk of the year

The supermodel, 28, looked sensational for the Les Sculptures Jacquemus' Fashion Show at Fondation Maeght in Paris' Saint-Paul-De-Vence

Gigi commanded attention as she stormed the runway, which began outside and saw her make her way in to greet the A-listers on the FROW

Gigi has reduced the number of runway appearances she makes in recent years after welcoming daughter Khai with ex Zayn Malik in 2020.

She didn't take part in any of the shows during Haute Couture Week and was instead seen in London packing on the PDA with boyfriend Bradley Cooper for the first time ever.

The 49-year-old Maestro star cemented their relationship as they walked hand-in-hand, which was a notable gesture for the famously private pair.

Gigi and Bradley sparked up a romance in October after they were reportedly 'introduced' by Bradley's ex Irina Shayk, 37.

While Bradley is still in London, Gigi has been in good company in Paris.

Gal pal Kylie Jenner left jaws dropping as she attended the show and watched Gigi on the runway.

The Keeping Up With The Kardashians star, 26, who was a constant at the hottest shows in Paris Fashion Week last week, continued her French visit in style.

Seemingly stealing from the Eighties with her look, the mother-of-two wowed in a skin-tight red mini dress with bold shoulderpads and a mesh overlay detail.

Another star on the runway was Vittoria Ceretti, who is dating Leonardo DiCaprio, and looked sensational in an ab flashing black bandeau crop top and leggings.

It was previously claimed that Leo and Gigi 'tried to date' but sparks 'were just not there, with the pair realising they were better off as friends as there were no romantic feelings between them.

The mother-of-one exuded glamour in a belted longline coat with puffed shoulders and a dramatic lapel. She layered the garment over a scoop neck white blouse

Gigi commanded attention in her stylish ensemble as she strutted past

Gigi accessorised with dainty gold jewellery and donned towering white heels

She didn't take part in any of the shows during Haute Couture Week and was instead seen in London packing on the PDA with boyfriend Bradley Cooper for the first time ever

Gigi was in good company in Paris as Kylie Jenner was once again making an impression as she left jaws dropping while attending the show

Kylie was sure to turn heads as she attended the show in the sizzling mini dress, which showed off every inch of her hard worked figure

She boosted her height with a pair of pointed patent heels with a delicate bow

She slicked her famously plump pout with lashings of lipgloss

Seemingly stealing from the Eighties with her look, the mother-of-two wowed in a skin-tight red mini dress with bold shoulderpads and a mesh overlay detail

Like the rest of the Kardashian-Jenner sisters, the brunette beauty is known for working hard in the gym to attain their toned physiques

Another star on the runway was Vittoria Ceretti, who is dating Leonardo DiCaprio

Vittoria looked sensational in an ab flashing black bandeau crop top and leggings

Emily Ratajkowski joined the legion of stars at the event - showcasing another Eighties-inspired look

Emily stormed the runway in a belted black coat dress with oversized shoulders that she paired with a snake print handbag and slingback heels

A host of stars attended the event, including Hollywood royalty in the form of Julia Roberts who dazzled with a chic fringe glamming up her look

Proving herself to be well in with the fashionistas, Julia posed up a storm with Vogue editor Edward Enninful, who looked stylish in a suit

Sex And The City star Kristin Davis was flying the flag for the fictional fashionistas as she made a show-stopping arrival in a chic lemon-hued ensemble

Her incredibly coordinated look comprised a loose-fitting suit, a matching blouse, chiffon scarf, shoes and handbag - all in the same stunning pastel shade

She was looking radiant as she showed off her glowing skin and coiffed locks

A host of fellow superstars were in attendance at the show, including Julia Roberts and Kristin Davis who were putting on stunning displays in suited looks.

Kylie was sure to turn heads as she attended the show in the sizzling mini dress, which showed off every inch of her hard worked figure.

Like the rest of the Kardashian-Jenner sisters, the brunette beauty is known for working hard in the gym to attain their toned physiques.

She perfected the retro vibes with her wide-rim sunglasses paired with a voluminous blow-dry being coiffed by an aide as she sat on the FROW.

A host of stars attended the event, including Hollywood royalty in the form of Julia who dazzled with a chic fringe glamming up her look.

She opted for a wholly more wrapped up look to Kylie, as she sported a black coat, tights and heels to add a wintery edge to proceedings.

Proving herself to be well in with the fashionistas, Julia posed up a storm with Vogue editor Edward Enninful, who looked stylish in a suit.

Sex And The City star Kristin was flying the flag for the fictional fashionistas as she made a show-stopping arrival in a chic lemon-hued ensemble.

Her incredibly coordinated look comprised a loose-fitting suit, a matching blouse, chiffon scarf and handbag - all in the same stunning pastel shade.

She was showing off her endless legs in the sizzling mini dress

The look was straight out of the Eighties - giving off Dynasty vibes (Joan Colins and Linda Evans, pictured on the show)

Former French Vogue editor Carine Roitfeld posed with Kylie as they sat side by side at the show

Kylie was sure to show off her endless legs in the sizzling ensemble

She showed off her angular features as she posed on the FROW

As a make-up mogul, Kylie was naturally beautifully dolled up

Julia looked simply sensational as she beamed at surrounding cameras

Edward and Julia were practically inseparable at the event

Julia and Edward flashed winning smiles as they hit the front row

Julia stole a moment to pose with the man of the hour - Simon Porte Jacquemus

Julia was extremely snap happy at the event as she posed with a slew of fashionistas

TV veteran Kristin brought the glamour of Carrie Bradshaw and her crew to the event

Kristin looked to be warmly congratulating Simon on the show

Jack Harlow shook hands with Simon at the event

Zeyne looked elegant in a deconstructed ensemble with an open back

Sampha looked trendy in an over-sized linen suit

While she is no longer in Paris, her looks are seared into the memory of the Fash Pack, including an incredible homage to her sister.

Kylie channelled one of sister Kim's most famous looks as she attended the the Maison Margiela show during Paris Fashion Week on Thursday.

She was joined by Kim, 43, along with her mother Kris Jenner at the event where she appeared to take inspiration from Kim's 2019 Met Gala look.

Kylie went for a wet look for the event as her brunette locks featured a damp sheen, similar to her sister's hairstyle at the A-list bash five years ago.

The mother-of-two looked nothing short of sensational in a short-sleeved silver mini dress with a scooped neckline.

The skintight garment highlighted the reality star's incredible figure and also featured a sequinned embellishment.

Shay was radiant in a racy dress with a side-boob flashing low side

PinkPantheress opted for the same yellow shade as Kristin

Kylie channelled one of sister Kim 's most famous looks as she attended the the Maison Margiela show during Paris Fashion Week on Thursday.

Kylie's stunning appearance at the show comes after she shared new content with her near 400million followers, where she was joined by her two kids daughter Stormi, 5, and son Aire, 1, ahead of their birthdays on February 1 and 2 respectively.

She used the social media app's Stories feature to upload a selfie in which she wore large black sunglasses and a trench coat. The hood of her outerwear was pulled over her head as she sat in a vehicle with a black leather interior.

She wrote, 'Next adventure,' and added an airplane emoji, leaving fans to guess where she's off to. The mogul shares her two kids with ex-boyfriend Travis Scott.

Since their final split in early 2023, she has moved on with new love interest Timothee Chalamet.

Kylie's stunning appearance at the show comes after she shared new content with her near 400million followers, where she was joined by her two kids
Chris Evans has no interest endorsing alcoholic beverages like some Hollywood A-List stars.

The Captain America star made a quip that he 'could be promoting booze' as he announced a far more worthy and rewarding endeavor on Monday.

Evans, 42, and his A Starting Point co-founder Mark Kassen have vowed to bring dozens of high school seniors to Washington, DC on Tuesday at 10am EST for a live-stream conversation about politics and youth engagement at the White House.

The first-time voters will meet with White House officials like press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, secretary of energy Jennifer Granholm, deputy treasury secretary Wally Adeyemo, and public engagement director Steve Benjamin - according to People.

The Marvel movie star and the 52-year-old Broken Soldier producer-star are eager to get teens talking about issues that affect them, including climate change, school shootings, and economic opportunities.

'We live in a country of 300M+ people, I think roughly only 60 percent of the people voted [in the last election],' Chris told People back in 2020.

'In my opinion, you're going to have a hard time creating a government that accurately reflects who we are as a nation with those types of numbers.'

Chris Evans (R, pictured in 2020) and his A Starting Point co-founder Mark Kassen (L) will bring dozens of high school seniors to Washington, DC on Tuesday at 10am EST for a live-stream conversation about politics and youth engagement at the White House

Evans continued: 'There's a lot of things you can do as an actor with your name. I could be making booze  I don't discourage anyone from doing that, I love booze  but there's no denying that I played a certain character [as Captain America], and it just so happens to align with part of my nature in terms of being someone who is politically involved and who cares about the wellbeing of people in this country.'

It's been six years since the Boston-born Buddhist, Mark, and technology entrepreneur Joe Kiani created their bipartisan video-based civic engagement platform A Starting Point, which officially launched in 2020.

Last Wednesday, Chris signed on to star in Ethan Coen's comedy Honey Don't! for Focus Features alongside Margaret Qualley and Aubrey Plaza - according to Deadline.

Evans will next headline the 21st Annual Emerald City Comic Con on March 1-2 at the Seattle Convention Center where he'll take part in a mainstage panel, take photos with fans, and sign autographs.

The Scott Pilgrim Takes Off star will next portray Jack O'Malley opposite Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson in Jake Kasdan's Christmas action-adventure comedy Red One, which hits US theaters November 15.

Oscar winner J.K. Simmons will take on the role of Santa Claus while Emmy nominee Bonnie Hunt will portray Mrs. Claus in the 102-minute flick also featuring Lucy Liu, Kiernan Shipka, and Nick Kroll.

On the personal front, Chris tied the knot with Warrior Nun star Alba Baptista four months ago after a two-year romance.

Evans is 16 years older than the Portuguese 26-year-old, who next portrays Penny in Jimmy Warden's upcoming bodyguard thriller, Borderline.

The first-time voters will meet with White House officials like press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre (pictured last Friday), secretary of energy Jennifer Granholm, deputy treasury secretary Wally Adeyemo, and public engagement director Steve Benjamin

The 42-year-old former Captain America and the 52-year-old Broken Soldier producer-star are eager to get teens talking about issues that affect them, including climate change, school shootings, and economic opportunities (pictured in 2020)

It's been six years since Chris, Mark, and technology entrepreneur Joe Kiani (M, pictured in 2021) created their bipartisan video-based civic engagement platform A Starting Point, which officially launched in 2020

Evans will next headline the 21st Annual Emerald City Comic Con on March 1-2 at the Seattle Convention Center where he'll take part in a mainstage panel, take photos with fans, and sign autographs
She is rarely seen out of a heel and a designer look.

And Victoria Beckham proves she travels in style as she touched down at JFK Airport in New York on Monday.

The Spice Girl, 49, put on a leggy display in her leggings and stilettos combo, adding a statement olive green coat from her own collection.

A pair of signature dark shades and a Goyard suitcase, which an assistant carried, completed the jet-set ensemble.

Victoria has jetted to the Big Apple in time for New York Fashion Week, which kicks off on February 9.

She is rarely seen out of a heel and a designer look. And Victoria Beckham proves she travels in style as she touched down at JFK Airport in New York on Monday

The fashion designer can proudly say her once-floundering brand is turning a handsome profit.

In October the designer told Vogue France her self-titled brand has finally made a profit, some 15-years after launching her own fashion label.

'This is just the beginning. I have lots of ambitions, and I work hard to achieve my goals. I never wait for things to just fall into my lap,' she said.

'It's such an exciting time. This year, we made a profit! This takes time, especially for an independent brand. My perfume isn't a license - I own it.

'Now that I have laid down the groundwork for the house, the real work can begin.'

In an interview with industry bible Women's Wear Daily (WWD) in March to celebrate the news, her brand's investor, David Belhassen, shone a rare spotlight on the inner workings of Victoria's empire.

He said revenues were up by a huge 42 per cent to 58 million  and predicted that when the business filed accounts for the 2022 financial year in December, the former Spice Girl would make her many critics eat their words.

In January 2023, accounts for Victoria Beckham Holdings Ltd revealed losses of 5,887,036 in 2021, down from 8,581,944 in 2020.

The Spice Girl, 49, put on a leggy display in her leggings and stilettos combo, adding a statement olive green coat from her own collection

A pair of signature dark shades and a Goyard suitcase, which an assistant carried, completed the jet-set ensemble

The figure meant overall losses for the firm stood at 66.3m since its launch in 2008 and directors of the firm - including Victoria and her husband David - were not paid a dividend.

The luxury fashion business has expanded to Europe and the Middle East, with the annual accounts saying the brand was also expanding into new products, with the launch of leather goods and the VB Body range.

Despite big losses, the Beckham's global empire has reportedly doubled its profits.

Annual accounts filed with Companies House in London showed the pair made 11.6m in the year ending December 2020 despite the pandemic  compared to 4.5m in 2019.

Victoria can proudly say her once-floundering fashion brand is turning a handsome profit and on Thursday, the former pop star was proudly putting herself to work as she documented a dress fitting on Instagram

In accounts submitted in 2021, auditors warned of 'significant doubt' about Victoria's fashion company's ability to continue operating when it was reported the company had racked up debts of more than 46million since it launched.

Friends of the star said at the time Victoria was determined to continue with her company even though her detractors have dismissed it as a vanity project.

One said: 'This is what gives Victoria her identity, she loves it and despite its obvious obstacles, she is a grafter and hugely passionate about it.'
Expert Frances Christie was intrigued to see a rare scene by L. S. Lowry on the Antiques Roadshow that turned out to be worth thousands.

The arts specialist appears as a prints expert on the BBC Two Sunday night programme and was amazed when a family brought on a rare painting by the late artist that he had given to friend Angela Bogg, which her son took along to the show when it arrived in Crystal Palace in London.

She said: 'It is unmistakably the hand of L.S Lowry, who is probably Britain's most recongisable artist. He's signed it here and it's dated 1973, which is kind of in the last few years of his life. How did it get to be yours?'

He replied: 'It was my mum's, she befriended Lowry in the last few years of his life having enjoyed looking at his artwork at Salford when she moved there to start work at Salford University.

'She got in touch through the gallery, Lowry agreed to meet and from there the friendship developed. She did about 20 hours of recordings on reel-to-reel'

Antiques Roadshow star Frances Christie was intrigued to see a rare scene by L. S. Lowry on the show that turned out to be worth thousands on Sunday night

The painting was presented to a friend of the artist as a one-of-a-kind original in the latter years of his life

The artist was known for his depictions of working class life in the north and often set his work in Manchester.

Angela had always wished to write a book about Lowry but never managed to do it, although she did host a Zoom talk during the pandemic about her meetings with the famed artist.

She passed away in 2022 and left the work to her son, who was shocked to hear the value of the art today.

Angela's son explained: 'She was given that, then unfortunately, he passed away. She never did write the book because she met my dad, got a new job, had me.

'About 40 years later she dug all of those recordings out so in COVID she gave a little talk about it.

'Unfortunately, she passed away last year. We cared for her in the last few months of her life , we often talked about the Lowry pictures when she was in her bed.

'We'd always joked about going on about going on Antiques Roadshow!'

During her friendship with Lowry, Angela had been invited as his guest to the Royal Academy exhibition and managed to keep a handful of signed invitations as well.

Angela's family were left shocked to learn that if it went to auction, the artwork could be worth up to 25,000

L.S Lowry was celebrated for his scenes of everyday life in Northern industrial towns, peopled with his distinctive matchstalk men

Frances said: 'Your mum was very lucky, she got given this for free. For a drawling like this, it's actually quite large. You've got loads of great characters in it.

'I think if this had come to auction today, we would probably have put an estimate in the region of 15,000 to 25,0000'.

Angela's son replied: 'Wow, that's a lot!'

Frances added: 'It's been really great to see, so thank you for bringing it!'
Bradley Cooper cut a casual figure as he stepped out in New York City on Monday - after enjoying a romantic trip to London with girlfriend Gigi Hadid, 28, recently.

The actor, 49, who was recently snubbed for a Best Director Oscar nomination, wore a black jacket and navy joggers, teamed with sneakers as he clutched onto six-year-old daughter Lea's shoes.

The star wore his hair in spikes and accessorized with stylish shades as he strolled down the street.

were spotted holding hands in their first-ever public display of affection as they strolled the streets of London.

Last week Bradley and Gigi

Gigi and Bradley sparked up a romance in October after they were reportedly 'introduced' by Bradley's ex Irina Shayk, 37.

Bradley Cooper cut a casual figure as he stepped out in New York City on Monday - after enjoying a romantic trip to London with girlfriend Gigi Hadid , 28, recently

Last week Bradley and Gigi were spotted holding hands in their first-ever public display of affection as they strolled the streets of London

Last month Page Six reported that Bradley purchased a home near his girlfriend's family horse farm in Pennsylvania.

The Maestro star cemented their relationship as they walked hand-in-hand, which is a notable gesture for the famously private pair.

The appearance comes after Cooper was snubbed for an Oscar nomination for Best Director for Maestro.

Overall, the film scored numerous nods last Tuesday.

The Netflix film received seven Academy Awards nominations - Best Picture, Best Actor for Cooper, Best Actress for Carey Mulligan, Achievement In Sound, Cinematography, Makeup and Hairstyling, and Original Screenplay.

Cooper directed and starred in Maestro, the critically-acclaimed biopic about composer Leonard Bernstein.

The latest snub comes six years after he was similarly passed over for a directing nod for 2018's A Star Is Born.

There were several other notable snubs for this year's Oscars. Among them was Leonardo DiCaprio, who was not recognized for his acting on Killers Of The Flower Moon and Margot Robbie and Greta Gerwig for acting and directing on Barbie

The actor, 49, who was recently snubbed for a Best Director Oscar nomination, wore a black jacket and navy joggers, teamed with sneakers as he clutched onto six-year-old daughter Lea's shoes

The star wore his hair in spikes and accessorized with stylish shades as he strolled down the street

Cooper directed and starred in Maestro, the critically-acclaimed biopic about composer Leonard Bernstein

Penelope Cruz was also not singled out for her very strong performance as Laura in Ferrari.

And The Color Purple did not land in the Best Picture category which went to American Fiction, Anatomy of a Fall, Barbie, The Holdovers, Killers of the Flower Moon, Maestro, Oppenheimer, Past Lives, Poor Things and The Zone of Interest.
by Rafael Newman

The initial syllable of the English word islandor rather, just its very first vowelis descended from the Proto-Germanic *awjo, meaning an area on the water. The element land was subsequently added to differentiate the word from other inflections of the Proto-Indo-European root for water, *akwa-. Our island is thus cognate with its German counterpart Eiland, although these days German speakers probably prefer Insel, derived from the Latin insula, which refers less ambiguously to a land mass entirely surrounded by water and not, as Eiland can, to a territory simply suffused with water.

The s in our island, however, was inserted much later, by a process of classicizing back-formation, to associate it with its etymologically unrelated synonym isle: as if to establish a linguistic lineage, to give islands humble Germanic form a noble Roman pedigree. To link it, as it were, with another, greater, more patrician history.

The desire to link islands up, to settle them down, to connect them with the mainland, is an old one. Our continents, after all, are thought to have derived from the drifting apart of an original, unitary Pangea, and perhaps we have been yearning ever since for a return to that felicitous Ur-conglomerate. No man is an island (or rather, iland), wrote John Donne in 1624. Fast forward to the Confederation Bridge, or fixed link that unites Prince Edward Island with New Brunswick, inaugurated in 1997, and you can trace the modern history of a venerable conviction.

Theres an even more ancient story, of course. According to Greek myth, the island of Delos had been a nomadic rock, floating around in the Ocean, until it was anchored by Poseidon, the God of the Sea, and won renown as the birthplace of the divine twins Apollo and Artemis, whose mother Leto had herself been on the run, fleeing the wrath of Hera, the wife of Zeus, the god who had raped and impregnated her. The islands original name had been Adelos, or hidden from view, so its renaming as Delos, with the elision of its negative prefix, celebrated the terrains new visibility, its new presenceto the mainstream, to the mainland, to the main Pantheon (including that enraged Hera). To the main narrative.

But in fact, Delos had had yet another name before it was settled (down): it had also been known as Ortygia, or Quail Island. And this has caused some confusion, or mythic doubling. Because Delos is to this day an actual, physical place, an island in the Aegean, while Ortygia (anciently ) is also an actual, physical place, although an entirely different island, some 500 kilometers west of Delos in the Mediterranean, off the coast of Sicily. And with this synonymous appellation has arisen a parallel myth, in which Apollo was born on Delos, in the Aegean, while his twin sister, Artemis, was born on Ortygia.

Ortigia (in its contemporary Italian orthography) is today no longer a free-standing island. What had been the historic nucleus of the Italian city of Siracusa (Saragusa in Sicilian dialect), originally the Greek colony of , or Syracuse, settled some 2,700 years ago by Corinthians from what is now the mainland of Greece, was physically linked to Sicily in the late 19th century. The twin bridges that connect it to the larger city of Siracusa to the northwest, the Ponte Umberto I and the Ponte Santa Lucia, have made the once independent island an appendage of the mainland: of Sicily, that is, as if to insist on the ignominy of Ortigias subjugation, since Sicily is itself an islandthe largest in the Mediterranean!and is still proudly unlinked, save by ferry, to the Italian mainland, itself a peninsula. So Ortigia now hangs in the bay like a uvula; like the Sibyl in her jar: no longer autonomous, but an element in a larger apparatus.

Nevertheless, given its long history of independence in proximity to a greater landmass, it is perhaps unsurprising that Ortigia is the site of veneration of various apotheoses of autonomy, both successfully assayed and thwarted. In addition to Artemis, the virgin goddess who may or may not have been born on the island and whose fondness for young women, savagery, and wildlife certainly helped her preserve her chaste state, at least in the compulsory-heterosexuality sense, the city is also invested by Athena, another virgin goddess, whose temple was built there by the Syracusan tyrant Gelo in the early 5th century BCE.

The site of Gelos Athenaion on Ortigia is now occupied by the Cathedral of Syracuse on the Piazza Duomo. In turn, the Cattedrale metropolitana della Nativita di Maria Santissima, as the duomo is officially known, is itself dedicated to another virgin goddess from a later traditionMaria, the Virgin Mary, adored in Syracuse, among other aspects, as the Madonna della Neve, Madonna of the Snow (or rather, whiter than the snow, nive candidior, as the inscription on a tomb within the cathedral maintains).

And then there is Lucia of Syracuse, the patron saint of the town, venerated as Santa Lucia there, and as variations of Saint Lucy throughout the Christian world, and whose church, the Chiesa di Santa Lucia alla Badia, stands at the end of Piazza Duomo. Lucias story is especially gruesome, even by the standards of conventional martyrdom: her vow of Christian chastity enraged the local pagans, and she was forced into marriage, condemned to sexual slavery in a brothel, blinded, burned alive, and stabbed to death. Caravaggios celebrated rendering of her burial, which is now represented by a facsimile at the Badia church, the original having been moved to the mainland, shows her corpse miraculously immobilized on the site of the future Chiesa.

The true genius loci of these precincts, however, the resident virgin goddess of Ortigia, her very form melded with the islands geography, is the nymph Arethusa. The storyvariously told by Keats, Shelley, Vergil, and, in greatest detail, by Ovidgoes that Arethusa () had stopped to bathe in a stream in her native Achaea, on the Peloponnese, when the numinous spirit of the river, Alpheus, began to pursue her. In her despair and exhausted by her flight, Arethusa beseeched the goddess Artemis, whose attendant she was, to come to her aid, and was thus permitted to escape her Arcadian homelandat first as a cloud and then as a stream herself, plunging under the waters of the Mediterranean, heading westward until she reached Ortygia, where she emerged as a spring.

In the course of her underwater flight (during which she spied Persephone, another victim of rape, in her own subterranean captivity), Arethusa continued to be pursued by Alpheus, who was attempting to mingle his waters with hers, and thus achieve his vicious aim. Indeed, Arethusa is herself referred to on one occasion by Ovid, whose Metamorphoses is a series of poems celebrating the etiological function of rape, as Alpheias, as if she had taken on the name of her attacker. The Fonte Aretusa, a noted tourist attraction of modern-day Ortigia, commemorates this element of the story with a bronze duo, the nymph and her pursuer united in an elegant flux of sexualized violence; the nearby Lungomare Alfeo, meanwhile, a seafront promenade along the western shore of the island, accords the mythical rapist solo honors equivalent to those granted his victim in her eponymous Fonte.

This freshwater spring, however, which rises from a karstified underground cave just a few meters above sea level, is also home to a flourishing growth of papyrusindeed, the Fonte Aretusa, together with three nearby Syracusan rivers, is the only place in Europe in which papyrus grows naturally. A leggy riot of leaves covers much of the surface of the spring, which is also home to some diffident waterfowl. Tourists leaning over the parapet abovecurrently the only way to glimpse the Fonte, with construction underway on the park around itare hard pressed to see much of its mythical waters, or to find an unobstructed space into which to toss their good-luck centesimi. Why doesnt someone clear away all those reeds?

A ten-minute walk from the Fonte, meanwhile, on the other side of the tapering town, there is a museum that suggests the possible significance of this particular vegetation in that particular place. In an airy villa with views directly onto the Mediterranean, the Museo del Papiro houses an elaborate display of the cultural history of papyrus. Amid boats constructed of the plant from Ethiopia and elsewhere in Africa, and panels explaining the many uses to which Cyperus papyrus was put in the ancient worldto make baskets, rope, and sandals, among other useful thingsthere is an account of the interrupted history of papyrus cultivation in Sicily, which was recommenced, after a prolonged caesura, in the 18th century, as well as a film explaining the premodern technique, adapted from that of the ancient Egyptians, used to produce the writing medium we still call simply papyrus.

And of course, it is as paper that papyrus is best knownits botanical designation is the source of our word paper, after alland it is in this form that it has been instrumental in the transmission of so much of what we know about antiquity, including, importantly, its mythology. And here it is now, sprouting unimpeded from the spring associated with the formerly independent island of Ortigias patron spirit, the nymph whose flight from her assailant in Achaea linked the ancient island colony to the mainland of its colonists (the city of Corinth was located in Arethusas original home). Here this blossoming stand of papyrus is now, reminding us that all the figures of thwarted female autonomy and/or fetishized virginity, sacred generally to the West and specifically to OrtigiaAthena, Artemis, Arethusa, the Madonna, Saint Lucyare just that: figures, in the literary (and occasionally painterly) sense; that they have been written into existence; and that they are thus equally capable of being rewritten. Not merely in the contemporary run of philological fan fictionretellings, some more convincing than others, of canonical Greek myth from the perspective of its sidelined female deuteragonists. Nor only in the memoirs and autobiographies currently redrafting the lives of people not so long ago consigned to muteness, or at best pseudonymous authorship. But in the everyday experience of agency on the part of newly autonomous political subjects, at liberty to rewrite their collective histories, and thus to draft their individual destinies.

The I in island restored, to float free again, without the heavy shackles of its terrestrial appendage; without the classicizing s that links it, spuriously, to an imperial past; without the triumphalist trappings of colonial nostalgia for the metropolis, the motherland that takes the exalted designation of motherhood in vain, obliging its real-life avatars to reproduce in the name of an imagined kinship, and in the service of a globalized project, whether martial or commercial. No man is an island. Perhaps: but not everyone is a man; and some of us can now aspire to (re)write ourselves as I-lands.

For MFD baba nam
Staff at a Cardiff restaurant were left shocked after Poor Things star Willem Dafoe visited them for dinner two nights in a row last week.

The star, 68, dined at Indian chain restaurant Mowgli in the Welsh city, with waiters sharing snaps with the superstar.

Willem is in Wales filming his latest project The Man in My Basement which is a thriller based on the novel by Walter Mosley.

The Spider-Man star wore all black and flashed a beaming smile as he stood next to the servers in a snap shared to the restaurant's Instagram page.

The caption stated that staff were left 'fangirling' over the celebrity after he agreed to take the group snap.

Staff at a Cardiff restaurant were left shocked after Poor Things star Willem Dafoe visited them for dinner two nights in a row last week

The star, 68, dined at Indian chain restaurant Mowgli in the Welsh city, with waiters sharing snaps with the superstar (Willem seen on January 18 2014)

Willem is currently starring in Poor Things with Emma Stone, as her guardian, Dr. Baxter.

Last week Emma defended the sex scenes in the film after producers were forced to re-edit a controversial clip ahead of its UK release.

The actress, 35, who plays lead character Bella Baxter who is resurrected by an eccentric scientist (Willem) in Victorian London, has hit back at recent criticism of the film.

The comedy, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, has caused a ratings stir within the British Board of Film Classification.

This is due to one controversial sex scene which involves two young boys watching Bella (Emma) work as a prostitute after their father hired her to teach them how to have sex.

Defending Poor Things, Emma told BBC Radio 4: 'Bella is completely free and without shame about her body.'

She continued: 'So much of this was about being true to Bella's experience. It [the sex] is obviously a huge part of her experience and her growth, as it is, I think, for most people in life.

'But I see it as just one aspect of many - her discovery of food, philosophy, travel and dance. Sex is another aspect.'

The caption stated that staff were left 'fangirling' over the celebrity after he agreed to take the group snap

Willem is currently starring in Poor Things with Emma Stone, as her guardian, Dr. Baxter (seen in the film)

Last week Emma defended the sex scenes in the film after producers were forced to re-edit a controversial clip ahead of its UK release

Whats more, Emma noted that Bella doesn't feel any embarrassment about her body.

The actress said: 'She doesn't know to be embarrassed by these things or to cover things up or not dive into the full experience when it comes to anything.

'So for the camera to sort of shy away from that, or to say, "well, we'll just cut all of this out because our society functions in a particular way," it felt like a lack of being honest about who Bella is.

'I'm not a person that just wants to be naked all the time, but I am someone who wants to honour the character as fully as I possibly can. That's part of her journey.'

The film is currently certified 18 in the UK, however only after the controversial sex scene was modified to meet the criteria.

A statement by the British Board of Film Classification read: 'We originally saw this film for advice. We informed the distributor we would be likely to classify the film 18 on condition that changes be made to one short sequence depicting sexual activity in the presence of children.'

They added: 'This is in accordance with the Protection of Children Act 1978. When the distributor submitted the film for formal classification, the scene had been re-edited, and we were able to classify the film 18.'

The picture contains over a dozen explicit sex scenes and a huge amount of foul language.

An anti-Poor Things whispering campaign started shortly after its emergence on the festival circuit, with some saying that the use of the word 'retard' early on in the movie is problematic.

Likewise Stone's depiction of Bella in the initial period, after her brain has been swapped with that of her unborn baby.

The feature is based on Alasdair Gray's novel of the same name, which was originally published in 1992.

An official trailer for Poor Things reveals Bella Baxter, was resurrected by her guardian, Dr. Baxter, played by Willem, after she died by suicide.

Men in the trailer are perplexed by Bella's eccentric behavior, with Baxter explaining that ever since he brought her back to life, her head and body haven't been in sync.

Stone noted in a Bella feature from Searchlight Pictures that, 'The more autonomous Bella becomes, the more challenged men seem to be by it.'

An official trailer for Poor Things reveals Bella Baxter, was resurrected by her guardian, Dr. Baxter, played by Willem, after she died by suicide (Willem and Emma seen at Golden Globes)

Men in the trailer are perplexed by Bella's eccentric behavior, with Baxter explaining that ever since he brought her back to life, her head and body haven't been in sync

She revealed that she, 'wanted to play Bella because it felt like acceptance of what it is to be a woman.'

The actress also conveyed her gratitude for Yorgos, saying that he, 'gave me a gift for making me a producer on [Poor Things.]'

'I've gotten to be privy to the whole process that I wouldn't have if I was just acting in it,' she said. 'It just felt like the perfect combination.'

The movie's cast is rounded out by performers such as Ramy Youssef and Mark Ruffalo.
A Call the Midwife star was recently left needing medical attention as the cast filmed during Storm Agnes.

In scenes set to air on Sunday, the residents of Nonnatus House and their pals will be seen heading to the beach for a picnic.

But while filming in West Wittering on the West Sussex coast in September last year, the cast were left shivering as the attempted to portray summer scenes while dressed in warm-weather wear as 57mph winds raged.

Actor Cliff Parisi, 63, who plays Fred Buckle in the show, was left needing help from the on-set medics.

He explained, according to the Mirror: 'Everything was going sideways. The wind was unbelievable, it was so cold. I was wearing a shirt with a hanky on my head. I managed to keep the hanky the whole time - but I got hypothermia in the end.

Call the Midwife star Cliff Parisi was recently left needing medical attention as the cast filmed during Storm Agnes (pictured in 2019)

Actor Cliff Parisi, 63, who plays Fred Buckle in the show (pictured), was left needing help from the on-set medics

'They had to take me off set. I had to warm up, I couldnt go back on. Wed done most of it by that point.'

He quickly recovered after he was wrapped in a foil blanket.

The star added: 'It was a laugh, but it was difficult to film. Things were flying all over the place.

'Hair and make-up gave up and ran for cover. One of the crews did as well, we had two cameras then we had one. There was sand in everything.'

Annabel Apsion, who plays local councillor and Freds wife Violet in the show, added a line while filming to explain the bad weather in the scene which is set in 1969.

In actuality, records were broken for heat that year, with Annabel saying the weather was 'a bit disappointing' in her scene.

Meanwhile, it has emerged 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.

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

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.

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.
There has been bad blood between Shannon Beador and Alexis Bellino over a man.

And now it looks as if they are filming scenes in the same room for the 18th season of the Real Housewives of Orange County.

Shannon, 59, and Alexis, 47, were both glammed to the nines as they were pictured heading to the same studio in Southern California at the same time, even parking near each other, on Saturday.

But they were not seen interacting with each other.

The pair is expected to be top storyline for the new season as Alexis has been dating Beador's ex, John Janssen.

There is also Shannon's recent DUI to go over.

Alexis made it clear she was still with John as she was wearing the promise ring he gifted her for Christmas when she headed into the studio.

Alexis mingled with fellow cast mate Emily Simpson but Shannon was not seen talking to any of the other stars.

There has been bad blood between Shannon Beador and Alexis Bellino over a man. And now it looks as if they are filming scenes in the same room for the 18th season of the Real Housewives of Orange County. Shannon, 59, and Alexis, 47, were both glammed to the nines as they were pictured heading to the same studio in Southern California at the same time, even parking near each other, on Saturday

Alexis sparked romance rumors with Shannon's ex John Janssen in November, not long after he split from Shannon after three years of dating

Beador with Janssen in November 2019

Alexis arrived ready to stand out in the crowd in a long, hot pink leather skirt and matching crop top fashioned like a bra.

Shannon, on the other hand, was dressed more conservatively in a long-sleeved black dress that hit just above her knees.

The dress featured sheer sleeves and a section of sheer material on the bodice.

Alexis is making her return to the OC as a friend of the show more than a decade after the left the RHOC franchise in 2013.

She previously starred in seasons five through eight and later returned as a guest during season 14.

Alexis sparked romance rumors with Shannon's ex in November, not long after he split from Shannon after three years of dating.

RHOC OG Vicki Gunvalson, 61, feels that Bellino is using the romance with her BFF's ex to 'stir the pot and secure her spot' back on the show that made her famous.

Shannon wasn't thrilled about her ex's new relationship, telling E! News in December: 'I'm not going to lie, I've been hurt.

'I've been hurt a lot in the last couple of weeks because, number one, John said that he didn't want to be in the public eye, and he's thrust himself more into the public eye at this point. So, I'm quite confused about that.'

In December, Janssen gifted Alexis with a $16,000 Van Cleef & Arpels promise ring.

Alexis arrived ready to stand out in the crowd in a long, hot pink leather skirt and matching crop top fashioned like a bra as she posed with Emily Simpson

Alexis is making her return to the OC as a friend of the show more than a decade after the left the RHOC franchise in 2013

She previously starred in seasons five through eight and later returned as a guest during season 14

And the plot deepens. A few years ago, Alexis' ex-husband John Bellino sued Shannon for defamation and lost the case.

'I was financially and emotionally devastated for years,' Shannon said. 'And I won. But it devastated me financially. And I'm a single mom. John's aware of that.'

But don't expect Alexis to back down anytime soon. She made her feeling clear that she doesn't care if anyone disapproves of her relationship with Janssen.

"Johnny J, let everyone talk," she wrote in a December Instagram post. "But you have shown me love that I've never known. I love you."
Channel 10 has announced the new season of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! Australia will be premiering on Sunday, 24 March.

The upcoming series will see Robert Irwin co-host the show alongside returning host Julia Morris.

He is set to bring some genuine Hollywood star power to the South African jungle as he makes his debut.

Robert beat out big names Sam Pang, Jimmy Rees, Curtis Stone, Beau Ryan and Tristan MacManus for the TV hosting role.

The network had a hard task replacing popular host Dr Chris Brown, with casting impressed with Robert's natural charm in the audition.

Channel 10 has announced the new season of I'm A Celebrity ... Get Me Out Of Here! Australia will be premiering on Sunday, 24 March

According to reports, A-listers are 'desperate' to appear on the show thanks to their friendship with the handsome Wildlife Warrior.

'The Irwins have more than a fair share of A-list celebrities in their circle including the Hemsworths and Melissa Joan Hart, who is the most rumoured contestant this year,' a production insider told Yahoo! Lifestyle.

'There are some celebs we ask every year and maybe this year stars like Melissa or Jean-Claude Van Damme will finally say yes. It's our year to catch a few of those white whales.'

The upcoming series will see Robert Irwin co-host the show alongside returning host Julia Morris

Back in October, Daily Mail Australia revealed that Robert is set to pocket almost half a million dollars for his month-and-a-half-long foray into the wilds of South Africa.

According to a well placed source at Channel 10, Irwin 'will earn over $430,000' from his six-week stint in the jungle, and they think he will be 'worth every cent'.

It isn't the first time Robert has appeared in the jungle as in 2016 the wildlife warrior appeared as a guest on the show alongside his mum, Terri, and sister Bindi.

Robert currently boasts 4.8million Instagram followers, while posts featuring his sweetheart, 19, continue to go viral.

Robert beat out big names Sam Pang , Jimmy Rees, Curtis Stone, Beau Ryan and Tristan MacManus for the TV hosting role
Katherine Ryan has revealed the heartbreaking reason why she would let her 14-year-old daughter Violet go on Love Island.

The comedian, 40, told how she 'wouldn't be against' the ITV dating show - after a series of sons and daughters of celebrities such as Gemma Owen have headed into the villa.

She sadly told how it would probably be 'one of the safest places for a teenager to be in a few years' because of the safeguarding the series has.

Katherine also told how she thinks Violet would be most like Dani Dyer on the show who emerged as the Girl Next Door type.

She told The Sun: 'In my teens, I was doing all kinds of dangerous things  sleeping out in fields and getting into random cars. At 17 I was going out with someone who was 31.

Katherine Ryan has revealed the heartbreaking reason why she would let her 14-year-old daughter Violet go on Love Island

The comedian, 40, told how she 'wouldn't be against' the ITV dating show - after a series of sons and daughters of celebrities such as Gemma Owen have headed into the villa

'But I don't think Violet will make those kinds of mistakes. She probably can't help but absorb my feminist mantras, so I think she values herself more than I did at that age.

'If she wanted to get into TV, I wouldn't be against Love Island. She'd be the Dani Dyer type. It will probably be one of the safest places for a teenager to be in a few years because of the safeguarding on that show.

'I can imagine her just there to prop the other girls up and say all the right things and be a sweetheart.'

Katherine shares two children Fenna Grace, 13 months and Fred, two, with her husband Bobby Kootstra, 40, as well as Violet with ex-boyfriend Alex Edelman.

It comes after last week Katherine revealed exactly how many times a month she has sex with her husband.

The star explained how she likes to 'keep a log' of any amorous activity with husband of four years Bobby in case she ends up pregnant.

In an interview with The Times, where she was asked if she was particularly active in the bedroom, Katherine replied: 'No, but I should be. We have sex exactly twice a month. I log it just in case I do get pregnant.'

The comedian regularly shares her life as a mum with her 983k Instagram followers, and insisted of her parenting style: 'I'm very confident about it. I do things my way and I never follow what the grandma says or what the book says.

Katherine also told how she thinks Violet would be most like Dani Dyer on the show who emerged as the Girl Next Door type (Dani seen with partner on show Jack Fincham)

Katherine shares two children Fenna Grace, 13 months and Fred, two, with her husband Bobby Kootstra, 40, as well as Violet with ex-boyfriend Alex Edelman

'I never went to NCT groups. They tried to lure you in, [I] said no. I was 24, pregnant in a foreign country with no family and I was like, "I got it!" I got pregnant with Violet on purpose. I joke that she was a surprise, but she wasn't.'

She previously admitted that she and Bobby go 'back and forth about having more babies,' saying: 'I will never allow him to get the snip! I just really love kids.'

Katherine and Bobby have been together since 2018 but have known each other since they were children, growing up together in Canada.

Childhood sweethearts, the two parted ways initially before rekindling things this side of the Atlantic.

The pair got a civil partnership in 2019, and went to Denmark for the ceremony, with Katherine previously telling The Jonathan Ross Show: 'It was a lovely day. It's perfect having a civil partner.

'We didn't have a wedding, I didn't need to put on a white dress and pretend to be a virgin, that ship has sailed!'

It comes after last week Katherine revealed exactly how many times a month she has sex with her husband

The star explained how she likes to 'keep a log' of any amorous activity with husband of four years Bobby in case she ends up pregnant (seen with Violet and Fred)

Katherine was born in Ontario, Canada and left home at 18 to study city planning.

However, she found her first success as a waitress working for Hooters, and moved to the UK to open the chain's first UK branch in Nottingham.

In 2008, Katherine won the Funny Women award, but she had to wait until 2012 for her first major UK TV appearances.

She has since starred on a whole host of comedy programmes such as Have I Got News For You, Never Mind The Buzzcocks, 8 Out Of 10 Cats, Mock The Week, Would I Lie To You? and a League Of Their Own.
Paul Mescal has revealed the one thing 'we all do' that really gives him the 'ick' during a YouTube game with Andrew Scott on Monday.

The actor, 27, admitted that people who act 'chill' when turning off the lights to go to bed and run 'up the stairs because they're scared' is his biggest ick.

The Normal People star said he likes to 'try to impress' someone by 'smoothly' heading back up stairs and acting cool rather than panicking.

Speaking with LADbible, he said: 'Do you know what gives me more of an ick, because I think we all do it, is if you were like, "Oh, I'm just gonna go down and turn off the lights"

'And they're being all chill and then you hear them accelerate up the stairs because they're scared.

Paul Mescal (right) has revealed the one thing 'we all do' that really gives him the 'ick' during a YouTube game with Andrew Scott (left) on Monday

The actor, 27, admitted that people who act 'chill' when turning off the lights to go to bed and run 'up the stairs because they're scared' is his biggest ick

'Because I think we'd all do it. But I think if I was trying to impress someone I'd, like, smoothly walk up the stairs, than be dealing with the... yeah'.

The Aftersun star went on to reveal that people who 'slide down [the stairs] on their bum' give him even more of an ick.

He added: 'That gives me more of the ick, cause it's not as funny. That would give me the ick. It's just a bit weird.

'Yeah, and what you have to sort of laugh along? It's less of a big gesture. You'd be, like, that was your bum. I've broken my coccyx.'

It comes after Paul and Andrew admitted they weren't too keen on their family members watching their new film All Of Us Strangers.

The movie stars Andrew, 47, as a screenwriter drawn back to his childhood home who enters into a relationship with a mysterious neighbour, played by Paul.

The film features several intimate scenes between the actors which the pair discussed during an appearance on The Graham Norton Show earlier this month.

Asked if their families had seen the flick yet, Paul said: 'With the Irish premiere, trying to allocate tickets to all the aunties and uncles is a tricky business. They have seen my bum before but there is a little more going on in this movie I would say!'

The Normal People star said he likes to 'try to impress' someone by 'smoothly' heading back up stairs and acting cool rather than panicking

The Aftersun star went on to reveal that people who 'slide down [the stairs] on their bum' give him even more of an ick

Andrew added: 'I don't want to be there when my parents watch it!'

All Of Us Strangers dominated the competition at the British Independent Film Awards, earning a staggering seven gongs in total.

Among the awards was the top prize for Best Film, beating Femme, How To Have Sex, Rye Lane and Scrapper.
It is a bold and somewhat surprising claim.

According to social media health guru and author Dr Patrick Flynn, a self-proclaimed hormone expert, women need at one to two hours of extra sleep per night.

In a recent post shared with his 324,000 Instagram followers, Dr Flynn claimed women need '8-10 hours of sleep', while men only need '7-8 hours'.

He suggested that this was due to differences in hormonal fluctuations between men and women, which means lack of sleep 'causes more stress on a woman's body than a man's body'.

Dr Patrick Flynn, who calls himself 'the hormone whisperer', says women sometimes need more than two hours extra sleep per night, to avoid 'extra stress' on their body.

However, guidance from the American Association of Sleep Medicine says different; recommending at least seven hours per night for all 'adults aged 18 to 60 years'.

So what's the truth?

The answer, according to science, is that women likely do need more sleep than men - but not as much as Dr Flynn suggests.

Researchers from the University of Michigan analyzed minutes of sleep collected from nationally representative samples of working-age adults in the American Time Use Surveys of 2003 to 2007.

They found that overall, women slept more than men - by just over 11 minutes.

'Much of the gap is explained by work and family responsibilities,' the researchers said.

Researchers have observed that women dedicate more time to unpaid labor and family caregiving.

Women are more likely than men to wake up to look after members of the family, which can disrupt their sleep and lead them to need more.

Meanwhile, a study from Loughborough University compared a group of 210 middle-aged men and women.

The research found that on average, women require at least 20 minutes more sleep than men.

Experts suggest that men likely do need slightly more sleep than men, mostly due to the complex tasks they often juggle all in one go

The study suggested that women need extra sleep because their brains work harder due to the fact that they multi-task.

'One of the major functions of sleep is to allow the brain to recover and repair itself,' said Professor Jim Horne, the director of the Sleep Research Center at Loughborough University.

'During deep sleep, the cortex  the part of the brain responsible for thought memory, language and so on  disengages from the senses and goes into recovery mode.

'The more of your brain you use during the day, the more of it that needs to recover and, consequently, the more sleep you need.'

He added: 'Women tend to multitask  they do lots at once and are flexible  and so they use more of their actual brain than men do. Because of that, their sleep need is greater.

'A man who has a complex job that involves a lot of decision-making and lateral thinking may also need more sleep than the average male  though probably still not as much as a woman.'

Professor Horne said: 'This is because womens brains are wired differently from mens and are more complex, so their sleep need will be slightly greater. The average is 20 minutes more, but some women may need slightly more or less than this.'

There is also a hormonal element to the discrepency.

Australian doctor Dr Carmel Harrington said that increasing levels of the sex hormone progesterone which happens in the final two weeks of a women's monthly cycle have a sedative effect that means women require more sleep.

Around this time, women should be sleeping for at least half an hour longer than normal, she said.

'As we get closer to the end of our cycle, a lot of us suffer from PMT (premenstrual tension), feeling irritable, grumpy or emotional,' she said. 'And those are also the hallmarks of sleep deprivation.'

Another study from 2016 by scientists at the Max Planck Institute in Germany compared 160 adults of both sexes and found that women need to sleep longer to restore brain power.
Get more skincare do's and don't's by visiting our brand-new wellness page

A dermatologist has revealed the best time of day to use retinol - and how much

It's the gold standard in anti-aging, but you may be putting it on wrong.

Retinol - the vitamin A-based ingredient -has long been touted as the go-to product for reducing fine lines, wrinkles, and other signs of wear and tear on your skin.

The potent chemical has also been shown to reduce signs of acne.

But you can't just put it on at any time of day.

And too much of it could be a very bad thing.

Dr Manuela Marcheggiani, a dermatologist at Isomers Skincare in Toronto, took to TikTok to warn all 566,00 followers of the common mistakes people make when using the product.

Dr Manuela Marcheggiani, a dermatologist at Isomers Skincare in Toronto, took to TikTok to give her tips on retinol

Retinol boosts the production of elastin and collagen, which work to reduce fine lines, wrinkles, sun spots, and uneven skin tone

Retinol is a form of retinoid, which is made from vitamin A. Its molecules are powerful enough to travel beneath the outer layer of skin to the epidermis - the middle layer.

From there, it works to neutralize free radicals, unstable molecules that can damage human cells and lead to a host of chronic diseases, as well as accelerate aging.

Retinol boosts the production of elastin and collagen, which work to reduce fine lines, wrinkles, sun spots, and uneven skin tone.

However, it doesn't work as well during the day.

'Retinol you should be using at nighttime,' Dr Marcheggiani said in the video, which has over 10 million views.

This is because retinoids can break down when exposed to ultraviolet rays from the sun, rendering them less effective.

Cell division also peaks at night due to our circadian rhythm, the body's natural clock, which means that retinol can reach the cells most effectively during this time.

Dr Marcheggiani also cautions that while you can use it every day, ease into the routine. 'You have to build up a tolerance to use retinol every day,' she said.

If your skin isn't used to it, it can lead to irritation, redness, and peeling skin, making the face appear older.

This is because retinol leads to faster skin cell turnover, the rate at which new cells replace old ones.

Sometimes, this happens faster than skin cells can regenerate themselves, thinning the protective skin barrier.

'You start with once a week, then the following week twice. Following week, three times, and you evaluate at that time,' Dr Marcheggiani said.

'If you go to four and your skin doesn't like it, go back to three or go back to two.'

Dr Marcheggiani also shared other tips on using products with niacinamide and azelaic acid.

Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 that builds several different proteins in the skin.

It has been shown to help build keratin, a protein that keeps skin firm and healthy, as well as help skin retain moisture and minimize redness.

If using at a low percentage, such as five percent, Dr Marcheggiani said: 'You can use this daytime and nighttime.'

However, she cautioned that it's easy to get too much of a good thing. 'Niacinamide seems to be everywhere,' she said.

It also comes in several different percentages, totaling up to 20 percent, and is found in multiple types of products like serums and toners.

'You may be getting an excess of 30 percent over a day every day,' Dr Marcheggiani said.

'That can be too much.'

Getting it from so many different sources at once can lead to excess levels, which can cause burning, itching, and redness.

'I would say be careful with niacinamide and do not use it every day,' Dr Marcheggiani said.

'Space it out, especially if it's in other products.'

Azelaic acid, meanwhile, is a compound that's naturally found in wheat and barley and is produced by healthy fungi living on the skin.

It's typically used to treat mild to moderate acne and can be mixed with retinol.

'You can use this twice a day,' Dr Marcheggiani said. However, if it also contains retinol, just use it once a day at night.
Boasts expansive views of the surrounding countryside and comes complete with a 4,900-square-foot barn, gazebo, six ponds and seven natural springs

The property was made famous as key locaton in 2018 HBO series Sharp Objects starring Amy Adams

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A sprawling California mansion where the HBO series Sharp Objects was filmed will be auctioned next month - and buyers could snap it up for as little as $1.

The 1,745-acre, five-bedroom estate, which was previously sold for $6.5 million, will go under the hammer with no minimum bid on February 3.

It was made famous as a key location for the 2018 thriller Sharp Objects starring Amy Adams as an alcoholic crime reporter who returns to her hometown to investigate the murder of two young girls.

The house, which served as Adams' character's childhood home called the Crellin Estate, even had its yellow interiors painted blue just for the filming. Locals acted as extras.

A sprawling California mansion where the HBO series Sharp Objects was filmed will be auctioned next month - and buyers could snap it up for as little as $1

The 1,745-acre, five-bedroom estate, previously sold for $6.5 million, goes under the hammer February 3

It was made famous as a key filming location for the 2018 thriller Sharp Objects starring Amy Adams as an alcoholic crime reporter. Here she is pictured in the series alongside Madison Davenport as Ashley Wheller and Taylor Smith as John Keene

Listing agent Kathy Tang, from real estate firm Compass, told DailyMail.com: 'Everybody in the neighborhood thought they were going to be a movie star!

'The house was listed for $8 million back in June but now it is going up for auction. It requires a special kind of buyer because not everybody wants that much land.'

Although Sharp Objects is set in Missouri, the home actually sits in Mendocino County between San Francisco and Silicon Valley.

It boasts expansive views of the surrounding landscape and comes complete with a 4,900-square-foot barn, gazebo, six ponds and seven natural springs.

Listing agent Kathy Tang, from real estate firm Compass, told DailyMail.com: 'Everybody in the neighborhood thought they were going to be a movie star!'

She added: 'The house was listed for $8 million back in June but now it is going up for auction. It requires a special kind of buyer because not everybody wants that much land'

Although Sharp Objects is set in Missouri, the home actually sits in Mendocino County between San Francisco and Silicon Valley

It has an impressive hallway lined with wood paneling

Among them is an 18-acre wildlife pond complete with suspension bridge.

There is four bathrooms and a three-car garage and 250-square-foot garage.

And some 50-75 acres of the property are primed for wine cultivation, complementing Mendocino's thriving wine industry.

The current owners bought the property back in 2016 for $6.5 million after its price was slashed from $8 million.

Much of the ranch's land is contracted under the Williamson Act, also known as the California Land Conservation Act of 1965 meaning it benefits from significantly reduced property tax.

It is now being auctioned by DeCaro auctions International.

There is four bathrooms and a three-car garage and 250-square-foot garage

And some 50-75 acres of the property are primed for wine cultivation, complementing Mendocino's thriving wine industry

Much of the ranch's land is contracted under the Williamson Act, also known as the California Land Conservation Act of 1965 meaning it benefits from significantly reduced property tax

Sharp Objects, which is based on a book of the same name by Gillian Flynn, debuted on HBO in July 2018. Pictured: Adams as Camille Preaker in the house

It centers around Adams' character Camille Preaker, a self-destructive reporter from St Louis who has recently returned from a stint in rehab and cannot stop cutting words into her skin

Sharp Objects, which is based on a book of the same name by Gillian Flynn, debuted on HBO in July 2018.

It centers around Adams' character Camille Preaker, a self-destructive reporter from St Louis who has recently returned from a stint in rehab and cannot stop cutting words into her skin.

She is sent to investigate the murders of two young schoolgirls who were found strangled and with their teeth missing in Camille's hometown of Wind Gap, Missouri.

Once there she is forced to confront her lingering trauma from the death of her sister in childhood.

The series received great critical acclaim and earnt Adams a Golden Globe nomination for best actress.

It was also nominated for best limited series while star Patricia Clarkson, who played Camille's mother in the film, won best supporting actress.
by Michael Liss

I have no purpose, directly or indirectly, to interfere with the institution of slavery in the States where it exists. I believe I have no lawful right to do so, and I have no inclination to do so. Abraham Lincoln, First Inaugural Address, March 4, 1861

Did we need to have a Civil War? Couldnt the two sides, geographically defined as they were, simply part before the shooting started? Did Lincoln intentionally choose war for any one of a variety of unworthy reasons that stopped short of necessity, including even something so mundane as a fear of losing face? Or was he faced with an intractable situation for which there was no simple, satisfactory answera type of political Trolley Problem?

These questions were suggested by the recent comments from a 3 Quarks Daily reader to a 2020 article by Thomas Wells. While I dont agree with the premise of Lincolns culpability, it is an issue that has been continuously debated by historians and opinion writers almost from the moment South Carolina forces shelled Union soldiers led by Major Robert Anderson at Fort Sumter.

In fact, the debate raged both in public and behind closed doors even before the South Carolinians reduced the Fort on April 12-13, 1861. Depending on who does the telling, either Lincoln shrewdly baited the Confederates into firing on Fort Sumter, thus unifying much of the North for a shooting war, or belligerent South Carolina fired on Fort Sumter without good cause, thus unifying much of the North for a shooting war. If you are interested, Id recommend James D. Randalls discussion in his 1945 Lincoln The President, but, in either telling, at the end of the day, the war that followed Sumter was not inevitable, but the product of both sides choices.

To put this into context, lets note that, before the adoption of the 20th Amendment, Presidential terms ran from March 4th (instead of January 20th) and Congressional terms from March 4th to January 3rd. So, for nearly four months after Lincolns election on November 6, 1860, the White House was occupied by James Buchanan, a Doughface Southern sympathizer from Pennsylvania. His Cabinet was dominated by people with like-minded views: John Floyd of Virginia was the all-important Secretary of War, who the not-given-to exaggeration Ulysses S. Grant later accused of moving around supplies and men to advantage the South. Floyd stayed until December 29th. Howell Cobb (Treasury) of Georgia, future President of the Provisional Congress of the Confederate States, remained in office until early December. Jacob Thompson (Interior) of Mississippi, soon a secession commissioner to North Carolina, stayed into the new year. Three powerful men, no longer serving their country, but staying in the government to influence policy in opposition.

Buchanan himself was 70, his energies flagging. He was an entirely pitiful figure in late 1860, lacking the willpower and leadership skills to command the Cabinet, to reorganize his government to meet the crisis, or to prepare for what clearly would be a clash over federal installations in what would soon be the seceding stateslike those in Charleston Harbor. Unwilling to act, he retreated into words, burying himself in the preparation of a Presidential Message he somehow believed would rise above the din. For almost a month he labored, consulting, revising, revising again, trying desperately to balance interests, but largely leaning (hard) South. His end product satisfied no one. The North is to blame for the current state of affairs. The North must satisfy Southern demands. The North must accept the hated Dred Scott decision. The Union is indivisible; there is no right to secede; the South should not be leaving, but the Federal Government (particularly the Executive Branch) has no power to make them stay.

Ive written about Buchanans actions before, but the one truly interesting thing he suggested is that a National Convention under Article V of the Constitution be convened to discuss the matter. Its a possible Hail Maryhistory, at least to that point, had shown the country capable of discussion and adjustment on several occasionsmost notably the Constitution itself, the 1820 Missouri Compromise (which admitted Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free one, and banned slavery in the Louisiana Territory north of the 36 30 parallel, except for Missouri), and the Compromise of 1850 (which admitted California as a free state and the Territory of New Mexicoa much larger land area than the ultimate state lineas potentially slave ones). The last two were imperfect but workable compromises that gained legitimacy from the gravitas of the men who negotiated them. The Missouri Compromise was shepherded by Henry Clay, then Speaker of the House. The Compromise of 1850 was driven by the three Giants of the Senate, Clay (then seriously ill), former Vice President John C. Calhoun, and Daniel Webster, with the critical assistance of Stephen Douglas when Clay was unable to continue. It was Douglas who broke up an omnibus bill that lacked the votes to pass as a combination package into five separate bills, each with a differing constituency sufficient to gain a majority on its own.

1860 was not 1850. The country had been acquiring territories all through the 1840s, encompassing nearly 1.2 million square miles. The discovery of gold in 1848 had drawn so many settlers to California that it had to be admitted as a state in 1850, but now it was time to organize the rest and exploit their wealth. Could North and South compromise again with the stakes so high? Did the country have both the will and the leadership to accomplish it?

The Giants of the Senate had all passed away, Calhoun in 1850, Webster and Clay in 1852, their tremendous contributions having never been acknowledged with a term in the White House (all tried, all failed). The great irony of American politics is that often those who accomplish the most are under-rewarded. Negotiation requires give and take, and concessions create enemies. Sometimes it also requires a strategic withdrawal on a controversial issue so as to clear a bottleneck.

Such was the Compromise of 1850, with its (detested by the North) Fugitive Slave Act and its failure to fully address the deteriorating situation in Kansas and Nebraska. The former was an annoyance, the latter a serious problem.

In 1854, Stephen Douglas stepped into it with both feet. With American expansion, there was a growing need for East-West transportation, and that meant rail transportation. The route Douglas proposed needed a political and legal structure for organizing an immense tract of land then called the Territory of Nebraska, what we now know as Kansas, Nebraska, Montana, and North and South Dakota. Southern Senators made it clear to Douglas that their support for his Kansas-Nebraska Act was predicated on repeal of the Missouri Compromise line restricting the expansion of slavery. Douglas knew it would be controversial and told them so, but he was hungry for an agreement, and for a train route that would go through his home states Chicago, so he went for it. As to slavery, he persuaded enough Senators that his idea of Popular Sovereignty would give voters in what would be the newly minted states the right to choose, slave or free.

It is worth stopping here for a moment to consider Douglass position. History frames him mostly a foil to Lincoln. Rivals in Illinois, rivals for the Senate, rivals in a series of seminal debates, and finally, rivals for the Presidency. Douglas was more than that. He represented a manner of thinking that had significant hold in the country, including the North, and particularly among the moneyed interests. The plight of the slave, pitiable though it may have been, just wasnt high on a list of priorities. If it had to be bargained away for something he (or they) valued more, so be it.

I dont know that its possible to look into Douglass heart, but there were a couple of strands to his (and his supporters) thinking that carried a lot of weight. The first was the facially attractive idea that the citizens of each state should choose how they wanted to liveif they wont support slavery in law, it wont be able to take root. Thats democracy! Popular Sovereignty works if you are truly a moral agnostic about slavery. It is abhorrent to those who arent. The second was a kind of physical democracythat topography, climate, the presence of water and fertile lands would determine whether slavery can be supported in the new territories. Just as a states voters may either embrace or reject slavery, it will be the land itself that ultimately determines the viability of the institution.

The cold logic of Douglass position essentially questioned why free states placed such an emphasis on the status of slavery, when there were other important things that had to be done. America needed a transcontinental railroad. The Kansas-Nebraska Act was necessary to get it, and therefore it needed to pass. It did, creating two new territories, but at a huge cost. Bleeding Kansas exploded in endless acts of violence and intimidation as the two sides vied for control. More than 50 people died. Another victim was Henry Clays old Whig Party, which showed itself completely without purpose, and dissolved the same year.

Finally, it enraged (and re-engaged) a former Congressman who had returned home to Illinois to practice law, Abraham Lincoln. Mr. Lincoln had some thoughts about the law, and slavery, and shared them in series of opposing speeches with Douglas. The most important of the three came at Peoria on October 6, 1854. For more than three hours, he held forth, taking his audience through history to their present day. One paragraph stands out to me:

The Missouri Compromise ought to be restored. For the sake of the Union, it ought to be restored. We ought to elect a House of Representatives which will vote its restoration. If by any means, we omit to do this, what follows? Slavery may or may not be established in Nebraska. But whether it be or not, we shall have repudiateddiscarded from the councils of the Nationthe SPIRIT of COMPROMISE; for who after this will ever trust in a national compromise? The spirit of mutual concessionthat spirit which first gave us the constitution, and which has thrice saved the Unionwe shall have strangled and cast from us forever.

I cant tell you whether this is just rhetoric, but I suspect it isnt, and is instead a reflection of his inner feeling. Lincoln had an unusual gift for words, but not necessarily the type that were the stock in trade of the rhetoricians of the time. Rather, he had the capacity to convey the rationality of his thinking, the genuineness of his convictions, and the moral and intellectual framework of how he arrived at the positions he took. Douglass destroying the work of Clay was part of an accumulation of injustices that could destroy the capacity for accommodationand Lincolns confidence in it. Imagine what he must have been thinking when, in early 1857, a conservative, pro-South, pro-slavery Supreme Court released its decision in Dred Scott. Taney went beyond declaring the Missouri Compromise unconstitutionalhe effectively opened all states, Free or Slave, to the presence of slavery.

So, when we talk about Lincolns willingness to compromise, when we say he should have done more before hostilities broke out, one can understand his reticence, and particularly so when he was merely President-elect.

Richard Hofstadter makes a crucial point, one that I think centers Lincolns Trolley Problem dilemma: Before Lincoln took office, the issues upon which he was elected had become obsolete. Seven states of the deep South had seceded. The great question was no longer slavery or freedom in the territories, but the nation itself. Lincolns positions on slavery were clear and consistent. He had laid them out in debates with Stephen Douglas, at Cooper Union, and as expressed in the Republican Party Platform. He accepted slavery where it existed, rejected the idea of further expansion, and would otherwise follow existing law, even odious existing law like that of the Fugitive Slave Act. That is what he believed, that is what he was elected on, but those were now obsolete positions, except as part of discourse related to sustaining the Union. The problem was that the seven seceding states had taken their ball and gone home. Buchanan had done nothing to stop them. More were about to leave. Lincoln needed to act, but how?

To reconstitute the Union, Lincoln understood immediately, could involve diplomacy and more concessions from the Free States, but might also need a degree of coercion. Northern opinion was firmly behind Union, but less aware of (and more resistant to) the necessity of the use of force. This is not to say that there werent some hard-liner voices in the North wanting immediate firmnessOh, for an hour of Jackson! (recalling Andrew Jacksons faceoff with John C. Calhoun and South Carolina during the Nullification Crisis in 1831/2)but the majority preferred firmness only as long as it didnt break anything.

Efforts, serious and good faith ones, were made by members of both sides to find a more peaceful resolution. The most famous, the Crittenden Compromises, illustrate the problem with which Lincoln was grappling. Senator John Crittenden of Kentucky was a distinguished public servant and a true patriot. He had been Governor of Kentucky, United States Attorney General, and served several terms in the Senate. He was a serious man, widely respected, and neither a Republican nor a Democrat. Crittenden put forward a package of six Constitutional Amendments and four Senate Resolutions. To encapsulate them, the first and most consequential was the resumption of the original Missouri Compromise boundary between slave and free, but extended to the Pacific. New States would be permitted entry as slave or free as their constitutions provided (a nod to Stephen Douglas). Fugitive Slave Laws would be enforced, and the Norths Personal Liberty Laws would be abolished. The African slave-trade ban would be rigorously enforced. In states where slavery existed, Congress would be forbidden from abolishing slavery in federal posts there, and also forbidden to abolish slavery in Washington D.C., so long as Virginia and Maryland kept slaves. Finally, and to give some finality, the Amendments could not be further repealed or amended.

Its hard to read some of these as compromises, but taken as a whole, while they leaned towards the Souths position, they did reflect real effort to find a solution. Among the Senators who expressed interest and even support was William Seward, one of the founders of the Republican Party, and soon to be Lincolns Secretary of State (Seward eventually voted no). The problem with the aggregate substance of the Crittenden Compromise (and this was echoed later in a Peace Conference held in February 1861) was that, on the biggest issues, neither side could be satisfied without what amounted to capitulation by the other.

Time was up for a compromise that would reunify the country. Lincoln was left with a conundrum. It was clear that his election was the proximate cause of secession. What peaceful options did he have besides either surrendering his Presidency, or surrendering the principles that got him elected in the first place? He just could not agree to the territorial extension of slavery, despite the prohibition north of the line. The expansion of slavery to territories was anathema to him, and to most of the North. Even if he had made that leap, and quietly signaled his agreement, I havent seen a credible argument that could state with certainty that Lincoln could have sustained the Union with such a sacrifice.

Instead, a Lincoln embrace of Crittendens proposal would have shattered his party, and, beyond the partisan considerations, effectively ended the American Experiment. Never again would elections be seen as both decisive, and temporary, as the Founders had intended.

So, saving the Union through concession was impossible. What about the other alternative, the other route for the Trolly to take to avoid violence and loss of life, the route of saying goodbye? Jefferson Davis insisted that was all the South wanted, to be given its leave to go.

For a moment, put aside questions about Daviss sincerity, or the purported ease of the split (it most certainly would not have been simple), and ask ourselves, was it a viable option? Should Lincoln, using the prestige of his office, and the power vested in him, make that choice on behalf of the (remaining) country? He certainly would have been scorned as a Buchanan and worse. Would the act of choosing the Trolley path of repudiating his sworn responsibilities to the Constitution and the integrity of his promises to his voters (and that was, after all, what was being demanded) ultimately be for the common good?

This conversation is difficult to have in the abstract because of two yet-unacknowledged elephants in the room. Over 620,000 soldiers, North and South, lost their lives in the line of duty. As a result of that enormous sacrifice, the great moral abomination of slavery was ended, then and forever. At the time Lincoln was making his decision and Jefferson Davis was making his, neither man could have known that.

As Lincoln himself said in his Second Inaugural Address:

Neither party expected for the war the magnitude or the duration which it has already attained. Neither anticipated that the cause of the conflict might cease with or even before the conflict itself should cease. Each looked for an easier triumph, and a result less fundamental and astounding.

This wonderful passage is not a throw-away; it is Lincoln looking backwards, in self-reflection, and speaking absolute truth, certainly about himself, and also about any credible voice at the time.

The reading of history, the appreciation of history, does not always lead to certainty, and if your preference is to blame Lincoln for the road not taken, it is a perfectly defensible choice. As regular readers know, Im a Lincoln man, so I am going to leave you with a bit more of Richard Hofstadter: Now he could see the truth of what he had long dimly known and perhaps hopefully suppressedthat for a man of sensitivity and compassion to exercise great powers in a time of crisis is a grim and agonizing thing.
Builders are constructing bigger homes to meet consumers' demand as the average size of flats rose 11 per cent last year across seven major cities, according to Anarock.

Real estate consultant Anarock has analysed the fresh supply of housing units during 2023 across the primary residential market of seven major cities.

The data showed that average flat sizes in the top 7 cities rose to 1,300 square feet last year from 1,175 square feet in 2022.

In the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) and Kolkata, the average size of apartments fell, but it grew in Delhi-NCR, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune and Chennai in 2023.

The average size stood at 1,050 square feet in 2019, 1,167 sq ft in 2020, and 1,170 sq ft in 2021.

"Northbound housing prices in the top cities have in no way dispelled the demand for generous living spaces," Anarock Chairman Anuj Puri said.

The supply of bigger luxury homes increased significantly last year, he said, adding that around 23 per cent of the total new launches were in the luxury category.

"The demand for bigger-size homes was kick-started by the pandemic, but there are no signs of it waning three years later. Led by an enduring 'new normal' in homebuyer preferences, this demand seems eminently sustainable," Puri said.

Krisumi Corporation MD Mohit Jain said the aspirational segment of society is playing a pivotal role in propelling the demand for premium homes, which are spacious and bigger in size.

"This trend may continue in the foreseeable future," he added.

Among seven major cities, Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) and Kolkata were the only two cities where the average flat sizes decreased in 2023.

In MMR, the average flat size fell 5 per cent to 794 sq ft in 2023 from 840 square feet in 2022.

In Kolkata, the average flat size saw a 2 per cent decline to 1,124 sq ft last year from 1,150 square feet in 2022.

Delhi-NCR saw the highest 37 per cent rise in average flat size to 1,890 square feet in 2023 from 1,375 sq ft in 2022.

Anarock said that developers in the Delhi-NCR are actively tracking demand and launching larger homes. The demand is skewed significantly towards luxury apartments, which are primarily defined by bigger sizes.

Hyderabad has the highest average flat size at 2,300 square feet, up 30 per cent from 1,775 square feet in 2022.

In Bengaluru, the average flat size increased by 26 per cent to 1,484 sq ft in 2023 from 1,175 sq ft in the previous year.

The average flat size in Pune saw an 11 per cent increase to 1,086 sq ft in 2023 from 980 sq ft in 2022.

Chennai saw a 5 per cent rise in average flat sizes to 1,260 square feet in 2023 from 1,200 sq ft in the previous year, Anarock said.
VIT-AP University gets ISO certifications

Amaravati: VIT-AP University received three internationally recognized certifications from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) viz ISO 21001: 2018 (Educational Quality Management System), ISO 50001: 2018 (Energy Management System), and ISO 14001: 2015 (Environmental Management System). In recognition of VIT-AP University commitment to maintaining the highest quality standards across its undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs, the certifications were formally presented to Vice Chancellor Dr. S.V. Kota Reddy and Registrar Dr. Jagadish Chandra M by M/s HYM International Certifications Pvt. Ltd, Hyderabad. These certifications underscore the universitys dedication to excellence in educational quality, energy management, and environmental sustainability. Vice Chancellor Reddy expressed his satisfaction with the achievement, stating that this significant milestone is a result of the dedicated effort, enthusiasm, and support of the university management, faculty, and staff members.

SRM IST Management students visit Dubai

CHENNAI: Students of Masters of Business Administration, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Vadapalani campus, visited Dubai recently, as part of their educational visit to De Montford University - UK, Dubai. While SRM IST was able to create an opportunity for the students to explore new markets at a global scale, the visit served as an opportunity for students to understand cultural differences. The students, who spent about a week in Dubai, benefitted immensely thanks to the exposure created by the visit to Dubai. It helped them to develop their cross-cultural communication abilities, broaden their views on global business trends and growing their professional networks. At the same time, SRM IST students received a chance to broaden their view on global business trends, apart from getting an opportunity to grow their professional networks.
Italian-American off-road construction and agriculture firm CNH is planning to invest up to USD 50 million in the farm machinery segment in India this year and launch a 105HP tractor in May, according to a top CNH India official.

CNH, which produces and sells farm machinery and equipment under the New Holland brand, will focus on the compact range of tractors of below 30-40 horsepower (HP), besides targeting to sell 1,000 baler machines (used for managing stubble) this year.

Currently, CNH India has a four per cent market share in the tractor business in India and has a considerable presence in the 45-50 HP range of tractors.

Speaking to PTI, CNH India and SAARC Country Manager and Managing Director Narinder Mittal said there is a huge potential in India's agriculture sector, and the company intends to double its market share to 8 per cent in the next four years.

"We plan to invest about USD 40-50 million in the current calendar year in the agriculture segment, including the programme investment," he added.

Out of which, USD 25-30 million will be invested in the tractor business alone, he noted.

Under the programme investment, Mittal said the company is working on a specific tractor model of above 45 HP with a new engine for higher fuel efficiency.

The cash flow for this will begin this year and the new model is likely to be launched by the end of 2025, he added.

On a product launch, Mittal said a bigger tractor of 105 HP is lined up for the launch in May this year. This tractor is used for bailing and ridge application.

At present, the company is importing bigger tractors of more than 100 HP to meet the growing demand for baler and ridge machines in the country, he said.

Stating that balers help in managing stubble, Mittal said there is a growing awareness about the use of such machines in the country, and consequently, the company's sales of balers have gone up significantly in 2023.

CNH India sold about 840 small square balers in 2023 against 450 in the previous year. The company also sold 50 big and round balers in 2023, the company official said. "We expect that we should be touching 1,000 balers this year," he said, adding the company is selling balers in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and parts of Madhya Pradesh.

Balers compress agricultural residue into manageable and transportable bales. Small square balers that cost around RS 11-12 lakh per unit can be used with existing tractors, while the big/round balers that cost around Rs 2 crore per set require above 100HP tractors for operation.

The company manufactures small balers in Pune but imports some components that it intends to localise by the middle of this year.
The ongoing attacks on shipping vessels by Houthi militants in the Red Sea have not impacted the flow of crude oil to India but freight has gone up due to rerouting via the Cape of Good Hope, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) chairman Pushp Kumar Joshi said.

India, the world's third-biggest oil importer, gets a bulk of its Russian supplies through the Red Sea. Russian supplies made up for over 35 per cent of India's total crude imports in 2023, amounting to 1.7 million barrels per day.

Russian ships and cargoes are not being prime targets of the attacks at this stage however rerouting of ships around the southern tip of Africa instead of transiting through the Suez Canal and Red Sea has led to ships taking longer voyages, resulting in the shortage of ships and rise in freight charges.

In a post-third quarter earnings call with investors, Joshi said HPCL has tied up crude oil supplies till mid-April and it does not see any supply disruptions.

HPCL meets 44-45 per cent of its crude oil needs on term contracts with national oil companies such as those in Saudi Arabia and Iraq.

The remaining is on the spot or from the current market, he said.

"Term crude has not been impacted (due to the Red Sea crisis)," he said, adding the spot imports are on DES basis where the shipping is arranged by the supplier. "The spot supplies too are not impacted."

HPCL, he said, has "already tied up crude requirements till fiscal year end (in March) and the first couple of weeks of April." "Crude oil supplies have not seen any disruption as of now. This has definitely impacted the freight rates and freight rates have travelled northward."

Spot imports include opportunity crude such as Russian oil which is sold at a discount because some western nations have shunned it due to Moscow's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

"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," he said.

Joshi said HPCL has tied up both term and spot supplies including opportunity crude till mid-April. "We are not experiencing any disruption there.".

On Russian imports, he said Russian oil made up for 30 per cent of all crude oil imported by HPCL in 2023.

While the supplies are not being impacted, the rerouting of ships could inflate insurance costs and crimp refining margins.

Shippers are avoiding the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait after a US-led coalition struck Iran-backed Houthi militants in northern Yemen. This however has impacted diesel exports to Europe. Longer voyages have hit diesel cargo cost, which has increased by USD 850,000-1 million.

Due to the rerouting of a voyage through the Cape of Good Hope instead of going through the Suez Canal, shipments from India to the US will take an additional 10-14 days, while shipments from Europe/the Mediterranean will take 20-25 days.
Veteran banker Rana Talwar, who was the first Indian to head a global bank -- Standard Chartered Plc, died at the age of 76 years.

Talwar, son-in-law of DLF Group chairman emeritus K P Singh, breathed his last on Saturday, sources said. He is survived by his wife Renuka and son Rahul.

Besides DLF, he served on the boards of various companies including Asahi India Glass Limited and Great Eastern Energy Corporation Limited.

The company regrets to inform about the sad demise of Talwar, a non-executive director, on Saturday, January 27, 2024, which was intimated to the company by the family members, DLF said in a regulatory filing.

Born in 1948, Talwar started his career as a banker in India with Citi Bank after passing out of the prestigious St Stephens College, Delhi.

During his stint at Citi Bank, Gurvirendra Singh Talwar also known as Rana Talwar, was responsible for building the US-based bank's retail businesses across Asia Pacific and the Middle East.

He was subsequently responsible for all of Citibank's retail businesses across Europe and the United States. He was a member of the Citibank/ Citigroup Policy and Operating Committees. Talwar left Citibank in 1996 to join Standard Chartered Plc as Global Chief Executive. He was the first Asian to become the Chief Executive of an FTSE 25 company and of a major global bank.He was responsible for repositioning Standard Chartered Plc as a leading emerging markets bank, including the acquisition of Grindlays Bank

from ANZ Bank.

Talwar left Standard Chartered Plc in 2002 to establish Sabre Capital Worldwide, a private equity firm, as its founder chairman and majority stakeholder.

One of Sabre Capital's biggest deals in India was the acquisition of a strategic stake in Centurion Bank. Talwar was later instrumental in its merger with HDFC Bank.

DLF in the regulatory filing acknowledged his contributions on the board of the company and said the company benefitted immensely from his valuable guidance and vision.

The passing away of Talwar will be an irreparable loss to the company and all the directors and employees of the company convey their deep sympathy, sorrow and condolences to the family, it added.
To meet the escalating challenge of hate speech, the relevance of Gandhian communication cannot be overstated

The Internet's rapid global connectivity has positively transformed communication and knowledge-sharing, yet it also poses challenges. Over 3.19 billion social media users can swiftly disseminate harmful content, leading to concerns about regulating online speech. As offensive messages proliferate, despite some measures, countries grapple with the dilemma of how to legislate effectively in the digital age, where the speed of online publishing is in sharp contrast with the sluggishness of regulatory mechanisms.

The ease and anonymity of generating online hate speech, amplified by social media, pose a global menace, transcending borders at minimal cost. Its enduring impact exacerbates societal divisions, fueling violence and discrimination. Recognized also by the United Nations, this crisis violates human rights, correlates with hate crimes, and propels extremist ideologies, even contributing to atrocities like genocide. Effectively addressing this peril is crucial to curtail ongoing disputes, preserve societal cohesion, and protect individuals from dehumanization based on identity factors. Further, hate speech, particularly prevalent in cyberbullying, inflicts diverse harm on young minds, also fostering intolerance. Multiple shreds of evidence prove that the digital realm initially celebrated for fostering connections, has of late transformed into a breeding ground for real-world consequences, where hate speech perpetuates bigotry among children and youth.

One would recall the American student Tyler Clementi's tragic suicide  a result of relentless online bullying due to his sexual orientation that further illustrates the profound consequences of hate speech. Further, the Christ Church Mosque shootings in New Zealand, where the perpetrator live-streamed the massacre after online radicalization, highlight the connection between hate speech and real-world violence. In India, several cases of lethal mob lynchings sparked by social media-driven rumours, such as WhatsApp lynchings, exemplify the dire consequences of misinformation.

Amidst the escalating threat of hate speech, Mahatma Gandhi's Nonviolent Communication (NVC) philosophy  even after 76 years of his passing away  shines as a guiding light. Mahatma Gandhi was a skilled communicator, using words for profound social impact. Rooted in truth, nonviolence, and empathy, his approach centered on Satyagraha  holding onto truth through love and nonviolence. This Gandhian communication model, prioritizing understanding and dialogue over confrontation, offers a blueprint for addressing conflicts without resorting to hate or violence.

Mahatma Gandhi communicated with simplicity, clarity, and unwavering conviction, making his speeches and writings accessible to all, regardless of education or social status. His unique ability to articulate complex ideas resonated with the masses, mobilizing them for the freedom movement. Through iconic speeches during the Salt Satyagraha of 1930, where he called for world sympathy in his battle of rights against might; or through his actions, when he called off the Non-Cooperation Movement of 1922 as a result of violence in Chauri Chaura in todays Uttar Pradesh, or during his Quit India addresses in 1942, Gandhi inspired millions to join the nonviolent struggle against British rule. His communication wasn't just informational but a powerful moral appeal, urging peaceful action.

Mahatma Gandhi pioneered nonviolent communication, advocating it as a life philosophy rooted in love, compassion, understanding, and respect for all living beings. Beyond a mere tactic, he viewed nonviolence as a transformative force, inspiring global social justice movements. Gandhi emphasized self-reflection as crucial for empathy and understanding, urging individuals to contemplate their thoughts, feelings, and beliefs before engaging in meaningful communication with others. The renowned psychologist, Marshall Rosenberg, says that Nonviolent Communication (NVC) aims to create a safe and respectful space for dialogue, where individuals can express their needs and feelings without fear of judgement or retribution.

In the context of hate speech, NVC can be used to de-escalate conflicts and promote understanding between different groups. By listening to the concerns and needs of those who engage in hate speech, NVC can help to uncover the underlying causes of their behaviour and constructively address them. By creating a safe and respectful space for dialogue, nonviolent communication can help to de-escalate conflicts and promote understanding between different groups.

Marshall Rosenberg further explains: If we can identify and express our own needs and feelings without blaming others, we can create a more compassionate world, which can lead to a more peaceful and harmonious society.

Experts have advocated for the use of NVC as a tool to counter hate speech. Arno Michaelis, former White Supremacist and founder of Serve2Unite says, Nonviolent communication offers a way out of the cycle of hate and violence that plagues our world. By listening to the perspectives and needs of those who engage in hate speech, we can begin to create a more peaceful and just society.

Daryl Davis, musician and activist who spent years engaging with members of the Ku Klux Klan and has had a firsthand experience to witness the power of NVC, feels that NVC can transform hearts and minds, for, By listening to the concerns and needs of those who engage in hate speech, we can create a sense of empathy and understanding, which can ultimately lead to peace.

Addressing hate speech in contemporary communication parlance requires embracing Gandhian principles. For this, prioritising truth through fact-checking and responsible journalism, fostering empathy through open dialogue, advocating nonviolence and tolerance, advancing education with media literacy, and engaging communities collectively, is the need of the hour. Mahatma Gandhi always highlighted collaboration, active listening, respect, empathy, and forgiveness for effective use of nonviolent communication in all his campaigns.

Countering hate speech does not mean to limit the freedom to speak. On the contrary, it should mean striving to encourage, foster and protect freedom of expression as a universal human right, ensuring that measures to safeguard individuals and groups from being targeted do nothing to curb access to that right. As we commemorate the 76th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhis martyrdom, his principles resonate more than ever in the face of the growing conflicts in the world.

(The writer is programme executive, Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti; views are personal)
Despite the Government's support, the Annual Status of Education Report suggests that the urgency for educational reforms is not uniformly recognised across States

The recent Annual Status of Education Report -ASER- published by the NGO Pratham has once again attracted the attention of all those interested in education and the future of India; and its march towards a knowledge society. The first ASER report came in 2005 and it was expected to stir the conscience of not only the education system but India as a whole. By that time, the credibility and public acceptance of government schools was already very low and anyone who could afford it financially made every effort to put their children in private schools, which interestingly, are known as public schools in India. The decline has continued and it is evident by the mad rush in cities and towns, for admission to preschool classes in private schools. People are willing to pay exorbitant fees and the aspiring middle class is ready to cut even other necessary family expenses to educate their children in good schools. Over the years, school education in India has shown remarkable progress on various fronts, but several major concerns have also emerged regarding quality, skill acquisition and institutional work culture.

One of the great achievements of the past few decades has been the social acceptance of educating girls and this has become equally acceptable in rural India also. However, the present report indicates 43.7% of boys having a smartphone as against only 19.8% of girls. It is encouraging to note that 90% of youngsters have a smartphone at home. The present survey was conducted amongst rural kids of 14-18 age group in 28 districts of India across 26 states with a sample of 34,745 children. The quality of the growing up is indicated by the percentages of children who indicated their work aspirations for the future. One was disappointed that 21% could not respond to what they would like to become in years ahead. The top preference of 13% is for a job in the police and 11.4% would like to become teachers.

Agriculture-related work is an aspiration of only 1.4%! One could safely state from other studies and interactions that in rural areas, preference for becoming a teacher is still considered an achievable choice by parents and family members. Getting a job as a police- it must be stated- is now suspect because of the widely prevalent public perception that it would require too much of resources and sources. Even for the job of teachers, perceptions are changing fast. There is no surety about regular recruitment or recruitment regularly. Even if one gets appointed as a Shiksha-karmi or an honorarium-paid teacher with any other fancy designation, the sword of uncertainty looms large for years together with no guarantee of getting absorbed in the regular pay scale and grade.

One of the universal expectations is the system would become more compassionate, empathetic, transparent, responsive and helpful to the learner. The NEP-2020 has been announced and has entered its fourth year of implementation. One expects that the innovations and changes proposed will become visible shortly.

It must; however; be stated that improvements in the quality of school education -particularly rural schools - are mostly dependent upon the priority it gets from the state governments. The central government has been promptly assisting states in educational reforms in various ways and this includes academic and professional support along with financial contributions to enhance infrastructure, including additional teachers. Education is not getting its due priority in several states. This was particularly true for the states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh which need educational reforms very urgently.

After going through the ASER report, one arrives at the inference that the nation must deliberate upon how significant it is to ensure that every child gets a good quality education and acquires the necessary skills, including the skill of acquiring new skills throughout his active professional life. It is also necessary that everyone acknowledges the primacy of the role of teachers and schools in rebuilding a new India. This is not happening uniformly at present. To illustrate the point, I would like to quote the following from the National Education Policy  2020: 15.2/ According to the Justice/ JS Verma Commission (2012) constituted by the Supreme Court. A majority of stand-alone TEIs  over 20,000 in number are not even attempting serious teacher education but are essentially selling degrees for a price. Regulatory efforts so far have neither been able to curb the malpractices in the system, nor enforce basic standards for quality, and in fact have had the negative effect of curbing the growth of excellence and innovation in the sector. The sector and its regulatory system are, therefore, in urgent need of revitalisation.

The ASER report must inspire individuals and institutions to ensure speedy, accurate and correct reforms are put in place. The neglect of practical work in schools and even in vocational training centres including polytechnics and engineering colleges is a cause of concern. This has already been established by the closure of hundreds of engineering and management institutions, but not much effective improvement is visible at the ground level. And this is just not acceptable in a vibrant responsive system.

(Professor Rajput works in education, social cohesion and religious amity. Views expressed are personal)
Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra on Monday travelled to Bhutan on a three-day trip, in the first high-level visit from New Delhi after formation of a new government under Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Tshering Tobgay.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the foreign secretary is on an official visit to Bhutan from January 29 to 31. Foreign Secretary Kwatra will receive an audience with His Majesty, the King. He will also call on the prime minister, foreign minister and meet with foreign secretary of Bhutan and other senior officials of the Royal Government, MEA said in a brief statement. The visit is in keeping with the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between Bhutan and India, it added.

Tobgay assumed charge as the prime minister of Bhutan on Sunday following the PDPs victory in the elections earlier this month. Kwatras visit comes against the backdrop of China and Bhutan looking at an expeditious resolution of their festering boundary row that could have implications for Indias security interests. Close to three months back, Bhutans then Foreign Minister Tandi Dorji held talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Beijing.

A Chinese readout on the talks said Bhutan firmly abides by the one-China principle and stands ready to work with China for an early settlement of the boundary issue and advance the political process of establishing diplomatic relations.

New Delhi has been keeping a close eye on the negotiations between Bhutan and China on their boundary row as it could have implications for New Delhis security interests, especially in the Doklam tri-junction.
India and Oman will review the entire spectrum of their bilateral defence ties during Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramanes two-day visit there starting Tuesday. He will co-chair the 12th Joint Military Cooperation Committee meeting with Secretary General, Ministry of Defence, Oman Dr Mohammed bin Naseer bin Ali Al-Zaabi.

Giving details about the Defence Secretarys schedule here on Monday, defence ministry officials said during the bilateral talks, Aramane will review defence cooperation between the two countries and explore new initiatives like industry collaboration to further strengthen bilateral engagements. The two leaders will also exchange views on regional and global issues of shared interest.

The visit will further consolidate defence cooperation and strategic partnership between the two countries spanning every sphere of military collaboration, such as bilateral exercises, staff talks, training as well as new and emerging areas

India and Oman have a robust and multifaceted relationship which has expanded into several strategic areas, including defence and security. Both the countries are committed to work under the vision of strategic partnership. The two countries have a common interest in peace and prosperity of the entire region.
by Akim Reinahrdt

Time slips

past us, fast flow,

like a river rushing over gray stones

Time drips

slower than slow

like thick sap hanging from pine cones

Im not sure time is real. I mean, things happen. Entropy and whatnot. But I dont know if I accept that measuring the pace of happenings is anything more than a construct.

Dont get me wrong. I know the world is round, or a close approximation thereof. Im down with the science. But physicists, as a group, arent united on what time is. Something about time being measured and malleable in relativity while assumed as background (and not an observable) in quantum mechanics.

So while we experience it as real, it may not be fundamentally real.

And thats kinda how it feels to me.

I remember my 6th grade English teacher, Mrs. Newman (Ms. was not to her liking), telling us that the older you get, the faster time goes by. Im not sure why, but that idea immediately clung to me. Though I was only 11 years old, or perhaps in part because of it, I got what she was saying. And I believed her. After all, she had lived four or five or six times (who could tell) as long as I had. So even though what she was describing sounded like a cliche passed on from generation to generation, I assumed her own experiences had borne it out. During the four and a half decades since, I have always remembered her words and noticed that, in a general sense, she was absolutely correct. Back then, a summer was endless. Now, the years roll on like a spare tire picking up speed down a hill.

But that is a historical observation I make as I look back. My present, like everyone elses, stretches and squeezes like an accordion.

Sometimes the second hand ticks slowly, as when Im wrapped up in anticipation, or enduring monotony. Its a well known phenomenon that time will seem to slow down during intense, dangerous situations as your brain goes into overdrive and perceives things much more quickly.

Other situations can lead time to race. When Im having fun, particularly with others. When Im being creative, writing words or music. In these circumstances, time can melt. Ill look up and wonder where those three hours went; it felt like 15 minutes, a half-hour at the most.

These expansions and contractions of times pace are experiential phenomena familiar to all of us. Experiencing them reinforces my own intellectual suspicion that time is not real. It is not a thing we move through. It is that things are constantly happening, within our corpus and all around us, and we invent time to make sense of those happenings.

I was talking with a friend once. He is Scottish. We were bemoaning some of the kneejerk copyeditors wed encountered, mostly in the United States, who as a matter of dogma immediately uproot any passive voice they find in manuscripts. I have trouble with extremism in any form. So boring, so uncreative. And anyway, the passive voice wasnt conjured by evil wizards hellbent on corrupting the English language. It obviously exists for a reason, such as when you dont know the identity of the sentence subject; or the sentence object is more important than the subject; or youre just trying to write well and are tired of leading with the same subject over and over again.

But my friend didnt encounter High Priest of the Active Voice copy editors as often when he published in Great Britain, he told me. Why not, I asked.

Because Brits are just more comfortable with the fact that sometimes shit happens.

Shit is indeed happening all the time. Sometimes we intentionally manifest it. But I would guess that about 99.9999% of all shit happens not because of subject-directed agency, but because everything is shit, and the great morass of shit is forever happening.

We humans, though, we like to make sense of things. Even little kids will seek out patterns, delighting in rhymes and repetition, constructing order from the blocks scattered on the floor.

All that near-infinite shit, forever happening. We cant resist. There must be some logic to it, some discernible pattern, some picture amid the chaotic puzzle pieces.

Time grants us that. Much like God, perhaps, we create it, and in doing so, generate meaning and grant it to . . .

Just as I was about to finish the first draft of this essay, I was interrupted by the appearance of the mailman. It was mid-January and his blue uniform was complemented by a knit cap. I saw him through the glass patio door. Not mine, a friends whom Im visiting in California and who was in the back bedroom napping after teaching a six hour course. This essay must have a beginning and an ending, even if we do not. So I got up, retrieved the mail, and thanked him. He did not hear me. Earbuds. I laid the mail on the table and sat back down.

. . . the infinite and the unknowable.

Akim Reinhardts website is ThePublicProfessor.com
US will hit back: Biden on attack by Iran militia

Columbia: 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 northeast Jordan near the Syrian border. Biden blamed Iran-backed militias for the first US fatalities after months.

WHO warns against tobacco industry marketing tactics

New Delhi: The WHO has cautioned its member nations to be vigilant against the tobacco industrys attempts to influence health policies through financial and in-kind incentives.
Ahead of the Budget Session, the Centre has called a meeting of floor leaders of different parties in Parliament on Tuesday. Sources in different political parties said that the all-party meeting is likely to witness acrimonious scenes, as the Opposition, which stood as the INDIA Bloc itself, is divided.

For the last few sessions, they together posed vehement protests both in the Government-convened meetings of all parties and in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

The last session saw the suspension of over 150 sitting Parliamentarians, and the issues are set to resonate in the meeting scheduled for Tuesday. The session will begin with President Droupadi Murmus address to both Houses, marking the Presidents first address in the new Parliament.

The new Parliament has already observed two sessions  the Special Session in September 2022 when the new building was inaugurated and the Winter Session. Ideally, the Opposition parties would also convene a separate meeting to strategise, but this time, due to a changed equation in Bihar and West Bengal, the Congress largest allies and partners in the strategy against the government have changed tracks.

It is a customary practice ahead of every session for leaders of different parties to highlight the issues they want to raise in Parliament, and the government offers them a glimpse into its agenda while seeking their cooperation.
A swift response by an Indian Navy warship ensured the safe release of all 17 crew members onboard an Iranian-flagged fishing vessel hijacked by pirates, Navy officials said here on Monday. The incident took place 700 nautical miles west of Kochi in the Arabian Sea.

Giving details here, they said the Indian warship INS Sumitra was mission-deployed along the east coast of Somalia and responded immediately to the distress call after the fishing vessel was boarded by some pirates.

INS Sumitra, on anti-piracy operations along the East Coast of Somalia and the Gulf of Aden, responded to a distress message regarding the hijacking of an Iranian-flagged Fishing Vessel, Iman. The vessel had been boarded by pirates, and the crew was taken as hostages, Navy spokesperson Commander Vivek Madhwal said.

INS Sumitra intercepted the vessel and acted in accordance with the established Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) to coerce the pirates for the safe release of the crew along with the boat, he said.

It ensured the successful release of all 17 crew members and the boat, the spokesperson said. The vessel was subsequently sanitised and released for onward transit.

Mission-deployed Indian naval ships on anti-piracy and maritime security operations in the Indian Ocean region symbolize the Indian Navys resolve towards the safety of all vessels and seafarers at sea, Madhwal said.

The Red Sea and parts of the Arabian Sea have, in the past few weeks, witnessed some drone and pirate attacks on merchant vessels. The Indian Navy has stepped up surveillance in the troubled region substantially and deployed task groups consisting of around 10 warships in the face of the recent attacks on India-bound merchant vessels.

Recently, Iran-backed Yemens Houthi militia has been targeting commercial shipping in the Red Sea with missiles and drones after the Israel-Hamas conflict began on October 7.

The Houthi rebels declared their support for Hamas. Several shipping companies have suspended their operations in the Red Sea following the attacks, which have forced mariners to change course and take longer routes around the southern tip of Africa.

On Saturday last, Indias guided missile destroyer INS Visakhapatnam responded to a distress call made by a merchant vessel that caught fire after a missile attack reportedly by the Houthis in the Gulf of Aden, with the incident putting the spotlight on the worsening security situation in one of the worlds busiest shipping routes.

The Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker MV Marlin Luanda was struck by the Houthi rebels on Friday. The vessels crew included 22 Indians and one Bangladeshi.

Another Marshall Islands-flagged merchant vessel, which was recently attacked by a drone in the Gulf of Aden, docked at the Tuticorin port in Tamil Nadu on Friday after the Indian Navys explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) specialists undertook a thorough examination of the ship and declared it safe for port entry.

On January 18, INS Visakhapatnam responded to a distress call made by MV Genco Picardy after it was attacked. It was carrying a crew of 22, including nine Indians.

The Indian Navy has deployed task groups consisting of around 10 warships in the face of the recent attacks on India-bound merchant vessels, including MV Chem Pluto and MV Saibaba in December.
The main Opposition MDP, which holds a majority in the Maldivian Parliament, is planning to submit a motion to impeach President Mohamed Muizzu, according to media reports on Monday.

The development comes a day after clashes broke out in Parliament on Sunday between pro-Government MPs and Opposition lawmakers over differences over the approval of four members of the pro-China Presidents Cabinet.

After the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and The Democrats parliamentary group decided to withhold parliamentary approval for four members of President Muizzus Cabinet ahead of the voting, the pro-Government MPs from the ruling party Progressive Party of Maldives and Peoples National Congress (PPM/PNC) coalition initiated a protest, obstructing the parliamentary sitting.

The MDP, in partnership with the Democrats, have gathered enough signatures for an impeachment motion. However, they have yet to submit it, sun.com said, quoting a lawmaker from the MDP. The decision to submit an impeachment motion was taken unanimously in the parliamentary group meeting of the MDP held on Monday, the edition.mv reported.

Muizzu, 45, defeated India-friendly incumbent Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in the presidential runoff held in September last year.

Soon after taking oath as the President of Maldives on November 17, Muizzu formally requested India to withdraw 88 military personnel from his country by March 15, saying the Maldivian people have given him a strong mandate to make this request to New Delhi.

The Parliament, which has 87 members, had recently amended its standing orders to make it easier to submit an impeachment motion. The MDP and Democrats, together, have 56 MPs between them; 43 MPs from MDP, and 13 from Democrats.
Encouraged by the success of its pilot project on apple cultivation in Mizoram, a first in the Northeastern States, scientists from the countrys top research agency, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), have devised an ambitious plan to expand the cultivation of high-revenue, low-chilling fruit crops in the region, aiming to boost the income of local communities.

This initiative also means that locals wont have to import the fruit from other States, thereby reducing carbon footprints through transportation, as highlighted by Dr Rakesh Kumar, Senior Principal Scientist from CSIRs Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (IHBT) in Palampur. IHBT has been tasked with spearheading apple cultivation in the region.

Dr Rakesh Kumar reflected on the success, stating, Our experiment, involving the planting of the low-chilling apple variety in 2022, has yielded positive results.

While this has encouraged scientists like him to take more such initiatives, locals also seem to be enthusiastic about apple cultivation, considering these crops as a cornerstone of sustainable agriculture and a response to the threats posed by climate change.

We have identified some potential locations for cultivation in this North-eastern State. To implement these interventions/ technologies, CSIR-IHBT has collaborated with Mizoram Science Technology and Innovation Council in Aizawl (MISTIC), Mizoram, and the College of Horticulture in Thenzawl, Mizoram (CAU, Manipur), added Er Mohit Sharma, a Chemical Engineer and Principal Scientist who is part of the team for Mizoram initiatives.

Earlier this month, our team visited Mizoram to monitor the growth of aromatic plants and low-chilling varieties of apples, conducting training programmes in various locations, including the College of Horticulture, as mentioned by Dr Rakesh Kumar.

He explained that the region has the potential to produce low-chilling apple types such as Anna, Dorset Golden, Sun Fuji, and others, as these varieties do not require additional and very cold temperatures to flourish.

Unlike traditional apple varieties, like those grown in Kashmir, which require about a thousand to fifteen hundred hours of chilling, the ones we have introduced in the North East require just about three hundred to five hundred hours of chilling, explained the scientist.

Meanwhile, Dr Sudesh Kumar Yadav, Director of CSIR-IHBT in Palampur, added that apple cultivation is one of the three projects sanctioned to them by the Department of Biotechnology under the Inter-Institutional Programme to support the development and sustainable utilisation of bioresources in Mizoram. We are also involved in the promotion of Shiitake and Oyster mushroom cultivation, as well as high-value aromatic crops, in addition to cultivating low-chilling varieties of apples.

In villages like Khanpui in the Aizawl district, scientists are directly engaging with local apple farmers, assisted by the senior scientific officer of MISTIC, Dr Davy Lalruatliana.

Through immersive training sessions, farmers are gaining crucial insights into apple cultivation, pruning techniques, training methods, nutrient management, and the meticulous creation of irrigation basins and pits.

This strategic initiative aims to equip farmers with the latest knowledge and skills necessary for successful low-chilling apple cultivation, informed the scientist.
A 103-year-old man in the State capital became a news after he decided to marry for the third time to cope up with with loneliness. The centanarian is a resident of Bhopal and also took part in Indias freedom struggle.

A video of the old man surfaced on Saturday showing that he was taking his 49-year-old wife home in an auto rickshaw after marriage. He was seen happily accepting the congratulations of the people who gathered near the venue for his marriage.

It was later revealed that the video is of freedom fighter Habib Nazar living in Itwara, Bhopal. People in the area also know him as Manjhale Bhai or middle brother. The video is from a year ago when he married Firoz Jahan in 2023.

Talking to media media persons while going along with his wife, Nazar told the reason for marrying at this age, while his third wife Firoz Jahan also justified the decision.

He said, I am 103-years-old and my wife's age is 50 years. I did this marriage last year in 2023. My first marriage took place in Nashik 50 years ago. After the death of my wife, the second marriage took place in Lucknow. She also left this world about one and a half years before my third marriage.

After his second wifes death, Nazar started feeling alone. There was no one to serve me. For this reason I thought of marriage. Meanwhile, from somewhere we came to know about Firoz Jahan. She also agreed, so we decided to get married and live together.

Talking about the days Indian freedom struggle, Nazar said that Mahatma Gandhi was a huge figure in those days and he went to see Gandhi after his father lent him Rs 17.
The Sasakawa-India Leprosy Foundation (S-ILF) proudly organised its 11th Youth Festival on Monday, at the Oriental Institute of Science and Technologies, Bhopal. This vibrant event brought together 160 students from 30 colleges across India, creating a platform for cultural exchange, celebration, and awareness.

The unique aspect of the festival was the participation of students from diverse backgrounds. Half of the attendees hailed from Leprosy colonies, youth whom S-ILF supports through scholarships for professional courses, and the other half came from various colleges where S-ILF conducts sensitisation workshops on Leprosy.

The foundation's commitment to inclusivity and education shone through as students from different walks of life united under the banner of the Youth Festival.Esteemed personalities graced the event to recognize and encourage the young talents.

Tarun Das, Former Director General, CII, and Chairman of S-ILF; S Mahalingam, Former Chief Financial Officer (CFO) & Executive Director, Tata Consultancy Services; and Mr. Praveen Thakral, Chairman, Oriental Group, presented awards to the winners and runners-up, inspiring the next generation of leaders.The four-day cultural extravaganza, held from January 26 to 29, 2024, showcased the rich heritage of India through folk dances and theatre performances that carried poignant social messages. The Oriental Institute of Science and Technologies provided the perfect backdrop for this celebration of diversity and talent.

The grand finale, witnessed by an audience of around 900, comprised dignitaries from the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Young Indians (YI), individuals from Leprosy colonies, as well as faculty and students of OIST. The festival succeeded in fostering an environment of unity, understanding, and cultural appreciation.

Tarun Das, Chairman of S-ILF, expressed his thoughts on the event, stating, "The Youth Festival is a testament to the power of inclusivity and education. S-ILF's efforts to support students from Leprosy colonies and raise awareness in educational institutions are commendable.

This festival is not just a celebration of talent but a step towards a more compassionate and understanding society."Sasakawa-India Leprosy Foundation continues to make strides in breaking barriers and promoting inclusivity through events like the Youth Festival. By providing opportunities and education, the foundation is actively working towards a society where everyone, regardless of their background, can thrive and contribute meaningfully.
Even as the Congress is smarting from the paltry 11 Lok Sabha seats spared for it by the Samajwadi Party, the constituencies from where the first family of the main opposition party in Uttar Pradesh headed by Akhilesh Yadav would contest have been finalised. The members of the SP first family have also started campaigning in their respective constituencies.

The Congress, however, maintains that the seat-sharing talks are still on.

Akhilesh Yadav is all set to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from Kannauj, a party bastion. His wife, Dimple Yadav, had lost this seat to Bharatiya Janata Party by a narrow margin of 12,353 votes in 2019. The SP had won the Kannauj Lok Sabha seat in five consecutive polls between 1998 and 2014. In the 2004 and 2009 Lok Sabha polls, Akhilesh had contested and won from Kannauj. He first won the seat in a bypoll in 2000. Presently he is the sitting MLA from Karhal, which falls in the Mainpuri Lok Sabha constituency, another SP stronghold.

Social equations are favourable for the SP in Kannauj with the presence of around four lakh Muslim and three lakh Yadav voters. Other castes and communities too like the leadership of Akhileshji. He will contest from Kannauj. In the past, Akhileshs father and party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav too was elected from Kannauj, said SP spokesman Rajendra Chaudhary.

Dimple Yadav, who was elected as MP from Mainpuri in a bypoll in 2022 after Mulayam Sing Yadavs death, will contest from the same seat in the coming general elections to retain the legacy of her father-in-law.

Akhilesh Yadavs uncle and party general secretary Shivpal Singh Yadav is likely to contest from Azamgarh, from where Akhilesh was elected in 2019, though the party lost the seat to the BJP in the 2022 bypoll.

The SP had lost the Azamgarh seat in 2022 when Akhileshs cousin Dharmendra Yadav was defeated by BJPs Dinesh Lal Yadav, a Yadav face and Bhojpuri actor popularly known as Nirahua. Sources in the SP said it was necessary to field a member from the Yadav family to retain the hold on the Yadav community.

Dharmendra, who had lost the 2022 Azamgarh bypoll, will contest from Budaun. He had won the seat in 2009 and 2014, but lost to BJPs Sanghmitra Maurya in 2019 by a small margin of 18,454 votes.

Akshay Yadav, another cousin of Akhilesh Yadav, is preparing to contest again from Firozabad, from where he had won in 2014 but was defeated in 2019. Akshay is the son of party secretary general and Rajya Sabha member Ram Gopal Yadav.

In 2019, Shivpal Yadav had played a role in Akshays defeat. Contesting as a candidate of his own outfit, the Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party (Lohia), Shivpal had garnered 91,869 votes in Firozabad, where the margin between the BJP winner Chandra Sen Jadon and runner-up Akshay was only 28,781 votes. Shivpal is now back in the SP fold.

SP spokesperson Rajendra Chaudhary said, An understanding has been made on these seats. But announcement of seats of party leaders as candidates will be made only after finalisation of candidates for all the seats
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said on Sunday that it is an honour for the entire Kanwar community that their son is the Chief Minister.

Sai, who hails from the Kanwar community, said: I thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for entrusting such a huge responsibility to a small worker of the community.

I have come here to seek blessings and cooperation to fulfill the trust the people of the state have placed on me.

Sai praised famous tribal personalities including former Deputy Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Pyarelal Kanwar and Gahira Guru.

He added that there will be no meddling in the future of youths.

The investigation into the Chhattisgarh PSC scam has been handed over to the CBI, he added.

He was addressing a felicitation programme of the Kanwar community in Raipur.

The Kanwar community bestowed Kanwar Gaurav on Sai. He announced an assistance of Rs. 50 lakh for the expansion of the Kanwar community building.

He also released the Kanwar Annual Calendar 2024 and the social magazine Harihar Madwa, Part 2. Youths who have made contributions in education, health and culture as well as to the upliftment of the Kanwar community were honoured.
Foot tapping tunes played by military and paramilitary bands during Beating Ceremony enthralled the audience at Vijay Chowk. From massed band's 'Shankhnaad' to Navy's lilting 'Mission Chandrayaan', mellifluous tunes reverberated across the Raisina Hills in the heart of Delhi as India's rich heritage and towering accomplishments were celebrated during the Beating Retreat ceremony on Monday.

President Droupadi Murmu, supreme commander of the armed forces arrived at the venue in the traditional buggy. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, several union ministers, Chief of Defence Staff(CDS)General Anil Chauhan, three Service chiefs and general public attended the ceremony where the bands played 31 Indian tunes. Beating Ceremony marks the end of Republic Day celebrations. With sunshine in the daytime, the temperature was bearable during the event which started around 5:15 PM.

President Murmu arrived at the venue in the traditional 'buggy', adding to the old-world charm of the ceremony that traces its origins to the early 1950s.

The splendid ceremony began with the massed band's 'Shankhnaad' setting the tone for the event as the sound of captivating and foot-tapping Indian tunes played by military and paramilitary bands filled the air over the majestic Raisina Hills with the grand Rashtrapati Bhavan as its centrepiece.

This was followed by tunes belted out by pipes and drums bands such as 'Veer Bharat', 'Sangam Dur', 'Kesariya Bana' and 'Deshon ka Sartaj Bharat'. They also made formations of 'Chakravyuh' and 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam'. The CAPF bands played 'Bharat Ke Jawan' and 'Vijay Bharat' among other tunes.

The spectators, consisting of both young and old people, cheered as the bands performed, and many also chanted 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' at the end of the ceremony. The Indian Air Force (IAF) band then regaled the audience with tunes such as 'Swadeshi', 'Rejoice in Raisina' and 'Tiger Hill'.

The IAF band members made formations such as 'diamond brigade', 'diamond', 'Apache' much to the delight of the crowd. Some of the members carried instruments decorated with lights which at times glowed in tricolour theme. Tunes of classic 'Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram' touched an immediate chord with the audience.

The crowd was then treated to rich tunes played by the Indian Navy band such as 'INS Vikrant', 'Ekla Chalo Re', 'Samudra Darshak', 'Mission Chandrayaan', 'Jai Bharati' and 'Hum Tayyar Hain'. 'Mission Chandrayaan' was an ode to India's successful lunar mission last year, and they also played in 'Vikram Lander' formation. This was followed by the Indian Army band playing 'Faulad Ka Jigar', 'Agniveer', 'Kargil 1999' and 'Taqat Watan' among other tunes.

The 'Agranee Bharat' tune led by a flautist was heart-touching, and another tune that followed also enthralled the crowd. Some of the members of this band also carried instruments which were decorated with lights, and the band which arrived at Vijay Chowk in multiple 'Arrow' formations, also made a formation on 'Army's insignia', 'Bharat' (in Hindi), and one marking the victory in 1999 Kargil war.

They followed it up with 'Agniveer; and 'Kargil 1999' tunes. The massed bands then played the tunes 'Kadam Kadam Badhaye Ja', 'Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon' and 'Drummers Call'

The event came to a close with the ever-popular tune of 'Sare Jahan se Acha' as dusk made way to the inky night sky while the Raisina Hills complex dazzled with lights of vibrant colours. The President returned to Rashtrapati Bhavan in the traditional 'buggy', which made a comeback on the Kartavya Path during this Republic Day parade, after a gap of 40 years. The principal conductor of the Beating Retreat ceremony on Monday was Lt Col Vimal Joshi.

The Beating Retreat ceremony 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.

It marks a centuries-old military tradition, when the troops ceased fighting, sheathed their arms, withdrew from the battlefield and returned to the camps at sunset at the sounding of the retreat. Colours and Standards are cased and flags are lowered. The ceremony creates nostalgia for the times gone by.
The world in photos: Jan 22  28

Chinadaily.com.cn) 11:09, January 29, 2024

Divers perform an underwater dragon dance to celebrate the upcoming Lunar New Year at the S.E.A. Aquarium in Singapore, on Jan 25, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

This photo on Jan 24, 2024, shows the Parliament of the Republic of Nauru. China and Nauru signed a joint communique in Beijing Wednesday on the resumption of diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level. [Photo/Xinhua]

Voters cast their ballots at a voting station in the New Hampshire primary election in Manchester, New Hampshire, the United States on Jan 23, 2024. Former US president Donald Trump has defeated former US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley in the New Hampshire Republican primary, multiple US media organizations reported on Tuesday night. [Photo/Xinhua]

A child interacts with a digital art installation during the "Dream Tomorrow Today" exhibition in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, on Jan 26, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

A police vehicle is seen on duty near the crash site of a military transport aircraft in the Russian city of Belgorod on the Ukrainian border, on Jan 25, 2024. The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed Wednesday that Ukraine launched two missiles at the Il-76 military transport aircraft, killing all 74 people on board. [Photo/Xinhua]

Tourists ride camels at the Giza Pyramids scenic spot in Giza, Egypt, on Jan 24, 2024. Egypt received a record number of 14.9 million tourists in 2023, beating the previous 14.7 million in 2010, Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities reported in a statement on Jan 22. [Photo/Xinhua]

A Palestinian child is seen in the rubble in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on Jan 27, 2024. The Palestinian death toll from the ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 26,422 since its outbreak on Oct 7, 2023, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said Sunday. The Israeli army has killed 165 Palestinians and wounded 290 others over the past 24 hours, the ministry said in a press statement. It added that the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict has wounded at least 65,087 Palestinians, noting that a large number of victims were still under the rubble as ambulance and civil defense crews could not reach them. [Photo/Xinhua]

This photo taken on Jan 27, 2024, shows a wall containing name blocks at an Old Jewish Cemetery on Battonnstrasse in Frankfurt, Germany. In 2005, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolutionthat designated Jan 27 as the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust, the day when the Auschwitz death camp was liberated in 1945. The walls of Old Jewish Cemeteries contain small steel blocks recording the names of Frankfurt's Jews deported and murdered between 1933 and 1945. [Photo/Xinhua]

Moroccan dancers interact with lion dance performers during a cultural event in Rabat, Morocco, Jan 22, 2024. A cultural event kicked off here on Jan 22 to celebrate the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year of the Dragon. [Photo/Xinhua]

French farmers occupy and block the A1 motorway between Lille and Paris, during a demonstration in Lesquin, northern France, Jan 25, 2024. French farmers have been staging demonstrations nationwide to protest low wages and what they see as excessive regulation, rising costs and other problems. [Photo/Xinhua]

Photo taken on Jan 26, 2024, shows the fourth round of the Universal Periodic Review conducted by the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland. The recommendations made to China were adopted here Friday by the 45th session of the UN Human Rights Council's Universal Periodic Review Working Group. [Photo/Xinhua]

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
by Jeroen Bouterse

Several years before C.P. Snow gave his famous lecture on the two cultures, the American physicist I.I. Rabi wrote about the problem of the disunity between the sciences and the humanities. How can we hope, he asked, to obtain wisdom, the wisdom which is meaningful in our own time? We certainly cannot attain it as long as the two great branches of human knowledge, the sciences and the humanities, remain separate and even warring disciplines.[1]

Rabi had been interested in science since his teenage years, and grown up to be a Nobel-prize winning physicist. He had also been an important player in the Allied technological effort during World War II, as associate director of the Rad Lab: the radiation laboratory at MIT that developed radar technology. The success of Rad Lab, Rabi later reflected, had not been a result of a great amount of theoretical knowledge, but of the energy, vitality, and self-confidence of its participants.[2] In general, Rabis views on science and technology were somewhat Baconian: science should be open to the unexpected, rather than insisting on staying in the orbit of the familiar.[3]

A moralist instead of a physicist

In Rabis accounts of his time leading Rad Lab, he would also emphasize the way in which he insisted on being let in on military information. We are not your technicians, he quoted himself, adding: a military man who wants the help of scientists and tells them half a story is like a man who goes to a doctor and conceals half the symptoms.[4] Indeed, the key to understanding Rabis worries about the two cultures  he would go on to embrace Snows term  is his view of the role science ought to play in public life. Scientists should not just be external consultants,[5] delivering inventions or discoveries on demand or listing the options available to the non-specialist.[6] In some stronger sense, they should be involved in directing policy decisions.

Even more than Rabis positive experience with the military during the war, his views were informed by his frustration with the lack of agency scientific experts were able to exercise in the immediate aftermath. Already in 1946, he complained in a lecture that scientists had been used to create the atom bomb, but they had not been consulted about its use, and the fact that many of them had been opposed to it had made no difference. To the politician, the scientist is like a trained monkey who goes up to the coconut tree to bring down choice coconuts.[7]

This feeling would increase with the decision to develop a hydrogen bomb. In 1949, Rabi was one of eight experts in the General Advisory Committee (GAC) to the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), in which capacity he co-signed a unanimous report arguing that the Super should not be built. (Rabi, together with Fermi, signed a minority opinion to the effect that the US should first get the USSR to pledge that it would not seek to develop an H-bomb.[8]) Rather than signaling to the world that he sought to avoid an arms race, however, President Truman did the opposite: without knowing that it was even possible, he announced publicly that the US would continue its work on all forms of atomic weapons, including the so-called hydrogen or super-bomb. Rabi would never forgive Truman.[9]

The opinions of the scientists could and should have carried more weight. We just wrote our report and then went home, and left the field to the others, Rabi reflected later. That was a mistake. If we hadnt done that, history might have been different.[10] About Truman, he said that he simply did not understand what it was about  He didnt have his scientific people to consult and give him an impartial picture.[11]

What was it that Truman didnt understand, though? Of course, there were judgments to be made as to whether the program would succeed, and as to whether the Soviet Union could develop the H-bomb if the US didnt. However, the GAC report to the AEC focused mostly on the scale of destruction the H-bomb would deliver. It argued that bringing such destructive power in the world would be bad, and that it would have a negative effect upon the standing of the US in the world. One would think that all of these considerations were understandable to Truman. It is clear why Rabi believed the President made a foolish decision; it is not so clear why he thought this decision rested on a misapprehension of the science.

However, in the context of Rabis broader thinking about science in modern culture, as he came to develop and express it in the decades after the war, this judgment makes a lot of sense. The point was not just that more technical expertise needed to be brought to the decision tables; the point was that scientists should make their moral views heard. In the atomic age, where science created so much power, sciences representatives should wield some of that power. From the perspective of the scientists, this was because the atom bomb had demonstrated beyond doubt that science was not a disinterested search for objective truth; it had consequences, and scientists should accept responsibility for those consequences.[12] They should consider not just the means, but the goals.

That implied they had something to say about goals, and indeed, they had. Commenting on President Eisenhowers appointment of a Commission on National Goals, Rabi said that such goals not the kind of thing you find by looking for them directly; goals are immanent in certain kinds of activity. Science was one such kind of activity. I am becoming a moralist instead of a physicist, Rabi admitted.[13]

You have been getting a good deal of that as scientists are drawn into public affairs. Instead of being coldly expert, they become moralist. They speak of values; they define goals. Indeed, they are the opposite of the popular image of the scientist as cold, keen, and aloof, insensitive to feeling and to the color and tragedy of the human condition.

Scientists were able to bring their own perspectives to questions of value, because science was all about caring about truth and understanding, about finding meaning. Rabi came to write ever-more emphatically about the existence of a scientific culture, defined by its optimism in accepting the challenge of an external world that was not understood yet, but might be understood better.[14] He believed that it would be good if this culture would come to be at the center of culture broadly speaking. If some of the customs and tradition of science could be transferred to the halls of our Congress or the United Nations, how beautiful life could become.[15]

They want to be told what to do

It is in this context that we can understand Rabis worries about the two cultures of the sciences and humanities. A television interview with historian and presenter Eric Goldman illustrates the connection:[16]

GOLDMAN: Let me bring up here what troubles so many people, as you well know, namely, the feeling that science as a discipline is essentially a discipline without values, and that the great public questions are essentially questions of values.

RABI: I think that point of view is entirely mistaken. [ I]t seems to me that science is completely full of values, important social and individual values. But they are of the human, universal kind, rather than local values.

GOLDMAN: Then in this present discussion among thoughtful Americans about the two cultures, the scientific and the humanistic cultures, you do not see the chasm between them as being one in which science is a method and the humanities provide the values?

RABI: No.

A model where science was seen in merely instrumental terms, and something outside of science was supposed to deal with values, was flawed; it was the model of the scientist as a trained monkey. Rabi believed that science was a united tradition and a source of values, and that it had the potential to be at the center of culture. Other things would have to make room for it. If the humanities were being held up as a source of wisdom that taught us how to live in a world with the H-bomb, then there was a misunderstanding to clear up about where wisdom came from.[17]

On a different occasion, Goldman passed on to Rabi and to C.P. Snow a message from his own students. Goldmans students insisted that they needed something which will give us some values and would gladly leave science to the scientists. Rabi likened the desire of the students to that of Eisenhowers Commission on National Goals. He diagnosed: they have been so far out of tune with their age theyve missed the vigor of science and they want to be told what to do, because theyre lost in the world and because theyve missed the life-giving force which science has.[18]

In a sense, Rabi was being a good historicist here: values are not just out there waiting to be discovered by a committee or handed down by an especially insightful philosopher or poet. Rather, they are to be understood in terms of the conditions of the time. In the modern world, the values required were those immanent in the scientific tradition, for the simple reason that science was shaping the world. [T]o make a democracy work, we must first have democrats. Likewise, to control the tremendous thrust and surge to which science is subjecting our society, our whole culture must first be infected with, or sensitized to, the scientific spirit.[19] Our own times, different as they are from the past, are to be understood by their own lights. Saying that the humanities are the only source of values betrays a lack of self-confidence and faith in the greatness of the human spirit in contemporary man.[20]

Like science, the contribution of the humanities lies not just in what they discover, but is also immanent in their tradition; but this tradition is conditioned and limited by its subject, which means that the humanities cannot give us everything.[21] What they can give us, moreover, is already accessible to the scientist, whereas the contributions of the scientific culture are not available to the humanist. Rabi often expressed his respect for literature and art, but he could be very dismissive about humanistic scholarship. I would find it very difficult to name an important topic in the humanities which scientists couldnt make a stab at, he said in the TV discussion with Snow and Goldman.[22]

Listening attentively was the fourth discussant, the historian Reinhold Niebuhr. Niebuhr had just written a book titled The structure of nations and empires, explicitly meant to inject some historical sense into an age which saw itself as one of a kind, its challenges and conditions as unique. The book, a historical overview of the realities, rhetoric and ideology of empire, was an argument in favour of some measure of realism on the part of the US about its own status as a political hegemon and an imperial power. We are not a sanctified nation, Niebuhr wrote, and we must not assume that all our actions are dictated by considerations of disinterested justice.[23] The interplay between power and ethics was complex, and Niebuhr worried about the naivete of idealists who disregarded this complexity.[24] Idealism can itself be an instrument of power. This is something we can see clearly in the past, in the Gregorian reforms of the medieval Church for instance, and in that way the past carries lessons for the present, for any center of power which assumes that its disinterestedness is superior to all centers of historical power.[25] If we ignore these lessons and assume our own conditions and ideas to be unique, we miss something.

Niebuhr showed himself very skeptical of the possibility of radical breaks in the patterns of history. He dismissed the idea, for example, that democracy had put an end to the usual self-interested calculations that led to war or peace; at best, democracies were slower to make war, but also slower to make peace.[26] Similarly, he criticized those who believed that the same scientific procedures which were so efficacious in mastering natural forces would be equally effective in mastering the problems and perplexities of human history, and who argued that nuclear disarmament would be achievable as long as politicians left things to scientists.[27]

Snow and Rabi both represented, in their own way, the idea that there was indeed something qualitatively new about science. Something that was not limited to technological progress, but that had far-reaching cultural and (especially for Rabi) political relevance; there was some way in which it stood above history while being capable of informing it. For Snow, scientists had the future in their bones; for Rabi, the idea that nature is understandable represented an almost complete break with the past that needed to be given proper weight in the cultural and practical affairs of the world.[28]

In the tv discussion, Niebuhr decided to push back against the idea that scientists were especially forward-looking. This optimism was warranted in the physical sciences,[29] he said, and could be extended to the alleviation of global poverty (a major topic in Snows lecture on the two cultures) to the extent that this was a technical problem; but it did not translate well to the political realities of the Cold War. In the world of power, it was clear that human nature was recalcitrant and historical patterns were unwieldy. The methods of physics could not simply be transferred to the human scene.[30]

Rabis reflexive response was  But you have to do that. He followed it up, however, by a second thought: Yet you cant do it simply because political science doesnt solve political problems in the way that physics solves the problems of nature. He was, in fact, himself ambiguous about non-natural science. He did sometimes consider it as relevant expertise on which policy-makers should rely;[31] but he also saw the inclusion of social science in the Presidents Science Advisory Committee as a big mistake. It spelled the beginning of the end for an institution in which Rabi had been very invested: social scientists would have not have the same authority over self-confident senators that physicists had, and what the social scientists have to contribute to social questions wasnt fresh.[32]

A just and meaningful world

It is a soft law in two cultures discourse that precisely those who most bewail the chasm between science and the humanities end up deepening it. In Rabis case, the reason is that he believed in the two cultures; he believed there was something special about the culture and tradition of modern natural science that was a source of wisdom and strength, and that in many ways the project of the humanities was its opposite. Understanding of nature was progressive and forward-looking, was a matter of hope and optimism, while understanding of the human world was old, had already been achieved in ancient societies, and was more a matter of transmission than of innovation.[33] Historian of physics Michael Day notes that over time, Rabi talked less about merging the two traditions and more about putting science at the center of education.[34]

This required quite a far-going essentialism about science. It is tempting, as Niebuhr did, to deconstruct such claims of radical novelty or transcendence made on behalf of science. Easy to scoff at the suggestion that politics would magically change if only it were left to experts on radiation. To the extent that a more enlightened politics is possible, it seems arbitrary to say that such a politics must be informed primarily by the study of the natural world, and not by that of history or society.

In spite of this, I think Rabi saw correctly that picturing science and the humanities as opposing forces helped him to identify a real fault line in modern culture. The notion that science has to stay on one side of the fact-value-distinction, while the humanities are closer to the actual formation of values, was not a figment of his imagination, and it did stand in the way of his cultural ideals. While not quite the synthesis between the two sides that he sometimes claimed to aim for, the answer he gave  that neither science nor the humanities, nor committees discover values, but that values are immanent in activities, in ways of life; that the age of science came with the scientific way of life, with its own values, and that these values were potentially culture-defining  was compelling.

Rabi was not alone in his claim that scientific truth and the scientific adventure can set the standard for our contemporary striving for a just and meaningful world.[35] Many other intellectuals in the 1950s and 60s regarded the scientific ethos, or the norms embedded in scientific institutions, as a paradigm for a modern, free and democratic culture.[36] We saw Niebuhrs reservations already, and there has rightly been a lot of debate about whether science could carry this responsibility; but there remains something inspiring in Rabis vision of a common quest for knowledge and understanding, of people working together in activities that are both exciting and important, and of a society that takes those people and their projects not as resources to be exploited, but as models to be emulated.

***

[1] https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/1956/01/scientist-and-humanist-can-the-minds-meet/641287/

[2] I.I. Rabi, My life and times as a physicist. Claremont College, California (1960) p. 5-6.

[3] John S. Rigden, Rabi: scientist and citizen. Basic Books Inc, New York (1987) p. 118; see also Rabis worries about theoretical physics disconnecting from experiment and empiricism in Michael A. Day, The two cultures and the universal culture of science, Physics in perspective 6 (2004) 428-476: 444.

[4] Rabi, Science and public policy (1963) in: Rabi, Science: the center of culture. The World Publishing Company: New York (1970) p. 70.

[5] Science and public policy, p. 91.

[6] My life and times as a physicist, p. 6.

[7] Rabi, Approaches to the atomic age (1946) in: Science the center of culture, p. 139-140.

[8] https://www.atomicarchive.com/resources/documents/hydrogen/gac-report.html

[9] Ray Monk, Inside the center: the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer. Jonathan Cape: London (2012) p. 554.

[10] Rigden, Rabi, p. 208

[11] Quoted in Rigden, Rabi, p. 209.

[12] Rabi, The physicist and physics (1945) in: Science the center of culture, p. 25-26.

[13] Rabi, Science and the liberating arts (1962) in: Science the center of culture, p. 47.

[14] Rabi, Our underdeveloped culture (1963) in: Science the center of culture, p. 52-53.

[15] https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/1951/01/faith-in-science/639505/

[16] The Open Mind, Sunday, June 17, 1962. Transcript from Rabi Papers: Box 71, Folder 3 (Manuscript Division, Library of Congress, Washington DC). All references to the Rabi papers thanks to Michael A. Day, The two cultures and the universal culture of science, Physics in perspective 6 (2004) 428-476; and with thanks to the Library of Congress for the digital copies.

[17] https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/1956/01/scientist-and-humanist-can-the-minds-meet/641287/

[18] The Open Mind, Sunday, December 18, transcript Rabi Papers Box 70, Folder 12, p. 31 (comma added for readability).

[19] Rabi, Science and human goals (1964) in: Science the center of culture, p. 116.

[20] Rabi, Wisdom and science (1967) in: Science the center of culture, p. 32.

[21] Wisdom and science, p. 33.

[22] The open mind, Sunday, December 18, transcript p. 7.

[23] Reinhold Niebuhr, The structure of nations and empires: a study of the recurring patterns and problems of the political order in relation to the unique problems of the nuclear age. Charles Scribners Sons: New York (1959) p. 31.

[24] Niebuhr, Nations and empires, 79.

[25] Niebuhr, Nations and empires, 114.

[26] Niebuhr, Nations and empires, 197.

[27] Niebuhr, Nations and empires, 274-275.

[28] https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/1956/01/scientist-and-humanist-can-the-minds-meet/641287/

[29] The open mind, Sunday, December 18, Transcript p. 8-9

[30] The open mind, Sunday, December 18, Transcript p. 13

[31] Rabi, Science and the liberating arts (1962) in: Science the center of culture, p. 49.

[32] Quoted in Rigden, Rabi, p. 252-253.

[33] Rabi, Science for nonscientists (1968) in: Science the center of culture, p. 134.

[34] Michael A. Day, Oppenheimer and Rabi: American Cold War physicists as public intellectuals in: Rosemary B. Mariner, G. Kurt Piehler ed., The atomic bomb and American society. The University of Tennessee Press (2009) 307-328: 330.

[35] Rabi, Science and the liberating arts (1962) in: Science the center of culture, p. 47.

[36] See David A. Hollinger, Science, Jews, and secular culture: studies in mid-twentieth century American intellectual history. Princeton University Press (1996).
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and his Rajasthan counterpart Bhajanlal Sharma on Sunday called on Union Home Minister Amit Shah here and discussed various issues regarding their respective states.

Yadav and Sharma took charge as chief ministers of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, respectively, in December.

'There was a meeting with the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Shri Dr Mohan Yadav ji today. A meaningful discussion took place on various issues related to the development and good governance of the state,' Shah said in Hindi in a post on X.

The home minister said the Rajasthan chief minister also met him.

'Taking forward the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, Bhajan Lal ji is doing positive work towards freeing Rajasthan from the misrule of the Congress and moving it towards a new path of progress,' Shah said in another post in Hindi.

'I am confident that under his leadership, Rajasthan will witness all-round development,' he added.
City buses have started running again on the Bhopal-Mandideep route. A total of 45 buses have been approved for operation. About 30 of these buses are running, but private operators are creating obstacles in it. They are forcefully deboarding passengers from city buses. Videos of 3 such cases have surfaced in two days. In this, they are seen abusing the driver-conductor and threatening to kill them while forcefully alighting the passengers.

Bhopal City Link Limited (BCLL) has also taken cognizance of the matters and complained to the police. Let us tell you that after the order of the High Court about 3 months ago, BCLL had stopped operating buses from Bhopal to Mandideep and Bilkisganj, which are within a radius of 25 kilometers outside the Municipal Corporation limits. Of these, service to Mandideep has been resumed. One of the two bus operators started operating buses on January 25 and the other on January 26.

A total of 45 buses have got permission to go from TR4 B Gandhinagar to Mandideep and TR4 from Chirayu Hospital to Mandideep (Satlapur/Simrai). For this, additional amount has been deposited by two bus operators to the Transport Department. Private bus operators have started controversies over operating buses. Passengers are getting scared as the drivers and conductors are threatening the drivers in the buses.

Complaint in Mandideep police station

BCLL has also filed a complaint in Mandideep police station. Officials said that in Mandideep and before that, private bus operators are not even allowing city buses to stand at the stops. At the same time, the buses are stopped on the way and the passengers are dropped off.

High Court had given this order

About three months ago, the Jabalpur High Court had given its decision not to operate the city (metro) buses operated under the Amrit Yojana outside the municipal limits.

The High Court had canceled the order of the state government, in which permission was given to operate city buses within a radius of 25 kilometers outside the municipal limits.

The court had said in its order that the scheme under which the said order was issued has not been gazetted.

Gazette notification of the scheme is necessary under Section 99 of the Motor Vehicle Act. The High Court had issued orders to all the municipal corporations including Bhopal, Indore, Gwalior, Jabalpur, where city buses operate.

After this, city buses were stopped in Bhopal also. However, after depositing the additional tax, buses have been started again for Mandideep.

On the other hand, the process is also being done to issue notifications at the department level.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav today paid a courtesy visit to Union Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Textiles Minister Piyush Goyal in Delhi on Monday and discussed with him issues related to his ministries.

During the meeting, topics like PM Mitra Park in Dhar, organization of Saree Walkathon, training proposal under National Technical Textile Mission, training of tribal women under Mukhyamantri Sikho Kamao Yojana and Rabi procurement were discussed.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav informed that the state government has completed the formalities like making a special purpose vehicle and transferring land for the PM Mitra Park in Dhar. PM Mitra Park is ready for Bhoomi Pujan by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav urged Union Minister Goyal to extend support in organizing Saree Walkathon in the state for promotion of Chanderi, Maheshwari and Bagh prints. The Union Minister assured all possible assistance from the Textiles Ministry to the state government for organizing the Saree Walkathon. To make the Saree Walkathon successful, the Union Minister suggested involving local celebrities, local RJs and social media influencers.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav presented the outline of the training proposals under the National Technical Textile Mission before the Union Minister. He said that Mukhyamantri Sikho Kamao Yojana is also being run in the state in which the youth of the state are being given training along with stipend. Chief Minister Yadav requested to register various textile mills under the scheme so that benefits can be provided to the women of tribal areas. Union Minister Goyal instructed the officials of the Ministry to prepare a database of textile mills. He said that by linking the state's Sikho Kamao scheme with the Central Government's Samarth scheme, womens' self-help groups in the tribal areas can be immensely benefit.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav also had a detailed discussion with Goyal regarding Rabi procurement. He said that arrival of wheat will start in the mandis of the state and registration of farmers will be started for procurement.

Union Minister Goyal said that farmers will get minimum support price at all cost. No farmer will be deprived of procurement at minimum support price and priority should be given to procurement from small and marginal farmers and forest land title holders. He instructed the concerning officials to open procurement centers within a week to procure maximum wheat by the Food Corporation of India.
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Monday handed over his house, located in the village of Baniyani, Rohtak district to the community for social work. During his journey from Rohtak to Bhiwani, the Chief Minister made a stop at his ancestral village of Baniyani, where the villagers warmly received him. It was during this visit that he expressed his intention to donate his home to the village for social welfare initiatives. The villagers enthusiastically embraced the Chief Minister's proposal, expressing their support through resounding applause and slogans.



Khattar expressed his deep sentiment towards the village, highlighting its profound significance as the place where he spent his formative years and received his education. He said that this house is a symbol of his parents, which they had named after him. Today, he handed over both his own residence and that of his uncle's son, which together encompass an area of approximately 200 square yards to the village.



He further said that an e-library will be established within the premises. This innovative initiative will offer not only computer facilities but also a diverse collection of books catering to various interests, ensuring accessibility for individuals of all ages, including the elderly.



He expressed his desire for the house to serve a noble purpose, envisioning it as a place where children can gather to receive education and pave the way for a brighter future. To ensure the effective utilization of the property, he proposed the formation of a village committee entrusted with its care and management.



Earlier, the Chief Minister engaged in discussions with local farmers regarding the proposed construction of a road along Baniyani Minor, spanning from Bhiwani Road to Mokhara Road. The Chief Minister also visited Rajkumar's house in the village. He met the villagers there and said that this place is memorable for him because he spent his childhood here. Recalling his childhood, he said that there used to be a well of Devi Singh at this place. Upon his arrival in village Baniyani, he was warmly welcomed by former village sarpanch and district president of Kisan Morcha Bansi Vij, former MLA Sarita Narayan, and other esteemed guests.
Political temperature in the State surged after ED issued fresh summons to Chief Minister Hemant Soren in connection with money laundering investigation. While, on one hand the sleuths of the Central probe agencyEnforcement Directorate (ED) visited Sorens residence at New Delhi, ruling party (JMM) workers organised a protest in Ranchi in response to the fresh summons issued to the Chief Minister.

On Monday Soren was given time to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) about his availability for questioning on January 31, in connection with a money-laundering case linked to an alleged land scam.



An e-mail was sent on Monday informing his availability to the Enforcement Directorate (ED). As per sources, the central agency issued a fresh summons to Jharkhand CM Soren and asked him to be available for questioning on January 29 or 31, or else the agency itself will go to him for questioning. Notably, this is the tenth summon in the land scam case.

The JMM workers on Monday staged a protest in Ranchi. The demonstration reflects the discontent among JMM members regarding the ongoing legal developments involving the Chief Minister. The issue has sparked heightened tensions, as JMM workers voice their concerns through this public display of dissent in the capital. Meanwhile, the protest has signalled a politically charged atmosphere, shedding light on the evolving dynamics between the JMM and the central agency.

As part of precautionary measures security forces were deployed at all major locations of the Capital including Raj Bhawan, CM residence, BJP office at Harmu, security at senior BJP leaders among others. At Raj Bhawan, traffic was restricted as vehicles were diverted to other routes. Security was also tightened at the ED office at Hinoo.

Meanwhile, on Saturday night, Soren went on an unplanned visit to Delhi after the ED issued a fresh summons, asking him to join the investigation in the case. "The visit was not planned. The sudden plan was made after the issuance of a fresh summons by the ED. He has his scheduled events lined up, including a programme in Chaibasa on January 29, in Palamu on January 30, and in Giridih on January 31", an official said on the condition of anonymity.

Soren, who is also the executive president of the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) left for the national capital on January 27 night while scheduled government events of Monday stand cancelled here without any explanation.

Also, officials of the federal probe agency accompanied by Delhi Police personnel reached the 5/1 Shanti Niketan building in South Delhi around 9 am, while a number of press photographers, reporters and camera teams stood outside.

The agency had issued the fresh summons to Soren last week asking him to confirm his availability for questioning on either January 29 or January 31, the sources said.
In view of the possibility of questioning Chief Minister Hemant Soren in Delhi, the political heat in Jharkhand has increased. Congress Legislature Party leader Alamgir Alam has instructed all his Congress Ministers and MLAs to reach Ranchi as early as possible.



Congress is the main alliance partner in the State Government led by Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM). However, Alam did not clarify the reason to call the party Ministers and MLA to be present in the State Capital. He said that the party is an important component of the State Government so he called the MLAs to be present in the State Capital. However, Alam claimed that the State Government led by Chief Minister, Hemant Soren will complete its tenure successfully.



The speculations are in the air that between the ongoing political turmoil in the State the State Congress to chalk out its future plan. The State Congress is supporting the JMM led State Government with its 17 MLAs in the State. The partys four MLAs got Ministerial berths in the State Government. The Central Agency has been continuously sending summons to the Chief Minister, Hemant Soren related to land scam cases. Recently the Agency sent its 10th summon to the Chief Minister.



Meanwhile, Jharkhand Chief Secretary L Khyangte held an emergency meeting at his Ranchi residence. In which many senior police officers including the Deputy Commissioner of Ranchi participated. The Chief Secretary has directed the Ranchi district administration to remain fully alert, so that any situation that may arise can be dealt with.



The DySP, who is monitoring the security forces, has been ordered to deploy additional police forces in high security areas of the city. Barricading has been done at the intersections regarding the demonstration of JMM workers in this matter. On the other hand, Hemant Soren's brother Basant Soren is continuously calling all the MLAs asking them to come to Ranchi. Congress MLAs have also been called to Ranchi. It is noteworthy that the ED team reached the CM residence in Delhi early on Monday morning. It is being said that ED can interrogate the CM in the land scam case. However, CM Hemant is not present at his Delhi residence. Information about the CM's whereabouts was not available till the writing of the news. Ranchi Police is on high alert regarding JMM's protest against ED's arrival at CM residence in Delhi.
Former chief minister Harish Rawat has said that the people affected and displaced by the Tehri dam project are being neglected by the government. Addressing media persons at the headquarters of the State Congress here on Monday, Rawat said that the people of Tehri sacrificed their homes and agricultural land for the sake of the country. He said that the then government had promised that one member from every displaced family will be provided with a government job but this promise was taken back by the then Kalyan Singh government of Uttar Pradesh. Rawat said that the Supreme Court (SC) in the year 2013 had ordered that the government and the company should calculate and compensate the collateral damage caused by the dam and reservoir but nothing was done. He said that the displaced families of Tehri were given land for settlement in Pathri area of Haridwar but they have not received the ownership right on the allotted land for the last 42 years. In absence of ownership rights they are not able to take loans from the bank and face many other problems. He said that the local MLA had raised the issue during the budget session of the state assembly on which the Chief Minister had assured that the ownership right will be provided to the displaced people of Tehri dam residing in Pathri I, II, III and IV. However no action was taken on the issue. Rawat alleged that instead of solving the problem the forest department is trying to complicate things by conducting a survey based on which it asserted that the people are occupying 23 hectares of additional land. Rawat demanded that the government should give the ownership rights to the displaced settled in Pathri I, II, III and IV without any more delay and the survey and observations of the forest department should be taken back. He said that a committee composed of the minister concerned, THDC and director rehabilitation should be constituted on the issue of the promises made to the displaced families of Tehri.

The former CM said that he will observe a fast on February 1 at Gandhi Park in support of the displaced people of Tehri.
Haryana government has established NRI Grievance Redressal Cell for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), especially those of Haryana origin, to address their issues and complaints under a single roof. The centre has been set up at the Haryana Civil Secretariat in Chandigarh. A circular to this effect has been issued by the Office of the Chief Secretary, said a government spokesperson on Monday.



The spokesperson said that recently, during the 10th Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat representatives of more than 10 companies from Japan, the United States, and African countries had a one-to-one meeting with Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar. They extensively discussed the possibilities of investing in Haryana. Investors sought information about the industrial and employment incentive policies of the Haryana government and expressed their desire to expand their existing units in Haryana and invest in new locations under the policy.



During this interaction, foreign investors and NRIs requested the government's assistance in providing a quick resolution to difficulties and complaints. In response to this, and in line with this initiative, the Complaint Resolution Centre for Non-Resident Indians has been established, he added.
Hry Minister lays foundation stone of development projects

Chandigarh: Haryana School Education Minister Kanwar Pal Gujjar on Sunday inaugurated the development projects at Guru Ravidas Temple in Manakpur, costing Rs 5.50 lakhs. On the occasion, he also announced a grant of Rs 5.50 lakhs for the remaining development projects at the temple. The State Government is emphasizing on promoting education, health, security, self-reliance and self-respect amongst the people of the State with the vision to ensure good governance, he added.

Haryana Minister orders suspension of AE

Chandigarh: Taking a strict cognizance against corrupt practices, Haryana Urban Local Bodies Minister Dr Kamal Gupta has terminated the services of personal assistant in his staff for receiving a food item as a gift from the Assistant Engineer, Municipal Corporation, Gurugram. Besides, taking strict action against the Assistant Engineer, the Minister ordered his immediate suspension.

Four youths crushed to death in Sonepat

Panipat: As many as four persons were crushed to death after a speeding car hit them near Mama-Bhanja Chowk in Sonepat on Saturday night. The police said that four persons, including three occupants of the car and a Nepalese youth, sustained injuries in the mishap. The deceased have been identified as Amar, Dal Bahadur, Arjun and Kamal of Nepal, while the injured have been identified as Dil Bahadur of Nepal, Ritik of Jatwara, Arun and Mohit of Jainpur in Sonepat. As per the available information, all five Nepalese youths were living in Sonepat on a rented accommodation and working as waiters. They were on their way to their room on cycles and a scooty when the accident took place around 12 am.

Amity University, SVEEP hold event to generate electoral awareness

Mohali: Amity University, Punjab, in collaboration with the Systematic Voter Education and Electoral Process (SVEEP), organized an event to raise awareness among the youth of our nation about the significance of participating in the electoral process. Distinguished guests, including Punjab Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Sibin C; Gurdaspur DC-cum-DEO Dr Himanshu Aggarwal; Mohali DC-cum-DEO Aashika Jain; and others were present on the occasion. Sibin emphasized on the need to increase voter turnout through a mass awareness drive under SVEEP activities.

'Khelo Befikar, Jeeto RummyCircle Par' campaign launched

Chandigarh: Games24x7 has launched Khelo Befikar, Jeeto RummyCircle Par for its product platform, RummyCircle. The campaign will be launched pan India and will be available in Hindi, Kannada and Tamil languages, ensuring a broader reach and resonance with players across diverse geographies and linguistic backgrounds.

CM expresses grief over demise of senior journalist

Chandigarh: Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Sunday expressed sorrow over the demise of senior journalist Gyanendra Bharataria (Delhi). The Chief Minister said that his untimely departure is a great loss for society and the family. He extended condolences to the bereaved family and also prayed for the peace of departed soul. Senior Journalist, who has been serving in the print and electronic media world for more than three decades, passed away at the age of 57 in a private hospital in New Delhi.

Punjab Speaker condoles demise of woman farmer leader

Chandigarh: Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan on Sunday expressed deep sorrow over the unfortunate demise of Harjitinder Kaur, the wife of Bharati Kisan Union (Ekta Sidhupur) president Jagjit Singh Dallewal. Describing her as fair-minded and forward-thinking, Sandhwan said that she played a significant role in the farmers struggle, and her contributions will be eternally remembered with respect.
Cabinet meeting in Haryana today



Chandigarh: The Haryana Cabinet meeting under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar will be held at 11 am in the Main Committee Room, fourth floor, Haryana Civil Secretariat, Chandigarh on Tuesday, an official spokesperson said on Monday.



Hry CM approves improvement of 10 ODR roads in Fatehabad worth Rs 23 crore



Chandigarh: To enhance connectivity and facilitate seamless transportation across Haryana, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Monday granted administrative approval for Improvement of 10 ODR roads in Fatehabad District. This project encompasses the improvement of ODRs at an estimated cost of Rs. 23 crore. The roads serving rural areas of production and providing them with outlet to market centres, tehsil headquarters, block development headquarters, railway stations etc. are known as Other District Roads (ODRs).



Take action against those involved in discharging polluted water into water sources: Hry CS



Chandigarh: Haryana Chief Secretary Sanjeev Kaushal on Monday directed officers to take strict action against individuals or institutions involved in discharging polluted water into water sources near industrial or sewage areas in the state. The Chief Secretary chaired a meeting with officers from the Haryana State Pollution Control Board. A plan has been formulated with an expenditure of Rs 45 crores for the maintenance, cleanliness, and capacity building of drains parallel to drain numbers 6 and 8 in Sonipat-Kundli. He instructed officers of the Pollution Control Board to inspect the dark colored water flowing in these drains. Apart from this, he emphasized the completion of ongoing work by March. He further stated that the installation of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) with capacities of 10 MLD in Rai and Kundli, 25 MLD in Kakroi, and 30 MLD on Rathdhana Road will be completed soon. Similarly, STPs with capacities of 16 MLD in Badli and 7 MLD in Ganaur, along with the laying of lines for reuse of water, will be undertaken expeditiously.



375 buses purchased in the first phase, electric buses to be run in other 7 cities by June: Hry Minister



Chandigarh: Haryana Minister of Transport and Higher Education Mool Chand Sharma on Monday said that the government is initiating electric bus services in 9 cities of the state. The first phase will see the operation of these buses in the municipal corporations of Panipat and Yamunanagar. Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar recently inaugurated the service from the bus stand in Panipat. The government has entered into a 12-year agreement with the JBM company for this city bus service. Under this agreement, the government will spend Rs 2450 crores over 12 years. All the expenses of the bus will be borne by the company, Haryana Roadways will manage the operations. Sharma on Monday initiated the electric bus service from Jagadhri Bus Stand by cutting a ribbon at the bus gate.



Minimum temperatures hover close to normal in Haryana and Punjab



Chandigarh: The minimum temperatures hovered close to normal range at many places in Haryana and Punjab on Monday. Chandigarh recorded a minimum temperature of 7.4 degrees Celsius, according to the Meteorological Department. In Haryana, Karnal recorded a minimum of 8.2 degrees, while Hisar registered a low of 10.5 degrees. Ambala registered a low of 8.4 degrees, while Bhiwani and Sirsa recorded lows of 7.7 degrees and 10 degrees Celsius, respectively. In Punjab, Amritsar recorded a minimum temperature of 9.3 degrees Celsius. Patiala, Faridkot, Ludhiana and Gurdaspur registered lows of 8 degrees, 10.2 degrees, 7.2 degrees and 8 degrees Celsius, respectively. Bathinda experienced a cold night at 6.6 degrees Celsius.



Rapido is now Licensed Bike Taxis & Autos aggregator in city



Chandigarh: Rapido has become Chandigarh's licensed aggregator for Bike Taxis and Auto. It presently has 30,000 bike taxis and auto captains and the platform has seen a consistent rise in new captain registrations monthly, indicating a rising demand for diverse job opportunities. A press statement issued on Monday said Rapido aims to add 20,000 captains in the next six months, strengthening its market presence. Pavan Guntupalli, Co-Founder, said, "Rapido, designed to meet societal needs, facilitates around 1.5 million daily rides nationwide on bikes and autos. We commend the Chandigarh Administration for leading in forward-thinking city transport. As the exclusive licensee for Bike Taxis and Autos in Chandigarh, we're proud to pave the way for local job opportunities. Our strategic move aims to provide affordable commuting benefits while creating employment for gig workers in the city."
In a bid to address the public concerns and grievances, Haryana Home and Health Minister Anil Vij on Sunday held a Janata Darbar at his residence in Ambala, where he promptly responded to various distress calls and directed authorities to take immediate action.

One particularly alarming case brought to the Ministers attention was that of a youth whose fingers were allegedly amputated instead of being treated after they got trapped in a machine at a factory in Ambala Cantonment BD Flour Mill area.

The family accused the factory owner of negligence, stating that their son was taken to a private doctor who amputated three of his fingers without seeking proper medical consultation. Despite filing a complaint with the police, no action had been taken.

Minister Vij swiftly directed the Ambala SP to investigate the matter thoroughly and ensure justice for the victim and his family.

Another heartbreaking incident highlighted during the Janata Darbar involved a family from Panipat whose house was set ablaze by unknown assailants, resulting in the tragic death of a child and injuries to five other family members. Despite a murder case being registered, the culprits remained at large. Minister wasted no time in instructing the Panipat SP to expedite the arrest of the perpetrators and provide solace to the grieving family.

The Minister addressed a myriad of other issues brought forth by concerned citizens. From land encroachment disputes in Palwal to immigration fraud in Kaithal and Kurukshetra, the Minister vowed to uphold the rule of law and ensure swift resolution to each complaint.

Furthermore, the Minister emphasized the importance of safeguarding women's rights and combating cybercrime, as evidenced by his directives to address cases of assault on a woman in Bhiwani and online fraud in Defense Colony.
Ruling party of the State Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), on Monday, attacked the Central Government and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) over the Central Agencys raid on the Chief Minister's residence and Jharkhand Bhawan in Delhi.



The Party General Secretary cum Spokesperson, Supriyo Bhattacharya said that today's action has been taken to scare JMM, which the party workers are not afraid of. BJP, which cannot compete politically with JMM and cannot go among the people, is misusing agencies. He said these things during a press conference organized in the party office.



The ED itself had written a letter to the Chief Minister asking him to fix the time and date for further inquiry. ED had given time from 29 to 31 January. Then what is the reason behind such action and the action to spoil the political atmosphere of the state? On whose instructions did ED reach Delhi? On December 20, a team of 7 officers led by the Assistant Commissioner of ED reached the Chief Minister's residence. For about seven hours, ECIR was 20/22, 17 to 18 questions were asked. But during interrogation, the case was not found in the file of Schedule Progressive Crime. All the information about the cases is registered with the Election Commission. Income Tax has all the information, said Bhattacharya.



The party Spokesperson further said that the Chief Minister has nothing to do with Sohrai Bhawan and his wife looks after his work. The Election Commission already has all the information. He said that the land which ED is making the basis of its action is actually land which cannot be bought or sold. Chief Minister Hemant Soren has gone to Delhi for some personal work. He is in Delhi only. Not traceless. If Babulal Marandi wants to meet Chief Minister Hemant Soren, he will have to take an appointment first. We will arrange for them to meet, he added.



Bhattacharya said that Chief Minister Hemant Soren has gone to Delhi for some personal work. He is in Delhi only. Not traceless. If Babulal Marandi wants to meet Chief Minister Hemant Soren, he will have to take an appointment first for which he will have to apply. We will arrange for him to meet, he added.

Meanwhile, the gathering of JMM workers at Morabadi ground of the State Capital had started since early morning on Monday. In fact, on Monday, workers from Ramgarh, Khunti, Simdega and Garhwa districts including Ranchi gathered and then marched towards Raj Bhavan.



This time JMM workers changed their old fixed route and came from Sido-Kanhu Park via Premsons Motor to Kanke Road near the Chief Minister's residence. Here the police administration stopped them but the crowd of thousands did not stop. A crowd of about 10 thousand workers is violating Section 144 and moving forward through CM House, Kanke Road. The workers are holding party flags in their hands and raising slogans against the central government and BJP.



Anger is being seen among JMM workers after the arrival of ED officers at the Chief Minister's residence in Delhi. In view of the political activity, Ranchi District Police-Administration has strengthened the security arrangements from the Chief Minister's residence to the entire Raj Bhavan. A large number of policemen have also been deployed. But JMM workers are not ready to accept.
Students groups on Monday staged a protest against the UGC draft guidelines that suggest "de-reserving" vacancies in Higher Education Institutes reserved for SC, ST, and OBC candidates if suitable candidates are not available.

The JNU Students' Union (JNUSU) along with other Left-backed student outfits such as AISA and SFI demonstrated outside the UGC headquarters demanding the proposal be rolled back. In a statement, AISA said that the draft guidelines are detrimental to the ethos of democratic India and will "ruin all inclusiveness and justice from education institutions."

"This notice will not be tolerated by the students and no empty promise, but outright deletion of it from the guideline must be ensured," the statement said.

The student body also raised objections to the draft guidelines being issued only in English, online, and without a broadcast to the press. It submitted preliminary comments on the matter in a letter to the University Grants Commission on Sunday.

A delegation of students representing different outfits met officials at the UGC office and presented the grievances of the student community they stand to face if the draft guidelines are implemented.

According to the Students Federation of India, students were assured by the UGC officials that the draft guidelines will be revised to remove the clause on de-reservation of SC, ST, and OBC posts.

"Following the protest at UGC, delegates met with the officials of UGC and expressed the grievances of the student community regarding the guidelines released by the body.

"The officials accepted that it was a grave mistake that happened from their side and the revised draft will not carry the clause on de-reservation," the SFI statement read.

The Krantikari Yuva Sangathan (KYS) also participated in the demonstration and demanded the dismissal of UGC Chairperson M Jagadesh Kumar.

In its statement, the group alleged the draft guidelines are an attempt to lower the number of reserved seats in higher education institutes so that eligible candidates could be rejected as 'not found suitable,' or NFS, category.

The 'Guidelines for Implementation of the Reservation Policy of the Government of India in Higher Education Institutes,' stipulate that a vacancy reserved for SC, ST and OBC candidates can be declared "unreserved" if enough candidates from these categories are not available.
A suspect in a major Naxalite attack died a few hours after he was taken into custody in Chhattisgarhs Dantewada district.

Podia Madvi (40) was arrested at 5 pm on Saturday for interrogation in connection with the Aranpur IED blast in April 2023 that killed 10 police personnel and a civilian driver, Dantewada Superintendent of Police Gaurav Rai said.

Suddenly, Madvi suffered fits. Police shifted him to the district hospital where he died around 0030 hrs on Sunday, the officer said.

Prima facie, it seems he died due to the seizure, but the exact cause of the death will be known after the autopsy.

An accidental death report has been registered and a probe is being conducted by a judicial magistrate into the incident.

On April 26 last year, 10 police personnel and a driver were killed after Naxalites blew up a vehicle carrying security personnel in the district.
The mortal remains of the former Union Minister Harmohan Dhawan, 83, who passed away at a private hospital in Mohali on Saturday evening, were cremated with full state honours on Sunday at Sector 25 cremation ground.

The former Union Minister had developed some infection a few days ago and also underwent surgery at the hospital in Mohali. He also had suffered a fracture in his shoulder around three months back and had not been keeping well ever since. Former Union Minister Dhawan was brought to the emergency wing in a critical condition on Saturday. The patient was attended to by a multi-disciplinary team of internal medicine, urology and cardiology doctors. Unfortunately, despite best efforts, including CPR to revive him after a cardiac arrest this evening, the patient passed away, said an official from Max Hospital said.

Elected to the Lok Sabha from Chandigarh in 1989 on a Samajwadi Janata Party ticket, Dhawan went on to become the Union Civil Aviation Minister in Prime Minister Chandra Shekhars cabinet. In 1990, Dhawan switched to the Congress, but did not stay there for long due to differences with former Union Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal, and went on to float his own party, Chandigarh Vikas Manch, and contested 2004 Lok Sabha elections from Chandigarh, but lost.

Again in 2007, he moved to the Bahajun Samaj Party and contested 2009 Lok Sabha polls from Chandigarh unsuccessfully. The next year, he joined Bharatiya Janata Party. After remaining associated with the saffron party for nearly a decade, he joined the Aam Aadmi Party in 2019 and fought the Lok Sabha elections from Chandigarh for the fourth time, losing again. A hotelier by profession, Dhawan had a strong hold in colonies and was known as a mass leader.
On the instructions of Indore Collector Ashish Singh, a large-scale campaign has been started in the entire Indore district for revenue collection. Indore district is the industrial capital of Madhya Pradesh and the highest revenue giver to the state.

Under this revenue collection campaign, Diversion tax will be collected from the colonies and land given on lease on a priority basis. Indore collectorate headquarter ADM Sapna Lovanshi told The Pioneer that the target of revenue collection of Indore district by the end of March 2024 is Rs 120 crore, for which Indore Collector Ashish Singh has appointed all the 10 officers posted in all 10 tehsils of Indore district.

Instructions have been issued to all the SDMs of the tehsils. At present there are five urban tehsils in Indore district, two tehsils are urban and rural mix and three tehsils are completely rural. Colonies and farm houses have been constructed in the last several years in all the 10 tehsils of Indore district.

Indore Collector Ashish Singh, discussed in detail for the recovery of rs 120 crore pending tax from the colonizers and lease holders.. ADM Indore Headquarters Sapna Lovanshi told that till March 31, all the colonizers and lease holders who will not pay the government tax their land will be confiscated.
The Himachal Pradesh government has proposed an annual budget plan of Rs 9,989.49 crore for 2024-25, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said on Monday.



The chief minister presided over the first session of MLA Priority meeting with the MLAs from Una, Hamirpur and Sirmaur districts. He said that the state government was working with a motto to make Himachal Pradesh self-reliant in the next four years and the most prosperous state in the country in 10 years.



Sukhu exhorted the MLAs to come up with the priorities that were in line with the state government's commitment to provide clean, transparent and accountable administration to the people of the state. He said that the discussion during these meetings would pave the way to further accelerate the development process.



"The state government is committed for equitable development of all the areas and every section of the society. In order to achieve this, the government has adopted the manifesto of the Congress party as a Policy Document" he stated adding that all the ministers, MLAs and departments were working tirelessly for the effective implementation of the 'Policy Document'. He said that numerous steps have been taken to make Himachal Pradesh a Green Energy State in the next two years and the government has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding of Rs 2,000 crore with the World Bank.



"As per the MoU, works would be carried out under the Hydroelectric and Renewable Energy Development Programme for the next five years" he said. Sukhu said that MLA priorities in general were financed through the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund under National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).

"For the year 2023-24, an amount of Rs 918.81 crore was sanctioned by the NABARD besides 62 works of the Public Works Department and 93 works of Jal Shakti Department have been sanctioned" he said. The CM also directed the officials of the Public Works and Jal Shakti Departments to fully utilize NABARD's budget outlay for the year 2024-25 and submit reimbursement claims in the NABARD office before March 15.
Two party functionaries clashed with each other in the office of State Congress Committee in Bhopal, on Monday.

There was a scuffle between the two and not only this, they also threw chairs at each other.

Other leaders present there separated the two. BJP spokesperson Narendra Saluja has posted the video of this controversy on social media. Party sources claimed that the reason that was behind the fight was over abusing a senior party leader and his cupporter objected to this.

Madhya Pradesh Scheduled Caste (SC) Congress President Pradeep Ahirwar and Congress spokesperson Shahryar Khan reached the Congress office and were discussing the defeat in the assembly elections. An altercation started between Pradeep and Shahryar when senior leaders were held responsible for the defeat.

A scuffle started between the two. Pradeep picked up the chair. Shahryar fell in this scuffle.

While sharing the VIDEO of this controversy, BJP spokesperson Narendra Saluja wrote on The chairs were thrown on each other and abused each other a lot. A Kamal Nath supporter leader who came to intervene was also kicked and punched.

Pradeep Ahirwar said that there was no dispute. Just talking was happening. That person is anti-Dalit. When I was expressing my views, he started fighting.
Researchers have found more clarity on which patient populations are at higher risk for prolonged infections -- and hints that this fear is likely unwarranted.

Early in the pandemic, clinicians noticed that certain immunocompromised patients were experiencing persistent SARS-CoV-2 infections, some lasting weeks to months at a time.

This raised concerns that one of these cases could be the source of an emerging viral variant that has benefited from an extended battle with the immune system.

We were specifically looking at who was at risk for prolonged infection, such that they never cleared the virus, said Adam Lauring, of the Division of Infectious Disease at Michigan University Medicine.

The study, published in the journal Lancet Microbe, followed 150 immunocompromised patients with Covid infections from five US health systems in 2022.

Each patient was surveyed and tested using nasal swabs collected from onset of SARS-CoV-2 infection until they tested negative.

The study participants had a diverse set of immunocompromising conditions, ranging from people with B-cell cancers or receiving anti-B cell therapy; solid organ or stem cell transplant recipients; people living with AIDS; and those with non-B cell cancers and autoimmune or autoinflammatory conditions.

The team found that just 25 per cent of patients tested positive using the gold standard, highly sensitive PCR test for 21 days or longer after onset of illness. Only 8 per cent tested positive for live virus for 21 days or longer. The median time to last positive test overall was nine days.

In contrast to a lot of case reports, we were finding that very few people had prolonged infection, said Lauring.

Specifically, people living with AIDS and those with B-cell cancers, like certain leukemias and lymphomas, were more likely to have prolonged infections than patients with autoimmune disease or non-B cell cancers.

And of the 59 enrolled patients with a solid organ transplant with T-cell immunosuppression, only one had an infection lasting longer than 56 days.

Patients receiving treatment with rituximab or CAR-T therapy, which targets B cells, were more likely to have longer lasting infections -- pointing to the importance of antibodies (which are produced by B cells) for immunity.

Importantly, the team also notes that mutations within the subset of patients who had prolonged infections rarely, if ever, matched those of variants circulating within the wider global community.

A lot of what makes a successful virus is its ability to escape immunity, said Lauring.

However, immunity is heterogeneous -- what might lead a virus to escape the immune system in an immunocompromised patient vs. patients at the population level are different.
Tension prevailed in Sambhal after a youth belonging to the minority community was shot dead over his affair with a Hindu girl.

The assailants also tried to mislead the police by looting the tractor of the victim to make it look like a case of robbery and murder.

These facts came to the fore after the police arrested the accused on Monday and he confessed to the killing.

According to reports, Mehndi Hasan of Bilalpat in Sambhal was having relations with a girl belonging to the Hindu community. A few days back, the girl's brother had caught her interacting with Mehndi and this irked him. As the girl's brother knew Mehndi, he first tried to convince him to end his relations especially as they belonged to different communities. Mehndi, however, continued with his affair after which the girl's brother decided to get rid of him by eliminating him.

On January 21 last, the girl's brother and one of his friends called Mehndi to the forest in village Khanpur Bandh. They later shot him dead and dumped the body in a secluded place. They also took Mehndi's tractor and dumper and hid them to make it look like a case of loot and murder.

According to Sambhal's Superintendent of Police Kuldeep Singh Gunawat, during investigation, Mehndi's father revealed that his son was having an affair with a girl, also a resident of Khanpur Bandh. The call details record of the victim's mobile also pointed to his affair with a girl.

The police finally tried to interrogate the girl's family but found her brother, Atul Kumar, missing from the house. The police finally tracked his location on Sunday night and picked him. After being grilled through the night, Atul Kumar confessed to killing Mehndi with the help of his friend Ankit, a resident of Moradabad. Subsequently, the police arrested Ankit and on tips provided by both, the cops recovered the tractor and dumper.

Both the accused have been sent to jail and further investigations are on.

A police force has been deployed in the area as the arrest resulted in communal tension.

Meanwhile, the Mainpuri police arrested a couple and their relatives for allegedly killing their 14-year-old daughter and falsely framing their neighbours in the murder case.

The police said the couple strangled the victim, Shivani alias Janvi, to death for talking to a local youth despite their warnings not to do so.

The police identified the accused as the victim's father Kishanpal alias KP; mother Sudha alias Guddi Devi, aunt Baby, uncles Akhilesh and Rajneesh.

According to police, Kishanpal is a history-sheeter with 25 criminal cases registered against him. Akhilesh and Rajneesh also have one case each against them.

The murder came to light when the body of a minor girl with injury marks around her neck was found in an under-construction house in the Malawan area of Etah district on October 30, 2023. After more than two months of probe, the police found a girl was missing from the Nagla Harkesh village in the neighbouring Mainpuri district. The victim's family reached Etah and identified the body.

The victim's mother filed a police complaint against two neighbours, Dinesh Yadav and Vishesh Yadav, with whom the family had an old enmity. The mother alleged that Dinesh and Vishesh had kidnapped her daughter when she was going to market for some work. She alleged that the duo killed the girl and dumped the body in Etah, which is 55 km away from their village.

The investigation was later transferred from Etah to Mainpuri. The probe pointed out that Shivani used to talk with a youth and her parents were against it. They had thrashed her several times for not snapping ties with the youth even though he was from the same community. The parents finally killed their daughter in the name of saving family 'honour'.

The electronic surveillance confirmed the location of the girl's family at the spot where the body was dumped. During interrogation, the parents confessed that they had killed the girl with the help of Baby, Akhilesh and Rajneesh. All the accused were arrested, the police confirmed on Sunday evening.
Union Minister Shantanu Thakur on Monday said the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) would be implemented in the country within a week.

During an interview with a news channel, Thakur, a BJP MP from Bongaon, an area with the majority of people belonging to the Matua community in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district, said that swift implementation of the contentious legislation would be made within seven days.

The CAA, enacted by the BJP-led government at the Centre in 2019, aims at granting Indian citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim migrants, including Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis and Christians, from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan who entered India before December 31, 2014.

"The CAA will be implemented very soon. It will be implemented within seven days. This is my guarantee," said Thakur, also a leader of the Matua community.

Thakur, the union minister of state for ports, shipping and waterways, has made a similar comment on Sunday.

He has been claiming that the CAA would be implemented in the country ahead of the Lok Sabha polls this year.

Matuas, who constitute a large chunk of the state's Scheduled Caste population, had been migrating to West Bengal since the 1950s, primarily due to religious persecution in erstwhile East Pakistan which later became Bangladesh.

Since the nineties, political parties in West Bengal have actively sought to secure the support of the Matuas, who, due to their significant population and tendency to vote together, are considered a valuable voting bloc akin to the minorities.

The Matua community is believed to benefit the most from the implementation of the CAA.

Thakur's assertion on the CAA's implementation comes amidst reports this month, suggesting that the rules for the legislation would be notified "much before" the announcement of the Lok Sabha elections.

His remarks elicited strong reactions from the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in the state, which has vehemently opposed the CAA, labelling it "divisive".

"Our party supremo and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee have clearly said that CAA won't be implemented in West Bengal. The BJP leaders are attempting political gimmickry by making such false promises before the Lok Sabha elections," TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said.

Last month, Union Home Minister Amit Shah reiterated that the implementation of CAA is inevitable as it is the law of the land.

During a BJP meeting in Kolkata, he had accused Banerjee of misleading people on the CAA issue

The TMC has consistently opposed the CAA, with Banerjee alleging that the BJP is "exploiting" the citizenship issue for political gain.

The promise of implementing the controversial CAA served as a major electoral platform for the BJP in the previous Lok Sabha and assembly polls in West Bengal.

Party leaders believe that it played a pivotal role in the BJP's rise in the state.

According to the manual of parliamentary procedures, the rules for any legislation should have been framed within six months of presidential assent or seek an extension from the committees on subordinate legislation in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.

Since 2020, the Home Ministry has been taking extensions at regular intervals from the parliamentary committees for framing the rules.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said on Monday said Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's return to the NDA fold will not affect the opposition INDIA alliance and claimed the Congress was in favour of appointing Kumar as the convener of the opposition bloc.

Speaking to the reporters here, Raut dubbed Nitish Kumar as "Paltu Ram".

JD(U) president Nitish Kumar on Sunday took oath as the chief minister of Bihar for a record ninth time after a dramatic volte-face, ditching the Mahagathbandhan and the opposition bloc INDIA and forming a new government with the BJP, which he had dumped less than 18 months ago.

Raut said the way Kumar left the INDIA bloc is unfortunate.

"But if someone thinks that the exit of Nitish Kumar will create a rift in the national (INDIA) alliance, then it is not correct. In fact, the organisation gets tougher if such people leave, and the INDIA bloc will also become stronger," the Rajya Sabha member said.

"There is Tejashwi Yadav (of RJD who was the deputy CM of Bihar until Kumar walked out of the alliance), there is the Congress, and some other parties, and they will make the INDIA bloc stronger," he said.

Raut said "Nitish does not mean Bihar" and asked will people of that state like it if a person takes oath (as CM) multiple times in one tenure.

They do not know the real face of the BJP, and they (BJP) are going to finish Nitish Kumar, he claimed.

"It is the BJP's ploy...To finish Bihar's identity, but Nitish does not mean Bihar. In Maharashtra also they experimented with (Chief Minister) Eknath Shinde, but Shinde does not mean Maharashtra, or (Deputy CM) Ajit Pawar does not mean Maharashtra," he said.

Raut also said the Congress has no role in Nitish Kumar's exit from the opposition alliance.

"In fact, the Congress was in favour of appointing Nitish as the convenor of the INDIA bloc," he claimed.

"The Congress had discussions with us but at the same time information was coming that Nitish was having some secret deal with the BJP. In politics, everyone keeps information on everyone," he said.

Raut dubbed Nitish Kumar as "Paltu Ram" and asked how many times will he indulge in "volte-face".

"He should go to a circus. The circus will have acche din (good days). He should form a Paltu Ram circus and make the BJP its ringmaster," he said.

Asked about a rift among ministers in the 'Mahayuti' (ruling alliance) in Maharashtra over a notification on the Maratha reservation issue, Raut said if there is any rift over the decision, then Chief Minister Eknath Shinde should sack those ministers.

"If any minister is against the cabinet decision and the CM's decision, then such minister can be sacked," he added.

CM Shinde has announced that till Marathas get reservation, they will be given all the benefits enjoyed by the Other Backward Classes (OBCs).

A draft notification was issued recently by the government, 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.

An agrarian community, Kunbi falls in the OBC category.

State cabinet minister Chhagan Bhujbal has criticised the government's move over the quota issue and questioned the "backdoor entry" of Marathas into the OBC category.
The Supreme Court on Monday directed RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav to file a "proper statement" withdrawing his alleged remark that "only Gujaratis can be thugs".

A bench of Justices A S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan granted one week to Yadav to file a new statement after the complainant raised an objection over his earlier affidavit.

"We grant time of one week to the petitioner to file a proper statement," the bench said while posting the matter for next hearing on February 5.

Yadav on January 19 filed an affidavit in the apex court withdrawing his alleged "Gujarati thugs" remark.

The top court was hearing a petition filed by Yadav seeking transfer of the criminal defamation complaint pending against him in a Ahmedabad court over his alleged "only Gujaratis can be thugs" remark to a place outside the state.

The top court, while hearing the RJD leader's plea, had earlier stayed the proceedings in the criminal defamation complaint and issued notice to the Gujarat resident who has filed it.

The complaint against Yadav was filed under sections 499 and 500 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for alleged criminal defamation.

The Gujarat court had in August conducted a preliminary enquiry against Yadav under section 202 of the Code of Criminal Procedure and found sufficient grounds to summon him on the complaint filed by Haresh Mehta, a local businessman and activist.

According to the complaint, Yadav, while talking to the media in Patna in March 2023, had said, "Only Gujaratis can be thugs in the present situation, and their fraud will be forgiven."

"Who will be responsible if they run away with the money belonging to the LIC or banks?" the then Bihar deputy chief minister had allegedly said.

Mehta claimed Yadav's comments defamed all Gujaratis.
Soon one will visit the British Museum and not find any ancient artefacts there. They will have all been returned to their original countries due to woke museum directors and anti-Western lobbyists. No doubt some of these returned artefacts will deteriorate or be sold off to some private collector somewhere or simply stolen. This is just another symptom of the Wests self loathing, a form of masochism, where pain is inflicted on its own self much to the detriment of historical conquest and innovation. The self loathing West now hates every facet of its own being, much to the delight of its enemies.

Toolkit on gender-sensitive communication

Britain has a tin-bucket navy where there are no recruits and even less ships, it has a woke clergy and a woke government, including a woke civil service full of self-aggrandising high priests and priestesses of woke tediousness and sickly saccharin virtue signalling.

Advertising on TV is now so woke that it is painful to watch, the overcompensation for BLM looting and riots years ago as well as ESG ratings.

What has Britain to look forward to but nothing? We will invariably be foisted with a horrid woke Labour government soon, no doubt as horrid and woke as the current Conservative government. The pathetic and meaningless charade continues as people vote out one load of fuckers to vote in another load of fuckers. It makes no sense, yet people do this every time, and they are fooled every time by the fake promises and lies vomited out from the same politicians selling crumbs of hope to the lost plebiscite.

There is no redemption, the wokerati have taken over the farm, and they are censoring everything, they are preaching their woke mantra through telescreens, they are inviting the enemy to attack the West, simply because these are agents within the West working for the enemy.

If you have been indoctrinated by wokism, you may not even know it, but you have been wokified and there is no cure apart from a bullet in the cranium. After a communist revolution, Party officials usually have to execute some of the Marxist revolutionaries because the brainwashed hardliners are a serious danger to post-revolutionary communist peace. The one thing Communist Party higher ups do not want is these revolutionaries turning on them, so they simply clean house by executing them. The same will happen when Chinese troops saunter through Piccadilly Circus. They will publicly or quietly execute the woke useful-idiots who undermined the West for them.

The brainwashed indoctrinated woke pertinacious fools are much like cultists or Jihadists because they destroy everything around them, and once they have done that, the fucking piss swilling bastards go after themselves when there is no one left to censor or condemn.

While the Russians and Chinese play with the West, they are laughing at us, they are truly jubilant that they have inflicted a moral rot on the West so great that we are even tearing down our own statues, looting our own museums and shitting on our own historical heroes.

The Soviet woke communists who have infiltrated every institution and governmental department can pat themselves on the back as a defeated West has lost the war before even the first shot was fired.

When the Russian, N. Korean, Iranian and Chinese troops calmly walk through the streets, you will greet them as saviours and an affirmation of your woke credentials. You will be appreciative as they put you in concentration camps where you will happily live out your last fucking days thanking your captors from saving you from Western civilisation and culture.
In a startling revelation, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has exposed a significant case of corruption and embezzlement that has profoundly impacted Ukraine and its allies. The complex web of deception involved influential business leaders and high-ranking defense ministry officials, all circling an alleged deal for 100,000 mortar shells. These shells held great importance for Ukraine, as they were intended to enhance its defense capabilities during its ongoing struggle against Russian aggression. However, the entire procurement process turned out to be a deceptive facade. The allocated funds of $40 million specifically earmarked for this critical military requirement have vanished, exposing a deep-rooted network of corruption permeating the highest levels of the defense procurement process.

Whos who in the corruption carousel

The individuals implicated in this scandal are not petty criminals but high-ranking government officials and influential business executives. The charges have been leveled against five individuals deeply embedded within Ukraines defense infrastructure. Among those charged are current and former heads of key departments within the Ministry of Defence and the CEO of Lviv Arsenal, the arms manufacturing company at the center of the scandal. The audacious nature of the scheme was further underscored when one of the accused was apprehended while trying to flee the country, a dramatic turn of events that serves as a grim reminder of the severity of the crimes committed.

Following the money trail

The financial journey of the embezzled funds is as complex as it is intriguing. The path leads from the Ukrainian Defence Ministry to Lviv Arsenal, indicating a betrayal of trust at the governmental level. The funds were then supposed to be transferred to a foreign entity responsible for delivering the mortar shells. However, this transfer was a smokescreen. Instead of being used for the intended purpose, the funds were rerouted through a complex series of accounts, crossing borders into Ukraine and the Balkans, effectively laundering the money that was meant for national defense.

Wider implications for Ukraine

This corruption case is more than just a financial scandal; it strikes the heart of Ukraines struggle for integrity and reform. As the country battles an external foe, it also faces internal demons in the form of systemic corruption. This scandal emerges at a critical juncture when Ukraine actively seeks membership in the European Union, a process contingent on demonstrating effective anti-corruption measures. The response of President Volodymyr Zelenskyys administration, known for its anti-corruption stance, will be a test of Ukraines commitment to reform and transparency. The ongoing purging of corrupt officials from the government, as seen in recent months, is a step towards restoring faith in the nations governance.

Ukraines battle against corruption and invasion

The uncovering of this massive embezzlement scheme is a stark reminder of the multifaceted challenges facing Ukraine. As the country defends its sovereignty against Russian aggression, it must also wage a relentless war against its own corruption. How Ukraine addresses these internal governance issues will significantly impact its international standing and aspirations for European integration. The global communitys continued support for Ukraine hinges on its ability to demonstrate accountability and progress in its anti-corruption efforts. The unfolding of events following this scandal will be crucial in defining Ukraines path forward, both in terms of its military preparedness and its aspirations on the global stage.
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Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre is delighted to partner again with the Steinbeck Festival in 2024 to host a captivating program of events that celebrate the legacy of John Steinbeck through art, music, storytelling, and spoken word.

The festival promises a wonderful blend of cultural experiences for attendees of all ages, inviting them to immerse themselves in the literary world of Steinbeck.

The Steinbeck Festival 2024 kicks off with two engaging exhibitions: a display of book covers created by local primary school students and The Dustbowl Photography exhibition, which this year explores the theme 'People'.

The timeless appeal of John Steinbeck's works and his profound impact on the world of arts and culture will also be celebrated with a diverse range of live events, bringing together literature, film, music, and community engagement.

Mark Carruthers will engage in a thought-provoking conversation on Nobel Peace Prize laureate John Hume, with former BBC Journalist, and author of John Hume - The Persuader, Stephen Walker (2 Feb). Then, the Swingtime Starlets will transport

the audience to the golden era of the 40s and 50s with an exceptional night of music on 24 th February. Tickets for both these events can be booked at roevalleyarts.com

There will also be a number of free events, including a live link up with the National Steinbeck Center, Salinas, California where attendees will have the opportunity to view some of the centres East of Eden related articles. Following this Dr Linda McKeown (QUB) will discuss East of Eden in its social context and consider Steinbecks thinking behind writing the novel.

On 8 th February, come along for a captivating evening of verbal art by local poets and storytellers. Then, award-winning Northern Ireland film producer and screenwriter, Greer Ellison will give an illustration talk on 22 nd February, offering insights into his illustrious career, sharing clips from his latest film, providing a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the world of film and media. Meanwhile, the Steinbeck Cafe in Drumceatt Square will host a lively Book Club discussion focused on Cannery Row

on 27 th February.

Secondary school GCSE groups are invited to a special programme of exploration and learning, delving into the literary masterpiece Of Mice and Men. Following the discussion, participants will have the opportunity to enjoy a screening of the 1992

film adaptation and an introduction to the live music of the era by Allan Nicholl (21 and 22 Feb).

All bookings for events can be made online at roevalleyarts.com or by calling the box office on 028 7776 0650. Booking is essential for free events.
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood has said that he cannot in good conscience attend celebratory events at the White House for St Patricks Day while the civilian population in Gaza lives in constant fear of eradication.

Mr Eastwood, who visited Khan Younis and surrounding districts days after a serious escalation in violence in November 2012, said that the scale and intensity of violence cannot be justified and that the US should become an advocate for a ceasefire to preserve the dignity and humanity of the civilian population in Gaza and southern Israel.

The SDLP will send a delegation to Washington DC to engage with senior lawmakers, Irish Americans and Palestinian Americans to make the case for an end to violence.

The Foyle MP said: The bonds of friendship and shared history between Ireland and the United States have forged one of the warmest and most enduring international relationships in the world today. It is because we are so close historically, diplomatically and, many of us personally, that we have a duty to be honest with our friends and allies - especially when we think theyre wrong.

The scenes of destruction and annihilation in Gaza represent, in my view, a clear act of genocide. With more than 26,000 people dead, and more than 10,000 of them children, the response of the international community has been heinously deficient. The response of the US administration has been particularly atrocious.

I have seen the impact of unspeakable violence in Gaza. In November 2012 I visited Khan Younis and the surrounding districts days after an appalling escalation in violence that left more than 100 civilians dead and hundreds more injured. I have seen childrens playgrounds reduced to rubble and homes destroyed. The people of Gaza now go to bed again every night knowing that they may never wake up.

In that context, and having seen its impact before, I cannot in good conscience attend White House parties for St Patricks Day while the administration turns its face the other way and refuses to call for an immediate ceasefire. I could not rub shoulders, drink Guinness and have the craic while the horrifying impacts of the brutal war in Gaza continue. It would be the very opposite of solidarity with a people on the brink of destruction.

Every leader will have to take their own decision on how they approach St Patricks Day. I am offering no criticism of anyone else because there is no easy answer to any of this. But I know that my own conscience, and the values of the party I lead, are not consistent with celebration in the face of overwhelming violence.

The SDLP will send a delegation to Washington DC. We will meet with senior law makers, with Irish-American leaders and with Palestinian-Americans to make the case for an end to violence. It is in our partys DNA to work toward peace wherever possible. We will use our influence to press strongly for an immediate ceasefire and the release of hostages held by Hamas.

I am not naive to the scale of the impact this action will have. But faced with the scenes of destruction across Gaza, one of the most densely populated areas of human habitation on our planet, I honestly believe it would be wrong to attend these celebrations and that not attending sends a far more powerful message.

The first, and most important, principle of peace is that the killing has to stop. The US has enormous influence over the pace of that first step in Gaza and southern Israel. I sincerely hope that they use it and join those of us calling for an immediate ceasefire soon.
The first ski programme in history to operate from City of Derry Airport took to the skies on Saturday with the number one school ski specialists across Ireland, Topflight for Schools.

Staff and student groups from secondary schools across the Northwest travelling on the inaugural service to Verona were treated to some complimentary hospitality to celebrate the occasion at the Airport, as well as having special guest Mayor of Derry City & Strabane District Council, Cllr Patricia Logue, there to see them off on their departure.

Steve Frazer, Managing Director at City of Derry Airport, stated: We are thrilled to see the take-off of the first ever ski service from City of Derry Airport with our fantastic partner, Topflight for Schools. Its a privilege that we can now offer our local school children access to such a fantastic life experience, especially from the convenience of their local airport.

With reduced travel time and cost for school representatives and parents in their journey to the Airport, and a time of less than 15 minutes from the carpark to the departure gate for school staff and children travelling, we pride ourselves on providing a fast, friendly and relaxing experience at City of Derry Airport.

Mr. Frazer added: From the high intake on the 2024 programme, its clear that the ski market is in high demand across the Northwest, and we are delighted to have Topflight for Schools operating from the Airport again in 2025. Topflight for Schools truly are experts in what they do, and we are proud to partner with them on this venture.

Jill Russell, Sales Manager at Topflight for Schools, added: 'It is fair to say that Topflight for Schools staff were almost as excited as the 180 local students as they departed for the slopes of Italy on CoDA's inaugural ski flight.

After the success of the 2024 ski season from City of Derry Airport, Topflight for Schools are delighted to have already secured Winter 2025. The bonus of departing from their local airport has proven very popular by the vast number of schools in the Northwest and has attracted several who have never organised a ski trip for their students in the past.

As Irelands Number 1 School Ski Tour Operator, we would welcome any enquiries from local schools and colleges and encourage 'newbies' to avail of our inclusive packages and unique customer service.

The sold out Topflight for Schools 2024 programme will be operating throughout January and February 2024 from City of Derry Airport, and the Winter 2025 schedule is now on sale.

For more information on Topflight for Schools 2025 Ski Programme from City of Derry Airport, visit www.topflightforschools.ie.
The decision by SDLP leader Colum Eastwood MP not to attend the St Patrick's Day celebrations in the White House has been welcomed by the Derry branch of the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign.

Catherine Hutton, a spokesperson for the group, described the move as a "snub" to US President Joe Biden.

Ms Hutton added: "People power has forced this decision. Our campaigning through the petition and our marching on the streets has made the decision for Colum.

"The people of Ireland have spoken. They demanded that no one should meet Genocide Joe Biden and thankfully the SDLP listened.

"We continue to call on all Irish politicians and civil society to boycott the White Houses St. Patricks Day.

"The US administration has failed to uphold its moral and legal obligations to call for an immediate ceasefire in the ongoing Israeli war on Gaza, which has resulted in the deaths of over 26,000 Palestinians including over 10,000 children," said Catherine Hutton.

She added: "Biden a self-proclaimed Zionist has signed off on billions of dollars of weaponry that is currently being used in the Gaza genocide.

"The US has also blocked several UN Security Council resolutions that would have condemned Israels violations of international law and human rights.

"We believe that attendance at the White Houses festivities would be an act of complicity and betrayal of the Irish people and their solidarity for the Palestinian cause.

"It would be immoral to drink and dance in the White House while Gaza bleeds. Our campaign continues. The people of Ireland demand no shamrocks for the US President while his regime is complicit in genocide."
A man has been remanded in custody at Derry Magistrate's Court today charged with what a judge described as 'a spree of offending including stealing from an 80-year-old woman.'

Liam Murray (19) of Duddy's Court in Derry appeared facing a total of 10 charges that were alleged to have occurred during January.

He was charged with stealing a mobile phone from the reception area of the Brunswick Superbowl on January 2.

Murray was further charged with stealing a power washer valued at 1,300 from the same venue, stealing a mobile phone from Foyle Haven on January 13 and stealing a handbag from an 80-year-old woman in Sainsbury's which contained 1,200 in cash.

Murray also faced a charge of interference with a vehicle and stealing a bankcard and fraud by false representation by using the card.

A police officer connected the accused to the charges and opposed bail.

He said that on January 3 police received a report from the Brunswick Superbowl that a male had entered and stole a mobile phone as well as cash.

A week later the same man was said to have returned and stolen a power washer.

The officer said that the theft in Sainsbury's occurred when the elderly lady was shopping and a man snatched her age and when recovered the money was missing.

The court was also told that on January 26 a man discovered his car door was open and later realised a bank card was missing that was subsequently used for nine transactions.

When interviewed Murray replied no comment.

Police objected to bail due to the risk of re-offending and said Murray had 73 previous convictions.

The officer said that police had 'grave concerns' Murray would commit further offences and didn't believe any conditions would suit.

Defence solicitor Paddy MacDermott said that this was 'difficult application' and added that his client had 'a very bad record' mostly from the youth court.

He said Murray could spend 'a considerable time in custody' and said he could be managed on bail especially now as 'he was on the police radar.'

District Judge Barney McElholm said that Murray had started offending in August 2019 and there had been multiple offences in the youth court but he was now 'in the big boys court'.

He said Murray clearly feels he 'can steal anything he likes, damage whatever he likes'.

The judge said that his primary duty was to protect the public and if Murray was released there was 'not so much a risk of re-offending but an inevitablity.'

Bail was refused and Murray was remanded in custody to appear again on February 9.
Gunshot residue was found in a car belonging to one of the men charged with the murder of Kevin Conway in west Belfast, a court has heard.

Two men appeared before Laganside Magistrates Court on Monday charged with the murder of Mr Conway, 26, who was shot several times at his home on January 9.

When he was killed, Mr Conway had been on bail awaiting trial for the murder of Shane Whitla in Co Armagh last year.

Aidan OKeefe, 27, and Fergal Kane, 53, were both charged with the murder of Mr Conway and possession of a firearm.

Judge Steven Keown granted an interim restriction order prohibiting the publication of their home addresses due to security concerns.

Detective Chief Inspector McGuinness said he could connect OKeefe and Kane to the charges.

Detective McGuinness told the court that he believes two weapons, a handgun and a shotgun, were used in the attack.

Police said they believe there were two vehicles, a white Toyota van and a BMW, involved in the shooting.

The court heard that police could link OKeefe to the white van while the BMW could be traced to Kane.

Detective McGuinness told the court that the BMW was seized after Kane was arrested at the weekend and an examination of the car found cartridge discharge residue in the boot, front passenger footwell and drivers seat.

Earlier, the court was told that the Toyota van was a company vehicle that was in OKeefes possession on the day of the murder.

The van was fitted with a GPS tracker, which allowed police to trace the movements of the van.

Detective McGuinness said that on the day of the murder, OKeefe travelled from his home to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.

Mr OKeefe enters the hospital at 1743 hours. Thats captured on CCTV. He checks into the A&E department, then some three hours later, Mr OKeefe leaves and pays for the parking, the van ignition turns on and that van then leaves the accident and emergency department.

The detective told the court that OKeefe did not tell hospital staff he was leaving.

He added: At 1852 hours, while hes in A&E, theres a telephone call from a number we can attribute to Mr OKeefe and he calls a number we can attribute to Mr Kane and that telephone call lasts 25 seconds.

He continued: The only other contact we can attribute between those two numbers is on the 7th, so two days before the attack.

There is a substantial amount of phone contacts, both with SMS messages and voice calls between Mr Kane and Mr OKeefe.

He said that a short time after leaving the hospital, OKeefes van was seen stopping at a shop in Belfast.

He told the court that OKeefe left the shop and parked close to an address that is linked to Mr Kane.

CCTV footage then picks up both the van and BMW leaving the property in convoy.

The police number plate recognition system picks up both cars travelling along the Falls Road towards the Glen Road, and shortly after 9pm, the vehicles are seen stopping close to the victims property in Rossnareen Park.

A short time later, two men are seen on CCTV emerging from a walkway close to where the vehicles were parked.

One of the men was wearing dark clothing, including a dark coat, dark trousers and dark shoes.

Police believe his face was covered with dark material.

The other person was wearing a dark coat, lighter-coloured jogging trousers and light or white trainers, according to the officer.

Police said his face was also covered. One of the men can be seen carrying what was described as a handgun.

Detective McGuinness said that Mr Conway sent a voice memo to his partner at 9.18pm saying he was playing on his PlayStation.

Police believe he was shot dead moments later as the two men were seen on CCTV at 9.20pm retracing their steps back to the car and van.

GPS tracking data on OKeefes van shows that the engine switches on at 9.22pm and leaves the area. The van is followed seconds later by Kanes BMW.

Minutes later, OKeefe is seen arriving at his home.

The court heard that a short time later, OKeefe received a phone call from the Royal Victoria Hospital, which police say was to enquire of his whereabouts.

The court was told that OKeefe arrived back at the hospital at around 10pm with his partner.

Following investigations, police arrested Kane and OKeefe and seized the BMW.

Police discovered that the van had been returned to OKeefes work colleague, and following subsequent enquiries, the van was found outside the colleagues house.

Plain-clothed officers in an unmarked vehicle parked nearby and saw three men dressed in black go to the back of the van, however, they left after police shouted a warning.

Its my belief that those men were there to either destroy the van or to take it away and put it out of police hands for this investigation, Detective McGuinness added.

The court also heard that three mobile phones were found in the BMW, but Kane has refused to give police the phone passcodes.

Neither of the men have answered police questions in custody, the detective said.

The case has been adjourned until February 20 to allow for bail applications.
Diverse panel lineup at CES 2024 hints at new era for TVs, smartphones, and automobiles

Innovation in display products has always been a focal point at the annual CES event. Looking back at CES 2024, Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics stood out with their transparent displays and eye-catching 360-degree foldable panels. Various automotive displays from Taiwanese, Chinese, and South Korean manufacturers showcased the diverse possibilities for the future TV, mobile, and automotive panel markets.

Transparent displays could be breakthrough for manufacturers, unlikely to fully replace traditional TVs.

In the TV market, the two major South Korean manufacturers, Samsung and LG, have always been the ones to lead technological development. With 2023 being a rather dismal year for the TV market and the rapid development in high-end TV technology by Chinese brands, both South Korean companies are looking at "transparent displays" as a focus for future growth.

LG unveiled the transparent OLED TV, "LG Signature OLED T," at CES 2024, aiming for commercialization in the second half of 2024. On the other hand, Samsung showcased the industry's first transparent Micro LED product, demonstrating its technological prowess in borderless design, transparency, and high resolution.

Photo: The LG Signature OLED T won the innovative awards at CES 2024.

Credit: LG

A transparent display allows a clear view of the other side of the screen, similar to transparent glass. With correct color rendering and high design flexibility, the transparent display provides even more possibilities for interior space design. Apart from its use as a TV, it can also be applied to windows, walls, floors, and other spaces, indicating a high market potential. According to predictions by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), the transparent OLED panel market scale is expected to grow from the current KRW600 billion (approx. US$450 million) to KRW12 trillion by 2030.

Moreover, while Chinese manufacturers have been rapidly developing their competitiveness in regular high-end TV aspects such as image quality, color rendering, size, and cost, South Korean companies still hold the technological lead.

At CES 2024, Chinese TV maker Skyworth also exhibited a transparent OLED TV, with reports suggesting that the panels are mass-produced by BOE and an official commercialization planned for 2025. However, based on the exhibited product, it's still relatively lacking in transparency and color rendering performance. It's anticipated that LG will seize this opportunity by leveraging the early commercialization of the LG Signature OLED T to gain an initial edge in the transparent TV market.

Photo: Skyworth showcased a transparent OLED TV at CES 2024.

Credit: Skyworth

Compared to LG, which has been very active in the transparent TV sector, Samsung is expected to take a wait-and-see approach. This is because, despite achieving breakthroughs in transparent Micro LED technology, there's still the issue of high production costs. A 110-inch transparent Micro LED display costs a staggering US$150,000. Therefore, Samsung will continue to observe the TV market's development before making definitive decisions about its business direction.

Some analyses stated that, even though the transparent display market is becoming active, it is unlikely to replace household TVs in the short term. Industry sources believe the transparency level needs to reach at least 70% to fully replace glass, but the highest transparency level right now is only around 45%. The technology still needs to evolve, and it is estimated that the commercial transparent display market will be the first to expand.

SDC's 360 foldable panel creates more new tricks for smartphones

Another item that received attention at CES 2024 was Samsung Display's (SDC) 360 In & Out Flip foldable smartphone panel technology. Currently, Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip series of products uses infolding. To increase foldable smartphones' ease of use, major brands are all attempting to expand the screen size on the back cover to allow access to all kinds of functions even while folded.

However, expanding the size of the back cover screen means that both power consumption and production costs for smartphones will increase. Cost control and battery efficiency will become challenging issues. Moreover, the device's weight could also increase and possibly compromise the lightweight image of foldable phones.

Through SDC's In & Out Flip technology, foldable smartphones can be used in the folded state while still using a single panel. It could reduce the amount of display components used, resulting in lower production costs and a lighter device.

Although the market scale for foldable phones is expected to grow annually, Chinese manufacturers, including Huawei, Honor, Oppo, Vivo, Transsion, and others, have rapidly risen. They've been making breakthroughs in thinness, battery capacity, cameras, and more while maintaining competitive prices. This has put pressure on Samsung. The market will monitor and see if Samsung can regain its market dominance through 360 panels.

Source: Counterpoint Research, compiled by DIGITIMES, January 2024

SDC's 360 foldable panel technology also hints at the diverse development of form factors for future mobile devices. It has been reported that Huawei is investing in the R&D of a triple-fold smartphone, expected to be launched before March 2024. Samsung is also preparing to introduce rollable panels to its smartphone products, with the earliest possible launch in 2025. Motorola showcased a bendable concept phone at the Lenovo Tech World conference, demonstrating its ability to fold, unfold, and bend to be worn on the wrist.

With the growth of traditional slate smartphones stagnating, smartphone manufacturers are relying on AI features to attract attention. They are also exploring the diversification of form factors to break the public's perceptions of smartphones.

Automotive displays flourish as SDV takes a three-stage approach

The automotive sector was undoubtedly one of the focuses at CES 2024, as it featured several concept cars showcasing the latest technologies in automotive displays from various countries. For example, Taiwanese panel manufacturers AUO and Innolux centered their CES exhibits around smart cockpits.

AUO announced an automotive Display Human Machine Interface (HMI) solution utilizing Micro LED technology and a Mini LED dashboard that extends from the driver's position to the front passenger side. Meanwhile, Innolux subsidiary CarUX presented a series of 15 to 55-inch automotive displays with a curved design, incorporating new technologies such as AM Mini LED and Micro LED.

LG Display (LGD) has also launched numerous products with differentiating technology like POLED, ATO, and LTPS LCD. This includes a large dashboard across the entire front seat, the Switchable Privacy Mode (SPM) that prevents the driver and front passenger from interfering with each other, and sliding/foldable OLED suitable for the back seat of vehicles to build a comprehensive in-vehicle application space.

SDC has also utilized foldable technology in vehicles, showcasing the "Flex Note Extendable" that covers both foldable and extension features, a major tool to help SDC compete in the automotive market. Harman has also revealed a Ready Vision QVUE automotive display equipped with Samsung's Neo QLED technology.

Similarly, Chinese manufacturers are also dedicated to innovation in automotive display technology, with showcases such as Hisense's automotive laser display technology and the 10.25-inch automotive Micro LED HUD from the collaboration between TCL and Sanan.

The panel industry's focus on the automotive market is due to the change in conception that cars are merely "a means of transportation." LG Display (LGD) categorizes the development of Software Defined Vehicles (SDV) into three stages: "Shift," "Evolution," and "Beyond." It has showcased concept cars and corresponding automotive displays for each stage.

In the "Shift" stage, the official implementation of SDV will result in a larger automotive display. Passengers can view driving information and conveniently access content services through displays. In the "Evolution" stage, cars will serve as a dual-purpose "transportation and resting space." Therefore, it requires a "user-centric solution" for displaying or changing forms based on user demand. In the "Beyond" stage, where fully autonomous driving is implemented, steering wheels will disappear, and various-sized panels and applications will fill the vehicle interior. The car will no longer be just a means of transportation but will transform into a "daily space."

Source: Omdia, compiled by DIGITIMES, January 2024

This is a similar concept to what Simon Hsu, the senior director of the mobility solution business unit at AUO, presented at CES 2024, which is to define the smart cockpit as "a third living space" outside of one's home and office. When people can do more things in cars, the hardware has to comply with user demand and develop diversely.

At CES 2024, the wide variety of automotive display form factors and technologies is expected to bring the panel industry to a new wave of growth.
2024 AGC officers, board members

Phil Wallace

President

Wallace

Phil Wallace is an area manager and senior operations manager for Kiewit Infrastructure West. Wallace has over 32 years of construction industry experience, starting his career in 1991 working on the Boeing Everett 40-56 Building expansion as a field engineer. He has managed numerous heavy-civil, marine and transit projects during his career, including WSDOT's Hood Canal Bridge east half replacement, the new SR 520 Floating Bridge and the demolition of the Alaskan Way Viaduct. Wallace has successfully completed complex, technically challenging projects along the entire West Coast, from San Diego to Vancouver, B.C. He is also the AGC of Washington lead executive for the WSDOT/AGC committees, and is a member of the AGC Education Foundation's board of trustees.









Bryan Kelley

First Vice President

Kelley

As vice president of legal for Balfour Beatty's Howard S. Wright office in Seattle, Bryan Kelley is responsible for providing counsel, business operations support and managing transactions, compliance and general risk for the Washington and Oregon markets. A four-time Rising Star according to Washington Law & Politics magazine, Kelley has served on the AGC of Washington's board of trustees and received the AGC of Washington Associate of the Year award in 2014.









Jeff Tiegs

Second Vice President

Tiegs

Jeff Tiegs has been president and owner of Puyallup-based Lincoln Construction since 2015. Tiegs is a 1989 graduate of the construction management program at Central Washington University. He has served the AGC of Washington Southern District in several roles, including president in 2016 and 2017, and representative for five years afterward. Tiegs also has been on the construction management advisory committee at Pierce College since 2007, and is an adjunct instructor there. His past volunteer work includes helping the Boys & Girls Club, as well as Habitat for Humanity.









Grace Pizzey

Secretary/Treasurer

Pizzey

Grace Pizzey is vice president at Holaday-Parks in Seattle and has served as AGC of Washington's secretary/treasurer for several years. With a bachelor's degree in economics from Colorado College, she brings over 25 years of experience in financial and business management including executive leadership, board membership, financial reporting, legal representation, personnel development, budgeting, risk management/mitigation and human resources.









Glyn Slattery

Immediate Past President

Slattery

Glyn Slattery of Lydig Construction has been in the construction industry since 1977. He graduated from the University of Washington in 1982 with a bachelor's degree in construction management, and from the University of Colorado in 1983 with a master's degree in civil engineering. For the past 36 years, he has been with Lydig Construction and currently serves as the firm's vice president and construction executive. Slattery has been an active AGC of Washington member for over 20 years, serving on various committees, as a member of the board and as a chapter officer since 2020. He is also past recipient of AGC of Washington's Contractor of the Year award.









Board members

Dave Rollyson, Turner Construction Co.

Celina Yee, Lease Crutcher Lewis

Jeff Christianson, Exxel Pacific

Matt Osborne, Osborne Construction Co.

Ryan Likkel, Western Refinery Services

John Salinas, Salinas Construction

Lindsay Watkins, Ahlers Cressman & Sleight

JB Gibson, Westlake Consulting Group

Kelli Desrosier, Prime Electric (2024 CLC representative)

District representatives

Scott Isenhart, Tiger-Pearson Co. (Northern District)

Ross Pouley, RAP Consulting (Seattle District)

Tanya Davis, Western Ranch Buildings (Central District)

Patrick Hughes, Hughes Group (Southern District)





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Wallace lines up 4 priorities for 2024

The DJC contacted incoming AGC of Washington President Phil Wallace for a look at his plans as he takes over the reins of the association this year.

Wallace is an area manager and senior operations manager for Kiewit Infrastructure West. He has over 32 years of construction industry experience, working on heavy-civil, marine and transit projects.

This interview was edited for clarity.

Wallace

Q: What are your priorities for the AGC this year?

A: I have several priorities this year. No. 1 is increasing our advocacy during an election year and getting candidates that support the construction industry elected, especially in the governor's seat. No. 2 is growing our membership by working with AGC district leadership throughout the state. No. 3 is working with the AGC Education Foundation to increase funding for their Core Plus Construction program and supporting programs that bring workers into our industry. No. 4 is to enjoy the experience and make new friends along the way. I want to work with our membership on how the AGC of Washington can best help them achieve their business goals.

Q: Tell us more about Core Plus Construction

A: The Core Plus Construction program was established in 2020 and already serves over 80 school districts in Washington state. It is an official Washington state program of study that allows high school students to explore careers in the construction industry. Students gain high school graduation credits and real-world skills that are supported by AGC members.

This program puts construction as a viable education path back in our high school programs and promotes careers for high school students that don't necessarily require attending a four-year university and the expensive student loans that come with that option. High school and skill center students can enroll in a Core Plus Construction program and develop knowledge, skills, and abilities that lead to direct employment in high-wage and high-demand fields, or they can enter two- and four-year college programs better informed about their career choices. We will need these future construction workers to support the industry demand for skilled craft and management professionals.

Photo from Kiewit Infrastructure West [enlarge] Wallace says his favorite project involved a rebuild of the Hood Canal Bridge.





Q: What are the biggest challenges facing the industry?

A: I think the two biggest challenges we currently face are:

1. Getting our Legislature to provide WSDOT budgeting for maintenance and preservation of our state roads and bridges. There is little to no funding for 2024 and safety is WSDOT's top priority, which includes keeping our transportation hubs safe for the traveling public.

2. We currently have a construction boom in heavy-civil construction in the state and contractors are finding it very hard to find capable trained craft and construction management personnel to run the work.

Q: What keeps you up at night?

A: When I was running projects, I always worried about the safety of our workers and the traveling public. There is an ever-increasing amount of incidents in our construction work zones and this is a huge issue for our industry. AGC of Washington has worked closely with WSDOT to incorporate new legislation in Senate Bill 5273 that includes adding automated safety cameras that will ticket drivers speeding through construction work zones. This new law takes effect July 1.

Q: What was your path into construction?

A: I started with Legos when I was very young and branched up to building forts when I was old enough to use a hammer and a saw. I was always interested in building things from a very young age and that passion never left. I went to university to get my engineering degree and have been fortunate in my career to have been a part of many great teams that have built signature projects across the state that have won numerous industry awards.

My favorite project was the Hood Canal Bridge project because that is where my partnership with the WSDOT team really began. I still retain those friendships to this day more than a decade later. It has also been a pleasure to watch the people that have worked for me prosper and grow in their careers. We really are an industry that serves the public and I really appreciate that. We are essential.

Q: What is something that most people don't know about you?

A: I am a comic book collector  thank God that Disney purchased Marvel.





Other Stories:
What's in store for Washington's construction industry in 2024

Contractors remain upbeat about the available dollar value of projects.



By STEPHEN E. SANDHERR

AGC of America

Sandherr

AGC of America and Sage conduct an annual nationwide survey of construction firms to get a better sense of the industry's expectations for the coming year. Early in January, we released our latest construction hiring and business outlook, titled A Construction Market in Transition. On balance, contractors in Washington and across the country remain upbeat about the available dollar value of projects to bid on in 2024.

Among contractors in Washington state, the net reading  the percentage of respondents who expect the available dollar value of projects to expand compared to the percentage who expect it to shrink  is positive for 14 of the 17 categories of construction included in the survey.

Washington contractors are most optimistic about infrastructure and federal construction projects. Specifically, the highest net positive reading in the 2024 survey  55%  was for transportation construction. This was followed in Washington by a 45% net reading for bridge and highway construction projects and a 37% net reading for federal projects.

Most firms in Washington anticipate adding workers in 2024 to accommodate the higher demand for projects. More than two-thirds (68%) of the respondents expect to add to their headcount, compared to only 13% who expect a decrease. However, 69% of Washington contractors report they are having a hard time filling some or all salaried or hourly craft positions.

As a result of these labor challenges, most firms in Washington took steps in 2023 to attract and retain workers. Fifty-eight percent increased base pay rates more than in 2022. Additionally, 39% of firms provided incentives or bonuses and 19% of the firms increased their portion of benefit contributions and/or improved employee benefits.

Meanwhile, almost equal percentages of firms in Washington report projects were postponed or canceled in 2023 and not rescheduled (44% of respondents) as report projects were postponed but rescheduled (40%). Ominously, 13% have already experienced postponement or cancellation of a project that had been scheduled for the first half of 2024.

These challenges are prompting many firms to invest in technology that will make them more efficient. Thirty-six percent of respondents from Washington state expect their firms to initiate or increase investments in drones, while 26% will invest in artificial intelligence  many for the first time  and 23% will invest in offsite production.

Here at the Associated General Contractors of America, we are working to make sure the outlook for 2024 remains positive. We are pushing for new funding for construction education and training programs as part of both the Workforce and Innovation Opportunity Act and the Pell Grant reauthorization legislation that are expected this year in Congress.

We will continue to urge the Biden administration to implement mandated reforms to the federal review and permitting process and otherwise ensure that the federal government no longer serves as the biggest obstacle to its own construction investments. And we will continue to push for improvements to the new Buy America rules, so vital infrastructure projects aren't stymied because a single washer on a single fixture includes some materials that were mined abroad.

The bottom line is we are committed to working with policymakers and our members to make sure the conditions are right for firms to be successful in their efforts to improve the nation's infrastructure, modernize manufacturing and build an even stronger economy.

Stephen E. Sandherr is the chief executive officer of the Associated General Contractors of America.





Other Stories:
2 senior Ningxia officials punished for deadly restaurant gas explosion

Xinhua) 11:20, January 29, 2024

BEIJING, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- Two senior officials of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region have been subjected to disciplinary Party penalties for neglecting their duties and failing to fulfill their responsibilities in a deadly restaurant gas explosion last year, according to an official statement on Saturday.

Chen Chunping, vice chairman of the regional government of Ningxia, was given a warning within the Party, while Zhao Xuhui, Party chief of Yinchuan, the regional capital, was handed a severe warning. Both Chen and Zhao are standing committee members of the Communist Party of China (CPC) committee of Ningxia.

The decision to hand down penalties was made by the Standing Committee of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) and approved by the CPC Central Committee.

The blast occurred on June 21, 2023, at a barbecue restaurant on a busy street in Yinchuan, when liquefied petroleum gas leaked from the restaurant, leaving 31 dead and seven injured.

A CCDI investigation found that Chen, who was in charge of Ningxia's affairs related to workplace safety, had neglected his administrative and supervisory duties related to the gas safety work of the autonomous region.

Zhao was found to have neglected his duties related to supervising the law-enforcement work of relevant departments and overseeing the gas and catering sectors.

Public security authorities of Ningxia launched a probe into 15 persons suspected of crimes in the incident, including the owner of the restaurant, and 11 of them have been arrested.

Besides, a total of 66 public servants have been held accountable for suspected violation of discipline and law, including five that are under disciplinary review and supervisory investigations for suspected serious violations of discipline, law and duty-related crimes.

The other 61 public servants, including officials of several departments of the autonomous regional government and a vice mayor of Yinchuan, were dealt with accordingly.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
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WASHINGTON (AP)  The Biden administration is delaying consideration of new natural gas export terminals in the United States, even as gas shipments to Europe and Asia have soared since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

President Joe Biden's election year decision aligns with environmentalists who fear the huge increase in exports in the form of liquefied natural gas, or LNG, is locking in potentially catastrophic planet-warming emissions when the Democratic president has pledged to cut climate pollution in half by 2030.





. . .
Detectives probing the death of a Donegal woman in Scotland say they are now following a positive line of inquiry.

The body of Gweedore native Ann Coll was found in a flat in South Lanarkshire at around 12.45am on December 22.

Ms Coll, who was aged 61, was pronounced dead at the scene at Newfield Place in Rutherglen.

Ms Coll hailed from Arduns in Gweedore and has relatives living in west Donegal.

Police Scotland launched a murder investigation after a postmortem examination confirmed her death as being suspicious.

Officers have poured over CCTV in a bid to piece together Ms Colls final movements.

"We are fully committed to tracing the person or people responsible as soon as possible and our team are following a positive line of inquiry, said Detective Chief Inspector Lynsey Watters, who is leading the investigation.

"We truly believe that the answer to this investigation lies within the community.

"Even if you feel the information you hold is insignificant, we would still ask you to come and tell us. It could be the vital piece we need."

CCTV footage obtained by media in Scotland showed Ms Coll visiting her local shop to buy cigarettes on December 19 at 8.46am.

Accompanied by her believed border collie, Ms Coll - who was said to visit the shop multiple times each day - then made the short walk to her home.

The footage is among the last known sightings of Ms Coll.

An online portal has been set up to allow members of the public to send information directly to the police. This can be accessed here: https://mipp.police.uk/operation/SCOT23S45-PO1

Anyone with information can also call 101, quoting reference 0110 of 22 December, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Detective Chief Inspector Watters added: This area is one of the main routes from Rutherglen to the southside of Glasgow and has several bars and restaurants nearby.

"Our officers will continue to do everything they can to bring answers for Ann's family and we continue to provide them with support at this very difficult time."
Tributes have been paid to Aidan O'Reilly, a very popular Clara native and highly regarded officer in the Irish Defence Forces.

Commandant O'Reilly passed away unexpectedly on January 27.

Brigadier General Tony Cudmore paid tribute on RIP.IE saying: "Deepest sympathy on your tragic loss from all members of 2 Brigade. We were so fortunate to have Aidan as a valued member of our team and share your grief at this sad time".

Another noted his big smile which they said "would light up the darkest room".

Tributes were paid from around the country and abroad, as well as from his many friends and family in Clara.

Many remarked on his wonderful character and loyalty.

Another who served with him in the Lebanon noted he was a "very professional soldier" and also a "really nice guy".

A member of Sundays Well RFC in Cork where Aidan played said: "We will remember Aidan as a gentleman and a fine rugby player".

Mark Keane PDFORRA President said: "Our members thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. May Aidan rest in peace. With deepest sympathies".

Another army colleague said he was "a truly kind and decent soul who will be sadly missed by all those who knew or worked with him".

His friends and neighbours remembered his big smile and personality. One described him as an "amazing neighbour and friend".

Aidan was a dearly beloved husband of Ann (nee Daly), adored son of Joseph and Helen, loving brother of Richella, Neill and Rory, much loved uncle of Molly, Joseph, Elsie Mae, Calla Rose and Daniel.

He will be sadly missed by his heartbroken wife and family, parents-in-law Hugh and Dympna, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and colleagues in the Defence Forces, relatives, neighbours and a large circle of friends.

He will repose at the Temple Hill Funeral Home, Boreenmanna Road, Cork of Jerh. OConnor Ltd: On Wednesday, January 31st from 3.00pm to 4.00pm.

Requiem Mass will be celebrated at 12:00 noon on Thursday, February 1st in St. Brigids Church, Clara, Co. Offaly.
Sinn Fein MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, Michelle Gildernew, was in Dundalk last week, and spoke to the Dundalk Democrat regarding her intention to seek the party nomination to be a second candidate in the Midlands Northwest constituency in the upcoming European Elections, taking place this June.

Nominations for selection opened on 19 January and closed on Monday (today). Her running mate, should she be successful, is Chris MacManus, who has already been selected as sitting MEP.

Michelle tells the Dundalk Democrat that the Midlands North West is a constituency that has lots and lots of challenges, but she has a firm focus on the areas she wishes to work on should she be successful.

If selected, and I'm privileged enough to be elected, because that's what it is, it is a privilege to serve the people, I would hope to be going on the Agricultural Committee so that I can then be a strong voice for farmers, for rural families in this region.

I understand the value and the importance of the Irish family farm, I understand the pressures farmers are under, as a former Agriculture Minister in the North.

 I think the sustainability of the family farm, the sustainability of a farming family livelihood, is at the minute in question.

She continued: Farmers are being asked to do more for less support and that's not good enough.

We want to see the new CAP deal recognising the work that farmers are doing, not just in food production but in terms of the environment and climate change and all of that.

We recognise how important farmers are. We want to ensure that there's a future for rural communities and that they feel like they're a valued part of the economy. And that's not always the case.

Recognising the changes that may be required in both beef and dairy farming due to the biodiversity and climate change crisis, the SF MP said that, when I was the Agriculture and Rural Development Minister, I made sure that all sectors had my ear.

So that was agronomy, the mushroom industry, the potato industry, it was apples and fish and right across the board. Beef and dairy I suppose are the big players, the biggest sectors on the island. But they're also vulnerable to outside pressures.

We don't want a single identity nearly in the farming sector. The positivity of is it we can supply Irish pork, lamb, beef, dairy, potatoes, vegetables, fish right across the board.

There are plenty of pioneering people who are looking at plant based foods, the mushroom sector in particular, but there's also people producing seeds and making juices and bringing in a new arm in the food production industry on the island of Ireland.

We need to ensure that the supply chain is protected and secured, that farmers have the right supports and they are valued as a proper part of our economy.

"Without farmers the economy would suffer and rural communities would suffer. It's about ensuring we have a fair CAP for family farmers, a reversal of the cuts to CAP funding, that we have.

Biodiversity needs to be enhanced, so we want to see funding for farmers, outside of CAP for biodiversity and nature restoration measures. We don't want to see the disappearance of our native flora and fauna.

Looking to other issues, it is put to Ms Gildernew that people are not invested as much in EU politics unless relates to issues including farming, Brexit, or immigration.

She interjects, Or like Ursula Von Der Leyen overstepping the mark, in relation to the EU President's comments and actions to date in relation to the conflict in Gaza.

There are people who have an influence and a say and I think her actions have been disgraceful. I am brokenhearted that 25,000 plus Palestinian people are now dead. The majority of them women and children.

When foreign bought weapons are being brought in to kill babies, when they're going after hospitals and refugee camps. These are war crimes. And Ursula Von Der Leyen has stood over that and given Israel unequivocal support.

That's when people get angry about the decisions that are made here in Ireland, here in Midlands North West, that have reprecussions around the globe.

Every vote is precious and every vote is important and means something. We all have one vote, how you use that is critically important and when you see how something like that can impact negatively. I agree that sometimes it can be seen to be a wee bit far away but don't forget, we're a border constituency

We know how hard Martina Anderson (as former Sinn Fein MEP representing Northern Ireland from 2012 to 2020) worked when she was an MEP, everybody could name her, becasue she went out there and fought to ensure that Irleand was not forgotten about in the whole Brexit debacle and the Good Friday Agreement was protected in all of its parts.

We also were successful in securing a committment from the EU that post Irish unity, that the six counties would go back into the European Union.

We are in a very exciting time  the next ten years will see major changes in Irish politics. We need friends who can help bring that about. We also need friends who can ensure that we have the resources we need to build a nation.

It won't happen by accident, we have to plan for it. I'm disappointed that the parties in government have not done more to prepare for unity and have not done more to bring people with them on that journey.

One thing Brexit has taught us is how not to do a referendum. We want to have the discussions, the debates, the consultation around how we see our future. So there's tonnes of work to be done.

We can do that here in Ireland but we'll also be ensuring that we'll have friends and we've influenced people who can help bring about economic and social justice which is critically important.

People in Louth recognise that the social justice in Ireland at the moment is leaving some people behind. If you're earning a decent wage and your partner is earning a decent wage and you still can't afford a house, that is not social justice. Government have invited vulture funds in, they have bought up estates and ordinary working people can't get a house.

I was brought up in a very political home where social justice, inequality and discrimination were talked about and we knew the importance of achieving those things.

I get that people are angry about the fact that they can't afford to but a house, I get the fact that young people are emigrating for economic reasons.

We want to ensure that we are working with the Sinn Fein team across the island of Ireland to deliver for people in every facet of their lives.

Elections for the European Parliament take place 6-9 June 2024.
Epic, enchanting, spectacular, immersive and unforgettable  just some of the words being used to describe what to expect at The Northern Lights  Brigid 1500 festival.

Excitement has been building over the past number of weeks as a spectacular audio-visual installation got underway at Market Square in Dundalk.

With the countdown officially begun the first show will take place at 6pm on Wednesday January 31, followed by a second at 6.30pm, and the last show at 7pm.

The festival continues each evening until the final shows on Monday 5 of February. Thereafter until the end of the month the installation will be illuminated (without audio) from 5pm  10pm daily.

Brigid 1500 is a programme of national and international events to commemorate Brigid of Faughart, pre-Christian Goddess and Matron Saint of Ireland.

Her feast day on February 1st has long symbolised hope, renewal and the Devine feminine, and this year also marks the 1500th anniversary of her death.

Town Centre Commercial Manager, Martin McElligott explained: When this initiative was first announced we knew that Louth, as Birthplace of Brigid, had a responsibility to not only breathe light and life into this very personal celebration for County Louth, but to lead the way creatively on the global stage.

The Northern Lights - Brigid 1500 series is a monumental attraction befitting the Matron Saint of Ireland, this installation features up to 200,000 individual points of light and unique decorative symbols exclusively designed to represent the spirit of Brigid.

Inspiration for the visual concept came directly from the iconic Brigid of Faughart mural created by Irish artist Friz in Dundalk in 2020, it has continued to inspire us in countless ways and was central to this design.

Martin concluded: The reaction from the public has been phenomenal, we expect large numbers to attend each of the free shows and invite you all to join us in celebrating St. Brigid. It really is a dream come true to see a project of this scale come alive in the heart of our town centre.

Joan Martin, Chief Executive of Louth County Council said: We are delighted that after months of careful planning, the festivities are now getting underway, and welcome everyone to join us in celebrating the incredible legacy of St. Brigid of Faughart.

The Brigid1500 celebrations are a hugely important milestone in our nations history, but are especially significant for County Louth, which as the birthplace of Brigid, is where her inspiring life story began.

Louth County Council are very proud to lead this exciting festival of events and initiatives which showcase Louths vibrant cultural heritage, while commemorating the life and lasting impact of Brigid.
Public Health HSE Dublin and North East, which covers North Dublin, Cavan, Louth, Meath and Monaghan, is urging parents in Louth to make sure children and young people are up to date with their MMR vaccine due to a rise in cases in parts of the UK and Europe.

The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps and rubella and the HSE is advising people to be vigilant and take necessary steps to prevent the spread of this highly contagious virus.

Measles can be unpleasant and is a potentially serious and highly infectious disease that can spread easily through respiratory droplets.

To safeguard our communities, the HSE is recommending that people make sure they are up to date with MMR vaccine to prevent spread of the disease if cases occur in Ireland.

Dr Lucy Jessop, Director of the National Immunisation Office, HSE said: The importance of taking precautions to protect both the individual and the community from measles cannot be understated.

While measles is preventable through vaccination, the virus spreads very quickly between people who are not vaccinated and can have severe consequences, particularly for babies and vulnerable groups.

Getting vaccinated against diseases like measles, mumps and rubella is vitally important as these conditions can also lead to other serious problems including meningitis, hearing loss and problems during pregnancy. Remember, if you or your child has missed their childhood vaccines, its not too late to catch up.

What you can do to protect your family and community against measles:



1.Check Vaccination Status

Ensure that you and your family members are up-to-date with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Contact your GP to check if your childs vaccinations are up-to-date.

Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent measles and protect against its complications. Two doses are recommended to be considered fully vaccinated.

The first dose is given when your child is 12 months of age. It is important to get the first MMR on time at 12 months and not delay because measles is more severe in young children.

The second dose is due when your child is in junior infants. If you or your family members have missed an MMR vaccine, it is strongly advised to schedule a vaccination appointment with your GP.

With the mid-term break coming up, it is particularly important that anyone travelling to the UK ensures they have received the right number of MMR vaccines for their age.

2. Practice Good Hygiene

Maintain proper hand hygiene by washing hands frequently with soap and water. Avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, nose, and mouth, to reduce the risk of infection.

3.Monitor for Symptoms

Stay vigilant for symptoms of measles. These include:

high fever

cough

runny nose

characteristic red rash.

If you or a family member develop these symptoms, or have been in contact with someone with measles, stay at home and contact your doctor by phone for advice, and inform healthcare providers of any recent travel history.

If you think someone in your family has measles, phone your doctor immediately for advice. Keep the child or adult at home and refrain from visitors coming to your home unless they know they are protected against measles (they have had two doses of MMR vaccine).

Further information about the MMR vaccination is available at www.immunisation.ie. See the HSE website for more information about the signs and symptoms, treatment and risks of measles https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/measles.
At least 30 childcare facilities closed in Cork city and county in 2023, according to Tusla and Pobal.

Figures released to the Labour Partys South East Ward candidate Peter Horgan showed that there were 101 cessations of school-age services  meaning after-school services  between January and November 2023, and that 13 of these were in Cork.

Nationally, the number of children registered to services that closed between January 2023 and mid-January 2024 was 364, Pobal said.

These closures have affected 133 Cork school-aged children: 46 in the city and 87 outside of it, a higher number than in any other county.

Mr Horgan told The Echo: Its discouraging to see so many closures take place in Cork and to anecdotally hear from parents being put under so much pressure.

There is clearly an issue to address, and we are calling on the minister for children Roderic OGorman not to turn a blind eye to these closures, especially the impact on those staff let go.

After-school services play a vital role for parents and families who are unable to remote work.

These closures disproportionately impact frontline workers in healthcare and gardai, and we have to support those workers to have the right childcare they need.

Tusla and Pobal both released further figures for early-years services to The Echo, sharing the number of closures of full day care, part-time, and sessional pre-school and creche services that were forced to shut in 2023.

The total number of closures of early-years services notified to Tusla in 2023 was 115, with all but three counties (Leitrim, Offaly, and Carlow) seeing at least one closure.

Cork, with 17 closures, was second only to Dublin, which saw 34 early-years services shut their doors.

It comes as several Cork providers have complained about issues with chronic underfunding in the sector over the past few years. Thousands of people took to Dublins streets last September to protest the levels of funding and administration within the sector.

Following this protest, when many providers warned that they would have to close if changes were not made, Elaine Dunne, chairperson of the Federation of Early Childhood Providers, said that no help was introduced in the budget.

Amanda Spitteri, who was forced to close five afterschool services, three of which were in Cork, previously told The Echo that childcare providers were victims of a mass culling, saying: My interpretation of it is that theyre trying to make a public model, so theyre deliberately culling these smaller services that wont be required for it.
THE inaugural Talk the Talk Podcast Festival will take place in Ballycotton from March 7 to 10 2024, with a host of well-known names performing live versions of their shows at popular venues including Sea Church and The Blackbird.

The line-up for Sea Church includes Limerick artist and author, Blindboy Boatclub, who will bring his eclectic The Blindboy Podcast; IFTA nominated actress Hilary Rose, known for her portrayal of Mairead McSweeney in The Young Offenders, presenting her podcast Live Wild, along with a special guest; and Irish comedian, writer and actor, David McSavage, who will bring his podcast Thats Why Were not Together.

Other highlights include Tales from the Pitch with Ciaran ORathallaigh and guest, as well as Hola, the podcast with Laura Cronin and Audrey Fitzhagan.

The Blackbird will play host to Real Lives Untold with Sarah OConnor, and The Murphys Pubcast with Tony Kiernan and Fred Cooke.

The festival will also see a free workshop by renowned podcast company Acast.

Commenting on the upcoming Talk the Talk Podcast Festival, general manager of Sea Church John Kidney said: Ballycotton has really been put on the map recently with unique and quirky events and the upcoming podcast festival is no exception.

We expect a huge buzz in the village over these few days in March, as people celebrate some of Irelands most renowned podcasters, comedians and storytellers.

Were especially excited that Acast will host a workshop for aspiring podcast makers, he added.

Its the icing on the cake for what promises to be a fantastic offering.

Were also hugely grateful to our partners Talk the Talk for helping us bring about this festival.

For more information on all upcoming events at Sea Church, visit www.seachurch.ie.
CORK'S two local authorities brought 240 council houses back into use last year with a total investment of more than 4.1m.

The figures were revealed in new data issued by the Department of Housing.

While Cork City Council were able to restore 130 local authority houses to use, at a cost of 2,562,517, the County Council brought 110 voids back into use with a total price tag of 1,577,857.

The average cost of restoring what is termed a void house to use was 19,711 in the City Council area while, for Cork County Council, the cost was 14,344.

Last year a total of 2481 voids were restored to use across all of Irelands local authorities, with a total investment of 46,000. The average cost per house returned to use was 18,540.

The voids programme was introduced under the Governments Housing for All plan with the aim of preparing vacant homes for re-letting.

According to Housing Minister Darragh OBrien, who welcomed the figures, it builds on the ongoing work to tackle vacancy and dereliction by bringing vacant buildings back into re-use for housing.

Refurbishment and the return to use of vacant properties helps to reduce pressure on existing housing stock, increase supply, and ultimately, provide much needed homes for people, said Minister OBrien.

Apart from addressing the need for social housing, the refurbishment of these unoccupied social homes also has a positive impact on communities, he said, adding that it prevented the decline and abandonment of vacant properties, which, in some instances, can lead to antisocial behaviour.

Minister OBrien commended local authorities for working with the Department to bring these previously vacant houses back into active use and said their efforts would make a real difference in the lives of over 2,400 households.

I commend local authorities for working with us to bring these homes back into active use in 2023. Their efforts, will make a real difference in the lives of over 2,400 households All local authorities are encouraged to continue to be as proactive as possible in the return of all vacant properties to use through the use of the Voids Funding Programme as well as other programmes such as the Buy & Renew and Repair & Lease Schemes.

"Speed in tackling vacant social housing is also critical to regeneration and improving the vitality and vibrancy of communities in towns and cities across the country.

Through this Housing for All action we have now have shifted to a position of planned maintenance of social housing stock to ensure the fastest possible turnaround and re-let times for social housing stock.
THREE new charges were brought today against the 72-year-old American previously known as Philip Morris and later identified through enquiries with the FBI as Randoph Kirk Parker.

Detective Garda Padraic Hanley of the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation testified at Cork District Court that Mr Kirk was formally arrested, charged and cautioned in respect of three new counts and he had nothing to the say to the charges.

Already facing passport-related charges, he was additionally charged on January 29 with one further charge of providing false information to obtain a passport at the Passport Office, South Mall, Cork, in 2013, possession of a driving licence obtained by using a false name on the date on which he was arrested, and giving a false name to gardai when he was at the Bridewell garda station at the time of his arrest last September.

Det. Garda Hanley said the Director of Public Prosecution directed trial by indictment on all charges except the last count of giving gardai a false name at the Bridewell in Cork.

Frank Buttimer, solicitor for the accused, asked for a precis of the prosecution evidence so that the accused could consider whether he would be entering signed pleas of guilty or if a book of evidence would be required.

Judge Mary Dorgan granted an initial adjournment until February 1, when it is anticipated that it will be further adjourned. The accused will appear by video link from prison on that date.

IDENTIFICATION

At a previous hearing, Det. Garda Hanley said, We believe we have identified the accused through enquiries with the FBI as Randolph Parker with a date of birth, the seventh of the third, 1951.

Mr Buttimer said, There is no objection to that amendment to the charge sheets. Mr Morris here to fore acknowledges that his name is as stated by Detective Garda Hanley  Randolph Kirk Parker.

Before today the accused faced charges related to an investigation into the alleged application for passports in the names of babies who died in the 1950s. He has been in custody since his arrest at the passport office on South Mall, Cork, on September 14.

It was alleged that he had passports in the names of two babies who died within three months of birth in 1952 and 1953.

One charge states that on September 11 this year at the passport office on South Mall, Cork, he provided information or documents which were false or misleading, in connection with a passport application. There are two similar charges referring to an unknown date between September 12 and 25 2012 at the Passport Office on South Mall, Cork, and the application for the issue of a passport, and one final, similar charge referring to a different date, June 7 2022.

In total now he faces four passport-related charges, one related to a driving licence and the summary charge of giving gardai a false name when arrested.
University College Cork (UCC) researchers and the inventor of a self-care app for people with Parkinsons disease are launching the worlds first-ever study to find out more about the impact hormonal changes in women have on their symptoms.

Professor Aideen OSullivan and Dr. Lucy Collins Stack from the UCC Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience are working with the developer of the My Moves Matter app, Richelle Flanagan from Dublin, who was diagnosed with Young Onset Parkinsons disease after the birth of her daughter.

Ms. Flanagan, who developed My Moves Matter to track womens symptoms across their menstrual cycle, said that 40% o people living with Parkinsons are women and 30% are under the age of 60.

She believes that specific treatment for women with the illness is an area that has been long overlooked.

My experience of the impact of my hormone fluctuations during my menstrual cycle and subsequently going through the menopause and the effect on my Parkinsons symptoms led me to develop the My Moves Matter as a tool for women to be able to validate what they experience during these hormonal changes so that they can advocate for themselves, she said.

They will have a means of showing their neurologist the impact of their hormones on their Parkinsons symptoms and get appropriate treatment.

The study

The study, supported by the Health Innovation Hub Ireland (HiHi) and Enterprise Ireland, seeks the help of women with Parkinsons Disease, who are being asked to track their symptoms using the My Moves Matter app.

The research will be the first in the world to track how hormonal changes in women with Parkinsons impact their symptoms.

It is hoped that their findings will aid patient-specific treatment and management of Parkinsons disease.

The study with UCC is so important for women with Parkinsons as it will be the first prospective study of its kind to track the impact of the menstrual cycle on Parkinsons symptoms, said Ms. Flanagan.

There are no clinical guidelines for the management of symptoms worsening in relation to hormonal changes in women.

My hope is that this study may help to lay the foundations for the development of such guidelines, which would be transformative for many women who have worsening of their symptoms for 1-2 weeks of every month which can be very debilitating leading to work absences, inability to look after their families and often giving up work.

Patient-specific treatment

According to Professor OSullivan, who is the head of UCCs Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, there is an increasing global awareness of what she said was an unmet need for patient-specific treatment and management of Parkinsons Disease.

This is particularly important for women with Parkinsons, who have unique needs, said Professor OSullivan.

Women may experience Parkinsons symptoms differently at distinct stages of their monthly menstrual cycle, and of their reproductive lifecycle.

Professor OSullivan said the involvement of patients in the design and dissemination of the research was critical for its success and described Richelle Flanagan as such a strong and effective advocate for people with Parksinsons, especially for young women who are struggling to manage the many and varied symptoms.

Dr. Lucy Collins Stack said the lived experience of Richelle enriched the research greatly.

It strengthens its quality and relevance and ultimately its impacts on the patient community.

The app can be found at mymovesmatter.com/get-the-apptarget="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> and the UCC survey can be accessed at My Moves Matter UCC Parkinsons Study.
The case against a Ukrainian refugee accused of dangerous driving causing the death of a fellow Ukrainian with whom she had been socialising in Cork has been adjourned until February 26 to allow time for preparation and service of a book of evidence.

Detective Garda Gary Brennan also served fresh charges on Kseniia Vasylenko, namely that she allegedly had no insurance or driving licence at the time. Judge Mary Dorgan remanded the accused in continuing custody for another four weeks, on the application of Sergeant Aisling Murphy at Cork District Court.

The principle charge against her is the allegation that she dangerously drove a Hyundai Alantra car at Cork Airport causing the death of Andrii Nesterov, who was aged around 50, after 2am on October 8, 2023. It was alleged that she was driving the Hyundai car owned by the deceased and that her driving was dangerous, resulting in his death.

Kseniia Vasylenko, aged 43, of Cork Airport Hotel appeared in person in court yesterday.

In the original bail application, the accused said her husband was still in Ukraine working in IT for the resistance. She said she had been working with the local authority in central Ukraine and was now living in Cork with her five-year-old son and her mother.

Following an objection to bail from Det Garda Brennan, the accused was remanded in custody.
By David Young, PA

The DUP is set for a crunch meeting on Monday as its party leader briefs senior members on UK government proposals aimed at ending Stormonts powersharing impasse.

The DUP has been using a veto power to blockade Stormont s devolved institutions for two years in protest at post-Brexit trading arrangements that have created trade barriers between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The party has been involved in protracted talks with the British 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 UK governments proposed measures.

If Sir Jeffrey Donaldson reaches a deal to restore Stormont, Sinn Fein vice president Michelle ONeill would become First Minister (Liam McBurney/PA)

On Friday, members of the DUPs 130-strong party executive were invited to a short notice meeting at 7pm on Monday.

The invitation said the gathering, at a yet undisclosed location in Northern Ireland, would see party leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson provide a detailed update on the current political situation.

If Mr Donaldson 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.

They believe the boycott should only end once all the economic barriers created by Brexits Northern Ireland Protocol, and the subsequent Windsor Framework, are removed.

While the mooted deal being offered by the UK government will seek to reduce red tape associated with arrangements, and offer additional measures aimed at strengthening GB-NI ties, they will not result in the axing of the EU and UKs jointly agreed protocol and framework.

Last week, in an impassioned speech at Westminster, Mr Donaldson said he had received threats amid the speculation over an impending deal. The DUP has reported the incidents to the police.

On Sunday Sinn Fein called on the DUP to step off the endless merry-go-round of its Stormont boycott and return to powersharing.

Senior party TD Pearse 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?

Traditional Unionist Voice leader Jim Allister has told the DUP to hold firm and maintain its boycott (PA).

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.

On Friday, senior DUP MLA and former party leader Edwin Poots criticised some other unionists who have accused his party of being traitors.

He suggested his party had extracted meaningful concessions from the UK government.

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, 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.
By David Young

The SDLP has said it will not attend celebratory St Patricks events at the White House in protest at the situation in Gaza, but will send a delegation to Washington to raise its concerns.

The decision comes amid calls from pro-Palestinian supporters on the island of Ireland for parties to boycott the annual St Patricks engagements in Washington in March, because of the USs ongoing support for Israel as it pursues its offensive in Gaza.

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood MP said he could not in good conscience attend celebratory events at the White House while the civilian population in Gaza lives in constant fear of eradication.

He accused the US administration of an atrocious response to the conflict.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar presents US President Joe Biden with a bowl of shamrock during last years St Patricks Day reception. Photo: Niall Carson/PA.

Mr Eastwood said the scale and intensity of violence could not be justified and called on the US to become an advocate for a ceasefire.

He said his party would send a delegation to Washington to engage with senior lawmakers, Irish Americans and Palestinian Americans to make the case for an end to violence.

The bonds of friendship and shared history between Ireland and the United States have forged one of the warmest and most enduring international relationships in the world today, he said.

It is because we are so close historically, diplomatically and, many of us, personally, that we have a duty to be honest with our friends and allies, especially when we think theyre wrong.

The scenes of destruction and annihilation in Gaza represent, in my view, a clear act of genocide.

With more than 26,000 people dead, and more than 10,000 of them children, the response of the international community has been heinously deficient. The response of the US administration has been particularly atrocious.

I have seen the impact of unspeakable violence in Gaza. In November 2012 I visited Khan Younis and the surrounding districts days after an appalling escalation in violence that left more than 100 civilians dead and hundreds more injured.

I have seen childrens playgrounds reduced to rubble and homes destroyed. The people of Gaza now go to bed again every night knowing that they may never wake up.

In that context, and having seen its impact before, I cannot in good conscience attend White House parties for St Patricks Day while the administration turns its face the other way and refuses to call for an immediate ceasefire.

I could not rub shoulders, drink Guinness and have the craic while the horrifying impacts of the brutal war in Gaza continue.

It would be the very opposite of solidarity with a people on the brink of destruction.

Sinn Fein has faced criticism from pro-Palestinian activists in Ireland for not boycotting Washington in March.

The party has said it will use events in the US capital to raise its concerns about the situation in Gaza.

On Sunday, Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty said his party would not shirk its responsibility to voice its opposition to the US administrations stance.

Mr Eastwood said every party leader would have to make their own decision on how they approach St Patricks Day in the US.

I am offering no criticism of anyone else because there is no easy answer to any of this, he said.

But I know that my own conscience, and the values of the party I lead, are not consistent with celebration in the face of overwhelming violence.

The SDLP will send a delegation to Washington DC. We will meet with senior lawmakers, with Irish-American leaders and with Palestinian-Americans to make the case for an end to violence.

It is in our partys DNA to work toward peace wherever possible. We will use our influence to press strongly for an immediate ceasefire and the release of hostages held by Hamas.

I am not naive to the scale of the impact this action will have. But faced with the scenes of destruction across Gaza, one of the most densely populated areas of human habitation on our planet, I honestly believe it would be wrong to attend these celebrations and that not attending sends a far more powerful message.

The first and most important principle of peace is that the killing must stop.

The US has enormous influence over the pace of that first step in Gaza and southern Israel. I sincerely hope that they use it and join those of us calling for an immediate ceasefire soon.
Sonya McLean

A man who was holding 285,000 worth of cocaine in order to pay off a drug debt has been jailed for three and half years.

Mark Kelly (26), of Ashfield Court, Mulhuddart, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of the drugs for sale or supply at his home on June 29th, 2022.

He also admitted the possession of cash, believed to be the proceeds of crime, at his home on the same date.

Kelly has no previous convictions.

Garda Declan Meehan told George Burns BL, prosecuting, that officers searched Kellys home after securing a warrant. The court heard the officers found drugs with an estimated street value of 285,000 in a bedroom, along with 3,575 in cash.

Other items such as weighing scales, knives and "baggies" were also discovered.

Kelly immediately took responsibility, telling officers he had been holding the drugs in order to pay off a drug debt he had run up through his own cocaine use. He said he had been threatened a small bit and had been in debt for about six months.

He told officers he had been spending about 250 per week on cocaine, and owed about 3,000.

Drug debt

Gda Meehan agreed with Tony McGillicuddy SC, defending, that Kelly lived at the house with others, and immediately took responsibility for the drugs, telling officers where they would find the haul.

Mr McGillicuddy handed in a number of letters to the court on behalf of his client.

Counsel told the court his client did not have an easy childhood, but finished his education, went to college and secured good employment.

Mr McGillicuddy explained Kelly lost his job the previous December, and he was no longer able to fund his cocaine habit.

"It was at this point that he was used by others," counsel said.

Mr McGillicuddy added that Kelly participates "positively in the community", and plays with a local team.

"He has obviously done damage to his future prospects," counsel said, adding: "He got in over his head. He didnt realise the amount or value of the drugs he had at the time."

Mr McGillicuddy asked the court to take into account that Kelly ensured "other people were not put in the firing line" by taking responsibility for the drugs. He also asked the court to accept that he has no previous convictions, and that Kelly has people who are "willing to stand by him".

Judge Martin Nolan accepted it was to Kellys credit that he immediately took responsibility for the drugs, and that he had "got in over his head" due to his own addiction.

"It was a huge misjudgement, but he made that misjudgement, and his own activities didnt help," Judge Nolan said.

Jailing him for three and a half years, the judge accepted that Kelly was at the lower end of the enterprise, but said he was "vital cog" in the illicit drug operation.
By Jonathan McCambridge and David Young, PA

Updated at 21:50

DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson is briefing party members over Government proposals aimed at ending Stormonts powersharing impasse.

Jeffrey Donaldson arrived at the Larchfield estate near Lisburn shortly before 7.20pm for the short-notice gathering of the DUPs 130-strong executive.

Around 50 protesters assembled at the gates of the venue, many carrying posters and banners warning against a DUP sellout.

Some shouted at DUP members as they drove into the grounds of the venue.

Efforts by the DUP hierarchy to keep details of meeting secret appeared seriously undermined when Jamie Bryson, a loyalist activist and vocal opponent of the mooted deal, posted on X, formerly Twitter, what he said were live updates from the confidential briefing  posts that included details of apparent attempts to find out who was leaking the information to Mr Bryson.

The party has been using a veto power to block Stormonts devolved institutions for two years in protest at post-Brexit trading arrangements which have created trade barriers between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

It 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.

The DUP appears to be approaching a final call on the Governments proposed measures.

Before the executive meeting, the DUP leader was at the partys headquarters at Dundela House in Belfast, where a number of his MPs and peers were in attendance.

He declined to comment to waiting reporters as he left to head to the Larchfield estate.

Earlier in the day, he met party MLAs at Stormont.

If he presses for acceptance of the Governments proposals and a Stormont return, he is expected to face stiff opposition from some unionists inside and outside his party.

They believe the boycott should only end once all economic barriers created by Brexits Northern Ireland Protocol, and the subsequent Windsor Framework, are removed.

While the deal being offered by the Government will seek to reduce red tape and offer additional measures aimed at strengthening GB-NI ties, they will not result in the axing of the EU and the UKs jointly agreed protocol and framework.

Last week, in an impassioned speech at Westminster, Mr Donaldosn said he had received threats amid the speculation over an impending deal. The DUP has reported the incidents to the police.

Irelands deputy premier Micheal Martin said he hoped to see the return of the powersharing institutions, but added that he wanted to give the DUP space to hold the meeting and reach a decision.

He said: I respect the fact that they are meeting and having internal discussions; theyve had discussions with UK Government on an ongoing basis for the last number of months and so we all know whats involved and we all know the details here.

So its really a matter for the DUP to meet. I want to give them the space now to have their meeting.

DUP peer and former Stormont speaker Lord Hay said Monday evenings meeting is to update grassroot members by the party leader of where were at with the talks with the Government.

He criticised unionists who he said were briefing against the party.

He told the BBC: The real traitors within unionism are people who continually brief against the party, even within the party, and all theyre doing is damaging unionism for now and the future.

Sinn Fein MLA Conor Murphy accused the DUP of internal party navel-gazing while public services in Northern Ireland have been facing enormous challenges during the time the powersharing institutions have been suspended.
QatarEnergy has signed a long-term supply agreement with the US company Excelerate Energy to supply Bangladesh with LNG. Under the 15-year agreement, Excelerate will purchase up to 1 Mt/year of LNG from QatarEnergy, which will be delivered to floating storage and regasification units (FSRUs) in Bangladesh. Supply is scheduled to start in January 2026. Specifically, Excelerate will buy 0.85 Mt/year of LNG in 2026 and 2027, followed by 1 Mt/year from 2028 to 2040.

In November 2023, Excelerate Energy had signed a 15-year sales and purchase agreement with Bangladeshs state-owned company Petrobangla to supply between 0.85 and 1 Mt/year of LNG to the South Asian country, starting in 2026. The US group has thus secured LNG from Qatar for this SPA with Petrobangla.

Bangladesh currently imports LNG via its Moheshkhali Floating LNG import facility, operated by Petrobangla, and via an FSRU-based terminal belonging to Bangladeshs Summit Group. In June 2019, Summit received approval from the government of Bangladesh to develop the countrys third floating LNG terminal in Moheshkhali. Bangladesh imported 5.1 bcm of natural gas in 2022, 100% of which was LNG.
California will float a pair of bills designed to protect children from social media addiction and preserve their private data. The Protecting Youth from Social Media Addiction Act (SB 976) and California Childrens Data Privacy Act (AB 1949) were introduced Monday by the states Attorney General Rob Bonta, State Senator Nancy Skinner and Assemblymember Buffy Wicks. The proposed legislation follows a CA child safety bill that was set to go into effect this year but is now on hold.

SB 976 could give parents the power to remove addictive algorithmic feeds from their childrens social channels. If passed, it would allow parents of children under 18 to choose between the default algorithmic feed  typically designed to create profitable addictions  and a less habit-forming chronological one. It would also let parents block all social media notifications and prevent their kids from accessing social platforms during nighttime and school hours.

Social media companies have designed their platforms to addict users, especially our kids. Countless studies show that once a young person has a social media addiction, they experience higher rates of depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem, California Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) wrote in a press release. Weve waited long enough for social media companies to act. SB 976 is needed now to establish sensible guardrails so parents can protect their kids from these preventable harms.

L to R: California AG Rob Bonta, State Senator Nancy Skinner and Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (The Office of Nancy Skinner)

Meanwhile, AB 1949 would attempt to strengthen data privacy for CA children under 18. The bills language gives the states consumers the right to know what personal information social companies collect and sell and allows them to prevent the sale of their childrens data to third parties. Any exceptions would require informed consent, which must be from a parent for children under 13.

In addition, AB 1949 would close loopholes in the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) that fail to protect the data of 17-year-olds effectively. The CCPA reserves its most robust protections for those under 16.

This bill is a crucial step in our work to close the gaps in our privacy laws that have allowed tech giants to exploit and monetize our kids sensitive data with impunity, wrote Wicks (D-Oakland).

The bills may be timed to coincide with a US Senate hearing (with five Big Tech CEOs in tow) on Wednesday covering childrens online safety. In addition, California is part of a 41-state coalition that sued Meta in October for harming childrens mental health. The Wall Street Journal reported in 2021 that internal Meta (Facebook at the time) documents described tweens as a valuable but untapped audience.
Engadget has been testing and reviewing consumer tech since 2004. Our stories may include affiliate links; if you buy something through a link, we may earn a commission. Read more about how we evaluate products.

Sony's WH-1000XM5 headphones are some of the most popular on the market, thanks to the improved sound quality, comfortable fit and highly effective active noise cancellation (ANC). If you've been looking at buying a pair, now is a good time to act. They're currently on sale at Amazon in black, midnight blue and silver for $328, a solid 18 percent off the list price.

The WH-1000XM5 scored an excellent 95 in our Engadget review, thanks to improvements in nearly every way over our previous favorite headphones, the WH-1000XM4. Perhaps the biggest is in fit and comfort thanks to the more optimal weight distribution, synthetic leather ear cups and slightly reduced weight.

Sound quality also went up, due to the new 30mm carbon fiber drivers that deliver punchier bass. We also saw more clarity that helps you hear fine detail, along with improved depth that makes music more immersive. And Sony's DSEE Extreme sound processing recovers detail lost to compression, without any noticeable impact on sound quality.

The ANC is equally impressive. With double the number of noise cancellation microphones found in the M4, along with a new dedicated V1 chip, the M5 does a better job at minimizing background noise. And in terms of the microphone, we found that the M5 offers superior call quality over its predecessor. Moreover, you get 30 hours of listening time with ANC enabled, enough for the longest of flights.

The main drawbacks of the WH-1000XM5 headphones compared to the previous model is that they no longer fold up, and don't have the granular ANC adjustment found on other models like Bose's QuietComfort Ultra. The other issue is the $400 price tag, but at $328, they're a solid deal  and that price applies to all the main colorways.

Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.
Internacional

Interceptado un pesquero con mas de diez toneladas de hachis cerca de Agadir, Marruecos
Monday, January 29, 2024

SpeakerHub: 7 years in review

SpeakerHub has now reached the remarkable milestone of seven years, and it's incredible how vividly we remember our humble beginnings as if they were just yesterday. We're taking a stroll down memory lane to reminisce about the experiences and growth weve had in the past few years. It's been quite a journey with lots of learning.

Here are the key moments from the experiences we've had in the past years. Reminisce with us, share in the triumphs, and look ahead to the exciting possibilities that the future holds.

We want to celebrate the good times, learn from the challenges, and get excited about what's coming next.

Key Indicators

Here are some key statistics:

We have 20,011 publicly visible speakers on the site

Our speakers come from 143 countries. Users regions stat: No data: 730 Africa: 984 Asia: 3429 Europe: 6375 Middle-east: 654 North America: 25652 Oceania: 982 South America: 206

Number of calls for speakers in the past 5 years  26,577

Agencies, alumni, and other white-label clients

SpeakeHub also serves many agencies and alumni with our white-label directory. We work with organizations such as PRCA, International Communications Consultancy Organisation (ICCO), Maxwell James Agency, FiG Speakers, OleanderPR, Financial Behavior Keynote Group, Society Speaker Directory, and many more.

White-label clients:

The LOHM

HRPA

Elastic

Resources to help speakers grow their businesses

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SpeakerHub's SkillCamp offers a variety of resources, including articles, podcasts, infographics, and videos, providing professional speakers with fresh ideas, expert insights, practical how-to guides, and inspiration. The main areas of focus revolve around enhancing speaking skills and building a successful speaking business.

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A heartfelt appreciation goes out to the dedicated team at SpeakerHub, including Ryan Foland, Racquel Gabuna, Rosario Anon Suarez, Kathrine Sta. Cruz, Joselle delos Reyes, and Dane Cobain. Despite being spread across the globe, this incredible team collaborated seamlessly to sustain the platform and deliver exceptional content for our speakers. Their collective efforts have been instrumental in keeping the SpeakerHub community thriving.

I also would like to extend a warm welcome to India Varga, the latest addition to our team, who is spearheading operations and client development. We're thrilled to have her on board and look forward to achieving great milestones together.

This New Year

We express our heartfelt wishes for everyone's success and the abundance of speaking opportunities. Anticipating a year filled with growth and achievement, we are committed to delivering excellent service and creating even more avenues for you to showcase your expertise and engage with diverse audiences. Here's to a prosperous and fulfilling year ahead, brimming with exciting speaking ventures and shared success!
Favourites Alexander Stubb and Pekka Haavisto on Sunday qualified for the second round of Finland's presidential election, which took place against a backdrop of soured relations with neighbouring Russia.

With all votes counted, conservative former prime minister Alexander Stubb won 27.2 percent of votes, while ex-foreign minister Pekka Haavisto of the Green Party, running as an independent, secured 25.8 percent, said election officials.

Voter turnout was 71.5 percent.

They will meet in the runoff election on February 11.

"No matter who I'd face in the second round, I know we'll have a constructive, civilised and good discussion about difficult foreign policy questions," Stubb had told public broadcaster Yle earlier.

While the president's powers are limited, the head of state -- who also acts as supreme commander of Finland's armed forces -- helps direct foreign policy in collaboration with the government. That means that the changing geopolitical landscape in Europe will be the main concern for the winner.

"Experience in foreign policy could be what people were looking for, looking at the two who will go to the next round," Hanna Ojanen, research director of politics at Tampere University, told AFP as the results became clear.

Heading into the vote, experts had thought far-right Finns Party candidate Jussi Halla-aho might make it to the second round. In the end, he came third with 19 percent of the vote.

Voter Hannu Kuusitie told AFP the country needed a president with "leadership" and "humanity".

"Of course, he must also be tough when necessary," he added.

Relations between Moscow and Helsinki deteriorated following Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, prompting Finland to drop decades of military non-alignment and join NATO in April 2023.

Russia, with which Finland shares a 1,340-kilometre (830-mile) border, swiftly warned of "countermeasures".

- Humans as weapons -

By August 2023, Finland observed an influx of migrants entering through its eastern border without visas.

Helsinki claimed Moscow was pushing the migrants in a hybrid attack to destabilise it, and Finland closed the eastern border in November.

"We are in a situation now where Russia and especially Vladimir Putin is using humans as a weapon," Stubb said on Thursday evening during a final televised debate.

"It's a migrant issue, it's a ruthless, cynical measure. And in that case we have to put Finland's security first," he added.

Haavisto stressed that Finland had to "send Russia a very clear message that this can't go on".

In the post-Cold War period, Helsinki maintained good relations with Moscow.

Incumbent President Sauli Niinisto -- who is stepping down after serving two six-year terms -- once prided himself on his close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin before becoming one of his most trenchant critics.

Against this backdrop, the presidential candidates are championing both Finland's independence and its new role as a NATO member, said Hanna Wass, vice dean at the Faculty of Social Science at the University of Helsinki.

"They all seem to have a strong idea emphasising self-sufficiency," Wass told AFP. Both candidates believed Finland should "also be an active contributor in building a shared European defence and Nordic cooperation", she added.

With such similar stances, the election will focus more on the candidates' personalities, according to Tuomas Forsberg, professor of foreign policy at the University of Tampere.

"This will be more about electing an individual, where you look at the person's credibility and reliability and perceived qualities as a leader of foreign policy," Forsberg said.

- Experienced realists -

Stubb was prime minister of Finland between 2014 and 2015, while Haavisto has held several ministerial posts.

"They are two very experienced and realistic politicians who know what they are talking about," Ojanen said.

"It will be interesting to see how the discussions will be held to bring out difference between the two," she added.

While sharing similar political views, Haavisto and Stubb represent different backgrounds, Forsberg noted.

"Alex is more a representative of the right and Haavisto of the left, even if... he has taken the middle road as a Green," Forsberg said.

In the second round of voting, the election debates could be decisive, he added.

"The differences will become clear as the campaign progresses," Haavisto told Yle Sunday evening.

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A Learjet that unsuccessfully landed at Mission Field Airport on Jan. 11 was successfully extracted from the bottom of a ravine on Monday by a team of recovery experts.

The airplane was removed from the deep ditch about 100 yards from the airport by about a dozen workers from three companies using two big-rig, crane-arm rotator tow trucks operated by Hansers Towing in Livingston. It took about two hours to pull the plane out of the ravine.

Ralph Hanser, company owner and founder, explained he had never responded to an airplane crash that far from the runway in his 60 years of experience.

However, responding to the rare occurrence wasnt even a challenge, said Hanser, referencing the companys two trucks, which have a 40-ton towing capability. The damaged jet weighed roughly 15,000 pounds, according to Hanser.

Hansers Towing was contracted by Beegles Recovery and Storage, a Colorado-based aircraft salvage company. West Central Environmental Consultants were also on the scene, monitoring and minimizing the operations environmental impact.

Theyll salvage it out and take it back down to Colorado and insurance will part it out, said Gabriel Chandler, owner of Yellowstone Air Services, which provides fuel, parking and hangar space at the airport. Chandler expressed relief that cleaning up after the incident was complete.

The jet incident occurred on Jan. 11 around 8:30 a.m. when the 1983 Learjet 55 Longhorn landed and slid off the end of the runway into a deep ravine, per the Federal Aviation Administrations preliminary accident and incident report. Two pilots were inside the jet. They were carrying no passengers. They were landing in Livingston to pick up clients, according to Chandler.

After the botched landing, both pilots successfully exited the plane, scaled a steep embankment, and reached the safety of the airport, according to Dann Babcox Sr., fire chief at Park County Rural Fire District #1.

The occupants got out of the plane, out of the ravine and walked up the hill to the central building, said Babcox. Livingston Fire and Rescue and the police were called on scene. The Fire Department assessed little to no fire damage.

Both pilots were transported to the hospital for cautionary measures where they were assessed for injuries, said Babcox.

The incident is still under investigation by the NTSB and FAA. The official cause of the landing mishap has not been released yet.

Various educated sources have speculated that the failed landing could have been weather-related or mechanical-related.
Grass production in Wales in 2023 exceeded previous years, but managing it was challenging, according to data from a project.

High levels of rainfall had caused very difficult grazing conditions for some farms, figures from Farming Connect's Welsh pasture project show.

Thirty nine dairy, beef and sheep farmers, from a range of different land types and systems, have been measuring their pasture regularly for the project since September 2020.

That data, which provided a snapshot of grass production across Wales, shows that on average dairy farms grew 13.4tDM/ha and beef and/or sheep farms 8tDM/ha.

Siwan Howatson, head of technical at Farming Connect, said this is higher than production reported in 2022 when data showed 10t DM/ha achieved by dairy farms and 6.8t DM/ha by beef and sheep farmers.

However, where there was a parallel with 2022 was in the large variance in pasture growth rates throughout different regions of Wales, she added.

Grass growth had peaked in the middle of May at a weekly average of 86.1 kg DM/ha.

After this peak in growth came a trough as, after an extended dry period, what followed was a summer of exceptional rainfall  one of the wettest ever recorded in the UK.

Ms Howatson said the data had been useful in informing decision making on other farms in each of the regions, from determining stocking rates to making weekly management decisions.

Among the project monitor farmers is Andrew Giles, who produces milk from a herd of 550 New Zealand Friesian cows at Maesllwch Home Farm, Glasbury, Powys.

Mr Giles said he joined the project because he understands the value in sharing information and ideas.

There are many farmers, myself included, who have been measuring and monitoring grass for a good number of years," he said.

"If we can encourage others to do that through the Welsh Pasture Project and to utilise that information then this project has been successful."

For monitor farmer Huw Williams, of Ffordd Las, near Ruthin, Denbighshire, who anticipates even greater pressure on farms to produce more from less going forward, being part of the project had been very beneficial in helping his business achieve that goal.

By sharing data, I can see what others are growing and I can bounce ideas off those other like-minded farmers," he said.
The government has revoked Norfolk's temporary control zone (TCZ) and replaced it with a larger one as cases of bluetongue continue to be confirmed.

The 10km TCZ near Cantley, Broadland has been widened to form a new, larger TCZ, as the county saw yet more cases of the virus over the weekend.

There have now been 62 bluetongue cases in Norfolk and Kent on 38 farms and holdings, according to the latest figures published by Defra.

Both counties are still in a temporary control zone (TCZ) since the initial outbreak of bluetongue in mid-November, which was the UK's first case since 2007.

Bluetongue is a non-contagious, viral disease affecting sheep and cattle, which is transmitted by insects, particularly biting midges.

The severity of disease varies among different species, with clinical signs being most severe in sheep, resulting in death, weight loss and disruption in wool growth.

Cattle often have a higher infection rate than sheep, and the demonstration and severity of clinical signs varies depending on the strain of virus.

However, production losses, particularly milk yield, can remain for a long time and are significant. Infected animals can abort or give birth to weak offspring.

Defra's latest update said that surveillance was ongoing, adding that "there is still no evidence that bluetongue virus is currently circulating in midges in Great Britain."

"Following active surveillance of premises in the Norfolk TCZ, two further cases of bluetongue have been confirmed in cattle on a holding near Norwich," Defra said.

"As these two animals were grazing on land just outside of the TCZ during the high-risk period, the TCZ has been extended."

The bluetongue virus is usually transmitted by midge bites and affects cows, goats, sheep and other camelids such as llamas.

Midges are most active between April and November and not all susceptible animals show immediate, or any, signs of contracting the virus.

Christine Middlemiss, the UKs chief veterinary officer, has urged farmers to remain vigilant for bluetongue virus following the latest news.

Bluetongue does not pose a threat to human health or food safety, but the disease can impact livestock farms, and cause productivity issues," she said.

This detection is an example of our robust disease surveillance procedures in action and it is also a clear reminder for farmers that the disease remains a threat, despite coming towards the end of the midge activity season.

Farmers must remain vigilant and report any suspicions to APHA.

Farmers can call the dedicated bluetongue hotline to get advice or ask questions linked to the current situation  on 024 7771 0386 from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Under a quarter of UK eggs were sourced from enriched caged hens in 2023, according to new figures showing a dramatic change compared to a decade ago.

Government statistics reveal that the proportion of enriched caged hens dropped below a quarter for the first time last year, to 23%.

Animal welfare activists have called it a major milestone in the campaign against cages for hens, as just a decade ago over half (51%) of hens were caged in the UK.

Since 2012 it has been illegal in the UK and EU to use battery cages - however, enriched cages, which offer an improved environment over battery cages, remain in use.

The government previously promised a consultation on banning all cages before the end of 2022, and their 2021 Action Plan for Animal Welfare also pledged to examine the use of cages for laying hens.

However, these promises have now been abandoned, despite the fact that banning cages is popular with the public, with one poll finding that 77% of people wanted a cage ban.

Responding to the new figures, animal charity the Humane League UK said the government must now ban cages outright.

Mia Fernyhough, animal welfare manager at the Humane League, said: "Without a ban this steady decline could peter out, leaving millions of hens trapped in cages.

"The government must show leadership and compassion by stamping out cruel cages with an outright ban.

To date, over 2,500 major food corporations have announced cage-free commitments including 146 global commitments by some of the largest multinational corporations.

France has banned the installation of new cages, and all cage systems for hens are already outlawed in Austria, Luxembourg, and Switzerland.

Germany, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia have enacted bans that will come into force in the coming years.

The United States is also making strides, with bans on battery cages across 11 different states.
Gisele Bundchen's mother has died.

Gisele Bundchen's mother has died

The 43-year-old supermodel's beloved parent Vania Nonnenmacher is said to have passed away at the age of 75 in hospital on Sunday (28.01.24) after battling cancer, Brazilian news outlet GZH reports.

According to the outlet, Vania - who had five other daughters, including Gisele's twin sister Patricia - had been admitted to Hospital Moinhos de Vento in Porto Alegre, Brazil, for treatment.

Gisele has yet to speak about her mother's passing.

However, the Brazilian beauty - who has children Benjamin, 14, and Vivian, 11 with ex-husband Tom Brady - recently admitted seeing her parents' health issues has inspired her to want to live as long as possible.

She made the admission in a cover interview for the February issue of Harpers Bazaar, in which her interviewer said the sight of her parents grapple with health issues as theyve gotten older has been a factor in her campaigning for healthy eating.

Gisele said: I want to live the longest feeling the best that I can, but for me to achieve this, I have to make decisions today.

You can have all the money in the world. If you dont have your health, its not possible to buy it back.

The cook book writer also credited her upbringing for shaping her into the woman she is today.

She said: You are where you come from. All those things that I learned as a kid are things that are in me. It doesnt change. In many ways, its also what kept me safe, because my value system was so strong.

Today, being in the place where I am in my life and having access to all the different things Ive had access to, I feel like the simple things are best because I keep trying to go back to those things. At the end of the day, those are the things that make me the happiest.
Halle Bailey has insisted she "never lied" about her pregnancy.

Halle Bailey has insisted she never lied about being pregnant

'The Little Mermaid' star actress, 23, announced on 6 January she had welcomed a baby boy named Halo with her rapper boyfriend DDG, 26, late last year following months of speculation about whether she was expecting her first child - and she has now defended her decision to keep her news private during a row with a troll on X - formerly known as Twitter.

After one of her followers claimed the actress "went out of her way to lie and gaslight [fans about her pregnancy]", Halle replied: "I never lied or even said anything about it honey."

In November, Halle previously covered up the fact she was pregnant by warning her fans to stop talking about how she had pregnancy nose  a phenomenon many believe happens to women in the last stages of expecting - and she went on to reference her comments as she called the troll out.

She added: "Making a joke about my nose was the farthest I went. Ill never understand why you are mad I protected my own peace, wouldnt you do the same?

"And Im gonna share my pics now if I want to because my son is here safely, if u dont wanna see it just keep scrolling baby lol God bless you."

The screen star went on to insist would be stepping away from X after the row, adding: "LOL my hormones have been on 10 recently so Im gonna go back to staying off Twitter. Love you all."

Halle previously explained why she decided not to share her happy news until after the birth - insisting she wanted to have some "private, healthy time".

Speaking in a video posted on Snapchat via the Snapchat Reply function, Halle told her followers: "I really appreciate people ... who are kind and understanding especially of me wanting to wait to share something this sacred and beautiful. I just wanted to make sure that I had a beautiful, private, healthy time in my journey ... "

She went on to reveal she did her best to avoid social media as much as possible during her pregnancy as she didn't want to comment on all the baby rumours.

Halle said: "I stayed off all social media, I really tried to, just to keep myself sane and ok. I know there was a lot of people who would always comment and be like: 'We know, girl, we know,' and I was like: 'It's great that you know but I'm going to just chill. Thats wonderful if you support me. If you dont I hope you have a wonderful life'."

When one follower asked her how she's feeling now since becoming a mum, Halle replied: "I'm feeling really really great, I'm so so happy... I'm just so happy right now."

Halle announced the arrival of her son by sharing a photo of her holding her newborns hand with the caption: Even though were a few days into the new year, the greatest thing that 2023 could have done for me, was bring me my son ...

"Welcome to the world my halo ... The world is desperate to know you ... " DDG shared a similar picture, which he captioned: My biggest blessing by far son ... never been so in love ... baby halo."
Kanye West has reportedly banned his wife Bianca Censori from social media.

Kanye West has reportedly advised his wife Bianca Censori to stay off social media

The rapper married Bianca in secret in December 2022 - just a month after he finalised his divorce from from ex Kim Kardashian - and now a new report suggests the architectural designer has stepped away from sites like Instagram and X on the advice of her husband because he worries about the impact trolls will have on her mental health.

A source told the Dailmail.com: "Bianca has always had social media and she was active on it  until she married Kanye. He doesnt want her to have it because he thinks that it will hurt her if she had to read the nasty things that people say.

"He convinced her that, since she is a star now, she has to remain a mystery ... "

It comes after Kanye paid a heartfelt tribute to his spouse to mark her birthday earlier this month - praising Bianca for her constant support and for being a good stepmother to his children North, 10, Saint, eight, Chicago, five, and four-year-old Psalm with ex-wife Kim.

Kanye shared a close-up photo of Bianca and wrote on Instagram: "Happy birthday to the most beautiful super bad iconic muse inspirational talented artist masters degree in architecture 140 IQ loving by my side everyday when half the world turned their backs on me and the most amazing step mom to our children I love you so much thank you for sharing your life with me (sic)."

Kanye and Bianca tied the knot at a private ceremony in California in December 2022 and it was previously believed to be a non-legally binding ceremony but it was later claimed they were determined to tie the knot for "religious reasons".

An insider previously told Us Weekly magazine: "Kanye and Bianca were legally married last year when they had their private ceremony in Beverly Hills, it was real and legal ... [It was] because of religious reasons."

The source added the couple wanted to "be intimate" but they are "also in love." It was revealed the ceremony was legal and took place on December 20, 2022 with the pair using a confidential marriage licence which meant the marriage was not listed in the public record.

The licence lists their wedding as having taken place in Palo Alto, California.
Marie Helvin has no interest in dating until she's fully "healed" after her battle with breast cancer.

Marie Helvin is happy to stay single

The 71-year-old model - who was previously married to photographer David Bailey - was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022 after she found a lump on her right breast and she later underwent a mastectomy followed by reconstructive surgery - and she's now revealed she's put her love life on hold until she feels totally better.

She told the Sunday Telegraph newspaper: "Im very single. And Im not really interested at the moment. Maybe later when the healing process has really kicked in; I might think about it then. But at the moment Im not interested, I am more interested in my progress."

Marie also spoke about her experience with reconstructive surgery and declared she's very impressed with the results overall.

She explained: "Its amazing how it looks, how it feels  they can do fantastic things today. I mean, its not perfect. I dont have cleavage on one side, I now travel with a chicken fillet to all my photoshoots."

Marie previously admitted being diagnosed with the deadly disease came as a huge shock because she was convinced she was very healthy because she eats well and works out.

She told the Daily Mail newspaper: "I had a vision, an idea of myself, I suppose, of how fit and healthy I was.

"As a model, my body was my instrument and I have always looked after it. I don't drink, I don't smoke, I exercise every day, so I guess it made me think that something like this could not happen to me because I didn't fit the profile.

"Now I know what a lot of rubbish that is. It's made me realise that appearances are deceiving."

Marie drew on her experience from her mother's battle with the disease during the 1980s and went into "survival mode" following her diagnosis.

She added to the outlet: "I was determined not to panic. It helped that I had helped nurse my mum through breast cancer in the 1980s - returning to Hawaii for a month to look after her.

"So I'd seen what it looked like and what she had experienced, but also that she made it through and survived another 25 years. So, of course, I was scared, but not as scared as someone who has never witnessed anyone going through that. I made a choice to place my faith and myself."
Tom Selleck thinks the late Matthew Perry was the "most talented" of the 'Friends' cast.

Tom Selleck had a guest role on Friends

The 78-year-old actor appeared in nine episodes of the sitcom from 1995 to 2000 as Richard Burke, the much older love interest of Monica Geller (Courteney Cox) and he's praised the "raw" ability of the late star, who died last October aged 54.

Tom told USA Today newspaper: "He was raw talent. Matthew's gone, so it's easy to say this, but it's true. I think he was the most talented of a very talented group of people."

The 'Blue Bloods' star - who was unable to attend Matthew's private memorial service in Los Angeles in October because of filming commitments in New York - found it "fascinating" to witness the bond between the six main cast members on 'Friends'.

He said: "There are no bad stories. No star stuff. Nothing like that there.

"You'd sit down to get notes on rehearsal, and it was fascinating.

"Courteney would be sitting on somebody's lap and then someone else's the next time. They all just got along.

"I think it's because all these actors had failures on other shows. And now they're in this hit. They all realised how lucky they were."

It was the 'Magnum P.I.' actor's own friendship with Matthew's father, John Bennett Perry, that helped him bond with the cast.

He said: "Everybody couldn't have been nicer to me.

"But every day I'd see Matthew, and I'd ask him, 'How's your father?' And he'd always smile and we'd catch up. I got to know his father when I was a young struggling actor. Almost any commercial or pilot I went out on, there was John. We became real good friends."

The show saw Richard slowly begin acting more like Chandler Bing (Perry) and Joey Tribbiani (Matt LeBlanc) as they also adopted his mannerisms, and Tom was grateful to the late actor for helping him with his alter ego's famed sarcastic delivery on one particular line.

Tom had to say: "Could that shot be any prettier?"

He recalled: "Matthew had this speech pattern that I hadn't been aware of.

"Matt told me: 'It's a joke, Tom. It's the way he says it.' But during that whole show, I kept going up to him asking, 'Can you say it again?' and he'd do the line. That was his signature."
The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), in collaboration with LightCastle Partners, has initiated a comprehensive feasibility study on establishing a virtual marketplace platform for Bangladesh's ready-made garment (RMG) sector, which is the second-largest apparel exporter in the world. This initiative aims to address the challenges faced by the sector, amidst global geopolitical tensions, exchange rate fluctuations, and intense competition from low-cost nations.

The primary objective of this virtual marketplace is to integrate the local textile industry into global value chains, capitalising on the shift towards online purchasing. The study suggests two strategic approaches: expansion of business-to-business (B2B) activities into emerging markets like Asia and the Middle East, and creation of direct connections between Bangladeshi manufacturers and end customers (B2C), to achieve higher profit margins and business volume, BGMEA said in a press release.

BGMEA, with LightCastle Partners, has launched a study on a virtual marketplace for Bangladesh's RMG sector. The platform aims to integrate the local textile industry into global markets, focusing on B2B and B2C strategies. The virtual marketplace could serve as a hub for stock lots and enhance connections among producers, traders, and buyers.

Commissioned by BGMEA and funded by the International Finance Corporations (IFC) Partnership for Cleaner Textile (PaCT II) programme, supported by the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA), the study was conducted by LightCastle Partners. The findings, unveiled at the BGMEA headquarters in Dhaka on January 25, highlighted market potential, sector readiness, sustainable business models, policy gaps, and strategies essential for the successful implementation of the virtual marketplace.

The proposed platforms will operate as independent private entities, offering features such as logistical assistance, design consultation services, secure payment systems, and spare capacity matching. However, the study points out the lack of a specific policy framework addressing international e-commerce, highlighting challenges like the absence of global payment gateways, difficulties in securing working capital financing, and cumbersome export processing for small orders.

The virtual marketplace also has the potential to serve as a central hub for stock lots, enhancing connections among local producers, traders, and international buyers in emerging markets. The study emphasises the need for a robust digital marketplace and suggests policy recommendations to overcome the existing challenges.Top of Form

If we want to maintain our position in the global competition ahead, we need to develop a comprehensive business model. This report, I believe, will not only facilitate the expansion of our presence in the digital realm but also serve as a guiding framework for our future business expansion endeavours, said Faruque Hassan, president of BGMEA.

Shahidullah Azim, vice president of BGMEA, and several BGMEA directors including Abdullah Hil Rakib, Navidul Huq, and Md Imranur Rahman, along with other key BGMEA committee chairs, attended the launch event for the feasibility study. Representatives from IFC-Pact and LightCastle Partners, including Nishat Shahid Chowdhury, Zahedul Amin, Dipa Sultana, Priyo Pranto, and Naziba Ali, were also present.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DP)
Bigg Boss Kannada 10, which was hosted by Kiccha Sudeep, was ruling the television for almost four months. The popular reality show came with an interesting ensemble of contestants and an interesting theme and it did manage to keep the audience intrigued. Each contestant made sure to give a stupendous performance and Bigg Boss Kannada 10 got its top five finalists in Vinay Gowda, Karthik Mahesh, Drone Prathap, Sangeetha Sringeri and Varthur Santhosh.

It was a tough competition and among all the finalists, it was Karthik and Drone Prathap who emerged as the top 2 finalists of Bigg Boss Kannada 10. Needless to say, fans voted in large numbers for their favourite finalists and Karthik lifted the trophy during the grand finale. Interestingly, apart from winning the trophy, he also won the cash prize of Rs 50 lakhs along with a brand new car.

Bigg Boss Kannada 10 First Runner Up Name Photo: Who Will Be BBK 10 Finale Top 2? Find OUT

On the other hand, as Drone Prathap was announced as the first runner up of Bigg Boss Kannada 10, there have been speculations about what he took home post the grand finale. Well, Drone Prathap took home a whopping amount which happens to be his total earnings from the show. To note, Drone Prathap charged Rs 2 lakhs per week for his stint in Bigg Boss Kannada 10. And while he was part of the show for 16 weeks, his total earnings happened to be Rs 32 lakhs. Now this is indeed a massive amount, isn't it?

Meanwhile talking about the grand finale, a source close to the show exclusively told Filmibeat, "The makers have left no stone unturned to make the BBK 10 grand affair a successful affair. It will be the biggest event on Kannada television in 2024. They are projecting the event as the biggest extravaganza as they are confident that the show will culminate on a grand note. From special performances to mind-boggling twists, the channel and the production house have ensured that they end things on a right note."
Simbu And Varalakshmi Sarathkumar Marriage Rumours: The Tamil film industry is buzzing with excitement as Simbu, one of its leading young heroes, gears up for his 48th film. Directed by Desingh Periyasamy and tentatively titled "STR48," this upcoming project promises to be a significant milestone in Simbu's illustrious career.

Amidst the anticipation surrounding his new film, there have been swirling rumours about Simbu's personal life, particularly regarding his marital status. Recent reports hinted at Simbu tying the knot with a renowned actress, sending fans into a frenzy of speculation. However, the truth behind these rumours has finally come to light.

Fans can mark their calendars for February 3rd, as it is slated to be a double celebration for Simbu. Not only will the title and first look poster of "STR48" be unveiled on this auspicious day, coinciding with Simbu's birthday, but the shooting of the movie is also set to commence by the end of February.

Adding to the excitement is the backing of none other than Kamal Haasan's Raaj Kamal Films International, amplifying expectations for what is projected to be a groundbreaking venture. Speculation is rife that "STR48" will delve into the period genre, potentially becoming a monumental success in Simbu's filmography.

Marriage Speculation Surrounds Simbu

While fans eagerly await updates on Simbu's professional endeavours, curiosity persists regarding his personal life, particularly his marital prospects. The spotlight has been on Simbu ever since his younger brother Kuralarasan welcomed a baby and his sister Ilakiya tied the knot, leaving Simbu as the sole bachelor in the family.

Recent rumours linking Simbu with actress Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, his co-star in 'Podaa Podi,' have intensified speculation about his romantic life. Nevertheless, both Simbu and Varalaxmi have reportedly dispelled these rumours, affirming that they share a strong friendship and have no plans for marriage.

Interestingly, Varalaxmi's past relationship with actor Vishal has also been subject to scrutiny, with rumours suggesting that their romance ended due to objections from her father, Sarathkumar. These intricacies of celebrity relationships only add to the intrigue surrounding Simbu's love life.

As the truth behind the marriage rumours unravels, Simbu's fans remain steadfast in their support, eagerly anticipating updates on both his professional and personal fronts. While the speculation may continue, one thing is certain: Simbu's charisma and talent will continue to captivate audiences on and off the screen.
Qayaamat Se Qayaamat Tak cast: The wait is finally over. Colors channel has officially launched its newest property on January 29. The romantic drama starring Karam Rajpal and Trupti Mishra is different from the other daily soaps as it is based on reincarnation.

After entertaining the audience for over three months with Bigg Boss 17, the leading GEC has introduced a fiction show to replace Salman Khan's hit non-fiction show. Bigg Boss season 17 ended with a blockbuster episode on January 28. Munawar Faruqui defeated Abhishek Kumar, Mannara Chopra and Ankita Lokhande to lift the winner's trophy.

QAYAMAAT SE QAYAAMAT TAK TWIST, PROMO

The official Instagram handle of Colors channel released a new promo to give a glimpse of the show. The caption for the post read, "Aa rahi hai aisi prem kahaani jo janm aur mrutyu se paree hai."

QAYAMAAT SE QAYAAMAT TAK FULL CAST, REAL NAME OF ACTORS

Loved the first episode of Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak? Wondering what's the real name of the actors? Grab a bowl of popcorn and read on to know.

Karamm S Rajpal is playing the role of Rajneesh in Qayamaat Se Qayaamat Tak serial. He opened up about his role before the launch of the show. "Reincarnation stories have always fascinated me since childhood. As an actor, it's a fantastic opportunity to be part of 'Qayaamat Se Qayaamat Tak'. For me, this show isn't merely about playing a role; it's about instilling the belief in viewers that love never fades (as I'm a staunch believer in love)," the Parichay actor said in a statement as quoted as saying by IANS.

Trupti Mishra will be seen romancing Karam Rajpal as Poornima. She earlier spoke about her role and said that she was excited to entertain the audience with a hatke avatar. "Reincarnation is perceived as a mystical event, and my goal, through the portrayal of Poornima, is to make viewers believe in it. I am very excited about this intriguing tale and can't wait for the audience to experience a saga that spans two lifetimes," Trupti said in a statement.
KENILWORTH (NJ) (dpa-AFX) - Merck & Co. Inc.'s (MRK) Keytruda (pembrolizumab) reduced the risk of death by 38% compared to placebo as adjuvant therapy for patients with renal cell carcinoma at an increased risk of recurrence following nephrectomy, as per the phase 3 KEYNOTE-564 trial results. The company noted that the KEYNOTE-564 is the first Phase 3 trial to demonstrate superior overall survival (OS) with adjuvant therapy compared to placebo in patients with renal cell carcinoma. At the third pre-specified interim analysis (median follow-up of 57.2 months), Keytruda as adjuvant therapy significantly improved overall survival, the trial's key secondary endpoint, by 38% compared to placebo. At 48 months, the estimated overall survival rate was 91.2% for patients who received Keytruda compared to 86.0% for patients who received placebo. The overall survival benefit for patients who received Keytruda was observed across key subgroups. For patients with renal cell carcinoma, up to 40% may experience recurrence following surgery, at which point there is a significantly lower chance of survival,' said Toni Choueiri, director, Lank Center for Genitourinary Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Jerome and Nancy Kohlberg professor of medicine, Harvard Medical School. Keytruda is approved for the adjuvant treatment of patients with RCC in the U.S., European Union, Japan and other countries worldwide based on DFS data from KEYNOTE-564, which were first presented at the 2021 ASCO Annual Meeting. For More Such Health News, visit rttnews.com Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Offering Free Heart Checks to Mark 75 Years of Excellence in Healthcare Innovation

Rudolf Riester GmbH, a global leader in medical technology, proudly announces the full market launch of its comprehensive Telemedicine offering. Already in active use across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, the solution from the trusted Riester brand delivers industry-leading quality and versatility through integration of a broad range of medical devices to meet the needs of diverse user scenarios.

"Since its founding 75 years ago, Riester has been a pioneer in providing accurate and efficient diagnostic devices for front-line healthcare. We have brought this passion and expertise to the creation of our telemedicine solution," said Dr. Georgiana Gasqueres, Global Business Unit Director, Telemedicine at Riester. "Now we empower healthcare providers worldwide with the tools they need to deliver accurate diagnosis and exceptional care to every patient, everywhere, and to do it more sustainably." Riester is demonstrating its Telemedicine Case and Cart offerings at the Arab Health show in Dubai, 29 January 1 February 2024, at booth SA.E30.

Traveling nurses with South African healthcare innovator EQiGate are already evaluating dozens of patients every week with the Riester Telemedicine Case. "EQiGate selected the Riester Telemedicine solution for its high quality, comprehensiveness, and versatile, Windows-based compatibility with our portfolio of operating applications," stated Braam Kruger, CEO at EQiGate. "The Riester solution integrates seamlessly with our Hospital at Home concept, enabling us to bring the hospital to the patient, a healthcare paradigm shift that yields significant cost and time savings for both the healthcare system and the patient."

At Arab Health, Riester is showcasing the integration of their industry-leading ri-sonic E-stethoscope with the eMurmur AI platform. Digital auscultation with ri-sonic and eMurmur AI enables the early detection and analysis of heart murmurs, informing better, more timely decisions about treatment pathways.

To demonstrate their commitment to raising heart health awareness and improving quality of life through accurate and efficient diagnosis, Riester is offering complimentary advisory heart checks to all exhibition attendees at their booth at Arab Health, conducted by a professional cardiologist. "Our participation at Arab Health reaches beyond showcasing our technological advancements; it is about educating and engaging with the public including Arab Health attendees and healthcare professionals," said Irina Zhdanova, CEO of Riester. "By providing free advisory heart checks, we emphasise the significance of regular cardiac health assessments and demonstrate how innovative technology can be a pivotal tool in advancing diagnostic cardiac care to improve health outcomes. This is a perfect way to honor Riester's 75-year heritage and act on our vision and mission."

For more information about Riester's participation in Arab Health (booth SA.E30) and to schedule a meeting, click here.

About Rudolf Riester GmbH: Since its founding in Germany in 1948, Rudolf Riester GmbH has been a pioneering force in improving quality of life through accurate and efficient diagnosis on the front-line of healthcare. By developing and manufacturing high-quality, market-leading medical diagnostic products, Riester has earned a global reputation for quality, reliability, and innovation in the healthcare sector, with a presence in over 150 countries. Specializing in diagnostic devices, Riester's product portfolio includes telemedicine solutions as well as stethoscopes, blood pressure monitors, otoscopes, ophthalmoscopes, and other medical equipment. Riester is part of the Halma plc group of companies. For more information, visit www.riester.de.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240128191589/en/

Contacts:

Gretchen Jezerc, CMO, gretchen.jezerc@riester.de, +1.919.441.0555

Graeme Oliver, Head of International Product Management, graeme.oliver@riester.de, +44.7570.871801
Kinarus Therapeutics Holding AG / Key word(s): Acquisition/Capital Increase

Kinarus Therapeutics Holding AG in Liquidation and Curatis AG propose to combine companies and reverse bankruptcy procedures of Kinarus Therapeutics Holding AG in Liquidation



29-Jan-2024 / 07:10 CET/CEST

Release of an ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR Application has been made to the courts of Basel-Stadt to reverse the bankruptcy of Kinarus Therapeutics Holding AG in Liquidation ("Kinarus Holding") (approval pending) in order to pursue a Combination Transaction with Curatis AG ("Curatis")

Curatis valued at approx. 14x the value of Kinarus Holding in this Combination Transaction

Contemplated Combination Transaction is contingent, inter alia, on consent by the courts of Basel-Stadt, approval by the Extraordinary General Meeting of Kinarus Holding (of, inter alia, this Combination Transaction and an ordinary capital increase of new shares) and SIX Swiss Exchange approval of the listing of these new shares

Concurrently, Kinarus Holding and Curatis have placed an offer with the bankruptcy administrator to purchase certain assets, intellectual property and data relating to KIN001 from the bankruptcy estate of Kinarus AG in Liquidation

The combined entity will have a risk-balanced investment case with a mix of specialty medicine distribution and tailored own drug development activities focusing on molecules with proven safety and efficacy profiles

In the context of this Combination Transaction, certain incumbent shareholders of Kinarus Holding and new investors have agreed to invest a total of CHF4.1m via a structured Mandatory Exchangeable Loan Note, exchangeable into a minimum number of new shares of Kinarus Holding at a valuation of the combined entities of roughly CHF48.75m

Subject to approval by the Extraordinary General Meeting of Kinarus Holding, the new Board of Directors will consist of the two founders of Curatis, Gunter Graubach and Roland Rutschmann, as well as Marian Borovsky, former Group General Counsel of Actelion who will assume the role of Chairman of the Board and the current member Silvio Inderbitzin, former CEO of Spirig Pharma Basel and Liestal, Switzerland, 29 January 2024: Kinarus Therapeutics Holding AG in Liquidation (SIX:KNRS) ("Kinarus Holding", "KNRS" or the "Company"), a SIX Swiss Exchange listed therapeutic drug development company in liquidation and Curatis AG, a Basel-Landschaft incorporated medicine distribution and drug development company predominantly focused on orphan/ultra-orphan diseases and specialty care diseases ("Curatis"), announced today that they have entered into a transaction agreement (the "Transaction Agreement") regarding a contemplated Combination Transaction. Under the terms of the Transaction Agreement, shareholders of Curatis shall exchange each outstanding Curatis share (the "Curatis Share") into one newly issued Kinarus Holding share, whereby the consideration consists of approx. 14x the number of outstanding Kinarus shares (the "Consideration Shares"). All shareholders of Curatis shall contribute and exchange their Curatis Shares (as a contribution in kind in an ordinary capital increase of Kinarus Holding) into Consideration Shares in the context of this contemplated transaction (the "Combination Transaction" or the "Transaction"). The Transaction is expected to close in Q2 2024. Closing is subject to certain closing conditions, inter alia, confirmation of withdrawal of bankruptcy ("Widerruf des Konkurses") for Kinarus Holding pursuant to Art. 195 SchKG by the courts of Basel-Stadt, approval of all proposed resolutions by the Extraordinary General Meeting of Kinarus Holding scheduled for on or around end of February or early March 2024 and approval of the listing of the Consideration Shares by SIX Swiss Exchange. In addition to the Combination Transaction, Kinarus Holding and Curatis have placed an offer with the bankruptcy administrator ("Konkursverwaltung") of Basel-Stadt to purchase selected assets (patents, products and precursor, intellectual property as well as data of Kinarus AG in Liquidation relating to their lead product candidate, KIN001) from the bankruptcy estate of Kinarus AG in Liquidation, a 100% subsidiary of Kinarus Holding. Also in this context and subject to approval by the Extraordinary General Meeting of Kinarus Holding, a reverse share split (the "Reverse Share Split") with an anticipated reverse share split ratio of 4,480:1 is to be implemented concurrently with the settlement of the Combination Transaction. This implies that a shareholder owning 4,480 Kinarus Holding shares will receive 1 new Kinarus Holding share (the "New Kinarus Shares"). Resulting fractions will be rounded down and affected shareholders will receive a cash compensation in CHF for their fractions. Concurrently, also subject to approval by the Extraordinary General Meeting of Kinarus Holding, the Company will reduce the nominal value of the New Kinarus Shares from CHF 44.80 post Reserve Share Split to CHF 0.10 with a swap of CHF 44.70 in nominal amount per New Kinarus Share from share capital into statutory capital reserves. As a result, the nominal value per New Kinarus Shares will be CHF0.10. The final details of the Reverse Share Split transaction are expected to be announced together with the invititation to the Extraordinary General Meeting of Kinarus Holding in February 2024. As a result of all these transactions, the currently outstanding share capital of Kinarus Holding will be aggregated in the ratio 4,480:1, leading to 292,450 New Kinarus Shares post Reverse Share Split. In the context of the closing of the Combination Transaction, 4,093,916 New Kinarus Shares will be issued and used to settle the Combination Transaction with a share exchange ratio 1:1 for Curatis shares. Post the implementation of the Transaction, Kinarus Holding is expected to have an issued share capital of CHF438,636.60, divided into 4,386,366 New Kinarus Holding shares with nominal value CHF0.10 each. In addition, Kinarus Holding will have a maximum of approx. 850,000 options outstanding to third parties to purchase New Kinarus Shares so that the maximum total amount of fully diluted number of New Kinarus Shares outstanding is approximately 5,250,000. Lastly and also subject to the approval by the Extraordinary General Meeting of Kinarus Holding, it is planned that Kinarus Holding shall be renamed to Curatis Holding AG with a proposed change of ticker symbol to ("CURE") and the domicile of the Company be moved to Liestal, Basel-Landschaft. Governance of the Combined Entity At the Extraordinary General Meeting of Kinarus Holding, planned for the end of February or early March 2024, the Board of Directors of Kinarus Holding will, inter alia, propose the election of new Board members. Following the Combination Transaction, and subject to their election, the Board of Directors of Kinarus Holding will consist of Marian Borovsky, former Group General Counsel of Actelion and who will assume the role of Chairman of the Board Gunter Graubach and Roland Rutschmann, both co-founders and co-owners of Curatis as well as Silvio Inderbitzin, an incumbent Board Member of Kinarus Holding who will ensure continuity and support the integration of KIN001 into the product portfolio of the combined entity. At the group level, executive management team will consist of Gunter Graubach, Roland Rutschmann and Francois Bersier as well as a yet to be appointed Group CFO. Concurrent Financing In the context of the Combination Transaction, it is envisaged that an up to CHF5,500,000 financing transaction in the form of a Mandatory Exchangeable Loan Note issued by Curatis (the "Financing Round") is implemented. Over the last few weeks, Curatis has already received commitments for a total of CHF4,052,600. The terms and conditions of the Financing Transaction foresee that investors of the Financing Round subscribe for a portion of the Principal Amount invested to a capital increase in Curatis prior to the closing of the Combination Transaction, and the remaining portion of the Principal Amount 61 trading days post-closing of the Transaction, at a 25% discount to the 60 day volume weighted average share price of the trading of the Kinarus Holding shares on the SIX Swiss Exchange, but subject to a total minimum number of New Kinarus Shares equivalent to a pre-money market capitalization of the combined entity of roughly CHF48.75m. With the cash raised in the Financing Transaction, together with the net cash flow expected to be generated via the drug distribution business of Curatis going forward, Kinarus Holding anticipates to have sufficient funds for the execution of the base case business plan for the next 36 months, such base case business plan mainly focusing on the development of their lead product candidate C-PTBE-01.

The sequential steps of this Transaction are outlined below: Transaction Step Number of Shares Current Kinarus Holding shares (including treasury shares) before Reverse Share Split 1,310,175,889 Issue new shares of Kinarus Holding (currently foreseen: 111) to get a number dividable by 4,480) 1,310,176,000 Kinarus Holding shares, each with nominal value CHF 44.80 post Reverse Share Split (ratio: 4,480:1) 292,450 Capital reduction (by reducing nominal value of each share of Kinarus Holding from CHF 44.80 to CHF 0.10) 292,450 Ordinary capital increase of 4,093,916 new shares of Kinarus Holding, equaling the number of shares to be outstanding of Curatis in the frame of the Transaction 4,386,366 Total Number of shares outstanding post implementation of the Transaction 4,386,366

The New Kinarus Shares shall be registered shares (Namenaktien) with a nominal value of CHF 0.10 each; all Consideration Shares will be fully paid and non-assessable and rank pari passu in all respects with each other. The closing of the Transaction is subject to various conditions, including (amongst others): Approval by the courts of Basel-Stadt to revert bankruptcy for Kinarus Holding

Approval of all proposed resolutions to the Extraordinary General Meeting of Kinarus Holding, being scheduled for on or around end of February or early March 2024

Approval by the SIX Swiss Exchange of the listing of the newly issued shares of Kinarus Holding in the frame of the Transaction

Approval by the bankruptcy administrator ("Konkursverwaltung") of Basel-Stadt to sell the assets, patents, IP and data relating to KIN001 in line with the submitted offer by Kinarus Holding and Curatis About Curatis AG Curatis (www.curatis.com) is a privately owned specialty pharmaceutical company focusing predominantly on orphan/ultra-orphan diseases and specialty care diseases. Curatis operates in two distinct business areas:



Distribution Business for Orphan Diseases and Specialty Diseases Medicines: Curatis acquires, licenses, distributes and promotes medicines for the treatment and/or prevention of orphan and specialty diseases in Switzerland that have been developed and brought to market by third party pharmaceutical companies. Following the going public and the thus increased public visibility and credibility, Curatis is convinced to be able to grow its profitable specialty medicine distribution business by enlarging the product offering as well as by expanding its distribution business geographically to large European markets such as Germany, France, United Kingdom and Italy).



Development Business for Orphan and Specialty Indications: Curatis' strategy is to identify compounds that are supported by existing safety and clinical efficacy data, allowing for a faster development with reduced risk. Curatis has done so successfully regarding its development products C-PTBE-01 (peritumoral edema in pediatric patients - next development step pivotal clinical phase III study), C-AM-01 (migraine with aura - next development step clinical phase IIb study) and C-MOH-01 (medication overuse headache - next development step clinical phase IIb study). Regarding its lead product candidate C-PTBE-0, Curatis expects that a pivotal Phase III study with a relatively small patient number will be required for registration. Curatis may receive a Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher for C-PTBE-01 in the US. In case Curatis' and Kinarus Holding's bid for the assets of Kinarus AG in Liquidation relating to KIN001 is approved by the bankruptcy administrator and the purchase is closed, Curatis aims to research the potential of KIN001 for orphan drug indications in antiflammatory diseases and pursue own drug development for the identified orphan indications, a market segment of orphan drug development that shows above market growth. Orphan indications may be associated with a faster and less expensive pathway to market entry, against a smaller market potential, thereby reducing the overall corporate risk profile. The Company will also explore out-licensing opportunities relating to the large medical indications pursued to date by Kinarus, i.e. for IPF (idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis) and AMD (age-related macular degeneration). About Kinarus Therapeutic Holding AG Kinarus AG in Liquidation (www.kinarus.com) was founded in 2017 by experienced pharmaceutical executives in Basel, Switzerland. The Kinarus Group consists of the SIX Swiss Exchange listed Kinarus Therapeutics Holding AG in Liquidation and the operating fully owned subsidiary Kinarus AG in Liquidation. Both Kinarus Therapeutics Holding AG in Liquidation and Kinarus AG in Liquidation have filed for bankruptcy in September 2023 after a financing agreement with a Chinese investment company in May 2023 has not led to the agreed payments. Kinarus AG in Liquidation possesses the exclusive worldwide license to pamapimod, covering all indications, and has patented KIN001, its novel mechanism in combination with pioglitazone. Curatis has settled all the liabilities which were filed in the creditors' call (Schuldenruf) of Kinarus Therapeutics Holding AG in Liqudation and expects the decision by the courts of Basel-Stadt to reverse bankruptcy ("Widerruf des Konkurs") within two weeks. Kinarus AG in Liquidation remains in liquidation. Gunter Graubach, Executive Chairman of Curatis stated: "We are excited by this business combination as we may be able to include KIN001 into our development strategy and product portfolio, and Curatis may become part of a publicly listed company. This would significantly increase our visibility and stance, and allow us to grow our third-party orphan medicine distribution business both in terms of scope and breadth as well as geographically via expansion to large European markets. As part of the transaction, we raised capital that together with expected free cash flow generation from our distribution business is expected to be sufficient to develop our lead product candidate C-PTBE-01. We are optimistic about our future and will be embracing all opportunities and challenges that are ahead of us and would like to thank our stakeholders for their continued trust in our exciting business." Dr. Alexander Bausch, CEO and Member of the Board of Directors Kinarus Therapeutics Holding AG in Liquidation added: "I am particularly relieved that our attempts to save parts of the value of the KIN001 product and pay-off some of the outstanding liabilities resulting from the bankruptcy filings of Kinarus Holding and Kinarus AG we were forced to do in Q4 2023 may now materialize. I am also pleased that the incumbent Kinarus Holding shareholders may conserve a part of the value of their holdings and have the opportunity to participate in a larger company with a broader, more risk-balanced investment case. This arguably complex transaction represents a groundbreaking innovation and novelty, and I would like to particularly devote my thanks to YUMA Capital who have developed, negotiated, managed and will continue to manage this transaction with a large number of involved parties in a very professional, knowledgeable and diligent way." YUMA Capital acts as overall financial advisor and investor relations advisor for this contemplated Transaction. The Technical Implementation Agent to orchestrate the implementation of the Reverse Share Split is expected to be announced together with the details of the Reverse Share Split Transaction in February 2024. Investors Relations contact:

YUMA Capital

Thomas Bieri

Managing Partner

Tel: +41 44 575 20 01

thomas.bieri@yuma-capital.com Disclaimer THIS DOCUMENT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A PROSPECTUS WITHIN THE MEANING OF SWISS FINANCIAL SERVICES ACT ("FINSA"), NOR A PROSPECTUS UNDER ANY OTHER APPLICABLE LAWS AND SHOULD NOT BE TREATED AS OFFERING MATERIALS OF ANY SORT AND IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY. THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS IN SUMMARY FORM AND MUST BE CONSIDERED IN CONJUCTION WITH AND SUBJECT TO THE PUBLICLY AVAILABLE INFORMATION OF CURATIS AG AND KINARUS THERAPEUTICS HOLDING AG IN LIQUIDATION. THIS DOCUMENT IS BEING FURNISHED TO YOU SOLELY FOR YOUR INFORMATION AND MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED, REDISTRIBUTED OR MADE AVAILABLE IN WHOLE OR IN PART TO ANY OTHER PERSON OR ANY PURPOSE, WITHOUT THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF CURATIS AG AND KINARUS THERAPEUTICS HOLDING IN LIQUIDATION. THIS DOCUMENT CONSTITUTES ADVERTISING WITHIN THE MEANING OF ARTICLE 68 OF THE FINSA. This document contains certain forward-looking statements. Other written materials, as well as other written and oral statements made to the public, may also contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "potential," "expected," "will," "planned," "pipeline," "outlook," "may," "could," "would," "anticipate," "seek," or similar terms, or by express or implied discussions regarding potential new products, potential new indications for existing products, or regarding potential future revenues from any such products; or regarding the potential outcome, or financial or other impact on Curatis AG and/or Kinarus Therapeutics Holding AG in Liquidation, of any of the transactions described; or regarding potential future sales or earnings of the group or any of its divisions or potential shareholder returns; or by discussions of strategy, plans, expectations or intentions. Such forward-looking statements are based on the current beliefs and expectations of management regarding future events, and are subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. This document is not an offering circular or prospectus and is being furnished to you solely for your information and may not be reproduced, redistributed or made available in whole or in part to any other person for any purpose, without the prior consent of Curatis AG and Kinarus Therapeutics Holding AG in Liquidation. This document is for information purposes only and is not to be relied upon in substitution for the exercise of independent judgement. It is not intended as investment advice and under no circumstances is it to be used or considered as an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any security nor is it a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Any decision to subscribe to any securities should only be made on the basis of an independent review by you of Curatis AG and/or Kinarus Therapeutics Holding AG in Liquidation publicly available information. Curatis AG and Kinarus Therapeutics Holding AG in Liquidation do not accept any liability arising from the use of, or make any representation as to the accuracy or completeness of, this document or the publicly available information on Curatis AG and Kinarus Therapeutics Holding AG in Liquidation. We provide the information in this document as of the date hereof and the information contained in this document is subject to change at any time. We do not intend, and do not assume any obligation, to update any information or forward-looking statements set out in this document as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Curatis AG and Kinarus Therapeutics Holding AG in Liquidation shall not be responsible for, or for investigating, any matter which is the subject of any statement, representation, warranty or covenant of Curatis AG and Kinarus Therapeutics Holding AG in Liquidation contained in the Transaction Agreement or any other agreement or document relating to the Transaction, or for the execution, legality, effectiveness, adequacy, genuineness, validity, enforceability or admissibility in evidence thereof. This document is not for distribution, directly or indirectly in or into the United States (as defined in Regulation S under the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("US Securities Act")). This document is not an offer to sell securities, or the solicitation of any offer to buy securities, nor shall there be any offer of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer or sale would be unlawful. The securities mentioned in this document have not been and will not be registered under the US Securities Act, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or exemption from registration under the US Securities Act. There will be no public offer of the securities in the United States or in any other jurisdiction. In connection with this Transaction there has not been, nor will there be, any public offering of any securities in any jurisdiction outside of Switzerland. The securities in connection with this Transaction may not be offered to the public in any jurisdiction in circumstances which would require Curatis AG or Kinarus Therapeutics Holding AG in Liquidation to prepare or register any prospectus or offering document relating to the securities in connection with the Transaction in such jurisdiction. No action has been taken or will be taken in any jurisdiction outside of Switzerland by Curatis AG and Kinarus Therapeutics Holding AG in Liquidation that would, or is intended to, permit a public offering of the securities in connection with the Transaction.

End of Inside Information
Volvo Trucks has unveiled an all-new heavy-duty truck platform for the North American market in parallel to a new heavy-duty truck range for Europe, Australia and markets in Asia and Africa. New energy efficient models - including trucks running on electricity and renewable fuels - will reduce CO2 emissions and take the company closer to the target of having a net-zero emission product range by year 2040.

GOTHENBURG, Sweden, Jan. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- This means a significant overhaul and expansion of Volvo Trucks heavy-duty offering globally and a vital step to reduce the carbon footprint from the product portfolio.

"This is a bold move- we are launching new best-in-class trucks that will set a benchmark for energy efficiency and reduction of CO2 emissions across the entire product range," says Roger Alm, President Volvo Trucks. "They have been designed to accelerate the journey towards our ambitious 2040 net-zero emission target, but they also offer higher levels of safety, productivity and uptime for our customers."

A new global product portfolio - cutting fuel consumption and CO2 emissions

The North American market gets an all-new energy-efficient platform, cutting fuel consumption by up to 10 percent* while also enhancing the safety level significantly. The new platform will be the base for a range of new models in the coming years, utilizing the company's broad palette of electric- and renewable fuel technologies, as well as efficient combustion engines. First out is the all-new Volvo VNL model, replacing Volvo's best-selling truck on the North American market for long haul transport.

In Europe, Australia, Asia and Africa, Volvo is launching the new Volvo FH Aero - optimized for energy-efficient heavy-duty transports. The new aerodynamic Volvo FH, which lowers energy consumption and CO2 emissions by up to five percent*, comes with a choice of propulsions systems including electric, biogas and diesel.

"The wide range of trucks we are launching will enable our customers around the world to reduce their CO2 footprints, no matter where they are on their sustainability journey. The supply of green energy varies from market to market, and therefore as a global truck manufacturer, we need to offer our customers a range of decarbonization solutions," says Roger Alm.

*Actual fuel economy may vary depending on many factors i.e. driving speed, vehicle load, topography, and weather conditions.

For further information, please contact:

Stefan Elfstrom

Media Relations Director, Volvo Trucks

Email: stefan.elfstrom@volvo.com

Tel: +46 708 25 30 72

Volvo Trucks supplies complete transport solutions for professional customers with its full range of medium- and heavy-duty trucks. Customer support is provided via a global network of dealers with 2,300 service points in about 130 countries. In 2022 approximately 145,000 Volvo trucks were delivered worldwide. Volvo Trucks is part of the Volvo Group.

Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nh9fY9PbGGU

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2327083/Volvo_FH_Aero.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2327084/Volvo_Trucks_range.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2327085/Volvo_VNL.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2327086/Roger_Alm.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2327082/Volvo_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/volvo-launches-new-trucks-worldwide--future-proofing-its-product-portfolio-302045722.html
New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - January 29, 2024) - Felicific Inc has been awarded the prestigious 2024 Global Recognition Award, underscoring its remarkable achievements in business growth, innovation, and transformative strategies within the wellness sector. The company's success has been mainly fueled by the soaring popularity of its flagship brand, Heivy, solidifying Felicific's position as a critical player in the US market.

Felicific Inc - Heivy

Felicific Inc: A Narrative of Ambition and US Market Dominance

This esteemed award serves as a testament to Felicific's unwavering dedication to research and development, resulting in the creation of top-tier wellness solutions. Heivy, Felicific's standout product, has been instrumental in driving the brand's surge in popularity, receiving widespread acclaim, particularly on platforms such as Amazon.

Stacy Lin, CEO of Felicific, reflects on the journey, stating, "Our mission has always been to redefine the industry and create a distinctive user experience."

Setting New Benchmarks in Revenue and Market Trends

Felicific's pursuit of market leadership is exemplified by its introduction of innovative solutions and commitment to sustainable practices. The company reported an impressive 71% growth in revenue in 2024 compared to the previous year, showcasing its dominance and trailblazing innovations in the US market.

"Felicific stands out for our unique approach to the wellness market, capturing the attention of a diverse consumer base," emphasizes Stacy Lin.

Emphasizing Community Engagement and Customer Satisfaction

Beyond financial achievements, Felicific's success story encompasses robust community engagement and a focus on customer satisfaction. The digital footprint and positive customer endorsements underscore the brand's effective engagement strategies.

"Our foremost priority has always been customer trust and satisfaction, with our products representing a lifestyle choice embraced by a diverse consumer group," notes the company.

Accolades and Recognition in the Industry

Felicific's rapid ascent in the US wellness industry is complemented by a string of prestigious awards, with the 2024 Global Recognition Award being the latest addition. This recognition joins a distinguished list of honors, including a silver medal at the Seoul International Invention Fair 2019, DealMoon's Beauty Awards, and the 2022 IDA International Design Award.

Closing Thoughts

Felicific's attainment of the esteemed 2024 Global Recognition Award is a reflection of their relentless commitment to business excellence and innovation within the wellness sector. Alex Sterling from Global Recognition Awards commends Felicific's journey as a beacon for the industry, celebrating their significant contributions and unwavering commitment to quality and market leadership. The Heivy brand's popularity has undeniably played a pivotal role in solidifying Felicific's status as a prominent player in the US market.

About Global Recognition AwardsTM:

Global Recognition AwardsTM is an international organization that recognizes exceptional companies and individuals who have significantly contributed to their industry. Their awards are highly regarded and sought after by businesses across the globe.

Contact Details:

Alexander Sterling

Global Recognition Awards

Email: contact@globalrecognitionawards.org/

Website: https://globalrecognitionawards.org/

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/195647

SOURCE: Baden Bower
LONDON, Jan. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hatch Africa, a rapidly growing, high-impact poultry business targeting underserved rural households, has secured a combined USD 9.5 million investment with participation from AgDevCo and IDH Farmfit Fund.

The investment into Flow Equity Africa Ventures (FEAV), the holding company for Hatch's operations in Kenya, Ghana, and Cote d'Ivoire, will scale Hatch's innovative business model to millions more smallholder farmer households.

Hatch Africa's purpose is to make farmers healthier and wealthier. The company distributes dual-purpose breeds of day-old-chicks through a large network of agents, who rear the birds to maturity at around five weeks before selling them to smallholders. Hatch chickens are well-suited to being raised in "backyard" conditions and its customers typically own between 5 and 20 birds each. Compared to indigenous breeds, Hatch chickens grow faster, lay more eggs and are more resistant to disease.

Founded in 2010, the company now reaches 4.6 million rural households in Ethiopia, Uganda, and Rwanda, where it operates under the brands EthioChicken and Uzima Chicken. In Ghana and Cote D'Ivoire, Hatch will operate under the brand Premier Poultry and Prestige Poultry respectively. Kenya will adopt the Uzima Chicken brand, which means "full of life" in Swahili.

Co-founder Joseph Shields said, "We couldn't achieve the scale of impact and commercial progress Hatch Africa is making without the support of committed, long-term investors like AgDevCo and IDH, who understand our markets and can provide flexible financing that suits our needs. We are excited about our next phase of growth, building Hatch Africa into a truly pan-African business."

AgDevCo's Managing Director for East Africa, Rebecca Sankar, said, "We are pleased to continue funding Hatch as it grows beyond Ethiopia. This is our third round of investment into the company, in each case supporting greenfield expansion. We look forward to working with the management team to deliver more impact, including higher incomes and improved nutrition for rural households, across East and West Africa."

"I am proud that the IDH FarmFit Fund provided debt funding to Hatch Africa, for expansion in Kenya, Ghana, and Cote d'Ivoire. Through its distinctive distribution structure, Hatch Africa ensures access for the rural population to high-quality dual-purpose chickens, where currently only low-yielding, local breeds are accessible. The transformational nature of this business makes this a very exciting investment for the Fund.", said Mr. Roel Messie, CEO, IDH Investment Management, the manager of the IDH Farmfit Fund.

Hatch Africa plans to grow its impact six-fold by 2030, increasing the number of chickens sold annually from 45 million to 340 million. The company's vision is to reach every farmer and achieve one chicken per person per year in each country where it operates.

NOTES FOR EDITORS:

The transaction was supported by Charles Russell Speechlys in London, Bowmans in Mauritius and Kenya, Sesi Legal in Ghana, and Kwaliance in Cote d'Ivoire.

The IDH transaction was supported by FINWAY in the Netherlands and Venture Law Ltd in Mauritius.

AgDevCo is a specialist investor in African agriculture, growing sustainable and impactful agribusiness, with USD 280m under management. Backed by leading development finance institutions including BII, Norfund, US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, AgDevCo's vision is a thriving commercial agriculture sector, which benefits both people and planet by investing in and supporting agribusinesses to grow, create jobs, produce and process food and link farmers to markets. They support their partners to work towards climate sustainability, and where possible, regenerative solutions. www.agdevco.com

IDH Farmfit Fund is a Euro 100m public-private impact fund for smallholder farmers, many of whom are amongst the poorest people in the world. IDH Farmfit Fund takes on the highest-risk positions in farmer related investment transactions, to reduce liabilities for borrowers and lenders. In turn, smallholder farmers can access long-term financing that allows them to invest in their farms, increase productivity, and adopt best practices for climate-smart agriculture. The IDH Farmfit Fund managed by IDH Investment Management and is facilitated by IDH and supported by a unique coalition of partners including commercial banks, development banks, government bodies and value chain companies.? www.idhsustainabletrade.com .

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SEOUL, South Korea, Jan. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Daewoong Pharmaceutical's Bersiporocin (DWN12088) has been recognized as a significant advancement in treating idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a rare and debilitating disease. This first-in-class PRS inhibitor has recently received 'Orphan Drug Designation (ODD)' from the European Medicines Agency (EMA), adding to its earlier designation by the U.S. FDA for both IPF and systemic sclerosis.

The EMA's recognition highlights Bersiporocin's potential to meet critical needs in rare diseases, targeting conditions affecting fewer than 5 in 10,000 individuals in the EU. The designation offers several benefits, including guidance on clinical trials, reduced authorization fees, and 10-year market exclusivity upon approval.

IPF is characterized by abnormal collagen accumulation in the lungs, reducing lung function. With a global incidence rate of about 13 cases per 100,000 people and a 5-year survival rate of only 40%, there's a pressing need for more effective and safer treatments.

Bersiporocin's mechanism involves inhibiting PRS (Prolyl-tRNA Synthetase), thus targeting the excess collagen production that leads to fibrosis. The drug's efficacy was demonstrated in a study published by the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO).

In addition to orphan drug designations, Bersiporocin has been granted fast track designation by the FDA. It also has been recognized in the 'Clinical Development Support' program by the Korea Drug Development Fund (KDDF). Bersiporocin has successfully completed phase 1 clinical trials in Korea and Australia, establishing its safety and pharmacokinetic properties in 162 healthy subjects. Multinational phase 2 clinical trials are currently in progress in Korea and the U.S.

Seng-ho Jeon, CEO of Daewoong Pharmaceutical, stated, "With Bersiporocin's global recognition and its clinical advancements, we are more committed than ever to delivering this promising treatment to IPF patients, potentially transforming the landscape of this challenging disease."

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are based on the current beliefs and expectations of Daewoong Pharmaceutical's management. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to: (1) Regulatory and governmental approvals: The approval process for pharmaceutical products is subject to extensive regulations and may involve uncertainties and delays. Any failure to obtain necessary approvals or the occurrence of delays in the approval process could adversely affect Daewoong Pharmaceutical's business and results of operations; and (2) Clinical trials: The success of Daewoong Pharmaceutical's products depends on the results of clinical trials. The results of early clinical trials may not be indicative of the results of later-stage or larger-scale clinical trials.

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CHICAGO, Jan. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- EV connector market is projected to grow from USD 2.0 billion in 2023 to USD 10.9 billion by 2030, registering a CAGR of 27.1%, according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. EV connectors for high-voltage systems and need of miniaturization, weight reduction, and high-performance materials, and a surge in data transmission and complex systems for ADAS, battery management, vehicle lighting and autonomous driving, demanding high-bandwidth and low-latency EV connectors. Electric vehicles (EVs) are rapidly using advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving technologies, which require connectors to handle the massive data flow. This gives connector manufacturers even more chances to advance technologically and meet the constantly changing demands of the electric revolution.

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Browse in-depth TOC on "EV Connector Market".

275 - Tables

66 - Figures

289 - Pages

EV Connector Market Scope:

Report Coverage Details Market Size USD 10.9 billion by 2030 Growth Rate CAGR of 27.1% Largest Market Asia Pacific Market Dynamics Drivers, Restraints, Opportunities & Challenges Forecast Period 2023-2030 Forecast Units Value (USD billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered By System Type (Sealed, Unsealed), Application (ADAS and Safety, Battery Management System, Body Control and Interiors), Propulsion (BEV, PHEV, FCEV), Voltage, Connection Type, Component and Region - Global Forecast to 2030 Geographies Covered Asia Pacific, Europe, and North America Report Highlights Updated financial information / product portfolio of players Key Market Opportunities Growing incorporation of Electrical/Electronic (E/E) architecture Key Market Drivers Advancements in infotainment systems and in-vehicle connectivity

"Engine management and powertrain application is expected to show a significant growth rate during the forecast period."

The engine management and power train segment is projected to register a CAGR of 24.3% during the forecast period. The engine management system in a PHEV is responsible for controlling the operation of the engine, including the ignition, fuel injection, and emissions control systems. The engine management system also coordinates the engine's operation with the electric motor and battery to provide optimal performance and efficiency. The powertrain in a PHEV typically consists of an internal combustion engine (ICE), an electric motor, and a battery. The ICE and electric motor are connected to the transmission, which drives the wheels. A PHEV's engine management system and powertrain are designed to work together to provide optimal performance and efficiency. High-voltage battery connectors transmit high-voltage DC power from the battery pack to the electric motor and other high-voltage components. Fuel injector and spark plug Connectors deliver fuel and ignition signals to the engine cylinders, ensuring proper combustion. ECU connectors transmit data from various engine sensors to the ECU, allowing it to monitor and control engine performance. Power Control Unit (PCU) connectors transmit data from the electric motor and battery to the PCU, allowing it to manage the electric powertrain system.

"Board - to - Board connection system to hold largest market share during the forecast period."

Board-to-board connectors play a critical role in high-end applications within electric vehicles (EVs), contributing to advanced electronic systems' overall performance, reliability, and functionality. In high-end EV applications, these connectors are essential for high-speed data transmission, battery management systems for high-capacity batteries, complex sensor networks for autonomous driving, high-resolution displays, infotainment systems and others. Board-to-board connectors dominate within electronic modules due to their compact size and ease of integration. The trend is towards miniaturization and increased integration, which could lead to higher adoption of board-to-board connectors in near future. Also, the inclination of users toward high-tech applications OEMs are offering advanced applications such as human machine interface (HMI), airbag control, adaptive cruise control, and auto-park assist, which creates the demand for connectors to be used in new automotive systems. OEMs such as BMW (Germany), Audi (Germany), Mercedes-Benz (Germany), and Volkswagen AG (Germany) offer this high-end application in their vehicle models such as BMW iX, Audi e-tron GT, Mercedes-Benz EQC and Volkswagen ID.4 among others. All such high-end application requires to be connected by board - to - board connection. Thus, growing demand for high-end applications is estimated to drive the EV connector industry. With the changing demands of passengers and OEMs, new and advanced applications are expected to penetrate the market.

"North America will be the prominent growing market for EV connectors during the forecast period."

North America is a regional hub for many renowned OEMs delivering quality, high-performance vehicles. In North America, OEMs like Tesla and GM focus on developing cleaner, faster, and high-performance electric vehicles. Nissan, BMW, Volkswagen, and Daimler are the leading OEMs in the US that have launched electric vehicles in the region. The top-selling electric vehicles in the US are Chevy Volt, Tesla Model S, Nissan Leaf, and Ford Fusion Energy PHEV. Along with OEMS, EV connector manufacturers such as TE Connectivity (Switzerland), Amphenol (US), Samtec (US), and Huber+Suhner (Switzerland), among others, are present in the Region. Various services offered by electric vehicle infrastructure providers have increased the adoption rate of electric vehicles in US. Tesla, Ford Motors, and General Motors have included some ADAS features as standard in their EVs. For instance, Tesla Model 3 & Model Y offer ADAS features such as adaptive cruise control, lane centering, and automatic lane changes. Additionally, in July 2022, Cadillac Lyriq a luxurious SUV by General Motors was launched with super cruise system, which allows hands-free driving on mapped highways. It also features a high-resolution, curved OLED display spanning the instrument cluster and infotainment system for an immersive driving experience. The EV connector market growth in North America is expected to be significant due to the rise in EV sales and connectivity-based applications, including autonomous driving, connected services, ADAS, high-end infotainment, and powertrain solutions. As technology becomes more widely available and affordable, more consumers in this region purchase vehicles with ADAS features. This has led to a rise in demand for these systems and an increase in the number of electric vehicles equipped with ADAS. Thus, the demand for EV connectors will also increase with the rising sales of EVs, increased adaptation of ADAS, high-end infotainment, and powertrain solutions.

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Key Market Players:

The major players in EV Connector Companies include TE Connectivity Ltd. (Switzerland), Aptiv PLC (Ireland), Yazaki Corporation (Japan), Molex LLC (US), and Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd. (Japan).

Recent Developments

In November 2023, Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Ltd. released the MX81 Series, a non-waterproof compact connector for in-vehicle electronic devices such as ECUs, lighting, sensors, and other in-vehicle applications.

In September 2023, Yazaki Corporation (Yazaki) announced that Yazaki Egypt had purchased an area of 67,000 square meters in the Fayoum investment-free zone to expand the production of wire harnesses and electrical systems.

In August 2023, Sumitomo Electric Wiring Systems announced investing approximately USD 10.0 million in manufacturing harnesses, becoming the first tier 1 automotive company to establish operations in Tabasco, Mexico.

In April 2023, Hirose Electric Co., Ltd. and TraceParts partnered to release more than 10,000 ready-to-use 3D models for Hirose's PCB mountable connectors.

In March 2023, KYOCERA AVX added new four- and five-position models to its 9176-700 Series of IDC connectors for 18-24AWG wire, designed to fulfill the demand requirements of automotive, transportation, industrial, lighting, and medical applications.

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Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 29, 2024) - Sun Summit Minerals Corp. (TSXV: SMN) (OTCQB: SMREF) (the "Company" or "Sun Summit") is pleased to announce, further to the Company's news releases dated November 9, 2023, and January 9, 2024, that it has obtained conditional TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange") approval for the Company's option agreement (the "Option Agreement") with Victor F. Erickson, V.F. Erickson Consultants Limited and T. Cameron Scott, arm's length parties to the Company, to acquire a 100% interest in the JD Project in the Toodoggone gold-copper district in north-central British Columbia. For further details regarding the Option Agreement, see the Company's press release dated January 9, 2024. Further to the Company's press release dated January 9, 2024, the Company has determined that there will be no finder's fee payable pertaining to efforts in arranging the Company's option to acquire a 100% interest in the JD Project. The Option Agreement is subject to the final approval of the Exchange.

In connection with the Option Agreement, Sun Summit intends to consolidate its outstanding common shares on the basis of one post-consolidation common share for every three pre-consolidation common shares, as described in the Company's news release dated November 9, 2023 (the "Consolidation"). The new CUSIP for the Company's common shares will be 86687V704 and the new ISIN will be CA86687V7043. The Company is not changing its name or stock symbol. The Company will announce the effective date of the Consolidation by way of a future news release. The Consolidation is subject to the approval of the Exchange, but is not subject to the approval by the Company's shareholders.

Shareholders with physical certificates will receive a letter of transmittal from Computershare Trust Company of Canada, the Company's transfer agent, in connection with the Consolidation. All registered shareholders will be required to send their certificate(s) representing pre-Consolidation shares, along with a properly executed letter of transmittal, to the Company's transfer agent, in accordance with the instructions provided in the letter of transmittal. Shareholders who hold their shares through a broker, investment dealer, bank or trust company should contact that nominee or intermediary on the procedures for processing the Consolidation of their shares, and for determining their post-Consolidation positions.

About Sun Summit

Sun Summit Minerals (TSXV: SMN) (OTCQB: SMREF) is a mineral exploration company focused on expansion and discovery of district scale gold and copper assets in British Columbia. The Company's diverse portfolio includes the Buck Project in central B.C, and the JD Project in the Toodoggone region of north-central B.C.

Sun Summit is committed to environmental and social responsibility, with a focus on accountable development and building respectful and beneficial relationships with Indigenous and local communities.

Further details are available at www.sunsummitminerals.com.

On behalf of the board of directors

Brian Lock

For further information, contact:

Sharyn Alexander

President

info@sunsummitminerals.com

Matthew Benedetto

Simone Capital

mbenedetto@simonecapital.ca

Tel. 416-817-1226

Forward-Looking Information

Statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts may be forward-looking statements, which involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In addition, the forward-looking statements require management to make assumptions and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. There is significant risk that the forward-looking statements will not prove to be accurate, that the management's assumptions may not be correct and that actual results may differ materially from such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Generally forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as "anticipate", "will", "expect", "may", "continue", "could", "estimate", "forecast", "plan", "potential" and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release may include, but are not limited to, obtaining regulatory approval for the Consolidation and the acquisition of the option for the JD project, and completing the Consolidation and the acquisition of the option for the JD Project under the Option Agreement. These forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions which may prove to be incorrect which, without limiting the generality of the following, include: risks related to regulatory approval; risks inherent in exploration activities; the impact of exploration competition; unexpected geological or hydrological conditions; changes in government regulations and policies, including trade laws and policies; failure to obtain necessary permits and approvals from government authorities; volatility and sensitivity to market prices; volatility and sensitivity to capital market fluctuations; the ability to raise funds through private or public equity financings; environmental and safety risks including increased regulatory burdens; weather and other natural phenomena; and other exploration, development, operating, financial market and regulatory risks. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof or the dates specifically referenced in this press release, where applicable. Except as required by applicable securities laws and regulation, Sun Summit disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/196000

SOURCE: Sun Summit Minerals Corp.
GUIYANG, China, Jan. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The ancient Silk Road, where diverse civilizations collided over two thousand years ago, created a brilliant glow. Fast forward to the modern Silk Road, the Belt and Road Initiative, which has facilitated extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits among countries.

Guizhou, in Southwest China, has made its mark on this era. The "Ten Years On: Guizhou Story along the Belt and Road" series reports, planned and implemented by Discover Guizhou of Guizhou Daily Press with exclusive support from Kweichow Moutai Co., Ltd., invite you to witness Guizhou stories along the Belt and Road.

Tire Ascendancy: Smart "Dream Factory" in Mekong Delta

Vietnam's LIEN ANH Production Rubber Co., Ltd has experienced a tenfold increase in its annual output in recent years, largely due to the involvement of Chinese enterprises in the Vietnamese rubber industry.

Guizhou Tyre Co., Ltd established its first overseas base in Tien Giang Province, Vietnam in 2019, and its subsidiary, Advance Tyre (Vietnam) Co., Ltd., has become the largest Chinese enterprise in the region.

The Vietnamese factory has effectively replicated the automation, intelligence, and informatization of Chinese factories, creating opportunities for Guizhou-manufactured products and empowering the local community in Vietnam.

Currently, 80% of Guizhou Tyre's rubber raw material supply comes from Vietnam, and the Vietnamese factory has provided over 1,000 job opportunities in Tien Giang Province.

Every day, thousands of containers carrying Vietnamese-produced Guizhou tires depart from Vietnam, spreading Chinese smart manufacturing across the world.

Georgia E60 Highway: Linking Eurasian Corridor through Caucasus

On November 3rd at 9 AM local time in Georgia, the tranquility of the Caucasus Mountains was shattered by the sound of cannon fire, marking the completion of Guizhou Highway Group's F4 tunnel on Georgia's E60 highway.

This highway stands as the sole transportation link connecting Georgia to the Asia-Europe transportation trunk line.

The F4 section of E60 Highway posed significant engineering challenges, and the specific technology employed by the Guizhou construction team garnered high praise.

As a result of this achievement, a Letter of Intent for a Sister Region-Province Relationship was signed between Georgia's Imereti region and Guizhou, showcasing the growing international cooperation and contribution of Guizhou's transportation and construction enterprises to the global road and bridge construction industry.

China-Laos Railway: Journey of Youths and Dreams

The China-Laos Railway, stretching 1035 kilometers, is a pivotal project that aligns with China's Belt and Road Initiative and Laos' strategy to transition from a land-locked country to a land-linked one.

"I've dreamt of working on the railway since I was a child. When I heard about the construction of the China-Laos Railway, I decided to study in China," shared Phonephimon MONECHANDY, a Laotian student in Guizhou, who is now employed as a locomotive repairer at the Vientiane engine workshop.

Laotian youths like Phonephimon are pursuing their ambitions in Guizhou. In 2016, the China-ASEAN Rail Transportation Education and Training Alliance was established in Guiyang, Guizhou, following the 9th China-ASEAN Education Exchange Week, laying the foundation for collaborative vocational education between the two sides through the China-ASEAN Vocational Education Flagship Program.

Chinese Liquor: Cultural Ambassador between China and Thailand

Moutai, a Chinese liquor, has been at the forefront of Chinese products venturing overseas since 1953. Thailand was the initial destination for Moutai's exports when it officially entered the international market in 1953.

"Chinatown in Bangkok is steeped in Chinese culture, and Moutai, as one of China's most renowned liquors, must have a presence here," said Mr. Piyapong Karnchanatanon, CEO of Siam Dragon (Asia-pacific) Co., Ltd, who chose to distribute Moutai liquor, valuing its cultural significance as well as its market value.

"This taste has never changed!" Mr. Yang Fan, the Chairman of Golden Star International Logistics Co., Ltd, reminisced about purchasing his first bottle of Moutai liquor from a grocery store in Chinatown 47 years ago.

From gaining recognition among local Chinese communities to securing a prominent position in Thailand's liquor market, this bottle of Chinese fine liquor, with its distinct Chishui River flavor from Guizhou, has been promoting shared cultural "beauty" worldwide. With the enduring charm of Chinese culture, it shines on the global stage.

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Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 29, 2024) - Kuya Silver Corporation (CSE: KUYA) (OTCQB: KUYAF) (FSE: 6MR1) (the "Company" or "Kuya Silver") is pleased to present the final assay results from a second diamond drilling program at the Campbell-Crawford and Airgiod target areas, Silver Kings Project, where grassroots drilling in March and April 2023 intersected a new high-grade silver and cobalt discovery. The final results of this second drill campaign, including holes 23-SK-27 to -31, are presented. Kuya Silver has identified several new highly-mineralized veins in this program, including a significant new grassroots drill intersection beneath the adjacent Airgiod property, and has tripled the potential size of the buried target zone area which remains open in all directions.

Highlights:

High-grade mineralized footprint expanded at the Campbell-Crawford target area Hole 23-SK-31 intersected 12,200 g/t (392 oz/t) Ag, 0.17% Co (12,264 g/t AgEq*) over 0.40 m within a wider zone grading 1,799 g/t Ag, 0.03% Co (1,810 g/t AgEq*) over 3.20 m in the Angus Vein (Figure 1) Kuya has now reported four clustered drilling intersections of >2,000 g/t silver (plus cobalt) on the Angus and Toms Veins (Figure 1, 2)

New blind discovery made at the Airgiod target area, 250 m northwest of original Angus Vein intersection Hole 23-SK-30 intersected 249 g/t silver, 1.64% cobalt (863 g/t AgEq*) over 0.40 m, within a wider zone grading 132 g/t silver, 0.35% cobalt (263 g/t AgEq*) over 1.88 m, in a new NW-trending vein named the Moran Vein (Figure 1) This is the first known drill hole in the Airgiod Property targeting the buried lower Nipissing Diabase contact. The new vein was intersected in an identical setting to the Angus Vein at the Campbell-Crawford target area This 250 m step-out triples the tested extent of buried silver-cobalt mineralization between the neighbouring Campbell-Crawford and Airgiod properties



David Lewis, Vice President Exploration, commented: "We are extremely pleased with the results from our fall 2023 drill program at Silver Kings. At the Campbell-Crawford prospect, we expanded the area of high-grade vein mineralization, intersected a number of newly identified silver-cobalt veins, and gained a greater understanding of the potential deposit model. On the Airgiod property, we made a blind vein discovery by stepping out approximately 250 meters from the main Campbell-Crawford vein zone. This new Moran Vein reported our highest-grade cobalt assay to date, as well as silver, and appears to strike in a different orientation to the Clark Vein, which was trenched and mapped on surface."

David Stein, Kuya Silver's President and CEO remarked, "The blind discovery of a second highly mineralized vein zone below the Nipissing Diabase north of Kerr Lake establishes a new exploration model for the Cobalt camp which can be repeated to generate multiple targets over Kuya Silver's expansive and district-scale land package. Adding recent discoveries at Airgiod and Campbell-Campbell to some of the better historical prospects on our properties, we now see four or five distinct, high priority, silver-cobalt targets that demonstrate the potential for a hub-and-spoke business case (ie. multiple mines feeding a centralized plant) for the Silver Kings Project. In addition to expanding the Campbell-Crawford and Airgiod discoveries, Kuya Silver is excited by the potential for other new discoveries on its properties."

Hole ID From To Length Ag Co AgEq* (g/t) Interpreted Mineralization (m) (m) (m) g/t % Ag, Co only 23-SK-28 (BMZ) 233.00 249.45 16.45 21 0.02 28 Sulphide zone with discrete Ag/Co veins Including 240.00 241.00 1.00 37 0.11 78 Jones 1 Vein Including 245.00 246.00 1.00 141 0.03 152 Ag/Co vein in sulphide zone with 0.45% Cu, 1.46% Pb, 3.03% Zn 23-SK-29 (BMZ) 193.90 217.00 23.10 36 0.04 51 Sulphide zone with discrete Ag/Co veins Including 193.90 194.30 0.40 36 0.16 96 Jones 1a Vein Including 195.00 196.40 1.40 131 0.05 150 Jones 1b Vein, with 1.43% Pb, 2.43% Zn Including 197.6 198 0.40 91 0.24 181 Jones 1c Vein, with 1.73% Pb, 0.98% Zn Including 214.30 216.30 2.00 26 0.13 75 Angus / Jones 2 vein intersection 23-SK-30 345.12 347.00 1.88 132 0.35 263 New Moran Ag/Co vein zone at Airgiod Including 345.12 345.52 0.40 249 1.64 863 New Moran Ag/Co vein at Airgiod Including 345.92 346.40 0.48 101 0.00 101 New Moran Ag/Co vein zone at Airgiod Including 346.40 347.00 0.60 141 0.00 141 New Moran Ag/Co vein zone at Airgiod 23-SK-31 236.00 239.20 3.20 1799* 0.03 1810 Angus Vein Zone Including 237.40 237.80 0.40 987* 0.00 987 Angus Vein Zone Including 237.80 238.20 0.40 12200* 0.17 12264 Angus Vein Including 238.20 238.80 0.60 754* 0.00 754 Angus Vein Zone And 241.40 245.00 3.60 40 0.01 42 Second Ag/Co vein zone Including 242.20 243.00 0.80 119 0.00 119 Second Ag/Co vein

Table 1: Significant silver and cobalt mineralization intersected in the Phase 2 2023 drill program at the Campbell-Crawford and Airgiod target areas. Results from the final six drill holes (23-SK-27 to -31) are presented. AgEq* (silver equivalent) grades were calculated using $23.69 USD / oz silver and $28,500 USD / tonne cobalt, with metal prices captured on January 2, 2024, for consistency with the remainder of reported assay results from this drill program. Mineralized drilling intervals do not reflect true interval length. "BMZ" refers to mineralization within a Broader Mineralized Zone. *Assaying by Screened Metallics was conducted on high-grade, visually identified silver mineralization in hole 23-SK-31 between 236.00 m to 239.20 m. Drill hole coordinates and orientations were presented in Kuya Silver January 11, 2024 news release. See Appendix A for full significant and anomalous assay results.

Figure 1a: Photograph of Angus Vein from hole 23-SK-31, which intersected 12,200 g/t silver plus 0.17% cobalt (12,264 g/t AgEq*) over 0.40 m from 237.80 m, within a wider mineralized zone over 3.20 m (Table 1), on the Campbell-Crawford property. The metallic silver is extremely fine grained, but the red colouration in the vein is ruby silver (most likely proustite or pyrargyrite, both silver sulphosalts).



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Figure 1b: Photograph of Toms Vein from hole 23-SK-26, reported in Kuya Silver's January 11, 2024 press release, which intersected 2,180 g/t silver plus 0.36% cobalt (2,315 g/t AgEq*) over 0.40 m from 257.60 m, within a wider 7.00 m mineralized zone, on the Campbell-Crawford property. The metallic minerals in the vein are dominantly cobalt and nickel arsenides, but significant fine-grained silver is also present.



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Figure 1c: Photograph of Moran Vein from hole 23-SK-30, which intersected 249 g/t silver plus 1.64% cobalt (863 g/t AgEq*) over 0.40 m from 257.60 m within a wider mineralized zone of 1.88 m (Table 1). This vein was intersected in the maiden drillhole below the Nipissing Diabase on the Airgiod property, which is open in all directions for additional mineralization. The metallic minerals in the vein are largely cobalt arsenides, but native silver is present within the vein and in surrounding fractures.



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Figure 2: Plan map of 2023 drill holes at Campbell-Crawford and Airgiod properties showing mineralized intersections and projected veins.

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New Vein Discovery on Airgiod Property, 250 Meters Northwest of the Campbell-Crawford Vein Zone

Hole 23-SK-30, collared 220 meters due west of the main Campbell-Crawford vein zone and targeting the neighbouring Airgiod property (Figure 2; Table 1), intersected 249 g/t silver, 1.64% cobalt (863 g/t AgEq*) over 0.40 m from 345.12 m, within a wider 1.88 m zone grading 132 g/t silver, 0.35% cobalt (263 g/t AgEq*) in a newly identified NW-trending vein named the Moran Vein. This new discovery includes Kuya Silver's highest-grade cobalt assay to date, which is closely associated with silver mineralization in all the largest historical mines in the Cobalt camp. This is the first known drill hole to test the buried and untouched lower Nipissing Diabase contact in the Airgiod Property (where mineralization in the camp is known to cluster), and this new vein was intersected in an identical setting to the Angus Vein at the Campbell-Crawford target area to the east. A second, moderately mineralized vein was also intersected at 370.46 m, potentially corresponding to the ENE-trending Clark Vein on surface. This 250 m step-out drill hole potentially triples the southeast-northwest extent of buried silver-cobalt mineralization in the neighbouring Campbell-Crawford and Airgiod properties.

Drilling At Campbell-Crawford Continues to Expand Silver-Cobalt Discovery Area

While all the drill holes in this batch hit multiple mineralized veins, hole 23-SK-31 reported the best result, intersecting 12,200 g/t (392 oz/t) Ag, 0.17% Co (12,264 g/t AgEq*) over 0.40 m within a wider zone grading 1,799 g/t Ag, 0.03% Co (1,810 g/t AgEq*) over 3.20 m in the Angus Vein. To date, four clustered drilling intersections, ranging from 2,180 to 74,418 g/t silver (plus cobalt) on the Angus and Toms Vein, are now defining a 15+ m wide high-grade mineralized shoot near the intersection of these veins that is open to 70+ m depth (Figure 2). It is becoming clearer that vein intersections and flexures are very important to the formation of these wider mineralized zones or shoots, and which may carry disproportionately more silver and cobalt mineralization than the veins themselves. In that regard, the definition of additional veins in the cluster increases the number of potentially mineralized vein intersections. For example, to date in the Campbell-Crawford area, Kuya Silver has discovered at least seven prominent mineralized veins that can be traced by different drill holes, which could indicate as many as ten vein intersection zones. Several other vein structures have been intersected in single drill holes that could further add to this potential.

23 Meter Mineralized Zone Intersected in Hole 23-SK-29

Silver and cobalt mineralization was also identified in holes 23-SK-27, -28 and -29. Hole 23-SK-29 intersected several mineralized veins and broad sulphide zones, including several veins within a 23.10 m, semi-massive copper-lead-zinc bearing sulphide zone beginning at 193.90 m depth (Figure 3). Highly-anomalous silver-cobalt mineralization occurred throughout this zone, outside of documented veins, and significant mineralization was intersected in four vein structures. This style of mineralization (veins adjacent to massive sulphide zones) was mined at the nearby Beaver-Timiskaming Mine, which produced almost 20 million ounces of silver (Sergiades 1968). Of the mines in the Cobalt and Silver Centre mining camp, the Beaver-Timiskaming Mine has many similarities (host rock, vein association with massive sulphide zones, structural setting, association with Archean volcano-sedimentary rocks, vein position relative to the Nipissing Diabase, lack of Coleman Member sedimentary rocks, proximity; Knight 1922) to the veins drilled at Campbell-Crawford and Airgiod to-date.

Figure 3: Photograph of semi-massive sulphide zone from hole 23-SK-29, which intersected highly anomalous silver (36 g/t), cobalt (0.04%), arsenic (0.10%), copper (0.31%), nickel (0.05%) lead (1.37%) and zinc (1.25%) over 23.10 m from 193.90 m on the Campbell-Crawford property. Local mineralized veins grade up to 131 g/t silver and up to 0.24% cobalt. This style of mineralization was recognized adjacent to economically viable mineralized veins at the nearby Beaver-Timiskaming Mine, which produced 19.2 million ounces of silver and 340,000 pounds of cobalt (Sergiades 1968).



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Quality Assurance and Quality Control

The drill core samples were logged and sampled with limestone blank material and standard reference material added in sample sequence and/or following visual identification of silver or cobalt mineralization. The samples were cut perpendicular to veining by core saw and were secured in labelled vinyl sample bags. Samples were shipped to AGAT Laboratories in Timmins, Ontario, where they were weighed, crushed and pulverized.

At AGAT Labs (Calgary, Alberta), samples were digested by 4-acid and analyzed by ICP-OES (maximum undiluted detection limit of 500 g/t silver).

At SGS Labs (Lakefield, Ontario), samples were processed by 500 g Screened Metallics. This method is suitable for coarse native metals (e.g. gold, silver, copper, palladium and platinum) with no upper detection limit. Samples were screened to 106 microns and fire assayed.

When samples were analyzed for silver by both ICP-AES and Screened Metallics, the Screened Metallics results are presented. All QA/QC standards were acceptable and within two standard deviations of certified values.

References

Knight, C.W. 1922. Geology of the Mine Workings of Cobalt and South Lorrain Silver Areas; Ontario Department of Mines, Thirty-first Annual Report, 374p.

Sergiades, A.O. 1968. Silver Cobalt Calcite Vein Deposits of Ontario; Ontario Department of Mines, Mineral Resources Circular No. 10, 498p.

National Instrument 43-101 Disclosure

The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Mr. David Lewis, P.Geo., Vice President Exploration of Kuya Silver and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

About Kuya Silver Corporation

Kuya Silver is a Canadian-based mineral exploration and development company with a focus on acquiring, exploring, and advancing precious metals assets in Peru and Canada.

For more information, please contact:

David Stein, President and Chief Executive Officer

Telephone: (604) 398-4493

info@kuyasilver.com

www.kuyasilver.com

Reader Advisory

This news release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking information," including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs, and current expectations of the Company, its directors, or its officers with respect to the future business activities of the Company. The words "may," "would," "could," "will," "intend," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "must," "next," "propose," "new," "potential," "prospective," "target," "future," "verge," "favourable," "implications," and "ongoing," and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company or its management, are intended to identify such forward-looking information. Investors are cautioned that statements including forward-looking information are not guarantees of future business activities and involve risks and uncertainties, and that the Company's future business activities may differ materially from those described in the forward-looking information as a result of various factors, including but not limited to fluctuations in market prices, successes of the operations of the Company, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market, and business conditions. There can be no assurances that such forward-looking information will prove accurate, and therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of the risks and uncertainties. The Company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking information except as required under the applicable securities laws.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Hole ID From To Length Ag Co AgEq* (g/t) Cu Ni Pb Zn Interpreted Mineralization (m) (m) (m) g/t % Ag, Co only % % % % Significant Mineralization 23-SK-28 (BMZ) 233.00 249.45 16.45 21 0.02 28 0.09 0.00 0.24 0.53 Sulphide zone with discrete Ag/Co veins Including 240.00 241.00 1.00 37 0.11 78 0.19 0.00 0.09 0.11 Jones 1 Vein Including 245.00 246.00 1.00 141 0.03 152 0.45 0.01 1.46 3.03 Ag/Co vein in sulphide zone 23-SK-29 (BMZ) 193.90 217.00 23.10 36 0.04 51 0.29 0.02 0.75 0.68 Sulphide zone with discrete Ag/Co veins Including 193.90 194.30 0.40 36 0.16 96 0.38 0.03 0.76 0.43 Jones 1a Vein Including 195.00 196.40 1.40 131 0.05 150 0.28 0.11 1.43 2.43 Jones 1b Vein Including 197.6 198 0.40 91 0.24 181 0.08 0.09 1.73 0.98 Jones 1c Vein Including 214.30 216.30 2.00 26 0.13 75 0.37 0.02 0.69 0.38 Angus / Jones 2 vein intersection 23-SK-30 345.12 347.00 1.88 132 0.35 263 0.01 0.02 0.02 0.02 New Moran Ag/Co vein zone at Airgiod Including 345.12 345.52 0.40 249 1.64 863 0.00 0.10 0.06 0.00 New Moran Ag/Co vein at Airgiod Including 345.92 346.40 0.48 101 0.00 101 0.10 0.00 0.00 0.01 New Moran Ag/Co vein zone at Airgiod Including 346.40 347.00 0.60 141 0.00 141 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.04 New Moran Ag/Co vein zone at Airgiod 23-SK-31 236.00 239.20 3.20 1799 0.03 1810 0.01 0.03 0.01 0.01 Angus Vein Zone Including 237.40 237.80 0.40 987 0.00 987 0.02 0.00 0.00 0.00 Angus Vein Zone Including 237.80 238.20 0.40 12200 0.17 12264 0.02 0.19 0.02 0.01 Angus Vein Including 238.20 238.80 0.60 754 0.00 754 0.02 0.00 0.02 0.00 Angus Vein Zone And 241.40 245.00 3.60 40 0.01 42 0.05 0.01 0.01 0.01 Second Ag/Co vein zone Including 242.20 243.00 0.80 119 0.00 119 0.07 0.00 0.00 0.00 Second Ag/Co vein Anomalous Mineralization 23-SK-27 182.05 182.5 0.45 0 0.08 30 0.01 0.02 0.00 0.01 Angus Vein (first intersection in diabase) And 219.40 219.93 0.53 1 0.09 35 0.00 0.02 0.00 0.02 Angus Vein (second intersection in diabase) And 223.60 224.50 0.90 54 0.00 54 0.09 0.01 0.15 0.01 Jones 1 Vein in diabase And 235.00 236.40 1.40 5 0.04 19 0.09 0.02 0.12 0.01 Angus Vein (third intersection) And 276.20 276.60 0.40 8 0.04 23 0.04 0.01 0.04 0.02 Toms Vein 23-SK-28 276.20 285.00 8.80 2 0.00 2 0.03 0.00 0.15 0.12 Base metal sulphide zone 23-SK-29 169.63 170.13 0.50 2 0.01 6 0.22 0.01 0.02 0.01 McNamara Vein in diabase And 171.75 172.25 0.50 0 0.05 19 0.02 0.01 0.00 0.01 New NW Ag/Co Vein in diabase 23-SK-30 370.46 370.86 0.40 41 0.02 48 0.08 0.05 0.28 0.95 Suspected Clark Vein

Appendix A: Significant and anomalous silver, cobalt and base metal mineralization intersected in the Phase 2 2023 drill program at the Campbell-Crawford and Airgiod target areas. Results from the final six drill holes (23-SK-27 to -31) are presented. AgEq* (silver equivalent) grades were calculated using $23.69 USD / oz silver and $28,500 USD / tonne cobalt, with metal prices captured on January 2, 2024 for consistency with the remainder of reported assay results from this drill program. Mineralized drilling intervals do not reflect true interval length. "BMZ" refers to mineralization within a Broader Mineralized Zone. *Assaying by Screened Metallics was conducted on high-grade, visually identified silver mineralization in hole 23-SK-31 between 236.00 m to 239.20 m. Drill hole coordinates and orientations were presented in Kuya Silver January 11, 2024 news release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/196004

SOURCE: Kuya Silver Corporation
China's Hainan empowers legislators to vote on livelihood projects

Xinhua) 13:19, January 29, 2024

HAIKOU, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- Legislators in China's southernmost province of Hainan on Saturday gathered to vote on government projects concerning people's wellbeing, an embodiment of the country's efforts in promoting whole-process people's democracy.

The 365 deputies to the Hainan Provincial People's Congress, the provincial legislature, voted on 12 candidate projects, selecting 10 to be implemented with government funding in 2024. The chosen projects include free vaccination against hepatitis B and a drive to make infant care more accessible.

It marks the first time that a provincial-level legislature has voted on the government agenda on improving people's wellbeing.

The voting was held after the provincial people's congress approved a decision to set rules on such voting and to demand people's congresses at all levels in the province follow suit by the end of 2025.

The 12 candidate projects come from suggestions and proposals raised by legislators, local authorities and the public, according to Bateer, vice governor of the province.

The government used to be the final decision maker on livelihood projects. Giving the final say to the people's congress is expected to boost public participation in governance, deputies said.

"Next, the people's congress will enhance supervision to ensure effective enforcement of the projects," said Wang Guang, a researcher with the Hainan Provincial People's Congress Standing Committee.

Voting on quality-of-life projects by local legislators was started in 2008 in two townships in the city of Ningbo, Zhejiang Province. The practice has previously been implemented at the city and lower-level people's congresses in Chinese provinces including Anhui, Gansu and Shaanxi.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Observability pioneer establishes EU data residency meeting GDPR requirements; appoints seasoned tech industry leader to scale EMEA growth

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Honeycomb, the leading observability platform that enables engineering teams to solve problems they couldn't before, today announced the deployment of its SaaS cloud in the European Union (EU), enabling the company to support companies in the EU as they implement observability practices. The company is deepening its investment in Europe by adding seasoned sales leadership in the region in order to help more companies adopt observability in compliance with GDPR and other local data residency regulations.

According to the 2024 Gartner Emerging Tech Impact Radar for Enterprise Software report, "Observability is expected to have a high impact on enterprise software application development and delivery." Analyst Colin Fletcher notes that "Observability's full potential means enabling any observers to ask the questions they want of applications and their components. This should in turn empower not just enterprise software providers and enterprise IT users, but an even larger set of users outside of IT to get the insight they want into the business activity flowing across their cloud-native applications."

Honeycomb's deployment of its EU SaaS cloud empowers high-performing engineering teams in Europe with a robust solution tailored to address challenges in today's intricate cloud systems. For cloud-native companies seeking to expand their global reach, Honeycomb is the only observability platform designed to anticipate and overcome the complexities inherent in distributed cloud systems, which includes managing an unprecedented volume of telemetry data, navigating unpredictability, and meeting the high expectations of end users for top-performing applications.

With Honeycomb's existing cloud instance in North America, customers can seamlessly adhere to regional data privacy regulations, allowing distributed development teams to leverage Honeycomb's best-in-class observability solution.

"At Honeycomb, we provide organizations with the necessary tools to navigate the complexities of modern systems," said Christine Yen, CEO and co-founder of Honeycomb. "Our commitment to redefining observability goes beyond conventional monitoring. With Honeycomb, organizations can unlock a new level of understanding, gaining real-time insights that empower them to optimize performance, troubleshoot effectively, and drive innovation. We are excited to equip our EU customers with the transformative capabilities of observability, so they can make informed decisions and elevate their operational performance."

Furthering Honeycomb's international commitment, industry veteran Dave Roberts joins Honeycomb as the Regional Vice President for the EMEA region. Based out of London, Roberts will leverage his extensive experience leading global teams in high growth technology companies including Lantum, Import.io, ScienceLogic, CA, and ParallelM to support Honeycomb's growing European customer base. Under his leadership, Honeycomb will expand white-glove onboarding and education to customers in the region. This includes expert guidance to help teams adopt observability-driven practices, along with support for establishing telemetry pipelines and configuring OpenTelemetry instrumentation.

"Observability is now business-critical for companies that need to identify and solve issues in their code quickly," said Roberts. "Driven by Honeycomb's commitment to innovation and helping companies transform their observability practices, my focus is on delivering our EMEA customers a powerful solution that can scale with their evolving needs. I'm eager to expand our presence in the region and empower businesses to stay ahead in today's competitive landscape."

To learn more about Honeycomb, visit www.honeycomb.io.

Gartner, Emerging Tech Impact Radar: Enterprise Software, By Balaji Abbabatulla Et. Al., 4 January 2024

GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and is used herein with permission. All rights reserved.

Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner's research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

About Honeycomb

Honeycomb is the observability platform that enables engineering teams to find and solve problems they couldn't before. Honeycomb's approach is fundamentally different from other tools that claim observability, and is built to help teams answer novel questions about their ever-evolving cloud applications. HelloFresh, Stripe, Slack, Fender, Vanguard, LaunchDarkly, and many others rely on Honeycomb to deploy confidently, resolve incidents faster and focus on high-value work that drives innovation. Learn more at www.honeycomb.io and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Media Contact

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CAMBRIDGE, Mass. and SAO PAULO, Jan. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Invaio Sciences (Invaio) and Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC) announced today a three-year collaboration to address one of the major challenges for the citrus sector in Brazil, aiming to make citrus farms more sustainable.

Citrus greening disease, also known as Huanglongbing (HLB) and spread by the Asian citrus psyllid, affects citrus farms in Brazil, the US, Mexico and China. In Brazil, the psyllid is becoming increasingly resistant to crop protection products that are widely used to prevent its spread. New solutions are therefore urgently needed to prevent further crop losses.

The collaboration between companies aims to mitigate citrus greening disease while improving crop quality, yield and longevity on LDC-managed farms in Brazil, thanks to Invaio's proprietary technology, Trecise, and LDC's expertise in citrus farming. The ultimate goal of the collaboration is to enhance the sustainability of citrus crop cultivation practices by optimizing the management of water, inputs, fuel and other resources, and by enabling greater grove treatment traceability.

Invaio recently launched its Trecise application technology in Florida, US, a solution to improve citrus health that reduces chemical use by up to 90%, and significantly reduces environmental and worker exposure.

"We are excited to embark on this innovative journey with Invaio. Together, we aim to boost sustainable practices in citrus farming, confronting the significant challenges facing our sector, particularly the pressing issue of greening disease, and ultimately contributing to the long-term resilience of the citrus industry," said Francisco Porto Netto, Agricultural Director for Juice at LDC.

"We are delighted to be working together with LDC," says Ignacio Martinez, Founding CEO of Invaio. "We share a commitment to encouraging growers to embrace more sustainable farming practices, while increasing their crop health and productivity. Invaio's technologies are specifically designed to achieve these goals."

"Brazil has always been an early adopter of innovative technologies in agriculture," says Avram Slovic, Invaio's Head of Commercial, South America. "We are excited to drive the future of sustainable citrus production alongside LDC, while helping to secure Brazil's position as a leader in global agricultural production through economic, social and environmental sustainability."

About Invaio



Invaio Sciences, a Flagship Pioneering company, is a bio platform company accelerating the leap to nature-positive agriculture. The company builds on advances in human health and digital innovation to develop biological technologies for crop health, enabling farmers to both improve yields and use more natural crop health solutions. Invaio is addressing consumer demands and unlocking radical benefits for farmers and the environment, leaving every acre better today and for generations to come. For more information, please visit www.invaio.com or follow Invaio on X (Twitter) or LinkedIn.

About Louis Dreyfus Company

Louis Dreyfus Company is a leading merchant and processor of agricultural goods, founded in 1851. We leverage our global reach and extensive asset network to serve our customers and consumers around the world, delivering the right products to the right location, at the right time - safely, reliably and responsibly. Our activities span the entire value chain, from farm to fork, across a broad range of business lines (platforms): Carbon Solutions, Coffee, Cotton, Food & Feed Solutions, Freight, Global Markets, Grains & Oilseeds, Juice, Rice and Sugar. We help feed and clothe some 500 million people every year by originating, processing and transporting approximately 80 million tons of products. Louis Dreyfus Company is active in over 100 countries across six geographical regions, and employs approximately 17,000 people globally. For more information, visit www.ldc.com and follow us on LinkedIn, X (Twitter) and WeChat (ID: we_are_ldc).

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LONDON (dpa-AFX) - AstraZeneca (AZN.L, AZN) and Daiichi Sankyo (DSKYF.PK) announced Monday that the Food and Drug Administration has accepted and granted Priority Review to the supplemental Biologics License Application or sBLA for ENHERTU (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki) in the US for patients with metastatic HER2-positive solid tumors. ENHERTU is a specifically engineered HER2-directed antibody drug conjugate or ADC being jointly developed and commercialized by AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo. If approved, ENHERTU will potentially be the first HER2-directed treatment and antibody drug conjugate to receive a tumor-agnostic indication. The sBLA is for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive solid tumors who have received prior treatment or who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options. The companies noted that the sBLA is based on data from the ongoing DESTINY-PanTumor02 Phase II trial. In this, ENHERTU demonstrated clinically meaningful and durable responses leading to a clinically meaningful survival benefit in previously treated patients across HER2-expressing metastatic solid tumors, including biliary tract, bladder, cervical, endometrial, ovarian cancers, and other tumors. The submission also included data from other supporting trials in patients with HER2-positive IHC3+ tumors in the ENHERTU clinical development program, including DESTINY-Lung01 and DESTINY-CRC02. The submission will be reviewed under FDA Real-Time Oncology Review and Project Orbis. The Prescription Drug User Fee Act date, the FDA action date for their regulatory decision, is during the second quarter of 2024. Susan Galbraith, Executive Vice President, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, said, 'Today's Priority Review for the first tumor-agnostic submission for ENHERTU reflects the potential of this medicine to redefine the treatment of HER2-expressing cancers. Biomarkers for HER2 expression are already established in breast and gastric cancers, but we must now define them across tumor types.' For More Such Health News, visit rttnews.com Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO / ACCESSWIRE / January 29, 2024 / Fortitude Gold Corp. (OTCQB:FTCO) (the "Company") announced multiple oxide gold drill intercepts at and near surface from the Scarlet North target along the Company's Isabella Pearl trend. This area on the north end of the Scarlet target is located just 700 meters northwest of the Isabella Pearl heap leach and process facility. Intercepts include 10.67 meters grading 1.30 grams per tonne (g/t) gold within 21.34 meters grading 1.14 g/t gold and 6.10 meters grading 1.93 g/t gold within 44.20 meters grading 0.84 g/t gold, both drilled from surface. Fortitude Gold is a gold producer, developer, and explorer with operations in Nevada, U.S.A. offering investors exposure to both gold production and dividend yield.

Scarlet North Drill highlights include (m=meters, g/t=grams per tonne) (full drill table below):

Hole# IPRC-605:

18.29 m of 1.20 g/t gold

incl.

10.67 m of 1.57 g/t gold

Hole# IPRC-606:

16.76 m of 0.83 g/t gold

incl.

7.62 m of 1.21 g/t gold

Hole# IPRC-615:

19.81 m of 0.90 g/t gold

incl.

3.05 m of 1.19 g/t gold, and

3.05 m of 1.81 g/t gold

Hole# IPRC-622:

6.10 m of 1.31 g/t gold from surface

Hole# IPRC-623:

15.24 m of 0.82 g/t gold from surface

incl.

1.52 m of 1.82 g/t gold

Hole# IPRC-624:

44.20 m of 0.84 g/t gold from surface

incl.

6.10 m of 1.93 g/t gold, and

4.57 m of 1.42 g/t gold, and

3.05 m of 1.09 g/t gold

Hole# IPRC-625:

21.34 m of 1.14 g/t gold from surface

incl.

10.67 m of 1.30 g/t gold, and

4.57 m of 1.68 g/t gold

Hole# IPRC-626:

7.52 m of 1.03 g/t gold from surface

Hole# IPRC-627:

6.10 m of 0.90 g/t gold from surface

incl.

3.05 m of 1.19 g/t gold

This reverse circulation drill program builds on the Company's October 2023 drill results at the Isabella Pearl Scarlet North target, which included 50.29 meters grading 0.86 g/t gold from surface (click here to review the October 2023 press release). This most recent Scarlet North drill program intercepted multiple intervals of oxide gold mineralization grading in excess of 1 gram per tonne. Initial metallurgical tests suggest the oxide gold mineralization is amicable to extraction by cyanide. A similar metallurgy to the nearby Isabella Pearl deposit is expected, whereby oxide gold ores can be processed by using a standard heap leach process. The proximity of this mineralization would allow for a short haul distance to the Company's nearby processing facilities. Drilling at Scarlet has identified several surface and near surface pods of mineralization that the Company is currently modeling for potential open pit mine scenarios.

"This latest drill program at Scarlet North continues to intercept significant surface and near surface high-grade oxide gold mineralization," stated Mr. Allan Turner, Vice President of Exploration for Fortitude Gold. "Both our Isabella Pearl mine and our nearby Scarlet North target are located on a significant mineralized fault corridor extending to the northwest. While we look forward to drilling additional targets along this six-mile fault extension, we will continue to focus on Scarlet North with a goal of defining an initial resource from which to expand upon."

"It is very exciting to see a critical mass building at Scarlet with continued wide and high-grade gold drill intercepts," stated Mr. Jason Reid, CEO and President of Fortitude Gold. "21.34 meters and 44.20 meters, 70 feet and 145 feet respectively, of over and near one gram per tonne gold starting from the surface is strong indication we may have discovered another potential nearby ore source for our Isabella Pearl processing facility. Near-term modeling of this mineralization, along with follow up drilling, target an initial resource. By leveraging the proximity to our processing facilities, the hurdle rate for an economic Scarlet deposit should be very low. The evaluation of Scarlet is expected to focus primarily on the costs of extraction and a short haul distance to our processing facilities. This approach of leveraging our existing operations on this surface and near surface mineralization should allow us to move forward with an initial resource much sooner than having to justify the capex, construction, permitting, and building time frames of a completely new project."

Mr. Reid continued, "We have always expected our sizable Isabella Pearl trend to contain numerous deposits and we are optimistic Scarlet could be our second mine on trend. We believe a mine at Scarlet could potentially be added to our current Isabella Pearl mine plan through a permit modification and boundary expansion. While we still have work to do before we can make that determination, we stand a good chance of someday adding Scarlet to the queue of future mine builds."

About Fortitude Gold Corp.:

Fortitude Gold is a U.S. based gold producer targeting projects with low operating costs, high margins, and strong returns on capital. The Company's strategy is to grow organically, remain debt-free and distribute substantial dividends. The Company's Nevada Mining Unit consists of five high-grade gold properties located in the Walker Lane Mineral Belt and a sixth high-grade gold property in west central Nevada. The Isabella Pearl gold mine, located on the Isabella Pearl mineralized trend, is currently in production. Nevada, U.S.A. is among the world's premier mining friendly jurisdictions.

Cautionary Statements: This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. If you are risk-averse you should NOT buy shares in Fortitude Gold Corp. The statements contained in this press release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. When used in this press release, the words "plan", "target", "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "intend" and "expect" and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the statements regarding the Company's strategy, future plans for production, future expenses and costs, future liquidity and capital resources, and estimates of mineralized material are forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon information available to the Company on the date of this press release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, and there can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those discussed in this press release.

Contact:

Greg Patterson

719-717-9825

greg.patterson@fortitudegold.com

www.Fortitudegold.com

SOURCE: Fortitude Gold Corporation

View the original press release on accesswire.com
CHICAGO, Jan. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Relativity, a global legal technology company, kicks off Legalweek 2024 announcing the limited availability launch of Relativity aiR for Review and shares plans to add products to Relativity aiR addressing use cases such as privilege review and case strategy. Relativity aiR is Relativity's new suite of fit-for-purpose generative AI solutions that empower users to transform their approach to litigation and investigations.

"The generative AI that powers Relativity aiR is key to unlocking untapped potential that will transform legal work, enabling faster, high-quality insights and equipping our community to solve the most complex legal data challenges," said Phil Saunders, CEO of Relativity. "The possibilities are immense and exciting, but what remains critically important as we embrace a future of next generation AI is usefulness. This is why every Relativity aiR solution is tailored to help our community solve challenges specific to their needs, backed by the deep insights gained from close collaboration with our customers and partners."

Each Relativity aiR solution is developed with privacy, security and transparency at its core. They are integrated with Microsoft Azure's OpenAI services, allowing data to stay protected within the secure boundary of RelativityOne. Relativity aiR solutions provide in-depth explanations, allowing users to fully understand recommendations so they can validate, defend and trust in results.

Achieve More Efficient and Consistent Document Review with Relativity aiR for Review

aiR for Review is now available on a limited basis in the U.S. and targeted to launch for general availability this summer. The solution enables faster and higher quality document review by analyzing documents for responsiveness, issues and importance to help users defensibly find the most relevant information at scale. Detailed rationale and citations are provided alongside aiR for Review's predictions to ensure teams have a comprehensive understanding of their data and results. Starting in April 2023, several organizations and law firms, including five of the Am Law 100, participated in Relativity's advanced access program for aiR for Review, incorporating its generative AI into their workflows. Advanced access participants reported that aiR for Review optimized the review process with faster, higher-quality document analysis.

"Relativity aiR for Review offers the potential to change responsiveness review, creating opportunities to build more efficient workflows and improve outcomes for our clients. Accelerating document review empowers our teams to uncover impactful insights in hours rather than days or even weeks," said Robert Keeling, Partner and the Founder and Head of the eDiscovery and Data Analytics practice at Sidley Austin LLP. "Generative AI will continue to improve and will fundamentally change how the industry conducts document review."

Relativity Continues to Invest Deeply in Generative AI

Relativity is committed to the thoughtful development of Relativity aiR, with forthcoming solutions for privilege review and case strategy, and investment in top talent to support partner and customer adoption.

Slated for limited availability this spring and general availability later this year, Relativity aiR for Privilege uses generative AI to automate first-pass privilege review, identifying key indicators of legal content to distinguish communications between attorneys and clients from non-privileged materials. The solution accelerates the privilege review and logging process and delivers more reliable results in a fraction of the time when compared to traditional review. Users can confirm the discoveries made by aiR for Privilege and use its provided rationale to make faster decisions within RelativityOne.

Additionally, Relativity aiR for Case Strategy will be generally available later this year. The generative AI-enabled solution makes it faster and simpler for attorneys to construct the story of their case. aiR for Case Strategy allows users to auto-generate facts, visualize fact chronologies, accelerate deposition preparation, and create document, witness and case summaries.

Reflective of Relativity's dedication to supporting customers and partners through their adoption of Relativity aiR, Relativity created the role of Vice President, Practice Empowerment aiR, welcoming Chris Haley to the organization in December 2023. Haley advises Relativity's user community on practices to supplement and experiment with Relativity aiR in their workflows, transform key value drivers in their business and align internal processes with strategic goals. In his previous role as Managing Director of Technology at Troutman Pepper eMerge, Haley developed litigation support services, consulted with attorneys to improve efficiencies, and participated in the Relativity aiR for Review advanced access program.

New Capabilities for Modern Data Discovery

Relativity is paving the way for customers to effectively preserve, review and analyze modern communications. As short message data continues its exponential growth - Relativity Short Message Format (RSMF) data has increased three times year over year - Relativity is implementing the following new enhancements in RelativityOne to help tackle the demands of modern data discovery:

Preservation Application: The application integrates a redesigned user interface, improved status messaging, non-custodial preservations and the ability to preserve multiple data sources within one legal hold project. At launch, the application will support preserving Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace. The application will also support Slack in the coming months.

The application integrates a redesigned user interface, improved status messaging, non-custodial preservations and the ability to preserve multiple data sources within one legal hold project. At launch, the application will support preserving Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace. The application will also support Slack in the coming months. Slack and Microsoft Teams to RSMF Conversion: Slack imports are automatically detected during processing and converted to RSMF with the metadata necessary to review. RSMF conversion for Microsoft Teams will be available in the coming months.

The Relativity Experience at Legalweek 2024

Those attending Legalweek 2024 can visit Relativity at booth #2000. Relativity will cover topics ranging from the ubiquity of generative AI and the explosion of short message data to e-discovery decisions defining the current state of case law in the following CLE Legalweek sessions on Tuesday, Jan. 30:

The Evolving Landscape of AI in e-Discovery: Staying Ahead of the Curve: Moderated by Cristin Traylor, Director of Law Firm Strategy at Relativity, this session will present insights on how firms and organizations can think about adoption of new technology like large language models, from forming a task force to piloting generative AI products for e-discovery practice.

Moderated by Cristin Traylor, Director of Law Firm Strategy at Relativity, this session will present insights on how firms and organizations can think about adoption of new technology like large language models, from forming a task force to piloting generative AI products for e-discovery practice. Collaboration Tools: The Challenges and Opportunities Facing e-Discovery: Moderated by Ann Marie Lane, Senior Product Marketing Manager at Relativity, this session will dive into the rapidly evolving world of short message communication and collaboration, best practices for searching short message communications, the role AI plays in analyzing short messages and what's next on the horizon.

Moderated by Ann Marie Lane, Senior Product Marketing Manager at Relativity, this session will dive into the rapidly evolving world of short message communication and collaboration, best practices for searching short message communications, the role AI plays in analyzing short messages and what's next on the horizon. Discovery Case Law Update 2024: From robots performing legal research to texts, Microsoft Teams, and Slack supplanting email in many e-discovery matters, 2023 has been another active year in data law. Moderated by David Horrigan, Discovery Counsel and Legal Education Director at Relativity, industry experts will discuss the most prominent discovery decisions dominating 2024, how they will impact the law going forward, and significant cases that are likely to hit the docket soon.

On day one of Legalweek, Relativity will host its third annual private dinner celebrating the 2024 AI Visionaries announced last week. Spotlighting leaders from Fortune 500 companies and top Am Law firms, the AI Visionaries list features those who have explored, promoted or experimented with AI in novel ways in legal applications.

About Relativity

Relativity makes software to help users organize data, discover the truth and act on it. Its SaaS product, RelativityOne, manages large volumes of data and quickly identifies key issues during litigation and internal investigations. Relativity has more than 300,000 users in approximately 40 countries serving thousands of organizations globally primarily in legal, financial services and government sectors, including the U.S. Department of Justice and 198 of the Am Law 200. Please contact Relativity at sales@relativity.com or visit www.relativity.com for more information.

CONTACT: PR@relativity.com

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/445801/Relativity_Logo.jpg

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STUTTGART, Germany & BOGOTA, Colombia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Global digital transformation pioneer GFT Technologies SE (GFT) agreed to acquire 100% of shares in Colombia-based core banking expert Sophos Solutions S.A.S. With Sophos, GFT advances to one of the top 3 banking IT services providers across Latin America and also increases its global delivery capability. The purchase from Advent International, one of the largest and most experienced global private equity investors, is a clear sign of GFT's continued focus on growth and profitability.

GFT is gaining a new stronghold for core banking solutions, AI and cloud modernization, as well as additional partners and clients, which include Colombia's most relevant financial institutions. The company is increasing its presence to 20 countries, six of which are in Latin America: Brazil, Mexico and Costa Rica are now complemented by Colombia, Chile and Panama. The combined impact of both companies will result in GFT advancing to be a top three provider of IT services for banking across Latin America1).

Thanks to Sophos' more than 1,700 employees, GFT's global headcount will grow by almost 20 percent to more than 12,000. This is the largest number of talents ever added in a GFT acquisition. The transaction is expected to be completed in early February 2024. In 2022, Sophos generated revenues of around 257 billion Colombian pesos (currently around 60 million Euros) and GFT reported over 730 million Euros worldwide.

" In this strategic acquisition, we're not just merging companies; we're multiplying potential," said GFT CEO Marika Lulay. " It is a logical continuation of our successful strategy for growth and profitability. All aspects of Sophos are highly valuable to us. From the new colleagues, new competencies and new clients to the new partners for core banking solutions, such as Oracle Flexcube. All this results in high traction for GFT in Latin America's third-largest market Colombia, plus exponential growth scope in the Americas and beyond."

Clients benefit from expertise in core banking, AI and cloud modernization

Sophos is especially renowned for its core banking, AI and cloud modernization expertise, as well as innovation and digital transformation. GFT clients benefit from expanded delivery capacity and access to new expertise, including in solutions for core banking with Sophos' established partners. For Sophos' clients, the acquisition means access to the additional large GFT talent pool, extensive experience in successfully implementing next generation technology, more partners like Thought Machine, and pre-built solutions. All that combined translates into a shorter time to market and effective services delivery for all clients.

" We are proud to have partnered with the entire Sophos team during a time of significant growth for the company," said Lucas Marulanda, Director at Advent International. " Since our investment in 2020, Sophos has strategically scaled its platform through international and regional expansion and continued to help drive significant technological transformation and modernization across the financial industry. We look forward to following the company's continued success."

" For everyone at Sophos, it is a great opportunity to become part of GFT," added Sophos CEO Felipe Villa. " I see a perfect fit with combined expertise and global presence of Sophos and GFT. This will enable us to even better support our clients on their digital transformation journey - great news for our employees and their career development, as well as for our clients. We are grateful to Advent for taking our company to the next level."

Canaccord Genuity is serving as the exclusive financial advisor to Advent and Sophos.

1)Forecast: Enterprise IT Spending by Vertical Industry Market, Worldwide, 2021-2027, 4Q23 Update (gartner.com)

Market Share Analysis: IT Services, Worldwide, 2022 (gartner.com)

This press release is also available for download via the GFT newsroom

About SOPHOS SOLUTIONS

Sophos Solutions is a multinational IT firm based in Colombia, that accompanies the technological transformation of key financial institutions across several markets worldwide.

The company offers solutions for banking transformation, cloud services, data intelligence & AI as well as digital solutions with vast expertise in core banking.

Sophos Solutions was founded in Colombia in 2006 by a group of innovators from India, with the aim of providing cutting-edge software solutions to financial institutions. In 2020 it became part of the renowned private equity investor Advent International.

Over the years, the company has grown significantly to more than 1,700 employees worldwide, with subsidiaries in 6 different countries, including the United States, Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Panama, and India. It operates in over 14 countries, providing digital transformation & software product engineering to major top-tier banks and financial institutions.

www.sophossolutions.com

www.linkedin.com/company/sophossolutions/

www.instagram.com/sophos.solutions/

About GFT - Shaping the future of digital business

GFT is a digital transformation pioneer. By leveraging next-generation technologies, we enable clients to boost their productivity with intelligent software solutions. We focus on Digital Finance, Enterprise AI & Data Solutions, and Platform Modernisation.

GFT's strengths include deep technological excellence, a strong ecosystem of partners, and industry expertise. We are agile@scale and boost digital transformation for clients from the finance and insurance sectors, as well as the manufacturing industry. GFT talents create, implement, and manage software applications to enable innovative businesses while complying with regulations.

With locations in more than 15 markets around the globe, GFT ensures proximity to its clients. We draw on over 35 years of experience and a global team of over 10,000 determined talents. GFT provides them with career opportunities in the most innovative areas of software engineering. The GFT Technologies SE share is listed in the SDAX index of the German Stock Exchange (ticker: GFT-XE).

www.gft.com

www.blog.gft.com

www.linkedin.com/company/gft-technologies

www.twitter.com/gft_tech

About Advent International

Founded in 1984, Advent International is one of the largest and most experienced global private equity investors. The firm has invested in over 415 private equity investments across 42 countries, and as of September 30, 2023, had $91 billion in assets under management. With 15 offices in 12 countries, Advent has established a globally integrated team of over 295 private equity investment professionals across North America, Europe, Latin America and Asia. The firm focuses on investments in five core sectors, including business and financial services; health care; industrial; retail, consumer and leisure; and technology. For 40 years, Advent has been dedicated to international investing and remains committed to partnering with management teams to deliver sustained revenue and earnings growth for its portfolio companies.

Advent has been present in Colombia since 2011 and currently has 10 professionals dedicated to investing in the country. The team has invested more than US$1 billion in companies with relevant operations in Colombia such as LifeMiles, Alianza Fiduciaria, Alianza Valores, Grupo Biotoscana, GTM, Ocensa, Sophos Solutions and most recently, GHL Hotels.

For more information, visit

www.adventinternational.com

www.linkedin.com/company/advent-international

Contacts

Katherine Lee

Head of Marketing GFT USA

GFT Technologies SE

T 1 516 402 2014

marketing.us@gft.com
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 29, 2024) - As of January 25, Arctic Beverages LP has entered into a share purchase agreement with Oscardo Inc, a leading souvenir and gift supplier based in Toronto whose products feature artwork by Indigenous artists. As part of the transition, Oscardo Inc. will now be Oscardo LP.

"This is definitely a new area for us in terms of products, but Oscardo is a great fit for Arctic Beverages," says Sean Post, CEO of Arctic Beverages. "Oscardo's products are high quality items with designs that feature amazing Indigenous artwork. As a distributor with a significant territory across the country, we are well positioned to help grow Oscardo from its already impressive reach across Canada."

Arctic Beverages services over 2500 customers across 45% of Canada, providing a one-stop shop for grocery, convenience, and wholesale retailers for a wide variety of premium consumer packaged goods. The company is entirely owned by Indigenous-owned entities representing ownership by 13 First Nations and four remote northern communities.

"When I started thinking about retirement, I wanted to make sure the company we spent so long building would always be in good hands," says Oscar Lulka, President and former owner of Oscardo. "It was also important to me to look for Indigenous owners in the spirit of reconciliation and to help carry on the strong relationships Oscardo has established with 23 Indigenous artists and our valued clients. I am very excited to have found Arctic Beverages. They are a solid Indigenous-owned company with a long history and a strong balance sheet, and they are highly experienced and successful in distributing a wide range of products. I am confident that this new ownership will strengthen the company and ensure its legacy continues and provides benefits to Indigenous communities."

Oscardo employs 10 people at its Toronto location and has 8 sales reps across the country. Lulka will stay on with the company during the transition. "Oscar has agreed to stay on and continue to operate the business as usual. We will eventually transition to a new CEO so that Oscar can enjoy retirement," says Post. "The focus for all of us is taking care of employees, customers and artists and continuing the spirit and legacy that has been established that grew the company to where it is today."

For more information, please contact:

Oscar Lulka | President

Oscardo

oscarl@oscardo.com

Ph: 416.785.8619 ext. 235

J. Sean Post | C.E.O.

Arctic Beverages LP

spost@arcticbev.com

C: 204.479.1350





Oscardo is a leading souvenir and gift supplier featuring some of Canada's most iconic Indigenous artwork. Since 1997, Oscardo has been an industry leader, paying royalties to 24 artists for every product sold and consulting the artists during development to ensure a beautiful product that fairly represents and promotes their artwork. Known for carrying quality items featuring top designs, Oscardo's products are found in Indigenous-owned stores and wholesalers, boutiques, museums, public and private art galleries, National Parks and government organizations in every province across the country.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10289/196020_56b43bcb04cbf82e_004full.jpg





Arctic Beverages is the only Indigenous owned Pepsi Franchise in Canada. Starting as a Pepsi bottling company in Flin Flon, Manitoba over 85 years ago, Arctic Beverages has grown to service 2500+ customers across 45% of Canada, including many northern and remote areas, providing a one-stop shop for grocery, convenience, and wholesale retailers for a wide variety of premium consumer packaged goods. The company is entirely owned by Indigenous-owned entities Athabasca Basin Development, Prince Albert Development Corp, and Paskwayak Business Development, together representing ownership by 13 First Nations and four remote northern communities.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10289/196020_56b43bcb04cbf82e_005full.jpg





Athabasca Basin Development is an investment company owned by the seven Denesuline First Nations communities in Northern Saskatchewan. Investments include partial or complete ownership in construction, underground mining, industrial security, electrical, diamond drilling, logistics, cannabis, retail, road maintenance, aviation, IT and more. ABD has won numerous awards, including SaskBusiness Magazine's 2014 Business of the Year, the Prospector and Developers Association of Canada's innagural Skookum Jim award, and their CEO was named the Business Leader of the Year at the 2017 ABEX awards.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10289/196020_56b43bcb04cbf82e_006full.jpg





Prince Albert Development Corporation (PADC) is owned by the 12 First Nations of the Prince Albert Grand Council, representing Denesuline, Cree, and Dakota First Nations in northern Saskatchewan. The company manages the investments and pays out annual dividends to the shareholders. PADC has also created many jobs and training opportunities and works with the partners to increase participation in the economy. It has investments in six companies including Arctic Beverages, hospitality, retail, and agriculture equipment.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10289/196020_56b43bcb04cbf82e_007full.jpg





Paskwayak Business Development Corporation (PBDC) is owned by Opaskwayak First Nation (OCN) in Manitoba. PBDC's main objectives are to pursue business, investment and economic development opportunities that will grow OCN's wealth and help it provide quality social programs that support the community. PBDC has ownership in Arctic Beverages and runs the Kikiwak Inn and Conference Center as well as various local retail ventures.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10289/196020_56b43bcb04cbf82e_008full.jpg

New Oscardo LP Ownership structure





To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10289/196020_figure1.jpg

Note: Oscardo Inc will be Oscardo LP





Pictured (from left to right): Susan Lulka, Oscar Lulka, President of Oscardo; Kristy Jackson, Director of Marketing & Communications of Athabasca Basin Development; Sean Post, CEO of Arctic Beverages; Geoff Gay, CEO of Athabasca Basin Development.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/196020

SOURCE: Arctic Beverages
Award ceremony takes place in Tokyo on April 16th

The Japan Prize Foundation announced the winners of the 2024 Japan prize at 1PM, 23 January, 2024. Prof. Sir Brian J. Hoskins (UK) and Prof. John Michael Wallace (USA) are co-winners of the Japan Prize in the fields of Resources, Energy, the Environment, and Social Infrastructure, and Prof. Ronald M. Evans (USA) has been awarded the Japan Prize in the fields of Medical Science and Pharmaceutical Science.

For this year's Japan Prize, Prof. Hoskins and Prof. Wallace are being recognized for their distinguished contributions to Establishment of a scientific foundation for understanding and predicting extreme weather events, and Prof. Evans is being recognized for his Discovery of the nuclear hormone receptor family and its application to drug development.

For the 2024 Japan Prize, the Foundation asked approximately 15,500 prominent scientists and engineers from around the world to nominate researchers working in this year's fields. We received 130 nominations for the fields of Resources, Energy, Environment, and Social Infrastructure, and 198 nominations for the fields of Medical Science and Pharmaceutical Science. This year's winners were selected from that total of 328 candidates.

The award ceremony will take place in Tokyo on April 16th.

About the Japan Prize

The establishment of the Japan Prize in 1981 was motivated by the Japanese government's desire to create an internationally recognized award that would contribute to scientific and technological development around the world. With the support of numerous donations, the Japan Prize Foundation received endorsement from the Cabinet Office in 1983.

The Japan Prize is awarded to scientists and engineers from around the world, who have made creative and dramatic achievements that help progress their fields and contribute significantly to realizing peace and prosperity for all humanity. Researchers in all fields of science and technology are eligible for the award, with two fields selected each year in consideration of current trends in scientific and technological development. In principle, one individual in each field is recognized with the award, and receives a certificate, a medal, and a monetary prize. Each Award Ceremony is attended by the current Emperor and Empress, heads of the three branches of government and other related officials, and representatives from various other elements of society.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240129531251/en/

Contacts:

The Japan Prize Public Relations Office

japanprize@ml.prap.co.jp
ANGANY inc. announces the completion on schedule of its first clinical trial, assessing the safety and allergenicity of its therapeutic candidate against human allergy to cats. The study results were consistent throughout the 20 human adult cat allergic participants. The final results and conclusions of this clinical trial will be submitted to a major scientific journal.

Skillfully conducted and on-time

ANGANY's First-in-Human study of its novel biologic ANG-101 candidate vaccine against cat allergy concluded in December 2023, ahead of schedule. The enthusiasm for a novel solution for cat allergy facilitated enrollment. The skills and professional expertise of Dr. Guy Scadding and Pr. Stephen Durham, the study investigators, were central in conducting this open-label clinical study safely and swiftly. ANGANY is now able to move further ahead with the preparation of its next phase study of the same asset.

Favorable results

Preliminary accounts showed consistency in the results and an excellent safety profile. ANG-101 was associated with significant hypoallergenicity, a marker of safety and long sought-after feature in allergy therapeutics, when compared to a commercial cat dander extract.

Important publication

Detailed results and conclusions of the study will be submitted to a top-tier scientific journal for publication. The results should also be presented at the EAACI's Annual Meeting to be held in Valencia in May 2024.

Quotes

"We are very pleased with the rapid completion and results of this First-in-Human study. The demonstrated safety and hypoallergenicity of ANG-101 represent the cornerstone of the further clinical development of this breakthrough technology," stated Patrick Colin, BPharm, PhD, ANGANY's vice-president of clinical development.

We are delighted to report on a significant step forward in the company's development. This milestone couldn't have been reached without the expertise of our investigators, the participants' commitment, and the dedication of our team. I would like to extend my warm thanks to all," stated Christine Guillen, CEO of ANGANY.

About ANGANY

ANGANY is a Franco-Canadian private clinical-stage biotech company pioneering a new immunotherapy approach to overcome the challenge of allergy. ANGANY's eBioparticle technology makes for biologics of a new generation to be administered as vaccines. ANGANY's eBioparticle-Potentiated Immunotherapy also opens-up new prospects in fields of application beyond allergy in human and animal health, notably in cancer immunotherapy.

Read the full press release:

https://angany.com/anganys-first-clinical-trial-concludes-on-time-and-with-positive-results/

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240129566000/en/

Contacts:

Investors Relations:

Guy Tropper MD

Executive Vice-President

guy.tropper@angany.com
ROME (dpa-AFX) - OpenAI, a technology company backed by Microsoft, has reportedly been notified by Italy's data protection authority of suspected violations of European Union privacy laws. The investigation pertains to the company's AI chatbot, ChatGPT, which relies heavily on large amounts of internet data. While the Italian authority has not disclosed the specifics of their draft findings, they have provided OpenAI with 30 days to respond to the allegations. Last year, Italy's watchdog, Garante, briefly banned ChatGPT due to alleged breaches of EU privacy rules, marking it as the first Western country to take such action in March 2023. The regulator had previously expressed concerns about OpenAI's compliance with the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which led to a temporary ban on ChatGPT's local data processing and the chatbot being suspended from the market. ChatGPT was reinstated approximately four weeks later after successfully addressing the issues outlined by the DPA. The regulator is concerned about younger users encountering inappropriate content generated by ChatGPT and has concluded, based on available evidence, that there were violations of the GDPR provisions. It is noteworthy that companies found violating the rules can be fined up to 4% of their global turnover under the GDPR. Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
The SPIE-Manchester Postgraduate Scholarship in Photonics will support early-career and returning researchers at the university's Photon Science Institute

SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, and The University of Manchester announced the establishment of the SPIE-Manchester Postgraduate Scholarship in Photonics, today during SPIE Photonics West in San Francisco. The $500,000 gift from SPIE will be matched 100% by the University. Part of the SPIE Endowment Matching Program, this new endowment will support both early-career researchers and returning researchers at the University's Photon Science Institute in partnership with the Royce Institute, the UK's national institute for advanced materials research and innovation. This is the 11th major SPIE gift to universities and institutes as part of the Society's ongoing program to support the expansion of optical engineering teaching and research.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240126857659/en/

Doctoral students at work in the Photon Science Institute lab. (Photo: Business Wire)

With a goal of increasing diversity in optics and photonics, the SPIE-Manchester Postgraduate Scholarship will have a particular focus on funding individuals returning to research following a career break or time in industry, and those pursuing unconventional career pathways or part-time study (situations often necessitated by caring responsibilities, for example). Aligning current research and industrial needs for a robust training pipeline, an additional unique feature of the scholarship is an optional final-year placement of up to 12 months, during which students can develop industry-relevant skills in collaboration with local optics and photonics companies.

"Today marks just the beginning of the partnership between The University of Manchester and SPIE," noted Department Head of Research for Physics and Astronomy at The University of Manchester Dr. Patrick Parkinson. "The establishment of the SPIE-Manchester Postgraduate Scholarship in Photonics is a testament to our shared values within skills training, fostering diversity in education and the vital role of photonics. This announcement holds special significance as it coincides with the University's bicentenary year. We take great pride in using this generous donation to not only advance research and education, but also to solidify our existing partnerships and forge new industrial collaborations to deliver a doctoral training program that will ensure a sustainable workforce for the North West of England."

"Our expanding field needs researchers and engineers, though for some who might be interested in a photonics career, traditional educational paths are barriers to their success," said SPIE CEO Kent Rochford. "The SPIE-Manchester Postgraduate Scholarship in Photonics aims to remove those barriers and provide exciting opportunities for early-career researchers and those who may be pursuing unconventional career paths. Working internally at the university's Photon Science Institute with the option of an industry-focused placement, promises to benefit young researchers, as well as our future diverse workforce. I very much look forward to meeting the leaders in optics and photonics technologies who will emerge from this dynamic partnership between SPIE and The University of Manchester."

The SPIE Endowment Matching Program was established in 2019 to increase international capacity in the teaching and research of optics and photonics. With this latest gift, SPIE has provided over $4 million in matching gifts, resulting in more than $11 million in dedicated funds. The SPIE Endowment Matching Program supports optics and photonics education and the future of the industry by contributing a match of up to $500,000 per award to college, institute, and university programs with optics and photonics degrees, or with other disciplines allied to the SPIE mission.

About the University of Manchester

The University of Manchester is a member of the prestigious Russell Group and one of the UK's largest single-site universities. We have over 40,000 students, 12,000 staff and, with 500,000 former students from more than 190 countries, are home to the largest alumni community of any campus-based university in the UK. We are ranked in the top ten of the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings globally; are the top UK University for graduate employability according to The Graduate Market in 2022 and no fewer than 25 Nobel laureates have either worked or studied here. Manchester was also named 5th place for research power the quality and scale of research and impact in the UK government's (REF) 2021. Visit www.manchester.ac.uk for further information or https://www.manchester.ac.uk/discover/vision/ for our latest strategic vision.

About SPIE

SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, brings engineers, scientists, students, and business professionals together to advance light-based science and technology. The Society, founded in 1955, connects and engages with our global constituency through industry-leading conferences and exhibitions; publications of conference proceedings, books, and journals in the SPIE Digital Library; and career-building opportunities. Over the past five years, SPIE has contributed more than $24 million to the international optics community through our advocacy and support, including scholarships, educational resources, travel grants, endowed gifts, and public-policy development. www.spie.org.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240126857659/en/

Contacts:

Jessica Marsh

Media Relations Officer, The University of Manchester

Tel: 07780281312

Email: Jessica.marsh@manchester.ac.uk

Daneet Steffens

Public Relations Manager

daneets@spie.org

+1 360 685 5478

@SPIEtweets
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Royal Caribbean International's Icon of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship, began its maiden seven-day voyage from Miami, Florida on Saturday. The cruise is five times the size of the Titanic, measuring 1,200 feet from bow to stern and weighing 250,800 metric tons. It can fit maximum of 7,600 passengers along with 2,350 crew members. The ship, which cost $2 billion to build, was described as the 'biggest, baddest ship on the planet' by the company's CEO Jason Liberty as it has seven swimming pools, six waterslides and a total of 20 decks. The ship built at a shipyard in Turku, Finland, has microwave-assisted pyrolysis waste-to-energy system which would convert onboard waste to fuel gas. According to the company's website, tickets range from $1,723 to $2,639 per person. The company's spokesperson said that the cruise is 24 percent more energy efficient than required for ships designed today, as it runs on liquefied petroleum gas or LNG. However, it has triggered concerns of the environmentalists because LNG contains high levels of methane. 'Royal Caribbean's decision to use LNG is their biggest climate blunder,' said Bryan Comer, marine program director at The International Council on Clean Transportation. 'LNG is mostly methane, a greenhouse gas that traps more than 80 times more heat than carbon dioxide in the first 20 years after its emitted. The Icon of the Seas uses engines that release methane to the atmosphere in the form of 'methane slip.' However, Comer also added that the ship's parabolic bow will help in making its movement easier, reducing fuel consumption and emissions. Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Hand in hand with PROCOMER and the country brand EsencialCosta Rica, Costa Rican companies will have the opportunity to showcase their products to 1,330 exhibitors and more than 40,000 persons from 46 different countries.

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica, Jan. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- From January 23 to 26, in Germany, the varied and innovative exportable supply from national companies dedicated to the cultivation of plants, flowers and foliage will be on display in the IPM Essen 2024 fair, the most important event for business generation related to the sector.

The Costa Rican delegation participating in this new edition of the fair comprises member companies from the export consortium, Green Plant (a group of producers specializing in ornamental plants), presenting their products to 1,330 exhibitors and more than 40,000 persons from 46 different countries.

"We are proud to once again be part of the IPM Essen fair. We have a new opportunity to establish Costa Rica as a model in the market for plants, flowers and foliage to different strategic business partners from different parts of the world," commented Mario Saenz, Export Development Manager of the Trade and Investment Promotion Agency of Costa Rica (PROCOMER).

The country has maintained a remarkable attendance at the IPM fair for more than a decade, and this year it is returning to promote species such as the dracaena deremensis, dracaena marginata, dracaena massangeana, ficus, in-vitro plants, aglaonema, yucca, and zamioculcas in the EsencialCosta Rica stand.

Costa Rica is notable for being the home of 6.5% of global biodiversity and offering the international market more than 200 varieties of plants, and more than 1,200 flowers and foliage considered exotic species.

According to PROCOMER, the amount exported by the plant, flower and foliage sector as of November 2023 surpassed US$140 million. The main destination of these exports was the United States (55%).

"The national agricultural sector has over 135 years of experience, positioning us globally due to the quality of our products and excellent production processes, which meet the highest standards, such as the implementation of the Master Production Schedule (MPS) and Clean Stock Program, the Certification Program for Healthy Propagative Material between Costa Rica and the United States," ended Saenz.

Part of the latest innovation that Costa Rica presents to this new edition of IPM Essen is a virtual tour through the plantations by the activation with a 360 virtual reality video that enables international buyers to observe the production standards and quality of Costa Rican companies, and know and experience in a very realistic way - through technology - the processes that are undertaken at each producing farm.

Contact: Ofelia Fernandez Valverde, ofernandez@procomer.com & Esteban Chaves Trejos, echaves@procomer.com .

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2324870/1.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2324869/2.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/costa-rica-present-at-the-most-important-world-fair-for-plants-flowers-and-foliage-302047176.html
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 29, 2024) - Luna Lithium Ltd. ("Luna Lithium" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Erez Ichilov to the Board of Directors.

Erez Ichilov is a seasoned mining and metals executive, director, advisor and investor, with a legal and financial background, focused now mainly on responsible mining of Battery Materials and other Critical Minerals, and sustainable and processing technologies enabling the transition to renewable energy sources and electric transportation on route to global Carbon neutrality.

As a Managing Director at Traxys Project LP, the investments and projects arm of the Traxys Group, a well-established global physical trading house with an annual turnover of ~US$10 billion and approximately 500 employees, he led the direct and pooled investments Traxys made into Li-Cycle Holdings Corp. (NYSE: LICY), Nouveau Monde Graphite (TSXV: NOU), Talon Metals (TSX: TLO) and Nemaska Lithium (exchanged in 2022 for Livent Corp. (NYSE: LTHM) shares), into a private Manganese company is South Africa, and more.

Previously, Mr. Ichilov was the Deputy CEO - Corporate Development of the Ferro-Nickel miner and producer Cunico Resources N.V (2008-2012), then an important producer of refined Ferro-Nickel in its two plants and integrated mines in Kosovo and North Macedonia, acquired mines in Guatemala and cooperated and traded with mines in Indonesia, Philippines, Albania and Turkey, and had approximately 3,000 employees and reached annual production of approximately 30,000 tons of nickel (contained in Ferro-Nickel).

Emily Hersh, Luna Lithium's CEO, commented:

"It is with great enthusiasm that I formally welcome Erez Ichilov to Luna Lithium's board of directors. I have trusted Erez's advice and guidance in the battery minerals space for many years, and his counsel has been instrumental to my decision to found Luna Lithium. Erez's experience across the battery supply chain includes understanding project development from opening new markets through the realities of physical trading. He has repeatedly demonstrated a willingness to roll up his sleeves and think outside the box, and I believe he will be instrumental in advancing Luna through our next phase of development."

About Luna Lithium Ltd.

Luna is a private Canadian exploration company with projects in South America. It was founded in 2021 by Emily Hersh and is focused on hard rock lithium targets in Brazil and Paraguay.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD,

Hamish RM Fraser

Vice President | Corporate Development

Mobile: +1(775) 990-2557 | Email: Hamish@lunalithium.com

THIS PRESS RELEASE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITIES IN ANY JURISDICTION, NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY OFFER, SALE, OR SOLICITATION OF SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN THE UNITED STATES IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SALE, OR SOLICITATION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL.

Cautionary Statements

This press release may include forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, concerning the business of the Company. Forward-looking information is based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the management of the Company. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking information is based on are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking information because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/196076

SOURCE: Luna Lithium
Drop Mobility, a San Francisco, CA-based e-bike share company, received a Growth funding from Decathlon Capital Partners.

The amount of the revenue-based investment package was not disclosed.

The company intends to use the funds for its continued expansion.

Led by CEO Qiming Weng, Drop Mobility allows cities in the United States to run e-bike share systems to enable sustainable, local, micro-mobility across the country. The company offers e-bikes, a software platform, and a dedicated operations division. Municipalities or transit agencies can purchase or lease its bikes. The entities can then subscribe to software on long-term contracts that allows them to offer the e-bikes at fair prices to make them easier to access.

The company has offices in San Francisco, CA- and Toronto, Canada.

Commenting on the news, Qiming Weng said: With the capital from Decathlon, we will be able to speed up product development timelines that can let us deliver an even more resilient, recycle-able, and sustainable e-bike share experience.

FinSMEs

29/01/2024
San Salvador, El Salvador, January 29th, 2024, Chainwire

e-Grains proudly announces a groundbreaking achievement with the recent approval as a Tokenized Digital Asset Issuer by the National Council for the Administration of Digital Assets (CNAD) in El Salvador.

This milestone marks a significant chapter in the companys journey of innovation and compliance, representing a historic license that empowers e-Grains to issue Tokenized Digital Assets backed by economics rights on Agricultural Commodities in accordance with the countrys regulations.

Securing this license is a testament to e-Grains unwavering commitment to the highest ethical and security standards, reinforcing the trust that investors and partners place in us. It reflects the dedication to shaping the future of tokenized digital assets responsibly.

For the future of e-Grains, this license plays a pivotal role in expanding the companys operations in El Salvador and beyond. It positions the company as a leader in regulated offerings of tokens backed by the contracts on commodities, providing investors with a secure and transparent platform to participate in the emerging digital asset market.

The Volcano Bonds were an inspiration for us, with that vision we understood the possibilities and how our project could fit at El Salvador legal framework. Being approved right after the Volcano Bonds makes us very excited, we are anxious for the start of distribution that will be start at the right moment and for sure we will make all our efforts to help the government on that said Rodrigo Mendes, CEO of eNor Group.

Introducing $ESOY: A Pioneering Digital Asset Revolutionizing Financial Landscapes

With this historic approval, e-Grains proudly introduces the first token to be issued under this authorization: $ESOY. The $ESOY token is a pioneering digital asset that revolutionizes the financial landscape with its unique features. The issuance of $ESOY tokens will be capped at the equivalent of 100,000,000 USD.

e-Grains, in a strategic collaboration with industry leaders such as Consensys, Fireblocks, and Polygon Labs, underscores its commitment to excellence, ensuring seamless integration with Compliant DeFi Protocols and unlocking new possibilities for investors. The deployment of $ESOY across Polygon and Ethereum blockchains not only showcases versatility but also positions e-Grains to tap into a $29 billion TVL Market per DeFi Llama, laying a robust foundation for ESOYs growth in the decentralized finance ecosystem. This institutional partnership signifies trust and reliability, offering institutions engaging with ESOY the expertise and security measures provided by these industry giants, instilling confidence in both the digital asset and the market.

The $ESOY token offers the ability to trade 24/7, providing investors with unprecedented flexibility and accessibility to the markets. What sets $ESOY apart is its unwavering commitment to stability, as it is backed 100% by the rights on International Physical and Futures Contracts for Soybeans, a timeless and globally known commodity, a tangible asset that has stood the test of time.

Investors can take advantage of the opportunity to invest directly in one of the largest and most significant primary resources on the planet, diversifying their portfolios with a trusted asset class. $ESOY opens the door to arbitrage opportunities, allowing investors to capitalize on price differences between $ESOY and other Soybean contracts.

This is a strategic advantage for those looking to optimize their yields. Investors also have the flexibility to choose from multiple settlement options tailored to their specific needs, ensuring a seamless and personalized experience. In addition, $ESOY can serve as an effective hedging tool, allowing investors to protect and stabilize their portfolio positions with a tangible commodity, mitigating risk and improving overall portfolio performance.

e-Grains continues to steadfastly pursue its mission of shaping the future of tokenized digital assets with integrity and forward-thinking vision. e-Grain looks forward to the exciting prospects and are eager to contribute to the transformative landscape of the digital asset industry.

About e-Grains:

e-Grains, a trailblazer in agrocommodity investment, redefines the sector by offering a diverse portfolio of tokenized agricultural commodities, backed 100% by tangible assets. Our mission is to innovate, providing a transparent, flexible, and accessible gateway to agrocommodity investment.

As a part of eNor Group, e-Grains leverages global expertise and strategic partnerships, introducing tokens backed by the rights on vital agrocommodities such as soy, sugar, coffee, and corn. These tokens, embedded within Financial and Custody Contracts-Guarantees, serve as a bridge, facilitating funding for companies and creating investment opportunities in blockchain-based markets.

e-Grains is the source of this content. This Press Release is for informational purposes only. The information does not constitute investment advice or an offer to invest.

Contacts

CEO

Rodrigo Rodrigues Mendes

eNor

[email protected]

+55 11 950238100

COO

Bruno Leon Winik

eGrains

+55 11 946004601
Fasanara, a London, UK-based specialist credit asset company that provides a technology platform , acquired a majority stake in Pollen VC, a San Francisco, CA-based provider of non-dilutive working capital to the mobile gaming/app sector.

The amount of the deal was not disclosed.

Pollen VC provides revolving credit facilities to mobile app and game developers based on their receivables to help them scale, without relying on dilutive VC capital to fund their marketing spend. Pollen VCs data-driven model uses a daily API feed from the billing systems of app stores (Apple App Store, Google Play) and leading mobile advertising networks (e.g. Meta, Unity, AppLovin) rather than relying on invoices generated at the end of each month, allowing for faster access to capital in an industry where timing is everything. The company operates globally with a focus on North America and EMEA, but is also helping companies who have their development activities in some of the emerging market hotbeds of talent, including Eastern Europe and India.

Led by Francesco Filia, Founder and CEO, Fasanara is a global asset manager and technology platform, which manages more than USD 4 Billion in fintech strategies on behalf of pension funds and insurance companies in Europe and North America. With over 200 employees across five offices, it is an investor in fintech lending through its liquid alternative credit funds, enabling real economy impact. Emowered by its technology platform with more than 130 fintech lenders fully integrated, originating from over 60 countries, the company manages a Fintech Lending fund in Europe. Additionally, Fasanara invests in early-stage fintech and Web 3.0 companies via its venture capital vehicles, using central roles in the fintech ecosystem to identify and back new businesses.

Commenting on the news, Francesco Filia, said, We are delighted to welcome Pollen VC into the Fasanara family. After working with Martin and the team since early 2021, we have seen how this type of financing can really help gaming and app studios scale efficiently, whilst offering strong risk-adjusted returns for our investors.

FinSMEs

29/01/2024
Hatch Africa, a poultry supplier targeting underserved rural households across Africa, raised $9.5M in funding.

The round saw participation from AgDevCo and IDH Farmfit Fund.

The investment into Flow Equity Africa Ventures (FEAV), the holding company for Hatchs operations in Kenya, Ghana, and Cote dIvoire, will scale Hatchs innovative business model to millions more smallholder farmer households. The company plans to grow its impact six-fold by 2030, increasing the number of chickens sold annually from 45 million to 340 million.

Hatch Africa distributes dual-purpose breeds of day-old-chicks through a large network of agents, who rear the birds to maturity at around five weeks before selling them to smallholders. Hatch chickens are suited to being raised in backyard conditions and its customers typically own between 5 and 20 birds each.

Founded in 2010 by Joseph Shields, the company now reaches 4.6 million rural households in Ethiopia, Uganda, and Rwanda, where it operates under the brands EthioChicken and Uzima Chicken. In Ghana and Cote DIvoire, Hatch will operate under the brand Premier Poultry and Prestige Poultry respectively. Kenya will adopt the Uzima Chicken brand, which means full of life in Swahili.

FinSMEs

29/01/2024
San Francisco, Puerto Rico, January 29th, 2024, Chainwire

The tea Protocol has announced the launch of its highly anticipated Incentivized Testnet on February 21st, 2024.

The tea Protocol seamlessly bridges Web2 open-source codebases to Web3 to enhance their sustainability and provide fair rewards to open-source developers. Additionally, tea provides developers access to its incentivized community of vulnerability reporters and is cross-compatible with major package managers including Homebrew, npm, APT, Crate, PyPI, RubyGems, and pkgx.

Beginning February 21st, 2024, any open-source developer can interact with The tea Protocol and begin earning rewards for their contributions. All community members, including non-developers, will also be encouraged to access The tea Protocol via a series of incentivized activities on the blockchain.

This critical step towards the launch of the tea Protocol will allow all participants to immerse themselves into the fully composable open-source ecosystem created by the tea Protocol.

The Incentivized Testnet: A Stepping Stone to Mainnet Success

The upcoming Incentivized Testnet marks a significant step in the tea Protocols journey toward launching a robust Mainnet on the Base blockchain. This Testnet phase is crucial for ensuring a thriving, efficient, and secure network for all participants.

Five Key Features of the Incentivized Testnet to Explore on tea.xyz

Waitlist Availability: The waitlist for the incentivized testnet, launching on February 21st, offers a limited opportunity for interested users. Insight into $TEA Tokenomics: The economic model driving the protocol is detailed, offering clarity and depth of understanding. Comprehensive Documentation Access: Extensive resources are available, providing a thorough understanding of the protocol. Insight into teaRank for Projects: Projects can ascertain their position within the open-source ecosystem and understand their eligibility for rewards. tea Points Accumulation: The ITN presents opportunities for both developers and non-developers to engage in challenges and quests, facilitating the accumulation of tea points.

Joining the Incentivized Testnet and exploring tea.xyz offers an opportunity to be part of a pioneering movement in open-source software. Its a chance to engage with a forward-thinking community, understand teas tokenomics, and utilize the teaRank system for project visibility and rewards.

A Message from Max Howell, teas Visionary Founder

Max Howell, the creator of Homebrew and the driving force behind tea, expresses his enthusiasm: The launch of the incentivized testnet for the tea Protocol is a landmark achievement for open-source developers and advocates worldwide. With the incentivized testnet, tea is not only introducing a technological marvel but also reinforcing its commitment to revitalizing the open-source community.

About tea

tea is a trailblazing web3 protocol built on Base, the layer-2 blockchain from Coinbase. It is designed to empower open-source software developers to capture the value they create. At the heart of the tea Protocol is the Proof of Contribution algorithm, which measures the value, position, and impact of open-source software projects. Proof of Contribution assigns a dynamic teaRank to each project which is used by the protocol to distribute rewards. Proof of Contribution ensures that every layer of a software project, especially foundational elements, is recognized and rewarded for its contribution and promotes healthy competition amongst projects to continually improve their codebase and usage by other projects within the ecosystem.

The communitea invites users to explore the forefront of open-source software through its platform. Detailed information is accessible at www.tea.xyz to learn more and connect with tea on Twitter, teaForum, Discord, and Telegram for the latest updates and discussions.

Contact

Head of Marketing

Dan Mulligan

tea

[email protected]
Big B also addressed the criticism that the film industry receives for supposedly changing the countrys morals. Bachchan argued that society has always been an inspiration for cinema, rather than the other way around

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan shared his thoughts on technological advancements and artificial intelligence (AI) in the film industry.

During his address to the students at the Symbiosis Film Festival on Saturday, he remarked, There have been a lot of technological changes, not just in chips but in the way films are made, edited, etc. What worries me is that no invented technology has a lifespan of more than two to three months. One thing of great concern is AI. All of us are now being subjected to face mapping. And our entire body is going to be face-mapped and kept aside for use at any point in time. Just yesterday, a popular studio in Mumbai gave a demonstration of face mapping on Hollywood veteran Tom Hanks. I saw a clip of Tom Hanks, and the same thing with a 20-year-old Tom Hanks.

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A lot of objections are being raised, and I believe that theres some kind of a strike in Hollywood by the artists because the producer and the director claim your face mapping, asserting that it is their property and they will use it whenever they want. So, there will be a time when Symbiosis will call my AI and not me personally, Amitabh added.

Veteran actors Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan attended the inaugural ceremony of the Symbiosis Film Festival at Symbiosis International University in Pune.

Big B also addressed the criticism that the film industry receives for supposedly changing the countrys morals. Bachchan argued that society has always been an inspiration for cinema, rather than the other way around.

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He shared, Many times the film industry, known as the largest film industry in the world, comes under a lot of criticism and all kinds of accusations that you are responsible for changing the morals of the country and changing the attitude of the people.

Im sure that Jaya, who has studied formally at the Institute, would endorse the fact that stories and films are made from experiences that we notice in nature, in the world, in everyday life, and that is what becomes our inspiration, he added.

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Bachchan remembered how his late father, Harivansh Rai Bachchan would watch several Hindi films on repeat.

The actor stated that his father enjoyed the poetic justice part of cinema. Cinema in itself has its 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, arent you bored? What do you find in Hindi cinema? He said, I 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.

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Big B praised regional cinema, particularly Malayalam and Tamil films, for their authenticity. However, he rejected the idea that South cinema is doing better than Hindi cinema. He stated that they are making similar films.

We have been making films that have been inclusive all along; its just that the communication wasnt as efficient and rapid as today. We were not exposed to that kind of cinema or perhaps that kind of lifestyle because of computerization. Everything is available at the press of a button. The speed of representation has become very rapid now. If you compare the number of edits from the movies in the 50s to todays examples like Baahubali or RRR, it was three to four times more than todays. 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.

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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 very authentic and aesthetic. This whole idea of pointing fingers at a particular region and saying that unki achi chal rahi hai humari nahi (they are better than us) is not right, he concluded

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Amitabh Bachchan in Ayodhya

Big B was accompanied by his son, Abhishek Bachchan, as he took part in the consecration ceremony. Now that the father-son duo is back in Mumbai, Amitabh Bachchan took to his social media handle and shared a picture of himself posing with the idol of Ram Lalla (infant Lord Ram) inside the temple.

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In the picture, the Piku actor can be seen standing in front of the idol with folded hands as he offers his prayers to Lord Ram. Apart from that, the actor also shared a few other pictures from the temple premises and a full picture of the newly consecrated idol of Lord Ram. Bol Siya Pati Ramchandra Ki Jai, Bachchan wrote in his caption.

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With added inputs from agencies
After making over 140 films in a span of three decades, the director retired and passed away at the age of 86 in Kochi in 2014

Filmmakers like Rajkumar Hirani, Karan Johar, SS Rajamouli and Rohit Shetty are regarded as some of the most successful directors of Indian cinema, and the list also includes likes of Subhash Ghai and Sanjay Leela Bhansali. However, theres another name that has a lot more experience than them and its Malayalam director J Sasikumar.

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He has directed 140 films out of which 60 are successes. After making over 140 films in a span of three decades, the director retired and passed away at the age of 86 in Kochi in 2014. He began his career as a villain and transcended into film direction.

J Sasikumar honoured with J C Daniel Award

Back in 2013, the filmmaker was selected for Keralas highest film honour J C Daniel award, the states version of nations topmost film honour, Phalke award.

Sasikumar, who holds a record for directing as many as 141 films, was known for his box-office hits of the 1960s and 70s, most of them featuring Keralas ever green hero Premnazir in the lead role.

The award, instituted in memory of father of Malayalam cinema J C Daniel, was announced by minister for cinema K B Ganesh Kumar.

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The annual award, given for outstanding contributions to Malayalam cinema, carries a purse of Rs 1 lakh, citiation and memento. The selection was made by a jury headed by music director M K Arjunan.

Expressing happiness for being chosen for the honour, Sasikumar dedicated the award to the memory of Premnazir, who showered on him brotherly affection inside and outside the film world.

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With added inputs from agencies
The actor recently spoke about the difference in the two industries in an interview with Maliha Rehman and said, I began my career in India, and whatever respect I earned in my career started from there.

Alyy Khan has been a part of the Hindi film industry and has also worked in the Pakistani film industry. He was seen in films like Luck By Chance, Don 2, and most recently, in Zoya Akhtar and Netflixs The Archies.

The actor recently spoke about the difference in the two industries in an interview with Maliha Rehman and said, I began my career in India, and whatever respect I earned in my career started from there. When I started working in Pakistan, I was already in a nearly famous category. I didnt have to face some of the problems that Pakistani actors do. Not only India, I had also worked in other industries around the world, so I had that experience.

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He added, But Pakistans public doesnt support its own people very easily. When actors go to India and theyre praised there, suddenly their value increases.

On the budgets

People talk about budgets, but exposure is more important. There was a film called Bheja Fry. They made it for Rs 50 lakh, but it earned Rs 10 crore. They made a sequel for Rs 10 crore, but it didnt do well. Budgets arent the only thing. You need people on set (to maintain order). In Pakistan, you go to a commercial shoot, the budgets are high. They want to shoot in magic light, and you arrive on set on time, but the way people work is still as dheela as it used to be. You can forget all about magic light. The actual work isnt happening the way it should happen.

Netflix and Zoya Akhtars The Archies streamed on the giant from December 7. It received great reviews and reception but also had its share of critics. Amid the criticism and minor trolling, an interview of Alyy Khan , who plays Suhana Khans father in the film, has gone viral.

Much before the project was announced, he spoke about how the director trained all the debutants for a year before they faced the camera. He was quoted saying, If you face the camera after a year of training and fail to be razor sharp in your performance, shame on you.
Its Monday and a lot of big events have been lined up for today. Theres PM Modis Pariksha pe Charcha, the Beating Retreat ceremony and more. Heres our guide to the happenings of the day

We are almost at the end of January and its been a busy month. And just as it started, it will come to an end  with a lot expected to happen.

Today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold his yearly Pariksha pe Charcha, theres also a number of important cases to be heard in the different courts of the country and internationally, theres also some events lined up.

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So, if you want a guide to whats to make news today, here it is.

PMs Pariksha pe Charcha

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact with students, parents, and teachers tomorrow as part of the seventh edition of Pariksha Pe Charcha that begins from 11 am at the Bharat Mandapam, ITPO, New Delhi.

Nearly 4,000 participants will be interacting with PM Modi this year.

Pariksha pe Charcha, organised by the ministry of education, is an annual event in which PM Modi interacts and offers guidance to students, teachers, and parents at the onset of examinations. The event is part of the larger movement called the Exam Warriors - led by PM Modi that is aimed at creating a stress-free atmosphere for youngsters.

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Ahead of this big day, PM Modi said that he is eagerly looking forward to the gathering of exam warriors at the Pariksha Pe Charcha. He also wrote on X, I am eagerly looking forward to the most memorable gathering of Exam Warriors, Pariksha Pe Charcha, to collectively strategise on ways to beat exam stress. Lets turn those exam blues into a window of opportunities.

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Beating Retreat ceremony today

The historic Vijay Chowk will witness all Indian tunes being played during the Beating Retreating ceremony on Monday marking the culmination of 75th Republic Day celebrations.

The music bands of Army, Navy, Air Force and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) will play 31 captivating and foot-tapping Indian tunes before a distinguished audience, comprising President and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, other Union Ministers, senior officials and the general public, said the Defence Ministry in a press release.

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The principal conductor of the ceremony will be Lt Col Vimal Joshi. While the Army Band conductor will be Subedar Major Moti Lal, MCPO MUS II M Antony and Warrant Officer Ashok Kumar will be the conductors of Indian Navy and Indian Air Force respectively. The conductor of CAPF band will be Constable GD Ranidevi.

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Lalu Yadav summoned by ED in railway land-for-jobs scam

RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and son Tejashwi have been summoned by the Enforcement Directorate today in connection with the alleged railways land-for-jobs money laundering case. Interestingly, the federal probe agency has asked Lalu to appear today, while son, Tejashwi, has been summoned the next day  30 January.

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The alleged scam pertains to the period when Lalu Yadav was the Railway Minister in the Congress-led UPA-I government. According to the probe agency, several people were appointed to Group D positions in various zones of the Indian Railways between 2004 and 2009.

Mallikarjun Kharge to address rally in Bhubaneswar

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge will address a mega rally in Bhubaneswar today. State Congress president Sarat Pattanayak on Saturday said the party was making all efforts to make Kharges visit to Odisha a grand success.

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Kharges maiden visit to the state as Congress president is expected to give an impetus to party workers before the full-fledged campaign for the elections begins, Pattnayak said.

Apart from addressing the rally, Kharge will meet senior Congress leaders, and representatives of other parties in the opposition bloc INDIA, he said.

Iranian foreign minister to visit Pakistan amid tensions

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Irans foreign minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, will visit Pakistan today amid tensions between the two nations. This comes after the neighbours exchanged missile strikes last week, targeting what they said were militant targets.

In an earlier phone conversation, Amir-Abdollahian and his Pakistani counterpart Jalil Abbas Jilani also agreed to send their envoys back to each others capitals.

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The relationship between Pakistan and Iran worsened in recent weeks due to a series of tit-for-tat military strikes carried out on each others territories. Islamabad said it hit bases of the separatist Baloch Liberation Front and Baloch Liberation Army, while Tehran said its missiles struck militants from the Jaish al Adl (JAA) group. Iran said the strikes in a border village on its territory killed nine people, including four children. Pakistan said the Iranian attack had killed two children.

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Pakistan had recalled its ambassador to Tehran and had not allowed the Iranian envoy to return to Islamabad, as well as cancelling all high-level diplomatic and trade engagements.
New York City has become the first American city to classify social media as a public health hazard and an environmental toxin. The move has once again put the spotlight on the risks that platforms such as Facebook, X and Instagram pose to young minds

Smoking is dangerous to health. And now, so is social media. At least, according to New York mayor Eric Adams, who has classified social media as a public health hazard and an environmental toxin, saying young people must be protected from harm online.

New York City has become the first major city in the United States to take such a step, drawing peoples attention to just how harmful and dangerous social media can be for children.

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But what does this advisory mean? More importantly, what risks does social media pose to adolescents and teens? We take a closer look and get you the answers.

Social media, a public health hazard

New York City mayor Eric Adams on 25 January issued an advisory officially designating social media as an environmental toxin.

Companies like TikTok, YouTube, Facebook are fuelling a mental health crisis by designing their platforms with addictive and dangerous features, Adams said in the annual State of the City address.

Just as the surgeon general did with tobacco and guns, we are treating social media like other public health hazards and ensuring that tech companies take responsibility for their products, said the mayor.

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Social media companies are fueling a mental health crisis, especially for our young people. But we won't let Big Tech endanger our kids.@NYCHealthCommr Vasan is today issuing an advisory officially designating social media as an environmental toxin in New York City. #SOTC2024 pic.twitter.com/8Rddkzr1hM  Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) January 24, 2024

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He added that New York City Health Commissioner Ashwin Vasan is issuing a health commissioner advisory officially designating social media as a public health crisis hazard in New York City.

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The advisory urges parents and caregivers to prevent kids from obtaining a smartphone or social media access until at least the age of 14. The advisory also asks health care providers to discuss social media with young patients and parents and to help develop social media usage plans for families.

Moreover, they have urged federal and state policymakers to expand on legislative proposals that protect youth from predatory practices by social media companies.

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Further details on the same would be released at a later date, said Adams then.

US awakens to social media dangers

While New York City is the first to take such a step, medical experts in America have, in recent years, been issuing warnings about social media.

In May 2023, Surgeon General Vivek Murthy had issued an advisory warning that excessive social media use could be a profound risk to youth mental health. In an op-ed for The Post, Murthy had written: In light of the ongoing youth mental health crisis, it is no longer possible to ignore social medias potential contribution to the pain that millions of children and families are experiencing.

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And heeding warnings from experts, different states across the US are trying to limit or restrict social media for minors. The state of Utah was the first in America to enact laws limiting how children can use social media.

Other states like Texas, Louisiana have followed suit, passing legislation that requires parental consent before kids can sign up for social media websites. Connecticut, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey and Ohio have also considered similar laws.

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In October last year, over 40 US states had sued Meta for platforms like Facebook and Instagram. At the time, the Meta websites had been accused of designing features that could potentially harm childrens mental health. New York Attorney General Letitia James had stated, Kids and teenagers are suffering from record levels of poor mental health and social media companies like Meta are to blame.

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Meta has profited from childrens pain by intentionally designing its platforms with manipulative features that make children addicted to their platforms while lowering their self-esteem.

Harmful impact of social media

Social media is everywhere; its hard to ignore. A Washington Post report states that 95 per cent of American teens use some form of social media  be it Facebook, X, Instagram, Snapchat, or TikTok . A 2022 survey by Pew Research Centre found that forty per cent of children 8 to 12 also use social media despite the fact that some social media platforms require users to be 13 years old.

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But experts point out that it is especially harmful for young ones, especially adolescents and teens. As the president of the American Medical Association, Jack Resneck Jr was quoted as saying, With near-universal social media use by Americas young people, these apps and sites introduce profound risk and mental health harms in ways we are only now beginning to fully understand.

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The evidence of its mental health impact is concerning.

A 2012 study had found that checking email and social media is more addictive than cigarettes and alcohol. The study, which was carried out on 205 people, aged 18 to 85, found that most of them were more likely to give in to urge to tweet or check email than other cravings like drinking or smoking.

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Apart from this, numerous studies show that adolescent rates of depression, anxiety, loneliness, self-harm and suicide have skyrocketed in the US and elsewhere since around the time that smartphones and social media became ubiquitous.

In fact, the US surgeon when writing about the perils of social media had stated adolescents who spend more than three hours per day on social media have double the risk of depression and anxiety. Furthermore, 46 per cent of adolescents aged between 13 and 17 say social media makes them feel worse about their body image, and 64 per cent of that age group are often or sometimes exposed to hate-based content.

The New York advisory also had some alarming numbers. It stated that between 2011 and 2021, rates of high-schoolers in the city experiencing hopelessness increased by more than 42 per cent and rates of suicidal ideation increased by more than 34 per cent.

There are other studies too that show a direct impact of social media on the mental health of teens. For instance, in February 2023 researchers at Swansea University in Wales found likely physical health benefits, including a boost to the functioning of the immune system, when social media use was reduced by as little as 15 minutes per day.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology economist Alexey Makarin was quoted as telling ScientificAmerican, We are not saying that social media can explain 100 per cent of the rise of mental health issues But it could potentially explain a sizeable portion.

Experts further note that the content on social media platforms in often toxic or misleading that can cause harm. Often times, the content focuses on topics of self-harm or a sexual nature, which has a negative impact on young minds.

They add that while social media can be negatively impacting adults, it is especially triggering for children and teenagers because they are undergoing a highly sensitive period of brain development.

Excessive use of social media has also been linked to a rise in eating disorders. A review of 20 studies published in 2016 had showed that the use of social networks is associated with body dissatisfaction and eating disorders.

Social media companies speak

How have social media companies reacted to the news? While they have remained mum to New York Citys advisory, speaking earlier on Murthys statement, a Meta spokesperson had referred to mental health as a complex issue and pointed toward other contributing factors such as limited access to health care, the COVID-19 pandemic and academic pressure.

YouTube representatives had told ABC News that they have implemented a variety of safeguards for young users, including adding digital wellbeing features, removing content that endangers the emotional wellbeing of minors or promotes suicide and self-harm, and exploring ways to further collaborate with researchers.

Meanwhile, a TikTok spokesperson has said that the company had added aids to improve youth mental health, such as bedtime reminders and age restrictions.

But if experts are to be believed, its not enough. Our young minds need protection, and they need it now.

With inputs from agencies
Two climate activists hurled soup at the Mona Lisa in the Louvre, as they drew attention to the right to sustainable food and the plight of farmers. This comes amid ongoing tractor protests across France with farm workers vowing to put Paris under siege

Art attacks are on the rise the world over. They are becoming a popular form of protest. The latest victim is the Mona Lisa. The demonstration comes in the backdrop of the escalating farmers stir in France. Yes, the two are linked.

On Sunday, two French environment activists threw soup at the Mona Lisa painting at the Louvre in Paris, calling for healthy and sustainable food. The attack on the Leonardo da Vinci masterpiece comes amid ongoing protests in France led by farmers.

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We take a look at how the Louvre incident is linked to the farmers protest in France and why agricultural workers are raising their voices across Europe.

Why was soup hurled at the Mona Lisa?

The two activists threw yellow soup on the Mona Lisa leaving gallery visitors shocked. The painting, which is behind bulletproof glass, was undamaged.

In a video, the two protesters are seen shouting in French, Whats the most important thing? Art, or right to healthy and sustainable food? Our farming system is sick. Our farmers are dying at work.

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

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After hurling the soup, the two activists ducked under the barrier surrounding the artwork. They unzipped their coats to reveal the name of the civil resistance climate activist group Riposte Alimentaire, which translates to food response, on their T-shirt.

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The duo raised one hand each and called for healthy and sustainable food in French, according to English translations of the video.

Also read: Mona Lisa is not alone: How attacks on artworks have become a popular form of protest

The staff at the Louvre pressed into action, quick to erect black cloth screens around the painting and the protesters. Paris police said that the two people were arrested.

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Riposte Alimentaire is part of the A22 umbrella movement of protest groups in 12 countries, which also includes Just Stop Oil. In a statement sent to news agency AFP, it said the soup throwing marked the start of a campaign of civil resistance with the clear demand  of the social security of sustainable food.

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How is the Mona Lisa attack linked to the farmers protest in France?

French farmers have been protesting for days demanding better pay, taxes and regulations. Upset with environmental policies, they say the regulations are hurting their bottom lines and rendering them unable to compete with less stringent neighbours.

Angry French farmers have been using their tractors for days to set up road blockades and slow traffic across France as they seek better remuneration for their produce, less red tape and protection against cheap imports, according to a report by The Associated Press (AP).

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Others are pointing to bigger issues including the rising cost of farm diesel, late payment of European Union subsidies, or competition from imports.

The protests in France are likely to escalate creating a crisis for the newly appointed Prime Minister Gabriel Attal. He travelled to a farm in the southwest to offer a few measures last week to placate farmers. But the anger continues to simmer.

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Now the action has moved to Paris . Farmers plan to step up their pressure campaign by establishing eight chokepoints along the major arteries to the capital on Monday.

How has the French government reacted?

The French government has been trying to curb the anger among agricultural workers ahead of the European Parliament elections, which are seen as a big test for Emmanuel Macrons government.

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As the stir spreads to Paris, the government plans to mobilise 15,000 police and paramilitary gendarmes in response, with the forces told to show moderation, reports France24.

We dont intend to allow government buildings, or tax collection buildings, or grocery stores to be damaged or trucks transporting foreign produce to be stopped. Obviously, that is unacceptable, French interior minister Gerald Darmanin said ahead of the planned siege.

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He said that President Macron had instructed the security operation to ensure both Roissy-Charles de Gaulle Airport to the north and Orly to the south remain open, and the Rungis international wholesale food market south of Paris continues to operate. Police and gendarmes are also under orders to prevent any incursion into Paris itself, said Darmanin.

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Meanwhile, the government has offered to ease certain technical procedures and the progressive end to diesel fuel taxes for farm vehicles, reports AP.

On his visit to a farm recently, French PM Attal acknowledged that the 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. He said that the government is considering additional measures against what he called unfair competition from other countries that have different production rules and are importing food to the country.

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France is the European Unions biggest agricultural producer. The protests in the country are a spillover from the neighbouring nations  Germany and the Netherlands.

Also read: Why Germanys farmers have taken over its roads Why are farmers protesting across Europe?

Farmers have been protesting across Europe.

Dutch farmers took to the streets over a decision to slash the countrys cattle breeding industry. The demonstrations against the governments demand to half livestock production to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions first started in 2019.

German farmers were angry over reductions to subsidies on agricultural diesel, which they say could lead to bankruptcy.

Protests in both countries are related to regulations imposed by the EU as part of its Green Deal to drastically reduce carbon emissions, according to a report on Radio France Internationale (RFI).

The EU agricultural resolutions have led to discontent. Farmers have often entered Brussels, which houses the European Parliament, to spray buildings with milk or fill the streets with cattle in protest, reports the BBC.

After Russia invaded Ukraine, the EU temporarily lifted restrictions on imports from Ukraine and its farm produce made its way to the European markets. Prices in Hungary, Poland and Romania fell and local farmers were unable to sell their produce.

The EU imposed trade restrictions on Ukrainian exports to its neighbours for a limited period and after that governments announced their restrictions. Countries in Eastern Europe are now demanding the EU definitively revises its trade liberalisation measures with Ukraine, according to the BBC.

In Romania, Poland, Hungary and Slovakia, farmers have been protesting against Ukrainian imports.

There is speculation that farmers in Italy and Spain will soon hold their own protests. They are unaffected by the Russia-Ukraine war but the governments might consider restrictions on the use of water in some regions because of drought.

Were on our knees, the drought has halved our harvest, farmer Giuseppe Gulli, who joined a protest in Sicily, told Rai News. He also accused the EU of helping big corporations, the BBC reports.

With inputs from agencies
As moon exploration becomes increasingly privatised and commercial, you can send your favourite things, including the ashes of a loved one, to the lunar surface. But what does that mean  from both a legal and ethical standpoint?

When NASA attempted to return to the Moon for the first time in 50 years on 8 January , more was at risk than just $108 million (Rs 897 crore) worth of development and equipment.

The agency earned the ire of the Native American Navajo people, who made a bid to stop the launch because of an unusual inclusion in the payload.

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The Peregrine lander (which completed its controlled re-entry into the atmosphere late last week ) was carrying human ashes , including those of famed science fiction author Arthur C. Clarke . A commercial partnership also allowed paying customers to send their mementos to the Moon.

As space exploration becomes increasingly privatised and commercial, you can now send your favourite stuff to the Moon. But what does that mean, both ethically and legally?

The Moon open for business

US company Astrobotic owns the Peregrine, which is the size of a small car. It ran into fatal fuel issues shortly after being launched on Vulcan Centaur rocket from Cape Canaveral.

On board are vanity canisters. The idea arose in a partnership between the firm and global freight company DHL.

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Under the deal, anyone can send two and a half centimetre by five centimetre package to the lunar surface for less than $500 (Rs 41,580). Apart from size, there were a few other limitations on what each package could contain.

Astrobotic, founded in 2007 and based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is one of several US companies providing commercial lunar payload services to NASA to deliver science and technology to the Moon. Peregrine was also carrying scientific instruments from six countries and many science teams.

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Perhaps surprisingly, sending ashes into space is not new aboard suborbital and Earth orbital flights.

Two American companies make a business of the service starting at just a few thousand dollars  Celestis and Elysium Space . The practice is embraced by many, including astronauts who have been in space.

A Moon burial (yes, you can buy one) costs more  around $13,000 (Rs 10.8 lakh).

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Commercial payloads launched from US soil require approval , but that approval process only covers safety, national security, and foreign policy.

Peregrine, if it had made it, would have marked the first commercial lunar burial. Its uncharted territory as other worlds become within reach, although it is not the first time it has come up.

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NASA pledged to consult in the future after an outcry from the Navajo when, 20 years ago, it carried some of Eugene Shoemakers ashes to the Moon aboard the Lunar Prospector probe. Like many other indigenous cultures, the Navajo Nation considers the Moon sacred and opposes using it as a memorial site.

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However, NASA said in a press briefing it had no control over what was on Peregrine, highlighting the gaps between commercial enterprise and international space law.

A legal minefield

Another question concerns the rules in individual nations on where and how human ashes can be located, handled, and transported and how those could extend to space. For example, in Germany, ashes must be buried in a cemetery.

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With space privatisation accelerating, the ethical and legal maze deepens.

The Outer Space Treaty (OST) declares space the province of all mankind while banning national appropriation.

It fails, however, to address what private companies and individuals can do.

The recent Artemis Accords , signed by 32 nations, expand protection to lunar sites of historical significance. But these protections only apply to governments, not commercial missions.

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And no one owns the Moon to grant burial rights, or any other world or celestial body.

The treaty requires states to authorise and supervise activities in space. It requires due regard for the interests of other states.

Many countries have space law that includes grounds for refusing payload items not in their national interest, for example Indonesia and New Zealand .

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Nations apparently without such consideration, including Australia and the US, may need to consider expanding this template with the emergence of the commercial world in a traditionally governmental arena.

Where to draw a line?

Earths orbit is already clogged with defunct satellites and, further out, items like Elon Musks Tesla .

We have already spread space probes across other worlds, including the Moon, Mars, Titan, and Venus, but much may be treasure rather than junk , according to space archaeologist Alice Gorman.

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For example, the Apollo astronauts left official mementos, such as a plaque marking the first human footsteps on the lunar surface. Some have left personal ones, too, like Apollo 16s Charles Duke, who left a framed family photo .

However, sending a clipping of your hair or the ashes of your pet dog to the Moon may not qualify as culturally and historically important.

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The problem, therefore, is where we want to place a line in the sand as we step out into the cosmos onto the shorelines of other worlds.

We cannot turn back the clock on private space enterprise, nor should we.

But this failed mission with ashes and vanity payloads exemplifies the unexplored questions in the legal and ethical infrastructure to support commercial activities.

It is worth pausing for thought on future commercialisation such as mining asteroids and the eventual colonisation of space.

Carol Oliver , Professor in Science Communication and Astrobiology, UNSW Sydney

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article .
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) was formed in 1975 to promote economic integration across West Africa. Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali, which witnessed coups last July, in 2022 and in 2020 respectively, said they were leaving due to inhumane sanctions

Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso have left the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The countries in a statement said they were leaving the ECOWAS without delay and that it was a sovereign decision.

But what is ECOWAS? And why have the three West African nations withdrawn from it?

Lets take a closer look:

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What is ECOWAS?

ECOWAS was formed on 28 May, 1975 in Nigerias Lagos.

Its headquarters are in Nigerias Abuja.

It comprised 15 members  Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote dIvoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Senegal and Togo.

Cabo Verde joined the bloc in 1997.

Mauritania, which withdrew its membership in 2000, signed an associate-membership pact in 2017.

The bloc covers an area spanning 5.2 million square kilometres.

Its combined GDP is estimated to be $734.8 billion.

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The ECOWAS stated mission is to promote economic integration across the region.

Its website states, ECOWAS was set up to foster the ideal of collective self-sufficiency for its member states. As a trading union, it is also meant to create a single, large trading bloc through economic cooperation.

The group is widely seen as West Africas top political and regional authority.

However, the bloc has struggled in recent years to reverse rampant coups in the region where citizens have complained of not benefitting from rich natural resources.

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Why have the three West African nations withdrawn?

All three nations have been suspended from ECOWAS with Niger and Mali facing heavy sanctions.

As per BBC, the bloc has demanded a return to civilian rule in all three nations.

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The countries, which have been struggling with jihadist violence and poverty, have witnessed coups in Niger last July, Burkina Faso in 2022 and Mali in 2020.

All three have since linked up in an Alliance of Sahel States.

The Sahel is the region along the Sahara desert across Africa.

The military regimes have announced a departure from the bloc due to inhumane sanctions.

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.

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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, their statements read.

The organisation notably failed to assist these states in their existential fight against terrorism and insecurity, Colonel Amadou Abdramane, Niger junta spokesman, Abdramane added.

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It remains unclear how the process of the countries withdrawal from the bloc would be carried out in current circumstances.

ECOWAS on its website said it is yet to receive any direct, formal notification from the member states about their intention to withdraw.

ECOWAS said the three countries remain important members of the Community and the bloc remains committed to finding a negotiated solution to the political impasse.

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The blocs regional court previously ruled that juntas lack the power to act in place of elected governments on behalf of their nations.

The bloc has also said it only recognises democratic governments.

As per BBC, member states that wish to leave ECOWAS must inform the block in writing a year in advance.

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They must also continue to adhere to ECOWAS requirements during the year.

Sundays 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 coups  in Niger  last 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.

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A French military withdrawal from the Sahel has heightened concerns over the conflicts spreading southward to Gulf of Guinea states Ghana, Togo, Benin and Ivory Coast.

The joint statement accused ECOWAS of failing to assist those three countries in fighting existential threats like terrorism  the common reason cited by their militaries for deposing their democratically elected governments.

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When these States decided to take their destiny into their own hands, it (ECOWAS) adopted an irrational and unacceptable posture in imposing illegal, illegitimate, inhumane and irresponsible sanctions in violation of its own texts," the statement noted.

Rather than improve their situations, the juntas said the ECOWAS sanctions have further weakened populations already bruised by years of violence.

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What happens next?

But 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.

Under pressure from the military regimes, former colonial power France has removed ambassadors and troops and watched Russia fill the void militarily and politically.

The French armys withdrawal from the Sahel  the region along the Sahara desert across Africa  has heightened concerns over the conflicts spreading southward to Gulf of Guinea states Ghana, Togo, Benin and Ivory Coast.

As per Al Jazeera, West Africa witnessed over 1,800 attacks in the first six months of 2023 with almost 4,600 dead.

The outlet quoted a top regional official of ECOWAS as saying this was just a snippet of the horrendous impact of insecurity.

Last weeks botched meeting between Niger and ECOWAS  which said its delegation couldnt visit Niger because of a flight problem  was seen by Nigers junta as an opportunity to blame the bloc for how it has responded to the coup there, according to Cheta Nwanze, an analyst at Lagos-based SBM Intelligence geopolitical research firm.

This withdrawal looks like an even more diminishing influence of the two traditional superpowers in West Africa  France and Nigeria, Nwanze said.

The prime minister appointed by Nigers 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.

Nigers 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.

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.

With inputs from agencies
Israels allegations that 12 employees of the UN Relief and Works Agency were involved in Hamas 7 October attack have led several Western countries to cut off funding and reignited debate over Gazas biggest humanitarian aid provider. Heres what we know so far

The United States and other key donor countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Finland, have suspended aid to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. The reason: allegations that some of its employees were involved in the 7 October Hamas attacks on Israel, whom the UN said that it had terminated.

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The US State Department in its statement said on Friday, it was extremely troubled by the allegations and had paused additional aid to the UN Relief and Works Agency pending a review of the claims and any action the UN takes to address them, as reported by Asharq Alawsat.

The UN, however, expressed shock by the quick funding cut by several Western countries in the midst of a humanitarian disaster in Gaza, which has been devastated by Israels aerial and ground war for nearly four months.

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, Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA chief, said in a statement on Saturday, as reported by Al Jazeera.

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Since Fridays announcement of the claims, UN and Palestinian officials have called for continued funding for the agencys crucial work.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says two million Palestinians in Gaza, or 87 per cent of the population, rely on UNRWA services that would be scaled back as soon as February if the money is not restored.

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Heres what we know about UNRWA, why several countries have halted funding for the UN agency, and how it will affect Gaza.

What is UNRWA, and why was it established?

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 West Asia. In Gaza, it has been the main supplier of food, water and shelter to civilians during the Israel-Hamas war.

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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.

The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East was established to provide aid to the estimated 700,000 Palestinians who fled or were driven out of what is now Israel during the 1948 war surrounding the countrys creation.

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The Palestinians say the refugees and their descendants, who now number nearly six million across the West Asia, have the right to return to their homes.

Israel has refused, because if the right of return were to be fully implemented it would result in a Palestinian majority inside its borders. The fate of the refugees and their descendants was among the thorniest issues in the peace process, which ground to a halt in 2009.

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UNRWA operates schools, health clinics, infrastructure projects and aid programs in refugee camps that now resemble dense urban neighbourhoods 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 per cent of territorys 2.3 million people have fled their homes, over one million are sheltering in UNRWA schools and other facilities.

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What are Israel and other critics saying about UNRWA?

Israel has accused UNRWA of turning a blind eye as Hamas, which has ruled Gaza since 2007, siphons off aid intended for civilians and fights from in and around UN facilities, several of which have been struck during the war. It also has exposed Hamas tunnels running next to or under UNRWA facilities and accuses the agency of teaching hatred of Israel in its schools.

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UNRWA denies those allegations. It says it has no links to Hamas or to any other militant groups, and that it thoroughly investigates any allegations of wrongdoing and holds staff accountable. It says it shares lists of all of its staff with Israel and other host countries.

Moreover, 12 employees, according to Israel, participated in the surprise 7 October attack in which Hamas fighters from Gaza overran Israels extensive border defences. Other militants joined in the subsequent rampage through nearby communities, which left 1,200 people dead, mostly civilians. Around 250 others, including children, were captured and dragged into Gaza.

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UN chief Guterres said nine of the accused UNRWA employees were immediately terminated, one was confirmed dead and the other two still need to be identified. He said all would be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution.

Neither the details of the allegations nor the evidence supporting them has been made public.

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UNRWA has condemned the 7 October attack and called for all the hostages to be freed. Earlier this month, before the latest allegations, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini announced an external review of the agency to determine which accusations are true or untrue and what is politically motivated.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the agency should be shut down. But his government has continued to allow UNRWA to operate in the West Bank and Gaza, where it provides basic services that might otherwise be the responsibility of Israel as the occupying power. No other entity would be able to quickly fill the void if UNRWA ceased operations.

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UNRWA denies those allegations and says it took swift action against the employees accused of taking part in the attack. The United States and eight other Western nations that together provided more than half of UNRWAs budget in 2022 nevertheless suspended their funding to the agency.

What impact will the funding cuts have on Gaza?

The United States, which was the first country to suspend funding, is the biggest donor to UNRWA, providing it with $340 million (Rs 2,826 crore) in 2022. The United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Finland have also suspended aid.

The nine countries together provided nearly 60 per cent of UNRWAs budget in 2022.

It was not immediately clear when or how the suspension of aid would affect the agencys day-to-day operations. Norway and Ireland said they would continue funding UNRWA, while other donors have not yet made a decision.

The war has plunged Gaza into a severe humanitarian crisis. One in four Palestinians in the territory faces starvation, according to UN officials, who say aid operations are hampered by the fighting and Israeli restrictions.

Our humanitarian operation, on which two million people depend as a lifeline in Gaza, is collapsing, Lazzarini posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

He expressed shock that countries would suspend aid based on alleged behaviour of a few individuals and as the war continues, needs are deepening & famine looms.

The war has killed more than 26,000 Palestinians, most women and children, and wounded more than 64,400 others, according to Gazas Health Ministry. It does not differentiate between civilians and combatants in its toll but says most of those killed were women and children.

The death toll includes more than 150 UNWRA employees, the most aid workers the UN has lost in a single conflict.

With inputs from AP
Three US servicemen have been killed and 30 injured in a drone attack at an American outpost in Jordan. The first deaths of US troops in West Asia since the Israel-Hamas conflict erupted has put pressure on President Joe Biden to respond

The fear of a wider conflict in West Asia continues to escalate. For weeks, efforts were being made to ensure that the Israel-Hamas conflict does not spread. But now a drone attack has killed three American servicemen and wounded more than 30 at an outpost in Jordan.

While US military installations in Iraq and Syria have been repeatedly attacked by Iran-back militias since mid-October, the overnight strikes led to the first deaths of troops killed by enemy fire since the war erupted. The US has in the past retaliated by striking targets in both countries. But the deaths put more pressure on US president Joe Biden , who has been accused of going soft on Iran.

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What do we know about the strikes in Jordon?

Three US army soldiers were killed and more than 30 service personnel injured in a drone attack on a small US outpost in northeast Jordan near the Syrian border.

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, according to a report in The Associated Press (AP).

The US central command said approximately 350 US 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 US officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to give details not yet made public.

At least 34 troops were injured by the one-way attack drone, with eight flown out of Jordan for follow-up care. The central command described the eight as being in stable condition.

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Its unclear why air defences failed to intercept the drone, which appears to be the first known attack on the support base since attacks on US and coalition forces began on 17 October, reports CNN.

US 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 the country.

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Also read: How Iran is at the centre of escalating tensions in West Asia

Who is behind the attack?

An Iran-backed Iraqi resistance group claimed responsibility on Sunday for the attack.

The group, called Islamic Resistance of Iraq, stated that it launched an attack on the Ash Shaddadi and Rukban bases in Syria, as well as the Zvulon naval facility in occupied Palestine, in response to the massacres committed by the Zionist entity (Israel) against our people in Gaza. The group added that it will continue its attacks on the strongholds of the enemies.

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The Islamic Resistance has claimed responsibility for dozens of attacks against bases housing US troops in Iraq and Syria since the Israel-Hamas war began.

What is the Islamic Resistance of Iraq?

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq (IRI) is a loose coalition of Iran-backed militant groups.

According to The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq is not a singular unit but rather an umbrella term used to tie the operations of various Iran-backed proxies in Iraq and Syria, reports Fox News.

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An umbrella term obscures responsibility, making it more difficult to determine who is exactly responsible for attacks on US targets, the report says. It is believed that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force plays a key role in organising the loose coalition.

Also read: Is a wider conflict in West Asia imminent?

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Iraqi armed groups tend to jealously guard their individual identities and the credit they derive (directly or via facade groups linked to them) from attacks, so their willingness to submerge these identities and even recant an individual group attack claim suggests that higher power is coordinating them, the Washington Institute report says.

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Many of the attacks claimed by the IRI have been published on the Telegram group called al-Elam al Harbi or The War Media.

Since the Israel-Hamas conflict began, Iraqi militias have attacked US bases in Iraq and Syria. The IRI has claimed responsibility for the drone attack on Harir Air Base in Iraqi Kurdistan on 17 October and 20 other attacks on US forces in Iraq and Syria by 30 October.

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The Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba, a US-designated terrorist organisation in Iraq, has publicly affiliated itself with the IRI brand. Nujaba does not actively claim to control IRI, though it is likely some of the attacks claimed by this facade group were carried out by teams controlled by Nujaba, according to the Washington Institute.

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Until 26 January, there had been more than 158 attacks on US and coalition forces in Iraq and Syria, reports CNN. However, officials have described the constant volley of drones, rockets, and missiles as unsuccessful because they have frequently not caused serious injury or damage to infrastructure.

What has the US said?

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President Biden said on Sunday that the US shall respond after the death of American troops.

Biden, who was travelling in South Carolina, asked for a moment of silence during an appearance at a Baptist churchs banquet hall on Sunday. 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.

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The president 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.

Today, Americas heart is heavy. Last night, three U.S. service members were killedand many woundedduring an unmanned aerial drone attack on our forces stationed in northeast Jordan near the Syria border, he said.

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, the president added.

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

US defence secretary Lloyd Austin said, We will take all necessary actions to defend the United States, our troops, and our interests.

With an increasing 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.

This is a dangerous escalation. Weve been trying to make sure this conflict doesnt escalate. This pushes it much closer to that point, Representative Adam Smith of Washington state, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, said of the drone strikes in Jordan.

Its imperative the US respond and find a way to stop these attacks, and I know the presidents working on that. Smith said the prospects of a widening war could not be separated from the situation in Gaza, according to CNN.

Washington and Tehran have avoided a direct confrontation despite the growing animosity. But now with the deaths of troops, critics are pressuring Biden to hit back.

Former president Donald Trump, who is likely to have a rematch with the incumbent president in the November general election, described the situation as a consequence of Bidens weakness and surrender. The drone attack on a US Military Installation in Jordan, killing 3 American service members, and wounding many more, marks a horrible day for America, Trump wrote on Truth Social on Sunday.

Other Republican politicians demanded that the US should retaliate against Iran.

Hit Iran now. Hit them hard, wrote Senator Lindsey Graham on X. When the Biden Administration says dont, the Iranians do. The Biden Administrations rhetoric is falling on deaf ears in Iran, Graham said.

Iran is undeterredThe only thing the Iranian regime understands is force. Until they pay a price with their infrastructure and their personnel, the attacks on US troops will continue, he added.

Secretary Austins efforts to deter aggression against our forces in the region has failed miserably. Ive long since lost confidence in the Biden national security team to deter Iran. If they do not change their policies now, more American service members in the region will pay  Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) January 28, 2024

We need a major reset of our Middle East policy to protect our national security interests, said Republican Representative Michael McCaul of Texas, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

With inputs from agencies
The development comes after a brawl broke out in the Maldives parliament during a parliamentary vote of approval for the government. From demanding India withdraw troops to letting a Chinese spy ship dock in Male, President Mohamed Muizzu has been mired in controversy since taking office

For President Mohamed Muizzu, the troubles keep coming.

The Maldives Opposition is moving to impeach the president just months after he was elected.

But why is the Opposition doing so? And what about Muizzus other controversies?

Lets take a closer look:

What happened?

The development comes after a parliamentary vote of approval for the Muizzu government was disrupted on Sunday and a fracas broke out in parliament.

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As per News18, the brawl took place between pro-government MPs and the Opposition regarding the composition of Muizzus cabinet.

This, after the main Opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) decided to withhold parliamentary approval for four members of President Muizzus cabinet ahead of the voting on the cabinet.

MDP, which has a majority in parliament, has decided not to vote to approve Attorney General Ahmed Usham, Minister of Housing, Land and Urban Development Dr. Ali Haidar, Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, and Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mohamed Saeed.

The Ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and the Peoples National Congress (PNC) coalition have said that denying parliamentary approval to President Muizzus cabinet will be tantamount to obstructing the services the government gives to citizens.

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Pro-government MPs then initiated a protest, obstructing the parliamentary sitting from proceeding, according to local media reports.

During the clash, an altercation occurred between Kanditheemu MP Abdulla Shaheem Abdul Hakeem Shaheem and Kendhikulhudhoo MP Ahmed Easa when the former tripped and knocked down Easa.

Shaheem had also sustained injuries on his head when the two parliamentarians fell near the chamber during the scuffle.

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Minority leader Moosa Siraj had attempted to stop the altercation.

Shaheem was then taken to the hospital. A video of the brawl has since gone viral on the internet.

The Opposition has since decided to begin impeachment proceedings against Muizzu.

Where do things stand?

As per News18, the MDP and another Opposition party The Democrats have enough signatures to submit a motion to impeach Muizzu.

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The Maldivian Constitution states that a third of the members of the Majlis approve the resolution for the removal of the president and the reasons be thus stated.

Two-thirds of the members must then approve the resolution for the president to be impeached.

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The main Opposition party of the Maldives, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), which holds a majority in Parliament, has gathered enough signatures to submit a motion to impeach Muizzu, Maldivian local media reported.

The Sun quoted a lawmaker from the MDP as saying that the party in partnership with the Democrats has gathered signatures for an impeachment motion.

Meanwhile, Adhadhu an online news portal in the Maldives, reported that 34 members, including representatives from both the MDP and Democrats, have given their support to the motion for the impeachment of the president that was disrupted yesterday over chaos in the Maldivian parliament, according to Adhahdhu.

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The Sun further reported that the MDP had decided it will deny approval to Ali Ihusan, the home minister, and Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon, the defence minister, if government lawmakers continue to disrupt the Parliament.

Meanwhile, after a skirmish between political leaders inside the Maldivian Parliament, heavy police arrangements have been made to tighten the security in the parliament ahead of todays session, according to Adhahdhu.

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In a video shared by the media outlet, police personnel were seen assembling outside the Parliament complex carrying protective shields.

However, the Opposition is yet to submit the motion.

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Meanwhile, the ruling PPM-PNC coalition has filed no-confidence motions against the Parliaments Speaker Mohamed Aslam and Deputy Speaker Ahmed Saleem, Sun.mv news website reported.

It is absolutely unacceptable that as this was ongoing, the Parliament Speaker not only failed to intervene and put a stop to this, but actively encouraged [the altercation>. We call on the parliament to ensure the safety of MPs and to not allow unrest in the parliament, the coalition said as per The Times of India.

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The no-confidence motion also stems from the stalled cabinet approval.

The coalition has also accused Speaker Aslam of misusing his official capacity to complement the interests of a certain party, it said.

What about Muizzus other controversies?

This isnt the first time Muizzu earned the Oppositons ire.

The pro-China leader after taking office formally requested India to withdraw its military personnel from his country.

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As per The Times of India, Muizzu has demanded that India withdraw its troops from the Maldives by March.

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Muizzu claimed the Maldivian people have given him a strong mandate to make this request to New Delhi.

He has also put under the microscope dozens of pacts that Male signed with New Delhi in recent years.

Muizzu also recently permitted a spy ship from China to dock in Male.

The vessel, the Xiang Yang Hong 03, in en route Maldives.

As per _India Today, t_he Maldives government in a statement said China made a diplomatic request for rotation of personnel and replenishment.

It added that the island nation has always been a welcoming destination for vessels of friendly countries.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs would like to inform that a diplomatic request was made by the Government of China to the Government of Maldives for necessary clearances to make a port call, the statement read.

Sri Lanka refused to allow the ship to dock at one of its ports.

As per Hindustan Times, the ship is expected to dock in Male on 5 February.

India has said it is closely tracking the Chinese vessel equipped with advanced surveillance equipment.

There have been no instances of the ship undertaking any type of research activities within the Indian EEZ. Indian Navy is aware of the presence of the ship and is monitoring its movement," defence sources told News18.

A row also erupted between the Maldives government and New Delhi after Prime MInister Narendra Modi put up pictures of a trip to Lakshwadweep.

Many on social media including three ministers in the Muizzu government made disparaging remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India.

While the government suspended the three ministers and distanced itself from any such remarks, the damage has already been done with many in India calling for a boycott of the Maldives.

To make things worse for Muizzu, the MDP candidate Adam Azim in January won Males mayoral elections in a landslide.

Muizzu, of course, was previously mayor of Male.

Azims win was reported as a landslide against Aishath Azima Shakoor of Muizzus Peoples National Congress (PNC).

The Opposition had earlier warned the pro-China Muizzu  who ran on an anti-India stance  that keeping such a view would work against the Maldives interests in the long-term.

Alienating any development partner, and especially the countrys most long-standing ally will be extremely detrimental to the long-term development of the country, the statement read as per NDTV.

It added that stability and security in the Indian Ocean is vital to the stability and security of the Maldives.

With inputs from agencies
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment aims to assist district and municipal authorities in identifying hotspots within these cities to eradicate beggary by 2026, according to the report, citing officials

The Centre has shortlisted 30 cities spanning from Ayodhya in the north to Thiruvananthapuram in the south and Guwahati in the east to Trimbakeshwar in the west for the survey and rehabilitation of adults, especially women and children, involved in begging, according to a Times of India report.

According to the report, citing officials, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment aims to assist district and municipal authorities in identifying hotspots within these cities to eradicate beggary by 2026. More cities are likely to be included in this initiative over the next two years, added the officials.

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This effort, focusing on 30 cities with significant cultural, historical, or tourist importance, falls under a sub-scheme named Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprises (SMILE).

To ensure compliance with uniform survey and rehabilitation guidelines, in pursuit of the Bhiksha-Vritti Mukt Bharat (beggary-free India) initiative, the ministry plans to launch a national portal and a mobile app by mid-February.

These platforms will facilitate real-time updates of data on individuals identified as beggars. While action plans have been submitted by 25 out of 30 cities, approval is pending from Kangra, Cuttack, Udaipur, and Kushinagar, added the report.

Interestingly, authorities in Sanchi have notified the ministry that there are no individuals engaged in begging within the area. Therefore, consideration of a different city is suggested.

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According to Times of India, Kozhikode, Vijayawada, Madurai and Mysuru have already completed their survey. The ministry releases funds to the implementing district and municipal authorities based on the action plan.

The roadmap includes survey, mobilisation, rescue and relocation to a shelter and comprehensive rehabilitation through education, skill development and employment for re-integration with the mainstream.

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With inputs from agencies
Taking to X, Home Ministers Office posted on X, Bolstering PM @narendramodi Jis vision of zero tolerance against terrorism Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) has been declared as an Unlawful Association for a further period of five years under the UAPA

The Centre on Monday extended ban on the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) as an unlawful association for five years under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

Bolstering PM @narendramodi Ji's vision of zero tolerance against terrorism Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) has been declared as an 'Unlawful Association' for a further period of five years under the UAPA.

The SIMI has been found involved in fomenting terrorism,   , HMO India (@HMOIndia) January 29, 2024

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Taking to X, Home Ministers Office posted on X, Bolstering PM @narendramodi Jis vision of zero tolerance against terrorism Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) has been declared as an Unlawful Association for a further period of five years under the UAPA."

The SIMI has been found involved in fomenting terrorism, disturbing peace and communal harmony to threaten the sovereignty, security and integrity of Bharat, it added.

The Indian government initially banned the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) on February 1, 2014, extending the ban for an additional five years in 2019.

Originating in 1977 in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, SIMIs objective is to transform India into an Islamic state. It was first outlawed in 2001 and has faced multiple bans since then.

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SIMI members have been implicated in various terrorist activities across the nation, such as the 2014 Bhopal jailbreak, the M Chinnaswamy Stadium blast in Bengaluru in 2014, and the Gaya blasts in 2017.

With inputs from agencies
The claim that China gives equal weight to safeguarding the basic rights of citizens and provides a guard against discrimination based on geographical area, ethnic group, or religion is just the opposite of its actions against Uyghurs in Xinjiang and Tibetans

In the last two decades or so, the white papers published by the State Council Information Office of the Peoples Republic of China have become one of the prominent state-sponsored propaganda mechanisms of the Chinese government. Just within three weeks of the beginning of the new year (2024), on January 23, 2024, the State Council Information Office released a white paper titled Chinas Legal Framework and Measures for Counter Terrorism".

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This 22-page document comprises five sections, in addition to the preface and conclusion. At the outset, China described herself as a victim of terrorism," a card that it has been playing very astutely, particularly since the beginning of the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) in October 2001.

China is perhaps one of the first countries to have joined the GWOT, and perhaps the only country in the world that has taken maximum mileage out of this by using its own Peoples War on Terror against hapless minorities, especially Uyghurs and Tibetans.

This white paper emphatically claims, China has found a path of law-based counterterrorism that conforms to its realities by establishing a sound legal framework, promoting strict, impartial, procedure-based law enforcement, and ensuring impartial administration of justice and effective protection of human rights."

China does not fail to swear by the UNs efforts to formulate some 13 global counterterrorism conventions since the 1960s and its unconditional support for these conventions since the late 1970s, besides making efforts to build a domestic counterterrorism legal framework since the 1990s. China vociferously claims that its Criminal Law, which was last amended in October 2021, was part of Chinas effort to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1373".

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It is important to highlight here that the Criminal Law in the last two decades has been amended over half a dozen times (1997, 2001, 2006, 2012, 2015, and 2018), catering fully to its designs against the people who are dubbed anti-state, anti-national, and anti-Chinese.

It gives sufficient justifications for the adoption of laws like the Decision on Issues Related to Strengthening Counterterrorism Work (October 2011) and the Counterterrorism Law (December 27, 2015, amended further in April 2018).

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Since its implementation in 2016, the Counterterrorism Law has been made the centrepiece of Chinas Counterterrorism Legal Framework. For instance, the Counterterrorism Laws local version in Xinjiang (The Counterterrorism Law and the Regulations of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on Deradicalisation) has become a tool against ethnic minorities, especially Uyghurs.

Surprisingly, the white paper strongly defends the legal provisions adopted by the Central government. For example, there is effusive praise for the judicial mechanisms, law-making, and enforcement arms of the government for implementing the laws in their letter and spirit.

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Further, the paper claims that under the principle of legality, no one should be convicted of a terrorist crime for any reason if there are no explicit provisions in law. However, the reports of several international agencies, bodies, and organisations have clearly stated that in the last few years, many Uyghurs have been detained for no fault or reason and are subjected to immeasurable atrocities.

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The claims that the law enforcement agencies follow statutory principles," pursue the principle of proportionality," and put in place a strict accountability system are utter lies and a mere eyewash.

Furthermore, the claim that judicial administrative agencies have ensured transparency in prison affairs is not true, as the Chinese government is yet to come clean in the case of the imprisonment of over a million Uyghurs in the so-called vocational training centres across Xinjiang, which the international community dubs as internment camps.

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The most important section of this white paper is Section IV (Protection of Human Rights in Counterterrorism Practices), which states that China respects and protects human rights as an underlying principle in improving its legal framework and practices in the field of counterterrorism".

It is important to highlight herewith that while assessing the human rights situation in Xinjiang, the UN in August 2022 dubbed the Chinese excesses against the Uyghurs in Xinjiang as crimes against humanity.

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The claim that China gives equal weight to safeguarding the basic rights of citizens and provides a guard against discrimination based on geographical area, ethnic group, or religion is just the opposite of its actions against Uyghurs in Xinjiang and Tibetans.

Even though Chinas Constitution and laws specify that citizens personal freedom and dignity shall not be violated," as reiterated in this white paper, the individual freedom and dignity of Uyghurs in China have been blatantly violated.

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Further, Chinas Constitution and laws grant citizens of all ethnic groups the right to use their own language in court proceedings, as the white paper describes. However, the truth is entirely different.

The Chinese government has been pursuing a policy of prioritising the Mandarin language over ethnic languages, even at the primary school level. The forcible promotion of Mandarin Chinese over ethnic languages in Xinjiang has hampered these languages as well as the linguistic identity of the minority people.

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The brazen description that prisons provide cultural, legal, and technical education to increase offenders knowledge, skills, and employability supports the Chinese action to imprison millions of minority people in Xinjiang.

China has heightened the peoples sense of security, defended national security, and contributed to regional and global security and stability, the white paper claims. It is a vulgar display of hardcore realism, which China pursues by putting its national interest above anything else.

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The Chinese government has not failed to showcase the developments done in Xinjiang, the standard of living of the local ethnic people, tourism development, etc., just to send the message to the global community that all is well in Xinjiang.

At the end, the Chinese government gives a clarion call that in fighting terrorism, the international community should support diverse law-based actions, reject double standards, and oppose the politicisation of related issues. However, the Chinese government does not do what it professes. Its double standards on terrorist Maulana Masud Azhar, silence on the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel, and the Houthis in the Red Sea are widely known across the globe.

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This white paper is yet another state-sponsored document by the Chinese government to defend its activities and policies towards Uyghurs in Xinjiang under the garb of counterterrorism.

The author teaches at the Centre for Inner Asian Studies, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost_s views._

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Indias approach to not singularly depend on one country for its strategic defence needs is evident in its efforts to foster relationships with multiple global powers

On the sidelines of President Emmanuel Macrons visit to India, Indias Ambassador to France, Jawed Ashraf, announced a significant development in the field of defence and aerospace collaboration between the two countries. Safran, a prominent manufacturer of fighter jet engines, has agreed to a complete technology transfer to India, covering all stages of their collaborative project. This move is notable for its potential to enhance Indias self-sufficiency in defence technology and represents a deepening of the strategic partnership between the two nations.

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The technology transfer agreement between Safran and India regarding the Shakti jet engine project is notably comprehensive, setting it apart from Indias previous jet engine collaborations. Safrans commitment to a 100% technology transfer encompasses not only manufacturing processes but also extends to critical knowledge in design, development, certification, and production phases. This level of comprehensive transfer, including the focus on the actual design phase and metallurgical aspects, is crucial for developing advanced jet engines and goes beyond the scope of traditional technology transfers that might primarily focus on assembly or production techniques.

Furthermore, this deal is strategically aligned with Indias long-term defence requirements, ensuring that the technology transfer integrates seamlessly with Indias future defence visions. This strategic alignment is part of a broader context of defence cooperation between India and France, reinforced by the discussions during Prime Minister Narendra Modis talks with French President Emmanuel Macron. The cooperation extends to various aspects of defence technology, including the joint development of combat aircraft engines and industrial cooperation for heavy-lift helicopters under the Indian Multi Role Helicopter (IMRH) programme, illustrating a multifaceted partnership that transcends a single project focus and aims at building a collaborative development and production ecosystem.

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But why is it so difficult to manufacture and design a jet engine? First, jet engines operate at extremely high temperatures, making thermal management critical. The development of materials and coatings that can withstand temperatures exceeding 1,800 Celsius, such as the carbon-based coatings mentioned for Chinas military jet engines, is crucial. These materials must maintain structural integrity and mechanical properties at these temperatures to ensure engine reliability and longevity.

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Second, the metallurgical aspects are particularly challenging because the engine components are made from superalloys, which are complex metal mixtures designed to perform well in high-stress, high-temperature environments. For example, single crystal superalloys are often used in turbine blades to minimize creep and thermal fatigue. The production of these single crystal superalloys involves sophisticated casting and processing techniques, which are difficult and expensive to develop. India has faced difficulties in developing and procuring the necessary superalloys and materials that can withstand the extreme conditions within a jet engine. The development of single crystal blades and the application of thermal barrier coatings are critical areas where India has lagged due to technological and industrial limitations.

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Third, Advanced jet engines feature components with complex geometries designed to optimise efficiency and performance. Manufacturing these intricate shapes, particularly in the case of turbine blades with internal cooling channels, requires sophisticated fabrication techniques such as selective laser melting (SLM) or electron beam melting (EBM), which are challenging to master.

Fourth, precision manufacturing techniques such as blisk (bladed disk) manufacturing are essential for modern jet engines. Blisks improve engine performance by reducing weight and part count but require advanced machining and fabrication technologies, such as 5-axis CNC milling or additive manufacturing (3D printing), which can be challenging to master.

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Fifth, the materials used in jet engines must withstand not only high temperatures but also significant mechanical stresses and corrosive environments, leading to potential fatigue and failure over time. Developing materials and coatings that can resist these conditions and extend the engines operational life is a key challenge.

Sixth, the aerodynamic design of the engines components, such as the compressor and turbine blades, is critical for efficient operation. This involves complex fluid dynamic simulations and testing to optimise the shape and configuration of the blades for maximum efficiency and performance under various operating conditions.

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Seventh, effective cooling systems are crucial for maintaining the integrity of engine components. Technologies like film cooling, where cool air is bled from the compressor and passed over the surface of turbine blades, require intricate design and manufacturing capabilities to create the tiny holes and channels needed for the cooling air to pass through

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Eight, the rotating components in a jet engine, such as the turbine and compressor discs and blades, must withstand tremendous centrifugal forces. Designing these components to avoid resonance frequencies and to endure the mechanical stresses over the engines operational life involves sophisticated materials science and structural analysis.

Ninth, modern jet engines are controlled by complex electronic control systems that monitor and adjust engine parameters in real-time for optimal performance. Developing the software and hardware for these systems, ensuring their reliability, and integrating them with the aircrafts other systems is a significant challenge.

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The deal with Safran will help India in overcoming all these challenges. Historically dependent on foreign manufacturers like GE for advanced jet engines in aircrafts like Tejas, this collaboration signifies a monumental shift towards self-reliance and technological independence for India. By acquiring comprehensive knowledge spanning design, development, and manufacturing processes, India is set to leapfrog into the forefront of aerospace technology. This transformation is not just a reflection of technological advancement but a strategic step towards mitigating vulnerabilities associated with external dependencies in critical defence areas.

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Moreover, this partnership illuminates the robust and multifaceted relationship between India and France, underscoring a mutual commitment to deepening strategic ties. The agreement goes beyond a mere transaction; it is a testament to the trust and shared vision between the two nations, aiming for a secure and technologically advanced future. This collaboration is a beacon of Indias broader foreign policy strategy, emphasising the importance of cultivating diverse international partnerships. Indias approach to not singularly depend on one country for its strategic defence needs is evident in its efforts to foster relationships with multiple global powers. This balanced and pragmatic approach ensures Indias strategic autonomy while enhancing its defence capabilities through a flurry of global partnerships, setting a new standard for international defence cooperation.

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The author is OSD, Research, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.

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The 22nd of January 2024 saw an extraordinary celebration of exuberant splendour as the Ram Mandir was inaugurated in Ayodhya. Indias stock market was shut for the day, government offices were only open for half a day as the country celebrated the consecration of Ram Lalla amidst much fanfare. The event was attended by 3,000 plus people including the top brass of the countrys leadership as well as celebrities from the film industry, music industry, the sporting world and pretty much all the important names in Indias little black book. The Pran Pratishtha was led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the yajman, in the presence of 4,000 sadhus, as Hindus all over the world celebrated the grand Ram Mandir estimated to have cost Rs1,800 crore, on a site believed to have been the birthplace of Lord Ram.

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However, despite the joy and effervescence this event was celebrated, as always there were murmurs of disagreement and disapproval that bubbled. Very rarely has urban India been this divided on an event of such a festive nature, on ideological grounds. The temple was built on a controversial piece of land that is celebrated by Hindus for centuries as Rams birthplace. It is also where Mughal Emperor Baburs commander Mir Baqi, ordered for the Babri Masjid to be built in 1528-29 (according to the mosques inscriptions), in the name of Babur. In 1992, this mosque was razed by Hindu nationalists, in what can be described as a campaign that led to violent results.

In 2019, the Supreme Court ruled that the land be handed over to a Hindu trust for a temple dedicated to Lord Ram to be built on what is believed, for thousands of years, by one of the oldest practising belief systems in the world, Hinduism to be the birthplace of their spiritual saviour Lord Ram. January 22nd was the event celebrating the completion of this building. Critics argue against the legal judgement delivered by the highest court of the land, there are louder than whispered assertions fearing communal disharmony, the rise of a right-wing state, threats to democracy amongst others. The shortest way to explain democracy is rule by the people, so a national celebration cannot be minimised and there is always to right to be heard and to criticise.

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Sanatan dharma is an appellation that has become quite familiar to us in the past year or so. It is not about forcing a religion, as it is not a religion by itself, it is a way of life that is rooted in carrying out our dharma. It is a robust ideology that provides ritual assistance based on a deep understanding of astrology, the oldest science in the world and to help us in completing our karma. It is also the culture that dissected and suffused the metaphysical and mystical aspects of the nature of the soul and other dimensions while teaching us how to refine our minds to achieve transcendental states of existence.

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Our universities which held such dynamic information and our temples were centres of such powerful energy revolution, were destroyed as a result of centuries of invasions (an obvious consequence of the long history of civilization) and the many rebirths of our land as so many cultures, confederations and dynastic societies. The celebration of ancient religion and culture, despite its many different chapters through history, need not be taken as an aggressive or minimising event towards any other culture, but simply as a commemoration of those who are walking on its path. Individuals that dont understand are responsible for maybe spreading misinformation and also a fear of eradication for other cultures or communities which is detrimental and dangerous to our secular nation as a whole entity.

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Some perspectives have expressed fear and anxiety over the inauguration of the Mandir, as a threat to minorities, but keeping agendas aside, socially, this was an important development for India. It has stimulated the revival of a lost culture and allowed us to reclaim ancestral, indigenous land from what was one of the hallmarks of the Mughal invasion and subsequently indicative of the biggest, most gruesome Hindu genocide in history.

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A total of 25,000 temples were desecrated, nine billion books were burnt in Nalanda University, millions of people were massacred and others converted. It was a chapter in the history of mankind and our ancient country, not to be confused now with an attack on any other culture.

India today is still the ultimate example of a multicultural country. We may be a Hindu majority and we are definitely plagued with our issues and complications, but we always welcomed the Parsis when they fled Arab rule in Iran. We are one of the only countries where the Jews thrived and never faced persecution and we are home to more Muslim sects than any other Muslim country in the world. It is my personal belief that we live in harmony, and the common Indian does not have a communal bone in their body. Nothing can or should ever change this narrative, certainly not the building of a temple. In fact, locals from Ayodhya themselves have often pointed out the history of consonance between Hindus and Muslims even at places of worship.

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As the evergreen Atal Bihar Vajpayee once said, India was secular even when Muslims hadnt come here and Christians hadnt set foot on this soil. It is not as if India became secular after they came. They came with their own modes of worship, and they too were given a place of honour and respect.

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There is something about this land that accepts everyone and makes them their own. Let us all remember, respect and find pride in that for the present and times to come.

The author is a freelance journalist and features writer based out of Delhi. Her main areas of focus are politics, social issues, climate change and lifestyle-related topics. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.

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One of Apples EV projects key executive, DJ Novotney, is leaving the company to join rival EV maker Rivian. Novotney played a crucial role in the development of iconic Apple products, including the iPod, iPhone, iPad, and the Apple Watch

It seems that Apple is not able to stop the talent drain from their Apple Car project no matter what they try.

In a significant departure from Apples halo project that is yet to produce a working prototype for the public, DJ Novotney, a seasoned veteran with nearly 25 years at the tech giant, is set to join Rivian Automotive Inc. as the Senior Vice President of Vehicle Programs.

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This departure marks another in a series of high-profile exits from Apples Apple Car division, following a trend of senior executives leaving the company in recent years.

Novotney, formerly Apples Vice President of Hardware Engineering, played a crucial role in the development of iconic Apple products, including the iPod, iPhone, and iPad. He is also said to have started the development of the Apple Car.

His departure was communicated to colleagues on Friday, as he moves on to assume a key leadership position at Rivian, a company known for its electric SUVs and pickup trucks. In his new role, Novotney will report directly to Rivians CEO, RJ Scaringe.

Having contributed significantly to Apples hardware engineering endeavours, Novotney also had a hand in the launch of the Apple Watch and was part of the initial team tasked with kick-starting Apples foray into electric vehicles about a decade ago, under the codename Project Titan.

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In a memo to colleagues obtained by Bloomberg, Novotney expressed gratitude for his time at Apple, stating, Apple has been my life, but now is the time for me to move on and help bring to life a new set of products.

Rivian, headquartered in Irvine, California, views Novotneys recruitment as a major accomplishment.

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Starting his role on Monday, Novotney is expected to be a crucial player in leading product management for products and engineering, reinforcing his status as one of Rivians top executives.

This latest move follows a string of exits from Apples senior ranks, including Tang Tan, Vice President of Product Design for the iPhone and Apple Watch, and hardware technologies leader Steve Hotelling.

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Meanwhile, Rivian positions itself as a formidable contender in the electric vehicle market, competing with the likes of industry leader Tesla Inc., as it continues to expand its product lineup and solidify its presence in the rapidly evolving electric vehicle sector.

(With inputs from agencies)
Some of the biggest tech companies in China are buying up a lot of land in mainland China, following the real estate crash in the country. These include Tencent, Alibaba and MiHoYo, the gaming studio that developed Genshin Impact

In a strategic move reflecting the resilience and growth ambitions of Chinese tech behemoths, Tencent Holdings and Alibaba Group Holding, among other major players, have emerged as significant buyers of land in mainland China.

This trend unfolds against a backdrop of economic and regulatory challenges faced by both the technology and real estate sectors.

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Tencent, a social media and gaming giant, recently invested a staggering 6.42 billion yuan or about $905 million to acquire over 70,601 square meters of land in Beijings Haidian district, as revealed by the Beijing Municipal Commission of Planning and Natural Resources.

The purpose behind this land acquisition is to address Tencents demand for a stable and centralized working space, with the company citing the need for additional office facilities for its over 12,000 employees in Beijing as of the end of 2023.

This move by Tencent aligns with the broader recovery of the domestic technology sector from regulatory disruptions that compelled many firms to streamline operations and cut jobs.

Despite a recent stock market downturn affecting the valuation of leading tech firms in China, authorities recognize the sectors pivotal role in the nations future digital growth.

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In a parallel development, Alibaba recently completed the construction of its expansive Beijing campus, spanning 470,000 square meters in the business-centric Chaoyang District.

The tech giants move follows a broader trend among industry peers, with miHoYo and Ant Group acquiring significant land plots in Shanghai and Hangzhou, respectively. MiHoYo, renowned for developing the globally popular Genshin Impact, invested over 1 billion yuan in a land plot in Shanghais Caohejing district, while Ant Group spent 1.5 billion yuan for a plot in Hangzhous Xixigu fintech cluster.

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JD.com, a prominent e-commerce player, also joined the trend by spending over 3 billion yuan to acquire land in Beijings Yizhuang area, where the company is headquartered.

This strategic land acquisition by tech giants comes as office vacancy rates in Chinas first-tier citiesShanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen  are on the rise, leading to more favourable rental prices.

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Property consultancy CBRE predicts an up to 21 per cent increase in the vacancy rate of grade-A office space by the end of 2023, compared to 18.7 per cent in June 2023. This scenario provides tech firms with an opportune moment to secure prime real estate for their expanding operations amidst the evolving economic landscape.

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(With inputs from agencies)
Minister of State for Electronics and IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar has warned social media platforms in India to take strict action against deepfakes and AI-generated misinformation on their platforms based on explicit rules ahead of the 2024 General Elections

Rajeev Chandrasekhar has issued a warning to social media companies, indicating that they will be held accountable for AI-generated deepfakes posted on their platforms. The Minister of State for Electronics and IT stressed the importance of clear and explicit rules, asserting that social media companies will be responsible for content created through deepfake technology.

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India, with its large online population of 870 million internet users and 600 million social media users, is gearing up for the 2024 general elections, which, reports have touted will be one of the biggest targets for AI-generated misinformation.

In an interview to the Financial Times, Minister Chandrasekhar said, We are the worlds largest democracy [and> we are obviously deeply concerned about the impact of cross-border actors using disinformation, using misinformation, using deepfakes to cause problems in our democracy. We have been alert to this earlier than most countries because it impacts us in bad ways much more than smaller countries, he added.

Chandrasekhar emphasized that India has been alert to the dangers posed by deepfakes earlier than most countries, acknowledging the significant impact misinformation and disinformation can have on its democracy.

The warning follows remarks by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is seeking re-election for a third term, and aligns with Indias regulatory efforts to influence companies serving one of the worlds largest populations of internet users.

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Researchers and governments worldwide have expressed concerns about the growing threat of deepfakes, which use AI tools to create convincing fake images, videos, and audio.

On December 26, an advisory from New Delhi was issued to various social media and messaging platforms operating in India, such as YouTube, X, WhatsApp, Telegram, Snap, and the local social network Koo. The advisory urged tech companies to adhere to Indian laws regarding illegal content and explicitly state their compliance in their terms of service and user agreements.

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Furthermore, the 2021 IT rules of India prohibit content considered harmful to children, posing a threat to national security, spreading misinformation, and imposing other limitations on free speech.

Minister Chandrasekhar also said that people made the mistake of conflating the US, where First Amendment rights were absolute and unconditional, with the rest of the world, including India.

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Chandrasekhar also highlighted that Indias approach lies between the laissez-faire attitude in the US and the more citizen-oriented approach in Europe. The minister emphasized that India is encouraging innovation while simultaneously aiming to protect small businesses and users.

We are actually creating a form of tech regulation that is in between the US and Europe, said the minister. The US leaves it completely to markets; Europe does it completely citizen-oriented; and we are saying that we love innovation, we will encourage innovation, but we want to protect our small businesses and users, he added.

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India, in the past has issued several advisories to social media and messaging platforms, demanding compliance with Indian laws on illegal content, particularly focusing on misinformation, deepfakes, and content harmful to children.

(With inputs from agencies)
Olas Bhavish Aggarwal-backed Krutrim has raised $50 million in funding, with Matrix Partners India to become Indias first AI startup to get the Unicorn status. Now, the company plans to expand beyond language models, venturing into the development of data centres

Krutrim, an artificial intelligence startup founded by serial entrepreneur Bhavish Aggarwal, cofounder of Ola Electric, has achieved unicorn status, securing a remarkable $50 million in funding, with Matrix Partners India among the investors.

Notably, this accomplishment comes just a month after the introduction of a significant language model by the company. Krutrim, translating to artificial in Sanskrit, proudly claims the title of the first Indian AI startup to reach a billion-dollar valuation.

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In a blog post, the company revealed its plans to expand beyond language models, venturing into the development of data centres. The long-term vision includes the creation of servers and supercomputers dedicated to serving the evolving needs of the AI ecosystem.

The race to build large language models in Indian languages, known as Indic LLMs, has intensified among various Indian startups and academic groups. This surge in activity follows the unveiling of OpenAIs ChatGPT over a year ago.

Countries worldwide, including India, are actively pursuing the development of indigenous AI systems, reducing dependence on technology from major players like the US and China.

Meanwhile, in Europe, considerable investments are being directed towards Frances Mistral AI, valued at $2 billion since its establishment last year. The United Arab Emirates, not to be left behind, promotes its Falcon model, supported by an Abu Dhabi government research institute.

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With a population of 1.4 billion, India has set its sights on constructing smaller, more cost-efficient AI systems. Sarvam, a generative AI startup, recently launched OpenHathi, its first open-source Hindi LLM, utilizing available open-source models.

This announcement closely followed a successful funding round that raised $41 million from investors such as Lightspeed Venture Partners, billionaire Vinod Khosla, and others.

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Founder Bhavish Aggarwal, renowned for establishing the Indian ride-hailing startup Ola, emphasized the crucial need for India to independently develop its AI capabilities. India has to build its own AI, Aggarwal stated. We are fully committed to building the countrys first complete AI computing stack.

(With inputs from agencies)
Today, as we celebrate 32 years of diplomatic relations between #India and #Israel, we are reminded of the timeless words,    ,   , Israel embassy posted on X

Israel embassy in India on Monday hailed 32 years of diplomatic relations between the Jewish state and India and invoked a famous Bollywood song    ,   .  to mark the deep bonds of friendship.

Today, as we celebrate 32 years of diplomatic relations between #India and #Israel, we are reminded of the timeless words, '   ,   .' 



The deep bonds of friendship and cooperation between our nations have flourished across diverse fields including pic.twitter.com/AZe0hdS5Sb  Israel in India (@IsraelinIndia) January 29, 2024

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Taking to X, the embassy said, Today, as we celebrate 32 years of diplomatic relations between #India and #Israel, we are reminded of the timeless words,    ,   . ."

The deep bonds of friendship and cooperation between our nations have flourished across diverse fields including agriculture, water management, defense, security, innovation, and beyond. Heres to years of mutual respect, support, and growth, added the post.

India announced its recognition of Israel on September 17, 1950. Soon after, the Jewish state established an immigration office in Bombay (Mumbai). This was later converted into a Trade Office and subsequently a Consulate.

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Regular Embassies were opened in 1992 when full diplomatic relations were established between the two countries.

With inputs from agencies
Israeli and US officials noted that it is difficult to assess how much of the subterranean labyrinth has been destroyed by Israeli troops so far, but estimated that 20% to 40% of it has been damaged or rendered unusable, according to a report

After 114 days of fighting, as much as 80 per cent of Hamass tunnel network underneath Gaza Strip could still be intact, The Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday, citing Israeli and US officials.

The report comes as the Israel Defense Forces are involved in intense combat in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, where the 98th Division is confronting Hamas militants.

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Amid the conflict in Gaza, diplomatic efforts led by the US were underway to devise a two-phase strategy for the release of over 130 hostages still held in the region after being abducted from Israel. This plan proposed a temporary ceasefire lasting up to two months.

According to the journal, its challenging to gauge the extent of destruction inflicted by Israeli forces on the underground network in Gaza. However, estimates suggest that between 20 per cent to 40 per cent of the labyrinthine structure has been damaged or rendered inoperative, added the report.

Since launching a ground offensive in the wake of the 7 October massacre, in which Hamas-led terrorists killed some 1,200 people and took 253 hostages, Israeli forces have worked to destroy the tunnels, uncovering more and more of the Gaza-ruling terror organisations underground network.

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.

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A senior Israeli military official told the Wall Street Journal that the IDF was focused on eliminating nodes within the tunnels where Hamas operatives are hiding, instead of demolishing entire networks.

Its a very hard mission. Its done slowly, very carefully. Its urban warfare unseen globally, WSJ quoted the official as saying.

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Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and other terror commanders are believed to be hiding underground. The report cited Israeli officials who said that the Gaza terror chief is believed to be in a command center in a tunnel under Khan Younis, along with some of the hostages.

Earlier this month it was reported that senior Israeli defence officials now assess that Hamass Gaza tunnel network is between 350 and 450 miles long, far longer than previously believed.

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The estimate reported by The New York Times is markedly higher than an Israel Defense Forces assessment last month that there are some 250 miles of Hamas tunnels under the Gaza Strip, and an astounding figure given the enclave is only some 140 square miles in total size.

In the largest operation in a month, Israeli forces over the past few days encircled and pushed through Khan Younis, where many Palestinians had sheltered after leaving northern Gaza, the early focus of the war.

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Palestinians, meanwhile, have been fleeing further south from Khan Younis toward Rafah, close to the Egyptian border, where the United Nations says most of Gazas estimated 1.7 million displaced people have gathered.

Many of them live in the street in conditions of desperation conducive to a complete breakdown in order, Times of Israel quoted Ajith Sunghay of the UN Human Rights Office as saying.

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AFP images showed people wading through ankle-deep water around plastic shelters in Rafah, where bombardment still threatens.

The Israeli military alleges that Hamas operates from tunnels beneath Gaza hospitals, using them as command centers. Israel has released footage showing Hamas tunnels discovered beneath multiple hospitals.

Following the 7 October massacre, Israel initiated a large-scale military campaign, aiming to dismantle the terror group. The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza claims the campaign resulted in over 26,000 fatalities and 64,000 injuries, though these figures are unverified. They likely include around 10,000 Hamas members reportedly killed by Israel and civilians hit by misfired Palestinian rockets.

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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, facing mounting domestic pressure, reiterated his commitment to ousting Hamas from Gaza. He warned of further violence if Hamas militants are not eliminated, stating, The next massacre is only a matter of time.

With inputs from agencies
The agreement permits the establishment of two registration centers for migrants seeking asylum close to the Albanian port of Shengjin, as well as a facility to lodge individuals pending a response to their applications in the same area

The controversial agreement, which was denounced by rights groups and opposition parties in both countries, was upheld by the top court in Tirana on Monday.

Albanias Constitutional Court ruled in favor of the agreement, which was struck down by both countries, to host two holding centers for migrants rescued in Italian waters.

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The agreement does not harm Albanias territorial integrity, the court said in a statement that backed the deal.

The courts decision was made in the days following the approval of the protocol by the lower house of parliament in Italy, which was supported by 155 votes to 115 with two abstentions.

The Senate will now consider the text, and approval is also anticipated there.

The agreement permits the establishment of two registration centers for migrants seeking asylum close to the Albanian port of Shengjin, as well as a facility to lodge individuals pending a response to their applications in the same area.

Official estimates state that up to 3,000 migrants might be accommodated each month at the two centers, which would be under the management of Italy.

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They calculated that during the course of the five-year agreement, the cost would exceed 650 million euros.

The pact has drawn criticism from the right-wing opposition in Albania, which refers to it as a irresponsible and dangerous act for national security and accuses Prime Minister Edi Rama of lacking transparency.

Amnesty International called the pact illegal and unenforceable, and the non-governmental organization International Rescue Committee denounced it as dehumanizing.

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According to Albanian officials, the pact complies with the nations constitution, international regulations pertaining to asylum seekers, and other treaties inked with Italy.

According to Albanian authorities, Italy would pay for the construction of the two centers, the associated infrastructure costs, and the costs of providing security and medical care for asylum seekers.

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Leader of the far-right Brothers of Italy party, Giorgia Meloni, was elected to the Italian prime ministership in late 2022 on the promise to halt the migrant boats that were coming into Italy from North Africa.

According to government statistics, the number of migrant landings increased from approximately 105,000 in 2022 to nearly 158,000 in 2023.

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Rama, the leader of Albania, described the deal as an act of solidarity with Italy, a country that welcomed thousands of Albanian refugees following the overthrow of the Communist dictatorship in the early 1990s.

(With agency inputs)
Over the weekend, eleven UNRWA donor countriesthe United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, Finland, France, Switzerland, and Japansuspended funding to the agency considering the evidence provided by Israel

Austria Monday became the 12th country to suspend funding for UNRWA UN body that takes care of Palestinian refugeesafter Israel shared with the US Friday the dossier it had compiled detailing alleged complicity of UNRWA staffers in the October 7 massacre in cahoots with Hamas.

Over the weekend, eleven UNRWA donor countriesthe United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, Finland, France, Switzerland, and Japansuspended funding to the agency considering the evidence provided by Israel.

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Austrias Foreign Ministry last Friday had called allegations against UNRWA shocking and alarming.

We therefore expect immediate action by the @UN!



 comprehensive and swift investigation

 full accountability of staff involved

 transparent and detailed explanation of next steps to be taken.  MFA Austria (@MFA_Austria) January 26, 2024

Vienna also castigated UN saying that it must be beyond reproach, calling for the agency to take immediate and swift probe into the charges, accountability of staff and the next steps to be taken.

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According to the Times of Israel, Austria was the 22nd largest funder of the agency, donating nearly $8 million to UNRWA in 2022.

UN chief Antonio Guterres, meanwhile, has strongly urged these countries to lift the funding sanctions and guarantee the continuity of UNRWAs operations.

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, Guterres said.

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UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini, on the other hand, sounded defiant. 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. "
China extended the invitation soon after Obaidul Quader, the minister of road transport for the ruling party, claimed that India had supported Bangladesh during the BNPs attempt to rig the elections

China is eager to work with the new Dhaka government to strengthen bilateral cooperation in all areas, thus Beijing has extended an invitation to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh for an official visit.

Following his meeting with Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen on Sunday, Foreign Minister Hassan Mahmud told reporters, We (Dhaka) will find a suitable time for the visit.

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Wen first met Mahmud on January 7, following the major opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) boycott of the polls that resulted in the Hasina-led Awami League being re-elected to power for a fourth consecutive term.

Mahmud stated that talks were in progress to schedule it for the premiers travel of Beijing at a time that would work for both parties.

From July 16, 2019, Prime Minister Hasina made an official visit to China. She also took part in the Dalian 13th Summer Davos Forum. Hasina paid a visit to Chinese President Xi Jinping when she was there.

Chinese President Xi thanked Hasina shortly after the polls on January 7 and expressed confidence in strengthening bilateral relations.

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Officials at Bangladeshs foreign ministry told the media that Hasina was scheduled to visit China in September of last year but was unable to do so due to other commitments and the election.

China extended the invitation soon after Obaidul Quader, the minister of road transport for the ruling party, claimed that India had supported Bangladesh during the BNPs attempt to rig the elections.

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India and China both referred to the election in Bangladesh as a internal matter, while Western nationsincluding the UScalled for reliable polling.

(With agency inputs)
It is the first time American military personnel have been killed by enemy fire in the Middle East since Israels war with Iran-backed Hamas started, and the tragedy will heighten regional tensions and fuel worries of a larger battle including Tehran

Following a drone strike on a Jordanian facility on Sunday that claimed the lives of three US soldiers and injured over thirty more, President Joe Biden blamed insurgents supported by Iran and promised to bring those responsible accountable.

Since the start of the conflict between Israel and Iran-backed Hamas, this is the first time that American military personnel have been killed by enemy fire in the Middle East. The incident is expected to escalate tensions in the area and fuel concerns of a wider confrontation that directly involves Tehran.

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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, pledging to hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner of our choosing.

Later in the day at a South Carolina church banquet hall, the president held a moment of silence for the US troops killed in the attack, then said: We shall respond.

Regional explosion

Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri called the attack a message to the American administration that unless the killing of innocent people in Gaza stops, it may be faced with the entire (Muslim) nation.

The continuation of the American-Zionist aggression on Gaza risks a regional explosion, Abu Zuhri said.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said Sunday evening that the attack had hit a logistics support base located at Tower 22, in northeast Jordan, and that it wounded at least 34 service members, eight of whom required evacuation from the country.

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There are around 350 US Army and Air Force personnel at the base who conduct a number of key support functions, including for the international coalition against the Islamic State jihadist group, CENTCOM said.

Jordans government spokesman Muhannad Mubaidin, after initially claiming the attack took place in neighboring Syria, later said it targeted an advanced position on the border with Syria.

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Mubaidin condemned the attack, as did Bahrain, Egypt and Britain, whose Foreign Secretary David Cameron called on Iran to de-escalate in the region.

Growing Middle East crisis

The escalating Middle East conflict poses a challenge to Biden in an election year, with various Republican politicians quick to take aim at the president over the deadly attack, including his predecessor Donald Trump, who described the situation as a consequence of Joe Bidens weakness and surrender.

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US and allied forces in Iraq and Syria have been targeted in more than 150 attacks since mid-October, according to the Pentagon, and Washington has carried out retaliatory strikes in both countries.

Many of the attacks on US personnel have been claimed by the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a loose alliance of Iran-linked armed groups that oppose US support for Israel in the Gaza conflict.

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The latest round of the Israel-Hamas conflict began when the Palestinian militant group carried out a shock attack on October 7 that resulted in about 1,140 deaths, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of official figures.

Following the attack, the United States rushed military aid to Israel, which has carried out a relentless military offensive that has killed at least 26,422 people in Gaza, most of them women and children, according to the Gaza health ministry.

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Those deaths have sparked widespread anger across the region and stoked violence involving Iran-backed groups in Lebanon, Iraq and Syria as well as Yemen.

The Lebanon portion of the conflict has been limited to near daily exchanges of fire between Hezbollah and Israel, but American forces are directly involved in Iraq and Syria, as well as in Yemen.

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The United States and Britain have both carried out strikes targeting Yemens Iran-backed Huthi rebels, who have carried out more than two months of attacks on shipping.

The growing violence in multiple parts of the Middle East has raised fears of a broader regional conflict directly involving Iran  a worst-case scenario that Washington is desperately seeking to avoid.
The return of bullfights at the Plaza Mexico, the worlds biggest bullfighting arena, boosted fans expectations in the face of a protracted judicial battle between supporters and opponents, who believe the activity violates animal welfare and jeopardises peoples right to health

Bullfights resumed in Mexico City on Sunday, with demonstrators outside a packed stadium, after the countrys top court temporarily overturned a municipal verdict that sided with animal rights activists and had halted the events for more than a year and a half.

The return of bullfights at the Plaza Mexico, the worlds biggest bullfighting arena, boosted fans expectations in the face of a protracted judicial battle between supporters and opponents, who believe the activity violates animal welfare and jeopardises peoples right to health.

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Bullfighting is still legal throughout parts of Mexico. The judicial battle for the capitals future has many twists and turns.

The famous Mexican matador Joselito Adame was the first bullfighter to enter the ring, and the return of fiesta brava, as bullfighting is often called in Spanish, was enthusiastically welcomed by hundreds of spectators. Some yelled, Long live freedom, as the first bull stepped into a crowded arena.

There were six bulls battled on Sunday, and all of them ended up dead.

A few hours before the event officially started, roughly 300 people protested against bullfights in front of Plaza Mexico. While some protestors held posters that said, Bullfighting is sadism, or played drums, others chanted, Murderers! and The plaza is going to fall!

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Shield-wielding police stood ready. While some protestors flung stones and plastic bottles, there were moments of tension throughout the mostly peaceful demonstration.

Why the bullfights were allowed to return when there is so much evidence of all the damage they do to a living being, such as the bull, questioned activist Guillermo Sanchez, who was holding up a sign that read Sadism disguised as culture, sport and tradition.

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Alfredo Barraza, another protester, said allowing bullfighting is a setback in the fight for animal rights. Barraza, who had his face covered with a paper mask in the shape of a bull, said he hopes Mexico City will at some point be free of violent spectacles.

Inside the Plaza, the mood was festive, with people eating, drinking and taking photos.

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Im very excited, said Aldo Palacios, who brought his two children and other relatives to the arena, not only to see the inaugural bullfight, but also to celebrate his 42nd birthday.

In May 2022, a local court ordered an end to bullfighting activities at Plaza Mexico in response to an injunction presented by the civil organization Justicia Justa, which defends human rights. But the activities were set to resume Sunday because the nations Supreme Court of Justice in December revoked the suspension while the merits of the case are discussed and a decision is reached on whether bullfights affect animal welfare.

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Another civil organization filed an appeal Friday on animal welfare grounds in a last-ditch effort to prevent the activity from resuming. A ruling was not expected before Sundays event.

Animal rights groups have been gaining ground in Mexico in recent years while bullfighting followers have suffered several setbacks. In some states such as Sinaloa, Guerrero, Coahuila, Quintana Roo and the western city of Guadalajara, judicial measures now limit the activity.

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Ranchers, businessmen and fans maintain that the ban on bullfights affects their rights and puts at risk several thousand jobs linked to the activity, which they say generates about $400 million a year in Mexico. The National Association of Fighting Bull Breeders in Mexico estimates that bullfighting is responsible for 80,000 direct jobs and 146,000 indirect jobs.

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The association has hosted events and workshops in recent years to promote bullfights and find new, younger fans.
The Chinese embassy in the US on Monday lodged a solemn representation to the US after several students faced harassment at the Washington Dulles International Airport and were denied entry despite having all the required documents

The Chinese embassy in the US on Monday lodged a solemn representation to the US after several students faced harassment at the Washington Dulles International Airport and were denied entry despite having all the required documents.

The embassy also issued a warning advising Chinese students against using the airport as their entry point into the country.

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Recently, several Chinese students who entered the US through Washington Dulles International Airport were subjected to unreasonable questioning and harassment by US border law enforcement officers, had their visas canceled and were sent back to China, the embassy said in a statement on its official Website.

The embassy said that Chinese citizens undergoing investigation included those with valid documentation who were returning from vacations in China, traveling to the US, attending conferences, or starting their first semester.

The embassy noted that these individuals endured interrogations, electronic device inspections, and some were even isolated for up to 10 hours without communication.

Emphasising the importance of safeguarding Chinese students abroad, the embassy expressed concern over unwarranted interrogations and deportations, citing instances where the rights and interests of Chinese citizens were compromised by US authorities.

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Additionally, it criticised such actions for contradicting the spirit of recent discussions in San Francisco, where both countries had agreed to promote people-to-people exchanges.

We strongly urge the US side to end these unfair practices, cease unwarranted harassment, interrogations, and deportations of Chinese students, and effectively implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state to support China-US people-to-people exchanges and encourage the expansion of the scale of Chinese students studying in the US, The Global Times quoted the Embassy as saying.

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The embassy urged the students to remain calm in case of being stopped by US border law enforcement personnel, adding, if Chinese citizens were treated unfairly, they should document evidence and file a complaint with relevant authorities.

Dozens of Chinese arriving in the United States, including students, were denied entry every month for the past few months. They held valid visas, had no criminal records, and were returning to school after travelling elsewhere or reuniting with their family in China. But when they landed at the airport, what awaited them was 8-hour-long interrogation by officers, who prohibited them from contacting their parents, made groundless accusations against them, and even forcibly repatriated them and banned their entry. This is absolutely unacceptable. The Chinese side immediately expressed its firm opposition to the US side. We will continue to resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens, Chinas ambassador Xie Feng said in a statement on Sunday.

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He said politicising and manipulating educational cooperation will not only prevent students from chasing their dreams and force them to change their life plans, but also drain the talent pool of the US, poison its research environment and chill innovation.

If normal people-to-people exchanges are cut off, how can the two major countries maintain and develop their relations? Xie asked.

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With inputs from agencies
While Israel has pledged to end UNRWAs operations in Gaza following the conflict, the organisation has sacked many employees and promised a comprehensive probe into the allegations, which remained unspecified

Following Israels accusations that employees of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees participated in Hamass October 7 attack, a number of significant donors have said they will stop providing support to the organisation.

While Israel has pledged to end UNRWAs operations in Gaza following the conflict, the organisation has sacked many employees and promised a comprehensive probe into the allegations, which remained unspecified.

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Philippe Lazzarini, the chairman of UNRWA, promised to hold any employee discovered to have participated in acts of terror accountable, including through criminal prosecution.

In addition to pledging an immediate independent evaluation of UNRWA, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres begged donor nations to guarantee the continuity of the organisation for the benefit of the desperate populations it serves.

The United States said Friday it had suspended funding for the UN agency, a move followed by several other countries. Here is what they have said:

Australia

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said that while UNRWA provides vital, life saving work, the government 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.

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Britain

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.

Canada

Canadas International Development Minister Ahmed Hussen announced that Ottawa had temporarily paused any additional funding to UNRWA while it undertakes a thorough investigation into these allegations.

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Finland

Finland had a four-year agreement to provide five million euros ($5.4 million) annually to UNRWA.

Its foreign ministry suspended its payments and called for an independent and thorough investigation.

We must make sure that not a single euro of Finlands money goes to Hamas or other terrorists, it said.

France

Paris said it was not planning any new funding to UNRWA after the accusations.

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France has not planned a new payment for the first quarter of 2024 and will decide when the time comes of the action to take together with the United Nations and the main donors, the foreign ministry said, calling the allegations exceptionally serious.

Germany

Germany announced that it too was suspending funding.

So long as the accusations have not been cleared up, Germany, in agreement with other donor countries, would for now withhold approval for further resources, said a foreign ministry statement.

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Italy

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said it was joining the ranks of those suspending funding.

It added that we are committed to providing humanitarian aid to the Palestinian population while protecting Israels security.

Japan

Japan said it was extremely concerned and would suspend funding while the allegations against UNRWA staff members were investigated.

At the same time, Japan will continue to make persistent and active diplomatic efforts to improve the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and to calm down the situation as soon as possible by providing support to other international organizations, a foreign ministry statement said.

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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.

Norway

Norway said it would maintain its funding in order not to collectively punish millions of people.

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While I share the concern over the very serious allegations concerning some UNRWA staff, I urge other donors to reflect on the wider consequences of reducing UNRWAs funding at this time of extreme humanitarian distress, Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said in a statement.

Switzerland

Switzerland has made annual contributions of around 20 million Swiss francs ($23 million) to the UNRWA.

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A foreign ministry statement said 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.

United States

The US State Department suspended payments and welcomed the UNs announcement of an investigation into the allegations.

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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.
Around 52 locals, including women, children, and police officers, were slain in the attacks on Saturday, according to Koch. Another 64 people suffered injuries

According to reports, attacks along South Sudans border with Sudan resulted in the deaths of over 50 individuals, including women, children, and two U.N. peacekeepers. This incident is the bloodiest in a string of border-related incidents that have occurred since 2021.

According to Bulis Koch, the communications minister for Abyei, on Monday, the raids into the neighboring Abyei region on Saturday were carried out by armed young men from South Sudans Warrap State.

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Both Sudan and South Sudan jointly govern the oil-rich region of Abyei, and both countries have claimed ownership of it.

Around 52 locals, including women, children, and police officers, were slain in the attacks on Saturday, according to Koch. Another 64 people suffered injuries.

Because of the current dire security situation at hand, which has created fears and panic, we have imposed a curfew, he was quoted as saying by news agency Reuters.

UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) announced on Sunday that amid the fighting, a Ghanaian peacekeeper from the force was slain when an attack occurred on its base in the town of Agok.

A day later, UNISFA reported on Monday that additional violence had resulted in the death of a second Pakistani peacekeeper and the injuries of four of his colleagues as well as a civilian while they were escorting civilians from a UNISFA base to a hospital. It provided no other information.

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Koch reported that a UNISFA base was the destination of hundreds of displaced civilians.

The communications minister for Warrap State, William Wol, announced that his administration will work with the Abyei administration to launch an investigation.

The attacks against Dinkas and Nuers in Abyei, according to Koch, were carried out by young Dinka males from Warrap and the soldiers of a rebel leader from the Nuer ethnic group.

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Between 2013 and 2018, hundreds of thousands of people died in South Sudans civil war, which broke out shortly after the nation gained independence from Sudan and was mostly fought along ethnic lines between the Dinkas and Nuers.

Since then, numerous civilians have been killed and displaced by regular conflicts between a patchwork of armed groups. In November, at least 32 individuals were killed in fighting in Abyei.
Zelenskyy encouraged Germany to utilise its economic might to persuade other EU members to support Kyiv in its war against Russia, given that US help may be decreasing

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the president of Ukraine, issued a dire warning on Sunday, stating that a reduction in US help to Kyiv would send a bad message. US President Joe Biden is facing a Republican filibuster on more funding.

Zelenskyy encouraged Germany to utilise its economic might to persuade other EU members to support Kyiv in its war against Russia, given that US help may be decreasing.

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Passivity from the United States or the lack of support would be a bad signal, he told German national broadcaster ARD.

That is not right for anyone, Zelenskyy warned.

Germany can manage to consolidate the EU, he said, in response to a question on whether he hoped that Berlin would take on a bigger role should help from the United States fall away.

Many countries have important economic relationships with Germany and their economy is dependent on Germanys decisions because Germany has a strong economy, he said.

In a separate interview on Wednesday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz encouraged European countries to increase their arms promises to Ukraine, threatening to cut off aid from the United States, which is by far the largest provider.

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Europe must do more to support Ukraine in the defence of its own country, Scholz told Die Zeit weekly, adding that the contributions that European nations have earmarked for 2024 so far are not big enough.

Biden has made it a top priority to support Ukraine, and US financial and military support have been essential in enabling the pro-Western nation to repel a considerably more powerful Russian invasion force.

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Opposition Republicans, meanwhile, have spearheaded a campaign to scuttle the initiative, refusing to approve fresh budgetary expenditures until the Democrats approve comprehensive, stringent new anti-illegal immigration policies.

In light of the US election year, which may once more pit Biden against Trump, Zelenskyy has issued a warning, stating that a Trump comeback to the White House will probably result in a different policy towards the conflict.
Bhutan fully adheres to the one-China principle and is prepared to collaborate with China to resolve the boundary dispute as soon as possible and move the diplomatic process toward establishing diplomatic ties, according to a Chinese readout on the discussions

A three-day journey to Bhutan was undertaken by Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra on Monday, marking the first high-level visit from New Delhi following the formation of a new administration led by Tshering Tobgay, the leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Kwatras visit takes place as China and Bhutan consider quickly resolving their long-running border dispute, which could have an impact on Indias security concerns.

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According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the foreign secretary will be visiting Bhutan on a formal visit from January 29 to January 31.

Foreign Secretary Kwatra will receive an audience with His Majesty, the King. He will also call on the prime minister, foreign minister and meet with foreign secretary of Bhutan and other senior officials of the Royal Government, the ministry said in a statement.

The visit is in keeping with the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between Bhutan and India, it added.

After the PDP won the elections earlier this month, Tobgay took office as prime minister of Bhutan on Sunday.

Nearly three months ago, in Beijing, Bhutans then-foreign minister Tandi Dorji met with Wang Yi, his Chinese counterpart.

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Bhutan fully adheres to the one-China principle and is prepared to collaborate with China to resolve the boundary dispute as soon as possible and move the diplomatic process toward establishing diplomatic ties, according to a Chinese readout on the discussions.

Since the negotiations between China and Bhutan over their boundary dispute may affect New Delhis security interests, particularly in the Doklam triangular dispute, New Delhi has been closely monitoring the developments.

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China and Bhutan decided in August of last year to move quickly and concurrently to execute a three-step roadmap to end their smoldering boundary conflict.

Bhutan and China signed the three-step roadmap agreement in October 2021 in an effort to speed up talks to settle their boundary issue.

The agreement was signed four years after China attempted to build a road across territory that Bhutan claimed was its own, resulting in a 73-day standoff between the Chinese and Indian forces at the Doklam tripoint.

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There were even concerns about a wider confrontation between the two neighbors following the 2017 standoff between China and India on the Doklam plateau. India backed Bhutans claim to the territory, which it had claimed.
The former populist leader said in a profanity-filled address late on Sunday that Marcos legislative friends are attempting to change the constitution to remove term limits, and he warned that this might result in his downfall like his late father, the dictator Ferdinand Marcos

A long-rumored schism between the two is coming to light as former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is making accusations against his successor, Fernando Marcos Jr., and even suggesting that he be removed from office.

The former populist leader said in a profanity-filled address late on Sunday that Marcos legislative friends are attempting to change the constitution to remove term limits, and he warned that this might result in his downfall like his late father, the dictator Ferdinand Marcos. Marcos was also charged by Duterte with drug addiction.

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The House of Representatives has been discussing potential constitutional amendments, and Duterte assertedwithout providing any supporting documentationthat legislators who back Marcos, such as Speaker Martin Romualdez, are paying local officials to change the 1987 constitution to eliminate term limits in order to maintain their hold on power.

The current presidents cousin Romualdez has refuted that assertion, stating that the only amendments he wishes to see made to the constitution are to eliminate any prohibitions on foreign investment.

Marcos has stated that while he is amenable to revising the constitutions economic provisions, he is against changing the part that limits foreign ownership of land. Regarding Dutertes assertion that term limitswhich restrict the president to a single six-year termshould be lifted, he has remained silent.

Opponents of opening the constitution to changes include the Senate. It issued a statement last week warning its checks-and-balance role could be undermined if the House of Representatives proceeded with plans to pursue amendments in joint session rather than by separate voting in the 24-member Senate and the 316-strong House.

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The 1987 constitution, which is laden with safeguards to prevent dictatorships, came into force a year after Marcos strongman father was ousted by an army-backed people power uprising amid allegations of plunder and human rights atrocities during his rule.

The speech put credence into months of rumors about a political split with his successor even though Dutertes daughter Sara is Marcos vice president following their landslide election victory in 2022.

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In recent weeks, Dutertes supporters have been angered by the reported unannounced visit to the Philippines last month of International Criminal Court investigators to look into widespread killings during Dutertes anti-drug crackdown as president. The reported visit has not been confirmed.

Duterte, who became notorious for the harsh crackdown that left thousands of mostly poor suspects dead, claimed in his speech without offering any evidence that Marcos was once on a law enforcement list of suspected drug users.

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You, the military, you know this, we have a president whos a drug addict, Duterte said to cheers from a few thousand supporters in his southern home region of Davao city.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency said Monday that Marcos was never on such a list, contrary to Dutertes claim.

Marcos did not immediately comment, but in 2021 when he was a presidential aspirant, his spokesman showed two reports from a private hospital and the national police laboratory that separately said Marcos tested negative for cocaine and methamphetamine.

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The two men also have differences over foreign policy.

While Duterte nurtured cozy ties with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian leader Vladimir Putin while in office, Marcos has been seen as veering toward Washington due to his countrys territorial disputes with China in the South China Sea. Early last year, Marcos allowed an expansion of the U.S. military presence in the Philippines under a 2014 defense pact.

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Marcos succeeded Duterte in mid-2022 after winning election campaigning on a promise to work for an economic turnaround after the coronavirus pandemic and bring unity in a country long saddled by crushing poverty and deeply entrenched political divisions.

Marcos led his own rally Sunday at a seaside park in Manila, which police said drew about 400,000 people after nightfall.

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The rally was called to launch what Marcos says is a campaign for a new Philippines by reforming corrupt and inefficient governance and boosting public services. During the gathering, the president stayed nonconfrontational in the face of the escalating criticisms from Dutertes camp.

The new Philippines is not just a slogan, Marcos told cheering supporters. To those whose overheated imagination has been poisoned by toxic politics, the `new Philippines is no Trojan horse, it conceals no agenda.

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Addressing government officials and employees, Marcos called for an end to sluggish services to the public. Distress calls must be responded to without delay. In whatever government office, red tape must be replaced with a red carpet, he said to applause.
The lawsuit marks the inaugural instance of such legal action in Japan, according to a report, citing plaintiffs lawyers, and comes amid a sharp rise in the number of foreign workers coming to the country to help stem labour shortages as its population ages and declines

Three foreign-born residents of Japan, hailing from India, Pakistan and the US, have filed a lawsuit against both national and local authorities, alleging unlawful interrogation by police driven by racial profiling, according to a Reuters report.

The lawsuit marks the inaugural instance of such legal action in Japan, according to the report, citing plaintiffs lawyers, and and comes amid a sharp rise in the number of foreign workers coming to the country to help stem labour shortages as its population ages and declines.

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The legal action also unfolds against the backdrop of a revived discourse on Japanese identity and appearance, following the recent crowning of a Ukrainian-born naturalized Japanese citizen as Miss Japan.

The trio lodged their complaint with the Tokyo District Court demanding that the national, Tokyo Metropolitan, and Aichi Prefecture governments to acknowledge the illegality of police detentions and interrogations solely based on race, nationality, or ethnicity.

Citing distress from recurrent police interrogations grounded in their physical appearance and ethnic background, the plaintiffs assert that such practices violate constitutional rights.

According to Reuters, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Aichi Prefectural Government, and National Police Agency abstained from offering comments, while representatives from the Ministry of Justice remained unreachable.

Accompanied by their legal counsel, the plaintiffs appeared at the Tokyo District Court around midday, addressing the media before proceeding to submit their case.

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One of the plaintiffs, Matthew, a person of Indian heritage residing in Japan for over two decades with permanent residency, recounted numerous encounters with police questioning.

He expressed fear of venturing outside due to the apprehension of being subjected to further stops.

I never knew what social withdrawal was until recently, Reuters quoted him as saying, declining to provide his surname for fear of harassment. I feel like every time I finish work, Im hiding in my house, he added.

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Syed Zain, who was born in Pakistan but took Japanese citizenship after moving to Japan with his family as a child, said he hoped the case would lead to positive change in a society where the number of Japanese with foreign roots is growing.

Likewise, Maurice, an American who did not provide his surname, said he hoped to raise awareness of the issue among Japanese people and make life easier for others.

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I want them (Japanese people) to understand that this is an everyday occurrence, its an everyday thing, and that we have to do something to prevent that, he told Reuters.

The lawsuit also seeks 3 million yen (about $20,250) in damages for each plaintiff.

With inputs from agencies
After intercepting the ship, INS Sumitra followed established protocols to force the pirates to release the crew and the boat safely. This resulted in the successful release of all 17 crew members and the boat

INS Sumitra responded to a distress call involving the hijacking of a fishing vessel (FV) Iman flying the Iranian flag while conducting anti-piracy operations off the east coast of Somalia and the Gulf of Aden. The crew of the FV was taken captive when pirates stormed the ship.

After intercepting the ship, INS Sumitra followed established protocols to force the pirates to release the crew and the boat safely. This resulted in the successful release of all 17 crew members and the boat.

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After that, the FV was cleaned and made ready for further travel. The Indian Navys determination to ensure the safety of all ships and seafarers at sea is symbolized by the missions deployment of Indian Naval ships on anti-piracy and maritime security operations in the Indian Ocean region.

INS Sumitra, on anti-piracy operations along the East coast of Somalia and the Gulf of Aden, responded to a distress message regarding hijacking of an Iranian flagged Fishing Vessel (FV) Iman. The FV had been boarded by pirates and the crew taken as hostages, the Indian Navy said in a statement.

INS Sumitra intercepted the vessel, acted in accordance with the established Standard Operating Procedures to coerce the pirates for safe release of crew along with the boat and ensured successful release of all 17 crew members along with the boat, the statement added.

Since its height in 2010, piracy has all but disappeared from the region; nevertheless, in light of Houthi drone and missile attacks on commercial vessels, it has recently returned. About 700 miles off the coast of India, in December, 18 crew members were on board the Malta-flagged tanker m.v. Ruen when it was taken over by Somali pirates. As of right now, the vessel is off the coast of Somalia.

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The Indian Navys MARCOS (Marine Commandos) successfully prevented a hijacking attempt on the commercial vessel Lila Norfolk in early January by securing and evacuating all 21 crew members, including 15 Indians, in the second incident that occurred in the North Arabian Sea.

The Indian Navy has increased force levels and significantly improved maritime surveillance operations in the Central and North Arabian Sea in response to these incidents.

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About twelve of the Indian Navys warships are presently in the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Aden conducting anti-piracy and maritime security operations.

In order to conduct maritime security operations and support merchant vessels in the event of an emergency, task groups made up of destroyers and frigates have been sent out. Additionally, unmanned aerial vehicles and long-range maritime patrol aircraft have improved aerial surveillance, giving them a comprehensive understanding of the maritime domain. On the high seas, commandos of the Indian Navy are also boarding and searching suspected vessels.
Media outlets reported that terrorists belonging to Islamic Resistance in Iraq had abandoned their positions along the Iraq-Syria border, leaving behind a skeletal crew. Reports said the move came as the US heightened reconnaissance activity

After the United States vowed to avenge the death of soldiers slain in the deadly drone attack in Jordan, blaming Iran-backed terror groups for the dastardly strike, reports suggested that Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria were vacating their military posts in anticipation of an American retaliatory strike.

Media outlets reported that terrorists belonging to Islamic Resistance in Iraq had abandoned their positions along the Iraq-Syria border, leaving behind a skeletal crew. Reports said the move came as the US heightened reconnaissance activity.

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Terrorists are so terrified, reports said, that leaders were afraid of using mobile phones, lest they be tracked and hit.

A report by the Times of Israel quoted Omar Abu Layla, a Europe-based activist who heads the Deir Ezzor 24 media outlet, as saying that Iran-terrorists in east Syria too had begun abandoning their positions. Layla told The Associated Press the areas are the strongholds of Mayadeen and Boukamal.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq is an overarching umbrella group for Iran-backed terrorists. It has been carrying out drone attacks in Syria and Palestine and has claimed responsibility for several attacks on US bases in Iraq and Syria since the Israel-Hamas war began.

The Times of Israel report claimed that three officials with Iran-backed militias in Iraq averred that the drone attack in Jordan had been carried out by one of the Iraqi groups, though no faction has yet claimed credit.
According to US President Joe Biden, the attack on the border base in northeastern Jordan was carried out by radical Iran-backed militant groups operating in Syria and Iraq on Sunday

Iran disputed US and British charges that it aided terrorist organisations responsible for a drone strike in Jordan that killed three US military personnel, Tehrans official IRNA news agency said on Monday.

These claims are made with specific political goals to reverse the realities of the region, IRNA quoted foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani as saying.

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No one has claimed to be in charge of the strike thus far.

According to US President Joe Biden, the attack on the border base in northeastern Jordan was carried out by radical Iran-backed militant groups operating in Syria and Iraq on Sunday.

The need for Iran to de-escalate in the region was reaffirmed by British Foreign Secretary David Cameron.

Regional and international peace and stability was jeopardised, according to Kanaani, by such remarks.

According to the US Central Command, eight of the 34 injured individuals needed to be evacuated.

As part of a global alliance against the extremist organisation Islamic State, US forces are stationed at a facility close to Jordans borders with Syria and Iraq.

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Since the start of the Israeli-Hamas conflict, the strike represented the first US military casualties.

Iran-backed Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on October 7 that resulted in about 1,140 deaths, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of official figures.

Israels relentless military offensive has killed at least 26,422 people in Gaza, most of them women and children, according to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry.
Iran and Israel, longstanding adversaries, are currently in a dispute over Irans nuclear program. Israel alleges Irans support for armed groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, while Iran accuses Israel of orchestrating the killing of Iranian officials and scientists

Iran carried out the execution of four individuals on Monday, following the Supreme Courts dismissal of appeals, as reported by Iranian state media. They faced allegations of plotting a bomb attack under orders from Israels Mossad agency.

Convicted of illegally entering Iran from Iraqs northern Kurdish region, the men were accused of planning an attack on a factory in Isfahan, central Iran, producing equipment for the Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics. The thwarted operation was slated for the summer of 2022.

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The death sentence of four members of a group affiliated with the Zionist spy organisation was carried out this morning, revealed Mizan Online, the Iranian judiciarys website.

Iran and Israel, longstanding adversaries, are currently in a dispute over Irans nuclear program. Israel alleges Irans support for armed groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, while Iran accuses Israel of orchestrating the killing of Iranian officials and scientists.

In a concerning trend, Iran consistently ranks second only to China in annual executions, predominantly by hanging. Last December, three men and one woman were executed for alleged Mossad links.

Additionally, an Iranian man, Mohammed Ghobadlou, was executed last week for participating in antigovernment protests in late 2022, despite concerns about his mental health.

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The United Nations human rights agency expressed alarm over unfair trial proceedings in Ghobadlous case and other instances lacking due process. The agency noted an unprecedented surge in executions in Iran, with at least 834 reported in 2023, including eight associated with nationwide protests.

UN human rights chief Volker Turk characterized Irans execution record as abominable, with over 10 people hanged weekly. The experts urge the Iranian government to halt this disturbing wave of executions.

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(with inputs from Agencies)
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on Monday arrived in Islamabad on the invitation of his Pakistani counterpart Jalil Abbas Jilani, amid strain in relations following the recent tit-for-tat strikes launched by the two countries

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on Monday arrived in Islamabad at the invitation of his Pakistani counterpart Jalil Abbas Jilani.

The visit comes amid strained relations between the two countries following recent retaliatory strikes.

Upon his arrival at the Nur Khan airbase, Amir-Abdollahian was received by Pakistans Additional Foreign Secretary for Afghanistan and West Asia Rahim Hayat Qureshi.

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Foreign Minister of Iran @Amirabdolahian has arrived in Islamabad at the invitation of Foreign Minister @JalilJilani. He was received at the Nur Khan airbase by Additional Foreign Secretary (Afghanistan and West Asia) @RahimHayat.



During the visit, Foreign Minister Abdollahian pic.twitter.com/97dNxXwmxE  Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) January 28, 2024

Taking to X, Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, said, Foreign Minister of Iran @Amirabdolahian has arrived in Islamabad at the invitation of Foreign Minister @JalilJilani. He was received at the Nur Khan airbase by Additional Foreign Secretary (Afghanistan and West Asia) @RahimHayat,

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During the visit, Foreign Minister Abdollahian will hold in-depth talks with Foreign Minister Jilani and call on Prime Minister @anwaar_kakar, Baloch added.

Tehran initiated missile strikes targeting militant bases in southwestern Pakistan on January 16. Two days later, on January 18, Pakistan responded with retaliatory strikes inside Iran.

In a statement, the Pakistan Army said terrorist militant organizations, namely Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) were successfully struck in a intelligence-based operation code-named Marg Bar Sarmachar.

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As per Geo News, the tit-for-tat strikes were the highest-profile cross-border intrusions in recent years and have raised alarm over wider instability in the Middle East since the war between Israel and Hamas erupted on 7 October.

Recently, Pakistan and Iran agreed to de-escalate the situation and work in close coordination on counter-terrorism, the Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in an official press release. The Pakistani minister held a telephonic conversation with his Iranian counterpart Abdollahian and stressed the territorial integrity and sovereignty of both countries.

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The ministry said in a statement, Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani spoke with the Foreign Minister of Iran, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, today. Underscoring the close brotherly relations between Pakistan and Iran, the Foreign Minister expressed Pakistans desire to work with Iran based on spirit of mutual trust and cooperation. The Foreign Minister stressed that respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty must underpin this cooperation.

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With inputs from agencies
Top officials from the CIA engaged in discussions with intelligence leaders from Egypt, Qatar, and Israel in Paris, exploring the prospects of a potential ceasefire and a subsequent hostage exchange.

The meeting included CIA Director William Burns, Qatars Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, and Mossad Chief Dadi Barnea, alongside Israels Shin Bet Director and Egypts Intelligence Minister.

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While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office described the talks as constructive, caution was expressed regarding significant gaps between the negotiating delegations. Follow-up meetings are scheduled for this week, with the Israeli war cabinet set to convene today, as announced by Israeli officials.

This development comes shortly after Hamas reportedly rejected a two-month ceasefire deal for the release of remaining hostages. US President Joe Biden dispatched Director Burns to negotiate the release of hostages in conjunction with a ceasefire, according to The Washington Post.

President Biden also engaged with Qatars head of state, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, to discuss hostage release efforts. Qatar, pivotal in brokering a previous seven-day ceasefire and hostage release deal in November, continues to play a crucial role in peace talks.

The situation involves 136 individuals still unaccounted for since their abduction in Gaza on October 7, following an attack by Hamas. Among them are 19 females and two British-Israeli citizens, with at least 25 presumed dead.

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The Hamas-controlled health ministry reports that over 26,000 Gazans, including civilians and soldiers, have lost their lives in Israels military offensive. The talks signal a potential shift in the dynamics of the ongoing conflict, with hopes for diplomatic resolution on the horizon.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, through the Mattei Plan it has been named after Enrico Mattei, the founder of the oil company Eniwants not just to fulfil an election promise, she also wants to position Italy at the head of Europes Africa blueprint

Italy is on the verge of unveiling its non-predatory plan to offer the African continent ways to prosper in return for curbing illegal migration.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, through the Mattei Plan it has been named after Enrico Mattei, the founder of the oil company Eniwants not just to fulfil an election promise, she also wants to position Italy at the head of Europes Africa blueprint.

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According to reports, the plan would be presented to a host of leaders from 23 African nations, including Moussa Faki, the president of the African Union Commission, and European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen.

The plan entails, among other things, to make Italy an energy hub, given Europes dire crisis that evolved in the wake of the Ukraine-Russia war and the underlying understanding thereafter that Europe would have to move away from near-total dependence on Russian gas.

Even as Meloni is ready to unveil the plan in Rome on Monday, internal politics has heightened. According to The Guardian, the summit would be hosted the Palazzo Madama, the Italian Senate to underline the significance of the move, but Opposition leaders have criticised it, accusing her of seizing the building.

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The Guardian cited Senate chief whip Lucio Malan as saying that he did not see any problem with the move. Its a matter of prestige and wont disrupt the work of senators in any way. That such an important event is taking place in the senate, an ancient palace filled with history and artworks, will give a beautiful impression of Italy, the media outlet quoted Malan.

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According to The Guardian, Malan underlined the significance of the African continent as strategic, since Tunisia is closer to Sicily, than Sicily is to Rome.

Africa has long been the undisputed playing field of countries such as Russia and China, including Turkey, and the plan is seen as a significant European intervention.
The Maldivian President may only be removed by a resolution proposed by one-third of Majlis members, along with a justification, as per the Maldivian Constitution

According to local media on Monday, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), which is in the majority in the Parliament, has garnered enough signatures to file a resolution to remove President Mohamed Muizzu from office.

One of the MDP members informed SunOnline that the party has amassed enough signatures for an impeachment resolution in collaboration with the other opposition party, The Democrats.

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The Maldivian President may only be removed by a resolution proposed by one-third of Majlis members, along with a justification, as per the Maldivian Constitution.

After then, two thirds of the Majlis entire membership must approve the resolution.

The opposing parties havent yet turned in the motion, though. This comes a day after pro-government MPs and opposition parliamentarians clashed in the Maldives Parliament over the ratification of four members of pro-China President Muizzus Cabinet.

A video of the brawl is circulating on the internet.

Maldives Parliament witnesses ruckus. Govt MP Shaheem gets a beating, as fellow MPs intervene to stop it. https://t.co/yzV2AHLVo1 pic.twitter.com/Bt4HNvyq6E  Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) January 28, 2024

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Brawl in Parliament

Prior to the cabinet vote on Sunday, the major opposition MDP made the decision to withhold legislative approval for four members of the Presidents cabinet. The ruling Progressive Party of the Maldives and parliamentarians connected to the Peoples National Congress (PPM/PNC) coalition have disrupted parliament sessions as a result of the opposition MDP and The Democrats parliamentary groups decision to not approve certain members of President Muizzus cabinet.

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The MDP, which holds a majority in parliament, has chosen not to cast a vote in favour of Attorney General Ahmed Usham, Ministers Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed of Islamic Affairs, Ali Haidar of Housing, Land, and Urban Development, and Mohamed Saeed of Economic Development and Trade. According to the Peoples National Congress (PNC) and the ruling Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM), blocking President Muizzus cabinet from receiving legislative approval would be equivalent to hindering the public services provided by the government.

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No-confidence resolutions against Speaker Mohamed Aslam and Deputy Speaker Ahmed Saleem of the Parliament have been submitted by the ruling PPM-PNC coalition, according to a report on the Sun.mv news website. The impending cabinet approval is the reason behind the no-confidence move. The coalition has accused Speaker Aslam of abusing his official position to further the interests of a specific party.

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After obtaining the presidency of the Maldives in November, Muizzu, a pro-China politician, publicly urged India to withdraw its armed soldiers from his nation, claiming that the Maldivian people had given him a strong mandate to make this request to New Delhi. He also strengthened Maldives connections with China.
The trend of favouring family members and offspring of influential political figures has created significant barriers for ordinary Pakistani women aspiring to contest elections directly, according to a report

Womens participation in Pakistans general elections remains nearly invisible, with reserved seats often being allocated based on nepotism rather than merit, The Express Tribune reported on Monday.

According to the report, the trend of favouring family members and offspring of influential political figures has created significant barriers for ordinary Pakistani women aspiring to contest elections directly.

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For instance, Heer Soho from Thatta, who was recently put on the Pakistan Peoples Partys (PPP) reserved seats allocation list, has been receiving the nod for a reserved seat since the 2008 general election.

Heer has been successful in securing the reserved spot for the 4th consecutive general election due to her father, Ismail Soho, The Express Tribune quoted journalist Muhammad Fayyaz, who hails from Thatta, as saying.

Ismail Soho is a friend of the PPPs top leadership, therefore, his daughter has been getting the reserved seat ticket repeatedly, Muhammad added.

In similar fashion, Nida Khuhro, who happens to be the daughter of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)s President in Sindh, Nisar Ahmad Khuhro, has managed to secure a reserved seat ticket for the second election running. Likewise, Nafisa Shah, the daughter of former chief minister of Sindh, Syed Qaim Ali Shah, has also managed to secure a spot on the reserved seats allocation list of the PPP.

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And just like the PPP, the PML-N also rewards friends and family of their top leadership with reserved seats. Tahira Aurangzeb, who is the mother of former federal minister for information, Marriyum Aurangzeb, and was also a close confidant of Begum Kulsoom Nawaz, has been given the nod for the reserved seats by the party since 2008.

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Similarly, Shaista Parvez Malik, the wife of former member of National Assembly, Parvez Malik, received the partys reserved seat ticket in the general elections of 2013 and 2018; and has been given one this time around as well, The Express Tribune reported.

The same is the case for Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F), which has given its approval for a reserved seat spot to its supremo Maulana Fazlur Rehmans sister-in-law, Shahida Akhtar, who has served three times in the National Assembly. The party has also given a reserved seat spot to Rehana Ismail, another sister-in-law of the party head.

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The Pakistan-based news daily reported that the Awami National Party (ANP), is no different.

For instance, it has consistently rewarded Samar Haroon Bilour, of the influential Bilour family of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), who is also a relative of former federal minister Ghulam Ahmad Bilour, consistently with a reserved seat ticket to the K-P assembly.

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The allocation of reserved seats based on kinship or friendship sidelines female grassroots political workers, which some see as an affront to their dedication to their respective parties.

A senior political worker of the PPP in Hyderabad, speaking anonymously to The Express Tribune, noted that the PPP has overlooked numerous women political activists closely associated with Benazir Bhutto, despite them having served jail time for the party in the past.

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Echoing this sentiment, Farzana Butt, a PML-N political activist, emphasised that many women, including herself, made significant sacrifices for the party during opposition stints but received no recognition, let alone a reserved seat ticket.

It is disappointing that women from influential families and good financial standing get tickets, whereas genuine grass root political workers are sidelined, The Express Tribune quoted a disgruntled Farzana as saying.

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While the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insafs (PTI) allocation of reserved seats is in the doldrums due to the party not having an election symbol, Nabil Ghazanfar, a long-term worker of the party from Peshawar, was of the view that the PTI was not any different from other parties when it came to seats allocations.

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This practice of prioritising well-to-do women for reserved seat tickets strengthens the prevalence of the stronghold that dynastic political parties and the existing ruling class has on the rest of the populace.

Sanam Wagma Khattak, a professor at the Department of Economics in the University of Peshawar, told The Express Tribune that representation in the provincial or national assemblies should not be mere tokenism but actually representative of the entire populace

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Agreeing with Sanam, Iram Khalid, Chairperson of the Political Science Department of the Punjab University, said that the women who should be nominated for reserved seats are often overlooked.

Only family relations, loved ones, and relatives are given priority, which results in social classes that are meant to be represented in the provincial and national assemblies by women, lacking a voice. Therefore, political parties should establish a more democratic and performance based formula of allocating reserved seat tickets, The Express Tribune quoted Iram as saying.

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With inputs from agencies
In the new year, Pyongyang has increased its testing of armaments, demonstrating its underwater nuclear weapon system and its hypersonic ballistic missile powered by solid fuel

The latest action by the nuclear-armed state to heighten tensions was the test launch of a new strategic cruise missile from a submarine, which was overseen by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, according to state media on Monday.

In the new year, Pyongyang has increased its testing of armaments, demonstrating its underwater nuclear weapon system and its hypersonic ballistic missile powered by solid fuel.

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The two Pulhwasal-3-31 missiles flew in the sky above the East Sea  to hit the island target on Sunday, state-run news agency KCNA reported, adding that Kim had guided the launch.

Pyongyang claimed to have just tested the latest generation of strategic cruise missiles, known as the Pulhwasal-3-31, on Wednesday, shooting multiple missiles in the direction of the Yellow Sea.

The present UN sanctions on Pyongyang do not prohibit the testing of cruise missiles, in contrast to their ballistic equivalents.

Cruise missiles are more difficult to identify and intercept than more advanced ballistic missiles since they are often jet-propelled and travel at a lower height.

The submarine-launched strategic cruise missiles (SLCM) remained in the air for 7,421 and 7,445 seconds, or around two hours, according to KCNA. However, the report did not specify the distance they travelled or if they were launched from above or below the ocean.

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It is still unknown how precise North Koreas sea-based launch capabilities are, and earlier tests were conducted from older shipsincluding a submerged platformrather than from a submarine.

It was unclear what kind of platform the missile was being fired from in the photos released by state media, which showed it shooting upwards from the ocean and leaving a massive trail of white smoke.

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Pyongyang claims that in March of last year, North Korea fired two SLCMs that travelled 1,500 kilometres (930 miles), which would have covered all of South Korea and a large portion of Japan.

However, experts noted that it seemed they were fired from above the sea, eliminating the weapons ability to be stealthily deployed.

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Kim expressed great satisfaction over Sundays test, KCNA said, which is of strategic significance in carrying out the plan for modernizing the army which aims at building a powerful naval force.

The North Korean leader separately inspected the building of a nuclear submarine and discussed issues related to the construction of other new warships, the report added without giving details.

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New threat

Improving the countrys naval power was one of the key decisions reached at the year-end party meeting, and given Sundays launch was personally overseen by Kim, analysts say it signals the direction of Pyongyangs defence policy this year.

They will focus on improving naval power in the East Sea and test weapons systems that can be mounted on submarines, with the first attempt being this strategic cruise missile, said Yang Moo-jin, president of the University of North Korean Studies.

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In the future, it will lead to the development of submarine-launched ballistic missiles and nuclear-powered submarines, which will have a much higher impact than SLCMs, he added.

North Korea already has an operational submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) called the Pukguksong-3, with an estimated range of 1,900 kilometres.

Proven SLBM capability would take North Koreas arsenal to a new level, allowing deployment far beyond the Korean peninsula and a second-strike capability in the event of an attack.

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Choi Il, a retired South Korean Navy submarine captain, said once a nuclear-tipped SLCM becomes operational, it will pose a new threat to South Korea.

North Korea will be equipped with a two-track nuclear attack means, with the capabilities of mass destruction of a SLBM and precision strike of a SLCM, he said.

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North Korea last year launched what it called its first tactical nuclear attack submarine, which the South Korean military at the time said did not look to be operational.

Analysts said the vessel appeared to be modified from an existing diesel-electric submarine originally designed in the 1950s, and have posed questions about its limitations and vulnerabilities as a platform.
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian Monday arrived in Islamabad at the invitation of his Pakistani counterpart Jalil Abbas Jilani. The visit comes amid strained relations between the two countries following recent retaliatory strikes

Pakistan and Iran on Monday said that they respect each others sovereignty and territorial integrity and resolved to expand security cooperation, stepping up efforts to mend ties after tit-for-tat missile strikes this month at what they said were militant targets.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian Monday arrived in Islamabad at the invitation of his Pakistani counterpart Jalil Abbas Jilani.

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The visit comes amid strained relations between the two countries following recent retaliatory strikes.

Upon his arrival at the Nur Khan airbase, Amir-Abdollahian was received by Pakistans Additional Foreign Secretary for Afghanistan and West Asia Rahim Hayat Qureshi.

Tehran initiated missile strikes targeting militant bases in southwestern Pakistan on January 16. Two days later, on January 18, Pakistan responded with retaliatory strikes inside Iran.

In a statement, the Pakistan Army said terrorist militant organizations, namely Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) were successfully struck in a intelligence-based operation code-named Marg Bar Sarmachar.

Recently, Pakistan and Iran agreed to de-escalate the situation and work in close coordination on counter-terrorism, the Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in an official press release.

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The Pakistani minister held a telephonic conversation with his Iranian counterpart Abdollahian and stressed the territorial integrity and sovereignty of both countries.

The ministry said in a statement, Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani spoke with the Foreign Minister of Iran, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, today. Underscoring the close brotherly relations between Pakistan and Iran, the Foreign Minister expressed Pakistans desire to work with Iran based on spirit of mutual trust and cooperation. The Foreign Minister stressed that respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty must underpin this cooperation.
The incident represents a significant escalation of the Middle Easts tensions, which were set off by the attack carried out by Hamas in Israel on October 7 and Israels devastating reprisal attacks in Gaza

Three US military men were killed and up to 34 wounded, according to US authorities, during a drone strike in Jordan that they connected to Iranian-backed extremists.

The incident represents a significant escalation of the Middle Easts tensions, which were set off by the attack carried out by Hamas in Israel on October 7 and Israels devastating reprisal attacks in Gaza.

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Key policy leaders in the US and other nations have responded as follows:

Democratic US President Joe Biden

The three American service members we lost were patriots in the highest sense. And their ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten by our nation  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 our choosing.

Republican Former President Donald Trump

The drone attack on a U.S. Military Installation in Jordan, killing 3 American service members, and wounding many more, marks a horrible day for America  This brazen attack on the United States is yet another horrific and tragic consequence of Joe Bidens weakness and surrender.

Lloyd Austin, US Defense Secretary

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Iran-backed militias are responsible for these continued attacks on U.S. forces, and we will respond at a time and place of our choosing.

Michael McCaul, Republican US House Foreign Affairs Panel Chair

We need a major reset of our Middle East policy to protect our national security interests and restore deterrence.

Mitch McConnell, US Senate Republican Leader

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Last night, the cost of failure to deter Americas adversaries was again measured in American lives. We cannot afford to keep responding to this violent aggression with hesitation and half-measures  The entire world now watches for signs that the President is finally prepared to exercise American strength to compel Iran to change its behavior. Our enemies are emboldened.

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Chuck Schumer, US Senate Democratic Leader

We mourn the deaths of the three service members killed by a drone attack in Jordan from an Iran-backed militant group. We are all praying for the safety and recovery of the dozens who were injured. My heart is with the families of those killed and injured. We must work to hold those responsible accountable.

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Representative Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic House Minority Leader

Every single malignant actor responsible must be held accountable.

Egypts Foreign Ministry

Egypt affirmed its strong condemnation of any terrorist acts that threaten the security and stability of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, expressing full solidarity with Jordan in this delicate situation Egypt emphasized the necessity of confronting all forms of terrorism and rejecting all manifestations of violence to ensure the stability of the region.

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Israels Foreign Affairs Minister Israel Katz

We stand united in our values and battle against a common enemy. Their sacrifice will always be remembered. Rest in peace. Wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.

Roger Wicker, Ranking Republican on US Senate Armed Services Committee

We must respond to these repeated attacks by Iran and its proxies by striking directly against Iranian targets and its leadership. The Biden administrations responses thus far have only invited more attacks.

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Jacky Rosen, Democrat on US Senate Armed Services Committee

Iran must be held accountable.
Report cites several examples of women of advanced ages entering the industry not just for pecuniary reasons and growing demand, but also in conscious breach of societal shackles

Japan is ageing and so is its porn industry. With seniors outnumbering the youngone in 10 Japanese is aged 80, some 30% of Japan is aged 65 or above and 18-year-olds are a meagre 1.06 millionsenior porn or silver porn is clocking an expanding customer- and fanbase.

According to report in The Guardian, older people, including women, are debuting in the porn industry in their 60s and 80s.

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The report cites several examples of women of advanced ages entering the industry not just for pecuniary reasons and growing demand, but also in conscious breach of societal shackles. They are challenging the scenario in Japan when a woman over 50 just ceases to be noticed, as if she never existed.

Emi Toda, as per the report, entered the porn industry in her 50s. She is now, 65, and has featured in several adult productions.

If it is some sort of vindication, Shigeo Tokuda, in 2017 entered the Guiness World Records as the worlds olders porn actor at 83.

The Guardian report also cites other such examples: 88-year-old Yuko Ogasawara who debuted in adult films in her early 80s; Maori Tezuka, a specialist in grandmother roles, retired in 2017 when she turned 80.

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As per reports, the Japanese adult film market industry is estimated to be worth nearly 55bn annually and employs some 10,000 performers.

The report quoted Takuma Kawabe, a producer specialising in adult films featuring mature women, as saying that older consumers still bought movie on DVD since they have purchasing power which meant that the market was there for older people.

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The fact that female actors continue to pursue beauty and explore their sexuality even as they get older. Compared to people who were in, say, their 60s when I was a child  my grandparents generation  people who are in their 60s now have a much keener sense of beauty and desire for sex, Kawabe told The Guardian.

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Toda, meanwhile, has no plans to retire.
International naval forces have been diverted north from the Gulf of Aden into the Red Sea, sparking fears that pirates will exploit the security gap, with the first successful case of Somali piracy since 2017 recorded in December

Indian sailors saved an Iranian boat, and commandos from the Seychelles freed a Sri Lankan trawler, according to a statement released by Indian Ocean naval forces on Monday. The two fishing vessels had been taken over separately by Somali pirates.

The hijackings off the coast of Somalia, which coincide with an increase in attacks by the Huthi rebels in Yemen, who are supported by Iran, have raised fears about a return of opportunistic pirates conducting raids in the Indian Ocean.

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Huthi gunmen have responded to Israels war against the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza by launching numerous attacks against Israeli-affiliated vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

International naval forces have been diverted north from the Gulf of Aden into the Red Sea, sparking fears that pirates will exploit the security gap, with the first successful case of Somali piracy since 2017 recorded in December.

Pirate attacks off the Somali coast peaked in 2011  with the gunmen launching attacks as far as 3,655 kilometres (2,270 miles) from the Somali coast in the Indian Ocean  before falling off sharply after international navies sent warships and commercial shipping deployed armed guards.

- Utmost courage -

Indias navy said it had deployed its warship INS Sumitra  which was on anti-piracy patrol off the east coast of Somalia in the Gulf of Aden  after receiving a distress message from the Iranian-flagged fishing vessel Iman.

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The fishing vessel had been boarded by pirates and the crew taken as hostages, Indian navy spokesman Commander Vivek Madhwal said, adding that the warship intercepted the boat and then worked to coerce the hijackers.

The warship ensured the successful release of all 17 crew members along with the boat, he added, with the fishing boat then sanitised and released for onward transit.

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The navy, which released photographs of the Iranian fishing boat and crew, as well as its sailors towing a skiff, did not give further details of the operation or fate of the pirates.

Separately, Seychelles forces freed a Sri Lankan vessel hijacked by armed Somali pirates, President Wavel Ramkalawans office said Monday.

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It was not immediately clear if the vessel freed by the Seychelles forces was the Sri Lankan fishing trawler Lorenzo Putha-4, which Colombos navy said Somali pirates had seized along with its six-man crew on Saturday, some 840 nautical miles southeast of Somalias capital Mogadishu.

Seychellois special military forces boarded the boat with utmost courage to take complete control of the vessel and rescue our Sri Lankan brothers, the presidency said in a statement.

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- Piracy of opportunity? -

Eric Jaslin, the head of France-based Maritime Information Cooperation and Awareness (MICA) Center, said last month it was still too early to say if attacks were the result of piracy of opportunity or because military resources were focused on the Red Sea.

Indias navy has been deployed continuously off Somalia since 2008, but in December sent a far larger force  including three guided-missile destroyers and P-8I reconnaissance aircraft to maintain a deterrent presence after a string of shipping attacks.

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India, which has close trade ties with Iran, has not joined the US-led maritime task force in the Red Sea to protect international shipping against attacks by the Tehran-backed Huthi rebels.

On January 5, Indian navy commandos in the Arabian Sea boarded the Liberian-flagged bulk carrier MV Lila Norfolk after a failed hijacking attempt.

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Last month, Somali pirates hijacked the bulk carrier MV Ruen.

The Bulgaria-owned and Malta-flagged vessel was seized by Somali pirates 380 nautical miles east of the Yemeni island of Socotra on December 16.

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.

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(with inputs from AFP)
The initiative aims to make vaping less appealing to children by restricting flavors, introducing plain packaging, and minimizing displays in shops. These changes are anticipated to take effect by late 2024 or early 2025

In a move to address the alarming rise in youth vaping, the UK government, led by Chancellor Rishi Sunak, is set to prohibit disposable vapes.

The initiative aims to make vaping less appealing to children by restricting flavors, introducing plain packaging, and minimizing displays in shops. These changes are anticipated to take effect by late 2024 or early 2025.

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Sunak emphasised the urgency of tackling the growing trend among children, stating, 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.

The decision is part of a comprehensive response to a public consultation on smoking and vaping, resulting in some of the worlds strictest anti-smoking measures.

These measures include a ban on selling tobacco products to individuals born after January 1, 2009.

While acknowledging vapings potential for aiding adult smokers in quitting, concerns among doctors revolve around the unknown long-term health impact on young people. Recent statistics reveal a tripling in the number of children using vapes over the past three years, with disposable vape usage among 11- to 17-year-olds increasing nearly nine-fold in the last two years.

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Apart from curbing youth vaping, the ban on disposable vapes is expected to address environmental concerns, as approximately 5 million vapes are discarded weekly.

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health praised the move, considering it a meaningful step in the right direction. However, Dr. Mike McKean emphasised the need for close monitoring and scrutiny of the impact on childrens behavior and smokers.

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The governments plan also includes fines for shops illegally selling vapes to children, along with outlawing vaping alternatives for minors. The legislation is set to be implemented in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland through devolved laws.

Despite support from 70% of respondents in a public consultation, including parents, teachers, and healthcare professionals, the UK Vaping Industry Association expressed dismay, suggesting that bans might discourage smokers from using vapes to quit.

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The association is presenting an industry-wide consultation-based scheme to parliamentarians in February to address the issue of underage sales more effectively.
Since America has blamed Iran-backed terror groups for the Jordan strikeIran has maintained its innocence in the matterSunak said he was concerned about tensions in West Asia

As the United States of America increased reconnaissance along the Iraq-Syria border in the wake of the strike in Jordan that killed three US soldier and injured scores others stoking fears of an imminent US strike, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak urged Iran to de-escalate tensions in West Asia.

Since America has blamed Iran-backed terror groups for the Jordan strikeIran has maintained its innocence in the matterSunak said he was concerned about tensions in West Asia.

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Sunak said Britain absolutely condemned the drone attacks which U.S. President Joe Biden said had been carried out by Iran-backed militants.

We are concerned and would urge Iran to continue to de-escalate tensions in the region, Sunak told broadcasters on Monday.

We stand resolutely with our allies to bring stability and peace to the region and thats what we continue to work towards.

The attack, which also wounded 34 U.S. service personnel, is the first deadly strike against U.S. forces since the Israel-Hamas war erupted in October, and marks a major escalation in tensions that have engulfed the Middle East.

Irans mission to the United Nations said in a statement on Monday that Tehran was not involved in the attack.

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Meanwhile, Iran-backed groups along the Syria-Iraq border had started evacuating their posts in anticipation of a US strike. Moreover, reports suggested that terror leaders had started avoiding making calls on phones for fear of being tracked and eliminated.

A report in the Times of Israel also quoted officials of the Islamic Resistance as saying that the Jordan strike had been carried out by an Iraq faction of Iran-backed groups.

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On the other hand, two were killed and several injured in an aerial strike on a location associated with Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps near the Sayyeda Zeinab shrine complex on the outskirts of the Syrian capital Damascus.

So far there has been no comments from the Syrian or Israeli sides.

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(with inputs from Reuters)
On the 114th day of the Israel-Hamas war, the United Nations Sunday sort of formally capitulated to Tel Avivs longstanding accusations that UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees, popularly called UNRWA, was involved in the October 7 massacre

On the 114th day of the Hamas-Israel war, the United Nations Sunday sort of formally capitulated to Tel Avivs longstanding accusations that UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees, popularly called UNRWA, was involved in the October 7 massacre.

While Israel submitted to the US a dossier of UNRWA officials and functionaries who had allegedly sullied their hands with the blood of civilians alongside Hamas, thin veils of humanitarian work vanished fast to expose UNRWA as the cradle of extremism.

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United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was horrified by these accusations and vowed Sunday to hold to account any UN employee involved in acts of terror.

Any UN employee involved in acts of terror will be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution, the UN 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.

Of the 12 implicated, he said, nine had been terminated, one was confirmed dead and the identities of the other two were being clarified.

The New York Times, on the testimony of two Western officials who were not named for anonymity, broke that the contents of the dossier had been discussed, but independent verification of the allegations had not been carried out. Nonetheless, the Israeli claims were credible enough.

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According to the NYT, Israel has listed the names and jobs of 12 UNRWA employees who allegedly were part of the October 7 Hamas massacre of Israeli civilians in kibbutz. It further adds that Israeli intelligence had tracked the movement of six of these accused inside Israel on October 7 based on the location of their mobile phones, while others had been caught while talking over their phones.

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As per Israels accusations, three of these UNRWA staffers got text messages to assemble at muster points on October 7 even as one of these 12 was ordered to bring rocket=propelled grenades (RPGs) stashed at his house.

The Israeli dossier also added that 110 of these 12 accused UNRWA staffers were active Hamas members, while one was affiliated to the Islamic Jihad.

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What comes as a shocker is that of these 12, seven were teachers at UNRWA schools, imparting lessons in math and Arabic, according to the NYT report, while two worked in ancillary roles at the schools. The remaining three, NYT reported, were described in the dossier as clerk, social worker and storeroom manager.

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According to reports, the most detailed description of the involvement of UNRWA staffers in the Hamas massacre on October 7 came for a school in Khan Younis. The school counsellor is accused of abducting an Israeli woman with the help of his son.

NYT also reported that in another case cited in the Israeli dossier, a social worker from Nuseirat, in central Gaza, is accused of participating in bringing the body of an Israeli soldier into Gaza and distributing ammunition and working out logistics for vehicles on October 7.

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Over the weekend, eleven UNRWA donor countriesthe United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, Finland, France, Switzerland, and Japansuspended funding to the agency considering the evidence provided by Israel. Guterres, meanwhile, has strongly urged these countries to lift the funding sanctions and guarantee the continuity of UNRWAs operations.

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, Guterres said.

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UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini, on the other hand, sounded defiant. 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. "

With inputs from agencies
Israel has finally acceded to a UN visit to northern Gaza, reportedly under US pressure, according to media reports

Israel has finally acceded to a UN visit to northern Gaza, reportedly under US pressure, according to media reports.

The decision, according to a Ynet report, the war cabinet had last Thursday approved allowing a delegation of the United Nations to enter northern Gaza to assess the situation.

While the date of the visit is yet to be decided, Tel Aviv has made the UN visit conditional.

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Ynet said Defence Minister Yoav Gallant had made it clear that allowing the visit was not tantamount to agreeing for Gazan to return to the Strip.

Gallant, reportedly, has also placed the condition that the Gaza visit would have to be preceded by a visit to the Israeli settlements and communities that were ravaged in the October 7 Hamas attack.

A third condition to the UN visit is that an official from the US would have to be in attendance.

Earlier this month a deal had been reached between Israel and the US to pave the way for an assessment mission by the UN. As Israels campaign moves to a lower intensity phase in northern Gaza, and as the IDF scales down its forces there, we agreed today on a plan for the UN to carry out an assessment mission," Blinken had said during a press conference in Tel Aviv.
Clients paid with cryptocurrency and used the vendor sites to order restricted substances from Singh. The release on Friday stated that Singh then personally arranged or shipped the drugs from Europe to America via US mail or other shipping services

Extradited from the UK, a 40-year-old Indian national entered a guilty plea to running a worldwide dark web business that sold deadly and dangerous drugs to communities across America and forfeited about USD 150 million in cryptocurrency.

The US Department of Justice said in a press release that Banmeet Singh, of Haldwani, Uttarakhand, established vendor marketing sites on dark web marketplaces to sell controlled substances, such as fentanyl, LSD, ecstasy, Xanax, Ketamine, and Tramadol, according to court documents.

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Clients paid with cryptocurrency and used the vendor sites to order restricted substances from Singh. The release on Friday stated that Singh then personally arranged or shipped the drugs from Europe to America via US mail or other shipping services.

Banmeet Singh and traffickers like him think they can operate anonymously on the dark web and evade prosecutionTodays guilty plea, which includes forfeiture of approximately USD 150 million in cryptocurrency, demonstrates that the Justice Department will hold criminals who violate US law accountable no matter how they conceal their activity," Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M Argentieri of the justice departments Criminal Division said.

From mid-2012 through July 2017, Singh controlled at least eight distribution cells within the US, including cells located in Ohio, Florida, North Carolina, Maryland, New York, North Dakota, and Washington, among other locations. Individuals in those distribution cells received drug shipments from overseas and then re-packaged and re-shipped the drugs to locations in all 50 states, Canada, England, Ireland, Jamaica, Scotland, and the US Virgin Islands, the release said.

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Banmeet Singh operated a global dark web enterprise to send fentanyl and other deadly and dangerous drugs to communities across America in all 50 states as well as Canada, Europe, and the Caribbean, said Administrator Anne Milgram of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Over the course of the conspiracy, Singh moved hundreds of kilograms of controlled substances throughout the US and established a multimillion-dollar drug enterprise which laundered millions of dollars of drug proceeds into cryptocurrency accounts, which ultimately became worth approximately USD 150 million.

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In April 2019, Singh was arrested in London, and the US secured his extradition in 2023.

Singh pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

He faces an agreed upon sentence of eight years in prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the US Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors, the release said.

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(with inputs from PTI)
The reported attack was on the USS Lewis B. Puller, which serves as a floating landing base. The Puller was previously stationed in the Arabian Sea as part of American operations to counter Houthi assaults on commercial ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden

Yemens Houthi rebels claimed Monday that they attacked a US Navy mobile base at sea without providing proof, which was quickly denied by an American defence official.

The reported attack was on the USS Lewis B. Puller, which serves as a floating landing base. The Puller was previously stationed in the Arabian Sea as part of American operations to counter Houthi assaults on commercial ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

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Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, the Houthi military spokesperson, stated in a statement that a missile was fired at the Puller in the Gulf of Aden. He provided no proof.

Houthi attacks will continue until the aggression is stopped, and the siege is lifted on the people of Palestine in the Gaza Strip, Saree said in the statement.

A US defence official, commenting on the condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence concerns, stated that there had been no reported attack on the Puller. However, the Houthis have already launched missiles that missed their intended target and crashed onto land or water.

The Puller functioned as a mobile base for US Navy SEALs who carried out an operation on January 11 to seize Iranian-made ballistic missile and cruise missile components suspected to be heading for Yemen. Two SEALs were missing during the mission and are thought to have perished.

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Since November, militants have regularly attacked ships in the Red Sea in response to Israels onslaught against Hamas in Gaza. But they have frequently targeted vessels with tenuous or no clear links to Israel, imperiling shipping in a key route for global trade between Asia, the Mideast and Europe.

The Houthis hit a commercial vessel with a missile on Friday, sparking a fire that burned for hours.
HMD Global is gearing up to launch its first HMD brand smartphone, as announced in September 2023. A report by the Finnish media suomimobiili.fi suggests a new HMD smartphone is on the way.

Reports suggest that HMD Global briefly posted a mysterious image on Nokia.com, later removing it. The picture displayed a woman on a cyan-colored phone, resembling a 3D mockup more than a real device, hinting at HMDs plans.

The design is reminiscent of old Nokia Lumia phones, not seen in the HMD Global era. The back has a box-like camera area with three cameras and a flash, boasting a 108 MP OIS camera. The device also features an HMD logo on the back.

Additionally, an early information page on Nokia.com emphasizes HMDs goal: We want to make phones that you want to commit todurable, fun, secure, fast, and affordable. Real quality, the whole package.

Notably, the leaked information hints at HMDs venture into 108 MP cameras, similar to Nokia Mobiles experimentation with the Nokia 9.3 PureView model in 2020.

According to @evleaks codenames of the upcoming HMD phones are Pulse, Legend, Pulse+, Legend Plus, Pulse Pro and Legend Pro.

As MWC 2024 is around the corner, more details are anticipated at the event in Barcelona at the end of February.

Source
Funtico is a brand new gaming ecosystem where epic fun is fueled by exciting rewards. it aims to bridge the gap between Web2 and Web3 gaming with a comprehensive ecosystem that meets gamers' needs.

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Budapest hosts Chinese New Year celebration events

Xinhua) 13:30, January 29, 2024

BUDAPEST, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- Budapest played host to the 2024 "Happy Chinese New Year", an annual brand activity held to celebrate Spring Festival, marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Hungary on Thursday.

The launch ceremony featured keynotes from Gong Tao, the Chinese ambassador to Hungary, and Janos Csak, Hungary's minister for culture and innovation.

"Today's 'Happy Chinese New Year' launch ceremony not only represents the beginning of Hungary's Year of the Dragon Chinese New Year celebrations, but will also kick off various activities to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Hungary," Gong said.

"The Chinese-Hungarian relations are at their best period in history," he added.

Csak highlighted the historical significance of the relationship. "There has been a long-standing deep kinship and mutual respect between the Hungarian and Chinese people. One of the roots of this is the awareness that we Hungarians also originated from Asia. We are the most westerly eastern people," he said.

"In today's world where conflicts are frequent, the connectivity, dialogue and exchanges between Hungary and China will play a positive role in the harmony of the entire world," the minister added.

Artistic performances like the "Kalotaszeg Dances" by the Hungarian National Folk Dance Ensemble and "Song of Purity and Peace" by the China National Opera and Dance Drama Theater, along with a mixed Hungarian-Chinese choir, added to the ceremony's charm.

It is the first cultural event in Hungary's 2024 "Happy Chinese New Year" series. It will also launch a number of other activities such as the "Southern Fujian Style" cultural performance and the Chinatown New Year fair to celebrate the Chinese New Year with the Hungarian people.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2024.
It was beautiful. It was amazing. Ive never seen scenery like it. We were swimming in the lakes every day - we just had the best time, it was so beautiful. So thank you for having me in your gorgeous country.
France's top farmers' union won a number of concessions from the government on Friday after it blockaded major routes into Paris in protests focused on pay, taxes and regulations.
Construction is underway on the new Latter-Day Saints meetinghouse in Fruita, after the previous building was destroyed by an arson fire. Last week, it was reported that the 2022 conviction of the juvenile for arson, burglary and criminal mischief was vacated by the Colorado Court of Appeals.
A specimen from a rarely seen bat species, called a spotted bat, that was collected in the McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area has been added to the Colorado State Universitys biology teaching collection.

The Sentinel previously reported that the specimen, collected last year, was added to the Denver Museum of Nature and Sciences collection. However, Colorado Parks and Wildlife Species Conservation Program Manager Dan Neubaum said the specimen was given to CSU, which did not have a spotted bat specimen in its collection.

When I reached out to them they were excited about the opportunity to add it to their collection, Neubaum said.

The spotted bat can be difficult to find and study, Neubaum said, but it is not in fact endangered in the state of Colorado. It is an elusive species, Neubaum said, but one that does occur on Colorados Western Slope.

Its ability to detect mist nets often keeps it from getting caught when were out doing bat surveys, Neubaum said. So its rare for people working with bats to turn this species up, just because we believe they are good at avoiding our methods or our capture devices.

The deceased bat was discovered last year by a Colorado Canyons Association volunteer. Neubaum was contacted by CCA and helped collect the specimen, which was near a local trail.

We dont have a lot of specimens of (spotted bats) in our museum collections, Neubaum said. When I heard about this one, when the email got shared with me from the Colorado Canyons Association, I jumped on it and hustled out there to see if I could find it. Recovering it, if it was in good shape, could mean that I could send it over to one of the collections. Then they could use it for science.

Neubaum said students at CSU could use the specimen for research using modern methods like isotope analysis of the hair.

Im a big proponent of trying to get accidental mortalities or specimens like this that turn up on the landscape into museums like that so they can ask additional questions and we can learn more, Neubaum said.

This spotted bat isnt the first one Neubaum has collected in the Grand Valley, he said. A local resident discovered one hanging from an exterior wall, which CPW collected.

There was one that had passed away just hanging on a wall on someones back patio, Neubaum said. It had been there for so long that it was actually kind of desiccated and mummified. When they finally noticed it they called me and I went out and collected it.

Other than found specimens, Neubaum said Colorado takes part in the North American Bat Monitoring Program (NABat) every summer. That includes acoustic surveys that monitor bats in the area, including in Mesa County, Neubaum said.

For the spotted bat, because its so elusive, when they turn up its great because its a small bit of additional information about where they are occurring, Neubaum said. Until we get other additional new ways to study them, those acoustic surveys that we do every year, every summer, for North American Bat are probably our best tool for learning more about that species in particular.
Lifesaving programmes in peril, UNRWA chief urges countries to reconsider funding suspension

27 January 2024 - The head of the UN agency assisting Palestine refugees (UNRWA) said on Saturday that some countries' decisions to halt funding will jeopardize its lifesaving programmes, urging them to reconsider.

It was "shocking" to see the suspension of funds in reaction to allegations against a small group of staff, Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner General, said in a statement.

"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."

Mr. Lazzarini urged the countries that suspended their funding to re-consider their decisions before UNRWA is forced to suspend its humanitarian response.

"The lives of people in Gaza depend on this support and so does regional stability," he said.

He also noted the immediate action UNRWA took by terminating the staffers' contracts and asking for a transparent independent investigation.

Nine countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom and Germany, have suspended funding to UNRWA following allegations that several Agency staff were involved in the 7 October terror attacks in southern Israel.

Investigation will establish the facts

Mr. Lazzarini said that the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), the highest investigative body in the UN system, has already been seized of the matter.

"An investigation by OIOS into the heinous allegations will establish the facts," he said.

"Moreover, as I announced on 17 January, an independent review by external experts will help UNRWA strengthen its framework for the strict adherence of all staff to the humanitarian principles," he added.

Lives at stake

Mr. Lazzarini cited Friday's ruling from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that ordered Israel to take measures to enable humanitarian assistance for people in Gaza.

"The only way that this can be done is through cooperation with international partners, especially UNRWA as the largest humanitarian actor in Gaza," he said.

Over two million people in the Gaza Strip depend on the Agency for their survival. UNRWA runs shelters for over one million people and has been providing food and healthcare to civilians in dire need since the start of the conflict.

Its programmes are all the more vital given the looming threat of famine in the war-battered enclave.

UNRWA was established by the UN General Assembly in 1949 with a mandate to provide humanitarian assistance and protection to registered Palestine refugees. In addition to the Gaza Strip, the Agency operates in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.

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Announcement of U.S. Casualties in Northeast Jordan, near Syria Border

U.S. Central Command

USCENTCOM

Jan. 28, 2024

Release Number 20240128-01

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAMPA, Fla. -- On Jan. 28, three U.S. service members were killed and 25 injured from a one-way attack UAS that impacted at a base in northeast Jordan, near the Syria border.

As a matter of respect for the families and in accordance with DoD policy, the identities of the servicemembers will be withheld until 24 hours after their next of kin have been notified.

Updates will be provided as they become available.

-30-



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January 28, 2024

Release

Statement From Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on an Attack Against U.S. and Coalition Forces in Northeastern Jordan Near the Syria Border

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 lasting defeat of ISIS. These brave Americans and their families are in my prayers, and the entire Department of Defense mourns their loss.

Iran-backed militias are responsible for these continued attacks on U.S. forces, and we will respond at a time and place of our choosing.

The President and I will not tolerate attacks on American forces, and we will take all necessary actions to defend the United States, our troops, and our interests.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3658472/

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Statement on UNRWA

Government of Norway

News story | Date: 28/01/2024

Statement by Norway's minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Espen Barth Eide, on the UN Works and Relief Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

The allegations that UN staff were involved in the horrific terror attack on October 7 are deeply concerning. Norway welcomes the investigation by UNRWA and expect full transparency from the organization. We have condemned the attack on October 7 in the strongest possible terms. The individuals involved in the attack must be brought to justice. We continue to call for the immediate release of all hostages held in Gaza.

The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. 80 percent of the people in Gaza are displaced, many are sheltering in overcrowded schools. Thousands of civilians have been killed, including children, more than 150 UNRWA staff, as well as teachers, doctors, journalists and countless others who are not party to the conflict. There is a shortage of both food and water, and access to healthcare is deeply insufficient. UNRWA is a lifeline for almost 2 million people in Gaza.

Norway is a major donor to UNRWA. Currently, some countries have paused their aid to the Palestinian people through UNRWA in this situation. Norway has decided to continue its funding. While I share the concern over the very serious allegations against some UNRWA staff, I urge other donors to reflect on the wider consequences of cutting funding to UNRWA in this time of extreme humanitarian distress. We should not collectively punish millions of people.

We must distinguish between what individuals may have done and what UNRWA stands for. UNRWA has 30,000 staff across Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank including East Jerusalem, and Gaza. 13,000 of these work in Gaza to distribute aid, save lives and ensure the population's essential needs and rights. The people of Gaza urgently need humanitarian assistance and must not pay the price for the actions of others.



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Killing of US soldiers in Jordan tied to Israel's war on Gaza: Hamas

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jan 28, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas says the killing of three US soldiers in a drone attack on their barracks in Jordan is directly tied to US support for Israel's war on Gaza.

Member of Hamas politburo Sami Abu Zuhri said late on Sunday that the deadly attack earlier in the day on US soldiers on the border between Jordan and Syria was a clear message to Washington that it must stop supporting the Israeli genocide in Gaza.

"The killing of three American soldiers is a message to the US administration that unless the killing of innocents in Gaza stops, it must confront the entire (Muslim) nation," he told Reuters.

US officials said on Sunday that three service members had been killed and more than 30 others had been injured in a drone attack on Tower 22, a small US outpost in Jordan near the border with Syria.

The attack is the deadliest on US troops since the start of the war in Gaza in early October when resistance groups in the region launched a military campaign against US and Israeli interests to force them to end the aggression against Palestine.

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US, Israeli positions come under fresh attacks by resistance fighters

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jan 28, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- The Iraqi Islamic Resistance and the Lebanese Hezbollah Resistance Movement have conducted separate attacks on US and Israeli positions in the region.

Citing the Beirut-based Al Mayadeen news network, IRNA reported on Sunday that Iraq's Islamic Resistance targeted a US military base at Erbil airport, in northern Iraq, by several drones.

Earlier in the day, Iraq's Islamic Resistance targeted the Zevulun naval facility near Israel's port city of Haifa. Also, the US military bases in Syria, including Ash Shaddadi, At Tanf and Al-Rukban came under attack by Iraq's Islamic Resistance.

Israeli media meanwhile reported missile attacks on the towns of Kiryat Shmona and Shalom in the northern Israeli-occupied territories. The missiles, fired by Hezbollah, were guided missiles.

The movement also issued a statement earlier on Sunday, saying that it "directly and precisely" targeted Israel's Birket Risha infantry.

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.

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Iran condemns UNRWA funding suspension as 'endorsement of genocide'

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jan 28, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Iran has condemned the suspension of funding by some Western countries for the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), a lifeline for over two million people in besieged Gaza, saying such a move is an endorsement of war crimes and genocide by the Israeli regime.

"Putting pressure and restrictions on the humanitarian activities of UNRWA or hindering the delivery of humanitarian aid to a nation facing the harsh conditions of war and the imminent threat of genocide is essentially nothing but an endorsement of the narrative of a criminal regime accused of committing genocide," Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani said on Sunday.

The UN and Palestinian officials have called for continued funding for UNRWA's humanitarian work in Gaza after several Western countries announced funding cuts for the agency over Israeli allegations that some of its staff were involved in the October 7 Al Aqsa Storm Operation against the Israeli regime.

Kanaani said the Israeli accusation against UNRWA was "another malicious act" by the occupying regime to complement its inhumane actions against the Palestinian people, and also to justify the restrictions it has imposed on humanitarian organizations in Gaza.

"It is also an attempt to absolve the Israeli regime of committing unprecedented and horrifying crime of the massacre of around 150 employees of these international institutions, including UNRWA, over the past 113 days," he added.

Kanaani said, instead of announcing funding cuts for the UN agency, Western countries had better stopped their military assistance and political support for the Israeli regime and its criminal leaders.

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South Africa to continue with its ICJ genocide case against Israel: Envoy

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jan 28, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- South Africa's Ambassador to Iran Francis Molloy has welcomed an interim ruling delivered by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over the Gaza genocide case that was filed by his country against the Zionist regime, but noted that Pretoria will not stop at this stage and will continue to pursue other issues in the case against Israel.

South Africa filed its case at the Hague-based 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.

We published the first part of the interview on Saturday. The following is the second part:

Q: The International Court of Justice delivered its interim ruling on Friday over the Gaza genocide case that was filed by South Africa against the Zionist regime. Please give your comments on this decision.

A: First of all, I mean, as South Africa, we did not go around the world to converse support for the case. We did not go around the world to converse support for the case. This was an issue that was discussed in South Africa, in cabinet. The cabinet deliberated on this issue and the cabinet took a decision that we should approach the ICJ to bring this case. But after we filed the case in the ICJ, obviously many other countries came forward expressing support for the cause of action that we have taken. And in fact, many countries, the OIC and everybody else expressed their support. I do know that countries like Malaysia and others have indicated that they will consider joining the case when it goes forward.

Because you will recall that at this moment, the court is not being asked to decide the cause of action that we have taken. And in fact, many countries, the OIC and everybody else expressed their support. But after we filed the case in the ICJ, obviously many other countries, whether Israel has committed or is committing genocide as we speak right now, the court was simply asked to consider all the evidence that we put before it in order for the court to decide that whatever Israel is doing, these actions could fall within the definition of genocide.

And if that is the case, and we believe that what Israel is doing there fits neatly the definition of genocide as stipulated in the convention, and we want the court in accordance with the rules of court as well as the relevant provisions of the statute of the court to indicate provisional measures that should be in place essentially to stop what is going on. But the case of genocide, I think it will still be decided. I don't know, some people say it might take a year or two or so. And we think that probably during that time, there will be more countries that will be joining the process. And we believe that there will be more countries joining us and supporting the merits of our case, as other countries, the partners of Israel have also done. And we believe that there will be more also indicated. I think it was Germany that came forward to say, we as Germany will want to join the ICJ case on the side of Israel. And I think the very kind gesture that Parliament in this case has shown to our president is a very good indication of, I guess, the support that the that we enjoy and we believe that probably going forward there will be more countries joining in the case to argue the merits of the case going forward.

Even though, as I say, that is not the main issue that we approve, but I think it will be very significant if the court were to come with provisional measures that are very clear. For instance, directing that Israel stop the indiscriminate bombardment of Gaza, stop displacing people, allow humanitarian aid to come in and take measures that will ensure that these genocidal acts are stopped. So that will be a huge boost because if these provisional measures are granted, they will be granted on the basis of the evidence that is there. And I think it will be very difficult for anybody to argue that no genocide is taking place there. Because as I say, I mean, the actions that we, the Israel armed forces, for instance, have perpetrated, in Gaza are consistent with the genocidal statements that were made. And I will be very surprised if the court does not indicate some measures that could bring a stop to what is going on right now. And going forward, I think we have a strong case on the merits. And that a year later or two, that the verdict will be in favor of South Africa in this case.

Q: The Gaza war has influenced many people around the world, especially in Western countries. For example, a young girl, who has recently converted to Islam, posted a video of herself on her account on social media. She said: "It is not us who help Palestine, it is Palestine that helps us to wake up." What is your opinion on that?

A: I think in the history of, in the last, I don't know, 70 or 80 years, this is the first time that the world witnesses, genocide taking place in full view of the world. I think this is the first time that that has happened. And this has been accompanied by untold brutality by Israel against the Palestinians. And everything is caught on camera. Not only... Not only mainstream, cameras, but social media.

So, the genocide that is unfolding now in Gaza is right on in our social media, on our phones and we are seeing it live. And I think this has shocked the world. And for the first time, the world is beginning to realize exactly what is it that is going on in the world, in Palestine and Gaza in particular.

And people are waking up to the reality of the occupation that has been there for over 75 years. And probably this is a wake-up call, really, because the Palestinians have always been under this type of a system and the Palestinians have always been resisting this occupation.

And for the first time, we are given a wake-up call to really see what the truth is.

And that was an important outcome, I would say, of the developments in Gaza. It is still a few people, it is still a few numbers of students, but it is a significant development. Because it means that somewhere, somehow, the truth is beginning to be revealed. And, you know, they say that Buddhists say there are two things in life that can never remain hidden forever. The first one is the moon. The second one is the truth.

And in this case of Gaza and Palestine as a whole, the truth is coming out.

And when these activists say the kind of things that they are saying in social media, or on the streets, in the capitals of the world, it is the truth. It is a wake-up call.

And we hope that that wake-up call is not only limited to ordinary civilians, that governments will wake up to that as well.

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Netanyahu seeks to continue Gaza war for political goals: Hamas

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jan 28, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- A member of Hamas political bureau has said the Palestinian resistance movement seeks a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, but Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants to continue the war due to personal and political reasons.

"Hamas is eager to achieve a full ceasefire in Gaza, but Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of the Zionist regime, seeks the continuation of the war," Hessam Badran said on Sunday, according to the Palestinian Samaa TV.

The Hamas official said that Netanyahu continues to lie about the war in Gaza as he is fully aware that eliminating Hamas is an impossible task.

"Netanyahu puts his personal interests above all else," Badran said. "Netanyahu poses a real threat to regional and global stability, and he is seeking to prolong the war for his personal and political goals."

Badran stated that the call for Hamas leaders to leave the Gaza Strip is unrealistic, emphasizing that it is the occupying forces that should leave the Palestinian territory.

The elimination of Hamas was among the stated goals of the Israeli war cabinet led by Netanyahu when the regime unleashed the ongoing war on Gaza in early October following Operation Al Aqsa Storm by the Palestinian resistance movement. Analysts however say the ambitious goal is impossible to achieve.

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Iraq's Islamic Resistance strikes Israeli naval facility

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jan 28, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Iraq's Islamic Resistance in a show of solidarity with the Palestinian people has launched a drone attack on naval facilities in the Israeli-occupied territories.

Citing the Alnujaba, IRNA wrote on Sunday that the strike by Iraq's Islamic Resistance has targeted the Zevulun naval facility near the port city of Haifa.

Accordingly, while the extent of damage and casualties is currently unknown, the attack serves as a powerful message against Israel's months-long genocidal war on Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a coalition of anti-terror fighters, took responsibility for the strike.

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The Netherlands halts UNRWA funding

Government of the Netherlands - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

News item | 28-01-2024

The Netherlands has halted any future funding of UNRWA, the UN aid organisation for Palestine refugees. Foreign trade and development minister Geoffrey van Leeuwen made this decision after UNRWA announced an investigation into allegations that some of its staff members were involved in the 7 October terrorist attacks on Israel.

Mr Van Leeuwen has decided that UNRWA will receive no Dutch funding until the investigation is concluded, not even in response to new requests because of the situation in Gaza.



'These accusations are simply too serious,' the minister said. 'We first need to know the full results of this investigation and what further steps the United Nations will take. The Netherlands will continue providing humanitarian aid to the civilian population in Gaza through other channels.'

UNRWA is receiving 19 million from the Dutch development budget this year. This is a regular contribution which has already been paid.

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Israel has jailed over 6,000 Palestinians since October 7: Report

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 28 January 2024 11:53 PM

The Israeli regime has jailed at least 6,330 Palestinians since October 7, 2023, when it launched a genocidal war against the besieged Gaza Strip and intensified its aggressive raids across the occupied West Bank.

According to the Palestinian Information Center, the Sunday report was released jointly by the Palestinian Commission of Detainees Affairs and the Palestinian Prisoners' Society (PPS).

Noting that the number of Palestinian children detained during the said period stands at 400, the report added that 30 of the youngsters were being held in administrative detention.

Administrative detention is an inhumane policy exercised by Israel, which allows the regime's authorities to incarcerate Palestinians indefinitely without pressing formal charges or putting them on trial.

"The number of administrative detainees in Israeli prisons is the highest since the 1987 [Palestinian] uprising [against the Israeli occupation], surging to 3,291 administrative detainees by the end of last December," the PPS said.

The number of administrative detainees has, accordingly, gone higher than the prisoners serving ordinary sentences or awaiting trial, the society noted.

Tensions have been high across the West Bank since Israel launched its genocidal war against Gaza following an anti-Israeli operation by the territory's resistance movements, dubbed Operation Al-Aqsa Storm.

According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, as many as 373 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces throughout the occupied territory since the onset of the aggression, with over 4,300 others injured.

In the Gaza Strip, at least 26,422 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed and over 65,000 others injured as a result of Israel's brutal military onslaught.

The PPS, meanwhile, said there are currently 11 Palestinian women, out of 90 female prisoners held at the Damon jail in the northern part of the occupied Palestinian territories, who have been administratively detained with no indictment or trial.

It added that Israel has recently issued a four-month administrative detention order against lawyer and human rights activist Diyala Ayesh after she was kidnaped by the regime's forces at a checkpoint in the north of the West Bank city of Bethlehem.

The society added that over 50 other women have forcibly disappeared after being kidnapped by Israeli forces from Gaza recently.

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UN urges reversal of funding pause for UNRWA, warns aid for about 2mn Gazans at stake

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 28 January 2024 10:36 PM

The United Nations has urged the countries that have paused funding for the world body's Palestinian refugee agency, UNRWA, to reverse their decision, warning that aid for some two million people in the besieged Gaza Strip is at stake.

"...I strongly appeal to the governments that have suspended their contributions to, at least, guarantee the continuity of UNRWA's operations," UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA's commissioner general, urged those countries to "reconsider their decisions before UNRWA is forced to suspend its humanitarian response."

At least nine countries, including the United States and some of its allies, have paused their funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, citing allegations by the Israeli regime that some of its employees were involved in the Palestinians' anti-regime operation on October 7, 2023, dubbed Operation Al-Aqsa Storm.

The decision came amid the genocidal war that the Israeli regime has been waging against Gaza since that operation was staged. The regime's war of aggression has so far killed more than 26,400 Palestinians, mostly women and children, with over 65,000 others injured.

Since the onset of the war, most of Gaza's 2.3 million people have become more reliant on the aid that UNRWA provides, including about one million who have been displaced by the Israeli bombardments.

Norwegian Refugee Council: Do not starve children

"Donors, do not starve children," said Jan Egeland, the secretary general of the Norwegian Refugee Council, while Michael Fakhri, a UN-appointed expert on the right to food, warned that the funding cuts meant that famine was now "inevitable" in Gaza.

"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 to UNRWA declared themselves partners in this war and collective punishment," Yamen Hamad, who lives at an UNRWA-run school in Deir Al-Balah in central Gaza Strip, was quoted by Reuters as saying.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, for his part, said he was surprised by the move to pause UNRWA funding, adding that it would lead to more suffering for Palestinians.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry has also urged countries that have paused funding for UNRWA to reconsider their move.

On Sunday, Iran condemned Israel's allegations against UNRWA's employees as yet another "malicious" move and part of the regime's "inhumane" treatment of Palestinians.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kan'ani said Israel has leveled the allegations to justify its restrictions on humanitarian organizations active in the besieged Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territories, said the governments cutting funds to UNRWA were most likely violating their obligations under the UN Genocide Convention.

Albanese also highlighted the timing of the defunding, which came a day after the International Court of Justice's conclusion that Israel was plausibly committing genocide in Gaza.

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More killed as Israel bombs school housing displaced civilians in Gaza

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 28 January 2024 7:12 PM

A number of Palestinian civilians have been killed and dozens more injured after Israeli artillery bombed a school housing displaced people in the southern Gaza Strip.

Medical sources said that the incident took place in the al-Amal neighborhood, west of the city of Khan Younis, on Sunday, the Palestinian WAFA agency reported.

Several people were also injured after the Israeli army targeted the Kuwait Roundabout in Gaza City, north of the strip.

More civilians were killed and wounded in an Israeli bombing that targeted a residential apartment east of the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza.

More deaths and destruction in the Gaza Strip as Israel bombs nearly two dozen locations 114 days into its onslaught on the territory. The regime has killed 165 Palestinians and injured 290 others in one day.

Doctors Without Borders says Gaza no longer has a functioning healthcare system.

The Israeli genocide in the Gaza Strip has led to mass displacement of Palestinians in the coastal territory.

Under relentless bombing since October 7, residents of the strip were first pushed further south, which did not prove safe.

They're now moving to the small southernmost city of Rafah, which the Israeli military told them would be safe.

Rafah is a small city on the border with Egypt and is hosting around 1.5 million displaced Palestinians.

The city is facing a severe shortage of resources. And Israel is launching strikes on civilians in Rafah. The dire situation is a testament to the United Nations reports that there is no haven in Gaza for the displaced.

The death toll from the nearly four-month genocide now stands at 26,422, most of them children and women.

Meanwhile, a UN expert slams countries that have paused funding for UNRWA, saying their decision overtly defies the order by the International Court of Justice to allow humanitarian assistance to reach Gaza.

Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territories, said the governments cutting funds to UNRWA are most likely violating their obligations under the Genocide Convention.

Albanese also highlighted the timing of the defunding, which came a day after the International Court of Justice's conclusion that Israel is plausibly committing genocide in Gaza.

Several Western countries, including the US and UK, have suspended funding to UNRWA following Israeli allegations that some of the agency's staff were involved in Hamas' October 7 operation.

Head of UN agency for Palestinian refugees calls on states to reverse decision to impose 'additional collective punishment' on Gaza.

Iran has also condemned Israel's allegations against several employees of the Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA as yet another "malicious" move and part of the regime's "inhumane" treatment of the Palestinians.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kan'ani said on Sunday that Israel has leveled the allegations to justify its restrictions on humanitarian organizations active in the besieged Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank.

He said the accusations also seek to make Israel get away with the unprecedented and heinous crime of killing at least 150 members of international institutions, such as UNRWA, since early October.

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Germany failed to persuade Hezbollah to stop retaliatory strikes against Israel: Report

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 28 January 2024 6:56 PM

A Lebanese daily newspaper has revealed that a recent meeting between the deputy director of German intelligence and a top Hezbollah official failed to convince Lebanon's resistance movement to stop its retaliatory strikes against the Israeli regime in support of Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip.

The Beirut-based Al-Akhbar daily said in a report on Saturday that the meeting took place around two weeks ago between Uli Diyal, deputy director of Berlin's foreign intelligence, and Sheikh Naim Qassem, Hezbollah's deputy secretary general.

The meeting was in line with "Western efforts to separate the Lebanese front from the Palestinian front," the Lebanese daily said, adding that, "The Germans were unable to persuade the resistance to stop its operations or to promote the idea of separating the fronts."

Citing sources, the report said, "Sheikh Qassem emphasized the resistance's decision and its ability to defeat the enemy if it expanded its aggression. He refused to enter any discussion [on ending operations] before stopping the war on Gaza, urging Germany to put pressure on Israel to stop the war."

The Hezbollah official added, "Unless the war stops in Gaza, it cannot stop in Lebanon."

Earlier in the month, the Lebanese daily newspaper said White House advisor Amos Hochstein had visited Beirut and told officials that Hezbollah must withdraw from the southern border.

"Otherwise, Israel will launch a war against Hezbollah, which, along with Lebanon, must learn from what happened in Gaza," Hochstein threatened.

Since the beginning of Hezbollah's near-daily attacks on the Israeli-occupied territories in support of Gaza in early October, Western governments have been pressuring Lebanon on behalf of the illegal entity to stop its retaliatory strikes.

The Israeli regime launched its hostilities in the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023, after the territory's Hamas-led Palestinian resistance groups launched surprise Operation Al-Aqsa Storm against the occupyiers.

The Israeli military has also been conducting attacks against the Lebanese territory since then, prompting retaliatory strikes from Hezbollah in condemnation of the regime's bombardment of Gaza.

The movement has vowed to keep up its retaliatory operations as long as the Tel Aviv regime continues its onslaught on Gaza.

Israel has killed more than 26,000 people, most of them children and women, in Gaza since early October.

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Arab League holds session to discuss ICJ ruling on Israeli genocide in Gaza

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 28 January 2024 5:31 PM

The Arab League has begun an extraordinary session to reach a "unified Arab stance" in the aftermath of the International Court of Justice (ICJ)'s interim ruling on the brutal Israeli aggression against Gaza.

According to the Palestinian WAFA agency, the Palestinian delegation to the meeting is led by the Ambassador of the State of Palestine to the Arab League, Muhannad Al-Aklok, along with several senior advisors.

The meeting, called by Palestine in coordination with Egypt and Jordan, will formulate a unified Arab stance in response to the recent measures issued by the ICJ against the Israeli regime.

"The meeting aims to take comprehensive measures to prevent prohibited acts under the Genocide Convention, ensure the immediate provision of urgent humanitarian needs for the Gaza Strip, and hold Israel accountable for incitement to genocide in Gaza," it said in a statement.

In its interim ruling, the ICJ ordered Israel to take all measures within its power to prevent genocide in Gaza, saying the regime must ensure its forces do not commit genocide and also ensure the preservation of evidence of alleged genocide.

It also urged the regime to report back in one month.

The court obliged Israel to take more measures to protect Palestinians but did not order it to end military operations in the Strip.

South Africa 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."

Two days after the ruling was announced by the top UN court based in The Hague, the genocidal war perpetuated by Israel on Gaza continues and Palestinians continue to be killed in cold blood and through deliberate starvation.

More deaths and destruction in the Gaza Strip as Israel bombs nearly two dozen locations 114 days into its onslaught on the territory. The regime has killed 165 Palestinians and injured 290 others in one day.

The death toll from the nearly four-month genocide now stands at 26,422, most of them children and women.

Meanwhile, the Gaza media office says the regime has killed 120 reporters in the coastal strip since the aggression began.

Israel's indiscriminate bombings have also destroyed much of the Gaza Strip and its infrastructure, including hospitals. Doctors Without Borders says Gaza no longer has a functioning healthcare system.

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.

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Three US troops killed, dozens injured in drone attack in Jordan

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 28 January 2024 5:17 PM

A drone attack on a small US outpost in Jordan has left three American service members dead and at least 25 others injured.

The attack took place at Tower 22 in Jordan near the border with Syria on Sunday, marking the first US troops to have been killed in the region since the beginning of the Gaza war in early October.

In a statement, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that three American soldiers were killed and 25 injured in a one-way drone attack that "impacted at a base in northeast Jordan."

"On January 28, three US service members were killed and 25 injured from a one-way attack UAS that impacted at a base in northeast Jordan, near the Syria border.

The CENTCOM said, in accordance with DoD policy, the identities of the service members will be withheld until 24 hours after their next of kin have been notified.

A US official told Reuters news agency that at least 34 service members were being examined for possible traumatic brain injury.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq released a statement claiming responsibility for the drone attack on Al-Tanf base at the Syria-Jordan border.

In December, US officials said that military bases housing American troops in Iraq and Syria had been attacked at least 97 times since October 17.

A message to US: Hamas

The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas said the attack sent a clear message to the United States.

"The killing of three American soldiers is a message to the American administration that unless the killing of innocent people in Gaza stops, it must confront the entire Ummah," Sami Abu Zuhri, a senior Hamas spokesperson, said in a statement.

"The continuation of the American-Zionist aggression against Gaza is capable of setting the entire region ablaze," he added.

Islamic Jihad: Natural, legitimate response to US presence in region

The Palestinian Islamic Jihad also reacted to the attack while condemning the US administration's warning that it would lead to escalation of situation in the region.

"The operation that targeted American forces came as a natural and legitimate response to the US presence as an occupying force in our region," the Palestinian movement said.

It added that the operation was also a response to the United States' "shameless support" for the genocide waged by the Israeli regime "against our people in the Gaza Strip for nearly four months, which the American administration leads and provides cover for at all levels."

The latest attack comes amid escalating tensions in the region as Israel continues its brutal war against the Gaza Strip.

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 26,400 Palestinians, mostly women and children.

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Iran condemns Israel's 'malicious' move against UNRWA staff in Gaza

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 28 January 2024 3:56 PM

Iran has condemned Israel's allegations against several employees of the Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA as yet another "malicious" move and part of the regime's "inhumane" treatment of the Palestinians.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kan'ani said on Sunday that Israel has leveled the allegations to justify its restrictions on humanitarian organizations active in the besieged Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank.

He said the accusations also seek to make Israel get away with the unprecedented and heinous crime of killing at least 150 members of international institutions, such as UNRWA, since early October.

The Iranian official also deplored the move by Western countries to cut UNRWA funding against the backdrop of the Israeli allegations.

"Such a behavior practically means accepting the claims of a criminal regime, which, according to a ruling issued by the International Court of Justice, stands accused of genocide of the Palestinians and must be held accountable before this court and the world's public opinion," Kan'ani stated.

He said pressuring UNRWA and restricting its activities or preventing the delivery of humanitarian aid to the people who are suffering from critical war conditions and are facing the threat of genocide indicates nothing but the declaration of trust in the story of a war criminal.

Instead of announcing their decision to suspend funding for UNRWA, those countries had better halt their military and diplomatic assistance to Israel, the Iranian official said.

Iran calls on all freedom-seeking nations, particularly the Muslim countries, to resist Israel and make every effort to support the Palestinians, Kan'ani said.

The United States announced on Friday that it was halting funding to UNRWA because of the Israeli allegations against the agency's 12 employees.

Canada and Australia followed suit and announced a similar funding pause to UNRWA, which is a critical source of support for people in Gaza.

On Saturday, Britain, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Scotland, and Finland joined the United States in pausing the funding.

Ireland and Norway, however, expressed continued support for UNRWA, saying the agency does crucial work to help the displaced Palestinians in Gaza.

Israel made the allegations on the same day the International Court of Justice issued an interim ruling on the emergency measures requested by South Africa in connection with the regime's war on Gaza.

In its ruling, the ICJ ordered Israel to take all measures within its power to prevent genocide in Gaza, saying the regime must ensure its forces do not commit genocide and also ensure the preservation of evidence of alleged genocide.

In a post on his X account on Friday, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian hailed the ICJ ruling and reiterated Iran's support for South Africa's initiative.

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UK admits to 'lack of capability' to target Yemeni positions in Red Sea: Report

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 28 January 2024 3:42 PM

Britain's Royal Navy has reportedly admitted to a lack of "capability" and necessary missiles to target the positions of Yemen's Armed Forces and its popular Ansarullah resistance movement in the Red Sea.

Yemen has been ramping up attacks in support of the Palestinians on vessels either owned by Israel or headed to the occupied territories in the strategic waterway.

On Sunday, Britain's broadsheet newspaper Daily Telegraph quoted an unnamed UK defense source as saying that HMS Diamond, the Royal Navy destroyer stationed in the Red Sea, lacks "the capability to fire to land targets."

HMS Diamond, the source said, was instead involved in downing "Houthi drones targeting shipping in the Red Sea," with the only functioning weapons systems on UK destroyers being fixed artillery guns.

Britain has joined the United States in conducting operations against the Yemeni Armed Forces and Ansarullah in an attempt to halt those attacks in the Red Sea. The US Navy has had to carry out the majority of strikes on Yemen's mainland.

"It's clearly a scandal and completely unsatisfactory; this is what happens when the Royal Navy is forced to make crucial decisions which can affect capability," a former senior defense chief told the paper.

"The UK is now having to fly Royal Air Force jets thousands of miles to do the job of what a surface-to-surface missile can do."

Conservative MP Mark Francois, a former armed forces minister, also told the Daily Telegraph that the "lack of a land attack missile from the Royal Navy's surface fleet was specifically highlighted in a defense committee report some two years ago."

"It is disappointing that it is still not yet in operational service."

Yemenis have declared their open support for Palestine's struggle against Israel in the wake of the regime's devastating war on Gaza on October 7, 2023. The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas carried out surprise Operation Al-Aqsa Storm against Israel on that October day.

The Yemeni Armed Forces say they will not stop the Red Sea attacks until Israel stops the ground and aerial offensives in Gaza.

The regime has killed more than 26,400 people in Gaza since early October.



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Jan. 27: 'Axis of Resistance' operations against Israeli occupation

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 28 January 2024 10:23 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 26,200 Palestinians, mostly children and women.

The operations carried out by the Palestinian and regional resistance groups on Saturday, January 27, are as follows:

Al-Qassam Brigades' operations on Jan. 27:

Targeted an Israeli military D9 bulldozer with a Yassin-105 rocket in the Al-Amal neighborhood, west of Khan Yunis city, in the southern Gaza Strip.

Targeted a Merkava tank with a Yassin-105 rocket in Khan Yunis city, southern Gaza Strip.

Al-Quds Brigades' operations on Jan. 27:

Engaged in clashes with Israeli forces and their army vehicles, using machine guns and anti-tank missiles, in the west and south of Khan Yunis city.

Shelled 'Sderot', 'Nir Am,' and other settlements in the Gaza envelope with a barrage of rockets.

Targeted a Merkava tank and two Israeli military vehicles with RPGs in the western axis of Khan Yunis city.

Shelled the Israeli military gatherings around the Abu Safiyah military site east of the Maghazi camp in the central Gaza Strip with a volley of mortars.

Shelled the supply line and Israeli military vehicles' movement with mortars, east of the Maghazi camp in the central Gaza Strip.

Fired of barrage of mortar shells at Israeli regime soldiers and their vehicles in the west and southwest of Khan Yunis City.

Al-Mujahideen Brigades' operations on Jan. 27:

Targeted the deployment and concentration of Israeli regime soldiers west of Beit Lahia with heavy-caliber mortars.

Martyr Omar Al-Qasim Forces' operations on Jan. 27:

Shelled Israeli forces infiltrating Khan Younis with mortars and 107mm rockets.

Clashed with Israeli forces in Baten Al-Samin and Al-Amal neighborhood, and fired an RPG at one of their military vehicles.

Al-Aqsa Brigades' operations on Jan. 27:

Engaged in clashes with Israeli forces west of Khan Younis city in the southern Gaza Strip.

Engaged in clashes with Israeli forces, using appropriate weapons, on the axis of the Al-Atatra area, north of Beit Lahia, in the northern Gaza Strip.

Clashed with Israeli forces on the axes east of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip using appropriate weapons.

Al-Asifah Forces' operations on Jan. 27:

Shelled the gatherings of Israeli forces near the city of Khan Younis in southern Gaza with several short-range rockets and mortars.

Hezbollah's operations on Jan. 27:

Targeted the deployment of Israeli soldiers around the Jal al-Alam site with Burkan IRAM rockets, achieving direct hits.

Targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers, south of the Al-Abad site with rockets, causing direct hits.

Targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers around the Doviv site with rockets, causing direct hits.

Targeted the Khirbet Ma'ar military base with rockets, resulting in direct hits.

Targeted the headquarters of an Israeli military commando unit in the Zibdin barracks in the occupied Shebaa Farms with Falaq-1 rockets, resulting in a direct hit.

Targeted espionage equipment at the maritime Al-Bahri Israeli site with suitable weapons, resulting in direct hits.

Targeted a gathering of Israeli regime soldiers around the Shomera barracks with rockets, resulting in direct hits.

Iraqi resistance's operations on Jan. 27

Attacked US-occupied Conoco military base deep inside Syria with a missile salvo.

Attacked the US-occupied Ain al-Asad military base in western Iraq with drones.





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Defunding UNRWA 'collective punishment' for 2 million Gazans, says chief

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 28 January 2024 10:02 AM

The head of the Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA has said that certain Western countries' decision to defund the UN body is a "collective punishment" that will cut the "lifeline" 2 million people in Gaza depend on.

UNRWA lifesaving assistance is about to end, Philippe Lazzarini wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter On Sunday.

"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 few individuals and as the war continues, needs are deepening and famine looms," he wrote.

"Palestinians in Gaza did not need this additional collective punishment. This stains all of us," he added.

UNRWA announced on Friday that it had opened an investigation after Israel alleged that some of its employees were involved in the Hamas Operation Al-Aqsa Storm on October 7.

"To protect the Agency's ability to deliver humanitarian assistance, I have taken the decision to immediately terminate the contracts of these staff members and launch an investigation in order to establish the truth without delay," Lazzarini said in a statement on Friday.

However, this prompted the US to announce on Friday that it was halting funding to UNRWA because of the Israeli allegations against the agency's 12 employees.

Canada and Australia followed suit and announced a similar funding pause to UNRWA which is a critical source of support for people in Gaza.

Britain, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Scotland, and Finland on Saturday joined the United States in pausing funding to the aid agency.

Ireland and Norway, however, expressed continued support for UNRWA, saying the agency does crucial work to help Palestinians displaced and in desperate need of assistance in Gaza.

The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas, slammed Israeli "threats" against the agency, urging the world body and other international organizations not to "cave in to the threats and blackmail."

Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Secretary General Hussein al-Sheikh said the countries' decision "entails great political and humanitarian relief risks."

"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 wrote on X, urging the countries to "immediately reverse their decision."

Former UK opposition leader, Jeremy Corbyn called the UK's decision to suspend UNRWA assistance an act of "collective punishment" against the people of Gaza.

"Yesterday, the ICJ found a plausible risk of genocide in Gaza. Today, the UK has joined others in suspending funding to UNRWA," Corbyn said in a post on X on Saturday.

On Friday, in a case filed by South Africa against the Israeli regime over genocide in the Gaza Strip the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has found it is "plausible" that Israel has committed acts that violate the Genocide Convention.

Hanan Ashrawi, a Palestinian politician, also slammed the Western countries for making a decision while the issue is still under investigation.

"They don't even ask for an independent investigation or wait for the results of UNRWA's investigation. They immediately take measures against a whole organization that's providing vital services to the captive and slaughtered people of Gaza, on the basis of accusations against 12" Ashrawi wrote in a post on X.

UNRWA has always rejected accusations of ties with Hamas in the past and maintained it is a relief and humanitarian agency.

On the 113th day since the start of the aggression, Israel has killed more than 26,257 Palestinians, mostly women and children and wounded 64,797.

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Top Ansarullah official: US, British vessels 'legitimate targets' for Yemeni forces

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 28 January 2024 8:18 AM

Hours after the United States and Britain launched a fresh series of military strikes in Yemen, a senior member of the Ansarullah resistance movement said that all US and British vessels have now become "legitimate targets."

Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, a member of Ansarullah's political bureau, told Lebanon's Arabic-language al-Mayadeen television news network that Yemeni Armed Forces will continue to strike Israeli-owned ships and vessels heading towards ports in the occupied territories as long as the Israeli onslaught on Gaza continues.

He underscored that "all American and British vessels have become legitimate targets for the Yemeni Armed Forces in response to their direct and declared aggression against the Republic of Yemen."

The high-ranking Ansarullah official went on to say that Yemeni forces are yearning for an outright confrontation with American troops, stating that further deployment of US and British soldiers to Yemen will expand the scope of targets that Yemenis can go for.

"Presence of US and UK special forces on the Yemeni soil will provoke the entire walks of the society, and will bring them together in order to stand up to aggression," Bukhaiti pointed out.

He called on Washington, London and the Tel Aviv regime to immediately stop the devastating military campaign against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip if they want to spare their respective ships from Yemeni retaliatory attacks.

"A British warship was directly struck in the vicinity of a US ship," Bukhaiti noted.

American and British forces conducted a new round of joint air strikes against targets in Yemen, after the United States military said it had destroyed an anti-ship missile in the country following a missile attack on a British oil tanker in the Gulf of Aden.

Yemen's Arabic-language al-Masirah television network reported on Saturday evening that two airstrikes targeted the port of Ras Issa, Yemen's main oil export terminal, in the strategic western province of Hudaydah.

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 in a speech 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.

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Iraqi resistance launches drone attack on Israel's naval facility

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 28 January 2024 6:27 AM

Iraq's anti-terror resistance groups have launched a drone attack on a strategic naval facility in the Israeli-occupied territories in retaliation for the regime's months-long genocidal war on Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, which is a coalition of anti-terror fighters, was cited by the resistance-affiliated Sabereen News as saying that the strike targeted Zevulun naval facility near the port city of Haifa on Sunday

There were no reports on the extent of damage and number of possible casualties.

Lebanon's Arabic-language al-Mayadeen television news network confirmed the drone strike on Zevulun and said the attack was in support of the steadfast Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip.

Last week, the Iraqi resistance groups said they had entered the second phase of their anti-Israel operations, which "ensures enforcing the blockade on Zionist maritime navigation in the Mediterranean and putting the entity's ports out of service."

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq has expanded its targeting circle following the Israeli regime's adamant refusal to implement a ceacefire and put an end to 113 days of brutal aggresssion against Palestinians in Gaza.

Earlier in the day, the Iraqi resistance was reported to have targeted six US occupation bases in Syria and Iraq in reprisal for Washington's unwavering support for the Israeli war on the besiegded territory.

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 64,100 others have been injured.

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Yemen says capable of 'sinking' enemy ships across Red, Arabian, Mediterranean Seas

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 28 January 2024 1:06 AM

Yemen, which has been targeting Israel-linked ships in support of war-hit Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, says it is capable of "sinking" enemy ships at any point across the Red, Arabian, and Mediterranean Seas.

"By the power of God, we are able to sink ships and battleships [from any point on the Yemeni mainland to any point in the Red, Arabian, and Mediterranean Seas]," Deputy Foreign Minister Hussein al-Ezzi wrote in a post on X on Saturday.

"But we leave that for another time," he, however, added, noting, "We are still keen on peace with the least amount of escalation possible."

Yemen's Armed Forces and the country's Ansarullah popular resistance movement have been staging many strikes against Israeli vessels or those bound for the occupied Palestinian territories' ports.

The operations have been described as a response to an October 7, 2023-present war and siege that the Israeli regime has been waging against Gaza following an operation carried out by the Palestinian territory's resistance movements.

Nearly 26,300 Palestinians, some 70 percent of whom are women, children, and adolescents, have been killed in the brutal onslaught so far.

The Yemeni forces have vowed to keep up their operations as long as the Israeli regime presses on with the military campaign.

Several of the Yemeni strikes have targeted American and British vessels.

Most recently, the Armed Forces announced striking a British oil tanker heading towards the occupied territories.

The United States and the UK have also conducted several missile attacks against Yemeni targets in response to the Yemeni operations.

Concluding his remarks, Ezzi said, "Sana'a will certainly encourage the required adjustments in American behavior towards our country and Palestine."

The US has been providing the Israeli war with unreserved military and political support, arming the regime with more than 10,000 tons of military hardware and vetoing all United Nations Security Council resolutions that have called for cessation of the Israeli aggression.





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North Macedonia's Parliament Elects First Ethnic Albanian PM

By RFE/RL's Balkan Service January 28, 2024

SKOPJE -- The parliament in North Macedonia elected the country's first ethnic Albanian prime minister, tabbing Talat Xhaferi to head a new caretaker government tasked with organizing free and fair parliamentary elections on May 8.

The 61-year-old Xhaferi, whose cabinet will include ministers nominated by the opposition, was elected on January 28 with 65 votes in favor out of the 120 seats in parliament, while the main opposition VMRO-DPMNE deputies did not vote.

"I will advocate for ethnic balance and harmony between the communities," Xhaferi told lawmakers, speaking in both the Macedonian and Albanian languages.

VMRO-DPMNE , the largest opposition party, proposed its own candidate and opposed Xhaferi's candidacy.

Xhaferi served as parliament speaker but resigned on January 25 ahead of his election as caretaker prime minister.

About one-quarter of North Macedonia's 1.8 million inhabitants are ethnic Albanians. Tensions have persisted between the majority population and Albanian minority ever since the country's 1991 declaration of independence from the former Yugoslavia.

Tensions erupted into a six-month armed conflict between ethnic Albanian rebels and government forces in 2001, which only ended through the intervention of the international community.

A peace deal granted greater rights to the Albanian minority -- which had complained of discrimination and limited opportunities and representation -- and the two communities have lived in relative peace with no major incidents in recent years.

This is the third time since 2016 that North Macedonia has had a transitional or technical government.

Along with the May 8 parliamentary elections, voting will be held in the second round of presidential elections. The first round will be held on April 24.

North Macedonia began membership talks with the European Union in 2022.

The small Balkan country must meet certain criteria to join, including changing its constitution to recognize a Bulgarian minority -- a highly contentious issue because of the overlapping histories and cultures of Bulgaria and North Macedonia.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/macedonia-first- albanian-prime-minister/32795309.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso Quit ECOWAS Citing 'Threats to Members'

Sputnik News

20240128

The countries denounced "illegal, illegitimate, inhumane and irresponsible sanctions" applied by the bloc.

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.

 Sputnik

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Death Toll From Israeli Strikes in Gaza Strip Rises to 26,422

Sputnik News

20240128

TUNIS (Sputnik) - 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.

"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.

 Sputnik

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Israel Defense Forces Conduct Exercises to Increase Readiness on Northern Border

Sputnik News

20240128

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it has conducted training exercises to increase readiness on the northern border.

"In the last week, the Northern Command conducted intensive training to enhance readiness for combat on the northern border. As part of recent training programs for reservist battalions on the northern front, soldiers of the Northern Paratroopers Brigade (226) and Combat Engineering forces performed training exercises. The exercises prepared troops for combat in densely populated urban areas, winter weather conditions, and in the northern terrain," the IDF said on Telegram.

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.

 Sputnik

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Israel Says Struck Hezbollah Targets After Launches From Lebanon

Sputnik News

20240128

TEL AVIV (Sputnik) - The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Saturday reported multiple launches from Lebanon into northern Israel, and said Israeli fighter jets struck Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon.

"Throughout the day, numerous launches were identified crossing from Lebanon into northern Israel... Earlier today, IDF fighter jets struck a number of Hezbollah terror targets in Lebanon, including a military post and compound used by Hezbollah terrorists in the areas of Blida and Marwahin. Additional terror infrastructure was struck in the area of Ayta ash Shab," the IDF said on Telegram.

It said that following the sound of sirens earlier Saturday in northern Israel regarding hostile aircraft infiltration, the IDF Aerial Defense Array successfully intercepted a suspicious aerial target in Lebanese territory suspected to be approaching Israeli territory.

 Sputnik

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UN Chief Urges Resumption of Funding for Palestinian Aid

By VOA News January 28, 2024

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called Sunday for the United States and other countries to immediately restart funding for the U.N.'s Palestinian relief agency, saying Gaza's displaced people desperately needed the assistance even while the U.N. investigates the role a dozen aid workers allegedly played in October's Hamas attack on Israel.

Guterres warned that without adequate funding for the U.N.'s relief and works agency, aid for more than 2 million Palestinians in Gaza would be scaled back as soon as Thursday, February 1. The U.S. is among nine countries that stopped paying for the agency's $1.6 billion annual budget when the 12 Palestinian relief workers were identified last week as helping carry out the militants' shock assault that killed 1,200 people.

"The abhorrent alleged acts of these staff members must have consequences," Guterres said in a statement, and that they could face criminal prosecution. Nine of the aid workers were immediately fired, one was confirmed dead and officials are clarifying the identity of two others.

Still, Guterres added, "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."

Israel immediately rebuked Guterres for calling for the resumption in Palestinian assistance. Gilad Erdan, the Jewish state's ambassador to the U.N., said that Guterres "has proven once again that the security of the citizens of Israel is not really important for him."

"After years in which he ignored the evidence presented to him personally about UNRWA's support and involvement in incitement and terrorism, and before he conducted a comprehensive investigation to locate all Hamas terrorists in UNRWA, he called to fund an organization that is deeply contaminated with terrorism," Erdan said.

Hamas has been designated a terrorist organization by the United States, United Kingdom, European Union and others.

"Every country that continues to fund UNRWA before a comprehensive investigation of the organization should know that its money might be used for terrorism, and the aid that will be transferred to UNRWA may reach the Hamas terrorists instead of the people of Gaza," Erdan concluded.

The U.N. agency provides basic services, including medical care and education, for Palestinian families who fled or were driven out of what is now Israel during the 1948 war surrounding the country's creation. They now live in built-up refugee camps in Gaza, the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.

The U.S. is the relief agency's biggest financial supporter. But together, the nine countries that stopped paying for the relief work provide nearly 60% of UNWRA's funding. In addition to the U.S., they are Australia, Britain, Canada, Germany, Italy, Finland, the Netherlands and Switzerland.

The dispute over Palestinian relief funding came as two senior U.S. officials said negotiators were reported to be closing in on a cease-fire agreement that would halt the Israel-Hamas fighting for two months and lead to the release of the remaining 100 or so hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.

The emerging terms of the deal would call for the release of the remaining women, elderly and wounded hostages in a first 30-day phase, but details on the release of men were not clear. The pending deal also calls for Israel to allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza.

U.S. Central Intelligence Agency Director Bill Burns was meeting Sunday in Paris 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 to discuss the possible cease-fire.

More than 100 hostages were released in late November during a week-long cease-fire in exchange for 240 Palestinians jailed by Israel. But since then, fighting has been non-stop and no more hostages have been freed.

The Israeli counteroffensive after the October 7 Hamas attack on southern Israel 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 people.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defiantly declared Saturday that Israel will "decide and act according to what is required for [its] security," his 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 has come 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.

Some information for this report was provided by The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.

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Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso Break From ECOWAS

By VOA News January 28, 2024

The West African nations of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso announced Sunday they are leaving regional bloc ECOWAS, the Economic Community of West African States, that has been pressing them to return to democratic rule.

The junta leaders of the three Sahel nations said in a joint statement that it was a "sovereign decision" to leave the ECOWAS "without delay," because the bloc, they said, has imposed "inhumane" sanctions against their countries.

They accused ECOWAS of having "moved away from the ideals of its founding fathers and Pan-Africanism" after nearly 50 years of its establishment and claimed that the bloc is "under the influence of foreign powers."

ECOWAS suspended the three countries following military coups that overthrew their democratically elected governments  in Niger last July, in Burkina Faso in 2022 and in Mali in 2020 and 2021.

Since then, the three countries have formed a defense pact called the Alliance of Sahel States which commits each to come to the other's aid, in defense of its territorial integrity, from internal and external aggression. They have also cut military and cooperation ties with former colonial power France and turned to Russia for security support.

France's decision to withdraw troops from the Sahel  the region along the Sahara Desert across Africa  has increased worries over conflicts spreading southward to Gulf of Guinea states Benin, Ghana, Ivory Coast and Togo.

Struggling with jihadi violence and poverty, the autocratic rulers have argued that their priority is to establish security before restoring democracy in their respective countries, which struggle to contain insurgencies linked to al-Qaida and Islamic State.

In the statement, Niger junta spokesperson Colonel Amadou Abdramane said that ECOWAS "notably failed to assist these states in their existential fight against terrorism and insecurity."

The trilateral decision of the countries to withdraw from the organization delivers a blow to its regional integration efforts, creating uncertainty on how this exit will impact the bloc, where goods and citizens move freely.

According to the bloc's treaty, member states wishing to withdraw must give a written one-year notice. Until then, the countries must continue to abide by the treaty provisions.

The three countries are also members of the eight-nation West African Monetary and Economic Union, UEMOA, that uses the West African CFA franc pegged to the euro.

Some information in this report came from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.

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Statement from President Joe Biden on Attack on U.S. Service Members in Northeastern Jordan Near the Syria Border

January 28, 2024

Today, America's heart is heavy. Last night, three U.S. service members were killedand many woundedduring an unmanned aerial drone attack on our forces stationed in northeast Jordan near the Syria border. 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.

Jill and I join the families and friends of our fallenand Americans across the countryin grieving the loss of these warriors in this despicable and wholly unjust attack. 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. It is a fight we will not cease.

The three American service members we lost were patriots in the highest sense. And their ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten by our nation. Together, we will keep the sacred obligation we bear to their families. We will strive to be worthy of their honor and valor. 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 our choosing.

###

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Tehran has nothing to do with US base attack: Iran's UN mission

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jan 29, 2024

New York, IRNA -- Iran's permanent mission to the United Nations has issued a statement on a deadly drone attack on a US military base in Jordan, saying the Islamic Republic had not role in those attacks.

The representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran at the United Nations on Sunday night told IRNA that Iran had no connection and had nothing to do with the attack on the US base .

It further clarified that there is a conflict between US forces and resistance groups in the region, which reciprocate retaliatory attacks.

The Iranian mission in the UN issued the statement as some of the critics of the administration of US President and hawkish Republicans were in their efforts to link the attack on Al-Tanf base to Iran.

This is while several unnamed American officials were quoted by the media as saying that it remained uncertain the Iranian military was involved in the attack on the US base on the Jordan-Syria border that killed three troops and wounded over three dozen others.

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US not looking for war with Iran: Top American military official

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jan 29, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- A top US military official said on Sunday night that his country is not looking or a war with Iran, adding the Islamic Republic as a regional power does not want it either.

ABC News quoted Charles Brown, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff as saying that the United States is trying to create a delicate balance between its goals of deterrence in the Middle East while protecting the American military.

"Our goal is to deter and protect American forces, not to enter into a full-scale conflict or war," he said.

While pointing to the US policy toward Iran, Brown said: Of course, Tehran is looking for the withdrawal of our troops from Iraq but we will respond if a wider conflict occurs in the region".

"But we must proceed with caution if we have to enter a wider conflict," he further underlined.

The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff reacted to increasing attacks on American bases and facilities by resistance groups. "We have to think about our approach in this field and we cannot predict exactly how each of these groups will react to our actions".

Brown also touched on US airstrikes on Yemen over the Arab country's anti-Israel operations in the Red Sea, claiming that those airstrikes have affected the ability of the Yemeni armed forces to continue attacks on ships.

"But right now, I cannot talk about the extent of this effect," he noted.

The US military official acknowledged his country's comprehensive support for Israel in its war on Gaza but warned against the loss of civilian lives there.

"I am in regular contact with my Israeli counterpart to emphasize the importance of preventing civilian casualties and the need to continue the flow of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip," he added.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the US House Armed Services Committee has said that Iran is not looking for a conflict with Washington.

Adam Smith, in response to the recent attack on the US military base in Jordan, said an appropriate response should be given to this attack, adding however that "it does not appear that Iran directly ordered the attack".

"I don't think Iran is looking to escalate the tension with the United States", Smith stressed.

The United States has been facing harsh condemnations at home and abroad for its support for the regime's genocidal war on Palestinians in Gaza by providing the Zionist regime with weapons and money.

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Iran raps UK for 'baseless' claim on US base attack

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jan 29, 2024

New York, IRNA -- Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Nasser Kanaani has called baseless the UK accusation after a US base attack in Jordan that Iran has been involved in operations of resistance groups in the region.

Kanaani lashed out at British Foreign Secretary David Cameron for his anti-Tehran rhetoric and unfounded claims.

"These claims are made with specific political goals to reverse the realities of the region and also indicate that they are influenced by third parties, including the child-killing Zionist regime", Kanaani noted.

Reactions came after Cameron published a message on X social network, in which, he condemned the drone attack on an American base in Jordan but reiterated that Iran is involved in operations of resistance forces, a claim officials in the Islamic Republic have repeatedly called "baseless".

"We still urge Iran to reduce tensions in the region", Cameron added in his post.

This is while the Islamic Republic has always emphasized that it does not have any proxy group in the region.

Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman warned that the statements and non-constructive actions of some Western officials are threatening regional and international peace and stability

"As we have clearly stated before, the resistance groups in the region are responding the war crimes and genocide of the child-killing Zionist regime and that they do not take orders from the Islamic Republic of Iran. These groups decide and act based on their own principles and priorities as well as the interests of their country and people", he underlined.

Kanaani advised the West to condemn the crimes of the occupying Israeli regime and work to facilitate humanitarian aid to Gaza rather than making baseless accusations against Iran.

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Hezbollah missiles hit Israeli military bases

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jan 29, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Lebanon's resistance movement Hezbollah announced on Monday morning that it has targeted two Israeli military bases across the country's southern border with missiles.

According to Lebanon's Al-Manar TV channel, Hezbollah missiles struck Khirbet Ma'er, an Israeli military base using Falaq-1 missiles.

"We also targeted the Rahab base on the border with occupied Palestine with a Burkan missile", Hezbollah announced.

These attacks followed the martyrdom of three more Hezbollah members in an Israeli strike on southern Lebanon.

The Lebanese resistance group has targeted Israeli military positions in recent weeks as part of its support for the Palestinian resistance in the Gaza Strip, where Israeli assaults have killed nearly 26,500 people in relentless bombing and shelling campaign.

The Israeli regime started its the genocidal war on Gaza on October 7 after Hamas carried out a historic operation against the occupying entity in retaliation for its decades-long atrocities against the Palestinian people.

4399

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Arab countries, bloc slam Western UNRWA funding pause as "collective punishment," "irresponsible"

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 09:14, January 29, 2024

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."

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Russo-Ukraine War - 28 January 2024 - Day 703

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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 on 22 January 2024, Russian authorities reported there had been 220 attacks on military enlistment offices since the conflict began in February 2022. Other statistics from media outlet Mediazona reported 113 attacks on enlistment offices recorded since 26 July 2023. Taken together, these statistics indicate a doubling of arson attacks on enlistment offices over the last six months.

Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) Director Sergey Naryshkin accuses those responsible for the arson attacks of acting at the behest of Western officials. However, the increase in attacks is highly likely due to a greater sense of disaffection with the war amongst the Russian population and especially those who would be mobilised should a second wave of mobilisation be announced. Some of those accused of perpetrating such attacks have been charged with terrorism and treason.

Further mobilisation would be a contradiction to Putin's promise at his 14 December 2023 annual news conference that there would be no further mobilisation  the attacks highly likely suggest a lack of confidence in this promise.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day of January 28, there were 61x combat engagements. Russian forces launched 6x missile and 2 air strikes, carried out 51x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Unfortunately, the Russian attacks have resulted in civilian casualties and injuries. An educational establishment, 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. Russian forces launched an air strike in the vicinity of Chervonyi Khutir (Chernihiv oblast). Around 30x settlements came under Russian artillery and mortar fire, including Bleshnya, Karpovychi (Chernihiv oblast), Veselivka, Chuikivka, Vovkivka (Sumy oblast), Okip, Veterynarne, Vovchans'k, Luk'yantsi, Starytsya (Kharkiv oblast).

Kup'yans'k axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 1x assault east of Pishchane (Kharkiv oblast). In that area Russian forces made failed attempts to breach Ukrainian defense. Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Dvorichna, Petropavlivka, Ivanivka (Kharkiv oblast).

Lyman axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 6x assaults near Terny, Yampolivka (Donetsk oblast). In that area the adversary made attempts to breach Ukrainian defense. Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Makiivka, Nevs'ke, Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Terny, Tors'ke, Verkhn'okam'yans'ke, Spirne, Fedorivka (Donetsk oblast).

Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 2x attacks in the vicinity of Ivanivske (Donetsk oblast), where the occupiers made unsuccessful attempts to improve their tactical situation. More than 10x settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, including Vasyukivka, Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, Klishchiivka, Dyliivka (Donetsk oblast).

Avdiivka axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 16x attacks near Ocheretyne, Novobakhmutivka, Stepove, Avdiivka, and 5x more attacks near Pervomais'ke and Nevel's'ke (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars more than 15x settlements, including Novobakhmutivka, Stepove, Avdiivka, Sjeverne, Pervomais'ke (Donetsk oblast).

Mar'inka axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back the invaders in the vicinities of Heorhiivka, Pobjeda and Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast). In that area, Russian forces made 18x failed attempts to improve its tactical situation. The settlements of Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka, Pobjeda, Novomykhailivka, Paraskoviivka were under Russian artillery and mortar fire.

Shakhtars'ke axis: Russian forces conducted no offenses. Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Vodyane, Prechystivka, Zolota Nyva, Staromaiors'ke (Donetsk oblast).

Zaporizhzhia axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 1x assault south of Pryyutne (Zaporizhzhia oblast). More than 15x settlements, including Poltavka, Chervone, Charivne, Bilohir'ya, Mala Tokmachka, Robotyne, P'yatykhatky (Zaporizhzhia oblast), came under Russian artillery and mortar fire.

Odesa operational-strategic group, Kherson axis: Russian forces fired artillery at the city of Kherson. On top of that, the occupiers launched MLRS strikes at the vicinities of Novotyahynka, Ivanivka and Ponyativka (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 7x unsuccessful assault on positions of Ukrainian troops.

During the day of January 28, the Ukrainian Air Force launched air strikes on 6x concentrations of Russian troops. Also, Ukrainian air defense forces shot down 1x Kh-59 air-launched guided missile.

The Ukrainian missile troops hit 1x artillery system, 1x electronic warfare station of the Russian invaders.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in Kupyansk direction, units of the Zapad Group of Forces, supported by artillery and heavy flamethrower systems, have improved the situation along the front line.

Six attacks by assault groups of 25th air assault, 32nd, 60th mechanised, and 95th air assault brigades of the AFU have been repelled close to Sinkovka (Kharkov region), Novosyolovskoye (Lugansk People's Republic), and Terny (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy losses were up to 150 troops, three motor vehicles, and one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system.

In Krasny Liman direction, units of the Tsentr Group of Forces, supported by artillery and heavy flamethrower systems, have repelled three attacks by assault groups of the 13th Brigade of the Ukrainian National Guard and the 44th Separate Battalion of the AFU near Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk People's Republic) and Yampolovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy losses were up to 120 troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, three motor vehicles, as well as one Akatsiya self-propelled artillery system, and one D-20 howitzer.

In Donetsk direction, as a result of active actions by units of the Yug Group of Forces, in cooperation with artillery and heavy flamethrower systems, three attacks by assault groups of the 24th Mechanised Brigade and the 80th Air Assault Brigade of the AFU have been repelled near Shumy, Kirovo, and Georgievka (Donetsk People's Republic).

In addition, AFU 22nd, 28th, 42nd mechanised, and 17th tank brigades have been hit close to Krasnoye, Andreevka, Kleshcheevka, and Kurdyumovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy losses were up to 330 servicemen killed and wounded, one tank, two infantry fighting vehicles, four pickup trucks, one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, as well as one electronic warfare station.

In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces, supported by artillery, have repelled one attack by an assault group of the 128th Territorial Defence Brigade near Priyutnoye (Zaporozhye region), and defeated the AFU 79th Air Assault Brigade near Novomikhailovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy losses were up to 80 soldiers, two armoured fighting vehicles, two motor vehicles, and one Grad MLRS combat vehicle.

In Zaporozhye direction, units of the Russian Group of Forces, supported by artillery, have hit manpower of 65th, 118th mechanised, 128th mountain assault, 82nd air assault brigades of the AFU and the 3rd Brigade of the Ukrainian National Guard close to Rabotino, Verbovoye, Nesteryanka, and Kamenskoye (Zaporozhye region).

The enemy losses were up to 70 troops, two infantry fighting vehicles, four motor vehicles, and one D-30 howitzer.

In Kherson direction, as a result of fire attacks by units of the 35th Marine Brigade and the 121st Territorial Defence Brigade, the enemy losses were up to 55 Ukrainian servicemen, four motor vehicles, and one D-30 howitzer near Zolotaya Balka and Lvovo (Kherson region).

Missile Troops and Artillery, and unmanned aerial vehicles of the Russian Groups of Forces hit ammunition and fuel depots for AFU military hardware close to Dnepropetrovsk and Zaporozhye regions, as well as neutralised 118 AFU artillery units at firing positions, as well as engaged manpower and hardware in 137 areas during the day.

Air defence facilities have shot down three HIMARS and Uragan multiple-launch rocket system projectiles.

In addition, 28 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles have been destroyed close to Vodyanoye, Belogorovka, Maryinka, Yampolovka, Spornoye, Peski (Donetsk People's Republic), Privolye, Novoznamenka, Shipilovka (Lugansk People's Republic), Novaya Mayachka (Kherson region), Olshana, and Gorobyevka (Kharkov region).

In total, 568 airplanes and 265 helicopters, 11,311 unmanned aerial vehicles, 456 air defence missile systems, 14,814 tanks and other armoured combat vehicles, 1,211 combat vehicles equipped with MRLS, 7,887 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 17,990 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.





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Background Press Call on the Counternarcotics Working Group Trip to Beijing

January 28, 2024

8:05 A.M. EST

MODERATOR: Good morning, everybody. Thanks for joining us on a Sunday morning.

Just to go over the ground rules quick, the call will be embargoed until the conclusion of the call. It's attributable to senior administration officials.

For awareness, but not for reporting, joining us on today's call are [senior administration official] and [senior administration official].

With that, I'm going to waste no time. I'm just going to hand it right over to [senior administration official].

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Thanks, [moderator]. And thanks, everybody, for joining this morning. [Redacted] to be leading the counternarcotics working group meeting that is going to be taking place on the 30th of January.

I think as everybody knows on this call, President Biden has made beating the overdose epidemic a key priority in his Unity Agenda for the nation, including a focus on cracking down on global illicit drug trafficking and disrupting the flow of illicit fentanyl and its precursors.

And as part of that effort, we are focused on pursuing all avenues to effectively reduce the flow of precursor chemicals that fuel the manufacture and distribution of synthetic drugs, including fentanyl.

And I don't think I have to tell anybody here that 100,000 people a year die in the United States from fentanyl overdoses. More people in the United States between the ages of 18 and 49 die from fentanyl than any other cause.

As all of you also know, for years bilateral cooperation between the United States and the People's Republic of China on counternarcotics has been suspended, which has hindered our progress. But that changed during the November 15th meeting between President Biden and President Xi Jinping at Woodside, California.

At that meeting, the leaders announced the resumption of bilateral cooperation on counternarcotics with a focus on reducing the flow of precursor chemicals that fuel illicit fentanyl and synthetic drug production.

And so, we are announcing a this is an announcement to say that that first meeting is happening on January 30th. It will take place in Beijing. This is a key part of the implementation of the resumption of our bilateral cooperation on this effort.

The working group is a whole-of-government effort. It includes a delegation from DOJ, DHS, State, and Treasury. And it is a platform for ongoing coordination to support concrete enforcement actions with the goal of countering the evolving threat of synthetic drugs and to address the supply and distribution of precursor chemicals and pill presses to those who manufacture and distribute these deadly substances.

As I said, [redacted] going to be heading the delegation. We will also be joined by:

Rob Silvers, who's the Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans at the Department of Homeland Security;

Anne Milgram, the Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration;

Troy Miller, who is the Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection at the Department of Homeland Security;

Todd Robinson, the Assistant Secretary at the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement;

Scott Rembrandt, the Deputy Assistant Secretary at the Office of Strategy Policy in the Office of Terrorist Financing and Financial Crimes at the Department of Treasury;

Bruce Swartz, the Deputy Assistant Attorney General and DOJ Counselor for International Affairs at the Department of Justice;

Katrina Berger. She is the head of Homeland Security Investigations;

And Vance Morgan from the White House's Office of National Drug Control Policy.

And through this interagency working group, the United States will pursue a range of efforts across law enforcement actions, efforts to institute precursor chemical controls, monitor emerging front trends, counter illicit finance, and coordinate with other partners to help disrupt the global illicit drug supply chain.

We also think that this working group is so important because it provides the enduring architecture that will help us continue the coordination and the communication that will allow us to help verify what progress we are making and to continue to push for new progress as time goes on.

That said, this working group is, as I said, I think a really critical and pivotal moment for our direct diplomacy and the implementation on this issue. It's by far not the only marker of progress. And our working-level officials from U.S. departments and agencies and PRC ministries meet regularly in Beijing and the United States and continue to do so on a quite regular basis to make progress on the commitments that President Biden and President Xi made and to share information to reduce the flow of precursor chemicals.

I will stop there and, [moderator], turn it back to you.

MODERATOR: Great. I think with that, we'll go ahead and open it up to questions.

Our first question is going to go to Cate Cadell with the Washington Post.

Q Thank you very much for doing this on a Sunday morning. I just want to start by asking: Are you going to come into these meetings with any specific outcome in mind?

And also, Chinese officials who sort of repeatedly indicate that they feel that it's the U.S.'s own inability to crack down on the fentanyl supply in the U.S., I mean, what is your read on how willing they are to make any major changes at home?

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Thanks for that. Maybe I'll take the first question a part of the question, [senior administration official], on PRC actions a and then turn it over to you for the asks, if that makes sense.

Look, I think, as [senior administration official] had mentioned, counternarcotics cooperation has been stalled for quite a number of years. Immediately, though, after the two presidents met last November, China issued a notice to its domestic chemical industry, advising on the enforcement of laws and regulations related to trade and precursor chemicals. This essentially is a notice putting their companies a their chemical companies on notice that they will start to take law enforcement action if there's trade in these precursor chemicals.

A similar notice to industry that China sent out in 2019 led to a drastic reduction in seizures of fentanyl shipments to the United States from China. And so, our expectation is that we'll start to see the same happen in this precursor chemical industry as well.

In addition, we have information that the PRC started taking action against Chinese synthetic drug and chemical precursor suppliers right around the time of the summit and in the following months. So we saw companies shut down. We saw international payment accounts blocked. And this really is the first law enforcement action against synthetic drug-related chemical sellers by Chinese authorities since 2017.

In addition, in November of last year after the two presidents met, for the first time in nearly three years China submitted 145 incidents to the International Narcotics Control Board Global Database. This is the mechanism used to share real-time information internationally about things like shipments and suspected trafficking.

And this information a our hope is that it will help global law enforcement agencies identify trends and conduct intelligence-driven investigations that disrupt illicit synthetic drug supply chains.

And again, we're starting to see reductions in seizures of precursors at some U.S. airports already. I think the nature of the drug trade means that we can't just rest on the laurels of this set of actions that happened right after the summit. The hope is that a and our goal is that we use this working group to drive continued progress. As the drug trade evolves, as we see these chemicals come online, we'll need to continue that coordination with Chinese authorities to ensure they're acting on those new trends and new developments in the drug trade.

But let me stop there after addressing, again, the Chinese actions and turn it back over to [senior administration official] for our expectations coming out of the working group.

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: [Senior administration official], I think you said it perfectly. A big goal of this is continued pressure, continued dialogue, ensuring that we continue to push and encourage joint law enforcement actions, that we open up and improve our dialogue on illicit financing, that we continue to maintain communication about new chemicals as they come online, and that we set up robust information-sharing mechanisms for that communication to happen, and to continue to encourage the PRC to continue to submit information about chemicals to the U.N., as [senior administration official] just indicated.

And so, we are coming in with goals of furthering the work that has already started in very concrete and specific ways.

MODERATOR: Great. Our next question will go to Christina Anderson.

Q Thank you for taking my question. So, I'm wondering: What's to stop them from instead of shipping directly to the U.S., shipping via third countries so that they can sort of evade the whole mechanism?

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Thanks for the question. I'll take a stab at it.

I think what [senior administration official] described and what we've seen is actions with respect to the companies as a whole, which is not specific to them shipping to the United States but it is specific to the companies that supply and distribute regardless of where the chemicals go.

And so, certainly our expectation and our ask and part of our continued dialogue will be to try to ensure that exactly what you're talking about does not happen. That would not be consistent with the goals of what we're trying to achieve here.

MODERATOR: Next, we'll go to Demetri with the FT.

Q Morning. Thank you. Two questions. First, is China having a parallel discussion with Mexico? Or do you have any kind of trilateral discussions with the U.S., Mexico, and China?

And then separately, is there anything that China is not doing right now that you want them to do? Because it sounds like they've started the progress, but are there things that they're reluctant to do that you want them to do?

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Thanks, Demetri. I can take the first part and then turn it over to [senior administration official] to address parts of it.

Certainly, we know that China has started some conversations with the Mexicans on this. I think I'd refer to you to either the Mexican or Chinese government to content a or comment on the content of those.

But certainly, this is a problem that affects multiple different countries. I think the President and Secretary Blinken have both said there are two kinds of countries: those that have a fentanyl problem and know it and those that have a fentanyl problem and don't know it, that it's so quickly spreading.

So this is going to have to be an issue that goes beyond just the U.S., China, Mexico, Canada. It will have to be an issue that is addressed globally as well. And that's our hope through some of the mechanisms that we have set up.

In terms of what China is doing, I think a you know, our initial ask coming out of this summit, as we discussed back then, was really the notice to companies to start focusing in on precursor chemicals, where they were going, know your customer, better labeling, disruption of financial transactions or specific company operations that we knew and we had passed information to the Chinese on, and we've seen that happen.

And I think the next step a again, to [senior administration official]'s point a is really, as we see that trade continue to evolve, there are going to be new companies of concern that pop up. The goal is to use these law enforcement-to-law enforcement mechanisms to pass that information and ensure that there's action and follow-up. That'll have to be a that's not a one-time ask; that is a continual process, I think.

And then I think on the "know your customer" piece, that will be a big part of conversations as well. Proper labeling, ensuring that there's not diversion of some of these dual-use chemicals to cartels and other customers that are known bad actors.

So, again, I think our hope is, in this working group, that we can really start to dig into the specifics. This is such a complicated problem. It's not one that you can use one summit, you know, get action, and then consider it done.

The fentanyl listing back in 2017 was very different because, you know, it was one drug, and that one listing was able to really shut down the trade. The precursor chemicals is just such a much more difficult problem to solve.

[Senior administration official], back to you.

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Yep, what [senior administration official] just said was very comprehensive. I would just add a couple of things.

One, in addition to seeking a situation where the PRC is responsive and acts upon information that we pass to them, I think, ultimately, we'd like to get to a place where the PRC is able to themselves identify and take action with respect to bad actors or actors that are clearly acting in ways that are concerning. So, for example, chemical companies that are advertising and selling very large numbers of chemicals that we know have very limited commercial value, or as [senior administration official] said, companies that are doing bulk shipping by using pre-printed labels and in ways that are kind of clear triggers of certain kinds of deceptive practices.

So a big ask of this trip is to encourage independent action as well.

And then, just on the Mexico point, I will a I just wanted to add that I think a I'm sure you also know the United States has a trilateral working group with Canada and Mexico on fentanyl-related issues. And we have been closely, you know, encouraging and monitoring the conversations that are happening between Mexico and the PRC as well. And I think it's, as I said, really important that this is a multilateral issue, and it's important that all affected nations are engaged in communicating with one another about the scope of the problem.

Q Can I just get one clarification? At the moment, is China only acting when it receives information from the U.S., or is it independently finding that information domestically and acting on that, and then telling the U.S.? Or is it both?

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: There is a combination of those things. As [senior administration official] said, we would like to see more of all of it.

Q Thank you.

MODERATOR: All right. And it looks like that is our last question. So, with that, we'll conclude the call. Thank you all.

8:23 A.M. EST

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Iran successfully launches 3 satellites into orbit

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 28 January 2024 6:18 AM

Iran has successfully put three homegrown satellites into orbit with a minimum altitude of 450 kilometers and a maximum of 1,100 kilometers above the Earth's surface.

Mahda, Keyhan-2 and Hatef-1 satellites were launched from Imam Khomeini Space Launch Terminal in Semnan Province on Sunday by the Simorgh (Phoenix) satellite launch vehicle, which is manufactured by the Iranian Defense Ministry.

Mahda is a research satellite designed, manufactured, assembled and tested at the Iranian Space Research Center. Weighing 32 kilograms, it is a lightweight satellite developed to test advanced satellite subsystems.

Mahda's main task is to assess the performance of the Simorgh launcher in multiple injections of space cargo in low altitudes, as well as evaluate new designs and the reliability of indigenous technologies in space.

Keyhan-2 and Hatef-1 nanosatellites were also designed and developed for launch by Iran Electronics Industries, a state-owned subsidiary of the Defense Ministry.

Both are cubic nanosatellites weighing less than 10 kilograms.

Keyhan-2 is developed for space-based positioning. It has status determination and control subsystems to aim stably and precisely towards the Earth.

Hatef-1 seeks proving the use of narrowband communication technology in the internet of things (IoT).

Despite sanctions imposed by Western countries in recent years, Iran has managed to take giant strides in the civilian space program.

It is among the world's top 10 countries capable of developing and launching satellites.

Last week, the Aerospace Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) launched Soraya satellite into orbit using Qaem 100 satellite carrier.

Iran's Telecoms Minister Issa Zarepour said that for the first time, Simorgh simultaneously put Mahda satellite and two other research payloads into orbit, adding that Mahda's signal was received.

"I congratulate this important achievement to the beloved people and space experts, especially my colleagues at the Iranian Space Research Center and the Defense Ministry," he noted.

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Belarus, Russia to Build 2 Twin-Engine Planes Jointly by 2026

Sputnik News

20240128

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - 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.

"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 isn't 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.

A Sputnik

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Wang-Sullivan meeting creates momentum for future progress in China-US ties, contention on Taiwan question to persist: experts

Global Times

By Chen Qingqing Published: Jan 28, 2024 03:48 PM

Senior Chinese and US diplomats Wang Yi and Jake Sullivan concluded meetings lasting more than 12 hours on Friday and Saturday in Bangkok, Thailand, which were characterized as "candid, substantive and fruitful" strategic communication on implementing the consensus reached by the two heads of state at the San Francisco summit. Chinese experts believe the latest talks signaled that both China and the US hope to stabilize bilateral relations through strategic dialogues, creating momentum for future progress, but the contention between the two countries over the Taiwan question is likely to persist, and potentially intensify.

Chinese Foreign Minister 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, said 2024 marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the US.

The two sides should take this opportunity to sum up experience and draw lessons, treat each other as equals instead of in a condescending way, build common ground and shelving instead of highlighting differences, and respect instead of undermining each other's core interests, Wang said.

Both sides should work together toward mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation, finding the right way for China and the United States to get along with each other, Wang noted.

The meetings, which spanned more than 12 hours over two days, wrapping up on Saturday, are intended to deliver on the agreement reached between the US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the San Francisco summit in November 2023 to restore ruptured diplomatic talks on a range of global security and economic issues like defense and counter-narcotics despite significant disagreements, Reuters said.

During the meeting, Wang stressed that the Taiwan question is China's internal affair, and the election in the Taiwan region cannot change the basic fact that Taiwan is part of China. "Taiwan independence" poses the biggest risk to cross-Straits peace and stability and the biggest challenge to China-US relations. The US side must abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US Joint CommuniquAs, translate its commitment of not supporting "Taiwan independence" into action and support China's peaceful reunification.

In a readout issued by the White House on Saturday, Sullivan underscored the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits.

The latest talks had been planned since the end of last year, primarily as a continuation of high-level US-China interactions following the San Francisco summit between the heads of state, maintaining the consensus reached there, Wu Xinbo, director of the Center for American Studies at Fudan University, told the Global Times on Sunday.

"It also aimed at strategic-level communication on new developments in the situation, especially regarding the Taiwan Straits following the regional elections in the island," Wu said.

Taiwan in focus

The defense authority on the island of Taiwan said on Saturday it detected 11 military planes from the Chinese mainland crossing the "median line" in the past 24 hours. The day before, the authority reported that 23 air force planes from the mainland were operating around Taiwan, carrying out "combat readiness patrols" with Chinese warships, according to Reuters.

A number of US media outlets including Voice of America said the readout from the Chinese Foreign Ministry emphasized its major concerns about the Taiwan question while in contrast, the White House only briefly mentioned the importance of "maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits," and such different expressions might indicate a lack of consensus on the question between the two sides.

Diao Daming, professor at the School of International Studies at Renmin University of China, said he believes there is an area of consensus on the Taiwan question between the two sides.

China's stance is consistent, emphasizing the "two biggest risks," meaning that "Taiwan independence" is detrimental to both China and the US, and at least the US does not support "Taiwan independence," which can be seen as a directional consensus, Diao told the Global Times on Sunday.

"I believe this should contribute to further stabilizing the situation in the Taiwan Straits and controlling and containing 'pro-independence' forces in Taiwan," he said.

Following the regional election in Taiwan, the Biden administration extended its congratulations to DPP's Lai Ching-te, against which China expressed firm opposition. A bipartisan delegation from the US Congress recently reaffirmed support for Taiwan during a visit to the island following the regional elections.

It's evident that the Taiwan question will remain a focal point of US-China contention, Wu said, noting that China's determination against "Taiwan independence" will continue with firm and forceful measures.

"While the US verbally supports the one-China policy and opposes 'Taiwan independence,' it still plays the 'Taiwan card,' saying one thing and doing another. Thus, the US-China contention over the Taiwan question is likely to persist and potentially intensify," he said.

Momentum for future progress

Last May and September, Wang and Sullivan held meetings respectively in Vienna, Austria, and Malta. Some experts said both Austria and Malta are neutral countries in Europe. Although Thailand is not a neutral country as defined by international conventions, as the second-largest economy in Southeast Asia, it maintains healthy and stable relations with both China and the US.

The choice of Thailand as the venue for their meeting sends an important signal that China and the US have many issues to discuss regarding Asia-Pacific affairs and even global matters, experts said.

Both sides also discussed international and regional issues such as the Middle East, Ukraine, the Korean Peninsula, and South China Sea, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

However, some US commentators, citing unnamed US senior official, reported that Sullivan used this occasion to press China to use its influence with Iran to ease tensions in the Middle East, emphasizing on the destabilizing effect of the Houthi attacks on international commerce.

Regardless of the regions, whether it's as far as the Red Sea or close as the South China Sea, East China Sea, or even the Taiwan Straits, the stability and development of all these areas are beneficial to China and align with China's strategic goals and interests. China will commit all its efforts to ensure stability in these regions within its capabilities, LA Xiang, research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Sunday.

"Frankly, we don't need the US to dictate our actions ... The US spreading this speculation during the talks demonstrates a lack of sincerity and an overly calculating attitude," LA said.

During the meetings between Wang and Sullivan, the two sides agreed to continue exchanges at various levels and make good use of current strategic communication channels, as well as diplomatic, military, economic, financial, business, and climate change dialogues and consultations.

The US and China will also hold formal high-level talks in Beijing next week, and will also hold dialogue on AI risks in spring, according to media reports.

The two sides are committed to maintaining this strategic channel of communication and pursuing additional high-level diplomacy and consultations in key areas between the US and China, including through a call between the two heads of state, according to the readout of the White House.

"The meetings also occurred in the final year of the current Biden administration, where the US foreign and security teams are trying to carve out a space for international activity," LA said, noting that the Wang-Sullivan meetings are positive for enhancing communication between the two countries, he remains reserved about achieving concrete outcomes in the specific agenda.

"The current US administration is in its final stretch, and we don't have much faith in their ability to resolve actual issues. At this point, maintaining stability between China and the US already meets everyone's expectations," he said.

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North Korea Fired Several Cruise Missiles From East Coast - Reports

Sputnik News

20240128

SEOUL (Sputnik) - 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).

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.

"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 told reporters in a text message.

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.

A Sputnik

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Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Guides Test-fire of Submarine-launched Strategic Cruise Missile

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK

Pyongyang, January 29 (KCNA) -- Thanks to the wise guidance of the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un who set forth the original orientation for the development of the Juche-based naval force and is dynamically leading the drive for realizing it, a test of a strategic weapon was conducted, clearly demonstrating that a great new era of bolstering up the naval force is being ushered in.

The test-fire serves as an occasion of demonstrating the rapid development of the Juche-based naval force and convincing the prospect of bolstering up the naval force of the DPRK.

Kim Jong Un 's line of building the strategic force on expanding and strengthening the sphere of operation of the state nuclear deterrence in a diversified way is being carried out in a planned and radical way, accelerating the nuclear weaponization of our navy.

In the morning of January 28, Kim Jong Un guided the test-fire of the newly-developed submarine-launched strategic cruise missile "Pulhwasal-3-31", together with secretaries of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), the commander of the Navy and other leading officials.

The cruise missiles flew in the sky above the East Sea for 7 421s and 7 445s to hit the island target.

The test-fire had no impact on the security of a neighboring country and has nothing to do with the regional situation.

Kim Jong Un expressed great satisfaction over the result of the test.

Saying that the prevailing situation and future threats urge the DPRK to put more spurs to the efforts for defending the maritime sovereignty, he stressed that the successes like today's one, which is of strategic significance in carrying out the plan of the WPK for modernizing the army which aims at building a powerful naval force, should be made one after another.

Reiterating that the nuclear weaponization of the navy is an urgent task of the times and a core requirement for building the state nuclear strategic force, he set forth the important tasks arising in realizing the nuclear weaponization of the navy and expanding the sphere of operation of the state nuclear deterrence in a diversified way.

That day he learned in detail about the building of a nuclear submarine.

He discussed the issues related to the building of a nuclear-powered submarine and other new-type warships, indicated the immediate tasks to be carried out by relevant sectors and state measures to be taken, and made an important conclusion on the ways to implement them. -0-

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US naval forces had better return to Bay of Pigs: Iran Navy Cmdr.

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jan 28, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Iran's Navy Commander Rear Admiral Shahram Irani has advised the US Navy to return to the "Bay of Pigs" and secure its own backyard to contain the flow of illicit drugs into the United States, instead of attempting to create so-called maritime collations in West Asia.

"In fact, the United States forcibly leads some countries toward itself, the small and weak countries will have to accompany them, and based on this, such a group cannot be called a coalition," Irani told IRNA in an interview, referring to the US-led maritime coalition in the Red Sea.

"Basically, we consider the American naval fleet in the Red Sea an unjustified force and we do not consider their accompanying group as a coalition," the commander said.

In December, the US said it was assembling a naval coalition in the Red Sea for what it called safeguarding commercial traffic from the Yemeni armed forces, which have been attacking Israeli-linked ships in the strategic waterway in solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza since mid-November.

Admiral Irani maintained that regional countries themselves have the capability to secure the waters of West Asia, inducing the Red Sea.

He pointed out that a request by regional countries is a requirement for the presence of foreign forces in the region, adding that neither regional countries nor the United Nations have made such a request from the United States.

"Contrary to what the Americans claim that their presence will create security, it must be noted that their presence has completely challenged and disrupted the security of the region," the commander said.

The Bay of Pigs is located on the southern coast of Cuba in the Caribbean region. Cuba and other Caribbean countries share a common maritime border with the southeastern US state of Florida. The majority of drug smuggling into the United States happens through that region in the Caribbean.

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Foreign tanker seized in Iran's southern waters for fuel smuggling

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jan 28, 2024

Bushehr, IRNA -- A foreign tanker has been seized off the coast of Bushehr Province, southern Iran, for transporting smuggled fuel, a provincial commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has said

Brigadier General Heydar Honarian Mojarrad told reporters on Sunday that the vessel, which was sailing under the flag of an Oceanian country, was carrying 2 million liters of smuggled diesel.

He said that the seizure took place upon a court order.

The commander added that the vessel had 14 crew members from two Asian countries, who have been arrested and handed over to judicial authorities.

Based on the court order, the smuggled fuel would be delivered to the National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company, he said.

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Iran holds final court hearing in trial of Swede detained on espionage charges

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jan 28, 2024

Bushehr, IRNA -- The fifth and final court hearing in the trial process of Swedish National Johan Floderus over espionage charges against the Islamic Republic of Iran has been held in the capital Tehran.

The court convened on Monday when Judge Iman Afshari asked the lawyers of the defendant to make their final defenses of their client.

Floderus has been charged with "corruption on earth" through acting against Iranian security and territorial integrity in concert with the Zionist regime's spy agencies.

Two lawyers of the defendant read out their defenses for their client, with one of them saying that they would offer a detailed letter of their defense to the court.

The judge ruled that the lawyers should submit their letter of defense within a week.

Johan Floderus was arrested in April 2022 at Tehran airport. The Iranian Judiciary has said that he acted through US and European institutions to gather information for the Israeli regime. It has also said that the Swedish national traveled to different countries as well as the occupied Palestinian territories, and has been in Iranian border cities.

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Iran's IRGC seizes foreign vessel transporting smuggled fuel

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 28 January 2024 6:09 PM

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy has confiscated a foreign tanker carrying two million liters of smuggled fuel in the country's southern waters, a commander says.

"This morning, a foreign vessel with the flag of a country from Oceania was identified with two million liters of smuggled diesel," Commander of the IRGC's Second Naval Zone Heidar Honarian Mojarad told reporters on Sunday.

He said the vessel was seized in accordance with a court order off the coast of the southern Iranian port city of Bushehr.

The commander said 14 crew members, who were from two Asian countries, had also been arrested and handed over to authorities.

Honarian Mojarad said the confiscated diesel cargo was handed over to the National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company in Bushehr Province.

The commander said the ship had been monitored since the loading of the fuel cargo and was seized upon entering the operational area of the IRGC's Second Naval Zone.

The IRGC Navy uses state-to-the-art detection tools and monitors all movements in the Persian Gulf, the Iranian commander stated.

The IRGC Navy has over the past years foiled several attacks on both Iranian and foreign tankers in the strategic Persian Gulf region and other high seas.

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Prime Minister's Office Announcement

Israel - Prime Minister's Office

The 37th Government

28.01.2024

The intelligence summit in Europe - with the participation of Mossad Director David Barnea, ISA Director Ronen Bar, Maj.-Gen, (Res.) Nitzan Alon, the Director of the CIA, the Prime Minister of Qatar and the Egyptian Intelligence Minister - concluded a short while ago.

The meeting was defined as constructive.

There are still significant gaps which the sides will continue to discuss at additional mutual meetings to be held this week.

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Indigenous Teng Yun 2 drone falls short in combat readiness testing

ROC Central News Agency

01/28/2024 05:16 PM

Taipei, Jan. 28 (CNA) The indigenous unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) Teng Yun 2 has not passed its combat readiness testing phase, with initial results finding there was still room for improvement in its design, a source with knowledge of the matter said.

Further combat testing will be conducted after hardware and software changes have been made to improve the drone's performance, the source said.

The Teng Yun 2 combat and reconnaissance drone, or "Cloud Rider," developed by the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST), has evolved from a first-generation drone that did not meet the needs of the military.

The second-generation version is a long-endurance, satellite-guided drone that has a new engine as well as an improved and enhanced configuration and flight control system compared to the first-generation prototype.

It is capable of autonomous take-offs and landings and satellite navigation, and can stay in the air for nearly 24 hours, according to the source.

The new version completed its first-phase flight tests in March 2022, and Air Force members were trained to use it by the NCSIST in January and February 2023 before the drone entered combat readiness testing in March.

Initial combat testing results indicated, however, that there was still room for improvement, the source said, noting that efforts to improve the design of the new version are underway and that further tests will be carried out soon.

The combat readiness testing phase is the final hurdle the drone has to clear before it can be manufactured for military use.

Under the Ministry of National Defense's five-step process for developing weapons, drones need to make it through an initial conceptual design stage, an engineering development stage, initial weapon testing, and combat readiness testing before they can enter mass production.

(By Matt Yu and Evelyn Kao)

Enditem/ls

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Taiwan thanks U.S. for supporting cross-strait peace at Sullivan-Wang meet

ROC Central News Agency

01/28/2024 04:37 PM

Taipei, Jan. 28 (CNA) Taiwan's government on Sunday expressed gratitude toward the United States for reiterating its support for cross-strait peace following a round of high-level talks between National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (cZ) held over the weekend.

Washington and Beijing separately announced late Saturday that Sullivan and China's top diplomat Wang, who is also a Chinese Communist Party politburo member and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission, had met in Bangkok on Friday and Saturday.

Both sides said that the round of talks was meant to follow up on the Woodside Summit held between President Joe Biden and President Xi Jinping (cea) last November.

The talks were part of an effort "to maintain open lines of communication and responsibly manage competition in the relationship as directed by the leaders," the White House said in its statement.

According to the White House readout, Sullivan stressed that although the two world powers "are in competition, both countries need to prevent it from veering into conflict or confrontation."

Both sides spoke about a range of areas of cooperation that had also been discussed at the Woodside Summit, including issues related to Russia's war against Ukraine, the Middle East, North Korea, the South China Sea, and Burma.

Regarding the cross-strait issue, Sullivan "underscored the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait," according to the readout.

A separate press statement issued by China's foreign ministry, meanwhile, said Wang stressed during the two-day meeting that "the Taiwan question is China's internal affair, and the election in the Taiwan region cannot change the basic fact that Taiwan is part of China," referring to the presidential and legislative elections held in Taiwan on Jan. 13.

"'Taiwan independence' poses the biggest risk to cross-strait peace and stability and the biggest challenge to China-U.S. relations," Wang warned Sullivan during the Bangkok meeting, according to the Chinese press release.

"The U.S. side must abide by the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. Joint CommuniquAs, translate its commitment of not supporting 'Taiwan independence' into action and support China's peaceful reunification," it added.

In response, Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on Sunday thanked the U.S. side for reiterating its support for cross-strait peace and stability.

MOFA also denounced Wang's remarks during the Bangkok meeting that "the Taiwan question is China's internal affair."

In its statement, MOFA reiterated that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is a sovereign and independent country and that neither the ROC nor the People's Republic of China (PRC) is subordinate to the other.

These facts and the status quo have long been recognized by the international community, with Taiwan's Jan. 13 presidential election marking yet another demonstration of its "mature and healthy democracy" that received widespread international acclaim and congratulations from more than 100 countries around the globe, MOFA said.

"No distorted narrative on Taiwan's sovereign status by China can alter the fact nor the status quo," it added.

On Jan. 13, Vice President Lai Ching-te (ea) of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) won Taiwan's presidential election, helped by a split of the opposition vote that gave him a victory despite not receiving an absolute majority of the ballots cast.

With Lai's victory, the DPP has made history as the first political party in Taiwan to win three consecutive terms since the first direct presidential election was held in 1996.

(By Joseph Yeh)

Enditem/kb

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Ukraine beset by $40m fraud in arms procurement amid war with Russia

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 28 January 2024 10:42 AM

The Ukrainian military and defense officials have misappropriated a total of $40 million through a fraudulent arms procurement scheme as the country's US-backed war against Russia is inching closer to two years.

The revelation was made by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), the main Ukrainian intelligence and security agency, in a statement on Saturday and was also confirmed by Ukraine's defense ministry.

The SBU said an investigation had "exposed officials of the ministry of defense and managers of arms supplier Lviv Arsenal, who stole nearly 1.5 billion hryvnias ($40 million) in the purchase of shells and mortars."

According to the investigation, the former and current high-ranking officials of Ukraine's defense ministry and heads of affiliated companies were involved in the embezzlement, which involved the purchase of 100,000 mortar rounds for the country's armed forces.

Detailing the staggering fraud scandal, the SBU said a contract for the shells was clinched with Lviv Arsenal in August 2022, six months into the war with Russia, and payment was made in advance, with some funds transferred abroad.

But no arms were ever provided, as the SBU's statement said, with some funds then moved to other foreign accounts.

The statement also underlined that five individuals had been served "notices of suspicion," and one suspect was detained while trying to cross the Ukrainian border.

Ukraine's prosecutor general claimed that the stolen funds had been seized and would be returned to the defense budget.

Last September, Ukrainian defense minister Oleksii Reznikov was dismissed over various corruption cases that had hit the county's military under his stewardship.

Since Russian troops began their special military operation in Ukraine in February 2022, the US and its Western allies have largely increased the supply of arms and munitions to Kiev, sending multiple shipments of guns and ammo worth tens-of-billions of dollars.

Russia has repeatedly warned Western politicians against the continued supply of arms and munitions to Ukraine, pointing out that such measures will not stop Russian troops from reaching their military objectives and that arming Kiev would only prolong the deadly conflict.

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Ukraine Uncovers Major Military Corruption Scam

By RFE/RL January 28, 2024

Ukraine has announced it has uncovered a scheme to embezzle the equivalent of some $40 million earmarked to buy mortar shells for the country's military.

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) announced late on January 27 that five people have been charged, with one person detained while trying to cross the Ukrainian border. If found guilty, they face up to 12 years in prison.

The investigation comes as Kyiv attempts to clamp down on corruption in a bid to speed up its membership in the European Union and NATO. Officials from both blocs have demanded widespread anti-graft reforms before Kyiv can join them.

The SBU said an investigation had "exposed officials of the Ministry of Defense and managers of arms supplier Lviv Arsenal, who stole nearly 1.5 billion hryvnyas in the purchase of shells."

"According to the investigation, former and current high-ranking officials of the Ministry of Defense and heads of affiliated companies are involved in the embezzlement," the SBU said on X, formerly Twitter.

The embezzlement, it said, involved the purchase of 100,000 mortar shells for the military.

After receiving payment, company employees were supposed to transfer the funds to a business registered abroad, which would then deliver the ammunition to Ukraine.

However, the goods were never delivered and the money was instead sent to various accounts in Ukraine and the Balkans, investigators said.

The funds have been seized and will be returned to the country's defense budget, the Ukrainian Prosecutor-General's Office said.

The statement said five individuals had been served "notices of suspicion" -- the first stage in Ukrainian legal proceedings -- both in the ministry and the arms supplier. One suspect, it said, was detained while trying to cross the Ukrainian border.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was elected on an anti-corruption platform in 2019, long before Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

With reporting by AP and Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-military-corruption- arrests/32795104.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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It is due to our warriors that the world keeps the faith in Ukraine - address by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

President of Ukraine

28 January 2024 - 21:07

I wish you health, fellow Ukrainians!

A few things are worth mentioning today.

First of all, gratitude to all our warriors. To everyone who is now in positions, in combat, at combat posts, on combat missions along the entire front line - from Kupyansk to Krynky. To everyone who is recovering from wounds. And to everyone who trains to join the ranks of Ukraine's Defense and Security Forces. Today, I would like to especially recognize our border guards - the warriors from the units of the Border Guard Service of Ukraine, who are not only defending our state border, but also fighting alongside everyone else in various areas of the front. The Steel Frontier Brigade - tough warriors. They are defending Kharkiv region in the Kupyansk direction. I am very thankful to all of you.

I would also like to mention the efficiency of Soldiers Artem Tsapliuk and Ihor Kamenetskyi, Junior Sergeants Yurii Popish and Yaroslav Sholom, and Lieutenant Colonel Valerii Havryliuk. Thank you, guys, for your skillful actions! The warriors of the Luhansk Border Guard Detachment - the Revenge Brigade - strong warriors, they are back on the front line, in the Lyman and Bakhmut directions. I am especially grateful to Soldier Yevhen Serdiuk for his courage and Senior Sergeant Kyrylo Chumachenko for his personal efficiency. Maryinka area - the Rapid Response Border Commandant's Service of the Zhytomyr Detachment: I thank all of you, our warriors, for your accuracy and destruction of Russian equipment. And I would like to especially recognize Junior Sergeant Pavlo Shevchuk and Sergeant Radion Blashko - well done, guys! Each personal result in this war is the result of the whole of Ukraine. Because it is the personal results that make up the resilience of our state, our joint state capabilities and the success of Ukrainian defense.

The warriors of the 95th Separate Air Assault Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces also deserve special gratitude. Ukraine is thankful to all of you who are always bravely defending the state. In particular, it is worth mentioning Senior Soldier Yevhenii Kuchmenko and Soldiers Mykola Mantula and Vitalii Kurdin for their combat operations. Thank you, guys, for your bravery and for your ability to really care about your brothers-in-arms! The 68th Separate Jaeger Brigade - Soldiers Anatolii Vlasiuk and Mykola Chubyk - thank you and all your brothers-in-arms for your dedication and ability to become role models for others. I would also like to mention the 100th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade and, in particular, Senior Soldier Mykola Panasenko and Staff Sergeant Oleksandr Bereznyi. These guys are so brave, so conscious, so selfless that it is due to such warriors that the world keeps the faith in Ukraine, in our ability to finish this war in the way Ukraine needs.

We already have an international communication schedule for the upcoming week that will strengthen our country. This encompasses both our standing in Europe, including our relations with the European Union and our EU neighbors, as well as international institutions tasked with upholding international law. Of course, we are preparing new defense packages for our soldiers as well. Summarizing the results of the new week, we will be able to say that Ukraine has become stronger. It is crucial that each week brings more clear agreements to our bilateral relations with partners, and more stability to defense coalitions in the supply of weapons, shells, and equipment. I am grateful to everyone in the world who helps in this way - making the agreements work, and the resilience of our warriors based on the resilience of our partners.

Glory to everyone who fights and works for Ukraine!

Glory to Ukraine!

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NATO Chief Urges Allies to Continue Funding Ukraine's Defense Needs

By VOA News January 28, 2024

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Ukraine should continue to receive the support it needs to fight Russia off its land; otherwise, the U.S., Europe and other parts of the world will be more vulnerable if Russian President Vladimir Putin gets what "he wants from Ukraine."

Such a scenario would also embolden a land grab by other authoritarian regimes in other parts of the world, Stoltenberg said.

During a TV interview with Fox News Sunday, Stoltenberg also said that Beijing is watching closely NATO's response to Putin's invasion of Ukraine. "Today, it's Ukraine, tomorrow, it might be Taiwan," the NATO chief said.

Also Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said a drop in aid from the United States to Kyiv would send a poor message, as U.S. President Joe Biden has been stymied in approving further support by Republicans in the U.S. Congress.

With an eye on U.S. aid potentially diminishing, Zelenskyy urged Germany to use its economic weight to rally EU partners to give more to Kyiv in its fight against Russia.

"Passivity from the United States or the lack of support would be a bad signal," he told German national broadcaster ARD.

NATO's Stoltenberg, in responding to a question whether NATO's 2024 military exercises, the largest since WWII, may provoke a response from Beijing's and Moscow's strongmen, he said the North Atlantic Alliance is meant to prevent war not to provoke war.

NATO exercises

Operation Steadfast Defender 24 will see about 90,000 NATO military personnel take part in a range of drills across Europe in the coming months. Fifty naval vessels, 80 aircraft and over 1,100 combat vehicles will be involved.

The exercises "will show that NATO can conduct and sustain complex, multidomain operations over several months, across thousands of kilometers, from the high north to central and eastern Europe, and in any condition," the 31-nation alliance said.

Stoltenberg is meeting with top U.S. defense officials and lawmakers this week to urge the continuation of funding to Ukraine, which currently is bogged down in Congress over a dispute on U.S. border policies and other political issues.

Ukraine's aid remains a divisive issue, with critics skeptical over Kyiv's ongoing fight against corruption.

Ukraine's security service, the SBU, said Saturday that employees of a Ukrainian arms company conspired with officials to embezzle almost $40 million that had been earmarked for mortar shells to fight the war with Russia.

The agency said five people had been charged and one had been detained while trying to leave the country. The five could face up to 12 years' imprisonment.

The country's prosecutor general said the funds have been seized and are to be returned to the Ukrainian defense budget.

A Russian missile struck an industrial site in the central Ukrainian district of Kremenchuk Sunday.

"For the second day in a row, the enemy is attacking Poltava region," Poltava Regional Governor Filip Pronin wrote on the Telegram messaging app, noting that the target was in Kremenchuk district.

Pronin later said there were no casualties.

A missile attack on Saturday hit an industrial site in the same area, triggering a fire. No casualties were reported in that incident.

Britain's Defense Ministry said Sunday in its daily Ukraine intelligence report that recent statistics indicate that arson attacks on Russia's military enlistment offices have doubled in the last six months.

Russia has blamed the arson on people "acting at the behest of Western officials." The British ministry said it sees the attacks on the enlistment offices differently, saying that the increasing number of attacks "is highly likely due to a greater sense of disaffection with the war" within the Russian population, especially among those who would be called up, if a second wave of mobilization were announced.

Suspects who have been accused of launching the fiery attacks have been charged with terrorism and treason, according to the British ministry.

While Putin promised in his annual news conference last month that there would not be any more mobilizations, the growing number of arson attacks on Russian enlistment offices, the British ministry said, "suggest a lack of confidence in this promise."

Plane crash POWs

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 had no verifiable information about the passengers aboard the Russian plane.

Moscow says nine Russians also died in the crash.

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 U.N. 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.

Henry Ridgwell in London contributed to this report. Some material came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.

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Putin has no plans to meet IAEA chief: Kremlin

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jan 29, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Russia's President Vladimir Putin will not meet Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency during his upcoming visit to Moscow.

Kremlin spokesman Dimitri Peskov announced on Sunday night that President Putin has no plans to meet with Grossi.

According to Tass news agency, Grossi announced that he plans to visit Zaporizhzhia, Kiev and Russia in the near future and meet with representatives of Russia's nuclear corporation Rosatom.

"I prepare to return to Zaporizhzhia, within the next ten days or so I will be there, [and] also in Kiev and Russia," the official told reporters.

Later, Grossi told reporters that his plan to visit Moscow is aimed at engaging in "political and technical dialogue."

The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, located on the southern bank of the Kakhovka Reservoir on the Dnipro River, is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe in terms of output. This area is currently under the control of Russian forces. Russia and Ukraine in recent months blamed each other for shelling the power plant.

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Dublin, Jan. 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "North America Autonomous Mobile Robots Market Forecast to 2030 - Regional Analysis - by Component (Hardware and Software & Services), Type (Picking Robots, Self-Driving Forklifts, and Autonomous Inventory Robots), and End Use (Manufacturing and Distribution & Warehousing)" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The robust expansion of the autonomous mobile robots market in North America is anticipated to continue, with forecasts estimating significant growth by 2030. Emerging trends in automation, particularly in the regions manufacturing and warehousing sectors, are anticipated to drive this market growth.

Within the North American landscape, the demand for autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) is rapidly growing, influenced by the strategic incorporation of state-of-the-art technologies like Internet of Things, analytics, and artificial intelligence across various industries. This market's evolution is a response to the pressing need for improved operational efficiency, higher production output, and reduced labor costs. With a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 23.9%, the sector is expected to transform from US$ 365.60 million in 2022 to an impressive US$ 2,024.80 million by the year 2030.

Enhanced productivity and the reduction of human error have become paramount in sectors such as healthcare, automotive, and aerospace, prompting these industries to lean heavily into automation solutions and autonomous technologies. Notable developments, such as the launch of ADLINK Technology Inc.'s latest AMR featuring the SWARM CORE software platform, solidify the market's growth trajectory by offering smart solutions for material handling, warehousing, and shipping in the manufacturing domain.

The North America Autonomous Mobile Robots Market Overview

The market is analyzed based on components, types, end-use, and regional presence across the US, Canada, and Mexico. With the robot installations in the manufacturing sector showing a 12% increase from the previous year, particularly in the automotive and electronics industries, the uptick specifies a trend toward automation in these highly competitive fields.

By component , the market is partitioned into hardware and software & services, with the hardware segment securing a significant market share.





, the market is partitioned into hardware and software & services, with the hardware segment securing a significant market share. In terms of type , the segmentation includes picking robots, self-driving forklifts, and autonomous inventory robots, with the picking robots category leading the market.





, the segmentation includes picking robots, self-driving forklifts, and autonomous inventory robots, with the picking robots category leading the market. From an end-use perspective, the sector bifurcates into manufacturing and distribution & warehousing, with the former holding a larger market share.





perspective, the sector bifurcates into manufacturing and distribution & warehousing, with the former holding a larger market share. Geographically, the United States dominates the market, backed by strategic initiatives and governmental support.

Key Market Trends Fueling Growth

The AMR market benefits from the automotive industry's inclination toward robotic adoption, propelled by escalating automobile sales and governmental policies favoring electric vehicles. Forward-looking measures by the US administration set the ambitious target of electric vehicles constituting 50% of total vehicle sales by 2030, fostering investments and advancements in manufacturing capabilities.

Notable enterprises like ABB Ltd, Boston Dynamics Inc, and Locus Robotics Corp are among the leaders in this space, pushing the envelope of innovation and unlocking new operational possibilities.

This trend analysis and market growth forecast can serve as vital insights for businesses seeking to realign their strategies with industry progressions, catalyze expansion plans, and empower data-driven decision-making processes that align with customer and market demands.

A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes

ABB Ltd

Boston Dynamics Inc

Clearpath Robotics Inc

Geekplus Technology Co Ltd

Kivnon Logistica SL

Locus Robotics Corp

Milvus Robotics

OMRON Corp

Teradyne Inc

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/cyge5i

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Today, the proposed combination of the legacy companies Novozymes and Chr. Hansen is successfully completed, establishing the company Novonesis. Novonesis is a world-leading biosolutions partner for better business, healthier lives, and a healthier planet. The combined company brings together 10,000 people worldwide and an expertise that spans more than 30 different industries. Novonesis is already assisting companies around the world in meeting both business needs and the needs of the planet.



COPENHAGEN, Denmark  January 29, 2024. On December 12, 2022, Novozymes and Chr. Hansen entered into an agreement to create a leading global biosolutions partner through a statutory merger of the two companies. All regulatory approvals and registrations are now in place and the proposed combination is successfully completed following the final registration with the Danish Business Authority today.





Ester Baiget, President and CEO of Novonesis, says:

We have successfully combined Novozymes and Chr. Hansen and today we come together as one leading global biosolutions partner. Novonesis combines our joint strengths and the wonders of biology, and we are set to lead a new era of biosolutions. We will innovate and develop transformative biosolutions that improve the way we all produce, consume and live. And we have gathered the brightest minds and together with my 10,000 colleagues, we will unlock the limitless potential of biosolutions.



Cees de Jong, Chairman of Novonesis, adds:

I am pleased to witness the realization of the Novozymes and Chr. Hansen combination, creating a true global biosolutions leader. We will continue to create powerful biosolutions for our customers and partners based on our more than 100 years of innovation and application expertise. Together, we will serve as a growth partner to our customers; a value creator to our shareholders; and a company that has a significant, positive impact on society and the planet. Novonesis builds on a shared heritage of sustainability leadership and will keep leading the way.

The combination of Novozymes and Chr. Hansen will create a leading global biosolutions partner with a broad biological toolbox and a diversified portfolio in attractive markets. The combined group will have annual revenue of approximately EUR 3.7 billion1 with solid profitability and cash generation.



Half of the portfolio will focus on enabling healthier lives and producing better foods. The other half will address reducing chemical use and targeting climate neutral practices.

The combined group will operate a global network of R&D and application centers as well as manufacturing sites and will employ around 10,000 talented and purpose-driven employees who are inspired by the power of biosolutions.









The name Novonesis has origin in sciences classical roots





Genesis is Greek for origin or beginning. By choosing a word with a root in Greek the name honors how ancient Greek thinkers (from Pythagoras to Aristotle) played a key role in the development of science as we know it today.







Novo means new. The Novo name is globally associated with strong science capabilities, a purpose driven mindset, a Nordic heritage as well as a great societal contributor. These are all assets and values that are shared by the future combined company.







Financial ambitions as communicated on December 12, 2022

An expected organic revenue growth of 6-8% (CAGR) through 2025. 2

An expected EBIT margin of 29% by 2025 excluding integration costs and PPA amortization. 3

Annual revenue synergies are estimated at EUR 200 million with an EUR 80-90 million EBIT impact achievable within four years of completion and an estimated EUR 80-90 million in cost synergies achievable within three years of completion.

Beyond 2025, the ambition is to continue to deliver accelerated sustainable growth from the underlying business coupled with new, and de-risked, innovation and growth opportunities.

EPS, excluding integration costs and PPA amortization, is expected to be mid-single digit percentage accretive in the third year of completion.

No additional debt is expected to be issued because of the transaction, and leverage at completion is expected to be 1.3-1.7x, which is also the expected future net debt level.

A continuation of historic shareholder dividend payout ratio of ~50% is expected.

Sustainability ambitions as communicated on December 12, 2022

Emissions$1 4 : Carbon neutrality by 2050; 75% reduction in absolute CO2 emissions from operations (scopes 1+2) and 35% reduction in absolute CO2 emissions from supply chain (scope 3) by 2030

: Carbon neutrality by 2050; 75% reduction in absolute CO2 emissions from operations (scopes 1+2) and 35% reduction in absolute CO2 emissions from supply chain (scope 3) by 2030 People5: Minimum 45% women and 45% men across all professionals and senior management by 2030



Proforma numbers and communication of 2024 outlook

Proforma numbers for Novonesis including revenue, organic revenue growth, key financial numbers as well as 2024 outlook will be provided no later than March 31.

Capital Markets Day

Novonesis will host a Capital Markets Day in London on June 18, 2024. Focus will be on the integration, synergies, financials, and the power of the combined technology platform. Further details will be shared at a later stage.

Reporting structure and currency

Novonesis will be reporting in EUR. For the first and third quarters, trading statements providing revenue and organic revenue growth will be released along with any potential updates to the financial outlook.

Full consolidated financial statements including profitability for the two divisions will be provided in future half and full-year earnings releases.

Revenue will be reported for two divisions. For each division, additional revenue performance will be provided for the following sales areas:

Food & Health Biosolutions:

Food & Beverages (Novozymes Food & Beverage and Chr. Hansens Food Cultures & Enzymes)

Human Health (Novozymes Human Health and Chr. Hansens Human Health)



Planetary Health Biosolutions:

Agriculture, Energy & Tech (Novozymes Bioenergy, Agriculture & Animal Health/ Nutrition, Grain & Tech Processing and Chr. Hansens Animal & Plant Health)

Household Care (Novozymes Household Care)

Board of Directors and the Executive Leadership Team

Novozymes expects to convene an extraordinary general meeting for the purpose of electing new members to the board of directors and to seek approval of Novonesis as a new secondary company name.

The board of directors will initially, in addition to the employee-elected board members, consist of nine shareholder-elected board members to ensure a strong integration of the two companies. It is anticipated that the following individuals will be nominated for election to the board of directors of the combined company at the extraordinary general meeting:

Proposed Board of Directors (excluding employee elected)

Cornelis (Cees) de Jong, as Chair (independent)

Jesper Brandgaard, as Vice Chair (independent)

Heine Dalsgaard (non-independent)

Sharon James (independent)

Kasim Kutay (non-independent)

Lise Kaae (independent)

Kevin Lane (independent)

Morten Otto Alexander Sommer (independent)

Kim Stratton (independent)

As announced on October 10, 2023, the following nine executives have been appointed to the future Executive Leadership Team:

Executive Leadership Team

Ester Baiget, CEO

Rainer Lehmann, CFO

Jacob Paulsen, EVP, Food & Beverage Biosolutions

Amy Byrick, EVP, Human Health Biosolutions

Tina Sejersgaard Fan, EVP, Planetary Health Biosolutions

Claus Crone Fuglsang, Chief Scientific Officer

Anders Lund, Chief Operating Officer

Henrik Joerck Nielsen, EVP, Strategy & Integration

Morten Enggaard Rasmussen, EVP, People & Stakeholder Relations

Winnie Bugel, General Counsel  Legal (temporary role)

About Novonesis

Novonesis is a global company leading the era of biosolutions. By leveraging the power of microbiology with science, we transform the way the world produces, consumes, and lives. In more than 30 industries, our biosolutions are already creating value for millions of consumers and benefitting the planet. Our 10,000 people worldwide work closely with our partners and customers to transform business with biology.

Learn more on www.novonesis.com

For additional information on the transaction, please visit www.power-with-biology.com

Media Relations Investor Relations Lina Danstrup

Head of External Communication

Phone: +45 30 77 05 52

lind@novonesis.com Tobias Cornelius Bjorklund

Head of Investor Relations

Phone: +45 30 77 86 82

tobb@novonesis.com







1 Combined financials are based on Chr. Hansens unaudited Q4 Interim report 2022/23 and Novozymes unaudited interim reports for 9M 2023 and Q4 2022. Novozymes figures have been converted from DKK to EUR using a single FX rate of 7.44 for purposes of translation only.

2 Using 2023 as the base year. Expectation reflects each individual companys previously communicated targets adding synergies from the combination. Note that all targets assume constant currencies, no additional acquisitions, no divestments, no special items, a gradual normalization of the global economy.

3 Estimated integration costs of EUR 250 million, of which approximately EUR 50 million would be capitalized, are expected through 2026. PPA is defined as Purchase Price Allocation. The estimate reflects each individual companys previously communicated targets adding synergies from the combination. Note that all targets assume constant currencies, no additional acquisitions, no divestments, no special items or other extraordinary effects, a gradual normalization of the global economy.

[4] Non-financial ambition based on Novozymes targets. Base year for CO2 emissions: Novozymes 2018, Chr. Hansen 2019/2020

[5] Non-financial ambition based on Novozymes targets.





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Dublin, Jan. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Data Loss Prevention Market by Offering (Solution, Services), Solution Type (Network DLP, Storage DLP, Endpoint DLP, Cloud DLP), Service (Consulting, Managed Security Service), Applications, Vertical and Regions - Global Forecast to 2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Data Loss Prevention market is expected to grow from USD 3.4 billion in 2023 to USD 8.9 billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 21.2%

The report would help the market leaders/new entrants with information on the closest approximations of the revenue numbers for the overall Data Loss Prevention market and the subsegments. This report would help stakeholders understand the competitive landscape and gain insights to position their businesses better and plan suitable go-to-market strategies. The report would help stakeholders understand the market's pulse and provide them with information on the key market drivers, restraints, challenges, and opportunities.

DLP solutions help businesses prevent data breaches by classifying and monitoring data in motion, at rest, and the endpoint. This information is used to identify and stop potential data breaches before they occur. In other words, DLP solutions detect and prevent data breaches from happening at different stages.

Asia-Pacific is highly concerned with increasing security spending owing to the ever-growing threat landscape. Countries across this region have many SMBs, which provide significant employment opportunities. However, the need for massive investment associated with deploying cyber security projects restricts such SMBs from adopting strong security practices within their organization. This has made the SMBs more vulnerable to cyber-attacks.

However, the APAC region has undergone tremendous economic growth, political transformation, and social change in recent years. Owing to the sophistication of cyber threats, countries such as Japan, China, and Singapore have all launched new national cyber security policies. The organizations in APAC are spending a considerable amount of resources to deal with cyber security breaches; Australia and Malaysia are in a better position than other countries towards facing cyber security challenges.

The major players in the Data Loss Prevention market are Broadcom (US), IBM (US), Microsoft (US), Trend Micro (Japan), McAfee (US), Palo Alto Networks (US), GTB Technologies (US), InfoWatch (Russia), Fortra (US), Cisco Systems (US), etc. These players have adopted various growth strategies, such as partnerships, agreements and collaborations, new product launches, enhancements, and acquisitions to expand their footprint in the Data Loss Prevention market.

By Application, the cloud storage segment is expected to grow with the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

Enterprises across the globe have been migrating their business platforms to the cloud due to obvious cost benefits. However, lots of data is leaked through risky employee behavior with cloud applications.

Many DLP vendors are providing cloud storage protection solutions in the market, which offer a better focus on discovering sensitive content in cloud applications and restricting external sharing. These solutions also detect policy violations when content is being uploaded to the cloud and take action, such as sending the user an automated instruction message, encrypting the content, or blocking the upload.

By Vertical, the Aerospace, Defense, and Intelligence segment is expected to hold the largest market size during the forecast period.

Data Loss Prevention The aerospace and defense industry plays a crucial role in the economic development of communities throughout the globe, as the companies that support the aerospace and defense sector in the country are the major contributors to employment and tax payments. The DLP tools can improve the efficiency of the military and defense sector, but a series of attacks have resulted in the loss of sensitive data.

The DLP solutions can help aerospace and defense agencies to prevent insider attacks and data breaches. Transglobal strategic alliances, proactive measures, substantial investments, and technological advancements are helping the sector to adopt new DLP solutions, thus posing tremendous opportunities for DLP vendors.

Key Attributes:

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 228 Forecast Period 2023 - 2028 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $3.4 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2028 $8.9 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 21.2% Regions Covered Global

Premium Insights

Rising Government Initiatives for Digital Payments to Act as Opportunity in Data Loss Prevention Market

Endpoint and Aerospace, Defense, and Intelligence to Account for Larger Shares in North America

Aerospace, Defense, and Intelligence and China to Account for Larger Shares in Asia-Pacific

Services Segment to Record Higher CAGR

System Integration and Installation to Hold Largest Share in 2023

Encryption Segment to Hold Largest Share in 2023

Case Study Analysis

F5 Helped Asian Paints Enhance Its Customer Experience and Drive Scalability

Algosec Helped Ncr Corporation Achieve Zero Trust Security

Micro Focus Helped Swisscom AG Protect Sensitive Customer Data in Complex Environment

Imperva Helped Discovery Inc. Tackle Data Compliance in Public Cloud

Qcon Adopted Veritas' Data Security Features to Ensure Data Security of Its Applications

Cohesity Helped Txt E-Solutions Minimize Downtime Issues Resulting from Several Mergers and Acquisitions

Market Overview and Industry Trends

Drivers

Shift in Data Storage to Public and Private Cloud

Global Increase in Data Theft

Regulatory and Compliance Requirements

Use of Ai and Machine Learning

Restraints

Complex Rules and Little Guarantee for Data Loss Prevention

Lack of Awareness

High Operational Costs

Opportunities

Growing Need for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses to Increase Market Penetration

Concerns Related to Insecure Endpoints

Rapid Adoption of Flexible Work Models

Challenges

Issues Related to Deployment of Dlp Solutions

Growing Need for Enterprises to Maintain Compliance with Data Localization Laws

Value Chain Analysis

Ecosystem Analysis

History of Data Loss Prevention Market

2000S-2010S

2010S-2020S

2020S-Present

Technology Analysis

Content Discovery and Classification

Data Encryption

Endpoint, Cloud, and Network Dlp

Data Masking and Redaction

User and Entity Behavior Analytics (Ueba)

Data Activity Monitoring (Dam)

Machine Learning and Ai

Company Profiles

Key Players

Broadcom Inc.

Trend Micro

Mcafee

Cisco

IBM

Microsoft

Fortra

Gtb Technologies

Infowatch

Palo Alto Networks

Major Players

Zscaler

Netskope

Crowdstrike

Zecurion

Sophos

Proofpoint

Other Players/Startups

Spirion

Cososys (Endpoint Protector)

Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.

Securetrust

Perimeter 81

Mimecast

Tessian

Docontrol

Safetica

Cyberhaven

Teramind

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ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

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New chargeability high southeast of the MRE open pit indicates that the major mineralized structural corridor that is up to 800m wide extends a further 600m along strike to the southeast for an overall strike length of at least 2km. This new area has not been drilled.

Chargeability highs correlate very well with areas of high-grade mineralization within the MRE. The chargeability anomaly southeast of the pit is very strong, which is a prime target potentially outlining additional higher-grade polymetallic (Ag-Zn-Pb) mineralization.

The Chargeability anomaly is open along strike and at depth as exploration work has still not defined the full limits of this remarkable mineralized system.



TORONTO, Jan. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Eloro Resources Ltd. (TSX: ELO; OTCQX: ELRRF; FSE: P2QM) is pleased to announce that an expanded induced polarization/resistivity (IP/Res) survey now covers most of the Iska Iska Project, Potosi Department, Southwestern Bolivia. East-west lines have been completed every 200m across and southeast of the Santa Barbara mineral resource using a deep-penetrating array of 50m and offset 100m dipoles to obtain a depth of investigation approaching 400m. The new array and lower surface elevations make it possible to image mineralization at elevations below 3600m in an extension beyond the open southeastern side of the pit that defines the initial mineral resource estimate (MRE) (see Eloro press release dated October 17, 2023). In this survey, chargeability highs across the volume already drilled for the Santa Barbara MRE coincide with peaks in the grade of the polymetallic Ag-Zn-Pb mineralization expressed as silver equivalent.

Dr. Bill Pearson, P.Geo., Eloros Executive Vice President, Exploration commented: We have had great success with our borehole IP/Res program correlating mineralization between the drillholes, but the surface IP/Res provides a 3-dimensional view well beyond where we have drill hole coverage. The new chargeability anomaly, extending southeastward from the open pit that defines the MRE, adds at least an additional 600m of potential strike length to the major mineralized structural corridor that is up to 800m wide for an overall strike length of at least 2km. This new target area has not been drilled. In addition, the chargeability anomaly southeast of the pit is very strong, suggesting that it is a prime target for outlining additional higher-grade polymetallic mineralization.

Figure 1 shows the same section that was reported in the Eloro press release dated January 11, 2024. Green solids indicate high grade mineralized zones where the silver equivalent grade is greater than 50 g Ag eq/t. These high-grade areas coincide very closely with high chargeability (> 20 mV/V), confirming the correlation of grade with borehole IP between drill holes inside the MRE pit.

The chargeability anomaly is open along strike and at depth as exploration work has still not defined the full limits of this remarkable mineralized system.

Figure 1. Cross Section along Line 56100N of the Chargeability Anomaly with areas with greater than 50 g Ag eq/t superimposed to show the very strong correlation. The strong anomaly to the southeast is largely outside the open pit defining the MRE and this area has not been drilled. Figures 2 and 3 show the location of the section line.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the model chargeability at an elevation of 3700 m where the highest chargeability outlined in red extends southeastward, well beyond the MRE open pit shown in black. Drill hole pierce points at 3700 m (grey circles) demonstrate that much of the high chargeability anomaly has not yet been drill tested. Figure 3 is the same plan showing the strong correlation of high-grade areas with the chargeability anomaly.

Figure 2: Plan map of Chargeability Model at 3700m elevation showing the extent of the chargeability anomaly southeast of the open pit defining the MRE. Pierce points of drill holes on the 3700 m elevation clearly show that this major anomaly is essentially untested by drilling.

Figure 3 is a Plan Map of the same Chargeability Model at 3700m elevation shown in Figure 2 with the contoured 50 g Ag eq superimposed showing the strong correlation of high-grade areas with the chargeability anomaly.

Qualified Person (QP)

IP/Res surveys were carried out by MES Geophysics using Eloros ELREC-Pro 10 channel IP receiver and GDD 3600 watt IP transmitter. Dr. Chris Hale, P.Geo. and Mr. John Gilliatt, P.Geo. of Intelligent Exploration provided the survey design, preparation of the maps and interpretation of data processed, and quality reviewed by Mr. Rob McKeown, P. Geo. of MES Geophysics. Messrs. Hale, Gilliatt and McKeown are Qualified Persons (QP) as defined under National Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101).

The inaugural MRE for Iska Iska is outlined in the NI 43-101 Technical Report (see Eloro press release dated October 17, 2023) prepared by Micon International Limited. Independent QPs for the Technical Report are Charley Murahwi, P.Geo., FAusIMM, Richard Gowans, P.Eng., Ing. Alan J. San Martin, MAusIMM (CP) and Abdul Aziz, Drame, P.Eng., all of whom are independent QPs as defined by NI 43-101. Mr. Murahwi completed site visits in January 2020 and November 2022.

Silver equivalent (Ag eq) grades are calculated using 3-year average metal prices of Ag = US$22.52/oz, Zn = US$1.33/lb and Pb = 0.95/lb and preliminary metallurgical recoveries of Ag = 88%, Zn = 87% and Pb= 80%.

Dr. Bill Pearson, P.Geo., Eloros Executive Vice President Exploration and a QP as defined by NI 43-101 has reviewed and approved the technical content of this news release. Dr. Pearson who has more than 49 years of worldwide mining exploration, development and production experience, including extensive work in South America, manages the overall technical program, working closely with Dr. Osvaldo Arce, P.Geo. General Manager of Eloros Bolivian subsidiary, Minera Tupiza S.R.L., and a QP in the context of NI 43-101, who has supervised all field work carried out at Iska Iska.

About Iska Iska

Iska Iska silver-tin polymetallic project is a road accessible, royalty-free property, wholly controlled by the Title Holder, Empresa Minera Villegas S.R.L. and is located 48 km north of Tupiza city, in the Sud Chichas Province of the Department of Potosi in southern Bolivia. Eloro has an option to earn a 100% interest in Iska Iska.

Iska Iska is a major silver-tin polymetallic porphyry-epithermal complex associated with a Miocene possibly collapsed/resurgent caldera, emplaced on Ordovician age rocks with major breccia pipes, dacitic domes and hydrothermal breccias. The caldera is 1.6km by 1.8km in dimension with a vertical extent of at least 1km. Mineralization age is similar to Cerro Rico de Potosi and other major deposits such as San Vicente, Chorolque, Tasna and Tatasi located in the same geological trend.

Eloro began underground diamond drilling from the Huayra Kasa underground workings at Iska Iska on September 13, 2020. On November 18, 2020, Eloro announced the discovery of a significant breccia pipe with extensive silver polymetallic mineralization just east of the Huayra Kasa underground workings and a high-grade gold-bismuth zone in the underground workings. On November 24, 2020, Eloro announced the discovery of the SBBP approximately 150m southwest of the Huayra Kasa underground workings.

Subsequently, on January 26, 2021, Eloro announced significant results from the first drilling at the SBBP including the discovery hole from 0.0m to 257.5m. Subsequent drilling has confirmed significant values of Ag-Sn polymetallic mineralization in the SBBP and the adjacent CBP. A substantive mineralized envelope which is open along strike and down-dip extends around both major breccia pipes. Continuous channel sampling of the Santa Barbara Adit located to the east of SBBP returned 164.96 g Ag/t, 0.46%Sn, 3.46% Pb and 0.14% Cu over 166m including 446 g Ag/t, 9.03% Pb and 1.16% Sn over 56.19m. The west end of the adit intersects the end of the SBBP.

Since the initial discovery hole DHK-15 which returned 29.53g Ag/t, 0.078g Au/t, 1.45%Zn, 0.59%Pb, 0.080%Cu and 0.056%Sn over 257.5m, Eloro has released a number of significant drill results in the SBBP and the surrounding mineralized envelope which along with geophysical data has defined an extensive target zone. On October 17, 2023, Eloro filed the NI 43-101 Technical Report outlining the initial inferred MRE for Iska Iska, prepared by Micon International Limited. The MRE was reported in two domains, the Polymetallic (Ag-Zn-Pb) Domain which is primarily in the east and south of the Santa Barbara deposit and the Tin (Sn-Ag-Pb) Domain which is primarily in the west and north. The Polymetallic Domain is estimated to contain 560Mt at 13.8 g Ag/t, 0.73% Zn & 0.28% Pb at an NSR cutoff of US$9.20 for potential open pit and an NSR cutoff of US$34.40 for potential underground. The majority of the mineral resource is contained in the constraining pit which has a stripping ratio of 1:1.

The Polymetallic Domain contains a higher-grade mineral resource at a NSR cutoff of $US25/t of 132 million tonnes at 1.11% Zn, 0.50% Pb and 24.3 g Ag/t which has a net NSR value of US$34.40/t which is 3.75 the estimated operating cost of US$9.20/t. The Tin Domain which is adjacent the Polymetallic Domain and does not overlap, is estimated to contain a mineral resource of 110Mt at 0.12% Sn, 14.2 g Ag/t and 0.14% Pb but is very under drilled.

The Company has completed a 5,267.7m definition drill program to upgrade and expand the higher-grade mineral resource in the Polymetallic Domain and has commenced a preliminary economic evaluation (PEA) led by Lycopodium.

About Eloro Resources Ltd.

Eloro is an exploration and mine development company with a portfolio of gold and base-metal properties in Bolivia, Peru and Quebec. Eloro has an option to acquire a 100% interest in the highly prospective Iska Iska Property, which can be classified as a polymetallic epithermal-porphyry complex, a significant mineral deposit type in the Potosi Department, in southern Bolivia. A recent NI 43-101 Technical Report on Iska Iska, which was completed by Micon International Limited, is available on Eloros website and under its filings on SEDAR. Iska Iska is a road-accessible, royalty-free property. Eloro also owns an 82% interest in the La Victoria Gold/Silver Project, located in the North-Central Mineral Belt of Peru some 50 km south of the Lagunas Norte Gold Mine and the La Arena Gold Mine.

For further information please contact either Thomas G. Larsen, Chairman and CEO or Jorge Estepa, Vice-President at (416) 868-9168.

Information in this news release may contain forward-looking information. Statements containing forward-looking information express, as at the date of this news release, the Companys plans, estimates, forecasts, projections, expectations, or beliefs as to future events or results and are believed to be reasonable based on information currently available to the Company. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

Neither the TSX nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9b618cf9-6f02-4d2d-983d-e26bf07b0d7e

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fcec81a1-d0db-437d-ac32-14bc08cacfa5

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/45d8082a-ea76-4c16-bfd9-f5fe22f85675
3D Systems DMP Flex 350 Dual delivers speed, flexibility to enable increased options for WeAreAM and Gruppo Grazioli customers



Direct metal printing solution part of WeAreAMs new Center of Excellence

ROCK HILL, S.C., Jan. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, 3D Systems (NYSE:DDD) announced that WeAreAM, a digital and metal additive manufacturing company located in Brescia, Lombardia, Italy, has added 3D Systems DMP Flex 350 Dual to its new Center of Excellence. WeAreAMs services cover additive manufacturing from application engineering and design through production and post-processing for a breadth of industrial markets such as oil & gas, automotive, and aerospace. The addition of 3D Systems direct metal printing solution will enable WeAreAM to explore an expanded set of applications  allowing the company to become increasingly responsive to its customers requirements, thus helping accelerate innovation. 3D Systems newest partner in Italy, Gruppo Grazioli, will work in close collaboration with WeAreAM providing training, support, and other services to ensure manufacturers integrating AM are maximizing the solution and thus their investment.

The DMP Flex 350 Dual enables flexible application use and quick-swap build modules, and a central server to manage print jobs, materials, settings, and maintenance for 24/7 productivity. Additionally, the unique vacuum chamber significantly reduces argon gas consumption while delivering best-in-class oxygen purity (<25 ppm). The printer also includes Oqtons 3DXpert software which supports every step of the additive manufacturing workflow from design to post-processing, to quickly and efficiently transition from a 3D model to successfully printed parts. This single software solution for modeling, simulation, and manufacturing eliminates the need to rely on multiple software packages. Efficiencies driven by 3DXpert can enable up to 75% faster file-processing time, and increase productivity by up to 40%.

The addition of our DMP technology in WeAreAM's Center of Excellence marks a significant milestone in their journey toward achieving manufacturing optimization, said Matteo Marcellini, director, industrial solutions, 3D Systems. Our DMP Flex 350 Dual is renowned as a high throughput, high repeatability metal 3D printer that is capable of producing high-quality parts in a broad range of alloys. The addition of this printer will not only help WeAreAM address its customers evolving application needs and catalyze innovation, it will also help improve productivity. Additionally, our newest partner, Gruppo Grazioli, brings deep expertise in solutions integration to help manufacturers optimize their investments. Im looking forward to all we will be able to achieve through this collaboration.

We are excited about our collaboration with 3D Systems and Gruppo Grazioli, aimed at showcasing how metal 3D printing technologies can be utilized to create functional objects, said Paolo Folgarait, Ph.D., founder, president & CEO, WeAreAM. The rapid serial production of parts on the 3D Systems DMP Flex 350 Dual meets all critical safety requirements across various application sectors, and empowers manufacturers to design innovative products.

Carlo Grazioli, board member, Gruppo Grazioli added, We are thrilled about our collaboration with 3D Systems, a significant step that solidifies our position in the metal additive technology sector in Italy. The partnership enables us to further provide advanced solutions and comprehensive support, thus contributing to driving innovation in the Italian industrial landscape. We are committed to delivering added value to businesses through the integration of cutting-edge technologies, fostering growth and excellence in the industry.

3D Systems DMP Flex 350 Dual will be showcased at the WeAreAM Center of Excellence open house to be held January 30-31, 2024. For more information, please visit the WeAreAM website.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements made in this release that are not statements of historical or current facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company to be materially different from historical results or from any future results or projections expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In many cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terms such as "believes," "belief," "expects," "may," "will," "estimates," "intends," "anticipates" or "plans" or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements are based upon managements beliefs, assumptions, and current expectations and may include comments as to the companys beliefs and expectations as to future events and trends affecting its business and are necessarily subject to uncertainties, many of which are outside the control of the company. The factors described under the headings "Forward-Looking Statements" and "Risk Factors" in the companys periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as other factors, could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected or predicted in forward-looking statements. Although management believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not, and should not be relied upon as a guarantee of future performance or results, nor will they necessarily prove to be accurate indications of the times at which such performance or results will be achieved. The forward-looking statements included are made only as of the date of the statement. 3D Systems undertakes no obligation to update or review any forward-looking statements made by management or on its behalf, whether as a result of future developments, subsequent events or circumstances or otherwise, except as required by law.

About 3D Systems

More than 35 years ago, 3D Systems brought the innovation of 3D printing to the manufacturing industry. Today, as the leading additive manufacturing solutions partner, we bring innovation, performance, and reliability to every interaction - empowering our customers to create products and business models never before possible. Thanks to our unique offering of hardware, software, materials, and services, each application-specific solution is powered by the expertise of our application engineers who collaborate with customers to transform how they deliver their products and services. 3D Systems solutions address a variety of advanced applications in healthcare and industrial markets such as medical and dental, aerospace & defense, automotive, and durable goods. More information on the company is available at www.3dsystems.com .

3D Systems Corporation

333 Three D Systems Circle

Rock Hill, SC 29730

www.3dsystems.com

NYSE:DDD

Investor Contact: investor.relations@3dsystems.com

Media Contact: press@3dsystems.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3b2a99ea-3df0-4cfa-8b21-99aadc502b30
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Barksdale Resources (OTCQX: BRKCF; TSXV: BRO) based in Arizona, focused on base metal exploration today announced that Rick Trotman, CEO will present live at the Battery and Precious Metals Virtual Investor Conference, hosted by VirtualInvestorConferences.com, on February 1st, 2024.



DATE: February 1st

TIME: 1:00 PM ET

LINK: https://bit.ly/3O92vPo

Available for 1x1 meetings: Thursday, February 1st, Friday, February 2nd, Monday, February 5th and Tuesday, February 6th.

This will be a live, interactive online event where investors are invited to ask the company questions in real-time. If attendees are not able to join the event live on the day of the conference, an archived webcast will also be made available after the event.

It is recommended that online investors pre-register and run the online system check to expedite participation and receive event updates.

Learn more about the event at www.virtualinvestorconferences.com .

About Barksdale Resources

Barksdale Resources Corp., a 2023 OTCQX BEST 50 Company, is a base metal exploration company headquartered in Vancouver, B.C., that is focused on the acquisition, exploration and advancement of highly prospective base metal projects in North America. Barksdale is currently advancing the Sunnyside copper-zinc-lead-silver and San Antonio copper projects, both of which are in the Patagonia mining district of southern Arizona, as well as the San Javier copper-gold project in central Sonora, Mexico.

About Virtual Investor Conferences

Virtual Investor Conferences (VIC) is the leading proprietary investor conference series that provides an interactive forum for publicly traded companies to seamlessly present directly to investors.

Providing a real-time investor engagement solution, VIC is specifically designed to offer companies more efficient investor access. Replicating the components of an on-site investor conference, VIC offers companies enhanced capabilities to connect with investors, schedule targeted one-on-one meetings and enhance their presentations with dynamic video content. Accelerating the next level of investor engagement, Virtual Investor Conferences delivers leading investor communications to a global network of retail and institutional investors.

CONTACTS:

Barksdale Resources

Rick Trotman

CEO

720-447-7705

rick@barksdaleresources.com

Terri Anne Welyki

VP Corporate Communications

778-238-2333

terrianne@barkdaleresources.com

Virtual Investor Conferences

John M. Viglotti

SVP Corporate Services, Investor Access

OTC Markets Group

(212) 220-2221

johnv@otcmarkets.com
Wilmington, Delaware, United States, Jan. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Transparency Market Research Inc. - The power generator rental industry was valued at US$ 173.5 million in 2022. A CAGR of 5.8% is projected between 2023 and 2031. The power generator rental market is expected to reach US$ 287.4 million by 2031. Renewable energy solutions may become increasingly popular as the global push toward sustainable energy intensifies.

Increasing the popularity of hybrid solutions or generators that work alongside renewable energy sources could significantly impact the power generator rental industry. Generator technology is constantly advancing, so it might improve the efficiency and environmental friendliness of generators in the future. Enhanced fuel efficiency, remote monitoring, and predictive maintenance are all likely to become more common.

Energy storage solutions, including batteries, may become more common. Temporary power solutions incorporating these technologies can be more reliable and flexible, especially with intermittent grid access. Internet of Things (IoT) technologies will enable remote monitoring and management of power generators. Costs can be reduced and efficiency improved by reducing downtime, implementing real-time diagnostics, and performing proactive maintenance.

Request a PDF sample of the latest market report  https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=40388



Customers may prefer environmentally friendly power solutions as awareness and demand for sustainability grows. As a result, cleaner and more fuel-efficient generators may become more popular. Business and organization decisions may be influenced by government policies and incentives supporting the use of clean energy solutions, affecting the demand for generators of certain power.

Key Findings of the Market Report

The rise of outdoor events and construction activities has created a need for flexible, temporary power solutions.

 Power generator rentals are growing in popularity as temporary power solutions become more popular

Diesel generators are leading the market for the power generator rental market.

In 2022, the Middle East and Africa comprised the largest percentage of the market.

Global Power Generator Rental Market: Growth Drivers

The susceptibility of electricity infrastructure has been brought to light by the rising frequency and intensity of natural disasters, including hurricanes, earthquakes, and floods. In the aftermath of such occurrences, there is an increased demand for temporary power solutions that can swiftly restore power. Renting a power generator is a great option since it can provide an instant and adaptable energy source, assist with emergency response, and keep vital services running.

The increasing need for backup and reliable power in various industries drives generator rentals. Power interruptions are crucial to maintaining operations and safeguarding against financial loss for modern businesses. Power outages may disrupt production processes and have substantial economic consequences, whether caused by grid failures or maintenance activities. Companies often rent generators to cover unplanned and planned downtime to maintain operational continuity and minimize losses.

Events and projects involving temporary power sources, such as construction sites, festivals, and outdoor concerts, have increased generator rental markets. These events often need scalable, portable, and tailored power sources. Organizers and project managers can configure the generators easily to meet the needs of temporary activities by renting generators, which is a cost-effective and efficient solution. When a permanent power infrastructure is not cost-effective or practical, power generator rentals are an ideal choice.

Have Any Query? Ask Our Experts: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=ASK&rep_id=40388

Global Power Generator Rental Market: Regional Landscape

Asia Pacific region is expected to lead the power generator rental market. Urbanization, industrialization, and infrastructure development are driving rapid growth in power demand in Asia-Pacific. Due to this, rental prices for power generators are likely to rise significantly. Several Asian countries have incorporated renewable energy sources into their energy mix. Power solutions for temporary and reliable use are continually needed as the region develops infrastructure and construction projects.

Asia-Pacific is experiencing advancements in the technology of power generators similar to other regions. Smart technologies like remote monitoring and better fuel efficiency are integrated. Knowing and complying with the different regulatory environments is essential for power generation companies operating in the Asia-Pacific region. Fuel consumption, emissions, and safety standards may differ depending on the state.

Global Power Generator Rental Market: Key Players

Power generator rental companies invest heavily in developing advanced industrial generators and renting large ones. A strong position in the industry is maintained by close collaborations within the industry, as well as mergers and acquisitions.

APR Energy

Atlas Copco AB

Aggreko

Caterpillar Inc.

Cummins Inc.

Kohler Co.

Reddy Generators

Sunbelt Rentals Inc.

Xinchang Machinery Engineering Co. Ltd.

United Rentals Inc.

Key Developments

In January 2024, United Rentals Stamford, Conn ., will acquire HIPOWER SYSTEMS' EHR solar battery generators. By integrating photovoltaic solar panels and a propane generator, United Rentals offers the first mobile microgrid solution for boosting project sustainability.

., will acquire HIPOWER SYSTEMS' EHR solar battery generators. By integrating photovoltaic solar panels and a propane generator, United Rentals offers the first mobile microgrid solution for boosting project sustainability. In November 2023, Aggreko Glasgow, UK, released Canada's newest Tier 4 final generator. The company offers low-emission technology to Canadian customers with CSA-certified options ranging from 100kW to 500kW.

Global Power Generator Rental Market: Segmentation

By Generator Rating

Up to 100 KVA

101-500 KVA

501-1000 KVA

Above 1000 KVA

By Fuel Type

Diesel

Natural Gas

By End User

Utilities

Oil & Gas

Mining

Construction

Events

Others

By Region

North America

Latin America

Asia Pacific

Europe

Middle East & Africa

Order a Copy of this Report at: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/checkout.php?rep_id=40388<ype=S

Go through further research published by Transparency Market Research:

Ceramic Tiles Market - The ceramic tiles market was estimated to have acquired US$ 100.1 billion in 2021. It is anticipated to register an 8.6% CAGR from 2022 to 2031 and by 2031; the market is likely to gain US$ 210.3 billion.

Agricultural Films Market - The global agricultural films market is prognosticated to reach a value of US$ 25.1 Bn by the end of 2031, as per a research report by Transparency Market Research (TMR). Additionally, the TMR study on the sales forecast for agricultural films market notes that the market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.4% during the forecast period, from 2022 to 2031.

About Transparency Market Research

Transparency Market Research, a global market research company registered at Wilmington, Delaware, United States, provides custom research and consulting services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insights for thousands of decision makers. Our experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools & techniques to gather and analyses information.

Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.

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Transparency Market Research Inc.

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Greenville, SC, Jan. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Construction wages rose sharply in the past three years and all market indicators portend that labor will be a long-term constraint on the growth of the construction industry, according to a new report published today.

Gordian, provider of data-driven solutions for all phases of the building lifecycle, collaborated with ConstructConnect to produce a construction labor outlook report, The Great Adaptation: Navigating the New Construction Labor Pool. This report analyzes how the labor force has shifted since the pandemic and provides practical strategies for how organizations can adapt.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the construction labor pool has experienced a seismic shift, says Sam Giffin, Gordians Director of Data Operations and co-author of the report. Organizations now find themselves hiring a different group of laborers, with different expectations and different skill sets. Navigating these new dynamics against structural headwinds requires careful consideration and cost management.

Gordian and ConstructConnect explore construction labor market changes in this report and provide data-driven insights explaining what has fueled the labor shortage in the industry. Key findings include:

Construction wages rose an average of 20% from 2021 to 2023.

Two major changes in construction labor dynamics at the federal level will compound increasing cost structures in 2024 and beyond.

Construction trade wages in the continental U.S. have been rising at a much higher rate in traditionally low-cost areas.

As a result of the economys initial COVID shutdown in early 2020, over one million Baby Boomers, many with decades of work experience, permanently left the workforce.

The report contains cutting-edge data and expert analysis of construction labor costs, changes to prevailing wage calculations, the rise of mega-projects, the new balance of labor supply and demand and changing workforce demographics. In addition to a thorough breakdown of the implications and impact of these various factors, the report also provides five specific strategies for how businesses can adapt to these new construction labor dynamics.

Americas demographic picture makes clear that labor will be a long-term constraint on the growth of the construction industry, says Michael Guckes, Senior Economist for ConstructConnect and co-author of the report. Although regulatory and environmental impact concerns may increase overall construction costs, firms that emphatically embrace and implement best-in-class recruiting, training and jobsite safety practices will be in a better position to control costs and maintain work product quality in the future.

Visit Gordian's website to read and download a copy of the report.

About ConstructConnect

ConstructConnect (constructconnect.com) is a leading provider of commercial construction information and technology solutions and is committed to transforming the way the construction industry does business by providing its customers with the tools, information and connections needed to drive their success.

About Gordian

Gordian (www.gordian.com) is the leading provider of Building Intelligence Solutions, delivering unrivaled insights, robust technology and comprehensive expertise that fuel customers success during every phase of the building lifecycle. Gordian created Job Order Contracting (JOC) and the industry standard RSMeans Data. Gordian empowers organizations to optimize capital investments, improve project performance and minimize long-term operating expenses.
ROME, Jan. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pirelli kicks off 2024 by outfitting the extreme adventures of two iconic Porsches, using Scorpion All Terrain Plus tyres for the Porsche 911 Dakar in the African desert and studded Stella Bianca tyres for the Porsche 550 Spyder on the icy track of Zell Am See. This marks a historic collaboration between Pirelli and the Stuttgart-based automaker, with the Porsche 911 being the first model to sport Pirelli tires back in 1982.



The Porsche 911 Dakar, fitted with Pirelli Scorpion All Terrain Plus tyres approved for the model, covered 7,000 kilometres across asphalt, sand, dirt roads, and rocky terrain without ever changing tyres. The vehicle, driven by its owner, started from Porsche Zentrum Inntal (Rosenheim), south of Munich in Germany, reaching Dakar, the capital of Senegal, following the route of the Africa Eco Race rally. An outstanding achievement for Pirelli Scorpion All Terrain Plus tyres, which, despite having road approval, tackled the raid route alongside race cars, safely bringing the car to the finish line.

The Pirelli Scorpion All Terrain Plus tyre was specifically developed for the original equipment of the Porsche 911 Dakar, supporting the high-performance characteristics typical of a 911 while enabling it to face the most challenging off-road conditions. Pirelli combined these features within a single tyre through the introduction of a particular compound family and a design that optimised the product's footprint and strengthened its structure.

Another legendary Porsche model faced extreme conditions with Pirelli equipment, this time on ice: the Porsche 550 Spyder at the F.A.T. Ice Race 2024, an event where Pirelli is the official partner. These cars were equipped with custom-made Stella Bianca tyres, studded for this particular occasion. The Stella Bianca, Pirelli's longest-running tread pattern, is also available in sizes 5.00/5.25-16 for the Porsche 550 Spyder and 356 Pre-A, respectively, the first mid-engine racing car from the German brand and the first mass-produced model in Stuttgart. Available on the market from February, the tyre from the Pirelli Collezione range, dedicated to classic cars, retains the original appearance but incorporates modern technology for efficiency and safety, even in wet conditions.

For more information:

Press Office LaPresse - ufficio.stampa@lapresse.it

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/14c2e277-a51b-4573-bb93-b087bf5c9fad

A video accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e2ab61e4-1a17-4190-b3d9-8f5ef24d9505
Dublin, Jan. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Train Seat Market Report 2023" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global train seat market, following a period of significant challenges due to economic sanctions and global disruptions, is projected to show resilient growth in the coming years. Forecasted growth from $1.62 billion in 2022 to $1.72 billion in 2023 illustrates a strong CAGR of 6.5%, as the industry begins to stabilize and adapt to the new economic environment.



Recent research indicates that investments in rail infrastructure across various regions are a substantial factor in driving this market forward. With governments around the world channeling funds into railway upgrades and modernization projects, the emphasis on passenger comfort is more pronounced than ever.

In an industry where technological advancements play a pivotal role, key market players are embracing innovative seating solutions to enhance the passenger experience. The introduction of advanced Railway Seating Systems not only emphasizes safety and comfort but also integrates highly functional designs with cutting-edge materials.

Europe maintains its position as the largest market for train seats, reflecting the region's ongoing commitment to railway transport as a cornerstone of public mobility. Detailed analysis within the report covers significant regions, including Asia-Pacific, North America, and others, offering regional insights and trends that drive the industry.

The report identifies and profiles major industry players, shedding light on their market positioning and strategic developments, including partnerships and the introduction of new product lines. These developments not only affect the competitive landscape but also provide a glimpse into the future direction of the market.

The comprehensive analysis within the market research report includes a deep dive into various train types such as regional or intercity, high-speed, and metro, along with product types from non-recliner to luxury/premium seats. Coverage extends to key market segments, including products used by OEMs and aftermarket sales, with a focus on presenting a 'factory gate' value perspective.

Market values outlined in the report represent crucial revenue figures derived from the sale of goods and services within the specified industry segments, offering stakeholders a solid foundation for strategic decision-making.

With detailed market segmentation, trend analyses, and future prospects, this train seat market research report provides a comprehensive view of the current landscape and potential growth scenarios for industry professionals interested in the train seat market. The information compiled offers an indispensable resource for those seeking to make informed decisions and capitalize on emerging opportunities within this dynamic sector.

For a market that plays a vital role in defining passenger experience during rail travel, these insights come at a crucial time, guiding stakeholders through a period of transformation and innovation.

Key Attributes

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 175 Forecast Period 2023 - 2027 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $1.72 billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2027 $2.13 billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 5.5% Regions Covered Global

A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes

Magna International Inc.

Freedman Seating Company

Minda Industries Ltd.

Seats Incoporated

KTK Group

VIA Rail Canada Inc.

Camira Fabrics Ltd.

Sears Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

United Safety & Survivability Corp.

Fenix Group LLC

Faurecia SE

PowerRail

Kustom Seating Unlimited Inc.

Perrone Aerospace;Lazzerini Srl

Transcal Ltd.

McConnell Seats

Brusa Seating

Knoedler Manufacturers Inc.

Technical Metal Specialties Inc.

Compin-Fainsa

Franz Kiel GmbH

Rescroft Ltd.

F.I.S.A. Fabbrica Italiana Sedili Autoferroviari S.r.l.

GRAMMER AG

Rojac Urethane Limited

Quantum Seating Ltd.

Baultar Concept Inc.

Shanghai Tanda Railway Vehicle Seat System Co Ltd.

Hickory Springs Manufacturing.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/g7ayhz

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

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Turnersville, New Jersey, Jan. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TCN Worldwide Real Estate Services is excited to announce the addition of Robson Goldberg Real Estate as its newest affiliate serving Southern New Jersey. This strategic partnership, combined with the established presence of TCN Worldwide member firm, Sitar Realty Company, enables TCN Worldwide to provide a comprehensive suite of commercial real estate services throughout the entire state of New Jersey. Operating as a market-leading, full-service commercial real estate firm, Robson Goldberg Real Estate, LLC offers in-depth knowledge of the Southern New Jersey Commercial Real Estate market, servicing Gloucester County, Camden County, Cumberland County, Salem County, Atlantic County and Cape May County.

"We are delighted to welcome Robson Goldberg as a member of TCN Worldwide. The firm has established itself as a leader in the New Jersey market for 50 years and counting through its unwavering commitment to excellence and integrity. We are looking forward to learning from Robson Goldbergs insights as they lead the way for new commercial real estate projects and investment opportunities in the ever-evolving Southern New Jersey region, says Ross Ford, President & CEO of TCN Worldwide Real Estate Services.



Robson Goldberg Real Estate, LLC is a one-stop-shop, commercial real estate firm in Southern New Jersey. With a legacy of providing exceptional real estate services dating back to 1964, Robson Goldberg has been a prominent player in the real estate industry for decades.



At Robson Goldberg, we are committed to providing exceptional guidance and meeting the varying commercial real estate requirements of our clients. We are extremely pleased to be joining hands with TCN Worldwide, one of the largest brokerage networks in our industry, to offer a wider array of services and expand our reach globally. We look forward to working closely with TCNs member firm in Northern New Jersey, Sitar Realty Company, and all TCN affiliates to help our clients grow, says Fredrick G. Buehler, Jr. MBA, Principal Broker.

"Joining TCN Worldwide marks a significant milestone in our journey. This collaboration not only aligns with our longstanding commitment to excellence and integrity in the commercial real estate sector but also opens new doors for our firm to expand our reach globally. We are thrilled to bring our deep understanding of the Southern New Jersey market to this prestigious network and look forward to working alongside TCN's member firms to foster new opportunities and drive innovation in the industry," says Jordan Goldberg, Esquire CEO of Robson Goldberg Real Estate, LLC.

About Robson Goldberg Real Estate, LLC





Headquartered in Turnersville, New Jersey, Robson Goldberg Real Estate, LLC is committed to providing comprehensive sales, leasing, and property management services. The firm offers a full range of real estate services all under one roof. Robson Goldbergs real estate professionals understand the many complexities and nuances of real estate transactions and are dedicated to providing their clients with the highest level of expertise.

Originally established as a small partnership between the late Norman Robson and Leon Goldberg, the business continues to be shaped by their vision today. With Robson Goldberg, you can expect a personalized and attentive approach that ensures your real estate goals are met effectively and efficiently.



To learn more, visit www.robsongoldberg.com.







About TCN Worldwide



TCN Worldwide, a consortium of independent commercial real estate firms, provides complete integrated real estate solutions locally and internationally. Established in 1989, TCN Worldwide stands as a prominent figure in the commercial real estate industry, ranking among its largest service providers. As an alliance of premier independent brokerage firms serving more than 200 primary and secondary markets worldwide, TCN Worldwide provides comprehensive integrated solutions across North America, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Australia.

With an expansive array of real estate services and an unwavering commitment to exceeding client expectations, TCN Worldwide member firms represent approximately $47.3 billion in transactions annually across 70+ offices and more than 1,500 commercial real estate professionals.



For more information on TCN Worldwide, visit www.TCNWorldwide.com.





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Dublin, Jan. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Tire Reinforcement Materials Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2023-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The latest market analysis on the burgeoning tire reinforcement materials sector indicates a robust growth trajectory, with expectations for the market value to swell from $15.3 billion in 2022 to $19.5 billion by 2028, marking a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.1%. This expansion is fueled by increasing applications across various vehicle types and tire forms.

Sturdy and resilient, tire reinforcement materials like beads and fabric cords are integral in enhancing tire lifespan, with a particular emphasis on stiffness, tensile strength, adhesion to rubber, and compression modulus. Their choice hinges on factors like cost, construction, chemical makeup, and the ply count in tires. As automotive engineering advances, these materials are proving indispensable for maintaining tire structure, carrying vehicle weight, and honing tire functionality.

Noteworthy Trends and Drivers Catalyzing Market Growth

Several prevalent trends are shaping market demand, including a surge in the popularity of run-flat and ultra-high-speed tires, which is elevating the use of textile cords across a multitude of vehicles ranging from bicycles to shuttles. The steel cords segment, revered for lowering rolling resistance and augmenting fuel efficiency, is finding broad application in the manufacture of sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and light truck (LT) tires.

The construction and mining sectors are also pivotal in driving demand, as tire reinforcement materials are essential for protecting heavy-duty vehicles from punctures. Furthermore, booming automobile sales, innovation in materials like super high tensile bead wires, and rigorous fuel economy standards are forecasted to underpin the tire reinforcement materials market growth.

Key Market Segmentation Insights

Product Type: Tire Cord Fabric, Tire Bead Wire

Material Type: Steel, Polyester, Nylon, Rayon, Aramid, and Others

Tire Type: Radial Tire, Bias Tire

Vehicle Type: Passenger Cars, Commercial Vehicle, and Others

Application: OEMs, Aftermarket

Meticulous Regional Analysis

The report provides insightful regional analysis with detailed forecasts across various geographies, including North America, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa. Strategic insights on specific countries within these regions illuminate local market dynamics and growth opportunities.

A Competitive Market Outlook

The tire reinforcement materials sector hosts an array of industry behemoths, contributing with innovative technologies and materials. The latest report includes a competitive landscape summary, featuring key players that have a significant presence in this market space. Collaboration, technological advancement, and strategic material development remain focal points for these industry leaders as they cater to an ever-evolving market.

The report sheds light on pivotal questions regarding the market's size and expected growth rate, coupled with the main factors driving the tire reinforcement materials market. Important parameters, such as the market segmentation on product and material types, tire and vehicle types, and their respective applications, paint a comprehensive picture of the market narrative.

Companies Mentioned

Bridgestone Corporation

Century Enka Limited

Cordenka GmbH & Co. KG

Dupont De Nemours Inc.

Formosa Taffeta Co. Ltd.

Kolon Industries Inc.

Kordsa Teknik Tekstil AS (Haci Omer Sabanci Holding AS)

NV Bekaert S.A.

SRF Limited (Kama Holdings Ltd.)

Teijin Limited

Toray Industries Inc. and Toyobo Co. Ltd.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/e85x9r

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.
Dublin, Jan. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Anti-Corrosion Coating Market by Type (Epoxy, Polyurethane, Acrylic, Alkyd, Zinc), Technology (Solvent Borne, Waterborne, Powder-Based), End-Use Industry (Marine, Oil & Gas, Industrial, Infrastructure, Power Generation), & Region - Global Forecast to 2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

In a significant publication update, a comprehensive analysis has been released pertaining to the global anti-corrosion coating market, which is expected to ascend from USD 34.8 billion in 2022 to USD 43.3 billion by 2028.

This remarkable growth, forecasted at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.6% over the period, can be attributed to the Epoxy segment securing the largest market share. Epoxy anti-corrosion coatings are renowned for their durability and compatibility with other materials, leading to extensive use in various end-use industries, including marine, oil & gas, infrastructure, and automotive & transportation.

Solvent Borne technology has been identified as the dominant segment within the market, driven by its considerable adoption in industries such as automotive and infrastructure. Nonetheless, solvent-borne coatings are typically high in VOCs and possess potential flammability, which raises environmental concerns. Despite these challenges, the segment maintains its position owing to their superior block resistance qualities.

With particular emphasis on the Marine industry, anti-corrosion coatings have been indispensable in protecting assets against the rigors of extreme marine environments. These specialized coatings are essential for enhancing the longevity and reducing maintenance needs of marine equipment.

The Asia Pacific region shines as the fastest-growing market, stimulating the global anti-corrosion coating demand. Economic expansion in this region, coupled with substantial investments in automotive, infrastructure, and power generation sectors, has paved the way for this exponential market growth.

A detailed market breakdown based on factors like Type, Technology, and End-Use Industry has been presented alongside an elaborate regional analysis. This extensive research document aims to deliver a panoramic view of the market landscape, highlighting the industry trends, market dynamics, and competitive analysis.

Key Market Insights:

Identification of primary market drivers, emphasizing the need for efficient processes and equipment longevity.

Examination of key market constraints, including stringent environmental regulations and raw material costs.

Spotlight on significant opportunities such as demand for high-efficiency coatings and growth potential in emerging economies.

Analysis of major challenges facing the market, including the presence of local competitors and rise of alternative products.

Key Attributes:

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 334 Forecast Period 2023 - 2028 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $34.8 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2028 $43.3 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 3.6% Regions Covered Global

Companies Mentioned

3M

Advanced Nanotech Lab

Akzonobel N.V.

Ancatt Inc.

Axalta Coating Systems Ltd.

BASF SE

Diamond Vogel

Eoncoat, LLC

Greenkote plc

Hempel A/S

Heubach Color

Jotun

Kansai Paint Co., Ltd

Nippon Paint Holdings Co., Ltd.

Noroo Paint & Coatings

Nycote Laboratories, Inc.

PPG Industries, Inc.

Renner Herrmann Sa

RPM International Inc.

Secoa Metal Finishing

SK Formulations India Pvt. Ltd.

The Dow Chemical Company

The Magni Group, Inc.

The Sherwin-Williams Company

Wacker Chemie Ag

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/kljguj

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

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Dublin, Jan. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Rapid Oral Fluid Screening Device Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts (2023 - 2028)" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The latest comprehensive analysis of the global Rapid Oral Fluid Screening Device Market highlights a surge in market size, expected to reach USD 18.78 billion by 2028 from its current value of USD 9.20 billion, with a significant compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.34% over the forecast period of 2023 to 2028.

Following the initial challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic which saw a downturn in drug testing activities due to lockdowns and an increase in work-from-home arrangements, the market is now experiencing a robust resurgence. This uptick is driven by various factors, including escalating issues related to drug abuse, stringent mandates for substance screening procedures, and heightened awareness about drug testing safety in workplaces.

The Significance of Strips in the Rapid Oral Fluid Screening Device Market

The market analysis highlights strip-based screening devices as demonstrating a notable growth trajectory in the market. Benefiting from their ease of use, cost-effectiveness, and portability, these devices are seeing increasing adoption, particularly in the workplace testing sector. The alarming rates of drug and alcohol consumption necessitate frequent and reliable testing methods, thereby fueling the growth of the strip segment.

North America Dominates Market Expansion

North America is identified as a key player driving the market forward with significant growth, attributable to an alarming prevalence of drug use and established regulations mandating rigorous testing protocols. The urgent need for swift and reliable screening methods in home care, roadside testing, and workplace environments bolsters the demand for rapid oral fluid screening devices in this region.

Competitive Landscape and Key Market Players

The rapid oral fluid screening device market's competitive environment features innovation and a handful of leading players who are actively expanding their market presence. Technological advancements and strategic partnerships underline the sector's moderate competitive nature as stakeholders vie for market dominance.

Future Market Outlook

The outlook for the Rapid Oral Fluid Screening Device Market remains optimistic as increasing awareness, evolving regulatory landscapes, and technological advancements act as fundamental catalysts for growth. Amidst these growth-inducing factors, the market continues to adapt and evolve, meeting the needs of various end-user applications and contributing to public health and safety.

The comprehensive market research report enriches stakeholders with invaluable insights and supports informed decision-making in this dynamically evolving market landscape.

Forward-Looking Statements

This market study considers a broad range of factors and trends influencing the global rapid oral fluid screening device market's future. While it provides strategic insights based on current data, stakeholders should be aware that market dynamics are subject to change due to various external factors.

Key Takeaways from the Research

Projected rapid growth of the global rapid oral fluid screening device market with a CAGR of 15.34% from 2023 to 2028.

Strips segment showcases a robust increase due to cost-effectiveness and ease of use.

Increased demand in North America fueled by rising drug abuse concerns and stringent regulations.

Market dynamics outlined by technological advancements and the competitive presence of leading market players.

A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes

OraSure Technologies, Inc.

Abbott Laboratories

Guangzhou Wondfo Biotech Co., Ltd

Oranoxis Inc.

Securetec Detektions-Systeme AG

AccuBioTech Co. Ltd

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/escck8

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

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Dublin, Jan. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global HDMI Cable Market 2023-2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The HDMI cable market is forecasted to grow by USD 811.02 mn during 2022-2027, accelerating at a CAGR of 4.8% during the forecast period. The report on the HDMI cable market provides a holistic analysis, market size and forecast, trends, growth drivers, and challenges, as well as vendor analysis covering around 25 vendors.



The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current market scenario, the latest trends and drivers, and the overall market environment. The market is driven by increasing penetration of smart devices, increased gaming use of HDMI cables, AR-VR applications and 4k content display on TVs, and increased usage of economical HDMI cables.



The HDMI cable market is segmented as below:

By Type

Standard

High-speed

Ultra-high-speed

By Distribution Channel

Offline

Online

By Geographical Landscape

APAC

North America

Europe

South America

Middle East and Africa

This study identifies the growing popularity of HDMI 2.1 as one of the prime reasons driving the HDMI cable market growth during the next few years. Also, increased adoption of ar/vr/mr and growing popularity of HDMI with ethernet will lead to sizable demand in the market.



The report on the HDMI cable market covers the following areas:

HDMI cable market sizing

HDMI cable market forecast

HDMI cable market industry analysis

A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes

Amphenol Communications Solutions

Aten International Co. Ltd.

Belkin International Inc.

Best Buy Co. Inc.

Broadcom Inc.

Ce Link

Cheng Uei Precision Industry Co. Ltd.

Dell Technologies Inc.

Eaton Corp. Plc

Hitachi Ltd.

Honeywell International Inc.

Intel Corp.

Kramer Electronics Ltd.

Molex LLC

Nordost

Panasonic Holdings Corp.

RGB Systems Inc.

Sony Group Corp.

Tragant Handels und Beteiligungs GmbH Co.

Koninklijke Philips N.V.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/10fasy

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.
Dublin, Jan. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Solar Thermal Market in Europe 2023-2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The latest comprehensive analysis on the European solar thermal market projects a remarkable growth spurt, with the sector expected to expand by USD 2.44 billion from 2022 to 2027. Demonstrating a progressive CAGR of 7.78%, the market's upward trajectory is fueled by a constellation of factors including the surging demand for Concentrated Solar Power (CSP), a transformative shift in European energy policies, and the burgeoning development of zero-energy buildings.

The rigorous vendor analysis outlined in the report aims to empower stakeholders to enhance their market positioning. The in-depth analysis includes key players who are pioneering in solar thermal technology, paving the way for innovative applications in heat and power generation.

Key Market Segmentation & Influential Trends

By Technology: The market distinguishes between low and medium temperature solutions and high temperature applications, each catering to specific needs within the industry.





The market distinguishes between low and medium temperature solutions and high temperature applications, each catering to specific needs within the industry. By Application: Insightful subdivision into heat generation and power generation segments provides clarity on the diverse uses of solar thermal technology.

Moreover, the study highlights the advent of smart cities as a primary growth propeller, alongside prospects like hybrid photovoltaic thermal (PVT) collectors and solar thermal-enhanced oil recovery, which are projected to influence the demand curve significantly.

Comprehensive Regional Analysis

The report presents an incisive European market sizing that meticulously quantifies current dynamics.

A futuristic forecast that equips industry players with data-driven insights.

An industry analysis that captures the broader context affected by various market influencers.

In-depth examination into each facet of the market's competitive landscape aids in outlining the stratagems that companies could adopt to capitalize on forthcoming growth opportunities. This synthesis of primary and secondary research presents a clear, reliable, and comprehensive picture, supported by data collated from key industry stakeholders.



A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes

Aalborg CSP

Abengoa SA

Acciona SA

ACS Actividades de Construccion Y Servicios SA

Atlantica Sustainable Infrastructure PLC

BrightSource Energy Inc.

CGC SAMCA

Cosmosolar Ltd.

DEL PASO SOLAR SL

DIMAS SA

FRENELL GmbH

GREENoneTEC Solarindustrie GmbH

Greenville Energy and Research Inc.

Nobel International EAD

PHOENIX SonnenWarme AG

Robert Bosch GmbH

SENER GRUPO DE INGENIERIA SA

Vaillant GmbH

Viessmann Climate Solutions SE

Hewalex Sp. z o. o. Sp.k.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/jkdi8t

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.
Vancouver, January 28, 2024 - Arbor Metals Corp. ("Arbor" or the "Company") (TSXV:ABR) (FWB:432) is pleased to announce the comprehensive details of its fully funded, multiphase 2024 exploration program for the Jarnet Lithium Project. Situated in the Eeyou-Istchee Baie James Territory territory of Quebec, adjoining Patriot Battery Metals' Corvette Lithium Project.

Phase 1: Ground Magnetometer Survey (Commencing February 2024)

The first phase of the program involves a ground magnetometer survey covering approximately 225 line kilometers. This survey aims to identify and map magnetic contrasts helping to locate pegmatite intrusions and structural patterns controlling their emplacement. In the Corvette area, a pegmatite event is the primary host rock for spodumene mineralization, which intrude the country mafic rocks. With well-maintained winter roads providing excellent access to the claims, this survey is set to commence in February 2024.

Phase 2: Prospecting and C-Horizon Soil Sampling (Scheduled for Summer 2024)

The second phase is a prospecting and C-horizon soil sampling program, targeting deeper samples. Helicopter support will facilitate the execution of this phase, considering the extensive size of the project. Information gathered from this phase, in conjunction with ground geophysical data, will play a pivotal role in refining diamond drilling targets. The prospecting program is slated for early Summer 2024.

Phase 3: Diamond Drilling (Fall 2024)

Anticipated to commence in the fall of 2024, the third phase involves diamond drilling. While road access is expected to be available, the vastness of Arbor's holdings makes helicopter support a feasible option. Permitting activities are scheduled for the summer, and the Company plans to drill up to 14 holes, each at a depth of 200 meters, with an estimated cost of approximately $1.2 million.

Mark Ferguson, President of Arbor, expressed his enthusiasm about the exploration program, stating, "Our 2024 exploration program is a testament to our commitment to unlocking the full potential of the Jarnet Lithium Project. The multiphase approach, coupled with advanced survey techniques, reflects our dedication to informed and strategic exploration."

Arbor emphasizes its commitment to working collaboratively with local communities and indigenous groups throughout the exploration process. The Company prioritizes sustainable and responsible environmental practices, ensuring that its operations adhere to the highest industry standards.

Qualified Person

Martin Demers, P. Geo registered in the Provinces of Quebec (ogq #770), a consultant to Arbor and a qualified person under National Instrument 43?101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has reviewed the technical contents of this news release and has approved the disclosure of the technical information contained herein.

Incentive Stock Option Grant

The Company also announces that it has granted 1,000,000 incentive stock options to the directors and officers of the Company. The options vest upon grant and are exercisable at a price of $1.00 until January 29, 2025.

About Arbor Metals Corp.

Arbor Metals Corp. is a mining exploration company focused on developing high-value, geographically significant mineral projects worldwide. Arbor is paving the way for advanced mineral exploration as it oversees world-class mining projects. The Company is confident that combining quality projects with proven strategies and a dedicated team will yield exceptional outcomes.

The Jarnet lithium project, located in the James Bay region of Quebec, comprises 47 map-designated claims, covering an area of approximately 3,759 hectares. The Jarnet project is contiguous to the Corvette-FCI property, where diamond drilling has confirmed significant lithium mineralization representing one of the highest-profile lithium exploration projects in the sector.



Click Image To View Full Size

For further information, contact Mark Ferguson, Chief Executive Officer, at info@arbormetalscorp.com, or 403.852.4869, or visit the Company's website at www.arbormetalscorp.com.

On behalf of the Board,

Arbor Metals Corp.

Mark Ferguson, Chief Executive Officer

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release may contain certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When or if used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target, "plan", "forecast", "may", "schedule" and similar words or expressions identify forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements or information may relate to the development of the Jarnet Lithium Project, and other factors or information. Such statements represent the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social risks, contingencies and uncertainties. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements and information other than as required by applicable laws, rules and regulations.

Copyright (c) 2024 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.
VANCOUVER, Jan. 29, 2024 - United Lithium Corp. ("United" or the "Company") (CSE: ULTH; OTC: ULTHF; FWB: 0UL) is pleased to announce that Anoop Prihar has joined the Company as Vice President Corporate Development. Mr. Prihar has over twenty-five years of experience as an institutional sell-side equity analyst with a focus on the mining sector. The Company has also commenced a Scandinavian focused marketing and awareness campaign to introduce the investment community to United's local lithium projects in Sweden and Finland.



Appointment of Vice President Corporate Development

Mr. Prihar has worked as an institutional sell-side equity analyst for over twenty-five years at Stifel GMP and Eight Capital in Toronto, Canada. During this time, he covered a variety of sectors including: Metals and Mining, Fertilizers, Real Estate, Non-Bank financials, Clean-Tech and Industrials. For the last five years, Mr. Prihar covered the Battery Metals sector with a focus on emerging lithium, nickel and graphite producers. Mr. Prihar has been recognized as a top ranked analyst by both Brendan Wood International and Reuters Investment Survey. He also serves as a member of the Finance, Risk, Audit and Investment Committee of the Oakville Hospital Foundation and holds an MBA with a concentration in Finance from the University of Western Ontario.

Mr. Prihar remarked, "I am excited to be joining the team responsible for capturing the commercial potential of United. The European Union's ("EU") Critical Raw Materials Act is designed to ensure the region has access to a secure and sustainable supply of strategic raw materials. By providing economic incentives and streamlining the permitting process, the EU's Critical Raw Materials Act aims to ensure the EU is able to extract 10% of its lithium requirements by 2030. Given the exploration results achieved to-date at our Bergby Project in Sweden, along with the Project's access to infrastructure and management's track record for creating value, I am optimistic about the outlook for the Company."

"Over the coming weeks, I will be presenting the key attributes of United's business strategy and near-term objectives to the investment community. As part of this process, United plans to participate in various conferences and awareness programs."

Engagement of Scandinavian Alliance for Nordic Marketing and Awareness Campaign

The Company also announces that it has entered into a consulting services agreement dated January 26, 2024, with Karlsson Group Limited, doing business as Scandinavian Alliance ("SA"), for a period of six (6) months. SA will undertake a wide-ranging European marketing and awareness campaign, including consulting marketing services, such as managing brand recognition and awareness, social media strategy and planning, social media reporting and other similar services, broadening the Company's Scandinavian audience where its core lithium projects are located.

In consideration for the services, the Company will pay SA an aggregate amount of CAD$110,922. SA does not have an interest, directly or indirectly, in the Company and its securities, or any right or intent to acquire any such interest. SA's head office is at 1203, 12/F, Tower 3, China Hong Kong City, 33 Canton Road, Tsimshatsui, Hong Kong. These services are expected to be provided by Mr. Paul Druce, Managing Partner at SA, and he can be reached by phone at +46 8 559 26 709 or directors@scandinavianalliance.com.

Incentive Stock Option Grant

The Company also announces that it has granted incentive stock options to Mr. Prihar to acquire an aggregate of 100,000 common shares in the capital of the Company at an exercise price of $1.05 (the "Options"), in accordance with its 10% rolling Incentive Stock Option Plan. The Options vest immediately upon grant and are exercisable for a period of sixty months.

About the Bergby Project

Bergby consists of ten exploration licenses covering 7,897 ha located near the coast of the Gulf of Bothnia in central Sweden. The Project is approximately 200 km north of Stockholm via highway E4 and 25 km north of the city of Gavle, within an area of significant infrastructure including highway and road access, railway, power, and the port of Norrsundet. Gavle is a proximal labour and supply hub. Furthermore, Bergby is 570 km south of the new Northvolt lithium battery gigafactory located in Sweden, and 440 km across the Gulf of Bothnia from Keliber Lithium's hydroxide plant currently under construction. The Project now comprises five drill-confirmed spodumene bearing pegmatites (Pegmatite A to E), with a combined strike length of more than 4,000 m. There are unexplained spodumene-bearing boulder trains and much of the property remains unexplored, highlighting the excellent potential at Bergby for further discovery.

On Behalf of The Board of Directors

"Scott Eldridge"

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

About United Lithium Corp.

United Lithium Corp. (CSE: ULTH) is an exploration & development company energized by the global demand for lithium. The Company is targeting lithium projects in politically safe jurisdictions with advanced infrastructure that allows for rapid and cost-effective exploration, development, and production opportunities.

The Company's consolidated financial statements and related management's discussion and analysis are available on the Company's website at https://unitedlithium.com/ or under its profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. All statements included in this news release, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements including, without limitation, statements with respect to the potential of the Bergby Project; the potential identification of new discoveries; timing and successful execution SA's European marketing and awareness campaign. Forward-looking statements include predictions, projections and forecasts and are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "potential", "target", "budget" and "intend" and statements that an event or result "may", "will", "should", "could" or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions and includes the negatives thereof.

Forward-looking statements are based on the reasonable assumptions, estimates, analysis, and opinions of the management of the Company made in light of its experience and its perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management of the Company believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date that such statements are made. Forward-looking information is based on reasonable assumptions that have been made by the Company as at the date of such information and is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may have caused actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to: risks associated with mineral exploration and development; metal and mineral prices; availability of capital; accuracy of the Company's projections and estimates; realization of mineral resource estimates, interest and exchange rates; competition; stock price fluctuations; availability of drilling equipment and access; actual results of current exploration activities; government regulation; political or economic developments; environmental risks; insurance risks; capital expenditures; operating or technical difficulties in connection with development activities; personnel relations; contests over title to properties; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The estimate of mineral resources may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, sociopolitical, marketing, or other relevant issues. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable, including but not limited to the price of lithium and other metals and minerals; the demand for lithium and other metals and minerals; the ability to carry on exploration and development activities; the timely receipt of any required approvals; the ability to obtain qualified personnel, equipment and services in a timely and cost-efficient manner; the ability to operate in a safe, efficient and effective matter; and the regulatory framework regarding environmental matters, and such other assumptions and factors as set out herein. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate and actual results, and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information contained herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. The forward-looking information contained herein is presented for the purpose of assisting investors in understanding the Company's expected financial and operational performance and the Company's plans and objectives and may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.








Saguenay, January 29, 2024 - First Phosphate Corp. (CSE: PHOS) (OTC: FRSPF) (FSE: KD0) ("First Phosphate" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has confirmed a new high-grade discovery 500 m from the existing northern zone of its Begin-Lamarche project located in the region of Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean, Quebec, Canada. The original discovery of these areas was made in the fall of 2022 during a prospection campaign and was confirmed last fall with 26 grab samples returning high-grade P 2 O 5 (phosphate).

The Larouche area also continues to return high-grade analyses with one sample grading as high as 39.45% P 2 O 5 (phosphate) in an irregular layer of pure apatite (the host mineral which contains phosphate). At this level of purity, the mineral would be considered direct shipping ore ("DSO").

Begin-Lamarche Project Results

Grab sampling revealed a high grade phosphate area 500m north of the existing Northern Zone. This new zone, named the Mountain Zone, is about 350m long by 175m wide (See Figure 1). From field observation, the rock type is nelsonitic peridotite which is the most favorable rock type where phosphate is found on the property. A total of 26 grab samples were taken in this area, most of which, returned grades of between 7.17% and 17.83% P 2 O 5 (phosphate). The average of the 26 samples was 10.6% P 2 O 5 . The assay results are presented in Table 1.

A second new zone, named the Northwestern zone, was also discovered west of the existing Northern Zone from which 4 of 8 samples returned grades of over 10% P 2 O 5 .

"Begin-Lamarche continues to show promise in delivering another significant phosphate horizon for the Company," explained First Phosphate CEO, John Passalacqua. "What is more, the Begin-Lamarche property is found at 70 km from the deep-sea port of Saguenay and brings with it tremendous logistical advantages."





Figure 1 - Location of the New Mountain and Northwestern Zones



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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Table 1 - Assay Results for the New Mountain Zone

Field Station Sample UTM East UTM North % P 2 O 5 % Fe 2 O 3 % TiO 2 FP-23-RC-011 A1007212 326998 5403709 17.83 25.14 7.72 FP-23-JPA-114 A1007104 326769 5403913 15.99 32.03 3.83 FP-23-RC-008 A1007209 326988 5403834 14.25 24.14 3.91 FP-23-JPA-116 A1007106 326863 5403947 13.67 32.70 4.22 FP-23-RC-002 A1007203 326952 5403822 12.95 35.23 5.35 FP-23-JPA-113 A1007103 326758 5403910 12.79 40.40 7.05 FP-23-JPA-117 A1007107 326808 5403962 12.59 40.12 7.96 FP-23-JPA-119 A1007110 326732 5403936 11.56 36.97 5.57 FP-23-JPA-123 A1007114 326867 5403756 11.55 46.17 11.05 FP-23-JPA-121 A1007112 326823 5403823 11.08 37.74 6.31 FP-23-JPA-111 A1007102 326778 5403841 11.04 30.17 5.86 FP-23-RC-005 A1007206 326944 5403828 10.68 37.98 5.63 FP-23-RC-003 A1007204 326948 5403829 10.58 36.62 4.92 FP-23-RC-015 A1007216 326882 5403707 10.44 34.55 5.22 FP-23-RC-004 A1007205 326945 5403827 10.10 33.97 2.58 FP-23-RC-007 A1007208 326941 5403823 9.93 40.16 5.74 FP-23-JPA-115 A1007105 326799 5403924 9.40 29.51 1.96 FP-23-RC-006 A1007207 326946 5403828 9.18 39.47 5.81 FP-23-RC-001 A1007202 326949 5403815 8.85 37.09 3.91 FP-23-JPA-119 A1007109 326717 5403943 8.73 33.79 5.80 FP-23-RC-009 A1007210 326903 5403899 8.41 30.38 2.15 FP-23-JPA-120 A1007111 326776 5403891 8.26 34.39 4.59 FP-23-JPA-118 A1007108 326777 5403961 7.77 30.83 2.79 FP-23-RC-012 A1007213 326971 5403720 7.74 46.65 8.80 FP-23-RC-010 A1007211 326876 5403855 7.17 47.95 10.28 FP-23-JPA-122 A1007113 326838 5403785 4.64 29.75 2.30

Larouche Project Results

Field reconnaissance and sampling in the Larouche area also revealed high grade phosphate. As noted above, one sample returned 39.45% P 2 O 5 (See Figure 2). This represents the highest ever phosphate sample found by the Company. The sample comes from an irregular layer found of almost pure apatite (the host mineral which contains phosphate). At this level of purity, the mineral would be considered DSO. Preliminary geological indications suggest that these layers could be flat-lying and therefore open at substantial potential depth. Other results from the samples in this area show high grade phosphate values up to 23.1% P 2 O 5 (See Table 2). To date, field work has outlined phosphate layers of a length of up to 760m. The width of these layers is not fully known at this time due to their flat-lying geometry. Only further drilling will be able determine the full width of the layers. A drill permit application has been made for drilling in this area.





Figure 2 - Location of Samples Found in the Larouche Area



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Table 2 - Assay Results from the Larouche Area

Field Station Sample UTM East UTM North % P 2 O 5 % Fe 2 O 3 % TiO 2 FP-23-JPA-185 A1007140 316149 5375054 39.45 5.88 0.77 FP-23-JPA-187 A1007142 316094 5374900 23.12 36.44 8.89 FP-23-JPA-148 A1007130 316203 5375312 21.25 24.65 5.43 FP-23-MB-009 A1007229 315951 5374697 17.60 30.39 4.79 FP-23-JPA-169 A1007134 315617 5373838 16.13 32.72 5.22 FP-23-JPA-186 A1007141 316144 5375032 15.58 35.45 6.01 FP-23-JPA-184 A1097139 316138 5375057 14.99 40.94 10.94 FP-23-MB-009 A1007231 315952 5374693 11.91 34.65 6.00 FP-23-MB-009 A1007228 315951 5374699 11.56 36.21 6.19 FP-23-MB-019 A1007237 316083 5374676 8.96 1.57 0.19 FP-23-JPA-181 A1007138 315570 5375192 8.83 46.42 13.30 FP-23-MB-012 A1007233 315981 5374735 8.75 39.14 6.79 FP-23-JPA-151 A1007131 316202 5375323 8.13 35.15 9.48 FP-23-JPA-152 A1007132 316198 5375337 8.13 31.43 8.19 FP-23-MB-012 A1007232 315976 5374737 7.45 41.31 8.32 FP-23-MB-009 A1007230 315951 5374697 5.72 52.27 12.02 FP-23-MB-014 A1007235 316009 5374878 1.88 17.48 3.76 FP-23-MB-014 A1007236 316005 5374876 1.81 21,52 3.60 FP-23-JPA-174 A1007136 316041 5375054 1.67 58.58 11.49 FP-23-MB-021 A1007239 316111 5374719 1.11 68.35 19.15 FP-23-MB-021 A1007240 316110 5374720 1.05 68.39 19.38 FP-23-MB-013 A1007234 315961 5374724 0.89 42.52 7.31 FP-23-JPA-158 A1007133 316349 5375411 0.59 68.21 19.36 FP-23-MB-021 A1007241 316110 5374722 0.37 30.41 11.02 FP-23-JPA-175 A1007137 316037 5375052 0.16 58.68 11.50 FP-23-JPA-171 A1007135 316000 5375101 0.09 68.29 18.56 FP-23-MB-019 A1007238 316083 5374689 0.08 1.19 0.20





Figure 3 - Location of First Phosphate Projects in the Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean Area



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Qualified Person

The scientific and technical disclosure for First Phosphate included in this news release have been reviewed and approved by Gilles Laverdiere, P.Geo. Mr. Laverdiere is the Chief Geologist of the Company and a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure of Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") and has verified the data disclosed in this news release.

About First Phosphate Corp.

First Phosphate is a mineral development company fully dedicated to extracting and purifying phosphate for the production of cathode active material for the Lithium Iron Phosphate ("LFP") battery industry. First Phosphate is committed to producing at high purity level, in responsible manner and with low anticipated carbon footprint. First Phosphate plans to vertically integrate from mine source directly into the supply chains of major North American LFP battery producers that require battery grade LFP cathode active material emanating from a consistent and secure supply source. First Phosphate holds over 1,500 sq. km of royalty-free district-scale land claims in the Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean Region of Quebec, Canada that it is actively developing. First Phosphate properties consist of rare anorthosite igneous phosphate rock that generally yields high purity phosphate material devoid of high concentrations of harmful elements.

-30-

For additional information, please contact:

Jerome Cliche, VP, Business Development

jerome@firstphosphate.com

Tel: +1 (514) 815-8799

Investor Relations: investor@firstphosphate.com

Media Relations: media@firstphosphate.com

Website: www.FirstPhosphate.com

Follow First Phosphate:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FirstPhosphate

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-phosphate

Forward-Looking Information and Cautionary Statements

This news release contains certain statements and information that may be considered "forward-looking statements" and "forward looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. In some cases, but not necessarily in all cases, forward-looking statements and forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "targets", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "an opportunity exists", "is positioned", "estimates", "intends", "assumes", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate" or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "will" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" and other similar expressions. In addition, statements in this news release that are not historical facts are forward looking statements, including, among other things, the Company's planned exploration and production activities, the properties and composition of any extracted phosphate, the Company's plans for vertical integration into North American supply chains, and the Company's interpretations and expectations about the Begin-Lamarche and Larouche projects.

These statements and other forward-looking information are based on assumptions and estimates that the Company believes are appropriate and reasonable in the circumstances, including, without limitation, expectations of the Company's long term business outcomes given its short operating history; expectations regarding revenue, expenses and operations; the Company having sufficient working capital and ability to secure additional funding necessary for the exploration of the Company's property interests; expectations regarding the potential mineralization, geological merit and economic feasibility of the Company's projects; expectations regarding drill programs and the potential impacts successful drill programs could have on the life of the mine and the Company; mineral exploration and exploration program cost estimates; expectations regarding any environmental issues that may affect planned or future exploration programs and the potential impact of complying with existing and proposed environmental laws and regulations; receipt and timing of exploration and exploitation permits and other third-party approvals; government regulation of mineral exploration and development operations; expectations regarding any social or local community issues that may affect planned or future exploration and development programs; expectations surrounding global economic trends and technological advancements; and key personnel continuing their employment with the Company.

There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include: limited operating history; high risk of business failure; no profits or significant revenues; limited resources; negative cash flow from operations and dependence on third-party financing; the uncertainty of additional funding; no dividends; risks related to possible fluctuations in revenues and results; insurance and uninsured risks; litigation; reliance on management and key personnel; conflicts of interest; access to supplies and materials; dangers of mineral exploration and related liability and damages; risks relating to health and safety; government regulation and legal uncertainties; the company's exploration and development properties may not be successful and are highly speculative in nature; dependence on outside parties; title to some of the Company's mineral properties may be challenged or defective; Aboriginal title and land claims; obtaining and renewing licenses and permits; environmental and other regulatory risks may adversely affect the company; risks relating to climate change; risks related to infrastructure; land reclamation requirements may be burdensome; current global financial conditions; fluctuation in commodity prices; dilution; future sales by existing shareholders could cause the Company's share price to fall; fluctuation and volatility in stock exchange prices; and risks related to market demands. There can be no assurance that any opportunity will be successful, commercially viable, completed on time or on budget, or will generate any meaningful revenues, savings or earnings, as the case may be, for the Company. In addition, the Company will incur costs in pursuing any particular opportunity, which may be significant.

These factors and assumptions are not intended to represent a complete list of the factors and assumptions that could affect the Company and, though they should be considered carefully, should be considered in conjunction with the risk factors described in the Company's other documents filed with the Canadian securities authorities, including without limitation the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's Annual Information Form dated November 29, 2023 which is available on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca. Although the Company has attempted to identify factors that would cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those disclosed in the forward-looking information or information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/195947
Vancouver, January 29, 2024 - Equity Metals Corp. (TSXV: EQTY) (OTCQB: EQMEF) (the "Company" or "Equity Metals") announces that the following incumbent directors were re-elected at the Company's annual general meeting held on January 25, 2024: Joseph A. Kizis, Jr., Lawrence Page, K.C., Killian Ruby, Courtney Shearer and John Kerr. In addition, the shareholders re-appointed Davidson & Company LLP, Chartered Accountants, as auditor of Equity Metals and approved the Company's rolling incentive stock option plan pursuant to which a maximum of 10% of the issued shares will be reserved for issuance under the plan. The plan is subject to TSX Venture Exchange acceptance.

The following officers were re-appointed subsequent to the annual general meeting: Joseph A. Kizis, Jr. as President, Lawrence Page, K.C. as Chairman, Robert Macdonald as Vice President Exploration, Jay Oness as Vice President Corporate Development, Killian Ruby as Chief Financial Officer, and Arie Page as Corporate Secretary.

About Equity Metals Corporation

Equity Metals Corp. is a member of the Malaspina-Manex Group. The Company owns 100% interest, with no underlying royalty, in the Silver Queen project, located along the Skeena Arch in the Omineca Mining Division, British Columbia. The property hosts high-grade, precious- and base-metal veins related to a buried porphyry system, which has been only partially delineated. The Company also has a controlling JV interest (57.49%) in the Monument Diamond project, NWT, strategically located in the Lac De Gras district within 40 km of both the Ekati and Diavik diamond mines. The Company also has royalty and working interests in other Canadian properties, which are being evaluated further to determine their value to the Company.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

"Joseph Anthony Kizis, Jr."

Joseph Anthony Kizis, Jr., P.Geo

President, Director, Equity Metals Corp.

For further information, visit the website at www.equitymetalscorporation.com; or contact us at 604.641.2759 or by email at corpdev@mnxltd.com.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include the timing and receipt of government and regulatory approvals, and continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. Equity Metals Corp. does not assume any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by applicable law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/195810
Vancouver, January 29, 2024 - - Emergent Metals Corp. ("Emergent" or the "Company") (TSXV:EMR) announces that it has expanded its New York Canyon Property ("New York Canyon" or the "Property" in Nevada by acquiring 634 unpatented lode claims from Kennecott Exploration Company ("KEX"). The Property now consists of 21 patented claims and 786 unpatented mining claims totaling about 16,000 acres (6,500 hectares). Located about 30 miles (48 kilometers) east of Hawthorne, New York Canyon hosts copper skarn and porphyry exploration targets including Longshot Ridge, Copper Queen, Champion, and Emma.

As part of the transaction, Emergent is acquiring 266 claims (the "Option Claims") that were staked by KEX as part of an Earn-in with Option to Joint Venture Agreement (the "Agreement") between Emergent and KEX. This Agreement was terminated in June 2023 by KEX after spending over US$6.7 million in exploration on the Property. KEX is transferring these claims to Emergent as part of that Agreement.

In addition, Emergent is acquiring 368 claims (the "Additional Claims") that were staked by KEX outside the area of influence of the Agreement. Emergent will grant KEX a 1.0% Net Smelter Royalty ("NSR") on the Additional Claims. Most of these claims surround the Emma exploration target, identified by KEX as part of their 2022 exploration program (see press release dated January 26, 2023). The northern boundary of New York Canyon is adjacent to and abutting Lahontan Gold Corp.'s (TSXV:LG) ("Lahontan") Santa Fe Project, a past producing gold mine, being explored and advanced towards production by Lahontan.

Emergent will reimburse KEX for 2023/2024 Bureau of Land Management and Mineral County claim maintenance fees paid by KEX in September 2023 for both the Option and Additional claims no later than thirty (30) days after closing of the transaction.

David Watkinson, President and CEO of Emergent stated, "Emergent has consolidated a major land position at the New York Canyon Property, hosting multiple copper exploration targets with a very low acquisition cost. The Property has seen over US$6.8 million in recent exploration expenditures completed by KEX, as well as exploration completed by other past owners going back to the 1970's. Emergent's exploration database now includes approximately 139,000 feet (42,400 meters)t of historic drilling, 19,000 feet (5,800 meters) of recent drilling by KEX, surface mapping, alteration mapping, surface rock chip and soil sampling, and geophysics. Emergent has begun the process of searching for a new partner to advance the Property. "

About Emergent

Emergent is a gold and base metal exploration company focused on Nevada and Quebec. The Company's strategy is to look for quality acquisitions, add value to these assets through exploration, and monetize them through sale, joint ventures, option, royalty, and other transactions to create value for our shareholders (an acquisition and divestiture business model).

In Nevada, Emergent's Golden Arrow Property is an advanced stage property with a well-defined measured and indicated gold and silver resource. The New York Canyon Property is a copper skarn, copper porphyry, and gold exploration property south of and abutting the past producing Santa Fe Gold Mine. The Mindora Property (aka West Santa Fe Property) is a gold, silver, and base metal property located twelve miles from the Santa Fe Gold Mine and optioned to Lahontan Gold Corp. (TSXV:LG). Buckskin Rawhide East is a gold and silver property leased to Rawhide Mining LLC, operators of the Rawhide Mine. Emergent also owns the Buckskin Rawhide West and Koegel Rawhide properties, two early-stage gold and silver projects located near Rawhide Mine.

In Quebec, the Casa South Property is a large gold exploration property adjacent to and south of Hecla Mining Corporation's (NYSE:HL) operating Casa Berardi Mine with multiple exploration targets identified. The Trecesson Property, located about 50 km north of the Val d'Or mining camp, has three gold exploration targets with multiple high-grade (>10 g/t) gold intercepts from historic and recent drilling. Also in Quebec, Emergent has a 1% NSR in the Troilus North Property, part of the feasibility stage Troilus Mine Property being explored by Troilus Gold. Emergent also has a 1% NSR in the East-West Property, owned by O3 Mining and part of their feasibility stage Marban Alliance Property.

Note that the location of Emergent's properties adjacent to producing or past producing mines does not guarantee exploration success at Emergent's properties or that mineral resources or reserves will be delineated. For more information on the Company, investors should review the Company's website at www.emergentmetals.com or view the Company's filings available at www.sedarplus.ca.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

David G. Watkinson, P.Eng.

President & CEO



For further information please contact:

David G. Watkinson, P.Eng.

Tel: 530-271-0679 Ext 101

Email: info@emergentmetals.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as the term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information contained in this news release constitutes "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking information"). Without limiting the foregoing, such forward-looking information includes statements regarding the process and completion of the Offering, the use of proceeds of the Offering and any statements regarding the Company's business plans, expectations and objectives. In this news release, words such as "may", "would", "could", "will", "likely", "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "intend", "plan", "estimate" and similar words and the negative form thereof are used to identify forward-looking information. Forward looking information should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether, or the times at or by which, such future performance will be achieved. Forward-looking information is based on information available at the time and/or the Company management's good faith belief with respect to future events and is subject to known or unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other unpredictable factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. For additional information with respect to these and other factors and assumptions underlying the forward-looking information made in this news release, see the Company's most recent Management's Discussion and Analysis and financial statements and other documents filed by the Company with the Canadian securities commissions and the discussion of risk factors set out therein. Such documents are available at www.sedar.com under the Company's profile and on the Company's website at www.emergentmetals.com. The forward-looking information set forth herein reflects the Company's expectations as at the date of this news release and is subject to change after such date. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law.

Copyright (c) 2024 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.
Paris, 29 January 2024, 6:00 PM

PRESS RELEASE

Appointment of Charles Nouel as Chief Operating Officer of the Eramet Group

Charles Nouel, currently Director of the Mineral Sands Business Unit, has been appointed Chief Operating Officer of the Eramet Group. In this capacity, he will become a member of the Executive Committee. This appointment will take effect on April 1, 2024. He will succeed Kleber Silva, who has decided to leave the Group to pursue another professional opportunity.

Charles Nouel has over 30 years' experience in the mining industry, including 24 years with Eramet. His international career in Europe, Africa and Oceania has enabled him to develop solid technical and managerial skills in all aspects of mining and metallurgy: geology, mining engineering, operations, industrial projects, mineral processing and metallurgy, ore purchasing and sales, operational management and business unit leadership. Since 2016, he was Director of the Mineral Sands Business Unit, the world's 4th largest producer of Zircon and titanium products.

Christel Bories, Chair and CEO of Eramet, said: "We are delighted to welcome Charles Nouel to the Executive Committee. His long experience in mining and metallurgy, his in-depth knowledge of the Group, and his commitment to results are decisive assets for continuing to improve the Group's performance and supporting its development projects in metals for the energy transition.

I would like to warmly thank Kleber Silva for his commitment over the past six years and his essential contribution to transforming Eramet into a financially robust international mining and metallurgical group with world-class assets. The entire team joins me in wishing him every success in his future projects."

Born in 1967, Charles Nouel is a graduate of the Ecole Nationale Superieure de Geologie de Nancy (1991). He began his career as a Geostatistical Geologist for Cogema in Australia, before working as a Geologist and then Director of the Mines d'Or de Salsigne open-pit mine in France (1993), then as Senior Mining Engineer for Mining & Resource Technology in Australia (1998). In 2000, he joined Eramet as Project Manager for the Tiebaghi mine in New Caledonia, before moving on to various management positions within the Nickel Business Unit, where he became Deputy Director of Industrial Affairs in 2009. Ore Market Director for the Manganese Division in 2010, he took over as Director of the Mineral Sands Business Unit in 2016, while serving as the Group's Chief Technical Officer from 2020 to 2022.

ABOUT ERAMET

Eramet transforms the Earth's mineral resources to provide sustainable and responsible solutions to the growth of the industry and to the challenges of the energy transition.

Its employees are committed to this through their civic and contributory approach in all the countries where the mining and metallurgical group is present.

Manganese, nickel, mineral sands, lithium, and cobalt: Eramet recovers and develops metals that are essential to the construction of a more sustainable world.

As a privileged partner of its industrial clients, the Group contributes to making robust and resistant infrastructures and constructions, more efficient means of mobility, safer health tools and more efficient telecommunications devices.

Fully committed to the era of metals, Eramet's ambition is to become a reference for the responsible transformation of the Earth's mineral resources for living well together.

www.eramet.com

PRESS CONTACT

Media Relations Manager

Fanny Mounier

fanny.mounier@eramet.com

+33 7 65 26 46 83

INVESTOR CONTACT

Director of Investor Relations

Sandrine Nourry-Dabi

T. +33 1 45 38 37 02

sandrine.nourrydabi@eramet.com

Attachment
China, Spain urged to boost ties, investment

Xinhua) 13:32, January 29, 2024

BARCELONA, Spain, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- Business people and officials from Spain and China are urging both countries to take steps to further strengthen their commercial ties and increase investment.

Over a hundred representatives from Chinese and Spanish businesses came together in Barcelona last week with officials such as China's ambassador to Spain, Yao Jing, to explore ways to bolster business between the two countries.

"Our mission is to try to help Chinese investors to find a target company in Spain and we also help Spanish companies to find opportunities and partners in China," Wang Bo, general manager of China Construction Bank in Europe, told Xinhua during the event.

"Since the opening up (of China) last year, more and more Chinese investors have come to Spain and we have very good connections with them," he added.

The importance of providing companies with the help they need to overcome the difficulties of moving into a new market, whether China or Spain, was reiterated by Spanish entrepreneurs with experience of doing business in China.

"We have to make it as easy as possible for Chinese companies to come here and to welcome them as well as we can," said Ramon Ceravalls, CEO of the CELO company, which has operated in China for 18 years.

"You need to see things long term, as China is not a place to do business in a hurry. You need to have a long-term vision that you believe in and, if you're persistent, in time you'll achieve success," added the CEO.

In his speech kicking off the event, Yao said China wants to attract more foreign trade and he urged Spanish firms to increase the export of goods such as wine, oil and ham, "star products that have had a good welcome by Chinese consumers."

"I am also aware that many Chinese companies are interested in purchasing large-scale machinery, and other apparatus and tools manufactured in Spain. We are looking for channels to export new Spanish products to China," he said.

An example of the type of initiative discussed during the event to boost cooperation is the China Desk in Barcelona just launched by the regional Catalan government which is staffed by locally-based Chinese people to assist companies from China looking to invest.

"The Chinese economy has grown significantly in the past three decades and will no doubt continue to do so in the future, and that's why we want China as a strategic partner to favor our mutual growth and prosperity and to seek the exchange of technology and knowledge," Minister of Business and Work, Roger Torrent, in Catalonia's regional government, told Xinhua.

The attendees called for more measures to promote greater understanding between the two countries as a key element to ensuring lasting and prosperous business connections for companies on both sides.

"The Spanish side needs to have more confidence in the Chinese economy, in Chinese businesses, so that more Spanish businesses will go to China to explore opportunities of cooperation, and the Chinese companies need to understand more about the local environment of investment, in Catalonia especially, so that more Chinese companies will come here to invest," Hu Aimin, China's acting Consul General in Barcelona, told Xinhua.

In the past 50 years, annual bilateral trade between China and Spain has risen to over 43 billion euros (46.7 billion U.S. dollars), according to the Spanish Institute for Foreign Trade (ICEX), with Chinese imports into Spain in the first half of 2023 alone amounting to 22.3 billion euros and Spanish exports to China at 3.7 billion euros.

Data from the Spain China Council Foundation says China invested 95 million euros in Spain in 2022, mostly in the energy and real estate sectors, while in the same period, Spain invested 42 million euros in China, mostly in the pharmaceutical and financial services sectors. (1 euro = 1.09 U.S. dollars)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
VANCOUVER, Jan. 29, 2024 - Zacatecas Silver Corp. ("Zacatecas Silver" or the "Company", ZAC:TSX Venture; ZCTSF: OTC Markets; 7TV: Frankfurt) is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement financing of 18,000,000 units at a price of $0.10 per Unit for total proceeds of $1,800,000 (the "Offering").



Under the Offering, each Unit will consist of one common share (each, a "Common Share"); and one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole common share purchase warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase a Common Share at an exercise price of $0.15 for a period of two years months from the date of issue.

The securities under the Offering will be subject to restrictions on resale expiring four months and day after issue. The Company may pay registered finders a fee in cash and/or share purchase warrants. The Company intends to use the net proceeds to satisfy ongoing costs associated with its properties as well as general working capital purposes.

The securities referred to in this news release have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent U.S. registration or an applicable exemption from the U.S. registration requirements. This release does not constitute an offer for sale of, nor a solicitation for offers to buy, any securities in the United States.

Qualified Person

The contents of this news release have been reviewed and approved by Chris Wilson, B.Sc. (Hons), PhD, FAusIMM (CP), FSEG, FGS, Chief Operating Officer of Zacatecas Silver. Dr. Wilson is Qualified Persons as defined by NI 43-101.

About Zacatecas Silver Corp.

The Company has two key projects. The Esperanza Gold Project in Morelos State, Mexico and the Zacatecas Silver Project in Zacatecas State, Mexico.

The Zacatecas Silver Project is located in Zacatecas state, Mexico, within the highly prospective Fresnillo silver belt, which has produced over 6.2 billion ounces of silver. The Company holds 7,826 hectares (19,338 acres) of ground that is highly prospective for low-sulphidation and intermediate-sulphidation silver base metal mineralization and potentially low-sulphidation gold-dominant mineralization. The Company initially announced a Mineral Resource Estimate at the Panuco Deposit consisting of 2.7 million tonnes at 187 grams per tonne (g/t) silver equivalent (AgEq) (171 g/t silver (Ag) and 0.17 g/t gold (Au)) for 16.4 million ounces AgEq (15 million ounces silver and 15,000 ounces gold) (see news release dated December 14, 2021). On May 31, 2023, the Company announced an updated inferred mineral resource estimate of 3.41 million tonnes at 187 g/t AgEq (173 g/t Ag and 0.18 g/t Au) for 20.5 million ounces AgEq (19.0 million ounces silver and 19.2 thousand ounces gold) (see news release dated May 31, 2023).

The property is 25 kilometres (km) southeast of MAG Silver Corp.'s Juanicipio Mine and Fresnillo PLC's Fresnillo Mine. The Property shares common boundaries with Pan American Silver Corp. claims and El Orito, which is owned by Endeavour Silver.

Esperanza is an advanced stage, attractive low-cost, low-capital-intensity and low-technical-risk growth project located in Morelos state, Mexico. The Company announced a Mineral Resource Estimate at Esperanza consisting of a Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource Estimate of 30.5 million tonnes at 0.97 g/t AuEq for 956 thousand ounces AuEq and an Inferred Mineral Resource estimate of 8.7 million tonnes at 0.98 g/t AuEq for 277 thousand ounces AuEq (see news release dated November 16, 2022).

On behalf of the Company

Bryan Slusarchuk

Chief Executive Officer and Director

Forward-Looking Statements

Information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on assumptions as of the date of this news release. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations. They are not guarantees of future performance. Zacatecas Silver cautions that all forward looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by many material factors, many of which are beyond their respective control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to Zacatecas Silver's limited operating history, its proposed exploration and development activities on is Zacatecas Properties and the need to comply with environmental and governmental regulations. Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, Zacatecas Silver does not undertake to publicly update or revise forward-looking information.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For further information: Adam Ross, Investor Relations, Direct: (604) 229-9445, Toll Free: 1(833) 923-3334, Email: info@zacatecassilver.com
TSX: DIAM

SASKATOON, Jan. 29, 2024 - Star Diamond Corp. (TSX: DIAM) ("Star Diamond" or the "Company") is pleased to provide this update on Star Diamond's acquisition of Rio Tinto Canada Inc's ("RTEC") 75% interest in the Fort a la Corne Joint Venture pursuant to the agreement (the "Agreement") dated November 28, 2023 entered into between Star Diamond and RTEC (see News Release dated November 28, 2023).

Star Diamond and RTEC have worked together diligently to submit the documentation required to complete the transfer of the Permit to Operate for the Fort a la Corne properties ("the Project"). This process requires that an updated Decommissioning and Reclamation Plan be submitted to the Saskatchewan Ministry of the Environment (the "MoE") for its approval.

Star Diamond and RTEC have been in active discussions with the MoE and, based upon those discussions, Star Diamond believes that all documents required by the MoE have been submitted for its review. Based upon discussions with the MoE, Star Diamond currently expects that the transfer of the Permit to Operate will be completed prior to the end of March 2024.

Star Diamond CEO Ewan Mason said: "We are pleased that the MoE has committed to move the review process forward expeditiously. While we anticipate that Star Diamond will take full possession of the Project in March, we are not waiting for this transfer to be completed to execute upon our plan and are well underway with the revised Mineral Resource and Pre-feasibility Study previously announced. Our staff is also busy examining the requirements for site security, monitoring and maintenance so that the handover from RTEC to Star Diamond proceeds seamlessly".

Completion of the transactions contemplated by the Agreement is subject to various closing conditions including receipt of all required Governmental approvals and the approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange for the issuance of additional common shares of Star Diamond to RTEC.

About Star Diamond Corporation

Star Diamond is a Canadian-based corporation engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties. Shares of Star Diamond trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading symbol "DIAM". Star Diamond's most significant asset is its interest in the Fort a la Corne property in central Saskatchewan. These kimberlites are located in close proximity to established infrastructure, including paved highways and the electrical power grid, which provide significant advantages for future mine development.

For further information, please contact: Phone: (306) 664-2202

Email: stardiamondcorp@stardiamondcorp.com

Website www.stardiamondcorp.com

Stay Connected with Us:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/StarDiamondCorp

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/star-diamond-corp

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Star-Diamond-Corp/100058096376664/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stardiamondcorp/

Caution Regarding Forward-looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" and/or "forward-looking information" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. The use of any of the words "anticipate", "plan", "aim", "target", "contemplate", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "propose", "might", "may", "will", "shall", "project", "should", "could", "would", "believe", "predict", "forecast", "pursue", "potential", "possible", "capable" and similar expressions are intended to identify "forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, expectations regarding the timing for transfer of the Permit to Operate and completion of the transactions that are the subject of the Agreement.

These forward-looking statements are based on Star Diamond's current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to it and involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific. Risks exist that forward-looking statements will not be achieved due to a number of factors including, but not limited to, the MoE's approval processes and the impact of changes in the laws and regulations regulating mining exploration, development, closure, judicial or regulatory judgments and legal proceedings and the additional risks described in Star Diamond's most recently filed Annual Information Form, annual and interim MD&A.

Although management of Star Diamond considers the assumptions contained in forward-looking statements to be reasonable based on information currently available to Star Diamond, those assumptions may prove to be incorrect. When making decisions with respect to Star Diamond, investors and others should not place undue reliance on these statements and should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events.

Star Diamond does not undertake any obligation to release publicly revisions to any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. Investors should not assume that any lack of update to a previously issued forward-looking statement constitutes a reaffirmation of that statement. Continued reliance on forward-looking statements is at investors' own risk.

SOURCE Star Diamond Corp.
Bottas, girlfriend cleared over covid-19 border breach

Valtteri Bottas and his girlfriend have been cleared of wrongdoing over a breach of Finland's covid-19 lockdown back in 2020.

Tiffany Cromwell, Valtteri Bottas, United States GP 2023

 Alfa Romeo

Helsingin Sanomat newspaper reports that Tiffany Cromwell, an Australian citizen and professional cyclist, wrongly entered Finland with her Formula 1 driver boyfriend when only Finnish citizens were allowed to.

Correspondent Lasse Kerkela reports that Cromwell was aboard a private plane with Bottas when it landed at Helsinki-Vantaa airport in March 2020 - the most intense lockdown period of the pandemic.

Later, an anonymous notification arrived in the Border Guard's internal ethics channel, Kerkela explained.

"The legal department began investigating whether Cromwell received special treatment compared to others. But according to documents seen by Helsingin Sanomat, neither Cromwell nor Bottas have been suspected of wrongdoing.

Based on the same documentation, the border authority has not succeeded in finding out what exactly happened in its own operations. But according to a shift manager, the top management of the Border Guard ordered that Cromwell be let into the country.

Markku Hassinen, the border guard's deputy chief, denies that he acted wrongly , the newspaper added.

In a statement, Hassinen confirmed that he did not act incorrectly or fraudulently .

A statement by Finland's ministry of the interior, meanwhile, explained that it has been difficult to investigate the matter because it was based in part on verbal information.

No further action is being taken.

(GMM)
Button bemused by F1 team's ridiculous rebrand

Red Bull has already benefitted from its "ridiculous" new name for the Formula 1 team formerly known as Alpha Tauri.

Daniel RIcciardo, United States GP 2023

 Red Bull

That is the view not only of a respected F1 journalist, but also 2009 world champion Jenson Button - whose job as a part-time pundit for British broadcaster Sky means he will have to utter the phrase 'Visa Cash App RB' throughout this season.

What's the new name? Button told AP news agency whilst racing in Daytona at the weekend.

Visa Cash App - what comes after that?

Already, F1 headline writers have struggled to know how to snappily refer to the Faenza based outfit, with team insiders said to already be using the unofficial acronym 'V-CARB'.

When asked what he will call Red Bull's second team on TV this year, Button smiled: Exactly what we're told to call it.

Michael Schmidt, the top correspondent for Germany's specialist Auto Motor und Sport magazine, also thinks Sauber's new name - after the departure of Alfa Romeo - is ridiculous .

Indeed, the Swiss based outfit is on the FIA entry list as: Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber . This is how Formula 1 makes itself a laughing stock, Schmidt said.

Imagine these tongue twisters in the results lists. Or on TV commentary. No one can remember that, he insisted.

"I personally won't call the teams those names. For me, they are still Sauber and Toro Rosso. Because that is their origin.

"I find it pathetic that the FIA and Formula One Management are playing along with this bad new habit of constant name changes. Tradition is an important marketing element in any sport.

If Real Madrid became Emirates Madrid or Bayern Munich became Qatar Airways Munich, the fans would riot. And rightly so. Because a piece of their identity would be lost.

As for Button, he admits that the marketing teams of both Sauber and Red Bull are at least clever.
New deal means Norris staying until 2027

McLaren has followed in Ferrari's wheel-tracks by inking a new contract with its existing Formula 1 driver - and not revealing the length of the deal.

Lando Norris, Las Vegas GP 2023

 McLaren

According to the team, Lando Norris' new multi-year contract means he will be staying at McLaren beyond the 2025 season - but for exactly how long remains a mystery.

Ferrari hasn't said how long Charles Leclerc will stay either, McLaren CEO Zak Brown is quoted by Auto Motor und Sport.

We want to give our opponents as little information as possible.

Indeed, Ferrari has only just revealed its new deal with Leclerc, and Italian insider Leo Turrini says it's the first time in recent history the length of the contract is completely unknown.

These types of long and opaque contracts are now a trend in F1, Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera argues.

He who has a treasure, holds that treasure tightly, the newspaper declared.

Corriere della Sera, however, thinks Norris will be staying at least for the next four years - a view also shared by the specialist German magazine Auto Motor und Sport.

It takes little imagination to realise that Zak Brown and team boss Andrea Stella wanted to prevent this rough diamond from escaping, the former Italian publication said.

Zero wins but seven second places had caught the attention of Red Bull, while Audi and Ferrari were also quite interested, Corriere della Sera added.

Norris admits there was interest from other teams but there were never any real negotiations . However, he says that was in part due to McLaren's steep improvement curve in 2023.
Guam will be recognizing Help America Vote Day for the very first time to help raise awareness and address the shortage of poll workers, who will help the islands nearly 56,000 registered voters be able to vote in this years primary and general elections.

With the 2024 elections, the Guam Election Commission would be looking to recruit hundreds of poll workers.

To help raise awareness on the importance of having a healthy number of poll workers, Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero, along with the University of Guam and GEC, will sign a proclamation declaring Help America Vote Day.

The proclamation signing will be at 11 a.m., on Tuesday, Jan. 30 at the UOG CLASS Lecture Hall.

GEC Executive Director Maria Pangelinan said Help America Vote Day aims to address the nationwide shortage of poll workers, inspire greater civic engagement and volunteerism, and help ensure safe, secure, accessible, and transparent elections on Guam in 2024 and beyond.

This is also an opportunity for GEC to share election and voting information, she said.

We are excited to recognize Help America Vote Day to help kick off the new year by bringing awareness to our efforts to recruit election workers to ensure that all voters on Guam can cast their ballot for the Primary Election on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024, and General Election on Nov. 5, 2024, Pangelinan said in a statement.

As of Dec. 25, Guam has 55,951. In the last non-gubernatorial election in 2020, only 53% or 29,377 or the total 55,880 registered workers actually voted. Its a record low voter turnout for Guam, which some attributed to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Two years later, Guam also saw its lowest voter turnout for a gubernatorial election year since 1950, with only 56%.

This early, GEC is beefing up efforts to raise more awareness about the importance of elections and the importance of precinct officials and other election volunteers.

Precinct officials receive a stipend of about $350, although the amount may still change.

Guam precinct officials are required to report to their polling site on election day at 5:30 a.m., open the polls at 7 a.m., close the polls at 8 p.m., and reconcile the number of ballots in their custody at the Election Return Center at UOG.

GEC said precinct officials set up and prepare the polling location, welcome voters, verify voter registrations, and issue ballots.

Precinct officials also help ensure voters understand the voting process. Election day staff and precinct officials are overseen by GEC, which also provides training in advance of Election Day.

GEC said there are millions of Americans, including many voters with disabilities, who intend to cast a ballot during early voting or on Election Day.

Having an adequate number of precinct officials to staff polling places on and before Election Day will ensure voters receive the assistance they need at the polls, reduce the potential for long lines or congestion and help provide a positive and smooth voting experience for all voters, the agency said.

At the Tuesday event, GEC staff and voter registrars will be at UOG to provide more information on how to become an election worker.
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A 75-year-old womans eligibility to stay on a parcel of CHamoru Land Trust property is being called into question after she and her family have lived on it and farmed it for nearly 50 years.

Since 1975, the family of Bernice Tudela Nelson, a suruhana or traditional healer, has occupied the parcel of Land Trust property where her Amot Tao Tao Tano farm in Dededo was built on.

The farm grows medicinal plants and herbs.

But last year, Land Trust identified a problem that may find Nelson ineligible to occupy the land.

The issue stems from a lack of documents proving her grandfather was living on Guam under the administration of the old U.S. Naval government.

Born and raised on Saipan, Nelson moved to Guam in the 1970s, when she became a U.S. citizen through marriage, she told the Pacific Daily News. She had roots on Guam, however, because her grandfather, Joaquin Sablan Tudela, was born on the island before moving north to Saipan as a young man.

Nelson said she acquired a lease for the property where her farm now sits on in 1975, and let her father work the land for years, while she followed her husband on his military deployments off-island.

Land Trust documents identify her as a preoccupier, one of a number of people who, for one reason or another, were living on or farming Land Trust property before CLTC began surveying and issuing leases in the 1990s.

The Chamorro Land Trust Act was signed into law in 1975, and at the time, made property available to native CHamorus who wanted to work or farm it at a price of just $1 a year.

But because of administrative delays, the first CLTC lease was not signed until 1997, PDN files show.

Nelson, like others, applied for a lease to the property her family already occupied, records show.

Traditional medicine

When her father eventually decided to go back to Saipan, Nelson came back to Guam and took over the property. She opened up the farm in 2010, has been growing herbs and plants for amot, or medicine, and teaching the practice to others, she told the PDN.

People take for granted that, oh its grass, but its got medicinal use. So I go, every CHamoru month, I go to school and they show pictures and plants, the suruhana said.

They really listen, especially the young, like first and second grade, they ask more questions than the adults.

She said she enjoyed the work, but Typhoon Mawar struck and damaged much of the Dededo farm in May of last year.

Shes been there through a lot of storms, (Typhoon) Pongsona also, but now its getting to where, where she stays and her office, everything just collapsed, daughter Tina Nelson told the PDN.

Her mother wanted a little bit of money to fix her house up, but trouble started after she tried to get the CHamoru Land Trust Commission to guarantee her a loan.

Because homesteaders on Land Trust property dont own the land they live on, lenders cant hold the land up as collateral. Instead, homesteaders have to ask CLTC to back their loan amount.

But when the suruhana applied for a loan guarantee, Land Trust agents were unable to find any documentation supporting her eligibility for the property.

During a CLTC meeting this month, commission staff reported that immigration documents showed Joaquin Sablan Tudela, Bernice Nelsons grandfather, had immigrated to Guam in 1951, a year after the Organic Act of Guam was signed.

Tudela would not have been a resident of the island when the Organic Act of Guam made residents U.S. citizens on Aug. 1, 1950which, under the old Land Trust rules that Bernice Nelson got her lease under, was what qualified a resident as a native Chamorro eligible for a land lease.

Tudela, as it turns out, was born on Guam.

Bernice Nelson presented a copy of her grandfathers baptismal certificate, which showed Tudela was born in Hagatna on Dec. 16, 1895. He was baptized five days later at the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basillica.

Tudela had moved to Saipan at some point as a young man, and put down roots, according to his granddaughter. She said she wasnt sure about the details.

From what I understand theyd get so many young men and go to Saipan, put them in Tinian and Rota from Guam, Bernice Nelson said.

We never talked about it. And my dad, you know, he just said that, My dad used to translate for English to Japanese, Japanese to CHamoru.

The Empire of Japan captured Saipan from Germany in 1914, in the middle of World War I.

If a record of Tudela living on Guam after 1898 can be found, Nelson may be able to qualify under the new Land Trust rules, which were formed after the federal government sued Land Trust for awarding leases on the basis of race.

Under the new rules, any person can get a lease if their land was acquired by the federal government between 1898 and 1968 or if they occupied, used or farmed land that was acquired by the federal government between 1898 and 1968.

Some records would have to be found, but Bernice Nelson said shes the only person working the amot farm, and doesnt have time to go searching herself.

If I dont pay attention, the farm, its gonna go. Six oclock in the morning, Ill be pulling grass, planting, because I dont have any help, its just me, she said.

For future generations

Land Trust staff have been helpful in searching for records, she told the PDN, and recently found a record of her coming to Guam from Saipan as a young girl in 1948.

But it remains to be seen whether commissioners will be able to allow her to stay on the property. CLTC is set to meet soon to discuss a number of issues.

CLTC chairman Earl Garrido told the suruhana earlier this month that it was not their intention to boot her out.

As long as this is still like in litigation, then you will not be evicted from the premises because research is being done and is being done on your behalf, Garrido said at a meeting on Jan. 18.

Bernice Nelson said if God permits she wants to stay on the property and continue passing the CHamoru culture onto the next generation.

But if she does have to leave her farm, she doesnt plan to continue the practice on another plot of land.

If I just have to go somewhere else, no Im not. Im going to go travel, Im not going to worry about anything, she said. Ill probably drink some wine.




Haiti - Religion : Pope Francis calls for support from the international community for Haiti





Sunday January 28, 2024, at the end of the Angelus prayer in Saint-Pierre Square, Pope Francis said he was relieved to learn of the release on January 24 of the six nuns kidnapped on January 19, 2024 in Port-au -Prince, the Haitian capital https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41473-haiti-flash-6-nuns-kidnapped.html with two other people (the driver and a young woman who accompanied them) https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41518-haiti-news-zapping.html



"I learned with relief of the release of the nuns and other people kidnapped with them in Haiti last week declared the Sovereign Pontiff.



Let's recall that after being informed of their kidnapping, during the Angelus prayer on January 21, the Pope launched an appeal for their release "I pray for social harmony in the country and I asks everyone to put an end to the violence which causes so much suffering to this dear population" https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-41490-icihaiti-vatican-pope-francis-calls-for-the-release-of-the-6-nuns.html



Following these releases, Pope Francis hopes that the many other people held hostage by gangs in Haiti can also be released "I call for the release of all those still kidnapped and for an end to all forms of violence; I call on everyone to offer their contribution to the peaceful development of the country, for which renewed support from the international community is necessary"



Ser also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41518-haiti-news-zapping.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-41490-icihaiti-vatican-pope-francis-calls-for-the-release-of-the-6-nuns.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41473-haiti-flash-6-nuns-kidnapped.html



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Politic : Now is not the time for adventurism, the Government calls for calm





In a note published by the Ministry of Communication, "The Government of Haiti thanks President William RUTO and the Kenyan people for having agreed to assume command of the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti (MSS). "It is following developments in the case in Kenya and expects a prompt and positive outcome.



The Haitian Government thanks the many countries that have come forward to offer different types of aid in order to restore order and security as soon as possible, in accordance with the wishes of Security Council Resolution 2699. He also thanks all those who will continue to come forward to help build lasting peace in Haiti and allow us to reconnect with democracy.



He takes the opportunity to invite all healthy structures in society to form a group for collective and inclusive governance of this transition, facilitating the holding of general elections as soon as possible.



Faced with threats from armed gangs who continue to sow panic, now is not the time for adventurism, nor for a resumption of the maneuvers which in the past contributed to the worsening of the situation in the country.



The Government invites the population to remain calm, to support the constitutional security forces and not to let themselves be caught in the trap of intimidation by disinformation campaigns and threats of violence.



It encourages the general population, schoolchildren, students and traders in particular to go about their daily activities freely."



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Politic : China will continue to support the mission of Kenya





Friday, January 26, 2024, the first secretary Kenyan of the Musalia Mudavadi cabinet, also secretary of the Foreign and diaspora cabinet, met in Pekin with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi. They discussed, among other things, the multinational security support mission (MMSS) in Haiti, mandated by the United Nations Security Council https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-40642-haiti-flash-the-security-council-approves-the-intervention-of-a-multinational-force-in-haiti.html



The two men have agreed to defend the universal values of peace, development, equity, justice, democracy and freedom and to oppose interference in the internal affairs of other countries under the banner of "democracy and human rights".



"It has been agreed that China would continue to support the mission as well as other peacebuilding initiatives in Africa, where Kenya plays a leading role," said Mudavadi in a press release.



Let's recall that Kenya adheres to the principle of a single China and non-interference in domestic affairs and provides its support for the rights of China ...



This meeting occurs when the High Court has just declared illegal the expected deployment of Kenyan police in Haiti https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41519-haiti-flash-the-high-court-of-nairobi-blocks-the-deployment-of-the-mission-in-haiti.html



See also :

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-40642-haiti-flash-the-security-council-approves-the-intervention-of-a-multinational-force-in-haiti.html



SL/ Haitilibre


















Havre Police Department

After receiving a request Friday at 12:57 p.m., officers provided extra patrols on Cowan Drive.

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A written or verbal warning was issued after a Third Avenue West caller asked Friday at 7:26 p.m. for assistance removing a person from the premises.

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Officers at 2:12 a.m. Saturday provided assistance to Hill County Sheriff's office on U.S. Highway 2 East.

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A hit and run crash was reported on First Street at noon Saturday.

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A 5:23 p.m. Saturday caller on 18th Street reported that a juvenile had punched the caller's son.

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Officers investigated a call referred to Havre Police from the FBI Saturday at 7:03 p.m.

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Lacey Frances Bell of Havre, 20, was issued a summons on a minor in possession charge after a caller at a Montana State University-Northern residence hall reported Saturday at 10:46 p.m. that a woman had assaulted a staff member.

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Officers provided assistance after a Sunday 12:44 a.m. caller at a First Street West business reported finding needles in a restroom.

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Officers assisted with a Sunday 1:48 a.m. medical call on the MSU-Northern campus.

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Colter Stimson of Havre was arrested on two Justice or City court warrants served Sunday at 2:59 a.m. on Montana Avenue.

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A Second Street caller at 11:26 a.m. Sunday reported someone had ransacked the caller's old apartment and some items were stolen.

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A Fifth Avenue caller reported Sunday at 2:52 p.m. that someone is going through the caller's apartment and taking things.

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Leona Marie Chiefstick of Box Elder, 57, was arrested on a Justice or City court warrant served at 10:01 p.m. Sunday on 3rd Avenue.

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Two arrests were made after a vehicle stop on 13th Avenue at 12:48 a.m. today. No details on charges were provided in the dispatch log, but Donald Lealan Linderman and Kristopher Ray Probert, who were named as involved parties, were listed in the jail roster this morning, Linderman on charges of driving with a suspended or revoked driver's license and no vehicle insurance and Probert on a City Court warrant.

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An arrest was made after officers stopped on U.S. Highway 2 Northwest to check on a man who seemed to be lost. No details on charges were provided.

Hill County Sheriff's Office

Deputies were asked Friday at 10:17 a.m. to provide assistance at Box Elder Schools.

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A theft, forgery or fraud was reported at 8:10 p.m. Friday at a U.S. Highway 2 West business.

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Tara Alice Jordan of Rocky Boy, 47, was arrested on a Justice or City court warrant served at a First Street establishment Friday at 10:15 p.m.

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A Saturday 1:27 a.m. report that someone had struck the signs at the intersection of U.S. highways 2 and 87 west of Havre and the signs were strewn across the road was referred to Montana Highway Patrol.

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Siris Memphis Granchamp of Hays, 21, was arrested on charges of partner or family member assault, obstructing a peace officer or other public servant and vandalism after a Saturday 1:38 a.m. caller on U.S. Highway 2 Northeast reported a man had hit the caller and popped the caller's tire.

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Jasmin Rose Laforge of Montana, 28, was arrested on a Justice or City court warrant and on a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia after deputies stopped to serve the warrant Sunday at 4:54 p.m. on Fifth Avenue.

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Raymond William Campbell of Havre, 28, was arrested on a Justice or City court warrant served on First Street Sunday at 9:29 p.m.

Havre Fire Department

Emergency medical technicians responded to three calls Friday, two calls Saturday, eight calls Sunday and one call early this morning.

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Firefighters responded to a 9:58 p.m. Sunday fire alarm on 1300 Block of Jefferson Avenue, but no fire was found.

Havre Animal Shelter

This morning the animal shelter held two cats, two 9-month-old kittens and three 8-week-old kittens all of unknown gender, two female cats and three male cats.

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Also this morning, the animal shelter held two female mixed-breed dogs and seven puppies between 19 weeks and 10 months old and. Additionally, six 18-week-old puppies were being housed off-site.
Press release

Nomination petitions must be filed with election administrator for the upcoming Trustee Election to be held on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. No person signing a petition may sign more nomination petitions than there are trustee positions open.

No candidate may appear on the ballot unless he or she meets this deadline, as required by Montana Code Annotated 20-3-305, 20-9-204, 13-1-111, 20-3-338 MCA, no earlier than 145 days, or no later than 70 days before election.

This year, one trustee position is open for a one-year term.

Nomination petitions may be picked up from Election Administrator Richard Stahl at the German School located at the Gildford Colony.

Nomination petitions must be picked up and returned by March 28, 2024.
As a new year begins, The Salvation Army needs help to fulfill its mission to serve

Press release

The Salvation Army is asking everyone in Havre to donate to support neighbors in need in the new year. We are grateful to the many donors who gave generously this Christmas season, but the need persists. Donate in person at your local Salvation Army or online:www.northwest.salvationarmy.org .

The need for food, shelter, toys, and clothing for at risk families was at record levels this year, but we had fewer people donate to our Red Kettles this Christmas, Divisional Commander Lt. Col. Cindy Foley said. We rely on our generous donors to ensure that our neighbors in need receive the vital services they need to survive.

In Havre, $32,345.37 has been raised but an additional $2,654.63 is needed to serve neighbors in need. The Havre Service Center is close to meeting its goal and needs peoples support.

The Salvation Army serves more than 620,000 people across the Pacific Northwest throughout the year. This year it is are depending on people to help neighbors in need.
As Finland's presidential election heads to a decisive second round, the focus is increasingly turning to how foreign policy, particularly relations with China, will shape under the new leadership. The two contenders, Pekka Haavisto and Alexander Stubb , both experienced politicians with distinct viewpoints, present different paths for Finland's engagement with the global superpower.

Scenario 1: Pekka Haavisto's Presidency

Under a Haavisto presidency, Finland's approach towards China might be characterised by a careful balancing act. Haavisto's comments during the campaign suggest a nuanced understanding of the complex relationship between Finland, the EU, and China. He has emphasised the importance of the US-China relationship and its implications for Finland and the EU, acknowledging the global challenges posed by deteriorating relations between these superpowers.

Haavisto has also raised concerns about human rights and cybersecurity in dealings with China, indicating that these issues would be a significant part of his diplomatic agenda. However, his approach seems to lean towards maintaining a dialogue and possibly continued economic engagement, provided that human rights concerns are addressed. This stance may lead to a more cautious and measured approach to economic ties, with a focus on reducing dependencies in critical sectors while engaging in areas like climate change and the green economy.

In a recent article from Iltalehti featuring Pekka Haavisto, Finland's relations with China are touched upon within a broader discussion of global security and Finland's foreign policy under potential shifts in global alliances. Haavisto, reflecting on the complexities of international relations, raises concerns about China's trajectory and its impact on global stability. He questions whether the West might be making a similar misjudgment with China as it did with the Soviet Union, especially considering President Xi Jinping's challenges in fulfilling economic promises to the Chinese people. This introspection hints at a broader concern about China's internal stability and its implications for global security. Haavisto's contemplations reveal a nuanced view of China, acknowledging the potential for significant changes within the country, which could have profound implications for Finland and the broader international community. This perspective underscores the importance of Finland's diplomatic engagement and strategic planning in navigating the complexities of its relationship with China amidst global geopolitical shifts.

Scenario 2: Alexander Stubb's Presidency

If Alexander Stubb is elected, Finland's policy towards China could take a more assertive turn, especially in light of his views on the global power dynamics and the technological competition shaping the world order. Stubb has expressed concerns about the rise of digital authoritarianism and the impact of technological advancements on democratic processes.

Stubb's approach suggests a stronger alignment with the European Union and possibly the United States in responding to China's technological and economic ascent. He advocates for a human-centric approach to AI and technological development, which could lead to stringent regulations on tech imports from China. Furthermore, his expectation of the US continuing its hardline stance against China indicates that under his leadership, Finland might support more restrictive policies towards Chinese tech companies.

In an article from Ilta-Sanomat, Alexander Stubb, offered a nuanced perspective on China's role in global geopolitics, distinguishing it from the likes of Russia, Iran, and North Korea. Stubb argues against grouping China with these nations, seeing it instead as a regional stabiliser with geopolitical interests that differ significantly from those of Russia, particularly in areas like the Korean Peninsula. He suggests that China's desire to position itself alongside the United States as a major global player offers a "glimmer of hope" for preventing a third world war, akin to the Cold War era's balance of power that averted global conflict. Sari Essayah, supporting Stubb's view, notes that Finland's President Sauli Niinisto has engaged with China's President Xi Jinping, highlighting China's potential as the only deterrent to Russian aggression. This perspective underscores the importance of maintaining dialogue with China to support Ukraine and demonstrate opposition to Russia's territorial ambitions. The discussion reflects a strategic approach to China, advocating for engagement and cooperation to leverage China's influence in moderating Russia's aggressive stance in Europe and beyond.

Under both scenarios, it is clear that Finland's relations with China will be shaped by a complex interplay of economic interests, human rights concerns, and global geopolitical shifts. Both Haavisto and Stubb recognise the importance of balancing national interests with broader international dynamics. However, their distinct perspectives and approaches suggest that the future of Finland-China relations could vary significantly depending on who assumes the presidency.

Whichever way the election swings, it is evident that Finland's next president will play a crucial role in navigating the challenges and opportunities presented by China, and other global powers. The world is moving fast towards a multipolar period of history, while Finland is moving to the west.

HT
Stubb received 27.2 per cent and Haavisto 25.8 per cent of the 3,241,864 votes cast in the first round of the presidential elections held in the country on Sunday, setting up a widely expected but possibly closer-than-expected run-off between the two candidates.

EITHER Pekka Haavisto (Greens) or Alexander Stubb (NCP) will become the next, 13th president of Finland.

The gap between the two candidates moving on to the second round of voting has not been as narrow as this since 1994, according to an analysis by Helsingin Sanomat. The winner of the first round, though, has triumphed also in the second round in all elections under the current electoral system.

Jussi Halla-aho (PS) won 19.0 per cent and Olli Rehn (Centre) 15.3 per cent of the votes. Li Andersson (LA) and Jutta Urpilainen (SDP) received 4.9 and 4.3 per cent of the votes, respectively. Sari Essayah (CD) and Mika Aaltola both won 1.5 per cent, while Harry Harkimo 0.5 per cent of the votes.

Almost half, or 47 per cent, of people who exercised their right to vote in the first round will have to back another candidate in the second round, a share that marks a new high since the first round of the presidential elections of 1994, according to YLE.

The second round will be organised on Sunday, 11 February 2024.

Rehn was the most popular candidate in a total of 108 municipalities, the highest number among the presidential candidates. Stubb was the favourite in 84 municipalities, Halla-aho in 78 municipalities and Haavisto in 39 municipalities, including large cities such as Helsinki, Oulu, Tampere and Turku.

Nearly three-quarters, or 74.9 per cent, of people with the right to vote headed to polling stations in the first round, a new high since the second round of the presidential elections of 2006  a battle between Tarja Halonen (SDP) and Sauli Niinisto (NCP). The first round of the presidential elections yielded a higher turnout in both 2000 (76.9%) and 1994 (82.2%).

By comparison, voter turnout in the parliamentary elections of last spring was 72.0 per cent and turnout in the previous municipal elections 55.1 per cent.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT
Jussi Halla-aho, the candidate of the populist right-wing party, received 19.0 per cent of the almost 3,250,000 votes cast in the first round of the elections, falling about 220,000 votes or 6.8 percentage points short of a place in the second round.

SUPPORTERS of the Finns Party could play a decisive role in the second round of the presidential elections, a run-off between Alexander Stubb (NCP) and Pekka Haavisto (Greens).

Minister of Finance Riikka Purra (PS) on Sunday declined to express her backing to either of the two remaining candidates, estimating that the second round could prove a tough choice for many supporters of the Finns Party.

It looks like itll be the green-red candidate against a liberal-right candidate, so itll be very interesting. Id venture that deciding which to vote for will be hard for many Finns Party members, she commented to YLE.

Altogether 47 per cent of people who voted in the first round will have to vote for a new candidate in the second round.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT
In a revealing study , Stockholm has emerged with a notably higher rate of youth gang involvement compared to its Nordic counterparts, including Helsinki and Turku. Approximately one in six young individuals in Stockholm is associated with a gang, a proportion that significantly exceeds the less than ten percent observed in Helsinki and Turku. This distinction places Stockholm in a unique position among other Nordic cities surveyed, including Nstved, Randers, Gavle, Oslo, Reykjavik, and areas outside Reykjavik in Iceland.

The study, which spanned over 9,000 youths aged 13 to 17 from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden, found that gang-affiliated youths are more likely to engage in property crimes, violent offenses, and drug trafficking. Stockholm also had a higher percentage of youths with close friends in gangs (16%) compared to Helsinki (9%) and Turku (8%). Gavle was the only other city that closely followed Stockholm's figures, with 12% of youths having gang affiliations through close friendships.

Markus Kaakinen, a university researcher at the Institute of Criminology and Legal Policy at the University of Helsinki, highlights that while gang presence is a common issue across all studied Nordic cities, Stockholm's situation is particularly acute. The research also pointed out that gang involvement is more likely among youths with lower self-control, higher criminal activity, criminal-friendly attitudes, and similar peer groups. However, socioeconomic disadvantage was only weakly linked to gang membership, suggesting a complex relationship between poverty and gang formation, particularly in areas where street gangs typically emerge.

The findings underscore the importance of targeted prevention efforts, especially among the most crime-active youths. Cities with higher rates of family-related issues, discrimination, and crime-prone peer influences showed a greater prevalence of youth gang involvement. Effective juvenile crime prevention, therefore, appears to be key in curbing street gang criminality, focusing on the most at-risk youths and groups.

Kaakinen's study, conducted under the Eurogang definition, explored relatively stable, crime-committing, street-oriented youth groups. These groups, primarily engaged in minor offenses, differ from the more notorious criminal gangs recognized by police in Finland and Sweden, known for more serious criminal activities. The research highlights the need for nuanced understanding and intervention strategies to address the phenomenon of youth gangs across the Nordic region.

HT
BACK in the make-do-and-mend Forties, our grandparents emitted twice the amount of greenhouse gases, per head, than we do.

Yes, you read that right. Back in the days of rationing, cold homes and even colder bedrooms, when car ownership was a rare luxury and the many electrical gadgets we now take for granted were unknown, Brits were, on average, far more profligate with carbon dioxide emissions than today.

The reason, of course, is that we no longer generate almost all of our electricity, propel our trains and warm our homes by burning coal.

Back in the Fifties coal-fired power stations supplied more than 90 per cent of Britains electricity. Now its less than two per cent and the Government has pledged to phase it out altogether by 2025. Its why the cooling towers at Didcot power station were blown up in such spectacular fashion a few years ago.

This encouraging statistic comes from a new book called Not the End of the World: How We Can Be the First Generation to Build a Sustainable Planet by Hannah Ritchie.

Hannah is senior researcher in the programme for global development at the University of Oxford. She is also lead researcher at the online teaching hub Our World in Data, which brings together data and research on large global problems to make it accessible to a general audience.

Reading the news on environmental issues can be a depressing business at times. The problems seem so huge and intractable, the predictions for the world we are heading for so dire, that I understand why many people just turn the page. I do myself sometimes.

But Hannah says that a close look at the data indicates a more nuanced and optimistic picture. While the problems of climate warming and the destruction of the natural world are real and urgent, humans are taking actions that are starting to work.

Importantly, we can enjoy higher living standards than our parents and grandparents, while also living more sustainably. We dont need to go backwards.

At the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris in 2015, scientists warned that we were heading towards an average of 6C of warming. This would be catastrophic  island nations would be submerged and food supplies would be severely disrupted.

At that summit, nations pledged to take action to limit global warming.

The organisation that tracks and assesses climate policies across the world, climateactiontracker.org, has found that with the policies already in place, we should be able to limit global warming to an average of 2.5C.

To be clear, the consequences of this amount of warming would still be terrible for humankind but the direction of travel is downwards and if all countries follow through on their latest pledges, we would be looking at warming of 2.1C.

Here in the UK, installation of rooftop solar panels is hitting record highs as well as installation of heat pumps, albeit from a low base.

I asked Hannah why she thinks there are reasons for hope that we will combat climate change.

She replied: Its important to balance the feeling of urgency and concerns about future climate change with the understanding that this is a problem we can make progress on  and are doing so, just not fast enough.

To me, one of the biggest reasons for hope is that the cost of low-carbon energy  solar, wind, batteries, electric vehicles  has plummeted over the last decade. It is now cheaper than, or close to price parity with, fossil fuels. That means that the economic choice is now the best one for the climate. It breaks down the fundamental trade-off between lifting people out of energy poverty and keeping CO2 emissions low. It doesnt have to be an either/or anymore, it can be both.

We can do it.


Monday January 29, 2024

The aim of the Italy-Africa summit underway in Rome is to present Italy's idea of development for the African continent based on the Mattei Plan, Premier Giorgia Meloni said on Sunday, "The objective is to present to African countries our vision of development for Africa, which is the basis of the Mattei Plan," Meloni told TG1 on the eve of a conference at the Senate with the participation of 25 African leaders and representatives of the European Union institutions, referring to the planned new strategic partnership with African countries to address the root causes of irregular migration and beat smuggling gangs, and which also seeks to turn Italy into a sort of hub for energy supplies from Africa to Europe as the continent tries to reduce its dependency on Russian oil and gas supplies after Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

It is, said the premier, a "new approach: not predatory, not paternalistic, but not charitable either".

Rather, the idea is to work together "as equals, to grow together", she continued.

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"Everything that happens in Africa concerns us, from migration to security and supply chains.For us, the proper development of the African continent is fundamental," she insisted.

On migration, Meloni said that "the European approach has completely changed". "When we arrived in government the discussion was only about how to redistribute irregular migrants; today the discussion is only about how to defend the external borders, and this is our merit," she continued.

"I think the approach we have taken with Tunisia is the right one; we are starting to see the initial results, but it is a huge task that has to be performed day by day, and we must not let up." said Meloni, referring to the memorandum brokered by Italy and signed by the EU and Tunisia in mid-July to promote cooperation and financial assistance in the areas of macro-economic stability, trade and investment, green energy transition, people-to people contacts, and migration, with a view to halting the irregular flows.

"What we have done in Tunisia must be replicated with other nations and we are working on it," she added.

Overall Italy saw a 50% rise in arrivals of migrants and refugees by sea from north Africa in 2023 compared to the previous year, although after the summer the numbers began to let up.

The Italy-Africa summit opened on Sunday evening with an official dinner hosted by the President Sergio Mattarella at the Quirinale Palace in Rome.


COWI announces a six-week paternity leave benefit for all aspiring fathers to enhance employee benefits in India. The benefit can be availed in three blocks and up to 12 months to help parents further pre- or post-delivery in childbirth or adoption.

COWI in India, a subsidiary of COWI A/S, a global engineering and design consultancy headquartered in Denmark, has implemented an industry-first initiative for its male employees in India by offering enhanced paternity leave benefits.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

With a strong focus on employee well-being, male employees will be entitled to an extended paternity leave of up to six weeks or 30 working days, both in the case of childbirth and adoption. This move empowers them to take on a more balanced role in caring for their children during the crucial period of welcoming a new member to their family.

Commenting on this initiative, Rasmus dum, Group COO and Chairperson of COWI India, stated, "One of our core values i.e "We Care" drives us to care for our customers, people, and the planet. I am proud to say this is also evident in the COWI policies in India. Such initiatives help positively impact our colleagues and their family enabling work-life balance and create value for our customers and business performance.

The enhanced paternity leave aims to assist new fathers in managing their personal and professional lives as part of the company's commitment to fostering an inclusive and open work environment. This enhancement will also aid working parents where fathers can help their partners smoothly transition back to their professional spaces.

When returning from maternity leave, the company also offers young mothers the option to work an additional six months from the comfort of their homes.

Highlighting the significance of their enhanced policy, Pierre de Rancourt, Managing Director of COWI India, noted, "We have always believed in the concept of 'trust-based' leaves, for the same reason COWI does not have a sick leave quota for employees. We believe the enhanced paternity benefit is a significant step forward in promoting overall well-being, which is crucial both during and after pregnancy. Often, it can be a challenging time for men juggling multiple responsibilities and risking burnout. With this policy, we hope they can achieve a better work-life balance and provide the much-needed support for their families."

Disclaimer: This article is a paid publication and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of Hindustan Times. Hindustan Times does not endorse/subscribe to the content(s) of the article/advertisement and/or view(s) expressed herein. Hindustan Times shall not in any manner, be responsible and/or liable in any manner whatsoever for all that is stated in the article and/or also with regard to the view(s), opinion(s), announcement(s), declaration(s), affirmation(s) etc., stated/featured in the same.
Elon Musk's satellite network Starlink has been hoping to enter the Indian market in 2024, but it might be facing some delays in getting a license in the country due to the problems the Indian government faced during the Verizon case, reported The Economic Times. Elon Musk's Starlink is facing a delay in getting its permits in India(Reuters file photo)

As per the ET report, Elon Musk is currently facing a delay in obtaining the license to launch his Starlink satellite internet network in India due to a past case pertaining to Verizon Communications, a US telecom company.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

One of the primary things demanded by the Indian government while granting the license is the complete disclosure of ownership, which is where Starlink has hit a snag. Starlink said that US privacy laws prevents it from sharing the ownership details of SpaceX, its parent company, reported ET.

Starlink further provided a declaration to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) in India asserting that none of its shareholders are from countries that share a land border with India, which was a problem the country faced when Verizon was seeking a license in India.

When Verizon sought a license in India

Verizon Communications India was in a similar situation last year when it had sent a declaration to DoT for renewing its Internet Service Provider (ISP) license. In the declaration, Verizon stated that none of its shareholders are from countries that share a land border with India.

It was discovered during its license renewal process that Verizon had shareholders from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Hong Kong. However, the shareholding from entities in these countries was less than one percent of the company.

Due to this, the Indian government advised Verizon to to apply through the government approval route for license renewal. The Department for Promotion of Industry & Internal Trade (DPIIT) decided to amend the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy in 2020 due to the Verizon case.

After the developments with Verizon, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is seeking the opinion of the DPIIT if it should consider Starlink's application or not, leading to the delay, the report said. It was earlier being speculated that Starlink will get its approval to operate in India by the end of January 2024.

Starlink's prime competition in India is set to be Eutelsat OneWeb and Reliance Jio's satcom venture, which have already got the required licenses to operate in India. Meanwhile, Jeff Bezos's Project Kuiper is also seeking its permits from the Indian government.
Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella will be visiting India on February 7 and 8 as part of his annual visit. The main focus of his India trip will be Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its opportunities. Puneet Chandok, Microsoft India and South Asia's president, said in an internal message to the company that Satya Nadellas visit signifies Microsofts commitment to applying technology to expand opportunities in India. Satya Nadella In India: Satya Nadella, chairman and chief executive officer of Microsoft.(AP)

AI is playing a game-changing role in shaping Indias Techade and will make India and South Asia one of the most exciting markets for technology, the email reportedly read.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Last year, PM Modi met Satya Nadella during his US visit as he held meetings with prominent US and Indian technology executives such as Tim Cook from Apple and Sundar Pichai from Google.

Satya Nadella's office then released a statement discussing his meeting with the PM highlighting the importance of Artificial Intelligence and Indias capabilities.

One important topic was the power of technology, particularly Artificial Intelligence, to help improve the lives of Indians. India is home to one of the most vibrant developer and start-up ecosystems in the world, and Microsoft remains deeply committed to the growth of Indian technology - that will impact both India and markets across the globe, Microsofts statement then said.

Last year, Satya Nadella made a four-day official visit to India during which he met some of the key customers, start-ups developers, not-for-profit organisations and students as well.

Moneycountrol reported that founders of some of Indias prominent AI start-ups including Lightspeed and Peak XV-backed Sarvam, Bhavish Aggarwal's AI startup Krutrim may meet Satya Nadella in Mumbai and Bangalore this year.

In October 2023, Satya Nadella highlighted Microsoft's big plans for AI after its partnership with OpenAI. It also announced that Micorsoft will be strengthening its partnership with OpenAI by integrating the Bing search engine into ChatGPT. After OpenAIs board dismissed Sam Altman, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella announced that Altman, Brockman, and other OpenAI employees will be joining the company's new advanced AI research team.
If you are new to investing and have a tough time figuring out stock market terms, we have got you covered. Hindustan Times explains five major stock market terms that every beginner should know. A man walks past a digital display inside the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) building in Mumbai.(AFP)

Stock portfolio

A stock portfolio is a person's or an institution's collection of investments. These include stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and other financial assets. But even though a portfolio means all of your investments, they might not be held in just one single account. Building a stock portfolio is pertinent as it can help you diversify your assets and spread your risk across stocks, bonds, and other types of investments that you wish to make.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Bear market and bull market

When prices are expected to fall, the market condition is referred to as a bear market. This means major indexes or stocks decrease by 20% or more compared to previous highs. On the other hand, a bull market is a market condition in which prices are expected to rise which is characterized by gains of 20% or more.

Buyback

When a company repurchases its outstanding shares to reduce the number of shares on the market, the process is called buyback. In this, the company also returns profits to their investors which results in an increased value of the remaining shares.

Day trading

When shares of stocks are bought and sold within a single day, it is called day trading.

Debt-to-equity ratio

A function of a companys debt relative to its equity is called debt-to-equity ration. This means it is the value of its assets minus its liabilities and is calculated by dividing a company's total debt by total shareholder equity. A higher debt-to-equity ratio states the company may have a more difficult time covering its liabilities.
Users will be able to transfer money through Immediate Payment Service (IMPS) by just adding the receiver's mobile number and bank account name from February 1, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) said as there will be no need to add a beneficiary and the IFSC code. IMPS Rules change: Immediate Payment Service (IMPS) is one of the most commonly used methods of money transfer.

All the Members are hereby requested to take note of the same and comply for initiating and accepting fund transfer through Mobile number + Bank name on all IMPS channels by 31st January 2024," NPCI said in a circular, adding that remitter banks are directed to maintain a mapping of Member Bank Names with default MMID and undertake necessary UI/UX enhancements.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

What is the Immediate Payment Service (IMPS)

Immediate Payment Service (IMPS) is one of the most commonly used methods of money transfer as it provides funds through various channels like Internet banking, mobile banking apps, bank branches, ATMs, SMS, and IVRS.

How do IMPS process transactions currently?

As of now, IMPS processes transactions through P2A (Account + IFSC) or P2P (Mobile Number + MMID) transfer modes.

What about multiple accounts linked against mobile number?

For multiple accounts linked against the mobile number, the Beneficiary bank shall credit to the primary/default account which will be identified using the customer's consent. If customer consent is not provided, the bank shall decline the transaction.

How to transfer money through IMPS?
If you plan to buy a television, you may have to pay more because prices of open cells continue to rise as manufactures reduced production, it was reported. Since the pandemic, the industry has been facing this issue as open-cell prices have gone up 20 per cent since December. Television-panel manufacturers expect another 15 per cent increase towards the end of February after the Chinese New Year. Television may cost 10% more as prices of open cells rise.

The open cell is one of the main components in manufacturing television sets and it accounts for 60-65 per cent of the production cost. It is manufactured by four or five companies in China due to which pricing power remains in their hands alone.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

A retailer told Business Standard that both small- and large-screen television panels were expected to see an increase in prices. This largely depended on how manufacturers passed on to buyers the cost increase as some manufacturers might pass it on in a staggered manner.

Open-cell prices are increasing month to month and there is a demand and supply situation again. Manufacturers have decided to cut production. Therefore, they will increase prices. There will be a huge spike in large sizes and in smaller sizes also. On the final product, there can be an increase of a minimum of 10 per cent in February and March, Avneet Singh Marwah, director and chief executive officer, Super Plastronics, a Kodak brand licensee, said as per report.

Videotex, another contract manufacturer of television panels, plans to increase prices by 5-10 per cent as director Arjun Bajaj said, The industry is dealing with a notable increase in open-cell pricing, which has been a recurring issue, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic. The recent price hike is because open-cell manufacturers curtailed production, resulting in a 20-40 per cent increase, depending on sizes. The prices are still going up, and were unsure how much more theyll rise."
The controversy over the removal of a Lord Hanuman flag from a village flag post in Mandya continued to catch fire as opposition parties in Karnataka took out a padayatra on Monday to protest against the state government's decision on the matter. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.(PTI)

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Janata Dal-Secular (JDS), which have joined hands in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) ahead of this year's Lok Sabha election, took out protests both in Mandya as well as state capital Bengaluru, waving saffron flags in BMTC buses and raising slogans.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Their 'padayatra' was from the Keragodu village, where the Hanuma Dhwaja was removed by officials, to the District Collector's office.

ALSO READ | Karnataka village tense after Hanuman flag removed; police use force to quell unrest

A controversy erupted in the state after a Lord Hanuman flag, that was hoisted in the Keragodu village in Mandya, was removed by officials and replaced with the Indian National flag.

What CM Siddaramaiah said

"BJP is creating unnecessary issues. They had only taken permission to host the national flag and the Kannada flag. The district administration has taken action on this. Elections are coming so BJP is making this a political issue. I am a Hindu and I love all people. I believe in co-existence and tolerance," Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah told reporters.

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar also reacted to the controversy and said that protesters are free to do politics but should not take law into their hands. They should have basic common sense. Let them do politics, not take the law into their hands. We respect all religions. We can't allow anyone to take the law into their hands. They want to do politics. Let them do, He said.

ALSO READ | Political circles abuzz as Karnataka mining baron hails PM Modi for Ram Temple

Security beefed up in Mandya following Hanuman flag row

Officials ordered for heightened security to prevent any untoward incidents and religious clashes between groups. Cops also imposed Section 144 as Keragodu village saw tense atmosphere after the Hanuman flag was removed and replaced with the Indian National flag.

ALSO READ | Man held for harassing minor in Puttur, mob attempts to lay siege

On January 18, officials of Keregodu Gram Panchayat issued the permission letter with conditions that only the national flag would be hoisted, Karnataka IT/BT and Rural Development & Panchayat Raj (RDPR) Minister, Priyank Kharge, said on the matter.

(With inputs from ANI)
Expressing regrets for referring to President Droupadi Murmu in the singular, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, while admitting it as a gaffe on his part, said he has immense respect for her as she also comes from oppressed classes like him. He was referring to his remark at a state-level convention of the oppressed communities organised by the Federation of Associations of Oppressed Communities and Federation of Karnataka Backward Classes on Sunday, which had come under sharp criticism by the opposition BJP and JD(S). Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. (ANI Photo)(Shashidhar Byrappa)

JD(S) leader and former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, demanded Siddaramaiah's dismissal from the Chief Minister's post for addressing the President in the singular. Union Minister and senior BJP leader Pralhad Joshi said Siddaramaiah has again proven that he has utmost disregard for the Constitution and those who represent it, holding supreme positions. Siddaramaiah, in a post on 'X', said he was deeply hurt and angered as the President was not invited for the inaugural ceremony of the new Parliament building by the BJP leaders, "only because she belongs to Dalit community".

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

READ | Reject BJP, RSS that divides society in name of caste: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah

"While speaking at the convention, I became a bit emotional and while expressing outrage, I addressed her in the singular as a slip of the tongue," he clarified. Further noting that it is a practice to address parents and elders in the singular, in rural areas, from where he also comes, the Chief Minister said, "I have immense respect for the honourable President, as she also comes from oppressed classes like me. She should not have been addressed in the singular. I express my regrets for this gaffe."

Hitting out at the CM in a series of posts on 'X', along with the clipping of his speech addressing the President in the singular, Kumaraswamy said Siddaramaiah does not deserve to be in the Chief Minister's post even for a moment. He should immediately resign taking moral responsibility or the Governor should remove him from the post.

READ | I am Hindu and I love: CM Siddaramaiah on controversy over Lord Hanuman flag in Mandya

Joshi said on 'X': "Dear Siddaramaiah, I seriously dont understand whats gotten into you and your party! You have time and again proven that you have utmost disregard for the Constitution and those who represent it, holding supreme positions," Addressing the President and that too a woman in the singular is extremely disgraceful, he said.

"This coming from a law student like you is even more shocking and disappointing. Either education has escaped you or you are becoming senile. I wonder which it is! Neither age nor experience are reflected in your words and actions!'".
Keragodu village here faced tense moments on Sunday after the authorities removed a 'Hanuma dwaja', a saffron flag bearing lord Hanuman's portrait, from a 108-ft-tall flag post. The incident led to a political confrontation between the government and opposition in the state. BJP and JDS workers hold protest in Keragodu village, Mandya over the Hanuman flag issue on Monday. (ANI image)

A large contingent of police personnel was deployed as a precautionary measure when people from the village and its surroundings, along with members of the BJP, JD(S), and Bajrang Dal, gathered to protest against the removal of the flag. In order to quell the unrest, police resorted to a mild lathi charge. Subsequently, the police and administration replaced the Hanuma dwaja with the national tricolour on the flagpole.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Official and police sources indicated that residents of Keragodu and 12 neighbouring villages, along with certain organisations, had funded the installation of the flag post near Rangamandira. Reportedly, BJP and JD(S) workers were actively involved in this initiative. They raised a saffron flag featuring Hanuman's image, prompting opposition from some individuals who filed a complaint with the administration.

READ | Cong expects to win between 15-20 seats in Karnataka in LS polls: Siddaramaiah

Acting on the complaint, the taluk panchayat executive officer directed the gram panchayat officials to remove the flag. Several villagers, including a significant number of women, vehemently protested against the removal. Some activists and villagers stayed vigilant even after midnight on Saturday fearing that the flagpole would be removed.

Tension persisted on Sunday morning, leading to a heated exchange between the police and protesting villagers and activists as the cops removed the saffron flag in the presence of senior district officials. Some protestors directed their anger towards the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government and Mandya Congress MLA Ganiga Ravikumar, chanting slogans against them. The protestors refused to relent and affixed a flex board featuring a portrait of Lord Ram along with a smaller saffron flag at the base of the flagpole.

Attempts to resist removal were made when the police intervened. Slogans of "Jai Sri Ram, Jai Hanuman" filled the air. By late afternoon, police forcibly removed the protestors, again resorting to a mild lathi charge to restore order. Following this, the police and administration officials finally raised the Tricolour on the flagpole from which the Hanuma dwaja had been removed.

In response to the developments, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, speaking to reporters in the district headquarters town of Chitradurga, stated that instead of hoisting the national flag, a 'bhagwa dwaja' (saffron flag) had been raised. "It is not right. I have asked (the authorities concerned) to hoist the national flag." 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".

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.

READ | Political circles abuzz as Karnataka mining baron hails PM Modi for Ram Temple

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." Ashoka visited Keragodu village along with other BJP leaders. As they tried to march towards the flagpole, they too were detained and taken away by the police. State BJP President B Y Vijayendra accused the government of removing the flag using "police oppression" and creating a situation for law and order to deteriorate.

Reiterating that the flagpole was installed and the flag hoisted after the requisite approvals were obtained, he said the gram panchayat had earlier adopted a resolution to the effect. "If the state government has the audacity to remove the flag using police oppression and goondaism, it shows the height of Congress government's arrogance of power," he remarked. Meanwhile, the BJP state chief 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.

While criticising the act of lowering the Hanuman flag, he claimed that the authorities had disrespected the National Flag as well. "The national flag was disrespected, as authorities have violated the rule of hoisting it at 9 am and lowering it in the evening," he explained.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday called on the people to reject the BJP and RSS, calling them "anti-constitution", and accused them of dividing society in the name of caste. Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah (PTI)

He was speaking at a state-level convention of the oppressed communities being organised by the Federation of Associations of Oppressed Communities and Federation of Karnataka Backward Classes here.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

"The people of backward, Dalit and exploited castes and communities should clearly understand who their enemy is. The enemies must be clearly identified and they should be rejected completely and build your self-esteem," Siddaramaiah said.

READ | I am Hindu and I love: CM Siddaramaiah on controversy over Lord Hanuman flag in Mandya

The BJP and RSS continue to oppose the Mandal Commission report, and they have continuously opposed social justice and equal opportunities, he said. "Ambedkar had warned that power should not go into the hands of the opponents of the Constitution and reservation and social justice. We should not forget this warning."

Stating that BJP leaders like K S Eshwarappa, C T Ravi and R Ashok could not have entered the assembly as MLAs without Babasaheb Ambedkar's Constitution, the chief minister said, "They would have had to work in some others farms."

Noting that some vested interests oppose him for the fact that the son of a shepherd has become the chief minister, Siddramaiah claimed, "They are opposing me for implementing schemes for all castes, middle class and poor people of all religions."

Highlighting that his government's schemes have provided benefits to the poor of all castes and all religions, he said, "This is why they oppose me. But I will be on your side come what may."

Alleging that vested interests and evil forces are trying to change the Constitution and want to continue the exploitation and superstitions, Siddaramaiah said, on the one hand, they are campaigning to change the Constitution and, on the other hand, they are opposing the reservation advocated by Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar -- the late Maharaja of Mysuru, former CM Devaraj Urs, Ambedkar and Shahu Maharaj.

READ | Karnataka village tense after Hanuman flag removed; police use force to quell unrest

Therefore, he called upon people to teach the opponents of the Constitution a lesson.

Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, several ministers of the state cabinet, political leaders, and leaders of the communities were present at the event, during which office-bearers of the federation presented a memorandum demanding the rights of the oppressed communities.

Shivakumar in his speech said that the state government is committed to the caste census to provide justice to the downtrodden sections of society.

"Rahul Gandhi (Congress leader) has called for a caste census in the country in order to provide them with proportional representation. Our government is committed to implementing this," he said.
A 25-year-old student from Haryana, who had recently earned an MBA degree in the US, was hammered to death by a homeless drug addict whom he had been helping for the past couple of days in Georgia states Lithonia city. Vivek Saini, the 25-year-old student from Haryana, who was killed by a drug addict, Julian Faulkner, in Lithonia city of Georgia on January 16.

The incident was caught on camera when assailant Julian Faulkner mercilessly struck Vivek Saini nearly 50 times on the head with a hammer.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Also read: Minimum temperatures continue to hover below normal in Punjab, Haryana

Saini, a part-time clerk at a store that sheltered Faulkner, had shown kindness to the accused for almost two days and provided him with chips, a Coke, water, and even a jacket for warmth, M9 News Channel reported on Sunday.

However, Saini was struck on January 16 while going home as he, concerned for safety, requested Faulkner to depart or face police intervention.

Police, arriving at the scene, found Faulkner standing over Sainis lifeless body.

The young student, who had migrated to the US two years ago after completing his B Tech, had recently earned a Masters in Business Administration.

Sainis family in Haryana mourns the loss of the promising young man, describing him as a brilliant student striving for a decent job.

His parents, Gurjeet Singh and Lalita Saini, are devastated and unable to discuss the tragic incident.
New Delhi, Jan 29 (PTI) An Enforcement Directorate team on Monday visited the residence of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren in Delhi in connection with a money laundering investigation, official sources said. HT Image

The sources indicated that the visit could be linked to his fresh deposition in an alleged land fraud case in which the ED had questioned him at his official residence in Ranchi on January 20 and had issued a fresh summons to him for this week.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Officials of the federal probe agency accompanied by Delhi Police personnel reached the 5/1 Shanti Niketan building in South Delhi around 9 am, while a number of press photographers, reporters and camera teams stood outside.

The agency had issued the fresh summons to Soren last week asking him to confirm his availability for questioning on either January 29 or January 31, the sources said.

Soren had sent a communication to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) but had not confirmed the date and time for questioning, according to the sources. He left Ranchi for Delhi on January 27.

The agency had recorded the statement of the 48-year-old chief minister for the first time in the case on January 20 after investigators went to his official residence in Ranchi.

They recorded his statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) during the about seven hours they spent at his home.

It is understood that as the questioning did not finish on that day, the fresh summons was issued.

The investigation pertains to a "huge racket of illegal change of ownership of land by the mafia" in Jharkhand, according to the agency.

The ED has, so far, arrested 14 people in the case, including 2011-batch IAS officer Chhavi Ranjan who served as the director of the state's Social Welfare Department and deputy commissioner of Ranchi.
A 30-year-old man died by suicide after jumping in front of a moving Metro train at Delhi's INA station, the police said on Sunday. The incident took place around 7pm on Saturday, when the man, identified as Ajitesh Singh, jumped in front of a Samaipur Badli-bound train from platform number 2, news agency PTI reported citing the police officials. Following the incident, metro services were impacted for about 15 to 20 minutes, a senior official of DMRC said.(File)

Footage of the incident, as recorded by the CCTV camera installed at the Metro station, showed Singh jumping in front of a Yellow Line Metro train.

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A team rushed to the spot after the police control room got a call regarding the incident.

"Singh was identified through a call, which came on his mobile phone," a senior police officer told PTI.

His body has been taken to the mortuary for autopsy and a probe into the matter is underway, a cop said.

"The body was shifted to the mortuary for autopsy. Further investigation is underway to determine the reason why he took this extreme step," the officer added.

Following the incident, metro services were impacted for about 15 to 20 minutes, a senior official of DMRC said.

Earlier in June last year, an unidentified person died allegedly after he jumped in front of a metro train at Noida Sector 52 metro station, on the Blue Line of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation's corridor.

(If you need support or know someone who does, please reach out to your nearest mental health specialist. Helplines: Aasra: 022 2754 6669; Sneha India Foundation: +914424640050 and Sanjivini: 011-24311918, Roshni Foundation (Secundrabad) Contact Nos: 040-66202001, 040-66202000, ONE LIFE: Contact No: 78930 78930, SEVA: Contact No: 09441778290)

(With inputs from PTI)
LUCKNOW Union minister Ramdas Athawale on Monday hit out at the INDIA bloc formed to take on the Narendra Modi-led government in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, foreseeing crumbling of the Opposition bloc with Bihar CM Nitish Kumar joining the NDA. Union minister Ramdas Athawale pays floral tribute at Ambedkar statue in Lucknow on Monday. (Deepak Gupta/HT Photo)

The INDIA alliance is breaking with Bihar CM Nitish Kumar joining the NDA, said Ramdas Athawale, national president of RPI and Union minister of social justice and empowerment. He said Republican Party of India (Athawale) will organize a rally in Lucknow on March 4 to gear up the party cadre for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

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An ally of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), RPI will work with the BJP to defeat the SP-Congress alliance in Uttar Pradesh in the polls, said Athawale.

To strengthen the Dalits and extremely backward classes, BSP chief Mayawati should join alliance with RPI. She will remain national president of the alliance. BSP leaders and workers should join RPI to spread the ideals of Bhim Rao Ambedkar. If the BJP gives seats to RPI in UP, many BSP leaders, upset with party leadership, will join RPI that has demanded three Lok Sabha seats in UP, he said speaking at the party office-bearers conference organized at Ganna Sansthan auditorium on Monday.

Athawale said: The party is working to expand the base of RPI in UP and to strengthen the NDA. Office-bearers and workers should motivate people to join RPI. They should also raise voice against injustice and work for the welfare of poor, exploited and deprived communities, he added.

The minister said RPI leaders are working honestly under state unit president Pawan Gupta and soon the party will emerge as a strong force in UP.

He said the opposition leaders statement that the Modi government will change the Constitution is baseless and an insult to Ambedkar.
Union minister Narayan Rane on Sunday reacted to the Maharashtra government's decision to give all benefits enjoyed by the other backward classes (OBCs) in the state to the Marathas till they get reservations. Rane said the move would lead to unrest in the state, adding that the decision would lead to suppression of the community and an encroachment on the other backward communities. Union minister Narayan Rane

I do not agree with the decision taken  by the state government and the hope given  regarding the reservation of the Maratha community. This has historical traditions of the Maratha community and encroachment on other backward communities may create dissatisfaction in the state, the Union minister wrote on X (formerly Twitter) in Marathi. He said that he will hold a press conference on the matter today.

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Also read: Decoding the Maratha claim for reservations

In a draft notification, the Maharashtra government said that all blood relatives of the Maratha community, with proper records, were members of the agrarian Kunbis. It will enable them to avail of the benefits of OBCs.

The demand for involving all members of the Maratha community in the OBC category has shaped into an indefinite fast called by activist Manoj Jarange, which he called off on Sunday after the government's draft notification.

However, the activist vowed to continue the agitation until all the benefits agreed upon were not met as per the notification.

"Our agitation will continue until at least one person from my community benefits under the new rules the state is going to introduce. The state government has shown me the draft, and the final notification is yet to be out. We are closely watching the developments," he told reporters.
MUMBAI: Just when everyone believed that Manoj Jarange-Patil had been pacified, the Maratha activist made a fresh announcement on Sunday: that he would continue his agitation until the actual implementation of the order issued by the government. The BJP, meanwhile, is reportedly unhappy with the state governments decision if union minister Narayan Ranes staunch opposition to it is anything to go by. 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)

After Jarange-Patils long march from Antarvali Sarati to Navi Mumbai, the state government on Saturday issued a draft notification to give Kunbi certificates to all Marathas and their blood relatives in their family trees (sage-soyare) whose Kunbi-antecedent records have been found by the state administration. Kunbi is a Maratha sub-caste which gets quota benefits in the Other Backward Castes (OBC) category, and the government launched a concerted hunt to dig up the Kunbi antecedents of as many Marathas as possible.

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Not content with this, Jarange-Patil demanded that the relatives of those with such certificates also be issued certificates. The government agreed and also assured him that a fresh law would be enacted for those who could not produce Kunbi certificates. The activist was also promised that the police cases lodged against Maratha protestors, beginning with the agitation last August, would be withdrawn.

READ | Who is Manoj Jarange-Patil, man at forefront of Maratha quota agitation

Satisfied with the governments step, Jarange-Patil announced that he would withdraw the agitation on Saturday. However, after reaching his village, he declared on Sunday afternoon, after a meeting with community members, that the protest would continue until at least one community member got a caste certificate under the new draft notification. We cannot lower our guard even after the assurance, he said. The agitation will be withdrawn once the first certificate is issued under the definition of sage-soyare.

The activist also demanded that Marathas who had not been able to obtain Kunbi certificates be given the benefits of the new notification. He also demanded that administrators search the Satara and Bombay State gazettes for more Kunbi antecedents.

Meanwhile, after NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal expressed his displeasure at the state governments decision, BJP leader and union minister Narayan Rane said that it would create a rift between the Marathas and OBCs. It will lead to the suppression of Marathas, who enjoy historical antecedents, and encroach upon the rights of OBCs, he said. It will lead to unrest in the state. I do not agree with the decision and assurance by the state government, he posted on social media X. Rane has also announced a press conference on Monday.

READ | For Marathas, Jarange-Patil is now a superhero

Like Rane, other BJP leaders in the state are believed to be unhappy with the governments decision. It has the imprint of chief minister Eknath Shinde and is not endorsed by his two deputies, said a senior BJP leader. There is unrest among the OBCs, and it has not gone down well with our leaders. What Rane said is a reflection of this situation.

Bhujbal too has declared that the decision is unconstitutional and will finish the OBCs and their reservation quota. His partyman, Praful Patel, however said that this was Bhujbals personal opinion, expressed as the head of the Samata Parishad, an OBC organisation he heads. It has nothing to do with the NCP, he said.

BOX

Constitutional experts and officers dealing with caste validity have expressed their reservations on the tenability of the draft notification issued by the state government. Prima facie it appears to be against the Constitution and is expected to be challenged in court, said constitutional expert Ulhas Bapat. Not just this but the other announcements by the state government will be challenged toosuch as the 100 percent fee concession to Maratha students and not filling up job vacancies under the proposed Maratha quota until the notification is implemented.
The newly constituted cabinet in Bihar, headed by chief minister Nitish Kumar after the change in regime a day earlier, on Monday authorised him to decide the next schedule for the assembly session during the first meeting of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) cabinet. Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar. (Santosh Kumar/ HT Photo)

The previous Bihar cabinet had on January 18 approved the state budget session on February 5. However, that arrangement had to be revisited after the change in the government.

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Vesting the CM with the authority to convene the next assembly session was among the four proposals approved by the newly formed cabinet, comprising two deputy chief ministers Samrat Chaudhary and Vijay Sinha.

Kumar was administered the oath of office as an NDA chief minister on Sunday along with eight ministers after parting ways with the Grand Alliance with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD).

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Nand Kishore Yadav has already proposed a no-confidence motion for the removal of speaker Awadh Bihari Chaudhary, who belongs to the RJD, now in the opposition camp.

The notice was signed by Hindustani Awam Morcha-Secular leader Jitan Ram Manjhi, Janata Dal (United) leader Vijay Kumar Chaudhary and former deputy CM Tarkishore Prasad.

The NDA govt will seek the trust vote after removing Chaudhary from the chair through a no-confidence motion, a BJP MLA said.
In the new National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government formed on January 28, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has two deputy chief ministers, as it did in the previous NDA government formed after the 2020 election  all from different communities to get its social engineering right.

Political analysts say that there is a reason for the BJPs selection of its two deputy CMs. While the state BJP president Samrat Choudhary is a Koeri which is a community that belongs to the Other Backward Classes (OBC), Vijay Sinha, who was the leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Vidhan Sabha, is upper caste, from the Bhumihar.

Since August 2022, when Nitish changed sides and left the NDA to join the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress in the Grand Alliance (GA), both Choudhary and Vijay Sinha were relentless in their attack. While Choudhary was a minister in the previous NDA government, Sinha was the Speaker.

After Sushil Modi, who was deputy CM for nearly 11.5 years with Nitish, the BJP appointed Tarkeshwar Prasad, who belongs to the Vaishya community (from the OBC category) and Renu Devi (who belongs to a community that falls within the Extremely Backward Classes category) as Nitishs deputies.

This time, around, it has come up with new faces.

To compensate the EBC communities, the BJP made veteran Prem Kumar, who was dropped from the cabinet the last time around, a minister. Hindustani Awam Morchas Santosh Kumar Suman, who belongs to a Scheduled Caste community and is the son of former Bihar CM Jitan Ram Manjhi, also got a post to set the equation right. Suman had resigned from the GA government earlier after differences cropped up with Nitish Kumar.

BJP is a party that believes in Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas aur Sabka Vishwas.' We dont view everything from the caste point of view, but our party does try to keep the social equation right to give everyone equal opportunity. Our goal is good governance and development for all. Whatever progress Bihar has made in different fields is largely due to the NDA government since 2005 and we have to continue with that, said deputy CM Sinha.

Political analyst Nawal Kishor Choudhary, however, said that caste is a reality no political party can afford to ignore. The BJP has gone in for social engineering to set its equation right.

It will be apparent more with the expansion of the cabinet in the days to come, with younger and newer faces from different castes to counter the dynastic politics of RJD that Nitish recently attacked, he said.

There is no [constitutional] provision of deputy CM, but these practices are in vogue these days. BJP has made an OBC and an upper caste and compensated the EBC by giving Prem Kumar a cabinet berth as well as the Bharat Ratna to the late socialist leader Karpoori Thakur. No matter what, the BJP also knows Bihars reality. It has forward castes by its side, but it does not want to take any chances by ignoring them at a time when the RJD would like to play with caste reservation and caste surveys. Basically, it all boils down to a balancing act, he added.

Former director of AN Sinha Institute of Social Studies, DM Diwakar said that while caste was a big factor for any party, including the BJP, getting social engineering right in Bihars politics was a complex affair. In Choudhary and Sinhas cases, other factors were at play.

The selection of two aggressive leaders as deputy CMs also indicates an attempt to balance Nitish and make a fresh beginning to strengthen the organisation in a state where it has struggled. In the past, deputy CMs of the BJP ended up being subservient to Nitish. It is also the BJPs way of stamping its authority by rewarding its aggressive leaders, which Nitish would not normally like, but has no option but to accept. There has been a feeling in the BJP that Nitish Kumar did not allow the BJP to grow in Bihar, as it did in neighbouring states, for his own advantage, he added.

The organisation decides it on various parameters, social equation being just one of them. This is also an indication of a gradual but definite generational shift in the BJP to give the younger lot a chance. It has happened in other states also, a senior BJP leader, pleading anonymity, said.
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav reached the Enforcement Directorate (ED)s office in Patna on Monday morning for questioning in the land-for-job case. The ED has issued summons to Lalu on January 19 after he failed to turn up on earlier dates. (PTI Photo)

The federal agency had issued summons to Lalu Prasad on January 19 after he failed to appear on earlier dates.

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Lalu was accompanied by his elder daughter and Rajya Sabha MP Misa Bharti at the ED office around 11am.

A large number of RJD supporters had gathered at the ED office ahead of Lalus questioning.

Lalus daughter Misa hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led central government over the ED summons.

Also Read: A history of scams: Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family, now in EDs crosshairs

This is nothing new. Whenever they (central government) want, they send us a summon. Now, not just our family, but they are also sending summons to all those who are in opposition, Misa said.

The ED had earlier visited Rabri Devis official residence to hand over a fresh summon against former deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav and his father Lalu Prasad for appearance in the case, asking them to appear on January 29.

The summons was served personally to them at their residence to appear for questioning at its Patna office.

Tejashwi was earlier called to appear on December 22 and later asking him to appear on January 5, but the RJD leader skipped the summons calling the ED notice a routine affair.

The RJD chief was asked to depose on December 27 at ED headquarters in New Delhi which he skipped too.

The case, first lodged by the CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation), relates to allegations that during his stint as railway minister from 2004-09, Lalu Prasad gave away railway jobs in lieu of plots of land either gifted or sold at throwaway prices by the beneficiaries to his family members.

Besides Lalu Prasad, his wife Rabri and daughters Misa and Hema Yadav are also named in the CBI FIR among other 12 accused.

The ED had, in March 2023, conducted searches at the premises linked to Lalu Prasad and his family members.
In the early hours of Monday, a CNG-run car caught fire near Katraj Chowk, fire brigade officials informed. The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) central fire brigade received a distress call about the incident at around 5 am. The family members inside the car immediately got down along with their belongings to escape the fire. (REPRESENTATIVE PHOTO)

According to the fire department officials, it was a Maruti Suzuki Ertiga CNG car which was engulfed in flames. Fire officer Pradeep Khedekar said that the fire broke out due to ignition sparks due to overheating of the CNG tank.

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A family of 3 people were travelling to the city from Chiplun and around Katraj Chowk, thick black smoke and fire started coming from the cars engine. The family members inside the car immediately got down along with their belongings to escape the situation. One fire vehicle and four firemen successfully brought the fire under control within fifteen minutes. Since the vehicle was not locked, there was no loss of life. The driver of the CNG car informed the fire brigade that they had filled the tank at Khed Shivapur.

Another incident at Rasta Peth

In another fire incident reported in the city, a stock of food items stored on the second floor of a residential building caught fire near Ayyapa Temple in Rasta Peth at around 5.30 AM

Commenting on the development, station duty officer, Central Fire Brigade said, The fire on the second floor of the residential building took place around 5.30 am. Ten firemen were deployed along with two water tankers to douse the flames.

We prevented the flames from spreading further in the area as there were houses located nearby. It was food processing material which caught fire and the fire spread very quickly. There was no major loss, and the fire seems to have occurred due to a short circuit, he said.
The Inspector General of Registration and Controller of Stamps (IGR) has written to the offices of its deputies across the state to probe the old grant defence bungalow sale in their jurisdictions, take action and submit a compliance report, officials said on Monday. On January 24, Ray had dashed off a letter to PCB chief executive officer (CEO) Subrat Pal directing him to temporarily halt all constructions currently undergoing at bungalow areas and the work be resumed only after quick verification of Holder of Occupancy (HOR) credentials and confirmation from the IGR office and credentials that no illegal sale has taken place in respect of those bungalows and respective surveys numbers. (HT FILE)

The action of IGR headquarters is based on the letter of Southern Command Defence Estates director Saurav Ray who had raised objection to the sale of defence bungalows citing that they were a central government property and cannot be sold.

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Ray had requested IGR to halt sales of all defence bungalows in Pune and Khadki cantonment areas terming them as national assets of the Indian Army.

IGR (registration) Udayraj Chavan in his letter addressed to officials referenced Rays letter dated December 6, 2023, and directed them to take action as per the registration department rules and submit a compliance report regarding the sale of defence bungalows in cantonment areas.

The letter sent on January 1 states that all deputy IGRs must instruct sub-registrars under their jurisdiction to strictly follow rules related to sale of bungalow and defence properties.

Hiralal Sonawane, IGR, said, We have informed all registration offices in the state and directed the officers incharge not to register any old grant bungalow defence property unless and until they have an NOC from the ministry of defence or any other competent authority. Such incidents of defence bungalows being registered have happened in the past and we have instructed officials that no such registration must take place henceforth as per the letter issued by the Director of Defence Estates, Southern Command.

The IGR letter assumes significance with 15 old grant bungalow (OGB) deals under scanner of the Defence Estate Office, Pune where the violators are being probed for illegal and fraudulent sale of prime defence properties. The Pune Cantonment Board (PCB) has more than 300 OGBs and the Khadki Cantonment Board (KCB) has 60 sprawling bungalow properties at prime locations with an approximate collective market value of 10,000 crore. During the past three weeks, the DEO, Pune office has already sealed four bungalows estimated to be worth 350 crore and initiated takeover process of one of the oldest New Poona Club for non-payment of dues worth 17 crore and lease expiry.

On January 24, Ray had dashed off a letter to PCB chief executive officer (CEO) Subrat Pal directing him to temporarily halt all constructions currently undergoing at bungalow areas and the work be resumed only after quick verification of Holder of Occupancy (HOR) credentials and confirmation from the IGR office and credentials that no illegal sale has taken place in respect of those bungalows and respective surveys numbers.

Ray asked PCB CEO to immediately provide a list of all building sanctions accorded by PCB of bungalows in Pune cantonment from January 1, 2022, till date. According to cantonment-based civic activists, time and again various audit reports submitted by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) have pointed out misuse, sale and illegal appropriation of the OGBs by defence estate officers (DEO) in collusion with land sharks and private parties.
Interview: Chinese cars hold promising future in Egypt: auto businessman

Xinhua) 13:34, January 29, 2024

CAIRO, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- The future of Chinese cars in Egypt's market is "so great" for the Egyptian auto market that now depends mainly on China, whether in cars or buses, said Khaled Geyushi, vice chairman of Egypt's Geyushi Automotive Industry.

Geyushi told Xinhua in a recent interview "what distinguishes Chinese cars in Egypt is that their quality has greatly increased and their prices are reasonable."

The Egyptian auto businessman said that his company has been working with several Chinese partners for seven years, including Yutong, Zhongtong and others, assembling their buses in Egypt.

"The quality of Chinese cars is high, and their agents and service centers in the Egyptian market are strong," said Geyushi, noting that Egyptian customers felt satisfaction with Chinese cars in recent years.

Geyushi pointed out that Chinese cars are strengthened in the Egyptian market by their partners of renowned local agents such as Mansour Automotive for MG and Abu Ghaly Motors for Geely.

"I see that the future of Chinese cars in Egypt is promising," the Egyptian auto businessman told Xinhua.

Established in 1944, Geyushi has become one of Egypt's leading automotive companies, with an advanced manufacturing facility in Egypt that currently produces around 5,000 buses annually, including Chinese brands.

In light of the distinguished relations between Egypt and China, Geyushi recommended the establishment of an automobile industrial complex in Egypt to manufacture Chinese cars and their components and export them.

"I believe that in the coming period, Chinese cars should be locally manufactured in Egypt," he said, explaining that the North African country has the necessary manpower and energy at low prices, as well as free trade agreements with European and African states for zero-customs exportation.

Manufacturing Chinese vehicles in Egypt will help with technology localization and employment in Egypt, he added.

A report by the Automotive Marketing Information Council (AMIC), an Egyptian council of auto businessmen, shows that China's Chery, MG and BYD were among the top ten car brands sold in Egypt in the first 10 months of 2023.

"I recommend Chinese automobile companies in Egypt to spend more on publicity, marketing and service centers to achieve further growth," Geyushi said.

"Generally, I believe that in the coming few years, Chinese cars will be much more popular in the Egyptian market," He stressed.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) plans to activate booth level committees across the city from the first week of February . The BJP has also appointed in-charge for each booth committee who will conduct visits every 15 days. (REPRESENTATIVE PHOTO)

Dheeraj Ghate, city unit president, held a meeting of all the booth committee heads under Pune Lok Sabha constituency in which instructions were given to galvanise cadre and reach out to each household.

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The BJP has also appointed in-charge for each booth committee who will conduct visits every 15 days.

Ghate said, We have set the target to garner more than 51 per cent votes from each booth for the BJP candidate. The party has prepared a road map for this and communicated the same with workers.

According to Ghate, the booth workers will start meeting influential people from each locality and share the Centre and state governments achievements with them.

Also, BJP has also appointed various committees for Lok Sabha election.

Ghate said, As instructed by BJP national president JP Nadda, we have appointed various committees and started the preparation on ground.

With the plan to reach voters, BJP has already taken lead in the campaign for polls even as Lok Sabha elections are yet to be announced. The party leaders have started various meetings for the election as a part of public outreach programme.

Ghate said even as the party is yet to finalise candidate, BJP has activated its cadre. By considering that the opposition parties are far behind for the election preparation, he said.
A 26-year-old software engineer was shot dead allegedly by her male friend inside a hotel room in the Laxminagar area, Hinjewadi, on Saturday. Officials said the incident occurred in room number 306 at a private hotel, on Saturday, at around 9:45 pm although police got to know about the incident the next day. (HT PHOTO)

The deceased has been identified as Vandana Dwivedi, a native of Lucknow, who was working with Infosys, located at Rajiv Gandhi Information Technology Park, Hinjewadi, for the past two years.

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Officials said the incident occurred in room number 306 at a private hotel, on Saturday, at around 9:45 pm although police got to know about the incident the next day.

During a nakabandi on Sunday, Navi Mumbai police arrested the suspect Rishabh Nigam, also a native of Lucknow, along with a pistol.

During the preliminary interrogation, Nigam revealed about the murder he committed. By evening, he was handed over to the crime branch team of the Pimpri-Chinchwad police.

Both Dwivedi and Nigam stayed in the same locality in Lucknow before she moved to Pune for work.

READ | In triple murder-suicide, Bengaluru techie strangles wife, daughters before taking his own life

Prima facie both Dwivedi and Nigam have known each other since 2014 and have been in a relationship for some time, said police.

Recently, Nigam suspected that Dwivedi was ignoring him, and as a result, he might have killed her. However, the police said after custodial interrogation, they will ascertain the exact motive behind the murder.

Hinjewadi police said after arriving from Lucknow, Nigam booked a room at the hotel on January 25. The next day (Friday), Dwivedi joined him. There were exchanges of heated arguments between them on Saturday night, as a result of which the accused fired two rounds of bullet into Dwivedis chest and head, leading to her death.

Our team found the body of the victim with bullet injuries in room number 306, said Vishal Hire, assistant commissioner of police.

Hire further said, that after the analysis of the hotels register, it was found that both victim and suspect had their booking from January 25 at around 9:30 pm, although the former arrived at the hotel a day later and the accused left the hotel Saturday between 9:30 pm and 10 pm.

Bapu Bangar, deputy commissioner of police (zone II), said, Dwivedi had been working as a software engineer at Infosys, Hinjewadi, since 2022, while the suspect stays in Lucknow. Preliminary information suggests there may have been some disputes between them due to which the accused killed Dwivedi.

As loud music was played and people were bursting firecrackers due to the decision taken on the Maratha reservation, the hotel staff did not notice the firing sound.

Hotel staffers heard the firing sound, but considering the noise from firecrackers outside the hotel, they ignored it, said Bangar.

A case was registered at Hinjewadi poliec station on Sunday under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The accident at the popular Kalkaji temple in South Delhi that resulted in the death of one person has a ring of deja vu about it. Poor planning, shoddy crowd management, indifference to permissions and safety arrangements have been highlighted as reasons behind the incident. A makeshift platform erected for a jagran (devotional musical performance) collapsed when 50-60 people reportedly climbed onto it. Police have said the organisers did not have permission to hold the event. Temple authorities too said the same.

Accidents at festivals and functions at religious places are not uncommon. In March last year, 36 people died when a structure built over a stepwell in a temple in Indore collapsed. The covering was not meant for so many people to stand on. In 2016, 102 persons were killed in a blaze following fireworks at a temple near Kollam, Kerala: The fireworks were unauthorised. In Sabarimala in 2011, 104 people died in a stampede; as did 224 in Chamunda Devi, Jodhpur, in 2008; and 291 in Mandher Devi temple, Wai, Maharashtra, in 2005. There are scores of such incidents that have resulted in thousands of deaths. In each case, probes have zeroed in on the same reasons  poor crowd management and construction, and negligence of safety measures.

Festivals are integral to Indian social and religious life. Organisers have to be educated about the perils of ignoring safety nets at festivals. The successful conduct of events such as the Kumbh Mela has revealed that administrations in India do have methods, systems and technology to manage large crowds. Also, pilgrims, tourists, and devotees need to be sensitised on orderly conduct. Every life is precious and even a single death is unacceptable.
Earlier this month, the X handle of All India Institute of Medical Sciences New Delhi (@@aiims_newdelhi) posted about receiving a copy of Quantum Body, a book co-authored by one of its alumnus, globally recognised wellness guru Deepak Chopra.

The subject of the book, written with co-authors Jack Tuszynski (a physicist) and Brian Fertig (an endocrinologist), is as exotic as the title suggests. Chopra, whose work straddles the line between modern science and spirituality, proposes that we have a quantum body that is distinct from our physical body.

Unlike our physical body, which is subject to ageing, injury, and decay, the quantum body exists on a sub-atomic level and is the infinite, invisible source of everyday reality that affects your thoughts, feelings, sensations, and biological responses, Chopra writes on his website.

In the quantum world, Alzheimers, Type 2 diabetes, cancer, and heart disease do not exist. Unlocking the secrets of the quantum body can revolutionise how we ultimately eradicate disease, Chopra goes on.

Over the years, several scientists have dismissed Chopras ideas as being pseudoscience. While his latest idea is indeed revolutionary, this is not the first time that someone has connected the mysteries of everyday life with the quantum world, which is mysterious in itself. Thats a whole lot of unanswered questions in a soup of unproven hypotheses.

Quantum consciousness

Since the early 1990s, Nobel laureate Roger Penrose  one of the worlds most respected physicists  and Stuart Hameroff, an American anaesthesiologist, have been working on a theory that proposes our consciousness is the result of quantum activity inside the brains neurons. Over three decades, their theory has not yet been conclusively proved, but  and thats the nature of science  it is not completely ruled out either.

The idea of a quantum body and the quantum theory of consciousness are distinct from each other. So, while many scientists have been sceptical of Chopras spirituality, many others have examined Penrose and Hameroffs theory in all seriousness. Not everyone, however, has been fully convinced by the consciousness theory which, even today, exists largely on the borderline between mainstream and fringe.

The conventional view is that consciousness results from interactions between our neurons. Penrose and Hameroff, on the other hand, propose that consciousness arises inside the neurons themselves. This happens as a result of quantum processes, which are orchestrated by cellular structures called microtubules. They describe this as orchestrated objective reduction, or Orch OR, which is how their theory has come to be known.

They describe this as orchestrated objective reduction, or Orch OR, which is how their theory has come to be known.

Orch OR, broadly speaking, rests on two pillars. One, in the brain, specifically in microtubules, there exists quantum superposition states. The term refers to quantum systems that exist in multiple states at the same time (think Schrodingers cat hypothesis).

Orch ORs second pillar is that when we express a specific thought, quantum states spontaneously collapse into a single state due to gravitational interactions. The mathematics of this gravity-related collapse, in various scenarios, is described by the DP model, named after physicists Lajos Diosi and Penrose.

Testing the theory

In experiments starting in 2014, scientists at Italys National Institute for Nuclear Physics set out to test the second pillar of Orch OR, based on the DP model. From the results of their experiments in the worlds largest underground laboratory at Gran Sasso, they concluded in Physics of Life Reviews quarterly journal in 2022 that Orch OR, when based on the simplest version of gravity-related dynamical collapse, is highly implausible in all the cases analysed.

That said, the researchers left the door open, because not all variants were tested. To be sure, the results in this paper do not rule out Orch OR theory in general. Rather, they rule out variants of Orch OR based on the simplest version of the DP theory, the studys corresponding author, Catalina Curceanu, said over email.

The intriguing thing though

The first pillar of Orch OR, meanwhile, continues to intrigue scientists. Indeed, there have been indications that quantum phenomena may occur in the brain. In one of the most recent experiments, described in ACS Central Science, a monthly peer-reviewed open-access scientific journal, scientists found that electronic energy passing through microtubules defied the predictions of classical physics.

The papers co-authors include Penrose, Hameroff and, incidentally, one of Chopras co-authors on Quantum Body (the physicist Tuszynski). The papers lead author, Aarat Kalra, then at Princeton University, is now an assistant professor of biomedical engineering at IIT Delhi.

The experiments that I performed measured the distance to which electronic energy can migrate in microtubules (which were extracted from pig brains)  There was an appreciable difference between theoretical (classical) predictions and experimental results, Kalra said.

What explains the mismatch? While it is possible that quantum effects were at play in the microtubules, Kalra chose not to connect his results directly with Orch OR. In my opinion, he said, the experimental results dont really do much for or against Orch-OR.

What's next

Kalras (and Chopras) co-author Tuszynski felt that Orch OR has not yet demonstrated the main tenets it claims to be fundamental to consciousness. He cited a number of issues that remain. For example, in microtubules, quantum states exist for too short a time to be physiologically relevant, and the distance over which they extend is too small to explain global coherence, Tuszynski said over email.

Kalra agreed that there are some large issues that Orch OR does not address, and felt the theory could be improved. Yet, he was not entirely dismissive. My own view of the theory is that it is a rare example of a complete theory of consciousness, and unlike some other more mainstream theories, it actually aims to provide a mechanistic explanation for consciousness. This makes it interesting.

Curceanu, meanwhile, having tested one cornerstone of Orch OR, said there is still a lot of work to be done.

Ours is only the tip of the iceberg! We are working on developing other models and refining our techniques to continue tests of collapse models [and] also studying the possible impact on life (including aspects such as consciousness, which is indeed very fascinating). We are convinced that these studies are worth continuing, theoretically and experimentally, she said.

So whats the quantum body?

Among the issues with Orch OR that Tuszynski raised, one was that the theory in its description does not include metabolism in any form. Unless metabolism has a defined role, his argument is that Orch OR cannot be limited to living systems.

By extension, this would indicate panpsychism at work. I find it far-fetched, to say the least, he said.

Panpsychism is the view that everything, even non-living/non-sentient things has a mind or a consciousness. A sort of Avatar meets New Age-Buddha Lounge view.

In the idea of a quantum body, metabolism plays a central role. We present (in the book) a view that quantum interactions extend over the entire body, not just the brain and result in a synchronised, coordinated and correlated functioning of all our cells, tissues and organs. We claim that the reason for it is metabolism, which is the quantum glue bringing together all these seemingly independent activities, Tuszynski said.

The book also talks about how this physics-based viewpoint is consistent with Eastern philosophy and spirituality, he added.

While on spirituality, any description of Chopras work would be incomplete without a mention of the scepticism it has earned. Chopras strongest critic has been Richard Dawkins, the evolutionary biologist and bestselling author. The two have often faced off over the years, including on television shows and videos.

In 2015, Dawkins described Chopras spirituality as worse than organised religion, according to media reports. Four years previously, Chopra had dismissed Dawkins as being an idiot. The American journalist Tom Roston has written a book about their showdown, titled The Quantum Prophets: Richard Dawkins, Deepak Chopra and the spooky truth about their battle over God.

And while scientific-minded detractors may continue to hold valid criticisms, scientists must continue their experiments before they can disprove the theory.

Kabir Firaque is the puzzles editor of Hindustan Times. His column, Weird Science, tackles a range of subjects from the history of inventions and discoveries to science that sounds fictional, but it isn't.
The seventh Pariksha Pe Charcha (PPC 2024) is scheduled to be held today, January 29, 2024. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact with students preparing for board examinations, their parents and teachers in a live session 11 am onwards at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. PPC 2024 live updates Pariksha Pe Charcha 2024 today

Ahead of the event, the Prime Minister posted on X, most memorable gathering of #ExamWarriors, 'Pariksha Pe Charcha', to collectively strategize on ways to beat exam stress.

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Over 2 crore students, over 14.93 lakh teachers and over 5.69 lakh parents have registered for PPC 2024.

Around 4,000 people are expected to participate in the event. Two students and a teacher from each State and Union Territory, along with winners of the Kala Utsav, have been invited to take part in PPC 2024.

In addition, 100 students from Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) will attend the PPC event for the first time.

Where to watch PPC 2024?
Filmfare Awards 2024 took place on Sunday in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The star-studded awards function saw performances by Kareena Kapoor, Karisma Kapoor, Sara Ali Khan and Ranbir Kapoor, among other actors. The event also saw celebs pose on the red carpet in their designer best. From the evening's host, filmmaker Karan Johar to the cast of Animal and 12th Fail, the Filmfare Awards red carpet was bustling with celebs. Also read: Filmfare Awards 2024 full list of winners Filmfare Awards 2024: Medha Shankar, Vikrant Massey Janhvi Kapoor and Triptii Dimri pose on the red carpet. (PTI)

Vikrant Massey, Medha Shankar spotted together

12th Fail's lead actors Vikrant Massey and Medha Shankar posed together on the red carpet. She wore a red saree, while he was in a black suit. Vidhu Vinod Chopra's 12th Fail has been receiving acclaim. Vikrant has also been getting praise for his performance as Manoj Kumar Sharma, who overcame poverty to become an IPS officer. He won Best Actor (Critics) for his role in 12th Fail at Filmfare Awards 2024.

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Actors Medha Shankar and Vikrant Massey pose for photos during the Filmfare Awards ceremony in Gandhinagar. (PTI)

Ranbir Kapoor looks dapper in suit

The other film that has been widely discussed on social media over the past weeks is Ranbir Kapoor's Animal. The actor arrived solo to the Filmfare Awards 2024 red carpet. He was awarded Best Actor in a Leading Role at the awards, where Animal's team, including director Sandeep Reddy Vanga and Ranbir's co-star Triptii Dimri were in attendance. She wore a silver and black gown for the awards.

Actor Ranbir Kapoor poses for photos during the Filmfare Awards ceremony. (PTI)

Sara Ali Khan wows in black gown

Sara Ali Khan and Janhvi Kapoor also made a statement with their red carpet looks. Both wore glamorous black gown. The actors also set the stage on fire as they performed at the awards. Kareena Kapoor and Karisma Kapoor also performed on stage. They walked the red carpet solo in designer sarees. Rajkummar Rao also looked dapper as he posed on the red carpet. Fardeen Khan, who has been in news for his acting comeback, also made an appearance on the Filmfare Awards 2024 red carpet.

Ahead, see all photos from the Filmfare Awards 2024 red carpet.

Actor Sara Ali Khan poses for photos during the Filmfare Awards ceremony in Gandhinagar. She wore a blingy black gown. (PTI)

Actor Janhvi Kapoor poses for photos during the Filmfare Awards ceremony. She wore a lace gown. (PTI)

Actor Tripti Dimri poses for photos during the Filmfare Awards ceremony. She wore a silver gown. (PTI)

Actor Karishma Kapoor poses for photos during the Filmfare Awards. She wore a colourful saree. (PTI)

Actor Fardeen Khan poses for photos during the Filmfare Awards ceremony. (PTI)

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Twinkle Khanna revealed that over the Christmas holidays, her and actor-husband Akshay Kumar's daughter Nitara was 'bitten on both hands' by their pet dog. In her recent column for The Times of India, the actor-turned-author spoke in detail about Freddie, the pet dog she shares with a cousin and also her daughter's attachment to him. Twinkle said Nitara defended their pet even after getting 'three shots of rabies and one shot of tetanus', calling it 'an accident'. Also read: Twinkle Khanna says she funded kids Nitara, Aarav's education from her savings Twinkle Khanna with daughter Nitara, 11.

Twinkle on daughter getting 'bitten on both hands'

Twinkle Khanna recalled, This Christmas, someone accidentally placed a plate of chicken satay in front of the kids (Aarav and Nitara), while Freddie was around. He jumped on the plate and started gulping down the pieces. My 11-year-old (Nitara), worried about him swallowing the wooden skewers holding the chicken together, tried pulling the pointed skewers out of his mouth. She got bitten on both hands."

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Nitara said the pet 'didnt mean to bite'

Further recalling Nitara's reaction to being bitten by the pet, Twinkle wrote, "Three shots of rabies and one shot of tetanus later, she claims she has no regrets. It was an accident. He didnt mean to bite me, and it doesnt matter as long as Freddie is fine. Now, if I had inadvertently chomped on her fingers, not only would there be unceasing accusations, but 20 years later, it would be a subject of intense discussion during her therapy sessions. 

Twinkle Khanna often takes to Instagram to share pictures and videos of herself with Akshay Kumar, their daughter Nitara, and son Aarav as well as members of their extended family and friends. Nitara is 11, while Aarav is 21.

Twinkle made her acting debut with Barsaat in 1995; after her 2001 film Love Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega she quit her acting career. In 2015, Twinkle made her debut as a writer with Mrs Funnybones. She followed it up with an anthology of stories titled The Legend Of Lakshmi Prasad, which was released in 2017, and the fiction novel Pyjamas Are Forgiving, which came out the following year.

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Bigg Boss 17 winner Munawar Faruqui has responded to claims that this season's winner was 'fixed'. In an interview with ETimes, the stand-up comedian was asked to react to people calling him 'fixed winner'. He said people accusing him of being the 'fixed winner' should watch the whole season, and then they will release how much 'scrutiny' he went through. He also said that before Bigg Boss 17, he would have wanted to change people's 'perceptions' about him, but now he knows he 'can't change their opinion'. Also read: Bigg Boss 17 winner Munawar Faruqui thanks bade bhai Salman Khan in first post Munawar Faruqui was crowned the winner of Salman khan-hosted reality show Bigg Boss 17 on Sunday after beating Abhishek Kumar, who was the first runner-up.

Munawar 'answers people calling him a fixed winner'

Asked about the Bigg Boss 17 winner being fixed, Munawar Faruqui said, "Yaar fixed winner ko itna sab go through karna pade toh it cant be a fixed winner (If one has to go through so much scrutiny as a supposed fixed winner, then it can't truly be a fixed winner). If I would have been a fixed winner I would have got everything on a platter. Pura season gawah hai (The whole season if proof) that Ive got nothing on a platter, Ive worked hard and a lot. My answer to people, who are calling me a fixed winner is  Just sit and watch the entire season and you will realise that it wasnt fixed."

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He added, "Having said that, people can have that feeling because, when you have a strong fanbase, and you do such reality shows a lot of things are at stake and you lose a few things. To win things, then you give it your best. Mujhe lagta hai ye pyaar hai logon ka (I think I won because of people's love), and people who are calling me me fixed winner, I cant change their opinion. Maybe before going to Bigg Boss I would have wanted to change perceptions, but now I feel I cant change everyone."

Munawar Faruqui's Bigg Boss win

Ever since Munawar Faruqui's Bigg Boss win, actor Abhishek Kumar, who was the first runner-up, was trending on X (formerly known as Twitter). Some Bigg Boss viewers are saying Abhishek was more deserving to win the trophy than Munawar. However, some reports suggest that Munawar won the trophy with a huge difference in votes. Actor Mannara Chopra came third, and actor Ankita Lokhande was fourth on Bigg Boss 17. Also in the top five was YouTuber Arun Mahashetty.

As part of the win, Munawar was presented the Bigg Boss 17 trophy, a swanky new car and a grand cash prize of 50 lakh. Interestingly, this is Munawar's second time winning a reality show after Lock Upp season 1 in 2022. Abhishek gave Munawar a tight hug after the latter was declared the winner by actor-host Salman Khan in the Bigg Boss 17 grand finale on Sunday. Abhishek was also seen touching Salmans feet after the winner was announced and hugged him. Very well played, Abhishek, Salman said to the actor.

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Comedian Munawar Faruqui, the winner of the 17th season of Bigg Boss, got a grand welcome by thousands of his fans at Dongri in Mumbai. Taking to Instagram on Monday, a paparazzo account shared a video of Munawar in Dongri. (Also Read | Munawar Faruqui breaks silence on allegation that Bigg Boss 17 winner was fixed) Munawar Faruqui got a hero's welcome in Dongri.

Munawar visits Dongri

In the clip, Munawar opened the sunroof of his car and stood there. As a sea of the crowd gathered around his car, he was seen lifting his trophy. The reality show winner also gestured at them to cheer for him.

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People tried to shake his hands, click pictures and greet him. Munawar also folded his hands, thanking the fans for their support. For meeting his fans, he wore a grey T-shirt, a beige jacket and denims.

Munawar's post after winning show

Earlier, Munawar took to Instagram and shared a picture while posing with the coveted trophy and Bigg Boss 17 host Salman Khan. He wrote, "Bohot bohot shukriya janta. Aapke pyaar aur support ke liye aakhir kar trophy Dongri aa hi gayi (A lot of thanks, people. With your love and support, the trophy finally reached Dongri)."

He also added, "Special thanks to Bade Bhai (big brother) @beingsalmankhan Sir for all your guidance. Saari #munawarkijanta aur #munawarkewarrior ka dil se shukriya #Karliya. (Thanks to #munawarkijanta and #munawarkewarrior from the bottom of my heart). We have done it."

Munawar on his win

While addressing the media, after he was announced as the winner of the show, Munawar had said, "...I am very happy and thankful. I am fortunate to have such a fan following...I always remember my parents during the sad and happy times..." He was declared the winner and Abhishek Kumar was the first runner-up. Munawar took home the coveted trophy and cash prize of 50 lakh.

Munawar in Bigg Boss 17

Munawar was one of the most popular contestants of the 17th season of the Colors show. He hogged the limelight ever since he entered the Bigg Boss house. However, his game backfired soon, and he faced several hurdles, mainly when Ayesha Khan entered the show making some serious allegations against him.

Ayesha blamed him for cheating on her, making false promises, and proposing to another girl for marriage. His game hit rock bottom but he managed to stand tall. Before Bigg Boss 17, Munawar gained popularity after winning reality show Lock Upp.

with ANI inputs

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Indrani Mukerjea will be opening up about the Sheena Bora murder case in the Netflix documentary series, The Indrani Mukerjea Story: Buried Truth. On Monday, Netflix India dropped a poster and announced the series will premiere on the OTT platform next month. Indrani's face was partially covered in the poster. She made headlines in 2015 for allegedly murdering Sheena Bora in 2012. Also read: When Rishi Kapoor called Indrani Mukerjea a real weirdo Netflix is all set to release it's docuseries, The Indrani Mukerjea Story Buried Truth, on February 23.

About The Indrani Mukerjea Story Buried Truth

Finally announcing the release date of the series about Indrani Mukerjea, accused in the Sheena Bora case, Netflix India wrote in its Instagram caption, "A sensational scandal that rocked the entire nation, with one family's darkest secrets at the center of it all. The Indrani Mukerjea Story Buried Truth, coming on 23 February only on Netflix!"

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The Netflix series comes months after Indrani Mukerjea's 2023 memoir, Unbroken: The Untold Story. In the book, the media-maven-turned-murder-accused recounts her entire life as well as six years in prison. She is out on bail.

The documentary promises to peel back the layers of the sensational murder of Sheena Bora and the subsequent 2015 arrest of Sheena's alleged mother Indrani Mukerjea, who was earlier married to media tycoon Peter Mukerjea.

The docu-series features Indrani Mukerjea, her children, veteran journalists, and lawyers spotlighting dysfunctional family dynamics and complex motivations, Netflix India said in a statement, as per news agency PTI.

Other recent true crime documentaries on Netflix

The Indrani Mukerjea Story: Buried Truth comes months after, Netflix's Curry and Cyanide: The Jolly Joseph Case made news. The 2023 docuseries presents the story of Jolly Joseph, a woman from a small Kerala village, Koodathai, who had allegedly killed six members of her family over 14 years.

The docu-series includes interviews with some of the names involved in the case. The documentary explores how Jolly Joseph, who's now in jail, allegedly murdered her mother-in-law, her father-in-law, and her husband, among others, to gain control over the family and its finances.

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The second episode rollout of Doctor Slump, featuring Park Hyung Sik and Park Shin Hye, experienced a surge in ratings. This new addition to Netflix's romantic-comedy medical drama had an impressive start in both domestic and international markets. Concurrently, another K-drama, Captivating The King, saw a significant increase in ratings, almost doubling for its fourth episode. The historical series available to watch on Netflix stars Cho Jung Seok and Shin Sae Kyeong in lead roles. Doctor Slump release date on Netflix(Netflix)

Also read: BTS V and IUs Love Wins All soars to All-Kill status, first single of 2024 to achieve this feat

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Netflix Doctor Slump witnesses ratings boost

The medical-themed romantic comedy, starring industry veterans Park Hyung Sik and Park Shin Hye in lead roles, made its debut on streaming platforms on January 27. The series aired its second episode on January 28, quickly securing top ratings. Nielsen Korea reported that the new K-drama, marking the actors' reunion after an 11-year-long wait on the screen, achieved an average nationwide rating of 5.1 percent. This marks a notable 1 percent increase from its premiere.

The narrative unfolds with two childhood rivals, both brilliant in academics. As their professional careers take off, they experience the highs of popularity but are soon confronted with life's most challenging downturn. Fate intervenes, bringing both individuals under the same roof.

Also read: Mothers: BLACKPINK's Lisa poses alongside Rihanna in a photo, internet melts

Captivating the King captivates the audiences

Introducing a fresh entrant to the realm of historical K-dramas, Captivating the King narrates a tale of "royal and political turmoil where a king becomes entangled with a fascinating woman. Her covert quest for revenge takes an unexpected turn into unintended love. The drama saw a significant surge in ratings for its fourth episode, achieving a nationwide average of 6.0 percent. This increase follows the series' third episode, which garnered an average nationwide rating of 3.3 percent the night before.

Korea-Khitan war stays strong

KBS 2TV's Korea-Khitan War held its ground with an average nationwide rating of 9.6 percent. Despite a slight dip from its earlier double-digit performance, the drama still stands out in the ratings. In contrast, TV Chosun's My Happy Ending secured an average nationwide rating of 2.7 percent for the night.
Nations disagree and express their occasional disagreements, as they should, to protect their sovereign interests, and it is par for the course. Given the geographical contiguity, practical stakes and windows to peek into each other, neighbours tend to quarrel more. The physio-cultural realm of the Indian subcontinent has its own share of suspicions within, but none perhaps as tense as the Indo-Pak realm. As an avowedly non-expansionist, secular and genealogically pacifist power, India contained its occasional dissonances with neighbours, at a government-to-government level. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu

Given Nepals landlocked dependence on India to facilitate essential commerce, issues pertaining to trade and transit issues, routinely flared. But there were deep civilisational, cultural, military and even marital alliances amongst each other, that ensured continuous societal engagement. Indo-Sri Lankan ties may have been tested during the Sri Lankan Civil War and with IPKF operations, but Delhis status as the largest trading partner and the immediate responder to any exigency, ensured Indians were viewed favourably, generally. Similarly, Bangladesh did have concerns about the Farraka Barrage and Teen Bigha corridor, and later in managing its own turn towards religious assertions, but Indians were essentially spared accusations of appropriations and malintent. Perhaps, Indian ties with Maldives were most steadfast of all neighbours, given the selfless role played by India during the hostile takeover attempt by mercenaries (Operation Cactus, 1988) etc.

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However, it would be naive to say that perceptions about India wasnt given to occasional suggestions of interference, giving rise to pro-India and anti-India labels onto political parties e.g., Sheikh Haseenas Awami League was believed to be preferred by Delhi, over Begum Khaleeda Zias Bangladesh National Party (BNP) and similarly Nepal Congress over Nepals Left Parties. Yet Delhi managed the vicissitudes of democratic changes, with difficult regimes of Khaleeda Zia, KPS Oli, Abdulla Yameen or even Mahinda Rajapaksa by restricting inevitable losses within the bilateral equation, to a manageable level. Invariably, strained relations with Delhi led to positing of China as an axiomatic alternative. However, the Chinese infusion into the subcontinental admixture was rarely seamless, as murmurs of debt-traps e.g., Hambantota port in Sri Lanka, expansionism in Bhutan or with data of 20% public debt accruing to Chinese in Maldives, surfaced. Yet China was a natural recourse on the rebound, whenever tensions with Delhi escalated.

Sadly, in recent times, tensions between India and its neighbours have regressed beyond standard allegations and deliberations of inter-government exchanges and even China dangling, to the now dangerously metastasised levels extending to civil societies. Historically governments sparred, but people didnt  but, as was first witnessed in Nepal, the animus and wariness against India has now consumed the average Nepali citizenry. The ostensible economic blockade of Nepal in 2015 was a pivotal moment that troubled societal emotions, beyond diplomatese  blockade was perceived as a deliberate affront, bullying and personal humiliation of the Nepalese, the contrarian clarifications from Delhi, notwithstanding. The much bandied big-brother syndrome that sought to diminish smaller nations, ignoring their sovereign dignity, gripped the Nepali sensitivities. Subsequent fissures like refusing to exchange notes during demonitisation or Agniveer scheme, only worsened perceptions. Today, it is not China but the wounded snapping of civilisational and fraternal ties with Nepali society, that ought to worry us.

Recently, fracas with Maldives too has mutated way beyond the inter-governmental discourse and the spread to civilian citizenry, seems imminent. Beyond the current Maldivian dispensations known position on India, their three authority personnel had indeed stated the most despicable comments on the Indian Prime Minister, and the issue was rightfully raised to the Maldivian authorities. Maldivians reacted immediately and substantially, by sacking all three derelict personnel. If ever, there was any optics of a sovereign accepting a mistake and taking remedial action, then it was this Maldivian reaction.

But while the Indian government did well to leave matters without raising the issue any further--a huge tsunami of Boycott Maldives (keeping with the cancel-culture of the day) ensued, that was tellingly allowed to persist. Indias fabled soft power of Bollywood, corporate czars, media celebrities to troll armies went on a massive overdrive to teach a lesson to Maldives, as if it had not accepted its mistake. Portents similar to Nepal where the sense of a bullying big brother emerged. The opposition parties in Maldives did back Delhi initially, but that was also pandering to its own reflexive politics. Such defence will also last as long as the Indian rhetoric and narrative doesnt get beyond the Maldivian gvernment to suggest inflicting pain onto Maldives, and its people.

Chinese impressions in Maldives may come and go (like in Nepal), but the most disconcerting outcome could be the replication of a Nepal disconnect in Maldives, in terms of societal disaffection. Maldives, like Nepal, relies disproportionately on India for its economic sustenance and that makes the local sentiment even more susceptible to imagining India flexing its muscle. Realistically, the tenor and phraseology of Indian reaction can moderate if the powers-that-be asks the citizenry to go easy, by clarifying that the Maldivians did take corrective action, then  but it didnt, and the relentless onslaught continued, and the situation worsened. India needs healthy relations that cannot afford another Nepal simply because we are in the drivers seat as of now, as it is not in Indias long-term interests.

This article is authored by Lt Gen Bhopinder Singh (retd), former lieutenant governmor, Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Puducherry.
In 2010, Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, embarked on a journey towards democracy after decades of military rule. However, this nascent democracy was born with inherent contradictions, crippled by the very document that ushered it in - the 2008 constitution. This constitution, drafted under military supervision, guaranteed the military a significant stake in the political landscape. But perhaps the most insidious provision was Article 417, which empowered the military to overthrow the government if it deemed elections to be fraudulent. This clause, a ticking time bomb embedded in the heart of the democratic experiment, cast a long shadow over Myanmar's political future. The article below delves into the complex interplay between these constitutional constraints and the will of the people. It sheds light on how the military, despite relinquishing some political control, maintained a stranglehold on the country's economic resources. A squad of Myanmar pro-democracy fighters works to ready drones for an attack on a nearby military base, the target in a wave of aerial assaults that has helped turn the war against the junta. (AFP file)

The article further explores the social landscape of Myanmar and how the introduction of democratic reforms impacted various social groups, highlighting the hopes and aspirations that blossomed alongside the anxieties and tensions inherent in such a transformative period. Ultimately, the article serves as a critical lens through which to understand the current turmoil gripping Myanmar. The 2021 military coup, which overturned the results of a landslide election won by Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD), was not an aberration. It was the inevitable culmination of a system rigged to favour the military and undermine the true will of the people. By understanding the cracks in the facade of Myanmar's democracy, we can gain a deeper perspective on the ongoing struggle for freedom and the challenges that lie ahead for this Southeast Asian nation.

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Understanding the context of the coup requires a look at the country's transition towards democracy and the military's long-standing influence. In 2008, Myanmar adopted a new constitution, which was a pivotal step towards political reforms after decades of military rule. This constitution, however, was crafted under the military's guidance, ensuring that it retained substantial power. The first general elections under this new constitution were held in 2010. The NLD decided to boycott the election and as a result, the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), secured a majority. The NLD re-entered the political fray in 2011 and participated in the 2012 by-elections, a move that marked a significant shift in Myanmar's political landscape. The party's overwhelming victory in these by-elections, winning 44 out of 45 seats it contested, signalled strong public support for democratic reform and opposition to military rule. This momentum continued into the 2015 general elections. And the 2020 elections reaffirmed the NLD's dominance and the public's desire for democratic governance, with the party again winning by a large margin.

The military responded to the NLD's 2020 victory by seizing power on February 1, 2021. Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing justified the coup by claiming electoral fraud and the need to safeguard the country's stability.

This claim was widely seen as a pretext for the military to maintain its political power and influence. Analysts suggested several motivations behind the military's actions. The 2008 constitution had created a delicate balance between civilian and military power, but the NLD's electoral success threatened this balance. Furthermore, personal ambitions of Min Aung Hlaing played a role. His tenure as Commander-in-Chief was nearing its end, and the coup provided a pathway for him to retain significant power and possibly avoid potential legal challenges or sanctions for past actions, including the military's alleged human rights abuses against the Rohingya minority and other ethnic groups. The military coup plunged Myanmar into a deep political and humanitarian crisis.

Since its independence, Myanmar has been under significant military influence, exerting control over political and economic resources. Despite a period of parliamentary democracy from 1948 to 1962, the military, under the leadership of General Ne Win, increasingly asserted control over the country. General Ne Win saw himself as the ultimate guardian of Myanmar's sovereignty and integrity. In 1958, a document titled The National Ideology of the Defence Services was released, outlining the military's dual roles in defence and socio-political spheres. This ideology laid the groundwork for the military's expanded role in governance. Ne Win further consolidated military control by establishing the Defence Services Institute (DSI), which began exerting influence over various economic sectors. DSI's takeover of businesses, including an English-owned bank (later renamed Ava Bank), a newspaper and a publishing house, marked the military's growing economic power.

Soon the military effectively became a powerful entity operating within the broader state structure, almost as if it were a separate, autonomous state itself. The military coups in 1962 and 1990 cemented the military's role as a dominant force in national politics and governance. The 2008 constitution institutionalised the military's power within Myanmar's political structure. Under Article 436, the military is allocated one-quarter of the seats in both the upper and lower houses of the national parliament and one-third in the state and regional parliaments. This arrangement gives the military effective veto power over constitutional amendments. The constitution also stipulates that the ministers of defence, home affairs, and border affairs must be military officers. Furthermore, Article 9 of the constitution established the National Defence and Security Council (NDSC), with the authority to impose martial law and directly rule the country after the president declares a state of emergency. The creation of the NDSC provides a legal pathway for the military to reassert direct rule over Myanmar.

Despite these political and economic reassertions, the general elections of 2015 and 2020, which were won by the NLD demonstrated the clear preference of the majority of Myanmars electorate for a civilian-led government. But the military's refusal to accept these results and its subsequent coup stand in stark contrast to the democratic principles as they deny the majority's right to self-determination and political participation. The struggle in Myanmar thus reflects a broader conflict between authoritarian control and the democratic aspirations of its people, a situation that challenges the core tenets of liberal democracy and individual freedom.

Beyond the traditional liberal concept of democracy, the idea of social democracy has emerged, particularly in highly capitalist societies, where it involves significant state intervention for income redistribution. In contrast, Myanmar's democratic development appears shallow, suggesting the need for a more inclusive democracy.

In the pre-colonial era, Burma was home to numerous ethnic groups, governed by Bamar leaders. But the Bamar rulers annexed the Kingdom of Arakan in 1785 and Karenni (present-day Kayah State), which both the Burmese court and the British acknowledged as independent entities. Later, the British, through the Panglong Agreement on February 12, 1947, effectively handed control of the country to the Bamar ethnic majority, despite assurances of a federal system made to minority leaders at the conference. At the time of independence, Aung San persuaded leaders of different ethnic groups to form a unified country. The new Burmese constitution of 1948 was solidified by the Panglong Agreement which was endorsed by every ethnic leader. However, Aung San's assassination, before the implementation of the Panglong Agreement, disrupted the unification process and led to a period of unrest and a weakened civilian government. To date, ethnic minorities in Myanmar have faced economic, social, and political exclusion and the Panglong Conferences have failed to meet the needs and demands of them.

Reflecting on Myanmar's nation-building, Myanmar's vibrant tapestry hides a deep fissure  a lack of unity among its diverse ethnic groups. The military, keenly aware of these fault lines, has long exploited them, playing one group against another to maintain its grip on power. The Bamar majority, constituting about 68% of the population, and various other ethnic groups have struggled to define and accept a common identity, leading to persistent

conflict and instability. A glaring manifestation of this disunity is the treatment of the Rohingya community, yet neither the military nor the democratic government under Aung San Suu Kyi adequately acknowledged or addressed the issue.

David I Steinberg, a distinguished professor emeritus of Asian studies at Georgetown University, raised the critical question of whether Myanmar should be considered a "failed state" or a "failed nation." He points out that the prevalent view of Myanmar as a failed state may be overshadowing an even more profound issue: the absence of a collective national identity among its population. Steinberg highlights that the essence of a national identity is rooted in emotional connection, shared beliefs, a common historical background, and a feeling of belonging and loyalty among individuals who see themselves as part of the same societal/geographical area. But Myanmar's diverse tapestry of ethnicities presents a formidable challenge to forging this shared identity. The Bamar majority's historical dominance has further complicated the landscape.

Steinberg's perspective urges us to move beyond facile labels and challenges us to ask: Can a shared sense of nationhood emerge despite historical fissures? What role can inclusive policies and dialogue play in bridging the divides? How can Myanmar resolve the historical struggle between military and democratically elected governments? Finding answers to these questions will be crucial in charting a path towards a more unified and peaceful future for Myanmar.

First, addressing historical grievances and fostering trust among ethnic groups by ensuring equal rights and representation for all. Second, promoting dialogue and developing a system of governance by empowering and granting autonomy to various ethnic groups within a federal system could address concerns of marginalisation and promote self-determination while still maintaining national unity. Finally, inclusive policies and genuine dialogue between key stakeholders is essential to address the current crisis.

A nation is not just a political entity but also a cultural, social, and psychological construct, which Myanmar has found challenging to develop across all societal sections. Now, a fragile hope emerges with the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH) striving to bridge the divides. Their challenge is monumental. The immediate goal is the restoration of democratic forces. To achieve this, harnessing the collective power of a united population is crucial. However, true stability and prosperity lie beyond simply defeating the military. The long-term vision must be unwavering: Building an inclusive democracy that enshrines the rights of all.

This article is authored by Cchavi Vasisht, research associate, Centre for Neighbourhood Studies, Vivekananda International Foundation, New Delhi.
Kolkata: Mamata Banerjee's nephew Abhishek Banerjee on Monday blamed the Congress for tension in the INDIA bloc in West Bengal, saying his party Trinamool Congress decided to contest the Lok Sabha elections alone because the Mallikarjun Kharge-led party was too late in finalising the seat-sharing agreement. He also accused the Congress of sitting idle. The fresh Trinamool attack on the Congress came a day after the Janata Dal (United) attributed Nitish Kumar's exit from the INDIA bloc to the party's alleged attempt to usurp the political group's leadership. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee with Trinamool Congress general secretary Abhishek Banerjee. (File photo)

Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee said the Mamata Banerjee-led party waited eight months to finalise the seat-sharing agreement with the Congress.

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According to alliance norms, the first thing you do is seal the seat-sharing. We had waited for eight months to seal the seat-sharing issue. But the Congress was sitting idle and nothing moved forward, he was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

Earlier this month, Mamata Banerjee announced that the Trinamool would contest the elections in Bengal alone, in a major blow to the Congress party's plans to stop the BJP juggernaut through a combined Opposition onslaught.

Later, Derek O'Brien blamed Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury for the fiasco, who had made savage attacks against Banerjee for offering his party just two seats.

Also read: JD(U)'s KC Tyagi takes 'achhoot Congress' dig over Mallikarjun Kharge's Nitish Kumar exit pre-planned' jab

Abhishek Banerjee today slammed Chowdhury for playing into the hands of the BJP camp and repeatedly attacking the TMC government in West Bengal, despite being an ally at the national level.

Referring to Chowdhury's demand for a President's Rule in Bengal over a recent attack on Enforcement Directorate's officers, Banerjee claimed he was serving the BJP's interests.

"By demanding President's Rule, whose interest is the state Congress president trying to serve  the TMC, the Congress or the BJP? There is a limit to our patience," he said.

The TMC leader, however, said that the "party continues to be a part of the opposition bloc INDIA at the national level."

Also read: Arvind Kejriwal questions 'Nitish Kumar's conduct' after flip-flop move to NDA

Nitish Kumar had accused the Congress of hatching a conspiracy by making Mamata Banerjee propose Mallikarjun Kharge's name as the alliance's prime ministerial candidate.

Kumar's exit has put a question mark on the Opposition's unity. Apart from Mamata and Nitish Kumar, other INDIA partners like AAP and Samajwadi Party have hinted at an aversion to letting the Congress play big brother in their states. The alliance seems unlikely in Kerala as well given the bitter political rivalry between CPI(M) and Congress.

Out of options, the Congress has been trying to woo Mamata Banerjee. Recently, Jairam Ramesh said the INDIA bloc couldn't be imagined without her.

The party also made Chowdhury extend a public apology to O'Brien for calling the latter a foreigner.

With inputs from PTI
New Delhi: Delhi chief minister and AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal on Monday reacted to Nitish Kumar's switch to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), saying such conduct is not good for democracy. He also predicted that Kumar's entry will harm NDA's poll prospects in Bihar. Arvind Kejriwal said Nitish Kumar was wrong in exiting the INDIA bloc.(Hindustan Times photo)

"I think Nitish Kumar should not have gone there. He didn't do the right thing. It is not right for democracy. I think this will harm the NDA in Bihar, and the INDIA alliance will benefit from it," Kejriwal said.

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"Such conduct is not good for democracy," he added.

Nitish Kumar quit the INDIA bloc on Sunday, saying things were not working well in the alliance. He later formed a government in alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Also read: After Nitish Kumar's INDIA exit, Trinamool takes Congress sat idle in Bengal jibe

With Nitish and Mamata gone, the INDIA bloc is facing an existential crisis as many other members are planning to hold hard seat-sharing negotiations with the Congress. Recently, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav offered 11 of Uttar Pradesh's 80 Lok Sabha seats.

Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has been discussing seat sharing with the Congress for the Lok Sabha elections, despite the Punjab AAP's reluctance.

Recently, Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann declared his party would contest all 13 seats in the state.

Also read: Mallikarjun Kharge warns of 'last election' if Narendra Modi becomes PM again

Congress attacks Nitish Kumar

The Congress today called Nitish Kumar a chameleon and "aaya Kumar, gaya Kumar" (a political turncoat).

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh mocked Kumar over his frequent flip-flops.

"After taking oath, Nitish Kumar ji forgot his 'muffler' (scarf) in Raj Bhawan. When he came back halfway to pick up, the Governor was shocked that this time not even 15 minutes had passed," Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said in a post in Hindi on X.

Also read: JD(U)'s KC Tyagi takes 'achhoot Congress' dig over Mallikarjun Kharge's Nitish Kumar exit pre-planned' jab

JD(U) has blamed the Congress for Kumar's switch. The party said Congress attempted to snatch away the leadership of the INDIA bloc and made Mamata Banerjee propose the name of Mallikarjun Kharge as the prime ministerial face of the group.

Nitish Kumar had first switched over from the NDA to the Mahagathbandhan in 2013. He then quit the alliance in 2017 and moved to the NDA. In 2022, he yet again joined hands with Lalu Yadav's party.

With inputs from PTI, ANI
Kolkata: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the issue of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.(Samir Jana/ Hindustan Times)

She alleged that the BJP has again started crying CAA, CAA for the sake of votes ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

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"We have fought against the NRC. Rajbanshis are citizens of India. They have again started shouting CAA, CAA for the sake of votes," Mamata Banerjee was quoted as saying by ANI at a public distribution program in West Bengal's Cooch Behar on Monday.

Banerjee's remarks come a day after Union Minister Shantanu Thakur said that he guarantees that the CAA will be implemented nationwide in a week.

The Ram mandir (temple) in Ayodhya has been inaugurated, and within the next seven days, the CAA will be implemented across the country. This is my guarantee. Not just in West Bengal, the CAA would be implemented in every state of India within a week, Thakur said at a public rally.

Under the CAA, brought in by the Narendra Modi government, Indian nationality will be granted to persecuted non-Muslim migrants  Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis and Christians  from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan who had come to India till December 31, 2014.

Massive protests were seen in some parts of the country after the CAA was passed by Parliament in December 2019 and received the Presidential assent subsequently.

On Monday, Banerjee said that her government has acknowledged all colonies as "permanent addresses" and that all residents who benefit from various state government schemes are citizens of the country.

"All of you are citizens. We have given permanent addresses to all colonies. They get ration, go to school, get scholarships, get Kisan Bandhu, Shikhashree, Oikoshree, and Laxmir Bhandar. How could they get these benefits if they had not been citizens? Had they been able to cast votes if they were not citizens?" Banerjee questioned, according to ANI.

The West Bengal chief minister also accused the BJP-led central government of misusing central agencies. Banerjee said: "They call leaders and say that if you do not come with us, we will send ED to your houses. What will the ED do? What will the CBI do? They are here today but they may not be there tomorrow."

On December 27 last year, Union home minister Amit Shah had said that no one can stop the implementation of the CAA as it is the law of the land and had accused Banerjee of misleading people on the issue.
Several key National Conference leaders, including its Kathua district president, joined the BJP on Sunday, in a jolt to the Farooq Abdullah-led party in the Jammu region. The leaders joined BJP at the party's headquarters in Jammu with Ravinder Raina, the Jammu and Kashmir unit chief of the party.(X/BJP Jammu & Kashmir)

Many supporters and district office bearers also made the switch from the National Conference to the BJP.

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They joined the BJP at the party's headquarters in Jammu, with Ravinder Raina -- the saffron party's Jammu and Kashmir unit chief -- and other leaders welcoming the new entrants.

During the programme, Raina highlighted the BJP's commitment to the welfare of the people, irrespective of region or religion.

"The BJP's contributions and achievements in health care, education, infrastructure building and socio-economic development are historic," Rain said.

He also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, attributing the nation's unity and progress to his "dedicated efforts".

Senior BJP leader Devinder Singh Rana highlighted the BJP's inclusive approach, saying every new entrant is welcomed into its fold with love and camaraderie.

Sanjeev Khajuria, who headed the National Conference's Kathua district unit before joining the BJP, highlighted the ground-level impact of the Modi government's welfare schemes and hailed the prime minister's leadership for India's standing on the global stage.

In a separate event, former deputy chief minister and senior BJP leader Kavinder Gupta urged cadres to strengthen the party at the booth level to assure victory in the upcoming poll battles.

Addressing a gathering where numerous women joined the party, Gupta emphasised the BJP's commitment to serving the people and addressing the challenges faced by Jammu and Kashmir.

He laid stress on the importance of reaching out to voters, especially the women and the youngsters, to counter the opposition parties' narratives.

Senior leader Rekha Mahajan welcomed the new members and urged them to work with dedication to strengthen the BJP's base at the booth level.
A sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) posted in the Dindori district of Madhya Pradesh was allegedly murdered by her unemployed husband. The accused, Manish Sharma (45), was reportedly upset with his wife, Nisha Napit (51), for not making him the nominee in service, insurance and bank records, reported PTI quoting a senior police official. Police are awaiting post-mortem report in the bureaucrat's death.

The report suggests that the suspect smothered Nisha Napit with a pillow and washed her blood-stained clothes to destroy the evidence.

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He sat near the corpse for six hours and then took the body to the nearby community health centre, but doctors there alerted police, Dindori SP Akhil Patel told reporters.

Sharma has been arrested and a case registered against him under sections 302 (punishment for murder), 304 B (dowry death) and 201 (causing disappearance of evidence of offence) of the IPC.

"Based on our probe and leads gathered from the spot, we questioned Sharma and then arrested him. He has been charged with murder, dowry-related death, destroying evidence and other offences," Patel said.

Nisha's elder sister, Nilima Napit, accused Manish of foul play in her sister's demise, alleging that he began demanding money from Nisha shortly after their marriage.

Manish Sharma (her husband) is a resident of Gwalior and is unemployed. They met through a matrimonial website and got married. But they did not invite us and got married without telling us...From the beginning itself, Manish wanted money. He had started asking her for money from the second or third day of getting married, she alleged.

Nilima further claimed that Nisha confided in her about the mental and physical torture she allegedly endured at the hands of Manish Sharma.

She had given him at least 5 Lakhs after getting a loan...He used to subject her to mental and physical torture. She used to tell me about it, Nilima said.

I suspect that Manish Sharma has murdered her, she added, calling for a proper investigation and punishment for the perpetrator.

(With inputs from agencies)
Union minister Shantanu Thakur has claimed that the Citizenship (Amendment) Act or CAA will be implemented across the country in the next seven days. Addressing a public rally in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas on Sunday, Shantanu Thakur, BJP's Lok Sabha MP from Bangaon, said, The Ram mandir (temple) in Ayodhya has been inaugurated, and within the next seven days, the CAA will be implemented across the country. This is my guarantee. Not just in West Bengal, the CAA would be implemented in every state of India within a week. Shantanu Thakur, BJP's Lok Sabha MP, in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas on Sunday, (PTI)

Under the controversial CAA, brought in by the Narendra Modi government, Indian nationality will be granted to persecuted non-Muslim migrants  Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis and Christians  from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan who had come to India till December 31, 2014.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

During an interview with a news channel, Thakur said swift implementation of the contentious legislation would be made within seven days.

"The CAA will be implemented very soon. It will be implemented within seven days. This is my guarantee," said Thakur, also a leader of the Matua community.

He has been claiming that the CAA would be implemented in the country ahead of the Lok Sabha polls this year.

Also Read | CAA rules to be notified 'much before' Lok Sabha polls: Reports

Reacting to Thakur's comments, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee hit out at the BJP saying that the party has again started crying "CAA CAA" for the sake of votes as the Lok Sabha elections are approaching.

"We have fought against the NRC. Rajbanshis are citizens of India. They have again started shouting CAA, CAA for the sake of votes," Banerjee said at a public distribution programme in West Bengal's Cooch Behar.

There were massive protests in some parts of the country after the CAA was passed by Parliament in December 2019 and received the Presidential assent subsequently.

On December 27 last year, Union home minister Amit Shah had said that no one can stop the implementation of the CAA as it is the law of the land and accused Banerjee of misleading people on the issue.

Addressing a party meeting in Kolkata, Shah said it was the BJP's commitment to implement the CAA. The Trinamool Congress, led by Mamata Banerjee, has been opposing the CAA.

Also Read: Tribal organisation to hold black day in Tripura on Jan 8 to protest against CAA

The promise of implementing the controversial CAA was a major poll plank of the BJP in the last Lok Sabha and Assembly polls in West Bengal. BJP leaders consider it a plausible factor that led to the rise of the BJP in the state.

According to the manual of parliamentary procedures, the rules for any legislation should have been framed within six months of presidential assent or seek an extension from the Committees on Subordinate Legislation in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

Since 2020, the home ministry has been taking extensions in regular intervals from the parliamentary committees for framing the rules.

More than a hundred people lost their lives during the protests or police action after Parliament passed the law.

Meanwhile, in the last two years, more than 30 district magistrates and home secretaries of nine states have been given powers to grant Indian citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians coming from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan under the Citizenship Act of 1955.

According to the annual report of the ministry of home affairs for 2021-22, from April 1, 2021, to December 31, 2021, a total of 1,414 foreigners belonging to these non-Muslim minority communities from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan were given Indian citizenship by registration or naturalization under the Citizenship Act, 1955.

Authorities of none of the districts of Assam and West Bengal, where the issue is politically very sensitive, have been given the powers so far.

(With inputs from agencies)
West Bengal Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) unit chief Sukanta Majumdar on Monday said that he believes the Citizenship Amendment Act will be implemented before Lok Sabha elections BJPs West Bengal unit president Sukanta Majumdar.(HT File)

Not aware of time frame but I believe CAA will be implemented before Lok Sabha polls, Majumdar was quoted by PTI as saying.



The BJP leader's remark comes day after Union minister Shantanu Thakur claimed that the CAA will be implemented across India in the next seven days. The Ram mandir (temple) in Ayodhya has been inaugurated, and within the next seven days, the CAA will be implemented across the country. This is my guarantee. Not just in West Bengal, the CAA would be implemented in every state of India within a week," the minister said.



The CAA, enacted by the Narendra Modi government in 2019, aims at granting Indian citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim migrants, including Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis and Christians, from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan who entered India before December 31, 2014.



Massive protests took place in several states after the CAA was passed in Parliament and received President's assent subsequently.



On December 27 last year, Union home minister Amit Shah had declared in Kolkata that the Centre will implement the CAA and nobody can stop it.



In the state in which so much infiltration occurs, will development take place there? That is why Mamata Banerjee is opposing CAA... But I would say that CAA is the law of the country, and no one can stop it. We will implement it," the minister had said.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

BJP again started crying CAA for votes

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee hit out at the BJP in Cooch Behar. We have fought against the NRC. Rajbanshis are citizens of India. They have again started shouting CAA, CAA for the sake of votes, she said.
The Narendra Modi government on Monday extended ban on the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) as an unlawful association for five years under the UAPA. Union home and cooperation minister Amit Shah.

Bolstering PM @narendramodi Ji's vision of zero tolerance against terrorism Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) has been declared as an 'Unlawful Association' for a further period of five years under the UAPA. The SIMI has been found involved in fomenting terrorism, disturbing peace and communal harmony to threaten the sovereignty, security and integrity of Bharat, the home ministry's office posted on social platform X.



The Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) was first banned on February 1, 2014 by the Indian government. The ban was extended by five years in 2019. Founded in 1977 in UP's Aligarh with Mohammad Ahmadullah Siddiqi, professor of Journalism and Public Relations at the Western Illinois University Macomb as its founding president, this organisation operates on the agenda to convert India into an Islamic nation. SIMI was first declared as an outlawed outfit in 2001 and has been banned on several occasions.

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Members of SIMI have been involved in several terror attacks in the country, including the Bhopal jail break in 2014, M Chinnawamy stadium blast in Bengaluru in 2014, Gaya blasts in 2017.



SIMI operated in states including Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Delhi, , Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Assam, West Bengal, Maharashtra and parts of Gujarat.
RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh Anti Corruption Bureau has registered separate FIRs in connection with irregularities in the District Mineral Foundation and paddy custom milling on complaints by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the state government said in a statement on Monday. The FIRs were registered based on the complaint of the Enforcement Directorate this month (FILE PHOTO)

The two cases were registered on January 16. About two dozen people including Indian Administrative Service (IAS) official Ranu Sahu, contractors and rice millers have been named as suspects in the FIR. The investigation in these cases has started, a senior official said.

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The state government issued two statements on the two FIRs registered by ACB.

As per the complaint by ED, with respect to the process of depositing custom milling rice in the Civil Supplies Corporation and Food Corporation of India (FCI) by various rice millers, it was found that, with the aim of obtaining undue benefits, an unlawful amount (commission) per quintal was collected by various government officials by misusing their position and in collusion with the rice millers. The aforesaid act has caused huge financial loss to the government, a government statement said citing the ED complaint.

It said Kailash Rungta, president of Chhattisgarh State Rice Millers Association), Parasmal Chopra (vice-president) and Roshan Chandrakar (treasurer) were also suspects in the case.

The statement added that Manoj Soni, who was the Markfed managing director, allegedly instructed Preetika Pooja, the Korba district marketing officer of Chhattisgarh State Cooperative Marketing Federation Limited (CG-Markfed) via Roshan Chandrkar that only bills of rice millers who have paid the commission will be cleared.

A search by the income tax department had previously led to a recovery of 140 crores from the millers.

..Illegal benefits were given to the bidders by wrongly determining the tenders that caused financial loss to the state government. It was also found that about 40% of the total tender amount was allegedly given to public servants and they also obtained commission at rates between 15 to 20% on the tenders from bidders, the statement reads.

In the second case, it said financial irregularities were committed in DMF in different districts.

DMF is a trust, set up as a non-profit body in all districts of Chhattisgarh to work for the interest and benefit of persons and areas affected by mining-related operations.

Prima facie, it has been found that (IAS officer) Ranu Sahu and other public servants, misused their positions and hatched a criminal conspiracy in connivance with various bidders for allotment of various tenders, in order to pass bills, clearing bills of more value than the actual value of any item and obtaining their payments etc and ensure illegal benefit to these bidders and middlemen, the statement said.

Sahu, a Chhattisgarh-cadre IAS officer of the 2010 batch, was arrested last July by the ED in connection with the alleged coal levy scam.
India along with other developing countries has flagged serious concerns over attempts by developed nations to shorten the timeline for the delivery of the seventh assessment cycle report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), people familiar with the matter said. IPCC chair Jim Skea. (AFP)

The 60th session of the IPCC, held in Istanbul between January 16 and 20, was fraught with intense debates on how and when the panel will inform the world about the state of the crisis.

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While the meeting, attended by 195 member countries, was held to draw out a schedule for the 7th, and possibly the most important cycle with time running out on meeting the Paris goal of 1.5C, observers said the meeting ended with the IPCC bureau failing to arrive at a consensus on delivery of reports.

According to schedule, the final Synthesis Report of this cycle is expected by the end of 2029.

Many developing countries were concerned that the agenda of the developed countries was to rush the IPCC AR7 for completion in less than five years (four and a half years or less) and therefore compromise on the quality of the reports. Some developed countries also shared these concerns, notably Russia. Many other developed countries were initially for a longer timeline like the developing countries but slowly fell in line with the US which was pushing for an early timeline, a senior official from Indias delegation told HT.

The IPCC informs governments about the state of knowledge of climate crisis by examining all relevant literature on the subject. The panel completed its sixth assessment cycle last year with the Synthesis Report  a summary of its earlier reports  releasing in March 2023.

On Friday, the Third World Network, a non-profit international research and advocacy group, reported that the US, Jamaica, Grenada and other island nations supported the light cycle option (with fewer products and shorter timeline than the AR6). These nations also called on IPCC to respond to the invitation by the UNFCCC to provide information for the second global stocktake (GST) scheduled for 2027-28 period.

The first GST, which reviewed the progress made globally on curbing climate crisis in line with the Paris Agreement, was completed last year.

The Indian official said that it was clarified repeatedly by IPCC co-chairs that while accelerating reports was possible, it involved many compromises that went against interests of developing countries.

As is clear from the TWN (Third world Network) report, with an early timeline there would be less time for our scientists to prepare and publish adequate literature reflecting our point of view including equity, climate justice, common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, sustainable production and consumption and other aspects. With an accelerated timeline, it would be dominated by the literature from developed countries which overwhelmingly ignore these aspects as happened in AR6 with the Special Report on 1.5 Degree Warming. Given their much higher capacities and availability of resources, this is certain to happen and developing countries therefore need the time for their scientific community to be heard, the official said, requesting anonymity.

The IPCC process is such that developing countries, including India, devote a lot of time and effort to review draft reports to avoid inclusion of biased information, officials said, adding that authors also need the time to reflect on the review comments in subsequent drafts.

The outcomes demanded by the US included also eliminating the Synthesis Report which is very important, and the normal practice, in order to provide an integrated overview of all aspects of climate change and how to tackle it, the official said.

it became clear that the purpose of the developed countries in speeding up of the reports was not based on any scientific requirement at all but merely trying to get some findings before the second GST, which would end by late 2028. By rushing the findings in this manner, the final IPCC output could be tailored to favour the developed country viewpoint, he added.

Pointing to the implications of a shortened cycle would have on the AR7 cycle, India asked the co-chairs what the meaning of comprehensive was.

It also said that the actual product and delivery would rest with the authors who were not in the scene yet. It further added that the approach seemed to be to fit the science into the GST and stressed that science is important irrespective of the GST.

India added that underrepresented communities did not mean just indigenous peoples. In science, developing country authors are also underrepresented, women authors are underrepresented, it said, the TWN reported.

India was supported by the Brazil, South Africa, India and China (BASIC) and Like-Minded Developing Countries (LMDC).

Officials also said most developing countries were against a mitigation-centric approach, sensing a push to shift the mitigation burden on emerging economies.

Another important development from the IPCC meeting was the resolution to produce a report related to state and needs for adaptation in countries.

Many developing countries led by South Africa underscored the importance of IPCC updating its 1994 technical guidelines on adaptation including adaptation indicators, metrics and methodologies. India, Saudi Arabia, Kenya, Egypt, Algeria, Iran, Iraq, Bolivia and Brazil, among others supported this call.

Indias role was critical in ensuring that the IPCC agreed to produce a special knowledge product on adaptation in AR7, including the revision and update of the 1994 Technical Guidelines on Impact Assessment and consideration of adaptation metrics, targets and indicators. The developed countries mostly opposed this or diluted this into a mitigation-centric report while developing countries hesitated on the modalities and were confused. Indias intervention was consistently carried forward to ensure the final decision, the official said.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued yellow and orange alerts for several states across north India predicting rainfall in the coming days amid the cold wave conditions. Commuters seen out on a cold and foggy day at JLN Stadium in New Delhi, India. (Hindustan Times)

The IMD said Delhi is likely to record light rain on January 31 and February 1, with a second western disturbance approaching the plains. The weather department said a wet spell was likely to form over Western Himalayan Region between January 29 and February 3 leading to rainfall across regions in north India on January 30 and 31.

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The Meteorological department cautioned that there was a likelihood of very dense fog and severe cold day conditions in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar for the next two days, with gradual improvement expected thereafter.

Fog conditions

Fog conditions observed (at 0530 hours IST of today): Dense to very Dense fog over some parts of Uttar Pradesh; in isolated pockets of Bihar; Moderate fog in isolated pockets of Punjab, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh; Shallow fog in isolated pockets of Rajasthan, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, the IMD said on X (formerly Twitter).

It added that the visibility across cities in north India was extremely low. Visibility recorded (at 0530 hours IST of today) ( 500 metres): Punjab: Patiala-200, Amritser-500; Delhi: Palam-200, Safdarjung-500; Rajasthan: Ganganagar, Jaipur-500 each; Uttar Pradesh: Bareilly, Bahraich, Gorakhpur -25 each, Varanasi, Lucknow, Sultanpur-50 each; Bihar: Purnea-25, Patna- 200, Gaya, Bhagalpur-500 each; Madhya Pradesh: Gwailor-200; Odisha: Jharsiguda, Puri-500 each; Andhra Pradesh: Jijaywada-500.

The IMD also said dense to very dense fog conditions were likely to form over several parts of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan on January 29 and 30 and regions in Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Uttarakhand, north Madhya Pradesh, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura on January 29.

Rainfall

The weather department said in a press release moderate rainfall or snowfall was likely in Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit, Baltistan, Muzaffarabad and Himachal Pradesh over the next six days till February 3.

It added that heavy rainfall or snowfall was also likely over Kashmir on January 30 and 31 and over Himachal Pradesh on January 31. Also Light rainfall or snowfall is very likely over Uttarakhand, Punjab, Chandigarh, Haryana, West Uttar Pradesh between January 31 and February 2.

Cold day conditions

The weather department predicted that cold day to severe cold day conditions were very likely to continue in parts of Bihar on January 29 and 30 and over parts of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand on January 29.

Temperatures likely to rise

An increase of 2-4C in minimum temperatures is highly probable over numerous areas in Northwest India in the next 4-5 days. In East India, minimum temperatures are expected to rise by 3-5C in the next 3 days. Likewise, West India is likely to experience a rise in minimum temperatures by 2-4C in the next 3 days.

Trains delayed

Adverse weather conditions have disrupted train services at the New Delhi Railway Station.

The cancellation of the 20808 Hirakund Express and delays were reported for the 04449 New Delhi to Kurukshetra Junction and the 12011 Kalka Shatabdi Express.

Additionally, the 02564 Barauni Clone Special was anticipated to arrive in the national capital with a delay exceeding 17 hours. Furthermore, the 22416 Varanasi Vande Bharat Express was running over 11 hours behind schedule, Mint reported.
The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and Congress on Sunday held their first round of talks for seat sharing in Tamil Nadu for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. AICC leader Mukul Wasnik and Tamil Nadu Congress chief K S Alagiri during a press conference in Chennai on Sunday. (PTI)

The discussions were held at the DMK headquarters in Chennai and was attended by a five-member team of the Congress and seven-member panel of the DMK.

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The Congress team comprised senior national leaders Mukul Wasnik, Salman Khurshid and Ajoy Kumar, and Tamil Nadu Congress Committee chief K S Alagiri and Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader K Selva Perunthagai.

The DMK panel was led by parliamentary party leader T R Baalu and comprised MPs Tiruchi N Siva and A Raja, former state higher education minister K Ponmudy and state ministers K N Nehru, I Periyasamy, and M R K Panneerselvam.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Wasnik said: We had a long discussion and discussed how all of us can move together to once again gain the confidence of the people of Tamil Nadu and unseat the dispensation at the Centre, which has posed a serious challenge to the Constitution of India and our democratic polity, and bring back those forces which will take the nation strongly on the path of democracy.

READ | Tamil Nadu: Seat-sharing talks set to begin between Congress and DMK

The Congress leader said the two parties also discussed seat-sharing in Puducherry and will soon have another meeting.

Baalu, who also spoke to the media, said: Preliminary discussion is over. We will have another round of talks.

The meeting between the two parties was held at a time when the Congress has come under attack from its partners in the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) over a delay in seat-sharing pacts and other decisions. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has said that more than 200 days have passed without any deal, and has declared its intention of going solo in West Bengal. The Samajwadi Party has also criticised the Congress on this count and indicated that it is not willing to give more than 13 Lok Sabha seats to the latter in Uttar Pradesh.

The discussions also came at a time when the Janata Dal (United) called off its alliance with the Rashtriya Janata Dal, Congress and other smaller parties in Bihar and quit the INDIA bloc to rejoin the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance.

The Congress is the DMKs principal ally in the Secular Progressive Alliance in Tamil Nadu.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections in Tamil Nadu, the Congress contested nine out of a total of 39 parliamentary seats, besides the lone seat in Puducherry. It won eight seats in the polls in Tamil Nadu.

The DMK contested 20 seats and won all of them that year.

In the 2021 assembly elections, the DMK contested 188 out of 234 seats and won 133. The Congress was given 25 seats; it won 18 seats.

A state Congress leader, who did not wish to be named, said the party expects to get more seats in this years Lok Sabha polls. We had to settle with 25 seats in the last (assembly) elections but since it was a state election, the DMK thought it fit to contest in maximum seats.

A DMK leader, who also did not wish to be identified, said: There are a lot of parties to accommodate. We hope to finish the negotiations soon, referring to the CPI (M), CPI, VCK, and MDMK.

Meanwhile, on Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumars exit from the INDIA bloc, Wasnik said: The INDIA alliance will emerge stronger. Whatever situation we see today, will pass Few parties who do not have the courage or the strength to face the divisive forces may buckle down and get out of the alliance but people are not leaving our alliance.

Nitish Kumar had an issue from the beginning. Im not sure if he was interested to be in this (INDIA alliance) but it will not affect us, Baalu said.
India will not forgive the citizens of West Bengal if it does not show the right path to the country, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday said, amid the partys growing differences with its Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) partner and the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in the state. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in Siliguri on Sunday. (PTI)

Gandhis remarks, during the partys ongoing Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in north Bengals Siliguri town, came amid days after TMC president and chief minister Mamata Banerjee ruled out any alliance with the Congress in the state in the coming Lok Sabha elections. It also came hours after the opposition INDIA bloc received a fresh setback, when the Janata Dal (United) quit the alliance to join hands with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

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No other state showed me as much love as you did, Gandhi told the crowd as the yatra, which began on January 14 in Manipur, resumed after a two-day break.

Bengal is a special place. People here took the lead in fighting the British. It is your duty to show the road to the nation just as Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose or Vivekananda did. If you dont, the country will not forgive you, the former Congress chief said.

READ | Cong chief asks Mamata Banerjee to ensure safe passage of Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, warns about 'miscreants'

With party leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury by his side, Gandhi neither mentioned the impasse over seat-sharing in Bengal nor the crisis in Bihar. The TMC has cited Chowdhurys frequent attacks on Banerjee as its key decision to go solo in the polls.

The intellectual prowess of Bengals people is unique. This can unite the nation. This is your responsibility, Gandhi said.

Congresss communication chief Jairam Ramesh reiterated that the TMC is a pillar of the INDIA coalition. Mamata jis principal target is to defeat BJP. So is ours, he told reporters.

The ruling TMC, however, remained unmoved and said the Congress did not show the respect other parties deserve. Rahul Gandhi rightly said that Bengal shows the way to the nation. Bengal showed how the anti-BJP movement should be taken forward. Mamata Banerjee named the coalition INDIA. But Congress did not show the respect other parties deserve. Acting like an agent of the BJP, Chowdhury was busy targeting Banerjee, using unparliamentary language. He should have been removed, TMC Rajya Sabha member Santanu Sen said.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday held a meeting with Israeli counterpart Israel Katz on Monday and discussed the ongoing situation in West Asia. EAM Jaishankar

During the telephonic conversation, the two leaders talked about India's views, assessments and interests in that regard. S Jaishankar and Israel Katz agreed to remain in touch.

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In a post on X, Jaishankar stated, "Good to talk to Israeli FM @Israel_katz. Discussed the ongoing situation in West Asia. Spoke about India's views, assessments and interests in that regard. Agreed to stay in touch."

The war in Gaza continues after Israel launched a counter-offensive in response to the Hamas attack on October 7. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was one of the first global leaders to condemn the horrific terror attack on Israel by Hamas on October 7. However, India has also continued with its weight behind the 'two-state solution' to the long-running Israel-Palestine conflict.

READ | EAM S Jaishankar speaks to Saudi counterpart on Israel crisis

India also sent humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza as part of its commitment. Earlier in December, India released the second tranche of USD 2.5 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) on Thursday. With this, India also fulfilled its annual contribution of USD 5 million for 2023-24, the Indian Embassy in Palestine said in a statement.

On January 19, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar addressed the pressing issue of the conflict in Gaza while emphasising the need for a sustainable solution to the humanitarian crisis.

Delivering India's National Statement at the 19th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit in Kampala, Jaishankar asserted that "terrorism and hostage-taking are unacceptable." He underscored the importance of respecting international humanitarian law by all states involved.

"Right now, the conflict in Gaza is understandably uppermost in our minds. This humanitarian crisis requires a sustainable solution that gives immediate relief to those most affected," said the EAM.

"We must also be clear that terrorism and hostage-taking are unacceptable. At the same time, international humanitarian law must always be respected by all states," he also said.

Speaking on the Gaza conflict, Jaishankar added that it is also "imperative that conflict does not spread within or beyond the region."

Reiterating India's long-standing stance on a two-state solution, the External Affairs Minister said, "But in the final analysis, we must seek a two-state solution where the Palestinian people can live within secure borders. Our collective endeavours should focus on making this realisable."

Jaishankar emphasised that collective efforts should focus on realising this solution and promoting peace and stability. He also highlighted the interconnectedness of global issues, noting that growth and progress depend on peace and stability.
Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren has accused the Enforcement Directorate (ED) of being motivated by political agenda, while agreeing to record his statement on January 31 in connection with a probe into alleged land scam. The details of Soren's email to the ED surfaced amid agency officials turning up at the CM's residence in the national capital.



According to ANI, the ED officials are present at Soren's residence in Delhi. Accusing the agency of being motivated by political agenda, Soren said the ED's insistence to record his statement again on or before January 31 reeked of malice. ED officials at Soren's residence in Delhi.(ANI)

"Preserve video recording of seven-hour questioning (of January 20) to make available to the Court of Law," PTI quoted Soren as per the email, while agreeing to record his statement on January 31 at 1 pm at his residence.

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JMM protests across Jharkhand

Soren's party JMM took to streets against the ED summons to the chief minister. Hundreds of JMM workers squatted along a stretch of the Dimna Chowk in Jamshedpur and other parts of the state and also disrupted road traffic.

A massive rally was also taken out by the JMM workers in state capital Ranchi, accusing the ED of targeting Soren, also the executive president of the party.



The CM went to Delhi for some personal work and he will be back. But, the ED action is uncalled for and unconstitutional. It seems that the move is politically motivated, JMM general secretary and spokesperson Supriyo Bhattacharya told PTI.

Constitutional crisis in state: BJP

The BJP has claimed that Soren has been missing from his Delhi residence for last 18 hours, fearing action of ED. Soren had left for Delhi from Ranchi on January 27 night.

According to media sources, late at night Hemant ji, wearing slippers and covering his face with a sheet, ran away from his Delhi residence on foot. Ajay Singh, the security personnel of special branch who went with him to Delhi, is also missing, Jharkhand BJP president Babulal Marandi said in a post on X.

The mobile phones of both of them have also been switched off. Since then, the ED and Delhi Police are searching for them. There cannot be any other example of such gross negligence regarding the security of the chief minister, added Marandi.

If there is truth in this news, then it is a situation of constitutional crisis for Jharkhand, Marandi said. The governor is requested to take cognisance of the matter..., he added.
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jan 29 (PTI) Experts in the "Modi" script of Marathi are transliterating Nizam-era documents from various offices and departments to find records of Kunbis in Marathwada to provide reservation for the Maratha community. HT Image

Talking to PTI, experts said papers from the land records department, documents from tehsil and other offices, and school records before 1967 are being examined to find records of Kunbi.

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The Maharashtra government has issued a draft notification following negotiations with activist Manoj 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.

The Kunbi community falls in the OBC category, and Jarange has been demanding Kunbi certificates for all Marathas.

"We are examining documents. If we find the mention of Kunbi in these papers, we transliterate the information to Devnagri and hand it over to the district authorities who upload the record on their official website," said Kamaji Dak Patil, who teaches a certificate course on the "Modi" script at Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University.

Earlier, it was assumed that these Nizam-era documents were in Hyderabad, but several records in the "Modi" script were also found in government offices in Marathwada, he said.

"We are examining land records and documents from various offices from 1881 to 1900. We are also combing through school records till 1967," Patil said.

"Modi" is a script used to write the Marathi language currently written in Devnagri.

"In some papers, the information written in the Modi script is also translated to Urdu or Kannda. Such papers were found in the areas bordering Karnataka and Telangana. Modi was earlier limited to history scholars and archives department. But now, common people are approaching us with papers they have and are trying to understand the script," he said.

"Modi" script expert Shailendra Wagh said, "The ink on these old documents is in good condition. We can easily read and identify words. Some of the land records are slightly delicate, but documents found at the tehsil office are in good condition as they have not been handled much. They can be preserved for the next 100 years."
The race for 2024 Lok Sabha elections has started, and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the Opposition are pulling out all the stops. However, the momentum is currently with the ruling party. Multiple reasons are attributed to momentum drifting in BJP's favour for now in the race for the 2024 Lok Sabha election.(PTI)

The inauguration of Ram Temple in Ayodhya, one of the BJP's biggest clarion calls, the Supreme Court verdict on the abrogation of Article 370, fissures in the INDIA bloc and the political vortex in Bihar are all going in favour of the ruling party.

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A column in the UK's Guardian predicted has a hat trick for the BJP, citing political analysts. It looks like the plausible outcome given the country's current political landscape, it noted. Despite some resistance against the BJP in pockets of south and east India, the Opposition at the national level appears to be weak and fragmented.

What gives the BJP a push in the momentum?

Supreme Court verdict on Article 370 abrogation

One of the poll planks for the BJP in the run-up to the 2019 Lok Sabha elections was to abrogate the special status of Jammu and Kashmir by repealing Article 370 of the Constitution. It did that on August 6, 2019. The Supreme Court upheld the government's decision on December 11, 2023.

The apex court's verdict gave a big boost to the BJP, while dealing a blow to Oppositon, which had targeted ruling party on the decision.

Much of the BJP's victory after the verdict could be attributed to the difference of opinion among the INDIA bloc members. One of its members, the Aam Aadmi Party, supported revoking Article 370 in 2019. Meanwhile, the Left had been urging the reinstatement of the special status, slightly contrary to Congress' stance. Although opposed to the central government's move, the Congress never demanded that the article be re-implemented.

Ram temple inauguration

It was the BJP's long-term promise to build a Ram temple in Ayodhya. The temple consecration has galvanised voters across the country, which according to some political strategists may convert into 400-plus seats for the party in the Lok Sabha with a 50% vote share  a goal set out by Union home minister Amit Shah during the last year of his tenure as party president.

The positioning of PM Modi at the core of the Ram temple construction has played its part. From laying the foundation stone to attending the temple's consecration ceremony as the yajman, the prime minister is what the BJP claims the frontrunner in the ongoing march in India's economic, political and strategic arenas in line with the religious fervour.

Rift in INDIA bloc

The Opposition's aim to take on the BJP in the upcoming national election seems to have taken a hit after the Congress, one of the key members of the INDIA bloc, met with unprecedented roadblocks in West Bengal during the ongoing Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. INDIA bloc ally Trinamool Congress and the state unit of Congress are at loggerheads over seat-sharing talks for the general elections, prompting Mamata Banerjee to go it alone in the state for the polls.

Meanwhile, another ally, the Aam Aadmi Party in Punjab, is reluctant to come to a mid-point with Congress over seat-sharing, further widening the rift within the coalition.

But the INDIA bloc was dealt a major blow on Sunday when its convenor JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar dissolved the Mahagathbandhan coalition in the state and resigned as the CM, and went with the BJP.
NEW DELHI: Foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra on Monday embarked on his first official visit to Bhutan since the election of the new government led by prime minister Tshering Tobgay, against the backdrop of reports of Thimphu and Beijing moving towards a pact to settle their disputed boundary. General view of the Tashichho Dzong Buddhist monastery and fortress in Bhutans capital Thimphu. (AFP FILE PHOTO)

During the three-day Kwatra will meet Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, Prime Minister Tobgay and foreign minister DN Dhungyel. Kwatra will also meet foreign secretary Pema Choden and other senior officials of the Bhutan government, the external affairs ministry said in a statement announcing the visit.

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The visit is in keeping with the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between Bhutan and India, the statement added.

Kwatras visit assumes significance as it will be the first high-level contact between the Indian side and the new government in Thimphu amid reports that Bhutan is close to finalising an agreement with China to demarcate the disputed border between the two countries.

China and Bhutan held the 25th round of boundary talks in Beijing late last year and signed a cooperation agreement on the Responsibilities and Functions of the Joint Technical Team (JTT) on the Delimitation and Demarcation of the Bhutan-China Boundary.

The two countries held their last round of border talks in 2016 and the new agreement builds on a three-step roadmap finalised in 2021 for resolving the boundary issue. The first technical talks on delimiting the boundary were held in August 2023, and experts believe this was an indication that Bhutan and China have agreed on a possible alignment for their disputed border.

The Bhutan kings week-long visit to India last November was seen as an opportunity for the Bhutanese side to clear the air on the boundary talks with China, since any possible settlement will have ramifications for the strategic Doklam region located at the tri-junction of the three countries.

During the kings visit, India and Bhutan agreed on several new initiatives to bolster collaboration in trade, technology and cross-border connectivity, including a survey for the first rail link between the two sides to be built with Indian support. Besides carrying out the final location survey for the planned cross-border rail link between Kokrajhar in Assam and Gelephu in Bhutan, the two sides decided to consider establishing another rail link between Banarhat in West Bengal and Samtse in Bhutan.
Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra on Monday called on Bhutan's new Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay and discussed areas of mutual interest and multifaceted cooperation to further boost India's relations with the Himalayan nation. Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra meets Bhutan's new Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay.(ANI)

Kwatra arrived earlier here on a three-day trip, in the first high-level visit from India after the formation of a new government under People's Democratic Party (PDP) leader Tobgay.

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Kwatra called on Prime Minister Tobgay at the Prime Ministers Office in Gyalyong Tshogkhang. The meeting discussed various areas of mutual interest and cooperation between Bhutan and India, according to The Bhutanese newspaper.

The Prime Minister also hosted a dinner for the Foreign Secretary and his delegation at his residence, it said in a post on X.

Kwatra also held bilateral consultations with Foreign Secretary of Bhutan Aum Pema Choden. A wide ranging discussion on multifaceted cooperation between India and Bhutan in development partnership, space, energy, trade, technology, economic ties, and people-to-people ties, the Indian embassy here posted on X.

Kwatra's visit comes against the backdrop of China and Bhutan looking at an expeditious resolution of their festering boundary row that could have implications for India's security interests.

"Foreign Secretary @AmbVMKwatra was warmly welcomed on his arrival at Paro by Aum Pema Choden, Foreign Secretary of Bhutan for an official visit from 29-31 January," the Indian embassy tweeted earlier.

"The visit is in keeping with the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between India and Bhutan, and will provide an opportunity to the two sides to review entire gamut of bilateral ties," it said.

During the visit, Kwatra will receive an audience with His Majesty The King. He will also call on the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and meet with Foreign Secretary of Bhutan and other senior officials of the Royal Government, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

Tobgay assumed charge as the prime minister of Bhutan on Sunday following the PDP's victory in the elections earlier this month.

Close to three months back, Bhutan's then Foreign Minister Tandi Dorji held talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Beijing.

A Chinese readout on the talks said Bhutan firmly abides by the one-China principle and stands ready to work with China for an early settlement of the boundary issue and advance the political process of establishing diplomatic relations.

New Delhi has been keeping a close eye on the negotiations between Bhutan and China on their boundary row as it could have implications for New Delhi's security interests, especially in the Doklam tri-junction.

Meanwhile, the Indian Ambassador here on Monday greeted Bhutans newly sworn-in Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister and said he looks forward to working together to further deepen the exemplary India-Bhutan ties across sectors.

The meetings between Ambassador Sudhakar Dalela and the Bhutanese elected leaders came a day after Tshering Tobgay took oath as the Prime Minister and Lyonpo D N Dhungyel as the Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade.

Ambassador @SudhakarDalela paid a courtesy call on Honble Lyonchhen @tsheringtobgay and conveyed greetings of Indias leadership on his assumption of responsibility as the Prime Minister. Committed to working closely to further strengthen Bhutan-India unique ties of friendship, the Indian mission in Bhutan posted on X along with the photo of the meeting.

Amb @SudhakarDalela paid a courtesy call on Lyonpo D N Dhungyel and conveyed greetings on EAMs behalf on his assumption of responsibility as Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade. We look forward to working together to further deepen exemplary Bhutan-India ties across sectors, the Mission posted on X with a photo of the meeting.

Both Tobgay and Dhungyel belong to the People's Democratic Party which won 30 of the 47 seats in the National Assembly in Bhutan's parliamentary elections held on January 9. The Bhutan Tendrel Party had secured 17 in the country's fourth general elections since its transformation from a traditional monarchy to a parliamentary form of government in 2008.
Kochi On Saturday, Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan staged an impromptu wayside sit-in in Nilamel in Kollam district following a protest by the SFI, student wing of the CPI(M), with black flags shown against him. (ANI)

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) hit out at Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan on Sunday, saying his allegation that Students Federation of India (SFI) protesters banged on his official vehicle and attempted to attack him was a lie. The ruling party accused the Governor of playing a fool with the help of the central government.

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The Governor is not fulfilling his constitutional duties. Instead, he is making extra-constitutional interventions unimaginable to the common man. His statement that they (SFI activists) banged his car is a big lie. The SFIs black flag protest was in a different spot altogether and they had not attacked his vehicle. But he claims that he is being attacked which is a lie. Its clear as daylight, especially from the media visuals, CPI(M) state secretary MV Govindan told reporters.

On Saturday, Governor Khan staged an impromptu wayside sit-in in Nilamel in Kollam district following a protest by the SFI, student wing of the CPI(M), with black flags shown against him. He sat in front of a wayside shop for nearly two hours demanding police action against the protesters including an FIR booked under stringent provisions. Subsequently, the central government ordered the CRPF to provide Khan with Z+ category security.

On Sunday, a 17-member CRPF team took over the security of the Governors official residence though there were local media reports that the Centre and the Raj Bhavan have not provided the official documents regarding the CRPF cover to the state government.

The CPI(M) leader underlined that the party has not discussed whether to ask for the recall of the Governor in the light of Saturdays events. There will be no difference anyway. X may go and Y may come. The next person could be a more hardline RSS man, Govindan said.

When asked if indirect attempts were being made to impose the Presidents rule in the state, the CPI(M) leader replied, This is a state government elected by the people and supported by them. Article 356 (imposition of Presidents rule) cannot happen in Kerala.

At the same time, he indicated that the protests of the SFI against the Governor will continue despite the change in the Khans security cover.

Union minister of state and BJP leader V Muraleedharan defended the Governors actions on Sunday stating that he had stepped out of his security cover as the police had failed to remove the protesters.

The Governor was protesting against the polices attempts to provide protection to the (SFI) activists. Who created the situation for the Governor to step out of his vehicle? It was the police responsibility to remove the protesters. Has any police officer been suspended? The home minister has the constitutional responsibility to provide protection to the Governor. He has not fulfilled that duty, the BJP leader said.
Nationalist Congress Party veteran Sharad Pawar seems to have been taken aback by Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar's decision to exit from the 'mahagathbandhan' or the grand alliance of the Opposition and join hands with his old ally NDA led by the Bharatiya Janata Pary on Sunday. (From left) RJD chief Lalu Prasad, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, NCP chief Sharad Pawar in Mumbai. (HT photo)

While the NCP chief wondered what led to the change of heart of the Janata Dal (United) president, who was one of the main architects behind the INDIA bloc, formed to take on the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, he said the public will teach a lesson to Nitish Kumar in the future.

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Attacking the Bihar chief minister for dumping the mahagathbandhan in the state, Sharad Pawar said, On the contrary, he was playing a role against the BJP. I don't know what happened suddenly, but the public will definitely teach him a lesson for his role in the future

The Opposition stalwart told news agency ANI that such a situation had never been seen before in such a short period of time. 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, ANI quoted Pawar as saying.

Nitish Kumar's move to end his alliance with the Lalu Prasad Yadav-led Rashtriya Janata Dal to revive his tie-up with the BJP is seen as a big setback to the INDIA bloc, just months ahead of the general elections.

Nitish Kumar, after breaking away from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) 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 elections.

But on Sunday, Nitish Kumar took the oath as chief minister of Bihar for the ninth time in Raj Bhawan, switching sides again, this time with the BJP  the second time in two years that he had jumped the ship.

Overall, it was his fifth crossover in a little over a decade, preceding his ninth time as chief minister.

Opposition leaders slam Nitish Kumar

Other leaders from the Congress, RJD, DMK, JMM, TMC, CPI(ML)-L and AAP also attacked Nitish Kumar after the INDIA bloc received the setback.

Lashing out at Nitish Kumar, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said it is clear that a political drama is being created to divert attention from his party's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra.

Ramesh added that it was clear that the prime minister (Narendra Modi) and the BJP were scared of the yatra being undertaken by Rahul Gandhi, which is set to enter Bihar.

The people of Bihar will not forgive this "expert of betrayal" and those who are making him dance to their tunes, the Congress MP said.

Ramesh, however, said the INDIA bloc is strong, and "we will unitedly fight against the BJP and all parties like DMK, NCP, TMC and SP will fight it together".

The Trinamool Congress said Nitish Kumar is "known for his political somersaults at regular intervals" and asserted that people will respond to such "opportunism".

Many opposition leaders such as Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, however, said they knew that Nitish Kumar could defect.

"There are many people like Aaya Ram, Gaya Ram in the country," Kharge said referring to the expression used for political turncoats.

Kharge said if Nitish Kumar wanted to stay, he would have stayed.

Nitish Kumar's ex-deputy in the previous government and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said the JD(U) chief was a "respectable" but "tired" leader and warned the BJP that the septuagenarian did not like to share "credit" with allies.

"Whatever may be the excuses Nitish ji makes for switching sides, his JD(U) is all set to be finished (khatam hone wala hai) in Lok Sabha polls," he added.

The CPI(ML) Liberation, which supported the mahagathbandhan government from the outside, said Nitish Kumar, who has had the longest stint as CM, will be used by the RSS-BJP combine as its pawn.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav in a post on 'X' in Hindi said, "The BJP has never been so weak as it has become today. Today, a new record of betrayal has been made."

"The public will give a befitting reply to this. There can be no greater defeat than someone not believing in you as a person...The public will respond to this insult by defeating the BJP alliance in the Lok Sabha election," Yadav said in another post.

AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi said, "The three parties (JD(U), RJD and BJP) together have betrayed the people of Bihar on the issues they spoke about, the promises they made... their political ideology."

(With inputs from agencies)
NEW DELHI: India was among 10 regional countries that participated in a meeting of diplomatic representatives convened by the Taliban setup in Kabul on Monday, reflecting the growing engagement with a regime that isnt officially recognised by New Delhi. Indias participation at the meeting of diplomatic representatives convened by the Taliban setup reflects the growing engagement with a regime that isnt officially recognised by New Delhi (X/)

The Regional Cooperation Initiative meeting, which was addressed by Taliban acting foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, was also attended by diplomats from Russia, China, Iran, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Turkey and Indonesia. Russia was represented by its special representative for Afghanistan, Zamir Kabulov.

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There was no official word from Indian officials on the meeting, which came days after the Indian Indian embassy in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) invited the acting Afghan envoy Badruddin Haqqani to the Republic Day celebrations in Abu Dhabi.

Hafiz Zia Ahmad, deputy spokesman of the Taliban foreign ministry, quoted the Indian representative who attended the meeting as saying that New Delhi backs all initiatives focused on the stability of Afghanistan. India actively takes part in international and regional initiatives regarding Afghanistan, and supports every effort leading to the stability and the development of Afghanistan, Ahmad quoted the Indian representative as saying in a post on X.

A statement from the Taliban foreign ministry said Muttaqi considers relations with countries of the region to be significant and that he emphasised that these nations should hold regional dialogues to increase and continue the positive interaction with Afghanistan.

Muttaqi asked the participants to take advantage of emerging opportunities in Afghanistan for the development of the region and to also coordinate the management of potential threats. He emphasised the need for positive interactions with the countries of the region and asked the diplomats to convey the Talibans message of a region-oriented initiative to their countries so that Afghanistan and the region can jointly take advantage of new opportunities for the benefit of all.

Reports in the Afghan media quoted Muttaqi as saying that the meeting was focused on discussions for establishing a region-centric narrative aimed at developing regional cooperation for a positive and constructive engagement between Afghanistan and regional countries.

He also told the meeting that regional cooperation could focus on exploring engagement pathways based on common regional benefits, creating a regional narrative for positive and constructive engagement with the Taliban government to tackle existing and potential threats in the region, and efforts aimed at soft and hard connectivity for regional economic

development.

Muttaqi further said the regional cooperation should lead to calls for the removal of unilateral sanctions on Afghanistan and respect for one anothers choices of indigenous and traditional development models and governance methods.

Afghanistan is a sovereign, free and safe country with a government that stands ready and has the capacity to conduct talks on common and concerning issues with regional and international players, Muttaqi was quoted as telling the meeting. He added that Afghanistan does not want confrontation with any country but seeks positive engagement.

Therefore, our choices shall be respected. Instead of proposing governance models and pointing fingers at the system, it is better to engage on mutual interests, Muttaqi said.

India, the largest regional donor for Afghanistan with pledges amounting to $3 billion, pulled out all its diplomats and officials from the country after the Taliban takeover of Kabul in August 2021. It subsequently re-established a diplomatic presence in the country by deploying a technical team at the mission in Kabul in June 2022.

Senior Indian diplomats have interacted with Taliban officials in West Asian countries and on the margins of multilateral meetings on Afghanistan such as the Moscow Format talks hosted by Russia.
The Consulate General of India in Atlanta has strongly condemned the tragic assault resulting in the death of 25-year-old Indian student Vivek Saini who was hammered to death by a drug addict he helped for the past couple of days. Vivek Saini, the 25-year-old Indian student who was hammered to death by the drug addict.

We are deeply anguished by the terrifying, brutal, & heinous incident that led to the death of Indian National/student Mr Vivek Saini & condemns attack in the strongest terms. It is understood that the US authorities have arrested the accused & are investigating the case, the Indian Consulate said in a post on X.

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It added that the Consulate got in touch with Saini's family immediately after the incident, and provided all consular assistance in sending his mortal remains back to India.

Vivek Saini, a recent MBA graduate in the US, met a tragic end when he was fatally attacked with a hammer by Julian Faulkner, a drug addict whom he had been helping for the past few days in Lithonia City, Georgia. The distressing incident was captured on camera.

Saini, employed as a part-time clerk at a store where Faulkner sought refuge, demonstrated kindness to the accused for nearly two days. Saini went out of his way to offer chips, coke, water, and even a jacket to Faulkner. Unfortunately, on January 16, Saini was attacked on his way home after expressing concern for his safety and urging Faulkner to leave the place or face police intervention.

Upon arriving at the scene, the police discovered Faulkner standing over Saini's lifeless body. The young student had moved to the US two years ago after earning a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science from Chandigarh University.

Vivek Saini's remains have been repatriated to India, and the final ceremonies have been conducted. Saini's family in Haryana is grieving the loss of the promising young man, remembering him as a brilliant student aspiring to secure a decent job.
India and Saudi Arabia on Monday kicked off their inaugural joint military exercise Sada Tanseeq at Mahajan in Rajasthan to deepen military cooperation, the Indian Army said in a statement. The military drills will last till February 10. (Ministry of Defence)

The military drills will last till February 10, with the Saudi Arabian contingent comprising 45 personnel of Royal Saudi Land Forces, while the home country is being represented by an equal number of soldiers from the mechanised infantry.

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The aim of the exercise is to train troops of both sides for joint operations in semi-desert terrain under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter. The exercise will enable both sides to share best practices in tactics, techniques and procedures of conducting operations in the sub-conventional domain. It will facilitate developing interoperability, bonhomie and camaraderie between troops from the two sides, the statement said.

Also Read: Piyush Goyal to meet Saudi ministers on 2-day visit to Riyadh to deepen ties

The drills will involve the setting up of mobile vehicle check posts, cordon and search operations, house intervention drills, reflex shooting, slithering and sniper firing.

The exercise will serve as a platform to achieve shared security objectives, enhance the level of defence cooperation and foster bilateral relations between the two friendly nations, it added.

In September 2023, India and Saudi Arabia outlined steps to expedite Riyadhs long-gestating plan to invest $100 billion in the country, including a mega refinery, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman explored ways to bolster cooperation in areas ranging from energy to defence.

During their meeting, the two leaders focused on cooperation in defence, security, energy, technology, transportation, healthcare and education, and identified space and semiconductors as new areas of collaboration.
The Indian Navy on Monday said that its offshore patrol vessel INS Sumitra responded to a distress call from an Iranian-flagged fishing vessel hijacked off the Somali coast, and the swift response coerced the pirates to release the boat and the crew held hostage. The fishing vessel that was released from pirates after Indian Navy Ship INS Sumitra's anti-piracy operation along the east coast of Somalia and Gulf of Aden (PTI)

The warship is currently deployed for anti-piracy operations along the east coast of Somalia and the Gulf of Aden.

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The mission-deployed vessels response ensured the safe release of the hijacked boat, Iman, and its crew, the navy said in a statement.

INS Sumitra intercepted the vessel, acted in accordance with the established standard operating procedures to coerce the pirates for safe release of the boat and the 17-member crew, the statement said. The mission was carried out by the elite marine commandos on board the Indian warship, HT has learnt.

The navy statement did not elaborate on how the pirates, believed to be Somalis, were coerced to abandon their hijacking attempt.

READ | Houthi attack: Marlin Luanda captain thanks Indian Navy for helping douse fire

The development came three days after guided missile destroyer INS Visakhapatnam responded to a distress call by Marshall Islands-flagged merchant vessel Marlin Luanda, which was struck by a missile in the Gulf of Aden. Specialist firefighting crews embarked the vessel and helped douse the fire on board.

The Iranian fishing vessel, meanwhile, was sanitised and released for onward transit, said the navy.

Mission-deployed Indian naval ships on anti-piracy and maritime security operations in the Indian Ocean region symbolise the navys resolve towards safety of all vessels and seafarers at sea, said the statement.

Challenges in the distant seas, including the Arabian Sea, have emerged as a new front in recent weeks, with Red Sea tensions escalating and the resurgence of piracy in the Gulf of Aden and off the Somali coast. The recent incidents underscore the worsening security situation in the region, which led the navy to step up surveillance in the Arabian Sea substantially and deploy task groups consisting of around 10 warships in the face of rising threats.

READ | Indian Navy rescues Iranian vessel hijacked by pirates

P-8I maritime surveillance aircraft, Sea Guardian remotely piloted aircraft, Dorniers, helicopters and coast guard ships are part of the effort to strengthen security in the area.

The recent incidents have put piracy in the Arabian Sea back in the spotlight. Pirate attacks in the region peaked between 2008 and 2013 but steadily declined thereafter because of the concerted efforts of the multinational maritime task force operating in the region.

The region accounted for almost 700 pirate attacks during 2008-13, but the figure nosedived to a mere 16 during 2014-19, according to data published by the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) Operation Atalanta - the EU maritime security operation in the western Indian Ocean. The first piracy attempt in the region in the last three years was reported in December 2023.

Tensions in and around the Red Sea have also escalated following a wave of drone and missile attacks on merchant vessels by Iran-backed Houthi rebels and trouble seems to be spilling over into the Arabian Sea. Several ships targeted in the area had Indian crews on board or were headed to the countrys shores.

MV Marlin Launda, which was attacked last week, in the Gulf of Aden, one of the worlds busiest shipping routes, had a crew of 22 Indian nationals and one Bangladeshi citizen. This was the latest in a series of attacks on commercial shipping in the region.

Another Marshall Islands-flagged merchant vessel MV Genco Picardy, which was recently attacked by a drone in the Gulf of Aden, docked at the Tuticorin port in Tamil Nadu last week after the Indian Navys explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) specialists undertook a thorough examination of the ship and declared it safe for port entry.

INS Visakhapatnam had on January 18 responded to a distress call made by MV Genco Picardy after it was attacked. It was carrying a crew of 22, including nine Indians.

The other India-bound vessels recently attacked include MV Chem Pluto and MV Saibaba in December. The drone attack on MV Chem Pluto took place around 220 nautical miles south-west of Porbandar, while the other vessel was targeted in the southern Red Sea.

The Houthi rebels have been targeting commercial shipping in the Red Sea with missiles and drones after the Israel-Hamas conflict began on October 7. Several shipping companies have suspended their operations in the Red Sea following the Houthi attacks, which has forced mariners to change course and take longer routes around the southern tip of Africa.

The attacks on commercial shipping in and around Red Sea were on January 15 the focus of discussions between external affairs minister S Jaishankar and his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in Tehran, with the Indian minister flagging concerns about the increase in threats to maritime traffic in the region including attacks in the vicinity of the Indian coast.

The growing threats to commercial shipping in the region were also discussed during talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron, who was in India for the Republic Day celebrations.
As Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra entered Bihar on Monday, Congress general Secretary Jairam Ramesh took a jibe at Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar calling him a girgit (chameleon) and saying that despite his betrayal the yatra saw a huge turnout. Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh (ANI/File)

After Nitish Kumar's betrayal yesterday, the people of Kishanganj, Bihar are giving a great welcome to Rahul Gandhi and the Yatra. We had invited Mamata ji and also Nitish ji but he turned out to be a girgit", Ramesh was quoted by ANI as saying.

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Accusing the BJP of trying to stir up headlines ahead of the yatra entering Bihar, Ramesh said, Those who are sitting in Delhi thought of manipulating headlines and stir up drama. So they did.

Speaking to reporters, Ramesh said that the Janta Dal (United) chief's exit would have absolutely no impact on the Opposition's INDIA bloc.

It will not have any impact on INDIA allianceabsolutely no impact. This is typical of Nitish Kumar. It is not 'Aaya Ram, Gaya Ram', it is Aaya Kumar, Gaya Kumar.

On Sunday, Kumar was sworn in as Bihar's Chief Minister for a historic ninth term, marking a dramatic turnaround. He abandoned the 'Mahagathbandhan' and the opposition coalition INDIA to form a new government with the BJP, a party he had parted ways with less than 18 months ago.

This latest switch, his fifth in just over a decade, concluded days of intense political turmoil in the state months before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. It is viewed as a significant blow to opposition unity in anticipation of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.



Dont need certificate from Assam CM'

Ramesh also slammed Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's statement calling Congress leader Rahul Gandhi BJP's biggest star campaigner. He said, We got a lot of publicity for the Yatra from Assam CM. We don't need a certificate from the Assam CM or Bihar CM.

Sarma on Sunday said, Wherever Rahul Gandhi passes through, the Congress gets erased. He is uninspiring, arrogant and has no leadership quality. His footsteps always prove to be positive for the BJP. He is the biggest star campaigner for the BJP.
New Delhi: Reacting to Mallikarjun Kharge's remark that Nitish Kumar's exit from the INDIA bloc was pre-planned, JD(U) leader KC Tyagi on Monday called the Congress 'achhoot' (untouchable). Nitish Kumar on Sunday formed a government in alliance with the BJP. (PTI file photo)

KC Tyagi said had the exit been pre-planned, JD(U) wouldn't have brought regional satraps like Mamata Banerjee, Arvind Kejriwal and Akhilesh Yadav on board with the Congress.

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If this was pre-planned, then why did we organise the first meeting of (INDIA parties) in Patna? Why did we bring Mamata Banerjee, Arvind Kejriwal and Akhilesh Yadav with an 'achhoot' party like you (Congress)? he told ANI.

Tyagi said the decision to exit the alliance was precipitated by Mamata Banerjee unilaterally proposing the name of Kharge as the alliance's prime minister face.

"This happened after Mamata Banerjee in Delhi proposed Mallikarjun Kharge as INDIA alliance prime ministerial candidate. The Congress party always wanted to grab this (PM) post," he added.

Also read: Mallikarjun Kharge warns against Narendra Modi's re-election with 'last poll' prediction

Tyagi said there was a lack of coordination between the INDIA bloc partners. He also accused the Congress of doing politics with its alliance partners.

"While we were working to strengthen the alliance, Congress was busy grabbing the important posts. They were trying to weaken SP, DMK, TMC and other regional parties. Once Rahul Gandhi said that regional parties don't have an ideology. Due to this, we broke our association with the alliance," he added.

Also read: JD(U) blames Congress bid to steal INDIA bloc leadership for Nitish Kumar's exit

What Mallikarjun Kharge had said

Reacting to Kumar's surprise exit from the INDIA alliance, Kharge had said the move was aimed at breaking the INDIA bloc.

"Such decisions can not be taken in a hurry...This shows that it was all pre-planned. To break the INDIA alliance they (BJP-JD(U)) planned all this... He (Nitish Kumar) kept us in the dark, he kept Lalu Yadav in the dark," he told ANI.

Congress continues attack against Nitish Kumar

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh today called Kumar a girgit.

"After Nitish Kumar's betrayal yesterday, the people of Kishanganj, Bihar are giving a great welcome to Rahul Gandhi and the Yatra. We had invited Mamata ji and also Nitish ji but he turned out to be a 'girgit'," he said, as the Congress party's Nyay Yatra entered Bihar.

Also read: 'Snollygoster': Shashi Tharoor attacks Nitish Kumar with English prowess

Nitish Kumar became the chief minister of Bihar for the ninth time on Sunday, as he formed a government in partnership with the BJP. Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha of the Bharatiya Janata Party took oath as deputy chief ministers.

Nitish Kumar is known for his political flip-flops. In 2013, he broke away from the National Democratic Alliance after 17 years over Narendra Modi's prime ministerial candidature.

He contested and won the 2015 elections in partnership with Lalu Yadav's RJD and the Congress

In 2017, amid corruption charges against the Yadav family, he returned the NDA.

In 2022, Nitish Kumar again snapped ties with the BJP and formed a government with Yadav's RJD.

The Opposition's INDIA bloc, which was formed last year to take on the BJP juggernaut in the Lok Sabha elections, is facing existential challenges as several key partners want to contest elections alone in their respective states.
Jharkhand Congress chief Rajesh Thakur on Monday denounced the governors remarks on the evolving situation in the state in the wake of ED summons to chief minister Hemant Soren, and said a person in Constitutional position should stay out of politics. Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and Governor C. P. Radhakrishnan.(ANI)

A controversy erupted following Soren's departure for Delhi on January 27 amid ED summons related to a money laundering probe. His absence from scheduled government events on Monday added fuel to the already raging fire of speculation.

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Governor CP Radhakrishnan said he is keeping a watch on the situation and asserted that he "will cross the bridge when it comes".

"I am keeping a watch on the overall situation as the custodian of the constitution. It is the job of the Governor, I am doing it. We will cross the bridge when it comes," he told reporters when asked if all options were open for the Raj Bhavan.

Also Read | ED team visits J'khand CM Hemant Soren's Delhi house

The governor, however, dismissed the speculations around the President's rule in the state saying it was a "guesswork" at present, stressing that political parties should not get involved in it.

In response to the governor's remarks, Thakur retorted, No one should remain in confusion, if necessary, we will also cross the bridge. We have a majority government in Jharkhand, we will not allow it to be looted.

Attempts are being made to create a perception that President Rule will be imposed in the state; this is wrong. Governor is sitting on a Constitutional post and should not give out such statements. He should stay out of politics, he added.

Soren's trip to Delhi came in the backdrop of the ED asking him whether he would be available for questioning on either January 29 or January 31.

Meanwhile, security has been tightened in the Jharkhand capital Ranchi including at key government installations including CM House, Raj Bhavan and central government offices as Enforcement Directorate teams reached the residence of Soren in Delhi in connection with the money laundering investigation.
The Supreme Court on Monday transferred a case related to fake certificate in West Bengal from Calcutta High Court to itself, news agency ANI reported. The five-judge bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud also directed all concerned parties to complete their arguments in the meantime. Supreme Court of India (Representative Photo)

Last week, the apex court stayed all proceedings before the two benches in the high court that saw a rare conflict between a single judge and a division bench over a CBI probe into an alleged fake caste certificate scam. It also issued notice to the state and to the original petitioner before the high court, and stayed the implementation of the direction issued by the single judge Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay directing the CBI probe in connection the case.

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The bench comprising CJI DY Chandrachud and justices Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, Surya Kant and Aniruddha Bose decided to transfer the matter to the Supreme Court and listed the case after three weeks.

According to Live Law, advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for West Bengal, submitted the report claiming that the single judge has been passing similar orders. "The judge continues to take these matters now, in future he will do the same thing. What should be done?," Sibal said.

CJI Chandrachud however appealed to the lawyers to refrain from making comments casting aspersions on the judge. "Let's notafter all we are dealing with a HC judgecasting aspersions on either judge would be improperanything we say here shall not impinge on the dignity of the HC," the CJI said.

On January 26, the Supreme Court had taken the suo motu cognisance of the matter, after an order was passed by Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay ignoring an order passed by a division bench staying the CBI investigation alleged irregularities in the admission of MBBS candidates in state-run medical colleges and hospitals as "illegal and ignored".

Last week, a division bench of Justices Soumen Sen & Uday Kumar had stayed the single bench's order calling for a CBI probe upon noting that such a pr

Initially, the single bench of justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay had directed a CBI probe into the alleged irregularities in the admission of MBBS candidates in medical colleges. Later the division bench of Justices Soumen Sen and Uday Kumar had stayed the single bench's order.

On Januray 25, the single-judge bench of justice Gangopadhyay held that the order passed by the division bench as wholly illegal and had to be ignored. He also accused Justice Sen of misconduct, and possessing political bias and asked how an order could be passed when there was no memo of appeal.

A petition filed in the Calcutta High Court on January 24 has raised concerns about the widespread issuance of fake caste certificates in West Bengal.

(With inputs from agencies)
Durga Dutt, a resident of south Delhis Tughlaqabad, will remember Sunday, January 28, with a shudder, which should not have been the case when he decided to go to the famed Kalkaji temple for a religious congregation. The site of the Kalkaji temple where a wooden platform collapsed during a Jagran early Sunday (Sanchit Khanna/HT Photo)

The pravachan (sermon) by a local preacher was in full swing, the devotees swaying under his spell, when the elevated platform where the function was being held, came down with a godawful crash.

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"The music stopped suddenly, and people began to run helter-skelter. Everyone was yelling. Later we saw the stage had come down. I was lucky to survive, Dutt recalls.

While this relatively minor mishap claimed a single life with over a dozen injured, the state of infrastructure at religious places and facilities offered in India is becoming increasingly precarious. Hundreds - if not thousands - die at holy places every year and if the numbers are not higher, its got to be some divine intervention.

Also read: 1 killed, 17 hurt as stage set at Kalkaji temple collapses

While the big temples are well managed and organized enough to take in large crowds, they are, but just a few at the top. The countrys religious map is dotted with shrines, places of worship and holy pilgrimages in their millions. And the conditions of many of them are lamentable, to say the least.

Consider the following:

In April 2023, 36 persons died when roof slabs fell on worshippers who had collected for Ram Navmi prayers at the Jhulelal temple in Indore. An inquiry established that construction in the premises were unauthorised and no permissions of any kind had been sought. In October 2022, 140-plus Chhath and Diwali revellers were killed in Morbi, Gujarat, when the hanging bridge collapsed In 2022, 40 people went missing after a cloudburst near the holy Amarnath cave shrine in Jammu and Kashmir. Six months later, over two dozen pilgrims died in Vaishno Devi and many others went AWOL In July 2015, 27 pilgrims died in a stampede on the banks of the Godavari where devotees had gathered on the opening day of 'Pushkaram' festival in Andhra Pradesh's Rajahmundry district In October 2014, 32 people perished in a stampede at Patna's Gandhi Maidan, shortly after the conclusion of Dussehra celebrations. In October 2013, 115 died and over 100 were injured in a stampede during Navratri festivities near Ratangarh temple in Madhya Pradesh's Datia district. In June 2013, more than 100 pilgrims were washed away in Uttarakhand's flash floods while 63 were killed in a sudden rush at the Ram Janki Temple of Kripalu Maharaj in UP's Pratapgarh district in March 2010 as people gathered to collect free clothes and food from the self-styled godman. Bihar recorded the highest number of road accidents near religious places in 2022, 2,995 lives, according to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).

Multiple cases of stampedes

The list is endless and in many remote places, minor accidents and small casualties go unreported. In 2013, a study published in the International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, an affiliate of the Davos-based Global Risk Forum, came up with some startling conclusions. It said that religious gatherings and pilgrimages account for 79 per cent of all stampedes in India.

Also read: B Praak reacts to Kalkaji Temple stage collapse, says management asked crowd to move back: Par aap logo ka pyar hai

"Religious festivals, especially when located in remote rural areas and on hilly terrains, and on the foothills or at riverbanks lacking proper pathways always pose a geographical risk to the pilgrims. Steep slopes, uneven topography of the venue, dead ends, slippery and muddy floors, narrow passages, convergence of pedestrian flow to a single point are among the common risks prevailing in religious gathering sites, compromising safety...," noted the study.

Wrote Bharat Dogra, Honorary Convener, Campaign to Save Earth Now, in an essay: The possibility of such tragedies can be reduced significantly by careful planning and administrative measures implemented with the cooperation of local people and pilgrims. The specific places as well as times when there is greater chance of a stampede or accident should be identified carefully...People can be asked to assemble at a bigger open space and then smaller numbers who can be safely accommodated in more cramped places can be summoned in phases. The movement of people should be in one direction while those coming back should have a different route.

The importance of crowd management

Experts also point to a feature almost unique to India: crowds tend to grow too large, and too fast, too soon.

The Kalkaji temple mishap, has a similar tale. The congregation, an annual affair, generally is designed to accommodate 2,000 or so people. Suddenly, the numbers had swelled to 15,000-20,000 believers on a Sunday. A Delhi Fire Service officer was quoted as saying that a no-objection certificate (NOC) was not needed for a small gathering on trust property. But what happens when the numbers increase dramatically? Noone can say for sure.

In a country, which gave birth to three of the six major world religions - Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism - and is home to Islam and Christianity that took early roots in India, in addition to smaller religions like Zoroastrianism, Bahai, Jain and Jewish faiths, the immediacy of pilgrimages can scarcely be underestimated. For the moment though, that is not on anyones priority list.

Ranjit Bhushan is a senior journalist.
Bengaluru: The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) issued a closure notice to a sugar factory owned by former Union minister and BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal in Kalaburagis Chimmaidlai village over various violations. Basanagouda Patil Yatnal

According to the notice issued on January 25, Siddhasiri Ethanol and Power has been found releasing untreated waste into water streams, stagnation of effluents, storage of press mud and ash in open areas, and improper containment of excess condensation from sugar units, posing a risk of groundwater pollution. Additionally, the factory was found to have commenced cane-crushing activities without obtaining prior consent from KSPCB.

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The cane crushing activity has been started without prior Consent For Operation (CFO) of the board. The bagasse was stored in an open yard. The project proponent informed us that the bagasse was purchased from outside. The ETP construction work was in progress. The boiler has been commissioned and operating. The industry has installed distillation columns for the production of ethanol, though Consent for Establishment (CFE) has not been issued for the said activity, the closure notice read.

Reacting to the notice, Yatnal took to X (formerly Twitter), stating that the KSPCB order was politically motivated. He said he had established the factory in an underdeveloped region with the objective to create jobs for the locals.

The factory was established to help farmers and create employment in a backward region. We will challenge this in court. I am not afraid of such notices and orders, he added.

Meanwhile, environment minister Eshwar Khandre defended KSPCBs actions, citing blatant violations of environmental regulations by Yatnals factory.

Yatnals factory crushed tonnes of sugarcane without getting permission from the authority concerned. A year ago, the Union government had penalised Yatnal with 1.5 crore for violating the Environmental Protection Act. Yatnal paid the penalty amount. When this case has happened, Yatnals allegations that the state governments action was due to political reasons is baseless, Khandre told the press in Kalaburagi.

The closure of the sugar factory comes amid heightened scrutiny of industrial compliance, following a recent incident in Humnabad in the Bidar district, where two workers died due to a gas leak.

The environment minister initiated a comprehensive audit of the industrial operations across the state to ensure adherence to environmental norms. In a meeting of the pollution control board held a week ago, the minister had asked officials to find out how many factories violated the Environment Protection Act and sought a report on the violators.

Based on the report, the state government started taking action against various factories for polluting air and water, Khandre clarified.
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav on Monday left the Enforcement Directorate (ED) office in Patna after several hours of questioning in the land-for-jobs case. The security officials escorted the former Bihar chief minister to his vehicle amid a massive gathering of supporters outside the ED office. RJD president Lalu Prasad Yadav leaves the ED office in Patna.

Accompanied by his daughter Misa Bharti, Lalu Prasad Yadav reached the ED office around 11.05 am.

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Bharti told reporters, Whenever any agency calls our family members for questioning, we go there, cooperate with them and answer all their queries. Because of his health condition, it is difficult for him (Prasad) to move on his own. Someone has to accompany him whenever he goes somewhere.

The RJD supremo appeared before the central agency a day after Bihar CM Nitish Kumar severed ties with the Mahagathbandhan, which includes RJD as its major constituent, and aligned with BJP to form a new government in the state.

Rohini Acharya, Lalu Yadav's daughter based in Singapore, criticised the ED's treatment of her father, alleging inhumane behaviour for not allowing any assistant to accompany him.

She took to social media to express her dismay, Everyone knows about the health condition of my fatherhe cant even walk without support. Despite that ED officials did not allow any assistant to enter their office and accompany him. Its inhuman behaviour by ED officials...shame on you (ED officials) and your boss (top ED officials)," Acharya wrote on X in Hindi.

If anything happens to my father, no one will be worse than me. If something happens to my father today, Chameleon (aimed at Nitish Kumar) along with CBI and ED will be held responsible. The lion (Lalu) is alone and not weak," she said.

Lalu Prasad and his son Tejashwi Yadav were asked to appear before the ED officials on January 29 and 30 respectively.
Bhubaneswar: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday predicted that the 2024 Lok Sabha polls will turn out to be the last election ever in India if Narendra Modi retains power. Addressing a gathering of Congress workers in Odisha's Bhubaneswar, Kharge claimed PM Modi will declare a dictatorship after this year's general elections. Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said Nitish Kumar's exit won't impact the INDIA alliance. (File)

"If Modi comes to power after the Lok Sabha polls, there will be dictatorship; no democracy and no elections," Kharge was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

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Kharge claimed the 2024 general elections will be the last chance for the people of the country to vote.

"They are giving (ED) notices to each and every one. They are intimidating people... Because of fear, some are leaving friendships, some are leaving the party, and some are leaving the alliance... This is your last chance to vote. After this, there will be no voting," he said, per ANI.

Kharge warned the party workers against the BJP and its ideological mentor RSS, calling them "poison".

Rahul Gandhi wants to unite the country, he said he has opened 'mohabbat ki dukaan'. But the BJP and RSS have opened 'nafrat ki dukaan'. It is because of this that you need to remain alert. BJP and RSS are poison, they are depriving us of our rights, Kharge said.

Also read: JD(U)'s KC Tyagi takes 'achhoot Congress' dig over Mallikarjun Kharge's Nitish Kumar exit pre-planned' jab

He also took potshots at BJD chief and Odisha chief minister Navin Patnaik over his "friendship" with PM Modi.

"What did Navin Patnaik gain from his friendship with Narendra Modi? The double engine fails at times. And when the double engine doesn't work properly, the first engine also fails," he said.

Also read: 'Puppet of RSS': Cong President Kharge hits out at PM Modi during R-day celebration in Bengaluru

BJD often sides with the BJP in the parliament.

Talking about Nitish Kumar's exit from the INDIA bloc, he said one person quitting the alliance won't impact electoral outcomes.

"One person quitting Mahagathbandhan will not weaken us; we will defeat BJP," he said.

Nitish Kumar on Sunday exited the INDIA bloc and formed a government in Bihar in alliance with the BJP.

The Janata Dal (United) blamed the Congress for the fiasco, saying the party tried to steal the INDIA bloc's leadership. It also accused the Congress of making Mamata Banerjee propose Kharge's name as the prime ministerial face of the alliance.

With inputs from agencies
West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday alleged that the Border Security Force (BSF) wants to give separate identity cards to those who live in border areas. She warned people against accepting the card. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee (File photo)

She alleged that those who take the card will come under the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and will be thrown out of the state.

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"The BSF is oppressing the people. The BSF wants to give a separate identity card to the people in the border areas. Remember, do not take the separate identity card that the BSF wants to give by entering the border area; say that I have an Aadhaar card or that I have a ration card; say that I will not take your card. If you take that card, you will come under the NRC, and they will throw you out," said Mamata as quoted by news agency ANI.

"Please enrol your name in the voters' list. So that Delhi cannot get a chance to throw out you of the state," she added.

Also read: After Nitish Kumar's INDIA exit, Trinamool takes Congress sat idle in Bengal jibe

Mamata's remarks have come after union minister Shantanu Thakur said on Sunday that the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) would be implemented across India in a week.

The Ram mandir (temple) in Ayodhya has been inaugurated, and within the next seven days, the CAA will be implemented across the country. This is my guarantee. Not just in West Bengal, the CAA would be implemented in every state of India within a week," Thakur said during a public rally in South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, on Sunday.

What is the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) ?

The CAA, introduced by the Narendra Modi-led government, aims to confer Indian citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim migrants, including Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis, and Christians, who migrated from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan and arrived in India before December 31, 2014.

The CAA was passed by India's Parliament in December 2019 and received presidential assent subsequently. However, Muslim organisations and groups alleged discrimination on the basis of religion and protested against it.
West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday alleged the Border Security Force (BSF) was issuing separate identity cards to people living along the Bangladesh border while urging them to reject these documents as their names would be deleted from the National Register of Citizens (NRC). West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee in Cooch Behar on Monday. (PTI)

Who has fought against the NRC? she asked at a gathering in Cooch Behar. She added the issue of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act or CAA issue was also being raked up again for electoral politics.

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The comments came hours after Union minister Shantanu Thakur said the CAA would be implemented within a week. Thakur, who belongs to the Matua community, was one of the 18 Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Lok Sabha members elected from West Bengal in 2019.

The Matua support is believed to have helped the BJP expand its base in West Bengal. The community is expected to benefit the most from CAA implementation. Part of the Dalit Namasudra community that migrated from East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) in 1947 and during the 1971 India-Pakistan war, the Matuas form a sizeable chunk of voters in the north and south Bengal districts bordering Bangladesh.

The CAA was passed in 2019 to fast-track the citizenship process for non-Muslims, who have entered India from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh before December 31, 2014. A year earlier, a process in Assam to detect undocumented immigrants led to the exclusion of around two million people from NRC.

The CAA triggered protests with its opponents insisting it was discriminatory and unconstitutional as it left out the Muslims and linked faith to citizenship in a secular country.

The Union government has granted repeated extensions for framing rules for the CAA. Eligible people can submit applications for Indian citizenship under it once the rules are notified.

The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) has opposed the CAA labelling it divisive. Banerjee has maintained the CAA would not be implemented in West Bengal.

Union home minister Amit Shah last month reiterated that the implementation of CAA, which has been a major electoral issue for the BJP in West Bengal, was inevitable while accusing Banerjee of misleading people.

Banerjee told her audience in Cooch Behar that they were all Indian citizens. We have given recognition to refugee colonies by issuing land deeds. Without being citizens, how they enjoy government facilities and vote, she said while asking people to lodge police complaints against the BSF.

The BSF is torturing people. The BSF is issuing separate identity cards for people living in border areas. Do not accept them. Tell them that you have Aadhaar and ration cards and you do not need the fake card. If you accept cards your name will be deleted from the NRC, said Banerjee, who is on a five-day trip to districts.

Ahead of the 2021 assembly elections, the TMC complained to the Election Commission of India that the BSF was threatening villagers. The BSF denied the charges.

The TMC also opposed the move to increase the BSFs jurisdiction from 15 km to 50 km of the border. Banerjee raised the issue during her meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in October 2021. The BSF did not immediately react to Banerjees fresh remarks in Cooch Behar.

Samik Bhattacharya, a BJP spokesperson, hit out at Banerjee saying there was no difference between her statements and those of a separatist. Her statements will encourage anti-India forces.
Bengaluru: A 30-year-old man was arrested on Saturday night for molesting a 15-year-old girl in Puttur city of Dakshina Kannada district, police said. A crowd gathered in front of Puttur town police station and demanded that the man be handed over to them (HT)

According to a police officer, the accused, Mohammed Shakir harassed the minor when she was heading to watch a Kambala (race of bullocks) event along with her family. When she raised an alarm, few nearby people caught hold of the man and handed him over to the police.

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The incident occurred around 11 pm on Saturday. I was at the Kambala event for security as thousands of people gathered there. Soon after receiving the information, I along with my team rushed to the spot and arrested the accused, Sunil Kumar, the sub-inspector (SI) of Puttur town police station told HT.

Subsequently, the girls father went to Puttur town police station and filed a written complaint in which he stated that his daughter was heading to the event along with him when Shakir touched her inappropriately in a crowd, said the sub-inspector of the town.

On the basis of his complaint, police registered an FIR against Shakir under Section 354 (outraging modesty of woman) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and various sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act at Puttur town police station.

The police officer informed HT that soon after the incident, scores of people gathered in front of Puttur town police station, attempting to lay siege and demanded that the man be handed over to them.

We pacified the agitated mob and brought the situation under control, said sub-isnpector Kumar.

On Sunday, police produced Shakir in a Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) court that remanded him to judicial custody for 14 days, said the police officer.
The ministry of home affairs (MHA) on Monday extended the ban on Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), a radical Islamic outfit, for five years. Union home minister Amit Shah announced the decision on X (formerly Twitter). (Amit Shah | Facebook)

Announcing the decision on X (formerly Twitter), Union home minister Amit Shah said, Bolstering PM @narendramodi Jis vision of zero tolerance against terrorism Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) has been declared as an unlawful association for a further period of five years under the UAPA (unlawful activities prevention act). The SIMI has been found involved in fomenting terrorism, disturbing peace and communal harmony to threaten the sovereignty, security and integrity of Bharat.

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SIMI was first banned in September 2001 and since then the ban has been extended by the government.

Also Read: Pro-Khalistan graffiti appears in Delhis Uttam Nagar

Officials in central intelligence agencies say that SIMI has caused problems for the government and police over the years especially after the organisation split in 2005 into two groups  moderate one led by Shahid Badr Falahi and radical faction led by Safdar Nagori.

Its leaders, including Riyaz Bhatkal and Iqbal Bhatkal (now in Pakistan), formed Indian Mujahideen (IM) in 2006-07 along with Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) to carry out attacks in India, while SIMI started providing logistical support.

SIMI leaders also held important meetings and training camps vowing to avenge the atrocities against Muslims. SIMI members, led by IM leader Abdul Subhan Qureshi alias Tauqeer, carried attacks on their own after crackdown on Indian Mujahideen. They targeted PM Narendra Modis rally in Patna in 2013, Bodhgaya temple, several trains in Chennai and other states, Bangalores Church Street, Roorkee and other places between 2007 and 2013, said an official who didnt want to be named.

Although banned, its operatives have been found in activities in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, Assam, West Bengal, Maharashtra and parts of Gujarat.

Popular Front of India (PFI), banned in September 2022, also drew its large number of cadres from SIMI.

According to latest extension of ban, governments of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Kerala, Maharashtra, MP, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and UP have recommended declaration of SIMI as an unlawful association under UAPA, the notification issued on Monday stated.

It said that if not banned, the organisation will continue its subversive activities and reorganise activists who are still absconding; disrupt secular fabric of the country; propagate anti-national sentiment; and escalate secessionism by supporting militancy.
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for trying to become the 11th avatar of Lord Vishnu and accused his government of mixing religion and politics to seek votes. Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge in Dehradun on Sunday. (Congress-X)

When you wake up in the morning, and turn on the TV, you wont see Lord Rams face or any religious gurus, but PM Modis face. He is trying to become the 11th avatar of Lord Vishnu, Kharge said while addressing a Karyakarta Sammelan (convention of party workers) at Bannu School Ground in Dehradun.

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Everyone has faith and trust in God but raj (governance) is different, dharma is different. But here, they (BJP) have mixed up everything. And when you combine religion and country together, it becomes hard to identify what is good and what is bad, he added.

READ | Foundational pillars of the Constitution under attack from govt itself: Kharge

He also said that while Congress leaders have laid down their lives for the country, the BJP has never made any such sacrifices. Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi sacrificed their lives to keep the country united. Mahatma Gandhi and Pandit Nehru spent years in jail to achieve freedom. What has the BJP done, he asked.

A party which has done nothing for the country is teaching people about the country, independence and patriotism, Kharge said as he continued to attack the BJP. Congress leaders sacrificed their lives for the sake of the countrys independence...the RSS or BJP did not even lose a watchman in the freedom struggle, he said.

Kharge also slammed the BJP over the violence during the Congresss Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Assam last week. When our yatra entered Assam, where the BJP is in power, they obstructed the yatra, pelted stones on vehicles, and our posters were torn. No such incident happened when Rahul Gandhi took out the yatra from Kanyakumari to Kashmir. But, we will not be intimidated. Until we have the support of people, we cant be frightened, he said.

The BJP hit back at Kharge, saying his visits to Uttarakhand will not benefit the Congress electorally. The people of the state have made up their mind to bring the BJP back to power. The people of the devbhoomi wont forgive the anti-state, anti-development, and anti-Sanatani Congress in the upcoming elections, state BJP chief Mahendra Bhatt said.
Indian Navy's INS Sumitra has successfully rescued fishermen hijacked by pirates along the East coast of Somalia and the Gulf of Aden. The 17-member crew of the fishing vessel were taken hostage.(Indian Navy)

The naval warship was responding to a distress message regarding hijacking of an Iranian-flagged Fishing Vessel (FV) Iman. The FV had been boarded by pirates and its 17-member crew was taken hostage.

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INS Sumitra intercepted the vessel, acted in accordance with the established SOPs to coerce the pirates for the safe release of the crew along with the boat & ensured the successful release of all 17 crew members along with the boat, a statement by the Navy said. The FV was subsequently sanitised and released for onward transit.

The incident is the latest in a series of drone and pirate attacks on merchant vessels in the region, including the Red Sea and parts of the Arabian Sea.

The Indian navy has stepped up surveillance in the troubled region substantially and deployed task groups consisting of around 10 warships in the face of the recent attacks on India-bound merchant vessels.

The FV was subsequently sanitised and released for onward transit.(Indian Navy)

Recently, Iran-backed Yemen's Houthi militia has been targeting commercial shipping in the Red Sea with missiles and drones after the Israel-Hamas conflict began on October 7. The Houthi rebels declared their support for Hamas. Several shipping companies have suspended their operations in the Red Sea following the attacks, which have forced mariners to change course and take longer routes around the southern tip of Africa.

On Saturday, Indias guided missile destroyer INS Visakhapatnam responded to a distress call made by a merchant vessel that caught fire after a missile attack by the Houthis in the Gulf of Aden, with the incident putting the spotlight on the worsening security situation in one of the worlds busiest shipping routes, officials aware of the matter said.

The Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker MV Marlin Luanda was struck by the Houthi rebels on Friday. The vessels crew included 22 Indians and one Bangladeshi.

Another Marshall Islands-flagged merchant vessel, which was recently attacked by a drone in the Gulf of Aden, docked at the Tuticorin port in Tamil Nadu on Friday after the Indian Navys explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) specialists undertook a thorough examination of the ship and declared it safe for port entry.

On January 18, INS Visakhapatnam responded to a distress call made by MV Genco Picardy after it was attacked. It was carrying a crew of 22, including nine Indians.

The navy has stepped up surveillance in the troubled region substantially and deployed task groups consisting of around 10 warships in the face of the recent attacks on India-bound merchant vessels including MV Chem Pluto and MV Saibaba in December.
The Supreme Court on Monday extended time to Maharashtra assembly speaker Rahul Narwekar to give his verdict on matters related to the disqualification of MLAs from the Ajit Pawar faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). The SC bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud directed the speaker to deliver his verdict by February 15. Supreme Court of India (Representative Photo)

On October 30, the court set the deadline to January 31, asking the speaker to decide on the matter as per the tenth schedule of the Constitution, to which Narwekar sought an extension.

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Petitions were filed by the Sharad Pawar faction of the NCP seeking the top court to intervene in the matter and direct the speaker to decide on disqualification pleas against the Ajit Pawar faction.

Representing Narwekar, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said the speaker was occupied with deciding on the matter related to disqualification petitions of Shiv Sena MLAs. He asked for a realistic three-week time to give a verdict on the NCP matter.

A section of the erstwhile NCP party, led by Ajit Pawar, broke ranks and joined the BJP-Shiv Sena coalition in the Maharashtra government. Ajit later took oath as the state's deputy chief minister and eight other NCP MLAs as ministers. This prompted the Sharad Pawar faction to move a disqualification petition.

In response, the Ajit Pawar faction claimed to be the real NCP, given that he enjoys the support of majority party MLAs. Following this, speaker Narwekar announced Ajit Pawar as the NCP legislative party leader in the assembly.
Bihars ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Monday served a notice for assembly speaker Awadh Bihari Choudharys removal as the process for electing the new presiding officer began a day after Nitish Kumar was sworn in as the chief minister after rejoining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led alliance. The NDA has the support of 128 lawmakers in the 243-member assembly. (HT PHOTO)

I have served the notice, as the speaker, as per norms and established practice, has to be from the ruling dispensation. If the speaker resigns on his own, it is fine. Otherwise, it will be taken up for discussion after 14 days. It is as per procedure, said BJP leader Nand Kishore Yadav, a former minister who is expected to replace Choudhary.

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The NDA, which has the support of 128 lawmakers in the 243-member assembly, is expected to have its candidate elected for the key post in the event of the division of votes.

Choudhary was unavailable for comments. An aide to him said he was unwell and unable to talk.

The budget session of the assembly, the last before the announcement of the national elections, was to commence on February 5 with the governors joint address. The previous government gave the go-ahead for the session on January 18. A fresh cabinet decision is awaited over the budget session.

In August 2022, Vijay Kumar Sinha, who was on Sunday sworn in as a deputy chief minister, resigned as the speaker after Kumar quit the NDA and formed the government with Rashtriya Janata Dal, the Congress, and the Left parties.

In his speech before stepping down, Sinha said he would have resigned the day the new government was formed but was not given the opportunity after the notice of his removal was served ignoring rules, provisions, and parliamentary decorum. He added the notice carried some baseless allegations against him of being undemocratic and dictatorial.
Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar will now have two of his loudest detractors Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha as his deputies, an equation which political observers said might have been formulated by the BJP as an attempt to keep the Janata Dal (United) or JD(U) chief, who has a history of breaking alliances, in check. BJP leaders Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Sinha take oath as Bihar deputy chief ministers, at the Raj Bhawan in Patna on Sunday. (Santosh Kumar/HT Photo)

Choudhary, the chief of the Bihar Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), was on Sunday elected the leader of the legislature party and later designated as the states deputy chief minister. A member of the Bihar legislative council, Choudhary has served as a minister in the RJD , JD(U) and NDA governments.

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In 2014, he parted ways with the RJD and joined the JD(U) government headed by Jitan Ram Manjhi. Three years later, he left the JD(U) and joined the BJP. He was named the vice-president of the state unit in 2018 and became a minister in the chief minister Nitish government after the NDA won the 2020 assembly polls.

Also read: Good governance poster boy to political weatherman, many shades of CM Nitish

Choudhary started sporting a saffron turban in 2022 after Nitish left the NDA and again joined hands with the RJD and Congress, saying that he will take it off after dethroning Nitish.

People of Bihar are fed up with Nitish Kumar and he has become a non-entity in Bihars politics. The way he has cheated the people of Bihar, voters will teach him a lesson, he said in March 2023 after he was named as the BJPs state chief.

An OBC leader from the Koeri community, Choudhary has also accused Nitish of plundering the state for the last 18 years and had called him a tired CM.

Nitish Kumar has been plundering the state for the past 18 years. Previously, RJD too had looted the state for 15 years, Choudhary had said at a function in Patna in May last year.

He had also accused CM Kumar of being in power either with the support of RJD or BJP, and having no votes of his own. Nitish Kumar has become irrelevant in Bihar politics. He has no votes, he had said.

On Sunday, Samrat appeared to strike a conciliatory note and said: We will work for the development of the state and win 40 seats.

Like Samrat, 64-year-old Sinha has also been a vocal critic of Nitish.

A veteran upper-caste BJP leader, Vijay Kumar Sinha has served as the Bihar Assembly Speaker, a cabinet minister and Leader of the Opposition.

He was chosen as the Bihar assembly Speaker in 2020 after the NDA won the state polls. Sinha resigned from the post in 2022, when Nitish joined hands with the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan and the new alliance in power threatened to bring a no-confidence motion seeking his removal.

Before the motion was brought by the Mahagathbandhan government on August 24, 2022, Sinha had stepped down, saying: The no confidence motion was against the rules... It does not send across the right message and to the chair.

He was subsequently made the Leader of the Opposition and took a vocal stand against the government, attacking it on alleged deterioration of law and order in the state and appeasement of minorities, among others.

We will free the state from the clutches of a corrupt and incompetent government. People are all watching. The Nitish Kumar government with RJD has brought in Jungle Raj in the state and entire machinery has collapsed. Criminals have become emboldened and Bihar has become a hub of cattle smuggling, Sinha had said last year.

On Sunday, however, Sinha appeared to be more conciliatory. We will work for the development of the state, he said, and thanked the BJP leadership for showing confidence in me The NDA government will establish good governance and there will be development, he added.

Experts, meanwhile, said the BJPs choice of deputy CMs seems to indicate its plans to keep a check on the new government.

It is a clear message that two leaders who are known for their plain speak have been picked up to play an assertive role in the coalition government and work more independently without the big shadow of CM Kumar, former director of A N Sinha Institute of Social Sciences, Patna, and social scientist DM Diwakar said.

He added: There will be competition between the duo as to who could emerge as a CM face.

Meanwhile, JD(U) MLC and party spokesperson Neeraj Kumar said the appointment of the two deputy CMs was an internal decision of the BJP. The central leadership has accepted CM Kumar and they know the style of functioning of CM Kumar. The state leadership of the BJP too has accepted it. There could have been some political differences but we will all work for the development of the state, he said.

Another JD(U) spokesperson, Abhishek Jha, said that CM Kumar does not work under pressure and there was no question of anybody trying to undermine his authority as CM.

JD(U) leaders Vijay Kumar Choudhary, Vijendra Yadav and Shrawan Kumar  all considered close aides of Nitish also took oath as ministers in Sundays ceremony apart from BJPs Prem Kumar, the sitting MLA from Gaya. Santosh Suman of the Hindustani Awam Morcha( Secular) also found a place in the state cabinet. He had served as minister in the previous RJD-JD(U) government before resigning in March last year following HAM(S) exit from the Grand Alliance coalition. Independent MLA Sumit Kumar Singh also took oath as minister.
Anecdotal accounts suggest that Indias hills and mountains have not received as much snow this winter as they did in the past despite the spell of snowfall late last week. While snowfall data is not available from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), its rainfall statistics suggest that this could be the case.

A glimpse of the snow-clad upper reaches of the Himalayas in J&K's Bandipora on January 27.(ANI Photo)
Siliguri (West Bengal) [India], January 29 (ANI): With Congress' Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra set to enter Bihar from West Bengal on Monday, party leader Jairam Ramesh has said that the Congress party workers are not happy with the clash with TMC at ground level. HT Image

"Our workers are not happy. Our workers are angry but Mamata Banerjee is a very important part of the INDIA alliance. She has reiterated that she will fight as a part of the INDIA alliance and that she will strengthen the alliance. But even I was bothered to some extent by the fight that is taking place at the grassroots level between TMC workers and Congress workers," said Jairam Ramesh.

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"I explained to them that this alliance is a national-level alliance. In the states, we can fight, like in Kerala, where we fight with the leftists. We keep fighting with each other, but if we do not fight at the national level, we will have to find some similar formula," he said.

The Congress leader, while speaking to ANI at Siliguri, said, "From here we are going to Kishanganj and there will be a flag handover at the Ashafakullah Khan Stadium in Kishanganj. We will be staying in Araria tonight. From Kishanganj, we will be going to Purnia and then to Araria."

"The day after tomorrow, i.e., on January 31, we will be entering Jharkhand. We will be holding a public rally in Jharkhand on February 5 or 6 where the Congress President (Mallikarjun Kharge) is also expected to join us," he said.

The Congress leader also expressed his astonishment at the turnout witnessed by the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Jalpaiguri and Siliguri.

"The 'padyatra' that took place in Jalpaiguri was 2 km and 2 km in Siliguri. We did not expect that such a huge number of women, young, elderly and children would come out on the streets and stand on rooftops and balconies, welcoming the Bharat Jodo Nyaya Yatra. I am not saying that all these people will vote for us, but the response had so much energy. There was so much excitement," said Jairam Ramesh.

The Congress leader said that he is happy to see Congress' position in Jalpaiguri and Siliguri.

"This has been our Congress stronghold for years, but we have become somewhat weak. There is also a Hamro Party from Darjeeling; they have said that they will support Congress and the INDIA alliance, so this is a positive trend for us," said the congress leader.

Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra commenced from Manipur's Thoubal on January 14.

The yatra will cover over 6,700 kilometres over 67 days, traversing through 110 districts. (ANI)
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' entered Bihar on Monday, a day after chief minister Nitish Kumar dumped the RJD-led 'mahagathbandhan' government in the state and joined the old ally NDA. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra,(PTI)

The yatra entered Bihar via Kishanganj, a district with a heavy Muslim population which is also a Congress stronghold. This is Rahul Gandhi's first visit to Bihar since the assembly poll campaign of 2020.

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Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to address a public meeting in Kishanganj, followed by a rally in the adjoining district of Purnea on Tuesday and another one in Katihar a day later, according to news agency PTI citing party's legislature leader Shakil Ahmed Khan.

Gandhi will then leave for West Bengal on Thursday via Araria district and will return to Bihar a few days later via Jharkhand, said state Congress president Akhilesh Prasad Singh.

According to the party's state unit, its allies in Bihar such as RJD president Lalu Prasad and CPI(ML)-L general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya have been invited to the rally at Purnea.

Political scenarios turned upside down in Bihar on Sunday, after state chief minister and Janta Dal (United) (JDU) president Nitish Kumar ditched the Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) government, he had joined less than 18 months ago and broke its ties with the RJD and returned to the BJP-led NDA. This marked the fourth time Kumar made a crossover between coalitions. He had been switching sides since 2013 over ideological disputes.

He later took the oath as the chief minister for the record ninth time with the support of the BJP. Two of the saffron party 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.

Congress also slammed the JDU leader for switching sides. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge called Kumar aya ram, gaya ram'. In Indian politics, political turncoats are referred to as aya ram, gaya ram, while Jairam Ramesh said that Kumar gives a tough competition to chameleons when it comes to changing his political stripes and partners.

(With inputs from agencies)
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who resumed his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra on Monday, said that the purpose of the political procession is to spread mohabbat (love) in the market of hatred. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra(PTI)

Addressing a public meeting in Bihar's Kishanganj, the Wayanad MP claimed that the ideologies of the RSS and the BJP are spreading violence and hatred in the country. He said because of that, the Congress has opened a shop of love in the market of hatred through this yatra.

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Rahul Gandhi further said that the grand old party has given a new vision and ideology.

"Many people asked me what the purpose of this yatra was. So we told them that the ideology of RSS-BJP has spread hatred. One religion is fighting with another religion... That's why we opened a shop of love in the market of hatred... This yatra had a significant impact on the politics of the country. We have given a new vision, ideology and that is Mohabbat..." news agency ANI quoted Gandhi as saying.

Earlier in Assam, Gandhi said that the idea behind his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra is to provide justice to people and the party will present a five-point blueprint of 'nyay' that will also help strengthen the country.

"The five pillars of nyay that will give strength to the country are youth justice, participatory justice, women justice, farmer justice and labour justice. So, we will present a program for these pillars in front of you in the next one and a half months," he said.

Earlier in Kohima, he said that the party thought of starting a Bharat Jodo Yatra-like journey from east to west.

"...Last year, we did a (Bharat Jodo) yatra from Kanyakumari to Kashmir to bring the nation together, different cultures, different religions, different languages and we had a view that we should do a yatra from east to west..." he said while addressing a gathering at Indira Gandhi Stadium in Kohima.

Meanwhile, the party's 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' entered Bihar on Monday, a day after Nitish Kumar dumped the RJD-led 'mahagathbandhan' government in the state and joined the old ally NDA. This is Rahul Gandhi's first visit to Bihar since the assembly poll campaign of 2020.

The Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, the second version of Bharat Jodo Yatra, led by party leader Rahul Gandhi, will culminate in Mumbai on March 20. The first 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' was held from Kanyakumari to Kashmir in 2022-23.

(With inputs from agencies)
The Supreme Court on Monday extended by 15 days the January 31 deadline set by it earlier for the Maharashtra assembly speaker Rahul Narwekar to decide on a bunch of disqualification petitions linked to the split in the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) that had added a new party, and deputy chief minister, to the ruling coalition in Maharashtra last year. The cross-examination of evidence will be over on Jan 30 and the final hearing will also conclude on Jan 31. (Representative file photo)

A bench, headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud, granted more time to Narwekar for delivering the verdict in the matter after recording his statement that the hearing process will conclude on January 31 and that the additional time was being requested only to prepare the judgment.

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Solicitor general Tushar Mehta, appearing for the speaker, pointed out that Narwekar has remained predominantly occupied with the disqualification proceedings linked to the vertical split in the Shiv Sena, which was decided earlier this month.

Also Read: Narwekar to head committee to look into 10th Schedule of Constitution

The cross-examination of evidence will be over on January 30 and the final hearing will also conclude on January 31. We are asking for three weeks to dictate judgments. This is a realistic time we are asking for, Mehta submitted before the bench, which also included justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra.

Opposing the extension by three weeks, senior counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Sharad Pawar loyalist Jayant Patil, said that an additional time of one week should be enough for Narwekar to write the judgment.

At this, the bench said that it would grant the speaker time till February 15 to deliver his verdict in the batch of disqualification petitions filed by the Sharad Pawar camp against 40 MLAs and 5 MLCs for anti-party activities after Ajit Pawar split the party and joined the coalition government in the state as deputy chief minister.

Following a split in Shiv Sena in May 2022 that brought down the then Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government and saw Eknath Shinde taking over as the new chief minister of the state, NCP suffered a similar fate in July 2023, prompting NCP MLA Patil to move the top court, seeking a directive to Narwekar for a time-bound disposal of the disqualification petitions filed against Ajit Pawar and the MLAs backing him.

Patils petition was filed in September, lamenting that Narwekar had been sitting over the disqualification petitions for the last three months.

The Sharad Pawar camp filed three petitions for disqualification of rebel MLAs.

The first petition was filed against nine MLAs, including Ajit Pawar; the second petition was against 20 MLAs; and the third against 11 MLAs.

The Ajit Pawar camp has also filed disqualification petitions against ten NCP MLAs and three MLCs. It has also filed a petition before the Election Commission of India (ECI), seeking permission to use the partys name and election symbol. The verdict in the case is expected to come soon.

Emphasising that sanctity of the anti-defection law must be maintained, the apex court had on October 30 set down deadlines on the two politically sensitive cases -- the Sena split and the NCP fissures  entailing that the issue will be decided well in time for the general elections next summer, and state polls expected in October 2024.

Procedural wranglings between contesting parties cannot delay the disposal of these petitions... These proceedings cannot linger on until elections are announced, and the petitions are rendered infructuous. That seems to be the idea, the bench had said on October 30 while fixing the deadlines for the speaker.

Narwekar was directed to decide the disqualification petitions linked to the Sena split by December 31 and those connected to the split in NCP by January 31.

Following an extension of the deadline till January 10, Narwekar dismissed the disqualification petitions filed by the Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) group against Shinde and the MLAs that supported him during the rebellion in 2022 and holding the chief ministers faction to be the real Shiv Sena.

The UBT group later challenged the speakers decision before the Supreme Court, which issued notice on the petition last week and sought responses from Shinde and 38 other Shiv Sena legislators of his camp.
The ease of justice is the right of Indian citizens and the Supreme Court is the primary medium for achieving this, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday, imploring the top court to engage in capacity-building for all stakeholders so that the transition from old laws to the new regime can be seamless. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud at the 75th year celebrations of the Supreme Court of India, in New Delhi on Sunday. (PTI)

Inaugurating the diamond jubilee celebrations of the Supreme Court, the PM highlighted the governments initiatives in abolishing the colonial-era criminal laws and introducing new legislation  the Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Samhita, Bhartiya Nyaya Samhita, and Bhartiya Sakshya Adhiniyam.

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These laws, which were cleared by Parliament last month but are yet to be notified, will replace the Indian Penal Code, the Criminal Procedure Code and the Indian Evidence Act.

With the introduction of the new laws, the PM said 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.

READ | 'Ease of Justice right of citizens': PM Modi on Supreme Court's diamond jubilee

I request the Supreme Court that it should come forward and engage in capacity-building for all stakeholders, he said, and congratulated Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud and all top 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 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 the 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 dreamt of an independent India with principles of liberty, equality and justice guiding it, said Modi, applauding the Supreme Court 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 said.

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, and said that the law will reduce the number of pending cases, and alleviate unnecessary pressure from the judiciary.

He 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.

At the ceremony, the PM 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 in electronic format for free, while the Digital Courts 2.0 application is meant for district court judges to access court records in an electronic format. The new Supreme Court website will be in bilingual (in English and Hindi) and has been redesigned with a user-friendly interface.

The PM also commended the top court for making judgments available in a digital format and initiating the project to translate its verdicts in regional languages.

Recalling how he favoured the drafting of laws in simple language for people to better understand, Modi suggested a similar approach should be adopted in drafting court judgments and orders.

The PM congratulated CJI Chandrachud for his efficient monitoring of the digitization 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 aimed 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 space constraints in the current Supreme Court building, PM 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.

The PM 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 the mentioned Padma Bhushan being conferred posthumously to M Fathima Beevi  the first woman judge of the top court, calling it a matter of pride.
In a major security breach at New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) on Saturday, a day after the 75th Republic Day celebrations, an intruder entered the airfield by scaling the perimeter wall of the airport and reaching the runway. Indira Gandhi International Airport, in New Delhi (ANI)

An Air India pilot spotted a man on the runway when the former was parking the aircraft in the bay at around 11:30pm on Saturday. The pilot informed the Air Traffic Control (ATC) which directed the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to pursue the intruder.

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The intruder, who was found to be intoxicated, was then apprehended by the CISF, who was later handed over to the Delhi Police.

"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.

A Delhi court sent the man, hailing from Haryana's Nuh, to judicial custody while the police are 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," the Delhi Police said.

The city police, however, said there was no security lapse on their part as the airport security comes under the pursuit of CISF and Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL). The CISF provides a counter-terrorist security cover to the IGIA and is responsible for securing its perimeter wall.

"Airport security under CISF and DIAL..No Delhi police security lapse...," police officials further said.

The incident came as the security agencies of the national capital remained on high alert due to ongoing Republic Day celebrations and Beating the Retreat ceremony.

News agency ANI reported that the airport authorities were treating the matter with utmost seriousness. "Authorities have treated the incident with utmost seriousness, categorising it as a massive security breach and taking extensive measures to address the matter," ANI quoted a source as saying.

Earlier, the Mumbai Airport was fined 90 lakh, while IndiGo airlines 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.

(With inputs from agencies)
Rourkela police have busted an international online crime syndicate that allegedly defrauded people of at least 15 crore, according to preliminary investigations, the police announced. The police said the accused persons defrauded people of at least  15 crore. (HT Archive)

Six members of the syndicate were arrested on Friday by a team of Rourkela Police led by subdivisional police officer Upasana Padhi from Rourkela, Bhilai, Raipur in Chhattisgarh, and Ludhiana in Punjab after the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) linked more than 210 complaints from across the country to the cross-border gang.

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The syndicate has fleeced victims of at least 15 crore and received payments through Binance, a cryptocurrency exchange where transactions worth at least 30,000 US dollar tether (~ 24.93 lakh) have occurred in an account of an accused. US dollar tether is a cryptocurrency presently worth 83.12.

A probe was initiated after a central government officer was duped of 67.7 lakh and filed a case with the Cyber Police Station Rourkela on December 30. When initial investigations revealed that the case was linked to this organised international crime syndicate, a team led Padhi was formed on January 2, which received technical assistance from I4C and the state crime branch.

This syndicate has been active for more than a year, Padhi said. The six arrested Indians include Ujjwal (who had also created a betting app and frequently travelled to Dubai, Cambodia and Sri Lanka), Pankaj Rao, Sandeep Joshi and Mohammed Nassem (was involved in the Mahadev betting app case and was arrested in 2022).

The ringleader of the operation is suspected to be a foreign national, whom the arrested call lady boss, Padhi said. We have some evidence about her. We arent sure which country she belongs to. She is fluent in English, according to them, she said.

Most conversations among the gang members took place over Telegram app to avoid leaving a digital trail, but police have found recorded voice messages on the accused persons phones. The accused also said that there are seven foreign nationals involved in this. We are working to find out their nationalities and real identities, Padhi said.

Rourkela police is in talks with the Central Bureau of Investigation to communicate with Interpol regarding the case, she said. It is not yet known if Cambodian authorities have arrested anyone linked to the syndicate yet.

In India, the syndicate created a clone of Indira Securities, a genuine, SEBI-registered entity, to dupe victims. This fake app was never available on the Google Play Store, and victims were sent a link to sideload the app.

The fake app was advertised on Facebook and Instagram as an investment opportunity to lure people. The police have written to Meta that runs these social media platforms for more details even though the ads disappeared after police made the arrests.

Parallelly, as part of its modus operandi, the syndicate sets up a fake call centre in Cambodia using cyber slaves, that is, foreign nationals, who are tricked into relocating to Cambodia for better job opportunities but are instead forced to work as online scammers in locked compounds.

To set up a fake call centre in Cambodia using cyber slaves, the lady boss had asked Ujjwal to hire 10 people from India, Padhi said. Ujjwal had contacted an agent to hire fresh graduates. We are on the verge of identifying the agent, she said.

These cyber slaves call victims in India from Indian SIM cards that are procured and transported by a member of the syndicate, motivating them to invest in stocks. Initially, the fake app allows victims to withdraw initial returns, but the pay outs eventually stop.

This is called a pig butchering scam where akin to fattening a pig for slaughter, victims of financial frauds are lured into making increasing contributions to a seemingly sound investment before the defrauding party disappears.

Padhis team is investigating another such fake app that is defrauding people. Joshi allegedly procured 200 SIMs, which were taken to Cambodia by Ujjwal and Rao in their luggage in two trips in December, Padhi said. It is not clear if all the SIMs were registered in Joshis name, or used Joshis face to comply with KYC norms.

Indias Department of Telecommunications uses a in-house tool for SIM subscriber verification called ASTR to check if multiple SIMs have been issued to the same face. It is not yet known if Joshi was flagged by ASTR.

We dont have the actual SIMs yet, but we have a photograph and an Excel file with a list, Padhi said. We are going to share it with the telecom service providers to ascertain which of them has issued the SIMs.

There police have thus far identified seven bank accounts where the victims money was initially kept, and two payout accounts from where money was withdrawn by the fraudsters. These are all Indian accounts, some of which were accessed from Abu Dhabi and Cambodia according to internet logs received from the banks, police said.

They belong to various people across India, Padhi said. Police is investigating how many of these accounts are mule accounts and how many belong to members of the syndicate. For at least one bank account, the KYC documents used were linked to a member of the syndicate.

We are investigating if these were fake KYC documents or not. We are looking for similar relationships with other bank accounts, she said. There are many more accounts yet to be investigated and we are gathering more evidence about that.

Ujjwal told police that he received payments on Binance. Due to the recent blocking order on Binances app and website in India, police were not able to access his account, but have written to Binance for details of the transactions. Whatever data we have calculated is from the emails he received from Binance, Padhi said. It is not clear why the police could not access Binance using a VPN.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday said that the use of technology is crucial for the transparent implementation of schemes, emphasising that it is the most effective mantra to tackle corruption. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath (ANI)

Addressing a gathering at a smartphones and tablets distribution ceremony held under the Swami Vivekananda Youth Empowerment Scheme at Deeksha Bhawan of Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gorakhpur University, CM Yogi said, "By providing smartphones and tablets to two crore youth in order to equip them with technological tools to address today's challenges, the state government is rapidly advancing towards the goal of making the youth capable, competent, and self-reliant."

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During the event, around 1,000 students from universities and colleges were provided with smartphones. CM Yogi handed over smartphones to 15 students. The Chief Minister, while explaining the importance of technology to the youth, gave several practical examples.

He highlighted that the public distribution system in the state was entangled in 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 the 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 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 emphasized the transformative role of education institutions beyond merely awarding degrees, attributing the shift to the National Education Policy introduced by Prime Minister Modi. Under this policy, institutions are tasked with imparting not only traditional knowledge but also fostering self-reliance and self-sufficiency among students, he stated.

CM Yogi highlighted that with the help of smartphones provided by the government, youths can learn about the various schemes of the central and state governments, such as PM Startup, Standup, Mudra, and the Chief Minister's 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 an honorarium.

Mentioning cases of countries like Russia, Israel, South Korea, and Germany which have seen big wars, CM Yogi said that an increase in demand for Indian human resources has been seen in these countries during their reconstruction phase.

Citing the demand in countries like Israel, CM Yogi said that 5,000 people from Uttar Pradesh are working there, earning a monthly salary of 1.25 lakh to 1.50 lakh, along with getting free accommodation and meals. Yogi encouraged the youth to prepare for global opportunities, emphasising the need for skill development.

Addressing development skepticism in Ayodhya, CM 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.

CM Yogi called upon the youth to follow PM Modi's 'Panch Pran' (Five Pledges) for India's development. During the smartphone distribution, he interacted with students, encouraging them and promising support. The emotional encounter with a differently-abled youth, Prince Vishwakarma, highlighted the Chief Minister's commitment to inclusivity and individual encouragement.

MP Ravikishan Shukla also spoke on the occasion. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Poonam Tandon, welcomed CM Yogi and outlined the programme, while prominent figures, including District Panchayat President Sadhna Singh, Mayor Mangalesh Srivastava, and various legislators, were present at the event.
The Trinamool Congress on Monday accused West Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar of inciting physical violence against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. West Bengal BJP President Sukanta Majumdar addresses party workers in North 24 Parganas on January 11.(PTI)

BJP Bengal state president Dr Sukanta has crossed all lines of decency. Pandering to his puppet masters in Delhi has blinded him and made him so devoid of values that he now shamelessly encourages physical violence against the only woman Chief Minister of India, the TMC wrote while sharing an 8-second long video of a public speech of the state BJP chief. This is not just an insult to Mamata Banerjee but an affront to women everywhere.

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The TMC further accused the BJP of being a party of anti-women, chauvinistic and misogynistic hooligans who have no respect for the dignity of women!"

Trinamool Congress leader Mahua Moitra termed the incident as shameful and said that it reflects the depths to which the BJP can sink.

The head of the Bengal BJP who's also an MP has just publicly made a speech where he calls for physical violence to be used against the chief minister of Bengal Mamata Banerjee. It is absolutely shameful and just shows the depths to which the BJP can sink, Moitra said in a video statement.

She also accused the BJP of being a party that disrespects women.

"The prime minister keeps talking about Nari Shakti. Prime Minister your head of the BJP in Bengal has just called for the public to slap the chief minister. We've never heard of something so outrageous. We expect an apology from your misogynist patriarchal help in Bengal and we would also expect everyone in your party to come out and denounce these comments..." she said.

West Bengal minister Shashi Panja also criticised Majumdar and the BJP over the purported remarks.

Sukanta Majumdar, BJP president in West Bengal, speaks venom again. Derogatory words, inflammatory speeches and he is provoking the public to slap CM Mamata Banerjee. This is a party (BJP) which has hatred towards women and shows disrespect to women everyday, she alleged, according to PTI.
The Trinamool Congress on Monday hit out at Congress leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury over his remarks against the party and the Mamata Banerjee government in West Bengal.



The TMC chief has already vowed to contest all 42 seats of Bengal in the upcoming Lok Sabha election, dealing a major blow to the INDIA bloc of which her party is a member.



Referring to seat sharing deal with the Congress, TMC state general secretary Kunal Ghosh told news agency ANI,"The final decision of seat sharing is with CM Mamata Banerjee. But the way Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury continuously kept maligning our party & government, he is working like BJP's agent. Delhi leaders should think about this."



ALSO READ: Congresss failure to reach out, Rahuls comment irked Mamata Banerjee



On Saturday, Ghosh had made a similar attack at Chowdhury, accusing him of maligning the TMC and the chief minister. The way Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury continuously kept maligning our party and our government, Mamata Banerjee, he was helping the BJP. He was doing politics as a BJP agent. Now, the Delhi leaders are trying to do damage control, but the final decision related to this will be taken by our leader, Mamata Banerjee, he had said.



Ghosh's remarks come after TMC general secretary Abhishek Banerjee blamed the Congress for the differences over seat sharing arrangements. TMC state general secretary Kunal Ghosh.(ANI file)

"According to alliance norms, the first thing you do is seal the seat-sharing. We had waited for eight months to seal the seat-sharing issue. But the Congress was sitting idle and nothing moved forward," Banerjee was quoted by PTI as saying.



Both Ghosh and Banerjee have named Adhir Chowdhury, who had been attacking Mamata Banerjee in his remarks, even as Rahul Gandhi asserted that the TMC chief was close to him and his party.



We will not contest the elections at the mercy of Mamata Banerjee. Congress knows how to contest elections on its own, and the two seats we have won (in 2019 Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal) were by defeating Mamata and BJP. Mamta is an opportunist; she herself came to power in 2011, with the mercy of Congress," Chowdhury had said last week.
Chennai, Jan 29 (PTI) The death anniversary of Gandhiji on January 30 should be observed as religious harmony day, DMK President and Chief Minister M K Stalin has appealed to his party workers and the people across the country. HT Image

Slamming the Right wing, Stalin said the 'anger of communal elements' against Mahatma Gandhi has not subsided even 75 years after his death.

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Governor R N Ravi's comment that the "nation did not attain independence due to Gandhi" only reflected malice, the ruling party chief alleged in a statement on Sunday night.

Stalin's allegation comes days after Ravi said an 'erroneous impression' was created on his statement on Gandhiji. The Governor, on January 27 had said that he had only tried to 'make a point' that the revolt of the Royal Indian Navy and Air Force in February, 1946, inspired by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, accelerated the pace and process of Independence.

"I hold Mahatma Gandhi in the highest regard and his teachings have been the ideals of my life." The Governor had made that statement on the occasion of the 127th birth anniversary of Subhas Bose on January 23. "...some media did cherry-picking from my speech and gave it a twist."

The Chief Minister alleged efforts to 'damage pluralism' by 'besmirching Gandhiji's reputation.' The BJP-led Centre picking January 30 to mark the Swachh Bharat Abiyan (National Cleanliness Day) was 'sabotage.' The RSS tried to 'divert' attention by choosing October 2 (last year) to hold its marches. However, it was not allowed by the government led by him.

In order to nurture harmony, January 30 should be observed, across the country, as communal harmony day, Stalin appealed to the people and party workers.

The DMK chief tasked district party units to hold events in all districts to take a pledge to foster religious harmony. January 30, the day of assassination of Gandhiji in the year 1948 is observed as Martyrs' Day across the nation. On January 27, Stalin left for Spain to attract investments to the state and he is scheduled to return on February 7.
In order to receive government funding, colleges must have accreditation from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council, participate in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) and fill up to 75% of sanctioned teaching posts, Indias higher education regulator University Grants Commission (UGC) has proposed. Ludhiana, India - 18, 2019 : Students of Government College for Girls coming out of the college premises from gate number 2 it was reopened after five years in Ludhiana on Wednesday, September 18, 2019. (Photo by Gurminder Singh/Hindustan Times) (HT file)

The higher education regulatory released draft guidelines titled UGC (Fitness of Colleges for Receiving Grants) Rules, 2024, on Friday, and sought suggestions from stakeholders on the same.

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The draft guidelines have been prepared in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, and they seek to replace 1975 rules that are currently in place.

According to the draft guidelines, a college to which these rules apply will be declared to be fit to receive grants from the central government, the UGC, or any other organisation receiving funds from the central government, only if the UGC is satisfied that the college fulfills the proposed conditions.

The proposed conditions included valid accreditation from NAAC, ranked in the NIRF ranking in the respective category, and at least 60% of the total eligible programs by the colleges get accreditation from National Board of Accreditation (NBA), among others.

The colleges will have to an undertaking duly endorsed by the universities they are affiliated with that not less than 75% of the sanctioned teaching posts are filled up at the time of submission of application, teachers are paid as per UGC, state government, relevant regulatory authority norms, and the reservation policy is followed, according to the policy of central or the state government.

The colleges will also submit an undertaking to comply with all the rules, regulations, directions, notices and circulars issued by the UGC from time to time, the proposed guidelines added.

The commission also proposed to tighten the fee rule and said that the college charges from the students only the fees prescribed by the appropriate authority at the central/state level/university/ college or as per law in force.

Besides, under the draft guidelines, the college affiliated or recognised by a university, will submit an undertaking to refund unused part of the grant.

Some teachers at Delhi University raised concerns over the draft guidelines. They are an assault on the administrative autonomy of the colleges, alleged the Academics for Action and Development, a university teachers group. Mandatory accreditation by NAAC/NBA is a tool to privatize the colleges, it said.

The group also objected to the refunding of unused portions of state grants. The clause mandates refund of the unused budgetary allocations with strict timeline, which otherwise provide leverage to a university/college to meet its infrastructural/other contingent needs, it said.
New Delhi: The US processed more visas in India than ever before during 2023, cutting the wait time for visitor visa appointments by 75% through a combination of increase in staff numbers, innovations and increased efficiency. Indians now represent one out of every 10 US visa applicants across the world and demand for all types of visas was unprecedented in 2023, with a 60% increase in applications compared to the figures for 2022. (HT file photo)

Over the past year, the US embassy and consulates in India processed 1.4 million visas. Indians now represent one out of every 10 US visa applicants across the world and demand for all types of visas was unprecedented in 2023, with a 60% increase in applications compared to the figures for 2022, the US embassy said in a statement.

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With more than 700,000 applications, visitor or B1 and B2 visas now represent the second highest number of applications for the US. The statement said the US missions met this demand through a staffing surge for three months in Mumbai early in 2023, by increasing permanent staff levels, and through the use of innovative technical solutions.

Process improvements and investments in staffing brought the appointment wait time for visitor visas down from an average of 1,000 days to 250 days across India. Wait times are minimal in all other categories, the statement said.

The US missions in India issued more than 140,000 student visas in 2023  more than in any other country in the world, setting a record for the third year in a row, the statement said.

Taken individually, Mumbai, New Delhi, Hyderabad, and Chennai now stand as the top four student visa processing posts in the world. As a result of these surging numbers, Indian students have become the largest group of international graduate students in the US and make up more than a quarter of the over one million foreign students studying in the US, the statement said.

Also Read: US, India handle differences maturely: Finer

Employment visas remain a top priority and the US consular team in India consolidated most petition-based visa processing in Chennai and Hyderabad to increase efficiency, leading to the processing of more than 380,000 employment visas for Indians and their family members in 2023. This also allowed the US mission to maintain a minimal appointment wait time for these visas.

In 2024, a pilot programme will allow eligible H1B holders to renew their visas in the US, further streamlining the process for this group, the statement said.

The US consulate general in Mumbai eliminated a queue of more than 31,000 immigrant visa cases delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic. Those who have a pending immigrant visa petition and are ready for scheduling can now obtain an appointment within the standard, pre-pandemic appointment window, the statement said.

The US will continue to invest in the future of consular services in India and explore ways to provide more efficient and convenient services. These investments include the opening of a new $340-million facility in Hyderabad in March last year, the announcement of two new consulates in Ahmedabad and Bangalore, continued capital improvements for facilities around India, and the permanent assignment of more consular officers to the country.
BJP leader Samrat Choudhary, the new deputy chief minister of Bihar, has responded to the criticism related to his turban. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar with Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary at the Raj Bhawan in Patna on January 28.(Santosh Kumar/ Hindustan Times)

Choudhary, along with Vijay Kumar Sinha of the Bharatiya Janata Party, were appointed as deputy chief ministers to Nitish Kumar on Sunday.

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Kumar ditched the Mahagathbandhan and the opposition bloc INDIA and formed a new government with the BJP in Bihar on Sunday. Overall, it was his fifth crossover in a little over a decade, preceding his ninth time as chief minister.

Samrat Choudhary moved to the BJP from JD(U) in 2018. He was named the vice-president of the state unit in 2018 and became a minister in the chief minister Nitish government after the NDA won the 2020 assembly polls.

He started sporting a saffron turban in 2022 after Nitish left the NDA and again joined hands with the RJD and Congress, saying that he would take it off after dethroning Nitish.

On Sunday, on a question about his vow, Choudhary struck a conciliatory note saying that he made the promise in an emotional moment.

The BJP is like a second mother to me. When my mother left, I tied the turban. Today, if I have to bow my head in Ayodhya in honour of the second mother, I am willing to do, he said during a press conference.

He added: In Ayodhya, I will unveil the turban. I will bow my head at the feet of Lord Ram.

Also Read | Bihar politics: Why did Nitish Kumar leave NDA and form government with RJD in 2022?

Nitish Kumar quit the INDIA bloc on Sunday, saying things were not working well in the alliance. He later formed a government in alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Nitish Kumar had first switched over from the NDA to the Mahagathbandhan in 2013. He then quit the alliance in 2017 and moved to the NDA. In 2022, he yet again joined hands with Lalu Yadav's party.
Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumars decision to again ally with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will bump up the ruling dispensations numbers in the Rajya Sabha as well. With Kumars Janata Dal (United) now a part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), five of its Rajya Sabha MPs will sit on the treasury benches, bringing up the total to 114. BJP national president JP Nadda with Bihar Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Sinha during a press conference at BJP office in Patna Bihar on Sunday. (Santosh Kumar/ HT)

The five members include Rajya Sabha deputy chairperson Harivansh. The arithmetic in the Upper House is crucial as the NDA doesnt have a majority and relies on friendly parties such as Biju Janata Dal and YSR Congress Party to push legislation. With the support of the JD(U), the NDA now has 114 seats in the House that currently has 238 members, as seven seats are vacant.

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The change of guard in Patna also ensures that the ruling dispensation gets three of its six Rajya Sabha seats in the biennial election in April. A total of 55 seats of the Upper House are going to polls in April. The additional seats will help the BJP offset any possible loss of support from the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, which has four seats in the Upper House. The six seats from Bihar will face biennial elections in April. In the earlier disposition, when Kumar was in alliance with the Rashtriya Janata Dal and Congress, the NDA had only one of these six MPs. The JD(U) and RJD had two MPs each and the other lawmaker belonged to the Congress.

READ | Nitish Kumar won't win more than 20 seats in 2025: Prashant Kishor's big prediction

With Kumar switching sides, Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP would be able to retain all three seats of the NDA (one BJP, two JDU) in the biennial election.

These six MPs whose terms are ending include Manoj Kumar Jha and Ashfaque Karim from the RJD, BJPs Sushil Modi, Bashistha Narayan Singh and Anil Prasad Hegde of the JD(U) and Congress lawmaker Akhilesh Prasad Singh.

In the biennial poll, each party would need at least 36 MLAs to win a seat. The ruling alliance has 128 seats in Bihar, which ensures they have enough votes to win three seats.

Similarly, the opposition group in Biharcomprising the RJD, Congress, Communist Party of India (MarxistLeninist), Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Communist Party of India have 114 seats. They too, provided they retain their strength, can bag three seats.
Mahatma Gandhi Punyatithi 2024: Mahatma Gandhi is the Father of the Nation. One of the legendary advocates of peace, Gandhi led the freedom movement in India while he embraced non-violent and peaceful ways of fighting against the British rule. The British ruled India for over 200 years  Mahatma Gandhi was the one who proposed that we can fight the British through non-violent methods. However, Mahatma Gandhi was shot briefly after the country gained independence. On January 30, 1948, Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated. Every year, he is remembered on his death anniversary as the people of the country observe Mahatma Gandhi Punyatithi. Martyrs' Day 2024: Date, history and significance of Shaheed Diwas, Punyatithi of Mahatma Gandhi(Getty Images)

Mahatma Gandhi Punyatithi is a sad day for us as we lost a great visionary and the father of the nation. As we observe the day, here are a few things to remember:

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ALSO READ: The enduring power of Gandhis ideology

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Date:

On January 30, during Mahatma Gandhi's evening prayer at Birla Bhavan, Delhi, he was shot thrice by Nathuram Vinayak Godse. In November 1949, Godse was sentenced to death.

History:

On January 30, 1948, Mahatma Gandhi was on his way to address an evening prayer meeting at Birla Bhavan, Delhi along with his grandnieces. At around 5:17 PM, Nathuram Godse  a Hindu nationalist  fired three bullets from a pistol into Mahatma Gandhi's chest. According to records, Gandhi died instantly. Mahatma Gandhi was a legendary peace advocate and a visionary who preached of non-violent ways of fighting the British and gaining independence for the country.

Significance:

Mahatma Gandhi is known all over the country for influencing minds for practising peace and non-violence. He influenced people both in India as well as abroad. Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary  October 2  is celebrated as The International Day of Non-violence. It was proposed by the United Nations General Assembly. School Day of Nonviolence and Peace is observed on Mahatma Gandhi's death anniversary this day is dedicated to chiseling young minds in schools to explore peaceful ways of conflict resolution.
School Day of Non-violence and Peace 2024: With the world currently engaging in conflicts after another, it is high time to put an end to it and explore non-violent and peaceful ways to settle disagreements and problems. Conflicts and wars are the worst thing that can happen to mankind  people lose their lives, common man lose their families, victims are inflicted with lifetime trauma and so much more. Wars and conflicts are horrible, and it is high time that we embrace peaceful attempts to settle the matters. School Day of Non-violence and Peace is mainly observed in schools to teach young minds of the significance of peace and remind them of the teachings of advocates of peace and non-violence including Mahatma Gandhi. School Day of Non-violence and Peace 2024: Date, history, significance(Unsplash)

As we gear up to celebrate the special and important day, here are a few things to keep in mind.

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ALSO READ: International Day of Peace 2023: Date, history, significance, celebration of World Peace Day

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Date:

Every year, School Day of Non-violence and Peace is observed on January 30. This year, the special day will be observed on a Tuesday.

History:

Spanish poet, educator and pacifist Llorenc Vidal Vidal felt that schools are the place where the young minds are chiseled, and young leaders are made. Hence, the importance of peace and non-violence should be taught in schools to help them start early. Hence, he put this idea into execution in his hometown in Majorca. He conceptualised the day to be used in creating awareness in young minds about the importance of exploring non-violent ways for conflict resolution. The day was called Dia Escolar de la No-violencia i la Pau  translated to English as School Day of Non-violence and Peace. Soon, the day started to gain importance all over the world. The day is still referred to as DENIP  the acronym of its Spanish name.

Significance:

Llorenc Vidal Vidal chose January 30 as the date to observe School Day of Non-violence and Peace as it is the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi  the legendary advocate for world peace. one of the best ways to observe this day is by organising a seminar on the significance of peaceful ways of conflict resolution in local school and discuss with a peace activist. We should also spread this word on the Internet and help people understand the importance of peace.
Apart from eliminating a significant portion of the tumour cells, cancer therapies such as chemotherapy also produce senescent tumour cells, which are also referred to as "zombi cells." Senescent cells do not proliferate, but regrettably, they create an atmosphere that is conducive to the growth of tumour cells that may have evaded the effects of the chemotherapy, which can lead to the ultimate regeneration of the tumour. Immunotherapy eliminates senescent cells, making chemotherapy more efficient: Study(Unsplash)

An international team of researchers led by Dr. Manuel Serrano at IRB Barcelona have described how cancer cells that have become senescent after chemotherapy activate the PD-L2 protein to protect themselves from the immune system while recruiting immune suppressor cells. The latter creates an inhibitory environment that impairs the ability of lymphocytes to kill cancer cells. Based on these findings, scientists wondered what would be the effect of inactivating PD-L2. Interestingly, senescent cells lacking PD-L2 are rapidly eliminated by the immune system. This intercepts the capacity of senescent cells to create an immunosuppressive environment and, as a result, lymphocytes retain their full capacity to kill those cancer cells that may have escaped the effects of chemotherapy.

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"By blocking PD-L2 in mouse models, we have seen that chemotherapy is more effective against cancer. This finding paves the way to consider the use of a potential PD-L2 inhibitor as an adjuvant in the treatment of this disease," explains Dr. Manuel Serrano, currently at Altos Labs (Cambridge, United Kingdom).

The study has been done using cell lines and animal models of melanoma, pancreatic and breast cancer.

Senescence -- a common phenomenon in cancer therapies

Cellular senescence is a process that occurs naturally during ageing and it is common in the context of cancer therapies. Most of these treatments (such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy) act by causing extensive cellular damage and, as a result, bring about senescent cells, particularly within the tumour. The team of scientists will now study whether senescent cells linked to the ageing of the organism also exhibit elevated levels of PD-L2.

"Although more experiments are needed to characterise the role of this molecule in different types of human cancers, this work has enhanced our understanding of the role of PD-L2 and the interaction of senescent cells with the immune system," explains Dr. Jose Alberto Lopez, a postdoctoral researcher from the same laboratory and first author of the work together with Dr. Selim Chaib. In 2024, Dr. Lopez will be starting a new laboratory at the Salamanca Cancer Research Center, a joint endeavour between the University of Salamanca and CSIC. Dr. Chaib is now at the Mayo Clinic, in Minnesota (United States).

This work has been carried out in collaboration with the groups led by Drs. Joaquin Arribas, Alena Gros and Maria Abad at the Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO). Dr. Arribas is now the director of the Hospital del Mar Research Institute (IMIM) and Dr. Abad works at Altos Labs. The team led by Drs. James Kirkland and Tamara Tchkonia at the Mayo Clinic contributed important data to this study. This work has also involved the company Rejuveron Senescence Therapeutics, which is developing antibodies against PD-L2 for clinical use and has central offices in Zurich and Barcelona.
Snowfall in Kashmir has brought cheers to the tourism sector, sparking joy among tourists and the local people linked with the tourism industry. Tourists are seen enjoying snowfall at Gulmarg in Kashmir, India. Snowfall rescues tourism in Kashmir, tourists flock to Gulmarg and Sonamarg (HT Photo by /Hindustan Times)

The industry was feeling battered over the last couple of months in the absence of a good snowfall, with many intending tourists cancelling their bookings and tour operators receiving little to no queries.

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The tourist arrivals to the valley, which usually witnesses a higher footfall, especially at resorts like Gulmarg, fell in the absence of snow - a cause of worry for the tourism stakeholders in the valley.

However, the snowfall at the fag-end of Chilla-i-Kalan -- a 40-day harsh winter period when the chances of snowfall are maximum and most frequent - has brought cheers to both the tourists as well as the tourism players.

Hundreds of tourists, including children, have been enjoying the snowfall at Gulmarg and Sonamarg resorts.

We had booked tickets for January 23, but we postponed our journey after checking the forecast. We arrived on January 25 and were lucky to see the snowfall. We experienced snowfall first in Sonamarg and then in Gulmarg as well. We are so thrilled to be here, Aninda and Deotima, a tourist couple from Kolkata, said at Gulmarg.

They said Kashmir really looks like a paradise after snowfall.

Mohammad Imran, a tourist from Nagpur in Maharashtra said he returned to the Gulmarg resort again after the snowfall.

Two days back, there was nothing and the ground looked empty. By the grace of God, now there is snow and we feel great to be here... When we heard there was snowfall in Gulmarg, we came back from Srinagar, he said.

Aryan, a young tourist from Bangalore who has come to Kashmir with his parents and sister, said it was a great feeling. It feels so good. It looks like heaven, he said, enjoying the snowfall.

Ankit Makane, a part of a 15-member tourist group from Mumbai, enjoyed playing in the snow at Sonamarg. It feels truly and literally like heaven. Kashmir is so beautiful and the people here are really amazing. We enjoyed a lot, he said.

It is not only the tourists who are cheered up, the snowfall has sparked joy among the local tourism players as well. We thank God for the snow. We feel very happy because it will not only increase tourism, but it is vital for the sustenance, Parvaiz Ahmad, a local tourism service provider in Gulmarg, said.

Another stakeholder, Abdul Rashid, said the livelihoods of private service providers were affected due to a prolonged dry spell over the last two months, but the snowfall has come as a blessing.

For the past two months, there was not much work. With the snowfall, the tourist arrivals have increased and the snow-related activities have started, Rashid said.

In the absence of snowfall at popular tourist spots like Sonamarg and Gulmarg, the tourists used to make a beeline to places like Sinthan Top connecting Anantnag district with Kishtwar  which remains covered under snow for most of the year.

Meanwhile, authorities have issued advisories to tourists and locals visiting places like Sonamarg and Gulmarg.

They have said only 4X4 vehicles and those with anti-skid chains would be allowed to travel towards Gulmarg and Sonamarg due to slippery conditions in the wake of snowfall.

The Meteorological Department has forecast a possibility of light to moderate rain or snow at many places of the Union Territory with chances of heavy snowfall over a few higher reaches like Kupwara, Bandipora, Baramulla, Ganderbal, Shopian, Kulgam and Anantnag districts over the next two days.
The Nasadiya Sukta, also known as the Creation Hymn, is part of the Rig Veda and is believed to have been composed in the ninth century BCE. Its simple translation goes like this:

Who really knows? Who can presume to tell it?

Whence was it born? Whence issued this creation?

Even the Gods came after its emergence.

Then who can tell from whence it came to be?

That out of which creation has arisen,

whether it held it firm or it did not,

He who surveys it in the highest heaven,

He surely knowsor maybe He does not!

Three thousand years later, the same dilemma continues to confront historians, archaeologists and all those who believe that the past contains important lessons for the future. To know what might have happened in the past is possible although to reproduce it in its entirety is impossible. The information gaps can be attempted to be filled with data collected through the objective use of scientific methods. With advancements in technology, we have come to know a lot more about the past than we did even two decades ago.

Archaeological sciences today comprise varied techniques and interdisciplinary collaborations such as organic residue analysis, isotope dating, pollen analysis and Lidar (light detection and ranging), these allow us to extract new information from existing archaeological findings but also enable the identification of entire habitations that have hitherto lain undiscovered right under the ground beneath our feet.

The region lying between the Ganga and Yamuna is rich in archaeological findings, indicating that the area has been populated for millennia, a fact now corroborated not by archaeology alone. Modern scientific methods are gradually becoming interdisciplinary. One such field is vegetation history and archaeobotany. The botanical history of a region can give us vital clues about the evolution of particular societies. The history of pollen found from a certain site helps us understand the changes that have occurred over time and, crucially, can tell us when people evolved from foraging to farming. In fact, pollen analysis in the Gangetic plains has revealed that farming in the region began around 5000 BCE.

Did Aryans come from outside India or were they an indigenous tribe that eventually spread to different parts of the world? The science of DNA analysis has provided evidence that shows that there were at least two big migrations into the Indian subcontinent in the last 10 millennia. But, it is unlikely that this would be accepted by those who believe the Indian Vedic culture is entirely indigenous. This constant struggle between sciences and beliefs, between reasoned and fair inquiries and efforts that set out to prove legends and myths is something that we as Indians have been grappling with ever since the Ayodhya dispute became mainstream in the late 1980s.

The discipline of archaeology finds itself helpless when it becomes a tool in the hands of vested interests. When called upon to undertake surveys to ascertain the history of a site with multiple histories such as Ayodhya or the latest, the Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi, its role instantly becomes one of proving or disproving the dominant narrative. In the past, it has been the personal zeal of certain archaeologists themselves that has led to probes to discover material evidence of myths and epics. BB Lal, who retired as director general of the Archaeological Survey of India, led a post-retirement project funded by the ASI to work on the archaeology of Ramayana sites.

The science of unearthing

The role of an archaeologist is to create plausible scenarios of the past using art history, analysis of architectural elements and newer techniques. A typical archaeological excavation involves laying trenches in a site and gradually clearing it layer by layer.

It has to be remembered that in such excavations whatever is found becomes evidence only when a rigorous procedure of documentation is followed, and when the find is situated in its context i.e. the relevant strata or the layer of soil deposit.

For instance, in the ongoing matter over the Gyanvapi mosque, ASI has reportedly found certain fragments of alleged idols in a heap of debris in the vicinity of the mosque. These, the Muslim custodians say, may have been dumped there by sculptors who worked in shops in the distant past. The Hindu side refutes this. As the only official technical body, the ASI will be expected to take a stand on this. However, it is clear that as these finds have been discovered in a heap of debris and not through scientific and documented excavation these cannot ever be considered as evidence of any nature whatsoever.

Read also: Explained: Decoding ASIs Gyanvapi mosque survey report

This brings us to a larger question: What is the role of archaeology in todays India and is it capable of staying neutral and rigorous while conducting probes to ascertain the historicity of sites with confluent histories? Archaeology's basic and constitutive principle is historical conservation, this is present in several laws and statutes, including, in a sense, the Places of Worship Act, 1991. Even if there is incontrovertible evidence, archaeology cannot become a weapon to address imaginary or real wrongs of the past. Throughout India, beneath several religious sites including temples, it is likely that we will find evidence of other religious structures. Are we prepared to go down the path of excavating every site that is contested today or might become contested in the future? India's history is a confluence of peoples, religions, races, and languages. It is foolhardy to imagine a pristine past that belonged to a particular religion before it was sullied by invaders or interlopers. India remains a patchwork quilt and therefore any attempt to remove one patch will dissever the whole.

The ASIs findings also point to this irrefutable fact. Take, for example, the Ashokan pillar located inside the Allahabad fort. It carries Ashokan edicts, the eulogy of Samudragupta, and another inscription of Feroz Shah Tughlaq  whose mother, Naila, was a Bhatti Rajput. The inscriptions end with a gorgeously chiselled genealogy of another emperor, Jahangir. The pillar is a testimony to the layered history of India as it encapsulates the past over three millennia, in three languages and by three different emperors. It is an object of great honour and pride as it shows the continuity of great cultures. We are a land of confluence, and any dig into our ever-elusive past will always point to this as the big picture. We must never lose sight of that.

Valay Singh is the author of Ayodhya: City of Faith, City of Discord. He is currently working on a biography of Varanasi. The views expressed are personal.
Are we on the cusp of a cultural awakening, a renaissance reshaping our country? To answer this question, Id like to introduce you to two persons.

The first is Alamdar Abdi, an experienced journalist based in Ayodhya. I asked him what he, and the Muslims of Ayodhya, thought about the construction of the temple. He recalled that as long as the dispute had persisted, confrontations would frequent. There was an atmosphere of fear in 1992, he said, We were worried about our future. Now we are confident that no one will disturb us and that we will be able to move forward together.

The second person is Nepals biggest industrialist and businessman, Upendra Mahato. He attended Ram Lallas consecration ceremony. He claims that it is not just the time for sanatan dharma, but also the resurgence of Indian culture. I am a Nepalese citizen, but I am glad that our morals, attitudes, and behaviours are similar. This would boost connections between India and Nepal and motivate us to move further. Ram Lallas temple, like sanatan dharma, represents a cultural renaissance, he said.

Pay attention. Alamdar Abdi is an Indian Muslim, while Upendra Mahato is a Nepalese Hindu. One is of a different religion, the other is of a different nationality, yet they both think in the same way. Those who witnessed what happened in 1992 find it difficult to believe in this new rising trend. Many so-called thinkers predicted that December 6 would mark the beginning of the end of Indias Ganga-Jamuni culture. Theyve been proven wrong. This is why the tone has shifted, even in the cocktail circle in Lutyens Delhi. Until a few years ago, the privileged class regarded speaking out on this issue as against their elitism.

How did this shift in thinking occur?

In fact, over his 10-year reign, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi has succeeded in dispelling many myths that frightened Indians. As soon as he began his second tenure, he added sabka vishwas to the slogan sabka saath, sabka vikas. Then questions arose about how he would gain the trust of everyone. Modi never wears a skullcap and does not host iftar parties. He sees such actions as religious appeasement. Regardless, why is this sentiment spreading? The reason is straightforward. The government has ensured that social programmes reach all poor people without discrimination. Along with these social initiatives, the repeal of triple talaq sent a fresh message to Muslim women, and communal rioting was kept under control during this time. When we combine these facts with Abdis wish for peace, as indicated at the beginning of this piece, everything becomes clear.

Read or listen carefully to the PMs remarks at Ram Lallas pran pratishtha event. There was religiosity, but not communalism. There was cultural unity, not alienation. There was a vision of a wealthy India and a desire to take everyone along with it. It was not without reason that, shortly before him, the sarsanghchalak of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh stated that there is no need to injure anyone elses thinking or belief in our zeal. Those who believe that this entire event is just an election gimmick should acknowledge that the behaviour of the crowd that has been gathering in Ayodhya for the past week is evidence that we are experiencing a cultural renaissance. If this were not so, Diwali would not have been celebrated on January 22 in Bengal and Bihar, both of which are known for casteism and sectarian discord.

In terms of politics, we must remember that every party engages in politics, and politics is not about sacrifice but about acquiring power; therefore, it is preferable to limit this conversation to cultural change.

For those who have forgotten, I humbly remind them of the Renaissance in Europe, which began in the 15th century. This was a period when both capitalism and socialism were prospering. Machiavelli and Shakespeare were both born during this period. Leonardo da Vinci and Donato Bramante made an indelible mark on art during this period. Europe is currently in decline, but Mahato sees this as Indias time to thrive.

One more point to note here. Europe took six-seven centuries to recover from the era of social, cultural, and economic deterioration following the fall of the Roman Empire. We gained Independence only 77 years ago, after centuries of slavery. Civilisations cannot turn in such a short period, yet we are paving the way for a renaissance. Surely, no one can stop us from constructing fresh and wonderful stories for ourselves.

Shashi Shekhar is editor-in-chief, Hindustan. The views expressed are personal
When Union home minister Amit Shah announced on January 20 that the central government had decided to fence the India-Myanmar border and revoke the Free Movement Regime (FMR), very few realised the historical nature of his pronouncement. For the first time ever, a government in Delhi had publicly suggested the complete sealing of the 1640 km-long border.

The same government, in 2018, had inked a bilateral land boundary agreement with Myanmar to formalise the FMR. Back then, New Delhi had called it an enabling arrangement for movement of people across (the) India-Myanmar border. So, Shahs announcement reverses a growing culture of openness that the political establishments on both sides of the border had cautiously fostered for many decades, despite headwinds on the security front.

A history of the Free Movement regime

While the visa-free mobility regime received a bilateral stamp of approval in 2018, the open border between the two countries has a much longer history. In 1826, after a two-year war, forces of the British East India Company routed the Burmese empire and expelled it from the eastern front. A peace treaty signed in Yandabo, a village by the Irrawaddy River, forced the Burmese to give away Assam and Manipur to the British. The pact also produced the first version of a demarcated land boundary between India and Burma, which British cartographers amended several times in the subsequent decades.

But neither the British nor the Burmese attempted to stop local tribal communities from shuttling back and forth, let alone fence the border. This was because of the logistical implausibility of building a fence through the unusually hostile terrain through which the boundary ran.

There was another, more pressing, reason. Both empires knew that the partially demarcated boundary cut across a continuous ethnic geography. Neither wanted to physically slice up such a space and irk local hill tribes inhabiting the border areas.

This logic endured through the decades, right until Burma achieved independence in 1948. The same year, the new government in Rangoon enacted The Burma Passport Rules. Honouring the legacy of the open border, it allowed hill tribes living in areas adjacent to the border with India to cross over into Burma without visas and travel up to 25 miles (or 40 km). The Indian government put in place an exactly similar provision. The only difference was that the Indian government allowed those crossing over from Burma to stay for three days, while Rangoon let those entering from India stay for just a day.

Thus, the Free Movement Regime as we know it today was born at the same time as the two new nations. In that sense, the open border and decolonisation were historical twins.

Reasons behind the tightening of the regime

But, the years after independence were complicated. Freedom from colonialism brought to the fore incendiary political divisions within both India and Burma. Insurgencies erupted on both sides of the border, whose openness came as a boon to armed groups looking for safe havens. Soon, realising that Naga, Mizo and Meitei insurgents had been using the unregulated cross-border mobility regime to establish a strategic backyard in western Myanmar, Delhi put the first check on the open border policy in August 1968: travel permits.

Yet, even as the insurgency raged on, neither government withdrew the FMR or fenced the border. Because it was both a logistical nightmare and a political risk, downsizing the policy was deemed to be less costly than erecting a fence. Therefore, in 2004, the Indian government reduced the visa-free travel zone from 40 km down to 16 km. Myanmar, however, didnt follow suit, at least in official policy. This divergence generated a lack of clarity on the status quo, which was settled only fourteen years later in 2018 when both countries harmonised the regime.

The Nagas, Mizos, Kuki-Zo, Singpho and other ethnic communities with cross-border familial ties always saw the demarcated boundary as nothing more than a colonial vestige. While territorial notions of national belongingness have certainly shaped their political identities in the postcolonial period, the border itself remained an abstract idea that only notionally partitioned a historical ethnic homeland. In fact, many of these tribes reconciled with their Indian-ness precisely because of the flexibility accorded to them at the border.

Hence, despite the volatility and growing suspicion within Indias security establishment about the open border, sealing it was no ones proposition. Even the deadly ambushes against the Indian Army and Assam Rifles in 2015 and 2021, respectively, by militants based in Myanmar did not immediately result in a revocation of the FMR or a decision to seal the border.

A louder call for restricted border movement

But, in recent years, voices against the open border have grown in scope and size, both within the Northeast and in Delhi. Among them, the Meitei civil society and political class in Manipur have been at the forefront of advocating for a harder border to protect the territorial integrity of the state. They have found supporters in central institutions, including the Assam Rifles and defence ministry who see the FMR as an Achilles heel of Indias border management architecture.

These sentiments have always existed. But, Indias Act East Policy, announced by the Modi government in 2014, ensured that the overall policy tilt remained in favour of an open border for the sake of stronger overland connectivity, bilateral trade and people-to-people contacts.

New Delhi appears to have abandoned this sound logic now. The violent convulsions in Manipur that began in May, combined with Imphals concerns about supposed interlopers from Myanmar, provided the final political push towards reversing the rich legacy of the unfenced border.

Successive governments in New Delhi have been wise to recognise that the India-Myanmar border isnt about a few ethnic communities punctuating an international boundary line, but rather the very opposite  an international boundary line, conjured by colonial cartographers, punctuating the timeless homeland of several ethnic communities. The Modi government should not dismiss this reality if it wants to effectively manage its northeastern frontiers.

Angshuman Choudhury is an Associate Fellow with the Centre for Policy Research and focuses on Northeast India and Myanmar. The views expressed are personal
Chief Minister of Haryana, Manohar Lal Khattar, visited his village, Baniyani, in the Rohtak district on January 29. During his visit, he donated his ancestral home for the greater good of the society. Khattar presented his home to village authorities for the establishment of an e-library. He also took the opportunity to assess the ongoing development projects in the village. Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar handing over papers of his ancestral home to village authorities. (X/ANI)

Today, I have come to my village, and this village is very special to me. In a way, my childhood has been spent here, and my education also took place in this village. I feel that the symbol my parents associated with my name here should contribute to the village. So today, I have given my house to the village, for a purpose. I have donated approximately 200 yards to my village, CM Khattar said.

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He added that creating a library for the people of the village gives him immense pleasure: The goal is to establish an E-library for future generations, ensuring educational resources for children and youth of the village. After creating the library, if required, other uses can also be explored. This announcement brings me immense joy.

News agency ANI tweeted a video showing CM Khattar handing over the papers of his ancestral home to the village authorities.

Watch the video here:

The video was shared on January 29. It has since accumulated a flurry of likes and comments. An X user wrote, This man is built different. CM Khattar is a hardworking and honest man, expressed another. A third chimed in, Very magnanimous of you, sir. And what best way to immortalize a dwelling than donating it for a noble cause. Respects.

The CM inaugurated an electric bus service in Panipat today, January 29, and said, We are committed to developing better resources so that the environment remains clean and the public gets comfortable travel facilities. Today, by inaugurating the city bus service in Panipat, he dedicated electric and air-conditioned buses to the service of the people of Haryana, and himself enjoyed the bus journey. Passengers traveling in these buses will get the benefit of comfortable travel with facilities.

He also unveiled the newly-constructed statue of Shri Shri 1008 Sant Durbalnath Ji Maharaj at Banso Gate in Karnal and paid his respects.

CM Khattar said, Saints and Mahatmas have always played an important role in uniting the society, creating values among the people and keeping them away from evil practices. Our effort is that the future generations should also connect with the thoughts of the saints and follow their ideals.
An alumnus of the Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta (IIM-C), took to X to share a picture of a letter his mother had sent him during his first year of MBA in Finance and Marketing in 2007. The letter was written in Tamil, and the man translated it into English. The heartwarming yet brief letter caught peoples attention on social media and received numerous comments from netizens. The letter, written in Tamil, was shared by the IIM alumnus on X. (X/@swamikrish2001)

Ammas letter to me when I was at IIM first year, wrote Srikrishna Swaminathan while sharing the letter on X. In the next few lines, he shared what his mother wrote in the letter. It reads, Call home, study, dont waste time, think of Bhagawan [God] and Wednesday is Gayathri Japam. Appa is fine. Love, Amma.

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Take a look at the tweet here:

The tweet was shared a few hours ago. Since then, it has collected over 64,900 views and still counting. In addition to this, the letter has received numerous likes and retweets. A few X users even took to the comments section of the post and shared their thoughts.

Heres how people reacted to this brain teaser:

Moms love, wrote an individual.

Another added, Adorable! I also have one such letter from mom when I left home for college the first time.

No one can beat moms, posted a third.

A fourth expressed, Reminds me of my college days from 1984 to 1988. Age of no phone, no emails, no WhatsApp. We used to look at the floor after opening the room door to check if we got a letter.

Loved the brevity, shared a fifth.

A sixth chimed in, Simple and powerful words, sir!

What are your thoughts on this?
Loud budgeting is the latest social media trend that has attracted the attention of people globally. But what exactly is this financial trend that has taken peoples fancy, particularly Gen Z, and how can it benefit you? 'Loud budgeting' is a financial trend started by TikTok creator Lukas Battle. (AFP PHOTO / INDRANIL MUKHERJEE (AFP))

What is Loud Budgeting?

Loud budgeting is a financial trend started by TikTok creator Lukas Battle. At its core, this trend revolves around openly acknowledging your financial limitations and directing your money towards meaningful savings goals.

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Its not I dont have enough, its I dont want to spend, Battle said in his TikTok video that has gone viral with over a million views as per the New York Post. He added, While quiet luxury is about idolising celebrities, loud budgeting is about the everyday person.

Battle advised his followers to be transparent about their finances with friends, encouraging open discussions about budgets and future plans. This way, it is easier to decline invitations for expensive dinners and trips or even split the bill when you only have a cheaper item. For instance, if you only had a shake that costs 100, you can decline to split the 2,000 bill and instead pay just for yourself.

It was meant to be a silly idea that allows people to be financially transparent without feeling embarrassed, Battle told the Evening Standard.

How are people reacting to this financial trend?

An individual tweeted, Quiet luxury is out in 2024 and loud budgeting is in.

Its not I dont have enough, its I dont want to spend, wrote another on X.

A third remarked, I just started getting comfortable spending extra on non-essentials, and everyone wants to start loud budgeting now?

Just watched a section on the news: Gen Z is loud Budgeting. Why do we have to label everything? expressed a fourth on microblogging platform X.

What are your thoughts on this social media trend?
Nithin Kamath, CEO of Zerodha, took to Instagram to share how he pranked his employees. Kamath shared an old video of him planning a fake police raid and causing a frenzy among people in Zerodha's Bengaluru office. After the video was shared, it quickly garnered attention and went viral on Instagram. Employees at Zerodha office getting pranked. (Instagram/@NithinKamath)

This prank we ran over 10 years ago, wrote Kamath as he shared the video. The clip shows him planning the prank step-by-step. He first identifies the office where he wants to carry out the prank. Then, he installs hidden cameras to record everything. Kamath also hires three fake policemen and even creates a fake document. (Also Read: Zerodha CEO remembers biggest cheerleader father: First customer whenever we)

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Once the fake police enter their office, the employees can be seen trying to make sense of what is happening. Throughout the video, a few people even question the police regarding the raid. At the end of the clip, Kamath reveals the truth and surprises the employees.

Watch the video here:

This post was shared on January 28. Since being posted, it has garnered more than two lakh views. The post also has over 15,000 likes and numerous comments.

Heres how people reacted to the video:

An individual wrote, "That was really a great prank."

A second commented, "You guys are crazy."

"Best live case study ever. Put your team in a pressure situation and observe how each individual reacts to the situation. Perfect one!" posted a third.

A fourth shared, "Team building activity now has a new chapter."

"That's brutal man," said a fifth.
The Chinese embassy in the United States on Monday warned Chinese students to not enter the US through the Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) stating that several students faced harassment and interrogations and were denied entry despite having all the required documents. China also lodged a solemn representation to the US. The Embassy said it held great significance in protecting the welfare of Chinese students abroad. (Reuters/File)

The embassy said the citizens involved in the investigations included those who held valid documents and were either returning to the US after vacationing in China, travelling to the US, attending a conference in the US or arriving in the US for their first semester.

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A release by the Chinese embassy stated that the citizens were subjected to interrogation, their electronic devices were inspected and some people were even isolated for around 10 hours and prohibited from speaking with anyone.

The embassy said it held great significance in protecting the welfare of Chinese students abroad.

It added that Chinese students faced unwarranted interrogations and even deportation because of the US on several occasions leading to the undermining of the rights and interests of Chinese citizens. Along with that, the Chinese Embassy said that such actions were countering the consensus reached between China and the US during a recent meeting in San Francisco where people-to-people exchanges were encouraged.

The Global Times quoted the Embassy as saying, We strongly urge the US side to end these unfair practices, cease unwarranted harassment, interrogations, and deportations of Chinese students, and effectively implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state to support China-US people-to-people exchanges and encourage the expansion of the scale of Chinese students studying in the US.

The embassy said that the citizens who were planning to go to the US should not enter the country through the Washington Dulles International Airport. It urged the students to remain calm in case of being stopped by US border law enforcement personnel. It further added that if Chinese citizens were treated unfairly, they should document evidence and file a complaint with relevant authorities.

China's ambassador Xie Feng said on Sunday, as per a press release, Dozens of Chinese arriving in the United States, including students, were denied entry every month for the past few months. They held valid visas, had no criminal records, and were returning to school after travelling elsewhere or reuniting with their family in China. But when they landed at the airport, what awaited them was 8-hour-long interrogation by officers, who prohibited them from contacting their parents, made groundless accusations against them, and even forcibly repatriated them and banned their entry. This is absolutely unacceptable. The Chinese side immediately expressed its firm opposition to the US side. We will continue to resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens.

He added, Politicising and manipulating educational cooperation will not only prevent students from chasing their dreams and force them to change their life plans, but also drain the talent pool of the United States, poison its research environment and chill innovation. If normal people-to-people exchanges are cut off, how can the two major countries maintain and develop their relations?
Trump refused to accept the will of the over 80 million Americans who voted against him, the brief filed by Norma Anderson and several other plaintiffs said. Instead of peacefully ceding power, Trump intentionally organized and incited a violent mob to attack the United States Capitol in a desperate effort to prevent the counting of electoral votes cast against him. HT Image

Anderson, a Republican and former Colorado state lawmaker, and several other plaintiffs had filed suit in September 2023 to keep Trump off the 2024 Colorado ballots. The Colorado Supreme Courts conclusion that Trump was ineligible to appear on the ballot was appealed by Trump to the US Supreme Court.

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The 14th Amendments Section 3 bars those who have engaged in insurrection or rebellion from holding federal office.

The outcome of the case will likely determine if Trump can appear on ballots in states across the country.

Facts vs assertions

Unlike Trumps brief, which he filed with the Supreme Court on Jan 18, Anderson primarily focuses on the facts, pointing out that Trumps brief lacks any meaningful rebuttal of the most damning evidence against him.

Some of the most damning evidence that Andersons brief highlights includes how Trump deliberately summoned to D.C. an angry and armed crowd who came ready to fight and that Trumps speech on the White House Ellipse explicitly and implicitly incited the angry and armed crowd to imminent lawless violence.

The Anderson brief describes how the Jan 6 attackers injured over 140 law enforcement officers, left one dead, and forced Congress and Vice President (Mike) Pence to flee for their lives.

In his brief, Trump mainly argued that Section 3 of the 14th Amendment does not apply to the presidency because the president is not an officer of the United States under the Constitution. Trumps brief also argued that Section 3 does not bar a candidate from running for office but rather bars the candidate from holding office, if elected.

And Trump asserted in his brief that calling for peace, patriotism, respect for law and order, and directing the Secretary of Defence to do what needs to be done to protect the American people is in no way inciting or participating in an insurrection.

Monumental case

The Supreme Court will have several issues to consider in this case. The justices will have to address the legal questions presented by Trump, such as whether Section 3 of the 14th Amendment applies to the presidency. And the court will also have to answer mixed questions of law and fact.

Traditionally, the Supreme Court does not delve into questions of fact in the cases it considers  those facts are understood to have been established in lower court decisions. And while I initially stated that the court would not consider such questions in this case, I now join other constitutional scholars who believe the court will likely have to answer what constitutes an insurrection under the 14th Amendment, and whether Trumps actions  or inactions  sufficiently meet that definition.

Perhaps the justices will turn to the history of the 14th Amendment to answer those questions. As Andersons brief points out, Congress and the states ratified the amendment, including Section 3, after the Civil War because they believed that oath-breaking insurrectionists could, if given the power of elected office, dismantle the countrys constitutional system from within.

The 39th Congress considered Section 3 a necessary measure of self-defence  ensuring that those who had proven themselves faithless would be deprived of the political power to threaten the future peace and security of the United States.

But Section 3s text may present the deciding factors for the court. Section 3 clearly states that No person shall...hold any office, civil or military, under the United States. It provides no language that appears to prohibit candidates from running for office.

Ultimately, Trump v Anderson will be a monumental case. Regardless of its outcome, however, Andersons brief asserts that the desecration of the US Capitol by a mob of insurrectionists on January 6, 2021, will forever stain our Nations history. (The Conversation) SCY SCY
Italy is mulling to sell a stake of its postal service, which its Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni once declared as the country's 'crown jewel', to tackle a huge public debt, AFP reported on Monday. Italy's prime minister Giorgia Meloni.(Bloomberg)

The hard-right administration led by Meloni has set a target of generating 20 billion euros ($21.6 billion) by 2026 through the divestment of a portion of Poste Italiane.

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Poste Italiane, known for its lucrative insurance and banking activities, along with holdings in the rail company Ferrovie dello Stato and the energy giant Eni, is a key focus for the government's financial strategy.

Analysts, however, claim that the sale of a portion of Poste Italiane will do little to reduce Italy's mountain of debt which exceeds 2.8 trillion euros ($3 trillion)  the second highest in the eurozone as a proportion of gross domestic product.

"Our approach will be light-years away from what we have seen in the past, when privatisation rhymed with gifts for lucky entrepreneurs," Meloni was quoted as saying by AFP last week.

The leader of the post-fascist Brothers of Italy party, who won the 2022 elections on a populist, nationalist ticket, has also vowed to maintain state control. "We can sell some stakes in public companies without compromising public control," Meloni said.

Meloni's stance is a shift from her public statement in 2018 during which she had opposed any privatisation of the Poste Italiane. "No to the privatisation of Poste Italiane. It is a crown jewel that must remain in the hands of Italians," she said on Facebook at the time, according to AFP.

The government originally planned to hold a 51% majority in Poste Italiane, but Finance Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti on Friday that its stake could fall to as low as 35%.

The move by Meloni's government is being opposed by Italy's Opposition, which also includes Matteo Salvini's far-right League party.

"The government always claims to be for the homeland and today it is starting to sell the homeland", Andrea Orlando, a lawmaker from the centre-left Democrat Party, said on Sunday. "We think that the homeland cannot be sold."

The initiative for partial privatisation began in November with the government's decision to sell a 25% stake in the rescued financial institution, Monte dei Paschi di Siena  recognized as the world's oldest bank  for a sum of 920 million euros, according to AFP.

Rome pursued the sale to investors after encountering challenges in securing a suitable buyer to acquire the bank. The privatisation of Monte dei Paschi di Siena is a requirement mandated by the bailout conditions established in agreement with the European Commission.

The Giorgia Meloni government has a long way to go to reduce a debt that amounts to 140.2% of the GDP. The government expects the asset sales to reduce the ratio to 139.6 % in 2026. Without this, it would rise to 140.6%.

"These partial privatisations are just a drop in the ocean, they do not reduce the risk of seeing the debt increase," Nicola Nobile, chief Italian economist at Oxford Economics, told AFP. "They are not a structural remedy, they don't alter the big picture."
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. HT Image

Speaking after an emergency meeting on Sunday evening, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said 15,000 police officers are being deployed, mostly in the Paris region.

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Darmanin said he ordered security forces to prevent any blockade of Rungis International Market  which supplies the capital and surrounding region with much of its fresh food  and the Paris airports as well as to ban any convoy of farmers from entering the capital and any other big city. He said that helicopters will monitor convoys of tractors.

Darmanin said possibly all eight highways heading to Paris will be blocked on Monday from midday and urged car and truck drivers to anticipate blockades. Difficulties will obviously be very important, he said.

Farmers of the Rural Coordination union in the Lot-et-Garonne region, where the protests originated, said they plan to use their tractors Monday to head toward the Rungis International Market.

France's two biggest farmers unions said in a statement that their members based in areas surrounding the Paris region would seek to block all major roads to the capital, with the aim of putting the city under siege, starting Monday afternoon.

Earlier on Sunday, two climate activists hurled soup at the glass protecting the Mona Lisa in the Louvre museum and shouted slogans advocating for a sustainable food system.

In a video posted on social media, two women with the words FOOD RIPOSTE written on their T-shirts could be seen passing under a security barrier to get closer to the painting and throwing soup at the glass protecting Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece.

What's 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.

Louvre employees could then be seen putting black panels in front of the Mona Lisa and asking visitors to evacuate the room.

Paris police said that two people were arrested following the incident.

On its website, the Food Riposte group said the French government is breaking its climate commitments and called for the equivalent of the country's state-sponsored health care system to be put in place to give people better access to healthy food while providing farmers a decent income.

Angry French farmers have been using their tractors for days to set up road blockades and slow traffic across France. They also dumped stinky agricultural waste at the gates of government offices.

On Friday, the government announced a series of measures that farmers said don't fully address their demands. Those include drastically simplifying certain technical procedures and the progressive end to diesel fuel taxes for farm vehicles.

France's 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'.

What's at stake is finding solutions in the short, middle and long term, he said, because we need our farmers.

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 to be made in the coming weeks to address farmers' concerns. (AP) PY PY
WASHINGTON (AP)  The rumors about vote fraud started swirling as the ballots in Taiwans closely watched presidential election were tallied on Jan. 13. There were baseless claims that people had fabricated votes and that officials had miscounted and skewed the results. HT Image

In a widely shared video, a woman recording votes mistakenly enters one in the column for the wrong candidate. The message was clear: The election could not be trusted. The results were faked.

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It could have been Taiwan's Jan. 6 moment. But it wasn't.

Worries that China would use disinformation to undermine the integrity of Taiwan's vote dogged the recent election, a key moment in the young democracy's development that highlighted tensions with its much larger neighbor.

In repelling disinformation, Chinese and domestic, Taiwan offers an example to other democracies holding elections this year.

This year , more than 50 countries that are home to half the planets population are due to hold national elections. From India to Mexico, the U.K. to Russia, the outcomes of the elections will test the strengths of democracies and countries with authoritarian leaders.

In Taiwan, the response to disinformation was swift. Fact-checking groups debunked the rumors, while the Central Election Commission held a news conference to push back on claims of electoral discrepancies. Influencers like @FroggyChiu with more than 600,000 subscribers also put out explainers on YouTube explaining how votes are tallied.

The video showing the election worker miscounting votes had been selectively edited, fact-checkers found. Voters at the voting station spotted the woman's error and election workers quickly corrected the count, according to MyGoPen, an independent Taiwanese fact-checking chatbot.

It was just one of dozens of videos that fact checkers had to debunk.

I believe some people genuinely believed this. And when the election results came out, they thought something was up, said Eve Chiu, the editor-in-chief of Taiwans FactCheck Center, a nonprofit journalism organization.

Lai Ching-te of the incumbent Democratic Progressive Party won the election on Jan. 13 against Ko Wen-je of the Taiwan Peoples Party and Hou Yu-ih of the Nationalist Party (Kuomingtang), in an election that was seen as a referendum on the island's relationship with China.

Supporters of the Taiwan Peoples Party presidential candidate, many of whom are young, had shared the videos widely on TikTok, which were then shared on Facebook. Prior to the election results, many thought there was a chance of a Ko upset in the race given the candidate had drawn a lot of online attention. Taiwan's FactCheck Center debunked multiple videos of alleged voter fraud, including another one in which voting officials make a human error caught on camera. The source of these videos is unclear.

Notably, Taiwan has resisted calls for tougher laws that would require social media platforms to police their sites; a proposal to institute such rules was withdrawn in 2022 after free speech concerns were raised.

China, which claims Taiwan as its own, targeted the island with a stream of disinformation ahead of its election, according to research from DoubleThink Lab.

Much of it sought to undermine faith in the incumbent Democratic Progressive Party and cast it as belligerent and likely to start a war that Taiwan cant win. Other narratives targeted U.S. support for Taiwan, arguing that America was an untrustworthy partner only interested in Taiwans semiconductor exports that wouldnt support the island if it came to war with China.

Messages left with the Chinese embassy in Washington were not immediately returned Saturday.

Taiwan has been able to effectively respond to Chinese disinformation in part because of how seriously the threat is perceived there, according to Kenton Thibaut, a senior resident fellow and expert on Chinese disinformation at the Atlantic Councils Digital Forensic Research Lab. Instead of a piecemeal approach  focusing solely on media literacy, for instance, or relying only on the government to fact-check false rumors  Taiwan adopted a multifaceted approach, what Thibaut called a whole of society response" that relied on government, independent fact-check groups and even private citizens to call out disinformation and propaganda.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Alexander Tah-Ray Yui, Taipeis economic and cultural representative to the U.S., said the government has learned it must identify and debunk false information as quickly as possible in order to counter false narratives. Yui is Taiwan's de facto ambassador to the U.S.

Find it early, like a tumor or cancer. Cut it before it spreads, Yui said of foreign disinformation.

Taiwans civil society groups like MyGoPen and the Taiwan FactCheck Center, which received $1 million in funding from Google, have focused on raising public awareness through debunking individual rumors that members of the public report.

The island has a strong civil society. Many of the fact-checker groups were founded by dedicated individuals, such as MyGoPen, whose founder Charles Yeh started the chatbot service because he found his relatives would get confused by online rumors. Others like, Taiwan FactCheck Center, are careful to not take government money so as to preserve their independence, said Chiu.

Media literacy on fake news and the digital environment is growing, those on the front lines say, but slowly.

Its like in the past when everyone dumped bottles and cans in the garbage and now they sort them, that was done through a period of societal education, said Chiu. Everyone needs to slowly develop this awareness, and this needs time.

In the U.S., government efforts to call out disinformation have themselves become politicized and criticized as government censorship or thought control.

With a population more than 10 times the size of Taiwan and years of growing polarization, the U.S. has deep, internal political and social fault lines that create good conditions for disinformation to take root  and make it harder for the government to push back without being accused of censoring legitimate political views.

In the United States, many of the narratives spread by Russia, for instance, are eagerly adopted by domestic groups that distrust the government. Donald Trump, the former president, and other Republicans have repeatedly made similar claims about the U.S. as those carried by Russian state media, for example.

We have a dynamic in American politics where if youre Russia, China or Iran, you dont have to inject divisive topics, because theyre already here, said Jim Ludes, a former national defense analyst who now leads the Pell Center for International Relations at Salve Regina University.

The call is coming from inside the house, he said, using a popular horror film metaphor.

That dynamic can also be seen in Taiwan. Although Ko, the presidential candidate, said publicly he didnt believe there was election fraud, legislators from the TPP held a conference Wednesday in which they shared videos of miscounting that had spread online, which had already been debunked, to call for greater adherence to voting regulations.

Though the election passed without a major crisis, the challenge continues to evolve. Chinese efforts at disinformation have become increasingly localized and sophisticated, according to DoubleThink Labs post-election analysis.

In one example, a Chinese-run Facebook page called C GaChuDao made a video describing an affair that it said a DPP legislator had with a woman from China. Unlike in years past, where Chinese disinformation was easily recognized and mocked for its use of simplified characters and vocabulary from China, this video featured a man speaking with a Taiwanese accent and in a way that appeared completely local.

In picking topics, theyd pick something that exists in your society, and then its relatively more convincing, said Wu.

___

Wu reported from Bangkok. Associated Press writer Didi Tang contributed to this report.
The Maldives, renowned for its pristine beaches and luxury tourism, has witnessed a significant shift in its tourist demographics, with Indian visitors dropping from the third to the fifth largest group within three weeks, according to data from the Maldives' tourism ministry. Tourists sunbathe in Paradise island resort in Male atoll, Maldives,(AP / File)

This shift coincides with escalating diplomatic tensions between India and the Maldives following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to the Indian archipelago in the Arabian Sea.

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Indian tourists have long been a key demographic for the Maldives, comprising nearly 11% of its tourism market in 2023. However, the recent controversy surrounding Modi's beach excursion to Lakshadweep on January 2 stirred up a storm, leading to a notable decline in Indian tourist numbers.

What's the controversy?

Modi's visit to Lakshadweep and his subsequent social media posts were interpreted by some in the Maldives as a strategic move to divert tourists away from their nation. Three junior ministers in the Mohamed Muizzu government posted derogatory comments against the prime minister, sparking a wave of anti-Maldives sentiment on social media platforms in India.

The hashtag #BoycottMaldives started trending on social media, accompanied by reports of cancelled trips to the island nation. An Indian travel portal EaseMyTrip suspended bookings for flights to the Maldives in solidarity with the nation.

Also Read | India reads riot act to Maldives, wants errant ministers dismissed

The Maldives officials later deleted their posts and were suspended by the country's president for posting derogatory comments against India. Maldives foreign minister Moosa Zameer called the officials remarks unacceptable, and said his country is committed to fostering a positive and constructive dialogue with our partners.

The government of Maldives cant afford to have a spat with India, and it will be an economic suicide. Everybody should see this, said Shaheed.

Decline in India's share

According to the Maldives tourism website, India started 2024 as the third largest contributor to its tourism with a 7.1 per cent market share while China was not even in the top 10 markets list.

The numbers, however, witnessed an abrupt change after the diplomatic tensions. While India's market share for Maldives tourism stood at 8 per cent as of Jan 28, China and the UK surpassed the country, taking 3rd and 4th place respectively in the top 10 list.
Thimphu [Bhutan], January 29 (ANI): The Indian envoy to Bhutan, Sudhakar Dalela, called on the newly-elected Prime Minister of Bhutan, Tshering Tobgay and conveyed the greetings of India's leadership for assuming responsibility as the Bhutanese PM. HT Image

Ambassador Dalela also affirmed country's commitment to working closely to foster India-Bhutan ties.

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Taking to X, Indian Embassy in Bhutan posted about the meeting, saying, "Ambassador @SudhakarDalela paid a courtesy call on Hon'ble Lyonchhen @tsheringtobgay and conveyed greetings of India's leadership on his assumption of responsibility as the Prime Minister. committed to working closely to further strengthen India-Bhutan unique ties of friendship."

https://x.com/Indiainbhutan/status/1751799831356637629?s=20

Later on, the Indian envoy called on Bhutan's Foreign Minister and conveyed External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar's greeting to the Bhutanese minister for assuming charge of his post.

"Amb @SudhakarDalela paid a courtesy call on Lyonpo D.N Dhungyel and conveyed greetings on EAM's behalf on his assumption of responsibility as Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade. We look forward to working together to further deepen exemplary ties across sectors," Indian embassy in Bhutan posted on X.

https://x.com/Indiainbhutan/status/1751800260131963279?s=20

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his heartfelt congratulations to People's Democratic Party (PDP) and the party chief, Tshering Tobgay for their triumph in the parliamentary elections in Bhutan.

The Prime Minister said in a post on X, "Heartiest congratulations to my friend @tsheringtobgay and the People's Democratic Party for winning the parliamentary elections in Bhutan. Look forward to working together again to further strengthen our unique ties of friendship and cooperation."

Bhutan's People's Democratic Party (PDP) won the largest number of seats in the parliamentary elections and formed the new government.

PDP won 30 out of the 47 National Assembly seats and the Bhutan Tendrel Party secured 17 seats.

This was Bhutan's fourth general election since transitioning from a traditional monarchy to a parliamentary form of government 15 years back.

Nestled between China and India, the majority-Buddhist nation ushered in democracy with its first free vote in 2008, two years after former king, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, abdicated in favour of his Oxford-educated son Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. (ANI)
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on Monday arrived in Islamabad on the invitation of his Pakistani counterpart Jalil Abbas Jilani, amid strain in relations following the recent tit-for-tat strikes launched by the two countries. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian lands in Islamabad(X/ @ForeignOfficePk)

Upon his arrival at the Nur Khan airbase, the Iranian Foreign Minister was received by Pakistan's Additional Foreign Secretary for Afghanistan and West Asia Rahim Hayat Qureshi.

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During his visit, Abdollahian will hold in debt talk with his Pakistani counterpart Jilani and Pakistan caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar to put relations back on track.

"Foreign Minister of Iran @Amirabdolahian has arrived in Islamabad at the invitation of Foreign Minister @JalilJilani. He was received at the Nur Khan airbase by Additional Foreign Secretary (Afghanistan and West Asia) @RahimHayat," as per Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch's official handle on X.

"During the visit, Foreign Minister Abdollahian will hold in-depth talks with Foreign Minister Jilani and call on Prime Minister @anwaar_kakar," Baloch said.

On January 16, Tehran launched missile attacks on militant bases in southwestern Pakistan.

On January 18, Pakistan launched strikes inside Iran in a retaliatory attack.

In a statement, the Pakistan Army said 'terrorist militant organizations,' namely Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) were successfully struck in a intelligence-based operation code-named "Marg Bar Sarmachar".

As per Geo News, the tit-for-tat strikes were the highest-profile cross-border intrusions in recent years and have raised alarm over wider instability in the Middle East since the war between Israel and Hamas erupted on October 7.

Recently, Pakistan and Iran agreed to de-escalate the situation and work in close coordination on counter-terrorism, the Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in an official press release.

The Pakistani minister held a telephonic conversation with his Iranian counterpart Abdollahian and stressed the territorial integrity and sovereignty of both countries.

The ministry said in a statement, Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani spoke with the Foreign Minister of Iran, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, today. Underscoring the close brotherly relations between Pakistan and Iran, the Foreign Minister expressed Pakistan's desire to work with Iran based on spirit of mutual trust and cooperation. The Foreign Minister stressed that respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty must underpin this cooperation.
US President Joe Biden literally embraced Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu within days of Hamas horrific attack in southern Israel on October 7, and the US has steadfastly protected Israels interests in the UN Security Council. HT Image

But tensions have mounted as the civilian death toll from Israels massive retaliation in Gaza has climbed to more than 25,000  70% of whom are women and children.

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To put that in context, more non-combatants have been killed in less than four months in Gaza than in nearly two years of war in Ukraine, where the civilian death toll only recently exceeded 10,000.

Biden warned in December that Israel was losing international support over its indiscriminate bombing of Gaza. The administration has also made clear through background media briefings its concern that Netanyahu has no postwar plan for Gazas governance.

And following the preliminary order issued by the International Court of Justice in the genocide case against Israel this past weekend, White House commentary made clear the courts orders aligned with US policy. Specifically, the court said Israel must take all possible steps to minimise civilian harm and increase the flow of humanitarian assistance to Gaza.

With criticism of Israel mounting on the global stage, the Biden administration has inserted the United States long-standing support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

In response, Netanyahu has thrown down the gauntlet  flatly rejecting the creation of a separate Palestinian state. He posted on X: I will not compromise on full Israeli security control over the entire area in the west of Jordan  and this is contrary to a Palestinian state.

Butting heads with US presidents

This rift between the two leaders should not be a surprise. Netanyahu is Israel's longest-serving prime minister and has the self-belief that goes with 16 years in office.

This is not the first time he has butted heads with a US president. In particular, he had a poisonous relationship with Barack Obama, notably visiting Washington to address a joint sitting of Congress in 2015 without bothering to call on the president  an extraordinary breach of protocol.

Despite the fact the Oslo Accords of 1993 and 1995, signed by former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, laid down a pathway to the creation of a Palestinian state, Netanyahu has never hidden his opposition to the concept.

In a recently published profile of Netanyahu in the New Yorker, David Remnick describes how the Israeli leader made a speech in 2009 in which he conveyed a wary and highly conditional openness to a Palestinian state. The conditions included:

-- Palestinian recognition of Israel as a Jewish state

-- no return of Palestinian refugees outside Israel

-- the demilitarisation of a future Palestinian state

-- and Jerusalem remaining the united capital of Israel.

None of these was likely to be acceptable to Palestinians.

Remnick comments the speech was a tactical move, with a larger goal in mind. He quotes the reaction of then-US ambassador to Israel, Martin Indyk: "We met a day or two after the speech. [Netanyahu] was all puffed up, and he said to me, 'All right, I said it, now can we get back to dealing with Iran?'"

Is Biden or Netanyahu right?

This leads to the current  and more important  question: who is right about the future viability of a two-state solution, Biden or Netanyahu?

Putting aside questions of equity and morality, analysis of the evidence suggests the answer is Netanyahu.

The simple fact is the number of Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank (including East Jerusalem)  now about 700,000, who live alongside three million Palestinians  means there is not much space left for a Palestinian state.

That gap is narrowing, with population growth higher among settlers than Palestinians. Ultra-Orthodox Jews, who comprise one-third of the settlers, have a fertility rate in Israel of 6.5 live births per woman. The current fertility rate among Palestinians is around 3.8 births per woman. If this trend continues, by mid-century, the Israeli-Palestinian population in the West Bank could be equal.

The only way space could be made for another state would be if the government were to dismantle the settlements and direct the settlers to live within the borders that existed before Israel seized the West Bank in the 1967 Six-Day War.

Despite the fact the settlements are illegal under international law  they violate the Fourth Geneva Convention  no Israeli government is likely to try to remove them for fear of violent domestic consequences. Some in Netanyahus government are already talking about Israel annexing the West Bank, in the way it annexed East Jerusalem in 1980.

Talk of land swaps usually ends with potential offers of land for Palestinians in the barely habitable Negev desert. The major Jewish settlement blocks in the West Bank, by contrast, are in prime real estate.

Then there is the question of Gaza, which is barely large enough to accommodate its current population of 2.3 million. With unemployment there at nearly 50%, it is a breeding ground for radicalism, as the Hamas attack in October demonstrated.

Most Israelis agree with Netanyahu

The other factor is that Netanyahus rejection of a Palestinian state reflects the current views of most Israelis.

Polling by the Pew Research Centre in March and April 2023  well before the Hamas attack  showed only 35% of Israelis (including both Jewish and Arab respondents) thought a way could be found for Israel and an independent Palestinian state to coexist peacefully. That was down nine percentage points from 2017 and 15 points from 2013.

Among Jewish Israelis, those who agreed with the statement dropped from 46% in 2013 to 32% last year. The decline was even sharper among Arab Israelis, who had been more optimistic in 2013, with 74% thinking peaceful coexistence was possible. By 2023, the proportion was just 41%.

The extent to which Netanyahu, in office throughout this period, might have influenced these declines is difficult to measure. But considering the current level of hatred and distrust between Israelis and Palestinians, its difficult to envisage any potential replacement for Netanyahu taking a different line on a Palestinian state.

That reality is reinforced by the Orthodox Jewish demographics noted above. Orthodox Jews tend to vote for conservative religious parties, which means growing numbers of Orthodox voters favour the formation of right-wing governments (given Israels strict proportional representation voting system). Netanyahu currently leads an extremist right-wing government, and its unlikely to be the last.

That means talk of a two-state solution by Western governments is simply kicking the can down the road. Its not going to happen. Israelis respect the US and value the materiel and diplomatic support provided by US presidential administrations, but they wont be ordered about by them.

And there could be a change in leadership in the US this year, too. The leading Republican candidate, Donald Trump, had a reputation as the most pro-Israel US leader since Harry Truman when he was in office. So, if Trump wins the election and Netanyahu is still in office next year, there will be little head-butting at all. (The Conversation) SCY SCY
Japan late on Sunday said it has decided to suspend additional funding to the United Nations' agency for Palestinians in Gaza while the agency conducts an investigation into an allegation that its staff was involved in the Oct. 7 attack on Israel. A truck, marked with United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) logo, crosses into Egypt from Gaza.(Reuters)

READ | Countries pause funding for UN refugee agency in Gaza amid staff's Oct 7 involvement claims

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Japan is "extremely concerned about the alleged involvement of UNRWA staff members in the terror attack on Israel" and has been "strongly urging UNRWA to conduct the investigation in a prompt and complete manner", the foreign ministry said in a statement.

U.N. officials have urged countries, including top donors the U.S. and Germany, to reconsider their funding pauses for UNRWA. Japan is the sixth biggest donor to the agency, according to the UNRWA's 2022 data.
Three US Army soldiers were killed and several others injured after an unmanned aerial drone struck the troops near the Syrian border in northeastern Jordan on Sunday. This satellite photo from Planet Labs PBC shows a military base known as Tower 22 in northeastern Jordan(AP)

At least 34 personnel were injured in the attack and is expected to rise, according to a statement from US Central Command. Eight personnel were evacuated from Jordan for higher medical assistance.

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US President Joe Biden has blamed Iran-backed groups for the attack, the first deadly strike against US forces since the Israel-Hamas war began in October.

"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. Have no doubt - we will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner of our choosing," Biden said in a statement.

However, Iran's mission to the United Nations said in a statement on Monday that Tehran was not involved in the attack.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella organisation of Iran-backed militant groups, claimed the attack on the Jordan-Syria border.

Location

The drone hit the military outpost in Tower 22, a strategically important location in Jordan, at the most northeastern point where the country's borders meet Syria and Iraq.

Purpose of hitting Tower 22

Little publicly known, the base stations 350 US Army and Air Force troops and includes logistics support. Tower 22 is located near the Al Tanf garrison across the border in Syria and houses small US troops. Tanf had been key in the fight against Islamic State and has assumed a role as part of a US strategy to contain Iran's military build-up in eastern Syria.

US troops in Jordan

Since the start of the Syrian conflict in 2011, the US has spent millions of dollars to help Amman set up an elaborate surveillance system to stem infiltration by militants from Syria and Iraq.

Jordan's army is one of the largest armies which receives financial and military aid from Washington. It is one of the few regional allies that hold extensive exercises with the US Army throughout the year.

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 which killed 1,200. Israel's subsequent assault on Gaza has killed over 26,000 Palestinians, according to the local health ministry.

(With inputs from Reuters)
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised test firings of new cruise missiles designed to be launched from submarines and also reviewed efforts to build a nuclear-powered submarine while reiterating his goal of building a nuclear-armed navy to counter what he portrays as growing external threats, state media said Monday. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (AP)

The report came a day after South Koreas military said it detected North Korea firing multiple cruise missiles over waters near the eastern port of Sinpo, where the North has a major shipyard developing submarines. It was the latest in a streak of weapons demonstrations by North Korea amid increasing tensions with the United States, South Korea and Japan.

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North Koreas official newspaper Rodong Sinmun published photos of what appeared to be at least two missiles fired separately. Both created grayish-white clouds as they broke the water surface and soared into the air at an angle of around 45 degrees, which possibly suggests they were fired from torpedo launch tubes.

State media said the missiles were Pulhwasal-3-31, a new type of weapon first tested last week in land-based launches from North Korea's western coast.

READ | North Korea fires several cruise missiles: Seoul military

The reports implied that two missiles were fired during the test but did not specify the vessel used for the launches. North Korea in past years has fired missiles both from developmental, missile-firing submarines and underwater test platforms built on barges.

In recent years, North Korea has tested a variety of missiles designed to be fired from submarines as it pursues the ability to conduct nuclear strikes from underwater. In theory, such capacity would bolster its deterrent by ensuring a survivable capability to retaliate after absorbing a nuclear attack on land.

Missile-firing submarines would also add a maritime threat to the Norths growing collection of solid-fuel weapons fired from land vehicles that are designed to overwhelm missile defenses of South Korea, Japan and the United States.

Still, it would take considerable time, resources and technological improvements for the heavily sanctioned nation to build a fleet of at least several submarines that could travel quietly and execute attacks reliably, analysts say.

The Norths official Korean Central News Agency said Kim expressed satisfaction after the missiles accurately hit their sea targets during Sundays test.

He then issued unspecified important tasks for realizing the nuclear weaponization of the navy and expanding the sphere of operation, which he described as crucial goals considering the prevailing situation and future threats, the report said. KCNA said Kim was also briefed on efforts to develop a nuclear-propelled submarine and other advanced naval vessels.

Kim issued similar comments about a nuclear-armed navy in September while attending the launching ceremoney of what the North described as a new submarine capable of firing tactical nuclear weapons from underwater. He said then that the country was pursuing a nuclear-propelled submarine and that it plans to remodel existing submarines and surface vessels so they can handle nuclear weapons.

Nuclear-propelled submarines can quietly travel long distances and approach enemy shores to deliver strikes, which would bolster Kim's declared aim of building a nuclear arsenal that could viably threaten the U.S. mainland. But experts say such vessels are likely unfeasible for the North without external assistance in the near-term.

North Korea has an estimated 70 to 90 diesel-powered submarines in one of the worlds largest submarine fleets. But they are mostly aging vessels capable of launching only torpedoes and mines.

South Koreas military said the submarine unveiled by North Korea in September, the Hero Kim Kun Ok, didn't look ready for operational duty and suggested the North was exaggerating its capabilities.

The submarine appeared to have at least 10 launch tubes possibly designed for missiles. The Souths Joint Chiefs of Staff said that the North would have needed to increase the size of the bridge and other parts of the original vessel to accommodate missile launch systems, but that the appearance of the vessel suggested it could not be operated normally.

Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have increased in recent months as Kim accelerates his weapons development and issues provocative threats of nuclear conflict with the U.S. and its Asian allies.

The U.S., South Korea and Japan in response have been expanding their combined military exercises, which Kim condemns as invasion rehearsals, and sharpening their deterrence strategies built around nuclear-capable U.S. assets.

The recent cruise missile launches followed a Jan. 14 test firing of North Korea's first solid-fuel intermediate-range ballistic missile, which reflected Kim's efforts to expand his arsenal of weapons designed to overwhelm missile defenses in South Korea and Japan and remote U.S. targets in the Pacific, including Guam.
New Delhi [India], January 28 (ANI): As a host of reception to launch exhibition titled 'Modern Tribal: Connecting Traditions', Australian High Commissioner to India, Philip Green has said that he is "privileged" to see that people have travelled from Australia to see how their artwork is understood by the Indian audience. HT Image

He underlined that it is no coincidence that "we are trying to expose Indian audiences to these artforms from our First Nations people" from Australia.

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The Australian High Commissioner said, "There are more than 250 indigenous languages in Australia, and I don't have the skill and time to greet you tonight in all of them. It's very special for me tonight for me to be able to be a part of your introduction to Australian artwork."

"We are privileged that people have travelled from Australia to help you understand these artworks, and see how they are understood by Indian audience," he said at the event.

Notably, the High Commissioner of Australia, Philip Green, hosted a reception to launch the exhibition titled 'Modern Tribal - Connecting Traditions' at Bikaner House on Sunday.

Curated by the Gondwana Art Project, the exhibition features tribal art from Central India, alongside Australian indigenous works from New England Regional Art Museum's (NERAM) partner, Utopia Art Sydney and South Australian-born, Darwin-based First Nations artist Sarrita King.

Green went on to say, "It is no coincidence that we are trying to expose Indian audiences to these artforms from our First Nations people."

He said, "We are very proud that even as a modern and sophisticated country in Australia, we have amongst our people, the oldest living culture on planet."

"We are leading our global diplomacy with our First Nation people as a sign of respect for them, and because we believe that, that part of Australian history and culture is worthy of being at the front of Australia's cultural diplomacy," the Australian envoy said.

A dedicated Australian Indigenous Artworks wall will showcase pieces from NERAM's partner, Utopia Art Sydney and from a First Nations artist Sarrita King.

NERAM is a leading cultural and arts tourism destination in regional Australia, and home to one of the nation's most significant art collections outside the capital cities. The exhibition continues from January 29-February 5.

"I am really grateful to be here in India. This series is all about connecting to our own ancestors. I am excited to be in India and have those tribal connections, as you know Australia is very rich in Aboriginal culture," First Nations artist Sarrita King told ANI.

Meanwhile, Sundeep Bhandari, Gondwana Art Project Founder said that he decided to set up a foundation to support the tribal artists.

On Gondwana Art Project, he said, "We decided to set up a foundation to support the tribal artists. And, the Gondwana art project was set-up to essentially support the livelihoods of these tribal artists, while mentoring them, helping them design concepts on developing something which is very modern and contemporary for the global world, not just focused on limited market in India. It is more of my social project, not a profit project."

"The Bheel and Gond art from Central India uses similar techniques, which the aboriginal art in Australia uses," he said.

Curated by the Gondwana Art Project, the exhibition features tribal art from Central India, alongside Australian indigenous works from New England Regional Art Museum's (NERAM) partner, Utopia Art Sydney and South Australian-born, Darwin-based First Nations artist Sarrita King.

The Gondwana Art Project has been mentoring tribal artists from Central India in developing artworks with new design concepts and colour palettes, thus supporting their livelihood.

These artworks are done in a modern and contemporary style keeping intact the authenticity of the traditional artforms, narrating stories of tribal culture, festivals, environment, folklore, flora and fauna. (ANI)
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. A man smokes a disposable vape, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Britain.(REUTERS)

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.

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"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 childrens health for the long term," Sunak said in a statement.

Smoking is Britain's biggest preventable killer, causing one out of four cancer-related deaths, or some 80,000 a year, the government says. In October, Sunak announced plans to pass a law which would mean that anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 2009, would be unable to buy tobacco in their lifetime.

While vapes are seen as key to helping people quit smoking, there has been concern they could be driving nicotine addiction among young people, with 9% of 11- to 15-year-olds now using them, the government said.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said in December all vape flavours should be banned.

However, industry groups and the UK Vaping Industry Association argue that vapes pose significantly lower health risks than tobacco, and flavours were key in encouraging smokers to switch.

"I have an obligation to do what I think is the right thing for our country in the long term," Sunak said.

"That is why I am taking bold action to ban disposable vapes  which have driven the rise in youth vaping  and bring forward new powers to restrict vape flavours, introduce plain packaging and change how vapes are displayed in shops."

The government says that along with the health benefits, the ban on disposable vapes would help the environment, with five million thrown away each week.
American and allied forces in Syria were targeted with rockets on Monday, a US defense official said, after three of Washington's troops were killed in a drone attack in Jordan the previous day. This handout satellite picture released by Planet Labs PBC shows a view of the base, known as Tower 22, which is operated by US troops as part of an international coalition against the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group, near Jordan's border with Iraq and Syria.(AFP)

US forces in Iraq and Syria have faced a surge in attacks since mid-October, many of them claimed by a loose alliance of Iran-backed militant groups that oppose American support for Israel in the Gaza conflict.

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"Multiple rockets were launched against US and coalition forces at Patrol Base Shaddadi, Syria. No injuries reported and no damage to infrastructure," the US defense official said on condition of anonymity, referring to an installation in northeastern Syria.

READ | 3 US service members killed, 34 wounded in Jordan drone attack linked to Iran, says Biden

The United States has some 900 troops in Syria and 2,500 in neighboring Iraq as part of the international coalition against the Islamic State group, a jihadist organization that once controlled swathes of both countries.

US and coalition forces have been attacked at least 165 times since mid-October -- 66 in Iraq, 98 in Syria and one in Jordan -- with "a mix of one-way attack drones, rockets, mortars, and close-range ballistic missiles," the US official said.

Dozens of American personnel have been wounded in previous attacks, but none had been killed by hostile fire in the Middle East since the start of the Israel-Hamas war until Sunday, when a drone attack left three dead and more than 30 wounded.

The White House on Monday vowed a "very consequential response" to the deadly attack in Jordan, which has raised fears of an escalating conflict in the Middle East.

Anger over Israel's campaign in Gaza -- which it launched after an unprecedented attack by Hamas in October -- has grown across the region, with violence involving Iran-backed groups in Lebanon, Iraq and Syria, as well as Yemen.
More and more voices are reaching the top, articulating their concerns for the growing scale of layoffs in 2024 despite it just being the start of the new year. It's not as if certain brands are subjecting their employees to the job loss mantra. Big names like Microsoft, Amazon and other smaller empires alike are treading in the same direction. LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 19: Los Angeles Times Guild members rally outside City Hall against significant imminent layoffs at the Los Angeles Times newspaper during a one-day walkout on January 19, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. The one-day strike is the first newsroom work stoppage in the 142-year history of the newspaper and the Guild represents about 400 editorial employees. Mario Tama/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by MARIO TAMA / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)(Getty Images via AFP)

This process significantly started gathering eyeballs in 2022, and hasn't paused ever since. While there isn't a single answer as to why it's happening, a pattern definitely starts setting in place if you study the responses laid out by these big corps.

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The Verge put together quite a few of these statements made by the big shots regarding the layoffs. Here are some of them-

Google: Over the past two years weve seen periods of dramatic growth. To match and fuel that growth, we hired for a different economic reality than the one we face today.

Microsoft: As we saw customers accelerate their digital spend during the pandemic, were now seeing them optimize their digital spend to do more with less

Amazon: This years review has been more difficult given the uncertain economy and that weve hired rapidly over the last several years

Also read: Colorado voters seeking to disqualify Trump from the ballot tell Supreme Court Jan 6 will forever stain US history

Why has the number of layoffs 2024 skyrocketed?

To put a cap on the over-hiring that happened during the pandemic. Investors pressurize to cut down on expenses due to the revenue per employee having plummeted in the post-pandemic climate. The ultimate goal is to save company money. High head count doesn't help them with the expenses. There is a herding effect in tech, NPR reported Jeff Shulman's (professor at the University of Washington's Foster School of Business) statement. The layoffs are seemingly helping their stock price so they're going forward with it. Stock investors are also liking the direction.

It's like a contagious vicious cycle. Since everyone is doing it they're getting away with it. Plus, no particular company wants to be singled out by standing out. Therefore, it's just become the new normal.

Jeffrey Pfeffer aka Stanford business professor, is calling this new surge the copycat layoffs, as per which companies of the same industry are mirroring each others' actions. The entire sector is going down. And of course, it also helps in covering up other failed decisions that may not have resulted in fruitful investments or strategies. Smaller startups from the tech world are running low on cash and struggling with fundraising. Companies prioritizing new investments in generative AI. January was the first month of the year - so reorganization and restructuring is happening.

It's the cumulative result of all these factors being latched together that's giving way to these massive layoffs. A single one of them alone can't justify the great shedding of numbers.

How to find the way ahead of these layoffs in January 2024

Manage your network - Networking is a two-way street - (including your former colleagues, family, friends, acquaintances and even some others): While it's natural for one to feel flustered and not be able to bounce back instantly from the devastating blow, you need to share the news. Go as far and beyond as possible. Use the booming means of social media to spread the word - it may just be the very platform that helps you land another break.

Moreover, how you handle and articulate your experience when seeking new opportunities will also go a long way in determining the next chapter of your professional life. While it is essential for you to vent, you shouldn't count on public postings (LinkedIn and so on) for that. Many job recruiters study the potential employee's public platforms before giving them the green light.

Manage your emotions just as well as you will your finances. This is a character-defining moment for you, so take charge of your narrative and redirect your focus to the future.

You may even try to seek guidance from a trusted experienced senior from your previous job. Not only will this work as an emotional support for you, but will also help clear your mind. This is the time when you should be making well-informed decisions.

File for unemployment: Do this right away without a second thought. To ease the financial burden and to be able to receive your benefits faster, file the claim as soon you find out about being laid off. In the meantime, gather all the necessary documents, like proof of unemployment, needed for the official procedure to go through.

Prioritize self-care: You've been laid off, which means that your previously listed health insurance associated with the job will be lost too. Visit your doctor asap, and stop delaying the appointments you've been pushing back for so long. At this time, it's essential for you to make the most of what you still have in your palm before you actually lose it.

Your feelings are valid. Allow yourself to feel what you are feeling, but you should also be able to digest the new development in a healthy way possible. Seek the help you need. Therapy doesn't always have to be a privilege for the ones with heavy pockets. Reach out to other free counselling options online. On the contrary, you may also want to check if your company's insurance is valid. If it is, make the most of it before it gets cancelled.

Make financial adjustments in your budget: Arrange your financial needs in a pyramid, thereby ranking them on the basis of their importance. You should be able to track how long you will hold out on your current savings, taking into account that you may not be able to find a new job immediately.
A 3-year-old boy accidentally shot his 2-year-old brother last week, leading to fatal consequences. The parents are now facing serious charges. A 3-year-old accidentally shot his 2-year-old brother, leading to fatal consequences. Parents are now facing serious charges.

Loaded gun left unattended:

Local authorities revealed that the tragedy occurred because the parents left a loaded gun within reach of their 3-year-old. Kenton County Commonwealth Attorney Rob Sanders emphasized that this could have been easily avoided.

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Charges filed against parents:

The mother, Selena Farrell (23), is facing charges including second-degree manslaughter, possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, and abandonment. The father, Tashaun Adams (21), is charged with second-degree manslaughter and hindering apprehension for helping Farrell hide.

A third person, Jeremiah Thomas (20), who was the parents' roommate, faces charges for hindering apprehension by assisting Farrell in hiding after the incident.

Untimely death on January 22:

The event took place on January 22, with officers responding to a call about a 2-year-old shot at a residence in Covington. Despite immediate aid, the child was pronounced dead at the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.

Mother's flight and arrest:

Farrell fled the scene before the police arrived and was later found by U.S. Marshals in a hotel room on January 25. She explained that she left due to an arrest warrant, expressing a desire to attend her son's funeral.

Adams, during police questioning, mentioned that he and Farrell were in the living room when they heard a gunshot. He found their younger son injured and promptly called 911.

Revelation by the 3-year-old:

The 3-year-old, when questioned by police, revealed that he found "Daddy's gun in the drawer" while watching "Spider-Man" on TV. When asked who shot his younger brother, he replied with a heart-wrenching "me."

Parental negligence alleged:

Investigations point to the parents' failure to protect the toddler by leaving a loaded gun within reach. The criminal complaint suggests that the parents caused the 2-year-old's death due to their negligence.

Gun purchase and safety concerns:

Farrell admitted purchasing the gun before her felony conviction but gave it to Adams for protection. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of gun safety, especially when children are involved.
Nancy Pelosi, former US House Speaker and Democrat of California, has sought an FBI investigation into protesters seeking Israel-Hamas ceasefire. In an interview to CNN she has claimed that some of these activists may have ties to Russia and President Vladimir Putin. Pro-Palestine protester gather at Jamaica train station in New York City on January 27, 2024. (Photo by Charly TRIBALLEAU / AFP)(AFP)

For them to call for a cease-fire is Mr. Putins message, Pelosi told CNN. Make no mistake, this is directly connected to what he would like to see. Same thing with Ukraine. Its about Putins message. I think some of these protesters are spontaneous and organic and sincere. Some, I think, are connected to Russia. This is for the first time an influential American politician has linked Russia to the ongoing protests in the country.

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Pelosi, who led US HOuse for 20 years didn't want to comment on whether these demonstrators are Russian plants, claimed, Seeds or plants. I think some financing should be investigated. And I want to ask the F.B.I. to investigate that.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations has called her comments an unsubstantiated smear and downright authoritarian.

Nancys comments downright authoritarian'

Her comments once again show the negative impact of decades of dehumanization of the Palestinian people by those supporting Israeli apartheid, Nihad Awad, the groups national executive director, said in a statement. Instead of baselessly smearing those Americans as Russian collaborators, former House Speaker Pelosi and other political leaders should respect the will of the American people by calling for an end to the Netanyahu governments genocidal war on the people of Gaza.

Democrat supporters fume over Nancy's comments

The comment hasn't gone down to well with several Democrat supporters who claim this approach will marginalise his support and threaten his re-election in November. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators have been at the helm of these ceasefire protests that even disrupted Democratic campaign events in recent weeks.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Ms. Pelosi pointed to a social media post by Ian Bremmer, a political scientist and professor at Columbia University, who wrote that putin benefits from continued war in gaza and expanded chaos in the middle east.

Advocacy groups have often voiced concern over First Amendment violations since October, likening suppression of pro-Palestinian speech to a 21st century version of Mccarthyism.
China's Hainan to promote cultural, tourism cooperation with France

Xinhua) 14:07, January 29, 2024

HAIKOU, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Hainan, south China's tropical island province, aims to promote cultural and tourism cooperation with France in honor of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and France this year.

Celebrating the 60th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties, China and France will jointly host the Year of Culture and Tourism to provide cultural experiences to the two peoples.

Hainan, with diverse tourism resources, will launch a series of activities, such as promoting the establishment of a European center for Hainan tourism and cultural exchange in France and holding tourism promotion activities, to enhance bilateral cooperation in culture and tourism, said the provincial department of tourism, culture, radio, television and sports.

Europe is an important overseas tourist source market for Hainan. About 410,000 European tourists, including 7,381 French tourists, visited Hainan in 2019, said the department, adding that the number of inbound tourists from France and other European countries has great space for growth.

China is implementing a unilateral visa-free policy for ordinary passport holders from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia on a trial basis. From Dec. 1, 2023, to Nov. 30, 2024, holders of ordinary passports from these six countries may enter China visa-free for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends and transit for no more than 15 days.

The visa-free policy will create more opportunities for direct exchanges between Hainan and Europe. In the future, the two sides will deepen cooperation in tourism promotion, cultural exchanges and cultural heritage protection and inheritance, according to the department.

China aims to build Hainan into an international tourism and consumption center by 2025 and a globally influential tourism and consumption destination by 2035.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
A New York City Council member who was one of the wrongly convicted Central Park Five says he was pulled over by a police officer for no apparent reason. The police stop in New York City on Friday, Jan. 26, 2024 casts a renewed light on the How Many Stops Act, a police transparency bill that sparked a fight between City Council members and Mayor Eric Adams after the mayor, a former police captain, vetoed the legislation. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File)(AP)

The incident, which happened on Friday evening, has drawn attention to a bill that aims to make police stops more transparent and accountable.

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What the bill says

The bill, known as the How Many Stops Act, would force officers to report every time they stop someone, even for minor reasons. The city council is expected to vote on Tuesday to override a veto by Mayor Eric Adams, who opposes the bill.

The council member, Yusef Salaam, was driving in his car when an officer asked him to lower his rear windows. Salaam, who had a council placard on his dashboard, asked the officer if there was a problem. The officer then backed off without giving any explanation.

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The NYPD later claimed that Salaam was stopped because his windows had an illegal tint. They said the officer acted professionally and respectfully, and let Salaam go to attend to his official duties.

The importance of transparency for all police

Salaam, a Democrat who represents a district in central Harlem, said the stop showed why the bill was necessary.

This experience only amplified the importance of transparency for all police investigative stops, because the lack of transparency allows racial profiling and unconstitutional stops of all types to occur and often go underreported, he said in a statement.

Salaam was one of five Black or Latino teenagers who were falsely accused and convicted of raping and assaulting a white woman in Central Park in 1989. He was 15 years old when he was arrested and spent nearly seven years in prison. His conviction, along with the others, was overturned in 2002 after DNA evidence proved their innocence.

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He was elected to the city council in November, becoming the first member of the Central Park Five to hold public office.

The city council speaker, Adrienne Adams, said the bill was needed to address the racial disparities and complaints of misconduct in police stops.

At a time when Black and Latino New Yorkers continue to be disproportionately subjected to unconstitutional stops that go underreported, and civilian complaints of misconduct are at their highest level in over a decade, the need for basic transparency is clear, she said in a statement on Friday, before Salaams encounter with the police.
On Sunday, the Philadelphia US Marshals Service announced that escaped 17-year-old prisoner Shane Pryor had been caught again. This put a cap on the 5-day-long manhunt for the teen murder suspect after his recent escape. 17-year-old escaped murder suspect Shane Pryor, labeled 'dangerous', was caught by the police on Sunday.(X / U.S. Marshals Service Philadelphia)

CBS News Philadelphia reported that the police was able to take Pryor into custody at the 3rd Street and Roosevelt Boulevard without any trouble. In the same statement released by the police, the officials also confirmed that he was being transported to the homicide cell.

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Photos of the arrest were also posted on the USMS_Philly X (formerly Twitter) account, thus alerting the concerned citizens of the development. The post further reveals that the investigators effectively apprehended Pryor during their surveillance in an area that the teenager frequently visited. He was taken in as he was observed boarding a Septa bus. US Marshals got the bus pulled over and apprehended Pryor without incident.

What was Shane Pryor in prison for?

A warning was issued stating that Pryor was considered dangerous. He's awaiting trial for Tanya Harris' murder. Having been in custody since 2020, Pryor is said to have shot the woman on October 10, 2020, after soliciting sex. He was seen fleeing the scene with another male.

Pryor had even submitted a lie about the other man being an adult between the ages 25-30. Though having affirmed his advances to Harris for sex, he pinned the blame for the murder on the other male suspect. The latter, who was also captured on the CCTV, was eventually found out to be a 14 or 15-year-old. Pryor, himself, has been in prison since he was 14 years old.

How did he escape?

The Tanya Harris murder suspect had been on the run since Wednesday. He ditched police custody after he was taken to the Children's Hospital of Pennsylvania for a hand injury treatment.

Another post shared along with a CCTV footage lends us a look into Pryor's escape at the hospital. After escaping the escorting staff members at the facility at 11:51 am, he was found in the lobby of the Hub for Clinical Collaboration. There he attempted to obtain a phone from an employee, but was denied permission.

Thereafter, he obtained the desired assistance from a civilian outside. And by 12:29 pm, investigators believed that he had received transportation help. Reportedly, the 17-year-old contacted Michael Diggs, an 18-year-old, who later picked him up. At 6:38 pm, Diggs' car was pulled over, but Pryor was not found with him at the time.
Although making it to the news on January 29 (IST), an unfortunate tragedy came face to face with Vivek Saini, a 25-year-old Indian student in US, more than a week ago. Having immigrated to the US two years ago, the young man from Haryana met with a horrifying end despite showing his kindness to the accused in this case. Vivek Saini, the 25-year-old student, who was killed by a drug addict in Lithonia city of Georgia on January 16.(HT_PRINT)

As the chilling video of the incident from a convenience store in Georgia's Lithonia City surfaced on Sunday, Saini's face was plastered all over the many news sources. But who was he? He was more than a victim. The young Indian man was working to build a fulfilling life, but the world had other merciless plans in store. Read on to find out more about him.

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Also read: 3-year-old accidentally kills 2-year-old brother in US, parents face charges

Who is Vivek Saini?

Two years ago Vivek Saini immigrated to the US in search for a decent job and better opportunities to support his family living in Haryana. Before arriving in the states, he had completed his Bachelor's in Computer Science from Chandigarh University. Thereafter, he came to the US to pursue his studies further and was enrolled for the Master's course in Business Administration at the Alabama University.

Recognized as an excellent student, he recently had graduated and was working part-time at the Chevron Food Mart at Snapfinger and Cleveland Road in Lithonia, Georgia. Saini was a resident of Panchkula's Bhagwanpur village in Haryana, India. The MBA graduate student was supposed to leave for India to meet his family ten days later during his time off.

Vivek Saini's body was returned to India and the last rites have been performed. His grieving parents, Gurjeet Singh and Lalita Saini, are coping with the profound loss.

American news sources started reporting on the Georgia convenience murder store on Sunday. The incident originally took place on January 16 when the Indian student denied the homeless man free food since he had to close up shop. The man in question, Julian Faulkner, was a 53-year-old drug addict who had been offered a shelter at the store few days ago by the employees.

Vivek Saini had offered him chips, water, coke and a jacket to beat the cold. However, when he asked him to vacate the premises on the 16th, while leaving for home himself, the other man didn't respond in kind. He first struck Saini at the back of his head, and then continued to brutally hammer him nearly 50 times.

The 25-year-old died on the spot. Upon their arrival, the police discovered the accused standing over Saini's body with the weapon still in his hand.
Lauren Boebert is a prominent Republican figure, known for her outspoken support of Donald Trump. She currently serves as the representative for Colorado's 3rd District but is making a bold move by running for election in the 4th District. FILE - Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., a member of the House Freedom Caucus, speaks during a news conference, July 14, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Boebert's ex-husband, Jayson Boebert has been charged, Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, with assault and other charges in connection with two domestic altercations in early January. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)(AP)

A swift district change:

Boebert's decision to switch districts has raised eyebrows. Initially elected in 2020, she left her old seat to pursue a safer one in the eastern part of Colorado. Critics accuse her of "carpetbagging," a term for candidates running far from their actual residence.

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The carpetbagger exchange:

In a recent GOP debate, Boebert faced questions about this district switch. When asked to define "carpetbagger," she responded with humour, questioning if it was a "Mary Poppins" question. Boebert explained her move, citing the need for a fresh start away from her ex-husband.

Lauren Boebert's controversial past:

Boebert's political journey is not without controversy. She narrowly won her previous district in 2022 and faced scrutiny after a video surfaced of her vaping and allegedly groping a companion during a movie outing.

Addressing residency concerns:

Boebert's opponents seized the opportunity to question her residency during the debate. References to her past comments about a Democratic opponent living outside the district were brought up, and she had to defend her decision to move to the 4th District.

The "fresh start" argument:

Boebert emphasized that her move was for a "fresh start" for herself and her family. She assured voters that while the crops may be different, the values she represents remain the same in Colorado's 4th District.

Mockery from the media:

Not all has been smooth sailing for Boebert. A recent op-ed in The Colorado Sun mockingly critiqued her performance in the GOP debate. The piece humorously highlighted her struggles, including a moment where candidates were asked if they had been arrested in the past.

Controversial impeachment stance:

The op-ed also touched on Boebert's support for the House GOP's impeachment efforts against President Joe Biden. It questioned her understanding of the concept of high crimes and misdemeanors.

State Rep. Mike Lynch, one of Boebert's opponents, took a direct approach during the debate, questioning her about the "carpetbagging" and referencing his own DUI and gun-possession arrest, prompting a swift response from Boebert.

The road ahead:

Boebert faces both criticism and support as she navigates the complexities of a new district and defends her decisions. As the election season unfolds, all eyes are on this controversial congresswoman and the political landscape she navigates.
Violence erupted in the Maldives Parliament on Sunday as government MPs from the pro-government parties Peoples National Congress (PNC) and Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) disrupted proceedings and confronted the Speakers, as reported by Adhahdhu, a Maldives-based digital news organisation. The protests erupted after the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), led by former president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, opted to withhold approval for four members of the cabinet. (Screengrab)

Sunday's agenda included a crucial vote on parliamentary approval for the Muizzu government.

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Sun Online reported that the clash broke out during a special session which was convened to seek parliamentary approval for the ministers in President Mohamed Muizzu's cabinet.

What happened?

Amid a confrontation, a scuffle broke out between Kanditheemu MP Abdulla Shaheem Abdul Hakeem Shaheem and Kendhikulhudhoo MP Ahmed Easa, triggered when the former stumbled and inadvertently collided with Easa.

The altercation resulted in injuries to Shaheem's head as both parliamentarians fell near the chamber. Minority leader Moosa Siraj intervened in an attempt to halt the scuffle.

Subsequently, Shaheem was reportedly taken to the hospital, according to the available reports.

A video circulating on social media depicts Members of Parliament assembled near the speakers chair, involved in a physical altercation.

Why did the protests erupt?

The protests erupted after the main Opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), which is led by former president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and holds a majority in the Parliament, opted to withhold approval for four members of the cabinet, local news outlets reported.

Protesters voiced concerns that the rejection of President Muizzu's cabinet ministers could impede progress and called for the resignation of the Parliament's speaker.

The ruling coalition parties, PNC and PPP, released a statement framing the rejection of ministers as an obstacle to public service delivery, as reported by Adhadhu.

Chief Advisor to Muizzu and PNC Chairperson Abdul Raheem Abdullah defended the ministers' right to be reappointed, even without authorisation. He criticised the refusal to approve them as irresponsible.

In December, the parliament's government oversight committee approved the cabinet, declaring that all members met constitutional requirements, as reported by Sun Online.
Trafigura, a commodity trading firm, is evaluating the safety implications of future trips in the Red Sea after a fire broke out aboard an oil tanker assaulted by the Houthi group in Yemen, the company said on Saturday, January 27.

In the continuing string of violent assaults on marine trade, the United States warship managed to shoot down the missile fired by Houthi rebels on Friday, January 26, but it also damaged Trafigura-owned oil tanker Marlin Luanda, resulting in a fire.

Risk Assessment by Trafigura

In a press release, Trafigura confirmed that none of their vessels were crossing the Gulf of Aden after the incident. "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," it stated.

According to Reuters, the Iranian-backed Houthi group in Yemen started launching waves of explosive drones and missiles at ships on November 19, 2023, in reaction to Israel's military operations in Gaza. As a result, some shipping companies have ceased transits through the Red Sea, which can be reached from the Gulf of Aden, and have taken much longer and more expensive routes around Africa.

The Houthis have mostly attacked ships carrying containers as they transit the Red Sea. It is still a popular route for gasoline tankers. One of the major exceptions is QatarEnergy, the world's second-largest producer of liquefied natural gas. Earlier this month, due to security concerns, they stopped shipping tankers across the Red Sea.

According to a statement from Trafigura, the crew of the Marlin Luanda spent several hours early on Saturday fighting a fire in one cargo tank on the starboard side of the vessel. The fire was put out, and the crew was declared safe the next day afternoon.

"The vessel is now sailing towards a safe harbour," Trafigura said, adding that the firefighting operation had received assistance from naval warships of the Indian, American, and French fleets.

A representative from Trafigura confirmed on Friday that the ship was transporting Russian naphtha that had been bought below the price limit in accordance with the G7 sanctions.

See Also: Red Sea: Houthi Rebels Fire Missile at US Warship Amid Escalating Middle East Crisis

Amid the Red Sea Crisis

After Houthi assaults on shipping in recent weeks, US and British warplanes, ships, and submarines have launched hundreds of retaliation strikes throughout Yemen.

Central Command said that eight hours after the Marlin Luanda incident, the US destroyed a Houthi anti-ship missile about to fire into the Red Sea. It warned that commercial ships and US Navy ships in the area were in immediate danger from the missile.

On Saturday, the Houthis' Al-Masira television reported two US and UK air raids on Yemen's key oil export facility, Ras Issa, as reported by Reuters. However, the Central Command did not confirm this attack.

See Also: China Urges Iran To Rule in Houthi Attacks Amid US Calls for Beijing To Help Curb Red Sea Tension
Key negotiator James Lankford, who is involved in a bipartisan bill amid border talks, is facing criticism from GOP lawmakers.

On Saturday, the Oklahoma Republican Party approved a resolution condemning and censuring Lankford for his role as chief negotiator for Democrats and Republicans. The resolution by state Sen. Dusty Deevers argued that Lankford was playing fast and loose with the left on the country's border policy.

Border Policy Negotiations

It added that Lankford's efforts not only disfranchise legal immigrants who are seeking citizenship but also put the safety and security of Americans in greater danger. For weeks, Senate negotiators have been working on a compromise on border and immigration policy that seeks to address the rising number of immigrants who come across the United States border with Mexico.

The resolution stated that authorizing several thousand people to invade the country's borders before any action can be taken goes against the oath that Lankford took to the Constitution. It noted that therefore, it was outside of the area that he is authorized to negotiate in, as per The Hill.

It comes as some parameters of the deal being reported include a provision that would shut down the border after 5,000 migrants have come through. Over the weekend, United States President Joe Biden took the remarkable step of declaring that he had the authority to shut the border down and would enforce such once a bill was signed.

On Sunday, Lankford defended his work on the border talks but was not asked about the resolution against him. He said that four months ago, Republicans would not give funding for Ukraine, for Israel, and for the southern border amid demands for a change in policy.

However, now that they are cooperating to work on such a process, those who were critical of the stagnant border policy suddenly reversed. He said that they now do not want a change in law because of the presidential election year.

Read Also: House Speaker Johnson Issues Warning to Senate Over Border Deal, Predicting Its Demise Upon Arrival

Republican Opposition

While President Biden supported the general framework of the new bipartisan bill, former United States President Donald Trump opposed the compromise. This is what prompted several State Republicans to say that they would not support the measure, according to the Washington Post.

Lankford said on Sunday that his colleagues have not yet had the chance to read the full text of the bipartisan bill. He said that there were "internet rumors" floating around regarding the measure, which he called inaccurate.

The key border policy negotiator added that the new bill focuses on getting the country to zero illegal crossings a day. He said that there was no amnesty, adding that the bill increases the number of Border Patrol agents, asylum officers, and detention beds to quickly detain and deport illegal immigrants.

Another key negotiator on border policy, Sen. Chris Murphy, said that the text of a compromise could be ready to go to the Senate in the next few days. He said that the issue would be whether or not Republican lawmakers are going to listen to Trump amid the latter's efforts to tank the compromise, said CNN.

Related Article: Elon Musk Shares FBI Letter Warning US Gov. About US-Mexico Border Issue
The management of CNN Philippines officially announced on Monday (Jan. 29) that it would cease its operations effective Jan. 31 after struggling financially over the span of several years.

"We are aware of the impact of this closure on our valued employees and talents, we assure all affected staff will be provided with severance packages," the network said in its official statement.

CNN Philippines Financially on the Red

In an advisory broadcast on its channel early Monday, CNN Philippines said that it would "discontinue operations on all media platforms effective Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024," with the last day of live broadcast ending on Monday night, local time.

"To our staff, we thank you for your commitment and dedication," the network said. "To our partners, including CNN Worldwide/Turner Broadcasting Corp., we are grateful for your support."

CNN Philippines is the Manila bureau and franchise holder of the CNN International brand for almost nine years, and has been paying license fees annually to keep it afloat.

According to local media, the network disclosed in its recent financial statements that it incurred a net loss of PHP 239.7 million ($4.24 million) in 2022 and PHP 231.4 million (4.09) in 2021.

BREAKING: CNN Philippines officially announces that it will stop news production operations starting today as a result of "serious financial losses" #NewsYouCanTrust pic.twitter.com/BxheRwkej0  Tristan Nodalo (@TristanNodalo) January 29, 2024

CNN Philippines reporter Tristan Nodalo wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that the network's president Benjamin Ramos announced that it would stop news production operations as a result of financial losses.

Ramos also thanked the network's staff for their work of "delivering news that [is] fair, accurate, and balanced."

Staff gathered at the network's offices on Monday to be formally informed of the announcement. Prior to the meeting, employees took photos inside the newsroom and other parts of CNN's studios for photo memorabilia.

Prior to the announcement, there were concerns from the National Union of Journalists in the Philippines (NUJP) that the network's media workers were the last to know about the decision, given that initial reports about the closure were made last Friday (Jan. 26).

However, it was revealed by an executive of the media firm that the shutdown was "long overdue," and Nine Media chairman D. Edgard Cabangon delayed the closure or termination of the franchise deal with Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific out of "love for [its] employees."

Related Article: LA Times Lays Off 115 Newsroom Journalists Amid Financial Crisis
If U.S. airlines decided to cancel their Boeing 737 Max 10 aircraft orders, then Ryanair said that it is willing to purchase them.

This was confirmed by the Irish ultra-low-cost carrier group on Monday, Jan. 29, during a presentation on the airline's quarterly results.

What Ryanair's executives said is quite surprising since Boeing made huge headlines recently after some of its airplanes caused alarming incidents, especially the mid-flight blowout incident.

But, why is Ryanair so invested in Boeing's 737 Max 10 passenger aircraft units? Here's what the Irish carrier group's officials explained.

Ryanair Willing To Purchase Boeing 737 Max 10 If US Airlines Cancel Orders

According to Yahoo Finance's latest report, Ryanair's officials said that they are willing to buy all the Boeing 737 Max 10 orders that U.S. airlines might cancel.

As of writing, Ryanair already has 150 737 Max 10 orders, which are expected to be delivered in 2027, and is still open for 150 more.

"We have told them if some of these American airlines don't want to take the MAX 10 aircraft, Ryanair will take those aircraft," said Ryanair Chief Executive Michael O'Leary.

Recently, O'Leary already showed his interest in the upcoming Boeing 737 Max 10 airplanes, saying that these are transformational aircraft. He added that the American aircraft manufacturer would always make great airplane models.

However, the Ryanair official admitted that Boeing still needs to improve the quality of its airplanes. Aside from O'Leary, Ryanair Chief Financial Officer Neil Sorahan also showed his interest in acquiring the 737 Max 10 orders that U.S.-based airlines could cancel.

"If Scott Kirby doesn't want to take his MAX 10s, then we'll very happily take them at the right price," said the Ryanair CFO.

Sorahan added that he is hopeful that the Boeing 737 Max 10s will be certified by the Federal Aviation Administration as early as 2025.

Read Also: FAA's Decision to Limit Boeing Max Production Growth Might Hurt Suppliers, Airlines: Report

United Airlines Might Cancel Boeing 737 Max 10 Orders

The comments made by Ryanair's executives came after United Airlines cast doubt on its Boeing 737 Max 10 orders. UA CEO Scott Kirby said that they are weighing if their airplane fleet really needs the 737 Max 10s.

He said that they are weighing fleet plans without the Boeing aircraft because of the series of delays, as well as the recent incidents involving the smaller variant of the Max 10, which is the 737 Max 9.

"I think the Max 9 grounding is probably the straw that broke the camel's back for us," said Kirby via CNBC.

"We're going to at least build a plan that doesn't have the Max 10 in it," he added.

Related Article: FAA to Closely Monitor Boeing 737 Max 9 Airplanes Once Operational-When Will These Planes Return?
Iran said that the decision of Western countries to suspend funding for UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East).

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani said that what the Western countries are doing is nothing but an endorsement of genocide in the Gaza Strip.

He shared his remarks regarding the latest UNRWA issue on Sunday, Jan. 28. Here are other things Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson said.

Iran Says UNRWA Funding Suspension is 'Endorsement of Genocide'

IRNA (Islamic Republic News Agency) reported that Iran condemned the UNRWA funding suspensions of Western countries. Meanwhile, the United Nations, as well as Palestinian officials, said that UNRWA funding should continue to help civilians in the Gaza Strip.

Kanaani explained that restricting and putting pressure on UNRWA's humanitarian activities to deliver needed humanitarian aid to a nation facing harsh war conditions is "nothing but an endorsement of the narrative of a criminal regime accused of committing genocide."

The Iranian official condemned Western countries for hindering the efforts of UNRWA in the Gaza Strip as it faces an imminent threat of genocide.

Kanaani also denied the accusations made against UNRWA staff, claiming that these allegations were another malicious act. He said that Israel is doing this to complement its inhumane actions against Palestinians.

He added that the Israeli government made such accusations against the Palestinian humanitarian organization so that it could justify the restrictions it imposed on other humanitarian agencies in the Gaza Strip.

"It is also an attempt to absolve the Israeli regime of committing unprecedented and horrifying crime of the massacre of around 150 employees of these international institutions, including UNRWA, over the past 113 days," explained Kanaani.

Read Also: Ukraine Corruption Scheme: 5 Arrested Over Alleged $40 Million Conspiracy

About UNRWA Allegations

According to CNN World, an Israeli official accused 12 UNRWA employees of getting involved in the deadly Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which ignited the official war between the Palestinian militant organization and Israel.

Israeli Military Intelligence Directorate Maj. Gen Aharon Haliva even met with some senior U.S. officials on Friday, Jan. 26.

During their meeting, the Israeli official gave the names of those involved in the Hamas terrorist attack, as well as the organizations they are affiliated with.

Because of the alleged involvement of UNRWA employees in the Hamas attack, at least nine countries, such as the U.S. and Germany, paused funding for the humanitarian agency.

Related Article: Japan Suspends UNRWA Funding Over Allegations of Staff Involvement in Oct 7 Hamas Attack
Protesting farmers in France have threatened to encircle Paris and other major cities in the country in a "quasi-military siege."

Tractors were being put in place at eight key routes on Monday, Jan. 29 to block them later in the afternoon to call for more protection against rising production costs, as well as for an end to green net zero policies that they said would put them out of business.

"[T]he 'siege of Paris' is being prepared with quasi-military organization," agriculture union FNSEA director Stephane Sanchez said.

Another place farmers would be blocking is Rungis, Paris's southern food market, as well as other roads such as the A1 motorway from Paris to Calais, the Daily Mail reported.

The goal for the blockade was not to "annoy the population," said Paris Young Farmers member Clement Torpier, but to get actionable answers from the government.

The protests have since left a woman and her daughter dead after a car rammed into a farmers' roadblock last week. The woman's husband was also seriously injured.

Read Also: Paris Police Hold Another Protest Calling for Better Pay During Olympics Duties

Farmers' Criminal Behavior

On the other hand, French Agriculture Minister Marc Fesneau called for "zero tolerance and degradation" by the farmers, some of them already involved in criminal acts in other parts of France, including setting fire to foreign trucks and their produce.

Supermarkets have also been raided by groups of militant farmers, stealing their produce from overseas, and setting it ablaze outside the stores.

Fesneau also said that criminal behavior was unacceptable, and a blockade of the city of Paris was largely useless as it would "penalize" Parisians.

"I'm not sure that blocking the whole of the Ile de France [great Paris] will serve the interests of the farmers," he added.

Meanwhile, French Minister Gerald Darmanin confirmed that a large security operation would be in place around Paris on Monday to "prevent any blockage of Rungis and the airport."

French President Emmanuel Macron has since ordered Prime Minister Gabriel Attal to quell a potential "peasants' revolt" similar to that of the Yellow Vest revolt between 2018 and 2020.

Similar farmers' movements have also been launched in several European countries, including Germany, Italy, and Spain. According to Reuters, French farmers are calling on the EU to change its agricultural laws to quell the protests across the continent.

Related Article: France Fails To Appease Farmers' Outrage as Demonstrations Continue To Spread
Iran has rejected claims that it was behind the drone strike that killed three American servicemen at a facility in Jordan, close to the Syrian border.

The United States placed the blame on "radical Iranian-backed militant groups" for the assault, which wounded scores of people. US President Joe Biden threatened retaliation, saying, "We shall respond."

Since the conflict in Gaza broke out on October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel, this is the first strike that has killed US forces in the area. Previous assaults on US bases in the area did not result in casualties up until Sunday, January 28.

Denying Claims

According to BBC, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq has denied any involvement in the incident.

Several Iraqi militias with ties to Iran formed the umbrella organization in late 2023. In the last several weeks, it has also claimed responsibility for strikes on US soldiers, but not this time.

The organization announced their strikes in a statement, claiming they had hit three US sites in Jordan and Syria (Shaddadi, Rukban, and Tanf) and an Israeli oil plant in the Mediterranean.

A statement issued by the Iraqi government denounced the assault and urged a stop to the escalating violence in the region, BBC reported. Iraqi government spokesperson Bassem al-Awadi expressed the country's willingness to work with other nations to set basic principles that would limit the spread of violence and its regional consequences.

Both the US and Britain accused Iran of providing assistance to the terrorist organizations that were implicated in the attack, but Iran also disputed the claim.

Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said that Tehran was not meddling with resistance organizations' decisions regarding the defense of Palestinians or their own nations.

See Also: Biden Vows Retaliation After 3 US Troops Killed in Drone Attack in Jordan

Biden's Response

Biden was informed about the incident on Sunday morning by US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and other authorities, according to the White House.

"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," Biden said in a press release.

Officials are now in the process of notifying the relatives of the fallen and wounded personnel, but the identities of those individuals have not been revealed.

While in South Carolina, Biden made an appearance in the banquet hall of a Baptist church and asked for a moment of silence.

"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 stated. Soon after the pause, Biden said, "And we shall respond."

According to US authorities, a total of 34 service members are now being assessed for potential traumatic brain injuries. A portion of the wounded troops have been medically removed from the site to get further care.

They also claimed that the drone hit residential areas on the base, which, if true, would account for a larger death toll.

See Also: Jordan Says Southern Gaza Hospital Badly Damaged by Intense Israeli Strikes
The Biden Administration announced a new plan to restrict China from using cloud services in the United States. The proposal is scheduled to be released on Monday, Jan. 29.

This is the latest effort of the U.S. government against China in the ongoing AI race, as well as in the tech conflict between the two super-power nations.

Now, the Biden Admin wants to require Amazon, Microsoft, and other tech firms offering cloud services to investigate and disclose if their cloud is being used by foreign clients.

Biden Admin To Restrict China From Using US Cloud Services for AI Training

According to The Fortune's latest report, the Biden Admin's new proposal specifically aims to make foreign client investigation and disclosure mandatory for Amazon, Microsoft, and other cloud service providers.

The U.S. government said that in its new proposal, these tech firms will be required to reveal the IP addresses and names of their foreign consumers.

If ever this proposal is implemented by the Biden Administration, then the client information that cloud service providers will disclose could be used by the government to target Chinese customers.

These sensitive details can help U.S. officials block Chinese firms from accessing data centers, as well as servers, which are important for training and hosting artificial intelligence models.

Aside from this, the Biden Administration will also require Microsoft, Amazon, Apple, and other cloud service companies to store, analyze, and collect customer data.

Read Also: Surviving the AI Revolution: How to Protect Yourself From Artificial Intelligence Automation

AI Safety Tests Disclosure To Be Required

Aside from the names and IP addresses of foreign clients, the Biden Administration also announced a new requirement that will make AI safety test disclosure mandatory.

ABC News reported that the executive order, which was signed by U.S. President Joe Biden, in October 2023, will be reviewed if it can really manage the fast-evolving technology.

Included in the executive order was a mandate under the Defense Production Act that tech firms should share critical information about AI development with the Commerce Department.

These include safety nets. As of writing, AI developers don't need to comply with a common standard on safety tests yet. But, the National Institute of Standards and Technology announced that it will establish a unified framework for assessing AI safety.

"We know that AI has transformative effects and potential," said the White House special adviser on AI, Ben Buchanan.

"We're not trying to upend the apple cart there, but we are trying to make sure the regulators are prepared to manage this technology," he added.

Related Article: China's AI Rush: Over 40 Artificial Intelligence Models Approved as Beijing Tries To Keep Up With US
The Biden Admin watered down its gas stove crackdown by issuing less strict regulations. This was confirmed after the Department of Energy published the rules on Monday, Jan. 29.

Before this, the DEO's original proposal back in February 2023 aimed to impact around 50% of the existing gas stove units in the United States.

The rules in the proposal were supposed to take effect in 2027. However, since the regulations were too strict, Republicans, as well as consumer advocacy groups, criticized the Biden Administration.

Because of the serious backlash, the U.S. government had to adjust its proposed rules for gas stove models in the U.S. Here's what Americans need to know.

Biden Admin Waters Down Gas Stove Crackdown

According to Fox News' latest report, the Biden Administration finalized its gas stove regulations, which are expected to become fully active as early as 2028.

"President Biden is committed to using all the tools at the Administration's disposal to lower costs for American families and deliver healthier communities - including energy efficiency measures like the one announced today," said Jennifer Granholm, the U.S. Energy Secretary.

Granholm added that the DOE is dedicated to cooperating with the stakeholders and industry partners throughout 2024. She explained that this is needed to improve appliance standards.

Aside from this, working with industry partners and stakeholders is also needed to address a backlog of congressionally-mandated energy efficiency actions, which delay an estimated $1 trillion in consumer savings.

Because of this, the Biden Admin decided to settle on energy levels that would retain performance and features that American consumers heavily rely on a daily basis.

"We do see this as a win for consumers - we retained the features, all the things that we were very concerned about, that we felt like under the original proposal would be lost," said AHAM's spokesperson Jill Notini.

Read Also: Biden Admin Introduces Refugee Program Allowing US Sponsors to Recommend Individuals for Migration

New Gas Stove Regulations

The Hill reported that the new regulations of the Biden Admin's gas stove crackdown effort are significantly weaker than the initial proposal.

The Department of Energy said that this is because 97% of gas stoves and 77% of electric stove units sold on the market already meet the requirements in the proposal.

Here are the specific changes that happened in the gas stove regulations of the Biden Administration:

Gas stove models were affected down to 3% (regulations originally aimed to target 50% of gas stoves).

Gas stoves that will be sold in the future are now allowed to have more than 1,770 kBtu per year (rules originally aimed to require only 1,204 kBtu).

The DOE clarified that the new rules will only apply to gas stoves that will be sold when the regulations are implemented, meaning that existing units in American households will no longer need to meet the said requirements.

Related Article: Biden Admin to Restrict China From Using US Cloud Services for AI Training-Here's the Plan
More than ten countries have suspended funds for a United Nations Palestinian aid agency following Israel's claim that staff members took part in abductions and killings during the October 7 raid. The six-page report, obtained by Reuters, alleges that roughly 190 UNRWA employees, including teachers, have doubled as Hamas or Islamic Jihad militants. The report lists 11 names and pictures for them.

The Palestinians doubled down, accusing Israel of falsifying intelligence to mar UNRWA, who are currently investigating the allegations and have fired several staffers as a result.

One of the alleged participants is a school counselor who helped his son abduct a woman during the Hamas infiltration in which Israel says 1,200 people were killed and 253 kidnapped.

Another is a UNRWA social worker who stands accused of unspecified involvement in the transfer to Gaza of a slain Israel soldier's corpse and coordinating the movements of trucks carrying supplies of weaponry.

A third Palestinian on the list is charged with taking part in a rampage in the Israeli border village Beeri, where one-tenth of the residents were killed. Reuters further revealed a fourth name on the list had allegedly participated in an attack on Reim, the site where an army base was overrun and a rave where more than 360 partygoers died.

Foreign Minister Israel Katz said UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini should go. "UNRWA employees participated in the massacre of October 7," he said. "Lazzarini should draw conclusions and resign," further quoted by the news outlet.

The document was shown to Reuters by a source who could not be identified by name or nationality. The source said it had been compiled by Israeli intelligence and shared with the United States. The U.S. subsequently ceased all funding to UNRWA.

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh accused Israel of a "premeditated political attack" on the agency, which it has long criticized, and called for restoration of aid funds.

An Israeli official told Reuters the 190 mentioned in the dossier were "hardened fighters, killers" whereas overall some 10% of UNRWA staff were believed to have more general affiliation with Hamas and Islamic Jihad. The agency employs 13,000 people in Gaza.

WHAT IS UNRWA?

The Financial Times reports that UNRWA employs 13,000 members in Gaza and has an overall staff of 30,000 worldwide. It is the primary agency for overseeing aid as well as running schools and hospitals for Palestinian refugees based in the Middle East, including Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

FT explains the allegations made by Israel are founded on documents and identification cards collected since the start of the Gaza conflict, according to the person with intimate knowledge of the dossier.

UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres, in a statement on Sunday, said that he was "horrified" by the accusations against the 12 UNRWA employees, per the Financial Times. The employment of nine had been terminated, one was no longer alive while the status of the two others is still being clarified, he said.

The top UN chief, however, pleaded with world leaders to continue funding the agency, saying: "Two million civilians in Gaza depend on critical aid from UNRWA for daily survival. I strongly appeal to the governments that have suspended their contributions to, at least, guarantee the continuity of UNRWA's operations."

UNRWA is giving vital support to hundreds of thousands of Palestinians displaced by Israel's assault on Gaza. According to Palestinian officials, more than 26,000 have been killed, and more than 85 percent of the 2.3 million population were forced to flee their homes.

The Norwegian Refugee Council notes the suspension of aid is threatening the life-saving assistance that UNRWA is providing to the people of Gaza, half of whom are just children.

"We are shocked by the reckless decision to cut a lifeline for an entire population by some of the very countries that had called for aid in Gaza to be stepped up," it said.
There have been new developments in the concluded Alex Murdagh trial where a member of the jury states that her guilty verdict was influenced by a court clerk. The members of the jury has only been identified as Juror Z but the court clerk has been identified as Becky Hill.

According to a report from the Associated Press, the jurors were urged to watch Murdagh's body language and they made him appear guilty which influenced Juror Z's choice to convict Murdagh.

However, the other 11 unnamed jurors have stated that their decisions of a guilty verdict were based on testimony and evidence presented during the trial. In addition, only one of them had mentioned hearing something similar regarding Murdagh from Hill. Despite this Juror Z stands by their statement, even going on to say during questioning that it was their fellow jurors who influenced their decision to vote guilty more than Hill's statements regarding Murdagh's movements. They stated, "I had questions about Mr. Murdaugh's guilt but voted guilty because I felt pressured by other jurors." In the state of South Carolina, guilty verdicts must be unanimous.

Despite this other jury members continue to say that their decisions weren't influenced by Hill and while one juror said that they had heard Hill's comments the comments did not change their mind. Hill is expected to testify on Monday and is predicted to face heavy questioning from Murdagh's lawyers. The basis for Murdagh's appeal is jury tampering with the defense saying that if true then it does not matter whether a juror had overtly stated that their verdict would change. This is because even a hint of outside influence could have prevented Murdagh from receiving a fair trial. Hill herself has denied any jury tampering. In addition, Judge Jean Toal has deemed that the defense must prove potential misconduct. Additionally, Toal has limited what can be asked of Hill ruling out questions about a criminal investigation conducted by state agents into whether Hill had used Toal's office for financial gain plus emailing prosecutors with tips on how to discredit defense experts and conspiring with her son who is being charged with wiretapping county phones. However, Toal has stated, "I'm very, very reluctant to turn this hearing about juror contact into a wholesale exploration about every piece of conduct by the clerk."

What's Next?

Even if there is a new murder trial peaking over the horizon for Murdagh, he's still serving 27 years after he admitted to stealing a 12 million dollars from his law firm on in addition to settlements he had previously gained for clients on the grounds of wrongful death and serious injury lawsuits. He does, however, remain adamant that he did not kill his younger son Paul with a shotgun, nor did he murder his wife with a rifle continuing to state that he had found their bodies in their Colleton County home back in 2021.
The attack on Sunday that resulted in the death of three U.S. troops and wounded has amplified pressure on the United States to take action. This is the first deadly strike against U.S. troops since Israel's war on Gaza started in October, marking a major escalation of tension in the Middle East.

It was disclosed in a statement from Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin, "Let me start with my outrage and sorrow (for) the deaths of three brave U.S. troops in Jordan and for the other troops who were wounded," U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said at the Pentagon.

"The president and I will not tolerate attacks on U.S. forces, and we will take all necessary actions to defend the U.S. and our troops," Austin added at the start of a meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the Pentagon.

According to Reuters, White House national security spokesperson John Kirby told reporters that Biden is weighing his options for responding. "We are not seeking a war with Iran," he said.

The United States is investigating why the nearly 350 troops at the base in Jordan, known as Tower 22, were unable to intercept the drone.

Two officials said a U.S. drone was approaching the base around the same time the attack drone was incoming. One of the officials said the attack drone was also flying low, factors that may have contributed to its miss by base defenses.

What Was The Attack?

Thirty-four personnel were reportedly injured in the Jordan attack, however that number is expected to change as more people seek care, while eight personnel were evacuated from Jordan for critical-level care. They remain in stable condition.

The attack and any potential move from the U.S. continues to elicit a feeling of fear for potentially a much larger conflict in the Middle East. Israel's subsequent assault on Gaza has killed over 26,000 Palestinians, according to the local health ministry.

The United States has already retaliated in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen in response to previous attacks by Iran-backed groups.

"He's weighing the options before him," said White House national security spokesman Kirby. "As he said yesterday, we will respond. We'll do that on our schedule and our time, and we'll do it in the manner of the president's choosing as commander in chief," quoted Reuters.

"We'll also do it fully cognizant of the fact that these groups, backed by Tehran, have just taken the lives of American troops," Kirby said, adding that the United States was not seeking to escalate and not looking for a war with Iran.

Meanwhile, Iran's minister of intelligence said that regional armed groups aligned with Tehran will respond to "American aggressors" at their own discretion.
Hyatt Regency Dubai Creek Heights has appointed Patrick Fernandez as hotel manager.

Fernandez graduated from Mumbai Hotel School in 1994 and moved to Dubai in 1997, where he played a role in the pre-opening of Jumeirah Beach Resort.

The hotelier then moved to Soneva Fushi in the Maldives and contributed to the pre-opening of Kempinski Akaba in Jordan. His global journey continued with a significant role in the rebranding of Berjaya in Malaysia.

Returning to Dubai in 2012, Fernandez made notable contributions to Jumeirah Beach Hotel and Jumeirah Emirates Towers before joining Park Hyatt in 2021 as the director of food & beverage and, later, director of operations.

His adaptability, open-mindedness, and easy-going nature, have led him into his new role, the hotel says.

Fernandez sees his current role as a platform to enhance and amplify his contributions to the team's outstanding achievements in recent years.
Vancouver, B.C.  Coast Hotels Limited, a fully owned subsidiary of APA Hotel Canada, Inc. and one of North Americas fastest-growing and one of Canadas largest hotel brands, is pleased to announce the addition of two new franchise properties in historic and vibrant downtown Dawson City, Yukon. The introduction of Eldorado, a Coast Hotel, and Midnight Sun, a Coast Hotel, marks a significant milestone in Coast Hotels commitment to providing exceptional accommodations in unique and culturally rich destinations.

Eldorado, a Coast Hotel, pays homage to the rich mining history of Dawson City, taking inspiration from the iconic Eldorado Gold Mine. The hotel embraces a blend of affordable comfort and historic charm, offering guests an immersive experience that reflects the essence of the region. With spacious suites and well-appointed rooms, essential amenities, personalized service, and an on-site restaurant and a lounge, Eldorado, a Coast Hotel promises a memorable stay for both business and leisure travelers.

Midnight Sun, a Coast Hotel, draws inspiration from the awe-inspiring natural phenomenon of the Yukon's perpetual daylight during the summer months. Anchored in the allure of Yukons rich past, this iconic 19- room boutique hotel, open seasonally from May to September, seamlessly weaves together the charm of a bygone era with contemporary hospitality. Visitors are greeted by an atmosphere that effortlessly balances authenticity and luxury, with a variety of room options, each meticulously designed to offer a unique blend of historic charm and modern amenities. For those seeking relaxation, guests can unwind and share stories of their Yukon adventures in the Midnight Sun Lounge, serving an extensive carefully crafted cocktail menu and great light bites.

We are excited to expand our presence in the Yukon Territory with the addition of Eldorado, a Coast Hotel, and Midnight Sun, a Coast Hotel, in Dawson City. These properties reflect our dedication to providing friendly service, refreshingly local stays, and memorable experiences for our guests while celebrating the unique history and natural beauty of Dawson City. Jin Sasaki, President & CEO of Coast Hotels

We are excited to continue our long partnership with Coast Hotels and to expand this relationship to two additional hotels in Dawson City. Our pride in our downtown assets is amplified by the fact that we co-own these assets with the Trondek Hwechin investment trust. Our goal is to continue to grow Dawson City, as a destination, and we believe a partnership with Coast Hotels is the best way to make that happen. Michael Hale, CEO of NVD

Both properties are strategically located to provide easy access to Dawson City's key attractions, including the Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park, Diamond Tooth Gerties Gambling Hall, and the enchanting Yukon River. Complimentary airport shuttle services add an extra layer of convenience, allowing guests to arrive and depart with ease.

About Northern Vision Development

Northern Vision Development ("NVD"), a private real estate partnership established in February 2004, owns, manages, acquires, sells, and develops hospitality, commercial and residential assets in Canadas Yukon Territory. NVD is managed by its General Partner, Northern Vision Development Corp., a private corporation based in Whitehorse and formed under the laws of the Yukon. The operations of the Partnership are overseen by a board of directors of the General Partner, comprised of individuals with a diverse mix of skill sets, including experience in the real estate and hospitality industries. NVD is proud to be majority First Nation-owned and is dedicated to serving the communities of the Yukon Territory.

About Coast Hotels

Each Coast Hotel property is as unique as the destinations they are located in, yet they all have something in common: friendly service and our always pleasant amenities. Coast Hotels offers properties throughout British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, the Yukon, Alaska, California, Hawaii, and Washington State in cities large and small. As one of North America's fastest-growing hotel brands, Coast Hotels owes its continued expansion to its friendly service, prime locations, value, and guest satisfaction. Coast Hotels owns and franchises hotels under the Coast Hotels brand and manages hotels on both a Coast Hotels branded and independent basis.

About APA Hotels

Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, APA has a network of more than 620 properties and over 93,000 rooms in Japan making it the country's largest hotel group. It also has one hundred percent ownership of Coast Hotels, the brand, and owns the six "by APA" hotels in Vancouver, Victoria, Chilliwack, Prince George, Edmonton, and Calgary. APA is known for their urban-style hotel concept that delivers high-quality, highly functional, and environmentally friendly hotels to the market.

Visit www.coasthotels.com or call 1.800.663.1144.

Brigitte Diem-Guy

VP Revenue Strategies & Communication

Coast Hotels
Europes first platform to combine residential solutions with services for property owners and investors, Joivy, has announced that William Parry has become its general manager for UK and Ireland having previously been its short term rental subsidiary, ALTIDOs CEO with immediate effect.

Adela Padwal-Jurechova also joins the company as Director of Sales as Joivy prepares for ambitious growth.

William Parry founded ALTIDO in 2019 through a merger of four European short term rental companies across four different countries and became CEO in 2021. Over the next three years the company went through a period of growth, increasing the portfolio to over 1,000 properties and 700 pop hotel rooms in more than 20 cities.

In 2022 William guided ALTIDO through an acquisition by DoveVivo, the largest co-living brand in Europe. The two companies combined, along with Frances Chez Nestor, became the largest property management company on the continent, operating in 15 cities with a portfolio of over 10,000 beds.

Now united under one brand Joivy, the company has announced a record breaking year for revenue in 2023, when turnover tripled in just two years.

Being involved with a brand and watching it grow from the ground up into a multimillion pound enterprise has been the most incredible experience. The STR landscape has changed significantly since I started back in 2019 and continues to evolve as the sector branches out into different verticals from co-living to castles. I am looking forward to putting all of my focus and energy into cultivating my home markets. I will be overseeing performance and identifying new opportunities for growth, as well as building and maintaining important relationships within the industry. William Parry, General Manager UK and Ireland

Adela Padwal-Jurechova joins Joivy as Director of Sales in the UK as the company looks to capitalise on increasing residential rental markets by expanding its offering into co-living, co-working, vacation travel and build-to-rent spaces. Having worked in the hospitality industryfor more than two decades, Adela brings a significant amount of experience and knowledge to the team.

With a portfolio of half a million square meters in 50 European cities and a total value estimated at approximately 2 billion, Joivy reached around 2,000 owners last year and hosted over 200,000 customers across a total of 4,000 assets.

But it's not stopping there. The company has ambitious plans in 2024 including further real estate investment support, a strong push in the UK and Portugal on the coliving sector, and entry into the French short term residential market.

About Joivy

Joivy is the first comprehensive residential platform in Europe to offer a wide range of living spaces to its users - coliving, micro-living, student housing, hospitality, multifamily and coworking - and supports owners and investors with a full range of services to support their real estate assets: property management, asset management, marketing strategy, development & construction. It brings together under one identity the decades of experience and expertise ofDoveVivo, ALTIDO and Chez Nestor and boasts a portfolio under management of 4,000 units located in 50 destinations and 6 countries. information available at www.joivy.co m.
Any marketing content that describes your product - in this case your hotel - must be original, authentic, enticing and believable. Your marketing content should tell a consistent "story" about your hotels value proposition and brand, and inspire travelers to consider and eventually book your property. This is marketing 101. This rule applies to your website copy and descriptions, OTA and directory listings, social media posts, digital marketing messaging, etc. If it is not, then you are hurting yourself by alienating your prospective guests and sending them to the competition.

Today we are dealing with digitally-savvy, experienced travelers. The prevailing thinking is: If the hotel hasnt invested in describing well their property, services and amenities so that I feel intrigued and engaged, just imagine what state the property itself is in!

At my company NextGuest we had a team of SEO-trained professional copywriters. When working on the copy for a new hotel website, they visited the hotel/resort and saw all the services and amenities with their own eyes, had discussions with managers there to finetune the hotel branding messaging and style, explored the destination and which places of interest generate business for the hotel, etc.

Our copywriters were de facto storytellers of the hotel story, embedding their own emotions and reminiscing their own experiences, and enhancing the copy with the new branding messaging and style of the property, and of course, optimizing the copy for SEO.

For 20 years we were able to drastically improve the search rankings of our hotel client websites, together with backlink and technical SEO strategies - Google loved the content we created!

So, can hoteliers switch to generative AI-created marketing content using AI chatbots like ChatGPT or Google Gemini?

At best, genAI comes up with regurgitated, off-the-shelf copy, with no human emotions involved and not understanding sentiment, no personalization for the various key customer segments (corporate, leisure, group, social events, etc.). And no sense as to what the actual property brand voice is all about, and how hoteliers are positioning their property in their market and vs the competition, and how guests are perceiving on an emotional level the property and its services and amenities.

Here are only a few signs that give away genAI-created content:

Using complicated, even pompous words and phrases that we humans do not use in our everyday lives.

Overly structured and predictable sentence length and composition

Overly uniform tone that is far removed from human emotions

Easy to spot lack of personality

So, dont be hasty in firing your digital marketing agency and PR, and replacing them with generative AI-created copywriting. At least not yet. Not until genAI starts understanding human emotions and acquires personality, which I hope wont happen in the near future.

Max Starkov

NYU

View source
Rendering of the Radisson Resort Anyer

Radisson Hotel Group has announced plans to open a new beachfront Radisson Resort, situated in the charming coastal town of Anyer, Indonesia. The 150-key Radisson Resort Anyer is tucked away on a peaceful private shoreline and is set to introduce modern hospitality within the tropical ambiance of Indonesia when it opens in 2027.

In addition to 120 guestrooms and 30 tent villas, the hotel will feature private beach access ,a beach club and swimming pool, as well as an all-day dining restaurant, a bar, a gym, a kids club, meeting rooms, a spa and wellness centre.

Nestled in Banten province, Anyer is lauded as one of Indonesia's most famous beaches on Java's West Coast and serves as the quintessential icon of the region. Situated within a two-hour drive from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and central Jakarta, the resort is easily accessible for domestic and international travelers seeking an idyllic resort vacation. Anyer is home to the pristine Anyer Beach, renowned for its long stretch of golden sands and serves as an eye-opening gateway to the famed Krakatoa volcano.

Indonesia continues to be a strategic market for Radisson Hotel Group as over 10.4 million foreign tourists were received in the first 11 months of 2023, a more than 110% increase in tourists compared to the same period in 2022.

"The recent signing of Radisson Resort Anyer perfectly fits with our expansion strategy in Indonesia following the successful establishment of our Jakarta business unit last year. This collaboration underscores our commitment to innovative business models, introducing curated experiences and pioneering the first glamping concept within the portfolio. This strategic venture will further enhance our strong leisure portfolio, positioning us at the forefront of market trends in Indonesian hospitality," stated Ramzy Fenianos, Radisson Hotel Group's Chief Development Officer Asia-Pacific.

"My family and I would like to thank Radisson Hotel Group for their steadfast partnership in turning our ambitions and dreams into reality, as we set out on a mission to redefine international upscale hospitality in Anyer. We are confident this partnership will bring Radisson Hotel Group's global expertise and hospitality that will elevate Anyer into a premier destination under the upscale Radisson brand. Radisson Resort Anyer is set to offer exceptional experiences, and we look forward to welcoming guests to create memorable memories during their stay," said Mrs. Yenny, Operational Director of PT Usaha Jayamas Realty.
Hudson, NY (12534)

Today

Mainly cloudy. A few peeks of sunshine possible. High 46F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. A few flurries are possible. Low 32F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.
Hudson, NY (12534)

Today

Mostly cloudy skies this morning will become partly cloudy this afternoon. High 46F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Considerable clouds this evening. Some decrease in clouds late. A few flurries are possible. Low 32F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.
Clarksburg Officials Want to Study School Regionalization

CLARKSBURG, Mass.  Town officials are asking the school superintendency union to consider regionalization as a way to reduce education costs.

The Select Board met with school officials during a joint meeting on Wednesday night at Town Hall.

Select Board member Daniel Haskins said he and John Franzoni, superintendent of Northern Berkshire School Union, had "spoken briefly about the possibility of moving forward with investigating the advantages and disadvantages."

Franzoni pointed to the study that had been done with Clarksburg and Stamford, Vt., a few years ago for an interstate school merger and recommended a similar process.

"We could probably get some funding to do a study, basically look into what would be the benefits, what would be that the positives of doing that with the five NBSU schools," he said.

The school union is made up of five communities: Clarksburg, Florida, Monroe, Rowe and Savoy. Monroe sends its children to Gabriel Abbott Memorial School in Florida while the other communities operate separate elementary districts.

Franzoni noted that discussions about regionalizing have cropped up over the years but some school districts have been against the idea. A major concern over regionalization has been loss of control over local schools.

The school union shares a superintendent, an assistant superintendent, business administrator and information technology director along with two administrative assistants. It also directs other certain shared services such as music and art teachers and certain paraprofessionals.

Each town has its own school committee and sets its own budget and is assessed for shared services. Regionalizing would streamline governance and financial structures and open the new district to funding such as state regional transportation reimbursements.

Franzoni also raised the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's finding that accepting school choice students could put small schools on the hook for secondary education.

"This has thrown a lot of these small districts into panic because what it's saying is even though we only educate Clarksburg students to Grade 8, they're saying once we accept them, we're responsible for education through Grade 12," he said.

For example, there are some students from Adams  if they decide to go to Drury, the town would have to pay their tuition.

The state has been pushing more regionalization for some time but it's unclear if this would result in any significant savings for the communities.

Plus, the superintendent said, "one of the key points is there are some in the NBSU that don't want any part of it." It would be challenging to move forward if more than one district opted it because of the shared employees, he said.

Chair Robert Norcross asked how such a regional school committee would be set up. Franzoni said the Hoosac Valley district, for example, has seven members with four from the Adams as the larger community.

Among the five in the NBSU, Clarksburg's enrollment is about half and currently it has three votes out of 11 on the union school committee.

"I think there are different ways you can formulate that based on whatever your agreement is," said Franzoni. "That would be up to the towns to negotiate."

The officials agreed that having a study done would be best way to start discussions. Franzoni didn't think it would be difficult to get funding for the study since the state is pushing regionalization.

"It would be good to make a decision on what the facts are, on what the actual numbers would say, what the benefits are, what the challenges as opposed to making decisions based on fear and speculation," Franzoni said. "We don't know all the answers ... the Southern Berkshire group that just did like a two- or three-year study and eventually the towns voted on it and they voted it down ."

Assistant Superintendent Tara Barnes said she's got the 500-page roadmap from the state on the regionalization process, which includes approval by town meetings.

The board agreed that Haskins would be the liaison to the school and that Franzoni would raise the issue with NBSU towns. He also encouraged the Select Board to reach out to the town's other boards to see if there is support. The Clarksburg School Committee will take it up at its meeting next week.

"It's just preliminary. We're just planting a seed here and so I want to see what happens," said Select Board member Jeffrey Levanos, a former member of the School Committee.

In other business,

 Mary Giron asked if a police officer could be at the school during drop-off and pickup times. Saying she was speaking as a resident and taxpayer, not as a member of the School Committee, Giron said she'd was driving by the school in the morning and was "horrified" at the traffic switching lanes and trying to go around other vehicles entering the school driveway.

The board members said it was difficult to get the town's one full-time officer there every day and suggested that pickup and drop-off occur in the back of the school to get cars off the road. Giron said she would not speak on behalf of the School Committee but that this issue had been discussed numerous times.

"In the meantime, I'm asking for a police presence," she said. "I'm telling you there's going to be an accident."

 The board did give Giron its blessing to raise funds for another electronic sign for the front of Town Hall. The one purchased is only lighted on one side because of cost issues; a second sign would allow a message both coming and going from the town.

 The board approved a transfer of $7,500 from the reserve fund to the wages line item to cover the cost of hiring a 20-hour accountant. The town's been behind in its finances for some time and the hours currently assigned to two part-time accountants are not enough. The transfer could not happen until a Finance Committee was in place; the newly sworn in committee will take up the transfer next week.

 The board told Town Administrator Carl McKinney to focus on getting in a Massworks application. The town has a lot on its plate: it's looking to complete the south end of Middle Road; repair a deteriorating wall near Hall's Ground, fix a culvert on upper West Road and replace or remove a 300-foot long culvert on Millard Avenue.

The allocation of $575,000 from the state for the damaging floods last July 10 will go toward fixing the Band-Aid repairs.
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There was a time when Megan Thee Stallion and Nicki Minaj only had positive things to say about one another. Back in 2019, they released one of the biggest hits of the year when they collaborated on Hot Girl Summer, with Megan constantly citing Minaj as one of her biggest idols.

Then it all went wrong. Whether sparked by Megan collaborating with Minajs rival, Cardi B, or some behind-the-scenes drama that has yet to be made public, the two rap stars are now at loggerheads and busy releasing diss tracks containing thinly veiled barbs at one another.

After Minaj, 41, explicitly referenced a lyric from Megans recent diss track, Hiss, in her own song Big Foot, fans have confirmation that the two former friends are now at war. Heres a timeline of their feud.

August 2019: Hot Girl Summer

As is the case with many celebrity disputes, it all looked so promising at the start. Back in the summer of 2019, Megan had recently released her widely acclaimed mixtape, Fever, and was becoming increasingly popular as a rapper on the rise.

In July, Megan was overjoyed when she had the chance to meet Nicki via a joint Instagram Live session.We are gagging right now, we are dead! the Houston rapper declared when she joined the broadcast. B****, we love you! Since 2008, when I was in eighth grade, and I could listen to you.

Appreciative of the adoration, Minaj replied: Congratulations on you doing your thing, and rapping and writing, and going to school.

Megan Thee Stallion in an Instagram Live with her formal idol, Nicki Minaj (Screenshot/Instagram)

After the rappers successful online chat, rumours quickly swirled of them collaborating on a new track to cement their professional union. It was soon confirmed by Minaj, who responded to a fan on Twitter (now X) and claimed that she penned her verse soon after hearing the music.

She wrote: So true. I was right on the verge of losing my voice & it was mad late so I was already sounding like a man. But once I heard the song I fell in love. Wrote it b4 I went to sleep. None of that was planned. I had no idea meg was on live or that she would want to go live 2gthr.

Hot Girl Summer, which also features Ty Dolla Sign, was released on 9 August and peaked at Number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

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August 2020: WAP

Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion in the video for WAP (Screenshot)

With Megans star firmly on the rise, a number of other artists were keen to work with her, including Minajs old sparring partner, Cardi B. A belated song of the summer, WAP dropped in August 2020 as the lead single from the Bodak Yellow stars forthcoming second album.

Instantly polarising due to the explicit nature of the lyrics, it was nonetheless hailed as a triumph of sexual empowerment and became the first female rap collaboration to debut at the top of the Billboard Hot 100.

While the song itself was a hit, it also fuelled speculation that Megan had fallen out with Minaj, due to the Anaconda rappers long-running feud with Cardi B.

Tensions between the two had grown so bad that they were involved in a physical altercation at a New York Fashion Week party in 2018, when Cardi allegedly threw a shoe at the fellow rapper.

December 2020 / January 2021: Seeing Green

Nicki Minaj appeared to make a dig at Megan Thee Stallion in her song Seeing Green (AFP via Getty Images)

By the end of 2020, Megan was rumoured to be distancing herself from Minaj and her friends, at the same time as publicly praising Cardi following their WAP success.

Minaj unfollowed Megan on Instagram in January 2021, prompting fans to begin labelling them as rivals while looking for any hints at a feud in their respective song lyrics. Months later, they were convinced that Minaj took a swipe at Megan in her song Seeing Green, where she raps: One Margarita pizza with Parmesan and garlic. These b***hes thirsty; I can see why they alcoholics.

September 2022: Queen Radio

After brushing off questions about Megan during a Queen Radio show in September 2022, Minaj then proceeded to detail an alleged conversation with someone who, Minaj claimed, tried to get her to drink while she was pregnant and suggested she could get an abortion.

Imagine telling someone you didnt want to drink because you were, at the time, possibly pregnant. Because you were actively having a baby, she said. Imagine if that person said, Oh girl, you can go to the clinic.

Nicki continued, Imagine posting photos that you are pregnant and the person doesnt even like it or say congratulations. But then when you post that Beyonce sent you flowers congratulating you, the person then tried to send you flowers thinking that, Oh, I can use this opportunity, as she does everyone else. Shell post the flowers. I didnt even let them s***s in muthaf****in house.

When a fan relayed Minajs comments to Megan, she responded with an all-caps post to X (formerly known as Twitter), where she simply wrote: LIE.

In the same show, Minaj appeared to make several references to an emerging female rapper she felt she had supported and championed, then felt let down or betrayed by.

Megan Thee Stallion at the premiere for Mean Girls (AP)

March 2023: Red Ruby Da Sleeze

Minaj dropped a new track in March 2023, Red Ruby Da Sleeze, in which she appeared to take a number of swipes against her former collaborator, Megan.

Rapping over a sample of Lummidees 2003 hit Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh), she rapped: 700 on em horses when we fixin to leave/ But I dont f*** with horses since Christopher Reeves.

She later spat that Dorito bitches mad that they not chose in an apparent reference to Megans branded track, Flamin Hottie, for a Super Bowl commercial for Flamin Hot Cheetos and Doritos.

The most pointed lyric came when Minaj rapped: That .40 cal a make em dance like a go-go, which seemed to be a blatant nod to rapper Tory Lanez shooting Megan in the foot in an incident in July 2020. He was reportedly shouting, Dance, bitch! while shooting at her.

Lanez was sentenced to 10 years in prison after a jury convicted him of first-degree assault, discharge of a firearm with gross negligence and having a concealed and unregistered firearm in a vehicle.

Tory Lanez was convicted for the 2020 shooting of Megan Thee Stallion (AP)

January 2024: Hiss and Big Foot

The most recent chapter of Megan and Minajs difficult relationship began when Megan released her latest single, Hiss, on Friday (26 January).

The track begins with Megans declaration that she wants to get this s*** off my chest and lay it to rest, before later rapping the lines: These hoes dont be mad at Megan, these hoes mad at Megans Law / I dont really know what the problem is, but I guarantee yall dont want me to start.

Megans Law refers to the US federal law that enforces that information regarding registered sex offenders is available to the public. For some, this line is a veiled remark aimed at Minajs husband, Kenneth Petty, who is a registered sex offender after pleading guilty to attempted rape by force or fear at age 16.

Mere hours after the release of Hiss, Minaj launched into a tirade on social media and previewed her song, Big Foot, a diss track to Megan. The song as released in full on Monday (29 January), with notable lyrics such as: Bad b*** she like six foot, I call her, Big Foot / The b**** fell off, I said, Get up on your good foot.

Nicki Minaj (left) and Megan Thee Stallion are locked in a feud that has grown over the past few years (Getty)

As well as likely referring to Megans height (5 ft 10 inches / 178cm) and the fact that she was shot in the foot by Tory Lanez, Minaj also repeats the line: Lying on your dead momma. Megans mother, Holly Thomas, died in March 2019 of a brain tumour.

At the time of writing, Megan has not acknowledged Minajs new release.

The Independent has contacted Megan and Minajs representatives for comment.
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A Hong Kong court has ordered indebted property developer China Evergrande Group to liquidate in a landmark ruling that could send shockwaves across the countrys financial system.

Evergrande, once thought to be Chinas largest real estate firm, defaulted on dollar-bond payments in 2021 after liquidity scares that began in 2020.

The company has over $300bn (236bn) of liabilities, including $20bn of offshore dollar-denominated bonds, and was unable to reach a restructuring deal with creditors despite two years of talks after the default.

Judge Linda Chan on Monday said the court order was appropriate given a lack of progress on the part of the company putting forward a viable restructuring proposal as well as Evergrandes insolvency.

It is time for the court to say enough is enough, said Judge Chan. She is expected to provide more reasons for the liquidation order during a separate court session on Monday afternoon.

Evergrande was granted a brief reprieve in December after it said it was attempting to refine a new debt restructuring plan.

The companys shares fell 20 per cent in Hong Kong shortly after the court order and subsequently the trading of its shares was suspended.

The Evergrande Groups Shenzhen headquarters in southern Chinas Guangdong province (AP)

Siu Shawn, the chief executive of Evergrande, said the company will ensure home to deliver building projects despite the liquidation order.

The order would not affect the operations of Evergrande in mainland China or its other offshore units beyond Hong Kong, he told reporters on Monday.

The decision sets the stage for what is expected to be a drawn-out and complicated process with potential political considerations.

Offshore investors will be focused on how Chinese authorities treat foreign creditors when a company fails.

Fergus Saurin, a lawyer representing an ad hoc group of creditors, said he was not surprised by the outcome. The company has failed to engage with us. There has been a history of last-minute engagement which has gone nowhere, he said.

Mr Saurin said that his team had been working in good faith in the entire process and that Evergrande only has itself to blame for being wound up.

Evergrande, the worlds most indebted property developer, is one of many firms that ran into trouble when Chinese regulators cracked down on excessive borrowing in the real estate sector.

The ruling comes at a time when Beijing is grappling with an underperforming economy, its worst property market in nine years and a stock market wallowing near five-year lows.

Evergrande applied for another adjournment on Monday as its lawyer said it had made some progress on the restructuring proposal. In its latest offer, the developers proposed creditors swap their debts into all the shares the company holds in its two Hong Kong units compared to stakes of about 30 per cent in the subsidiaries ahead of the last hearing in December.

The companys lawyers said liquidation could harm the operations of the company, and its property management and electric vehicle units, which would in turn hurt the groups ability to repay all creditors.

The liquidation petition was first filed in June 2022 by Top Shine, an investor in Evergrande unit Fangchebao, which argued that the developer failed to honour an agreement to buy back shares it had bought in the subsidiary.

At least three other Chinese developers have been previously ordered by court to liquidate since the current debt crisis unfolded in mid-2021.

The fallout from the property crisis has also affected Chinas shadow banking industry, which provides financial services similar to banks but operates outside of banking regulations, such as Zhongzhi Enterprise Group.

Zhongzhi, which lent heavily to developers, said it was insolvent.

Additional reporting by agencies
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The Indian Army, concerned over the declining physical standards among officers and the rise of lifestyle diseases has implemented a new policy to tackle the deteriorating physical fitness of soldiers.

According to the Indian Express, the new policy introduces stricter measures and additional tests to the existing physical fitness evaluation system.

One key aspect of the new physical fitness policy for the Indian army includes introducing new challenges beyond the regular quarterly tests  the Battle Physical Efficiency Test and Physical Proficiency Test.

Officers are now mandated to undertake a 10km speed march and a demanding 32km route march biannually. Besides this, a yearly 50-metre swimming proficiency test has been incorporated to further assess their physical capabilities.

In the current Battle Physical Efficiency Test, participants are required to successfully finish a 5km run, execute a 60-metre sprint, demonstrate proficiency in rope climbing both horizontally and vertically, and navigate a 9-foot ditch, all within a time limit that varies according to their age.

The Physical Proficiency Test comprises various exercises, including a 2.4 km run, a 5-metre shuttle run, push-ups, chin-ups, sit-ups, and a 100-metre sprint. A swimming test is included, but it is conducted only at locations where the necessary facilities are available.

According to the report, there is punishment for not meeting the fitness standards. Officers failing to meet physical standards, especially those categorised as overweight, will receive written counselling and a 30-day improvement period during which they are supposed to lose the extra pounds. During this period, requests for any leave will not be accepted.

Those failing to show any improvement may have to face actions under Indian military laws  Army Regulation 15 and Army Act 22.

According to the updated policy, a Brigadier rank officer will oversee quarterly tests, a role previously managed by a Commanding officer, and involves each personnel keeping an APAC [Army Physical Fitness Assessment] card.

India boasts one of the worlds most extensive armies and the armed forces are among the countrys largest employers. However, the government under prime minister Narendra Modi expressed concerns that a high number of soldiers continue to serve over long-term careers  leading to an increased average age within the armed forces and, in turn, a perceived diminishing overall combat readiness and effectiveness.

In 2022, India introduced a new recruitment plan for the Indian forces based on Western tour of duty systems, which was met with protests across the country.

Under the new Agnipath (path of fire) plan unveiled by Indian defence minister Rajnath Singh on 14 June 2022, applicants between the ages of 17.5 and 21 will be hired into the three services  navy, air force and army  and employed for four-year tours similar to systems in the US and UK. Out of all recruits, only 25 per cent will be retained at the end of these contracts, with the rest leaving employment  one of the most controversial features of the scheme.

Around 50,000 to 60,000 recruits will be taken annually over the next four years and the number is expected to rise to 90,000 to 120,000 thereafter, with Mr Singh saying the changes will make the army younger and [more] battle-ready.

The Independent has reached out to the Indian Army for comment.
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In the first lawsuit on racial profiling of its kind, three foreign-born residents have accused Japans national and local governments of illegal questioning by police based on their race.

The three men filed the suit on Monday amid a sharp rise in the number of foreign workers coming to the country to assist in stemming labour shortages as the population ages and declines, according to the plaintiffs lawyer.

It also comes amid renewed debate over what it means to be and look Japanese, after a white Ukrainian-born, naturalised Japanese citizen was crowned Miss Japan last week, sparking debate and outrage.

The three men filed the lawsuit with the Tokyo District Court demanding that the national, Tokyo Metropolitan and Aichi Prefecture governments recognise that it is illegal for police officers to stop and question people solely on the basis of their race, nationality or ethnicity.

Syed Zain, Maurice and Matthew have accused Japanese local and national governments of racial profiling (AP)

The plaintiffs say they have suffered distress from repeated police questioning based on their appearance and ethnicity, which they say is a violation of the constitution.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Aichi Prefectural Government and National Police Agency all declined to comment, while representatives of the Ministry of Justice could not be reached.

They and their legal team arrived at Tokyo District Court around midday and spoke to media outside before heading in to file their case.

One of the plaintiffs, Matthew, a man of Indian descent who has lived in Japan for more than 20 years and holds permanent residency, said he had been questioned by police countless times. He said he is afraid to go out for fear of being stopped again.

Carolina Shiino sparked debate and outrage when she was crowned Miss Japan (via REUTERS)

I never knew what social withdrawal was until recently, he said, declining to provide his surname for fear of harassment.

I feel like every time I finish work, Im hiding in my house.

Syed Zain, who was born in Pakistan but took Japanese citizenship after moving to Japan with his family as a child, said he hoped the case would lead to positive change in a society where the number of Japanese with foreign roots is growing.

Likewise, Maurice, an American who did not provide his surname, said he hoped to raise awareness of the issue among Japanese people and make life easier for others.

I want them (Japanese people) to understand that this is an everyday occurrence, its an everyday thing, and that we have to do something to prevent that, he said.

The lawsuit also seeks 3 million yen (about $20,250) in damages for each plaintiff.
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Dramatic scenes unfolded inside the Maldivian parliament on Sunday as violent clashes erupted between government and opposition MPs over the approval of new ministers.

Chaos ensued after the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) decided to withhold parliamentary approval for four members of newly-elected president Mohamed Muizzu's cabinet ahead of a vote.

Members of the ruling People's National Congress (PNC) and Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) in response staged a protest, obstructing the parliamentary session from proceeding.

While the ruling coalition party has formed the government, they do not enjoy a majority in the parliament, which is still in the control of former president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's MDP.

Government MPs were seen disrupting the proceedings by blowing toy horns next to the speaker to stop him from addressing the special session.

Videos from inside the parliament show Kanditheemu MP Abdulla Shaheem Abdul Hakeem and Kendhikulhudhoo MP Ahmed Easa engaging in a scuffle after Mr Hakeem knocked down Mr Easa.

Mr Hakeem sustained injuries on his head when two MPs fell near the chamber during the physical altercation. He was rushed to a nearby hospital in an ambulance for treatment.

The MDP defended Mr Hakeem's actions during a press conference late on Sunday, calling it an act of self-defence.

"The actions of pro-government MPs left MDP MPs with no other option than to act in self-defence. That is how any human will react in such a situation," MP Hisaan Hussain told reporters.

The microphones installed inside parliament were taken away to prevent the lawmakers from using them as weapons against each other during the brawl, according to Wion. Another MP, Hassan Zareer, also sustained injuries on his fingers after being allegedly attacked by a member of MDP.

The ruling PPM and PNC coalition in a statement said denying approval to Mr Muizzu's cabinet would be considered akin to obstructing the services the government gives to citizens.

"We believe that denying parliamentary approval to ministers without providing them with the opportunity to perform, and without having first judged their performance, is a lack of cooperation with the running of the government, as well as a direct obstruction of the services provided to citizens," the statement read, according to The Edition.

Eighteen members have so far managed to secure parliamentary approvals to continue as cabinet ministers. However, attorney general Ahmed Usham, minister of housing, Ali Haidar, minister of Islamic affairs Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, and minister of economic development and trade Mohamed Saeed were awaiting the nod.

Following the scuffle, members and supporters of the ruling coalition staged a protest outside the parliament, demanding the approval of ministers.

The coalition has also filed a no-confidence motion against the speaker Mohamed Aslam and deputy speaker Ahmed Saleem.
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Kazakhstans national carrier, Air Astana, has said it is set for a stock market valuation of up to 962 million US dollars (757 million) when it floats in London next month.

The central Asian airline, which is nearly 50% owned by British defence giant BAE Systems, has set the indicative price range for its dual listing in London and Kazakhstan at between 2.13 US dollars (1.68) and 2.75 US dollars (2.16) per share.

This would value the group at between 770 million US dollars (606 million) and 962 million US dollars (757 million).

The final price is expected to be announced around February 9, according to the company.

Its London listing would provide a welcome boost to the London initial public offering (IPO) market amid a dearth of City deals and flotations.

Air Astana is 49% owned by BAE Systems, with the remainder owned by the Kazakh sovereign wealth fund.

BAE is expected to cut its stake as part of the float, netting the FTSE 100 firm a windfall, depending on how much of its holding it sells.

The carrier expects to raise around 120 million US dollars (94.5 million) from the float.

Air Astana has 49 aircraft and carried seven million passengers in 2022, flying to major international destinations such as London, Amsterdam and Beijing.

It posted an operating profit of 149 million US dollars (117 million) in 2022.

As one of the fast-growing airline groups, we firmly believe that Air Astana represents an attractive investment proposition, supported by strong financial and operational track record, significant growth opportunities, and an experienced, disciplined management team Peter Foster, Air Astana

Group president and chief executive Peter Foster said: The response to the offering and strong investor interest have been very positive.

As one of the fast-growing airline groups, we firmly believe that Air Astana represents an attractive investment proposition, supported by strong financial and operational track record, significant growth opportunities, and an experienced, disciplined management team.

The business is also offering the sale of global depositary receipts, or GDRs, alongside shares in the IPO.

The GDRs represent shares in the company at the rate of one GDR having an interest in four shares, according to the group.
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Ed Westwick has announced that hes engaged to girlfriend Amy Jackson nearly two years of dating.

Jackson and the 36-year-old actor shared a joint post to Instagram on 29 January to share the big news. In the sweet snap, which was captured in Gstaad, Switzerland, the couple could be seen standing on a long walkway, with Westwick bent down on one knee and holding a ring. In response to the proposal, Jackson appeared shocked, with her hand over her mouth.

The series of pictures also showed the couple on the walkway, with one photo showing them happily embracing while Jackson wore the engagement ring on her finger. Another snap showed the huge crowd waiting in front of the bridge, located next to a mountain, so Westwick and Jackson could share the sweet moment privately.

In the caption, Jackson went on to confirm that she got engaged during the winter trip. Hell YES, she wrote, alongside a ring emoji.

The Gossip Girl alum also took to his Instagram Story to celebrate the engagement, as he shared the joint social media post and wrote: I hit the jackpot xxx.

In the comments of the couples Instagram post, many fans and friends didnt hesitate to congratulate them.

Best news on earth!!!!! You both deserve this a lifetime of happiness!! More weddings to plan Yey!!!!!!!! actress Alice Aamelia Jeffrey wrote, while another fan added: OMG Amyyyyy! This is the best newsHuge congratulations to you both.

Since making their relationship Instagram official in June 2022, Jackson and Westwick have shared posts about their special moments together on social media. However, their bond dates back even further, as they first met in 2021 during a race day with Aston Martin at Silverstone racetrack.

I was there with a friend who knew her. I saw her and thought, Im going to make my move! We chatted for a bit and I asked her if she wanted to meet me for a coffee, Westwick said during an interview with Hello! in October 2023. We had a wonderful day and she beat me. Her lap time was a lot better than mine! Shes been making my heart race from day one!

Westwick also specified that they had a lot in common, noting that they were both looking into moving to Hampstead in London. She moved and I moved shortly afterwards to my own place there but very close to each other. Shes lovely, and a fierce girl! he added.

In June of last year, Jackson also took to Instagram to celebrate her partner on his birthday. Along with a series of photos of her and Westwick, her post included a sweet tribute about how grateful she is for him.

I thank God for you everyday. Youre home and an adventure of a lifetime all mixed into one. If you dont already know she wrote. These are the things about you that Im most thankful for making kindness the coolest, making me laugh during the times I only wanted to cry, your jawline, your napping ability, your constant love, support, encouragement along with the Tony Robbins esque pep talks, your huge heart and deepest soul.
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Sofia Richie had the sweetest reaction to finding out the sex of her baby with husband Elliot Grainge.

The 25-year-old model revealed that she and her husband are expecting their first child in an interview with Vogue published on 25 January. Richie, who got married in April 2023, shared that shell be welcoming her child later this year, noting that the newborn will be a Gemini baby.

While Richie previously revealed to Vogue that shes expecting a girl, she recently shared a video of the emotional moment they learned the sex of their soon-to-be baby. In a clip posted to TikTok on 28 January, the couple were seen standing in their backyard alongside their adorable golden retriever dog.

Grainge, a 30-year-old music executive, was seen holding a confetti popper as Richie stood off to the side, wearing a pair of cosy sweatpants and a grey sweatshirt. Okay, ready? Richie asked her husband in the clip. As she began the countdown, Grainge let go of the popper to release pink smoke and confetti into the air.

Richies immediate reaction was to let out a loud scream and run around her backyard. Unsurprisingly, her excited response scared her golden retriever, who ran from their spot on the grass toward the couple. Meanwhile, Grainge appeared to be in shock as he stared at the pink confetti falling onto the ground.

Im so excited, Richie exclaimed, jumping up and down. Grainge then walked toward his wife and gave her a big hug.

Sorry to all my neighbours for the horrifying scream, she captioned the viral TikTok, which has been viewed 13m times. In the comments section, fans shared their congratulations for the couple and praised them for keeping their gender reveal intimate.

This is one of the sweetest gender reveals Ive ever seen, one fan commented under the video.

That scream was so funny, another viewer wrote. Lol congrats!!!

Love the simplicity and how intimate this gender reveal is, a third person said, while someone else commented: I love how they did this together without anyone else!

Another user chimed in: Gonna be the most perfect little girl.

Speaking to Vogue, Richie revealed how the moment seen in the video actually went down. She explained that shes always loved watching gender reveal videos on YouTube and TikTok, even before she became pregnant. Richie had her ob-gyn text her assistant Becca the babys gender, while the couple bought two party poppers - one blue and one pink. [Becca] left out the one with the correct colour inside, and Elliot and I popped it together. We both really thought it was a boy, so it was a true shock, she recalled.

Richie - who is the daughter of legendary musician Lionel Richie and fashion designer Diane Alexander - explained that her dream in life was to have a daughter, adding that her husband is really excited to have a baby girl too. I think its so typical for boys to want boys, but he has a lot of sisters. It was really sweet. Hes very sensitive, she said.

The social media personality discovered she was about four weeks pregnant during trip to Milan for fashion week, and recalled feeling terrible during a quick 24-hour turnaround.

She took her first pregnancy test, but asked her partner to go to CVS and get even more tests. When we turned over all three tests at the same time they were all positive, Richie said, adding that they both cried after learning she was pregnant. However, the couple chose to keep the news out of the public eye, except for their parents who learned Richie was expecting eight weeks into the pregnancy.

Pregnancy is really scary and you want to protect that space, she said. I didnt realise there are so many milestones you have to hit and so many tests you have to take. For me, it was really important to protect our mental health and our space as a couple.

Richie and Grainge were engaged in April 2022 after more than one year of dating. The pair were married during a lavish ceremony in the south of France just one year later, which later became a viral sensation.
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North West has given a hilariously honest review of mother Kim Kardashians makeup line, SKKN by Kim.

In a video shared to Kardashian and Norths joint TikTok account on 27 January, the 10-year-old could be seen holding a different products from the makeup line, before giving her honest makeup review. She started the video off by showing off the products shed be trying: a series of matte lipsticks and lip liners and an eyeshadow palette.

North then swatched the different eyeshadow shades on her arm, before describing the colours as very neutral and good to wear when going out. She also poked fun at how the eyeshadow is similar to her mothers style.

I like it, like to go out, like dinner, yes, with the makeup on! This is classic Kim, so, she quipped.

The video continued with North laughing at the camera before she hilariously applied the black eyeshadow on her entire eyelid and the corner of her eye. She poked fun at how the makeup product was nearly up to her eyebrow.

Very emo, she said, before dancing and letting out a laugh. I cant take myself seriously.

The 10-year-old went on to compliment the eyeshadow colour, noting that its the most perfect and not too black. She also added that while the makeup may look a little dry, its only because she has eczema on the side of her face.

After applying the dark eyeshadow to her other eye, where the makeup was once again up to her eyebrow, she continued to mock the funny look. I look a little crazy. I do look crazy, but I am slaying, she said.

The five-minute video continued with North applying a lip liner, as she hilariously commented about how happy the makeup product made her. She then applied one of the matte lipsticks from SKKN by Kim, before complimenting how nicely the product glides on.

She finished up her makeup review by hilariously applying black eyeshadow to her cheek and nose, while the product was also on parts of her forehead. She also placed light gold eyeshadow on her cheekbones and nose to complete the makeup look.

In the caption, Kardashian  who shares North with ex Kanye West  poked fun at the makeup review, writing: What my daughter does on my phone ha ha ha ha ha ha. The video has also quickly gone viral, with more than 22m views, as of 29 January.

Aside from the jokes in her makeup review, North has often given her candid opinion about her mothers looks and products. In an episode of The Kardashians, which aired in November 2023, Kardashian brought North to the Met Gala, before warning her designer, Daniel Roseberry, that her daughter was a bit of a fashion critic.

Okay, Daniel, Im just warning you, North can be critical, she said. I mean, I had John Galliano fitting me for a dress, and North was giving notes. I mean, this is just her vibe.

Kardashian went on to ask her daughter for notes on the outfit, which was a series of pearl necklaces worn over a nude bodysuit. While North previously said during a fitting that she loved her mothers dress, she still disclosed some of her issues with the look.

Theres way too many gaps in the pearls, she said. It looks like shes a Hawaiian girl with her dress all ripped.

When North later shared her thoughts about some of Kardashians previous Met Gala looks, the Skims founder had one request for her daughter amid the criticism. Okay, I respect your opinion. Please just be easy on me today, OK? she said. North responded by agreeing with her mother, as she explained: I wont say it at all if you dont want me to, but Im not going to lie.

During the episode, Kardashian also had a conversation with her eldest daughter about being kind and constructive when giving criticism.

Theres a way to be honest and not hurt peoples feelings, so I want you to learn that, Kardashian explained. Because theres a way to say: You know, I might not love that.

North then tried to take her mothers advice, as she said: You know, I might not love your necklace or your outfit because Im just trying to support you because, you know, whatever you like, you know.

Besides North, the mogul shares three other children Saint, seven, Chicago, five, and Psalm, four, with West, who she finalised her divorce from in 2022.
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An Oklahoma trooper who was violently thrown to the ground when a vehicle he'd pulled over for a traffic stop on an interstate highway was struck by another vehicle says he feels lucky that he was able to walk away.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol on Wednesday posted dash camera video on its Facebook page that shows a vehicle hitting the vehicle Trooper Jesse Gregory had pulled over along Interstate 40 as he stands at the passenger-side window on Jan. 18 near the Oklahoma City suburb of Yukon.

After watching the video, I don't even remember barrel rolling to my feet, Gregory told KWTV News 9.

All three people involved in the incident, including Gregory, were treated and released, OHP said. It said an investigation into the crash was ongoing. Oklahoma has a  Move Over  law requiring motorists to change lanes or slow down when encountering stopped vehicles with flashing lights on the side of the highway.

Hopefully this is my scare of the career, Gregory said.

On Jan. 5, Gregory had responded to a similar incident on I-40 in which a law enforcement officer was injured when a vehicle struck one the officer had pulled over.
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Businesses, academics and researchers in Scotland are being encouraged to apply for grants worth 450,000 on average.

Ministers are keen for as many eligible organisations and individuals as possible to secure funding through the 82 billion Horizon Europe scheme to support research in science which benefits all.

Scottish firms are already benefitting from Horizon funding such as Nova Innovation, whose consortium won more than 17 million to develop tidal energy in Orkney.

The average Horizon grant is worth 450,000 and researchers and businesses are being urged to capitalise on the opportunities the programme offers.

I want to ensure that every part of the Scotland and the UK is getting the most out of this programme Science and technology secretary Michelle Donelan

The UK Government is set to launch an advertising campaign across social media, digital audio platforms and more to encourage maximum participation in the scheme.

It will also spotlight outstanding researchers and businesses who have delivered their ideas through Horizon Europe funding, particularly small and medium-sized businesses involved in research and design.

Science and Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan said: From Glasgows Satellite City to sustainable energy being developed in Aberdeen, Scotland is home to world-class science and research.

Being part of Horizon is a colossal win for the UKs science, research and business communities and I want to turbo-charge that work with the funding we can access through our bespoke deal, which is precisely why I have set up this campaign blitz.

I want to ensure that every part of the Scotland and the UK is getting the most out of this programme.

From a comms blitz to ensure every business and institution that does research in the UK knows about the opportunities Horizon offers, to grants to help our researchers and businesses put in the best applications possible, we will leave no stone unturned to boost our role in the worlds largest research programme.

UK Government minister for Scotland John Lamont added: Scotland is a world leader in scientific innovation and research and development across a range of sectors.

The UKs bespoke deal with Horizon Europe is an amazing opportunity for Scottish businesses and research institutions to push the boundaries of science, tackle global challenges, drive innovation and help to create jobs and boost our economy.

For more information about the scheme including practical support on how to apply visit Innovate UKs website.
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A former NHS neonatal nurse who murdered seven babies under her care has reportedly been given keys to her own prison cell, infuriating the families of her victims.

Lucy Letby was handed a whole life order without the possibility of parole after being convicted of killing seven vulnerable newborns and attempting to kill six more.

Having a key to her own cell means that Letby, 34, can lock herself away from fellow inmates if she feels threatened, and is believed to be a reward for good behaviour.

A family member of one of the victims said: We thought they were throwing away the key, and now it turns out she has her own.

She was convicted of murdering seven babies after a lengthy trial (Cheshire Constabulary/AFP via Ge)

Letby, who carried out the murders at the Countess of Chester Hospital between 2015 and 2016, is now being held at the privately owned Category A HMP Bronzefield in Ashford, Surrey.

She was previously detained at HMP Low Newton in Durham, which has a reputation for housing some of the UKs worst female killers.

A prison insider told The Mirror: It means if she wants to socialise she can, and if she wants privacy she can have that too. Its really no different to living in a hotel  but youre surrounded by criminals.

It was previously revealed that Letby had befriended fellow baby killer Michelle Smith, who had poisoned her daughter in 2007, and Shauna Hoare, who had 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.

She has reportedly befriended two other killers at the Category A prison (Aaron Chown/PA) (PA Archive)

They were together 24 hours a day  they were a well-known threesome and were literally never apart, they said.

Theyd spend hours sitting on the wing landing playing board games, eating dinner together and tanning in the courtyard.

I think they got on because they all believed they were innocent.

In August, Letby refused to attend her sentencing when Mr Justice Goss handed her 14 whole life terms, while the prosecution has decided to pursue a retrial in the case of Baby K, a girl born in February 2016.

A month later, Letby launched an appeal against all of her convictions, while a public inquiry into her offences was formally launched in November.
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A 33-year-old British base jumper has died in Pattaya, Thailand after his parachute failed to open, local police said.

The man has been identified in media reports as Nathy Odinson, a skydiver and base jumper who shared photos and videos of his stunts to a Facebook page with 10,000 followers.

The incident occurred when Odinson jumped from a 29-storey building in the towns beach resort area at about 7.30pm on Saturday night. Police say they were called to the building after witnesses saw a man crashing to the ground through a tree.

33-year-old Nathy Odinson moments before his parachute failed. Screengrab (YouTube)

They said that Odinson had gained access to the roof of the building with some friends, who were filming the stunt for social media.

Police lieutenant Kamolporn Nadee, deputy inspector of investigations at the Bang Lamung district police station, said another friend who was filming the incident from the ground at the time had been questioned by officers, according to Thailands The Nation newspaper.

The Nation cited security guards at the building as saying it was not the first time Odinson had used the roof for base jumping.

Police lieutenant Kamolporn said: The parachute that the deceased used to jump malfunctioned and was not centred as expected, according to the Mirror.

Forensics officers are investigating the case further. They are examining the parachute.

A Foreign Office spokesperson said: We are supporting the family of a British man who has died in Thailand.

In a video of the incident, Odinson can be seen on the rooftop addressing the camera against a backdrop of the night sky. He is equipped with a helmet that has a camera attached and is seen inspecting his gear before jumping.

Images from the scene published by Thai media show emergency responders on the street below, along with what seems to be a blue parachute lying on the pavement.

Base jumping is considered to be considerably more dangerous than skydiving. Unlike with the long drop from a plane, those taking part have just a few seconds to react in case something goes wrong. It also typically involves falling next to a structure such as a building, which the jumper could be blown into or hit on the way down. And jumpers typically rely on a single parachute, rather than having backup parachutes like those typically used in skydiving.
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Disposable vapes will be banned in the UK as part of the prime ministers plan to tackle the rise in young people vaping and protect childrens health.

It will be announced during a school visit on Monday and forms part of the government response to its consultation on smoking and vaping launched in October last year.

New data shows the number of children vaping has tripled in the last three years with a significant proportion (nine per cent) of 11 to 15-year-olds using the devices, while the number of 11 to 17-year-old vapers increased almost ninefold in the last two years.

Restrictions will be placed on flavours, packaging and product positioning (EPA)

Powers will be introduced to restrict flavours, enforce plainer packaging and change how vapes are displayed in shops, moving them out of childrens sight. Campaigning MPs have long commented on how flavours are named after sweets and displayed in bright colours.

New fines will be brought in for shops selling vapes illegally to children allowing trading standards officers to act on the spot. Local authorities can already impose a maximum 2,500 fine and the new fines are expected to build on this. Vaping alternatives  such as nicotine pouches  will also be banned for children.

Prime minister Rishi Sunak 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.

The long-term impacts of vaping are unknown and the nicotine within them can be highly addictive, so while vaping can be a useful tool to help smokers quit, marketing vapes to children is not acceptable.

New data shows the number of children vaping has tripled in the last three years (PA)

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 childrens health for the long term.

Victoria Atkins, the health secretary, said: Smoking is still the single largest preventable cause of death in England. Almost every minute of every day someone is admitted to hospital with a smoking-related disease. And it costs society 17 billion each year  putting a huge burden on our NHS.

The government advises that vapes should only be used by adults as a tool to quit smoking and they contribute to an extra 50,000 to 70,000 smoking quits a year in England.

As part of the governments swap to stop scheme, almost one in five of all adult smokers in England will have access to a vape kit alongside behavioural support to help them quit the habit.

Vaping contributes to an extra 50,000 to 70,000 people quitting smoking a year (PA)

Chief medical officer Professor Sir Chris Whitty said: If passed, this legislation would have a major public health impact across many future generations.

The ban also aims to have a positive impact on the environment as five million disposable vapes are thrown away each week, up from 1.3 million from last year and the legislation will be brought in under the Environmental Protection Act.

Environment secretary Steve Barclay said: Not only are disposable vapes often targeted, unacceptably, at children  they also represent a huge and growing stream of hard-to-recycle waste, with nearly five million thrown away every week.

HMRC estimates that the illicit tobacco trade costs the UK economy around 2.8bn a year in lost revenue  money that should fund public services.

On Monday, HMRC and Border Force will publish a new illicit tobacco strategy  Stubbing Out the Problem  setting out how it will aim to reduce the trade in illicit tobacco and tackle and disrupt organised crime behind the illicit tobacco trade. The news comes as new figures revealed that four million illegal vapes were seized at the border in the last year, quadrupling from the year before.

Dr Mike McKean, vice president for policy at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), welcomed the news, saying: Bold action was always needed to curb youth vaping and banning disposables is a meaningful step in the right direction. Im also extremely pleased to see further much-needed restrictions on flavours, packaging and marketing of vapes, which RCPCH has repeatedly called for.

Government must swiftly lay the legislation to ensure it can be fully considered in this parliament. We look forward to seeing more details about these landmark plans, especially in terms of implementation, enforcement and monitoring.
King Charles III smiled as he got into a car and left hospital on Monday, 29 January, after undergoing a procedure for an enlarged prostate.

His Majesty spent three nights at The London Clinic, where he took time to visit his daughter-in-law, the Princess of Wales, who is now recovering at home following abdominal surgery according to a statement from Kensington Palace.

The King was diagnosed with the benign condition on 17 January while staying at Birkhall, Aberdeenshire, after going for a check-up because he was experiencing symptoms.

Charles, 75, is understood to have wanted to share the news to encourage other men to get themselves checked.
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The actor Laurence Fox has lost his High Court libel battle with two people he referred to as paedophiles on social media.

The right wing activist was sued by former Stonewall trustee Simon Blake and drag artist Crystal over a row on Twitter, now known as X, in October 2020.

The exchange involved a decision by Sainsurys to provide a safe space for black employees during Black History Month, with Fox, 45, calling for a boycott of the supermarket.

The Lewis star, who founded the Reclaim Party, accused the shop of promoting racial segregation and discrimination and was called a racist by Mr Bale and the former former RuPauls Drag Race contestant, whose real name is Colin Seymour.

He subsequently termed the two and actor Nicola Thorp paedophiles, prompting them to launch libel action while he counter-sued them.

In her ruling, Mrs Justice Collins Rice described Foxs labelling of two men as paedophiles in a social media row seriously harmful, defamatory and baseless.

Fox called the ruling as a nothing burger (PA)

The law affords few defences to defamation of this sort, she continued. Mr Fox did not attempt to show these allegations were true, and he was not able to bring himself on the facts within the terms of any other defence recognised in law.

Speaking outside the Royal Courts of Justice, Fox described the ruling in his libel case as a nothing burger.

It means that were going to have to go back to court, to appeal, to get a meaning of this word, he said.

What is a racist? Every single person in this country knows what a racist is, except the people that dominate every single national institution that we have.

Fox counter-sued the trio after he was called a racist (Getty Images)

Following the ruling, broadcaster Ms Thorp said in a post on X, formerly Twitter: We won. On all counts.

For the last three years, Laurence Fox has held us responsible for the downfall of his acting career, his failure to become London mayor and even the increasing cost of his car insurance.

During my cross-examination, his barrister even suggested I was responsible for his arrest in October last year.

All because on 4th October 2020 we exercised our right to free speech by expressing our honestly held opinions.

The same man who later told a black man to f*** off back to Jamaica, posted pride flags in the shape of a swastika and shared blacked up images of himself and his children.

Its time that Mr Fox accepted that any damage to his reputation is entirely his own doing.

In a post online, drag artist Crystal said: I am incredibly relieved to have this outcome - a huge weight Ive been carrying for over three years has just been lifted.

I want to say again that I took no joy in bringing this case, nor did I do so lightly. Mr Fox could have made this go away very early on with a meaningful apology and settlement.

Fox got involved in a social media row after a post he made about Sainsburys (Ian West/PA) (PA Archive)

The performer, whose real name is Colin Seymour, continued: Ironically for Mr Fox, this victory is a victory for free speech.

The freedom to express an opinion and not be sued for doing so. Free speech does not cover factual allegations of criminality such as paedophilia.

During a trial in London in November, Fox was described as an alleged intelligent racist with an agenda.

Lorna Skinner KC, representing Mr Blake, Mr Seymour and Ms Thorp, said the trio honestly believed, and continue honestly to believe, that Mr Fox is a racist.

She said the actor has made a number of highly controversial statements about race, adding: If and to the extent that Mr Fox has been harmed in his reputation, it is his own conduct and not the claimants comments on it that caused that harm.

The barrister highlighted several of Foxs social media posts, including a June 2022 tweet of four pride flags arranged in the shape of a swastika.

Mrs Justice Collins Rice did not make a ruling on whether or not Fox was a racist, after finding the three tweets in his counter-claim were unlikely to cause serious harm to his reputation.

In his written evidence for the case, Mr Seymour said he had faced overwhelming and distressing abuse after Foxs tweet, adding that he felt less safe as a drag performer.

Mr Blake, now chief executive of Mental Health First Aid England, said the incorrect suggestion that gay men were paedophiles was a trope as old as the hills.

Broadcaster Nicola Thorp claimed that Fox had outed himself as a racist with a tweet calling for a boycott of the supermarket.

She said that any reputational harm Fox suffered was because of what he did, not because of what I said.

Fox said he was horrified to have been called a racist (Ian West/PA) (PA Archive)

Patrick Green KC, representing Fox, told the court neither Mr Blake nor Mr Seymour has suffered any actual consequences due to the actors tweets.

The barrister said the posts did not cause people to think worse of Mr Blake and Mr Seymour, and that people did not believe they were paedophiles.

Instead, Mr Green said readers would have understood that Foxs posts were a retort to an allegation of racism rather than a factual allegation.

Fox told the court he was horrified when he saw he had been called a racist, which he later described as a career-ending word and a reputation-destroying allegation.

In written evidence, he claimed that by 2020, he was earning at least 500,000 to 600,000 from acting but his life was destroyed by their accusation and he was unable to get a mortgage.

Faeces was posted through his door and his ex-wife Billie Piper, an actor with whom he shares two sons, became concerned that their children were no longer safe in his house.

The actor said he faced a significant decline in the number and quality of roles he was offered after he was accused of being a racist in the social media row.
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Unhealthy lifestyles among younger people are contributing to cancer at an earlier age, a new study has warned as it called for earlier screening tests.

Obesity, alcohol and reduced physical activity are the main factors driving up bowel cancer cases among younger generations as lifestyle habits such as heavy drinking and less exercise worsened over the same period. The illness, usually diagnosed in people aged over 50, is now expected to affect younger people in the coming years.

The study also found concerns over bowel cancer death rates in women of all ages, which do not appear to be following the downward trend of many other cancers.

Published in the journal Annals of Oncology, it compared what death rates in 2024 could look like set against figures for 2018 across the UK and Europe. It found that the UK showed a massive jump compared to countries like Italy, Germany, Poland and Spain.

Heavier drinking and less physical activity have contributed to the rise (PA)

Bowel cancer death rates for men and women aged 25 to 49 years are expected to rise in Italy (by 1.5 per cent in men and 2.6 per cent in women), in Poland (5.9 per cent) and among Spanish men (5.5 per cent), and German women (7.2 per cent).

The UK, on the other hand, has an expected 26 per cent rise in bowel cancer death rates among men, and a significant 39 per cent among women, far surpassing its European peers.

The researchers wrote: In the UK, colorectal (bowel) cancer mortality decreased for all ages in the past decades. However, there was an increase for the 25 to 49 years age group since around 2000 in both sexes.

Overall, death rates for all cancers when taken together are predicted to fall among both sexes in the UK, from 120.3 per 100,000 people to 103.7 per 100,000 people.

However, the report stressed concerns about younger people and women when it comes to bowel cancer, with bowel cancer death rates among women refusing to budge.

The researchers said: In the UK, projected ASRs (age standardised rates) for (bowel cancer) at all ages are favourable for men (3.4 per cent versus 2018) but not for women (0.3 per cent).

Bowel cancer death rates among men and women aged 25 to 49 are expected to rise by up to 39 per cent (Daniel Leal-Olivas/PA Wire)

Professor Carlo La Vecchia, from the University of Milan, said: Key factors that contribute to the rise in bowel cancer rates among young people include overweight, obesity and related health conditions, such as high blood sugar levels and diabetes.

Alcohol consumption has been linked to early onset bowel cancer, and countries where there has been a reduction in alcohol consumption, such as France and Italy, have not experienced such marked rises in death rates from this cancer.

He added that younger people are faced with lower survival rates: Early onset bowel cancer tends to be more aggressive, with lower survival rates, compared to bowel cancer that is diagnosed in older people.

He called on national governments to implement policies to promote healthier lifestyles including physical activity and reduced obesity and alcohol consumption. He recommended the extension of bowel cancer screening to younger ages starting at 45.

The World Cancer Research Fund said the new study was alarming, however, it added that the findings were not entirely surprising.

Dr Panagiota Mitrou, director of research at the WCRF, said: Early onset of cancer in younger people is a concern, but not entirely surprising, given that young people are being exposed to risk factors early on in life, for example living with overweight and obesity.

In England, people aged 60 to 74 are invited for bowel cancer screening and the programme is expanding to everyone aged 50 to 59.

But Professor Sir Mike Richards, former national cancer director at the Department of Health  who now advises NHS England, has said there is much work to do to improve diagnosis, treatment and survival.

The NHS has set the sensitivity threshold for the FIT stool test at 120 micrograms of blood per gram of faeces in England, but Prof Richards says this should be 80 and even lower.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: The independent UK National Screening Committee  which is made up of clinical experts  considers scientific evidence and makes a decision on age cohorts to ensure a programme does more good than harm.

Harms from screening can occur through overdiagnosis. We are taking strong action to encourage healthier food choices and to tackle obesity, recognising that it increases the risk of a range of serious and chronic diseases and costs the NHS around 6.5bn a year.
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A phone hacking case brought by the Duke of Sussex and other celebrities against Mirror Group was overwhelmingly successful with demands made for the publisher to pay out nearly 2m in costs, a court heard.

Prince Harrys case against Mirror newspapers remains ongoing as he presses ahead with a further 115 articles that he claims were sourced unlawfully, with decisions on costs reserved until this is determined.

Last month, a judge ruled that hacking became widespread and habitual at the publishers newspaper titles, and took place to some extent even during the Leveson Inquiry into press standards.

Articles which were found to have been the product of hacking included those about the prince smoking cannabis at a country pub, a disagreement with Prince William about whether they should meet their mother Dianas former butler and several articles about his relationship with then-girlfriend Chelsy Davy.

In a follow-up hearing dealing with the consequences of the ruling, the High Court heard that the group of people who sued Mirror Group are seeking 1,976,660 towards legal costs.

David Sherborne, for the group, said: We were the overall winners, clearly we were overwhelmingly successful.

Piers Morgan denied knowing about phone hacking after the ruling (PA)

The judge also found that Mirror Group editors knew about voicemail interception and unlawful information, and added that he found it convincing ex-Daily Mirror editor Piers Morgan had known about the activity while he was in charge of the paper.

Mr Morgan, who edited the paper from 1995 to 2004, denied he had instructed any phone hacking and accused Harry of wanting to destroy the monarchy in a scathing attack outside his home.

In a televised statement, the TalkTV host said: I want to say this: Prince Harrys outrage at media intrusion into the private lives of the royal family is only matched by his own ruthless, greedy and hypocritical enthusiasm for doing it himself.

His rebuttal came after the judge accepted an account by royal commentator Omid Scobie, who told the court that he had heard a journalist inform Mr Morgan that a scoop about Kylie Minogue had been sourced from voicemail interception.

Harry, 39, said his partially successful case against Mirror Group was a great day for truth, as well as accountability and called on the police to investigate the publisher of the Daily and Sunday Mirror and The People.

Naming Mr Morgan, who has been an outspoken critic of the Sussexes, he said: The court has found that Mirror Groups principal board directors, their legal department, senior executives and editors, such as Piers Morgan, clearly knew about, or were involved in, these illegal activities.

Between them, they even went as far as lying under oath to parliament, during the Leveson inquiry, to the stock exchange, and to us all ever since.

The duke became the first royal in 130 years to appear in a witness box over the course of the seven-week trial, with the judge ruling that his case against Mirror Group was proved in part only.

The duke was awarded a six-figure sum in damages and hailed it as a great day for truth (AP)

He said that 15 of the 33 articles about Harry examined at trial were the product of phone hacking of his mobile phone or the mobile phones of his associates, or the product of other unlawful information gathering.

It was found that unlawful information gathering was widespread at all three Mirror Group titles from 1996 onwards, and phone hacking became habitual from 1998, and was continued until as late as 2011.

In his 386-page judgement, he said: The duke has been one of the most important storylines in town for much of his life, and remains so. The idea that MGN carefully eschewed in his case what had become a primary journalistic tool  which it otherwise used on a widespread and habitual basis  is unconvincing.

The unlawful activity was concealed from parliament, shareholders and the public, as well as the board overseeing Mirror Group.

In a hearing on Monday, the High Court heard there are a further 115 articles in his claim and that decisions about the cost in his case would be reserved until the rest of his claim in determined.

Mr Sherborne said in written submissions: Although the duke is certainly prepared to attempt to resolve the remainder of his claim through agreement, it is necessary to list the trial of the remainder of his claim as soon as is practicable.

Harrys case was heard alongside similar claims brought by actor Michael Turner, who is known professionally as Michael Le Vell and is most famous for playing Kevin Webster in Coronation Street, actress Nikki Sanderson and Fiona Wightman, the ex-wife of comedian Paul Whitehouse.

Harry and his wife Meghan have since left the royal family and moved to California (Getty)

Claims brought by Ms Sanderson and Ms Wightman were dismissed by Mr Justice Fancourt because they were made too late, despite the judge finding that some of their complaints were proved.

Mr Turner was awarded a total of 31,650 in damages after the judge ruled his phone hacking and unlawful information-gathering case was proved only to a limited extent.

On Monday, Mr Sherborne said there were 100 live claims against the publisher, however, Mirror Groups lawyers told the court that around 75 per cent of these could be found to have been brought too late.

Mirror Group largely contested the claims and denied that any newspaper articles complained of resulted from phone hacking, while contending that the vast majority did not arise from any other unlawful activity.

An Mirror Group spokesperson said: We welcomed Decembers judgment that gave the business the necessary clarity to move forward from events that took place many years ago.

Where historical wrongdoing took place, we apologise unreservedly, have taken full responsibility and paid compensation.

Harrys representatives were approached for comment.
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The RSPCA has blamed the increasing use of pedigree cats in the media for the number of rescued animals hitting a record high.

The charity said the number of purebred cats coming into its rescue centres has soared since 2018, citing a 300 per cent surge seen in the Maine Coon breed over the last six years.

It believes this is largely due to the popularity of designer cats being used on social media, in film and TV, and in advertising.

Animal-welfare organisations advised against transporting cats in backpacks, as the pet Chip is in the film Argylle (Getty Images for Universal Pictu)

The latest figures come as the new spy action comedy Argylle is due to be released on Friday, starring a Scottish Fold cat, who is seen in the trailer being carried around in a bubble backpack.

The most common pedigree cat in RSPCA care is the Persian cat, with the charity seeing a 92 per cent rise since 2018. The second most common is the Ragdoll, with a 61 per cent increase in these cats arriving at the charitys animal centres and branches. Meanwhile, there has been a 22 per cent surge in Bengal cats over the last six years.

Alice Potter, cat welfare expert at the RSPCA, said: Over the last few years we have seen an increase in certain cat breeds coming into our care as a result of designer breeds becoming more popular with owners.

Scottish Fold cats have a genetic disorder that causes them severe and painful lameness, says the RSPCA (AFP via Getty Images)

Sadly, many of these cat breeds have exaggerated physical features, some of which have become so extreme that they can cause pain and suffering. Some can make cats prone to particular disorders, and some prevent them from behaving normally.

Last week, leading animal-welfare charities, including the RSPCA, wrote to Universal Pictures, the film studio behind Argylle, urging them not to glamourise these kinds of cats in future due to the health and welfare issues they suffer from.

The organisations advised against transporting cats in backpacks, as the pet Chip is in the film. The RSPCA said backpacks are often small, very restrictive, and interfere with temperature regulation.

The most common pedigree cat in RSPCA care is the Persian cat, with the charity seeing a 92 per cent rise since 2018 (EPA)

Ms Potter said: Scottish Fold cats, as featured in the new film Argylle, have a genetic disorder that causes them severe and painful lameness. This is because the cartilage abnormality responsible for their distinctive folded ears also affects joints meaning they can develop painful arthritis, even from a young age.

Although we have only had seven Scottish Fold cats come into our care since 2018, we fear that this film may glamourise these cats and could be the latest breed to experience a boom in their popularity, without people realising the sometimes severe issues these cats can face.

The Scottish Government has put in place guidance for breeders of Scottish Fold cats, and other cats who have been bred with exaggerated features, to ensure the health and welfare of the cat is not being compromised. The RSPCA is calling for similar guidance to also be issued in England and Wales.

Ms Potter also urged breeders to prioritise health, welfare and temperament over appearance. She said: We know owners want their pets to be happy and healthy, and people may not realise that cats bred with exaggerated features can struggle with extremely serious health problems. We would like to see breeders doing more to ensure they are producing kittens who are happy and healthy.
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More than 250 charities, religious organisations and civil society bodies have called on the House of Lords to block the deeply harmful Rwanda bill, labelling it an attack on universal human rights and the constitutional role of the judiciary.

In a joint statement ahead of the second reading of the bill in the Lords on Monday, the charities said that the governments plans to send some asylum seekers to Rwanda would create a two-tiered system of human rights where some people had access to the UK courts and others didnt, concluding: Either we all have human rights or none of us do.

The group, which includes political organisations, faith groups, unions and councils, condemned the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill as constitutionally extraordinary and deeply harmful, saying it would threaten the universality of human rights and is likely in breach of international law.

They also warned that the bill would breach the Good Friday agreement, which commits the UK government to complete incorporation of international human rights law in Northern Ireland.

Three peers from the Liberal Democrats, Labour and the Greens, also backed the statement saying the bill must be stopped.

Rishi Sunaks government agreed on a legally binding treaty with Rwanda in December, arguing that it addressed concerns raised by the Supreme Court about the possibility of asylum seekers deported to Rwanda being transferred back to a country where they could be at risk.

Rishi Sunak has said he is prepared to ignore orders from the European Court of Human Rights (AFP/PA)

Mr Sunak brought forward legislation to declare, contrary to the finding of the UKs highest court, that Rwanda is in fact a safe country. The bill also severely limits asylum seekers ability to challenge their Rwanda deportation in the UK courts, making a showdown with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) more likely.

Peers in the House of Lords delivered an initial blow to Mr Sunaks plans when they backed, by 214 votes to 171, a motion to delay the treaty until the government can prove that Rwanda is indeed safe.

In a hastily-arranged press conference this month, Mr Sunak warned peers not to "frustrate the will of the people" by opposing his flagship legislation.

In the joint civil society statement, shared exclusively with The Independent, charities called on the Lords to reject the bill at second reading on Monday - pointing out: It was not a government manifesto commitment.

In the letter, 256 civil society organisations, including Amnesty International, Unison, the Methodist Church, the Muslim Council of Britain and the International Bar Associations Human Rights Institute, said that the bill is an attack on the constitutional role of the judiciary and the rule of law because it legislates something that has been authoritatively found to be false by the Supreme Court.

Home Secretary James Cleverly and Rwandan Minister of Foreign Affairs Vincent Biruta shake hands after they signed a new treaty in Kigali, Rwanda. (PA)

The letter, coordinated by human rights organisation Liberty, continued: If parliament validates legislating legal fictions in this way, it would set a dangerous precedent for future governments. They also said that the bill would put the UK on a direct collision course with the European Court of Human Rights.

The president of the ECHR, Siofra OLeary, has said that the UK must legally comply with any Rule 39 orders issued by the Strasbourg court. A Rule 39 order grounded the first attempted flight carrying migrants from the UK to Rwanda in June 2022.

Mr Sunak has put a clause in the Rwanda bill saying that it is for ministers to decide whether to comply with rulings from the ECHR.

The statement addressed this saying: Giving a minister legislative validation in ignoring them is a deeply concerning green light to the breaking of international law and erodes the UKs commitment to the Convention.

LibDem peer Lord Purvis of Tweed, said that the Rwanda bill was an unsustainable long-term policy. He added: It will cost the taxpayer millions while running roughshod over international law and doing nothing to solve the sky-high asylum backlog.

Lets be clear, this bill sets a dangerous precedent for the future and that is why we will be voting against the bill and all that it stands for.

Labour peer Baroness Shami Chakrabarti, said the bill was cruel, costly and un-British, adding: In dangerous and divided times for our country and the world, it is heartening to see so much of civil society coming together in defence of the best of our values.

Green party peer, Baroness Jenny Jones, called on her fellow members to stop this appalling bill. She said: It is not a manifesto commitment and convention allows the Lords to reject it. If the prime minister wants to claim the Rwanda bill is the will of the people then please hold a general election.

Ahead of the second reading, human rights watchdog the Equality and Human Rights Commission also warned that the home secretary has been unable to confirm that the bill complies with the ECHR.

A spokesperson said: By disapplying sections of the Human Rights Act and seeking to prevent courts from considering the risk of refoulement, this bill could expose people to harm and breaches of their right to life, their rights to be free from torture and inhuman or degrading treatment and their right to effective remedy.

A Home Office spokesperson said:"We are determined to get flights off the ground to Rwanda and the UK has a strong and longstanding tradition of standing up for human rights.

"Rwanda is a safe country that cares deeply about supporting refugees. It hosts more than 135,000 asylum seekers and stands ready to relocate people and help them rebuild their lives.
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The UK has joined the US in imposing new sanctions upon Iran, as Rishi Sunak urged Tehran to de-escalate its activities across the Middle East after a deadly strike on an American base in Jordan.

The Iranian government denied any involvement in the drone attack near the border with Syria which killed three US soldiers, as Washington vowed to take revenge on whoever was responsible.

The Joe Biden administration vowed to take all necessary actions to defend its troops in the region  as both the White House and No 10 blamed Iran-aligned militants for the strike, which also saw dozens wounded.

Republican presidential favourite Donald Trump seized upon the mounting tension in the region, arguing that his Democratic rival in the White House had put the country on the brink of World War Three.

Mr Sunak suggested Iran should dial down its actions across the Middle East, as his government unveiled sanctions against seven individuals linked with Iran for allegations including assassinations and threats to life in Britain.

We are concerned and would urge Iran to continue to de-escalate tensions in the region, the PM told broadcasters on Monday. We absolutely condemn what has happened over the past couple of days.

Announcing new sanctions coordinated with the US, foreign secretary David Cameron said the Iranian regime and the criminal gangs who operate on its behalf pose an unacceptable threat to UK security.

Rishi Sunak and his foreign secretary David Cameron have called on Iran to de-escalate tensions (PA)

Asset freezes were announced against five Iranians and two Turks, as well as against a unit of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds unit, said to have targeted people in Britain.

The UK and US have sent a clear message  we will not tolerate this threat, said Lord Cameron, who has blamed the strike on Iran-aligned militia groups.

The Foreign Office said the sanctions were being imposed after an ITV investigation into plots to assassinate two presenters from the Iran International TV channel in the UK. At least 15 such threats are said to have been made since January 2022.

An Iranian that the Foreign Office said was the head of an international drug and trafficking cartel was also targeted for allegedly planning or conducting overseas attacks.

It came as it emerged that a drone was able to get past defence systems at the US military site known as Tower 22 in Jordan because it was mistaken for an American drone set to return to the base.

Officials preliminary conclusion  based on the deadly enemy drone flying in at a low altitude  was first reported by TheWall Street Journal.

Joe Bidens administration has vowed to take all necessary actions (AP)

Mr Biden met with members of his national security team in the White House situation room to discuss the latest developments on Monday. The White House said it was not looking for war with Iran, even as the president vowed retaliatory action.

The Biden administration continues to blame Iranian-based proxies. The president and I will not tolerate attacks on US forces, and we will take all necessary actions to defend the US and our troops, said defence secretary Lloyd Austin.

The White Houses national security spokesman John Kirby said there would be a very consequential response to the drone strike in an interview with CNN. But we dont seek a war with Iran  were not looking for a wider conflict in the Middle East, he added.

Iranian officials denied any involvement on Monday. Nasser Kanaani, spokesman for the foreign ministry, said it was not involved in the decision-making of resistance groups in the way they choose to defend Palestinians.

Earlier, Irans mission to the US issued a statement stating that Iran had no connection and had nothing to do with the attack on the US base. It added: There is a conflict between US forces and resistance groups in the region, which reciprocate retaliatory attacks.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement posted to Telegram. The group said it had targeted three US bases in Jordan and Syria, and an Israeli oil facility in the Mediterranean.

The umbrella group for Iran-backed factions has claimed dozens of attacks against bases housing US troops in Iraq and Syria since the Israel-Hamas war began.

Since Hamas launched its attack on Israel on 7 October, regional militias have struck US military sites in Iraq more than 60 times. In Syria, they have struck more than 90 times. They have said that their strikes are in retaliation for support for Israel in its war in Gaza.

Mr Biden faces a difficult balancing act as he looks to strike back against Tehran in a forceful way, without allowing the fallout from the Gaza conflict to spread further.

The US in recent months has hit targets in Iraq, Syria and Yemen in response to attacks on its forces and to diminish the threats from Iranian-backed Houthi rebels to commercial shipping in the Red Sea.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has warned of the escalation of violence across the region (PA)

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said those behind the deadly drone strike on a US base in Jordan should be held to account  but also argued that everything must be done to prevent escalation.

I am concerned about the possibility of escalation of an already dangerous situation in the Middle East, he told broadcasters  urging the government to do everything that we can to ensure there isnt escalation of the conflict.

Mr Sunak was criticised for bypassing parliament in authorising UK strikes on the Houthis. Asked whether MPs should get to vote on any further UK military action, Sir Keir said: I think its important that we judge each intervention on its merits.

Mr Trump, meanwhile, has called the attack on Tower 22 yet another horrific and tragic consequence of Joe Bidens weakness and surrender.

Writing on the Truth Social platform, he claimed: This attack would NEVER have happened if I was president, not even a chance.

Just like the Iranian-backed Hamas attack on Israel would never have happened, the war in Ukraine would never have happened, and we would right now have peace throughout the world. Instead, we are on the brink of World War Three.
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A top Tory peer and pollster has called for a crackdown on political surveys after a row over an anonymous poll showing Labour was headed for a landslide election win.

Lord Hayward has written to the elections watchdog calling for new rules on anonymously-funded polls after rebel Conservative peer David Frost organised a 40,000 survey that forecast a 1997-style victor for Sir Keir Starmers party.

Lord Frost has refused to reveal the names of those who funded the poll, which was commissioned by a group called the Conservative Britain Alliance, who and has now been linked to an orchestrated right-wing revolt to oust the PM.

Following the row, Lord Hayward wrote to Electoral Commission chairman John Pullinge and the UK Statistics Authority in light of the imminence of a general election.

Conservative peer Lord Hayward called for tighter rules on polling ahead of a general election expected this autumn (PA)

He said: Recent events have highlighted the need for the polling world to catch up with other aspects of politics and electioneering.

He added: Is it really correct that a poll can be undertaken with no credible identifiable beneficial owner?

He went on to question whether British election polls are adequately protected from external influence, and whether polling companies should be able to correct the representation of their data before it is published in the media.

The Electoral Commission said it is carefully considering Lord Haywards suggestions, adding that it does not regulate the polling industry but some polls and those commissioning them may fall within its remit.

YouGov later had to clarify a suggestion by the newspaper that the presence of Reform UK is the difference between Labour securing a majority and not.

It said that was their own calculation based on an unreliable calculation.

The YouGov poll of 14,000 people, published in the Daily Telegraph, suggested the Tories could retain as few as 169 seats, while Labour would sweep into power with 385  giving Sir Keir a massive 120-seat majority.

It predicted that chancellor Jeremy Hunt could be one of 11 cabinet ministers to lose their seats, in what would be the biggest collapse in support for a governing party since 1906.

Other ministers under threat include education secretary Gillian Keegan and defence secretary Grant Shapps.

It sparked suggestions that the poll was commissioned as part of a plot to destabilise Rishi Sunaks leadership of the Conservative Party. The poll was cited by senior backbencher Sir Simon Clarke when he called for Mr Sunak to be ousted and warned the Tories face a massacre at the next general election.

Lord Frost was ordered by Lords leader Lord True to reveal the names of secret backers who funded the 40,000 poll or face losing the Conservative whip.

A defiant Lord Frost refused to reveal the names of the secret donors or confirm rumours that it was bankrolled from overseas. The group behind the poll is simply called the Conservative Britain Alliance, though there is no official record of their existence or membership.
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Nicola Sturgeon used the Covid pandemic to further the aims of Scottish independence and destroy the UK, Michael Gove has claimed.

The levelling up secretary accused the SNP of searching for political conflict during the pandemic in order to make the case for an independent Scotland.

While Mr Gove said the Scottish governments decision making was overwhelmingly driven by a desire to do the right thing, he told the Covid inquiry Ms Sturgeon sought political advantage at certain points.

Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove giving evidence to the UK Covid-19 inquiry in Edinburgh (PA) (PA Media)

There are and were occasions when the Scottish government was thinking politically and of course it is the case the SNP has a political mission to achieve Scotlands independence, i.e. destroy the United Kingdom, Mr Gove said.

He added that it would be naive to think highly skilled politicians including Ms Sturgeon would not seek political advantage at certain points.

Mr Goves appearance at the inquiry came before former Scottish health secretary Jeane Freeman accused the UK government of lacking sufficient urgency at the outset of the pandemic.

Ms Freeman said there were times when Scottish government officials were frustrated by slow information or the absence of information.

My feeling [at that Cobra meeting in March 2020 was that there wasnt sufficient urgency from the UK Government and I do recall querying at that meeting, their intention to focus on flights to the UK from Wuhan, Ms Freeman added.

The pair were giving evidence to the inquiry on how the UK and Scottish governments worked together during the pandemic.

The then cabinet office minister Mr Gove said there were tensions at times within the UK government at Ms Sturgeon diverging from decisions taken in Westminster or making decisions unilaterally.

One example included Mr Gove describing "unhappiness in Downing Street when Ms Sturgeon appeared to ban events of over 500 people in Scotland unilaterally.

Mr Gove conceded that decisions were made in the public health interests of the people of Scotland. (PA)

He went on to tell the inquiry some of the language used by Scottish officials led him to believe there was a "desire for differentiation" from the UK government.

He said a temptation among the SNP to seek political advantage was clearly there given the cause to which they have devoted their lives (independence)".

I think that almost all of the time, decisions were made in the public health interests of the people of Scotland, he said.

He added: The Scottish government believed that if its handling of these matters was somehow superior to that of the UK government, that people would appreciate and recognise that and therefore people would be prompted to think: Well, how much better might life be if we gave the Scottish Government more powers and we moved further down the path to independence?.

The top Tory minister went on to claim that Ms Sturgeon and then prime minister Boris Johnson were "not soulmates" but they were "able to secure effective co-ordination on substantive policy".

Mr Gove served as a Cabinet Office minister during the pandemic, with a focus on intergovernmental relations and told the inquiry the relationship between the UK Government and the devolved administrations was "for the most part constructive" when dealing with the day-to-day management of the pandemic.

He said "we can learn from how we responded to this virus to consider how the devolution settlement can be evolved in the future" but the current balance of the constitutional settlement is "broadly right".
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Rishi Sunaks proposed Rwanda asylum law has cleared its first major hurdle in the House of Lords, but faces a bruising ride as the Archbishop of Canterbury warned it is leading the nation down a damaging path.

Justin Welby made a rare intervention into politics by speaking out in the Lords on Monday evening, against the legislation aimed at sending asylum seekers on one-way flights to the African country. The Church of Englands most senior cleric insisted that Britain can do better than this bill as he condemned the Sunaks governments pick and choose approach to international law.

A barrage of criticism was levelled at the governments Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill, during its lengthy second reading debate in the upper chamber, with accusations that it was immoral, repugnant and an attempt to legislate a lie.

The Archbishop of Canterbury speaking in the Lords (Parliament TV)

Mr Sunak has told peers to listen to the will of the people as he tries to push his Rwanda scheme through parliament in time to get deportation flights started for the spring.

Only 11 right-wing rebel Tory MPs voted against the weak legislation in the Commons  but it faces a bigger test in the Lords, where many members have expressed unease about the safety of Rwanda.

While the Bill survived a Liberal Democrat-led bid to derail it on Monday, the unelected chamber is certain to seek numerous changes, putting them on a collision course with the Tory administration and an extended tussle between the Commons and Lords during ping-pong. Peers voted 206 to 84 against the blocking motion, a majority of 122.

Speaking ahead of the second-reading stage vote, the Archbishop of Canterbury told the Lords: We can as a nation do better than this bill.

With this bill, the government is continuing to seek good objectives in the wrong way  leading the nation down a damaging path, the faith leader added.

Rev Welby called Rwanda as a wonderful country, adding: My complaint is not with Rwanda, nor with its people  it has overcome challenges that this House cannot begin to imagine.

But the cross-bench peer insisted that Mr Sunaks bill would outsource our legal and moral responsibility for refugees and asylum seekers when other countries far poorer than we are already supporting multitudes more than we are now.

He also argued that pick and choose approach to international law undermines our global standing and offends against the principle of universality.

Rishi Sunak insists his Rwanda bill will help him deliver his stop the boats pledge (PA Wire)

Rev Welby added: It is damaging for asylum seekers in need of protection, and safe and legal routes. It is damaging for this countrys reputation  It is damaging in respect of constitutional principles and the rule of law.

The senior Liberal Democrat peer Lord German urged fellow peers to vote down the Rwanda bill at the second reading stage. However, Rev Welby said he would not vote against the government on Monday evening. With the government widely expected to win tonights vote, peers are waiting to amend the legislation at the next stage.

First blood was drawn on the bill in the Lords last week, when peers backed by 214 votes to 171 an unprecedented move seeking to delay a treaty with Rwanda which forms part of the governments plan.

The unelected second chamber backed calls for parliament to not approve the pact until ministers can show the country is safe. However, unlike the Commons  which has the power to delay ratification of a treaty  the Lords can only advise.

The ex-Tory cabinet minister Kenneth Clarke said he could not support the Rwanda bill  warning that its powers to overrule the courts on Rwandas safety set a very dangerous constitutional provision.

Lord Clarke told peers about the risks of moving towards an elective dictatorship in this country  arguing that there ought to be constitutional limits on any branch of government in a liberal democratic society such as ours.

And in a scathing speech, former Labour home secretary Lord David Blunkett, said the Tory plan was all about virtue signalling to hardline voters and demonising the courts, the Lords and the opposition.

He also pointed out that far-right Italian Giorgia Meloni had a similar plan to deport asylum seekers to African nations. What sort of county are we? he asked.

Earlier on Monday, Mr Sunaks official spokesman said the bill remained the right thing to do to tackle people smugglers and deter asylum seekers from crossing the Channel.

It is also the fair thing to do both for taxpayers and for those individuals seeking to come here through safe and legal routes who see their place jumped by those who can afford to make crossings on small boats, said the No 10 official.

Meanwhile, the number of migrants who made unauthorised Channel crossings of the Channel this year passed 1,000 after more than 300 made the journey at the weekend.

The asylum scheme comes with a 290m, bill but a series of legal challenges has meant no flights have taken off since it was first proposed in 2022, when Boris Johnson was in No 10.

Under the plan, people who cross the Channel in small boats could be removed to Rwanda rather than being allowed to seek asylum in the UK. The legislation, along with the recently signed treaty with Kigali, is aimed at ensuring the scheme is legally watertight.
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Rishi Sunak has urged Iran to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East after three US troops were killed in a drone strike on an American base in Jordan.

The PM condemned the attack near the Syrian border which has sparked fears about escalating conflict across the region, as the UK blamed Iran-aligned militia.

US president Joe Biden vowed that the US shall respond after blaming Iran-backed groups for the first US fatalities since the Israel-Hamas war  but Iran has denied any involvement in drone strike.

We are concerned and would urge Iran to continue to de-escalate tensions in the region, Mr Sunak told broadcasters on a trip to the north-east on Monday.

The PM added: We absolutely condemn what has happened over the past couple of days. My thoughts are with all of those impacted, those who lost their lives, their families and those that are injured.

Mr Sunak said the UK would resolutely with our allies to bring stability and peace to the region, adding: And thats what well continue to work towards.

Foreign secretary David Cameron has blamed Iran-aligned militia groups for strike (Reuters)

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq has claimed it is responsible for the strike. At least 34 US troops were also said to have been injured in the strike on the support base known as Tower 22 on Sunday.

US officials were working to identify the group behind the attack but have so far assessed that one of several Iranian-aligned groups was responsible. Mr Biden said in a written statement that the US will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner [of] our choosing.

Iran has denied any involvement. Nasser Kanaani, spokesman for Irans foreign ministry, said it was not involved in the decision making of resistance groups in the way they choose to defend Palestinians. And Irans minister for intelligence Esmail Khatib said different groups make their own decision to attack American aggressors.

Foreign secretary Lord David Cameron said that Britain strongly condemned the attacks by Iran-aligned militia groups as he also urged Tehran to de-escalate the situation.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has said those behind the deadly drone strike on a US base in Jordan should be held to account  but said everything must be done to prevent escalation. I am concerned about the possibility of escalation of an already dangerous situation in the Middle East, he told broadcasters.

So we have to see this in that context and do everything that we can to ensure there isnt escalation of the conflict, and on the contrary, that we find ways to bring this conflict to the immediate end.

Asked whether MPs should get to vote on further UK military action, Sir Keir said: I think its important that we judge each intervention on its merits.

Labour leader Keir Starmer has warned of escalation across the Middle East (Getty Images)

Since Hamas launched its attack on Israel on 7 October, Iranian-backed militias have struck American military installations in Iraq more than 60 times. In Syria, they have struck more than 90 times with drones, rockets, mortars and ballistic missiles.

Militias have said that their strikes are in retaliation for Washingtons support for Israel in the war in Gaza, and aim to push US forces out of the region.

The US in recent months has hit targets in Iraq, Syria and Yemen in response to attacks on its forces and to diminish the threats from Iranian-backed Houthi rebels to commercial shipping in the Red Sea.

Britain has joined two strikes against the militants in Yemen, though they so far seem to have done little to deter Houthi action. A British-linked oil tanker went up in flames after a strike claimed by the Yemen-based group on Friday before a further attack on HMS Diamond was successfully repelled.

Meanwhile, No 10 also defended the pause in funding for UNRWA over allegations staff from the agency helped Hamas with its 7 October attack on Israel.

Downing Street said no further funding had been expected to be released to the agency in the coming weeks.

Mr Sunaks spokesperson said: My understanding is that we have committed 16 million to UNRWA following the Hamas terror attacks, but this was dispersed before the allegations came to light.

Labours Jonathan Ashworth said the allegations absolutely appalling  but argued the UN agencys programmes should be allowed to continue.

The shadow cabinet minister told Sky News: What is happening is a catastrophe which is why, for example, weve also called for a halt in the fighting, an immediate humanitarian truce, a ceasefire, a sustained ceasefire is needed, but UNRWA programs have to continue.
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Rishi Sunak faces a backlash from the Tory right over his youth smoking ban, as he also sets out plans to get rid of disposable vapes to protect childrens health.

Liz Truss is leading a rebellion against the prime ministers ban on the sale of cigarettes to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009.

The former PM attacked the move as profoundly unconservative  claiming Tory governments should be against such nanny state policies.

But Mr Sunak fired back at his troublesome predecessor, saying: I dont think theres anything unconservative about caring about our childrens health.

Shares in vaping firms tumbled on Monday, as the Tory leader announced his legislative plan to ban all disposable vapes in Britain.

The PM is also unveiling new powers to restrict vape flavours in an effort to make them less appealing to children.

Mr Sunak has promised a free vote on the plan to phase out legal smoking among young people, calling it a matter of conscience for his MPs. Labour is backing the smoking ban, so the measure is likely to pass through the Commons with relative ease.

But another rebellion by the Tory right will prove awkward for Mr Sunak  already battling against a right-wing plot against his leadership.

Liz Truss is fighting against Rishi Sunaks youth smoking ban (Getty Images)

Ms Truss said 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.

A Conservative government should not be seeking to extend the nanny state, said Ms Truss. This will only give succour to those who wish to ban further choices of which they dont approve.

She called on Mr Sunak to follow the new government in New Zealand and reverse this profoundly unconservative policy. Former Tory trade minister Sir Edward Leigh also last year said he would vote against the ridiculous measure.

Another rebel MP mocked Mr Sunaks links to California, telling The Times: Im sure banning vapes goes down brilliantly among the Californian fasting community but our voters want the boats stopping and their wage packets growing.

Ms Truss and a group of right-wing backbenchers are expected to back an amendment to raise the smoking age to 21 as an alternative to the PMs plan.

Mr Sunak said the youth smoking ban was the right long-term thing for our country  arguing that it could help save hundreds of thousands of lives.

He said: If we raise the smoking age incrementally, that will mean people will stop smoking. The vast majority of people take up smoking when they are young. If we can stop that start, we will be well on the way to making sure we have the first smoke-free generation in our country.

Mr Sunak also said the rise of vaping among teenagers was one of the most worrying trends at the moment  adding that it was vital to act before it becomes endemic.

Electronic vaping devices, ahead of a proposed ban on disposable vapes (Getty Images)

The ban on disposable vapes will use powers already in place under the Environmental Protection Act and is expected to come into force early next year.

It is already illegal to sell vapes to anyone under the age of 18, but evidence shows disposable vapes  which are cheaper and sold in smaller, more colourful packaging than refillable ones  are driving the rise in youth vaping.

In 2021, only 7.7 per cent of vapers aged 11 to 17 used disposable vapes, but this increased to 52 per cent in 2022 and 69 per cent in 2023.

Under the new plans, powers will also be introduced to restrict flavours which are specifically marketed at children and ensure that manufacturers produce plainer packaging and change how vapes are displayed in shops, moving them out of childrens sight.

New 100 fines will also be brought in for shops in England and Wales which sell vapes illegally to children. Vaping alternatives  such as nicotine pouches  will also be banned for children.

Trading standards officers will be given powers to act on the spot to tackle underage tobacco and vape sales. This builds on a maximum 2,500 fine that local authorities can already impose.

Health secretary Victoria Atkins told BBC Radio 4s Today programme the market around vaping has developed very, very quickly.

Asked what her message to Ms Truss is on the youth smoking ban, she said: Well, this, this is a big change. We absolutely acknowledge this.

I think its rather like the debate that we had a decade ago about whether adults should be able to smoke in cars with their children. There was a lot of debate about that. But are we honestly saying now 10-12 years later that we would go back? Of course not.

Labours Jonathan Ashworth said his party welcomes the disposable vape ban  pointing out that shadow health secretary Wes Streeting had called for it two years ago. It is important and its welcome the government has caught up with us.
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A German company hopes to launch rockets into space as often as once a month from the island at the northernmost tip of the UK.

Rocket Factory Augsburgs (RFA) chief commercial officer said excitement is building ahead of their Olympic gold medal moment this summer  when they will try to achieve Europes first-ever launch delivering satellites into orbit.

The company is one of several planning to use launch pads at SaxaVord Spaceport on the island of Unst, the most northerly of the Shetland Islands.

In December, SaxaVord was granted the UKs first vertical launch spaceport licence, allowing up to 30 launches each year.

Jorn Spurmann spoke to the PA news agency about RFAs plans for the first launch of their RFA One launcher  a 30m-tall three-stage rocket which can deliver a 1,300kg payload to a sun-synchronous orbit around Earth.

He said everything looks positive for the first launch taking place in the summer but much will depend on their testing process.

Mr Spurmann said: We plan to be on pad in the summer and start the (testing) campaign.

Then we have an anticipated first launch attempt and we see how it goes.

He added: We have on the Shetland Islands a dedicated launch pad purely for RFA. So, theres no time pressure for us.

He said people on Unst, which has a population of around 600, were supportive of the project, saying: The locals, they pretty much realise what a big opportunity it is for them.

After testing in Germany and elsewhere, the various components of the rocket and its cargo of satellites will be shipped to Lerwick in around a dozen containers before being driven north to Unst.

Mr Spurmann said: We do a full assembly and checkout testing in Augsburg.

And then we put it into a dozen containers roughly.

Then the final remating of these stages and encapsulation of the fairing, final testing  that all happens on site at the launch pad.

A hot test of the rockets first-stage engines at the launch pad is expected in the months ahead of the first flight.

Ultimately, RFA wants to re-use the lower stage of its rockets in order to generate savings, similar to the Falcon series of rockets used by Elon Musks SpaceX.

While this will not take place on the initial flights, the first stage of the RFA One rocket would be parachuted back to splash down in the sea after propelling the upper parts of the vehicle high into the atmosphere.

The nine Helix engines on the lower part of the rocket make up the bulk of the vehicles cost.

Mr Spurmann said: Were planning mid-term to get to a launch cadence of once a month, so 12 a year.

That should happen over three years. Then it really depends where the market is  if the market needs more, we have flexibility to do more.

RFAs team of about 300 people will see the first successful launch as an Olympic gold medal moment, Mr Spurrmann said, as the project has been years in the making.

However, if the attempt ends in failure, he said RFA would be ready with a second vehicle as soon as possible for another try.

Last year, RFAs British subsidiary received 3.5 million from the UK Space Agency to support its launch plans.
 Close Met Office morning weather forecast

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The Met Office has issued a fresh weather warning over the weekend as the UK braces for another spell of snow next week.

The yellow weather warning for rain is expected to affect areas in western Scotland from Sunday at 6pm until 9pm on Monday - bringing travel disruption, power cuts and flooding.

It comes as experts warned that snow will fall in Scotland and even potentially down south as cold air dubbed the Troll from Trondheim makes its way over the country from Norway.

Jim Dale, Senior Meteorological Consultant at British Weather Services told The Independent: We havent got to end of winter yet and next week will be colder. There will be snow in Scotland and the north and potentially in the south.

In its long-range forecast, the Met Office has also said there will be some hill snow over the weekend and that there is a chance colder conditions could start to feature in the second week of February.
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One of the jurors who helped convict Alex Murdaugh last year for the murders of his wife and son testified under oath that a county clerk made comments insinuating the disbarred attorney was guilty before the jury delivered a verdict.

Murdaugh returned to a South Carolina courtroom on Monday following a request by his attorneys for a new trial on the basis that Colleton County clerk Becky Hill allegedly tampered with the jury that convicted him last year for the shooting deaths of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh.

The defence has argued that Ms Hill advised jurors not to be fooled by Murdaughs testimony on the stand or misled by the defences evidence, pushed them to reach a quick guilty verdict, and misrepresented critical and material information to the trial judge in her campaign to remove a juror she believed to be favourable to the defence.

On Monday, Judge Jean Toal called the jurors to the stand one by one and questioned them about potential comments that may have tainted their verdict. A female juror, identified only as juror Z by Judge Toal, said that Ms Hill had told some of the jurors to watch [Murdaugh] closely.

To me, it felt like ... she made it feel like he was already guilty, juror Z said.

Other jurors questioned denied hearing inappropriate remarks made by Ms Hill, or being influenced by her comments. Juror E said that he heard Ms Hill say watch [Murdaughs] body language, but claimed that this did not affect his decision.

The first of three hearings to determine whether Murdaugh should be granted a new trial kicked off with several mishaps. Judge Toal complained about the funky sound system that interrupted her instructions to jurors, before a back-and-forth ensued between her and Murdaughs attorney Dick Harpootlian when the defence asked to withdraw an affidavit from Juror Z stating that she was pressured by other jurors to deliver a guilty verdict.

Mr Harpootlian asked the judge to remind Juror Z that her remarks on the affidavit and the fact that Ms Hills remarks could have affected her decision both could be true. He also requested that the juror be handed a copy of the affidavit, which was not officially introduced as evidence but objected to questioning from Judge Toal about the document.

If you want me to have her look at this affidavit but youre telling me I cant question her about it, I deny that objection, Judge Toal said after Mr Harpootlian continued objecting. You cant have your cake and eat it too ... Ive made my ruling, take your seat.

Then a bailiff approached the judge to announce that the jurors phones had not been confiscated and they had tuned in to watch the proceedings on Court TV.

When Mr Hapootlian asked for a recess to determine the next steps, the judge said: Im not going to take all day on this.

Ms Hill also is expected to be grilled by lawyers for Murdaugh. In a sworn statement, the state branded the allegations as a sweeping conspiratorial theory and said that not every inappropriate comment made by a member of court staff to a juror rises to the level of constitutional error.

Judge Toals rulings after a pretrial hearing this month have set a difficult standard for his lawyers to prove. She ruled the defence must prove that potential misconduct including alleged comments by Ms Hill warning jurors not to trust Murdaugh when he testifies directly led jurors to change their minds to guilty.

Ms Hill has denied all of the allegations levelled against her in a September motion from Murdaughs legal team. In a sworn statement, the state branded the allegations as a sweeping conspiratorial theory and said that not every inappropriate comment made by a member of court staff to a juror rises to the level of constitutional error.

One of the most damning accusations centres around the dismissal of juror number 785, just hours before jury deliberations began.

According to Murdaughs attorneys, Ms Hill invented a story about a Facebook post to remove a juror she believed might not vote guilty.

Judge Clifton Newman, who oversaw the murder trial, removed the female juror from the panel for allegedly discussing the case with at least three other people outside of the court. The woman then prompted some light-hearted  and widely-reported  relief when she asked to pick up her dozen eggs from the jury room before she left.

According to the motion, Ms Hill had gone to Judge Newman on 27 February  the day after Murdaugh testified  claiming that she had seen a post in the local Facebook group Walterboro Word of Mouth from juror 785s former husband, Tim Stone.

The post purportedly claimed that the juror was drinking with her ex-husband and, when she became drunk, she expressed her views on whether Murdaugh was innocent or guilty.

A follow-up post from an account called Timothy Stone apologised for the post saying that he was driven by Satan.

In a court filing, Murdaughs attorneys claim that the Mr Stone behind the Facebook posts was actually a random Georgia man who was ranting about his wifes aunt  and has no connection to the case.

Murdaughs attorneys are claiming that  based on these allegations  he should be granted a new murder trial.

Judge Newman announced that he would stand down from any future proceedings in the murder case  paving the way for Judge Toal to step into the role.

Ms Hill is now the subject of two investigations by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (Sled)  the same state agency that led the investigation into the murders of Murdaughs wife Maggie and son Paul.

While she and the state have pushed back against the claim of any unscrupulous behaviour in the trial, legal experts have warned that they are very serious allegations and, if true, Murdaugh could  and should  be granted a new trial.

If proven true, these allegations not only undermine the integrity of the judicial process but also represent a significant violation of Murdaughs constitutional right to a fair trial, prominent attorney Duncan Levin told The Independent in the fall.

He added: In such cases, the law typically requires the granting of a new trial to ensure that justice is served without the taint of undue influence or misconduct.
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Americans are being warned about travel to the Bahamas amid an uptick in violent crime.

In a travel advisory issued Friday, the State Department urged travellers to exercise increased caution.

Most of the crime has occurred on the islands of New Providence and Grand Bahama, where Nassau and Freeport are respectively located. In Nassaus Over-The-Hill neighbourhood, gang-on-gang violence has resulted in a high homicide rate primarily affecting the local population, the advisory states.

According to the US Embassy in the Bahamas , there have been 18 murders in Nassau so far this year, primarily due to retaliatory gang violence.

Murders have occurred at all hours including in broad daylight on the streets, the embassy said.

There have also been burglaries, armed robberies, and sexual assaults in both tourist and non-tourist areas, the State Department said.

Be vigilant when staying at short-term vacation rental properties where private security companies do not have a presence, the travel advisory stated.

The State Department also warned travellers against activities involving commercial recreational watercraft, noting that they are not consistently regulated. Commercial watercraft operators are permitted to operate their vessels regardless of weather forecasts, and injuries and deaths have occurred, the department said.

Watercraft may be poorly maintained, and some operators may not have safety certifications, they said. Always review and heed local weather and marine alerts before engaging in water-based activities.

The department also warned travellers not to swim alone, to be mindful of sharks, and to be aware of weather and water conditions.
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Almost exactly one year to the day that the Lowcountrys trial of the century began, Alex Murdaugh is returning to court to try to throw out his conviction.

The disgraced legal scion was found guilty of murdering his wife Maggie and son Paul in the dog kennels of the familys sprawling Moselle hunting estate in Islandton back in the summer of 2021.

Their violent shooting deaths sparked fear and rumours across South Carolina and beyond.

Questions grew about the Murdaughs familys ties to other unexplained deaths  from a deadly teen boat wreck to a housekeepers fatal trip-and-fall to the body of a boy found dead on a Hampton County road.

These questions and rumours only escalated further when Murdaugh himself called 911 to claim he was shot in the head three months on from his wife and sons murders.

It turned out to be a lie; a plot that Murdaugh himself orchestrated  and so the reputation of the heir to a prominent legal dynasty fell apart.

First came charges for the roadside shooting plot; then for a multi-million-dollar fraud scheme; and then for the murder.

The murder trial itself was equally rife with drama, from an explosive cellphone video placing Murdaugh at the crime scene to his own damning testimony confessing to a slew of other crimes on the stand.

Ultimately, Murdaugh was convicted of all charges and sentenced to life in prison, and the sad tale of Maggie and Paul seemed to have come to an end. But now, Murdaugh is back again.

Buster, Maggie, Paul and Alex Murdaugh (Maggie Murdaugh/Facebook)

In a bombshell move, the convicted killer and fraudster has managed to secure a hearing to determine if he should be granted a new murder trial.

Across three days from 29 January to 31 January, Justice Jean Toal will hear from Murdaughs defence, prosecutors, jurors and other witnesses to determine whether the six-week trial should be dismissed and the killer head back to the courtroom for a new trial.

Murdaughs fight is based on shocking accusations of jury tampering levelled against Becky Hill, Colleton County Court clerk.

In September, Murdaughs attorneys Dick Harpootlian and Jim Griffin filed a motion accusing court clerk Becky Hill of breaking her oath by tampering with the jury and pressuring them into returning a guilty verdict against him.

They claim that she advised the panel not to be fooled by Murdaughs testimony on the stand or misled by the defences evidence, pushed them to reach a quick guilty verdict, and misrepresented critical and material information to the trial judge in her campaign to remove a juror she believed to be favourable to the defence.

Ms Hill has denied the allegations. In a sworn statement, the state branded the allegations as a sweeping conspiratorial theory and said that not every inappropriate comment made by a member of court staff to a juror rises to the level of constitutional error.

Rebecca Becky Hill, Colleton County Court clerk (Colleton County)

Based on the claims, Murdaughs legal team has demanded that the disbarred attorney be granted a new murder trial as he continues to proclaim his innocence of any involvement in the June 2021 murders of his wife Maggie and son Paul.

One of the most damning accusations centres around the dismissal of juror number 785, just hours before jury deliberations began.

According to Murdaughs attorneys, Ms Hill invented a story about a Facebook post to remove a juror she believed might not vote guilty.

Judge Clifton Newman removed the female juror from the panel for allegedly discussing the case with at least three other people outside of the court. The woman then prompted some light-hearted  and widely-reported  relief when she asked to pick up her dozen eggs from the jury room before she left.

According to the motion, Ms Hill had gone to Judge Newman on 27 February  the day after Murdaugh testified  claiming that she had seen a post in the local Facebook group Walterboro Word of Mouth from juror 785s former husband, Tim Stone.

The post purportedly claimed that the juror was drinking with her ex-husband and, when she became drunk, she expressed her views on whether Murdaugh was innocent or guilty.

A follow-up post from an account called Timothy Stone apologised for the post saying that he was driven by Satan.

In a court filing, Murdaughs attorneys claim that the Mr Stone behind the Facebook posts was actually a random Georgia man who was ranting about his wifes aunt  and has no connection to the case.

Murdaughs attorneys are claiming that  based on these allegations  he should be granted a new murder trial.

The legal team is also calling for the removal of Judge Newman from the case.

Judge Newman announced that he would stand down from any future proceedings in the murder case  paving the way for Judge Toal to step into the role.

Ms Hill is now the subject of two investigations by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (Sled)  the same state agency that led the investigation into the murders of Murdaughs wife Maggie and son Paul.

While she and the state have pushed back against the claim of any unscrupulous behaviour in the trial, legal experts have warned that they are very serious allegations and, if true, Murdaugh could  and should  be granted a new trial.

If proven true, these allegations not only undermine the integrity of the judicial process but also represent a significant violation of Murdaughs constitutional right to a fair trial, prominent attorney Duncan Levin told The Independent in the fall.

He added: In such cases, the law typically requires the granting of a new trial to ensure that justice is served without the taint of undue influence or misconduct.

All eyes now turn to Judge Toal as she hears arguments this week, and ultimately decides if the Lowcountry should brace for round two of the trial of the century.
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More than 20 years after Run-DMC star Jam Master Jays murder, two men are finally facing trial.

Ronald Washington and Karl Jordan Jr are accused of killing the New York-based DJ in his recording studio in the city in 2002.

Prosecutors believe the musician, whose real name was Jason Mizell, was killed over a drug deal, but for two decades, the shooting went unsolved, with witnesses remaining tight-lipped.

A breakthrough in the case finally came in 2020 when two men from Mizells Queens neighbourhood were arrested and charged.

The two men, both of whom have pleaded not guilty, began their trial at Brooklyn federal court on 29 January.

Here is what you need to know about the case:

Who was Jam Master Jay and what happened to him?

Jam Master Jay was the DJ for the hip-hop group Run DMC, one of the best-known rap acts of the 1980s.

The group, founded by Mizell alongside rappers Joe Run Simmons and Darryl DMC McDaniels, were known for espousing an anti-drug stance in lyrics and for hits including Its Tricky and a remake of Aerosmiths Walk This Way.

Run-DMC at the 31st annual Grammy Awards in New York City in 1998 (AP1988)

They have also been credited with bringing hip-hop into the mainstream, becoming the first rap artists to appear on MTV.

The group disbanded after Mizells death, which rocked the hip-hop world.

For years, the stars death lingered as a cold case, with witnesses reluctant to speak up despite more than $60,000 in reward money being offered for information.

Prosecutors allege Mizell was shot in the head inside his recording studio in Queens, New York, in 2002 after a drug deal went wrong.

According to prosecutors, Mizell became involved in trafficking cocaine in the mid-1990s and before his murder, he had acquired 10 kilograms (22 pounds) of the drug, which Mr Washington, Mr Jordan and others were going to distribute in Maryland.

Mr Washington, however, got into a dispute with another person involved in the scheme and Mizell cut him out of the deal. He and Mr Jordan then showed up armed at the DJs 24/7 recording studio in Jamaica, Queens, on the evening of 30 October 2002, prosecutors allege.

Mr Washington is accused of waving a gun and ordering one person to lie on the floor, while Jordan allegedly shot Mizell in the head, prosecutors said.

Who is on trial?

Jury selection in the trial of Mr Washington, 49, and Mr Jordan, 40, began on 29 January.

Prosecutors said the two men were arrested after witnesses identified them as the assailants. They also claim Washington has made statements corroborating his involvement with law enforcement and others.

Mr Washington, who was named as a possible suspect or witness as far back as 2007, had reportedly been living on a sofa at Mizells home in the days before his death.

A mural for Jam Master Jay in New York (Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

He was previously quoted in a Playboy article as saying he was on his way to the studio the night of the murder when he heard gunshots and saw Mr Jordan fleeing.

Meanwhile, lawyers for Mr Jordan said in court documents that his father was a lifelong friend of Mizell and that their families had been neighbours. They say Mr Jordan, then 18, was at his pregnant girlfriends home at the time of the murder and witnesses can place him there.

Both men are charged with murder while engaged in narcotics trafficking and firearm-related murder. The men face at least 20 years in prison if convicted.

A third man, named as Jay Bryant, was arrested in 2023 and will be tried separately in 2025 or 2026.
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A Michigan mother was arrested on Thursday after investigators said she was on her phone for more than 20 minutes while her eight-month-old child drowned in a bathtub.

Olivia Miller, 23, of Sparta Township, Michigan, is facing one count of involuntary manslaughter and one count of second-degree child abuse after her son, Asher Johnson, drowned in a bathtub at their home in November 2023.

Emergency services found the child lying face-up on the living room floor at an eastern Michigan home after responding to a call regarding a baby who had drowned in a bathtub, the sheriffs office said.

Paramedics performed CPR on the child before transporting him to hospital where he was pronounced dead, court records state.

The babys cause of death was determined to be drowning, according to an autopsy conducted by Kent Countys chief medical examiner Stephen Cohle, who also estimated that the infant had been lying on his back on the floor for a minimum of 20 minutes before authorities arrived.

Investigators determined that Miller was home alone with her baby when he drowned.

They added that Miller gave varying stories when asked what happened, according to an affidavit obtained by Michigan news website MLive.

The mother allegedly told investigators that she left her baby sitting up in the bathtub for five minutes while she went to the adjacent laundry room, according to the affidavit.

She claimed the tub was filled a few inches at the time and the water was running.

When she returned, Miller said she found her son floating, with his face underwater, the affidavit added.

She allegedly told investigators she tried to revive her baby until first responders arrived, the court document states.

However, when detectives analysed Millers phone, they found her story did not add up.

Court documents state her cellphone activity from the time of the incident shows she used her phone for approximately 21 minutes from 3.17pm until she called 911 at 3.38pm. During that timeframe, there was only an 18-second break in her phone usage, the documents allege.

The affidavit also alleges her cellphone activity shows she called her sons paternal grandmother twice to tell her the boy had drowned, two minutes before she called 911.

She also texted her father that she was just trying to talk while I have time while Ashers taking a nap, four minutes before she called 911, according to the affidavit.

Millers attorney told WZZM that there was no indication of intentionality regarding her alleged actions.

Theres no indication of intentionality here and thats important to point out, they said. This is a tragic situation she suffered tremendously, emotionally from the death of her child. She loves that child. Ive been inside that house. There are photographs all over that house of her, the father with that child.

Miller is currently being held on a $300,000 bond at the Kent County jail, online records show.

She has pleaded not guilty to all the charges and is due back in court on 7 February.
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The IRS contractor who stole and leaked former president Donald Trumps tax records has been sentenced to five years in prison.

Charles Littlejohn, 38, pleaded guilty in October last year to one count of unauthorized disclosures of income tax returns after leaking Mr Trumps and thousands of others tax records.

His plea agreement states that he stole Mr Trumps tax returns as well as the tax information of thousands of the nations wealthiest people. At the time, he was working for a consulting firm with IRS contracts.

Mr Littlejohn shared the tax information with two news outlets and subsequently deleted the documents from his laptop, which had been issued by the IRS, before handing it back. He also removed the places where he had previously stored the information to remove any traces, CNN noted.

What you did in attacking the sitting president of the United States was an attack on our constitutional democracy, Judge Ana Reyes told Mr Littlejohn. Were talking about someone who  pulled off the biggest heist in IRS history.

She added that his actions constituted a threat to US democracy which engenders the same fear that January 6 does, in reference to the Capitol riot in early 2021.

Prosecutors argued that Mr Littlejohn made great effort to get hold of the records without detection, including by downloading information onto an iPad and later uploading it to a private site that he subsequently removed.

Judge Reyes criticised the Department of Justice for only bringing one count against Mr Littlejohn.

The fact that he did what he did and hes facing one felony count, I have no words for, she said, according to CNN.

Prosecutors said the single count covered several leaks and thefts by Mr Littlejohn.

In a legal filing recommending that Mr Littlejohn face the maximum penalty of five years in prison, prosecutors wrote that A free press and public engagement with the media are critical to any healthy democracy, but stealing and leaking private, personal tax information strips individuals of the legal protection of their most sensitive data.

In court on Monday, Mr Littlejohn said that he acted out of a sincere misguided belief. He added that he was working in service of the country and that the public had a right to the information he shared with the press.

We as a country make the best decisions when we are all properly informed, he said, adding that he had been aware of the potential consequences and that he knew he would end up in court.

My actions undermine the fragile faith in the American government, he said.

Mr Littlejohn admitted last year that he leaked Mr Trumps tax information to The New York Times in 2019 and the tax information of thousands of wealthy Americans to ProPublica in 2020.

The outlets published stories revealing that Mr Trump and other wealthy Americans for several years paid either little or no federal taxes.

Prosecutors argued in a legal brief that Mr Littlejohn weaponized his access to unmasked taxpayer data to further his own personal, political agenda, believing that he was above the law.

Mr Littlejohns defence team argued for a term of eight to 18 months. They said his actions were the product not only of his misguided idealism but of life experience that led him to treat each day as if it were his last, citing his younger sister dying in 2013 and his father being diagnosed with a disease in 2019, according to The Washington Post.
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A Georgia woman and her child were safely removed from a hostage situation after she mouthed a plea to authorities who showed up at her door.

The Atlanta Police Department revealed details about the rescue in a press release over the weekend.

According to authorities, officers were dispatched to a residence in Northeast Atlanta on Friday after receiving a tip about an unfolding domestic dispute.

Upon arriving at the scene around 10pm, law enforcement noticed that the woman who answered the door was uncooperative.

However, she mouthed the words, help me to officers before they left.

The officers were not allowed inside by the woman, but they then called hostage negotiators to the apartment on Piedmont Avenue. A SWAT team also established a perimeter around the residence.

The suspect, identified as 34-year-old Andre Ross, eventually surrendered without further incident.

The woman and her child were safely removed from the residence and Mr Ross, the childs father, was charged with false imprisonment. He is being held at Fulton County Jail.

At the time of his arrest, Mr Ross had multiple warrants for his arrest on robbery, obstruction of probation and weapon possession charges.
 Close United Nations Says Alabama Execution With Nitrogen Could Be Torture

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Alabama death row inmate Kenneth Eugene Smith has been executed by nitrogen gas  making him the first person in US history to be put to death through the controversial method.

Smith, 58, was pronounced dead at 8.25pm CT on Thursday at the William C Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore, Alabama, almost three decades after he was convicted in the 1988 murder-for-hire plot of Elizabeth Sennett.

His religious adviser Reverend Jeff Hood, who witnessed the execution, told reporters what he saw was a man struggling for their life for a staggering 22 minutes.

The White House condemned the execution on Friday. It is very troubling to us as an administration. It is very troubling to us here at the White House, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.

Alabama authorities insist the execution went to plan, despite predicting the untested method would lead to unconsciousness within seconds and death in minutes.

But, witnesses said Smith appeared conscious for several minutes, shaking and writhing on the gurney.

We didnt see somebody go unconscious in 30 seconds, said Rev Hood. What we saw was minutes of someone struggling for their life.

Smiths death came after the US Supreme Court denied a final, 11th-hour bid to stay of execution. The ruling received dissent from Justice Sonia Sotomayor who wrote that the state had selected Smith as a guinea pig by using the untested method.

Speaking at a news conference on Friday, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said that 43 more death row inmates have elected to die by nitrogen hypoxia. People incarcerated on death row are able to chose their preferred method from electrocution, lethal injection or nitrogen hypoxia.

What occurred last night was textbook, AG Marshall said. As of last night, nitrogen hypoxia as a means of execution is no longer an untested method. It is a proven one.
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A man in Maine has drowned while saving his four-year-old son after both of them plunged through the ice of a frozen pond.

Kevin Howell, the 51-year-old town manager of Carmel, was on a walk with his son around 6.30am (local time) on Friday when they broke through the ice on Etna Pond, located a third of a mile from their house.

Howell managed to save his son by getting him out of the water and instructed him to inform his mother, according to the Penobscot County Sheriffs Office.

The woman called 911 and rushed to the pond with an anchor and rope to rescue Howell. She secured the rope to the shore and then went to help her husband, but ended up breaking through the ice herself and was unable to get out.

Detective Jordan Norton, who responded to a 911 call, spotted Howells wife in the water and crawled across the ice, holding onto the rope. He was able to pull her out of the ice, but he couldnt find her husband, the authorities said.

Divers from the warden service and state police were pressed into the search operation at around 1.40pm (local time) and found Howell's body 20 minutes later. "The two divers located him a little before 2pm," the Sheriff's Office added.

Friends and community members in Carmel remembered Howell as a "wonderful guy" who moved to the small town with his wife in 2014.

Howell had served for eight years as Carmels town manager, a role similar to that of mayor which involves overseeing the towns administrative departments.

Daniel Frye, the chair of the town's Board of Selectmen told the Portland Press Herald that Howell "really believed in community".

"Thats why he was such a perfect person for that town manager role. He always wanted to make the town better. He was a stand-out guy."

He was the best fit, honestly, for a town manager, his friend and neighbour Ethan Dysart told the newspaper.

He always dropped everything he had going to make sure things were taken care of for the town. He really brought the community together.
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A woman who was reported missing by her friends after a day of snowboarding at a ski resort in Lake Tahoe was later found to be trapped inside a ski lift gondola overnight as temperatures dropped below freezing.

Monica Laso had opted to ride the gondola down the mountain at Heavenly Ski Resort on Thursday because she was too tired for one more snowboard run, she later told KCRA in an interview in Spanish.

So at 5pm, Ms Laso boarded the gondola, but it stopped just minutes later, still suspended in the sky. She yelled for help, but no one could hear her cries.

Monica Laso was trapped in a ski gondola, similar to this one, at Heavenly Mountain Resort in Lake Tahoe (Getty Images)

I screamed desperately until I lost my voice, Ms Laso said, adding that she did not have her cellphone, so she couldnt call for help either.

For 15 hours, the woman rubbed her hands and feet together to fight off the cold. The overnight low temperature was 23 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.

Ms Lasos friends had reported her missing to the El Dorado County Sheriffs Office when they could not get ahold of her, but it wasnt until the gondola came back down the mountain the following day that crews realized she had been there overnight.

I felt very frustrated, she said.

Kim George, a battalion chief and spokesperson for South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue, told The Associated Press that paramedics responded to the resort at 8.30am on Friday after Ms Laso was discovered in the gondola.

She was responsive and alert and declined to be transported to the hospital, Ms George said.

In her 23 years with the fire department, weve never responded to anything like that, she said. Im very curious to hear the story.

Heavenly Mountain Resort is investigating with the utmost seriousness how the woman got trapped, the resort said in a statement.

The safety and wellbeing of our guests is our top priority at Heavenly Mountain Resort, Tom Fortune, the resorts vice president and chief operating officer, said.
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Starbucks allegedly fired a barista who was working to pay for paramedic school after he helped overcome two robbers - despite being hit on the head with a gun.

Michael Harris, 20, claims to have been fired by Starbucks following the incident in what his attorney describes as him defending himself.

That job was helping me pay for college, he said to The New York Post. I just dont understand it. I thought it was the right thing to do.

Two Starbucks workers were allegedly fired following subduing two robbery suspects at their workplace (Getty Images)

Mr Harris was working the drive-thru at a Starbucks in St. Louis when two masked men entered the building and told everyone to get to the ground, the barista told the outlet.

The incident, which occurred on 17 December, was an attempt to rob the store, according to a press release from Mr Harris attorney, Ryan Krupp.

The barista cooperated with the mens demands, as was his training, according to Mr Krupp. He tried to open the cash register but did not have managerial access to the cash; he told the outlet.

That is when one of the men allegedly struck Mr Harris, using a gun hit him on the back of the head.

At that point, I thought he was going to shoot me, Mr Harris told The New York Post.

However, his co-worker noticed something suspicious about the gun after he saw a bit of the firearm and broke off, leading him to think the gun could be a fake.

His attorney said that Mr Harris acted when he realised he was at a stage which meant he either needed to intervene or risk himself or others being killed.

Mr Harris, and his co-worker, named Devin Jones-Ransom by Mr Harris attorney, reportedly defended themselves against two alleged robbers, eventually stopping them in their tracks and leading to the arrest of both perpetrators, Mr Krupps statement read.

Michael Harris said that he was working so he could pay for paramedic school (Fox News)

The two employees managed to subdue one of them until the police arrived, while the other took off but was found by police a short time later, local outlet Riverfront Times reported.

The two alleged attempted robbers have been named as Joshua Noe and Marquise Porter-Doyle and have both been arrested on robbery and other charges.

While local news lauded the two baristas as heroes, the pair are reported to have lost their Starbucks jobs.

I got a call a few weeks later, Mr Harris said to The New York Post.

Once the media died down. They told me they were terminating me. I was surprised. I was distraught. I was confused.

His attorney told the outlet that his client was trying to look out for his safety in the frightening situation.

When the robbers came in, my client complied and tried to open the cash register when he was struck in the head by one of the gunmen, Mr Krupp said to The New York Post. At that point youre in a position to defend yourself.

Mr Krupp also added in his statement that the two workers were fired without explanation on what policy, if any, they violated.

In a statement to The Independent regarding the incident, a spokesperson for Starbucks said they were deeply disturbed to learn of this frightening incident.

Partner safety is at the core of how we operate in our stores, and we are so grateful that our partners and customers did not come to greater harm in this situation, they added.

In situations like this, our training and protocols guide our partners to comply and de-escalate, not just for their safety but for the safety of all in the store.

In a statement to The Independent, Mr Krupp spoke about legal action they are taking against the beverage giant.

Mr. Harris did the right thing. Starbucks cannot put their corporate liability policy above Mr. Harriss human rights, he said.

We are filing a number of human rights and discrimination charges against Starbucks, he added. Although Starbucks terminated Michael from a position of power, they will be on an equal playing field with Michael when they see the jury in this case.
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Nikki Haley is going all in on what she sees as the safest line of attack against Donald Trump  questions about his mental fitness and temperament in a year where the incumbent Democratic president is facing similar concerns.

The former South Carolina governor and UN ambassador sat down with NBCs Craig Melvin for an interview with the Today show on Tuesday as she prepares for a showdown with Mr Trump in her home state that is a litte more than a week away. The primary election in South Carolina could be a jolt in the arm of her campaign as she continues to steeply trail the frontrunner  or, it could be the death knell of her presidential bid. It could also be neither of those things, as she plods along towards Super Tuesday in March.

Ms Haley made some of her most forceful criticism of Mr Trumps mental state yet during the interview.

The problem now is, he is not the same person he was in 2016. He is unhinged; he is more diminished than he was, just like Joe Bidens more diminished than what he was, Ms Haley told NBC.

We have to see this for what it is, she went on. This is a fact: he is now saying things that don't make sense.

She contrasted Mr Trumps mood and temperament now with what she experienced during his administration, when the former UN diplomat said that Mr Trump was responsive when his deputy came to him with concerns. Two of those concerns she named directly: his response to a white nationalist riot in Charlottesville, Virginia, as well as his pattern of rhetoric about women.

If something was wrong ... I had a conversation with him about Charlottesville, I had a conversation about something that he would say about women, I had a conversation with him about multiple things, said Ms Haley.

Ms Haley has made her opponents age an issue the same way Trump-aligned Republicans have sought to cast doubts about Mr Bidens focus and mental clarity. Some of the ex-presidents more rabid supporters have even taken things a step further and openly suggested that the incumbent president has dementia.

Concerns about Mr Bidens memory were energised by the release last week of a report authored by Justice Department Special Counsel Robert Hur regarding the investiation into the presidents handling of classified documents. During interviews, Mr Hur described the president as severely forgetful and unable to recall details about major events from his life, including the death of his son Beau. Mr Biden would go on to angrily rebut that criticism at a press conference.

"You've got Joe Biden, where the special counsel said he was diminished, and he's not the Joe Biden he was two years ago," Ms Haley told NBC on Tuesday. "You've got a Donald Trump who's unhinged, and he's more unhinged than he ever was.

[W]hy are we settling for that when the country is in disarray and the world is on fire?" she aked. We don't want these two old men running. We want someone who's going to go and fight for us and work for us, with no drama, no vendettas."

The no vendettas line was a clear reference to Mr Trump frequent vows of revenge against his political enemies; he has told supporters that he will direct the Justice Department to prosecute Joe Bidens family if he is elected for a second term, and a group of conservative organisations is purportedly working on plans to seriously diminish the independence of the Justice Department to allow him to do so.

Ms Haley continues to trail Mr Trump according to all available polling, both in South Carolina and nationwide. Her campaign has begun looking ahead to primary states voting in March even as she hopes for a shock performance in her home state similar to the stronger-than-expected showing she had in New Hampshire.
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The White House on Monday reiterated President Joe Bidens pledge to respond to the fatal attack on a US base in Jordan last week while pressing forward with negotiations that could free hostages held by Hamas and bring about a pause in fighting between Israel and the militant group.

National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters at the daily White House press briefing that there was no reason that the work by US negotiators, including CIA Director William Burns, over talks in Paris with Israeli, Egyptian and Qatari officials, would be impeded by the drone strike by Iran-backed militants, which claimed the lives of three US soldiers and injured dozens of others.

President Joe Biden has vowed that the US shall respond to the attack, which is widely believed to be part of a campaign orchestrated by Tehran to escalate tensions and inflict damage on the US and its allies in the Middle East region.

But Mr Kirby said any US response should not factor into what happens with the talks, either.

Theres no reason why our work on a hostage deal needs to be affected or impacted by what happened over the weekend or what we do about what happened over the weekend, he said.

We still want to keep the work going [with] our shoulders to the wheel on this hostage deal, and well just have to see where it goes, he continued, adding later that while there isnt an immediate deal at this time, the US feels the talks are moving in a good direction.

The US-led talks have reportedly brought Israeli and Hamas leaders closer to a deal that would see Israel pause hostilities in the Gaza Strip for roughly two months, with Hamas releasing more than 100 of the hostages it has held since the 7 October terrorist attacks plunged the region into tumult and killed more than 1,000 Israelis. The Israeli response to the attacks have killed more than 25,000 people in Gaza, according to the territorys Hamas-run health ministry.

Mr Biden has repeatedly dispatched top emissaries from his administration, including Mr Burns and Middle East envoy Brett McGurk, to the region for talks with officials from Egypt and Qatar who have served as intermediaries between the US, Israel and Hamas.

Last week the president spoke separately with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, Qatars prime minister, about the ongoing conflict and their respective countries roles in the efforts to secure the release of the hostages.

Over the weekend, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his government is still committed to securing the freedom of those hostages who were not released during a series of pauses in fighting in November.

As of today, we have returned 110 of our hostages and we are committed to returning all of them home, he said in a statement. We are dealing with this and we are doing so around the clock, including now.

The ongoing talks over the hostages taken during the 7 October attacks come as Mr Biden is weighing how to respond to the killing of the three US service members, the first US troops to die in a conflict zone since the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.

Asked about Iranian denials of responsibility for the attack, Mr Kirby that he would not get into intelligence assessment for one way or another.

Clearly, theres a responsibility that appropriately needs to be laid at the feet of leaders in Tehran, he said after noting that the Iranian government clearly continues to support militant groups that have been attacking US positions, ships, and international commercial shipping in the Red Sea.

But he stressed that Mr Biden is in the process of consulting with his national security team about a response to the attacks.

Hes met twice with the national security team yesterday and today. Hes weighing the options before him. As he said yesterday, we will respond, well do that on our schedule and our time, and well do it in the manner of the Presidents choosing, as commander in chief, he said. Well also do it fully cognizant of the fact that these groups, backed by Tehran, have just taken the lives of American troops.
Woman killed, 17 injured after temple stage collapse in India

Xinhua) 14:26, January 29, 2024

NEW DELHI, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- One woman was killed and 17 people injured early Sunday after a stage erected for devotees collapsed abruptly in Indian capital territory Delhi, police said.

"Early today we received a distress call about the collapsing of a stage at Kalkaji temple. Rescue teams were immediately rushed to the spot," a police official said. The injured have been admitted to different hospitals and their condition is stable.

Following the incident, a stampede-like situation was witnessed at the venue and people were seen running away and screaming in panic.

Local media quoting police officials said a religious event was organized without permission in the temple. Over 1,600 people, including women and children, attended the event.

Videos from the spot showed a huge crowd of people inside the tightly packed venue.

According to preliminary investigations, the elevated platform crumbled as it could not bear the weight of people on it.

Delhi's Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal condoled the death of the woman and wished speedy recovery of the injured. He urged people to follow safety protocols while organizing such big events.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
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Former Elle columnist E Jean Carroll accused Donald Trump of using the defamation case for political gain.

The courtroom is not a courtroom to him. It was a campaign stop, Ms Carroll told CNN on Monday of the 2024 GOP frontrunner.

She said the former presidents legal team and her lawyers had two separate objectives: Ours was to win a case. His was to win voters.

Hes using me to win voters, Ms Carroll said. The man found liable for sexual assault is using the woman he sexually assaulted to get votes.

A jury determined last week that Donald Trump must pay E Jean Carroll over $83m in damages for the defamatory statements he made about the writer. Last year, a jury found Mr Trump liable for sexually abusing Ms Carroll in a department store in the 1990s. In that case, he owed her $5m in damages.

Before and even after that verdict, Mr Trump has claimed that Ms Carrolls sexual assault allegations against him were false.

On CNN, Ms Carroll was also asked how she would use the money. Were going to do good with that money. Mary Trump has suggested we turn Trump Tower into an animal sanctuary, she said before clarifying, That was a joke.

Seriously, she said, We were inspired to not waste a penny of this. And we have some good ideas that were working on.

Well Donald Trump hates women, Ms Carroll said.

So, she continued, I think one of the things we could do see is how hes very instrumental in taking away womens rights over their bodies across the United States. Maybe we can think about how we can restore women their rights. Use a little of the money for that.
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Republicans in the lower chamber of Congress pushed ahead with their effort to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Sunday, while their colleagues in the Senate pursue the first real bipartisan attempt at addressing border security in more than a half decade.

Tennessee congressman Mark Green released a draft of his articles of impeachment set to be filed against Mr Mayorkas on Sunday; Mr Green in his legislation accused the secretary of willfully violating existing US immigration laws and breaching the public trust by supposedly lying to congressional investigators.

If the effort were to be successful, Mr Mayorkas would become only the second Cabinet secretary in history to be impeached. He will not be, however, as the Republican impeachment campaign is certain to die in the Senate (if it even passes the House). Democrats control the upper chamber and will through 2024; a successful removal of Mr Mayorkas from office would require two-thirds of the upper chamber to vote in favour.

The bulk of the GOPs impeachment argument revolves around the idea that the Biden administration is not detaining the bulk of migrants who are encountered after illegal crossings as they pursue asylum claims. Both the Biden White House and previously the Trump administration struggled with the logistics of detaining the thousands of migrants crossing the US-Mexico border illegally every day; the Trump administration in particular faced intense criticism for the squalid conditions of many temporary migrant shelters and the policy of detaining young children apart from their parents in large caged-in areas.

Mr Green said in a statement Sunday that his draft resolution lay[s] out a clear, compelling, and irrefutable case for Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas impeachment.

Having exhausted all other options to hold Secretary Mayorkas accountable, it is unmistakably clear that Congress must exercise its constitutional duty and impeach him, he added.

But Democrats in Congress and the administration have ridiculed the impeachment effort brought by Republicans, which is now set to kick off as the House simultaneously considers the impeachment of Joe Biden himself.

Many have argued that the government simply has no way to transport and house such large numbers of people in a humane manner, and with negotiations continuing in the Senate over possible legislation aimed at tightening border controls the House GOPs campaign has become ammunition for Democrats who argue that their Republican rivals are not serious about working to find solutions.

Adding fuel to the fire, as always, is former President Donald Trump. The wide favourite to win the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, Mr Trump is pressuring Senate Republicans to kill efforts to reach a compromise with Democrats on the issue. A BAD BORDER DEAL IS FAR WORSE THAN NO BORDER DEAL, he wrote in one Truth Social posting.

The Department of Homeland Security drove those argument against the GOP home on Sunday with a memo condemning Mr Greens draft articles of impeachment. The memo blasts Mr Greens resolution as unconstitutional, arguing that the allegations contained within the articles of impeachment do not rise to the standard of high crimes or misdemeanors required by the Constitution. It also accuses Mr Green of being hell-bent on impeachment from the start, pointing to his past efforts to fundraise off of his plans to file articles of impeachment against the secretary.

Beyond being an illegitimate exercise unworthy of the job Members of Congress were actually sent to Washington to do, the ... Republicans impeachment effort is baseless. Secretary Mayorkas is enforcing and utilizing the law to safeguard our homeland exactly as every one of his predecessors did, the DHS memo argues.

Republicans dont want to fix the problem; they want to campaign on it, the agency also claimed.

Mr Bidens impeachment, like the effort to impeach Mr Mayorkas, faces a rocky road out of the GOP-controlled House even before finding its final resting place in the Senate.

Swing-district Republicans in the lower chamber have largely avoided overt support for impeaching the president. Instead, those who have commented have offered lukewarm takes about how voting to launch the inquiry allows Americans to get answers. A handful of Republican members in the House have already said that they would not vote to formally support articles of impeachment against Mr Biden without more evidence emerging to support the allegations he faces.

Complicating the issue for Republicans: Their party holds a slimmer-than-ever majority in the House, holding just 219 seats to the Democrats 213. The recent resignations of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy and ally Patrick McHenry after the formers unceremonious ousting from the chair puts their party in a more tenuous position than ever; just a handful of absences could sink any chance of passing resolutions or other legislation without bipartisan support.
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Arizona Sen Kyrsten Sinema has spent tens of thousands of dollars since 2020 in taxpayer money to fly on private planes, according to a new report.

The independent senator has used nearly $200,000 of her Senate office budget to fund travel for her and her staff on private charter flights since 2020, according to Senate records. The expenditures were first reported by The Daily Beast.

The Independent has reached out to Ms Sinemas office.

The Arizona lawmaker booked at least 11 private plane trips since 2020, the outlet reported. Almost all of the flights were charted for travel within her home state during brief trips spanning just one or two days.

For example, on 2 August, the Arizona senator and her staff travelled to numerous places within the state via Southwest Aircraft Charter  which describes itself as luxury private air travel, for a whopping $20,000, records show.

One week later, a flight taken on 8 August by Ms Sinema and her staff shows that it cost more than $50,000 as they flew from Washington DC to Grand Canyon. They flew on a Monarch Air Group plane, another private jet service.

Seemingly after landing on 8 August through the next day, the independent lawmaker spent over $18,000 flying on Southwest Aircraft Charter while bopping to multiple cities within Arizona.

Ms Sinemas expenses on private air travel come in sharp contrast to fellow Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, whose records dont show any funds spent on private airfare.

Jordan Libowitz from the watchdog Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics, spoke to the outlet about Ms Sinemas use of taxpayer money. This is one of those things that does raise the question of, is this the best way to manage the budget? he said. Could she be doing more for the state otherwise?

He added that her using taxpayer cash plays into this larger thing weve seen with her, where she tends to go right up to the line of what shes able to do with spending other peoples money in the way she would best prefer.

This isnt the first time Ms Sinemas use of private travel has been noted.

The New York Post reported that Ms Sinemas campaign had spent almost $70,000 on private flights from 2020 through December 2023. A Newsweek report showed that she spent $55,000 in 2022 alone.

The blockbuster finding comes as Ms Sinema enters a tough election year. Ms Sinema has not yet announced whether she will try to be re-elected, however she already faces challenges for her seat from Democratic Rep Ruben Gallego and Republican Kari Lake.
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Former House speaker Nancy Pelosi is under fire after she suggested some pro-Palestinian protesters are connected to Russia.

We have to think about what were doing, and what we have to do is try to stop the suffering in Gaza  but for them to call for a ceasefire is Mr Putins message, she said in an interview on CNNs State of the Union on Sunday morning.

Make no mistake, this is directly connected to what he would like to see. I think some of these protesters are spontaneous and organic and sincere. Some, I think, are connected to Russia.

Her comments came after she was asked if she feared that President Joe Biden would lose the electoral support of young voters at the polls over his vocal support for Israel and the nations prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the war on Gaza.

In a follow-up, she was asked if she thought some pro-Palestinian protests were Russian plants.

I dont think theyre plants, she responded. I think some financing should be investigated. And I want to ask the FBI to investigate that.

There is no reported evidence that Russia is linked to pro-Palestinian protests.

Ms Pelosis comments attracted criticism, with Nihad Awad, the head of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, describing her remarks as delusional.

Former House speaker Nancy Pelosi is under fire after she suggested some pro-Palestinian protesters are connected to Russia (Getty Images)

Rep Pelosis claim that some of the Americans protesting for a Gaza ceasefire are working with Vladimir Putin sounds delusional and her call for the FBI to investigate those protesters without any evidence is downright authoritarian, he said.

Her comments once again show the negative impact of decades of dehumanisation of the Palestinian people by those supporting Israeli apartheid. Instead of baselessly smearing those Americans as Russian collaborators, former House speaker Pelosi and other political leaders should respect the will of the American people by calling for an end to the Netanyahu governments genocidal war on the people of Gaza, the statement continued.

She was also criticised by journalist and activist George Monbiot. If Nancy Pelosi cant understand why people are calling for a ceasefire, she shouldnt be in office, he said on X.

A spokesperson for Ms Pelosi said the former House speaker supported and defended the right to peaceful protest but was acknowledging the history of foreign adversaries meddling in American politics to affect elections.

Speaker Pelosi has always supported and defended the right of all Americans to make their views known through peaceful protest. Informed by three decades on the House Intelligence Committee, speaker Pelosi is acutely aware of how foreign adversaries meddle in American politics to sow division and impact our elections, and she wants to see further investigation ahead of the 2024 election, the spokesperson said.

Ms Pelosis comments marked the first time a prominent US lawmaker has accused Russias leader of backing US protesters calling for a ceasefire.

Protests demanding a ceasefire in Gaza have recently occurred across the US 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 President Bidens speeches and events, as well as events attended by Ms Pelosi.

The protests have been organised by a range of human rights, Jewish and anti-war activist groups.

The UN has also demanded an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, where more than 26,000 Palestinians have died, 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.

A November 2023 poll found that the majority of the US public supports a ceasefire in Gaza, while most of their congressional representatives do not.
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Former UN ambassador Nikki Haley has been swatted again, and this time police barged in on her elderly parents.

Ms Haley, who is running against Donald Trump to lead the Republican party against Joe Biden later this year, revealed details of the harassment during an interview on NBCs Meet the Press.

She said that she was not home when the swatting took place, but that her elderly parents were.

I will tell you that the last thing you want is to see multiple law enforcement officials with guns drawn pointing at my parents and thinking that something happened, she said. It was an awful situation.

Swatting is when a caller makes a police report for a residence that is not their own, claiming a violent crime is being committed at the location. Police  sometimes SWAT units, hence the name  then rush to and into the home, often with guns drawn, to address the report.

There is an implicit understanding by swatters that sending armed officers into a home could end up with the inhabitants of that home dead. This is often a feature of the prank, rather than an oversight.

This is the second time Ms Haley has been swatted.

It wasnt the first time. I think weve had it happen twice, she said.

She said the swatting was indicative of the "chaos" in the country. Swatting incidents have been recognised by the FBI since at least 2008, and the term "swatting" entered the Oxford Dictionary in 2015.

The caller who swatted Ms Haley's home called police and claimed to be a man who had shot a woman and was at risk of dying by suicide at her home.

Police rushed to the scene and broke into the home, only to find Ms Haley's parents and caregivers, bewildered.

There is no information at this time if police have identified a suspect in the swatting or a motive.

Swatting, while rare, is becoming a tool used more frequently by those hoping to harass and disrupt lawmakers.

Tom Emmer, the House majority whip, revealed in a post on X/Twitter that he was swatted on Saturday night.

Tonight my family and I were the target of a swatting incident involving a 911 prank call that wrongly diverted a police presence to my home, he wrote. Sadly, this illegal and dangerous scheme is being used nationwide to target elected officials.

Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene was the victim of a swatting incident on Christmas. She claimed that it was like the eighth time she'd been targeted.
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Following the November 2023 elections, Utah Republican Sen Mitt Romney admitted: The more we talk about abortion, the worse were doing.

The idiom the dog that caught the car often comes up when discussing conservatives aspiration-turned-reality of dismantling the constitutional right to abortion in the 2022 Dobbs decision. We caught the car, it doesnt sell, Ariel Hill-Davis, co-founder of Republican Women for Progress, told The Independent. Almost no Republicans are out there touting [Dobbs ] as a victory.

Republican voters made it clear they dont actually want to see a federal abortion ban. Even in deep-red states, reproductive rights have won at the ballot box since Roe was overturned. Yet it looks increasingly likely that Trump will be the GOP candidate this year  and his repeated boasts about the Dobbs decision put congressional Republicans who want to hold onto their jobs in a tricky spot. What does one do in such a situation? Perhaps quietly start deleting references to being anti-abortion off their websites.

Texas Republican Rep. Monica De La Cruz recently deleted mentions of her pro-life stance on her website, The Daily Beast reported earlier this month. Monica believes in finding common ground on this issue. This includes protecting sensible exceptions for women in heartbreaking situations and improving access to prenatal care, her campaign manager Andrew Baughman told The Independent in a statement.

Biden warns against Trump's threat to abortion rights

Shes not alone. The Independent found three other Congressional Republicans who removed all vestiges of their once-vocal pro-life stance, eliminating terms like abortion or pro-life or protecting the unborn from their re-election campaign websites.

Take Ohio Rep. Troy Balderson, for example. In 2022, his campaign website listed a Faith and Values section, under which read: As a Christian, Troy believes life begins at conception and is 100% pro-life, and its why Ohio Right to Life PAC has endorsed his campaign. But his 2024 website makes no reference to his stance at all; the entire section was deleted. His 2022 official House website also read: As a principled conservative, Troy supports protecting life but that sentence no longer appears on his current page.

Balderson did, however, boast about his Susan B Anthony Pro-Life Americas A+ scorecard rating this month on Twitter/X.

The Independent reached out to Baldersons campaign and office for comment and received no immediate reply.

Hill-Davis  the Republican Women for Progress co-founder  speculated as to why there could be a discrepancy between what is posted on social media and what is posted on campaign websites. She said there might be a play there in terms of getting to virtue-signal on Twitter/X about being pro-life and then just kind of playing it or hiding it a little bit more when people try to see whether they like you as a candidate overall. She believes that people visiting a candidates website tend to be voters who are potentially more seriously evaluating candidates, like those choosing between a few possibilities during a primary race or more centrist or more independent-leaning people in the general election. Meanwhile, Twitter/X followers are probably already convinced  and perhaps looking for hardline stances to share.

The 2024 campaign website for Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer also no longer mentions the anti-abortion stance that was listed on her previous website. Chavez-DeRemers site said in 2022 that she wont stand for abortion on demand. The claim was prominently displayed.

Yet in January 2023, Chavez-DeRemer stated that she did not support a national abortion ban. I promised Oregonians that Id be transparent, even when I know we might not agree, and thats exactly what Ill continue to do. I welcome my constituents feedback and look forward to continuing our discussion on life issues, she said in a statement.

She emphasized this same position last June, when she told an Axios reporter: The Dobbs decision made clear that its an issue that should be decided by at the state level, and Oregonians recently rejected efforts to limit taxpayer-funded abortion overwhelmingly. Following this statement, anti-abortion groups who once counted her as an ally lambasted her shift in position, with one calling her a sellout.

Now, given her reluctance to mention her stance online, she appears to be avoiding discussing the issue altogether. The Independent reached out to her office and her campaign for comment. Neither replied.

Similarly, Congressman Blake Moores 2020 website referred to him as being pro-life and his 2022 site said he has stood up to Democrats promoting abortions up to birth (a popular Republican claim, although no Democrats have ever promoted or supported the idea of abortions up to birth). When The Independent checked his site in January 2024, those references had disappeared.

After The Independent reached out to Moores campaign, the website changed again. His team said they had now added a section to his website that reads: Proudly Pro-Life. The Independent asked why the section had been removed previously, and his campaign claimed that it was because they were waiting until the Ways and Means Committee marked up the Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act. That legislation was marked up on January 11  yet when The Independent checked his website on January 23, those pro-life references were notably absent.

Moores official House of Representatives website, however, calls him pro-life. When asked whether it would be fair to say that Moore is strongly anti-abortion, his campaign replied that it would instead be fair to say that Moore is strongly pro-life. His campaign didnt reply after being asked how the two differed to Moore. That seems like a really weird distinction, Hill-Davis said.

Republicans who previously campaigned on a pro-life position are in a tough spot, said Mary Ziegler, a law professor at the University of California and expert on the history of abortion. On the one hand, their positions are unpopular, but on the other hand, the elimination of abortion rights hasnt really erased these passionate single-issue voters who still want the Republican Party to take a strong anti-abortion stance.

Hill-Davis said most are avoiding the Dobbs decision as much as possible for two reasons. For one thing, Republicans know that overturning Roe took away something that they used to gin up the base. For another, banning abortion is not popular with key demographics that the party needs to make inroads with in order to remain competitive in general elections. Even Trump has admitted that the Roe reversal probably cost us politically.

Five states in 2022 passed legislation that amounted to protecting the right to abortion. Most notably, voters in Kansas  a state that twice voted for Trump  rejected a ballot measure in August 2022 that would have banned abortion. The Kansas vote, Democratic strategist Christy Setzer said, should be a big red warning sign for Republicans, especially in swing districtsthat this isnt something that they should be campaigning on.

Perhaps Rep. Baldersons website omission was a response to his states voters. Ohioans voted in November 2023 to enshrine a right to reproductive freedom in the state.

These deletions may have also been tied to calls from Republican operatives to change the partys messaging on the issue. In November 2023,NBC News reported that the National Republican Senatorial Committee was urging the GOP to reject a national abortion ban and to only back restrictions on late-term abortions instead.

Some Republicans responded by proposing a 10- or 15-week ban plus exceptions, rather than a full ban on the medical procedure. But this also appears to be a losing argument with voters.

Virginia Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin, for example, advocated for a 15-week abortion ban ahead of the November 2023 election. He attempted to portray this as a sensible compromise with liberals.

But that idea didnt work. Republicans lost control of the legislature, essentially forcing the governor to toss his plan.

Youngkin isnt the only one now looking for points of agreement with Democrats on reproductive rights. South Carolina Republican Congresswoman Nancy Mace has called for the need to find middle ground with Democrats on the issue, calling a 15-to-20-week abortion ban with exceptions the sweet spot.

Hill-Davis explained that this approach might appeal to some voters because you suddenly start sounding reasonable, but in reality, most people dont know exactly what an ambiguous week marker means and how it would affect a pregnancy.

Enacting a ban on a random week of gestation to make your policy sound more digestible can have deleterious effects on families  as seen in the case of Kate Cox. The Dallas woman discovered at 20 weeks that she was carrying a fetus with a fatal condition. After a legal back-and-forth, Cox was ultimately forced to seek out-of-state care after she was denied an emergency abortion in Texas.

Christina Reynolds, senior vice president of communications at Democratic political action committee Emilys List, said that while Republicans comments are wishy-washy, their agenda isnt. That agenda, she said, is incredibly unpopular with voters. Reynolds added that Republicans need to fundamentally change their abortion stance because voters understand who got us here, and they understand who is actively trying to take us further in the anti-abortion direction.

A lack of consensus across the party will inherently prevent Republicans from being able to avoid being questioned over the issue, Ziegler  the law professor  said. Their stance is not obviously clear from their party status. As some Republicans are trying to de-emphasize their positions on abortion, others are playing up their positions even more in passing even more sweeping bans, because that makes sense for them politically, she added  like in the Kate Cox case.

Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz has still not broken his silence over the issue; meanwhile, Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins openly called the Dobbs decision terrible.

Perhaps this fraying in the party is due to the lack of a blueprint provided by Trump. His own position is completely unclear: He has bragged about the Roe reversal and the part he took in allowing it to happen; slammed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on his states harsh six-week abortion ban; and has publicly admitted that he doesnt frankly care whether abortion bans should be decided on the state or federal level.

If Trump is the presumed head of the party and has a wishy-washy abortion stance, it leaves Republicans guessing as to where they should be benchmarking their position, Hill-Davis said. So they will likely avoid making a committed stance rather than risk misaligning with him in the near future.

The GOPs lack of consistency on the issue runs up against the Democrats united pro-choice front, and could prove an electoral Achilles heel. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have been campaigning on restoring reproductive rights at numerous events. At a rally in January 2024, Harris touched upon the ripple effects that the Dobbs decision had set into motion, calling Roe a fundamental right that had been ripped away.

Hill-Davis said that reproductive rights as a ballot issue is unlikely to prompt voters to switch parties, but it could attract new voters worried about the erosion of personal freedoms to the Democrats.

Reynolds agreed, especially when it comes to younger demographics: Younger voters are less concerned with partisan partisanship and more concerned with specific issues. This is one that matters to them.
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The Illinois Board of Elections is expected to vote on Tuesday to determine if former president Donald Trump may appear on the 2024 Republican presidential primary ballot, becoming the latest state to weigh in on Mr Trumps eligibility under Section Three of the 14th Amendment.

In early January, four Illinois registered voters, backed by Free Speech for People, challenged Mr Trumps ballot eligibility, claiming his involvement in the January 6 attack on the Capitol was a form of engaging in an insurrection.

Under Section Three of the 14th Amendment, those who take part in insurrections or aid enemies of the United States government are prohibited from taking office. The little-known provision has been used in countless other lawsuits across the country.

In their petition, the Illinois voters asked the eight-member electoral board to disqualify Mr Trump, citing similar decisions made by the Colorado Supreme Court and Maines secretary of state, Shenna Bellows,

The board then hired a former judge to oversee oral arguments and produce a nonbinding opinion on the matter. The retired judge, Clark Erickson, released his opinion on Sunday recommending the electoral board dismiss the complaint.

Mr Erickson said that the electoral board does not have the authority to determine Mr Trumps eligibility because it requires constitutional analysis. The constitutional issue at hand is currently being reviewed by the US Supreme Court.

However, the retired judge acknowledged that the evidence showed Mr Trump understood and exploited the divided political climate following the 2020 election for his own political gain by spreading lies of election fraud.

Mr Erickson pointed to Mr Trumps tweet about then-vice president Mike Pence, calling it a damning piece of evidence that contradicts the former presidents denial of participating in January 6.

Candidate knew the attacks were occurring because the attackers believed the election was stolen, and this tweet could not possibly have had any other intended purpose besides to fan the flames, Mr Erickson wrote.

Trump supporters clash with police and security forces as they storm the US Capitol in Washington, DC on January 6, 2021 (AFP via Getty Images)

He added: While it is true that subsequently, but not immediately afterwards, Candidate tweeted calls to peace, he did so only after he had fanned the flames. The hearing officer determines that these calls to peace via social media, coming after an inflammatory tweet, are the product of trying to give himself plausible deniability.

The electoral board does not have to follow the recommendation of Mr Erickson.

Mr Erickson said should the Board of Elections not follow his suggestion, they should determine the evidence presented during a hearing last week proved by a preponderance that Mr Trump engaged in an insurrection.

Whatever decision they conclude, the parties may appeal before the 19 March primary.
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A bespectacled 60-year-old who freely admits he lacks charisma or heroism but has been critical of Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine, has been banned from running against the president in next months election.

Boris Nadezhdin, whose surname stems from the Russian word for hope, is a local legislator and former bureaucrat turned academic. He had been endorsed by the wife of jailed Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny, exiled oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Yekatarina Duntsova, a former regional lawmaker who looked to be the main anti-war candidate before the Kremlin struck off her application due to alleged technical errors in her paperwork.

My aim is to change Russia, he told the BBC in a recent interview. My first task will be to stop the conflict with Ukraine, and then to restore normal relations between Russia and the western community, he added, acknowledging there was little chance of making it into office,.

Mr Nadezhdin poses with supporters during an unannounced event in Moscow (Telegram / Boris Nadezhdin )

The unlikely candidate has struck a chord with the public, openly calling for a halt to the conflict in Ukraine, the end of mobilizing Russian men for the military, and starting a dialogue with the West. He also has criticised the countrys repression of LGBTQ+ activism.

Mr Nadezhdin is running as a candidate for the Civic Initiative Party, a party that is not represented in parliament.

As a result, his team had to collect more than 100,000 signatures for him to be allowed to stand. He cannot have more than 2,500 from each of the dozens of the vast countrys regions, precluding him from accruing votes just from the larger, more progressive cities.

Mr Nadezhdin said he would appeal to the Supreme Court after the Central Election Commission (CEC) barred him from the March election . The CEC had previously claimed that it had found flaws in signatures that Mr Nadezhdin and his allies had collected in support of his candidacy and that some of the purported signatures were those of dead people.

The CEC claimed it had found irregularities in more than 9,000 of the signatures. That figure was three times higher than the fiver per cent error rate allowed and provides grounds for the commission to disqualify Mr Nadezhdin.

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a keel laying ceremony for the 5th nuclear-powered icebreaker Leningrad (Project 22220) at the Baltiysky Shipyard in St. Petersburg (AP)

Online videos had shown queues of Nadezhdin supporters not just in Moscow and St. Petersburg but also in Krasnodar in the south, Saratov and Voronezh in the southwest and beyond the Ural Mountains in Yekaterinburg.

Even in the Far East city of Yakutsk, 280 miles south of the Arctic Circle, Nadezhdins team said up to 400 people a day braved temperatures that plunged to minus 40 Celsius to sign petitions.

Some analysts say the surge of support for Nadezhdin surprised even the Kremlin, although Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov had previously said that we dont see him as a rival.

Others say he is a Kremlin project designed to give false legitimacy to the upcoming presidential election. If he was a genuine threat, they say, the Kremlin would have arrested him.

They point to his work in the 1990s as an aide to Sergei Kiriyenko, a prime minister under Boris Yeltsin who is now Putins chief of staff, as suspicious - though Mr Nadezhdin was also an associate of Boris Nemstov, a longtime critic of Mr Putin who was murdered in 2015.

In a recent interview with CNN, Mr Nadezhdin said he doesnt know why Im not arrested.

Yulia Navalnaya, the wife of jailed Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny, signs her support for Boris Nadezhdin in Vilnius, Lithuania (X / Ruslan Shaveddinov)

The Kremlin wasted no time using the courts to silence Mr Putins opposition following the announcement in December last year of the next presidential election, set for 17 March.

Three days after Putin announced his intention to run, his jailed rival Mr Navalny was declared missing.

He would not be found for another three weeks, having been moved to a penal colony in the Arctic Circle, roughly 1,200 miles northeast of Moscow. He has been in jail since 2021.

Igor Girkin, a pro-war ultranationalist who had declared his intention to challenge Putin for the presidency, had his pretrial detention extended the day the election was announced.

He has since been sentenced to four years in a penal colony on charges of extremism after he urged Putin to pass power to someone truly capable and responsible of running the war in Ukraine.
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Watch live as protesting farmers "besiege" Paris on Monday 29 January by blocking all major highways with their tractors, demanding fair prices and loosened regulations.

Farmers in France, the European Union's biggest agricultural producer, have complained of unfair competition from rivals in more lightly regulated countries.

Over the last week, they have set up roadblocks on motorways to highlight their cause.

They have also damaged property, including local government offices.

France stepped up security measures on Sunday as farmers prepared to converge on the capital as part of nationwide protests.

New prime minister Gabriel Attal sought but failed to defuse the movement last week with a series of pro-agriculture measures, which farmers said fell short of their demands that producing food be more lucrative, easier and fairer.

They responded with vows to converge from Monday afternoon with their tractors on major highways that serve Paris, to create what they described as a siege of the capital" intended to squeeze more concessions from Mr Attal's government.
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The worlds biggest tigers have gone on a rampage in Russia, killing and attacking people in rural villages in the east of the country.

The villagers and their pets are being attacked by Amur tigers, which are seriously endangered and have been the focus of conservation efforts for years by Russian president Vladimir Putin.

In December last year a man and his dog were attacked and killed in the village of Obor, in the eastern region of Khabarovsk, the Moscow Times reported.

According to local police the tiger wandered into the village and killed the mans dog. The man, who has not been named, followed the tiger into the forest and his body was later found by villagers.

There have been almost 300 cases of tigers entering the area, according to local authorities in the region.

In another incident last year, Sergey Kyalundzyuga was attacked when a tiger smashed through the window of a house.

Mr Kyalundzyuga was on a fishing trip with his cousin, Alexander, when the animal decided to attack.

A source told East2West News: They heard a noise outside. Sergey went to the window and then a male tiger flew into it, breaking the glass with his head,

In this photo taken on December 17, 2023, Siberian tigers chase after a live chicken released into their enclosure after a snowfall at the Siberian Tiger Park in Hailin, in China's northeast Heilongjiang province (AFP via Getty Images)

Alexander shot the animal after it caused a number of severe injuries to Mr Kyalundzyugas neck, head and arm.

In another incident this weekend a tiger killed a guard dog in the village of Kutuzovka, south of Khabarovsk city, MailOnline reported.

The Russian president has been supporting the rehabilitation of the Amur tigers, also known as Siberian tigers, in the east of the country.

Due to poaching, habitat loss and hunting, the number of majestic beasts roaming the rural east of the country has fallen rapidly since the 19th century.

Putins focus on reviving Siberian tigers has meant that the number of adults has risen from around 390 more than a decade ago to 750 in recent years.

At a tiger conservation forum in 2022, he said: I am happy to highlight the achievements of our colleagues from India, Nepal, Bhutan and China, where the tiger population is steadily growing.

We, too, have much to be proud of. No more than 390 adult Amur tigers lived in the Russian Far East taiga 12 years ago.

Now there are about 750 of them, together with their cubs. This is the result of systematic measures taken by the government, but above all it is the tangible embodiment of hard work and concerted efforts of Russian scientists, enthusiasts and conservation organisations.

The reasons for the recent spate of attacks are not clear, however it could be linked to destruction of the tigers natural habitat, according to conservation experts.
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Russian troops struck an industrial site in a central Ukrainian district for a second day as attacks were launched on wide areas of civilian and critical infrastructure, Kyiv officials said.

Ukraines air force said Russia attacked the central Poltava region with two ballistic missiles fired from an Iskander system on Sunday, and fired three surface-to-air missiles over the Donetsk region in the east.

For the second day in a row, the enemy is attacking Poltava, regional governor Filip Pronin wrote on the Telegram messaging app, noting that the target was an industrial site in the Kremenchuk district.

Pictures posted on social media showed emergency crews battling a blaze.

Recent shelling in Donetsk has caused devastation to civilian infrastructure (AFP via Getty Images)

Preliminary information did not show any casualties in the attacks, the air force said. A missile attack on Saturday hit an industrial site in the same area, triggering a fire but causing no casualties.

Russia and Ukraine have increased their air attacks on each others territory in recent months, targeting critical military, energy and transport infrastructure.

On Monday, a Ukrainian rocket strike on the Russian-controlled city of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine killed at least three civilians, Alexei Kulemzin, the citys Russian-installed mayor said.

Unverified images circulating on social media showed a car on fire and what appeared to be two bodies lying in a street.

Firefighters work in a destroyed building hit by shelling in a residential area in Donetsk, Russian-controlled Ukraine (REUTERS)

Further southeast in the Zaporizhzhia region, Governor Yuri Malashko said an infrastructure site had been hit in a drone attack. Emergency crews were at the site, he said, but he gave no details of damage or casualties.

Ukraines air defence systems destroyed four out of eight drones launched by Russia overnight, the air force said.

Elsewhere, the Institute for the Study of War think tank said Moldova, which includes the pro-Russian breakaway province Transnistria, has become the target of Russian anger.

Alexei Polishchuk, the director of the second department of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Countries at the Russian ministry of foreign affairs, claimed in an interview with TASS that Moldova has begun to destroy its ties with CIS member states.

He claimed this decision would not benefit Moldovan interests or citizens nor would it be profitable for the Moldovan economy.

The CIS was founded in 1991 after the dissolution of the Soviet Union and is aimed at boosting cooperation between the countries.

Meanwhile, the European Union has denied that a confidential document seen by the Financial Times is evidence of a Brussels plot to sabotage Hungarys economy if Budapest blocks a 50bn (43bn) package of aid for Ukraine.

A Brussels spokesperson insisted the document was merely a factual background note which describes the current status of the Hungarian economy.

Hungarys foreign minister Peter Szijjarto (left) speaks during a press conference with his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba (right) (AP)

While Budapest was the one EU member state to block the 50bn package in December, Viktor Orbans government signalled it was ready to change its position, despite levelling furious allegations of blackmail against the EU in response to the FT report.

But in a meeting on Monday between their foreign ministers, no breakthrough was reached.

Hungarian foreign minister Peter Szijjarto said that modifications Ukraine made late last year to its education and language laws had doubtlessly stopped a negative spiral that had restricted the rights of ethnic Hungarians in the western Ukrainian region of Zakarpattia to study in their native language.

But, he said, those changes were not enough to resolve the dispute over the language rights of the Hungarian minority that has dominated the two countries poor relations for years.

Hungary, Mr Szijjarto said, has an expectation that the members of the Hungarian national community will regain their rights that already existed in 2015.

We still have a long way to go, he said, but we on the Hungarian side are ready to do this work.
 Close Moment Russian plane carrying Ukrainian prisoners of war appears to crash

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At least seven people, including three children, have been killed overnight after a Russian drone hit a petrol station in the north-eastern city of Kharkiv.

The strike caused a massive fire that burned down 15 private houses, while 50 people were evacuated as emergency workers tackled the blaze.

It comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sacked army chief Valeriy Zaluzhny and replaced him with Oleksandr Syrsky.

It follows days of speculation that Zelensky was considering dismissing Zaluzhny, who is seen by many Ukrainians as a national hero for overseeing the war effort since February 2022.

We discussed what renewal the Armed Forces of Ukraine need. We also discussed who could be in the renewed leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The time for this renewal is now, Zelenskys statement said on Telegram.

In other developments, Ukrainian troops have shot down a Russian attack helicopter in eastern Ukraine near the city of Avdiivka as soldiers step up street fighting, Kyiv claimed.

Meanwhile, Russian forces launched the second largest combined drone and missile strike on Ukraine this year with around 64 munitions hitting the country, according to a US think tank.
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Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has said he fears the Ukrainian conflict will escalate into a third world war if Russian aggression is not contained with support from Kyivs Western allies.

In an interview with German state broadcaster ARD on Sunday, Mr Zelensky warned that if Russia struck a Nato country it would be the beginning of the Third World War.

It seems to me that the chancellor (Olaf Scholz) is aware of this risk," Mr Zelensky said.

He also urged Germany to use its economic weight to gather more support for Ukraine in the fight against Russia from EU partners, amid the prospect of potentially diminishing military aid from the US due to Republican objections in Congress.

"Passivity from the United States or the lack of support would be a bad signal," he said.

When asked whether Berlin would take a bigger role in the case if aid from the US dried up, Mr Zelensky said: Germany can manage to consolidate the EU.

Many countries have important economic relationships with Germany and their economy is dependent on Germanys decisions because Germany has a strong economy," he said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy talks to reporters after a meeting at the Annual Meeting of World Economic Forum in Davos (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

He also expressed his disappointment in Germanys refusal to supply Ukraine with powerful Taurus cruise missiles and suggested Germany had not taken on the role it should have played in the first occupation of Ukraine.

He said that the Wests weak response to Russias invasion of Crimea in 2014 emboldened Moscow to launch the full-scale invasion in 2022 and said responsibility goes beyond the response from Germany.

Its not just about Olaf Scholz, he said. It concerns European leaders and the US.

Russian Investigative Committee employee walks in a place with wreckage of the Russian military Il-76 plane crashed area near Yablonovo, Belgorod region of Russia (Russian Investigative Committee)

US president Joe Biden has called for continued support to Ukraine in the form of crucial weapons and financial assistance, but a package of aid is being blocked in Congress with Republicans insisting it must be tied to measures against illegal migration into the US.

Mr Zelensky said the issue does not mean Republicans as a whole are against supporting Kyiv in its fight, and that Ukraine has received backing from across the American political divide.

There are individual Republicans who do not support Ukraine, but the vast majority of Democrats and Republicans support Ukraine, he said.
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Ukraine could win the war against Russia much faster if it was allowed to use western weapons to strike military targets across the border, the head of Ukraines navy has claimed.

Vice Admiral Oleksiy Neizhpapa called on Kyivs western backers to stop restricting Ukraine from firing on military targets inside Russia after the recent success of long-range attacks on Russian-occupied Crimea.

While the US, UK and France have supplied long-range missiles to Ukraine - albeit after 15 months of Russias full-scale invasion - Kyivs forces are still not allowed to use those weapons outside of its own territory.

Ukraine successfully struck the Russian port in Feodosia, occupied Crimea in December last year (Sourced)

Other western allies, such as Germany, have refused even to supply their long-range weapons, known as Taurus missiles, for fear that Russia may retaliate by escalating its war either by using nuclear warheads or by targeting areas outside of Ukraine.

But after Ukraine conducted multiple successful attacks on Vladimir Putins prized Black Sea Fleet in Crimea towards the end of last year, including an assault that destroyed a military submarine and another that brought down a naval headquarters, Kyiv is again urging its allies to rethink its policy.

The sooner the armed forces have the necessary battle capabilities and certain capabilities to destroy the enemys infrastructure facilities, the sooner we will win, Vice Admiral Neizhpapa told Sky News.

If Ukraine had certain types of long-range weapons which can be used deeper at the enemy territory, of course, the enemy would have behaved differently, including on the battlefield.

He added that Putin was like a small-scale gangster who would back down from a fight if he knew he would be matched blow for blow.

Vice Admiral Neizhpapa says Vladimir Putin would give all this up if Ukraine could make him feel pain (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

While Ukraine has struck areas in mainland Russia, including a recent attack earlier this month on an oil facility in St Petersburg, more than 500 miles from the Ukrainian border, they have used domestically-produced drones to carry out those assaults.

The ability to damage Russian infrastructure with these drones does not compare to western-supplied long-range missiles.

If [Putin] understands that Ukraine can fight back and make him really feel pain, of course, he will give all this up, the Vice Admiral added.

Ukraines Black Sea attacks were the highlight of their otherwise lacklustre counteroffensive last summer - though some considered the strikes tangential to the ground war - but more long-range assaults remain key to degrading Russias ability to resupply its frontline forces.

John Foreman, the former UK defence attache to Moscow and Kyiv, told The Independent that the flow of soldiers, materiel, fuel and ammunition to occupied mainland Ukraine is still continuing through the Crimean peninsula despite the attacks.

And the Russians are building new roads and railways between Russia proper (Rostov on Don - by the southeast Ukrainian border) and the land corridor to provide an alternative to the Kerch Bridge, he said, referring to Russian plans to find more direct routes to supply its forces.

With Russias war in Ukraine entering its third calendar year, Vice Admiral Neizhpapa said it was time for a rethinking of strategy. Now is the time to let Ukraine hit mainland Russia, he said.

The enemy is adapting, and we must also adapt, he said. A modern war is a war of technologies. Whoever wins in the technological sense will have victory.
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Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has publicly declared details of his income in a bid to reassure allies of Kyivs grip on corruption, after military officials were accused of a major embezzlement scheme.

The income of the Ukrainian president declined in 2021 and again in 2022 after Russia launched its full-scale invasion on 24 February, according to his presidential website.

Mr Zelenskys income fell by 12m Ukrainian hryvnia (250,000) in 2021 from the previous year as he and his family reported a total income of 10.8m hryvnia (220,000).

In 2022, the Zelensky family income dropped further to 3.7m hryvnia (77,000) as he earned less rental income from properties he owns because of the outbreak of the war.

Mr Zelensky disclosed his earnings after Ukraines security service uncovered a massive corruption scheme involving arms purchases worth about 32m.

The SBU said that five officials have been charged with embezzling state money  not foreign aid  earmarked to buy 100,000 mortar shells for the war in August 2022.

Corruption in the Ukrainian army has emerged as a major roadblock in Ukraines bid to join the European Union as continued financial and military assistance to Kyiv hangs in the balance.

A former comedian and actor, Mr Zelensky entered office in 2019 on the promise of fighting widespread corruption in the country.

Those critical of government funding to Ukraine have raised concerns over its long history of corruption. Western allies and international bodies like the International Monetary Fund have sought assurances on efforts to eliminate corruption while providing billions in financial aid to support the country against Russias invasion.

The SBU said its investigation has implicated both current and former high-ranking officials from the defence ministry, as well as managers of the arms supplier Lviv Arsenal. These individuals were entrusted with procuring 100,000 mortar shells for the military, with funds provided in advance in August 2022. Despite the payment, the shells were never delivered.

After receiving the funds, the companys management transferred part of the money to the balance sheet of a foreign commercial structure that was supposed to deliver the ordered ammunition to Ukraine, the statement said. However, it did not send a single artillery shell to our country, and took the received funds into the shadows, transferring them to the accounts of another affiliated structure in the Balkans.

The stolen funds have been seized by the government and the question of their return to the budget of Ukraine is being resolved, it said.

The fraud happened during the tenure of former defence minister Oleksii Reznikov, who was ousted from his position last year amid various high-profile accusations of corruption within the ministry.

In efforts to increase transparency and rebuild trust, Mr Zelensky has called on all public officials to disclose their incomes regularly.
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Foreign secretary David Cameron said he was deeply concerned by the disappearance of British-Russian journalist and activist Vladimir Kara-Murza, who is reportedly missing from a jail in a Siberian city where he is serving a 25-year sentence.

The 42-year-old Kremlin critic was lodged in a prison in the Omsk region where he being held in solitary confinement. Efforts by his wife and lawyers to reach him in person and through letters failed, and jail authorities have now said Mr Kara-Murza is no longer present in the facility.

A letter sent to him by political journalist and activist Alexander Podrabinek was returned with a note saying that Mr Kara-Murza was no longer being held there.

Mr Kara Murzas lawyer said a legal representative who tried to meet the Russian opposition figure on Monday was also told that he was not present in the prison, reported Telegram news channel Agentstvo.

Russia must urgently provide Vladimir Kara-Murzas lawyers with his whereabouts, following reports that he has been moved from Omsk to an unknown location. Im deeply concerned for Mr Kara-Murza  a British national imprisoned in Russia for speaking out against the invasion of Ukraine, Mr Cameron said on Monday.

I stand with his wife @ekaramurza and plan to meet her soon, he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Evgenia Kara-Murza, the activists wife, has demanded information and said Mr Kara-Murza is at the mercy of the same people who tried killing him twice. She said she did not know where the authorities had taken him.

"There are no grounds for his transfer and that makes it even more frightening as my husband is in the hands of the same people who tried to kill him twice, in 2015 and 2017. I demand that the Russian government provide us with information about my husbands whereabouts," she said.

Mr Kara-Murza suffers from a nerve disorder after surviving two poison attacks and was sentenced to 25 years in jail last April on charges of treason and spreading "false information" about Russias war in Ukraine.

He has denied the charges and said that it is punishment for opposing Vladimir Putin, comparing the proceedings to Soviet dictator Josef Stalins show trials of the 1930s.

Officials from Russias prison service have not commented publicly on Mr Kara-Murzas whereabouts.

Discreet prison transfers without any information being provided to family members is the norm in Russia. This often results in prison inmates disappearing from contact for several weeks. A similar wave of concern was sparked when Russias top opposition figure Alexei Navalny could not be found in December.

He resurfaced weeks later, confirming he had been sent to a prison colony above the Arctic Circle, 230km (140 miles) from his previous prison in central Russias Vladimir region.
The spectre of war spreading across the Middle East, with the US and its allies drawn into direct conflict with Iran, has just moved that much closer, with the killing of three American servicemen at the Jordanian border.

While the threat of conflagration across the region has been simmering since the brutal Hamas assault on Israel, and the subsequent Israeli onslaught on Gaza, Tehran has been repeatedly accused of using its proxy militias to exploit the situation to an incendiary level.

The attack on the Tower 22 base in Rukban, a remote area near the Syrian border, by the Iranian-backed Islamic Resistance in Iraq, resulted in the first American deaths by enemy fire since the start of the Gaza war. Around 34 others were seriously wounded, many of them suffering traumatic brain injuries.
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There was dancing, assault rifles, and raucous nationalist chants.

In scenes that have sparked widespread condemnation, over a thousand gathered at a conference in Jerusalem on Sunday to call for the revival of Israeli settlements in Gaza.

The event, entitled Settlement brings Security, was attended by influential members of Israels war cabinet - including extremist firebrands Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich - as well as several politicians from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus Likud Party.

Conference hall vendors sold t-shirts with the slogan Gaza is part of the land of Israel, whilst a huge board displayed a map showing the proposed locations of new Israeli settlements inside Gaza  some on top of existing Palestinian towns.

The event highlights the deepening chasm between the foreign policy aims of Israels key allies. Namely a clear pathway to a Palestinian state, and major figures in the Israeli government who want the opposite: the gradual takeover of remaining Palestinian land.

The Arabs will not stay in Gaza, settler leader Daniella Weiss told the crowd, not Hamas, not the supporters of Hamas, and those who do not support Hamas dont want to stay anyway.

Israel Palestinians (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

If we dont want another October 7, we need to... control the territory, said National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.

The settler movement is a largely religious faction who believe that the restoration of the historical land of Israel will hasten the coming of the Messiah. They use this belief to justify encroachment on Palestinian land, establishing settlements throughout the West Bank that are deemed illegal under international law.

Currently, around 400,000 Israelis live in the West Bank, alongside 3 million Palestinians.

For 38 years up to 2005, Israeli settlers also held a bloc of settlements inside Gaza known as Gush Katif - a bloc that many at the conference wish to see revived.

Never in Israeli history has the settler movement held such sway over the Prime Minister - who currently leads the most religious and ultranationalist government in Israels 75-year-existence.

The challenge of reconciling members of that government with the diplomatic aims of Israels chief allies is an unenviable, if not impossible, task - though Netanyahu himself has said he does not support the resettlement of Gaza, stating it was not a realistic target.

The government reached a new low tonight, said Yair Lapid, leader of the opposition and centrist Yesh Atid party. [The conference] is a disgrace on behalf of Netanyahu and the party, which was once at the centre of the national camp but is now being dragged aimlessly after extremists.

Senior war cabinet member Gadi Eisenkot, whose son was killed in December during heavy fighting in Gaza, dubbed the conference an event that divides Israeli society and increases distrust in the government.

The internal disagreement comes as tensions across the entire region once again threaten to simmer over.

On Sunday, three US troops were killed and 34 injured as an airstrike by an Iran-backed militant group hit a US military base in Jordan - in a major escalation which US President Joe Biden has said will see a response.

The attack is just the latest in a spate of airstrikes that have ripped through the Middle East since the start of the year.

The US and UK have hit the Houthis in Yemen. Iran and Pakistan have traded tit-for-tat strikes. Israel has targeted enemies in Lebanon and Syria. And Iran-backed militias have continually attacked US forces in Iraq and elsewhere.

Until now, though, no US troops had been killed.

The White Houses response to this latest escalation is one that will have to be carefully thought-through - and Biden already finds himself under pressure from Republicans who are pushing for direct action on Iran.

He left our troops as sitting ducks, said Republican U.S. Senator Tom Cotton. The only answer to these attacks must be devastating military retaliation against Irans terrorist forces, both in Iran and across the Middle East.

Hit Iran hard. Hit them now, wrote Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, on X.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak urged Iran to de-escalate, saying, we stand resolutely with our allies to bring stability and peace to the region and thats what we continue to work towards.

Though Washington wont admit it, the events of the past month have already thrust it into a regional war, and it must choose its response with caution - or risk being dragged into an even broader and bloodier conflict.

Israel, meanwhile, ploughed on with its military campaign in Gaza on Monday morning, as tanks continued to dig in around the southern city of Khan Younis - home of Hamas leader in Gaza Yahya Sinwar.

Overnight Israeli bombing of the territory killed around 140 people, including 20 members of one family, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory. The death toll now stands at 26,422 people, most of them women and children, according to the same health ministry.
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Japan has joined other countries in suspending funding for the United Nations agency in Gaza over extremely concerning claims that some UN workers were involved in the 7 October Hamas attack in southern Israel.

In a statement, Japans foreign press secretary Kobayashi Maki said: Japan is extremely concerned about the alleged involvement of UNRWA staff members in the terror attack on Israel on October 7 last year.

In response, Japan has decided to suspend additional funding to UNRWA for the time being while UNRWA conducts an investigation into the matter and considers measures to address the allegations.

The UK joined the US in suspending funding for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees after the appalling allegations surfaced. With Japan, the list of countries now extends to 10, including Canada, Australia, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands Switzerland and Finland.

Japan said it has been strongly urging UNRWA to conduct the investigation in a prompt and complete manner and to take appropriate measures, including strengthening governance within UNRWA, so that UNRWA can firmly fulfil the role it should play.

It continued: At the same time, Japan will continue to make persistent and active diplomatic efforts to improve the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and to calm down the situation as soon as possible by providing support to other international organisations.

The UNRWA coordinates humanitarian aid for Gaza and is a major employer of some 13,000 people in the Strip, most of them Palestinians. They range from teachers in schools run by the agency to doctors and other medical staff.

The agency says it has fired the workers accused of involvement in the 7 October attack, which killed 1,200 people are triggered Israels ground offensive into Gaza. The allegations are still under investigation, with the US saying 12 UN workers are suspected of involvement.

Philippe Lazzarini, the head of UNRWA, said most of Gazas 2 million population rely heavily on the agencys work for their survival.

He criticised the countries for suspending aid, saying it amounted to collective punishment for the whole of Gaza and left the agencys operations on the brink of collapse.

Israeli officials have frequently accused UNRWA of allowing anti-Israeli incitement. The Trump administration suspended funding to the agency in 2018, but it was restored by Joe Biden.

The abhorrent alleged acts of these staff members must have consequences. 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, UNRWA commissioner-general Philippe Lazzarini said.

The dire needs of the desperate populations they serve must be met.

UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres also appealed to the countries that suspended funding to the UN agency to reconsider their decisions.
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The dispute between the train drivers union, Aslef, and 14 train operators in England is into its third calendar year.

With no settlement in sight to the long and bitter row over pay and working arrangements, the union has begun its first strikes for 2024.

Train drivers belonging to Aslef are stopping work region-by-region over the course of a week between Tuesday 30 January and Monday 5 February. Thousands of trains will be cancelled on each day.

The effect is exacerbated by a nine-day ban on overtime running from 29 January to 6 February.

Mick Whelan, general secretary of Aslef, says some members have not had a pay rise for five years  and ministers have refused to engage with the union for a year.

He told The Independent: Any industrial action is incredibly damaging, but after 18 months out on strike, and after a year with no one in the government or the [train operating] companies talking to us, we are forced to raise the profile of our issues.

Rail minister Huw Merriman told The Independent: Strikes just hold the railway back. We believe a fair and reasonable offer is there on the table for Aslef if they put it to their members.

These are train drivers that paid an average 60,000 for a 35-hour, four-day week, That pay deal would take them up to 65,000.

We hope that they will take the opportunity to take it. Then we can all talk about the positives of rail.

Separately, the 14 train operators have reached a tentative agreement with the RMT union that has put an end to walk-outs while talks continue on a local level. But the RMT has called two 48-hour strikes in February and March on the London Overground.

These are the key questions and answers.

Which rail firms are affected?

Aslef is in dispute with the train operators that are contracted by the government to provide rail services. They are:

Intercity operators:

Avanti West Coast

CrossCountry

East Midlands Railway

Great Western Railway (GWR)

LNER

TransPennine Express

Southeast England commuter operators:

C2C

Greater Anglia

GTR (Gatwick Express, Great Northern, Southern, Thameslink)

Southeastern

South Western Railway (including the Island Line on the Isle of Wight)

Operators focusing on the Midlands and north of England:

Chiltern Railways

Northern Trains

West Midlands Railway

ScotRail, Transport for Wales, Transport for London (including the Elizabeth Line), Merseyrail and open-access operators such as Grand Central, Hull Trains and Lumo are not involved. But their services are likely to be extremely crowded on stretches where they duplicate strike-hit companies.

What is the strike schedule?

Monday 29 January: overtime ban begins.

Tuesday 30 January: South Western Railway, Southeastern and GTR (Southern, Gatwick Express, Great Northern and Thameslink).

Wednesday 31 January: Northern and TransPennine Express.

Thursday 1 February: no strike but overtime ban continues.

Friday 2 February: Greater Anglia, C2C and LNER.

Saturday 3 February: West Midlands Trains, Avanti West Coast and East Midlands Railway.

Sunday 4 February: no strike but overtime ban continues.

Monday 5 February: Great Western, CrossCountry and Chiltern.

Tuesday 6 February: no strike but overtime ban continues for a final day.

What are the likely effects of the strikes?

These predictions are based on latest statements from rail firms and The Independents observation of previous strikes. They should be confirmed before travel.

Great Northern (30 January): Shuttle service calling at London Kings Cross and Cambridge only (and probably branded Thameslink) with limited operating hours.

Thameslink (30 January): Shuttle service calling at St Pancras, Luton Airport Parkway and Luton only. The firm says its trains will be extremely busy and that queueing systems will be in place.

You may not be able to board your chosen service, says Thameslink. If you are planning to travel on one of the last trains of the day, please be aware that, depending on the size of the queue, you may not be able to board a service at all, and no alternative transport options will be provided after the last train departs. Please plan ahead and leave plenty of time to reach your destination.

Southern (30 January): No trains except a nonstop shuttle service between London Victoria and Gatwick airport, from 6am to 11.30pm.

Gatwick Express (30 January): The Southern airport shuttle, above, is doing the work.

Southeastern (30 January): No trains.

South Western Railway (30 January): The service is relatively extensive compared with other train operators.

Up to four stopping trains per hour between London Waterloo and Woking.

Hourly semi-fast trains between Waterloo and both Guildford and Basingstoke. A shuttle will run from Basingstoke to Salisbury every 90 minutes.

Two trains per hour will also run between Waterloo and Feltham via Richmond and Twickenham. No trains on the Isle of Wight.

Northern (31 January): No trains. The operator says that it expects two key routes to be very busy on 3 February when East Midlands Railway is on strike: Leeds-Sheffield-Nottingham and Sheffield-Manchester.

TransPennine Express (31 January): No trains. There will be some alterations to evening services on Tuesday 30 January and to early morning services on Thursday 1 February, the company says.

C2C (2 February): No trains. The company warns: Upminster car park will likely become full and close early in the day. Upminster is the eastern end of the District Line of the London Underground, which will be running normally.

Greater Anglia (2 February): Limited service linking London Liverpool Street with Norwich, Ipswich and Colchester; Southend Victoria; Cambridge; and Stansted airport.

LNER (2 February): Regular trains on core routes linking London Kings Cross with Doncaster, York, Newcastle and Edinburgh. First trains will depart at around 8am, with most journeys finished by 7pm. Leeds will have a limited direct service, but connections are available from Doncaster.

Avanti West Coast (3 February): No trains. The operator says: Services on the days either side of the strike will also be affected.

East Midlands Railway (3 February): No trains. The train firm warns: No rail replacement bus services will be provided. Other train operators may be running a reduced service due to an overtime ban.

West Midlands Railway (3 February): No trains, and a warning that services on Sunday 4 February will see widespread delays and cancellations.

Chiltern (5 February): No trains either on the strike day or on the previous day, Sunday 4 February, as the train operator is dependent on drivers working overtime on Sunday to operate any trains at all. The overtime ban means no services will run.

CrossCountry (5 February): No trains.

Great Western Railway (5 February): On the actual strike day, a core service will run between London Paddington and Oxford, Bath and Bristol, with a link from Bristol to Cardiff. A limited service on branch lines in Devon and Cornwall. The Night Riviera sleeper service from London to Penzance will not run for a number of nights.

In addition to the disruption on strike days, trains on adjacent days may be affected. Services on these days are also likely to be extremely busy due to passengers moving their journeys to avoid industrial action.

What about the new minimum service levels law?

Legislation now allows the transport secretary to stipulate minimum service levels (MSLs) on strike days amounting to 40 per cent of the normal service. The government says the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act 2023 aims to ensure that the public can continue to access services that they rely on, during strike action.

No train operator is seeking to impose the new law on the train drivers union. LNER said it might do so, and opened consultations, at which point Aslef called a separate five-day strike on LNER alone. Then the train operator said it would not require drivers to work, and the strike was called off.

The BBC reports that the prime minister is disappointed that train operators had not implemented minimum service levels. A Downing Street spokesperson said: Yes, its something that we and the public expect them to use.

Weve been repeatedly been clear that this legislation is available for train operators to use.

The Transport Select Committee has previously warned of potential unintended consequences of the legislation. The Conservative chair, Iain Stewart, said: There is a risk of MSLs worsening worker-employer relations and that, as a result, MSLs could end up making services less reliable.

The minimum service level rules do not apply to union bans on non-contractual rest-day working.

Is there a worst day?

Yes. In terms of sheer number of passengers hit, Tuesday 30 January is the most disruptive. It is aimed at commuters in southeast England, the majority of whom use the affected train operators. Normally Southern, Thameslink, Great Northern, South Western Railway and Southeastern carry around 40 per cent of all passengers.

Intercity travellers will be worst affected on Friday 2 and Saturday 3 February, when the main operators on the East Coast and West Coast main lines, plus the Midland main line, will be hit.

Sunday 4 February is also likely to be severely disrupted mainly because of the ban on rest-day working. Chiltern Railway, which would normally run trains between London and Birmingham, says no services will run at all due to the overtime ban.

Disruption will be heightened by planned engineering work between Birmingham and Wolverhampton on the West Coast main line and between London Kings Cross and Stevenage on the East Coast main line.

What will be the wider impact of the overtime ban?

The overtime ban alone will cause thousands of cancellations. Aslef says no train operator employs enough drivers to provide the service they promise passengers and businesses they will deliver without asking drivers to work their days off.

Sunday is still not part of the working week at a number of train operators, so 4 February will be particularly disrupted by the ban on rest-day working.

GWR says: There will be significant disruption to services and customers should travel on alternative days. No trains will operate on long-distance routes between London Paddington and Bristol, South Wales and Exeter/Plymouth/Penzance.

Several rail firms have announced pre-emptive cancellations due to the previous overtime ban, as follows:

C2C: Severely reduced service at weekends, with many trains also cut on weekdays.

Chiltern: Significantly reduced service on most routes, with no trains at all on some branch lines. Services on all routes will finish earlier than usual. No trains will run on Sunday 4 February.

Gatwick Express: No trains during the overtime ban. Southern trains will link London Victoria and Gatwick airport throughout the industrial action.

London Northwestern Railway/West Midlands Railway: Branch lines between Bletchley and Bedford, Watford Junction and St Albans Abbey, and Leamington Spa and Nuneaton, will be closed on most or all days.

Southern: An amended timetable with fewer services will run. Services may start later and finish earlier than usual.

Thameslink warns: A reduced frequency amended timetable will be in operation.

Some trains may restrict either boarding or leaving trains at certain stations to avoid overcrowding.

What if I need to reach an airport?

London Heathrow will remain accessible at all times on the Heathrow Express, the Elizabeth Line and the Tube.

Passengers using London Gatwick will be significantly affected on the first day of strikes, Tuesday 30 January, when no Gatwick Express nor Thameslink trains will run. But passengers between London and Gatwick will be able to travel on a Southern shuttle service, nonstop between Victoria and the airport. The GWR link from Gatwick to Redhill, Guildford and Reading will run normally on 30 January but not on 5 February.

London Stansted will have an hourly skeleton service from the capital on Tuesday 2 February, with service alterations on all the other days of the overtime ban. The link to Norwich will be axed on 2 February, but CrossCountry trains to Cambridge (and on to Birmingham) will still run. On 5 February, though, no CrossCountry trains will run to Stansted airport or anywhere else.

Luton airport will remain accessible by rail, at least from London, on all days: on the Thameslink strike day, 30 January, Thameslink will have a reduced service from London St Pancras to Luton Airport Parkway. In addition, the East Midlands Railway link will be running. On 3 February, when no East Midlands Railway services are likely to run, Thameslink will be operating.

Southend airport: hourly trains on Friday 2 February with restricted hours.

Southampton airport will not be served by South Western Railway on Tuesday 30 January nor by CrossCountry on Monday 5 February.

Manchester airport will have a drastically reduced rail service on Wednesday 31 January. With Northern and TransPennine Express drivers on strike, there will be only an hourly link on Transport for Wales to and from central Manchester, Chester and North Wales.

Birmingham airport is likely to be inaccessible by rail on Saturday 3 February, except for Transport for Wales from Birmingham New Street.

Will Eurostar be affected?

No. Trains will continue to run as normal between London St Pancras International and Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam. But connecting journeys will be difficult on strike days  particularly Tuesday 30 January, when Thameslink and Southeastern are out, and on Saturday 3 February when no East Midlands Railway services are likely to run.

What does Aslef say?

In an exclusive interview with The Independent, Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan said: When we get to February, itll be half a decade without a pay rise. What do we do? Do we do nothing?

The only thing that is going to get us out of this is a clean deal.

Without an agreement, he says: Its going to get messier. Its going to get worse.

What do the rail firms say?

A spokesperson for Rail Delivery Group, representing the train operators, said: There are no winners from these strikes that will unfortunately cause disruption for our customers. We believe rail can have a bright future, but right now taxpayers are contributing an extra 54m a week to keep services running post-Covid.

Aslefs leadership need to recognise the financial challenge facing rail. Drivers have been made an offer which would take base salaries to nearly 65,000 for a four-day week before overtime  that is well above the national average and significantly more than many of our customers that have no option to work from home are paid.

Instead of staging more damaging industrial action, we call on the Aslef leadership to work with us to resolve this dispute and deliver a fair deal which both rewards our people, and makes the changes needed to make services more reliable.What does the government say?

What does the government say?

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: Its very disappointing to see Aslef continuing to target those who travel to work, school or important medical appointments by train.

Aslef is now the only rail union that is continuing to strike while refusing to put a fair and reasonable offer to its members. The offer that remains on the table and would bring the average train drivers salary up to 65,000.

The Aslef leadership should do the right thing and let their members decide their own future, instead of deciding it for them.

What does the Labour Party say it would do if elected?

Louise Haigh, Labours shadow transport secretary, said: It is a staggering dereliction of duty that the transport secretary hasnt got around the table with the unions to try to resolve it since the Christmas before last.

Labour will take an unashamedly different approach to the Tories, and will work with both sides to reach a deal in the interests of passengers and workers. If the transport secretary took this sensible approach then perhaps we wouldnt still be having strikes on our railways.

The shadow rail minister, Stephen Morgan MP, has previously said: Labour will bring our railways back into public ownership, as contracts expire, and ensure services work in the interests of the passenger.

What are the London Overground strikes about?

Pay. More than 300 members of the RMT will stage two 48-hour walkouts on the London Overground on Mondays and Tuesdays two weeks apart: 19-20 February 2024 and 4-5 March 2024. Among those taking action are security, station, revenue and control staff.

The RMT said that Arriva Rail London, which has the contract for London Overground, has offered a below inflation pay offer.

Mick Lynch, general secretary of the RMT, said: If this dispute cannot be resolved then RMT is more than prepared for a sustained period of industrial action to get London Overground workers the pay rise they deserve.

The Independent has contacted the Department for Transport and Arriva Rail London for comment.
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A United Airlines jet was forced to make a diversion to Denver mid-flight due to a cracked windshield.

The plane was on its way to Washington DC on Sunday when it was forced to make a detour to Denver due to a crack in the windshield, the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement to The Independent.

The flight departed from Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas and was supposed to arrive at the Dulles International Airport before it was diverted to the Denver International Airport in Colorado, the FAA said

The United Airlines Flight 1627 landed safely at around 1.10pm local time, the organisation added.

A spokesperson for United Airlines told The Independent that the plane was diverted due to a maintenance issue.

After safely landing, customers deplaned normally and a plane change occurred. The flight departed Denver around 3 p.m. MT to Dulles, the airline said.

The aircraft had 166 passengers and seven crewmembers, who then boarded a Boeing 737-900 to Dulles, United Airlines said.

The FAA also added to the outlet that "cracks happen across all airplane models", and usually, when they occur, they happen in the "glass pane on the outside, which serves as a protective covering for the inner structural portion."

They also said that the windshield is comprised of multiple layers of tempered glass and other materials.

The diverted plane was a United Airlines Boeing 737-800 - different to the Boeing 737 Max 9 model, which made headlines recently after one of the planes, used for an Alaska Airlines flight, had a door plug blowout mid-flight.

The terrifying incident occurred on 5 January on flight 1282, which departed from Portland, Oregon, on its way to Ontario, California, when minutes into the flight, a door plug blew off the plane, leaving a gaping hole.

The aircraft was around 16,000 feet in the air when the plug blew out; while no one was seriously injured, passengers on the aircraft have now filed a lawsuit against Boeing after feeling shocked, terrorized and confused on the nightmare flight, the court filings say.

Days before this incident, another shocking aircraft situation occurred in Japan when a Japan Airlines flight crashed with a smaller Japan Coast Guard Aircraft, leaving five people dead.

While all 379 people onboard the passenger jet managed to evacuate as it was engulfed in flames, five out of the six Coast Guard crew were killed on 2 January as it was preparing to take off.

A mere two weeks after this, two planes collided again on a runway in Japan at New Chitose Airport; no injuries were reported.

Back in the US, six people were injured after an American Airlines flight had to make a hard landing in Hawaii on Saturday.
President Joe Biden has vowed to respond to the attack which left three US troops dead in Jordan, as well as 25 injured in an unmanned drone strike.

The Democratic president made the remarks at a campaign event in South Carolina on Sunday, 28 January and asked attendees to join him for a moment of silence.

Mr Biden said the strike on a military outpost in Jordan, near the Syrian border had been carried out by an Iranian-backed militia.

One last thing, I want to point out we had a tough day. Last night when we lost three brave soldiers in an attack on one of our bases. And I ask for a moment of silence. And we shall respond.
French farmers blocked roads around Paris with their tractors on Monday 29 January, as they pushed the government to do more to protect the countrys agricultural sector from foreign competition, rising costs and low pay.

Angry farmers have threatened to put the capital under siege and in recent days have set up roadblocks on motorways to highlight their cause.

Frances new prime minister Gabriel Attal sought but failed to defuse the protest movement last week with a series of pro-agriculture measures, which farmers said fell short of their demands that producing food be more lucrative, easier and fairer.
Irans foreign ministry spokesperson dismissed the US accusation that Tehran was behind the drone strike that killed three US troops and injured dozens more in northeast Jordan near the Syrian border overnight on Sunday, 28 January.

Resistance groups across the region do not take orders from the Islamic republic of Iran, Nasser Kanaani said.

We are not seeking tensions even with America, inside or outside the region. The Islamic republic of Iran seriously believes in political solutions to international and regional disputes, he added.

Joe Biden and the UK have blamed Iran-backed militia for the strike.

The US president has vowed that the US would respond.
Benjamin Netanyahu says he is ready to do it alone in Gaza if international support wavers.

The Israeli prime minister told TalkTVs Douglas Murray in an interview that beating Hamas would take some time.

A nation has to do what it has to do to survive, Mr Netanyahu said.

If we have to take action both in the south and in the north, that is understood by many to be a just action but [if] they cannot stand the heat of public opinion, then well just have to do it alone. We will do what we need to do.

David Cameron last week told Mr Netanyahu there must be an immediate pause in the fighting in Gaza as he pushed the Israeli prime minister over a two-state solution.

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Former UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, has told the BBC he believes there is a deep institutional guilt in Nato over not granting Ukraine membership of the military alliance.

Mr Johnson made his comments in series two of Brook Lappings Putin vs the West: At War, which airs tonight (29 January), tells the inside story of the year that followed Russias invasion of Ukraine.

He said: Theres a deep institutional guilt in NATO because if NATO had followed through on the things that it had said and actually put the Ukrainians on a proper path to membership, theres an argument to say that Putin would not have done what he did.
He is standing down as chair of the company as part of the restructuring

Denis O'Brien retains a 10pc stake in Digicel and a seat on the new nine-member board of directors. Photo: Getty

Denis OBrien has formally handed majority control of his Digicel telecoms empire in the Caribbean to a consortium of bondholders, ending a lengthy debt restructuring process.

The consortium  led by PGIM, Contrarian Capital Management and GoldenTree Asset Management  took the controlling stake in the company after a consensual process.

Mr OBrien, who backed the scheme after Digicels debt-servicing obligations hit an unsustainable level last year, retains a 10pc stake in the business and a seat on the new nine-member board of directors. His holding could increase to 20pc based on options under the terms of the debt deal.

Last year, Digicel announced the telecoms entrepreneur, who founded the company in Jamaica in 2001, had agreed to cede his majority stake in the business in return for a debt write-down totalling $1.7bn (1.6bn).

Crucially, in terms of cash flow the complex set of transactions has ultimately resulted in a $120m a year reduction in Digicels debt servicing costs. The move will also see the company raise $110m via a rights issue.

Digicel had for years been struggling to tackle the debt, which at one stage hit a peak of $7bn. The company completed a previous debt restructuring in 2020, which saw bondholders write off $1.6bn and Mr OBrien inject $50m to retain his ownership.

The latest restructuring was formally implemented on Monday through a bond exchange offer, Bermuda schemes of arrangement and an associated US recognition proceeding, the group said. Digicel interim group CEO Maarten Boute said it represented good news today for our customers, our communities and all our staff with Digicel on a more solid financial footing enabling it to maintain and increase its long-standing commitments to the region.

Mr OBrien is standing down as chair of Digicel as part of the restructuring, handing over to Rajeev Suri, a former CEO of global mobile telecoms operator Inmarsat, and before that Nokia.

The Irish businessman who founded Digicel after selling his Esat Digifone business in Ireland more than two decades ago has indicated he doesnt plan on taking on a new full-time role after the restructuring has concluded.

He retains significant investments in Ireland, Spain and Portugal.

Digicel now has around 10 million consumer and business customers in 25 markets in the Caribbean and Central America. The group sold its former Digicel Pacific arm, which has operations in markets including Papua New Guinea and Fiji, to Australias Telstra in 2021.
Airline has lowered profit guidance following removal of flights from online travel agent websites

Ryanair doesnt plan on becoming a significant residential property owner and expects supply in general to ramp up, taking pressure off the employer to intervene to secure housing for staff.

The airline recently purchased 25 properties in an housing estate in Swords, close to Dublin Airport, in order to provide accommodation for staff.

Ryanairs chief financial officer Neil Sorohan said on Monday the deal was done to ensure airline staff have places to live but buying more property to house employees is not his preferred option.

"We have to try and get good quality, reasonably priced accommodation for our people to ensure that we can continue to fill the roles that are necessary in Dublin, he said.

Id be hopeful that Government will start bringing more housing stock on track over the next months and that people will be able to get access to reasonable accommodation elsewhere, he added. Our priority was to ensure that our people have high-quality affordable accommodation.

On Monday Ryanair reported a profit after tax of 15m in the three months to the end of December, down 93pc from the same period last year.

The airline attributed the decrease to the impact of higher fuel costs, which offset revenue increases.

Load factors and passenger yields were also softer than expected over the Christmas and New Year period as Ryanair lowered prices in response to the removal of its flights from online travel agent systems last month.

This move was to encourage passengers to book directly with its site.

Ryanair has been battling online travel agents for years to prevent them from engaging in so-called screen-scraping and reselling flights to customers through their own websites.

Ryanair now expects profit after tax for its full financial year to be in the range of 1.85bn to 1.95bn, slightly narrower than previous guidance. The airline previously expected profits from 1.85bn from 2.05bn in its November forecast.

The carrier said that its passenger numbers in the third quarter of its financial year rose 7pc to 41.4 million. Passenger traffic reflected a load factor of 92pc.

Total revenue in the period was 2.31bn, up 17pc from the same time in 2022.

Revenue per passenger rose by 9pc, while the average fares increased by 13pc to 42 compared to the corresponding period in 2022. This followed a strong October mid-term and peak Christmas and New Year travel.

Ryanair flight from Alicante battles Storm Jocelyn to land at Leeds Bradford airport

Ancillary revenue rose 10pc to around 23 per passenger.

Operating costs were up 26pc to 2.7bn, the airline reported.

Ryanair said this increase was driven by a 35pc rise in fuel costs, higher staff costs and the earlier timing of maintenance.

Q4, which is traditionally our weakest quarter, will also be impacted by the partial unwind of free ETS carbon credits. While we will benefit from the first half of Easter traffic falling in late March, this is unlikely to fully offset the weaker than previously expected load factors and yields in late Q3 and early Q4, Michael OLeary said.

This guidance and the full year result remains heavily dependent upon avoiding unforeseen adverse events in Q4, such as the Ukraine war, the Israel-Hamas conflict and further Boeing delivery delays, he added.

Mr Sorohan said that he was reasonably confident that the airline will have close to the 50 new aircraft ordered from Boeing by peak summer.

I was down there myself a couple of weeks ago [at Boeing headquarters in Seattle], met senior management team, have regular contact with them so now Id be hopeful, barring some other unforeseen or unexpected event, were on track to get those aircraft in, he said.
Teething troubles expected as January 31 deadline looms

Simon McKeever, head of the Irish Exporters Association, said most firms here are well prepared for the changes but he still expects some issues. Photo: Fennells

Hauliers and food exporters are being warned to be prepared or face delays if they are moving food, plants and animals to Britain from tomorrow evening.

From a minute past midnight on January 31, hauliers must notify UK ports 24 hours in advance of boarding a ferry and generate a goods movement reference, a unique number issued for each load by UK customs on foot of an import declaration.

Most importantly, Irish food exporters need to provide an EU export health certificate for goods deemed medium or high risk.

The changeover marks the first phase of the UKs new border target operating model, which has been delayed several times since the Brexit trade deal was signed in December 2020.

It will gradually bring in the kinds of checks in place on UK imports to Ireland since January 2021.

Simon McKeever, the head of the Irish Exporters Association, said most Irish firms are well prepared for the changes, but warned that there are likely to be teething troubles.

This comes into play midnight next Tuesday night, so itll be well in play by the time ships get into port early morning Wednesday, he said.

The biggest concern all along has been about the availability of vets [for health certification], and thats not something that can be solved overnight. And the level of very detailed technical questions that are still coming up at this very late stage would give me concern that this is not going to be plain sailing.

Goods that will require health certificates from tomorrow include live cattle and horses, meat, fish, milk, eggs, seed potato tubers, seeds, some cut flowers (such as orchids) and wood. Most fruit and vegetables do not require extra paperwork for now, though some could be added to the risk list when it is revised at the end of April.

Physical checks on Irish goods are not scheduled to kick in until October 31.

And there will be no effect on goods moving between Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Dublin Port said it does not expect any material bearing on its operations from the changes tomorrow, although the Department of Foreign Affairs has told hauliers that a failure to have the right paperwork will result in them being turned away at the port. A team will be on hand at Dublin Port to support traffic movement.

Dublin Port handles more than 90pc of Irish goods going to mainland Britain, via the ports of Holyhead in Wales, as well as Liverpool, Birkenhead and Heysham on the English west coast. Rosslare services the Welsh ports of Fishguard and Pembroke.

Over a third of Irish exports go to the UK, which remains the largest single destination for Irish food, drink and horticulture exports, accounting for 47pc of Irish beef sales alone.

For a lot of small food companies, the UK would have been their first port of call, Mr McKeever said.

But I do think well get through it. This country was extremely well prepared for Brexit back in 2021. A huge amount of solid work has been done by governments, both here and on the other side. We will adapt fairly quickly. I dont think there are going to be bare shelves or anything like that in the UK.
Masters of the Air: *****

Its a little early to say if the epic nine-part mini-series Master of the Air (Apple TV+, now streaming), executive produced by Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg, will have the same powerful impact on viewers that its predecessor Band of Brothers had in 2001, and indeed still has when rewatched today.

Every bit as emotionally affecting as it was viscerally exciting, it set the bar so high that even its outstanding companion series The Pacific, made a decade later, is less vividly remembered, which is more than a little unfair.

Two episodes into Masters of the Air (the rest arrive weekly on Fridays) and were still just getting to know the young flyboys of the US Air Forces 100th Bomb Group  nicknamed the Bloody Hundredth because of the heavy losses it suffered in battle during World War II.

Whereas the RAF, who are shown sneering condescendingly at the Yanks recklessness, conducted night-time bombing raids over Germany, which were indiscriminate but effective, the 100th flew daytime precision missions designed to knock out specific targets.

But the risks were great and the human costs high. Every time these young men, many of them barely out of their teens, climbed into a B-17, the famous Flying Fortress, they knew their chances of coming back alive were roughly one in three.

Band of Brothers was notable for featuring, in small roles, a number of rising actors who would later become famous: Michael Fassbender, Tom Hardy, Stephen Graham, James McAvoy and Andrew Scott.

The ensemble cast of Masters of the Air, most of them playing real-life figures, features young actors who are even more famous now than when filming began in 2021 (there were several lengthy, pandemic-related interruptions).

Leading the pack are Austin Butler (before his Golden Globe for Elvis) as Major Gale Buck Cleven and Callum Turner as Major John Bucky Egan. The two share more than similar nicknames; their close chalk-and-cheese friendship  Clevin is focused and doesnt drink, Egan is more impulsive and a bit of a party animal  recalls that of Richard Winters and Lewis Nixon in Band of Brothers.

Belfast actor Anthony Boyle (The Plot Against America) plays Lieutenant Harry Crosby, a navigator who, rather inconveniently, suffers from self-doubt and severe airsickness. Crosby acts as the dramas narrator.

Completing the main quartet is the pre-Saltburn Barry Keoghan, whos great value as Lieutenant Curtis Biddick, although his accent, which sounds pure New York, is a strange choice given the real Biddick hailed from Wisconsin.

Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa will be turning up in a later episode as Lieutenant Robert H Daniels, one of the Tuskegee Airmen, the ace African-American fighter and bomber pilots who fought for a country which, in peacetime, didnt recognise them as the equal of white men.

I imagine that, as Masters of Air progresses, therell be more character development. At the moment, though, its all about the terrible spectacle of aerial warfare.

Visually, the production is dazzling. State-of-the-art special effects breathtakingly capture both the adrenaline-fuelled thrill of aerial combat and the ever-present sense that sudden death is hovering no more than a heartbeat away.

In the old days, the enemy of realism in war movies was back projection, which was usually wincingly fake-looking. Green screen, with backdrops added in post-production, was better, yet sometimes you could still see the joins.

But Masters of War, based on a factual book of the same name by Donald L Miller, uses the revolutionary visual effects technology known as StageCraft, which was developed for Disneys The Mandalorian.

It involves filming the actors in front of curved high-definition video screens that can be manipulated in real time on a semi-circular soundstage called the Volume.

It can convincingly create whole landscapes  or in this case, whole skyscapes full of roaring, swooping fighter planes. The effect is to put the viewer inside the B-17s with the pilots, navigators and gunners as bullets shatter the cockpit glass, pepper the fuselage and tear faces and bodies to pieces.

Its spectacular and it demands to be seen on the biggest, sharpest television screen available.
Significant surges in imports from Ukraine threaten, if continued, the stability of some European farming sectors, according to the European People's Party Group (EPP).

In a letter to President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, the EPP group has voiced "the concerns of several EU agriculture sectors that are being severely affected by unlimited imports from Ukraine, following the implementation of Autonomous Trade Measures (ATMs).

While it says it wants to underscore its unwavering support for the Ukrainian people and its commitment to backing any initiatives aimed at assisting them in dealing with the aftermath of the conflict stemming from Russian aggression, it goes on to say "we think proper reflection should be given to certain sectors, which seem to shoulder an additional burden of this support and contend with an unprecedented influx of imports from Ukraine.

"Specifically, farmers and producers in the poultry sugar and eggs sectors are grappling with significant surges in imports from Ukraine, posing

 if continued - a threat to the stability of these sectors and jeopardizing the future of their producers.

"The redirection of volumes, originally intended mainly for third countries,

predominantly to the EU, is causing substantial disruptions to these markets."

It also says differences in production standards and the absence of a level playing field are giving rise to unfair competition anda simple continuation of the current ATMs is untenable and some adaptations and safeguards need to be injected.

The letter goes on to say the Commission must propose solutions to safeguard these affected sectors while ensuring an adequate level of support for Ukraine.

"Considering options such as registering imports with a deposit system and establishing thresholds beyond which exports should be directed towards third countries could be a viable path forward and should be taken into account by the Commission.

"It is also crucial for Ukraine's future recovery to maintain some access

to export markets in third countries and prevent it from becoming overly reliant on EU exports. Moreover, these markets in third countries could be occupied by Russia, which would lead to further economic and political tension."

Last year a leaked analysis suggested the integration of Ukraine into the EU could cost some 186 billion over seven years and result in significant cuts to Common Agricultural Policy Payments in existing countries.
A stakeholder meeting will take place on Thursday in Portlaoise in light of concerns raised around the ICBF new beef breeding indexes.

ICBF, which called the meeting, is understood to have invited farming organisations including the Irish Beef and Lamb Association (IBLA) and each of the breed societies to attend.

Farmers and farming organisations have been heavily critical of the new indexes, which were announced late last year, saying breeders of continental cattle are unhappy with the changes, which would be challenging for some breeds.

In light of this ICBF said it would call a stakeholder meeting to engage with people and their concerns.

It's understood the meeting will include a presentation from Teagasc giving an economic model overview and a presentation from ICBF on evaluations and statistics.

Last week a fund was set up by the Irish Beef and Lamb Association (IBLA) to seek legal opinion, with a view to getting an injunction to stop the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) implementing its new beef breeding indexes, raised 5,000.

ICBF has insisted the science-based approach will leave the majority of beef farmers better off.

The CEO of the ICBF, Sean Coughlan has said the ICBF would not be rowing back on its decision to implement controversial beef breeding indexes.

However, at a hearing of the Oireachtas Agriculture Committee, Coughlan admitted the communication of recent changes to its beef breeding indexes had caused confusion among farmers and needs to be reviewed.

But he said changing its decision to implement the new indexes would create more confusion for farmers and would see farmers "operating in a vacuum".

However, when pressed by TDs over the impact of the changes on farmers, Coughlan conceded it will "create challenges" for farmers in the new SCEP scheme who are keeping heifers that will now score lower under the beef index. He said a maximum of 16pc of farmers in the scheme would be affected.

However, he said farmers who acted in good faith should not be penalised, highlighting that the terms and conditions of the SCEP scheme were not in the remit of the ICBF.

He said the ICBF would be engaging with farmers on the matter.
An action plan on women in agriculture will be brought before the Government this week by Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue.

The plan follows a national dialogue on women in agriculture last year to examine gender equality in the sector, chaired by the former Tanaiste Mary Coughlan.

The action plan has 12 actions including increased promotion of agriculture as a viable career for women and young girls.

The report and action plan will be formally launched later this week. Currently, some 18,000 or 13pc of all farm holders in Ireland are women, and 72,000 farm workers.

The national dialogue on women in agriculture discussed how to increase the visibility and status of women in agriculture.

Women who want to pursue a career in operating agricultural machinery should be able to avail of "women only" practical and technical courses, Germany's former Agriculture Minister, Julia Klockner, told the national dialogue event last year.

Women can "just as easily take on physical or technical" work as men but they need to be supported in doing so, she said.

"If we offer more attractive, continued, professional development courses, including courses specifically for women, it will allow us to open a few doors.

"Purely women's courses for technical areas for example, such as fork lift drivers or agricultural machinery operators, have the potential to ensure more women are reached.

"In an international survey from 2018, 80pc of the women surveyed said they would like more training opportunities on new technologies."

Meanwhile, Tanaiste Micheal Martin and Minister McConalogue will update Cabinet on the introduction of new UK import requirements for Irish exporters to Great Britain which comes into force on January 31.

The UK will introduce new import controls on goods from the EU, including Ireland. For Irish operators, this will add an administrative and logistical hurdle to exporting goods to Great Britain as well as for using the UK landbridge.

The new requirements will apply to trade between Ireland and Great Britain only, not North-South trade.

The 31 January is the first in a number of phases, with future physical checks planned on goods at the UK Border for goods imported from the EU.
A farmer delayed planning permission for the expansion of the Intel plant in Kildare for more than three years based on "unbuttoned complaints about a wide variety of actors" including "killer robots" and US military intelligence, a High Court judge has said.

Mr Justice Richard Humphreys said Thomas Reid, who owns 74 acres next the Intel computer chip manufacturing plant in Leixlip, had put in an original appeal to the expansion of the facility which made a mockery of the procedures for evaluating planning and led to a delay in final permission for the plan between July 2020 and to date.
The Minister for Agriculture, Charlie McConalogue, has announced the initiation of support payments totaling 14.3 million for the tillage sector.

The support package comprises 7.147 million from the Agricultural Reserve fund in 2023, along with an additional 7.147 million from the once-off Ukraine-related funding allocated in Budget 2024.

Minister McConalogue highlighted the challenges faced by the tillage sector in 2023, including high production costs, reduced output prices, and adverse weather conditions that impacted crop yields.

The funding, sourced from the EU Agricultural Reserve and a 100% top-up from National funding, is aimed at providing critical assistance to tillage growers who encountered difficulties, particularly due to persistent wet weather affecting crop harvesting in various regions.

The 14.3 million funding will be directed towards supporting growers who were unable to harvest cereal crops last year due to adverse weather conditions.

Additionally, a portion of the funding will be utilized as a one-off flat-rate payment based on the area of oilseed rape, winter and spring barley, wheat, oats, and rye declared under the Basic Income Support for Sustainability Scheme (BISS) in 2023.

The funding available for the one-off flat-rate payments is 12.63m and is being paid to over 8,400 growers on the area of oilseed rape, winter and spring barley, wheat, oats and rye declared under the BISS in 2023 subject to a maximum of 100ha per applicant.

The rate of payment per hectare is 50 and the minimum area to be eligible for the flat-rate payment is 5ha.

Minister McConalogue said: The tillage sector is an important and integral component of the agri-food industry making a significant and valued contribution to the Irish economy. In line with commitments in Food Vision 2030 and the Climate Action Plan I want to see the sector grow and develop.

"Thats why I have strongly supported tillage farmers in recent years and the additional funding I provided in 2023 for the Protein Aid Scheme and the Straw Incorporation Measure along with the Tillage Incentive Scheme and this significant support package being announced today underlines my long-term commitment to this important sector.
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.
There were dozens of CCTV cameras, but no clue where she is  disappearance of Jean Tighe four years ago was plagued by confusion from the start
Martin Purcell (19) of Belcamp Lane, Dublin pictured at the Criminal Courts of Justice (CCJ) in Dublin. Photo: IrishPhotoDesk.ie

A Dublin mother moved to a new address after alleged threats to kill her or "burn down" her former home and the theft of the family car to settle a drug debt, a court heard.
A DUBLIN man has been sent for trial accused of violent disorder at Mountjoy Prison during an attack on an inmate who later died in a separate assault in the jail.
An anti-protocol rally takes place on the Shankill Road in Belfast on June 10, 2021 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph)

Jim Allister, Baroness Kate Hoey and Ben Habib were involved in a legal challenge against the Northern Ireland Protocol (Michael Cooper/PA)

DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson leaving his party's HQ at Dundela in east Belfast, where he briefed senior members on Government proposals aimed at ending Stormont's powersharing impasse. Liam McBurney/PA Wire

A DUP executive meeting descended into farce tonight after key elements of Jeffrey Donaldsons briefing were live-tweeted by loyalist blogger Jamie Bryson.

Mr Donaldson is updating members, amid much secrecy, on a possible deal to restore Stormont.

But within minutes of him starting, parts of his speech were apparently leaked to Mr Bryson, who posted extracts on X.

It came as the BBC reported DUP party officers have already decided on a deal.

Mr Donaldson was driven into the Larchfield estate near Lisburn shortly before 7.20pm for the short-notice gathering of the 130-strong executive.

Senior party figures Edwin Poots, Ian Paisley, Sammy Wilson and Emma Little Pengelly were among those seen arriving for the event.

Around 50 protesters assembled at the gates of the venue, many carrying posters and banners. One warned: No Sea Border  stop DUP sellout.

Those protesting outside Larchfield were either cheering or booing each vehicle that enters the premises, depending on which DUP member was inside the car.

A few men from the group stopped the car of William Irwin, MLA for Newry and Armagh, and told him "the seven tests must be met".

But within minutes, Mr Bryson was reporting details of Jeffreys speech on his social media account.

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According to Mr Bryson, Jeffrey told those gathered that negotiations are over, and the DUP arent going to get any more.

At one stage, the meeting was reportedly halted after the DUP learned it was being live-tweeted.

Earlier, Jeffrey held a two-hour meeting with MPs and peers at DUP headquarters in east Belfast.

Flanked by close protection officers, Jeffrey answered no questions from waiting media before entering the building at Dundela Avenue.

DUP chief executive Timothy Johnston and deputy leader Gavin Robinson also avoided questions.

Jeffrey briefed senior party members on UK government proposals aimed at ending Stormont's two-year power-sharing impasse.

The meeting lasted around two hours.

DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson leaving his party's HQ at Dundela in east Belfast, where he briefed senior members on Government proposals aimed at ending Stormont's powersharing impasse. Liam McBurney/PA Wire

MPs including Ian Paisley and Paul Girvan, as well as Lord McCrea, were seen leaving but made no comment.

It is understood there is no meeting planned with 12 party officers and only they have the power to sign off on a deal.

On Friday, members of the DUP's 130-strong party executive were invited to a short notice meeting at 7pm on Monday.

If Jeffrey presses for acceptance of the UK government's proposals and a Stormont return, he is expected to face stiff opposition from some unionists inside and outside his party.

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It comes as Alliance MLA Nuala McAllister said she believes there has been a shift in DUP thinking.

I think when we look at the narrative thats out there at the moment [...] the tone is changing, she said at Stormont.

Now is the time to tackle decisions for all of Northern Ireland. I think its a very significant day. I hope the DUP finally makes a decision.

Earlier on Monday, DUP peer and former Stormont speaker James Hay said those who have leaked details of the meeting are traitors.

James Hay

Speaking to the BBC, he said the meeting is solely intended to update party members on the detail of UK government proposals.

He said: The real traitors within unionism are people who continually brief against the party even from within the party and all theyre doing is damaging unionism for now and in the future.

Meanwhile, a paper published by Baroness Kate Hoey, Ben Habib, Jim Allister and Jamie Bryson sets out their opposition to any deal, warning the DUP against "implementing the union dismantling protocol" which they say the party once opposed.

Earlier today, Jamie Bryson was seen entering Stormont buildings.

In a statement, the four co-authors said: "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."

Speaking to the BBC on Monday morning, Baroness Hoey said the paper was both gentle and helpful.

Jim Allister, Baroness Kate Hoey and Ben Habib were involved in a legal challenge against the Northern Ireland Protocol (Michael Cooper/PA)

"Its a very gentle paper that simply goes through all of the things that we have heard may be in the deal and pointing out how that isnt changing the basic situation which is that NI must not be left under EU rules and court where we are ended up being moved further and further away from our sister, our country, she said.

Baroness Hoey said the paper compares the DUPs seven protocol tests to Jeffreys rumoured deal with the UK government.

"This is a very helpful document I would have thought any of the member of the executive tonight would find it useful to be able to match it with Jeffery actually says, she said.

Baroness Hoey said none of the co-authors have seen the deal.

We have no more idea than anyone else whats in the deal but there have been some leaks that are pretty solid, she said.

She said the paper was not attended to criticise the DUP or its party leader however she wanted to make clear she would not support a return to Stormont without major changes to the NI Protocol.

"Those of us that have been involved in this paper stood on platforms with Jeffrey at many many anti-Protocol demonstrations and marches.

"We arent blaming the DUP, we are blaming the government the EU and the Irish government, the DUP have been left in a situation where they have to pick up the pieces, Baroness Hoey said.

The DUP has been using a veto power to blockade Stormont 's devolved institutions for two years in protest at post-Brexit trading arrangements.

An anti-protocol rally takes place on the Shankill Road in Belfast on June 10, 2021 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph)

However, latest events follow protracted talks between the party and the UK 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 Government's proposed measures.

Meanwhile, Ulster Unionist Party leader Doug Beattie said he was frustrated he has not been able to see the proposed deal.

He said he believes the DUP will make a decision tonight.

UUP leader Doug Beattie

Ive been asking to be involved so I can see the legislation for many months now, we are now getting to a stage where, tonight, unelected representatives of the DUP are going to be briefed in detail on what the deal is, he said.

And here I am, as a leader of a party who is entitled to go into the Executive who is still not received any briefing in detail, at all of what it involves.

Im hearing Sinn Fein also understands what the deal involves, so that looks like, because we are one of the minor parties, there will be a Sinn Fein/DUP carve up and thats not acceptable.

Sinn Fein MLA Conor Murphy accused the DUP of "internal party navel-gazing" while public services in Northern Ireland have been facing "enormous challenges" during the time the powersharing institutions have been suspended.
DUP must not return to Stormont until all seven tests are fully met  Orange lodge gives warning to Jeffrey Donaldson

Orange lodge issues warning to Donaldson as party gets ready to meet to discuss deal

DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson

Suzanne Breen Mon 29 Jan 2024 at 11:40

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 police forensic officer at the scene in the Greenan area of west Belfast Kevin Conway was killed (Brian Lawless/PA)

Gunshot residue was found in a car belonging to one of the men charged with the murder of Kevin Conway in west Belfast, a court has heard.

Two men appeared before Laganside Magistrates Court on Monday charged with the murder of Mr Conway, 26, who was shot several times at his home on January 9.

When he was killed, Mr Conway had been on bail awaiting trial for the murder of Shane Whitla in Co Armagh last year.

Aidan OKeefe, 27, and Fergal Kane, 53, were both charged with the murder of Mr Conway and possession of a firearm.

Judge Steven Keown granted an interim restriction order prohibiting the publication of their home addresses due to security concerns.

Police forensic officers at the scene in the Greenan area of west Belfast where Kevin Conway was shot dead (Brian Lawless/PA)

Detective Chief Inspector McGuinness said he could connect OKeefe and Kane to the charges.

Detective McGuinness told the court that he believes two weapons, a handgun and a shotgun, were used in the attack.

Police said they believe there were two vehicles, a white Toyota van and a BMW, involved in the shooting.

The court heard that police could link OKeefe to the white van while the BMW could be traced to Kane.

Detective McGuinness told the court that the BMW was seized after Kane was arrested at the weekend and an examination of the car found cartridge discharge residue in the boot, front passenger footwell and drivers seat.

Earlier, the court was told that the Toyota van was a company vehicle that was in OKeefes possession on the day of the murder.

The van was fitted with a GPS tracker, which allowed police to trace the movements of the van.

Detective McGuinness said that on the day of the murder, OKeefe travelled from his home to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.

Mr OKeefe enters the hospital at 1743 hours. Thats captured on CCTV. He checks into the A&E department, then some three hours later, Mr OKeefe leaves and pays for the parking, the van ignition turns on and that van then leaves the accident and emergency department.

Kevin Conway was shot multiple times in his own home (PSNI/PA)

The detective told the court that OKeefe did not tell hospital staff he was leaving.

He added: At 1852 hours, while hes in A&E, theres a telephone call from a number we can attribute to Mr OKeefe and he calls a number we can attribute to Mr Kane and that telephone call lasts 25 seconds.

He continued: The only other contact we can attribute between those two numbers is on the 7th, so two days before the attack.

There is a substantial amount of phone contacts, both with SMS messages and voice calls between Mr Kane and Mr OKeefe.

He said that a short time after leaving the hospital, OKeefes van was seen stopping at a shop in Belfast.

He told the court that OKeefe left the shop and parked close to an address that is linked to Mr Kane.

CCTV footage then picks up both the van and BMW leaving the property in convoy.

The police number plate recognition system picks up both cars travelling along the Falls Road towards the Glen Road, and shortly after 9pm, the vehicles are seen stopping close to the victims property in Rossnareen Park.

A short time later, two men are seen on CCTV emerging from a walkway close to where the vehicles were parked.

The scene in the Greenan area of west Belfast where Kevin Conway was shot dead (Brian Lawless/PA)

One of the men was wearing dark clothing, including a dark coat, dark trousers and dark shoes.

Police believe his face was covered with dark material.

The other person was wearing a dark coat, lighter-coloured jogging trousers and light or white trainers, according to the officer.

Police said his face was also covered. One of the men can be seen carrying what was described as a handgun.

Detective McGuinness said that Mr Conway sent a voice memo to his partner at 9.18pm saying he was playing on his PlayStation.

Police believe he was shot dead moments later as the two men were seen on CCTV at 9.20pm retracing their steps back to the car and van.

GPS tracking data on OKeefes van shows that the engine switches on at 9.22pm and leaves the area. The van is followed seconds later by Kanes BMW.

Minutes later, OKeefe is seen arriving at his home.

The court heard that a short time later, OKeefe received a phone call from the Royal Victoria Hospital, which police say was to enquire of his whereabouts.

The court was told that OKeefe arrived back at the hospital at around 10pm with his partner.

Following investigations, police arrested Kane and OKeefe and seized the BMW.

Police discovered that the van had been returned to OKeefes work colleague, and following subsequent enquiries, the van was found outside the colleagues house.

Plain-clothed officers in an unmarked vehicle parked nearby and saw three men dressed in black go to the back of the van, however, they left after police shouted a warning.

Its my belief that those men were there to either destroy the van or to take it away and put it out of police hands for this investigation, Detective McGuinness added.

The court also heard that three mobile phones were found in the BMW, but Kane has refused to give police the phone passcodes.

Neither of the men have answered police questions in custody, the detective said.

The case has been adjourned until February 20 to allow for bail applications.
The HSE advises parents to ensure their children are up to date with their MMR vaccine. Photo: PA

An Irish doctor has warned of the dangers to public health following a rise in the number of measles cases identified in Europe.

Dr Illona Duffy, who works as a GP, warned that the vaccination rate for measles is now below 90pc, with the HSE urging parents to vaccinate their children following a rise in cases across the UK and Europe.

The big thing is vaccinations. We know that in many countries we have seen a drop off in the number of people who are being vaccinated and that is children being vaccinated against measles.

The measles vaccine is against Meales Mumps and Rubella, she told RTEs Morning Ireland programme.

She warned that we arent seeing the key percentage in the country to provide overall protection and reduce the levels of measles floating about.

I had a case of measles about 18 months, a young child who hadnt been fully vaccinated and that was the big thing for that child.

If they had the vaccine they probably wouldnt have developed those problems and become as sick as they were, she said, adding that the child was referred onto hospital, the Monaghan GP said.

Statistics show that one in five that develop measles will be hospitalised, while one in 1,000 will develop swelling in their brain causing encephalitis

She stressed that there is a fear among some parents concerning measles, following an unfounded scare by scientist Andrew Wakefield that falsely linked the MMR vaccine with autism.

We know that that has absolutely been disproved, so we can categorically say there is no link between the MMR and autism. But that fear of the vaccine still continues, she said.

Dr Duffy also said Ireland is experiencing an increase in migration to the country from people who have a different view on vaccinations and dont see or believe the benefit in them.

She added that it is harder to change their mind on these beliefs, warning that people are also forgetting the benefits of the vaccine.

When we had a lot of cases of measles, mumps and rubella, and other more serious illnesses people understood how deeply serious they were and how they could lead to death and permanent disability, she expressed.

She said that the United States has started seeing a rise in cases. Up to 2019, the number of cases had seen an all-time high then dropped and are now creeping back upwards.

One to three in every thousand have been reported of dying in the US of measles. These are high figures and a risk of disease that neednt be there for anybody if they are vaccinated.

Not only if they are vaccinated. For various reasons your immunity may not be very high. Therefore you need to know that those around you are also vaccinated, Dr Duffy said.
Who is entitled to this weeks double lump sum payment?

Over 1.3 million people in the State will benefit from a brand-new social welfare bonus this week.

The Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD, has announced the details of the January bonus, introduced as a 342 million package, to assist with the cost-of-living crisis.

During the week, a double lump sum payment will be issued to recipients such as pensioners, carers, people with disabilities, lone parents as well as low income families.

The bonus is the ninth lump sum payment secured by Minister Humphreys under Budget 2024, who stressed that the package will support households and put money back in your pocket.

She said: Over the past two and a half years, this Government has rolled out unprecedented financial supports to help families and households to deal with the cost of living.

And Im pleased that this week, those supports will continue through the January Bonus.

Today's News in 90 Seconds - January 29th

It will be paid on the same basis as the Christmas bonus and will include the core weekly rate increases that came into effect at the start of the year.

This is about putting more money back into your pocket and recognising that families continue to feel the pinch, particularly after the Christmas period, Ms Humphries added.

The Social Protection package in Budget 2024 was the largest in the history of the State and assisted pensioners, carers, people with disabilities, and families with the cost-of-living through a mix of lump sum supports and increases to weekly payments.

In addition to this series of lump-sum payments, Minister Humphreys also secured across-the-board welfare increases of 12 per week from January 2024, and a range of targeted measures to take effect throughout 2024.

The department has informed that recipients do not have to do anything and that the payment will be received automatically.

Those in receipt of the state pension contributory (510,350), disability allowance (158,150), widowers pension (124,900) and jobseekers allowance (116,350) will see the highest number of recipients receive the double payment.

Dublin has the highest number of social welfare recipients (317,445), followed by Cork (145,216) and Galway (66,287).

The following is a list of all the social welfare recipients who quality for the January bonus:

State Pension Non-Contributory

Jobseeker's Allowance*

One Parent Family Payment

Widow(er)s' Pension (non-contributory)

Supplementary Welfare Allowance*

Daily Expenses Allowance*

Farm Assist

Community Employment

Rural Social Scheme

Job Initiative

TUS

Back to Work Enterprise Allowance

Back to Education Allowance*

Back to Work Family Dividend

Work Placement Experience Programme

Disability Allowance

Blind Pension

Carer's Allowance

Domiciliary Care Allowance

Guardian's Payment (non-con)

Magdalen Commission Scheme

State Pension (Contributory)

Widow(er)s' Surviving Civil Partners Pension (Con)

Occupational Injuries Death Benefit

Deserted Wife's Benefit

Partial Capacity Benefit

Invalidity Pension

Disablement Benefit

Illness Benefit*

Carer's Benefit

Guardian's Payment (Contributory)
A man facing burglary charges who is alleged to have left a note in a woman's home containing his name, mobile phone number and two unopened condoms has been remanded in custody with consent to bail after securing High Court bail.

Judge Mary Dorgan remanded Szymon Kaczorowski (34) in custody with consent to bail after Cork District Court was informed he had secured bail in the High Court despite Garda objections.

Cork District Court previously heard evidence from Garda Paraic OConnor who said that Kaczorowski allegedly gained entry to a gated apartment complex at Mardyke Hall in Mardyke Walk in Cork city on December 10, 2023.

It is alleged he entered a bedroom in an apartment where he stole items belonging to (the female tenant) such as a backpack, mobile phone, bank cards and photographs," he said.

"While in the bedroom he left a note with his name and phone number and details of his area of residence on it for the injured party.

"He (also) left two unused condoms with this note. This apartment was occupied by two other students in their rooms.

Garda OConnor further stated that Kaczorowski - who has an address at Farran, Ovens, Co Cork - entered a second apartment where the woman living there was at home on her own.

While she was in the kitchen she noticed the door opening and closing and she went to the hallway where she was confronted by a man unknown to her who left, but remained in the building."

Today's News in 90 Seconds - January 30th

The court was told that the woman was visibly shaken when gardai, who had been alerted, arrived at the apartment complex.

It was also alleged that Kaczorowski went to a third apartment where a number of male students were sharing accommodation.

He allegedly tried to enter bedrooms but only succeeded in getting into the living room where he helped himself to some alcohol which had been on a shelf.

Garda OConnor said that the accused was subsequently arrested at the complex by gardai.

Cork District Court heard that Kaczorowski, who appeared by video link from prison, had been granted bail in the High Court but was yet to avail of it.

Judge Dorgan remanded him in custody with consent to bail to appear before the court again on February 20.

Gardai said that instructions are now awaited from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in relation to the matter.

Defence solicitor Frank Buttimer previously said that his client planned to enter a plea in the case.

The court previously heard that, when gardai arrived at the scene, Kaczorowski explained that he was only looking for coffee.
The number of employers who broke national minimum wage laws more than doubled in the last five years.

Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) inspectors found 228 employers were in breach of legislation on the legally binding basic hourly rate last year, compared with 110 in 2019.

The number of breaches detected also increased over the five-year period.

This happened despite a reduction in the number of inspections.

Enterprise Minister Simon Coveney said he thought the WRCs approach was effective and proportionate when asked if he was satisfied with the enforcement of the legislation.

The national minimum wage now stands at 12.70 an hour following the biggest-ever increase at the start of this month. Employers can pay some workers rates that are lower than this, including younger adults.

The data was released as an examination of WRC decisions since January last year revealed that a fisherman received 2,801 he was owed after taking a case under the legislation.

Fisherman Alaa Shehata told a hearing last June that he barely had time to eat while at work. He worked on an Irish trawler for 816 a fortnight.

Adjudication officer Roger McGrath directed that his employer, D and N Kirwan Ltd, pay him the award.

His representative Michael OBrien, of the International Transport Workers Federation, said Mr Shehata had to do onerous, intensive and demanding work.

He said he worked an average day of around 17 hours while the vessel was at sea and around 20 hours in fishing grounds.

Mr McGrath found the hours of work he outlined were greatly at odds with the record sheets supplied by his employer. He found the fishermans evidence to be more credible than his employers witnesses.

In another case, worker Joy Sparkes claimed she was not paid the national minimum wage or provided with a statement of her average annual pay when she asked for one.

However, adjudication officer Conor Stokes found the legislation was not contravened as her employer, Taskled, paid the correct amount at a later date.

Criminal prosecution levels in relation to minimum-wage breaches are low, according to the figures, which were provided in response to a parliamentary question by Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik.

There were three prosecutions last year, compared with four in 2019.

The top reason for individual breaches was the failure of employers to pay the statutory minimum rate.

Other breaches related to record keeping.

There was one example of an employer providing false or misleading information in a statement of the average hourly rate of pay given to an employee, in 2021.

Its extraordinary to see the level of breaches, and that the number of employers paying their workers less than minimum wage continues to rise, Labour Party workers rights spokesperson Marie Sherlock said.

As it stands, the minimum wage is not enough for any working person to get by in Ireland.

Mr Coveney said WRC inspectors secured repayments to employees of over 1.9m in unpaid wages and entitlements across all legislation last year.
Justice Minister will bring memo to Cabinet outlining plans to curb levels of migration into Ireland

Algeria and Botswana are to be deemed safe countries as part of a government crackdown on record levels of asylum seekers applying for protection in Ireland.

Justice Minister Helen McEntee will bring a memo to Cabinet outlining her plan to drive down the rate of asylum applicants who have been seeking accommodation from the State.

A key part of the strategy is to expand the number of countries deemed as safe by the Government.

The addition of Algeria is a significant move in the Governments plans to tackle rising levels of migration to Ireland.

The latest figures form the Department of Integration show the State is currently accommodating 3,110 people from Algeria.

There are 709 people from Botswana being housed by the State, according to the statistics.

At present countries deemed safe include Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and South Africa.

An asylum seeker presenting from a safe country will have their application process fast-tracked.

Applicants from these countries receive their interview date on the day they apply for international protection. The interview is expected to happen in a matter of weeks.

There are currently 3,922 Nigerians seeking international protection, along with 3,774 Georgians, 2,497, and 1,191 South Africans.

There are currently 26,473 people seeking asylum in State supported centres around the country.
Ms Cairns shut the office in Bandon over the weekend after a long-running campaign of abuse, intimidation and menace directed towards her.

Ms Cairns told the Irish Independent: Its disappointing to have to take this step, but we are determined as a team and constituency office to not let it impact on the work we do to represent the people of Cork South West.

Scheduled meetings are now arranged by getting in touch with my office.

Earlier, she said in a statement: Following a security review last summer, in consultation with my team, a decision was made to close the office.

She added that this was after gardai advised me against holding constituency clinics.

The 33-year-old Cork South-West TD, who is the only female TD for the entire county, has previously revealed how a persistent online stalker began to show up at her home, leaving her absolutely terrified.

Ms Cairns was forced to install CCTV and a domestic security system at her home. The stalker had been an online troll at first before harassing her in real life. Ms Cairns spoke publicly of being subject to abuse of a sexual nature, with pornography sent to her in the post.

It started off with I would get online messages from anonymous accounts and theres obviously the different variations of abuse that you get, she said.

Theres the public commentary that everyone can see and then theres private messages, voice notes, letters and then theres in person. I think that was the scale that it went with for me over time.

It wasnt until somebody who had started off with messages to my work phone then ended up turning up at the house on several occasions and wouldnt stop doing that, that it changed everything for me.

When I was up in Dublin there would be messages coming in saying, Im outside your house, and it went on for a long time. I think the worst is when it comes to your door.

Ms Cairns told a Virgin Media News podcast last year that she might never have run for election had she known the level of abuse she would face.

If I knew what I was getting myself into, I would not have done it, she said.

A party colleague said Social Democrat members understood Ms Cairns decision to close the office, with staff afraid of who might walk in. The threat level was just too much in the end, they said.

Gardai have carried out free security assessments for TDs, including inspections of constituency offices, where clinics are often held.

Recommendations have included buzzers to open doors, once a person can see the person and speak to them by intercom, and also panic alarms below desks. But some TDs fear security measures act as barriers to interaction with the public.

On October 15, 2021, David Amess, a British Conservative MP for Southend, was fatally stabbed at a constituency clinic at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex.

Five years before, in the run-up to the Brexit referendum, Labour MP Jo Cox was attacked on her way to meet constituents. She was shot and stabbed, before dying in the street.

TDs constituency offices have been hit by graffiti and daubings, while offensive material has been pushed through letterboxes.

There have also been incidents where windows were broken, but no direct physical assaults have happened as yet.

TDs and senators can avail of Oireachtas grants of up to 5,000 towards the cost of security systems, including alarms and cameras, but many say the actual cost for protective fittings is about twice as much.
Sixty people a day are now facing prosecution for not paying their TV licence, with the rate expected to soar over coming months.

There has been a substantial increase in the numbers summonsed for not paying the 160 fee since the RTE payments scandal erupted last June.

Figures obtained by the Irish Independent reveal that more than 13,000 were summonsed to appear before the courts last year for non-payment, with the numbers facing prosecution since the controversy broke increasing by 33pc a month.

The figures show that between January 1 and November 30 last, An Post applied for a total of 13,137 summonses to district courts.

While 5,073 summonses were applied for by An Post between January 1 and May 31 last, 8,064 were sought over the following six months.

Overall, the number of cases brought before various district courts was 8,612.

However, that figure is expected to rise over the next six months given the surge in the numbers refusing to buy a licence in the wake of the RTE crisis.

Sources indicated that given the lag time involved in prosecuting licence non-payment, an even greater increase in summonses was now expected this year.

Those who do not pay the TV licence face fines of up to 1,000 or a term in prison. A Department of Media spokesperson said that the figures could relate to an extended period in which TV licence cases are dealt with.

It is to be noted that not all summonses sought in any given year are brought to court in the same calendar year and may not be heard until the following year, they said.

Timing of court hearings and details of prosecutions and sentencing are a matter for the Courts Service. As statutory collection agent, operational issues regarding collection and enforcement are primarily a matter for An Post.

An Post makes every effort to promote the purchasing of a television licence and thereby ensure compliance. This includes issuing of reminders and undertaking household visits to confirm possession of a television licence or otherwise. While it is an offence not to possess a television licence, prosecution through the courts is a last resort.

The steep decline in payment of the TV licence was sparked by the RTE payments scandal that had Ryan Tubridy as its focus. Photo: Steve Humphreys

It comes as RTE is today expected to publish a list of its top-10 highest on-air earners for 2022 after abandoning plans last week. 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).

One-in-five householders are now refusing to pay the licence fee, with overall licence sales down 13pc last year  a revenue loss of almost 20m.

The latest figures show the 13pc decline effectively happened over a six-month period, after the controversy erupted last summer.

Overall, 824,278 TV licences were bought or renewed last year, compared to 947,924 in 2022; a reduction of 123,646 licences, or a loss of 19.78m.

Government ministers eventually had to concede a 56m bailout for RTE after the broadcaster outlined a cost-cutting plan that included reducing its workforce by 400 within five years.

The collection agent appointed for television licence fee collections is An Post  and sources indicate that there has been no increase in personnel resources in respect of licence inspections.

An Post is also understood to be conducting door-to-door inspections to enforce licence regulations at a level comparable to previous years.

Media Minister Catherine Martin said she hoped a decision on the future funding of RTE would be made before the summer. Photo: Niall Carson/PA

The Sunday Independent revealed yesterday how 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.

Tanaiste Micheal Martin and Finance Minister Michael McGrath have both previously argued publicly for the retention of a charge on households and questioned the appropriateness of an exchequer funding model.

It is understood 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. Media Minister Catherine Martin said yesterday she hoped a decision on the future funding of RTE would be made before the summer.

She said that while direct exchequer funding was an option, she would wait until two expert reviews into governance at the station were finished before making any decision.

It is understood the broadcasters plan to publish its top-10 earners list was abandoned last week amid speculation among some on the list that one presenter, whose identity is not known, is refusing to have their name published over GDPR concerns.

Sources acknowledged the possibility that a new entrant on the list for 2022 may have raised objections to their name being published. An RTE spokesperson said: Due care and attention has been paid in the preparation for publication of the top-10 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.

The pay scandal rocked RTE last summer and dramatically undermined its finances. It emerged that former Late Late Show presenter Ryan Tubridy had received 225,000 in payments which were effectively undisclosed. That prompted a review of RTE finances by Grant Thornton.

In the wake of the scandal, a number of senior executives departed RTE and a new contract for Mr Tubridy was not agreed despite him indicating his eagerness to continue his Radio One show. He has since begun a new career in the UK on Virgin Radio.
A leading road safety campaign group described as "heart-breaking" the revelation that there has been a further decline in Garda Road Policing Unit personnel numbers which are now 15pc below 2021 levels.

PARC founder Susan Gray admitted she was shocked to discover from the latest Department of Justice analysis of garda staffing levels that personnel attached to Road Policing Units (RPU) last year had fallen to 632 personnel  104 below levels from just two years ago.

"In the same year 188 people died in road crashes, the highest number in almost a decade. We noted from the data that some counties suffered more losses, both in roads policing numbers and road fatalities than others.

"In 2023, the (RPU) number fell to 632 members, with all counties suffering a loss except for Mayo which suffered no reductions," Mrs Gray said.

"It is beyond heart-breaking to see so little priority put into roads policing by the powers that be.

"There are 104 less gardai in roads policing now than there was in 2021 and the most worrying part is that the figure keeps dropping. This will result in an increase in road deaths as one of the main deterrents needed to change driver behaviour is being removed.

"In the absence of high visibility, high volume roads policing, drivers will continue to take chances, often with devastating results. There is an urgent need for more gardai to be assigned to roads policing units in 2024 or we may see another devastating year like 2023 or even worse."

Today's News in 90 Seconds - January 29th

Both the government and gardai warned that enforcement of traffic regulations is also undertaken by gardai outside of dedicated RPUs  and that personnel are being trained for deployment to such units from the latest garda recruit classes.

However, there are concerns that priority has been given to allocation of new gardai to the Dublin area in the wake of the O'Connell Street riots.

Compared to other counties, Dublin has  on a per capita basis  one of the safest rates of road usage in Ireland.

A major campaign has been underway to reduce road deaths nationwide by cracking down on speeding as well as drunk and drug driving.

Ireland recorded a total of 188 road deaths by December 31.

The figure is also a significant increase on both 2021 and 2022 with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar now demanding action on key road safety issues.

Junior Transport Minister Jack Chambers has vowed to enforce a tough crackdown on learner permit holders in 2024  warning that they will not secure a new permit unless they actually sit a driving test.

A total of 15 people have died nationwide so far in 2024.

Over the first two weeks of January, Ireland recorded a 22pc hike in road deaths.

However, the past 10 days have seen three fatalities on Irish roads  resulting in overall figures now being down by three compared to the same period in 2023 when 18 people had died.

The 15 deaths since January 1 involved eight drivers, two pedestrians, four passengers and one motorcyclist.

No cyclists or e-scooter riders have died so far this year.

Both the gardai and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) had expressed alarm at the near 19pc hike in fatalities recorded in 2023  the highest rate of road deaths recorded for almost a decade.

In mid October, Ireland was almost 30pc ahead of 2022 road death levels with several counties having almost tripled the number of fatalities recorded in the space of just 12 months.

Nineteen of the 26 counties last year either matched their 2022 death toll levels or recorded increases in fatalities.

Tipperary suffered Ireland's worst death toll with 16 lives lost in 2023, a shocking increase of almost 250pc on 2022 when seven people died in the Premier County.

Safety campaigners including PARC have called for extra garda road policing resources, renewed road safety promotions and a crackdown on driving license enforcement as a national priority.

PARC founder Susan Gray also warned that urgent action is required to ensure the National Fleet Database (NFD) has a 100pc compliance rate.

Road Safety Authority (RSA) officials have already met with Garda Road Policing Unit officials to discuss the worrying death toll and to determine what response should be directed.

RSA Chairperson Liz O'Donnell admitted the recent scale of road fatalities was "a cause of serious concern" while the Taoiseach  a former Transport Minister  insisted on personally chairing a ministerial meeting last November on road safety initiatives and invited Susan Gray of PARC to give a lengthy presentation to key ministers, RSA, gardai, Courts Service, MBRS and senior civil servants.

Mr Varadkar, who lost a family member in a road tragedy, said he was alarmed by the spiral in road deaths.

The Taoiseach indicated he will chair another ministerial meeting on road safety in the New Year to assess ongoing progress on various safety issues.

"What is worrying is that the numbers have been going in the wrong direction both in 2022 and in 2023," PARC founder Susan Gray warned.

There is now major concern over the proportion of fatal collisions which include young drivers  with 42pc of the lives lost involving those aged 35 years and younger.

Men are now dying on Irish roads at a rate of five-to-one compared to women.

Gardai urged motorists to reduce their speed  and said the priority for every motorist should be arriving safely at their destination.

Garda Assistant Commissioner Paula Hilman, who directs road policing, pleaded with motorists to heed the safety advice.

"Any road death is one too many and we will continue to work together with our partners in road safety to reduce road deaths," she said.

Assistant Commissioner Hilman said it was obvious that, in some cases, motorists had blatantly ignored the rules of the road in respect of speed and the use of drink and drugs.

"Despite our best efforts to proactively engage and educate drivers, too many are still taking chances and putting peoples lives at risk."

The RSA also urged motorists to allow extra time for journeys and to drive with care and consideration for other road users.
An 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 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 hit out at 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 SDLP has said it will not attend celebratory St Patricks events at the White House in protest at the situation in Gaza, but will send a delegation to Washington to raise its concerns.

The decision comes amid calls from pro-Palestinian supporters on the island of Ireland for parties to boycott the annual St Patricks engagements in Washington in March, because of the USs ongoing support for Israel as it pursues its offensive in Gaza.

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood MP said he could not in good conscience attend celebratory events at the White House while the civilian population in Gaza lives in constant fear of eradication.

He accused the US administration of an atrocious response to the conflict.

Then-taoiseach Leo Varadkar (right) presents US President Joe Biden with a bowl of shamrock during a St Patricks Day celebration reception at the White House in 2023 (PA)

Mr Eastwood said the scale and intensity of violence could not be justified and called on the US to become an advocate for a ceasefire.

He said his party would send a delegation to Washington to engage with senior lawmakers, Irish Americans and Palestinian Americans to make the case for an end to violence.

The bonds of friendship and shared history between Ireland and the United States have forged one of the warmest and most enduring international relationships in the world today, he said.

It is because we are so close historically, diplomatically and, many of us, personally, that we have a duty to be honest with our friends and allies, especially when we think theyre wrong.

The scenes of destruction and annihilation in Gaza represent, in my view, a clear act of genocide.

With more than 26,000 people dead, and more than 10,000 of them children, the response of the international community has been heinously deficient. The response of the US administration has been particularly atrocious.

I have seen the impact of unspeakable violence in Gaza. In November 2012 I visited Khan Younis and the surrounding districts days after an appalling escalation in violence that left more than 100 civilians dead and hundreds more injured.

I have seen childrens playgrounds reduced to rubble and homes destroyed. The people of Gaza now go to bed again every night knowing that they may never wake up.

In that context, and having seen its impact before, I cannot in good conscience attend White House parties for St Patricks Day while the administration turns its face the other way and refuses to call for an immediate ceasefire.

I could not rub shoulders, drink Guinness and have the craic while the horrifying impacts of the brutal war in Gaza continue.

It would be the very opposite of solidarity with a people on the brink of destruction.

Sinn Fein has faced criticism from pro-Palestinian activists in Ireland for not boycotting Washington in March.

The party has said it will use events in the US capital to raise its concerns about the situation in Gaza.

On Sunday, Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty said his party would not shirk its responsibility to voice its opposition to the US administrations stance.

Mr Eastwood said every party leader would have to make their own decision on how they approach St Patricks Day in the US.

I am offering no criticism of anyone else because there is no easy answer to any of this, he said.

But I know that my own conscience, and the values of the party I lead, are not consistent with celebration in the face of overwhelming violence.

The SDLP will send a delegation to Washington DC. We will meet with senior law makers, with Irish-American leaders and with Palestinian-Americans to make the case for an end to violence.

It is in our partys DNA to work toward peace wherever possible. We will use our influence to press strongly for an immediate ceasefire and the release of hostages held by Hamas.

I am not naive to the scale of the impact this action will have. But faced with the scenes of destruction across Gaza, one of the most densely populated areas of human habitation on our planet, I honestly believe it would be wrong to attend these celebrations and that not attending sends a far more powerful message.

The first and most important principle of peace is that the killing must stop.

The US has enormous influence over the pace of that first step in Gaza and southern Israel. I sincerely hope that they use it and join those of us calling for an immediate ceasefire soon.
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 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 UK 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 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 UK 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 UK governments proposed measures.

An invite to the short notice executive meeting was issued on Friday. It said the gathering would see party leader Jeffrey Donaldson provide a detailed update on the current political situation.

If Mr Donaldson presses for an acceptance of the UK 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.
Re Ian Bailey Death. Off licence building where Ian Bailey lived. Pic taken 24-1-2024 Items seen inside Bailey's car

15/07/20 Ian Bailey (63), with an address at The Prairie, Liscaha, Schull, West Cork, seen with his solicitor, Frank Buttimer, leaving the High Court yesterday (WEDS) after his extradition hearing. PIC: Collins Courts

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 Murder of Sophie Toscan de Plantier

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.

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.

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 Siochanas 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.

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 Indo Daily: I never had any doubt that Ian Bailey killed Sophie Toscan du Plantier

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.
Five Irish restaurants have been newly awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand for 2024, it has been announced.

Three of the selections are in Dublin with the other two in Cork and Kerry.

The menus in each vary from Spanish to Indian, but with a common theme running throughout: small plates.

Ichigo Ichie Bistro & Natural Wine in Cork city was chosen for its well-prepared Japanese dishes.

Today's News in 90 Seconds - January 29th

While staying down south, in Dingle in Co. Kerry, the tapas in Solas was given high praise.

"Spanish flavours mingle with Irish produce in dishes that have been given a fresh spin without losing their identity, the Michelin Guide stated.

In 2019, Lucinda OSullivan visited Solas for the Sunday Independent, when it was a relative newbie being run by Nicky and Ann Foley.

"When we say tapas, we think of traditional Spanish plates, and of course there are those influences, but Foley's small plates are delightfully local yet eclectic.

More Spanish food was the choice up in the capital, with La Gordita on Dublins Montague Street described as a lively spot with authentic cooking.

The Irish Independent reviewed La Gordita, only last year, with food critic Katy McGuinness impressed by the handsome dining room and exciting menu but prices that may elicit a sharp intake of breath.

"The welcome from co-owner Vanessa Murphy is effusive; Im relieved to see everyone  not just the critic  who comes through the door gets the same warm reception, Ms McGuinness said.

Our critic rated the restaurant as 8/10 food, 9/10 ambience and 8/10 value and said the cheapest two dishes will cost you 30 before drinks or tip.

And just down the road, Amy Austin was commended for dishes that take cues from all over the world and are accompanied by free-flowing wine on tap.

And finally, Lotties in Rathmines was awarded for being a buzzing neighbourhood brasserie serving unfussy dishes packed with flavour.

Food critic Katy McGuinness also visited the restaurant in March last year with the uniquely welcoming and well-priced Rathmines spot proving a hit.

"What makes the difference, what distinguishes one restaurant serving croquettes and tartare from another similar-looking one down the road, is when an establishment offers true hospitality and decent value, both of which we find at Lotties in Rathmines, where the staff are terrific and look happy, even on a bank holiday, the food critic said.

Ms McGuinness rated it 7/10 food, 9/10 ambience, and 9/10 value.

In Northern Ireland, Home in Belfast regained its Bib Gourmand.
Cancer ghosting: People dont talk about it because its embarrassing to admit that people just run away from you  but its very common

Although it was initially thought that, in her latter 40s, Clodagh Downing was too young to have colorectal cancer, she was later diagnosed as stage four with a prognosis of incurable. She talks about her journey so far, minding her mind and finding her tribe

Clodagh Downing

Liadan Hynes Mon 29 Jan 2024 at 03:30

Clodagh Downing was experiencing symptoms for at least two years before her diagnosis of colorectal cancer, including recurring infections, an allergy to dairy, irregular bowel movements and bloating. Her blood tests were clear but when she developed fatigue and anaemia, a Google search suggested bowel cancer. In January 2021, she asked her GP for a colonoscopy. But at 48, her doctor told her she was too young.
Last Thursday, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu told US officials that he is opposed to any postwar Palestinian state. When asked about the widely reported comments, US president Joe Biden said, No, he didnt say that. But Netanyahu digitally clapped back, tweeting on Saturday, I will not compromise on full Israeli security control over the entire area west of Jordan  and this is contrary to a Palestinian state.
If you search for the current waiting time for probate in Ireland, it says 10 to 16 weeks from the date papers are lodged. If you visit Probate.ie, it will tell you the Probate Office in Dublin currently has a backlog of approximately four to six weeks from the date papers are lodged.

Therefore, taking account of this backlog, it usually takes approximately four to six months for the grant of probate to issue from the date all relevant information is received.

On December 6, 2022, our solicitor lodged all relevant papers and information for a grant of probate on my mothers estate in the Probate Office in Dublin. To date, we still cannot get an answer as to where it is in the queue or when it will be completed.

Before Christmas, I contacted a local TD to see if there was anything that could be done. This resulted in a parliamentary question being sent to the Department of Justice. Still no answer.

I recently decided to contact the housing minister by email (as part of my mothers estate, there is a house lying idle that will be sold on completion of probate).

My email was then forwarded to the justice minister from the housing minister. This resulted in a reply by email from the ministers private secretary, thanking me for my email and a reference number. Nothing else.

So I am still blowing in the wind regarding probate on my mothers estate.

Catherine Barron, Co Kilkenny

Dont ignore opinions of people you dislike

Sir  Sam McBride (Opinion, January 21) argues that media censorship is neither desirable nor possible. He could also have discussed the threat to the media from what John Stuart Mill described as the tyranny of the prevailing opinion and feeling.

This may explain why, as McBride put it, the media have been terrified to discuss immigration.

Shane Rosss article, also in the Sunday Independent last week, illustrates this tyranny. According to Ross, there is a large racist rump in our electorate.

Rosss solution to this racist rump and far-right sympathisers within the government party ranks is to create welcome committees. Any government TDs who are ambivalent about welcome committees would be purged. In short, fall in line or youre out. Is that really the answer?

In that same edition of your paper, what about Michael McNamaras critique of the Governments failed immigration policy, or the article by Ali Bracken, reporting from Roscrea, which specifically mentions the point that the far right were not welcome and asked to leave? You can be critical of the Governments immigration policy and implementation strategy and not be a racist.

This neatly brings us back to McBrides piece and the importance of the media in terms of giving a voice to all opinions and perspectives to facilitate an honest debate. This is a prerequisite for a healthy democracy.

Andy Hales, Kenmare, Co Kerry

We must learn from our migration story

Sir  Photographs of Irish protesters with signs straight from the hard-right playbook warning observers to listen to the people and that it could be your town next evoked painful memories of life in the UK in the late 1950s and early 1960s when anti-Irish discrimination was rampant.

It was not uncommon to see signs, articles or banner headlines articulating the more personal verbalisations of prejudice and micro-acts of discrimination that Irish emigrants experienced on a daily basis.

I wonder if those who protest at government policies trying to organise refuge for some of the most oppressed and vulnerable people on the planet have or had relatives, including single young men (such as my father, who went to the UK in the 1950s as a 15-year-old), who have experienced the forced emigration of a boom-and-bust Irish economic cycle?

They were met with and forced to confront the very same type of hostility and resentment as evidenced at Racket Hall hotel in Roscrea, Co Tipperary, and at other venues.

If those who march, protest and picket with such fervent determination have a relative who has emigrated for purely economic benefit, how can they in all honesty maintain there is no undercurrent of xenophobia in their argument?

This is undoubtedly a consequence of external and sinister manipulation of often-genuine concerns about lack of social infrastructure. It manifests in acts of rejection that mirror the racism faced by generations of Irish people and is all the more disturbing for the overt irony of an Ireland that has for centuries exported people around the globe.

Dr Kevin McCarthy, Killaloe, Co Clare

Rubbishing others comes with risks

Sir  Shane Ross describes any opposition to his preferred option of an open-doors policy to refugees as being of the political sewer and of the far right. He is entitled to his opinion and has the platform to deliver it easily and without restriction.

He, like the media and political class, have lost the argument and the Irish public. I would suggest the more you call the Irish people racist and far right, the more they will resist your agenda.

Pheadair OMuineachain, Drogheda, Co Meath

Housing plan is built on a road to nowhere

Sir  A recent opinion piece and RTE Radio 1 appearance by former European Commission secretary-general Catherine Day regarding her advice to the Government on acquiring property to accommodate international protection applicants indicate naivety as to the reality on the ground and the difficulties of case-processing, especially where many applicants have lost their identifying documents.

Ms Days original report on ending direct provision envisaged application rates of roughly 3,600 persons a year. The current rates of more than 13,000 a year would necessitate the six new centres she originally suggested the State acquire needing to accommodate around 2,200 people each. That is highly unlikely.

Alternatively, 22 centres would be required to accommodate 600 people each  even more unlikely in the current climate.

In effect, Ms Day is recommending the Government set up a separate accommodation programme for international protection applicants at a time of housing shortage and when more than 13,000 Irish citizens are in emergency accommodation and the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) system is bursting at the seams with more than 27,000 people.

However, a key issue ignored up to now is what happens to the cohort of applicants who are granted refugee status, subsidiary protection or leave to remain while in state-owned accommodation.

The granting of refugee status allows for family reunification, so presumably the person granted will be allowed to stay until their family joins them, which might take several months.

Subsidiary protection and the granting of leave to remain carry no entitlement to family re-unification, but given the current housing supply situation, it is unlikely that people will be forced to leave.

This is the case for over 6,000 persons in IPAS at present who cannot or will not leave.

Speaking from long experience in the area pre-retirement, the States wasting more taxpayers money in long-term property investment while operating a Kafkaesque international protection process is another wrong strategy at a time of worsening homelessness and badly needed youth services being chronically underfunded.

Michael Flynn, Bayside, Dublin 13

Irish hospitality now at breaking point

Sir  What hope is there for the thousands of Irish young and homeless people who cannot rent, build or buy a roof over their heads?

The Irish are often not allowed to build on their own land, new housing is already bought off the plans by the vultures, planning has become an expensive torture, never mind obtaining a mortgage if you even consider todays overpriced property market. There is a multitude of state-backed bureaucracies against you that have to be overcome.

Yet all these problems are solved if you are an immigrant. Planning is virtually waived, the State will provide the buildings, pocket money and education will be provided, transport and many other facilities will be free and you will even be granted citizenship if you are lucky. If you encounter any difficulties on the way, the answer is to cry racist.

The 1990 Dublin Convention gave Ireland and Denmark an op-out clause on immigration levels, stating that these two countries do not have to take in more than is practical. We are long past that stage.

We were never averse to extending a lot of hospitality, but enough is truly enough and many sections of our communities are now angry and depressed.

Rev Anthony Previte, Co Galway

A free press wouldnt be censoring victims

Sir  The Sunday Independent last week was an exemplar of what good journalism is all about across a variety of different subjects, not least the immigration crisis. But Sam McBrides column hit me for six (Even if censoring the news was ever desirable, its no longer possible).

If The Irish Times and its journalist Kitty Holland in particular believe that censoring the victim impact statement of Ashling Murphys boyfriend, Ryan Casey, is in the public interest, we have a very serious issue with regards to a free and independent press in this country.

Tom McElligott, Listowel, Co Kerry

Sir  Sam McBrides article hit the nail on the head for people like me and, I believe, the general population.

The Irish Times, and RTE for that matter, effectively censored Mr Caseys statement, only including what they judged to be politically correct. That was astonishing, and Im sure deeply offensive to the deceaseds boyfriend and family, given their dreadful ordeal.

Denis Larkin, Mullingar, Co Westmeath

Alan Shatter ignores the brutality of Israel

Sir  I felt disappointed reading Alan Shatters article (Left should clarify whether it supports Hamas extremism, January 21). At no stage did he express any disquiet towards the Israeli government for its role in the conflict, its absolute revengefulness or its bombardment at all costs of innocent men, women and children in Gaza.

His article was a political response when more is expected of a good man, a former justice minister. The Israeli people have suffered much and still suffer. But I condemn Israels government, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, for it has lost all humanity and its way. Mr Shatter should also know that.

Aidan Roddy, Cabinteely, Dublin 18

How durable is our Constitution now?

Sir  The wording in the proposed referendum refers to durable relationships. The Oxford English Dictionary defines durable as hard wearing. Surely the word committed would have been more appropriate.

Dr Pat McGrath, Monkstown, Co Dublin

Coalition needs to get off the fence on Israel

Sir  If we only knew the power we carry as a nation we could be a beacon in the oceans of gloomy wars and displacement.

Ireland is remembered as that beacon throughout Europes Dark Ages when our monks ensured the fire of intellectual discourse was not quenched. Instead, in a week in which the Dail ignored the will of hundreds of thousands of its citizens, the Coalition voted to stay its hand while hospitals and UN places of safety were bombed by Israel. What a disgrace.

Why? Is it American and Israeli pressure? If so, again why? Could the reason be that once Ireland finds its moral balls and acts like the decent nation we are, joining countries like South Africa will open a floodgate of like-minded human beings?

Instead, we stand on the sidelines hiding behind the International Court of Justices preliminary findings. Irish people arent stupid, they can read between the lines. Get off that fence and heed the people.

John Cuffe, Dunboyne, Co Meath

Eilis OHanlon did Oxfam a disservice

Sir  Quoting Oxfams recent Inequality report, Eilis OHanlon (January 21) admits it doesnt look great that two billionaires with Irish citizenship have more money between them than half of the country combined. But she then goes on to grossly misrepresent Oxfams call for a wealth tax on the ultra-rich.

Ms OHanlon says taking every cent off the two men in question would only run the health service for seven months. To those unfamiliar with Oxfams wealth tax proposal, they might think that the idea is for governments to tax every cent of their wealth. That is simply not the case.

Oxfam proposes a progressive tax of 2pc on net wealth over 4.6m, 3pc over 46m and 5pc over 920m. The threshold is high, and the rate is hardly punitive. More importantly, it would be an additional tax and would in no way replace all the other taxes on which the State relies.

Ms OHanlon in her zeal to deride did Oxfams proposal a great disservice by misrepresenting it so.

Brid McGrath, Director of Public Affairs, Oxfam Ireland

I loved the paper, but Declan Lynch jarred

Sir  I hardly know where to begin commenting on so many excellent, interesting and absorbing articles in last weeks Sunday Independent.

Eilis OHanlon, David Quinn, Sam McBride and Colin Murphy provided wonderful reading on the most important and interesting issues of today.

A jarring note for me in the paper, however, was Declan Lynchs reference to the legislation of abortion here as not leading to the societal devastation that was being threatened by the right-wing extremists, which, seemingly, includes me as I totally reject the death penalty, whether for a baby in the womb or any human being.

Please keep up the work of comprehensive, factual and balanced coverage of the important issues of the day.

Mary Stewart, Ardeskin, Donegal Town

 To reach people, the church must change

Sir  Recently while on holidays, I had occasion to go to mass in a pretty, upmarket little town in the south of Ireland. The population there is expanding exponentially. There are new housing estates left, right and centre.

In general, the families are young. Most have young children. I would have expected to see the church filled with young children and their parents. I was shocked to see only about 60 people attending  and all were in their latter years. Why this struck me so forcefully is because my local church has an attendance of 500 and upwards.

So many people are crying out for spiritual guidance and fulfilment. I have come to the conclusion that the mass needs to come to the people, not the other way around. With the shortage of priests now, it would be much more effective to have an occasional village mass where the community takes responsibility for organising it, with a social aspect to it. The hope would be that families from a wide area would come together, young and old, to celebrate with the priest in a community setting.

The church will have to come to the level of its members and become a part of everyday life. We see this happening with the unordained right now. When a tragedy happens, people gather and hold a vigil to support and pray together for the family or individual and for themselves. This is true worship. People trust in God to bring them comfort in trials.

We will soon be in the situation where we wont have priests for every parish, and in their absence we will have to offer a spiritual service. We need to take responsibility for the propagation of the faith into the future. This will require new and innovative thinking and action.

Angela Kirrane, Claremorris, Co Mayo

Toy Show musical fiasco beggars belief

Sir  RTE could recoup the 2.3m losses incurred by Toy Show The Musical by selling the rights to Netflix and allowing them to make a series about the debacle. Savings would be made on scriptwriters, as not even the best writers could invent a storyline like this.

Brian Lube, Co Meath
Father Ted creator Graham Linehans legal action against a Belfast pub - how the laughs dried up

Graham Linehan rose to prominence in the 90s as one of the brains behind arguably Irelands greatest-ever TV export, Father Ted.

In recent years though, he has become more notable for his divisive opinions around transgender issues, campaigning publicly online and in the media.

Critics dismiss him as an anti-trans campaigner. He sees himself as a defender of the rights of women and children.

He criticises groupthink among the liberal left and rubbishes the idea of gender self-identification.

Now, Linehan and nearly two dozen other campaigners are in the middle of a one-of-a-kind legal case, in Northern Ireland, taking action against a Belfast pub on the grounds of discrimination.

On todays The Indo Daily, Ellen Coyne is joined in studio in studio by John Meagher, Features Writer with The Irish Independent, to discuss the demise of the comedy writer's once lucrative career, and what led to his gender identity obsession.
Billy Kelleher being congratulated on his selection by An Tanaiste and Uactarain Fhianna Fail, Micheal Martin TD. Pic: Brian Lougheed

Fianna Fail MEP Billy Kelleher has been selected as the partys candidate for Ireland South for this years European elections. MEP Billy Kelleher has been selected to represent Fianna Fail for Ireland South in the upcoming European elections following a party selection convention held in Cork on Sunday, January 28.

Kelleher has been an MEP for Ireland South since his election to the European Parliament in 2019.

Mr Kelleher said he is honoured to be selected to contest the European elections. Ensuring the strongest possible voice for Ireland in the next European Parliament is an absolute necessity. We need Irish MEPs with the capacity to influence legislation in Irelands favour. I am honoured to be selected to contest the upcoming election in Ireland South for Fianna Fail, he said.

Europe matters to Ireland, the Cork politician said. Our nations prosperity is inextricably linked to the success of the EU. As an Irish MEP, Ill always champion Irelands interests while holding true to our shared, common values of democracy, equality, free and fair markets and the Rule of Law.

Really looking forward to the campaign over the next four months, and working with our local election candidates and party members to win the elections, he added. An Tanaiste and Uactarain Fhianna Fail, Micheal Martin, said: "Billy will campaign on a positive agenda, showing how he is giving Ireland a strong and effective voice in Brussels and on the extensive work he has already done as MEP. If re-elected, Billy will continue to be an effective voice for Ireland in Brussels and positively shape our future in Europe.

Fianna Fail Director of Elections for the European election and Minister for Housing, Darragh O'Brien praised Mr Kelleher for his experienced voice in Europe. In Billy Kelleher we have a committed and experienced voice in Europe. The policy areas he focusses on transcend EU politics, and whether its taxation, consumer affairs or protecting rural communities, each have real life impacts in Ireland South.

Mr Kelleher previously served as Minister of State for Trade and Commerce from 2009 to 2011 and Minister of State for Labour Affairs from 2007 to 2009.

He was a TD for the Cork North-Central constituency from 1997 to 2019 and was also a Senator from 1993 to 1997.

The European elections will be held on the same day as the local elections in June this year.

Ireland currently has 13 MEPs in the European Parliament. The number of MEPs Ireland has in the next European Parliament however will increase to 14 after next years elections. An additional seat has been allocated to the Midlands-North West constituency.

The current MEPs in the South constituency are Deirdre Clune (FG), Billy Kelleher (FF), Sean Kelly (FG), Grace OSullivan (Green Party) and Mick Wallace (Independents 4 Change).

Cork MEP Deirdre Clune who was first elected as an MEP in 2014 recently announced she will not be running again for election.

Some names suggested to run for Fine Gael in Ireland South in the next election include Senator Jerry Buttimer, Cork North Central TD Colm Burke and Wexford TD Paul Keogh.

They could contest alongside sitting MEP Sean Kelly.

Sinn Fein has selected Senator Paul Gavin as its candidate in Ireland South, while Cian Prendiville has been announced as the People Before Profit candidate for Ireland South.
Cork City Fire Brigade were on the scene to tackle a city centre fire on Princes Street on Monday morning.

The Unitarian Church was on fire early morning on Monday, January 29, with four units of the fire service and gardai arriving at the scene at around 8am.

A section of Oliver Plunkett Street was blocked and the public was informed to take care on approach to the area.

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It is understood that the roof of the historic church was damaged but, thankfully, no injuries were reported. The fire and premises were fully under control by 10am.

The Unitarian Church is the oldest place of worship in Cork city and was build in 1711. Unlike the ornate design of contemporary Roman Catholic and Anglican churches, this church has a simple interior design.

The church was designed for the congregation to hear the minister, in the era before microphones and speakers. The church includes a balcony, which ran three sides of the building and could seat up to 800 people.

The church which is still a Unitarian place of worship celebrated its 300th anniversary in 2017.
A Midleton based county councillor has welcomed news that CeADAR, Irelands centre for Applied AI is using artificial intelligence and satellite technology to develop an early warning system for Irish communities at risk of severe flooding.

Researchers used data collected by the European Space Agencys Sentinel-1 satellite to map historical flooding events in flood-prone areas of Ireland. The maps were then fed into an AI model designed to predict the extent of future flooding events in these areas.

The model is accurate, researchers say, up to a distance of approximately 20 metres.

It is hoped the model will soon be used to forewarn threatened communities ahead of periods of heavy rain, providing local authorities with time to take emergency measures to limit damage to homes and businesses, evacuate residents, and protect livestock. Midleton was one of the areas which was studied as part of the project.

The town of Midleton was one of the worst affected areas in Cork following a deluge of rainfall during Storm Babet which occurred on Wednesday, October 18.

This deluge of rainfall which saw over a months rain in less than 24 hours subsequently swamped drainage systems as premises were swamped with floodwaters and the main street was impassable for a period of time.

The army and civil defence units were called upon to support evacuation measures in Midleton and it is estimated that over 100 properties were flooded in the East Cork town.

Social Democrats councillor Liam Quaide said the research is very welcome. One of the most devastating aspects of the recent floods in East Cork was how they took the community by surprise. If we had prior warning residents and business owners could have mitigated damage by moving stock, belongings and having barriers in place.

This research is very welcome and could not come at a more urgent time as part of our overall efforts to build up flood preparedness and resilience, he added.

Dr. Omid Memarian Sorkhabi is the post-doctoral researcher leading the development of the model at CeADAR.

He monitored the flooding in Middleton in real-time during Storm Babet with the Sentinel-1 satellite, which uses advanced radar technology to penetrate heavy cloud cover, measuring soil moisture and water bodies at any time of day and night.

Dr Sorkhabi said data gleaned from the event will help refine the model and improve its accuracy. Flooding events like the one that hit Middleton during Storm Babet are devastating for households and businessowners whose properties are worst affected. The silver lining is that Sentinel-1 was right over the area at the time so we have gathered a lot of valuable data that will help predict the extent of the next event and ensure that future damage is limited. Were in the process of developing, testing and validating the tool. But theres huge potential for it to be made available to local authorities and other research projects. There is also a global scope to this. Sentinel-1 is always monitoring, so theres a lot of historical data on other parts of the world on which we could train and expand the model, he added. This project has major implications for communities in areas at high risk of flooding in Ireland, said Director of Applied Research and CeADAR, Dr Oisin Boydell. Predicting when and where a flood will strike allows time to organise mitigation measures. Traditionally flood prediction and mapping would have been based on weather models and low-resolution elevation maps, whereas this one is very much data driven, based on events over the past decade and the current situation in a given area.

The flood prediction model forms part of CAMEO, the 9m project led by UCD to develop an Earth Observations (EO) services sector in Ireland and explore the potential impact of EO data in the areas of climate, agriculture, and the marine. The project is funded by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and Enterprise Ireland under the Disruptive Technology Innovation Fund. Flooding in Ireland is certain to worsen in the coming years due to climate change, with increasing concentrations of greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere leading to more intense precipitation events during winter, worse floods in historically vulnerable areas, as well as in areas that never flooded previously.
Cork singer and musician Martin Leahy is marking the 40 year anniversary of Ann Lovetts death by releasing an original song paying tribute to her.

On January 31, 1984, 15-year-old Ann Lovett from Granard died giving birth to her still-born baby beside a grotto.

Anns death occurred just four months after the Eighth Amendment was written into the Irish Constitution, and sparked a national debate on the role of the church in Irish society, birth outside of marriage, teenage pregnancy and women's rights.

Martin Leahys song titled Where We Lay Our Bodies Down (for Ann Lovett) features Victoria Keating and Aine O'Gorman on harmony vocals and Martin Leahy on vocals, guitar, pedal steel and drums.

The soft tune is addressed directly to Ann as a dream of what her life could have been.

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Moving lyrics sung beautifully by Martin include: We drifted through that world of gold and built the life that we dreamed of and From the valley below we rose up above, Ill give your heart ease til the bitter end all accompanied the haunting harmony.

Her death represents a dark time in Ireland and her story is lodged deep in the national consciousness. When the story broke at the time, hundreds of letters were sent to The Gay Byrne Show in what became known as The Ann Lovett letters. The letters contained an outpouring of untold stories by many Irish women who were inspired to write because of the tragedy, said Martin.

Martin began releasing his own music as a solo artist in 2021 after many years as a session musician. He has released five singles, and even had Christy Moore cover his song Snowflakes at his live gigs. The two recently performed together at Vicar Street and The Cork Opera House.

Martin received nationwide attention when he released his song in April 2022 about the housing crisis called Everyone Should Have A Home.

He has been travelling from Cork to Dublin every single week to protest outside Dail Eireann by singing his song, a campaign that began in May 2022.

In recent months he has raised his voice in solidarity with Palestine, performing at the Cork city protests.

Where We Lay Our Bodies by Martin Leahy is available to listen to on Youtube.
The position will see Deputy OSullivan covering areas such as coastal tourism, coastal infrastructure and fishing.

The Tanaiste Micheal Martin said the Cork TD has a passion for the fishing sector: This appointment makes sense. Christopher, since his election to the Dail has been one of the most vocal promoters of all things coastal and its clear that he has a passion for tourism as well as the fishing sector. This will complement his role as spokesperson on Climate Action and Biodiversity.

In accepting the role Deputy OSullivan said: This is a huge honour for me, even during my years as a Councillor, coastal infrastructure was something that was always on the agenda. We have some of the most terrific harbours and inlets as well as coastal villages and towns in west Cork, and we need to protect our marine infrastructure.

"I see this role as an opportunity to highlight the fact that our coastal communities need investment, said Deputy OSullivan. They need more investment on improving piers, slipways and pontoons which I feel would greatly benefit coastal tourism, marine tourism activities as well as facilities for both the inshore sector and larger fishing boats.

"We need to build on the incredible work already being done, particularly with the BALAMI projects which have secured funding recently. I see my new role as a way of supporting this work, he added.

Deputy OSullivan said Ireland has an opportunity to become a world super power in terms of renewable energy. I am looking forward to working with colleagues to further highlight the opportunities in coastal locations. Ireland has an opportunity to become a world super power in terms of renewable energy for example, and much of that will be offshore. Its important when we have large companies investing millions in Ireland that coastal communities see the benefits.
Meanwhile, a Sinn Fein candidate says affordable housing is beyond the reach of many people in Cork

The Cork TD said that the current rate of housing construction represents the highest level of building in 15 years.

Over 3,000 new homes were built in Cork in 2023, while nearly 18,000 new homes have been built in the county since 2016.

The 3,108 new homes built in 2023 represent a bright future for those individuals, couples and families who now live in them, Fine Gael TD Colm Burke has stated.

The Cork North Central representative said the signs of this accelerated progress to deliver homes is evident in Cork and, indeed nationally, as he pointed to the fact that 32,695 new homes were built in Ireland last year, an increase of 10 per cent from 2022.

"In October, November and December of last year, over 10,000 new homes were completed, which was an increase of 13 per cent on 2022, Deputy Burke stated, adding that these figures represent the highest level of building in 15 years.

The TD also said that 500 first time buyers are drawing down their mortgage each week, which is the highest level of first time buyer activity in 15 years.

Since Fine Gael launched the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan in 2016, weve seen 17,079 new homes built in Cork, the Deputy added, referring also to the Help to Buy scheme, Housing for All plan in 2021 and the First Home Scheme.

Meanwhile, a Sinn Fein representative for Ballincollig has said that affordable housing is beyond the reach of young workers and families in Cork.

Joe Lynch, a local election candidate for Cork City South West, last week commented on a report published by the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI) which shows the average purchase price of a new three-bedroom semi-detached house in Cork is now 383,000.

"This report from the Society of Chartered Surveyors shows how unaffordable it has become for workers and families in Cork to get on the property ladder, Mr Lynch said.

"The average market value of a new 3-bedroom semi-detached house here in Cork now stands at 383,000. This is not affordable, and - in fact - aspiring first time buyers would need a combined salary of over 86,000 to be able to afford a home at that price. It is eye-watering stuff.

"Affordable housing is further beyond the reach of young workers and families than ever before, particularly here in places like Ballincollig and Carrigrohane, where people who have lived here all their lives cannot afford a modest home in the locality, he added.
The James Ashe Memorial Tractor Run is just one of the many tractor runs in Kerry.

Tractor runs help combat social isolation and are vital for funding according to local councillors hitting out at criticism of such community events amid concerns that the green agenda wants to ban them.

Cllr Johnny Healy-Rae (IND) had hit out at what he claims is a move to ban such events in light of the damage they do the environment.

His comments came after one environmental group, Just Forest, called for a nationwide ban on tractor runs recently.

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"The green agenda wants tractor runs banned, they are saying it is reckless, he said.

He said tractor runs in Kerry always raise funds for a good cause and mainly involve vintage tractors who only use a pint of diesel to keep them going.

"A private plane taking off in Dublin has a thousand times more emissions than a tractor run. I am disappointed that people are picking on something like this, he said.

He said the claim is that if we stop tractor runs it will save the world.

He put forward a motion at the recent Kenmare Municipal District urging the council to support such events in light of the criticism.

Cllr Patrick Connor Scarteen (FG) said that tractor runs are all positive in my eyes.

He said that the events are a way of bringing the farming community together to meet up.

"There is a feel good factor.

Cllr Dan McCarthy (IND) said that tractor runs are part of rural communities.

"If this is what the green agenda is about I cant see myself supporting it.

Cllr Norma Moriarty (FF) said that tractor runs are doing no harm whatsoever, only good.

They raise money and they are a social event. Rural isolation is an issue and this is one way people can meet. Those involved are also proud of their vehicles, they work on them for hours. It is also a way of remembering community people.

Manager of Kenmare MD Martin ODonoghue said that tractor runs have grown into massive community events for admirable purposes.

He said the council views them positively in general.
The idle Killorglin Courthouse site which is hoped to see it restored and put to use for community use in the near future.Photo by Michael G Kenny

Members of Killorglin Archive Society pictured at Killorglin Courthouse site on Market Street Killorglin.They are behind plans to bring the building back into use. Left to right: Donal Mangan, Colum Mangan, Eileen McGillycuddy, Tom Doyle, Austin O'Reilly, Johnny Porridge O'Connor and Jerome Conway. Photo by Michael G Kenny

It was once the local centre of justice, but now the former Killorglin courthouse is now looking towards a new future following a significant step forward in plans for the building in recent days.

The 155-year-old building is to become an exhibition and community space, as well as being home to historical material pertaining to the town. Kerry County Council has granted planning for its conservation, renovation and adaption.

Killorglin Archive Society has taken a 99-year lease on the building and will be responsible for the new community amenity.

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Concerns regarding the use of the building for live music events and further worries about a right of way in the vicinity of the building for local residents were among the issues raised during the planning process.

However, the majority of submissions to the project were supportive of the renovation of the building for public use.

At last weeks Kenmare MD meeting, a report was presented to councillors on the project and the submissions made during the planning process, and they voted unanimously to grant planning.

One submission by Gerard Mannix Flynn said he was not opposed to the repurposing of the building, however he did have serious concerns about what exactly it would be used for. He said there was fears it would be used as a live-music venue  something Kerry County Council management said would not be the case.

They said it was proposed to use the building as an exhibition space, archive viewing area and community space.

The submission said that local residents previously had negative experience with a public house in the area and they feared a similar negative experience may occur in the court house.

Other concerns included the impact the new development would have on residents established rights of access to Market Road from the rear of their properties.

The council said access for residents of Ard na Leamhna and New Line road to Market Road would be maintained.

The submission also highlighted concerns around the building since it ceased to operate as a courthouse; issues including loitering, anti-social behaviour, vermin and neglect have surfaced since the closure. Council management said returning the vacant building to use would mitigate that.

The removal of asbestos during construction was also highlighted as a worry, but the council said a construction management plan would prepare for that.

The rights of way and the impact the development would have on the residents of Ard na Leamha were also raised in a submission by Susan Baily Fee and David Fee. Council management said that residents concerns have been examined, and there will be no effect on the nearby homes.

In total, four submissions were received from the public  two of which supported the plans, including from Killorglin Chamber Alliance and Donal Mangan of the Killorglin Archive Society, the group behind the project. One submission was also received from Transport Infrastructure Ireland.

Funding was approved by the Department of Rural and Community Development under the RRDF programme for Killorglin Town Centre. This allows for upgrading of the courthouse building to planning-approval stage. Further funding will be sought for improvement works.

These works include construction of a single-storey extension and revisions to the internal lay-out, as well as demolition of a lean-to roof structure.

Local councillors have welcomed the planning and said that it will be a positive project for Killorglin.

Cllr Patrick OConnor-Scarteen (FG) said it was a pity that the building was no longer a courthouse, but thats the reality, and now the public will get the use of the building.
The late Timothy Lyne (Right) who passed away. Pictured here when he was honoured for his work with Valentia RNLI (from left): Richard Foran (Lifeboat Operations Manager-LOM), Tommy Gilligan (Chief Fundraiser and crew member), Timothy Lyne (Treasurer and Deputy Launching Authority).

There is great sadness across Valentia Island this week following the death of Timothy Lyne.

The community activist played a key role in Valentia RNLI, and his dedication to Valentia will never be forgotten.

Timothy, who lived in Knightstown, volunteered with Valentia RNLI for more than 40 years having first became involved in1982. During these years, he served as Deputy Launching Authority (DLA) and treasurer. He was also secretary, known to many today as Lifeboat Operating Manager (LOM), in 1999 when Paddy Gallagher passed away.

Timothy attended open days, church-gate collections, fundraising events, presentations and, his highlight of the year, the Kells-to-Valentia annual cycle, at which he would wave off all the cyclists at the start of the race.

He ensured lifeboat boxes were collected, money was counted, posters were printed, receipts were issued, bikes were taken to Kells and, most importantly, people were thanked. He knew everyone who helped him and ensured they knew how much he appreciated the time they gave to Valentia RNLI.

In 2019, he officially retired as DLA and Treasurer, but as many will know, he played a huge part behind the scenes up until a few months ago. His family supported him at all times and even became volunteers and crew at the station.

He also played a key role in fighting to ensure Valentia RNLI station remained opened on the rural island.

He was honoured on numerous occasions for his amazing work at the station and with the RNLI. In November 2019, he a party was held for him at the Royal Hotel to celebrate his dedication to the RNLI.

He was also a member of the Irish Coastguard, and his commitment to the life-saving service is beyond question. It included a spell as station officer at the Valentia Coast Guard Station. He was a proud member of Valentia Young Islanders GAA club and an all-around community man.

Valentia RNLI has paid tribute to Timothy and has said he will be a huge loss to the group and to all on the island. The group also expressed condolences to Timothys family.

He will be sadly missed by his wife, Pat (nee Hallissey); children, Miriam, Aine, Concubhair and Tadhg; and his cherished grandchildren, Grace, Senan, Miguel and Vasco, along with his wider family.

Funeral Mass will take place on Tuesday morning at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Knightstown, at 12.30pm. Burial afterwards will be at Cill Mhor Cemetery.
Anna Nixon and Aoife Callan who learned how to make St Brigid's Crosses from their grandmothr Marian Callan

Marian Callan from Woulfe Tone Terrace, Dundalk showing her grandchildren how to make St Brigid's Crosses

Dundalk woman Marian Callan was a schoolgirl when she learned how to make St Brigids Crosses. Now the grandmother from Wolfe Tone Terrace is passing the skill onto another generation as well as making thousands of crosses to raise money for local charities.

The traditional crosses, said to have been first made by Faughart-born St Brigid as she explained Christianity to a pagan chief on his deathbed, are made from rushes.

Marian, helped by family members, gathers the green rushes from fields outside Dundalk and is grateful to local farmers for their co-operation.

She begins making the crosses at the start of January, before the Christmas decorations have been taken down, donating them to local charities, churches and schools.

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This year, with the focus on the Brigid 1500 celebrations marking the 1500th anniversary of the death of Irelands female patron saint, she is busier than ever.

"I literally make hundreds of crosses. Im seeing them in my sleep.

"I learned how to make them in Kilcurry National School, many, many years ago, she says.

She has fond memories of walking out into the countryside with her sister to gather rushes when she was younger.

Marian began making rushes for the St Brigid Tridium in St Nicholas Church when it was started by her neighbours, the late Paddy and May McCourt.

"I would leave the crosses in the sanctuary of the church and then I started making them for The Marist to raise money for the missions.

She also makes crosses for the North Louth Hospice to sell in their shop and this year donated some to churches and nursing homes in Drogheda.

"I take them with me when I go line-dancing and sell them to raise funds for the North Louth Hospice.

Crosses are also available in B Sharp barbers, St Brigids Shrine, and Basecamp Coffee Shop at The Lumpers, Ravensdale with all proceeds going towards the hospice.

Demand for the crosses has grown this year and she has had requests from a couple of shops for crosses to display in their windows.

"Im very busy  theres not enough hours in the day.

She is, however, glad to be able to make the crosses and help local charities, and has also passed the art of weaving the rushes into the instantly recognisable crosses to a third generation.

As well as teaching her daughter Denise and granddaughters how to make the crosses, she also visits the Friary Girls School to show pupils how the crossed are made.

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Her granddaughter Aoife Callan was still at The Friary Girls School when she learned how to make crosses and showed other pupils how to make them when she was in sixth glass . Now in the Marist, she returned last year and taught some classes how to make them, says her proud granny

"Ive got a younger granddaughter Anna Nixon who is seven and a half and she also wants to learn how to make crosses.

Marian is glad that St Brigid is finally getting the recognition she deserves.

"Its great to see.

She says she loves visiting Faughart, the birthplace of St Brigid, and brings her grandchildren to visit the shrine and holy well.

She is looking forward to seeing the Northern Lights  the Brigid 1500 series lighting installation in the centre of Dundalk, which includes motifs inspired by the mural of St Brigid beside St Nicholas Church which was created by artist Friz for the SEEK 2020 festival.
Mattie and Josephine Geraghty, together with their son Jason as he prepares to take over the helm at Geraghty Boat Charters. Photo: Mayo North Tourism.

A well known County Mayo boat charter company is embarking on a new era as the founding family steps back from the captaincy.

As Mattie and Josephine Geraghty bid farewell to their role as captains, the spotlight now turns to their son Jason, who, along with his partner Katherine and daughters Maisie and Kitty, is set to lead Geraghty Charters into the next chapter.

Established in the summer of 1993 with the launch of the "Ave Marie" at Blacksod Pier, Geraghty Charters became synonymous with thrilling expeditions to the breathtaking Inishkea Islands, Achill Island, and exciting sea angling trips around Blackrock.

The fleet expanded over the last 30 years with the addition of "Fionnuala" and "Noirin Ban," leaving behind a legacy of maritime experiences.

Locals celebrate Geraghty Boat Charters launch in 1993. Photo: Geraghty Boat Charters

Reflecting on three decades of memorable journeys, Mattie and Josephine expresses that the time has come to pass the leadership to the next generation and extended thanks to everyone who has been part of their journey.

We wish to thank each and everyone who supported us, sailed with us, helped us, and skippered for us during the last 30 years.

"The community's support and the memories created will always be remembered in Geraghty Charters' history, said Mattie and Josephine.

The fleet expanded over the last 30 years with the addition of "Fionnuala" and "Noirin Ban.

As Jason takes the helm at Geraghty Boat Charters, Manager of Mayo North Tourism, Mairead Melody Carr, extends her heartfelt gratitude to Mattie and Josephine for their unwavering dedication to tourism in North Mayo.

Geraghtys welcome everyone as friends, and their captivating stories and warm hospitality have not only left a lasting impression on international visitors, the domestic market, and locals but also resonated with media and influencers.

"On behalf of Mayo North Tourism, I express our sincere appreciation for the Geraghty family's contributions and eagerly look forward to the exciting next chapter in Geraghty Charters' journey along Blacksod Bay and the Wild Atlantic Way.

As the Geraghty family passes the torch to the next generation, the tale of Geraghty Boat Charters continues along North Mayo's scenic coast.

Geraghty Charters celebrate launch of business in 1993 with sons Jason (left) and Allen (right). Photo: Geraghty Boat Charters

"This transition doesn't just mark the end of an era; it heralds the beginning of a new and exciting chapter in Blacksod Bay's maritime narrative.

"Wishing fair winds and smooth seas to Jason and the Geraghty family as they navigate the waters of the future, said Ms Carr.

For further details, visit Geraghty Charters on social media or call 086269585.
Demonstration on Saturday in Sligo was the largest one to date to highlight war in Gaza

The largest protest march to date in Sligo expressing solidarity with the people of Palestine and Gaza and calling for an end to genocide was held on Saturday afternoon last.

Over 400 people carrying banners and placards marched from the assembly point on Connaughton Road through the town centre to Sligo City Hall where they were addressed by a number of speakers including Sligos Mayor, Cllr Declan Bree and Sinn Fein T.D. Martin Kenny.

The demonstration, which was organised by the Sligo Palestine Solidarity Campaign was one of many events held at the weekend calling for the Irish Government to support South Africas case against Israel in the International Court of Justice.

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Speaking at the event Cllr Declan Bree said: The preliminary decision and measures issued by the International Court of Justice is an historic defeat for the genocidal apartheid State of Israel. The outcome confirms that Israel is now on trial for the crime of genocide.

This should put all of Israels international backers, including the United States, the UK, Germany and Italy on notice, because complicity with genocide is also a crime.

Referring to the likelihood of Palestinians seeking refuge in Ireland he said: We are conscious that as the people of Palestine continue to suffer Israeli aggression there is a likelihood that some of them will be compelled to seek international protection.

And, as we have helped others fleeing war and persecution I have no doubt but that we in Ireland and in Sligo will have no hesitation in showing solidarity and in giving Palestinian citizens temporary protection should they seek it.

Therese Barry, of the Solidarity Campaign said: The genocide of Gaza is getting worse, and following the International Criminal Courts preliminary hearing, Netanyahu (Israeli Prime Minister) has just announced his refusal to abide by any directions from the court.

Criticising the Israeli government she said: We must unapologetically speak the truth about the Zionist ideology - that zionism is a racist agenda which seeks to justify the violent settler-colonial state of Israel.

Zionist propaganda will tell us that by calling for justice and self-determination for Palestinians that we are anti-semitic. Do not fall for this and be strong in your truth.

Deputy Martin Kenny called on the Irish government to join with South Africa in their case to hold Israel accountable for their crimes against the Palestinian people

The International Court of Justice has ordered that Israel to cease the targeting and killing of Palestinians, that it must take measures to prevent acts of genocide in the Gaza strip and that it must allow humanitarian aid into Gaza. The Courts rulings are binding on Israel. They must be respected and enforced. Israeli impunity must end.

The only way to fulfil the order of the court is through a full, immediate and permanent ceasefire. He said Sinn Fein has lodged a motion for this weeks Dail sitting committing Ireland to join with South Africa in their case at the International Court of Justice.

Dr Salem Gharbia, a native of Gaza said It is deeply moving to witness all of you standing here in Sligo, protesting against the genocide and condemning the war crimes inflicted upon the innocent people of Gaza.

Finding words to convey the current reality in Gaza is a challenge. As governments across the world failed in ensuring a ceasefire, the majority of the global community unites in solidarity with Gaza. Over 27,000 Palestinians have been murdered, each with a name, history, and dreams that must not be forgotten.

With 70 per cent of homes destroyed, the madness of this conflict leaves us questioning where it will lead and how it will ultimately end. The worlds collective outcry echoes the urgent need for change and justice in the face of this devastating crisis. he said.

Dee Utting of the Solidarity Campaign said There are 20,000 people in our beautiful city of Sligo. Thats the number of women and children that have been slaughtered since last October in Gaza. Look around. Imagine every single person in this city: gone. Thats what has happened in a few months in Gaza. This isnt ethic cleansing its mass slaughter, murder, genocide.

Emma Hendrick, People before Profit, said: We wont take lectures from Joe Biden on human rights, democracy or justice when he is funding, protecting and contributing to the Israeli state.

Ireland is in a unique position every March 17th when the media of the world is watching. Lets not give bowls of shamrock and shake blood soaked hands. Our political leaders should not have the audacity to believe their good word in Joes Bidens ear will stop the horror that Israel is inflicting on the people in Gaza.

Cllr Gino OBoyle, who introduced the speakers, paid tribute to all those who had participated in the march and called for continued support for the Palestine Solidarity Campaign.
A stand out member of Enniscorthys community, Dr George Leslie, is set to direct his first film.

Dr George Leslie is recognisable as the GP in Slaney Medical Centre and also as a proud Peace Commissioner who participated actively in the pandemic and relief operations by helping the elderly and others in need.

The new film which will be called Kathleen is currently in preproduction with Dr George Leslie as the Director and Michael Benson as the Director of Photography.

Michael Benson is a decorated filmmaker and cameraman, most recently having won over 45 awards at international film festivals including the world-renowned Cannes International Cinema Festival, the New York Cinematography Awards, the Sweden Film Festival, as well as prizes in India, Germany, and beyond for his film Pat Walsh  The Life and Legacy of an Irish Revolutionary.

Currently, the pair are working hard to finalise casting. They are seeking renowned actors from all across Ireland.

The film poster for the movie

The film will be exclusively shot in Enniscorthy, showcasing traditional houses, landscapes, and folklores. The production involves a predominantly Irish creative team for both pre and post-production as well as members of the Irish-Indian community in Ireland.

Dr George Leslie says that once the film is complete he hopes to have it featured at a number of various international film platforms, serving as a captivating display of Ireland's beauty and rich heritage.

Kathleen will explore the idea of facing the solitude of old age, as the main character Kathleen grapples with feeling lost despite the presence of unidentified companions.

Set against the backdrop of Irish rural life, the film explores a universal family narrative. Kathleen, deliberately isolated from her nearby community, encounters traditional folklores but struggles to find joy. The death of her cherished companion, Jack the dog, intensifies her stress, leading her to contemplate ending her life due to prolonged neglect from her only daughter.

The story takes a turn when Kathleen's life intersects with unexpected events brought about by the arrival of her 6-year-old grandchild. The movie aims to convey the positive aspects of life, emphasizing that every challenge has a solution.
Staff told they can take up work with new Postmaster or be redeployed

An Post is delivering sweeping changes to the business model of its post office in New Ross, having announced it will become a contractor run facility, most likely later this year.

Staff were informed Thursday evening about the change which will see a new Postmaster take over running the business, providing the interest is there.

In a statement released Friday afternoon, An Post said: An Post staff formerly employed there will take up a number of possible options, including taking up employment for the new Postmaster or being redeployed within the An Post network. It is likely that a new location for the post office will be sought by the new Postmaster.

In this event the landmark red brick building on Charles Street will be sold as it is owned outright by An Post.

In line with the ongoing transformation of the national post office network An Post has announced that its office in New Ross will become a contractor run post office. New Ross joins the mainstream of national post offices of which more than 95pc of the countrys 900 plus offices which are run by contractors. Fewer than 40 post offices nationally are run directly by An Post.

The move  which was decided upon before Christmas by An Post management  represents a significant business opportunity for the newly appointed Postmaster, An Post Public Affairs Manager Angus Laverty said.

"The change in business model of our post office in New Ross will not in any way change the range or extent of the services offered by An Post. We remain committed to providing New Ross with the highest level of services for the future.

Changing the business model of a post office, does not impact on the level or variety of services which are available to customers. Continuation of service is of key importance to An Post. All services available before the change remain available after the change. In addition, in many cases the premises and facilities available have been improved. We will continue to provide a top-class service.

An Post, as a commercial semi state company, has an obligation to operate in a commercial manner, the statement continued.

"In the late 1990s we recognised the challenges that we faced in our retail business. This arose principally from greater choice being available to customers for many of our traditional services and the move to online and digital services. These included the direct transfer of funds for social welfare payments, the availability of direct debit and online channels for bill payments.

"The development of An Post banking and financial services for customers and SMEs (Small Medium Enterprises) has been a feature of the transformation of the company in recent years. Our task has always been to build a sustainable national post office network which remained relevant to the people of Ireland, both now and for the future.

Other leading post offices following the New Ross route include Phibsboro, Rathmines and Tallaght (Dublin), Roscommon and Tipperary town offices.

The timescale for the change in New Ross and other locations will be over the coming months.
Friars who cursed town

Myles Courtney from New Ross Street Focus photographed in St. Marys church showing the 3 dark stones in the windows of the north transept. Photo; Mary Browne

Reuse and recycle is definitely not a new concept, local historian Myles Courtney has pointed out, having discovered that dark stones used in the windows of historic St Marys Church are in fact from Crutched Friars tombstones in Priory Lane.

Three dark stones in the windows of the north transept of St. Marys Church alongside the much lighter adornment of Dundry stone were a puzzle to Myles, who runs New Ross Street Focus  which does walking historic tours of the town.

Close inspection revealed engraving and inscriptions on these stones and they presented the appearance of a tomb lid that had been broken up and repurposed to repair gaps in the stonework.

Further investigation revealed many similarities with 18th century tracings taken from tombstones in The Abbey Orchard on Priory Lane.

St. Marys Church, three dark stones in the windows of the north transept.

This orchard was the 13th century site of the friary of the Crutched Friars and later on the Franciscan Order. The friars infamously placed a curse on New Ross when some members of the Crutched Friars were killed in the town before the year 1300. These murders were a form of mob justice in retribution for the killing of a local man by one of the friars. The news of the killing reached the ears of the Vatican and the entire town of New Ross was ecclesiastically reprimanded by the Pope. It was at St Marys Church that the once-famous Curse of New Ross was lifted in 1436.

In the early 19th century a cemetery was discovered during the laying of foundations for a grain store at the church. The owners removed the tombstones to sacred ground within the walls of the ruins of St. Marys Church. Unfortunately no inventory was kept.

However given the similarities between the tombstone recorded in Priory Lane and the repurposed stone in the windows, it can surely be assumed that these stones could well refer to a member of the downtown religious orders, said Myles.

St. Marys was originally built in the 13th century by the greatest Norman knight William Marshal and his wife Isabel. Not only is this church considered to be the largest parish church built in medieval Ireland, it also houses one of the largest collections of medieval funerary monuments found in the country.

Legend has it that Isabel was so enamoured with the church and town of New Ross that she had her heart buried in the church.

Today, although the medieval church of St. Marys is largely intact and well preserved, it is almost completely unroofed. The roofed church which stands in the place of the medieval nave was constructed in the 19th century and is still in active use by the local Church of Ireland congregation.
Irish Rails plans to repair and automate the Barrow Bridge brings the reopening of the Waterford to Rosslare line another step closer to realisation, according to Waterford TD Marc O Cathasaigh

Irish Rails plans to repair and automate the Barrow Bridge brings the reopening of the Waterford-Rosslare line another step closer to realisation, according to Waterford TD Marc O Cathasaigh.

Deputy O Cathasaigh was speaking after a Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport session in which the Waterford Green Party TD questioned Jim Meade, the CEO of Irish Rail on the companys plans around the damaged bridge and the reopening of the rail line.

Its quite some time since a passenger service ran between Waterford and Rosslare and the recent damage of the Barrow Bridge resulted in the line being unusable.

I wanted to know if repairs were progressing on the bridge so we could get more information on a timeline for bringing the line back into use, said Deputy O Cathasaigh.

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The reopening of the Waterford-Rosslare line is something I have been working on with my colleague Minister Eamon Ryan since I was elected in 2020.

It is one of the projects highlighted in the All Island Strategic Rail Review and I think that getting a passenger service up and running on that line again will bring immense benefit to Waterford but also the entire region.

We will see it used by commuters, day-trippers and tourists alike. From an international tourism point of view, it also offers us a unique business and tourism opportunity to connect our city with the continent through ferry operators in Rosslare.

Rail campaigners have long called for the Barrow Bridge to be repaired after it was most recently struck by a vessel in February 2022. Repairs were expected to cost between 5million and 10 million but Irish Rail have been in contact with the insurance companies for the ships involved in two strikes.

Theres no argument about liability because we have CCTV, said Mr Meade in response to Deputy O Cathasaighs question about the bridge. So, its very clear and both insurers are not just waiting for us to come back to them to say thats the cost.

Irish Rail intends to enhance the bridge as part of repairing it by automating it so it can be controlled centrally rather than by personnel on the bridge. We want to automate it in the process and bring it back to our national train control centre, added Mr Meade.

We have outlined a whole series of works some time back. We have been working through it and we are substantially complete. We have some residual GI survey works to do but nothing major in the grand scheme of things.

In relation to the reopening of the line, Mr Meade added that there is a desire there as part of the Strategic Rail Review to reopen it.
K9 Teams spend countless hours training for exactly the type of scenario experienced on Friday in Saggart Woods.

A Dublin Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team search dog has located a man who had been reported missing deep inside a Dublin woods.

Just after 8.30 p.m. on Friday evening, An Garda Siochana tasked Dublin Wicklow Mountain Rescue and Glen of Imaal Irish Red Cross Mountain Rescue, due to concerns for the immediate wellbeing of a vulnerable person, missing for several hours.

The search was concentrated on Saggart Woods and also involved a search dog team. Search dog Maggie quickly located the missing person inside the woods and he was assessed by mountain rescue medics before being transported to a waiting ambulance for further treatment.

The incident was stood down at 11.36 p.m.

Commenting on the rescue, DWMRT said: Search dog team Fiona and K9 Maggie saw countless hours of training pay off on Friday night with a potentially -lifesaving intervention as they located a missing person in Saggart Woods and helped return them safely to their family.

"K9 teams like Fiona and Maggie spend countless hours training for exactly this type of scenario. Our search dogs are a vital asset  they operate in all terrains and conditions to search larger areas with umatched precision and speed.

"Were proud to see Fiona and Maggies hard work pay off.

The DWMRT volunteers and search dogs are on call 24hrs every day and the organisation operates on a 100pc voluntary basis that relies heavily on fundraising and donations.
The first entries for this years SSE Renewables Round Ireland Race 2024 were received within minutes of the official launch of the Wicklow Sailing Club event, which took place on Monday morning.

The 704-nautical mile-race will commence on Saturday, June 22, and is hosted by Wicklow Sailing Club. It is the second longest race in the Royal Ocean Racing Club calendar and first race took place in 1980 with only thirteen boats. Since then, held biennially, the fleet has grown steadily, attracting a record 64 entrants from all over the world.

The race will offer both competition and personal achievement for boat owners and crews alike. Since the success of the 2022 event, significant interest has grown in the race with a promising level of pre-entry enquiries already submitted to the race organisers.

The official launch of the 2024 event took place at the Local Enterprise Office Wicklow, Clermont House, Rathnew. Minutes after the launch, the first entries for the race were received from ICRA Champions Nigel Biggs and Dave Cullen in the First 50 Checkmate XX from the Royal Irish YC and Howth YC.

Royal Cork Yacht Club campaigner Noel Coleman in his Oyster 37, Blue Oyster, which was second in IRC Class 4 in the 2022 race, will also be a repeat participant. Berthing facilities at the pier and quays close to Wicklow Sailing Club's base will be available, in addition to marina options at Greystones and Dun Laoghaire for big boat entries.

The course for the offshore event follows the traditional route first contested in 1980, while starting and finishing at Wicklow Harbour.

Speaking at the launch, Kyran OGrady, Round Ireland 2024 race organiser, Wicklow Sailing Club, said: The race event in 2022 was very successful, with close to 50 vessels entering. This year, we are looking forward to an even larger turnout. With less than six months to go before the 2024 race, we look forward to welcoming an array of both national and international competitors across the various classes seeking to complete in one of the bucket-list events in the sailing calendar.

The partnership with Wicklow Sailing Club continues as the company works to develop Arklow Bank Wind Park 2 off the coast of Arklow, which will seek its third and final planning consent from An Bord Pleanala later this year.

Barry Kilcline, Head of Offshore (Ireland) at SSE Renewables, said: We are delighted to partner again with Wicklow Sailing Club to deliver an eagerly anticipated event, which we hope will offer the domestic and international sailing community an exciting competition and something to look forward to in June. This event reflects the potential that the Irish maritime space offers, and we look forward to seeing competitors sail past our proposed development site at Arklow Bank in Wicklow.
Wicklows Bernie DArcy has been following 83-year-old Donegal man Paddy Conaghan as he travels the nation in an effort to swim in all 32 counties in Ireland.

Paddys Ducking and Driving around Ireland challenges have become an annual adventure. The latest one, focussed mainly on lakes, is expected to take six weeks to complete and sees Paddy and his supporters swim in a different county each day.

It marks Paddys third consecutive year taking on the challenge and the main benefactors for this year will be Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association, with all the funds raised going directly to the charity.

Bernie of Wicklow town is a keen sea swimmer and decided to join Paddy on his challenge, taking in swims at Bagenalstown, Athy, Our Ladys Island, Sandycove and closer to home at Wicklow Harbour.

We have been swimming in a different location each day. We get up in the morning have breakfast and then head out for our swim before moving onto the next place. We met with Ronan and Susan and mapped out a proper itinerary for a few days. Ciaran Doyle, along with Ronan and Susan, then paid for us to stay overnight at the Clanard Court Hotel in Kildare, which was a wonderfully generous gesture. The hotel also invited me and Paddy back for lunch, so he is getting plenty of wonderful support, said Bernie.

On Friday the pair were joined by Fintan Mulligan for an afternoon swim in Wicklow Harbour, which proved something of a welcome relief for Bernie.

'Ducking and Driving' Paddy Conaghan goes for a swim in Wicklow Harbour.

It was nice to be able to take a swim without having to travel anywhere. It was great to be normal again for one day. Paddy stayed overnight with us in Wicklow town, and after the swim we went to the Bridge Tavern so Paddy could have a pint of Guinness, which has become something of a ritual after each swim.

On Sunday, Paddy and Bernie were due to swim at the 40 Foot in Dublin, but the rough conditions meant they took the plunge at Sandycove instead.

Paddy has been in his element and you can see his face light up whenever he meets someone from Donegal. We have met supporters along the way waving Donegal flags and encouraging us in our efforts. He is such a humble and unassuming individual and its just great to see him meeting so many people as he does his travels, added Bernie.

She aims to continue to join Paddy for swims organised for this week, including dips in Meath, Louth and Offaly.
Michael Palin said he was exhilarated by his journey through Nigeria (ITN/Channel 5/PA)

Sir Michael Palin will explore the rich, raucous mix of Nigeria for the first time in his new travel documentary series.

The Monty Python star, 80, has embarked on a 1,300-mile journey for the upcoming three-part Channel 5 series, which has a working title of Michael Palin: Into Nigeria.

Set to air later this year, the series will see the presenter visit Lagos and the northern region before travelling down through the country on a road trip.

Sir Michael said: Nigeria has the biggest economy, and the biggest population in Africa.

The potential of the country is enormous, but so are its problems.

Visiting the country for the first time, I saw these problems at first hand, but also caught a whiff of the excitement and energy of the place.

Sometimes inspiring, sometimes a perplexing challenge, my journey through this rich, raucous mix of a country hardly gave me time to draw breath.

I came home exhausted but exhilarated, and, as in the best of journeys, feeling I know a lot more about the world.

The series will explore the various areas through the voices, opinions and experiences of Nigerians from all walks of life, Channel 5 has said.

In Lagos, the documentary will show the contrasting extremes within the city of poverty to extravagant wealth.

Later on it will showcase a different land in the north of the country, where Islam is the dominant religion.

The series seeks to explore how the country reflects the contemporary world and how Nigerians face their current challenges as well as the legacies of the past.

Produced by ITN Productions, the series follows the 2022 series Michael Palin: Into Iraq and the Bafta-nominated Michael Palin In North Korea.

Sir Michael Palin has become known for his globetrotting travel programmes (ITN/Channel 5/PA)

Channel 5 factual commissioning editor for non-scripted UK originals, Guy Davies, said: Its a thrill that Michaels new journey is again with Channel 5 after two masterful series with us.

Nigeria is more than an epic and beautiful journey, its a look at the future and past in a global context.

Its also one of the most extraordinarily visual and heartfelt series youll ever see, and who better than Michael to listen and learn as he meets the people of a country whose significance and influence will rise over the coming decades.

Head of factual at ITN Productions, Will Smith, added: Were delighted to be working with Michael again as he explores one of the most important yet least understood countries in the world.

During a challenging journey down the spine on the country Michael goes beyond the stereotypes to reveal a land of extreme contrasts and beguiling beauty.

As Nigerias influence grows on the world stage this is a timely exploration of the giant of Africa.

Sir Michael has become known for his globetrotting BBC travel programmes, which have seen him visit locations including the Himalayas and North and South Poles.

He was knighted in 2019 for services to travel, culture and geography, marking his post-Python career in TV and writing.

Michael Palin: Into Nigeria (working title) will air later this year.
The canals of Venice will soon be kitted out with speed cameras in an effort to enforce limits after a spate of serious accidents.

The cameras will be installed along the length of the citys waterways, with fines handed out to boats that break the rules, after local politicians backed a move to apply the same laws that govern the regions roads to its canals.
The worlds biggest tigers have gone on a rampage in Russia, killing and attacking people in rural villages in the east of the country.

The villagers and their pets are being attacked by Amur tigers, which are seriously endangered and have been the focus of conservation efforts for years by Russian president Vladimir Putin.
Authorities in Tennessee are investigating after a well known DJ was allegedly found decapitated inside his home last week with his pants pulled down around his ankles.
Donald Trump has used the deaths of three American soldiers in a drone attack on their base in Jordan to attack Joe Bidens presidency, warning the assault by Iran-backed militia leaves the planet on the brink of World War 3.

The three service members were killed and another 25 injured by the attack on the Tower 22 facility near Jordans border with Syria over the weekend and marked a further escalation of the simmering tensions in the Middle East.
How the US could hit back against Iran

Joe Biden has promised retaliatory action, but what are the options  and the risks?

Joe Biden says the United States will hold those responsible for the deaths of US troops to account. Photo: Tasos Katopodis

Timothy Sigsworth  Telegraph.co.uk Mon 29 Jan 2024 at 13:44







The killing of three American soldiers in a suicide drone strike by Iran-backed militants on Sunday was the deadliest aerial attack on US ground forces since the Korean War.
LATEST | Iran says it has no link to drone strike in Jordan that killed three US soldiers, injured 34 others

Major escalation in Middle East puts pressure on President Joe Biden as he promises retaliation at the time of the USs choosingThree US troops killed, 34 injured in drone strike linked to Iran

Biden says US will respond after drone strike kills three troops in Jordan

Parisa Hafezi, Phil Stewart, Steve Holland and Idrees Ali Mon 29 Jan 2024 at 03:30







Iran views claims it is involved in an attack that killed three U.S. service members in north-eastern Jordan near Syria's border as "baseless", foreign ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said on Monday.
Two women tried to expose Jeffrey Epstein three decades ago. Why didnt the FBI stop him?

They expected a full-scale investigation. What they got was 10 years of silence

Annie Farmer, who was molested by both Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, outside Manhattan Federal Court after Maxwell's sentencing in June, 2022. Photo: Spencer Platt

Andrea Blanco  UK Independent Mon 29 Jan 2024 at 23:00

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.
Police officers guard the Vladimir Ribnikar school in Belgrade, Serbia, after the mass shooting in May 2023 (Darko Vojinovic/AP)

A trial started on Monday in Serbia for the parents of a teenager who is accused of killing 10 people and injuring six in a mass shooting at his school last May.
Photo courtesy: Congress X handle

Patna/IBNS: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, a nationwide rally, entered Bihar on Monday, a day after state Chief Minister Nitish Kumar returned to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in a fresh political U-turn, media reports said.

Nitish on Sunday exited the Grand Alliance, where Congress was a part, in the latest of many of his political switches in recent years.

In this scenario, Rahul's rally started in West Bengal's and reached Kishanganj in Bihar at around 11 am.

In the upcoming days, the Congress leader will undoubtedly target Nitish, who had won the 2020 assembly elections in an alliance with BJP but jumped ship two years later.

Nitish, who quit the Grand Alliance and resigned as the Chief Minister on Sunday morning, took oath once again for the top post in the evening teaming up with BJP and Jitan Ram Manjhi's Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM).

Until a few months back, Nitish 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 Nitish 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 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.

It is needless to say that Nitish switched sides after he realised that his aspiration to lead the INDIA bloc and get an edge over the other parties fell flat.

His hopes were dashed after Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge was picked up to helm the coalition following AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjees recommendation.

His rift with RJD had been also widening. According to political observers, Nitishs decision to leave INDIA was fuelled by a social media attack by RJD leader Lalu Yadavs daughter Rohini Acharya, who called him a leader of no principle. She also indirectly targeted Kumars son saying he was not suitable for a career in public life.

Nitish Kumars 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.
Photo courtesy: Screenshot grab from X video

Bengaluru/IBNS: A controversy over the erection of a Hanuman flag instead of the tricolour in the Keragodu village of Karnataka's Mandya has triggered a slugfest between the ruling Congress and opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), media reports said.

The controversy broke out last week when a group of people erected a 108-foot flagpole and raised a Hanuman flag.

After complaints were filed, the officials of the village panchayat requested the removal of the flag.

Remaining firm, the villagers protested against the flag removal.

BJP, Janata Dal Secular and Bajrang Dal joined the villagers in protesting against the flag removal.

Karnataka Police detained protesters in Bengaluru over the Mandya Hanuman flag issue.



Heavy force was deployed in Keragodu village of Mandya district



The Mandya district administration yesterday took down the Hanuman flag hoisted by the Gram Panchayat Board on a 108-foot pic.twitter.com/GYXGvZwiUN  Ashwini Shrivastava (@AshwiniSahaya) January 29, 2024

The protest intensified on Saturday when officials went to the village to remove Hanuman Flag prompting the villagers to shout "Go Back" Slogan.

Local Congress MLA Ravi Kumar's banners were vandalised in an escalation of the protest.

The opposition BJP has slammed the removal of the flag and planned to protest across the state, which voted the saffron party out of power last year.
Photo Courtesy: UNI

The Election Commission of India on Monday released the date for the elections on 56 Rajya Sabha seats in 15 states.

The elections are slated to take place on February 27 and the counting of votes will be done on the same day.

The term of office of 56 members of the Council of States, elected from the following 15 States, is due to expire upon their retirement in April 2024, the EC said in a notification.

The list of 15 states include Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Odisha and Rajasthan.

The nominations for Rajya Sabha seats will commence on February 8 and will continue till February 15. Scrutiny of nomination papers will be held on February 16, it said.

The Election Commission has set February 20 as the deadline for the withdrawal of nominations.

The voting is scheduled for February 27 from 9 am and 4 pm, and the counting of votes will be held on the same day at 5 pm, the EC said.

(With UNI inputs)
In image the Statue of Liberty/ courtesy: Soumyadev Sarkar/IBNS

New Delhi/IBNS Amid the 'unprecedented' increase in visa applicants, the American Embassy and consulates in India processed a record 1.4 million US visas in 2023.

With this, Indians now represent one out of every 10 US visa applicants worldwide.

"The US Consular Team in India processed more visas than ever before in 2023, bringing down visitor visa appointment wait times by 75%," an official release from the US Embassy said on Monday.

As per the official release, the US Embassy and Consulates met the rise in demand for processing visa applications by beefing up its staff strength and adopting innovative technical solutions.

The Embassy said that process improvements and investments in staffing have brought the appointment wait time for visitor visas down from an average of 1,000 days to only 250 days around the country.

"Wait times are minimal in all other categories," it said.

In 2023, the U.S. consular team in India issued over 140,000 student visas  more than in any other country in the world, setting a record for the third year in a row.

Taken individually, Mumbai, New Delhi, Hyderabad, and Chennai now stand as the top four student visa processing posts in the world.

"As a result of these surging numbers, Indian students have become the largest group of international graduate students in the United States and make up more than a quarter of the over one million foreign students studying in the United States," said the Embassy statement.

It further said that employment visas remain a top priority for the US.

The statement said that the US Consular Team in India consolidated most petition-based visa processing in Chennai and Hyderabad to increase efficiency, leading to the processing of over 380,000 employment visas for Indians and their family members in 2023 and allowing the US Mission to maintain a minimal appointment wait time.

"In 2024, a pilot program will allow eligible H1B holders to renew their visas in the United States, further streamlining the process for this group," it said.

The release said, "Consulate General Mumbai eliminated a queue of over 31,000 immigrant visa cases delayed by the pandemic. Those who have a pending immigrant visa petition and are ready for scheduling can now obtain an appointment within the standard, pre-pandemic appointment window."


Photo courtesy: Facebook/Hemant Soren

Ranchi/IBNS: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday conducted a raid at Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren's Delhi residence and seized some documents and his BMW car.

Soren was not at home during the search operations.

The ED claimed to seize Soren's BMW car as the agency claimed it to have been bought using illegal funds.

However, the officials, who wanted to record Soren's statement, were left in the dark on his whereabouts.

So far, the Chief Minister has evaded seven summons for questioning and reports said he is preparing to challenge the ED's summons in court.

The investigating team visited Jharkhand Bhawan and his father's residence at Motilal Nehru Marg. But Soren could not be found there either.

His chartered plane remained parked at the Delhi Airport.

A note from the Chief Minister's Office, however, reached the ED, informing them that they could interrogate him at 1 pm on Jan 31 -- the last day of the time allotted to him -- at his home in Ranchi.

Soren has claimed that he is being targeted as a part of a huge conspiracy.

"A conspiracy was hatched against me, but the final nail in the coffin of the conspirators will be put by us... We will not be scared, your leader will face the bullets first and keep your morale high," Soren had told the workers of his Jharkhand Mukti Morcha.

The case involves "huge racket of illegal change of ownership of land by the mafia" in Jharkhand, as per the central agency.
Photo Courtesy: India in Nepal X page

Vinay Mohan Kwatra, Foreign Secretary, is on an official visit to Bhutan from January 29 to 31.

"During the visit, Foreign Secretary Kwatra will receive an audience with His Majesty The King. He will also call on the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and meet with Foreign Secretary of Bhutan and other senior officials of the Royal Government," read a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs.

The visit is in keeping with the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between Bhutan and India.
On January 28th, hundreds of Sikhs lined up in California to cast their votes in the Khalistan Referendum, organized by the proscribed group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ). This self-declared vote seeks to carve out an independent Sikh homeland from Northern India. While the SFJ touts this as a noble pursuit of self-determination, a closer look reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of both the principle and the necessary procedures for its legitimate exercise.

The right to self-determination, while enshrined in international law, is not a blank check for secession. Its purpose is to protect oppressed peoples, not grant territorial grab-bags to any group that desires them. As legal scholar Yoram Dinstein reminds us in the book War, Aggression and Self-Defence, this right belongs to all peoples, (jus cogens norm) not just select diasporas.

Historically, self-determination has manifested in two forms: external, granting secession from colonial rule, and internal, offering autonomy within existing states. The SFJs demand for an independent Khalistan falls neither neatly into these categories. They claim its necessary due to alleged human rights abuses by India, but their unilateral referendum excludes the very people it supposedly represents  the Sikhs living in Punjab itself.

In Punjab, beneath the vibrant turbans, beats the unwavering heart of Indian patriotism. Sikhs in this corner of India are not defined by division but by a deep-rooted pride in being a part of a vibrant and diverse India. They see a rising India aiming for a $5 trillion economy and want to be an integral part of that ascent. Equal opportunities, not separate borders, fuel their aspirations.

The theocratic whispers of Khalistan find no fertile ground here. Sikhs in Punjab have witnessed the turmoil of the past, and they have chosen prosperity over separatism. There is no romanticized blueprint for this proposed nation, no clear path to navigate its potential pitfalls. For them, Indias diversity is not a burden, but a strength. They want to contribute to its rich cultural mosaic, not secede from it.

Every five years, Punjab holds elections, electing their representatives in a vibrant display of democracy. These elections have served as a resounding rejection of any secessionist whispers. Time and again, the fringe voices advocating for Khalistan have been relegated to the margins, garnering barely any votes in the face of a unified population yearning for progress and prosperity within the folds of India.

Exclusion of the very people it claims to represent  the Sikhs and other communities residing within Punjab  exposes it as a hollow exercise in self-aggrandizement. True self-determination lies not in manufactured consent from afar, but in the voices that rise from the fertile fields of Punjab itself, voices that sing a chorus of unity and shared dreams within the vibrant diversity of India.

Referendums, like the Khalistan Referendum as well, while carrying powerful sociological weight, require rigorous adherence to legal norms. The Aaland Islands case, often cited by secessionists, involved a population seeking reunification with a pre-existing state within a newly independent Finland. The Khalistan referendum, however, seeks to redraw international borders based on the preferences of a select diaspora, completely ignoring the voices of those on the ground.

This blatant disregard for procedural legitimacy renders the Khalistan referendum entirely null and void. As James Crawford, another legal scholar, states, an entity may not claim statehood if its creation is in violation of an applicable right to self-determination. Colin Warbrick, referencing the illegal Rhodesian referendum, echoes this point: the illegality stemmed from the fact that it had been established without the consent of the people of the territory as a whole.

In nations like the US and Canada, where free speech stands tall as a pillar of identity, navigating the tightrope between open expression and harmful extremism becomes a delicate dance. While safeguarding the vital right to dissent and debate, we must remain vigilant against those who twist these freedoms into weapons of hate and division. Fringe extremists, often cloaked in the false garments of free speech, seek to exploit these liberties for their own nefarious ends. They spew venom, sow discord, and ignite flames of prejudice, all under the guise of expressing their opinions.

The SFJs attempt to manufacture legitimacy through a flawed and biased referendum is misguided at best and dangerous at worst. True self-determination requires the involvement of all stakeholders, respect for legal procedures, and a genuine dialogue rather than unilateral power grabs. Until these principles are embraced, the Khalistan referendum will remain a hollow charade, fuelling tensions and undermining the very right it claims to uphold.

The echoes from Punjab are clear: they yearn for more employment, better roads, improved healthcare, and a share in the nations economic fruits. They want to educate their children in a vibrant, unified India, in line with the teachings of their Gurus, not a nation carved out of religious divides. Their dreams are woven into the fabric of Indias aspirations, and their hands are ready to help build a stronger, more inclusive future for all.

(Photo and Text courtesy: Khalsavox.com)
Photo courtesy: Instagram/Zeenat Aman

Mumbai/IBNS: Bengali film legends Uttam Kumar and Supriya Devi featured in the same frame along with the missing screen goddess Suchitra Sen , conspicuous by her empty seat, in a recent black and white post shared by veteran actress Zeenat Aman on her Instagram to cheer for watching cinema in a theatre.

In the post, Zeenat Aman was seen sitting alongside the three legends at a theatre in Kolkata (then Calcutta) in the 1970s.

The picture in the post is preceded by Zeenat Aman's latest appearance at a theatre where she can be seen cheering like a "carefree" woman during the screening of her iconic Bollywood film, Don, where she starred alongside Amitabh Bachchan.

"These two images, taken some 40 years apart, show me as a member of the audience. Demure and a tad self conscious at a theatre in Calcutta sometime in the late 70s; raucous and carefree at a screening of my Don at Regal Cinema just last year," she says in the post.

Zeenat Aman said this in a post where she described her love for watching cinema in theatres in the age of OTT, which gives the audience luxury to watch films from the couch at home.

"I suspect the sheer glut of content available now has blunted the thrill of movie watching," the actress says and adds, "But my older followers will remember how novel, exciting and entertaining cinema-going used to be."

The yesteryear actress, who is best known for her scorching presence in 1971 film Hare Rama Hare Krishna, signed off the post asking for her fans and followers to share similar movie-watching experience in the comment box.

Actress Dia Mirza commented, "The first film i ever [sic.] watched was 'Born Free'. Not in the cinemas but at home on a vhs That movie has shaped my whole life."

Zareen Khan writes, "Maam , I simply love the way you take us back in your time with your lovely anecdotes. Thank you so much for sharing."
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Photo Courtesy: UN Photo/Mark Garten

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has appealed to the countries that suspended funding to the UN agency assisting Palestine refugees (UNRWA) to reconsider their decisions, to ensure continuity of its vital humanitarian operations.

In a statement on Sunday (January 28, 2024), the UN chief said that the Organization is promptly responding to the extremely serious allegations that several UNRWA personnel were involved in the 7 October terror attacks in southern Israel.

An investigation by the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), the highest investigative body in the UN system, was immediately activated.

Any UN employee involved in acts of terror will be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution, Guterres said.

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, he added.

UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini had previously announced on 17 January a full, independent review of the agency.

Out of the 12 individuals implicated, nine were immediately identified and terminated by the UNRWA head. One is confirmed dead, and the identities of the remaining two are being clarified.

UN says vital humanitarian efforts at risk

Over two million civilians in the Gaza Strip depend on lifesaving aid provided by UNRWA.

The Agency operates shelters for over one million people and has been providing food and healthcare since the start of the conflict.

However, its current funding is insufficient to meet all requirements to support them in February.

Acknowledging the concerns of the countries that halted funds and expressing his own horror at the accusations, Guterres strongly appealed to the governments that suspended contributions to, at least, guarantee the continuity of UNRWAs operations.

The abhorrent alleged acts of these staff members must have consequences. 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, he said.

The dire needs of the desperate populations they serve must be met.

US, UK, several other nations halt funding to UNRWA

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.
Photo Courtesy: UNI

Four people believed to be working for Israeli intelligence agency Mossad have been executed in Iran for espionage and terrorism, Iranian state-run news agency IRNA reported on Monday, citing the country's judiciary.

The four convicts were arrested in July 2022, several days before an alleged operation to sabotage an Iranian Defense Ministry factory, the news agency reported.

In September 2023, they were convicted of spying for Israel and forming and leading a terrorist group to undermine Iran's security and sentenced to death, the report said. The verdict was upheld by an appeals court.

Iran does not recognise Israel and accuses the Jewish state of sabotage attacks. In December 2023, five people were executed in Iran for Mossad ties, Iranian media reported.

(With UNI Inputs)
Photo Courtesy: Mahrang Baloch X page

Family members of three allegedly abducted Baloch students blocked the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) route recently, activist Mehrang Baloch said.

The three students were identified as Aslam, Hammal and Bahadur Chakar.

Mehrang Baloch posted on X: "Aslam , Hammal and Bahadur chakar are Baloch students, who have been abducted from hoshap and Tajaban, their family members have blocked the CPEC route."

Aslam , Hammal and Bahadur chakar are Baloch students, who have been abducted from hoshap and Tajaban, their family members have blocked the CPEC route.



On the one hand, the people of Balochistan are protesting against the Baloch genocide and human rights violations, while the pic.twitter.com/XkZe7ICWXI  Mahrang Baloch (@MahrangBaloch_) January 28, 2024

"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," he said.

He said: "Human rights organizations should play a significant role in advocating for the recovery of the baloch youth."

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.
China not an economic threat: former Australian official

Xinhua) 14:38, January 29, 2024

BEIJING, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- The United States insists on treating China as an economic threat but fails to recognize how the Asian country's economic advancement has benefited the world, a former Australian official has said.

Confronted with domestic problems such as "wage stagnation" and "rising inequality," the United States is unwilling to admit that "it is their fault when they start going backwards."

Instead, it looks for someone else to blame, with China's economic progress emerging as a convenient scapegoat, said Michael Keating, a retired Australian senior public servant, in an article published recently on public policy journal Pearls and Irritations.

Specifically, Keating refuted the so-called Chinese car threat. He listed several good reasons for welcoming Chinese passenger vehicles -- such as electric vehicles -- rather than seeing them as a threat, including competitive consumer pricing and decarbonization.

"In Australia's case, we are likely to benefit from an increase in Chinese car market share," he said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Photo Courtesy: Mary Lawlor X page

United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders Mary Lawlor recently discussed the ongoing enforced disappearances in Balochistan region of Pakistan with the Balochistan Human Rights Defenders, media reports said.

The session focused on the severe challenges Baloch HRDs face in their advocacy for the rights of the Baloch people in Pakistan, including threats and attacks by the Pakistani government and its security apparatus, reported The Balochistan Post.

Participants from Balochistan included Dr. Sahiba Baloch and Sadia Baloch of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), human rights lawyer Imaan Hazir Mazari, Abdullah Abbas from the Human Rights Council of Balochistan (HRCB), Gulzar Dost of Civil Society Kech, and Latif Johar, a human rights activist.

After the meeting, Special Rapporteur Lawlor reportedly expressed concern over the ongoing developments in the region.

"I heard further disturbing testimonies this morning from Baloch HRDs on the severe risks they face for advocating for the rights of #Baloch people in #Pakistan. I was struck by their courage in continuing to seek justice for their disappeared relatives amid such grave threats," she posted on X.

Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) shared her post and wrote on the social media platform: "Human Rights Advocates from #Balochistan convened in a virtual session with Mary Lawlor, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders. During the meeting, attendees addressed the obstacles, threats, and attacks they faced from government and security forces for their advocacy work. Mary Lawlor, the Special Rapporteur, emphasized the urgent necessity for increased international focus on the human rights situation in Balochistan. She acknowledged the leadership of Baloch women in resistance efforts, noting that it has garnered global attention. We express our heartfelt appreciation to Her Excellency, the Special Rapporteur, for her dedication to addressing Human Rights violations in Balochistan. We anticipate that the UN will persist in its endeavors to prevent the genocide of the Baloch people."

The Baloch Yakjeethi Committee recently declared January 25 as the Baloch Genocide Day since on this day more than 200 bodies of Baloch missing persons were found in the Tootak area of Khuzdar.

The committee posted on X: "The Baloch Yakjeethi Committee declares January 25 as Baloch Genocide Day."

"On this day, more than 200 bodies of Baloch missing persons were discovered in the Tootak area of Khuzdar. All the deceased individuals were those of missing persons who had been abducted by security forces and death squads at various times," the group said.
Photo Courtesy: Maldives President website

Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), which is the main opposition party of Maldives and holds a majority in the Parliament, has gathered enough signatures to submit a motion to impeach President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, media reports said.

A lawmaker from MDP told The Sun newspaper of Maldives that the MDP, in partnership with the Democrats, have gathered enough signatures for an impeachment motion.

The Island Nation's Parliament recently amended the standing orders to make it easier to submit an impeachment motion.

The MDP and Democrats, together, have 56 MPs between them; 43 MPs from MDP, and 13 from Democrats, The Sun reported.

The constitution, along with the Parliaments standing orders, shows that the country's President could be impeached with 56 votes.

The move to gather signatures for an impeachment motion against the president comes a day after the ruling PPM-PNC submitted no-confidence motions against Speaker Mohamed Aslam and Deputy Speaker Ahmed Saleem  both from MDP, The Sun reported.

The motions were submitted with the endorsement of 23 lawmakers of the country.

Developments amid India-Maldives diplomatic row

A diplomatic row erupted between India and Maldives after certain Maldivian politicians, including ministers, made disparaging remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The ministers opened a verbal attack, saying that it was an attempt to divert tourists from the island country.

After India raised the issue with the Maldives, three ministers were removed from their positions on January 7.

On the following day, the Maldivian representative to India was summoned to the External Affairs Ministry, where strong reservations were conveyed over derogatory social media posts targeting PM Modi.

The comments made by Maldives' ministers have stirred discontent among Indians, leading to the cancellation of their scheduled vacations to the island nation.

Muizzu has set a March 15 deadline for India to withdraw its military personnel from the country.
India- Saudi Arabia participating in Joint Military Exercise in Rajasthan. Photo Courtesy: PIB

The inaugural edition of India-Saudi Arabia Joint Military Exercise Sada Tanseeq commenced on Monday (January 29, 2024) at Mahajan region in Rajasthan.

The exercise is scheduled to be conducted from January 29 to February 10.

"The Saudi Arabian contingent comprising 45 personnel is being represented by Royal Saudi Land Forces. The Indian Army contingent also comprising 45 personnel is being represented by a Battalion from the Brigade of the Guards (Mechanised Infantry)," read a statement issued by the Indian government.

Aim of the exercise is to train troops of both sides for Joint Operations in Semi Desert terrain under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.

The exercise will enable both sides to share their best practices in the tactics, techniques and procedures of conducting operations in the sub-conventional domain. It will facilitate developing interoperability, bonhomie and camaraderie between troops from both sides.

The exercise will involve the Establishment of a Mobile Vehicle Check Post, Cordon & Search Operation, House Intervention Drill, Reflex Shooting, Slithering and Sniper Firing.

The Exercise will provide an opportunity for both the contingents to strengthen their bond.

It will act as a platform to achieve shared security objectives, enhance the level of defence cooperation and foster bilateral relations between the two friendly nations.
Photo Courtesy: UNI

Nepal has voiced hope for deepening intra-party exchanges and cooperation with China to promote an in-depth development of bilateral relations.

A delegation of the Communist Party of China (CPC), led by Sun Haiyan, deputy head of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, visited Nepal from January 2629 at the invitation of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre).

The Chinese delegation met with Pushpa Kamal Dahal, chairman of the CPN (Maoist Centre) and prime minister of Nepal, as well as leaders of other main political parties in the country.

In addition, the delegation had exchanges with representatives from think tanks, media outlets, and social organisations and attended a joint consultation conference between the CPC and Nepali political parties.

On these occasions, the Nepali side praised the Nepal-China friendship for its deep roots, reiterated Nepal's commitment not to allow any anti-China activities on its soil, and voiced hope for deepening intra-party exchanges and cooperation with China so as to promote an in-depth development of bilateral relations.

(With UNI inputs)
image credit: twitter.com/@ForeignOfficePk

Islamabad: Pakistan and Iran on Monday agreed to establish a high-level consultative mechanism to oversee the progress in various areas of cooperation between the two countries, including counter-terrorism.

In a joint press briefing held here, Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and his Pakistani counterpart Jalil Abbas Jilani said that the foreign ministers will lead the mechanism that will meet in Iran and Pakistan alternatively.

Abdollahian said that there had never been any regional conflict between the two countries in the past, and his country respects Pakistan's security and sovereignty.

"I am here in Islamabad; we are here to tell terrorists in clear, loud words that we will not provide them with the opportunity to endanger our common security," he added.

The official said that terrorists have inflicted significant damage on both Pakistan and Iran, but it will not affect bilateral relations.

Jilani expressed his commitment to strengthening ties through contacts between officials in the bordering areas of Pakistan's Turbat and Iran's Zahedan.

He highlighted the importance of respecting each other's sovereignty and autonomy, emphasising that terrorism is a shared challenge for both nations.

He added that both countries have agreed to work together to achieve common goals of peace and the well-being of their people.

The ministers also emphasised the need for mutual respect to overcome shared challenges and pledged to make joint social efforts for the betterment of their societies.

(With UNI/Xinhua inputs)
Photo Courtesy: Unsplash

A majority of the polling stations set up in Pakistan for the upcoming general polls in the country have been declared sensitive or highly sensitive, media reports said.

Sources told Dawn News that out of the total 90,675 polling stations being established across the country, as many as 46,065 (just over 50 per cent) of them have been categorised as sensitive, with 18,437 of them highly sensitive.

The total number of sensitive and most sensitive polling stations in Punjab comes to 18,620 (or 40.42pc). These include 12,580 categorised as sensitive and 6,040 categorised as being most sensitive. Just over 32,000 of the total 50,944 polling stations in Punjab have been declared normal, the Pakistani newspaper reported.

In Sindh region, there are 6,545 sensitive and 6,524 most sensitive polling stations.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), the number of sensitive and most sensitive polling stations is 10,309, which include 6,166 sensitive and 4,143 highly sensitive. The total number of polling stations in the province is 15,697, of which just around one third (5,388) are considered normal, Dawn News reported.

A senior official of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) told the Pakistani newspaper that these statistics were tentative and might see some changes after the submission of security plans by the respective district police officers (DPOs).

Pakistan is scheduled to vote in the national polls next month.
Indian-origin man beaten to death by homeless man in US.Photo Courtesy: Unsplash

An Indian-origin man was killed by a homeless man inside a store in the US city of Lithonia on Monday (January 29, 2024).

He was identified as 25-year-old Vivek Saini.

Witnesses told WSB-TV Saini was attacked with a hammer by a homeless man at the Chevron Food Mart at Snapfinger and Cleveland Road in Lithonia.

Workers at Food Mart said they allowed the homeless man to come in and out of their store.

Police identified him as 53-year-old Julian Faulkner.

He asked us for chips, and coke. We gave him everything including the water, a worker of the store told WSB-TV.

He asked if I could get a blanket I said we dont 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 its cold.

Saini asked Faulkner to leave.

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 Faulkner attacked him with a hammer.

The attacker is currently in jail.

Why did Vivek go to the US?

Vivek Saini hails from Haryana state of India.

He completed his BTech in Computer Science from Chandigarh University.

The Indian-origin student recently completed his Masters in Business Administration from Alabama University.

Vivek's cousin Simran told India Today his body reached India and his last rites are also over.

"He was a brilliant student who just wanted a decent job to support himself and his family. He used to work in a store, and for the last many days, the person identified as Vivek's killer used to come to the store and beg for cigarettes," Simran said.

Vivek used to give him cigarettes, but on that day, he refused and said he would call the police if the man came to annoy them again. Later, he came with a hammer and cold-bloodedly killed my brother," said Simran.
In image international students/ Courtesy: Unsplash

Toronto/IBNS: Following Federal Immigration Minister Marc Miller's announcement of a cap on international study permits last week, the Ford government is introducing new rules to help improve Ontario colleges and universities integrity.

According to the announcement, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canadas (IRCC) will issue 35 percent fewer visas than last year and will not issue more than 360,000 new visas this year, and keep them at that number for two years.

Apart from guaranteeing housing options for incoming international students, the new measures by the Ford government include requiring colleges and universities to introduce a moratorium on new public college and private institution partnerships.

Although Miller announced a 35 percent reduction in the number of study permits this year; the number of permits each province is allocated is still to be determined.

Miller was still working with provinces on specific allocations, but Ontario, British Columbia and Nova Scotia were expected to have to make the biggest reductions. Other provinces that were not as aggressive about recruiting could actually be able to increase the number of international students they bring in.

New permits would reportedly be distributed by IRCC weighted to population, but it is yet to be decided by the provinces what approach would be taken by them.

Provinces with a disproportionately large international student population, including Ontario and British Columbia, are facing a challenging task since the cap means a drastic reduction in what theyve received.

International student enrollment in Ontario is by far the largest enrollment numbers could drop by as much as 50 per cent.

With fall admissions already in process, IRCCs decision to drop international student study permits by 35 percent has panicked Canadian students, advocates, administrators and experts.

Amidst the provinces rolling out its new rules, the Ford Government is being blamed for the current situation.

When it comes to funding universities and colleges, Ontario is dead last, read a statement from the Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation.

Ford has deliberately defunded post-secondary education in Ontario for years, creating a situation where universities and colleges were forced to become reliant on international tuition fees as a significant source of revenue.

Ontario auditor general report of 2022 said the schools in Ontario had become increasingly dependent on tuition fees from international students.

Azi Afousi, president of Ontario-based advocacy group College Student Alliance was reported saying that moving to Canada to study isnt a decision made lightly as it requires planning, coordination and financial commitment.

(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)
Many aspire to achieve success in the UPSC CSE examination, aiming to become an IAS or IPS officer. This challenging exam serves as a genuine assessment of one's diligence, determination, and rigorous study habitsa feat not easily attained by everyone.

But the story of IAS Savita Pradhan is unique indeed, for she passed the UPSC examinations after going through many hurdles in life, including that of domestic abuse.

Poverty could not hinder her education

Savita belongs to Mandai village in Madhya Pradesh. Despite facing financial challenges, Savita managed to continue her studies through a scholarship.

In fact, she not just completed her studies but excelled in it; she became the first girl in her village to complete Class 10.

However, so tough were the financial conditions that despite securing admission to a school seven kilometres away, her family couldnt afford the Rs 2 bus fare.

To ensure continuation of the studies, her mother took up a modest job, and eventually, they relocated closer to Savita's school.

Marriage changed the course of Savita's life

But soon, marriage came in the way of her studies. At the age of 16, a wealthy family proposed marriage and this ended up changing the course of her life drastically.

Entering a new home upon marriage meant a horde of restrictions, such as being deprived of the simple act of sharing meals at the dinner table, and relegated instead to eating her meals only after everyone else had finished.

What made her situation worse was an abusive husband who would often hit her and threaten to kill her.

The assault did not end even when she had her two children.

Savita Pradhan/ Instagram

Savita hit rock bottom, and bounced back

Finally, when Savita couldn't take it anymore, she tried to commit suicide. However, she realised that her family didn't really care if she died or lived.

Her mother-in-law was a silent spectator and her husband tried to harm their child, even as she was preparing to hang herself from the ceiling fan.

Soon, she left her home, with just a mere Rs 2700 in hand and her two children in tow.

She tried to make ends meet by establishing a beauty salon and offering tuition to children.

Success in civil services examination

Alongside her tough situation at home, Savita joined a college and did well, achieving the top position in examinations at Barkatullah University, Bhopal.

At 24 years old, she took the state civil services exam and successfully passed it in her first attempt.

Savita Pradhan/ Instagram

She was posted as a chief municipal officer.



In the course of her career, she has ascended the government hierarchy and presently holds the position of Joint Director of Urban Administration for Gwalior and Chambal.

For more information on exams, results and careers, please visit Indiatimes Education.


The University Grants Commission (UGC) recently released draft guidelines regarding the reservation policy of the Government of India in Higher Education Institutes.

The UGC draft guidelines had proposed that any vacancy reserved for SC, ST and OBC candidates can be declared unreserved if enough candidates from these categories are not available.

But after the guidelines drew ire from various sections, the Ministry of Education (MoE) on Sunday clarified that no reserved posts can be de-reserved.

The UGC chairman M Jagadesh Kumar also posted: "This is to clarify that there has been no de-reservation of reserved category positions in Central Educational Institutions in the past and there is going to be no such de-reservation."

UGC chairman M Jagadesh Kumar

What are the recent UGC draft guidelines on reservation?

The 'Guidelines for Implementation of the Reservation Policy of the Government of India in Higher Education Institutes (HEIs)' was shared in the public domain for feedback from stakeholders.

The new draft guidelines stated, "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."

"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 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."

According to the guidelines, the proposal for de-reservation in case of Group C or D should be submitted to the Executive Council of the University and in case of Group A or B, to the Ministry of Education. The proposal should give full details, for necessary approval. After receiving the approval, the post may be filled and reservation may be carried forward.

BCCL

In case of promotion too there is a chance of de-reservation. If sufficient numbers of SC and ST candidates fit for promotion against reserved vacancies are not available, then such vacancies may be de-reserved and filled by the candidates of other communities, UGC states.



The power to accord approval to the de-reservation of the reserved vacancies in such cases will be delegated to UGC and the Ministry of Education if certain conditions are met.

"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 SCST of the university. The proposal for de-reservation is agreed 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.

Why has the draft guidelines on reservation drawn criticism?

The JNU Students' Union (JNUSU) has announced a protest against UGC Chairman M Jagadesh Kumar on the issue on Monday.

The Congress claimed that there is a purported "plot" to terminate the reservation provided to Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in positions within higher education institutions. They asserted that the Modi government is merely engaging in "symbolic politics" regarding the concerns of Dalits, backward classes, and tribals.

What is India's reservation policy?

legal60.com

The Reservation Policy in India involves allocating a specific percentage of seats (up to a maximum of 50%) for particular classes, such as Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Backward classes, etc., in government educational institutions, government jobs, and other related areas.



For more information on exams, results and careers, please visit Indiatimes Education.


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. However, their efforts with minimal resources is what stole te limelight.

They made a makeshift stretcher from their clothes and carefully transported her downhill to the base camp. The entire journey took approximately two hours, highlighting the dedication of the Quick Response Team.

Video of rescue efforts viral

A video capturing their heroic efforts went viral, earning praise for their quick thinking and selfless actions.

The post was accompanied by a caption that read, Quick Response No Matter The Situation! The post of the heroic rescue effort has garnered significant attention, amassing 7,00,000 views on the social media platform. The footage provides a glimpse into the difficult terrain traversed by the police recruits to reach the injured trekker, highlighting the challenges they faced during the rescue operation.

The caption accompanying the post provided further insight into the rescue operation, stating, 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.

Netizens applaud Mumbai Police

The Mumbai Police Quick Response Team's remarkable dedication has garnered widespread recognition, with an influx of uplifting comments from the community. Users lauded their efforts with phrases like Hats off to all their efforts, Mumbai police rocks and This is wonderful. Great work Mumbai police.



In the comments section, users also conveyed their appreciation using heart and clap emojis, underscoring the collective sentiment of gratitude and respect for the heroic actions of the Quick Response Team.

For more on news and current affairs from around the world please visit Indiatimes News.


During a recent road trip through the United States, French tourist Julien Navas stumbled upon an extraordinary discovery at an Arkansas state park: a massive 7.46-carat diamond. On January 11, while exploring the expansive 37.5-acre search area at Crater of Diamonds State Park, Navas spotted the sizable rock resting on the surface.

Arkansas state parks

Navas was determined to visit during his trip

Navas, who had traveled to the US to witness a rocket launch in Florida and had plans to visit Bourbon Street in New Orleans with friends, learned about Arkansas' renowned Crater of Diamonds State Park along the way.

Intrigued by the park's reputation and his previous experiences panning for gold and searching for fossils, Navas was determined to visit during his trip, according to a news release from Arkansas State Parks. Arriving at the park a few days after a substantial rainfall, Navas purchased his ticket and rented a basic diamond hunting kit before venturing into the search area.

"As rain falls on the field, it washes away the dirt and uncovers heavy rocks, minerals, and diamonds near the surface," explained Assistant Park Superintendent Waymon Cox. Cox noted that many of the park's significant diamonds are discovered on the surface, aided by natural erosion promoted by periodic plowing of the search area.

Despite the wet and muddy conditions, he began his search, initially digging before shifting his focus to scanning the ground for any remarkable finds as the day progressed.

Arkansas State Parks

Found a diamond weighing 7.46 carats

After hours of searching, Navas brought his discoveries to the park's Diamond Discovery Center, where he received the stunning news that he had unearthed a brown diamond weighing 7.46 carats.

Overwhelmed by the revelation, Navas exclaimed, "I am so happy! All I can think about is telling my fiancee what I found." The diamond Navas found boasts a deep chocolate brown hue and is rounded like a marble, measuring about the size of a candy gumdrop.

"It is always so exciting to see first-time visitors find diamonds, especially large diamonds like this one!" remarked Park Interpreter Sarah Reap.

Arkansas State Parks

Reflecting on his visit to Crater of Diamonds State Park, Navas described it as a "magical place" where the dream of finding a diamond can become a reality. He expressed plans to return to the park with his daughter when she is older.

Navas christened his discovery the Carine Diamond, in honor of his fiancee. He hopes to have the stone cut into two diamonds, one for his fiancee and one for his daughter, marking a memorable and meaningful memento of his remarkable find.

For more on news and current affairs from around the world please visit Indiatimes News.


In Mexico, a man was arrested for opening an airplane's emergency door and walking onto the wing after a Guatemala City-bound flight was stranded on the tarmac without air conditioning or water for passengers.

AP

What happened?

Mexico International Airport stated that while no harm was done, the passenger was handed over to the police. The incident occurred last Thursday at around 11:30, following a three-hour delay of the Aeromexico flight from Mexico City due to a maintenance issue.

The incident happened while the plane was parked and waiting for takeoff from Mexico International Airport in Mexico City on Thursday. According to Flight Aware, the flight that typically departs at 08:50 and is scheduled to arrive at 10:46, did not depart Mexico City until 14:19 after a lengthy delay.

Los pasajeros del vuelo 672 de Aeromexico fueron retenidos durante 4 horas, sin acceso a agua y con poca ventilacion, un pasajero abrio una puerta de emergencia y se paro sobre el ala del avion,La Guardia Nacional lo arrestro. pic.twitter.com/dJAO2wN7ds  CapiSuperGirl (@CapiSuperGirl) January 27, 2024





Airport's statement

The airport said in a statement that "yesterday a passenger on a flight to Guatemala opened an emergency door on a plane while it was stationary at a remote position, stood on a wing and then re-entered the cabin, without affecting the aircraft or anyone else."

"In line with international security regulations, this person turned himself over to the authorities," it said.

Passengers stood in his support

Fellow passengers, however, issued a joint statement in support of the man's actions.

According to an incident report, the passenger's unilateral action led to a change of plane. It remains unclear whether the man is still in custody or what charges he may face, but irate passengers viewed the incident differently.

"All passengers on the flight from CDMX [Mexico City] to Guatemala [flight] AM 0672 state that the passenger on board who opened the emergency window was for the protection of everyone, with the support of everyone, since the delay and lack of air created dangerous conditions for the health of the passengers," the handwritten note by fellow passengers reads.

"He saved our lives," they wrote - and added their names and signatures to the note distributed on social media.

For more on news and current affairs from around the world please visit Indiatimes News.


They say 'eyes are window to the soul'...and now, apparently, a person's face is a window to their financial status!

According to a recent study, people's faces can be used to determine whether they are rich or poor.

Who conducted the study?

Researchers at the University of Glasgow conducted the study | Image: University of Glasgow

Researchers at the University of Glasgow investigated what makes someone appear to be from a higher or lower social class - so affluent or not so rich - based on people's perceptions of their appearance.



The researchers, who conducted the study with white volunteers from Western cultures, were able to discover which characteristics were automatically connected with someone belonging to a higher or lower class. So what makes you appear richer?

What did the study find?

According to the findings, published in the APA Journal of Experimental Psychology, general people with narrow faces, upturned mouths, closely spaced eyes, elevated brows, and a warmer complexion are better off. Interestingly, respondents associated these characteristics with competence, kindness, and trustworthiness.

What makes you rich? | Image: Pexels

In contrast, people believed to be of lower social status had larger, shorter, and flatter faces, as well as downturned mouths and colder complexions.



Following suit, these individuals were perceived to be less competent and trustworthy.

How did the study's author react?

Dr R Thora Bjornsdottir, the study's author, commented on the discovery, saying: "People who are thought to be of high or low social class standing are generally judged as having favorable or negative features, accordingly. Such judgments are formed based on face appearance alone, and they can have serious effects, including disadvantages for persons thought to be of lower social classes."

By disclosing the facial traits this study provides fresh insights into what makes someone appear affluent or poor | Image: Pexels

"In this work, by disclosing the facial traits that underpin these subjective judgements, we provide fresh insights into what makes someone appear affluent or poor, as well as how these judgments relate to positive and negative stereotypes (such as competence vs. incompetence)," she adds.



What do you think about this? Tell us in the comments.

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Nearly a year after the UK began four-day work week trial and saw lower stress and burnout levels among employees, Europes largest economy Germany is set to become the latest country to begin the trial.



At a time when the country has just about managed to come out of recession and is battling labour crisis, Germany is set to begin the four-day work week trial from February 2024.

Germany To Begin Four-Day Work Week From 1 February

germany four day work week/ET

Hundreds of workers in Germany will receive an additional weekly day off with full pay under a six-month program that begins on February 1. The purpose of the trial is to determine whether labor unions' claims that it could make employees happier, healthier, and more productive turn out to be accurate or not.



The trial starts at a time when businesses are under pressure to hire more skilled workers due to a shortage of labor in the country. Labour shortage in Germany is making employees in all industries feeling more empowered to demand pay raises and protect the flexibility and independence they acquired during the pandemic.

The problem that is set to get worse for Europes largest economy, is that by the year 2035, it is anticipated that over 7 million Germans will have left the labor force due to low birthrates and immigration, which will not be enough to replace the country's aging population.

Also Read: All 20 Eurozone Countries Sink Into Recession After Germany

List Of Countries With 4-Day Work Week

four day work week/getty

1. Australia

2. Austria

3. Belgium

4. Canada

5. Denmark

6. France

7. Germany

8. Iceland

9. Ireland

10. Japan

11. Netherlands

12. New Zealand

13. Norway

14. Portugal

15. Scotland

16. South Africa

17. Spain

18. Switzerland

19. UK

20. USA

21. United Arab Emirates

For the latest and more interesting financial news, keep reading Indiatimes Worth. Click here
The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon forward Toko Ekambi has revealed the reason his country lost to Nigeria.

Recall that INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that Super Eagles of Nigeria defeated Cameroon 2-0 with goals from Ademola Lookman.

However, the Saudi Arabia-based forward attributed the lost to the first goal they conceded in the first half.

He said:  The opposite team was solid, we made a mistake that cost us dearly because I think we were well in the match.

READ MORE: Lookman Scores Twice As Super Eagles Knockout Cameroon

We had the ball, we did good things and we managed to come out well, we werent dangerous but we had control.

We made a mistake that cost us the first goal and in a knockout match at 1-0, we knew it was complicated.

We are disappointed but we move on.

Meanwhile, Jose Pesieros side will be meeting Angola on the 2nd of February, 2024, in the quarter final stage.
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, has weighed in on the withdrawal of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

According to Abubakar, the withdrawal of the three countries is concerning and a matter of serious diplomatic meltdown.

He furthered that Nigeria must keep its national security interest as it relates to terrorism and banditry while appraising the situation.

Reacting via X, he said: Reports about the withdrawal of three countries from our sub-regional body, @ecowas_cedeao, is concerning.

It is a matter of serious diplomatic meltdown. We must keep the countrys national security interest, especially the fight against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and others in focus while we appraise the situation.

Earlier, the three countries withdrew from the regional bloc in a joint statement.

READ ALSO: Those Against Relocation Of CBN, FAAN Are Mischief Makers  Shettima

They criticised ECOWAS over the sanctions imposed on them as part of efforts to reverse the coups in their countries.

After 49 years, the valiant peoples of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger regretfully and with great disappointment observe that the (ECOWAS) organization has drifted from the ideals of its founding fathers and the spirit of Pan-Africanism, the countries had said in their statement.

The three countries are ruled by military leaders, who overthrew democratic government.

In 2021, Mali temporarily pulled out from ECOWAS after the country experienced two coups in less than a year.

ECOWAS imposed sanctions on Mali and suspended it as a member.

In January 2022, ECOWAS suspended Burkina Fasos membership after a military coup led by Paul Henri Damiba, which saw the democratic government of former President Roch Kabore ousted by mutinying soldiers.

The bloc suspended the Niger Republic in December 2023 after soldiers led by Abdourahamane Tiani, a general and head of the presidential guard, overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum.
The Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, said that Shell, Mobil, Chevron and Total Energies are not genuine investors in the Nigerian oil sector.

Uzodimma made this known during an interview on Channels Televisions Sunday Politics.

The governor alleged that some people he described as cabal were trying to sabotage the efforts of President Bola Tinubu aimed at sanitising the nations economy.

According to him, Shell and other oil giants have no regard for environmental laws in Nigeria, asking why they leave the onshore oil business for offshore.

Uzodinma said: Lets take the oil and gas industry for instance, is there anywhere in the world you go, and you see any filling station, you want to refill your car and you dont see Shell, Mobil, Chevron, Total? How many of them are operating filling stations in Nigeria? Why are we isolated, and you call them real investors? Why have they taken to offshore operation, abandoning onshore operation if they are genuine?

READ MORE: Well Aid Investors By Eliminating Corruption  Tinubu

You go to Houston, landing Houston Airport, you see oil locations, you see vegetables planted all over there, habitable for human existence.

Fly to Warri, as you are landing Warri Airport, look at oil locations. Look at the sea, all the fishes, nothing existent, no fish there. The environment is degraded to criminal level.

Are they what you call investors, people who have no regard for our environmental laws? Are those investors? People who are into double standard; applying different applications in other countries, applying degrading application in Nigeria.

Is that what you call investors? Please if we dont take our destiny in our hands, we will be doomed for it.

leaving because they can no longer benefit from foreign exchange disparity. They can no longer benefit from crude oil theft. They can no longer benefit from petroleum subsidy, pretending to be importing fuel when they were not importing anything

Again, it is a blessing in disguise because the more they leave, the more opportunities the indigenous companies would have to participate.

I think the earlier the artificial and fake investors leave, the better for Nigeria.
Bashir Ahmad, a former aide to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, has suggested the public execution of Mohammed Bello, the notorious kidnapper recently apprehended by the Nigerian Police Force in Abuja.

His comment stems from the discovery that Bello is linked with several high-profile kidnapping cases in the Federal Capital Territory, including the tragic abduction and murder of Nabeeha Al-Kadriyar, a 400-level biological science student at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, as well as other victims.

Recall that the police captured 28-year-old Mohammed during a raid at a hotel in Kaduna on January 20.

At the time of his arrest, he was found with N2.25 million, believed to be part of a ransom collection.

Reacting via X, Ahmad posted: While I am aware that the law may not agree with me, but the public execution of that terrorist Mohammed Bello, the apprehended kidnapper involved in the kidnapping of #NajeebahAndHerSisters and murdering of Nabeehah and two others, could serve as a stern warning to the remaining members of his gang and other criminals across the country.

The last time I checked, the maximum punishment for kidnapping was 10 years imprisonment under the Terrorism Act 2011.

In another news, the Ogun State Police Command said it arrested an alleged serial rapist, kidnapper, and murderer, AbdulAzeez Ibrahim, in the Imaweje community of Ijebu-Ode on Sunday.

READ ALSO: Abductors Release Nabeehas Sisters

The State Command spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, who spoke to PUNCH Online, said Ibrahim was arrested at about 2:30 am on Sunday.

The command said the suspect was also a leader and gunrunner for the notorious Neo-Black Axe Movement, otherwise known as the Aye Confraternity.

Ibrahim was also alleged to be the second in command, named Butcher of the confraternity, and the custodian of all gang weapons used to terrorise some communities in Ijebu-Ode.

Odutola said, Ibrahim was arrested in the early hours of today (Sunday). He claimed to be a final-year student at Tai Solarin University of Education in Ijegun. He is a serial rapist and murderer. He had earlier been wanted in a kidnapping case.

He keeps the arms and ammunition the group used for their operations in the Ijebu area. He is believed to be the second in command, which is why they regard him as the Butcher. He is the leader of the group terrorising some communities in Ijebu-Ode.

Following intelligence, the Special Weapons and Tactics team stormed his hideout, where several weapons and charms were recovered. One serviceable Beretta fully loaded with four rounds of live ammunition, one pump-action Rifle-Josef with 10 rounds of live cartridges, one English long double barrel rifle, two locally made short single barrel rifles, one locally made short single barrel with two rounds of live ammunition, assorted charms of body armor, and others were recovered from his apartment.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has reacted to the exit announcement of Niger Republic, Mali, and Burkina Faso from the regional bloc.

In a joint statement on Sunday, the three West African countries criticised ECOWAS over the sanctions imposed on them as part of efforts to reverse the coups in their countries.

They also accused the commission of drifting from the spirit of pan-Africanism, and blamed it for failing to stem the insecurity and terrorism in their nations.

Reacting to the decision, ECOWAS noted that it received no prior notification of the countries position.

READ ALSO: ECOWAS: Good Governance Will Address Military Interventions In West Africa  Tinubu

The attention of the Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS Commission) has been drawn to a statement broadcast on the National Televisions of Mali and Niger announcing the decision of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger to withdraw from ECOWAS, the bloc said in a statement.

The ECOWAS Commission is yet to receive any direct formal notification from the three Member States about their intention to withdraw from the Community.

The ECOWAS Commission, as directed by the Authority of Heads of State and Government, 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.

ECOWAS said it would make further pronouncements as the situation evolves.
Nigerian actor, Alexx Ekubo, has warned Nigerians against the trending 2024 slogan, No gree for anybody, stating it could breed violence in the country.

INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that the word No gree for anybody has become viral in Nigerias online space since the beginning of 2024.

However, Ekubo, via his Instagram account on Monday, warned people against the slogan, claiming the slang could lead to violence and foster revenge culture, while noting that everyone is fighting a battle.

READ MORE: Police Issue Warning To Nigerians Against Using The Viral New 2024 Slogan No Gree For Anybody

He wrote: I took time out to introspect. As I crawl out of my solemn place, I can see the same negativity and gbas gbos that have stunted our progress.

Please what is No gree for anybody that Im seeing everywhere? It is breeding violence and fostering revenge culture.

Can we instead be more tolerable and considerate towards others? Be kind, everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.

We are raised under different circumstances, with different degrees of luck.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Forces Spokesperson, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, had also issued warning to the general public, stating that the popular slogan can lead to violence.

In his words: The new slogan for 2024 for our young ones is No de gree for anybody.

We have been informed from our intelligence that the slogan is coming from a revolutionary sector that may cause problems across the country.

Nor dey gree for anybody is being seen as just a normal talk but in security community we have seen it as a very dangerous slogan that can trigger crisis

https://www.instagram.com/p/C2rGUNytD5h/comments/?hl=en
Operatives of the Igando Division of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested two suspects, identified as Hammed Olawale and Japhet Oderinde, during a rival cult clash.

The commands Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed this via his X handle on Sunday.

Hundeyin disclosed that a locally fabricated pistol was recovered from the suspects, adding that efforts are on to apprehend other fleeing suspects.
The operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, have arrested one Bello Mohammed, in Kaduna, who is a member of the bandit gang that kidnapped a lawyers family in Bwari and murdered Nabeeha Al-Kadriyar, one of his five daughters.

INFORMATION NIGERIA learnt that the kidnappers were demanding N700m ransom for nine of their victims.

They had killed four of the hostages, including Nabeeha, a 400-level student of Biological Science, at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and 13-year-old Folashade Ariyo.

However, the force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi made this known in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

He said: 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), suspected to be proceeds of ransoms collected from kidnapped victims within the area.

The suspect, during interrogation, confessed to be 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, daughter of the legal practitioner, on 13th January, 2024, in a kidnappers camp, in Kaduna State.

READ MORE: Outrage As Bandits Kill Nabeeha, One Of Six Sisters Kidnapped In Abuja; Demand N100m For Others

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.

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun has ordered that the suspect, who also confessed to the involvement of the already five (5) neutralized 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.

While commending the DPO Tafa, SP Idris Ibrahim, for the commitment and professionalism displayed in the case.
The Osun State Police Command, said that it has arrested one prince, identified as Eniola Oyeyode, in connection to the killing of a United States American-based lecturer, Richard Idowu.

Recall that Idowu, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party was shot at Oyeyodes residence over the weekend and he died while receiving treatment in a private hospital in the Ejigbo area of the state.

READ MORE: US Based Lecturer Shot Dead In Osun Community

Confirming the arrest in a statement made available to the public on Monday, SP Yemisi Opalola, said that Prince Oyeyode instructed one of his civilian guards, Hammed Abdul Jelili, to shoot his double barrel to see if it was working properly.

The statement read: The Osun State police is using this medium to inform the general public that the Command is aware of the incident of shooting that occurred at Ejigbo which led to the death of one Dr. Richard Adeoriokin.

The incident occurred on 27/1/2024 at about 9:48 pm after the 50th Coronation Anniversary of the Ogiyan of Ejigbo, Oba Oyeyode Oyesosin where one Prince Eniola Oyeyode m of Ejigbo Instructed one of his civilian guards named Hammed Abdul Jelili m of Ejigbo to fire his double barrel gun into the air to confirm if the gun is in good condition or not, but instead shot directly at the victim and he was rushed to a hospital but confirmed dead by the doctor.

Meanwhile, the prince Eniola Oyeyode who gave the order to his civilian guard to fire gun have been arrested and detained.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Bzigu Dali Kwazhi, mni, therefore appeals to members of the public especially the residents of Ejigbo to remain calm as discreet investigation has commenced immediately.
Head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis has said that those criticising his recent decision to bless same-sex couples will eventually understand it, except for Africans, who, according to him, are a special case.

The Bishop of Rome and sovereign of the Vatican City State noted that he is confident that everyone will gradually be reassured by the spirit of the Fiducia Supplicans.

The blessings for same-sex couples were allowed last month in a document called Fiducia Supplicans (Supplicating Trust).

It however caused widespread debate in the Catholic Church, with extreme resistance from African bishops.

However, speaking to an Italian newspaper, La Stampa, the Pope noted that those against the policy belong to small ideological groups, adding that Africans reject homosexuality because of their culture.

READ ALSO: Pope Suggests Catholic Church Could Bless Same-Sex Couples As Pastoral Charity

He further expressed optimism that everyone would embrace the situation.

Those who protest vehemently belong to small ideological groups.

A special case are Africans: for them homosexuality is something bad from a cultural point of view, they dont tolerate it.

But in general, I trust that gradually everyone will be reassured by the spirit of the Fiducia Supplicans declaration by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith: it aims to include, not divide, he said.

Asked if he was concerned about a split in the church over the development, Francis replied in the negative, saying in the church, there were small groups that manifested reflections of schismatic color but that you have to let them go and pass and look ahead.

Speaking about his health challenges in recent years with hospitalisations, mobility issues, and cancelled trips becoming the order of his day, the 87-year-old said: There are some aches and pains but its better now. Im fine.
The Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has revealed how President Bola Ahmed Tinubu supported his political ambition and contributed to his recent victory at the Supreme Court.

Recall that the Supreme Court last week, confirmed Fubaras victory in the March 18 governorship election in the State, dismissing all petitions against the Peoples Democratic Party candidate.

However, Fubara, on Sunday, during a special thanksgiving service at St. Pauls Anglican Church, Opobo Town, in Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, expressed his gratitude to God for the court victory.

He said: When I look at your faces, even when I feel heavy in my spirit, Im encouraged to be happy.

READ MORE: Rivers: Court Declares Fubaras N800bn 2024 Budget Illegal

It has not been easy, I can say it. A lot of people who started this journey with us ought to have been here with us, but unfortunately, they are not here. God knows why. We cant question the Almighty.

But one thing we cant take away is that God does not make any mistake. Whatever happens, when it happens, it is for a purpose.

Im happy to return this glory to God Almighty, to say thank you, God, and give me extra energy to continue with the battle. But no battle can be bigger than God.

I want to thank God first, our dear President, hes been a great and wonderful father. He has supported and I can say it without being economical with the truth that we are standing here because of his support.

I want to thank again, my family. They are suffering, thats the truth because of this cause. You just have to be strong and understand that after a while, youll get me back. But for now, these people are the ones that own me.
A United States of America-based Nigerian lecturer and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr. Richard Idowu, has been shot dead in the Ejigbo area of Osun State.

It was gathered that the incident occurred between 8:00 and 8:30 pm on Saturday, iwhich threw the community into mourning and led to tension among the residents.

Narrating the urfortunate development to PUNCH, on Sunday, a Personal Assistant to the deceased, Afiz Lawal, said that the incident happened in his presence.

He said: When we returned to Osun from Ogun State where Governor Adeleke took a Chieftaincy title, we moved to Ejigbo for 50th coronation anniversary of the Ogiyan of Ejigbo, Oba Oyeyode Oyesosin.

Immediately after the coronation party, we were about to start coming to Osogbo when Prince Eniola, son of Ogiyan, told us to go to his house along Inisa Road in Ejigbo for a brief meeting. Those who attended the meeting include Hon. Asler (Ayodele Asalu) and one Hon Timothy.

READ MORE: Osun Govt Fires Three Monarchs, Orders Fresh Selection Process

When the meeting ended, they all dispersed and were entering their vehicles. I heard Prince Eniola say, release, asking a local hunter there on the premises to release gunshots into the air. Unfortunately, instead of firing into the air, he shot towards the ground. And that was how Hon Richard Idowu was hit on the leg, and he immediately fell.

Before we could get him to the hospital, he had already lost so much blood and there is no good hospital in Ejigbo. He gave up at a private hospital in Ejigbo. The incident happened between 8:00 and 8:30 pm on Saturday. He was a PDP chieftain and a lecturer based in the United States of America.

Asked if the incident could be regarded as a case of misfiring, Lawal further said, It may be planned or accidental, but I just narrated how the incident happened because I was at the scene. His remains have been deposited at the morgue of UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital, Osogbo.
The chairman of the All Progressives Congress caretaker committee in Rivers State, Tony Okocha, has said that the party wants the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to join its fold.

Okocha, in an interview made by The Nation on Sunday, disclosed that he has been urging Wike through in all ways to join the APC.

He added that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu couldnt have won the presidential election in Rivers State without Wikes support.

Okocha said: I have taken to the podium and even the streets a million times to beg Wike to come to the APC.

READ MORE: Itd Be Unfair Not To Thank Wike  Fubara After SCourt Victory

I have used the words, come to Macedonia and help us. We have been begging him to come to the APC.

He is the magician and the dean of politics of Rivers State. He is the grandmaster as of today. And having defeated everybody back to back, he is the champion. How many lions can someone kill before they can be called a lion killer?

On the claims that he is psychologically and every other thing in APC and a mole in PDP, I will say that people are entitled to their opinion. Wike has never attended any APC meetings.

He is also not the only person from the opposition party that is in the federal cabinet. All I can say is that he got the reward for the impact he made in helping APC win the presidential election in Rivers State.
The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024. PAFA, billed as the countrys oldest institution that is both a museum and school, is dismantling its degree programs. Read more

In an open letter to the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts following the decision to terminate degree-granting programs, students are demanding that the schools president and board of trustees meet with them to discuss what went wrong.

Last week, a group of students delivered the letter to school leadership, seeking a meeting with president Eric Pryor and representatives from the board of trustees to discuss the schools decision.

Students hope to save the BFA and MFA programs. If that is untenable, they want PAFA to allow the first- and second-year students to complete their education and graduate.

We, the students, staff, and faculty of this historic academy, which has trained the next generation of American artists for over 200 years, deserve better than bulk emails and rushed Zoom meetings with administration, reads the letter, which has garnered 517 signatures from students, faculty, alumni, and other Philadelphians. We deserve full transparency, we deserve explanations, we deserve the ability to ask questions to the very people who chose our collective fate, the only people who can directly explain their reasoning.

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On Monday, Pryor declined to meet with the students on their terms. In an email to students, faculty, and staff, Pryor said that the dean of students and her staff has had more than 20 meetings with the students who will transfer and that he will also be meeting with some students in the next week.

I acknowledge your frustration and upset about this outcome. I hear you and share your feelings of loss and disappointment. Please know that we are committed to making this transition as smooth as possible, wrote Pryor. We will continue to hold such focused meetings, rather than a town hall, as I believe they are the best way to constructively support our community.

 READ MORE: What is PAFA and whats going on there?

On Jan. 10, PAFA announced plans to end the Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master of Fine Arts programs with the graduating class of 2025, citing a $1 million deficit and a decline in student enrollment. In 2023, the school had 126 students, a significant drop from 270 students in 2019.

Instead, the school will restore its three- and four-year certificate program, a decision that has received some support from faculty and alumni. While current juniors and seniors will be able to complete their education, freshman and sophomores are expected to transfer to institutions where PAFA has made arrangements for admission; however, students are not guaranteed the same financial aid. There are 37 students in that position, according to PAFA.

In the weeks since the news broke, students remain confused about next steps and frustrated over what they say is a decision that could have been avoided with proper fundraising. They also cite a failure of adequate marketing as a cause of the enrollment decline.

It seems that the board and the administration made no efforts really to reach out to former donors or current donors to PAFA to see if theyd be willing to up their donation to offset the $1 million deficit, said 22-year-old senior Raffi Zarzatian, a South Philly native who studies printmaking. It really didnt seem that there was any willingness to do fundraisers or outreach or marketing.

A separate petition demanding justice for PAFA faculty, staff, and students with 605 signatures alleged that Pryor said PAFA received offers for generous funding and that they would not be accepting them. A PAFA spokesperson said the school would not substantiate the claim and declined to comment further.

Now that the administration has refused to meet with all students in an open forum, Zarzatian says the student group will discuss protesting in some form.

The Annual Student Exhibition at the end of this semester, a senior capstone, will continue. The school takes a 30% commission of the artists sales to fund student scholarships, but seniors wonder where that money will go if there are no more incoming students. Some are considering withholding that commission in protest.

They feel very beaten down, and they feel very negative about exhibiting at ASE because they feel PAFA as an institution has kind of stabbed them in the back, said Zarzatian. A lot of students, myself included, are feeling very discouraged about exhibiting.

This story has been updated to reflect the response from PAFAs leadership.
The University of Pennsylvania chapter of the American Association of University Professors rallies on campus Monday, Jan. 22, 2024, in support of open expression, freedom of inquiry and association, and diversity, after donor and alumni complaints led to the departures of Liz Magill as Penn's president and Scott Bok as chairman of the board of trustees. Faculty say they fear business-oriented trustees will gain influence over university hiring and policies. Read more

The way University of Pennsylvanias board handled complaints against former president Liz Magill, and her departure, shows the board is far too large to function effectively and is ripe for reform, says Charles Elson, a consultant to corporate and nonprofit boards and a veteran governance scholar at the University of Delaware.

With 61 voting seats for trustees  even with a dozen of them vacant, which Penn officials declined to explain  the board is way too big, hard to manage, and slow to respond, Elson says.

Imagine if it was a company and your major lenders and investors came to you to say they are concerned about your leadership and you need to make a change. Would any rational board tell them to go stuff it? he asked. You have to respond. Or they will cut off your money. When donors come forward, its very important to listen to them.

In October, the Penn board initially sent out a hollow message through chairman Scott Bok that members were unanimous in supporting Magill in the face of billionaire alumni complaints that her administration wasnt dealing effectively with antisemitic expressions by faculty, staff, and visitors. Seven weeks later, after Magills much-criticized performance in a congressional hearing, the board stood aside while both Magill and Bok resigned.

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New chair Ramanan Raghavendran has pledged to return the focus to Penns academic mission and ensure a safe campus featuring civil discourse.

The board woke up! Elson said. Theyre not just lying there like parsley on the dinner plate anymore.

Magills departure and the subsequent resignation of Harvard president Claudine Gay alarmed faculty members, who worry donors will move more confidently now against professors with opinions they dont like.

Indeed, Elson said this moment could mark a new period for leaders of well-funded universities, who have long operated with a strong measure of job security from outside criticism.

He contrasted the recent Ivy League presidential topplings with the business-led 2012 boardroom coup against the state-controlled University of Virginias president Teresa Sullivan, who was reinstated when faculty, administrators, and Gov. Bob McDonnell rallied to her side.

Here, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro added to the pressure on Magill. Penn professors have demanded not for Magills reinstatement as president (she remains a law school professor), but rather their own protection from encroachment on faculties self-regulating power by assertive trustees.

Magills departure doesnt end the problem, according to one of her most insistent and effective critics, Marc Rowan, billionaire head of private equity giant Apollo Global Management and chair of Penns Wharton School advisory board, who inspired a Penn donors boycott. Trustees need to review their governing boards size, priorities, and composition, or Magills successor is likely to fail as well, he warned in a note to trustees after the resignations.

Challenges for the Penn board

The sheer size of it is huge. You cant run an effective board with that many people, Elson said.

At Penn as at other schools with large boards, an executive committee of senior trustees handles business between a few whole-board meetings each year.

Thats a risky approach, Elson said. Legally, all the trustees are still responsible, with the same fiduciary duties [to do whats best for the school]. You either have a real board with power, or you have an advisory board that is consulted. This board is way too big. Ten or 15 members is about right.

Penn trustees who are active on outside corporate boards, speaking on condition they not be named because they were not authorized to speak publicly, said they had urged Bok to do what corporate boards do in times of crisis: meet daily, take forceful actions, and communicate frequently.

Thats the approach Rowan took in last falls critical campaign against Magill. He was effective at generating thousands of protest letters from Penn alumni, plus pledges to stop funding Penn.

It is a board chairs job to build consensus, Elson said. Anytime constituencies raise serious issues, you have to react to it quickly and appropriately. You cannot be rash. But you have to react.

Full consensus often eludes a board with dozens of members, Elson said.

To say that we unanimously support our president in all circumstances is very foolish, he said. People on boards that large know they are never unanimous. So when you claim it is, you are suggesting that you are there to support whoever is president, and not the institution. And facts will almost always come out after such a statement. Its a bad idea.

Right-sizing the board?

Rowan has called on Penn to review, among other things, the composition of the board, and how the members are selected.

Under current board rules, the voting Penn board members include 28 term trustees, who serve up to two terms of five years each; 14 charter trustees, who serve for life, or until retirement; 14 alumni trustees, who are mostly not directly elected by alumni, as at Penn State and some other schools, but who hold positions in Penns General Alumni Society; four appointed by the Pennsylvania General Assembly; and the university president. Pennsylvanias governor gets a nonvoting seat.

Besides shrinking to a fraction of the current size, how might the board be reorganized? Its tough, said Elson. The only way you can force change at a nonprofit that doesnt want to change is a lawsuit by the attorney general for the state.

Elson suggests set terms  eight to 12 years  so members can develop institutional sophistication but not get stale.

You cant operate a board with 60 members, he said. You do it because a large board raises money. But the boards role isnt to raise money. Its to oversee the university in its proper role.
Will Fulmer, who owns an IT company, said he has had issues with cell service in and around his Bala Cynwyd home. He got so frustrated a year ago that he drove around and mapped the cell and data coverage in the region, showing dead spots. Will and his daughter, Shira, with their dog, Max, are shown using their phones on Jan. 24, 2024. Read more

In a new era of hybrid work, Will Fulmers business partners have increasingly made jokes about his regular struggles to find a spot of cell service in his home.

They made fun of me, being an IT company and having horrible cell phone reception, he said.

Fulmer, 42, doesnt live out in the country  he lives right outside the city in the Bala Cynwyd section of Lower Merion, one of the states most populated townships.

His cell service woes have bonded him with neighbors at backyard barbecues, in the bleachers at his childrens sporting events, and on community Facebook groups. They usually respond to his gripes, he said, with some version of Oh my god, you guys have the same problem.

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Its an issue, too, when driving in the area, Fulmer said. If he needs to take a work call while driving to pick up the kids from school, he knows the call is going to drop on certain roads. One day last year, he drove into these cell-service dead zones and conducted network latency tests on his phone, proving there were data problems in these areas.

Verizon issues in the Bala Cynwyd area are related to antenna issues that are due to be upgraded/repaired in the February time frame, said spokesperson Ilya Hemlin. Company engineers are constantly testing the network in a variety of ways, and using customer reports, including those submitted through the My Verizon app and by phone.

While the exact cause of Lower Merions issues may be unique, Fulmer is one of many consumers, telecommunications experts, and even reporters nationwide who have been asking similar questions: Why is my cell service still so bad in 2024? And is it getting worse, or am I just noticing it more?

 READ MORE: Several West Philly blocks were a dead zone for Verizon customers. It finally got fixed.

Customers in the mid-Atlantic region  which includes Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware  experienced on average 10 problems per 100 interactions with their cell phones in the past six months, according to J.D. Powers latest study of network quality performance. That number is down from last year, when the regions consumers reported 11 problems per 100 interactions, but higher than the 9 issues per 100 interactions reported in 2022 and 2021.

In all honesty, the network is amazing compared to what it used to be, said Carl Lepper, J.D. Powers senior director of technology, media, and telecom. But even the major carriers, Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile, they do get taxed at times. Ive not seen them get worse. Ive seen us get more demanding.

Why is my cell reception bad?

Younger, digital-native consumers, who spend more time on their cell phones, report more issues than older users.

Nationwide, members of Gen Z  people under 28  reported being on their phone five hours a day on average, according to J.D. Powers latest study, and had about 15 network problems per 100 interactions, compared with the seven or fewer issues reported by those 60 and older, who have a fraction of the phone-screen time.

Increased phone usage and more reliance on cellular data can strain the network, especially in areas where the population increases but the number of cell towers stays the same.

Overall, Philadelphias population has decreased in recent years, though more 20-somethings have moved in. In the coming decades, the city and its western suburbs are expected to see substantial population growth.

The cell network can only handle so much, Lepper said. At certain times, it will be overrun by heavy usage.

Verizon has seen an increase in data use recently, Hemlin said, with customers streaming high-definition video on their phones and using the devices for work collaboration and gaming.

RootMetrics, an Ookla company, tests cellular network performance by driving through metro areas across the country, and officials there say service has only improved in recent years with the increased availability of 5G, which they say theyve found to be faster and more reliable (though thats not always the case).

Of the three major carriers, Verizon has consistently ranked first in J.D. Powers studies and has the best overall quality in 121 of 125 metro areas, including Philadelphia, in RootMetrics analyses.

A spokesperson for AT&T, which ties Verizon for best performance the Mid-Atlantic in J.D. Powers latest study, said they continue to look for ways to improve our network and provide better wireless service and have made $2.2 billion in improvements in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, including almost $600 million in the Philadelphia market, from 2020 to 2022.

T-Mobile covers practically all of the city with its 4G network, a spokesperson said, and more than 98% with its faster 5G. More than 95% of New Jersey is also covered by its 5G, which has beaten out the other providers in terms of speed the past six months, according to Speedtest by Ookla.

We design our network to meet the needs of an area based on population and usage, Verizons Hemlin said. Were constantly monitoring our network to ensure the best performance possible for our customers.

Still, dead zones persist.

There are a variety of reasons as to why some customers report dead zones even in populated areas, Stephen Wampler, RootMetrics director of products and programs, said in a statement. Some of these reasons can potentially include lack of cell sites nearby, and misconfigured or congested networks.

The age of smartphone models is another potential reason, he added. Consumers who use older device models may experience dead zones because some mobile devices may not be able to support all the bands a carrier has deployed.

Because 5G networks can connect to a wider range of frequencies, your network performance could be affected if its not running on a frequency that produces the highest speeds.

In the Mid-Atlantic, snowstorms and other weather events are also known to cause network issues, most of which are temporary, Lepper said.

Searching for cellular solutions

Some local consumers said they sometimes experience poor cell service in the middle of Center City.

Actually my phone works better underground on the Broad Street Line than above ground, said Bridgette Henry, 28, of Germantown.

In 2022, when Henry worked as job placement counselor downtown, she had to connect to her employers Wi-Fi if she wanted to do something as simple as send a text message. A year ago, she even switched providers from AT&T to Verizon to see if her service would become more reliable.

It really didnt make a difference, said Henry, now a full-time student. I dont know if it has something to do with the buildings.

In Lower Merion, township Commissioner Gilda L. Kramer said she wants all the major carriers to address the issues in her ward, which includes part of Bala Cynwyd and Merion Station. Shed be up for any solution  even more cell towers in her area.

I would love to see this problem solved for the neighborhood, It is one thing residents ask me about constantly and I cant do anything about. I cant solve this one, except with patches, which I try to share with people.

Those patches include what Kramer calls a protocol developed by her husband, who has an IT background. Its a multistep process, which the couple wrote out after they found it mitigated the issues in their Bala Cynwyd home. The steps include turning on the Wi-Fi calling setting on the phone, making sure the router is in a central location, and extending the Wi-Fi signal across multiple floors with a mesh network, which can cost between $70 and $1,000, or with a wiring system installed by an electrician.

In recent years, Kramer has forwarded the protocol to dozens of neighbors who have complained about having virtually no connection in their home.

We shouldnt have to do this, she said. We should have adequate cell service, and the providers really need to step up and improve their network of towers to be able to get cell service to the whole neighborhood.

Its particularly important with people working from home right now, she added, and its important for people who are leaving their home to not have their calls drop.

At Fulmers Bala Cynwyd home, hes spent years trying to address the service problems himself and with his carrier, Verizon. The company recently gave him a free LTE network extender, valued at $250. The device has helped a bit, Fulmer said, and he and his family have also tried workarounds, such as using Wi-Fi calling, with mixed success.

Nearby in Merion Station, Jill Ringold, 47, who also has Verizon, said she and her husband have spent thousands of dollars rewiring their home, trying in vain to get a strong and consistent cell signal. They keep a landline, she said, so her husband, a physician, can be reached when he is on call. When someone calls his cell phone at home, it often doesnt ring and goes straight to voicemail.

She feels the landline is necessary for safety, said Ringold, a public health professional. I dont trust my cell phone if there was some kind of 911 emergency.
The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, shown here in November 2021, lost its first attempt to have a $183 million medical malpractice verdict against it overturned. Read more

A Philadelphia judge has upheld last years record $183 million medical malpractice award to a child born in 2018 with severe brain injuries at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

Court of Common Pleas Judge Gwendolyn N. Bright rejected the hospitals post-trial motions to have the case dismissed, despite the jury verdict, in a decision issued last week. Bright also rejected Penns bid for a new trial, or to have the verdict reduced.

A 45-minute delay in performing a cesarean section for a mother who had an infection in her uterus caused her baby to be born with cerebral palsy and substantial neurodevelopmental delays, making the child completely dependent on others for care, the jury found in April.

Penns post-trial motions are a typical prelude to an appeal to a higher court. In this case, the appeal goes to Pennsylvania Superior Court.

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We respectfully disagree with the courts decision and will be pursuing an appeal, Penn said in an emailed statement.

The verdict against Penn followed another eye-popping medical malpractice verdict earlier this year out of Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. In February, a local jury awarded $43.5 million to ex-Eagles captain Chris Maragos, who sued the doctors that treated his knee.

Juries in civil cases increasingly are awarding larger verdicts in Pennsylvania and nationally. The trend comes as the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has decided to allow more suits to be brought in Philadelphia, where juries can be more favorable to plaintiffs than in the suburbs.

The Inquirer reported in May that jury verdicts rarely get overturned.

Briggs Bedigian, a lawyer representing the mother, said Brights ruling was an affirmation of the jurys finding.

The jury sat intently, as the judge put it, for three weeks, listened to all of the evidence, and at the end of the day decided that the evidence strongly, strongly favored the injured plaintiff in this case and found in his favor, said Bedigian, a lawyer at Gilman & Bedigian LLC.
Once there was a boy named Nicki, who wanted mittens as white as snow, declared 6-year-old Vivienne Estabrook, reading the opening line of The Mitten, a classic childrens book, while sitting cross-legged on a purple carpet square at the Free Library of Philadelphias Parkway Central Branch.

Viviennes audience of one immediately flopped sideways on the floor and bared her tummy for rubs. Vivienne was reading to Cene, a Great Pyrenees, boxer, Tibetan spaniel, and Treeing Walker coonhound mix, who  coincidentally  is 6 years old.

Vivienne is a regular at the Parkway Central branchs weekly Read to a Therapy Dog program, where children line up every Wednesday afternoon for 10-minute time slots to practice reading aloud to an attentive pup. Most weeks, its Cene and her handler, Fred Wolfe, who dressed Cene in an oversized, vaguely wintry white bow and handed out trading cards with Cenes glamour shots on a Wednesday earlier this month.

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The Parkway Central branchs program started in November 2022 after childrens librarian Liz Gardiner transferred from Point Breezes Queen Memorial Library, where therapy dogs were occasionally invited to calm children during story time.

Most participants are what Gardiner dubbed emerging and struggling readers, or children aged 6 to 10 who are working to develop fluency, confidence, and the motivation to read on their own. Research shows that reading regularly to a therapy dog can help children socially and emotionally, with one 2010 University of California-Davis study even finding significant improvements in the reading ability of third graders who read to a therapy dog consistently over a 10-week period.

Dogs arent judgmental. Theyre not going to say youre taking too long to read this sentence or you pronounced this wrong, explained Rasheem Clinton, the library assistant at the Parkway Central branch who took over the program from Gardiner when she changed branches in November. That helps the kids feel comfortable going at their own pace and encourages them to become stronger readers.

Vivienne likes reading to Cene because shes nice and a good friend, but her mother, Katie Lane, has seen changes in her daughters reading habits since they began attending regularly in spring 2023.

The dog is motivating her to practice, said Lane. Its a safe place.

 READ MORE: The dog doesnt care if you mess up some words: Why Philly kids are reading to pooches

Canines and chapter books build confidence

Therapy dog reading programs have been a fixture at libraries and elementary schools since 1999, when Utahs Intermountain Therapy Animals began offering literacy-specific training programs for therapy dogs and their handlers. Now, sessions are popping up at libraries in South Jersey and Bucks County, while other Free Library branches have cycled through offering the program, depending on budget constraints.

Philadelphias library system has been beleaguered with staffing and funding issues that caused branches to stop offering weekend hours until recently.

 READ MORE: Philly libraries will, at long last, be open on Saturdays

In Parkway Centrals case, the childrens department is able to offer Read to a Therapy Dog sessions weekly only because it partnered with Comfort Caring Canines, a Philadelphia nonprofit that provides therapy dogs to libraries and hospitals (among other places) free of charge. Wolfe  Cenes owner  just happens to be the president.

Wolfe began volunteering with Cene to keep her in practice. Bred to be a therapy dog, Cene is mild-mannered and partial to head pats, often falling asleep on kids laps as they reach a storys climax. Thats because she loves the sound of childrens voices, said Wolfe, not because she is a lazy girl.

Cene can sense that she can be helpful, said Wolfe. Her tail is always wagging when she reaches the top of the steps at the [Parkway] Central branch.

Kids are tripping over themselves to read to Cene, said Clinton.

Ramona, who is soon to be 7, comes to read to Cene with her 9-year-old brother, Desmond, regularly. Shell stay and listen to you, said Ramona, who wasnt the least bit bummed that Cene fell asleep while she read a book about a dog that goes camping.

Ramona and Desmonds mother, Erin Rooney, said that hanging with Cene has helped Ramona see herself as a reader for the first time and Desmond become more expressive. Ramona had never read aloud to an audience until she met Cene, said Rooney, while Desmond has started doing different character voices and sound effects while working through his chapter books.

Rooneys kids, of course, are also using the experience to push for a puppy of their own.

I want a dog thats kind of like Cene, said Desmond. Likes to play but doesnt have a ton of energy, so shell just want to lay down mostly.
Bob Hafner, 56, of Long Beach Island, smoking an organic Cheyenne cigar at the slots inside Tropicana Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City on Sunday. A state senate committee is due to vote Monday on a total smoking ban inside Atlantic City's casinos. Read more

ATLANTIC CITY  The dull smell of smoke greets gamblers as they get to the top of the escalator leading to the casino floor of the Tropicana Hotel & Casino.

Bob Hafner, 56, of Long Beach Island, welcomes the haze and his contribution to it.

Hafners happy playing the slots while puffing away at a Cheyenne slim cigar, made, he noted, with only organic ingredients. He said he is doubtful that lawmakers will pass a total ban on smoking, an effort that reaches back two decades.

The New Jersey Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee is scheduled to vote Monday on a smoking ban that would close the loophole that allows smoking in Atlantic Citys casinos while banning smoking in other public places, including restaurants and bars.

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They wont be able to ban it, Hafner said. Theres too many gamblers who are smokers.

But other patrons joined the disgust voiced repeatedly by the dealers and their union, the United Auto Workers (UAW), who have continued lobbying to ban smoking in Atlantic Citys casinos as prior votes fell through.

Their members have testified to the devastating health consequences from decades of breathing in secondhand smoke at arms length, and organized into the group, Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects (CEASE).

Im an asthmatic, and its really triggering me, said Randalynn Paige, 59, a social worker from West Orange, N.J., feeding money into a slot machine.

She said shed already moved once to get away from smokers. It is really something else, she said.

A craps dealer working Sunday said he quit smoking 35 years ago but had endured secondhand smoke for 28 years and hoped the ban would finally become law. I like the fresh air, he said, not wanting to give his name because he was being interviewed while working.

Some gamblers, like a 65-year-old woman from Virginia, who wished to keep her gambling private and did not give her name (she is a high school administrator), cant imagine gambling without smoking.

She said she and a friend only smoke when we gamble.

We like to smoke and drink and gamble and leave our husbands at home, she said Sunday afternoon.

In a statement, CEASE said the scheduled vote is a critical step towards guaranteeing our right to breathe clean air at work and lawmakers must recognize the urgency of getting this bill passed.

Our lives should not be treated like bargaining chips, and we refuse to accept the status quo where we are expected to choose between our health and our paycheck, the statement said. The UAW represents thousands of workers in Atlantic City casinos, including dealers at Caesars, Ballys, and Tropicana.

State Sen. Vincent Polistina (R., Atlantic), who represents Atlantic City, has supported a ban but has recently urged a compromise that would allow enclosed smoking rooms to be staffed only by workers who volunteer for those shifts.

He said in an interview Sunday he was not on the committee voting Monday but would support a total ban even without his proposed compromise.

The union has vowed to fight any weakening of the total ban, and has referred to the rooms as the Philip Morris Smoking Rooms, a nod to the tobacco company. Members protested outside Polistinas Egg Harbor Township office earlier this month.

Polistina said there has been discussion about having virtual dealers in the proposed smoking rooms, who would be shown live on video, to limit the number of people who have to work inside them. But he reiterated that he would vote for the complete ban if it came up for a vote on the Senate floor.

State Sen. Joe Vitale (D., Middlesex), who has introduced a bill every two years to end smoking in New Jersey casinos, told the New Jersey Monitor last week that he believes the bill will finally be passed. There were multiple hearings on the issue last session, but the bill never got to a committee vote.

In December, the Associated Press reported that members of the UAW disrupted a meeting of a state Assembly committee that had been scheduled to take a preliminary vote on a ban by lighting cigarettes and blowing smoke toward legislators.

Its going to get done, Vitale told the New Jersey Monitor. Not just this session, but more likely over the next few months.
Sara and Rodney are two feral cats who were neutered or spayed as part of the "Neuter Your Ex" campaign from Homeward Bound Pet Adoption Center in Blackwood. For a $50 donation, the pet shelter will neuter or spay a cat named after an ex or someone else of your choosing as part of its trap-neuter-return program. Read more

Wish one of your ex-lovers was forced to wear a cone of shame forever? Yeah, me too.

Well, a South Jersey pet shelter is making this dark, twisted fantasy a reality  kind of. For a $50 donation, Blackwoods Homeward Bound Pet Adoption Center will neuter your ex, which entails performing the surgery on a feral cat theyve named after your ex-partner before placing it back in the wild.

And, yes, situationships, frenemies, or plain ole nemeses also count, said Eric Schwartz, Homeward Bounds director of development.

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Homeward Bound posted about the anti-Valentines Day promotion on Instagram last week with the pithy tagline because some things shouldnt breed, baiting viral meme accounts to post about the campaign.

Its actually a ploy to raise awareness about the adoption centers trap-neuter-return program, where they work with local animal controls to spay and neuter feral felines before releasing them back to their colonies. Over 600 cats were fixed and released through the program in 2023, said Schwartz.

 READ MORE: Here's how to deal with Philly's stray cat problem

A little fewer than half these cats typically come from the city of Camden, where Homeward Bounds trap-neuter-return tactics have helped prevent the feral cat population from growing as rapidly, Schwartz said.

Those interested in naming, shaming, and spaying their ex can fill out a donation form and select the in honor option to complete the dedication. Schwartz said Homeward Bound plans to provide every donor who requests one with a photo of their neutered ex-slash-cat. Theres also an option to let someone know that you donated, in case this gives you any ideas.

Donated! The real guy deserves to be neutered, but a cat in his name will do, commented one Instagram user, while others have asked to dedicate neuterings to their husbands ex-mistress (yikes) and several childhood bullies.

One woman sent the names of her three ex-husbands and wrote, I shouldve learned after the first one, said Schwartz.

The campaign has raised over $2,000 so far, which will cover about 40 feline spayings and neuterings, said Schwartz. Its been one of Homeward Bounds most successful campaigns to date.

Homeward Bound is not the first animal shelter to use Valentines Day as an exercise in both fundraising and hatred. For $5, a cat at the Rhode Island SPCA will poop on your exs name, mimicking a campaign the Lexington (Ky.) Humane Society ran in 2021. That time, it cost $10 to literally crap on an ex.

Schwartz said the idea to neuter exes came from a volunteer during a planning meeting for Homeward Bounds softer and sweeter Valentines Day fundraiser: Pet-a-grams. Sometime in February, people will be able to donate $20 in exchange for kenneled dogs and cats getting a heart-shaped card and treat, which will be made by students at Haddonfield High School.

 READ MORE: Meet Leo, the TikTok famous cat who lives inside a South Jersey Home Depot

Neuter an Ex, meanwhile, will likely become an annual tradition. I think we have to do it next year, said Schwartz, who  fortunately  does not have an ex-partner he would like to neuter.

When you say lets neuter an ex, everybody has the name of a person pop into their head, said Schwartz. Were happy to bring some closure while doing something important.
Jessica Anderson, 14, of Downingtown does school work for her cyber charter in this October 2020 file photo. A new cyber charter approved this week by the Pennsylvania Department of Education would be the first to open in nearly 10 years. Read more

Gov. Josh Shapiros administration approved a new cyber charter school in the state for the first time in eight years, breaking from Democrats long-held disapproval of the low-performing virtual schools.

The state Department of Education on Thursday approved Pennwood Cyber Charter Schools application to begin enrolling students for the upcoming school year, after denying their previous applications twice before in January and May 2023.

The quiet approval of a new cyber charter school  which will draw money from school districts  comes as Shapiro prepares an upcoming budget address that will be closely watched for its approach to fixing the states broken school funding system.

Since taking office last year, Pennsylvanias ambitious Democratic governor has tried to balance new, historic investments in public education with Republican school-choice priorities that members of his own party say take away resources from the states chronically underfunded public schools.

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The new cyber charter school will be based out of an office space in York in south central Pennsylvania, according to the schools more than 5,000-page application. The K-12 school will aim to empower students to meet their unique educational and life goals through flexible pacing, college preparatory programming, and career development.

Marc LeBlond, of Cogan Station just north of Williamsport, submitted the application and will chair the charters board. He currently works as the director of policy at school choice research and advocacy group EdChoice, and previously worked for the powerful conservative think-tank Commonwealth Foundation.

The performance crisis in the cyber-charter sector

Pennsylvanias cyber charter sector  one of the nations largest  has been the target of intense criticism from public education advocates, both for the schools poor academic performance and their impact on school district funding.

For instance, in 2022-23, 14% of students at the states largest cyber charter, Commonwealth Charter Academy, scored proficient in English language arts on standardized tests; 5.4% of students were proficient in math.

Giving another school license to bilk school districts for a low-quality education flies in the face of any rational decision-making, said Donna Cooper, executive director of the Children First advocacy group.

Cooper, who served as a policy adviser to Democratic former Gov. Ed Rendell, said the Pennwood approval raises a question for me about the caliber and quality of the advice provided to the [education] secretary, and a big red flag about the degree to which the department is taking seriously the performance crisis in the cyber-charter sector.

A spokesperson for the Department of Education said the department reviews all cyber charter school applications and determined that Pennwoods latest application met the requirements of the charter school law and thus must be approved.

The Department strives to ensure that all cyber charter schools are accountable to students, the Commonwealth, and its residents to the extent that the current charter school law allows, spokesperson Taj Magruder said in a statement.

Shapiros office declined to comment.

Unlike brick-and-mortar charter schools, which are authorized by districts, the Department of Education decides whether to open cyber charters, which last year enrolled more than 57,000 Pennsylvania students.

But districts are responsible for the costs and pay the cyber schools for each student they enroll  at the same rate as brick-and-mortar charters. Given the wide variation in how much Pennsylvania districts spend, cyber charters receive different amounts of money per pupil depending on where a student lives.

Efforts to reform cyber charter funding and set a statewide tuition rate have repeatedly stalled in the legislature, though some change could be coming as a result of talks to fix Pennsylvanias unconstitutional education funding system. Republicans and Democrats on a legislative commission evaluating school funding both issued reports recommending that districts be reimbursed for students who enroll in cyber charters, though Republicans did not endorse curbing payments to the cyber schools.

Sen. Lindsey Williams (D., Allegheny), who is the Democratic chair of the Senate education committee, called it absurd and fiscally irresponsible to approve a new cyber charter in light of the Commonwealth Court ruling deeming existing school funding unconstitutional.

We dont have a system to hold them accountable, Williams said of cyber charters, at a time when we are not adequately and equitably funding our publicly run public schools.

Susan Spicka, executive director of Education Voters PA, a pro-public-education advocacy group, called Pennwoods approval a slap in the face to the elected board members and their constituents in 468 school districts that have passed resolutions calling for additional accountability for cyber charter schools.

Shapiro should focus on ensuring public schools are fully funded in compliance with the Commonwealth Court order, Spicka said, instead of working to divert more tax dollars into unaccountable and discriminatory private schools through vouchers and through this expansion of the cyber-charter sector.

Details of Pennwoods application

Pennwood, which is approved to open July 1, said it expects to enroll 1,800 students in its first year, increasing to 8,200 by year 5.

In arguing that the education department had erred in denying its initial application, including by deeming its growth projections too aggressive, Pennwood noted its affiliation with Pearson Virtual Schools, and the increased enrollment the virtual learning company oversaw while managing Commonwealth Charter Academy and another Pennsylvania charter, Reach Cyber Charter School.

But it also rejected comparisons between its school and the academic performance of those charters, which along with other cyber charters have been designated among the states lowest-performing schools  saying that Pearson hadnt managed Commonwealth Charter for several years.

Donna Hutchison, vice president for educational partnerships at Pearson, said Pennwood will be the only school its supporting in Pennsylvania. Currently, the company supports 45 full-time online schools in 29 states, Hutchison said.

Pearson-supported online schools are solutions for a very mobile student population with a significant percentage of students being new each year, Hutchison said in a statement. We know that the longer students stay with our program, the better they perform academically.

In the letter approving the charter, Secretary of Education Khalid Mumin said the department expects Pennwood Cyber Charter to take additional action to address a number of deficiencies in their application, including providing additional documentation of how its courses align with state standards.

Pennwood plans to graduate 85% of students within four years  calling it an ambitious yet obtainable goal compared to the statewide cyber charter graduation rate of 60%.

The school also noted its plans to partner with Drexel Universitys Goodwin College of Professional Studies to provide project-based learning to high school students.

Pennwood is a necessary cyber school option because of its unique offerings that are unlike any other cyber charter schools in Pennsylvania, LeBlond, the charter board chair, said in a statement, noting its Drexel partnership. He also said there was unmet demand for cyber charters, citing 40% growth in the sector over the past decade.

Other board members include David Hardy, a distinguished senior fellow at the Commonwealth Foundation who founded and previously led the Boys Latin of Philadelphia charter school, and Philadelphia insurance attorney C. Tyler Havey.
Prison officials are investigating after a 59-year-old man was found dead inside his cell at Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility on Sunday morning, marking the latest death amid a wave of violence that has plagued the citys jails in recent years.

Prisons Department spokesperson John Mitchell said a correctional officer observed the unidentified victim lying unresponsive on his cell floor and then called for backup.

Officers secured the cell while medical staff performed CPR. A preliminary assessment indicated that the cause of death had been blunt-force trauma, Mitchell said, and the victim was pronounced dead on the scene.

According to a preliminary incident report obtained by The Inquirer, a correctional officer also found the victims cellmate inside the room and attempted to remove him from the unit, at which point a group of other inmates began to assault the man.

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Mitchell confirmed the victim had just one cellmate, 26, but declined to confirm that account or to say whether that man was considered a suspect. The Philadelphia Police Department is investigating the case alongside prisons officials, he said.

It remained unclear Sunday whether the prison system will make any safety improvements in light of this latest incident  which comes amid an ongoing period of what advocates describe as unchecked violence and disorder inside the sprawling jail complex in Northeast Philadelphia.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, The Inquirer has chronicled dozens of deaths inside the citys four jails on State Road, where incarcerated people, correctional officers, and criminal justice advocates have raised alarm over deteriorating conditions and critically low staffing levels.

Sundays death comes two months after a 44-year-old man was fatally assaulted within hours of his intake at the same jail.

Philadelphia jails housed over 4,600 people as of last month. Prison Commissioner Blanche Carney told City Council in the spring that about 40% of correctional officer positions were vacant. It remains unclear whether there was adequate staffing inside the jail unit where the Sunday incident took place.

The union that represents the officers expressed no confidence in the leadership and described the ongoing situation as an emergency that endangered both staff and incarcerated people.

Lawmakers have sought to create independent oversight over the jail in recent years, citing inaction from the citys Prison Advisory Board.

Staff writer Samantha Melamed contributed to this article.
(USE AS DESIRED) The statue of Chief Tamanend (est. 1628-1700) by Raymond Sandoval at Front & Market Streets, at a ramp to southbound I-95 Jan. 16. 2024. Tamanend was the principal Lenni-Lenape leader who welcomed William Penn upon his arrival to the region in 1682. The statue was dedicated In 1995 and depicts the chief standing on a turtle (representing Mother Earth) with an eagle (a messenger of the Great Spirit) on his shoulder. The eagle is grasping a wampum belt symbolizing the renowned Treaty of Amity and Friendship between William Penn (Mikwon), Tamanend (the Affable One) and other leaders of the Lenni-Lenape nation. Read more

The statue depicting a likeness of Chief Tamanend, the Lenape leader who signed a peace treaty with William Penn, is pedestaled at a gaping I-95 entrance ramp in the Old City neighborhood of Philadelphia.

Motorists zip by the statue at Front and Market Streets without a glance as they cruise out of town. Pedestrians risk oncoming traffic just to get a glimpse of the bronze figure.

But a proposal to move the statue to a place of prominence in a new Tamanend Square being planned as part of a revamping of Market Street in Old City appears stalled as at least one federally designated tribe objects.

The objection by the tribe takes on new relevance in light of the recent dustup involving now-scrapped plans to move the statue of William Penn from Welcome Park, which is located a few blocks away and part of Independence National Historical Park. The National Park Service is proposing to rehabilitate Welcome Park and include Native American history.

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 READ MORE: William Penn statue will not be removed from Welcome Park, says National Park Service in sudden reversal

Tired of moving

After 300-plus years of forced removal, it just seems as if its just another metaphoric forced removal from an area of our own land, said Jeremy Johnson, cultural education director of the federally recognized Delaware Tribe of Indians in Bartlesville, Okla.

The tribe viewed treaties and land sales that the Lenape signed with European colonists more like leases, unaware that land was something to be bought or sold. Eventually, the Lenape had no land left and moved west, eventually settling in Oklahoma.

Were tired of moving, Johnson said. Weve been told multiple times in our history that were in the way of progress.

The statue, by Raymond Sandoval and erected in 1995, depicts Tamanend standing on a turtle, which symbolizes his clan and Mother Earth. An eagle near his shoulder represents a messenger of the Great Spirit.

What is the plan for the statue?

The proposal to move the Chief Tamanend statue is an outgrowth of a plan known as Vision2026, which calls for the transformation of Market Street in Old City by 2026, the Semiquincentennial, or 250th birthday of America. The plan includes reducing motor vehicle lanes and installing a bike lane in each direction.

The Vision2026 plan, which encompasses the central part of Old City, includes a new Tamanend Square at Second and Market Streets, near Christ Church and the Market-Frankford subway station.

The pedestrian-friendly Tamanend Square is planned at the already bustling intersection and would serve as the new home for the Chief Tamanend statue while connecting with an existing park and the redesigned Market Street corridor. The final design for the square is expected this year with construction scheduled for completion in 2025. Under the proposal, the statue would be moved to the intersection of Second and Market Streets.

Officials involved in the Market Street transformation project have been working with various Native American tribes on the proposal. However, those officials want to reach a consensus with stakeholders.

We aspire to have the statue moved from its current location, said Bill Marrazzo, chair of the Independence Historical Trust, a key fundraiser for Independence National Historical Park. Marrazzo is also the CEO and president of WHYY, Philadelphias public radio station. The trust is also raising money for the plaza.

Marrazzo said the new location would allow the statue to more easily be appreciated and become sort of a monumental piece for educating people about Chief Tamanends role in the creation of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

He said that Sandoval, the sculptor, supported the move.

Its a matter of getting all of the stakeholders to concur, Marrazzo said.

No consensus

Marrazzo said that, as of yet, there is no consensus among Indigenous groups considered stakeholders. Those known to be in the conversation include the federally recognized Delaware Tribe of Indians, as well as the federally recognized Delaware Nation, based in Anadarko, Okla. Discussions also include the New Jersey state-recognized Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape based in Bridgeton, Cumberland County.

Katelyn Lucas, the Delaware Nations tribal historic preservation officer, said her office has been consulting on the project. But the Delaware Nation, she said, considers the discussions private and has determined that they do not want to speak to reporters on this issue.

The Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape did not return several e-mails seeking comment. On its website, the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape say that most people think of the tribes based in the Midwest, but fail to realize that tribal families remained behind in New Jersey, and fearing racism, isolated themselves away from unwanted attention from outsiders. That changed amid the civil rights era of the 1960s and 1970s when they began to publicly advocate for themselves.

Our tribes history and families are historically well documented, although not well known among the public, the website says. We are working to correct this.

Johnson, of the Delaware Tribe of Indians, said he was appreciative of Philadelphias efforts to work with the tribe.

Johnson said the Chief Tamanend statue was positioned to face the statue of William Penn atop Philadelphias City Hall at Broad and Market Streets, a little more than one mile west. But its location also symbolizes the Lenapes attachment to the river, Johnson said.

It is symbolic of how we lived there on the river and how it was the lifeblood of our communities, Johnson said.
During a press conference outside Philadelphia Police headquarters on Sun., Jan. 28, 2024, Supervising Deputy U.S. Marshal Robert Clark displays a handcuff key that was found on teen fugitive Shane Pryor when he was captured earlier in the evening. Read more

Police on Sunday night apprehended Shane Pryor, the 17-year-old who escaped from custody while receiving medical attention at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia, capping off a four-day manhunt that already had resulted in the arrest of an alleged accomplice and renewed scrutiny into the citys beleaguered jail system.

U.S. Marshals said that agents were conducting surveillance near Third Street and Roosevelt Boulevard around 6:30 p.m. when they spotted the teen boarding a SEPTA bus. Marshals stopped the bus, apprehended Pryor without incident, and transported him to the Philadelphia Police Departments Homicide Unit.

Supervising Deputy U.S. Marshal Robert Clark said officers also discovered a key piece of evidence during the arrest pat-down: a small, black handcuff key.

Pryor, who was charged with killing a woman in 2020, was taken to the hospital by juvenile detention center staff after a hand injury on Wednesday, when police said he managed to free himself from his shackles and escape on foot.

Pryor had been handcuffed and shackled ahead of his drive from the citys juvenile detention center, per police policy. How the teen managed to free himself during the roughly 10-minute ride to the University City hospital puzzled investigators and led them to examine whether the escape had been orchestrated  and whether any juvenile center staffers may have helped him.

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That investigation remains ongoing. Authorities said that, after arriving at CHOP around noon, Pryor pushed past two unarmed staffers and began weaving in and out of nearby buildings. Clark said Pryor then approached a bystander and, claiming he had been in fight, asked to borrow her phone.

He called his friend Michael Diggs, 18, who acted as his getaway driver, picking him up in a tan Ford Fusion and helping him escape as police blanketed the area, Clark said.

Authorities traced them to the Olney area, where they eventually went separate ways. Clark at the time said Pryor had connections in Mayfair and, citing his three-year stint in custody on murder charges, believed he didnt have the means to escape the city.

Officials solicited tips and information about the teens whereabouts, and Clark said evidence led agents to surveil an area near Hunting Park that Pryor had been frequenting since his escape. After sundown, agents spotted a public transit rider fitting the teens description between the Feltonville and Olney neighborhoods.

Police located Diggs on Wednesday, detained him for questioning, and on Friday charged him with hindering a police investigation, escape, criminal conspiracy, and related crimes for his role in the escape.

The two met about a year ago at the Juvenile Justice Services Center, where Diggs had been in custody for attempted murder before a judge tossed the case for lack of evidence. A law enforcement source told The Inquirer last week that the two former cellmates kept in touch in the months leading up to Pryors escape.

It remains unclear whether the key found in Pryors pocket was used in his escape.

Back in police custody, Pryor awaits trial for his alleged role in the murder of Tanya Harris, 54, a woman who police say Pryor and 15-year-old Kiyan Williams met in an alleyway, paid for sex, and then fatally shot. Pryor told police he was in the alley but did not shoot Harris, according to an affidavit for his arrest. Pryors mother has said her son has always maintained his innocence and that they intend to see the case through to trial.

Clark credited a tremendous local and federal collaboration for apprehending Pryor within four days.

But Pryors escape has nonetheless refocused attention on long-standing institutional troubles within the citys adult jails and juvenile detention center. The latest episode comes after four people escaped from city prisons within the last year  including a May breakout that led authorities on a weeklong chase for two men, one of whom was charged with four murders, in an incident that prosecutors later blamed on a series of systemic blunders.
Signs on the property at 48th Street and Chester Avenue in 2021, when the proposal entered the public consciousness. Read more

It looks as if Cedar Park will be getting 22 single-family homes with no affordable component instead of a 76-unit apartment building, where a fifth of the units were earmarked for below-market rents.

The owner of the lot at 48th Street and Chester Avenue  home to the project that became known as the poop building due to the unusual tactics of one opponent  pulled zoning permits last week that outline a new plan after the apartment proposals defeat last year.

The permits are for 11 duplexes with roof decks and 22 parking spaces on a shared driveway.

Duplex dwellings with driveways was not our second or fifth or eighth or ninth option, said Brett Feldman, the zoning lawyer for property owner Meir Gelley. But ultimately, that was what was possible at the property. At some point, you have to move on.

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After negotiations with the area group Cedar Park Neighbors, Gelley proposed a four-story apartment building across Chester Avenue from an older four-story apartment building. The plan was mostly remarkable for the ferocity of the opposition to it.

It gained public attention when Ang Sun of West Philly United Neighbors called for neighbors to submit stool samples of a fingernail size to his group for a supposedly official study of the bad germs associated with irresponsible development in West Philly. Temple University disavowed the unauthorized study, and the National Cancer Institute showed no record of funding.

Under the banner of Protect Squirrel Hill, other apartment foes had more success by building a campaign to combat the developers push for a variance from the Zoning Board of Adjustment. The land is zoned for duplexes.

The zoning board granted the variance, but Philadelphia Common Pleas Court Judge Anne Marie Coyle  known for her controversial land use and criminal justice rulings  overturned it.

Facing determined opposition from Protect Squirrel Hill and without support from Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, Gelley gave up and turned to single-family development.

We just couldnt make much progress with the opponents of the project and really never were able to receive a reasonable settlement option or any other suggestions on how to move forward, Feldman said.

Protect Squirrel Hill declined to comment on the duplex proposal outlined in the permits last week. In a 2021 commentary in The Inquirer, the group argued that the 76-unit building would inflate the rents of surrounding buildings whereas for-sale duplexes would not.

The proposed rents for the apartment building were originally between $1,320 and $1,560, with a fifth of them going for $725 to $870 a month.

The census tract reports over 37% of households without a vehicle available. The lot in question is directly on the SEPTAs Trolley Route 13 and a few blocks from Route 34, which is why Feldman says Gelley preferred transit-oriented development for the site.

Given the present sluggish development environment, Feldman said construction was not imminent.
Companies have seen and experienced that when you incentivise people with the right incentives, having a group focus just on inland marine, just on commercial auto, it allows them to immerse themselves and they do better at underwriting because theyre not broadly focused on various different risks  they know a small subset of the risks, but they know them very well, Friedman said.
While this means we have seen less damage than expected in the more densely populated coastal communities in North Queensland, we are seeing significant rainfall and storms in southern parts of the state, and we will be closely monitoring the movements of the system over coming days, he said. Since late November, we have experienced a series of extreme weather events right along the East Coast, with teams continuing to progress customer claims across Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria.
Last year, Florida governor Ron DeSantis said Citizens has not been solvent and would not have enough to pay out if another major hurricane were to impact its policyholders. These warnings were later cited by the US Senate Budget Committee as it initiated an investigation into the insurers financial viability.
In honoring Vinces remarkable 20-year tenure with Zurich, we express gratitude for his exceptional leadership, Terryn said. With his extensive knowledge and expertise in the automotive industry, Vince has fostered invaluable customer and industry relationships that have been instrumental in our success within the franchised auto dealer space. As Vince moves on, Jason, who currently leads our crop business, will take over as the leader of the direct markets business. We extend our appreciation to Vince for his exemplary service and anticipate continued success under Jasons leadership.
A New Jersey shore town locked in a legal battle with the state over tens of millions of dollars it has spent trying  mostly in vain  to hold back the ocean now is more vulnerable than ever.

A recent winter storm destroyed part of the sand dunes in North Wildwood, leaving tiny piles about the size of a childs sand castle to protect a popular resort town with $2.5 billion worth of private property, and at least that much in government buildings and infrastructure.

New Jersey has fined the town $12 million for unauthorized beach repairs that it says could worsen erosion, while the city is suing to recoup the $30 million it has spent trucking sand to the site for over a decade.

While they wait for a judge to sort things out amid climate change that brings rising sea levels and more intense storms, North Wildwoods plight is a stark reminder that in the man vs. nature battle, in the long run, nature usually wins.

This is the most vulnerable we have ever been, Mayor Patrick Rosenello said. It doesnt even take a storm anymore to threaten us. On most regular high tides, the water comes up and through where this dune used to be.

He walked along the beach where the surging surf punched a hole in the dunes, completely obliterating them for about 20 feet (6 meters). On either side, all that remained were sand piles that barely reached his knees. Elsewhere along the beachfront, dunes that had been about 18 feet (5.5 meters) high last summer were less than half that height  and much lower than that in numerous places.

Trucking Sand

Previously, the city said it has spent $21 million trucking in sand for emergency repairs to its beaches. That has since risen to $30 million, Rosenello said.

But trucking in sand is no longer an option, the mayor said, adding that erosion has created choke points along the beach that are too narrow to let dump trucks pass.

North Wildwood has asked the state for emergency permission to build a steel bulkhead along the most heavily eroded section of its beachfront  something previously done in two other spots.

But the state Department of Environmental Protection has tended to oppose bulkheads as a long-term solution, noting that the hard structures often encourage sand scouring against them that can accelerate and worsen erosion.

The agency prefers the sort of beach replenishment projects carried out for decades by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, where massive amounts of sand are pumped from offshore onto eroded beaches, widening them and creating sand dunes to protect the property behind them.

Private Easements

Virtually the entire 127-mile (204-kilometer) New Jersey coastline has received such projects. But in North Wildwood, legal approvals and property easements from private landowners have thus far prevented one from happening.

Although the last two towns required to sign off on a sand replenishment project did so 11 months ago, the project still needs a final go-ahead. When it gets that, the work will probably take two years to complete, officials say.

On several occasions, North Wildwood carried out emergency repairs, including construction of an earlier bulkhead without approval from the state. Shawn LaTourette, New Jerseys environment protection commissioner, warned the town last July that unauthorized work could have more serious consequences if it continues, including potential loss of future shore protection funding.

LaTourette wrote that the city has repeatedly engaged in destructive and illegal conduct in the name of tourism and, supposedly, public safety. This is wrongheaded and it must stop.

The Department of Environmental Protection says heavy equipment moving sand around has weakened and reduced the height of the dunes, actually making things worse while destroying natural plants and animal habitat.

But North Wildwood sees itself as facing an existential threat with an unprotected coastline.

Towns Fear

Our fear is that there will be no more Wildwood, said Maureen Lipert, who was out for a walk along the beach Monday. All of North Wildwood could be wiped out if the water keeps coming over.

The water is going to hit our hotels and motels, added another resident, Kim Milligan. Theres new homes being built here every day. Our homes are going to be ruined.

After Superstorm Sandy devastated the Jersey Shore in 2012, the Army Corps began a program to rebuild dunes along virtually the entire coastline. Numerous scientific studies found that oceanfront communities with dunes already protecting them fared much better during Sandy than those that did not.

Sand replenishment has been the governments go-to method of shore protection for decades. Critics say its inherently wasteful to keep pumping sand ashore that will inevitably wash away. But Congress keeps appropriating money for such work, arguing it is effective in protecting lives and property, not to mention sustaining the crucial tourism industry.

Milligan, who lives several blocks inland from the ocean, only half-jokingly found a potential silver lining if the worst comes to pass in North Wildwood.

Ill have beachfront access, she said.

AP video journalist Tassanee Vejpongsa contributed to this story.

The Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Windstorm New Jersey
Brazils National Monetary Council (CMN), the countrys highest economic body, granted approval on Thursday for regulations enabling insurers and reinsurers to raise funds from investors through the issuance of insurance-linked securities.

The Finance Ministry, whose minister is a part of CMN along with the planning minister and the central bank governor, said this initiative will diversify funding sources for these companies, enhancing the insurance markets coverage capacity.

Finance Minister Fernando Haddad has previously said that the insurance market in Brazil is smaller than it should be. Under leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the government believes that new regulatory frameworks supporting the sector can stimulate much-needed infrastructure investments.

Inspired by insurance-linked securities, the Brazilian counterpart, Letras de Risco de Seguro (LRS), was legislatively established in 2022 but lacked regulatory guidelines until now. The newly approved rules will take effect in March.

The investment returns tied to LRS are directly linked to insurance risk factors, specifically focusing on events like climate catastrophes in specific regions.

In the absence of such events, investors receive their initial capital and a return. However, if the events occur, investors may experience losses. In essence, they bear the reinsurance risk and, in return, receive a coupon payment.

(Reporting by Marcela Ayres; editing by Alistair Bell)
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP)  The Minnesota governors office did not have complete information about the woman the governor appointed as director of Minnesotas new marijuana regulatory agency, leading to her surprising resignation after media reports about her financial problems and other issues, according to an audit released Thursday.

The audit, produced by the Office of the Legislative Auditor, says the governors office departed from its Standard Operating Procedure for Executive Director Appointments when selecting Erin Dupree as director of the states Office of Cannabis Management.

Three differences from that procedure  all related to the background check  contributed to Democratic Gov. Tim Walz appointing Dupree without having full and complete information, the audit says.

Dupree resigned a day after her appointment in September following media reports that she ran a business that sold products exceeding state limits on THC potency, owed money to former associates and accumulated tens of thousands of dollars in tax liens.

The audit found the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension conducted its background check on Dupree largely without the involvement of the Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division, which is typically involved in such checks on behalf of the governors office.

The governors office said the AGED did not have statutory authority to perform the background study for the new Office of Cannabis Management, which is why BCA did it instead, according to the audit. The governors office also said BCA consulted with AGED to ensure its process was consistent with past practice, but BCA still had never performed a background study for the governors office before.

As a result, it is possible that some assumptions the Governors Office made about the background checks  such as assuming that BCA was reviewing Department of Revenue information  were incorrect, the audit says.

Other issues revolved around faulty assumptions of how the BCA would proceed after receiving Duprees signed release forms, and how the agency conducted financial background checks, resulting in not spotting unpaid tax liens.

Immediately following the appointment, the governors office reviewed its processes and implemented changes, including the recommendations listed in the audit, Mary Fee, general counsel in the governors office, said in a statement. Fee said the governors office also increased its capacity for research about potential appointments.

The audit recommended the governors office independently confirm that any background checks on people considered for sensitive positions include a review of individual and business tax information from the Department of Revenue, criminal history records from the departments of Public Safety and Corrections and potentially the FBI, and outstanding court judgements.

Sensitive positions include the heads of the cannabis office, Gambling Control Board and Minnesota Lottery.

It also recommended that the governor wait to make appointments to sensitive positions until the office has reviewed the complete background check report and made an independent determination of the suitability of the candidate.

The audit says it considers the matter closed and will not conduct a special review.

Minnesotas legalization of recreational marijuana went into effect in August, allowing people 21 and older to legally possess and grow their own marijuana for recreational purposes, subject to limits as the state establishes a legal cannabis industry in the coming months and years.

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Cannabis Minnesota
A federal court has issued an order holding a Nebraska roofing contractor  who has stalled federal investigators for nearly a year  in contempt of court and imposing a fine of $100 a day if he fails to comply with a subpoena to provide the U.S. Department of Labors Occupational Safety and Health Administration with documents necessary for an investigation of an employees fall off a residential roof in Lincoln in February 2023.

On Jan. 16, 2024, U.S. District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. of the District of Nebraska found Christopher C. Arps in context of court and ordered him to comply with OSHAs subpoena or face the daily fine. The court also ordered Arps to pay $5,926.56 to the department for legal fees and costs incurred. The court warned Arps that if he does not comply by Jan. 26, 2024, he may be subject to additional sanctions without further notice, including conditional incarceration.

OSHA opened an inspection at the Lincoln worksite after learning of the incident and determined the employee of Arps  who operates as Capital City Roofing and Construction  was working without fall protection when he suffered cardiac arrest, fell and sustained serious injuries.

Arps denied the Feb. 8, 2023, incident occurred and refused to provide inspectors with requested information.

An employee of Capital City Roofing and Construction suffered serious injuries because his employer failed to protect him from falls. Falls remain the construction industrys leading cause of death and injuries, said OSHA Area Director Matt Thurlby in Omaha, Nebraska. Christopher C. Arps repeated denial of the injuries and refusal to cooperate with federal investigators shows a disturbing disregard for his employees safety.

After Arps continued to defy OSHAs requests, the agency issued an administrative subpoena on Feb. 27, 2023, commanding him to provide documents related to his business, employees, worksite and safety practices. After Arps failed to respond to the subpoena, and he was given multiple opportunities to comply, the departments Office of the Solicitor in Kansas City, Missouri, filed a petition to enforce the subpoena. A federal judge ordered Arps to appear at a show cause hearing. He did not appear, and the court entered an order on May 26, 2023, that required him to produce documents to OSHA. When he did not, the Office of the Solicitor filed a motion to hold him in contempt for failing to comply with the courts orders.

Source: OSHA

Topics Contractors
The number of North Korean-linked hacks of cryptocurrency platforms rose to a record high in 2023, though the actual amount of funds stolen dropped around 40%, a report Wednesday from blockchain analysis firm Chainalysis Inc. showed.

In a series of 20 hacks throughout the year, cybercriminals linked to the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea siphoned slightly more than $1 billion worth of cryptocurrency, compared to $1.7 billion in 2022. North Korean hackers often target cryptocurrency to raise money as a way around international sanctions, according to US officials.

The drop in funds stolen by North Korean hackers mirrors a larger trend in the cryptocurrency security landscape: an overall decline in hacks of the once-lucrative decentralized finance, or DeFi, protocols. In 2023, the total amount stolen from DeFi protocols was $1.1 billion, a 64% decrease from the $3.1 billion pilfered in 2022, according to Chainalysis.

There have been some positive aspects that have started to slow their success in making off with hundreds of millions of dollars in one attack, said Erin Plante, vice president of investigations at Chainalysis. But the threats not going away by any means.

Over the past few years, DeFi protocols have been increasingly targeted by hackers because their source code is freely available online, allowing criminals to more easily find bugs to exploit.

Better security practices, coupled with an overall decrease in DeFi activity, were most likely behind the decline in funds stolen in 2023, Chainalysis said. More DeFi applications are improving their code auditing and receiving guidance from companies like Microsoft Corp. and Alphabet Inc.s Google on how to strengthen their networks, according to Plante.

As cryptocurrency platforms fortify their networks, North Korean hackers are racing to keep up by employing more diverse and sophisticated tactics, Plante said. More criminals are waiting patiently for an opportunity to strike by accessing networks undetected and sometimes gathering intelligence for months.

They look at whats changing, whats evolving, and how they can use that malicious intent, said Joe Dobson, principal analyst at the cybersecurity firm Mandiant. Whatever the advancement is, theyre going to find a way to take advantage of it.

In one stealthy hack this past June, TraderTraitor, a group with ties to North Korea, swiped around $129 million from thousands of users on cryptocurrency wallet service Atomic Wallet, according to Chainalysis. The group worked by chain-hopping, moving between different cryptocurrencies quickly to avoid being traced. They went on to hit two other crypto payment platforms, Alphapo and CoinsPaid, later that month, according to the report. Atomic Wallet said in a statement at the time that less than .1% of app users had been affected.

Investor behavior in the volatile cryptocurrency markets could be another underlying reason North Korean-linked hackers are stealing less. Fueled by the collapse of FTX Trading Ltd. and the vulnerability of these companies to large hacks, investors may be diversifying their currency among many platforms to avoid risk, according to Allan Liska, senior intelligence analyst at cybersecurity firm Recorded Future Inc. This means cryptocurrency exchanges may have a smaller pool of funds for hackers to steal.

Theres less trust in many of the traditional big exchanges than there used to be, Liska said.

Photo: Photographer: Paul Yeung/Bloomberg

Copyright 2024 Bloomberg.

Topics Cyber Fraud
Hewlett Packard Enterprise disclosed Wednesday that suspected state-backed Russian hackers broke into its cloud-based email system and stole data from cybersecurity and other employees.

The provider of information technology products and services said in a Securities and Exchange Commission regulatory filing that it was informed of the intrusion on Jan. 12. It said it believed the hackers were from Cozy Bear, a unit of Russias SVR foreign intelligence service.

Microsoft reported last week that it also discovered an intrusion of its corporate network on Jan. 12. The Redmond, Washington, tech giant said the breach began in late November and also blamed Cozy Bear. It said the Russian hackers accessed accounts of senior Microsoft executives as well as cybersecurity and legal employees.

Cozy Bear was behind the SolarWinds breach and focuses stealth intelligence-gathering on Western governments, IT service providers and think tanks in the U.S. and Europe.

Based on our investigation, we now believe that the threat actor accessed and exfiltrated data beginning in May 2023 from a small percentage of HPE mailboxes belonging to individuals in our cybersecurity, go-to-market, business segments, and other functions, HPE, which is based in Spring, Texas, said in the filing.

Company spokesman Adam R. Bauer, reached by email, would not say who informed HPE of the breach. Were not sharing that information at this time. Bauer said the compromised email boxes were running Microsoft software.

In the filing, HPE said the intrusion was likely related to earlier activity by this threat actor, of which we were notified in June 2023, involving unauthorized access to and exfiltration of a limited number of SharePoint files. SharePoint is part of Microsofts 365 suite, formerly known as Office, which includes email, word-processing and spreadsheet apps.

Bauer said HPE is unable to say whether the breach of its network was related to the hack that Microsoft disclosed last week as we do not have the details of the incident Microsoft disclosed.

He did not specify the seniority of the HPE employees whose accounts were accessed by the hackers. The total scope of mailboxes and emails accessed remains under investigation. HPE said in the filing that it has so far determined that the hack has had no material impact on its operations or financial health. Both disclosures come a month after a new U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission rule took effect that compels publicly traded companies to disclose breaches that could negatively impact their business. It gives them four days to do so unless they obtain a national-security waiver.

HPE was spun off in 2015 from the storied Silicon Valley computing company Hewlett-Packard Inc., which is best known today for its printer business.

Photo: A sign marks the entry way into Hewlett Packard Enterprise, May 24, 2016, in Andover, Mass. Hewlett Packard Enterprise disclosed Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, that suspected state-backed Russian hackers broke into its cloud-based email system and stole data from cybersecurity and other employees. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Cyber Russia
When disaster hits in the US, the federal government gives aid to states and counties, but also to individuals. In 2022, the Federal Emergency Management Agency delivered $3.25 billion to nearly 1.4 million households recovering from damaging floods and fires. The aid money helps cover things as large as home repairs and as small as diapers, drinking water, food and other necessities.

This aid regime was created by Congress: The Stafford Act of 1988 threw a lifeline to Americans who were not covered by private insurance, a group assumed to be small. But that can no longer be taken for granted. Insurance rates are rising as costly disasters become more frequent, and with more and more people living in higher-risk areas such as coastal Florida and wildfire-prone parts of the West. Insurance companies are now stepping back from some markets. Just earlier this week, The Hartford announced it would become the latest major insurer to stop writing new policies in California.

I am starting to see the insurance model breaking down faster, said Craig Fugate, FEMAs administrator during the Obama administration. There are more people that, probably 15 or 20 years ago, had adequate insurance that today are either underinsured, or not even able to afford insurance or get coverage.

As the need for household assistance has grown, theres been increasing scrutiny of how the government distributes it. A raft of academic studies have shown that zip codes with fewer White residents get less aid for comparable disasters. And everywhere, people complain about long waits and bureaucratic red tape. Timeliness is of the essence for post-disaster aid. Fast funds to replace, for example, a ripped-off roof can make all the difference to a family, ensuring theyre able to stay put in their community and keep their same jobs and schools, rather than being forced to move away or into government-funded temporary housing, which is also pricey.

FEMA has been listening. In 2021 it solicited public comments on how to improve its Individual Assistance program. Last week it announced what it called the biggest reforms to the program in two decades, with the intention of streamlining processes and giving out aid more equitably.

Four major changes were:

A $750 cash benefit for urgent needs will be available automatically in any disaster that qualifies for Individual Assistance. (This replaces a similar benefit that needed to be approved on a disaster-by-disaster basis.)

Flexible displacement assistance, an upfront cash benefit for displaced people, can be paid to family and friends who are sheltering survivors until a more permanent solution can be found.

Survivors can seek grants from FEMA without having to first apply for a home repair loan from the US Small Business Administration.

A new home repair allowance of $42,500 will be available for people who have private insurance, for costs exceeding the insurance payout.

When current FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell announced the reforms, she acknowledged ever-greater demand because of climate-fueled catastrophes. Theres been a sharp increase in US disasters that cause upwards of $1 billion in damages. The average annual number of such events over the past four decades (from 1980 to 2023) was 8.5, but in 2023 alone there were 28, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

We are breaking records year after year with these disasters, and we need to be better prepared and informed to recover faster and more effectively, Criswell said in a call to reporters.

Its not in FEMAs purview to do anything about private insurance. But if the underlying problem  an underinsured populace  remains unsolved, it can only lead to more taxpayer subsidies. FEMA estimates the new reforms will add at at least another half billion dollars a year to the federal tab.

Fugate doubts the country will fix this feedback loop anytime soon. Weve been underpricing risk in this nation so long, weve built this dynamic now where people have built and live in areas that are increasingly vulnerable to these disasters, he said. The insurance industry cant make it work, so the taxpayer will pay more and more.

Photo: A house in Fort Myers Beach, Florida, destroyed by 2022s Hurricane Ian. Photographer: Eva Marie Uzcategui/Bloomberg

Copyright 2024 Bloomberg.

Topics USA Homeowners
BENTON, La. (AP)  After cancer-causing chemicals were found in the soil at a north Louisiana apartment complex, the Environmental Protection Agency has blocked access to part of the property and will move to abate the situation.

The EPA will perform an emergency soil removal action at the Palmetto Place Apartments in Benton after detecting elevated levels of dioxin contamination in the soil in a empty field between two of the structures on the property, the Shreveport-Bossier City Advocate reported.

Dioxin exposure has been known to cause cancer, reproductive and developmental problems, damage to the immune system and hormone interference, according to the EPA.

The now fenced off area was frequently used by children to play, according to emails between EPA and Benton city officials obtained by the newspaper.

The EPA found the contamination after testing soil, water and sediment samples from the area around the old Benton Creosote facility. The plant opened in 1948 and operated in the community until 2008. Creosote is a chemical used to preserve wood.

The latest round of testing occurred after the EPA found elevated levels of dioxins in a drainage ditch not far from the complex in June.

Mayor Shelly Horton told the newspaper the EPA will oversee the entire cleanup operation. The agency plans to take more samples from the area before excavating the contaminated soil and replacing it with clean dirt.

EPA officials said the agency hopes to begin the clean-up process by the second week of February.

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Louisiana Pollution Chemicals
Attorney fees in Florida workers compensation cases seem to be part of a story that will never end, and a state appeals court has added new life to the story with decisions that give support to both sides of the divide.

In one long-awaited ruling, the 1st District Court of Appeals struck down a compensation judges decision that had slashed a claimants lawyers $805,000 fee by 90%. But other opinions by the same court last week dismissed requests to bar another comp judge from future cases because of his stinging excoriation of plaintiffs attorneys who had accepted large fees.

Claimants lawyers said the cases highlight an apparent trend among some comp judges to knock down large fees  in keeping with the pro-business, pro-insurance-company political winds blowing through the state.

I believe judges want to be reappointed and they dont want to be viewed by a conservative governor as awarding hourly fees that seem high, said Michael Winer, of Tampa, the claimants attorney who represented attorney Michael Rudolph in his appeal on the fee reduction. But thats my own suspicion and nothing more.

Others on the plaintiffs side agreed.

I think it is a trend, said Randy Porcher, a longtime claimants lawyer with the Morgan & Morgan law firm.

Its a form of judicial activism, and there has been a spike in those types of decisions, said Bradley Smith, a claimants lawyers who was slammed by compensation court Judge Erik Grindal in a 70-page opinion in November. (See sidebar article, below.)

The sentiment toward holding the line on legal fees, even when parties involved have agreed on a contingency fee, began two years ago, the plaintiffs attorneys said. That was when compensation Judge Thomas Sculco upheld a $1 million fee on a $3.9 million total award. Looked at one way, the fee equated to about $9,000 an hour, and some judges and defense lawyers were outraged.

Six months later, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declined to appoint Sculco to another term in office. Claimants attorneys said that sent a strong message to the other 29 judges of compensation claims.

Sculco not getting reappointed was ominous for people trying to do the right thing, Porcher said.

In the current political environment in Florida, in which DeSantis has attempted to remove other public officials, including a Tampa prosecutor and some local school board members  and the Florida Legislature in 2022 made limits on attorney fees a cornerstone of property insurance reform laws  some comp judges now appear to be toeing the line, the plaintiffs representatives argued.

Self-preservation is everyones greatest motivation in life, Winer said. They want to perpetuate existence, keep a roof over their heads and keep their profession. For a judge, there might be political pressure thats being exerted by the governor. I dont know.

Floridas head compensation judge said those conclusions have no basis in fact.

Thats their perception and rallying cry, but I have not spoken with Ron DeSantis on this topic, said Judge David Langham. So I cant tell what his reasoning was in not appointing Judge Sculco. I assume these people that are saying this have spoken with Ron and have a better insight than I have.

To ascribe motivation to the governors actions without speaking with him would be preposterous, he said.

Langham noted that Sculco was not the only judge who was not reappointed in 2022, and some 16 others were reappointed. The Florida Office of Judges of Compensation Claims 2023 annual report shows that claimants attorney fees on settlements have, in fact, dropped slightly in the last year or so, after rising steadily in the years before that.

Court Wont Bar Comp Judge from Hearing Cases After His Scathing Ruling on Fees In another set of decisions that stemmed from seemingly large attorney fees in workers compensation claims, Floridas 1st District Court of Appeals last week dismissed a claimants attorneys requests that a compensation judge be barred from hearing her firms cases after the judge questioned a lawyers ethics. The cases began after a settlement of $114,900 in injuries to a Sarasota County school teacher. Lakeland comp attorney Bradley Smith had submitted attorney fees of about $12,200. But the settlement also included a side agreement: The employer and its insurance manager, Commercial Risk Management Inc., had agreed to pay an additional $85,000 in legal fees and costs to Smith. The judge of compensation claims, Erik Grindal, took exception to that amount. A statutory guideline attorneys fee on a $200,000 award should be about $20,750, Grindal wrote in his order. But the settlement and side agreement provided the claimant, Kimberly Fox, with $102,660, and Smith with almost as much  $97,240. The judge said that Smith had not properly disclosed the side stipulation on fees and that the agreement was inappropriate. After combing through hourly records and holding hearings, Grindal found that Smith had not scheduled doctor visits as he had billed for, had misrepresented the amount of hours involved in the legal work, and ran up hours for items that were unnecessary or were not allowed by court rules. I find that the attorney fee and taxable cost stipulation is a sham for three separate reasons, the judge wrote in his st District Court of Appeals to ban Grindal from handling any of their pending comp cases. Smith told Insurance Journal that Grindals 70-page opinion is one example of a trend by some compensation judges to take issue with claimants attorney fees, in keeping with Gov. Ron DeSantis effort to put more conservative, pro-employer judges on state and federal benches. These orders have become like auditions for judges who want to be reappointed, Smith said. Others in the compensation arena, including defense attorneys and the head compensation judge, have disagreed with those arguments. The appeals court would not agree to bar Grindal from hearing the Smith law firm cases. Without comment, the appeals court on Jan. 24 dismissed 16 petitions for writs of prohibition filed by Tsambis. Smith said the dismissals are not final, and appeals in the Fox and other cases are pending. In another set of decisions that stemmed from seemingly large attorney fees in workers compensation claims, Floridas 1District Court of Appeals last week dismissed a claimants attorneys requests that a compensation judge be barred from hearing her firms cases after the judge questioned a lawyers ethics. The cases began after a settlement of $114,900 in injuries to a Sarasota County school teacher. Lakeland comp attorney Bradley Smith had submitted attorney fees of about $12,200. But the settlement also included a side agreement: The employer and its insurance manager, Commercial Risk Management Inc., had agreed to pay an additional $85,000 in legal fees and costs to Smith. The judge of compensation claims, Erik Grindal, took exception to that amount. A statutory guideline attorneys fee on a $200,000 award should be about $20,750, Grindal wrote in his order. But the settlement and side agreement provided the claimant, Kimberly Fox, with $102,660, and Smith with almost as much  $97,240. The judge said that Smith had not properly disclosed the side stipulation on fees and that the agreement was inappropriate. After combing through hourly records and holding hearings, Grindal found that Smith had not scheduled doctor visits as he had billed for, had misrepresented the amount of hours involved in the legal work, and ran up hours for items that were unnecessary or were not allowed by court rules. I find that the attorney fee and taxable cost stipulation is a sham for three separate reasons, the judge wrote in his November 2023 order . The first is attorney fee entitlement. I find that there is no factual or legal basis for concluding that Mr. Smith is entitled to payment of attorneys fees and taxable costs by the employer/carrier under the facts presented here. The judge threatened Smith and attorney Ben Cristal, who also worked on the claim, with court sanctions. Request for costs claimed when the carrier failed to respond were specious, the judge said. I find the parties have presented no credible evidence or explanation to support even a minimally colorable argument that attorneys fees and reimbursement of taxable costs at the expense of the employer/carrier could be due pursuant to Section 440.34 based on this Petition for Benefits, Grindal said. I further find that the attorney fee stipulation was interposed for the improper purpose of making an unlawful payment of attorneys fees by the employer/carrier to claimants counsel for the purpose of securing a settlement. The judges comments were so scathing and prejudicial, Smith said, that Smith and his wife and law partner Nicolette Tsambis asked Grindal to recuse himself from the case. When he refused, they lawyers asked the 1District Court of Appeals to ban Grindal from handling any of their pending comp cases. Smith told Insurance Journal that Grindals 70-page opinion is one example of a trend by some compensation judges to take issue with claimants attorney fees, in keeping with Gov. Ron DeSantis effort to put more conservative, pro-employer judges on state and federal benches. These orders have become like auditions for judges who want to be reappointed, Smith said. Others in the compensation arena, including defense attorneys and the head compensation judge, have disagreed with those arguments. The appeals court would not agree to bar Grindal from hearing the Smith law firm cases. Without comment, the appeals court on Jan. 24 dismissed 16 petitions for writs of prohibition filed by Tsambis. Smith said the dismissals are not final, and appeals in the Fox and other cases are pending.

But that is probably more a product of lower aggregate settle amounts, which also dropped by 3.5% last year, Langham noted.

In the Jan. 24 Rudolph opinion, seen here, the 1st DCA judges found that the comp judge had overstepped the law and the intent of previous court rulings.

Although the JCC had the discretion to deviate from the presumptive fee by applying the statutory factors, this Court has cautioned that he should do so only in exceptional circumstances where the presumptive amount under the formula is manifestly unfair,' appeals court Judge Stephanie Ray wrote.

Because there were no exceptional circumstances that would justify a reduction in the presumptively reasonable fee set by statute, we reverse, she added.

Ray, by the way, was appointed in 2011 by then-Gov. Rick Scott, who is also seen as a pro-employer, staunch conservative in his political views. Ray at one time also was a member of the Federalist Society, which advocates for textualist and, some plaintiffs lawyers have said, a hard-right interpretation of the U.S. Constitution and statutes.

Winer said the appeals court made the correct decision in the Rudolph case.

One of the biggest takeaways in this opinion is that, as a judge, you dont get to decide just what you think is right and fair. You have to make a decision based on the evidence before you, Winer said. In this case, all of the evidence that was presented to the judge suggested that the fee claim was reasonable.

The comp judge, Edward Almeyda, had written in his order that Rudolphs stipulated fee amount shocks (his) conscience, noting that it was about $4,000 an hour, it is coming out of a settlement awarded to a quadriplegic on a ventilator, and the settlement must last the remainder of the mans life.

Winer said that Almeyda had overlooked the fact that the injured workers litigation over medical benefits had been going on for 30 years, that Rudolph had been working on it for much of that, and had invested significant resources, and was taking a big risk: There was no guarantee that he would be paid, especially if the paralyzed claimant died before a settlement was final.

Other lawyers were involved in the prolonged litigation, and they and Rudolph had agreed to share a total fee of $1.3 million  almost a $700,000 reduction from the amount prescribed by Floridas statutory guidelines.

The worker, Darien Smith, was catastrophically injured in 1993 when he was a stocker at a Home Depot in Miami. A loaded pallet fell on his head, crushing his spine and paralyzing him from the neck down, requiring a lifetime of care. Liberty Mutual Insurance and National Union Fire Insurance are the workers compensation carriers in the claim.

Smith settled the indemnity benefits part of his claim in 1995. But many of his medical needs continued to be litigated for the next three decades, including his need for a powered wheelchair, a computer to allow him to communicate through eye movements, home modifications, and more.

In his 2022 order on the attorney fees, Judge Almeyda noted that at the time of the accident Florida law mandated a sliding scale on fees: 25% of the first $5,000 in benefits; 20% for the next $5,000 and 15% of the remainder. That statute was struck down by the landmark Castellanos vs. Next Door Co. decision by the Florida Supreme Court in 2016, but the scale remains as a guideline in the statute.

Also in 2016, another landmark decision, by the 1st DCA, upheld the right of claimants to contract with their attorneys on fees. While most plaintiffs attorneys customarily ask for 30% to 40% of the final award in personal injury cases, the concern in comp cases was that awards are generally much smaller than in other injury cases, dont include punitive damages, and a contingency fee would come out of the injured workers benefits. A limit on fees also helps limit loss costs and loss adjustment expenses for comp insurers  and helps keep premiums lower for employers.

Almeyda acknowledged that Rudolphs agreed-on fee was less than what the guidelines called for, and that the case was complex. But he said the payment was still too high and did not meet another standard known as the Lee Engineering factors test, which speaks to reasonableness of fees.

Rudolph had submitted 205 hours over a seven-month period. Winer argued that the number of hours didnt tell the whole story, that Rudolph had already agreed to a huge reduction, and that he had agreed to represent Smith for the rest of his life. The claimant and his mother were very happy with the job Rudolph did, and at a hearing she thanked all the lawyers for being so patient and working so hard, Winer said.

The appeals court seemed to agree. Citing other appeals court rulings, the DCA said that Almeyda had placed too much emphasis on an hourly fee.

The JCCs hyperfocus on a reasonable hourly rate reduced the fee analysis to nothing more than a simple mathematical formula (hourly rate x number of hours) and strayed from the contingent fee arrangement inherent in the statute, the 1st DCA opinion reads. Lost in the JCCs well-intentioned calculation was any recognition that the stipulated fee amount was already substantially less than what the statute deemed as presumptively fair.

Because Almeyda raised his concerns, that created a conflict between Rudolph and his client, forcing Rudolph off the case. Going forward, Rudolph wont be able to represent Smith in Medicare set-aside, Social Security offsets and new medical issues that inevitably will arise, Winer said. As of now, Smith does not have a lawyer on his comp case.

The judge in essence created conflict where there was resolution peace, Winer argued. The judge approached this from mindset of wanting to help Mr. Smith, but in actuality he really hurt him.

Winers fee for representing Rudolph will come out of Rudolphs pocket, not from Smiths benefits, he noted.

The attorney for the employer/carrier, Kimberly Fernandes of the Kelley Kronenberg firm, could not be reached for comment.

Topics Florida Legislation Workers' Compensation
When the COVID-19 virus spread across the country three years ago, dozens of state legislatures approved statutes that granted health care providers immunity from legal actions brought by people who claimed to have been injured by COVID treatments.

Absent wanton, reckless, willful, or intentional misconduct, a health care provider is not liable for any damages, injury, or death alleged to have been caused by an act or omission of the health care provider during the performance or provision of health care services or treatment that resulted from, was negatively affected by, was negatively impacted by a lack of resources caused by, or was done in response to the Coronavirus pandemic or the states response to the pandemic, reads a section of Alabamas two-part law, adopted in 2021.

That immunity also applies to lawsuits brought by patients who were hurt in slips and falls at the hospital, even if the injury was not directly related to virus treatments, the Alabama Supreme Court decided Jan. 26.

The plain language of  6-5-791(a)(13) and 6-5-792(a) mandate Triads entitlement to immunity as to the Askews negligence claims, Justice William Sellers wrote for the court in a case brought by Voncille and Don Askew against Triad of Alabama, doing business as Flowers Hospital.

Voncille Askew was diagnosed with COVID-19 in September 2021 and her physician scheduled her for monoclonal-antibody infusion therapy, an accepted treatment for COVID, at Flowers Hospital in Dothan, Alabama, the court explained. After two hours of therapy, the Askews exited, as directed by the hospital staff, through the infusion entry at the building. Voncilles foot caught the edge of a concrete ramp, causing her to fall and sustain serious injuries.

Eight months later, the Askews filed suit against the hospital, claiming negligence for an unsafe entryway. Triad argued that the Alabama COVID-19 Immunity Act grants the hospital safe harbor from legal actions. The Houston County Circuit Court sided with the plaintiffs, though, and struck the hospitals immunity defense.

Triad appealed. The Supreme Court agreed with Triad last week and blocked the lower courts striking of the hospitals immunity defense, noting that the wording of the immunity statute appears to cover all claims related to the coronavirus, even those not directly related to medical treatments.

The Askews attorney had argued that the injury claim from the fall at the entryway bore striking dissimilarity to the types of claims described in the immunity law. But the justices disagreed, pointing out that the court had already granted immunity to a state agency on similar grounds in 2022.

The statute imposes no limitations on the chain of causation or on the relation between a claim and Coronavirus outside of those limitations inherent to the words arises from or is related to,' the opinion reads.

The Supreme Court directed the trial court to to vacate its order that barred the immunity defense. The opinion can be seen here. Connor Wilson Herfurth, of the Balch & Bingham law firm, represented the hospital in the appeal. The hospitals insurance carrier was not named in the opinion.

Topics Alabama COVID-19 Medical Professional Liability
An Oregon jury awarded $85 million to nine victims of wildfires that ravaged the state in 2020, the latest verdict in a series of legal proceedings that are expected to put the utility PacifiCorp on the hook for billions of dollars over its liability for the deadly blazes.

We are so proud of the strength and resilience of our clients, and thankful to the jury for holding PacifiCorp accountable for what happened on Labor Day 2020  something it will never do itself, Nick Rosinia, one of the plaintiffs attorneys, said in a statement.

PacifiCorp expects post-verdict rulings and insurance payments to bring its share of the verdict to just under $80 million, the company said in a statement.

The 2020 wildfires were undeniably tragic, it said. PacifiCorp has settled and will continue to settle all reasonable claims for actual damages under Oregon law.  The growing threat of wildfires to communities and businesses is bigger than any one company or industry.

The fires were among the worst natural disasters in Oregons history, killing nine people, burning more than 1,875 square miles (4,856 square kilometers) and destroying upward of 5,000 homes and other structures.

Last June a jury found PacifiCorp liable for damages for negligently failing to cut power to its 600,000 customers despite warnings from top fire officials, saying its power lines were responsible for multiple blazes. PacifCorp has appealed.

That jury awarded around $90 million to 17 homeowners named as plaintiffs in the case, with damages to be determined later for a broader class that could include the owners of about 2,500 properties, as estimated by plaintiffs attorneys.

The damages awarded Tuesday were the first in cases brought by that broader class, with additional trials expected in February and April.

PacifiCorp also agreed last month to pay $299 million to settle a lawsuit brought by 463 plaintiffs who were harmed by separate devastating wildfires in southern Oregon over Labor Day 2020.

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Wildfire Oregon
Toronto, Ontario - January 29, 2024 (Newsfile Corp.) (Investorideas.com Newswire) Kirkland Lake Discoveries Corp. (TSXV: KLDC) (OTC Pink: KLKLF) ("KLDC" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the signing of a Cooperation Agreement with Beaverhouse First Nation ("BHFN") advancing exploration and the next phase of drilling at the Hurricane Zone on the Lucky Strike Property, in Kirkland Lake, Ontario (the "Project").

The Cooperation Agreement confirms KLDC's commitment to ongoing consultation and demonstrates the Company's willingness to establish a mutually beneficial, cooperative, and productive relationship with BHFN.

The agreement commits the Company to provide BHFN an opportunity to participate in the benefits of the Project through access to business opportunities, employment, and training.

Daniele Spethmann, President, Founder and CEO, commented, "Beaverhouse First Nation and the Company have a long-standing relationship built on mutual respect and trust. This agreement is the first step in formalizing that relationship. We are committed to responsible exploration across our very exciting project and to providing shared value and economic opportunities to BHFN. We are respectful and responsible stewards of the natural environment and acknowledge Beaverhouse First Nation's Traditional Territories."

Chief Wayne Wabie of the Beaverhouse First Nation states, "Beaverhouse First Nation is pleased to have come to an initial agreement with KLDC that ensures exploration in our territory is executed with respect for the land and our people. We look forward to working with Kirkland Lake Discoveries and to sharing in its successes."

About Kirkland Lake Discoveries Corp.

Kirkland Lake Discoveries Corp. is a TSX Venture Exchange listed company that has recently consolidated a district-scale and highly prospective land package in the Kirkland Lake Gold Camp in Ontario, Canada. The properties are hosted in the Abitibi Greenstone Belt, one of the world's best-endowed greenstone belts, with 200+ million ounces of gold produced to date.1 The properties are host to regional and property-scale mineralized structures that are considered second-order structures off the Larder Lake Cadillac Deformation Zone (LLCDZ), the regional structure in the belt known to be spatially associated with the gold mines hosted in the camp.

The KLDC land position comprises approximately 38,000 ha, over 1,338 claims and 29 patented claims making the Company one of the largest landholders in the Kirkland Lake region.

For additional information, please contact:

Daniele Spethmann, P.Geo.

Founder, President & CEO

kirklandlakediscoveries.com

+1 416 363 0317

daniele@kirklandlakediscoveries.com

The TSX Venture Exchange Inc. has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. Various assumptions or factors are typically applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking information. Those assumptions and factors are based on information currently available to the Company.

The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof, and the Company is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws.

Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein.

More Info:

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Irish microbrewery Eight Degrees has been bought by its original founders after it was sold to Pernod Richard owned Irish Distillers five years ago.

The French drinks giant, which owns Jameson, bought the Cork-based business for an undisclosed sum in a multimillion euro deal, according to reports at the time, and has recently sold it back to New Zealand native Scott Baigent and Australian Cam Wallace.
Irelands newly selected Eurovision entrant Bambie Thug has issued a statement to those enraged by my beautiful art after seeing hateful messages online.

Bambie Thug, who is from Macroom, Co. Cork is non-binary and uses the pronouns they/them, urged the public to remember I am a human too.

I have gone through so much trauma and still show up with love after every obstacle and hard time, they said. I have always been a phoenix and your words and warped views cannot hurt me.

They said they send the most love to those who hate them and criticised naysayers' anger.

If my expression of art moves you to hate and anger then you are who I send the most love to. If you don't want to be part of the Haus Of Thug you are not obligated to come on this journey with me, they said.

But do yourself a favour and don't waste your life hung up [on] hate, internalised homophobia, misogyny, transphobia and self-hate. Practice self-compassion and perhaps you will learn to live in love.

They added: Don't be mad because I haven't forgotten the art of play, fun and creation and you have.

Bambie Thug was chosen as Irelands entrant to the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo during a public vote on Friday night with their song, Doomsday Blue.

Speaking to the Irish Examiner before the Late Late Eurosong special, Bambie said they have a thick skin.

This creative world is amazing but, at the same time, its also tough. You have to have a thick skin.
A surge in measles cases in Europe and particularly Britain has led the HSE to issue a plea to parents to make sure their children's vaccines are up to date.

The main vaccine protects against measles, mumps, and rubella, known better as the MMR vaccine.

The HSE says the MMR uptake in Ireland is "suboptimal", and is falling short of the 95% target set by the World Health Organization (WHO), with uptake falling to below 90% since the beginning of the covid pandemic in early 2020.

Lucy Jessop, the director of the HSE's National Immunisation Office says measles 'can have severe consequences, particularly for babies and vulnerable groups'. File picture: Sasko Lazarov/Rolling News

They are urging parents to make sure children and young people are up to date with their MMR vaccine due to a rise in cases in parts of Britain and Europe.

Measles can be unpleasant and is a potentially serious and highly infectious disease that can spread easily through respiratory droplets.

Lucy Jessop, the director of the HSE's National Immunisation Office, said: "The importance of taking precautions to protect both the individual and the community from measles cannot be understated.

While measles is preventable through vaccination, the virus spreads very quickly between people who are not vaccinated and can have severe consequences, particularly for babies and vulnerable groups.

Dr Jessop said vaccines are "vitally important" as they can help prevent other serious problems including meningitis, hearing loss and problems during pregnancy.

The HSE says vaccination is the "most effective way to prevent measles and protect against its complications. Two doses are recommended to be considered fully vaccinated."

The first MMR dose is given when a child is 12 months of age.

The second dose is due when a child is in junior infants.

The HSE notes that it is especially important ahead of the mid-term break that anyone travelling to Britain must ensure they have the right number of MMR vaccines for their age.

Symptoms of measles include high fever, cough, runny nose, and a characteristic red rash.

If you or a family member develop these symptoms, or have been in contact with someone with measles, stay at home and contact your doctor by phone for advice, and inform healthcare providers of any recent travel history.
Freezing funding to the United Nations aid agency for Palestinian refugees would be catastrophic for the people trapped in Gaza in the midst of the most terrible conflict, the Tanaiste has said.

Micheal Martin said he was very concerned after multiple countries, including the US, Germany, the UK, Holland, Australia, and Canada pulled funding from United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), which is the only major NGO operating in war torn Gaza.

Funding was paused after Israel accused some 12 UNRWA employees of participating in the October 7 attacks led by Hamas which killed 1,140 people in Israel. On Friday, the UN said it had fired the accused workers and was investigating.

But any cut to funding now could further worsen an already dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

I think the countries acted far too prematurely, Mr Martin said.

I think Philippe Lazzarini [UNRWA Commissioner-General] is a very reputable and solid administrator.

Ireland is a strong contributor to UNRWA.

The bottom line is that without UNRWA, the humanitarian situation will become even more catastrophic in Gaza and in the West Bank.

And don't forget that UNRWA also supports millions of refugees in Jordan and elsewhere.

So that's the context and people have to put this in perspective in terms of the allegations against a number of workers on the ground."

To pull out entirely would be catastrophic in the midst of a terrible conflict, he said.

The most pressing need in Gaza is to end the conflict. We need an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.

It is terrible what is going on. The huge numbers of children losing their lives, of innocent civilians, it is not tenable or sustainable any longer.

Mr Martin said that UNRWA must adhere to rules and standards and make sure that no members or workers engage in any heinous crimes.

But that doesn't mean you collectively punish the entire population by withdrawing all the funding that UNRWA needs for education, for health services, for food.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence was speaking in Cork at the the European Selection Convention for MEP Billy Kelleher.

With Cork providing this years Eurovision contestant  Bambie Thug, the non-binary star from Macroom - Mr Martin was asked if Ireland would boycott the Eurovision if Israel competes.

I'm focused on the political side of this, Mr Martin said.

I'm focused on trying to use any influence we have with like-minded countries in Europe to get this terrible war ended.

I haven't given too much thought to it [the Eurovision] I hope Bambie doesn't mind.
There are two new millionaires in the country today and Lotto players in Kildare and Dublin are being urged to check their tickets.

An online player in the capital has become the first jackpot winner of the year, and the seventh highest jackpot winner in Irish history, with a prize of over 14.67m.

Meanwhile, someone in Kildare has won 1m in Sunday's Daily Millions 2pm draw.

The winners are now being urged to contact the National Lottery claims team in order to make arrangements to collect their prize.

The winning numbers in Sunday's Daily Million 2pm draw were: 11, 17, 18, 31, 33, 35 and the bonus was 15.

The winning store location will be revealed on Tuesday, January 30.

Commenting on the news, a National Lottery spokesperson said: "What a weekend this has turned into for our players. Saturday nights Lotto draw saw an online player in Dublin win an incredible 14.67m and less than 24 hours later, we already have another National Lottery millionaire. A Daily Million player in Kildare is undoubtedly having a Sunday afternoon to remember after winning the top prize of 1m in todays 2pm draw.

"In the space of a week, three players nationwide have become millionaires. As well as our two wins this weekend, an online player in Kerry won the 1m top prize in the 9pm Daily Million draw on Tuesday 23rd January.

"They say good things come in threes and thats most certainly the case for our players this week!

"Irelands newest millionaire should sign the back of their ticket and make contact with our prize claims team who will make arrangements for them to visit Lotto HQ to collect their incredible prize.
The SDLP has said it will not attend celebratory St Patricks events at the White House in protest at the situation in Gaza, but will send a delegation to Washington to raise its concerns.

The decision comes amid calls from pro-Palestinian supporters on the island of Ireland for parties to boycott the annual St Patricks engagements in Washington in March, because of the USs ongoing support for Israel as it pursues its offensive in Gaza.

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood MP said he could not in good conscience attend celebratory events at the White House while the civilian population in Gaza lives in constant fear of eradication.

He accused the US administration of an atrocious response to the conflict.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar presents US President Joe Biden with a bowl of shamrock during last years St Patricks Day reception (Niall Carson/PA)

Mr Eastwood said the scale and intensity of violence could not be justified and called on the US to become an advocate for a ceasefire.

He said his party would send a delegation to Washington to engage with senior lawmakers, Irish Americans and Palestinian Americans to make the case for an end to violence.

The bonds of friendship and shared history between Ireland and the United States have forged one of the warmest and most enduring international relationships in the world today, he said.

It is because we are so close historically, diplomatically and, many of us, personally, that we have a duty to be honest with our friends and allies, especially when we think theyre wrong.

The scenes of destruction and annihilation in Gaza represent, in my view, a clear act of genocide.

With more than 26,000 people dead, and more than 10,000 of them children, the response of the international community has been heinously deficient. The response of the US administration has been particularly atrocious.

I have seen the impact of unspeakable violence in Gaza. In November 2012 I visited Khan Younis and the surrounding districts days after an appalling escalation in violence that left more than 100 civilians dead and hundreds more injured.

I have seen childrens playgrounds reduced to rubble and homes destroyed. The people of Gaza now go to bed again every night knowing that they may never wake up.

In that context, and having seen its impact before, I cannot in good conscience attend White House parties for St Patricks Day while the administration turns its face the other way and refuses to call for an immediate ceasefire.

I could not rub shoulders, drink Guinness and have the craic while the horrifying impacts of the brutal war in Gaza continue.

It would be the very opposite of solidarity with a people on the brink of destruction.

Sinn Fein has faced criticism from pro-Palestinian activists in Ireland for not boycotting Washington in March.

The party has said it will use events in the US capital to raise its concerns about the situation in Gaza.

On Sunday, Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty said his party would not shirk its responsibility to voice its opposition to the US administrations stance.

I could not rub shoulders, drink Guinness, and have the craic while the horrifying impacts of the brutal war in Gaza continue. It would be the very opposite of solidarity with a people on the brink of destruction.

Mr Eastwood said every party leader would have to make their own decision on how they approach St Patricks Day in the US.

I am offering no criticism of anyone else because there is no easy answer to any of this, he said.

But I know that my own conscience, and the values of the party I lead, are not consistent with celebration in the face of overwhelming violence.

The SDLP will send a delegation to Washington DC. We will meet with senior law makers, with Irish-American leaders and with Palestinian-Americans to make the case for an end to violence.

It is in our partys DNA to work toward peace wherever possible. We will use our influence to press strongly for an immediate ceasefire and the release of hostages held by Hamas.

I am not naive to the scale of the impact this action will have. But faced with the scenes of destruction across Gaza, one of the most densely populated areas of human habitation on our planet, I honestly believe it would be wrong to attend these celebrations and that not attending sends a far more powerful message.

The first and most important principle of peace is that the killing must stop.

The US has enormous influence over the pace of that first step in Gaza and southern Israel. I sincerely hope that they use it and join those of us calling for an immediate ceasefire soon.
Moving a Dublin military barracks close to the M50 motorway would create the potential for just under 2,000 homes in the city centre and an economic benefit of more than 540m, according to a new report.

Assuming only a cost-benefit analysis of Cathal Brugha Barracks in Rathmines is taken into consideration, the greatest benefit to the State would be the moving of the full Defence Forces garrison to a location outside the city, the report, compiled for the Department of Defence says.

Situated on a 39-acre site, Cathal Brugha Barracks is the Defence Forces only operational army barracks in Dublin. The report  compiled by consultancy firm Arup as part of the Departments evaluation of the suitability of its property portfolio for housing development  states that in its current guise the location in which the barracks is situated is being under-utilised.

Several scenarios were evaluated, and nine separate replacement sites around Dublin were considered. Just two of those were considered by the feasibility study  greenfield sites at Clonshaugh beside Dublin Airport and in Tallaght to the west of the city.

The report states that of those two sites, Clonshaugh would represent the most economically advantageous option for a transfer of operations from Cathal Brugha Barracks, but only if the core operations alone of the Rathmines site were to transfer.

Should the entirety of the Defence Forces Rathmines operation transfer to the Tallaght site, meanwhile, the State would benefit to the tune of 543m, the report states. If either of those options were taken, it would result in land being freed up in a city centre location with the potential to result in 1,940 housing units, Arup said.

A third site, based at the Central Bank mint site in Sandyford, was not evaluated as it is currently subject to a separate appraisal by the Land Development Agency (LDA), the agency with responsibility for the development of unused land in State ownership.

Alternatively, should the financial cost alone of the various options available be considered as opposed to the total socioeconomic benefits, then it would make most sense to keep the Defence Forces core function in place in Rathmines, and to look at the release of some existing lands for housing development, it said.

In February 2022 Environment Minister Eamon Ryan suggested the Government was looking at developing Cathal Brugha Barracks for affordable housing, stating that the land was needed to that end.

In response, Defence Minister Simon Coveney said no decision has been taken regarding whether the barracks should move or not.

The LDA is currently conducting its own feasibility study regarding the barracks, which Arup said should be considered in conjunction with its own report.

It is as yet unclear when that report will be published. An LDA spokesman said: "There is a process underway to examine the potential for housing on this site. The LDA is involved in this process."

Cathal Brugha Barracks is not currently on the list of lands to be transferred to the LDA as part of the Governments Housing For All strategy. The LDA did include the barracks in its first report regarding State land which could potentially be used for housing, published last March, with the caveat that it has no practical timeline for near-term delivery.

It said the site could potentially host a maximum of 1,110 homes at a development cost of up to 345m.
A 20-year-old man has been accused of violent disorder and producing a steel-handled brush as a weapon when "he retaliated" to his father being fatally injured in a shooting in a restaurant in Dublin on Christmas Eve.

Gunman Tristan Sherry, 26, died of blunt force trauma to the head after he shot Jason Hennessy Sr at Browne's Steakhouse in Blanchardstown.

Mr Hennessy, 48, had been having dinner with family and friends before the gun attack, and died 11 days later in hospital.

His son Brandon Hennessy of Sheephill Avenue, Dublin 15, was arrested on Sunday, charged and appeared before Judge Gerard Jones at Blanchardstown District Court on Monday morning.

He is accused of engaging in violent disorder by using or threatening to use violence with six others, which would cause another person present to fear for their safety and a second offence for production of a commercial dustpan and brush with a steel handle capable of inflicting serious injury during the course of an offence of violent disorder.

Garda Alan Murphy gave evidence and told the court that the accused "made no comment" when charged at 8.54pm on Sunday.

Bail

Defence solicitor Simon Fleming said there was no objection to bail subject to conditions, but he asked that they not be read aloud during the brief hearing. He added that the terms had been agreed upon with Garda Murphy.

Judge Jones asked what was alleged, and Garda Murphy said there was an incident in Browne's steakhouse, and "this male was involved with a number of other males".

The defence solicitor then told the court: "His father was murdered, and it is alleged that he retaliated against the person who did the murder."

Judge Jones imposed the conditions sought and remanded the accused on bail to appear again on March 12 for directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). He also granted Mr Hennessy legal aid after noting he was not working.

The young man, dressed in a navy and green tracksuit, did not address the court and has yet to indicate a plea.

He is the seventh person charged in the investigation.
A wave of retirements in the coming years will exacerbate a crisis in Kerry that has already left 15 parishes without priests.

With many priests set to reach retirement age in Kerry, more churches will be without weekend Masses, Bishop of Kerry Ray Browne has warned.

Dr Browne wrote at the weekend of the impending exodus of priest to Mass-goers across Kerry and parts of North and West Cork, which forms the Diocese of Kerry.

"With many priests set to reach retirement age 75 in the next three years, the challenge is imminent," the bishop wrote in a pastoral letter read out at Masses.

More parishes are set to lose priests, while parish and pastoral area structures themselves would have to be reviewed "so they can serve us more effectively", the bishop said.

"A church can still be the centre point for community life, even if there is no weekend Mass," he said.

"Think of your local church community in four ways: a social/friendship community; a caring compassionate community; a praying, worshiping and sacramental community; and a community whose mission is to nourish and develop its faith, and hand it on to the next generation," the letter read.

A "key element" will be to add to the existing 26 pastoral leaders. A planning group has been established to pave the way for the new lay-centred focus.

A group representing laity, religious and clergy of all ages will oversee the planning process and will conclude by May 2024, according to Dr Browne.

The work will be "in a synodal manner" to draw in as many voices as possible and to make decisions by consensus guided by the Holy Spirit, he said.

Gatherings in each parish will begin in February.

The Diocese of Kerry includes more than 50 parishes from West Kerry to parts of North and West Cork.

Bishop of Kerry Ray Browne: 'A church can still be the centre point for community life, even if there is no weekend Mass.' Picture: Valerie O'Sullivan

A survey by the Association of Catholic Priests (ACP) in late 2023 found 2,116 priests serve in Irelands 26 dioceses, with nearly 15% of priests over 75 and still working.

More than 25% are between 60 and 75, but just 2.5% are under 40.

The Irish Catholic Directory for 2022 recorded 520 priests dying in the three years up to 2021.

Fr Roy Donovan of the ACP said Dr Browne's pastoral letter called for "a radically different way of going about everything".

This reflected the findings of two-year research commissioned by the national steering committee of the Irish Synodal Pathway presented to bishops last year.

The findings recommended radical changes and highlighted the need for training.

Priests would have to let go of power and the laity would have to take up the call to become more active.

The Diocese of Kerry had been very advanced in its preparations for the changes in recent years, Fr Donovan said.

"This calls for a radical and different circular type of church," Fr Donovan said of both the pastoral letter and the findings of the synodal pathway research.

The challenges for the church at the moment was it was still having to maintain the old system while trying to build the new, Fr Donovan said.
Dermal fillers, fillers, popularised by TV shows such as Love Island, may interfere with the immune systems ability to fight disease by blocking and damaging important lymphatic channels in the face, research suggests.

Spero Theodorou, founder and surgical director of bodySCULPT plastic surgery practice in Manhattan, New York, said that evidence now suggests that all filler patients will have some degree of lymphatic blockage  even if there are no lumps or visible swelling.

Lymphatic channels form a fundamental part of the immune system, draining fluid as well as flushing toxins and waste. The lymphatic system helps the body to fight disease.

Filler can block and permanently damage these vital and delicate structures, Dr Theodorou has found  in a major study due to be published in the coming weeks.

The research, which he hopes may force change in the hugely lucrative aesthetic industry, was unveiled at the annual scientific conference of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons in London in September.

Dr Theodorou said the problem is with the substance itself. No matter how skilled the injector, the substance can still block these lymphatic channels.

He immediately stopped providing filler at his practice following the research findings, he said.

I cannot in good conscience provide this to my patients anymore because of what I saw, Dr Theodorou told the Irish Examiner.

I have a daughter, shes 16 years old and I dont want her  when shes 20  putting this stuff in her face.

Read More Patients forced to seek emergency treatment over dermal fillers

Ailesbury Clinic founder Patrick Treacy. Dr Treacy agrees that dermal fillers may block the lymphatic system, but said that the study should not be cause for undue worry. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

I see these 22-year-olds and 19-year-olds and 25-year-olds  and they look great to begin with, and I understand they want to look better on Instagram and all these things  but at the end of the day, these choices will have repercussions down the road for them, and its very hard to fix.

And if we dont raise our hand as doctors and say: Hey this has to stop or somehow has to be changed were not doing our jobs.

The filler industry is now worth an estimated $5bn (4.6bn) globally, and is forecast to grow to some $9bn (8.3bn) by 2030.

But the substance  a modified form of hyaluronic acid  has been injected into faces, necks, hands, and bodies with very little to no regulatory oversight, even though it can cause blindness, stroke, and necrosis (the death of tissue). Dermal fillers plump up the skin and are most commonly associated with the lips, but are also used to fill acne scars, reshape a persons nose, and to replace lost volume.

It is used in procedures dubbed liquid facelifts to lift and reinforce structures of the face.

Consultant dermatologist Caitriona Ryan said there is no scientific foundation for fears that filler could impact the immune system or increase cancer risk, but said people should consider how many filler procedures they get for aesthetic reasons. File picture

The procedures are fast, minimally invasive, and cost from approximately 200 to over 1,000 in Irish clinics  depending on how much product is injected.

The new study used a SPY camera made by Stryker  a global medical technologies company which employs more than 4,000 people in its facilities in Cork.

Dr Theodorou and a team of doctors used the SPY camera to examine the lymphatics in some 50 women who have had facial filler.

A special dye was injected into the womens faces, which the camera could then track as it moved through the womens lymphatic channels.

The study showed dye injected into the faces of women with filler pool under the eyes and in the cheeks, and is still stuck there one week later.

A functioning lymphatic system should have drained that dye out almost immediately, Dr Theodorou said:

Its just accumulating because lymphatics are blocked. That stuff stays there because it has nowhere to go.

This is not innocuous. The lymphatics job is to remove the impurities from the skin all over the body.

The lymphatics drain into what we call the lymph nodes, which are your neck or your groin or your axilla. Thats how all the impurities get cleaned up. It also helps for detection of cancer.

Im not saying this impacts cancer detection. Im just saying that all we know is that lymphatics are blocked. And theyre blocked irreversibly.

Beauty journalist and recent Safety in Beauty Award winner Mary-Jane ORegan says many people are moving away from dermal fillers: 'A lot of bad work has been done, a lot of Kardashian face.' Picture: Dan Linehan

Although a substance called hyaluronidase can be used to dissolve filler, it is very difficult to remove it all.

Dr Theodorou said he will be the most hated plastic surgeon in the world for highlighting concerns with such a lucrative and popular non-surgical procedure. But, he said, he felt ethically bound to investigate his suspicions and share his findings.

Immune response

Filler has also been found to trigger an immune response  where the body sends killer T-cells to attack what it recognises as a foreign object  causing swelling, he said.

Cancer has been detected in a small number of patients where T-cells attacked some breast implants, Dr Theodorou said.

In lymph nodes removed during surgery, biopsies showed they suffered a foreign body reaction to filler.

That proves not only that the filler migrated to different areas, but also that theres a reaction to it on a microscopic level. Whenever you have something foreign in the body, the body attacks it.

Rheumatologists identified the potential problem with dermal filler some 10 years ago, he said.

They know theres an issue with these fillers, and they know theres a long-term safety issue. So everyone knows this is going on  including the companies  but everyones ignoring it.

'Unknown long-term implications'

Dr Theodorou said that when they discovered the inflammatory T-cell response to filler and their blocking of the lymph system, they brought their findings to industry.

Our job, as scientists, is to bring it to your attention, and we did, and nothing happened. We dont know the long-term implications of messing with this [lymphatic] system, he said.

Dr Theodorou said it usually takes 20 years for problems with implants and these kinds of medical devices to emerge.

Patrick Treacy  founder of the Ailesbury Clinic in Cork and Dublin, who has treated Michael Jackson  was one of the first doctors to use and contribute to the study of hyaluronidase, an enzyme which breaks down hyaluronic acid.

A woman receiving a brow lift. Beauty journalist Mary-Jane ORegan says she doesn't intend to stop getting fillers. See below. Picture: iStock

Dr Treacy agreed that dermal fillers may block the lymphatic system, but said that the study should not be cause for undue worry.

Although dermal fillers may block the lymphatic system in localised areas and potentially affect the efficacy of the immune system in those specific regions, it is important to note that this should not have a systemic effect on the overall function of the immune system, he said.

This can be likened to a road crash temporarily blocking an ambulance from reaching the injured, but the rest of the emergency response organisation continues to function normally.

'Fillers can block lymphatics but are not dangerous'

Caitriona Ryan  a consultant dermatologist at the Institute of Dermatologists and Blackrock Clinic, and associate clinical professor at University College Dublin  said that although dermal fillers can block lymphatics, they are not dangerous.

Hyaluronic acid is a jelly-like substance that can compress lymphatic vessels, Prof Ryan said.

What theyre saying is definitely true  in that filler can be a blockage to lymphatics, especially in certain areas, like tear-trough filler under the eyes.

But hyaluronic acid can be dissolved away with hyaluronidase.

Consultant dermatologist Caitriona Ryan is assured of the safety of dermal fillers, but warns against what she calls 'filler creep'. See below. Stock picture

However, Prof Ryan said there is no scientific foundation for fears that filler could impact the immune system or increase cancer risk. But she advised people to reduce the filler they are having.

Theres an epidemic of what I call filler creep, she said. "Residual filler builds up over time and their face gets this doughy look.

These women looked great for the first couple of years of doing filler, but they kept doing it every six months to every year, and theyve developed this sort of doughy-like pillow face.

Its not in any way medically dangerous, but it does give a sort of warped look to peoples faces.

I think people should pare back how much theyre doing fillers, and maybe opt for things that are going to stimulate their own collagen  like CO2 lasers and radio frequency microneedling.

There is 'a lot of Kardashian face'

Beauty journalist Mary-Jane ORegan  who was recently selected for a Safety in Beauty Award in London  said that one research paper was unlikely to stop many people from getting filler, but the industry is moving away from filler and towards more regenerative medical procedures instead anyway.

Its not going to stop me from having it done, because I dont see any problems with mine, she said.

But the future I see is people getting less filler and more regenerative medicine, things like platelet-rich plasma  your own blood injected back into your system. People are already moving away from fillers.

"A lot of bad work has been done, a lot of Kardashian face. A Love Island contestant recently had all their filler taken out."

Dermal fillers are classified as medical devices under the European Union medical device legislation.

The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) is responsible for medical devices in Ireland. The Department of Health is now working with the HPRA, as it considers the current regulation of dermal fillers in Ireland.

A new EU regulation introduced in June requires all dermal fillers to be CE-marked  to indicate a valid medical device meets the basic safety and effectiveness requirements under European law.

However, this change is subject to transitional timeframes and may not yet impact all filler on the Irish market.

This regulation requires the instructions for use to state that dermal fillers are not to be used in persons who are less than 18 years old, and that they should only be administered by appropriately trained healthcare professionals.

The HPRA does not regulate the administration of dermal fillers.
Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte has attacked his successor, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, and raised the prospect of removing him from office.

The outburst brings a long-rumoured split between the two into the open.

In an expletive-laden speech in Davao, the former populist leader alleged that Mr Marcos legislative allies are plotting to amend the constitution to lift term limits and warned that could lead to him being ousted like his father, the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

Mr Duterte also accused Mr Marcos of being a drug addict.

The President laughed off Mr Dutertes allegations in comments to reporters before flying to Vietnam for a visit. Mr Marcos said he would not dignify the accusations with an answer, but claimed his predecessor is using fentanyl, a powerful opioid.

In 2016, Mr Duterte said he had used fentanyl in the past to ease pain caused by injuries from a motorbike accident. His lawyer, Salvador Panelo, said that Mr Duterte stopped taking fentanyl before he became president in 2016.

Mr Marcos laughed off his predecessors claims (Malacanang Presidential Communications Office via AP)

I think its the fentanyl, Mr Marcos said.

Fentanyl is the strongest painkiller that you can buy. After five, six years, it has to affect him, thats why I think this is what has happened.

Members of the Philippines house of representatives have been talking about amending the constitution, and Mr Duterte claimed without offering any evidence that legislators who support Mr Marcos, including house speaker Martin Romualdez, are bribing local officials to amend the 1987 constitution to remove term limits so they can extend their grip on power.

Mr Romualdez, who is the current presidents cousin, has denied that claim, saying he wants the constitution amended only to remove restrictions on foreign investment.

Mr Marcos has said he is open to altering economic provisions of the constitution but opposes changing a provision that restricts foreign ownership of land and other critical industries like the media. Philippine presidents can serve only a single six-year term.

Opponents of opening the constitution to changes include the senate. It issued a statement last week warning its checks-and-balance role could be undermined if the house of representatives proceeded with plans to pursue amendments in a joint session rather than by separate voting in the 24-member Senate and the 316-strong House.

The commission on elections said it is indefinitely suspending all activities related to the effort to change the constitution, which requires the signed consent of about eight million registered voters nationwide. The decision temporarily derailed moves to revise the charter.

Mr Duterte even raised the prospect of removing Mr Marcos from office (AP)

The 1987 constitution, which is laden with safeguards to prevent dictatorships, came into force a year after Mr Marcos strongman father was ousted by an army-backed people power uprising amid allegations of plunder and human rights atrocities during his rule.

The speech put credence into months of rumours about a political split with Mr Dutertes successor even though Mr Dutertes daughter Sara is Mr Marcos vice president following their landslide election victory in 2022.

In recent weeks, Mr Dutertes supporters have been angered by reports of an unannounced visit by International Criminal Court investigators last month who are probing widespread killings during an anti-drug crackdown Mr Duterte launched as president. The reported visit has not been confirmed.

Mr Duterte, who became notorious for the harsh crackdown that left thousands of mostly poor suspects dead, claimed in his speech without offering any evidence that Mr Marcos was once on a law enforcement list of suspected drug users.

You, the military, you know this, we have a president whos a drug addict, Mr Duterte said to cheers from a few thousand supporters in his southern home region of Davao city.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency said Mr Marcos was never on such a list, contrary to Mr Dutertes claim.
A senior police officer has told the mother of a newborn baby girl found dead in a pub toilet in the UK: Im not here to arrest you.

Officers have made a direct appeal to the mother of the baby, which was found in a bathroom cubicle at the Three Horseshoes in Oulton, near Leeds, just before 5pm on Sunday.

At a press conference in Leeds city centre, Detective Chief Inspector James Entwistle, from West Yorkshire Polices homicide and major inquiry team, said the information he has points to the baby being stillborn and having been born in the toilet cubicle.

Addressing the mother directly, he said: From a police perspective I just want to be really clear.

Im not here to arrest you, Im not here to arrest anyone else.

Im not here to arrest you, Im not here to arrest anyone else.

Mr Entwistle said the evidence so far suggested the babys death was a stillbirth, and a stillbirth that may have taken place within that bathroom cubicle.

He said: Please, get in touch with us, get in touch with our NHS colleagues and please make sure that we can get you the care you need.

All I want to achieve is making sure that this doesnt happen again to you or to anyone else.

Im here to make sure I understand whats happened and make sure that you get the medical attention that you need.

Paramedics were called to the pub at about 4.45pm but the baby was pronounced dead at the scene.

West Yorkshire Police have said an investigation is ongoing and stressed their priority is to ensure the mothers welfare.

Earlier, Mr Entwistle said: This is a tragic incident and we are urgently appealing for the mother of the baby girl to contact us or seek medical help as she has been through an extremely traumatic ordeal and could well need treatment herself.

If the mother is comfortable speaking to the police, then she can do so by calling 101 or she can use LiveChat online to talk to us remotely at www.westyorkshire.police.uk/livechat

If she doesnt want to speak to the police, she can contact the Leeds Maternity assessment unit on 0113 3926731.

Our inquiries into the incident remain ongoing today with NHS partners but our main priority remains the mothers welfare and safety.
An enemy drone that killed three American troops and wounded dozens of others in Jordan may have been confused with an American drone returning to the US installation, two US officials said on Monday.

As the enemy drone was flying in at a low altitude, a US drone was returning to the small desert installation known as Tower 22 and may have been allowed to pass by mistake, according to a preliminary report cited by the officials, who were not authorised to comment and insisted on anonymity.

As a result, there was no effort to shoot down the enemy drone that hit the outpost early on Sunday morning. The US troops at the outpost use trailers for their sleeping quarters.

Officials said that of the 34 wounded troops, most had cuts, bruises, traumatic brain injuries and similar wounds. Eight were medically evacuated and the most seriously hurt service member is in a critical but stable condition.

The preliminary conclusion was first reported by The Wall Street Journal.

US defense secretary Lloyd Austin, right, listens during a meeting with Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg, left, at the Pentagon in Washington (Susan Walsh/AP)

Explanation for how the enemy drone evaded US air defences on the installation came as the White House said on Monday it is not looking for war with Iran even as President Joe Biden vows retaliatory action. The Democratic administration believes Tehran was behind the strike.

Mr Biden met members of his national security team in the White House Situation Room to discuss the latest developments.

The brazen attack, which the Biden administration blames on Iranian-based proxies, adds another layer of complexity to an already tense Middle East situation as the Biden administration tries to keep the Israel-Hamas war from expanding into a broader regional conflict.

The president and I will not tolerate attacks on US forces, and we will take all necessary actions to defend the US and our troops, US defence secretary Lloyd Austin said on Monday as he met Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg at the Pentagon.

Mr Biden faces a difficult balancing act as he looks to strike back against Tehran in a forceful way without allowing the Gaza conflict to further spread. The drone attack was one of dozens on US troops in the Middle East since Hamas launched attacks on Israel on October 7, igniting the war in Gaza. But it is the first in which American service members have been killed.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby reiterated a day after Mr Biden promised to hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner (of) our choosing that the US administration was not seeking to get into another conflict in the Middle East.

But Mr Kirby also made clear that the American patience has worn thin after more than two months of attacks by Iranian proxies on US troops in Iraq, Syria and Jordan and on the US Navy and commercial vessels in the Red Sea.

We are not looking for a war with Iran. We are not looking to escalate the conflict in the region. Obviously, these attacks keep coming. Well keep looking at the options

The groups  including Yemens Houthi rebels and Iraq based Kataeb Hezbollah  say the attacks are in response to Israels ongoing to military operations in Gaza.

We are not looking for a war with Iran, Mr Kirby told NBCs Today show.

We are not looking to escalate the conflict in the region. Obviously, these attacks keep coming. Well keep looking at the options.

I cant speak for the supreme leader or what he wants or he doesnt want. I can tell you what we want. What we want is a stable, secure, prosperous Middle East, and we want these attacks to stop.

Iran on Monday denied it was behind the Jordan strike.

These claims are made with specific political goals to reverse the realities of the region, Irans state-run IRNA news agency quoted foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani as saying. Iran regularly denies involvement in attacks linked back to it through the militias it arms across the wider Middle East.

US President Joe Biden met members of his national security team to discuss the latest developments (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)

Republicans have laid blame on Mr Biden for doing too little to deter Iranian militias, which have carried out some 150 attacks on US troops in region since the start of the war.

Bidens response to these attacks has been disorganised, ineffective and weak, Republican National Committee spokesman Jake Schneider said in a statement. Now, more Americans have lost their lives because of Bidens incompetence.

Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump on Sunday called the attack yet another horrific and tragic consequence of Joe Bidens weakness and surrender.

The attack hit a US military desert outpost in the far reaches of northeastern Jordan known as Tower 22. The installation sits near the demilitarized zone on the border between Jordan and Syria. The Iraqi border is only 10 kilometres (six miles) away.

The base began as a Jordanian outpost watching the border, then saw an increased US presence after American forces entered Syria in late 2015. The small installation includes US engineering, aviation, logistics and security troops, with about 350 US army and air force personnel deployed.

Iraqs government condemned the drone strike in an apparent effort to distance itself from an attack likely carried out by the Iranian-backed militias that have a strong presence inside Iraq.

Government spokesman Bassem al-Awadi said in a statement on Monday that Iraq is monitoring with a great concern the alarming security developments in the region and called for an end to the cycle of violence.

The statement said that Iraq is ready to participate in diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation.

An umbrella group for Iran-backed factions known as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq has claimed dozens of attacks against bases housing US troops in Iraq and Syria since the Israel-Hamas war began.

We expect from Iran that it finally exert its influence on its allies in the region so that there is no uncontrolled conflagration, in which no one can have an interest

On Sunday, the group claimed three drone attacks against sites in Syria, including near the border with Jordan, and one inside of occupied Palestine but so far has not claimed the attack in Jordan.

The attack came as US officials were seeing signs of progress in negotiations to broker a deal between Israel and Hamas to release the more than 100 remaining hostages being held in Gaza in exchange for an extended pause in fighting.

While contours of a deal under consideration would not end the war, Americans believed that it could lay the groundwork for a durable resolution to the conflict.

Top US, Israeli, Egypt and Qatari officials held talks on Sunday in France about an emerging framework for a hostage deal. Israel said significant gaps remain but called the talks constructive and said they would continue in the week ahead.

The Jordan attack also had US allies on edge that the situation in the Middle East could further spiral.

German foreign ministry spokesman Sebastian Fischer said that in view of the extremely tense situation in the region, this act is completely irresponsible and could lead to pushing the region further toward escalation.

We expect from Iran that it finally exert its influence on its allies in the region so that there is no uncontrolled conflagration, in which no one can have an interest, Mr Fischer said.

The family of a 24-year-old US army reservist from Georgia have confirmed she was among the three American service members killed in the drone attack in Jordan.

SPC Kennedy Sanders joined the Army Reserve about five years ago and volunteered to deploy to the Middle East last autumn.

The Pentagon has not yet released the names of the three military members who died. The Associated Press has identified Kennedy Sanders after confirming with her family that she was among those killed.
A newborn baby cried in distress as her on-the-run parents refused help days before she was found dead in a shopping bag, a court has heard.

Wealthy Constance Marten, 36, and her partner Mark Gordon, 49, were allegedly motivated by a selfish desire to keep their daughter Victoria after four other children were taken into care.

They travelled across England in taxis and ended up living off-grid before their arrest in East Sussex last February, jurors heard.

Constance Marten and Mark Gordon deny manslaughter by gross negligence of the girl between January 4 and February 27 last year (GMP/PA)

Days later, their child was found dead in a Lidl supermarket bag covered in rubbish inside a disused shed, the Old Bailey has heard.

On Monday, a member of the public described confronting the couple near Harwich port in Essex after watching a news report about their disappearance.

Dale Gosling was taking his dog for a walk when he came across the defendants sitting on a flower planter and recognised them from the television, he told jurors on Monday.

He said: It was freezing cold. There was frost on the floor. There was chill in the air, a fresh January morning to say the least.

I offered them a lift to the hospital. He said he was doing the best for his child, he wanted to keep his family together and do the right thing and something like that. They said they thought they had plans. They knew what they were doing

Mr Gosling said the baby was dressed in a white onesie and wrapped inside Martens coat in a towel or blanket.

She gave the kind of cry he could not walk away from, Mr Gosling said.

Prosecutor Joel Smith asked: To you, did the baby sound distressed?

Mr Gosling said: Most definitely.

Describing his exchange with the pair, Mr Gosling told jurors: I said Excuse me, are you the people who are on the television advertised as missing with a new baby?

I cannot remember his exact words but he denied it.

I recall a child screaming to the point where I had to physically turn around and involve myself with people because the child was distressed. It was really traumatising to listen to

I offered them a lift to the hospital. He said he was doing the best for his child, he wanted to keep his family together and do the right thing and something like that.

They said they thought they had plans. They knew what they were doing.

They said they were trying to go to London to try to see family or friends.

Mr Gosling said he felt compelled to turn around and speak to them again because something was not right.

He said the baby was crying consistently as Marten walked around cradling her in her arms trying to settle her.

Mr Gosling said he offered to take the couple home with him, give them a cup of tea and then take them to hospital.

Jurors were told that a missing persons inquiry was launched after the defendants Peugeot car caught fire on a motorway near Bolton, Greater Manchester (Met Police/PA)

He added that even though he thought his wife would do her nut at the idea, he felt it was the morally correct thing to do.

Ms Marten, she seemed compliant, she was willing to come, maybe have a cup of tea, maybe get a lift to the hospital. She seems a bit swayed, he said.

Mr Gordon was quite insistent he was alright. He had a plan, he was going to London to stay with his friends and family.

During the conversation, Mr Gosling was asked what he would do for his child and he responded that he would go to the ends of the earth to protect my son, that any parent would rightly do.

He stressed to the couple that his concern was for the well-being of the baby and not about anything they had done, the court was told.

But Gordon just fobbed him off, the witness said.

Mr Gosling added that Marten looked scared and anxious and like a woman who had just given birth.

Mr Gosling denied a suggestion by Gordons defence that he had embellished his evidence and that the baby was not crying.

The court was told items belonging to Marten were found in the burnt out vehicle (Metropolitan Police/PA)

He said: I recall a child screaming to the point where I had to physically turn around and involve myself with people because the child was distressed.

It was really traumatising to listen to.

He added that as a father himself, he knew the difference between ordinary crying and genuine distress.

Challenged on if it was a Lidl bag he had seen the couple with, Mr Gosling said he shopped there rather than another supermarket like Waitrose.

Earlier, jurors heard how a missing persons inquiry was launched last January 5 after the defendants Peugeot car caught fire on a motorway near Bolton, Greater Manchester.

A placenta and items belonging to Marten were found in the burnt out vehicle on the M61 and a woman was seen climbing over the motorway barrier, the court was told.

A local resident who gave the couple a lift into Bolton town centre that evening described the baby as being wrapped in a blanket.

Jurors were shown CCTV footage of the couple walking into Bolton bus interchange with the baby allegedly underneath Martens coat.

Marten and Gordon, pictured, are also charged with perverting the course of justice, concealing the birth of a child, child cruelty, and causing or allowing the death of a child (Elizabeth Cook/PA)

They took a taxi to Liverpool for around 80 (94) before taking another cab some 240 miles, arriving in Harwich in Essex in the early hours of January 6, it is claimed.

Cab driver Ali Yaryar told jurors how a man and a woman had flagged him down on Edge Lane in Liverpool.

He said the woman was shivering and asked for him to turn the heating on before giving their destination in Essex.

He told jurors: I said this is a long journey. We go to Heathrow Airport from Liverpool for 500 (587) but its a quiet night, I can go there if you want for 400 (469).

Mr Smith said: What did you notice about the lady?

Mr Yaryar said he saw there was a baby inside the womans jacket dressed only in a nappy.

He offered the use of a car seat for the child but she declined, saying the baby was too small, the witness said.

During the journey, Mr Yaryar said he heard the couple arguing, with the woman saying hes not very helpful.

I think the baby had no clothes

Cross-examining for Gordon, John Femi-Ola KC suggested the baby did have clothes and only had a nappy on while being changed.

Mr Yaryar replied: I think the baby had no clothes.

Jurors were told it had been a cold night and the man had not been able to calm the baby down as she was crying.

The witness said he saw news stories a few days later and recognised the people he had taken in his taxi.

As the defendants were en route to Harwich, Greater Manchester Police had identified them as the occupants of the broken-down Peugeot from Martens passport and other documents.

They checked into the Harwich Premier Inn under the false name of Thomas with Marten paying in cash at 3am, jurors were told.

Staff noticed she seemed quite distressed and declined the use of a cot for the child strapped to her front under a blanket.

She appeared drained, spoke with a posh accent and looked like a character from the Disney film Brave, the court heard.

That afternoon, receptionist Rae Robson told jurors Marten appeared stressed when told she would have to vacate her room because she did not have any identity documents.

Giving evidence, Ms Robson said: She asked to extend her stay for another night.

The trial was being held at the Old Bailey in London (Daniel Leal-Olivas/PA)

She only had cash, she had no identification on her or a bank card because it was left in the car that broke down.

I told her I would give her about 10 minutes to get her stuff together and leave.

Me and my manager then knocked on the door to encourage them to leave.

After the couple came out, Ms Robson went into the room and noticed a smell like rotten flesh or an infected piercing, she said.

The defendants, of no fixed address, deny manslaughter by gross negligence of the girl between January 4 and February 27 last year.

They are also charged with perverting the course of justice, concealing the birth of a child, child cruelty, and causing or allowing the death of a child.

The Old Bailey trial was adjourned until Tuesday morning.
White Supremacist Group Member Convicted of Federal Hate Crime for Defacing Michigan Synagogue with Neo-Nazi Symbols

A federal jury today convicted a Michigan man for conspiring with others and defacing Temple Jacob, a Jewish synagogue in Hancock with swastikas and symbols associated with The Base, a multi-state, white supremacist group.

Nathan Weeden, 23, of Houghton, was convicted of one count of conspiring to injure, oppress, threaten or intimidate any person in the exercise of their rights and one count of intentionally defacing, damaging or destroying religious property because of the race or ethnic characteristics of individuals associated with that property. Weedens co-conspirators, Richard Tobin, of New Jersey, and Yousef Barasneh, of Wisconsin, both previously pleaded guilty to federal crimes related to the incident. Barasneh testified in the trial against Weeden.

This defendant shamelessly desecrated Temple Jacob when he emblazoned swastikas  a symbol of extermination  on their Temple walls, said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division. Such conduct is unacceptable and criminal under any circumstances but doing so in furtherance of a self-described Operation Kristallnacht conspiracy is beyond disgraceful. Antisemitism has no place in our society, and the Justice Department will aggressively prosecute white supremacists who seek to threaten and intimidate others from exercising their federally and constitutionally protected rights.

Todays swift conviction sends a strong message that hate will not be tolerated in Michigans Upper Peninsula, said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten for the Western District of Michigan. No one should be the target of hate because of their race, ethnicity, religion or any other status. When hateful words become hateful acts, my office will use every tool we have to protect the public and secure justice.

People of all faiths deserve to feel safe in their communities, said Special Agent in Charge Cheyvoryea Gibson of the FBI Detroit Field Office. The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to hold those accountable whose hate-filled aggression violates the civil rights of others. For law enforcement to safeguard against hate and violence, we request the publics assistance in reporting suspicious or threatening behavior by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or submitting a tip online at tips.fbi.gov/home.

Hate and intimidation have no place in Michigan or our communities, said Special Agent in Charge James Deir of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Detroit Field Office. The behavior in this conviction is most certainly disturbing, ignorant and intolerable. ATF is laser-focused on ensuring public safety by holding people accountable for their hate-inspired deplorable actions. Houses of worship need to remain safe places where people can go for spiritual redemption and growth. Any attack on a house of worship or a group of people is an attack on our very way of life in this great state.

In September 2019, Weeden, Tobin and Barasneh, all members of The Base, used an encrypted messaging platform to discuss vandalizing property associated with African Americans and Jewish Americans. Weeden and his co-conspirators dubbed their plan, Operation Kristallnacht, which in German means Night of Broken Glass. This term referenced events that took place on Nov. 9 and 10, 1938, in which Nazis murdered Jews and burned and destroyed their homes, synagogues, schools and places of business. Weeden carried out this plan on Sept. 21, 2019, when he spray-painted swastikas and symbols associated with The Base on the outside walls of Temple Jacob.

A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date. A federal district court judge will determine any sentencing after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The FBI investigated the case with assistance from ATF and the Hancock Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Nils Kessler for the Western District of Michigan and Trial Attorney Eric Peffley of the Civil Rights Divisions Criminal Section prosecuted the case.

This story has been published on: 2024-01-29. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
China confirms first successful cloning of endangered Xizang cattle breeds

Xinhua) 14:57, January 29, 2024

BEIJING, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- China has successfully cloned both Zhangmu cattle and Apeijiaza cattle, two endangered breeds found in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, scientists announced Monday.

Four male calves of each breed were recently born in Yunyang County, southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, marking the world's first successful cloning of cattle from Xizang.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
( Tomdispatch.com )  In December, the New York Times reported that Earth is finishing up its warmest year in the past 174 years and very likely the past 125,000. (Though its not the Timess style, that latter figure should have had a couple of exclamation points after it!) Furthermore, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations chief scientist, Not only was 2023 the warmest year in NOAAs 174-year climate record  it was the warmest by far. In fact, each of the six decades since 1960 saw a higher global average temperature than the 10 years that preceded it. In addition, every decade-to-decade increase has been larger than the previous one. In other words, the Earths not just steadily warming; its heating up at an ever-faster pace.

And you dont have to wait for the distant future to see the impact of such accelerated heating. Just look at current global data. Comparing 2023 to 2022, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported a worldwide rise of 60% in the number of deaths from landslides, 278% from wildfires, and 340% from storms. Worse yet, those of our fellow humans suffering the most from the impact of human-induced climate change arent the ones causing it. More than half of the deaths reported by OCHA occurred in low- to lower-middle-income countries, and 45% of those killed lived in countries that produce less than one-tenth of one percent of the worlds greenhouse-gas emissions. Imagine that for (in)justice!

Putting an end to global warming should be an overwhelming moral imperative for every nation on this planet. But climate-change stories, extreme as they may be, almost never lead the news, nor does dealing with the phenomenon seem to be at the top of any leaders list of national priorities. How about last months COP28 global climate summit in Dubai? It produced an agreement that committed the worlds nations to doing well, essentially nothing.

With the news cycle stuck in a bumper-to-bumper traffic jam of sudden, compelling crises and unending wars, world powers seem almost willfully blind to the possibility that the global environment (and with it, civilization itself) is spinning out of control  and not in some distant future but right now.

Long Emergencies

With the recent COP28 agreement, the rich nations have at least finally acknowledged that fossil fuels are indeed a problem. Still, they continue to reject a planned, systematic phase-out of oil, natural gas, and coal on an ambitiously expedited timetable (as laid out in proposals for a global Fossil Fuel Nonproliferation Treaty).

Governments, it seems, always have on hand some other dire emergency that supposedly justifies setting climate change aside. Perhaps the closest the rich countries have ever come to seriously tackling the subject of greenhouse gas emissions, which might be thought of as a long emergency, was in the various U.S., European, and global Green New Deals of 2018-2019. But those inadequate proposals were soon eclipsed by the Covid-19 pandemic and a still-surging rise of far-right extremists who consider global warming a completely off-the-charts subject. Then, in 20222023, just as interest in climate was rising again thanks to scary new reports from the worlds climate-science community, the Russian invasion of Ukraine elbowed global warming out of our field of vision, while a stunning war-related spike in fossil-fuel prices killed off any immediate interest in reducing carbon emissions.

Then, last fall, the genocide in Gaza began. In November, TomDispatchs Tom Engelhardt wrote that while the nightmare in the Middle East is being covered daily in a dramatic fashion across the mainstream media, the burning of the planet is, at best, a distinctly secondary, or tertiary, or well, you can fill in the possible numbers from there reality. He certainly wasnt suggesting, nor am I, that the Palestinians are getting too much attention. On the contrary, they need even more of it, but the climate crisis simply cant be lost in the shuffle.

A Side-Trip to India: No Eye-Catching Crisis in Sight? Just Conjure One Up

Such failures of attention are, of course, hardly confined to the United States. Similar shortsightedness can be seen right now in India, where my family and I are spending January with relatives in Mumbai. Here, too, politicians are making a ruckus about immediate, in-your-face issues  some real, others concocted  while ignoring the more slowly developing but far more consequential threat of climatic breakdown.

In recent years, India has endured a string of cataclysmic droughts, floods, heat waves, and other disasters, along with a chronic but climate-related plague of urban air pollution. In this Mumbai dry season, were living in the midst of a dense off-white fog, inhaling a toxic brew of dust, motor-vehicle exhaust, factory emissions, and clouds of fine particulate matter created by the construction and demolition of buildings. Overhead, the cloudless daytime sky is a dull, depthless white. Blue patches rarely appear and not a star is visible at night.

Such in-your-face bad air quality is impossible to ignore, but the Indian public is also alarmed by the odorless, invisible carbon-dioxide emissions that underlie the increasing pace of climate chaos on the subcontinent. There is, in fact, a massive constituency-in-waiting here for climate action. A 2022 poll indicated that 81% of voters were worried about human-induced climate change. Fully 50% were very worried, and a similar share said that they had been personally harmed by greenhouse warming.

As in the U.S., 2024 is an election year here. So given the above polling numbers, youd think that boosting climate mitigation and adaptation would be a great way to garner votes. But climate efforts by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his ruling Hindu-nationalist BJP party continue to be, at best, sporadic and desultory. Instead, theyre pursuing what they see as a far more reliable way of revving up their voter base ahead of the election: announce the inauguration of a new Hindu temple.

How in the world would that work, you ask? Well, were not talking about just any temple. This one, currently under construction, sits on a site once occupied by a famed mosque, the former Babri Masjid in the northern city of Ayodhya. That hallowed, five-century-old Muslim place of worship was demolished in 1992 by BJP-backed fanatics. Religious fervor over the demolition sparked violence across the country, leaving more than 2,000 people dead.

For three decades, the destruction of the mosque and its planned replacement with a temple dedicated to the god Ram have been a toxic current running just beneath the surface of Indian politics, occasionally erupting in conflict. So, to gin up their Hindu-supremacist base and ensure victory in this springs elections, BJP leaders rushed to organize a ceremony consecrating the temple on January 22nd  months before construction will even be completed.

The outpouring of right-wing religious nationalism triggered by that event has had the side effect of ensuring that global warming will remain out of the political headlines for months, if not longer.

Its Not All in Your Mind

An institutional preoccupation with acute red-meat issues (to the detriment of addressing long-term emergencies like climate change) reflects all too human predilections that fit well with studies psychologists have done on how our brains react to crises.

Harvard Professor Daniel Gilbert, for instance, is known for his hypothesis regarding the kinds of threats we humans respond most strongly to, those hes termed the four Is  intentional, immoral, imminent, and instantaneous. Those adjectives, hes found, catch the kinds of emergencies that stimulate our quickest and most intense responses. In a 2019 interview with NPR, Gilbert elaborated on how, particularly when it comes to climate, such a response system can translate into a failure of political action. To most people, the potential devastation of climate catastrophe still seems all too far in the future. And although climatic hazards like ever more devastating hurricanes and floods come close to being instantaneous, the heating of the atmosphere that underlies their increasing virulence has, until recently, progressed very slowly. Humans have a great ability to adapt psychologically to gradual change, but with global warming, that power doesnt serve us well. After all, if this year feels more or less like last year, is there really anything to respond to?

Two other characteristics of climate change, related to two of Gilberts Is, separate it from many other emergencies, both short and long. For one thing, governments tend to respond most decisively to human enemies acting all too intentionally, but climate change, as he told NPR, doesnt seem like its a person at all, so we just kind of ho and hum. Nor does it seem immoral. As a social creature, he observes, we are deeply concerned with morality, the rules by which people treat each other. Even though the overheating of this planet is indeed being caused by human activity, he points out, climate change is meteorological. It doesnt present itself as an affront to our sense of decency  at least until people around you are being killed by a heat wave.

In addition, in a capitalist economy, the short term is more or less the whole ball game. Corporations are as committed to maximizing stock values for their stockholders, quarter by quarter, as politicians are committed to maximizing themselves for voters. Any politician who dares declare that cutting greenhouse gas emissions is a more urgent matter than cutting the price of gasoline will hear a giant sucking sound as voters and campaign donors vanish into thin air.

Clinical psychologist Margaret Klein Salamon is executive director of the Climate Emergency Fund and author of Facing the Climate Emergency. In that book, she argues that curbing climate chaos will require Americans to shift collectively into emergency mode. That state, she observes, is markedly different from normal functioning [and] characterized by an extreme focus of attention and resources on working productively to solve the emergency. In normal mode, as Salamon points out, with no urgent threat in sight, response time isnt critical. In emergency mode, where theres a dire threat to life, health, property, or the environment, a quick, effective response is essential  and dealing with the threat must take priority over all other matters.

When it comes to fast, far-reaching action, emergency mode, she adds, shouldnt just be for short-term problems. In fact, according to Salamon, what climate action truly requires is shifting into what she calls long emergency mode, in which tight focus on a single problem is no longer tolerable. Climate change is now caught in traffic with too many other immediate emergencies, none of which can be set aside for years or decades, but none of which threaten the very existence of life as weve known it on this planet.

Given that, Salamon urges that climate-emergency mode radiate through our society as quickly as possible, which wont happen if politicians, corporations, and even some climate-movement figures continue soft-pedaling the message. It wont happen if the public continues to get the impression that future technological breakthroughs and the magic of markets will ensure the inevitability of the reduction and then elimination of carbon emissions with little disruption of everyday life.

No Time for Happy Talk

Spurring a grassroots takedown of the corporate and political resistance to genuine climate action requires articulating a vision of a better world that awaits us beyond the fossil-fuel era, but more than that is needed. It must become far clearer that our growing global emergency is deeply linked to an ongoing business-as-usual attitude and that a staggering amount of work and sacrifice is actually required. In contrast, happy talk like the current mischaracterization of the COP28 agreement as an unprecedented climate breakthrough will prompt people to strike ecological catastrophe off their list of urgent concerns.

To be complacent about climate is not just to be shockingly oblivious but to endorse future human suffering on an almost inconceivable scale. At COP28, the president of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, spoke in stark terms about the moral imperatives of stopping the horror in Gaza now and preventing almost unimaginable future horrors triggered by ecological breakdown. In doing so, he offered a vision of a climate-change-devastated future that should stun us all:

Are these events disconnected, is my question, or are we seeing here a mirror of what is going to happen in the future? The genocides and the barbaric acts unleashed against the Palestinian people is what awaits those who are fleeing the south because of the climate crisis Most victims of climate change, [who] will be counted in their billions, will be in those countries that do not emit CO 2 or emit very little. Without the transfer of wealth from the north to the south, the climate victims will increasingly have less drinking water in their homes and they will have to migrate north The exodus will be of billions There will be pushback against the exodus, with violence, with barbaric acts committed. This is what is happening in Gaza. This is a rehearsal for the future.

President Petro was describing just a few of the likely catastrophic interactions and feedbacks that, amid other crises, climate change will bring to this planet in whats coming to be known as the global polycrisis. If governments continue to focus on solving only the most immediate, seemingly most tractable emergencies (often making matters worse in the process), were in trouble deep. The time has passed for societies to grapple only with the individual crises in the 24-hour news cycle. Its time to shift into polycrisis mode. All of us will then have to deal with the sprawling web of connections among this planets emergencies, immediate and long-term, especially the future devastating overheating of our world, as one big problem that must be solved  or else.

Copyright 2024 Stan Cox

Via Tomdispatch.com
Ann Arbor (Informed Comment)  The Party of God Brigades (Kataib Hizbullah) of Iraq struck the Tower 22 US military base in the far north of Jordan on the border with Syria on Sunday, killing three US military personnel and wounding dozens more. The Shiite militia said that it was part of its continued attempt to force US occupation troops out of Iraq and the region, and in sympathy with the Israeli attacks on the Palestinians of Gaza, in which the Party of God Brigades [PGB} consider the US to be co-belligerent, since they re-arm the Israelis by airlift daily.

The Party of God Brigades were founded by Abu Mehdi al-Muhandis. The organization is not related to the Hezbollah in Lebanon, though the two have a collegial relationship. Al-Muhandis was assassinated by President Donald Trump on January 3, 2020 along with the Iranian general, Qasem Soleimani. Ever since, the Brigades have sought to force out of Iraq the remaining 2500 US troops there and to force out of Syria the remaining 900 US troops stationed in that country. US troops were put into those two countries by the Obama administration during the fight against the ISIL (ISIS, Daesh) terrorist organization, 2014-2018. In those years, the US was often de facto allied with Shiite militias such as the PGB and with their sponsor, the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps. In 2018, Trump destroyed the Iran nuclear deal of 2015 and placed a maximum pressure economic siege on the Iranian economy. That and his assassination of Soleimani and al-Muhandis set Iran and its allies, the Shiite militias of the Middle East, on an increasingly belligerent footing.

The Party of God Brigades and other Iraqi Shiite militias have launched around 150 attacks on bases housing US troops since the Gaza conflict broke out on October 7.

Al-Zaman [The Times of Baghdad] printed the communique it received from the Gods Party Brigades:

In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate. Leave is given to those who fight because they were wronged  surely God is able to help them . [Quran 22:39]. Continuing our path of resisting the American occupation forces in Iraq and the region, and in response to the massacres of the Zionist entity against our people in Gaza, at dawn today, Sunday 1/28/2024, the fighters of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq attacked four enemy bases with unmanned aerial vehicles  three of them in Syria and they are Al-Shaddadi, al-Rukban and al-Tanf bases, and the fourth inside our occupied Palestinian lands, and it is the US Marines Zafulun Facility. The Islamic Resistance affirms that it will continue to destroy enemy compounds. Victory is only from God. God is Almighty, All-Wise. [Quran 8:10]. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq

Sunday 16 Rajab 1445

God knows what Zafulun is, but apparently it is their term for the place that Tower 22 stands. It is interesting that the group views the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan as part of occupied Palestine. Palestine and the Transjordan were conquered by the British army during World War I and Britain subsequently ruled the West Bank and the rest of Palestine as a League of Nations Mandate, while giving charge of the Transjordan to the family of the Sharif Hussain, the Naqib or leading noble of Mecca, who claimed descent from the Prophet Muhammad and his clan, the Banu Hashem. Hussain and his sons had supported the British against the Ottomans during WW I because the British lied to them and promised them an independent Arab state after the war. In any case, this Shiite militia appears to view the Hashemite Dynasty (King Abdullah II is a descendant of Sharif Hussain) as illegitimate.

In return, the highly capable and effective Jordanian General Intelligence Directorate, or GID, is even as we speak making plans to help track down and kill the PGB cadres behind this attack on Jordanian soil. Jordan will also have some harsh words for Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani, who came to power with the support of the Shiite militias and is thought to be close to them.

Aljazeera English Video: Three US service members killed in drone attack on US post in Jordan near Syria

The Ma`refa site says that al-Muhandis was born in 1954 or 1955 in Basra, originally named Jamal Jaafar Muhammad Ali Al Ibrahim. He married an Iranian woman. In 1973 he was in Baghdad, where he entered the Technological University in the Engineering School, being graduated with an engineering degree in 1977. While working as an engineer he did further degrees in political science. He also took off some time to study at a Shiite seminary in Basra that was part of the establishment of Ayatollah Muhsin al-Hakim, the clerical leader of Iraqs Shiites in the 1960s.

Right from the time he was in high school in the early 1970s, he joined the Da`wa Party. Some say that Da`wa, or the Call, was founded in 1958 to compete with the Communists and Baathists, who were appealing to Shiite youths. Baathism is a mixture of socialism and Arab nationalism with a strong secularist cast, and it instituted an authoritarian Stalinist-style one-party state in Iraq from 1968. The Da`wa party, in contrast, theorized a Shiite state as a believers paradise in opposition to the Communists workers paradise. Its leaders made room for consultative government.

In 1979, the Islamic Revolution of Ayatollah Khomeini in Iran began radicalizing Iraqi Shiites. Saddam Hussein came to power in an internal Baath Party putsch in 1979. In 1980 he outlawed the Da`wa Party, executed its clerical leader Muhammad Baqir al-Sadr, and made belonging to it a capital crime. For the past twenty years the post-Baath government has been finding mass graves in the Shiite south of Iraq, where the Baath secret police shot down suspected Da`wa members.

Al-Muhandis, his nom de guerre, which means the engineer, was forced to flee to Kuwait. There, he was part of a Da`wa cell that turned radical and committed acts of terrorism against the US and French embassies, given the hostility of those countries to the Islamic Republic. He then appears to have gone to Iran, where he left the Da`wa Party for the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI), an even more radical organization founded by Iraqi expatriates in Tehran in 1982 at the suggestion of Khomeini. Muhammad Baqir al-Hakim, the son of Muhsin al-Hakim, became the head of it in 1984. Thousands of Iraqi Shiites defected to Iran during the 1980s, and SCIRI organized them. Those who remained loyal to the Da`wa Party, who mostly rejected Khomeinis vision of a clerically ruled Muslim state, tended to make their way to London instead. The Supreme Council developed a paramilitary branch, the Badr Corps, which was trained and funded by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps, and which carried out operations against Baath installations in Iraq. Al-Muhandis Joined the Badr Corps and rose to become one of its commanders.

The independent Shiite site al-Khanadeq in Lebanon says that the Party of God Brigades was founded by al-Muhandis in 2003 when the US, as I wrote about, invaded Iraq, with the aim of forcing the occupiers back out. He appears to have broken with the Badr Corps at that point and formed his own militia, primarily out of armed groups based in the Shiite holy city of Karbala (the Ali Akbar Brigades, the Karbala Brigades and the Abu al-Fadl Abbas Brigades). By 2007, they had begun jointly calling themselves the Party of God Brigades. They mounted some attacks on US bases. I also wrote about the role of the Shiite militias in that era

The organization became prominent in 2014 when Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani called on Iraqi young men to rise up to defend the country from ISIL, which had taken Mosul, at a time when the Iraqi Army built by the Bush administration had collapsed. The Party of God Brigades and other Shiite militias armed themselves and went to fight, with training and support from the iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps and Gen. Soleimani, against ISIL in Amerli and later in Tikrit and Fallujah. They helped ensure that ISIL was defeated. The militias developed political parties which got a fair-sized bloc of seats in parliament. In 2018 parliament recognized the Shiite militias or Popular Mobilization Forces as a formal part of the Iraqi military  a sort of national guard.

After 2018, when ISIL was rolled up, the US kept several thousand troops in Iraq for mop-up operations and to continue to train the new Iraqi army.

Israel is accused of committing covert ops against Iraqi Shiite militias inside Iraq, blowing up a weapons depot in 2019.

In Syria, the government of Bashar al-Assad initially faced a rebellion by civil society groups in 2011, but attacked the demonstrators militarily and turned the struggle into a civil war. It took on sectarian tones, since most rebels were Sunnis, while the elite of the government were Alawi Shiites. Lebanons Hezbollah came in on the side of Damascus, as did the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps. The Party of God Brigades came up from Iraq along with some other Shiite militias. With help from the Russian air force, the Shiite militias defeated the Sunni rebels and drove their remnant into the far north Idlib province.

In the east of Syria, the US enlisted the YPG Syrian Kurdish militia as ground troops to defeat ISIL in Raqqa and Deir al-Zor provinces, with US air support. The US put in a small number of its own troops, embedded with the YPG. After ISIL was defeated, the US maintained a small military presence in Syrias southeast. Again, they aimed to mop up ISIL and prevent it from reconstituting itself, and to lend continued support to the YPG in these largely Arab provinces. It is alleged that they also attempt to block Iranian activities, including shipments of weapons to Lebanons Hezbollah, on behalf of Israel. Further, they may be helping the Kurds siphon off oil from fields in the southeast, denying the petroleum wealth to Damascus. If this latter charge is true, it is a war crime.

On January 3, 2020, Trump blew away al-Muhandis and Soleimani at Baghdad International Airport. Soleimani had just come on a civilian airliner with a diplomatic passport to negotiate better relations with Saudi Arabia via the good offices of then Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul Mahdi.

The Party of God Brigades went to war with the US troops in the country, subjecting the Iraqi bases that housed them to rocket and drone strikes. The Iraqi parliament demanded that Abdul Mahdi find a way to kick US troops out of Iraq (he never did).

Since October 7, the Party of God Brigades secretary-general, Ahmad al-Hamidawi, has branded the US an equal partner in the Israeli war on Gaza and it and other Shiite militias have launched dozens of attacks on US bases. None had resulted in a fatality until Sunday.

In a historical irony, one of the reasons some Neocons around George W Bush wanted to invade Iraq was to stop it from being a danger to Israel. Over two decades later, the PGB hit a school in Eilat with a drone, and the US, having destroyed the secular Baath Party, is at war with political Shiism in Iraq, Syria and Yemen. Maybe the problem is US policy in the region, and maybe no number of wars and conquests are going to reshape the Middle East in ways really favorable to that policy?
Kelowna, British Columbia  TheNewswire - January 29, 2024 - Golden Ridge Resources Ltd. (Golden Ridge or the Company) (TSXV:GLDN) is pleased to announce new assay results from the 2023 Phase II drilling campaign at the Williams Gold Property (Williams or the Property) within the Appleton and Dog Bay Fault Corridors (Figure 1). Golden Ridge has continued to generate encouraging results at the Williams Gold Property with recent assays outlining large gram meter intercepts up to 70.75 meters grading 1.05 g/t Au. The Property is surrounded by New Found Gold Corp (NFGC)s Queensway Gold Property where NFGC is currently undertaking a 650,000 meter drill program (Figure 2).1

Highlights

WIL-23-42 intersected 70.75 meters of 1.05 g/t Au from 43.00 meters; including 16.45 meters of 2.38 g/t Au from 70.40 meters (Table 1).

WIL-23-37 intersected 22.35 meters of 1.45 g/t Au from 69.20 meters; including 6.50 meters of 2.61 g/t Au from 69.20 meters (Table 1).

Drilling at the Williams continues to intersect robust network of Au-bearing veins, indicating a more pervasive and widespread mineralized system than encountered in Phase I drilling.

Strike length along the Cabin Zone and Gray Jay Zone both increased by 150m.

The Williams Gold Property continues to deliver multiple zones of broad gold mineralization and alteration. The 2023 drill program has increased grades, width, strike length of both the Gray Jay Zone and Cabin Zone Extension. Assays continue to validate the more robust alteration and veining in the 41 holes of Phase II. The Williams Gold Property is an important piece in the Appleton Fault Corridor story, and we will release remaining assays as they are received stated Mike Blady, CEO and Director of Golden Ridge.

Phase II drilling at the Williams Project was focused on the five mineralized zones as identified by earlier prospecting, soil and drilling programs. These mineralized zones (Figure 3) are know known as the: Cabin Zone (CZ), Cabin Zone Extension (CZX), EQ Zone (EQZ), Gray Jay Zone (GJZ) and the Blue Jay Zone (BJZ) all of which are open along strike and down-dip. The second target of Phase II drilling, following up on results obtained from the CZX (November 30, 2023  News Release), was the Gray Jay Zone a 1-kilometer-long gold-in-soil anomaly first tested by the 2022 maiden drilling program. Phase II focused on WIL-22-21, which intersected a complex system of veins and veinlets grading 14.40 meters at 1.51 g/t Au. In total, 13 drillholes WIL-23-36 through WIL-23-48 (totalling 1,759 meters) were drilled at the Gray Jay Zone. All drill holes were successful in intersecting a broad alteration halo and associated system of vein and veinlets first observed in Phase I drilling. Broad mineralization is exemplified by WIL-23-37 (a 25-meter step-out from WIL-22-21) intersecting a 22.35-meter section grading 1.45 g/t Au including a 6.50-meter section which yielded 2.61 g/t Au. Additionally, WIL-23-42 (same collar but opposite azimuth as WIL-22-21) intersected a 70.75-meter section grading 1.05 g/t Au including a 16.45-meter section which yielded 2.38 g/t Au. Drilling at the Gray Jay Zone also identified several fault/rubble zones most commonly along the eastern margin of the mineralized system and are often associated with graphite. The fault/rubble zones locally contain vein fragments which indicate syn-mineralization to post-mineralization movement along these structures. Mineralization at the Gray Jay Zone is open along strike and down dip and additional drilling will be required to further delineate the nature of gold mineralization.

Table 1  2023 Significant Intercepts WIL-23-36 to WIL-23-482

Williams Gold Property 2023 Drill Program

Forty-one holes were drilled in the Phase II diamond drill program consisting of 5,982 meters. Golden Ridge has now completed 70 holes for 10,182 meters of drilling over Phase I and II programs. The balance of assay results from the 2023 program have yet to be received. Drill holes were predominantly in the 100m to 200m range focusing on testing soil, bedrock, and drilling anomalies previously identified by earlier exploration programs. Highlights of the previous field programs completed by Golden Ridge Resources from 2020 - 2022 include float samples assaying up to 281 g/t Au and soil samples up to 1,503 ppb Au.

Mineralization in Phase II was broader in nature consisting of a complex system of vein, veinlets, and vein breccia, up to 1.5-meters in size. Gold-bearing veins are often associated with weak to locally intense sericitic and chloritic alteration. Additionally, sulphide mineralization appears to be more pervasive in core obtained from Phase II drillholes. The host rock often contains disseminated pyrite crystals, blebs, and stringers throughout and acicular crystals and blebs of arsenopyrite near mineralized zones. Trace pyrrhotite has also been observed in the host rock but this is commonly restricted to areas of intense veining. Gold-bearing veins contain primarily pyrite and are often associated with arsenopyrite, pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite, and galena with trace amounts of stibnite, molybdenite and sphalerite. Golden Ridge has noted that the most reliable pathfinder for the presence of high-grade gold is increasing concentrations of arsenopyrite.

Golden Ridge is continuing to model the structural controls of the transportation and deposition of gold bearing fluids on the Williams Property. Vein systems suggest the presence of both brittle and ductile features indicating a transitionary tectonic environment. Fracture filling appears to be the most prevalent style of vein deposition representing a trans-tensional environment. The presence of sigma clasts, gouge in faults, and folding in quartz veins are indicative of a more ductile environment. Vein systems associated with sericitic-chloritic alteration and arsenopyrite are often used to distinguish gold-bearing veins from other generations of quartz veins observed throughout the Property.

Figure 1  Williams Gold Property Location1

Table 2  2023 Collar Locations

Figure 2  GLDN Williams Property Located Within Newfound Gold Corp.s Queensway South Project1

Figure 3  2023 Drill Collars

Figure 4  Gray Jay Zone Drilling2

Sampling & Laboratory Methodology

True widths of the report intersections have not been calculated at this time. Drilling was primarily conducted in NQ. Samples were marked and QAQC by Golden Ridge staff. Drill core was split using a diamond core cutting saw and sealed in polybags.

Samples were sent to the Mobile Sample Preparation Unit (MSPU) of SGS Canada Inc. (SGS) in Grand Falls, Newfoundland for sample preparation, and then to the laboratory of SGS Canada Inc. in Burnaby, British Columbia for fire assay. SGS is ISO/IEC 17025 accredited. Samples were analyzed for gold by fire assay using a 30g charge (ICP-AES). Samples containing visible gold or greater than 1 g/t Au in fire assay were also assayed using the metallic screen method. Golden Ridge submits certified reference standards and blanks at a rate of approximately 5.1% of the sample total and sampling duplicates at 2.2% of the sample total.

Qualified Person

Dr. Stephen Amor, PhD, PGeo, technical advisor to the Company, is the Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 who has reviewed and approved the technical data in this news release.

Acknowledgments

Golden Ridge Resources acknowledges the financial support of the Junior Exploration Assistance Program, Department of Industry, Energy, and Technology, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

About Golden Ridge Resources

Golden Ridge is a TSX-V listed exploration company engaged in acquiring and advancing mineral properties located in Newfoundland and British Columbia. Golden Ridge is currently focused on exploration and development of the Williams Gold Property located in the Central Newfoundland Gold Belt. The Company owns a 100% interest in the 1,700-hectare Hank copper-gold-silver-lead-zinc property which is currently under option to King Fisher Metals Corporation and the 3,000-hectare Hickman copper-gold property located in the Golden Triangle district, approximately 140 kilometres north of Stewart, British Columbia.

Golden Ridge Resources Ltd.

Mike Blady

Chief Executive Officer

Tel: (250) 717-3151

Website: www.goldenridgeresources.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this news release, constitute "forward-looking information" as such term is used in applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information is based on plans, expectations and estimates of management at the date the information is provided and is subject to certain factors and assumptions, including: that the Company's financial condition and development plans do not change as a result of unforeseen events, that the Company obtains required regulatory approvals, that the Company continues to maintain a good relationship with the local project communities. Forward-looking information is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause plans, estimates and actual results to vary materially from those projected in such forward-looking information. Factors that could cause the forward-looking information in this news release to change or to be inaccurate include, but are not limited to, the risk that any of the assumptions referred to prove not to be valid or reliable, which could result in delays, or cessation in planned work, that the Company's financial condition and development plans change, delays in regulatory approval, risks associated with the interpretation of data, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits, the possibility that results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations, as well as the other risks and uncertainties applicable to mineral exploration and development activities and to the Company as set forth in the Company's Managements Discussion and Analysis reports filed under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. There can be no assurance that any forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, the reader should not place any undue reliance on forward-looking information or statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information or statements, other than as required by applicable law.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.




Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 29, 2024) - Xplore Resources Corp. (TSXV: XPLR) (the "Company" or "Xplore") is pleased to announce that Karly Oliver has been appointed a director of the Company.

Ms. Oliver is a professional geologist with 15 years of mineral exploration experience in a diverse range of deposits throughout Canada, with a focus on project management and mineral resource delineation. Ms. Oliver is a technical consultant for several publicly listed mineral exploration companies, currently exploring for and advancing gold and battery metals projects in Canada and internationally. She is a Professional Geoscientist in British Columbia and holds a Bachelor of Science in Earth and Ocean Sciences from the University of British Columbia and a Geographic Information Systems Applications Specialist Graduate Certificate from Sir Sandford Fleming College.

Picklu Datta has resigned as a director. The Company thanks Mr. Datta for all his hard work and dedication to the Company.

About Xplore Resources

Xplore Resources is a Canadian exploration company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under symbol XPLR and is focused on the acquisition and development of lithium projects in Ontario. The Company has key land positions along the Root Bay lithium trend. Xplore is run by tenured management supported by an internal specialized team with a successful track record for multi-project exploration.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS,

Dominic Verdejo, CEO

Xplore Resources Corp.

For further information on Xplore, contact:

Telephone: 604-678-5308

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Website: www.xploreresources.com
The UN's top court on Friday said Israel must prevent genocidal acts in its war with Hamas and allow aid into Gaza, but stopped short of calling for an end to the fighting.

The International Court of Justice said Israel must facilitate "urgently needed" humanitarian aid to the Palestinian territory, which has been under relentless bombardment and siege since the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the case as "outrageous" while Gaza's Hamas rulers hailed the ICJ ruling, saying it "contributes to isolating Israel and exposing its crimes in Gaza".

Soon after, the Islamist movement released a video showing three Israeli women held hostage in Gaza, two of whom said they were Israeli soldiers.

Also following the ruling, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, said it had sacked several employees accused by Israel of involvement in the October 7 attack.

The UN court based in The Hague -- while refraining from ordering an immediate halt to the almost four-month-old Gaza war -- said Israel must do everything to "prevent the commission of all acts within the scope" of the Genocide Convention.

South Africa, long a vocal supporter of the Palestinian cause, brought the case against Israel, accusing it of breaching the 1948 UN Genocide Convention, set up after World War II and the Holocaust.

President Cyril Ramaphosa and senior officials erupted in cheers after the ruling, which is legally binding although the court has no enforcement mechanism.

"We expect Israel as a self-proclaimed democracy and a state that respects the rule of law to abide by the measures handed down," Ramaphosa said, expressing hope the decision will lead to a new diplomatic push to end the war.

Speaking after the ruling, Netanyahu said the charge "is not only false, it's outrageous, and decent people everywhere should reject it".

Israel "does not need to be lectured on morality," his Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said, and Israel's ally the United States reiterated that genocide accusations were "unfounded".

For the Palestinian Authority, the ruling showed that "no state is above the law", and the European Union said it wanted immediate implementation of the court's decision.

Palestinians had welcomed South Africa's case, but the court's decision left them caught between pride and frustration.

"We feel that the court could have clearly called for a ceasefire in addition to facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza," Mais Shabana said after watching the ruling in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

In Jerusalem, shoppers at Mahaneh Yehudah Market were dismissive.

Aryeh Schaffer, a student, called the genocide accusation "absolutely ridiculous" because Israelis were "just defending their homeland".

- 'Heavy gunfire' -

The war started with the unprecedented attack by Hamas that resulted in about 1,140 deaths in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of official Israeli figures.

Militants also seized about 250 hostages and Israel says around 132 of them remain in Gaza, including the bodies of at least 28 dead captives.

Israel has vowed to crush Hamas and launched a military offensive that the health ministry in Gaza says has killed at least 26,083 people, about 70 percent of them women and children.

On the ground, AFPTV images from Gaza City on Friday showed hundreds of Palestinians crowding around an aid truck, after the UN World Food Programme this week warned of the increasing risk of famine.

In Khan Yunis, south Gaza's main city which has become the focus of Israel's military campaign, most services at the city's biggest health facility, Nasser Hospital, were no longer functioning "because of combat and intensive bombardments," the Doctors Without Borders (MSF) aid group said.

The health ministry had earlier said thousands of displaced people faced "starvation" at the facility, along with hundreds of patients and staff, "as a result of the Israeli siege".

Israel's army on Tuesday said troops had "encircled" Khan Yunis.

Elsewhere in the city, the Palestinian Red Crescent Society said Israeli tanks were targeting Al-Amal hospital which was "under siege with heavy gunfire".

- UN employees fired -

Relations between UNRWA and Israel deteriorated further after the agency said tanks had shelled one of its shelters in Khan Yunis on Wednesday, killing 13 people among thousands who had taken refuge there.

On Friday UNRWA said it had sacked "several" employees whom Israel had accused of involvement in the October 7 attack.

The United States in response said it had suspended additional funding to the agency.

World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus denied Israel's charges it had colluded with Hamas by ignoring Israeli evidence of the group's "military use" of Gaza hospitals. He insisted the WHO is impartial.

- 'Stop the war' -

According to the UN, most of the estimated 1.7 million Palestinians displaced by the war are crowded into Rafah, southern Gaza.

With fighting intensified around Khan Yunis, more are fleeing. They walked, pushed wheelchairs, or piled their belongings into cars, tractors and donkey-drawn carts past Israeli tanks and other military vehicles flying Israeli flags.

"They besieged us, so we fled," said Tahani al-Nahhar. "We call on the UN and ICRC to intervene, to stop the war," she shouted.

An AFP journalist in Rafah said fears were growing about Israeli troops reaching the area, where people are pressed against the Egyptian border and smoke billowed from an Israeli strike.

A security source told AFP on Friday that the head of the US Central Intelligence Agency will meet officials from Israel, Egypt and Qatar "in the coming days in Paris" to try to reach a deal with Hamas militants over the Gaza war.

The United States, Egypt and Qatar helped negotiate a one-week truce in November that saw an exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners.

Washington is working to facilitate another deal on the release of hostages seized by Hamas and held in Gaza, but "imminent developments" are unlikely, the White House said Friday.

The war has led to fears of wider conflict, emphasised again on Friday when Yemen's Iran-backed Huthi rebels claimed a missile strike on a British oil tanker in the Gulf of Aden.
The UN Security Council will meet next week over the decision by the global body's top court calling for Israel to prevent genocidal acts in Gaza, the council's presidency announced Friday.

The Wednesday meeting was called for by Algeria, whose ministry of foreign affairs said it would give "binding effect to the pronouncement of the International Court of Justice on the provisional measures imposed on the Israeli occupation."

The ICJ on Friday said Israel must prevent genocidal acts in its war with Hamas and allow aid into Gaza, but stopped short of calling for an end to the fighting.

The decision "gives the clear message that in order to do all the things that they are asking for, you need a ceasefire for it to happen," Palestinian ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour said.

"So fasten your seat belts," he said, hinting that the Arab Group, represented on the council by Algeria, would push for one.

The Security Council, long divided on the Israeli-Palestinian issue, has only agreed to two resolutions since the October 7 Hamas attacks sparked the latest round of fighting.

In December, it demanded aid deliveries "at scale" to Gaza's besieged population, while Israel's ally the United States has kept out calls for a ceasefire despite international pressure.

The current fighting started with the unprecedented attack by Hamas that resulted in about 1,140 deaths in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of official Israeli figures.

Militants also seized about 250 hostages and Israel says around 132 of them remain in Gaza, including the bodies of at least 28 dead captives.

Israel has vowed to crush Hamas and launched a military offensive that the health ministry in Gaza says has killed at least 26,083 people, about 70 percent of them women and children.

The ICJ, based in The Hague, while refraining from ordering an immediate halt to the almost four-month-old war, said Israel must do everything to "prevent the commission of all acts within the scope" of the 1948 UN Genocide Convention.
Thousands of civilians were trapped in southern Gaza by bombardment and fighting between Israeli troops and Hamas fighters on Saturday, a day after the top UN court ruled Israel must prevent genocidal acts.

Growing alarm has focused on Khan Yunis, the biggest city in Gaza's south, where the two main hospitals were barely functioning under the weight of the relentless bombardment and the press of thousands in need.

Witnesses reported more overnight strikes on Khan Yunis, the current epicentre of Israel's assault on Gaza, and the Palestinian Red Crescent Society said some of the dead and wounded had been taken to the city's barely functioning Al-Amal hospital.

The strikes came after the International Court of Justice in The Hague ruled that Israel must prevent possible acts of genocide in its war against Hamas, the Islamist group that controls Gaza.

The court, which has virtually no enforcement power, stopped short of calling for an end to the fighting but also said in its ruling that Israel must facilitate "urgently needed" humanitarian assistance.

"This is the first time the world has told Israel that it is out of line," said Maha Yasin, a 42-year-old displaced Palestinian woman in Gaza.

"What Israel did to us in Gaza for four months has never happened in history."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the case as "outrageous".

Israel's relentless bombardment and siege of the Palestinian territory began soon after Hamas's unprecedented October 7 attacks that resulted in about 1,140 deaths in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of official Israeli figures.

Militants also seized about 250 hostages and Israel says around 132 of them remain in Gaza, including the bodies of at least 28 dead captives.

Israel has vowed to crush Hamas and the health ministry in Gaza says the Israeli military offensive has killed at least 26,083 people, about 70 percent of them women and children.

- Hospital services 'collapse' -

Fierce fighting between Israeli troops and Hamas fighters has raged for days around Khan Yunis, forcing tens of thousands to flee further south to Rafah on the border with Egypt.

With a humanitarian crisis growing in Khan Yunis and northern areas of Gaza, UN agencies say most of the estimated 1.7 million Palestinians displaced by the war are crowded into Rafah.

At Khan Yunis's Nasser Hospital, the largest in the besieged city, Doctors Without Borders said surgical capacity was "virtually non-existent".

The international medical aid organisation said in a news release that medical services at the hospital had "collapsed" and the few staff who remained "must contend with very low supplies that are insufficient to handle mass casualty events".

World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on social media platform X that 350 patients and 5,000 people displaced by the fighting remained at the hospital and that fighting in the vicinity continued.

He said the Nasser Hospital was "running out of food, fuel and supplies" and called for an immediate ceasefire so they could be replenished.

The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said Israeli tanks were targeting Al-Amal hospital, another of the few remaining medical facilities in Khan Yunis, and that it was "under siege with heavy gunfire".

The Israeli military accuses Hamas of having tunnels under hospitals in Gaza and of using the medical facilities as command centres.

Meirav Eilon Shahar, Israel's ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, accused the WHO this week of collusion with Hamas by ignoring Israeli evidence of Hamas's "military use" of Gaza hospitals.

Tedros rejected the accusation, saying it could "endanger our staff who are risking their lives to serve the vulnerable".

- Diplomatic relations sour -

Relations between Israel and the UN agency for Palestinian refugees soured after the UNRWA said tanks had shelled one of its shelters in Khan Yunis on Wednesday, killing 13 people.

UNRWA said on Friday it had sacked several employees accused by Israel of involvement in the October 7 attack.

The UN Security Council will meet on Wednesday to discuss the ICJ's ruling, the council's presidency announced.

The European Union called for the "immediate" application of the ICJ's decision.

The ruling in The Hague was based on an urgent application brought by South Africa, long a supporter of the Palestinian cause, but a broader judgment on whether genocide has been committed could take years.

A security source told AFP on Friday that the head of the US Central Intelligence Agency will meet officials from Israel, Egypt and Qatar "in the coming days in Paris" to try to reach a deal with Hamas.

A week-long truce in November saw an exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners, however the White House warned that "imminent developments" are unlikely.

The war has led to fears of wider conflict, and US forces said they had struck a target in Huthi-held Yemen after an attack on a British tanker in the Gulf of Aden.

str-bur/pbt/mtp

X
The British government on Saturday said it had "considerable concerns" about a ruling by the United Nation's top court that Israel should do everything it can to prevent any acts of genocide in Gaza.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague on Friday handed down its first judgement in a landmark case brought by South Africa that also ordered Israel to allow humanitarian access to the Palestinian territory.

"We respect the role and independence of the ICJ. However... we have considerable concerns about this case, which is not helpful in the goal of achieving a sustainable ceasefire," a Foreign Office spokesperson said in a statement.

"Israel has the right to defend itself against Hamas in line with IHL (international humanitarian law)," the spokesperson added.

"Our view is that Israel's actions in Gaza cannot be described as genocide, which is why we thought South Africa's decision to bring the case was wrong and provocative."

South Africa has accused Israel of breaching the 1948 UN Genocide Convention -- set up in the aftermath of World War II and the Holocaust -- during its military campaign in Gaza, sparked by the October 7 attacks by Hamas.

The Foreign Office, however, added that it welcomed the ICJ's call for the immediate release of hostages and 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 October 7 Hamas attack resulted in the death of around 1,140 people in Israel, most of them civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.

At least 26,083 Palestinians, around 70 percent of them women, young children and adolescents, have been killed in the Gaza Strip in Israeli bombardments and ground offensive since then, according to the Hamas government's health ministry.
The African Union Commission chair Moussa Faki Mahamat Saturday welcomed the UN top court's decision that Israel should do everything it can to prevent any acts of genocide in Gaza.

"The ruling upholds the respect of international law and the need for Israel to imperatively comply with its obligations under the Genocide Convention," Faki said in a social media statement.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague on Friday handed down its first judgement in a landmark case brought by African Union member South Africa that also ordered Israel to allow humanitarian access to the Palestinian territory.

South Africa has accused Israel of breaching the 1948 UN Genocide Convention -- set up in the aftermath of World War II and the Holocaust -- during its military campaign in Gaza, sparked by the October 7 attacks by Hamas.

The court did not pass judgment on whether or not Israel is actually committing genocide but handed down emergency orders while it considers the wider accusation -- a process that is likely to take years.

Faki said the African Union welcomed the measures ordered by the court.

The war in Gaza started with the October 7 attack by Hamas that resulted in about 1,140 deaths in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of official Israeli figures.

Militants also seized about 250 hostages and Israel says around 132 of them remain in Gaza, including the bodies of at least 28 dead captives.

Israel has vowed to crush Hamas and launched a military offensive that Gaza's health ministry says has killed at least 26,250 people, about 70 percent of them women and children.
"As far as the Russians are concerned, I've already been dead twice," grinned Franck, who is one of a number of alleged French "mercenaries" in Ukraine that Moscow claimed to have killed in a recent strike.

Without providing evidence, the Russian defence ministry claimed last week's overnight attack on Kharkiv, northeastern Ukraine, had "eliminated" about 60 fighters, "most" of them French citizens", and wounded 20 others.

"Luckily they weren't serious deaths because I've come back to life," joked the burly Frenchman, who spoke to AFP from the frontline in Ukraine, where he is fighting in the International Legion.

Several lists -- including one said to reveal the identity of around 30 "dead French mercenaries" -- have been shared massively on social media by the Kremlin's Telegram channels and pro-Kremlin activists.

The names include that of Franck, who Russian media had already declared dead in a 2022 video seen by AFP.

"I lost my Go-pro camera in a trench in the Zaporizhzhia region," he told AFP, his face uncovered but his full name kept secret for security reasons.

"They mixed my pictures in with ones of corpses to say my entire group had died."

Paris has accused Moscow of spreading disinformation about France.

AFP also spoke to two other French nationals on the lists.

All three French army veterans denied being in Kharkiv during the attack and rejected the accusation they were mercenaries.

They said they had been the target of "propaganda" designed to "undermine their credibility" as volunteers fighting alongside the Ukrainian army.

- ChatGPT lists -

Beranger Minaud, who met AFP in person on Thursday in eastern France, said he left Ukraine in September 2023 after being wounded.

"As far as I'm concerned, it's impossible for 50 French fighters to be in the same place and the same time in Ukraine," he said.

"I find it hard to believe there are more than 50 altogether now. And the ones I know are in different units all over the country," he said.

French security sources estimate there are around 100 French volunteers fighting in Ukraine.

Minaud left his job as a delivery driver to do humanitarian work before taking up arms, saying he was motivated "to stop the massacres" of civilians.

The 45-year-old with a greying goatee showed AFP his French passport bearing his full name and his Ukrainian military ID card.

"Those lists are a load of rubbish," said another fighter, who gave his identity as Sly, aged 43.

"There are blokes I know on the lists. They were in Ukraine before but they've been back in France for some time."

Contacted via WhatsApp, Sly said he was fighting "in southern Ukraine".

According to Franck, who got in touch with contacts in Kharkiv from the eastern region of Donbas, where he said he was operating as a sniper, "the bombing that night didn't hit any military buildings".

"It hit civilian infrastructure and 19 civilians were wounded but that's it," he said.

Franck's toll is similar to that reported by Kharkiv authorities.

Some names on the lists are simply made up, according to French diplomatic and military sources.

Certain lists "generated by ChatGPT" included ridiculous fakes like "Air Jordan", one said.

"They start out with verified information on French citizens in Ukraine... and mix it with fake data," the source said.

Xavier Tytelman, chief editor of Air & Cosmos magazine, who has contacts in the International Legion, said he had been in touch with a dozen of the people on the lists.

"They're all alive," he said.

Paris has also denied Russian insinuations that the government helped recruit French nationals to fight in Ukraine.

Moscow's choice of the word "mercenary" is significant.

It implies that France is breaking its own law against its citizens fighting abroad in return for payment -- a crime punishable by five years in prison and a fine of 75,000 euros ($81,000).

The term is also used by French authorities to condemn the activities of Russian paramilitary goup Wagner, which Paris accuses of war crimes in Africa.

- Same duties, same wages -

When Moscow's forces invaded in February 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged foreign volunteers to join the International Legion.

"We're all fighting here for different reasons -- some for action and adrenalin, others for humanitarian or political causes," said Sly, who said he was part of a regular Ukrainian army infantry battalion.

"But if we'd come for the money, the word would have got around."

Foreign combatants enlisted by the Ukrainian army are given a military ID card detailing their names, units and the weapons issued to them.

"We have the same rights and duties as Ukrainian soldiers -- except that we can bail out when we want -- and we're paid the same," said Minaud.

That means 20,000 hryvnia (just over $500) a month and a 100,000-hryvnia bonus for every month spent at the front.

"It's a bit like the French Foreign Legion," explained Franck, who said he was fighting alongside combatants "of every nationality on the planet".

He dismissed "Russian propaganda" that they were mercenaries with a shrug.

"I'm totally at ease with what I'm doing here," he said.
Jewish and Muslim dignitaries launched a passionate appeal for peace on Saturday from the Bosnian town of Srebrenica on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, as deadly fighting rages in the Gaza Strip.

A "Jewish-Muslim Initiative for Peace" was presented and signed at the Srebrenica Genocide Memorial Centre by the President of the World Federation of Bergen-Belsen Associations and American lawyer, Menachem Rosensaft, and the religious leader of Bosnian Muslims, Husein Kavazovic.

The place where the appeal was launched holds a symbolic weight, as the Bosnian town saw around 8,000 Muslim men and teenagers killed by Bosnian Serb forces in 1995 -- a crime described as genocide by international justice.

"We join together in sorrow and our tears become prayers, prayers of remembrance, but also prayers of hope", Rosensaft -- who is also general counsel emeritus of the World Jewish Congress -- said at the ceremony.

He added that this "commemoration" of the victims of the Holocaust and the Srebrenica genocide was also the time and place to "jointly commit" to act to "prevent the horrors we remember here today from being repeated".

"We remember six million innocent Jews killed and many millions of other victims of fascist and Nazi ideology," said the Bosnian Grand Mufti.

"We do this at the place where, half a century after the historic 'Never Again', humanity had again failed its test of responsibility," he added.

- 'Our two peoples have suffered' -

More than six million European Jews were exterminated by the Nazis during the Second World War, including around 12,000 in Bosnia, virtually the entire local community.

"Muslims and Jews are one body. Our ties are strong, forged in times of hardship as well as in times of prosperity... Our two peoples have suffered and have been subjected to attempts to eradicate them", Kavazovic said, referring to Bosnian Jews and Muslims.

In the peace initiative, signed in the presence of the president of the association of mothers of Srebrenica, Munira Subasic and the president of the Jewish community of Bosnia Jakob Finci, the two men called for "forging the path of reconciliation" and "actively building peace".

Both commemorated the Israeli victims of the bloody attack on Israel by the Islamist movement Hamas on 7 October and the Palestinian victims of the Israeli response in the Gaza Strip.

"Resistance to occupation cannot justify criminal acts, just as the call to fight terrorism cannot justify the murder of civilians and collective punishment", top Bosnian Islamic cleric said.

The initiative collected applause from Brussels, as Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja Mijatovic called it "a beacon of hope at a time when divisions often seem insurmountable".

"This commitment to fostering partnerships and meaningful dialogue is a powerful testament to the strength that lies in unity," Mijatovic said in a statement.

"It is our collective responsibility to create conditions conducive to remembering and commemorating the victims of past genocides and fighting all manifestations of antisemitism, anti-Muslim hatred and forms of ethnic or religious intolerance," she added.
Around 20,000 people marched in Madrid Saturday in support of Palestinians, a day after the UN's top court said Israel must prevent genocidal acts in its war with Hamas.

Many of the marchers carried banners and placards denouncing the "genocide" in Gaza, which has been under relentless bombardment and siege since the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas.

Some carried Palestinian flags and shouted slogans denouncing Israel. Others had banners thanking South Africa for having brought the case against Israel to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

South Africa accused Israel of breaching the 1948 UN Genocide Convention, set up after World War II and the Holocaust.

In its ruling on Friday, the ICJ said Israel must prevent genocide in its war with Hamas and allow aid into Gaza, but stopped short of calling for an end to the fighting.

The ruling was denounced by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as "outrageous" and while many countries welcomed the ruling, others, such as Britain expressed reservations.

Spain, one of the most critical voices in Europe of Israel's offensive against Hamas, was one of those to welcome Friday's ruling.

Relations between the two countries have soured over Madrid's position on the issue.

Israel recalled its top diplomat in Madrid in November after Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed doubts about the legality of Israel's war in Gaza. She returned in January.

- 'Children are dying' -

"They have been without water, without food, without anything, for almost 110 days," one Madrid demonstrator, 54-year-old Lobna Elnakhala, said of the situation in Gaza.

"Children are dying and living in a very difficult situation."

Some banners called for sanctions to be levied against Israel.

The Madrid authorities put the turn-out at 20,000.

Israel's military campaign began soon after Hamas's October 7 attack that resulted in about 1,140 deaths in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of official figures.

Militants also seized about 250 hostages and Israel says around 132 of them remain in Gaza, including the bodies of at least 28 dead captives.

Israel has vowed to crush Hamas, and Hamas-ruled Gaza's health ministry says the Israeli military offensive has killed at least 26,257 people, most of them women and children
Fatou Sikhe Camara is wearing eye shadow, large gold earrings and a gold necklace. In 2009, the elegant 61-year-old was director of the Donka national hospital in the Guinean capital. In September of that year, a crackdown on an opposition demonstration at Conakry's stadium left over 150 people dead and hundreds more injured. Begun in September 2022, the trial on this massacre has resumed at the Dixinn Criminal Court, after a break during the holiday season. On January 23, Fatou Sikhe Camara told the court how her establishment was quickly overwhelmed by the situation. "We found ourselves faced with a veritable human slaughter. But the teams mobilized as much as they could," she said. In the dock, impassive, the defendants listened attentively to the doctor's story.

On September 28, 2009, Dr Sikhe Camara was not working. She was at home when she was told that something serious was happening. "I was told that there was shooting at the stadium and that people were injured. So I went to the hospital to try and find out what was going on, she recounted. She arrived on the scene at around 10 o'clock. "I immediately went to the emergency room, where all the teams were already mobilized. We saw injured people arriving, lots of injured people, in really... very unbearable states," she said, struggling to finish her sentence.

The emergency manager activated the emergency plan. According to hospital protocol, this plan is activated "as soon as the number of injured reaches 25". "By the time I arrived, this number had already been exceeded," sighed the female doctor. That day, more than 500 people were admitted to Donka, "a situation that none of us medical professionals had ever had to face in our entire careers". Over the following days, the number of people admitted continued to rise. A total of 815 wounded were treated at Donka. 77 were hospitalized, of whom 6 died, and 738 were treated on an outpatient basis. The doctor gave a breakdown of the patients treated: 89 had injuries caused by firearms, 14 by knives, and 389 suffered contusions. More than 300 people were classified in an "other" category. On September 28 and the following days, the gynaecology-obstetrics department treated 32 cases of sexual violence. We treated some of the injured for months on end," she recalled. "We had people who were disabled for life, due to a severed spinal cord, for example."

Soldiers in the hospital

I saw that the hospital's resources were no longer sufficient, so I immediately called my superiors, in particular the Minister of Health, to tell him that we needed pharmaceutical assistance, the witness continued. The Minister found the director in the emergency room and immediately took stock of what was happening, she told the court. He quickly released stocks of equipment and medicines from the central pharmacy. "The treatment [of the injured] was carried out in very good conditions, by the grace of God, for all the victims who arrived at Donka.

Sikhe Camara praised the actions of the then Minister of Health, Colonel Abdoulaye Cherif Diaby, who was accused of obstructing care of the wounded and is now in a glass box alongside nine other defendants. "In collaboration with the Ministry's executives, he set up the national health crisis committee, which was made up of hospital managers from the two national hospitals Donka and Ignace Deen, senior executives from the Ministry of Health and the Ministry's partners, she said. As for the role played by Moussa Dadis Camara, then head of State and now the main suspect in the case, she simply said that he "made a sum available to the Ministry of Health to improve care of the wounded".

The court president could not help noticing contradictions between the directors version and that of the victims. Colonel Cherif Diaby is accused by the civil parties of having come to the hospital accompanied by military personnel. He is said to have insulted and even assaulted the wounded. "Did you observe the presence of the defence and security forces at Donka on that day?" asked judge Ibrahima Sory II Tounkara. The question was simple, the witness's answer less so. She confirmed having seen military agents around the hospital who were there, she says, to facilitate the work of her teams, but inside Donka she saw no one. At first, she admitted having heard doctors talking to each other and saying that "soldiers had come in to prevent them from working". But as the interrogation progressed, her words became less and less coherent. In the end, the director described these discussions as "rumours". The same applies, according to her, to the ransacking of the Donka hospital pharmacy reported by witnesses. There may have been a heavy raid by the military, but the pharmacy was able to continue operating normally, she assured the court. "At no time was continuity of care interrupted at Donka," the director insisted.

View from the morgue

With his serious look, charcoal grey suit and tie and thin-framed glasses, Dr. Hassane Bah was the only forensic pathologist in Guinea at the time of the massacre. He was in charge of the morgues at Donka and Ignace Deen hospitals. On September 28, 2009, they were bursting at the seams with corpses. They had to deal with 58 bodies," he says. There was not enough room, so the bodies were lined up two by two. Others were embalmed to "slow down putrefaction" and left on straw mats. Hassane Bah, who took the stand on January 22, says he did what he could to document these cases of violent death. "I didn't receive any requisitions for autopsies," he says. He had to content himself with examining the bodies to identify them and determine the cause of death. "The first thing we did was to strip the bodies and collect objects such as watches and identity papers. He noted 13 cases of death by firearms, of which nine victims were shot in the back, he explained. One of them even shows the stigmata of a "close-range" shot. "So we deem that the gun was at temporal lobe level, here," says the doctor, mimicking a gun and pointing with his index and middle fingers to the area on his own skull. "The brain was projected out of the skull."

His account is cold, precise and scientific. He found several bullets and is adamant that the shooters were armed with Kalashnikov assault rifles. He also found traces of "sharp instrument wounds", such as a machete, "and sharp stab wounds" such as with a knife or bayonet, on 10 corpses.

During his questioning, he read out the names of the various victims he was able to identify. He listed their ages, professions and causes of death amid resounding silence. Most of the deceased were young men, but there were also several teenagers and an old lady. While the investigation file is sorely lacking in material evidence, Dr. Bah offered an expert opinion. "If the crime scene had been properly exploited, we would have had a lot of information," he concluded bitterly.
Gabina VOA is designed to be an infotainment youth radio show broadcasting to Ethiopia and Eritrea in the Amharic language. The show brings varied perspectives on issues concerning young people in the Horn of Africa region. Gabina in the Amharic language is a front-row taxi ride.
K-Netz shared their sentiments about THIS "Alchemy of Souls" star clubbing with controversial actor Ji Soo.

Curious about who this actor is? Then read on!

Shin Seung Ho Spotted Clubbing With Ji Soo

Reports online revealed that two Korean stars went clubbing. Later on, it was identified that Ji Soo, who was spending vacation in the Philippines, happened to visit a club in Manila.

Apart from him, netizens noticed that Ji Soo was with "Alchemy of Souls" star Shin Seung Ho. There were snaps and short videos of them clubbing that were posted online.

According to a source, the date where the two were spotted was in December 2023, but Korean netizens just found it this year.

After over a month, the video reached the Korean audience and immediately became a hot topic.

The "Alchemy of Souls" actor was seen not wearing a mask but went around wearing sunglasses and a cap. Meanwhile, Ji Soo was more careful and was wearing a mask during their club visit.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Shin Seung Ho as Red Velvet's Bodyguard? Actor's Past Revealed

These two Korean stars quickly garnered attention as they passed by in the crowd. Ji Soo observed that people began to recognize him after he removed his cap and used it to cover his office while leaving the place.

K-Netz Not Pleased to See Shin Seung Ho Hanging Out With Controversial Actor Ji Soo

In the comments section of the uploaded clip, someone shared that the moment she spotted Ji Soo and Shin Seung Ho, she asked for a picture, but was turned down. However, fans were quick to take candid photos of the two celebrities.

Upon reaching this news on various online portals in Korea, netizens were not pleased. They criticized Shin Seung Ho not for going to a club, but for associating himself with controversial actor Ji Soo.

It has been said that ever since Ji Soo was accused of school bullying and sexual assault in 2021, the Korean public turned their backs on him.

Due to the actors' latest interaction, K-Netz expressed their sentiments over Shin Seung Ho's involvement with the controversial actor. A commenter said, "I am asking because I don't get it. Are Philippine clubs a bad place that he can't go to?" and someone replied, "It's because he went there with Ji Soo."

"I liked Shin Seung Ho, but because of this..."

"Is it just me... Shin Seung Ho doesn't give off the best impression either."

"Was Shin Seung Ho the actor who was a bodyguard before?"

Meanwhile, Shin Seung Ho is preparing for his comeback movie "Omniscient Reader" where he will share the frame with Lee Min Ho, Ahn Hyo Seop, Nana, BLACKPINK Jisoo, Chae Soo Bin, and more

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: 5 Swoon-Worthy K-Drama Princes You Might Love: Shin Seung Ho, Moon Sang Min, More!

What can you say about the news? Share your thoughts/replies in the comments!

For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news and updates, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars.

KDramaStars owns this article.

Shai Collins wrote this.
Park Min Young graced Cosmopolitan Korea's latest cover, along with "Marry My Husband" co-star Na In Woo. The lead stars spilled secrets about their ongoing webtoon-based K-drama.

Officially aired on January 1, the tvN series instantly gained positive response from the public as the series featured a different take on revenge drama.

With Park Min Young portraying the role of cancer patient Kang ji Won, she returns to living her second life with a plan to take revenge against her cheating husband Park Min Hwan (Lee Yi Kyung), who is having an affair with her best friend Jung Soo Min (Song Ha Yoon).

Meanwhile, Kang Ji Won teams up with her boss, Yoo Ji Hyuk (Na In Woo), who also shares the same secret as her.

"Marry My Husband" is currently one of the most watched K-dramas this quarter, as the cast and storyline piqued the interest of viewers.

With this, Park Min Young and Na In Woo dished on the unexpected stories and behind the scenes of the show, and talked about the team's closeness off cam.

Park Min Young Reveals the 'Mood Maker' and the 'Shy' One Among 'Marry My Husband' Cast

Showcasing their striking visuals and chemistry for Cosmopolitan Korea, Park Min Young was asked to describe some of the cast members of "Marry My Husband."

The actress mentioned that one of them is the "mood maker" of the group, while the other is quite timid.

"Na In Woo is a shy person, and Lee Yi Kung is a 'mood maker' who has the ability to make people smile."

She also revealed the story of how she managed to get through the awkwardness at their first meeting.

"To break the awkward atmosphere, my brother organized a dinner party after the script reading was over. We became close friends while talking about various things there."

READ MORE: Park Min Young 'Absolutely Does Not Recommend' the Diet She Did for 'Marry My Husband' - Here's Why

As for Na In Woo, he jokingly mentioned the effects of alcohol. He shared how it helped him with his shyness and how the "awkward wall quickly came down."

"When I drink alcohol, my tension tends to increase. At first, I was shy, but as I got closer, I started having fun and dancing, and my bright self came out."

One of the things that the cast considers why they think "Marry My Husband" is successful is the teamwork.

Other than the storyline and the characters, they acknowledged the working relationship between the cast and crew on the show, which reflects on the drama.

"Marry My Husband" airs every Monday and Tuesday, with new episodes available via tvN, TVING, and Prime Video.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: 'Marry My Husband' Consistently Dominates the Most Buzzworthy Drama, Actor Rankings

For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars.

KDramaStars owns this article

Written by Geca Wills
Following her successful projects, Park Eun Bin's talent fee per drama episode might increase in her next K-series.

Keep on reading for more details.

Is It True? Park Eun Bin's Talent Fee Per Episode Will Be $225,000 in New K-Drama 'Hyper Knife'

According to a news outlet, the industry is paying attention to actress Park Eun Bin, whether she will exceed $225,000 (300 Million KRW) per drama episode.

Park Eun Bin is now one of the most popular and buzzworthy actresses in the industry. It has been said that after her latest drama "Castaway Diva," she is in last-minute discussions to headline an 8-episode OTT drama "Hyper Knife." This will be her first-ever villain role since her acting debut.

She is also expected to share the frame with actor Sol Kyung Gu, which raises anticipation among viewers.

"Hyper Knife" is a medical-crime thriller series that foretells the story of a doctor and murderer, reuniting with the teacher who sent him into the abyss. Park Eun Bin will take the role of a psychopathic doctor, while Sol Kyung Gyu was cast opposite the actress.

After reading the script up to part 4, Park Eun Bin and Sol Kyung Gyu agreed to begin filming at the end of March, and are now negotiating their appearance fees.

According to the source, Namoo Actors, Park Eun Bin's agency, proposed an amount of $225, 000 (300 million KRW) per episode. The producers of the project, Vlad Studio and Disney Plus are said to be busy tapping the calculator. Since it is negotiable, the decision will likely be made between $188, 000 and $225, 000.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: 'Castaway Diva' Named As Park Eun Bin's 'Most Enduring Work' Yet - Is It Better Than 'Extraordinary Attorney Woo'?

Regarding this news, a representative from the drama's production company said that it is a reasonable amount that Park Eun Bin can receive. They added, "It will be a win-win as awareness and purchasing power have increased not only in Southeast Asia but also in Japan and North America with the hit of her drama 'Extraordinary Attorney Woo.'"

Park Eun Bin's Agency Denies Issue About the Actress' Talent Fee

Later on, Park Eun Bin's agency released a short statement denying the news and said that it was not true and the ongoing issue was groundless.

The drama's production, Vlad Studio, and Disney Plus also released their statement.

"The news circulating is not true. It is unfounded, and we are only talking positively about the script with actress Park Eun Bin. She also met the director and the writer and only had meetings about the drama."

They added they are still negotiating with Namoo Actors about Park Eun Bin's talent fee and they felt embarrassed that such news began to appear on various media outlets.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Jung Kyung Ho, Park Eun Bin Considered as Most Impressive K-Stars for THESE Reasons

What can you say about the news? Share your thoughts/replies in the comments!

For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news and updates, keep your tabs open here at Kdramastars.

Kdramastars owns this article.

Shai Collins wrote this.
About 6,000 foreigners, mainly from Mexico and Jamaica, come to the Okanagan each year to work on Valley farms. They should be permitted to join a union, the United Food and Commercial Workers Union says.
International students studying at Okanagan College tried out the skating rink at Jim Stuart Park in downtown Kelowna, as shown in this file picture from 2015. The province announced new regulations Monday to ensure a higher-quality education for foreign students in B.C.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says he plans to slash funding to a United Nations agency that supports Palestinians amid allegations some its staff played a role in last October's terrorist attacks. Poilievre arrives to address the national Conservative caucus on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick


Sunday, January 28, 2024  Police in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, are on the hunt for two gunmen after a 22-year-old woman, Tia Ashleigh Robinson was shot dead in Pinetown, west of the Durban city centre.

KZN police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Nqobile Gwala, who confirmed the incident in a statement on Saturday, January 27, 2024, said that a case of murder is under investigation.

According to Colonel Gwala, the victim was shot multiple times outside a popular eatery on Thursday, January 25, 2024. She was rushed to the hospital in a critical condition and succumbed to her injuries.

It is alleged that the victim was parking her vehicle when she was ambushed by armed suspects who opened fire and wounded her. She was taken to hospital where she subsequently died as a result of her injuries, Gwala said.

ALS spokesperson, Garrith Jamieson, said emergency services attended to the shooting in Pastoll Road just after 8am

"Paramedics were directed to a vehicle where a female, believed to be in her 20s, was found in a critical condition with multiple gunshot wounds to her body. Advanced Life Support Paramedics worked to stabilise the woman on the scene before she was rushed through to a nearby Durban Hospital however, she died a short while after arriving at the hospital, he said.

Meanwhile, tributes have been pouring in for Robinson on social media following news of her death.

She has been described as a loving person with a giant heart.

Robinsons uncle, Grant Robinson, said the family is devastated at the young womans passing.

Speaking to journalists, he said the family is waiting for answers.


Sunday, January 28, 2024  A woman who is in her late 30s has gone on social media in search of a husband.

Adeshola Omo-eledumare said she was told that a woman shouldn't look for a husband, rather, the reverse should be the case.

However, she said she is doing this because, if Mohammed doesn't go to the mountain, the mountain must go to Mohammed.

She went ahead to list the qualities she wants in a man and then disclosed what she is bringing to the table.

Read her post below.
Monday, January 29, 2024 - City lawyer Anthony Gathitu Kabathi of Kabuthi and Company Advocates is fighting for his life in hospital after he was ambushed and shot by suspected bandits on his way back to Nairobi on Sunday, January 28, morning.

Kabuthi, an advocate of the High Court, was driving back to the city after meeting a client in Garissa when he was ambushed along the Isiolo-Modogashe Road, about five kilometers from a police camp.

The area where the lawyer was attacked is notorious for marauding bandits.

Our officers received a distress call from members of the public who alerted us that there was a man was bleeding in a car (Toyota Land cruiser V8) that had veered off the road and stalled in a bush, a police statement reads.

He sustained severe gunshot wounds during the ambush.

GSU officers rushed to the scene to rescue him and found him bleeding.

He was rushed to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment before being flown to Nairobi.

The suspected bandits also robbed him of an unknown amount of money and other valuables.

The Kenyan DAILY POST.




Monday, January 29, 2024 - Renowned Nairobi lawyer, Ahmednasir Abdullahi, has castigated a section of United Democratic Alliance (UDA) lawmakers who have been threatening to slash the Judiciary budget over unfavourable court rulings.

On Sunday, UDA MP and Mogotio Member of Parliament Reuben Kiborek warned that Parliament would use its powers to punish the Judiciary over the rulings he claimed go against the public interest.

However, lawyer Ahmednasir in a tweet said plans by a section of UDA lawmakers to punish the Judiciary were unjustified

According to him, the Judiciary requires more resources to support its many programmes.

He also said the Judiciary needs a reformed leadership that will ensure the meagre resources are well utilised.

"Cutting the judiciary budget is the wrong move. In fact, the judiciary needs more money/resources.

"But we need a judiciary that doesn't waste the meagre resources on bonding trips to Watamu, as does the Supreme Court of Kenya.

"We also need reformist leadership for the judiciary, too," Ahmednasir stated.

The Kenyan DAILY POST
Monday, January 29, 2024 - Central Organisation of Trade Union (COTU) Secretary General, Francis Atwoli, has revealed what he told former Prime Minister Raila Odinga before the August 9, 2022, presidential election.

The election was a two-horse between Raila Odinga, who was the Azimio One Kenya Alliance presidential flagbearer, and President William Ruto, who was then the Kenya Kwanza Alliance presidential flagbearer.

Raila Odinga was annihilated by Ruto and according to Atwoli, he had warned the former Premier that in case he was defeated, he would work with the government of the day.

And I told my Azimio people if you mismanage the election and you are not elected, I will return to my office and when I return to my office you should know that I will work with the government," Atwoli said.

"I did not hide them. And indeed we mismanaged the whole election. We didn't have agents, we didn't have any logistics and strategic election committee." Atwoli added.

Atwoli is currently working with President William Ruto's government after dumping Azimio.

The Kenyan DAILY POST


Monday, January 29, 2024  Labour MP Kate Osamor has been suspended after accusing Israel of genocide on the eve of Holocaust Memorial Day.

The British-African-born MP for Edmonton sparked outrage after claiming in her weekly newsletter that Gaza should be added to the list of 'recent genocides'.

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, the Jewish Labour Movement, and the Holocaust Educational Trust reacted to her controversial 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.

Ms Osamor later 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.'

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.'




Monday, January 29, 2024 - Citizens of Haiti are now a worried lot. This is after a Kenyan Court banned President William Ruto from deploying police there.

According to a report by the Associated Press, Haiti citizens are worried about their safety after the court halted the planned deployment of police officers to lead a fight against gangs that are controlling large parts of the country.

Hours after Justice Chacha Mwita delivered that ruling, residents of the war-torn nation began calling radio stations in anguish.

In fact, some of the radio stations got jammed from too many calls with some of the victims fearing that the war had turned up a notch higher.

Over the past year, the gangs controlled 80 per cent of the country's capital city of Port-Au-Prince, with concerns raised that it is a matter of time before the gangs take over full control.

The overriding theme from a majority of the callers was the demand to know what would happen next after the court ruling.

Justice Mwita termed the planned deployment as unconstitutional, noting that the National Security Council and the National Police Service (NPS) have no powers to deploy the officers outside the country.

The Court made the ruling on a case filed by Thirdway Alliance Party leader Ekuru Aukot who had argued that the deployment heralded by President William Ruto was illegal.

The State was scheduled to deploy 1,000 police officers.

An earlier report by global media outlets indicated that the attacks had grown more intense with gangs taking over police stations and expanding outside city centers.

The Kenyan DAILY POST
Monday, January 29, 2024  Energy Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir and President William Ruto's economic advisor Dr.David Ndii travelled to Saudi Arabia to seek enhanced petroleum cooperation.

This comes barely a week after Ruto ended the controversial Government-to-government (G-to-G) oil deal with Gulf companies, including Saudi Aramco.

According to reports, Chirchir held a high-level meeting with his Saudi counterpart, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman to explore mutual areas of cooperation.

Chirchir indicated that Kenya was seeking partnerships that can contribute to expediting the achievement of development goals in the energy and petroleum sector.

The meeting also explored opportunities for collaboration between the two countries, centering on enhancing cooperation in petroleum and its supplies, it was reported of the meeting.

In that regard, Saudi Arabia will help Kenya in developing its renewable energy program to promote energy efficiency.

Additionally, the two countries will exchange expertise in project development, policies, and systems.

Welcoming CS Chirchir to Saudi Arabia, Salman stated that their talks will further encompass other sectors including communication, electronic health, and online education.

The two leaders did not divulge if Kenyas oil deal with Saudi Aramco featured in the discussions.

The Kenyan government in 2023 announced that it would be buying fuel on a 180-day credit line from Saudi Aramco, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, and Emirates National Oil Company.

The deal which was supposed to end in December 2023 was extended for one year to December 2024.

In January, the National Treasury communicated to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that there would be no further extension after elapse of the current contract.

The Kenyan DAILY POST.
Monday, January 29, 2024 - Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria has accused the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) of misinterpreting the independence of the Judiciary.

Kuria spoke after being sued at the High Court for introducing Judiciary services in all Huduma Centers.

"Dear LSK. You are misinterpreting the independence of the Judiciary. What's wrong with citizens using Huduma Centres to access Judiciary Services?" he posed.

The CS emphasised that Kenyans received services at Huduma Centres without discrimination.

Kuria reiterated that alongside Chief Justice Martha Koome, he was determined to revolutionize access to Judiciary Services through the Huduma innovation.

He was among six others sued by advocate Carolyne Kamende, who argued that the move to introduce the services at Huduma Centers threatened the independence of the Judiciary.

She also sued CJ Koome, Chief Registrar of the Judiciary, Attorney General Justin Muturi, and the Chief Executive Officer at Huduma Kenya.

In the lawsuit filed, LSK was listed as an interested party, leading to the response from CS Kuria.

"The Law Society of Kenya was not consulted before the Judiciary decided to transfer some of the judicial services to judiciary desks to be domiciled at Huduma Centres," read part of the petition.

According to Kamende, the move also went against the Constitution, specifically the section for all public officers to conduct public participation when making and implementing public policy decisions.

She added that if implemented, Kenyans posing as advocates will have a platform to illegally offer services to unsuspecting Kenyans.

The matter will be mentioned on March 18, 2024.

Kuria announced that the services will commence on Monday, January 29 at Huduma Centres countrywide.

Some of the services offered will include; filing civil cases, making inquiries, submitting documents for existing cases, and payments for fines and deposits among others.

The Kenyan DAILY POST.
Monday, January 29, 2024 - Following the ruling delivered by the Kenyan High Court on Friday last week declaring deployment of the National Police Service (NPS) officers to Haiti unconstitutional, the Government of Haiti has issued a statement.

In the dispatch issued yesterday, the Caribbean country's government expressed its hope that the issues in Kenya would be addressed swiftly and that there would be a positive outcome.

The statement from Port-au-Prince (the Capital of Haiti) indicated that the country was following developments in Kenya and was clinging to hope that Kenya would have a swift and positive outcome

Further, the Haitian government, which is currently grappling with gangs that have taken over large parts of the country, thanked all the countries that had come forward to offer aid in different forms to restore order and sanity to the nation.

We would like to thank the many countries that have come forward to offer various types of aid to restore order and security as soon as possible, the statement read in part.

The statement went further to urge the citizens of Haiti to remain calm, support the nations security forces, and not allow themselves to be intimidated by disinformation campaigns and threats of violence.

The Kenyan government had offered to deploy 1,000 police officers to lead a multinational force tasked with restoring law and order in Haiti.

However, the High Court in Kenya declared the deployment unlawful with Justice Chacha Mwita observing that the Constitution did not mandate the Council to deploy police officers outside Kenya,"

Citizens of Haiti have also expressed worry about their safety after the Kenyan court halted the planned deployment.

The Kenyan DAILY POST.
YEREVAN, JANUARY 29, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Defense Minister Suren Papikyan has said that the governments goal is to transform the conscription-based army into a professional one.

He made the remarks during the January 28 Army Day celebration.

In his speech, Papikyan attached importance to the need for professional, developed, skilled and educated military personnel in the armed forces in line with the technological achievements. In this context, he highlighted the launch of the certification process in the military.

With the launch of the certification system, which we will further improve, we made one step further towards a professional army, which is one of the priority goals of our government, Papikyan said.


Monday, January 29, 2024  Donald Trump has warned 'we are on the brink of World War Three' as he blamed Joe Biden for Iran-back terrorists killing three American soldiers in Jordan.

The former Republican president blasted the Biden administration's 'weakness and surrender' a day after the suicide drone strike on a remote compound near the Syrian border.

Writing on his Truth Social, Trump claimed it would 'never have happened if I was president, not even a chance' following the brutal killings.

The Biden administration hit back, claiming those trying to 'politicize our national security are illogical and detrimental to our safety and security'.

It comes after eight other American soldiers were medically evacuated from Tower 22 in Jordan while 34 were treated for injuries.

Trump wrote on Sunday: 'This brazen attack on the United States is yet another horrific and tragic consequence of Joe Biden's weakness and surrender.

'This attack would NEVER have happened if I was President, not even a chance - Just like the Iranian-backed Hamas attack on Israel would never have happened, the War in Ukraine would never have happened, and we would right now have Peace throughout the World. Instead, we are on the brink of World War 3.'





Trump argued that he had Iran 'weak, broke, and totally under control' when he left office.

'Thanks to my Maximum Pressure policy, the Iranian Regime could barely scrape two dollars together to fund their terrorist proxies,' he wrote.

'Then Joe Biden came in and gave Iran billions of dollars, which the Regime has used to spread bloodshed and carnage throughout the Middle East. This attack would NEVER have happened if I was President, not even a chance.'

He promised to bring back those policies if he defeats Biden in the November election.

'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,' he wrote.





Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates responded angrily to Trump and other Republican critiques of Biden's policies in a statement to DailyMail.com Sunday.

'As President Biden said today, we will respond decisively at a time and place of our choosing,' Bates said. 'President Biden has acted swiftly and forcefully to hold the Iranian backers of these hostile groups accountable  including with multiple air strikes.

'Attempts by far right congressional Republicans to politicize our national security are illogical and detrimental to our safety and security.'

'In fact, these Republican officials never criticized the previous administration when the same militias attacked American troops, including in 2020.

'If congressional Republicans share President Biden's priority of holding Iran accountable, they should back his retaliation against the groups who committed today's acts, as well as the national security supplemental request  and they should stop giving Iran a pass for helping Russia attack Ukraine,' Bates added.


Sunday, January 28, 2024  The Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD), South Africa has arrested four men who robbed a supermarket in Kempton Park and stole seven tins of baby formula.

Spokesperson for the EMPD, Lieutenant Colonel Kelebogile Thepa, who disclosed this in a statement said the four men are aged between 27 and 35, also stole money during the robbery.

"On Friday, January 26, between 10am and 1pm, the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Departments public order policing, the dog unit (K9), northern region task team and Kempton Park precinct officers conducted a high-density operation and four male suspects between the ages of 27 and 35 were apprehended, said Thepa.

She said the operation was initiated after the EMPD received a tip-off about the robbery of a supermarket.

"As EMPD officers were busy at the corner of Highveld and Agony Street, they were approached by a disturbed passer-by, alleging that a supermarket had just been robbed, not far from the roving roadblock, said Thepa.

She said EMPD officers were given the description of the vehicle which was used in committing the robbery.

Officers responded, and while driving on Highveld Road, a blue Toyota Corolla hatchback, fitting the description of the wanted vehicle with four male occupants was spotted. An attempt to stop the vehicle failed as the Toyota Corolla drove away, said Thepa.

A high-speed chase ensued, and the Toyota Corolla was later cornered.





"The Toyota Corolla and occupants were thoroughly searched, and officers uncovered two smartphones, an undisclosed amount of cash, seven tins of baby formula, a 9mm pistol with serial numbers tampered with plus live rounds, said Thepa.

"The foursome, facing charges of possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition, reckless and negligent driving, possession of suspected stolen items and possible armed robbery, were handcuffed and marched to the Kempton Park police station.

She said the four men are set to appear before the Kempton Magistrates Court.


Monday, January 29, 2024  Former US president, Donald Trump has again claimed he is worth 'way more than the numbers show' as he slammed the 'extremely undervalued' estimates of his financial statements.

This comes following a ruling on Friday in the E. Jean Carroll defamation case where he was ordered to pay $ 83.8 million to the writer.

Trump has now turned his focus to his civil fraud trial in which the likely GOP nominee has been found liable on the financial fraud charges brought by Letitia James.

The fraud case accuses him of inflating the value of his properties, including his Mar-a-Lago mansion in Florida, to get better terms on loans from banks.

Trump has repeatedly attacked James as partisan and 'racist' and dismissed her valuations of his estates and businesses.

The trial's outcome will ultimately determine whether he will face $370 million in penalties and whether he will be allowed to do business in New York.

Trump estimates his net worth to be in the billions than what is shown on his Conservative Financial Statements.

The former president wrote on Truth Social on Sunday that the trials against him are a 'HOAX'. His posts began just after 10am and continued through the afternoon.

'My Financial Statements were extremely 'undervalued,' as opposed to 'overvalued,' which totally disproves and nullifies the New York State Attorney General's politically biased and motivated ('I will get Trump!') Fake Lawsuit against me,' Trump began.

'In other words, I am worth Billions of Dollars more than is shown on my very Conservative Financial Statements, THE EXACT OPPOSITE OF THE A.G. WITCH HUNT!!! In addition to that, I have a 100% Disclaimer and Non-reliance Clause, stating CLEARLY that the reader must do their own analysis and due-diligence,' he went on

'That's what the banks stated IN Court that they did, and were PAID IN FULL, ON TIME AND ON SCHEDULE. NO VICTIMS, ONLY SUCCESS AND PROFITS. Hopefully, Judge Engoron, who should have never taken this NON JURY Trial, or should have dismissed it long ago, will show that the New York State Judicial System is ALIVE, RESPECTED, AND WELL. GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!





Trump had more to say and posted a second message with similar sentiments.

'I have been unfairly sued by the Trump Hating Democrat Attorney General of New York State, Letitia James, over the false fact that I inflated my Financial Statements in order to borrow money from Banks, etc.

'The Judge in the case, Arthur F. Engoron, refused to allow this case to go to the 'Commercial Division,' where it belongs, because he is a Trump Hater beyond even A.G. James, who campaigned against me spewing horrible inflammatory statements which are False & Defamatory. I am not even allowed a Jury!

'The facts of this case are simple. 1) I AM WORTH MUCH MORE THAN THE NUMBERS SHOWN ON MY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. 2) I DIDN'T EVEN INCLUDE MY MOST VALUABLE ASSET, MY BRAND/GOODWILL. 3) THE BANKS WERE PAID BACK IN FULL, OFTEN EARLY, THERE WERE NO DEFAULTS, THE BANKS MADE MONEY, WERE REPRESENTED BY THE BEST LAW FIRMS, & WERE VERY 'HAPPY.' THERE WERE NO VICTIMS! 4) ON THE FRONT PAGE OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS THERE IS A STRONG 'DISCLAIMER CLAUSE' TELLING ALL NOT TO RELY ON THESE.(continued)





'Page 2: FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. THE DISCLAIMER CLAUSE TELLS ANYONE REVIEWING THE DATA, INCLUDING FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, TO DO THEIR OWN RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS - IT IS A NON RELIANCE CLAUSE, AND COULD NOT BE MORE CLEAR.

ADDITIONALLY TO MY BEING WORTH FAR MORE THAN IS SHOWN IN THE 'FULLY DISCLAIMED' FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, AGAIN NOT PUTTING DOWN A VALUE FOR MY BIGGEST ASSET, BRAND/GOODWILL, THE COMPANY HAS HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN CASH, AND VERY LITTLE DEBT,' Trump wrote in upper case letters.

'It is a great company that has been slandered and maligned by this politically motivated Witch Hunt. It is very unfair, and I call for help from the highest Courts in New York State, or the Federal System, to intercede. THIS IS NOT AMERICA!' he continued.





Trump also went further to detail his frustration with the civil fraud trial.

'Judge Engoron valued Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, at $18 Million when it was worth, according to the Top Brokers, 50 to 100 times that amount. He did this in order to justify the Attorney General's Lawsuit against me in an attempt to lower my Values, likewise, other Properties.

'My Financial Statement is very conservative (the exact opposite of what the Attorney General said). Everyone paid, No Victims (except me!), only SUCCESS. This Case should have been dismissed long ago. It is a Political Persecution. The State should get No Damages whatsoever!'


Sunday, January 28, 2024  The military regimes in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have announced their immediate withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The countries military regimes announced withdrawal from the regional bloc on Sunday, Jan. 28, in a joint statement read out on Niger national television.

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.

After 49 years, the valiant peoples of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger regretfully and with great disappointment observe that the (ECOWAS) organization has drifted from the ideals of its founding fathers and the spirit of Pan-Africanism, Colonel Amadou Abdramane, Niger junta spokesman, said in the statement.

The organization notably failed to assist these states in their existential fight against terrorism and insecurity, Abdramane added.

The regimes have had tense ties with ECOWAS since coups took place in Niger in July 2023, Burkina Faso in 2022 and Mali in 2020.

Following the military coup in Niger last July, ECOWAS imposed sanctions on the country and threatened military action. All three were suspended from ECOWAS, with Niger and Mali facing heavy sanctions.

In September 2023, the three countries signed a mutual defence pact to assist one another against armed rebellion or external aggression. The charter - Alliance of Sahel States - binds the countries to assist one another  including militarily should there be an attack against one of them.

At the time, Malis military leader Assimi Goita said on his X social media account, I have today signed with the Heads of State of Burkina Faso and Niger the Liptako-Gourma charter establishing the Alliance of Sahel States, with the aim of establishing a collective defence and mutual assistance framework.




Monday, January 29, 2024 - With the Kenyan Shilling depreciating against major currencies, including the United States Dollar, many business people are finding ways to cushion themselves against eventual losses.

In particular, a section of landlords in Nairobi have started demanding rent payments in dollars as the Shilling continues to show signs of volatility.

According to sources, most landlords in affluent areas like Westlands, Karen, Gigiri, Runda, Kileleshwa, and Muthaiga among others are asking for rent in dollars.

Shunguli Duncan of Rock Field Properties revealed that the number of landlords demanding that rent be paid in Dollars had increased exponentially in recent times.

Some of the owners are not local, they are expatriates. They prefer dollars because of the instability of the Kenyan Shilling, he explained.

Shunguli added that most of the foreign owners had used financing facilities to acquire loans to build the houses.

Since often the loans were acquired in another country charging Dollars, they prefer having the payment in the American currency.

Shunguli who leads one of the top real estate companies in the capital explained that this cushions the landlords from loan default.

He explained that if the owner pays USD1,000 per month to service his loans, he can list the house for a similar amount and be sure he will be able to repay the loan.

Should the landlord decide to charge Ksh163,000 per month, he will be able to convert the money to pay the USD1,000 loan amount. Next month, if the Shilling depreciates further, the Ksh163,000 could be USD950 leading to a loan default.

Another real estate agent who spoke on condition of anonymity remarked that many Kenyans were finding the practice lucrative.

The Kenyan DAILY POST.




Monday, January 29, 2024 - The Nairobi County Assembly has summoned former President Uhuru Kenyattas men over the mass looting at City Hall, Nairobi.

The Nairobi County Assembly ad-hoc committee probing the loss of Nairobi's revenue invited former NMS Director General Lieutenant Mohammed Badi and former State House controller Kinuthia Mbugua

Others are Constance Mwaikamba - Former Head of Treasury, Major John Njoroge - seconded officer at NMS and NMS deputy director general Kang'ethe Thuku.

The letters were addressed individually to the officials by the County Assembly Clerk Edward Gichana.

"This is to inform you of the Committee's resolution and to request that you attend the said meeting on January 30, 2024, at 10.30 am at the Assembly Plenary Chamber, Ground floor, County Assembly wing, City Hall Building," reads the letters.

The officials are expected to shed more light on the nature, ownership and operations of the Nairobi Revenue System (NRS) before the ad-hoc committee led by Majority Leader Peter Imwatok.

"You are expected to clarify whether the system had any agreement with Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) or NMS and whether the same was communicated to Nairobi City County Government (NCCG)," reads the letter in part.

Also, they are expected to give details of the administrators, hosts, and all persons who had access to the said system during the NMS period.

The Kenyan DAILY POST.
Monday, January 29,2024 - A section of politicians allied to former President Uhuru Kenyatta has stated that President William Ruto is the man behind political divisions in the Mt Kenya region.

Already, the vote-rich region is divided into two, with one faction following Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and the other faction following Kiharu Member of Parliament Ndindi Nyoro.

Speaking on Sunday in Limuru, Embakasi West Member of Parliament Mark Mwenje blamed Ruto over the division, saying he wants the region divided for his own political mileage.

"UDA allied leaders have been pushed to the corner and don't have a say, given the prevailing political situation in our region, there seems to be concerted efforts to put our region in the periphery of future political game plans, and this calls for unity," Mwenje, who is also the Minority Chief Whip in Parliament stated.

Mwenje further urged Rigathi Gachagua to dump UDA because Ruto is using Ndindi Nyoro to divide the region.

The Kenyan DAILY POST.


Monday, January 29, 2024  Ten secondary school students have been arrested by Zimbabwean police officers while attending a wild indoor party.

Those arrested have been identified as eight school-going minors and two who dropped out. They are reportedly aged between 14 and 16 years.

It was gathered that they held the wild party at 12 Browning Road in Bradfield, Hillside, Bulawayo, and had lots of alcohol and substances to smoke.

Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) said in a statement;

The ZRP has arrested ten juveniles aged between 14 years and 16 years at a vuzu party at number 12 Browning Road, Bradfield, Hillside, Bulawayo. The majority of the juveniles are from two local schools, while two are school drop-outs.

Some of them were smoking shisha, which contains a substance which CID Drugs and Narcotics are now verifying. The Police are now engaging the parents and school authorities for the juveniles. More details will be released in due course.

Vuzu parties are wild indoor gatherings organised by teenagers with activities that include beer drinking binges, drugs, and unprotected s_x  at times with multiple partners.
YEREVAN, JANUARY 29, ARMENPRESS. Minister of Defense Suren Papikyan has praised the 25-day training model for military reservists.

Speaking at the January 28 Army Day event, Papikyan said the government decided to initiate training musters for military reservists given the security situation around the country, and with the purpose of increasing the level of combat readiness of the reserve. Despite the existing problems, we can say that the 25-day training model is a success, he said.
Monday, January 29, 2024  Former Prime Minister Raila Odingas ODM is mourning the death of one of its grassroots pillars.

In a statement on Monday, ODM announced the death of its Gem branch Youth League Chairman Aggrey Okoth Ombee.

ODM said Ombee passed on after a short illness.

The Raila Odinga-led party eulogized him as a dedicated and hardworking man who stood for the rights of the youth.

We are saddened to learn of the death of Mr. Aggrey Okoth Ombee after a short illness.

"Until his death, Mr. Ombee was Chairman of the Gem Branch of the ODM Youth League.

"We have lost a hardworking and dedicated youth who stood for the rights of the youth, ODM stated.

Ombees death comes days after ODMs Wundayi branch chairperson Christopher Mchana passed away.

Mchana died on January 8 and was buried on Saturday, January 20 at his home in Moroko village.

We mourn the passing on of our Wundanyi branch, Hon.Christopher Mchana, on Monday 8th.

"Burial will take place on Saturday 20th January 2024 at Moroko village, Mghange Mwanda ward, Wundanyi sub-County.

"We pray to God to grant the family strength during this trying time of grief, ODM stated.

During the 2023 Christmas Eve, the opposition party lost its Migori chairperson Phillip Makabong'o.

He was laid to rest on Friday, January 12 at his home in Rongo, Migori County.

ODM leader Raila Odinga and other politicians from the party attended the funeral.

The Kenyan DAILY POST.


Monday, January 29, 2024  The Mpumalanga Division of the High Court in South Africa on Monday, January 29, 2024, convicted and sentenced Valencia Nonhlanhla Mthunywa (33), to 20 years of direct imprisonment for the murder of her mother, Wanter Bajabulile Dlamini (62).

Nonhlanhla and her sister, Bathabile Penelope Mthunywa, killed their mother in 2020 for an insurance payout.

The two sisters with three others, Ntombizodwa Ndwandwa, Moses Masemola, who has since passed away and Stanley Mashikeng, boyfriend to one of the sisters, assaulted, raped and killed the deceased.

The National Prosecuting Authority, NPA Regional spokesperson, DPP Mpumalanga, Monica Nyuswa, in a statement, said the court further sentenced the accused to five years imprisonment for attempted murder and three years for defeating the ends of justice.

It further ordered the sentences imposed on attempted murder and defeating the ends of justice to run concurrently with the sentence imposed on murder, the effective sentence being 20 years direct imprisonment, the statement read.

"The accused was also declared unfit to possess a firearm in terms of the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000.

"This is after the accused entered into a plea sentence agreement with the state.

"The accused was charged along with her sister, Bathabile Penelope Mthunywa (39), Nombuso Philadelphia Ndwandwa (41), and Steen Silo Mashakeng (35).

"These charges emanate from an incident which happened on 05 January 2020 in Barberton in the district of Mjindini where the deceased was having drinks with some of the accused when her beer was poisoned.

"The following day, Valencia invited the deceased to her boyfriends house and conspired to kill her to claim an R80 000 insurance policy which was taken by Ndwandwa in the deceaseds name in November 2019.

"The deceased was assaulted, raped, and strangled until she died.

"The deceaseds body was discovered dumped at a local dumping area near the abator.

"A few days later, a claim from Old Mutual was received from the deceased daughters.

"The police investigations led to the arrest of the accused.

"In court one accused pleaded guilty and that calls for the separation of trials.

"The case against the remaining accused was postponed from 18 November to 06 December 2024, for the new presiding officer and trial.

The National Prosecuting Authority welcomes the sentence imposed on the accused and remains committed to prosecuting cases where family relatives are killed for insurance benefits, the statement added.




Monday, January 29, 2024 - The prime suspect in the brutal murder of socialite Starlet Wahu claims that his life is in danger.

John Matara told the court through his lawyer Samuel Ayora that two unknown people attempted to abduct him from police cells at the Industrial Area Police Station, where he is being held.

However, he managed to defend himself.

Ayora said his client feels unsafe at the station after the incident.

The lawyer further claimed that on Friday, Matara was physically assaulted by an unknown person inside the court premises as he was being escorted to the courtroom at Makadara Law Courts.

Ayora made the claims while challenging the courts decision to detain his client for another seven days after the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) sought an extension of the custodial order to complete investigations.

The lawyer said that during Mataras detention for 21 days, he was only interviewed twice on two different dates by the police and nothing happened for the other 19 days.

Ayora said the 21 days given earlier were enough for the DCI to complete the investigations into the murder, adding that the DCI and the ODPP did not disclose the areas of the investigations that were not complete

However, the magistrate ordered Matara to be detained for seven more days and told Ayora to report the assault claim and other complaints to the police for proper investigations to be carried out.

Mataras case will be mentioned on February 2 when the DPP is expected to charge him in high court.

The Kenyan DAILY POST.


Monday, January 29, 2024  Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskiy made public his income over two years on Sunday, January 28 as part of a drive to promote transparency and end endemic corruption.

In a post on the presidential website, Zelenskiy noted that his income had declined in 2021 and further in 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine at the end of February.

It was the first time Zelensky who his rivals have accused of being corrupt, publicly declared his income.

In 2021, the year before the invasion, Zelenskiy and his family reported an income of 10.8 million hryvnias ($286,168), down 12 million hryvnias from the previous year. The 2021 figure included income from the sale of $142,000 of government bonds.

In 2022, the Zelenskiy familys income fell further to 3.7 million hryvnias as he earned less rental income from real estate he owned because of the outbreak of the war.

Zelenskiy has called for public officials to disclose their incomes as part of efforts to increase transparency and eliminate corruption as Ukraine tries to meet the stringent requirements for its bid to join the European Union.

Western allies providing weaponry and financial assistance as well as international bodies like the International Monetary Fund have also sought assurances on efforts to eliminate corruption in Ukraine.

The website statement reads in part;

Volodymyr Zelenskyy continues to own several trademarks. In particular, in 2021, the process of registering 22 trademarks, which began long before his election as President of Ukraine, was completed.

According to the 2022 declaration, the income of the President and his family members amounted to UAH 3 million 692 thousand 683.

The income of the President's family in 2022 decreased due to the temporary termination of lease agreements on the territory of Ukraine as a result of the beginning of Russia's full-scale aggression against our country.

The cash balance of the President's family at the end of 2022 decreased by almost UAH 1 million 800 thousand.

There were no other changes in 2021 and 2022 regarding assets, real estate, vehicles, etc.
Monday, January 29, 2024 - One of President William Rutos lieutenants has vowed to slash the Judiciary budget if Judges and magistrates continue to rule against the government.

Speaking on Sunday, Mogotio Member of Parliament Reuben Kiborek said the Judiciary risks budget cuts due to recent rulings that have stalled key government projects.

The MP said Parliament would use its powers to punish the Judiciary over the rulings he claimed go against the public interest.

"We in Parliament also have power, which is to create the budget.

"I want to ask you, chair of the budget (Ndindi Nyoro), that when we are creating the upcoming budget if the Judiciary refuses to behave, let's cut their entire budget until they walk and ride bicycles in town to understand what the jobless Kenyans experience every day," Kiborek said.

Kiborek spoke days after courts slammed the brakes on the controversial housing and also stopped the government from sending police for a peacekeeping mission in Haiti.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Monday, January 29, 2024 - COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli has sent an early warning to former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, telling him not to expect support from Western Kenya this time around.

Speaking in Busia yesterday, Atwoli vowed to do everything humanly possible to lock some people out of Western Kenya, among them Raila Odinga, ahead of the 2027 General Election.

According to the COTU boss, he will rally the Mulembe community to unite ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Na hapa kwetu Western, hapa tutafunga. Waluyhia tutaweka pamoja.

"Haitakuwa kiwanja ya kila mtu (And here in Western, we will lock it. We will unite. The region will not be everyones playground,) Atwoli said.

Atwoli said Western leaders have deliberated on key strategies for uniting the Mulembe nation to form the next government.

This time round, Luhya leaders must not allow division in the Western region over political affiliations. Such divisions will not be good for the development of the region, he said.

In the 2022 presidential poll, Atwoli heavily pushed for a Raila presidency and dedicated time to go around the country drumming up support for him.

However, Atwoli switched camps after former Prime Minister Raila Odinga lost to William Ruto in the 2022 presidential election.

The flamboyant trade unionist has been voicing support and working with President William Ruto.

He defended his move to work with the Kenya Kwanza government, which a section of Azimio adherents have since termed as betrayal.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Monday, January 29, 2024 - Thirdway Alliance party leader, Dr. Ekuru Aukot, has urged President William Ruto to be grateful to former President Uhuru Kenyatta since he is the one behind his political rise to the status of a head of state.

In a social media post on Monday, Aukot said it is funny that Ruto has been castigating the former President yet he is the man who appointed him as his second in command.

Aukot also said Ruto would never have become president if Uhuru hadnt appointed him as his deputy

The lawyer asked Ruto to be grateful to those who have helped him climb the ladder and become the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces.

Ruto should be grateful for Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta. Because without Uhuru giving him a Chance of being his Deputy, he couldn't have made it to the Statehouse.

So he should learn to be thankful, Dr Ekuru wrote in his X platform.

The Kenyan DAILY POST
YEREVAN, JANUARY 29, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Minister of Defense Suren Papikyan has praised the tangible results in arms acquisitions last year.

Experience showed that without modern armaments its impossible to have a strong and combat-ready army, no matter how high the spirit of troops to serve their country selflessly, Papikyan said at the January 28 Army Day celebration.

He said that the efforts to re-equip the Armenian Armed Forces on a proper level befitting leading militaries of the 21st century have given tangible results.

Weve been able to enhance military-technical cooperation by finding new partners and making tangible steps in the direction of armament diversification. This is one more step strengthening the diversification of our security architecture, which will help us develop a stronger and more reliable security environment around Armenia, Papikyan said.

The defense minister also spoke about the defense industry. In simple words, we shouldnt import what we can produce ourselves here in our country, with a lower cost and good quality. This is a goal that we are working on.
Healthcare advocates have decried limited investment in Primary Health Care (PHC) in Uganda.

The Senior Manager, of Advocacy and Partnership at Living Goods, Hasifa Naluyiga, tells KFM that PHC is the most inclusive, equitable, cost-effective, and efficient approach to enhance peoples physical and mental health as well as well-being.

However, she says despite the governments commitment to transition from curative to preventive healthcare, community health intervention coverage in Uganda is still low.

Naluyiga explains that the rollout of the community health workers registry and e-community health information systems is extremely low affecting follow-up and reporting rates for the Village Health Teams (VHTs)

She thus implores the government to increase the primary health care budget to cater for training, retooling, and compensating VHTs.
Patrick Kamara hosts former Inspector General of Government (IGG) Augustine Ruzindana on the KFM Hot Seat show for a conversation on Ugandas political landscape.

Listen to the podcast below;
The Minister for Kampala Metropolitan Affairs, Minsa Kabanda has urged the residents of Namayingo District to embrace government programmes for socio-economic transformation to avoid being lured into joining the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF).

She made the remarks during the district launch of the 43rd Tarehe Sita week at Namayingo district headquarters.

Kabanda said that the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) remains committed to serving the people of Busoga and Uganda at large.

She noted that government programmes like the Parish Development Model, Operation Wealth Creation, and Emyooga, are designed to improve peoples welfare thus they should embrace them.

The Director of Political Education Land Forces Col Anatoli Nuwagira who represented the Chief Political Commissar highlighted the several activities that UPDF will engage in during the army week which include; medical outreaches, planting of trees, public hygiene and sanitation, Ideological training engagements, sports, construction projects, engaging veterans, among others.
Security at the Parliament gate was on Monday stunned by the courage of a 9-year-old pupil who walked to Parliament, seeking to meet the Speaker of Parliament, Ms Anita Among.

Smartly dressed in her school uniform, Ruth Precious Kharunda, a Primary Five pupil of Nakasero Primary School told the security officers at the Parliament gate how she had walked from home to meet the Speaker whom she admires and takes as her role model.

When it was brought to her attention, Speaker Among demanded that Kharunda be immediately ushered into her office ahead of other guests in the waiting room.

Among was later pictured embracing the girl in her arms as they talked. Kharunda expressed the financial struggles of her parents and requested that the Speaker relieves them of the burden by paying her school fees for at least this new term.

Among, who was impressed by her boldness, pledged to fulfill the request.

Girls like Ruth deserve all the support they need and it is incumbent upon us to ensure they stay in school. I got in touch with her parents, established where she lives and have made my humble contribution to ensure she stays in school and pursues her dreams, Among posted on her X platform.
By David Awori

Police in the Eastern border District of Busia have arrested a Catholic priest over allegations of defiling a 17-year-old primary school leaver.

Police on Sunday picked up Fr Peter Owora from Dabani Parish headquarters, where he is attached, and detained him at Dabani Police Station, before transferring him to Busia Central Police Station.

Detectives at Dabani Police Station say they have carried out tests on the girl and established she was defiled, while tests on the priest indicate that he had sexual intercourse.

We are analysing the suspects HIV status, although a Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (pregnancy) test on the girl returned negative results, a police source said on Sunday.

At Busia Central Police Station where the Priest was transferred, an anonymous detective described him as being in an alcoholic and shivering state.

It was later established that he was on the verge of collapsing in the police cells, prompting his release on bond, citing health grounds.

Mr Tibbs Asiimwe, the Busia District Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (CIID) Officer confirmed the Priests arrest on allegations of defilement, but added that he had been released on medical grounds after his health deteriorated while in their custody.

It was difficult to keep him in Police cells until today (Monday). We feared (that) he would cause us problems and gave him bond so that he can access treatment, come back this week and we take him to Court, Mr Asiimwe further explained.

The Catholic Church doctrine demands that priests are supposed to practice celibacy and not to engage in acts of sexual intercourse.

Family sources told this Publication that the suspect was arrested after he reportedly returned to the victims home after she went missing for four days. The victim is said to have sat for her Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) at one of the schools in the District.

The Priest brought the victim back home on a motorcycle, and when we tried asking him where the girl had been, he started quarreling, the source said.

According to the source, the priest was drunk when he returned with the victim, and that when her parents asked him where their daughter had been, he reportedly harassed them before riding away.

The source added: Our daughter went missing for four days and when she finally appeared with the priest, we were suspicious.
Following the release of the 2023 Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) results by the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB), the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has appealed to the Ministry of Education to integrate skilling into the primary school curriculum.

The call comes in response to the concerning number of pupils who failed the exams.

Speaking at the partys headquarters in Najjanankumbi on Monday, FDC spokesperson John Kikonyogo expressed worry about the high number of ungraded pupils, questioning what their future holds.

They will have capacity if they are skilled to do something so that we dont lose them because where are you going to put these 88,000 pupils now? So we must do something as Ugandans to skill these people. I think we should start an authority, Kikonyogo told journalists on Monday.

He urged the government to investigate the reasons behind the increasing number of candidates who miss their final exams altogether.
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khaskhabar.com : , 29  2024 1:12 PM
YEREVAN, JANUARY 29, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has held a meeting with the leadership and officers of the Foreign Intelligence Service.

During the meeting the Prime Minister was briefed on the course of the establishment of the agency and the 2024 action plan.

Views were exchanged on addressing modern challenges, as well as the objectives of the Foreign Intelligence Service in the development of the state. The Prime Minister issued concrete objectives and directives to the service, the Prime Ministers Office said in a readout.
A criminal who is already serving a 16.5-year sentence for his involvement in a murder and a gangland shooting has admitted to impeding the apprehension of the person who murdered gangland figure Mark 'Guinea Pig' Desmond in Lucan eight years ago.

Charles McClean (35) of St Marks Grove, Clondalkin, Dublin 22 was arraigned before the Central Criminal Court this Monday afternoon, when he had been due to go on trial.

Since 2021, McClean has been sentenced to two consecutive sentences totalling 16.5 years imprisonment for facilitating a criminal organisation as well as conspiring to murder gangland criminal Wayne Whelan. Whelan survived the murder attempt but was subsequently shot dead following another attack in November 2019.

McClean pleaded guilty on January 29 to impeding the apprehension or prosecution of another at Griffeen Valley Park, Lucan, Dublin, on December 2 2016, knowing or believing them to be guilty of an arrestable offence, namely the murder of Mark Desmond.

McClean was originally charged with murdering Mr Desmond on the same occasion.

Mr Desmond, who was 41 when he died after being shot at least three times with a handgun, had links to dissident republicans and the drug trade in west Dublin. Mr Desmond was also charged with the murder of two men in 1999, but these charges were dropped days before he was due to go on trial.

Sean Gillane SC, prosecuting, told Mr Justice Paul McDermott today that count two on the indictment could be put to McClean.

Mr Justice McDermott remanded McClean in custody until February 6, for a sentence hearing and directed the preparation of a victim impact report.

Mr Gillane said next week's sentence hearing would take 40 minutes.

Michael Bowman SC with Keith Spencer BL instructed by solicitor Wayne Kenny, representing McClean, asked for a governor's and an educational report from Portlaoise Prison.

Last April at the Central Criminal Court, McClean was jailed for eight-and-a-half years for facilitating a criminal organisation in the unexplained fatal shooting of father-of-five Thomas McCarthy (55), a man who had no links to crime. Mr McCarthy was gunned down when he answered the door at his mother's house in Ballyfermot on July 27, 2020. He suffered nine separate gunshot injuries.

McClean pleaded guilty that between January 25 and July 27, 2020 inclusive, with knowledge of the existence of a criminal organisation, he intentionally or recklessly committed an act to facilitate the murder of Mr McCarthy.

McClean's eight-and-a-half year sentence for facilitation ran consecutively to his other major offence for conspiracy to commit murder over the September 2019 attempted murder of Wayne Whelan, for which he received an eight-year sentence in September 2021. The defendant's conviction for conspiracy to commit murder was backdated to September 29 2020, when he went into custody.

Mr Justice McDermott noted at the time that McClean was an important actor in the carefully planned murder of Mr McCarthy, that the evidence established he had given a cue to the shooter when to strike and that he was highly involved in the setting up of the deceased for assassination.

Addressing McClean in 2023, the judge said some of the defendant's previous convictions were for most serious offences, the most serious being conspiracy to commit murder 11 months prior to this offence. He said the seriousness of McClean's offending had escalated dramatically in 2019 and 2020.
YEREVAN, JANUARY 29, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan on January 29 met with Kamal Kharrazi, Foreign Policy Advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader and Head of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations of Iran.



The sides discussed the multi-sectorial cooperation agenda between Armenia and Iran, underscoring the high level of political dialogue and the dynamic development of relations between the two countries, the foreign ministry said.



The interlocutors highlighted the significance of the close collaboration in energy, infrastructure, economic, and other domains. The importance of implementing joint projects aimed at strengthening the friendship between the two peoples and promoting stability in the region was emphasized.



Taking this opportunity, Minister Mirzoyan once again expressed condolences on behalf of Armenia in connection with the terrorist attack that occurred in Kerman at the beginning of the year. During the meeting, issues related to security and stability in the South Caucasus were discussed. Minister Mirzoyan presented Armenia's approaches in detail, emphasizing the need for unconditional respect for territorial integrity, the inviolability of borders, and the sovereignty of Armenia as key elements for ensuring lasting peace in the region.



In the context of unblocking infrastructure in the region, Ararat Mirzoyan lauded Iran's positive position regarding the Crossroads of Peace project developed by the Armenian government.
Nepal wishes to deepen intra-party exchanges, cooperation with China

Xinhua) 15:02, January 29, 2024

KATHMANDU, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Nepal has voiced hope for deepening intra-party exchanges and cooperation with China, so as to promote an in-depth development of bilateral relations.

A delegation of the Communist Party of China (CPC) led by Sun Haiyan, deputy head of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, visited Nepal from Jan. 26-29 at the invitation of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Center).

The Chinese delegation met with Pushpa Kamal Dahal, chairman of the CPN (Maoist Center) and prime minister of Nepal, as well as leaders of other main political parities in the country.

In addition, the delegation had exchanges with representatives from think tanks, media outlets and social organizations, and attended a joint consultation conference between the CPC and Nepali political parties.

On the occasions, the Nepali side praised Nepal-China friendship for its deep roots, reiterated Nepal's commitment not to allow any anti-China activities on its soil, and voiced hope for deepening intra-party exchanges and cooperation with China so as to promote an in-depth development of bilateral relations.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Despite a major crackdown on irresponsible behaviour demonstrated at beaches across one state, it appears "hoon" driving with wild manoeuvres is still being witnessed by frustrated locals and council officials.

A video showing a 4WD in the water at a popular beach in South Australia has been criticised after it emerged on social media over the weekend, with the motorist seen driving erratically in the water before doing donuts on the sand. The local mayor was quick to condemn the act he described as "poor and unacceptable", and reminded visitors of the risks.

A vehicle was seen driving recklessly at Aldinga beach in South Australia, with the driver's behaviour being condemned. Source: facebook/SouthAussieWithCosi

It comes amid backlash over similar behaviour at Goolwa Beach, about a 40-minute drive from Aldinga where this recent incident took place on Australia Day. It's feared Goolwa Beach will likely take "years" to recover from damage caused to the dunes  but it's an issue most beaches with vehicle access across the state are experiencing.

In the footage taken at Aldinga, about an hour's drive from Adelaide, a person is seen standing near the vehicle as it spins around in circles before they eventually get in the car. A dog and other pedestrians are also seen nearby on the sand.

Mayor slams 'very poor and unacceptable' beach act

Speaking with Yahoo News Australia, Mayor Moira Were said this sort of behaviour is "unacceptable" and warned of severe consequences for those caught doing the wrong thing. She said that while the majority of beachgoers comply with measures to protect other people and the environment, "there is infrequent anti-social behaviour from the few that dont comply, which does attract lots of attention on the beach and online afterwards".

"The behaviour exhibited in the recent Aldinga video is very poor and unacceptable and, as a reminder to anyone undertaking such behaviour, were aware of at least two hoon drivers who had their vehicles impounded by SAPOL on our beaches last summer," the mayor said.

Story continues

An SA Police spokesperson said police were called to Aldinga Beach at about 6.30pm on Friday after reports two vehicles had been doing burnouts but were not able to locate the vehicles involved. Police agreed "this type of behaviour is dangerous, reckless and poses a risk to the community".

The video outraged people on social media who also slammed the inappropriate behaviour.

"Destroying the car is one thing, but this is the behaviour of flogs that get our good beaches closed off to vehicle access," one person said. " Total disrespect for the beach," said another. While many more agreed it's this type of behaviour that will "wreck it for everyone".

Statewide speed limits enforced on beaches

To help minimise risk on beaches, the South Australian government enforced statewide speed limits on beaches to help protect the safety of beachgoers and the delicate ecosystem. The speed limit was reduced to 40km/h, and 25km/ at beaches when within 50 metres of a person. This change did not apply at Aldinga which has had a 10km/h speed limit "for some time".

Goolwa Beach in SA also fell victim to reckless driving, prompting a statewide change in speed limits. Source: Facebook/Google Images

"A 10km/h speed limit has applied to vehicles on our beaches at Moana, Aldinga, Silver Sands and Sellicks for many years, and we urge any beachgoers to report vehicle offences such as speeding and dangerous/hoon driving to SA Police at the time it's occurring if theres an immediate danger to people," the mayor told Yahoo.

"Our community safety officers (or rangers) monitor our beaches every day during peak times to provide community education and enforcement controls on a range of matters including vehicle compliance, littering, dogs on leads during prohibited times, keeping a safe distance from Hooded Plover nesting sites, as well as supporting Marine Safety SA in its regulation of personal watercraft.

"Bollards are installed in key areas to encourage vehicles to drive and park appropriately on the hard sand parts of the beach."

Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories.
David Williams at Newsroom reports:

Mauger attracted headlines in Saturday's Press newspaper for his wishlist, including a serious bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games. (The Olympic Committee has said it's considering bidding for the 2034 event.) Yesterday, city councillors discussed Mauger's motion to get the ball rolling. What was agreed to was council staff, with input from the city's economic development arm ChristchurchNZ, would give advice about whether a bid for 2030, or 2034, was viable. this is just getting it underway to ask the question: is it possible? the mayor said, defensively. They could come back and say it's an absolute fizzer.

You don't need a report. The answer is clearly no.

The important international context here is Victoria (population: 6.5 million), pulled out of hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games because of cost overruns. Fears over funding also led the Canadian province of Alberta (population: 4.8 million) to scrap its consideration of hosting the 2030 games. To add to this grim picture, Birmingham (population: 4.3 million in the wider metro area), the British city that hosted the 2022 games, is in dire financial trouble, with its city council effectively declaring itself bankrupt.

A city of a few hundred thousand could never be viable for games in this era.

The Glasgow games cost over a billion dollars and 80% had to be funded by taxpayers or ratepayers. The Melbourne games were looking to cost over $7 billion.

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In what is being dubbed a key "breakthrough" in the Madeleine McCann case, the prime suspect in her disappearance will have a crucial witness testify against him in a separate upcoming trial despite the convicted rapist's attempts to have him excluded.

Christian Brueckner, 45, is set to go on trial in February for allegedly raping and sexually assaulting several women and a young girl between 2000 and 2017 when he lived on Portugals Algarve coast  where Madeleine disappeared in May 2007 when aged three years old.

Brueckner is suspected of kidnapping and killing Madeleine almost 17 years ago while she was staying in a Portuguese beach resort with her family and is currently serving a seven-year jail sentence in Germany for the rape of a 72-year-old tourist from the same resort Maddie vanished from.

Christian Brueckner's attempt to have a key witness excluded from his forthcoming trial have failed. Source: AAP

Brueckner attempted to have witness excluded from trial

According to MailOnline, former friend of the convicted rapist, Helge Busching, is a key witness whose testimony previously assisted police jail Brueckner for the rape of the 72-year-old-woman, and helped police classify Brueckner as the prime suspect in Maddie's disappearance in 2022.

The UK publication reported Brueckner's lawyer Friedrich Fulscher had filed a claim that Busching was lying about evidence, trying to get him excluded as a key witness from the trial, but German officials have since thrown out these claims.

Witness claims Brueckner confessed to Maddie kidnap

Busching is said to have claimed he had stolen a camera with videotape showing Brueckner sexually assaulting several women, which reportedly helped put him in jail for the rape of a 72-year-old American woman, according to The Sun.

He also claims in an interview with German newspaper Bild in June last year that Brueckner "confessed" to kidnapping Maddie, and said it was "odd that she didnt scream" when they discussed her kidnapping.

Busching originally gave up his former friends name to Scotland Yards 'Operation Grange' team police in 2017.

Story continues

In 2020, Portugese police apologised to the McCanns for the way their investigation was handled. Source: Getty

Madeleine disappeared from a holiday home in Praia da Luz, Portugal, where she was on holiday with her parents, Kate and Gerry McCann. They had left the then three-year-old and her younger twin siblings asleep in their apartment while they had dinner with friends.

Despite maintaining that their young daughter had been kidnapped, the couple were soon named suspects by Portuguese police, who believed they had staged an abduction and concealed her body, and became the victims of much online scrutiny.

In 2023, Portuguese police renewed the search for Madeleine, with officers and their German and British coubterparts digging and scraping the surface of land near a dam close to where she went missing. They later apologised to the McCanns for the way their investigation was handled.

Brueckner has not been charged with any offence in relation to Madeleine McCanns disappearance at this stage.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
A Canadian mining worker who went missing in Western Australia before later being found dead was due to fly home in just two weeks, his "devastated" family have revealed.

Fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) worker Ambrose Walton went missing in a remote part of the Pilbara last Tuesday prompting a land and air search for the 33-year-old.

Walton, employed by contracting company Schlam, had been staying at the Marandoo mine camp near Tom Price, 1,450 kilometres northeast of Perth. He planned to travel to the Brockman Four camp and later meet a friend at Karratha but failed to arrive at either location, according to WA Police.

Canadian national Ambrose Walton was found dead in Western Australia last week. Source: Instagram

Canadian mining worker found dead in WA

After two days of searching, authorities found Walton's vehicle crashed roughly 90 kilometres from Karratha and confirmed he had died. It's understood he was a diesel mechanic and regularly travelled around the area, including to and from Perth, for work.

Setting up a fundraising campaign to help cover costs associated with transporting his body home, Walton's loved ones remembered him as a "great man" who was "full of adventure".

"Ambrose was coming back home to the family in just two short weeks, we are absolutely devastated that instead of greeting our brother home, we are now trying to gather the funds to have him returned to us and to plan a funeral," his family wrote.

"We have no words. Our brother Ambrose was a great man. He was full of adventure and truly grabbed life by the reins.

"Ambrose had the biggest heart I have ever known and cared so deeply for his family. What we wouldnt do to have one more hug, one more laugh, just to hear your voice one last time."

Walton worked in the mines in the Pilbara region, where was found dead after crashing his vehicle. Source: GoFundMe

Police say crash occurred on 'unsealed road'

Sergeant Chris Clelland with Tom Price Police said the crash occurred along an unsealed road.

"Sometimes those roads move off into uneven gullied areas due to the nature of the terrain, and that's an area that Mr Walton has gone into and where the crash has occurred," he said, the ABC reported.

Story continues

"The roads that parallel the railway lines, they're unsealed roads, so you have to take care.

"When we have rain or anything come through the Pilbara it affects the road, so any person using an unsealed access road must drive to the conditions and that means reducing speed and making sure you can see what's coming up ahead of you."

His family have remembered him as a "great man" who was "full of adventure".

The Major Crash Investigations police department is now making inquiries to determine exactly what caused the crash. Australian authorities are understood to be working with Interpol to arrange for Walton's body to be transferred home.

Anyone with dashcam footage, or who saw Walton driving a white Toyota Hilux along Warlu Road or Roebourne-Wittenoom Road, between Karratha and Tom Price, has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Aviance Capital Partners LLC lessened its position in shares of NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE  Free Report) by 9.3% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 10,502 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 1,072 shares during the quarter. Aviance Capital Partners LLCs holdings in NextEra Energy were worth $602,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Country Trust Bank lifted its stake in shares of NextEra Energy by 975.6% during the third quarter. Country Trust Bank now owns 441 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 400 shares during the period. Alaska Permanent Fund Corp acquired a new position in shares of NextEra Energy during the second quarter valued at $26,000. Coppell Advisory Solutions LLC acquired a new position in shares of NextEra Energy during the second quarter valued at $32,000. Tower View Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of NextEra Energy during the second quarter valued at $35,000. Finally, Mizuho Securities Co. Ltd. increased its holdings in NextEra Energy by 444.4% in the second quarter. Mizuho Securities Co. Ltd. now owns 490 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $36,000 after purchasing an additional 400 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 76.48% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts recently commented on NEE shares. Seaport Res Ptn downgraded NextEra Energy from a neutral rating to a sell rating in a report on Thursday, November 9th. Guggenheim upped their price objective on NextEra Energy from $70.00 to $80.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, January 22nd. TheStreet downgraded NextEra Energy from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a report on Monday, October 2nd. Morgan Stanley dropped their price objective on NextEra Energy from $79.00 to $76.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, November 21st. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on NextEra Energy from $65.00 to $67.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, November 29th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, NextEra Energy currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $73.00.

NextEra Energy Stock Up 0.9 %

NYSE NEE traded up $0.50 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $58.48. 11,649,977 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 9,581,431. The businesss 50-day moving average is $59.71 and its 200-day moving average is $62.29. NextEra Energy, Inc. has a twelve month low of $47.15 and a twelve month high of $79.78. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.05, a quick ratio of 0.43 and a current ratio of 0.50. The stock has a market capitalization of $119.98 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.20, a P/E/G ratio of 2.08 and a beta of 0.52.

NextEra Energy (NYSE:NEE  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 25th. The utilities provider reported $0.52 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.49 by $0.03. NextEra Energy had a return on equity of 11.93% and a net margin of 26.00%. The firm had revenue of $6.88 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.72 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.51 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts anticipate that NextEra Energy, Inc. will post 3.44 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity

In other NextEra Energy news, Director Nicole S. Arnaboldi acquired 8,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 8th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $59.59 per share, with a total value of $506,515.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 11,523 shares in the company, valued at approximately $686,655.57. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.38% of the companys stock.

NextEra Energy Profile

(Free Report)

NextEra Energy, Inc, through its subsidiaries, generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electric power to retail and wholesale customers in North America. The company generates electricity through wind, solar, nuclear, coal, and natural gas facilities. It also develops, constructs, and operates long-term contracted assets that consists of clean energy solutions, such as renewable generation facilities, battery storage projects, and electric transmission facilities; sells energy commodities; and owns, develops, constructs, manages and operates electric generation facilities in wholesale energy markets.

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Aviance Capital Partners LLC increased its stake in Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report) by 27.7% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,560 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 338 shares during the period. Aviance Capital Partners LLCs holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $838,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Private Wealth Partners LLC increased its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 46.6% in the third quarter. Private Wealth Partners LLC now owns 3,585 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,926,000 after buying an additional 1,140 shares during the last quarter. Wealthspire Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 63.8% during the 3rd quarter. Wealthspire Advisors LLC now owns 5,953 shares of the companys stock worth $3,197,000 after purchasing an additional 2,319 shares during the last quarter. Phoenix Wealth Advisors acquired a new position in Eli Lilly and Company in the 3rd quarter valued at $218,000. Schechter Investment Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 8.9% in the 3rd quarter. Schechter Investment Advisors LLC now owns 6,997 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,758,000 after acquiring an additional 574 shares during the last quarter. Finally, L.M. Kohn & Company raised its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 6.0% in the 3rd quarter. L.M. Kohn & Company now owns 1,936 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,040,000 after acquiring an additional 110 shares during the last quarter. 81.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Activity

In other news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 1,180 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, January 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $645.60, for a total value of $761,808.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 99,542,630 shares in the company, valued at $64,264,721,928. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In other Eli Lilly and Company news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 1,180 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $645.60, for a total transaction of $761,808.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 99,542,630 shares of the companys stock, valued at $64,264,721,928. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CAO Donald A. Zakrowski sold 670 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, November 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $571.10, for a total transaction of $382,637.00. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 4,708 shares in the company, valued at $2,688,738.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 63,120 shares of company stock worth $39,862,068 over the last quarter. 0.13% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the stock. Morgan Stanley upped their price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $727.00 to $822.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 19th. UBS Group reiterated a buy rating and issued a $710.00 price objective (up from $612.00) on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a report on Friday, October 20th. Bank of America raised their target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $600.00 to $700.00 in a report on Friday, October 6th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reaffirmed an overweight rating on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research note on Wednesday, November 8th. Finally, Barclays increased their target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $630.00 to $680.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 23rd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and seventeen have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $589.90.

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Eli Lilly and Company Trading Up 1.9 %

NYSE LLY traded up $11.63 during trading on Friday, reaching $639.25. 2,410,349 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,606,563. The firm has a market cap of $606.85 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 115.81, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.05 and a beta of 0.31. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $601.16 and its 200 day moving average price is $564.55. The company has a quick ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 1.05 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.59. Eli Lilly and Company has a fifty-two week low of $309.20 and a fifty-two week high of $647.73.

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 2nd. The company reported $0.10 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of ($0.08) by $0.18. The firm had revenue of $9.50 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.88 billion. Eli Lilly and Company had a net margin of 15.55% and a return on equity of 48.12%. Analysts predict that Eli Lilly and Company will post 6.61 EPS for the current year.

Eli Lilly and Company Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 8th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 15th will be issued a $1.30 dividend. This represents a $5.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.81%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, February 14th. This is a boost from Eli Lilly and Companys previous quarterly dividend of $1.13. Eli Lilly and Companys dividend payout ratio is 81.88%.

Eli Lilly and Company Company Profile

(Free Report)

Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. It offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; and Jardiance, Trajenta, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes.

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Aveo Capital Partners LLC lifted its position in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA  Free Report) by 7.2% during the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 1,311 shares of the credit services providers stock after buying an additional 88 shares during the period. Aveo Capital Partners LLCs holdings in Mastercard were worth $519,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Sigma Planning Corp raised its stake in shares of Mastercard by 21.8% in the 3rd quarter. Sigma Planning Corp now owns 9,644 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $3,818,000 after buying an additional 1,729 shares in the last quarter. Schechter Investment Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Mastercard by 2.8% during the third quarter. Schechter Investment Advisors LLC now owns 10,236 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $4,053,000 after purchasing an additional 282 shares during the period. Smithfield Trust Co raised its position in shares of Mastercard by 3.4% during the third quarter. Smithfield Trust Co now owns 8,572 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $3,406,000 after purchasing an additional 283 shares during the period. Washington Trust Bank raised its position in shares of Mastercard by 1.1% during the third quarter. Washington Trust Bank now owns 38,265 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $15,149,000 after purchasing an additional 431 shares during the period. Finally, HM Payson & Co. raised its position in shares of Mastercard by 1.1% during the third quarter. HM Payson & Co. now owns 226,845 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $89,810,000 after purchasing an additional 2,393 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 74.94% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on MA. Oppenheimer raised Mastercard from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $510.00 target price on the stock in a research report on Thursday, January 11th. Jefferies Financial Group upped their price target on Mastercard from $425.00 to $480.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 12th. Royal Bank of Canada dropped their price target on Mastercard from $441.00 to $432.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, October 27th. Barclays dropped their price target on Mastercard from $479.00 to $470.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, October 30th. Finally, Seaport Res Ptn restated a buy rating on shares of Mastercard in a research note on Thursday, October 12th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nineteen have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $463.50.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Mastercard news, Director Richard K. Davis purchased 1,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 9th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $390.96 per share, for a total transaction of $390,960.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 9,743 shares in the company, valued at $3,809,123.28. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In other news, insider Ajay Bhalla sold 98 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, January 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $439.52, for a total value of $43,072.96. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 6,235 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,740,407.20. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Richard K. Davis purchased 1,000 shares of Mastercard stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 9th. The stock was bought at an average price of $390.96 per share, for a total transaction of $390,960.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 9,743 shares in the company, valued at $3,809,123.28. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 520,262 shares of company stock worth $201,031,282 in the last three months. Insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock.

Mastercard Price Performance

Shares of MA traded up $1.73 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $438.53. The company had a trading volume of 2,725,548 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,176,106. Mastercard Incorporated has a twelve month low of $340.21 and a twelve month high of $440.94. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.24, a current ratio of 1.17 and a quick ratio of 1.17. The companys 50-day moving average is $421.48 and its 200-day moving average is $406.06. The company has a market capitalization of $411.24 billion, a P/E ratio of 38.20, a P/E/G ratio of 1.93 and a beta of 1.10.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, October 26th. The credit services provider reported $3.39 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.21 by $0.18. The business had revenue of $6.53 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.53 billion. Mastercard had a return on equity of 188.83% and a net margin of 44.85%. Mastercards quarterly revenue was up 13.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $2.68 EPS. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Mastercard Incorporated will post 12.17 EPS for the current year.

Mastercard Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 9th. Investors of record on Tuesday, January 9th will be given a dividend of $0.66 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, January 8th. This is a positive change from Mastercards previous quarterly dividend of $0.57. This represents a $2.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.60%. Mastercards dividend payout ratio is 23.00%.

Mastercard announced that its Board of Directors has approved a stock buyback program on Tuesday, December 5th that allows the company to buyback $11.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization allows the credit services provider to buy up to 2.9% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are often a sign that the companys management believes its stock is undervalued.

Mastercard Profile

(Free Report)

Mastercard Incorporated, a technology company, provides transaction processing and other payment-related products and services in the United States and internationally. It facilitates the processing of payment transactions, including authorization, clearing, and settlement, as well as delivers other payment-related products and services.

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Sound Financial Strategies Group LLC decreased its position in shares of Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT  Free Report) by 7.1% during the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 5,898 shares of the retailers stock after selling 450 shares during the quarter. Walmart accounts for about 0.8% of Sound Financial Strategies Group LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 19th biggest holding. Sound Financial Strategies Group LLCs holdings in Walmart were worth $943,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Seizert Capital Partners LLC boosted its stake in Walmart by 2.3% during the 3rd quarter. Seizert Capital Partners LLC now owns 248,989 shares of the retailers stock worth $39,821,000 after acquiring an additional 5,708 shares during the last quarter. Flputnam Investment Management Co. boosted its stake in Walmart by 8.7% during the 3rd quarter. Flputnam Investment Management Co. now owns 34,745 shares of the retailers stock worth $5,557,000 after acquiring an additional 2,793 shares during the last quarter. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund boosted its stake in Walmart by 11.8% during the 3rd quarter. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund now owns 261,920 shares of the retailers stock worth $41,889,000 after acquiring an additional 27,553 shares during the last quarter. GYL Financial Synergies LLC boosted its stake in Walmart by 0.6% during the 3rd quarter. GYL Financial Synergies LLC now owns 20,645 shares of the retailers stock worth $3,302,000 after acquiring an additional 133 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Childress Capital Advisors LLC bought a new position in Walmart during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $541,000. Institutional investors own 33.18% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity at Walmart

In related news, CEO C Douglas Mcmillon sold 9,708 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, January 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $160.62, for a total value of $1,559,298.96. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 1,424,825 shares in the company, valued at $228,855,391.50. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In related news, CEO C Douglas Mcmillon sold 9,708 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, January 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $160.62, for a total value of $1,559,298.96. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 1,424,825 shares in the company, valued at $228,855,391.50. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP John D. Rainey sold 1,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $164.37, for a total transaction of $164,370.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 167,735 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $27,570,601.95. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 6,438,607 shares of company stock worth $1,008,960,557. Corporate insiders own 46.51% of the companys stock.

Walmart Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:WMT traded up $1.43 on Friday, hitting $164.27. The company had a trading volume of 5,248,770 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,531,315. Walmart Inc. has a 1-year low of $136.09 and a 1-year high of $169.94. The stock has a market cap of $442.25 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.24, a P/E/G ratio of 3.48 and a beta of 0.48. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $157.28 and a 200 day moving average price of $159.50. The company has a current ratio of 0.85, a quick ratio of 0.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49.

Walmart (NYSE:WMT  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 16th. The retailer reported $1.53 EPS for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $1.53. Walmart had a net margin of 2.55% and a return on equity of 21.20%. The firm had revenue of $160.80 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $159.65 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.50 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was up 5.2% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts expect that Walmart Inc. will post 6.45 EPS for the current year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

WMT has been the topic of a number of research reports. Tigress Financial lifted their price target on shares of Walmart from $182.00 to $196.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 25th. Truist Financial lifted their price target on shares of Walmart from $168.00 to $170.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Friday, November 17th. StockNews.com lowered shares of Walmart from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday, November 17th. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an outperform rating and issued a $168.00 price target on shares of Walmart in a research note on Friday, November 17th. Finally, Telsey Advisory Group reaffirmed an outperform rating and issued a $185.00 price target on shares of Walmart in a research note on Friday, November 17th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twenty-eight have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $179.44.

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Walmart Company 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.

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Wealthspire Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG  Free Report) by 23.2% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 44,878 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 8,453 shares during the quarter. Wealthspire Advisors LLCs holdings in Procter & Gamble were worth $6,546,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Dynamic Advisor Solutions LLC grew its holdings in shares of Procter & Gamble by 7.1% during the 2nd quarter. Dynamic Advisor Solutions LLC now owns 28,061 shares of the companys stock worth $4,258,000 after purchasing an additional 1,855 shares during the period. Signaturefd LLC grew its holdings in shares of Procter & Gamble by 1.4% during the 2nd quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 58,776 shares of the companys stock worth $8,919,000 after purchasing an additional 806 shares during the period. N.E.W. Advisory Services LLC grew its holdings in shares of Procter & Gamble by 14.6% during the 3rd quarter. N.E.W. Advisory Services LLC now owns 94,424 shares of the companys stock worth $13,772,000 after purchasing an additional 12,016 shares during the period. Royal Bank of Canada boosted its holdings in Procter & Gamble by 26.9% in the 2nd quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 10,823,380 shares of the companys stock worth $1,642,339,000 after acquiring an additional 2,293,824 shares during the period. Finally, Wambolt & Associates LLC boosted its holdings in Procter & Gamble by 5.5% in the 2nd quarter. Wambolt & Associates LLC now owns 19,736 shares of the companys stock worth $2,995,000 after acquiring an additional 1,024 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 63.43% of the companys stock.

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Procter & Gamble Stock Up 0.3 %

Shares of PG traded up $0.52 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $156.14. 8,356,819 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 7,637,163. The Procter & Gamble Company has a 12-month low of $135.83 and a 12-month high of $158.38. The company has a market cap of $367.40 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.15, a P/E/G ratio of 3.19 and a beta of 0.45. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $148.72 and a 200-day simple moving average of $150.37. The company has a quick ratio of 0.48, a current ratio of 0.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47.

Procter & Gamble Dividend Announcement

Procter & Gamble ( NYSE:PG Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 23rd. The company reported $1.84 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.70 by $0.14. The company had revenue of $21.44 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $21.48 billion. Procter & Gamble had a return on equity of 33.89% and a net margin of 17.60%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 3.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.59 earnings per share. Research analysts forecast that The Procter & Gamble Company will post 6.44 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 19th will be paid a $0.9407 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 18th. This represents a $3.76 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.41%. Procter & Gambles dividend payout ratio is presently 62.98%.

Insider Transactions at Procter & Gamble

In related news, CFO Andre Schulten sold 40,298 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, November 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $150.61, for a total value of $6,069,281.78. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 36,460 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,491,240.60. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other news, CFO Andre Schulten sold 40,298 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $150.61, for a total value of $6,069,281.78. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 36,460 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,491,240.60. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, insider Marc S. Pritchard sold 101,704 shares of Procter & Gamble stock in a transaction on Wednesday, January 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $153.57, for a total value of $15,618,683.28. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 163,428 shares of the companys stock, valued at $25,097,637.96. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 273,956 shares of company stock worth $41,971,013 in the last 90 days. Insiders own 0.17% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

PG has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on Procter & Gamble from $169.00 to $162.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, January 18th. UBS Group upped their target price on Procter & Gamble from $172.00 to $178.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday. Jefferies Financial Group started coverage on Procter & Gamble in a research report on Monday, November 13th. They issued a buy rating and a $177.00 target price on the stock. Sanford C. Bernstein dropped their price target on Procter & Gamble from $162.00 to $153.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, October 12th. Finally, StockNews.com raised Procter & Gamble from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Sunday. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Procter & Gamble presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $166.76.

View Our Latest Research Report on PG

Procter & Gamble Company Profile

(Free Report)

The Procter & Gamble Company provides branded consumer packaged goods worldwide. It operates through five segments: Beauty; Grooming; Health Care; Fabric & Home Care; and Baby, Feminine & Family Care. The Beauty segment offers conditioners, shampoos, styling aids, and treatments under the Head & Shoulders, Herbal Essences, Pantene, and Rejoice brands; and antiperspirants and deodorants, personal cleansing, and skin care products under the Olay, Old Spice, Safeguard, Secret, and SK-II brands.

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MU Investments Co. Ltd. reduced its stake in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO  Free Report) by 1.8% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 5,580 shares of the medical research companys stock after selling 100 shares during the period. Thermo Fisher Scientific makes up approximately 3.8% of MU Investments Co. Ltd.s portfolio, making the stock its 18th biggest holding. MU Investments Co. Ltd.s holdings in Thermo Fisher Scientific were worth $2,807,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Harvest Fund Management Co. Ltd purchased a new position in Thermo Fisher Scientific in the 3rd quarter valued at about $140,000. Sivik Global Healthcare LLC lifted its stake in Thermo Fisher Scientific by 40.0% in the 3rd quarter. Sivik Global Healthcare LLC now owns 10,500 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $5,315,000 after purchasing an additional 3,000 shares in the last quarter. Private Wealth Partners LLC lifted its stake in Thermo Fisher Scientific by 0.9% in the 3rd quarter. Private Wealth Partners LLC now owns 84,316 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $42,678,000 after purchasing an additional 776 shares in the last quarter. Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OH lifted its stake in Thermo Fisher Scientific by 11.8% in the 3rd quarter. Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OH now owns 2,870 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $1,453,000 after purchasing an additional 303 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Wealthspire Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific by 178.7% during the 3rd quarter. Wealthspire Advisors LLC now owns 8,073 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $4,087,000 after buying an additional 5,176 shares during the last quarter. 87.06% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on TMO shares. Royal Bank of Canada cut their price target on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from $657.00 to $579.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Thursday, October 26th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from $670.00 to $630.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, October 17th. Raymond James dropped their price target on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from $580.00 to $515.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, October 26th. Morgan Stanley dropped their price target on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from $640.00 to $600.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, October 24th. Finally, Wolfe Research initiated coverage on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific in a research report on Wednesday, December 13th. They set an outperform rating and a $575.00 price objective for the company. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $595.76.

Insider Activity

In other news, CEO Marc N. Casper sold 10,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, November 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $454.41, for a total value of $4,544,100.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 131,175 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $59,607,231.75. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.32% of the companys stock.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Stock Performance

Shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific stock traded up $9.12 on Friday, reaching $547.33. 3,172,314 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,707,843. Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. has a 1-year low of $415.60 and a 1-year high of $597.54. The company has a current ratio of 1.63, a quick ratio of 1.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $520.21 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $513.11. The firm has a market capitalization of $211.47 billion, a PE ratio of 35.87, a PEG ratio of 3.29 and a beta of 0.81.

Thermo Fisher Scientific (NYSE:TMO  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 25th. The medical research company reported $5.69 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $5.61 by $0.08. The company had revenue of $10.57 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.60 billion. Thermo Fisher Scientific had a net margin of 13.68% and a return on equity of 18.88%. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 1.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $5.08 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. will post 21.52 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, January 16th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 15th were issued a $0.35 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, December 14th. This represents a $1.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.26%. Thermo Fisher Scientifics dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 9.17%.

Thermo Fisher Scientific announced that its board has initiated a stock buyback program on Tuesday, November 14th that permits the company to buyback $4.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization permits the medical research company to buy up to 2.2% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are often a sign that the companys board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Company Profile

(Free Report)

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc provides life sciences solutions, analytical instruments, specialty diagnostics, and laboratory products and biopharma services in the United States and internationally. The company's Life Sciences Solutions segment offers reagents, instruments, and consumables for biological and medical research, discovery, and production of drugs and vaccines, as well as diagnosis of infections and diseases; and solutions include biosciences, genetic sciences, clinical next-generation sequencing, bio production to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, agricultural, clinical, healthcare, academic, and government markets.

Further Reading

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Passengers offer support to man who opened emergency exit and walked onto planes wing in Mexico

At first it sounds like a typical case of bad behavior aboard airplanes.

The Mexico City International Airport acknowledged in a statement Friday that a man had opened an emergency exit and walked out on a wing of a plane that was parked and waiting for takeoff Thursday.

The airport said the man had been turned over to police.

But dozens of fellow passengers signed a written copy of a statement saying the airline made them wait for four hours without ventilation or water while the flight was delayed. According to photos of the statement posted online, fellow passengers said he acted to protect everyone, with the support of everyone.

An AeroMexico plane taxis on the tarmac of Benito Juarez International Airport (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

The airport said in a statement that "yesterday a passenger on a flight to Guatemala opened an emergency door on a plane while it was stationary at a remote position, stood on a wing and then re-entered the cabin, without affecting the aircraft or anyone else.

In line with international security regulations, this person turned himself over to the authorities, it said.

At least 77 passengers aboard the AeroMexico flight to Guatemala signed a statement handwritten on notebook paper, photos of which were posted on social media, supporting the man's actions.

The delay and lack of air created conditions that endangered the health of the passengers. He saved our lives, according to the statement.

An incident report filed with airport authorities largely confirmed that version.

Around 11:37 a.m., a Mexican airline reported the beginning of a disturbance due to passenger discontent on flight AM672, according to the report. The flight had been due to lift off at 8:45 a.m. Thursday, but because of a maintenance alert on the plane, the captain had to return to the gate for the required maintenance.

The passengers were unhappy and one of them opened the emergency door and stepped out on the wing, the report said. This event required the plane to be changed.

Airport authorities did not identify the man, and they declined to comment on whether he remains in custody or faces charges.

Story continues

Flight tracking sites confirmed that flight AM672 to Guatemala City was delayed for 4 hours and 56 minutes on Thursday.

A video recorded aboard the flight showed passengers fanning themselves and asking a flight attendant for water.

AeroMexico did not immediately respond to an email request for comment.

Additional reporting by Associated Press.
South Korea's military said Monday it is putting weight on the possibility that North Korea's latest purported test of submarine-launched cruise missiles is "exaggerated," noting that a detailed analysis is under way with the United States.

The South's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said Sunday it had detected the North's launch of several cruise missiles at around 8 a.m. over waters near the eastern port city of Shinpo, where a shipyard to build a North Korean submarine is located.

On Monday, the North's state media reported the country test-fired the submarine-launched strategic cruise missile, "Pulhwasal-3-31," with the missiles flying for 7,421 seconds and 7,445 seconds, suggesting the test involved two missiles.

"(We) are putting weight on the possibility that the North's claimed flight time is exaggerated. Further details are being analyzed by the intelligence authorities of South Korea and the United States," JCS spokesperson Lee Sung-jun told a regular briefing.

Lee declined to elaborate on the missile's launch platform, citing the ongoing analysis.

The latest launch of the Pulhwasal-3-31 came days after the North claimed to have test-fired the missile for the first time last Wednesday, although it did not provide any details of the launch at the time.

Lee said there has to be considerable technological development to launch an identical missile from a different platform, raising questions over the apparent change in the missile's launch platform in a short span of time. (Yonhap)
South Korea's point man on North Korea said Monday that designating a day for North Korean defectors would not only be meaningful for those who have settled in South Korea but also those living in the North.

Unification Minister Kim Yung-ho made the remarks after President Yoon Suk Yeol ordered the ministry to designate a day for North Korean defectors in a Cabinet meeting on Jan. 16, noting they are South Korean citizens under the country's Constitution.

"The success of North Korean defectors is a touchstone of our society's capacity for unification, and a message of hope for a free and prosperous future for North Korean residents," Kim said in a meeting with civic organizations on designating such a day.

"It should be a day for the North Korean defectors, by the North Korean defectors and of the North Korean defectors," Kim said, emphasizing the importance of North Korean defectors in South Korean society.

Kim said the ministry will better support North Korean defectors to enjoy successful lives in South Korea through policy efforts, including increasing resettlement subsidies for new defectors and expanding mental health services for them in different regions.

Civic organizations that attended the meeting, including defector groups, welcomed ongoing efforts to designate such a day.

"We defectors and leaders of defector groups enthusiastically support and express gratitude as this is nurturing a pro-South Korea sentiment and a growing yearning for unification led by the Republic of Korea," Kim Heung-kwang, chief of the North Korea Intellectual Solidarity, said, calling the move "unprecedented."

South Korea has a longstanding policy of accepting any North Korean defectors who want to live in the South and repatriating any North Koreans who stray into the South if they want to return.

The total number of North's defectors in South Korea had reached 34,078 as of the end of last year, according to ministry data. (Yonhap)
Angola, IN (46703)

Today

Snow showers. Temps nearly steady in the mid 30s. Winds NW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of snow 80%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. A few flurries are possible. Low 26F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph.
SEVENTEEN's upcoming tour announcement has received mixed reactions for its location, which specifically drew the attention of Korean CARATs.

Here's what happened.

SEVENTEEN's 9th Anniversary to Be Held in Japan, K-CARATs Enraged Over Agency's Announcement

On January 28, SEVENTEEN officially announced the dates of their upcoming tour "FOLLOW AGAIN."

According to their post, SEVENTEEN will start their tour at the Incheon Asiad Main Stadium on March 30 and 31. This will be followed by their performance at the Yanmar Stadium Nagai in Japan, on May 18 and 19. The tour will end on May 25 and 26 at Kanagawa's Nissan Stadium.

While many were thrilled to learn about SEVENTEEN's upcoming shows, Korean CARATs drew flak against HYBE for assigning SEVENTEEN to have their 9th debut anniversary, on May 26, in Japan.

  



8 love        9  ?



       9     ...



 ?  k-pop pic.twitter.com/ut4zfh7ZQs   (@lentlilyoo_n) January 28, 2024

"Honestly, this is too much. Carats were very disappointed that their 8th-year anniversary concert would be held in Japan, but now, they're also having their encore in Japan, too?"

"I understand if they'll perform concerts in another country but spending their 9th anniversary in Japan was disappointing. Are they Japanese idols? They're K-pop idols."        pic.twitter.com/ZHZX61pZQx  0 (@bbo0720w) January 28, 2024 "If you're going to be in Japan on your debut anniversary, just become Japanese idols."      !!!   January 28, 2024 "Wow, a Japanese idol concert in Incheon! The performance in Korea was crazy."  9    ?

   

   

  ? 

   ?        ?

    ? pic.twitter.com/PkoSzCLMHM   (@offline_turn) January 28, 2024 "Why are you holding a concert in Japan on their 9th anniversary in Korea? Pledis is such a f**king mess."

International fans also caught wind of the situation, since many received the scope of the conflict involving both Korean and Japanese CARATs. Some empathized with the K-CARATs' anger, saying how justified it was due to SEVENTEEN's early roots in their career.

Read their comments below:

Kcarats feelings are valid. Plus, everyone can attend korea concert, but not everyone can attend japan concert. The process and applications to get a ticket for japan concert are complicated than korea. Basically kcarats need to fight the ticket with the whole caratland just to+   ichan  (@dinogajjoa) January 28, 2024

maybe kcarats got a point because why tf japan got TWO STOPS https://t.co/FndHQ4CaWL January 28, 2024

just let them feel how they feel rn, cause if i were them id be upset too.  spaghetti (@ksoonigiri) January 28, 2024

I get why kcarats are so upset rn... i mean touring around japan.. but in their own country, u put only 2 cities!? Plus, their anniversary will be held in japan pic.twitter.com/vdOojjbBw9  lil boo   (@kwaniverse_) January 28, 2024

i stand with kcarats. plybe, you fucked up big time. January 28, 2024

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However, the fandom was still divisive with the reactions made by K-CARATs, as others criticized them for being "dramatic" and boycotting SEVENTEEN over unfair tour schedules.

PPL ACTING LIKE THIS IS SEVENTEENS LAST CONCERT  you dont know what they have planned for us you dont know anything stop being so dramatic  Yas misses svt bulacan (@YasmeenOne) January 28, 2024

kcarats deactivating their accounts and throwing out their seventeen merch



everyone is so quick to abandon the boys how ironic when they are about to play one of the biggest shows in their career you guys dont even know how to be happy for them  Yas misses svt bulacan (@YasmeenOne) January 28, 2024

I dont give a shit where youre from or what you think seventeens schedule should be the moment you start dragging the boys and hating on them youre not a real carat



Theyve been working their ass off for years for us and Im sick of ppl invalidating them over a concert grow up January 29, 2024

the "will no longer support" statement is a bit harsh. Control your emotions and always think how did they saved you through their music, their comfort to you and the happiness they gave you. All feelings are valid, it's okay to be sad :(( kcarats yakap  https://t.co/j7Ek93PSGx  kaylie (@jigyuhancheol) January 29, 2024

Ok, i got the point why both ccarats and kcarats are upset, but boycotting your faves over tour dates? Y'all know damn well there still countries that haven't got a chance to see svt on their land, right? And yall are acting like the encore is the last con/tour of their career??? https://t.co/qy1xxV6W26  eli  (@97zjww) January 29, 2024

What are your thoughts on this? Are you looking forward to SEVENTEEN's tour? Let us know in the comments below!

Read KpopStarz for more K-pop news.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: SEVENTEEN Concert in the Philippines a Disaster? Here's Why the Organizers Are Drawing Flak

KpopStarz owns this article

Written by Riely Miller
Following recent airport photos of NCT Wish revealing the members' visuals, Korean netizens were seen "upset" for THIS reason.

On January 26, NCT Wish, the last sub-unit of SM's large-scale global group NCT was spotted at the Gimpo Airport to depart for Tokyo, Japan.

On this day, various media outlets and fan sites were seen taking their snaps, which would also mark their first official airport photos as a group and unit ahead of its debut.

NCT Wish Yushi & Riku Impress With Visuals

Prior to their departure from Korea to Japan, the six members Sion, Riku, Yushi, Jaehee, Ryo and Sakuya professionally posed in cameras, despite nervousness.

When their photos were released, K-pop fans and internet users were amazed at their refreshing and youthful visuals. While all of them are good-looking, two members particularly stood out, which were Riku and Yushi.

In their photos, Riku caught attention for his handsome actor vibes, resembling Ahn Hyo Seop. Yushi also drew attention for his flower boy aura, sending K-netizens into a frenzy.

In an online community, their photos are widely spread garnering attention even from non-K-pop fans for the members' striking visuals.

Some of the comments were:

"When you post a handsome name, you should put the name as well."

"Who are these? They are really handsome."

"He's Riku? The first picture was crazy, he's so handsome."

He looks so pretty."

"Are they foreign members?"

"I think this is NCT Wish? I don't know the names of the members, but I just saved the photos today."

"No, this is crazy, they are all crazy."

"Wow, they are really my taste."

"I've seen them in person, and these photos don't even match how they are. They are super handsome."

K-Netz Upset NCT Wish Will Mainly Promote in Japan

Once Riku and Yushi's photos spread, more Koreans took an interest in them and found out that they would be a Japan-based NCT unit, that will be targeting the Japanese market.

In fact, they already built their solid foundation thereby successfully completing 24 pre-debut tours in 9 cities in Japan. On February 21, they will officially debut as a team.

Hearing this, Korean netizens were upset that they would not be mainly promoted in South Korea, expressing that they would be more popular in the country. Also, they expressed frustration that only Japanese fans could get to see NCT Wish's visuals more often.

Some of the comments were:

"Please come back to Korea."

"I really hope you make a debut in Korea."

"Yushi and Riku are so handsome. I really hope you can promote in Korea as well."

"Really, Yushi and Riku have a high demand right now among Koreans. Please make it happen and work in Korea, too."

"(Faces) like these are exactly the types of Koreans. Please debut in Korea first."

"Wow, they're firm and handsome. I heard they're doing a theater tour in Japan. If they came out as an independent team in Korea, they'd really eat the 5th generation visuals."

READ MORE: Haechan's Explosive Live Stream Exposes NCT WISH Sparks Online Frenzy - ' Like, I don't feel ...'

For more K-Pop news and updates, keep your tabs open here at KpopStarz.

KpopStarz owns this article.

Written by Eunice Dawson.
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Frustrated locals have hit out at people appearing to ignore warning signs at an idyllic marine park with the non-compliant behaviour being blamed for risking precious marine habitat and wildlife.

A photo taken at Little Island  a small uninhabited sandbank situated in the Marmion Marine Park just off the coast of Hillarys Boat Harbour in Perth  shows a man standing with two children on the prohibited island, metres away from a bright yellow "no access" sign clearly visible in the water. Within close proximity of the group are two "rare and protected" sea lions.

Marmion Marine Park is zoned to help ensure the biodiversity values of the marine park are conserved and protected. Little Island is one of the three "sanctuary zones" which are "look but dont take" areas to ensure the highest level of protection for marine habitat and wildlife, and it's off-limits to visitors.

But local woman Babs Lushey told Yahoo News Australia it's "sad" to see "there are always people walking there"  and it's mostly locals who should know better.

Visitors were seen ignoring warning signs at Little Island  a small uninhabited sandbank situated in the Marmion Marine Park just off the coast of Perth. Source: Babs Lushey

"I take my boat around the island almost every weekend and there are always people walking there, so sad. Many animals depend on this island to breed," she said. The only access to the island is people using boats, kayaks or jetskis making Lushey think it's rarely tourists.

"I think those people are mostly locals as you need to have your own boat to get there. And yes, people ignore these signs all time," she added. "They have no idea how much damage they are causing to birds and sea animals by getting that close."

Close proximity to sea lions is prohibited

Many sea lions are known to inhabit the area for most of the year and they fish and swim in nearby waters. According to Parks and Wildlife, sea lions are wild and unpredictable. Swimming with sea lions can be dangerous as they have been known to bite and there is a potential risk of aerial disease transfer such as tuberculosis.

Story continues

A spokesperson from WA's Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions confirmed to Yahoo there's a "legal separation distance" in place between people, and sea lions or seals. On land, the minimum distance is 10 metres while swimming is 50 metres. Whereas those on a vessel must keep a distance of at least 100 metres.

"Little Island is an important haul-out site for Australian sea lions, which are a threatened species, a spokesperson said. "People need to observe the no access markers and stay off the island, as its also an important site for seabirds including fairy terns, crested terns and Caspian terns."

Marmion Marine Park is off the coast of Perth and is zoned to help ensure the biodiversity values of the marine park are conserved and protected. Source: WA Parks and Wildlife

Locals rage over trespassers on Little Island

Lushey shared the image on social media this week in the hope it would help educate the masses. "No access means NO ACCESS, please dont be this kind of person. No hate here just trying to educate those who doesnt know," she wrote.

The post attracted criticism from other locals who fears this kind of behaviour could have a devastating impact on the area.

"There's a lot of wildlife regeneration work and nest planting happening at the moment and animals are being displaced by people doing this. It is important to note there's good reasons for the signs," one pointed out.

"Do we want to protect and respect vulnerable and natural wildlife that is under constant threat, or are we happy for the next generation to have nothing to marvel at and enjoy," another questioned. While a third fumed, "it's so sad to see bad habits being passed on to children".

Roughly 140 nests built by fairy terns in Point Walter, Perth, have been destroyed in a week. Source: River Guardians/Facebook

Sad scenes witnessed at nearby beach

Many locals, including Lushey, noted a similar scenario playing out at nearby Point Walter on the Swan River in Perth. Dog owners have been warned to stay clear of the area due to vulnerable fairy tern birds nesting.

Originally, volunteers from environmental conservation organisation River Guardians counted 240 nests created by fairy terns. But when they returned this week, they only found roughly 100 nests remaining with evidence of human and dog activity along the sandbar.

"Birds who are nesting and feel scared about something can fly away and never return to the nest as we saw happening in Point Water recently," Lushey told Yahoo. "Little Island is also is also home to many birds, and every time someone walks there you see hundreds of birds flying away."

"People just don't give a toss as we have very recently seen with people and dogs destroying a vital fairy tern nesting place which has very clear signs why the site shouldn't be accessed," another on Facebook blasted.

Those concerned about a seal's condition, or if one is seriously injured or entangled, are encouraged to call the Wildcare Helpline on 9474 9055.

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VMPL

New Delhi [India], January 29: Renowned financial expert OMKAR RAMESHCHANDRA BHUTADA from BlackRock Capital is set to launch a new financial association in India in 2024. This launch aims to provide investors with higher-quality and more professional financial services, marking BlackRock's further expansion in the global financial sector.

Also Read | Bundesliga 2023-24: Bayern Munich Sign French Defender Sacha Boey From Galatasaray.

Amidst the dynamic global financial market, BlackRock takes a significant step by inviting OMKAR RAMESHCHANDRA BHUTADA, a leading figure in the financial sector at BlackRock headquarters, to launch a new financial association in India. This partnership signifies BlackRock's commitment to exploring the future of finance and delivering more professional and personalized service experiences to investors.

Highlights of the collaboration between BlackRock Capital and OMKAR RAMESHCHANDRA BHUTADA for creating the financial association include:

Also Read | Bundesliga 2023-24: Niclas Fullkrug's Hat-Trick Helps Borussia Dortmund See Off Resilient VfL Bochum.

1. **Combining Expert Analyst Teams:** OMKAR RAMESHCHANDRA BHUTADA, along with several financial experts from BlackRock Capital, will establish a professional analyst team, integrating elite professionals from various backgrounds. This powerful team will provide investors with accurate and forward-looking financial advice.

2. **Mission of the Financial Association:** The financial association aims to offer investors more personalized and needs-centric financial services through its unique model. Through in-depth collaboration between OMKAR RAMESHCHANDRA BHUTADA and various financial experts, BlackRock Capital aims to help investors better understand and respond to market changes, achieving more sustainable financial growth.

3. **Enhancing Investor Service Quality:** The collaboration between OMKAR RAMESHCHANDRA BHUTADA from BlackRock Capital and multiple financial experts is dedicated to improving the quality of investor services. Through the establishment of the financial association, both parties will create a comprehensive, multidimensional financial services platform covering investment, wealth management, and risk management.

OMKAR RAMESHCHANDRA BHUTADA expresses optimism about the collaboration, stating, "I am excited about the collaboration with BlackRock Capital to create the financial association. This partnership will leverage our strengths to provide investors with more personalized and excellent services. Through the collaboration of professional teams, we aim to help investors achieve their financial goals."

The financial association crafted by OMKAR RAMESHCHANDRA BHUTADA from BlackRock Capital in India is poised to become a rising star in the financial services sector, offering investors more choices and higher service standards. This collaboration not only drives innovation in financial service models but also leads the industry in elevating service quality.

(ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Animal protection agencies all over the world have condemned footage of a lion cub being driven around the streets of Thailand in a luxury Bentley convertible, saying "the incident underscores the urgent need for governments to act" and "protect wildlife from cruel profiteers".

Late last week, shocking footage emerged on social media showing a Thai man cruising through the streets of Pattaya, a tourist town in the country's Chonburi province, with the cub wearing a fluorescent yellow collar and draping its paws over the vehicle's edge.

Footage of a lion being driven through busy Thai streets has shocked people all over the world. Source: TikTok

The juvenile lion can be seen looking confused and stunned as its toured around the busy city streets staring at the many other motorists nearby. It later emerged the man seen in the footage was a Sri Lankan national, who has since left the country.

Thai authorities to press charges

He is believed to be a friend of local woman Sawangjit Kosoongnern, who admitted to owning the animal. Sawangjit claimed to have bought the lion from a Thai man in Nakhon Pathom province, who transported it to Pattaya.

Though it's not illegal to own a lion in Thailand, it needs to be officially registered  something Sawangjit failed to do, making both the transfer and ownership illegal. She now faces up to a year in prison and fines worth several thousands of dollars.

Police had also reportedly attempted to charge the Sri Lankan man, who had kept the lion in his rented pool villa, but were unable to find him. He was due to be charged with bringing a controlled wild animal into public places, which carries jail time of up to six months and a fine of 50,000 baht (A$2,125)

The lion's owner, believed to a local woman, now faces up to a year in prison for failing to register the animal. Source: X

Since the footage went viral on social media, wildlife activists from all over the globe slammed the footage, saying it highlights the need for stricter laws surrounding animal cruelty.

Story continues

Wildlife advocates speak out

Ben Pearson, Country Director World Animal Protection Australia, told Yahoo Australia this incident is a clear example of a vulnerable lion cub who has been traded into an industry which exploits millions of wild animals every year.

Whether its legal or illegal, wild animals belong in the wild and should never be kept as pets," he said.

"In a home, there is no way to meet the complex needs of a wild animal such as a lion cub or replicate the space and freedom he would have in the wild. The sad reality is that these wild animals suffer at every step of the journey destined to peoples homes."

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Actor couple Amy Jackson and Ed Westwick on Monday announced their engagement after dating for almost two years. According to the pictures posted by Jackson, 31, on social media, Westwick, 36 proposed to her on a bridge in Gstaad, Switzerland. The couple shared the news with fans and followers in a joint Instagram post. "Hell YES," Jackson captioned the photos. Amy Jackson Says Hell Yes After Boyfriend Ed Westwick Goes Down on One Knee To Propose Her in Switzerland (See Pics).

"I hit a jackpot," Westwick wrote on his Instagram Story. Jackson is best known for Indian films such as Ekk Deewana Tha and Theri, whereas Westwick is most popular for his work in the American teen drama series Gossip Girl. Amy Jackson Pens Heartfelt Birthday Note for Boyfriend Ed Westwick, Calls Him Moon Man (View Pics).

Amy Jackson's IG Post:

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Amy Jackson (@iamamyjackson)

Jackson was previously engaged to London-based entrepreneur George Panayiotou, with whom she shares four-year-old son Andreas.
South 24 Parganas (West Bengal) [India], January 29 (ANI): Union Minister of State Shantanu Thakur has said that the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) will be implemented across the country in a week.

"Today I am giving a guarantee that CAA will be implemented in Bengal and other states of India in the next seven days," Thakur said while addressing a public gathering in Kakdwip in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas on Sunday.

Also Read | Rajasthan Education Minister Madan Dilawar Says Valentines Day To Be Celebrated As Matra Pitra Poojan Diwas in State.

Thakur claimed that people who have migrated into the country after 1971 have the right to vote but he has heard from some quarters that such people are being deprived of their voting rights.

"Those who have come to this country after 1971 have full right to vote, but I have heard that there are thousands of people here who do not have the right to vote. They have been deprived of their voting rights," he said.

Also Read | Four-Day Work Week in Germany Begins From February 1, 2024; Check the List of Countries Who Have Adopted a Shorter Average Working Week.

In an attack on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader asked whether those who are being denied voting rights are from the Matua community or are BJP supporters.

"The Chief Minister will have to answer why they have been deprived of their voting rights, why their voter cards have not been made. Is it because they belong to the Matua community or are supporters of the BJP," the BJP Lok Sabha MP from North 24 Parganas' Bangaon said.

Thakur also questioned why the police ask for proof of property from the 1970s even if they have voter ID, at the time of passport inquiry.

"The Chief Minister says that everyone here is a citizen of this place and they have the right to vote. If it is so, then when the documents go to the DIG at the time of passport enquiry, why do they ask for proof of property from them of the 1970s? The police need to answer this," he said.

"For passport enquiry, recognition should be given only after seeing the voter card, Aadhar card and ration card. I am saying that the state government is doing all this for politics," Thakur asserted.

The senior BJP leader said that it is essential to ensure the future of those citizens who have come to the country post-1971.

"Those who have come to the country after 1971 are citizens here and have full right to vote. We need to ensure that the future generations are secure," he said.

Thakur pointed out that the CAA is being implemented to ensure that such problems do not occur and their future is secure.

"CAA is being implemented only to secure the future of these people so that they do not face any kind of problem in future. No one has the capacity to stop us from implementing CAA," he said.

Earlier in January, officials said that the notification of the CAA rules is expected to happen 'well in advance' before the Lok Sabha polls' announcement.

A senior government official mentioned that the regulations for the CAA, introduced by the Narendra Modi government, aim to confer Indian citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim migrants - including Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis, and Christians - who migrated from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan and arrived in India before December 31, 2014.

Following the passage of the CAA by Parliament in December 2019 and its subsequent Presidential assent, significant protests erupted in various parts of 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)
Bilaspur, Jan 29 (PTI) A 60-year-old headmaster of a government school in Chhattisgarh's Bilaspur district has been arrested for allegedly hurting religious sentiments after administering a pledge to people not to believe in Hindu gods and to embrace Buddhism, police said on Monday.

The incident took place on January 22, following which the district education officer suspended Ratalal Sarovar, who was posted as headmaster of a government primary school in Bharari village, an official said.

Also Read | Nalgonda Road Accident: Five Members of Two Families Killed After Truck Rams Into Car in Telangana.

On January 22, when the consecration of Ram Lalla's idol was held at the Ayodhya temple, Sarovar gathered a group of people including children in Mohtarai village under Ratanpur police station limits.

He allegedly administered them a pledge not to worship Hindu gods, including Lord Shiv, Ram and Krishna, and to follow Buddhism, a police official said quoting a complaint by Rupesh Shukla, an office-bearer of a right wing organisation.

Also Read | Tiger Spotted in Sitapur: Wild Cat Enters BJP Leader Munindra Awasthis Farmhouse in Uttar Pradesh, Search Operation Underway.

The incident came to light after a video of Sarovar's alleged act went viral on social media, he said.

The complaint claimed his act hurt the sentiments of the followers of Sanatan Dharma, the official said.

Based on the complaint, Sarovar was arrested on Sunday.

He was booked under Indian Penal Code sections 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, etc and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony) and 295A (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class, the official said.

A probe was underway into the case, the police 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 29 (PTI) Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane will pay a two-day visit to Oman beginning Tuesday to consolidate strategic partnership between the two countries.

Aramane is travelling to the gulf nation primarily to co-chair the 12th meeting of India-Oman joint military cooperation committee along with Omanese defence ministry's Secretary General Dr Mohammed bin Naseer bin Ali Al-Zaabi.

Also Read | 'This Rendition by Kariman From Egypt Is Melodious': PM Narendra Modi Praises Patriotic Song by Egyptian Girl on 75th Republic Day (Watch Video).

It is expected that the regional situation including the incidents of attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea would figure in the deliberations.

"During the bilateral talks, Giridhar Aramane will review defence cooperation between the two countries and explore new initiatives like industry collaboration to further strengthen bilateral engagements," the defence ministry said.

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It said the two sides will also exchange views on regional and global issues of shared interest.

"The visit will further consolidate defence cooperation and strategic partnership between the two countries spanning every sphere of military collaboration, such as bilateral exercises, staff talks, training as well as new and emerging areas," the ministry said in a statement.

It said India and Oman have a "robust and multi-faceted" relationship which has expanded into several strategic areas, including defence and security.

"Both the countries are committed to work under the vision of strategic partnership. The two countries have a common interest in peace and prosperity of the entire region," it said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, Jan 29 (PTI) A former employee at the 'gaushala' of RJD chief Lalu Prasad's wife Rabri Devi acquired a property from a railway job aspirant and later transferred it to the ex-Bihar chief minister's daughter Hema Yadav, the ED, which is probing the land-for-jobs case, alleged Monday.

The central agency had filed a charge-sheet early this month before a Delhi court naming Lalu Prasad's family members Rabri Devi and her daughters Misa Bharti and Hema Yadav as accused, apart from some others.

Also Read | Budget 2024: From New Income Tax Slabs to Digital Revolutions, Key Announcements by Modi Government in the Previous 10 Budgets.

In the charge-sheet, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has also named Amit Katyal (49), an alleged "close associate" of Lalu Prasad and his family members, Hridayanand Chaudhary, an alleged beneficiary of the scam and the former 'gaushala' employee, and two firms -- A K Infosystems Pvt. Ltd. and A B Exports Pvt. Ltd. -- through their common director Shariqul Bari.

The Delhi court took cognisance of the charge-sheet last week and issued notices to the accused to appear before it on February 9 for commencement of trial against them under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Also Read | DefSat 2024: Defence Space India Conference To Be Held in New Delhi From February 7 to 9, Key Industry Leaders, Diplomats, Innovators and Others Expected To Attend the Event.

Katyal was arrested by the ED in November last year for "knowingly assisting Lalu Prasad and his family in money laundering". He is currently lodged in a jail under judicial custody.

On Monday, the ED questioned and recorded the statement of Lalu Prasad, 75, at its Patna office as part of its probe into the case.

His son and former Bihar deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav has been called for questioning in the case on Tuesday in Patna.

The probe pertains to the allegation that Lalu Prasad, during his tenure as the railway minister in the UPA-1 government at the Centre, indulged in corruption for appointment of Group-D substitutes in the Indian Railways during 2004-2009.

The candidates were told to "transfer land as bribe" in return for jobs in the railways, according to a CBI FIR and the charge-sheet, the ED said in a statement. The money laundering case is based on the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) complaint.

"The family members of Lalu Prasad -- Rabri Devi, Misa Bharti, Hema Yadav -- who were made accused in the prosecution complaint had received land parcel(s) from families of candidates (who were selected as Group-D substitutes in the Indian Railways) for nominal amounts," the ED said.

"Hridyanand Chaudhary, another accused named in the charge-sheet, is a former employee of the 'gaushala' of Rabri Devi who had acquired the property from one of the candidates and later transferred the same to Hema Yadav," it said.

Companies A K Infosystems Private Limited and A B Exports Pvt. Ltd. were "shell" companies which received proceeds of crime for family members of Lalu Prasad, the ED said, adding that immovable properties were acquired in the said companies by "front men".

Later, the ED claimed, shares were transferred to family members of Lalu Prasad for nominal amounts.

Katyal used to "manage" these companies for Lalu Prasad and his family members.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, January 29: A fatwa has allegedly been issued against All India Imam Organization chief Dr Imam Umer Ahmed Ilyasi after he attended the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony of Ram Lalla at Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22. The Imam said the fatwa was issued on Sunday but that he had been receiving threat calls since the Ram Temple event.

"As a chief Imam, I received the invitation from Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra. I contemplated for two days and then decided to go to Ayodhya for harmony and for the country. The fatwa was issued yesterday but I had been receiving threat calls since the evening of January 22," Ilyasi told ANI on Monday. The Islamic cleric also claimed that he has been facing protests and receiving threatening calls since he visited the Pran Pratishtha ceremony. Fatwa Against Imam Umer Ahmed Ilyasi: 'I Have Given Message of Love', Says AIIO Chief Imam on Fatwa Against Him for Attending Ram Temple 'Pran Pratishtha' Ceremony (Watch Video)

"I have recorded a few calls wherein the callers gave me life threats...Those who love me, love the nation will support me. Those who hate me for attending the ceremony should perhaps go to Pakistan. I have given a message of love; I did not do any crime," he added. He further said that he would neither apologize nor resign and said, "They can do whatever they want."

Earlier on January 22, Dr Imam Umer Ahmed Ilyasi attended the Pran Pratishtha ceremony in Ayodhya and said that his job is to spread the message of love and harmony. "This is the face of new India. Our biggest religion is humanity. For us, the nation is first," he said. The Ram Lalla idol was unveiled at the Pran Pratishtha ceremony after the hour-long rituals in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi who led the ceremony. Ram Temple Consecrated: Nearly 19 Lakh Devotees Offer Prayers at Ayodhya Ram Mandir in First Week

Fatwa Against Umer Ahmed Ilyasi

#WATCH | Delhi | Fatwa issued against Chief Imam of All India Imam Organization, Dr Imam Umer Ahmed Ilyasi after he attended the Pranpratishtha ceremony of Ram Lalla at Ram Temple in Ayodhya. He says, "As a chief Imam, I received the invitation from Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth pic.twitter.com/iVe2bA3s1X  ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2024

RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath were also present inside the sanctorum during the rituals.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Chandigarh, Jan 29 (PTI) Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Monday announced he would hand over his ancestral house in Banyani in Rohtak district to the village for setting up an e-library for children.

Khattar reached his native village in the morning.

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Talking to reporters, the chief minister said, "I have come to my village. This village is special to me as I spent my entire childhood and did my schooling from here".

"I thought my ancestral house should be of some use to the village. Today, I have made an announcement. Along with this house, in the neighbourhood, there is also a house of my cousin. The whole property is about 200 square yards which I have handed over to the village so that villagers can open an e-library and use it for other purposes for the benefit of children," Khattar said.

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The chief minister also took stock of developmental works being carried out in the village.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Mandya, January 29: Amid the prevailing tension in Karnataka's Mandya district following the removal of a saffron flag hoisted on a 108-foot flagpole in Keragodu village, security has been beefed up in the district as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal-Secular (JDS) have called for a protest rally from the village to the District Collector's office. Section 144 has been imposed in the village from Sunday and a large contingent of police personnel have been deployed. Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) prohibits the gathering of four or more people in a specified area.

Former Village Panchayat vice president, Virupaksha said that when the "request letter" was written, it was mentioned that the flagpole would also be used for religious purposes.

"The Chief Minister does not know the reality of this controversy. The officer at the district level has given the wrong information to the Chief Minister. When we wrote the request letter, we mentioned that would also use this for religious purposes. What we are requesting is to permit us to hoist the saffron flag," Virupaksha said. Karnataka Bandh Tomorrow: Section 144 Imposed In Mandya, Holiday Declared for Schools and Colleges.

Karnataka: Security Tightened After Saffron Flag Removed In Mandya; Section 144 Imposed

In his response CM Siddaramiah on Sunday said that it was not right to hoist the Bhagwa flag insted of the Indian flag. Accusing the BJP of plotting against the state government by intimidating people in the village, the Chief Minister said, "It is no accident that the Hanuman flag is hoisted where the national flag should have been hoisted, deliberately violating the rules and protesting against the government." "This incident is a pre-arranged act of the BJP and Sangh Parivar. Such a situation has been created with the intention of systematically raising the people against the state government. There is no doubt that the plot to create communal riots in Mandya is a preparation for the Lok Sabha elections by the BJP leaders," Siddaramaiah claimed.

The Chief Minister said that his government is committed to maintaining peace and order in society.

Security Beefed Up After Administration Removed Saffron Flag in Mandya

#WATCH | Karnataka: Heavy force deployed in Keragodu village, Mandya where the Hanuman flag hoisted by the Gram Panchayat Board of Mandya district on a 108-foot flagpole was brought down by the district administration, yesterday. pic.twitter.com/PQgoQ0BSlf  ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2024

#WATCH | Karnataka: Security heightened in Keragodu village, Mandya where the Hanuman flag hoisted by the Gram Panchayat Board of Mandya district on a 108-foot flagpole was brought down by the district administration, yesterday. pic.twitter.com/uAkKC0x5z8  ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2024

"We are not against any particular caste, religion, or community. Our stand is pro-constitutional. People should not make the mistake of following the words of BJP leaders and taking legal action. It is the duty of all of us to respect the Constitution and the law," he asserted. "The opposition parties are playing politics regarding the eviction of Hanumadhwaja in a village in Mandya district. It is not right to hoist the Bhagwa dhwaja instead of hoisting the flag of India. According to the rules, it is not allowed to fly any other flag on the flagpole where the national flag should be flown" the Chief Minister said. Meanwhile, former Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai accused the state government of indulging in appeasement politics.

Bommai alleged that the law and order situation has deteriorated in the state and those involved in illegal activities were getting protection. "The government got the Hanuman flag removed through the police officers. While Chief Minister Siddaramaiah chants the mantra of "Sarva Janangada Shanthiya Thota", the law and order situation had deteriorated. Many incidents had been reported during the Pran Pratishthapan of Lord Ram Lalla last week. Some persons had been arrested. This has been happening everywhere. The government is playing appeasement politics and giving protection to people involved in nefarious activities," Bommai said speaking to reporters. Karnataka: Woman Slaps Eve-Teaser Inside Bus in Mandya, Video Surfaces Online.

Karnataka Minister and Congress MLA Priyank Kharge accused the BJP for starting their experiment of communal politics in Mandya. "The BJP and the Sangh Parivar, who had made the coast a laboratory of communal politics for so long, have now started their experiment in Mandya. If the society is peaceful, the food eaten by the BJP will not be digested," Kharge said in a post on 'X'. Kharge said that on December 29 last year, the Gourishankar Seva Trust asked for permission for the flag pole to hoist only the national flag in Keregodu village of Mandya district and on January 17, they wrote a letter stating that no other political or religious flag will be flown on the flag pole except the national flag. On January 18, officials of Keregodu Gram Panchayat issued the permission letter with conditions that only the national flag would be hoisted and informed that the changes made should be adhered to, Kharge said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Mandya (KTK), Jan 29 (PTI) The situation remained tense in Keragodu village near here, but under control on Monday, a day after it witnessed strong protests and police action, following the removal of a saffron flag bearing Lord Hanuman's picture hoisted on a 108-ft tall flag post by the authorities.

A large contingent of police force has been deployed as a precautionary measure, as people in and around the village, along with BJP, JD(S) and Bajrang Dal workers and activists from other organisations continued to protest the removal of the 'Hanumana dwaja' flag and demanded that it be hoisted once again.

Also Read | Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattars Ancestral House in Rohtaks Banyani to Be Turned into E-Library (Watch Video).

The protesters began their protest march to the Deputy Commissioner's office in the district headquarters of Mandya city holding saffron flags as a mark of protest. According to reports, they are likely to be joined by JD(S) leader and former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy.

Police on Sunday had resorted to mild lathi charge to disperse the crowd and bring the situation under control. The police and administration had hoisted the Tricolour on the flag pole from which the 'Hanumana dwaja' was removed.

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Police have also erected barricades around the flagpole and CCTV cameras have been installed in the area to secure the place and to ensure that no untoward incident occurs, official sources said.

Most shops and establishments have remained shut in the village, they said, as protesting activists and villagers had given a call for a voluntary shutdown.

Meanwhile, BJP leaders and workers are holding protests at all the district headquarters of the state today, condemning the "anti-Hindu policy" of the Congress state government and accusing it of "insulting" the national flag.

In Bengaluru, BJP staged a protest at Mysuru Bank circle under the leadership of Jayanagara MLA C K Ramamurthy. They were detained and taken away by the police. Police said no permission was granted to stage a protest at the site.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Maharashtra, January 29: Amid the row over the Maratha quota that it will result in encroachment of other communities reservation, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde claimed that his government will give the reservation to the Maratha community without making any kind of change in other communities reservation.

"While giving Maratha reservation, we will keep in mind that whether it is OBC community or any other community, without making any kind of change in their reservation, we will give the reservation to Maratha community. Our view from the beginning has been to provide such reservation which meets the criteria. I have said this openly as Chief Minister and both our Deputy Chief Ministers have also said the same," Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde said. Maratha Reservation March: Quota Activist Manoj Jarange Patil Ends Protest As Eknath Shinde Led-Government Concedes Marathas Demands (Watch Video).

Meanwhile, Maharastra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday clarified that there will be no injustice done to any community.

"The government has taken a decision that is benefiting the Maratha community, but there will be no injustice to any community. There is nothing for anyone to worry about in this. Our government will not allow any injustice to the OBC community. Recently, the reservation given to the Maratha community was upheld in the High Court.

However, due to some reasons, the Supreme Court rejected that reservation. We have also launched a survey to determine these reasons," Devendra Fadnavis said. Meanwhile, Maharashtra Minister and OBC leader Chhagan Bhujbal struck a dissenting note when he appealed to OBC community to speak up against the ordinance.

"My request to all OBC brothers and sisters is that the time has come for all of us to come together on the streets. On February 1, go to the MLAs, MPs or Tehsildars of your respective areas and hand over the demands regarding OBC reservation protection. Everyone should come out in lakhs and raise this demand. All the MLAs and MPs should be made aware that OBCs, Bhatke Vimukts are also citizens and voters of this state and those who want to contest elections need them too " Bhujbal said in a post on X.

"Also regarding this draft. Lakhs of objections will be filed till February 16. A huge Elgar Mela of OBCs has been organized at Ahmednagar on February 3, which should be attended by all the OBC brothers in large numbers. There are many intellectuals, writers, speakers, lawyers in the OBC, nomadic community. All of them should help us in this work in their own way. Maratha Reservation Protest: Manoj Jarange-Patil Serves 24-Hour Ultimatum to Maharashtra Government for Maratha Quotas and Other Demands (Watch Video).

Lawyer brothers should convince the court of injustice against OBCs. Soon OBCs will be taking out a protest march across Maharashtra" Bhujbal added.

Earlier the Maharashtra government had accepted all demands of Maratha activist Manoj Jarange Patil and had issued an ordinance guranteeing reservations by issuing Kunbi certificated to the Marathas. Maharashtra CM Shinde emphasised that Jarange Patil's demand was not to take away the reservation for the OBC.

"OBC and Marathas live together in villages. Manoj Jarange Patil is of the view that reservations for any community must not be taken," he said. Patil in his address to the gathering said, "This struggle was for reservation for Marathas. We came here to give 54 lakh Kunbi certificates. We have been struggling for the past four months. My generation struggled to get this reservation. More than 300 people killed themselves during the struggle."

On May 5, 2021, the Supreme Court struck down reservations for the Maratha community in colleges, higher educational institutions, and jobs, after noting that there was no valid ground to breach 50 per cent reservation while granting Maratha reservation.
A woman has been left in a critical condition after what is feared to have been a shark attack in Sydney Harbour.

NSW Ambulance were called to Billyard Avenue in Elizabeth Bay near Sydney's CBD at 7.45pm on Monday after a woman believed to be in her late 20s was "attacked by an animal", a spokesperson told Yahoo News Australia.

She is understood to have suffered significant injuries to her lower body and is in a critical but stable condition. She was taken by ambulance to St Vincents Hospital. The woman was bitten on her right leg and has lost a significant amount of blood.

The woman has been attacked by what is believed to have been a shark. Source: Facebook/ Romain Bonjean

A police spokesperson told Yahoo witnesses said the woman was swimming at the time.

Elizabeth Bay has become popular in recent years with an amateur swim group named ELBOWS who take to the harbour at Beare Park. There are no public shark nets at Elizabeth Bay, however City of Sydney council has been exploring the possibility of increasing netted locations along the harbour.

Reports on social media say police were yelling to members of the public to get out of the water, in what was described as a "chilling" moment. It is understood a passerby administered first aid to the woman prior to paramedics arriving.

The Department of Primary Industries will now investigate to determine if the woman was bitten by a shark.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

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Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], January 29 (ANI): The Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) of Mumbai Crime Branch police raided various locations and arrested 11 people, including two most wanted drug peddlers in separate operations. A total of 1.130 KG of MD (mephedrone) worth around Rs 2.22 crore was seized from them, officials said on Monday.

As per officials, on January 24 ANC Bandra Unit, while patrolling in MS Ali Road, Grant Road, Mumbai area, apprehended two persons and recovered MD from their possession.

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During the first operation conducted, it was revealed that one more accused was wanted in this case, who was coordinating drug delivery from outside India.

The ANC Worli Unit conducted the second operation in the Santacruz area and found another person with possession of MD.

Also Read | Germany: KaDeWe Department Store Group Files for Bankruptcy.

While interrogating him in police custody, the accused revealed that he took MD from Cotton Green, Mumbai. A total of 120 grams of MD was seized from the accused, officials said.

Earlier this month, the Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) of Mumbai's Bandra Unit apprehended a Nigerian drug peddler and recovered cocaine worth around Rs 1.25 crore from him, said officials.

As per the information received from the officials, the ANC Bandra Unit, in a special operation on January 8, during the search of drug traffickers in Mumbai's affected area, apprehended one Nigerian national accused of conscious possession of 125 grammes of cocaine near the Andheri East area.

The apprehended accused is a 31-year-old male. He revealed during the interrogation that he was selling cocaine in Mumbai city and suburban areas. Further in-depth investigation to trace out other crucial members is underway, officials added. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Bhubaneswar, Jan 29 (PTI) Ahead of the upcoming twin elections for Lok Sabha and Odisha Assembly, the state government on Monday withdrew its earlier decision on tribal land transfer and also approved a new scheme which will benefit around one crore tribal population.

The decisions were taken at the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik here.

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As per the decision, the cabinet approved a proposal to withdraw November 14, 2023 decision to allow tribals to handover their land to non-tribals by amending the Odisha Scheduled Areas Transfer of Immovable Property (By Scheduled Tribes) Regulation.

However, the decision came under intense criticism from various quarters forcing the state government to put it on hold. "Today the cabinet approved the proposal to withdraw the earlier decision," an official note said.

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Briefing media after the cabinet meeting, Revenue and Disaster Minister Sudam Marndi and ST, SC, OBC & Minorities Minister Jagannath Saraka, Chief Secretary Pradeep Jena and Principal Secretary, ST& SC Development department Roopa Roshan Sahu said the decisions will lead to empowerment of about one crore tribal people in the state.

Among the key decisions is the announcement of a new scheme called Laghu Bana Jatiya Drabya Kraya (LABHA) for the development of tribals.

Under this scheme, the government will ensure a 100% state-funded minimum support price (MSP) for minor forest produce (MFP).

Since about 99% of MFP activities are carried out by tribals, this initiative aims to support their livelihoods. The minimum support price will be determined annually by the state government.

Additionally, the cabinet approved the establishment of a Commission for the Preservation and Promotion of Tribal Languages of Scheduled Tribes of Odisha. This commission will focus on preserving and promoting 21 tribal languages in Odisha, encouraging multilingual education, documenting and preserving tribal languages, promoting their use, and protecting linguistic rights.

Moreover, the cabinet passed a resolution for the inclusion of 169 communities in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) list of Odisha. The meeting also unanimously resolved to reiterate the state government's demand for the inclusion of these 169 communities in the ST list.

Lastly, a unanimous resolution was passed by the cabinet to reiterate the inclusion of Ho, Mundari, Kui, and Saora languages in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution.

(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 29 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to interact with students at the gathering of 'exam warriors' on 'Pariksha Pe Charcha' scheduled for Monday.

"Looking forward to seeing you all tomorrow at 11 am for 'Pariksha Pe Charcha'!" PM Modi posted on X on Sunday.

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Pariksha Pe Charcha is part of the larger movement - 'Exam Warriors' - led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to create a stress-free atmosphere for youngsters.

Earlier on Sunday, Minister of State for Education, Subhas Sarkar, held a press conference regarding PM Modi's unique interactive programme, Pariksha Pe Charcha, wherein students, parents, and teachers across the nation and also from overseas interact with him to discuss and overcome the stress emerging out of examinations to celebrate life as an Utsav.

Also Read | Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla Addresses 84th Conference of Presiding Officers of Legislative Bodies: Live Breaking News Headlines & Updates, January 29, 2024.

While talking with ANI, Dr Sarkar said this event has been organised successfully for the last six years by the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education. The first three editions of PPC were held in New Delhi in a town-hall interactive format. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the fourth edition was held online in the form of a programme telecast on Doordarshan and all major TV channels.

He also informed that the fifth and sixth editions of PPC were again held in town-hall format at Talkatora Stadium, New Delhi. Almost 31.24 lakh students, 5.60 lakh teachers, and 1.95 lakh parents participated enthusiastically in the contests last year (2023).

He also said that the 7th edition of Pariksha Pe Charcha recorded a massive 2.26 crore registration on the MyGov portal. He added that this shows the extensive enthusiasm among students nationwide, eager to participate in this distinctive event and interact with the Prime Minister.

Dr Sarkar said that this year Pariksha Pe Charcha will be held on January 29, 2024, from 11 a.m. onwards in a town hall format at Bharat Mandapam, ITPO, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. Nearly 3000 participants will be interacting with the Prime Minister in the programme.

He also informed that two students and a teacher from each of the States and UTs and winners of the Kala Utsav have been invited as special guests for the main event. A hundred students from the Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) from different parts of the country will be attending the event for the first time since its inception.

He said that to participate in the contest, the online MCQ competition was conducted on the MyGov portal between December 11 and January 12, 2023, for students of classes 6 to 12, teachers, and parents. Participants were selected based on their questions on the MyGov portal.

They will be presented with a special Pariksha Pe Charcha kit comprising the Exam Warriors book in Hindi and English, written by the Prime Minister, and a certificate.

The programme by Prime Minister Narendra Modi focuses on providing support to students in overcoming examination stress while equipping teachers and parents to manage the stressful environment during exams better. (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 29 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday condoled the demise of former Ahmedabad Mayor Mukul Shah.

"Saddened by the demise of Mukul Shah. As Mayor of Ahmedabad, he will always be remembered for his efforts in the development of the city and for quality education. Prayers for the repose of the departed soul and condolences to his family," the prime minister posted on X.

Also Read | Assam: Man Poses As CID Officer, Abducts Minor Girl in Guwahati; Arrested.

A gynaecologist by training, Dr Shah of the Bharatiya Janata Party served as Mayor of Ahmedabad during 1992-1993. He was later appointed the Pro Vice Chancellor of the Gujarat University during 2012 to 2014.

He was later appointed the Pro Vice Chancellor of the Gujarat University during 2012 to 2014.

Also Read | Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Congress Leader Digvijaya Singh Says Wont Contest Polls as Rajya Sabha Tenure Has Two More Years To Go.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today interacted with students ahead of his 7th 'Pariksha Pe Charcha' address here in the national capital on Monday. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, January 29: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday congratulated Azali Assoumani on his re-election as the president of Comoros and said he looked forward to further strengthening the partnership between the two countries. PM Narendra Modi Greets People While Departing From Vijay Chowk As Beating Retreat Ceremony Concludes in Delhi (Watch Video)

Modi Congratulates Assoumani on Re-election as President of Comoros

Heartiest congratulations @PR_AZALI on your re-election as the President of Comoros. Look forward to continue working together to further strengthen India-Comoros partnership, India-Africa partnership and Vision Sagar.  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 29, 2024

Modi said on X, "Heartiest congratulations @PR_AZALI on your re-election as the President of Comoros. Look forward to continue working together to further strengthen India-Comoros partnership, India-Africa partnership and 'Vision Sagar.'" Assoumani is the current chairperson of the African Union too.

(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 29 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will next week meet chief executives of top Indian and foreign oil and gas companies, where topics like energy supplies amid geopolitical conflicts and attracting investments are likely to be discussed.

Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said the meeting will happen on the sidelines of the second edition of India Energy Week being held in Goa from February 6 to 9.

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Prime Minister had in recent years used annual jamboori of oil and gas sector -- previously as CERA India Week and now India Energy Week -- to meet chief executives of major oil and gas companies with a view to understanding the emerging energy scenario as well as to drum up investments in the energy sector of the country.

This year's conference comes in the backdrop of the continuing Russia-Ukraine war and the fresh Red Sea crisis where one of the world's busiest sea navigation channels has been threatened by attacks by Houthi militants.

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"India today on the energy front presents the picture of confidence, of positive growth, of solutions in many areas. IEW is a golden opportunity for all these related developments on the energy front to be showcased and provide the platform for further development and growth in the energy sector," Puri told reporters.

Just like the previous editions, Modi will meet oil and gas firms' CEOs on the sidelines of the event. Besides, there will also be an India-US investment roundtable.

Asked about the Red Sea crisis which has so far not disrupted oil supplies to India but has sent freight charges higher as ships reroute to avoid the conflict zone, he said the the conflict is a matter of concern but not a cause of worry for the country as yet.

"Whatever difficulties we faced, we've not only navigated through each of those developments and challenges which have come our way, but I think we have navigated quite well," he said.

The minister said that India Energy Week 2024 is expected to witness 17 energy ministers from different countries, 35,000+ attendees, and more than 900 exhibitors. "I am pleased to share that this time we will have dedicated 6 country pavilions, namely Canada, Germany Netherlands, Russia, UK and USA."

During IEW 2024, a special Make-in-India Pavilion is being organized with more than 300 exhibitors to showcase innovative solutions Indian MSMEs are spearheading in the energy sector.

He said with the number of domestic and international participants this gives them an unparalleled platform to demonstrate their abilities to both domestic and international markets.

Highlighting the increase in scale of the event as compared to first edition, the minister noted that the number of exhibitors for IEW '24 is expected to be more than 900 (up 30 per cent). There is 25 per cent increase in exhibition area (18,500 square metres this year as against 15,000 sq m last year), resulting in a 46 per cent increase in revenue from exhibition.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], January 29 (ANI): The Himachal Pradesh government has proposed Rs 9989.49 crore for the annual estimated budget plans for the year 2024-25, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said on Monday.

CM Sukhu was presiding over the first session of the MLA Priority meeting with the MLAs from Una, Hamirpur and Sirmaur districts in Shimla and said, "The state government proposed Rs. 9989.49 for the annual estimated budget plans for 2024-25."

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He further said that the state government was working with a motto to make Himachal self-reliant in the next four years and the most prosperous state in the country in ten years.

CM Sukhu asked the MLAs to come up with priorities that were in line with the state government's commitment to provide clean, transparent and accountable administration to the people of the state.

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He said that the government was committed to the equitable development of all areas and every section of society. To achieve this, the government has adopted the manifesto of the Congress party as a policy document.

He further stated that numerous steps have been taken to make Himachal a green energy state in the next two years and the government has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding worth Rs 2,000 crore with the World Bank.

As per the MoU, work would be carried out under the Hydroelectric and Renewable Energy Development Programme for the next five years.

He further added that the MLA priorities in general were financed through the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund under NABARD.

The Chief Minister directed the administrative secretaries and heads of departments not to show any laxity in resolving the problems and complaints raised by the MLAs and to give due priority to their valuable suggestions. He further directed the officials to ensure timely clearance of formalities regarding the FCA, the FRA cases, the Gift Deed, etc.

"We implemented the OPS in the very first cabinet meeting. To provide employment and self-employment opportunities to the youth, the state government has started an e-taxi scheme under the first phase of the Rs. 680 crore Rajiv Gandhi Self-Employment Start-up Scheme and to introduce English from class first in all the government schools," remarked the Chief Minister.

Under the Start-Up scheme, the state government is providing a 50 per cent subsidy to the youth on the purchase of an e-taxi. A portal was also developed for operating e-taxis on a contract basis in all government offices and has started registration as well.

"Apart from ensuring that the youth get a fixed income, this scheme would also reduce carbon emissions," he reiterated.

He announced that the purchase price of milk has been increased by Rs. 6 to increase the income of farmers.

The Chief Minister also stated the government has increased the daily wage of MNREGA workers from Rs. 212 to Rs. 240, benefiting nine lakh eligible people in the state, out of which 65 per cent were women. In the tribal areas, the daily wage has been enhanced from Rs. 266 to Rs. 294.

The Chief Minister informed that the state government established Mukhya Mantri Sukh-Asharya Kosh for the orphans and other vulnerable sections of society and adopted 4,000 orphans as 'Children of the State' under the Mukhya Mantri Sukh-Asharya Yojna, assisting with their proper care and higher education till they attain the age of 27 years by enacting a law.

He stated that during the last monsoon, the state had to deal with the worst disaster in its recent history, despite not receiving any special relief packages from the centre. Despite its limited resources, the state government provided a special relief package of Rs. 4,500 crore.

He said that to provide adequate assistance to the affected people, electricity and water connections and gas cylinders are being provided free of charge, along with cement at government rates for the construction of houses.

The affected people are also being provided Rs 5,000 as house rent in rural areas and Rs 10,000 in urban areas. The compensation for a completely damaged house has been increased to Rs. 7 lakh from Rs. 1.30 lakh. In case of partial damage to the house, the compensation amount has been increased to Rs. 1 lakh. (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 29 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice to the Centre, Arunachal Pradesh government and others on a PIL seeking a CBI or SIT probe into the award of contracts for public works to firms owned by family members of Chief Minister Pema Khandu.

A bench of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra sought a response from the Union of India, the state government, CBI, Khandu and others.

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The order of the apex court came on a plea filed by NGOs Save Mon Region Federation and Voluntary Arunachal Sena.

Pema Khandu's father Dorjee Khandu's second wife Rinchin Drema and his nephew Tsering Tashi have been made parties in the case. In a helicopter crash in 2011, Dorjee Khandu died when he was the Chief Minister.

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Rinchin Drema's firm, Brand Eagles, has been awarded a large number of government contracts despite there being a clear conflict of interest, the petitioner claimed.

The PIL claimed when there is evidence of government contracts being awarded only to the firms of family members of the Chief Minister and his close associates, then it is reasonable to draw an inference that such favour for government contract works of vast magnitude could not have been possible without direct knowledge, consent, and active support of the minister concerned.

The petition stated, "The Minister of this department was Dorjee Khandu, also former CM, till 2011 and then the charge was taken up by his son Pema Khandu, now present Chief Minister. It is a serious cause of concern in view of so many work orders executed by few selective firms belonging to the Minister himself and his family members." (ANI)

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New Delhi [India], January 29 (ANI): The Supreme Court has taken the cognizance of prosecution complaint filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against Amit Katyal, Rabri Devi, Misha Bharti, Hema Yadav, Hridyanand Chaudhary along with two companies in the land for job scam case.

The top court also appealed to the accused to appear on February 9.

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Earlier this month, the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) filed a Prosecution Complaint under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 against Amit Katyal, Rabri Devi, Misha Bharti, Hema Yadav, Hridyanand Chaudhary and two companies viz. M/s A K Infosystems Private Limited, M/s A B Exports Pvt. Ltd. before the Special Court (PMLA), New Delhi in the Land for Job Scam.

ED initiated investigations based on an FIR registered by CBI related to Land for Job Scam alleging that Lalu Prasad Yadav, the then Railway Minister, indulged in corruption for the appointment of Group D substitutes in Indian Railways during the period 2004- 2009. The candidates were told to transfer land as a bribe in return for jobs in Indian Railways as per FIR.

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The CBI has also filed a charge sheet.

The family members of Lalu Prasad Yadav viz. Rabri Devi, Misha Bharti, and Hema Yadav who are accused in the PC had received land parcel(s) from a family of candidates [who were selected as Group D substitutes in Indian Railways] for nominal amounts.

Hridyanand Chaudhary, another accused in PC is a former employee in gaushala of Rabri Devi who had acquired property from one of the candidates and later transferred the same to Hema Yadav.

The companies viz. AK Infosystems Private Limited and AB Exports Pvt. Ltd. were shell companies that received proceeds of crime from family members of Lalu Prasad Yadav. Immovable properties were acquired in the said companies by front men and thereafter shares were transferred to family members of Lalu Prasad Yadav for nominal amounts.

Amit Katyal used to manage these companies for Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family, alleged the ED.

Earlier, ED had conducted search operations in March last year, which resulted in the seizure of cash of Rs. 1 Crore approx. and valuables equivalent to about Rs. 1.25 Crore.

The ED has also provisionally attached immovable properties worth Rs. 6.02 Crore on July 29, 2023. ED had arrested Amit Katyal on November 11, 2023 for knowingly assisting Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family in money laundering. Amit Katyal is in judicial custody as of date.

Further investigation is under progress. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Dindori (Madhya Pradesh) [India], January 29 (ANI): Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Nisha Napit Sharma, posted in Shahpura, Dindori district was murdered by her husband Manish Sharma by pressing her mouth with a pillow, a police official said on Monday.

The incident occurred at her official residence in the district on Sunday and the accused husband also tried to hide the evidence by cleaning the clothes, pillow, bedsheets and others in the washing machine, the officer added.

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Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG, Balaghat range) Mukesh Kumar Srivastawa said, "SDM Nisha Napit Sharma was married to Manish Sharma (45), a resident of Gwalior in 2020 at a Gaytri Mandir in Mandla. Their married life was quite stressful and Manish Sharma also used to trouble her. Along with this, he also wanted to be a nominee in her service book, insurance and bank account but the SDM ma'am used to deny it."

"A few days ago, the accused had come to her official residence as he was her husband so he often used to visit the residence. On Sunday, after having a dispute on some issue, the accused husband killed her by pressing her mouth with a pillow. After that the accused also tried to hide the evidence by the cleaning pillow, bedsheets and other clothes in the washing machine. But the police and FSL team found enough evidence against him," the officer said.

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He added that the police registered a case against the accused under IPC sections 302, 304B and 201 and took the accused into custody.

Further investigation into the matter is underway, he added. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Supermarket cameras and increased security measures are a source of tension for Australian shoppers after Coles and Woolworths recently ramped up their surveillance to combat theft.

So it is no surprise a "joke" about new "spy cameras" in the Woolies fruit section has caused a stir among shoppers. Footage of a flashing red light on the top of a nectarine's digital price tag has been jokingly labelled a new addition to their suite of security cameras.

While it was clearly a quip meant to poke fun at the intense security measures found in supermarkets in recent years, some were quick to believe it and even suggest this was another reason to "boycott" the grocer.

Supermarket surveillance has been on the rise in stores as a way to combat theft. Source: TikTok/Getty

"I don't shop there anymore. I'd rather help the farmer out who is not spying and ripping us off," one person stated.

"Really, what next? Soon all the staff will lose their jobs too," another said in frustration.

Others immediately knew the post on TikTok was in jest, which was confirmed by the poster in the comments, and offered up suggestions on what the device could be. "It's nothing but a digital tag that connects to a system to update prices in real time," one shopper tried to explain.

Do you have a story about your local supermarket? Contact reporter Laura Koefoed at laura.koefoed@yahooinc.com

Woolworths reveals what device really is

Woolworths confirmed these flashing lights are not cameras, but "lights to help personal shoppers quickly identify the next item on their list"  quickly debunking the surveillance theory.

"Our personal shoppers use a handheld device with a shopping list based on customers online orders," a Woolworths spokesperson told Yahoo News Australia. "It is synced with the lights on our digital tickets so that its easier to find each item". Launched in 2022, the spokesperson said the initiative has helped the team save time and increase the accuracy of their selections.

Story continues

Supermarkets invest in anti-theft technology

New security technology in stores has received mixed reviews by shoppers, many who feel like they're being treated as criminals.

Last Wednesday a customer using a wheelchair told Yahoo he had Coles security gates "slam shut" on him while exiting with his paid items  adding to the already surmounting safety concerns surrounding the newer security technology.

In September, Coles confirmed to Yahoo staff at a select number of Aussie stores would be fitted with new body cams as part of a trial phase in 30 stores across four states. And, earlier in 2023, Woolworths began to trial new camera technology, adding more than 500 cameras in one NSW store to take pictures every hour to monitor stock levels.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Hyderabad, Jan 29 (PTI) Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Monday directed officials to take steps to establish nursing and paramedical colleges in the medical colleges in the state.

Reddy, who held a meeting with Health Minister C Damodar Rajanarasimha and officials, said a common policy be formulated to establish the nursing and paramedical colleges.

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He instructed that steps be taken to see to it that the AIIMS at Bibingar near Hyderabad renders services as per its full capacity, an official release said.

This will benefit people from Khammam, Warangal, Nalgonda districts and reduce burden on the state-run Osmania General Hospital (OGH) and Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) in Hyderabad, Revanth Reddy said.

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He asked the officials to visit the AIIMS at Bibinagar and prepare a report.

He said he will meet the concerned Union Minister, if necessary, to urge him to ensure that AIIMS, Bibinagar provides its full services to the people.

Reddy also suggested that the responsibility of house-keeping in the government hospitals attached to medical colleges be entrusted to major pharma companies.

He directed that this proposal be implemented as a pilot project in either the OGH or Gandhi hospital in Hyderabad.

The CM also said the bills of Arogya Sri health scheme for the poor should be be released by 15th of every month in case of government hospitals and once in three months for private hospitals, the release added.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Palnadu (Andhra Pradesh) [India], January 29 (ANI): Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader Kanna Lakshminarayana, visited the injured TDP Public Relations Officer Swami after a brazen attack in Thondapi. The politician alleged that state Minister Ambati Rambabu orchestrated the assault.

According to Kanna, the attackers were under the influence of drugs when they targeted the procession, pelting stones and causing chaos.

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"An attempt was made to kill us, and it unfolded in the presence of the police," stated Kanna. Miraculously, they managed to escape with minor injuries, thanks to divine intervention, he said.

Expressing his strong condemnation, Kanna Lakshminarayana demanded swift action from the police against the culprits. The TDP claimed that assailants were allegedly affiliated to the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP). TDP also raised concerns about the law and order situation in the area.

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As the investigation unfolds, the focus now shifts to holding those responsible accountable and ensuring the safety of political figures during public events.

The incident has sparked outrage, prompting calls for heightened security measures and a thorough inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the attack.

Tension gripped Thondapi village in Muppalla Mandal during the 'Babu Surety, Future Guarantee' program, as Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in-charge Kanna Lakshminarayana participated in the event Sunday night.

Unidentified individuals suddenly pelted stones at the TDP team. According to a pre-plan, the lights were switched off, and stones were thrown from nearby buildings.

Kanna Lakshminarayana's personal assistant (PA), Swamy and other TDP leaders sustained injuries in this unexpected attack. Sattenapally Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Adinarayana intervened, urging TDP leader Kanna to halt the meeting on the stage during the 'Babu Surety Future Guarantee' program in Thondapi village.

An altercation ensued between Kanna Lakshmi Narayana and the DSP, while unidentified individuals continued to pelt stones at the stage.

As political tensions are high, this event underscores the ongoing political dynamics in Andhra Pradesh, where leaders criticise each other's actions and decisions, setting the stage for an active and competitive political landscape in the months ahead. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Kolkata, Jan 29 (PTI) A comment allegedly by BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar about West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has sparked a controversy, with the Trinamool Congress demanding an apology for what they deemed a misogynistic statement.

Trinamool leader Mahua Moitra criticised the BJP, branding it as 'anti-women' and highlighting the contradiction between their rhetoric about Nari Shakti' (women empowerment) and the alleged comments made by the BJP state president.

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PTI could not independently verify the alleged remarks by Majumdar, a video of which had gone viral and was circulated widely by various TMC leaders.

Moitra called for an apology from Majumdar and urged other BJP members to denounce such remarks.

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While no official statement was provided by BJP functionaries, a state leader anonymously expressed disapproval of the alleged comments, distancing himself from them while maintaining criticism of Banerjee's politics.

TMC MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar expressed shock at the derogatory remarks directed at the only woman chief minister in the country.

She questioned the motive behind such comments and raised concerns about the degradation of political discourse when leaders resort to such language.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, January 29: The historic Vijay Chowk in the national capital came live to foot-tapping tunes and synchronised steps by members of armed forces during the 'Beating Retreat' ceremony on Monday to mark the end of Republic Day celebrations. The setting sun setting down provided a majestic background as soldiers marched to Indian tunes. Beating Retreat Ceremony Begins at Vijay Chowk in Delhi; PM Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu and Others Attend (Watch Video)

The music bands of the Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) played captivating tunes before a distinguished audience including President Droupadi Murmu, who is Supreme Commander of defence forces, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and union ministers. The ceremony began with the massed band's 'Shankhnaad' tune which was followed by enthralling tunes such as 'Veer Bharat', 'Sangam Dur', 'Deshon ka Sartaj Bharat', 'Bhagirathi', and 'Arjuna' by Pipes and Drums band. Beating Retreat Ceremony 2024: Vijay Chowk To Resonate With All-Indian Tunes During Grand Ceremony Today

Vijay Chowk Reverberates to Indian Tunes During Beating Retreat

#WATCH | The Beating Retreat ceremony continues at Vijay Chowk in Delhi. pic.twitter.com/vSp93mp4Fv  ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2024

#WATCH | Military bands enthral audience at Beating Retreat ceremony at Vijay Chowk in Delhi #BeatingRetreatCeremony pic.twitter.com/PkrJuQnUap  ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2024

#WATCH | Delhi | President Droupadi Murmu arrives at Vijay Chowk to attend the Beating Retreat ceremony. pic.twitter.com/R8HYuSoZnN  ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2024

Lt Col Vimal Joshi is the principal conductor of the ceremony. '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. It marks a centuries-old military tradition, when the troops ceased fighting, sheathed their arms, withdrew from the battlefield and returned to the camps at sunset at the sounding of the Retreat. Colours and Standards are cased and flags lowered. The ceremony creates nostalgia for the times gone by.

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New Delhi, Jan 29 (PTI) Shares of AU Small Finance Bank Ltd on Monday tumbled nearly 12 per cent after the company reported a 4 per cent decline in net profit at Rs 375 crore for the third quarter ended December 2023, mainly due to a rise in bad loans.

The stock plunged 11.72 per cent to Rs 625 on the BSE.

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At the NSE, it fell by 11.79 per cent to Rs 624.35.

The Jaipur-based bank had earned a profit of Rs 393 crore in the same quarter of FY23.

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The total income of the bank increased to Rs 3,186 crore during the quarter under review, against Rs 2,413 crore in the same period last year, AU Small Finance Bank said in a regulatory filing on Thursday.

Domestic equity market was closed on Friday on account of Republic Day.

On the asset quality front, the gross non-performing assets (NPAs) increased to 1.98 per cent of the gross loans at the end of December 2023 from 1.81 per cent a year ago.

Similarly, net NPAs or bad loans also rose to 0.68 per cent from 0.51 per cent at the end of the third quarter of the previous fiscal.

(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 29 (PTI) TMT maker Kamdhenu Ltd on Monday posted a 7 per cent decline in its net profit to Rs 11.14 crore during the December 2023 quarter, mainly due to lower income.

It had clocked a net profit of Rs 12.02 crore during the October-December period of the preceding 2022-23 fiscal, the company said in an exchange filing.

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The company's total income fell to Rs 157.45 crore from Rs 183.17 crore in the year-ago quarter.

However, it trimmed its expenses to Rs 142.43 crore from Rs 167.06 crore a year ago.

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In a statement, Kamdhenu CMD Satish Agarwal said, "In (April-December) 9M FY24, revenues marginally de-grew by 3 per cent year-on-year (y-o-y) to Rs 549 crore. EBITDA stood at Rs 43 crore and PAT increased by 10 per cent y-o-y to Rs 33 crore. Our total brand sales turnover for 9M FY24 stood at Rs 15,700 crore".

The decrease in revenues and EBITDA is primarily attributed to a temporary reduction in construction activities in the Delhi NCR region during the third quarter due to the implementation of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) by government authorities, he added.

"Despite this, our royalty income through franchise sales continued to witness healthy growth. Royalty income stood at 93.6 crore, which has gone up by 12 per cent y-o-y. We are confident in our ability to adapt and grow while navigating through short-term volatility," Agarwal said.

Haryana-based Kamdhenu is a leading TMT rebar manufacturing entity in India with a presence in over 28 states.

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New Delhi, Jan 29 (PTI) Two men were seriously injured when their SUV rammed into two stationary tempos due to dense fog near Alipur area of the national capital, police said on Monday.

"A police PCR call was received at Alipur police station that one vehicle had hit two different vehicles on Karnal highway due to dense fog condition. A team rushed to the spot," Deputy Commissioner of Police (outernorth) Ravi Kumar Singh said.

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Police found three vehicles were found involved in the crash.

The DCP said the first tempo was parked there after it broke down due to a tyre issue. The driver of the tempo asked for help from his friend, who parked his tempo just behind the the first on the highway, he said.

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After some time a Scorpio car, which was coming from Haryana and on its way to Delhi, crashed into the tempo due to dense fog in the area, the officer said.

Deepak Yadav and Gaurav Yadav -- both residents of Badli village -- seated in the SUV got injured in the accident, the DCP said.

"Both the injured were rushed to hospital. The patients are under treatment. Their statement is yet to be obtained. Further investigation is underway," Singh added.

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Amaravati (Andhra Pradesh), Jan 29 (PTI) The ruling YSRCP in Andhra Pradesh on Monday alleged that the Narayana Group of educational institutions, owned by a TDP leader, was illegally collecting personal data of students' family members and called for action from the Election Commission of India.

L Appi Reddy, MLC and YSRCP general secretary, in a letter to the state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) claimed that forms were being circulated to students studying in Narayana group of institutions seeking information about their family members.

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"The form contains various columns including details of family, address of student, phone number of family members, booth number and voter IDs. The Narayana educational institutions are following these corrupt practices," Reddy alleged.

The Narayana group of educational institutions are owned by TDP leader and former Minister P Narayana.

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Claiming that these practices were an inducement to electors, the YSRCP leader called for appropriate action against the educational institutions chain under the Representation of the People Act, 1950, IPC and various other laws.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Tirana (Albania), Jan 29 (AP)Albania's Constitutional Court on Monday said a deal can go ahead with Italy under which thousands of migrants rescued at sea by Italian authorities would be sent to Albania while their asylum applications are processed.

Thirty Albanian lawmakers attempted to block the deal's ratification by referring it to the court. Now the agreement signed in November between Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni can be voted on in Parliament.

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The court's head, Holta Zacaj, called the deal in line with the Constitution."

With Rama's left-wing Socialist Party holding 74 of Parliament's 140 seats, the deal is expected to pass. No date has been set for the parliamentary debate and vote.

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The agreement, endorsed by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen but widely criticized by human rights groups, is part of Meloni's efforts to share the work of addressing migration with other European countries.

Under the deal, two centers will be set up in Albania to process asylum applications by people rescued by Italian authorities in international waters.

Italy's lower chamber of parliament approved the deal last week, and it is waiting for the Senate, where Meloni's right-wing forces have a comfortable majority.

In Albania's capital of Tirana, a small group gathered outside the courthouse to protest the deal.

Human rights organizations including Amnesty International and the International Rescue Committee have strongly opposed the deal, with the latter saying it would push people onto ever more dangerous routes in search of safety.

The International Organization for Migration on Monday said nearly 100 people have died or disappeared in the Central and Eastern Mediterranean since the beginning of 2024. That's twice as high compared to the same period in 2023, which was considered the deadliest year for migrants at sea in Europe since 2016.

Under the five-year deal with Italy, Albania would shelter up to 3,000 migrants at any one time. With asylum requests expected to take around a month to process, the number of asylum-seekers sent to Albania could reach up to 36,000 in a year.

The two facilities in Albania would be fully run by Italy while it fast-tracks their asylum requests. Italy would remain legally responsible for the migrants throughout the process. It would welcome them in should they be granted international protection or organize their deportation from Albania if refused.

Those picked up within Italy's territorial waters would retain their right under international and EU law to apply for asylum in Italy and have their claims processed there.

Rama has said that Albania stands beside Meloni in a sign of gratitude on behalf of Albanians who found refuge in Italy and escaped hell and imagined a better life following the collapse of communism in Albania in the 1990s. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Kathmandu, Jan 29 (PTI) Foreign Minister N P Saud on Monday said that the border issue between Nepal and India should be resolved on the basis of political consensus.

The technical mechanisms created to resolve the border problem should find a solution acceptable to both the countries after completing necessary technical works, Saud said while speaking at a programme organised on the occasion of India's 75th Republic Day here.

Also Read | 'This Rendition by Kariman From Egypt Is Melodious': PM Narendra Modi Praises Patriotic Song by Egyptian Girl on 75th Republic Day (Watch Video).

We also have a joint technical committee in this regard. That mechanism should be activated after which the leadership of both countries should resolve this problem diplomatically based on the facts. We are already working towards that direction, the minister said at the programme organised by the Nepal-India Human Development and Friendship Association.

Foreign Minister Saud said that during the recent visit of India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to Nepal, the representatives of both countries had reached an understanding to resolve the border issue through dialogue and discussions.

Also Read | Pakistan General Elections 2024: 50% Polling Stations Declared 'Sensitive' or 'Most Sensitive' Ahead of Polls.

In order to resolve the economic problems facing the country, we need to produce more hydroelectricity and increase electricity trade with both India and Bangladesh, he said.

Nepal and India recently signed an agreement under which India has agreed to purchase 10,000 MW of electricity from Nepal within the next ten years.

Earlier on Saturday, Saud, while attending another Republic Day-related event, had said the border dispute between Nepal and India can be sorted out in a cordial manner through dialogue instead of making it a big political issue between the two countries which share history and geography and are bound together by a common culture.

As there is more than 1,800 km long, open border between Nepal and India, some dispute and debate relating to the border is inevitable between the two neighbours. But the joint technical committee of the two countries has sorted out most of the disputes. Susta and Kalapani-Lipulekh are the only two border points, which need to be resolved, he had said then.

Nepal is considered an important country for New Delhi as it shares a border of over 1,850 km with five Indian states  Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Gov. Kathy Hochul ordered flags to fly at half-staff Monday in honor of David McShane, a former state Department of Environmental Conservation police officer who died of 9/11-related cancer Tuesday.

Hochul's directive was issued on the same day as McShane's funeral, which was held Monday morning in Camillus.

"Lt. David McShane's exemplary work to protect our natural resources and ensure public safety benefitted all New Yorkers," Hochul said. "In responding to assist in the recovery at the World Trade Center after 9/11, Lt. McShane exhibited further bravery and courage in service to our state and country. I offer my deep gratitude and appreciation for his service and extend my condolences to his family, colleagues and all of those who knew him."

McShane, 50, was a 23-year veteran of the state Environmental Conservation Police. He graduated from basic school in February 1999 and was last assigned to Region 7 in central New York. Before he retired in June 2022, he supervised environmental police officers in Cayuga and Onondaga counties.

Early in his career, McShane was assigned to New York City to assist with search and recovery efforts after the 9/11 attacks. Years later, he was diagnosed with cancer.

Matthew Krug, the environmental conservation police officers director for the Police Benevolent Association of New York State, said last week that McShane had a "long and debilitating" cancer fight.

The cancer was in remission, but returned and forced McShane to retire.

McShane was a 1991 graduate of Marcellus High School and earned a bachelor's degree at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse. He is survived by his wife, Angela, and their three children.
New York, Jan 29 (PTI) The Consulate General of India in Atlanta has strongly condemned the fatal attack on a 25-year-old Indian student as it noted that US authorities have arrested the accused and are investigating the case.

Vivek Saini, who had recently earned an MBA degree in the US, was hammered to death by a homeless drug addict whom he had been helping for the past couple of days in Georgia state's Lithonia city.

Also Read | Maldives: Opposition Party Set To Move Impeachment Motion Against President Mohamed Muizzu Day After Parliament Clashes.

We are deeply anguished by the terrifying, brutal, & heinous incident that led to the death of Indian National/student Mr Vivek Saini & condemns attack in the strongest terms. It is understood that the US authorities have arrested the accused & are investigating the case, the Indian Consulate said in a post on X Monday.

Also Read | US Shocker: Police Take Action After Viral Video Shows Indian Student Vivek Saini, Brutally Killed by Hammer Inside Store in Georgia's Lithonia (Watch Video).

It added that the Consulate got in touch with Saini's family immediately after the incident, provided all consular assistance in sending the mortal remains back to India, and remains in touch with the family.

The horrifying incident was caught on camera when assailant Julian Faulkner mercilessly struck Saini nearly 50 times on the head with a hammer.

Saini, a part-time clerk at a store that sheltered Faulkner, had shown kindness to the accused for almost two days and provided him with chips, a coke, water, and even a jacket for warmth, M9 News Channel reported on Sunday.

However, Saini was struck on January 16 while going home as he, concerned for safety, requested Faulkner to depart or face police intervention.

Police, arriving at the scene, found Faulkner standing over Saini's lifeless body. The young student, who had migrated to the US two years ago after completing his B Tech, had recently earned a Master's in Business Administration.

Saini's family in Haryana mourns the loss of the promising young man, describing him as a brilliant student striving for a decent job.

His parents, Gurjeet Singh and Lalita Saini are devastated and currently unable to discuss the tragic incident.

(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, January 29: A 25-year-old Indian student who recently earned an MBA degree in the US was hammered to death by a homeless drug addict whom he had been helping for the past couple of days in Georgia state's Lithonia city. The horrifying incident was caught on camera when assailant Julian Faulkner mercilessly struck Vivek Saini nearly 50 times on the head with a hammer.

Saini, a part-time clerk at a store that sheltered Faulkner, had shown kindness to the accused for almost two days and provided him with chips, a coke, water, and even a jacket for warmth, M9 News Channel reported on Sunday. US: 26-Year-Old Indian Doctoral Student Killed Inside His Car in Shooting Incident in Ohio.

However, Saini was struck on January 16 while going home as he, concerned for safety, requested Faulkner to depart or face police intervention. Police, arriving at the scene, found Faulkner standing over Saini's lifeless body. The young student, who had migrated to the US two years ago after completing his B Tech, had recently earned a Master's in Business Administration. Suspect in Killing of Indian Student Sharath Koppu in US Shot Dead: Police.

Saini's family in Haryana mourns the loss of the promising young man, describing him as a brilliant student striving for a decent job. His parents, Gurjeet Singh and Lalita Saini, are devastated and currently unable to discuss the tragic incident.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Tehran [Iran], January 29 (ANI): Iran's Foreign Ministry refuted the claims of Tehran's involvement in the attack on a US base in Jordan and said resistance groups decide and work on their own principles and priorities as well as the interests of their country and people, Iran's state news agency, IRNA reported.

Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Nasser Kanaani, warned that the statements and non-constructive actions of some Western officials are threatening regional and international peace and stability

Also Read | UK: Rishi Sunak-led Government to Ban Disposable Vapes Over Concerns of Sharp Increase in Usage by Children.

"As we have clearly stated before, the resistance groups in the region are responding the war crimes and genocide of the child-killing Zionist regime and that they do not take orders from the Islamic Republic of Iran. These groups decide and act based on their own principles and priorities as well as the interests of their country and people", he underlined.

Additionally, Iranian Minister Kanaani advised the West to condemn the crimes of the occupying Israeli regime and work to facilitate humanitarian aid to Gaza rather than making baseless accusations against Iran, IRNA reported.

Also Read | PM Narendra Modi Addresses 7th Edition of Pariksha Pe Charcha in Delhi: Live Breaking News Headlines & Updates, January 29, 2024.

This comes as Kannai lashed out at British Foreign Secretary David Cameron for his anti-Tehran rhetoric and unfounded claims.

Kanaani has called baseless the UK accusation after a US base attack in Jordan that Iran has been involved in operations by resistance groups in the region.

"These claims are made with specific political goals to reverse the realities of the region and also indicate that they are influenced by third parties, including the child-killing Zionist regime", Kanaani noted.

Cameron has posted on X, in which, he condemned the drone attack on an American base in Jordan but reiterated that Iran is involved in operations of resistance forces, a claim officials in the Islamic Republic have repeatedly called "baseless".

"We still urge Iran to reduce tensions in the region", Cameron added in his post.

This is while the Islamic Republic has always emphasized that it does not have any proxy group in the region.

The drone attack marks the first instance of US troops being killed by enemy fire in the Middle East since the commencement of the Gaza war.

The attack targeted Tower 22 in Jordan, near the Syrian border, escalating an already precarious situation in the region. According to US officials, the drone responsible was launched by Iran-backed militants and seemed to originate from Syria, CNN reported.

US Central Command officially confirmed the casualties, stating that three service members were killed and 25 were injured in a one-way drone attack that struck a base in northeast Jordan.

President Joe Biden vowed to hold those responsible to account, asserting that the attack 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," President Biden remarked. (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 29 (ANI/TPS): According to a report released by the Small and Medium Business Agency in Israel's Ministry of Economy and Industry on the incidence of cyberattacks and the methods of defense against them for 2023, 5 per cent of all Israeli businesses suffered from such attacks last year.

Of the businesses that responded, 48 per cent of said that they use defensive measures against cyberattacks, and 5 per cent of the businesses responded that they had suffered a cyberattack in the last year, a fifth of them (20 per cent) were also severely affected by this attack.

Also Read | World War 3 Fears: Joe Biden Receives Stark Nuclear Warning Over Iran Attack Following Deaths of US Troops Near Jordan-Syria Border.

Among the 48 per cent of businesses that use defensive measures, 18 per cent use one defensive measure, 7 per cent use two defensive measures, and 23 per cent use three or more defensive measures. The most common defense measures are making periodic backups and using built-in protection software.

Among the businesses that were exposed to a cyberattack, the highest incidence is of small businesses, 5-20 employees in size (11 per cent were exposed to the attack), and of businesses in the industrial sectors (10 per cent were exposed).

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Businesses in the field of commerce (3 per cent), and businesses without employees (2 per cent) are the businesses with the lowest attack rates.

In 2023 there were approximately 650,000 businesses registered. Close to 33,000 businesses were attacked in the past year and approximately 7,000 businesses were significantly damaged.

Naomi Hymain Reish, Director of the Agency for Small and Medium Businesses: "We see great importance, especially during this national emergency, in raising awareness of cyber attacks and the significant damage they can cause to small and medium businesses. Because of this, we are publishing this report, which allows business owners to learn about effective ways of defending themselves, which are accepted among businesses today, and the frequency of damage according to the field and size of the business."(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)
Luang Prabang (Laos), Jan 29 (AP) China's growingly assertive posture in the South China Sea and escalating violence in Myanmar topped the agenda for Southeast Asian diplomats meeting in Laos on Monday.

The gathering is the first high-level meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations since Laos took over the rotating chairmanship.

Also Read | Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla Addresses 84th Conference of Presiding Officers of Legislative Bodies: Live Breaking News Headlines & Updates, January 29, 2024.

The diplomats for the 10 nations with a combined population of nearly 650 million and GDP of more than USD 3 trillion will work to strategise on issues of regional peace, security and stability. They were also discussing economic cooperation and other issues under the year's theme enhancing connectivity and resilience.

Of the ASEAN member nations, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Myanmar, Cambodia, Brunei and Laos, several have competing maritime claims in the South China Sea with China.

Also Read | North Korea: Kim Jong Un Oversees Tests Firing of Cruise Missiles Designed To Be Launched From Submarines.

China claims virtually the entire South China Sea, through which an estimated $5 trillion in international trade passes each year, which has led it into direct confrontations, most notably with the Philippines and Vietnam.

The ASEAN meeting in the historic city of Luang Prabang comes on the same day that Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, was to be meeting with top officials in Hanoi, among other things to discuss the ongoing tensions in the South China Sea.

The Philippines has been looking for more support from its ASEAN neighbours, amid increasingly tense hostilities with China, primarily off of the Second Thomas Shoal, which many worry could escalate into a broader armed conflict that could involve Washington, Manila's longtime treaty ally.

The Philippine government protested the Chinese coast guard's use of water cannon, a military-grade laser and dangerous blocking maneuvers that had caused minor collisions off the Philippine-occupied shoal.

China and ASEAN agreed in 2012 to a declaration on conduct in the South China Sea, seeking to enhance favourable conditions for a peaceful and durable solution of differences and disputes, but there has been little sign of adherence to that in recent years.

Under last year's chair, Indonesia, ASEAN agreed with China on guidelines to accelerate negotiations for a South China Sea code of conduct, but that has yet to produce results.

With communist Laos' close ties with neighbouring China, and the fact that it is landlocked so has no South China Sea claims of its own, many have been sceptical that it will be able to achieve any breakthrough during its year as ASEAN chair.

A draft copy of Laos' final statement to be issued later Monday, obtained by The Associated Press, makes no direct mention of China's claims, but does stress several times the need to respect the United Nations convention on the law of the sea.

Under that convention, a UN-backed tribunal ruled in 2016 that China's expansive claims in the South China Sea on historical grounds were invalid and that Beijing had violated the right of Filipinos to fish in the shoal.

China has refused to participate in the arbitration, rejected its outcome and continues to defy it.

In its statement, Laos says ASEAN discussed concerns of the land reclamations, activities, serious incidents in the area, including actions that put the safety of all persons at risk, and emphasised the importance of non-militarisation and self-restraint in the conduct of all activities by claimants.

Laos is the first ASEAN country that shares a border with Myanmar to serve as chair since the military seized control of the country in February 2021 from the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi.

ASEAN has developed a Five-Point Consensus plan for peace, which calls for the immediate cessation of violence, a dialogue among all concerned parties, mediation by an ASEAN special envoy, provision of humanitarian aid through ASEAN channels, and a visit to Myanmar by the special envoy to meet all concerned parties.

The military leadership in Myanmar has so far ignored the plan. At the same time, a humanitarian crisis is growing, with more than 2.6 million people forced from their homes due to escalating violence, according to the United Nations.

Laos has already sent its special envoy to Myanmar for meetings with the head of the ruling military council and other top officials in an attempt to make progress on the five-point consensus.

Myanmar has been prohibited from sending its foreign minister or any political representative to the ASEAN meetings since the end of 2021 when it blocked the group's envoy from meeting with Suu Kyi. It is represented in Luang Prabang by a non-political Foreign Ministry official instead.

In the draft of its final statement, Laos called Myanmar an integral part of ASEAN and said the group was committed to assisting Myanmar in finding a peaceful and durable solution to the ongoing crisis through the implementation of the five-point consensus. (AP)

(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 29 (ANI): Taiwan's government expressed gratitude towards the United States for reiterating its support for cross-strait peace following a round of high-level talks between National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held over the weekend, Central News Agency Taiwan reported on Sunday.

Washington and Beijing separately announced late Saturday that Sullivan and China's top diplomat Wang, who is also a Chinese Communist Party politburo member and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission, had met in Bangkok on Friday and Saturday.

Also Read | Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla Addresses 84th Conference of Presiding Officers of Legislative Bodies: Live Breaking News Headlines & Updates, January 29, 2024.

Both sides said that the round of talks was meant to follow up on the Woodside Summit held between President Joe Biden and President Xi Jinping last November.

The Central News Agency said in its report that the talks were part of an effort "to maintain open lines of communication and responsibly manage competition in the relationship as directed by the leaders," the White House said in its statement.

Also Read | North Korea: Kim Jong Un Oversees Tests Firing of Cruise Missiles Designed To Be Launched From Submarines.

According to the White House readout, Sullivan stressed that although the two world powers "are in competition, both countries need to prevent it from veering into conflict or confrontation."

Both sides spoke about a range of areas of cooperation that had also been discussed at the Woodside Summit, including issues related to Russia's war against Ukraine, the Middle East, North Korea, the South China Sea, and Burma.

Regarding the cross-strait issue, Sullivan "underscored the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait," according to the readout.

A separate press statement issued by China's foreign ministry, meanwhile, said Wang stressed during the two-day meeting that "the Taiwan question is China's internal affair, and the election in the Taiwan region cannot change the basic fact that Taiwan is part of China," referring to the presidential and legislative elections held in Taiwan on Jan. 13.

"'Taiwan independence' poses the biggest risk to cross-strait peace and stability and the biggest challenge to China-U.S. relations," Wang warned Sullivan during the Bangkok meeting, according to the Chinese press release.

"The U.S. side must abide by the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. Joint Communiques, translate its commitment of not supporting 'Taiwan independence' into action and support China's peaceful reunification," it added.

In response, Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on Sunday thanked the U.S. side for reiterating its support for cross-strait peace and stability.

MOFA also denounced Wang's remarks during the Bangkok meeting that "the Taiwan question is China's internal affair."

In its statement, MOFA reiterated that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is a sovereign and independent country and that neither the ROC nor the People's Republic of China (PRC) is subordinate to the other, Central News Agency Taiwan reported.

These facts and the status quo have long been recognized by the international community, with Taiwan's January 13 presidential election marking yet another demonstration of its "mature and healthy democracy" that received widespread international acclaim and congratulations from more than 100 countries around the globe, MOFA said.

"No distorted narrative on Taiwan's sovereign status by China can alter the fact nor the status quo," it added.

On Jan. 13, Vice President Lai Ching-te of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) won Taiwan's presidential election, helped by a split of the opposition vote that gave him a victory despite not receiving an absolute majority of the ballots cast.

With Lai's victory, the DPP has made history as the first political party in Taiwan to win three consecutive terms since the first direct presidential election was held in 1996. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Kyiv [Ukraine], January 29 (ANI): Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) said it has discovered a mass corruption scheme in the purchase of weapons amounting to nearly USD 40 million by the country's military, CNN reported.

According to the SBU, the embezzlement involved the purchase of 100,000 mortar rounds for Ukraine's Armed Forces in the fall of 2022.

Also Read | Drone Attack on US Base: Three American Soldiers Killed, 25 Injured in Drone Strike by Iran-Backed Military Groups in Jordan.

Ukraine's Defence Ministry paid nearly all of the funds to arms supplier Lviv Arsenal, but the SBU said the ammunition was never received. It said that some of the funds had been transferred to foreign accounts, including in the Balkans.

The investigation found that former and current high-ranking defence officials, the head and chief commercial of Lviv Arsenal, and a representative of a foreign commercial group were involved in the fraud, as per CNN.

Also Read | Israel-Hamas Conflict: CIA, Mossad, Qatar PM Mohammed Al-Thani Lead High-Stakes Talks in Paris on Gaza Hostage Release and Ceasefire.

According to CNN, the uncovering of a mass corruption scheme will have consequences for Ukraine as it continues to resist Russia's unrelenting invasion while trying to navigate a path into the European Union, which has made combating corruption a precondition of Ukraine's future membership.

CEO of Lviv Arsenal Yurii Zbitnev told local media that the person responsible for the ammunition contract has been fired and that the company is working with the defence ministry to return the funds to the state so they can be "used for more appropriate purposes."

The SBU said five people have been indicted, and one of them, a former defence ministry official, was detained while trying to cross the Ukrainian border. It said authorities are working to detain other suspects and that those charged could face up to 12 years in prison.

Ukraine's Deputy Defense Minister Dmytro Klymenkov in a statement on Saturday said: "The Ministry of Defence continues to fight uncompromisingly against those who embezzle from weapons procurement. We have no place for corrupt officials." (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Kanpur, January 29: A 48-year-old government college teacher died after he was allegedly locked in a room and set on fire in the Panki area of Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh. The incident happened on Sunday.

The teacher, Dayaram, called his younger brother Anuj on phone and informed him that one Sanjeev and his aides had locked him in a room in the Patrasa village and set it on fire. Uttar Pradesh Shocker: Girl Student Set on Fire by Youth in Ayodhya, Sustains 20% Burn Injuries; Accused Arrested.

Anuj rushed to the spot with police but by the time they could open the door, Dayaram had succumbed to burns. Police have detained Sanjeev for questioning. Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) Vijay Dhul inspected the incident site. Uttar Pradesh Shocker: Woman Set on Fire by Her In-Laws Over Dowry in Bareilly, Dies.

Charred body of the teacher was found in a room. His brother has accused four people, including his sister-in-law and her male friend of murder, he said. More details were awaited.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 29, 2024 10:06 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
In yet another successful conquest of foiling piracy bid, the Indian Navy warship INS Sumitra has safely rescued the fishing vessel Iman from Somali pirates. Indian Defence officials said, "The pirates have been disarmed and asked to move towards Somalia. The INS Sumitra has now moved out from the area." The ALH Dhruv choppers on board the warship had encircled the hijacked vessel to issue warnings to the pirates on board it, officials said. INS Sumitra intercepted the vessel, acted in accordance with the established SOPs to coerce the pirates for safe release of crew along with the boat & ensured successful release of all 17 crew members along with the boat. The FV was subsequently sanitised and released for onward transit. More details are awaited. Indian Navy Foils Piracy Bid: INS Sumitra Carries Out Rescue Operation on MV Iman Highjacked by Somali Pirates in Arabian Sea.

INS Sumitra Safely Rescues Iran Fishing Vessel Iman

Indian Navy warship INS Sumitra has safely rescued the fishing vessel Iman from Somali pirates. The pirates have been disarmed and asked to move towards Somalia. The INS Sumitra has now moved out from the area. The ALH Dhruv choppers on board the warship had encircled the pic.twitter.com/nnxDIlP8eT  ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2024

Indian Army Foils Piracy Bid

INS Sumitra, on Anti-Piracy Operations along the East coast of Somalia & the Gulf of Aden, responded to a distress message regarding hijacking of an Iranian flagged Fishing Vessel (FV) Iman. The FV had been boarded by pirates & the crew taken as hostages. INS Sumitra intercepted pic.twitter.com/sX4DLRU6NA  ANI (@ANI) January 29, 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.)
FOR THE TIMES

Before he exploded onto the scene of commercial screenwriting with his back-to-back scripts for Die Hard and The Fugitive, young Jeb Stuart wrote a screenplay in a college workshop program that showed enough promise to earn him a Hollywood agent. Now, that early script has been dusted off and made into a major motion picture, with Stuart himself directing, and it is a spectacular mess.

SwitchBack looks fabulous, with Oliver Woods cinematography providing breathtaking panoramas of the snow-clad Rockies, and the films action sequences and literal cliffhangers are first-rate in their design, stunt work and special effects. But beneath its high production gloss, and its casting of action pros Danny Glover and Dennis Quaid, is a story of jaw-dropping banality.

SwitchBack is a serial killer thriller, about an obsessed FBI agent following the bloody trail of a psychopath into the wintry wilderness of the Southwest. Quaids Frank LaCrosse is on a solo manhunt. The killer, Bob Goodall (Glover), has tricked the FBI into pinning his 18 murders on another man, but Frank, whos been after him for 18 months, knows better. Goodall kidnapped Franks 7-year-old son, just to get him taken off the case, and then sent him a riddle telling him how to get the boy back.

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*

It seems that Goodall wants to die, but he wants to do it as part of a game of hide-and-seek, and before Frank can get to the part where he might be able to sing Olly-olly-oxen-free!, he has to overcome local police resistance, a stupid subplot about a sheriffs election, clumsy attempts by his own agency to stop him, and the whims of mother nature.

You can feel the students hand all over this story. Stuart creates conflict and motivation out of thin air. The killers MO is to sever the femoral arteries of his random victims, but no explanation for that peculiar fetish is ever given. Nor do we learn why Goodall wants to die, or why hes suddenly killing all of his old friends.

In fact, the only plausible person in the film is R. Lee Ermeys Buck Olmstead, a wise old Texas sheriff who becomes Franks ally.

Frank is a one-note character played in a trance-like, monotone funk by Quaid. In contrast, Glover hams it up with relish as the villain. In the early going, when he and his hitchhiker (Jared Leto), a medical student dropout used first as a red herring, then a foil, and finally a messenger, are driving into the Rockies, Glovers gregarious manner is good fun.

But when his dark side is revealed, its almost laughably incongruous. He goes from charmer to maniac in a nanosecond, and right back again. Strobe Man. This is definitely a pathology worth exploring, but hey, Stuart is a screenwriter not a psychologist. If you want human dimension, if you want professionalism, rent Hitchcock.

* MPAA rating: R, for strong violence and several views of nude pinups. Times guidelines: Most killings occur off camera.

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SwitchBack

Danny Glover: Bob Goodall

Dennis Quaid: Frank LaCrosse

Jared Leto: Lane Dixon

R. Lee Ermey: Sheriff Buck Olmstead

A Pacific Western production, released by Paramount Pictures. Director Jeb Stuart. Producer Gale Anne Hurd. Executive producers Keith Samples, Mel Efros, Stuart. Screenplay by Stuart. Cinematographer Oliver Wood. Editor Conrad Buff. Production designer Jeff Howard. Music Basil Poledouris. Costumes Betsy Heimann. Running time: 1 hour, 58 minutes.

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* In general release throughout Southern California.
The state has awarded more than $4.4 million in contracts for a project at Auburn Correctional Facility.

According to the state Office of General Services, which awarded the contracts, three elevators in the prison's industry buildings will be updated. A spokesperson for the agency said the work will include new machine room equipment, an air conditioning unit for the machine room, controllers, elevators and elevator pit sump pumps.

A spokesperson for the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, which oversees state prisons, said meetings are being scheduled to plan for the project.

The largest contract was given to Bison Elevator Service, a Buffalo firm, for $2,533,192. Auburn-based Bouley Associates received a $1.3 million contract for its role in the project.

Other contracts include $394,000 to Upstate Companies I, $75,410 to Wilkins Mechanical and $73,475 to Michael Ferrauilo Plumbing and Heating.

The contracts were awarded Thursday. A timeline for the project wasn't immediately available.
On 26 January the Mexican branch of international NGO Save the Children denounced the arming of school children in Ayahualtempa, an indigenous village in Jose Joaquin de Herrera municipality, Guerrero state.

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On 26 January Kenyas high court ruled against the deployment of 1,000 Kenyan police officials to lead a multinational security support (MSS) mission to Haiti.

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On 27 January the US State Department announced that it is reviewing its sanctions policy on Venezuela after the countrys supreme court (TSJ) rejected an appeal by opposition presidential aspirantagainst a ban on her candidacy.

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During Cayman Islands' contemporary scene, characterized by the hustle of finance, exquisite dining experiences, and the allure of sun-soaked leisure, traces of an earlier era persist.

Throughout the island, heritage sites serve as poignant reminders of Cayman's rich and storied past.

Amid the modern bustle, these sites stand as beacons, offering glimpses into a bygone era.

Each one marks a chapter in Cayman Islands' history, contributing to the island's cultural tapestry.

As the island embraces the dynamics of finance, culinary excellence, and tropical recreation, the presence of Cayman Islands historical sites serves as a poignant connection to the country's roots, ensuring that the island's past remains an integral part of its vibrant present.

Pedro St. James

Pedro St. James, also known as Pedro Castle, is an estate in the Cayman Islands with an 18th-century origin, built by enslaved individuals and once owned by William Eden, according to Morritt's.

Beyond its architectural significance, it played a crucial role in Cayman's history, hosting events like the establishment of an elected parliament in 1831 and a court session leading to the end of slavery in 1835.

Today, it welcomes visitors to explore independently or through guided tours, featuring an immersive theatre that narrates the islands' history.

Pedro St. James stands as a living testament to Cayman's past and invites everyone to appreciate its enduring legacy.

READ NEXT: Popular Cayman Islands Beaches

Nurse Leila's House

The National Trust acquired Nurse Leila's House in 2006, recognizing its historical significance and honoring Nurse Leila's contributions to the Cayman Islands, Christopher Columbus Condo's noted.

Nurse Leila, a revered figure, was a Caymanian nurse, midwife, columnist, and church activist.

The house, a rare "wattle and daub" construction, is one of the few remaining on the island, reflecting Cayman's architectural history.

Nurse Leila's legacy includes delivering over a thousand Cayman babies in the house, which is currently undergoing comprehensive restoration.

Located on West Church Street in West Bay, the house, visible during restoration, stands as a poignant reminder of Cayman's heritage, inviting visitors to appreciate its unique history and the enduring legacy of a remarkable individual.

Fort George

Fort George, with roots dating back to the 1700s, is a historical landmark in Georgetown, Cayman Islands.

Initially built as a defense against potential Spanish threats, the well-preserved fort played a significant role in various geopolitical shifts and even during World War II.

Notable features include a lookout house in a cotton tree constructed using original doors and windows, symbolizing the islanders' vigilance against German submarines.

Located at the corner of Harbour Drive and Fort Street, Fort George invites visitors to explore its history and imagine its strategic importance during conflicts.

Its accessible entrance welcomes both locals and tourists to witness Cayman's resilience and its connection to global history.

The Mission House

Under the National Trust for the Cayman Islands, a historic home in Bodden Town dating back to the 1800s stands as one of the island's oldest dwellings, as per Welcome to Cayman.

Originally occupied by Presbyterian missionaries, the site offers a unique opportunity to experience the lifestyle of early settlers.

The National Trust ensures the preservation of this historic home, providing visitors with a glimpse into Cayman's past through its architecture and artifacts.

As a tangible link to the island's roots, the Cayman Islands historical site offers a journey through time, fostering an appreciation for Cayman's resilience and history.

READ MORE: Cuba Historic Landmarks

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Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Pedro St. James, Cayman Islands National Historic Site - From Cayman Islands National Attractions Authority
The Mexico City International Airport acknowledged a startling incident on Friday, revealing that a man opened an emergency exit and walked onto the wing of a parked AeroMexico plane that was awaiting takeoff on Thursday, AP reports.

The airport confirmed the individual had been handed over to the police, but the aftermath saw fellow passengers expressing dissatisfaction over a four-hour delay without proper ventilation or water.

AeroMexico Passenger's Dissent and Unconventional Heroism

The incident unfolded around 11:30 last Thursday, approximately three hours after the scheduled departure time of the AeroMexico flight bound for Guatemala, according to BBC.

A maintenance issue was cited as the cause of the delay, prompting the need for a plane change.

It remains unclear if the unidentified AeroMexico passenger responsible for the unconventional move is still in custody or faces any charges.

In response to the delay, irate passengers painted a different narrative.

A handwritten note, signed by at least 77 individuals on the flight, circulated on social media, asserting that the man's actions were undertaken "to protect everyone, with the support of everyone."

According to the note, the delay and lack of air created perilous conditions, and the man's intervention was viewed as saving lives.

"He saved our lives," the note emphasized, signifying a collective sentiment among those who experienced the ordeal.

Names and signatures accompanied the powerful statement, underscoring the unity among passengers during the unexpected incident.

READ NEXT: Mexico Farmers Take Over Sinaloa Airport

Mexico Airport and Incident Report Confirmation

The Mexico airport addressed the incident in a statement, asserting that the passenger opened the emergency door while the plane was stationary at a remote position, stood on the wing, and then re-entered the cabin.

The individual, in adherence to international security regulations, willingly surrendered to the authorities, ABC noted.

An incident report filed with airport authorities aligned with the AeroMexico passenger's perspective.

It detailed that at 11:37 am, a disturbance ensued due to discontent among passengers on flight AM672.

Originally scheduled for an 8:45 am departure, the plane had to return to the gate for mandatory maintenance, sparking dissatisfaction among travelers.

Subsequently, one passenger opened the emergency door and stepped onto the wing, necessitating a plane change.

"The passengers were unhappy, and one of them opened the emergency door and stepped out on the wing," the report said.

The identity of the involved passenger remains undisclosed, and airport authorities refrained from commenting on custody or potential charges.

Flight tracking sites verified a delay of four hours and 56 minutes for AeroMexico's flight AM672 to Guatemala City on Thursday.

A video circulated online, purportedly recorded during the delay, depicted passengers seeking relief from the heat and requesting water from a flight attendant.

As of now, AeroMexico has not responded to inquiries seeking comments on the unusual incident.

READ MORE: Kenya Court Stops Police Deployment to Haiti

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Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Video: Mexico Man Opens Emergency Exit, Strolls on Parked Plane's Wings | Top News - From Times of India
Venezuela may have some of its sanctions reinstated as the US is now reviewing its partial lifting of sanctions for the country after Maria Corina Machado's ban on holding an elected was reaffirmed by the South American country's Supreme Court.

The reaffirmation of the ban on Machado was condemned by the US government, as well as almost 30 conservative world leaders on Saturday. This has now led the US to review its partial lifting of sanctions against the Maduro regime.

"The United States is currently reviewing our Venezuela sanctions policy, based on this development and the recent political targeting of democratic opposition candidates and civil society," said US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller in a statement to the Associated Press.

Last year, the US and Venezuelan governments agreed that in exchange for Venezuela holding "free and fair elections" this year, the United States government would lift some of its sanctions against the Maduro government. The deal also made Maduro promise that he would lift the ban on opposition members who were barred from holding public office, including Machado.

The reaffirmation of the ban came months after Maria Corina Machado won the united opposition's primary election last October, where she won via a landslide, garnering over 90% of the vote. She won despite the Maduro government imposing a 15-year ban on her running for office.

She was reportedly banned from running for office because of alleged fraud and tax violations. Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro recently also accused her of being part of a "conspiracy" to overthrow him.

Venezuela Opposition Accuses Nicolas Maduro Regime of 'Repressive Escalation'

When it comes to current South American dictatorships, Nicolas Maduro is already up there with Nicaragua's Daniel Ortega. Experts say that his government's recent actions against the opposition are proving to be dictator-like as opposition members cry foul over the reaffirmation of Maria Corina Machado's ban.

READ MORE: Latin America Politics 2023: Election, Conflicts, Other Major Issues in the Region

Gerardo Blyde, the chief negotiator for Venezuela's opposition, blasted the Maduro regime and lamented that the elections Maduro promised may not be happening at all, saying, "It's not happening, and instead they're using the power of the state to begin a repressive escalation."

Blyde also denied Maduro's claim that there was a conspiracy to overthrow him, as Maduro and his allies call these conspiracies a "coup d'etat," Experts fear Maduro will use this as an excuse to cancel the election.

OAS Reacts To Venezuela Government Reaffirming Ban on Maria Corina Machado

The Organization of American States (OAS) also slammed the Venezuelan government over the ban against opposition candidate Maria Corina Machado. The organization stated that "the move eliminates any possibility of a free election this year."

It also slammed the regime over its "prosecution and political imprisonment of opponents," before accusing Maduro of having "no intention of allowing" a clean election.

"This dictatorial logic of political persecution and violation of the political rights of citizens - absolutely foreseeable and to be expected given the background of the regime - once again eliminates for Venezuela the possibility of free, fair and transparent elections," the OAS added in its statement, according to ABC News.

READ MORE: Guyana Culture: Essequibo Identifies More as Guyanase and Not With Venezuela

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Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Venezuela opposition leader Machado: 'The Maduro regime is in its weakest position ever' - FRANCE 24 English
There is a reason why Matt Gaetz ousted then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, and it had something to do with a House Ethics Committee probe being launched into his infamous child sex trafficking scandal, according to a report.

The report backs what now-former California Republican Rep. Kevin McCarthy said in an interview last month after he resigned from the House.

"We all know it's the ethics complaint on Gaetz. He's doing everything to make sure it doesn't come out, and that means he doesn't care about anything else," he said, per Vanity Fair.

Gaetz was publicly behind the effort to oust McCarthy as he gathered other far-right MAGA Republicans to vote with Democrats in the historic vote to oust the then-House Speaker. This was a historic vote as this was the first time in US history that a sitting Speaker of the House was ever ousted.

Since Gaetz and his colleagues went against McCarthy, the two Republican congressmen have been at each other's throats, often seen arguing on the House floor. McCarthy's ouster also led to a government shutdown crisis, though it eventually led to the Republicans agreeing on Mike Johnson to be the new Speaker of the House.

Matt Gaetz Singled Out Kevin McCarthy After Child Sex Trafficking Probe Was Launched, Says Report

The House Ethics Probe was started under Nancy Pelosi, but it was not scrapped under McCarthy but instead continued. The Florida Republican did not like that one bit, leading to his animosity toward the then-Republican House Speaker.

READ MORE: Matt Gaetz Caught Pushing Chinese Propaganda, Gets Called Out by Pentagon Official

"Gaetz indicated to a friend that his effort to undercut, isolate, and ultimately remove McCarthy was, indeed, payback for the ethics probe," a Daily Beast report noted, and it added that in the communications, Gaetz singled out McCarthy individually for reviving an Ethics Committee probe against him, and he indicated that his animus toward McCarthy was over that investigation."

Republican congressional sources spoke with the outlet, and they stated that "Gaetz also acknowledged his revenge motive behind closed doors." This included one instance where he spoke with other House colleagues and admitted that "his push to remove McCarthy was a direct response to the ethics investigation."

The report noted that the Florida Republican "specifically blamed McCarthy for the return of the probe," with a senior GOP congressional staffer also telling the outlet, "I've heard him complain about Kevin because of it."

New Witness in House Ethics Probe Includes a Woman Who Had Sex With Matt Gaetz as a Minor

The probe into the Matt Gaetz sex trafficking scandal finally moved forward when it was revealed that the House Ethics Committee is now talking to several new witnesses. A CNN report revealed that one of those said witnesses is a "woman whom the congressman allegedly had sexual relations with when she was a 17-year-old minor."

The committee also reached out to the DOJ and requested materials it gathered while investigating the controversial Florida congressman who stands accused of lobbying violations, sex trafficking of a minor, and possible obstruction of justice.

READ MORE: Republican Civil War Brewing? Matt Gaetz Turns on Marjorie Taylor Greene

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Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: House Republicans Are Zeroing In On Trafficking Allegations Against Matt Gaetz - The Ring of Fire
Argentina President Javier Milei declared his upcoming visit to Israel in the "coming weeks," marking one of his early international trips since assuming office as a libertarian economist last month, Reuters reports.

The announcement came during a Holocaust remembrance event in Buenos Aires, where President Milei expressed robust support for Israel amidst its ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza.

He emphasized that Argentina would not remain silent in the face of what he termed as "Hamas terror."

Eleven Argentines remain hostages, held by Hamas since the group's violent actions in Israel on October 7.

President Javier Milei, addressing the audience, disclosed his plans for the trip to the Holy Land, describing it as a new chapter in the brotherhood between Argentina and Israel.

Buenos Aires, home to a significant Jewish community, has seen Argentina President Javier Milei express his intention to convert to Judaism before taking office in December.

READ NEXT: Argentina Won't Join BRICS, Says President Javier Milei

International Context and Calls for Liberation

Argentina President Javier Milei's remarks came on the eve of International Holocaust Memorial Day and coincided with a ruling from The Hague's International Court of Justice, according to France 24.

The ruling emphasized Israel's obligation to prevent genocide in its retaliatory war with Hamas and urged the facilitation of aid into Gaza.

Javier Milei urged the liberation of the 11 Argentines among more than 100 hostages held in Gaza since the Hamas attack.

The self-described anarcho-capitalist, raised in a Catholic family, has openly spoken about his recent study of the Torah, the Jewish scripture.

His alignment with Jewish culture was evident when he visited the tomb of a revered rabbi in New York shortly after his election in November.

With a Jewish community of 250,000, one of the largest in Latin America, President Milei has positioned himself as a political ally of Israel.

He has hinted at the possibility of relocating Argentina's embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a stance taken even before his election victory.

Notably, President Milei had previously criticized Pope Francis but seemingly reconciled after the pope congratulated him on his win.

His Israel visit may coincide with a trip to Rome, where he is set to attend a ceremony to canonize an Argentine nun. Reports suggest a meeting with Pope Francis on February 12 during his stay in Rome.

Austerity and Political Support

In line with his emphasis on austerity, Javier Milei plans to travel on a commercial flight for his Israel visit, departing Buenos Aires on February 5, Buenos Aires Times noted.

During his time in Israel, he intends to visit both Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, demonstrating his unwavering political support for the Israeli government in the aftermath of the October 7 terror attacks by Hamas.

While there's a desire to use a commercial flight, some in President Milei's inner circle have considered the use of a military plane due to the complex situation in the Middle East.

His visit to Rome includes a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who has praised him as a fascinating personality.

Argentina President Javier Milei's confirmed schedule includes a visit to the Vatican on February 11, coinciding with the canonization ceremony of Maria Antonia Paz de Figueroa, also known as "Mama Antula," proclaimed as Argentina's first saint at St Peter's Basilica.

READ MORE: Largest Union in Argentina Holds 12-Hour Protest Against President Milei

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Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Who is Argentina's far-right and pro-Israel President-elect Javier Milei? - From TRT World
The independent special monitor investigating Donald Trump and the Trump Organization's financial statements found discrepancies in their filings, suggesting it could be tax evasion. The special monitor found that the former president and his company may have falsified disclosures over a $48 million loan.

The court-appointed monitor, former federal judge Barbara Jones, found that the Trump Organization filed disclosures that were riddled with errors. She wrote a letter to the court, which submitted her findings. The letter, obtained by The Daily Beast, also contained a footnote that indicated that the former president may have engaged in massive tax evasion.

The letter was reportedly delivered to update Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron regarding the special monitor's findings, which included financial information filed to her by Trump's own legal team. This financial information reportedly contained "incomplete" or "inconsistent" disclosures containing multiple "errors."

However, the independent monitor added that Trump and his businesses were "cooperative" with her investigation, according to Business Insider.

What Did Special Monitor Say About 'Errors' in Donald Trump Financial Statements

In her letter to Judge Engoron, former Judge Jones, the independent monitor, wrote, "When I inquired about this loan, I was informed that there are no loan agreements that memorialize the loan, but that it was a loan that was believed to be between Donald J. Trump, individually, and Chicago Unit Acquisition for $48 million."

This raised her eyebrows, adding, "However, in recent discussions with the Trump Organization, it indicated that it has determined that this loan never existed - and thus that it would be removed from any upcoming forms submitted to the Office of Government Ethics (OGE) and would also be removed from subsequent versions of MAML."

READ MORE: Donald Trump Prepared To Cry Foul and Repeat His Debunked Voter Fraud Claims Should He Lose

If what the former judge found was true, this could mean that the Trump Organization essentially admitted that "all the financial disclosures Trump has filed with the federal government listed an entirely fictional debt worth tens of millions of dollars, which Trump claimed he personally owed to one of his own companies."

Alan Garten, chief legal counsel for the Trump Organization, spoke with The Daily Beast and explained the inaccuracies, and simply stated, "That's one of many inaccuracies contained in the monitor's letter, which we will be addressing with the court."

Trump Organization Acknowledged Issues in Company and Donald Trump's Financial Statements

Despite this statement from the Trump Organization, however, the independent monitor's letter also revealed that the company acknowledged to her that the financial statements had issues when she asked them about it, according to ABC News.

"It is important to note that the Trump Organization acknowledged the disclosure issues described after I brought them to its attention and has been open to recommendations to improve accuracy and transparency," she wrote, adding that the company did implement changes to their disclosures and provided additional information following omissions.

She also noted that there were "Absent steps to address the items above, my observations suggest misstatements and errors may continue to occur, which could result in incorrect or inaccurate reporting of financial information to third parties."

READ MORE: Donald Trump is Confused Why Co-Defendants Sidney Powell, Jenna Ellis, Kenneth Chesebro Pleaded Guilty

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Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Trump Organization found guilty of tax fraud - CBS Evening News
US rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine is a free man, albeit conditionally, as a Dominican Republic judge ordered his conditional release after being arrested over domestic violence charges last week in the Caribbean country.

According to the Associated Press, the real-life Daniel Hernandez. who is actually of Mexican and Puerto Rican origin, was ordered to pay a $510 deposit. He was also ordered to undergo government counseling and meet with authorities every two months until they concluded their investigation that he allegedly assaulted his girlfriend, a Dominican rapper known as "Yailin."

In addition, the judge overseeing the case, Fatima Veloz, ordered that both sides be offered protection, as Tekashi 6ix9ine is a controversial rapper known for his gang affiliations back in the United States.

The American rapper's release was against the prosecution's wishes, with prosecutor Ana Andrea Villa Camacho telling the AP, "We know perfectly well why victims do not file a complaint, why victims recant."

The controversial rapper is no stranger to legal problems in the US and the Dominican Republic. This is the second time he was arrested in the Caribbean country, with the first one happening in October after he was accused of assaulting a local music producer. The attack allegedly happened after he and his partner finished recording at his music studio in the country.

Tekashi 6ix9ine Wore Bulletproof Vest and Helmet To Court in Dominican Republic

During that same hearing where he was conditionally released, US rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine arrived at the courthouse with a swarm of police escorts while wearing a helmet and a bulletproof vest while being shackled at the wrists.

A swarm of reporters were also present during the hearing, as a famous US rapper who collaborated with Nicki Minaj was on trial in the country.

READ MORE: Rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine Injured After Attack at Florida Gym

As for why he had been arrested, the New York Post reported that the rapper told police that his girlfriend, Yailin, whose real name is Jeorjina Guillermo-Diaz, repeatedly hit him and his car, even showing police evidence of the attack. Yailin soon admitted doing this, telling authorities that she wanted "to cause him financial hardship" because she was upset that he had "allegedly taken money and her passport from her."

The Dominican rapper then took to social media to accuse Tekashi 6ix9ine of having a history of domestic violence, stating that he often hit her and when she would retaliate, he would record it.

Tekashi 6ix9ine Has a Long List of Legal Woes

Before his recent legal troubles in the Dominican Republic, Tekashi 6ix9ine has been involved in plenty of legal controversies back in the United States, where he is originally from.

According to CBS News, he was previously accused of using a violent gang as a "personal hit squad" back in the US. However, he avoided serving prison time after turning on members of his previous gang, the Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods.

He ultimately landed in jail following racketeering and firearms charges,. He eventually got out but was then beaten up at a gym in Florida.

READ MORE: Haiti Crisis Explained: How Did It Get This Bad?

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Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine arrested in Palm Beach County - CBS Miami
Former senior Jiangxi provincial legislator indicted for bribery

Xinhua) 15:26, January 29, 2024

BEIJING, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Yin Meigen, a former senior legislator in east China's Jiangxi Province, has been prosecuted on charges of taking bribes, according to the Supreme People's Procuratorate.

Yin allegedly took undue advantage of his various positions and abused his power to seek profits for others, while also illegally accepting a particularly large sum of money and valuables in exchange.

Prosecutors had informed the defendant of his legal rights, interrogated him and listened to the defense counsel's arguments.

Following the conclusion of the investigations by the National Commission of Supervision, the People's Procuratorate of Sanming in east China's Fujian Province filed Yin's case with the city's intermediate people's court.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
With Gasgoo Daily, we will offer daily important automotive news in China. For those we have reported, the title of the piece will include a hyperlink, which will provide detailed information.

Cherys JETOUR brand launches JETOUR T2 in Dubai

JETOUR, the SUV-dedicated brand under Chery Holding, held a global debut ceremony for the JETOUR T2 model in Dubai, according to a Weibo post by Li Xueyong, the General Manager of Chery Automobile Marketing Company and JETOUR.

Photo credit: Weibo @Li Xueyong

GAC AION launches AION Y Plus in Hong Kong

On January 28, 2024, GAC AION made its official debut in Hong Kong at the "HELLO HONG KONG GAC AION Brand and AION Y Plus Product Launch Event" held in Kowloon. The highly anticipated AION Y Plus, the brand's first model, took center stage, accompanied by the impressive showcase of models such as the Hyper HT and SSR.

Dongfeng VOYAH partners with JD.com

Dongfeng VOYAH announced on January 29 a strategic partnership with e-commerce giant JD.coms automotive arm at the JD.com headquarters in Beijing, unveiling the "Lan Jing Plan." This collaboration aims to leverage their respective strengths in the automotive and e-commerce sectors, facilitating comprehensive domestic and international expansion in the automotive industry.

DreamSmart Group forays into Southeast Asia with MYVU AR smart glasses

DreamSmart Group, also known as Xingji Meizu Group, inked an international distribution agreement with Malaysia's Digital Way Group to extend presence in the Southeast Asian market, catering to consumers in 11 countries, including Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam.

Intelligent driving solution developer FORVISION raises nearly 100 million yuan

Suzhou-based intelligent driving solution developer FORVISION successfully raised nearly 100 million yuan in a recent funding round, with primary investments from Oriza PE and SND Financial Holdings.

AutoX permitted to conduct RoboTaxi road tests with empty drivers seat in Guangzhou city

In January 2024, Chinese autonomous driving tech firm AutoX's RoboTaxi received approval to conduct intelligent connected vehicle remote testing with an empty drivers seat in Guangzhou city.

Farizon Autos Methanol-Hydrogen Technology raises $100 million in first financing round

On January 29, Methanol-Hydrogen Technology, which is under the umbrella of Geely's Farizon New Energy Commercial Vehicle Group ("Farizon Auto"), announced the completion of its first round of financing, attracting multiple strategic investors and renowned investment institutions.

Farizon Auto, CNCEC form strategic cooperation in methanol industry

On January 28, the strategic cooperation signing ceremony between Geely's Farizon New Energy Commercial Vehicle Group ("Farizon Auto") and China National Chemical Construction Investment Group ("CNCEC") took place in Beijing. The collaboration aims to advance the development of the methanol industry, methanol trade, promotion of new energy and methanol commercial vehicles, and joint construction of industrial parks.

BAIC Group, Bosch, SinoHytec co-build CAVAN new energy commercial vehicle brand

New energy commercial vehicle brand CAVAN was officially launched through a collaboration between Foton Motor, Bosch's investment arm Bosch Venture Capital, Boyuan Capital, SinoHytec, and BAIC Capital, according to a WeChat post on BAIC Groups official account on January 28.

WeRide deploys L4 self-driving sanitation vehicles in Zhengzhou, Henan Province

On January 26, the inauguration ceremony of the autonomous sanitation project in Zhengzhou Economic Development Zone was successfully held, marking a significant collaboration between leading autonomous driving technology company WeRide, Zhengzhou City Administration Bureau, Zhengzhou Economic Development Zone Management Committee, and Ourland Environmental Technology Co., Ltd.

VOYAH to expand into Southern Europe with upcoming entry into Spain, Portugal

Dongfeng Motor's premium new energy vehicle brand, VOYAH, is set to make its mark in Southern Europe with the visit of a delegation led by Salvador Caetano's CEO, Sergio Ribeiro.

XPeng renovates Zhaoqing plants production line for upcoming new car model

In a recent ceremony held at the Guangdong Zhaoqing factory, Chinese new energy vehicle XPeng launched the renovation of its production line for a new vehicle model.

DiDi, CATL announce formation of battery swapping joint venture

On January 26, Chinese ride-hailing giant Didi Chuxing ("DiDi") and leading battery manufacturer CATL officially announced the establishment of a joint venture for battery swapping business in Ningde City, Fujian Province, according to a post on CATL's WeChat account.
Trust Trine

Characters come onto the scene at a particular moment. The beginning of their storyline in the play isnt the beginning of their story in general. The earth sign trine calls for context. Just as actors create a sense of realism by delving into their characters backstory, when we bring a bit of our personal history to bear on the main action, it helps to foster trust and build bonds.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Heed your risk-averse mood. It has nothing to do with being afraid and everything to do with being smart. You may not have thought of it yet, but theres a way to get your prize while incurring minimal risk.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Your inner circle moves with you because you are all connected with invisible bonds. When one moves, the whole circle does. Today, you and yours have a common goal, though you may not realize it. Youll arrive together.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You deserve the encouragement and uplift coming your way. Youll hear specifically about what youre doing thats working and whats not, and youll appreciate what you learn about your work and talent.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). A good idea taken to the extreme is a bad idea. A good idea unapplied is innocuous at best, a waste at worst, and generally useless. The success formula is a fair amount of effort invested in a good idea.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Kindness has many different looks. Today, it looks like a challenge or a game. It looks like the truth or like a silly distraction from the truth. Whatever behavior you are observing, you can assume its rooted in good intention.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). The adage suggests, no guts, no glory -- but you have all the guts and are not interested in glory in the least. Youll apply your guts to fun, humor, dances of attraction and other endeavors that require risk, without which there is no reward.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). With a clear head and deliberate action, youll hit your stride on this productive day. Pick up the pace a few notches, but dont rush. Stay balanced and in control, executing one task at a time.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Just as there a few different ways to get to the grocery store, there are numerous routes to love. Whichever you take, its safe to assume youre on the right road for you at this time. Youll get there.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Youll prove your mental strength, not by lifting heavy thoughts but by dropping them. Youll identify the thoughts that make you unhappy, pick them up, open your hands and let go. What follows is happiness.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). It will be lucky to talk about what you know, especially because you will leave plenty of room for the knowledge of others, even the sort that clashes with yours. Colliding ideas lead to new realizations.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Youll encounter someone fascinating. Life feels more vivid when youre intrigued. The connection could take any number of forms and may manifest in the shape of a mentorship, crush, a level of fandom or other.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Your project has great significance to others, perhaps fulfilling wishes they cant fulfill on their own, or providing a vicarious thrill. Focusing on the need you meet gives you extra motivation to succeed.

TODAYS BIRTHDAY (Jan. 29). You got it -- and you cant hide it. The world needs your expression and wont let you blend in the background. Your enthusiasm makes a difference. Your love heals. Your exceptional work connects and lifts people. More highlights: three short adventures, physical goals achieved, love letters and praise galore. Gemini and Capricorn adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 13, 2, 20, 12 and 34.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Ive learned so much from you all, and I look forward to 2024 filled with more learning and more growing, said Oprah Winfrey in her 2023 year-end message to readers. For Winfrey, radiating Aquarian ideals includes a lifelong commitment to learning and forwarding the interests of humanity. Natal sun, Venus and Mercury in the sign of philanthropy makes complete sense for the mogul who gives millions to charities, including several foundations of her own creation.

Holiday Mathis debut novel, How To Fail Epically in Hollywood, is out now! This fast-paced romp about achieving Hollywood stardom is available as a paperback and ebook. Visit http://www.creatorspublishing.com for more information. Write Holiday Mathis at HolidayMathis.com.

COPYRIGHT 2024 CREATORS.COM
Keem Bay beach on Achill Island is the only beach in Ireland to be named as one of the top 100 beaches in the world by travel publisher Lonely Planet.

The Achill beauty spot is one of 30 European beaches to get a mention in Lonely Planets new book, Best Beaches: 100 of the Worlds Most Incredible Beaches.

Keem Bay is the jewel in the crown of Mayo's tourism destinations and its beauty wowed the Lonely Planet authors who described it as 'vertiginous yet jaw-droppingly beautiful' and 'one of Irelands most glorious, secluded strands.

A vertiginous yet jaw-droppingly beautiful 4.9-mile (8km) drive from Keel village, at the distant western end of County Mayos Achill Island, sets the scene for one of Irelands most glorious, secluded strands. Sloping green hillsides spill down to a deep-set horseshoe bay, where a Blue-Flag delight of a pale-blonde beach sits framed by the Croaghaun Cliffs (Irelands highest sea cliffs) and the thundering moody-blue Atlantic, wrote Lonely Planet when describing Keem.

Keem Bay has won numerous accolades for its stunning beauty and was one of the locations used during the filming of the Academy Award nominated movie, 'The Banshees of Inisherin'.

The majority of the 30 European beaches included in the Lonely Planet guide are located in sunny southern Europe with four in the UK.

Amongst the other beaches included in the list include the world famous Ipanema Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Bondi Beach in Sydney, Venice Beach in Los Angeles and Blue Lagoon Beach in Fiji.
A veterinary hospital is being sought for one business park located within South Kildare.

Port Meadow Veterinary Holding Limited is seeking planning permission from Kildare County Council to construct the veterinary hospital in Block 2 of the Link Business Park, Naas Road, in Kilcullen.

According to the application, Port Meadow Veterinary Holding Ltd intends to to retain the existing industrial unit, and the company is also applying for permission for the subsequent change of use from industrial use to veterinary hospital.

This change of use would include elevation changes being made to the front and side of the unit.

Permission is also being sought for all associated site works and services.

The date received is listed as January 25, while the submission-by and due dates are listed as February 28 and March 20 respectively.

Port Meadow Veterinary Holding Ltd was established in September of 2014, according to the business information website vision-net.ie.

The company has an address listed as Unit 2, Ida Industrial Estate, Monread Road, Naas, County Kildare.
NOVASPARKS EXPANDS ITS COVERAGE OF THE WIRELESS MARKET





The Leading FPGA-Powered Market Data Company Adds the Support of the Quincy QED Wireless Feed to NovaTicktm

NEW YORK and LONDON and PARIS, Jan. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Quincy Data, powered by McKay Brothers, and NovaSparks, the leading field programmable gate array (FPGA) market data company, worked together to add the support of the Quincy Extreme Data (QED) Feed to NovaTicktm. NovaTicktm is NovaSparks' ultra-low latency ticker-plant based on a powerful FPGA matrix architecture. It handles the high-performance requirements of electronic trading platforms with the speed and determinism that only FPGAs can bring. NovaTicktm converts the QED feed into NovaSparks' normalized wire format in 400ns and can also provide the QED wireless market data through its software C++ Application Programming Interface (API), NSMDA, or its hardware API, NovaLinktm. Arbitration between the QED wireless feed and the QED fiber feed can also be added in front of the feed handler in NovaTicktm to provide a reliable normalized stream of market data.

FPGA-Powered Market Data Company

"The vast majority of our customers are trading across geographies and asset classes. Often, they rely on wireless services to transport market data at the fastest speed. This collaboration will not only simplify their trading architecture, but it will also give them an opportunity to further reduce the overall latency of market data sent abroad via wireless services. The addition of the QED feed brings our global feed total to 75, confirming our leading position among all the FPGA-centric market data solutions providers. This puts us in a unique position to offer unparalleled service," said Luc Burgun, NovaSparks' chief executive officer and president.

"Today, FPGA technology is an essential component of any high-speed trading infrastructure. FPGAs are able to handle very large market data bursts while maintaining a deterministic latency profile. The Quincy Extreme Data service distributes a normalized feed of select market data sourced from financial exchanges globally to many points of presence (PoPs) in the U.S., Europe, India, and Asia. We welcome NovaSparks into our ecosystem. This new solution will give all NovaSparks customers a very efficient way to use market data from our wireless service directly into their trading platforms," says Stephane Tyc, Quincy Data co-founder.

NovaTick's pure FPGA processing architecture is incredibly fast and deterministic, yielding one to two orders of magnitude faster than traditional software solutions. NovaSparks' pure-FPGA feed handlers have a normalized output format across markets, enabling NovaSparks customers to integrate new feeds with minimum effort.

"Support of the QED feed by NovaTicktm allows us to benefit from the tight integration we already have between NovaTicktm and our trading platform," says Alain Katchouni, Managing Director, Head of ETF and Electronic Trading at National Bank Financial Inc., one of Canada's six systemically important banks. "This new addition simplifies and accelerates our trading environment when we use Quincy Extreme Data service," added Katchouni.

About Quincy Data

Quincy Data distributes more wireless financial market data globally than any other provider. The Quincy Raw Data (QRD) and Quincy Protected Data (QPD) services in New Jersey offer US equity markets content in native exchange formats to the key trading hubs. QRD is the lowest latency market data service for most important US equity exchanges. The Quincy Extreme Data (QED) service offers normalized data at the lowest latency from major exchanges located in the US, Europe and Asia. Learn more at www.quincy-data.com.

About NovaSparks

NovaSparks is the leader in FPGA-based high performance and ultra-low latency trading solutions for financial markets. NovaTicktm, its flagship Ticker Plant product, supports 75 feeds across the major Equities, Futures and Options trading venues in North America, Europe and Asia. It is packaged in scalable 'easy-to-deploy' appliances or in 'tightly coupled' PCIe cards. NovaSparks FPGA-based feed handlers deliver normalized market data, including order book building and multi-feed consolidation with sub microsecond processing latency, even during market peaks period. The NovaSparks open FPGA trading development platform can extend this level of performance to the entire trading cycle. NovaTicktm also includes advanced built-in functions to support and optimize the use of wireless infrastructures.

The company is headquartered in Paris (France), New York City (USA) and has offices in London (UK), Nantes (France), Athens (Greece) and Bangkok (Thailand).

Follow us on X: @NovaSparksFPGA.

SOURCE NovaSparks

29 january 2024 at 06:00

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KFSH&RC-Madinah Receives Prestigious 2023 Press Ganey Human Experience Guardian of Excellence Award









RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSH&RC) in Madinah has won the 2023 Human Experience Guardian of Excellence Award by Press Ganey for its exceptional performance in outpatient services throughout the past year. This prestigious recognition honored a distinguished group of healthcare institutions, from approximately 1500 facilities globally, for being amongst the top 5% performers in patient experience in one year.

Through this award, Press Ganey, a leading global organization in measuring and enhancing patient experience, reflects KFSH&RC's commitment to delivering top-tier healthcare solutions and outstanding patient experiences across various healthcare services within an integrated education and research setting.

As a leading institution dedicated to placing the human experience at the core of healthcare, KFSH&RC-Madinah has secured a notable position among the top five percent of accredited healthcare providers, recognized for excellence in patient experience, employee satisfaction, safety, and clinical care quality performance.

Dr. Nizar Khalifa, GM of KFSH&RC-Madinah, stated: "This achievement is the result of our continuous efforts to prioritize patients, foster positive employee experiences, and achieve effective clinical outcomes, emphasizing our commitment to delivering healthcare excellence to the highest standards, prioritizing both our employees and our community alike."

The 2023 Press Ganey Award ceremony is set to be announced later in February. As KFSH&RC celebrates this distinction with its dedicated staff, partners, and the community, it reaffirms its ongoing commitment to adopting an approach that focuses on humanity and a patient-centric mindset, aligning with the healthcare transformation program outlined in Saudi Vision 2030, actively contributing to the realization of a healthier and more vibrant society.

King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre stands among the global leaders in providing specialized healthcare, driving innovation, and serving as an advanced medical research and education hub. Through strategic partnerships with prominent local, regional, and international institutions, the hospital is dedicated to advancing medical technologies and elevating healthcare standards worldwide.

:About King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSH&RC)

King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSH&RC) stands as a leading healthcare institution in the Middle East, envisioned to be the optimal choice for every patient seeking specialized healthcare. The hospital boasts a rich history in treating cancers, cardiovascular diseases, organ transplantation, neurosciences, and genetics.

In 2023, "Brand Finance" ranked King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre as the top academic medical center in the Middle East and Africa and among the top 20 globally. Additionally, in 2022, it was recognized as one of the leading global healthcare providers by Newsweek magazine.

As part of Saudi Vision 2030, a royal decree was issued on December 21, 2021, to transform the hospital into an independent, non-profit, government-owned entity, paving the way for a comprehensive transformation program to achieve global leadership in healthcare through excellence and innovation.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/22c5c112-3a86-42fe-9f41-6b58b16e0d06

29 january 2024 at 06:30

News published onand distributed by:
United Lithium Appoints Anoop Prihar as Vice President Corporate Development, and Commences Scandinavian Marketing Campaign





VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- United Lithium Corp. ("United" or the "Company") (CSE: ULTH; OTC: ULTHF; FWB: 0UL) is pleased to announce that Anoop Prihar has joined the Company as Vice President Corporate Development. Mr. Prihar has over twenty-five years of experience as an institutional sell-side equity analyst with a focus on the mining sector. The Company has also commenced a Scandinavian focused marketing and awareness campaign to introduce the investment community to United's local lithium projects in Sweden and Finland.



Appointment of Vice President Corporate Development

Mr. Prihar has worked as an institutional sell-side equity analyst for over twenty-five years at Stifel GMP and Eight Capital in Toronto, Canada. During this time, he covered a variety of sectors including: Metals and Mining, Fertilizers, Real Estate, Non-Bank financials, Clean-Tech and Industrials. For the last five years, Mr. Prihar covered the Battery Metals sector with a focus on emerging lithium, nickel and graphite producers. Mr. Prihar has been recognized as a top ranked analyst by both Brendan Wood International and Reuters Investment Survey. He also serves as a member of the Finance, Risk, Audit and Investment Committee of the Oakville Hospital Foundation and holds an MBA with a concentration in Finance from the University of Western Ontario.

Mr. Prihar remarked, "I am excited to be joining the team responsible for capturing the commercial potential of United. The European Union's ("EU") Critical Raw Materials Act is designed to ensure the region has access to a secure and sustainable supply of strategic raw materials. By providing economic incentives and streamlining the permitting process, the EU's Critical Raw Materials Act aims to ensure the EU is able to extract 10% of its lithium requirements by 2030. Given the exploration results achieved to-date at our Bergby Project in Sweden, along with the Project's access to infrastructure and management's track record for creating value, I am optimistic about the outlook for the Company."

"Over the coming weeks, I will be presenting the key attributes of United's business strategy and near-term objectives to the investment community. As part of this process, United plans to participate in various conferences and awareness programs."

Engagement of Scandinavian Alliance for Nordic Marketing and Awareness Campaign

The Company also announces that it has entered into a consulting services agreement dated January 26, 2024, with Karlsson Group Limited, doing business as Scandinavian Alliance ("SA"), for a period of six (6) months. SA will undertake a wide-ranging European marketing and awareness campaign, including consulting marketing services, such as managing brand recognition and awareness, social media strategy and planning, social media reporting and other similar services, broadening the Company's Scandinavian audience where its core lithium projects are located.

In consideration for the services, the Company will pay SA an aggregate amount of CAD$110,922. SA does not have an interest, directly or indirectly, in the Company and its securities, or any right or intent to acquire any such interest. SA's head office is at 1203, 12/F, Tower 3, China Hong Kong City, 33 Canton Road, Tsimshatsui, Hong Kong. These services are expected to be provided by Mr. Paul Druce, Managing Partner at SA, and he can be reached by phone at +46 8 559 26 709 or [email protected].

Incentive Stock Option Grant

The Company also announces that it has granted incentive stock options to Mr. Prihar to acquire an aggregate of 100,000 common shares in the capital of the Company at an exercise price of $1.05 (the "Options"), in accordance with its 10% rolling Incentive Stock Option Plan. The Options vest immediately upon grant and are exercisable for a period of sixty months.

About the Bergby Project

Bergby consists of ten exploration licenses covering 7,897 ha located near the coast of the Gulf of Bothnia in central Sweden. The Project is approximately 200 km north of Stockholm via highway E4 and 25 km north of the city of Gavle, within an area of significant infrastructure including highway and road access, railway, power, and the port of Norrsundet. Gavle is a proximal labour and supply hub. Furthermore, Bergby is 570 km south of the new Northvolt lithium battery gigafactory located in Sweden, and 440 km across the Gulf of Bothnia from Keliber Lithium's hydroxide plant currently under construction. The Project now comprises five drill-confirmed spodumene bearing pegmatites (Pegmatite A to E), with a combined strike length of more than 4,000 m. There are unexplained spodumene-bearing boulder trains and much of the property remains unexplored, highlighting the excellent potential at Bergby for further discovery.

On Behalf of The Board of Directors

"Scott Eldridge"

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

About United Lithium Corp.

United Lithium Corp. (CSE: ULTH) is an exploration & development company energized by the global demand for lithium. The Company is targeting lithium projects in politically safe jurisdictions with advanced infrastructure that allows for rapid and cost-effective exploration, development, and production opportunities.

The Company's consolidated financial statements and related management's discussion and analysis are available on the Company's website at https://unitedlithium.com/ or under its profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. All statements included in this news release, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements including, without limitation, statements with respect to the potential of the Bergby Project; the potential identification of new discoveries; timing and successful execution SA's European marketing and awareness campaign. Forward-looking statements include predictions, projections and forecasts and are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "potential", "target", "budget" and "intend" and statements that an event or result "may", "will", "should", "could" or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions and includes the negatives thereof.

Forward-looking statements are based on the reasonable assumptions, estimates, analysis, and opinions of the management of the Company made in light of its experience and its perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management of the Company believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date that such statements are made. Forward-looking information is based on reasonable assumptions that have been made by the Company as at the date of such information and is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may have caused actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to: risks associated with mineral exploration and development; metal and mineral prices; availability of capital; accuracy of the Company's projections and estimates; realization of mineral resource estimates, interest and exchange rates; competition; stock price fluctuations; availability of drilling equipment and access; actual results of current exploration activities; government regulation; political or economic developments; environmental risks; insurance risks; capital expenditures; operating or technical difficulties in connection with development activities; personnel relations; contests over title to properties; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The estimate of mineral resources may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, sociopolitical, marketing, or other relevant issues. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable, including but not limited to the price of lithium and other metals and minerals; the demand for lithium and other metals and minerals; the ability to carry on exploration and development activities; the timely receipt of any required approvals; the ability to obtain qualified personnel, equipment and services in a timely and cost-efficient manner; the ability to operate in a safe, efficient and effective matter; and the regulatory framework regarding environmental matters, and such other assumptions and factors as set out herein. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate and actual results, and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information contained herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. The forward-looking information contained herein is presented for the purpose of assisting investors in understanding the Company's expected financial and operational performance and the Company's plans and objectives and may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.





29 january 2024 at 07:00

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Oricell Announces FDA Clearance of IND Application for OriCAR-017, a novel GPRC5D Targeted CAR-T Cell Therapy Utilizing the Company's Proprietary Platform, for the Treatment of Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma.





SHANGHAI and ROSELAND, N.J., Jan. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Oricell Therapeutics (Oricell), a clinical-stage biotechnology company, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared the company's Investigational New Drug (IND) application for OriCAR-017 for patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (R/R MM). OriCAR-017 is a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy targeting GPRC5D. The therapy leverages Oricell's proprietary platforms including OriAb antibodies, OriCAR construct and unique CMC know-how to achieve optimal binding and superior persistence and anti-tumor efficacy out of rejuvenated CAR-T cells. The IND enables Oricell to initiate the clinical development for OriCAR-017 in the US immediately.

The FDA IND approval for OriCAR-017 follows its NMPA IND approval in 2023 and the publication of clinical results from an Investigator Initiated Trial (POLARIS study) at the 2022 ASCO, 2022 EHA and The Lancet Haematology. The data showed that all ten patients with R/R MM responded to the therapy per IMWG criteria, achieving a 100% overall response rate (ORR), 80% stringent complete response. 100% minimal residual disease (MRD) negative rate was detected at day 28 and further confirmed at month 3. The therapy was well-tolerated, with no Immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS), no cerebellar disorder, no delayed infections, and only Grade 1/Grade 2 CRS that resolved rapidly. Of the ten R/R MM patients, 40% had extramedullary disease (EMD), 50% received prior BCMA CAR-T treatment(s), 70% had high-risk cytogenetics, and 70% with ECOG 2, 80% at ISS stage II & III.

"The evidenced superior safety, efficacy and durability profile of OriCAR-017 is truly exciting and will significantly benefit multiple myeloma patients on a global scale. Ten years' R&D cumulates not only OriCAR-017 but also the robust and integrated technology platforms that generate one-of-its-kind CAR-T products for liquid and solid tumors," said Peter He, Co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Oricell.

"Exceptional teamwork is what Oricell relies upon. The fact that we were able to complete technical transfer from China to the U.S. in five months speaks for the standard of our teamwork." Helen Yang, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Oricell further stated that, "With a great team and support from our stakeholders, we are confident in our ability to delivering best-in-class cell therapies to patients, providing them new hope and possibilities."

About Oricell Therapeutics

Oricell is a clinical-stage biotechnology company, dedicated to developing innovative cell therapies to address unmet medical needs in oncology and immunology around the world. Via OriAb, OriCAR technology platforms and unique CMC know-how, Oricell has established unparalleled expertise in antibody screening and tuning, tumor immune microenvironment regulation, T cell infiltration, metabolism and killing ability. For more information, please visit: www.oricell.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" which are not historical facts, but instead are predictions about future events based on the beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the management of Oricell Therapeutics Holdings Limited (the "Company" or "Oricell"). The words "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "should," "target," "will," "would" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company, or industry results, to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievement implied by such forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE Oricell Therapeutics

29 january 2024 at 08:08

News published onand distributed by:
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Volkswagen Group ("the Group") announced on Jan. 29 that Thomas Ulbrich, previously a Member of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen Brand for "New Mobility," will assume the position of leading Technical Development for the Group in China starting from April 1, 2024.

In his new role, Ulbrich, who has already held two managerial positions for the Group in China, will continue to promote the technological localization of the portfolio. He takes over from Marcus Hafkemeyer, who, leveraging his extensive experience in China, will contribute to the company's transformation in a new role within the Group.

"The Volkswagen Group's 'In China, for China' strategy is about systematically adapting to the dynamic changes taking place in Chinas automotive industry. A high degree of localization will allow us to cater to the wishes of our Chinese customers. I would like to thank Marcus Hafkemeyer, whose outstanding personal commitment and broad expertise in China have really moved forward Technical Developments regional focus, for example through the establishment of our new development center in Hefei," said Ralf Brandstatter, Member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG for the China region and CEO of Volkswagen Group China.

Thomas Ulbrich; photo credit: Volkswagen Group

"Thomas Ulbrich, one of our top development and software experts, will now continue to advance the localization and networking of our Group's development activities in the region. Ulbrich has exceptional expertise in important future technologies and excellent connections in the company and the China region. One of his priorities will therefore be to further strengthen the collaboration with our joint venture companies FAW-Volkswagen, SAIC Volkswagen and Volkswagen Anhui. I firmly believe that this will be an important source of impetus in our transformation to smart e-mobility", Brandstatter added.

In his new capacity, Thomas Ulbrich will additionally serve as the CEO of Volkswagen China Technology Company ("VCTC") located in Hefei, eastern China. VCTC, the largest development center for the Group outside of Germany, functions as the central development unit for Volkswagen Group China, with a specific emphasis on the advancement of intelligent, fully connected electric vehicles.

VCTC will play a crucial role in the development of tailor-made models for the Chinese market. Among the ongoing projects is the creation of the inaugural local electric platform, serving as the foundation for upcoming Volkswagen-branded models in China starting in 2026.

Harnessing streamlined development methodologies and cutting-edge technologies, VCTC is set to slash the time to market for vehicles and components by an impressive 30%. The achievement of this goal will be facilitated through tight integration of development efforts with joint venture entities SAIC Volkswagen, FAW-Volkswagen, and Volkswagen Anhui, along with strategic collaborations with Gotion High-tech (specializing in batteries) and the Chinese automaker XPENG. Additionally, key partners including Horizon Robotics (specializing in autonomous driving), ARK (focusing on user experience), and Thundersoft (specializing in infotainment) will be seamlessly integrated into the collaborative ecosystem. This collective effort will work in tandem with Volkswagen's software division, CARIAD, ensuring a holistic and synergistic approach to technological innovation in the automotive sector.

Following a groundbreaking phase, the "New Mobility" department of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand's Board of Management will be seamlessly integrated into the Technical Development (TE) division as part of the planned strategy, ensuring streamlined structures and enhanced collaboration. Thomas Ulbrich played a pivotal role in piloting and establishing novel software development processes for electric vehicles based on the MEB platform within the "New Mobility" department. The seamless transition of these initiatives to MQBevo has been successfully executed as per the initial plan, marking the accomplished mission of the New Mobility division. Kai Grunitz, Member of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen brand responsible for Technical Development, will spearhead technical project management for future technologies and developments, consolidating these endeavors under a single roof.
Vital's Scientific Publication on Sepsis Paves Way for Predictive Analytics Tools





Vital, a leading artificial intelligence- (AI) driven digital health company, announced a significant milestone with the publication of a groundbreaking peer-reviewed scientific publication in the Journal of Medical Internet Research AI (JMIR AI). The paper focuses on sepsis prediction, marking a crucial step in Vital's ongoing commitment to delivering solutions that drive better patient outcomes while providing a positive patient experience.

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that must be treated promptly and is often difficult to detect, even by experienced physicians, in its earliest stages. The peer-reviewed paper, "Sepsis Prediction at Emergency Department Triage Using Natural Language Processing: Retrospective Cohort Study," highlights the power of artificial intelligence (AI) in predicting sepsis at the earliest stages.

"For years, Vital has helped improve patient experience scores, follow-up adherence, and patient understanding," said Vital's CEO Aaron Patzer. "And we're improving outcomes as well. Early inpatient outcomes appear to be shaving 0.5-days off the average inpatient stay, which is non-trivial. Our latest research on sepsis prediction reinforces this track record of patient impact."

The study reveals that sepsis can accurately be predicted at initial emergency department (ED) presentation, using nursing triage notes and clinical information available within the patient's medical record at the time of triage. This breakthrough indicates that machine learning (ML) and natural language processing (NLP) can facilitate timely and reliable alerting for intervention, and holds significant potential for saving lives.

Findings include:

Timely sepsis prediction: The research demonstrates that ML algorithms can accurately predict sepsis at ED presentation, enabling healthcare providers to intervene promptly and enhance patient care. The manuscript features a dual-model sepsis prediction system. The time-of-triage and comprehensive models, respectively, predicted sepsis each with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.94 and up to 0.97. Sepsis was accurately predicted in 76% of septic patients where sepsis screening was not initiated at triage and 98% of cases where sepsis screening was initiated at triage.

Utilizing free-text data: The paper emphasizes the importance of free-text data (e.g., free-form notes from a triage nurse during initial patient assessment that are entered into the patient's electronic medical record) in improving the performance of predictive modeling at the time of triage and throughout the ED course. This opens new avenues for using unstructured data to drive better patient outcomes.

Prediction explainability: The manuscript illustrates how model-based sepsis predictions can be explained by highlighting key words and/or phrases that are suggestive or non-suggestive of sepsis in nursing triage documentation and clinical information.

To coincide with this publication, Vital is announcing future plans to deliver solutions that use predictive analytics to notify physicians and staff about quality and safety issues. Vital's chief medical officer and practicing emergency department physician, Dr. Justin Schrager shared, "Vital is currently beta testing our sepsis model within our client community. The results continue to encourage and validate the need for us to double down on predictive analytics, solidifying our position as leaders in AI who are committed to innovation."

"While I'm proud of Vital's usage metrics, the Google ratings we've helped clients achieve, and hospitals' ROI, I'm certainly looking forward to one day putting a big meter on the website: number of healthy years created," Patzer added.

About Vital:

Vital is on a mission to radically improve patient experience with software that gives more control, clarity, and predictability to care. Using advanced artificial intelligence (AI), Vital transforms complex health record data into easy-to-use, personalized interfaces that engage and empower over one million patients per year ? no downloads or passwords required. With Vital, patients can better understand progress toward discharge, request service and comfort items, set goals, view labs, share health status with family, book follow-up care, and much more. Over 100 hospitals use Vital to improve patient satisfaction, drive growth and patient loyalty, achieve better clinical outcomes, and reduce workload for care teams.

Founded by Mint.com creator Aaron Patzer (@apatzer) and Emergency Physician Dr. Justin Schrager, Vital is a HIPAA-compliant cloud-based experience layer that integrates with any electronic health record system. For more information, please visit vital.io or follow us on LinkedIn or Twitter.

29 january 2024 at 09:20

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The Czech Republic Joins the F-35 Lightning II Global Team





The F-35's growing European presence strengthens interoperability

FORT WORTH, Texas, Jan. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Czech Republic government signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) today making official its intent to procure 24 Lockheed Martin 5th Generation F-35 Lightning II aircraft. Through the U.S. government Foreign Military Sale, the Czech Air Force will receive its first aircraft in 2031, which will be in the latest advanced Block 4 configuration.

"We are pleased the government of Czech Republic is now officially a part of the F-35 Lightning II program of record," said U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Mike Schmidt, program executive officer, F-35 Joint Program Office. "This partnership with the Czech Ministry of Defense will deliver and sustain the F-35 aircraft for decades, while providing the Czech Air Force with unmatched interoperability and ensuring it has the capability to counter current and future threats."

In addition to the aircraft, the procurement also includes personnel training, service and logistical support, and developing other support services ensuring successful deliveries of all 24 F-35s.

"With the signing of the Letter of Offer and Acceptance between the Czech Republic and U.S. governments, the Czech Republic becomes the 18th nation to join the global F-35 program. We are honored to partner with the Czech Republic Air Force as its F-35s join other European nations in strengthening and growing interoperability, significantly increasing NATO's deterrent capability." said Bridget Lauderdale, Lockheed Martin's vice president and general manager of the F-35 program. "The F-35 is the best solution for the Czech Republic's future fighter fleet with 5th Generation capabilities enhancing the nation's effectiveness in the 21st Century Security battlespace."

The F-35 is the European aircraft of choice for replacing legacy fighter fleets, offering unmatched interoperability with NATO and other nations to provide a key discriminator for the U.S. and its allies for decades to come. By the 2030s, more than 600 F-35s will work together from more than 10 European countries, including two full U.S. F-35 squadrons stationed at Royal Air Force Lakenheath. It is also the only fighter aircraft in production today that will create jobs for the next 40-50 years and enable strategic industrial partnerships with Czech industry.

F-35s are now operating from 32 bases worldwide. To date, Lockheed Martin has delivered more than 990 F-35s, trained more than 2,280 pilots and 15,400 maintainers, and the F-35 fleet has surpassed nearly 773,000 cumulative flight hours. Lockheed Martin continues to work side by side with F-35 operators to ensure allies remain ahead of the evolving threat.

For additional information, visit www.f35.com .

About Lockheed Martin

Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin Corporation is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 122,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.

SOURCE Lockheed Martin Aeronautics

29 january 2024 at 10:36

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The Inner Circle Acknowledges, Ramon E. Ferrand as a Pinnacle Life Member





BRENTWOOD, N.Y., Jan. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Prominently featured in The Inner Circle, Ramon E. Ferrand is acknowledged as a Pinnacle Life Member for his contributions to the field of Pediatrics.

Dr. Ferrand pursued higher education at the Universidad Autonoma de Santo Domingo, Facultad de Ciencias Medicas, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, where he earned his MD degree. He then completed his residency in pediatrics at the prestigious Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center in The Bronx, New York.

Known as a compassionate and dedicated pediatrician, Dr. Ferrand asserts that he is committed to the well-being of infants, children, and adolescents. His responsibilities include physical exams, vaccinations, lab work, and the management of various childhood-related illnesses and he focuses on taking the time to educate both patients and their parents about their conditions.

With more than 20 years in the field, Dr. Ferrand is affiliated with local hospitals including BronxCare Health System in The Bronx and Mercy Medical Center in Rockville Center, New York. Dedicated to providing the latest advancements in the field, the doctor is a member of renowned professional associations, including the International Association of Healthcare Professionals; the American Medical Association; and the American Academy of Pediatrics. He dedicates this in loving memory of his father, Ramon Ferrand, MD.

Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, editorialteam@continentalwhoswho.com

SOURCE The Inner Circle

29 january 2024 at 13:30

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Andretti Acquisition Corp. Announces Effectiveness of Registration Statement and February 13, 2024 Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders to Approve Business Combination with Zapata AI





Andretti Acquisition Corp. ("Andretti") (NYSE: WNNR), a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company, announced today that its registration statement on Form S-4 (the "Registration Statement") relating to the previously announced proposed business combination between Andretti and Zapata Computing, Inc. ("Zapata AI"), the Industrial Generative AI software company developing solutions and applications to solve enterprises' hardest problems, has been declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). An Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders of Andretti (the "Special Meeting") to approve the proposed business combination is scheduled to be held on February 13, 2024 at 10:00 am Eastern Time.

Andretti shareholders as of the close of business on January 4, 2024 will receive the definitive proxy statement/prospectus (the "Proxy Statement") in connection with Andretti's solicitation of proxies for the Special Meeting. The Proxy Statement contains a notice and proxy card relating to the Special Meeting. A copy of the Proxy Statement can be accessed via the SEC's website at https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1843714/000119312524018153/0001193125-24-018153-index.htm.

The Special Meeting is to be held virtually and can be accessed at www.proxydocs.com/WNNR. If the proposals at the Special Meeting are approved, Andretti and Zapata AI anticipate that the business combination will close and shares of common stock and warrants of the combined entity will commence trading shortly thereafter on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the new symbols "ZPTA" and "ZPTA.WS", respectively, subject to the satisfaction or waiver, as applicable, of all other closing conditions.

Every shareholder's vote counts, regardless of the number of shares held. Accordingly, Andretti requests that each shareholder complete, sign, date and return a proxy card (or cast their vote by telephone or internet as provided on each proxy card) as soon as possible and, if by mail, phone or internet, no later than 5:00 p.m. New York City time on February 12, 2024, to ensure that such shareholder's shares will be represented at the Special Meeting.

Shareholders who hold shares in "street name" through a broker, bank or other nominee should contact their broker, bank or nominee to ensure that their shares are voted at the Special Meeting.

If any Andretti shareholder does not receive the Proxy Statement, such shareholder should (i) confirm their Proxy Statement's status with their broker or (ii) contact MacKenzie Partners, Inc., Andretti's proxy solicitor, for assistance via e-mail at [email protected] or toll-free call at (800) 322-2885.

Advisors

Cohen & Company Capital Markets, a division of J.V.B. Financial Group, LLC ("CCM"), is serving as exclusive financial advisor and lead capital markets advisor to Andretti Acquisition Corp. Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP is serving as legal counsel to Andretti Acquisition Corp. Foley Hoag LLP is serving as legal counsel to Zapata.

About Zapata

Zapata AI is the Industrial Generative AI company, revolutionizing how enterprises solve their hardest problems with its powerful suite of Generative AI software. By combining numerical and text-based solutions, Zapata AI empowers industrial-scale enterprises to leverage large language models and numerical generative models better, faster, and more efficiently?delivering solutions to drive growth, savings and unprecedented insight. With proprietary science and engineering techniques and the Orquestra platform, Zapata AI is accelerating Generative AI's impact in Industry. The Company was founded in 2017 and is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. To learn more, visit: https://www.zapata.ai

About Andretti Acquisition Corp.

Andretti Acquisition Corp. is a special purpose acquisition company formed for the purpose of effecting a business combination with one or more businesses or entities. Two key members of the management team are racing legends Mario and Michael Andretti. To learn more, visit: https://www.andrettiacquisition.com/.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements made herein are not historical facts but are forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally are accompanied by words such as "believe," "may," "will," "intend," "expect," "should," "would," "plan," "predict," "potential," "seem," "seek," "future," "outlook," and similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding future events, the likelihood and ability of the parties to successfully consummate the transaction, and other statements that are not historical facts. These statements are based on the current expectations of Andretti Acquisition Corp.'s and Zapata AI's management and are not predictions of actual performance. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as, and must not be relied on, by any investor as a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction, or a definitive statement of fact or probability. These statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties regarding Zapata AI's businesses and the transaction, and actual results may differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, ability to meet the closing conditions to the transaction, including approval by stockholders of Andretti Acquisition Corp. on the expected terms and schedule; delay in closing the transaction or failure to close the transaction within the period permitted under its governing documents; and those factors discussed in Andretti Acquisition Corp.'s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, under Risk Factors in Part I, Item 1A, Registration Statement on Form S-4, as amended, first filed with the SEC on October 27, 2023, and other documents of Andretti Acquisition Corp. filed, or to be filed, with the SEC.

If any of these risks materialize or if assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that Andretti Acquisition Corp. or Zapata AI presently do not know or that Andretti Acquisition Corp. or Zapata AI currently believe are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements provide Andretti Acquisition Corp.'s or Zapata AI's expectations, plans, or forecasts of future events and views as of the date of this communication. Andretti Acquisition Corp. or Zapata AI anticipate that subsequent events and developments will cause their assessments to change. However, while Andretti Acquisition Corp. or Zapata AI may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, Andretti Acquisition Corp. or Zapata AI specifically disclaim any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Andretti Acquisition Corp.'s or Zapata AI's assessments as of any date subsequent to the date of this communication. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed upon the forward-looking statements.

Important Additional Information and Where to Find It

In connection with the contemplated transaction, Andretti Acquisition Corp. has filed a registration statement on Form S-4 (the "Registration Statement") with the SEC, which includes the Proxy Statement. Additionally, Andretti Acquisition Corp. has filed and will file other relevant materials with the SEC in connection with the transaction. A definitive proxy statement/final prospectus will also be sent to the stockholders of Andretti Acquisition Corp., seeking the required stockholder approval. This communication is not a substitute for the Registration Statement, the Proxy Statement, or any other document that Andretti Acquisition Corp. will send to its stockholders. Before making any voting or investment decision, investors and security holders of Andretti Acquisition Corp. are urged to carefully read the entire Registration Statement and Proxy Statement, and any other relevant documents filed with the SEC as well as any amendments or supplements to these documents, because they will contain important information about the transaction. Stockholders will also be able to obtain copies of such documents, without charge, once available, at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

In addition, the documents filed by Andretti Acquisition Corp. may be obtained free of charge from Andretti Acquisition Corp. at andrettiacquisition.com. Alternatively, these documents can be obtained free of charge from Andretti Acquisition Corp. upon written request to Andretti Acquisition Corp., 7615 Zionsville Road, Indianapolis, Indiana 46268, or by calling (317) 872-2700. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, the websites referenced in this press release is not incorporated by reference into, and is not a part of, this press release.

Participants in the Solicitation

Andretti Acquisition Corp., Andretti Acquisition Corp.'s sponsors, Zapata AI and certain of their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of Andretti Acquisition Corp., in connection with the proposed transaction. Information regarding Andretti Acquisition Corp.'s directors and executive officers is contained in Andretti Acquisition Corp.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, which is filed with the SEC. Additional information regarding the interests of those participants, the directors and executive officers of Zapata AI and other persons who may be deemed participants in the transaction may be obtained by reading the Registration Statement and the Proxy Statement and other relevant documents filed with the SEC. Free copies of these documents may be obtained as described above.

No Offer or Solicitation

This press release is for informational purposes only and shall not constitute a proxy statement or solicitation of a proxy, consent, or authorization with respect to any securities or in respect of the proposed transaction. This press release shall also not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale, issuance, or transfer of securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or an exemption therefrom.

29 january 2024 at 16:50

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Farmers have been blocking roads across France in protest at what they say are deteriorating conditions in the agriculture sector. The Paris region branches of two farmers' unions, the FNSEA and the Young Farmers, said they would block major roads around the capital on Monday, January 29, for the first time since the movement began in mid-January. They promised an "indefinite siege" of Paris. Other groups have vowed to drive from around the country to the capital and nearby Rungis, home of the largest wholesale market in Europe.

Read more Subscribers only Why French farmers are continuing to protest
Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan addresses the parliament in Yerevan on September 13, 2022 HANDOUT / AFP

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Sunday, January 28, 2024, that he has proposed the signing of a non-aggression pact to Azerbaijan, pending a comprehensive peace treaty between the arch-foe Caucasus neighbors. Yerevan and Baku have fought two wars  in 2020 and in the 1990s  over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, which Azerbaijan recaptured in a lightning offensive last year.

"We have presented Azerbaijan with a proposal for a mutual arms control mechanism and the signing of a non-aggression pact if the signature of a peace treaty encounters delays," Pashinyan said in a speech during an Armenian Army Day celebration event. He also said that Armenia  a longstanding ally of Russia which had voiced fears of Azerbaijani military moves against its territory  must revise its security arrangements. "We need to reconsider our strategic thinking in the security sphere and diversify our (international) relations in that sphere," Pashinyan said.

"We are set to purchase new and modern weapons, and over the last years the government has signed contracts on arms procurement worth billions of dollars," he added. Azerbaijan has denied having territorial claims to Armenia and ruled out a fresh conflict with its fellow ex-Soviet republic. Pashinyan and Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev had previously said a peace agreement could have been signed by the end of the last year. But internationally mediated peace talks have so far failed to produce a breakthrough.

Read more Subscribers only 'I miss Nagorno-Karabakh so much': The new life of refugees in Armenia

Stalled peace talks

Last month, Armenia and Azerbaijan swapped prisoners of war, a first step towards normalizing relations. The European Union, the United States as well as regional powers Turkey and Russia have praised the move as a "breakthrough." The prisoner exchange raised hopes for reviving face-to-face talks between Pashinyan and Aliyev.

Aliyev sent troops to Karabakh on September 19 and after just one day of fighting Armenian separatists  who had controlled the region for three decades  surrendered and agreed to reintegrate with Baku. But in December, separatist leader Samvel Shahramanyan said in Yerevan that his previous decree ordering the dissolution of separatist institutions was not valid.

Almost the entire ethnic-Armenian population  more than 100,00 people  fled Karabakh for Armenia following Baku's takeover, sparking a refugee crisis. Azerbaijan's victory in September marked the end of the territorial dispute, which had long been seen as unresolvable.
An illegal mine in the Yanomami Indigenous Territory, in Brazil, on January 10, 2024. UESLEI MARCELINO / REUTERS

One year after the Brazilian government attempted to expel the thousands of illegal gold miners who caused a health crisis in the Yanomami Indigenous territory in the state of Roraima (in the northern Amazon), the local population has denounced the resumption of mining activities on their territory.

"We don't know how many there are, or how many mines remain active, but we do know that gold panning is increasing every day," said Dario Kopenawa Yanomami, a leader of the Indigenous Yanomami people, on September 14, 2023, in the Valor Economico newspaper. "The Yanomami can no longer sleep because of the noise of the planes [used by the gold miners to refuel and transport the gold], engines and machines," he said.

On site, the health situation is worrying. "Diseases are back," said Dinamam Tuxa, the coordinator of the Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil. According to the Ministry of Health, 308 Yanomami died between January and November 2023, almost as many as in 2022 (343), notably as a result of pathologies caused by parasites (36), such as malaria, or malnutrition (29). Of the deaths in 2023, more than half (162) were children under the age of 4.

Read more Subscribers only How agribusiness is consuming Brazil's Cerrado savanna

Mercury pollution

These diseases are a direct consequence of gold panning: Deforestation, linked to the construction of mine workings, and stagnant water in abandoned pits encourage the proliferation of parasite-carrying mosquitoes. In addition, the mercury used to separate gold from ore contaminates rivers and kills wildlife, depriving the 30,400 or so Indigenous people of part of their livelihood.

Brazil's president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, had promised at the start of his term in 2023 that he would put an end to illegal gold mining. The government of his predecessor, far-right President Jair Bolsonaro (2019-2022), reduced funding for Ibama, the national environmental agency, and Funai, responsible for protecting Indigenous rights. Bolsonaro's administration also encouraged the massive influx of gold miners into the region. The death of 570 Yanomami children under the age of 5 from preventable diseases during his term of office, and images of skeletal Indigenous people, sparked outrage.

Accusing his predecessor of genocide, Lula was quick to act. On January 22, 2023, he declared a health emergency in the territory and, 10 days later, closed the airspace over the Yanomami Indigenous territory, which covers 9.6 million hectares, in order to cut off supplies to gold miners.

Read more Subscribers only Lula takes action to end gold mining in Indigenous Yanomami territory

In early February 2023, the government also launched a joint operation involving the army, federal police, Ibama and Funai to destroy the mines and equipment belonging to the gold miners. Sixty-one tonnes of food were also distributed to the Yanomami, and some 1,000 were rushed by helicopter to a health center in Boa Vista, the capital of Roraima state. According to the government, the operation was effective: On May 1, Sonia Guajajara, the minister for Indigenous peoples, announced that between 75% and 80% of the estimated 20,000 gold panners in the territory had left.

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A MAN was before Newcastle West Court for an altercation with security staff at the end of the student race day at Limerick Racecourse.

Damien Kearney, aged 26, of Cois Coille, Barnakyle, Patrickswell pleaded guilty to threatening, abusive, insulting behaviour at Limerick Racecourse on March 30, 2023.

Inspector Barry Manton, prosecuting, said the incident occurred at the conclusion of the student race day.

The accused got in an altercation with some security staff. He behaved in an aggressive manner. He told them, Ill waste every one of you f*****g retards. The accused was arrested. He has no previous convictions, said Insp Manton.

Daniel Krieth, solicitor for Mr Kearney, said his client is a 26-year-old part-time delivery driver.

He attended the student race day with friends. Unfortunately he got very inebriated. He is very apologetic, said Mr Krieth, who outlined the stress Mr Kearney was under at the time due to sad family circumstances.

Its not an excuse but it is an insight into his headspace at the time. He has friends in Australia and plans to travel there.

He apologises and has no previous convictions, said Mr Krieth.

Judge Carol Anne Coolican said she would strike the matter out if Mr Kearney paid 250 to the court poor box.
Beijing (Gasgoo)- New energy commercial vehicle brand CAVAN was officially launched through a collaboration between Foton Motor, Bosch's investment arm Bosch Venture Capital, Boyuan Capital, SinoHytec, and BAIC Capital, according to a WeChat post on BAIC Groups official account on January 28.

Photo credit: CAVAN

CAVAN introduced a comprehensive brand strategy covering corporate positioning, mission, vision, product layout, core technologies, business ecosystem, full-value chain zero-carbon ecological system planning, and carbon-neutrality goals.

CAVAN strategically embraces both pure electric and hydrogen fuel cell technologies, focusing on three major platform products: VAN, light-duty trucks, and heavy-duty trucks. These series aim to cater to urban logistics, urban cluster logistics, and mid-to-long-haul logistics scenarios, presenting features such as lightweight, high efficiency, long-range, intelligence, and superior comfort. CAVAN aims to provide users with an integrated new energy solution encompassing the entire vehicle, intelligent capacity, charging facilities, and energy management.

CAVANs in-housed developed Master architecture prioritizes innovation in the overall vehicle platform, electronic and electrical architecture, fuel cells, hydrogen storage systems, and other core technologies. It pioneers an industry-leading central centralized electronic and electrical architecture for commercial vehicles, emphasizing cross-platform adaptability and high heterogeneous computing power. Additionally, CAVAN pioneers a high-power hydrogen fuel cell engine and a liquid hydrogen storage system for long-haul transportation.
Up to five-hundred jobs will be created with the news that Centra plans to open twenty new stores in 2024 as part of a 27m store expansion programme.

The investment will also encompass the revamp of forty existing Centra stores.

The Centra brand has experienced significant growth in its nationwide presence in recent years. As Irelands largest convenience store network, they currently have 496 stores across Ireland and, with this continued investment into 2024, are expected to rapidly surpass 500 stores nationwide for the first time, embedding it as the convenience brand with the largest footprint in Ireland.

This years store refurbishment programme will build on the investment made over the past five years, in which time Centra has invested up to 100 million in the revamp and refresh of 355 stores.

Centra delivered a record-breaking performance in 2023, with sales of 2.1bn.

Centra Managing Director Ian Allen said: 'Centra is Irelands leader in convenience retail, continuously evolving our offering in order to meet customer needs and stay ahead of the market. We are continuing to invest in creating innovative and more convenient experiences for our customers, giving them the solution they want for every occasion, whether that is on-the-go breakfast and lunch, or dinner for tonight. Our Centra retailers are at the heart of every community in Ireland, and I want to pay tribute to them for continuing to deliver to the highest standards of convenience retailing and taking caring of our communities in what remains a very difficult trading environment, with the cumulative cost of business continuing to rise across multiple areas.'

Centras growth was underpinned by a strong performance in its core categories such as: on-the-go breakfast and lunch, convenience meals and Frank and Honest coffee.

Deli and food-to-go sales were up 11%, bread and cake sales grew 7%, ready meals rose by 17% and Centra own brand range increased by 12%.

Frank & Honest, the coffee brand, continues to go from strength to strength, with year-on-year growth increasing by 9% in 2023. Centra has the next-generation range includes innovativewith new lines like iced coffee, already available in 65 stores and proving hugely popular.

Mood ice cream, Centras exclusive ice cream brand, saw an 8% increase in sales in 2023 and is now available in 314 stores across the retail estate. This year, the ice cream brand will see an expanding of gelato flavours.

Centra continues to make progress on its environmental sustainability journey, and achieved its target of a 12% carbon reduction across the brand in the 12 months following the launch of the Musgrave Sustainability Fund in Summer 2022. Over the past two years, a total investment of 23m, combining contributions from both retailers and Centra, has been allocated towards enhancing sustainability upgrades in Centra stores. This investment forms part of the preparations for the upcoming launch of the Deposit Return Scheme across the 321 Centra stores taking part.
Legendary broadcaster Keith Finnegan has announced he's to depart his role at local radio station Galway Bay FM later this year.

Keith, a hugely familiar voice on the airwaves in the west of Ireland, has presented the station's flagship show 'Galway Talks' for more than three decades.

Confirming that he will present his final mid-morning show on April 12, Keith, who entered the Irish radio Hall of Fame last year said the last 34 years have been a privilege.

The former CEO of Galway Bay FM, which broadcasts across Galway city and county, says his decision was not made lightly and comes after extensive contemplation and discussions with his family.

With almost 34 years of service, including 20,000 hours behind the microphone, Keith believes the time is right to pass the reins to a new voice.

Reflecting on his remarkable tenure, Keith shared some personal and professional highlights on this Monday's programme, including daily interviews with local and international guests, participation in the three-day charity event Radiothon, an invitation to the White House for St. Patrick's Day, and leading the St. Patrick's Day parade as Grand Marshal in St. Louis alongside Joan.

His achievements include winning IMRO radio awards and induction into the IMRO Hall of Fame, all made possible by the exceptional team that surrounded him.

Keith Finnegan to retire from Galway Bay fm in April after 34 years of broadcasting - https://t.co/uQpemQqG4z pic.twitter.com/bYyOqVAkVA  Galway Bay fm News (@Galwaybayfmnews) January 29, 2024

"I joined Radio West, as it was called back then, in 1989. At that stage I was doing a Saturday and Sunday music programme. I eventually became CEO and a director at the station, then two years ago I stepped down from those other duties to concentrate on this show alone, and that worked out extremely well, I think. The time has come to hand over the reins to somebody else.

"I wish those who are taking over after 12 April the best of luck, they deserve it. It's an honour that I love, it's an honour I will miss, but it is time for someone new to come in and do the job.

"I have a few projects, some exciting projects, in the pipeline but now is not the time to speak about that today."
DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has been meeting party members ahead of a crunch gathering on Monday night over Government proposals aimed at ending Stormonts powersharing impasse.

The DUP has been using a veto power to block Stormonts devolved institutions for two years in protest at post-Brexit trading arrangements which have created trade barriers between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The party 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.

The DUP appears to be approaching a final call on the Governments proposed measures.

On Friday, members of the 130-strong party executive were invited to a meeting at 7pm on Monday.

The invitation said the gathering would see Sir Jeffrey provide a detailed update on the current political situation.

Before the executive meeting, the DUP leader was at the partys headquarters at Dundela House in Belfast, where a number of his MPs and peers were in attendance.

Earlier in the day, he met party MLAs at Stormont.

If Sir Jeffrey presses for acceptance of the Governments proposals and a Stormont return, he is expected to face stiff opposition from some unionists inside and outside his party.

They believe the boycott should only end once all economic barriers created by Brexits Northern Ireland Protocol, and the subsequent Windsor Framework, are removed.

While the deal being offered by the Government will seek to reduce red tape and offer additional measures aimed at strengthening GB-NI ties, they will not result in the axing of the EU and the UKs jointly agreed protocol and framework.

Last week, in an impassioned speech at Westminster, Sir Jeffrey said he had received threats amid the speculation over an impending deal. The DUP has reported the incidents to the police.

Irelands deputy premier Micheal Martin said he hoped to see the return of the powersharing institutions, but added that he wanted to give the DUP space to hold the meeting and reach a decision.

He said: I respect the fact that they are meeting and having internal discussions; theyve had discussions with UK Government on an ongoing basis for the last number of months and so we all know whats involved and we all know the details here.

So its really a matter for the DUP to meet. I want to give them the space now to have their meeting.

DUP peer and former Stormont speaker Lord Hay said Monday evenings meeting is to update grassroot members by the party leader of where were at with the talks with the Government.

He criticised unionists who he said were briefing against the party.

He told the BBC: The real traitors within unionism are people who continually brief against the party, even within the party, and all theyre doing is damaging unionism for now and the future.

Sinn Fein MLA Conor Murphy accused the DUP of internal party navel-gazing while public services in Northern Ireland have been facing enormous challenges during the time the powersharing institutions have been suspended.
New Delhi: The Centre is expected to continue its focus on strengthening electronics, research and development, and digital ecosystems in the budget in a bid to provide additional boosters to its initiatives around semiconductors, electric vehicles, global capability centres, DeepTech startups, and artificial intelligence (AI).

This being an interim budget, however, major new announcements are unlikely, other than a fresh allocation for AI skilling and cybersecurity (through Cert-IN).

The government may, however, announce some more incentives for semiconductor production-linked incentives (PLIs), besides providing updates on the progress made on the initiatives it announced last year.

In last years budget, the government spoke about setting up 100 labs in engineering institutes for developing 5G apps and services; launching three centres of excellence (CoE) for AI at top educational institutions to develop cutting edge solutions; setting up an accelerator fund for agri-startups to increase digital infrastructure in rural areas and boost startups in this space; and creating a DigiLocker digital document storage capability for storage of documents

It also spoke of plans to launch a National Data Governance Policy (NDGP)a framework to provide academia and startups with anonymized data through the National Data Management Office (NDMO).

That said, both the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) rules and NDGP are components of the Digital India Act which, again, is unlikely to be ready before the general elections this year.

Meanwhile, consulting firm Deloitte hopes the government will announce some public-private partnerships during this interim budget to facilitate increased adoption of tech-driven modern agricultural practices such as crop mapping, precision farming, drones, AI, geographical mapping and real-time updating of cold storage capacity

The idea would be to help farmers make informed decisions by harnessing technology. In its November 2023 budget expectation note, Deloitte also recommended PLI schemes for space tech startups to help boost local manufacturing and encourage capability building within the country.

Further, given that GCCs have the potential to move up to 1,900 centres in India, employing 2 million people with a revenue of $60 billion- 80 billion by 2025, Deloitte hopes this years interim Union budget will provide more support in infrastructure development, increased investment in skill development, consistent taxation policies, an ecosystem fostering innovation, and measures towards expansion of export incentives (such as section 10AA of the IT Act, now defunct) to contribute to the growth and success of GCCs in India.

Last, but not the least, Deloitte recommends that the government should clarify the meaning of the term Online Game" in this interim budget, failing which sectors offering and running marketing and promotional schemes or contests online, might get severely affected with the burden of discharging withholding tax obligation (under Section 194BA, which mandates tax deduction at source on net winnings )".

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New Delhi: Indian pharmaceutical companies are seeking a further increase in the allocation towards healthcare along with enhanced incentives for research and development and manufacturers of ingredients in the 1 Feb-interim budget.

A pivotal aspect of this commitment lies in allocating 2.5-3% toward healthcare, a critical move to empower the industry in meeting the growing healthcare needs of the nation. Significant strides have already been made toward bolstering pharma manufacturing through recent developments and the signing of MoUs at the Vibrant Gujarat event," said Nikhil Chopra, CEO and whole-time director of JB Pharma.

I also anticipate the allocation of funds toward enhancing the pharmaceutical supply chain and distribution infrastructure. The government should also consider incentivizing domestic API (active pharmaceutical ingredients) manufacturers by providing them with financial incentives. The finance minister can then stimulate increased production domestically, contributing to a more stable and self-reliant pharmaceutical industry."

The government has already deployed three major schemes for pharmaceutical manufacturing: the production-linked incentive scheme for bulk drugs (PLI 1.0) with a budget of 6,940 crore in 2020, PLI for pharmaceuticals (PLI 2.0), and a 3,000 crore scheme providing financial aid for the creation of bulk drug parks.

India is the third largest producer of API, accounting for an 8% share of the global API industry.

More than 500 different APIs are manufactured in the country, contributing 57% of APIs to a prequalified list of the WHO.

These investments, industry players believe, can be used in tandem with the integration of the latest digital technologies to ensure a streamlined and technologically advanced system.

Further, this transformation, they say, would facilitate real-time monitoring, leading to better access and uninterrupted deliveries of pharmaceuticals and through the incorporation of digital advancements, the efficiency and transparency of the supply chain can be significantly improved. Icra Ltd expects the Indian API industry, which had an estimated size of 1 1.1 trillion in CY22, to grow at a CAGR of 78% over the next three to four years.

A significant boost in healthcare spending tops our list of priorities. Increased allocations are crucial not only to strengthen our healthcare infrastructure but also to ensure quality healthcare services reach every corner of our diverse nation.

We also believe research and innovation is the core of our industrys growth and allocating increased funds and incentives to what has already been initiated will encourage research and innovation through centres of excellence which will further catalyse advancements in pharmaceuticals," said Sandeep Jain, joint managing director of Akums Drugs & Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

The government has announced several initiatives in the R&D space, including the launch of a new policy on R&D and innovation in the pharmaceutical and MedTech sectors last year.

The approved scheme, PRIP (Promotion of Research and Innovation in Pharma MedTech Sector) has a capital outlay of 5,000 crore to transform the Indian pharmaceuticals sector from cost-based to innovation-based with growth by strengthening the research infrastructure of the country.

The scheme aims to promote industry-academia linkage for R&D in priority areas to inculcate a culture of quality research and nurture the pool of scientists in the country.

In the last budget the government also introduced key initiatives, including the establishing of centres of excellence for artificial intelligence to enhance manpower skills, develop cutting-edge applications, and scalable problem solutions in critical areas including health.

The Central government also announced a programme to promote research and innovation in the pharma sector through centres of excellence, while encouraging collaborative research and innovation by public and private medical college faculty and private sector R&D teams through select labs of the Indian Council for Medical Research.

Anil Matai, Director General of the Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI), said, To further support research to develop innovative pharma products, OPPI believes that the concessional tax rates under Section 115BAB of the Income Tax Act, 1961 should be extended to companies solely engaged in R&D of pharma as well, beyond those related to manufactured articles.

Simultaneously, we call for increased incentives for innovation and to attract foreign investment in advanced research."

Section 115BAB of the Income Tax Act, 1961 aims to support and promote the growth of domestic manufacturing enterprises, providing them with the opportunity to pay taxes at a lower rate of 15%.

It is also aimed at boosting the number of new manufacturing startups in the space that the government believes to be a means to encourage industrial investment while reinforcing its Make in India strategy.

Further, to promote innovation within the industry, various measures have been proposed, such as raising the limit for foreign direct investment up to 100%, FDI is allowed through automatic route for greenfield pharmaceuticals projectsand implementing a new strategy for protecting intellectual property rights.

ICRA More Information

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Many things are looking much better for the e-commerce giant compared with a year ago. On Monday, Amazon formally launched advertising into its Prime Video streaming service. That could give further fuel to an ad business already generating nearly $44 billion a year in revenue for Amazon, given that Prime Video is widely estimated to have the second-largest penetration in the U.S. streaming market after Netflix. Analysts for MoffettNathanson estimated Friday that the move could net Amazon more than $2 billion in incremental video ad dollars" next year.

The expanded move into advertising comes as Amazon has regained momentum in other areas of its business. When the company reports year-end results on Thursday, it is expected to show revenue increasing 11% for 2023, according to consensus analyst estimates from FactSet, compared with 9% growth for 2022which was the first time Amazon ever grew overall sales in the single-digit range. Profits have expanded even further; Wall Street also expects $34 billion in operating income for the year, equating to a record-high margin of 6% compared with the five-year-low operating margin of 2.4% that Amazon showed for 2022, when the company was still reeling from the costs of a massive, Covid-era expansion of its fulfillment network.

But, as Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is fond of saying: Your margin is my opportunity." Among Amazons many challengers in both its retail and cloud-computing businesses are Chinese e-commerce players Temu and Shein, which have surged in popularity globally and even on Amazons home turf. The Wall Street Journal reported last month that the twowhich specialize in ultracheap products and apparel produced in Chinaare now shipping an average of a million packages a day each in the U.S.

There is also TikTok, which has integrated online shopping into its popular social network that now claims more than 150 million users in the U.S. The company owned by Chinese tech giant ByteDance is even setting up its own warehouse and fulfillment network in the U.S., potentially giving it more muscle to compete with Amazons delivery speeds. Bloomberg reported earlier this month that ByteDance aims to grow TikToks U.S. e-commerce business to $17.5 billion in gross merchandise volume this yeara 10-fold increase from 2023.

That is still a pittance compared with the $594 billion in North American GMV that Amazon is projected to do this year, according to consensus estimates from Visible Alpha. But the need to keep growing such a huge businessAmazon is one of only three companies in the world currently generating over $500 billion in annual revenuewhile also staying out of single-digit growth purgatory means Amazon cant afford to cede much ground in what is still its core business of online retail.

Hence, Amazon isnt ignoring the threat. Among several changes to fees for its third-party business that Amazon announced last month was a sharp reduction in the commissions charged to sellers of apparel products priced below $20. We believe that this is an attempt to make Amazon more competitive vs low-price apparel entrants such as Shein and Temu," Bernstein analyst Mark Shmulik wrote in a note to clients at the time.

But Amazon still has to strike a delicate balance between keeping business while also not taking down the profit margins that are now a crucial part of its story with investors. And that cant fully depend on its highly profitable AWS cloud business, which is now larger than most enterprise software companies but still only 16% of Amazons total revenue. AWS commanded a near-record-high operating margin of 29% in 2022down only 1 percentage point from the year beforeyet Amazons companywide margin was still cut nearly in half that year.

Amazon cant really afford a repeat of that. The companys stock price boomed 81% last year and is finally getting back near the record range it enjoyed in mid-2021, when Bezos handed over the chief-executive reins to Andy Jassy. Wall Street is banking on a beefed-up bottom line; analysts expect Amazons operating income to average 36% annual growth over the next three years while revenue is expected to average just 11% annual growth in that time, according to FactSet.

Expect continued focus on Harvest Mode to support all-time high margins and stock outperformance in 2024," Brent Thill of Jefferies wrote in a note to clients on Thursday, contrasting the new phase with lower-margin investment mode" periods that have characterized much of Amazons past. And earlier this month, Brian Nowak of Morgan Stanley boosted his operating income target for Amazon in 2025 by 14%, citing in his report both the new Prime Video advertising business and faster improvements in [North American] retail profitability."

Fortunately, Amazon doesnt have to compete on price alone. Its huge fulfillment network now allows for same-day or next-day delivery in many cases in the U.S.speeds that its rivals cant consistently match. And its Prime membership program that Consumer Intelligence Research Partners estimates is now at 173 million U.S. subscribers creates a strong incentive for shoppers to make Amazon their first stop. Temu and Shein need to successfully expand their offering before they become a meaningful threat to Amazon," wrote Thill of Jefferies. Cheap threads alone wont unravel the Everything Store.

Write to Dan Gallagher at dan.gallagher@wsj.com
Q3 results today: Over 900 companies, including industry leaders such as Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC Ltd, Adani Green Energy Ltd, Bajaj Finance Limited, Bharat Electronics Ltd, GAIL (India) Ltd, ITC Ltd, Larsen & Toubro Ltd, Marico Ltd, NTPC Ltd, Piramal Enterprises Ltd, SRF Ltd, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, Tata Motors Ltd, UPL Limited, and Whirlpool of India Ltd, are slated to unveil their financial results for the third quarter on January 29.

In the last trading session on January 25, the BSE Sensex dropped 360 points, reaching 70,701, and the Nifty 50 witnessed a decline of 101 points, closing at 21,353. Over the course of the week, there was an overall decline of 1 percent.

January 29 will keep investors and industry enthusiasts on the edge as a multitude of leading companies across diverse sectors are set to unveil their Quarter 3 results. The anticipation is palpable as giants in sectors such as Financial Services, Energy and Power, Information Technology, Manufacturing and Engineering, Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare, Consumer Goods, Telecommunications, Infrastructure and Construction, Automobiles and Auto Components, and Chemicals and Petrochemicals are among the list of entities stepping into the spotlight.

Over 900 companies will release their Q3 quarter results today - January 29

Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC Ltd, Adani Green Energy Ltd, Advani Hotels & Resorts (India) Ltd, Artemis Electricals and Projects Ltd, Aerospace Industries Ltd, Apollo Pipes Ltd, Arihant's Securities Ltd, Asian Energy Services Ltd, B2B Software Technologies Ltd, Bajaj Finance Limited, Banswara Syntex Ltd, Bharat Electronics Ltd, Bhageria Industries Ltd, BITS Ltd, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd, Chemo Pharma Laboratories Ltd, CSB Bank Ltd, CSL Finance Ltd, Dolat Algotech Ltd, GAIL (India) Ltd, Gangotri Textiles Ltd, Garware Technical Fibres Ltd, Gateway Distriparks Ltd, Gujarat Natural Resources Limited, Godfrey Phillips India Ltd, Heritage Foods Limited, High Street Filatex Ltd, Indo Count Industries Ltd, Indo Cotspin Ltd, Vodafone Idea Ltd, ITC Ltd, Jindal Drilling & Industries Ltd, JK Agri Genetics Ltd, Jaiprakash Power Ventures Limited, Kamdhenu Ltd, Laffans Petrochemicals Ltd, Latent View Analytics Ltd, L.G.Balakrishnan & Bros.Ltd, Madhav Infra Projects Ltd, Mahindra EPC Irrigation Ltd, Mahindra Logistics Ltd, Maharashtra Seamless Ltd, Marico Ltd, Maruti Securities Ltd, and Midwest Gold Ltd.

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NEW DELHI: Debt-laden Vodafone Ideas losses narrowed to 6,986 crore in the quarter ended December 2023, from 7,990 crore a year ago, helped largely by a gain of 755 crore from a favourable order on a litigation with the government.

The telecom companys chief executive said that it continued to endeavour to raise funds as part of its business revival plan and for making investments for the launch of its 5G services.

Vodafone Idea, the countrys third-largest telecom firm by subscriber base, reported a revenue of  10,673 crore in the three-month period, marginally higher than 10,620 crore in the same period last year.

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) rose to 4,350 crore, up from 4,180 crore, while margins rose to 40.8% in the December quarter, from 39.4% a year ago.

We are pleased to report highest Ebitda (pre-Ind accounting standards 116) of 21.4 billion in last 11 quarters. In line with the evolving industry landscape and changing customer needs, we have revamped our offerings as well as focusing on our execution to effectively compete in the market. Resultantly, we are able to grow our 4G subscribers and ARPUs consecutively for last 10 quarters. We remain engaged with various parties for fund raising, to make required investments for network expansion, including 5G rollout," Akshaya Moondra, CEO, Vodafone Idea Limited, said.

The Aditya Birla Group-promoted telco, in which the Indian government is now the single largest shareholder, has been attempting to raise 20,000 crore from external investors through debt and equity funding. Moondra had said in the June quarter earnings call that the company was in talks with three separate parties for raising funds and that the round would be done by the fourth quarter ended December 2023, but the deadline has since passed.

The company said in its quarterly report that it was in discussion with various network vendors for finalization of its 5G rollout strategy and working with partners to develop 5G use cases relevant to the Indian market and build device ecosystems.

We are also in advanced stage of 5G trials of embracing new technologies such as vRAN & ORAN," the telco said in its earnings statement on Monday after market hours. Its shares closed 0.62% higher at 14.7 apiece on BSE on Monday.

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Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella will visit India on February 7 and 8 as part of his annual visit to the country with artificial intelligence (AI) and its opportunities serving as the focal point for 2024, according to a report published by MoneyControl.

Microsoft India and South Asia's President Puneet Chandok, in an internal email sent a few weeks ago, stated that the tech giant is committed to using technology to create more opportunities in the nation, as demonstrated by Nadella's visit.

AI is playing a game-changing role in shaping Indias Techade and will make India and South Asia one of the most exciting markets for technology," the email read as quoted by MoneyControl.

In June 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met up with the top CEOs and Chairmen from the US and India at the White House. The guest list included Sundar Pichai, Satya Nadella, and Tim Cook among others.

During the meeting, Satya Nadella stressed the importance of cloud-based services, which are energy efficient. He said the adoption of such technologies is rising and proving to be a "game changer".

"Cloud-native applications have yet not begun...by 2025 you are going to have most of the application anybody builds really at that efficient frontier of cloud net," Nadella said.

Microsoft has operated in India for more than 32 years now.

While interacting with top business leaders at the Microsoft summit, Nadella reinforced the digital imperative for every organisation. He mentioned how Microsoft Cloud can foster innovation, create broad economic progress, and accelerate the growth of businesses in India.

"Our mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more, and ultimately, we have to measure our success by achieving that mission, said Nadella, sharing his vision for a tech-enabled India.

He also highlighted how organisations big and small, across India are transforming with the power of Microsoft's tech stack and solutions.

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Chase, American Express and Capital One tout their travel-booking tools for cardholders as a way to maximize rewards and make dream vacations a reality. But are those sites a good deal?

The answer, travelers find, can take some math.

Travelers say differences in price make it tough to determine the best deal. And some grouse that theyre already paying steep annual fees for certain cards.

Will Biesel, a Dallas attorney, pays $550 for his Chase Sapphire Reserve card and says he has found high prices on Chases travel portal, such as a $456 American Airlines round-trip to North Carolina that the airline was offering for nearly $100 less. Another trip, on Southwest, cost 65% more on the portal than from the carrier directly, Biesel says.

Credit-card companies booking tools often turn up higher fares and room rates than travelers might find on airlines and hotels own sites, fliers say. Part of the reason is the desire of airlines and hotels to get more travelers booking directly, rather than via third parties such as Expedia or Chases travel portal.

With many trips booked for this year, Biesel had hoped to use his credit-card points to offset the travel costs. But often he felt like he wasnt getting his rewards worth on the portal.

You hope to get value out of that credit card by spending the points wisely," says Biesel, 28 years old. Its harder to justify the total price if youre not using all the perks."

Premium credit cards such as the Chase Sapphire and American Express Platinum are geared to the jet-set crowd, and the portals are critical to their appeal. Many of these cards offer cardholders hundreds of dollars in travel credits that can be used only in their dedicated portals. They also entice people to spend their own money, versus their rewards, by offering significantly more points or miles for booking with them.

About 14% of U.S. cardholders typically went to their credit cards travel portal to research and book trips, according to a 2022 study from the Futurist Group, a payments-industry consulting firm. Over a third of those travelers said they werent pleased with the experience.

The number-one barrier to growth of these portals is the perception that the price is not necessarily the best deal," Futurist Group founder and CEO Demitry Estrin says.

A Chase spokeswoman said in an email that the company is committed to providing cardmembers with competitive pricing whether theyre booking with points or cash."

Why prices vary

Credit-card companies dont set prices for hotel rooms or plane tickets. Most dont even operate the travel-booking features connected to their cardsmajor online travel agencies do. Hopper manages Capital Ones website, and Expedia powers American Expresss consumer-travel site.

Cardholders often find different prices based on where they check.

In some cases, these travelers might not be comparing apples to apples. With airfares, its important to check which fare class is advertised when you search. Some websites advertise basic economya type of fare with extra restrictions in exchange for a lower priceas the default option. Others display regular economy ticket prices.

Flight and hotel prices also fluctuate based on demand.

Not all websites update their pricing at the same time, says Cory Garner, an independent consultant who led sales and distribution strategy at American Airlines until 2020. If an airline lowers its fares from Chicago to Dallas, that change might not show up immediately for online booking sites.

Separately, airlines have started implementing new technology to distribute their seats to third parties such as online travel agencies, Garner says. That technology lets carriers offer travelers extra options to prospective buyers, including additional categories for seat selection, more easily.

As they push travel agencies and corporate-travel managers to adopt the technology, some carriers have limited which fares remain available on the old distribution systems. Those fares typically cost more, Garner says.

Credit card travel portals who are using older distribution technology do not have the same access, despite Americans best efforts to make these fares available to them," an American Airlines spokeswoman said in an email.

Third-party drawbacks

Hotels generally dont reward points in their own loyalty programs and may not offer other benefits to people who booked anywhere but through the hotel itself, says Adam Morvitz, founder and CEO of point.me, a points and miles search aggregator and booking service.

And when travel snags occur, rebooking can become tougher. In many cases, airlines require travelers to hash out any problems via the site they booked on.

The Chase spokeswoman noted that the company can rebook cardmembers with multiple airline partners when service disruptions arise.

Credit-card benefits

Using a credit cards travel site to book a vacation can sometimes provide enough advantages to outweigh potential price differences.

Joshua Gellers of Jacksonville, Fla., starts his travel research with Google Flights to get a read on prices. He then checks his credit cards travel site, factoring in additional rewards he would earn going that route. Credit-card companies sometimes have offers that can boost the rewards rate even higher for customers.

When booking a Sydney hotel last summer, he found booking directly with the hotel was cheaper than his credit-card companys site. But the rewards offered by the card site swayed him, since their value was greater than what he would save by cutting out the middleman.

Gellers, a professor at the University of North Florida, notes that his tactics arent for everyone: Think about how much extra effort that is for the average traveler."

Sometimes, credit cards will advertise special discounts on flights or vacation packages only for their cardholders.

Capital One Travel offers price-matching if lower prices are available at the time of booking and free price-drop protection for flights. The site monitors flight prices up to 10 days after customers book. If that itinerarys price falls, Capital One issues a travel credit of up to $50, with some limitations.

Write to Jacob Passy at jacob.passy@wsj.com
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On January 29, Methanol-Hydrogen Technology, which is under the umbrella of Geely's Farizon New Energy Commercial Vehicle Group ("Farizon Auto"), announced the completion of its first round of financing, attracting multiple strategic investors and renowned investment institutions.

With a pre-investment valuation of $1 billion, the latest funding round raised $100 million for the company. This infusion of capital is earmarked for ongoing R&D efforts and the construction of a green methanol transport ecosystem, reinforcing the company's core competitiveness. The successful completion of this round signifies that Methanol-Hydrogen Technology has formed the foundation for a strategic collaboration industrial alliance in the upstream and downstream of the methanol-hydrogen ecosystem. Looking ahead, the company aims to accelerate the comprehensive development of the methanol-hydrogen ecological industry, built on the synergy between capital and product fronts.

Methanol-fueled G General Cargo Tractor; photo credit: Farizon Auto

Leveraging Geely's nearly two decades of technical expertise in the methanol field, Farizon Auto has successfully developed multiple methanol commercial vehicle models and deployed them in large-scale operations. These models have undergone comprehensive validation for their economic viability, environmental sustainability, applicability, and reliability. Geely Holding Group played a pivotal role in the innovative use of green zero-carbon methanol for the main torch at the Hangzhou Asian Games, producing and providing technical solutions. The Farizon Xinghan Methanol Heavy Truckserved as the dedicated vehicle ensuring the use of methanol for the main torch, utilizing fuel from the same source as the main torch's propellant.

Methanol-Hydrogen Technology, with its core focus on methanol-hydrogen electric technology, engages in the R&D, manufacturing, and sales of the next-generation electric vehicles powered by methanol-hydrogen energy. The company also explores and applies new technologies for green methanol production and establishes a methanol energy refueling security system. Through an integrated design encompassing, methanol, vehicles, goods, stations, and finance, the company is constructing a diversified green methanol transport ecosystem, facilitating the rapid and widespread adoption of methanol commercial vehicles.
The Delhi Additional Directorate of Education will convene a meeting on February 1 and address the modalities of the admission process for the academic session 2024-25, reported PTI .

DoE officials informed that the meeting will also be attended by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi's education director and all deputy directors of education.

Directorate of Education circular released on January 24, the notice stated that the admission procedure for the upcoming academic session will be reviewed in the meeting in order to make the admission process hassle free and facilitate the parents.

The circular read, A meeting under the chairpersonship of the Additional Directorate of Education will be convened at 11 am on February 1 at New Conference Hall, Directorate of Education, Old Secretariat Delhi, to discuss the modalities regarding plan admissions."

Class X and XII students of 2024-25 academic session will be offered the choice to sit for the multiple board format. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will conduct multiple board exams in the next academic session for the first time to reduce stress among students, a senior official at the ministry of education informed TOI. However, the last time board exams had to be split into two was due to Covid-19 in 2021.

Moreover the official reported that the new system of twice-a-year board exams for Class X and XII will not be mandatory. He said, If a candidate is prepared and is satisfied with the score in one set of exams, he can choose not to appear for the next exam," reported TOI. The best of the two board exam scores would be considered for the final results and merit list, as per media reports.

Also read: Online education is inadequate for reasons we have long known

Earlier, education minister Dharmendra Pradhan had said that the twice-a-year board format will be rolled out from 2024-25 academic year. Dharmendra Pradhan said, Which means this will be adopted from the 2025 board exams for Class X and XII. This will be effective from the present Class IX and XI students," reported TOI.

(With inputs from PTI)

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MARTIN COUNTY, TexasIn the countrys busiest oil field, frackers are devouring nearly as much electricity as four Seattles every dayand they are clamoring for more.

Diamondback Energy, a major producer in the Permian Basin of West Texas and New Mexico, has increasingly relied on the electric grid to power its crude harvesting. But as the drillers oil production has grown nearly 50 times in the past 10 years, the grid has struggled to handle this new demand, prompting Diamondback to set up its own power network to cut its use of natural-gas-fired generators.

The grid has to catch up with the industrials and whats going on here," said Hunter Landers, the companys vice president of completions.

As drillers have faced investor and public pressure to cut greenhouse-gas emissions, they have ditched polluting diesel-power generators and plugged into the grid at breakneck speed. Sourcing electricity increasingly generated by wind and solar power allows the companies to cut their carbon footprint. On top of making companies greener, utility-scale power means savings on fuel costs and more efficient operations, oil and gas executives say.

But the trend is sending electricity sales soaring in Texas, New Mexico and North Dakota. Like other kinds of businesses trying to electrify, drillers have hit a bottleneck, finding there is only so much capacity on the grid. Many operators who cant wait for infrastructure to catch up have built it themselves.

Consumers havent felt much of an impact yet, though investments in grid infrastructure or new generation will be needed across much of the U.S. as more industries electrify. The cost of the investments is huge, and consumers will eventually bear some of that.

Much is at stake: The International Energy Agency said in a May report that using electricity to power equipment instead of diesel or natural gas could halve the 700 million metric tons of carbon emissions from global oil and gas production by 2030.

From one perspective, were early innings," Ryder Booth, vice president of Chevrons midcontinent business unit, said of the Permians increasing electrification efforts.

While U.S. electricity sales rose just 5% in the past decade, some states with large oil and gas fields have seen some of the largest jumps in power usage in the country. In New Mexico, the amount of electricity sales in megawatt hours has jumped 16% in a decade, largely driven by the Permian oil patch in the southeastern corner of the state, according to government data and regulatory filings.

In North Dakota, which boasts oil production of around 1.3 million barrels of oil a day along with a growing network of bitcoin miners and data centers, electricity sales have jumped more than 58% overall and 120% for industrial customers in the past decade, the biggest such increases in the country.

In the shale booms early days, unruly frackers quickly overran the existing pipeline and power infrastructures. Companies flared the natural gas they couldnt sell, and employed fleets of diesel generators to power a swath of their field equipment.

Some drillers have since moved to cut flaring and put field gas to work to produce local power. They are increasingly connecting heavy machinery such as drilling rigs to high-power lines.

While the oil patch has never been more grid-connected, the congested power network is falling further behind ballooning crude production, threatening to stall companies progress on curbing emissions.

Northwest of Williston, N.D., one of the Bakken oil fields boomtowns, Basin Electric Power Cooperative broke ground in September on about 580 megawatts of natural gas-fired power generation, citing the need to serve growing oil and gas development. Chief Executive Todd Brickhouse said that even when oil prices fall, pumps and compression stations keep operating.

The project is among the largest for the co-op in 40 years.

The Permian produces nearly 6 million barrels of oil a day, up from just 1.3 million barrels about a decade ago, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Sales to industrial customers in New Mexico doubled between 2017 and 2022 for Xcel Energy subsidiary Southwestern Public Service, the utility for a swath of the oil field in New Mexico and Texas.

But of the 16 gigawatts of industrial power Permian oil-and-gas companies currently need, less than a third comes from the grid, said Curtis Smith, an analyst at S&P Global Commodity Insights.

If these producers are to meet their emissions targets, they will need to receive grid-provided power more than three times the amount New York City uses in a day by 2032, according to Smith. Some analysts doubt that this much new capacity can be brought online that quickly.

The oil field is both growing and trying to electrify while oil-field communities and other industries like data centers are also growing, said Adrian Rodriguez, Southwestern Public Services president. Across both states, the utility estimates it needs to build 5 to 10 gigawatts of new power generation in the coming years to meet growing demand and replace some older power plants.

In the past few years, power-hungry Permian producers have erected their own electric substationsessentially building parts of the grid themselves.

They have also successfully lobbied the Texas legislature for more infrastructure. Last year, Texas lawmakers passed a bill mandating the states Public Utility Commission to develop a reliability plan for electrification in the Permian and beefing up the grid there.

Where Diamondback has found the power network lacking for some big developments, it has developed its own microgrid. About 23 miles northeast of Midland, the company has joined with energy startup VoltaGrid to develop a system built around four bus-size, natural-gas engines that generate enough electricity to power about 13,000 homes. In deafening noise, the motors produce electricity that flows through roughly 18 miles of distribution lines.

It could be a two- to five-year bridge before infrastructure catches up," said Diamondbacks Landers.

Some machines consume a lot of energy, operate intermittently and are mobile, making them especially difficult to connect to the grid. This includes most 5,000-horsepower fracking pumps companies use to blast underground rock with sand and water.

To lower emissions, operators are switching from diesel to natural-gas generators.

Sam Sledge, chief executive officer of fracking company ProPetro, said that about two years ago, the companys frack pumps almost all ran on diesel. Since then, it has spent about $350 million to replace about two-thirds of that equipment with pumps that run on electricity generated by burning natural gas and pumps that run on a blend of natural gas and diesel.

The near-term story is a natural-gas story," Sledge said of electrifying frack pumps. Long term: more grid in more places."

Write to Benoit Morenne at benoit.morenne@wsj.com and Jennifer Hiller at jennifer.hiller@wsj.com
The Indian market kicked off the Interim Budget week on a high note, primarily influenced by Reliance Industries. RIL shares experienced a 7% surge, reaching an all-time high of 2,896 per share. This marked the most significant intraday gain for Reliance Industries since September 2020. With this surge, the market capitalisation of the company surpassed 19 lakh crore, settling at 19.60 lakh crore.

The Nifty 50 surged by 1.80% to reach 21,737 points in today's trade. This was the index's biggest intraday jump since December 4, 2023. The S&P BSE Sensex also jumped 1.76% to 71,941 points.

It is worth noting that Reliance Industries shares have experienced a 5% increase on eight occasions over the last five years. The most significant intraday surge within this timeframe occurred on April 7, 2020, with a jump of 11.94%, followed by another notable increase of 10.20% on April 22, 2020.

Also Read: Stock market today: Nifty 50, Sensex jump almost 2% each on all-round buying; investors earn nearly 6 lakh crore

Reliance Industries' robust performance contributed 142 points to the Nifty 50's total gain of 385 points today, accounting for 37% of the overall rally. Following closely were banking heavyweights such as HDFC Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, ICICI Bank, and Axis Bank, collectively contributing 82.57 points to the day's overall index surge.

Overall, 38 constituents of the index, or 76%, finished today's trade with gains, with Oil and Natural Gas Corporation standing at the top with a gain of nearly 8% at 252.50 apiece, followed by RIL. The surge in both ONGC and RIL shares can be attributed to the significant uptick in crude oil prices, driven by escalating tensions in the Red Sea.

Additionally, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), and Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) also registered gains ranging between 2% and 5% in today's trade.

Also Read: Oil sits at 2-month high; Brent marks biggest weekly gain since Israel-Hamas war

The crisis in the Red Sea shipping route began after Yemen-based Houthi rebels launched frequent attacks on commercial shipping vessels plying through the route in November as a fallout of the Israeli-Palestine war, which started in early October 2023.

The Red Sea shipping route accounted for 50% of the country's exports and 30% of imports last fiscal year, PTI reported.

Meanwhile, on the flip side, Cipla stock stood as the top loser in today's trade with a drop of 2.4%, followed by ITC, LTIMindtree, and Infosys, all falling up to 1.3%.

Among sectoral indices, Nifty Oil and Gas jumped 5.18%, followed closely by Nifty PSU Bank (up 2.43%), Nifty Consumer Durable (up 1.72%), Nifty Auto (1.68%), Nifty Metal (1.61%), and Nifty Bank (up 1.28%).

Also Read: Sensex, Nifty surge almost 2%: From gains in RIL, HDFC Bank to strong global cues, 4 key factors driving the rally

Commenting on today's market performance, Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Financial Services, said," The domestic market underwent an upturn as the recent selloff and positive Asian peers provided an opportunity to accumulate quality stocks. Despite premium valuations, confidence is upheld among investors due to the optimistic environment surrounding the interim budget and the recent set of results aligning with forecasts."

"Globally, the upcoming FED policy stands out as a crucial factor. While a rate cut by the FOMC is unlikely, investors will eagerly monitor their commentary to get cues on future rate paths," he added.

Nifty 50 projections after today's robust rally

Rupak De, Senior Technical Analyst, LKP Securities, said, "The Nifty has surged above the dual resistances of 21500 and 21700. It successfully reclaimed the 20-day moving average (20DMA) after a few days of struggle. Furthermore, the recent upward movement has propelled the index above the critical moving average, indicating a positive trend for the short term. On the higher end, it is poised to potentially reach levels around 2210022150. The support level is positioned at 21550."

Disclaimer: The views and recommendations given in this article are those of individual analysts. These do not represent the views of Mint. We advise investors to check with certified experts before making any investment decisions.

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In this final part on unclaimed investments , we will look into the use of technology, fees and the role of retrieval advisory platforms.

In the first part, we looked into how to check your unclaimed deposits and investments, documents and the steps you need to take to make a claim. You can read it here:

In this final instalment on unclaimed investments, we delve deep into the crucial aspects of technology's role, fee structures, and the pivotal function of recovery advisory platforms.

Fees

When carrying out the process, one might wonder about the fees for claiming unclaimed deposits and investments.

Government does not charge any fees in lieu of returning these assets. The owner of the unclaimed asset pays only for the hand-holding services delivered by any individual/company, but services are voluntarily sought by the asset owner himself/herself," said Vijai, Co-founder of Jeevantika Consultancy Services.

However, one might have to pay money to obtain certain legal documents. Some legal documents like affidavits/indemnity bonds, etc., need to be submitted. You might have to hire a lawyer. Also, in the case of deceased investor, legal heirs rights have to be proved, which may require court orders such as Succession Certificate/Letter of Administration or Probates, etc., which will involve substantial costs," said Ankit, Advocate and Founder of Garg Law Chambers (GLC).

Role of recovery platforms

It might be challenging for individuals to claim their or their parent's unclaimed investments. This is where recovery platforms can help people from start to end. They charge a fee based on the amount of assets recovered.

Many clients approach us intending to reclaim a specific holding, only to discover through our advanced search platform that additional assets are tied to their name or that of their family members. This depth of insight is often unattainable without professional assistance.

Hiring a professional reduces the probability of error and ensures that everything is recovered and that similar steps do not have to be repeated by himself or later by his legal heirs," said Shreyash, Managing Partner at Recoversy.

Vikash Jain, Co-Founder at Share Samadhan, assesses the situation first and only charges his clients after they receive their claims.

For nearly 12 years, our investment retrieval advisory has been dedicated to assisting clients in recovering their financial assets, be it physical assets, unclaimed insurance, or funds in inoperative bank accounts. Our process begins with a complimentary evaluation of the client's papers, ensuring we charge nothing upfront for case assessment. If our team finds the case feasible, we proceed to a formal mandate agreement, incurring only a minimal mandate signing fee. Our main compensation is a success-based fee, a percentage of the total recovered amount, commensurate with the investment's value. Clients are responsible for any legal expenses, such as succession certificates or stamp duties. Beyond these and the small initial fee, our charges are solely success-based, ensuring our goals align with our client's financial recovery," said Vikash.

Use of technology

Technology can immensely help platforms to recover their clients unclaimed investments.

At Recoversy, we ourselves have leveraged cutting-edge AI technologies to revolutionise the identification and claiming of unclaimed investments. The integration of AI into our system has proven instrumental in sifting through vast repositories of unclaimed data with unmatched efficiency.

By employing advanced algorithms, we can swiftly track down investments linked not only to the individual directly but also those associated with their family members, which most of the time comes as a surprise to our client; how we can know their family members and this last addresses without even telling us. This comprehensive approach ensures that no potential assets are overlooked, offering a more exhaustive search process. We are actively working on implementing AI-driven solutions that streamline and enhance our recovery procedures.

This strategy is designed to maximise the speed and accuracy of our services, ultimately benefiting our clients by increasing the overall value of unclaimed investments we can uncover on their behalf," said Shreyash.

Deadline for claiming assets

No regulator or public authority has issued any circular or formal notification regarding confiscating these assets, except for certain rules pertaining to unclaimed deposits.

At present, shares can be claimed at any time without a time limit. However, for other investments like insurance, PF, bank accounts, and postal savings, the government has implemented a timeline. After 10 years of being unclaimed, the funds are transferred to a separate fund. Then, the government waits an additional 15 years. After a total of 10 + 15 years, generally, for all financial instruments, the funds become inaccessible, and the government utilises them for the senior citizen welfare fund i.e. PF, EPF and insurance and DEA (in case of bank account)," said Vikash.

If someone doesnt claim back their unclaimed assets, they continue to be in the custody of the requisite Government body like the IEPF Authority, SCWF, RBI etc. Until the government creates any new law, the said unclaimed investments can be claimed back by the concerned investor," said Ankit.

Prevention of investments from becoming unclaimed or lost

Shreyash believes that it is important for investors to make their nominees aware of their investments and have one phone and email address across different investments.

One practical approach is to maintain a comprehensive record of all investments, regularly updating a centralised document that includes details such as asset types, account numbers, and relevant contact information. This document should ideally be shared with at least one trusted family member or friend, ensuring that someone close is aware of the investment portfolio.

Additionally, it is prudent to streamline communication channels by using a single email address and mobile number across all assets. This practice facilitates efficient tracking and correspondence related to the investments. Merely updating nominee details may not be sufficient unless the designated person is aware of the specific investments involved. Therefore, maintaining clear and accessible records becomes crucial for effective communication and resolution.

For added security, consider establishing joint holders for accounts and investments. This strategic approach simplifies the recovery process in the unfortunate event of an untimely demise, ensuring that the transition of assets is smoother and less burdensome for surviving family members. By implementing these proactive measures, individuals can significantly reduce the risk of their investments becoming unclaimed or lost, contributing to a more secure and well-organised financial future," said Shreyash.

Claim process for NRIs

People who have moved abroad can also claim back their unclaimed deposits/investments in India by following the due procedure.

In case the investors are residing abroad, they have to send their KYC documents, OCI/PIO card, foreign address proof, old Indian address proofs, etc., to prove their credentials to the concerned companies/authorities," said Ankit.

For Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) living abroad, all the important papers, like KYC details, passport, PAN, and address proofs, need to be notarised or apostilled from their country of residence. Now, NRIs have two options for this paperwork adventure. They can either go to the Indian embassy to get things sorted there, or they can take the local route and get documents notarised by a nearby notary. Moreover, NRIs need a PAN card and they need to open an NRE or NRO bank account and a corresponding demat account in India," said Vikash.

Taxation

No taxes are involved when claiming back one's own investments or those of a deceased individual. The only instance where taxation comes into play is when the reclaimed shares are sold, and capital gains tax becomes applicable. The specific tax implications are determined based on whether the gains are categorised as long-term or short-term, as per the income tax rules.

From these two parts, we can conclude that the journey to claiming unclaimed investments is layered with various facets. It might be easier to make a claim for people with documents in place, but it might be difficult to claim investments done by the claimant's deceased parents who don't have access to documents. In these cases, recovery platforms make it easier for people to get their rightful share. Moreover, it is important to stay patient, especially for complicated cases, as it might require almost four years to get claims.

Padmaja Choudhury is a freelance financial content writer. With around six years of total experience, mutual funds and personal finance are her focus areas.

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Utter chaos. And Bolangady Gurunandan headed right into it. It would take some time for the senior citizen from Bengaluru to even figure out what was happening around him. It was at around 11am on 23 January when Gurunandan, 71, reached the Udaipur airport. He was well on time to catch his return flight to Mumbai after attending a wedding in Udaipur. His Vistara flight was delayed, the airport staff told him. All around him, he could see several disgruntled passengers and a few clueless airline staff. He decided to wait it out but it never occurred to him that he would be boarding the flight only the next day.

The chaos that Gurunandan witnessed that day was, however, not restricted to Udaipur airport alone. Such chaotic scenes were witnessed at Delhi and some other airports in north India. Several flights were delayed or cancelled due to extreme fog conditions not just that day but also on several other days in January.

View Full Image Flying Woes

Gurunandan was stuck at the Udaipur airport for nearly nine hours. At 8 pm, he, along with about a hundred other passengers, were informed by the airline staff that they had the option to either cancel their flight ticket and get a refund or board another flight the next afternoon. The 71-year-old chose the latter to save the hassle of finding and booking another flight. That, however, was not the end of his problems. He had to find food and accommodation away from the airport. The airline refused to get involved.

We were offered just a packet of cookies in the name of refreshments. Between 11.30am and 8pm, we should have been served both lunch and dinner," Gurunandan said.

Gurunandan is right. As per the Passenger Charter issued by Indias aviation ministry, all passengers should be offered free meals and refreshments if a flight is delayed beyond 2-4 hours, depending on its block time. Block time is the total time a flight takes from the time it starts moving from the departure gate to its arrival at the destination gate.

Meanwhile, Gurunandan and four of his relatives had to shell out about 38,000 in meals, hotel stay and cab fare for travelling from the airport to the hotel and back. After making us wait for nine hours, the airline left senior citizens like me, families with toddlers, and people on wheelchairs in the lurch, instead of providing us accommodation," said Gurunandan, who was distressed by the turn of events.

In response to queries sent by Mint, a Vistara spokesperson said an alternate aircraft was arranged for the journey on the same day with all passengers. However, Gurunandan claimed that he and his relatives were not informed about this and only given the option to cancel or take a flight the next day.

Gurunandans plight is shared by millions of passengers every year when flights are either delayed or cancelled by airlines. In 2023, about 2.56 million passengers were affected by flight delays and cancellations, as per data from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). In December 2023 alone, about 400,000 passengers were affected, the highest that year. Weather conditions topped the reasons for most cancellations.

The months of December and January witness maximum flight delays and cancellation each year due to fog. Since its a recurring phenomenon, the airlines are expected to be prepared for it but airports continue to witness chaotic scenes every year, a senior pilot, who has been flying for nearly eight years, told Mint. Part of the problem is the lack of proper training given to crew and ground staff to handle such situations. Passenger traffic is growing in leaps and bounds and the airlines are not training the staff properly in their hurry to recruit fast ," he said on the condition of anonymity.

Whats the recourse?

The Passenger Charter lays out the rights of airline passengers. When a flight is cancelled, whether in advance or after the passengers have arrived at the airport, it is mandatory for the airline to give passengers a written notice stating all the rules for compensation and assistance. The passengers can demand this notice from the check-in counter in the case of flight delays. However, in reality, most airlines dont put this into practice. So, it would do well to know your rights as a customer.

The Passenger Charter has directions on how passengers should be compensated in various scenarios like flight delays, cancellations, over-booking, diversion and baggage loss, delay or damage, among other things.

Flight delays

When a flight is expected to be delayed beyond six hours, the rescheduled time should be communicated to the passengers at least 24 hours prior to departure and the passengers should either be given alternative flight within six hours of the original time of departure or a full refund. But, what if the flight is delayed by more than six hours after a passenger has checked-in? The passengers are given refreshments when the delay is up to 23 hours. After 24 hours of delay, the passengers are entitled for free hotel accommodation. For flights scheduled to depart between 8pm and 3am, free accommodation is given when the delay is for more than 6 hours.

Cancellations

The airline has to inform passengers of cancellation up to 24 hours before the departure date with the option of an alternate flight or a full refund. If it fails to do so or you miss a connecting flight due to the airlines fault, it is liable to give monetary compensation to the passengers over and above full refund or an alternate flight. The compensation is 5,000, 7,500 and 10,000 for flights with block time of up to one hour, between one and two hours and over two hours, respectively.

Cancellation charges

A refundable ticket may not mean that you will get the full amount for cancelling a flight. Air ticket fare has several components, so you must check the refund money that is admissible. Do ensure that the airline is not deducting any undue charges. For instance, the airline has to refund any statutory taxes, user development fee, airport development fee and passenger service fee.

Baggage complaints: In the case of baggage loss, delay or damage, the passenger is entitled to compensation of up to 20,000 for domestic flights and 1,131 SDR ( 1.26 lakh after conversion into rupee) in the case of international flights. SDR stands for Special Drawing Rights and it is the international monetary funds unit of accounting. Unlike cases of cancellation or delays, airlines do not generally compensate for baggage related issues unless the passenger claims it. So, ensure that you lodge a complaint and ask for fair compensation.

Though these rules are well intentioned, a special clause in the charter may make it difficult for passengers to get fair compensation for delays or cancellations caused by adverse weather conditions like fog. It says that the airline is not liable to pay any compensation in respect of delays or cancellations caused by factors that are beyond the control of the airline. In such cases, a travel insurance helps.

Travel insurance

When you book a flight ticket through an online travel aggregator (OTA), you will most likely get an option to buy insurance at the time of checkout. This costs 200 or less per person and will come in handy in case of delays, cancellations and missed connecting flights.

The policy pays a flat predetermined benefit on delay by the stipulated number of hours mentioned in the policy. Typically, the insurer doesnt ask for any bills or proof of expenses and pays a flat benefit. The customer only needs to upload the boarding pass and furnish bank account details to facilitate swift processing of the claim," said Vivek Chaturvedi, CMO and head of direct sales, Digit General Insurance. This benefit is typically paid out to compensate for any discretionary spending one may undertake in an airport due to the extra time spent there."

For cancelled flights, the sum insured can be claimed when the flight is cancelled by the airline and it doesnt provide an alternative. Trip cancellation coverage also safeguards you in case there is a need to cancel your trip due to reasons like illness, injury or specific emergencies," said Chaturvedi. The coverage can vary from 2,000 to 10,000 on different policies.

While buying the policy, make sure that it has coverage for delays, missed connections, baggage loss or delay and cancellation. Chaturvedi said one should look for an insurance policy that includes 24/7 travel assistance service so that any travel-related issues can be addressed in a timely manner.

It is best to buy a travel policy especially for travel dates in December or January as flight delays are inevitable during this time.
MUMBAI : The broking community is divided on extending trading hours for the equity derivatives segment but is deliberating on it and expected to reach a decision shortly, said Madhabi Puri Buch, chairperson, Securities and Exchange Board of India.

At the moment, the broking community itself is divided. Its a divided house, and there is a lot of discussion and deliberation that is going on. They will soon reach some conclusion one way or the other in some reasonable timeline," Buch said while addressing an event of the Industry Standards Forum.

Of course, we havent reached a stage where we have asked the investors themselves what they want. So thats a different level of consultation and feedback that we may require."

The regulator would also need to consider the views of market infrastructure institutions, Buch said.

Last year, the National Stock Exchange floated a proposal to extend the trading hours for equity derivatives to end at 9 pm, instead of 6 pm now.

Another proposal was to have a separate trading window from 6pm to 9 pm, which was later to be extended to 11 pm.

NSE, at the time the largest stock exchange, had said it was planning to extend the trading hours for equity derivatives in a phased manner, following representations from various stakeholders.

Last year, the markets regulator formed the Industry Standards Forum to address the concerns of the broking industry. The Association of National Exchange Members of India, the Bombay Stock Exchange Brokers Forum, and the Commodity Participants Association of India are a part of the forum.

The regulator also highlighted the increasing misuse of proprietary trading, where client trades are being passed off as proprietary trades by brokers to evade margin rules and taxes.

When an order is placed via a trading terminal it must be clearly stated as a client trade or a proprietary transaction. If a trade is on behalf of a client, the broker needs to collect margins from the client. If a broker tags a trade as being proprietary, the margin requirement will be adjusted from the brokers funds already deposited with the stock exchange as part of networth compliance.

There are some people who are permitting access to their clients through proprietary accounts for a variety of reasons, including wanting to fund their margins," Buch said.

The industry has made a representation to us that there are different revenue models that brokers have, and that some of those models may look like a misuse but it is not. We will analyse all of that in a very balanced way to separate wheat from the chaff."

On the legality of recommendations provided by Industry Standards Forum, Buch clarified that these are well-crafted and in consultation with Sebi, and therefore would be legally binding.

Buch said Sebi will issue a circular stating that brokers will have to follow the recommendations issued by the forum.

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Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra on Monday will reach Bihar through Kishanganj, a district with a heavy Muslim population which is also a party stronghold. This is Gandhi's first visit to Bihar since the assembly poll campaign of 2020.

He is scheduled to address a public meeting in Kishanganj, followed by a big rally in the adjoining district of Purnea on Tuesday and another one in Katihar a day later, according to Congress legislature party leader Shakil Ahmed Khan. The former Congress chief resumed the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra from North Dinajpur in West Bengal.

The journey, which started in Manipur on January 14, crossed into West Bengal from Assam on Thursday morning. During the break, Rahul Gandhi returned to New Delhi.

The Yatra is set to re-enter West Bengal on January 31 through Malda, and after passing through Murshidabad, it is scheduled to exit the state on February 1. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has penned a letter to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, requesting her assistance in ensuring the smooth execution of the program in the state.

His Bihar tour comes a day after the Congress was left high and dry with former ally Nitish Kumar, the Bihar chief minister, making a return to the BJP-led NDA. The state Congress leaders stated that the party's alliance partners in Bihar like RJD president Lalu Prasad and CPI(ML)-L general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya have been invited to the rally at Purnea.

Nitish Kumar, the JD(U) president with whom the Congress had shared power till he did a volte-face, was also extended an invitation which the veteran leader had accepted.

The Yatra is planned to cover a distance of 6,713 kilometres during a 67-day journey, passing through 110 districts across 15 states. It is set to conclude in Mumbai on either March 20 or 21.

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Chief Imam of All India Imam Organization, Dr Imam Umer Ahmed Ilyasi, faced a fatwa for attending the Pranpratishtha ceremony of Ram Lalla at Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

After attending the Pran Pratishtha ceremony on January 22, Umer Ahmed Ilyasi has also received threat calls and messages demanding his resignation. However, many people also applauded his gesture of attending the ceremony, he told ANI. As a chief Imam, I received the invitation from Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra. I contemplated for two days and then decided to go to Ayodhya for harmony, for the country. The fatwa was issued yesterday but I had been receiving threat calls from the evening of January 22," he told ANI on Monday.

Umer Ahmed Ilyasi also said that he received a positive response from many people for attending the Pran Pratishtha ceremony. For those who continuously criticised him for his gesture, he asked them to go to Pakistan". He also made it clear that he would not apologise to anyone for attending the Pran Pratishta ceremony and reiterated that whatever he did was for the country and humanity. His sole intention was to send the message of brotherhood by attending the Pran Pratishtha ceremony.

I have recorded a few calls wherein the callers gave me life threats. Those who love me, love the nation - will support me. Those who hate me for attending the ceremony should perhaps go to Pakistan. I have given a message of love, I did not do any crime. I will not apologise or resign, they can do whatever they want," said Ilyasi.

The Pran Pratishtha ceremony of the Ram Lalla idol was held at the Ayodhya Ram Mandir on January 22 in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi who led the ceremony.

The ceremony was also attended by RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, top business leaders, Bollywood celebrities and other eminent personalities.

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Karnataka village tense after Hanuman flag removed; police use force to quell unrest

A massive political tension has erupted between ruling and opposition parties at Karnataka's Keragodu village after the authorities removed Lord Hanuman's flag--a saffron flag bearing lord Hanuman's portrait, from a 108-ft-tall flag post. Several members of the BJP, JD(S), and Bajrang Dal gathered near the flag post and protested against the ruling Congress government in the state and authorities following the removal of the Hanuman flag. In order to quell the unrest, a large contingent of police personnel was deployed in the village and cops resorted to lathi charges as well on Sunday. The police and administration replaced the Hanuma flag with the national tricolour on the flagpole yesterday. Lok Sabha 2024 a battle of ideologies: Congress could be a game-changer if... Meanwhile on Monday, police remained vigilant in Keragodu village. Notably, BJP state chief B Y Vijayendra has directed party leaders and workers to hold a protest at all the district headquarters of the state on Monday, condemning the "anti-Hindu policy" of the state's Congress government and for "insulting" the National Flag.

How did the issue start?

Karnataka's Keragodu village residents and 12 other neighbouring villages funded the installation of the flag post near Rangamandira. Reportedly, BJP and JD(S) workers were actively involved in this initiative.

They raised a saffron flag featuring Hanuman's image, prompting opposition from some individuals who filed a complaint with the administration.

Following the complaint, the taluk panchayat executive officer directed the gram panchayat officials to remove the flag. Several villagers, including a significant number of women, vehemently protested against the removal. Some activists and villagers stayed vigilant even after midnight on Saturday fearing that the flagpole would be removed.

Some protestors directed their anger towards the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government and Mandya Congress MLA Ganiga Ravikumar, chanting slogans against them. The protestors refused to relent and affixed a flex board featuring a portrait of Lord Ram along with a smaller saffron flag at the base of the flagpole.

Tension persisted on Sunday morning, leading to a heated exchange between the police and protesting villagers and activists as the cops removed the saffron flag in the presence of senior district officials. Mandya District in-charge Minister N Cheluvarayaswamy said 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". However, he expressed readiness to support the installation of the Hanuman flag at a private place or near a temple.

What Karnataka govt say?

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that instead of hoisting the national flag, a 'bhagwa dwaja' (saffron flag) had been raised. "It is not right. I have asked (the authorities concerned) to hoist the national flag."

Karnataka Hanuman flag row: Siddaramaiah defends the move amid protest

What BJP say?

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?

State BJP President B Y Vijayendra accused the government of removing the flag using "police oppression" and creating a situation for law and order to deteriorate. He claimed that the authorities had disrespected the National Flag as well. "The national flag was disrespected, as authorities have violated the rule of hoisting it at 9 am and lowering it in the evening," he explained.

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Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren made an impromptu trip to Delhi in response to a fresh summons from the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which requested his participation in an ongoing money laundering investigation, on January 29.

Soren's unanticipated visit to the national capital on Saturday night sparked speculations regarding its purpose.

This development coincided with the ED asking Soren to make himself available for questioning on either January 29 or January 31.

"The visit was not planned. The sudden plan was made after the issuance of a fresh summons by the ED. He has his scheduled events lined up, including a programme in Chaibasa on January 29, in Palamu on January 30, and in Giridih on January 31," explained an anonymous official, as quoted by PTI.

While a source indicated that Soren went to Delhi for legal consultations, this information could not be verified by the Chief Minister's Office.

The ED had previously recorded the chief minister's statement on January 20 at his official residence under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The issuance of fresh summons suggests that the questioning was not completed on that day.

The investigation revolves around an alleged "huge racket of illegal change of ownership of land by the mafia" in Jharkhand, according to the agency.

In connection with this case, the ED has already arrested 14 individuals, including 2011-batch IAS officer Chhavi Ranjan, who served as the director of the state's Social Welfare Department and deputy commissioner of Ranchi.

Meanwhile, Soren's political party, JMM, staged protests against the ED's fresh summons. Hundreds of JMM workers gathered at Morabadi Grounds in Ranchi, expressing concerns about a perceived conspiracy by the BJP to destabilize the democratically elected government in the state. They accused central agencies like the ED and CBI of being misused for political ends.

(With Inputs from PTI)

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MIAMISayUncle has released four new scenes this week, starring Vlad Stark, Johnny Viper, Alex Gonzalez, and others.

A Tempting First Encounter, from SayUncles newest series EuroPeenz, features Vlad Stark who cant seem to figure out where he is. He stumbles upon the handsome Lucas Moreno, who is tanning naked by the pool. Moreno offers to help Stark find his way around, but he cant help but notice how attractive Vlad is. Its not long before the two hook up. To watch the scene, click here.

Johnny Viper is next in Concept: Broke Studs, from SayUncle Labs when Nath Laterel reaches out to him in desperate need of money to support him and his wife. Laterel knows that Viper has been wanting to have sex with him, so Laterel offers to help Nath pay 12 months of his rent, as long as he gets what he wants too. To watch, click here.

Other scenes include:

 A Good Old Spanking, from Family Dick, stars Alex Gonzalez who faces the consequences of his actions after his stepdad (Johnny Ford) specifically asked him not to come home after midnight. So, when he shows up the next morning, stepdad is ready to give him a good spanking, but it only serves to turn him on.

 Dick Rush, from Dick Rides, features Milo Star who drives a ride-share car when he meets a hunky passenger (Isra Hell), who is in a rush to go bang his girlfriend since its been a long while since hes had sex. However, Star tells him guys are better at giving BJs, so this passenger asks him to prove it.

For more information, visit SayUncle.com and follow the brand on X/Twitter.

Pictured, Johnny Ford, left, and Alex Gonzalez.
The Department of Pensions and Pensioners' Welfare (DoPPW) on Sunday said the Centre has allowed women government employees and pensioners to nominate their children for receiving family pension over their spouse.

Previously, the family pension was granted to the surviving spouse and the children, other family members became eligible only after the death of the spouse, the DoPPW said in a statement.

The DoPPW has introduced an amendment to the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 2021, allowing female government employees or pensioners to grant family pension to their eligible child/children after their own demise, in place of their spouse," PTI quoted MoS for Personnel Jitendra Singh as saying.

Also Read | Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu to face impeachment motion in Parliament

The amendment will address situations where marital discord leads to divorce proceedings or cases filed under laws such as the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, Dowry Prohibition Act or the Indian Penal Code, the minister said.

Singh further said the amendment is in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modis policy of giving just and legitimate rights to women functionaries in every sector.

"In a path-breaking decision with far-reaching socio-economic impact and in keeping with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's policy to provide equitable rights to women, the government has amended the long-standing established rule, thereby granting the woman employee the right to nominate her son or daughter for family pension, instead of her husband as has been the practice so far." the statement read.

Procedure

The female government employee or pensioner must make a written request to the concerned head of office, stating that family pension should be granted to her eligible child/children in precedence to her spouse, in the event of her death during the ongoing proceedings, the DoPPW said.

"If the female government servant or pensioner passes away during the proceedings, the family pension will be disbursed accordingly," the statement said.

If a woman employee is survived by a widower with no eligible child, the family pension will be payable to the widower, the statement read.

In case, if the widower is the guardian of a minor child or a child suffering from a mental disorder, the family pension will be payable to the widower, as long as he remains the guardian. Once the child attains majority and remains eligible for family pension, it will be payable directly to the child.

For cases where the deceased female government servant or pensioner is survived by a widower and children who have attained majority but are still eligible for family pension, the family pension will be payable to such children, the statement added.

The minister said that the government has taken this initiative after several representations from women officials and pensioners asking if it was possible to nominate children before the spouse in cases where divorce proceedings are underway or domestic violence cases are pending against the spouse.

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A 26-year-old female IT professional was found dead in a hotel room in the Hinjewadi area of Pune district on Sunday morning, the police official said.

According to senior police officials from Pimpri Chinchwad Police station of Pune district, the victim is identified as Vandana Dwivedi who is from Lucknow and had traveled to Pune after being called by her boyfriend residing in a hotel room.

"The lifeless body was found this morning with a gunshot wound to her head," a police official added.

The prime suspect, Vandana's friend, initially went on the run but was later apprehended in Mumbai, said the police official.

"Both individuals were employed at an IT firm in Pune, and preliminary information suggests they were in a relationship," said the police.

The motive behind this tragic incident remains unclear, further investigations are underway.

More details are awaited.

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This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.
India, which had topped the Maldives tourism chart in December 2023, slipped to the fifth spot as per data released by the Maldives Ministry of Tourism on Monday. However, China remained at the third spot  as compared to its position in December 2023  in the ranking of the Maldives' top 10 tourism markets.

ALSO READ: Maldives news: Opposition MPs engage in fight during parliamentary proceedings, video goes viral

An analysis of the data shows that in the last one month, China took over India around January 21 in terms of the number of tourist arrivals in the Maldives. Before this, China was trailing India in the chart showing the 'Top 10 Markets 2024' of the Maldives tourism.

India Vs China: What data say

As of December 31, India bagged the top spot in the Maldives tourism market share (11.1 per cent), followed by Russia and China (10 per cent). China was not even on top 10 list in the data released on January 3, 2024, by the Ministry of Tourism of the Maldives.

However, by January 13, India slipped to the third position with an 8.1 per cent market share. China was in the sixth spot. Later, as of January 21, China marched its way up to the fourth spot, with India further being pushed back to the fifth spot.

ALSO READ: Wooing China? How Maldives is swiftly reducing its dependence on India

By January 28, data from the Maldives Ministry of Tourism showed China in third position with 9.5 per cent of the Maldives' tourism market share, while India remained at the fifth spot.

This shows that India's position in Maldives tourism market significantly declined in just a month  from December 31 to January 29. While China's position among the top 10 countries dwindled over a month, the country maintained its position at the third spot by the end of January. Russia and Italy were at first and second spot respectively.

Here's a look at India Vs China tourists in the Maldives from Dec 31, 2023-Jan 28, 2024:

View Full Image Source: Maldives' Ministry of Tourism

As of (date) India and China's Position Tourist arrivals from India Tourist arrivals from China Jan 28 India-5; China-3 13,989 16,529 Jan 23 India-5; China-4 10,685 11,414 Jan 21 India-5; China-4 9,744 10,113 Jan 16 India-4; China 6 7,633 5,821 Jan 13 India-3; China-6 6,269 4,288 Jan 10 India-4; China-7 3,334 1,363 Jan 9 India-3; China-7 3,791 1,676 Jan 8 India-4; China-7 3,334 1,363 Jan 6 India-3; China-8 2,372 897 Jan 3 India-3; China-10 1,319 357 Jan 2 India-3; China not in Top 10 842 - Dec 31 India-1; China-3 209,198 187,118

India vs China tourism in Maldives

The Maldives has been witnessing a shift in tourism dynamics. India was among the largest tourist markets for the Maldives in 2023. However, before 2020, people from China were leading the tourism charts in the Maldives. The increase in arrivals from India started in 2020, as compared to that from China. Click here to understand the trend in details

India-Maldives controversy

Maldives tourism saw a decline in India's share amid diplomatic tensions over the derogatory remarks by some Maldivian ministers against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In the first week of January, PM Modi visited Lakshadweep and shared a couple of pictures, showing the "stunning beauty of its islands".

However, a few political leaders of the Maldives saw it as an attempt to project the Union Territory as an alternative tourist destination or a competition" to the Maldives. They reportedly used "derogatory" remarks against PM Modi.

In reaction to Maldivian politician's comments, "Boycott Maldives" trended on social media. Amid the row, the Maldives' former deputy speaker Eva Abdulla said she wanted to apologise for the remarks and urged Indians to keep coming to the island nation.

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Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi alleged administrative apathy and corruption in the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana scheme in Nagapattinam district.

Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi, on January 29, alleged that eligible beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana scheme were unable to claim benefits citing administrative indifference and suspected corruption as the reasons. He claimed that villagers of Nagapattinam district were unable to claim benefits assured by the scheme following his visit to Keezhvenmani village. RN Ravi also visited Nambyar Nagar inhabited by fishermen and Jeeva Nagar by Scheduled Castes. He said, It is tragic that the deserving poor villagers of Nagapattinam district are not able to get the benefit of PM Awas Yojana due to administrative apathy and alleged corruption." In this village of Nagapattinam district, more than 40 agricultural labourers were burnt alive by a landlord five decades ago in 1968. Also read: Supreme Court asks Tamil Nadu Governor Ravi to meet with CM Stalin to 'resolve impasse' over Bills Tamil Nadu Governor in a social media post of X (formerly Twitter) noted to the stark contrast between the high cost concrete memorial with thatched shacks of the poor in Keezhvenmani village. He stated, "A humongous high cost concrete structure in Keezhvenmani village as a memorial, to commemorate the massacred 44 poor labourers, in the midst of thatched shacks of the poor all around by a political party that claims to champion the proletariat is not only ironical but a mocking insult to the martyrs and the poor." Governor RN Ravi met Thiru G. Palanivel, the only survivor of 1968 massacre, during his visit. In another post on X he expressed dismay at the pervasive poverty in these villages and stated,  Shocked to see the abject poverty all along the villages. One wonders how long these unfortunate brothers and sisters have to wait for social and economic justice." Also read: Global Investors Meet: Tamil Nadu signs $4.4 billion investment deals with Tata Electronics, Pegatron, Hyundai Motors Governor Ravi also visited the Velankanni Church during his tour. Also read: Tamil Nadu has vibrant coastline, PM Modi dedicates development projects worth over  20,000 crore | Top 10 updates

Earlier, the governor's statement at an event that marked Netaji Subash Chandra Bose' 127th birth anniversary became centre of controversy. He delivered his speech at Anna University on January 23 where he said: India's national freedom movement led by Mahatma Gandhi became a non-event after 1942 and if Netaji had not been there, India would not have become free in 1947."

Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president K S Alagiri slammed RN Ravi for his remarks and said that he (Ravi) had belittled Mahatma Gandhi with a grudge.

The governor later clarified that 'an erroneous impression' has been created by his statement. He said, "What I have said are facts based on primary documents. I did not mean any disrespect to Mahatma Gandhi whose teachings have been the guiding light of my life." In his defence RN Ravi said that the revolts of the Royal Indian Navy and Air Force in February 1946 accelerated the pace and process of independence in 1947 both of which were inspired by Netaji.

(With inputs from ANI)

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US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin expressed emotions of anger and sorrow over the loss of three US Army soldiers in a drone attack on a small American outpost in Jordan, stating that he is outraged" and deeply saddened."

The US Defence Secretary said in a statement released by the Department of Defence, I am outraged and deeply saddened by the deaths of three of our US service members and the wounding of other American troops in an attack last night against US and Coalition forces, who were deployed to a site in northeastern Jordan near the Syrian border to work for the lasting defeat of ISIS."

Also Read: America and Iran step closer to the brink of war

Austin said that US President Joe Biden and he will not tolerate attacks on American forces, and we will take all necessary actions to defend the United States, our troops, and our interests."

He noted that Iran-backed militias are responsible for these continued attacks on US forces, and we will respond at a time and place of our choosing."

These brave Americans and their families are in my prayers, and the entire Department of Defence mourns their loss," he said.

Also Read: Three US service members killed, many wounded in drone attack on US forces in Jordan: Joe Biden

The drone attack represents the initial occurrence of US troops losing their lives to enemy gunfire in the Middle East since the beginning of the Gaza war.

The assault focused on Tower 22 in Jordan, close to the Syrian border, exacerbating an already tense situation in the region. As per US authorities cited by CNN, the drone believed to be responsible for the attack was launched by militants supported by Iran and appeared to have originated from Syria.

Also Read: US airstrikes target Iran-backed militia in Iraq after attacks on American troops

The casualties were officially acknowledged by US Central Command, which confirmed that a one-way drone attack on a base in northeast Jordan resulted in the deaths of three service members and injuries to 25 others. President Joe Biden pledged to ensure accountability for the incident, stating that the attack was executed by extremist groups supported by Iran, operating in Syria and Iraq.

Also Read: US announces new task force to counter Houthi Red Sea threat

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," President Biden remarked.

He stressed the responsible parties would be held accountable at a time and in a manner chosen by the United States.

Also Read: Nine countries halt funding UN agency in Gaza, Israel says UNRWA must be replaced

As of the previous Friday, more than 158 attacks targeting US and coalition forces in Iraq and Syria had been reported. Despite a continuous onslaught involving drones, rockets, and missiles, the majority of these attacks have been deemed unsuccessful, causing minimal harm or damage. The reason for the failure of air defences to intercept the drone in this specific incident remains unclear.

The assault on Tower 22 is the first documented attack since the series of attacks on US and coalition forces commenced on October 17. The US forces stationed at the outpost are engaged in an advise-and-assist mission with Jordan. Officials have reiterated their reluctance to see heightened tensions escalate into a regional war, despite the increasing frequency of these attacks.

(With inputs from ANI)

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Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on Monday visited Islamabad at the invitation of his Pakistani counterpart Jalil Abbas Jilani.

This diplomatic engagement took place amidst tension in relations following recent reciprocal strikes between the two countries. Upon landing at the Nur Khan airbase, the Iranian Foreign Minister was received by Rahim Hayat Qureshi, Pakistan's Additional Foreign Secretary for Afghanistan and West Asia. In a post on X, Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch wrote, Foreign Minister of Iran H.Amirabdollahian has arrived in Islamabad at the invitation of Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani. He was received at the Nur Khan airbase by Additional Foreign Secretary (Afghanistan and West Asia) Rahim Hayat." While on his visit, Abdollahian is scheduled to engage in comprehensive discussions with his Pakistani counterpart Jilani and the caretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan, Anwaar ul Haq Kakar, to restore and improve bilateral relations.

During the visit, Foreign Minister Abdollahian will hold in-depth talks with Foreign Minister Jilani and call on Prime Minister Anwaar Kakar," Baloch said.

Efforts are underway between Islamabad and Tehran to ease tensions following recent missile attacks on militant hideouts in their border regions. In response to the Iranian attack, Pakistan recalled its ambassador to Iran and prevented Tehran's envoy from returning to the country, citing the incident as an "unprovoked and blatant breach" of its sovereignty.

Also Read: Iran air strikes: After Pakistan's angry reaction, India says 'this is a matter between..'

The Pakistan Army, in an official statement, announced the successful targeting of terrorist militant organizations," specifically naming the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF).

As reported by AP, the Baluch Liberation Army, known for its absence of religious affiliations and engagement in attacks against Pakistani security forces and Chinese interests, is believed to be taking refuge in Iran. Similarly, the Balochistan Liberation Front shares a nationalist orientation.

This operation carried out based on intelligence, was codenamed Marg Bar Sarmachar," which translates in Farsi to death to the guerrillas.

Also Read: Don't have any private conversations.., US on Pakistan consulting before retaliatory strikes on Iran

Pakistans Baluchistan province, as well as Irans neighbouring Sistan and Baluchestan province, have faced a low-level insurgency by Baluch nationalists for more than two decades.

As reported by AP, Jaish al-Adl, the Sunni separatist group that came under Iran's attack on January 16, is thought to be based in Pakistan and is known for launching attacks against Iranian security forces. On the other hand, the Baluch Liberation Army, established in 2000 and responsible for attacks against Pakistani security forces and Chinese infrastructure projects, is suspected to have sought refuge in Iran.

In 2018, the Chinese consulate in Karachi faced an attack when three assailants attempted to enter, resulting in the death of four individuals. The Balochistan Liberation Army claimed responsibility for the attack, citing we have been seeing the Chinese as an oppressor, along with Pakistani forces".

Balochistan, despite its abundance of minerals, natural gas, and coal, remains the most economically disadvantaged region in Pakistan. This disparity has led to persistent political unrest. Baloch nationalists have garnered support by alleging that Islamabad follows exploitative policies, neglecting to provide the region with its fair share of resources and opportunities.

Also Read: Mint Primer | Iran-Pakistan missile spat: Is the West Asian conflict widening?

Iran and Pakistan share a 900-kilometer (560-mile) border, characterized by lawlessness, allowing for the free movement of smugglers and militants. This border region is also significant for global opium shipments originating from Afghanistan.

The recent cross-border attacks raise concerns about the military preparedness of both nations, particularly in terms of their radar and air defence systems.

For Pakistan, these systems hold strategic importance due to perpetual tensions with India, its nuclear-armed adversary. Meanwhile, Iran relies on similar systems to safeguard against potential strikes from the United States, its primary geopolitical foe.

Also Read: Balochistan: 150 labourers taken into custody by Pakistan Army, says Baloch Republican Party

The situation introduces complex geopolitical dynamics, as Pakistan's military employs fighter jets from the US, China, and Francemeaning that some of these foreign weapons were likely used in the recent attacks. Beijing, which urged restraint, has substantial development interests in Gwadar port in Pakistan's Baluchistan province.

Meanwhile, the ministry said in a statement, Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani spoke with the Foreign Minister of Iran, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, today. Underscoring the close brotherly relations between Pakistan and Iran, the Foreign Minister expressed Pakistan's desire to work with Iran based on the spirit of mutual trust and cooperation. The Foreign Minister stressed that respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty must underpin this cooperation."

(With inputs from agencies)

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In response to the Iran drone attack that killed at least three US service members and wounded many others, several prominent US politicians including Senator from South Carolina Lindsey Graham called for hitting Iran.

Hit Iran now. Hit them hard," Graham wrote on X (formerly Twitter), adding that Secretary Austins efforts to deter aggression against the US forces in the region have failed miserably. He said, Ive long since lost confidence in the Biden national security team to deter Iran. If they do not change their policies now, more American service members in the region will pay the price." 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," the U.S. senator added.

The attack, which struck US forces stationed in northeast Jordan, heightened US-Iranian tension and prompted calls by some Republican lawmakers for Biden to launch strikes on Iran  a level of escalation the US has said its intent on avoiding.

Roger Wicker, the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said, We must respond to these repeated attacks by Iran and its proxies by striking directly against Iranian targets and its leadership."

The Biden administrations responses thus far have only invited more attacks," he said.

Senator Jack Reed, the committees Democratic chairman, said hes confident the Biden Administration will respond in a deliberate and proportional manner."

We will respond: Joe Biden vows retaliation

US President Joe Biden vowed retaliation, saying in a statement that we will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner our choosing." The administration believes a stronger response is warranted than with previous attacks in which Americans were not killed, according to a person familiar with US deliberations.

We shall respond," Biden said later Sunday at a campaign event in Columbia, South Carolina.

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 the statement.

Iran drone attack on US forces

At least three US service members were killed and many were wounded in a drone attack in Jordan by 'Iran-backed' militant groups, news agency AP quoted US President Joe Biden as saying in a statement on 28 January.

It is the first time American military personnel have been killed by hostile fire in the Middle East since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, and the incident will further raise tensions in the region and fuel fears of a broader conflict directly involving Iran.

Hamas said the death of the soldiers shows Washington's backing for Israel could put it at odds with the whole Muslim world if the Gaza war continues and that it could lead to a "regional explosion."

All the killed US service members were the first US fatalities in months of strikes against American forces across the Middle East by Iranian-backed militias amid the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. This has increased the risk of escalation in the region.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The US forces have come under attack more than 150 times by Iran-backed groups in Iraq and Syria, causing at least 70 casualties before Sunday's attack. The American warships have also been fired at by Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen who are regularly attacking commercial ships passing through Red Sea waters off Yemen's coast.

While the United States has thus far maintained an official line that Washington is not at war in the region, it has been retaliating against the Iran-backed groups in Iraq and Syria and carrying out strikes against Yemen's Houthi military capabilities.

However, Iran's mission to the United Nations on Monday said that Tehran was not involved in an attack that killed three U.S. service members in northeastern Jordan, near the Syrian border.

Here's a 10-point guide on Iran drone attack

1) Three US service members were killed and dozens may be wounded after an unmanned aerial drone attack on US forces stationed in northeastern Jordan near the Syrian border, President Joe Biden and US officials said on Sunday.

2) At least 34 personnel were injured in the attack, but that number is expected to change as more people seek care, according to a statement from US Central Command. Eight personnel were evacuated from Jordan for higher-level care, but are in stable condition.

3) Biden blamed Iran-backed groups for the attack, the first deadly strike against US forces since the Israel-Hamas war erupted in October and sent shock waves throughout the Middle East.

4) In an official statement, Biden said, 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."

5) Several prominent US politicians including Senator from South Carolina Lindsey Graham called for hitting Iran. Hit Iran now. Hit them hard," Graham wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

6) Roger Wicker, the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said, We must respond to these repeated attacks by Iran and its proxies by striking directly against Iranian targets and its leadership."

7) Senator Jack Reed, the committees Democratic chairman, said hes confident the Biden Administration will respond in a deliberate and proportional manner."

8) "The only answer to these attacks must be devastating military retaliation against Irans terrorist forces ... Anything less will confirm Joe Biden as a coward," said Republican Senator Tom Cotton in a statement.

9) The attack is a major escalation of the already tense situation in the Middle East, where war broke out in Gaza after the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas attacked Israel on October 7 killing 1,200. Israel's subsequent assault on Gaza has killed over 26,000 Palestinians, according to the local health ministry.

10) It is the first time American military personnel have been killed by hostile fire in the Middle East since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, and the incident will further raise tensions in the region and fuel fears of a broader conflict directly involving Iran.

(With inputs from agencies)

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US President Joe Biden said on Sunday that the US shall respond" in response to an overnight drone strike near the Syrian border in northeast Jordan, resulting in the deaths of three American troops and injuries to dozens more.

As reported by AP, Biden blamed the initial US fatalities in months, amid ongoing strikes by similar groups against American forces in the Middle East, on Iran-backed militias. This comes in the aftermath of the Israel-Hamas war. Biden said, We had a tough day last night in the Middle East. We lost three brave souls in an attack on one of our bases," and after the moment of silence, Biden added, and we shall respond." Also Read: Top Senators call to hit hard Iran after drone attack killed US troops in Jordan Amid a growing threat of military escalation in the area, US officials were actively trying to identify the specific group accountable for the attack definitively. However, their assessment indicates that the responsible party is likely one of several Iranian-backed groups. 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."

Also Read: Outraged, by deaths of three US Army soldiers, says Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin

In response to the perceived threat of US airstrikes, fighters supported by Iran in eastern Syria have started vacating their positions. This information comes from Omar Abu Layla, an activist based in Europe who leads the Deir Ezzor 24 media outlet. He informed The Associated Press that the affected areas are the strongholds of Mayadeen and Boukamal.

According to the US Central Command, a minimum of 34 troops sustained injuries in the one-way drone attack, with eight of them being transported out of Jordan for further medical attention. The Central Command reported that these eight individuals are in stable condition.

Also Read: Israel to seek US military backing? Biden govt fears broader conflict with Iran, Lebanon-based Hezbollah amid Gaza war

A sizable drone targeted Tower 22, a logistics support base in Jordan situated along the Syrian border. This base is primarily utilized by troops engaged in the advise-and-assist mission for Jordanian forces.

Central Command reported that around 350 US Army and Air Force personnel were stationed at the base. The three individuals who lost their lives and the majority of those injured were Army soldiers, as revealed by several anonymous US officials providing information not yet disclosed to the public.

Also Read: US army in Jordan faces deadly 'drone attack'; points blame on Iran-backed groups | Top 10 updates

As reported by AP, the undisclosed small installation in Jordan comprises U.S. engineering, aviation, logistics, and security troops. According to Austin, these troops are deployed there to work for the lasting defeat of ISIS."

According to three sources, the drone hit near the soldiers' sleeping quarters, explaining the significant number of casualties.

AP reported that the US military facility located at al-Tanf in Syria is 20 kilometres (12 miles) north of Tower 22. This Jordanian base serves as a crucial logistical centre for US forces operating in Syria, including those stationed at al-Tanf, positioned near the intersection of the borders of Iraq, Syria, and Jordan.

In a statement on Jordans state-run Petra news agency, the country condemned the terrorist attack" that targeted the US 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.

Also Read: Most powerful militaries: US, Russia, China, Pakistan - Where does India stand?

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.

American military personnel have historically utilized Jordan as a strategic base, given its proximity to Iraq, Israel, the West Bank, Saudi Arabia, and Syria. Approximately 3,000 US troops are usually deployed across various locations in Jordan.

Since the conflict in Gaza commenced on October 7, Iranian-backed militias have targeted American military installations in Iraq over 60 times and in Syria more than 90 times. These attacks have involved a combination of drones, rockets, mortars, and ballistic missiles.

Also Read: Red Sea fights back: US Military forces shoot down over 12 Houthi Rebel missiles, protecting vital shipping lanes

The recent attack on Sunday marked the first instance of American troops in Jordan being targeted during the Israel-Hamas war and resulted in the loss of American lives. Numerous US personnel have sustained injuries, including individuals with traumatic brain injuries, throughout these attacks.

The militias have justified their attacks by stating that they are retaliatory measures against Washington's backing of Israel in the Gaza conflict, to compel the withdrawal of US forces from the region.

In response, the US has taken actions in recent months, targeting locations in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen, aimed at responding to attacks on American forces in the area.

Additionally, these actions seek to discourage Iran-backed Houthi rebels from persisting in their threats to commercial shipping in the Red Sea.

(With inputs from AP)

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Will China broker a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict? It is a question nobody is asking, because the answer is obviousnot a chance. Yet after Beijing hosted Iran-Saudi talks that led those two rivals to re-establish diplomatic relations in March 2023, some observers wondered if China had supplanted the U.S. as the Middle Easts diplomatic broker. Since Hamass Oct. 7 massacre, China has put such illusions to rest: Beijing seeks not to be a leader, much less to establish peace and stability, but merely to undermine the U.S.

During Mao Zedongs rule (1949-76), China was a prime sponsor of Yasser Arafats Palestine Liberation Organization. But under Deng Xiaoping, Beijing made a priority of economic growth and identified Israel as a partner that could provide essential military and general technology. The resulting courtship culminated in China naming Israel its innovative comprehensive partner" in 2017, a distinctive status amid Beijings mere strategic partners, including the Palestinian Authority and Iran.

As Beijing realized the benefits of wooing the Mideasts most dynamic economy, it recognized that supporting the PLO was a liability. While Chinese policy didnt exactly become pro-Israel, it sought the safe ground of inoffensive diplomatic pablum. Chinas 2021 four-point proposal on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict reads like a ChatGPT summary of every think-tank piece on the subject. Beijing revealed its true goals, however, with its checkbook. In 2021 Beijing announced a donation of only $1 million in humanitarian aid for Gazaless than many Western businesses gave in the name of corporate social responsibility. That same year, China invested more than $2 billion in Israel.

Yet with the rise of U.S.-China hostilities in recent years, Beijings tune on Israel has shiftedand vice versa. After initially touting its economic partnership with China, the Israeli governmentprodded in part by Washingtonbegan to install guardrails against Chinese investment in sensitive Israeli infrastructure projects as well as on the transfer of dual-use technology. Trade and investment between the countries has fallen as Jerusalem has come to see Beijing less as a backup great-power patron and more as a security threat.

At the same time, China began to regard Israel as collateral damage in its rivalry with the U.S. During the 2021 Gaza conflict, Beijing used its chairmanship of the United Nations Security Council to blast the U.S. for standing on the opposite side of mankinds conscience and morality" by supporting the Jewish state. Israel subsequently joined a statement to the U.N. Human Rights Council that condemned Chinas treatment of its Uyghur Muslim minority.

China has since doubled down on such actions. Beijing has allowed antisemitism to flourish in Chinese media, especially social media, while declining to condemn Hamas outright or allow information on the Oct. 7 attacks to be freely disseminated within its borders. Meanwhile the Yemen-based Houthis have mounted attacks on commercial shipping through the Gulf of Aden and Red Seawhich one might hope Beijing would see as a threat to its economic interests. Yet Chinas naval vessels, present in the region as an antipiracy" task force, sit idle. Its diplomats abstained from a U.N. Security Council resolution condemning the strikes, and Beijing has paired its belated calls for the attacks cessation with criticism of the U.S.-led response.

A China that aimed to replace the U.S.-led international order with one of its own devising might see the Gaza conflict as an opportunity to act. The Brics bloc of emerging economiesBrazil, Russia, India, China and South Africaor the Shanghai Cooperation Organization could organize a peace effort. Chinas navy could escort container ships through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait after, say, a stern phone call from Beijing to Tehran. A China interested in being the regions go-to diplomatic broker would be cultivating Benjamin Netanyahus government, which is ideologically at odds with the Biden White House, in hopes that Jerusalem might turn to Beijing as an alternative patron.

But China is doing none of that. Its conduct shows that it is less interested in the success of its own initiatives than in the failure of Washingtons. The real threat to U.S. interests in the Mideast isnt rising Chinese influence but the erosion of our own. What Beijing wants isnt a world led by China, but simply one not led by the U.S. Washington shouldnt accept that.

Mr. Singh is director of the Glazer Program on Great Power Competition and the Middle East at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.
BARCELONA, SpainLuxury pleasure manufacturer Bijoux Indiscrets has announced the launch of the Bubblegum Play Kit, a three-piece gift set of sweet, bubblegum-scented adult body products.

Just in time for Valentine's Day shoppers, the just-released gift kit includes three bubblegum-scented, sensual cosmetics: a warming massage oil, an intimate massage gel, and an oral sex lip gloss.

The Bubblegum Play Kit joins the company's entire Bubblegum body products collection, which includes a bubblegum-scented, 2-in-1 Massage and Intimate Gel, a bubblegum-scented warming massage oil, and a bubblegum body mist.

Bubblegum is branded as an irresistible range of sensual cosmetics designed to ignite passion and elevate intimacy, said company co-founder Elsa Viegas. This new product line projects a playful, light-hearted feel that is highlighted by our pink, romantic package design and whimsical marketing images.

Each product is crafted with premium, skin-safe ingredients that are free from harmful chemicals.

The full Bubblegum collection includes:

 Bubblegum Warming Massage Oil, a scented massage oil that warms with skin-to-skin contact.

 Bubblegum-Scented Body Mist, an alcohol-free mist for the whole body, including intimate areas, packaged in a classic, vintage-style perfume bottle.

 2-in-1 Massage and Intimate Gel, a water-based silicone-like gel that's safe for full body and intimate area massage.

 Bubblegum Play Kit, which includes a warming massage oil, an intimate massage gel, and an oral sex gloss all bubblegum-scented.

Retailers can receive product displays, posters, and online marketing materials via their chosen distributor or by visiting press.bijouxindiscrets.com.

Bubblegum is available for immediate orders through your preferred distributor or by emailing [email protected].
Fifty years ago, on 18 May 1974, India tested its first nuclear device. Pokhran 1, detonated during Indira Gandhis prime ministership, was followed a quarter-century later in 1998 by Pokhran II under the premiership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The first device, called the Smiling Buddha, had a declared peaceful purpose. The second series called Shakti had combined civilian and military objectives. The consequence of these tests and Indias refusal to sign the clearly discriminatory Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NNPT) had kept India on the periphery of the global nuclear fuel supply chain for decades. The situation has gradually begun to normalize after the India-US Civil Nuclear Agreement signed by former prime minister Manmohan Singh and US president George Bush in 2006. Today, India has nuclear fuel supply agreements with many countries, including Russia, the US, Kazakhstan and Namibia. Other than the Big Five veto-holders at the UN, India is the only country with a declared nuclear arsenal that continues to officially carry out civilian nuclear commerce with the rest of the world.

While the Fukushima nuclear plant disaster in 2011 pressed the pause button on global nuclear energy growth, the imperatives of climate change have forced a radical reconsideration. Late in 2023, the US and 22 other countries announced plans to triple nuclear power by 2050. China, which briefly halted its nuclear plans after Fukushima, has doubled down with a vengeance, and along with the US and Russia, is one the biggest exporters of civilian nuclear reactors. Chinas fourth-generation reactors are about six years ahead of the West. China, which now operates 55 reactors in the country, is building 22 of the 58 reactors under construction around the world. Last year, China commissioned an experimental thorium-powered molten-salt reactor, the first such in the world.

One of the less-known consequences of the Russia-Ukraine conflict is that the supply of refined uranium-238 (U238), the primary fuel for nuclear reactors, has become constrained; 44% of the worlds raw uranium is mined in Kazakhstan, nearly all of which is refined in Russia. There are only four main operational uranium converter facilities globally (in Russia, France, China and Canada), responsible for producing uranium hexafluoride gas, which is a prerequisite for fuel enrichment. Russia, through Rosatom, refines this into finished U238, supplying over 50% of the worlds requirement; 27% of the fuel requirement for US utilities comes from Russia, and was exempt from US sanctions until recently.

The global production of uranium ore is about 50,000 tonnes annually. India produces less than 1% of this. Indian ore is generally of low grade, which necessitates production and processing of large quantity of ore, resulting in large volumes of solid waste and effluents. In 2011, India announced the discovery of a large uranium ore deposit in Tummalapalle, Andhra Pradesh, believed to be the third largest in the world. The Uranium Corporation of India operates mines in Jharkhand and Andhra Pradesh and is expected to add Meghalaya and Karnataka to this list in the coming years. Production quantities are small and production growth is modest.

The low quality of uranium deposits has kept India interested in using thorium as an alternative radioactive source. Thorium is available in abundance in India and nuclear reactors that use it can offer us enhanced safety, reduced radioactive waste and possibly also achieve higher efficiency. Despite these advantages, the technology of commercializing thorium-based reactors has been slow to develop. A thorium reactor is really a thorium-uranium breeder reactor. The reactor runs on U233, and the thorium is placed near the core, where it can be bombarded by neutrons from the uranium fission. When this happens, the thorium converts into protoactinium-233 and subsequently into U233. Despite its promise, technology development for indigenous thorium reactors has been slow.

Starting with Indias nuclear pioneer and evangelist Homi Bhabha, India has been at the forefront of public thinking on civilian nuclear power. It has been handicapped by its poor quality of uranium ore and its exclusion from the global supply chain for over three decades. Since 2008, the speed of our nuclear thinking and research have picked up, but the actual impact on nuclear power generation has been underwhelming. India has 22 nuclear reactors in operation at eight nuclear power plants. Our total installed capacity of nuclear power is about 7.4GW, making up 3.1% of the countrys annual electricity generation. Recently, the government approved the setting up of 10 more reactors which are expected to double our installed capacity by 2030. At this rate, the share of nuclear power in our energy pie is unlikely to increase very much, as total power generation is also expected to double.

Nuclear energy represents a non-fossil-based source of power that can aid India in its climate-action plans. Fourth-generation nuclear reactors are much safer than previous models. We have naturally been more focused on renewable sources like solar and wind, but for power generation, the right answer is all of the above." While Homi Bhabha set out Indias nuclear power aspirations with remarkable forethought, the execution has lagged that aspiration. It is time to accelerate our nuclear approach.

P.S: Nuclear power is one hell of a way to boil water," said Albert Einstein.
When thinking of growth, policymakers, economists and markets usually gravitate towards gross domestic product (GDP) as the key barometer. Still, in an era of abundant information availability, high-frequency indicators enable agile policymaking, providing early signals on evolving economic backdrops. In India, even as the suite of high-frequency data has become richer, the original activity gauge, that is the monthly index of industrial production (IIP), which is considered a leading indicator of the economy, is slowly losing its relevance. IIP prints are increasingly proving to be out of sync with GDP trends and often produce results that contrast with other macro data, like external trade, the annual survey of industries (ASI) and company results.

In the period between fiscal years 2011-12 and 2022-23, Indias real GDP has expanded at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.7%, while IIP has grown by just 3% per annum, according to official data. This divergence is more visible in level terms: the absolute size of real GDP as of 2022-23 is 83% higher than the base year of 2011-12, while the IIP is only 37% higher. This divergence becomes even more stark when one digs into the data. While output of the power and mining sectors can be calculated based on how much electricity is produced or tonnes of coal mined, for manufacturing, measuring only the volume of goods produced does not suffice. Similar to the divergence between headline IIP and GDP, there is an almost 3 percentage point gap between manufacturing GDP growth and the corresponding IP measure over the past decade.

View Full Image (graphic:mint)

The gap is most prominent for investment activity. The capital goods IP, which is supposed to be a monthly tracker of investment, has essentially remained flat (~0.03% growth on a CAGR basis) in the past decade, while gross fixed capital formation (GFCF) has expanded at an annual rate of 5.6%. This is also at odds with other investment-related indicators such as public capex, capacity utilization of the industrial sector and the BSE capital goods index, which, especially post-pandemic, show a clear and persistent upward trend.

Why does this difference arise? To understand this issue, one needs to look at the difference in methodology and construction of the IIP versus estimation of GDP. The IIP is largely a volume measure of production. Put simply, the IIP will count the number of passenger vehicles or tractors produced in any given period and compare it with a base year. Production across sectors is compiled and turned into an index form. But these items themselves will have widely different values. Less than 20% of the IIP takes into account the value of goods produced. Our GDP, on the other hand, is a value-added measure that essentially considers the value of final output produced, both in nominal and real terms.

Another issue with the current IIP series is that it doesnt account for improvements in capacity or technological changes. The weights of the index are fixed at the base year of 2011-12. So, looking at the production of newer goods such as smartphones, which are now being manufactured in India, the IIP picture is often incomplete. Data from the Union ministry of trade and commerce shows that exports of telecom instruments totalled $12 billion in 2022-23, more than double the $4.8 billion recorded in 2019-20. But mobile and telecom instruments data in the IIP suggests that this sector has shrunk by 3.2% on average over this period. Of course, trade data is in nominal terms and IIP in real terms, and hence these growth rates are not strictly comparable, but it is difficult to argue that Indias mobile production has declined since the pandemic. With its current weights, the index seems to be skewed more towards auto and auto components than other industrial products, considering the near synchronicity between trends in auto production and capital-goods IP.

We are not among the first analysts to flag the discrepancy or question the representativeness of the IIP. A study by M.C. Singhi (2011) analysing the IIP on an earlier base found that the fixed weights system of IIP is not amenable to incorporate new items," and hence suggested the need for a base closer to the current year. The study also concluded that the IIPs downward bias has not only persisted but this trend appears to have become more entrenched. A study by the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy in 2017 states that deciphering the actual change in production continues to be a difficult task" with the IIP.

A validation of the IIP as a measure of economic activity is critical, as its data is used in quarterly estimations of GDP (annual GDP estimates are compiled using more-complete ASI information). There is an urgent need to move towards a more updated, value-based measure of industrial production if the index is to hold value as a leading indicator of the economys trajectory. A periodic reconciliation of IIP data with ASI information would facilitate a validation of the index.

However, given that ASI data only comes with a lag of 2-3 years, if numbers are made available on other industrial activity indicators, such as retail sales, it would help confirm the IIPs accuracy on a more frequent basis. An accurate assessment of quarterly GDP is necessary for policy analysis and decision-making. Hence, a retooling of the IIP is long overdue.
The Doomsday Clock, a symbolic countdown to human extinction, stayed at 90 seconds to Midnight this year after its recent annual review. This is the closest it has been to that doom mark since it was created in 1947 following World War II by Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, which updates the clocks time every January to highlight human-created existential threats to the world. According to the Bulletins 2024 announcement, larger existential challenges are becoming harder to address, given the Russia-Ukraine war, our climate crisis (with 2023 designated as the hottest year on record), increasing sophistication of genetic engineering technologies and the dramatic advancement of generative AI (or artificial intelligence).

The clock was set at 90 seconds to midnight in 2023. This year, Rachel Bronson, CEO of the Bulletin group, stated that the risks from last year continue with unabated veracity and continue to shape this year." Those threats included nuclear war, disease and climate volatility. The clocks reading didnt alter this year, but AI added a startling new menace to the list of existential threats. Apocalyptic stories about AI, which has been around for a while, have gained traction.

In the latest Doomsday Clock statement, John Mecklin, science and security board editor of the Bulletin, discusses how advancing generative AI (like ChatGPT) sparked expert discussions last year on existential risks posed by AI. Its applications for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, training, simulation and military purposes, including for lethal autonomous weaponry, are under scrutiny. Further, AI has great potential to magnify disinformation and corrupt the information environment on which democracy depends," Mecklin notes. AI-enabled disinformation efforts could be a factor that prevents the world from dealing effectively with nuclear risks, pandemics, and climate change."

Sci-fi has nourished our imagination of AI robots for years. For instance, Skynet in The Terminator movie carries out a pre-emptive strike against humanity. However, is the advent of AI quite so apocalyptic?

Deepfakes are causing havoc in society. Nina Schick stated in her 2020 book Deepfakes: The Coming Infocalypse that deepfakes would lead to the biggest communications and information catastrophe in global historyan infocalypse," that is.

In 2021, Google had fired two ethics researchers who co-authored an AI paper On the Dangers of Stochastic Parrots: Can Language Models Be Too Big? that discussed the potential risks of large language models and strategies for risk mitigation. Last March, in an open letter titled Pause Giant AI Experiments in the midst of an AI gold rush, thousands of well-known signatories, such as Elon Musk, cognitive scientist Gary Marcus, author Yuval Noah Harari and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, asked for a six-month moratorium on the development of systems more powerful" than GPT-4. In a New York Times op-ed, Harari offered an enthralling critique of Terminator-style situations: Soon we will also find ourselves living inside the hallucinations of nonhuman intelligence." However, not everyone was on board with the AI doomsday narrative. Bill Gates, for example, seems optimistic. But in 2023, the world was stunned when one of the three godfathers of AI, Geoffrey Hinton, raised concerns about the proliferation of false information, the possibility of AI overturning the job market and the existential risk" that true digital intelligence would engender. Once again, not everyone agreed. Another AI godfather Yann LeCun believes AI can usher in a renaissance," for instance. In his 2019 piece, Dont Fear the Terminator, he said that an AI apocalypse was improbable. LeCun even compared the pause letter to the Catholic Churchs 1440 call for a six-month moratorium on the use of movable type and the printing press!

In a 2019 study on the resources needed for training multiple popular big AI models, researchers at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, found that training a single AI machine can release about 284 tonnes of carbon dioxide, which is roughly five times the lifetime emissions of an average American car. That was the GPT-2 era. Since then, AI advances have increased its carbon footprint significantly.

In Steven Spielbergs 2001 film, A.I. Artificial Intelligence, set in the 22nd century, David, a childlike humanoid robot, gets left behind in the woods with a load of scrap metal and other waste. According to the UN Global E-waste Monitor study, e-waste is expected to reach some 75 million tonnes by 2030. So, on this measure, the 22nd century is upon us already.

Turning the clock back is never simple, though. And what can we do about the newest threat: AI? Despite its intriguing appeal, the proposal for a six-month pause was found to be unworkable. Therefore, humanitys best chance may be to attempt turning AI green and impose strict regulations on its use and development. In Mecklins words, Regardless, AI is a paradigmatic disruptive technology; recent efforts at global governance of AI should be expanded."

We cannot expect the doomsday narrative of AI to fade away. Many, including LeCun, might still be in disagreement with sceptics and many experts believe that focusing on AI apocalypse scenarios is a diversion that plays down immediate risks such as the large-scale generation of misinformation. This, however, only widens the haze of doubt.
Five years after Bengalurus Church Street received a facelift, it is struggling with dumped garbage, broken pavements, damaged street lights, brazen illegal parking and inadequate maintenance in general. It has been painful to observe this deterioration right outside my office.

At this point, you are perhaps rolling your eyes and saying whats new?", since we all know about the corruption in local government, incompetence of city authorities and the lack of civic sense among our people.

You are right. This is not new. But if we are to have a better India to go with a richer India, we must grapple with the question of why is it that our public spaces are ugly, dirty, poorly maintained and generally deteriorating. Else our efforts will be Sisyphean at besta facelift here, an upgrade there, but always with regression to the shabby mean.

My argument is that all the symptoms we can seecorruption, incompetence, inconsiderate behaviourstem from the same deep cause in the Indian psyche. The lack of a sense of us. Public toilets are dirty, public buildings ugly, roads choked, forests ravaged and the environment polluted because these are not seen as our common property.

Rather, they are seen as freely available resources that we had better exploit before others do. There is very little social capital at the city-wide level. The lack of a sense of common community is the underlying reason why urban governance is in such a bad shape. Indeed, the bigger the city, the worse the governance, with small groups of citizens trying to maximize their parochial gains instead of optimizing efforts for the city as a whole. We make parochial, private demands of our governments and democracy gives us what we really ask for.

Elinor Ostrom won the 2009 Nobel prize for economics for her analysis of economic governance, especially the commons." Her field studies showed that collectively-held natural resources do not always get overexploited (the tragedy of the commons), but that local communities can govern the commons in a sustainable manner. From what she saw in successful communities around the world, she formulated eight design principles for managing common pool resources. I recall being very excited when I came across Ostroms work and some of the case studies where it has been applied. In summary, they involve formulating rules that are suited to the local context, imposing graduated penalties, allowing local communities to enforce them and having low cost conflict resolution mechanisms.

So far, so good. But I have come to realize that we run into a big difficulty when we try and apply them in India, because the very first step requires the communitys boundarieswho is in and who is outto be clearly defined. Now, it is difficult but possible to do this in some small-scale cases. For instance, many lakes and public parks in Bengaluru have been restored by ring-fencing them and using informal local rules to regulate access and use. However, it is extremely difficult to extend the scope and scale to city-wide governance.

We cannot put a ring fence around Church Street and restrict access only to local residents, businesses and customers who might have a stake in the upkeep of the area. It would be wrong to do so. This means that popular spotstourist destinations face the bruntare ravaged by itinerant outsiders who are not concerned about keeping the place in good condition.

In our country, we have a further problem. Local insiders usually do not see themselves as members of the community, and thus are not too interested in upholding norms. Local residents, restaurant owners, retailers, office workers tend to see each other as adversaries and not co-owners. Political scientists will say that local politics should emerge to consolidate the interests of various stakeholders. I am no longer impressed by such an argument. Local politics in India, even in urban areas, is organized along caste and sectarian lines.

It follows that unless Indias deficit in social capital is addressed, public services will underperform even as people get richer. As a colleague once quipped, it means that two big cars will now be parked illegally instead of one small one. Toilets at our swanky airports will continue to need attendants. Public transport, like public hospitals and schools, will be worse than our per-capita gross domestic product (GDP) would suggest it should be.

The next phase of urban activism should shift from technocratic interventions to community-building. Perhaps this is what Gandhi discovered a century ago: that the solution lies in bridging communities and bringing people together, not in drafting petitions to the colonial government. The first step is to create a sense of us in the Indian psyche. Not unity or uniformity, but a pluralistic, common community that does not come at the cost of diversity. It is time philanthropy, corporate social responsibility (CSR), social activism and civic leadership focus on building social capital, especially in urban India.
Samantha Duenass plans for a busy Monday last fall went sideways from almost the minute she woke up. First she discovered the dog had been sick inside the house. Then she missed an appointment to tour a preschool for her daughter while tending to her sick pet.

Later, she took a moment to do something to help feel less overwhelmed: write down all that shed gotten done that day. Her list soon totaled more than two dozen minor feats, among them walking the dog, making breakfast, running 3 miles, washing her hair and doing dishes.

Viewed that way, her day seemed wildly productive. As a mom, I think that every day, you just dont know whats going to happen," said Duenas, 39, a DJ in Los Angeles who also writes a newsletter about motherhood.

Few of us start the day without a to-do list, but they can hurt as much as they help. For every item checked off, another hits an unexpected obstacle and two more tasks get added. By the end of the day, our to-do list is often longer than it was in the morning, deflating any sense of progress.

Taking the opposite tacka done" listcan give you that burst of motivation that to-do lists sometimes fail to inspire, die-hard practitioners say. Instead of obsessing over what you still have to do, take an inventory of everything youve already done.

The idea is to recognize small wins, no matter how mundane. Together, they can add up to a greater sense of achievement, says Gretchen Rubin, who has written books about happiness and forming good habits.

Rubin calls hers a ta-da" list. At the end of every year she and some friends gather to write them. They get out pads of paper, review their calendars, and compare notes about progress theyve made toward their goals.

You remind yourself of how much youve already accomplished, which is often really surprisingly easy to forget," she says.

Small wins drive performance

Often we try to motivate ourselves by focusing on a big, long-term goal like getting a new job or a new place to live. Trouble is, big accomplishments dont happen every day, says Teresa Amabile, a Harvard Business School professor who co-wrote The Progress Principle," a book about finding joy in small victories at work. And long-term goals can leave room for discouragement to set in.

Smaller doses of progress can motivate us to do bigger things, she says, adding that managers can harness the principle, too. In a study, Amabile and her co-researcher, Steven Kramer (who is also her husband), asked more than 200 white-collar workers to write daily diary entries about the work they did, their emotions and other details about their workdays. The diaries showed that making progress on a meaningful goal was the most common factor when people reported feeling happy in their work lives, which, in turn, is a key performance driver. Even an incremental step forward counted.

People love to make progress," Amabile says. In her own life, she takes a couple minutes each night to jot down a few examples of progress shes made in a journal, whether its working on a book manuscript or writing a note to a former teacher.

Amy Colbert, 52, a professor of management and entrepreneurship at the University of Iowas Tippie College of Business, has been working on a research project with a graduate student for almost two years. To keep it from feeling like an endless slog of surveys and data-crunching, she has broken the project into smaller phases for each semester, and notes in her paper planner when she makes progress on each one.

Its much easier to get up the next day and start again when you can see the progress that youve made, even on busy or not ideal days," she says. She has been tracking her daily work for much of the past decade.

A resume builder

Years ago, Sarah Kleist hit a wall of frustration over a series of fruitless acting auditions in New York. Worried she wasnt productive enough, the now-29-year-old decided to track how she spent her time, writing down the big and small things she did each day, from practicing music for an audition to catching up with a friend.

She took away an unexpected lesson: Maybe she could be kinder to herself. Seeing all the stuff I actually do was a real confidence-builder," Kleist says.

Kleists ongoing catalog of daily featsshe calls it her to-done" listhas also helped her build her resume as a web designer. Her website notes that shes worked with more than 150 clients, a data point she could easily pull from her lists.

Kleist also keeps a daily to-do list, but some people are going without one. Jenny Vazquez-Newsum, 41, has ditched her daily to-dos since shifting to a done list. She used to begin her days running her leadership consultancy by writing to-dos, but the list was rarely completed by days end. Unfinished work tasks preyed on her mind while she cooked dinner or played with her two children.

After reading Oliver Burkemans Four Thousand Weeks"a book on time management that refers to the number of weeks in a 77-year lifespanshe started this year by creating a longer-term list of goals instead.

She still keeps an online calendar for meetings. If she really needs to complete a task, she blocks out a chunk of time, though she tries not to do that more than a few times a week so it doesnt become its own kind of endless list.

I have kind of embraced that discomfort with feeling like I might miss something, because I actually havent yet," she said. She also feels more energized about what she has gotten done.

It just shifts the focus away from what I didnt do," she said.

Write to Alexa Corse at alexa.corse@wsj.com
Tensions in the Middle East entered a new, combustible stage after a drone attack by Iranian-backed militants killed three American service members, pushing Washington to consider its response in a broader conflict that has now turned deadly for the U.S.

The attack on a U.S. outpost in Jordan near the Syria border was carried out by Iranian-backed militants in Syria and Iraq, President Biden said Sunday, and signaled an escalation in hostilities that have been growing since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel and the ensuing war in Gaza. Biden said the U.S. would respond.

The Biden administration has to weigh a response forceful enough to deter Iranian allies from conducting further attacks on U.S. forces and interests, while avoiding getting bogged down in another war in the Middle East.

Tensions have grown in the Middle East since Israel launched its war in Gaza, but the killing of three American service members significantly raises the stakes for the U.S. In an election year, the Biden administration faces growing pressure to strike Tehrans allies hard enough to deter further aggression.

The breadth of the spectrum of next moves by the U.S. in concert with its allies has widened. Clearly this heightens the stakes," said Andrew Borene, a former senior official at the National Counterterrorism Center and now executive director at Flashpoint, an intelligence firm. There is risk in not doing enough, and seeing more attacks on U.S. forces and international commercial shipping, and there is also clearly a risk in escalating a conflict with Iran itself."

The U.S. hasnt conducted a military operation on Iranian soil in four decades, but has over the years hit Iranian targets in Syria and Iraq and imposed a raft of sanctions aimed at choking military funding for Tehrans regional allies.

A range of targets short of hitting Iran directly is available to Washington, such as Iranian military personnel in Syria, Iraq and Yemen, Iranian ships, and the Iranian-backed militia deemed responsible for the weekend strike. The U.S. could also tighten economic sanctions on Iran or conduct cyber operations targeting security infrastructure in Iran, Borene said.

Iran has denied any link to the drone strike. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani on Monday called any allegations of Iranian involvement baseless accusations" designed to draw the U.S. back into another war in the Middle East.

The responsibility for the consequences of provoking allegations against Iran lies with those who bring up such baseless claims," Kanaani told reporters in Tehran.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella of pro-Iranian militias, claimed responsibility for attacks on three U.S. bases in Syria, including Al Tanf, which is close to the attacked outpost near the Iraqi and Jordanian borders.

For years, Iranian-backed militias in Syria and Iraq have sought to drive out American troops from the Middle East, and since Oct. 7, Irans network of armed groups across the region has stepped up attacks on Israeli and American interests, aiming to impose a cost for the war in Gaza.

Lebanese militia Hezbollah has exchanged hundreds of missiles and rockets with the Israeli military across the border and lost more than 150 fighters in the skirmishes. The Iranian-backed Houthi group in Yemen has attacked vessels in the Red Sea, disrupting global shipping.

Iranian militias in Iraq have also claimed responsibility for recent ballistic missile attacks on the U.S. Al-Asad Airbase that caused minor injuries to American and coalition personnel.

Such attacks have appeared designed to avoid crossing red lines that might prompt direct military retaliation against Tehran itself. As clashes have intensified, however, and Israel has refused demands by Iran and its allies to cease fighting in Gaza, Iran and the U.S. have gradually been drawn deeper into the conflict.

The U.S. has responded to Houthi attacks in the Red Sea with airstrikes on Yemeni soil, most recently on Saturday. Two Navy SEALs were lost at sea during an operation to seize a vessel carrying Iranian-made missile parts bound for Houthi rebels in Yemen. Earlier this month, an Israeli airstrike killed five military advisers with Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Syria.

For decades, Iran has provided the financial and military backbone of a network of loyal militias across the Middle East that serves to broaden its military footprint and push back against American and Israeli influence. The groups include Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, militias in Iraq and Syria, and Palestinian groups such as Hamas.

While funded and armed by Tehran, those groups have domestic agendas of their own and operate with some measure of autonomy, which allows Tehran to distance itself from their actions, and largely avoid any blowback.

During the Iraq war, Iranian-backed militias there killed more than 600 U.S. soldiers, according to the Justice Department, without prompting direct American retaliation on Iranian soil. Even as the war wound down, Iranian-backed militias in Iraq continued to target U.S. soldiers.

A Telegram channel close to pro-Iranian militias said Sundays attack marked retaliation for a U.S. strike in the south of Baghdad a few days ago, during which two militia members were killed.

Now it is up to America to stay in Iraq and Syria or to leave," it said.

Iran-backed militias have carried out more than 150 attacks against U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria since mid-October.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military returned to operations in areas of northern Gaza, from where it had pulled out most of its troops. Israel urged Palestinians to evacuate from parts of Gaza City and northern Gaza to the central part of the strip. The Israeli military had largely shifted focus to Khan Younis in the south of the enclave, where Israel believes Hamass leadership is hiding underground, but Israeli officials said the group was trying to re-establish civilian control with its police force in areas of northern Gaza.

Over the past day, the military said it had killed armed militants in skirmishes and used warplanes to bomb antitank posts, tunnel shafts and observation posts used by Hamas.

Aresu Eqbali, Benoit Faucon and Rory Jones contributed to this article.

Write to Sune Engel Rasmussen at sune.rasmussen@wsj.com
The Congress has repeatedly emphasised that this year's Lok Sabha Elections will be a "battle of ideologies". The general elections in 2024 is set to witness a contest between the Opposition's INDIA bloc and the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Political analysts say there's "vast" ideological difference between the two groups.

But does a political party's ideology play a crucial role in elections? Besides, the Congress and Opposition's INDIA bloc may have been burning the midnight oil to defeat the BJP in the Lok Sabha Elections 2024. However, with a few leaders switching political parties, and political parties switching alliances, the INDIA bloc is expected to face a major hit in upcoming polls. So here, a question arises  What more could Congress do to become a game-changer in the Lok Sabha polls? Here's what political analysts told Mint while answering these two questions: Importance of ideology in elections Praveen Rai, a political analyst at the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDC), said ideology, as we understand it, is Left, Right and Centrist. He said that in some way, "the ideological positioning has started becoming important and has a voting decision". However, another analyst Chandan Gowda said, "I won't say it's the most important, but an important thing." He added, "You need to evolve a vision that captures the minds of the people."' So, what is the core difference between the ideologies of Congress and BJP? Congress Speaking with students from Harvard University in December 2023, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said, We believe India is a union of states, and what defines India is conversation between its people based on democracy, human rights, and a neutral institutional framework."

Meanwhile, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor had said in February 2023, We should be absolutely clear in our ideological stance in favour of an inclusive India. Protecting our diversity and pluralism should be the Congress' core message. We should outline a progressive economic policy agenda to end this unacceptable inequality."

In his analysis, Gowda said the core ideological difference is the centrality of the commitment to secularism in the sense that the Congress is trying present itself as the party that protects all religions, stands for the welfare of everyone."

Explaining more about the Congress's stance, analyst Juggi Bhasin said the Congress used to be a Centrist party". However, it has "slowly moved away and under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi, it has become completely left-centred", he added.

BJP

Juggi Bhasin said, "The BJP has been going through a certain pattern. With the concept of Ram Rajya, the BJP is clear that they want a centralised government in India..."

Meanwhile, Praveen Rai explained that with the coming of BJP, people are now "quite aware of issues...such as "nationalism, foreign policy, national security, abrogation of Article 370, temple corridors."

So is the Congress's ideology helping the party? What more should Congress do to up its game in Lok Sabha polls?

Analysts believe that the Congress must work, not just on its ideology, but many other factors to give the BJP a tough fight in the Lok Sabha Elections. Here's an explanation of these factors:

1. Ideology

Juggi Bhasin said the Congress' ideology is "still a Western construct". However, "the BJP has incorporated a 'desi' vision of governance - that is Ram Rajya", he added. He said the only way the Congress can fill in the gap is to move away from today's Rahul Gandhi's hard-Left vision of governance and polity to his father's (Rajiv Gandhi's) vision of Central style of governance and managing politics in India".

Meanwile, political strategist Prashant Kishor said at Express Adda" that the Congress need to stick to one belief and strive towards dispensing that message . He said, "One cannot keep jumping from one goal to another. Today, it is Rafale, tomorrow, Hindutva...this wont work." He said the grand-old party must focus on galvanising who are not convinced with this Hindutva"

2. Unity in INDIA

In the wake of JD(U)'s exit, how might the INDIA coalition proceed? Chandan Gowda said the leadership issue seems sorted with Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge becoming the chairperson of the Opposition's alliance. "

"But the other dynamics between the coalition partners, especially the willingness to work cooperatively will be necessary to see," Gowda said.

His statement came in the light of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar exiting the INDIA bloc and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee declaring that her party, the Trinamool Congress (TMC), will go solo in the general elections.

3. Policy formation

Praveen Rai said the Congress initiated an idea of rich-poor divide and equality but has not been able to formulate a policy to deal with these issues. He said, "The whole positioning of INDIA bloc and that Congress that they are secular, they respect all religion  this is something which their party and party leader are only able to understand."

"But if they are talking about this, then they have to come out with a policy...The Opposition doesn't have any programme, any policy on how to take on the BJP...," the analyst said.

Citing an example of the Ram Mandir inauguration, Rai said, "They (Congress) got the opportunity with Ram temple, but their boycott is gain providing BJP with very strong issue. They could have utilised this opportunity to go there...and ideological position would not have been seen as 'anti-Hindu'."

4. Nationalism and patriotism

Bhasin said the Congress "has to legitimise the use of words nationalism and patriotism". He believes that these two words are absent in Congress's lexicon. At the end of the day, it is one of the things that bind Indians together. They have to rediscover their aspiration towards nationalism. It's a standalone concept," he added.

The Lok Sabha Elections are set to take place this year. The Election Commission of India has not declared dates for the polls yet. However, both the BJP, the Congress and the INDIA bloc have upped their ante for the crucial Lok Sabha polls.

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Maratha Quota Row: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Ajit Pawar faction leader Chhagan Bhujbal has declared protests and agitation outside the residences of MLAs, MPs and tehsildars on 1 February, Thursday, in opposition with ally Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde accepting Maratha Quota demand of Manoj Jarange Patil.

The agitation will begin on 1 February, with a Maharashtra yatra planned for 3 February. OBCs are calling on scheduled castes and scheduled tribes to join them in opposing the inclusion of Marathas in the OBC category.

Chhagan Bhujbal held a meeting at his official residence which was attended by OBC legislators, leaders, and others.

The Minister of Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Protection of Maharashtra said a resolution was passed at this meeting for the cancellation of the draft published by the chief minister on 26 January, wherein demands of Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange were accepted.

"We will gather outside the residences of MLAs, MPs and tehsildars to protest against the current decision of the state government that is taking illegal ways to offer reservation benefits to the Maratha community. We will also hold an Elgar rally from Marathwada to unite OBCs against such decisions," OBC leader Chhagan Bhujbal told reporters.

The announcement comes a day after Jarange called off his indefinite fast for the Maratha quota after the Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government accepted his demands.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced that till Marathas get the reservation, they will be given all the benefits enjoyed by the OBCs. A draft notification was issued by the government recognising as Kunbis all blood relatives of the Maratha community members whose Kunbi caste records have been found, making them eligible to claim the Kunbi (OBC) certificate.

"Steps are taken to fool the OBCs in the state. When a clear definition of relatives is stated in the law, why changes have been made illegally? Induction of Marathas into OBCs will push the existing backward classes out and they will be deprived of the reservation benefits," said Chhagan Bhujbal.

Notably, Chhagan Bhujbal, who belongs to the NCP faction led by Ajit Pawar which joined the government last July, has been criticising the Shinde-led dispensation over its handling of the Maratha quota issue.

"The meeting held today passed a resolution to cancel the draft published by the chief minister on January 26. The second demand is to discontinue justice (retd) Sandeep Shinde committee (looking into Kunbi records of Marathas) because it is an unconstitutional body," Chhagan Bhujbal added.

Chhagan Bhujbal alleged several GRs (Government Resolutions) were issued only to meet the demands of Marathas.

"We (OBCs) were told that the reservation for OBCs will not be touched but the state (government) is now trying to give a backdoor entry to Marathas by issuing Kunbi caste certificates to them. This move will snatch the reservation benefits from more than 300 OBC castes and it will be taken by Marathas only," Chhagan Bhujbal said.

BJP MLCs Ram Shinde and Gopichand Padalkar were also present at the meeting and extended their support to Bhujbal's demands and resolutions.

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West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee on Monday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of threatening people to send probe agencies to their homes if they do not vote for the saffron party in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

Mamata Banerjee also asserted that she will not follow any diktat of the BJP to worship any particular god.

I follow Ramayana, Quran, Bible and Guru Granth Sahib... I do not do drama by visiting poor people's homes to eat food brought from outside," the West Bengal chief minister said during a public distribution programme in Cooch Behar.

She advised locals in Cooch Behar, particularly Rajbanshis, to ensure that their names are on the voters list to protect themselves" from the Citizenship (Amendment) Act or CAA.

The BJP is using central agencies for elections... it is threatening people over the phone to send Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) sleuths to their homes if they do not vote for the saffron party," Mamata Banerjee said.

She also alleged that the Centre is bringing up the issue of CAA to do politics before the Lok Sabha polls.

We have fought against the NRC. Rajbanshis are citizens of India. They have again started shouting CAA, CAA for the sake of votes," the CM said.

Her remarks came after Union minister Shantanu Thakur said on Sunday that the CAA will be implemented across the country in a week.

The West Bengal CM said that her government has acknowledged all colonies as permanent addresses", and all residents who get the benefit of various state government benefits are citizens of the country. All of you are citizens. We have given permanent addresses to all colonies. They get ration, go to school, get scholarships, get Kisan Bandhu, Shikhashree, Oikoshree, Laxmir Bhandar. How could they get these benefits if they had not been citizens? Had they been able to cast votes if they were not citizens?" she asked.

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The removal of a saffron flag bearing Lord Hanuman's image has triggered an extensive political row in Karnataka. The BJP and JD(S) staged protests against the ruling party on Monday with several politicians accusing the Siddaramaiah-led government of failing to handle the situation. The Congress meanwhile insists that the flag was removed as permission was only sought to hoist the national Tricolour and the Karnataka State flag.

Former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy accused the government of playing politics on the issue, and instigating the people by using police force to quell the public unrest. He also took to Twitter on Monday evening to share photos from a two-party protest in Mandya over the removal of Hanuman dwaja in Keragodu village.

You claim to have administrative experience, having presented 14 budgets (in the state assembly). If you have even a bit of administrative knowledge, set right your government's mistakes first," he urged the CM.

Instead of accusing (opposition parties) of doing politics, set things right. It is not us (opposition) who are doing things keeping the Lok Sabha polls in mindIf they don't set things right, they will not be able to walk on the streets," he added.

Protesters marched from Keragodu to the to the Deputy Commissioner's office in the district headquarters of Mandya holding saffron flags amid chants of Jai Sri Ram" on Monday. Key politicians from both parties  including BJP leaders CT Ravi and Preetham Gowda as well as former JD(S) MLAs Suresh Gowda, CS Puttaraju and K Annadani  were part of the contingent. The group was seen raising slogans against the Congress government as they walked.

BJP leaders and workers also held protests at the district headquarters, condemning the "anti-Hindu policy" of the Congress government and accusing it of "insulting" the national flag.

Earlier on Monday, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had accused the BJP and JD(S) of trying to instigate people with an eye on the Lok Sabha elections.

A row broke out in Keragodu after authorities removed the 'Hanuma dwaja' from a 108-ft-tall flag post on Sunday. Mandya District in-charge Minister N Cheluvarayaswamy had said 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".

(With inputs from agencies)

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Union Minister Shantanu Thakur has declared that the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, also known as CAA, is set to be implemented nationwide within the next seven days.

As reported by PTI, Thakur made these remarks during a public rally in South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, on Sunday. The Ram mandir (temple) in Ayodhya has been inaugurated, and within the next seven days, the CAA will be implemented across the country. This is my guarantee. Not just in West Bengal, the CAA would be implemented in every state of India within a week," BJP's Lok Sabha MP from Bangaon, said.

Also Read: CAA will be implemented the moment Covid ends: Amit Shah in Bengal's Siliguri

Implemented by the Narendra Modi government, the Citizenship (Amendment) Act or CAA grants Indian nationality to persecuted non-Muslim migrants, including Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis, and Christians, from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan who arrived in India by December 31, 2014. The CAA, passed by Parliament in December 2019 and receiving presidential assent, triggered widespread protests in various parts of the country.

As reported by PTI, a senior government official mentioned that the rules for the CAA would be notified "much before" the announcement of the Lok Sabha elections.

In the wake of the passage of the CAA by Parliament in December 2019 and its subsequent Presidential assent, widespread protests erupted across different regions of the country.

Also Read: Lok Sabha Elections 2024 to be held on 16 April? Chief Electoral Officer says

Despite being delayed for over four years, the implementation of the CAA requires the formulation of its associated rules.

Earlier on January 3, AIMIM President Asaduddin Owaisi criticized the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), labelling it as unconstitutional" and asserting that it is constructed on religious grounds. This statement comes a day after the Centre indicated that the rules for the Citizenship (Amendment) Act of 2019 would be officially notified much before" the announcement of the Lok Sabha polls.

Also Read: No one can stop CAA implementation': Amit Shah urges people to re-elect Modi, oust Mamata Banerjee

On December 27, Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasized that the implementation of the CAA cannot be halted, as it stands as the law of the land. He also accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of misguiding the public on this issue, PTI reported.

According to the manual of parliamentary procedures, the norms dictate that the guidelines for any legislation should have been devised within six months of receiving the presidential assent. Alternatively, the government could have sought an extension from the Committees on Subordinate Legislation in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

Also Read: Citizenship Amendment Act rules ready, set to be notified before Lok Sabha elections 2024

Over the past two years, more than 30 district magistrates and home secretaries across nine states have been authorized to grant Indian citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians arriving from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan under the Citizenship Act of 1955.

According to the Ministry of Home Affairs annual report for 2021-22, covering the period between April 1, 2021, and December 31, 2021, a total of 1,414 individuals from non-Muslim minority communities originating from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan were granted Indian citizenship through registration or naturalization under the Citizenship Act, 1955.

(With inputs from PTI)

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Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Abhishek Banerjee said on Monday that his party has been repeatedly asking the Congress to talk on seat-sharing from the month of June". He said, It has been seven months. Nothing has happened."

In last meeting, our chairperson (Mamata Banerjee) gave a deadline of 31st December. Now it's 29th of January. And its still wavering in my mind that which seat I should contest from and which seat my alliance parry will contest from," Banerjee was heard as saying in a video shared on social media. ALSO READ: Lok Sabha 2024 a battle of ideologies: Congress could be a game-changer if... According to PTI, Banerjee attributed the differences in Opposition bloc INDIA in West Bengal to the Congress' failure to finalise seat-sharing arrangements. "According to alliance norms, the first thing you do is seal the seat-sharing. We had waited for eight months to seal the seat-sharing issue. But the Congress was sitting idle and nothing moved forward," Abhishek Banerjee was quoted by PTI as saying.

The TMC national general secretary also slammed West Bengal Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury for playing into the hands of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), despite being an ally at the national level. He slammed Chowdhury for demanding President's Rule in the state".

ALSO READ: Is INDIA bloc making progress at seat-sharing talks ahead of Lok Sabha polls? A state-wise analysis

"By demanding President's Rule, whose interest is the state Congress president trying to serve  the TMC, the Congress or the BJP? There is a limit to our patience," he said. The TMC leader, however, iterated that the "party continues to be a part of the opposition bloc INDIA at the national level."

West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee had last week announced that the party would go alone in the Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal. Abhishek Banerjee is an MP of Diamond Harbour and the nephew of Mamata Banerjee.

(With inputs from PTI)

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Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said on Monday that the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Committee's report will be delivered to the state government on February 2. The statement came after a Uttarakhand minister suggested that there could be a debate on the draft of the UCC during the state assembly session  set to be held from February 5 to February 8.

In his latest statement on Monday, Dhami told ANI, "While making a promise to the people of the state in the 2022 assembly elections, we constituted the UCC Committee, taking a pledge to implement the Uniform Civil Code in the state. The committee has completed its work and on February 2, it will submit its report to us."

What will happen next?

The Uttarakhand Chief Minister further said that after receiving the report on February 2, it will be brought to the Uttarakhand Cabinet. After that, action will be taken in the state assembly to enact the Uniform Civil Code Act.

What is expected from the UCC Act?

The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) proposes a common set of laws dealing with a range a issues, including marriage, inheritance, adoption and gender equality for every citizen in India. Article 44 of the Constitution of India says that the state shall endeavour to secure a UCC throughout the territory of India.

On the same lines, Uttarakhand's UCC Act may include:

1. Provisions that treat men and women equally in issues relating to inheritance.

2. The UCC may reject the practices of polygamy, iddat, and halal.

3. The minimum age for marriage for both men and women may remain the same as it was previously (18 years for women and 21 years for men), the Indian Express reported.

However, News 18 reported last year that the age limit of girls for marriage might be increased in the UCC structure. It added that Graduation is likely to be made mandatory before marriage so that the age limit will be increased automatically - from 18 years to 21 years.

4. Marriage registration might be made necessary. People might not avail the benefit of government schemes without registration of marriage.

ALSO READ: Income tax: How Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in India will impact HUF (Hindu Undivided Families) tax outgo

5. The UCC may also regulate live-in relationships and require a mandatory declaration to start and terminate live-in relationships. The provisions might also include that parents must be informed for the live-in relationship.

6. Provisions might be included to provide both husband and wife equal grounds for divorce. The basis of divorce will be applied to both the husband and wife, not one party will have an upper hand, News 18 had reported.

7. The guardianship process might become easier if the child is an orphan

8. The number of children to a couple can be fixed. Everyone might be granted the right to adopt - irrespective of religion, gender etc

What PM Modi says on UCC

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the country cannot run on two laws and that the Uniform Civil Code was in keeping with the founding principles and ideals of the Constitution.

"Today, people are being instigated in the name of the UCC. How can the country run on two (laws)? The Constitution also talks of equal rights...Supreme Court has also asked to implement the UCC. These (opposition) people are playing vote bank politics," PM Modi was quoted by ANI as saying.

What critics say about UCC

Congress leader Harish Rawat had said, "If different states have different UCCs, the very purpose of having a common law for all sections of society across the country will be defeated."

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Washington cant fix every problem, but it isnt helpless on everything. So it is with reforming our nations immigration system. For years our borders have been open to those who seek to exploit our asylum laws and the current administrations lax parole policies. These failures have led to a backlogged and corrupted system, incapable of helping those it was designed to serve. Afghan refugees seeking a life in the U.S. know this better than anyone.

When the Taliban came to power after our disastrous withdrawal in August 2021, many Afghans fled their country for fear of persecution and death. These are men and women targeted for helping U.S. service members during our decadeslong war as translators, guides and intelligence sources.

As Kabul fell, U.S. service members and veterans extended the creed leave no man behind" to those who had helped them at great personal risk. As a result, many Afghan families are building lives in the U.S. after being granted temporary protected status. Their future, however, is uncertain due to our backlogged asylum process.

The expiration of the temporary residency granted to Afghan refugees was pushed back by several months last autumn, forcing refugees to re-enroll to receive an extended parole. This patchwork solution created more complications as refugees waited to receive new paperwork to verify their legal status.

My office heard from Afghans who had lost their jobs because they couldnt get the right paperwork to prove they were in the U.S. legally and eligible for a drivers license. If their parole were to lapse, they would be unable to work here and could be deported to Afghanistan.

I recently attended a community event in Manhattan, Kan., that welcomed new arrivals from Afghanistan. What I heard from refugees was overwhelming gratitude about the opportunities they have had since arriving, the challenges that remain, and their concerns for families left behind. These refugees deserve certainty, something Congress can deliver in the border supplemental package currently being negotiated in the Senate.

Thats why I joined my colleague Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D., Minn.) in introducing the Afghan Adjustment Act. The bill would establish a path for Afghan partners to apply for permanent legal residency after having undergone additional security vetting.

Granting Afghan refugees stability, the legal ability to work and a path to permanent residency sends a message to U.S. partners and allies around the world that we honor our word. It also demonstrates that the American system works for those who abide by the law and come here legally. Including the Afghan Adjustment Act in any border supplemental package would bolster our security and give Afghans a shot at the American dream.

Mr. Moran, a Republican, is a U.S. senator from Kansas.
Aam Aadmi Party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday announced that his will contest alone on all 90 seats in the Haryana assembly elections. However, he added that for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, AAP will contest together with the INDIA alliance.

"For the upcoming Lok Sabha elections we will contest elections together with the INDIA alliance but for the assembly elections, we will contest alone on all 90 seats of Haryana by itself," Kejriwal said.

His statement came at while addressing a 'Badlaav Jan Sabha' in Haryana's Jind.

"Today, AAP is the largest group in Haryana compared to other political parties like Congress, the BJP, and the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP). There is a committee of 15-20 people in every village and ward. There are nearly 1.25 lakh office-bearers of the party in Haryana. This has been achieved in the last six months," Kejriwal added.

"People have been disillusioned with every party in Haryana. Every political party that ruled Haryana in the last 75 years only thought about their own family. They accumulated enough money for their next seven generations. Today, people believe only in one political party. That is AAP," he added.

To drive home the point, the Delhi Chief Minister said that people in Punjab and Delhi, the neighbouring states of Haryana, "are very happy with the work of the AAP."

His announcement comes amid the time when Janata Dal (United) chief Nitish Kumar severed ties with the grand alliance in Bihar and rejoined BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister and AAP leader Bhagwant Mann had earlier said there will be no alliance with Congress for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in the state.

In Chandigarh, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said his party will not enter into an alliance with the Congress in the state, reiterating that the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party(AAP) will win all 13 seats at stake.

Also Read: Lok Sabha Election 2024: What's happening at BJP, NDA seat-sharing talks?

"In the 2024 Lok Sabha election...AAP will get 13 seats (in Punjab)," Mann said at a media briefing. AAP MP and Punjab Co-incharge, Sandeep Pathak said that the Punjab unit had been saying from the beginning that they are capable of contesting alone.

Mann's remarks came amid seat-sharing talks between AAP and Congress for the Lok Sabha polls which is expected in April-May this year. Currently, Punjab has 13 Lok Sabha seats.

The AAP leader was also asked about West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's remarks that her party Trinamool Congress would fight the Lok Sabha polls alone

In another blow to the grand old party, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also earlier announced the party's decision to contest alone in the Lok Sabha polls.

Soon after the West Bengal CM made the announcement, Congress leader Supriya Shrinate said that Rahul Gandhi gave a very clear answer for this and I would like to repeat the same- there are a lot of talks done for seat sharing. Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) working president Supriya Sule said that there is no infighting in the alliance and all the parties of the bloc are in "frequent conversation". Sule said that Mamata Banerjee is 'didi' and is respected and loved by the members of the opposition alliance.

(With inputs from ANI)

ARVIND More Information

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Apples biggest new product in nearly a decade is landing in an unusual fashion for the tech giant: softly.

The first shipments of Apples Vision Proa $3,499 virtual-reality headset that places digital content around the users environmentwill be arriving Friday. The headset quickly sold out of its initial availability after going up for preorder earlier this month.

Apple hasnt disclosed how many headsets it has sold, but the number is projected to be between 160,000 to 180,000 units, according to TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Those figures are a far cry from the roughly one million preorders that the Apple Watch saw on its first sales day in 2015.

The primary challenge for Apple in the coming years will be getting mainstream consumers excited for a new type of device that so far has been relegated mostly to niche gaming circles.

This is a different kind of product release for Apple," said Grant Anderson, chief executive of Mirrorscape, maker of augmented reality tabletop games that will be coming to the Vision Pro. Its not like a phone that people already had or a watch." Augmented reality projects digital images into a users real world.

To distinguish it from what has come before, Apple has avoided terms like virtual reality or the metaverse, which Mark Zuckerberg championed a few years ago after renaming Facebook to Meta Platforms. Instead, Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook has championed spatial computing" as the next frontier of devices.

Its a new language," said Bertrand Nepveu, who previously worked at Apple on the team building the Vision Pro and is now an investor in startups in this emerging area. Its like when the Mac first came out. People had to learn how to use a mouse. It will take a bit of time for the Vision Pro to also find what works and what doesnt. Its a Mac moment."

When Apple first launched the Macintosh in 1984, it offered early consumers the first opportunity to buy an accessible home computer and kick-started a new era of technology.

More important than initial sales for Apple will be finding the third-party apps that will be enticing enough to draw consumers to the new platform.

Many developers are excited about Apples entrance into the market, which is almost entirely dominated by Metas line of Quest headsets. Having another powerful player to play off the current leader will offer a healthier market for app developers.

Its not good for an ecosystem to have only one platform like that," said Devin Reimer, chief executive of new virtual-reality gaming studio AstroBeam who sold his previous VR game studio to Google in 2017.

Some major companies such as Disney and Microsoft have announced their intentions to develop apps for the headset at the outset. Apple is on track to have more than 200 apps specifically made for the Vision Pro, according to Appfigures, an app analytics firm. Because Apple made it easy for developers to port over existing apps from the iPhone and iPad, the company said that it would have more than one million compatible apps to choose from in the Vision Pros App Store at launch.

This initial app count is another major contrast to the launch of the Apple Watch. For the smartwatchs launch nearly 10 years ago, Apple worked hard to make sure that it could claim a robust catalog of more than 3,000 apps. Since then, though, it has become clear that the Apple Watchs success has been more dependent on adding new health-tracking features than third-party apps.

Unfortunately for Apple, this need for app makers is coming at a time when Apples relationship with developers may be at a record low. After a decade of massive growth with the iPhone as a software platform, many app developers have soured on the companys app distribution model, which for many developers entails a cut for Apple of as much as 30%.

Large mobile app developers such as Epic Games and Spotify have waged legal battles against the iPhone maker in recent years. Those battles have been heating up as Apples response to new laws and court orders has been called outrageous" by some software makers.

Some of the largest app developers from the iPhone era have been hesitant to jump on board to develop for the Vision Pro. Top media streaming apps Netflix, YouTube and Spotify have all declined to develop a new app for the Vision Pro at launch, though they left open the possibility of potentially developing for the platform in the future.

Some virtual-reality developers said Apples approach ignores what the industry has learned over the past decade. While games have emerged as the most popular use case for headsets, Apple has underplayed that kind of application in early demonstrations.

The Vision Pros lack of physical controllers will also be a major hindrance for existing developers to smoothly port over their existing games. To date, most of these kinds of games have been built for physical controllers for users to interact with virtual worlds, while the Vision Pro relies on hand gestures and eye movements for user interaction.

The majority of VR games dont support hand tracking," said Denny Unger, chief executive officer of Cloudhead Games, the maker of popular virtual-reality games such as Pistol Whip.

Apple is omitting hundreds of VR titles. I worry about the content path for Apple."

Write to Aaron Tilley at aaron.tilley@wsj.com
iQOO Neo 7 Pro has received a significant price cut in India, bringing the price of the smartphone down to below 30,000. The iQOO Neo 7 Pro was launched in India in July last year at a price of 34,999 for the 8GB RAM/128GB storage variant and 37,999 for the 12GB RAM/256GB storage variant.

Also Read | Moto Razr 40, Razr 40 Ultra receive up to 20,000 price cut in India. New price, specs and all you need to know

However, during the recent 'Quest Days' sale on Amazon, the iQOO Neo 7 Pro is available at a discount of 7,000 and can be purchased at an effective price of 27,999. The iQOO Neo 7 Pro with 128GB storage is listed at 30,999 and with the 2,000 Amazon coupon discount and 1,000 bank discount, the price comes down to 27,999.

Similary, the 256GB variant of the iQOO Neo 7 Pro is listed at a price of 34,999 and with the 2,000 Amazon coupon discount and 1,000 bank discount, the price of iQOO mid-range smartphone comes down to 30,999.

Notably, iQOO Neo 7 Pro's succesor, iQOO Neo 9 Pro is all set to make its debut in the Indian market on February 22 and the company has already confirmed that its upcoming smartphone will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC and feature a 50MP Sony IMX920 sensor. Furthermore, it is widely expected that the iQOO Neo 9 Pro could be priced under the 40,000 mark, giving tough competition to the OnePlus 12R.

iQOO Neo 7 Pro specifications:

The iQoo Neo 7 Pro 5G boasts a 6.78-inch Full HD+ AMOLED screen with a contrast ratio of 8,00,00,00:1, DCI-P3 colour gamut and the ability to reproduce 1.07 billion colours. The phone's screen has a refresh rate of 120Hz and offers a peak brightness of 1300 nits.

The handset comes with a premium leather design and is offered in Dark Storm and Fearless Flame colour options. iQoo Neo 7 Pro 5G is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 with Adreno 730 GPU. The smartphone is offered in two RAM models - 8GB and 12GB LPDDR5 RAM. The phone offers up to 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage capacity.

The iQoo Neo 7 Pro 5G comes with a virtual RAM expansion feature for up to 8GB of RAM. The device is backed by a 5,000 mAh battery. It is equipped with a 120-watt fast charging feature that can take the device from 1% to 100% in just 25 minutes.

The handset runs on the company's own Funtouch OS 13, which is based on the Android 14 operating system and will also receive the Android 15 update when it arrives. Dual 5G nano SIM with support for 12 5G bands for connectivity, Bluetooth version 5.2 and Wi-Fi 6 are some of the connectivity features of the iQoo Neo 7 Pro.

Should you buy the iQOO Neo 7 Pro at 27,999?

iQOO Neo 7 Pro with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset could be a useful phone for gaming enthusiasts and power users while for users looking for photography and better software experience there are other better options in sub 30k price point including the Pixel 6a, Moto Edge 40, Realme 12 Pro 5G and Redmi Note 13 Pro.

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Chinese smartphone maker Motorola has confirmed that its Moto G24 Power smartphone in India on January 30. However, ahead of the launch of Motorola's latest device, the company has revealed almost all of the key features on its official website.

Also Read | Motorola confirms devices getting Android 14 update. Check full list here

According to the features listed on Motorola's website and Flipkart's dedicated microsite, the Moto G24 Power will be powered by the MediaTek Helio G85 processor paired with a Mali G-52 MP2 GPU for graphics intensive tasks.

The smartphone will feature a 6.56 inch display and will sport a water repellent design. Moreover, the Moto G24 Power will house a 6,000 mAh battery with support for 30W fast charging.

Also Read | Moto G54 5G gets a significant price cut in India. New price, specs, bank offers and more

In terms of optics, the Moto G24 Power will feature a dual camera setup to the back with a 50MP primary sensor a 2MP sesnor for taking Macro shots. The smartphone also houses a 16MP front facing sensor for handling all the selfie and video call related requirements.

The Motorola listing confirms that Moto G24 Power will feature a stereo speaker setup with support for Doly Atmos. Moreover, the smartphone will also feature a 3.5mm headphone jack and support FM Radio.

In terms of connectivity, t he Moto G24 Power will come with support for 4G, Bluetooth 5.0 and a dual nano SIM + microSD card setup which can help expand the storage by up to 1TB.

The Moto G24 Power will run on the latest Android 14 operating system (OS) based on Motorola's own My UX and the company is promising 1 year of software upgrade and 3 years of security patches with this phone.

The smartphone will be available in up to 8GB of RAM and up to 256GB of storage. The Moto G24 Power will be available in 2 colur options: Glacier Blue and Ink Blue.

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Bigfoot, or Sasquatch, is a giant ape-like creature that some people believe roams North America. It is a cryptid (or species rumored to exist) and just like the Chupacabra or Loch Ness monster, there's scant physical evidence to suggest Bigfoot is actually out there. But that doesn't stop alleged sightings of the ape that never shows its face or Bigfoot buffs from trying to prove there's life in the legend, even if for the most part they are probably just black bears.

Most Bigfoot sightings occur in the Northwest, where the creature can be linked to Indigenous myths and legends. The word Sasquatch is derived from Sasqets, a word from the Halqemeylem language used by some Salish First Nations peoples in southwestern British Columbia, according to the Oregon Encyclopedia. It means "wild man" or "hairy man."

This alleged image of Bigfoot, taken northeast of Eureka, California in 1967, is one of the most infamous photos of the Sasquatch. (Image credit: Bettmann/Contributor via Getty Images)

As early as 1884, the British Colonist newspaper in Victoria, Canada published an account of a gorilla type creature captured in the area. Other accounts, largely decried as hoaxes, followed, according to the Canadian Encyclopedia. Sasquatch book author John Green compiled a list of 1,340 sightings through the 19th and 20th centuries. But the modern Bigfoot or Sasquatch myth gained new life in the late 1950s.

In 1958, the Humboldt Times, a local newspaper in Northern California, published a story about the discovery of giant, mysterious footprints near Bluff Creek, California. In the story, they referred to the creature that made them as Bigfoot, according to Smithsonian Magazine. Bigfoot curiosity grew rapidly during the second half of the 20th century, after an article in True magazine, published in December 1959, described the 1958 discovery.

The footprints near Bluff Creek were a prank by a man called Ray Wallace, his children revealed after his death in 2002, according to Smithsonian Magazine. By that time, though, Bigfoot was firmly established in popular culture across the continent. Since the 1958 article was published, a wealth of other claims have been made about Sasquatch tracks, casts, photos, videos, and other "evidence."

Related: Infographic: Tracking belief in Bigfoot

The human brain is capable of making up explanations for events it can't immediately interpret, such as a sighting of Bigfoot. (Image credit: RichVintage via Getty Images)

There have been more than 10,000 eyewitness accounts of Bigfoot in the continental U.S. in the last 50 years, Live Science reported in 2019. In these accounts, Bigfoot is usually described as being about 8 to 10 feet (2.4 to 3 meters) tall and covered in hair.

Eyewitness reports, or sightings, are the most common evidence put forward for the existence of Bigfoot. Unfortunately, these are based on human memories, and memories are not reliable, Live Science previously reported. In crime cases, for example, witnesses can be influenced by their emotions and may miss or distort important details. In the same vein, people also often overestimate their ability to remember things. When it comes to cryptids like Bigfoot, the human brain is capable of making up explanations for events it can't immediately interpret, and many people simply want to believe they exist, Live Science previously reported.

Related: Real or not? The science behind 12 unusual sightings

The most famous Bigfoot video is a short film taken in 1967 by Roger Patterson and Bob Gimlin, known as the "PattersonGimlin film," or "Patterson film." Shot in Bluff Creek, the video shows what appears to be a large and hairy bipedal ape, or Bigfoot, striding through a clearing. The video's authenticity is still debated but it was likely a hoax, with the ape-like figure just a human wearing a costume.

Brian Regal, an associate professor of the history of science at Kean University in New Jersey and author of "Searching for Sasquatch: Crackpots, Eggheads, and Cryptozoology" (Palgrave Macmillan, 2011), previously told Live Science that people project their own views onto Patty. "You look at it and you see what you want to believe," he said.

With the rise of high-quality cameras in smartphones, photographs of people, cars, mountains, flowers, sunsets, deer and more have gotten sharper and clearer over the years; Bigfoot is a notable exception. The logical explanation for this discrepancy is that the creatures don't exist, and that photographs of them are merely hoaxes or misidentifications.

Audio recordings

A bigfoot-hunter attempts to record calls from the elusive creature. (Image credit: MICHAEL MACOR/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)

Some people claim to have heard Bigfoot shrieks, howls, growls, screams or other vocalizations. The creatures are also associated with other noises, such as wood-knocking, according to Scientific American. Strange noise recordings associated with Bigfoot occasionally attract media attention but the noises can often be attributed to known animals, such as foxes or coyotes.

Experts can't always identify the exact animal in strange recordings that cryptozoologists, people who search for creatures rumored to exist, point to as Bigfoot evidence. In 2019, for example, a YouTube video of mysterious howls and screams in a forest in northwestern Ontario, Canada went viral, driving Bigfoot speculation. Jolanta Kowalski, Ontarios Ministry of Resources and Forestry media relations officer, told Vice News at the time: Our biologists say it could be a larger mammalfor example a wolfbut because its a considerable distance from the recorder there is no way to know for sure.

The late anthropologist Grover Krantz investigated sound recordings claimed to be of Bigfoot for his book "Big Footprints: A Scientific Inquiry Into the Reality of Sasquatch" (Johnson Books, 1992). He listened to at least 10 tapes and found "no compelling reason to believe that any of them are what the recorders claimed them to be," Live Science previously reported.

Elusive hard evidence

Grover Krantz, physical anthropologist at Washington State University, displays casts of supposed Sasquatch footprints (Image credit: Bettmann via Getty Images)

There is no hard evidence for the existence of Bigfoot. Krantz, the anthropologist who investigated sound recordings, also discussed alleged Bigfoot hair, feces, skin scrapings and blood in his "Big Footprints" book. "The usual fate of these items is that they either receive no scientific study, or else the documentation of that study is either lost or unobtainable," he wrote. "In most cases where competent analyses have been made, the material turned out to be bogus or else no determination could be made."

When alleged Bigfoot samples are subject to vigorous scientific analysis, they typically turn out to be from ordinary sources. For example, in 2014, a team of researchers led by the late geneticist Bryan Sykes from the University of Oxford in England, conducted genetic analysis on 36 hair samples claimed to belong to Bigfoot or the Yeti  a similar ape-like creature said to exist in the Himalayas. Almost all of the hairs turned out to be from known animals such as cows, raccoons, deer and humans. However, two of the samples closely matched an extinct Paleolithic polar bear, Live Science previously reported. These samples may have come from an unknown bear species or a hybrid of modern bears, but they were from a bear, not a primate. Similarly, a DNA analysis of a supposed "Yeti" hair documented on a 2023 BBC program turned out to come from a horse.

Related: Bigfoot's FBI file reveals strange story of a monster hunter and 15 mysterious hairs

The study of genetics provides another reason to doubt the existence of Bigfoot. A single creature can't breed and maintain a population, much less a species. For Bigfoot to be viable, it would need to have a population, or populations, large enough to avoid inbreeding and low genetic diversity, or else face extinction.

The existence of multiple Bigfoot increases the chances that one would be killed by a hunter or hit by a motorist on a highway, or even found dead (by accident, disease, or old age) by a hiker or farmer at some point, yet no bodies have ever been found. People do occasionally claim to find bones or other large body parts. For example, a man in Utah discovered what he thought was a fossilized Bigfoot skull in 2013. A paleontologist confirmed that the "skull" was simply an oddly weathered rock, Live Science previously reported.

Bigfoot hoaxers have further complicated the problem of sorting Sasquatch fact from fiction. Dozens of people have admitted or been found out to have faked Bigfoot prints, photographs, and nearly every other type of Bigfoot evidence. One prominent example is Ray Wallace, whose family revealed he was responsible for the footprints near Bluff Creek in 1958. An even earlier example is the late Rant Mullens, who was a logger in Toledo, Washington. In 1982, he admitted to carving giant feet out of wood and using them to make fake tracks with the help of a friend in the 1920s, The Chronicle, a Washington newspaper, reported in 2007. This built on the legend of ape-like men decades before Wallace's footprints helped make Bigfoot a phenomenon.

There are also 21st century examples of Bigfoot hoaxes. In 2008, two men from Georgia claimed to have a complete, frozen Bigfoot specimen that they found on a hike. Their Bigfoot turned out to be a gorilla costume, Reuters reported in 2008.

Justin Humphrey, an Oklahoma lawmaker, proposed creating a Bigfoot hunting season in January, 2021, CNN reported. Humphrey suggested that the hunting season could coincide with an annual Bigfoot festival that takes place in Honobia, Oklahoma, and would help to bring more tourists to the area. Oklahoma tourism officials later announced a $2.1 million bounty in March for the capture of a live Bigfoot, NPR reported.

Related: 'Expedition Bigfoot' scours Oregon woods for signs of the mythical and elusive beast

A 2003 replica of the extinct Gigantopithecus. Gigantopithecus was about 10 feet (3 m.) tall and weighed up to 595 pounds (270 kilograms), based on fossil evidence. (Image credit: ZUMA Press, Inc. / Alamy Stock Photo)

Scientific evidence for the existence of a modern-day Bigfoot may be proving elusive, but a giant, bipedal ape did once walk the Earth. A species named Gigantopithecus blacki was about 10 feet (3 m.) tall and weighed up to 595 pounds (270 kilograms), based on fossil evidence. However, Gigantopithecus lived in Southeast Asia, not North America, and went extinct hundreds of thousands of years ago. The extinct ape is also more closely related to modern orangutans than to humans or our closest relatives, chimpanzees and bonobos, Live Science previously reported.

Additional resources

Many books about Bigfoot have been published. For a critical history of the Bigfoot phenomenon, check out "Bigfoot: The Life and Times of a Legend" (University of Chicago Press, 2010). Another option is "Searching for Sasquatch: Crackpots, Eggheads, and Cryptozoology" (Palgrave Macmillan, 2013), which explores the relationship between professional scientists and cryptozoologists, as well as the nature of monster hunting in the late 20th century.

The Times-Standard, a newspaper covering California's North Coast, looks at the reporting that sparked the Bigfoot phenomenon if you want to learn more about the origins of the contemporary myth. The University of California Berkeley's Cal Alumni Association offers great information on whether bigfoot is worthy of scientific analysis and whether science benefits from such monster hunts.

Benjamin Radford is deputy editor of "Skeptical Inquirer" science magazine and author of six books, including "Tracking the Chupacabra" (University of New Mexico Press, 2011) and "Scientific Paranormal Investigation: How to Solve Unexplained Mysteries" (Rhombus Publishing Company, 2010). His website is www.BenjaminRadford.com.

Bibliography

Ashley P. Taylor, Live Science, "What is the most genetically diverse species?" April 24, 2021. https://www.livescience.com/most-genetically-diverse-species.html

Ben Crair, Smithsonian Magazine, "Why Do So Many People Still Want to Believe in Bigfoot?" Sep. 2018. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/why-so-many-people-still-believe-in-bigfoot-180970045/

Benjamin Radford, Live Science, "Bigfoot Blamed for Strange Shrieks," Jan. 29, 2013. https://www.livescience.com/26663-bigfoot-strange-sounds.html

Benjamin Radford, Live Science, "Bigfoot Hoaxer Killed in Accident," Aug. 28, 2012. https://www.livescience.com/22742-bigfoot-hoaxer-killed-in-accident.html

Grover Krantz, "Big Foot-Prints: A Scientific Inquiry into the Reality of Sasquatch," Johnson Books, 1992. https://www.amazon.com/Big-Foot-Prints-Scientific-Inquiry/dp/1555660991/

Ivan Sanderson, True magazine, "America's Abominable Snowman," Dec. 1959. https://www.flickr.com/photos/subtropicbob/16624964322

Karen Stollznow, Scientific American MIND Guest Blog, "(Big)foot in Mouth: Bigfoot Language," July 24, 2013. https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/mind-guest-blog/bigfoot-in-mouth-bigfoot-language/

Lauren M. Johnson, CNN, "Oklahoma lawmaker proposes a bill that calls for creation of a Bigfoot hunting season," Jan. 25, 2021. https://edition.cnn.com/2021/01/25/us/oklahoma-lawmaker-bigfoot-hunting-season-bill-trnd/index.html

Mindy Weisberger, Live Science, "Closest Living Relative of Extinct 'Bigfoot' Found," Nov. 13, 2019. https://www.livescience.com/gigantopithecus-bigfoot-orangutan-cousin.html

Mindy Weisberger, Live Science, "'Expedition Bigfoot' Scours Oregon Woods for Signs of the Mythical and Elusive Beast," Dec. 8, 2019. https://www.livescience.com/expedition-bigfoot-travel-channel.html

MJ Banias, Vice, News, "Viral Video Captures the Screams of a Mystery Creature," Nov. 12, 2019. https://www.vice.com/en/article/d3aqva/viral-video-captures-the-screams-of-a-mystery-creature

Nicki Thomas, The Canadian Encyclopedia, "Sasquatch," Jan. 21, 2007. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/sasquatch

Reuters Staff, Reuters, ""Bigfoot" was rubber gorilla costume," Aug. 20, 2008. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-bigfoot-hoax/bigfoot-was-rubber-gorilla-costume-idUSN2035207920080820

Robert Roy Britt , Live Science, "Monsters, Ghosts and Gods: Why We Believe," Aug. 18, 2008. https://www.livescience.com/5046-monsters-ghosts-gods.html

Robert Roy Britt, Live Science, "'Skull' Claimed as Rock-Solid Evidence of Bigfoot," June 29, 2013. https://www.livescience.com/37858-skull-claimed-as-bigfoot-evidence.html

Robert Walls, The Oregon Encyclopedia, "Bigfoot (Sasquatch) legend," Jan. 22, 2021. https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/bigfoot_sasquatch_legend/

Scott Detrow (host), NPR, "Oklahoma Places $2.1 Million Bounty On Bigfoot's Head," March 9, 2021. https://www.npr.org/2021/03/09/975125841/oklahoma-places-2-1-million-bounty-on-bigfoots-head?t=1641994362302

Stephanie Pappas, Live Science, "Eyewitness Testimony Can Be Tragically Mistaken," Sep. 22, 2011. https://www.livescience.com/16194-crime-eyewitnesses-mistakes.html

The Chronicle, "Toledo Retiree Admits Bigfoot Hoax in 1982," April 11, 2007. https://www.chronline.com/stories/toledo-retiree-admits-bigfoot-hoax-in-1982,212478

Tia Ghose, Live Science, "Sorry, That 'Bigfoot DNA' Came from a Raccoon," July 2, 2014. https://www.livescience.com/46631-bigfoot-samples-from-existing-animals.html
Several construction projects have been progressing across all of Southeast Community College's locations in Southeast Nebraska.

Lincoln Campus

Woodhaven Hall, a 250-bed residence hall, is set to open in January 2024. The first residence hall on the Lincoln Campus, Woodhaven Hall will fulfill an on-campus living need and is anticipated to be in high demand.

Elsewhere on the Lincoln Campus, construction began in March 2023 on the $32.4 million Sandhills Global Technology Center. The Center will include specialized lab spaces and room for program growth for SCCs Biotechnology, Computer Information Technology, Design & Drafting, and Electronic Systems Technology programs. It is scheduled to open in time for the 2024 Fall Semester. Sandhills Global made a $5 million gift, the largest in SCC history, toward the construction of the facility. SCC also received nearly $4.5 million in federal ARPA funds distributed by the city of Lincoln to address workforce development needs.

A new Welding Technology Center is being constructed on the north side of campus. The facility, with an estimated construction cost of $33 million, will allow safe, efficient training opportunities and serve as a hub to different stakeholders in Lincoln and the surrounding communities for years to come. This new facility will include more than 23,000 square feet of modern learning and training spaces, including:

Two modern and innovative labs with 180 welding bays for both students and workforce hands-on learning and training

Seven dynamic and interactive classrooms dedicated to both student instruction and workforce training and instruction

An 1,800-square-foot testing lab and 3,900-square-foot fabrication lab

Common and community building space for students and faculty

The facility is expected to be completed by the end of 2024.

Beatrice Campus

Work is currently underway on the Beatrice Welding Facility, a state-of-the-art welding training facility. Set to open in April 2024, this 4,000 square-foot facility will house 20 welding booths, iron-working equipment, lockers, storage, and learning spaces.

Funded through American Rescue Plan Act funds, SCC budgeted dollars and the generous support of industry and local partners, this facility will provide a new home for SCC students in related welding classes for programs like Precision Agriculture. It will be a valuable asset to the Beatrice community by teaching welding classes and providing our industry partners with dedicated space for upskilling current and potential workers while addressing workforce shortages.

Milford Campus

Nebraska Hall has played a significant role in the history of Nebraska, Seward County, Milford, and the College. Built in 1921, SCC plans to make Nebraska Hall the front door to campus by extending the building to the north by consolidating student support services into one central location to help our students achieve their academic goals for years to come.

The College has reached 75% of its private fundraising goal, enabling construction to begin while we work to secure the remaining $500,000 to complete the project.
A man has appeared in court charged with violent disorder in relation to the death of a suspected gunman in a Christmas Eve shooting in Dublin.

Brandon Hennessy, 20, with an address at Sheephill Avenue in Corduff, appeared before Blanchardstown courthouse on Monday charged with two offences.

Hennessy is the son of Blanchardstown shooting victim Jason Hennessy Snr.

Gunmen entered Brownes Steakhouse in Blanchardstown on December 24 and fired a number of shots, injuring Jason Hennessy Snr who later died in hospital.

Tristan Sherry, one of the suspected gunmen, was fatally assaulted at the scene.

Gardai have launched two murder investigations in response to the incident.

Appearing in court wearing a blue and navy tracksuit, Brandon Hennessy was charged with violent disorder and using or threatening to use unlawful violence with six others in a way that would cause people to fear for their safety.

He was also charged with producing an item capable of inflicting serious injury, namely a commercial dust pan and brush with steel handles.

Garda Alan Murphy told the court that Hennessy made no reply to the charges.

A solicitor for Hennessy told the court that there had been no objection to bail, and asked that the conditions for bail not be read out in court.

In response to questions from Judge Gerard Jones, the solicitor said his father was murdered, judge and it was alleged that Brandon Hennessy retaliated.

The solicitor told the court that Hennessy was present in the restaurant along with family members at the time.

The judge agreed to the bail conditions.

Brandon Hennessy is next due to appear in court on Tuesday March 12.
Local News

By Chris Boyle Published: January 29 2024

H. Lee Dennison Building was Illuminated Yellow on Saturday, January 27 for Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine today announced at a ceremony honoring the 78th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau that the H. Lee Dennison Building will be illuminated yellow on Saturday, January 27, 2024, in recognition of Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Its important that we take a moment to remember all of the lives lost, the millions of innocent Jewish people and other victims who were persecuted by the Nazi regime, said Romaine. Today and every day we reaffirm our commitment to combat hatred and intolerance in any form and ensure that the lessons of the past are never forgotten as we work to create a more just and compassionate society for future generations.

On January 27, we will observe International Holocaust Remembrance Day. This annual event was created by the United Nations in 2005 to mark the day that Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Holocaust death camp, was liberated by the Russian army in 1945. The purpose of International Holocaust Remembrance Day is to serve as a date for official commemoration of the victims of the Nazi regime and to promote Holocaust education throughout the world.

Our board is grateful to County Executive Ed Romaine for commemorating International Holocaust Remembrance Day and honoring the lives of the six million Jews and others murdered in the Nazi Holocaust. By illuminating the H. Lee Dennison building in yellow, the County evokes the yellow Stars of David the Nazis forced Jews to wear. This year the yellow lights also call to mind the ribbons symbolizing the more than 130 Israeli, American and foreign hostageskidnapped in Israel in a genocidal rampage by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023who remain captive in Gaza. We pledge to double our efforts to bring them home and fight the Jew hatred that fueled both the Shoah and the October 7 massacre, "said Allan Richter, Chairman, Suffolk County Jewish Advisory Board.

As Holocaust distortion and denial grow, it becomes increasingly important to spread education and awareness. As the amount of survivors dwindle, we rely on public officials, educators and all people of good will to keep the memories and lessons of the Holocaust alive. AJC thanks Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine for lighting the Dennison Building yellow in honor of International Holocaust Remembrance Day. As a former history teacher and dedicated public servant he has long carried this important message, said Eric Post, Director and Jim Neuwirth, President, American Jewish Committee Long Island Region.

StandWithUs, an international non-partisan organization that fights antisemitism, is grateful to Suffolk County Executive Romaine for marking this important day. Holocaust education and remembrance are critical to preventing anti-Jewish bigotry and other dangerous forms of hate. This is true given the rise in antisemitism, and particularly important for our students, the leaders of tomorrow, who are facing many forms of antisemitism in their schools and communities, which have escalated since the October 7 massacre, said Avi Posnick, StandWithUs Northeast Director.

The Jewish Community Relations Council of Long Island expresses gratitude to Suffolk Countys Leadership for their observance of International Holocaust Remembrance Day. By illuminating the H. Lee Dennison Building in yellow, Suffolk County honors the memory of those who perished and those who survived the Holocaust. In the words of Elie Wiesel, For the dead and the living, we must bear witness, and Suffolk Countys commitment to remembrance this Thursday is a testament to that solemn duty. Thank you, Suffolk County, for ensuring that we always remember and never forget the profound impact of this period in history, said Mindy Perlmutter, Jewish Community Relations Council of Long Island (JCRC-LI).
Bill and Joe are joined by their FDD colleague Bradley Bowman, senior director of FDDs Center on Military and Political Power, to discuss yesterdays tragic news of three U.S. service members killed in Jordan.

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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.
Members of Israels 98th Division operations in the narrow alleys of Khan Younis. (IDF)

The Israel Defense Forces have degraded Hamas battalions in the southern city of Khan Younis, a process that has taken two months of complex fighting. The IDFs 98th division has spearheaded this battle which is expected to culminate in a victory and make room for new challenges to be tackled inside Gaza. Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant met with an IDF artillery unit and vowed that, despite the long war, we will break Hamas. He said Israels goal was to eliminate them as a governing system, and as a military organization capable of launching attacks against the State of Israel.

Commander of the 98th Division Brig. Gen. Dan Goldfus said on January 29 that Israel is engaged in a simultaneous maneuver  fighting both above and below ground, operating with professionalism, with cooperation between special forces, commandos, and the divisions combat teams. Hamas terrorists are fleeing. We are striking them and their infrastructure both above and below ground. Goldfus spoke to soldiers from within a tunnel where a Hamas battalion commanders office was uncovered, illustrating how Hamas is fleeing, he said.

According to a recent report, there were four Hamas battalions in Khan Younis with an estimated 4,500 members. This is consistent with the overall Hamas structure prior to the war, which consisted of some 24 battalions and up to 30,000 men. Israel had already defeated ten of those battalions in mid-November, mostly through a large ground maneuver and a month of airstrikes in northern Gaza. Now, most of the Hamas battalions in Khan Younis are also defeated and 2,700 of their men eliminated. Besides attacks on Hamass terror forces, the IDF has struck 3,320 targets and 400 tunnel shafts in Khan Yunis, 150 of which it has destroyed, The Jerusalem Post reported. The IDF said in early December that 800 tunnel shafts had been found in Gaza.

The amount of terrorist infrastructure found in Khan Younis according to daily reports by the IDF appears very significant. For instance on January 29, the IDF said that infrastructure uncovered included the battalion headquarters, the Hamas terrorist organizations training compounds, communication posts, the Khan Yunis Brigades command center, a military intelligence building, a significant rocket manufacturing facility, and offices of many senior officials, including Yahya Sinwars office. The IDF also believes it has made significant progress in dismantling the underground terrain in Khan Yunis.

In another case in Khan Younis, the IDF found a tunnel under a cemetery. Hamas used many civilian structures and institutions to hide its tunnels, including hospitals. The use of a cemetery appears to be a new phenomenon that has been uncovered. According to the IDF report on January 29, soldiers were investigating the tunnel and came across explosives, sliding doors and blast-proof doors, and eliminated terrorists who were inside. Inside the tunnel route, the forces located an office from which a Khan Yunis Brigade battalion commander managed the attack on October 7th, an operations room, a command and control center and the living quarters of senior officials of the Hamas terrorist organization.

Fighting continues in Khan Younis as well. Israeli forces call in air strikes when possible and conduct raids. They also operate in a complex environment, given that there are two hospital compounds in the area. Many civilians have been called upon to leave Khan Younis in the last two months, and they are generally moving toward Rafah near the Egyptian border or west toward the Mawasi humanitarian area. Amidst the fighting, the IDF says it continues to find large numbers of weapons, such as AK-47s and RPGs.

Hamas rocket fire had been reduced during the month of January, but on January 29 the group fired a large barrage of rockets toward central Israel. It has also targeted the southern city of Ashkelon, illustrating that despite its losses, it still can organize long-range rocket attacks. During his visit with IDF artillerymen on January 29, Gallant estimated that at least a quarter of Hamas terrorists have been killed and a quarter wounded. This is in line with other estimates that assess Hamas has lost more than half of its men.

Questions remain about the next step in Gaza. The only major remaining Hamas-held stronghold is the area of Rafah on the Egyptian border. At the same time, Israel continues to consider a new deal with Hamas that could result in the release of remaining hostages. There are also questions about the overall percentage of Hamas tunnels that have been damaged or destroyed in almost four months of war.

Reporting from Israel, Seth J. Frantzman is an adjunct fellow at FDD and a contributor to FDDs Long War Journal. He is the acting news editor and senior Middle East correspondent and analyst at The Jerusalem Post.
No one knows what brought Chace Abney to the Super 8 on West O on May 1 or why he followed the plainclothes officers who were riding in an unmarked car.

They just know how the twist-of-fate ended: With a push-pull fight in the front seat of Abney's Chevy Impala SS, followed by a short burst of gunshots and Abney dying.

"I don't know what Mr. Abney was thinking. I don't know what he saw or what led him to believe who the officers were. All we know is Mr. Abney, for unknown reasons, saw this car and decided to follow it," Lancaster County Sheriff's Investigator Jeremy Schwarz told the grand jury that met at the end of September to review Abney's killing.

According to transcripts of the hearing filed this month, there was no dispute that Nebraska State Patrol Sgt. Nate Eymann and Lincoln Police Investigator Jay Denzin shot and killed him.

"But that alone doesn't really end the inquiry," Deputy Lancaster County Attorney Daniel Zieg told the jurors. "What we're looking at today is whether or not they were justified in that decision."

Eymann said Abney pulled a gun and fired a shot first.

Crime scene analysts found a spent 9mm casing in the backseat of his car, and testing at the State Crime Lab showed it had been fired from the gun found on the ground near Abney.

One juror asked Schwarz if he knew how many rounds had been fired from Abney's gun. One, he answered.

"Where that round went, we don't know," he said.

It all started that day with the investigators assigned to the Lincoln/Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force watching the hotel parking lot working a tip about another man, Dylan Johnson, who they'd been told had a pound of meth and guns in a room there.

But Abney, who lived in Rochester, New York, but grew up in the northeast Nebraska town of Tilden, had nothing to do with Johnson.

He had been staying at the nearby Rodeway Inn, in town for his sister's graduation from nursing school. That morning, he had visited with family at her house, according to his father, James Abney of Bullhead City, Arizona.

But shortly after 2 p.m., his black Chevy Impala SS with dark-tinted windows pulled into the Super 8 parking lot, where Denzin and State Trooper Justin Parsons had been in an unmarked car watching for people coming and going who might be connected to their drug tip.

Denzin said the Chevy looked just like the car of a dealer who he'd investigated who got indicted. He used binoculars to try to see who was in it. Eventually, a white man wearing a white hat and a COVID mask got out.

They watched as he seemed to struggle at a side door for a couple minutes. Denzin said it looked like he was trying to jam a key into a swipe pad. Eventually he went in, lingered around for a couple minutes and came back out and moved his car to another part of the lot.

The plainclothes officers drove by to try to get his plate but he was backed in and didn't have a front plate. So they still didn't know who he was or if he could be connected to their tip.

Denzin said the driver didn't seem to notice them. So they went back to their vantage point and talked about getting lunch.

"Eventually the guy in the hat gets out of the SS," he said.

Denzin said for the next hour and some change Abney went back and forth from his car into the hotel, ultimately coming out holding something like a baby. He couldn't tell what and still doesn't know.

That's when they decided if he left the lot, they were going to follow.

"We're just trying to see what he's doing," Denzin said.

When Abney stayed sitting at a stop sign on the north side of O Street, Denzin drove past him and pulled into a nearby business parking lot. They were sitting there when the Chevy pulled up at a diagonal in the blind spot behind them.

County Attorney Pat Condon asked what Denzin was thinking when he saw it.

"I guess my initial thought is one, why would he come right to us? It doesn't make sense," the officer said.

Two, Denzin said he thought maybe the driver was trying to counter-surveil them.

"It's one of those experiences that causes the hair on the back of your neck to stand up, if that makes sense. A lot of red flags start going off in my head, saying 'Hey, this is dangerous,'" Denzin said.

The Chevy ultimately pulled up and parked beside them.

Denzin said, call it instincts, but there was something in his head telling him not to get out or he was going to die.

Parsons, in the passenger seat and closest to the Chevy, reached for the door handle to get out. But Denzin told him to stay inside.

They stayed there close to a minute maybe, briefly discussing a plan and calling Eymann, who had been running Abney's plate, to come across the street to them.

"I say, 'Hey, I think we should contact this vehicle. There's something wrong here,'" Denzin said.

He backed up so they could use his car as cover before they both got out, Parsons immediately at the driver's window, yelling commands.

"Guns are drawn at that time," Denzin said.

He said it was like Abney saw them but didn't. He just started cussing back at them.

"We're explaining to him that we're police officers. We're just trying to get some type of compliance at that point," Denzin said.

Parsons showed him his badge on a lanyard around his neck.

When Abney told Parsons to get the pistol out of his face, Parsons and Denzin said they holstered their weapons, trying to deescalate the situation.

Soon after, Denzin said Abney looked up at him, said "f--- this" and reached into his pocket, prompting them to pull their guns again. But Abney's hand came out with a cellphone.

James Abney said when he picked up the call, his son told him he had followed these people out of the motel, went around and parked "and I have guns pointed at me right now at my window."

James Abney said he could hear voices screaming, telling his son to "get the f--- out of the car."

He said he heard his son say: "I'm sorry if I did something wrong, but what did I do?"

"And three minutes later he was shot and gone," James Abney said.

He said he knew his son dabbled some with meth, which was found in his system. And he heard a scare in his voice, but also a calmness when he asked why they were there.

He said he doesn't believe his son would've pointed a gun at them.

James Abney said he thinks they should have backed off, brought in marked cars with cameras "and made this done by the law."

"Why was my son even approached in that manner?" he asked.

James Abney said they approached his son for doing something he wasn't doing.

"And a half an hour after he was shot, they found the real suspect," he said, referring to Johnson, who since has been indicted.

Task force officers found just under a pound of methamphetamine and an AR-15 rifle in Johnson's hotel room in a search after the shooting.

Schwarz said they learned later that Abney had no connection to Johnson, though they did speak briefly in the hotel hallway that day in a random encounter. Johnson said the stranger said he was looking for a woman there and didn't know which room she was in. He said Abney racked the slide of his gun inside his sweatshirt before he walked away.

Back at the car, after the call between James Abney and his son ended, Parsons said Abney kept insisting they weren't police and that they were following him.

Parsons pulled his badge and showed him, saying "You can see right here."

When that didn't go anywhere, he and Eymann decided to go "hands on." A push-pull match started, where the officers were trying to get him out of the car and he was trying to stay in it.

Denzin said the troopers were completely in the car tugging at Abney without making headway.

Eymann said Abney had his feet pinned to the floor left of the brake pedal, and he and Parsons were trying to pull him out by his left arm, but Abney got the keys in the ignition.

Eymann put his hand through the steering wheel to get the keys.

"The next thing I know he's coming across to the right with a handgun in his right hand," he said.

The barrel was about even with Eymann's shoulder.

"I thought I was done," he said.

Eymann said there's a second or two he can't remember, but he thinks he hit Abney's arm. He yelled "gun, gun, gun" and jumped backward to get out of the car.

Parsons said he saw Abney's gun aimed at his face before he heard one round go off, then the pause and more rounds.

"To be honest, I thought I was going to die," he said.

Eymann said as he scrambled to get to the bumper he heard Abney say something short, like "What about this," before popping out of the car.

"I hear a gunshot," Eymann said. "And that's when I started shooting."

He fired four rounds.

Denzin said he couldn't tell who fired the shots.

When he saw him next, Abney was standing just outside the driver's door. He couldn't tell if he'd been hit but he saw a gun in his hand.

"I'm pretty much laser focused 100% on this gun," he said.

Denzin said when he saw the gun start to raise from his waistband he shot twice.

That's when Abney ended up on the ground, the gun between his legs.

Denzin said Abney reached for it, so he got in front of him, trying to shield the troopers behind him, until it became clear that Abney was down.

Then, they called it in to dispatch and started to render aid in an attempt to save him.

Abney, who had been hit in the head, chest and arms, died five days later.

After hearing the testimony, Zieg told them there was no real dispute about what happened. The question was whether, under the law, the officers were justified in their decision to fire their weapons and kill Abney.

"So that's kind of what you're looking for is when the officer decided to pull that trigger, was he justified in believing he needed to do so to protect his own life or the life of someone else," the attorney said.

A juror asked about provocation when it comes to self-defense. Could they have provoked Abney unintentionally?

Condon said they would have to find they had done it intentionally.

In the end, they found the officers justified in their use of force.

In their report, they said: "Abney was noncompliant and refused to exit his vehicle. During a struggle to physically remove Abney from his vehicle, he produced a handgun and fired one shot nearly striking an investigator. The investigators returned gunfire striking Abney in the head and chest."

Abney, 35, had been an All-American high school athlete and was a husband and father of four, according to his obituary.

Review of police shootings in Lincoln since 2013 1. Douglas DaMoude, May 30, 2014 2. Tyson Hubbard, March 5, 2015 3. Tareik Artis, Sept. 22, 2015 4. Zachary Grigsby, Nov. 29, 2015 5. Germichael Kennedy, June 26, 2016 6. Thomas Sailors, Jan. 5, 2018 7. Christopher Brennauer, Dec. 29, 2018 8. Joseph Francis Cimino, Oct. 8, 2019 9. Hailey Stainbrook and Christian Alexander, Feb. 20, 2021 10. German Pedraza, Nov. 24, 2021 11. Chace Abney, May 1, 2023 12. Stephen Kafka, Oct. 17,2023
Welcome to our weekly Apple Breakfast column, which includes all the Apple news you missed last week in a handy bite-sized roundup. We call it Apple Breakfast because we think it goes great with a Monday morning cup of coffee or tea, but its cool if you want to give it a read during lunch or dinner hours too.

I dont get out of bed for less than 500,000 eyeballs

Tough times at Cupertino, where the Vision Pro team recently got the bad news that three of the biggest iPhone apps (YouTube, Netflix, and Spotify) wont appear on Apples new mixed-reality headset. Plenty of other apps will launch for visionOS, of course, but probably not as many as Apple would like. Take it from me that these three wont be the last to decide the whole thing isnt worth the effort.

In last weeks Apple Breakfast, I discussed the spiky relationship Apple has with its software partners, and the way that years of resentment and mistrust may have contributed to reluctance among devs to throw their hats into the Vision Pro ring. But this week Id like to get away from feelings and talk about the cold hard reality of launching a new platform and trying to persuade other companies to commit to it.

Interviewed by Stratechery last week, Netflix co-CEO Greg Peters summed up Apples dilemma rather neatly.

We have to be careful about making sure that were not investing in places that are not really yielding a return, he explained, and I would say well see where things go with Vision Pro. Certainly, were always in discussions with Apple to try and figure that out but right now, the device is so subscale that its not really particularly relevant to most of our members.

And there it is. Vision Pro is too subscale, a polite way of saying that not many people are going to shell out $3,499 for a heavy headset with poor battery life and no killer app. (That last point is important; well be coming back to that.) At the very most, a Netflix app for visionOS would be used by 500,000 people this year, and that simply isnt worth it for the development work such a project would entail. Far better to wait and see if the thing catches on. Once Tim Cook starts using numbers that end with illion instead of ousand we can talk.

But the next problem, as eagle-eyed or owl-brained readers will have instantly perceived, is that failing to secure big-name apps like Netflix in turn makes large sales numbers less likely. Your average customers first reaction to the Vision Pro sales pitch will be to ask, What do I actually do with it? And at the moment, the answer isnt hugely satisfactory. You have video chats with people, you look at (impressively immersive) photos and videos, and you view your Mac desktop in a huge virtual environment. Will there be spatial videos on YouTube? Well, maybe, but there wont be a YouTube app. Youll need to view it through the browser. Same for Netflix shows. Same for music on Spotify. Its just a bit underwhelming.

And so it goes, round and round, a vicious circle with sharp edges. Dont get the eyeballs, you dont get the apps. Dont get the apps, you dont get the eyeballs. Its amazing that any new tech platform ever takes off, really.

There are solutions, of course. You can bully people using your corporate muscle, or bribe them with quid pro quos. (Netflix CEO Greg Peters refers cryptically to active discussions about how we could help each other out. Sometimes we find a great space of overlap. Who knows what that means?) If you promise a developer stage time at WWDC, theres a good chance theyll play ball. If youre a trusted partner with a strong relationship, developers might take a punt hoping for good things in the future, but as we discussed last week, thats not Apples strength.

And the extra problem that Vision Pro faces is that its perceived to have a high barrier to entry. When Apple started the App Store, a lot of its success can be traced to the way that bedroom developers could easily knock up a cool simple iOS game and leap to the top of the charts, which triggered a goldrush of devs looking for a piece of the action. Its hard to imagine anyone knocking up a spatial computing app after getting home from a shift at the supermarket. This is a platform that calls for corporate resources, which means middle managers asking questions about return on investment.

The most likely outcome is that Vision Pro will prosper as a platform, simply because Apple is about as close to too big to fail as exists in the tech industry today. Big names may stay away at first, but a few medium-sized developers will make a decent amount of money in the vacuum they leave, and things will gradually take off; a vicious circle can quickly be replaced by a virtuous one once momentum starts to build. I just cant see it happening quickly, which will be a test of Apples patience. Netflix isnt the only company that gets annoyed by things that are not really yielding a return.

Foundry

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Mac 40th-anniversary special

After 40 years, the Mac is immortal.

Can Apple Vision Pro help the Mac to last another 40 years?

Watch Steve Jobs reveal the very first Macintosh, back in 1984.

Watch the original Mac team reunite at CHMs 40th-anniversary event.

Podcast of the week

In this episode of the Macworld Podcast, we talk to Will Mosgrove, the photographer behind the iconic Steve Jobs photo that appeared on the very first issue of Macworld 40 years ago.

You can catch every episode of the Macworld Podcast on Spotify, Soundcloud, the Podcasts app, or our own site.

Reviews corner

14-inch M3 MacBook Pro review: So close yet so far.

Apple Watch Ultra 2 review: A great smartwatch that isnt worth the upgrade.

The rumor mill

Report details Apples massive AI plans for 2024.

Leaked renders reveal Apples surprising design choice for the 12.9-inch iPad Air.

Code snippet hints at new iPads with horizontal camera layout.

Report: The iPhone 16s wild new Capture button will respond to swipes and pressure.

Apple may already have cornered the market on next-gen 2nm chips.

iOS 17.3 is here with an important new iPhone security feature youll want right now.

Apple patches a serious zero-day vulnerability in new iOS, macOS, tvOS updates.

Google brings several AI features to the Mac with latest Chrome update.

Get a sneak peek at the new emoji coming in iOS 17.4.

Apple releases Vision Pros first software update and it hasnt even launched yet.

And with that, were done for this weeks Apple Breakfast. If youd like to get regular roundups, sign up for our newsletters. You can also follow us on Facebook, Threads, or Twitter for discussion of breaking Apple news stories. See you next Monday, and stay Appley.
Subsidizing the cost of care for child care providers own children could be a game-changer for Nebraska employers struggling to fill jobs, a legislative committee was told Friday.

The idea, embodied in a measure (LB856), is to boost the number of child care workers, thus making care more available for other Nebraska parents and ultimately allowing more people to join the workforce.

State Sen. John Fredrickson of Omaha, who introduced the proposal and made it his priority for the year, said it could be a major piece of addressing the states worker shortage.

In my opinion, and in the opinion of business and economic development leaders throughout our state, we must move forward to address our child care workforce shortage in a significant way this session, because addressing it is central to fixing our overall workforce issues, he said. That will require making it a priority investment.

Fredrickson estimated that subsidizing care for child care providers could bring 2,175 people into the child care workforce. They could provide care for an estimated 16,000 more Nebraska children, based on research showing that every additional child care worker cares for eight children.

Under the bill, certified child care professionals could qualify for subsidized child care assistance regardless of their family income level. The program would be open to those who were self-employed, employed at a child care home or center, or working for Head Start or Early Head Start.

Bryan Slone, president of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry, told the Health and Human Services Committee that the multiplication effect of LB856 could be a game-changer for the state.

He said Nebraskas workforce shortage is the states top issue and making child care and housing affordable and available is key to addressing that shortage. But a major roadblock to expanding child care is attracting and retaining workers to the field.

Gov. Jim Pillen has made the workforce shortage a priority for this session of the Legislature. He has not taken a position on LB856. The Department of Health and Human Services took a neutral position on the measure.

The proposal drew strong support Friday, including from business groups, child care providers and child advocates. Among those who testified in person were representatives from First Five Nebraska, Lincoln Littles, Nebraska Farm Bureau and Voices for Children in Nebraska. Another 70 people or groups sent letters in support.

Kentucky launched a similar program for child care workers in 2022 and six other states, including Iowa, implemented pilot programs last year. The Kentucky program showed results quickly. By October last year, 3,200 child care providers were using the subsidy, including both new workers and those who were already working in the field.

Nicole Fox, representing the Platte Institute, said the shortage of workers and of child care were issues that came up in every community that the Platte Institute visited last year. She noted that child care costs are especially burdensome for those who work in the traditionally low-paid field of child care.

Fox suggested, however, that Nebraska undertake the proposed subsidies as a pilot program, given its potential cost.

The Legislative Fiscal Office estimated that LB856 would cost about $20 million per year. The estimate was based on the Kentucky experience and assumed that about 2,175 Nebraska child care workers would claim the new subsidies for care of some 3,535 of their children.

Fredrickson countered that Nebraska families lose $489 million annually from missed work opportunities due to lack of child care access. Citing a survey from First Five Nebraska, he said that 34% of parents with children 5 and under reported refusing a work opportunity because of child care expenses.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of January 2024
Manchester, VT (05254)

Today

Light snow this morning. Then remaining cloudy this afternoon. Temps nearly steady in the mid to upper 30s. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 60%..

Tonight

Occasional snow showers. Low 28F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 50%. Snow accumulations less than one inch.
Nicki Minaj ignited a fiery feud with Megan Thee Stallion, dropping the diss track "Big Foot" late Sunday. The 41-year-old rapper, born Onika Maraj, spared no punches, attacking Megan's integrity, referencing her mother's passing, and even mentioning the shooting incident involving Tory Lanez.

Minaj accused Megan of dishonesty about liposuction and alleged inappropriate behavior with minors. The track also addressed Megan's jab at Minaj's husband, Kenneth Petty, in her song "Hiss," alluding to his criminal history.

Emily Ratajkowski makes Travis Scott beg for her in sexy late night music video

"How you f**k your mother man when she die? / How you go on Gayle King and can't cry? Chile, bye / Big foot, but you still a small fry / Swearin' on your dead mother when you lie," Minaj rapped.

"Shots thrown but I still ain't let Megan score / Bad bitch she like six foot / I call her, "Big Foot" / The bitch fell off, I said, 'Get up on your good foot.'

"Um, why did you lie about your lypo? / F**kin' your best friend man is crazy, you the type, though."

The dispute intensifies

The feud escalated with Minaj's demand for an apology regarding Megan's lyric referencing "Megan's Law," a nod to Petty's sex offender status.

Fans speculated about the dig being aimed at Minaj's brother, convicted of sexual assault. The release of "Big Foot" adds fuel to the feud, which started after Megan's collaboration with Minaj in "Hot Girl Summer" in 2019.

The dispute intensifies amid personal tragedies, including Megan's foot injury from the Lanez shooting and Minaj's loss of her mother.

Despite their past collaboration, the animosity between the Grammy-winning artists shows no signs of abating, with Minaj's scathing lyrics and Megan's pointed responses fueling the controversy.
The Bristol County District Attorneys Office has identified a suspect it believes is responsible for killing a Rhode Island man during a shooting in New Bedford over 30 years ago.

Newport resident Brent Davis, 20, was shot and killed at the Brickenwood Housing Project on Oct. 25, 1991. The district attorneys office said in a news release Monday that it now believes Claudio Jorge  a Dominican Republic native with a long criminal history  was responsible for the killing.

Newport, Rhode Island, resident Brent Davis, 20, was shot and killed in New Bedford in 1991. He is pictured above.Bristol County District Attorney's Office

Jorge was arrested in New York in 1992 and deported to the Dominican Republic in 1998, the district attorneys office said. He was 40 years old when he was killed there in 2006. At the time of his death, someone was trying to rob him.

After Davis killing in 1991, witnesses identified the suspect as an individual named Bobby, the district attorneys office said. Investigators then created a sketch composite of the suspect and were able to identify two if his relatives who were living in New Bedford.

After the killing of 20-year-old Brent Davis in 1991, investigators put together a composite sketch of his killer, according to the Bristol County District Attorney's Office.Bristol County District Attorney's Office

The relatives told investigators that Bobby was also known as Reynaldo Suriel and that he was from New York City, the district attorneys office said. But authorities were ultimately unable to find the suspect and the case went cold with no arrests made.

The case remained frozen until 2020 when the district attorneys cold case unit began looking at it again. According to the district attorneys office, State Police Trooper Katherine Sullivan soon determined that Reynaldo Suriel was likely also an alias and began interviewing witnesses and others known to associate with Bobby.

Read more: A look at cold cases Hampden County prosecutors hope to solve with DNA advances

Through the interviews, investigators learned that the shooting was a result of a drug distribution dispute, the district attorneys office said. They also discovered that Bobby was originally from the Dominican Republic, and that he fled the city shortly after Davis death.

One witness admitted to investigators that, at the time of the shooting, he and Bobby had been selling cocaine together, the district attorneys office said. After the shooting, the witness told authorities, Bobby came to his girlfriends apartment and told him Davis was dead and that he needed to leave New Bedford.

Sullivan soon tracked down and spoke to a close relative of the suspect who previously lived in New Bedford. The relative identified Jorge as the person behind both aliases and provided investigators with photos of him that matched the composite sketch from 1991, the district attorneys office said.

While Jorge was incarcerated multiple times before Davis killing, records show that he was free at the time of the shooting. Additionally, investigators obtained photos of Jorge from the relative and showed them to witnesses. The witnesses confirmed that Jorge and Bobby were the same person and that he had killed Davis, the district attorneys office said.

This case further shows our office does not give up on solving cold cases and will continue to put resources into investigations of cold case homicides, District Attorney Thomas Quinn III said in the release.
The looming closing of the oldest mens state prison in Massachusetts has one corrections officers union concerned about what that could mean for other prisons.

In a letter from the Massachusetts Correction Officers Federated Union to Gov. Maura Healey, it said the closing has the officers union concerned over how this will happen logistically and how it will place our other facilities at an increased threat level.

The Department of Correction announced on Jan. 24 that the prison, which first opened in 1878, would close due to a declining number of people in state custody. WBUR reported that the 300 people currently held there will be moved to other state prisons, and the prison staff would also be moved, the Healey administration said.

The Correction Department will begin the process of transferring correctional officers and incarcerated individuals throughout this fiscal year with the expectation that this process will be complete by the summer of 2024, the agency said in its statement.

With Concord closing, we are concerned that inmates there and at other facilities will be re-classied to lower security facilities, the letter reads. When this happens, it puts ocers and inmates at risk. We saw this on August 31, 2022, when Correction Ocer Matthew Tidman was almost murdered by an inmate with a lengthy record of violent assaults. This inmate should have never been classied to a medium security facility. We cannot allow this to happen again.

The unions letter added that despite the lower number of incarcerations across the state, those inmates within MCI-Concord are among the most dangerous and violent offenders.

The impending closure would be the fourth prison in three years to shut down, and will put a strain on the prison system in the state, the union wrote.

The Department of Correction said its leadership is deeply committed to working closely with employees and their union representatives to address any safety concerns and to ensure a fair and equitable relocation of all affected staff to other facilities, a spokesperson told Boston 25 News.

We are grateful to our corrections staff for their hard work and service, the spokesman continued. As we continue to shape the future of our agency, we are confident that together we can take this essential step to eliminate redundancies, enhance efficiency and ensure a more effective and impactful correctional system while still ensuring the safety of our staff and incarcerated individuals.

Read more: Westfield downtown groups ready to apply for cultural district designation

Amid the states lowest prison population in 35 years, this action reflects the departments ongoing efforts to enhance operational efficiency, advance cost-saving solutions, and deepen investments in programming and services, the agency said in a statement obtained by MassLive.

The Correction Department will begin the process of transferring correctional officers and incarcerated individuals throughout this fiscal year with the expectation that this process will be complete by the summer of 2024, the agency said in its statement.

During a Wednesday news conference, Gov. Maura Healey defended the decision, pointing to the states declining prison population.
A Millis man faces criminal charges after authorities accused him of leaving a voicemail for an Attleboro synagogue in which he made bomb threats and threatened to kill all Jews, according to the Massachusetts U.S. Attorneys Office.

John Reardon, 59, is facing one count of using a facility of interstate commerce to threaten a person or place with harm via an explosive in connection with a voicemail that was left at Congregation Agudas Achim on Thursday, the U.S. Attorneys office said in a press release Monday.

The allegations here about the series of threats Mr. Reardon made against the Jewish community are deeply disturbing and reflect the increasing torrent of antisemitism across our country and right here in Massachusetts, Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy said in the release.  ... We will continue to work every day with our federal, state and local partners to track down people who allegedly engage in such hateful conduct.

Read more: 5 WMass municipalities have received Green Communities funding from state

According to the U.S. Attorneys office, on the morning of Jan. 25, Reardon left a voicemail for Congregation Agudas Achin in which he referenced the ongoing war in the Gaza strip and accused the state of Israel of genocide  a claim an international court recently found to be plausible.

In the voicemails, the U.S. Attorneys office said, Reardon made statements threatening violence against Jews, including:

You do realize that by supporting genocide that means its OK for people to commit genocide against you;

With supporting the killing of innocent little children, that means its OK to kill your children;

Guess what? We are going to use your logic if you can kill the Palestinians, we can kill you;

If you can bomb their f**king places of worship we can bomb yours, if you can kill their children we can kill yours;

End the genocide, or it is time to end Israel and all the Jews;

I supported Jewish people though. Not anymore. A matter of fact I think we should kill you(s) all;

No one should have to fear becoming the victim of physical violence at the hands of an angry stranger, FBI Boston Special Agent in Charge Jodi Cohen said. While the FBI does not and will not police ideology, we take all threats to life seriously, and so should anyone thinking about making one.

Read more: Bristol DA identifies suspect in fatal New Bedford shooting from 1991

The U.S. Attorneys Office said Reardon also used the phrase from the river to the sea,  a controversial mantra seen by some as antisemitic and viewed by others as a statement of Palestinian liberation.

A report released earlier this month found that Boston had experienced a record increase in antisemitic hate crimes by the end of 2022  long before the war in Gaza began. According to Massachusetts State Police, 30 Jewish institutions received threats over the course of a single weekend last month.

Read more: Springfield historic row house heavily damaged by fire

Reardon was arrested Thursday and has been in custody since, the U.S. Attorneys Office said. He is set to appear in U.S. District Court in Boston Monday afternoon.

A charge of using a facility of interstate commerce to threaten a person or place with harm via an explosive provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.
Newton Public Schools were closed for a seventh school day in a row on Monday  reportedly the longest such strike in the state for decades  as its teachers union continued striking over failed contract negotiations

The Newton Teachers Association (NTA) and Newton officials have been unable to come up with a new contract since negotiations began in October 2022, and the teachers have been working without a contract since August 2023. The parties have continuously gotten stuck on issues such as increased teacher pay and hiring more support staff.

Though it is illegal in Massachusetts for teachers to abandon their posts, the NTA voted to begin striking on Jan. 19 and risk legal consequences in the hope of pressuring officials to agree to a new contract. Per a court order, the NTA now owes $425,000 in fines  a sum which will increase by $50,000 each day the strike continues.

Other teachers unions in Andover, Malden, Brookline, Woburn and Haverhill have conducted similar strikes and faced fines in recent years, but according to The Boston Globe, the NTAs is the longest teacher work stoppage to happen in Massachusetts since the 1990s.

Newton Superintendent Anna Nolin said previously that its unclear how the the 21-school, 11,700-student district will make up the lost days of school.

On Sunday, the union submitted its latest contract proposal for city officials to consider. Union representatives called the proposal fair and affordable and said it made compromises such as phasing in changes out of respect for the districts budget concerns.

But the Newton School Committee ultimately rejected the proposal, saying it was presented to the members as a take it or leave it offer and that was neither sustainable nor affordable. Officials also accused the NTA of including a poison pill in the proposal and walking out of the negotiating room without considering a counterproposal.

Union representative Ashley Raven said in a statement Sunday night that union negotiators did not walk out, but that the school committee simply didnt ask any clarifying questions. The NTA is considering the counterproposal, and caucused around it Monday morning, she said.

Read more: Newton educators to appear in court again as strike closes schools 6 days

Nolin said previously that the two parties had agreed on some issues, such as a more-generous family leave policy, adding more social workers in elementary schools and adding more STEM high school teachers. Their disagreements lie in issues such as cost-of-living salary adjustments, staff insurance benefits and, generally, the price tag attached to the NTAs demands, she said.

The union has repeatedly argued that city officials budget concerns are false or exaggerated, while city officials have often asserted that meeting the unions demands would force the district to cut jobs. Nolin said previously that distrust between the two parties has negatively affected the negotiations.

It is unclear where the negotiations stand Monday morning.
Feature: China's cataract eradication project brings hope for better life to patients in developing countries

Xinhua) 16:04, January 29, 2024

PREY VENG, Cambodia, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Duk Sarun, a 68-year-old Cambodian cataract patient, was thrilled to see the beautiful world again on Sunday after having her cataracts in both eyes removed free-of-charge by a team of Chinese ophthalmologists.

A native to Prey Veng province in southeast Cambodia, the mother of five children said the surgery was a life-changing moment for her after she had lived in blindness for many years due to the lack of money for a surgical treatment.

"I don't have any money to treat my eye disease, and when I heard that the Chinese doctors have provided free cataract surgery, I'm elated and have come for this surgical treatment," Sarun told Xinhua on Sunday after having had a gauze pad removed from her left eye a day after surgery at the compound of the Prey Veng Provincial Referral Hospital.

"After the surgical treatment, my eyesight has been restored, but vision is not absolutely clear yet because it is still very new," she added.

Sarun was the 10,000th patient globally and the 3,138th patient in Cambodia to benefit from free-of-charge cataract surgery performed by Chinese ophthalmologists under the China's GX Foundation-backed Cataract Blindness Eradication project.

The project has been carrying out in five countries across Asia and Africa, including Cambodia, Laos, Djibouti, Mauritania and Senegal.

In Cambodia, the three-year project was launched in September 2022, aiming at regaining vision for some 10,000 cataract patients in Prey Veng province by September 2025.

Sarun, who is a farmer living about 50 km far from the Prey Veng provincial town, said the project has brought a ray of hope for a better life for poor cataract patients in rural areas.

"I wish all Chinese doctors good health and longevity so that they can provide treatment to other patients," she said.

In Cambodia, a surgery on one-eye cataract at hospitals or clinics costs 300 to 500 U.S. dollars, the amount which is hardly afforded by poor and rural dwellers.

Another 53-year-old Cambodian farmer Khom Pov said she had cataracts in both eyes, which required a surgical treatment to regain her sight.

"After a surgical treatment, I can see now, although my vision is not totally restored, it's much better than before when I was totally blind," she told Xinhua.

"I saw that the doctors were very professional, equipped with sufficient medical equipment and supplies, so I had cataracts on both eyes removed. I'm very happy to see again," the mother of two children said.

Pov said previously, due to blindness, she dared not walk away from home, but now, it's a life-changing moment as she can move wherever unaided.

Under the project, the GX Foundation has dispatched a team of Chinese eye doctors, together with two mobile eye treatment centers and a 35-seat bus, to give free cataract surgery to patients in Prey Veng.

Ophthalmologist So Sopanhavatei, director of the Prey Veng Provincial Referral Hospital, said the project has greatly benefited cataract patients in the province.

"To date, more than 3,000 patients have undergone cataract surgeries under this project at the hospital," she told Xinhua.

"The GX Foundation's free cataract surgery project in Cambodia is good and crucial to help cataract sufferers regain their eyesight and prevent them from blindness," she added.

Speaking of the project carried out in five developing countries, Sopanhavatei said it is essential for patients because they get free cataract surgeries and have their vision restored, and they can return to a normal life.

Ophthalmologist Lu Huawen, leader of the eight-member Chinese medical team from Wuzhou Gongren Hospital, said more than 98 percent of patients' vision had improved a lot after surgery.

She added that some patients' vision may not see a significant enhancement because of their eyes' other underlying eye conditions, but the majority of the patients are highly satisfied with the results.

"I feel extremely proud and honored to be a part of this aid project," she told Xinhua.

"We come here to assist with treating local cataract patients, which will significantly improve their vision and directly enhance their life quality. Our help has an immediate and positive impact on the patients' future lives and work." she added.

Lu said, through this medical aid project, they have addressed these patients' difficulties, and the patients have felt the help, warmth and thoughtfulness from the Chinese medical team.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Nebraska homeowners would be allowed to display political signs on their property during election season without restriction from their homeowners association, under a new bill in consideration in the Legislature.

LB886 would prohibit homeowners associations, or HOAs, from banning political signs displayed on an owner's property, with some caveats. The bill was discussed in a public hearing before the Legislature's Judiciary Committee Thursday.

State Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln, who introduced the bill, said the proposal was brought by one of her constituents, who was frustrated by his inability to support candidates because of his HOA's regulations.

Grant Friedman, a legal fellow with the American Civil Liberties Union of Nebraska, said the organization often hears concerns from voters about this issue. Conrad, former executive director of ACLU of Nebraska, corroborated this, adding that complaints are especially common during election season.

The signs in question must advertise candidates or ballot measures pertaining to an upcoming election, and the proposed ban only applies for the 90 days prior to that election and 10 days following it, according to the legislation.

The bill also clarifies that HOAs can impose restrictions on how signs are displayed, and limit each owner to one sign per candidate or ballot measure. Signs that are larger than 4 feet by 6 feet, contain offensive material, threaten public safety or pose a distraction to passing motorists would not apply to the new rule.

Conrad said there is a plethora of past case law relating to political signage, including some cases that made it to the U.S. Supreme Court. In most cases, she said, courts have protected the rights of free speech, with political speech being the highest valued. However, HOAs have been left in a gray area, as they do not count as a governing body, she said.

"What's most important to remember about this measure, because I really see it as having two quintessential, key issues  in it  the importance of private property, and the importance of free expression," Conrad said.

Meet the Nebraska state senators making laws in 2024
A Golden Retriever-mix found emaciated last week on the streets of Brookline was brought to the MSPCAs care not a second too soon  and now the MSPCAs law enforcement division and Brookline Animal Control are seeking the publics help for answers as to how the dog got there.

The roughly 3-year-old female pup, now named Brooke, came into the MSPCAs Angell Animal Medical Center in Jamaica Plain during the afternoon on Wednesday, Jan. 24, the MSPCA-Angell said in a news release on Monday.

This dog was in bad shape when she came to us, said Mike Keiley, the vice president of the MSPCA-Angells Animal Protection Division, in a statement.

On a scale of one to nine, with one being extremely emaciated and nine being obese, she had a body condition score of one, Keiley added.

According to Keiley, Brooke weighed a mere 10 pounds, about half the minimum weight she should weigh. He added that Brooke has since been put on a re-feeding program which has helped to stabilize her.

Were optimistic that she may be able to leave the hospital early this week, Keiley said.

The adorable dog is said by staff to be extremely sweet in spite of her circumstances, according to the MSPCA-Angell.

Its always hard to see loving animals like Brooke suffer so much, Keiley said. We want to know how it got to this point, and we need peoples help to do that.

Brooke was found in the area of Newton and Clyde streets in Brookline, according to the MSPCA-Angell. Anyone with information about Brookes owner is asked to reach out to MSPCA Law Enforcement and Brookline Animal Control.

You can submit tips to Brookline Animal Control at animalcontrol@brooklinema.gov and tips to MSPCA Law Enforcement can be submitted online at mspca.org/tip or by calling either 617-522-6008 or 800-628-5808.

You can watch a video of Brooke provided courtesy of the MSPCA-Angell below, or by clicking here to watch on the groups YouTube channel.
SPRINGFIELD  Do you know that federal and state guidelines recommend testing your home for the presence of radon? This radioactive gas seeps undetected into homes from the ground, and such indoor exposure over time at elevated levels is the leading cause of lung cancer after smoking and the leading cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers.

Radon is an odorless, tasteless gas, and people have no idea that it is in their homes. They need to be made more aware of it and the risk it poses, said Dr. Laki J. Rousou, medical director of the Lung Cancer Screening Program at Mercy Medical Center.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency attributes the main source of radon in homes to soil in contact with basement floors and walls. The gas is produced from the natural radioactive decay of uranium, which is present in all rocks and soils.

Some geographical areas have higher-than-average radon levels, but any home can be at risk, according to a recent report from the American Lung Association. The report says 21.8% of radon tests in Massachusetts were at or about the required mitigation level recommended by the EPA.

Get it tested

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health recommends all homes and schools be tested for radon and has comprehensive online information about testing and mitigation at mass.gov/radon. Homeowners may request a free radon test kit from the DPH by calling 800-723-6695, or consider hiring a radon measurement specialist certified by either the National Radon Safety Board or the American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists National Radon Proficiency Program.

Radon mitigation specialists are similarly certified, and specialists can be found by ZIP code on those two sites.

Ed Wagner, a Massachusetts-licensed home inspector, has been testing for radon in homes and commercial buildings since the early 2000s. He encountered skepticism during those early years of testing as a part of real estate transactions, hearing comments about there being no dead spiders in the basement to indicate a need for it or radon gas trucks on the street.

He said today that homebuyers, particularly younger ones, are more knowledgeable about radon, and that a much higher percentage want testing done, because they are aware of the effects.

Information is readily accessible online, and younger people are internet savvy, said Wagner, who holds certification as a radon measurement specialist from the National Radon Safety Board. Interest among homeowners is also driven by people working from home, sometimes in basement offices.

Wagner uses electronic testing instruments that give hourly readings and follows EPA guidelines, which say there should be 12 hours to at least 48 hours of closed-house conditions for minimum testing. Wagner likes to test an additional 48 hours, as the presence of radon gas in a home can be cyclical.

Wagner, whose Easthampton-based Wagner Inspection Inc. tests in all four counties of Western Massachusetts, said he tends to recommend that residents put in a system to reduce radon gas levels in their home over 50% of the time. He said that testing specialists often see higher radon levels than what more generalized, often older data might reflect.

Some areas have high levels

The EPA has mapped radon zones across the country that show areas where there is the greatest potential for elevated indoor readings, but he stressed that all homes should be tested.

You can test one house on a street that could register very high radon levels, while a neighbors residence could be very low, Wagner said. You dont know the level in any one individual house, unless you test the home. This is the message I try to push and so has the EPA. It can be a real wake-up call for people but one that can reduce their health risks.

The indoor concentration of radon gas is measured in picocuries per liter of air, with a picocurie being one-trillionth of a curie, the international unit of measurement of radioactivity.

The EPA recommends that all homes be tested for radon and action taken if the radon concentration is 4 picocuries per liter or higher. It recommends homeowners consider reducing the radon concentrations for homes measuring between 2 pCi/L and 4 pCi/L, as protracted exposure at these concentrations is said to also poses a risk.

The average indoor radon level is estimated to be about 1.3 pCi/L, according to the EPA, and about 0.4 pCi/L of radon is normally found in the outside air, where it dilutes quickly to lower concentrations and is generally not a problem.

What are acceptable levels?

Berkshire Radon Technologies owner Justin Zieminski is certified in both mitigation and measurement and analysis, but concentrates on mitigation in his Cheshire-based business. The majority of his radon reduction work in this state and New York is from real estate transactions, when a home being bought or sold is found to have 4 pCi/L or higher concentrations of the gas.

While every house is a little different, Zieminski said the most standard mitigation system, especially in homes with a concrete foundation and stone beneath, is a sub-slab depressurization system in which a hole is core drilled in the basement floor to create a negative pressure field underneath and exhaust the radon to the outside with the help of a fan and indoor or exterior piping.

This system grabs the gas before it becomes airborne, Zieminski said. It is most effective in remediation and is a one-day job.

A 2018 fact sheet from the Massachusetts DPH estimates that 628 radon-related lung cancers occur annually in Massachusetts, and that 650,000 homes in the state have radon levels that exceed the EPA action guideline of 4 pCi/L. It also estimates that 34,000 homes in Massachusetts have radon levels that exceed 20 pCi/L.

Dr. Laki Rousou is chief of thoracic surgery, chief of robotic surgery and medical director of the Lung Cancer Screening Program at Mercy Medical Center, part of Trinity Health Of New England. (Mercy Medical Center photo)Mercy Medical Center photo

Varying levels

In addition to being of the head of his hospitals lung cancer screening efforts, Rousou is also the chief of thoracic surgery and chief of robotic surgery at Mercy Medical Center, part of Trinity Health Of New England.

Rousou said he has had a few lung cancer cases that he supposes were caused by radon, as they involved patients with a known exposure history and no history of smoking. He added, however, that exposure to elevated levels of radon in the home over time combined with a history of smoking creates a synergistic risk for lung cancer.

One study published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention quotes estimates that put the lifetime risk of radon-induced lung cancer at 62 per 1,000 ever-smokers versus 7 per 1,000 new smokers.

While there is annual screening for individuals with a history of smoking that puts them at risk for lung cancer, there are no protocols around radon exposure. Rousou said the best prevention is radon testing.

Testing is the primary prevention and the best prevention, said Rousou, who would like to see more public service announcements educating people, not only about the risks of domestic radon exposure but also the importance of testing their homes for level of exposure and addressing elevated levels.

Rousou noted that at least 21,000 lung cancer deaths are attributed to radon annually in the U.S.

If you could prevent half of those 21,000 deaths in this country, you would have done a lot of good, said Rousou.

Dr. Mary Jo S. Farmer, director of pulmonary hypertension services at Baystate Health, has used the webinar program on radon exposure that the Massachusetts Medical Society has on its website to educate primary care physicians and other medical workers.

She would like to see a question on radon exposure included among the data health care workers take on patients histories.

If we asked about possible exposure in taking a history or if the patient has ever tested for radon, these would be ways we could raise awareness, Farmer said. The more education we as providers can do for ourselves and our patients, the better.

Radon-associated lung cancer is known to have a long latency period, and federal government websites like that of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry note many patients exposed to increased levels of radon might be asymptomatic for years.

Since 2015, new one- and two-family homes and townhouses in Worcester, Essex and Middlesex counties have been required to have a passive radon system installed when they are built.

No time like the present

January is National Radon Action Month and a good time to test in New England for radon, as winter heating systems disseminate the gas throughout a home. However, testing kits are available year-round from the Massachusetts Department of Health by calling 800-723-6695 and leaving a call-back number. Both the kits and lab processing of those kits are free and help is given on how to use the kit.

More information is available at mass.gov/radon. Radon mitigation systems can cost around $1,400 depending on the home. The EPA Consumer Guide to Radon Reduction can be found on its website.

The state also has a site on testing the water quality of private wells for contaminants that could include radon at mass.gov.
SPRINGFIELD  Superintendent Daniel Warwick announced he will retire at the end of the school year, ending a 48-year career in the city schools that includes achievements such as turning around the poorest elementary school in the community, boosting the graduation rate by 30% and implementing universal preschool.

Warwick joined with Mayor Domenic J. Sarno to announce his exit on Monday afternoon in City Hall. Multiple school staff, friends and family members attended the event. A few, including Warwicks second in command, Kimberly Wells, could be seen wiping away tears during the announcement.

It is very bittersweet. He has been a great friend, an excellent superintendent, said Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, who was a member of the School Committee when it voted to appoint Warwick to the position in 2012. We have a great working relationship.

While many School Committees and mayors battle for funding, fighting over making school improvements, they never did.

We always had had synergy, Sarno said.

Warwick is the citys first home-grown school superintendent, having started his career as a substitute teacher around the age of 21, while still a student at Westfield State University. Unlike many, he stayed in the city teaching and moving up the ladder to become superintendent.

He choked up during the announcement, admitting he felt it was time to leave, but really was not counting the days toward the end of his career. The truth is that Warwick had put in enough years as an educator to retire at about the same time he was named superintendent.

It is an honor and pleasure. I think our system has done great things, and Im very, very proud to be part of it, Warwick said. Forty-eight years is a long time, but it flew by. It has never been a job for me.
SPRINGFIELD  A woman was left with serious injuries after being hit by a car Saturday evening in a parking garage at Baystate Medical Center, according to Springfield police spokesman Ryan Walsh.

At around 5 p.m., as an adult female driver was attempting to pull out of her parking spot in the Daly Garage, she struck the victim, who was a pedestrian, and two other vehicles. After hitting the pedestrian, the driver remained on scene until police arrived, Walsh said.

The pedestrian is being treated for her injuries at Baystate, Walsh said, but he was not able to disclose the severity of her injuries.

Baystate Health is cooperating with law enforcement, said Heather Duggan, manager of public relations for Baystate.

The Springfield Police Department Traffic Bureau is investigating the incident.
With Gov. Maura Healeys administration eyeing a Boston recreation center as an overflow site to house local and newly arrived migrant families, the state and city have reached an inflection point in Massachusetts ongoing shelter crisis, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said Monday.

It feels a little bit like a particular inflection point when we are taking offline buildings that are beloved and well-used, Wu said during an interview with WBUR-FMs Radio Boston program, referring to news that Healeys office was considering the Melnea A. Cass Recreational Complex in the citys Roxbury neighborhood to house families that have been bedding down, among other places, at Logan International Airport.

We have been working to identify, with the state, every other option, including vacant schools or office buildings, Wu said. There was nothing that was ready to go, based on the states specifications.

Reports surfaced last week that Healeys office was considering the facility at MLK Jr. Blvd. Lt. Gen. Scott Rice, who runs the administrations shelter response, confirmed to the Boston Herald that such deliberations were underway.

A final decision could be made as soon as Wednesday, Wu said.

We have been in close discussions with Roxbury elected officials, the Roxbury community, and the City of Boston about this potential temporary site, including how to ensure the continuation of recreation programs, Rice said in a statement, according to the newspaper. Our system is at capacity and there is an urgent need for additional safety-net sites, and we appreciate the collaboration of communities to help us ensure that no family is left out in the cold.

Speaking to WBUR on Monday, Wu said the citys shelter system, which has responsibility for providing services to unhoused individuals, has similarly been taxed by an influx of new arrivals. The state has the obligation to provide shelter and services to full families.

Wu also seemed to bristle at points at the looming decision to use the Roxbury center, pointing out that it imposed a particular burden on a community that has faced redlining and disproportionate outcomes. With its indoor track and swimming pool, the complex also provides badly needed services for seniors and city youth throughout the year, she added.

Because the center is owned by the state, and not the city, Wu said her office doesnt have veto power on the decision. She said her office is already making preparations if the recreational center is enlisted as an overflow site.

It would fall to the city to manage the fallout and replace the ... programs previously located there, she said.

During a public meeting last week on the possible use of the recreation center, an emotional Healey spoke of the states obligation to provide services.

Little kids need to be able to breathe clean air, Healey said, according to WCVB-TV in Boston. They need to be able to access swimming pools. They need to have lifeguards there who can teach them how to swim and they need to have activities. I dont know what were going to do for a couple, three months. Ill call universities, Ill call other places.

When it comes to the shelter crisis, broadly, there are no good options, said Wu, who is set to travel to Washington D.C on Tuesday to meet with U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to discuss the challenges that cities such as Boston face in dealing with the crush of new arrivals.

While acknowledging the states obligations under Massachusetts Right-to-Shelter law, Healey has repeatedly positioned the crisis as a failure by federal policymakers to address immigration reform, and to assist states dealing with the fallout from that debate.

Wu offered a similar sentiment on Monday, noting that everything that happens and doesnt happen at the national level always falls down to cities.

We are going to do our very best in the city government to provide resources and be the very best partner we can to the state, Wu said. We shouldnt be pushing this conversation from one community to the next to the next  We really need a more proactive approach. And thats what I hope to discuss [Tuesday] at the federal level.
James Taylor returns to Tanglewood with his All-Star Band for performances on July 3-4, in the Koussevitzky Music Shed. This summer marks 50 years since Taylor first performed at Tanglewood on July 30, 1974. To celebrate Independence Day, the July 4 concert will be followed by a fireworks display over the Stockbridge Bowl. Proceeds from the July 4 concert will be donated by Kim and James Taylor to support Tanglewood. Tickets go on sale Jan. 29. Fans can shop around at StubHub.com or VividSeats.com for either lawn seats or reserved seating inside the shed, out of any elements. Lawn seats for July 3 start at $71 on StubHub and $66 on VividSeats. For July 4, lawn seats are going for as low as $67 on StubHub and $66 on VividSeats. For details: www.tanglewood.org.

Enduring Love Stories brings some classical romance to The Bushnell, Feb. 8-11, courtesy of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra. Conducted by Caroilyn Kuan with guests Boyd Meets Girl, the HSO performs works by Tchaikovsky (Romeo and Juliet) and Offenbach, along with a world premiere. The HSO returns to The Bushnell March 8-10 to perform Leonard Bernsteins jazzy ballet score Fancy Free. Its a Valentine to New York City, as three sailors on leave discover the Big Apple. It inspired Bernsteins Broadway effort On the Town. For details: www.hartfordsymphony.org.

Frozen, the Disney classic, was turned into a lavish Broadway musical. Its the story of two sisters, and its.song Let It Go sped up the top 40 charts. Frozen plays an extended run at The Bushnell, Feb. 8-18. Its a great introduction to Broadway magic for younger audiences. For details: www.bushnell.org.

Havana Nights brings a Caribbean sizzle to Symphony Hall on Feb. 10. Nick Palmer conducts the Springfield Symphony Orchestra in an evening of Cuban music, accompanied by Camille Zamora and the Mambo Kings. If you love the Buena Vista Social Club, Gloria Estafan, and the Miami Sound Machine, youll fall for the Latin beat of this jazzy pops. For details: www.springfieldsymphony.org.

Shakespeare & Company will offer a winter session of its Riotous Youth theater program for students ages 7-11 on Feb. 20-25. Riotous Youth introduces students to Shakespeares language, stories, characters, and themes using imaginative and playful methods that incorporate voice, movement and acting. This fast-paced, four-day session will focus on Shakespeares The Tempest, culminating with a performance piece shared with family, friends, and Shakespeare & Company staff on the final day of the session. For details: www.shakespeare.org.

The Majestic Theater in West Springfield will offer several concerts in celebration of Valentines Day and St. Patricks Day. The Majesters comedy troupe will take the stage on Feb. 5 and again on March 11. On Feb. 6, the Majestic presents Freddie Marion & Friends: Love  Yesterday, Today & Always, with music direction by Dan Kane. Slated to perform on March 12 is Bo Fitzgerald & the Yank Celt Band. Described as the Irish-American supergroup, the band will present their unique blend of traditional Irish music. Comedian Dave Kanes one-man show Misgivings will bring the laughs on March 18. Violinist Craig Eastman will appear at the Majestic on March 19. For details: www.majestictheater.com.

Seth Meyers, award-winning performer and host of the Emmy Award-nominated Late Night with Seth Meyers, brings his one-man stand-up comedy show to The Bushnell on Feb. 24. Hes the alum of SNL and host of its Weekend Update. For details: www.bushnell.org.

The Merz Trio performs under the Valley Classical Concerts banner on Feb. 4 at Sweeney Concert Hall on the Smith College in Northampton. Their program, Alma Mahler Goes West, consists of brief works of composers ranging from Berg and Webern and Britten to Charles Ives and Thelonious Monk, as well as Mahler herself, and concludes with pianist Eduard Steuermanns excellent transcription for piano trio of Arnold Schoenbergs Verklarte Nacht (Transfigured Night). For details: valleyclassicalconcerts.org.

Ebon Moss Bacharach, the Amherst native, won an Emmy Award for his performance in The Bear. For details: www.billboard.com/music/awards/2024-primetime-emmy-awards-winners-list-1235580458.

Ali Louis Bourzgui, Pittsfield actor, plays Paul in Stephen Sondheims revisionist play Company at New Havens Shubert Theatre through Feb. 4. For details: www.shubert.com.

Mark G. Auerbach studied theater at American University and the Yale School of Drama. He has worked for arts organizations nationwide and reported on the arts for print and broadcast. Mark produces and hosts ArtsBeat, Athenaeum Spotlight and On the Mark for WCPC, Channel 15 in Westfield, and WSKB 89.5 FM. His Arts Beat column appears Mondays in The Westfield News. Hes a regular contributor to Pioneer Valley Radio and a member of the Berkshire Theatre Critics Association.
WESTFIELD  Community Development Director Peter Miller told a working group on Jan. 25 that he is ready to bring the concept of a Downtown Westfield Cultural District to the City Council for its endorsement before the formal submission to the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

Miller said he and members of Westfield on Weekends, ArtWorks Westfield, the Westfield Athenaeum, the Historical Commission, Westfield State University, Westfield Puerto Rican Association and others, including Uplifting Art and Elovate Art, have been working on the concept for the past year.
THE owner of an award-winning Westport restaurant has called for the VAT rate for hospitality to be reduced back to 9 percent to prevent small hospitality businesses from closing.

Frankie Mallon of An Port Mor has said a reduction in the VAT rate to 13.5 percent to 9 percent would make a huge difference to businesses grappling with high running costs.

The government had previously reduced the VAT rate for hospitality to 9 percent during the recession before restoring the former rate last year.

Speaking to The Mayo News, Mr Mallon said many small independent businesses were finding it harder and harder to make a profit due to huge running costs, a high VAT rate and the increase in the minimum wage.

Theres dozens and dozens of hidden costs that people dont see. They all affect the bottom line of a small independent run business. They are huge. They prices, we have to pass that on accordingly to the customer, he said.

Mr Mallon said that some restaurants were finding it impossible to keep their doors open due to the high cost of running their business.

The Restaurants Association of Ireland, who are also calling for the restoration of the 9 percent VAT rate, has claimed that 280 of its members closed in the last six months of 2023.

They might be working well but it is them three costs that make it impossible for some people to keep their doors open, said Mr Mallon.

You cant afford to be quiet. I know we are all busy in the summer, but you need to be busy in the winter as well. The books need to balance all year round.

Its just harder and harder and harder all the time. Its not getting any easier. People are working harder than everto keep their businesses open. They are sacrificing 50, 60, 70 hours a week, and they are probably not getting paid any of it.

Mr Mallon acknowledged that Westport had become a year-round destination but insisted that many smaller operators were struggling to make ends meet.

Westport is flying, it is busy. But how many places are actually making proper money? Not that many, he said, before calling on people to support their local restaurants.

Theres restaurants and cafes closing every day of the week and its only going to get worse. From what Im hearing on the ground from around the country, people are finding it very hard to balance the books. Its just too expensive to operate a business these days. Its just the bottom line.
Launch and Recruitment for the second year of Croagh Patricks Ambassador Volunteer Programme will close this week.

The Croagh Patrick Ambassador Programme officially launched for a second year running earlier this month, however applications will close on Wednesday, January 31.

The programme aims to increase public awareness regarding the importance of care and respect for our natural heritage. It empowers positive behavioural changes and developing skills around outdoor recreation so that locals and visitors can continue to enjoy and protect Croagh Patrick and its surrounds.

They will recruit twelve new Ambassadors to join the programme for 2024. The chosen applicants will receive bespoke training on the natural and cultural heritage of the mountain, as well as receiving information on how the programme is working to promote responsible and sustainable access to Croagh Patrick.

The training will include certified Leave No Trace Ireland courses, enabling the Ambassadors to help visitors to Croagh Patrick appreciate the importance of preserving the wealth of heritage the area is home to.

Applications close Wednesday, January 31 at 1:00pm, those interested in applying can find more information here.
Editor's note: Although Libby has a city deer plan based on chronic wasting disease action, it does not have a Fish and Wildlife Commission approved plan like the 13 other Montana communities.

Despite mule deer populations declining across portions of Montana recently, an increasing number of communities have approached the Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks to create urban deer management plans.

The plans were authorized by legislation in 2003. Colstrip and Helena were the first to adopt the process, but utilize different means to lower urban deer populations. In Helena, deer are trapped and then euthanized. Colstrip has hosted an annual archery hunt since 2006.

Different towns, different plans

Since 2008, Helena has removed 1,158 deer under its management plan, according to an annual report it provides to FWP. The city estimated 30,000 to 35,000 pounds of venison have been donated to food banks over the course of the program.

Using archery hunters, the community of Roundup along the Musselshell River has removed 61 deer since 2014, with an average success rate of 12%. In its 2022 report to FWP, the community said the number of complaints of aggressive deer and deer-vehicle collisions has dropped since the hunt was initiated.

In Fort Benton last winter, 50 deer were shot by the towns police. In 2003, the community offered a late-season hunt in which 185 deer were killed, some of which were shot by game wardens.

In Havre, which started an urban deer hunt last year, regional FWP biologist Scott Hemmer was uncertain how many animals had been shot by hunters, adding it was nominal. The city removed seven deer last year that were donated to the Havre food bank.

Expanded to 14 towns

Thirteen communities now have urban deer plans in Montana, including: Circle, Lewistown, Fort Benton, White Sulphur Springs, Roundup, Havre, Glendive, Ekalaka, Jordan, Geraldine, Philipsburg, Helena and Colstrip.

Commissioners for Anaconda-Deer Lodge County recently voted to establish a task force to consider an urban wildlife management plan.

Not all of the towns have implemented lethal removal of deer and for those that have, records werent available for all communities. Yet the reason behind the plans is always the same.

They all deal with public safety issues, said Brian Wakeling, FWPs Game Management Bureau chief.

Thats required under the states statute and often applies to situations like aggressive deer injuring or threatening humans and pets, or vehicle-deer collisions. According to research published in 2022 in the journal Current Biology, about 2.1 million deer-vehicle collisions occur each year in the United States, causing more than $10 billion in economic losses, 59,000 human injuries and 440 deaths.

Deer populations declining

According to FWPs annual deer survey areas, about 50 out of 138 hunting districts have mule deer populations more than 25% below the long-term average with fewer than 20 fawns per 100 adults. The trend seems concentrated in the middle of the state as well as the northwest, mainly in FWP management Regions 1, 2, 4 and 5.

Statewide, the mule deer population in 2023 was estimated at more than 255,900, 17% below the long-term average. In comparison, white-tailed deer numbers were estimated at more than 193,400 in 2022, down 6% from the long-term average. The biggest drop in whitetail and mule deer populations was in Region 7, both of which are almost half of recent high points.

In its Adaptive Harvest Management plan, updated in 2021, FWP noted, Changes in habitat conditions, competition with other ungulates, and/or predation rates may have greater impacts on populations than hunting season regulations. It may not be feasible to return a population to a higher level through hunting season adjustments without changes to other limiting factors.

Urban vs. rural

Why do deer populations seem to thrive in some communities while declining in rural areas?

The reasons could be several, including that towns provide protection from predators as well as access to irrigated foods, whereas outlying areas may suffer from drought and a loss of habitat. Research has also shown that female deer entering winter in poorer health are more likely to not birth fawns, or give birth to unhealthy fawns.

Communities are also often built in prime wildlife habitat, along rivers and streams, Wakeling noted. Large undeveloped urban parks also provide homes for deer and other critters. Unfortunately, some residents feed wildlife, which is against state law but difficult to enforce.

People want to be able to experience wildlife, but there are different tolerances, Wakeling said.

FWP takes action

In early January, FWP announced it was seeking nominations to an advisory council to help with the rewriting of its mule deer management plan. The goal is to have a new plan completed by the end of 2024.

In December, the Fish and Wildlife Commission voted to ban all mule deer doe hunting in Eastern Montanas Regions 6 and 7, except on Block Management Areas and private lands.

Last legislative session, a bill was passed limiting nonresident hunters to only two mule deer doe tags. In the past, up to seven could be purchased in some hunting districts.

A wealth of information on Montana deer populations, hunter harvest and research can be found on FWPs website at https://fwp.mt.gov/conservation/wildlife-management/deer.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is giving Montana State University at least $10 million to serve as an environmental justice resource center for six states and 28 tribal nations in the region.

The Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center at the university will provide technical assistance, training and other help to organizations throughout EPA Region 8, which includes Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming and 28 tribal nations.

Environmental justice deals with ensuring that all people regardless of race or income have the same degree of protection from environmental and health hazards.

Funding for the Technical Assistance Centers Program is through the Biden administration's Investing in America agenda. More information is at bit.ly/3OeB9Ya.
by Joe Mandese @mp_joemandese, January 28, 2024

Most of us think of big ideas as lightbulb moments, but the reality is they usually start as napkin moments, like the one Jared Belsky and partner Sean Belnick scribbled out in the summer of 2021 to outline a roadmap for a new kind of agency.

Two years later, Belsky got most of it right, except the part about becoming an award-winning agency, which was off by a couple of years -- prematurely.

But when MediaPost got to peak under its roof it didn't take us long to realize why Acadia deserved to be our independent agency of the year, because it demonstrated all three of our core criteria: vision, innovation and industry leadership.

On the surface, Belsky will tell you Acadia's success is due to its obsessive focus on media that performs for its clients, which is true in the same way it's true for other best-in-class performance marketing shops. But it is in the ways that Acadia differs from the others, especially a seemingly contrarian business model requiring clients own their own media accounts -- meaning they have a principal relationship with the media, paying them directly, and not through an agent -- that is part of Acadia's unique selling proposition.

And while it might seem like an almost antithetical agency model, Belsky came upon it after a career spent working for some of the industry's biggest clients and agencies -- most recently as CEO of Dentsu's 360i -- and realizing that it would fix many of the problems plaguing the ad industry, especially the lack of transparency, and media neutrality.

In fact, looking back on many of this year's agency of the year awards winners, several of them, including Kinesso, Omnicom and especially Acadia won because they were addressing one of both of the two biggest problems in modern media-buying -- "information asymmetry" and "misaligned incentives -- identified by the Association of National Advertisers in a series of reports published last year from its massive transparency study.

In many ways, Acadia's models address both of them, especially client account ownership, which removes any possibility of misaligned incentives from the agency, and also puts clients in a more directly symmetrical position relative to any information relevant to it.

Belsky admits it requires some awkward conversations with clients to convince them why they should take on something agencies have historically handled for them, but so far he says Acadia is batting 100%.

We insist on it, Belsky explained to MediaPost, adding that at first some clients seem surprised when he tells them he wants them to pay the media directly, but that so far everyone has, including accounts like California Pizza Kitchen, Georgia Pacific, Maggianos, European Wax Center and Sky Zone.

For me, the reason we went with Jared was because we wanted to own our own IP, says Yogi Jashnani, chief revenue officer of Sky Zone, who said he brought it up when he awarded the account to Acadia.

He said, Of course, why would you even ask for that? He seemed surprised that I even asked, Jashnani recalls.

That kindred expectation may have been because Jashnani, who previously worked at a number of brands -- both big and small -- ranging from Capital One to Advance Auto Parts, previously worked with Belsky at 360i, so they already knew each others shorthand.

For Jashnani, he said the model was a non-starter, because he wouldnt work with an agency that did not allow its clients to own its own account relationships with the media.

And while direct client payment may seem odd for an industry that began with the 15% commission system, Jashnani says it is the best way for a client to control the intellectual property associated with its media accounts -- including all of the data, transparency, as well as relevance with big media vendors when they need something from them.

Jashnani describes the account ownership model as a pre-nup, drawing an analogy to the legal documents some couples agree to before marrying, because all the rights and controls are understood long before a breakup.

Jashnani says he has experienced the loss of access to his accounts media data in previous agency break-ups, and says its not something he wants to go through again.

Belsky relates a similar story about another undisclosed client that broke up with its agency and the agency demanded a $1 million ransom to get its account data and control back.

Its not just the dislocation of the account ownership, but a material loss of time and resources required to restart accounts with the media and -- especially with big digital platforms -- rebuilding the algorithm learnings necessary to optimize their performance.

The truth is thats the core of the model Belksy founded Acadia on: A 100% focus on media that performs.

Belsky is prone to throwing around concepts like conversion rate optimization, which is part of the science behind it, but the bottom line is that Acadia was founded on delivering a 100% return on its clients' media dollars, and direct payment and account ownership are just extensions of that model.

From a transparency point of view, Belsky says it is foolproof, because there is zero chance of direct or even indirect kickbacks to an agency when the client is paying the media directly.

And in terms of other aspects of media transparency -- including the amount of media spending that goes to working media vs. various digital ad taxes -- the client at least has the authority to make those calls and request an accurate accounting, because they own the account, as well as the relationship with the media.

Belsky says the model benefits the agency too, because it doesnt have to maintain any overhead associated with those aspects of managing an account.

Heres the funny thing, he says, adding: Im able to charge reasonable rates, because I dont have to have 37 people in billing ops like I did at 360i. And I dont have to have a 47-person accounting team or 14 account coordinators to tie my shoes in the morning.

The account ownership model is a gift that goes in every direction, he says, adding: If agencies can get out of their own desire to control the account and stop obfuscating media spending, everyone wins.

If -- as the Association of National Advertisers 2023 transparency reports suggested -- information asymmetry and misaligned incentives are the biggest issues plaguing the media-buying industry, then the account ownership model Belsky developed for Acadia addresses both of them, by giving clients 100% symmetrical control of their media information while aligning the agencys incentives to what matters most for its clients: performance.
by Barbara Lippert , Columnist, January 26, 2024

Depression, rage, fear, and anxiety can all be the basis of jokes, and now, thanks to the funny women of "Broad City," so can poop -- or the lack thereof.

Sorry to hit you right in the intestines, but Abbi Jacobson and Ilana Glazer have reunited for this new Miralax campaign, and just as they did in their Comedy Central series (which ran from 2014-2019, for a total of 50 episodes), they are unbowed.

In their slyly genius but non-award-winning show, (they did win an Emmy for graphic animation), they created a much younger and rawer Sex and the City, with zero money and way more weed.

It was built on physical comedy, and often showed both women running through the streets of New York City in a way that seemed gymnastic and majestic, even in the squalor.

Imagine a 20something Mary Tyler Moore -- if she lived in Astoria in the 2000s, was frequently stoned, had casual sex, and told Mr. Grant where to go.

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But mostly, the show was about the sustaining power of female friendship, the idea that men might come and go, but your bestie is forever.

And that was really sweet.

So what links them to the Lax? Again, its a stretch.

Apparently also unembarrassed to use the word poop, the corporate parent company Bayer has just issued research showing that younger women are more than twice as likely as men to be pooping less than three times a week.

The press release continued: Stress may be a contributing factor to this constipation; in fact, the survey, which was conducted among 2,000 Americans aged 27-42, found a staggering 85% of millennial women report routinely having stress on their minds.

Bayer said, this high frequency of stress and constipation that American women are facing is what Miralax has coined 'The Gut Gap.'"

I find that coinage a bit too cutesy, as if even our gastrointestinal systems are victims of sexism.

Abbi and Ilana address that in the campaign, which they co-wrote. Im assuming the funny parts are theirs.

Broad City ended just as Abbi was turning 30 and leaving New York for an art residency in Boulder. That stressed out Ilana enough to declare it an emergency. They worked through it and presumably grew up.

Now they are 32 and 35, respectively, which to me still seems too young to spend a lunch discussing their bowels, but thats the point.

They give a millennial master class in blockage.

In this three-minute video, part of a larger campaign, they are meeting for their quarterly Jewish food feast, (and these days, Im glad theyre so unabashed about the Jewish part).

But Abbi has a problem.

Why arent you eating? You literally flew in for this, says Ilana.

Touching her stomach, Abbi says she had pins and needles on the plane. Ilana asks if she wore compression socks. (Shout out to how old millennials are getting.)

Whats really going on is that Im CONSTIPATED, Abbi finally says, which rocks the restaurant. I dont want to talk about it.

Grow up, Abbi, says Ilana. Everyone enjoys talking about poop or not-poop.

Abbi ends up giving a speech like America Ferreras in Barbie about how women feel they must make everyone comfortable but themselves.

They end up cheers-ing as they drink from one of the Miralax packets which Ilana had earlier laid out like flower petals on the table. When questioned about why she has the product at hand, she says, its literally how I meet friends and a couple of lovers.

So these two Upright Citizen Brigade grads did find a way to get the job done -- to make this kind of gross, downer subject funny.

Or, as Jacobson said in the press release, We hope (it will) resonate with women everywhere and ultimately help spark a movement, pun intended.

So by now, as she says in the video, youre preaching to the poopa.
by Tanya Gazdik , January 28, 2024

Many mothers are particular about the clothes their babies wear, which has resulted in a cult-like following of some brands, including Kyte Baby.

But no brand is infallible, as evidenced by the fallout over the past week due to a serious personnel gaffe by Kyte Baby -- and two TikTok apologies from founder Ying Liu that have fallen flat.

The bamboo clothing company has been in the crosshairs of consumers for mishandling an employee request to exercise a work-from-home option after adopting a 22-week-old premature baby.

When word of the denial of the request hit, backlash quickly ensued, according toForbes.

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Customers were outraged that a baby company, founded to solve a problem with a baby having a health issue (eczema), would not support a new mom with a newborn baby that needed support due to some health issues.

The popular baby clothing company is facing a consumer boycott. The employee, Marissa Hughes, took to social media to thank supporters, according to CBS News.

The company says it will revise its parental leave policy to expand benefits. It appears to be too little too late, at least for the employee in question. Hughes' response, posted on Facebook: "We don't think it would be appropriate for me to go back.

Apologizing for a company blunder on TikTok might seem odd, but the company deemed it the best way to reach its consumer base.

In her first apology, Liu is on message  clearly reading from a prepared statement  succinct and stiff, according to CNN Business. It is the kind of button-down speech that might not have raised eyebrows if delivered in a board room. But on TikTok, outrage over the employees situation was already boiling over, and Lius canned delivery struck the exact wrong note, as she later acknowledged.

The second TikTok message attempted to explain the first.

I really want to apologize to her and the community, and I really want to take this opportunity to say that Im sorry, Liu said in a second apology video Thursday, per the New York Post.

Apologies aside, the incident may not burn out quickly, which could have serious financial repercussions for the company.

Data shows that 71% of consumers want to know the brands they buy from are aligned with their values, according to Forbes. And increasingly, real-life examples continue to pop up that showcase consumers exercising their credit card activism by refusing to support brands that they feel are either not aligned with their values, or dont live their stated values in their day-to-day.

Momfluencers who frequent the company tend to be affluent.

Brands selling bamboo fiber baby clothes have gone viral in recent years, prompting a staunch community of Bamboo Moms  parents and caregivers who exclusively dress their children in the fabric, according to CNN Business. (One consumer) says she owns 120 pieces of bamboo fiber baby pajamas, which can run from $32 to $38 for brands such as Bums & Roses, Posh Peanut and Kyte Baby. (In contrast, onesies from Carters typically retail for $12 to $15.).

The companys founder says the employee has a job if she ever chooses to return.

Liu admitted that comments regarding saving face and saving the company following the backlash are true after some have chosen to boycott the brand, according to Fox Business.

"I will never give Kyte Baby another dime of my money and I would encourage you to do the same," Maura Powers said in a TikTok video that has gotten nearly 2 million views since she posted it Wednesday, according toUSA Today. "As someone who is adopted and a mom, literally this makes me sick."
by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, January 29, 2024

Google is urging a state court judge in Ohio to reject the state government's effort to prohibit the company from prioritizing its services or products in the search results.

In papers filed Friday with Delaware County Common Pleas Court Judge James Schuck, Google argues that its search engine isn't a common carrier service under Ohio law -- meaning subject to the same sorts of regulations as railroads or other transportation companies.

The undisputed facts establish that Google Search is not a common carrier, the company writes in a motion seeking summary judgment.

It does not carry or transport anything for hire, and it does not hold itself out as acting 'indifferently,' the company continues, adding that a ruling against it on this issue would also violate the company's First Amendment right to wield control over its search results.

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The company's motion comes in a lawsuit brought in June 2021 by Ohio Attorney General David Yost, who claims Google should be regulated as a common carrier because it dominates the online search market.

Yost alleged in his original complaint that Google touts its own products in the search results, and pointed to a study that says around 65% of searches on Google desktop and mobile ended without clicks to a different company.

Google often presents Google products in enhanced ways in the search results that are designed to capture more clicks, including by integrating other Google business lines -- such as specialized searches -- into the results page, he alleged. It does not allow competitors to have similar access, thereby violating its duties as a common carrier.

Google previously argued the study Yost cited used faulty methodology -- partly because it didn't take into account that search users sometimes seek factual information, such as currency conversions or weather forecasts, as opposed to links to other companies.

Last year Schuck ruled that Yost could attempt to prove that Google Search is a common carrier, but also said it's not clear what impact such a classification would have on the company.

Google and Yost each filed papers on Friday seeking summary judgment. Yost's papers, but not Google's are currently sealed.

Google argues in its motion that it doesn't meet Ohio's definition of common carrier because it doesn't transport or carry people or their property, and because its search results are individually tailored.

Google Search's business is to create its own product: in response to each individual user's query, it curates information and fashions a bespoke search results page, the company writes.

Google engages in judgment, discretion, and differentiation at every stage of its processes. And by design it treats users differently, including by showing them different results, depending on various factors, the company argues.

Google adds that a ruling against it would mark an expansion of common carriage in ways that could threaten a wide range of companies -- including other web companies like Bing and Yelp, newspapers like The Columbus Dispatch and brick-and-mortar businesses like supermarkets.

Each is open to the public and provides consumers with information or goods, some of which may be sourced from third parties, just as Google Search does.

The company also says it has a First Amendment right to exercise editorial judgment over the search results page.

Just as a newspaper editor must choose what information to include in the paper, what to put on the front page, and in what order, a search engine must decide what information to include in its search results, what to put on the first page of the results, and in what order, Google contends.

Yost's written argument is expected to be available within two weeks.
by Ray Schultz , January 29, 2024

The Washington Post has hired Patrick Svitek, a reporter who has covered politics in Texas for The Texas Tribune, as a national politics breaking news reporter.



Svitek joins the Post team as it gears up to cover the 2024 presidential campaign, the White House, Congress and national politics.

Starting at The Tribune in 2015, Svitek reported on the presidential campaigns of Ted Cruz and Rick Perry in 2016 and Julian Castro and Beto ORourke in 2020, the Post says. He resides in San Antonio.

Svitek interned in the Post newsroom in 2014, during his senior year at Northwestern University as part of the Medill School of Journalisms residency program. He helped cover local and regional news, including politics, the Post continues.

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The move comes as both the Post and The Tribune have experienced layoffs in recent months. The Tribune staff announced last Wednesday that it is forming a union.

In other Post news, new CEO Will Lewis told Semaphor that journalism needs a new paywall/subscription model.

"If you want to attract people that dont have a propensity to take that kind of monthly subscription, which is most young adult Americans, its going to be on the news industry to design a new way of allowing them to access our journalism, Smith said, according to Semaphor.

He continued, Theres very positive evidence of how news can be accessed and paid for in more innovative ways. There are day passes that are successful, theres week passes, there are models like the Guardian where you can make donations. So theres a whole new generation of paying user concepts. Im pretty excited about it. I think its newsroom 3.0.

At the same time, he acknowledged that the existing model is creaking.
  Trusted Source

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated disruptions in health-care provision on clinical outcomes in people with diabetes: a systematic review



Go to source Trusted Source

Pandemic's Toll on Diabetes: Higher Mortality in Women & Children



The COVID pandemic had indirect impacts on diabetes management, especially in women and children with newly diagnosed Type 1 diabetes and diabetic ketoacidosis saw more hospital admissions. #covidpandemic #diabetes #women #children #medindia 

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The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated disruptions in health-care provision on clinical outcomes in people with diabetes: a systematic review - (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/landia/article/PIIS2213-8587(23)00351-0/fulltext)



The COVID pandemic saw a rise in non-COVID-related hospital admissions and deaths among diabetic individuals, with women and children experiencing heightened complications, according to a global study review published in).The review, commissioned by the World Health Organization (WHO) looked at 138 studies comparing pre-pandemic to during pandemic periods in North America (39), Western Europe (39), Asia (17), Eastern Europe (14), South America (four), Egypt (one), Australia (one) and multiple regions (33).What we found overall was a fairly negative impact on diabetes outcomes, said co-lead author Jamie Hartmann-Boyce, Assistant Professor of health policy and promotion at the University of Massachusetts-Amhersts School of Public Health and Health Sciences. The review also found aSome of the cases were due to new-onset diabetes, meaning DKA -- a serious, potentially life-threatening complication of diabetes -- coincided with the diabetes diagnosis. There was no rise in the frequency or severity of DKA among adults. In addition to an increase in deaths, the data on pediatric ICU admissions and pediatric diabetes ketoacidosis is probably the most striking thing that comes out of this review, Hartmann-Boyce said.It was very consistent across countries, and a pediatric ICU admission is a major event for kids and their families. The team also focused on the pandemics indirect impacts on diabetes management. We know that not getting your eyes screened regularly if you have diabetes is a problem and leads to more sight loss, Hartmann-Boyce said.And we saw diabetes-related mortality and all-cause mortality increasing in England during the first wave that wasnt attributed to COVID but was probably related to reduced access to health care and reduced health care utilization.The researchers note that there were more new cases of Type 1 diabetes than would have been expected, and children newly diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes were much sicker than during non-pandemic periods. Much less common than Type 2 diabetes , Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that is usually diagnosed in childhood but can occur at any age.according to the review. The team urged that next pandemic planning must include care for people living with diabetes, particularly for those from less advantaged groups.Source-IANS
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North Dakota regulators will hold a public hearing Thursday on a proposed new electrical transmission line in Williams County.

Bismarck-based Basin Electric Power Cooperative is proposing a 14.6-mile, 345-kilovolt line west of Williston and north of Trenton, from the Pioneer Generation Station to the Judson Switchyard. The cost of the project is estimated at $31 million.

Thursday's hearing is at 9 a.m. Central time in the John Kautzman Chamber Room at Williston City Hall, 22 E. Broadway. It will be conducted by an administrative law judge who will issue a recommended order that the Public Service Commission will take final action on at a later date. Members of the public wishing to provide comment on the proposed project must do so at the meeting.

Basin is working on several high-voltage transmission infrastructure projects in northwestern North Dakota that total about $725 million. The co-op says they will bolster the electric transmission grid to help meet growing demand for power in the region.
On January 25, the wait was over and fans finally got what they had been yearning for. Hrithik Roshans action flick, Fighter, finally hit the big screens. The Air Force film had been making waves ever since the teaser came out and the trailer sent Hrithik fans into a frenzy. Add to it the fact that Deepika Padukone and Anil Kapoor were part of the cast, the movie certainly had star power. On January 28, yours truly, after a lot of adjustments, was finally able to go for the movie. My usual movie buddy was with me and she was excited from the day she saw the trailer. Before that, she had been non-committal.

 Viacom18 Studios Well after two hours and forty minutes, excluding previews and the interval, I came out a satisfied man. Because I felt it was money well spent. My worst fear was that the movie would fall flat with all the show and no substance. But my fears proved to be unfounded.

Mind you, the hyper-nationalism in the film is a little too much for comfort. But to be honest, we already knew that, so it did not come as a surprise. What pleased me as a movie buff was the fact that in spite of it, it was a good watch. The research, the special effects and the effort to make it look as real as possible was not lost on me. Now of course, we cannot speak about Fighter without mentioning the planes. The shots were edited so well, one felt it was the actors who were actually flying. If I may be so bold, I would compare it to Top Gun: Maverick.
ISTANBUL (AP)  Two masked assailants attacked a Roman Catholic church in Istanbul during a Sunday Mass, killing one person, Turkish officials said.

The armed assailants attacked the Santa Maria Church in the Sariyer district at 11:40 a.m. (0840 GMT or 3:30 a.m. EST), Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said in a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter. He didn't specify what kind of weapons were used or whether anyone else was wounded.

Turkish authorities havent formally identified the victim, but local media say the person who was killed had the initials C.T. and was 52 years old.

Yerlikaya condemned the attack and said authorities were working on capturing the assailants. An investigation was opened.

A short video circulating on social media apparently depicts the moment of the attack, with two masked men entering the church and opening fire, with all service-goers hitting the floor. The two men then abruptly leave.

Turkish authorities have instituted a media ban on coverage of the attack.

Sukru Genc, mayor of the Sariyer district where the attack took place, told the Birgun daily newspaper that the gunmen fled when their weapon jammed after having fired two rounds. Genc also noted that among the attendees was Polish Consul General Witold Lesniak and his family, who were all unharmed in the attack.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called Lesniak and Santa Maria's priest, Rev. Anton Bulai, to offer his condolences. 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 told reporters.

Pope Francis noted the attack in remarks to the public at St. Peters Square in Vatican City on Sunday.

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.

The church is run by an Italian order of Franciscan friars. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said that his ministry was following the situation along with the Italian Embassy in Turkey's capital, Ankara, and the consulate in Istanbul.

I express my condolence and firm condemnation for the vile attack on Santa Maria Church, Tajani tweeted. He added that I am certain that the Turkish authorities will arrest those responsible.
OSWIECIM, Poland (AP)  A group of survivors of Nazi death camps marked the 79th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau camp during World War II in a modest ceremony Saturday in southern Poland.

About 20 survivors from various camps set up by Nazi Germany around Europe laid wreaths and flowers and lit candles at the Death Wall in Auschwitz, where the Nazis executed thousands of inmates, mostly Polish resistance members and others.

Later the group, along with state officials and other participants, gathered for a ceremony by a brick women's barrack at Birkenau that has recently undergone conservation. Next, they prayed and lit candles at the monument in Birkenau, near the crematoria ruins. They were memorializing around 1.1 million camp victims, mostly Jews. The memorial site and museum are located near the city of Oswiecim.

Observances were also held in many other countries Saturday. Nearly 6 million European Jews were killed by the Nazis during the Holocaust  the mass murder of Jews and other groups before and during World War II.

Soviet Red Army troops liberated Auschwitz-Birkenau on Jan. 27, 1945.

Marking International Holocaust Remembrance Day, the survivors were accompanied by Polish Senate Speaker Malgorzata Kidawa-Blonska, Culture Minister Bartlomiej Sienkiewicz and Israeli Ambassador to Poland Yacov Livne.

Halina Birenbaum, a 94-year-old survivor, was moved to speak beside barrack 27, where she spent part of August 1943 until the forced evacuation of camp inmates on foot on Jan. 18, 1945.

She said the suffering and tragedy of people in contemporary wars and from the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel was painful for her and an extension of her Auschwitz experience.

Livne, the ambassador, defended Israel's massive retaliation in Gaza.

We hoped that the lessons of the Holocaust have been learnt. Yet, today we are astonished by accusations of genocide against the Jewish state while we fight for our existence, he said.

The theme of the observances was the suffering of the individual human being, symbolized in simple, hand-drawn portraits of the camp's inmates that were beamed on a screen during the observances in Birkenau.

In Germany, where people laid flowers and lit candles at memorials for the victims of the Nazis, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said his country would continue to bear responsibility for this crime against humanity.

He called on citizens to defend Germanys democracy and fight antisemitism as the country marked the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.

"Never again is every day, Scholz said in his weekly video podcast. Jan. 27 calls out to us: Stay visible! Stay audible! Against antisemitism, against racism, against misanthropy  and for our democracy.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whose country is fighting to repel Russia's full-scale invasion, posted an image of a Jewish menorah on X, formerly known as Twitter, to mark the remembrance day.

Every new generation must learn the truth about the Holocaust. Human life must remain the highest value for all nations in the world," said Zelenskyy, who is Jewish and had family members who were lost in the Holocaust.

In Italy, Holocaust commemorations included a torchlit procession and official statements from top political leaders.

Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni said her conservative nationalist government was committed to eradicating antisemitism that she said had been reinvigorated by the Israel-Hamas war. Melonis critics have long accused her and her Brothers of Italy party, which has neofascist roots, of failing to sufficiently atone for its past.

Pro-Palestinian activists went ahead with rallies, ignoring a police order to postpone the marches to another day. There were brief clashes with police in Milan and activists at a sit-in in Rome insisted they werent protesting Jews, just what they called the genocide in Gaza.

Italys Jewish community has complained that such protests have co-opted the memory of the Holocaust and been used against Jews.

In Rome, Italian-Palestinian student Amr Shahin said it was appropriate to protest what he called the genocide in Gaza on Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Unfortunately it is happening again, in Palestine, so precisely because it happened before we must learn from our mistakes, and reinforcing this concept today is even more important, he said.

In Bosnia-Herzegovina, Jews and Muslims from the country and from abroad gathered in Srebrenica to jointly observe Holocaust Remembrance Day, and to promote compassion and dialogue amid the Israel-Hamas war.

It was organized by the center preserving the memory of Europes only acknowledged genocide since the Holocaust  the massacre in 1995 of more than 8,000 Muslim Bosniaks in Srebrenica in Bosnia's interethnic war.

The event underscored the message that the two communities share the experience of persecution and must stay united in their commitment to peace.

Menachem Rosensaft, a lecturer in law at Columbia Law School in New York, told The Associated Press on the eve of his participation in the Srebrenica commemoration that this years observances were especially important. He said that's because the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas on Israel was the largest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust.

We need to bring people together and find common ground, said Rosensaft, the son of Holocaust survivors. To make sure it doesnt happen again, this has to become the conscience of the world.

He said the international commemoration day, created by the United Nations in 2005, is important to ensure the world remembers the Holocaust long after the survivors and their forbears are gone.

Preserving the camp, a notorious symbol of the horrors of the Holocaust, with its cruelly misleading Arbeit Macht Frei (Work Makes One Free) gate, requires constant effort by historians and experts, and substantial funds.

The Nazis, who occupied Poland from 1939-1945, at first used Auschwitz to hold and kill Polands resistance fighters. In 1942, the wooden barracks, gas chambers and crematoria of Birkenau were added for the extermination of Europe's Jews, Roma and other nationals, as well as Russian prisoners of war.

Since 1979, the camp site has been on the UNESCO list of World Heritage sites.

___

Associated Press writers Kirsten Grieshaber in Berlin, Nicole Winfield and Francesco Sportelli in Rome, Joanna Kozlowska in London and Anita Snow in Phoenix, Arizona, contributed to this report.
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.

Merle Hillman was home to be among family.

On Dec. 7, 1941, Hillman was aboard the USS California, a Tennessee-class battleship, as it lay at anchor in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Shortly after 7 a.m. attacking Japanese planes dropped bombs and launched torpedoes at the ships lined up. The California took hits from two torpedoes and one bomb that penetrated the deck and exploded several levels down, causing damage that would eventually sink it to the bottom of Pearl Harbor. The Navy said 104 men aboard were killed, 20 of those were unrecognizable and unidentifiable. Their remains were interred in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific as unknowns.

In 2018, all 20 remains were disinterred and underwent DNA testing. Two women in the Hillman family, cousins Cheryl Quinn and Merle Korpi, were asked to submit samples of their DNA and between them a match was made. The unknown remains now had a name.

Korpi is among the closest relatives Merle Hillman has left. She was born in Holyoke one year after her uncle was killed. She carries his name but knows little else about him. There were no stories or family legends about Merle.

No, it was all very secretive, she said. We had no idea about him. Just that he died at Pearl Harbor, and that was it. Thats all we knew.

Quinn agreed with her cousin. She, too, grew up not knowing much about her uncle, except that he and his brother and sister were orphaned at an early age.

All we knew was his mother died when he was 1 year old and he was raised by his grandmother, Quinn said. No one talked about him at all. We would remember him on the anniversary of Pearl Harbor, but my dad never wanted to talk about him. His sister never talked about him either.

Quinn speculated that the three children were very close as kids, they were just two years apart, and losing Merle was hard for his siblings.

More than 100 people stood among the headstones of St. Jerome Cemetery in Holyoke Saturday, to say goodbye, or welcome home, depending on your perspective, to a man killed 82 years earlier. People who never met the man now stood to honor him and his commitment.

Hillman was laid to rest with full military honors. Several honor guards participated. The U.S. Navy flew in a formal honor guard complete with a rifle squad for the ceremony.

Members of the Patriot Guard Riders provided a motorcycle escort for the funeral procession and members ringed Hillmans final resting place, each holding an American flag.

Capt. Mark Strait said the group was formed in reaction to the Westboro Baptist Church, which would disrupt veterans funeral ceremonies to attract attention. Patriot Guard members would line access to a funeral to prevent church members from approaching. Since the church was disbanded, Strait said the group now attended services for fallen veterans, providing escorts and honor guards.

Also on hand was the Massachusetts VFW Honor Guard.

The formal naval honor guard carried Hillmans casket from a hearse to a spot among his familys headstones. Following a brief clerical service, the honor guard members lifted the American flag from the casket, carefully folded it into a tight triangle and presented it to Rear Admiral Michael Van Poots, deputy commander of Submarine Forces in Norfolk, Virginia. He, in turn, presented the flag to the family.

On behalf of the President of the United States, the United States Navy and a grateful nation, he said.

Van Poots also handled a small cloth bag holding three shell casings from the 21-gun salute fired in Hillmans honor. He said the casings represent the Navys three core values: Honor, courage and commitment.

2024 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit masslive.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
JERUSALEM  A little-discussed U.S. military desert outpost in the far reaches of northeastern Jordan has become the focus of international attention after a drone attack killed three American troops and injured at least 34 others there.

The base, known as Tower 22, sits near the demilitarized zone on the border between Jordan and Syria along a sandy, bulldozed berm marking the DMZ's southern edge. The Iraqi border is only 10 kilometers (6 miles) away.

The area is known as Rukban, a vast arid region that once saw a refugee camp spring up on the Syrian side over the rise of the Islamic State group's so-called caliphate in 2014.

At its height, over 100,000 people lived there, blocked by Jordan from coming across into the kingdom at the time over concerns about infiltration by the extremist group. Those concerns grew out of a 2016 car bomb attack there that killed seven Jordanian border guards

The camp has dwindled in the time since to some 7,500 people because of a lack of supplies reaching there, according to United Nations estimates.

The base began as a Jordanian outpost watching the border, then saw an increased U.S. presence there after American forces entered Syria in late 2015. The small installation includes U.S. engineering, aviation, logistics and security troops with about 350 U.S. Army and Air Force personnel deployed there.

The base's location offers a site for American forces to infiltrate and quietly leave Syria. A small American garrison at al-Tanf in Syria is just 20 kilometers (12 miles) north of Tower 22. That base is along a Syrian highway leading into Iraq and ultimately Mosul, once a prominent base of the Islamic State group. It's also a potential weapons shipment route over the road for Iran.

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.

However, the U.S. presence in Jordan risks angering a population that's already held mass demonstrations against Israel's war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip over civilian casualties in a conflict that's already killed over 26,000 Palestinians. Estimates suggest some 3 million of Jordan's 11.5 million people are Palestinian.

Widespread unrest could threaten the rule of King Abdullah II, a key American ally. Jordan initially denied the Tower 22 base existed within its border after the attack Sunday.
An 11-year-old girl who was hospitalized following an Indiana house fire near the Michigan border has died.

The Associated Press reported that Angel Smith died at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, bringing the fires death toll to six children, all of them siblings.

Fire officials said the siblings were trapped by flames on the homes second floor in South Bend on Jan. 21.

Their father, who survived the blaze, told firefighters he tried to rescue the children but was forced back by heavy smoke and wind-driven flames.

The five other children killed in the fire were previously identified as three boys  Demetris Smith, 10; Deontay Smith, 5; and DAngelo Smith, 4; and two girls, Davida Smith, 9; and Faith Smith, 17 months.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, according to the Associated Press.

During a vigil held outside the burned home on Sunday, white, pink and blue balloons were released for the siblings, their names were recited and prayers were offered.

How do you explain it? Lynn Coleman, a community leader in South Bend told WNDU-TV.You know, people say, What happened? It doesnt matter. It wont bring those six babies back.
The Devil's Partner Special Edition

Overview -

Film Masters continues their impressive quest to give forgotten and abandoned gems their rightful place on home video with a pair of Corman classics - The Devils Partner and Creature from the Haunted Sea. Both films boast strong transfers looking and sounding better than ever with an excellent collection of bonus content to devoir. Your Corman collection keeps growing with this Recommended double-feature release.

Corman and his brother, Gene, founded The Filmgroup to distribute their own films. While the company did produce the majority of its films, including the cult classic Creature From the Haunted Sea, it also occasionally acquired projects by other filmmakers, as is the case with The Devil's Partner (1961). From director Charles R. Rondeau, the film is a macabre tale of an elderly man who regains his youth after making a deal with the devil. During the summer and fall of 1961, the two films were often paired as a double feature.

Half Man, Half Beast, He Sold his Soul for Passion  Director/actor Edgar Buchanan (best known as Uncle Joe on Petticoat Junction) appears in this supernatural thriller about an old codger trying to reclaim his youth, employing black magic to lure a woman away from his rival. The film also stars Jean Allison, Richard Crane and Ed Nelson. This well-crafted, independent feature has been hailed for its atmosphere and as a pioneering film in the devil worshiping subgenre made popular in the 70s.



Made in 1958, The Devils Partner languished with no release date until it was picked up and distributed by The Filmgroup, becoming a steady presence on the drive-in circuit, often appearing in tandem with Creature from Haunted Sea, another Corman classic from the golden age of drive-in schlock.

This spoof of spy/gangsters/monster movies stars Anthony Carbone as a gangster and smuggler who decides to kill members of the ships bungling crew and blame their deaths on a legendary sea creature. What he doesnt know is that the creature is actually out there! Also starring Betsy Jones-Moreland and Academy Award-winning screenwriter Robert Towne (Chinatown) under the pseudonym Edward Wain.

The film was conceived when Corman finished shooting The Last Woman on Earth in Puerto Rico and discovered he had enough film left over to make another film. He enlisted long-time associate Charles B. Griffith, wholegend goeshad six days to write the script. Ever the pragmatist when it came to budget, Corman recruited locals to appear in this film as extras.

Special Features: Commentary for The Devils Partner is by Larry Strothe, James Gonis, Shawn Sheridan and Matt Weinhold of the Monster Party podcast; theatrical-length commentary for Creature From the Haunted Sea is by fan favorite Tom Weaver, with contributions from Roger Corman, Kinta Zertuche and Larry Blamire. Weaver also provides the liner notes for the film. Ballyhoo Motion Pictures contributes Hollywood Intruders: The Filmgroup Story with Part III of the story, as well as their new interview with Roger Corman on the formation of The Filmgroup; recut trailers, based on the original theatrical trailers; original Creature From the Haunted Sea theatrical trailer (from 16mm archival elements scanned in 4k); and a full essay for The Devils Partner by author Mark McGee.

Both films are presented with a theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1, as well as in a 1.37:1 television format. The televised version of Creature From the Haunted Sea includes an additional 15 minutes of footage shot years later to extend the film for a sale to Allied Artists. Discs are region free and include English SDH. Audio is DTS-HD/Dolby AC3s.
KALKASKA COUNTY, MI  A domestic violence suspect was shot and killed by police after he fled the scene and attempted to hide in an elevated tree stand.

The Kalkaska County Sheriffs Office had been looking for the 35-year-old man from Fife Lake since they were called to a residence on Ingersol Road in Fife Lake on Jan. 27.

The man, who had fled the scene, was spotted on a trail camera approximately one mile from the residence on Jan. 28. The property owner did not live nearby so they asked another neighbor to check on his trailer.

The neighbor drove to the trailer and was confronted by the suspect who exited the trailer and fired a gun into the air, police said.

A Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officer and a Kalkaska County deputy responded to the scene and the man fled into the woods, police said.

The officers pursued him but took cover when they heard gunfire, police said. A police dog eventually tracked the suspect to an elevated enclosed tree stand.

After another confrontation, troopers fired at the suspect inside the tree stand. A drone was deployed, and it was determined that the suspect was dead, police said. A loaded gun was recovered from the tree stand.

The man has not been identified by name. Michigan State Police are investigating the incident.
GAYLORD, MI  Mild winter weather has foiled another popular Michigan event.

The Gaylord Area Convention & Tourism Bureau announced Monday that its Michigan Snowmobile Festival scheduled for Feb. 2 and Feb. 3 has been canceled due to poor trail conditions.

The event, which brings snowmobilers from across the Midwest to Northern Michigan, has been hosted by the tourism bureau since 2015. However, organizers have faced several challenges in recent years.

The festival didnt take place between 2020 and 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and poor trail conditions. The event went on as planned in 2023.

RELATED: Seasonal snowmobile crossing to 230 miles of Upper Peninsula trails open for season

Organizers say there is still snow in the Gaylord area, but the trails are in poor condition due to unseasonably warm temperatures. This weeks forecast does not call for snowfall that would be enough to improve snowmobile trail conditions, organizers said.

This event brings snowmobilers primarily from lower Michigan, Ohio and Indiana together to experience all Northern Michigan trails have to offer, Christy Walcott, Director of Marketing & Communications said. The current condition of our trails doesnt reflect what Gaylord usually offers to snowmobilers. Were optimistic that winter isnt over yet and people will still be able to get some time on our trails soon.

To learn more about snowmobiling and other winter activities in Gaylord and the surrounding area, visit www.gaylordmichigan.net or call 800-345-8621.
A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter crew battled adverse conditions to airlift an injured man off an island in Lake Erie.

The crew from Air Station Detroit responded to Kelleys Island after an 83-year-old male suffered a serious rib injury during a fall on Sunday.

Kelleys Island is a 4.4-square mile island and village located in Lake Erie north of Sandusky and Cedar Point. It has a small rear-round population, but much like Michigans Mackinac Island, it becomes a popular vacation destination with a large seasonal influx of visitors and workers in the warmer months.

The Coast Guard crew battled poor visibility and high winds to successfully transport the man off the island. He was taken by helicopter and transferred to EMS in Port Clinton, Ohio.

Air Station Detroit is located on Selfridge Air National Guard base. Its primary missions are search and rescue, law enforcement, domestic icebreaking operations, Marine Environmental Protection, Rotary Wing Air Intercept and mission support for over two hundred local, state, and federal agencies.

The air station covers the southern portion of Lake Huron, Lake St. Clair, Lake Erie, and Lake Ontario covering more than 1,100 miles of shoreline.
If youre planning on visiting the Bahamas anytime soon, U.S. officials are advising you to use extra caution as a wave of crime has hit the archipelago. The U.S. Embassy issued a warning last week regarding the increased criminal activity, especially on New Providence (Nassau) and Grand Bahama (Freeport) islands.

So far this year, there have been 19 killings on the islands involving mostly gang-on-gang violence with none of them involving the targeting of foreigners.

Murders have occurred at all hours, including in broad daylight on the streets, The U.S. Embassy said in a statement.

Along with the killings, the warning also said other violent crimes such as burglaries, armed robberies, and sexual assaults have occurred in both tourist and non-tourist areas of the islands. The Embassy warns visitors that the Over the Hill area (south of Shirley Street) in Nassau is an area to use extra caution as the violent crimes have increased in that area particularly.

If you are still planning on visiting the Bahamas, officials say you should be vigilant when staying at any short-term rental property that doesnt have a private security presence. Youre advised not to answer the door for anyone and if you are being robbed, to not try to fight back.

You should also be careful when doing activities involving commercial recreational watercraft or water tours, the Embassy says. The watercrafts are not consistently regulated and may not be properly cared for. You also should not swim alone and use caution when swimming in ocean waters as there have been incidents involving shark attacks as well.

The Associated Press reports officials in the Bahamas say they are cracking down on the crime wave in light of the U.S. warning to travelers. Police in the Bahamas announced on Sunday an operation that led to the seizure of weapons, ammunition and drugs.
WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI -- A taste of Himalayan cuisine is coming to a new restaurant near Ann Arbor.

Owner and Chef Tasi Sherpa confirmed Base Camp Restaurant is planning to bring a mix of flavors from India, Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan to 5060 Jackson Road, Suite A in Scio Township.

The new owner plans to open the restaurant on Wednesday, Feb. 7 with dine-in and take-out options.

There are lots of people who have been to Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet from Ann Arbor and they know about the culture over there, he said. If they miss going there, they can come (to Base Camp) and experience that.

The new restaurant will be taking over the former Fresh Forage location that closed back November. The restaurant opened in 2018 and was known for bringing fresh food options to the area.

Related: Fresh Forage near Ann Arbor is set to close, but owners are looking to sell

Base Camp will be Sherpas first time running a restaurant, but he has roughly a decade of culinary experience, he said, adding his dishes will draw inspiration from his time growing up in Nepal.

Sherpa was born and raised in Nepal before moving to the Ann Arbor-area around nine years ago. The new owner said he is excited to bring his version of some popular, authentic dishes to the area.

As for the restaurants name, Sherpa said he has climbed Mount Everest seven times and spent a lot of his time during these climbs at base camps which prompted him to name his restaurant after them.

Sherpa said these base camps are where many people spend a lot of time and connect with each other whether theyre playing cards, drinking tea or eating food.

Its kind of a cool atmosphere and I miss those places, he said.

The restaurant will lean into the base camp theme with mountain scenes throughout the space, Sherpa said.

Ultimately, Sherpa said the new restaurant aims to be a place where people can not only enjoy Himalayan cuisine but learn more about the food and the culture of the area.

They can just come here and get a little bit of that experience with us, he said. I hope that we can give customers good service and that they like our food so they can come back anytime they want.

Sherpa plans to keep customers updated about Base Camps operations through social media.

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WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI  A woman accused of fatally crashing a vehicle into an Ypsilanti woman has been charged in her death.

Courtney Jon Waldick, 24, was charged with failing to stop at an accident resulting in death and failing to report an accident during a hearing Sunday, Jan. 28, before 14-A1 District Court Magistrate Elisha Fink, according to court records.

Failure to stop at an accident causing death, a felony, is punishable by a maximum of 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Failure to report an accident is a misdemeanor punishable by 90 days in jail and a $100 fine.

Waldick of Wolverine Lake in Michigan is accused of driving the SUV that hit and killed Shelly Mason, 53, on Jan. 20.

Mason, of Ypsilanti, was found dead on the side of the roadway about around 8 a.m. Jan. 21 near Prospect Road and Park Lane, according to Derrick Jackson, spokesperson for the Washtenaw County Sheriffs Office. Police believe a vehicle struck Mason sometime overnight and she was left on the side of the road.

Read more: We werent ready for her to go. Family of Ypsilanti woman killed in hit-and-run looking for answers

Police located the i in Superior Township, officials said in a social media post late Wednesday, Jan. 24. They arrested Waldick on Friday, Jan. 26.

We appreciate the detective and officers working efficiently and diligently on her case, Brianna Loxton, Masons daughter, previously told MLive.

Mason has five children and six grandchildren, according to family. She was originally from Port Huron, but moved to Ypsilanti in recent years.

Waldick is currently being held in the Washtenaw County Jail on a $50,000 bond. She is next set to appear in court on Feb. 22.

Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page, the Ypsilanti-area news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Ann Arbor daily newsletter.
FLINT, MI -- A 31-year-old Flint man has been charged in the death of his girlfriend in what authorities have described as a domestic violence-fueled homicide.

Genesee County prosecutors on Friday, Jan. 26, charged Trenard Trone Powell with first-degree premeditated murder, first-degree child abuse, carrying a concealed weapon, possession of less than 25 grams of a controlled substance and three counts of felony firearm.
Editors note: Flint is oftentimes cast in a negative light. While the city has its struggles, take a deeper look and youll see people fighting for their hometown, building the city back, and creating its future through their personalities and ideas while staying true to its history and vibrant culture. This weekly series of stories will show that Flint is more than a place. Flint is its people. We are Flint.

FLINT, MI  Over a dozen cars are queued up outside Asbury Church in the midst of a snowstorm.

One by one, the vehicles pulled up to pallets of food Johnny Morse stands next to.

We still got cereal, macaroni, egg noodles. We got rice. We got baked beans, apple sauce, tomato sauce. We got apples and we got potatoes,  Morse, a community leader, shouted to a man driving a red pickup truck who was next in line to get some food.

The food usually arrives on pallets from Food Bank of Eastern Michigan whove had an ongoing relationship with Asbury Church.

Morse called on volunteers to help pack food into the back of the truck.

He knows all the volunteers not just by name, but also their stories and where they came from too.

Johnny is a terrific man. Hes got a big heart. Hell bend over backwards to help anyone, said Flint native, Marilyn Woodward, 78, as she worked alongside him handing out food on the wet January day.

In 2014, Woodward was waiting in her car outside Asbury Church to get some food and water.

A knock on her window came from Morse who asked if she wanted to come help hand out food.

Since then, Woodward shows up at 6 a.m. every Tuesday to volunteer her time to help.

In 10 years, Morse has missed one day of volunteering -- due to hernia surgery -- at the community food distribution outside the church along Davison Road on the citys east side.

The next Tuesday, Morse was back in the parking lot talking with members of the community -- against his doctors best wishes.

The story is God. Loving people and going out your way for the next man, said Morse. Thats the kindness, the human kindness that Flint is trying to stand behind.

Recognition is simply something Morse has no interest in.

He sees himself as fulfilling the wishes of God and that is enough for him.

Morse credits the Lord and other community members that allow him to give so much to his city.

Hes not a religious man, Morse said, but he does have his own relationship with God.

That passion stems from his Mexican grandmothers -- Amber Garris and Rose Flores -- who are no longer alive but their memories have stuck with him his whole life.

My grandma praying over me faithfully. Doing the groundwork for me. Even though I didnt know what she was doing, said Morse.

He remembers when speaking about his grandmothers, who brought the Bible into his life when he was little.

Raised in Pontiac, Morse has lived in Flint since 1996. Hes been heavily involved at local churches in the area and has been volunteering his time ever since.

The impact he delivers revolves around the weekly food giveaways but its not constrained there.

If someone doesnt have a car or has difficulty leaving their home, Morse will deliver food right to their front door. He even has a dedicated pantry in his home to help others on short notice.

Angels of Flint Mich. is a Facebook group, facilitated by Johnny Morse, that gives members of the community updates on food giveaways and resources. He also runs Operation Blessing, another Facebook group, that enables an online space for people to give and ask for prayers.

In these Facebook groups, Morse is also known as Johnny Flores, which comes from Louis Flores, his father who passed away, as a way to honor him.

When December rolls around, Morse dresses up as Santa Claus and delivers presents to families living in motels around Flint.

Born and raised in Flint, Embery Pope Sr., a neighborhood safety officer with Flint Police Department, has known Morse since he started working with the citys agency three and a half years ago.

Johnny, hes a beautiful person. In and out, said Pope Sr. while supervising the weekly food giveaway.

Morse is currently trying to raise funds to purchase a small box truck. With a larger vehicle, he hopes to be able to carry more food and supplies to ultimately help a greater number of families.

Over the past decade, thousands of people have passed by Morses hands and without judgement, he has done what he can to help those in need.

We are all family, said Morse. Were all a community and what do community people do? They help each other get to the next level.

Read more at The Flint Journal:

We Are Flint: Flint-born rapper took long road home, honing his craft on the way

We Are Flint: OnDante Lott turns entrepreneurial spirit into community activism

We Are Flint: 12 stories reflecting good in the city in 2023
ADA, MI - A friendly 10-month-old puppy named Jersey is officially on duty supporting a local elementary school in the Grand Rapids area.

Forest Hills Public Schools recently announced its first-ever PRIDE Pup, a school support puppy, to the Ada Vista Elementary community in a special recognition ceremony on Jan. 25.

Officials said school support animals have become increasingly recognized for their ability to comfort and assist individuals dealing with stress and anxiety, playing a vital role in fostering a supportive and inclusive environment.

The golden retriever lab mix started training with Interquest Training in the fall of 2023 before officially being turned over to the schools handler in late December.

Abby Garcia, behavioral support aid at Ada Vista Elementary, said although this is her first experience as a dog handler, she and Jersey are already closer than ever.

Its my first time adding this to my work description, but the journey has been great  and Im sure its just going to get better, Garcia told MLive/The Grand Rapids Press. She comes into school right away and is ready to get to work.

Jerseys day starts at about 7:45 a.m. when she is dropped off by her host mom, Sharylnn Boersma, a first-grade teacher at Ada Vista. Until 3:30 p.m., Jersey spends her time visiting classrooms, resting in the front office and learning the lay of the land.

Garcia said that students and staff know that when Jersey has her working bandana on, she is on the go, but when she is sitting on her blue mat, she is ready for all the cuddles and pets.

Its great having her in the office because its quite busy, so you get a lot of kids who are maybe not feeling well or got hurt on the playground, and she is right there, she said. She can give them some automatic love and then theyre like, OK, Im good to go back.

Ada Vista Principal Allison Woodside de Carillo said although the experience has been a learning curve, the new program is incredible for students and staff.

Theres truly a sense of joy that you have, even more than before, Woodside de Carillo said. Its always been a very uplifting place to be, but having this extra piece of the puzzle has been indescribable.

She told MLive that the span of a school support dog is about 10 years. After that, Jersey will get to retire and stay with her host family permanently.

In the meantime, students can anticipate getting support at school in a whole new way each day.

Its one thing to come and get a hug from an adult  its another thing to be able to get on the floor and lay down with an adorable dog like Jersey, and just have some time to yourself, Woodside de Carillo said.

Forest Hills Public Schools announced that another golden retriever named Belle is also currently being trained and will join Orchard View Elementary School later this year.

Want more Grand Rapids-area news? Bookmark the local Grand Rapids news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Grand Rapids daily newsletter.

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GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Former Grand Rapids police Officer Christopher Schurr fatally shot Black motorist Patrick Lyoya after an April 4, 2022, traffic stop captured on video.

Lyoyas supporters called it a cold-blooded killing. The officers gun was fired just inches from the back of Lyoyas head.

Schurrs supporters contend he was protecting himself after Lyoya, highly intoxicated, gained control of the officers Taser in a lengthy struggle. A police captain testified the shooting was justified and that Schurr was fired only because criminal charges were filed.

The state Court of Appeals, in last weeks 2-1 decision, said Schurr should stand trial. The defense is considering an appeal to the state Supreme Court.

Here is a look at significant dates in the long-running case:

April 4, 2022: Patrick Lyoya is shot in the head in a struggle with Grand Rapids police Officer Christopher Schurr after a traffic stop on Nelson Avenue SE near Griggs Street.

April 10: National civil rights attorney Ben Crump attends a forum at a Grand Rapids church and demands release of video footage.

April 13: Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Winstrom releases video footage of the incident. Hundreds protest outside the barricaded police headquarters.

April 22: Lyoyas funeral draws over 1,000 people, including New York civil rights leader Rev. Al Sharpton.

April 25: Grand Rapids police identify Schurr as the officer who shot Lyoya.

April 28: Michigan State Police submits reports on the investigation to Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker.

June 9: Becker charges Schurr with second-degree murder. Schurr is suspended without pay. Six days later, hes fired because of the criminal charges.

Oct. 31: After multiple delays in the case, Grand Rapids District Judge Nicholas Ayoub  hearing testimony in a preliminary examination  orders Schurr to stand trial in Kent County Circuit Court. Becker argued the case should be presented to a jury. The defense said a highly intoxicated Lyoya had disarmed the officer, who was fired only because of the criminal charges, not his actions.

Dec. 7, 2022: Lyoyas family files a federal lawsuit against Schurr and the City of Grand Rapids alleging, in part, racial discrimination. Lyoya was Black while Schurr is white.

Feb. 3, 2023: Kent County Circuit Judge Christina Elmore rules that Ayoub did not abuse his discretion in ordering Schurr to stand trial in her court.

Sept. 6, 2023: Kent County prosecutors and attorneys for Schurr present arguments to a state Court of Appeals panel in Grand Rapids.

Jan. 25, 2024: Court of Appeals says Schurr should stand trial for second-degree murder. Defense has 56 days to challenge the ruling to the state Supreme Court.

Its unclear when the murder trial, pending an additional appeals, will take place in the case. The last notation, on July 11, 2023, in Schurrs file in Kent County Circuit Court, says, Adjourned without date.

Schurr is accused of second-degree murder in the shooting death of Lyoya, a 26-year-old Congolese immigrant. Schurr had pulled Lyoyas car over during a traffic stop and Lyoya soon after tried to flee on foot.

A struggle ensued between Schurr and Lyoya and the two fought over control of the officers Taser. A witness cell phone video shows Schurr on top of Lyoya, yelling at Lyoya to let go of the Taser, when Schurr fires his weapon.
Adapting controversial literary works for the screen is challenging in any era, but arguably never more so than during Hollywood's Golden Age. To get their scripts past the censors, writers routinely gutted acclaimed and beloved novels, watering down or altering "objectionable" material and forcing retribution on characters who crossed moral red lines. Gustav Flaubert's classic novel Madame Bovary landed its author in hot water way back in 1857 - he was tried and acquitted on obscenity charges shortly after the novel's publication - so you can only imagine the hand-wringing that occurred during its film adaptation almost a century later.

The story of a provincial Frenchwoman who pines for a more affluent, cosmopolitan, and romantic life than the one her amiable country-doctor husband can give her posed plenty of problems for director Vincente Minnelli and screenwriter Robert Ardrey, the most pressing of which was the heroine's complete lack of conscience and utter self-absorption as she brazenly satisfies her desires. Hardly a likable character, Emma Bovary (Jennifer Jones) indulges her every material whim, engages in infidelity with reckless abandon, and often treats her cuckolded husband Charles (Van Heflin) like a second-class citizen.

Such rash and improper behavior raised the ire of Hollywood's censors, but Ardrey cleverly outsmarted the prudish gatekeepers of cinematic good taste. The man who had just adapted Alexandre Dumas' The Three Musketeers the previous year (and would earn his sole Oscar nomination 17 years later for Khartoum) bookends Flaubert's chronicle of Emma's tawdry tribulations with the author's own real-life trial. In a highly effective and persuasive prologue, Flaubert (James Mason) passionately defends Emma by strikingly classifying her as an everywoman shaped by an imperfect world. "I have shown you the vicious...so we can preserve the virtuous," he says. And that simple yet potent argument just might have been enough to give Ardrey the leeway he needed to craft a faithful, surprisingly frank adaptation. Combined with Minnelli's fluid direction and superior performances by a fine cast, this Madame Bovary strikes all the right notes and stands the test of time.

For some reason, Madame Bovary doesn't rank among Minnelli's most celebrated works. Even if you exclude his signature musicals like Meet Me in St. Louis, An American in Paris, and Gigi, Madame Bovary never gets mentioned in the same breath with such notable Minnelli dramas as The Bad and the Beautiful and Lust for Life. That's a shame, because 75 years after its premiere it remains a riveting, affecting, and relevant film. And considering how little experience Minnelli had with straight dramatic vehicles up to that time (prior to Madame Bovary, his two non-musical pictures were The Clock, a tender wartime romance with Judy Garland and Robert Walker, and Undercurrent, a slow-burn thriller with Katharine Hepburn and Robert Taylor), what he is able to accomplish with Madame Bovary is nothing short of astonishing.

"Is it a crime to want things to be beautiful?" Emma asks. The answer is no, but her obsession with opulence that began with fairy-tale girlhood dreams leads her into several misguided liaisons as an adult. Local merchant Lheureux (Frank Allenby) encourages her extravagant spending and quietly allows Emma to rack up astronomical debts, while aristocratic playboy Rodolphe Boulanger (Louis Jourdan) whisks Emma off her feet during a waltz and into an illicit affair. The ever-smitten Leon Dupuis (Christopher Kent), a clerk with upwardly mobile aspirations, also turns Madame Bovary's head. Anyone or anything that can rescue her from her asphyxiating existence as a small-town wife and mother grabs Emma's attention and she goes after it with the ferocity of a drowning woman grasping for a lifeline. Her patient, adoring, and hopelessly naive husband doesn't understand her and never takes the time to try...a common frailty among men of his era, but unforgivable nonetheless.

Emma smashes the myth that the only things women want are marriage and family and they should be satisfied with and grateful for whatever a man gives them. She was ahead of her time in 1856 and she's an enduring literary figure today. Her impulsivity and deceptions may not make her a role model, but her refusal to compromise and play by society's antiquated rules elevate her to trailblazer status. When Rodolphe admits he's "scared" of Emma, he speaks for all men who fear strong, resolute women who know what they want and aren't afraid to pursue it.

I thought Madame Bovary would be stuffy, pretentious, overly precious, and achingly slow. Boy, was I wrong! Not only did the film captivate me with its elegance, literacy, fine performances, and surprisingly contemporary feel, Emma fascinated me, too. I kept rewatching portions of Madame Bovary to try to learn what made her tick and examine more intently how the men in her life responded and reacted to her. I also wanted to more fully absorb the style of Minnelli, who brings his musical sensibilities to this period drama, infusing it with a lyricism that evokes grand opera.

That lyricism is most evident during the movie's most famous and rapturous scene, a bona fide Minnelli tour de force that in its own way ranks right up there with the ballet in An American in Paris. The pivotal ballroom sequence not only symbolizes Emma's liberation, it also stands as a testament to Minnelli's artistry, technical prowess, and uncanny ability to capture and transmit myriad emotions through music and visuals. When Rodolphe grabs Emma's hand and drags her onto the dance floor despite her assertion that "I don't waltz," both she and we embark on a dizzying experience that leaves both of us breathless. The swirling, sweeping camera with its 360-degree pans and subjective perspective combined with Miklos Rosza's crescendoing score allows us to feel what Emma feels and immerses us in the grandeur and romance of the moment. Minnelli also brilliantly contrasts her exhilaration with her neglected husband's increasing inebriation. While she floats on air, he drunkenly stumbles down a flight of stairs and topples a tray of glassware as he tries to catch her averted gaze. This is Minnelli at his mesmerizing best. Watch the clip below:

Thank goodness Lana Turner turned down the part of Emma and producer David O. Selznick agreed to loan Jones to MGM. Though Minnelli had to endure Selznick's serial meddling during production, Jones produced some of her best work as the mercurial, restless, and selfish Emma. There are those who find Jones insipid, affected, and self-conscious on screen, but I've always respected her talent, and rarely more so than here. She beautifully captures Emma's longing for an exciting life and fascination with fine things while subtly conveying her frustrations, neuroses, and Scarlett O'Hara-like wiliness. Jones has a lot to carry on her slight shoulders, but instead of buckling under the weight, she stands tall and does this complex character proud.

The film may be called Madame Bovary, but as compelling as Emma is, she's hardly the whole show. The always underrated Heflin embodies the often flummoxed, oblivious, and hapless Charles, engendering pity one minute and deep disappointment and dismay the next. Without his intuitive performance, we wouldn't empathize with Emma nearly as much, nor rue the callous way she treats him. Charles doesn't drive Emma to her doom, he just unwittingly gives her enough rope to hang herself, and Heflin deftly projects his helplessness. Though Jones and the dashing Jourdan create palpable sexual chemistry, she and Heflin click in a more delicate, but equally effective manner that serves the film well.

Jourdan infuses Rodolphe with the same air of elegance and privilege he would bring to Gigi's Gaston a decade later, while a brooding Mason uses his distinctive, mellifluous voice to supreme advantage in both his on-screen scenes and voice-over narration. Allenby plays the scoundrel Lhereux with thinly veiled diabolical glee, Gene Lockhart supplies some comic relief as the town apothecary, and the always superb Gladys Cooper makes the most of her brief cameo as Leon's domineering mother. Classic TV fans will also spot The Waltons' Ellen Corby as the Bovary maid and nanny and M*A*S*H's Harry Morgan (billed here as Henry) as a disabled man who reluctantly consents to a risky operation that Emma pressures Charles into performing.

With Oscar-nominated art direction and set decoration by the legendary Cedric Gibbons, lush black-and-white cinematography by Robert H. Planck, Rosza's rousing and romantic score, and the always impeccable taste and eye for detail that distinguishes its director, Madame Bovary is a Minnelli masterwork that deserves more respect and reverence than it gets. As he always did throughout his lengthy career, Minnelli proves it's not a crime to want things to be beautiful, but he complements the film's style with substance and emotion. You may not like Emma Bovary, but Minnelli makes sure we won't forget her.

Vital Disc Stats: The Blu-ray

The 1949 edition of Madame Bovary arrives on Blu-ray packaged in a standard case. Video codec is 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 and audio is DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono. Once the disc is inserted into the player, the static menu without music immediately pops up; no previews or promos precede it.
Theres a weather-maker heading to Michigan tonight and Tuesday. I dont want you to worry about it being a real January snowstorm, but you should know whats coming.

Ill admit we meteorologists have some fun names for certain types of storms. Many of you may have heard of an Alberta Clipper. Thats a storm that races southeast out of Alberta, Canada. It usually brings a fluffy, blowing snow. We also have what we call a Saskatchewan Screamer as a fun way to describe the Alberta Clipper that comes from the next Canadian province. Tomorrows weather-maker is going to move at us from almost straight out of the north, from Manitoba. Over the years we meteorologists have given that type of storm the fun name of a Manitoba Mauler.

It wont maul us this year because temperatures just arent cold enough for the blowing snow usually brought with these types of storms. These storms usually come with bitter cold at the time the snow is falling, and they create a blowing and drifting mess.

This wont happen tomorrow because this winter has a lack of cold air. Tomorrows snow will fall with temperatures between 32 degrees and 34 degrees. Those temperatures are barely cold enough for snow to accumulate. We should have some accumulation, but it may be just on cold surfaces like the grass and the grill and the patio deck. Roads may be warm enough for melting snow, especially if any salt is applied to the roads.

Heres the radar forecast for tomorrow. You see about a four-hour period of snow moving south across Michigan. The northern part of Lower Michigan and the U.P. will get the snow after midnight tonight. Southern Lower will get the snow Tuesday morning and early afternoon. The southwest quarter of Lower Michigan wont really get much snow. Grand Rapids will probably only see spotty one-inch accumulations.

Radar forecast from midnight tonight to 6 p.m. Tuesday.NOAA

The snow will be mixed with rain at times since temperatures will be just above freezing.

Ill call it a one inch to two inch snow for most of us.

Total snowfall accumulation tonight through 6 p.m. Tuesday.NOAA

Look at the temperatures in the afternoon. We dont usually have many road issues with temperatures at the expected levels for tomorrow.

High temperature forecast for Tuesday afternoon.NOAA

Its just warm enough for salt and a swipe of the plow to really help roads turn just wet Tuesday afternoon.

Check the road conditions by looking out your window tomorrow so you know if it will take a little extra time to get somewhere tomorrow. In the end I think it will take just a little extra caution to get somewhere safely.
   

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abrdn plc raised its holdings in shares of American Express (NYSE:AXP) by 0.1% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,690,904 shares of the payment services companys stock after acquiring an additional 1,000 shares during the quarter. American Express makes up approximately 0.6% of abrdn plcs holdings, making the stock its 26th biggest position. abrdn plc owned approximately 0.23% of American Express worth $252,266,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the business. State Street Corp grew its stake in shares of American Express by 1.7% during the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 30,320,053 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $5,281,753,000 after acquiring an additional 507,042 shares in the last quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of American Express by 118,198.3% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 13,732,068 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $2,028,913,000 after acquiring an additional 13,720,460 shares in the last quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich grew its stake in shares of American Express by 87,430.5% during the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 12,697,168 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $2,211,847,000 after acquiring an additional 12,682,662 shares in the last quarter. Morgan Stanley grew its stake in shares of American Express by 0.3% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 12,503,902 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $1,847,452,000 after acquiring an additional 35,760 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of American Express by 2.0% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 10,817,376 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $1,878,460,000 after acquiring an additional 214,837 shares in the last quarter. 83.08% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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American Express Stock Performance

Shares of AXP traded up $13.36 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $201.43. 13,555,402 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,606,542. American Express has a twelve month low of $140.91 and a twelve month high of $204.77. The company has a quick ratio of 1.60, a current ratio of 1.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.70. The company has a market cap of $146.80 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.97, a PEG ratio of 1.12 and a beta of 1.22. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $179.08 and its 200 day simple moving average is $165.35.

American Express Announces Dividend

American Express ( NYSE:AXP Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Friday, January 26th. The payment services company reported $2.62 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.64 by ($0.02). American Express had a return on equity of 30.60% and a net margin of 13.61%. The firm had revenue of $15.80 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $16 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $2.07 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 11.4% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts expect that American Express will post 12.91 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 9th. Investors of record on Friday, January 5th will be paid a $0.60 dividend. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.19%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 4th. American Expresss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 21.41%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts recently weighed in on AXP shares. DZ Bank cut shares of American Express from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Thursday, January 4th. BMO Capital Markets cut shares of American Express from a market perform rating to an underperform rating and set a $157.00 target price for the company. in a research note on Wednesday, January 10th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their target price on shares of American Express from $186.00 to $205.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, December 18th. Citigroup raised shares of American Express from a sell rating to a neutral rating and raised their target price for the company from $143.00 to $154.00 in a research note on Wednesday, October 25th. Finally, HSBC started coverage on shares of American Express in a research note on Friday, October 13th. They issued a buy rating and a $181.00 target price for the company. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, American Express has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $178.21.

View Our Latest Research Report on AXP

Insider Activity at American Express

In related news, Vice Chairman Jeffrey C. Campbell sold 21,008 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $168.33, for a total value of $3,536,276.64. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 125,646 shares of the companys stock, valued at $21,149,991.18. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other American Express news, Vice Chairman Douglas E. Buckminster sold 11,344 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $158.87, for a total transaction of $1,802,221.28. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 88,376 shares of the companys stock, valued at $14,040,295.12. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Vice Chairman Jeffrey C. Campbell sold 21,008 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $168.33, for a total value of $3,536,276.64. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 125,646 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $21,149,991.18. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.12% of the stock is owned by insiders.

American Express Profile

(Free Report)

American Express Company, together with its subsidiaries, provides charge and credit payment card products, and travel-related services worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Global Consumer Services Group, Global Commercial Services, and Global Merchant and Network Services. Its products and services include payment and financing products; network services; accounts payable expense management products and services; and travel and lifestyle services.

Further Reading

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Arizona State Retirement System cut its holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Free Report) by 1.1% 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 594,650 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 6,570 shares during the quarter. Arizona State Retirement Systems holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb were worth $34,513,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. SevenBridge Financial Group LLC grew its position in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 1.6% during the second quarter. SevenBridge Financial Group LLC now owns 49,112 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $3,141,000 after buying an additional 797 shares during the period. Plancorp LLC increased its stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 3.2% in the 2nd quarter. Plancorp LLC now owns 8,973 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $574,000 after purchasing an additional 275 shares in the last quarter. Wealth Architects LLC raised its holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 4.8% during the second quarter. Wealth Architects LLC now owns 8,012 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $512,000 after purchasing an additional 366 shares during the last quarter. Osterweis Capital Management Inc. boosted its position in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 69.6% during the second quarter. Osterweis Capital Management Inc. now owns 5,049 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $323,000 after purchasing an additional 2,072 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Mcdaniel Terry & Co. raised its stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 4.5% during the 2nd quarter. Mcdaniel Terry & Co. now owns 6,915 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $442,000 after buying an additional 300 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 74.98% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In other Bristol-Myers Squibb news, CEO Christopher S. Boerner purchased 3,071 shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 28th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $48.86 per share, for a total transaction of $150,049.06. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 79,384 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,878,702.24. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, CEO Christopher S. Boerner purchased 3,071 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 28th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $48.86 per share, with a total value of $150,049.06. Following the acquisition, the chief executive officer now owns 79,384 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,878,702.24. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Theodore R. Samuels II acquired 8,500 shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 20th. The shares were bought at an average price of $49.81 per share, with a total value of $423,385.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 35,500 shares in the company, valued at $1,768,255. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders have bought 13,571 shares of company stock worth $672,994 over the last ninety days. 0.09% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms have weighed in on BMY. Bank of America downgraded shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a neutral rating and dropped their target price for the company from $68.00 to $60.00 in a report on Wednesday, January 3rd. StockNews.com raised Bristol-Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Friday, October 27th. Truist Financial restated a buy rating and issued a $84.00 price objective on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research report on Friday, October 6th. UBS Group restated a neutral rating and issued a $60.00 target price (down from $70.00) on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a report on Friday, October 20th. Finally, HSBC raised shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from a reduce rating to a hold rating and cut their price objective for the company from $55.00 to $53.00 in a research report on Friday, October 27th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, fourteen have given a hold rating, three have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Bristol-Myers Squibb presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $62.41.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on BMY

Bristol-Myers Squibb Trading Up 0.2 %

Shares of BMY stock traded up $0.09 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $49.70. The companys stock had a trading volume of 10,855,482 shares, compared to its average volume of 14,001,830. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a 12-month low of $48.25 and a 12-month high of $75.18. The company has a quick ratio of 1.07, a current ratio of 1.18 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.11. The firm has a market capitalization of $101.13 billion, a PE ratio of 12.61, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.38 and a beta of 0.35. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $50.57 and its 200-day simple moving average is $55.70.

Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 26th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $2.00 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.76 by $0.24. Bristol-Myers Squibb had a net margin of 18.44% and a return on equity of 51.59%. The business had revenue of $10.97 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.96 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.99 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was down 2.2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts predict that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 7.43 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Bristol-Myers Squibb declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a stock buyback program on Thursday, December 7th that allows the company to buyback $3.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization allows the biopharmaceutical company to repurchase up to 2.9% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are typically an indication that the companys management believes its stock is undervalued.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 1st. Investors of record on Friday, January 5th will be given a dividend of $0.60 per share. This is a positive change from Bristol-Myers Squibbs previous quarterly dividend of $0.57. This represents a $2.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.83%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 4th. Bristol-Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio is currently 60.91%.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company 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.

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Cornerstone Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Hartford Multifactor Developed Markets (ex-US) ETF (NYSEARCA:RODM  Free Report) by 3.1% during the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 231,123 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after purchasing an additional 6,868 shares during the quarter. Cornerstone Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Hartford Multifactor Developed Markets (ex-US) ETF were worth $5,928,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Cerity Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of Hartford Multifactor Developed Markets (ex-US) ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at about $177,860,000. Mill Creek Capital Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Hartford Multifactor Developed Markets (ex-US) ETF by 6.5% during the 1st quarter. Mill Creek Capital Advisors LLC now owns 5,646,185 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $148,664,000 after purchasing an additional 345,619 shares in the last quarter. Morgan Stanley boosted its position in shares of Hartford Multifactor Developed Markets (ex-US) ETF by 8.8% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 4,747,084 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $117,680,000 after purchasing an additional 382,614 shares in the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE raised its stake in Hartford Multifactor Developed Markets (ex-US) ETF by 6.4% during the 1st quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 2,995,853 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $78,881,000 after buying an additional 181,355 shares during the period. Finally, Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. raised its stake in Hartford Multifactor Developed Markets (ex-US) ETF by 0.6% during the 3rd quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 1,999,944 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $51,299,000 after buying an additional 11,787 shares during the period.

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Hartford Multifactor Developed Markets (ex-US) ETF Trading Up 0.2 %

RODM stock traded up $0.06 during trading on Friday, reaching $27.17. 112,757 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 501,559. The firms 50 day moving average is $27.02 and its 200 day moving average is $26.32. Hartford Multifactor Developed Markets has a twelve month low of $24.34 and a twelve month high of $27.61. The firm has a market cap of $1.59 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.08 and a beta of 0.79.

About Hartford Multifactor Developed Markets (ex-US) ETF

Direct Markets Holdings Corp., formerly Rodman & Renshaw Capital Group, Inc, is a holding company. Through its subsidiaries, it is engaged in the investment banking business. The Companys principal operating subsidiary is Rodman & Renshaw, LLC (R&R). It is an investment bank, which provides corporate finance, strategic advisory and related services to public and private companies across multiple sectors and regions.

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Consul General encourages Americans to see the 'real' China

(People's Daily App) 16:16, January 29, 2024

In a sit-in interview with Kalidip Choudhury, Chair of the Commonwealth Club of California in San Francisco, on Wednesday, Zhang Jianmin, Consul General of China in San Francisco, stressed the importance of people-to-people exchanges in strengthening relations between China and the US. Zhang expressed his hope for increased opportunities for Americans to visit China and experience the country firsthand, enabling them to see the 'real' China through their own eyes.

(Video edited by Liang Xiaojian; text compiled by Li Yingying)

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
HM Payson & Co. reduced its stake in Bank of America Co. (NYSE:BAC) by 2.2% during the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 269,629 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 6,127 shares during the period. HM Payson & Co.s holdings in Bank of America were worth $7,382,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of BAC. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Bank of America by 108,111.3% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 193,168,025 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $6,397,725,000 after buying an additional 192,989,515 shares during the period. Norges Bank acquired a new position in Bank of America in the 4th quarter valued at about $3,436,543,000. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich grew its position in Bank of America by 69,466.5% in the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 97,976,121 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,810,935,000 after acquiring an additional 97,835,283 shares in the last quarter. Snider Financial Group grew its position in Bank of America by 9,477.3% in the 1st quarter. Snider Financial Group now owns 14,448,357 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $5,956,000 after acquiring an additional 14,297,496 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership grew its position in Bank of America by 3,474.6% in the 1st quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 11,658,881 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $480,579,000 after acquiring an additional 11,332,721 shares in the last quarter. 68.06% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Bank of America Stock Performance

NYSE BAC traded up $0.04 on Friday, reaching $33.43. The stock had a trading volume of 30,839,827 shares, compared to its average volume of 39,304,072. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.15, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a current ratio of 0.80. Bank of America Co. has a 12-month low of $24.96 and a 12-month high of $37.00. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $32.24 and its 200 day moving average price is $29.93. The stock has a market cap of $264.56 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.89, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.49 and a beta of 1.41.

Insider Buying and Selling at Bank of America

Bank of America ( NYSE:BAC Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 12th. The financial services provider reported $0.70 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.69 by $0.01. Bank of America had a return on equity of 11.38% and a net margin of 15.42%. The company had revenue of $22 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $23.70 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $0.85 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 10.2% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts expect that Bank of America Co. will post 3.2 earnings per share for the current year.

In other news, major shareholder Of America Corp /De/ Bank acquired 5,398 shares of Bank of America stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 27th. The stock was bought at an average price of $10.56 per share, for a total transaction of $57,002.88. Following the completion of the purchase, the insider now owns 5,398 shares in the company, valued at $57,002.88. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. 0.27% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have weighed in on the company. Barclays lifted their target price on Bank of America from $39.00 to $43.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 2nd. Oppenheimer dropped their target price on Bank of America from $50.00 to $49.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, January 16th. BMO Capital Markets dropped their target price on Bank of America from $37.00 to $36.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, January 16th. Jefferies Financial Group dropped their target price on Bank of America from $31.00 to $28.00 in a research report on Tuesday, October 10th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price objective on Bank of America from $30.00 to $33.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, December 1st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $35.20.

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About Bank of America

(Free Report)

Bank of America Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides banking and financial products and services for individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses, institutional investors, large corporations, and governments worldwide. Its Consumer Banking segment offers traditional and money market savings accounts, certificates of deposit and IRAs, noninterest-and interest-bearing checking accounts, and investment accounts and products; and credit and debit cards, residential mortgages, and home equity loans, as well as direct and indirect loans, such as automotive, recreational vehicle, and consumer personal loans.

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L.M. Kohn & Company increased its stake in shares of Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE  Free Report) by 18.5% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 28,802 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after acquiring an additional 4,503 shares during the quarter. L.M. Kohn & Companys holdings in Pfizer were worth $955,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the stock. RB Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Pfizer by 6.7% during the first quarter. RB Capital Management LLC now owns 5,446 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $282,000 after buying an additional 341 shares during the last quarter. Ironwood Wealth Management LLC. grew its holdings in shares of Pfizer by 1.1% during the first quarter. Ironwood Wealth Management LLC. now owns 36,081 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $1,868,000 after buying an additional 400 shares during the last quarter. United Bank grew its holdings in shares of Pfizer by 0.6% during the first quarter. United Bank now owns 46,671 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $2,416,000 after buying an additional 290 shares during the last quarter. Ergoteles LLC grew its holdings in shares of Pfizer by 136.3% during the first quarter. Ergoteles LLC now owns 36,766 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $1,903,000 after buying an additional 21,209 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mackenzie Financial Corp grew its holdings in shares of Pfizer by 6.4% during the first quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 1,337,418 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $69,238,000 after buying an additional 79,887 shares during the last quarter. 68.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded shares of Pfizer from a hold rating to a buy rating and lifted their price objective for the company from $38.00 to $39.00 in a report on Monday, October 16th. TD Cowen lowered shares of Pfizer from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and set a $32.00 price target on the stock. in a research report on Thursday, January 4th. Citigroup dropped their price target on shares of Pfizer from $42.00 to $35.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, October 16th. Truist Financial dropped their price target on shares of Pfizer from $42.00 to $36.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, December 14th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets dropped their price target on shares of Pfizer from $44.00 to $33.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, October 16th. Thirteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Pfizer presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $38.22.

Insider Transactions at Pfizer

In other news, Director Scott Gottlieb acquired 3,000 shares of Pfizer stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 15th. The stock was bought at an average price of $26.47 per share, with a total value of $79,410.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now owns 9,000 shares in the company, valued at $238,230. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.05% of the companys stock.

Pfizer Price Performance

Shares of PFE remained flat at $27.47 during trading hours on Friday. 47,073,756 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 36,093,784. The company has a market cap of $155.11 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.01, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.76 and a beta of 0.59. The company has a current ratio of 2.38, a quick ratio of 2.05 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $28.76 and a 200 day moving average price of $32.08. Pfizer Inc. has a 52-week low of $25.76 and a 52-week high of $44.46.

Pfizer (NYSE:PFE  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, October 31st. The biopharmaceutical company reported ($0.17) earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.32) by $0.15. The firm had revenue of $13.23 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $13.77 billion. Pfizer had a net margin of 15.30% and a return on equity of 16.72%. Research analysts predict that Pfizer Inc. will post 1.52 earnings per share for the current year.

Pfizer Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 26th will be paid a $0.42 dividend. This is an increase from Pfizers previous quarterly dividend of $0.41. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 25th. This represents a $1.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.12%. Pfizers dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 91.80%.

Pfizer Company Profile

(Free Report)

Pfizer Inc discovers, develops, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers medicines and vaccines in various therapeutic areas, including cardiovascular metabolic, migraine, and women's health under the Eliquis, Nurtec ODT/Vydura, and the Premarin family brands; infectious diseases with unmet medical needs under the Prevnar family, Nimenrix, FSME/IMMUN-TicoVac, and Trumenba brands; and COVID-19 prevention and treatment, and potential future mRNA and antiviral products under the Comirnaty and Paxlovid brands.

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Mitsubishi UFJ Kokusai Asset Management Co. Ltd. raised its holdings in shares of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA  Free Report) by 7.2% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 775,837 shares of the credit services providers stock after purchasing an additional 52,127 shares during the period. Mitsubishi UFJ Kokusai Asset Management Co. Ltd. owned 0.08% of Mastercard worth $307,162,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Naviter Wealth LLC raised its holdings in Mastercard by 31.1% in the 2nd quarter. Naviter Wealth LLC now owns 4,582 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $1,802,000 after acquiring an additional 1,087 shares during the last quarter. Mendel Money Management raised its holdings in Mastercard by 1.8% in the 2nd quarter. Mendel Money Management now owns 2,133 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $839,000 after acquiring an additional 37 shares during the last quarter. Klingman & Associates LLC raised its holdings in Mastercard by 5.9% in the 2nd quarter. Klingman & Associates LLC now owns 7,433 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $2,923,000 after acquiring an additional 411 shares during the last quarter. Neo Ivy Capital Management acquired a new stake in Mastercard in the 2nd quarter valued at about $1,196,000. Finally, Armstrong Fleming & Moore Inc acquired a new stake in Mastercard in the 2nd quarter valued at about $315,000. 74.94% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Tigress Financial raised their price target on shares of Mastercard from $476.00 to $495.00 and gave the stock a strong-buy rating in a report on Thursday, December 7th. Monness Crespi & Hardt began coverage on shares of Mastercard in a research report on Wednesday, December 20th. They set a neutral rating for the company. Barclays cut their price target on shares of Mastercard from $479.00 to $470.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, October 30th. Mizuho lifted their price objective on shares of Mastercard from $420.00 to $462.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, January 18th. Finally, StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Mastercard in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nineteen have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $463.50.

Mastercard Trading Up 0.4 %

MA traded up $1.73 during trading on Friday, hitting $438.53. The companys stock had a trading volume of 2,725,548 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,176,106. Mastercard Incorporated has a twelve month low of $340.21 and a twelve month high of $440.94. The company has a quick ratio of 1.17, a current ratio of 1.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.24. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $421.48 and its 200-day moving average price is $406.06. The firm has a market capitalization of $411.24 billion, a P/E ratio of 38.20, a PEG ratio of 1.93 and a beta of 1.10.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, October 26th. The credit services provider reported $3.39 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.21 by $0.18. Mastercard had a return on equity of 188.83% and a net margin of 44.85%. The business had revenue of $6.53 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.53 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $2.68 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up 13.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts anticipate that Mastercard Incorporated will post 12.17 EPS for the current year.

Mastercard Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 9th. Investors of record on Tuesday, January 9th will be issued a $0.66 dividend. This is a positive change from Mastercards previous quarterly dividend of $0.57. This represents a $2.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.60%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, January 8th. Mastercards payout ratio is presently 23.00%.

Mastercard declared that its board has approved a stock repurchase plan on Tuesday, December 5th that allows the company to repurchase $11.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization allows the credit services provider to buy up to 2.9% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are typically a sign that the companys board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Insider Buying and Selling at Mastercard

In other Mastercard news, insider Ajay Bhalla sold 98 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, January 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $439.52, for a total value of $43,072.96. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 6,235 shares in the company, valued at $2,740,407.20. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In other Mastercard news, insider Ajay Bhalla sold 98 shares of Mastercard stock in a transaction on Monday, January 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $439.52, for a total transaction of $43,072.96. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 6,235 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,740,407.20. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, major shareholder Foundation Mastercard sold 125,816 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, November 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $386.20, for a total value of $48,590,139.20. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 98,172,589 shares in the company, valued at $37,914,253,871.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 520,262 shares of company stock valued at $201,031,282. 0.13% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Mastercard Profile

(Free Report)

Mastercard Incorporated, a technology company, provides transaction processing and other payment-related products and services in the United States and internationally. It facilitates the processing of payment transactions, including authorization, clearing, and settlement, as well as delivers other payment-related products and services.

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Mitsubishi UFJ Kokusai Asset Management Co. Ltd. lifted its position in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK  Free Report) by 8.0% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 2,473,631 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 183,345 shares during the period. Mitsubishi UFJ Kokusai Asset Management Co. Ltd. owned 0.10% of Merck & Co., Inc. worth $254,660,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich grew its stake in Merck & Co., Inc. by 102,675.5% in the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 1,860,147,936 shares of the companys stock valued at $214,642,470,000 after buying an additional 1,858,338,022 shares during the last quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC grew its stake in Merck & Co., Inc. by 103,159.7% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 39,327,490 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,363,385,000 after buying an additional 39,289,404 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new position in Merck & Co., Inc. in the 4th quarter valued at about $2,736,293,000. Bank of Montreal Can acquired a new position in Merck & Co., Inc. in the 2nd quarter valued at about $740,061,000. Finally, Renaissance Technologies LLC grew its stake in Merck & Co., Inc. by 2,671.4% in the 1st quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 5,099,334 shares of the companys stock valued at $418,400,000 after buying an additional 4,915,334 shares during the last quarter. 74.59% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages recently commented on MRK. BMO Capital Markets upgraded shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $132.00 price target on the stock in a research note on Friday, October 27th. Truist Financial reissued a buy rating and issued a $122.00 price objective on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. in a report on Friday, October 6th. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a buy rating for the company. TD Cowen raised shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and boosted their price objective for the company from $125.00 to $135.00 in a report on Thursday, January 4th. Finally, UBS Group raised shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from a neutral rating to a buy rating and boosted their price objective for the company from $117.00 to $122.00 in a report on Friday, October 20th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eighteen have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $125.90.

Merck & Co., Inc. Price Performance

MRK stock traded up $0.69 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $120.82. The company had a trading volume of 8,300,304 shares, compared to its average volume of 7,099,936. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 1.38 and a quick ratio of 1.12. Merck & Co., Inc. has a 1 year low of $99.14 and a 1 year high of $121.02. The company has a market capitalization of $306.16 billion, a P/E ratio of 67.12, a P/E/G ratio of 1.65 and a beta of 0.35. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $109.97 and a 200-day moving average price of $107.25.

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 26th. The company reported $2.13 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.94 by $0.19. Merck & Co., Inc. had a net margin of 7.77% and a return on equity of 18.26%. The company had revenue of $16 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $15.30 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.85 EPS. The firms revenue was up 7.0% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts anticipate that Merck & Co., Inc. will post 1.38 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Merck & Co., Inc. Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 5th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 15th will be given a dividend of $0.77 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 14th. This represents a $3.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.55%. Merck & Co., Inc.s payout ratio is currently 171.11%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Merck & Co., Inc. news, EVP Richard R. Deluca sold 43,823 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $105.03, for a total value of $4,602,729.69. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 111,764 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,738,572.92. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, insider Johannes Jacobus Oosthuizen sold 2,081 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $102.38, for a total value of $213,052.78. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 18,191 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,862,394.58. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Richard R. Deluca sold 43,823 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $105.03, for a total transaction of $4,602,729.69. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 111,764 shares of the companys stock, valued at $11,738,572.92. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 0.20% of the companys stock.

Merck & Co., Inc. Profile

(Free Report)

Merck & Co, Inc operates as a healthcare company worldwide. It operates through two segments, Pharmaceutical and Animal Health. The Pharmaceutical segment offers human health pharmaceutical products in the areas of oncology, hospital acute care, immunology, neuroscience, virology, cardiovascular, and diabetes, as well as vaccine products, such as preventive pediatric, adolescent, and adult vaccines.

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HM Payson & Co. decreased its holdings in shares of Oracle Co. (NYSE:ORCL  Free Report) by 0.8% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 279,471 shares of the enterprise software providers stock after selling 2,322 shares during the period. HM Payson & Co.s holdings in Oracle were worth $29,602,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the business. Marquette Asset Management LLC boosted its position in Oracle by 445.5% during the 2nd quarter. Marquette Asset Management LLC now owns 240 shares of the enterprise software providers stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 196 shares during the period. BluePath Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Oracle during the third quarter worth about $45,000. IMA Wealth Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Oracle by 30.5% in the 2nd quarter. IMA Wealth Inc. now owns 428 shares of the enterprise software providers stock worth $51,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares during the period. Intrepid Capital Management Inc. bought a new stake in Oracle in the 2nd quarter valued at about $51,000. Finally, Fiduciary Alliance LLC acquired a new position in Oracle during the 2nd quarter valued at about $58,000. 42.44% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Oracle Stock Down 0.3 %

Oracle stock traded down $0.36 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $114.64. The companys stock had a trading volume of 5,541,900 shares, compared to its average volume of 7,493,099. Oracle Co. has a 52-week low of $82.04 and a 52-week high of $127.54. The company has a market cap of $315.14 billion, a PE ratio of 31.67, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.19 and a beta of 1.03. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 18.84, a current ratio of 0.79 and a quick ratio of 0.79. The firms 50 day moving average is $109.15 and its 200 day moving average is $111.63.

Oracle Dividend Announcement

Oracle ( NYSE:ORCL Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday, December 11th. The enterprise software provider reported $1.34 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.33 by $0.01. Oracle had a net margin of 19.64% and a return on equity of 703.26%. The business had revenue of $12.94 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $13.05 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.21 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 5.4% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts anticipate that Oracle Co. will post 4.45 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, January 25th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, January 11th were paid a $0.40 dividend. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.40%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, January 10th. Oracles dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 44.20%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, Director George H. Conrades sold 2,325 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $113.76, for a total transaction of $264,492.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 17,836 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,029,023.36. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, Director George H. Conrades sold 2,325 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, November 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $113.76, for a total transaction of $264,492.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 17,836 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,029,023.36. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Naomi O. Seligman sold 16,300 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, December 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $106.02, for a total transaction of $1,728,126.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 34,771 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,686,421.42. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 20,950 shares of company stock worth $2,252,948. Corporate insiders own 42.80% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

ORCL has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Wolfe Research cut their price target on Oracle from $140.00 to $130.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, December 12th. UBS Group cut their target price on Oracle from $135.00 to $125.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, December 12th. Edward Jones raised Oracle from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Monday, November 13th. BMO Capital Markets cut their price objective on shares of Oracle from $130.00 to $126.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, December 12th. Finally, Evercore ISI decreased their target price on shares of Oracle from $135.00 to $130.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, December 12th. Ten analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $127.00.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Oracle

Oracle Profile

(Free Report)

Oracle Corporation offers products and services that address enterprise information technology environments worldwide. Its Oracle cloud software as a service offering include various cloud software applications, including Oracle Fusion cloud enterprise resource planning (ERP), Oracle Fusion cloud enterprise performance management, Oracle Fusion cloud supply chain and manufacturing management, Oracle Fusion cloud human capital management, Oracle Cerner healthcare, Oracle Advertising, and NetSuite applications suite, as well as Oracle Fusion Sales, Service, and Marketing.

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Keystone Financial Group cut its stake in Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Free Report) by 2.1% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 18,302 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after selling 385 shares during the period. Keystone Financial Groups holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $1,773,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich grew its position in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 97,996.2% during the second quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 2,101,555,797 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $229,111,613,000 after acquiring an additional 2,099,413,455 shares during the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. grew its position in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 1.2% during the second quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 137,153,545 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $14,952,480,000 after acquiring an additional 1,584,552 shares during the last quarter. Capital Research Global Investors grew its position in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 1.1% during the second quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 77,225,258 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $8,419,032,000 after acquiring an additional 820,369 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp grew its position in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 1.9% during the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 74,817,109 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $8,156,561,000 after acquiring an additional 1,362,889 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Capital International Investors grew its position in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 4.9% during the second quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 59,178,607 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $6,451,127,000 after acquiring an additional 2,747,652 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 73.70% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 15,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated 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 of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,022,916. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 1.10% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Abbott Laboratories Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:ABT traded down $0.44 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $112.01. The companys stock had a trading volume of 5,176,697 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,588,744. Abbott Laboratories has a fifty-two week low of $89.67 and a fifty-two week high of $115.83. The company has a market capitalization of $194.46 billion, a P/E ratio of 34.36, a P/E/G ratio of 2.69 and a beta of 0.73. 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 businesss fifty day simple moving average is $108.60 and its 200-day simple moving average is $103.74.

Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 24th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.19 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $1.19. The firm had revenue of $10.24 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.19 billion. Abbott Laboratories had a return on equity of 20.84% and a net margin of 14.27%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 1.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $1.03 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Abbott Laboratories will post 4.62 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Abbott Laboratories Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 12th will be paid a $0.55 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 11th. This is a boost from Abbott Laboratoriess previous quarterly dividend of $0.51. This represents a $2.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.96%. Abbott Laboratoriess dividend payout ratio is 67.48%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have recently commented on ABT. Barclays upped their price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $133.00 to $141.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Friday. Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $112.00 to $107.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Thursday, October 19th. Raymond James upped their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $124.00 to $127.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday. TheStreet raised shares of Abbott Laboratories from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a report on Thursday, December 21st. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reduced their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $120.00 to $112.00 in a report on Monday, October 2nd. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $120.00.

Read Our Latest Research Report on ABT

About Abbott Laboratories

(Free Report)

Abbott Laboratories, together with its subsidiaries, discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells health care products worldwide. It operates in four segments: Established Pharmaceutical Products, Diagnostic Products, Nutritional Products, and Medical Devices. The Established Pharmaceutical Products segment provides generic pharmaceuticals for the treatment of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, irritable bowel syndrome or biliary spasm, intrahepatic cholestasis or depressive symptoms, gynecological disorder, hormone replacement therapy, dyslipidemia, hypertension, hypothyroidism, Meniere's disease and vestibular vertigo, pain, fever, inflammation, and migraine, as well as provides anti-infective clarithromycin, influenza vaccine, and products to regulate physiological rhythm of the colon.

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American Express (NYSE:AXP) issued an update on its FY 2024 earnings guidance on Friday morning. The company provided earnings per share (EPS) guidance of 12.650-13.150 for the period, compared to the consensus estimate of 12.410. The company issued revenue guidance of $66.0 billion-$67.2 billion, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $66.3 billion. American Express also updated its FY24 guidance to $12.65-13.15 EPS.

American Express Price Performance

Shares of NYSE AXP opened at $201.43 on Monday. American Express has a twelve month low of $140.91 and a twelve month high of $204.77. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $179.08 and its 200-day moving average price is $165.29. The company has a market capitalization of $146.80 billion, a PE ratio of 17.97, a PEG ratio of 1.08 and a beta of 1.22. The company has a quick ratio of 1.60, a current ratio of 1.75 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.71.

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American Express (NYSE:AXP  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Friday, January 26th. The payment services company reported $2.62 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.64 by ($0.02). American Express had a return on equity of 31.01% and a net margin of 13.84%. The business had revenue of $15.80 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $16 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $2.07 EPS. American Expresss quarterly revenue was up 11.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts anticipate that American Express will post 12.91 EPS for the current year.

American Express Dividend Announcement

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 9th. Stockholders 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 dividend yield of 1.19%. American Expresss payout ratio is presently 21.41%.

AXP has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Monness Crespi & Hardt initiated coverage on American Express in a research note on Wednesday, December 20th. They issued a neutral rating on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price objective on American Express from $186.00 to $205.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, December 18th. Bank of America lowered their target price on shares of American Express from $203.00 to $202.00 in a report on Thursday, October 5th. DZ Bank cut shares of American Express from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Thursday, January 4th. Finally, Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on shares of American Express from $185.00 to $175.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Monday, October 23rd. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $178.21.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on American Express

Insider Buying and Selling at American Express

In other American Express news, Vice Chairman Jeffrey C. Campbell sold 21,008 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $168.33, for a total transaction of $3,536,276.64. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 125,646 shares in the company, valued at $21,149,991.18. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In other American Express news, Vice Chairman Douglas E. Buckminster sold 11,344 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $158.87, for a total transaction of $1,802,221.28. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 88,376 shares in the company, valued at $14,040,295.12. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, Vice Chairman Jeffrey C. Campbell sold 21,008 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $168.33, for a total transaction of $3,536,276.64. Following the sale, the insider now owns 125,646 shares of the companys stock, valued at $21,149,991.18. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 0.12% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of American Express

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. RB Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of American Express by 5.3% during the first quarter. RB Capital Management LLC now owns 3,783 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $707,000 after purchasing an additional 190 shares during the period. Roundview Capital LLC boosted its holdings in shares of American Express by 0.4% during the first quarter. Roundview Capital LLC now owns 27,029 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $5,054,000 after purchasing an additional 105 shares during the period. Zions Bancorporation N.A. lifted its holdings in American Express by 5.6% in the first quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 1,421 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $266,000 after buying an additional 75 shares during the period. Covestor Ltd lifted its holdings in American Express by 207.1% in the first quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 946 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $177,000 after buying an additional 638 shares during the period. Finally, Donaldson Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in American Express in the first quarter worth about $397,000. 83.08% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About American Express

(Get Free Report)

American Express Company, together with its subsidiaries, provides charge and credit payment card products, and travel-related services worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Global Consumer Services Group, Global Commercial Services, and Global Merchant and Network Services. Its products and services include payment and financing products; network services; accounts payable expense management products and services; and travel and lifestyle services.

Further Reading

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Arizona State Retirement System trimmed its holdings in shares of Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN  Free Report) by 1.1% in the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 178,548 shares of the information technology services providers stock after selling 1,973 shares during the period. Arizona State Retirement Systems holdings in Accenture were worth $54,834,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL bought a new stake in Accenture during the 1st quarter worth approximately $28,000. BluePath Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in Accenture in the third quarter valued at approximately $31,000. RVW Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of Accenture in the 3rd quarter valued at $33,000. Tyler Stone Wealth Management acquired a new stake in Accenture during the 2nd quarter worth $35,000. Finally, Canton Hathaway LLC acquired a new position in shares of Accenture during the third quarter worth about $37,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.42% of the companys stock.

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Accenture Stock Performance

Shares of ACN traded down $0.87 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $371.07. The stock had a trading volume of 1,404,798 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,861,524. Accenture plc has a 12 month low of $242.80 and a 12 month high of $375.73. The companys 50-day moving average is $345.92 and its two-hundred day moving average is $324.50. The stock has a market capitalization of $232.78 billion, a PE ratio of 34.39, a PEG ratio of 3.41 and a beta of 1.21.

Accenture Dividend Announcement

Accenture ( NYSE:ACN Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, December 19th. The information technology services provider reported $3.27 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.14 by $0.13. The business had revenue of $16.22 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $16.17 billion. Accenture had a return on equity of 29.08% and a net margin of 10.65%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 3.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $3.08 earnings per share. Equities analysts anticipate that Accenture plc will post 12.22 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, January 18th will be given a dividend of $1.29 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, January 17th. This represents a $5.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.39%. Accentures dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 47.82%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Accenture news, CEO Jean-Marc Ollagnier sold 6,250 shares of Accenture stock in a transaction on Friday, January 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $362.77, for a total transaction of $2,267,312.50. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 167,831 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $60,884,051.87. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In other Accenture news, General Counsel Joel Unruch sold 1,083 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $300.00, for a total transaction of $324,900.00. Following the sale, the general counsel now directly owns 35,526 shares of the companys stock, valued at $10,657,800. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO Jean-Marc Ollagnier sold 6,250 shares of Accenture stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $362.77, for a total transaction of $2,267,312.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 167,831 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $60,884,051.87. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 28,884 shares of company stock valued at $9,296,856. 0.07% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

ACN has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Accenture from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Thursday, November 9th. BNP Paribas upgraded Accenture from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and set a $440.00 price objective for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 17th. Redburn Atlantic began coverage on Accenture in a research report on Thursday, November 16th. They set a buy rating and a $410.00 price target for the company. Morgan Stanley upped their price objective on Accenture from $369.00 to $400.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, Wedbush boosted their target price on shares of Accenture from $330.00 to $360.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, December 14th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Accenture has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $358.06.

Get Our Latest Analysis on ACN

Accenture Profile

(Free Report)

Accenture plc, a professional services company, provides strategy and consulting, industry X, song, and technology and operation services worldwide. The company offers application services, including agile transformation, DevOps, application modernization, enterprise architecture, software and quality engineering, data management; intelligent automation comprising robotic process automation, natural language processing, and virtual agents; and application management services, as well as software engineering services; strategy and consulting services; data and analytics strategy, data discovery and augmentation, data management and beyond, data democratization, and industrialized solutions comprising turnkey analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions; metaverse; and sustainability services.

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Arizona State Retirement System reduced its position in Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT  Free Report) by 1.1% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 419,217 shares of the retailers stock after selling 4,581 shares during the period. Walmart accounts for approximately 0.6% of Arizona State Retirement Systems investment portfolio, making the stock its 24th largest holding. Arizona State Retirement Systems holdings in Walmart were worth $67,045,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also made changes to their positions in WMT. Kozak & Associates Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Walmart by 1,490.0% in the 3rd quarter. Kozak & Associates Inc. now owns 159 shares of the retailers stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 149 shares during the period. Authentikos Wealth Advisory LLC bought a new position in shares of Walmart during the 3rd quarter valued at about $25,000. Marquette Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Walmart in the second quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Union Savings Bank bought a new position in Walmart during the 2nd quarter worth about $37,000. Finally, Milestone Investment Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Walmart in the first quarter valued at about $38,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 33.18% of the companys stock.

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Walmart Stock Performance

NYSE WMT traded up $1.43 during trading on Friday, reaching $164.27. The companys stock had a trading volume of 5,248,770 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,531,315. Walmart Inc. has a 12 month low of $136.09 and a 12 month high of $169.94. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $157.28 and a 200 day moving average price of $159.50. The firm has a market capitalization of $442.25 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.24, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.48 and a beta of 0.48. The company has a current ratio of 0.85, a quick ratio of 0.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Walmart ( NYSE:WMT Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 16th. The retailer reported $1.53 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $1.53. The business had revenue of $160.80 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $159.65 billion. Walmart had a return on equity of 21.20% and a net margin of 2.55%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 5.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $1.50 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Walmart Inc. will post 6.45 EPS for the current fiscal year.

A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on the company. Morgan Stanley dropped their target price on Walmart from $170.00 to $168.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, November 17th. Truist Financial boosted their price objective on shares of Walmart from $168.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Friday, November 17th. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $168.00 price target on shares of Walmart in a research note on Friday, November 17th. Stifel Nicolaus raised their price objective on Walmart from $169.00 to $171.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Monday, November 13th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets dropped their target price on Walmart from $180.00 to $175.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Friday, November 17th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twenty-eight have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $179.44.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on Walmart

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director S Robson Walton sold 221 shares of Walmart stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $155.80, for a total value of $34,431.80. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 231,379,740 shares of the companys stock, valued at $36,048,963,492. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In related news, Director S Robson Walton sold 221 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $155.80, for a total transaction of $34,431.80. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 231,379,740 shares in the company, valued at approximately $36,048,963,492. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, CEO C Douglas Mcmillon sold 9,708 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, January 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $160.62, for a total value of $1,559,298.96. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 1,424,825 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $228,855,391.50. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 6,438,607 shares of company stock worth $1,008,960,557 over the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 46.51% of the companys stock.

Walmart Company 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.

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Arizona State Retirement System trimmed its holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS  Free Report) by 1.4% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 94,100 shares of the investment management companys stock after selling 1,314 shares during the quarter. Arizona State Retirement Systems holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group were worth $30,448,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Cambridge Trust Co. grew its position in The Goldman Sachs Group by 82.0% in the 3rd quarter. Cambridge Trust Co. now owns 91 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 41 shares during the last quarter. Pacific Center for Financial Services bought a new stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in the first quarter valued at about $33,000. First Capital Advisors Group LLC. acquired a new stake in The Goldman Sachs Group during the second quarter worth about $34,000. PCA Investment Advisory Services Inc. bought a new position in The Goldman Sachs Group during the second quarter valued at about $34,000. Finally, Worth Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in The Goldman Sachs Group in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 69.06% of the companys stock.

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The Goldman Sachs Group Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:GS traded down $4.91 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $377.79. The companys stock had a trading volume of 3,464,718 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,054,963. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $368.22 and its 200-day simple moving average is $341.60. The company has a market capitalization of $123.20 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.56, a P/E/G ratio of 1.33 and a beta of 1.46. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.07, a current ratio of 1.14 and a quick ratio of 0.77. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $289.36 and a fifty-two week high of $392.73.

The Goldman Sachs Group Dividend Announcement

The Goldman Sachs Group ( NYSE:GS Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, January 16th. The investment management company reported $5.48 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.62 by $1.86. The Goldman Sachs Group had a net margin of 7.85% and a return on equity of 7.82%. The company had revenue of $11.32 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.80 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $3.32 earnings per share. The companys revenue was up 6.9% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts expect that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. will post 32.51 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 28th. Investors of record on Thursday, February 29th will be given a $2.75 dividend. This represents a $11.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.91%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 28th. The Goldman Sachs Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 48.20%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, major shareholder Goldman Sachs Group Inc sold 72,874 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $0.71, for a total transaction of $51,740.54. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 397,954 shares in the company, valued at $282,547.34. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In other news, major shareholder Goldman Sachs Group Inc sold 72,874 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $0.71, for a total value of $51,740.54. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 397,954 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $282,547.34. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider Ericka T. Leslie sold 1,376 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $335.15, for a total transaction of $461,166.40. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 10,471 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,509,355.65. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 88,984 shares of company stock valued at $6,042,731. 0.54% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

GS has been the topic of several recent research reports. UBS Group lifted their price objective on The Goldman Sachs Group from $382.00 to $440.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, January 9th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $398.00 to $421.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 9th. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $329.00 to $333.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Monday, December 4th. BMO Capital Markets lifted their target price on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $357.00 to $360.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research report on Thursday, January 18th. Finally, JMP Securities reissued a market outperform rating and issued a $440.00 price target on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in a research report on Wednesday, January 17th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, The Goldman Sachs Group presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $402.22.

Read Our Latest Research Report on GS

About The Goldman Sachs Group

(Free Report)

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc, a financial institution, provides a range of financial services for corporations, financial institutions, governments, and individuals worldwide. It operates through Global Banking & Markets, Asset & Wealth Management, and Platform Solutions segments. The Global Banking & Markets segment provides financial advisory services, including strategic advisory assignments related to mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, corporate defense activities, restructurings, and spin-offs; and relationship lending, and acquisition financing, as well as secured lending, through structured credit and asset-backed lending and involved in resale agreements.

Further Reading

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Arizona State Retirement System trimmed its stake in shares of Bank of America Co. (NYSE:BAC  Free Report) by 1.4% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 2,030,119 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 27,786 shares during the quarter. Arizona State Retirement Systems holdings in Bank of America were worth $55,585,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Cornerstone Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Bank of America by 3.8% in the third quarter. Cornerstone Wealth Management LLC now owns 59,168 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,620,000 after acquiring an additional 2,174 shares during the last quarter. abrdn plc increased its holdings in shares of Bank of America by 2.9% during the third quarter. abrdn plc now owns 4,813,955 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $131,806,000 after buying an additional 134,322 shares in the last quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Kokusai Asset Management Co. Ltd. lifted its stake in shares of Bank of America by 7.8% in the 3rd quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Kokusai Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 7,373,535 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $201,887,000 after acquiring an additional 531,771 shares during the last quarter. Harvest Fund Management Co. Ltd boosted its holdings in shares of Bank of America by 347.5% during the 3rd quarter. Harvest Fund Management Co. Ltd now owns 6,395 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $175,000 after acquiring an additional 4,966 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OH grew its position in Bank of America by 0.4% during the 3rd quarter. Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OH now owns 6,179,691 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $169,200,000 after acquiring an additional 27,075 shares during the last quarter. 68.06% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Bank of America Stock Up 0.1 %

Shares of BAC traded up $0.04 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $33.43. The stock had a trading volume of 30,839,827 shares, compared to its average volume of 39,304,072. The company has a market capitalization of $264.56 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.89, a P/E/G ratio of 1.49 and a beta of 1.41. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $32.24 and a 200 day simple moving average of $29.93. The company has a current ratio of 0.80, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.15. Bank of America Co. has a 12 month low of $24.96 and a 12 month high of $37.00.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Bank of America ( NYSE:BAC Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 12th. The financial services provider reported $0.70 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.69 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $22 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $23.70 billion. Bank of America had a net margin of 15.42% and a return on equity of 11.38%. The businesss revenue was down 10.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.85 earnings per share. Equities research analysts predict that Bank of America Co. will post 3.2 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

A number of brokerages have recently commented on BAC. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised Bank of America from an underperform rating to a market perform rating and lifted their price target for the company from $29.00 to $30.00 in a research note on Monday, November 6th. Barclays increased their price objective on Bank of America from $39.00 to $43.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, January 2nd. Morgan Stanley cut their target price on Bank of America from $34.00 to $32.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, October 3rd. BMO Capital Markets decreased their price target on Bank of America from $37.00 to $36.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, January 16th. Finally, StockNews.com began coverage on Bank of America in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $35.20.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on BAC

Insider Transactions at Bank of America

In related news, major shareholder Of America Corp /De/ Bank purchased 5,398 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 27th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $10.56 per share, with a total value of $57,002.88. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 5,398 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $57,002.88. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.27% of the companys stock.

Bank of America Profile

(Free Report)

Bank of America Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides banking and financial products and services for individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses, institutional investors, large corporations, and governments worldwide. Its Consumer Banking segment offers traditional and money market savings accounts, certificates of deposit and IRAs, noninterest-and interest-bearing checking accounts, and investment accounts and products; and credit and debit cards, residential mortgages, and home equity loans, as well as direct and indirect loans, such as automotive, recreational vehicle, and consumer personal loans.

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Arizona State Retirement System lowered its position in Medtronic plc (NYSE:MDT  Free Report) by 1.0% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 376,575 shares of the medical technology companys stock after selling 3,721 shares during the quarter. Arizona State Retirement Systems holdings in Medtronic were worth $29,508,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Wambolt & Associates LLC raised its stake in shares of Medtronic by 18.3% during the third quarter. Wambolt & Associates LLC now owns 22,319 shares of the medical technology companys stock valued at $1,736,000 after acquiring an additional 3,452 shares during the last quarter. Great Valley Advisor Group Inc. increased its holdings in Medtronic by 10.4% in the third quarter. Great Valley Advisor Group Inc. now owns 78,180 shares of the medical technology companys stock valued at $6,126,000 after purchasing an additional 7,344 shares during the period. Cornerstone Wealth Management LLC raised its position in Medtronic by 17.1% during the 3rd quarter. Cornerstone Wealth Management LLC now owns 10,042 shares of the medical technology companys stock worth $787,000 after purchasing an additional 1,469 shares during the last quarter. AMI Investment Management Inc. acquired a new position in Medtronic during the 3rd quarter worth about $2,313,000. Finally, abrdn plc grew its position in shares of Medtronic by 19.8% in the 3rd quarter. abrdn plc now owns 1,148,689 shares of the medical technology companys stock valued at $90,011,000 after buying an additional 189,884 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 80.75% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

MDT has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price objective on Medtronic from $82.00 to $92.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research note on Friday, January 12th. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Medtronic in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Truist Financial lifted their target price on shares of Medtronic from $84.00 to $87.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Friday, December 22nd. Finally, Morgan Stanley cut their price target on shares of Medtronic from $104.00 to $98.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, November 22nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $93.92.

Insider Transactions at Medtronic

In related news, EVP Brett A. Wall sold 4,997 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $82.17, for a total value of $410,603.49. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 28,910 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,375,534.70. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.30% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Medtronic Stock Up 0.9 %

Shares of NYSE MDT traded up $0.75 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $86.54. 6,784,389 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 5,218,625. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46, a quick ratio of 1.69 and a current ratio of 2.29. Medtronic plc has a one year low of $68.84 and a one year high of $92.02. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $82.50 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $80.51. The company has a market cap of $115.07 billion, a PE ratio of 28.19, a P/E/G ratio of 3.02 and a beta of 0.74.

Medtronic (NYSE:MDT  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 21st. The medical technology company reported $1.25 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.18 by $0.07. Medtronic had a net margin of 12.83% and a return on equity of 13.73%. The business had revenue of $7.98 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.93 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $1.30 EPS. Medtronics quarterly revenue was up 5.3% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts predict that Medtronic plc will post 5.16 EPS for the current year.

Medtronic Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 12th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, December 20th were given a dividend of $0.69 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, December 19th. This represents a $2.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.19%. Medtronics dividend payout ratio is presently 89.90%.

Medtronic Profile

(Free Report)

Medtronic plc develops, manufactures, and sells device-based medical therapies to healthcare systems, physicians, clinicians, and patients worldwide. Its Cardiovascular Portfolio segment offers implantable cardiac pacemakers, cardioverter defibrillators, and cardiac resynchronization therapy devices; cardiac ablation products; insertable cardiac monitor systems; TYRX products; and remote monitoring and patient-centered software.

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Arizona State Retirement System decreased its holdings in shares of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA  Free Report) by 1.5% during the third quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 239,536 shares of the credit services providers stock after selling 3,762 shares during the quarter. Mastercard comprises about 0.8% of Arizona State Retirement Systems investment portfolio, making the stock its 18th biggest holding. Arizona State Retirement Systems holdings in Mastercard were worth $94,835,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Bornite Capital Management LP bought a new stake in shares of Mastercard during the 1st quarter valued at about $21,442,000. United Bank increased its holdings in shares of Mastercard by 34.5% in the 1st quarter. United Bank now owns 6,007 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $2,147,000 after buying an additional 1,541 shares during the last quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp lifted its holdings in shares of Mastercard by 30.1% during the 1st quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 272,358 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $97,335,000 after acquiring an additional 63,040 shares during the last quarter. First Western Trust Bank bought a new position in Mastercard in the first quarter valued at $1,168,000. Finally, Bridgewater Associates LP purchased a new stake in Mastercard during the first quarter valued at about $12,926,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 74.94% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

MA has been the topic of several recent research reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on Mastercard from $510.00 to $496.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, October 9th. Morgan Stanley lowered their price objective on shares of Mastercard from $443.00 to $439.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Friday, October 27th. Tigress Financial increased their target price on shares of Mastercard from $476.00 to $495.00 and gave the company a strong-buy rating in a report on Thursday, December 7th. Barclays lowered their price target on shares of Mastercard from $479.00 to $470.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Monday, October 30th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $475.00 price objective on shares of Mastercard in a research note on Tuesday, December 5th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nineteen have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $463.50.

Mastercard Stock Up 0.4 %

Shares of MA stock traded up $1.73 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $438.53. 2,725,548 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,176,106. The firm has a market cap of $411.24 billion, a PE ratio of 38.20, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.93 and a beta of 1.10. The company has a current ratio of 1.17, a quick ratio of 1.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.24. The companys 50 day moving average is $421.48 and its two-hundred day moving average is $406.06. Mastercard Incorporated has a 1 year low of $340.21 and a 1 year high of $440.94.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 26th. The credit services provider reported $3.39 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.21 by $0.18. Mastercard had a return on equity of 188.83% and a net margin of 44.85%. The business had revenue of $6.53 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.53 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $2.68 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 13.5% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts predict that Mastercard Incorporated will post 12.17 EPS for the current year.

Mastercard Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 9th. Investors of record on Tuesday, January 9th will be given a dividend of $0.66 per share. This is a boost from Mastercards previous quarterly dividend of $0.57. This represents a $2.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.60%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, January 8th. Mastercards dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 23.00%.

Mastercard announced that its Board of Directors has initiated a share repurchase plan on Tuesday, December 5th that authorizes the company to buyback $11.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the credit services provider to reacquire up to 2.9% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are generally an indication that the companys leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, major shareholder Foundation Mastercard sold 125,816 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $386.20, for a total transaction of $48,590,139.20. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 98,172,589 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $37,914,253,871.80. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In other news, Director Richard K. Davis purchased 1,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 9th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $390.96 per share, for a total transaction of $390,960.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now directly owns 9,743 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,809,123.28. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, major shareholder Foundation Mastercard sold 125,816 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $386.20, for a total transaction of $48,590,139.20. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 98,172,589 shares of the companys stock, valued at $37,914,253,871.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 520,262 shares of company stock valued at $201,031,282 over the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock.

Mastercard Profile

(Free Report)

Mastercard Incorporated, a technology company, provides transaction processing and other payment-related products and services in the United States and internationally. It facilitates the processing of payment transactions, including authorization, clearing, and settlement, as well as delivers other payment-related products and services.

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Carr Financial Group Corp lifted its stake in shares of AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV  Free Report) by 20.6% in the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 5,491 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 937 shares during the period. Carr Financial Group Corps holdings in AbbVie were worth $776,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in ABBV. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. raised its holdings in AbbVie by 5.0% in the 2nd quarter. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. now owns 372,189 shares of the companys stock valued at $50,154,000 after acquiring an additional 17,879 shares in the last quarter. DDD Partners LLC raised its holdings in shares of AbbVie by 9,979.7% in the 2nd quarter. DDD Partners LLC now owns 135,673 shares of the companys stock worth $18,279,000 after buying an additional 134,327 shares in the last quarter. Polar Capital Holdings Plc raised its holdings in shares of AbbVie by 11.6% in the 2nd quarter. Polar Capital Holdings Plc now owns 358,872 shares of the companys stock worth $48,351,000 after buying an additional 37,368 shares in the last quarter. Altfest L J & Co. Inc. raised its holdings in shares of AbbVie by 0.9% in the 3rd quarter. Altfest L J & Co. Inc. now owns 23,346 shares of the companys stock worth $3,480,000 after buying an additional 215 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of Montreal Can acquired a new position in shares of AbbVie in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $486,807,000. Institutional investors own 67.86% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity at AbbVie

In related news, EVP Nicholas Donoghoe sold 2,912 shares of AbbVie stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $154.72, for a total value of $450,544.64. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 55,903 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,649,312.16. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. 0.26% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

AbbVie Stock Down 0.4 %

Shares of ABBV traded down $0.73 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $164.40. The stock had a trading volume of 4,654,408 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,876,630. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $153.78 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $148.95. AbbVie Inc. has a twelve month low of $130.96 and a twelve month high of $167.95. The firm has a market cap of $295.92 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 45.04, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.93 and a beta of 0.50. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.59, a current ratio of 0.96 and a quick ratio of 0.84.

AbbVie (NYSE:ABBV  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 27th. The company reported $2.95 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.86 by $0.09. The firm had revenue of $13.93 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $13.72 billion. AbbVie had a return on equity of 152.70% and a net margin of 11.81%. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 6.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $3.66 EPS. On average, analysts anticipate that AbbVie Inc. will post 11.16 EPS for the current year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

ABBV has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Barclays increased their target price on AbbVie from $170.00 to $175.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, January 23rd. HSBC lowered AbbVie from a buy rating to a hold rating and decreased their price objective for the company from $167.00 to $156.00 in a research report on Monday, December 18th. StockNews.com began coverage on AbbVie in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a strong-buy rating on the stock. UBS Group reduced their price target on AbbVie from $157.00 to $150.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, October 20th. Finally, Raymond James raised their price target on AbbVie from $177.00 to $181.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, December 1st. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $167.13.

Read Our Latest Research Report on ABBV

AbbVie Profile

(Free Report)

AbbVie Inc discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells pharmaceuticals worldwide. The company offers Humira, a therapy administered as an injection for autoimmune, intestinal Behcet's diseases, and pyoderma gangrenosum; Skyrizi to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, psoriatic disease, and Crohn's disease; Rinvoq, a JAK inhibitor to treat rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, atopic dermatitis, axial spondyloarthropathy, and ulcerative colitis; Imbruvica for the treatment of adult patients with blood cancers; and Venclexta/Venclyxto to treat hematological malignancies.

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Carr Financial Group Corp decreased its holdings in shares of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:AGG  Free Report) by 9.7% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 19,047 shares of the companys stock after selling 2,052 shares during the quarter. iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF makes up approximately 0.7% of Carr Financial Group Corps portfolio, making the stock its 29th biggest position. Carr Financial Group Corps holdings in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF were worth $1,794,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Great Valley Advisor Group Inc. lifted its stake in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 8.7% during the third quarter. Great Valley Advisor Group Inc. now owns 231,429 shares of the companys stock worth $21,763,000 after purchasing an additional 18,609 shares during the last quarter. Cornerstone Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 19.7% in the third quarter. Cornerstone Wealth Management LLC now owns 6,998 shares of the companys stock valued at $658,000 after purchasing an additional 1,151 shares during the period. Firestone Capital Management increased its holdings in shares of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 2.4% in the third quarter. Firestone Capital Management now owns 73,104 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,875,000 after purchasing an additional 1,694 shares during the period. HBC Financial Services PLLC increased its holdings in shares of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 3.3% in the third quarter. HBC Financial Services PLLC now owns 116,082 shares of the companys stock valued at $10,916,000 after purchasing an additional 3,670 shares during the period. Finally, Cape Investment Advisory Inc. increased its holdings in shares of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 11.4% in the third quarter. Cape Investment Advisory Inc. now owns 1,210 shares of the companys stock valued at $114,000 after purchasing an additional 124 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 83.21% of the companys stock.

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iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF Trading Down 0.1 %

Shares of NYSEARCA:AGG traded down $0.11 during trading on Friday, reaching $98.07. The company had a trading volume of 5,022,843 shares, compared to its average volume of 8,388,142. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $97.86 and its 200 day moving average price is $96.09. iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF has a fifty-two week low of $91.58 and a fifty-two week high of $101.15.

About iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF

IShares are index funds that are bought and sold like common stocks on national securities exchanges as well as certain foreign exchanges. iShares are attractive because of their relatively low cost, tax efficiency and trading flexibility. Investors can purchase and sell shares through any brokerage firm, financial advisor, or online broker, and hold the funds in any type of brokerage account.

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China Dongsheng International, Inc. (OTCMKTS:CDSG  Get Free Report) was the target of a significant decrease in short interest in January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totalling 45,800 shares, a decrease of 29.9% from the December 31st total of 65,300 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 685,200 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.1 days.

China Dongsheng International Price Performance

CDSG traded down $0.00 during trading on Monday, reaching $0.02. The stock had a trading volume of 42,500 shares, compared to its average volume of 601,490. The stocks 50 day moving average is $0.03 and its two-hundred day moving average is $0.04. China Dongsheng International has a one year low of $0.02 and a one year high of $0.19.

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About China Dongsheng International

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China Dongsheng International, Inc intends to acquire public and private companies that are engaged in the technology, natural resource, and various other sectors. China Dongsheng International, Inc was founded in 2002 and based in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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Ghe LLC increased its position in The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG  Free Report) by 1.4% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 8,509 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 117 shares during the period. Procter & Gamble comprises approximately 0.8% of Ghe LLCs holdings, making the stock its 28th largest position. Ghe LLCs holdings in Procter & Gamble were worth $1,241,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Your Advocates Ltd. LLP boosted its holdings in Procter & Gamble by 632.0% in the 2nd quarter. Your Advocates Ltd. LLP now owns 183 shares of the companys stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 158 shares during the period. Wunderlich Capital Managemnt bought a new position in Procter & Gamble in the 2nd quarter worth $40,000. Itau Unibanco Holding S.A. bought a new position in Procter & Gamble in the 2nd quarter worth $50,000. CGC Financial Services LLC bought a new position in Procter & Gamble in the 2nd quarter worth $55,000. Finally, VitalStone Financial LLC bought a new position in Procter & Gamble in the 2nd quarter worth $60,000. Institutional investors own 63.43% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity

In other news, insider Marc S. Pritchard sold 101,704 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, January 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $153.57, for a total transaction of $15,618,683.28. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 163,428 shares in the company, valued at $25,097,637.96. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, insider Marc S. Pritchard sold 101,704 shares of Procter & Gamble stock in a transaction on Wednesday, January 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $153.57, for a total transaction of $15,618,683.28. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 163,428 shares in the company, valued at $25,097,637.96. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, COO Shailesh Jejurikar sold 31,275 shares of Procter & Gamble stock in a transaction on Thursday, January 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $154.90, for a total transaction of $4,844,497.50. Following the sale, the chief operating officer now owns 9,623 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,490,602.70. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 273,956 shares of company stock worth $41,971,013. Corporate insiders own 0.17% of the companys stock.

Procter & Gamble Trading Up 0.3 %

Shares of NYSE:PG traded up $0.52 during trading on Friday, reaching $156.14. 8,356,819 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 7,637,163. The firm has a market capitalization of $367.40 billion, a PE ratio of 26.15, a P/E/G ratio of 3.19 and a beta of 0.45. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $148.72 and its 200-day simple moving average is $150.37. The Procter & Gamble Company has a 12-month low of $135.83 and a 12-month high of $158.38. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, a current ratio of 0.64 and a quick ratio of 0.48.

Procter & Gamble (NYSE:PG  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, January 23rd. The company reported $1.84 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.70 by $0.14. Procter & Gamble had a net margin of 17.60% and a return on equity of 33.89%. The business had revenue of $21.44 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $21.48 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.59 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was up 3.2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts anticipate that The Procter & Gamble Company will post 6.44 EPS for the current year.

Procter & Gamble Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 19th will be paid a dividend of $0.9407 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 18th. This represents a $3.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.41%. Procter & Gambles dividend payout ratio is presently 62.98%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have commented on the stock. StockNews.com raised shares of Procter & Gamble from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Sunday. DZ Bank raised shares of Procter & Gamble from a sell rating to a hold rating and set a $155.00 price objective for the company in a report on Friday, October 20th. Barclays increased their price objective on shares of Procter & Gamble from $160.00 to $165.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price objective on shares of Procter & Gamble from $156.00 to $157.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a report on Wednesday. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on shares of Procter & Gamble from $162.00 to $170.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $166.76.

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Procter & Gamble Profile

(Free Report)

The Procter & Gamble Company provides branded consumer packaged goods worldwide. It operates through five segments: Beauty; Grooming; Health Care; Fabric & Home Care; and Baby, Feminine & Family Care. The Beauty segment offers conditioners, shampoos, styling aids, and treatments under the Head & Shoulders, Herbal Essences, Pantene, and Rejoice brands; and antiperspirants and deodorants, personal cleansing, and skin care products under the Olay, Old Spice, Safeguard, Secret, and SK-II brands.

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Great Valley Advisor Group Inc. boosted its position in AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV  Free Report) by 9.1% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 61,602 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 5,159 shares during the period. Great Valley Advisor Group Inc.s holdings in AbbVie were worth $9,182,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of AbbVie by 89,097.0% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 29,203,106 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,719,514,000 after acquiring an additional 29,170,366 shares during the period. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich lifted its position in shares of AbbVie by 85,216.7% during the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 28,082,858 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,783,603,000 after acquiring an additional 28,049,942 shares during the period. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of AbbVie during the 4th quarter worth approximately $3,033,348,000. Morgan Stanley raised its position in shares of AbbVie by 17.9% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 31,571,750 shares of the companys stock worth $5,102,311,000 after purchasing an additional 4,785,277 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership raised its position in shares of AbbVie by 426.5% during the 1st quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 4,652,122 shares of the companys stock worth $754,155,000 after purchasing an additional 3,768,579 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 67.86% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

ABBV has been the subject of several research reports. Morgan Stanley lifted their price objective on AbbVie from $193.00 to $196.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, October 30th. Raymond James lifted their price objective on AbbVie from $177.00 to $181.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, December 1st. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded AbbVie from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $173.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Monday, December 11th. UBS Group lowered their target price on shares of AbbVie from $157.00 to $150.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Friday, October 20th. Finally, Barclays lifted their target price on shares of AbbVie from $170.00 to $175.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 23rd. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $167.13.

Insider Buying and Selling at AbbVie

In other AbbVie news, EVP Nicholas Donoghoe sold 2,912 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $154.72, for a total value of $450,544.64. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 55,903 shares in the company, valued at $8,649,312.16. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 0.26% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

AbbVie Stock Performance

ABBV traded down $0.73 on Friday, hitting $164.40. 4,654,408 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,876,630. The firm has a market cap of $295.92 billion, a PE ratio of 45.04, a P/E/G ratio of 2.93 and a beta of 0.50. AbbVie Inc. has a twelve month low of $130.96 and a twelve month high of $167.95. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $153.78 and a two-hundred day moving average of $148.95. The company has a current ratio of 0.96, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.59.

AbbVie (NYSE:ABBV  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 27th. The company reported $2.95 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.86 by $0.09. AbbVie had a net margin of 11.81% and a return on equity of 152.70%. The company had revenue of $13.93 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $13.72 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $3.66 earnings per share. AbbVies revenue was down 6.0% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts anticipate that AbbVie Inc. will post 11.16 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

AbbVie Company Profile

(Free Report)

AbbVie Inc discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells pharmaceuticals worldwide. The company offers Humira, a therapy administered as an injection for autoimmune, intestinal Behcet's diseases, and pyoderma gangrenosum; Skyrizi to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, psoriatic disease, and Crohn's disease; Rinvoq, a JAK inhibitor to treat rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, atopic dermatitis, axial spondyloarthropathy, and ulcerative colitis; Imbruvica for the treatment of adult patients with blood cancers; and Venclexta/Venclyxto to treat hematological malignancies.

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Kellett Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Free Report) by 15.8% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 5,079 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after purchasing an additional 693 shares during the period. Kellett Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb were worth $295,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich increased its stake 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 acquiring an additional 658,377,716 shares during the period. Norges Bank bought a new position in Bristol-Myers Squibb during the 4th quarter worth $1,873,696,000. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC increased its stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 114,228.7% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 21,469,785 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $1,544,751,000 after acquiring an additional 21,451,006 shares during the period. Capital International Investors increased its stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 12.8% during the 2nd quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 69,296,006 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $4,431,517,000 after acquiring an additional 7,878,833 shares during the period. Finally, Bank of Montreal Can bought a new position in Bristol-Myers Squibb during the 2nd quarter worth $208,647,000. Institutional investors own 74.98% of the companys stock.

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Bristol-Myers Squibb Stock Performance

NYSE:BMY traded up $0.09 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $49.70. The stock had a trading volume of 10,855,482 shares, compared to its average volume of 14,001,830. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a 12-month low of $48.25 and a 12-month high of $75.18. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.11, a quick ratio of 1.07 and a current ratio of 1.18. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $50.57 and a 200 day simple moving average of $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.

Bristol-Myers Squibb ( NYSE:BMY Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 26th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $2.00 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.76 by $0.24. Bristol-Myers Squibb had a net margin of 18.44% and a return on equity of 51.59%. The company had revenue of $10.97 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.96 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.99 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was down 2.2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts forecast that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 7.43 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Bristol-Myers Squibb declared that its Board of Directors has approved a stock buyback program on Thursday, December 7th that authorizes the company to repurchase $3.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the biopharmaceutical company to purchase up to 2.9% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are often a sign that the companys management believes its shares are undervalued.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 5th will be given a $0.60 dividend. This is a positive change from Bristol-Myers Squibbs previous quarterly dividend of $0.57. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.83%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 4th. Bristol-Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 60.91%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, CEO Christopher S. Boerner acquired 2,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 82,672 shares in the company, valued at $4,115,412.16. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In related news, CEO Christopher S. Boerner purchased 2,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 5th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $49.78 per share, with a total value of $99,560.00. Following the purchase, the chief executive officer now directly owns 82,672 shares in the company, valued at $4,115,412.16. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director Theodore R. Samuels II purchased 8,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, November 20th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $49.81 per share, with a total value of $423,385.00. Following the purchase, the director now owns 35,500 shares in the company, valued at $1,768,255. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders have bought 13,571 shares of company stock worth $672,994 in the last three months. 0.09% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

BMY has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Bank of America downgraded Bristol-Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a neutral rating and reduced their target price for the company from $68.00 to $60.00 in a report on Wednesday, January 3rd. Daiwa Capital Markets downgraded Bristol-Myers Squibb from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and cut their price objective for the company from $68.00 to $54.00 in a report on Thursday, November 2nd. TheStreet downgraded Bristol-Myers Squibb from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a report on Thursday, November 9th. UBS Group reissued a neutral rating and set a $60.00 price objective (down previously from $70.00) on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a report on Friday, October 20th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft initiated coverage on Bristol-Myers Squibb in a report on Thursday, November 9th. They set a hold rating and a $55.00 price objective on the stock. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, fourteen have given a hold rating, three have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $62.41.

Read Our Latest Analysis on Bristol-Myers Squibb

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company 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.

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Kellett Wealth Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV  Free Report) by 3.7% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 4,177 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 150 shares during the period. AbbVie makes up approximately 0.5% of Kellett Wealth Advisors LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 25th biggest position. Kellett Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings in AbbVie were worth $623,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Retirement Income Solutions Inc acquired a new position in shares of AbbVie during the first quarter worth $204,000. Ergoteles LLC increased its holdings in shares of AbbVie by 17.8% during the first quarter. Ergoteles LLC now owns 5,605 shares of the companys stock worth $909,000 after buying an additional 847 shares in the last quarter. First Western Trust Bank acquired a new position in shares of AbbVie during the first quarter worth $1,150,000. Wsfs Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of AbbVie during the first quarter worth $562,000. Finally, Bridgewater Associates LP increased its holdings in shares of AbbVie by 80.4% during the first quarter. Bridgewater Associates LP now owns 75,516 shares of the companys stock worth $12,242,000 after buying an additional 33,661 shares in the last quarter. 67.86% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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AbbVie Stock Down 0.4 %

Shares of ABBV stock traded down $0.73 on Friday, reaching $164.40. 4,654,408 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,876,630. The company has a market cap of $295.92 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 45.04, a PEG ratio of 2.93 and a beta of 0.50. The company has a 50-day moving average of $153.78 and a 200-day moving average of $148.95. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.59, a current ratio of 0.96 and a quick ratio of 0.84. AbbVie Inc. has a one year low of $130.96 and a one year high of $167.95.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

AbbVie ( NYSE:ABBV Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, October 27th. The company reported $2.95 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.86 by $0.09. The company had revenue of $13.93 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $13.72 billion. AbbVie had a net margin of 11.81% and a return on equity of 152.70%. The businesss revenue was down 6.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $3.66 EPS. Analysts anticipate that AbbVie Inc. will post 11.16 earnings per share for the current year.

A number of research firms recently weighed in on ABBV. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded AbbVie from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $173.00 price objective for the company in a report on Monday, December 11th. Raymond James increased their price objective on AbbVie from $177.00 to $181.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday, December 1st. UBS Group decreased their price objective on AbbVie from $157.00 to $150.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Friday, October 20th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft began coverage on AbbVie in a report on Thursday, November 9th. They issued a hold rating and a $150.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Barclays increased their price objective on AbbVie from $170.00 to $175.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, January 23rd. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, AbbVie has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $167.13.

Check Out Our Latest Report on ABBV

Insider Transactions at AbbVie

In other news, EVP Nicholas Donoghoe sold 2,912 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $154.72, for a total transaction of $450,544.64. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 55,903 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $8,649,312.16. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.26% of the companys stock.

AbbVie Company Profile

(Free Report)

AbbVie Inc discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells pharmaceuticals worldwide. The company offers Humira, a therapy administered as an injection for autoimmune, intestinal Behcet's diseases, and pyoderma gangrenosum; Skyrizi to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, psoriatic disease, and Crohn's disease; Rinvoq, a JAK inhibitor to treat rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, atopic dermatitis, axial spondyloarthropathy, and ulcerative colitis; Imbruvica for the treatment of adult patients with blood cancers; and Venclexta/Venclyxto to treat hematological malignancies.

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Alan Pergament TV Critic Follow Alan Pergament 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

You likely wont see a more important documentary in months than the new episode of the PBS series Frontline titled Democracy on Trial. It premiered Jan. 30 on PBS, but can be watched online via PBS.org and through the Frontline/PBS YouTube channel.

Much of the 2-hour documentary re-hashes the highlights of the House Select Committee investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection with a twist.

It supplements much of the information about President Donald Trumps behavior before and after the insurrection with interviews with some of the key witnesses in the televised committee hearings produced by a former president of ABC News executive known as a storyteller, British-American James Goldston.

The interviews for the program remind viewers that almost all the witnesses were lifelong Republicans and Trump supporters who ultimately chose the constitution and their personal ethics over the pressure to overturn the 2020 election won by President Biden.

The testimony by Georgia election officials Gabriel Sterling and Brad Raffensperger and Arizona election official Rusty Bowers helped lead the committee to urge the Department of Justice to pursue criminal charges against the former president.

Special counsel Jack Smith used the hearings as a blueprint for the eventual criminal charges against Trump.

Sterling said in his interview for the program that he hates California Rep. Adam Schiff, the Democrat who was assigned to question him.

Bowers laughed during his interview about a ludicrous claim by attorney Rudy Giuliani  we have a lot of ideas, we dont have any evidence of voter fraud  to try and convince him to ignore his oath.

Liz Cheney, one of only two Republicans who agreed to serve on the Jan. 6 committee and lost her House seat because of it, is said to be driven by personal reasons. The image of Mike Pence, Trumps vice president, being brought to safety from a Jan. 6 mob reminded her of 9/11 when her father, Dick Cheney, was brought to a bunker for his safety.

Since the committee had its last hearing and issued its final report more than a year ago, the results of the House investigation have receded from the minds of many American voters about 10 months before it appears a likely Biden-Trump rematch.

With commentary from political journalists and lawyers, the Frontline documentary serves as a reminder about what happened three years ago and what it could mean to the November election.

In an interview for the program, New York Times chief White House correspondent Peter Baker said a potential trial before the 2024 election would be the trial of the century.

He also called the testimony by 25-year-old Cassidy Hutchinson, the former aide to chief of staff Mark Meadows, the most powerful moment in the entire hearings.

As powerful as the documentary can be at times, a statement early in the program speaks to how influential it may be: Americans now live in an information bubble and only hear or watch what they want and not what they need to hear and watch.

That likely means some people who should watch the documentary will just view Democracy on Trial as more anti-Trump propaganda and avoid the program like Bills fans who dont want to watch the Bills playoff loss to Kansas City again.

The former presidents successful strategy of declaring all his legal problems witch hunts has been on display recently in televised interviews with his supporters after his win in the New Hampshire primary and his $83.3 million loss Friday in the defamation trial brought by writer E. Jean Carroll.

His supporters use his identical words in declaring all his trials as witch hunts perpetuated by Democrats and the news media despite the fact Republicans were the witnesses in the Jan. 6 investigation.

During an interview with ABCs Martha Raddatz on a Sunday morning program, one elementary school teacher and Trump supporter in Pennsylvania suggested, we have to get control of the media.

Another Trump supporter told Raddatz he believes the former president really cares about Americans, which is a narrative dismissed by his former cabinet members and his niece who have said he cares only about himself.

That claim by the Trump supporter also seems to be contradicted by reports last week that the former president is trying to scuttle a much-needed and long-awaited bipartisan immigration bill because it will eliminate a campaign issue against Biden. Even some Republicans in Congress are pushing back on that.

The media still is having difficulty trying to figure out how to cover Trump. At a time that elements of the media are in financial peril, there also can be some reluctance to point out obvious lies or hyperbole for fear of losing more readers or viewers who think they are unfair to the former president.

Frontline doesnt worry about that.

The documentary notes Trumps history of saying any contest he loses is rigged. The rigged claims include a 2016 primary loss to Sen. Ted Cruz and something as laughable as his reality show, The Apprentice losing an Emmy to The Amazing Race.

While the program overwhelmingly deals with Trumps ability to sell himself as a victim, it offers some balance in assessing his legal woes.

Robert Ray, Trumps former impeachment attorney, provides some balance by being skeptical about how successful Smith will be in convicting the former president of criminal charges because of First Amendment, immunity issues and proving intent.

Of course, if the former president wins the Republican nomination and the November election, it all likely will be moot. He can have the Department of Justice drop the insurrection case.

He is ahead in many polls, although they can be unreliable this far from an election.

But recent interviews with his unwavering supporters suggest many Americans are more concerned about the price of eggs, meat and gasoline than they are about voting for someone found liable of sexually assaulting a woman and accused of subverting a presidential election.

You can bet your grocery bill on one certainty: If the former president loses the 2024 election, he will claim it was rigged and many supporters will believe him.
Keystone Financial Group lowered its position in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (NYSEARCA:IJR  Free Report) by 5.1% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 24,749 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 1,337 shares during the period. Keystone Financial Groups holdings in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF were worth $2,335,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Flputnam Investment Management Co. lifted its holdings in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF by 4.5% in the 3rd quarter. Flputnam Investment Management Co. now owns 418,884 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $39,513,000 after purchasing an additional 17,923 shares in the last quarter. Ardent Capital Management Inc. lifted its holdings in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF by 315.2% in the 3rd quarter. Ardent Capital Management Inc. now owns 10,246 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $967,000 after purchasing an additional 7,778 shares in the last quarter. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund purchased a new position in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF in the 3rd quarter valued at $3,169,000. PFG Investments LLC lifted its holdings in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF by 68.0% in the 3rd quarter. PFG Investments LLC now owns 11,326 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $1,068,000 after purchasing an additional 4,586 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Hudock Inc. raised its holdings in shares of iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF by 2.3% during the 3rd quarter. Hudock Inc. now owns 268,263 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $25,305,000 after acquiring an additional 6,053 shares during the period.

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iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF Stock Performance

Shares of NYSEARCA IJR traded up $0.15 during trading on Friday, hitting $106.00. 4,066,627 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,910,875. iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF has a 12-month low of $87.32 and a 12-month high of $110.55. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $103.28 and a 200-day moving average price of $99.16. The firm has a market capitalization of $74.04 billion, a PE ratio of 12.11 and a beta of 1.15.

iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF Profile

iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF, formerly iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Index Fund, seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Standard & Poors SmallCap 600 Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of publicly traded securities in the small-capitalization sector of the United States equity market.

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Mesa Royalty Trust (NYSE:MTR  Get Free Report) declared a monthly dividend on Thursday, January 18th, Wall Street Journal reports. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, January 31st will be given a dividend of 0.0252 per share by the energy company on Tuesday, April 30th. This represents a $0.30 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.78%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, January 30th.

Mesa Royalty Trust has raised its dividend payment by an average of 72.0% annually over the last three years.

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Mesa Royalty Trust Trading Down 0.9 %

Mesa Royalty Trust stock opened at $10.88 on Monday. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $13.94 and a 200-day moving average of $16.15. Mesa Royalty Trust has a 52 week low of $10.80 and a 52 week high of $29.50.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Mesa Royalty Trust

Mesa Royalty Trust ( NYSE:MTR Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 14th. The energy company reported $0.15 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The business had revenue of $0.36 million for the quarter. Mesa Royalty Trust had a return on equity of 129.71% and a net margin of 88.93%.

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Citadel Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Mesa Royalty Trust during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $513,000. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SNC raised its position in shares of Mesa Royalty Trust by 50.0% during the 1st quarter. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SNC now owns 2,032 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $33,000 after acquiring an additional 677 shares in the last quarter. UBS Group AG raised its position in shares of Mesa Royalty Trust by 28.6% during the 4th quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 5,026 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $111,000 after acquiring an additional 1,118 shares in the last quarter. Finally, BNP Paribas Arbitrage SA increased its position in Mesa Royalty Trust by 67.3% in the second quarter. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SA now owns 11,223 shares of the energy companys stock worth $122,000 after buying an additional 4,513 shares during the period. 10.21% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Mesa Royalty Trust Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Mesa Royalty Trust owns net overriding royalty interests in various oil and gas producing properties in the United States. The company has interests in properties located in the Hugoton field of Kansas; and the San Juan Basin of Northwestern New Mexico and Southwestern Colorado. Mesa Royalty Trust was founded in 1979 and is based in Houston, Texas.

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Mitsubishi UFJ Kokusai Asset Management Co. Ltd. grew its stake in NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE  Free Report) by 8.4% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 2,009,785 shares of the utilities providers stock after acquiring an additional 155,521 shares during the quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Kokusai Asset Management Co. Ltd. owned 0.10% of NextEra Energy worth $115,141,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in NEE. Argonautica Private Wealth Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of NextEra Energy by 4.8% during the third quarter. Argonautica Private Wealth Management Inc. now owns 24,508 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,404,000 after purchasing an additional 1,113 shares in the last quarter. Account Management LLC acquired a new position in NextEra Energy in the third quarter valued at approximately $3,083,000. Private Wealth Partners LLC lifted its stake in NextEra Energy by 0.8% in the third quarter. Private Wealth Partners LLC now owns 27,744 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,589,000 after buying an additional 230 shares during the period. Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OH lifted its stake in NextEra Energy by 6.6% in the third quarter. Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OH now owns 730,162 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $41,831,000 after buying an additional 45,436 shares during the period. Finally, Wealthspire Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of NextEra Energy by 58.4% during the third quarter. Wealthspire Advisors LLC now owns 47,571 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $2,725,000 after acquiring an additional 17,542 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 76.48% of the companys stock.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Nicole S. Arnaboldi bought 8,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, December 8th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $59.59 per share, with a total value of $506,515.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now owns 11,523 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $686,655.57. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.38% of the companys stock.

NextEra Energy Stock Up 0.9 %

Shares of NYSE NEE traded up $0.50 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $58.48. 11,649,977 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 9,581,431. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.05, a quick ratio of 0.43 and a current ratio of 0.50. NextEra Energy, Inc. has a 52 week low of $47.15 and a 52 week high of $79.78. The company has a market cap of $119.98 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.20, a PEG ratio of 2.08 and a beta of 0.52. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $59.71 and a 200-day moving average price of $62.29.

NextEra Energy (NYSE:NEE  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 25th. The utilities provider reported $0.52 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.49 by $0.03. NextEra Energy had a return on equity of 11.93% and a net margin of 26.00%. The company had revenue of $6.88 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.72 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $0.51 earnings per share. Research analysts anticipate that NextEra Energy, Inc. will post 3.44 EPS for the current year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have recently commented on NEE. Seaport Res Ptn downgraded NextEra Energy from a neutral rating to a sell rating in a report on Thursday, November 9th. Guggenheim upped their price objective on NextEra Energy from $70.00 to $80.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, January 22nd. The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their price objective on NextEra Energy from $83.00 to $72.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Monday, October 2nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on NextEra Energy from $65.00 to $67.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 29th. Finally, Wolfe Research dropped their price target on NextEra Energy from $79.00 to $60.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, October 20th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, NextEra Energy currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $73.00.

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NextEra Energy Company Profile

(Free Report)

NextEra Energy, Inc, through its subsidiaries, generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electric power to retail and wholesale customers in North America. The company generates electricity through wind, solar, nuclear, coal, and natural gas facilities. It also develops, constructs, and operates long-term contracted assets that consists of clean energy solutions, such as renewable generation facilities, battery storage projects, and electric transmission facilities; sells energy commodities; and owns, develops, constructs, manages and operates electric generation facilities in wholesale energy markets.

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MU Investments Co. Ltd. cut its stake in shares of Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN  Free Report) by 0.9% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 11,320 shares of the information technology services providers stock after selling 100 shares during the period. Accenture accounts for approximately 4.6% of MU Investments Co. Ltd.s portfolio, making the stock its 11th largest holding. MU Investments Co. Ltd.s holdings in Accenture were worth $3,405,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. First Foundation Advisors boosted its stake in Accenture by 6.8% in the second quarter. First Foundation Advisors now owns 11,574 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $3,572,000 after buying an additional 741 shares in the last quarter. BOKF NA boosted its stake in shares of Accenture by 0.6% during the second quarter. BOKF NA now owns 45,759 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $14,120,000 after purchasing an additional 276 shares during the period. TrinityPoint Wealth LLC boosted its stake in shares of Accenture by 12.9% during the second quarter. TrinityPoint Wealth LLC now owns 3,695 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $1,140,000 after purchasing an additional 422 shares during the period. New Republic Capital LLC bought a new position in shares of Accenture during the second quarter valued at approximately $606,000. Finally, Aspire Private Capital LLC raised its holdings in shares of Accenture by 4.5% during the second quarter. Aspire Private Capital LLC now owns 2,291 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $707,000 after acquiring an additional 99 shares in the last quarter. 70.42% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Insider Activity at Accenture

In related news, CEO Julie Spellman Sweet sold 9,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, October 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $291.41, for a total transaction of $2,622,690.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 35,830 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $10,441,220.30. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In other Accenture news, CEO Julie Spellman Sweet sold 9,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, October 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $291.41, for a total transaction of $2,622,690.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 35,830 shares in the company, valued at approximately $10,441,220.30. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, General Counsel Joel Unruch sold 1,083 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $300.00, for a total value of $324,900.00. Following the completion of the sale, the general counsel now owns 35,526 shares in the company, valued at approximately $10,657,800. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 28,884 shares of company stock valued at $9,296,856 in the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 0.07% of the companys stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts recently commented on the company. Wedbush upped their target price on Accenture from $330.00 to $360.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, December 14th. StockNews.com raised Accenture from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, November 9th. Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on Accenture from $369.00 to $400.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday. Redburn Atlantic began coverage on Accenture in a research note on Thursday, November 16th. They set a buy rating and a $410.00 target price on the stock. Finally, UBS Group lifted their price objective on Accenture from $365.00 to $400.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $358.06.

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Accenture Stock Performance

NYSE ACN traded down $0.87 on Friday, reaching $371.07. 1,404,798 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,861,524. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $345.92 and a 200-day moving average price of $324.50. The company has a market cap of $232.78 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.39, a PEG ratio of 3.41 and a beta of 1.21. Accenture plc has a 12 month low of $242.80 and a 12 month high of $375.73.

Accenture (NYSE:ACN  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, December 19th. The information technology services provider reported $3.27 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.14 by $0.13. The business had revenue of $16.22 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $16.17 billion. Accenture had a return on equity of 29.08% and a net margin of 10.65%. Accentures revenue was up 3.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $3.08 EPS. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Accenture plc will post 12.22 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Accenture Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, January 18th will be given a $1.29 dividend. This represents a $5.16 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.39%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, January 17th. Accentures payout ratio is 47.82%.

Accenture Company Profile

(Free Report)

Accenture plc, a professional services company, provides strategy and consulting, industry X, song, and technology and operation services worldwide. The company offers application services, including agile transformation, DevOps, application modernization, enterprise architecture, software and quality engineering, data management; intelligent automation comprising robotic process automation, natural language processing, and virtual agents; and application management services, as well as software engineering services; strategy and consulting services; data and analytics strategy, data discovery and augmentation, data management and beyond, data democratization, and industrialized solutions comprising turnkey analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions; metaverse; and sustainability services.

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HM Payson & Co. reduced its stake in Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE  Free Report) by 8.4% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 816,640 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 74,796 shares during the period. HM Payson & Co.s holdings in Pfizer were worth $27,088,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Quinn Opportunity Partners LLC acquired a new position in Pfizer in the second quarter valued at approximately $10,304,000. Fulton Bank N.A. boosted its position in shares of Pfizer by 4.7% during the third quarter. Fulton Bank N.A. now owns 176,239 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $5,846,000 after buying an additional 7,991 shares during the period. Portside Wealth Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Pfizer during the second quarter worth approximately $2,072,000. Fifth Third Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Pfizer during the second quarter worth approximately $220,000. Finally, Brookstone Capital Management boosted its position in shares of Pfizer by 88.5% during the third quarter. Brookstone Capital Management now owns 452,352 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $14,109,000 after buying an additional 212,369 shares during the period. 68.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Pfizer Stock Performance

NYSE:PFE remained flat at $27.47 during trading hours on Friday. 47,073,756 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 36,093,784. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $28.76 and its 200 day simple moving average is $32.08. The company has a current ratio of 2.38, a quick ratio of 2.05 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63. Pfizer Inc. has a 52 week low of $25.76 and a 52 week high of $44.46. The firm has a market capitalization of $155.11 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.01, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.76 and a beta of 0.59.

Pfizer Increases Dividend

Pfizer ( NYSE:PFE Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, October 31st. The biopharmaceutical company reported ($0.17) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.32) by $0.15. Pfizer had a net margin of 15.30% and a return on equity of 16.72%. The company had revenue of $13.23 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $13.77 billion. Research analysts predict that Pfizer Inc. will post 1.52 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 26th will be issued a dividend of $0.42 per share. This is a boost from Pfizers previous quarterly dividend of $0.41. This represents a $1.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.12%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 25th. Pfizers payout ratio is currently 91.80%.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Scott Gottlieb purchased 3,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 15th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $26.47 per share, for a total transaction of $79,410.00. Following the acquisition, the director now directly owns 9,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $238,230. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. 0.05% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on PFE shares. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on Pfizer from $39.00 to $35.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Monday, October 16th. Morgan Stanley dropped their target price on Pfizer from $39.00 to $37.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, November 1st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their target price on Pfizer from $36.00 to $34.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Monday, October 16th. Cantor Fitzgerald reissued an overweight rating and set a $45.00 target price on shares of Pfizer in a report on Tuesday, January 9th. Finally, Truist Financial dropped their target price on Pfizer from $42.00 to $36.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, December 14th. Thirteen research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $38.22.

Read Our Latest Analysis on Pfizer

Pfizer Profile

(Free Report)

Pfizer Inc discovers, develops, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers medicines and vaccines in various therapeutic areas, including cardiovascular metabolic, migraine, and women's health under the Eliquis, Nurtec ODT/Vydura, and the Premarin family brands; infectious diseases with unmet medical needs under the Prevnar family, Nimenrix, FSME/IMMUN-TicoVac, and Trumenba brands; and COVID-19 prevention and treatment, and potential future mRNA and antiviral products under the Comirnaty and Paxlovid brands.

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Phoenix Wealth Advisors grew its stake in shares of Chevron Co. (NYSE:CVX  Free Report) by 25.6% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 2,076 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after acquiring an additional 423 shares during the quarter. Phoenix Wealth Advisors holdings in Chevron were worth $350,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in CVX. Cantor Fitzgerald Investment Advisor L.P boosted its holdings in shares of Chevron by 85.1% in the first quarter. Cantor Fitzgerald Investment Advisor L.P now owns 159,115 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $25,908,000 after buying an additional 73,141 shares during the last quarter. Axiom Financial Strategies LLC raised its position in shares of Chevron by 25.2% during the first quarter. Axiom Financial Strategies LLC now owns 7,335 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $1,155,000 after buying an additional 1,476 shares during the last quarter. GQG Partners LLC increased its position in Chevron by 4.7% in the first quarter. GQG Partners LLC now owns 40,538 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $6,598,000 after purchasing an additional 1,813 shares during the last quarter. Lumature Wealth Partners LLC increased its position in Chevron by 43.5% in the first quarter. Lumature Wealth Partners LLC now owns 5,837 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $950,000 after purchasing an additional 1,770 shares during the last quarter. Finally, First Trust Advisors LP lifted its stake in Chevron by 13.8% in the first quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 2,068,600 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $336,830,000 after acquiring an additional 250,840 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 68.87% of the companys stock.

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Chevron Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:CVX traded up $0.57 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $149.14. 9,151,896 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 8,226,757. Chevron Co. has a 1 year low of $139.62 and a 1 year high of $184.23. The company has a market cap of $281.54 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.07, a PEG ratio of 0.77 and a beta of 1.12. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a current ratio of 1.25. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $146.59 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $154.96.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Chevron ( NYSE:CVX Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Friday, October 27th. The oil and gas company reported $3.05 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $3.70 by ($0.65). Chevron had a net margin of 12.11% and a return on equity of 16.15%. The business had revenue of $54.08 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $51.41 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $5.56 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was down 18.9% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts predict that Chevron Co. will post 12.97 EPS for the current fiscal year.

A number of analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Bank of America raised shares of Chevron from a neutral rating to a buy rating and upped their price objective for the stock from $190.00 to $200.00 in a research note on Monday, October 30th. TD Cowen downgraded shares of Chevron from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and cut their price target for the stock from $170.00 to $150.00 in a report on Tuesday, January 23rd. Mizuho cut their price target on shares of Chevron from $215.00 to $195.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, November 14th. Raymond James lowered their price objective on Chevron from $200.00 to $175.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, October 30th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and issued a $180.00 price objective on shares of Chevron in a research report on Tuesday, October 24th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Chevron has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $181.53.

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Chevron Company Profile

(Free Report)

Chevron Corporation, through its subsidiaries, engages in the integrated energy and chemicals operations in the United States and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Upstream and Downstream. The Upstream segment is involved in the exploration, development, production, and transportation of crude oil and natural gas; liquefaction, transportation, and regasification associated with liquefied natural gas; transportation of crude oil through pipelines; and processing, transportation, storage, and marketing of natural gas, as well as a gas-to-liquids plant.

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Schechter Investment Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Chevron Co. (NYSE:CVX  Free Report) by 0.7% in the third quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 14,431 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after purchasing an additional 103 shares during the quarter. Schechter Investment Advisors LLCs holdings in Chevron were worth $2,433,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich boosted its stake in shares of Chevron by 100,509.4% during the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 426,861,553 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $67,166,665,000 after purchasing an additional 426,437,277 shares during the period. Morgan Stanley boosted its position in Chevron by 12.7% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 32,906,060 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $5,906,309,000 after buying an additional 3,711,923 shares during the period. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC boosted its position in Chevron by 104,997.3% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 24,490,824 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $4,395,858,000 after buying an additional 24,467,521 shares during the period. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its position in Chevron by 0.8% in the 2nd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 23,867,243 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $3,732,044,000 after buying an additional 199,759 shares during the period. Finally, Norges Bank purchased a new stake in Chevron in the 4th quarter valued at about $3,058,235,000. 68.87% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on CVX shares. Sanford C. Bernstein raised shares of Chevron from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and lowered their price objective for the company from $184.00 to $182.00 in a research report on Thursday, November 2nd. TD Cowen cut shares of Chevron from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and lowered their price objective for the company from $170.00 to $150.00 in a research report on Tuesday, January 23rd. Jefferies Financial Group raised shares of Chevron from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $184.00 price target for the company in a research report on Monday, January 8th. BNP Paribas raised shares of Chevron from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and set a $190.00 price target for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 12th. Finally, Mizuho reduced their price objective on shares of Chevron from $215.00 to $195.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, November 14th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $181.53.

Chevron Stock Performance

Shares of CVX stock traded up $0.57 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $149.14. The companys stock had a trading volume of 9,151,896 shares, compared to its average volume of 8,226,757. The company has a 50 day moving average of $146.59 and a 200 day moving average of $154.96. The stock has a market cap of $281.54 billion, a PE ratio of 11.07, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.77 and a beta of 1.12. The company has a current ratio of 1.25, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12. Chevron Co. has a 12-month low of $139.62 and a 12-month high of $184.23.

Chevron (NYSE:CVX  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, October 27th. The oil and gas company reported $3.05 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.70 by ($0.65). The business had revenue of $54.08 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $51.41 billion. Chevron had a net margin of 12.11% and a return on equity of 16.15%. The firms revenue was down 18.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned $5.56 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Chevron Co. will post 12.97 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Chevron Company Profile

(Free Report)

Chevron Corporation, through its subsidiaries, engages in the integrated energy and chemicals operations in the United States and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Upstream and Downstream. The Upstream segment is involved in the exploration, development, production, and transportation of crude oil and natural gas; liquefaction, transportation, and regasification associated with liquefied natural gas; transportation of crude oil through pipelines; and processing, transportation, storage, and marketing of natural gas, as well as a gas-to-liquids plant.

Further Reading

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Schechter Investment Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Free Report) by 15.1% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 26,655 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after acquiring an additional 3,503 shares during the period. Schechter Investment Advisors LLCs holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb were worth $1,547,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich grew its position in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 86,002.1% in 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 during the period. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb during the 4th quarter valued at $1,873,696,000. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 114,228.7% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 21,469,785 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $1,544,751,000 after acquiring an additional 21,451,006 shares during the period. Capital International Investors lifted its stake 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 buying an additional 7,878,833 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of Montreal Can purchased a new position in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb during the 2nd quarter valued at $208,647,000. Institutional investors own 74.98% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts have commented on BMY shares. Bank of America cut shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a neutral rating and decreased their price target for the stock from $68.00 to $60.00 in a research note on Wednesday, January 3rd. Daiwa Capital Markets cut shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and decreased their target price for the company from $68.00 to $54.00 in a research report on Thursday, November 2nd. Barclays cut their price target on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from $60.00 to $51.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Friday, October 27th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, October 27th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group cut their price target on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from $81.00 to $69.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Monday, October 30th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, fourteen have given a hold rating, three have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $62.41.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Stock Up 0.2 %

NYSE:BMY traded up $0.09 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $49.70. 10,855,482 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 14,001,830. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a 12-month low of $48.25 and a 12-month high of $75.18. The business has a 50-day moving average of $50.57 and a two-hundred day moving average of $55.75. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.11, a quick ratio of 1.07 and a current ratio of 1.18. The stock has a market capitalization of $101.13 billion, a PE ratio of 12.61, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.38 and a beta of 0.35.

Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, October 26th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $2.00 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.76 by $0.24. Bristol-Myers Squibb had a net margin of 18.44% and a return on equity of 51.59%. The company had revenue of $10.97 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.96 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.99 earnings per share. Bristol-Myers Squibbs revenue for the quarter was down 2.2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts forecast that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 7.43 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 5th will be issued a $0.60 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 4th. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.83%. This is a boost from Bristol-Myers Squibbs previous quarterly dividend of $0.57. Bristol-Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 60.91%.

Bristol-Myers Squibb announced that its board has approved a stock buyback plan on Thursday, December 7th that permits the company to buyback $3.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization permits the biopharmaceutical company to buy up to 2.9% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are typically an indication that the companys board believes its shares are undervalued.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, CEO Christopher S. Boerner purchased 2,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 5th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $49.78 per share, with a total value of $99,560.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the chief executive officer now owns 82,672 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,115,412.16. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other news, Director Theodore R. Samuels II purchased 8,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 20th. The shares were bought at an average price of $49.81 per share, for a total transaction of $423,385.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 35,500 shares in the company, valued at $1,768,255. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CEO Christopher S. Boerner purchased 2,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 5th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $49.78 per share, for a total transaction of $99,560.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 82,672 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,115,412.16. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders purchased 13,571 shares of company stock valued at $672,994. Insiders own 0.09% of the companys stock.

About Bristol-Myers Squibb

(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.

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Sigma Planning Corp lessened its holdings in Chevron Co. (NYSE:CVX  Free Report) by 1.0% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 47,271 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after selling 459 shares during the period. Sigma Planning Corps holdings in Chevron were worth $7,971,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Windsor Advisory Group LLC grew its position in shares of Chevron by 24.0% in the third quarter. Windsor Advisory Group LLC now owns 3,720 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $627,000 after purchasing an additional 720 shares during the period. Dechtman Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Chevron in the 2nd quarter worth about $648,000. Altrius Capital Management Inc increased its stake in Chevron by 2.1% during the 3rd quarter. Altrius Capital Management Inc now owns 21,333 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $3,597,000 after buying an additional 434 shares in the last quarter. Tsfg LLC raised its holdings in shares of Chevron by 5.3% during the third quarter. Tsfg LLC now owns 3,473 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $586,000 after acquiring an additional 176 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Berkeley Capital Partners LLC lifted its position in shares of Chevron by 13.1% in the second quarter. Berkeley Capital Partners LLC now owns 14,333 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $2,255,000 after acquiring an additional 1,661 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 68.87% of the companys stock.

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Chevron Trading Up 0.4 %

CVX stock traded up $0.57 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $149.14. 9,151,896 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 8,226,757. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $146.59 and a 200-day simple moving average of $154.96. The firm has a market capitalization of $281.54 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.07, a PEG ratio of 0.77 and a beta of 1.12. Chevron Co. has a 12-month low of $139.62 and a 12-month high of $184.23. The company has a quick ratio of 0.97, a current ratio of 1.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Chevron ( NYSE:CVX Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Friday, October 27th. The oil and gas company reported $3.05 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.70 by ($0.65). Chevron had a net margin of 12.11% and a return on equity of 16.15%. The company had revenue of $54.08 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $51.41 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $5.56 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 18.9% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts predict that Chevron Co. will post 12.97 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Several research analysts recently commented on CVX shares. Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on Chevron from $203.00 to $201.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, October 17th. Bank of America upgraded shares of Chevron from a neutral rating to a buy rating and increased their target price for the company from $190.00 to $200.00 in a research report on Monday, October 30th. Mizuho lowered their price target on shares of Chevron from $215.00 to $195.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, November 14th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Chevron in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Finally, Raymond James dropped their price target on Chevron from $200.00 to $175.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Monday, October 30th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $181.53.

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Chevron Profile

(Free Report)

Chevron Corporation, through its subsidiaries, engages in the integrated energy and chemicals operations in the United States and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Upstream and Downstream. The Upstream segment is involved in the exploration, development, production, and transportation of crude oil and natural gas; liquefaction, transportation, and regasification associated with liquefied natural gas; transportation of crude oil through pipelines; and processing, transportation, storage, and marketing of natural gas, as well as a gas-to-liquids plant.

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Sivik Global Healthcare LLC lifted its holdings in Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO  Free Report) by 40.0% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 10,500 shares of the medical research companys stock after purchasing an additional 3,000 shares during the quarter. Thermo Fisher Scientific accounts for about 2.7% of Sivik Global Healthcare LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 19th biggest holding. Sivik Global Healthcare LLCs holdings in Thermo Fisher Scientific were worth $5,315,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of TMO. Halpern Financial Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific by 307.7% during the third quarter. Halpern Financial Inc. now owns 53 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 40 shares during the last quarter. Coppell Advisory Solutions LLC purchased a new stake in Thermo Fisher Scientific during the 2nd quarter valued at $33,000. Live Oak Investment Partners purchased a new position in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific in the 4th quarter worth $36,000. Tyler Stone Wealth Management bought a new stake in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific in the second quarter worth $37,000. Finally, Indiana Trust & Investment Management CO bought a new position in Thermo Fisher Scientific in the third quarter valued at about $38,000. 87.06% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Insider Activity

In other Thermo Fisher Scientific news, CEO Marc N. Casper sold 10,000 shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $456.15, for a total value of $4,561,500.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 131,175 shares in the company, valued at $59,835,476.25. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.32% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus reduced their price target on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from $660.00 to $530.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 26th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, October 26th. Citigroup raised their target price on Thermo Fisher Scientific from $530.00 to $575.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, December 11th. Royal Bank of Canada lowered their price target on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from $657.00 to $579.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, October 26th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating and set a $475.00 price objective for the company in a research note on Wednesday, October 25th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $595.76.

Check Out Our Latest Report on TMO

Thermo Fisher Scientific Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:TMO traded up $9.12 on Friday, reaching $547.33. The companys stock had a trading volume of 3,172,314 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,707,843. The company has a market cap of $211.47 billion, a P/E ratio of 35.87, a PEG ratio of 3.29 and a beta of 0.81. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67, a quick ratio of 1.25 and a current ratio of 1.63. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $520.21 and a 200 day simple moving average of $513.11. Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. has a 52-week low of $415.60 and a 52-week high of $597.54.

Thermo Fisher Scientific (NYSE:TMO  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 25th. The medical research company reported $5.69 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $5.61 by $0.08. Thermo Fisher Scientific had a net margin of 13.68% and a return on equity of 18.88%. The business had revenue of $10.57 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.60 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $5.08 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was down 1.0% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. will post 21.52 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Thermo Fisher Scientific announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a share buyback program on Tuesday, November 14th that allows the company to buyback $4.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization allows the medical research company to reacquire up to 2.2% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are typically a sign that the companys board believes its shares are undervalued.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, January 16th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 15th were given a dividend of $0.35 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, December 14th. This represents a $1.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.26%. Thermo Fisher Scientifics dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 9.17%.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Profile

(Free Report)

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc provides life sciences solutions, analytical instruments, specialty diagnostics, and laboratory products and biopharma services in the United States and internationally. The company's Life Sciences Solutions segment offers reagents, instruments, and consumables for biological and medical research, discovery, and production of drugs and vaccines, as well as diagnosis of infections and diseases; and solutions include biosciences, genetic sciences, clinical next-generation sequencing, bio production to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, agricultural, clinical, healthcare, academic, and government markets.

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The City of Tonawanda, the Town of Aurora and the Village of Gowanda have been awarded state grants totaling nearly $20 million to help the communities revitalize their downtowns by capitalizing on their waterfronts, natural assets and small-town charm.

The funds, through the state's Downtown Revitalization Initiative and NY Forward programs, are designed to accelerate transformations of municipalities with walkable urban cores that have the potential for change but need financial help to get there.

Created in 2016, the downtown initiative focuses on larger downtowns and neighborhoods, while New York Forward is targeted toward smaller and rural areas.

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Both programs were funded last year at $100 million each, and Gov. Kathy Hochul has proposed another $100 million each as part of her new budget. To date, the state has spent $1 billion on the two initiatives, including $700 million in the first six years, for 69 downtowns.

"This helps reinvigorate their downtowns," Gov. Kathy Hochul said Friday. "This is something that their communities devised. It's their vision, not ours. All of them have that common denominator of giving a facelift to their downtowns."

City of Tonawanda

The state said Tonawanda will get a $10 million DRI grant, as the Western New York winner of the program's seventh round. The city will now use $300,000 to develop and implement a strategic plan to make its downtown "more inviting and thriving" to attract residents, visitors and economic activity, based on its location and convergence of waterfronts - the Erie Canal, Niagara River and Ellicott Creek.

The plan will use a mix of public and private projects to redevelop vacant buildings and properties with new housing and commercial space, enhance waterfront development and access, improve streetscapes and trails, add event space and create tourist attractions.

Neighboring North Tonawanda  its "twin city"  received a similar award in 2021. Other prior Western New York recipients include Jamestown, Olean, Lockport, Niagara Falls, Buffalo and Dunkirk.

"That place is going to be on fire. There's going to be so much activity," Hochul said. "There already is on the Niagara County side. Now we're doing it on the Erie County side."

Town of Aurora

The state said the Town of Aurora will use its $4.5 million award to "create a more welcoming, walkable and green community for both residents and visitors" in the hamlet of West Falls, a primarily rural center along Cazenovia Creek.

The town will now develop a strategic investment plan to allocate its funding. Proposed projects include a renovated library and community center, a mixed-use housing complex, a general-store-and-blueberry-farm venue, an enhanced concert and art center, a restored train depot and multi-use rail-trail improvements.

Gowanda

Gowanda will get $4.5 million from NY Forward, which it proposes to use on projects such as restoring the historic Hollywood Theatre, developing a micro-brewery, improving the New York and Lake Erie Railroad excursions, and cleaning up and redeveloping a federal Superfund site into Gateway Park along Cattaraugus Creek. That would build on what the village did previously.

"Gowanda and West Falls, they think they just won the lottery," Hochul said. "They can use this money in ways they could never have imagined. And it doesn't just change the physical. It changes the psychological. When people in tse communities see change before their eyes, it really makes people proud of their downtowns."
Sivik Global Healthcare LLC boosted its stake in UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH  Free Report) by 50.0% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 15,000 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock after acquiring an additional 5,000 shares during the quarter. UnitedHealth Group accounts for 3.8% of Sivik Global Healthcare LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 9th largest position. Sivik Global Healthcare LLCs holdings in UnitedHealth Group were worth $7,563,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Keebeck Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in UnitedHealth Group by 11.6% in the 2nd quarter. Keebeck Wealth Management LLC now owns 10,788 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock valued at $5,185,000 after acquiring an additional 1,122 shares in the last quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. increased its stake in UnitedHealth Group by 24.0% in the 2nd quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. now owns 42,045 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock valued at $20,209,000 after buying an additional 8,144 shares during the last quarter. Private Ocean LLC increased its stake in UnitedHealth Group by 37.1% in the 2nd quarter. Private Ocean LLC now owns 1,272 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock valued at $612,000 after buying an additional 344 shares during the last quarter. Blue Chip Partners LLC increased its stake in UnitedHealth Group by 0.5% in the 2nd quarter. Blue Chip Partners LLC now owns 49,995 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock valued at $24,030,000 after buying an additional 228 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in UnitedHealth Group in the 3rd quarter valued at $207,000. 85.69% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on UNH shares. Stephens lowered their price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $615.00 to $605.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, January 16th. Piper Sandler lowered their price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $584.00 to $581.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, January 17th. Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and set a $596.00 price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research note on Tuesday, January 16th. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $565.00 to $503.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, November 20th. Finally, UBS Group upgraded shares of UnitedHealth Group from a neutral rating to a buy rating and boosted their price objective for the stock from $520.00 to $640.00 in a research note on Monday, October 16th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating, thirteen have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, UnitedHealth Group has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $575.79.

Insider Buying and Selling at UnitedHealth Group

In other news, Director Stephen J. Hemsley sold 66,081 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $550.39, for a total transaction of $36,370,321.59. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 635,528 shares in the company, valued at $349,788,255.92. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Corporate insiders own 0.35% of the companys stock.

UnitedHealth Group Stock Performance

NYSE UNH traded up $9.80 during trading on Friday, reaching $503.20. The companys stock had a trading volume of 6,212,173 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,903,457. The company has a current ratio of 0.79, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62. The firm has a market capitalization of $465.42 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.11, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.37 and a beta of 0.56. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has a 12 month low of $445.68 and a 12 month high of $554.70. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $531.77 and a 200 day moving average price of $516.30.

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 12th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $6.16 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $5.98 by $0.18. The firm had revenue of $94.43 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $92.13 billion. UnitedHealth Group had a net margin of 6.02% and a return on equity of 26.39%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 14.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $5.34 EPS. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that UnitedHealth Group Incorporated will post 27.84 EPS for the current fiscal year.

UnitedHealth Group Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 12th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 4th were given a $1.88 dividend. This represents a $7.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.49%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 1st. UnitedHealth Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 31.54%.

UnitedHealth Group Company Profile

(Free Report)

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated operates as a diversified health care company in the United States. It operates through four segments: UnitedHealthcare, Optum Health, Optum Insight, and Optum Rx. The UnitedHealthcare segment offers consumer-oriented health benefit plans and services for national employers, public sector employers, mid-sized employers, small businesses, and individuals; health care coverage, and health and well-being services to individuals age 50 and older addressing their needs; Medicaid plans, children's health insurance and health care programs; and health and dental benefits, and hospital and clinical services, as well as health care benefits products and services to state programs caring for the economically disadvantaged, medically underserved, and those without the benefit of employer-funded health care coverage.

Further Reading

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Smithfield Trust Co lifted its position in shares of ServiceNow, Inc. (NYSE:NOW  Free Report) by 21.7% in the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 719 shares of the information technology services providers stock after buying an additional 128 shares during the quarter. Smithfield Trust Cos holdings in ServiceNow were worth $404,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. First Foundation Advisors grew its stake in shares of ServiceNow by 2.1% during the 2nd quarter. First Foundation Advisors now owns 5,292 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $2,974,000 after acquiring an additional 108 shares during the period. First Hawaiian Bank grew its stake in shares of ServiceNow by 2.2% during the 3rd quarter. First Hawaiian Bank now owns 7,514 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $4,200,000 after acquiring an additional 165 shares during the period. NorthRock Partners LLC grew its stake in shares of ServiceNow by 7.9% during the 2nd quarter. NorthRock Partners LLC now owns 714 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $401,000 after acquiring an additional 52 shares during the period. William Blair Investment Management LLC bought a new position in shares of ServiceNow during the 2nd quarter worth $144,098,000. Finally, Catalyst Financial Partners LLC grew its stake in shares of ServiceNow by 7.8% during the 2nd quarter. Catalyst Financial Partners LLC now owns 926 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $520,000 after acquiring an additional 67 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 87.14% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling at ServiceNow

In other ServiceNow news, CFO Gina Mastantuono sold 1,178 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $581.00, for a total transaction of $684,418.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 7,924 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,603,844. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, Director Paul Edward Chamberlain sold 135 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $682.00, for a total transaction of $92,070.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 10,744 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,327,408. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CFO Gina Mastantuono sold 1,178 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $581.00, for a total transaction of $684,418.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 7,924 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,603,844. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 9,997 shares of company stock valued at $6,496,675. 0.24% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

NOW has been the subject of several research reports. BMO Capital Markets increased their price target on ServiceNow from $630.00 to $850.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday. Argus increased their price objective on ServiceNow from $675.00 to $770.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, December 6th. Barclays increased their price objective on ServiceNow from $765.00 to $870.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, January 23rd. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price objective on ServiceNow from $840.00 to $850.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday. Finally, Mizuho increased their price objective on ServiceNow from $750.00 to $820.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twenty-four have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $750.93.

Check Out Our Latest Report on ServiceNow

ServiceNow Trading Up 0.4 %

NOW traded up $2.75 on Friday, hitting $769.44. 1,799,864 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,140,767. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $703.75 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $619.89. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21, a quick ratio of 1.08 and a current ratio of 1.08. ServiceNow, Inc. has a 12 month low of $405.37 and a 12 month high of $783.88. The stock has a market capitalization of $157.74 billion, a PE ratio of 91.49, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.08 and a beta of 1.05.

ServiceNow (NYSE:NOW  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, January 24th. The information technology services provider reported $3.11 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.77 by $0.34. The company had revenue of $2.44 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.40 billion. ServiceNow had a return on equity of 12.33% and a net margin of 19.30%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 25.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.88 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts expect that ServiceNow, Inc. will post 5.64 earnings per share for the current year.

ServiceNow Profile

(Free Report)

ServiceNow, Inc provides enterprise cloud computing solutions that defines, structures, consolidates, manages, and automates services for enterprises worldwide. The company operates the Now platform for workflow automation, artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotic process automation, process mining, performance analytics, electronic service catalogs and portals, configuration management systems, data benchmarking, encryption, and collaboration and development tools.

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Tanger Inc. (NYSE:SKT  Get Free Report) declared a quarterly dividend on Wednesday, January 17th, Zacks reports. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, January 31st will be paid a dividend of 0.26 per share by the real estate investment trust on Thursday, February 15th. This represents a $1.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.72%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, January 30th.

Tanger has raised its dividend by an average of 10.8% annually over the last three years and has increased its dividend annually for the last 1 consecutive years. Tanger has a dividend payout ratio of 119.5% meaning the company cannot currently cover its dividend with earnings alone and is relying on its balance sheet to cover its dividend payments. Analysts expect Tanger to earn $2.03 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $1.04 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 51.2%.

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Tanger Trading Up 0.1 %

Shares of NYSE SKT opened at $27.96 on Monday. Tanger has a 1-year low of $17.22 and a 1-year high of $28.77. The company has a 50-day moving average of $26.98 and a two-hundred day moving average of $24.67. The company has a current ratio of 2.04, a quick ratio of 2.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.78. The company has a market cap of $2.95 billion, a PE ratio of 32.14, a P/E/G ratio of 3.54 and a beta of 1.83.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have recently commented on SKT shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded shares of Tanger from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and lifted their price target for the stock from $27.00 to $29.00 in a research report on Monday, December 18th. Compass Point cut shares of Tanger from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $26.00 price target for the company. in a research report on Wednesday, November 8th. Finally, StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Tanger in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating for the company. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $24.67.

Get Our Latest Stock Report on Tanger

Insider Activity at Tanger

In related news, insider Steven B. Tanger sold 64,212 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $25.50, for a total transaction of $1,637,406.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 1,062,771 shares in the company, valued at $27,100,660.50. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, insider Steven B. Tanger sold 64,212 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $25.50, for a total transaction of $1,637,406.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 1,062,771 shares in the company, valued at $27,100,660.50. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider Steven B. Tanger sold 75,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $25.01, for a total transaction of $1,875,750.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 1,126,983 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $28,185,844.83. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 3.70% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC boosted its holdings in shares of Tanger by 151.5% in the first quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 1,846 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $37,000 after buying an additional 1,112 shares during the period. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Tanger in the first quarter valued at approximately $74,000. Advisory Services Network LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Tanger by 84.7% in the first quarter. Advisory Services Network LLC now owns 3,845 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $75,000 after buying an additional 1,763 shares during the period. Lazard Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Tanger in the third quarter valued at approximately $103,000. Finally, M&T Bank Corp boosted its holdings in shares of Tanger by 6.0% in the third quarter. M&T Bank Corp now owns 10,623 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $144,000 after buying an additional 602 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.94% of the companys stock.

About Tanger

(Get Free Report)

Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc (NYSE: SKT), a leading operator of upscale open-air outlet centers, fully or partially owns and/or manages a portfolio of 37 centers, including the newly opened Tanger Outlets Nashville. Tanger's operating centers, which comprise over 14 million square feet, are located in 20 states and in Canada and are leased to over 2,900 stores operated by more than 700 different brand name companies.

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Cornerstone Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in shares of The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG  Free Report) by 1.4% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 102,393 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 1,408 shares during the quarter. Procter & Gamble accounts for 1.4% of Cornerstone Wealth Management LLCs holdings, making the stock its 11th largest holding. Cornerstone Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Procter & Gamble were worth $14,935,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Your Advocates Ltd. LLP grew its stake in Procter & Gamble by 632.0% during the 2nd quarter. Your Advocates Ltd. LLP now owns 183 shares of the companys stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 158 shares in the last quarter. Wunderlich Capital Managemnt acquired a new position in shares of Procter & Gamble during the 2nd quarter worth about $40,000. Itau Unibanco Holding S.A. acquired a new position in shares of Procter & Gamble during the 2nd quarter worth about $50,000. CGC Financial Services LLC acquired a new position in shares of Procter & Gamble during the 2nd quarter worth about $55,000. Finally, VitalStone Financial LLC acquired a new position in shares of Procter & Gamble during the 2nd quarter worth about $60,000. 63.43% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Procter & Gamble Price Performance

NYSE:PG traded up $0.52 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $156.14. 8,356,819 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 7,637,163. The firms 50-day moving average is $148.72 and its 200-day moving average is $150.37. The stock has a market cap of $367.40 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.15, a P/E/G ratio of 3.19 and a beta of 0.45. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, a current ratio of 0.64 and a quick ratio of 0.48. The Procter & Gamble Company has a 1-year low of $135.83 and a 1-year high of $158.38.

Procter & Gamble Announces Dividend

Procter & Gamble ( NYSE:PG Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, January 23rd. The company reported $1.84 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.70 by $0.14. The firm had revenue of $21.44 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $21.48 billion. Procter & Gamble had a return on equity of 33.89% and a net margin of 17.60%. Procter & Gambles quarterly revenue was up 3.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.59 EPS. Equities research analysts expect that The Procter & Gamble Company will post 6.44 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 19th will be paid a dividend of $0.9407 per share. This represents a $3.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.41%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 18th. Procter & Gambles dividend payout ratio is presently 62.98%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Stifel Nicolaus upped their price objective on Procter & Gamble from $155.00 to $157.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday. Barclays boosted their target price on Procter & Gamble from $160.00 to $165.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday. StockNews.com raised Procter & Gamble from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Sunday. Jefferies Financial Group assumed coverage on Procter & Gamble in a report on Monday, November 13th. They issued a buy rating and a $177.00 target price for the company. Finally, DZ Bank raised Procter & Gamble from a sell rating to a hold rating and set a $155.00 target price for the company in a report on Friday, October 20th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $166.76.

View Our Latest Analysis on Procter & Gamble

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Procter & Gamble news, CFO Andre Schulten sold 40,298 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, November 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $150.61, for a total transaction of $6,069,281.78. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 36,460 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,491,240.60. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, insider Marc S. Pritchard sold 101,704 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, January 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $153.57, for a total value of $15,618,683.28. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 163,428 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $25,097,637.96. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, CFO Andre Schulten sold 40,298 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, November 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $150.61, for a total value of $6,069,281.78. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 36,460 shares in the company, valued at $5,491,240.60. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 273,956 shares of company stock valued at $41,971,013 in the last quarter. 0.17% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

About Procter & Gamble

(Free Report)

The Procter & Gamble Company provides branded consumer packaged goods worldwide. It operates through five segments: Beauty; Grooming; Health Care; Fabric & Home Care; and Baby, Feminine & Family Care. The Beauty segment offers conditioners, shampoos, styling aids, and treatments under the Head & Shoulders, Herbal Essences, Pantene, and Rejoice brands; and antiperspirants and deodorants, personal cleansing, and skin care products under the Olay, Old Spice, Safeguard, Secret, and SK-II brands.

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Arizona State Retirement System cut its stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH  Free Report) by 1.2% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 263,531 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock after selling 3,119 shares during the period. UnitedHealth Group accounts for approximately 1.1% of Arizona State Retirement Systems holdings, making the stock its 10th biggest holding. Arizona State Retirement Systems holdings in UnitedHealth Group were worth $132,870,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Robbins Farley purchased a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group in the third quarter worth about $25,000. NewSquare Capital LLC lifted its stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 340.0% in the third quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 66 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock worth $33,000 after acquiring an additional 51 shares in the last quarter. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL purchased a new stake in UnitedHealth Group during the 1st quarter worth approximately $35,000. WFA of San Diego LLC bought a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group in the second quarter worth $39,000. Finally, Annapolis Financial Services LLC grew its holdings in UnitedHealth Group by 38.6% during the 3rd quarter. Annapolis Financial Services LLC now owns 79 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock worth $40,000 after acquiring an additional 22 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 85.69% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

UNH has been the topic of several research reports. Morgan Stanley cut their price objective on UnitedHealth Group from $587.00 to $579.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, October 23rd. Truist Financial reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $610.00 price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a report on Thursday, November 30th. Jefferies Financial Group cut their target price on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $565.00 to $503.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a report on Monday, November 20th. StockNews.com downgraded UnitedHealth Group from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report on Saturday, October 21st. Finally, HSBC reaffirmed a reduce rating and issued a $480.00 target price (down from $550.00) on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research report on Monday, December 18th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating, thirteen have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $575.79.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Stephen J. Hemsley sold 66,081 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $550.39, for a total value of $36,370,321.59. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 635,528 shares of the companys stock, valued at $349,788,255.92. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Corporate insiders own 0.35% of the companys stock.

UnitedHealth Group Price Performance

Shares of UNH traded up $9.80 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $503.20. The stock had a trading volume of 6,212,173 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,903,457. The firms 50 day moving average price is $531.77 and its 200-day moving average price is $516.30. The company has a market capitalization of $465.42 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.11, a P/E/G ratio of 1.37 and a beta of 0.56. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has a 52 week low of $445.68 and a 52 week high of $554.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62, a current ratio of 0.79 and a quick ratio of 0.80.

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 12th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $6.16 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $5.98 by $0.18. The company had revenue of $94.43 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $92.13 billion. UnitedHealth Group had a net margin of 6.02% and a return on equity of 26.39%. The businesss revenue was up 14.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $5.34 EPS. On average, analysts forecast that UnitedHealth Group Incorporated will post 27.84 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

UnitedHealth Group Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 12th. Investors of record on Monday, December 4th were paid a $1.88 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 1st. This represents a $7.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.49%. UnitedHealth Groups dividend payout ratio is currently 31.54%.

About UnitedHealth Group

(Free Report)

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated operates as a diversified health care company in the United States. It operates through four segments: UnitedHealthcare, Optum Health, Optum Insight, and Optum Rx. The UnitedHealthcare segment offers consumer-oriented health benefit plans and services for national employers, public sector employers, mid-sized employers, small businesses, and individuals; health care coverage, and health and well-being services to individuals age 50 and older addressing their needs; Medicaid plans, children's health insurance and health care programs; and health and dental benefits, and hospital and clinical services, as well as health care benefits products and services to state programs caring for the economically disadvantaged, medically underserved, and those without the benefit of employer-funded health care coverage.

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Aviance Capital Partners LLC decreased its holdings in Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT  Free Report) by 3.1% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 7,060 shares of the retailers stock after selling 229 shares during the quarter. Aviance Capital Partners LLCs holdings in Walmart were worth $1,129,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Strategic Financial Concepts LLC increased its holdings in Walmart by 1.0% in the second quarter. Strategic Financial Concepts LLC now owns 6,074 shares of the retailers stock worth $955,000 after buying an additional 62 shares during the last quarter. Avaii Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in Walmart by 3.4% in the third quarter. Avaii Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,908 shares of the retailers stock worth $305,000 after buying an additional 63 shares during the last quarter. Carmel Capital Partners LLC increased its holdings in Walmart by 3.7% in the second quarter. Carmel Capital Partners LLC now owns 1,818 shares of the retailers stock worth $286,000 after buying an additional 65 shares during the last quarter. Verdence Capital Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Walmart by 1.1% in the second quarter. Verdence Capital Advisors LLC now owns 5,976 shares of the retailers stock worth $939,000 after buying an additional 65 shares during the last quarter. Finally, RB Capital Management LLC boosted its position in Walmart by 0.7% during the second quarter. RB Capital Management LLC now owns 9,770 shares of the retailers stock worth $1,536,000 after purchasing an additional 65 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 33.18% of the companys stock.

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Walmart Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:WMT traded up $1.43 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $164.27. The companys stock had a trading volume of 5,248,770 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,531,315. Walmart Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $136.09 and a fifty-two week high of $169.94. The company has a market capitalization of $442.25 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.24, a P/E/G ratio of 3.48 and a beta of 0.48. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49, a current ratio of 0.85 and a quick ratio of 0.23. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $157.28 and its 200-day simple moving average is $159.50.

Insider Activity at Walmart

Walmart ( NYSE:WMT Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, November 16th. The retailer reported $1.53 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $1.53. Walmart had a return on equity of 21.20% and a net margin of 2.55%. The company had revenue of $160.80 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $159.65 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.50 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 5.2% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Walmart Inc. will post 6.45 EPS for the current fiscal year.

In related news, CEO C Douglas Mcmillon sold 9,708 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, January 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $160.62, for a total value of $1,559,298.96. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 1,424,825 shares in the company, valued at $228,855,391.50. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In other Walmart news, EVP John D. Rainey sold 1,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $164.37, for a total transaction of $164,370.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 167,735 shares in the company, valued at $27,570,601.95. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, CEO C Douglas Mcmillon sold 9,708 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, January 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $160.62, for a total value of $1,559,298.96. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 1,424,825 shares in the company, valued at approximately $228,855,391.50. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 6,438,607 shares of company stock worth $1,008,960,557 over the last 90 days. Insiders own 46.51% of the companys stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the company. Truist Financial upped their target price on Walmart from $168.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Friday, November 17th. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $168.00 target price on shares of Walmart in a research report on Friday, November 17th. Stephens upped their target price on Walmart from $185.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, November 13th. Morgan Stanley decreased their target price on Walmart from $170.00 to $168.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Friday, November 17th. Finally, Evercore ISI reduced their price objective on Walmart from $187.00 to $177.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Friday, November 17th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twenty-eight have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Walmart currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $179.44.

Read Our Latest Research Report on WMT

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.

Further Reading

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Wealthspire Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT  Free Report) by 7.8% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 22,211 shares of the retailers stock after buying an additional 1,609 shares during the period. Wealthspire Advisors LLCs holdings in Walmart were worth $3,552,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in WMT. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich raised its holdings in Walmart by 93,272.8% during the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 821,003,685 shares of the retailers stock worth $129,045,359,000 after purchasing an additional 820,124,410 shares during the last quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Walmart by 112,181.6% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 22,854,919 shares of the retailers stock worth $3,240,599,000 after purchasing an additional 22,834,564 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new position in Walmart during the 4th quarter worth approximately $2,598,736,000. Barclays PLC raised its holdings in Walmart by 184.7% during the 2nd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 3,074,778 shares of the retailers stock worth $483,297,000 after purchasing an additional 1,994,682 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised its holdings in Walmart by 9.4% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 22,382,688 shares of the retailers stock worth $3,173,642,000 after purchasing an additional 1,923,199 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 33.18% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price objective on shares of Walmart from $169.00 to $171.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Monday, November 13th. StockNews.com lowered shares of Walmart from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday, November 17th. Telsey Advisory Group reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $185.00 price objective on shares of Walmart in a research note on Friday, November 17th. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $168.00 price objective on shares of Walmart in a research note on Friday, November 17th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets lowered their price objective on shares of Walmart from $180.00 to $175.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Friday, November 17th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twenty-eight have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Walmart presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $179.44.

Walmart Stock Performance

WMT traded up $1.43 during trading on Friday, hitting $164.27. 5,248,770 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 5,531,315. The company has a quick ratio of 0.23, a current ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49. The firm has a market cap of $442.25 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.24, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.48 and a beta of 0.48. Walmart Inc. has a one year low of $136.09 and a one year high of $169.94. The stocks fifty day moving average is $157.28 and its 200 day moving average is $159.50.

Walmart (NYSE:WMT  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, November 16th. The retailer reported $1.53 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $1.53. The firm had revenue of $160.80 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $159.65 billion. Walmart had a net margin of 2.55% and a return on equity of 21.20%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 5.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $1.50 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts predict that Walmart Inc. will post 6.45 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Walmart news, EVP John D. Rainey sold 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $154.06, for a total transaction of $154,060.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 166,735 shares in the company, valued at $25,687,194.10. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, major shareholder Alice L. Walton sold 433,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 17th. The shares were 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 sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, EVP John D. Rainey sold 1,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $154.06, for a total transaction of $154,060.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 166,735 shares in the company, valued at $25,687,194.10. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 6,438,607 shares of company stock worth $1,008,960,557 over the last quarter. 46.51% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

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.

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Wealthspire Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK  Free Report) by 37.0% in the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 57,526 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 15,529 shares during the quarter. Wealthspire Advisors LLCs holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. were worth $5,922,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Phoenix Wealth Advisors raised its stake in Merck & Co., Inc. by 2.4% during the 3rd quarter. Phoenix Wealth Advisors now owns 28,767 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,962,000 after purchasing an additional 672 shares during the last quarter. Smithfield Trust Co raised its stake in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. by 286.2% in the 3rd quarter. Smithfield Trust Co now owns 122,855 shares of the companys stock valued at $12,648,000 after buying an additional 91,040 shares in the last quarter. L.M. Kohn & Company raised its stake in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. by 3.5% in the 3rd quarter. L.M. Kohn & Company now owns 8,361 shares of the companys stock valued at $861,000 after buying an additional 282 shares in the last quarter. Cairn Investment Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. by 5.6% in the 3rd quarter. Cairn Investment Group Inc. now owns 3,695 shares of the companys stock valued at $380,000 after buying an additional 195 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cottage Street Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. by 6.9% in the 3rd quarter. Cottage Street Advisors LLC now owns 4,689 shares of the companys stock valued at $483,000 after buying an additional 303 shares in the last quarter. 74.59% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Merck & Co., Inc. Stock Up 0.6 %

Shares of NYSE MRK traded up $0.69 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $120.82. The companys stock had a trading volume of 8,300,304 shares, compared to its average volume of 7,099,936. The company has a current ratio of 1.38, a quick ratio of 1.12 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.82. Merck & Co., Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $99.14 and a fifty-two week high of $121.02. The stock has a market capitalization of $306.16 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 67.12, a PEG ratio of 1.65 and a beta of 0.35. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $109.97 and a 200-day simple moving average of $107.25.

Merck & Co., Inc. Dividend Announcement

Merck & Co., Inc. ( NYSE:MRK Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 26th. The company reported $2.13 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.94 by $0.19. Merck & Co., Inc. had a net margin of 7.77% and a return on equity of 18.26%. The company had revenue of $16 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $15.30 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.85 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 7.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts predict that Merck & Co., Inc. will post 1.38 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 5th. Investors of record on Friday, March 15th will be paid a $0.77 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 14th. This represents a $3.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.55%. Merck & Co., Inc.s dividend payout ratio is presently 171.11%.

Insider Activity at Merck & Co., Inc.

In related news, EVP Richard R. Deluca sold 43,823 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $105.03, for a total value of $4,602,729.69. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 111,764 shares of the companys stock, valued at $11,738,572.92. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In related news, insider Johannes Jacobus Oosthuizen sold 2,081 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $102.38, for a total value of $213,052.78. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 18,191 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,862,394.58. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, EVP Richard R. Deluca sold 43,823 shares of Merck & Co., Inc. stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $105.03, for a total transaction of $4,602,729.69. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 111,764 shares of the companys stock, valued at $11,738,572.92. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.20% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

MRK has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Truist Financial restated a buy rating and issued a $122.00 price objective on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. in a research note on Friday, October 6th. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a buy rating for the company. TD Cowen raised shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and upped their target price for the stock from $125.00 to $135.00 in a report on Thursday, January 4th. UBS Group raised shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from a neutral rating to a buy rating and upped their target price for the stock from $117.00 to $122.00 in a report on Friday, October 20th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets raised shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $132.00 target price on the stock in a report on Friday, October 27th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eighteen have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Merck & Co., Inc. presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $125.90.

Read Our Latest Research Report on MRK

Merck & Co., Inc. Company Profile

(Free Report)

Merck & Co, Inc operates as a healthcare company worldwide. It operates through two segments, Pharmaceutical and Animal Health. The Pharmaceutical segment offers human health pharmaceutical products in the areas of oncology, hospital acute care, immunology, neuroscience, virology, cardiovascular, and diabetes, as well as vaccine products, such as preventive pediatric, adolescent, and adult vaccines.

Further Reading

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MRK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK  Free Report).

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Whitecap Resources Inc. (OTCMKTS:SPGYF  Get Free Report) declared a dividend on Friday, January 19th, investing.com reports. Investors of record on Wednesday, January 31st will be paid a dividend of 0.0453 per share on Thursday, February 15th. This represents a yield of 8.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, January 30th.

Whitecap Resources Price Performance

Shares of OTCMKTS SPGYF opened at $6.67 on Monday. Whitecap Resources has a twelve month low of $6.06 and a twelve month high of $8.98. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $6.71 and a two-hundred day moving average of $7.55.

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About Whitecap Resources

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Whitecap Resources Inc, an oil and gas company, focuses on the acquisition, development, and production of oil and gas assets in Western Canada. The company's primary areas of focus of its development programs are in Northern Alberta and British Columbia, Central Alberta, and Saskatchewan. Whitecap Resources Inc was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.

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OLAF FUB SEZ: According to comedian W.C. Fields, born on this date in 1880: Horse sense is the thing a horse has which keeps it from betting on people.

. . .

TUNE IN  Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus managers Mark McGovern, director of construction and infrastructure, and Jamie Hamann-Burney, director of planning and implementation, share perspectives in the free online IMAGINE speaker series at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday. Link to Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84483062825.

Best-selling author and anti-racism activist Ibram X. Kendi appears at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in Asbury Hall, 341 Delaware Ave., to launch his newest book, Barracoon: Adapted for Young Readers, which reworks Zora Neale Hurstons Barracoon, a history of a survivor from the last ship bringing enslaved Africans to the U.S. To attend, purchase a copy of Kendis book for $15 from Talking Leaves Books, 951 Elmwood Ave., online at tleavesbooks.com or at the event. Kendis talk to students at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday will be livestreamed on buffaloschools.org.

. . .

BREAKING OUT  Beat the winter doldrums at the 13th annual Kick Cabin Fever Indoor Triathlon at 9 a.m. Saturday at Chautauqua Health and Fitness in the Turner Community Center at Chautauqua Institution. It includes a 15-minute swim in the indoor pool, 15 minutes of treadmill running and 15 minutes on stationary bikes. Registration is $35. Sign up at the Kick Cabin Fever page on Facebook. Co-sponsored by the Suicide Prevention Alliance of Chautauqua County, it was started by triathlete Cheryl Burns in memory of her brother, Marty Miller, who took his life in 2008.

. . .

KNOW IT ALL  A trivia night to benefit Dog Ears Bookstore and Cafe in South Buffalo will be held Saturday evening in Bishop Timon-St. Jude High School, 601 McKinley Parkway. Doors open at 6 p.m. First question from quizmaster Gary Browne at 7. Thirty tables for trivia teams, eight seats per table, $25 per person. Outside snacks and beverages welcome. For more info, call Dog Ears at 716-823-2665.

. . .

REUNION ALERT  A reunion for all years from Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary School on Albany Street in Buffalo will be held July 21 in Fontanas Grove, 2299 Clinton St., West Seneca. Reservations required. Call Helen Brown Kurzdorfer at 716-400-7977 or Rosie DiLiberto Mendolera at 716-881-1306 before May 15.

. . .

HAPPY BIRTHDAY  Patty Porter, Laura Kamela, Christine Schifferli, Samantha Chambers Zimmerman, Keith Bovanizer, Michelle Spagna, Lucas Forney, Roberta Roma, Roselyn Jeffords, Madeline Crapsi, Rolfe Porter, Wayne Kusienski, Sienna McCabe, Sister Mary Barbara Amrozawicz, Lincoln Charles Davidow, Tom Radice and Kenny Emblidge.

AND TUESDAY  Carl Emerling, Caroline Mallonee, Alexis Becker, Jon Hlavaty, Claudia Rabstein, Father Bart Lipiec, Staci Kenline, Michael Lucas Jr., Kali Graham, Bob Safe, Doug DiTondo, Rob Ruettimann, Edward J.F. Draves, Anthony Chef Tony Peters, Frank Romance, Lisa Pukalo, Rheanna Bain, Dorothy Makula, Michelle Kempf, Nathan Staddon, Craig McCabe, Sister Mary Kenneth Mondrala, Jitu Sanghvi, Debbie Keresztes, Shannon Nixon and Lenny Licata.

To submit birthdays and other items of interest to Reporters Notebook, please email olaffub@buffnews.com or send a letter to Reporters Notebook, Buffalo News, Box 100, Buffalo, NY 14240.
Rachita Prasad heads Moneycontrols coverage of conventional and new energy, and infrastructure sectors. Rachita is passionate about energy transition and the global efforts against climate change, with special focus on India. Before joining Moneycontrol, she was an Assistant Editor at The Economic Times, where she wrote for the paper for over a decade and was a host on their podcast. Contact: rachita.prasad@nw18.com
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Santosh Nair is Executive Editor, Special Projects, Moneycontrol. He has been writing on the financial markets for over two decades, having previously worked with Business Standard, myiris.com, Crisil Market Wire and The Economic Times. He is also the author of the popular book on Indian markets, Bulls, Bears and Other Beasts.
Dinesh Unnikrishnan is Editor-Banking & Finance at Moneycontrol. Dinesh heads the Banking and Finance Bureau at Moneycontrol. He also writes a weekly column, Banking Central, every Monday.
Building a new supermarket or planning a multimillion-dollar community market project are not the only means to chip away at Buffalos food insecurity.

In the case of the NY Food for NY Families initiative, planners say the benefits will be remarkable for the Buffalo Public Schools, the districts families, the surrounding community and 10 local producers over the next two years.

Nutritious, locally produced fruit, vegetables and proteins will be divvied into Buffalo Farm Shares and handed out for free to families at Community Schools Saturday Academies. These daylong gatherings offer cultural, recreational and educational programming for kids and adults at 22 sites on a rotating basis  but usually four or more each Saturday, detailed on the Community Schools Facebook page.

The academies, a partnership between the district and Say Yes Buffalo, run through June. Farm shares will be distributed through district partners over the summer before kicking off again at Community Schools in the fall.

The goal is to connect Buffalos underserved populations with local producers of fresh produce, fruits and proteins who eye new markets. They can distribute their products through the urban school districts existing infrastructure  its chief way of reaching families and immersing within neighborhoods  and see the effort as a positive step.

Its a big deal on so many levels, said Allison DeHonney, executive director of Urban Fruits & Veggies, one of the local producers selected through a request-for-proposals process. Its great for students to be exposed to the local agriculture sector.

In a Buffalo School Board approval vote Wednesday for the remainder of this school year, Eden Valley Growers was awarded by far the largest sum, about $232,000. EVG is a cooperative that markets and distributes for 10 family farms in the Eden area. Wardynskis Meats, a veteran partner of the Buffalo schools based on Peckham Street near the Buffalo Central Terminal, Burly Bros. Country Butchery, Ellicottville Greens, Issas Pita Chips, Flat 12 Mushrooms and DeHonneys farm were the other producers within 50 miles to receive new money.

Slate Foods, Headwater Food Hub and Mosner Family Brands were the New York producers selected from outside of that radius. Providence Farm Collective, which empowers refugee growers in Orchard Park, previously received $10,000 in the NY Food for NY Families program prior to Wednesdays RFP results.

Families are asked to bring a tote bag to the Saturday Academies, and they are limited to one farm share per household. A share might include 3 pounds of meat, eggs, a dairy product, eight vegetables, 5 pounds of potatoes, a 3-pound bag of apples and more, according to Buffalos request for proposals. Buffalo intends to distribute 26,000 of these shares each month, with an additional 5,000 halal shares.

These academies welcome members of the community not affiliated with the Buffalo Public Schools in addition to neighborhood families and children in the district, and have distributed free, New York-sourced food since last year. A recent $2 million grant awarded to the district has helped it expand opportunity exponentially  especially for smaller producers like Urban Fruits & Veggies, which will supply hydroponic lettuce from its greenhouses and growing container on Zenner Street.

This grant marks Urban Fruits & Veggies second contract with the Buffalo schools, an achievement DeHonney thought impossible until the district, with help from Cornell Cooperative Extension, tweaked its procurement process to give smaller producers and minority farm operators a better chance to contribute. Grants to empower hyperlocal growers are yet another avenue through which they can get involved.

I accepted the fact for years that it was never going to happen, she said.

Terms of the grant, which was federal money flowing through the states Department of Agriculture and Markets, included a competitive process scored on pricing, but also proximity and other factors. For instance, if a vendor was based in Buffalo, it would receive 20 points; if it fell within 50 miles of Buffalo, it would receive 10 points; or if it was simply in New York State, it would receive one point. Socially disadvantaged farmers and certified NY Grown producers could receive additional points as well.

Buffalo Schools gets value from sourcing New York foods, Cornell study finds New York products are still a relatively small piece of Buffalo's pie. Most of the food served is frozen, processed items shipped from around the country and reheated. With this study showing fresh food is not a money-sapping venture, Buffalo can more confidently build its farm-to-school program, and more districts may pursue the state incentive to work with local producers.

DeHonney hopes families enjoyment of the local goods will inspire students to consider a career in farming, either urban or rural. Were in trouble for the pipeline of workers and the skill sets of workers, she said Friday.

The district has budgeted about $450,000 of the grant money for this year, and about $1.2 million for next school year.

Were super excited, said DeHonney, who also runs the nonprofit Buffalo Go Green.
Sameet Chavan is the Vice President - Technical and Derivatives at Angel One Ltd.
Jinit Parmar is a correspondent based out of Mumbai covering the banking sector, fintechs, NBFCs, insurance and more, tweets @jinitparmar10
The state has been criticized for what many deem a slow rollout of its licensed retail cannabis program  and that rollout sputtered again last week.

The Office of Cannabis Management Cannabis Control Board had been expected to announce the first batch of recreational pot dispensary licenses granted to general licensing applicants Wednesday. But that meeting was canceled Tuesday night.

The Cannabis Control Board was scheduled to meet to approve a handful of licenses, but postponed that meeting to finalize review of adult-use license applications currently under consideration for approval by the board, it said in a statement.

While we have a batch of licenses ready for approval, there are many more we want to get across the finish line to jumpstart New Yorks cannabis market in 2024, the Control Board said. After months of licenses being held up by lawsuits from corporate interests, OCM is working hard to process this major backlog of applications  we want to ensure the issuance of as many licenses as possible, as soon as possible.

The cancellation came after Gov. Kathy Hochuls office told the board she was not happy with the rate at which it was approving licenses.

My team got involved and said, No, go back to the drawing board. Work harder. Get this done. And no, Im not satisfied with the pace, she said at a news conference Friday.

Hochul had expected about 400 retail and grower licenses to be reviewed before the meeting Wednesday, but the board had been prepared to approve just three new retail locations.

Ill tell you right now, Im very fed up with how long it is taking to get these approvals, Hochul said.

The OCM has said it plans to grant 500 to 1,000 licenses during the general licensing period. The state received 4,324 applications for retail dispensary licenses overall, with more than half of them being social equity applicants.

Nearly 1,500 retail applicants have already secured real estate  which qualifies their applications to be reviewed first. The applicants were packaged together with microbusiness licenses, then randomized and put into a lottery to populate a queue that determines the order in which each application will be reviewed.

Many applicants that have properties secured were under the impression that 500 to 1,000 licenses would be selected from among their pool of applications that closed in November. Now, board members have said just 250 applicants that have possession of real estate will be granted licenses from that application period.

We were all scratching our heads, thinking Why only 250? said Joe Rossi, Cannabis Practice Group Leader for Park Strategies, a New York consultancy and lobbying firm.

Rossi believes, instead of parsing out licenses slowly, they should be given to everyone who qualifies.

In the meantime, thousands and thousands and thousands of illicit shops, bodegas, smoke shops have opened all across New York State in every county, city and village. So really, why would you just open 250? Isnt there a gigantic surplus of cultivated cannabis that is waiting for more stores to open?

The slow rollout leaves dispensary license hopefuls, like Dr. Jaclyn Schneider, in the lurch.

Schneider, a physician and clinical assistant professor of medicine at the University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, is a social equity applicant who hopes to secure an adult-use general license to open a cannabis dispensary in West Seneca. She had her application ready to go when the general licensing period opened Oct. 4 and is sitting on a fully built out former bank branch where she hopes to locate her dispensary.

Schneider declined to comment, but a look at the licensing queue shows her company, Green Philosophy, ranked at No. 927 to be reviewed.

But while the pace may be too slow for some, the state said the rollout is deliberate for good reason.

The Office of Cannabis Management is committed to building New Yorks cannabis industry in a thoughtful way that gives licensed operators real chances to succeed, said Aaron Ghitelman, an OCM spokesperson.

Opening too many dispensaries at once would set dispensaries up for failure, state officials have said. More than 400 Conditional Adult Use Retail Dispensary licensees are in the process of opening right now as well.

The states approach to licensing is grounded in market data, ensuring New York doesnt over-license cultivators or retailers in ways that cause price shocks or destabilize the market, Ghitelman said.

As weve seen in other states, when those shocks happen, smaller mom-and-pop operators disproportionately suffer and go out of business, clearing the way for larger well capitalized businesses to corner the market and limit consumer choice, he said.

Many licensed cannabis cultivators said they grew smaller crops over the summer after being burned by holding too much unsold product from previous crops. Now there have been concerns that, this time around, there may be a shortage of cannabis products.

New Yorks licensing approach is intended to create a market in which licensed businesses thrive over the long term, improve consumer experience through statewide access to affordable, diverse products, and ensure future entrants to this market will have a level playing field on which to compete, Ghitelman said.

Keeping store openings at a manageable rate gives the states cannabis industry time to work out its supply and demand issues, the OCM has said, and opening stores too fast could put that balance in jeopardy.

But others have grown weary of the deliberate pace.

Its been almost three years, Rossi said.  Too fast has gone out the window.
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The domestic markets remained highly volatile even though the week was shortened due to couple of trading holidays. Domestic markets were still under pressure, especially because of poor numbers from a few major players. The Nifty index had a high near 21,750 before closing near 21,200 with a decent loss for the second consecutive week. Read more
Millions of dollars have been spent during the past two years to refurbish the long-neglected Tuscarora Indian School, but more is needed.

For the third year in a row, Gov. Kathy Hochul has proposed considerable aid for Tuscarora and two other Native schools owned by New York State.

The governor put $20.1 million for the three schools in her executive budget proposal for 2024-25, but it is not clear how much would be allotted to each school.

This amount that is in the governors budget is a small percentage of what the three school school districts asked for, said Daniel G. Ljiljanich, superintendent of the Niagara Wheatfield Central School District. However, New York State has come a long way in funding for Native schools on Native lands.

The school is on Tuscarora Nation territory in the Niagara Wheatfield District. About 70 Indigenous students from prekindergarten through sixth grade who live on the territory attend the school, where they maintain a strong connection to their language, culture and history.

The inequality was stark two years ago, before the governor started boosting aid: The average spent on repairs and capital projects at five Niagara Wheatfield schools in the seven prior years was $11 million apiece. Over the same period, less than $200,000 was spent at the Tuscarora School.

Building repairs to public schools usually are funded through capital projects that are voted on by residents. But capital projects at the three Native American schools are the responsibility of the director of facilities in the state Education Department.

Niagara Wheatfield asked for $14 million from the state this year, and the three schools asked for a total of $100 million, although much of that was for a new St. Regis Mohawk School in Franklin County, Ljiljanich said.

He said more money is needed because costs have been increasing.

We really need additional funding from the state to do the work we had planned, Ljiljanich said.

The allocation for repairs to the three schools  along with 11 other state-owned schools serving students who are blind and deaf  had been capped at $3.4 million for many years. Hochul raised the funding for the three Native schools to $35.7 million in 2022, with Tuscarora receiving $11.8 million.

Last years total was $20.1 million. The Tuscarora school got $6.6 million.

The first job completed was repointing crumbling brick on the building. Sidewalks and aprons around the building have been resurfaced and the railing on an exterior stairwell was repaired. The stairwell, which was not a main access to the building and had been taped off because it was unsafe, was repaired.

The New York Power Authoritys Environmental Justice Program replaced the water filtration system, the superintendent said.

This summer, the roof is to be replaced, a new fuel tank will be installed and new playgrounds will be built, he said.

The school also needs a new elevator, replacement windows and upgraded locker rooms in the gym.

There was a lot of inequity to begin with, the superintendent said, and now were closing the gap.
Aditi Bhaduri is a journalist and political analyst. Views are personal, and do not represent the stance of this publication.
To be sure, Erie County has had solid district attorneys in the past. Still, John J. Flynn Jr. stands out. He takes on hard cases, speaks forthrightly and doesnt shy from taking controversial positions. Its been residents profit to have him as district attorney for the past seven years.

Sadly, thats about to end. Come April, Flynn will step down to head a new municipal law practice for the Lippes Mathias law firm of Buffalo. With that, Flynns first deputy, Michael Keane will become acting DA. Keane has also won the Erie County Democratic Committees endorsement to succeed his current boss when Flynns term ends later this year.

Although its unfortunate that Flynn is leaving his post early, the circumstances take some of the sting out of the decision. For one thing, hed have been gone at the end of this year, in any case. He said when he first campaigned for the seat in 2016  and repeated since then  that he would serve no more than two four-year terms.

He also told The News editorial board that Lippes Mathias had aggressively recruited him for the new municipal law division it plans to launch. We dont know what the difference in salary will be, but its bound to be substantial. So close the end of his tenure, its hard to blame him for accepting a job that will handsomely benefit himself and his family.

Still, Flynn has been a chief prosecutor with a welcome sense of proportion. He wasnt always determined to throw the book at someone who committed a not-so-serious offense. There was room in his prosecutorial vocabulary for mercy and second chances.

Before the state ever adopted bail reform, he implemented his own version, though in a way that he believes struck a better balance than Albany did, even after two reforms of its reform. You dont have to agree with that conclusion to admire his acknowledgment of the unfairness within the bail system as he found it.

He also stood by his decision to charge two Buffalo police officers with assault after they pushed and injured 75-year-old Martin Gugino during a protest in 2020. A grand jury declined to indict the officers, who were later cleared by an arbitrator. He wasnt alone in believing criminal charges were appropriate; so did former Buffalo Police Commissioner Gil Kerlikowske. It wouldnt have made him popular among some cops, but he did what he thought was right at a fraught moment.

We wish Flynn well in his new position and offer the same for Keane, who will have big shoes to fill.
Manish Anand is Delhi-based journalist. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication.
James Stavridis is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist. He is a retired US Navy admiral and former supreme allied commander of NATO, and dean emeritus of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.
Mihir Sharma is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication.
Amitabh Tiwari Is a former corporate and investment banker-turned political strategist and commentator. Twitter: @politicalbaaba. Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication
Sohil Sehran is a journalist with 10 years of experience in print, broadcast, and digital media. He covers politics and national affairs at Moneycontrol. He tweets @SohilSehran
I do think that all local Buffalo media, radio, TV, print, digital and "talk," overdo it with "news" of the Buffalo Bills.

Come on guys and girls, it's a game, no more and no less than two teenagers tossing the ball around to each other.

What, you have no real news to report about government, politics, education, crime, business, etc.?

Relegate the sport of the Buffalo Bills to the back page, the backburner, the broadcast tail-end, where it belongs. And give us readers and listeners a rest from all things Bills.

Donald Weyer

Batavia
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While these companies lost veteran leaders, rivals across larger firms and mid-tier IT firms benefitted.

If there was one trend that defined the Indian IT sector in 2023, it was the major churn of top level executives across Tier-I Indian IT companies including Wipro, Infosys, HCLTech and Tech Mahindra. While these companies lost veteran leaders, rivals across larger firms and mid-tier IT firms benefitted.

Probably, the biggest example was Wipro, which lost over 10 senior leaders in 2023. The company even sued two of its former senior executives who joined rival
Homebound reunions: Emotions stir during Spring Festival Travel Rush

(People's Daily App) 16:19, January 29, 2024

As the Chinese Spring Festival Travel Rush commenced on Friday, many are starting to return to their hometowns across the country to reunite with their loved ones. But the first reunion during these homecoming trips usually occurs at an exit or departure gate. Intense emotions of anticipation, joy, and delight are experienced as people depart from train stations and airports, reuniting with their loved ones.

(Produced by Liu Haozhe)

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
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 companys 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 Tingos accounts, asking whether the firm had "missed or rushed through procedures".

Deloittes 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.

Deloittes 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 Tingos financials "are glaring enough that wed 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 companys 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 & Touches Colombias 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 Deloittes 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 firms 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 Deloittes 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 SFIOs 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 SFIOs 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 Deloittes 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 Deloittes 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.

"Our discussions with various restaurant partners highlighted the financial challenges smaller eateries face, using the traditional weekly payout system. This feature is designed to address this critical need for more frequent access to earnings," Zomato said in a blogpost.

Disclaimer: Information, facts or opinions expressed in this news article are presented as sourced from IANS and do not reflect views of Moneylife and hence Moneylife is not responsible or liable for the same. As a source and news provider, IANS is responsible for accuracy, completeness, suitability and validity of any information in this article.
On Monday, 2252 stocks advanced, 1671 declined and 141 remained unchanged, with an advance decline ratio of 1.34 on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), indicating positive closing of stocks in broader markets. The trend of the major indices on Mondays trading is given in the table below.

On NSE, 259 securities advanced and closed at a new 52-week high whereas 15 securities sank to close at their new 52-week lows. In sectoral indices, Nifty Energy, Nifty Infrastructure and Nifty PSU Bank were among the biggest gainers. Nifty FMCG was the only loser.

REC (+6.51%) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIFL) to collaborate on a suite of funding solutions for Renewable Energy Projects as well as large-scale infrastructure projects in India.

Azad Engineering (+5.72%) and Rolls-Royce have signed long term contract of seven years. Rolls-Royce inked contract with the company to produce/Supply critical engine parts for their Defence / Military Aircraft engines.

Tata Power (+4.70%) Company's subsidiary -- Tata Power Renewable Energy (TPREL) has successfully commissioned a pioneering 1040 kW Bifacial Solar System project with Chengmari Tea Estate, Asia's largest tea estate.

Veranda Learning Solutions (-0.53%) through their brand Veranda K-12, is embarking on its maiden strategic alliance with BVM Global Schools to provide both academic and non-academic services.

Valiant Communications (+4.99%) has received orders of over Rs9.50 crore for supply of its indigenously developed and manufactured Communication and Protection solutions for various power utilities across the globe including India, USA and South America.

DroneAcharya Aerial Innovations (-0.70%) has secured an order from Tata Community Initiatives Trust. The order entails providing cutting-edge Geographic Information System (GIS) training for Drones or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) to 15 individuals in Bengaluru, spanning a comprehensive 35 effective hours.

PCBL (+0.25%) has raised Rs700 crore through the allotment of 70,000 rated, listed, secured, redeemable, non-convertible debentures (NCDs) having a face value of Rs 1,00,000 each on a private placement basis.

Power Mech Projects (+2.32%) has received orders worth Rs644.91 crore.

Laurus Labs (-1.12%) has reached to an Agreement with Krka, an international generic pharmaceutical company in Novo Mesto, Slovenia to establish a joint venture (JV) company in Hyderabad, India (namely Krka Pharma).

Earning Highlights

Heritage Foods (+3.85%): Net Sales was Rs941 crore in Q3FY24 up 20% YoY (Rs786crore). Net Profit was Rs26.9 crore in Q3FY24 up 96% YoY (Rs13.7 crore).

CSL Finance (-0.19%): Net Sales was Rs45.4 crore in Q3FY24 up 45% YoY (Rs31.2 crore). Net Profit was Rs16.7 crore in Q3FY24 up 40% YoY (Rs11.9 crore).

Network People Services Technologies (+5.00%): Net Sales was Rs31.4 crore in Q3FY24 up 207% YoY (Rs10.2 crore). Net Profit was Rs6.53 crore in Q3FY24 up 261% YoY (Rs1.81 crore).

The top gainers and top losers of the major indices are given in the table below:

The closing values of the major Asian indices are given in the table below:
PS Deodhar, the founder and former chairman of the APLAB group of companies and former chairman of the Electronics Commission of the government of India, passed away on Saturday. He was 89. Mr Deodhar left a legacy of pioneering achievements in India's electronics and information technology (IT) sector. He was a visionary engineer, a shrewd businessman and a man of unwavering integrity whose life story is a testament to the power of innovation and ethical leadership.

Mr Deodhar was an advisor to former prime minister (PM) Rajiv Gandhi on electronics. He also was the chairman of the broadcast council in 1992-93 which set in motion the privatisation of the electronic media with metro channels.

His journey began with a deep-seated passion for technology. His engineering background ignited a fire in him to develop solutions that would improve the lives of ordinary Indians. In the early-1960s, he established APLAB, a company synonymous with quality and innovation.

Mr Deodhar's influence transcended the walls of his company. He served as an adviser to former PM Rajiv Gandhi, playing a crucial role in India's rapid technological advancement during the 1980s.

But Mr Deodhar's true calling lay in building a vibrant electronics ecosystem in India. He spearheaded the development of black and white (B&W) and colour televisions, personal computers (PCs), and other essential electronics, making them accessible to the masses. His material, technology and brand (MTB) scheme empowered hundreds of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) by providing free technology, product design, and even components, nurturing a culture of innovation at the grassroots.

Mr Deodhar was a regular writer for Moneylife and wrote several interesting articles while sharing his views on many subjects.

In 2013, Mr Deodhar wrote a four-part series for Moneylife on the difficulties of an entrepreneur doing business in India and how India loses by forcing small businesses to pay bribes and lose out to multinationals.

Read: Problems of Being an Indian Entrepreneur-III: Corruption rears its ugly head ) Sharing his experience about working with the government in New Delhi, Mr Deodhar wrote, "I found almost no one amongst the politicians or top bureaucrats who were interested in nation building, something that demanded sustained well-planned efforts. We had remarkably brilliant bureaucrats and very sharp, cunning and street-smart politicians. I found that the former were more concerned with their careers than the nation. Those among them heading the ministries barely had a year before they would retire, so the only future thoughts they had were about themselves and not the country. Their immediate concern was about their post-retirement plans. The politicians were a cunning lot, but most had no vision for India. Their vision was limited to themselves and their region, their electorate and their caste." (

Mr Deodhar's guiding principle was unwavering integrity. He believed in building technology with high ethical standards, refusing to compromise on quality or succumbing to corrupt practices. His business philosophy stood in stark contrast to the prevalent culture of bribery and shortcuts, earning him respect and admiration across the industry.

"Chasing money never excited me," he once said. "My focus was on product development, continued learning of technological advances, and delivering products that consumers wanted."

This dedication to innovation led to Mr Deodhar's pioneering work in smartcard-based payphones and automated teller machines (ATMs). He understood the potential of these technologies to revolutionise India's infrastructure, but his path was riddled with bureaucratic hurdles and unfair competition.

Mr Deodhar's frustration with the lack of support for innovative SMEs was palpable. He witnessed first-hand how his pioneering efforts in ATMs and smartcard payphones were stifled by arbitrary tender requirements, often benefiting foreign competitors who lacked his commitment to quality and integrity. Yet, he never lost sight of the bigger picture.

He says, "When the nationalised banks started floating tenders for ATMs, all of them put a condition that the supplier must have at least 2,000 ATMs installed and functional. In one clean sweep, APLAB was debarred by Indian banks from the ATM business. I met two cabinet ministers at the Centre who I thought would understand the merit of supporting an Indian company's pioneering effort. All I got was a cup of tea."

"I must conclude by saying that I consider the loss was India's," he once said. "I feel very proud that we in India can pull off what others in the world are accomplishing, and that too with a small Rs150 crore set up."

Mr Deodhar's legacy extends far beyond the walls of APLABS. He has left behind a blueprint for ethical entrepreneurship and a deep-seated belief in India's potential to be a global leader in technological innovation. He inspired generations of engineers and entrepreneurs to dream big, chase technology with passion, and never compromise on their values.

His story is a beacon of hope, a testament to the power of integrity and perseverance in the face of adversity.

PS Deodhar may be gone, but his legacy will continue to illuminate the path for technology innovators in India and beyond.

You may want to read Mr Deodhar's article here...
Our very own Breakfast Club celebrated the post saying: I mean you can do all you can as a teacher, but its the stuff at home, its the everyday stuff. Its the manners, the punctuality. You cant expect teachers to teach that to your kids if youre not doing it at home.
On February 14th, presidential elections will be held in the Republic of Indonesia, a country located in the far southeastern part of Asia, between Asia and Oceania. It is composed of more than 17,000 islands and is home to nearly 279 million people, of which 72%, or over 200 million, practice the Islamic religion, making it the world's most populous country with a Muslim majority that coexists with other religious minorities such as Protestants, Catholics, Hindus, Buddhists, Confucianists, animists, and others, reflecting its rich historical past. The official language is Bahasa, but Javanese, Sundanese, Balinese, and various regional languages are also spoken. The country's motto, in ancient Javanese, is "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika," which translates to "unity in diversity."

In this complex and diverse mosaic of cultures, more than 205 million citizens are called to vote to choose the new president of the country and his running mate, who will serve as vice president. The current outgoing president, Joko Widodo, is widely popular for his leadership but is unable to run for a third term according to the Indonesian Constitution. Widodo, a middle-class businessman, was the first president in the democratic era who did not come from the Jakarta elite nor had ties to the repressive era of President Suharto. He pledged to expand rights, combat corruption, boost the economy, and refrain from building a family dynasty, stating that "such dynasties had overshadowed the country's politics, and still do."

In terms of his political career, he served as the mayor of Surakarta in Central Java, where he became popular for implementing a healthcare system that benefited a large portion of the population. His party, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), nominated him as the candidate for governor of Jakarta in 2012. He won the elections and became governor, implementing significant reforms in the financial sector and public transportation. What made him more widely known were his impromptu visits to poor communities, personally overseeing government support programs.

This closeness to citizens led Widodo to win the general elections in 2014 as the PDI-P candidate and secure his re-election in 2019. During this period, the policy of infrastructure development (many funded by the influential Chinese community in the country), human capital formation, and legislative simplification to facilitate and promote investments continued. Additionally, the capital was relocated to Kalimantan (Nusantara)[i]

The news candidates

However, there are other aspects that could overshadow his administration, such as the appointment of Prabowo Subianto as Defense Minister, who has a controversial human rights record. Some also perceive his acceptance of his 36-year-old son, Gibran Rakabuming, the current mayor of Solo and a PDI-P member, as the running mate of the 72-year-old Prabowo Subianto from the Gerindra party, which is competing with the PDI-P in the elections, as an interference in the upcoming elections. This suggests, or at least gives the impression, that the president has exerted his influence.

In October of last year, three presidential and vice-presidential pairs were registered with the General Election Commission, and these are the ones that will compete in the upcoming 2024 elections.

Candidates. / Pedro Fuentetaja

At present, and according to polls, the Prabowo-Gibran pair garners more support than other coalitions, positioning them better to win the elections. However, as the campaign gains momentum, Widodo's favoritism could have repercussions, potentially leading to a second-round scenario. If no candidate secures the votes of more than half of the 205 million eligible voters, a runoff will be held on June 26, which currently seems unlikely.

Historical context

A bit of history: Indonesia's cultural diversity is a product of its location, intricate history, and spice trade. The islands forming present-day Indonesia are very ancient. In 1890, the Java Man's skeleton, dating back over a million years, was discovered in the Solo region. During that time, Borneo, Sumatra, Java, and Bali were connected to the Asian continent as sea levels were lower, facilitating the migration of early populations to these regions. The first civilization in the area dates back to 1000 B.C., with origins in Vietnam and northern China, manifesting through constructions, crafts, and rituals in Java, Bali, and Sulawesi.

Trade strengthened the influence of Hinduism and Buddhism, spreading across the archipelago, leaving notable remnants like the Borobudur and Prambanan temples on the island of Java. Bali is also an example of the strong influence of Indian culture. European trade began when the Portuguese landed in the Moluccas archipelago, known as the Spice Islands, and the island of Flores, where 70% of the current population is predominantly Christian and Catholic. Spaniards, English, and Dutch coveted the region, but the Dutch ultimately prevailed, creating the Dutch East India Company in 1602 and maintaining their presence in Indonesia until the mid-20th century.

During the 15th and 16th centuries, Islam spread along trade routes, influenced by Indonesian leaders who were Muslims, aided by the fall of the Hindu Majapahit Empire. Bali has been a Hindu territory since then. In 1945, Indonesia declared independence from the Netherlands, leading to a multi-year war of independence. In 1949, the Netherlands recognized independence, and the country became a republic. Cultural diversity and social disparities plunged the new independent state into chaos. In the 1955 elections, Sukarno[ii], a Marxist and anti-imperialist, was elected, but he decided to step down in 1965 after a failed coup. General Suharto, his successor, was chosen by the Congress in 1968. Favoritism, corruption, and nepotism marked the authoritarian regime. By the late 20th century, the precarious economic situation, student rebellion, and international pressure forced Suharto to resign in 1998. In 2004, the first direct presidential elections were held, marking the country's economic stability recovery to the present day.

Geographic and political situation

In terms of geopolitics, Indonesia is the world's largest archipelago with over 17,000 islands. It is located in the far southeastern part of Asia, geographically linking with the Australian continent. The country has a land area of 2,027,087 square kilometers and shares land borders with Malaysia, East Timor, and Papua New Guinea. Additionally, it has maritime boundaries with India, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, the Philippines, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Australia, and East Timor.

Indonesia in geographic context. / Council Foreign Ralations

Indonesia boasts a coastline of 54,000 kilometers, the second-longest in the world after Canada. The main islands or island groups in terms of population and importance are Java (home to 56.1% of the population), Sumatra (21.68%), Sulawesi (7.36%), Borneo (Kalimantan, 6.15%), Papua, and the Moluccas archipelago. Noteworthy is the chain of islands formed by Bali, Lombok, Sumbawa, and Flores, east of Java, which are less populated.

Being a mountainous country with around 400 volcanoes, especially in Java, of which 100 are active, Indonesia is situated in the so-called "Ring of Fire," making it susceptible to natural disasters such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and tsunamis. The archipelago has an equatorial, monsoonal climate with high temperatures and minimal seasonal variations.

Indonesia has significant natural resources, including oil and gas, minerals, and agricultural raw materials, with the third-largest tropical forest on the planet. Agriculture, livestock farming, and forestry are prominent activities. As a subtropical country of extensive size, Indonesia is one of the largest producers of cereals (rice, corn, and cassava), rubber (second-largest producer globally), cocoa (second-largest producer), and coffee (third-largest producer). It is also a major producer of palm oil (world's largest).

Recently, a substantial gas reserve was discovered in the South Andaman Basin, the world's second-largest in deep waters, and another in the Kutei Basin. These findings are crucial for Indonesia's energy transition towards sustainability and decarbonization, not only for the country but for Southeast Asia as a whole.

Jakarta is a significant coal consumer with a large fleet of coal-fired power plants. Gas, along with a massive increase in renewable energy sources, is expected to ensure the country's energy security as it aims to play a more prominent role in the global gas market. In this context, Indonesia has strengthened ties with Japan and South Korea while also looking towards the EU.

Apart from being a potential market for Spain, Indonesia is essential for our country due to cooperation relationships in the aerospace sector. It's worth noting that in 1974, Construcciones Aeronauticas S.A. (now part of Airbus Industries)[iii] signed an agreement with the Indonesian[iv]state-owned aerospace company PT Nurtanio, linked to the Indonesian Army, for the manufacturing of Spanish transport planes (C212 and CN235, among other models)[v]. Of the planes produced, units were sold in South Korea and Papua New Guinea, as well as other countries in the region. Currently, there are 76 Spanish companies in the country, with Airbus, Repsol, Indra, Gamesa, TSK, Tecnicas Reunidas, ACS, Navantia, Expal, Instalaza, Melia, Mapfre, La Liga, and SOXNA among them.

Main Risks: Deforestation for agricultural purposes has made Indonesia one of the world's largest greenhouse gas emitters. The predominantly coastal population is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change due to rising sea levels, exemplified by the relocation of the capital Jakarta, home to 10 million people, to Nusantara in Kalimantan. Bold political action is required to reduce emissions and strengthen climate resilience.

Furthermore, agriculture, mariculture, and fishing are crucial livelihoods for many Indonesians and could be severely affected by climate change. In 2019, Indonesia accounted for an estimated 3.4% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Coal is a major emitter in Indonesia, with over 30 coal-fired power plants planned or under construction.

In the realm of jihadist terrorism, Indonesia faces challenges, primarily the threat of radical Islamist-inspired terrorism. Counter-terrorism operations need to broaden their focus beyond merely apprehending leaders, prioritizing the dismantling of initiatives that continue to maintain resilience, along with counterintelligence operations.

Summary: The upcoming presidential elections will test Indonesia's political stability in recent years, though significant risks are not anticipated. All candidates have indicated they will continue the policies of Jokowi, ensuring continuity in the country's politics.

Globally, the competition between China and the United States will continue to shape Asia-Pacific geopolitics. It is expected that both Beijing and Washington will increase their activity in the region to expand their areas of influence. Indonesia will strengthen its position in an increasingly polarized region as it assumes the presidency of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Nevertheless, relations between Indonesia and China will remain intense. The Chinese community in Indonesia, constituting around 3% of the population and historically persecuted, is now a key economic driver for the country. Both nations will continue building a shared model for common development. The significant opportunities arising from this process are not only beneficial to China and Indonesia but also extend to Asia and the world.

Indonesia, as the largest economy in Southeast Asia, projects itself as one of the major economic powers in the future. With a young and dynamic population and increasing purchasing power, it becomes an attractive market for foreign investments, reinforcing its influence in the region. Bilateral relations, such as those with Spain in the aerospace sector, underscore the importance of strategic alliances for Indonesia, showcasing its active participation in the global geopolitical scene.

Indonesia, with its unique geography, cultural diversity, and economic position, plays a key role in regional and global geopolitics. It is an influential actor in matters of security, trade, and international cooperation. Its territorial waters are crucial for navigation and trade, and the presence of regional and global powers in its maritime borders underscores its importance in the geopolitical dynamics of Southeast Asia.

The ethnic and cultural diversity reflected in the population distribution across islands like Java, Sumatra, Borneo, Bali, Lombok, or Flores serves as an example of "unity in diversity" for many countries worldwide. It plays a geopolitical role by influencing internal cohesion. However, with a predominantly coastal population, Indonesia is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, necessitating emissions reduction and simultaneously strengthening climate resilience.

On another note, although terrorist organizations have significantly weakened in recent years due to the fall of many of their leaders in counter-terrorism operations, they retain the tools needed to survive and resurface in the future. @mundiario

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(1) Yakarta, home to over 10 million people, is sinking at one of the fastest rates on the planet, a consequence of excessive groundwater extraction, rapid urbanization, and rising sea levels. The city is currently 40% below sea level and sinking at an average rate of 7.5 centimeters per year.

(2) Just before achieving independence, Sukarno presented a doctrine for a young, diverse, and heterogeneous state, the "Pancasila," to reconcile differences among Indonesians. These principles, transcending even Islam, remained the official ideology throughout the 20th century and have persisted with difficulties to the present day. Indonesia spearheaded the Bandung Conference in 1955 and facilitated the establishment of the Non-Aligned Movement.

(3) In the 1970s, Yusuf Habibie, President of the National Aeronautics Company of Indonesia, had connections with the President of Construcciones Aeronauticas S.A, Enrique de Guzman. After working together in Germany, Habibie and Guzman established commercial relations that led to licensing and aircraft manufacturing agreements between CASA and PTN/PTDI.

(4) Acknowledgments: Thanks to Don Fulgencio Fernandez Lopez, as well as Don Jose Luis Molero and Don Nicolas Barraso from the Materials Department of CASA, for their work overthe years.
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.
Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Manuel Romualdez speaks during a U.S. Trade and Development Agency Offshore Wind Grant Signing at Ayala Triangle Gardens in Manila, Philippines, August 6, 2022.
A pro-Palestinian demonstrator tries to stop a NYPD car, as others take part in a protest, outside Jamaica Station to JFK via AirTrain in New York City, U.S., January 27, 2024.
A United Airlines airplane is seen on the A.B. Won Pat International Airport runway in Tamuning on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023.
PETALUMA, Calif. (AP)  Last month, Mike Weber got the news every poultry farmer fears: His chickens tested positive for avian flu.

Following government rules, Webers company, Sunrise Farms, had to slaughter its entire flock of egg-laying hens  550,000 birds  to prevent the disease from infecting other farms in Sonoma County north of San Francisco.

Its a trauma. Were all going through grief as a result of it, said Weber, standing in an empty hen house. Petaluma is known as the Egg Basket of the World. Its devastating to see that egg basket go up in flames.

A year after the bird flu led to record egg prices and widespread shortages, the disease known as highly pathogenic avian influenza is wreaking havoc in California, which escaped the earlier wave of outbreaks that devastated poultry farms in the Midwest.

The highly contagious virus has ravaged Sonoma County, where officials have declared a state of emergency. During the past two months, nearly a dozen commercial farms have had to destroy more than 1 million birds to control the outbreak, dealing an economic blow to farmers, workers and their customers.

Merced County in Central California also has been hit hard, with outbreaks at several large commercial egg-producing farms in recent weeks.

Experts say bird flu is spread by ducks, geese and other migratory birds. The waterfowl can carry the virus without getting sick and easily spread it through their droppings to chicken and turkey farms and backyard flocks through droppings and nasal discharges.

California poultry farms are implementing strict biosecurity measures to curb the spread of the disease. State Veterinarian Annette Jones urged farmers to keep their flocks indoors until June, including organic chickens that are required to have outdoor access.

We still have migration going for another couple of months. So weve got to be as vigilant as possible to protect our birds, said Bill Mattos, president of the California Poultry Federation.

The loss of local hens led to a spike in egg prices in the San Francisco Bay Area over the holidays before supermarkets and restaurants found suppliers from outside the region.

While bird flu has been around for decades, the current outbreak of the virus that began in early 2022 has prompted officials to slaughter nearly 82 million birds, mostly egg-laying chickens, in 47 U.S. states, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Whenever the disease is found the entire flock is slaughtered to help limit the spread of the virus.

The price of a dozen eggs more than doubled to $4.82 at its peak in January 2023. Egg prices returned to their normal range as egg producers built up their flocks and outbreaks were controlled. Turkey and chicken prices also spiked, partly due to the virus.

I think this is an existential issue for the commercial poultry industry. The virus is on every continent, except for Australia at this point, said Maurice Pitesky, a poultry expert at the University of California, Davis.

Climate change is increasing the risk of outbreaks as changing weather patterns disrupt the migratory patterns of wild birds, Pitesky said. For example, exceptional rainfall last year created new waterfowl habitat throughout California, including areas close to poultry farms.

In California, the outbreak has impacted more than 7 million chickens in about 40 commercial flocks and 24 backyard flocks, with most of the outbreaks occurring over the past two months on the North Coast and Central Valley, according to the USDA.

Industry officials are worried about the growing number of backyard chickens that could become infected and spread avian flu to commercial farms.

We have wild birds that are are full of virus. And if you expose your birds to these wild birds, they might get infected and ill, said Rodrigo Gallardo, a UC Davis researcher who studies avian influenza.

Gallardo advises the owners of backyard chickens to wear clean clothes and shoes to protect their flocks from getting infected. If an unusual number of chickens die, they should be tested for avian flu.

Ettamarie Peterson, a retired teacher in Petaluma, has a flock of about 50 chickens that produce eggs she sells from her backyard barn for 50 cents each.

Im very concerned because this avian flu is transmitted by wild birds, and theres no way I can stop the wild birds from coming through and leaving the disease behind, Peterson said. If your flock has any cases of it, you have to destroy the whole flock.

Sunrise Farms, which was started by Webers great-grandparents more than a century ago, was infected despite putting in place strict biosecurity measures to protect the flock.

The virus got to the birds so bad and so quickly you walked in and the birds were just dead, Weber said. Heartbreaking doesnt describe how you feel when you walk in and perfectly healthy young birds have been just laid out.

After euthanizing more than half a million chickens at Sunrise Farms, Weber and his employees spent the Christmas holiday discarding the carcasses. Since then, theyve been cleaning out and disinfecting the hen houses.

Weber hopes the farm will get approval from federal regulators to bring chicks back to the farm this spring. Then it would take another five months before the hens are mature enough to lay eggs.

He feels lucky that two farms his company co-owns have not been infected and are still producing eggs for his customers. But recovering from the outbreak wont be easy.

We have a long road ahead, Weber said. Were going to make another run of it and try to keep this family of employees together because theyve worked so hard to build this into the company that it is.

By TERRY CHEA

Associated Press
President Joe Biden View Photo

President Biden delivered remarks on the issue of abortion.

Biden was Mondays KVML Newsmaker of the Day. Here are his words:

Fifty-one years ago today, in Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court recognized a womans constitutional right to choose  constitutional right to choose  the right to make a deeply personal decision with her doctor, free from the interference of politicians.

I believe Roe v. Wade was right. Im not supporting  we didnt  they didnt support abortion on demand. It was Roe v. Wade. Roe v. Wade was the decision. And a majority of Americans agree.

But then, a year and a half ago, this  this Supreme Court  this Supreme Court made an extreme decision, overturning Roe with their Dobbs decision, to rip away a constitutional right from the American people, which had never been done before  a fundamental right ripped away  important to so many Americans, a right that is vital to a country founded on the idea of freedom.

I said on the  on that day that Roe was overturned, the health and lives of women in this nation would now be at risk. And that has unfortunately proven to be true. They have been at risk. It made them at risk  put them at risk.

Today, in 2024 in America, women are turned away from emergency rooms, forced to travel hundreds of miles to get basic healthcare in another state that may have a different rule, forced to go to court to plead for help.

Thanks to [Think of] the mothers of two in Texas  a mother of two in Texas, who was pregnant with her third child. From her doctor, she received the news no one wants to hear: The life of the child and her own life were at risk if she continued her pregnancy. But instead of being able to receive care from her doctor, she was blocked by the State of Texas Attorney General and the State Supreme Court.

Think about that. As she and her family were going through the frightening, heartbreaking ordeal, she had to fight extreme politicians in the court. They turned a deeply private and painful matter into a public matter.

She ultimately had to leave the state to get the help she needed to protect herself and her ability to have more children in the future.

The cruelty is astounding  an affront to a womans dignity, being told by extreme politicians to wait, to get sicker and sicker to the point where her life may be in danger before you can get the care you need.

That cruel reality is the result of extreme Republicans who, for years, have made it their mission to end the Roe v. Wade decision.

Since Roe was overturned, in 21 states, abortion bans are now in effect, many with no exception for rape or incest.

We have doctors  we have doctors with us today who are on the frontlines of this crisis. And they can attest to the consequences that these extreme laws are having on doctors and on their ability to care for their patients.

Some doctors are feeling their  fleeing their home states because of laws that would send them to prison for providing evidence-based healthcare.

In states like Texas, doctors can get a life sentence  a life sentence for providing the care they were trained to provide. Its outrageous. Its simply outrageous.

And, frankly, this is just the beginning.

My congressional Republican friends are going to even further  further extremes to undermine a womans rights to threaten  and threatening the lives of women.

Three different Republican members in the United States Congress have proposed three different additional national bans to criminalize healthcare in every state. Let me tell you what they are.

One is a zero-week ban with absolutely no exceptions  a zero-week with absolutely no exceptions. The second is a six-week ban. The penalty for violating it is jail. The third is a 15-week ban. The penalty is a five-year prison sentence.

That means even if you live in a state where the extremist Republicans are not running the show, your right to choose, your right to privacy would still be at risk if this law was passed  any of these were passed nationally.

And the extreme right is trying to limit all women in America from getting a safe and effective medication, approved by the Federal Drug Administration over 20 years ago based on the FDAs independent expert judgment. Theyre trying to block women from getting this medication even in states where abortion is legal.

And on top of all of that, if you live in a state where you cannot get this care you need and you make a plan to travel to a state where you can get the medicine [medical care], Republicans official [Republican officials] are trying to stop that as well.

And get this, in Alabama  as my mother would say, God love them  the Attorney General is threatening to prosecute people who help family members travel to another state  who help family members travel to another state.

Folks, this is what it looks like when the right to privacy is under attack. These extreme laws have no place  no place in the United States of America.

You know, the American people know these laws are wrong. The vast majority of Americans believe the right to choose is fundamental.

Since the Court overturned Roe v. Wade, every single time abortion has been on the ballot  and, by the way, a lot of people dont really understand. The Court said that its up to the states to decide whether or not abortions are valid. So, it says that if the cou-  if the state comes along and wants to say, No, no, its valid in my state  Roe v. Wade is valid in my state, its allowed.

Well, guess what? Every single time that decision had been put before the people of a state  on the ballot in Ohio, Kansas, Michigan, Kentucky  voters have voted to protect reproductive rights. But we need these protections in every state, because your family [ability] to have access to healthcare should not depend on your ZIP code. It should not depend on your ZIP code.

As Ive made clear, we have to do what the Supreme Court decision in Dobbs would allow, and that is: Congress must codify Roe v. Wade for all the states in America.

Stop playing politics with the womens lives and freedom. Let doctors do their job.

Let me say it again: Pass laws restoring the protections of Roe v. Wade for women in every state. Thats what can be done under this co-  on the  even under the Dobbs decision. But under this Court, that is going to be constitutional if we pass it nationwide.

Thats what Im working for. Im working for that law. And when they send me that law, Im going to sign it immediately and restore that right. Until then, my administration is going to keep working to protect women in the wake of the Supreme Courts extreme decision.

Thats why I created a task force to ensure we are doing everything we can to support women.

Ive signed executive orders and my administration has taken action to ensure that women get the care they need in medical emergencies, to protect a womans right to travel to get healthcare, to protect a womans right to receive healthcare free from discrimination, and to protect her privacy.

The idea that a woman should have to carry a fetus after she has been raped or a victim of incest is just  I think its just cruel. To me, its outrageous.

The idea that a woman who receives competent medical advice that the fetus shes carrying wouldnt live and will impact on her ability to have children in the future and still gets [cant get] medical care  cant get medical  its ridiculous.

I could go on, but Im already taking too much time.

I want to thank the Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris, for her leadership on this important issue as she travels the country in her fight for freedom.

Id also like to thank the Gender Policy Advisor  my Gender Policy Advisor, Jen Klein. Jen  wheres Jen sitting? There you are, Jen. Thank you. And Secretary Becerra, whos sitting right next to her, for their leadership on this task force.

And I want to thank all the members of my Cabinet here today, including the Attorney General for leading efforts and the  at the Department of Justice to protect reproductive rights in court, and Secretary McDonough for leading the important work being done at the VA.

I know that folks across America are worried about what theyre seeing happening to women all across America. I hear about it everywhere I go.

My message is: Were fighting hard to reinstate your rights and the rights to protect women and families and doctors who care for those women.

And we need the American people to keep making their voices heard so congr-  so congressional Republicans finally get the message that these laws do not represent the United States of America.

Your voice will have a final say. This is not over.

With that, Im going to sit down, and were going to get to work.

Thank you all for being here. And lets get this done. Its important.

Thank you.

The Newsmaker of the Day is heard every weekday morning at 6:45, 7:45 and 8:45 on AM 1450 and FM 102.7 KVML.
Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors Sign View Photo

Sonora, CA  The Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors has called for a special meeting for today (January 29).

Only two items are on the agenda. The first is to approve a certificate of appreciation for the City of Sonora for their hospitality on January 23 by allowing the board to utilize the city council chambers for a meeting after an elevator malfunction at the Tuolumne County Administration Building.

The second item is to receive a presentation and give direction on developing a countywide Community Facilities District. The CFD would place a new tax on development projects in order to help cover the cost of increased demand for services (such as law enforcement and fire) in the county.

Today the board will discuss potential tax rates for the three types of new development, lodging, residential, and commercial. At the end, the supervisors will provide direction to county staff.

The presentation will be led by a representative with the Capitol Public Finance Group. The special meeting starts at 10 am.
Home for Sale View Photo

Sacramento, CA  The group Californians for Homeownership Affordability, led by media commentator and author Steve Hilton, is urging support of a proposed CEQA reform initiative that could go before voters later this year.

The California Homeownership Affordability Act would limit who can file lawsuits to stop housing projects under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The group argues that neighbors and businesses are using provisions in CEQA to stop housing developments they dont like by filing lawsuits to delay projects. The proposed change would put these types of lawsuits only in the hands of district attorneys and the state attorney general.

In addition, it would put a limit on impact fees that can be charged to developers, capping out at 3% of the overall cost of construction and labor of a home.

Hilton argues, Abusive CEQA lawsuits benefit special interests and wealthy attorneys while making homes more expensive. They also damage our environment by making it more difficult to build desperately needed housing and infrastructure. By putting an end to abusive special interest lawsuits that block housing well be able to address one of the most significant drivers of home prices in California and begin to turn the page on the states man-made housing crisis.

Hilton notes that in 2020, CEQA lawsuits challenged the construction of about 48,000 approved homes, equaling about half of the states annual housing production.

The group has launched the website CalHomesNow.com with more information. Hilton was the keynote speaker at the annual Reagan dinner held last August at the Mother Lode Fairgrounds in Sonora.
Tolstoy wasnt quite right when he said each unhappy family was unhappy in its own way. Boeings accelerating rate of customer-profit harming and passenger-inconveniencing product defects represents an unusually pure and unadulterated form of executive looting of a company. However, this pattern of behavior is common in Corporate America in its less extreme form.

Boeings unusual position as a must have player in a duopoly making perceived-to-be essential products where no way, no how can any other company take up Boeings production in less than decades means the malfeasance can continue. And worse, as an important editorial in Aviation Week explains, Boeings top brass shows no intention of changing their self-serving ways.

Most here know the broad outlines of the Boeing story. The company was founded in the early days of aviation, an industry built by inventors and engineers like Howard Hughes. To truncate a very long history, Boeing emerged a winner after a long period of industry consolidation. A company and industry-defining bet was the decision to bet on a new, untested concept: a large capacity, long-distance passenger plane, with only an order from Pan Am as a vote of confidence (important but no where new enough to assure the viability of the investment). But the 747 became an enormous success. It not only helped propel Boeing to its current dominant position but reshaped the industry by lowering the cost to passengers of long-haul travel, greatly expanding the market. Oddly, or perhaps in keeping with Americas warped priorities, Wikipedias extensive entry on Boeing makes nary a mention of the key role of the 747 to Boeing and commercial aviation. 1

Most readers also likely know of the key event that has brought Boeing to its current beleagured state, its 1997 acquisition of McDonnell Douglas. Despite Boeing being the larger company, McDonnell Douglas came out on top managerially. McDonnell Douglas was finance driven, not product driven, and quickly started remaking the company in its image. It moved the headquarters and key operations out of Seattle, in large measure to get rid of perceived to be too costly engineers. It became an outsourcing enthusiast, eventually including outsourcing parts to China. The results, starting with the 787, were not good. From a 2011 Reuters account:

The parked planes are 787-8 Dreamliners, the worlds first commercial aircraft with a body and wings made largely of lightweight carbon-composite materials instead of aluminum. Someday these sleek, fuel-efficient machines  already painted in the liveries of their airline customers  may change the face of air travel and plane-making. But not today. The program that produced these unfinished 787s is nearly three years behind schedule and, by some estimates, at least several billion dollars over budget. Dreamliner flight tests were halted in November after an electrical fire aboard a test plane. About 45 miles away in south Seattle, members of Boeings work force gathered at a union hall for a monthly lodge meeting, a holiday party and a chance to lament the seismic shift in plane-making strategy they say the Dreamliner represents. The 787 is not merely a historic feat of engineering. The program also marks Boeings departure from its own time-honored manufacturing practices. Instead of drawing primarily from its traditional pool of aircraft engineers, mechanics and laborers that runs generations deep in the Puget Sound region around Seattle, Boeing leads an international team of suppliers and engineers from the United States, Japan, Italy, Australia, France and elsewhere, who make components that Boeing workers in the United States put together.

Advertisement Do you see the stupidity in that? said James Williams, an imposing 43-year-old who has been employed by Boeing for 15 years, mostly working in factory safety. Williams, whose father worked at Boeing for more than three decades, is just one of many in the company who blame the repeated Dreamliner delays on a splintered engineering strategy and a complex supply chain of about 50 partners Whatever the advantages, Boeings outsourcing is emblematic of corporate practices that have sent large chunks of U.S. industry overseas and to other states, battered communities and vaulted the U.S. jobless rate to nearly 10 percent, economists say. Yet the biggest victim may be the culture that underpins the aerospace behemoth. Here in Boeing country, where children follow parents into the aviation business, outsourcing is plain heresy. It was like the family, said Williams, whose wife, Sarah, and three children joined him for the holiday party. Can you outsource Mom? Can you outsource Dad?

While this story indicates that Boeing would bring a bit of its outsourced manufacture back in house, there would be no fundamental rethink, merely an effort to fine tune. And yours truly has strong suspicions as to why Boeing would not consider a more serious rollback of its troubled outsourcing strategy. Its not as if this were due to competitive cost pressures (more on that soon). As one colleague pointed out, it was not as if Boeings big competitor, Airbus, was a lean and mean company (although aerocraft profits are to a degree a function of how many planes of a particular model you sell; there appear to be meaningful scale factors at that level). Not only does Airbus have to contend with an allegedly well-paid and hard to fire work force, but production of its components is divvied among countries in its consortium, creating a supply chain not optimized for cost. Yet Boeing acted as if it needed to squeeze on costs to compete with Airbus?

Upper management ego was probably a factor; as we see on an almost daily basis, big dogs double down rather than be seen as admitting error. But featly to Wall Street was likely an even bigger factor. I know executives in other industries who have said the case for their company to outsource was not strong. They could have achieved the same margins at lower risk by improving manufacturing processes, such as their implementation of just-in-time. But their stock was sure to rise if they started outsourcing.

To simplify the history for the purpose of getting to the choices Boeing faces now, another critical set of decisions involved the 737. It has been a widly successful model, the first aircraft ever to get over 10,000 orders after its third redesign, the so-called Next Generation. But it is also a 1967 design that Boeing has kept tweaking to keep up with market demands and competitive pressure. As a CNN story explains, by 2012, even with its considerable success, the 737 was already looking long in tooth in 2012 and Boeing was feeling the hot breath of the Airbus 320 on its neck. But rather than design a new plane, Boeing decided to wring more life out of the 737. The MCAS debacle came straight out of this choice. From CNN:

The Boeing 737 Max was announced in 2011, the fourth generation of the aircraft. Boeing needed to combat what Airbus were doing with the A320neo, a version of the plane with a new engine that was quite substantially more fuel efficient, says Simons. To do so, however, the company ran into a problem it had encountered before: the new, much bigger engines it wanted for the 737 Max wouldnt fit under the planes low wings  an issue Airbus didnt have, because the A320 was already a much taller plane than the 737. The solution was to add some length to the front landing gear and mount the engines further forward and higher on the wings, giving them the clearance they needed. But, as Boeing later found out in simulators, this altered the planes aerodynamics, making it tilt up dangerously in certain situations. To counter the problem, the company devised a safety system called MCAS, which would immediately push the 737s nose down if it tilted too high. Because MCAS was designed to make the 737 Max fly just like previous 737s, and because Boeing believed that it would come into action only in extreme flying circumstances, it was kept almost secret. Boeing decided against including it in the brief lesson that pilots already certified for previous 737s needed to take to fly the 737 Max.

Theres more to the kept almost secret part, like not including the existence of MCAS in pilot manuals and telling faithful 737 buyer Southwest Airlines what it wanted to hear, that pilots would not need additional simulator training to fly the MCAS. But you get the idea.

You would think after a disaster like that, Boeing would be humbled and stick to its knitting, as in worry about making better planes. But noes!

Yikes: Jan 5, Boeing 737 has a panel rip off midair Jan 13, Boeing 737 cockpit window cracks Jan 17, Boeing 737 strands Blinken Jan 19, Boeing 747 cargo plane burns up Jan 20, Boeing plane in Atlanta lost a wheel Jan 25, Boeing to pause production for a quality focus day  ib (@Indian_Bronson) January 24, 2024

the wheel of a Delta Boeing 757 just flew off while it was preparing to take off at HartsfieldJackson Atlanta International Airport. The wheel then rolled down the runway could have been catastrophic if it happened a few seconds later video from 1/20 (VASAviation) pic.twitter.com/mO7Fvzysmx  Gregg Re (@gregg_re) January 23, 2024

AirLive describes a new Boeing incident: A Virgin Atlantic Boeing 787-9 returned to London Heathrow with the Ram air turbine deployed. From the story. And remember, last week Lever News reported Airlines Filed 1,800 Reports Warning Regulators About Boeings 737 Max. And yes, sport fans, this was after the 737 Max was grounded for 20 months as Boeing had to splain to regulators all over the world why its MCAS fixes were not another ticking time bomb.

One would think the flatlining of Boeings stock would focus the minds of its top management and board. But CEOs and their hangers-on often manage to get Heads I win, tails you lose pay deals, so its doubtful their comp has been dinged as much as it ought to be.

Two new stories look at how Boeing can pull itself out of its nosedive. A Financial Times account is fairly anodyne, framing its story around what happens to various Boeing dependents, like suppliers and long-standing customers that have tuned their operations around the Boeing product. What it does not contemplate is what happens if Boeing debacles get worse. The airline industry is correctly obsessed with safety. Customers will not fly if they think their plane might fall out of the sky. But the industry has very high barriers to entry, and no incumbent or aspirant who could meaningfully replace Boeings capacity in anything less than a decade even if customers rebelled. From the Financial Times:

At stake is not just Boeings standing as a leader in aviation. The companys mis-steps have prompted some industry experts to ask if there has been a decisive shift of power towards Airbus in the duopoly that governs aerospace. It is absolutely critical that we have a strong Boeing and that we have a strong Airbus and that the two of them at least compete with each other, not just for orders, but also . . . in terms of technological developments, says Michael OLeary, chief executive of Ryanair, one of Boeings biggest customers. That depends on Boeing turning things around. If it cannot, there would be consequences for the aerospace supply chain and for airline customers. New entrants have tried to break into the industry but with mixed success. Comac, Chinas state-backed aerospace champion whose first single-aisle C919 commercial flight took to the skies last year, has begun to emerge as the first real threat in decades. When the C919 made its inaugural flight in 2023 it marked a breakthrough in Chinas aims for technological self-sufficiency. But the aircraft is highly reliant on western suppliers for critical components, including communication and navigation systems, engines, landing gears, wheels and brakes But the Comac aircraft is not without problems, he [OLeary] argues, calling it a glorified A320. OLeary adds: So the more aircraft Comac produces, youre drawing off the same engine suppliers, the same avionics suppliers . . . its an A320 in all but name. Despite widespread scepticism that Comac can be a viable competitor anytime soon, technological development by China  including advancements in sectors including computer chips and electric vehicles  has caused some consternation in the west AerCaps [Aengus] Kelly points to the enormous technological challenges that go with building aircraft and engines. He predicts it will take Comac another 20-30 years to match what Boeing and Airbus currently do.

.

Brazils Embraer is not seen as likely to be able to make up for a big fall in Boeing orders, not due to a lack of technical chops, but the cautionary example of Canadas Bombadier, which nearly went bankrupt after trying to move into the big leagues.

Yet despite the widespread recognition of the importance to the airline industry and the US of Boeing turning itself around, an important op-ed in Aviation News explains that Boeing management has no intention of changing its grifting ways, and none of the few players that could pressure them look inclined to act. From Aviation News:

Can anything save Boeing from its management? The safety concerns and manufacturing errors plaguing the companys jetliner unit are just part of the problem. The production ramp-up has been a series of disappointments that will only worsen as regulators and customers scrutinize manufacturing and inspection processes. The company is also quickly losing market share. CEO Dave Calhouns November 2022 announcement that there would be no new Boeing jetliner this decade had a predictable result: a record 1,300 Airbus A321neo orders in 2023. Boeing will be very lucky to retain 40% of the market by decades end. Given relentless cost-cutting and the demographics of the engineering workforce, it will be quite difficult for the company to create a new jetliner in the 2030s. The situation may be worse on the defense side. Billions of dollars have been lost due to poor execution and ill-advised fixed-price contractsover $2 billion in 2022 alone.. For years, Boeing management was accused of focusing on money rather than products, performance or people. Between 2014 and 2018, it gave away $53 billion in dividends and buybacks As 2023 ended, the companys strategy department was abolished. Unit strategy functions were also reduced. The company no longer wants a plan for company-wide new technology development, new product development or, most crucial, restoring the links between the people who design and build aircraft and the people who manage the company. There are also no plans to promote technical people to senior management positions. Stephanie Popes recent appointment as chief operating officer means another finance person has been made Calhouns heir apparent. The future, if it can be called that, is simply to run the company for cashdeliver legacy jets, try to make existing defense programs profitable, and resume converting cash flow into shareholder returns. Management may also try to sell off parts of the companyor perhaps all of it. The implications of this for the U.S. aerospace industry, defense industrial base and even the broader economy are potentially enormous.

In other words, Boeing management is liquidating the company. Its such a huge player with a customer base that will find it hard to go anywhere that this will be a long and personally profitable ride. Shame for all those hangers on, though.

We described in 2005 in the Conference Board Review how the corporate fixation on short-term profits was resulting in dis-investment, which was a socially acceptable way to say liquidating. It has been masked in many cases by acquisitions, so the parent entity looks bigger even as its constituent parts are shrinking. Boeing is becoming a very big and consequential version of what happens when this practice continues unimpeded.

Oh, and maybe Tolstoy was not wrong. These looting managements are fundamentally similar and are no doubt happy with their lucre.

___

1 Due to the before Internet v. after Internet era, Lambert, who helpfully went looking, was unable to find an online version of the four-part (!!!!) New Yorker story on the birth of the 747. He did find some later stories on product competition among the then-majors:
By Lambert Strether of Corrente.

Readers, I apologize for the clickbait headline, because the ludicrous claim that the Republicans are the party of the working class is so easily disposed of. Where is Republican support for unions? Where is Republican support for a $25 minimum wage? Where is a Republican program for the precariat, especially gig workers? What about occupational health and safety, especially respirator and ventilation requirements for health care workers, and all others who must meet the public? How about a single payer health care system, so healthcare coverage is portable across employers? And on and on and on (of course, Democrats arent doing much here either, beyond making performative gestures of support to the cowed union leadership in election years, but thats off point for this post.

So that wraps it up, right? Not exactly. First, the idea that the Republicans can become, or are becoming, or have already become the party of the working class has generated an enormous literature since Trumps victory in 2016, if literature is the word I want, which I would at least like the gesture vaguely at. Its also clear working class voters were abandoned (or, indeed, repelled) by Democrats, and that many gravitates to the Republicans. However, it turns out that there is very little serious thinking being done  at least within the national political class  about what working class, and class generally, might mean (the clarification of which is, in fact, my hidden agenda for writing this post). Finally, if we grant that Trump has brought about, or taken advantage of, a shift to the Republicans, can we offer a useful speculative account for this behavior by voters?

Here is my vague gesture toward the literature; I dont think you, dear reader, being a Naked Capitalism reader, need to dig into them, because you most likely already know what they will say. But here are some headlines, organized by year:

2016

2017

2020

2021

2022

2023

We now turn to the transition by some working class voters from the Democrat Party to the Republican Party. Its clear from the above reading list that by The Party of The Working Class is meant The Party of The Working Class Voters, which has the pleasant effect of relieving the Republican Party of delivering any universal concrete material benefits to them, or granting them any agency. This being an oligarchy where the ruling class rules through a governing class (the investment theory of party competition) of elected, appointed, and otherwise affiliated officials (our democracy) one would expect no less.

Its clear enough that Democrats abandoned the working class base founded on the success of the New Deal, and transitioned to a narrower base in the Professional Managerial Class (PMC, which we will see The Bearded One having trouble with below). Thomas Franks hilarious and coruscating Listen, Liberal is, of course, the canonical text on the one-hopes-final degradation of this process under the Clintons, but Frank was instantly banished from polite society after publishing it, so Ill have to go with Franks mini-me, Ruy Teixiera (he of coalition of the ascendant fame, but Honey, Ive changed!). From Ruy Teixeira in 2024, How the Democrats Lost the Working Class (transcript):

But Democrats historically had this anchor to working class voters, they were sort of the tribune of these voters, the party of the common man and woman . And that really gets lost in the late 20th century, with the way that industrialization was affecting different areas of the country, you had the Democrats embrace of NAFTA, then Chinas accession to the WTO, and the big China shock in the early 2000sthese are things that voters reacted very negatively to; that Democrats werent on their side and basically didnt care about them. That didnt mean that they therefore understood what the Republicans economic policies were, and all this stuff, but they definitely felt the Democrats were no longer their party. So this is what happens when a party becomes identified with policies and outcomes that are different from what the voters who historically supported them expected. And they sort of move in the direction of the Republicans.

And Teixiera in 2022, Democrats Long Goodbye to the Working Class:

Americas historical party of the working class keeps losing working-class support. And not just among white voters. Not only has the emerging Democratic majority I once predicted failed to materialize, but many of the nonwhite voters who were supposed to deliver it are instead voting for Republicans. From 2012 to 2020, the Democrats not only saw their support among white working-class votersthose without college degrees crater, they also saw their advantage among nonwhite working-class voters fall by 18 points. And between 2016 and 2020 alone, the Democratic advantage among Hispanic voters declined by 16 points, overwhelmingly driven by the defection of working-class voters. In contrast, Democrats advantage among white college-educated voters improved by 16 points from 2012 to 2020, an edge that delivered Joe Biden the White House

Just as a pre-emptive strike:

A rigorous accounting of vote shifts toward Trump, however, shows that they were concentrated among white votersparticularly those without college degreeswith moderate views on race and immigration, and not among white voters with high levels of racial resentment. The political scientists Justin Grimmer and William Marble concluded that racial resentment simply could not explain the shifts that occurred in the 2016 election. In fact, Trump netted fewer votes from white voters with high levels of racial resentment than Mitt Romney did in 2012.

(Teixiera wrote in 2022, a midterms year when the Supreme Court  not looking quite so closely at the electoral calendar as a branch of the Republican Party might have been expected to do  overturned Roe v. Wade, allowing Democrats to exceed expectations. However, the overall trend away from Democrats by working class voters is clear. It is true that Democrats are making the usual performative gestures on abortion in 2024, but I think its pardonable to classify 2022 as a dead cat bounce. What, after all, have Democrats actually done? Lets wait and see!)

And from the Desert News, Perspective: When did the Democratic Party become the party of the upper class?:

[A] new poll conducted by HarrisX for Deseret News shows exactly how much the Democratic Party has changed: Once proudly the representative of the working man and woman , Democrats are now, by a notable margin, the party of choice of the upper class. In the poll, respondents were asked to identify as one of seven categories: lower class, working poor, working class, lower middle class, middle class, upper middle class or upper class . A majority (39%) made their choice based on income rather than their job (10%) or education (7%), categories which are commonly used by researchers when defining the working class.

(One bucket for the working class, and three separate buckets for the middle class, which, by exclusion, must be the PMC. Wowsers.) And:

Some findings that stand out: Many in the upper class seem tone-deaf about how the rest of the country is faring. Large majorities of the middle class and below, for example, say that the working class is being left behind when it comes to economic development, while 80% of the upper class say that everyone is benefiting equally. That finding, in particular, screams elite. Similarly, 62% of the upper class thinks the working class is in a good position. Only 30% of the working class agree.

And as for Biden:

Perhaps most significantly, 74% of upper class respondents want Biden to run again, in stark contrast to large shares of the middle class and lower who dont want to see Biden run. Sixty-seven percent of the working class and 68% of the lower class dont want Biden to be their president again. That is significant, and as the Democratic establishment prepares to again present Joe Biden as the solution to Americas problems, it does so at considerable risk.

If Democrats leave power lying in the street, Republicans will pick it up, however clumsily. Teixeira once more, The GOPs working-class tilt is causing havoc in its ranks:

However, blaming the GOPs bad situation on Trump overlooks the ways in which he is not just a cause but a symptom of the partys fundamental problem: its tilt toward the working class. Since the breakup of the Democrats New Deal coalition about half a century ago, the GOP has become steadily more working class and therefore more dependent on appealing to that base. Initially Republicans were able to take advantage of the breakup of postwar Democratic voting blocs by promulgating an anti-welfare, anti-tax agenda that, along with an aggressive cultural conservatism, appealed to many working-class voters. But this was not a sustainable strategy. Working-class voters, as many of their communities continued to deteriorate, lost faith that lower taxes and less government were really the solution to their problems  however much those principles might appeal to business supporters of the GOP. It was Trumps genius to break with orthodox Republican economics, particularly on trade, entitlements, deficits and corporate priorities. In other words, he leaned into the working-class tilt of the GOP instead of simply exploiting it when it overlapped with standard GOP priorities. As a result, Trump has deepened Republicans working-class base, first by bringing in even more White working-class voters, particularly in the Midwest, and then by adding non-White working-class voters, especially Hispanics. But that deeper working-class base presents challenges that the GOP appears ill-prepared to handle.

But what is this working class of which you speak? (Obviously, Teixeiras formulation of the party of the common man and woman is vacuous and completely unusable. Ive helpfully underlined the usages, most of them sloppy and vague. You can be sure that none of the articles that use the phrase working class actually define it, although the HarrisX poll makes an effort.)

What would a definition of class look like? As I wrote in 2017:

When I think of the concept class, I think of a set, and a set membership function to determine who or what is a member of that set.

(This idea is reinforced in this discussion of Griffin, where the issue is how to ascertain that a given individual is a member of the set of insurrectionists.) Here is the conventional approach, from Demos: Understanding the Working Class. In fact, there are three potentional set membership functions:

Social scientists use 3 common methods to define classby occupation, income, or educationand there is really no consensus about the right way to do it .

Oh. One would think that developing a clear definition of working class would be top-of-mind for a putatively left-wing think tank, but perhaps thats just me. More:

Michael Zweig, a leading scholar in working-class studies, defines the working class as people who, when they go to work or when they act as citizens, have comparatively little power or authority. They are the people who do their jobs under more or less close supervision, who have little control over the pace or the content of their work, who arent the boss of anyone. Using occupational data as the defining criteria, Zweig estimated that the working class makes up just over 60 percent of the labor force. The second way of defining class is by income, which has the benefit of being available in both political and economic data sets. Yet defining the working class by income raises complications because of the wide variation in the cost of living in the United States. An annual income of $45,000 results in a very different standard of living in New York City than it does in Omaha, Nebraska. Incomes are also volatile, subject to changes in employment status or the number of hours worked in the household, making it easy for the same household to move in and out of standard income bands in any given year. The third way to define class is by educational attainment, which is the definition used in this paper. Education level has the benefit of being consistently collected in both economic and political data sets, but, more importantly, education level is strongly associated with job quality . The reality is that the economic outcomes of individuals who hold bachelors degrees and those who dont have diverged considerably since the late 1970s.

I have helpfully underlined the various weasel words (more or less), weird methodological assumptions (standard income bands) and vague terms (job quality). As Nate Silver remarks:

[T]he definition of working class and similar terms is fuzzy

So, I think its fair to say that all the literature I collected above can be tossed out, since theres no consensus on the common methods to define class in social science, and the conventional wisdom is fuzzy. Could there be an alternative? One that is rooted in actually existing and ascertainable power relations, instead of being fitted to data sets? I think there is.

Enter the Old Mole in the cellerage, the Bearded One. Capital, Volume III, p. 652 (PDF):

The first question to be answered is this: What constitutes a class?  and the reply to this follows naturally from the reply to another question, namely: What makes wage-labourers, capitalists and landlords constitute the three great social classes? At first glance  the identity of revenues and sources of revenue. There are three great social groups whose members, the individuals forming them, live on wages, profit and ground-rent respectively, on the realisation of their labour-power, their capital, and their landed property. However, from this standpoint, physicians and officials, e.g., would also constitute two classes, for they belong to two distinct social groups, the members of each of these groups receiving their revenue from one and the same source. The same would also be true of the infinite fragmentation of interest and rank into which the division of social labour splits labourers as well as capitalists and landlords  the latter, e.g., into owners of vineyards, farm owners, owners of forests, mineowners and owners of fisheries. [Here the manuscript breaks off.]

(Here the manuscript breaks off [pounds head on desk]). This holds up pretty well, IMNSHO. We have the set membership function (the identity of revenues and sources of revenue, or, in the vulgate, follow the money). The Bearded One would be the first to admit that his schema, developed in the UK in the 19th Century, might be usefully modified for the 21st. For example, we might distinguish between international, national, and regional (local gentry) subclasses of capitalists (globalism). We might also conceptualize the owners of intellectual property (Silicon Valley) as akin to landlords. And interestingly, Marx, hitherto so crisp, goes a bit mushy when he merely alludes to physicians and officials, what today we would call the PMC, without attempting to analyze this class? subclass? any further. Finally, the infinite fragmentation of interest and rank into which the division of social labour splits labourers might usefully be seen as foreshadowing the identity politics of today. We might also wish to think about new forms of wage labor derived from the sharing economy. Still, all in all, not too shabby for 1894! In all cases, the same set membership function would apply. So Marx is quite the analyst, and Im going to put the above quote under a notional magnet on my notional refrigerator.

* * *

Now lets do a little speculation. Suppose we agree with what seems to be so: That the Republicans are picking up working class votes across the board (working class as defined by Marx, not by social scientists, feh; not Hispanic voters who happen to be working class, but working class voters who happen to be Hispanic, and so on for the litany of the usual identities). Is there a common factor that unites them, besides their class membership? I think there is.

When I think about the state of the Union, I think about the systems I might need to enter to live (that is, to reproduce my labor power): The health care system, the financial system, the law enforcement system, the judicial system, the educational system, the welfare system, and so on. There is not one of these systems that I would enter without fear or anxiety, or that I would entrust family or friends to. They are one and all infested by administrative caltrops and rental extraction, such that the delivery of actual service to a citizen is the result of luck, as much as anything. They ruin the quality of life and, for that matter, death. And, as I point out here, these are, one and all, institutions controlled and managed by the Professional and Managerial Class. So one might urge that a major factor in Trumps success is that for the first time, working class voters can give a gigantic upraised middle finger to the officious betrayer sitting on the other side of the desk, to their class enemies in the PMC[1]. Trump, in his person, incarnates this gesture, verbally, through his behavior, through the enemies he has made, and in every way. Do note, however, that there is no policy aspect to giving the bird. That is, I think, too much to ask.[2] So in that sense, and that sense only, the Republicans are the party of (and not by, or for) the working class.

NOTES

[1] I am laying it on a bit thick, here. There are exceptional, as well as hegemonic, PMC. Nurses who treat their patients humanely, for example, being exceptional. But the tendency of all these systems is hegemonic, and they are as productive of fear and loathing as I have described.

[2] But if thats what you want from the first Trump administration, its there: (1) Trumped nuked a second NAFTA, the TPP, on his first day in office; (2) the CARES Act actually reduced poverty (and Biden promptly took it away); and (3) Trump didnt start any land wars, and so there were no casualities in the rural and heartland districts that disproportionately fill the ranks of the military. And even though the capitalists got a big tax cut, (4) Trump did away with the Obama mandate penalty, saving me, by a happy coincidence, $600 in taxes.

APPENDIX

I looked at Republicans and working class in Google Trends:

I guess the moral is that the discussion embodied in this post takes place in a very small segment of the population!
Yves here. The hit on Tower 22, a logistics, supply, and rear guard post for the Al-Tanf base in Syria, may be a lucky accident by Axis of Resistance forces that killed 3 American servicemembers and wounded dozens. But it appears instead to signal a marked increase in militia and Iran capabilities, specifically, not just their attack range but also their ability to thwart US defenses. This attack looks to signal a strategic accomplishment that tells the US that major airbases in the area are at risk.

By John Helmer, the longest continuously serving foreign correspondent in Russia, and the only western journalist to direct his own bureau independent of single national or commercial ties. Helmer has also been a professor of political science, and an advisor to government heads in Greece, the United States, and Asia. He is the first and only member of a US presidential administration (Jimmy Carter) to establish himself in Russia. Originally published at Dances with Bears

The Hamas offensive of October 7 caught the Israel Defence Forces asleep at their posts. This weekends drone strike against Tower-22, a US troop base in northeastern Jordan, caught the US Army troops asleep.

The response, according to President Joseph Bidens statement, is that we will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner our choosing.we know it was carried out by radical Iran-backed militant groups operating in Syria and Iraq. General Lloyd Austin, the US Secretary of Defense, repeated: Iran-backed militias are responsible for these continued attacks on U.S. forces, and we will respond at a time and place of our choosing.

Donald Trump, campaigning to defeat Biden in the November election, declared in an election statement, reported in full by a Russian military blogger, this brazen attack on the United States is yet another horrific and tragic consequence of Joe Bidens weakness and surrender. Three years ago, Iran was weak, broke, and totally under control. Thanks to my Maximum Pressure policyThis attack would NEVER have happened if I was President, not even a chance. Just like the Iranian-backed Hamas attack on Israel would never have happened, the war in Ukraine would never have happened, and we would right now have peace throughout the World. Instead, we are on the brink of World War 3.

This is how the psychopathic liar now fights the demented on behalf of the genocidalists to trigger all-fronts war in the Middle East.

The details of the Tower-22 attack, and Irans reinforcement at the Strait of Hormuz, reveal that the Arabs and the Iranians are ready and waiting. The Russians too.

The drone attack on the US troop base known as Tower-22, in the northeastern corner of Jordan, caught the US forces, reportedly reservists, asleep. The base reportedly holds 350 Army and Air Force personnel. At least three have been confirmed killed; eight have been evacuated with life threatening injuries, according to US Central Command (CENTCOM); about three dozen have been counted as wounded.

Source of map: https://www.abc.net.au/

The distance between the two American bases is about 30 kilometres. The location of Tower-22 on Jordanian territory has been confirmed by CENTCOM. This flatly contradicts claims on Jordanian state television by a government spokesman; he announced that the base is outside Jordanian territory in Syria. This lie indicates how fearful Jordanian officials are of the majority Palestinian community in Jordan who are hostile to the Jordan kings collaboration with the Israelis, as well as with the US and British forces. To date, the Palestinians in Jordan have organized crowd protests in Amman in support of the Gaza and West Bank fights, but they have not yet taken their protests to the foreign bases on Jordanian territory.

Satellite image of the Tower-22 base, including helicopter pads. Source: https://www.nytimes.com/

With a 350-man complement, Tower-22 is a bigger base than Al-Tanf, which has about 200 special forces.

The operational success of the strike for the attackers is strategic. Tower-22 is a logistics, supply, and rear guard post for the Al-Tanf base which US troops are operating thirty kilometres north across the border in Syria. The attack demonstrates that both Tower-22 and Al-Tanf, Jordan and Syria, are newly vulnerable to weapons which the US forces have failed to detect and neutralize. Just as significantly, the massive US airbase called Muwaffaq Salti, 230 kilometres west across Jordan, is also vulnerable now.

For analysis of how these bases, and other anti-Palestinian targets in Jordan, are connected and targeted by the Axis of Resistance, read this from October.

Bidens statement said only we are still gathering the facts of this attack.

The USAF base at Muwaffaq Salti in Jordan. Source: https://johnhelmer.net/

The aircraft visible in the satellite image of the base include USAF F-15Es, which were redeployed there in October from the RAF Lakenheath base in England; read more here.

Reporters of the New York Times were told by their official briefers that the drone strike in Jordan on Sunday demonstrated that the Iran-backed militias  whether in Iran or Syria, or the Houthis in Yemen  remained capable of inflicting serious consequences on American troops despite the U.S. militarys efforts to weaken them and avoid tumbling into a wider conflict, possibly with Iran itself.

The newspaper added a warning against escalation from the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon:  We dont want to go down a path of greater escalation that drives to a much broader conflict within the region, Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said on Sunday. Asked in a pre-recorded session on ABC Newss This Week whether he thought Iran wanted war with the United States, General Brown, echoing assessments from the U.S. intelligence agencies, said, No, I dont think so. 

Brown is also believed to have been one of the prompters for public release of the Pentagon warnings against the Ukrainian counteroffensive in the so-called social media releases published by Jack Texeira in April of 2023.

The official line in Washington on Sunday evening, according to its New York platform, is that the Americans killed on Sunday were the first known fatalities from hostile fire in the region since the Oct. 7 attacks by HamasIt was unclear on Sunday why air defences at the outpost failed to intercept the drone, which former military commanders said appeared to be the first known assault on the location since attacks on U.S. forces began soon after the Oct. 7 incursion.

Well-informed military sources are emphatic that the Tower-22 operation has strategic significance in quite another way. They believe Pentagon officials have already told the White House.

This is a significant accomplishment, one of the sources said. Was the bypassing of the US air defence system at Tower-22 pulled off with Russian assistance? US bases generally rely on the C-RAM [Counter Rocket, Artillery and Mortar] system. It was sent to Ukraine last year where the Russians have been learning to defeat it. What now of American EW [electronic warfare]? Theyve been doing a fair job of knocking drones down up to now. It seems a coincidence that, not a week after the meetings in Moscow with Arabs and Iranians, we see this success. Its a success the circumstances of which, we can be sure, Biden and Austin are not keen to advertise.

Confirmation that C-RAM units are the principal air defence systems operating at US bases in Syria and Iraq, including Al-Tanf and Tower-22, came last October from former Pentagon official, Stephen Bryen. Bryen claimed at the time for years I have complained that vulnerable American bases in Iraq and Syria lacked adequate air defenses. Bottom line: they still do. When Bryen was at the Pentagon, he was also unusually close to the Israeli government.

For details of the C-RAM system, its US Army development history and its allied counterparts, click to read this. The evidence that C-RAM was delivered to Kiev last October, test-fired, and then installed to become part of Kievs air defence supporting the Patriot missile units, can be viewed in this 10-minute video from Night Hawk Veterans.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aty7XuYO-9I

Starting last May, there have been several effective Russian missile attacks against the Patriot batteries in Kiev. At the start of this month, there were fresh Russian missile and drone attacks across Kiev.

While there has been no announcement from the Russian Defense Ministry of a successful hit against C-RAM in Kiev, military sources believe Russias General Staff have acquired the technical capability to neutralize the American system, allowing drones through to hit their ground targets, including the C-RAM mounted truck unit.

The Iranians have been observing, as have the Arab forces planning and executing drone attacks against C-RAM defended US bases. How much of the Russian intelligence on C-RAM is being shared with them?

For details of last weeks detailed talks in Moscow with visiting delegations from the Yemen Ansarallah government (Houthis) and the Iranian Security Council, read this.

Left, Russian Security Council, headed by Nikolai Patrushev (ring), at plenary session, with Ali-Akbar Ahmadian, head of the counterpart Iranian Security Council.

Apart from US reports of the Tower-22 drone attack striking the troop living quarters, there is no information yet on how many drones detonated, and what equipment at the base may also have been hit.

The military source again: If theres no coincidence, and if this isnt a lucky strike for the Arabs, then this may reflect a step-change up in Russian military assistance to the Iranians. Maybe Tower-22 was selected as a small target for demonstration effect, so as to send a message about the bigger targets, Al-Tanf and Muwaffaq Salti. Hitting them next makes regional war, and then US ground forces are going to be in the thick of it  the Biden Administration will have a new war on its hands  and bodybags, instead of votes, for Election Day. 

For the time being, Russian military bloggers  the only open-source reporters of Russian military operations in the Ukraine and worldwide  are not analyzing the implications of the Tower-22 operation.

However, Militarist has reported the deployment of the Iranian naval drone carrier and electronic warfare vessel, the Shah Mahdavi, in the Gulf of Oman. There is no open-source western vessel tracking source for this report and the map.

Source: https://t.me/infantmilitario/118465

US Navy and other western media have been reporting for almost a year the conversion of the older container carrier into a warship by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

The current positioning of the Shah Mahdavi is a signal that if the Biden Administration, or the Trump election campaign, or their claques in the US Congress decide on making a direct, retaliatory strike against Iranian targets  military personnel, territorial units, or naval vessels  the IGRC will close the Strait of Hormuz. Iran will then be at war with the US, and so will the rest of the world which, until Israel started its war against the Palestinians, depended on the Suez Canal, Red Sea, Persian Gulf, and the Indian Ocean for its energy supply and trade lifelines.

Left, the angled-deck air-launch structure of the Shah Mahdavi. Right: deck cranes visible for launch of surface and submarine drones. Source: https://news.usni.org/

This is a major embarrassment and a message for the US and its allies, the military source concludes. It should resonate with all of them. Its the conclusion to be drawn from the fact that the systems they have relied on have been defeated on land [in the Ukraine] and are now defending their ships on the Red Sea, and being defeated there too. The implications of all of this are enormous. Now, even the smallest maritime country, at a relatively low cost, can project force and inflict harm on the traditionally dominant actors. No need for expensive fighter or strike aircraft, let alone the pilots to operate them, or technicians and facilities to maintain them. No need for specialized military ship-building facilities. Any bulk transport, cheaply got, will do.
Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg is in the United States this week to discuss maintaining strong support for Ukraine and preparations for NATOs 75th anniversary Summit in Washington DC.

On Monday (29 January 2024) the Secretary General met with Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III. In public remarks ahead of a bilateral meeting, Mr Stoltenberg underlined that Allied support is helping Ukraine defend itself against Russias brutal aggression, and that aid to Ukraine is not charity but an investment in our own security. He therefore welcomed both Secretary Austin and President Bidens leadership in ensuring that US support continues.



Looking forward to the Washington Summit later this year, the Secretary General noted that Allies are set to take further steps to strengthen NATO, including with more defence spending, where he underlined that European Allies and Canada are stepping up and have invested 450 billion extra US dollars for defence.



While in Washington DC Mr Stoltenberg is also meeting with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, the Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson, Democratic Leader of the House Hakeem Jeffries, Republican Leader of the Senate Mitch McConnell, as well as other Democratic and Republican Representatives and Senators. On 31 January, the Secretary General will deliver a speech at the Heritage Foundation.



As part of his visit to the US, the Secretary General will travel to Troy, Alabama to visit the Missiles and Fire Control Facility of Lockheed Martin. He will conclude his trip by visiting the headquarters of the US Special Operations Command in Tampa, Florida.
(As delivered)

Lloyd J. Austin III, US Secretary of Defense

Good morning, everybody. Let me start with my outrage and sorrow for the death of three brave US troops in Jordan and for the other troops who were wounded. The President and I will not tolerate attack on US forces and we will take all necessary actions to defend the US and our troops. Now, at this important time, I'm glad to be back at the Pentagon. I feel good and am recovering well, but still recovering. And I appreciate all the, the good wishes that I've received thus far. And welcome back Mr. Secretary General.

Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General

Thank you

Lloyd J. Austin III, US Secretary of Defense

It's great to see you. It's a pleasure to get the host to host you here today. You know, the past three years we've worked closely together and I want to thank you for your leadership and you've heard me say that a number of times and it is, it is heartfelt. I have really watched you lead, lead the Alliance through some very challenging times. You've kept NATO, united and resolute through the most serious threat to transatlantic security since the end of the Cold War. Over the nearly two years since Putins unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, NATO has grown stronger and more united than ever.

NATO became even more capable last year when Finland joined and I'm very pleased that the Turkish parliament voted last week for Sweden to join NATO as well. And we're looking forward to welcoming Sweden to NATO soon. Now, we'll talk today about ways to further strengthen transatlantic security as we look to next month's Defence Ministerial meeting in Brussels, and to the 75th anniversary summit that well host here in Washington later this year. Deterrence and defence will always be job number one for NATO. And we've always, and we've made excellent progress on implementing the decisions that our leaders made at the Vilnius Summit. With our approved regional plans, we're ensuring a theatre-wide multi domain deterrent. If any adversary challenges that deterrent, the Alliance is ready to fight and to win.

So I look forward to some frank discussions with you and our valued Allies about what we need to strengthen our collective deterrence and defence. That includes reaching and maintaining the levels of defence spending and production that we need to follow through on our commitments from Vilnius. That's vital so that we can continue to support Ukraine and to replenish our own stocks of weapons and munitions.

NATO is the most powerful and successful alliance in history. And we're going to keep it that way. So Mr Secretary General, weve got a lot to discuss today and I look forward to that discussion. And over to you sir.

Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General

Thank you so much Secretary Austin, dear Lloyd. It's good to see you again and thank you for your warm welcome. And it's great to see that you are doing well and I look forward to continuing to working with you. Let me start by express my condolences for the US troops killed and wounded in Jordan. This demonstrates once again, the risk that servicemen are exposed to when they stand up for our values and take part in missions and operations where we protect freedom and the values we all believe in. Iran continues to destabilise the region. This includes backing terrorists who attack our ships in the Red Sea and the US is leading international efforts to end these attacks.

We will as you mentioned, also discuss Russias war of aggression against Ukraine and the war is now nearing the two year mark. The situation, the situation on the battlefield is challenging but NATO Allies are providing unprecedented support to Ukraine. It is important that we continue to do so. Our support to Ukraine is not charity, it is an investment in our own security because the world will become more dangerous if President Putin wins in Ukraine. And this is also closely watched in China and Beijing so that makes it even more important that we continue to support Ukraine. And therefore I also welcome the leadership of you and President Biden in ensuring that we are going to continue to support Ukraine.

We will also discuss how to continue to adapt the Alliance in the future. NATO is now holding Steadfast Defender - our biggest military exercise in decades with 90,000 troops including many from the United States - demonstrating how NATO has adapted and how we have increased the readiness of our forces and how we also have deployed more forces to the eastern part of the Alliance.

We also see growing competition with China. Beijing is not an adversary but China is conducting a major military build-up, increasingly aligning with Russia and bullying its neighbours, not least Taiwan - and all of this impacts our security. So when we face a more dangerous world, we need to invest more in security. I commend you for your leadership on these issues and I welcome the fact that European Allies are now stepping up. All Allies across Europe and Canada have increased defence spending, added 450 billion extra US dollars for events demonstrating that they take this seriously and I look forward to the Defence Ministerial meeting next week and also the summit in Washington in July. Where we're going to celebrate the 75th anniversary of this Alliance but also work and agree on important decisions on how to continue to ensure that NATO is the most successful alliance in history.

Thanks so much Lloyd, its great to see you again.

Lloyd J. Austin III, US Secretary of Defense

Well, welcome back to the Pentagon Secretary General, I look forward to a great discussion. Thanks, everybody.
NYC Mayor Adams pledges support for ILLEGALS despite the strain on the citys finances

New York City (NYC) Mayor Eric Adams has pledged continued support toward illegal immigrants despite the strain they cause on the city's finances.

He expressed this support during his State of the City address on Jan. 24, reiterating that the Big Apple's resources will continue to be used for illegals. Adams emphasized that the federal government ought to play a role in helping unlawful border crossers adjust and assimilate.

Throughout the hourlong State of the City speech at Hostos Community College in The Bronx, Adams called the situation a crisis. However, he stopped well short of calling for tougher enforcement of immigration laws  the actual solution to the Big Apple's woes.

"The federal government must step up and step in. This is a national crisis that calls for a national solution," said Adams. "It is time for the federal government to deal with this federal crisis and make sure we give them the opportunity; let them work."

He also endorsed the training and hiring of illegal aliens who have arrived in NYC en masse on buses from Texas, which was spearheaded by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. Adams boasted: "We have helped more than 172,000 asylum seekers by providing food, asylum and medical care. We have helped tens of thousands file applications to extend, temporarily, their status and to seek employment."

While the Big Apple cannot do it alone, Adams made it clear that he would like to incorporate illegal aliens into the municipal economy. He also reiterated that sending these illegals home to the countries they came from is the last thing on his agenda, regardless of what ordinary New Yorkers think.

Adams previously warned of illegals collapsing the city

The mayor's remarks at the State of the City address come amid a rising public outcry over the disruption of New Yorkers' daily lives.

Two weeks before Adams delivered his speech, the city government decided to move 2,000 illegals from tents into the James Madison High School in Brooklyn. This prompted the school to shift to remote classes for the time being and sparked outrage among parents and others. At no point in his speech did Adams address this disruption.

Reports of illegals relieving themselves publicly in the East Village's Tompkins Square Park have also provoked outrage among the Big Apple's residents. The illegal aliens have gathered in large numbers at the park as their asylum claims wend their way through the sluggish bureaucracy.

According to the Epoch Times, the situation has even drawn international attention. Last summer, local media reported on the phenomenon of border crossers sleeping on the sidewalk outside a migrant intake center. The municipal bureaucracy had been overwhelmed by more than 500 daily arrivals at the time.

In August 2022, an internal email from the NYC Human Resources Administration called attention to the scope of the escalating migrant crisis. The email, which was leaked to the Epoch Times, called for help in dealing with a "drastic influx of asylum seekers coming to our shelter intake sites" and asked employees to consider working overtime.

Incidentally, Adams himself acknowledged last September that the migrant crisis will eventually destroy the city. He has also publicly complained about the Biden administration's failure to take effective action on the matter. But his support of illegals, as outlined in the State of the City address he delivered, only serves to contradict his stance. (Related: NYC Mayor Eric Adams warns illegal immigrants will DESTROY the city.)

"Let me tell you something, New Yorkers: Never in my life have I had a problem that I did not see an ending to. I don't see an ending to this," he said during opening remarks delivered at a town hall-style gathering in Manhattan. "This issue will destroy NYC."

Watch this report from Fox News' "The Five" about the James Madison High School being shut down to house illegals.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Sanctuary city mayors admit being at the breaking point with migrant crisis, but they blame Texas Gov. Abbott instead of Biden's open borders.

Finger-pointing Biden admin officials blame NYC Mayor Adams for migrant crisis, say city lacks "exit strategy" for illegals.

NYC Mayor Eric Adams admits mass illegal immigration is inherently destructive for the Big Apple.

NYC Mayor Adams: Illegal immigration under Biden has become a NATIONAL CRISIS.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

NYTimes.com

Brighteon.com
Belgorod plane attack: Why did Ukraine shoot down an aircraft carrying dozens of its own soldiers?

On Wednesday, an Il-76 transport plane was downed in Russian airspace. It was reportedly carrying 65 Ukrainian POWs scheduled for a prisoner swap, escorted by three Russian military guards, as well as six crew members. All on board were killed. It seems the aircraft was destroyed by missiles launched from a US-supplied Patriot system.

(Article republished from RT.com)

The incident prompts a critical question: What were the Ukrainian soldiers doing so far from their homeland that air transportation was necessary? The answer is simple: The POWs were initially held in the Lugansk and Donetsk Peoples Republics, but then came a Ukrainian HIMARS attack on a prisoner camp in Olenovka near Volnovakha on July 29, 2022, killing 53 people. This seems to have been the reason for the transfer, aiming to distance the POWs from high-tech precision weapons systems provided to Kiev by NATO.

Today, we can say with absolute certainty that this did not help. Ukraine has once again shown the world just how dangerous it can be for its own citizens.

What happened?

Around noon on Wednesday, Moscow time (9am GMT), footage spread online depicting the crash on snow-covered fields. A distinctive church seen on video meant the location was soon identified as being near the village of Yablonovo, Korochansky District, in Belgorod Region.

Almost immediately, Ukrainian Telegram channels, both anonymous and verified (such as Unian and Ukrainskaya Pravda), were inundated with posts citing sources close to the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU). These posts claimed that a) the plane was purportedly carrying missiles for Russias S-300 systems intended for use in attacks on Kharkov, and b) the downing was attributed to the Kiev's actions.

A short time later, the Russian Defense Ministry officially announced that 65 captured Ukrainian soldiers who were being transported to Belgorod for a prisoner exchange were on board the plane, along with six crew members and three guards.

Immediately afterwards, statements about the involvement of Kievs forces began to disappear from the Ukrainian internet, as well as any mention of the alleged cargo (missiles for the S-300 system).

At 3pm Moscow time, the Russian Defense Ministry made an official announcement, stating that two Ukrainian missiles had been launched from the Liptsy suburb of Kharkov. The point of impact was approximately 100km away, a range well within the coverage of the AFUs Patriot missiles of all modifications, including PAC-2 GEM-T and PAC-3 MSE.

Concurrently, lists featuring the names of Ukrainian servicemen surfaced, which can be verified through the meticulous maintenance of Ukrainian POW databases by dedicated enthusiasts.

Background

Belgorods civilian airport has been shut down since Russia launched its military operation in February 2022. This closure is a precautionary measure due to the airports location within the range of Ukrainian air defenses.

Nevertheless, the air transportation of prisoners to Belgorod for exchange is a well-established practice. Previous instances were conducted using the Il-76 aircraft, notably on January 3, 2024, with the actual exchange occurring on January 8.

Its reasonable to assume that the Ukrainian side was notified about these flights, similar to how Russia is informed about visits by foreign leaders to Kiev.

On Wednesday, two planes were involved; the second Il-76 aircraft, transporting another group of prisoners, promptly reversed course and returned to base after the first aircraft crashed.

The AFUs actions have precedents. On multiple occasions, they have covertly positioned Western air defense systems, including Patriots and IRIS-Ts, near the border of Belgorod Region or the line of contact, attempting to use them to engage aircraft within Russian airspace. Despite claiming success in these operations, Ukrainian forces have consistently failed to substantiate their reports with evidence.

What now?

Ukraine, as always, is firmly in denial, so we are unlikely to learn the real motives behind the actions of its military anytime soon. Was it a mistake caused by a lack of coordination and general sloppiness, a deliberate provocation, or both? Were they aiming to shoot the plane down on its way home with Russian POWs on board, but something went wrong?

Is this the end of prisoner exchanges? One would hope not. In just under two years, more than a thousand captured Russian soldiers have been brought home in POW swaps, but many others are still being held captive, so these exchanges need to go on.

Will there be any reaction from the West? Im certain there wont be. At best, well hear routine hypocritical expressions of concern, or, more likely, another round of tirades about how Russia is to blame. The West continues to use Ukraine, while it can get away with it, and will keep turning a blind eye to anything, including the killing of Ukrainians by Western weapons of freedom.

Not that it matters to the dead Russian pilots or Ukrainian soldiers who were on their way home. What matters is that the idea that the Ukrainian government being the worst enemy of its own people has just be bolstered.

Moloch

The Ukrainian army, which is getting weaker by the day, is not fighting for a better future.

The Ukrainian army is not fighting for freedom. People at the highest levels in Kiev have confirmed that they were offered what would be incredibly accommodating terms by current standards at the peace negotiations with Russia in Istanbul back in March and April 2022.

The Ukrainian army is not fighting to expel the enemy, as only the craziest of fanatics continue to claim that this can be achieved by military means.

Its not even fighting for the European way, as NATO and EU membership is receding into background, like a dot on the horizon, which is no secret to anyone.

The Ukrainian army is fighting and Ukrainian soldiers are rotting alive in rat-infested trenches, dying by the thousands for one thing only: to keep the current Kiev regime in power.

Its a regime that refuses to accept reality and keeps saying its winning.

Its a regime that has no qualms about sacrificing thousands upon thousands of its own citizens for a fleeting spot in the media limelight, just for the show.

It sacrificed them in Bakhmut, even though trying to hold the city was clearly pointless. It sacrificed them near Rabotino, even though the Ukrainian army leadership realized the failure of the counteroffensive after just a few days.

It sacrificed them during suicidal, flag-waving raids on Snake Island and Crimea, even though few came back from those escapades. Its sacrificing them today in Krynki, in Avdeevka, and near Belgorod  just like that, for nothing in particular.

Every day, Ukraines plight is getting worse. Zelensky is running out of fuel for his fire, but he keeps throwing more soldiers into the flames, sending people-catchers to grab anyone they can get their hands on in the street.

All of those are not separate incidents but the work of an inhuman machine of annihilation, which will only go down when the Ukrainian state falls.

The plane incident is just another episode. But one would like to think that this will be the straw that breaks the camel's back.

If that happens, it will mean that the deaths of our pilots and Ukrainian POWs will not have been in vain.

Read more at: RT.com
Biden agrees to a deal that allows the border to be SHUT DOWN when Texas gets overwhelmed  But why wait? Shut it down now!

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's opposition to President Joe Biden's very lax immigration policies has forced the federal government to cut a deal with Republicans on border reforms

On Jan. 26, Biden announced that the border deal currently being negotiated in Congress would be the "toughest and fairest" set of reforms possible and includes provisions for when the federal government should "shut down the border." (Related: Abbott declares the federal government HAS FAILED TEXAS by refusing to protect the border and defend against migrant invasion.)

The deal, which is still being negotiated and has yet to be approved by the Senate, would see the White House agree to new, lower limits on the number of people who can claim asylum at the border. Border Patrol would also be given a new power of expulsion, allowing agents to rapidly return migrants who have crossed the border illegally to Mexico on days when migrant encounters at the border surpass 4,000 per day.

If encounters pass 5,000 per day, the use of the new expulsion authority would be mandatory. The new expulsion authority does not prevent migrants from trying to claim asylum at legal border crossings. But when the expulsion authority is active, the number of people allowed to claim asylum at legal border crossings would be limited to 1,400 per day.

The agreement also aims to screen asylum cases within six months compared with the current system, which allows applicants ineligible to receive asylum to stay in the U.S. for up to 10 years.

Furthermore, the bill gives the federal government the power to hire an additional 1,300 Border Patrol agents, 375 new immigration judges and 1,600 new asylum officers, and the power to install "over 100 cutting-edge inspection machines" to help detect and stem the flow of fentanyl across the border, according to the president.

House Republicans vow to oppose deal

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has garnered enough support among House Republicans to ensure that the deal Biden has negotiated in the Senate will not receive the approval of the House of Representatives, with Johnson arguing that the deal still incentivizes migrants to continue attempting to cross the border illegally.

Furthermore, Johnson noted that it also does not address the root of the problem, which is the federal government's unwillingness to "enforce the laws already on the books."

"If rumors about the contents of the draft proposal are true, it would have been dead on arrival in the House anyway," wrote Johnson in a letter to House Republicans. "Republicans will vigorously oppose any policy proposal from the White House or Senate that would further incentivize illegal aliens to break our laws."

"Many of our constituents have asked an important question: 'What is the point of negotiating new laws with an administration that will not enforce the laws already on the books?'" Johnson continued. "If President Biden wants us to believe he is serious about protecting our national sovereignty, he needs to demonstrate his good faith by taking immediate actions to secure it."

The deal in the Senate, being negotiated with the help of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), has in the name of bipartisanship included several provisions contentious to House Republicans, including an agreement to increase the number of available migrant visas to 250,000 and widen the number of migrants that would be eligible to receive green cards.

Johnson further noted that he and other more hardline members of the House Republican caucus are upset that the deal does not include a specific restriction on parole, or the federal government's authority to let migrants not otherwise legally authorized to enter the country live and work in the U.S. temporarily.

For this deal to have any chance of surviving contact with the GOP-dominated House, Johnson is demanding stricter limits on parole and reviving the "Remain in Mexico" policy of former President Donald Trump.

Watch this episode of the "Health Ranger Report" as Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, discusses the possibility of Biden using the military to attack Americans and protect illegal immigrants.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Texas DEFIES cease-and-desist order from Biden administration amid Border Patrol access dispute.

Video shows illegal aliens lining up to receive FREE housing in New York City.

National Border Patrol Council president says the only way to fix the border crisis is to re-elect Trump.

DHS Secretary Mayorkas: Biden administration releasing over 85% of illegal immigrants directly into America.

Sources include:

EndOfTheAmericanDream.com

Reuters.com

Edition.CNN.com

NYTimes.com

Brighteon.com
By Angelo Amante and Crispian Balmer

ROME (Reuters) -Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni hailed a new partnership with Africa on Monday, unveiling a long-awaited plan aimed at boosting economic ties, creating an energy hub for Europe and curbing immigration.

Hosting a one-day summit attended by more than two dozen African leaders and European Union officials, Meloni outlined a series of initiatives, pledging an initial 5.5 billion euros ($5.95 billion), including state guarantees.

Meloni said the summit had been a success that had produced many areas of potential cooperation, particularly with regards to energy.

"We are only at the beginning, there is a very long road ahead of us. This day is a restart," she said in her closing remarks.

However, there was a note of discord from some of those present, with Moussa Faki Mahamat, chairman of the African Union Commission, saying he wished Africa had been consulted first on priorities and emphasising the need to honour commitments.

"I want to insist here on the need to move from words to actions. You can well understand that we can no longer be satisfied with mere promises that are often not kept," he said, standing alongside Meloni in Italy's ornate Senate.

In a news conference after the summit, Meloni acknowledged that it was important now to ensure that work began to deliver projects that would make a difference on the ground.

Among the African leaders present were the presidents of Tunisia, Senegal, Kenya, the Republic of Congo and Somalia. In all, 45 African states were represented at various levels.

Critics have said that heavily indebted Italy cannot hope to compete with the likes of China, Russia and Gulf states, that are all looking to boost their presence in Africa, which is home to many of the world's natural resources.

While Rome claims ownership of the plan, which it has named after the late Enrico Mattei, who founded state oil company Eni, Meloni said her government would look to help from the private sector and international bodies such as the European Union.

Story continues

ENERGY NEEDS

Meloni has made the Mattei plan a central plank of her foreign policy since taking office in late 2022.

Energy needs lie at the heart of the initiative, with Rome looking to serve as a gateway into European markets for natural gas from Africa that has become vital after Russia's invasion of Ukraine made diversification of supplies a priority for the EU.

Eni, Italy's largest importer of natural gas, has already countered lower Russian supplies by shipping increased volumes from Africa, where it has had a presence for decades.

The company has said Algeria, Egypt and Libya will be Italy's main gas suppliers for the next few years.

But Meloni also said Europe had to bolster industry and agriculture in Africa to strengthen local economies as a way of persuading disaffected young Africans from migrating north.

Some 157,600 boat migrants reached Italy last year, the largest number since 2016, undermining Meloni's electoral pledge to halt the flow of unauthorised arrivals.

Most departed from North African countries such as Tunisia and Libya, many fleeing poverty and conflict in sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East.

"Mass immigration will never be stopped, human traffickers will never be defeated if we do not address the many causes that push a person to leave their home," Meloni told the summit. "This is exactly what we intend to do."

(Writing by Crispian Balmer; Editing by Alex Richardson, Sharon Singleton and Keith Weir)
Report: CCP tried to influence certain races in the 2022 midterms to get pro-China politicians elected

A newly released report from intelligence agencies has found that China tried to influence specific races in the 2022 midterm elections, reflecting Beijing's increasingly aggressive approach to try to influence the politics of the United States

The intelligence assessment, recently declassified by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), found that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) "tacitly approved efforts to try to influence a handful of midterm races involving members of both U.S. political parties." (Related: Election systems expert demonstrates how easy it is to HACK voting machine USING ONLY A PEN.)

The report noted that Beijing likely saw its election interference efforts in the U.S. as a response "to what they believe is an intensified U.S. effort to promote democracy at China's expense."

These election meddling operations reportedly began in 2020, when senior CCP leaders gave orders to intensify efforts to influence U.S. policy and public opinion.

"We assess that these directives gave PRC [People's Republic of China] influence actors more freedom to operate ahead of the midterms than the presidential election in 2020, probably because PRC officials believed that Beijing was under less scrutiny during the midterms and because they did not expect the current Administration to retaliate as severely as they feared in 2020," reads the report. This admission  that Beijing feared the administration of former President Donald Trump more than the current reign of President Joe Biden  has caused an uproar.

"Communist China has shown time and time again that they will stop at nothing to interfere in America's elections," said Rep. Tom Tiffany of Wisconsin, a noted China hawk who warned that the regime will likely continue its efforts to interfere in U.S. elections until Biden shows his willingness to stand up to the communists. "The Biden administration needs to take a harder line on PRC meddling and espionage."

This report comes as officials and cybersecurity experts warn of the possibility that multiple nations, including China, will seek to engage in more sophisticated influence efforts ahead of the presidential election in November.

China stoking social divisions in America

The CCP's main goal was to prevent the election or re-election of certain candidates deemed to be "anti-China" and to uplift the candidacies of others whom Beijing believed would be more friendly to the communist nation. The ODNI report also noted that China saw an opportunity to influence American politics by pointing to divisive issues, including abortion and gun control.

"We assess that most foreign actors now appear largely focused on amplifying authentic U.S. public narratives to try to influence electoral outcomes, increase mistrust in U.S. election processes, and stoke sociopolitical divisions," said the ODNI report. "This approach provides deniability as foreign actors propagate U.S. content to try to exploit existing fissures."

In a statement, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C. claimed that the contents of ODNI's report are "groundless and fabricated."

"China has always adhered to the principle of non-interference in internal affairs and has no interest in interfering in the internal affairs and elections of the U.S.," said the spokesperson. "The relevant accusations are purely groundless and fabricated out of thin air."

The report also noted that Russia and Iran undertook efforts to influence the 2022 midterm elections. The Kremlin attempted to undermine the Democratic Party to undercut political support for Ukraine and reduce the effect of U.S. military aid shipments to the country.

Iran's influence operation mirrored those of the CCP on a much smaller scale, with activities focused on trying to "exploit perceived social divisions and undermine confidence in U.S. democratic institutions."

Watch this clip from "China in Focus" as host Tiffany Meier discusses the report revealing that the CCP interfered in the U.S. midterms.

This video is from the Pool Pharmacy channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Globalist junta boasts about "damaging plans" being set up to block Trump from retaking his White House seat.

Col. John Mills and Brannon Howse discuss the ChiComs' attempt to STEAL and INFLUENCE Taiwan's elections.

Canada to begin inquiry into allegations that CCP agents meddled in Canadian elections.

China using AI technology to IMPERSONATE U.S. voters, Microsoft confirms.

Software CEO charged with stealing massive amounts of election data in Los Angeles, sending it to China.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

NBCNews.com

CBSNews.com

Brighteon.com
Israel unleashing Hannibal Directive on entire Gaza Strip, INTENTIONALLY KILLING Israeli hostages

What Israel is saying publicly about how it plans to deal with its captives in Gaza once apprehended is much different than what Israel is actuallyin real life, say prominent Israeli experts

According to Uncaptured Media's Dan Cohen, officials of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have implemented the Hannibal Directive, a classified Israeli military protocol that involves intentionally killing Israel's own hostages in order to prevent Israeli soldiers from being taken captive.

On January 15, Hamas published a video, viewable below, of Israeli captive Noa Argamani revealing that Israeli airstrikes killed fellow captive Yossi Sharabi and Itay Svirsky.

Argamani says she was injured and got trapped under rubble for two whole days following Israeli missile strikes on a house, which killed Sharabi. Svirsky, according to Argamani, was bombed while being transported in an ambulance.

"Stop this madness and bring us home to our families," Argamani is pleading with the government of Benjamin Netanyahu  watch the video below:

(Related: Iran just proved that it is capable of striking Israel with "Kheibar Shekan" ballistic missiles.)

Who are the real bad guys here?

Argamani is not the only Israeli captive to report this kind of thing. Numerous others say that they, too, became injured or suffered some other terrorizing incident at the hands of IDF soldiers as they continue to relentlessly bomb the Gaza Strip.

On Dec. 23, Hamas announced that airstrikes had killed 60 hostages at that point. Israel claimed 20 of these deaths.

"The government's decision to attack Gaza despite the presence of hostages in the bombed sites can be considered an extension of the 'Hannibal' procedure  that is, an attempt to thwart the continuation of the captivity even at the cost of risking the lives of the hostages," commented Israeli sociologist and military specialist Yagil Levy, the suggestion being that Israel is, in fact, trying to kill its own hostages as part of the Hannibal Directive.

"The obvious explanation is that the right perceives the pressure to stop the fighting as endangering the pursuit of victory and revenge in Gaza, and therefore the lives of the abductees are another reasonable sacrifice that must be made."

Levy also pointed to a 2016 report from the state comptroller's office that describes "enthusiasm among soldiers and junior commanders for the idea of deliberately harming a hostage to prevent his abduction alive," this referring, of course, to IDF soldiers and junior commanders.

"We are experiencing the flip side of the Shalit case," said an unnamed figure who was involved in the Gilad Shalit exchange to Israeli media outlet Shomrim about Israel's alleged use of the Hannibal Directive, referring to a 2011 deal in which Shalit was exchanged for 1,027 Palestinian prisoners.

"Hamas expected this to be a repeat of the Shalit case. They thought that they would kidnap Israelis and that we would cave in. I believe that it will not happen quickly  if at all. The State of Israel has implemented the Hannibal Directive on the whole of the Gaza Strip (since the current conflict erupted), based on the understanding that the moment we release prisoners, we are opening the door for countless more abduction."

Concerning the 240 families involved who are demanding a hostage exchange, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is said to be waging a "psychological war" against an overwhelming majority of them.

"As it becomes clear that Israel is attempting to kill its own captives in order to eliminate the only internal obstacle towards an open-ended war and direct occupation of the Gaza Strip, it appears that a fierce struggle led by their families is the only force that has any possibility of challenging those plans and saving their lives," Cohen writes.

The latest news about the events transpiring in the Middle East right now can be found at Prophecy.news.

Sources for this article include:

Uncaptured.Media

T.me

NaturalNews.com
Pakistan deports half a million Afghans in 4 months; the U.S. should EJECT ILLEGALS too

More than half a million Afghans have left Pakistan in the last four months  between Sept. 15, 2023, and Jan. 13  or since Islamabad issued an order to arrest undocumented migrants as per the United Nations Migration Agency.

According to reports, most of the illegals self-deported and returned to their homeland before the deadline to avoid repercussions.

An estimated 1.7 million Afghans were living in Pakistan illegally before the authorities announced a Nov. 1, 2023, ultimatum for illegals to leave or face arrest, but a steady stream of illegals who missed it are continuing to cross back.

"Since the initial peak around Nov. 1, the number of individuals crossing these official border points have consistently decreased but remains higher than pre-Sept. 15th," said the United Nations Migration Agency, also known as the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

The UN has complained returning Afghans to their home country puts them "at risk of persecution" by the Taliban but the Pakistan government explained they resorted to this measure due to worsening security concerns in its regions and pressure on its struggling economy. "Some Afghans forced to return may be at risk of persecution, arbitrary arrest and detention and/or torture or ill-treatment," the UN's Afghan mission said in a report.

Moreover, the busiest border crossing between the two countries remained closed. A border official, who requested to be anonymous, said that more than 400 trucks were stranded on the Pakistan side of the Torkham crossing. The row centers on demands for drivers from both sides to have visas and passports as Pakistan cracks down on cross-border movements. Most Afghans often lack proper identification.

Reports also indicated that some of the ejected Afghans were flown to Western countries such as the United Kingdom. The British government was shouldering their hotel bills in Pakistan but began chartering flights to bring them to Britain in response to the Pakistani deportation order.

For the past 40 years, the Afghans have been escaping the conflict since the Taliban ousted the U.S.-backed government and imposed its harsh interpretation of Islamic law. Some Afghans crossing into Afghanistan as a result of Islamabad's eviction scheme were entering the country for the first time, having lived their whole lives in Pakistan.

25 GOP governors slam Biden administration's continued attacks on Texas border security effort

Meanwhile, in an X post by the National Pulse, which shared the link to the news article, several followers have commented how the U.S. should also be as "firm" as Pakistan in the "immigration policies" to protect national security and uplift its nosediving economy.

Pakistan has removed half a million Afghans from its territory in just four months, with most of them self-deporting after the government... Read more:https://t.co/cV7N6cnUrS ?? ?? ??  The National Pulse (@TheNatPulse) January 25, 2024

"This is what the USA should be doing," one user said. "Imagine a bunch of id*ots in Washington, DC @whitehouse @potus @TheDemocrats @presssec thinking we are the greatest nation on earth and at the same time tossing their hands in the air like we are incapable of stopping illegal entry."

In a separate Tweet related to the migrant crisis, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster expressed his support of Texas' constitutional right to self-defense in response to the Biden Administration's continued attacks on their border security effort. The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 in a victory for Biden in the ongoing dispute with Texas over whether Border Patrol has the legal authority to cut concertina wire installed by Texas on the banks of the Rio Grande. The day after the ruling, the Department of Homeland Security demanded Texas give it "full access" to the border by Jan. 26.

McMaster joined 24 other Republican governors in issuing a joint statement in full support of Texas Gov. Greg Abbotts installation of razor wire along the U.S.-Mexico border.

I'm proud to stand with 24 other fellow Republican governors today in support of Texas' constitutional right to self-defense in response to the Biden Administration's continued attacks on their border security effort: pic.twitter.com/oTqmwDPJfQ  Gov. Henry McMaster (@henrymcmaster) January 25, 2024

"President Joe Biden and his administration have left Americans and our country completely vulnerable to unprecedented illegal immigration pouring across the Southern border," the statement read. "Instead of upholding the rule of law and securing the border, the Biden administration has attacked and sued Texas for stepping up to protect American citizens from historic levels of illegal immigrants, deadly drugs like fentanyl and terrorists entering our country."

According to the document, the governors stand in solidarity with Abbott and the State of Texas in utilizing every tool and strategy, including razor wire fences, to secure the border. We do it in part because the Biden administration is refusing to enforce immigration laws already on the books and is illegally allowing mass parole across America of migrants who entered our country illegally," it further included. (Related: Supreme Court says federal government can REMOVE RAZOR WIRE Texas installed along the border but Gov. Abbott DEFIES the order.)

He also pointed out that the Constitution authors made it clear that states have a right to self-defense under Article 4, Section 4 and Article 1, Section 10 Clause 3.

Check out Migrants.news for more stories related to immigration policies in the U.S. and other countries.

Sources for this article include:

TheNationalPulse.com

NDTV.com

ABCNews4.com
BETRAYAL and TREASON: SCOTUS takes away states rights to protect border as three former presidents fund flights to bring in more illegal aliens

Patriots could not help but feel betrayed at how President Joe Biden's Department of Justice handled the dispute between the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who installed razor wire to prevent illegal border crossings. Earlier in the week, the Supreme Court voted to allow Border Patrol agents to cut through the barrier Texas installed on the U.S.-Mexico border as part of the state's effort to curb the overwhelming migrant invasion

The 5-4 decision granted the Biden administration's emergency request that argued Texas was preventing agents from carrying out their duties and hindering them from "reaching migrants who have already crossed over the border into the United States."

Following the ruling, it started trending on social media that the Texas governor has chosen to "ignore" or "defy" the Supreme Court by continuing to erect fencing in Eagle Pass. However, analysts argued that Abbott is not violating anything. "SCOTUS vacated an order against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that stopped the Feds from cutting down razor fencing along the border. Nothing says that Texas can't erect the fencing," an article on the Federalist argued. (Related: Supreme Court says federal government can REMOVE RAZOR WIRE Texas installed along the border but Gov. Abbott DEFIES the order.)

Critics further pointed out how the current regime is being favored by the dual-tiered justice system. For one, Biden habitually circumvents, ignores, defies, attacks and demeans SCOTUS while Democrats cheer him on along the way. "Senate leaders and 'dark money' fake media organizations like ProPublica have poured millions into de-legitimizing and smearing the court to undermine its authority," the writeup also said. "Now, Biden has the power to ratchet up the fight, take federal control of the border and implement any policy he desires or, more specifically, any non-policy he desires. The Biden administration is standing in the way of Texas' efforts to enforce state and federal law." It is true what they say that with what his regime is doing, a constitutional crisis is no longer far-fetched in America.

More or less five million foreigners, mostly males between the ages of 18 and 40, have illegally crossed into the U.S. since Biden assumed office. This doesnt include the "gotaways"  illegals who cross over under the radar of Border Patrol rather than giving themselves up and claiming "asylum."

Independent journalist Leo Hohmann, in his Substack newsletter, opined that the current border policy opens the country for an invasion of military-aged men, who by all accounts appear well-fed and well-clothed. And the SCOTUS being so open to welcoming illegals could now be blamed. "It was made possible by a Trump-appointed justice, Amy Coney Barrett, who along with Chief Justice John Roberts voted with the Marxist wing of the court," he said. "It seems that in almost every crucial decision, either Justice Barrett or Justice Kavanaugh sells conservatives out. This latest decision outs Barrett as an outright traitor to her country."

Obama, Bush and Clinton unite to fly migrants into America

A non-government organization (NGO) has been reportedly formed by former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton with the sole purpose of flying migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Venezuela, Ukraine and Nicaragua to communities across the United States.

According to a report by Just The News, the three ex-presidents colluded with two other organizations, American Express Global Business Travel and Welcome.US to form the group Miles4Migrants so that they could expand upon a previous effort that focused on importing Afghan refugees following the disastrous withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan in 2021. Even before 2021, the United States has imported tens of thousands of Afghan refugees, some of whom have been involved in horrific crimes. Welcome.US is also linked to billionaire George Soros' Open Society Foundation through some of his board members sitting on their "National Welcome Council."

"Donations are needed to fund the flights for newcomers to travel to the U.S.," the initiative's webpage wrote. "Those forced to flee often leave behind all but what they can carry, and the costs of international travel can be prohibitive. Welcome Connect Travel removes the cost of travel as a barrier for both sponsors in the United States and the displaced families they are supporting through humanitarian sponsorship." This new effort by the NGO is in addition to ongoing importation efforts by the Biden regime, with the DHS chartering flights to bring illegals further into the interior of the United States.

Learn more about updates on the soaring number of illegals crossing the country due to "soft" border policies on BorderSecurity.news.

Sources for this article include:

NBCNews.com

TheFederalist.com

LeoHohmann.Substack.com

JustTheNews.com
Take Our Border Back Convoy Begins, Evergrande ordered LIQUIDATED, as expanding Middle East WAR threatens world peace

The following analysis of today's Brighteon Broadcast News is created by "Neo," our in-house Language Model that's currently being trained on reality-based content to understand the world in a way that corporate media refuses to recognize. The full broadcast episode will be available at: Brighteon.com/channels/hrreport

The "Take Our Border Back" convoy begins on Monday, January 29, starting from both the East and West Coasts of the United States. The two convoys are set to meet in Eagle Pass, Texas, this coming Saturday, February 3. This event aims to draw attention to the crisis at the US-Mexico border and support Texas's efforts to protect its southern border against the ongoing invasion by drug cartels, human traffickers, and other criminals.

The Hong Kong court recently ordered China Evergrande to undergo full liquidation, which will have a ripple effect across China's crumbling financial markets. The decision comes as many hedge funds, pension funds, and institutional investors had invested heavily in Evergrande's Ponzi scheme-like property developer scam in China that took a lot of money from people to build properties but ultimately could not fulfill its promises due to massive debts and failed projects. The liquidation process is expected to be long and complicated, with offshore investors focusing on how Chinese authorities might treat foreign creditors when a company fails.

Germany's government is urging citizens to prepare for the possibility of war in Europe by building their own bomb shelters at home or finding other suitable locations such as basements and garages. This comes as tensions rise between NATO member countries and Russia, with both sides ramping up military mobilization efforts and preparing for potential conflict.

The United States is facing increased scrutiny over its role in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with critics arguing that US weapons sales and political support have emboldened Israel's leadership to carry out acts of genocide against Palestinian civilians. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) recently issued a devastating ruling against Israel, ordering it to stop carrying out acts of genocide and stating that the court case of genocide against Israel is plausible and can move forward in the courts.

US troops have suffered casualties due to drone attacks on military bases in Jordan (or Syria, depending on whom you believe), prompting concerns about a potential escalation of violence involving Iran or other regional actors. Senator Lindsey Graham has called for military action against Iran in response to these incidents, while others argue that the United States should focus on addressing its ongoing crisis at the southern border and supporting Texas's efforts to protect itself against foreign invasions.

Along those lines, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has told Joe Biden to essentially go pound sand as Biden demands that Texas remove razor wire from its border with Mexico and keep the border wide open for unlimited illegal immigration and occupation of America. Paxton is calling on DHS to provide documentation proving their claims of ownership over specific parcels of land in Texas where they are erecting infrastructure that interferes with border security efforts by Texas state officials.

Health insurance companies are updating their policies in 2024 with new exclusions stating that they no longer cover treatment of injuries or sickness due to war, riots, or insurrection, declared or undeclared. This raises concerns about the potential for widespread civil unrest and violence across the United States as citizens face mounting economic hardship and political instability in the coming years.

This has been a Neo analysis. Neo is currently in version 0.1 and is the Natural News Language Model (NNLM) currently being constructed by tech pioneer Mike Adams and his team of developers. A free, downloadable version of the Neo engine will be released to the public on March 31st or sooner.

The full podcast on which this analysis was based will be published at: Brighteon.com/channels/hrreport
Constitutionally speaking, Texas is legally allowed to wage war against the federal government to protect itself from imminent, open-border invasions

In a move that shocked many, the typically conservative-leaning Supreme Court has sided with the Biden regime in allowing federal agents to dismantle razor wire that Texas put up along a stretch of the U.S.-Mexico border near Eagle Pass.

Republican Gov. Greg Abbott had ordered the razor wire to be installed along the banks of the Rio Grande to help deter illegal migrants from charging through unabated. The highest court in the land, however, says the razor wire needs to go because it is interfering with Border Patrol's ability to reach migrants as they attempt to cross the river.

A pending lawsuit seeks to challenge this ruling, but for the time being, Texas will have to abide by federal immigration law, no matter how poorly the state feels that D.C. is handling the matter.

In a tight 5-4 vote, Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Amy Coney Barrett sided with the Supreme Court's three liberal justices in supporting the Biden regime's position that Texas must concede to the feds on this matter and let Border Patrol handle the migrant crisis its own way.

"This is not over," Gov. Abbott tweeted on X (formerly Twitter). "Texas' razor wire is an effective deterrent to the illegal crossings Biden encourages. I will continue to defend Texas' constitutional authority to secure the border and prevent the Biden Admin from destroying our property."

(Related: Unless Biden's "whole-of-government" dictatorial regime is disbanded, America will never again see a constitutional balance of power.)

Article I, Section 10 of the Constitution allows states to "engage in war" if "in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay"

Concerning the pending lawsuit, the argument being made contends that Article I, Section 10, Clause 3 of the United States Constitution supports Gov. Abbott's position that Texas has a right to defend itself against the ongoing border invasion.

"No State shall, without the Consent of Congress ... engage in War, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay," the clause reads.

This clause is further backed by a statement made by the late James Madison in a speech at the Virginia Ratifying Convention on June 16, 1788.

"As each state will expect to be attacked and wish to guard against it, each will retain its own militia for its own defense."

In essence, the argument contends that Texas is both being invaded and is in imminent danger if nothing is done about it. If the courts end up agreeing, things could change again as Texas asserts its constitutional authority to protect its own borders, even if D.C. disagrees.

"Given the number of 'immigrants' and their age and gender (young adult, male), Governor Abbott and AG Paxton could make a very compelling argument that the conditions of invasion and imminent danger are clearly present along the southern border," writes Joe Wolverton, II, J.D., for The New American.

"The first question, then, for applying this clause to the case of Texas and the crisis at the border with Mexico is: Is Texas being invaded? If not, then the inquiry turns to: Has the influx of undocumented adult males into Texas risen to the level that a reasonable person would consider the danger so imminent as to preclude any delay, such as that of recurring to Congress for help?"

In other words, even if it cannot be successfully argued that Texas is currently being "invaded," as the term would have been understood and intended by the founders, it could still be argued that Texas is in imminent danger from an invasion, allowing it to override the feds on how to protect itself.

The latest news about the showdown between Texas and the Biden regime over the southern border can be found at InvasionUSA.news.

Sources for this article include:

TheNewAmerican.com

NaturalNews.com
Salmon deaths due to tire pollution have long been a problem in Puget Sound, a complex estuarine system located on the northwestern coast of Washington state. The pollution affects the coho salmon species in the streams of the sound, which consists of interconnected marine waterways and basins. This ecological, and environmental issue is evident in the city of Seattle, based on reports since 2020.

The pollution involves not only the spread of tire particles but also the leakage of toxic chemicals from the industrial rubber material. These hazardous particles lead to large numbers of salmon deaths at Puget Sound every year, particularly coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) in urban streams. The fish species is native to the northwest part of North America.

To address the freshwater ecological disaster, scientists revealed in their new study published earlier this month of developing a potential solution against Seattle's salmon deaths. This is possible by mitigating tire wear particles and tire-related chemicals in stormwater using permeable pavements, according to researchers based in the state of Washington, United States.

Seattle Salmon Death

In the study published in the journal Science of the Total Environment on January 15, researchers from Washington State University examined permeable pavements due to their ability to treat tire particles and leachable tire chemicals. These pavements have been proven to significantly reduce or prevent Seattle's salmon deaths.

The solution, which involves four different types of permeable pavements, prevents up to 96% of tire particles from escaping. The new research paper highlights these pavements serve as filters for tire pollution. This is not the first time that these structures have been considered for varying real-world applications due to their evident benefits.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), a permeable pavement is a "porous urban surface" which filters precipitation and surface runoff. It then stores what it catches in the reservoir while gradually allowing it to infiltrate into the soil below. The USGS in 2019 also cited a study that showed that different types of permeable pavement reduce the number of pollutants and runoff volume.

Also Read: Parasitic Lice Account for 39 Percent of Salmon Deaths in Europe

Tire Pollution

Washington state's Department of Ecology on January 25 mentioned the dilemma of scientists in solving the toxic mystery of the deaths of coho salmon returning to urban streams and rivers in the Puget Sound region. The journey of these fish is supposed to end up with them laying their eggs. However, a previously unknown culprit has been linked to toxic chemicals coming from roads and highways.

The tire pollution involving toxic tire dust contains a chemical called 6PPD-quinone, which is believed to be a deadly compound for the coho salmon, according to the Washington environment agency. It was reported that the toxic chemical is released from automotive tires that ends up in roadway dust and can result in running off into streams.

Related Article: Domino Effect: Salmons Die from Heat, Bears Starve to Death
Norway is facing a dilemma: how to deal with the massive influx of pink salmon, an invasive species from the Pacific Ocean, that has colonized its rivers and coastal waters.

The pink salmon, also known as the humpback salmon or the pukkellaks, has been spreading to Norway since the 1960s, after being introduced by Russia in the White Sea as part of a fishery enhancement program.

Since then, the pink salmon has established self-sustaining populations in some northern Norwegian rivers, and has been observed in almost every river along the coast, from the Russian border to the Swedish border.

The pink salmon poses a serious challenge to the native Atlantic salmon, which is already endangered by overfishing, climate change, and parasites.

The Invasion of the Pink Salmon

The pink salmon competes with the Atlantic salmon for food and spawning habitat, and may also transmit diseases and parasites. Moreover, the pink salmon has a different life cycle and spawning behavior than the Atlantic salmon, which disrupts the ecological balance of the rivers.

The pink salmon spawns every two years, alternating between odd and even years, and dies shortly after spawning. This results in a large amount of decomposing fish carcasses in the rivers, which can affect the water quality and the food web.

However, the pink salmon also offers some potential benefits for Norway. The pink salmon is a valuable resource for the fishing industry, especially in regions where it is native or has been established for a long time, such as Alaska, Canada, and Russia.

The pink salmon is a popular food fish, rich in omega-3 fatty acids and protein, and can also be used for fish meal and fish oil production.

The pink salmon also attracts recreational anglers, who enjoy the challenge and thrill of catching the large and aggressive fish. Some fishermen see the pink salmon as an opportunity to diversify their income and to contribute to the local economy.

How Norway is Responding to the Pink Salmon Invasion

Norway is taking a proactive approach to manage the pink salmon invasion, with the aim of protecting the native Atlantic salmon and the river ecosystems, while also exploring the economic opportunities that the pink salmon may provide.

The Norwegian government has allocated more than 10 million Norwegian kroner (about 1.1 million US dollars) to support various measures to control and monitor the pink salmon, such as installing traps, nets, and weirs in the rivers, conducting scientific research, and raising public awareness.

One of the main strategies is to prevent the pink salmon from reproducing in the rivers, by removing them before they spawn or by destroying their eggs and nests.

This is done by setting up traps and nets in strategic locations, where the pink salmon can be easily captured and separated from the Atlantic salmon.

The traps and nets are operated by local fishermen, who are paid by the government for their service. The captured pink salmon are either killed or used for scientific purposes, such as genetic analysis, age determination, and parasite detection.

Another strategy is to encourage and regulate the harvesting of the pink salmon, both in the sea and in the rivers, by commercial and recreational fishermen.

The government has issued guidelines and regulations for the fishing of the pink salmon, such as requiring the use of selective fishing gear, reporting the catch, and releasing the Atlantic salmon unharmed.

The government has also launched a campaign to promote the consumption and marketing of the pink salmon, by providing recipes, information, and incentives to consumers, retailers, and restaurants.

The goal is to increase the demand and the value of the pink salmon, and to reduce the waste and the environmental impact of the fish.

Also Read: Starving Bear Cubs Die In Japan Due to Salmon Shortage

The Future of the Pink Salmon in Norway

The pink salmon invasion is a complex and dynamic issue, that requires a holistic and adaptive approach. The pink salmon is unlikely to disappear from Norway, as it has established a strong foothold in some rivers, and has a high dispersal and colonization ability.

The pink salmon is also influenced by various factors, such as climate change, ocean currents, and human activities, that may affect its abundance and distribution in the future.

Therefore, Norway needs to continue to monitor and evaluate the situation, and to adjust its management strategies accordingly.

The pink salmon invasion also poses some ethical and social questions, such as how to balance the ecological and economic interests, and how to respect the different views and values of the stakeholders involved.

The pink salmon is not only a biological invader, but also a cultural and political intruder, that challenges the identity and the sovereignty of Norway as a nation of Atlantic salmon.

The pink salmon may also affect the rights and the traditions of the indigenous Sami people, who have a strong connection to the Atlantic salmon and the rivers.

The pink salmon invasion is a test for Norway, as a country that prides itself on its environmental stewardship and its sustainable development.

The pink salmon invasion offers Norway an opportunity to demonstrate its leadership and innovation, by finding creative and effective solutions that can benefit both the nature and the society.

The pink salmon invasion also invites Norway to reflect on its relationship with the Atlantic salmon, and to reaffirm its commitment and responsibility to protect and restore this iconic and valuable species.

Related article: Salmon Find New Spawning Grounds in Arctic Rivers as the Climate Warms Up, a Study Finds
The largest cruise ship in the world that embarks on its first commercial voyage from Miami has been accused by experts of greenwashing, as their use of liquified natural gas might lead to increased methane emissions.

Icon Of The Seas

The Icon of the Seas is longer than the Eiffel Tower, stands 20 decks above the waters, and can hold more than 7,000 passengers and staff. It weighs a quarter of a million gross tons, enough to swallow five Titanics.

The president of Royal Caribbean, Jason Liberty, said that it is the "biggest, baddest ship on the planet" and that it rapidly became known on social media as "human lasagne."

However, the introduction of the massive ship in Florida, one of many of the same size or larger that could be built in the coming years, has refocused attention on the environmental impact of cruise travel.

Several studies conducted by environmental organizations found that a week-long vacation on a European cruise was up to eight times more carbon-intensive than flying and staying in a hotel.

The Icon of the Seas has six dual-fuel engines that can run on liquefied natural gas (LNG), a fuel option that minimizes sulfur and greenhouse gas emissions, according to the Cruise Lines International Association. However, environmentalists are concerned that LNG-powered ships will contribute to increased methane emissions.

Furthermore, others say that cruise passengers emit eight times more carbon than those who take land-based holidays. Royal Caribbean asserts that energy efficiency and emission reductions are closely monitored for every kilowatt utilized on the Icon of the Seas.

Bryan Comer, director of the International Council on Clean Transportation's marine program, claims that utilizing such fuel demonstrates an industry "investing in false climate solutions."

"They are doubling down by calling LNG a green fuel when the engine is emitting 70 to 80% more greenhouse gas emissions per trip than if it used regular marine fuel. Icon has the largest LNG tanks ever installed in a ship. It is greenwashing," he added.

Read Also: Teenager Jumps Off Cruise Ship in Shark-Infested Waters in Bahamas Due to 'Alleged Dare'

Use Of LNG

Using LNG instead of other marine fuels reduces carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by quarter. However, Comer stated that a cruise ship employing LNG releases greater greenhouse gas emissions overall due to phenomenon known as "methane slip".

This is where some gas is not burnt, resulting in methane emissions, which are significantly more potent than carbon dioxide. During the 20 years following its release into the atmosphere, methane traps approximately 80 times more heat than CO2.

He recommended that ships employ fuel cells and renewable hydrogen or methanol, both of which create fewer greenhouse gasses.

The ship's parabolic bow, a first for Royal Caribbean, is intended to assist the ship travel more easily through the water while also reducing fuel usage and emissions, according to Comer, who adds that it also benefits the cruise line's bottom line.

The ship generates more than 93% of its fresh water through reverse osmosis. Icon of the Seas also boasts the brand's first microwave-assisted pyrolysis waste-to-energy system (MAP), which converts onboard garbage into gas that the ship may use for energy.

Related Article: Norway Environment Protection: 'Dirty' Cruise Ship Ban To Be Implemented Starting 2026 To Protect Country's Fjords
Europe's rivers are more than just sources of water; they are also indicators of the state of the environment and the impacts of human activities.

A recent study by the Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum revealed that while the water quality of Europe's rivers has generally improved over the past three decades, there are still significant variations and challenges across different regions and river types.

The study, published in Nature Ecology & Evolution, used data from over 1,300 locations in 23 European countries to examine the temporal trends of ecological quality in rivers since the early 1990s.

The Current State of Europe's Waterways

The study found that ecological quality in rivers generally increased from the 1990s until 2010, as did the number of sensitive species, indicating reduced anthropogenic impacts.

However, this positive trend came to a halt around 2010, and the necessary 'good' ecological status, as stipulated in the EU Water Framework Directive, has not yet been achieved on average.

The improved water quality is likely due to European measures that were increasingly introduced starting in the 1980s, such as improved wastewater treatment.

However, the study also revealed that the ecological quality of rivers varies considerably across Europe, depending on the type and location of the river, as well as the local and regional stress factors.

For example, the study found that large rivers tend to have lower ecological quality than small rivers, and that rivers in Central and Eastern Europe have improved more than those in Western Europe.

Moreover, the study identified new and existing challenges that affect the ecological quality of rivers, such as pollution, habitat change, climate change, and invasive species.

Also Read: This River in Toronto is Made of 10000 Glowing Books to Fight Pollution, Traffic

Challenges and Impacts

The study highlighted the complexity and diversity of the factors that influence the ecological quality of rivers, and the need for more comprehensive and consistent data to monitor and assess the changes over time.

The study also emphasized the importance of using multiple indicators and metrics to capture the different aspects of ecological quality, such as species diversity, abundance, composition, and sensitivity.

The study's findings have implications for both policy and practice, as they provide insights into the effectiveness of the EU Water Framework Directive and other environmental measures, as well as the gaps and opportunities for improvement.

The study also underscores the urgency of addressing the emerging and persistent threats to the ecological quality of rivers, as they have significant consequences for the biodiversity, ecosystem services, and human well-being that depend on them.

The study concluded that Europe's rivers reflect the complexities of environmental change, and that more efforts are needed to ensure their long-term health and resilience.

The study also called for more collaboration and coordination among researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and stakeholders to achieve this goal.

As the study's lead author, Dr. James Sinclair, said, "Only by working together can we safeguard our access to clean water and ensure ecosystem health under climate change and increasing weather extremes."

Related article: Sewage Pollution Greatest Threat to River Biodiversity [Study]
Social media and news feeds over the past couple of years have included no shortage of stories and contentious video of parents challenging what they consider to be inappropriate or even pornographic books in their local public schools' libraries.

Nationally, the American Library Association says it saw nearly twice as many demands to censor books or other library materials in 2022, or 1,269, as it did in 2021, when there were 729. Its yearly list of "most challenged books" includes many of those that have drawn the most social media scrutiny, including the graphic novel "Flamer" and the graphic memoir "Gender Queer," both of which are LGBTQ-themed and contain sexually explicit material.

In Wisconsin, Republicans who control the Legislature have proposed bills requiring school and library staff to tell parents what materials their children younger than 16 are checking out, and a "parental bill of rights" that, among other things, would allow parents to sue school officials if they are barred from reviewing instructional materials and outlines used by their childs school.

In an effort to understand how school librarians choose books and for what grades, and what opportunities parents have to oversee that process, the Wisconsin State Journal interviewed Maegan Heindel and Rebecca Kundert, district library services coordinator and executive director of curriculum and instruction, respectively, for the Madison School District, Dane County's largest.

Has the Madison School District received requests to remove any of the ALA's most-challenged books from the library shelves?

No.

Does the district have those books in its libraries?

Yes, at some of its schools.

Are there age/grade restrictions?

None of the books appear in elementary schools, because their recommended age ranges don't include students that young. Any books on the list owned by the district are either at middle or high schools.

"Flamer," for example, is "certainly not in our elementary collections," Heindel said. "I can't tell you which schools off the top of my head in middle or high, but I know it's not in our elementaries."

Can you explain the process by which the district selects library books and for what schools?

The School Board has a policy on library book selection, and staff's criteria for selection are based on that. Librarians consider a number of factors in choosing books: quality of text, need in a particular school (including interest from students and whether it ties into curriculum), format (picture books, graphic books, audio books, novels, nonfiction, online databases, etc.) and intended age, or what ages books are intended for.

To determine intended age, the district consults professional review journals, such as Kirkus Reviews, School Library Journal and The Horn Book; the age ranges recommended by book publishers; literary award lists; and lists of requested books from teachers and librarians.

Board policy also outlines the need to have books that reflect the diversity of the community and student population, and uses the "mirrors, windows and sliding glass doors" framework in selecting books, i.e.:

Mirrors: Students should see their experiences in books.

Windows: Students should see the experiences of people who are not like them in books.

Sliding glass doors: Students should have access to books that enable them to inhabit someone else's experience to help them build a sense of empathy.

How can a community member or parent seek to have a library book removed from the shelves?

School Policy also affirms the right of parents to challenge books. Families should talk to their school librarians first, so that librarians can suggest more appropriate titles for their children. If a family still objects to a book, there is a formal process for making that objection. It triggers the creation of a committee of school staff and parents to discuss the book and whether it meets board policy and to decide on whether it remains in the school's library.

Separately, district staff regularly deselect, or "weed," books from school libraries. This process includes consideration of a book's publication date, its physical condition, whether it continues to be accurate and whether it's being checked out.

When Pluto was downgraded to a dwarf planet, for example, books that listed it as a planet had to be removed. Books that related to a particular school learning project might come off the shelves once that project is over.

Schools will have different collections because school librarians are better attuned to the needs and interests in their school communities, and students will often ask librarians to add specific books.

"The joy for a student when you bring a book that they requested that you went out and then purchased for them is such a relationship builder," Heindel said, but librarians must also follow the district's broader selection criteria when fulfilling individual requests for books, including whether the request is age appropriate.

When was the last time you had a formal request to remove a book?

Heindel was not aware of one in the 12 years she has been with the district, including three at the central office. But she has taken part in conversations with family members about specific titles; they were resolved without moving to a formal process to remove a book.

How often does a family complain about the content of a school library book?

Heindel said she's heard of this happening two or three times this school year. Kundert said that in nine years as principal at Orchard Ridge Elementary, she heard maybe two such complaints, including one specifically about the "Captain Underpants" series, an elementary-level series known for its juvenile  some might say "potty"  humor.

"For us it was about having that conversation with families," Kundert said. "That's ultimately what we want. We want families talking with their children about what they're reading. We want them to make sense of things together."

What books drew scrutiny?

Heindel and Kundert could not remember specific titles other than some from the "Captain Underpants" series. Books that have "situations and content that are difficult conversations to have at times" have come up at the secondary level, Heindel said, as have ones that include traumatic situations that a character is going through.

Sometimes books with profanity can be problematic for parents, and librarians can suggest books that are at a similar level but don't include profanity.

Heindel was not aware of books with racial and sex and gender themes that have come under scrutiny in Madison.

Has controversy over "banning" books sparked interest in the ALA's challenged books?

Heindel had not seen controversy over such books filter down to children in Madison.

Are district parents able to find out what their children are checking out of school libraries?

Yes. If asked, the district will print out the list of books their children are checking out, but that doesn't happen very often. Requests for that information generally come when students have overdue books and parents want to know which ones they are.

Editor's note: This story was updated on Jan. 29, 2024, to clarify that titles on the ALA's most challenged list appear only in Madison School District middle or high schools.

Most challenged The American Library Association's most challenged books of 2022: 1. "Gender Queer: A Memoir," by Maia Kobabe Number of challenges: 151 Challenged for: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit 2. "All Boys Aren't Blue," by George M. Johnson Number of challenges: 86 Challenged for: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit 3. "The Bluest Eye," by Toni Morrison Number of challenges: 73 Challenged for: depiction of sexual abuse; equity, diversity and inclusion content; claimed to be sexually explicit 4. "Flamer," by Mike Curato Number of challenges: 62 Challenged for: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit 5. (tie) "Looking for Alaska," by John Green Number of challenges: 55 Challenged for: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit 5. (tie) "The Perks of Being a Wallflower," by Stephen Chbosky Number of challenges: 55 Challenged for: depiction of sexual abuse, LGBTQIA+ content, drug use, profanity, claimed to be sexually explicit 7. "Lawn Boy," by Jonathan Evison Number of challenges: 54 Challenged for: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit 8. "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian," by Sherman Alexie Number of challenges: 52 Challenged for: profanity, claimed to be sexually explicit 9. "Out of Darkness," by Ashley Hope Perez Number of challenges: 50 Challenged for: depictions of abuse, claimed to be sexually explicit 10. (tie) "A Court of Mist and Fury," by Sarah J. Maas Number of challenges: 48 Challenged for: claimed to be sexually explicit 10. (tie) "Crank," by Ellen Hopkins Number of challenges: 48 Challenged for: drug use, claimed to be sexually explicit 10. (tie) "Me and Earl and the Dying Girl," by Jesse Andrews Number of challenges: 48 Challenged for: profanity, claimed to be sexually explicit 10. (tie) "This Book Is Gay," by Juno Dawson Number of challenges: 48 Challenged for: LGBTQIA+ content, providing sexual education, claimed to be sexually explicit Source: American Library Association
According to North Korea's state news agency, KCNA, on January 29, 2024, North Korea conducted two test launches of a new submarine-launched strategic cruise missile (SLCM) named 'Pulhwasal-3-31,' also known as 'Fire Arrow-3-31.' This announcement followed a series of SLCM tests conducted on January 24 and 28, 2024, about ten months after the initial SLCM launch in March 2023.

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On January 28, 2024, North Korea conducted a second test launch of the 'Pulhwasal-3-31' missile to allegedly demonstrate its readiness for submarine deployment. (Picture source: KCNA)

The test launch on January 24 was led by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and was described by the Korean Central News Agency as part of an ongoing process for the renewal of the weapon system, deemed a routine activity undertaken by the North Korean Missile General Directorate and the Agency for Defense Development. Notably, this test marked the first official confirmation of the name 'Pulhwasal-3-31,' although it had not been explicitly identified as a submarine-launched cruise missile before. The missile was initially mentioned as "under development" during its first test launch on January 24th.

However, on January 28, 2024, North Korea conducted a second test launch of the 'Pulhwasal-3-31' missile to allegedly demonstrate its readiness for submarine deployment. During this test, two missiles were fired from a submarine off the coast of Sinpo Naval Base in the East Sea, with Kim Jong-un reportedly overseeing the launch.

The missiles are said to have flown for extended durations, with flight times ranging from 7,421 seconds (approximately 2 hours, 3 minutes, and 41 seconds) to 7,445 seconds (approximately 2 hours, 4 minutes, and 5 seconds), ultimately hitting their intended target. Photographs released by North Korean state media suggest that the missile was launched at an oblique angle, raising the possibility that it was ejected from a torpedo tube instead of a vertical launch tube (VLS). However, North Korea has not provided specific information about the launch platform used, the flight distance, or the identity of the submarine involved in the test.

In contrast to its predecessors, namely the 'Arrow-1' and 'Arrow-2,' North Korea has chosen to name this missile 'Pulhwasal' ('Fire Arrow'), with the numerical designation '3-31,' potentially indicating compatibility with the 'Hwasan-31' type of tactical nuclear warhead. Additionally, its white color differentiates it from North Korea's previously known cruise missiles, such as the 'Arrow-1' and 'Arrow-2,' prompting questions about its payload and capabilities, while there is uncertainty regarding whether the 'Pulhwasal-3-31' represents an improved version of a submarine-launched cruise missile (SLCM) previously unveiled by the North Korean People's Army in 2023 or an entirely new missile type.

South Korean and US intelligence authorities believe that the second test launch of the Pulhwasal-3-31 missile likely took place from the Kim Gun-ok Hero submarine, unveiled on September 6, 2023. Choi Il, the director of the Submarine Research Institute, assessed the Pulhwasal-3-31 missile's capabilities as potentially suitable for launch from both land and submarines, drawing comparisons with the Russian Kalibr cruise missile.

Such a development would align with North Korea's broader defense objectives outlined in its '5-year plan for defense science development and weapons system development,' which includes the possession of nuclear submarines and underwater-launched nuclear strategic weapons, causing concerns among several countries, including South Korea, the United States, and Japan. Available information indicates that North Korea's strategic cruise missiles possess a range of 1,000 to 2,000 kilometers, potentially targeting not only South Korea but also Japan and U.S. naval forces and military bases in the region. These missiles are believed to have a low-altitude flight profile, typically ranging between 30 to 50 meters, and a relatively moderate top speed between Mach 0.8 to Mach 0.95, which could pose challenges for detection and interception.

Additionally, on September 8, 2023, during the unveiling ceremony of the Kim Gun-ok Hero submarine at the Sinpho shipyard, North Korea categorized this submarine as a 'tactical nuclear attack submarine,' capable of launching various tactical nuclear weapons, including submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) and cruise missiles. However, substantial uncertainties surround the submarine's operational readiness, particularly regarding its ability to effectively launch nuclear-capable missiles. Kim Jong-un's visit to a nuclear submarine construction project was also reported alongside the second test launch of the Pulhwasal-3-31, demonstrating North Korea's commitment to showcasing its military capabilities.
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Amid the war for global dominance in the AI era, the US administration is considering making it mandatory for prominent global cloud services providers  such as Amazon, Google, and Microsoft  to reveal details about the customers developing AI applications on their platforms.

The move, if implemented, will demand the cloud companies to invest in setting up mechanisms to collate the required information and share it with the US administration. The proposed policy change is seen to be targeting Chinese companies that can use cloud companies to train their large language model.

We want to make sure we shut down every avenue that the Chinese could have to get access to our models or to train their own models, US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said in an interview with Bloomberg recently.

With the new proposal, it is trying to pre-empt the usage of cloud services by disclosing the transactions, including the details of client and IP addresses for AI model training services and potentially restricting access to persons that might use it in a manner not in alignment with directives from US government, said Akshara Bassi, senior analyst at Counterpoint Research.

Curtailing Chinas AI prowess

The proposal is in line with the several steps taken by the Biden administration to curtail Chinas progress in AI. The US introduced a chips ban in October 2022, barring the export of AI chips, including Nvdias AI chips, to China. A year later, it followed this by expanding the ban on chip manufacturing equipment to close any loophole that weakened the original ban. This ban addressed the hardware components of an AI system, including the logic and memory chips and manufacturing equipment for opening a new foundry.

Companies circumvented it by either adopting lower compute hardware to train their AI models or leasing AI cloud services through major cloud providers that offer the latest chips  [Nvdias] H100/A100 for AI model training. The frequently opted cloud providers were US-based as they currently have access to the majority of the existing AI infrastructure globally that is required to train and build AI models, with Microsoft, Google, and Amazon leading the cloud services catering to AI workloads, Bassi explained.
In pics: 22 World Heritage sites in SE China's Quanzhou

People's Daily Online) 14:18, January 29, 2024

The total tourism revenue of Quanzhou, designated as a "World Heritage City" by UNESCO, in southeast China's Fujian Province, soared 68.9 percent year on year at 100.24 billion yuan ($14.15 billion) in 2023, surpassing 100 billion yuan for the first time, according to official data.

The city is preparing for the upcoming Spring Festival holiday, which usually sees a tourism boom.

Let's take a virtual tour of the 22 World Heritage sites, which are must-sees, in Quanzhou.

1. Jiuri Mountain Wind-Praying Inscriptions

The Jiuri Mountain Wind-Praying Inscriptions, which are cliff inscriptions, record the prayer rituals for the safe voyages of ocean-going merchant ships in the Song Dynasty (960-1279). The ceremonies were held by state commissioners, local officials and members of the imperial clan in charge of overseas trade in the dynasty. The inscriptions reflect the state's power under the Song Dynasty's maritime trade system to promote and manage maritime trade.

Photo shows the Jiuri Mountain Wind-Praying Inscriptions in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province. (Photo/Cheng Dongdong)

2. Site of Maritime Trade Office

The Maritime Trade Office was an administrative agency established by the national regimes of the Song and Yuan (1271-1368) dynasties in Quanzhou to manage maritime trade affairs.

Photo shows a bird's-eye view of part of the archaeological excavation site of the Site of Maritime Trade Office in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province. (Photo/Wang Jun)

3. Site of Deji Gate

The Site of Deji Gate was the remains of the southern gate of the old city of Quanzhou in the Song and Yuan dynasties. The gate was a landmark in the commercial district on the southern side of the city. It bears testimony to the history of Quanzhou's southward expansion, reflecting the government's administrative guarantee for the development of maritime trade and commerce within the city.

Photo shows the Site of Deji Gate in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province. (People's Daily Online/Huang Dongyi)

4. Tianhou Temple

The Tianhou Temple was the first stop for foreign merchants and goods entering Quanzhou city. It was also the first stop for seafarers heading to the Estuary Docks or the Shihu Dock along the Jinjiang River to engage in maritime trade after paying their homage to Mazu, the sea goddess.

Photo shows the Tianhou Temple in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province. (People's Daily Online/Huang Dongyi)

5. Zhenwu Temple

The Zhenwu Temple, a Taoist temple dedicated to the worship of the Taoist deity, the Great Emperor Zhenwu, used to be a significant landmark of the ancient port of Fashi.

Photo shows the Zhenwu Temple in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province. (Photo/Chen Yingjie)

6. Site of the Southern Clan Office

The Southern Clan Office was an administrative agency established in the Jianyan period (1127-1130) of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279) for imperial clansmen who relocated to Quanzhou.

Photo shows the Site of the Southern Clan Office in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province. (Photo/Cheng Dongdong)

7. Confucius Temple

The Confucius Temple and School embodied Quanzhou's intellectual and political elites. These social elites played a vital role in promoting and administering maritime trade during the Song and Yuan dynasties.

Photo shows the Confucius Temple in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province. (People's Daily Online/Huang Dongyi)

A girl poses for photos in front of the Dacheng Hall of the Confucius Temple in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province. (People's Daily Online/Huang Dongyi)

8. Kaiyuan Temple

The Kaiyuan Temple was the largest and highest government-sanctioned Buddhist temple in Quanzhou in the Song and Yuan dynasties.

Photo shows the Kaiyuan Temple in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province. (People's Daily Online/Huang Dongyi)

Tourists take photos of the east and west pagodas of the Kaiyuan Temple in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province. (People's Daily Online/Huang Dongyi)

Tourists take photos under the Zhenguo Pagoda, one of the two pagodas of the Kaiyuan Temple in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province. (People's Daily Online/Huang Dongyi)

9. Statue of Lao Tze

This massive stone statue of Lao Tze, founder of Taoism, is China's largest extant Taoist stone statue.

Photo shows the Statue of Lao Tze in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province. (Photo/Chen Yingjie)

10. Qingjing Mosque

The Qingjing Mosque is one of the few mosques built with granite and diabase in China, displaying the distinctive characteristics of a West Asian Islamic mosque.

Photo shows the Qingjing Mosque in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province. (People's Daily Online/Huang Dongyi)

11. Islamic Tombs

The tombs are among the earliest pieces of physical evidence of the introduction of Islam into China.

According to the "Annals of Fujian, four disciples of Mohammed were sent to preach Islam in China in the Wude period (618-626) of the Tang Dynasty (618-907): the first to Guangzhou, the second to Yangzhou, and the third and the fourth to Quanzhou. The two missionaries were buried on the southern foothill of Lingshan Mountain, 2 kilometers away from the East Gate of Quanzhou.

Photo shows the Islamic Tombs in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province. (Photo/Cheng Dongdong)

12. Statue of Mani in Cao'an Temple

The Statue of Mani in Cao'an Temple is the only extant statue of the founder of the Manichaean religion in the world.

Photo shows the Statue of Mani in Cao'an Temple in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province. (Photo/Cheng Dongdong)

13. Sites of Cizao Kilns (Jinjiaoyi Hill Kilns)

These sites are outstanding examples of the export-porcelain kiln sites that dotted the outskirts of Quanzhou in the Song and Yuan dynasties. They demonstrate the prominence of craft production for export in the industrial structure of Quanzhou.

Photo shows the Sites of Cizao Kilns (Jinjiaoyi Hill Kilns) in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province. (Photo/Cheng Dongdong)

14. Sites of Dehua Kilns

The Dehua Kilns are one of the places of origin of Chinese porcelain culture, occupying an important position in the history of Chinese porcelain.

Photo shows the Weilin Kilns, part of the Sites of Dehua Kilns, in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province. (Photo/Liu Zongheng)

15. Xiacaopu Iron Production Site of Qingyang village in Anxi

This site bears invaluable testimony to the iron production industry of Quanzhou in the Song and Yuan dynasties. Together with Quanzhou's porcelain production bases, the site demonstrates Quanzhou's remarkable production and overseas trade capacity in the Song and Yuan dynasties.

Photo shows the Xiacaopu Iron Production Site of Qingyang Village in Anxi county, Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province. (Photo/Li Jiasheng)

16. Luoyang Bridge

The Luoyang Bridge was a historical milestone in the development of Quanzhou's transportation network and a transportation hub connecting Quanzhou with northern Fujian and the nation's vast heartland.

It marked the start of three centuries of bridge building in Quanzhou during the Song and Yuan dynasties, promoting the establishment and improvement of the national port's water-land transshipment system.

Photo shows the Luoyang Bridge in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province. (Photo/Ye Xiaofeng)

17. Anping Bridge

The Anping Bridge is located 30 kilometers southwest of Quanzhou city in a bay at the juncture between Anhai town in Jinjiang, a county-level city overseen by Quanzhou, and Shuitou town in Nan'an, another county-level city overseen by Quanzhou.

The bridge was the main link between Quanzhou and Zhangzhou and Guangzhou to the south. It is also known as the Wuli Bridge, as its length is about 5 li (1 li is equal to around 500 meters). It is China's longest extant flat-beam sea-crossing stone bridge.

Photo shows the Anping Bridge in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province. (Photo courtesy of the cultural relic protection center of Jinjiang city)

18. Site of Shunji Bridge

This bridge was the node of land transportation between the old city of Quanzhou and the southern bank of the Jinjiang River. Built amid the rising maritime trade, it was the main access to the ancient commercial district in Quanzhou. The bridge reflected the improvement of the land-water transshipment system in Quanzhou.

Photo shows the Site of Shunji Bridge in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province. (Photo/Cheng Dongdong)

19. Estuary Docks

Since the Song and Yuan dynasties, Quanzhou had built along its waterways a series of navigation markers and docks to guide ships. The shipping facilities in the inner ports, outer ports and the outer sea had different functions and characteristics. Two docks of the Song and Yuan dynasties - Wenxing and Meishan - have been preserved.

Photo shows the Meishan Dock, part of the Estuary Docks, during sunset in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province. (Photo/Cheng Dongdong)

20. Shihu Dock

The Shihu Dock utilized natural reefs in its construction. It is an invaluable piece of physical evidence of Quanzhou's outer port docks, proving that conditions in Quanzhou in the Song and Yuan dynasties were highly conducive to port construction. This dock, together with the Estuary Docks, demonstrates the water-land transshipment system of the Quanzhou Port during the Song and Yuan dynasties.

Photo shows the Shihu Dock in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province. (Photo/Chen Yingjie)

21. Liusheng Pagoda

The Liusheng Pagoda was the landmark for merchant ships sailing from the main channel in Quanzhou Bay to inner ports. It is believed to provide divine protection for traveling merchants.

Photo shows the Liusheng Pagoda in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province. (Photo/Wu Wenbin)

22. Wanshou Pagoda

The Wanshou Pagoda served as an important navigation marker among the heritage sites that bore witness to Quanzhou's long maritime history.

Photo shows the Wanshou Pagoda during sunset in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province. (Photo/Jia Fushan)

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
Anyone in Monona who wants to be city judge  ruling on traffic tickets, disorderly conduct and other ordinance violations  could get the job by writing their name on the ballot this spring.

You dont even have to be an attorney.

No candidates filed to replace Michael Finley, who is retiring after serving as municipal judge since 2015, and no one has launched a write-in campaign. A person who gets any or the most write-in votes on April 2 will become judge if the person is interested and eligible, election officials say. The judge must live in the city of roughly 8,600 residents but doesnt have to be a lawyer. About half of Wisconsins 232 municipal judges arent.

The vacancy shines a light on municipal courts, which some states dont have and Wisconsin municipalities vary in adopting. Many small towns and villages in the state together form combined courts, while some larger cities, such as Appleton and Eau Claire, go without them.

The Monona opening also speaks to the difficulty, generally, in finding candidates for some local government posts. In village board elections this spring, for example, just two people are running for three seats in Brooklyn, and two people are competing for three seats in DeForest.

In Stoughton, no one is running for a three-year seat on the city council.

Trying to get people motivated to make that commitment has been a challenge, Stoughton Mayor Tim Swadley said.

How municipal courts work

Thirty states have municipal courts, according to a Harvard Law Review article in 2021. Those without them include Illinois, Iowa and Minnesota. In most states, such as Ohio, the courts can take criminal cases. In Wisconsin, the courts are limited to civil violations of municipal ordinances. If municipalities choose not to have their own courts, state circuit courts handle the disputes.

The vast majority of cases before Wisconsins 229 municipal courts are traffic violations, which include first-offense drunken driving. Others involve disorderly conduct, shoplifting, building code and animal code violations, and juvenile truancy, or unjustified absence from school.

Dick Ginkowski, president of the Wisconsin Municipal Judges Association and judge for the Kenosha County village of Pleasant Prairie, said municipal courts efficiently handle minor infractions, allowing circuit courts to use limited resources on more serious offenses.

A 17-year-old who steals lipstick at Target might end up getting a $200 fine in a municipal or circuit court, but the more complex circuit court process would cost more and result in a criminal record unless the ruling is expunged, Ginkowski said.

Do you really need to use a sledgehammer on a fly? he said. Municipal courts are a cost-effective way of providing a community-based alternative to the criminal justice system.

Speeders likely appreciate municipal courts. If a police officer issues a basic speeding ticket in a city without its own court, Ginkowski said, the fine is the same as if a sheriffs deputy or state trooper wrote it: $175.30. In a municipal court, the violation costs $98.80, or 44% less.

Variation among cities, towns

Many jurisdictions, even small ones like the villages of Maple Bluff and Shorewood Hills, have their own courts. The state has 79 joint courts combining multiple locations. One, called Lake Country, includes the city of Oconomowoc and 16 nearby villages and towns.

In smaller courts, many of the part-time judges are former teachers or police officers and not attorneys, as allowed by state law, Ginkowski said. There is mandatory training.

The city of Milwaukees court has three full-time judges, and Madisons has one, Dan Koval. Green Bay, Kenosha, Racine, Waukesha and La Crosse have municipal courts, but Appleton, Eau Claire, Oshkosh and Janesville dont.

Appletons use of Outagamie County Circuit Court for municipal citations has been efficient and effective, said Chris Behrens, city attorney. Former police chiefs have looked at setting up a city court, but startup costs have prevented it, Behrens said.

Ginkowski said circuit courts prioritize criminal cases, so municipal matters can be delayed, causing police officers to wait in court instead of being on patrol.

Monona write-in could win

Finley, Mononas judge, was a longtime assistant district attorney for Dane County. When his predecessor retired and moved out of Monona, the city council appointed Finley. He successfully ran for election in 2016 and reelection in 2020. Now 65, he is stepping down so he can travel more.

Mononas municipal court is held the first and third Tuesday of each month, with juvenile court each following Wednesday. The sessions typically last a couple of hours, Finley said. The salary is $9,485 a year. Ginkowski, whose court is held weekly, makes $22,800.

Its the best job I ever had, Finley said. For a lot of people, its their only time theyll have a brush with the legal system.

A single write-in vote could win the election, Monona City Clerk Alene Houser and Dane County Clerk Scott McDonnell said. If nobody gets any votes or the write-in winner doesnt want the job or is ineligible, the city council will appoint someone, said Neil Stechschulte, city administrator.

City staff haven't sought candidates and prefer to see what the election yields, Stechschulte said.

Its probably not the most appropriate thing for us to be going out and trying to identify our chief elected officials, he said. Its supposed to work the other way around.

Challenges in Stoughton

Write-in winners have become something of a norm in Stoughton, a city of nearly 13,000 residents where each of four districts has three city council members, whose pay is $300 a month.

In District 4, in the northwest part of the city, no one filed to run this spring for a three-year term to replace Ald. Ben Heili, who is stepping down. Ald. Patrick Butler, appointed last year after the resignation of Frank Raff, a write-in winner in 2022, is running unopposed to finish Raff's term. Ald. Jonathan Schroerlucke was a write-in winner last year.

Swadley, the mayor, said the city has added more public members to committees and made virtual participation in meetings an option to train and attract more candidates. But people are busy or contribute to the community in other ways, he said.

Oftentimes people dont run unless theres an issue thats really near and dear to them, he said. That may or may not be a good reason to run.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to remove an erroneous reference to the election for village board in Cottage Grove. Five people are running for three seats in that race.

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Good government is necessary for Bihar...: Nityanand Rai

Patna, January 28

Union Minister and BJP MP Nityanand Rai on Sunday asserted that good government is necessary for Bihar adding that NDA (National Democratic Alliance) would secure victory in all 40 seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

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.

Along with Kumar, BJP leaders Vijay Kumar Sinha and Samrat Choudhary took oath as ministers in the Kumar-led government.

JD(U)'s Vijendra Yadav and Shrawan Kumar also took oath along with HAM's Santosh Kumar Suman and Sumit Kumar Singh who is an independent candidate.

Kumar had earlier in the day resigned as the chief minister, 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.

Nitish Kumar cited the state of affairs being "not right" under the Mahagathbandhan alliance 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.

(ANI - Posted on 29 January 2024)

Good government is necessary for Bihar...: Nityanand Rai

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PM Modi highlights Ram Mandir in 109th episode of Mann Ki Baat

Kolkata, January 29

In the 109th edition of 'Mann ki Baat' on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the significance of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya and how it united the nation.

"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 unison... 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," said PM Modi.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) State President and MP Sukanto Majumdar, along with Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, attended the "Pradhan Mantri Mann Ki Baat" radio programme on Sunday.

The live broadcast of Mann Ki Baat is streamed from Paramhansa village in Cuttack district on Sunday.

The 109th edition of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's monthly radio show, Mann Ki Baat, aired today. It was PM Modi's first Mann Ki Baat programme of the year 2024.

BJP President JP Nadda and Union Minister Meenakshi were also spotted listening to the Prime Minister's popular Mann ki Baat radio talk in Delhi.

Noting that the process of conferring Padma Awards changed 'completely' under his leadership, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday that the nominations received for the top civilian honours this year were 28 times more as compared to 2014.

In his first 'Mann Ki Baat' address of 2024, Prime Minister Modi said credibility and respect for the Padma Awards are rising every year.

He also talked about the 75th Republic Day which was celebrated with great pomp and fervour.

"This year our Constitution is also attaining completion of 75 years... and the Supreme Court is also completing 75 years. These festivals of our democracy further strengthen India as the Mother of Democracy. The Constitution of India has come into being after such intense brainstorming that it is called a living document," said PM Modi.

Earlier, in the 108th edition of the 'Mann Ki Baat', the Prime Minister discussed the achievements of 2023. Addressing the nation in the year's last 'Mann Ki Baat' episode before the country heads into the high-octane election year, pointed out how innovative technology, such as artificial intelligence (AI), has brought about convenience in different sectors of society.

Recalling the Kashi-Tamil Sangmam event in Uttar Pradesh, where the indigenous AI-powered Bhashini app ensured proper translation of his words from Hindi to Tamil with ease, he said that the people who participated in the Kashi-Tamil Sangamam were elated by this experiment.

While specifically discussing lifestyle diseases, the PM also discussed the Fit India Movement. Speaking of the International Year of Millets, he praised several startups, like Kiroj Foods in Lucknow, Grandmaa Millets in Prayagraj, and Nutraceuticals.

Prime Minister Modi also said the Centre's endeavour is that language should not become a hindrance to education and the holistic progress of any child.

He recalled how Indian cinema made the country shine with international honours.

Mann ki Baat started on October 3, 2014, and reached its 100th episode On April 30, 2023.

(ANI - Posted on 29 January 2024)

PM Modi highlights Ram Mandir in 109th episode of Mann Ki Baat

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When Crystal Vallee, a speaker with Steered Straight, asked David City High School students how many knew someone who died of an overdose, she was pleased to see no hands go up. Unfortunately, she said, that isn't the case elsewhere.

That's part of why she partnered with Steered Straight, an organization based in Tennessee that brings speakers to schools to help not just deter youths from illicit substances, but from the problems that lead them to seek those substances. Vallee said that's her real message.

"(The main point is) if they're struggling with anything at all, to seek help. People always ask 'what's your message?' and a lot of times people think it's not to do drugs or don't drink and drive, and that's part of it, but kids know that, right?" Vallee said. "They just don't care because they have issues within or at home and that's why I say my message is to get help."

Vallee does this by sharing her trauma and experiences with drugs in her past, and how difficult it was to get out of them. Her speaking journey actually began in prison, she said, when schools in her home state of New Jersey connected her with Steered Straight. Now, almost eight years later, she's doing that same work with Steered Straight.

Aaron Rerucha, a member of the David City Board of Education, said things are different now than they have been, which is why it's important to have someone come and talk to the students.

"I think the education component of it is huge. We're dealing with a different animal here. It used to be cigarettes and alcohol and now it's all of those things that can be a gateway into vaping and harder drugs and things like that," Rerucha said.

Rerucha reflected on the number of hands raised at Vallee's question as well, adding that while it wasn't a problem in David City, the scale to which young people are experiencing others getting addicted and overdosing across the country is staggering.

"There are elementary kids that - this is affecting their families and thankfully we didn't really have that affecting our elementary kids but she's saying across the country that it's affecting elementary kids," Rerucha said. "A take-home to me was a little bit scary that it's happening at that small of a grade level."
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In a recent study published in npj Digital Medicine, researchers developed diagnostic reasoning prompts to investigate whether large language models (LLMs) could simulate diagnostic clinical reasons.

LLMs, artificial intelligence-based systems trained using enormous amounts of text data, are known for human-simulating performances in tasks like writing clinical notes and passing medical exams. However, understanding their clinical diagnostic reasoning abilities is crucial for their integration into clinical care.

Recent studies have concentrated on open-ended-type clinical questions, indicating that innovative large-language models, like GPT-4, have the potential to identify complex patients. Prompt engineering has begun to overcome this issue, as LLM performance varies based on the type of prompts and questions.

About the study

In the present study, researchers assessed diagnostic reasoning by GPT-3.5 and GPT-4 for open-ended-type clinical questions, hypothesizing that GPT models could outperform conventional chain-of-thought (CoT) prompting with diagnostic reasoning prompts.

The team used the revised MedQA United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) dataset and the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) case series to compare conventional chain-of-thought prompting with various diagnostic logic prompts modeled after the cognitive procedures of forming differential diagnosis, analytical reasoning, Bayesian inferences, and intuitive reasoning.

They investigated whether large-language models can mimic clinical reasoning skills using specialized prompts, combining clinical expertise with advanced prompting techniques.

The team used prompt engineering to generate prompts for diagnostic reasoning, converting questions into free responses by eliminating multiple-choice selections. They included only step II and step III questions from the USMLE dataset and those evaluating patient diagnosis.

Each round of prompt engineering involved GPT-3.5 accuracy evaluation using the MEDQA training set. The training and testing sets, which contained 95 and 518 questions, respectively, were reserved for assessment.

The researchers also evaluated GPT-4 performance on 310 cases recently published in the NEJM journal. They excluded 10 that did not have definitive final diagnoses or surpassed the maximum context length for GPT-4. They compared conventional CoT prompting with the best-performing clinical diagnostic reasoning CoT prompts (reasoning for differential diagnosis) on the MedQA dataset.

Every prompt consisted of two exemplifying questions with rationales using target reasoning techniques or few-shot learning. The study evaluation used free-response questions from the USMLE and NEJM case report series to facilitate rigorous comparison between prompting strategies.

Physician authors, attending physicians, and an internal medicine resident evaluated language model responses, with each question assessed by two blinded physicians. A third researcher resolved the disagreements. Physicians verified the accuracy of answers using software when needed.

Results

The study reveals that GPT-4 prompts could mimic the clinical reasoning of clinicians without compromising diagnostic accuracy, which is crucial to assessing the accuracy of LLM responses, thereby enhancing their trustworthiness for patient care. The approach can help overcome the black box limitations of LLMs, bringing them closer to safe and effective use in medicine.

GPT-3.5 accurately responded to 46% of assessment questions by standard CoT prompting and 31% by zero-shot-type non-chain-of-thought prompting. Of prompts associated with clinical diagnostic reasoning, GPT-3.5 performed the best with intuitive-type reasonings (48% versus 46%).

Compared to classic chain-of-thought, GPT-3.5 performed significantly inferiorly with analytical reasoning prompts (40%) and those for developing differential diagnoses (38%), while Bayesian inferences fell short of significance (42%). The team observed an inter-rater consensus of 97% for MedQA data GPT-3.5 evaluations.

The GPT-4 API returned errors for 20 test questions, limiting the size of the test dataset to 498. GPT-4 displayed more accuracy than GPT-3.5. GPT-4 showed 76%, 77%, 78%, 78%, and 72% accuracies with classical chain-of-thought, intuitive-type reasoning, differential diagnostic reasoning, analytical reasoning prompts, and Bayesian inferences, respectively. The inter-rater consensus was 99% for GPT-4 MedQA evaluations.

Regarding the NEJM dataset, GPT-4 scored 38% accuracy with conventional CoT versus 34% with that for formulating differential diagnosis (a 4.2% difference). The inter-rater consensus for the GPT-4 NEJM assessment was 97%. GPT-4 responses and rationales for the complete NEJM dataset. Prompts promoting step-by-step reasoning and focusing on a single diagnostic reasoning strategy performed better than those combining multiple strategies.

Overall, the study findings showed that GPT-3.5 and GPT-4 have improved reasoning abilities but not accuracy. GPT-4 performed similarly with conventional and intuitive-type reasoning chain-of-thought prompts but worse with analytical and differential diagnosis prompts. Bayesian inferences and chain-of-thought prompting also showed worse performance compared to classical CoT.

The authors propose three explanations for the difference: the reasoning mechanisms of GPT-4 could be integrally different from those of human providers; it could explain post-hoc diagnostic evaluations in desired reasoning formats; or it could attain maximum precision with the provided vignette data.
In a recent study published in the journal BMJ Open, researchers evaluated the associations between energy drink (ED) intake and sleep characteristics among Norwegian students attending colleges and universities. They also examined whether there were sex-based differences.

Energy drinks are non-alcoholic caffeine-containing beverages, often consumed for mental health and physical performance. Consumption is common among students.

However, scientific data on energy drinks and sleep parameters in young adults are scarce and contradictory. Moreover, most studies have used crude measures to assess sleep. More comprehensive sleep quality evaluations, such as diagnostic guidelines for insomnia, could add to the body of literature.

The authors of the present study previously reported higher insomnia rates among young female students than their male counterparts; however, there were no significant sex-based differences in sleep durations.

About the study

In the present cross-sectional study, researchers evaluated ED consumption frequency among Norwegian students and associated sleep characteristics. Further, the study assessed whether these associations differed based on sex.

The Students' Health and Well-Being SHOT2022 study, conducted by student well-being organizations between February 8 and April 19, 2022, surveyed 53,266 individuals aged 18 to 35 years receiving higher education in Norway. The researchers collected data on participants' sex, age, educational level, and relationship status from their National Identity Numbers.

The team assessed energy intake through food and beverage questionnaires, focusing on ED consumption frequency. They reported participants' bedtime and wake-rise times separately for weekends and weekdays.

Time in bed (TIB) was calculated based on differences between bedtimes and bed-rise times. They defined late bedtime as retiring to bed post-midnight. They also assessed wake after sleep onset (WASO) and sleep onset latency (SOL). The researchers calculated sleep efficiency by dividing sleep duration by TIB values and multiplying by 100, and sleep duration by subtracting WASO and SOL from TIB.

All participants reported difficulties experienced in early morning awakenings (EMA), difficulty in initiating sleep (DIS), difficulty maintaining sleep (DMS), daytime tiredness and sleepiness, and the duration of sleep difficulties. The team operationalized insomnia using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) guidelines: EMA, DMS, or DIS presence for three or more nights a week, daytime tiredness and sleepiness for three or more days a week, and the duration of sleep difficulties for three or more months.

The primary study outcomes were insomnia and sleep duration. The team performed general linear modeling (GLM) and used least significant differences (LSD) for post-hoc comparisons to evaluate the associations between ED intake and continuous variables. They performed log-linked binomial regressions to calculate age-adjusted estimated marginal means (EMM) and the effect magnitudes for age-adjusted dichotomous variables.

Results

Among 53,226 participants, the mean age was 24, and 66% were women. ED consumption frequency was inversely associated with sleep duration and efficiency. ED intake frequency was directly associated with sleep patterns such as SOL and WASO across the sexes.

Higher ED consumption was associated with an increasing risk of sleep problems across all sleep parameters, with the strongest association observed between daily ED intake and short sleep duration, with men and women having risk ratios (RR) of 2.1 and 1.9, respectively.

There were significant sex-based differences in ED consumption, with 50% of women and 40% of men reporting rare to no consumption. Women consumed ED less than men.

Women and men who consumed energy drinks every day slept 30 minutes less than those who consumed ED rarely or never. The team found similar associations between SOL and WASO; increasing ED intake frequency was related to increased nocturnal wake times and time to fall asleep.

Insomnia was prevalent among 51% of female daily ED consumers, compared to 33% among females who never or rarely drank energy drinks, with similar graded patterns in males (37% versus 22%, respectively).

Men showed stronger associations with ED intake for the sleep parameters. Compared to rare or never ED consumers, regular male consumers had a >2.0-fold higher risk of less than six hours of sleep (risk ratio, 2.1), with similar patterns in females (risk ratio, 1.9).

Infrequent ED use (one to three times a month) was significantly associated with a higher likelihood of poor-quality sleep for most sleep characteristics, apart from late bedtimes and brief sleep for males and females.

The study findings showed that excessive ED consumption significantly impacts sleep outcomes, with even small amounts associated with poorer sleep. The study highlights the need for more attention to ED intake consequences among students.

ED consumption frequency had dose-response associations with sleep difficulties, sleep durations, and insomnia. Regular ED intake increases the likelihood of sleep difficulties for men and women.
New digital contraceptive methods, such as apps or wearables to determine fertile days, are gaining in popularity. University of Amsterdam medical anthropologist Ellen Algera and her colleagues investigated whether and how these new methods find a place in the consultation room. They observed hesitation among healthcare providers to counsel on these methods and a lack of reliable information. Given the growing popularity of hormone-free contraceptive methods, the researchers, in their recently published article in the European Journal of General Practice, advocate for more attention to these methods. According to them, this requires the renewal of guidelines and a more open attitude toward these methods.

In the study, Algera and colleagues analyzed the contraceptive guideline, observed conversations in the consultation room, and interviewed healthcare providers in general practice. They observe that healthcare providers tend to choose risk minimization when it comes to the preference for hormone-free contraception and new digital contraceptive methods. This shifts the focus away from personalized guidance, hindering person-centered care.

As long as healthcare providers do not see these methods as contraception or only warn against using them, there will be a gap between healthcare providers and users of these methods. We hope to build a bridge here." Ellen Algera, medical anthropologist, University of Amsterdam

A new challenge for contraceptive care

Algera calls the cautious attitude of healthcare providers understandable because there is a lack of scientifically grounded knowledge on how different methods work and how well, as well as the requirements for their use. And this lack of information also affects the user. 'Various apps and wearables are entering the market, sold with attractive words. However, the reliability figures used to promote these methods are not always based on robust scientific research. Users may choose the method that is most heavily promoted on social media, not necessarily the one with scientific backing or the one that best suits individual preferences.'

Make information more accessible

'But critically assessed scientific knowledge is already available,' says Algera. 'A systematic review of research on new digital methods and low-tech methods based on fertile days shows that effectiveness varies widely between methods, from 66% to 98% with typical use - where the users may make some mistakes. In addition, methods relying on multiple parameters and providing good support, such as the sympto-thermal method, perform, better than a simple calendar method or a temperature app. Although we need more research on different methods' effectiveness, the scientifically substantiated information that we already have could be better accessible to healthcare providers and users, so that people can make well-informed choices.'

Explore motivation

In addition to this scientifically grounded information, the authors advocate for attention to motivation and necessary skills in counseling. The likelihood of pregnancy is co-determined by the motivation of both partners to prevent pregnancy and the ability to apply a method correctly. Due to this user dependence, healthcare providers quickly discourage these methods as users can make mistakes,' Algera explains. Instead, the authors propose to approach it from the other side, through thoroughly investigating of users' motivation and their need for support. 'If the use of these methods increases, it is better for users to be well-prepared.' says Algera.
Michiganders will continue to have the opportunity to advance medical research aimed at advancing individualized health care through a renewed award to Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences from the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) All of Us Research Program. The award includes $18.3 million in initial funding to support a consortium of 8 health care provider organizations with a presence in 16 states.

Henry Ford has led the consortium since 2017. The renewed award allows participation to continue until at least 2028. The multimillion-dollar multi-year award represents the largest NIH research grant in Henry Ford's 108-year history.

All of Us aims to change the one-size-fits-all approach to medicine by engaging at least one million people who reflect the diversity of the United States. Participants contribute a range of health information to help researchers accelerate findings for treatments, prevention, and diagnosis that can be more tailored to individuals. Participants who join All of Us can choose to receive personal health-related genetic information at no cost, that could help guide their health care journeys.

We are proud to be leaders in this effort that is revolutionizing health care research. This tremendous award from NIH is a testament to our team's passion and commitment to identifying ways to prevent and understand disease, develop new treatments, and address health care disparities for the people we serve here in Michigan and beyond." Steven Kalkanis, M.D., Executive Vice President and Chief Academic Officer at Henry Ford Health

All of Us participants can choose to receive health-related DNA results that provide insight into their genetic ancestry, traits, a possible risk for developing serious health conditions, and how their body might react to certain medicines. Participants have access to genetic counselors at no cost and can choose to share their health information with their providers.

"I'm looking forward to working with my doctors to use my health-related DNA research results," said Randee Bloom, a 68-year-old All of Us Research Program participant from West Bloomfield, Michigan.

Participants like Bloom contribute their DNA for use in a secure cloud based All of Us data platform, which can be accessed by registered researchers. The data participants share with the program, and ultimately researchers, does not contain a participant's name or other information that could directly identify them.

"I feel that by contributing my data to the program, I'm doing my part to help advance medical research," Bloom said.

Unlike research studies that focus on one disease or group of people, the All of Us dataset is being used by more than 8,000 researchers, including 125 in Michigan, to inform thousands of studies on a variety of health conditions.

"Using the All of Us database, researchers are discovering new methods and medicines that will benefit people from diverse backgrounds, geographies, and ancestries," said Christine Johnson, Ph.D, MPH, chair of Henry Ford's Department of Public Health Sciences and one of the lead scientists on the All of Us Research Program at Henry Ford Health.

Henry Ford leads a consortium of health care provider organizations that represent diverse communities across the United States, including Baylor Scott & White Health; Essentia Health; HealthPartners; University of Massachusetts and Reliant Medical Group; Corewell Health; St. Louis University and SSM Heath; and Kaiser Permanente Northwest. The consortium has enrolled one of the program's largest and most diverse groups of participants in the nation.

By recruiting a diverse group of participants in the program, our consortium is ensuring medical scientists can detect more uncommon or unusual variations that affect health and disease, which will be helpful for all people." Brian K. Ahmedani, Ph.D, director of the Center for Health Policy & Health Services Research at Henry Ford Health and lead scientist on the program

Researchers at Henry Ford have utilized the All of Us dataset in multiple studies, including research around the prevalence of multiple sclerosis and what demographics it affects; the prevalence of opioid use and its association with sociodemographic characteristics; and which genes are connected to hidradenitis suppurativa, a chronic and painful skin condition. The team at Henry Ford Health has also utilized the data to better understand participants' willingness to share health information with the program itself.

"We are excited to be able to continue to offer our communities an easy way to become part of a cutting-edge research program," said Cathryn Peltz, Ph.D, one of Henry Ford's lead scientists on the program. "It's the chance to make a difference in not only their own health but that of future generations."

To learn more about Henry Ford Health's role in the program, or to participate, visit: henryford.com/joinallofus.

The All of Us Research Program at Henry Ford Health is funded by the National Institutes of Health award OT2OD036429.
A study of pediatric heart surgery centers across the United States has demonstrated that, when it comes to successful surgery, it's not just the size of the program that matters in determining quality outcomes.

Historically, hospitals with a "low volume" of pediatric heart operations-;in this case, those that perform 103 surgeries or fewer a year-;have been associated with worse outcomes for patients. However, a team led by D. Chauhan, MD, from WVU Medicine Children's Heart Center, found that "overperformers" and "underperformers" exist in all volume categories.

Contrary to conventional wisdom regarding the relationship between institutional volume and quality outcomes, there are high-performing low-volume centers in pediatric cardiac surgery, for even the most complex operations. There are also underperforming high-volume programs. Judging program quality is more complex than a single volume number." Christopher Mascio, MD, senior author, pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon, professor, and executive director at WVU Medicine Children's Heart Center

The team examined a total of 25,749 heart operations performed by 235 pediatric hospitals across the country. They divided the centers into three volume categories: low-volume (103 or fewer cases per year), mid-volume (104 to 194 cases per year), and high-volume (more than 194 cases per year). They included only "on-pump" procedures-;meaning, those that used a cardiopulmonary bypass machine, which takes over temporarily for the heart and lungs while the operation is performed.

According to coauthor J. Hunter Mehaffey, MD, an assistant professor and director of cardiac surgery research at WVU, the study included variables commonly used and validated in evaluating risk in pediatric cardiac surgery including age, race, birth weight, genetic diagnosis, history of re-operation, the urgency of the procedure, the patient's length of hospital stay before the surgery, and the presence of heterotaxy (an abnormal arrangement of the internal organs).

Looking at hospital mortality rates, the researchers found that all three volume groups had both "overperforming" and "underperforming" hospitals. For six "benchmark" operations as defined by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons, they found no statistically significant difference in hospital mortality when comparing low- and mid-volume centers to high-volume centers.

The benchmark operations included tetralogy of Fallot repair, arterial switch with ventricular septal defect (VSD), arterial switch without VSD, Glenn and Fontan procedures, and truncus arteriosus repair.

This new research study will be presented at The Society of Thoracic Surgeons' 2024 Annual Meeting in San Antonio, Texas. The Society selected the presentation as its 2024 James S. Tweddell Memorial Paper in Congenital Surgery.

Underscoring the study's importance, Dr. Mascio added, "When parents consider which center is best for their child, there are many other factors at play, including care team coordination, proximity, surgical team, and personal interactions. The time is ripe for the congenital community to develop better methods for evaluating program quality. We hope this contribution provides a nidus for continued discussion around this issue, providing a voice to programs of all sizes."
Despite national guidelines recommending surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) for patients under age 65 with severe aortic stenosis, many hospitals are still opting for a nonsurgical approach in patients under 60-;possibly with poorer survival rates.

In a study presented at The Society of Thoracic Surgeons' 2024 Annual Meeting in San Antonio, Texas, researchers from the department of cardiac surgery in the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles and the department of population health science and policy at Mount Sinai New York compared outcomes for patients undergoing surgery and those undergoing nonsurgical or transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) from 2013 to 2021 in California.

From a pool of 37,011 patients, the study identified 2,360 patients under the age of 60 years who underwent these procedures, with 22% receiving TAVR and 78% SAVR. By 2021 almost half of patients younger than 60 years were receiving TAVR rather than SAVR. The research team followed these patients for a median time of 2.4 years after TAVR and 4.9 years after SAVR to assess their outcomes.

The primary focus was on 5-year survival rates. Secondary outcomes included rates of reoperation, infective endocarditis, stroke, and hospital admissions for heart failure. Propensity score matching ensured a fair comparison of 358 pairs of patients, balancing factors such as age, major health conditions, hospital volume, and urgency.

While the 30-day mortality rates were similar (0.2% for SAVR vs. 0.4% for TAVR), the 5-year survival rate was significantly better after surgery compared to TAVR (98% vs. 86%, p < 0.001). For secondary outcomes, there was no significant difference between the two groups.

While we expected that the volume of transcatheter therapy would increase over the study period in this young patient cohort, we were surprised there appears to be near equipoise in terms of procedure selection, with patients and clinicians opting for procedures against the 2020 guidelines." Jad Malas, MD, study coauthor, cardiothoracic surgery resident at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles

In their 2020 consensus guidelines, the American College of Cardiology and the American Hospital Association recommended surgery over TAVR in patients under 65 with severe aortic stenosis, a condition that stiffens and narrows the aortic valve, making blood flow more difficult. Dr. Malas and colleagues wanted a real-world snapshot of how hospitals are treating patients in an even younger cohort.

The study results indicate a need for randomized trials in younger patients (who represent fewer than 10% of the patients in randomized trials comparing these treatments)-;as well as more balanced and informed patient-centered decision-making-;to support more appropriate practice in this younger patient population, said Dr. Joanna Chikwe, senior author of the study and chair of the department of cardiac surgery in the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai. She added that her research group has expanded their analysis to include a multi-state registry for better comparison of the two procedures.

"As cardiac surgeons, we owe it to our patients to take a more prominent role in providing the highest quality evidence to help our patients make these major healthcare decisions," she emphasized. "While transcatheter therapy appears more attractive to most patients, there are clearly long-term benefits with surgical therapy for the lifetime management of valvular heart disease in many patients."
An executive at Teva Pharmaceuticals flagged Publix Super Markets in October 2015 after detecting what he called in an email "serious red flags" with the grocery chain's orders of powerful opioids.

The share of high-strength oxycodone orders was well above normal for a chain of grocery store pharmacies, and the total number of pills sent to Publix stores was "significantly above their peers," Teva's head of federal compliance wrote in the email to his supervisors, according to court records in a federal lawsuit pending in Ohio against Publix and other companies.

"This is high-strength oxycodone ultimately going to Florida, a well-established hot spot for oxycodone abuse in the U.S.," wrote the compliance officer, Joseph Tomkiewicz, in the email explaining why he halted Teva-manufactured prescription opioids to Florida's Publix pharmacies.

The volume of prescription opioids dispensed in Florida fell 56% from 2011 to 2019 as the pharmaceutical industry was hit by lawsuits for its role in the national opioid crisis, according to a Tampa Bay Times analysis of Drug Enforcement Administration data recently released by a federal court. But while national pharmacy chains like CVS and Walgreens were dispensing fewer of the highly addictive drugs, Publix's sales were soaring.

The Lakeland-based grocer's sales of oxycodone climbed from 26 million pills per year in 2011 to 43.5 million in 2019, the data shows. The increase in sales, which far outpaced the chain's addition of stores in Florida, saw its market share rise to 14%, enough to overtake CVS to become Florida's second-largest dispenser of all opioid medications, behind only Walgreens, which dispensed 28% of opioids in the state in 2019. The analysis excludes drugs like methadone prescribed for addiction treatment. Opioid sales at Publix dipped slightly in 2018 and 2019, the last two years of available data.

Even as its market share grew, however, Publix was not among the 15 national manufacturers, distributors, and pharmacies that Florida sued in 2018. That lawsuit claimed other pharmacies had flooded America with painkillers such as OxyContin, fueling debilitating addictions that strained communities' first responders and medical providers.

The state's lawsuit was a boon for Florida. While admitting to no wrongdoing, the companies agreed to settlement payments to the state, including $177 million from Teva, $440 million from CVS, and $620 million from Walgreens. The state didn't sue Walmart but in 2022 negotiated a $215 million settlement from the retail giant, which also denied any wrongdoing.

However, there is no mention of Publix's role on a state webpage touting the 10 opioid settlements reached during Ashley Moody's tenure as attorney general.

That's despite Publix being the third-biggest dispenser of opioids in the state, selling nearly twice the amount of the drugs as Walmart from 2006 to 2012, according to earlier DEA data made public in July 2019, more than two years before Florida prosecutors reached settlements with other pharmacy chains.

Moody, a Republican, took over as the state's top legal official in January 2019. Her office declined to specifically address why Florida has not included Publix in any of its legal actions over opioids.

"We are proud of the more than $3 billion recovered through the historic opioid litigation, and since the filing of the amended complaint, the Department of Legal Affairs has and will continue to take action when merited by the evidence  as we did in the more recent actions with Walmart and McKinsey," said Moody's communications director, Kylie Mason, in an email.

The grocery chain made $10.6 million in political donations in Florida from 2016 to 2022 when the state was preparing and pursuing its litigation, state election data shows. Most of the donations were for Republican committees and candidates, including $125,000 donated to the Friends of Ashley Moody political action committee.

In Florida, Walgreens made $637,000 in political donations, including $8,000 to Moody, over the same period. CVS made $208,500 in donations, none of which went to Moody.

Other local communities in Florida and beyond did sue Publix. The federal suit naming Publix that prompted the release of the federal data was filed by Georgia's Cobb County. It has been earmarked as a test case for dozens of other lawsuits brought by cities and counties in the Southeast. Those include more than 20 Florida communities, among them St. Petersburg and Pinellas and Pasco counties.

While Walgreens and other national companies paid billions to settle their lawsuits and agreed to stricter drug controls, Publix is still contesting the cases.

Those communities claim that the grocery chain failed to operate an "effective suspicious ordering monitoring program" and that when Publix did limit orders to its own pharmacies, those pharmacies could bypass the check by going to a third-party distributor such as AmerisourceBergen.

Publix also should have known that its pharmacies in Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, and South Carolina, were filling multiple prescriptions written for the same patient by the same doctor or by multiple doctors, the federal lawsuit alleges. As part of the national opioid settlement, other pharmacy chains were required to be more compliant with laws regulating opioids, including checks on suspicious orders and prescriptions from "blocked and potentially problematic" doctors.

"It's a heck of a lot cheaper to distribute and dispense controlled substances without all these checks," said Jayne Conroy, an attorney with New York law firm Simmons Hanly Conroy who is representing the Florida communities and has served as co-lead counsel in the national opioid litigation that has secured more than $50 billion in settlements and verdicts.

Publix did not respond to three emails and three phone calls to its communications office seeking comment.

In its responses to the lawsuits, it has repeatedly denied allegations of wrongdoing.

In seeking to get the Ohio case dismissed, Publix attorneys argued that it can't be considered "a public nuisance" to legally distribute and dispense opioids. The judge in the case denied the company's motion and another legal brief that sought to prevent the release of the more recent DEA data.

In November 2022, Publix sued more than a dozen of its insurers in federal court in Tampa, claiming they had not honored policies that would protect it from opioid litigation claims.

It also countersued Cobb County in 2023, saying the Georgia community's lawsuit was "motivated by promises of a windfall." The case is still pending.

"Publix takes great pride in its relationship with its valued customers and the communities it serves," that lawsuit states. "These novel and unprecedented claims are baseless, false, and belied by Publix's decades of service."

DEA officials declined to comment on Publix's opioid record. No enforcement actions against Publix are listed in the federal registry.

A growing player

Since its 1930 start as a food store in Winter Haven, Florida, Publix has grown into a massive company with more than 250,000 employees and nearly 900 stores in Florida alone. Revered for its free cookies for kids, chicken tender subs, fresh produce, birthday cakes, and BOGO deals, the grocery chain has become one-stop shopping for customers.

And, increasingly, "Where Shopping Is a Pleasure"  Publix's slogan since 1954  includes powerful prescription drugs.

Publix was a smaller player in Florida's opioid market before 2011, responsible for fewer than 5% of all opioid medications distributed to pharmacies across the state, according to the Times analysis of federal opioid data.

That year marked a turning point for opioid sales in Florida. As the scale of the opioid epidemic came to public attention, and litigation followed, most chain pharmacies began to back off their orders for pills, the data shows.

Many companies ultimately agreed to pay billions of dollars to settle lawsuits filed across the country by state and local governments. That included a $683 million settlement between Florida and Walgreens in May stating the pharmacy, which denied any wrongdoing, must pay for community treatment, education, and prevention programs, plus litigation costs.

In addition to hefty payouts, some settlement agreements required companies to adopt stricter controls to bring operations into fuller compliance with the Controlled Substances Act, a federal law that governs the manufacture, distribution, and use of drugs considered to have a high risk of being abused.

Distributors were required to adopt automated software that would flag suspicious orders from pharmacies such as quantities well above a store's average. Pharmacy companies were required to conduct checks on doctors to ensure the prescribers are registered with the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Those measures and others put the brakes on opioid distribution nationwide. Meanwhile, the distribution in Florida's Publix stores went in the opposite direction: From 2011 to 2019, the grocery chain increased its dispensing of all opioid medication by 35%, according to the Times' analysis of the data.

That growth far exceeded any increase in sales that would correspond to the grocer's net addition of 146 pharmacies from 2011 to 2019.

As Publix's distribution increased, so too did the number of orders that should have been flagged as suspicious, according to plaintiffs in multiple lawsuits. Drug distributor McKesson instructed its employees to investigate any pharmacy ordering more than 8,000 oxycodone pills in a single month as part of the company's "Lifestyle Drug Monitoring Program," according to 2018 congressional testimony.

Publix pharmacies' orders surpassed that threshold almost 1,500 times in 2019, the Times analysis found, more than triple the number in 2011. The benchmark has been repeatedly used in opioid litigation as evidence of inadequate monitoring of drug distribution.

'Red flags' missed

As Tomkiewicz faced pressure from Teva management to fulfill Publix's orders, he mined the data to back up his concerns, court records show. During a heated phone call, one Teva executive stressed that Publix was an increasingly important player in the opioid distribution market, Tomkiewicz said at his deposition, and an important client for the world's largest generic drug manufacturer.

Tomkiewicz requested data from Publix's 10 largest pharmacies by opioid sales, all located in Florida.

By law, Publix was required to keep tabs on the physicians whose prescriptions it filled. But it took Tomkiewicz just one day of searching the internet to find problems, according to time stamps on emails submitted in the court records.

Among the top prescribers at two Publix locations in Melbourne was Thomas Velleff, according to Tomkiewicz's email. Public records and a newspaper report showed "significant anecdotal evidence of pill mill activity," Tomkiewicz wrote. He said he found a 2010 article in the Treasure Coast Palm, in which a city employee claimed Velleff's prior pain clinic in Palm City attracted "carloads" of patients, often with out-of-state license plates.

Complaints filed with the state Department of Health dating to 2010 allege that Velleff overprescribed opioids and failed to monitor his patients' usage for signs of abuse. One 2017 complaint alleges that Velleff pressured one patient into loaning him money. The state Board of Medicine revoked Velleff's medical license in December 2020. Velleff did not appear at his medical board hearing, according to the final order revoking his license. He did not respond to emails seeking comment.

A top prescriber at one Ocala store had been disciplined in 2011 for injecting herself with a sedative while leaving an anesthetized patient unsupervised. Other pharmacies repeatedly filled prescriptions from "cash-only" pain clinics or written by physicians located hundreds of miles away with no license to practice in Florida, Tomkiewicz wrote in the email. It is legal to do so, but drug diversion experts consider out-of-state prescriptions a red flag that should prompt additional checks for possible drug abuse.

Tomkiewicz had amassed a list of nine doctors among Publix's top prescribers who made him wonder: "Why the hell do they still have a license and are still registered with the DEA?" according to his deposition.

Tomkiewicz also said in his deposition he was troubled by not just the volume of opioids Publix was selling, but that they were handing out a disproportionate share of 30-milligram instant-release oxycodone pills  another red flag for abuse. In an email to Teva's director of compliance, he compared that with the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, where cancer patients were mostly being prescribed 5 mg instant-release pills, court records show.

As the strongest dose on the market, the 30 mg pills have limited use in retail pharmacies and are highly sought-after among abusers, Tomkiewicz wrote in the email. Stronger doses of oxycodone are available, but only in long-release capsules such as OxyContin, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

Publix sold 4.8 million of the highly addictive high-dose pills in 2019  roughly 1 in 10 of all oxycodone pills dispensed by the pharmacy chain that year, according to the Times analysis of the federal data.

Eventually, Tomkiewicz relented, he said in his deposition. As long as Publix promised not to send Teva products to nine locations that he'd picked out, he would let the shipment go ahead. Teva did not notify federal authorities, according to his deposition.

A Times review of court documents found no written record indicating that Publix responded to Tomkiewicz's concerns at the time. An expert report submitted in the lawsuit came to the same conclusion.

Tampa Bay Times staff writer Ian Hodgson previously worked for a research company, Cornerstone Research, that had a client relationship with Teva Pharmaceuticals. This article was produced in partnership with the Tampa Bay Times.

Methodology

For comparison and dosing purposes, it is standard practice to convert opioid medications to an equivalent dose of morphine. Every shipment of opioids in the federal database is reported as both the number of pills and its morphine milligram equivalent, or "MME." This story uses that standard to calculate increases in the number of pills dispensed and compare the volume of pills prescribed by different pharmacy chains.
ARIES

Ganesha Says, tread carefully with finances today, Aries. Borrowing money might prove difficult to repay later. Starting ventures with family members is also less than ideal, as potential betrayal lies near. However, working individuals can shine by upholding their promises and sweetness, potentially earning respect from colleagues. Social engagements in the evening may introduce influential connections.

Lucky Color: Orange

Lucky Number: 19

TAURUS

Ganesha Says, some mental clouds loom, Taurus. Disappointing news from children or lingering health concerns might weigh heavy. If battling a chronic illness, it may worsen slightly. However, a younger member might receive a delightful gift from relatives. Your father could experience throat issues today. Confide your business troubles in your partner for valuable support.

Lucky Color: Blue

Lucky Number: 5

GEMINI

Ganesha Says, your day revolves around acts of charity, Gemini. Helping a person in need brings blessings, but watch out for unnecessary expenses that could strain your finances. Gift-giving to your partner should be mindful of your budget. Evening hours will be spent planning family ventures, where your partners presence is crucial.

Lucky Color: Yellow

Lucky Number: 11

CANCER

Ganesha Says, fortune smiles upon you, Cancer. Business owners may snag profit opportunities through a friends assistance, prompting strategic wealth-building moves. Past investments might bear fruit today. Students, however, could face monetary constraints. A loved ones health might necessitate a sudden trip. Government employees can expect positive news from superiors. Small businesses rejoice in achieving desired profits.

Lucky Color: Black

Lucky Number: 16

LEO

Ganesha Says, a bright day awaits Leo job seekers. Those striving for employment long may receive good news, but family conflicts with elders are best avoided. Discussions about religious ceremonies like pujas or havans may bring enthusiastic participation from all family members. Your spouses health may dip unexpectedly, causing temporary concerns. Evening time invites business discussions with your father.

Lucky Color: Silver

Lucky Number: 9

VIRGO

Ganesha Says, progress paves your path, Virgo. Time spent alone brings clarity to unresolved questions, leading you to reunite with your mother and meet maternal relatives. Fulfilling a promise made to a family member brings you satisfaction. Long-pending tasks finally get ticked off, sparking joy. Students tread cautiously in examinations for optimal success. Generosity shines as you assist a relative financially in the evening. Introducing your spouse to a new business venture might yield surprising profits.

Lucky Color: Purple

Lucky Number: 7

LIBRA

Ganesha Says, watch your tongue, Libra. Your impulsive nature might strain relationships. Resist unnecessary worry and embrace yoga or exercise to find inner peace. At work, your irritable mood could upset colleagues and stall progress. However, students receive support from their father to overcome educational hurdles. Those considering property purchases should independently assess both fixed and mobile aspects to avoid future hassles.

Lucky Color: Red

Lucky Number: 5

SCORPIO

Ganesha Says, joy abounds in your married life, Scorpio. Plans made and discussed with your spouse bring fruitful results. Students bask in exam success and enjoy a pleasant environment. This evening, join an auspicious family gathering. If obstacles plagued your sisters marriage, a kind relative helps you clear them today.

Lucky Color: Brown

Lucky Number: 13

SAGITTARIUS

Ganesha Says, social workers shine, Sagittarius. Your efforts win appreciation, expanding your reach and friend circle. Banish negativity to propel yourself forward. Today, be mindful of your health. Stomach aches and headaches may cause slight worry and lead to postponing some tasks. Avoid legal entanglements.

Lucky Color: Green

Lucky Number: 18

CAPRICORN

Ganesha Says, students, focus! Dedicate yourself to studies to climb the ladder of success. Lovebirds might hear welcome news today. Steer clear of listening to and acting on an opponents words, lest you incur losses. Your mothers health may cause some temporary concern. Celebrate if your child lands a new job! This evening, you earn respect from your in-laws. Long-standing disputes with your brother-in-law finally resolve today.

Lucky Color: Brown

Lucky Number: 6

AQUARIUS

Ganesha Says, mixed fortunes await you, Aquarius. Travel plans demand caution, as driving accidents are a possibility. For those seeking property, today holds promise, but seek your fathers advice first. Enjoy a family picnic with the little ones. Rekindle old friendships by reminiscing with a dear friend.

Lucky Color: Olive

Lucky Number: 12

PISCES

Ganesha Says, expect an ordinary day, Pisces. Neither significant gains nor losses arise from your endeavors, limiting your income but allowing you to cover daily expenses. If seeking investment advice, consult an expert for the best outcome, as wrong advice might lurk around. Do not let business stress affect your sweetness of behavior, or family members may feel your irritation.
Over 73% of Europeans Are Positive About Cryptos Future: Report

A survey conducted by Binance has found that a significant majority of Europeans are confident in the future prospects of the cryptocurrency industry.

According to a survey published by Binance Square, approximately 73% of participants expressed optimism regarding the future of digital assets.

The survey was conducted among 10,498 users in France, Italy, Spain, and Sweden between October 14 and November 8, 2023.

While 73% of participants conveyed optimism about the future of cryptocurrencies, 55% revealed that they exclusively engage with digital assets. Additionally, about 24% of respondents disclosed that over half of their overall trading activities involve cryptocurrencies.

34% of survey respondents indicated they utilize these assets for long-term trading, while 26% use them for saving. Additionally, 13% engage in day trading with digital assets, and 9% use cryptocurrencies for making purchases. Furthermore, 55% of the participants reported using cryptocurrencies for everyday purchases, with 10% making crypto-related purchases on a weekly basis.

According to Binances findings, the main catalysts propelling mainstream crypto adoption in Europe are the prospect of substantial returns, the appeal of decentralization and financial independence provided by digital assets, and the recognition of innovation and technology, identified by 20%, 18%, and 17% of respondents, respectively.

The growing use of crypto in everyday purchases and its diverse applications highlights the integration of digital assets into our lives. Binance CMO Rachel Conlan said. With Europe at the forefront of implementing a secure and harmonized regulatory framework for the industry through MiCA, its evident that the region is actively paving the way for the mainstream adoption of digital assets.

ESMA Increases Pressure on Foreign Crypto Companies



Crypto companies based in Europe are also about to receive another piece of good news.

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has put forth a proposal stating that crypto companies headquartered outside the EU will only be able to serve customers within the bloc under highly restricted conditions. This measure aims to prevent unfair competition in the EU.

 #ESMA publishes 2 Consultations Papers on guidelines under Markets in Crypto Assets Regulation #MiCA:

 on reverse solicitation

 on the classification of crypto-assets as financial instruments  Send your comments by 29 April 2024https://t.co/PEosx4t3UO pic.twitter.com/v31nWMUEcu  ESMA  EU Securities Markets Regulator  (@ESMAComms) January 29, 2024

In a statement, the ESMA affirmed that the proposed guidance reiterates its prior stance, emphasizing that the offering of crypto-asset services by a third-country firm is constrained under the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA). Such provision is permissible only in situations where the client independently initiates the service, a concept known as reverse solicitation.

The tightening of regulations will likely place increased demands on foreign firms to establish a presence in the EU through a branch or subsidiary.
The financial year 2023-24 marks the third successive year of over 7 per cent GDP growth, and the Indian economy is expected to become the third largest in the world having a size of $5 trillion in the next 3 years.

In the next three years, India is expected to become the third-largest economy in the world, with a GDP of $5 trillion. The government has, however, set a higher goal of becoming a developed country by 2047. With the journey of reforms continuing, this goal is achievable, the finance ministry said in its report, The Indian Economy: A Review January 2024.

It said FY24 marks the third successive year of 7 per cent plus strong growth of the Indian economy even as the global economy struggles to grow at more than 3 per cent.

The report said the macroeconomic data demonstrates the internal strengths of the Indian economy, which bestow on it the ability to grow notwithstanding unfavourable global economic conditions.

Therefore, it is eminently possible for the Indian economy to grow in the coming years at a rate above 7 per cent on the strength of the financial sector and other recent and future structural reforms. Only the elevated risk of geopolitical conflicts is an area of concern, it said.

India can aspire to become a $7 trillion economy in the next six to seven years (by 2030), it said.

The all-inclusive welfare approach of the government is expected to contribute to the enlargement of the consumption base through the expansion of the middle class.

Despite challenges posed by the global health crisis and variability in climate conditions, the agriculture sector has demonstrated remarkable tenacity and resilience, according to the report.

India is the third-largest fintech economy in the world after the USA and the UK.

The firms undergoing the IBC resolution process have witnessed a significant improvement in their performance in the post-resolution period, it said.

India became the worlds fourth largest stock market in the world by market capitalisation, overtaking Hong Kong thanks to significant interest from domestic and global investors in the Indian stock market and sustained IPO activity has placed the Indian market fourth in the world by market capitalisation.

The employment situation in India has experienced a positive transformation, with notable achievements in formalisation, skill development, entrepreneurship, and inclusive growth.

MSMEs are becoming increasingly vibrant and dynamic, with the supportive measures implemented by the government, the report said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will next week meet chief executives of top Indian and foreign oil and gas companies, where topics like energy supplies amid geopolitical conflicts and attracting investments are likely to be discussed.

Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said the meeting will happen on the sidelines of the second edition of India Energy Week being held in Goa from February 6 to 9.

Prime Minister had in recent years used annual jamboori of oil and gas sector  previously as CERA India Week and now India Energy Week  to meet chief executives of major oil and gas companies with a view to understanding the emerging energy scenario as well as to drum up investments in the energy sector of the country.

This years conference comes in the backdrop of the continuing Russia-Ukraine war and the fresh Red Sea crisis where one of the worlds busiest sea navigation channels has been threatened by attacks by Houthi militants.

India today on the energy front presents the picture of confidence, of positive growth, of solutions in many areas. IEW is a golden opportunity for all these related developments on the energy front to be showcased and provide the platform for further development and growth in the energy sector, Puri told reporters.

Just like the previous editions, Modi will meet oil and gas firms CEOs on the sidelines of the event. Besides, there will also be an India-US investment roundtable.

Asked about the Red Sea crisis which has so far not disrupted oil supplies to India but has sent freight charges higher as ships reroute to avoid the conflict zone, he said the the conflict is a matter of concern but not a cause of worry for the country as yet.

Whatever difficulties we faced, weve not only navigated through each of those developments and challenges which have come our way, but I think we have navigated quite well, he said.

The minister said that India Energy Week 2024 is expected to witness 17 energy ministers from different countries, 35,000+ attendees, and more than 900 exhibitors.

I am pleased to share that this time we will have dedicated 6 country pavilions, namely Canada, Germany Netherlands, Russia, UK and USA. During IEW 2024, a special Make-in-India Pavilion is being organized with more than 300 exhibitors to showcase innovative solutions Indian MSMEs are spearheading in the energy sector.

He said with the number of domestic and international participants this gives them an unparalleled platform to demonstrate their abilities to both domestic and international markets.

Highlighting the increase in scale of the event as compared to first edition, the minister noted that the number of exhibitors for IEW 24 is expected to be more than 900 (up 30 per cent).

There is 25 per cent increase in exhibition area (18,500 square metres this year as against 15,000 sq m last year), resulting in a 46 per cent increase in revenue from exhibition.
Stocks To Watch Today: The GIFT Nifty trends suggest a favourable commencement for the broader Indian index, showing an increase of 85 points or 0.39 percent. Nifty futures are currently hovering around the 21,631.50 level in trading.

During the previous week, the BSE benchmark witnessed a drop of 982.56 points, translating to a 1.37 percent decrease, while the Nifty experienced a decline of 269.8 points, representing a 1.24 percent decrease.

Analysts suggest that the interim budget, the decision on US Federal policy, and quarterly earnings will serve as significant catalysts for stock markets this week. Additionally, some consolidation is anticipated in the market during this period.

Moreover, investors will pay attention to the trading behaviour of foreign investors and global trends for additional signals.

Heres a slew of stocks that will be in focus on January 29 for various reasons;

HDFC Bank: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) to acquire a stake of up to 9.99 percent in HDFC Bank. The RBI has instructed LIC to acquire this significant shareholding in HDFC Bank within one year, specifically by January 24, 2025.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) to acquire a stake of up to 9.99 percent in HDFC Bank. The RBI has instructed LIC to acquire this significant shareholding in HDFC Bank within one year, specifically by January 24, 2025. Adani Enterprises: AdaniConnex (ACX), a collaborative venture of the company, has entered into an agreement with Adani Power for the purchase of a 100 percent equity interest in two subsidiaries wholly owned by Adani Power. The acquisitions involve Aviceda Infra Park for Rs 190 crore and Innovant Buildwell for Rs 350 crore. The completion of both transactions is anticipated by March 31, 2024.

AdaniConnex (ACX), a collaborative venture of the company, has entered into an agreement with Adani Power for the purchase of a 100 percent equity interest in two subsidiaries wholly owned by Adani Power. The acquisitions involve Aviceda Infra Park for Rs 190 crore and Innovant Buildwell for Rs 350 crore. The completion of both transactions is anticipated by March 31, 2024. Piramal Enterprises: The company has finalised a share purchase agreement to divest its entire direct investment, constituting a 20 percent stake in Shriram Investment Holdings (formerly known as Shriram Investment Holdings), to Shriram Ownership Trust (SOT) for Rs 1,440 crore.

The company has finalised a share purchase agreement to divest its entire direct investment, constituting a 20 percent stake in Shriram Investment Holdings (formerly known as Shriram Investment Holdings), to Shriram Ownership Trust (SOT) for Rs 1,440 crore. Mahindra Logistics : The logistics solutions provider has unveiled a 1 lakh square foot extension to its current multi-client warehouse in Nashik and revealed plans for a new 3 lakh square foot warehousing facility. This expansion has increased the companys total warehousing space to 5 lakh square feet in Nashik, Maharashtra.

: The logistics solutions provider has unveiled a 1 lakh square foot extension to its current multi-client warehouse in Nashik and revealed plans for a new 3 lakh square foot warehousing facility. This expansion has increased the companys total warehousing space to 5 lakh square feet in Nashik, Maharashtra. State Bank of India: The State Bank of India has erased the record of Religare Finvest, previously labelled as fraud, from the Central Fraud Registry database. The Delhi High Court, in a ruling on December 18 of the previous year, instructed SBI to remove the fraud designation. In March 2023, Religare Finvest, a wholly owned subsidiary of Religare Enterprises, successfully concluded a one-time settlement with 16 lenders through organic collections, contributing over Rs 9,000 crore to the nations banking system.Currently, Religare Finvest is awaiting the removal of the corrective action plan (CAP) imposed by the Reserve Bank of India in January 2018.

The State Bank of India has erased the record of Religare Finvest, previously labelled as fraud, from the Central Fraud Registry database. The Delhi High Court, in a ruling on December 18 of the previous year, instructed SBI to remove the fraud designation. In March 2023, Religare Finvest, a wholly owned subsidiary of Religare Enterprises, successfully concluded a one-time settlement with 16 lenders through organic collections, contributing over Rs 9,000 crore to the nations banking system.Currently, Religare Finvest is awaiting the removal of the corrective action plan (CAP) imposed by the Reserve Bank of India in January 2018. Yes Bank: The private sector bank has reported an impressive 349 percent year-on-year surge in net profit, reaching Rs 231 crore for the October-December period of FY24. The board has approved the business transfer agreement, facilitating the transfer of investment banking and merchant banking operations from Yes Securities (India) to Yes Bank, with the effective date set as January 1, 2024.

The private sector bank has reported an impressive 349 percent year-on-year surge in net profit, reaching Rs 231 crore for the October-December period of FY24. The board has approved the business transfer agreement, facilitating the transfer of investment banking and merchant banking operations from Yes Securities (India) to Yes Bank, with the effective date set as January 1, 2024. One 97 Communications: Marshall Wace Investment Strategies (Eureka Fund), a hedge fund owned by London-based Marshall Wace LLP, has acquired 40,89,360 equity shares of the Paytm operator at an average price of Rs 753.75 per share, totaling Rs 308.2 crore. Simultaneously, foreign portfolio investor BNP Paribas Arbitrage has purchased 42,11,613 equity shares in Paytm at an identical price, resulting in a total investment of Rs 317.45 crore.

Marshall Wace Investment Strategies (Eureka Fund), a hedge fund owned by London-based Marshall Wace LLP, has acquired 40,89,360 equity shares of the Paytm operator at an average price of Rs 753.75 per share, totaling Rs 308.2 crore. Simultaneously, foreign portfolio investor BNP Paribas Arbitrage has purchased 42,11,613 equity shares in Paytm at an identical price, resulting in a total investment of Rs 317.45 crore. Indian Energy Exchange: The energy exchange has achieved a robust 18.9 percent year-on-year expansion in consolidated net profit, reaching Rs 91.8 crore for the OctoberDecember period of FY24.

The energy exchange has achieved a robust 18.9 percent year-on-year expansion in consolidated net profit, reaching Rs 91.8 crore for the OctoberDecember period of FY24. PNB Housing Finance : Asia Opportunities V (Mauritius) has acquired 2,56,50,006 equity shares, representing 9.88 percent of the paid-up equity in the housing finance company, at an average price of Rs 821 per share, totaling Rs 2,106 crore. Concurrently, foreign portfolio investor Investment Opportunities V Pte Limited has divested the same number of shares in the company at an identical price, resulting in an exit from the investment.

: Asia Opportunities V (Mauritius) has acquired 2,56,50,006 equity shares, representing 9.88 percent of the paid-up equity in the housing finance company, at an average price of Rs 821 per share, totaling Rs 2,106 crore. Concurrently, foreign portfolio investor Investment Opportunities V Pte Limited has divested the same number of shares in the company at an identical price, resulting in an exit from the investment. SJVN: The company has attained the entire designated capacity for a 100 MW solar power project through an eReverse Auction organised by Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam (GUVNL). Securing the project on a build-own-operate basis at a rate of Rs 2.54 per unit, the company emerged as the successful bidder.
Talking about how to address exam stress before entering the exam hall, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave the example of how one prepares themselves before getting on a train. We reach the train station early, and we know beforehand we have to find our compartment and then decide which of the luggages should we put on the train first, similarly, students must be mentally prepared before entering the exam hall. They are given 10-15 minutes before the exam starts and must utilize this time fully, he told students at PPC 2024.

He also said that practise makes a man perfect and students must practise writing a lot before the exams to help them prepare for what is coming in the exam hall. Just like if one practises swimming, he or she is not afraid of drowning, he added.

ALSO READ | Competition Must be Healthy; Students Report Card is Not Parents Visiting Card, PM Modi at PPC 2024

While commencing the event, Modi said that students had come to that place where all the great leaders of the world sat for two days and discussed the future of the world. Today you are in that place and you are discussing the future of India, he said.

Over two crore students registered for the seventh edition of Pariksha Pe Charcha 2024 through the MyGov portal. According to the official notification, 22,631,698 students have registered for this years session. More than, 14 lakh teachers and 5 lakh parents have signed up for the session, as per the MyGov portal. Furthermore, almost 4,000 people will interact with the Prime Minister during the programme. A hundred students from Eklavya Model Residential Schools will attend the programme for the first time. Last year, a total of 38.80 lakh students, of which 16 lakh were from state boards, had registered for the event. PM Modi said that when PPC started in 2018, merely 22,000 registered for the exam.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan addressed the students at PPC 2024 and welcomed the prime minister. I welcome PM Modi. We have to make India a developed India by 2047 and it will be done under your leadershipToday Pariksha Pe Charcha has taken the form of a mass movement.., said Pradhan, reported ANI.
The first execution using nitrogen gas in the United States has put the spotlight on the countrys use of capital punishment.

Kenneth Eugene Smith convicted of a 1988 murder-for-hire became the first person anywhere to be executed by Nitrogen Hypoxia in the southern state of Alabama on Thursday.

The state had first tried to execute him by lethal injection in November 22, but botched the procedure. After that, Smith chose to be put to death by novel means.

Heres why his execution has caused outrage and how does the nitrogen hypoxia work:

How Executions are Carried out in the US?

The United States has a long history of developing methods of execution that quickly become widely adopted, starting with electrocution in the early 1900s to replace hangings, followed by the gas chamber and ultimately lethal injection, which was developed by an Oklahoma doctor in the 1970s.

But most executions in the US are generally carried out by lethal injection, but Smith was the first person to be executed using nitrogen gas. The US used lethal injection for 89 of the 92 executions carried out in the country between 2019 and 2023.

In the procedure, three drugs are typically used: an anaesthetic, a paralytic and a chemical that stops the heart, according to The Economist. However, in recent years, several American pharmaceutical companies have stopped supplying these drugs as they do not want to be associated with the death penalty.

Capital punishment has been abolished in 23 US states, while the governors of six others  Arizona, California, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Tennessee  have put a hold on its use.

Five states have approved the use of firing squads, but the last execution carried out using this method was in 2010 in the western state of Utah. But three states have authorized the use of nitrogen gas, a method the United Nations has likened to torture.

How Nitrogen Execution Works?

Nitrogen makes up 78% of the air. It is only safe to inhale when mixed with oxygen, which comprises 21%.

During Nitrogen hypoxia, the inmate breathes pure Nitrogen through a respirator mask and the breathing is replaced with pure Nitrogen.

This deprives the person of oxygen, leading to unconsciousness in a few seconds and ultimately causing death in some minutes.

As per studies, oxygen deprivation can cause pain similar to that of a heart attack. Nitrogen hypoxia may cause the prisoner to defecate or vomit while remaining conscious.

Oklahoma was the first state to contemplate the use of nitrogen gas nearly a decade ago after the 2014 botched execution of Clayton Lockett who clenched his teeth, moaned and writhed on the gurney before a doctor noticed a problem with the intravenous line and the execution was called off before Lockett died, 43 minutes after the procedure began.

Why It has been Controversial?

According to Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, the execution of Kenneth Smith went off as planned.

After being outfitted with a face mask that forced him to breathe pure nitrogen and deprived him of oxygen, Smith shook and writhed on the gurney for at least two minutes at an Alabama prison before his breathing stopped and he was declared dead.

The Nitrogen execution is very painful and distressing, making it highly controversial. The 22-minute execution that saw the murderer writhing and thrashing for several minutes was described as a horror show by his spiritual advisor Reverend Jeff Hood.

The American Veterinary Medical Association wrote in its euthanasia guidelines in 2020 that nitrogen hypoxia is not an acceptable method of euthanasia because it is distressing.

In cases when the prisoners mask is not placed correctly, the nitrogen gas could leak, putting other people in the room, such as a spiritual adviser, at risk.

Alabamas Unhappy History of Executions

Numerous other states, including Alabama, have had problems for years administering lethal injection or obtaining the deadly drugs as manufacturers have objected to their drugs being used to kill people.

Like other states in the US, Alabama has struggled to recruit highly trained medical staff to administer lethal injections.

Both the American Medical Association and the American Board of Anesthesiology have banned their members from participating in such executions.

The first attempt to execute Kenneth Eugene 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, according to The Economist report.
JD(U) President Nitish Kumar took oath as the chief minister of Bihar for a record ninth time. The longest serving chief minister of Bihar switched sides severing ties with RJD-led Mahagathbandhan and staked claims to form a new government with the BJP, which he had dumped less than 18 months ago.

Nitish Kumar first took oath as the Chief Minister of Bihar in 2000. However, his government fell within a week. The JD(U) supremo has been the chief minister of the state ever since 2005 and continued to remain in the position except for a brief period in 2014.

Nitishs Political Career

Nitish Kumar was born on March 1, 1951, in Bakhtiyarpur, a nondescript town on the outskirts of Patna, to an Ayurvedic practitioner-cum-freedom fighter father. He 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 in 1989, 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.

Heres a look at Nitish Kumars eight previous tenures as the Bihar CM:

First term: 2000

Nitish Kumar took oath as Bihar Chief Minister for the first time on March 3, 2000, after campaigning against foe-turned-ally-turned foe Lalu Prasad Yadavs Jungle-Raj and continued only for 7 days as he could not prove his majority.

Kumars party fell short of a majority as neither the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) nor the NDA could cross the halfway mark in the assembly, Nitish resigned on March 10, 2000 even before the vote of confidence in the assembly.

Second term: 2005

Nitish Kumar won the 2005 Bihar Assembly elections for the second term in November 2005 with the support from the NDA. While Nitishs JD(U) won 88 seats and BJP won 55 seats and sailed through the majority mark of 122 in 243-member House.

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.

Third term: 2010

Nitish reclaimed power in 2010 alongside ally BJP and become chief minister once again. He was called Susashan Babu, a popular name Nitish earned for his developmental and able administration. He snapped 17-year-old alliance with the BJP in 2013 following the announcement of Narendra Modi as the BJPs prime ministerial candidate and contested the 2014 Lok Sabha polls alone.

In May 2014, he submitted his resignation after a dismal performance by his party in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. Nitish Kumar stepped aside taking moral responsibility allowing his party leader Jitan Ram Manjhi to take charge.

Manjhis 10-Month Rule

Jitan Ram Manjhi remained Bihar Chief Minister for a brief period of nearly ten months, from May 20, 2014, until February 21, 2015.

Fourth term: 2015

Nitish once against assumed the Chief Ministerial post in February, 2015 after Jitan Ram Manjhis resignation. His party JD(U) entered into alliance with the Mahagathbandhan, which included parties like RJD and Congress.

Fifth term: 2015

In the 2015 Assembly Elections, the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) won securing 178 seats in the 243-member House. Nitish Kumar was sworn in for the fifth time as the CM, while RJD supremo Lalu Yadavs son Tejashwi Yadav became Deputy Chief Minister. However, two years later, he snapped ties with RJD and went into alliance with the BJP.

Sixth term: 2017

There was a pressure on the Mahagathbandhan government after corruption charges against Tejashwi Yadav, while the RJD reportedly refused to address the allegations. In 2017, he returned to the NDA, accusing the RJD of corruption and choking governance in the state, and broke ties with the RJD alliance and joined the NDA.

He again became the Chief Minister with NDAs support and contested the 2019 Lok Sabha polls and 2020 Bihar Assembly elections as part of the BJP-led NDA alliance.

Seventh term: 2020

The NDA managed to cross the majority with 125 seats while RJD emerged as the single largest party. The JD(U) had 44 MLAs while the BJP 78. Nitish Kumar took oath as the CM for the seventh term on November 16, 2020.

Eighth term: 2022

However, he once again snapped ties with the BJP accusing it of trying to split" his JD(U) and joined the Mahagathbandhan in August 2022. He formed a new government with a multi-party coalition that included RJD, Congress and three Left parties. He took the oath for the eighth time as CM in 2022 while Tejashwi became the Deputy CM.

Ninth term: 2024

Nitish resigned as the Chief Minister of Bihar on Sunday saying things were not working well" for him in the Mahagathbandhan and the opposition bloc INDIA and staked claim to form a new government with the BJP, which he had dumped less than 18 months ago.

Kumar took oath as Chief Minister for a record ninth time, and the third time since the 2020 assembly polls. The 72-year-old leader indicated that he was not feeling happy with the way things were in the Mahagathbandhan in the state as well as the INDIA bloc that he helped take shape but which failed to adequately recognise his efforts.
Several key donor countries have announced that they will halt funding to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees following Israels allegations that staff members took part in Hamass October 7 attack.

Donors including Germany, Britain, Italy, Australia and Finland have followed the lead of the United States, which said Friday it had suspended additional funding to the agency over the accusations.

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.

Israels Allegations Against UN Agency

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. Tel Aviv accuses UNRWA of turning a blind eye as Hamas, which has ruled Gaza since 2007, siphons off aid intended for civilians and fights from in and around UN facilities, several of which have been struck during the war.

It also has exposed Hamas tunnels running next to or under UNRWA facilities and accuses the agency of teaching hatred of Israel in its schools.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the agency should be shut down. But his government has continued to allow UNRWA to operate in the West Bank and Gaza, where it provides basic services that might otherwise be the responsibility of Israel as the occupying power.

UNRWA denies those allegations and says it took swift action against the employees accused of taking part in the attack. The United States and eight other Western nations that together provided more than half of UNRWAs budget in 2022 nevertheless suspended their funding to the agency.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says 2 million Palestinians in Gaza, or 87% of the population, rely on UNRWA services that would be scaled back as soon as February if the money is not restored.

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.

What Is UNWRA And Why Was It Created?

The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East was established to provide aid to the estimated 700,000 Palestinians who fled or were driven out of what is now Israel during the 1948 war surrounding the countrys creation.

The Palestinians say the refugees and their descendants, who now number nearly 6 million across the Middle East, have the right to return to their homes.

Israel has refused, because if the right of return were to be fully implemented it would result in a Palestinian majority inside its borders. The fate of the refugees and their descendants was among the thorniest issues in the peace process, which ground to a halt in 2009.

UNRWA operates schools, health clinics, infrastructure projects and aid programs in refugee camps that now resemble dense urban neighbourhoods 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 territorys 2.3 million people have fled their homes, over 1 million are sheltering in UNRWA schools and other facilities.

Did UNRWA Participate in October 7 Attacks?

12 UNRWA employees are said to have participated in the surprise Oct. 7 attack in which Hamas fighters from Gaza overran Israels extensive border defences.

UN chief Guterres said nine of the accused UNRWA employees were immediately terminated, one was confirmed dead and the other two still need to be identified. He said all would be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution.

However, neither the details of the allegations nor the evidence supporting them has been made public. Earlier this month, before the latest allegations, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini announced an external review of the agency to determine which accusations are true or untrue and what is politically motivated.

What Do the Funding Cuts Mean For Gaza?

The US, which was the first country to suspend funding, is the biggest donor to UNRWA, providing it with $340 million in 2022. The UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Finland have also suspended aid.

The nine countries together provided nearly 60% of UNRWAs budget in 2022. It was not immediately clear when or how the suspension of aid would affect the agencys day-to-day operations. Norway and Ireland said they would continue funding UNRWA, while other donors have not yet made a decision.

The war has plunged Gaza into a severe humanitarian crisis. One in four Palestinians in the territory faces starvation, according to UN officials, who say aid operations are hampered by the fighting and Israeli restrictions.

The war has killed more than 26,000 Palestinians, most women and children, and wounded more than 64,400 others, according to Gazas Health Ministry. The death toll includes more than 150 UNWRA employees, the most aid workers the UN has lost in a single conflict.

(With inputs from agencies)
Former Bihar chief minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav will appear before the Enforcement Directorate on Monday (January 29) for questioning in connection to the alleged land-for-job scam.

Lalu Yadav reached the probe agencys office in Patna around 11:00 am. His daughter Misa Bharti and her husband also accompanied the RJD leader to the probe agencys office.

Addressing media on the summons, Bharti said, This is not a new thing. This greeting card is being sent to those who are not coming with them. Whenever any agency calls our family, we go there and cooperate with them and answer their questions.

A team of ED officials from Delhi reached Patna late on Sunday evening to question the RJD leader in connection with the case. The Patna team along with the Patna ED director and ED team from Delhi can question Lalu Yadav at around 11 am, sources privy to the development said.

ED on January 19 issued a fresh summons to fo Yadav and his son Tejashwi Yadav in connection with the case. The summon notice was physically handed over by ED at former CM Rabri Devis residence on 10 Circular Road in Patna and asked both the RJD leaders to appear before it on January 29 and 30.

Later on January 27, a Delhi court issued a summons to former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi, her daughters Misa Bharti and Hema Yadav and others in a money laundering case pertaining to the alleged land-for-job scam matter.

The court asked Rabri Devi and her daughters to physically appear before it on February 9.

ED recently filed its first charge sheet in connection with the matter of which the court took cognisance. Amit Katyal, who is allegedly a close associate of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasads family, has also been named along with some companies in the charge sheet.

Katyal was arrested by the probe agency in a money laundering case. Sources said that the fresh summons to RJD leaders have been issued on some information shared by Katyal during the investigation.
The West Bengal Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) led by Sukanta Majumdar held a mega protest on Monday in Barrackpore against the Mamata Banerjee government over the deteriorating law and order situation in the state. Police were seen using water cannons and lathi-charged some protesting BJP workers.

Sukanta Majumdar went to gherao the Barrackpur Commissioners office where the situation escalated as the protestors allegedly broke two barricades.

#WATCH | Police use water cannon against BJP workers in Barrackpore protesting against West Bengal government over law and order situation in the state pic.twitter.com/t0Oab3zyy4 ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2024

The situation lead to some alleged instances of stone pelting. However, the situation is now under control.

VIDEO | Police lathi charge BJP workers, protesting over the law and order situation in Barrackpore of West Bengals North 24 Parganas. pic.twitter.com/oFRGD1mfxN Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 29, 2024

Speaking with reporters, Majumdar said We did a protest outside the CP office. Police used water cannons and tear gas. They lathi-charged and even pelted stones. He further called the West Bengal police as Taliban Police who are working on the instructions of Mamata Banerjee.

Women have been lathi-charged by policemen. Ashish Maurya is the police officer. We will go to the court against him, he added.

#WATCH | North 24 Parganas: On Police using water cannon against BJP workers in Barrackpore, West Bengal BJP President Sukanta Majumdar says, We did a protest outside the CP office. Police used water cannons and tear gas, they lathi-charged and even pelted stones This is a https://t.co/IGRxgj50n3 pic.twitter.com/GJEigYkHSS ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2024

Later, BJP workers and Majumdar sat for dharna in front of Titagarh Thana in Barrackpur as some of the workers were arrested by the police and others mercilessly beaten up, said leader of the opposition the legislative assembly Suvendu Adhikari, adding that at least 6 workers have been hospitalised.

Meanwhile, chief Sukanta Majumdar believes that the Citizenship Amendment Act will be implemented before the Lok Sabha elections.

Not aware of time frame but I believe CAA will be implemented before Lok Sabha polls, quoted news agency, PTI as saying Majumdar.

His comments came after Union Minister Shantanu Thakur, in West Bengal, claimed that the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) would be implemented across India by next week.
A man climbed the wall of Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport and reached the runway amid high alert security in the national capital for Republic Day celebrations, sources said on Sunday. Security personnel apprehended the intruder on the runway.

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF)  responsible for securing the hypersensitive IGIA  suspended a head constable on for negligence of his duty.

The intruder  found to be in an inebriated state  was first spotted by an Air India pilot on the runway around 11:30 pm on Saturday, officials said. The pilot then informed the Air Traffic Control (ATC) which directed the CISF to nab the intruder.

The man from Haryana was caught by CISF personnel and handed over to the Delhi Police, they said.

The paramilitary force launched a probe into the serious security breach of the hypersensitive civil aviation facility. During the probe, the CISF personnel was suspended, sources told PTI.

The alarming incident came amid the high-alert notice issued by security agencies for the ongoing Republic Day celebrations with special measures to check sabotage activities. This was also in view of the extreme cold weather and accompanying fog, a senior officer said.

The Republic Day celebrations will culminate on Monday with the Beating Retreat ceremony.

The CISF are responsible for providing a counter-terrorist security cover to the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport and ensuring a secured perimeter wall too.
UK Remains One of the Few to Hold Back on Retail Access to Crypto ETFs

The UK remains one of the few major global markets that has yet to approve retail access to cryptocurrency exchange-traded products (ETPs).

While countries like Australia, Brazil, Canada, and many states in Continental Europe have embraced these products, the UK has refrained from allowing small investors to purchase them.

More recently, the US even introduced 11 spot Bitcoin (BTC) ETFs on Wall Street, managed by well-known names such as BlackRock, Invesco, and Fidelity, which further highlights the UKs divergence from other financial centers.

FCAs 2021 Ban on Crypto Derivatives



Back in 2021, the countrys regulatory body, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), banned the sale of cryptocurrency-related derivatives, including ETPs, to retail investors.

The FCAs ban was primarily motivated by concerns around leveraged products like contracts for difference, which offered substantial leverage on the highly volatile Bitcoin.

However, the ban also affected unleveraged products such as plain vanilla ETPs and futures.

Some industry experts have voiced opposition regarding the FCAs chosen approach.

Specifically, they have criticized the FCAs rule which allows retail investors to invest in cryptocurrencies directly through crypto exchanges but are prohibited from accessing regulated ETPs listed on established exchanges.

A UK retail investor cant invest in a product like ours, a Mifid II [EU regulated] instrument, listed on a regulated exchange and sold through a regulated broker, who would screen you for applicability, depending on your investment objectives and profile, Bradley Duke, Chief Strategist of London-based ETC Group, said.

But they can go to a crypto exchange and buy bitcoin without going through any checks and balances, and to me that doesnt really make sense.

UK Investors Have Two Options to Get Exposure to Crypto



UK retail investors seeking exposure to cryptocurrencies currently have two options.

They can either purchase digital tokens directly from crypto exchanges, which comes with various challenges such as the need for digital wallets and the risk of theft, or they can invest in shares of companies that track cryptocurrencies, such as exchanges or miners.

However, there is demand among retail investors for ETPs directly investing in cryptocurrencies, as evidenced by numerous requests on investment platforms.

With the recent surge of interest in cryptocurrencies following the US launches of crypto ETPs involving prominent asset managers like BlackRock and Invesco, some believe the FCA will need to reassess its position.

However, some also acknowledged that complete access to all UK retail investors may not be appropriate.

I dont agree with general access, Hector McNeil, co-founder and co-chief executive of London-based HANetf, said, adding that with any more complex product, there should be some sort of gating.

If its somebody like me putting 3 per cent of their portfolio in, that should be fine. If its my mother wanting to put 100 per cent in because her friend down the social club told her she made loads of money, then I dont think thats right.

Despite arguments favoring regulated ETPs, there are doubts that the FCA will change its stance.

Concerns about the volatility of crypto assets, their links to financial crime, and the challenges in valuing them have been repeatedly raised by the FCA.
A team of the Enforcement Directorate on Monday visited the residence of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren in connection to a money laundering investigation.

According to official sources, the visit could be linked to his fresh deposition in an alleged land fraud case due to which the investigating agency had questioned him at his official residence in Ranchi on January 20.

Last week, fresh summons were issued to him by the agency asking him to confirm his availability for questioning on either January 29 or January 31, sources had said.

The investigation pertains to a huge racket of illegal change of ownership of land by the mafia in Jharkhand, according to the agency.

Meanwhile, security arrangements have been beefed up outside EDs Ranchi regional office in Jharkhand.

The security has been tightened in view of the JMM workers gathering at the investigation agencys office in Ranchi.

(with inputs from PTI)
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) seized the vehicle of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, who is untraceable allegedly due to the federal agencys action in connection with a money laundering investigation in an alleged land fraud case.

According to top sources in the ED, the car is an asset from the proceeds of crime. Soren uses this BMW in the national capital. The vehicle was searched by ED officials at approximately 8 pm.

VIDEO | Visuals of ED team leaving from Jharkhand CM @HemantSorenJMMs residence in Delhi.The ED team can be seen taking away CM Hemant Sorens car and his driver. pic.twitter.com/EB5hQ0V6Kz  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 29, 2024

Sources said the last known location of Soren is the premises of a senior advocate. Private charter is still at Delhi airport and agencies believe that he is still in the national capital.

The scheduled raids and questioning by the Enforcement Directorate of Hemant Soren, the chief minister of Jharkhand, unfolded in a dramatic manner from the early hours of Monday with the CM now untraceable, News18 has learnt from sources.

Soren left his residence around 2.30 am along with one of his security personnel, while another senior police officer who is part of his protective detail took a flight back to Ranchi. Mobile phones of the chief minister and his security personnel were switched off, while his family members, the CMs office, and his colleagues in the cabinet and party expressed ignorance about his whereabouts to the ED.

The central agency is now looking for the chief minister and his aide, while BJP leaders in Ranchi are mulling a habeas corpus petition before the High Court, said sources in the party. Even though the investigation by the ED in Jharkhand has now taken a sensational turn with the chief minister missing, this is not the only drama that happened during the investigation.

The ED summoned the CM seven times in connection with stone mining and land scam cases. Soren appeared earlier this month, while he was scheduled to appear before the agency again on January 31. However, his party workers have been protesting across the state since Sunday against the ED action.

Why Such Hurry, Sorens Party Asks

The JMM issued a statement saying ED officers had reached Hemant Sorens residence in Delhi in the early hours of January 29 with several armed personnel, which did not seem as per the law.

What was the hurry that EDs officers could not even wait for two days? Isnt this an insult of a democratically-elected CM? Can the Centre do anything with chief ministers of states when they are in Delhi?  the JMM asked in a statement, citing Sorens earlier letter to the ED that he would appear before it on January 31.

But the Jharkhand unit of the BJP claimed that the chief minister has been absconding for the last 18 hours, fearing action of the ED, and urged Governor C P Radhakrishnan to take cognisance of the matter as the credibility and reputation of Jharkhand are at stake.

The ED had questioned Soren at his official residence in Ranchi on January 20 in the case and had issued a fresh summons to him asking him to confirm his availability for questioning on either January 29 or January 31, the official sources said, adding Soren had sent a communication to the agency but had not confirmed the date and time for questioning.

In an email to the federal agency on Sunday, the 48-year-old JMM executive president alleged that the ED actions were motivated by political agenda to disrupt the state governments functioning and claimed that its insistence to record his statement again on or before January 31 reeked of malice.

Preserve video recording of seven-hour questioning (of January 20) to make available to the court of law, Soren said in the email while agreeing to record his statement on January 31 at the Ranchi residence.

Officials of the federal probe agency accompanied by Delhi Police personnel reached the 5/1 Shanti Niketan building in South Delhi around 9 am and were still there after 9 pm, while several media teams stood outside.

(With PTI inputs)
A Muslim cleric has said a fatwa was issued against him for attending the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Ram Lalla at Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

Chief Imam of All India Imam Organization, Dr Imam Umer Ahmed Ilyasi said those who love him and the nation will support him while those who hate me for attending the ceremony should perhaps go to Pakistan.

As a chief Imam, I received the invitation from Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra. I contemplated for two days and then decided to go to Ayodhya for harmony, for the countryThe fatwa was issued yesterday but I had been receiving threat calls from the evening of January 22I have recorded a few calls wherein the callers gave me life threatsThose who love me, love the nation  will support me, he said, as quoted by ANI.

#WATCH | Delhi | Fatwa issued against Chief Imam of All India Imam Organization, Dr Imam Umer Ahmed Ilyasi after he attended the Pranpratishtha ceremony of Ram Lalla at Ram Temple in Ayodhya.He says, As a chief Imam, I received the invitation from Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth pic.twitter.com/iVe2bA3s1X  ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2024

The cleric further said he did not do any crime and will not apologise or resign.

Those who hate me for attending the ceremony should perhaps go to Pakistan. I have given a message of love, I did not do any crimeI will not apologise or resign, they can do whatever they want, he said.

Ayodhya on Crowd Nine: Braving Biting Cold, Devotees Throng Ram Temple; 19 Lakh Visitors in 6 Days

More than 2 lakh Ram Bhakts flocked to Ayodhya on Sunday to seek the blessings of the deity and visit the grand temple. Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust officials also said that in the past six days, around 19 lakh devotees have visited the Ram Mandir, since the pran pratistha (consecration) ceremony on January 22.

Braving the biting cold on Sunday, people began pouring in from 3am, said officials. Other than locals from Ayodhya, pilgrims from neighbouring districts including Gonda, Gorakhpur, Barabanki, Lucknow, and Hardoi dropped in to seek the blessings of Lord Ram.

On Sunday, the sixth day of the darshan (viewing) of Ram Lalla, 2.25 lakh devotees visited the temple. This makes the total number of devotees who visited in the last six days 19 lakh, said Champat Rai, vice president of Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and general secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.

The maximum number of visitors was on January 23  the day the gates of the temple were opened to the public. On the day, over 5 lakh devotees gathered at the temple premises to offer prayers, leading to a chaotic situation. However, officials said, the number of visitors has remained at around 1.5 lakh to 2.5 lakh a day since then.

On the directives of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, a committee has been established to ensure a smooth and hassle-free darshan for devotees at the Ram Mandir. The temple management has also established holding areas to accommodate pilgrims in a bid to avert any pandemonium.

Officials from the temple trust and district administration said that efforts are also being made to ensure that devotees coming to Ayodhya stay there and visit other places in the town. There are currently 17 hotels here and 73 more are to be built. Of these, construction work on about 40 is in progress. Some big hotel chains in India have already made plans to come to Ayodhya and set up their properties here, officials said.
The Hindu said on Monday filed an application in the Supreme Court seeking the de-sealing of wazukhana area in the Gyanvapi mosque. The area of wazukhana was sealed in 2022 following an apex court after discovering what was said to be a Shivling.

In its plea, the Hindu asked the top court to allow the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to carry out another comprehensive survey in wazukhana without harming the Shivling.

VHP ASKS MUSLIM SIDE TO HAND OVER STRUCTURE TO HINDU

Earlier on Saturday, the VHP claimed the ASI survey report has reconfirmed that the Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi was constructed after demolishing a magnificent temple at the site and demanded that the structure be declared `a Hindu temple and handed over to the community.

It also demanded that Hindus be permitted to offer sewa puja to the Shivlinga found in the so-called Wazukhana area at the disputed site.

The evidence collected and the conclusions provided by the ASI do prove that the religious character of this place of worship existed on the 15th day of August 1947, and as at present is of a Hindu Temple, VHP working president Alok Kumar said in a statement.

Thus, even as per Section 4 of the Places of Worship Act, 1991, the structure should be declared as a Hindu temple, he also demanded.

The VHP also called upon the Intezamia Committee that manages the mosque to agree to respectfully shift the Gyanvapi mosque to another appropriate place and to hand over the original site of Kashi Vishvanatha to the Hindu society.

15 SHIVLING, 5 HANUMAN: ASI FINDS 55 STONE SCULPTURES

As per ASIs survey report, as many as 55 stone sculptures were found inside the Gyanvapi mosque premises. 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 noted that 23 terracotta figures were also found, 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.

Meanwhile, for the Ganesha sculpturewhich was listed as late medieval, the report read was crowned head. Its trunk is turned to the right and the eyes are visible, it added.

The report added that two glass objects  a pendant and a broken Shivling  were also found during the survey.
The controversy over the removal Hanuman flag has flared protests and a political unrest in Keragodu village in Karnatakas Mandya. Police action, however, brought the situation under control on Monday.

The incident took a turn when a saffron flag bearing Lord Hanumans image hoisted on a 108-ft tall flag post was removed by authorities on Sunday.

Heavy security has been deployed to prevent any untoward incident in and around the village amid the continued protests by BJP, JD(S), Bajrang Dal workers and activists from other political parties.

#WATCH | Karnataka: Heavy force deployed in Keragodu village, Mandya where the Hanuman flag hoisted by the Gram Panchayat Board of Mandya district on a 108-foot flagpole was brought down by the district administration, yesterday. pic.twitter.com/PQgoQ0BSlf ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2024

The agitators demanded that the Hanuman dhwaja be hoisted again.

The protesters, bearing saffron flags, began marching to the Deputy Commissioners office in the district headquarters of Mandya city as a mark of protest. The group, reportedly, is likely to be joined by JD(S) leader and former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy.

Restrictions have been imposed in the village under Section 144 amid tense circumstances.

WHEN DID THE ISSUE START?

The incident took place last week when a group of men put up a 108-foot flag post and hoisted the Hanuman Dhwaja on it, an NDTV report said.

Although permission for installing the flagpole was received from the village panchayat, complaints against the Hanuman flag prompted the authorities to request the removal of the flag.

The villagers came together and remained firm on their stance. They even accused some persons of trying to politicise the issue.

ESCALATION OF PROTEST

The act of shutting down shops as a mark of protest on Saturday further escalated the tension.

When officials from the Gram Panchayat visited the village for removing the flag, villagers gathered around and chanted Go Back slogans.

HOW IT BECAME A CONGRESS VS BJP ISSUE?

The political factor came into play when during the protests, banners of a local Congress MLA  Ravi Kumar  were damaged.

Following the unrest, a large contingent of police force was deployed in the region.

BJP leaders and workers are also protesting at all the district headquarters of the state, condemning the anti-Hindu policy of the Congress-led government and accusing it of insulting the national flag

The saffron party also staged a protest at Bengalurus Mysuru Bank circle under the leadership of Jayanagara MLA C K Ramamurthy. They were detained and taken away by the police. Police said no permission was granted to stage a protest at the site.

Meanwhile, chief minister Siddaramaiah responded to the concern of a bhagwa dhwaja (saffron flag) being hoisted instead of the Tricolour.

It is not right. I have asked the authorities to hoist the national flag, Siddaramaiah was quoted as saying.

Addressing the situation, District in-charge Minister N Cheluvarayaswamy noted that the permission was initially asked for hoisting the Tricolour on Republic Day.

LATHI-CHARGE & CCTV INSTALLATION

Cops on Sunday had to resort to mild levels of lathi-charge to disperse the crowd and bring the situation under control. Replacing the Hanuman flag, police and the administration instead hoisted a Tricolour on the flag post.

The space around the flag post has been barricaded and CCTV cameras have been installed to monitor the situation and prevent any misdoings in connection with the flag, official sources said.

Officials said that majority of the shops and establishments continued to be closed in sync with the call for a shutdown from the activists and villagers.

(With PTI inputs)
The Calcutta High Court on Monday directed the West Bengal government to form a medical board to examine the condition of a rape survivor who wants to terminate her pregnancy caused by the incident.

The petitioners lawyer submitted before the court that she is suffering from grave mental trauma and as such the court may permit the medical termination of the pregnancy which was stated to be between 20 and 24 weeks.

Justice Sabyasachi Bhattacharyya directed the state government to form a medical board to examine the condition of the 27-year-old petitioner.

The court directed the state to file a report of the medical board in this regard on February 2 before it, indicating clearly the pros and cons of the medical termination of the pregnancy of the petitioner.

The lawyers for the parties pointed out that the provisions of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971 provides that in the event the pregnancy is between 20-24 weeks, it can be terminated under certain conditions.

The counsel for the state, while not opposing the prayer, submitted that as per the petition, the unfortunate incident of rape took place on July 28, 2023 and as such, the pregnancy may be more advanced than pleaded.

Holding that the court is not an expert in the field, Justice Bhattacharyya said a medical board is required to be constituted to ascertain the pros and cons of medical termination of the pregnancy of the petitioner.

He directed that the medical board will comprise at least two members, both of whom must be well-established medical practitioners in their respective fields and one of them must be from the field of gynaecology and the other from the field of paediatrics.

The court directed that the medical board should be formed at the earliest and the petitioner will be examined at the state-run M R Bangur Hospital here.

Justice Bhattacharyya directed that the matter will be taken up for hearing again on February 2.
Time and again, its been proven that sitting is the new smoking. Just like puffing away on cigarettes, spending too much time parked at your office desk increases your risk of premature death, especially from heart disease.

Adding some movement to your day can help counteract the deadly effects of sedentary lifestyles. According to the latest study, occupational sitting time is associated with an increased risk of premature mortality.

The study titled Occupational Sitting Time, Leisure Physical Activity, and All-Cause and Cardiovascular Disease Mortality published in JAMA on January 19, showed that individuals who predominantly sat at work exhibited a higher risk of mortality.

According to the study, such individuals faced a 16% higher risk of all-cause mortality and a 34% increased risk of mortality from cardiovascular disease (CVD) compared to those who were mainly active at work.

In todays lifestyle, sitting for long periods at work is seen as normal and hasnt received enough attention, despite its harmful health effects. This study found that alternating between sitting and standing at work, along with adding 15 to 30 minutes of daily leisure-time physical activity, can help reduce these risks.

As the world faces the challenges posed by increasing metabolic diseases and cardiovascular issues, theres a growing spotlight against sedentary lifestyles, which involves excessive sitting over standing.

Hence, for the first time, the 2020 World Health Organization guidelines on physical activity recommended reducing sedentary behaviours owing to their health consequences.

This is not the first study to highlight the harmful effects of prolonged sitting. Many studies in the past have proven that sitting for long hours causes obesity and a cluster of other comorbid conditions such as increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist and unhealthy cholesterol levels.

Additional health issues encompass tight hips, back ailments, osteoporosis, and leg clots. While the exact reason remains unclear, excessive sitting has also been associated with an elevated risk of cancer.

A simple solution is walking  which many describe as the closest thing we have to a wonder drug.

Latest Study

Less is known about the specific association of prolonged occupational sitting with health, especially in the context of low physical activity engagement.

While prolonged sitting is a well-recognised risk factor for heart attack, stroke and premature death, the researchers of the latest study said, there is limited understanding of the precise link between prolonged occupational sitting and health, particularly in settings with low levels of physical activity.

In the study with a follow-up of about 13 years, the mortality risk was compared between people who predominantly sit at work versus those who do not sit.

In this cohort study involving 4.81 lakh individuals over a mean follow-up period of 12.85 years, individuals who predominantly engaged in sitting at work showed a higher risk of mortality from all causes (16%) and cardiovascular disease (34%) compared with those who predominantly did not sit, even after adjusting for sex, age, education, smoking, drinking, and body mass index.

This study suggests that cutting down on long periods of sitting at work and/or boosting daily physical activity could help lower the increased risks of dying from any cause and developing cardiovascular disease linked to prolonged sitting at work.

How is Walking Beneficial?

You might be wondering why your doctor consistently advises adding walking to your routine as a remedy for many of your medical conditions.

Some studies have found miraculous benefits of walking. For instance, Harvard researchers examined 32 obesity-related genes in over 12,000 individuals to gauge their impact on body weight. Those who engaged in brisk walking for about an hour daily saw a 50% reduction in the influence of these genes on their weight.

In another one, a study conducted by the American Cancer Society specifically focusing on walking revealed that women who walked for seven or more hours per week had a 14% reduced risk of breast cancer compared to those who walked three hours or less weekly.

A study published in 2017 demonstrates that walking and various forms of physical activity elevate levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein in the brain. BDNF plays a crucial role in cognitive functions such as thinking, learning, and memory, among other brain functions.

Multiple studies have proven that only 30 minutes of daily walking can enhance cardiovascular fitness, fortify bones, decrease excess body fat, and amplify muscle strength and endurance.

What To Do?

One of the important takeaways from the study is that people who mostly sit at work should aim for an extra 15 to 30 minutes of physical activity daily to reduce their elevated risk to the same level as those who mostly stand or move at work.

Doctors advise them to set reminders using devices like phones or fitness trackers every 30 minutes to prompt breaks. Opt for the stairs instead of the elevator, even if its just for a portion of the journey. During breaks, stand up, move around, or hydrate.

People can use adjustable desks for intermittent standing and opt for stairs instead of elevators. One can also incorporate the habit of walking or standing while talking on the phone or during video calls.

Its time to get up and walk.
The Indian Navy warship INS Sumitra rescued 17 crew members on board an Iran-flagged fishing vessel MV Iman hijacked by Somalian pirates 700 nautical miles west of Kochi in the Arabian Sea.

This comes just two days after the Navy deployed its missile destroyer INS Visakhapatnam in the Gulf of Aden to assist and extinguish the fire onboard an Marshall Islands-flagged vessel with 22 Indian crew onboard.

Indian Navy warship INS Sumitra has safely rescued the fishing vessel Iman from Somali pirates. The pirates have been disarmed and asked to move towards Somalia. The INS Sumitra has now moved out from the area. The ALH Dhruv choppers on board the warship had encircled the pic.twitter.com/nnxDIlP8eT ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2024

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) had said that the vessel, MV Marlin Luanda, was hit by an anti-ship ballistic missile fired by Iran-backed Houthi militants.

Indian Navy spokesperson Commander Vivek Madhwal said that after six hours of battling the fire along with the crew of the Marshall Islands-flagged vessel, the Indian Naval firefighting team successfully brought the blaze under control.

India gained international praise for its timely help to the commercial oil tanker struck by the missile in the Gulf of Aden.

On January 17, Indian Navys INS Visakhapatnam again saved a cargo vessel that came under a drone strike in the Gulf of Aden. The Marshall Islands-flagged vessel had 22 members onboard, of which nine were Indians.

The attack on the vessel took place 60 nautical miles South of Port Aden.

INS Visakhapatnam responded to the attack within an hour of receiving a distress call from the vessel Genco Picardy, the Indian Navy said in a statement.

Earlier this month, in a big success in international waters, Indian Navys elite marine commandos rescued 21 crew members including 15 Indians from a bulk carrier in the North Arabian Sea and sanitised it in a swift operation.

Navy spokesperson Commander Madhwal said, All 21 crew, including 15 Indians onboard the vessel, were safely evacuated from the citadel.

In a quick response to the attempted hijacking of the Liberian-flagged merchant vessel  MV Lila Norfolk  the navy diverted INS Chennai from her anti-piracy patrol.

The warship intercepted the vessel around 3.15 pm on January 5, and it was kept under continuous surveillance using maritime patrol aircraft, Predator MQ9B drones and integral helos.

The Indian Navys marine commandos present onboard the mission deployed warship boarded the merchant vessel and have carried out the sanitisation operation, Madhwal said.

The Indian Navy has increased its presence in the North and Central Arabian Sea and Gulf of Aden to monitor the maritime security situation.
In a devastating accident, that took place at late on Sunday night in Jamakhandi at Karnatakas Bagalkote district four students died and 22 were left injured after a school bus carrying students collided with a tractor.

The bus was taking students back after the schools annual day celebrations. Following the crash, the injured students were admitted in different hospitals of the district.

According to reports, the deceased were identified as 17-year old Sagar Kadkol, 13-year old Shweta, Govind (13) and Basavaraj (17).

Meanwhile, the police is investigating about the matter by interrogating the drivers. The officials also said that the students were studying in Sri Vardhaman Mahaveer Educational Society in Alagur, as per reports.
The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief and former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav was questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials in Patna for over nine hours on Monday in connection with the land-for-jobs case. The former Chief Minister reached the probe agencys office in Patna at around 11:00 am this morning, along with his daughter Misa Bharti and her husband.

The central investigative agency issued summons to Yadav on January 19 after he failed to appear before it on the earlier dates.

Notably, the questioning comes a day after Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar decided to ditch the Mahagathbandhan alliance led by Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal in Bihar and took oath as Bihar Chief Minister for the ninth time.

The investigative agency has alleged that Yadav took land from job aspirants in return for employment with the Railways when he was the Union Railways Minister between 2004 and 2009, contravening the recruitment procedures.

A large number of RJD supporters gathered outside the ED office ahead of Lalus questioning.

Misa Bharti Hits Out at BJP

Lalus daughter Misa Bharti hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led central government over the ED summons issued to her father in the land-for-jobs scam case.

This is nothing new. Whenever they (central government) want, they send us a summon. Now, not just our family, but they are also sending summons to all those who are in opposition, Misa said.

Besides Lalu Prasad, his wife Rabri Devi and daughters Misa and Hema Yadav are also named in the CBI FIR among other 12 accused. The ED, in March 2023, conducted searches at the premises linked to Lalu Prasad and his family members.
When Levi Doersom was 4, he loved to play with tractors.

Eleven years later, hes still at it.

Levi, of Upper Mifflin Township, spent 18 months restoring a 1955 Farmall 300 tractor, then brought it to the 108th Pennsylvania Farm Show this past month for the FFA Antique Tractor Restoration competition. His presentation was awarded first prize.

I loved rebuilding this tractor, said Levi, a Big Spring High School sophomore. He was standing on the last day of the Farm Show by his gleaming red tractor that could have come out of the showroom nearly 70 years ago. I live to restore tractors.

Levi, the son of Keith and Karen Doersom, has had a lifelong love of tractors. After playing with toy tractors as a little boy, he got a real tractor when he was 8.

Dad bought me a 1957 Farmall, he said. It had sat in a barn for 15 years and didnt run. Dad and I made it run again. He said that he got his love of tractors from his father and grandfather.

When he was 14, Levi counted his money saved from working in landscaping, snow removal, raking and baling hay and other jobs. He used his savings to buy a 1955 Farmall 300 to restore and enter in the Farm Show competition. That tractor had been used on a Perry County farm for several years before sitting idle for 30 years.

It was in rough condition, Levi said. It had a cracked engine block, a worn-out torque amplifier, corroded battery box, rusted out rear rim, dry-rotted tires and a faded, peeling and rusty body.

Levi saw all of that but he also saw the potential of the dilapidated tractor. So we put it on a trailer, brought it home and stored it in a shed until I could restore it, he said. It was an old tractor looking for a home. I was it.

The teenager spent the next 18 months restoring it, disassembling it to paint it, prepping it for paint by sandblasting it, painting it with primer, then the characteristic Farmall red, rebuilding the hydraulic pump, replacing O rings, purchasing new tires and more.

I finished it at 11:30 p.m. one night, he said. I was so excited that I called my grandfather to tell him. I woke him up.

His family held a Tractor Reveal Party to show off the restoration. State Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding, a friend of the family, was one of the invited guests.

When Levi drove the Farmall 300 down the driveway, it was purring along and looking as pretty as a picture, Redding said. To see it here at the Farm Show now is amazing. Levi is an amazing mechanic from a family of skilled mechanics.

Levi later drove his tractor to the Drive Your Tractor to School day and in the Newville Memorial Day parade.

He said the restoration taught him patience, money management, the importance of tractor manuals, the value of good mentors like his friend, Warren Nolt, and his grandfather and the joy of a job well done. Levi hopes to major in agriculture in college, work for the Penn State Cooperative Extension and restore tractors.

Sara Fulton, Big Spring FFA adviser, said Levi had a real passion for tractors. Levis tractor looks brand new. He also is a very good public speaker.
A chartered, described as the first mountain flight to the holy Kailash Mansarovar took off from Nepalgunj with 38 Indians on board on Monday. Called as the Kailash Mansarovar Darshan Flight, the flight offered a magnificent close view of the holy pilgrim places Mount Kailash and the Mansarovar lake.

Situated in the Ngari prefecture of the Tibet Autonomous Region, the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage is considered the most sacred by Hindus across the world. The two natural sacrosanct places are also revered by Buddhists, Jains and Tibets indigenous Bonpa faith. Post the COVID-19 pandemic-induced lockdowns, China opened the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage in 2023. However, the massive hike in fees and multiple restrictions on visas, especially for Indian pilgrims, meant that practically the Yatra did not happen.

This chartered flight of Shri Airlines with 38 Indian tourists took around one and a half our to complete the trip, Keshav Neupane, regional director of the Siddhartha Business Group that started the venture, told PTI. The maiden flight had tourists from various Indian cities, including New Delhi, Mumbai, and many from the states of Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh.

The flight to Mt Kailash and Mansarovar is cheap, quick, reliable and safe, Neupane said adding, the next chartered flight will take place in the first week of February. We will try to make it as frequently as possible based on the demand, he said. Mani Lamichhane, director at Nepal Tourism Board, told PTI, This will help increase border tourism movement. Now, Indians will be able to have a darshan of Mt Kailash and Lake Mansarovar without coming to Kathmandu.

The Indian tourists can feel the divinity without doing much hard work. They dont need to spend days to see Mt. Kailash. They will get to see it within 1.5 hour, he said, adding, A new avenue in tourism has opened up with this flight. The pilgrims going to Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Nepal have to travel to Kathmandu. But with this flight, they need not go to the Nepal capital. Nepalgunj is barely 200 kms northeast of Lucknow in India and accessible by road too.
In a boost for the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in its crackdown on the terror ecosystem in Punjab, the Special NIA Court at SAS Nagar, Mohali ordered the attachment of the property of a key accused in a case related to a 2019 blast at Pandori Golan village in Tarn Taran.

The property belonged to Gurjant Singh, a key chargesheeted accused. The court ordered the attachment of the property under section 33 (1) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

The case (RC-20/2019/NIA/DLI) was registered by the NIA on September 23, 2019 based on the original FIR dated September 5, 2019 of Tarn Taran Police.

The case pertains to the terror activities of a terrorist gang headed by one Bikramjit Singh Panjwar that was involved in carrying out terrorist acts and activities in Punjab. As part of their plans to promote violence in the state, this terrorist gang had planned to attack Dera Muradpur, Tarn Taran. However, the explosives concealed for the said purpose prematurely exploded in Village Pandori Golan, Tarn Taran while being retrieved from the ground where they had been buried.

Singh was member of this terrorist gang and was present on the spot of retrieval.

The NIA extradited Panjwar from Austria in December 2022.

The charge sheet was filed on March 11, 2020 followed by a supplementary chargesheet filed on March 23, 2023.
The police on Sunday reported that a woman, aged 26 and working for a prominent IT company, was fatally shot by her boyfriend in Pune.

The accused, identified as Rishabh Nigam, was reportedly distressed because the victim, Vandana Dwivedi, had been avoiding him in recent times. The tragic incident occurred at a lodge in the Hinjawadi area of Pimpri Chinchwad on Saturday, with the authorities receiving the information on Sunday morning.

According to a senior police official, Nigam was apprehended in Mumbai. He has been arrested under Indian Penal Code section 302 (murder) and Arms Act.

Police said Nigam and Dwivedi, both hailing from Uttar Pradesh, were in a relationship since 2013. She worked in a big IT firm in Hinjawadi, while her boyfriend lived in UP.

Nigam was apparently miffed as the deceased had started avoiding him recently, the official said.

A couple of years ago, he was beaten up back in their hometown, and he suspected the deceaseds role in that assault, said Deputy Commissioner of Police Bapu Bangar.

Nigam had come from UP and checked in at the lodge on January 25. The next day, the deceased joined him.

As per preliminary information, on Saturday night, he shot the woman and fled. We learnt about the incident this morning, said Bangar.

CCTV footage at the lodge showed Nigam leaving the premises on Saturday night.

The man has been arrested, and further investigations, including the exact motive and from where procured the firearm, are underway, the official added.

(With inputs from PTI)
Discover the art of creating a distinctive style by mastering the technique of layering necklaces. The enduring trend of layered necklaces has proven to be a timeless addition to any outfit, offering an elegant touch that elevates your overall look. Here are some tips by the jewelry brands on how to layer jewelry necklaces effectively:

Dishi Somani, founder, DishiS Designer Jewellery, says, In the realm of self-expression, I believe that the art of layering necklaces holds the key to unlocking a truly unique and captivating look. Each piece becomes a chapter, and when woven together, they form a symphony of personal aesthetics. Firstly, consider embracing the allure of beaded, long-layered necklaces adorned with small, colorful tassels, exuding the boho allure. This choice not only encapsulates a dynamic visual story but also symbolizes a bohemian personality, resonating particularly well with nature enthusiasts who seek to intertwine their style with the beauty of the natural world.

Next, embark on a journey of lengths and select necklaces of different sizes to build an exciting and visually appealing layered effect. Pair a delicate choker with a longer pendant necklace to craft a narrative within the layers. This not only adds depth to your ensemble but also introduces a stylish contrast that captures attention, adds Somani

For Indu Karnani, founder, Rimayu layered necklaces have become a lasting trend, elevating outfits with an elegant touch. To enhance this style, consider mixing metals for a contemporary twist. Combining favorite silver and gold pieces simultaneously creates a versatile and chic look that effortlessly transitions from casual to formal settings, explains Karnani.

For a more extravagant approach, delve into the richness of Indian bridal jewelry by incorporating Polki and Kundan stones into your layered necklaces. Embrace the opulence of multiple strands, each featuring unique designs. This not only adds a regal flair but also exudes timeless elegance, making it a perfect choice for special occasions.

Versatility is key  layered necklaces effortlessly enhance both casual and formal attire. Whether youre dressing up a simple tee or accentuating a cocktail dress, this trend allows for endless creativity in expressing your unique fashion sense. Stay on-trend and make a statement by embracing the layered necklace trend in all its diverse and glamorous possibilities, signs off Karnani.
Mannara Chopra lost the Bigg Boss 17 trophy to Munawar Faruqui. The actress was among the Top 3 finalists but had to settle for the second runner-up spot. Many were rooting for her win, including her cousin, actress Priyanka Chopra. As soon as she walked out of the Bigg Boss house, Mannara expressed her gratitude to Priyanka for her support. She told News18 exclusively that shes extremely happy to receive Priyankas support.

When asked if she had spoken to Priyanka before entering the BB House, she shared, No, we didnt really speak with each other. I was in the US for a shoot, and after returning to India, I immediately landed in the Bigg Boss house." She added, As soon as I sit in the car, I will message her. And if shes free, Ill talk to her, and I will thank her."

Watch Mannara Chopras exclusive interview with News18 Showsha below:

Earlier, while speaking to the media after the grand finale, Mannara expressed her heartfelt thanks to her PeeCee Didi. She shared, Thank you, PeeCee Didi, for supporting me. Aapne mujhe support kara, iska matlab maine kahi na kahi apni personality se apni respect bhi rakhi show mein, aur apni family ki bhi. (Since you supported me, it feels like Ive kept my self-respect intact with my personality.) And loads of love to Malti."

Days before the finale, PeeCee shared a photo of Mannara from Bigg Boss 17 and penned down a motivating note. Give it your best and forget about the rest. Carpe diem @memannara," she wrote along with a red heart emoji.

Earlier, Priyanka Chopras mother, Madhu Chopra, had also shared a strong message for the Bigg Boss 17 contestant. In a video message, Priyankas mom said, Hi Mannara. Congratulations. You have reached one of the finales. I am very proud of you. Stay strong. Keep a strong head on your shoulders, and dont let them break you. You are one Chopra girl, and you are really strong. Best of luck."

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mannara (@memannara)

Hailing from Ambala, Mannara Chopra is the cousin of Bollywood divas Parineeti and Priyanka Chopra. Mannaras mother, who is a jewellery designer by profession, is the sister of Parineeti and Priyankas fathers. While Mannaras father is a lawyer, she also has a younger sister named Mitali. She has worked in several Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, and Kannada films.

The Bigg Boss 17 finale was held on January 28, 2024. Munawar Faruqui emerged as the winner of Salman Khans show.
Bobby Deol celebrated his 55th birthday on January 27 and it turned out to be a special day not just for him but also for his fans eagerly awaiting his upcoming movie, Kanguva. The makers surprised everyone by unveiling the first look poster on this occasion. In the poster, Bobby looks ruthless and hungry for power, creating an unforgettable visual. Sporting long, untidy hair and a necklace of bones with blood marks, the actor instantly grabbed attention. Surrounded by people, the actors strict expression adds more intrigue. Interestingly, Kanguva marks Bobbys Tamil debut and his first collaboration with Superstar Suriya. On his birthday, the Class of 83 star engaged with the media and spoke positively about Suriya, the lead star of his upcoming film, describing him as humble and down to earth.

Bobby said, Working with Suriya, who was so humble and down to earth, itna kamaal ka actor haina woh, stunts khud karta hai and just loved being on that set. Khatam ho gayi hai film, ajaeygi issi saal, date pakka malum nahi hai mujhe lekin, thats my next release. (He performs his own stunts and I just loved being on that set. The shooting has been completed, it will be released this year. I dont know the exact date yet, but thats my next release)."

Further speaking about going through a successful phase, Bobby Deol shared, I am very nervous right now about what I will do next because I dont understand what I did in Animal that Im getting so much love. Definitely, I will never give up, hard work is very essential for every person, every actor, whether they are getting work or not. They all need to work hard, be focused and be humble."

In addition to Suriya and Bobby, the cast of Kanguva also includes Disha Patani in a key role. The film is written and directed by Siva, who was last associated with Rajinikanths film Annaatthe. Meanwhile, Devi Sri Prasad, who made everyone fall in love with his melodies in Allu Arjuns Pushpa, is handling the music for the upcoming film as well.

Following the success of Animal featuring Ranbir Kapoor, Bobby Deol will be seen in several projects in the South film industry. Alongside making his debut in the Tamil film Kanguva, Bobby is also gearing up for his entry into Tollywood with Balakrishnas upcoming film, tentatively titled NBK 109. Reports further suggest that the Gupt star is likely to join the cast of Pawan Kalyans period Hari Hara Veera Mallu, where he is rumoured to play the role of Aurangzeb.
Declaring it as her most ambitious project to date, four-time National Award-winning actress Kangana Ranaut is geared up to create history by essaying the role of former Indian Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi in the upcoming period political drama Emergency.

Showcasing the actresss commitment to delving into the past, the film promises to provide a genuine and honest insight into history. Labelled as a mega-budget depiction of a highly controversial event in Indian democracy, Emergency is set to highlight the infamous July 1972 Simla Agreement between Indira Gandhi and the former President of Pakistan, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.

The Simla Agreement also referred to as The Shimla Agreement, was signed by the Prime Minister of India, Mrs. Indira Gandhi and the President of Pakistan, Mr. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto on 2 July 1972 in Shimla, India. The agreement marked the formal end of the 1971 India-Pakistan war. It aimed to establish peace, requiring India to withdraw forces, addressing the Kashmir issue, and fostering improved relations. The accord facilitated the return of seized land, with India giving back over 13,000 km of land to Pakistan, but controversy continues to linger in Indias political history. A great time for audiences to witness this controversial event yet again on the silver screens, Kangana Ranauts Emergency promises insights into this event, shedding light on the complexities of the agreement.

Earlier the makers released the much anticipated films teaser. The teaser opens with June 25, 1975 when Indira Gandhis government declared a state of emergency in India. Kanganas modulated voice to fit in the late PMs voice takes over soon over. Anupam Kher, who plays the role of Jayaprakash Narayan in the film, also makes an impactful appearance behind the bars in the teaser. Check it out here:

Written and Directed by Kangana Ranaut, Emergency also features Anupam Kher, Mahima Chaudhary, Milind Soman, Shreyas Talpade, Vishak Nair and the late Satish Kaushik in pivotal roles. Produced by Zee Studios and Manikarnika Films, the films music is orchestrated by Sanchit Balhara with screenplay and dialogues by Ritesh Shah. Emergency is scheduled to hit the screens on June 14, 2024.
Rajinikanth defended his daughter Aishwaryaa Rajinikanth after she addressed those who called the Tamil superstar Sanghi. For the unversed, last week, Aishwaryaa was speaking about her upcoming film Laal Salaam and said that her father, Rajinikanth is not a Sanghi. This sparked a massive controversy. On Monday, Rajinikanth addressed the controversy and said that his daughter did not mean Sanghi as a bad word.

Speaking with a group of reporters outside the Chennai airport, Rajinikanth said in Tamil, My daughter never said that Sanghi [the term] was a bad word. She questioned why her father was being branded that way when he is into spirituality.

Watch the video below:

#Thalaivar before leaving to #Vettaiyan shooting at Chennai airport As usual rocked with his reply for brainless questions  My daughter didnt uttered as Sangi bad word . My dad is a spiritual person common to all religion  #Rajinikanth | pic.twitter.com/a5gNSnoGAe  Suresh balaji (@surbalutwt) January 29, 2024

Last week, Aishwaryaa hosted the audio launch of Lal Salaam at Sri Sairam Institute of Technology in Chennai on January 26. While speaking at the gathering, she addressed those who dubbed Rajinikanth Sanghi. She said, I generally stay away from social media, but my team often tells me whats happening and keep showing some posts. I used to get angry seeing them. Were human beings too. In recent times, many people call my father a Sanghi. I didnt know what it meant. I then asked someone what was the meaning of Sanghi and they said that people who support a particular political party are called Sanghi.

Id like to make it clear here, Rajinikanth is not a Sanghi. If he was, he wouldnt have done a film like Lal Salaam,' Aishwarya added. Her statement left Rajinikanth in tears. A video of his reaction had gone viral as well.
Indrani Mukerjea is set to share details about the Sheena Bora murder case in the upcoming Netflix documentary series titled The Indrani Mukerjea Story: Buried Truth. Netflix India revealed the poster on Monday, announcing that the series would premiere on the OTT platform next month. In the poster, Indranis face is partially covered. She gained notoriety in 2015 for her alleged involvement in the 2012 murder of Sheena Bora.

Finally announcing the release date of the series about Indrani Mukerjea, accused in the Sheena Bora case, Netflix India wrote in its Instagram caption, A sensational scandal that rocked the entire nation, with one familys darkest secrets at the center of it all. The Indrani Mukerjea Story Buried Truth, coming on 23 February only on Netflix!

The Netflix series follows the release of Indrani Mukerjeas memoir, Unbroken: The Untold Story, which was published in 2023. In her book, the former media personality, now facing murder charges, reflects on her entire life, including the six years spent in prison. Currently out on bail, the documentary is expected to delve into the intricate details surrounding the sensational murder of Sheena Bora and the subsequent arrest in 2015 of Indrani Mukerjea, Sheenas alleged mother and former wife of media tycoon Peter Mukerjea.

As reported by news agency PTI, Netflix India stated that the docu-series includes insights from Indrani Mukerjea, her children, experienced journalists, and legal professionals, shedding light on dysfunctional family dynamics and intricate motivations.

In May 2022, the Supreme Court granted bail to former media executive Indrani Mukerjea, the prime accused in 2012 high-profile murder case of Sheena Bora. The murder case made headlines on several occasions after Sheena Bora, an executive working for Mumbai Metro One based in Mumbai, went missing on April 24, 2012. In August 2015, Mumbai Police arrested mother Indrani, former media executive Peter Mukerjea, Indranis ex-husband Sanjeev Khanna, and driver Shyamvar Rai for allegedly abducting and killing her and subsequently burning Sheenas corpse.
Seven months down the line, the INDIA bloc of anti-BJP political parties in India looks to unwind. The first meeting of the alliance was held in Patna. Hosted by Nitish Kumar on June 23, 2023, 15 parties from across India decided to contest together the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The bloc increased to 26 parties during its second meeting in Bengaluru, on July 18, when its collective name INDIA was announced.

Now, 219 days after the first meeting and 194 days after its name announcement, Nitish Kumar, the first leader to mobilise rival parties across India for an anti-BJP front and one of the key architects, has decided to move out of it, criticising it as non-event entity. The move or a possible final death knell has come immediately after recent significant blows.

Its two biggest partners  the TMC in West Bengal and the AAP in Punjab and Haryana  have decided to go solo in the respective states. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee says she coined the name INDIA for the coalition, yet she felt she was left out by the events happening in the bloc with the Left front looking to control it. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, after months of controversy on seat sharing, has also decided to go solo, deciding to contest all 13 seats in the state. Mann said AAP Punjab has nothing to do with the Congress in the state.

Haryana AAP chief Sushil Gupta has conveyed to the partys central unit that it will contest solo on all 90 seats in assembly elections and the state unit is also capable of going solo in the Lok Sabha elections. Arvind Kejriwal has supported the state units demand to go solo in assembly elections but there will be seat-sharing possible in Lok Sabha polls. The alliance was a non-starter from day one and its brief journey to nowhere so far tells why. Differences among the alliance members only got aggravated as time passed.

NO PM FACE

The alliance has had very few meetings, just four when the proposed target is huge  taking on the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. These meetings and formal and informal discussions have failed to agree on a PM face for the alliance. Nitish wanted to be its PM nominee or convenor but the INDIA bloc internal rivalry denied it. Now the party alleges that the Congress wanted to control the alliance leadership.

The real problem is that the alliance has many PM faces  Rahul Gandhi, Arvind Kejriwal, Nitish Kumar, Mamata Banerjee, to name a few  and finalising a single name needs big political sacrifice for their political future but INDIA parties have failed to bridge the gap when they had to face a possible Narendra Modi wave in the Lok Sabha election as was the case in 2014 and 2019.

Mamata Banerjee and Arvind Kejriwal proposed Congress Mallikarjun Kharges name as PM contender in the INDIA meeting in Delhi on December 19, 2023, but a day before that, Mamata had also come out to say that the alliance could decide on a PM contender face after poll results. Kharge said no to it as Rahul Gandhi is seen as the only PM nominee from Congress that many in INDIA including Mamata and Kejriwal are not comfortable with.

NO CONVENOR

The seven-month-old alliance got its convenor or chairperson in January only. It was offered to Nitish, but he refused the alliance proposal. The JDU wanted a consensus on Nitishs name but there was no mutual agreement between parties on the delayed proposal earlier this month. First, weight for being declared as the PM face, then weight for the alliances convenor post, the JDU was shown negative indications multiple times. Finally, Kharge emerged as the consensus candidate for the INDIA alliance chairperson on January 13, 2024, but the outcome can be termed too little, too late. Ideally, a convenor should have been selected in July or August last year only, but the alliance failed to reach a consensus on this.

NO IDEOLOGY

Seven months down the line, the INDIA bloc has only reinforced the feeling that it was only a desperate last-moment aimless anti-Narendra Modi attempt and not a concrete alliance bound by similar ideology and poll agenda. The alliance called itself to be a secular one against BJPs nationalistic policy, yet most parties tried to run a Hindutva campaign. The soft Hindutva approach on the day of the Ram Temple Pran Pratishtha in Ayodhya on January 22 is a visible example. The Ram Temple and Ayodhya promises were in the BJPs manifesto and the political call was accordingly taken. The INDIA bloc on it was in dilemma seeing its massive Hindu appeal. Congress central leadership decided not to attend the ceremony, but leaders of its state units attended the event. Collectively, all major leaders and parties decided not to attend it but spoke in vague, pro-Hindutva voices. Kejriwal reiterated that Pran Pratishtha was a matter of pride for everyone. Some INDIA leaders appreciated it, while some criticised the event. There was no single collective version.

NO SEAT SHARING

Is the INDIA bloc a miscalculated political decision? Most of the INDIA alliance partners are hardened rivals in state politics. The Congress and the AAP in Punjab and Delhi. The Congress and the TMC in West Bengal. The Congress and the Left Front in Kerala. The AAP has made Congress non-existent in Delhi and Punjab. Once Indias grand old party, now it has no vote share and seats in Delhi and just a declined vote share in Punjab. In West Bengal, it is again a non-starter on seats and vote share, like in UP. Yet it is demanding higher seats in all these states.

The Result

The TMC and The AAP have already announced that there will be no coalition with the Congress in West Bengal and Punjab in Lok Sabha polls. Apart from the Congress, the INDIA bloc is a collection of regional parties with influence only limited to states. If there is no alliance state-wise, a national alliance doesnt make any sense. The bloc makes sense only when major parties are allied state-wise.

NO UNITY

In the recent assembly polls, Congress felt it was good enough to go solo and there was a bitter fallout between the SP and the Congress in Madhya Pradesh with this stand taken. Now the SP is not ready to give the Congress seats it is demanding in Uttar Pradesh. We have seen the allies going away in Punjab, West Bengal, Kerala, and Haryana. Delhi and other states may follow next.

All the foundation blocks needed for a joint anti-BJP platform  an INDIA bloc convening body with a PM face against Narendra Modi, a common agenda, state-wise Lok Sabha seat sharing, and a unified appeal of togetherness to approach to voters  look critically absent in the alliances brief and non-happening journey so far.

Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.
The goal of the purchase is to assess the former manufacturing site to determine what remediation and demolition would be needed to prepare th
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued its Order yesterday (26 January 2024) on the South African case against Israel involving possible genocide in Gaza.

Predictably, the coverage of the Order in the mainstream media in the West aims to spin the story in ways that are most favorable to Israel, which means minimizing or omitting those elements of the story that make Israel look bad and emphasizing that the ICJ did not order Israel to cease all military operations in Gaza.

Hardly anyone expected the ICJ to rule that Israel would have to stop all military operations in Gaza, since it is at war with Hamas, and the court cannot order Hamas to cease its military operations against Israel. What the ICJ did tell Israel, however, is that it must focus its offensive on Hamas, and not target the civilian population. After all, the genocide charge revolves around what Israel is doing to the civilian population in Gaza, not Hamas.

What really matters in the Order is what it says about Israel committing genocide. How could it be otherwise? Genocide is the crime of all crimes.

The Order clearly states that there is: 1) plausible evidence that Israel has the intent to commit genocide; and 2) there is plausible evidence that Israel is committing genocide.

In response to that dire situation the court ordered Israel to stop committing those acts that appear to be genocidal, and to preserve any evidence that bears on this matter, obviously for the trial ahead.

In short, the ICJ did not make a final decision on the charge of genocide against Israel, but said there is sufficient evidence at this point to believe there is a real and imminent risk of genocide, and therefore Israel must fundamentally alter its conduct of the war in Gaza.

I think this is a stunning outcome, especially when you consider the votes among the 17 members of the ICJ.

There were six separate votes on six provisional measures that Israel was instructed to obey.

Four of the votes were 15-2.

Two of the votes were 16-1.

Amazingly, the Israeli judge  who was recently appointed by Prime Minister Netanyahu  voted in favor of two of the measures.

The American judge, who is also the head of the ICJ, voted in favor of all 6 of the measures.

The only judge who voted against all six measures is from Uganda.

I watched the ICJ proceedings on 11-12 January 2024, and they were conducted in a professional and fair-minded manner.

Both the Israelis and the South Africans sent their A teams to the proceedings, and each took over three hours to lay out its arguments systematically and comprehensively.

Finally, I have read the ICJs 27-page Order, and it is an impressive document, which is not to say one must agree with all its conclusions.

This was not a kangaroo court.

It seems clear that yesterday was a black day for Israel, as the ICJ Order will leave a deep and lasting stain on its reputation.

The author is a leading international relations expert and political scientist. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.
As Congress leader Rahul Gandhis Nyay Yatra enters Bihar after rallies in West Bengals Islampur and Chopra, sources in the Trinamool Congress (TMC) confirmed that party chief and WB CM Mamata Banerjee will hold rallies in Islampur, Chopra and Raigunj on Tuesday.

ALSO READ | Mamata Banerjees Quit INDIA in Bengal & Trouble in Bihar: 82 Seats in Limbo for Opposition Alliance

Banerjee recently clarified that the TMC will not get into an alliance with the Congress in WB for the Lok Sabha elections. The plan for rallies only proves that the party will take on the Congress in the state.

Meanwhile, the Congress has also started to blame the TMC government for denying permission to Gandhi to stay in Berhampore on February 1. They also alleged that the TMC government did not allow Gandhi to have lunch at a government resthouse of Malda on January 31.

TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee said: Who is the Trojan Horse of the BJP? The Congress State Chief wants the Presidents rule in Bengal. Who is he working for? We have repeatedly spoken about seat-sharing for the past seven months, but they have not said anything. On the one hand, the Congress claims that Banerjee is an important ally, but PCC Chief, who happens to be also a Lok Sabha leader, is challenging Banerjee to come and contest against him."

Congresss Jairam Ramesh, who has been extending an olive branch to the TMC, said that despite the hindrances, the yatra went ahead with great enthusiasm in Bengal.

Amid the Congress-TMC spat, the Left is set to extend further support to the Congress.

The Communist Party of India Marxist (CPIM) has shown their support to the yatra from day one, and now sources say that senior state leaders, too, will join the Congress Nyay Yatra.

Speaking to News18, CPIM Secretary Md Salim said, Right now, we are in Kerala, and we will be back on Wednesday. Some of our leaders will join Gandhi in Malda and I will also try to join in Berhampore. We have always said we are ready to join hands with anyone who is anti-Bharatiya Janata Party and anti-TMC too."

Experts say while the CPIM is extending support for the Congress, they also want the Congress to cut all ties with the TMC. Banerjee is anyway unhappy as she has alleged that the CPIM controls INDIA alliance.

Speaking to News18, Ramesh said, Left is part of the INDIA group. We called all partners. We extended a special request to the TMC. If they join, it will definitely be good."

However, the Congress does not want to close the door on TMC, while maintaining good relations with the CPIM. The question remains  will this go well with CPIM?
In a bold assertion, Union Minister Shantanu Thakur, in West Bengal claimed that the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) would be implemented across India by next week.

Addressing a meeting of booth workers in South 24 Parganas districts Kakdwip on Sunday, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader said in Bengali, I can guarantee that in the next seven days, not just in West Bengal, but the CAA will be implemented across India.

He backed his claim with Union Home Minister Amit Shahs earlier statement where the latter asserted that the CAA is the law of the land and no force could prevent its implementation.

Thakur, a prominent BJP leader in West Bengal, is a member of Parliament from Bangaon Lok Sabha constituency and Minister of State for Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways of India in PM Narendra Modis government.

In December last year, Amit Shah, while addressing a gathering in Kolkatas iconic Esplanade, reiterated the BJP-headed central governments commitment towards implementing the CAA.

Attacking Trinamool Congress supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over issues like infiltration, corruption, political violence, and appeasement in the easter state, Shah said No one can stop the implementation of CAA in the country.

He also urged people to dethrone the TMC government from Bengal and elect the BJP in the 2026 Assembly elections.

The Citizenship (Amendment) Act was passed by Parliament on December 11, 2019, and got the Presidents assent the very next day, following which it was notified by the MHA. About 83 persons died and several were injured in the protests that followed its passing.

The law has been in a state of limbo as the Centre has yet to frame rules for the CAA and implement it.
A day after Chief Minister Nitish Kumar formed the government in Bihar in alliance with the NDA, hectic lobbying started for the post of assembly speaker, and other legislators to be included in the council of ministers.

Kumar on Monday chaired the meeting of his new cabinet to distribute portfolios. After the cabinet meeting, leaders of NDA constituents, however, remained tight-lipped about the distribution of portfolios.

According to sources, the cabinet secretariat is expected to issue a notification pertaining to portfolio distribution by Monday evening.

Meanwhile, the BJP has submitted a notice of no-confidence motion to the assembly secretary against Speaker Awadh Bihari Chaudhary, who represents the RJD.

BJP leaders, in the notice, expressed a lack of confidence in the present speaker as a new government has assumed power. The motion was signed by legislators of the BJP as well as the JD(U).

The cabinet meeting chaired by Nitish Kumar was attended by all the eight ministers who took oath on Sunday.

Besides Nitish Kumar and Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, BJPs Prem Kumar, JD(U) leaders Shravan Kumar, Vijendra Yadav, and Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, Hindustan Awam Morchas Santosh Kumar Suman and Independent MLA Sumit Kumar Singh were sworn in as ministers on Sunday.

After taking the oath as the chief minister of Bihar for the record ninth time, Kumar asserted there is no question of now leaving the NDA.

I was with them (NDA) earlier, too. We went on different paths, but now we are together and will remain so. I came back to where I was (NDA), and now there is no question of going anywhere else, the 72-year-old politician said.

It has been learnt from reliable sources that the BJP is expected to keep the post of the assembly speaker.

Names doing the rounds for the post of speaker include those of senior BJP leaders Nand Kishore Yadav and Amrendra Pratap Singh.

BJP leaders on Monday indicated that the cabinet will be further expanded in a day or two to accommodate legislators belonging to other castes, minority groups and women.

Those expected to be included in the Nitish Kumar cabinet include BJP leaders Shahnawaz Hussain, Nitin Nabin, Rampreet Paswan, Janak Ram, Shreyashi Singh and JD(U) leaders Sunil Kumar Singh, Madan Sahni, Lesi Singh, Sheila Mandal, Jayant Raj, Ashok Choudhary and Sanjay Jha, a JD(U) leader said on condition of anonymity.
The scheduled raids and questioning by the Enforcement Directorate of Hemant Soren, the chief minister of Jharkhand, unfolded in a dramatic manner from the early hours of Monday with the CM now untraceable, News18 has learnt from sources.

Soren left his residence around 2.30 am along with one of his security personnel, while another senior police officer who is part of his protective detail took a flight back to Ranchi. The mobile phones of the chief minister and his security personnel were switched off, while his family members, the CMs office, and his colleagues in the cabinet and party expressed ignorance about his whereabouts to the ED. Hemant Sorens BMW was taken away by the ED from his Delhi residence on Monday night, along with his driver.

The central agency has now launched a search operation for the chief minister and his aide with the help of Delhi Police, while BJP leaders in Ranchi are mulling a habeas corpus petition before the High Court, said sources in the party. Even though the investigation by the ED in Jharkhand has now taken a sensational turn with the chief minister missing, this is not the only drama that happened during the investigation.

In a statement posted on social media site X, Babual Marandi, chief of the BJPs Jharkhand state unit, said, Due to fear of the Enforcement Directorate, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has absconded from the Chief Ministers residence in Delhi and gone underground for the last eighteen hours. According to media sources, late at night Hemant ji, wearing slippers and covering his face with a sheet, ran away from the residence on foot like a thief. Ajay Singh, the security personnel of Special Branch who went with him to Delhi, is also missing. The mobile phones of both of them have also been switched off, since then ED and Delhi Police are searching for them. There cannot be any other example of such gross negligence with the security of the Chief Minister.

Marandi requested the governor to take appropriate action. What could be more worrying and shameful than this that the Chief Minister of a state holding a constitutional post breaks the protocol and absconds like a thief-dacoit, leaving the state to the mercy of God. Who is the leader of the state in case of Chief Minister absconding? This constitutional question is important, he added in his post.

The ED summoned the CM seven times in connection with stone mining and land scam cases. Soren appeared earlier this month, while he was scheduled to appear before the agency again on January 31. However, his party workers have been protesting across the state since Sunday against the ED action.

The JMM issued a statement saying ED officers had reached Hemant Sorens residence in Delhi in the early hours of January 29 with several armed personnel, which did not seem as per the law.

What was the hurry that EDs officers could not even wait for two days? Isnt this an insult of a democratically-elected CM? Can the Centre do anything with chief ministers of states when they are in Delhi?  the JMM asked in a statement, citing Sorens earlier letter to the ED that he would appear before it on January 31.
A crucial meeting of Maharashtras opposition alliance Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) is likely to take place in Mumbai on January 30, with the focus expected to be on a seat-sharing agreement for the states 48 Lok Sabha constituencies. According to sources, a discussion on 37 seats happened in the previous meeting with the approval of the three constituents. Based on that, eight seats of the Marathwada region will be distributed as per the 4-3-1 formula, in which the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) is likely to contest four seats, the Congress three, and the Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) one.

However, all three parties are claiming the Hingoli Lok Sabha seat, which is right now with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. According to the sources, this will be discussed in Tuesdays meeting and a final decision made. They also indicated that the eight seats in the Marathwada region will be distributed based on who fared well in them in 2019.

In 2019, the Congress and NCP couldnt win a single seat in the region. Shiv Sena (UBT) holds the Parbhani and Dharashiv seats in Marathwada. So, this time it is almost certain that the party will contest these two seats along with two others. Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, previously known as Aurangabad, was considered to be the bastion of the Shiv Sena with party leader Chandrakant Khaire winning here from 1999 to 2014. In 2019, he was defeated by All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) candidate Imtiyaz Jaleel and ended up in second place.

A source who is aware of the seat-sharing talks also said that the Congress wants to exchange the Jalna seat with Uddhavs Shiv Sena for Hingoli. The reason is that for the past 30 years, the Congress has been losing the Jalna seat by big margins and Shiv Sena (UBT) doesnt have a strong candidate for the Hingoli seat. The Congress is ready to contest in Nanded and Latur, and if talks fail then it may field a candidate in Hingoli too, said the source.

The NCP had always claimed that Sharad Pawar had a huge influence in Marathwada. But after the recent split in the party with Ajit Pawar shifting his camp to the ruling side, Sharad Pawars NCP is likely to get only one seat in this region. While it is pushing for the Hingoli seat as well, sources said, the party may have to settle for only Beed.
If youve had your eye on a Mac computer but dont want to break the bank with a laptop, which can cost upwards of a lakh, opting for Apples Mac mini lineup might be the way to go, especially for those who prefer a fixed desk setup. Plus, now might just be the perfect time to buy a Mac mini with the M2 chipset, as its currently priced under Rs 50,000 on Amazon India after applying some card offers.

Lets dive into how this deal works and check what makes the Apple Mac Mini M2 worth it:

Apple Mac Mini For Rs 49,990 On Amazon: How It Works

To start, the device is currently listed for Rs 54,900 on Amazonmeaning thats the price if you choose not to take advantage of any card offers or exchange deals. However, if you happen to have an HDFC card, you can sweeten the deal by qualifying for an instant Rs 5,000 off offer. This effectively brings the price down to Rs 49,990 for the Mac Mini. At this price, its an excellent choice for users with various needs, whether its light video editing, photo editing, or simply handling office-related tasks.

Should You Buy?

At this price point, theres hardly anything else that can match the performance of the M2 Mac mini. The Apple M2 chipset is its second generation SoC, and can go toe-to-toe with some of the best Intel offerings, and punches above its weight class. But, before making the purchase, keep in mind that youll need to budget for a monitor, keyboard, and mouse as well. Additionally, it makes even more sense if youre already part of the Apple ecosystem.

While there are similar, if not better, offers during Apples back-to-school days sale, its worth noting that those are limited to students and may take some time to roll around this year.
Nithin Kamath, the CEO of Zerodha, shared a prank video in which he had organised a fake police raid at his companys office in Bengaluru. This video was made a decade ago on January 27, 2014. In the clip, a group of fake police officials and reporters barged into the Zerodha support office in Bengaluru claiming that an order by the Bombay High Court asked them to stop the companys operations and produce all employees before the court, concerning serious accusations of a ponzi scheme and financial fraud. This prank took place when Nithin Kamath was out of office. The video started with the explanation, We carried out a fake police raid in our office to see how the team reacts to extreme stress and to have some fun, of course.

This prank we ran over 10 years ago. pic.twitter.com/sgwGq2KkUW Nithin Kamath (@Nithin0dha) January 28, 2024

As employees tried to make sense of what was happening, Hanan, the head of client operations, took a confident approach with the police demanding more clarity about the situation. Venu, the head of operations, tried to deal with the police with a softer tone. Finally, all employees were rounded up in a room, and Nithin Kamath came to the office and announced that it was all a prank, much to everyones relief.

Nithin Kamath shared this clip on X on Sunday. Commenting on it, an X user wrote, Joyful working at a workplace creates the best of teams. Without leaps of imagination we lose the excitement of possibilities.

Another person observed, Hanan Delvi this guy is ready to lose everything for zerodha. No doubt he is still with zerodha and continues to. Epic prank.

An X user recalled watching this video a year ago and wrote, Years back when I started to use mobile phones. I used to watch a lot of videos and this was the first prank video. I think I remember that moment when I saw the whole video I used to laugh a lot. Another person wrote, Remember watching this several years ago. Time flies and like what!!!

However, not all people were impressed with the prank. A few people argued that stopping a stock broking firms operations can cause loss to the customers. Expressing this sentiment, an X user wrote, Cant watch beyond the 1st couple of minutes. Cringeworthy. Perhaps focus on making your Zerodha app reliable instead of burning all our fees money on playing dramas like this. Disgrace.
Earths celestial companion, the moon, has been silently undergoing changes, with new research indicating a significant shrinkage in its size over the past few hundred million years. A study published in the Planetary Science Journal on January 25 reveals that the moon has contracted by more than 150 feet in circumference due to the gradual cooling of its core. The collaborative effort, led by scientists from NASA, the Smithsonian, Arizona State University and The University of Maryland, has uncovered evidence suggesting that this ongoing lunar shrinkage has led to notable alterations in the terrain around the Lunar South Pole. The matter of concern is the impact on areas slated for exploration during NASAs Artemis III crewed mission.

Described as akin to the wrinkling of a grape turning into a raisin, the moons shrinking process results in a brittle surface, causing faults to form as sections of the crust push against each other. These faults, in turn, trigger seismic activity known as moonquakes, echoing the threat faced by Earths residents living near tectonic fault lines.

The studys findings connect a group of lunar faults in the south-polar region to a powerful moonquake recorded by Apollo seismometers more than 50 years ago. Computer models were employed to simulate surface stability, revealing certain areas vulnerable to lunar landslides caused by seismic activity.

Thomas R. Watters, a study co-author and senior scientist emeritus at the National Air and Space Museum, was quoted by Phys Org., cautioning, The global distribution of young thrust faults, their potential to be active, and the potential to form new thrust faults from ongoing global contraction should be considered when planning the location and stability of permanent outposts on the moon.

Shallow moonquakes, occurring approximately 100 miles deep into the moons crust, can be potent enough to damage structures and equipment. Unlike earthquakes on Earth, shallow moonquakes can last for extended periods, posing a potential threat to future lunar settlements.

Nicholas Schmerr, study co-author and University of Maryland geologist, told Phys Org., The reworked surface material can be micron-sized to boulder-sized, but all very loosely consolidated. Loose sediments make it very possible for shaking and landslides to occur.

The study raises concerns about the safety of potential human settlements on the moon. The team plans to continue mapping out lunar seismic activity to identify additional locations that may pose risks to human exploration.

With NASAs Artemis missions on the horizon, scheduled for a crewed flight in September 2025 and a crewed moon landing in September 2026, researchers emphasise the need to prioritize the safety of astronauts and infrastructure in the face of these newfound challenges.

As we get closer to the crewed Artemis missions launch date, its important to keep our astronauts, our equipment, and infrastructure as safe as possible, Schmerr noted. He further added, This work is helping us prepare for what awaits us on the moon  whether thats engineering structures that can better withstand lunar seismic activity or protecting people from really dangerous zones.
At some point, each of us has found ourselves in a situation where relying on Google Maps turned out to be a blunder, leading us down uncharted roads or presenting routes we never intended to take. Such a scenario unfolded for an SUV driver in Gudalur, a hill town in Tamil Nadu, who, while relying on Google Maps for navigation, found himself stuck on a flight of steps.

In an unexpected turn of events, a man was driving back from Gudalur, where he and his friends had spent the weekend, using Google Maps for guidance on their journey back to Karnataka. Gudalur, situated at a tri-junction among Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka, is a popular holiday destination frequently visited by tourists heading to Ooty. Despite following Google Maps directions, the friends were led through the Police Quarters, a path the navigation app claimed to be the fastest route. Unfortunately, this route led them to a steep flight of stairs in a residential area.

Also Read: Delhis Yaha Police Wale Hote Hain Landmarks on Google Has Internet Thanking Social Service

Finding themselves unable to proceed, the man halted the vehicle on the stairs and sought assistance. Residents and police personnel came to their aid, helping the group maneuver the SUV back to the main road so they could continue their journey back to Karnataka, as reported by India Today.

This incident, however, is not the first instance of Google Maps causing trouble for drivers. In a similar mishap, a group of Californians returning from a Formula One event in Las Vegas relied on Google Maps for guidance, only to end up in a desert instead of reaching their intended destination.

Also Read: Spotted On Google Maps, Experts Fail To Locate Phantom Island In Pacific Ocean

According to a report by SFGATE, Shelby Easler, her brother Austin, and others were driving back to Los Angeles when they used Google Maps to guide them on an alternate route, suggested by the app to avoid traffic delays due to a dust storm on Interstate 15. Unexpectedly, Google Maps directed the group off the main route and into Nevadas rough desert environment, leaving them disoriented in an unfamiliar location. They eventually called for assistance, reaching out to 911 and a towing business to help them navigate their way back to civilisation.
Two masked men attacked a Roman Catholic church in Istanbul during a Sunday Mass, killing one person. The armed assailants attacked the Santa Maria Church in the Sariyer district at 11:40 am, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said in a statement on the X.

Local media said the person killed had the initials CT and was 52 years old. Hours later, Yerlikaya announced that two men he described as members of the Islamic State extremist movement had been arrested as the suspected attackers, The Associated Press reported. One of the suspects is from Tajikistan and the other from Russia, he said at a news conference just after midnight.

Yerlikaya said police had raided 30 locations and detained a total of 47 people as part of the investigation into the attack. 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, Yerlikaya said.

A short video circulating on social media shows the moment of the attack, with two masked men entering the church and opening fire, with all service-goers hitting the floor. The two men then flee. Turkish authorities instituted a media ban on coverage of the attack.

Istanbul Saryerde Santa Maria Kilisesine yaplan saldrya iliskin kilisenin icerisinden kan donduran goruntuler yaynland! pic.twitter.com/svhCkOKFqQ 23 DERECE (@yirmiucderece) January 28, 2024

Sukru Genc, mayor of the Sariyer district where the attack took place, told the newspaper Birgun that the gunmen fled when their weapon jammed after having fired two rounds. Genc said that among the attendees was Polish Consul General Witold Lesniak and his family, who were all unharmed in the attack.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called Lesniak and Santa Marias priest, Rev. Anton Bulai, to offer his condolences. 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 told reporters.

Pope Francis noted the attack in remarks to the public at St. Peters Square in Vatican City on Sunday. 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. The church is run by an Italian order of Franciscan friars. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said his ministry was following the situation along with the Italian Embassy in Turkeys capital, Ankara, and the consulate in Istanbul.

(With agency inputs)
US President Joe Biden on Sunday blamed Iran-backed militants for a drone attack on a base in Jordan that killed three American troops and promised to hold the perpetrators accountable at a time and in a manner of their choosing.

Today, Americas heart is heavy. Last night, three U.S. service members were killedand many woundedduring an unmanned aerial drone attack on our forces stationed in northeast Jordan near the Syria border, Biden said in a statement on the attack on Sunday. 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.

Iran has dismissed reports of its alleged role in the US base in Jordan. These claims are made with specific political goals to reverse the realities of the region and also indicate that they are influenced by third parties, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Nasser Kanaani was quoted as saying by IRNA.

This is the first time American military personnel have been killed by hostile fire in the Middle East since the start of Israels war with Hamas. The growing violence in several parts of the Middle East has raised fears of a broader regional conflict directly involving Iran. Speaking later in the day at a South Carolina church banquet center, the US president doubled down on his pledge of reprisals. We shall respond, Biden told the attendees.

Regional explosion

Hamas spokesperson Sami Abu Zuhri called the attack a message to the American administration that unless the killing of innocent people in Gaza stops, it may be faced with the entire (Muslim) nation. The continuation of the American-Zionist aggression on Gaza risks a regional explosion, Abu Zuhri said. Jordanian government spokesperson Muhannad Mubaidin meanwhile expressed his countrys condolences to the United States for the victims of the attack.

The escalating Middle East conflict poses a challenge to Biden in an election year, with Republican politicians seeking to use the deadly attack to put pressure on the government, including ex-president Donald Trump, who described the situation as a consequence of Bidens weakness and surrender. The drone attack on a US Military Installation in Jordan, killing 3 American service members, and wounding many more, marks a horrible day for America, Trump wrote on Truth Social on Sunday.

Several Republicans Sunday called on Biden to retaliate against Iran after three US service members were killed and 34 others wounded in the Jordan attack. Hit Iran now. Hit them hard, wrote Senator Lindsey Graham on X. When the Biden Administration says dont, the Iranians do. The Biden Administrations rhetoric is falling on deaf ears in Iran, Graham said. Iran is undeterred, he said. The only thing the Iranian regime understands is force. Until they pay a price with their infrastructure and their personnel, the attacks on US troops will continue.

Secretary Austins efforts to deter aggression against our forces in the region has failed miserably. Ive long since lost confidence in the Biden national security team to deter Iran. If they do not change their policies now, more American service members in the region will pay Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) January 28, 2024

Senator Tom Cotton from Arkansas highlighted a deal the Biden administration cut with Iran to issue a waiver for sanctions on $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets in exchange for the release of five American detainees last year. Joe Biden emboldened Iran for years by tolerating attacks on our troops, bribing the ayatollahs with billions of dollars, and appeasing them to no end. He left our troops as sitting ducks and now three are dead and dozens wounded, sadly as Ive predicted would happen for months, he said in a statement.

This GOP criticism comes as US and allied forces in Iraq and Syria have been targeted in more than 150 attacks since mid-October, according to the Pentagon, and Washington has carried out retaliatory strikes in both countries. Many of the attacks on US personnel have been claimed by the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a loose alliance of Iran-linked armed groups that oppose US support for Israel in the Gaza conflict.

On Sunday, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq said it targeted US personnel with drones at three locations in Syria, including two bases near where the borders of Iraq, Syria and Jordan meet. The latest round of the Israel-Hamas conflict began when the Palestinian militant group carried out a shock attack on October 7 that resulted in about 1,140 deaths.

Wider Middle East crisis

The United States has backed Israel, which has carried out a relentless military offensive that has killed at least 26,422 people in Gaza, according to the Gaza health ministry. Those deaths have sparked widespread anger across the region and stoked violence involving Iran-backed groups in Lebanon, Iraq and Syria as well as Yemen.

Yemens Iran-backed Houthi rebels have carried out more than two months of attacks on shipping, saying they were hitting Israeli-linked vessels in support of Palestinians in Gaza. The US and Britain have responded with two rounds of joint strikes against the Huthis, while American forces have also carried out unilateral air raids against the rebels, who have also declared US and UK interests to be legitimate targets.

(With agency inputs)
The month of January saw a significant change in the tourist demographics of Maldives, with visitors from neighbouring India dropping from the second spot in December 2023 to the fifth this month.

The dip in Indian tourists visiting the Maldives, known for crystal-clear turquoise waters, pristine white sand beaches, and lush greenery, came after three ministers from the archipelago nation made over the derogatory remarks made by Maldivian ministers against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India.

The low-key diplomatic row erupted after Modi posted beautiful pictures of Lakshadweep during his visit in the first week of January, triggering netizens to trend Lakshadweep vs Maldives and ministers, who were later suspended from President Mohamed Muizzus cabinet, jumped into the social media debate.

Dip In Indian Tourists To Maldives

As per the data of Maldives tourism ministry, 13,989 Indians visited Maldives in January (till January 28) out of a total of 174,400 arrivals, dropping to the fifth spot with 8% tourist market share of the archipelago nation.

Russia (18,561), Italy (18,111), China (16,529) and the UK (14,588) secured the top four spots of nations which sent most tourists to Maldives in January 2024.

In December 2023, Russia was at the first spot with 174,416 Russians arriving in Maldives and a 24.1% market share. India was at second with 161,751 tourists and 23.4% share.

In 2023, Indians formed the largest group of tourists with 209,193 travellers, followed by Russians (209,146) and the Chinese (187,125). In 2021 and 2022, India continued as the top market with over 2.91 lakh and 2.41 lakh Indian tourist arrivals.

However, the share of Indian tourists to the Maldives has been declining from 241,382 in 2022 to 209,193 in 2023.

Controversy & Maldives Boycott

A series of photographs posted on January 4 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi staring pensively out into the Arabian Sea surrounded by Lakshadweeps coastal splendour set off a social media war between India and the Maldives and also triggered a low-key diplomatic row between the two friendly countries.

The row was mainly triggered by a senior minister in the Muizzu-led government, Abdulla Mahzoom Majid, who accused India of targeting the Maldives. He said India faces significant challenges in competing with the Maldives when it comes to beach tourism.

Recently, I had the opportunity to be among the people of Lakshadweep. I am still in awe of the stunning beauty of its islands and the incredible warmth of its people. I had the opportunity to interact with people in Agatti, Bangaram and Kavaratti. I thank the people of the pic.twitter.com/tYW5Cvgi8N Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 4, 2024

His tweet came after PM Modi put out his Lakshadweep post, which went viral and prompted many social media users to suggest that the union territory could be an alternate tourist destination to the Maldives.

Mariyam Shiuna, deputy minister of youth empowerment, information and arts, and Malsha Sharif, another deputy minister in the same ministry, joined Majid in the controversy.

While the Maldivian government distanced itself from derogatory remarks on social media platforms against foreign leaders and high-ranking individuals, it also suspended three government officials whose comments on social media platform X seemingly triggered the row in the first place.

The social media war led to en-masse cancellations of trips to the Maldives by Indians. Also running on social media is Boycott Maldives. There are several Indians who have cancelled their bookings.

Indian cine stars such as Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar and Shraddha Kapoor along with other prominent personalities also appealed to fans to explore Indian islands and coastal destinations.
Iran executed four men at dawn on Monday after they were convicted of collaborating with the countrys arch-foe Israel on a plan to sabotage an Iranian defense site, according to the judiciary.

The four defendants, identified as Mohammad Faramarzi, Mohsen Mazloum, Wafa Azarbar, Pejman Fatehi, were arrested in July 2022 and accused of plotting to carry out out an operation against a Ministry of Defense centre in the central province of Isfahan, according to the judiciarys Mizan Online website.

The death sentence of four members of a group affiliated with the Zionist spy organisation, who were arrested for plotting a bombing operation in Isfahan, was carried out this morning, Mizan Online reported.

According to Iran, the men had been recruited by Mossad, Israels intelligence service, about a year and a half before the operation. They were sent to African countries for training courses in the military centres where Mossad officers were present, the judiciary added. The men were sentenced to death in September 2023.

In August 2023, Iran claimed to have foiled a very complex Mossad-initiated project to sabotage its ballistic missile industry. A few months earlier, in February, Teheran accused Israel of being responsible for a drone attack on a military site in Isfahan. The two countries have been engaged in a shadow war for decades, with Iran regularly accusing Israel and its ally the United States of inciting unrest.
Irans foreign minister was in Pakistan for talks Monday, as both nations sought to ease tensions after deadly cross-border strikes threatened the diplomatic relations between the two neighbours.

Pakistans foreign ministry shared pictures and video of Hossein Amir-Abdollahian arriving in Islamabad late Sunday, saying he would hold talks with his local counterpart Jalil Abbas Jilani and call on caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar.

Earlier this month, Pakistan launched air strikes on what it called militant targets in Iran, two days after similar Iranian strikes on its territory. The tit-for-tat raids in the porous border region of Balochistan stoked regional tensions already inflamed by the Israel-Hamas war.

Foreign Minister of Iran @Amirabdolahian has arrived in Islamabad at the invitation of Foreign Minister @JalilJilani. He was received at the Nur Khan airbase by Additional Foreign Secretary (Afghanistan and West Asia) @RahimHayat.During the visit, Foreign Minister Abdollahian pic.twitter.com/97dNxXwmxE  Spokesperson MoFA (@ForeignOfficePk) January 28, 2024

Read More: An Attempt to Spoil Relations: Pak Foreign Minister after Gunmen Kill 9 Near Irans Border Area

On Saturday, gunmen in southeastern Irans Sistan-Balochistan province killed nine people, with Islamabads ambassador identifying them as Pakistanis. Pakistan Foriegn Minister on Saturday expressed grief over the killing of nine Pakistani nationals by gunmen in southeastern Iran. 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, he wrote on social media platform X.

Sistan-Balochistan is one of the few mainly Sunni Muslim provinces in Shiite-dominated Iran. It has seen persistent unrest involving cross-border drug-smuggling gangs and rebels from the Baluch ethnic minority. The initial Iranian strikes, which Pakistan said killed at least two children, prompted Islamabad to recall its ambassador from Tehran and blocked Irans envoy from returning to his post. Tehran also summoned Islamabads charge daffaires over Pakistans strikes, which left at least nine people dead. The two countries, however, have since resumed diplomatic missions.

(With agency inputs)
Under pressure from the Biden administration, the Israeli war cabinet has approved a UN delegations visit to northern Gaza to assess the situation and map the residents needs, Israeli media reports said. However, there are no details on when the visit will take place.

US State Secretary Antony Blinken earlier this month said that Israeli leaders had agreed to facilitate the visit, The Times of Israel reported. But Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has conditioned the visit on the UN team first touring Israeli communities ravaged during the Oct 7 attack, Israels Ynet news website reported.

We will settle

It was insisted that the visit must not imply an intention to return Gazans to the Strips north and is contingent on having a US official join the UN delegation. This comes as 12 Israeli ministers and 15 coalition lawmakers on Sunday pledged to rebuild Jewish Israel settlements in the heart of the Gaza Strip and encourage the emigration of the Palestinians after the war. God willing, we will settle and we will be victorious, said Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, the leader of the ultranationalist Religious Zionism party.

On Sunday, Israel said significant gaps remain after cease-fire talks with the US, Qatar and Egypt but called them constructive and said they would continue in the week ahead. The Associated Press reported that it is a tentative sign of progress on a potential deal that could see Israel pause military operations against Hamas in exchange for the release of remaining hostages.

The 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 people. Israel says its air and ground offensive has killed more than 9,000 militants. The October 7 Hamas attack in southern Israel killed about 1,200 people, and militants took about 250 hostages.

With Gazas 2.3 million people in a deepening crisis, the United Nations secretary-general called on the US and others to resume funding the main agency providing aid to the besieged territory, after Israel accused a dozen employees of taking part in the Hamas attack that ignited the war. The US announced its first military deaths in the region since the war began and blamed Iran-backed militants for the drone strike in Jordan that killed three American service members. Tehran has rejected the allegations.

(With agency inputs)
President Joe Biden faced mounting political pressure Monday to retaliate against Iran for a deadly drone strike on US troops, posing a major challenge for the Democrat in an election year.

Striking Iran would dramatically escalate the risk of the wider war Biden says hes trying to avoid  not to mention the possibility of more US caskets coming home in the months before polls open.

But with Republicans urging the 81-year-old to hit Iran, Biden can ill afford to portray weakness against Tehran as he struggles with low approval ratings ahead of a likely rematch with Donald Trump.

Hes under tremendous pressure  the administrations in a kind of a lose-lose situation, Colin Clarke, research director at the Soufan Center in New York, told AFP.

I think hes going to get hammered by people saying hes weak and hes going get hammered by people saying hes going too far. So its damned if you do, damned if you dont.

The White House on Monday promised a very consequential answer to the attack on a base in Jordan on Sunday that killed three US troops, the first to die in hostile action since the start of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7.

Biden himself said we shall respond during a campaign event at a church in South Carolina, one of a series hes held in recent days as he seeks to kickstart his bid for a second term.

Iran has denied any link to the attack, which Biden blamed on Iran-backed militias.

But the issue has become a political weapon for Republicans  and Trump in particular, as he seeks a return to the White House in Novembers election and vengeance for his 2020 loss to Biden.

Hit Iran now

Trump described the deaths as a consequence of Joe Bidens weakness and surrender  focusing on a deal the Biden administration made with Iran last year to free US captives in exchange for freeing $6 billion in Iranian funds.

The former president could also point to the fact that he had personally ordered the US strike that killed Iranian Revolutionary Guards general Qasem Soleimani four years ago.

Other Republicans also gave notice they would use Iran as a test case of Bidens strength ahead of elections.

Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said that Iran now wore American blood as a badge of honor.

The entire world now watches for signs that the President is finally prepared to exercise American strength to compel Iran to change its behavior. Our enemies are emboldened, McConnell said.

Others were even more uncompromising.

Hit Iran now. Hit them hard, Lindsey Graham, the top Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee and a leading hawk, said in a statement.

The dilemmas facing Biden are huge though.

Direct strikes on Iranian territory would be a giant escalation, but even lesser action against Tehrans proxies could fuel the fires of conflict, while destabilizing efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza.

Further involvement would undermine Bidens prized policy of extracting America from its forever wars in the Middle East  even if the chaotic US withdrawal from Afghanistan on his watch led to a Taliban takeover.

And for all his criticism of Biden, Trump was careful not to call for strikes on Iran  as his America First foreign policy has long called for the United States to get out of its foreign conflicts.

Theres a domestic political risk, which is Biden alienates part of his base progressives, anti-war folks, and at the same time, opens himself up to accusations of wag-the-dog, said Clarke, referring to a movie in which a US president starts a war to distract from political issues at home.

So I think its a really difficult situation.
The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), which holds a majority in the Parliament, has gathered enough signatures to submit a motion to impeach President Mohamed Muizzu, local media reported on Monday.

The MDP, in partnership with the other opposition party The Democrats, has gathered enough signatures for an impeachment motion, one of the lawmakers from MDP told SunOnline outlet.

According to the Maldivian Constitution, the removal of the Maldivian President requires a resolution submitted by one-third of Majlis members, stating the reasons for removal.

The resolution must then receive the support of two-thirds of the total membership of the Majlis. The president can be impeached with 54 votes.

However, the opposition parties have yet to submit the motion. This comes a day after clashes broke out in Maldives Parliament between pro-government MPs and opposition lawmakers over differences over the approval of four members of pro-China Muizzus cabinet. A video of the brawl is making rounds on the internet.

Maldives Parliament witnesses ruckus. Govt MP Shaheem gets a beating, as fellow MPs intervene to stop it. https://t.co/yzV2AHLVo1 pic.twitter.com/Bt4HNvyq6E Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) January 28, 2024

Brawl in Parliament

On Sunday, the main opposition MDP decided to withhold parliamentary approval for four members of the Presidents cabinet ahead of the voting on the cabinet. The decision of the opposition MDP and The Democrats parliamentary group not to approve some members of President Muizzus cabinet, has led to the ruling party Progressive Party of Maldives and Peoples National Congress (PPM/PNC) coalition affiliated parliamentarians to disrupt parliament proceedings.

MDP, which has a majority in parliament, has decided not to vote to approve Attorney General Ahmed Usham, Minister of Housing, Land and Urban Development Dr. Ali Haidar, Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, and Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mohamed Saeed. The Ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and the Peoples National Congress (PNC) coalition have said that denying parliamentary approval to President Muizzus cabinet will be tantamount to obstructing the services the government gives to citizens.

Meanwhile, the ruling PPM-PNC coalition has filed no-confidence motions against the Parliaments Speaker Mohamed Aslam and Deputy Speaker Ahmed Saleem, Sun.mv news website reported. The no-confidence motion stems from the stalled cabinet approval. The coalition has accused Speaker Aslam of misusing his official capacity to complement the interests of a certain party.

After assuming the Presidency of Maldives on year November, Muizzu, who is regarded as a pro-China leader, formally requested India to withdraw its military personnel from his country, saying the Maldivian people have given him a strong mandate to make this request to New Delhi. He also went on to upgrade Maldives ties with China.

(With agency inputs)
Is it game over for newly-elected Maldivian President, Mohamed Muizzu? It will not be immediately clear but opposition members of the Maldivian parliament from the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), which holds a majority in the Parliament, claimed to have gathered enough signatures to submit a motion to impeach him on Monday.

The decision to impeach the Maldivian President, who has had a rough start to his presidency since assuming office in November last year, came after members of the Majlis (the Maldivian parliament) clashed over differences over the approval of four members of Muizzus cabinet.

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The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and The Democrats parliamentary group decided to withhold parliamentary approval for four members of President Muizzus cabinet ahead of the voting, the pro-government MPs from the ruling party Progressive Party of Maldives and Peoples National Congress (PPM/PNC) coalition initiated a protest. This led to a brawl inside the parliament which went viral on social media.

Heavy police arrangements were made to tighten the security in the Maldivian parliament ahead of Mondays session.

The Majlis on Monday finally approved 19 ministers in President Muizzus Cabinet but rejected the approval of Attorney General Ahmed Usham, Islamic Affairs Minister Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed and housing minister Ali Haidhar. Finance Minister Mohamed Saeed narrowly survived the same fate.

Some of the MDP MPs defected at the time of voting to clear the names for Cabinet Portfolios due to which the Economic Minister sailed through but the Islamic Minister, Housing Minister and Attorney General got blocked by opposition parties.

However, President Muizzu re-appointed them for the same portfolios.

Sitting MDP MP told News18, Muizzu may bribe MPs the way he did last time to save his chair. She also said her party MPs and she was harassed but cops and marshalls did not take any action against MPs from Muizzus party.

What Do The Numbers Say

The removal of the Maldives President, according to the Maldivian Constitution, involves submitting a resolution with reasons by one-third of the Maldivian parliament. The resolution must then get backing from two-thirds of the total Majlis.

The opposition party, Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), holds the majority presenting a challenge to the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives and Peoples National Congress (PPM/PNC) coalition.

The size of the Majlis is 87 and it is currently composed of 80 members.

The MDP and the Democrats have 56 MPs and have signed the impeachment motion. The required number of signatures needed to move the impeachment motion is 54 and 56 have given their consent to move the motion but have not submitted it yet, according to a report by Maldivian news outlet Sun.

If these MPs decide to submit the motion, President Mohamed Muizzu will be allotted 14 days time to come up with an answer. On the 14th day, he will be given one hour to defend himself in the Maldivian parliament.

After the session, voting will take place and if 54 MPs cast votes in favour of impeaching the president, then Muizzu may have to step down from office.

In the event of an impeachment, the vice president of Maldives, as per the Constitution, will take over the office.

Prestige Battle

During the voting to clear names for the cabinet portfolios, some MDP MPs defected, allowing the finance minister Mohamed Saeed to pass while blocking housing minister Ali Haidar Ahmed, Islamic minister Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, and attorney general Ahmed Usham. These three were then reappointed to their respective ministries and retook the oath of office during a ceremony held at the Presidents Office on Monday evening.

This signals that President Muizzu has turned it into a prestige battle.

People familiar with the developments said that a special sitting of the Majlis was ordered on February 1 and the presidential address has been scheduled for February 5 amid ongoing political tensions in Maldives.

A sitting MDP MP voiced concerns about Muizzus attempts to bribe certain MPs, which he did before to retain power. The MP also alleged the MPs from her party as well as herself faced harassment but cops and marshalls did not take any action against MPs from Muizzus party.
In an apparent reference to Taliban-led Afghanistan, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian on Monday said there was no doubt that militants located in the border areas of Pakistan and Iran were led and supported by third countries, days after the two neighbours conducted tit-for-tat military strikes at alleged terrorist bases in both countries.

Abdolahian arrived in Pakistan late Sunday night to de-escalate the tension between the two nations following the military strikes conducted earlier this month. In a joint press conference along with Pakistan Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani, Abdollahian said, There is no doubt that the terrorists located in the common border regions and areas of Iran and Pakistan are led and supported by third countries and they never favour any good action in line with the benefits of the Iranian and Pakistani governments and nations. He, however, did not name any nation.

On his part, Jilani said Pakistan and Iran have agreed to establish a high-level constructive mechanism at the level of foreign ministers of the two countries. Both the nations have agreed to cooperate to fight terrorism in our respective areas, he said, emphasising the need to allay and address each others concerns.

Jilani said the threat of terrorism posed a common challenge to both countries, and, therefore, Islamabad and Tehran have agreed to adopt collaborative approaches to confront this menace to leverage the robust institutional mechanism. He said the two sides have agreed to station liaison officers at the Iranian cities of Turbat and Zahedan and an agreement is already in place at the earliest date.

He said Abdolahians visit to Pakistan at such short notice testified to the deep commitment on both sides to solidify ties with each other. Taking to X, the Foreign Office said Jilani and Abdollahian have underscored the importance of robust dialogue and cooperation as the pathway for a positive, forward-oriented and upward trajectory in bilateral relations.

The two sides agreed to work towards promoting the mutually desired goals of peace and prosperity, based on mutual respect and a collective approach to address common challenges, it said. Abdolahians visit comes after Iran and Pakistan narrowly avoided an armed conflict after Iran unilaterally targeted alleged sites of militants inside the Pakistan border area of Punjgur. However, the situation was saved when Tehran restrained itself from retaliating after Islamabad launched retaliatory strikes in response to its action.

Earlier this month, Pakistan conducted precision military strikes against what it called terrorist hideouts in Irans Sistan-Baluchistan province that killed nine people. The attack was seen as retaliation to Iranian missile and drone attacks which targeted two bases of the Sunni Baloch militant group Jaish al-Adl in Pakistans unruly Balochistan province. Though the ties have improved since the spat, terrorists killed nine Pakistani labourers in Sistan-Baluchistan province of Iran on Saturday, fuelling fresh concerns.
The states Office of Emergency Medical Services owes $33 million to Virginias EMS providers, state health leaders said Friday, revealing the total cost of the offices financial crisis for the first time.

The office misused money for years, and it is unclear where it went. The Office of the State Inspector General and law enforcement agencies are reviewing suspected fraudulent activity, state health commissioner Dr. Karen Shelton told legislators on Friday. The Office of EMS pays for ambulances, equipment and the nonprofits that train and coordinate first responders.

After investigating for more than six months, the Virginia Department of Health believes it has reached the bottom of the problem, said R. Christopher Lindsay, chief operating officer of the VDH.

In the spring, during a routine audit, the health department discovered money was missing at the Office of EMS. The department conducted an audit and discovered financial irregularities for years. Money was moved from one account to another to cover shortfalls, services were provided without funding, contracts were overspent, and there was little to no oversight from the VDH, according to a health department document made public Friday.

The staff determined there was potential fraudulent activity, and the Office of the Inspector General and the Virginia State Police were notified. The U.S. Attorneys Office also investigated. On Friday, Lindsay declined to comment on the investigations.

Department leaders found a new problem seemingly every day, Lindsay said. But now they believe every stone has been turned  the office spent $33 million above available revenue, and it owes that money to Virginia localities, hospitals, EMS councils and others.

Every time Virginia residents register a vehicle, they pay about $6 to the Office of EMS. The program is still known as 4 for Life even though the amount of money allocated has increased.

That money is expected to total $56 million in revenue this fiscal year. When properly divvied up, about $8 million goes to localities to pay for EMS services, $10 million funds a grant program for ambulances and equipment, an additional $8 million goes to hospital trauma centers, and about $9 million pays the Office of EMS staff, the nonprofit councils and other business costs. Another batch is returned to the general fund.

Fixing the problem

To pay some of its debts, the health department diverted $8 million that it did not spend in fiscal 2023 that would have gone back to the general fund.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin also proposed diverting $13 million in fiscal 2024 and another $13 million in fiscal 2025. Legislators would still have to approve those decisions.

The office recently allocated $4 million to the nonprofit councils and $5 million to localities, but that does not cover every bill. The office still owes them about $300,000.

The health department plans to pay back the hospital trauma centers that are owed money, as a portion of their funds were misappropriated.

To save money, the VDH eliminated nonessential travel, sold a fleet of vehicles deemed unnecessary and canceled a statewide symposium. Other cuts will affect EMS agencies.

EMS agencies can apply for money to pay for ambulances and other equipment, but the state will not fund the current grant cycle. The Office of EMS still has to pay out old grants that were already awarded.

Leaders at two local volunteer rescue squads, Tuckahoe in Henrico County and Forest View in Chesterfield County, said they usually do not win those grants anyway and have to pay for ambulances and equipment through fundraising.

The state hopes to begin offering grant money again next year.

Nonprofits avoid closure

There are 11 nonprofit councils, employing about 55 full-time equivalent workers, that train and coordinate EMS agencies across the state.

Some of those organizations nearly had to close but were able to make payroll and stay open, said Tracey McLaurin, who leads the Lord Fairfax EMS Council in Winchester.

In December, the state owed Lord Fairfax $175,000 for nine months work. McLaurin received some money last month and was told she should get more next week.

McLaurin said she is cautiously optimistic the situation will get fixed, but that the system needs improvement.

To address longstanding problems, the health department formed a work group and hired a consulting firm, Fitch and Associates, which will earn about $360,000 for six months work. The firm is looking at where the offices money comes from, how it is spent and what the law requires.
The Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has launched a new wing named Istrna which is composed of highly-trained, well-equipped and ferocious militants which will specifically target Punjab provinces law enforcement and army officials stationed there.

Pakistani officials suspect that the new faction has connections with a terrorist group based in a neighbouring country. The developments were first reported by Pakistan-based news outlet the Dawn.

Three checkposts in Dera Ghazi Khan named Lakhani, Jhangi and Triman which are located in areas populated by tribal communities have become vulnerable because of the new wing. The new threat has forced armed forces and civilian agencies to develop a strategy to combat the new wing. The new wing has already begun deadly attacks on law enforcement officials in Dera Ismail Khan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

The group has also threatened the local tribal population in the area. The group was initially composed of 10 to 12 terrorists but has now increased its strength to 50. It now aims to rope in members of the notorious Ladi criminal gang in Kutcha area and has sought their help to target police check posts.

TTPs new wing also used some local hostages as human shields to enter the Dera Ghazi Khan territory and entered the Dera Ghazi Khan territory to carry out an attack on the Jhangi border post of Vohawa police station in Taunsa Circle last week.

The police were caught off-guard by the group.

Some members of the tribal community from the region have been accused of providing food supplies to these terrorists.

The Pakistan Army has increased its presence in the Dera Ismail Khans troubled areas to counter the TTP wing while also combatting Baloch separatists in the region. An official from the Punjab Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), Wasim Sial, said the attack on Jhangi checkpost has exposed the weakness of the local police and the terrorists appear to be better equipped and are armed with modern weapons. They are trying to procure new Armoured Personnel Carrier (APCs) to replace the old ones for safe transportation of policemen to the combat zones and check infiltration attempts.
Israel finance minister Bezalel Smotrich and home minister Itamar Ben-Gvir on Sunday night along with 15 coalition lawmakers pledged to rebuild Israeli settlements in the Gaza Strip. Some of these lawmakers also called for the emigration of the Palestinian population after the Israel-Hamas war.

A report by the Times of Israel said that there was a carnival-like atmosphere at the Jerusalem International Convention Center with attendees dancing in jubilation in the hopes that Israeli settlers would control the blockaded coastal enclave. God willing, we will settle and we will be victorious, finance minister Smotrich was quoted as saying by the newspaper.

Time to return home to Gush Katif, Itamar Ben-Gvir, the home minister said, using the name of the Israeli settlement bloc in Gaza which was evacuated after Israeli troops left in 2005 post disengagement process.

We need to return home, to rule the territory, and yes, also to offer a moral and logical solution to the humanitarian problem: encourage emigration and [pass a] death penalty law [for terror convicts], he further added.

The two ministers and six coalition members of the Israeli Knesset (the Israeli parliament) also signed the Covenant of Victory and Renewal of Settlement pledging to set up Jewish settlements full of life in the Gaza Strip.

Israeli communications minister Shlomo Karhi of Netanyahus ruling Likud Party was also present there and called for encouraging voluntary emigration of Palestinians.

The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not attend the conference and has maintained since the onset of the Israel-Hamas war as well as on Saturday night that he opposes resettling Gaza and that this wasnt an accepted government policy.

He also said that he remains opposed to the revived Jewish settlement in Gaza but said ministers are free to speak their minds.

The event drew criticism from many Israelis on social media who were angered seeing government and coalition ministers gleefully dancing while the Israel-Hamas war raged on and 136 hostages still remained in captivity.

The event was organised by the Nachala settlement activist group and the West Banks Samaria Regional Council and its head Yossi Dagan. It called on the government to take advantage of the war and capitalise on the gains made by Israeli Defence Forces (IDF).
A top UN official arrived in Israel Monday to gather details over alleged sexual assault by Palestinian militants during Hamass October 7 attack, the Israeli foreign ministry said.

Pramila Patten, the UN envoy for sexual violence in conflict, arrived with a delegation and held several meetings on the first day of her trip.

Patten was invited by the foreign ministry so that she could receive an unmediated impression of the extent of the atrocities and then bring Hamass crimes to the attention of the proper international authorities, the ministry said in a statement.

During her trip Patten will meet survivors, witnesses and representatives of security forces to collect evidence of sexual violence committed against women and men during the attack, the ministry said.

Patten will also tour southern Israel where Hamas militants had unleashed their deadly attack that resulted in the deaths of around 1,140 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.

During the attack militants also seized around 250 hostages, of whom Israel says 132 remain in Gaza, including at least 28 believed to have been killed, after about 100 were released in a prisoner swap in November.

The visit was announced earlier this month by the United Nations, with the secretary-generals spokesman Stephane Dujarric saying Patten also intended to meet with recently released hostages.

Following the October 7 attack, Israel launched a relentless military campaign that has killed at least 26,637 people in the besieged Gaza Strip, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run territorys health ministry.

Israel has criticised the UN for not responding quickly enough to victims accounts of rape and sexual assault allegedly committed during Hamass incursion into Israel.

Pattens trip is intended to identify avenues for support, Dujarric said.

Accounts of sexual violence emerged from the Hamas attack but a scarcity of survivor testimonies and forensic evidence has made it difficult to assess their scale.
Details have emerged about the accusations made by Israel against the staff of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees allegedly involved in the deadly October 7 Hamas attack, according to media reports.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has fired 12 workers after this issue came to the forefront of the Gaza war. One UNRWA school counselor from Khan Younis in southern Gaza is accused of working with his son to abduct a woman from Israel, The New York Times reported, citing a dossier provided to the US government.

A social worker from Nuseirat, in central Gaza, is accused of helping to bring the body of a dead Israeli soldier to Gaza, as well as distributing ammunition and coordinating vehicles on the day of the attack, the report said. A third employee is described as taking part in the killing at a kibbutz where 97 people died on October 7, according to NYT.

The US dossier details the names, details and positions of the 12 people, and contends that 10 of the workers in question are members of Hamas while one belongs to Palestinian Islamic Jihad. The report said Israels intelligence is based on tracking the phones of six of the people, monitoring phone calls by others who allegedly discussed their involvement in the unprecedented attack, and text messages received by three others, including one ordering him to bring RPGs stored at his home.

The UN agency for Palestinian refugees 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 accused the agency of tolerating or even collaborating with Hamas and of perpetuating the Palestinian refugee crisis. The Israeli government has accused Hamas and other militant groups of siphoning off aid and using UN facilities for military purposes.

Read More: Im Shocked: Donors Suspend Funding to UN Agency in Gaza Amid Alleged Links to Hamas Attack

UNRWA denies those allegations and says it took swift action against the employees accused of taking part in the attack. The United States and eight other Western nations that together provided more than half of UNRWAs budget in 2022 suspended their funding to the agency. The head of the UN agency on Saturday said that decision will jeopardise its lifesaving programmes, urging them to reconsider. It was shocking to see the suspension of funds in reaction to allegations against a small group of staff, Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner-General, said in a statement.

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. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says 2 million Palestinians in Gaza, or 87% of the population, rely on UNRWA services that would be scaled back as soon as February if the money is not restored.

(With agency inputs)
The Biden administration is considering slowing or pausing the delivery of weapons to Israel in order to force the nation to slow down and de-escalate the war in Gaza, according to reports by US news media outlets NBC and The New York Post.

According to the reports, the US President Joe Bidens team has directed Pentagon officials to review the additional US weaponry that Israel has requested. It could be planning to use these requests for weapons to coax Israel to scale back its war on the Palestinian Gaza Strip.

The reports which cited three US officials claimed that the US is considering slowing the delivery of 155 mm artillery rounds and Joint Direct Attack Munitions to Israel. The latter has been used for precise strikes during the Gaza siege.

The White House claimed that there is no change in their Israel 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 supporting Israel in its fight against Hamas. We have done so since October 7, and will continue to. There has not been a change in our policy, White House National Security Council said in a statement.

Israel and Hamas are locked in a war after the latter launched an unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7, killing over 1,200 civilians and taking over 250 hostages. They have released some of the hostages but around 130 of them are still in Gaza and Israel is facing immense pressure internally to secure their release as uncertainty rises regarding their condition.

Israel is also facing international pressure to scale-down or halt their offensive in Gaza as the death toll from the war crossed the grim-milestone of 26,000. The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza said that two-thirds of those dead are women and children.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the Wall Street Journal that the agreed-upon goal between the two countries remains the same. We agree on the war aim of destroying Hamas. That doesnt mean we havent had differences of opinion, but we have worked to overcome them, Netanyahu was quoted as saying by the US-based newspaper.

It took the US and its allies nine months to defeat radical forces in Mosul. Mosul is smaller than Gaza and does not have the massive terror underground infrastructure. Were now in the fourth month, but weve had tough days, he further added.

He also accused senior Palestinian leaders for not giving peace a chance and said it is because of them peace will remain elusive. The problem is that the Palestinians dont want peace with Israel but peace without Israel. There has been a persistent opposition among Palestinian leaders to the very existence of the state of Israel, the Israeli Prime Minister said.
Three US troops were killed and over 30 wounded after a drone hit a military outpost in Jordan known as Tower 22.

President Joe Biden said that the United States will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner (of) our choosing.

Here is what is known about the little-known base:

Strategic location

The attack occurred at the logistics support base located at Tower 22 of the Jordanian Defense Network. It holds a strategically important location, in Jordan, at the most northeastern point where the countrys borders meet Syria and Iraq.

There are approximately 350 US Army and Air Force personnel deployed to the base, conducting a number of key support functions, including support to the coalition for the lasting defeat of ISIS, US Central Command said in a statement.

Tower 22 is near Al Tanf garrison, which is located across the border in Syria, and which houses a small number of US troops. Tanf had been key in the fight against Islamic State and has assumed a role as part of a US strategy to contain Irans military build-up in eastern Syria, according to Reuters.

The base is located close enough to US troops at Tanf that it could potentially help support them, while also potentially countering Iran-backed militants in the area and allowing troops to keep an eye on remnants of Islamic State in the region.

US military aide

US media reports say that Jordans army is one of the largest recipients of Washingtons foreign military financing. The kingdom has hundreds of US trainers and is one of the few regional allies that hold extensive exercises with US troops throughout the year.

Since the start of the Syrian conflict in 2011, Washington has spent hundreds of millions of dollars to help Amman set up an elaborate surveillance system known as the Border Security Programme to stem infiltration by militants from Syria and Iraq.

Whats Unclear

It is unclear what type of weapons are kept at the base, air defenses used, and what exactly went wrong. But US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said We will take all necessary actions to defend the United States, our troops, and our interests.

(With agency inputs)
Chinese President Xi Jinping has offered to break new ground to give a fillip to the China-France ties, days after French President Emmanuel Macrons 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. Macrons visit to India also coincided with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and France.

In his message on the occasion, Xi said As todays 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.

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 Indias 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 Macrons 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 Chinas rising military manoeuvring in the resource-rich region.
A bill seeking to extend state Line of Duty Act benefits to private police departments, a measure Nelson County officials have lobbied for since the killing of a Wintergreen officer last year, failed to advance out of the House of Delegates earlier this month.

House Bill 232 sought to allow roughly 123 officers on Virginia nonprivate college campuses and about 350 officers with private police departments to be eligible for benefits if killed in the line of duty. The bill was referred to a House public safety subcommittee that voted 4-2 Jan. 18 not to report it.

Jesse Rutherford, a member of the Nelson County Board of Supervisors, expressed disappointment with the vote in a video posted online. The Nelson board passed a resolution seeking to have the commonwealths line of duty law changed to include private police departments after the June 16 killing of Mark Christopher Chris Wagner II, a Wintergreen Police Department officer who was fatally shot responding that night to a violent attack.

Its a pretty simple ask, makes a lot of sense to us, Rutherford said.

The counties of Albemarle, Augusta, Amherst, Appomattox, Charlotte, Montgomery and Campbell as well as the cities of Staunton and Lynchburg were among the localities who joined the push for the Line of Duty Act extension.

Rutherford said he and Dennis Russell, chief of the Wintergreen Police Department, drove to Richmond on Jan. 18 to address the committee that ultimately killed the bill in the House.

The unthinkable happened, Rutherford said in his post. It failed.  It was very quickly realized that it died for the sake of party-line politics.

Rutherford said no reason was given during the meeting and there was no indication beforehand it would be voted down. He described the outcome as a necessary casualty and sad reality of the Richmond bureaucracy and politics driving the Virginia General Assembly.

Rutherford said that while the bill has lost a lot of steam, there is slight hope it can be taken up in the Senate. In the meantime, he urges residents to reach out to legislators to move it forward in the Senate.

We are hoping and praying it survives the Senate side and doesnt become a casualty of party politics there, he said.

The goal to help families of slain officers is a nonpartisan one, he added.

Our efforts here were not a red versus blue, it was not a liberal versus conservative  it just made sense, Rutherford said. We want to make sure those who are taking care of us, their families are taken care of so that when they go to sleep at night that they dont have to be concerned about where the mortgage payment is coming from or the electric bill or what the next meal is going to be for their family if they did die giving all of themselves.
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission is now 100 percent ready to deliver seamless by-elections on Saturday, with the distribution of ballot papers set to start today.

ZEC has printed 230 000 ballot papers for the National Assembly elections and 144 000 for the local authorities polls. The 552 polling stations will all be ready for use on election day. Command centres have been identified and made ready.

ZEC vice chairperson Ambassador Rodney Kiwa yesterday told The Herald that the electoral body was confidently ready to conduct free, transparent and credible by-elections.

Yes, we are 100 percent ready confidently for the by-elections on Saturday. Those who were successfully nominated will be on the ballot. Polling stations and command centres are also all in place. Distribution of ballot papers should start today or first thing tomorrow morning.

The training of election personnel will be completed by Wednesday, he said.

Ambassador Kiwa said ZEC was appealing to political parties as well as voters to remain peaceful and champion peace before, during and after the polls.

He said the negation of peace would defeat the whole purpose of holding the polls and democracy at large.

The bottom line is that we appeal to all participating political parties, individuals and voters to remain peaceful. I think that is what is most important because we can have all the other things in place in terms of materials but if we dont behave in a peaceful way it negates everything that we are trying to put in place and achieve.

So that is our biggest appeal, that lets just walk the peaceful road during this by-election, he said

ZEC was also encouraging observers to be accredited so they can inspect the polls. Accreditation is also going on well. In fact we encourage as many observers as possible to participate during the elections, he said.

The by-elections were necessitated after CCC secretary general Sengezo Tshabangu recalled three legislators and 20 councillors. While they all tried to file their papers at the Nomination Court as CCC members, they were barred from contesting under the CCC ticket by the High Court, although some chose to contest as independents.

Those barred from contesting in the polls on Saturday include former deputy spokesperson, Gift Ostallos Siziba who was legislator for Pelandaba-Tshabalala, former leader of the opposition in Parliament Amos Chibaya who was Mkoba North Member of Parliament and Stephen Chagwiza who was representing Goromonzi South.

Former Harare Mayor Ian Makone, who was Councillor for Ward 18 was among the 20 councillors to be removed from the ballot papers.

The 23 had successfully filed their nomination papers last month as CCC candidates despite their recalls after they ceased to be members of the opposition party.

Mr Tshabangu then challenged their nomination at the High Court, resulting in the ruling by Justice Pisirayi Kwenda removing the 23 from the ballot papers as CCC members.

They had defiantly filed their nomination papers under the CCC which had recalled them in the first place, defying an earlier order by the High Court that prohibited recalled MPs from running for office in by-elections under the opposition partys banner.

Meanwhile, ZEC chairperson Justice Priscilla Chigumba yesterday notified of vacancies among CCC party-list members of Senate and National Assembly following their recall in November last year.

Those recalled for Senate were Webster Maondera (Harare), Jameson Timba (Harare), Editor Matamisa (Mashonaland West), Vongai Tome (Harare) and Ralph Magunje (Mashonaland West).

Recalled members for the National Assembly were Mucharairwa Mugidho (Masvingo), Emma Muzondiwa (Midlands), Constance Chihota (Mashonaland East), Monica Mukwada (Manicaland), Sekai Mungani (Midlands), Linnet Mazingaidzo (Harare) and Dephine Gutsa (Mashonaland East).

The CCC will be able to nominate replacements for these recalled legislators. Herald
The words used by Harare lawyer Tendai Biti while insulting Mrs Tatiana Aleshina, are not expected to be used by senior lawyers like him, the State has said.

In his closing submissions, Deputy Prosecutor-General Mr Michael Reza submitted that Biti used disrespectful words to describe the assault victim.

He boasted in court that he has more than 30 years of experience in the legal field, (and) that he is a lawyer of repute. He used some of the most disrespectful words to describe the complainant, said Mr Reza.

Words which are not expected to be used by a lawyer of such seniority.

He further said Bitis attempt to paint himself as a knight in shining armour backfired spectacularly when he let loose the real reasons for assaulting Mrs Aleshina.

He said Biti conceded that he was appearing in other courts where he was representing his clients that are in conflict with the complainant.

Very clearly, he thoroughly disliked her personally because he identified her as a person who is standing between his clients and whatever it is that his clients hoped to achieve, said Mr Reza.

He also submitted that Biti, in the trial, had falsely accused Mrs Aleshina of having a hand in the appointment of Government functionaries and commissioners to run Harare City Council.

Some of the things she is alleged to have done were as far back as 2002 when there is no evidence that she was even in Zimbabwe, but the accused blamed her anyway, submitted the State.

It was further submitted that all three witnesses who testified against Biti corroborated their testimony, leaving the States case proved beyond reasonable doubt.

Mr Reza said the fact that Biti failed to bring even one witness, showed he committed the offence.

Biti is denying the offence and has challenged the assault by gesture charge, saying it was unconstitutional.

Biti is facing allegations of verbally assaulting Mrs Aleshina at the Harare Magistrates Court on November 30, 2020.

He is expected to submit his closing submissions on February 2 and the ruling will be delivered on February 15. Herald
A Maine man and his 4-year-old son were out for a walk near their Carmel home around 6:30am Friday when both of them fell through the ice on frozen Etna Pond. Kevin Howell, 51, got his son to safety and told him to go get his mother, NBC News reports. Katie Howell told the boy to stay home, while she called 911 and then ran the third of a mile to the pond herself, grabbing an anchor and rope on her way, USA Today reports. She secured the rope, but ended up falling into the pond as she tried to help her husband. A responding officer managed to get her to safety, but could not find her husband; divers found his body in the afternoon.
Former Prime Minister Alexander Stubb won the first round of Finland's presidential election on Sunday and will face ex-Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto, the runner-up, in a runoff next month. The vote centered on the Nordic nation's new role as a NATO front-line country with Russia and the security situation in Europe, the AP reports. With 99.8% of the votes counted, Stubb won the first round of the presidential election with 27.2% of the votes, while Haavisto had 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 Feb. 11 because none of the candidates received more than half of the votes. "Getting such a result together with the team is heartwarming. I am grateful and humbled by it," Stubb told reporters and supporters in an election party at a Helsinki restaurant, adding that he wasn't planning major changes in his campaign for the second round of voting. Stubb, 55, and Haavisto, 65, were the main contenders all along. About 4.5 million eligible voters picked a successor out of nine candidates to replace hugely popular President Sauli Niinisto, whose second six-year term expires in March. He wasn't eligible for reelection. Initial voter turnout was 74.9%.

Stubb represents the conservative National Coalition Party and headed the Finnish government in 2014-15, while veteran politician 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, per the AP, the president of Finland holds executive power in formulating foreign and security policy, particularly when dealing with countries outside the European Union such as the US, Russia, and China. The president also acts as supreme commander of the Finnish military. The main themes of the election were foreign and security issues like Finland's recent addition to NATO, policies toward Russia, and continued help for Ukraine both militarily and with humanitarian assistance.

(More Finland stories.)
Nancy Pelosi wants pro-Palestinian protesters calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war to be investigated by the FBI. During an interview on CNN Sunday, the former House speaker suggested (without evidence, as the New York Times notes) that some of the protesters could be Russian plants. "For them to call for a ceasefire is [Russian President Vladimir] Putin's message," Pelosi said. "Make no mistake, this is directly connected to what he would like to see. Same thing with Ukraine. It's about Putin's message. I think some of these protesters are spontaneous and organic and sincere. Some, I think, are connected to Russia."

Asked to clarify her position, she said, "I think some financing should be investigated. And I want to ask the FBI to investigate that." The national executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations decried Pelosi's comments, saying they illustrate "the negative impact of decades of dehumanization of the Palestinian people by those supporting Israeli apartheid." In a follow-up statement provided to CNN, a rep for Pelosi said the congresswoman is "informed by three decades on the House Intelligence Committee" and "acutely aware of how foreign adversaries meddle in American politics to sow division and impact our elections." Meanwhile, during a Sunday appearance on NBC, Pelosi's colleague Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said the protests show that "young people are appalled at the violence and the indiscriminate loss of life" in Gaza. (More Nancy Pelosi stories.)
Kaiser Permanente staffers in one California city maybe looking forward to heading outdoors for lunch have received a warning to avoid that, apparently due to local crime. KTVU reports that last month, the health care company sent out a memo advising employees in Oakland to remain inside the company's multiple office buildings during meal breaks, with the suggestion that they either bring food from home or arrange to have it delivered. The memo also asked Kaiser employees from out of the area not to set up meetings in the city's downtown area, recommending they hold such meetings online or in other locations.

The move seems to be in response to a series of recent street robberies and other incidents, giving some workers at Oakland's largest private employer pause on how they spend their lunch hour. "I'll eat and walk around, do a few laps but, after those memos, I'm a little hesitant," Kaiser employee Daniel Rabino tells CBS News. "There's a lot of break-ins in the garages over here, cars set on fire, windows broken." Others are pushing back at the warning, noting they don't want to cower inside their offices. "I'm not going to be too fearful to go out and get lunch," staffer Mario Figueroa says. Worker Elena Brewster adds, per KTVU: "I think it's overkill."

Area businesses are also peeved by the Kaiser memo, saying that lessened lunch-hour traffic will hurt their bottom line. "It is pretty slow as it is," the owner of a Mexican eatery tells KTVU, with the owner of a nearby coffee shop adding, "I don't think you want to ... give in to the bad elements that are running around. ... I think that if there are more people on the streets, there will be less incidences." CBS notes that other large companies, including Clorox and Blue Shield, have also made moves to help keep workers safe, including providing escorts to walk staffers to their vehicles and mass transit.

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In a statement to NBC Bay Area, Kaiser notes that "we continue to provide guidance to keep employees as safe as possible." Mayor Sheng Thao also released a statement, citing a decrease in property crime in 2023 and a commitment to "remain vigilant and work collaboratively to ensure this downward trend continues and that more resources are brought to the table." Oakland police say they'll boost the presence of officers locally, all while working with Kaiser to increase security overall. (More Kaiser Permanente stories.)
With protesters outside a full arena, bullfights resumed in Mexico City on Sunday after the country's highest court temporarily revoked a local ruling that sided with animal rights defenders and suspended the events for more than a year and a half, the AP reports. The resumption of bullfights in the Plaza Mexico, the largest bullfighting arena in the world, raised expectations of fans in the face of a lengthy legal battle between enthusiasts and opponents, who argue the practice violates animal welfare and affects people's rights to a healthy environment. Bullfighting is still allowed in much of Mexico. In the capital, the legal fight for its future is full of twists and turns.

The first bullfighter to enter the ring was the renowned Mexican matador Joselito Adame, with thousands of people cheering the return of "fiesta brava," as bullfighting is also known in Spanish. "Long live freedom," some shouted as the first bull entered an arena jammed with spectators. In all, six bulls were fought Sunday, and all were killed. Outside, hours before the formal beginning, about 300 people gathered in front of Plaza Mexico to protest against bullfights. Some activists yelled "Murderers!" and "The plaza is going to fall!" while others played drums or stood with signs reading "Bullfighting is sadism." Police with shields stood by. The protest was mainly peaceful, although there were some moments of tension when some activists threw plastic bottles and stones.

In May 2022, a local court ordered an end to bullfighting activities at Plaza Mexico in response to an injunction presented by the civil organization Justicia Justa, which defends human rights. But the activities were set to resume Sunday because the nation's Supreme Court of Justice in December revoked the suspension while the merits of the case are discussed and a decision is reached on whether bullfights affect animal welfare. Another civil organization filed an appeal Friday on animal welfare grounds in a last-ditch effort to prevent the activity from resuming, but no ruling came before Sunday's event.

(More bullfighting stories.)
A performer who appeared naked in a show by world-renowned performance artist Marina Abramovic at New York City's Museum of Modern Art is suing the museum, saying it failed to take action after he was sexually assaulted multiple times by attendees during the performances nearly 14 years ago, the AP reports. The suit was filed in Manhattan on Monday under the New York Adult Survivors Act, a special state law that created a yearslong suspension of the usual time limit for accusers to sue. Although the law expired last year, the suit says the parties agreed to extend the window closing. John Bonafede alleges in the suit that he was sexually assaulted by five public onlookers who attended a show he was hired by the museum to perform in as part of Abramovic's retrospective "The Artist Is Present."

Emails sent to the museum this week were not returned. Abramovic is not named as a defendant and did not immediately return a request for comment. The work, titled "Imponderabilia," saw Bonafede and another performer standing face-to-face with each other in a doorway about 18 inches apart, fully nude, silent, and still. The exhibition, which ran from March 14, 2010, through May 31, 2010, was curated by the museum in a way that encouraged visitors to pass in between the performers as they went from one gallery to the next, the suit alleges. Prior to the exhibition, the performers had voiced their concerns about nude performers being subject to harassment in a letter to the museum during contract negotiations, the suit said.

The people who assaulted Bonafede were mostly older men, the suit says. One of the perpetrators was a corporate member of the museum, who was ultimately kicked out and revoked of his membership, according to the suit. During the final weeks of the exhibition, another attendee non-consensually groped Bonafede's private areas three times before they were finally stopped by security, the suit said. Bonafede reported four of the individuals to the museum staff and security immediately, according to the suit, while the fifth was witnessed personally by the museum security staff. At one point, Bonafede also witnessed a public attendee sexually assault his female co-performer by kissing her on the mouth without her consent, the suit said.

(More Museum of Modern Art stories.)
At least 12 employees of a UN relief agency either took part in Hamas' October raid of Israel or helped its planning, reports the Wall Street Journal, citing Israeli intelligence reports. The accusations have rattled the UN Relief and Works Agency and caused the US and several other Western nations to suspend funding. Some of the details:

Allegations: Six UNRWA workers took part in the raid itself and participated in the killing and kidnapping, according to the intel reports. Others allegedly helped with the logistics of planning. The New York Times ticks off examples: "One is accused of kidnapping a woman. Another is said to have handed out ammunition. A third was described as taking part in the massacre at a kibbutz where 97 people died."
It was more than an accident of geography that compelled President Joe Biden to chopper across the Potomac River into Virginia this week for a staged-for-TV moment to spotlight abortion rights  post-Roe  as a major theme of his reelection campaign.

Virginia, carried by Biden in 2020 by 10 percentage points, is a swing state  and the only Southern state in which there are virtually no restrictions on terminating a pregnancy. And Democrats, having taken back the legislature this past November, want to keep it that way.

The significance of Bidens appearance with Vice President Kamala Harris  in effect, a joint launch of the anticipated rematch with Donald Trump  was elevated by the venue: the outer Washington, D.C., suburb of Prince William County, the second-largest locality in the state, where Democrats are ascendant and there are more people Black and Brown than White. These are distinctions it shares with Virginias largest locality and next-door neighbor, Fairfax County.

If you were looking for evidence that Biden  notwithstanding his lousy 37% approval rating here in the just-out Virginia Commonwealth University poll that also shows him slightly ahead of Trump  can still win this state, extending the Democratic presidential win streak that began in 2008, it was plainly visible on that riser in Manassas: Biden, Harris and their spouses were flanked by a multihued, youthful throng waving signs that blared Defend Choice.

And then there was the evidence you couldnt hear. That is the silence of Republicans on abortion rights. It spoke loud and clear on Bidens theme du jour.

Instead, Republicans  repudiated in the General Assembly elections for peddling as a purported compromise Gov. Glenn Youngkins proposal to ban most abortions after 15 weeks  took to social media to trash Biden as a doddering election denier for referring to Terry McAuliffe, the former governor narrowly defeated by Youngkin in 2021, as the real governor.

Even Youngkin, with a 54% approval rating  up a whopping 3.4% from his 50.6% margin over McAuliffe  got in on the pig pile, saying on X, formerly Twitter, Mr. President, Im right here.

But the governor still isnt getting it right on abortion  at least as measured by his failure to restore full Republican control of the legislature. All he had to do was flip two seats in the Virginia Senate and hold the House of Delegates. The Senate remained Democratic, albeit by a single seat. The House flipped from R to D.

That setback  described by one of his now-former Fox News cheerleaders as an epic failure  sunk any chance of a late splash by Youngkin for this years GOP presidential nomination.

Having spent more than $1 million on a television commercial depicting his abortion plan as a compassionate compromise and having woven the idea into his stump speech, Youngkin said  to use a Doug Wilder flourish the former governor typically utters, raising his voice a note  absolutely nothing about reproductive rights in his widely watched State of the Commonwealth address on the General Assemblys opening day about two weeks ago.

Perhaps Youngkin believes that if he doesnt talk about a troublesome topic, no one will notice. To the contrary, what a politician doesnt say can be more important than what he does say. On abortion, Democratic delegates and senators will have a lot to say. Youngkin will have to grin and bear it.

Thats because Democrats  in the legislative equivalent of stagecraft and in which Youngkin is largely helpless to interrupt  intend to play the abortion card for three years. Their goal is to carve into the Constitution of Virginia language guaranteeing the right to terminate a pregnancy. That would go beyond statutory protections now in place in 21 states and the District of Columbia. Twenty-six states have curtailed abortion rights.

To memorialize abortion protections in the state constitution requires the proposed amendment be approved without changes by two sessions of the General Assembly, with an intervening election for the House. After that, the measure would be put to the people for an up or down vote. Only then  and this assumes voter approval  would the abortion amendment become law.

The clock, however, would not start running until 2025. Democrats could bloviate to their hearts delight over abortion rights during that years legislative session and, again, during the House election in which they could use the issue to build out their now one-seat majority.

It would also be a gubernatorial election year, meaning higher turnout  perhaps providing a lift for Democratic candidates in suburban toss-up seats.

Among them: the Henrico-Goochland seat won last year by Republican Dave Owen over Susanna Gibson. She seemed done for following a published report in September that she raised money having sex online with her husband. But Gibson lost by just over 950 votes, closing stronger than expected, apparently on the strength of the abortion-rights message.

In 2026  after Youngkin leaves office  Democrats could thunder again on abortion, completing that second go-around for the proposed amendment. That fall, the amendment would go to the voters. But only after legislators pass the largely technical bill necessary to put the amendment on the ballot.

Such a bill would have to be signed by the governor, who would have the option of vetoing it, thus blocking ratification. But with Youngkin gone  and Democrats betting hell be succeeded by one of their own  the requisite paperwork could be completed without incident. Next would be the campaign for ratification, which for Democrats would not only be a self-congratulatory show but a chance to recruit voters, volunteers and activists.

Republicans would tell you Democrats practice one-note politics. And while there is something to that, it is accompanied by the grudging acknowledgment of Republicans that  since a U.S. Supreme Court with a conservative supermajority installed by Trump overturned Roe v. Wade in June 2022, ending federal abortion protections after nearly a half-century  abortion rights is a powerful magnet for the votes of young Virginians and suburbanites, especially women.

Indeed, the sense of threat loosened by that ruling is further illustrated by Virginias new status as a sanctuary, of sorts, where women  increasingly, many from states that have sharply restricted abortion  can still safely end a pregnancy. That women are fleeing to Virginia for abortions is borne out by climbing numbers. According to the Society of Family Planning, an advocate for abortion rights, the number of abortions in Virginia between April 2022 and June 2023 increased in all but three months.

Abortion opponents, no doubt, see that as a grim distinction for Virginia.

But its one theyll have to endure, not appreciating that their resistance to abortion rights  in a blue-trending, suburban-dominated state in which the majority of residents are women and non-natives  is mobilizing the wrong voters.
Now that Kaitlin Armstrong is serving a 90-year sentence for murdering another woman, authorities have revealed how they caught her when she went on the run. It all came down to a yoga ad, they told CBS' 48 Hours on Friday. US marshals had tracked Armstrongthen sought as a suspect in the murder of 25-year-old pro cyclist Anna Moriah Wilsonto a tourist beach town in Costa Rica but soon hit a dead end. They knew Armstrong worked as a yoga instructor in the US and was probably short on money, so "we decided we were gonna put an ad out for a yoga instructor and see what would happen," Deputy US Marshal Emir Perez told the show, per the Washington Post.
Plenty of theories have come and gone about where Amelia Earhart's plane crashed, but a new one seems to have more credibility than most. A former US Air Force intelligence officer is pretty sure he's found Earhart's Lockheed 10-E Electra on the floor of the ocean, reports NBC News . Tony Romeo, CEO of Deep Sea Vision, says one of his underwater drones captured sonar data that appears to reveal a plane-shaped blobsee it here in the ocean about 100 miles from Howland Island between Australia and Hawaii.

"Well you'd be hard pressed to convince me that's anything but an aircraft, for one, and two, that it's not Amelia's aircraft," he told the Today show. The location is in sync with Earhart's flight route, Dorothy Cochrane of the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum tells the Wall Street Journal. Outside sonar experts also say it's intriguing enough to investigate further.

Romeo, a commercial real-estate investor who funded his own $11 million exploration, plans to do just that. He and his team plan to return to the site later this year with a remote operated vehicle to get better images of the object, which rests about 16,000 feet underwater. Earhart and navigator Fred Noonan vanished in 1937 en route to Howland Island, and Romeo hopes to solve one of aviation's greatest mysteries. "For her to go missing was just unthinkable," he says. "Imagine Taylor Swift just disappearing today." (More Amelia Earhart stories.)
The Honolulu Fire Department says it received a 911 call Sunday from a man who said he was "hanging from a cliff." The HFD says a rescue helicopter brought the hiker to safety around an hour after they received the call at 1pm Sunday, the Sacramento Bee reports. Rescuers used the man's cell phone signal to find him near the Maunawili Trail above Pali Highway, around 10 miles northeast of Honolulu, the department says. He was apparently uninjured and declined medical care.

In another dramatic Hawaii rescue recently, a dog helped the HFD find an injured woman. Hikers called 911 after spotting the dog, without an owner, barking on a steep slope on the Lanipo Trail, the department said in a news release. After a helicopter brought the dog to safety, authorities were unable to reach the person whose name was on the dog's collar. After they discovered that her car was at the trailhead, they found the 35-year-old woman under thick foliage around 170 feet below where her dog was found. She was airlifted out in a rescue stretcher after receiving medical treatment. (Last month, the department rescued a man who had fallen 1,000 feet from a cliff on another trail.)
Rep. Lauren Boebert switched districts because she was facing a tough reelection fight in Colorado's 3rd Districtbut a straw poll suggests she won't have an easy ride in the state's 4th District, where she has entered the GOP primary to replace retiring Rep. Ken Buck. Colorado Politics reports that there were "gasps from the crowd" Thursday night when Boebert finished fifth in the poll after a primary debate in Fort Lupton. Out of 117 votes cast, Boebert received 12, behind three current and former state lawmakers and Deborah Flora, a filmmaker and conservative radio host. Logan County Commissioner Jerry Sonnenberg, who has served in the state House and Senate, came in first with 22 votes.

The poll didn't include candidates who didn't take part in the debate, the Hill reports. Boebert's loss was shrugged off by some who noted that the hall "was filled with local Republicans loyal to other candidates," Colorado Politics notes. During the debate, Boebert rejected suggestions she was a carpetbagger, saying she had already moved to the district. She said she didn't expect a "coronation" and would work to earn voters' support.

Democratic political strategist Andy Boia said the result shows that Colorado voters "take exception to those who wreak havoc and nonsense," the Denver Post reports. GOP political strategist Sandra Hagen Solin said it will be an uphill climb for Boebert to attract voters who respect those who have already served in the district. "She will need to overcome that hurdle with the broader primary voter base but she still benefits from her high name recognition and 10 candidates that will split the vote in a plurality-wins race," Solin said. (More Lauren Boebert stories.)
This file has been updated with photos and information about the soldiers killed.

The three American soldiers killed at a base in Jordan over the weekend were all from Georgia, based at that state's Fort Moore. They belonged to an Army reserve engineering unit and were in their housing units at the Tower 22 outpost when a drone struck, the Washington Post reports. Three US personnel were taken to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, a US military facility in Germany, for treatment. Authorities said Sunday night that at least 34 troops were injured. Pentagon deputy press Secretary Sabrina Singh said Monday that the number had risen to more than 40, CBS News reports. Officials said eight soldiers were evacuated, some in critical condition.
Wilson said this will become a lot harder over time with the new Firearms Registry, which doesn't yet have dealer stock registered on it.

This is why having a Registry is so critical to keep firearms out of the hands of criminals and gangs, according to Wilson.

"It will help police reduce the flow of lawfully held firearms to the illegal market," he said.

Wilson said when the Registry is fully rolled out, it will allow police to trace where criminals have obtained their firearms from.

"Prior to the Registry, a licence holder could sell their firearms to another licence holder but was not required to produce a record of who they sold the firearms to - meaning the firearm was untraceable," Wilson said.

"That has been a significant barrier for police to be able to investigate and charge those individuals supplying criminals and gangs with guns. The Firearms Registry closes that loophole and ultimately will make the availability of firearms to the black market more difficult for criminals and gangs."
Story by RNZ

Some Wellington City Council projects could be delayed to help fix the capital's leaking water pipes, the mayor says.

Wellington mayor Tory Whanau met the local government minister Simeon Brown about the city's troubled water network on Monday and said central and local government need to work together.

Whanau said the meeting was "very constructive and positive".

But she told Midday Report she was open to some council plans being put on hold to pay for the work on the water pipes.

"That is all on the table now especially noting the seriousness and how much the minister wants to prioritise this.

"We have a workshop on the 31st before council to go through not only water but some LTP [Long-Term Plan] briefings as well. We will be looking at projects and seeing what might be able to be delayed."

Whanau said in the short term, they were working to fix the pipes and leaks to avoid a repeat of the current issues next summer.

"But the solution for water infrastructure, it unfortunately is long term. I think what the public needs to realise is that it's actually going to take decades to fix the state of our pipes, and that will take the government and all of our local councils working together."

Discussions with the minister included leaky pipes that have contributed to the Hutt Valley, Wellington and Porirua preparing for an acute water shortage this summer.

She said there needed to be a look at financing tools to get the cost of pipes off their books so that they can also focus on other projects in the LTP.

At present, Wellington is in level 2 water restrictions with a move to more severe restrictions being considered, while at the same time, over 40 percent of of the city's drinking water is being lost through leaks.

Whanau said she felt she and Brown were on the same page when it came to the water infrastructure.

She said while the meeting was "a general catch up about water infrastructure", she said they did talk about how the government could help support that.

"Things we still need to work on is what reform might look like."

Whanau said she reiterated a commitment to water infrastructure by reminding him the council had invested $110 million this financial year and would boost that in the Long Term Plan.

She said they also showed a commitment to water meters as one of the tools to conserve water.

"We are here very willing and enthusiastic to collaborate with both him and our regional stakeholders to address this issue," she said.

"We need to work together to figure out what that model will look like, so it is early days, but we do know that for every council, water infrastructure has to remain a top priority."

Following the meeting Brown said in a statement: "I met with Mayor Tory Whanau this morning to discuss the water situation facing Wellington. It was a positive meeting. She reiterated her commitment to provide the information requested by the first of February. I look forward to receiving the information."

The minister will meet with Upper Hutt Mayor Wayne Guppy on Monday afternoon.

RNZ
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Charged with sex crimes against a minor, a 52-year-old Albany man was sentenced to 16 years in prison.

In August, Roy Wayne Jenkins was charged with a number of sex crimes that carry significant minimum sentences under state law, including four counts of sexual abuse, two counts of sodomy, unlawful sexual penetration and attempted sodomy as well as a coercion charge  all felonies.

He was also charged with two misdemeanor counts each of private indecency and endangering the welfare of a minor. Court documents state the crimes occurred between 2020 and 2023 in Albany and involved a victim under the age of 12 years old.

Podcasts 'A Place to Sleep' podcast: Catch all the episodes here Our podcast, A Place to Sleep, explores how Oregon cities are responding to a new law that is meant to provide homeless individuals a place to rest.

In December, Jenkins pleaded no contest to three charges: two counts of felony first-degree sexual abuse, and a count of felony second-degree sodomy. He was sentenced to a total of 16 years on the convictions.

The remaining charges were dismissed under a plea agreement.

Interviewed at ABC House, a childrens advocacy center, the victim revealed Jenkins committed numerous sexual acts over the course of three years, according to a probable cause affidavit filed with Linn County Circuit Court, which notes Jenkins also exposed the victim to pornographic videos.

The victim told interviewers the sexual abuse began within days of the victim's 6th birthday, the affidavit states, adding the chronic nature of the abuse made it difficult to clarify each incident. At times, the abuse reportedly involved an object.

According to the affidavit, Jenkins threatened the victim not to tell anyone about the abuse or he would hurt the victim.

Jenkins was held at the Linn County Jail on $500,000 bail after his arrest. Following sentencing, he was transferred to the Coffee Creek Correctional Facility in Wilsonville, according to the Oregon Department of Corrections.
Vietnams Ministry of Information and Communications has reportedly urged the countrys telcos to find new growth opportunities in digital as the sectors growth continued to slow down in 2023.

According to the Vietnam Economic Times, Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung said in an interview that the growth of telecoms operators has not kept pace overall with the countrys GDP growth.

While Vietnams GDP growth in 2023 was just over 5%  missing government targets and down from 8% the previous year  Hung said that Viettels domestic telecoms business increased by 2-5% in the last few years, while VNPT has only seen 2-3% growth, and MobiFone 4-10%.

Hung said that he expects telcos to be growing their businesses between 5% and 10% per year.

Hung claimed the sluggish growth was due to a saturated telecoms market with core voice and SMS revenues being cannibalised by OTT services, while telcos have not yet found a suitable growth business to replace those revenue streams.

The minister urged telcos and digital technology businesses to throw their R&D efforts into developing digital applications for industries, which would also count under the governments Make-in-Vietnam policy.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa has issued directives to establish measures aimed at the development and safeguarding of Bahrain's marine resources, in addition to ensuring continued fish farming to meet the local markets needs.

These measures include the formulation of procedures to protect marine resources and recognise their significance as essential resources for citizens.

HM, the King, was speaking as he received His Highness Shaikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Khalifa, HM the Kings Personal Representative; His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, HM the Kings Representative for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs; H.E. Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Royal Court Minister; General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, H.E. Minister of Interior; and H.E. Dr. Mohammed bin Mubarak Bin Daina, Minister of Oil and Environment and Special Envoy for Climate Affairs.

His Majesty directed HH Shaikh Abdullah to set up measures for the development and protection of marine resources. HM King Hamad praised the efforts of the Supreme Council for Environment (SCE), in cooperation with various ministries and government entities, for the development of marine resources through a series of plans and programmes.

He emphasised Bahrains interest in improving food security by developing marine resources, ensuring sustainability, and protecting its resources. His Majesty underscored Bahrains focus on the development and sustainability of marine resources, considering them a national asset and one of the main elements of enhancing food security in the kingdom.

HH Shaikh Abdullah expressed his appreciation for HM the Kings continuous support of the SCE. He also commended the Ministry of Interiors efforts, particularly those of the Coast Guard, in protecting marine resources and enforcing legal measures against violations.
TORONTO, Jan. 29, 2024 /CNW/ - Municipal governments can help address the shortage of housing in Canada by simplifying their permitting processes, says the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) in its new report entitled Flushing out the nonsense . The report was released today as part of CFIB's 15th annual Red Tape Awareness Week.

Canada is facing a housing shortage, and reducing red tape around building is one way to help combat it.

"Canada's housing shortage has come to the point where buying a home in Canada is getting out of reach for most Canadians. This also makes it more challenging for small employers who struggle to attract employees in many cities across the country, as those employees cannot find affordable housing. Municipalities across Canada can do more to help address it," said Duncan Robertson, senior policy analyst at CFIB and co-author of the report. "Making municipal permitting processes simpler and less costly is one important step in addressing Canada's housing challenges."

The new CFIB report analyzed what type of permits and costs are required for a $20,000 project to convert a simple powder room into a full bathroom in 12 major cities across Canada.

Out of 12 municipalities examined, Vancouver had the highest permitting costs, and along with Toronto, had the highest document requirements. They are also the cities with the highest home prices and greatest shortages. On average, seven additional documents are needed for a bathroom renovation project, with combined permitting costs ranging from $180 in Charlottetown to $2,029 in Vancouver.

"If there are this many obstacles for a simple bathroom renovation, imagine how costly and time-consuming it is to permit a secondary suite, a complete renovation or a new build. Permitting costs and processes should be straightforward and affordable," said Francesca Basta, CFIB's research analyst and co-author of the report.

Leveraging best practices

Over half of small business owners in the construction sector find it difficult to obtain or renew permits and/or licenses. A strong majority of businesses (80%) also agree that governments of all levels should make it a high priority to review the necessity of all business permits and licenses.

To cut unnecessary red tape, CFIB recommends municipalities:

Review their existing permitting and approval processes.

Establish publicly available service standards for permit processing.

Simplify and even automate certain processes.

Provincial and federal governments should also do their part to address red tape in the housing market by:

Tying future funding for housing and infrastructure to requirements for a low administrative burden.

Ensuring reporting requirements are set provincially where permit processing service standards are provincial too.

Championing best practices.

Red Tape Challenge 2024

This year, CFIB is challenging every government in Canada (federal, provincial and municipal) to undertake two red tape reduction initiatives to help address the shortage of housing. For example, governments could look at addressing service standards, approval timelines or the burden of permit applications. The impact of these initiatives should be measured and reported in terms of time and/or money saved.

"Addressing Canada's housing challenge is a big job, but there's one simple, low-cost solution all levels of governments could capitalize on, and that's reducing red tape," Robertson concluded.

For more information on Red Tape Awareness Week, visit cfib.ca/redtape .

About CFIB

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is Canada's largest association of small and medium-sized businesses with 97,000 members across every industry and region. CFIB is dedicated to increasing business owners' chances of success by driving policy change at all levels of government, providing expert advice and tools, and negotiating exclusive savings. Learn more at cfib.ca.

SOURCE Canadian Federation of Independent Business

For further information: For media enquiries or interviews, please contact: Dariya Baiguzhiyeva, CFIB, 647-464-2814, [email protected]
World Wildlife Fund Canada launches #LessNoise campaign, calls on federal government to finally deliver underwater noise pollution plan

TORONTO, Jan. 29, 2024 /CNW/ - With Canada's oceans getting louder  causing increasing harm to marine species  the federal government initially committed to release the first draft of its Ocean Noise Strategy in summer 2021. Then by the end of 2022.

Now, as Parliament sits for the first time in 2024, WWF-Canada is urging them to not let another year go by without delivering a strong plan to protect whales, walrus and other sea life from underwater noise pollution.

Two humpback whales swimming to the surface.  Shutterstock / Seb c est bien / WWF (CNW Group/World Wildlife Fund Canada)

In the darkness of the underwater world, many species rely on sound to sense their environment, navigate, communicate, find food and mates, and avoid danger. The impacts of intensifying industrialization of the ocean  increasing ship traffic, deafening seismic blasts from oil and gas activities, port expansions and the roar of marine construction  are being documented across marine ecosystems.

Underwater noise pollution can disrupt normal behaviours, impair feeding, mask communication, interfere with echolocation, increase stress levels, and even contribute to fatal ship strikes and strandings of whales.

"Some parts of the ocean are more than 100 times louder than they would be naturally  and with human activity on the ocean continuing to intensify, Canada needs a strong plan to turn down the volume now," says Hussein Alidina, WWF-Canada's lead specialist for marine conservation.

"WWF-Canada is calling for not only the release of the delayed Ocean Noise Strategy, but for one strong enough to deliver meaningful, measurable and urgent action that whales and other species impacted by underwater noise pollution desperately need."

To hit the right note, Canada's Ocean Noise Strategy should:

Establish noise limits for activities we know have a negative effect on soundscapes, such as shipping and oil and gas exploration. They should be informed by biological limits (the volume different species are able to withstand without adverse impacts) and by local and Indigenous knowledge.

Take an area-based approach that includes noise reduction targets in regions that are already excessively loud and noise limits in rapidly developing areas, such as the Arctic. Canada should also prioritize safeguarding protected ocean areas and key habitats for at-risk species.

should also prioritize safeguarding protected ocean areas and key habitats for at-risk species. Incentivize the development and adoption of quieter technologies while immediately implementing operational measures that can reduce noise such as ship slowdowns in critical habitats.

Put in place regulations for ongoing monitoring of noise levels and enforcement of noise limits and reduction targets. Without teeth, it's unlikely Canada's Ocean Noise Strategy will help mitigate noise pollution.

How Canadians can help turn down the volume:

Concerned citizens can send an email to their federal MP and the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard with one click at wwf.ca/underwaternoise.

About World Wildlife Fund Canada WWF-Canada is committed to equitable and effective conservation actions that restore nature, reverse wildlife loss and fight climate change. We draw on scientific analysis and Indigenous guidance to ensure all our efforts connect to a single goal: a future where wildlife, nature and people thrive. For more information visit wwf.ca.

Notes to editors: Visit WWF-Canada's interactive website to explore what underwater noise pollution sounds like in different parts of the ocean.

A timeline of Canada's Ocean Noise Strategy commitments:

The Government of Canada first sought public input on a proposed framework for its Ocean Noise Strategy from Oct. 14, 2020  January 2021 . (Find our submission here).

first sought public input on a proposed framework for its Ocean Noise Strategy from  . (Find our submission here). At that time, the federal government said to expect: "the development of a draft Ocean Noise Strategy for Canada with initial recommendations in summer 2021."

with initial recommendations in summer 2021." The deadline for the draft Ocean Noise Strategy was later changed to 2022 with "the final strategy expected to be launched in 2023."

As of January 2024 , even the draft strategy has yet to be released.

How underwater noise pollution impacts wildlife in Canada's ocean:

Excessive noise can cause vocal beluga whales to become separated from their calves and put endangered North Atlantic right whales at increased risk of fatal ship strikes.

Underwater noise pollution has been shown to mask echolocation and communication between the 75 remaining members of the critically endangered southern resident whale population.

Relatively quiet waters in northern B.C. are bracing for a massive increase in ship traffic and noise from new liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals. This could have detrimental impacts on orcas, humpback, and fin whales.

In the Arctic, where walrus mother and calves recognize each other by voice and bowhead whales sing 24 hours a day in the winter to woo mates, underwater noise levels have doubled in just seven years. As sea ice disappears, so does this physical barrier that once dampened sounds from above the surface.

Increasing ship traffic worldwide is more than doubling underwater noise every decade.

SOURCE World Wildlife Fund Canada

For further information: Emily Vandermeer, Senior Communications Specialist, [email protected], 519-616-1556; Joshua Ostroff, Senior Manager, Editorial, [email protected]
The US Tower 22 base at the intersection of Jordan, Syria and Iraq was attacked and three US soldiers were killed and dozens were seriously injured. US Air Force and military mobilization to the Middle East is happening now. There was already deployment of the some of the US Navy and thousands of marines. The minimal US military objectives will be to deter the 160 attacks made by Iranian backed forces over the last three months and to make commercial shipping via the Persian Gulf secure.

In 2023, an Iranian major general close to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has estimated that the IRGC (Irans Quds Force of the Revolutionary Guards) had created 82 fighting units in Syria since the beginning of its intervention, amounting to some 70,000 armed men.

There are reports from 2010 that the Houthi Rebels had about 100,000 to 120,000 armed men. As of 2015, the group is reported to have attracted new supporters from outside their traditional demographics.

Tehrans axes of intervention in Syria are:

1) To protect the Shi`a minorities in Syria;

2) to create a corridor to the shores of the Mediterranean by eliminating the American presence; and

3) to create the conditions for an encirclement maneuver of the Israeli state if necessary, pre-positioning men and military equipment on the outskirts of the Golan Heights without opening fire on Israeli positions.

There is no time limit on any of the objectives. It is not a question of conquering an area and then withdrawing as soon as peace is signed. The Quds Force wants to establish Pax Irania in Syria and in all the countries of the Axis of Resistance.

Before being killed in a U.S. strike, the then Quds Force commander Major General Qassem Soleimani declared in 2018: The IRGC has a structure, statutes, rules and regulations, but in reality [it is] an intellectual system in which every action is sacred. The aim of Soleimani was summarized as: to create opportunities out of dark crises.

Iran has forces and militia in Iraq.
Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL), the largest integrated information communication technology (ICT) company in Pakistan, and DE-CIX, a leading internet exchange (IX) operator, have announced the inauguration of what is called the Pakistan Internet Exchange (PIE) powered by DE-CIX, which is described as the first carrier- neutral IX in the country.

Housed in the PTCL data centre in Karachi, the IX is operated by DE-CIX under the DE-CIX as a service (DaaS) model and built on the companys interconnection infrastructure.

The interconnection platform offers local peering, as well as remote access to DE-CIX Frankfurt (Germany), one of the largest IXs in the world. The DaaS programme, meanwhile, includes a set of services  such as installation, maintenance, provisioning, marketing, and sales support  designed for digital infrastructure operators to create their own IX and interconnection platform, fully operated by DE-CIX. It delivers the technical set-up needed for an internet exchange as a fully pre-configured and standardised DE-CIX in a box solution.

As PCTL and De-CIX explain, the new IX is set to serve as a hub for regional connectivity, enabling local networks low-latency interconnection and the localisation of global content, while increasing network stability, scalability and security.

DE-CIX and PTCL signed the strategic partnership to establish an IX in Pakistan in March last year.

The company has been busy in a number of regions lately. It launched its first two internet exchanges in Mexico in November last year and also expanded its presence in Delhi in August 2023. In addition, as we reported at the time, it announced plans to establish a joint venture company called PT DE-CIX Indonesia in July last year.
Suspected herdsmen reportedly attacked several communities in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State on Saturday, resulting in the tragic loss of eight lives.





The affected communities, including Ogwumogbo, Ikpele, and Ejima, according to reports, witnessed residents fleeing their homes as insecurity continues to plague the region.





Agatu has been a consistent target for armed herders attacks over the past two weeks, with both troops and civilians falling victim to the violence.

It can be recalled that on January 18, 2024, five people, including three troops, were ambushed and killed.





Major General Sunday Igbinowanhia, the Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke, OPWS, confirmed the incident, stating that the troops engaged in a three-hour gun duel, successfully repelling the armed herders.





Another attack, just five days later, was confirmed by former Commissioner for Information, Culture, and Tourism, Mike Inalegwu, resulting in the deaths of two individuals.





The latest attack on Saturday, which is the third within two weeks, reportedly lasted four hours, with armed herders raiding multiple communities.





Residents of Ogwumogbo, Ikpele, and Ejima were forced to flee their homes and seek refuge in the forest.





Godwin Edoh, the member representing Agatu state constituency in the Benue State Assembly, expressed frustration at the persistent violence, stating that despite all efforts, the killings have persisted.





Its true. These attackers invaded the three communities of Ogwumogbo, Ikpele, and Ejima on Saturday between 12 and 4 pm, and they sacked the people. Eight people were killed in this latest attack, and several more are still missing.





No one is coming to our aid, and the governor is quiet. I do not understand this, he stated.





When contacted, Benue State Police Commands Public Relations Officer, SP Catherine Anene, said she did not have the specific report.
Vice President Kashim Shettima said this weekend that corrupt governance was responsible for the crisis of insecurity and banditry in the north.

Shettima spoke as the Southern Kaduna Christian Leaders Association, SCKLA, commended the Nigerian Army for its peace-building efforts in Southern Kaduna, but called on the army to do more to guarantee a more secure society in the area.

This is even as the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and political organisation, Afenifere, expressed concern over the upsurge of kidnapping and other violent crimes in the South West and other parts of the country and again, called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently convene stakeholders meeting to tackle the menace.

The vice president, who made the declaration at the 10th Annual Sir Ahmadu Bello Foundation lecture and award hosted by Borno State governor, Prof Babagana Umara Zulum, in Maiduguri on Saturday, said the Sardauna had left a legacy of accountability, fairness and probity which the current leaders had defied.

Shettima, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Political Affairs, Hakeem-Baba Ahmed, identified corruption by leaders as one of the root causes of insecurity.

The leader cannot engage in corruption if he wants to stand above the common thief, the bandit and the kidnapper, he said.

Aligning with the vice president in his remarks, Borno State governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, also blamed corruption as the reason the country was not getting things right.

He called on those in position of leadership to provide good governance.

The guest speaker and Nigerias Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, called on the policy makers to address abuse of power and insecurity challenges facing the country.

According to him, the reason the Sardauna is being glorified is the value of teamwork, resilience and commitment to the provision of qualitative education, agriculture, and infrastructural development.

The chairman of Northern Governors Forum, Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya, noted in his remarks that good governance was the only way out of the insecurity in the region and the country as a whole.
Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last elections, has reacted to the withdrawal of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

In a post on X on Sunday, Abubakar said the withdrawal of the three countries from ECOWA is concerning and a matter of serious diplomatic meltdown.

The former vice-president said Nigeria must keep its national security interest as it relates to terrorism and banditry while appraising the situation.

Reports about the withdrawal of three countries from our sub-regional body, @ecowas_cedeao, is concerning, Atiku wrote.

It is a matter of serious diplomatic meltdown. We must keep the countrys national security interest, especially the fight against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and others in focus while we appraise the situation.

Earlier, the three countries withdrew from the regional bloc in a joint statement.

They criticised ECOWAS over the sanctions imposed on them as part of efforts to reverse the coups in their countries.

After 49 years, the valiant peoples of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger regretfully and with great disappointment observe that the (ECOWAS) organization has drifted from the ideals of its founding fathers and the spirit of Pan-Africanism, the countries had said in their statement.

The three countries are ruled by military leaders, who overthrew democratic government.

In 2021, Mali temporarily pulled out from ECOWAS after the country experienced two coups in less than a year.

ECOWAS imposed sanctions on Mali and suspended it as a member.

In January 2022, ECOWAS suspended Burkina Fasos membership after a military coup led by Paul Henri Damiba, which saw the democratic government of former President Roch Kabore ousted by mutinying soldiers.

In December 2023, the bloc suspended the Niger Republic after soldiers led by Abdourahamane Tiani, a general and head of the presidential guard, overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum.
The Federal Government will tomorrow inaugurate a tripartite committee to negotiate a new minimum wage for workers nationwide.

The N30,000 subsisting minimum wage expires in April 2024 as its five years life span will end on April 18, 2024. Recall that former President Muhammad Buhari signed the N30,000 Minimum Wage Act into law on April 18, 2019.

The tripartite committee, comprising representatives of organised private sector, OPS, organised labour and government for a national minimum wage negotiation, is in accordance with the International Labour Organisation, ILO, Convention 131.





The committee will be inaugurated at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, Abuja at noon.

They are to negotiate and agree on a new minimum wage which the federal government will, through an executive bill, forward to the National Assembly for legislation.





In a letter inviting some of the representatives to the inauguration by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator George Akume, titled Inauguration of the tripartite committee on national minimum wage, the SGF said: I write to inform you that Mr. President has approved the inauguration of the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage.





The inauguration will take place on Tuesday, 30th January 2024 at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, State House, and Abuja at 12.00noon prompt.





Members are to be seated by 11.30am. A shuttle bus will be available at the pilot gate to convey members to the venue from 10.00 am.





The letter added that representatives could contact the Secretariat of the Committee in the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission for any enquiries/ Director, Compensation for further information.

Recall that ahead of the new minimum wage negotiations, Organised Labour plans to demand a wage based on the cost of living and other socioeconomic indices across the country.

It was gathered that Labour has been working round the clock to ensure that its wage demand can hardly be faulted by both government and private sector employers.

According sources, Organised Labour demand would be determined by the cost of living and other parameters across the country.

To ensure that Labours demand is data based instead of sentiments, Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, had directed its state councils nationwide to collate the cost of living data in towns and local government areas in the states.

In a circular dated January 17, 2024, to the state councils titled National minimum wage negotiation- Data collection: Urgent action required, NLCs General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, among others, wrote As we gear up for the forthcoming negotiations on a new national minimum wage, it is crucial that we gather accurate and comprehensive data on the average cost of living across our nation. State Councils of the NLC have been identified as key players in this essential task.





The success of our efforts in negotiating a fair and equitable national minimum wage depends significantly on the thoroughness and accuracy of the data we collect. Therefore, I am writing to urge your immediate attention and action in conducting the necessary research and collating vital information.

To facilitate this process, please find attached two forms. The first form is designed for distribution around the towns and Local Government Areas, LGAs, in your state. It is imperative that these forms are disseminated widely to ensure a representative and inclusive data collection process.





The second form is to be used for summarizing the analysis of the collated data. This summarized information will be sent to the national headquarters, where it will greatly assist the Congress National Minimum Wage Negotiating Council in its deliberations.





In line with the urgency of this matter, we encourage you to leverage online platforms for efficient and streamlined data collection. This approach will not only expedite the process but also ensure the accuracy of the information gathered.





We kindly request that your State Council commence this crucial task promptly and submit your findings to the national headquarters before the last day of this month, January 2024.





Your dedication to this undertaking is invaluable, and we are confident that with your collaboration, we will contribute significantly to the success of the upcoming negotiations.
The Media Aide to 2023 Presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, Paul Ibe, has countered the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, stating that Atiku, contrary to his claim, commiserated with the people and State Government over the Ibadan explosion.

On January 16, an explosion occurred in Ibadan, resulting in fatalities, numerous injuries, and significant damage to properties valued in millions of naira.

Makinde on Monday, while hosting the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, at the Governors Office in Ibadan, lamented that, unlike others, Atiku had not called or sent a message to commiserate with the people of the state regarding the explosion in Ibadan.

Makinde stated I am particularly grateful because the musketeers that went for the presidential election have reached out to me. The president has called me, and you have reached out to me, but my party candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has not called or even sent a text message.

And I am saying it openly, so that our leaders will know that there is time for politics, you have a time for governance and you have a time for humanity. So, we want to say thank you so much, sir. We appreciate this visit.

Reacting, Atiku, in a statement by his media adviser on Monday, clarified that the PDPs 2023 Presidential candidate commiserated with the victims, people, and the State Government. He added that Makinde may have been too busy to keep track of media reports on the incident.





The statement read in part With due respect to Governor Seyi Makinde, we wish to correct his expression about the response of His Excellency Atiku Abubakar to the recent explosion in the city of Ibadan.

Atiku Abubakar made a condolence message about the Ibadan explosion, less than 24 hours after its occurrence, where he shared his commiseration and empathy with the good people and government of Oyo State over the incident.

Perhaps the Governor has been too busy to take track of media reports on the incident. But we wish to put on record that on the 17th of January, His Excellency Atiku Abubakar did make a widely available message on the Ibadan incident.

Verification by our correspondent indicates that Atiku did, on January 17, express condolences through his verified Facebook page to the people and government of Oyo State concerning the blast.

Atiku in his Facebook post of January 17 said I wish to express my condolences to the good people and government of Oyo State over the explosion that rocked the capital city of Ibadan late yesterday night.

While the government continues to provide humanitarian support to victims of the explosion, I commiserate with the families of those who might have lost their lives and property to the explosion.




Catholic pontiff Pope Francis says he is confident critics of his recent decision to allow blessings for same-sex couples will eventually understand it, except for Africans who are a special case, Reuters reports.





He said he trusted that gradually everyone will be reassured by the spirit of the Fiducia Supplicans declaration by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith: it aims to include, not divide.





Recall that blessings for same-sex couples were allowed last month in a document called Fiducia Supplicans (Supplicating Trust).





The development has caused widespread debate in the Catholic Church, with particularly strong resistance coming from African bishops.





Those who protest vehemently belong to small ideological groups, Francis told Italian newspaper La Stampa, adding that A special case are Africans: for them homosexuality is something bad from a cultural point of view, they dont tolerate it.





But in general, I trust that gradually everyone will be reassured by the spirit of the Fiducia Supplicans declaration by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith: it aims to include, not divide, the pope continued.





Last week, Pope Francis appeared to acknowledge the pushback the document generated, especially in Africa, where bishops have effectively rejected it and in some countries same-sex activity can lead to prison or even the death penalty.





He, however, stated that when the blessings are given, priests should naturally take into account the context, the sensitivities, the places where one lives and the most appropriate ways to do it.
Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, said Shell, Mobil, Chevron and TotalEnergies are not genuine investors in the Nigerian oil sector.

Uzodimma stated this while appearing on Channels Televisions Sunday Politics.





The governor, during the programme alleged that some people he called cabal were trying to sabotage the efforts of President Bola Tinubu aimed at sanitising the nations economy.





When he was asked to state if the cabals were also responsible for the relocation of investors from Nigeria, Uzodimma replied that those leaving Nigeria were not real investors.





According to him, Shell and other oil giants have no regard for environmental laws in Nigeria, asking why they leave the onshore oil business for offshore.





Uzodinma said, Lets take the oil and gas industry for instance, is there anywhere in the world you go, and you see any filling station, you want to refill your car and you dont see Shell, Mobil, Chevron, Total? How many of them are operating filling stations in Nigeria? Why are we isolated, and you call them real investors? Why have they taken to offshore operation, abandoning onshore operation if they are genuine?





You go to Houston, landing Houston Airport, you see oil locations, you see vegetables planted all over there, habitable for human existence.









Fly to Warri, as you are landing Warri Airport, look at oil locations. Look at the sea, all the fishes, nothing existent, no fish there. The environment is degraded to criminal level.





Are they what you call investors, people who have no regard for our environmental laws? Are those investors? People who are into double standard; applying different applications in other countries, applying degrading application in Nigeria. Is that what you call investors? Please if we dont take our destiny in our hands, we will be doomed for it.





According to the governor, those leaving Nigeria are not investors but those who are benefiting from the cabal system.





He alleged that the investors were leaving because they can no longer benefit from foreign exchange disparity. They can no longer benefit from crude oil theft. They can no longer benefit from petroleum subsidy, pretending to be importing fuel when they were not importing anything





Again, it is a blessing in disguise because the more they leave, the more opportunities the indigenous companies would have to participate. There is no rocket science . No foreign investor, who is comfortable in his country that wants to leave his country and come here.





And at the same time, the good investors who are Nigerians, who have been denied opportunities to practise and invest, they now have opportunities to do so.





I think the earlier the artificial and fake investors leave, the better for Nigeria.





Shell Plc recently reached an agreement to sell its Nigerian onshore subsidiary, The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited.




The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has issued a stern warning against importation of syringes from foreign countries.





This is according to a statement signed by NAFDAC Director-General, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, and made available to newsmen in Abuja on Sunday, saying the act may kill local pharmaceutical industries.





She advised members of the new executive of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents, ANLCA, who were on a courtesy visit to her office in Lagos, to think more of the interest of the country above personal interests as a clearing agents in the nations ports.





She also enjoined the agents to join forces with NAFDAC to end the rejection of Nigerian food exported to the European Union, United States and other western countries.





The NAFDAC boss also narrated how she marveled at the stupendous investments committed to local production of syringes in Nigeria by a local pharmaceutical company during a recent facility tour.





According to her, the standard of the facilities she met on ground was comparable to those found in the US or any country in Europe.





She said after the facility tour and being led into the warehouse, she was highly disturbed at the sight of huge unsold products.





She noted that over 1.5 billion units of the product were lying untouched in the warehouse due to low sales, exacerbated by the influx of imported syringes into the country, in spite of the high import duty slammed on the product to protect the local market.




Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command have rescued five abductees from two different gangs of kidnappers in Abuja.





The five victims were rescued by a combined team of the FCT Special Intervention Squad and the FCT Police Anti-Kidnapping Unit.





The FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, made the development known on Monday, during a press conference with crime reporters at the Command Headquarters.





SP Adeh said, Ladies and gentlemen of the press, I am honoured to welcome you all to the FCT Police Command today and to equally give you an update on the rescue of abducted victims by the command.





On January 27, at about 11:30 pm, a distress call was received at Iddo Division that, sounds of gunshots were heard around Sabon Lugbe axis. A police patrol team was drafted to the scene where one Blessing Eze, female, was met with a bullet wound on her shoulder inside a Toyota Corolla car with RSH 724 KC, black in colour.





Blessing explained that she and her husband, Joshua Eze were returning home when some hoodlums in an unknown vehicle double-crossed them, fired at their vehicle and abducted her husband to an unknown destination.





In response, the IGP-Special Intervention Squad and the Police Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the command and other tactical sections swung into action, and the victim (Eze) was rescued unhurt at Kuje Forest on January 28, at about 06:20 pm.





In a related development, on January 28, at about 05:30 am, one Peter Ede in the company of one ThankGod Ogunyi both males of Piwoyi, Lugbe reported at Karmo Division that, on the same date at about 01:50 am while praying at Idu Gbagyi mountain Karmo, some criminal elements numbering about seven, armed with guns and cutlasses attacked them and abducted three of their members to an unknown destination.





On receipt of the report, police operatives from Karmo Division led by the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Abaya Haruna swiftly mobilized to the scene, combed the surrounding bushes and hills between Karmo to Gwagwa, and engaged the hoodlums in a serious gun duel.





The three victims namely one Igbodi Emeka, male, Precious Uche, female, and Eric Chukwudi, male, were rescued unhurt.
Malaysian telco Maxis revealed on Friday that it has formalised its collaboration with Public Bank to accelerate digital adoption among Malaysias small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Maxis said it signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Public Bank earlier this month, under which both companies will embark on a joint awareness programme to promote digitalisation among SMEs via physical and online activities, and help them access digital solutions.

Under the MoU, Maxis Business will serve as the official telco and digital partner of Public Banks PB enterprise Digital SME Assist Programme. Maxis said this will enable Public Banks SME customers to access Maxis connectivity and digital solutions, mobile and fixed connectivity, payments, e-commerce, cloud and cybersecurity.

We want to make it easy for SMEs to digitalise, so they can focus on growing their business, said Maxis CEO Goh Seow Eng in a statement.

The programme also aims to provide SMEs with financial assistance to implement digital solutions. As part of the partnership, Maxis Business will assist Public Banks SME customers to apply for the Geran Digital PMKS Madani digitalisation grant scheme by the Malaysian Government to implement digital solutions. Public Bank will also offer financing solutions for further financial support.

We believe that by combining our financial expertise with Maxis technological prowess, we can make a meaningful impact on the digital transformation of Malaysian SMEs, enabling them to thrive and contribute to the nations economic growth, said Public Banks MD and CEO Tan Sri Tay Ah Lek.
The All Progressives Congress, APC, has accused Governor Siminalaye Fubara of flouting the peace deal brokered by President Bola Tinubu on the political crisis in Rivers State.

The Chairman of the APC Caretaker Committee in Rivers State, Chief Tony Okocha, who made accusation, said Fubara was not sincere in the implementation of the peace deal.

Okocha made the claim while speaking with journalists in Abuja.

He said, In one breath, the governor will probate and reprobate at the same time.

You dont say one thing during the day and another at night. It will not work.

He (Fubara) must obey the dictates of the proclamation he willingly accepted in the presence of President Tinubu.

Okocha added, The one that will hold the governor at the jugular is the issue of re-presenting the budget.

Insisting that Rivers States 2024 budget has not been presented, Okocha noted that Fubara cannot run the the state without a budget.

He recalled that Fubara had thanked Tinubu for his intervention in the crisis and promised to abide by the terms of the peace deal.

The political crisis in Rivers State followed a face-off between Fubara and his predecessor, Federal Capital Terrritory, FCT, Minister Nyesom Wike.




Former minister of aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has described the exit of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger from the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, as a sad and uncomfortable development.

Recall that on Sunday, the military regimes in the three countries announced their immediate withdrawal from ECOWAS.

The leaders of the three Sahel nations disclosed this in a joint statement on Sunday.

According to the military juntas, it was a sovereign decision to leave the ECOWAS without delay.

Recall that all three were suspended from ECOWAS, with Niger and Mali facing heavy sanctions.

The juntas have recently hardened their positions and joined forces in an Alliance of Sahel States.

The withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso and Mali from ECOWAS is a sad and unfortunate development, Fani-Kayode wrote on X.

The fact that they have formed a hostile confederation right on our northern border is also troubling and has grave implications for our security.

May God restore the brotherhood and unity we once enjoyed in our sub-region and may He preserve the peace.




Suspected kidnappers have killed two traditional rulers in Ekiti State.





The monarchs were said to be returning from a security meeting in Irele-Ekiti in a vehicle being driven by one of their colleagues, the Alara of Ikole Ekiti, when they were attacked by gunmen along a community in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State on Monday.





We learnt that the two traditional rulersthe Onimojo of Imojo-Ekiti, Oba Olatunde Samuel Olushola and the Elesun of Esun-Ekiti, Oba David Babatunde Ogunsakinwere killed in the ambush, while Oba Adebayo Fatoba, the Alara of Ara Ikole-Ekiti, escaped from the scene.





Confirming the incident, the chairman of the Ajoni Local Council Development Area, Michael Ogungbemi, said the gunmen attempted to kidnap the three traditional rulers.





Speaking with newsmen, the state police spokesman, Sunday Abutu, said, I will get the details and get back, please.
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Daniel Bwala has exonerated President Bola Tinubu of being responsible for the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger from the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS.

Bwala said their withdrawal from ECOWAS has everything to do with the dynamics of proxy trade conflicts between Russia/China and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, NATO.

Recall that military regimes in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger on Sunday announced their withdrawal of membership from the ECOWAS.

According to the military juntas, it was a sovereign decision to leave the Economic Community of West African States without delay.

However, Bwala said the development has nothing to do with Tinubus leadership or lack thereof as it was being peddled by naysayers.

In a post on his X handle on Sunday, the former lawmaker added that Nigerians should focus on the nation.

HW wrote: The withdrawal of the three West African nations from @ecowas_cedeao ECOWAS has nothing to do with @officialABAT President Tinubus leadership or lack thereof as it is peddled by naysayers . It has everything to do with the dynamics of proxy trade conflicts between @GovernmentRF Russia/China and NATO.

Nigeria is not at war with both blocs, so we are good and President Tinubu would find a path for lasting peace in ECOWAS.

Lets focus on our nation and together as a people we would find solutions to our age long problems.

Make dem dey there dey and make we dey our dey.
Matthew Daher looks forward to duck hunting at the Jersey Shore with his 14-year-old son, but as residents have gone as far as recording them, his tolerance for their complaints has withered away.

Daher aired his displeasure to the Ocean City Council at a recent meeting, pleading for the council and the public to let him and his son hunt in peace.

Were within our right to do what we love to do, and were going to continue to do it, Daher told the council at its Jan. 11 meeting.
Mercer Countys elected commissioners earned a salary of just $32,853 last year. They largely hold jobs outside their political posts, with careers in government, non-profits or the corporate world that pay the bills.

To the public, the county describes its seven commissioners as part timers. But when it comes to health benefits, the commissioners treat themselves as full-time employees  despite a law that seeks to limit full-time perks from going to part-time officials.
A 25-year-old New Jersey man has been sentenced to serve at least eight years in a New York state prison for driving drunk and recording a SnapChat video while operating a Tesla at speeds up to 156 mph when he crashed into another vehicle and killed a college student.

Vasu Laroiya, of the Iselin section of Woodbridge, pleaded guilty to reckless manslaughter in November for the causing the crash on May 28, 2022 on Interstate 87 in Colonie, New York, officials said previously.

Judge William Little blasted in handing down the sentence of 8 1/3 to 25 years in prison on Friday in Albany County Court.

Youre arrogant, selfish, youre entitled, Little said, according to a statement provided late Friday by the Albany County Districts Attorneys Office. All you did was complain. But you killed somebody. And you have the audacity to complain about your ankle monitor? You have the audacity to complain about going to college? I really dont even want to see you, to be honest with you.

The rear-end crash killed Katie Fisher, 22, of Ballston Spa, New York, who was a junior at the University of Albany.

Assistant District Attorney Mary Tanner-Richter also blasted Laroiya, saying he told offensive lies following the crash, including falsely claiming he was driving 70 to 75 mph, had only one drink and that Fisher brake-checked him.

When Vasu Laroiya come up for parole, I sincerely hope the State of New York sees what you took from this family and takes note of your abdication of all responsibility.

Laroiyas license will also be revoked when he is released from prison. When the revocation ends he will have to have an ignition interlock device placed on any vehicle he drives, the judge ruled.

Laroiya was indicted in July 2022 on charges of murder, manslaughter, reckless endangerment, driving while intoxicated and reckless driving. He had a previous alcohol-related conviction in New Jersey in 2019

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Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com.
An image of Little Pipe Cay in The Bahamas. The U.S. State Department has issued a security warning and travel advisory for The Bahamas after 18 people were murdered in one month.(Courtesy of Engel & Volkers B
A 40-year-old Georgia man who authorities say kidnapped his girlfriend at gunpoint and shot her multiple times when she tried to escape at a New Jersey hotel has been convicted of attempted murder.

A jury sitting in Somerset County also found Eder Gelin guilty of two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, endangering another person and weapons offenses, the prosecutors office said in a statement.

Gelin held the woman at gunpoint for more than an hour in a room at Extended Stay America in Franklin Township with her two children present on Aug. 21, 2022, according to an affidavit of probable cause.

When she tried to escape, Gelin chased her through the building and shot her in the hip and foot, authorities said. In all, he fired three shots, authorities said.

The then 37-year-old woman told police Gelin had been drinking and threatened kill her and himself, authorities said. Part of the incident following the womans escape was captured on video surveillance at the hotel on Worlds Fair Drive, authorities said.

During the chase, Gelin shot into a room that was occupied by another man and woman, according to court documents.

Gelin was arrested in the area and a handgun was recovered from a nearby sewer, authorities said. Police said Gelin has a history of stalking, harassing and threatening his girlfriend, who had tried to end their relationship.

He is scheduled to be sentenced March 8.

Editors Note: Reach the New Jersey Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-572-SAFE (7233). Reach the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), chat with their advocates here or text LOVEIS to 22522.

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NJ Advance Media staff writer Nicolas Fernandes contributed to this report.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com.
Plainfield continues to mourn the passing of city firefighter Marques Hudson, who died while responding to a three-alarm house fire Friday.

Our city has been rocked by Marques passing, Plainfield City Council President Steve Hockaday said. Were completely devastated. But these things have a way of bringing communities together.

Hudson, 32, a father of three, was among those responding to a call early Friday to a house fire on Emerson Avenue. After firefighters helped 10 people escape the blaze, there was an emergency called at the scene and Hudson was rescued from the house and rushed to Robert Wood Johnson Hospital.

Four other firefighters injured in the blaze were also hospitalized. An investigation is ongoing, and officials did not have an update as of Monday.

Fire departments across the state, as well as in New York City, took to Facebook and Instagram to stand with Plainfield, posting the city fire departments logo with a thin red line through it  symbolizing a firefighter injured or killed in the line of duty.

The city of Plainfield mourns the passing of Firefighter Marques Hudson, a hero in the truest sense. We owe a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid, the Plainfield Fire Department posted on its website. His sacrifice will continue to inspire and guide us in the days to come.

Union County illuminated the county courthouse to mark his death, posting on Facebook, His bravery and sacrifice will forever be remembered.

Gov. Phil Murphy announced on Friday that flags would be lowered to half staff.

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.

The New Jersey Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association, a union that represents many firefighters, announced the creation a memorial fund for Hudsons family.

The loss of firefighter Hudson is a poignant reminder of the risks our first responders face every day, Plainfield Mayor Adrian Mapp said at a press conference Friday afternoon. He was more than a firefighter. He was a pillar of our community, and a man who dedicated his life to protecting others.

Details about Hudsons funeral arrangements were not made immediately available to NJ Advance Media.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription.

Deion Johnson may be reached at djohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Instagram at @DeionRJohnson or X @DeionRJohhnson
Telecommunications operator Telecom Egypt and NaiTel, a licensed telecommunications service provider in Jordan, have announced the signing of a joint build agreement to construct Coral Bridge, a subsea cable system connecting Egypt and Jordan.



The Coral Bridge system will cross the Gulf of Aqaba, creating a point-to-point infrastructure between Taba on the Egyptian side and Aqaba on the Jordanian side. With no repeaters and a high fibre count, the system will, the partners say, maximise the geographical advantages of the region to cater for international community needs and act as a meeting point for traffic flowing between East and West.



As the first subsea system to be laid in the Gulf of Aqaba since 1997, Coral Bridge will connect two significant locations in the Middle East and aggregate the traffic flow being hosted in a fully neutral facility called Aqaba Digital Hub (NaiTel is the telecom arm of Aqaba Digital Hub).

Through this connection, the partners add, the new cable system will serve the Jordanian market as well as neighbouring countries, providing end-to-end solutions from Aqaba to Europe by capitalising on Telecom Egypts diversified subsea infrastructure footprint and resilient crossing network.

Telecom Egypt is clearly living up to its boast that it is one of the largest subsea cable operators in its region. Recent months have seen a number of big announcements, including plans with Zain Omantel International (ZOI) for a new digital corridor bridging the Mediterranean and Arabian seas and an MoU with 4iG, a Budapest-based telecommunications and IT group, to link Egypt and Albania via a point-to-point high-capacity subsea cable.
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Louisiana Inspired

We must align our spiritual values with our actions toward the planet and each other.
Mardi Gras  and all the fun that comes with it  is on the horizon, but another Carnival celebration in our nation's capital is also just aro
In a bid to address the soaring number of young people taking up vaping, the British government has announced plans to ban disposable vapes.

The move is part of a comprehensive strategy that includes preventing the marketing of vapes to children and curbing under-age sales.

The prime minister's ambitious goal is to create a smoke-free generation by outlawing tobacco sales for those born after January 1, 2009.

Moreover, new powers are set to be unveiled to restrict vape flavours, aiming to make them less appealing to children. The ban will also extend to nicotine pouches, aligning with the government's commitment to creating a healthier environment.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak assured that adult smokers attempting to quit would still have access to alternatives such as vapes. While the sale of any vape to individuals under 18 is already illegal, disposable vapes, often presented in colourful, smaller packaging, are identified as a significant factor behind the surge in youth vaping.

Championing these initiatives on Monday, Mr Sunak stressed the necessity for 'strong action' to eliminate vaping among children. He stated: "Children shouldn't be vaping, we don't want them to get addicted, we still don't understand the full long-term health impacts."

Despite vaping being considered substantially less harmful than smoking, concerns about its long-term risks persist due to its relatively recent emergence, according to the NHS.

The British government cited troubling statistics, revealing that the number of children using vapes has tripled in the last three years. The rise is attributed, in part, to the prevalence of cheap and easily accessible disposable vapes.

Research conducted in 2023 indicates that approximately 69 percent of vapers aged 11 to 17 in Great Britain were using disposable vapes, a significant increase from 7.7 percent in 2021.

Responding to the urgent situation, the government aims to ban the sale and supply of disposable vapes in England, Scotland, and Wales. Northern Ireland is also considering introducing a similar ban in the future.

To reduce the attractiveness of vapes to children, regulations concerning vape flavours, packaging, and in-store displays will be strengthened.

Trading standards officers will be empowered to issue on-the-spot fines of up to 100 for the sale of tobacco and vapes to children in England and Wales, intensifying efforts to combat underage sales.

The ban comes following a public consultation, where nearly 70 percent of respondents, including parents, teachers, and healthcare professionals, favoured the measure.

The legislation for the disposable vape ban is expected to be introduced as soon as possible, allowing businesses a buffer period of at least six months to adapt.

As part of the broader strategy, it will soon be illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone born on or after January 1, 2009, reinforcing the commitment to create a smoke-free generation.

Efforts to prevent vaping in schools include reviewing the Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) curriculum, strengthening content around smoking and vaping, and providing teachers with specific training resources.

A public consultation on the revised RSHE curriculum is anticipated in the near future.
An Exmoor adventurer has singlehandedly rowed 3,000 miles across the Atlantic to win the Worlds Toughest Row, burning out three electronic tillers and 15 kilos of his own body in the process.

Sam Glover took 42 days, three hours and 15 minutes to make the incredible crossing from the Canary Islands to the Caribbean in what is one of the most extreme endurance races in the world.

Sam, who owns the Tors Park Apartments at Lynmouth, won the solo category of the epic race after facing giant waves, days without sleep and the raw fury of the elements.

So far he has raised almost 60,000 for social enterprise charity UnLtd.

The Worlds Toughest Row saw 38 crews  including 11 solo rowers and 12 teams of four - set off from La Gomera in the Canary Islands in December to make the arduous voyage to Antigua and Barbuda in the Caribbean.

On board his 24-foot vessel named The Entrepreneur Ship 2023 and affectionately called Lucy, Sam, aged 49, set off on December 13.

From the outset he faced the constant threat of capsizing as well as mechanical failures, minimal facilities and the relentless toll on his body.

The solo was originally meant to be a pair  Sam had trained for the race with his friend Jake, who he sponsored for the event in 2019.

Unfortunately Jake had to withdraw from the race just four weeks before it started due to unforeseen circumstances, so Sam had to redo 72 hours of rowing in just three weeks to qualify as a solo entrant.

Just days after arriving in the Caribbean on January 24, Sam has been speaking to the North Devon Gazette about the build up to the event, the euphoria of crossing the finish line and the many challenges on the journey.

He said: Once over the line the feeling was incredible! I felt a mix of relief, sadness that it was over and elation.

My first thoughts were of my family waiting on the dockside and how much I wanted to see them and hold them in my arms.

To be honest, it still hasn't really sunk in four days later. I've been going down to support the other rowers coming in, I can see their stories in their eyes as they look at the crowd that's there to greet them, the same emotions that i had, many of the same memories I hold.

Many are still locked away inside; I still can't remember quite a lot of it...

The race attracts contestants from all over the world, but as Sam explained, even just getting to the start line is a huge commitment of time and money.

He said: There is so much to organise, so much to learn, a relentless training regime and of course an enormous amount of specialist equipment to buy and learn to use.

With Jake unable to take part as planned, there was even more work to be done than originally expected  and once at sea, the ocean had no plans to take it easy on the rowing crews.

Sam said: During the first week, the fleet was hit by a massive low pressure system which generated 20 to 35 knot winds and three to five metre waves.

Quite a shock if you haven't been out on an ocean before, a completely different scale to anything I've experienced sailing in coastal waters or in the med. I had heard about 'knock downs' and being 'pinned' but I hadn't experienced either if these in training.

A knock down means the boat has been slammed by a wave and knocked over or fully capsized, while pinned means it is caught by a cross wind and unable to gain the heading wanted.

Sam was knocked down and pinned dozens of times in those first few weeks.

A very real threat to his challenge came from mechanical failure, which saw all three of his auto-tillers that steer the boat fail. He said these are essential for any ocean rower but even more so for someone on their own.

Sam explained: I had been swapping them around for the first 2,100nm (nautical miles) to try and make them last the journey, but they died one by one. I had to strip down all three to make one good one - I called her Franken-Tilly. That one lasted until 70nm from the finish. Once she failed I had to manually steer and row.

The end may have been metaphorically in sight and a strong north east wind was pushing Lucy in the right direction, but the Atlantic hadnt quite finished with Sam yet.

He said: The hours leading up to the finish were punishing. I had been awake for two days and couldn't stop falling asleep.

I worked out that I could get the boat to drift on the right heading for about eight minutes before it wondered off course. I decided to set regular alarms and catch a few minutes sleep and wake every eight minutes to reset the heading.

I did this for a few hours; it worked long enough for the sun to come up and for me to see the far off lights of Antigua some 11nm in the distance and the sight of my first land based bird.

This gave me an enormous boost of natural energy which eventually got me to the finish.

There was more drama to come, with a difficult harbour entrance to negotiate and he had to do it with no assistance, otherwise he would have been disqualified from the race.

Sam recounted the last minutes of his adventure: The finish was very tricky indeed as I didn't have any steering and the wind funnels directly down the entrance to English Harbour.

I had to fight with everything I had to get over the line, which was only 100 metres inside the harbour mouth. The wind knocked me this way and that, but somehow I managed to haul us over the line so the safety boat would be able to help.

Once ashore and reunited with his family, he felt good, but slowly his body began to remind him it needed to rest and recover  he had lost 15 kilos. Much of that was muscles the body hadnt needed for rowing, but does need for walking, so he needs to rebuild those.

He added: The level of fatigue is difficult to describe but my body clearly is going to need a lot of rest. I've been sleeping a lot and very deeply.

Your mind has been focused on one thing: rowing, surviving and hopefully thriving at sea. Suddenly, normal life has coming rushing back in and I need to re-adapt to that normal again.

And what next? This is really difficult, he said. An ocean row is completely different from pretty much anything else I can think of. I loved the endurance aspect, the challenges that naturally come with anything to do with the sea and the competition which was fierce.

I have some plans brewing... Watch this space...

You can still donate to Sams fundraiser for UnLtd at www.justgiving.com/page/samssoloatlanticchallengeforunltd
Enterprise State Community College Fine Arts is pleased to welcome Darrian Lee to its music faculty, said ESCC Fine Arts Division Chair Dr. Ken Thomas.

Darrian Lee is a violinist, instructor, and music entrepreneur currently based in Tallahassee, Florida. Her primary focus of her work and endeavors is the accessibility and inclusivity of classical music.

As a violinist, Darrian has performed around the world and for a variety of music festivals, such as Bowdoin International Music Festival and Brevard Summer Music Festival, said Thomas. She is also a current member of Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra. Her programming foremost includes works by underrepresented composers, mainly women.

Because of her emphasis on non-canonical works, she has premiered works by Augusta Read-Thomas, Stephanie Boyd, and the U.S. premiere of Festival Scherzo by Madeleine Dring, said Thomas.

Darrians passion for promoting women in music is reflected in her work away from the violin. In 2022, she became the founder and Executive Director of the nonprofit HERo Music Inc., whose mission is to connect and promote women in music through education Thomas said. Through HERo, Darrian has been able to host a HERo Conference in May of 2023 with participants from around the country and international guest piano soloist, Antonio Oyarzabal. Darrian also directs community concerts for HERo and hosts the podcast, HERo Talk, which is #10 in Women in Music Podcasts and interviews successful women in music.

As an educator, Lee has been a violin and piano instructor for the past 10 years. She teaches privately and as a graduate assistant at Florida State University.

Darrian has also been a guest speaker for entrepreneurship classes to educate musicians on not only how to play, but on how to make a career, Thomas said.

Lee completed her BM degree at Belmont University and her MM degree at Florida State University. She is currently completing her DM degree at Florida State University under the instruction of Corinne Stillwell.
When it was built in 1902, the Scofield House was considered one of the grandest homes in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. An intricate Victorian beauty with a wide front porch, gables and second-floor balcony, its now a bed and breakfast painted in myriad colorstangerine, red and different shades of greens and yellows with windows outlined in red and green. If that sounds over the top, don't worry. It works.

Inside, its glossy wood, old-fashioned wallpaper and stained glass, with antiques creating an ambiance thats both grand and cozy. Its one of many wonderful historic mansions and stately 19th century buildings now housing shops, galleries and restaurants that are part of the attraction that make the city of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin's population just under 10,000, a perfect winter weekend getaway.

Situated on Sturgeon Bay and connected to both the waters of Green Bay and Lake Michigan, the city is the gateway to Door County and the string of small villages to the north lining its shores.

About a five-hour drive from Northwest Indiana, Sturgeon Bay is a four-season destination where almost everything is open year-round. After checking into one of the bed and breakfasts like the Scofield House, bundle up and start your winter weekend with a stroll along one of the citys two Bridge Walks, connecting the West (1.2 miles) and East (3 miles) sides of the city. Choose West and peruse the shops on Madison Avenue including the Madison Avenue Market, Wine & Olive Oil where there are samples of their olive oils and balsamic vinegars, imported from around the world and bottled in Door County.

Grab a coffee and a snack, soup, or even lunch at the Get Real Cafe, housed in a century-old building.

Tour the John Purves, a restored tugboat, and the 10-story, 118-foot Jim Kress Maritime Lighthouse Tower, the tallest building in two counties, at the Door County Maritime Museum. Known for its sweeping panoramic views, the Tower features artifacts and interactive exhibits highlighting the rich maritime history of the region.

Door County is known for its artists and galleries and the Steel Bridge Creative District, part of the East Waterfront, opens the doors to the art scene. Here youll find the Popelka Trenchard Glass, a hot glass studio and gallery where cast glass is made on-site including Murrini blown glass, an Italian technique where colorful real and abstract shapes are made in glass canes that are then thinly sliced, revealing the images created. View the world's largest collection of artworks by Gerhard CF Miller, a local artist who specialized in imaginary realism at the Miller Art Museum. Learn about Door County from its early beginnings at the Door County Historical Museum. Take in a live performance at the Third Avenue PlayWorks.

Wisconsin probably has the most supper clubs in the country and Sturgeon Bay has three long-time favorites. Both American and German foods such as schnitzel, sauerbraten and beef rouladen are on the menu at The Mill Supper Club, open since 1930. Its classic supper club fare like prime rib, shrimp de Jonghe, cheese curds, escargot and Black Angus cuts of beef along with a view of the water, at Donny's Glidden Lodge Restaurant. There are four types of fish available on the Wednesday and Friday night fish fries at the Nightingale Supper Club, which opened in 1913.

After dinner, craft brewery aficionados might want to quaff a mug or two at Bridge Up Brewing or sample the wines at Door 44 Winery where all February theyre hosting a Chocolate & Wine Pairing, four locally made chocolates each paired with a special wine. The winery also holds its Frozen Tundra Wine Festival on Feb. 24 this year. Billed as the largest outdoor winter wine fest, keep warm at one of the many bonfires and take a tour led by the winemaker Steve.

Eleven lighthouses dot both the coastlines of Door County, a peninsula surrounded on three sides by the waters of Lake Michigan and Green Bay. You can pick and choose which ones to visit but for early risers, a must is the Sturgeon Bay Canal Pierhead Lighthouse, aka Big Red, for the Instagramable time when the sun rises around 7 a.m., Cave Point County Park is another sunrise kind of place and a unique eco-experience as the large boulders jutting out into the water are layered with ice formations creating a spectacular scene. Just be careful walking, as, well, its icy.

Board the Door County Trolley in Egg Harbor for their Winter Wine, Chocolate & Artisan Cheese tour or the Winter Wine Tour & Sleigh Ride. The latter includes a horse-drawn sleigh ride, wine tastings at two wineries and a private fireside lunch.

For more outdoor activities, Sturgeon Bay is now part of the 1,200-mile Ice Age Trail, its Eastern Terminus is Potawatomi State Park, a picture postcard stunner.

Or poke around in the stores that are open in charming small towns like Egg Harbor and Fish Creek, listed by Forbes as one of the 15 prettiest towns in America. Read a book at Sip, a cute coffee shop in historic Ephraim. Download a map on the Door County website and visit the lighthouses, each distinctly different. Ditto for the 10 wineries on the Door County Wine Trail, all of which are open in the winter.

Iconic foods define Door County and shouldnt be missed. The large Scandinavian population that settled here in the 1800s brought with them the tradition of fish boils. It works like this. Wood is stacked high above a large cauldron filled with water and set afire. Chunks of cod or white fish are thrown into the boiling water along with veggies that can include carrots, potatoes and onions. Once cooked, its served along with melted butter and lemon and is not to be missed. Though many of the places doing fish boils are closed during the winter, the White Gull Inn in Fish Creek has one on Friday nights and Waterfront Mary's Bar & Grill in Sturgeon Bay has one on Saturday nights, serving it with Door County Cherry Pie and ice cream.

The White Gull Inn, founded in 1896, was the winner of the Good Morning America Breakfast Challenge for the Cherry Stuffed French Toast. And though the goats probably wont be grazing on the roof this time of year, Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant & Butik in Sister Bay has been serving such Swedish dishes as limpa bread, pancakes with lingonberries and Swedish meatballs for close to 60 years.

Mark your calendars for the Fish Creek Winter Creek Festival on Feb. 2 and 3 and the Fire & Ice Festival in Sturgeon Bay on Feb. 16 & 17.

For more information, contact the Destination Door County. 920-743-4456 or doorcounty.com
WHITING  Calumet College of St. Joseph's Charter Authority Board voted Monday to authorize Thea Bowman Leadership Academy in Gary.

The decision comes as the charter school was seeking a new authorizer following its charter revocation in December.

CCSJ President Amy McCormack and the board's President, Ginger Rodriguez, voted in favor of sponsoring Thea Bowman while board Vice President Shana Levinson abstained.

Following the board's approval, Thea Bowman's Board of Directors President Eve Gomez thanked the board members for their decision.

"There's lots of work to be done and that work I take it as a commitment," Gomez said. "We're going to be all hands on deck and moving forward to a great thing."

In a statement from the college, McCormack said CCSJ is offering the charter school its assistance so that it "may remain viable, providing educational access to the families of Gary."

Last month, Thea Bowman's current authorizer, Education One at Trine University in Angola, pulled its sponsorship of the school, citing high staff turnover, poor academic performance and declining student enrollment.

Education One's annual reviews for Thea Bowman also cited the school for not meeting academic and organizational performance standards set out in their charter agreement.

In CCSJ's statement, Carrie Hutton, the executive director of the college's charter authority, said they understood the concerns expressed in the reporting documents.

"We take these to heart," Hutton said. "These reports, combined with our own assessment, will enable us to focus our time and attention most appropriately."

Thea Bowman officials have also claimed Education One's decision to revoke the school's charter was in retaliation for the school's decision to seek a new authorizer.

Thea Bowman had identified CCSJ as a potential new sponsor last March and had been in discussions with the college since then.

The charter school also took legal action to block Education One from moving forward on revoking its sponsorship or closing the school.

In December, a Lake County Superior Court judge awarded a temporary restraining order prohibiting Education One from communicating to Thea Bowman staff, students, families and the public any references to the charter school's closure.

The restraining order was later extended on Jan. 19 after both sides negotiated an agreement to extend the order.

A preliminary injunction hearing is scheduled for Feb. 14 but Thea Bowman's attorney Jewell Harris Jr. told The Times the pending litigation should resolve itself now that CCSJ has agreed to sponsor the charter school.

CCSJ's decision to authorize Thea Bowman is now pending the state Board of Education's approval.

In some school districts, it's the end of the snow day In some school districts, it's the end of the snow day The opportunities and barriers of swapping out snow days The future of the snow day
On Data Privacy Day, observed each year on January 28th, Australians and businesses are reminded of the vital importance of privacy.

It emphasizes the need for proactive measures to protect, respect, and ensure transparency in collecting personal customer information. The day prompts reflection, given the rising frequency of data breaches and cyber-attacks impacting organizations and customers. A recent privacy survey by the OAIC highlights significant shifts in peoples attitudes. A notable 60% distrust an organizations data handling, and an additional 58% are unaware of how their data is used. As Australians become more aware of data management and privacy vulnerabilities, the ongoing relevance of Data Privacy Day in the 2024 business landscape becomes increasingly evident.

Given the severe impact of poor data management and the growing sophistication of cyber threats, its crucial for business leaders to take decisive steps. Identifying vulnerabilities and implementing effective measures to safeguard data is imperative in the face of evolving cyber threats. Our experts share insights to emphasize the paramount importance of data privacy.

Pete Murray, Managing Director ANZ at Veritas Technologies

Ironically, Data Privacy Day is a reminder that data privacy isnt something a business can achieve in a single day at all. Far from that, its a continual process that requires vigilance, 24/7/365. Top of mind this year is the impact artificial intelligence (AI) is having on data privacy. AI-powered data management can help improve data privacy and associated regulatory compliance, yet bad actors are using generative AI (GenAI) to create more sophisticated attacks. While GenAI is also making employees more efficient, guardrails are needed to help prevent accidentally leaking sensitive information. Considering these and other developments on the horizon, data privacy in 2024 is more important than ever.

Data privacy compliance continues to become more complex. New laws putting guardrails on using personal data in the large language models (LLMs) behind GenAI tools are gaining steam. For example, just last week, The Australian Government announced it will be strengthening regulatory frameworks and existing laws to mitigate any emerging risks of technologies such as AI. With approaches to regulation and compliance differing across continental, country and state borders, businesses and organisations will find the already complex regulatory environment even harder to navigate without help.

Whether to implement GenAI isnt really a question. The value it provides employees to streamline their jobs means its almost a forgone conclusion. But that must be balanced with the risks GenAI could pose when proprietary or other potentially sensitive information is fed into these systems. To ensure they remain compliant with data privacy standards, whether or not regulatory bodies enact AI-specific rules, IT leaders need to provide guardrails to employees that will limit the likelihood that they accidentally expose something they shouldnt. This isnt the time for IT leaders to sit back and rely solely on regulatory organisations. They should be proactively reviewing their systems and processes, and identifying potential areas of vulnerabilities.

AI is making the cyber threat landscape more dangerous. Cybercriminals are already using AI to improve their ransomware capabilities and launch more sophisticated attacks that threaten data privacy. IT leaders need to think about how they, too, should be using AI-powered solutions and tools to keep up with, and enhance their organisations resilience against these AI-powered attacks.

Chris Fisher, Regional Director for ANZ at Vectra AI

Throughout last year, many Australian and New Zealand (ANZ) businesses made headlines for all the wrong reasons, as even large corporations investing ample funds into security measures were forced to announce breaches and customer data leaks.

In September, for instance, Pizza Huts Australian operations were the victim of a cyber-attack that saw customer data, including delivery addresses and order details of as many as 193,000 customers, being claimed by an unauthorised third party. On top of this, for registered accounts, the hack claimed credit card numbers and encrypted passwords.

As we enter a new year, the International Data Privacy Day, taking place on January 28th, is a clear opportunity to stop, take stock of security measures, and put in place both prevention and detection systems and processes. With artificial intelligence (AI) dominating headlines, this day is a chance to consider how AI can be baked into security strategies to achieve greater attack signal intelligence  especially as customers and consumers have begun to share more data than ever before with organisations.

Even as these customers take action to keep their personal information secure and private, exposure incidents still occur. As we strive to make the world a safer and fairer place, companies have a responsibility to their customers, partners and end users to implement the right practices that will ensure that their privacy and data are protected.

By Andrew Slavkovic, Solutions Engineering Director ANZ  CyberArk

Its encouraging to see Australia moving in the right direction with the proposed changes to the Privacy Act. However, it is imperative for organisations to go beyond regulatory compliance and proactively safeguard sensitive data. Organisations are now collecting and storing more data than ever. This trend will only continue as organisations invest in leveraging more AI initiatives in 2024.

Parallel to this, organisations are relying on third-parties to protect data without ever validating how it is protected, stored or even interconnected with other organisations. There is often a lack of understanding on who can access the data and of even more concern the business impact if it were to be compromised. This is one of the reasons organisations should be adopting a robust and comprehensive cybersecurity strategy. One in which identities are front and center. Identity security is paramount to a zero-trust security mindset. We must never trust but always verify what the identity is doing and if abnormal activity is detected we must challenge that identity in real time by seamlessly applying security controls to validate the action.

We must start by understanding how an identity accesses information and the value of that data, after this we can start to apply the appropriate level of security controls. A pattern of usual behavior will be established and then any deviation can be challenged in real time.

Keir Garrett, Regional Vice President, Cloudera ANZ

Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) has been the tech story of 2023 as organisations scrambled to adopt the technology in the enterprise. Chatbots, automated report generation and personalised emails are just the tip of the iceberg of how GenAI -drives creativity and productivity while improving customer experience.

It is worthwhile to note that AI models are only as good as the data that they are fed; therefore, the key to trusting your AI is to first trust your data. As companies look to deploy more AI and machine learning (ML) technologies across the business, there is an increasing demand for a trusted data platform to help organisations access their data across all environments. Advancements in AI/ML have even let organisations extract value from unstructured data, which makes the management, governance, and control of all data critical  if you have clean, trusted data within the data platform, that is the AI model you can trust.

Organisations will become more data-driven with the continued rise of GenAI. In fact, an impressive 75% of Australian organisations are already adopting AI/ML technologies. As businesses adopt new GenAI iterations to democratise more of their data, the need to secure that data and empower the right people to access it becomes paramount. Privacy concerns are valid seeing how companies train or prompt GenAI models like ChatGPT with data.

To navigate data security and privacy risks, organisations must build their strategies and plans with data security and governance front of mind as enforcing third-party security solutions is often a complicated process. Investing in modern data platforms and tools with built-in security and governance capabilities allows companies to democratise their data in a secure and governed manner, while successfully training enterprise AI/ML models.

Carla Roncato, Vice President of Identity, WatchGuard Technologies

Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies are top of mind this Data Privacy Day, both for the potential benefits and troubling dangers these tools could unleash. Considering the widespread proliferation of AI tools in just this past year, its critical that we in the information security community seize this opportunity to raise awareness and deepen understanding of the emerging risk of AI for our data. As AI becomes a more integral  and infringing  presence in our everyday lives it will have real implications to our data rights.



Remember, if a service you use is free, its likely that you and your data are the product. This also applies to AI tools, so act accordingly. Many early AI services and tools, including ChatGPT, employ a usage model thats similar to social media services like Facebook and TikTok. While you dont pay money to use those platforms, you are compensating them through the sharing of your private data, which these companies leverage and monetise through ad targeting. Similarly, a free AI service can collect data from your devices and store your prompts, then use that data to train its own model. While this may not seem malicious, its precisely why its so crucial to analyze the privacy implications of processing scraped data to train generative AI algorithms. Say one of these companies gets breached; threat actors could obtain access to your data, and  just like that  have the power to weaponise it against you.

Of course, AI has potential upsides. In fact, many AI tools are quite powerful and can be used securely with proper precautions. The risks your business faces depend on your specific organizations missions, needs and the data you use. In security, everything starts with policy, meaning that ultimately you must craft an AI policy thats tailored to your organisations unique use case. Once you have your policy nailed down, the next step is to communicate it, as well as the risks associated with AI tools, to your workforce. But its important to continue to revise or amend this policy as needed to ensure compliance amid changing regulations  and be sure to reiterate it with your workforce regularly.

Raja Mukerji, Co-founder and Chief Scientist, ExtraHop

A key focus this Data Privacy Day should be on generative AI. As a new approach gaining attention across enterprises, concerns about data security and privacy have run rampant. Most enterprises are eager to take advantage of generative AI, however, circumstances like employees uploading sensitive corporate data and IP, the opacity of criteria used to train the model, and lack of governance and regulations introduce new challenges.

During this time of development, enterprises should focus on ways to make generative AI work for their specific needs and protocols. Visibility into AI tools is critical, and enterprises should have solutions in place that monitor how theyre being both trained and used while educating employees on best practices for safe and ethical use. Investing in systems and processes that grant you this visibility and training will help position generative AI as an aid for productivity in the workplace, and help mitigate data privacy concerns. Eventually, enterprises will be able to take advantage of the opportunity to build their own unique AI tools to better serve their employees, customers, and processes, in a provably secure and repeatable manner.

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Serial entrepreneurs plan to open a tiki bar, coffee shop and wood-fired pizzeria in downtown Hammond, hoping to contribute to its revitalization.

Aubrey and Brian Zelenka own a former Firestone service center in downtown Hammond.

The Zelenkas plan to turn the historic building into a tiki bar and coffee shop inspired in part by the erstwhile Psycho Suzi's Motor Lounge in Minneapolis. It will serve wood-fired pizza and other small bites, as well as tiki cocktails.

The Zelenkas, who also own a fabrication and pinup and boudoir photography business, plan to build an addition on to the historic tire shop to realize their tiki bar dream. It will be called Paradise.

"We never wanted to open a restaurant. It's like having a baby," Aubrey Zelenka said. "We like to travel. We're foodies and cocktail enthusiasts. We want to help revitalize the downtown and were looking for another business to put in the taproom. We looked at tiki bars. We like going to tiki bars but there's nothing like that here. We also wanted to do a coffee shop because I was going to start a mobile coffee business on my motorcycle and there needs to be coffee down here in the city in the morning. It fills some needs in the community."

Once one of Northwest Indiana's biggest and busiest commercial hubs, downtown Hammond long ago lost the department stores and movie palaces that made it a vibrant attraction. It's suffered more recent setbacks, including the loss of historic buildings, the law offices that were once clustered around the courthouses there and the Franciscan Hammond Hospital that was the largest employer for more than a century.

But the Zelenkas see promise in downtown Hammond. They're looking to capitalize off the downtown revitalization projects, including the new South Shore Line train station, new housing going up and urban planner Jeff Speck's plans to make it more walkable. They hope to create a monthly First Friday event that would showcase local businesses.

"We want to show why people should come here and how great and walkable a city it is," she said. "We'll have a walkable city map and website showing the participating businesses staying open late. They can come for a cocktail and walk to other businesses."

Tiki bar regulars, they frequent Chef Shangri-La in Riverside, a Cantonese restaurant with a tiki bar.

"They have Elvis impersonators and the cheesy culture from the 1950s for when you're stuck in the Midwest. It's tropical themed when you're stuck in the snow and cold and weather," she said. "It's like a Florida vacation when you're stuck here. It's blue-collar. It's somewhere to go when you can't go on vacation."

Tiki bars have undergone a resurgence in popularity of late. Tiki bars like Three Dots and a Dash in Chicago, Friki Tiki in Manhattan and Smuggler's Cove in San Francisco have cropped up in big cities in recent years.

"People love the retro vintage of tiki cocktails. They love the nostalgia of the tiki bar. We're going to put a little spin on it to make it well-rounded and have a whole theme of a bodega in a tropical rainforest with a broken scooter," she said. "Tiki bars have always been around and you can find them wherever you go. You can search out the tiki bar underground. It's a culture where everybody is welcome."

She grew up in a log cabin in a swamp between Hebron and DeMotte, moved to Chicago and eventually came back to Northwest Indiana.

"When I was a kid Hammond was not a place you went," she said. "My mom talked about it as this big thing when it used to have Goldblatt's. You could get a soda and hot dog in the basement and ride the fancy elevators."

They plan to pay homage to the city's history, such as the Roby Speedway and Wolf Lake's reputation as a gangland graveyard.

"There's A Christmas Story, Phil Smidt's, a lot of great things," she said.

They settled on relocating to Hammond when they decided to move back to Northwest Indiana. Both are scooter enthusiasts who wanted to stay close to Chicago so they looked right over the border. They also wanted a building where they could live and work, basing their businesses there.

"We never wanted to open a restaurant but have to open something and it just kind of rolled from there," she said.

The taproom currently seats 20 to 30 people but they plan to add more space as soon as she gets her contractor's license. They plan to run it as a family business with her teenage son helping out.

The building will be home to their other businesses, including the fabrication shop that does work for steel mills and commercial clients while also making custom car railings and "smaller artsy stuff."

"We'll have some traditional tiki drinks and coffee we'll put booze in. There's a Hawaiian term called Hoonohonoho that means possessed by spirits. We'll serve the coffee that way at 10 a.m. with no judgment," she said. "We'll have some funky drinks that will roll over into the afternoon when we'll have a small menu of traditional specialty cocktails and fire bowls. It will be a whole experience from the appetizers to the drinks."

The focus will be on pizza and small plates.

"We're keeping it pretty simple," she said. "We're going to have a wood-fired oven. We'll do soups, wood-fired mac and cheese and pizza. I'm a coffee nerd and we do appreciate your traditional coffee shop, as well as funky coffees and teas. It will be colorful and fun. It will have a lot of different and weird coffee we've encountered on our travels, things we've found to set up apart."

They plan to add a drive-through to cater to computers and allow for pre-orders on an app.

"We want to have the same convenience as Dunkin'," she said. "We'll have early morning small bites on weekdays and paninis and coffee to take with you on the South Shore train."

They plan to call the place Paradise, which was suggested when they were batting options back and forth at 18th Street just down the street.

"You can say, 'Welcome to Paradise' and 'Have you been to paradise?' But it can be anything you want it to be," she said. "Paradise is whatever you make it."

They plan to decorate it with vines to create the impression of a jungle.

"We have so many things we want to do. We're going to blow Hammond away," she said. "We want to bring something different."

They for instance hope to stage a Mardi Gras celebration with a second line and maybe bring in food trucks.

"We think it's a great place and it's going to be epic for the city to bring something different," she said. "We're not scared of being different."

They're planning on extensively renovating the 1935 Firestone tire store, potentially turning the tire and oil changing pit into a 1970s-style conversation pit.

"We're bootstrapping this with no backers and no extra loans," she said. "We're building it from the ground up. We're true entrepreneurs. We might bring in women and children to the fabrication shop to show them about welding and trying a trade. We want to show them you can do whatever you want. You can do anything."
An unusual ruling by the Indiana Court of Appeals last week is the latest twist in a topsy-turvy criminal case following the death of an 8-month-old Hammond girl nearly 8 years ago.

Maci Moor died at a Chicago hospital April 19, 2016, after the infant struggled to wake up from a nap four days prior at the Calumet Township home of her caregiver, according to court records.

Records show the caregiver, Trisha Woodworth, 33, promptly contacted the baby's mother when the child wouldn't wake up, and then called 911 for emergency assistance at the mother's direction less than 10 minutes later.

Woodworth eventually was charged with one count of neglect of a dependent, a level 1 felony; aggravated battery, a level 1 felony; and battery resulting in the death of a person younger than 14, a level 2 felony, according to court records.

Records show experts disagreed on the cause of Moor's death. Prosecutors claimed it was due to a violent shaking incident at Woodworth's home, while doctors supporting Woodworth attributed it to Moor falling at her own home a few days earlier, which resulted in a blood clot growing in her brain that caused her brain to swell and block her blood flow, triggering a stroke.

In 2022, a Lake County jury convicted Woodworth of neglect of a dependent, but acquitted her on the other charges of aggravated battery and battery resulting in the death of a person younger than 14, according to court records.

However, records show Lake Superior Judge Samuel Cappas took the rare step of setting aside the jury's verdict on his own initiative after he concluded it would be a manifest injustice to sentence Woodworth to a minimum of 20 years in prison for Woodworth waiting less than 10 minutes to call an ambulance after she found the child unresponsive.

Cappas justified his decision to vacate the conviction and release Woodworth by finding that her attorney, who was participating in his first felony trial, made a number of errors and thereby provided ineffective counsel to Woodworth  even though the judge previously praised the quality of her attorney's advocacy, according to court records.

Records show Cappas then ordered a new trial for Woodworth and recused himself from presiding over it.

The second trial has been on hold while the Indiana attorney general's office urged the Court of Appeals to reinstate Woodworth's original conviction, according to court records.

The appellate court did just that. In a 3-0 ruling, it determined Cappas abused his discretion by vacating Woodworth's conviction on his own motion and granting her a new trial due to the alleged ineffectiveness of her attorney.

"We caution trial courts against sua sponte making an ineffective assistance of counsel determination and conclude that the trial court abused its discretion when it granted its own motion to correct error based on a finding that Woodworths counsel was ineffective," wrote Appeals Judge Rudolph Pyle III on behalf of the court.

At the same time, the appeals court granted Woodworth's cross-appeal and reversed the conviction it just reinstated by finding insufficient evidence to support her conviction for neglect of a dependent.

The Court of Appeals typically does not reweigh the evidence or judge witness credibility when it reviews criminal convictions on appeal.

But Pyle said in this case there's no evidence Woodworth knowingly placed Moor in a situation that endangered her life  contrary to the charge that Woodworth "failed to provide immediate medical attention upon injury."

Pyle specifically noted Woodworth's 9-minute delay in calling 911, during which Woodworth contacted the child's mother and Woodworth's own mother and sister tended to Moor by applying a cold rag to the child's head and taking her outside for fresh air, was not a failure to provide immediate medical attention to the child.

In fact, Pyle said prosecutors presented no evidence at trial to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Moor's death would not have occurred but for Woodworth's alleged failure to obtain immediate medical care.

"Based on these facts and circumstances, we conclude that Woodworth's actions were those of a reasonable caregiver who finds that a child in her care is having difficulty waking up from a nap and does not 'look right,'" Pyle said.

"Thus, the evidence presented at trial is insufficient to support her conviction of Level 1 felony neglect of a dependent resulting in death. Accordingly, we reverse Woodworth's conviction."

The attorney general's office still can ask the Indiana Supreme Court to review the case and consider reinstating Woodworth's conviction.

Otherwise, Woodworth likely cannot be retried on the same charge of neglect of a dependent since the appellate court found the evidence insufficient to sustain the jury's verdict.

Gallery: Take a virtual tour of Indiana's state parks Brown County State Park Chain O' Lakes State Park Charlestown State Park Clifty Falls State Park Falls of the Ohio State Park Fort Harrison State Park Harmonie State Park Lincoln State Park McCormick's Creek State Park Mounds State Park O'Bannon Woods State Park Ouabache State Park Pokagon State Park Potato Creek State Park Prophetstown State Park Shades State Park Shakamak State Park Spring Mill State Park Summit Lake State Park Tippecanoe River State Park Turkey Run State Park Versailles State Park White River State Park Whitewater Memorial State Park
A billionaire businessman from Illinois is bestowing big bucks on a seemingly kindred spirit seeking the Republican nomination for Indiana governor.

State campaign finance records show Richard Uihlein, of Lake Forest, Illinois, last week donated $1 million to the gubernatorial campaign of U.S. Sen. Mike Braun, R-Ind., who routinely touts his experience as a businessman, instead of his nearly two decades in elected office, on the campaign trail.

It's the largest single donation received this cycle by any candidate for Indiana governor  so far  excluding the $5 million that former Commerce Secretary Brad Chambers personally loaned his gubernatorial campaign.

Uihlein, a co-founder of Uline, the leading North American distributor of shipping, packaging and industrial supplies, is a frequent donor to conservative causes and Republican political candidates, including more than $50 million that he dropped in 2022 to support the unsuccessful Illinois governor campaign of Republican Darren Bailey.

Records show this is Uihlein's largest donation to an Indiana candidate  surpassing the $55,000 he previously donated to the 2016 and 2020 campaigns of former Attorney General Curtis Hill Jr., who also is seeking the Republican gubernatorial nomination.

The Uihlein donation gives Braun a clear fundraising lead over Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, who was nearly tied with Braun for cash on hand as of Dec. 31, 2023, and extends his financial advantage over Chambers, Fort Wayne businessman Eric Doden, and Hill.

This isn't the first time a hefty donation has flowed into an Indiana gubernatorial campaign across the state line from Illinois.

In 2016, then-Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner, a multimillionaire Republican businessman, deposited $100,000 in the campaign account of then-Lt. Gov. Eric Holcomb in his successful first bid for Indiana's top job.

The Hoosier State imposes few meaningful restrictions on donations to political candidates.

Gallery: Get to know the state symbols of Indiana State Aircraft: Republic Aviation P-47 Thunderbolt State Bird: Cardinal State Flag State Flower: Peony State Fossil: Mastodon State Gun: Grouseland Rifle State Insect: Say's Firefly State Language: English State Motto: "Crossroads of America" State Nickname: The Hoosier State State Pie: Sugar Cream Pie (unofficial) State Poem: "Indiana" State River: Wabash State Seal State Snack: Indiana-Grown Popcorn State Song: "On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away" State Stone: Limestone State Tree: Tulip tree
A former Republican judge appointed to hear arguments on whether to disqualify former President Donald J. Trump from the Illinois primary ballot said on Sunday that he believed Mr. Trump engaged in insurrection by attempting to remain in office after the 2020 election.

But the former judge, Clark Erickson, whose nonbinding opinion will be considered by the State Board of Elections on Tuesday, added that he believed the board did not have the authority to disqualify Mr. Trump on those grounds and that the question should instead be left to the courts.

The mixed decision was at least a symbolic setback for the former president, who has faced official challenges to his candidacy in 35 states and has been found ineligible for the primaries in Colorado and Maine. Mr. Trump, the leading Republican candidate for president, is still likely to appear on the primary ballots in both of those states as the U.S. Supreme Court considers an appeal of the Colorado ruling.

In Illinois, at least five of the eight members of the Board of Elections would have to vote on Tuesday to remove Mr. Trump for him to be struck from the ballot. The appointed board is made up of four Democrats and four Republicans. Their decision can be appealed to the courts before the March 19 primary.
One is accused of kidnapping a woman. Another is said to have handed out ammunition. A third was described as taking part in the massacre at a kibbutz where 97 people died. And all were said to be employees of the United Nations aid agency that schools, shelters and feeds hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

The accusations are contained in a dossier provided to the United States government that details Israels claims against a dozen employees of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency who, it says, played a role in the Hamas attacks against Israel on Oct. 7 or in their aftermath.

The U.N. said on Friday that it had fired several employees after being briefed on the allegations. But little was known about the accusations until the dossier was reviewed on Sunday by The New York Times.

The accusations are what prompted eight countries, including the United States, to suspend some aid payment to UNRWA, as the agency is known, even as war plunges Palestinians in Gaza into desperate straits. More than 26,000 people have been killed there and nearly two million displaced, according to Gazan and U.N. officials.
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 will be the subject of talks in Paris on Sunday.

Negotiators have developed a written draft agreement merging proposals offered by Israel and Hamas in the last 10 days into a basic framework that, if accepted, would transform the conflict consuming the region. 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.

In a statement in Israel on Saturday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed his commitment to securing the release of those hostages who were not freed as part of a more limited agreement in November. As of today, we have returned 110 of our hostages and we are committed to returning all of them home, he said. We are dealing with this and we are doing so around the clock, including now.
Between network, cable and streaming, the modern television landscape is a vast one. Here are some of the shows, specials and movies coming to TV this week, Jan. 29-Feb. 4. Details and times are subject to change.

Monday

BAD ROMANCE 10 p.m. on ABC. In February 2023, Becky Bliefnick was murdered in her home, and her estranged husband, Tim Bliefnick, was immediately the primary person of interest. Evidence was found in the home and online, but one of the creepiest parts of the case is an appearance Tim made on Family Feud years earlier. The question he was asked didnt seem out of the ordinary: Whats the biggest mistake you made at your wedding? His answer: Honey, I love you, but said, I do. This special edition of 20/20 takes a deeper look at the case.

Tuesday

VANDERPUMP RULES 8 p.m. on Bravo. I will always choose Below Deck over anything else in the Bravo universe, but I can humbly admit that this season premiere is going to be one of the networks biggest must-watch moments all year. After Scandoval set the reality-television world aflame, this is the first chance to check back in with Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix (minus Rachel Leviss, who has left the show). With Madix headed to Broadway to play Roxie in Chicago and Tom Schwartz coming off a slight character-redeeming run on Winter House, I personally cant wait to see more drama unfold.
In late 2009, as she was about to turn 80, Vera Klement was spattering and brushing red paint onto a 6-by-7-foot canvas on the floor of her loft in Chicago where she lived and worked. It depicted a faceless man, his arms pressed tightly to his chest, surrounded by a field of red. To the right, separated by white space, was a black rectangle.

This is a homage to Shostakovich, she said in the short film Vera Klement: Blunt Edge, directed by Wonjung Bae, referring to the Russian composer and pianist Dmitri Shostakovich. (Ms. Bae had made initial contact with her by email, expressing her admiration.) Its an attempt to memorialize his struggle with the Soviet regime that tried in every way to suppress his freedom and individuality, Ms. Klement added. The pose is holding onto himself.

The rectangle, she added, was the back door at which most Russians expected a visit from the government in the middle of the night.

Ms. Klement, a Holocaust survivor who was known for paintings that combined elements of Abstract Expressionism and figurative art, died on Oct. 20 in Evanston, Ill. She was 93. Her death, at a retirement home, was confirmed by Max Shapey, her son. It was not widely reported outside Chicago.
Mothers in Gaza are struggling to find clean water and baby formula for their newborns. Families are selling their possessions to buy sacks of flour. Some people are eating animal feed to survive.

In the northern city of Beit Lahia, Mahmoud Shalabi said people have brought cattle feed  made of corn or oat  to a mill to grind it into flour. It is barely edible, said Shalabi, 38, whose children are 7 and 9, but is preferable to starvation. If you find it now, he told us, you will be able to have something to eat and feed your kids.

Famine has become a central concern in the humanitarian calamity in Gaza, with nearly all households regularly skipping meals, according to the U.N. On a per capita basis, Bob Kitchen of the International Rescue Committee said, It is the most intense hunger crisis I have ever seen. He added: Almost everyone is now hungry.

In todays newsletter, we will explain the crisis in Gaza  and the concern among experts that starvation has again become a tool of war.
Toyota Motor said it had halted the global shipments of 10 vehicles after it discovered that an affiliate had mishandled the testing of diesel engines used in the automobiles, the latest embarrassing problem to hit the worlds biggest automaker in recent months.

The Toyota affiliate used software to measure horsepower output that made values appear smoother with less variation, Toyota, the parent company, said in a statement on Monday. The vehicles meet engine output standards, and there is no need to stop using the engines or vehicles, the company said.

Still, Toyota decided to stop shipping the 10 models that use three diesel engines at issue. Among the models that will temporarily be shut down are the popular Hilux pickup truck and the Land Cruiser 300 sport utility vehicle. Toyota did not say how many vehicles were affected.

Japans transportation ministry said in a statement that it had ordered Toyota Industries to address its mismanagement of the engine testing, adding that it would conduct inspections and issue penalties.
From the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in creating deep fakes, to using ChatGPT to make sense of the data captured during a breach, cybercriminals have upped the ante this year in terms of the sophistication of their attacks.

As we head into 2024, leading provider of managed services and cloud solutions, Intelliworx, reveals the trends expected to both help and hinder the role of the cyber security professional in the new year.

ChatGPT or AI? Expect to get cyberattacked

Social engineering through deep fakes, that make use of artificial intelligence (AI) to hide their threats in plain sight, is becoming more common. Both AI and ChatGPT can be used to better mask phishing emails as being from real friends or colleagues  thanks to their ability to replicate the more human elements of online interaction. Because of this, AI will continue to grant cyber attackers more successful access to a businesss online environment.

With that in mind, organisations need to tighten email security (as they should be doing most years) but also consider battening down the digital hatches on their collaborative online environments too. Whats more, cybersecurity teams need to be acutely aware of any AI and ChatGPT tools their own organisation is planning to implement in 2024 and make sure they dont compromise their other digital assets.

In 2024, as AI and ChatGPT continue to evolve and become more prominent, expect cybercriminals to continue to diversify their mediums to reach their victims beyond just plain old email  but also phone, and online help chats, or whatever new vessel AI brings to the fore.

Security regulations will become even more watertight

Day-to-day, security regulation is as much of a help to cybersecurity professionals, as it is another weight around their neck. Its, after all, another hurdle to navigate in an already complex environment. But, as we move into 2024, where cybercriminals are becoming increasingly proficient, cyber professionals will no doubt be grateful to hear theres more to come in 2024. Australias introduction of a Cybersecurity Strategy will be coupled with increased data regulation in the UK and more consumer laws in the U.S.

Regulation provides clear guidelines on how to react to attacks so that there are no more blurred lines or misunderstandings around what should and shouldnt be prioritised. It also offers an opportunity for organisations to identify areas needing improvement in their cybersecurity protections, where needed. And finally, its clear in pointing to which bodies certain incidents should be reported to. Which is useful not just for other would-be victims, but for protecting the critical national infrastructure.

In 2024, cybersecurity professionals will need to be adept at not just navigating these new regulations but also communicating the impact of not doing so to their bosses. In Australia, a single reporting portal on cyber.gov.au will be created to simplify compliance and fresh data retention requirements will come in. While there will be no introduction of further director duties, company leaders will have to demonstrate concrete steps to reduce risk if things go wrong.

Therell be even more skills needed to adequately fight cybercrime in 2024

By the end of the coming year, the cost of cyber-attacks on the global economy is predicted to top $10.5 trillion. This staggering amount reflects the growing need for cyber security to be treated as a strategic priority on an individual, organisational, and governmental level. And with that, theres never been more of a need for an influx of skills in the sector. Growing and professionalising a local cybersecurity workforce is one of the key recommendations from the Australian governments Cybersecurity Strategy.

The truth of the matter is that the cybersecurity industry is evolving at a rate of knots  and we can expect more of the same next year. Unlike other job roles, it requires a constant, ever-evolving awareness of the most current and risky threats  not just across ones own business, or even their own region, but across different regions around the world too.

To acquire that level of knowledge requires in-depth research and investigation in order to achieve optimal protection. Alongside it, theres more need than ever before for cybersecurity professionals to be wonderful communicators. Because its not just about the technology that powers or stops a threat that takes up a big part of the job, its also a need to inform and reassure clients and leaders.

In 2024, cybersecurity leaders must keep a steady pipeline of news and threat intelligence moving from their department up to the very top (and the very bottom) of a business).

Supply chain attacks will continue to grow in volume and strength

Threat actors are increasingly targeting software supply chains to attack organisations on a global basis and becoming far more adept at doing so. So much so that, just recently, the UKs National Cyber Security Centre was forced to issue a joint advisory with South Koreas National Intelligence Service (NIS) to ward against them, while warning about supply chains was one of the most consistent features of the Australian governments Cybersecurity Strategy when it came to forecasts of business disruption.

Furthermore, a number of threat actors are now leveraging more zero-day vulnerabilities and exploits in third-party software to gain access to specific targets, or indiscriminate organisations, through their suppliers. In an increasingly digital and interconnected world, we can expect software supply chain attacks to have an even greater impact in the new year and beyond.

Watch out for cloud-jacking

In recent months, theres been a steep rise in cloud account hijacking the world over. Once a rarity, its now become commonplace. So much so that its increased prevalence should be front of mind for cybersecurity professionals in 2024.

Why? Well, once a cyber attack has made it into the cloud via one account  its likely not far away from accessing them all at the touch of the button. As more organisations move to the cloud, it becomes a much more attractive target for threat actors, and theyre spending more time and resources than ever before trying to get into that environment. Whats more, during traditional attacks targeting onsite servers, malicious hackers typically need their own port-scanning tools to detect what systems are in an enterprise, and where the weak exploitable spots are. But during cloud attacks, those port scanners arent needed.

In the new year, cybersecurity professionals should not just think about protecting individuals, their technology, or simply defending against particular threats, but focusing on protecting their cloud environment above all else. From 17-year-old tech whizzes, to the bigger players pitting attacks against countries national infrastructures, expect all cybercriminals to make a habit of cloud account-jacking next year.

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As climate-fueled disasters destroy more American homes, the crowdfunding platform GoFundMe has exploded in popularity. Its appeal is simple: People can provide cash directly to survivors, which is quicker than insurance and often more generous than government aid.

But new research suggests that cash sent through GoFundMe disproportionately benefits the wealthy rather than those who most need help.

Researchers examined donations to hundreds of people who lost their homes in the 2021 Marshall fire in Colorado, which destroyed more than 1,000 dwellings near Boulder. They found that those with household incomes above $150,000 received 28 percent more money, on average, than those with incomes below $75,000.

The authors concluded that the explanation largely revolves around social networks: Wealthier disaster survivors tend to be connected to more people, and those people often have more money to give.
If you have the energy for one extraordinary dinner this week, its well worth investing it in Genevieve Kos homemade spinach-filled dumplings with chile crisp. (Consider it practice for the upcoming Lunar New Year.) Dumplings, as Genevieve writes, are as much about texture as taste. Her version, both steamed and fried, is a symphony of crackling, crunchy undersides with chewy-tender tops.

A delightful textural contrast is also front and center in Ali Slagles spicy sesame noodles. Springy ramen noodles meet nubby ground chicken and crunchy peanuts, which are seasoned with a sesame-orange-soy mixture thats been sizzled in hot oil.

As long as youre buying ground chicken for Alis recipe, you might as well throw in an extra pound for this take on youvarlakia avgolemono, a brothy, lemony, dill-flecked soup thickened with eggs and bobbing with chicken-and-rice meatballs. More traditional youvarlakia recipes use ground beef for the meatballs, and Ive also made this soup with ground turkey. Which is to say, youve got options.

For something both sweet and light  for either breakfast or dessert  you could make my broiled grapefruit with brown sugar and flaky salt. Grapefruits are in peak season now, and glazing them with sugar is a time-honored technique that I update with a pop of salt sprinkled on just before serving. The salt amplifies their sweetness and checks their bitterness while adding a pleasing crunch.

As always, youll want to subscribe to read all these smart recipes and so many more (in the tens of thousands range) on New York Times Cooking. If you need any technical help, the brilliant people at cookingcare@nytimes.com are there for you. And Im at hellomelissa@nytimes.com if you want to say hi.
More than 20 years after the hip-hop D.J. Jam Master Jay was gunned down in his Queens recording studio, two men charged in the killing faced a federal jury in Brooklyn on Monday.

Jam Master Jay, whose real name was Jason Mizell, of the seminal group Run-DMC, was 37 when he died in a crime that remained unresolved for nearly two decades.

The two defendants, Karl Jordan Jr., 40, and Ronald Washington, 59, were charged in 2020, when federal prosecutors accused them of plotting to kill Mr. Mizell after he cut Mr. Washington out of a drug deal. A third man, Jay Bryant, who was also charged in connection with the murder last year, will be tried separately.

It was an ambush  an execution  and youll learn it was motivated by greed and revenge, Miranda Gonzalez, a prosecutor, told the jury during opening statements.
As a New York judge weighs Donald J. Trumps civil fraud case, new accusations of deficiencies in his companys financial reporting could provide the judge with ammunition for a forceful ruling against the former president and his family business.

The judge, Arthur F. Engoron, will soon decide on any consequences Mr. Trump might face as a result of the New York attorney generals accusation that he fraudulently exaggerated his net worth to obtain favorable loans. After a monthslong trial, the attorney general, Letitia James, asked for a penalty of roughly $370 million, which would come on the heels of a separate jury verdict in a defamation case requiring Mr. Trump to pay $83.3 million.

The new accusations against Mr. Trumps family business, the Trump Organization, came late last week in a report from an outside monitor whom Justice Engoron assigned in late 2022 to keep an eye on the company. The monitor, Barbara Jones, a former federal judge, has overseen how the company represents its finances to lenders.

Her report highlighted several paperwork issues at a family company trying to shake a legacy of sloppiness: missing disclosures, typos, math errors and questions about a $48 million loan between Mr. Trump and one of his companies. Ms. Jones, now a law firm partner, told the judge that collectively, the issues may reflect a lack of adequate internal controls.
For months, battered by President Bidens dismal 2024 re-election polls, Democrats have been undergoing a kind of collective nervous breakdown over his re-election prospects against Donald Trump.

After Mr. Trumps victory in New Hampshire and with the unofficial start of the general election campaign, there is no reason for the Biden team to panic. Polls at this stage of the race are almost always a referendum on the incumbent instead of a clear choice. Still, the presidents bad polls and stubbornly low approval ratings are, or should be, more than just grist for Mr. Bidens critics. Theyre proof that his campaign needs to overhaul its message.

Mr. Biden has yet to explain clearly why hes running for a second term. Ive reached this conclusion after speaking with more than a dozen ex-presidential campaign managers and top political strategists; indeed, I spent two years writing a book about the Biden presidency.

To articulate his vision for America and his case for re-election, the president  whom, I should note, I am rooting for  must campaign in both poetry and prose. The poetry will be in his pledge to preserve the integrity of the Constitution and safeguard democracy, and the prose in his promise to deliver on kitchen table issues where many voters believe hes fallen short.
To the Editor:

Re Jury Says Trump Owes $83 Million (front page, Jan. 27):

The huge damages award provides the perfect ammunition for Donald Trump to play the grievance card to his base and even beyond. The free publicity triggered by Mr. Trump ranting against the system (This is not America) fuels the MAGA message.

At the end of the day, Mr. Trump may be a net winner from this entire defamation episode. Unabashedly, Mr. Trump raises funds off what he calls this ridiculous result.

We struggle to understand Mr. Trumps appeal, just as we struggle to realize that the E. Jean Carroll award will be steamrolled into a victory for Mr. Trump. Whether this approach can win a general election is in play.

David S. Kasdan

Cortlandt Manor, N.Y.

To the Editor:

Re Carroll Promises to Do Something Good With a Fortune Won From Trump (nytimes.com, Jan. 27):

Its wonderful that E. Jean Carroll plans to do something good with the $83 million Donald Trump has been ordered to pay her for his cruel and repeated defamatory conduct.
Marrying a Jewish man  and having Jewish children  wasnt a top priority for Irina Barskaya. Despite pressure from her mother and her older sister, Ms. Barskaya, a 33-year-old hair and makeup artist from Brooklyn, said that in her search for Mr. Right, religion was never at the forefront.

Oct. 7 changed her mind.

Scrolling through social media between clients at the Midwood salon where she works, Ms. Barskaya found herself in tears at reports of the Hamas attacks on Israelis, in which about 1,200 people were killed, according to the authorities. As the scale of the killings became clear in the following days, Ms. Barskaya thought of her family and friends in Israel, and felt a new resolve to reproduce with another Jew.

Theres not a lot of us in the world, Ms. Barskaya said. If we dont continue this path and journey of marrying people and having children within our religion, that could end.

In November, Ms. Barskaya traveled to Washington, D.C., to participate in the March for Israel, in which thousands of people gathered on the National Mall to show their support for the Jewish state. She brought a homemade sign. On the front it read Bring them home!, referring to the hostages held in the Gaza Strip.
In September, Amazon said it would invest up to $4 billion in Anthropic, a San Francisco start-up working on artificial intelligence.

Soon after, an Amazon executive sent a private message to an executive at another company. He said Anthropic had won the deal because it agreed to build its A.I. using specialized computer chips designed by Amazon.

Amazon, he wrote, wanted to create a viable competitor to the chipmaker Nvidia, a key partner and kingmaker in the all-important field of artificial intelligence.

The boom in generative A.I. over the last year exposed just how dependent big tech companies had become on Nvidia. They cannot build chatbots and other A.I. systems without a special kind of chip that Nvidia has mastered over the past several years. They have spent billions of dollars on Nvidias systems, and the chipmaker has not kept up with the demand.
This midweek storm is expected to be moderate in intensity, but another possible storm on the heels of this one could escalate the situation.

We could very well receive Februarys total normal precipitation within the months first five days, forecasters from the National Weather Services office in San Diego wrote early Monday morning.

Heres what to know about the timing.

Monday: A much weaker atmospheric river makes landfall in British Columbia, and some rain falls in the Pacific Northwest.

Tuesday: The more robust storm, which forecasters in Seattle have called a more substantial atmospheric river system, arrives late in the Pacific Northwest. With recent heavy rains, stream and river flooding are possible.

Wednesday: The main stream of heavy precipitation is pointed at Northern California. The worst conditions are expected from the northern Bay Area to the Oregon-California border.

Thursday: The bulk of heavy precipitation drifts south into the Los Angeles region, with rainfall arriving in Southern California later in the day.

The slower the storm moves, the more precipitation will fall. As of Monday morning, forecasters believe it will be a quicker-moving storm, easing some of the rain totals that could pile up and lowering the potential risk for flash flooding.

In the beginning, this will be a warmer storm, confining snow levels to higher elevations, but colder air will return as the storm moves through.

There is high confidence that the Sierra will receive over a foot of snow with this storm. The highest peaks are likely to get even three times that amount.
A judge declined on Monday to grant a new trial for Alex Murdaugh, the former South Carolina lawyer convicted of murdering his wife and son, who had argued that he was entitled to a redo because a court clerk had improperly influenced the jurors in his case.

The judge said that the clerk, Rebecca Hill, had made fleeting and foolish comments but ruled that Mr. Murdaugh, 55, had not proved they were enough to affect the jurys verdict in March 2023. As such, the judge ruled, Mr. Murdaugh did not meet the bar to have his conviction and life sentence set aside.

Still, the judge, Jean Toal, after hearing testimony from Ms. Hill, as well as all 12 jurors in the murder trial and other witnesses, had harsh words for the court clerk. She said Ms. Hill had been attracted by the siren call of celebrity and had wanted Mr. Murdaugh to be found guilty because she thought it would help her sell a book about the trial.

Judge Toal, a former chief justice of the South Carolina Supreme Court, also found that Ms. Hill was not completely credible in her testimony in Columbia, S.C., on Monday.
An Erablue outlet of Mobile World in Indonesia. Photo courtesy of Erablue

Mobile Worlds larger Erablue electronics stores in Indonesia earn average revenues of VND4.5 billion (US$183,100) a month.

Smaller stores report sales of VND2.5 billion a month, Mobile World said in a recent report as it celebrated the opening of the 50th store in the chain it runs with local partner Erajaya Digital.

Mobile World plans to have 75 stores by the end of the year.

Its CEO Doan Van Hieu Em said: "We are confident that Erablue will reach its targets. There is much potential for its development and soon it will become the biggest retailer in Indonesia."

Mobile World chairman Nguyen Duc Tai said last year that service quality helped Erablue gain customers and this would remain its advantage over competitors.

Indonesian retailers often took days to deliver and install electronics equipment, but Erablue offered same-day delivery just like Mobile World does in Vietnam.

Tai expects to have 500 Erablue stores within the next five years and 20-40% market share with annual revenues of $2-4 billion.

An initial public offering of Erablue is also being considered, he added.

Mobile World recently shut down its Bluetronics retail chain in Cambodia due to the small market and complex tax policies there and instead focuses on the Indonesian market, which is estimated at $14 billion, many times that of Cambodia and double that of Vietnam.
An Iranian man accused of being the kingpin of a network that targets dissidents has been charged with hiring two Canadians, including a member of the Hells Angels, to kill two Iranian refugees living in Maryland, according to indictments unsealed on Monday.

The man, Naji Sharifi Zindashti, 49, is accused of being a drug trafficker and assassin in Iran. In December, a federal grand jury in Minnesota charged him with orchestrating a plot to murder an unidentified Iranian defector and another person in late 2020 and early 2021 using an encrypted messaging app to recruit killers.

Mr. Zindashti connected with Damion Ryan, 43, who, in turn, enlisted Adam R. Pearson, 29, according to court documents. Prosecutors identified Mr. Pearson as a full-patch member of the outlaw Hells Angels Motorcycle Club who was living illegally in Minnesota.

Both men are serving time in Canadian prisons on unrelated charges. In one chilling exchange described in one of the indictments, Mr. Pearson signaled his intention to shoot one of his targets in the head to send a message on behalf of his Iranian handler.
He expressed outrage and sorrow for the death of three brave U.S. troops in Jordan, and for the other troops who were wounded and added that we will take all necessary action to defend the U.S. and our troops.

Mr. Austin said he was glad to be back at the Pentagon. I feel good and am recovering well, but still recovering.

The House Armed Services Committee has asked Mr. Austin to testify next month about why he and his aides kept his illness secret. The committees chairman, Representative Mike D. Rogers, Republican of Alabama, said that Congress must understand what happened and who made decisions to prevent the disclosure of the whereabouts of a cabinet secretary.

Mr. Rogers said that he had scheduled a hearing for Feb. 14.

Mr. Austin, 70, has long been known as an intensely private man who eschews the limelight and dislikes talking to the news media  qualities that Mr. Biden was fine with, his aides said, when he appointed the 40-year Army officer to be his defense secretary.

But in keeping secret his hospitalization, Mr. Austin attracted more attention to himself than at any point in his long career. He also drew scrutiny and criticism of Mr. Bidens national security team during a period when it was dealing with multiple crises around the world, including wars in Gaza and Ukraine.
Three U.S. service members were killed in Jordan on Sunday and at least 34 others were injured in what the Biden administration said was a drone attack from an Iran-backed militia, the first known American military fatalities from hostile fire in the turmoil spilling over from Israels war with Hamas.

The attack happened at a remote logistics outpost in northeast Jordan called Tower 22 where the borders of Syria, Iraq and Jordan converge. The one-way attack drone hit near the outposts living quarters, causing injuries that ranged from minor cuts to brain trauma, a U.S. military official said.
Campus protests are not usually aimed at a single person. But last week at the University of Pennsylvania, professors staged a rally targeting Marc Rowan, the New York private-equity billionaire.

A Penn alumnus and a major benefactor of the university, Mr. Rowan deployed his formidable resources in a relentless campaign against Penns president, M. Elizabeth Magill, leading to her resignation in December.

But it was what happened next that spurred the protest. Mr. Rowan sent a four-page email to university trustees titled Moving Forward, which many professors interpreted as a blueprint for a more conservative campus.

Amy C. Offner, a history professor who led the protest, called the document a proposed hostile takeover of the core academic functions of the university.
Nearly two decades after he broke into the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minn., and stole a pair of Dorothys ruby slippers used in The Wizard of Oz, the man who committed the theft has revealed why: He believed the slippers were adorned with real rubies.

Terry Martin, now 76, had never seen The Wizard of Oz and had no idea that the shoes were among the most recognizable cultural objects in American film when he stole them on the evening of Aug. 27, 2005, his lawyer, Dane DeKrey, wrote in court papers this month.

Instead, Mr. Martin believed that the slippers must have been made with real rubies to justify their $1 million insured value, prosecutors said. He believed he would be able to peel off the gems and sell them on the black market  a plan that backfired when a man who traded in stolen jewels informed him that the gems were made of glass.

On Monday, Mr. Martin was spared prison and instead sentenced in U.S. District Court in Duluth, Minn., to one year of supervised release for stealing the slippers after he pleaded guilty in October to one count of theft of a major artwork. He was also ordered to pay $23,500 in restitution to the museum.
Irate farmers deployed tractors to block the main roads in and out of Paris on Monday, in an intensifying standoff that has left the capital girding for disruptions and has become the first major test for Frances newly appointed prime minister, Gabriel Attal.

Last week Mr. Attal rushed to farming regions in the south of France and offered a series of rapid concessions as he tried to head off widening demonstrations on roadways from farmers nationwide. But the steps failed to appease many of them.

Many farmers complain that imports are undercutting their livelihood, that wages are too low, and that regulation from both the government and the European Union has become suffocating.

But their concrete demands are so varied that the protests present an increasingly precarious moment for the government, one that defies easy solutions.
Catherine, the Princess of Wales and the wife of Prince William, has returned home from a London hospital almost two weeks after undergoing abdominal surgery, Kensington Palace said in a statement on Monday.

She will convalesce at home for two to three months, according to her office at the palace, and will not return to official duties until after Easter, which falls on March 31 this year.

The Princess of Wales has returned home to Windsor to continue her recovery from surgery. She is making good progress, Kensington Palace said in the statement.

It added: The Prince and Princess wish to say a huge thank you to the entire team at The London Clinic, especially the dedicated nursing staff, for the care they have provided.
The deaths of three U.S. soldiers in a drone strike in Jordan  the first-known American military fatalities from hostile fire in the widening Middle East crisis  are likely to increase pressure on President Biden, who has tried to limit the American response in order to keep regional tensions from spreading further.

The Biden administration said that the strike at a remote military outpost near the Syrian border  which also injured 34 other service members  was carried out by radical Iran-backed militant groups operating in Syria and Iraq.

As Mr. Biden warned that the United States would respond, American officials said that the deaths will require a different level of action from what the White House has ordered in the nearly four months since Israels war with Hamas sparked broader turmoil in the Middle East.

What remained unclear was whether Mr. Biden would strike targets inside Iran itself, as his Republican critics urged him to do, with one saying he would be a coward if he did not.

A spokesman for Irans Foreign Ministry, Nasser Kanaani, said at a news conference on Monday that the militias do not take orders from Iran and act independently to oppose any aggression and occupation. He said that accusations that Iran had ordered the strike were baseless, and blamed Israel and the United States for fueling instability in the region.
Air defenses failed to stop an attack on a U.S. military outpost in Jordan on Sunday that killed three American soldiers at least in part because the hostile drone approached its target at the same time an American drone was returning to the base, two U.S. officials said on Monday.

The enemy drone was mistaken for an American surveillance drone returning to the remote resupply base, and air defenses were not immediately engaged, according to the officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss preliminary findings of a major cause of the episode. Two other drones that attacked other locations nearby in southeast Syria were shot down, they added.

The Wall Street Journal earlier reported the drone mix-up, now at the heart of an investigation by the militarys Central Command into the deadly attack that has drawn vows of retaliation from President Biden, raised doubts about American military defenses in the Middle East, and begged anew questions about the administrations efforts to deter attacks by Iran-backed militias against merchant vessels, warships and military bases in the region.

The attack on Sunday killed three U.S. Army Reserve soldiers, the first known American military fatalities from hostile fire in the turmoil spilling over from Israels war with Hamas. The Pentagon on Monday raised the injured toll to at least 40, with a warning that the list would probably grow as additional troops came forward with symptoms of brain trauma from the blast.

Biden administration officials blamed a drone launched by an Iran-backed militia from Iraq, and suspicions at the Pentagon immediately fell on Kataib Hezbollah, an Iran-affiliated group in Iraq. It has the footprints of Kataib Hezbollah, Sabrina Singh, a Pentagon spokeswoman, told reporters, noting that intelligence analysts were still assessing the strike.
The election interference case against former President Donald J. Trump and 14 of his allies in Georgia has been buffeted by an effort to disqualify the main prosecutor, Fani T. Willis, because she engaged in a romantic relationship with a lawyer she hired to help with the case.

Mr. Trump and a number of his co-defendants tried to convince a judge that the relationship has created a conflict of interest that should be grounds for disqualifying Ms. Willis, the Fulton County district attorney; the hired lawyer, Nathan J. Wade; and Ms. Williss entire office. A key question was whether Ms. Willis reaped any financial benefit from hiring Mr. Wade, who has been paid more than $650,000 for his work on the case.

On March 15, the judge presiding over the case ruled that Ms. Willis could continue leading the prosecution, but only if Mr. Wade withdrew from the case. If not, she and her entire office would have to step aside. Whatever Ms. Willis decides, this means the end for Mr. Wades involvement in the case.

The accusations against Ms. Willis and Mr. Wade were first made in a Jan. 8 court motion filed by Michael Roman, a former Trump campaign official. After refraining from commenting on the matter for weeks, Ms. Willis and Mr. Wade acknowledged in a Feb. 2 court filing that a personal relationship had developed between them, but only after she hired him.
Tuan Hung, a 44-year-old Hanoian, eagerly anticipates celebrating Tet, Vietnams most important festival, with his wife and children in her hometown in Nghe An province.

Married to a woman from the central province for more than 17 years, Hung said every year his family makes the 300 km journey to his wifes hometown three days before Tet begins.

Hung adores the Tet atmosphere of the place, and its a time when his family can all gather to wrap chung cake, stay up all night cooking, talking, and singing until morning.

He also admitted that the couple rarely quarrels during Tet because for his wife, being able to return home is what she desires most, so he arranges the whole trip, most importantly all the purchases and expenses, himself, so she can just rest and relax the whole time without having any responsibilities towards looking out for travel concerns.

"I want my wife to rest on such an occasion, when every other wife is busy taking care of Tet for her husband's family," Hung shared.

Hung and his wife got married in 2007. The first year Bich became his wife, Hung asked his parents for permission to celebrate New Years Eve with his wifes family. His mother was hesitant but finally agreed.

"Being able to come my parents' home to celebrate New Year's Eve makes me appreciate my husband's family more," Bich said.

In Vietnam, it's a tradition for families to observe Tet, the country's most significant festival, with the husband's parents. This Tet will last from Feb. 8 to 14, 2024. The traditional festival will peak on Feb. 10.

Tuan Hung, 44, from Hanoi, joins his wife's family in wrapping chung cake for the 2023 Tet celebrations in Nghe An province. Photo courtesy of Hung

Married since 2018, Van Thoai, 27 years old and from Bac Giang still keeps his pre-marriage promise that he will follow his wife to her home to celebrate Tet and not leave her by herself.

The wife's family has three sisters and his wife is the youngest. The first two sisters were allowed to return to their family from the 29th of the lunar month to the 2nd day of the lunar calendar. Gradually it became a family tradition, so he also wanted his wife to feel left out.

"My mother got married more than 300 km away. Every year she stays at her husband's house to take care of everything until the end of Tet. I don't want my wife to have to suffer like that during Tet," Thoai said.

Thoai admitted that he was often more excited about going home than his wife because his parents-in-law always really cared about him and always waited for Thoai to come home to treat him to delicious food. As the man of the house, he also wants to help his wife's family clean up the house for Tet.

"To balance the two sides, we both agreed to spend time traveling with my family on holidays during the year. So, when Tet comes, we can spend time at her place," Thoai said.

Tuyet Mai, 45 years old, an admin of a marriage discussion forum with more than 400,000 members, said that every year near Tet, there are many posts from women confiding about celebrating Tet, either with their parents or away from home.

Since the beginning of January, the group has received dozens of articles on this topic. Some confided that their husbands agreed to let them return to their parents, but were later scrutinized by their parents-in-law either by words or subtle disagreements.

A VnExpress survey of nearly 1,000 readers showed that 77% believe families should divide the time to celebrate Tet equally between both families, while 21% support celebrating Tet with the wifes parents if everything has been arranged in advance.

There are currently no official statistics on the matter, but according to marriage and family psychologist Le Thi Minh Hoa (Sunny Care Psychological Institute, Ho Chi Minh City), going home to celebrate Tet with parents on the wifes side is becoming more common among young couples. They are more open-minded, women are also confident and clearly express their views before getting married so that they can have equality when they return to their husbands houses.

"Many women today are also economically independent, which makes it easier for them to discuss with their husbands' families in calculating travel costs during Tet and taking good care of both families," Hoa said.

However, experts also believe that families should divide their Tet holidays alternately, with one year spent at the husbands and another year at the wifes. For families who do not live with their husband's family, they can consider which side is nearer and more convenient to travel to, and celebrate Tet together there.

According to Dr. Nguyen Thanh Nga, lecturer at the Academy of Journalism and Communication, returning to their wives families to celebrate Tet is a progressive view for husbands. It is a positive sign for gender equality, partly proving that such husbands respect and love their wives and care about their parents-in-law.

However, according to experts, only maternal and paternal families that are living near each other can support this lifestyle. But in cases where the two families are far apart, celebrating only at the wifes side is not so reasonable.

"Everyone wants their children and grandchildren to reunite on this occasion, so they should plan carefully so that both families are happy," said Nga.

The expert added that for the eldest daughters, even if their husbands' parents support them in returning to their family for Tet, they will likely be judged by their husband's relatives and acquaintances. As such, husbands should think for both their wives and their own parents.

After three years of celebrating Tet at her familys house, Thai Ha, 46 years old, in Nghe An, said that although she was happy, she was often criticized by neighbors as well as her husband's sisters.

She and her husband got married in 2000. For 20 years, she stayed at her husband's house to take care of the table, cooking, and cleaning. Her husband is a border guard stationed more than 200 km from home, so some years he doesn't come back, and sometimes he comes home only on the 1st or 2nd.

In 2021, knowing that her mother's health in the countryside was unstable, her parents-in-law suggested going back to her parents more often and staying back to take care of her mom during Tet.

"Previously, my husband's parents were very strict. During Tet, daughters-in-law had to stay with their husbands to give offerings to their ancestors. But over the past few years, I have been able to return to my mother, and I am very grateful," Ha said.
There once was a small home in the city of Jabalia in northern Gaza filled with love and life, established by the sweat of a young man seeking stability for his family. It was a precious kingdom, embracing you with its warmth as soon as you walked inside. Every corner held a memory, and every tile told a story.



Yaqeen Baker, a Palestinian mother living in Gaza, on the loss of her familys home . I was the ruler of this kingdom. To me, there was no home like ours, and its value to our family was beyond measure. It was my palace and my shelter. An apartment building in Gaza, seen from the street. Some of the windows are broken, and theres writing on the walls outside My kingdom has now been reduced to rubble under the Israeli airstrikes in Gaza.



I weep as I try to remember what I left behind when we were forced to leave. My camera capturing happy family moments, destroyed. The clothes purchased in preparation for the birth of my daughter and new winter coats, all burned. My 3-year-old daughters new doll, lost forever. The rubble of the building from the previous slide, with a partially destroyed building in the background.

Opinion Domicide: The Mass Destruction of Homes Should Be a Crime Against Humanity

The widespread or systematic destruction of homes has long been a feature of modern warfare. But what is often lost in the images of rubble and statistics of destroyed buildings is the profound effect of this loss at a human level.

For a home is so much more than a structure: It is a repository of past experience and future dreams, of memories of births, deaths, marriages and intimate moments with our loved ones, amid neighbors and a familiar landscape. The idea of home brings comfort and gives meaning to our lives. Its destruction is the denial of a persons dignity and humanity.

It is for this reason that the systematic and indiscriminate leveling of entire neighborhoods through explosive weapons  as happened in Aleppo, and Mariupol, and Grozny, and towns in Myanmar, or most acutely these days, in Gaza  should be considered a crime against humanity. A growing number of legal and other types of scholars agree.

Its called domicide.

Ms. Bakers living room. Yaqeen Baker



Even seemingly trivial items, often relegated to the background in photos and memories, had their significance. A living room decorated with purple accents. String lights hang from the ceiling and reflect off the tile floor. My simple kitchen tools were carefully chosen in green, and brought me great joy. On my 23rd birthday my husband gave me an electric mixer, and I consider it one of the best gifts Ive ever received.



The kitchen became my creative space, where I put joy into my delicious dishes and sweet treats. I looked after it with love and care. A simple tiled kitchen, with a small stand mixer sitting in a prominent position.

Scholars have used the concept of domicide in the context of dam projects that displaced people in Canada and warfare in Syria, and it has been used to call attention to the systematic demolition of Palestinians homes and the denial of permits to build new ones in the West Bank by Israel.

As an independent expert tasked by the United Nations with promoting and protecting the right to adequate housing, I believe the crime of domicide should be enshrined in international humanitarian and criminal law so that governments and armed groups can be held to account. In an increasingly urbanized world, where densely populated cities are becoming common battlegrounds, the need for such action is all the more urgent.

We all understand that killing can be a murder, a war crime, a crime against humanity or an act of genocide, depending on the gravity and intention of the act. The same should apply for the destruction of homes.

In Gaza, we are witnessing destruction that is overwhelming in terms of its scale and impact, and far worse than what we saw in Dresden and Rotterdam during World War II, where about 25,000 homes were destroyed in each city. In Gaza, more than 70,000 housing units have been destroyed and more than 290,000 partially damaged. Recent conflicts are all proving to be equally destructive: In parts of Aleppo, up to 65 percent of structures were damaged or destroyed in five years of conflict, while in Mariupol, approximately 32 percent of the structures were damaged or destroyed in a year over 2021 and 2022. In about three months of conflict, a shocking 60 percent to 70 percent of structures in Gaza, and up to 84 percent of structures in parts of northern Gaza, have been damaged or destroyed.

Yaqeen Baker



Our small incense burner filled the house with delicate plumes of smoke and serenity on Fridays as we recited from the Surah Al-Kahf of the Quran, the chapter traditionally read on that day. Smoke rises from an incense burner sitting on a wooden coffee table. In the guest room, I meticulously chose the right shade of purple for the curtains. After hanging them, I opened the rooms door repeatedly, peering in and smiling at their beauty, a perfect match with the sofa set. A room decorated entirely in purple, from the curtains to the plush couch cushions.

The ferocity of the attacks is unprecedented: Israel is reported to have already dropped the explosive equivalent of the nuclear bomb dropped on Hiroshima almost twice over. Much of the infrastructure in Gaza that makes it possible and worthwhile to live in homes there  water and sanitation, education, electricity and health systems, and cultural infrastructure like mosques, churches, and public and historic buildings  have been damaged or destroyed. This crushing of Gaza as a place erases the past, present and future of many Palestinians.

Indeed, what has happened to homes and lives in Gaza is a stand-alone crime: domicide. It may not be an exaggeration to say that much of Gaza has been made uninhabitable, as South Africas complaint accusing Israel of genocide at the International Court of Justice alleges and which Israel denies. The court, in a preliminary ruling on Friday, called on Israel to take action to prevent genocide in Gaza and avoid the infliction of conditions that result in physical destruction in whole or in part.

I drew the same conclusion about domicide following the Russian bombing of Ukrainian cities in my report to the U.N. General Assembly in 2022. But right now, the accusation of domicide is largely a moral judgment. The preciousness of home, unlike the preciousness of life, has little recognition under international humanitarian or criminal law.

Some may ask whether the destruction by Hamas militants of Israeli towns and kibbutzim on Oct. 7 also amounts to domicide. While such attacks may constitute human rights violations and war crimes, the destruction of homes was not systematic or widespread enough to be comparable to the examples cited here.

The view from Ms. Bakers roof before her building was destroyed. Yaqeen Baker



The destruction of homes in Gaza has become commonplace, and so has the sentiment, The important thing is that youre safe  everything else can be replaced. I do thank God that we survived. But our homes were dear to our hearts, holding many stories, our daily ups and downs and poignant memories. Cinder block buildings in various states of destruction stretch in every direction. A plume of smoke rises to the right. We try to console ourselves by reminiscing about happy days in the past or trying to find a glimmer of hope for the future.



As the bombs keep falling, its hard to see any light at the end of the tunnel. Broken furniture and the piece of a smashed vanity fill a room. Everything is covered in a layer of pale dust.

Though attacks on individual homes, schools and hospitals can be crimes under humanitarian law, which applies to all international armed conflicts under the Geneva Conventions, the widespread or systematic destruction of homes is not by itself considered a crime in either international or noninternational armed conflicts. It is not mentioned in the Geneva Conventions or in the definition of crimes against humanity according to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court or in the U.N. draft articles on the prevention and punishment of crimes against humanity.

We should act to update these treaties to include domicide.

There is precedent for updating what we legally define as international crimes. The Rome Statute proscribed starvation as a weapon of war, and under a 2019 amendment, the proscription was extended to cover crimes in noninternational armed conflicts.

Accountability for domicide in Gaza cannot stop with potential criminal prosecutions or declaratory judgments by courts someday in the future. The enormous cost of rebuilding Gaza and the rest of the Palestinian territories, where homes have been destroyed for decades during occupation, should be borne by Israel and the countries that contributed to this destruction, including the United States, through its supply of weapons and political support.

That rebuilding will be hard work. The restoration of destroyed cities after World War II, such as Rotterdam, took more than two decades and cost billions of dollars, funded by the Marshall Plan. Ukraines recovery needs after just one year of conflict were estimated at $411 billion, with housing contributing to 37 percent of the cost. Mariupols reconstruction alone is expected to cost more than $14 billion and take up to 10 years.

And even if Gaza is physically rebuilt, the trauma of losing homes  the shattered lives, erased landscape and obliterated memories  will last for decades. Enshrining domicide in law may make countries think twice about inflicting such trauma in the future.

The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. Wed like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips . And heres our email: letters@nytimes.com.
A Belarussian self-taught artist single-handedly built a functional ice boat that can hold at least one person and can be sailed.

Minsk-based Ivan Karpitskys passion for ice and snow sculpting is well-known in his home country. His name first appeared in Belarussian newspapers in 2020, when photos of his ice violin first went viral on social media. He has since kept busy every winter, coming up with ever more impressive projects, but this year he really outdid himself with a beautiful and functional boat made entirely of ice. Photos and videos posted on his Instagram page show the Belarusian man painstakingly carving blocks of ice and chiseling at them to create his impressive masterpiece.

Photo: Ivan Karpitsky/Instagram

Not much technical information is known about Ivans boat, apart from the visible information in the photos and clips posted on social media. According to geolocation data, the boat was built somewhere along the banks of Tsnyanskoe reservoir, a lake north of Minsk, near the former village of Tsna-Yodkovo. The self-taught artist can be seen cutting rectangular blocks of ice and then gluing them together using water, and then chiseling away at the frozen lake to carve out the base of the boat.

Photo: Ivan Karpitsky/Instagram

Karpitsky used a variety of power tools to create delicate ice panels that he carefully slides through blocks of ice, as well as a spinnable ice rudder that doesnt actually control the direction of the vessel, but scores points for aesthetics. The artist also created two detachable paddle wheels that can be installed at the back of the boat and hooked up to a power source on shore to at least give the illusion of propulsion. bringing a generator onboard would have probably made the boat unsafe for passengers.

Photo: Ivan Karpitsky/Instagram

Its impossible to guess the size of Ivan Karpitskys ice boat from the photos and videos available, but its safe to say that its big enough for one passenger, maybe even two.



The Belarussian mans boat has gone viral on social media, and the self-taught artist has already been inundated with orders for custom ephemeral wonders similar to the ice boat, but he has so far refused them all.
Jackie Murphy

The Lede Company names Jackie Murphy chief impact officer. Murphy joins the agency from Edelman, where she most recently served as managing director, brand purpose & impact, building and leading the brand impact team. As impact lead for Unilever at Edelman, she oversaw its purpose-driven work for the company, leading purpose and sustainability strategy across brands such as Dove, Hellmanns, Love Beauty & Planet, Rexona/Degree and Vaseline. At The Lede Company, she will oversee the impact division, which works with companies, brands, nonprofits and artists to help them define, develop and deliver commitments to social and environmental issues. Jackie is a dynamic leader, the agencys co-founders said in a statement. She brings years of expertise, innovation and deep relationships in this space.

Ira Gorsky

Edelman Smithfield promotes Ira Gorsky to managing director. Gorsky has been with the agency since 2019, most recently serving as an EVP. A senior leader in the New York office, he specializes in M&A, crisis and litigation matters. He was previously a managing member at Arch Research, developing analytical research on M&A, activist campaigns, financial restructurings and regulatory and policy shifts. Gorsky experience also includes stints as an analyst at TIB Advisiors, First Eagle Investment Management and CIBC.

Ryan Bonner

Bespoke Partners, an executive search and leadership advisory service firm for software companies, brings on Ryan Bonner as a partner in its go-to-market practice, leading the companys recruiting of chief marketing officers for clients. Prior to Bespoke, he was a leadership consultant with Spencer Stuart, supporting companies recruiting B2B technology marketers, product leaders and digital transformation teams. In his new position, Bonner will work with software and SaaS companies to find marketing leaders who can help them drive growth and execute on value creation plans. "With his extensive network and impressive skill set, we're confident he'll exceed our clients' expectations in strengthening their GTM teams and accelerating growth," said Bespoke Partners CEO Eric Walczykowski.
A man who verbally abused Gardai in Tullamore was before the January 17 sitting of Tullamore Court.

Stephen Coughlin of Brackloon, Eyrecourt, Co. Galway pleaded guilty to intoxication in public and threatening behaviour.

The offences occurred on December 23, 2023 at Bridge Street, Tullamore. The court was told that on December 23 the Gardai got a call about an abusive male at a pub in the town. When they arrived at the scene they saw the defendant stumbling and noted he had a strong smell of alcohol. He verbally abused the Guards, calling them f***king w***ers and pigs.

The defending solicitor Donal Farrelly said his client is 23 years of age and is single, and works with a company in Birr.

On the evening in question he was with a friend who started making a nuisance of himself. The Guards were called. When they arrived and began talking to his friend my client started videoing them on his phone. He realises now that he shouldnt have done that.

Judge Andrew Cody ordered that Mr Coughlin pay 1,000 to the Midlands Simon Community.
RESIDENTS of the Clara Road in Tullamore have said they are angered by An Bord Pleanala's decision to allow the demolition of a house to make way for a construction entrance to the new Redwood residential development.

In a statement released by a spokesperson, Clara Road Residents Association outlined how they had submitted observations on the demolition application in early August 2022.

The submission to Offaly County Council was signed by 75 residents who were then alarmed at the speed at which the council granted planning permission on August 22.

The spokesperson said the consent was granted without requesting any further information considering that a total of 21 observation and objections were submitted by local residents and four Tullamore Municipal County Councillors.

On September 15 2022, the Clara Road Residents Association appealed to An Bord Pleanala and also requested an oral hearing but were told on November 22 the request was turned down and written procedures would be adequate to determine the appeal.

The spokesperson said: It is a statutory objective of An Bord Pleanala to ensure that every appeal received is determined within eighteen weeks beginning on the date of receipt of that appeal and An Bord Pleanala were due to decide on the case by the 24th of January 2023. However on the 23rd of January 2023, An Bord Pleanala notified the Clara Road Residents Association that 'The Board hereby serves notice under section 126(3)(a) that it will not be possible to determine the case within the statutory objective period due to a backlog of cases. The Board now intends to determine the above appeal before the 17th April 2023'.

On April 14 last the Residents Association received further notification from An Bord Pleanala informing them of a further delay.

Permission was granted for the demolition on November 28 last, subject to five conditions.

The board said the proposed creation of a construction access along a speed controlled section of a regional road within the town of Tullamore, to serve development currently under construction, which has sub-optimal construction access, would facilitate the construction of residential development on appropriately zoned land, would unduly impact on pedestrians or other users of the public road, would not seriously injure the amenities of residents in the vicinity, and would, therefore, be in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

The association spokeperson said residents were enraged that in their view the following concerns were not adequately addressed by An Bord Pleanala - nature, scale and the use of the proposed development, issues raised in the planning assessment, third party submissions, existing pattern of development in the vicinity, the current Development Plan, the interests of residential amenity, pre-planning consultations, the interests of proper planning and sustainable development of the area, and the request for an oral hearing.

The associaton said documents relating to An Bord Pleanala case reference number 314599 granting permission for the demolition of the house on the Clara Road, Tullamore to create a construction entrance can be viewed on the Bord Pleanala website.

The Redwood developers, Capital Homes, had been using an entrance off the Clara Road close to the Grand Canal where many houses in the first phase of the scheme are already sold and occupied.

They applied for permission to create a second temporary entrance by demolishing the house and then attempted to use a different entrance at another point along the road but were ordered to close it after it became subject of an enforcement notice.

There are over 100 houses in the first phase and more than 170 residential units are planned for the remainder of the site, which is known locally as Kearney's Field.

The permission for the entrance at the site of the demolished house is limited to five years, unless the council allows its retention.
OFFALY County Council has granted conditional approval to Synergy Health Ireland Ltd for the construction of a sterilisation technology facility at Ballyduff in Tullamore.

The application had ignited a wave of objections from local residents who were concerned about the use of x-ray technology to sterilise, the potential increase in traffic and what they termed the ''imposing size of the facility.''

Offaly County Council had put the application 'on hold' while it evaluated further information which it sought from the company.

The proposed facility will have a maximum roof height of 19.65 metres with a flue extending to 22. 4 metres and a gross floor area of 6,726 sqm.

The development will front the Clara Road at Ballyduff and include the repositioning and upgrade of the two existing entrances to the site from Clara road. The provision of internal roads, footpaths and a bicycle path and 42 car parking spaces.

Enda Scally lives near the site earmarked for the development. Mr Scally said there is no indication of how the proposed industrial facility is designed to achieve compliance with the Radiological Protection Act 1991 (Ionising Radiation Regulations 2019 or International Atomic Energy Agency guidelines and standards).

In addition he says that the overall height of the proposed industrial sterilisation facility is 2.4 times the height of the nearby units in Axis Business Park. He maintains that if built the industrial facility would have a direct effect on the visual amenities of the dwellings to the north and adjacent properties. ''Such an overbearing facility is contrary to proper planning and sustainable development,'' he said.

Mr Scally described the facility as bulky with large, high units that would result in overshadowing and appear visually dominant as viewed from the amenity space of the dwellings to the north. He also said it would seriously injure the residential visual amenities.

He stressed that under the county development plan, Arden Road and Ballyduff is zoned to facilitate strategic large-scale employment, but points out that the proposed facility will employ just 32 staff members.

Mr Scally said a more suitable site would be the county development planned Arden Med/Bio Technology Park, which he said would bring industry and R&D together allowing the industry to flourish within the town. In addition such a site is better located for logistical distribution with the N52 and M6.

''The indicative masterplan will depreciate the value of domestic property in the vicinity and thereby be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the surrounding townlands. It will lead to unsustainable development on the land north of the grand canal and the town's northern environs,'' said Mr Scally.

Other submissions were related to concerns about possible emissions from the facility and the affects on health.

Enviroguide Consulting who carried out an assessment of the site reported that ''Whilst initially the proposed development will alter this rural hinterland landscape character, as the proposed landscaping matures in the short to medium term (plus7 years) the rural hinterland landscape character will largely return with native hedgerows and large trees (beech) dominating the roadside and the site edges.''

Meanwhile a report by Axiseng Engineers stated that building complies with building regulations requirements.
Now is the time when we need to change the way we live our lives and start to live with our eyes wide open and our hearts and souls full of prayer, compassion, kindness, action and fervour for all of life.

It is a call to change and to live not only in praise of God but in union with Gods will for the world. It is about living, praying and showing our faith on the streets and the marketplaces of our country and on the streets and marketplaces of our world, rather than just talking about it.

There is no greater reward than working from your heart and soul and putting your prayer into action, and making a difference in the world. The world has gone badly wrong and down the wrong track in the last number of years and now is the time for change and change for the good of all. We now live in a world scarred with war, greed, fraud, suppression, hate, racism, violence, degradation, abuse, economic slavery, famine, drought, climate disasters and rampant egotism and narcissism. It is a world in wait. It waits for some wise voices to lead us and change us back to spiritual and compassionate sanity.

Mahatma Gandhi believed that we ourselves must be the change we want to see in the world. This was well demonstrated when he helped India gain its independence. Gandhi was a revolutionary man, but he accomplished India's emergence as a nation without starting a revolution. In fact, he advocated no violence. One of the most powerful countries in the world yielded to the commitment of one man and the dream of millions. What change can we effect? What's the difference we want to make in the world? In order for things to change, 'you', yourself have to change. We can't change others; we can only change ourselves.

However, when we change for the good, it changes everything. And in doing so, we truly can be the change we want to see in the world. Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing themselves. The problems facing the world today are great, and it will surely take the greatness of millions if not billions of people working together towards a common goal to overcome them. Changing the world does not happen overnight, but it won't happen by not making some sort of an effort either. The time to act is now, and our role is just as important as the next person's. While we might think the little good and life-giving things we can do are insignificant and have no effect, with enough people these small things add up and make an even bigger change than any single organization or person could ever do! It all starts with us, and our willingness to help create the world that we imagine or dream of.

Imagination is necessary

Theres an old song from the 1970s movie "Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" and from the new Wonka film that myself and family went to see recently and it's been playing a lot lately on my mind after hearing that song in the movie. The song is all about how we use our imagination to create our experience: If you want to view paradise simply look around and view it. Anything you want to do  do it. Want to change the world? Theres nothing to it. Bet you're singing it now in your head!!! Some people, including myself, view the imagination as one of our most powerful spiritual gifts. It is through our imagination that we participate in creating the universe.

Everything we wish to manifest in our lives begins as an imagining in our minds and hearts. Creativity begins with a simple idea, and then we use our imagination to expand that idea into a vision of possibility. We give life and energy to the vision by adding details and richness and depth to our imagination. We then begin to imagine how to bring that vision into reality. Of course, we can also use our imagination to create misery for ourselves if the vision we hold is one of lack of love or limitation of goodness. Part of our spiritual journey with our God is to develop self-awareness as to which thoughts we are holding in our heart, soul and mind. As we grow spiritually and prayerfully, we learn to choose thoughts that are nurturing, loving, caring, compassionate, merciful, truthful and sustaining. We learn to be intentional about where we use the power of our imagination. Come with me, and youll be in a world of pure imagination. Living there, youll be free if you truly wish to be. Imagination is necessary to dream. Dreams are necessary to form goals. Goals are necessary to make change. And if we want to build a world better than the one we have today, change will be necessary, even when its not easy. So, being in a world of pure imagination is a good place to be sometimes and it can be a necessary place to be sometimes if we want something to become a reality.

Together, we can dream up better days, better ways of relating to each other, better ways of being in harmony with the circle of life we are a part of, better ways to see the world and better ways for the better angels in our world to do the good work that is needed to bring peace and joy to our world.

Together, we can make that imagination for goodness a reality. To be the change we want to see in the world,we dont have to be loud. We dont have to be eloquent or be elected. We dont even have to be particularly smart or well educated. We do, however, have to be committed. We live in peculiar times. More communications devices than ever before connect us, yet more people live alone. We want to belong to communities but our cities can be very lonely places. We buy things  more and more things  with more and more money; but they dont make us happy. Life satisfaction was higher during post-war rationing in the 1940's. The rich are getting richer, but nearly 10% of Irish people are shockingly poor. The other 90% experience other kinds of poverty: most of us feel that our lives are missing something. The divide between the rich and poor continues to grow wider. We feel things very deeply and we want to do something, but sometimes the scale of the issues makes it difficult for us  how can I make a difference? What can I do? How can I be the change? Nothing I do will make a difference anyway and on we go.



Am I being the change?



Changing the self is how one can be the change. Always remember that this is your world; the things that happen here are directly affected by you. There are no ordinary moments; there are no trivial actions. Everything you do, everything you say or dont say matters. Look at every action and reaction and ask yourself, Am I being the change I want to see in the world?.

Mahatma Gandhi said, You must be the change you wish to see in the world. Thats great, but how do you be the change. Isnt volunteering your time to build houses, visit the sick and dying, donating and raising funds to various charities enough? While volunteering and donating are some of the noblest experiences one can do, Im speaking more of changing your world, rather than changing the world around you. Im speaking of ways you can improve yourself. It seems to be part of the human spirit to desire to accomplish noble acts, to be the change, to inspire others to greatness. A fireman rushes into a burning building to rescue a mother and child. A soldier jumps between his comrade and a dangerous land mine.

A child climbs a tree to rescue a pet cat. In every walk of life people seek to find ways to be needed, to be important to others, to accomplish things that will benefit mankind. The noble accomplishments of people making a difference, of doing those things that help others, of reaching beyond themselves to serve others is seen nearly every day in a thousand little ways through serving and helping people. So many people live in relentless poverty. So many are unwilling refugees. So many suffer needlessly. So many children are dying. Each one is our neighbor, born free, deserving human rights. They must be invisible no longer. Every danger, every loss, every injustice in their lives affects us all. We have to do something to change all this and it must start with ourselves. Each of us can make a difference for good in our lives and in our world if we simply started to try and do something good for ourselves and for our neighbours. Positive change is simply the currency and responsibility of individuals, of you and me. This is our saving grace. We just need to be even more attentive and curious, even more on the lookout for that one, tiny, quick, wonderfully private, unnoticed moment when you alone create a smile, hold open a door, lend a hand, give a hug, light a candle, say a prayer or an Ave for someone, unfurl a brow, still a cry, or calm a nerve in someone else.

Thats humanitys most powerful force for positive change and you can do it with a wink of an eye, as quick as the beat of a drum. Who knows what transpires from those moments of acts of love and kindness; but I really do feel in my heart and soul that it does indeed change the world. It also changes us, for it is an inward flow, not just outward. The more positive energy you give of acting with love and kindness, the more you get; its the same need, the same compliment, as breathing in and breathing out. So love and care for one another and especially for our children with no apology to anyone.

Be loving



In today's world people are more concerned with their text messages then their neighbors. People are more worried about what is happening in the latest soaps on television than the bullying at local schools or places of work. But the real problem is not their ignorance, it is their indifference. They play the "life is unfair card," and move on. But we should not do that. To change the world, it starts with a single person. That single person has to have the moral and emotional strength to stand up for what they believe in. To speak out wherever evil is unfolding and it is unfolding a lot in our world. One single act of bravery in the face of certain defeat can inspire a lasting change in the world. By overcoming the odds, and never giving up, lots of legendary people who lived and are living in our world not only inspire millions, they serve as a blueprint on how to change the world. I believe that in order to change the world, we must first change ourselves.

What I mean is that our outer world is a mirror of our inner world, with no exceptions. To change our outer world, we must start with our inner world. What do I mean by this? Well, if you want more prosperity then be more generous and be open to receive generosity from others. If you want more love then be more loving and be more open to receiving love. This can be taken down to the simplest level, stop judging others and practice acceptance and compassion.

We cannot change others, only ourselves. Instead of pushing against what others are doing that you perceive to be wrong, focus on yourself. Our energy and focus dictates our experience, so what will you focus on today? What level can you raise your energy to today? Today, focus on the positive changes you want to see in the world and start inside with you! Relax, lighten up, and radiate love, joy, peace and abundance! Let your experiences reflect back to you what you are radiating outward, and thank those experiences for being your mirror. Then be the change you want to see in your world.



Change the world?



The following is inscribed on the tomb of an Anglican Bishop in Westminster Abby (1100 A.D.)  When I was young and free and my imagination had no limits, I dreamed of changing the world. As I grew older and wiser, I discovered the world would not change, so I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change only my country. But it, too, seemed immovable. As I grew into my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt, I settled for changing only my family, those closest to me, but alas, they would have none of it. And now, as I lie on my deathbed, I suddenly realize: If I had only changed myself first, then by example I would have changed my family. From their inspiration and encouragement, I would then have been able to better my country, and who knows, I may have even changed the world.

Thought for the week

As youre thought for the week be the change for good you wish to see in your world and keep trying to live it each and everyday for the betterment of our world. So, when you wake up and decide you want to change the world today, you need to put on the mind of God and the armour of God in order to bring the goodness of God to the evil around us. Be the person who says no to everything that is not of God. No to the abuse of women, men and children. No to the rejection of the stranger, the homeless, the abandoned, the refugee. No to crimes against our homeless and our immigrants. No to the destruction of our planet and our climate. No to the pollution of the skies. No to the poisoning of the oceans. No to the despicable destruction of humankind for the sake of more wealth, more power, more control for a few. No to death in all its guises. No to evil.

But while saying no, also says yes to equal rights for all. Yes to alleviating suffering. Yes to embracing the difference. Yes to who God made you. Yes to life. Yes to God. Yes to Goodness. And finally I have one piece of advice: Do something for the good of others and pray for others especially those in real need of peace, love and kindness always! I promise, it feels good!
During his recent visit to Nigeria, Secretary of State Antony Blinken agreed with Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that Africa is nothing less than the key to the worlds future. We share that conviction, he said.

Today, the United States remains committed to working with African partners to strengthen and improve their stability, security and prosperity. We are particularly focused on Nigeria, Africas largest economy and democracy, and our partner of six decades. Thats because a secure, democratic, healthy, and prosperous Nigeria is good not only for Nigerians and for the United States, but for all of Africa, and the world.

The United States and Nigeria share a range of common priorities, including our focus on accelerating economic growth and opportunity in Nigeria, said Secretary Blinken. For example, there is a great deal of interest in Nigerias technology sector.

American entrepreneurs, American companies are eager to partner with and invest in Nigerias economy, particularly in the tech sector. We have tech giants that are teamed up with Nigerian partners to help meet President Tinubus one-million-digital-jobs initiative, he said. Other companies are hard at work laying undersea cables, using satellite technology to expand access to the internet. Our tech incubators are fostering Nigerias next startups. Our venture capital companies are working to finance them.

Furthermore, Were working and collaborating to support the development and use of artificial intelligence for good, said Secretary Blinken. With 30 other Atlantic countries, were driving blue economic development, environmental protection, science and technology exchange through a new partnership for Atlantic cooperation.

We want to work in partnership to help drive Nigerias technological revolution, which is creating jobs, its growing businesses, and its spurring innovations in both of our countries, because one of the things weve learned from these partnerships is that it benefits us as much as any place or any company that were investing in. Were learning a lot from it; were getting a lot from it.

This is an incredibly dynamic and consequential time for our partnership, said Secretary Blinken. Africa has shaped our past; it is shaping the present; it will shape our future. The United States is committed to strengthening genuine partnerships on the continent, to work to solve shared challenges, and also to deliver on the promise and the fundamental aspirations of our peoples.
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Ameren Missouri has filed an amended plan with the Missouri Public Service Commission (PSC) to provide 25 programs with $205 million in total rebates . . .
The first recorded use of toilet paper was by the Chinese in which a certain paper maker in the year 589 presented his emperor with rose scented paper sheets.

It must have been a big hit, because some 100 years later, by the Tang Dynasty, from 618 to 907, it was a widespread practice to cleanse yourself using paper (perhaps without the roses) with manufacturers on a roll to keep the product on the shelves there.

From Wikipedia, we see that during the early 14th century, it was recorded that in what is now the eastern province Zhejiang alone, 10 million packages of 1,000 to 10,000 sheets of toilet paper were manufactured annually. Can you imagine what it is today?

I write this week on the science of this basic commodity because I visited one of the oldest manufacturers of paper in Europe.

Located in, Switzerland, the Basel Paper Mill dates from 1453 and offers a museum timeline on the history of paper, but allows one to try their hand in making a few sheets of paper to take home. The old factory, complete with functioning waterwheel driven from a snowy mountain stream on the outside, is all computerized on the inside.

Making writing paper, the 8-inch-by-11-inch size, was rather simple once you got past the point of gathering together a vat of cellulose suspended in warm water. By dragging a flat board filter along in the white water, a collection of tiny cellulose particles was amassed and easily scraped off the filter just as one removes lint from a dryer screen.

This collected layer was then placed in a big press that forced out the water between particles and the resultant sheet next placed into a heated apparatus that looked much like a garment press you would find at a cleaners shop, the guide furnishing a name for it in German with many syllables which I have over the week forgotten.

Now dry, the paper looked identical to a piece of copy paper, except perhaps for its thickness, which maybe was about five layers thick. But you could write on it easily with a ball-point pen.

Creating paper relies on the hairlike strands of the cellulose that intertwine with each other to hold the paper together. If, in the first step you had started with just mud silt, you could have collected it with the flat filter but you could have never removed it intact from the board.

When pressed for the source of the cellulose, the guide said the early manufacturers made the slurry from linen and sawdust that was chemically broken down using a solution of sulfurous acid to separate the fibers. Sulfite pulping produces a material that is soft and flexible and is primarily used for making paper.

But when did the toilet paper we use today begin?

Because common folk were satisfied with using discardable household materials such as old rags, accumulated newspapers, and even empty corncobs, the idea that a market for machine manufactured toilet paper did not occur until 1857, when Joseph Gayetty marketed his Medicated Paper, a product he called the greatest blessing of the ages.

Unfortunately, due to a series of legal problems stemming from his assignment of the Gayetty name led to his company going down the drain, although the name was licensed well into the 1920s. It was sold in a package of 500 papers (scented and watermarked with manufacturers name) and was advertised as a help for people who had troubles with hemorrhoids. About the only problem with this product seems to be the occasional wood splinter that cropped up amongst the cellulose fibers. Talk about ouch!

Seth Wheeler of Albany, New York, is credited with obtaining the earliest U.S. patent (No. 459,516) for a toilet paper roll as we know them now in 1891. In 1874, he organized the Rolled Wrapping Paper Co. for the manufacture of the rolled paper that he called The Standard. It really wasnt much of a success because most people scoffed at the idea of paying money for something they were used to getting for free, such as the annual edition of the Sears Catalog.

About that time, Edward and Clarence Scott founded the Scott Paper Co. to sell toilet paper, but shied away from placing their name on the package due to the continuing reluctance to discuss toilet paper in public. For a while, the Scotts used the name Waldorf on their toilet paper, which for legal patent reasons was not perforated  you had to rip pieces off before using it.

Today, more than 7 billion rolls of toilet paper are sold yearly in the United States, where an average of 23.6 rolls per person is used per year.
(Tiempo de lectura: 4 - 7 minutos)

The International Court of Justice ordered Israel on Jan. 26, 2024 , to prevent possible genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. But the court did not call for a cease-fire, as South Africa had requested.

The United Nations highest court, based in The Hague, Netherlands, also declined to toss out South Africas case against Israel alleging genocide.

South Africa submitted a complaint in December 2023 claiming that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. South Africa requested the International Court of Justice order the Israeli military to halt its war in Gaza.

Israel argues that its military is trying to minimize civilian harm and that South Africa is trying to both weaponize the term genocide and interfere with Israels right of self-defense against Hamas.

The courts initial ruling on this case, in which it ordered Israel to comply with a total of six provisional measures, does not reflect whether the court will eventually determine that Israel is committing genocide. As history shows, such a ruling could take years to decide.

Now, in the wake of this ruling, a key question concerns whether and to what extent the Israeli government and military will comply with the provisional measures. A related question concerns how much pressure the U.S. and other Western countries will place on Israel to comply and to limit the scope of civilian harm in Gaza, said Victor Peskin, a scholar of international relations and human rights.

The Conversation U.S. spoke with Peskin to better understand the potential impacts of South Africas genocide complaint against Israel, the impact of the ICJs ruling, and the scope of the courts power.

What is the significance of this International Court of Justice order?

It is a mixed result. South Africa wanted the International Court of Justice to order an immediate cease-fire, which it did not do. Israel wanted the court to toss out the case entirely, which also did not happen.

The court ruled this is a case that falls under its jurisdiction and that South Africas claim of genocide is plausible. However, that does not mean the court will eventually rule for or against South Africa or Israel.

Furthermore, the court is saying that the war is creating a dire situation for civilians in Gaza.

Among other things, the court is putting the Israeli government and its military on notice that it is watching its military conduct quite closely. And it is ordering Israel to ensure Palestinian civilians have access to urgently needed humanitarian aid. It also says that the Israeli government must preserve any evidence of possible genocide and submit a report to the court, within one month, detailing steps taken to comply with the court-ordered provisional measures.

Importantly, the court also calls for the immediate release of the 100- plus hostages Hamas is holding in Gaza.

What kind of pressure does this create for Israel, Hamas and others involved in the war?

The International Court of Justice is the U.N.s most prominent court and is widely considered legitimate. And in a sign of this international legitimacy, the European Union has already called for all parties of the war to immediately comply with the order.

I think this will increase pressure on Israel to limit civilian casualties, increase humanitarian assistance and temper the inflammatory statements issued by prominent Israeli leaders that were cited in South Africas complaint against Israel.

This ruling might be one factor that helps to advance Israel and Hamas negotiations for a hostage release and cease-fire.

The International Court of Justice lacks enforcement power. So, is this case more than political theater?

The International Court of Justice does not prosecute individuals, but rather focuses on resolving legal disputes between countries. The Hague-based International Criminal Court, which has the legal authority to investigate and prosecute individuals for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide, has opened up a separate investigation into Israeli forces and Hamas militants alleged violations of international humanitarian law.

Its always an open question  will an International Court of Justice ruling even be enforced and have any tangible effect?

While the International Court of Justice moved at a glacial pace in reaching a final decision in the Bosnia-Serbia genocide case, it has shown that it can move more quickly when addressing mass violence through issuing provisional measures, as it just did in the South Africa-Israel case. ICJ judges also issued provisional measures calling for the prevention of violence in the Myanmar and Russia cases.

However, there is little indication that the International Court of Justices provisional measures eased Myanmars crackdown on the Rohingya. Similarly, the ICJs provisional measures calling on Russia to halt its invasion of Ukraine has had no apparent effect.

What precedence is there for the ICJ to consider cases like this?

There is some precedence for countries to bring a case regarding a conflict it is not directly involved in to the International Court of Justice, as South Africa is now doing. In 2019, Gambia filed a complaint at the court against Myanmar, regarding its alleged genocide of the Rohingya people, an ethnic minority living in Myanmar.

Countries without a direct connection to an alleged case of genocide can legally bring a genocide complaint forward, according to the Genocide Convention.

What does the ICJs track record on genocide tell us about this current case?

In the first case of this kind, in 1993, Bosnia instituted proceedings against Serbia, which was then part of the former republic of Yugoslavia, for alleged genocide.

The International Court of Justices eventual ruling in 2007 in the Serbia case was controversial. The court ruled that genocide was committed in the Bosnian war but that the government of Serbia was not directly responsible for it. Instead, the court ruled that the Serbian government failed to prevent genocide in Srebrenica.

Srebenica was the eastern, Muslim enclave in Bosnia that Bosnian-Serb military forces overran in 1995, murdering around 8,000 Muslim boys and men.

The court also found the Serbian government violated the Genocide Convention by failing to arrest former Bosnian Serb Gen. Ratko Mladic, then wanted for genocide by the U.N. International Criminal Tribunal in the former Yugoslavia.

That judgment by the International Court of Justice was a big blow and disappointment to many Bosnian Muslims and global human rights activists.

How long could it take the ICJ to determine whether Israel committed genocide?

It could take a number of years. The Bosnia-Serbia case took 14 years. It is unclear if the South Africa-Israel case would have to wait for a final judgment to first be rendered in the Gambia-Myanmar and Ukraine-Russia cases, which have not concluded.

This is an update of a previous story, originally published on Jan. 13, 2024.

Victor Peskin, Associate professor of politics and global studies, Arizona State University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.
Thailand Prime Minister to visit Sri Lanka to sign Free Trade Agreement

Posted by Editor on January 29, 2024 - 3:59 pm

The Prime Minister of Thailand, Srettha Thavisin will visit Sri Lanka on a two-day official visit from February 03 to 04, 2024, as per the invitation of Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Thailands Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin will participate in the ceremony to mark the 76th Anniversary of the Independence of Sri Lanka as Guest of Honour.

During the visit, the Thai Prime Minister is scheduled to have official discussions with President Wickremesinghe, and witness the signing of the historic Sri Lanka  Thailand Free Trade Agreement (SLTFTA), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs added.

The Free Trade Agreement will be signed by Phumtham Wechayachai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce of Thailand and Nalin Fernando, Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security of Sri Lanka.

The SLTFTA is expected to boost trade and investment ties between the two countries and promote deeper integration with ASEAN economies, the statement said.

Additionally, the two sides are expected to renew the Air Services Agreement and conclude a Memorandum of Understanding between the Gem and Jewellery Research and Training Institute of Sri Lanka and The Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand, it added.

A Sri Lanka-Thailand Business Forum organized by the Department of International Trade Promotion and Department of Trade Negotiations of the Ministry of Commerce of Thailand and the Department of Commerce and the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka will also take place at the Kingsbury Hotel during the visit.

The Thai Prime Minister will be accompanied by a 39 member delegation including Phumtham Wechayachai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, Jakkapong Sangmanee, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand and a top-level business delegation, according to the ministry.
Kolkata: Union Minister Shantanu Thakur on Monday said the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) would be implemented in the country within a week.

During an interview with a news channel, Thakur, a BJP MP from Bongaon, an area with the majority of people belonging to the Matua community in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district, said that swift implementation of the contentious legislation would be made within seven days.

The CAA, enacted by the BJP-led government at the Centre in 2019, aims at granting Indian citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim migrants, including Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis and Christians, from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan who entered India before December 31, 2014.

"The CAA will be implemented very soon. It will be implemented within seven days. This is my guarantee," said Thakur, also a leader of the Matua community.

Thakur, the union minister of state for ports, shipping and waterways, made a similar comment on Sunday.

He has been claiming that the CAA would be implemented in the country ahead of the Lok Sabha polls this year.

Matuas, who constitute a large chunk of the state's Scheduled Caste population, had been migrating to West Bengal since the 1950s, primarily due to religious persecution in erstwhile East Pakistan which later became Bangladesh.

Since the nineties, political parties in West Bengal have actively sought to secure the support of the Matuas, who, due to their significant population and tendency to vote together, are considered a valuable voting bloc akin to the minorities.

The Matua community is believed to benefit the most from the implementation of the CAA.

Thakur's assertion on the CAA's implementation comes amidst reports this month, suggesting that the rules for the legislation would be notified "much before" the announcement of the Lok Sabha elections.

His remarks elicited strong reactions from the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in the state, which has vehemently opposed the CAA, labelling it "divisive".

"Our party supremo and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee have clearly said that CAA won't be implemented in West Bengal. The BJP leaders are attempting political gimmickry by making such false promises before the Lok Sabha elections," TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said.

Last month, Union Home Minister Amit Shah reiterated that the implementation of CAA is inevitable as it is the law of the land.

During a BJP meeting in Kolkata, he had accused Banerjee of misleading people on the CAA issue.

The TMC has consistently opposed the CAA, with Banerjee alleging that the BJP is "exploiting" the citizenship issue for political gain.

The promise of implementing the controversial CAA served as a major electoral platform for the BJP in the previous Lok Sabha and assembly polls in West Bengal.

Party leaders believe that it played a pivotal role in the BJP's rise in the state.

According to the manual of parliamentary procedures, the rules for any legislation should have been framed within six months of presidential assent or seek an extension from the committees on subordinate legislation in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.

Since 2020, the Home Ministry has been taking extensions at regular intervals from the parliamentary committees for framing the rules.
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.
Thacker Pass, Nevada, 2021

In December, 2023, when a federal judge ordered the Enel Corporation to remove 84 wind turbines from Osage Nation land, I asked environmental lawyer Will Falk about the case's relevance to Lithium Nevada Corporation's (LNC's) mine at Thacker Pass, Nevada. In 2020, Falk and Max Wilbert began trying to stop LNC from constructing a lithium mine at Thacker Pass. Before I share Will's explanation about the difference between these cases, please note that anything with a battery--a flip phone, a smartphone, a laptop, an off-grid solar PV system, an electric vehicle, a smart utility meter, a utility-scale battery-electric storage system (BESS)--likely holds lithium. Then, here's a summary of the unsuccessful effort to stop lithium mining at Thacker Pass.

The movement to prevent lithium mining at Thacker Pass

In 2020, Lithium Nevada Corporation, an American subsidiary of the Canadian-controlled Lithium Americas Corporation (LAC), submitted an application to mine lithium at Thacker Pass, Nevada. After learning that the Trump administration was fast-tracking the permit, Max Wilbert and Will Falk decided to try to protect the Pass's ecosystem and prevent the mine. Sixteen million years in the making, Thacker Pass's 18,000 acres hold pygmy rabbits, golden eagles, Lahontan cutthroat trout, rabbit-brush flowers, sagebrush, all manner of pollinating insects and much, much more.

On January 15th, 2021, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) determined that LAC had properly completed its National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) permitting process; and BLM granted the corporation a permit to construct the mine at Thacker Pass. On the same day, Max Wilbert and Will Falk set up camp on land the corporation planned to ravage.

Shortly after arriving at Thacker Pass, Max and Will informed nearby Paiute and Shoshone tribes about the mine. At their camp, tribal elders told stories and prayed for protection of their ancestors and the land. Max and Will welcomed other visitors who also aimed to protect Thacker Pass; they spoke with reporters. When elders needed bathroom access while they visited the camp, the men built simple outhouses.

In July 2021, Will Falk filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony (RSIC) and the People of Red Mountain. Later, the Burns Paiute Tribe, represented by another lawyer, joined the case. The lawsuit aimed to postpone any construction of the mine until BLM fulfilled its consultation obligations with the tribes. In Autumn, 2021, Judge Miranda Du ruled that the BLM had likely complied with federal laws; she denied a preliminary injunction to stop construction. This was the first of a long series of legal defeats.

In August 2021, a week after Falk filed suit against the BLM on behalf of RSIC and the People of Red Mountain, the BLM notified him that the agency was investigating him and Max for trespass for constructing the outhouses. In November 2021, BLM fined Max and Will $49,890.13 for building a latrine without a permit on BLM land. Max and Will quickly appealed this fine to the Department of the Interior's Interior Board of Land Appeals (IBLA). As of early 2024, IBLA has not ruled on their appeal.

In October 2021, when BLM threatened further fines and legal action unless Max and Will closed the camp, they closed their camp.

In June 2023, Lithium Nevada Corporation sued four tribal members, Will Falk, Max Wilbert, their organization Protect Thacker Pass, and one other for Civil Conspiracy, Nuisance, Trespass, Tortious Interference with Contractual Relations, Tortious Interference with Prospective Economic Advantage and Unjust Enrichment ("profiting" by fundraising for expenses to protect Thacker Pass). This case has not been settled.

The difference between the Osage and Thacker Pass cases

Will Falk explains: The federal government holds the title to Osage Nation's land in trust. The Osage Nation owns the land's mineral rights. Because the wind facility at Osage Nation involved mineral extraction, Enel Corporation should have obtained a mineral lease from the federal government. Since the corporation failed to obtain this lease, the court ruled in Osage Nation's favor--and ordered Enel to remove the wind turbines.

Lithium Nevada Corporation's mine at Thacker Pass is on federal public land; and the U.S. General Mining Law of 1872 therefore applies. This law gives corporations the right to mine "valuable minerals" on public land. In the Thacker Pass case, we therefore could not argue that Lithium Nevada Corporation lacked a valid claim to mining the land. Here, "valid" does not mean morally correct. It means legally protected. In this regard, the law is settled.

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Tourists visit the Mount Tai scenic area in east China's Shandong Province, Jan. 26, 2024. With its natural and cultural values well interconnected, Mount Tai was listed as a World Cultural and Natural Heritage site by UNESCO in 1987, the first ever in China. In 2023, the Mount Tai scenic area received over 8.61 million visitors, a new record over the years. (Xinhua/Zhu Zheng)

Tourists visit the Mount Tai scenic area in east China's Shandong Province, Jan. 26, 2024. With its natural and cultural values well interconnected, Mount Tai was listed as a World Cultural and Natural Heritage site by UNESCO in 1987, the first ever in China. In 2023, the Mount Tai scenic area received over 8.61 million visitors, a new record over the years. (Xinhua/Zhu Zheng)

A tourist poses for photo at the Mount Tai scenic area in east China's Shandong Province, Jan. 26, 2024. With its natural and cultural values well interconnected, Mount Tai was listed as a World Cultural and Natural Heritage site by UNESCO in 1987, the first ever in China. In 2023, the Mount Tai scenic area received over 8.61 million visitors, a new record over the years. (Xinhua/Zhu Zheng)

Tourists visit the Mount Tai scenic area in east China's Shandong Province, Jan. 26, 2024. With its natural and cultural values well interconnected, Mount Tai was listed as a World Cultural and Natural Heritage site by UNESCO in 1987, the first ever in China. In 2023, the Mount Tai scenic area received over 8.61 million visitors, a new record over the years. (Xinhua/Zhu Zheng)

Tourists visit the Mount Tai scenic area in east China's Shandong Province, Jan. 26, 2024. With its natural and cultural values well interconnected, Mount Tai was listed as a World Cultural and Natural Heritage site by UNESCO in 1987, the first ever in China. In 2023, the Mount Tai scenic area received over 8.61 million visitors, a new record over the years. (Xinhua/Zhu Zheng)

Tourists visit the Mount Tai scenic area in east China's Shandong Province, Jan. 26, 2024. With its natural and cultural values well interconnected, Mount Tai was listed as a World Cultural and Natural Heritage site by UNESCO in 1987, the first ever in China. In 2023, the Mount Tai scenic area received over 8.61 million visitors, a new record over the years. (Xinhua/Zhu Zheng)

Tourists visit the Mount Tai scenic area in east China's Shandong Province, Jan. 26, 2024. With its natural and cultural values well interconnected, Mount Tai was listed as a World Cultural and Natural Heritage site by UNESCO in 1987, the first ever in China. In 2023, the Mount Tai scenic area received over 8.61 million visitors, a new record over the years. (Xinhua/Zhu Zheng)

Tourists visit the Mount Tai scenic area in east China's Shandong Province, Jan. 26, 2024. With its natural and cultural values well interconnected, Mount Tai was listed as a World Cultural and Natural Heritage site by UNESCO in 1987, the first ever in China. In 2023, the Mount Tai scenic area received over 8.61 million visitors, a new record over the years. (Xinhua/Zhu Zheng)

Editor: JYZ
I was teaching an African American women's course at the U. W. Madison, almost twenty years ago, when a retired professor, female and white, asking what the themes of my course were, became upset when I mentioned that a main theme was slavery. No wonder they don't want you here, she shouted.





She was right, they didn't want me if I had students looking at the African American woman's experience of enslavement in the U. S. And its legacy.





Yes, its legacy.





Six days into the new year, on a Saturday, I was admitted to the hospital. I went to the grocery store, three blocks away, early that morning. I stopped at a Latina/o restaurant on the same strip and had coffee. At least four or five hours before I called for an ambulance, I tried to read a do a little editing, ignore the mentally ill tenant below who always wanted to remind me that she existed because the world revolved around her.





It wasn't until after mid-day when I started noticing the stars.





I continued to work, stopping to eat something, to drink some water. Juice. However much I eat or drink, I realized that I wasn't feeling better. Only worse. Dizzy. I think, maybe if I just wait some more. I have two cats now. The youngest one I adopted last October. There's no one here. I'm the strange one with hoarding books. The teacher, with all that nonsense about race. The closest thing to an alien from another planet. Not one of us!





The stars, larger as time went on, were blinding, and it was increasingly difficult to read from the laptop screen or the book I was reading. Taking a nap wasn't an option now; my head was throbbing.





At a hospital, where the crucifixes in every room seem to be accusatory, I envisioned myself on a bed surrounded by medical personnel, many of whom would agree with the retired professor. I spend too much time accusing white people of enslaving black people and not recognizing that the true victims were white Americans.





When I finally called the ambulance, I was barely able to walk. I remember being brought to the Emergency Room but not being taken to imaging for a CT scan. I do remember the pain in my left leg. It felt as if someone were hammering the bottom of my feet and the knee was made metal. I tried to tell the Emergency Room attendees. I heard one, a white male, ask where was this coming from? Was I acting? Thus wasn't on the CT scan.





So, I had a CT scan?





The next thing I know, I'm in a hospital room. The pain in my leg had subsided. But then, I wasn't allowed to leave the bed without alarms sounding. I also had an IV attached to my right arm. I asked a nurse what had happened.





You had a seizure.





A seizure!





And she leaves. And that's it.

A male doctor comes in, introducing himself as if he were some young celebrity, I should be made aware of. Then he leaves. Never to be seen again. The remaining two days, I trying to find out more about my condition, trying to tell anyone who would listen that I had two cats back in Kenosha. This is Pleasant Prairie. There is no one there to see to them. To feed them. To give them water.





I recognized the looks. Silly old black woman!





By Monday, I decided I had to leave. A female doctor, young, arrives and looks at me as if she heard a naughty little child in room_____. I want to explain to her that I have no family or friends surrounding my bedside or out in the waiting room because they have family and friends. There are no such people for me in the whole state. They have family and friends! I just have siblings, most, a whole generation younger, listed on the page labeled, Family. As a result, I have to leave. But, before I could finish the sentence, I have two cats back home, she walks out of the room.





At 70-years-old, I shower and dress, hobbling on an injured knee. No explanation about the knee, of course. I never forget I'm a black woman. Alone. No witnesses.





Ten minutes!





I know to be alert. On my toes. Born with a heart condition, I battled cardiologists who only recognizing in me a militant patient. Afro and not concerned about being described as only a heart patient. When my mother died, I had a hard time convincing these doctors that I was really teaching, really pursuing a MA. For real! All these doctors seemed to want was a compliant patient. And no questions, please.





Ten minutes! That's all I'll have if that!





And the internist comes dancing in, takes a seat at the desk in front of the computer. She has it on when I'm looking at my watch, already anticipating the call from the medical ride announcing a driver is waiting downstairs. Downstairs! Down one of the alphabetized elevators. Down a color-coded hallway.





Normally, I have a 40- to 50-minute ride into Milwaukee to one of the six cancer hubs, and my internist is located in the middle of this expansive hospital.





A month and a half before the seizure, the nurse took my blood pressure and it was 163, the first time. Then 140 something. When the internist arrived in the room, I tried to explain the stress I was experiencing, particularly with medical rides from Kenosha to Milwaukee, without making her think I needed the services of a psychiatrist!





There's Kenosha, the neighbor(s), the medical rides, which might show up or might not. And yes, I do write and read and research. I do keep up with what is happening in the world. I refuse to come home and sit before a television I don't own anyway.





Well, she was a doctor, and this sounded a conversation for someone else. This race thing had nothing to do with her proscribing high blood pressure to me--someone who hadn't had a blood pressure reading higher than 131 before or after this particular day.





I came home that day and located another doctor only to hear from her. Please give her another change. She really does understand the significance of race plays in treating black patients.

On the second visit to see her, she was going to contact an agency to see if I could be "lifted" out of the housing situation, at least. She would make some calls on my behalf.





Now, on this hospital visit follow up, she turns from the computer when I ask her the first question. The seizure drug? I just need to understand, not necessarily challenge her authority, but I do have a mind, and I'm ultimately responsible for this body. I'm asking, and rightly so, what happened and why this drug!





But she has an agenda. I'm taking up the time of an oncology social worker who should concern herself with patients far more needs than me. I could set my own medical rides. Why have this woman do so?





She herself spent time on the phone on my behalf. If you able to write those "scholarly" articles, then you're capable of making calls for yourself.





Well, I know what this is all about. I understand her better now. She doesn't have to look at me and she isn't. But I see her. I'm no longer writing scholarly articles but Op-eds. Nonetheless, what is silent but as loud as a freight train is the subject of those articles.





By the time I reach the lobby, I realize the medical ride company didn't call. Of course. I had to call company. Twice, in fact. I waited over an hour to escape that hospital and the rebuke of that doctor. In the long run, I suspected she was unprepared to discuss why I had the seizure. I also suspect that I didn't have the income for this agency assisting seniors in locating housing in Milwaukee.





The internist had succeeded momentarily in turning me into Kafka's bug.





Momentarily.

I read the Visit Notes the following weekend. Peppered with untruths, incorrect information, and missing dates I responded as a human being determined to protect myself from the various manifestations of ignorance.





I suffered a mini stroke on January 8, 2021. Yet, in several pages, there was no mention of this event. A date of 5/19/2021 referring to a hospitalization and seizure that never happened was prominent, however. The document failed to note that I was admitted for immune thrombolytic (ITP), low platelets, in March 2021.





There was the seizure on June 3, 2014, when the Emergency Room at Meriter in Madison discovered a meningioma (benign tumor in the membrane). The surgery to remove the tumor was successful, and this was the only other time I suffered a seizure. So my question regarding Kappra, administered at the hospital and prescribed by the internist on this visit, wasn't so off the wall.





And finally, I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in May 2016, not November 16, 2023.





This doctor made sure to point out how much time she spent studying my medical records. Not to mention those calls made on my behalf to the senior agency.





I never had a chance to bring up that sore knee I suffered. And of course, she mentioned that I brought up my housing situation again.





In the end, the oncology social worker, the one I've known since January 2019, contacted the senior agency. A representative reached out to me. It was obvious that the agency couldn't help me. I can't financially afford the "peace of mind" such an agency offered to others.





I was referred to the Aging and Disabilities Resource Center. Maybe I needed help in my one-bedroom apartment?





In the meantime, I'm still waiting for a second opinion about the high blood pressure pills. Could this drug have contributed to the seizure I experienced on January 6th ?





America is still dealing with the legacy of slavery no matter how it's dressed up and appears in a white coat, with a hospital ID tag dangling from the lapel. Attempting to ignore the issue of racism or addressing the issue with anger won't make America a nation of innocent victims.








Remarks on January 28, 2024, in Oakland, California.

Photos and videos here.

War is a top cause in the world of death, of injury, of destruction, of trauma, and of course far and away the leading cause of homelessness. And if you start looking at the long-term damage -- the people who die a year later, the people who grow up believing in violent vengeance, the water and soil that have been poisoned forever, the economies that are not restored -- then war is many times worse than an honest survey of its immediate damage, much less the picture presented to you by your television. War in all of its horrors is, for huge numbers of people on every side of every war as horrible as the U.S. corporate media tells you it is for Ukrainians and Israelis.

And yet, there is something worse. I don't mean nuclear war, though there is that, and we're as close to it as ever before. I don't mean environmental collapse, though there is that, and war is a major unspoken contributor to it. I don't mean Donald Trump. I don't mean Don the Con, and I don't mean Genocide Joe, though I do think the millions of dollars good people will waste on the choosing between those two sociopaths ought to be taken out of the general election and put into a general strike fund. And that begins to hint at what I do have in mind. The most expensive election in history three years ago cost less than one and a half percent of the annual U.S. military budget, or 0.35 percent of U.S. military spending over four years.

The thing that is worse than war is the war budget. The weapon that kills more than any other weapon is the moving of the money from useful things to the Pentagon. The people who are killed or injured or traumatized by war are far fewer than those who die and suffer because a tiny fraction of war spending wasn't put into something actually useful. This will be true unless nuclear weapons are used (used isn't the word, since there's no useful thing they do, so let me say this: it will be true unless nuclear weapons are omnicided).

Now, some of us want to reduce the military spending by 100%. Some, when shown how much it is, want to reduce it by 50%. And almost everyone, when shown what you could do with 3 or 5 percent of it, want to move that much. Those who don't are arguably acting on faith, rather than thought, because even the Pentagon cannot tell you where the last 3% of its budget even goes -- so there is no way to rationally claim it goes into something better than ending starvation on Earth or hiring 33 thousand teachers, or providing 3 million units of public housing, or providing 60 million households with wind power, or any of the other things you could do with it.

Can I ask yall a favor, because you're my friends? Can we all agree to stop saying Bring the war dollars home? It's a failure of imagination. The war dollars can transform every bit of our planetary home including this little bit of it right here. We don't have to choose. That's not only a failure of imagination but also a misconception of what our home is.

And can we all try to get everyone to stop saying that the U.S. government is investing in the protection and wellbeing of Ukraine and Israel instead of that of the United States. Weapons shipments are fueling war in Ukraine and Israel to the great detriment of the people there. Nobody should wish for that here. Nobody should think that moving the warplanners' attention to the border of Mexico is going to benefit anyone in the United States, Mexico, or any of the nations south of Mexico that the U.S. government is usually happy to inflict financial and military damage on as long as no victims flee north.

We may not always say it clearly. We may not have the polling companies working for us. But we who oppose wars, including the war on Gaza, are a strong majority. And Washington knows it. Don't imagine they don't know it. They just don't care -- yet. The 2020 Democratic Party Platform said that Democrats would reduce military spending: "We can maintain a strong defense and protect our safety and security for less." Then a Democratic president proposed an increase each of the next three years, just as his Republic predecessor had done each year. And Congress not only went along but went over and above the proposed increases, with more bipartisan harmony than we are usually led to believe exists.

And we don't get in the streets to stop the budget like we do the particular wars it drives. And you'd be hard-pressed to find a candidate anywhere for U.S. Congress with any position on what the budget should look like or how much of it should be military. But military spending is over half of discretionary spending, and a small fraction of it could transform any policy area that any candidate does have a position on. So this is the intentional and illogical avoidance of a topic, not simple neglect.

It doesn't have to be this way. In no other corner of the world is it this way. Of 230 other countries, the U.S. spends more on militarism than 227 of them combined. In 2022 military spending per capita, the U.S. government trailed only Qatar and Israel. All of the top 27 nations in per capita military spending are U.S. weapons customers. The U.S. pressures other nations to spend more. Of 230 other countries, the U.S. exports more weaponry than 228 of them combined. Much of Donald Trump's opposition to NATO, between 2017 and 2020, amounted to badgering NATO members to spend more on militarism. (With enemies like these, who needs boosters?) Russia spends less than 10% what the U.S. does on its military, and less than 6% what all NATO members and partners spend.

Our failure to envision alternatives to war and our failure to conceptualize what a trillion dollars a year looks like work together to block our progress. Because not only could we invest in actual aid. Not only could the U.S. government support the rule of law as South Africa does. Not only could we educate peacemakers, celebrate conflict resolvers, employ professional diplomats in place of campaign funders and politicians, and train a population of unarmed civilian defenders if we bothered to invest in knowing what those are, but we could do all kinds of unimagined things, insane-sounding things, to prevent mass killing if we were willing to spend on the prevention of mass killing the kind of sums that are spent on the mass killing. A government that can send in multi-billion-dollar loads of bombs is perfectly capable of dropping in 10,000 shiny new tractors with ribbons on them, or green energy equipment on a scale to take the fight out of wars for pipelines, or of parachuting in an entire state fair with food, games, rides, and music. By now you could have built Israel a giant prosperous island in the Mediterranean with what you've spent helping it ethnically cleanse Gaza.

It's dangerous to imagine what could be, because it makes you realize how unnecessarily bad things are. This is how we get to the action that can bring about a world beyond war. So we say with Shelly

'Rise like Lions after slumber

In unvanquishable number -

Shake your chains to earth like dew

Which in sleep had fallen on you -

Ye are many - they are few.'
Amazon called off its purchase of robot vacuum maker iRobot on Monday, blaming undue and disproportionate regulatory hurdles after the European Union signaled its objection to the deal.

The companies said in joint statement that they were disappointed but mutually agreed to terminate the acquisition. The deal faced antitrust scrutiny on both sides of the Atlantic, but most strongly in Europe, where regulators investigating competition concerns were expected to issue a final decision by Feb. 14.
More than three years after a Portland police officer struck him in the neck and back with a baton during a Northeast Portland protest, Philip Chachka says he still cant see a member of the Police Bureau without feeling a nervous pit in his stomach.

Chachka, 46, is among the dozens of people who have sued the city of Portland alleging police officers used excessive force while responding to racial justice protests in 2020. Last February, the city paid Chachka $5,001 in response to his federal complaint.
Oregons well-known pockets of immunization hesitancy have earned the state a durably dubious distinction: For years, its 5-year-olds have entered kindergarten with one of the countrys highest rates of non-medical vaccine exemptions, now behind only neighboring Idaho.

A full 8.2% of Oregon kindergarten students were missing at least one of their required immunizations for non-medical reasons in the 2022-23 school year, far above the national average of 2.8%, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Thats the highest rate on record for the last 40 years.
Efforts to lower the legal limit for driving drunk in Washington are revving up as deadly crashes involving alcohol-impaired motorists rose again in the state in 2023.

Legislation to reduce the maximum allowable blood alcohol concentration for drivers from 0.08% to 0.05% is under consideration in the House and Senate. If enacted, Washington would join Utah with the toughest standard in the nation.

Backers argue that the lower threshold will lead to fewer deaths as individuals change their behavior before getting behind the wheel.

Opponents worry it will increase the risk of liability on alcohol servers and drive down customers of bars, wineries and other hospitality businesses. Some lawmakers worry a lower threshold could result in people of color being stopped more often by cops.

We have people dying on our roadways every single day. Theyre being seriously injured every single day. Many of those injuries and deaths are directly related to alcohol or other intoxication while driving, Rep. Brandy Donaghy, D-Snohomish County, told a House panel last week during a hearing on House Bill 2196.

I know personally, when Ive heard of these incidents, people of color, people who look like me, are really overrepresented in the number of those people who are harmed, said Donaghy, a Black woman and the bills prime sponsor. And that is another major issue that needs to be considered.

The House Community Safety, Justice and Reentry Committee is scheduled to vote on the legislation Tuesday.

Rep. Roger Goodman, D-Kirkland, the panels chair, backs the bill but said after the hearing that he doesnt know if there will be enough support to advance it.

It saves lives and reduces injuries, he said. It will result in behavior changes that will enhance road safety.

Across the rotunda, the conversation is a little farther along.

Senate Bill 5002, sponsored by Democratic Sens. John Lovick of Mill Creek and Marko Liias of Edmonds, is in the Rules Committee where it can be pulled to the Senate floor for a vote. It reached a similar stage last session but did not get voted on.

Liias and Lovick lauded Donaghy for forging ahead in the House as they work on corraling support among their colleagues.

Its the most important thing we can do in traffic safety this year, said Liias, chair of the Senate Transportation Committee. I know people have questions. It is a culture change. But we are going to keep at it. To me its not a matter of if, it is when.

Rising toll

In 2021, Washington recorded 674 traffic fatalities of which 345 occurred in crashes involving an alcohol-impaired driver, according to data compiled by the Washington Traffic Safety Commission.

In 2022, the figure rose to 740 fatalities with 389 linked to an impaired driver and preliminary estimates for 2023 show the death toll eclipsed 800 with alcohol-impaired drivers linked to half.

The commission, in December, delivered a report to lawmakers urging them to seriously consider lowering the limit and authorizing sobriety checkpoints.

The level .05 will save lives. It does so mostly because people will change their behavior, Shelly Baldwin, director of the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, told the House committee.

Under the legislation, the lower legal limit would take effect July 1, 2025.

Typically a person would not reach the lower standard with a couple of beers after work or a glass of wine, or two, with dinner, said Tao Kwan-Gett, chief science officer for the Washington Department of Health.

It takes at least four drinks for the average 170-pound man to exceed 0.05% in two hours on an empty stomach, three drinks for a 137-pound woman, he told the committee.

The bill also directs the Washington Traffic Safety Commission to carry out a statewide public education campaign featuring television, radio, and online ads as well as advertisements in the largest newspapers in each county. And the campaign must be conducted in the nine most significant non-English languages spoken in the state.

Gov. Jay Inslee is behind the effort. So too are state and local law enforcement organizations, the National Transportation Safety Board, National Safety Council, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, and the state Department of Health.

Supporters said at a hearing that more than 100 countries, including most industrialized countries, have already lowered their limits to 0.05%.

We have got to have action rather than passivity, Inslee said at a recent news conference. We should not be defeatists when it comes to traffic fatalities.

Theres always a but

Representatives of the Washington Hospitality Association, the Washington Wine Institute and Washington Brewers Guild opposed the measure last week. Their arguments echoed ones made on the Senate bill last session.

They said with no discernible way to detect intoxication at 0.05%, thousands of alcohol servers would be at greater risk of being held liable for over-serving a customer who is involved in an alcohol-related crash.

Theres also concern that interest in on-site wine tasting will decline, leading to fewer sales.

And, they point out current law allows a person to be arrested for impaired driving even if their blood alcohol level is below the legal limit. Law enforcement acknowledged in the hearing that an officer can pull over a vehicle if they suspect the driver may be under the influence of an intoxicating substance.

It is in everyones interest to remove (those) driving drunk from the roadway and we support any effort we can to reduce this, said Trent House, a lobbyist for the Washington Hospitality Association. This bill we dont think connects those dots.

Rep. Darya Farivar, D-Lake City, asked how the lower threshold would be enforced and if it could result in more people getting pulled over in communities of color.

Donaghy said the bill does not alter the criteria officers use in identifying a suspected drunk driver. They are looking for specific behaviors and that wont change, she said.

She also said it doesnt change the criteria for alcohol servers nor make it more likely theyll be found liable for overserving. And it should not have a marked negative impact on the industries, she said.

Most of the arguments that Ive been hearing are running along the lines of Yeah, its not okay for people to get drunk and drive, but, Donaghy said. I have a problem with that but and I think anybody who has ever had anybody harmed by somebody who is intoxicated and driving has a problem with that but.

Washington State Standard and Oregon Capital Chronicle are part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Washington State Standard maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Bill Lucia for questions: info@washingtonstatestandard.com. Follow Washington State Standard on Facebook and Twitter.
Oregon has long been awash in cash when it comes to state elections and political races.

One big reason?

Its among just a small handful of states that do not limit how much money candidates can accept from individuals, political groups, corporations, unions or any other entity.

But that could change this year, as Oregon voters will likely face a pair of similar-looking  yet markedly different  ballot measures, each of which would limit how much individuals and groups can donate to candidates.

On the latest Beat Check, Oregonian/OregonLive reporters Shane Dixon Kavanaugh and Carlos Fuentes, dig into these dueling proposals.

Read More:

Subscribe to Beat Check anywhere you listen to podcasts to get new episodes each week.

You can support local journalism by becoming a subscriber to The Oregonian/OregonLive. Explore more of our podcasts and sign up to get newsletters for the latest news and top stories.

-- Shane Dixon Kavanaugh; 503-294-7632, skavanaugh@oregonian.com
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee on Monday named Oregons Janelle Bynum to its competitive Red to Blue program, throwing its support behind the state representative a few months before her primary election.

Bynum, D-Clackamas, is one of several Democrats vying for a chance to take on Republican U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer in the 5th Congressional District that stretches from Bend to Portland. The race is a top target for Democrats trying to flip the U.S. House, as the district voted for President Joe Biden in 2020 and is home to more Democrats than Republicans.

Bynums chief opponent in the Democratic primary is Jamie McLeod-Skinner, a Terrebonne attorney and the 2022 Democratic nominee. Metro Council President Lynn Peterson has been in the race for months but struggled to gain traction. Matthew Davie, a tech executive from Bend with no prior government experience, also recently filed to run.

Becoming part of the Red to Blue program means Bynum will have access to DCCC strategic guidance, resources and training, along with more fundraising support than other primary candidates. Mondays announcement, shared first with the Capital Chronicle, is the latest in a series of signals that Bynum is the preferred candidate of the Democrats powerful fundraising machine. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-New York, personally encouraged her to run, and Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek endorsed her, as did most Democrats she serves within the state House. EMILYs List, which supports Democratic pro-choice women, also endorsed Bynum on Monday.

I am honored to receive this united support from Democrats throughout our state and across the country  because they understand that Oregonians deserve a representative who will stand up for us, protect reproductive rights, strengthen our local economy and finally deliver results for our families in Congress, Bynum said in a statement to the Capital Chronicle. Lori Chavez-DeRemer has failed us at every point, siding with her extremist colleagues and sowing chaos and dysfunction in our government instead of actually advocating for our interests. Ive defeated her twice, and together, were going to defeat Chavez-DeRemer a third time this November.

Bynum has served in the state House since 2017, twice beating Chavez-DeRemer in legislative elections. She led criminal justice reform efforts in earlier sessions as the only Black woman in the House, then pivoted back to focusing on the business and education issues that first drew her to politics last year as the lead sponsor of the Oregon CHIPS Act, a $210 million investment in the semiconductor industry intended to boost the states ability to compete for federal funding.

U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene, the Washington state Democrat who chairs the DCCC, praised Bynums experience in a statement announcing the committees support.

As a working mom of four, a businesswoman, and a long-time champion for Oregon families in the state House, Janelle Bynum has spent years standing up for others and paying opportunity forward, DelBene said. Shes the right leader for this moment, and the right candidate to replace Lori Chavez-DeRemer and her extreme track record in D.C.

The DCCCs involvement in the 5th District proved irritating to primary voters during the last election cycle. The committees main responsibility is protecting incumbent Democratic representatives, and it was all in for then-Rep. Kurt Schrader, a moderate Democrat.

Precinct committee persons  the elected local party officials who vote on party business and lead voter registration and turnout efforts at the local level  objected to the DCCCs support for incumbent Schrader, who irked Democratic constituents with his ties to the pharmaceutical industry and by being one of only a few Democrats to vote against Bidens COVID relief plan. One precinct committee person from Bend, home to McLeod-Skinners base, called the committee the 800-pound gorilla from Washington.

Local Democratic Party committees in Clackamas, Deschutes, Linn and Marion counties broke with tradition and changed their own bylaws to allow them to endorse McLeod-Skinner in the primary last year. Despite assistance from the DCCC and other national groups, Schrader lost the primary to McLeod-Skinner by nearly 10 points.

The DCCC and other national Democratic organizations went on to support McLeod-Skinner once she became the nominee. The DCCC alone spent more than $1.8 million attacking Chavez-DeRemer in the 2022 election, according to federal campaign finance records.

But sore feelings between local McLeod-Skinner supporters and national Democrats continued in the general election after the House Majority PAC led by then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi abandoned the 5th District race to spend more on tight races in Oregons 4th and 6th districts.

McLeod-Skinner said in a statement to the Capital Chronicle that political insiders from Washington, D.C., keep misjudging races in Oregon, citing her primary and general campaigns last year and the nearly $1 million the House Majority PAC spent to support political newcomer Carrick Flynn over now-U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas in the Democratic primary for the neighboring 6th Congressional District last year.

Whether the DCCC doesnt trust voters here in Oregon to make the best choice or they are determined to cover up their 2022 election mistake of canceling their investment in OR-05 and helping Lori Chavez-DeRemer win  its wrong and undemocratic, she said. But the jokes on them: Oregon voters will have the final say, and I know theyll reject these misguided attempts to manipulate our democracy. Janelle Bynum should do whats right and reject this unfair involvement in this race.

The primary election is May 21.

-- Julia Shumway, Oregon Capital Chronicle

The Oregon Capital Chronicle, founded in 2021, is a nonprofit news organization that focuses on Oregon state government, politics and policy.
State officials have signed up for a three-month summer food program that would benefit nearly 300,000 children in Oregon.

The program would work much like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, by giving eligible families debit cards to buy groceries. A total of $40 would be given to each eligible child from a low-income family during each summer month, when theyre not eating free meals in schools.

Theres just one catch: Lawmakers have to agree to pay for half of the costs of administering the program, with the federal government paying for the rest. Jake Sunderland, a spokesman for the Oregon Department of Human Services, said the department will request that the budget-writing Joint Ways and Means Committee approve $12.7 million to fund the program for two years.

Sunderland said theres great need for the program, with an estimated 294,000 children in Oregon likely to qualify.

The Oregon Food Bank reports that one in five people in the state face hunger, he said. During the summer months, many children in families with food insecurity do not have easy access to the healthy breakfasts and lunches they get at school during the school year.

The Oregon Food Bank plans to support the program through outreach, along with the nonprofit Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon.

We really believe this is a no-brainer since the program expenses are all provided federally, and Oregon just needs to invest in half of the setup and administrative costs, said Jacki Ward Kehrwald, spokesperson for Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon.

Oregon Food Bank and Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon officials  and Republican and Democratic lawmakers  called on the Legislature to fund the program.

Oregons leaders have been working together to get to a yes on this common-sense program for our states food insecure children, said state Sen. Deb Patterson, D-Salem and one of five lawmakers on the Oregon Hunger Task Force. Our Legislature must find a way to secure funding to unlock these federal dollars, and feed hundreds of thousands of young Oregonians.

The DHS submitted a notice of intent in late December to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which is administering the program, signaling its intent to participate. The agency, along with the Oregon Health Authority and the Department of Education, needs to submit final details by mid-February, just over a week after the legislative session starts Feb. 5. At least 45 states, territories and tribes have signed up. That means the program likely will reach 21 million children  or around 70% of U.S. children eligible for government meal programs, officials from the USDA said.

Sunderland said lawmakers have to approve the plan the state submitted on Dec. 28, approve operations and budget plans to be submitted to the USDA and allocate funds to run the program.

State funding is necessary and without it, the program will not be offered in 2024, Sunderland said. The next earliest opportunity for Oregon to offer the program will be in 2026.

The $12.7 request to the Legislature would bring $70.5 million in food benefits for Oregon families this summer and next, Sunderland said. The federal government would pay the other $12.7 million in administrative costs.

DHS, the Oregon Health Authority and Department of Education want to add 70 positions to deploy and support the program, with 55 for DHS, eight for OHA and seven for the education department. The positions would be put in place at different stages during the biennium, Sunderland said.

About 205,000 children in Oregon whose families are already on federal assistance, like SNAP, would be automatically entered into the program, known as summer EBT. That means they would receive benefits without any action by their parents or guardians. Sunderland said families of about 84,000 other children would need to apply.

This would not be the first time Oregon has offered supplemental food assistance for children in the summer. It was one of the first states to take part in a similar program for children in 2011. It stayed in the trial program until 2018, when it no longer qualified for the grant. By then, the state was giving nearly 72,000 children $30 a month during the summer for groceries.

The state also provided extra food benefits between 2020 and 2023 as part of a pandemic relief program, benefiting about 428,000 children at a time.

-- Lynne Terry

Oregon Capital Chronicle is an affiliate of States Newsroom, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by grants and a coalition of donors and readers.
Police have released the name of the man found shot to death Friday at a house in Portlands Lents neighborhood.

Phillip E. Pierce, 37, died from a gunshot wound, according to the medical examiner. An investigation into the homicide is ongoing, police said.

Officers responded Friday to a report of a missing person and ultimately found Pierce inside a locked house in the 9300 block of Southeast Sun Crest Drive, police said.

The Portland Police Bureau asks anyone who might have information about this death to contact Det. Brad Clifton at Brad.Clifton@police.portlandoregon.gov, 503-823-0696, or Det. Calvin Goldring at Calvin.Goldring@police.portlandoregon.gov, 503-823-0256.

-- The Oregonian/OregonLive; dperry@oregonian.com
An aerial drone photo taken on Jan. 26, 2024 shows light installations for an upcoming lantern show in Zigong, southwest China's Sichuan Province. The city of Zigong is well known for the large number of dinosaur fossils that have been unearthed in past decades.

Lantern shows in Zigong can be traced back to the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties, which have developed into an international cultural activity with performances and night markets since 1987.

The 30th International Dinosaur Lantern Show, featuring high-tech installations such as artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR) devices, will kick off here on Feb. 2 this year to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

An aerial drone photo taken on Jan. 26, 2024 shows light installations for an upcoming lantern show in Zigong, southwest China's Sichuan Province. The city of Zigong is well known for the large number of dinosaur fossils that have been unearthed in past decades.

Lantern shows in Zigong can be traced back to the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties, which have developed into an international cultural activity with performances and night markets since 1987.

The 30th International Dinosaur Lantern Show, featuring high-tech installations such as artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR) devices, will kick off here on Feb. 2 this year to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

An aerial drone photo taken on Jan. 26, 2024 shows light installations for an upcoming lantern show in Zigong, southwest China's Sichuan Province. The city of Zigong is well known for the large number of dinosaur fossils that have been unearthed in past decades.

Lantern shows in Zigong can be traced back to the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties, which have developed into an international cultural activity with performances and night markets since 1987.

The 30th International Dinosaur Lantern Show, featuring high-tech installations such as artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR) devices, will kick off here on Feb. 2 this year to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

A drone photo taken on Jan. 26, 2024 shows light installations for an upcoming lantern show in Zigong, southwest China's Sichuan Province. The city of Zigong is well known for the large number of dinosaur fossils that have been unearthed in past decades.

Lantern shows in Zigong can be traced back to the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties, which have developed into an international cultural activity with performances and night markets since 1987.

The 30th International Dinosaur Lantern Show, featuring high-tech installations such as artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR) devices, will kick off here on Feb. 2 this year to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

A photo taken on Jan. 26, 2024 shows light installations for an upcoming lantern show in Zigong, southwest China's Sichuan Province. The city of Zigong is well known for the large number of dinosaur fossils that have been unearthed in past decades.

Lantern shows in Zigong can be traced back to the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties, which have developed into an international cultural activity with performances and night markets since 1987.

The 30th International Dinosaur Lantern Show, featuring high-tech installations such as artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR) devices, will kick off here on Feb. 2 this year to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

An aerial drone photo taken on Jan. 26, 2024 shows light installations for an upcoming lantern show in Zigong, southwest China's Sichuan Province. The city of Zigong is well known for the large number of dinosaur fossils that have been unearthed in past decades.

Lantern shows in Zigong can be traced back to the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties, which have developed into an international cultural activity with performances and night markets since 1987.

The 30th International Dinosaur Lantern Show, featuring high-tech installations such as artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR) devices, will kick off here on Feb. 2 this year to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

An aerial drone photo taken on Jan. 26, 2024 shows light installations for an upcoming lantern show in Zigong, southwest China's Sichuan Province. The city of Zigong is well known for the large number of dinosaur fossils that have been unearthed in past decades.

Lantern shows in Zigong can be traced back to the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties, which have developed into an international cultural activity with performances and night markets since 1987.

The 30th International Dinosaur Lantern Show, featuring high-tech installations such as artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR) devices, will kick off here on Feb. 2 this year to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

A drone photo taken on Jan. 26, 2024 shows light installations for an upcoming lantern show in Zigong, southwest China's Sichuan Province. The city of Zigong is well known for the large number of dinosaur fossils that have been unearthed in past decades.

Lantern shows in Zigong can be traced back to the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties, which have developed into an international cultural activity with performances and night markets since 1987.

The 30th International Dinosaur Lantern Show, featuring high-tech installations such as artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR) devices, will kick off here on Feb. 2 this year to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

An aerial drone photo taken on Jan. 26, 2024 shows light installations for an upcoming lantern show in Zigong, southwest China's Sichuan Province. The city of Zigong is well known for the large number of dinosaur fossils that have been unearthed in past decades.

Lantern shows in Zigong can be traced back to the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties, which have developed into an international cultural activity with performances and night markets since 1987.

The 30th International Dinosaur Lantern Show, featuring high-tech installations such as artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR) devices, will kick off here on Feb. 2 this year to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

Editor: JYZ
Valentines Day 2024 is right around the corner, happening this year on Wednesday, February 14. After a very snowy January, what better way to celebrate with your partner, spouse, or loved one than to treat the both of you to a romantic Pacific Northwest getaway? This year, choose from gorgeous romantic stays at the coast or adventurous retreats in the forest, with many exciting options between Oregon and Washington. This Valentines Day, skip the jewelry and chocolate to instead create some amazing love-filled memories that will last a lifetime (or better yet, do both!)

Enjoy a romantic Valentine's Day on the Oregon Coast with VRBO.VRBO

Here are 6 of the most romantic VRBO stays for Valentines Day 2024:

Sunriver Cabin on the Water

This 830 square foot 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom cabin in Sunriver, Oregon is the perfect romantic getaway on the water. It offers gorgeous sunrises, large cozy couches, and a rustic escape to unplug from daily life.

Cute Seattle Bungalow

Take a little trip up North to see what Seattle has to offer in this 2 bedroom bungalow with a hot tub. Close to public transportation, its the easiest way to share a night on the town.

Sophisticated Oceanview Stay

Escape to the beach for a romantic vacation in Lincoln City, Oregon where you can stay in a bright and airy 2 bedroom with a balcony overlooking the ocean and beach access.

Cozy Sea Breeze Cottage

This 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom cottage in Ocean Shores, Washington is a great cozy space for couples to celebrate. Walk to the beach or enjoy an evening meal on the deck.

Secluded Lake Quinault Retreat

Treat your soul mate to a Valentines Day on the lake in Amanda Park, Washington on the Olympic Peninsula. Stay in this secluded 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom home with sprawling lake views and experience a luxuriously romantic vacation.

Classic Oregon Cottage with Fireplace

This 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom cottage in Lincon City, Oregon has a fireplace, adorable dining area, and oceanview deck where you can spend the evening watching the sunset.
Cairo, Egypt (PANA) - Ongoing hostilities across the Gaza Strip have been particularly intense in the southern city of Khan Younis, UN humanitarians warned on Monday, as the UN agency for Palestinians, UNWRA, reported that its shelters were now four times over-capacity
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has approved the provision of a sovereign-guaranteed loan of up to EUR 200 million to PJSC Ukrhydroenergo to finance the supply of critical equipment to its hydroelectric power plants and support the company's liquidity.

"The loan consists of up to EUR 150 million to finance supply of critical equipment for the Dnipro and Seredniodnipro hydro power plants, and up to EUR 50 million for the emergency liquidity support for the company," the bank said on its website.

The loan facility will be divided into two tranches of up to EUR 100 million each with one tranche to be funded by EBRD and the other one using funds advanced by Italy to EBRD for that purpose.

The bank said that the implementation of the project will enhance Ukraine's energy security by financing the replacement of four hydropower generation units at the Dnipro hydro power plant (HPP), which were worn out due to extensive exploitation since 2003 and damages caused by missile attacks on the Dnipro HPP.

The total production capacity of the respective equipment is expected to increase by 16%. The project will also enable Ukrhydroenergo to replace old gantry cranes at the Seredniodnipro HPP, which are crucial for maintaining the hydropower plants efficiently. Additionally, the emergency liquidity support will help the company strengthen its financial health and operations, especially on the back of increased public service obligations.

As Ihor Syrota, CEO of Ukrhydroenergo, said in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine in November 2023, the company was working to attract approximately EUR 330 million from the EBRD, the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the World Bank for restoration and development projects in general.

As reported, in December, Ukrhydroenergo received a tranche of EUR 133 million from the EIB for the Hydro Power Plants Rehabilitation Project.
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Somehow, I failed to call attention here to this little essay, even though it was published in Meridian Magazine a full week ago. Incidentally, too, just to clear up any confusion, despite the title of the article (which, I admit, could easily mislead many readers) it is not an entry taken from my wifes diary: On Choosing Prince Charming

The sixth chapter of Richard Lyman Bushmans book Joseph Smiths Gold Plates: A Cultural History (New York: Oxford University Press, 2023) is entitled Fascination: Fiction, Lore, and Psychology, 1860-1910. The chapter sketches a few representative attempts to explain the Book of Mormon away. Among those writers that he examines are the Canadian-born Lily Dougall (1858-1923), who published a novel entitled The Mormon Prophet in 1899; William Alexander Linn, a wealthy graduate of Yale College who, in 1902, published his The Story of the Mormons: From the Date of Their Origin to the Year 1901; and I. Woodbridge Riley, whose Yale Ph.D. dissertation was published in 1903 as The Founder of Mormonism.

William Linns book was the least original of the three. Linn summarized current knowledge without advancing anything new about the origins of the Book of Mormon or the nature of Mormonism. He adhered to the standard Spaulding theory about the books origins. It was obvious, Linn thought, some directing mind, other than Smiths gave the final shape to the scheme. The mastermind behind the text and the Golden Bible hoax must have been Sidney Rigdon building on the romance by Solomon Spalding. Unlike Linn, Riley and Dougall found the Spalding hypothesis unconvincing. Riley spent over twenty-five pages minutely analyzing the Spaulding-Rigdon Theory. He went through the hypothesis point by point, noting the lack of evidence and concluding that these marks of the book are not the marks of the man Rigdon. Dougall dismissed the theory summarily, observing that it [Book of Mormon] was an original production seems probable. The abandonment of the Spaulding-Rigdon hypothesis by two serious writers turned Mormon studies in a new direction. If Rigdon was not the mastermind behind the Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith must have been, and how could that be explained? How did this unprepossessing treasure-seeker compose such a complex text? That question compelled observers to speculate about Joseph Smiths mentality and temperament. What were the psychic sources of his visions and revelations? Abner Cole and Eber D. Howe, the first of the serious critics, saw no need to investigate Smiths mentality. They borrowed motives and mentality from historical stereotypes. Smith was an impostor and confidence man like other charlatans who troubled human society. With Rigdon gone and Smith the author of Mormonism, Dougall and Riley needed a more encompassing explanation. Both asked what light the newly emerging science of psychology might throw on visions and revelations. Although addressing the same question, the two took different approaches. Riley claimed that Smith obviously suffered from epilepsy. His description of the First Vision with its darkness and his inability to speak, followed by a bright light and then release could not have been clearer. Riley traced the inclination to mental disturbances back through the family line, finding that the Smiths had been mentally impaired for generations. Although cognizant of developments in psychological science, Lily Dougall took a more humanistic approach. She talked to William James about Smiths visions not long before Jamess Gifford Lectures at the University of Edinburgh, which became The Varieties of Religious Experience. Dougall blended art with science, aiming to imagine Smiths psychology artistically rather than scientifically. Dougall also wrote from a theological position. She spent her life breaking free from the strictures of her evangelical Christian fathers hard-edge Christianity. She gravitated toward modernist doubts about miracles and to broad church toleration of a wide range of Christian beliefs. She wanted to respect Mormons, even while distancing herself from their irrational belief in miracles and revelations. She was aware of the polemical, moralist tradition that preceded her. In her candid introduction, she acknowledged that it has been earnestly suggested to me that to write on so false a religion in other than a polemic spirit would tend to the undermining of civilised life. (91-92)

Professor Bushman continues with his summation:

Rileys epilepsy diagnosis appealed in a time when physiological psychology seemed like a promising path for psychic research, but its range was limited. Epilepsy was of no help in understanding the gold plates. Riley had nothing to say about how the plates figured in Smiths psychic economy. The epilepsy diagnosis, moreover, was tied to fashions in psychological research. At the time, epilepsy was also offered as an explanation of St. Pauls Damascus vision too. As early ambitions for a broad application of the syndrome lost traction, their usefulness in understanding Joseph Smith faded as well. (95)

I add that there were similar, corresponding attempts, at approximately the same time, to explain the revelations received by the Prophet Muhammad as the product of epileptic seizures. Those attempts have not held up well, and Im aware of no serious outside student of Islam who accepts or advocates such an explanation today. Nor, for that matter, over roughly the past century or so.

Moreover, as one of the executive producers of the theatrical film Witnesses (and of its accompanying docudrama and short features ) I feel myself obliged to reemphasize Professor Bushmans comment that Epilepsy was of no help in understanding the gold plates. Even an epileptic Joseph Smith  for the existence of whom there is, really, no evidence whatsoever  wouldnt account for the reported experiences of the Three Witnesses, the Eight Witnesses, or the informal or unofficial witnesses to the Book of Mormon plates. Professor Bushman also introduces Vardis Fisher, a writer who emerged from a Latter-day Saint background in Idaho, and his prize-winning 1939 novel Children of God:

Fisher and Dougall did their best to imagine what it meant subjectively to see God and write the Book of Mormon. The natural tendency of storytelling was to present an empathetic account, allowing the lead characters at least a measure of sincerity. To imagine them as duplicitous from the start would reduce interest in their fate and cast a long shadow over the rest of the story. Fisher balked, however, when it came to the plates. It was one thing to imagine a vision of God or even an aspiration to write the history of the Indians. It was another to pretend to poessess golden plates. After Joseph tells his family about his vision of the plates, Fisher has Josephs father express belief in their reality, warning Joseph to take care that the records not be stolen. At this point, Joseph must decide to go along with his fathers naive faith or tell him that they were not a material reality, that he would visit the records only in a vision. At the crucial moment, Joseph let the opportunity pass to tell the truth. He implicitly confirmed his followers belief that he would visit a hill and open a vault and look with mortal eyes upon plates of gold. Rationalizing the deceit to himself, Fishers Joseph reflects that perhaps, indeed, the plates were real; for in this, as in many other matters, he was still uncertain. Dougall likewise begins with a Smith who believes in his own plates but at the end has him confess his doubts. After one of her appeals for him to listen to reason, Joseph confesses to Susannah that he may not have seen the gold plates at all; they were just bricks. As to them plates, I told you before I didnt have them as much in my hands as I said I did. I got wrong a bit there too. As from the beginning, the plates were the hinge between two understandings of Joseph Smith, sincere visionary or deceitful fraud. (96-97)

Both Fisher and Dougall were novelists, of course, so they felt themselves free to invent history out of thin air. Still, consumers of such things  neither Vardis Fisher nor, especially, Lily Dougall has many readers today, but their approach to the story of Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon continues to flourish in some quarters, not all of which are clearly labeled fiction  need to be aware of what is being done.
*

I do not think we could logically extend hope for a large mass of individuals to all or the collective of all humanity. Its too much of a leap in logic and which would violate the principle of non-contradiction because of our belief in a populated hell. Desire and other words used in the sense of mere desire fits with logic. We have to keep in mind that its very easy to think illogical thoughts and the greatest among us do it too. Its part of our common human condition in our current mode of existence.

*

I agree with you (according to what you are saying). I aint a universalist. I have opposed that doctrine as an apologist for 43 years. So you agree if we use the words desire or wish because God does both things in Scripture and we cant possibly disagree with it. So, bottom line, we agree.

*

It still remains true that if I say, I hope Bill will be saved then I can also say, I hope three billion human beings will be saved and attain heaven. Thats still possible, because we dont know the percentages. There are about eight billion people alive today. But technically we cant say, I hope hell will be empty, or definitely not, hell will be empty because we already know from Revelation that this is false. If we hope that no one will be damned that is also a non-starter. We know for a fact that some or many will be. But since we dont know the eternal fate of individuals, save for the saints and Judas, we can hope that any and many of them will be saved, and we can  like God  wish and desire that all of them were, knowing  like God does  that they wont be in fact. * You talk about logic. I love logic! Heres some for you:

* 1. The Bible says that God wishes and desires that none perish, even though He knows many will. *

2. A scenario in which none perish is logically identical to an empty hell. *

3. Following Gods model, we can have the same wish and desire that none perish  all the more so, since, unlike God, we dont know the eternal destiny of almost all people (minus saints and the devil). *

4. Therefore, we can wish and desire that hell is empty, even though we know from inspired revelation that it wont be. Were simply doing what God already does. *

5. We can also hope that all are saved and that hell is empty, on the basis of Thesaurus.com, which lists wish and desire as synonyms for hope (my italics and bolding):

* achievement ambition anticipation aspiration belief concern confidence desire expectation faith goal optimism promise prospect wish * 6. In normal conversation, we often use hope as a synonym for wish or desire. So, for example, instead of saying, I wish that my wife would bake me lasagna tonight, or I desire that my wife would bake me lasagna tonight, we would usually say, rather, I hope that my wife bakes me lasagna, tonight.

* 7. The difference in this discussion is that we are talking about wishing for a thing (all being saved) that we know will not be true in fact, from Gods revelation. We know the future in this instance. So the argument is that we cant hope for such a thing that simply will not be, and that we know will not be. But then it would seem that we cant wish or desire it, either, on the same basis (knowing it wont come to pass). But God in fact does that; so we can, too! In this sense, saying that we hope for this is not all that different than saying we wish or desire it; though there is clearly a sense in which it is different, too.

* 8. As I argued above, if we can say, I hope Person X is saved, then we can also (in our lack of knowledge of the eternal destiny of any and every human being) say that about every human being who ever lived  save for Judas , and say, I hope that x [times billions] is saved. Thats the same thought, simply multiplied by almost all people. But to have a thought that all are saved is to at the same time have in mind the notion that hell is empty.

* 9. Therefore, it all goes back to God wishing and desiring that all be saved. God desires that which He knows will not be, out of His infinite love and mercy. We are also expressing love and mercy when we desire that all be saved, or even hope that they are, while knowing all the while that not all will be. Its the language and will and emotion of love. *

10. In other words, none of this is a denial that hell exists or a proclamation of universalism. It only is if someone who actually believes in either false thing is exploiting it for the purpose of promulgating one or more false doctrines that they already held on other grounds before they came to this discussion. There are always theological liberals who will warp any and every true doctrine in the Bible. But a distortion of a thing is not the same as the thing itself, and we dont throw the baby out with the bathwater.

*

There is St. Thomas Aquinas definition of hope. Hope is the theological virtue. So, you have to address it from the theological usages and original biblical languages. Not from a secular website for modern English. When I started this thread I was already going above my weight class.

*
Ghana is set to benefit from a new alumina refinery following the successful selection of a strategic partner that will work with the Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC) to deliver Project 3A, one of four (4) projects being executed under the Integrated Aluminium Industry (IAI) projects.



President Akufo-Addo who witnessed the signing of the agreements between the two parties at a brief event held in Accra stressed that the execution of Project 3A  Development of a mine at Nyinahin-Mpasaaso and the construction of an alumina refinery, will put an end to decades of exporting raw bauxite from the country to the refining of bauxite mined in Ghana to produce alumina that will feed the VALCO smelter.



We have mined and exported bauxite in its raw form since the 1940s and have never achieved the goal of value addition or integration despite considerable efforts made by successive governments. I am proud of the progress GIADEC has made since its inception under the leadership of Mr. Michael Ansah, working to leverage on 900 million metric tonnes of bauxite and other holdings including the 100% ownership of VALCO to deliver the Integrated Aluminium Industry in Ghana he said.



The President commended the Board, Management and Staff of GIADEC for what he described as a tremendous work at ensuring that the missing link in Ghanas aluminium industry, an alumina refinery, is finally going to be established.



He urged GIADEC to continue to drive integration of the bauxite  aluminium value chain by ensuring that all aspects of the value chainare developed. President Akuo-Addo emphasized that the selection of a credible and leading global metallurgy and energy Company, Mytilineos S.A as GIADECs partner on Project 3A willpave the way for more investments from other global giants in the Integrated AluminiumIndustry.



President Akufo-Addo charged GIADEC and its strategic partners to continue to uphold world class environmental standards in their operations. I am specifically aware of GIADECs unwavering commitment to world-class environmental standards which informed their choice for the selected partner for Project 3A. As such, government and the relevant state agencies must ensure the strictest adherence and commitment to all the national and global environmental and social performance standards he added.



Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr. Samuel Abu Jinapor in his remarks noted that government will continue to create the right investment climate for businesses to thrive and provide the needed support towards the development of a fully functional Integrated AluminiumIndustry in Ghana.



Chief Executive Officer of GIADEC, Mr. Michael Ansah on his part emphasized that the execution of Project 3A and all other projects under the Integrated Aluminium Industry is a game-changer and will contribute significantly to the Ghanaian economy.



Mr. Ansah said GIADECs absolute requirement for Project 3A, and the approach presented by our partner, focuses on value addition, as well as the social benefits that will accrue through the creation of over 1,500 jobs over time. We shall ensure collaboration with local subcontractors, prioritise local talent and provide training programmes to align with cultural and environmental considerations.



Mr. Ansah further stressed that Mytilineos S.A will be required to, first, undertake a Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) to validate and define the bauxite resources before the construction of a mine and a refinery.



On the downstream sector, Mr. Ansah noted that GIADEC will continue to drive the development of a vibrant downstream sector that will take full advantage of the ever-growingneed for aluminium and aluminium related products especially the fast-growing automobile sector in Ghana.



In a statement, Chief Strategy and M&A Officer at MYTILINEOS Energy & Metals, ElenosKaraindros, noted that MYTILINEOS has been a longstanding partner in Ghana; leveraging the countrys extensive experience in numerous power projects.

We have gained a robust and unique understanding of the countrys energy sector, as well as its people and local environment. Today, we are pleased to embark on the next chapter of this enduring collaboration. As the operator of the European Unions exclusive vertically integrated aluminum complex, MYTILINEOS brings comprehensive expertise across the entire value chain. More importantly, we prioritize creating value that benefits all partners involved in every project he stated.



Mr. Elenos further stated that MYTILINEOS is committed to the highest global standards of ESG excellence. He said our objective is to deliver sustained benefits for the Ghanaian economy and society. For MYTILINEOS, this project aligns fully with our strategy to fortify the security of the bauxite-to-aluminium supply chain and expand our global footprint in metal and mining. We are enthusiastic about the journey ahead and eagerly anticipate working closely with our partners on this landmark project.



Also present at the event were Members of Parliament for the proposed mining areas and representatives of some government institutions, board members of GIADEC, traditional leaders from communities where the mines and refineries will be situated and other stakeholders.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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The Ghana Police Service has arrested one suspect and is on a manhunt for others in Yendi for electoral-related offences.



The persons are suspected of damaging electoral materials during the sorting of ballots in the ongoing internal parliamentary elections of the New Patriotic Party.



The Police worked together with the Military, in line with our established protocols, to restore law, order and security in the area. No persons were injured during the disturbances.



We wish to assure the public that all persons behind this unfortunate act shall be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Private Legal Practitioner, Lawyer Martin Kpebu, is hopeful that the transfer of Madam Cecelia Dapaah, the former Sanitation Ministers case from the Office of the Special Prosecutor to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) will be an opportunity that has been bequeathed to the latter to prove skeptics wrong.



The learned Lawyer revealed that despite the skepticism among some Ghanaians that EOCO may not do justice to the case as expected, the transfer done by Mr. Kissi Agyebeng offers the anti-corruption agency, an opportunity to prove the sceptics wrong.



All government agencies, as long as they are funded by government, government has some influence. Even Martin Amidu said it. As special prosecutor, he said that President Akufo Addo is interfering too much.



So naturally, I will also join in that concern. And the concern is positive. Once people show they are apprehensive, then that is an incentive for the state institution, in this case EOCO, to prove us wrong. So, this should be an incentive for EOCO to prove us wrong. The lack of trust is positive, because the moment we all end up praise singing of a state institution, there is the incentive to be complacent. So, I see it as positive that people are vigilant and weary because of the context, and clearing agent issues.



The Lawyer made this commentary while granting an interview on TV3s Ghana Tonight with Alfred Ocansey.



Lawyer Martin Kpebus comment comes on the heels of the SP's formal announcement of his outfit handing over the case to EOCO because, the Office has determined that the crime borders largely on money laundering, which falls within the mandate of EOCO.



Mr. Kpebu argued that it is not every money laundering case that EOCO takes up.



"Recently, the Supreme Court has been very clear about this jurisdiction of money laundering. The Supreme Court said even the EOCO that the OSP has sent this case to, EOCO doesn't have 100% mandate in all money laundering cases. EOCO's mandate, in the recent Supreme Court ruling- Ex parte Ibrahim Malik, is that EOCO's mandate to do money laundering cases is limited to cases in which the money is government money.



If you hear money laundering, it means there is a predicate offence. And a predicate offence is which offence was committed to get that money which is now going to be laundered. And when we say laundered, meaning washing- you've stolen money, you've gotten money from cocaine, you've gotten money from defrauding by false pretenses, name the crime. So, you've got money from a certain crime and now you want the money to look legitimate. So, the person brings the money to do real estate business and other businesses government money. So far, Mr Agyebeng has not told us the predicate offence, he explained, he disclosed.



The Human Rights and Anti-Corruption lawyer, therefore suggested that based on the Supreme court decision, it is safer that EOCO involves the police so that if it turns out that the matter is not for EOCO, because the police are involved, they take over quickly. Rather than EOCO does it alone and sees that the money is private, it's not government money and it has to send it to the police.



In future, it means that OSP has to bring in the other agencies. So that at every stage they know what is going on. So that if they take over the case, they don't have to re-event the wheel," he suggested.

Source: Kobina Darlington/peacefmonline.com









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President Akufo-Addo has inaugurated a state-of-the-art oil refinery worth one billion dollars in the Tema Industrial Area, marking a significant milestone towards reducing Ghanas dependence on imported petroleum products and strengthening the local petroleum industry.



The refinery, constructed by Sentuo Group, is expected to be fully operational by 2025.



The refinery is set to produce high-quality finished gasoline, aviation kerosene, diesel, asphalt, and other petroleum products, thereby decreasing reliance on foreign imports.



The first phase, which is due to refine forty thousand barrels of crude oil daily, will be followed by the second phase, capable of processing one hundred thousand barrels per day.



Speaking at the launch, President Akufo-Addo praised Sentuo Group for their investment in the refinery and emphasized the governments commitment to revive the Tema Oil Refinery and restore it to its former glory.



He also expressed gratitude to the Chinese government for their cooperation and contribution to Ghanas energy sector.



Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh, Ghanas Minister of Energy, affirmed the governments determination to support the energy sector through consistent policies and programs that ensure sufficient fuel supply for the country.



Xu Ning Quan, the CEO of Sentuo Group, vowed to continue investing in Ghana and commended the government for creating a conducive business environment.



The establishment of the Sentuo Oil Refinery is in line with Ghanas one district one factory policy and the overall planning objectives of the Tema Industrial Park.



The project incorporates advanced technology and energy conservation measures, providing an opportunity for technological innovation within the chemical enterprise sector.



President Akufo-Addo emphasized that the operationalization of the refinery marks a crucial step in securing Ghanas energy future and reducing the countrys heavy reliance on imported petroleum products.



By producing refined oil locally, the government aims to achieve self-sufficiency and create job opportunities for Ghanaians.



Despite the challenges faced by the Tema Oil Refinery, President Akufo-Addo reassured citizens that the government remains committed to its full operationalization.



He concluded by stating that the collaboration between the public and private sector has played a vital role in making the Sentuo Oil Refinery a reality, symbolizing Ghanas determination to shape its economic destiny and drive investment.

Source: dailyguidenetwork.com









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The Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has reiterated his call for an end to stigmatization against lepers as he pledges government's unwavering support for them.



Dr. Bawumia, on Sunday January 28, 2024, joined residents of the Weija Leprosarium in Accra, the Ghana Lepers Aid Committee and other stakeholders, to mark this year's World Leprosy Day.



Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Bawumia, who is also the Chief Patron of the Ghana Lepers Aid Committee and a strong supporter of lepers in the country, said treating lepers with love is as important as ending the disease.



He therefore called for lepers to be treated with love stressing they pose no risk of transmission.



"Many people don't understand that when leprosy is treated and cured, there is no risk of transmission."



"This is what we have to understand as Ghanaians and as human beings that when you meet a cured leper, you have to show them love by touching and hugging them. There is no risk of transmission."



"Let us deal with the cured lepers with love and care. It is not their fault that they contracted this disease. It is an affliction which could have happened to any of us", Dr. Bawumia said.



While urging society to embrace the lepers, he also outlined measures that the government has taken in the fight against the disease including infrastructure development at various leprosariums across the country.



"We are committed as a government to facilitating the provisions of national programs to help these marginalized Ghanaians. They represent the very least and downtrodden in our society and they have hope in us. We therefore cannot let them down", Dr. Bawumia emphasized.



The Vice President added; "Through our work in the past seven years, we have improved the fight against leprosy and made discovery in that area through better collaboration with the National Leprosy Program under the Ghana Health Service. Surveillance has improved, case finding increased and treatment has reached more."



The Vice President named government interventions such as the redevelopment of project at Weija

Leprosarium, the renovations at Ankaful Leprosarium General Hospital, the Laboratory for Leprosy and Skin Conditions at Wa and the Leprosy Clinic at Kokofu as some of the developmental projects under this administration towards improving the conditions of the lepers.



"This year, we are equipping all these facilities through the District Assemblies Common Fund and commissioning them to operate. We have also distributed food to about 500 people affected by leprosy in the country this January, courtesy of the District Assemblies Common Fund."



"This year, Ankaful, Weija, Nkanchina, Wa, Doremu, Ho and Kokofu districts have all benefited from food and Medical supplies. We are grateful to the District Assemblies Common fund."



Dr. Bawumia also cut sod for the construction of a kitchen for the Weija Leprosarium which he has donated money in support of it.



World Leprosy Day is observed internationally on the last Sunday of every January to spread awareness about the disease.



Spending the day at leprosariums to show love to lepers is one of the key missions of Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and this year was no exception.









Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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Canada will provide its social and economic support for restoration projects in 19 Ukrainian communities within the framework of the Community-led Inclusive Recovery (CLIR) initiative, the press service of the Ministry for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine has said.

"The CLIR initiative will allow our citizens to understand better the priorities of restoration, gain necessary knowledge and tools for the development of their own comprehensive restoration projects taking into account the needs of all population groups," Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration Oleksandr Kubrakov, who is also the Minister for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine, was quoted as saying in the press release.

The communities in Kyiv region (Baryshivka, Hlevakha, Boyarka, Velyka Dymerka), Dnipropetrovsk region (Sofiyivka, Pershotravensk, Apostolove, Zelenodolsk), Mykolaiv region (Bashtanka, Bereznehuvate), Odesa region (Shabo, Bilhorod-Dnistrovsky), Chernihiv region (Kholmy, Korop, Mena), Donetsk region and Kharkiv region (Blyzniuky, Savyntsi, Balakliya) were selected for the participation in the program.

Experts will provide the communities with assistance in strategic management and planning, establishing partnership with international organizations and attracting foreign investment, social services development, sustainable development principles, development of restoration plan and strategies.

The CLIR initiative is being implemented by the Support to Ukraine's Government Reforms (SURGe) project, which is funded by the Government of Canada.
The Resident Director of the Weija Leprosarium, Rev. Father Andrew Campbell has commended the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, for what he describes as his "extraordinary support" for lepers in Ghana.



Speaking at the observation of World Leprosy Day held at the Weija Leprosarium, Accra, on Sunday January 28, Father Campbell said on a day reserved for creating awareness against stigmatization of lepers, it was important to commend one of the "pillars of support" for lepers in Ghana referring to Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.



Dr. Bawumia was the Special Guest for the World Leprosy Day 2024.



The Vice President is also the Chief Patron of the Ghana Lepers Aid Committee and often spends special occasions such as Christmas and New Year festivities as well as holidays and his birthdays with the lepers.



The World Lepers Day is observed on the last Sunday of every January.



"Dr. Bawumia has never said no to us. Anytime we have called on him, even on a short notice, he has responded positively and has never turned his back on us", Father Campbell emphasized.



"He comes here all the time to spend time with us, interact with us and eat with us. He helps a lot in the fight against stigmatization."



"He does not only come here, he also invites us to share special moments with him. When he moved into his official residence as Vice President, he invited us to share the moment together", Father Campbell added.



Father Campbell, who has been head of the Weija Leprosarium for 50 years, further said the centre and lepers in Ghana in general "are privileged to have such a man, His Excellency Vice President Bawumia showing us such love to inspire against stigmatization".



"He has been a pillar for us, and to have someone like him always availing his time and supporting us, we can only be grateful to him and the Lord. May God bless you, Mr Vice President, for the extraordinary support."



Other stakeholders present at the event also lauded Dr. Bawumia saying "we are indeed privileged in Ghana to have the Vice President commemorating the World Leprosy Day. It doesn't happen elsewhere".



As part of activities marking that day, Dr. Bawumia made a cash donation to support the construction of a kitchen for the Weija Leprosarium.





Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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The Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya East, Mavis Hawa Koomson, has appealed to the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) to reconsider its decision to slap a total media blackout on her.



In a statement released by her Press Secretary, Kabore Awudu Moro, Hawa Koomson expressed concern about the GJA's decision and emphasized her commitment to fostering an environment that safeguards journalists in their duty.



The Office of the Honourable Minister for Fisheries & Aquaculture Development and Member of Parliament for the Awutu Senya East Constituency expresses deep concern regarding the recent decision by the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) to blacklist any activities involving the Honourable Minister due to an alleged attack on a journalist during the NPPs parliamentary aspirants' vetting in Cape Coast.



While unequivocally condemning the reported incident, the Honorable Minister vehemently denies all accusations leveled against her and her associates.



Acknowledging the vital role of the media in our democracy, the Minister is committed to fostering an environment that safeguards journalists in their duty," part of the statement read.



She emphasized that there is no evidence implicating her in the alleged attack.



"The Honourable Minister urges the GJA leadership to reconsider the blacklisting decision, emphasizing the absence of evidence implicating her in the incident. The Minister calls for trust in the Ghana Police Service's ongoing investigation to apprehend the alleged attacker," the statement added.



Hawa Koomson further expressed her intention to initiate a dialogue with the GJA leadership in the coming days.



"In the spirit of collaboration, the Office of the Honourable Minister will initiate a dialogue with the GJA leadership in the coming days to address any misunderstandings and chart a way forward, fostering a constructive relationship between the Minister and the media," the statement added.



The move by GJA follows an alleged attack on a journalist during the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) parliamentary aspirants' vetting in Cape Coast.







Source: GNA









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Mr Francis-Xavier Kojo Sosu, Member of Parliament (MP) for Madina Constituency, says Ghana must completely abolish the death penalty sentence and replace it with life imprisonment.



He said the death penalty had outlived its usefulness and must be scrapped and urged all to push for its swift abolishment.



We must not be complacent. We must push the limits until Ghana becomes a complete abolitionist State, he said.



In a statement issued by the MP, he said it did not come as a shock when on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, a court in Ghana imposed a sentence of death by hanging on six persons convicted of the offences of conspiracy to commit high treason and committing high treason.



It said the sentence was made because treason and high treason remained capital offences in the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.



The statement said the judgement had raised concerns regarding the status of the Death Penalty in Ghana in the light of gains made by the country to abolish the death penalty for ordinary crimes.



It said though Ghana retained the Death Penalty in its Constitution, the said provision was otiose until January 24, 2024, when the court convicted six persons for treason and high treason and sentenced them to death by hanging.



This raises serious questions about Ghanas commitment to fully abolish the Death Penalty. I believe it is time for us to completely abolish the death sentence from the 1992 Constitution, he said.



The statement said in July 2023, Ghanas Parliament voted to amend the countrys criminal offences act, removing the use of capital punishment for crimes, including murder, genocide, piracy and smuggling.



It said it was good news because Ghana had not executed anyone in 30 years and all 178 persons on death row at the time of the abolition of the death penalty were all charged under the amended provisions in the Criminal Offences Act.



The statement said Wednesdays death sentence was for conspiracy to commit high treason and committing high treason by which the six convicts must die by hanging.



It said Article 3 of Ghanas 1992 Constitution provided for High Treason which was deemed to be committed when any person who, by himself or in concert with others by any violent or other unlawful means, suspends or overthrows or abrogates the Constitution or any part of it, or attempts to do any such act; oraids and abets in any manner any person referred to in the law.



The statement said since the 4th Republic, no person had ever been successfully charged and convicted under this law until the January 24, 2024 conviction.



It said in Ghanas laws references were made to High Treason, Treason and Treason Felony which were supposed to be different shades of treasonable offences.



The statement said while High Treason was defined with a penalty of death, Treason on the other side was not clearly defined.



It said Section 180 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), which made it clear that treason was punishable by death, saidfor the purposes of this section treason shall have the meaning assigned to it by clause 3 of the 1992 Constitution.



That is rather ambiguous because clause three creates the offence of High Treason and not Treason simplicita, the statement said.



Article 19 (17) of Ghanas Constitution provides that treason shall consist only in levying war against Ghana or assisting any state, or person or inciting or conspiring with any person to levy war against Ghana; or in attempting by force of arms or other violent means to overthrow the organs of government established by or under this Constitution; or in taking part or being concerned in or inciting or conspiring with any person to make or take part or be concerned in any such attempt.



Mr Sosu, also a legal practitioner, said that definition, notwithstanding, would be impracticable to charge someone under the provision because the statute creating the offence of treason which was section 180 of the Criminal Offences Act, contemplated a meaning other than what was provided by the article.



He said Treason Felony on the other hand, was applicable to a person who prepares or endeavours to procure by unlawful means any alteration of the law or the policy by the Government; or prepares or endeavours to carry out by unlawful means any enterprise which usurps the executive power of the State in any matter of both a public and a general nature.



Mr Sosu said that was punishable as a first-degree felony and not necessarily by death as provided in section 182 of the Criminal Offences Act.



He said High Treason remained the only clear provision of law in Ghanas statute books that carried the death penalty.



Treason simplicita is ambiguous and inconsistent with Article 19(11) of the 1992 Constitution which says that no person shall be convicted of a criminal offence unless the offence is defined and the penalty for it is prescribed in a written law.



The definition of Treason under the criminal code lends itself to ambiguity which is not sustainable in a criminal trial where the standard of proof is beyond reasonable doubt. This could be part of the reasons why there has never been a successful trial of any person under these provisions in the past.



Mr Sosu said his deepest worry as a human rights activist was that provisions relating to treason and high treason were highly political and could be used against persons who were critical of abusive and undemocratic political regimes.



Without necessarily saying that is what applies in this case, all Human Rights Progressives must not rest until the 1992 Constitution is amended and the said provision in Article 3 removed to completely abolish the Death Penalty.



Sadly, Article 3 (3) of the Constitution which created the offence of High Treason is an entrenched provision that would require a referendum to change.



Given the fact that change is a gradual process which comes by consistent and dedicated efforts, I will, with the support of CSOs and Human Rights activists, continue to advocate for review of that provision in our Constitution.





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.

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President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has encouraged Africa to go beyond rhetoric and dialogue to develop concrete strategies for transformative change.



These dialogues must critically examine the private sectors obligations and expectations, as well as demand the same from the governmental sector, to achieve the desired Africa.



They must be representative of all sectors needed to bring prosperity, ensuring that the growth targets that area attained are sustainable, irrespective of future global challenges.



President Nana Akufo-Addo was speaking at the opening second edition of the Africa Prosperity Dialogues 2024, at the Peduase Lodge, in the Eastern Region.



He stated that the conversations should focus heavily on the development of sustainable farming practices.



This must be complemented with targeted investment and infrastructure for innovation and technology, especially in agribusiness and industry that boost production.



The President emphasized the importance of ensuring the agriculture sectors resilience in the face of global challenges and climate change.



I am encouraged that Africa now has a private sector that is ready, deliberate and eager to see to the 60-year-old dream of a united Africa manifest, he noted.



To unlock the full potential of trade for prosperity, the President stated that it was important to prioritise efficient transport and logistics infrastructure, expedite trade processes, and emb



Furthermore, stakeholders should strive diligently to promote cross-border transactions without relying on foreign currencies.



He emphasised the importance of facilitating the free movement of people, products, and services across the continent, as outlined in the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA).



The President hailed the African Prosperity Dialogues as a worthwhile endeavour that aimed to promote understanding, dialogue, and commitment to achieving the AFCFTAs goals.



He applauded the organisers for their efforts in bringing together the high-profile resource persons and stakeholders, saying, This will leave no one in doubt that this is a project that requires all the support we can muster.



The Network provides a unique platform dedicated to mobilising Africas energetic private sector to own and drive the fulfilment of the promises that the AFCFTA presents, he said.



President Akufo-Addo urged participants to work hard to achieve the goals of the programme, citing the continents ability to industrialize, add value to raw materials, and invest in social, digital, economic, and physical infrastructure.



Mr. Joaquim Alberto Chissano, former President of Mozambique and Chairperson of the Africa Forum pointed out that the continents leaders needed to get together to discuss and find solutions to the development challenges hindering Africas growth.



Mr. Njack Kane, acting Chief Executive Officer of the Africa Prosperity Network Secretariat, stated that the programmes strategic objectives included facilitating comprehensive dialogue, promoting regional integration, prioritising inclusiveness, and providing a platform for sharing best practices.



The summit will feature thematic roundtable discussions, high-level sessions, and a Presidential Gala Dinner, culminating in a High-level Presidential Dialogue session.



Mr. Wamkele Mene, the Secretary-General of AFCFTA, urged private businesses to take advantage of the opportunities offered under the initiative to expand their businesses.



The three-day programme, being held on the theme: Delivering Prosperity in Africa; Produce, Add Value, Trade, aims to address key issues hindering Africas progress and chart a course towards a more prosperous and inclusive future.





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.

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The New Patriotic Parliamentary Primaries in Yendi witnessed a severe unrest during the sorting and counting of the ballot papers.



This was after some aggrieved party activists damaged electoral materials during the process of sorting out ballots.



The incumbent Member of Parliament for the Yendi constituency, Farouk Aliu Mahama, and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for MASLOC, Mrs. Abibata Shanni Zakariah Mahama, were battling it out to represent the NPP in the 2024 general elections



According to reports monitored by Peacefmonline.com, and filed by Kwabena Ntow, the commotion started after a supporter of Abibata Shanbi Mahama Zakaria, allegedly accused the official of the Electoral Commission of using indelible ink to mar the ballots of his preferred candidate.



During the confrontation, other supporters who had gathered around the area where the sorting was taking place joined in escalating the confusion which eventually brought the sorting and counting process to a halt.



All the ballots were apparently destroyed. Also, other properties at the venue were also destroyed by these irate supporters.



It is however unclear if the NPP will still continue with the primaries or slate it for another time.



Meanwhile, the Ghana Police Service has arrested one suspect and is on a manhunt for others in the electoral-related offences.



According to a statement copied Peacefmonline, the Police, worked together with the Military, in line with our established protocols, to restore law, order and security in the area. No persons were injured during the disturbances, the statement added.







Source: Kobina Darlington/peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Energy Minister and sitting Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh has retained his seat.



He won the Manhyia South primary held on Saturday 27th January, 2024 by polling 486 votes representing 88.5% as against 63 votes polled by his contender, Helina Pinamang, representing 11.5%.



With this emphatic victory, this becomes Dr. Prempeh, affectionately called "NAPO", 5th term in Parliament having made his debut appearance on the constituencys political scene in 2008.



In a post on Facebook earlier in the day, the Energy Minister expressed optimism that the process was going to be smooth.



Manhyia South will once again, rise to the occasion, he said.



Dr. Prempeh also made the following remarks on his Facebook wall after filing his nomination:



In my remarks, I expressed my deepest appreciation to the rank and file of the NPP in the constituency for their unflinching support, since my debut unto the political scene of the constituency in 2008. Through their immense support, we have collectively achieved so much for our party and the constituency. However, I believe that, there is still more to do and so, have decided to avail myself, yet again, to the service of my people. Service, Sacrifice and Selflessness continue to remain my cardinal pillars as a politician.



I believe that, my performance as Member of Parliament, in all modesty, is a matter of public record and thus, will continue to work fervently to increase the fortunes of the party in the constituency, in support of the NPP Flagbearer, His Excellency, Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia next year.



I commit fully, to the democratic tenets of our party in this internal exercise and I have no doubt, that Manhyia South, my beloved constituency will, once again rise to the occasion to deepen the attractiveness of the NPP.









Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The largest opposition political party in Ghana, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has announced that the party would be returning to the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC).



In a release dated January 28, 2024, and signed by the General Secretary of the party, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, the NDC explained that it is returning to IPAC with the hope of revitalizing the consensus-building platform to become as robust as when the Electoral Commission (EC) was headed by Dr. Afari Djan and Charlotte Osei.



The NDC is optimistic about the revitalization of the IPAC, drawing inspiration from the robust Consensus Building Platform established during the tenures of Dr. Afari Djan and Charlotte Osei as Chairpersons of the Electoral Commission of Ghana, part of the release read.



The NDC looks forward to an IPAC that benefits and strengthens the democratic values of Ghana.



The release added, The party anticipates collaborative endeavors that will strengthen Ghana's electoral system, benefiting not only individual political parties but also upholding the democratic values of the nation.



Background



The National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Wednesday, April 14, 2021, declined an invitation by the Electoral Commission (EC) to attend an Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting. The meeting was to review the 2020 parliamentary and presidential elections.



A statement signed by Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, general secretary of the NDC said, The party took this decision because of the lack of candour, odious duplicity, and open bias that was displayed by the Jean Mensah-led Electoral Commission in favour of the New Patriotic Party in the conduct of the 2020 general elections.



It is the considered view of the NDC, that the current leadership of the Electoral Commission who supervised the manipulation of the 2020 general elections and the stolen verdict that resulted from same, lack the integrity, credibility, and impartiality to lead any such discussions or review of the very elections they rigged, the statement added.

Source: Ghanaweb.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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A Leading member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Gabby Otchere-Darko, has given insight into the massive banking sector clean-up that left many astonished and downhearted.



He described the hapless exercise as very painful, adding that even those who took the exercise, it was painful for them.



Banking Tsunami



In a bid to restore confidence in the banking and specialized deposit-taking sector, the Bank of Ghana embarked on a clean-up exercise in August 2017.



Spending over GH20 billion, the Central Banks action was to resolve insolvent financial institutions whose continued existence posed risks to the interest of depositors.



Finance Minister, Ofori-Atta supervised the banking sector clean-up from mid-2017 to January 2020.



The clean-up saw a reduction in the number of banks from 34 to 23, whilst 347 microfinance institutions, 15 savings and loans and eight finance houses had their licences revoked.



While some of the commercial banks were merged to form the Consolidated Bank Ghana Limited, state-owned GCB was allowed to swallow others.



The Securities and Exchange Commission also announced the revocation of the licenses of 53 Fund Management Companies.



A number of these institutions were found to have varying degrees of corporate governance lapses.



The total estimated cost of the states fiscal intervention, excluding interest payments, from 2017 to 2019 was pegged at GH16.4 billion.



Why it was necessary?



Speaking to Bola RAY on Starr Chat, Gabby Otchere-Darko said By 2016, the government then [NDC government] had passed a law which was part of the IMF conditionalities, so this government inherited a situation which was backed by the new law.



Because whoever would have won the elections in 2017, by that law passed in 2016 would have had no room but to implement the same thing in the banking sector. They knew it. It was painful. he lamented.



Pains in Akufo-Addo's eyes



Mr Gabby Otchere-Darko further said President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo was not in support of the banking clean-up but could not have changed the situation.



I got to see the president [Akufo-Addo] after, and I could see the pain, I could feel it. It was a painful exercise to protect depositors, he narrated.





Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/peacefmonline.com/ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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A star of stage and screen was seen once more in central Pennsylvania.

William H. Macy, known for film including Fargo, Mystery Men, Magnolia, Boogie Nights and Pleasantville, was a patron of some Lancaster County establishments over the weekend.
Two people in Texas were arrested after more than 50 people came forward, accusing the pair of using a fraudulent Houston funeral home to carry out an elaborate scam.

They were able to pull it off by forging beneficiaries signatures and stealing thousands through illicitly obtaining the life insurance policies from the families of the ones who passed away, the Harris Countys constables office said in a Facebook post.

Javian Major has been charged with forgery while Sandy Broussard has been charged with theft.

The arrest of the pair came following an 8-month investigation by Precinct One and the Texas Rangers, who investigated the case after the Texas Funeral Service Commission received multiple complaints that Major and Broussard were operating without a funeral business license.

Some cases report the disappearance of loved ones remains, the Facebook post added.

Alongside Harris County Precinct 1 Constable Alan Rosen, multiple victims were united and able to share their experiences during a news conference on Jan. 26.

This is a case that absolutely turns my stomach, Rosen said during the news conference. And for me, thats what makes this case so important. The victims, the families behind me are people that were taken advantage of. They were, manipulated. And they were completely snowballed. And fraud was committed against them.

Major would reel in his victims by telling them he was the funeral director. The tactic would allow him to gain their confidence, and he would then get them to send him money. He would later ask for insurance policy information before he would commence forging signatures on documents.

Rosen said families were supposed to have funeral services for their deceased family members, and, due to the scam, it often didnt happen.

One victim, Ernest Aakquanakhann, said Major got his hands on his sisters life insurance policy by forging his soon-to-be brother-in-laws signature.

When a family is grieving at their lowest point, this individual had the nerve to take advantage of us, he said during the news conference.

In some cases, the victims saw their loved ones bodies bloated, as a result of not properly being embalmed.

When I walked in and I looked at my son, his body was bloated. He was dark, one victim said during the news conference. I had to run out the church because I couldnt deal with the smell.

That victim said she is still unsure if the ashes she received from Major are her sons.

Major would even reach out to families and tell them he was friends with their deceased loved ones, and in other cases, would claim to be a funeral director. According to one victim, he would have a suit on and give potential victims his business card.

When I say this man is a good talker, he can talk you down, a victim said during the news conference.

Another victim, Shatammiz Hicks, wants to see Major punished for the crime.

I have never heard of anybody doing this, but this man needs to be buried under the jail, he said during the news conference.
Entrepreneurs will be deprived of verification rights for six months for violating the rules for exporting agricultural products to some countries of the European Union, Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine Mykola Solsky said.

As the ministry's press service reported on Facebook, Solsky, during an online meeting with the Minister of Agriculture and Food of the Republic of Bulgaria, Kiril Vatev, informed that the Ukrainian government had adopted a resolution that improved the rules for the export of certain types of agricultural products to prevent abuse.

"Now an enterprise can be excluded from the list of verified entities of the agro-industrial complex if information is received from Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary or Poland that products loaded for transit through these countries actually remained in one of these countries," the press service of the Minister of Agricultural Policy said.

They explained and gave an example that if, according to the documents, the sunflower went to Greece, but was sold in Bulgaria, then the entrepreneur will be excluded from the list of verified subjects of the agro-industrial complex. You will be able to re-apply for inclusion in the list of verified entities no earlier than six months after exclusion.

Vatev supported the decision of the Ukrainian government, noting that it will contribute to effective cooperation between the countries. The ministers agreed to monitor carriers' compliance with the rules and control the movement of agricultural products to Bulgaria.
Looking to take a tropical vacation this year? Theres one island country you might want to avoid.

The United States government has issued a security warning and travel advisory for the Bahamas, saying that the country is dangerous for tourists due to the high level of crime, especially in the capital city of Nassau.
State police have charged a Maryland woman with assaulting a trooper during a confrontation on the Pennsylvania Turnpike early Thursday morning.

Margot Bass, 53, of Takoma Park, a Washington, D.C., suburb, faces a felony aggravated assault charge as well as two charges of resisting arrest and two summary driving violations.
Editors note: This story has been updated to reflect updated analyses of the court decision.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP)  Pennsylvanias Supreme Court said Monday that a lower court must hear a challenge to the constitutionality of a decades-old state law that limits the use of Medicaid dollars to cover the cost of abortions.

The 3-2 decision both overturns a lower court decision to dismiss the case and puts aside a 1985 state Supreme Court court decision that upheld a law banning the use of state Medicaid dollars for abortion, except in cases of rape, incest or to save the life of the mother.
U.S. Sen. John Fetterman will be heading west in March to speak to a state gathering of Democrats.

No, its not Iowa, all you fans of rampant political speculation, but Idaho.
Pocket Aces Capture Second Live Title for Miklos Zsuffa

January 29, 2024 Maxime Taldir Live Reporter

Is there a better way to start the year than with a win and to end the tournament with aces? That is what happened for Miklos Zsuffa, crowned as the winner of the 560 EAPT Bratislava Main Event at Banco Casino.

After he defeated a field of 389 entrants and Christoforos Chrysochoidis (27,450) in heads-up play, Zsuffa won the trophy, the first-place prize of 32,630, and a 5,000 package for the $2,200 EAPT Grand Final, which will be part of the Mediterranean Poker Party in Cyprus from the 2nd to the 14th of May 2024. Chrysochoidis, Vili Paivarinta and Mario Alina, as they finished second, third and fourth here in Bratislava, also won a package.

2024 560 EAPT Bratislava Main Event Results

Place Player Country Prize (in EUR) 1 Miklos Zsuffa Hungary 32,630 + 5,000 Package 2 Christoforos Chrysochoidis Greece 22,450 + 5,000 Package 3 Vili Paivarinta Finland 15,600 + 5,000 Package 4 Mario Alina Slovakia 10,420 + 5,000 Package 5 Rostyslav Sabishchenko Ukraine 8,525 6 Avraham Sisso Israel 6,200 7 Ioannis Giannakopoulos Greece 4,925 8 Pelacho Spain 3,950

Winner's Reaction

I feel exhausted. It was a long day! Miklos Zsuffa said moments after he lifted the trophy. For this professional player whos been traveling around the world for 18 years to play poker, this victory sounds like a relief. Last year was not very successful for me, so I felt quite unhappy for a long time. But I know live poker can be high variance, he explained.

So, to start 2024 in the best way possible, he came to Bratislava, not far from his native Hungary. And it quickly turned out to be a good choice, as he ended up being the overall chip leader after the five Day 1s, despite three bullets. Day 2 wasnt bad either, as he came back on Day 3 second in chips. But when we moved to play the final table at nine players left, I lost a few hands and I didnt have many good hands, so it was kind of a rollercoaster. But once we came back to the feature table, I was very lucky.

I won with ace-jack against ace-king with a jack on the flop, then with queen-jack. It took a nice turn for me, thats for sure!

After Bratislava, Zsuffa will try to win trophies in Rozvadov next week and in Cyprus in May, as he won a 5,000 package for the $2,200 EAPT Grand Final. I had no idea that there was a package, he laughed. But Ill discover. I never went to North Cyprus. And maybe hell be as successful there as he was in Bratislava?

Miklos Zsuffa

Final Day's Action

Sixteen players out of a field of 389 entrants were still in the race for victory at the beginning of Day 3. But hopes of success quickly disappeared for three players eliminated in the first hour: Lukasz Fraczek (16th, 1,800), who saw the ace he didnt want to see land on the river, Zsolt Szabo (15th, 2,050), who was caught bluffing, and Laszlo Vaczy (14th, 2,050).

Lukas Stopka (13th, 2,350) and Christoph Hillinger (12th, 2,350) didnt reach the first break either after they were eliminated from the feature table. And if Day 1b chip leader Adrian Filip came back from this break, it was only for a short time as he immediately lost a flip to end his race in 11th place (2,750).

Short-stacked after he lost a big pot during the first minutes of the day, Ivo Zeravica doubled up twice but eventually ran into Rostyslav Sabishchenkos queens to finish in 10th place (2,750), becoming the bubble-boy of the unofficial final table.

2024 EAPT Bratislava Main Event

Unofficial finale table because even though the nine remaining players were around one table, one more elimination was still needed to move to the feature table. It took two hours to decide wholl be left behind, but it turned out to be Antal Mezei (9th, 3,950) with eight against Christoforos Chrysochoidis jacks.

Once on the official final table, Pelacho (8th, 3,950) was the first one to be eliminated, beaten by Mario Alinas trips. He was followed at the cashier by Ioannis Giannakopoulos (7th, 4,925) and by Avraham Sisso, who ran into queens to be stopped in 6th place for 6,200. He lost against Rostyslav Sabishchenko who was eliminated on the next hand! With ace-king, he could do much against aces and gave all his chips to the future winner, Miklos Zsuffa.

Miklos Zsuffa

One and a half hours later, the chip leader at the beginning of the day Mario Alina only had seven blinds left when he faced Vili Paivarinta in an all-in and call situation. But Paivarinta flopped two pair and Alina won 15,410 for his fourth place. A prize that includes a 5,000 package.

The three remaining players had approximately even stacks, and they all took the lead at some point, one after the other. Maybe Zsuffa attracted chips a little more, as he started the heads-up play as the chip leader after Paivarinta (3rd, 20,600) with ace-jack was eliminated by Chrysochoidis jacks.

From this point, the battle for the win was only one way. Even if Chrysochoidis double up, Zsuffa eventually won the EAPT Bratislava Main Event on the next hand with aces.

Miklos Zsuffa

That concludes the PokerNews coverage of the 2024 EAPT Bratislava Main Event. Stay tuned for more updates from tournaments around the world.

Sharelines Miklos Zsuffa is the 2024 EAPT Bratislava Main Event champion and recipient of 32,630.
Dnipro will appeal to the Turkish Embassy and international business associations due to the violation of the contract for the construction of three city metro stations by the Turkish company Limak, which stopped work at the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Dnipro Mayor Borys Filatov said.

"About the situation with the metro and the fugitive Turkish contractor. After Turkish Limak evaporated from the construction sites in the first days of the full-scale invasion, taking all the personnel, equipment and documents, the international Polish company ILF, which carries out technical supervision of the construction of the subway, recorded all the obligation violations and gave an assessment of the work they left behind," he wrote on Facebook.

According to him, Limak had obligations to the city under the contract and the international tender, which was approved by foreign partners. In addition, the Turkish company provided guarantees under the contract to European banks.

Filatov indicated that the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and law enforcement officers were informed about the situation. The city also intends to contact the Turkish Embassy and international business associations.

In addition, the city authorities will look for opportunities to complete the construction of tunnels and complete work on the metro, the mayor of Dnipro noted.

As reported, on April 13, 2016, the Turkish company Limak won a tender to continue the construction of the metro worth EUR 224 million, providing for the construction of a section with three stations in the central part of the city with a total length of 4 km. The construction of the metro is being carried out with loans from the EBRD (EUR 152 million) and the European Investment Bank (EUR 152 million).

Construction of the metro in Dnipro began back in 1982. Since 1995, the subway has had six stations instead of the planned nine.
The time has arrived at Casino Gran Via for the conclusion of the 888poker LIVE Madrid series. The spotlight will be on the final nine as they battle for the

888 Main Event title and the top prize of 66,000.

The flagship event of the week saw 435 total entries across four starting flights, creating a hefty prize pool of 333,905. The largest portions of that sum are still to be handed out when players return to action at 3 p.m. local time today.

Leading the way will be Ramon Fernandez, who arrives at the unofficial final table as the only player with more than 100 big blinds. Fernandez will be looking to keep the trophy at home in the Spanish capital, carrying a healthy lead over Italys Mateo Calzoni and Greg Campbell of the United Kingdom.

Greg Campbell

888 Main Event Final Table Seat Draw

Seat Player Country Chip Count Big Blinds 1 Ramon Fernandez Spain 5,500,000 2 Juan Lyons Spain 1,335,000 3 George Chiriac Romania 1,180,000 4 Manuel Ledesma Spain 495,000 5 Borja Diaz Spain 2,170,000 6 Greg Campbell United Kingdom 3,250,000 7 Guillermo Sanchez Spain 2,275,000 8 Mateo Calzoni Italy 4,230,000 9 Carlos Perez-Dosio Spain 1,550,000

Fernandez would not be denied on Day 2, collecting chips and knockouts as he built a lead on wild day of action in Madrid. A total of 56 players made the money, while each of the remaining nine have guaranteed themselves at least 6,300.

A total of six Spaniards will have a shot at a hometown title, as most of the field returns with healthy stacks on the final day. Manuel Ledesma is the short stack, returning to play with just 10 big blinds.

The final day of the Main Event begins at 3 p.m. local time with 13:57 remaining on Level 22. Blinds will pick back up at 25,000/50,000 and a 50,000 big blind ante, and all of the action can be seen on the 888poker LIVE stream on their Twitch and YouTube channels.

888 Main Event Remaining Payouts

Place Prize (EUR) 1 66,000 2 44,000 3 32,500 4 24,300 5 18,205 6 13,700 7 10,000 8 8,000 9 6,300

888poker Final Table

The final table awaits and it is time to crown a new champion in Madrid. The PokerNews live reporting team will have everything covered and reaction from Mondays champion as the trophy will be handed out at Casino Gran Via.
A former Republican judge who is acting as the hearing officer first found that the Electoral Board doesnt have the authority to weigh the merits, but if they do, Trump should be disqualified.

Judge Clark Erickson first wrote that the complaint should be dismissed because he believed that the board didnt have the authority to weigh the merits of Trumps actions.

However, Erickson wrote another section, which was a recommendation for if the board decided to weigh the merits:

The evidence shows that President Trump understood the divided political climate in the United States. He understood and exploited that climate for his own political gain by falsely and publicly claiming the election was stolen from him, even though every single piece of evidence demonstrated that his claim was demonstrably false. He used these false claims to garner further political support for his own benefit by inflaming the emotions of his supporters to convince them that the election was stolen from him and that American democracy was being undermined. He understood the context of the events of January 6, 2021 because he created the climate. At the same time he engaged in an elaborate plan to provide lists of fraudulent electors to Vice President Pence for the express purpose of disrupting the peaceful transfer of power following an election.

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Even though the Candidate may not have intended for violence to break out on January 6, 2021, he does not dispute that he received reports that violence was a likely possibility on January 6, 2021. Candidate does not dispute that he knew violence was occurring at the capitol.. He understood that people were there to support him. This makes one single piece of evidence, in this context, absolutely damning to his denial of his participation: the tweet regarding Mike Pences lack of courage while Candidate knew the attacks were going on is inexplicable. Candidate knew the attacks were occurring because the attackers believed the election was stolen, and this tweet could not possibly have had any other intended purpose besides to fan the flames. While it is true that subsequently, but not immediately afterwards, Candidate tweeted calls to peace, he did so only after he had fanned the flames. The Hearing Officer determines that these calls to peace via social media, coming after an inflammatory tweet, are the product of trying to give himself plausible deniability. Perhaps he realized just how far he had gone, and that the effort to steal the election had failed because Vice President Pence had refused to accept the bag of fraudulent electors. It was time to retreat, with a final tweet telling the nation that he loved those who had assembled and attacked the Capitol.

In the event that the Board decides to not follow the Hearing Officers recommendation to grant the Candidates Motion to Dismiss, the Hearing Officer recommends that the Board find that the evidence presented at the hearing on January 26, 2024 proves by a preponderance of the evidence that President Trump engaged in insurrection, within the meaning of Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment, and should have his name removed from the March, 2024 primary ballot in Illinois.

Judge Erickson doesnt believe that the Election Board has the authority to decide on the merits of Trumps behavior, but if the Election Board decides that it does, Erickson found that Trump engaged in an insurrection and recommended that he be disqualified from the ballot because Trump engaged in an insurrection.

Erickson is the first Republican judge to find that Trump engaged in an insurrection. His finding is important, and his recommendation should be used in other Trump disqualification cases.

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Heading into an election in which the votes of women are critical, the Biden-Harris administration is marking the 15th anniversary of the very first bill of the Obama-Biden administration, the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, with further actions to help close wage gaps and improve pay transparency.

Women workers are still paid on average 84 cents for every dollar paid to men, and the disparities are even greater for many women of color. Today, my Administration is taking new actions to advance pay equity for the federal workforce and employees of federal contractors. These new actions adopt commonsense policies that will help pay millions of workers fairly, close gender and racial wage gaps, and yield tangible benefits for the federal government and federal contractors. These policies are good for workers, our economy, and for families, President Biden said in a statement provided to PoliticusUSA.

Every year when the Lilly Ledbetter Act comes up, critics of the Fair Pay Act argue that theres no discrepancy and if there is a discrepancy, its because women arent as qualified. But Pew found that indeed in 2022, American women typically earned 82 cents for every dollar earned by men, and the pay gap persists even though women today are more likely than men to have graduated from college.

Its even worse for women of color. In 2022, Black women earned 70% as much as White men and Hispanic women earned only 65% as much. The ratio for White women stood at 83%, about the same as the earnings gap overall, while Asian women were closer to parity with White men, making 93% as much.

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The actions announced Monday will impact pay equity and disclosure/transparency around pay with federal workers and contractors. White House Director of the New Policy Council Jennifer Kline explained during a call with reporters, in which we participated, that this will serve as a model that is good for employees and employers, in addition to strengthening the economy.

In what she described as a major step forward, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget Shalanda Young said OPM is announcing a new regulation that will prohibit the use of salary history in setting pay for role in the federal government as well as the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council publishing a proposed rule to prohibit federal contractors from seeking and considering information about job applicants past compensation when making employment decisions.

Young explained, Relying on a candidates salary history can exacerbate pre-existing inequality and our pay structures and disproportionately impact women and workers of color, adding that this had actually happened to her earlier in her career, which is a good example of why having people with different backgrounds and experiences at the table matters.

The federal government in 2022 had a much lower pay gap (5.6%-under 1% at senior level) than the national gender pay gap (16%), but still has room for improvement, and it is the only area over which the President can exert control.

Under this new regulation. Federal agencies will not considering applicants non federal salary history when setting pay for new employees. Relying on a candidate candidate salary history can exacerbate great existing inequality, and disproportionately impacts women and workers of color, Director of the Office of Personnel Management Kiran Ahuja said on the call.

This is called leading by example.

The President also called on Congress to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act, to increase pay transparency and strengthen our tools to fight sex-based pay discrimination, although we can be sure the Republican-led House will not take any interest in protecting pay for women.

It is in perhaps seemingly small and certainly missed actions like these that an administration tells the people what they stand for. Its about where they flex and where they put their resources. For women, the pay gap is not only demoralizing and unjust, but it can add up to millions of dollars over a lifetime.

Theres something poignant about Biden getting to add to the first Act of the Obama-Biden administration at this stage in his career. The President is no stranger to awareness of womens issues, though, having submitted in 1990 a proposal to address violence against women which eventually became the Violence Against Women Act. That act centered around provisions on rape, included the first federal criminal law against battering and addressed stalking, as well as funding for victim services and evidentiary matters. The work took four years to pass, due in part to resistance from then Chief Justice William Rehnquist, a Republican.

Having a President who sees these injustices as something worth fighting to change is a far cry from the last one, whose actions against women ultimately led to the Me Too movement and who has just been told by a jury that he must pay his rape victim $83.3 million for defaming her.
Trump is blowing up after the court-appointed monitor in the New York fraud case uncovered potential tax fraud.

How Much Money Was Trumps Loan For?

The court monitor uncovered a loan that appeared not to exist that allowed Donald Trump to dodge roughly $50 million in taxes.

The Daily Beast reported on the Trump legal response:

In an indignant court filing Monday morning, a lawyer for the Trumps for the first time launched an all-out attack on Judge Barbara S. Jonescalling her latest report on the family company an absolute lie, a cheap attempt to justify her government-mandated job, and a last-minute ploy to bolster the New York Attorney Generals bank fraud case that just wrapped up.

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Further oversight is unwarranted and will only unjustly enrich the monitor as she engages in some Javert like quest, he wrote, making a reference to the fictional French law enforcement officer in Victor Hugos Les Miserables, whos defined by his obsessive pursuit and lack of empathy.

The Trumps are also grumbling about having to pay a court-appointed monitor $2.6 million. They are provided what they called proof of the existence of the loan that wasnt proof, but an office memo directing that the loan be filed in their records.

How Much Money Could Trump Lose In The New York Fraud Case?

The judgment in the New York civil fraud case against Trump, three of his adult kids, and the Trump Organization is expected this week. If the judge agrees to the New York Attorney Generals request that a $370 million penalty be imposed, Trump could see all of his cash wiped out.

The former president is facing four criminal trials involving 91 felony counts, and it is possible that there could be criminal tax fraud cases added to his legal troubles.

Trump keeps playing politics, while the world that he has built around himself appears to be burning to the ground.

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Donald Trump could have all of his cash wiped out this week if the verdict comes down in his New York civil fraud trial.

Bloomberg reported:

In a deposition last year, Trump described his stockpile of cash as being substantially in excess of $400 million. The Bloomberg Billionaires Index placed his liquid assets at about $600 million, though Trumps exact financial status remains famously opaque.

The prospect of being hit with damage awards totaling more than $450 million in less than a week points to the potential for a cash problem. The two lawsuits sought to punish Trump financially. If the judge in the New York fraud case accepts the attorney generals $370 million request, both will have succeeded in hitting at the billionaires wealth.

Bloomberg also points out that most of Trumps wealth is in real estate, and Trumps biggest expense outside of the judgements is his legal bills for the 91 felony counts that he is facing. Trump is also legally barred from using campaign funds to pay for the settlements to Carroll and the state of New York.

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All told the two judgements could wipe out 15% of Donald Trumps wealth, and that doesnt include the millions of dollars that are being regularly on his criminal defense in four trials, and the fact that his costs related to the trials are only increasing.

At this rate, Trump may need to win the presidential election for the free housing, because things arent looking good for the former president.

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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.
Jamilla "Millie" Smith has been missing for nearly two months and her family is still searching for her.

I am not going to stop until I find Millie, her father, Jame Smith, said. "I want the community to please understand that I am not leaving here, and I will be here until I bring her home.

Family members, friends and the community gathered Monday at the Aiken County Sheriffs Office to demand answers in Smiths case. The family said they want more information and closure. Most of all, they want to bring her home.

The family is also seeking a pro bono attorney to work on their behalf.

Smith was reported missing Dec. 2.

Her ex-boyfriend, 34-year-old Daniel Gabriel Harmon, was charged Dec. 23 with murder. Smiths remains have not been found.

Harmon is also facing charges of domestic violence and several drug charges.

He has been in police custody since Dec. 5 following a standoff with police at a Carpentersville Road residence.

Harmon has a history of domestic violence in Richmond County.

Police reports and 911 calls document Jamilla Smith's cries for help during past instances of domestic violence.

Jame Smith said the only thing he has right now is anger and rage about the case. He said it has been hard because Millie was his first child.

Its heartbreaking and its tough, he said.

They didnt send help for Millie, he said.

Jame Smith asked where police were the night she disappeared when a 911 call seemed to capture Harmon hitting her with his car.
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.
The disbarred attorney and convicted murderer Alex Murdaugh is appearing Jan. 29 inside the Richland County Judicial Center in Columbia as part of his quest for a retrial on his double-murder charges. The hearing brings to a head months of legal jockeying and investigations into alleged jury-tampering.

Former S.C. Chief Justice Jean Toal, tasked with deciding whether Murdaughs conviction will stand, began hearing testimony just before 10 a.m.

Read more about the Murdaugh saga, including The Post and Couriers daily coverage of the double-homicide trial.

5:08 p.m. | Toal's decision

Murdaugh will not get a new murder trial, Toal ruled, even after one of the jurors who convicted him said the clerk of court made comments during his case that influenced her decision.

4:45 p.m. | Closing arguments

Hill, wearing a black sweater and a pearl necklace, remained inside the courtroom for the alternate juror's testimony and attorneys' closing arguments.

Waters went first, arguing that only the jurors' testimony holds weight in determining whether their verdict was the product of honest deliberation.

Eleven of the 12 jurors who testified clearly and unequivocally stated to Toal that nothing influenced their verdict, nor did Hill make any untoward comments to them, Waters said.

He addressed Juror Z's conflicting testimony. In her original affidavit, signed months before the Jan. 29 hearing, Juror Z said she felt pressure from other jurors to convict Murdaugh. That's not a basis for undermining a verdict, Waters said.

Murdaugh defense attorney Jim Griffin delivered his team's closing argument. Three of the 12 deliberating jurors testified today they heard Hill make comments about the case.
For Georgetown, the opening of a new boutique hotel has sparked hope and optimism about what's next for Hammock Coast tourism. Read more'A shot in the arm': New $20M downtown hotel aims to boost tourism in Georgetown
Air defense forces destroyed eight out of eight Shahed UAVs that attacked several regions of Ukraine at night, the Air Force of the Ukrainian Armed Forces said on Monday morning.

"On the night of January 29, 2024, the enemy attacked with eight attack UAVs of the Shahed-136/131 type from Primorsko-Akhtarsk region, Russia, one Iskander-M missile from Voronezh region, Russia and three C-300 air defense missile systems in Donetsk region from the temporarily occupied territory of the region," the AFU said in the Telegram channel.

It is noted that the forces and means of the Air Force, in cooperation with the air defense of the Ukrainian Defense Forces, destroyed eight enemy UAVs within Mykolaiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Khmelnytsky and Rivne regions.

Anti-aircraft missile units and mobile fire groups have been involved in repelling the air attack.
GREENVILLE  A 2.27-acre parking lot on McBee Avenue, across the street from Yee-Haw Brewing Co., is now on the market for a steep price.

CBRE, the brokerage for the parcel, is asking $15 million for the land. The lot, next to the Prisma Health corporate office building, is owned by Hughes Commercial Properties.

CEO Jackson Hughes Jr. plans to revamp the ground floor and northwest entrance to the building at 300 E. McBee Ave. Hughes previously said he hopes these changes will attract interest in the adjoining parking lot.

CBRE is advertising it as one of the only large infill sites remaining in downtown Greenville's central business district.

Charles Gouch, CBRE's senior vice president, told The Post and Courier that they are already speaking with "several interested buyers" for the property.

The parking lot is currently zoned for mixed-use development, and the offering memorandum says the city would like to see "significant density" on the site  which includes land directly below the Church Street bridge.

Mayor Knox White said infill development, such as low- and high-rise buildings, will make the area more consistent with the the city's vision for downtown.

"Every development should focus on mixed-use," he said, so as to maintain the city's walkability.

For those familiar with the price of downtown real estate, the cost of the McBee parcel won't come as a shock.

CBRE listed a similarly sized parking lot for sale last year, asking for a minimum of $300 per square foot  or $19.6 million for the entire 1.5-acre lot at the corner of Main and Broad streets, across from Camperdown.
CLEMSON  Most residents wont hear a single construction sound and there arent any predicted disruptions to service, but Clemson is doubling some of its major infrastructure to accommodate its growth.

The wastewater treatment plant in Pendleton  jointly owned by Anderson County, Clemson and Pendleton  is being updated and expanded starting this summer in a $65 million project that moves its capacity from 2 million gallons per day to 5 million.

Wastewater treatment is basically the foundation for growth. This project is going to make sure we have adequate sewer service and we wont have a place a moratorium on growth, city administrator Andy Blondeau said.

Clemsons capacity will expand from 1 million to 2 million, which covers the incoming Kadera development at the Milliken property. Phase 2 of The Grange could be treated at the Pendleton/Clemson Wastewater Treatment Plant if its annexed into the city, though Blondeau noted there are other options like buying capacity from Pickens County.

Regardless, those two residential developments are enough to warrant an expansion for Clemsons sewer treatment. Pendleton is experiencing residential growth and Anderson County has more industry moving to the area, so their increases in capacity are even larger.

Anderson County and Pendleton will each have a 1.5 million gallons per day allocation after the expansion, a very large increase from the countys current 200,000 rate. The overall cost of the project is being split between the three parties, and Clemson is still applying for grants to bring that down.

So far, the project has received a $10 million from the South Carolina Infrastructure Investment Program and $5.3 million of congressionally designated funds.

Any time theres federal money involved, the cost goes up because theres additional oversight that they require, Blondeau said.

Clemson dedicated its American Rescue Plan Act money to upgrading its sewer and water systems citywide, which helps with overall efficiency by keeping stormwater out of the sewer so it isnt unnecessarily treated.
DALTON, Ga.  A group from teens to seniors gathered in an office inside a grocery store, where Spanish-language food signs cater to the large Hispanic population in this northwestern Georgia city dominated by the carpet industry.

The conversation, moderated by community leader America Gruner, focused on mental health and suicide. The Tuesday night meetings draw about a dozen people, who sit on makeshift furniture and tell their often emotional stories. Gruner formed the support group in 2019 after three Latinos ages 17 to 22 died by suicide here over a two-week period.

We couldnt wait for research, said Gruner, founder and president of the Coalicion de Lideres Latinos. We wanted to do something about it.

The suicide rate for Hispanic people in the United States has increased significantly over the past decade. The trend has community leaders worried: Even elementary school-aged Hispanic children have tried to harm themselves or expressed suicidal thoughts.

Community leaders and mental health researchers say the pandemic hit young Hispanics especially hard. Immigrant children are often expected to take more responsibility when their parents dont speak English  even if they themselves arent fluent. Many live in poorer households with some or all family members without legal residency. And cultural barriers and language may prevent many from seeking care in a mental health system that already has spotty access to services.

Being able to talk about painful things in a language that you are comfortable with is a really specific type of healing, said Alejandra Vargas, a bilingual Spanish program coordinator for the Suicide Prevention Center at Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services in Los Angeles.

When we answer the calls in Spanish, you can hear that relief on the other end, she said. That, Yes, theyre going to understand me.

The Centers for Disease Control and Preventions provisional data for 2022 shows a record high of nearly 50,000 suicide deaths for all racial and ethnic groups.
On March 5, special agents with the South Carolina Department of Social Services, Office of Inspector General, arrested a Dorchester County woman in connection with fraudulently receiving $9,584 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Read moreDSS charges Dorchester County woman with food stamp fraud
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
MYRTLE BEACH  Federal, state and local law enforcement agencies arrested more than a dozen people in connection with a recent multi-jurisdictional drug investigation in Myrtle Beach and surrounding areas.

Myrtle Beach Police Chief Amy Prock on Jan. 29 announced the results of the investigation, which took place over several months and was prompted by concerns from community members, particularly in the city's Booker T. Washington neighborhood, about increased drug and gang activity.

"The individuals in this case have not only affected their local communities, but bring their criminal activities to multiple jurisdictions," Prock said. "We don't want this activity, and we will continue to work together with our communities to address these concerns."

About 20 agencies were involved in the investigation, including Myrtle Beach Police, North Myrtle Beach Police, Horry County Police, the Georgetown County Sheriff's Office, Georgetown City Police, Conway City Police, Coastal Carolina University Police, the State Law Enforcement Division and the FBI.

During a news conference, Prock thanked the agencies who assisted in the arrests, and she emphasized to the public that there will be more charges stemming from this investigation.

"We are not done, and we won't ever be done," she said.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Brook Andrews said those who have been charged in the case will be prosecuted in federal court through the U.S. Attorney's Office. He said the indictments announced Jan. 29 specifically include charges related to the distribution of drugs including fentanyl, methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine and marijuana, and the unlawful possession of firearms.

"The message we send today is clear that we will not tolerate those in our communities who endanger the safety of our citizens," Andrews said. "And we will not shrink from holding accountable those who do."

The people arrested in the recent bust are all men in their 30s and 40s, many of them from Horry and Georgetown counties. They include the following, according to court documents:
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.

Haley questioned Trump's mental sharpness, pointing out that he mixed up her name and Nancy Pelosi's during one of his campaign speeches. She said she supports term limits for congressional leaders and competency tests for legislators over the age of 75.

"Congress has become the most privileged nursing home in the country," Haley said. "These are people making decisions on our economy. We need to know they're at the top of their game."

Haley said she supports school choice, vocational classes and a ban on "biological men in women's sports," referring to transgender people who transition and compete on teams that align with their gender identity.

She said she wants to strengthen the Southern border to combat illegal immigration and reduce the amount of drugs like fentanyl coming into America.

She also wants to reduce the national debt and criticized Trump for increasing it by $8 trillion during his presidency.

Stopping "unnecessary wars" would help reduce the national debt, she said.

"It has always been about preventing war," Haley said. "None of us want new wars."

After she said this, though, some people heckled her, saying that "all she wants to do is start new wars." The hecklers were booed by the hundreds of attendees and escorted out of the venue. Once they left, Haley told her supporters not to be offended.

"My husband and every military member sacrifice every day for his right to do that," Haley said, referring to a heckler who was removed.

Todd Shirley, 55, of North Myrtle Beach said he came early to Haley's rally because he wanted a front-row seat to hear what she had to say. Shirley said he was still undecided about how he'll vote.

Shirley said he voted for Joe Biden during the last election because he did not like Donald Trump. He dislikes how Trump treats other people, particularly women, and how he runs his businesses.
Charleston County will award its first contract for the SC Highway 41 Corridor Improvement project in Mount Pleasant.

County Councils finance committee unanimously moved to recommend awarding the $1.1 million contract for two intersection improvements  one at Highway 41 and U.S. Highway 17 and the other at Highway 41 and Joe Rouse Road  to Truluck Construction on Jan. 25.

Charleston County Council is expected to follow through with the committees recommendation at an upcoming council meeting Jan. 30.

The final configuration for the multi-million dollar Highway 41 project calls for expanding much of the roadway from two lanes to four lanes.

Councilman Herb Sass, whose district encompasses Mount Pleasant, said the county is eager to begin construction on the full project but the intersection projects are designed to ease congestion in the meantime.

This is an interim improvement we can make before the actual road construction starts to get traffic moving better there now, Sass said. I'm anxious to get it done. I know the Town (of Mount Pleasant) has been anxious to get it done, too. I'm really excited that we're going to get these interim improvements started.

The county will utilize previously approved funds from the transportation sales tax fund to pay the $1,183,859.25 for the project.

At Joe Rouse Road and Highway 41, the lighted intersection will be reconfigured to improve flow and accommodate increasing traffic volumes.

Project plans indicate that raised concrete medians will be constructed on Highway 41 at the intersection. The far right lane on Joe Rouse Road approaching Highway 41 will become a right-turn-only lane.

Improvements to the intersection of Highway 41, U.S. Highway 17 and Dingle Road will include modifications to the traffic signal timing and improvements to the slip ramp that directs right-turning traffic onto U.S. Highway 17.
When I was in third grade, my teacher had a vegetable tasting day for us. We each brought in a vegetable from home and shared it with our classmates. I remember coming home, excited, and announcing to my mother that I had fallen in love with rutabaga. After a startled moment or two, she sm Read moreStevens: For the love of rutabaga  and our children
Zelenskyy on intl communication: Summarizing results of new week, we to be able to say Ukraine becomes stronger

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced new agreements with partner countries in the coming week, which are aimed at strengthening the Ukrainian state.

"We already have an international communication schedule for the upcoming week that will strengthen our country. This encompasses both our standing in Europe, including our relations with the European Union and our EU neighbors, as well as international institutions tasked with upholding international law. Of course, we are preparing new defense packages for our soldiers as well. Summarizing the results of the new week, we will be able to say that Ukraine has become stronger," Zelenskyy said in his video address published on Telegram on Sunday.

According to him, it is important that "every week gives our bilateral relations with partners clearer agreements, and gives defense coalitions more stability in the supply of weapons, shells and equipment."

"I am grateful to everyone in the world who helps in this way  making the agreements work, and the resilience of our warriors based on the resilience of our partners," Zelenskyy said.
HEADLINES FOR DEMOCRATS

President Joe Biden spent Jan. 27 and 28 campaigning around Columbia ahead of the Feb. 3 Democratic presidential primary.

Speaking at a dinner of the state party, Biden stressed his administrations accomplishments for the states Black community and the urgency to defeat presumptive Republican front-runner Donald Trump in Novembers elections.

Biden spoke of a rocketing economy, with 800,000 manufacturing jobs created and the lowest levels of Black unemployment in history.

All the progress weve made comes down to a simple proposition, he said. Promises made, promises kept.

Minnesota U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips also attended the dinner but struggled to break through to the audience.

During his address, Phillips had to ask attendees to quiet their conversations and let him speak. And when they did, applause for his speech, in which he asked for Biden to pass the torch to a younger generation of candidates, was scattered  a fact that appeared to frustrate him in a gaggle with reporters after his remarks.

His approval numbers are not because of me, Phillips said after Bidens speech. His poll numbers in battleground states are not because of me.

First lady Jill Biden was in West Columbia on Jan. 26 delivering remarks about her husbands student loan debt relief efforts and to emphasize the stakes of a likely general election rematch between Biden and Trump.

DEMOCRATIC EVENTS THIS WEEK

Tuesday

The Democrats' "We go First" bus tour will be in Beaufort and that part of the Lowcountry on Jan. 30. On board the bus will be Mitch Landrieu, national co-chair of the Biden-Harris campaign. Landrieu has formerly served as mayor of New Orleans and lieutenant governor of Louisiana.
The cessation of U.S. support for Ukraine cannot be fully compensated by Europe, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes.

"Europe alone will not cope if U.S. support is suspended. Neither with weapons nor financially. If all of Europe united, it could give enough support to Ukraine, but the U.S. has influence and when the signals are not very positive, they have the same influence on some European leaders," he said in an interview with German broadcaster ARD published on Monday.

"So I think that if the United States does not, God forbid, provide support, it will affect a united Europe," he said.

This will lead, Zelenskyy said, to a shortage of weapons and finances in Ukraine. "Secondly, I think that the alliance between the United States and Europe will be lost. Thirdly, Europe itself will understand that this is a signal that if Ukraine does not hold out and Putin goes forward, and this is a signal from the United States, that Europe will remain alone," he said.

"I think that sanctions policy will also fall down. Since the United States, by its supporting Ukraine also influences the sanctions policy of European countries," Zelenskyy said.

He said he would like Germany to take the lead in this case. "Germany can do this, consolidate the European Union. Many countries have serious economic relations with Germany because it is a powerful European economy. But still, I think that this threat is very high. As this is such a signal. Not good. The passivity of the United States  this is wrong," Zelenskyy said.
PR-Inside.com: 2024-01-29 15:15:44

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ATLANTA, GA / ACCESSWIRE / January 29, 2024 /Aimpoint Digital, a leader in data analytics and a firm dedicated to reshaping organizations with data-driven insights, proudly announces a partnership with the Georgia Tech Medellin Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (GTMC). This strategic collaboration marks a significant milestone in fostering innovation, research, and entrepreneurship in the digital landscape.Aimpoint Digital Aimpoint Digital has consistently been at the forefront of technological advancements, providing cutting-edge data solutions to businesses globally. The partnership with GTMC, a renowned center for innovation and entrepreneurship affiliated with the prestigious Georgia Institute of Technology, solidifies Aimpoint Digital's commitment to excellence and ongoing growth.William Miller, CEO of Aimpoint Digital, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, "We are thrilled to join forces with GTMC in our shared pursuit of talent development, the incubation of startups, and a collaborative journey toward shaping the future of innovation. This collaboration signifies Aimpoint Digital's commitment to shaping the future of our industry through developing talent and fueling the startup ecosystem." Aimpoint Digital and GTMC are set to continue the growth of a dynamic ecosystem in Medellin that promotes innovation and talent development and creates an environment for startups to thrive."Medellin's remarkable transformation into a thriving hub for technology and data innovation is nothing short of remarkable," explained Ben Yopp, President at Aimpoint Digital. "As the city emerges as an epicenter of technological excellence, Aimpoint Digital is committed to being a key part of that journey. Our commitment goes beyond participation- we aspire to contribute significantly to the city's success story by supporting talent development, nurturing startups, and fostering a collaborative ecosystem. Medellin's rise is a testament to its resilience, and we are honored to support and empower the city's flourishing tech and startup community." Along with the partnership between the two organizations, Aimpoint Digital joined the Advisory Board for GTMC."Our team is thrilled to have Aimpoint Digital as a partner of the center and advisory board member. This partnership aligns with our mission of fostering entrepreneurs and startups in Medellin's innovation ecosystem," said Sara Araujo, Managing Director of Development in Latin America for Georgia Tech."Aimpoint Digital's collaboration will help us foster collaborations across sectors that will benefit students, universities, startups and entrepreneurs, corporations, and the entire Medellin community," she concluded.About Aimpoint Digital:Aimpoint Digital is an analytics firm at the forefront of solving the most complex business and economic challenges through data and analytical technology. From the integration of self-service analytics to implementing AI at scale and modernizing data infrastructure environments, they operate across transformative domains to improve the performance of organizations.To learn more, visit: https://aimpointdigital.com About Georgia Tech Medellin Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (GTMC):The Medellin Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center reflects the Enterprise Innovation Institute's mission as Georgia Tech's chief economic development arm. Medellin was selected as an innovation ecosystem hub in South America, serving as an incubator for business expertise.To learn more, visit https://gtmedellin.org Contact InformationEmily DoengesContent Marketing Manageremily.doenges@aimpointdigital.com (513) 532-6032SOURCE: Aimpoint DigitalView the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-01-29 21:05:31

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Top-Tier Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Isaac Sun Is Providing Free Invisalign Whitening Trays For Orange County PatientsFOUNTAIN VALLEY, CA / ACCESSWIRE / January 29, 2024 / In the realm of modern dentistry, Invisalign has risen as a revolutionary solution for dental misalignments, offering a host of benefits that prioritize patient comfort and aesthetics. Dr. Isaac Sun of KYT Dental Services has been seamlessly incorporating Invisalign into cosmetic dentistry since 2017, making significant strides in providing effective and patient-centered orthodontic care. The easily removable nature of Invisalign enhances its superiority in fostering optimal oral hygiene, aligning with KYT Dental Services's guiding principle of "Keep Your Teeth." KYT Dental Services - Authentic Invisalign Bag and Case Dr. Isaac Sun from KYT Dental Services Unveils Invisalign Bait and Switch TacticsThe exceptional attributes of Invisalign lie in its discreet and comfortable realignment methodology. As the leading brand in clear aligners, Invisalign's effectiveness, discreetness, and versatility converge to deliver an orthodontic experience that not only corrects dental misalignments but does so with a heightened awareness of aesthetic considerations, catering to the evolving preferences of today's patients.Dr. Isaac Sun's professional journey underscores an unwavering commitment to progressive dentistry. Specializing in cosmetic dentistry, his proficiency extends to managing intricate cases involving veneers and implants. This professional evolution culminated in the establishment of KYT Dental Services in Orange County, emerging as a hub for the community seeking excellence in dental care.A distinguishing feature of KYT Dental Services lies in its unwavering commitment to authenticity. As an authorized Invisalign provider in Fountain Valley, the practice assures the legitimacy of each Invisalign treatment by providing unique serial codes. Patients are strongly urged to verify these codes and confirm their provider's inclusion in the Invisalign Provider Directory, ensuring alignment with the stringent standards of orthodontic care. To further underscore the dedication to authenticity, KYT Dental Services consistently presents the initial set of trays along with the official Invisalign bag, symbolizing the genuine Invisalign care offered at the practice.Dr. Isaac Sun, currently ranked as one of America's Best Dentists, plays an active role in contributing to the Fountain Valley community. Demonstrating proficiency across various dental disciplines, his particular focus on enhancing smiles, highlights a commitment to delivering advanced dental solutions tailored to his patients. Dr. Sun's dedication extends beyond the confines of KYT Dental Services, as he actively advocates for transparency and authenticity in Invisalign treatment. During specific promotional periods, Dr. Isaac Sun elevates the new patient experience at KYT Dental Services with complimentary Invisalign whitening trays, providing an additional layer of value to enrich their orthodontic journey.In the pursuit of teeth whitening and alignment, Invisalign stands as a staple in the field of orthodontics, providing a reliable and well-established method to achieve a radiant smile. Whether you choose to enhance your smile through KYT Dental Services or your local provider, please conduct thorough research to guarantee that you will receive authentic Invisalign for optimal results.Contact InformationJ SongMarketing Managerkytdentalservices@ gmail.com 833-598-3368SOURCE: KYT Dental ServicesView the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-01-29 15:01:23

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / January 29, 2024 / National plaintiffs law firm Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP encourages investors in Archer-Daniels-Midland Company ("ADM" or the "Company") (NYSE:ADM) who suffered losses from purchasing or otherwise acquiring ADM common stock between April 30, 2020 and January 22, 2024, inclusive (the "Class Period"), to contact us immediately regarding a pending securities fraud class action against ADM. The deadline to apply to be lead plaintiff is March 25, 2024.Class Period: April 30, 2020 - January 22, 2024Lead Plaintiff Motion Deadline: March 25, 2024Case information: lieffcabraser.com/securities/ADM Contact us: Email or text investorinfo@ lchb.com or call 1-800-541-7358ADM, headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, is an agricultural supply chain manager and processor.The action alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements about the performance and prospects of ADM's Nutrition segment, while engaging in improper accounting practices and procedures that obscured the segment's true performance and purported growth.On January 21, 2024, ADM announced that it had placed its CFO and Senior Vice President, defendant Vikram Luthar, on leave effective immediately. According to ADM, Luthar's "leave is pending an ongoing investigation being conducted by outside counsel for ADM and the Board's Audit Committee regarding certain accounting practices and procedures with respect to ADM's Nutrition segment, including as related to certain intersegment transactions." The Company also revealed that it launched its investigation after it received a request for documents from the Securities and Exchange Commission. As a result, ADM delayed its Q4 and FY 2023 earnings release and withdrew its outlook for the Nutrition segment. On this news, the price of ADM common stock plummeted $16.23 per share, or approximately 24%, from its closing price of $68.19 per share on the previous trading day, to close at $51.69 on January 22, 2024.About Lieff CabraserLieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP, with over 125 attorneys in offices in San Francisco, New York, Nashville, and Munich, Germany, is an internationally-recognized law firm committed to advancing the rights of investors and promoting corporate responsibility. Repeatedly recognized as a "Plaintiffs' Powerhouse" by Law360, Lieff Cabraser has litigated some of the most important civil cases in the United States, and has assisted clients in recovering over $129 billion in verdicts and settlements. For over 50 years, Lieff Cabraser has remained committed to ensuring access to justice for all.Source/ContactSharon LeeLieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP415 956-1000 slee@ lchb.com SOURCE: Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein
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PHOENIX, AZ / ACCESSWIRE / January 29, 2024 / Aurora Behavioral Health, the largest freestanding inpatient psychiatric hospital in Arizona, is proud to announce the promotion of two esteemed leaders within its organization.Bruce Waldo, who has been an integral part of Aurora's leadership team since January 2010, has been promoted to Vice President of Operations for Signature Healthcare, where he will oversee operations at 10 hospitals, including the two Aurora facilities in Arizona. Concurrently, Chelsea Vickers, who joined Aurora in May 2022 as the Chief Operating Officer of Aurora Tempe, has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for both the Tempe and Glendale locations, effective January 1, 2024.Mr. Waldo, who joined Aurora in January 2010 as CEO of Aurora West and was promoted in July 2011 as CEO of both Aurora Arizona hospitals, has more than 50 years of executive psychiatric healthcare management experience. His exceptional leadership and ability to create strong clinical programs led Aurora Behavioral Health in being recognized by the community as Arizona's Best in Behavioral Rehabilitation consecutively for several years running.Additionally, Mr. Waldo's extensive involvement in the healthcare community has been exemplary. He has been an active member of the Executive Committee, Board, and Chair of the Behavioral Health Constituency Committee of the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association for the past several years, demonstrating his commitment to advancing behavioral healthcare on both local and statewide levels. His new role as Vice President of Operations for Signature Healthcare will leverage his wealth of experience and strategic vision to oversee operations across multiple hospitals, in several states.Mrs. Vickers brings extensive knowledge of inpatient mental health settings and a demonstrated history of implementing focused initiatives to improve the patient experience across various programs in acute care settings. Her experience includes developing and expanding service lines, managing overall hospital productivity, and cultivating quality care. Mrs. Vickers is uniquely positioned to lead Aurora Behavioral Health into the future."We are thrilled to have Chelsea Vickers assume the role of CEO for our Tempe and Glendale locations, and we congratulate Bruce Waldo on his well-deserved promotion to Vice President of Operations for Signature Healthcare," said Katie Rasmussen, Senior Director Business Development at Aurora Behavioral Health. "Their proven leadership, strategic vision, and commitment to excellence make them the ideal candidates to lead our organization and the broader Signature Healthcare network into the future. We are confident that under their leadership, Aurora will continue to thrive and deliver exceptional care to our patients." These promotions represent an exciting new chapter for Aurora Behavioral Health and underscore the organization's continued commitment to excellence and innovation in behavioral healthcare across the Signature Healthcare network.Contact InformationKatie Streck RasmussenSenior Director Business Developmentkatie.rasmussen@aurorabehavioral.com 602-739-6083SOURCE: Aurora Behavioral Health ArizonaView the original press release on newswire.com
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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / January 29, 2024 / Baker Tilly:John AnsuThe Now for Tomorrow Scholarship, launched in 2021 by the Baker Tilly Foundation, supports students of color with a three-year scholarship of up to $30,000 per student, reflecting the firm's commitment to empowering the next generation of accounting professionals and advancing equity in the professional services sector.The Baker Tilly Foundation collaborates with six universities to select Now for Tomorrow Scholars. A student recipient from San Diego State University will be announced in August.Each scholar is paired with a mentor at Baker Tilly and has the opportunity to complete an internship with the firm.Meet this year's class of Baker Tilly ScholarsJohn Ansu is a senior accounting major at Temple University with plans to start his Master of Accountancy program this fall. Originally from Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, John is an active member of the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) and serves as a full-time minister within his church.He said the scholarship will help him focus on his studies and find more opportunities to expand his professional network."My father suffered an injury that made it difficult to juggle my studies and family responsibilities - this scholarship has lifted the burden of worrying about my finances," John said.A junior accounting major from Southlake, Texas, Kristen Nguyen will attain her bachelor's and master's degrees in accounting through the University of Texas at Dallas Professional Program in Accounting (PPA).She helps low-income households file their tax returns for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program and is also a member of her school's Accounting Club."This scholarship frees me from worrying about the costs of my education so I can focus on my future career - it means so much to me," Kristen said.Jennifer Roman is a sophomore at the University of Illinois - Urbana Champaign majoring in accountancy and finance. Originally from Wheeling, Illinois, Jennifer serves as the social external chair for the Alpha Kappa Psi business fraternity and participates in the Illinois Investment Banking Academy.Her other activities include participating in the Girls Who Invest Summer Intensive Program and working as a student facilitator for the Gies College of Business Early Arrival Program.Jennifer credits her mentor, Tax Manager Domonique Anderson, for providing invaluable insights on the CPA career path at Baker Tilly."It's been a pleasure working with Domonique. Her advice will help make me a better professional," Jennifer said.Fiza Sukhera is a first-generation college student living in Silver Spring, Maryland, and attending the University of Maryland (UMD) College Park. She plans to attain her bachelor's degree in information systems and participates in her school's student government Finance and Audit Committee, the Business and IT Society, International Business Club, Real Estate Club, and the business fraternity Delta Sigma Pi.Fiza is currently studying abroad at the American University in Dubai and works as a research assistant at UMD's Robert H. Smith School of Business."As a first-generation college student, this scholarship supports my dreams of pursuing higher education and is a motivating force to continually strive for excellence," Fiza said.Born and raised in Milwaukee, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee sophomore Isaac Calderon-Alvarado studies information technology management.With the financial burden of school lifted, Isaac said this scholarship allows him to pour his energy into his studies."My mentor at Baker Tilly, Senior Consulting Manager Joe Devroy, has been incredibly supportive and enables me to prioritize my schoolwork and professional growth," Isaac said.View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Baker Tilly on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info:Spokesperson: Baker TillyWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/baker-tilly Email: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: Baker Tilly
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FORT MILL, SC / ACCESSWIRE / January 29, 2024 / Catheter Precision, Inc. (the "Company") (NYSE American:VTAK), a US based innovative medical device company focused on electrophysiology products is participating in the AF Symposium conference. The AF Symposium is taking place in Boston, Massachusetts from February 1-3, at the Omni Seaport Hotel. The AF Symposium was initiated in 1995 in response to the growing epidemic of atrial fibrillation. Over the past 29 years, the meeting has become a major scientific forum at which healthcare professionals have a unique opportunity to learn about advances in research and therapeutics directly from many of the most eminent investigators in the field. The Electrophysiology product divisions from other large companies will be attending including Medtronic (MDT), Boston Scientific (BSX), Abbott (ABT), and Johnson and Johnson (JNJ).David Jenkins,CEO of Catheter Precision, said, "Participation in medical device conferences enables us to showcase our products to a dedicated audience of physicians. A conference like AF Symposium is unique in that it is dedicated to electrophysiologists. So, while it may be a smaller gathering it is also a very targeted audience and enables us to show our VIVO mapping system and LockeT suture retention device and generate leads and create additional interest." About VIVOCatheter Precision's VIVO (View Into Ventricular Onset), is a non-invasive 3D imaging system that enables physicians to identify the origin of ventricular arrhythmias pre-procedure, there by streamlining workflow and reducing procedure time. VIVO has received marketing clearance from the U.S. FDA and has the CE mark.About LockeTCatheter Precision's LockeT is a suture retention device intended to assist in hemostasis after percutaneous venous punctures. LockeT is a Class 1 device registered with the FDA.About Catheter PrecisionCatheter Precision is an innovative U.S.-based medical device company bringing new solutions to market to improve the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias. It is focused on developing groundbreaking technology for electrophysiology procedures by collaborating with physicians and continuously advancing its products. Reincorporated as Ra Medical Systems, Inc. in Delaware in 2018, the Company changed its name to Catheter Precision, Inc. on August 17, 2023.CONTACTS:At the CompanyDavid Jenkins 973-691-2000 IR@ catheterprecision.com SOURCE: Catheter Precision, Inc.
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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 29, 2024 / CMC Metals Ltd. (TSX-V:CMB)(Frankfurt:ZM5P)(OTCQB:CMCXF) ("CMC" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on its Gavilanes silver-gold-polymetallic project.The management team including Kevin Brewer, President and CEO, Jose Manuel Delgado Canedo, Director, CFO and Legal Advisor-Mexico, and Cesar Symonds, Project Geologist attended the annual assembly of the Ejido de los Gavilanes yesterday. The Company outlined its exploration plans for Gavilanes for 2024. The Ejido de los Gavilanes expressed support for the project and has agreed to enter into a Letter of Intent with CMC to advance an exploration agreement for the project. This is an important milestone for the project as the ejido control the surface rights and are also highly influential in the process related to the assignment of exploration permits in Mexico. An extension of the current permit has recently also been filed with the Mexican permitting authority SEMARNAT.The Company has also made considerable progress on financing the project. It recently attended and presented the Metals Investor Forum and the Vancouver Resource Investment Conference in late January in Vancouver where it met with numerous potential investors and groups that have expressed interest in supporting the project. The Company has entered into discussions with a consortium that are considering a strategic partnership in the project.The Company is actively working towards financing Phase 1 of the project. This will include securing funding for drilling and exploration activities at Gavilanes, the initial property payment to Sailfish Royalty Corp., and concession taxes. The Company intends to use its proceeds from the sale of the Bishop gold mill and financing the remaining requirements through either the formation of a strategic partnership for the project or implementing a financing effort. In this regard, the Company will be confirming its intentions in the near future.The Company is also finalizing the exploration plan for the project which proposes to complete up to 4,500 meters in the Gavilanes Zone in 2024.Kevin Brewer, President and CEO noted "Our meetings in Vancouver went better than we had expected. We had a very high level of interest in this project and we are now very confident that we will be able to proceed with our plans for 2024. We expect to be able to soon release the exploration strategy that is focused on resource expansion. The Company will not be instituting a share rollback to finance Phase 1-2024 of the Gavilanes Project. A recent independent valuation by Fundamental Research Corp., at $0.17 per common share, indicates that we are significantly undervalued. As we continue to make this project a reality we are confident our value will be reflected in improved valuation for our shareholders." The silver-gold polymetallic Gavilanes Project (13,594.5 hectares) has a current NI 43-101 Inferred Resource of 18,174,000 contained silver-equivalent ("Ag-Eq") ounces at an average grade of 320.3 g/t Ag-Eq within 1,765,000 tonnes (Mine Development Associates/Respec Resource Gesociences Inc., 2021). The metal prices assumed in the resource estimate were $19.00 USD/oz silver, $1,600 USD/oz gold, $3.50 USD/lb copper, and $1.00 USD/lb for lead and zinc.Qualified PersonQualified Person Kevin Brewer, a registered professional geoscientist, is the Company's President and CEO, and Qualified Person (as defined by National Instrument 43-101). He has given his approval of the technical information pertaining reported herein. The Company is committed to meeting the highest standards of integrity, transparency and consistency in reporting technical content, including geological reporting, geophysical investigations, environmental and baseline studies, engineering studies, metallurgical testing, assaying and all other technical data.About CMC Metals Ltd.CMC Metals Ltd. is a growth stage exploration company focused on opportunities for high grade polymetallic deposits in Mexico, Yukon, British Columbia and Newfoundland. Our new flagship project is the Gavilanes Silver-Gold Project, San Dimas, Durango, Mexico. Our polymetallic silver-lead-zinc CRD prospects in the Rancheria Silver District include the Silverknife and Amy projects (British Columbia) and the Silver Hart Deposit and Blue Heaven claims (Yukon). Our polymetallic projects with potential for copper-silver-gold and other metals include Bridal Veil (Newfoundland) and Logjam (Yukon).On behalf of the Board:"John Bossio"John Bossio, Chairman, Board of Directors, CMC METALS LTD.For Further Information and Investor Inquiries:Kevin Brewer, P. Geo., MBA, B. Sc.(Hons) , Dip. Mine Eng.President , CEO and DirectorTel: (+52) 669 198 8503kbrewer80@ hotmail.comSuite 1000-409 Granville St., Vancouver, BC, V6C 1T2To be added to CMC's news distribution list, please send an email toinfo@ cmcmetals.caor contact Mr. Kevin Brewer directly.Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release."This news release may contain certain statements that constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law, including without limitation, statements that address the timing and content of upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt of property titles and exploitation activities and developments. In this release disclosure regarding the potential to undertake future exploration work comprise forward looking statements. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions. While such estimates and assumptions are considered reasonable by the management of the Company, they are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive and regulatory uncertainties and risks, including the ability of the Company to raise the funds necessary to fund its projects, to carry out the work and, accordingly, may not occur as described herein or at all. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, the timing and receipt of government and regulatory approvals, the impact of the constantly evolving COVID-19 pandemic crisis and continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. Readers are referred to the Company's filings with the Canadian securities regulators for information on these
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PORT VILA, VANUATU / ACCESSWIRE / January 29, 2024 / Trading.live announced that CWG Markets, the outstanding broker, has become the nameplate Sponsor, offering support and contribution to the Trading.live 2024 Trading Influencers Awards - Middle East Ceremony.The award ceremony will occur on January 31, 2024, at the CONRAD Hotel in Dubai, UAE. There, Trading.live will present the winners with trophies and certificates to honor their financial achievements. The ceremony will also feature keynote speeches, networking opportunities for the attendees, etc. Trading.live sincerely invites you to join this rare opportunity, to meet CWG Markets and other excellent brokers and industry leaders, to share and exchange experiences and insights, and to build cooperation and friendship.About CWG Markets:CWG MarketsLtd, headquartered in London, UK, is a distinguished member of the London Stock Exchange, operating under the stringent regulation of the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) with the regulatory number FRN 785129. This firm is dedicated to offering a diverse range of trading options to traders worldwide, encompassing Forex, stocks, precious metals, indices, futures, and various financial derivatives, catering to the broad needs of different investors.Global Presence and Multilingual SupportCWG Markets provides retail and institutional services round the clock in over 150 countries and regions across the globe, ensuring that traders, regardless of location, have access to professional services at all times through multilingual, round-the-clock services. As a result of integrating advanced technologies and real-time market information, CWG Markets provides traders with a stable and efficient trading environment, enabling them to execute trades confidently and efficiently while the global financial markets are fluctuating.Industry Recognition and Regulatory ComplianceGlobal leaders in the financial services sector, CWG Markets, have gained traders' trust. Its reasons for acclaim are its extensive trading tools, commitment to trust, high financial security, competitive spreads, and exceptional trading environment. Furthermore, the firm offers personalized trading solutions and services for traders of all levels, ensuring that every trader has a style that fits their needs.Choosing CWG Markets: A Strategic DecisionThe CWG Markets platform provides global leadership in financial services and offers traders an opportunity to embark on a new trading journey that is both professional and efficient. To enable every client to succeed in the global financial markets, CWG Markets provides the most appropriate services and support, regardless of whether they are novice traders or experienced professionals.Key Strengths and Competitive EdgeThe CWG Markets platform provides traders with comprehensive and secure trading solutions. By affiliating with the London Stock Exchange and being regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority, the company is committed to transparency. With FCA regulatory oversight, CWG Markets safeguards its clients' interests.Global Presence and Diverse Trading InstrumentsCWG Markets' global reach allows it to serve traders in more than 150 countries and regions, each with unique trading preferences and requirements. Multilingual support offered by CWG Markets ensures that language is not a barrier, and traders worldwide can receive assistance and services in their preferred language.CWG Markets offers Forex, stocks, precious metals, indices, futures, and financial derivatives. With this comprehensive suite of options, traders can diversify their portfolios and take advantage of different markets. Diverse asset classes make it easy for novice and experienced investors to tailor their trading strategies to meet their risk tolerance and financial goals.Technological Innovation and Real-Time Market DataThe commitment to advanced technology and real-time market data sets CWG Markets apart in the competitive financial services landscape. With the integration of cutting-edge technology, traders can access real-time market information, execute transactions swiftly, and stay abreast of market trends. Technology enhances the overall trading experience and reflects CWG Markets' commitment to stay at the forefront of innovation.Trust, Security, and Competitive SpreadsCWG Markets' commitment to trust and financial security cements its position as a global leader in financial services. Traders trust the platform because it is transparent and ethical. A high priority is placed on securing clients' financial assets and personal information and implementing robust security measures to mitigate risks.Since CWG Markets offers competitive spreads and a wide range of trading instruments, it is popular among traders looking for affordable, comprehensive trading.Tailored Trading Accounts and Personalized ServicesThe exceptional trading environment provided by CWG Markets is tailored to accommodate traders at different levels of expertise. Different trading accounts are available, each tailored to meet the specific needs of different traders. A CWG Markets account type and accompanying services are designed to facilitate the trading journey of a novice and experienced professional.CWG Marketsprovides customized trading solutions and tailored services to meet every trader's individual needs and preferences. To meet the specific needs of individual clients, CWG Markets tailors solutions and offers personalized assistance. By tailoring services to client needs, clients can trade more successfully.In summary, CWG Markets distinguishes itself through its commitment to providing a comprehensive and adaptable trading experience backed by regulatory assurance, technological sophistication, and a customer-centric approach. This makes it a preferred choice for traders seeking a reliable and dynamic platform in the competitive world of financial trading.Media ContactOrganization: CWG MarketsContact Person: WillWebsite: https://cwgmarkets.com/ Email: complaint@ cwgmarkets.com Contact Number: +601800819380Address: 1276, Govant Building, Kumul HighwayCity: PORT VILAState: VANUATUCountry: VanuatuSOURCE: CWG Markets
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New Business to Strengthen Miami Valley Community and EconomyDAYTON, OH / ACCESSWIRE / January 29, 2024 / Access Garage Doors, a leader in residential and commercial garage door services, proudly announces the opening of its newest franchise in Dayton, Ohio. Owned by Justin and Rebecca Slone, this new location serves the Miami Valley area.The Slones are both dedicated first responders and bring their commitment to community service and strong ethics to the home service industry. Justin Slone is a lieutenant for a Dayton-area public safety department and is a paramedic at the local fire department. Rebecca currently works in healthcare but will be moving to a full-time position with the company to focus on daily operations. Both are passionate about contributing positively to the community."Integrity, family, and dedication to the community were the highest priority for us in our search for a business partner," says Justin Slone. "We were blown away by the dedication to doing things the right way, quality customer service, and supporting our veterans and first responders that Jesse and the Access team are so passionate about. We knew we had found the right place." The Slones' commitment to ethical business practices and community well-being is reflected in their vision for Access Garage Doors of Dayton. They aim to provide meaningful employment opportunities in the area. The business is also an opportunity to build a lasting legacy for their three boys.Jesse Cox, CEO of Access Garage Doors, is enthusiastic about the Slones' unique approach and values."Justin and Rebecca embody the spirit of community service and integrity that we value at Access Garage Doors. Their drive to do right by their customers and community aligns perfectly with our mission," said Cox. "We are excited to see how their leadership will strengthen our presence in Ohio." Access Garage Doors of Dayton is poised to offer a range of garage door services, including installation, repairs, and maintenance, with an emphasis on quality and customer satisfaction. This new location not only brings industry-leading services to the Miami Valley but also supports those who serve and protect their communities.The Dayton franchise is part of Access Garage Doors' significant expansion in 2023, marking Ohio as the fifth new state for the company's growth this year. This expansion emphasizes the company's commitment to offering exceptional investment opportunities and supporting its franchisees in providing top-notch services.To learn more about Access Garage Doors franchise opportunities, visit BestGarageDoorFranchise.com To find out more about the products and services that Access Garage Doors offers, visit AccessDoorCompany.com ###ABOUT ACCESS GARAGE DOORSFounded in 2005, Access Garage Doors provides service, installation, and sales of state-of-the-art residential and electric openers. Based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Access is a top-tier Master Authorized Dealer for one of the largest garage door manufacturers, Clopay, and is a top-tier LiftMaster Opener Dealer. Access also carries and services brands such as Amarr Doors, Genie, Craftsman, Chamberlain, Marantec, Sommer Hormann, Wayne Dalton, CHI, Raynor, Sears, Linear, Lynx, Overhead Door, Ideal Door, Windsor Door, Stanley, Door Link, and Ryobi brands. Access is a long-term member of the International Door Association and has been ranked in many of the top franchise lists by Entrepreneur.Media Contact: Justin Biegel jbiegel@919 marketing.com (919) 589-4056SOURCE: Access Door Company
The Coordination Center for the Treatment of Prisoners of War (POWs) of Defense Intelligence of Ukraine's Ministry of Defense reported a DDoS attack on the information resources of the center and links it with the crash of an Il-76 aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces, the Center said on its Telegram channel.

"Obviously, the enemy decided that information, in particular about the details of the exchange of POWs and the crash of the IL-76 aircraft, poses a threat to it," the center said in a statement on Sunday evening, December 28.

The Coordination Center said that for security reasons, access to some functions and resources will be limited for a time.
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As sellers across multiple industries struggle to evaluate the tools available to them, Demoleap's smart bot uses GenAI and text-to-speech capabilities to highlight in mere minutes how their platform can boost productivity.TEL AVIV, ISRAEL / ACCESSWIRE / January 29, 2024 / Leading sales enablement software companyDemoleaphas launched a novel onboarding process centered around Mastermind', its AI-powered suite of guided selling tools. Demoleap's mission is to elevate productivity and performance for today's sales teams.An unpredictable economic landscape, increasingly cautious buying behaviors, and complex sales cycles are all leading to dwindling conversion rates across many industries. In 2023,around 91%of sales teams failed to hit quota expectations. Businesses are turning to technology to gain a competitive edge in this difficult environment: research shows that high-performing sales teams are almost twice as likely to use AI ( 1.9x ) than underperformers. Of these, eight in ten say that AI has improved their sales reps' use of time at least moderately.Sellers may be ready to embrace AI and other technologies, but they struggle to evaluate the different digital tools on the market-and the providers of these technologies have struggled to help them to do so. Demoleap saw that demonstrating the effectiveness of their sales enablement technology required real sales calls. To combat this problem, they decided to employ AI to help teams evaluate AI, and thus created a brand-new onboarding process that uses an intelligent assistant, Joe, to mimic a call. Throughout their onboarding, prospective users can see how Demoleap harnesses the power of AI to support reps through every stage of the selling process, helping them to qualify leads, discover pain points, and drive conversions."In today's complex landscape, we want to ensure that as many sales team leaders as possible can discover Demoleap's value, as easily as possible," said Itay Sinuani, Demoleap Co-Founder and CEO. "This calls for a new kind of onboarding, which allows prospective users to grasp the benefits of our product quickly and in an engaging way. We hope that this new AI-based onboarding will give results-driven companies an easier way to validate the potential of our platform in minutes, without any risk." Joe, Demoleap's virtual prospect, integrates GenAI with text-to-speech technology. Users can experience how practicing sales calls with Joe before interacting with real prospects would enable them to perfect their sales pitch and to receive intuitive feedback, such as live distribution and speaker listen-to-talk ratio insights that impact sales performance. The onboarding process also covers the fundamentals of the Demoleap platform, such as sales playbooks, slides, and more.Voice-triggered battle cards' respond to specific keywords mentioned throughout the call with Joe, suggesting questions, answers, and follow-up actions in real-time. Sellers are thus able to see how they can build trust and rapport by addressing any customer concern. In addition, the platform includes instant transcription tools and automatic summaries for all sales conversations, eliminating the need for manual note-taking. After calls, it automatically generates follow-up emails and outreach messages for lead nurturing. In this way, the virtual onboarding demonstrates to sellers how AI can help them both gain confidence and knowledge and remove tedious post-call admin work.Any user can now open an account on the Demoleap site using their Google or Microsoft login and explore everything Demoleap has to offer, free of charge, for 14 days. This comprehensive access gives them no-risk insight into the full potential of the technology, enabling them to evaluate the platform's functionalities and its future value to their team.To get started, book a demo, or find more information, visitwww.demoleap.com About DemoleapDemoleap is a leading sales enablement company, focused on delivering innovative artificial intelligence solutions to sales teams worldwide. Their digital platform provides the only AI-powered live demo assistant on the market, as well as multiple other tools to empower and support sales reps. Demoleap has offices in the US, Ireland and Israel, and is backed by investors and firms such as Bonfire Ventures, 25madison, and Ground Up Ventures. To learn more, go towww.demoleap.com Contact Details: Name: Matan MostovEmail: matan@ demoleap.com SOURCE: Demoleap
PR-Inside.com: 2024-01-29 20:15:15

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CLEVELAND, OH / ACCESSWIRE / January 29, 2024 / Aspiring medical students nationwide are invited to vie for the prestigious Dr. John Fortuna Scholarship, a one-time financial grant of $1,000 designed to support and honor individuals committed to compassionate healthcare. The scholarship, established by the esteemed Dr. John Fortuna, aims to recognize outstanding candidates pursuing degrees in MD, DO, DC, ND, or OD programs.Applicants interested in applying for the scholarship can access detailed information and submit their applications through the official website: https://drjohnfortunascholarship.com/ The Dr. John Fortuna Scholarship is not confined by geographic boundaries, welcoming applicants from all corners of the United States to partake in this unique opportunity.To be eligible, candidates must meet specific criteria:Currently enrolled in an accredited MD, DO, DC, ND, or OD degree program Minimum 3.0 GPA Demonstrated financial need Strong interpersonal skills and service/leadership experienceThe application process requires a 500-1000 word personal essay submission. Aspiring medical professionals are prompted to delve into their commitment to patient-centered care, exploring experiences that have shaped their dedication to understanding the whole patient.Dr. John Fortuna, a distinguished figure in the medical community, has been a beacon of compassionate healthcare for over two decades. Born in 1973 in Cleveland, Ohio, Dr. Fortuna graduated from Cleveland State University and Life University College of Chiropractic.Dr. Fortuna's impact extends beyond the borders of the United States. In 1999, he played a pivotal role in legalizing chiropractic care during a medical mission trip to El Salvador, demonstrating his commitment to global healthcare initiatives. Back in the U.S., he swiftly became a trusted chiropractor, operating successful clinics across Northeast Ohio.With a career marked by success, Dr. John Fortuna currently oversees practices in Cleveland, Elyria, and Parma, specializing in spinal adjustment techniques, musculoskeletal rehabilitation, and treatments for whiplash injuries. His commitment to patient well-being is evident in the exceptional outcomes and positive experiences provided by his clinics.In 2012, Dr. John Fortuna elevated chiropractic medicine by becoming the Director of Chiropractic at St. Vincent Charity Medical Center in Cleveland. Here, he continues to integrate holistic chiropractic care into conventional hospital settings, working alongside physical therapy and pain management services.As a leader in the field, Dr. Fortuna contributes to the advancement of chiropractic medicine, serving on the boards of professional chiropractic associations at the state and national levels. He is a sought-after speaker and advisor, dedicated to the rigorous scientific development, research, and education within his field.Now, in the zenith of his career, Dr. John Fortuna is extending his mission of service through The Dr. John Fortuna Foundation. The foundation aims to provide scholarships and grants to future healers and physicians, honoring passionate students who reflect the values embodied by Dr. Fortuna throughout his years of dedication to his community: empathy, integrity, leadership, and care centered around the whole patient.Prospective applicants are encouraged to visit the scholarship website https://drjohnfortunascholarship.com/ for detailed information and to submit their applications before the September 15, 2024 deadline. The winner of the scholarship will be announced on October 15, 2024.For media inquiries or additional information, please contact:Contact Info:Spokesperson: Dr. John Fortuna Organization: Dr. John Fortuna ScholarshipWebsite: https://drjohnfortunascholarship.com Email: apply@ drjohnfortunascholarship.com SOURCE: Dr. John Fortuna Scholarship
PR-Inside.com: 2024-01-29 16:01:04

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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / January 29, 2024 / Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC, a nationally recognized law firm, notifies investors that a class action lawsuit has been filed against GrafTech International Ltd. ("GrafTech" or "the Company") (NYSE:EAF) and certain of its officers.Class Definition:This lawsuit seeks to recover damages against Defendants for alleged violations of the federal securities laws on behalf of all persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired GrafTech securities between February 8, 2019 and August 23, 2023, inclusive (the "Class Period"). Such investors are encouraged to join this case by visiting the firm's site: bgandg.com/EAF Case Details:The Complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, GrafTech made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that:(1) GrafTech's manufacturing operations in Monterrey, Mexico had for decades chronically contaminated neighboring communities with harmful carcinogenic gasses and particulate matter;(2) GrafTech had signed agreements with local authorities committing itself to improving the environmental performance of its Monterrey facility, but repeatedly failed to honor these commitments;(3) GrafTech had been repeatedly warned over an approximately 30-year period regarding its wanton disregard for the environment and health and well-being of people near its operations in Monterrey, Mexico;(4) GrafTech's operations in Monterrey, Mexico were not in compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations;(5) GrafTech had failed to adequately remediate the environmental problems caused by the Monterrey facility following the 2019 administrative proceeding conducted by the Department of Sustainable Development of the State of Nuevo Leon;(6) the government of Apodaca had sought intervention from the State of Nuevo Leon authorities to curtail and prevent the adverse environmental impacts and noncompliance with environmental laws and regulations caused by the Monterrey facility;(7) GrafTech's purported cost leadership was achieved in substantial part by failing to implement appropriate and effective environmental safeguards at its manufacturing facility in Monterrey, Mexico;(8) GrafTech's capital expenditures and/or related operational projects were woefully insufficient to adequately address the harm that GrafTech's operations in Monterrey, Mexico had inflicted on the environment and people within the neighboring communities;(9) as a result of the above, GrafTech was acutely exposed to undisclosed material risks that GrafTech's manufacturing operations in Monterrey, Mexico would be severely disrupted by government action or enforcement; and(10) as a result of the above, GrafTech was acutely exposed to undisclosed material risks that its supplies of pin stock and graphite electrodes would be withdrawn and/or materially diminished, thereby materially harming GrafTech's business, operations, reputation, and financial results.What's Next?A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to review a copy of the Complaint, you can visit the firm's site: bgandg.com/EAF or you may contact Peretz Bronstein, Esq. or his Law Clerk and Client Relations Manager, Yael Nathanson of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC at 332-239-2660. If you suffered a loss in GrafTech you have until March 25, 2024, to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as lead plaintiff.There is No Cost to YouWe represent investors in class actions on a contingency fee basis. That means we will ask the court to reimburse us for out-of-pocket expenses and attorneys' fees, usually a percentage of the total recovery, only if we are successful.Why Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman:Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is a nationally recognized firm that represents investors in securities fraud class actions and shareholder derivative suits. Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors nationwide.Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.Contact:Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLCPeretz Bronstein or Yael Nathanson332-239-2660 | info@ bgandg.com SOURCE: Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC
PR-Inside.com: 2024-01-29 15:00:57

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COLORADO SPRINGS, CO / ACCESSWIRE / January 29, 2024 / Fortitude Gold Corp. (OTCQB:FTCO) (the "Company") announced multiple oxide gold drill intercepts at and near surface from the Scarlet North target along the Company's Isabella Pearl trend. This area on the north end of the Scarlet target is located just 700 meters northwest of the Isabella Pearl heap leach and process facility. Intercepts include 10.67 meters grading 1.30 grams per tonne (g/t) gold within 21.34 meters grading 1.14 g/t gold and 6.10 meters grading 1.93 g/t gold within 44.20 meters grading 0.84 g/t gold, both drilled from surface. Fortitude Gold is a gold producer, developer, and explorer with operations in Nevada, U.S.A. offering investors exposure to both gold production and dividend yield.Scarlet North Drill highlights include (m=meters, g/t=grams per tonne) (full drill table below):Hole# IPRC-605:18.29 m of 1.20 g/t goldincl. 10.67 m of 1.57 g/t goldHole# IPRC-606:16.76 m of 0.83 g/t goldincl. 7.62 m of 1.21 g/t goldHole# IPRC-615:19.81 m of 0.90 g/t goldincl. 3.05 m of 1.19 g/t gold, and 3.05 m of 1.81 g/t goldHole# IPRC-622:6.10 m of 1.31 g/t gold from surfaceHole# IPRC-623:15.24 m of 0.82 g/t gold from surfaceincl. 1.52 m of 1.82 g/t goldHole# IPRC-624:44.20 m of 0.84 g/t gold from surfaceincl. 6.10 m of 1.93 g/t gold, and 4.57 m of 1.42 g/t gold, and 3.05 m of 1.09 g/t goldHole# IPRC-625:21.34 m of 1.14 g/t gold from surfaceincl. 10.67 m of 1.30 g/t gold, and 4.57 m of 1.68 g/t goldHole# IPRC-626:7.52 m of 1.03 g/t gold from surfaceHole# IPRC-627:6.10 m of 0.90 g/t gold from surfaceincl. 3.05 m of 1.19 g/t gold This reverse circulation drill program builds on the Company's October 2023 drill results at the Isabella Pearl Scarlet North target, which included 50.29 meters grading 0.86 g/t gold from surface (click here to review the October 2023 press release). This most recent Scarlet North drill program intercepted multiple intervals of oxide gold mineralization grading in excess of 1 gram per tonne. Initial metallurgical tests suggest the oxide gold mineralization is amicable to extraction by cyanide. A similar metallurgy to the nearby Isabella Pearl deposit is expected, whereby oxide gold ores can be processed by using a standard heap leach process. The proximity of this mineralization would allow for a short haul distance to the Company's nearby processing facilities. Drilling at Scarlet has identified several surface and near surface pods of mineralization that the Company is currently modeling for potential open pit mine scenarios."This latest drill program at Scarlet North continues to intercept significant surface and near surface high-grade oxide gold mineralization," stated Mr. Allan Turner, Vice President of Exploration for Fortitude Gold. "Both our Isabella Pearl mine and our nearby Scarlet North target are located on a significant mineralized fault corridor extending to the northwest. While we look forward to drilling additional targets along this six-mile fault extension, we will continue to focus on Scarlet North with a goal of defining an initial resource from which to expand upon." "It is very exciting to see a critical mass building at Scarlet with continued wide and high-grade gold drill intercepts," stated Mr. Jason Reid, CEO and President of Fortitude Gold. "21.34 meters and 44.20 meters, 70 feet and 145 feet respectively, of over and near one gram per tonne gold starting from the surface is strong indication we may have discovered another potential nearby ore source for our Isabella Pearl processing facility. Near-term modeling of this mineralization, along with follow up drilling, target an initial resource. By leveraging the proximity to our processing facilities, the hurdle rate for an economic Scarlet deposit should be very low. The evaluation of Scarlet is expected to focus primarily on the costs of extraction and a short haul distance to our processing facilities. This approach of leveraging our existing operations on this surface and near surface mineralization should allow us to move forward with an initial resource much sooner than having to justify the capex, construction, permitting, and building time frames of a completely new project." Mr. Reid continued, "We have always expected our sizable Isabella Pearl trend to contain numerous deposits and we are optimistic Scarlet could be our second mine on trend. We believe a mine at Scarlet could potentially be added to our current Isabella Pearl mine plan through a permit modification and boundary expansion. While we still have work to do before we can make that determination, we stand a good chance of someday adding Scarlet to the queue of future mine builds." About Fortitude Gold Corp.:Fortitude Gold is a U.S. based gold producer targeting projects with low operating costs, high margins, and strong returns on capital. The Company's strategy is to grow organically, remain debt-free and distribute substantial dividends. The Company's Nevada Mining Unit consists of five high-grade gold properties located in the Walker Lane Mineral Belt and a sixth high-grade gold property in west central Nevada. The Isabella Pearl gold mine, located on the Isabella Pearl mineralized trend, is currently in production. Nevada, U.S.A. is among the world's premier mining friendly jurisdictions.Cautionary Statements: This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. If you are risk-averse you should NOT buy shares in Fortitude Gold Corp. The statements contained in this press release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. When used in this press release, the words "plan", "target", "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "intend" and "expect" and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the statements regarding the Company's strategy, future plans for production, future expenses and costs, future liquidity and capital resources, and estimates of mineralized material are forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon information available to the Company on the date of this press release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, and there can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those discussed in this press
PR-Inside.com: 2024-01-29 15:46:05

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U.S. Bank client Hinckley Medical created the scales to weigh patients in ambulances in order to determine accurate medicine dosagesNORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / January 29, 2024 / U.S. Bank Originally published on U.S. Bank company blogWhile attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln as an engineering student, Tristen Hazlett had a conversation with his brother that would change the trajectory of Hazlett's life.Gurneys with the OneWeigh system were developed by Hinckley Medical."My older brother was at a paramedic school in Minnesota and shared that guessing people's weight to be able to provide medication made him feel awful," said Hazlett, who lives in the Twin Cities.Hazlett recalled his disbelief that a scale did not exist in an ambulance to provide accurate weight information so that paramedics could administer the correct dosage to patients as they were being rushed to the hospital."People are just not good at guessing people's weight," he said. "When you are helping people in a vulnerable situation, providing accurate doses is paramount." That conversation sparked an idea to help solve a problem facing hospital, fire department and third party-affiliated first responders providing emergency medical care around the world.While attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Hazlett cofounded Hinckley Medical alongside Michael Elsbernd, who serves as the chief operations officer, and Hazlett's younger brother, Colton, who serves as the chief technology officer.One of Hinckley Medical's first forays into the industry was sponsoring Hazlett and his group's senior design project: the first prototype of a scale for a gurney called the patient weighing system or PWS."While that original design didn't go anywhere, we spent three years in development before getting into any sort of field trial," said Hazlett, who is the CEO of Hinckley Medical.Six years later, the scale has been renamed OneWeight and is now assembled in Minnesota, where Hinckley Medical is based. Hinckley is part of the hundreds of Minnesota companies in Medical Alley, a group of healthcare organizations innovating and providing care.OneWeight is now used by emergency medical service providers in six states. In 2023, Hinckley completed its first round of raising capital to support their growing business."There's a real need to solve and innovate in this space," Hazlett said. "We're really trying to be that one-stop shop for cognitive offloading - the use of tools to assist with tasks - for emergency responders. It's why we've developed and just launched a companion app to the scale called OneDose, which will take the patient's weight from the scale, calculate dosages, and provide medical professionals access to tools and checklists." As the business has grown, so has the partnership with U.S. Bank.Hazlett first opened personal accounts with U.S. Bank while in college because he wanted a bank that had branches in Lincoln and back home in Minnesota. When he and his team founded Hinckley Medical, they opened business accounts with U.S. Bank - ranging from checking to credit cards and lines of credit.Hinckley's bankers include Ryan Peterson, a client relationship consultant, and Nathan O'Keefe, a small business banker, who are based down the road from Hinckley Medical's offices in Lakeville, Minnesota."Working with Ryan and Nathan has been great," Hazlett said. "They and the bank provide that small bank feeling with the benefits of a larger bank. You can trust and rely on their stability." Peterson and O'Keefe said they look forward to hearing what's in store for the Hinckley Medical team and supporting them as they continue to grow."At U.S. Bank, we want to make sure that all businesses have the tools they need to grow and build their business," O'Keefe said. "As a banker, being able to help businesses reach their goals by taking advantage of our products and services is central to who we are. I couldn't be prouder to be able to walk alongside Tristen and the Hinckley Medical team as they help medical professionals provide care." A focus on healthcareIn 2023, U.S. Bank announced itsnew cross-business initiativeto provide healthcare practices with a comprehensive suite of solutions for business owners. In doing so, 50 U.S. Bank bankers will serve small- to mid-sized medical, veterinarian and dental practices as well as physician-owned medical and diagnostic laboratories and outpatient care centers.This new healthcare initiative builds on the bank's strong and well-recognized history of service to clients in the healthcare sector, including the expertise of the dedicated healthcare team in its Corporate and Commercial Banking group.U.S. Bank has been in the healthcare business for more than 100 years, delivering solutions to help clients of all types and sizes meet their financial, operational and investment goals - so they can focus on their core mission of serving patients.View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from U.S. Bank on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info: Spokesperson: U.S. BankWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/us-bank Email: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: U.S. Bank
PR-Inside.com: 2024-01-29 18:05:25

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BPO leader will explain how MSPs can monetize smartsourcing services as an ongoing revenue opportunityBURNABY, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 29, 2024 / Leading business process outsourcing company Integrated Financial Technologies (IFT) announced that its president Tod Chisholm will speak on two panels at ITEXPO. The conference takes place February 13 - 15, 2024 at the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale.Chisholm's sessions include "Monetizing Ancillary Services: Strategies for Building Revenue from Adjacent Solutions," on February 14 at 9:00 a.m., which is part of the show's MSP Expo co-located track. He will return to the stage the next day for "Why the Contact Center Should Be Central to Your AI Plans for Future of Work," scheduled for 8:15 a.m. During these sessions, Chisholm will offer his insights on how managed service providers (MSPs) can gain benefits and create ongoing revenues from intelligent outsourcing services-also known as smartsourcing-strengthening their portfolios.ITEXPO celebrates its 25th anniversary this year as a premier conference for the technology sector. MSP Expo provides education and insights on the issues impacting MSPs and VARs in the IT supply channel.IFT provides teams of highly trained, experienced agents to end-customers, ready to take on a full range of tasks from customer service, to onboarding, to financing duties and more. Their agents can handle tasks far beyond the typical outsourced contact center functions. The BPO team utilizes IFT's proprietary Ignite agent platform, a high-performance AI-powered interface that helps them function as a seamless and efficient addition to the existing team. Through these services, companies can conduct new marketing campaigns, expand sales efforts, or supplement growing areas like collections-without investing in new hires. MSPs can white-label this offering, gaining incremental income while enhancing their own brands."We're excited to participate in ITEXPO and MSP Expo. This forum allows us to educate channel partners on how they can add value for their customers through smartsourcing services," said IFT President Tod Chisholm. "The ability to easily extend staff without having to invest in new personnel presents a coveted value proposition to businesses, especially in an environment where companies are still experiencing lay-offs and contracting budgets. These services help MSPs enrich their customer relationships while also tapping into a lucrative revenue stream." For more on how IFT and its smartsourcing team can support channel partners and present benefits for their clients, visit www.iftsolutions.com About Integrated Financial TechnologiesIntegrated Financial Technologies (IFT) is a market leader in delivering efficient, reliable, and secure back-office solutions to companies across North America. Based in Vancouver, IFT's unique combination of deep expertise and robust technology enables the company to provide a multitude of services in sales, collections, reporting, and customer care. IFT's North American-based agents are fully trained in financial services processes and a host of service-related industries, and adhere to strict data privacy and security mandates. Their services enable customers to increase revenue, lower operating costs, and improve customer service-without incurring added overhead. For more information, please visit www.iftsolutions.com PR Contact:Suzanne MattaboniParallel Communications Group, Inc.610-737-2140X: @Parallel_PR smattaboni@ parallelpr.com SOURCE: IFT
PR-Inside.com: 2024-01-29 15:17:41

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AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS / ACCESSWIRE / January 29, 2024 / JetLearn BV, a Netherland-based online academy that empowers kids with a foundation in new-age technologies by teaching coding, AI & robotics in an engaging and personalised way, announced its partnership with Dream School Foundation (DSF) and Donate an Hour - Explorer Academy (DoaR-EA) to bring coding education to all.Children attending the JetLearn class at Explorer Academy This collaboration aims to provide high-quality computer science education, irrespective of geographical location, background, or financial constraints. The program offers diverse learning tracks suitable for beginners to experienced Python programmers, integrating robotics and AI concepts for real-world problem-solving."We believe that everyone deserves access to quality computer science education," said Kapil Bahl, COO of JetLearn. "This partnership will help us to make that dream a reality for children who don't have access to such education. Our delivery model allows us to empower learners with no barriers of location, background and put them on a path to be confident young adults "The program will be delivered by JetLearn's expert teachers and will use STEM.ORG and Education Alliance Finland accredited curriculum that emphasizes research, computational thinking, and creativity. It leverages not only the existing infrastructure of DSF and DoaR-EA but also the great work being done by DSF and (DoaR-EA) to improve the learning outcomes in the community they serve."We are excited to partner with JetLearn to bring coding education to children from underserved communities," said Maitreyee, Executive Director of Dream School Foundation. "This partnership will help to level the playing field and give children the opportunity to learn the skills they need to succeed in the 21st-century economy." "In the age of AI, we are committed to providing our students with the best possible education," said Divya Prakash, of Donate an Hour - Explorer Academy. "This partnership with JetLearn will help us to do that by providing our students with access to high-quality computer science education." For more information on the program, contact kapil.bahl@jet-learn.com . Those looking to support or volunteer can reach out to DSF (maitreyee@ dsfindia.org) and Donate an Hour - Explorer Academy (doarindia@ gmail.com) . The collaboration seeks partners with existing physical infrastructure who face challenges in acquiring and retaining expert teachers for AI and coding education.About JetLearnJetLearn is Europe's premier AI academy for children addressing the global shortage of computer science teachers. The curriculum focuses on problem-solving, computational thinking, and creativity, serving learners aged 6 -16 in over 50 countries.About DSFDream School Foundation is committed to supporting students from schools to livelihood, ensuring equitable and quality education for every child. DSF directly impacts the lives of 1,200 children and their families annually.About Explorer AcademyExplorer Academy, a flagship residential schooling program of Donate an Hour, strives to provide experiential learning for the holistic growth of bright underprivileged students. Donate an Hour is engaged in education and health initiatives in Haryana's villages. For further details and engagement, visit DSF and Donate an Hour.Contact InformationShruti SuriMarketing Headshruti.jolly@jet-learn.com 9650150961SOURCE: JetLearnView the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-01-29 21:30:51

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Customers in Mexico will be able to shop for millions of products on Amazon.com.mx and pay for them over time in bi-weekly installments with Kueski Pay.Offering Kueski Pay at checkout can help attract new customers and drive higher sales; merchant partners have expressed an increase of up to 70% growth in conversion rates and 40% higher purchase frequency with this payment method.MEXICO CITY, MEXICO / ACCESSWIRE / January 29, 2024 /Kueski, the leading buy now, pay later (BNPL) provider in Latin America, has taken a major step forward in expanding financial access for everyday Mexicans and will now be available as a payment option on Amazon.com.mx . As a result, shopping will be more convenient and customers will be able to shop for the products they need, when they need them, with the option to pay over time in bi-weekly installments. Kueski Pay is now available to select Amazon customers and will be available to all eligible customers in Mexico over the coming months.Biweekly payments without a credit cardAmazon customers who choose to use Kueski Pay for their purchase will be able to select plans of up to 12 bi-weekly installments. A key feature of this product is that it does not require a credit card, which is particularly beneficial given that more than 60% of adults in Mexico are still unbanked and over 70% of the population does not have a credit card. This agreement between Kueski and Amazon allows customers to choose how they want to pay, including via a linked bank account, debit card or cash on affiliate networks. Additionally, any Mexican consumer over 18 years of age can use this payment option."Customers are increasingly looking for flexible payment options to help them meet their purchasing needs," said Karen Pepper, Head of Digital Payments for Amazon Mexico. "Paying in bi-weekly installments with Kueski Pay is Amazon's latest initiative to provide customers in Mexico with access to affordable payment methods, and expanding Amazon's secure financing offers with a simple fee structure demonstrating our commitment that Amazon is for everyone." Kueski is among the leading online consumer credit and BNPL platforms in Latin America, having granted nearly 15 million loans to individuals and entrepreneurs throughout Mexico. The company estimates that one in four of the largest e-commerce merchants in the country offer Kueski Pay as a payment solution, while more than 60% of its customers declare that even though they have a credit card, they still prefer to use Kueski Pay as a payment option due to its flexibility."This agreement enables Amazon customers to enjoy, for the first time in Mexico, a buy now, pay later option at checkout," said Andrew Seiz, SVP of Finance at Kueski. "This is a significant step forward for Kueski as a leader in flexible payment solutions. Making BNPL available on Amazon Mexico gives millions more people access to the vast Amazon marketplace wherever they are in the country. We are thrilled to help pave the way forward for BNPL and increase access to financial services for all Mexicans." To learn more about Kueski Pay, visit: www.amazon.com.mx/pagoenquincenas About KueskiKueski is the leading buy now, pay later (BNPL) and online consumer credit platform in Latin America, known for its innovative financial services. Its flagship product, Kueski Pay, allows customers to make purchases and pay later, both online and in physical stores. Additionally, the company offers Kueski Cash, a personal loan product. Applying artificial intelligence, Kueski enhances access to financial services at scale. To date, the company has issued nearly 15 million loans across Mexico, benefiting individuals and entrepreneurs. Notably, a quarter of Mexico's top e-commerce merchants now offer Kueski Pay as a payment option. Learn more at Kueski's website: https://www.kueskipay.com/ Press contacts:Karen Herrera karen.herrera@kueski.comHolland Eichornkueski@ calibercorporate.com SOURCE: Kueski
PR-Inside.com: 2024-01-29 20:01:35

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Yawnder Mattress Store Donating 1 Mattress for Every Mattress Sold Through February 19.SAN DIEGO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / January 29, 2024 / In the wake of the recent floods that devastated parts of San Diego, Yawnder, a small, locally-owned mattress showroom, is donating mattresses to those affected by the ongoing tragedy. They have quickly realized the need is greater than their resources and have responded by announcing a mattress donation drive. The campaign will help flood victims get the much-needed relief and the dignity of a bed to sleep on during this time as well as activate the community to come together. Details can be found at yawnder.com/community "Our community has been hit hard by these floods, and we at Yawnder felt compelled to do something to help," said Catherine and Ben Trapskin, Owners of Yawnder. "Losing your possessions is incredibly stressful, and the last thing anyone needs during this difficult time is the added burden of finding a comfortable place to sleep. We hope that by providing mattresses, we can offer some comfort and relief to those who have experienced loss in the floods." The Yawnder mattress showroom has been receiving numerous phone calls and text messages from people in the community who have either suffered a total loss of their possessions or know someone who has. Yawnder has donated a dozen mattresses so far as of Monday, but the calls for need keep coming.As a result, they are launching a Buy-One-Give-One Mattress Drive. For every mattress purchased, Yawnder will be able to donate another to a flood-impacted family. The company will also be offering discounts on new mattress purchases for flood victims who need to replace their damaged bedding. The donation drive will run through Presidents Week. Details at yawnder.com/community Yawnder is also reaching out to the community to amplify this effort. Yawnder encourages the San Diego community to come together and support their neighbors in need. Every mattress donation, no matter the size, will help bring comfort and hope to those who have been impacted by the floods.About Yawnder: Since 2015, Ben & Catherine have tested and reviewed thousands of sleep products, sharing all our findings on yawnder.com . They understand mattress shopping can be confusing, so they have curated a selection of top brands in their San Diego showroom where shoppers can try them out in a relaxed, no-pressure setting. With a focus on customer service and community involvement, Yawnder is proud to be a part of the vibrant San Diego community.Contact InformationCatherine TrapskinCo-Foundercatherine@ yawnder.com 612-600-4623SOURCE: YawnderView the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-01-29 18:15:53

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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 29, 2024 / The well-known Darren and Mike Dream Team recently organized a small gathering in Dubai to support the online business community. This event marked a pivotal moment for the digital business world, bringing together team members and enthusiasts in a setting far from the conventional corporate environment.Mike and Darren, known for their innovative approach in the digital business realm and their association with Enagic, a leader in health-related MLM businesses, chose Dubai as the meeting point for its strategic location and vibrant business culture. The event was not just a casual gathering but a testament to the growing strength of the online business sector.The meet and greet provided an opportunity for attendees to network, share insights, and collaborate on future projects. This informal setting allowed for a free exchange of ideas, fostering community and camaraderie among the participants. It exemplified the ethos of the Darren and Mike Dream Team - promoting a collaborative, supportive, and forward-thinking approach to digital business.The choice of Dubai as the venue underscores the city's emergence as a global hub for digital enterprises. With its state-of-the-art infrastructure and business-friendly environment, Dubai presented the perfect backdrop for this groundbreaking event. The city's dynamic energy and innovative spirit resonated with the ethos of Mike and Darren, making it an ideal location for this international gathering.Attendees had the chance to interact with Mike and Darren, gaining valuable insights into their strategies and philosophies. These interactions were not just about business growth but also focused on personal development and positively impacting online business.One of the highlights of the event was the discussion on the future of digital business and the role of entrepreneurs in shaping this landscape. Mike and Darren enthusiastically shared their vision of a world where digital entrepreneurs can thrive by harnessing technology, creativity, and collaboration. They emphasized the importance of ethical practices and sustainable growth in the MLM sector, particularly in businesses like Enagic.The meet and greet in Dubai was more than just an event; it was a celebration of the spirit of online business. It provided a platform for like-minded individuals to come together, learn, and grow. The success of this gathering is a testament to the leadership and vision of Mike and Darren, who continue to inspire and guide the online business community.The Darren and Mike Dream Teamis poised to continue making waves in the digital business world, with a focus on creating meaningful connections and fostering a culture of innovation and integrity. This meet and greet in Dubai is just one of the many initiatives they have undertaken to support and nurture the global community of online entrepreneurs.For more information about the Darren and Mike Dream Team and their future events, please visit https://darrenandmikedreamteam.com/ Darren and Mike Dream Team is a prominent name in the digital business sector, known for their innovative approach to online entrepreneurship and affiliation with Enagic. Their focus on ethical business practices, personal development, and community building has established them as MLM and digital business industries leaders.Enagic is a global leader in health and wellness products, specializing in water ionization and filtration systems. With a strong commitment to quality and sustainability, Enagic has been at the forefront of providing innovative solutions for healthy living.Contact:info@ insightinformernews.com SOURCE: The Dream Team
The construction of new housing in Ivano-Frankivsk, Khmelnytskyi, Novovolynsk, and Ternopil, as well as the reconstruction of a medical facility in the local community of Nemishaieve, Kyiv region, will begin in the spring of 2024 as part of the EU programme Housing for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and Rehabilitation of Liberated Cities in Ukraine, Component II. In total, housing for 1,800 internally displaced persons (IDPs) will be built for 35.5 million euros, told Julia Shevchuk, Chief Investment Advisor at the Nordic Environment Finance Corporation (Nefco) to the Interfax-Ukraine agency.

Shevchuk reminded that, in response to more than 6.35 million Ukrainians leaving the country and a third of the population having to flee their home during the war, the European Union initiated an action to support internally displaced persons (IDPs) through grant funding for the construction of new, sustainable housing.

The project Housing for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and Rehabilitation of Liberated Cities in Ukraine is funded by the European Union and managed by the Nordic Environment Finance Corporation (Nefco).

During 2023, the projects were identified and agreed upon, the project proposals were evaluated to determine the scope of work, and the first stage of procurement was completed, said Julia Shevchuk,

The programme is divided into two components and covers a total of 11 municipalities in western and central Ukraine. Both components work with different cities and involve the renovation and reconstruction of existing municipal buildings and the construction of new housing.

Component II includes the cities of Ivano-Frankivsk , Khmelnytskyi, NovovolynskTernopil, and Nemishaieve. In the first four cities housing with a total area of almost 25,000 m2 will be built to accommodate at least 1,800 people who were left without their homes and possess the official status of IDPs in the above-mentioned cities. Planned investments constitute 7.1 million euros in Novovolynsk, 8.4 million euros in Khmelnytskyi, and 9.5 million euros each in Ivano-Frankivsk and Ternopil.

The task of the selection and registration of land plots in compliance with Ukrainian legislation and the connection to utilities was entrusted to the governing bodies of the respective cities. Nefco reported that, as of the end of 2023, all cities have finished this task, and the preliminary preparation of land plots for construction is currently underway.

For Component II, a single project design organisation was engaged to develop a unified concept of housing and project estimates for all four cities. During the summer of 2023, a tender was held and the contractor for this work was identified, a joint consortium between the companies ARS Longa and Balbek Bureau based in Kyiv.

It is planned to build sectional multi-apartment buildings of various numbers of floors from scratch. The buildings will be equipped with everything necessary: fire alarms, intercoms, elevators, and a centralised hot water supply system. Where necessary, renewable energy sources will also be installed, said Petro Halabitskyi, Project Manager at iC consulenten (the project implementation consultant), in a comment to Interfax-Ukraine.

The construction involves a comprehensive approach to housing, including interior finishing in common areas and apartments using high-quality materials (for the walls, floors, ceilings, and bathrooms) and equipping the apartments with the necessary furniture, household appliances, and bed linen.

Andriy Katashov, Technical Adviser at Nefco, emphasised that the programme, besides the social component, also includes a green recovery component, which means the implementation of energy-efficient technologies and increased requirements for the buildings' energy consumption indicators.

The designers are tasked with reducing future energy costs in housing by at least 10% compared to the regulatory threshold established by current Ukrainian regulations for this type of buildings. Furthermore, future residential complexes will include the installation of rooftop solar power panels, both to reduce current electricity costs and to provide emergency electricity supply during possible power outages, Katashov stated.

The requirements of inclusivity and access for people with limited mobility were also taken into account.

Approximately 12% of apartments in each city will be inclusive, that is, they will accommodate the needs of people with disabilities. The doors will be widened, and the bathroom will be equipped with special handrails. What's more, all these measures are already planned at the design stage, Halabitskyi emphasised.

The general entrance to the buildings must be equipped with a ramp or a lift. The latest changes to construction norms regarding safety have also been reflected in the scope of work, so all buildings will have modern and equipped bomb shelters.

Nefco employees stated that the design organisation, besides performing all technical tasks, has managed to design the buildings and surrounding areas in line with modern aesthetic approaches. In the autumn of 2023, the first stage of procurement to find contractors was held. At this stage, a list of construction companies for pre-qualification was compiled. The tender announcement was posted on the official web pages of Nefco and the respective cities, as well as on the information platform of the Prozorro system. The specialised associations were also involved in the dissemination of information. In accordance with Article 6 of the Framework Agreement between the Government of Ukraine and Nefco, the international financial institution has the right to apply its own current rules and principles regarding tenders or other competitive procedures for the procurement of goods, works, and services in the projects, so the open tender is conducted in accordance with the procurement rules of Nefco.

As a result of the first stage of the tender, a list of companies that met the qualification requirements was compiled, and they were admitted to the second round of procurement.

Shevchuk explained that the second tender stage for the city of Novovolynsk was started in late December 2023, and the rest of the cities are expected to conduct the second stage in JanuaryFebruary 2024. Accordingly, construction work is expected to begin in spring 2024 in all four communities.

With the participation of CFI, Agence francaise de developpement medias, as part of the Hub Bucharest / Residency Yak Vdoma Project
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Examining the Legal Battle and Its ImplicationsWASHINGTON, DC / ACCESSWIRE / January 29, 2024 / In a protracted legal battle against the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), MMJ BioPharma Cultivation, a leading cannabis researcher, is pushing back against the DEA's motion to dismiss its long-pending application for cultivating pharmaceutical marijuana. The company's president, Duane Boise, underscores the critical importance of this approval, which would pave the way for groundbreaking advancements in medicinal cannabis.Boise stated "Despite significant achievements, including the issuance of a DEA Analytical Lab Registration for Schedule 1 drugs to MMJ BioPharma Labs, allowing for cannabis research and development, the DEA's continued delay in processing MMJ BioPharma Cultivation's application raises questions about the agency's adherence to legal obligations." President Biden's recent approval of the Marijuana Research Act adds further weight to MMJ's case, highlighting the federal government's recognition of the importance of cannabis research.Analyzing the Legal DisputeThe core issue lies in the DEA's failure to adhere to statutory timelines mandated by the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) and the Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act (MCREA). MMJ's application, submitted in December 2018, remains in limbo, impeding vital pharmaceutical development aimed at treating chronic conditions like Multiple Sclerosis and Huntington's Disease.MMJ's legal arguments center on the DEA's unreasonable delay, which undermines its ability to conduct crucial research and development. Moreover, the agency's inconsistent communication regarding requirements, including the retroactive introduction of a bona fide supply agreement (BFSA), adds to the complexity of the situation. Allegations of bad faith on the part of the DEA further exacerbate the company's frustration, with MMJ accusing the agency of intentional obfuscation and indifference to statutory deadlines.Questioning DEA's ConductThe consequences of the DEA's actions are far-reaching, resulting in significant damages to MMJ and impeding progress in cannabis pharmaceutical development. The company emphasizes the importance of resolving the matter promptly, calling on the court to deny the Government's Motion for Summary Disposition due to genuine issues of material fact in dispute.Key Points of ContentionHere's a breakdown of the key points showing the DEA's blatant disregard of the rule of law:Application Timeline: MMJ Biopharma submitted its application for a bulk manufacturing registration to the DEA in December 2018, which is crucial for its pharmaceutical development aimed at treating chronic illnesses like Multiple Sclerosis and Huntington's Disease. Regulatory Requirements: The DEA is obligated to process such applications within a specified timeframe according to the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) and the Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act (MCREA). However, the DEA's delay in processing MMJ's application has resulted in a significant lapse of time. Is the DEA a Rogue Agency?MMJ's accusations of bad faith actions and deliberate delay raise the question: Is the DEA a rogue agency? Beyond mere negligence, MMJ alleges intentional obstruction and indifference to statutory obligations, casting doubt on the agency's legitimacy and priorities.Implications of President Biden's Marijuana PolicyDuane Boise, President of MMJ, highlights the company's substantial achievements in positioning itself as a leader in cannabis pharmaceutical development. With a focus on producing safe, reproducible marijuana medicine backed by rigorous clinical trials, MMJ aims to set the standard for quality and efficacy in the industry. Despite the challenges posed by the DEA's delay, MMJ remains committed to advancing its cultivation, lab formulations, and clinical trials, prioritizing public health, innovation, and consumer confidence.ConclusionIn conclusion, MMJ BioPharma's legal battle against the DEA underscores the complexities and challenges facing cannabis researchers in navigating regulatory hurdles in the United States. The outcome of this case will not only impact MMJ but also shape the future of cannabis research and pharmaceutical development, with implications for public health and scientific innovation. MMJ is represented by Attorney Megan Sheehan and associates.CONTACT: Madison Hisey media@ mmjih.com 203-231-8583SOURCE: MMJ BioPharma Labs
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Cybersecurity service revenue up 16% through November 2023TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / January 29, 2024 / Nerds On Site Inc. (CSE:NERD), a cybersecurity and mobile IT solutions company servicing the small and medium enterprise (SME) marketplace in Canada and the U.S., announced the following financial results for the three-month period ending on November 30, 2023. Revenue in that period was $2,794,252 as compared to $2,404,557 for the same period ended on November 30, 2022, representing an increase of $389,695 or 16%. In addition, gross profit for that three-month period was $798,802 as compared to $656,020 for the previous year's three-month period ended on November 30, 2022, an increase of $142,782 or 22%.The company also experienced a reduction in selling, general and administrative expenses for the three-month period, going to $800,897, down from $936,021 the previous year's period ended on November 30, 2022. This is the direct result of the Company's reduced costs on programming and related costs and legal expenses. Net losses also decreased by 94% over this same period, dropping to $16,930 from $283,197. This can be attributed primarily to the increase in the current period gross margin on sales by $142,782 and the reduction in selling, general and administrative expenses by $135,124."This is a solid improvement over last year's Q2 results," said Charlie Regan, CEO of Nerds On Site. "We are excited about the growth trend we are experiencing and expect to carry this through the fiscal and calendar year of 2024."As these strong financials exhibit, Nerds On Site has solidified itself as a force in cybersecurity services and a prominent leader throughout the industry. With Nerds On Site's ability to leverage the latest and most innovative technologies in the field, they look to maintain and even further their position within the cybersecurity sector and look forward to surpassing even more financial benchmarks.About Nerds On Site Inc. (NERD):A leading provider of cyber security and IT services to SME and corporate Clients in North America. Established in 1995 and serving Clients across the USA and Canada for decades, Nerds On Site stands out as one of the most highly regarded and reputable IT service organizations of its kind. The NERDs team is a collegial network of cyber security and technology experts and strategic partners across North America. Their ability to liberate Clients with technology solutions that optimize organizations and exceed expectations is the stand-out results Nerds On Site regularly delivers, as Client testimonials reflect - ( reviews.nerdsonsite.com Forward-Looking StatementsThe letter of intent is non-binding and there is no guarantee that this transaction will happen.Certain information set forth in this material may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding future financial position, business strategy, use of proceeds, corporate vision, proposed acquisitions, partnerships, joint ventures and strategic alliances, and co-operations, budgets, cost and plans and objectives of or involving the Company. Such forward-looking information reflects management's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to management. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans," "expects," "is expected," "budget," "scheduled," "estimates," "forecasts," "predicts," "intends," "targets," "aims," "anticipates" or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases or may be identified by statements to the effect that certain actions "may," "could," "should," "would," "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. A number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors may cause the actual results or performance to materially differ from any future results or performance expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company, including, but not limited to, the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions, and dependence upon regulatory approvals. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise, and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. The Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by securities laws.Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.Press Contact:Veronica WelchVEW Mediaronnie@ vewpr.com SOURCE: Nerds On Site Inc.
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CAMBRIDGE, MA / ACCESSWIRE / January 29, 2024 / MindMics, Inc., a leader in health technology innovation, is proud to announce the issuance of its latest patent, US11844618B2, titled "System and Method for Cardiovascular Monitoring and Reporting." This patent marks a significant leap in the field of cardiovascular health, offering a novel, non-invasive approach to disease monitoring and management.TheUS11844618B2 patentunveils an advanced cardiovascular monitoring system that ingeniously incorporates acoustic sensors from noise-canceling earbuds. By integrating these sensors with sophisticated machine learning and AI algorithms, the system facilitates continuous, non-invasive monitoring of heart functions. The earbud sensors detect essential biosignals, enabling accurate analysis and prediction of blood pressure and other crucial cardiovascular indicators.Anna Barnacka, Ph.D., CEO of MindMics and a primary inventor, emphasizes the patent's significance: "This patent is more than an innovation; it's a commitment to a healthier future. Our vision extends beyond this invention, aiming to develop adaptable algorithms and software solutions for widespread earbud use. This approach will soon provide unparalleled cardiovascular health insights, with the potential to substantially reduce the global burden of cardiovascular diseases." Addressing Global Health Challenges:The rise in hypertension and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), affecting an estimated one billion people globally, underscores the urgent need for accessible monitoring solutions. The US11844618B2 technology offers a revolutionary approach to managing these conditions, enabling early detection and ongoing monitoring, essential for effective disease control.MindMics' Infrasonic Hemodynography (IH) technology, central to this patent, has undergone extensive validation against gold-standard medical assessments, including ECG, echocardiogram, and cardiac catheterization, at Scripps Health. The technology's efficacy is demonstrated in our study on aortic stenosis, featured inthe Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC): Case Reports . Additional research covering a wide array of cardiovascular diseases, including Mitral Regurgitation, Pulmonary Hypertension, Heart Failure, and Coronary Artery Disease, is reported atclinicaltrials.gov (NCT04636892) . Furthermore, our technology's capability to differentiate between Atrial Fibrillation (AF) and sinus rhythm, with accuracy comparable to gold-standard ECG, is documented inNature Digital Medicine .Innovative Technology Explained:MindMics' IH technology leverages low-frequency acoustic biosignals detected in the ear canal, using earbud microphones. This non-invasive method offers comprehensive monitoring of cardiovascular parameters, aligning with the rapidly growing earbud market. MindMics aims to capitalize on this growth by providing health metrics as a software solution, making advanced health monitoring widely accessible.MindMics' US11844618B2 patent represents a major advancement in cardiovascular monitoring technology. With its growing patent portfolio and robust clinical validation, MindMics stands at the forefront of transforming cardiovascular health monitoring, building accessible, efficient solutions for early detection and management of heart conditions.For more information, please visitwww.mindmics.comor contact MindMics Public Relations atpr@ mindmics.com ---About MindMics, Inc.MindMics brings a next-generation health software platform that turns everyday earbuds by repurposing existing microphones for noise cancellation and other embedded sensors to monitor health accurately. Enabled through in-ear TWS earbuds, MindMics introduces a brand new approach, infrasonic hemodynography, that goes beyond the capabilities of traditional PPG wearable light-based technology, to detect biometrics at a sub-heart rate delity with clinical accuracy. This capability opens up game-changing opportunities to provide tangential health information to improve consumer experience across exciting markets, including mindfulness, tness, gaming, employee care, VR metaverse worlds, and more. www.mindmics.com SOURCE: MindMics, Inc.
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ST. JOHN'S, NL / ACCESSWIRE / January 29, 2024 / Sokoman Minerals Corp. (TSXV:SIC)(OTCQB:SICNF) ("Sokoman" or the "Company") announces that it received final regulatory approval and has closed both its flow-through and non-flow-through private placement financings (together the "Financings") issuing 53,892,847 flow-through units and 3,200,000 non-flow-through units at CAD$0.065 each for aggregate gross proceeds of CAD$3,711,035.Details of the Financings set out in the Company's December 19, 2023 news release remain unchanged.All securities issued pursuant to the Financings are subject to a four-month and one-day hold period.The Company will use an amount equal to the gross proceeds received by the Company from the sale of the flow-through units, pursuant to the provisions in the Income Tax Act (Canada), to incur eligible "Canadian exploration expenses" that qualify as "flow-through mining expenditures" as both terms are defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "Qualifying Expenditures") on or before December 31, 2024, and to renounce all of the Qualifying Expenditures in favour of the subscribers of the flow-through units effective December 31, 2023.Tim Froude, President and CEO of Sokoman Minerals explained that: "The Company intends to undertake a proposed 2,500 m winter drilling program on the flagship Moosehead Gold project, which will commence in about three weeks and will focus on the recently discovered 552 Zone where improved grades and some visible gold has been seen in recent drilling. Drilling is planned to test the down-plunge extent of the 552 Zone and should also intersect any parallel structures, including extensions to the 253 Zone where previous drilling returned 1.56 g/t Au over 1.60 m. Moosehead will require about 75% of the exploration funds raised. Additional drilling will follow based on the results of the winter program. The remaining 25% of the funding will be used for additional prospecting, sampling, and drilling on the 100%-owned Fleur de Lys Gold project where a very angular, visible gold-bearing float was recently discovered at the Golden Bull prospect. A recent site visit to the property confirmed that logging activities performed by a local timber harvester are creating more and better access and a safer and improved work environment across the property, possibly exposing new gold occurrences." Sponsorship AgreementRocksAndStocksNews ("R&S") is a private entity owned and operated by Allan Barry Laboucan. He is based in Mexico, operating an online portal for precious metals and mining stocks. R&S distributes Sokoman's news releases along with comments and/or opinions on its YouTube channel. The sponsorship agreement extends for 12 months for a total of CAD$30,000 that expires on October 31, 2024. Mr. Laboucan did not receive shares or options as compensation. At the time of the agreement, R&S and the Company were unrelated and unaffiliated entities. No buying or selling recommendations are made, no price projections on Sokoman are given nor any financial advice. Mr. Laboucan does not own shares of Sokoman Minerals Corp.About Sokoman Minerals Corp.Sokoman Minerals Corp. is a discovery-oriented company with projects in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The Company's primary focus is its portfolio of gold projects; the 100% flagship, advanced-stage Moosehead, as well as the Crippleback Lake; and East Alder (optioned to Canterra Minerals Corporation) along the Central Newfoundland Gold Belt, and the district-scale Fleur de Lys project near Baie Verte in northwestern Newfoundland, that is targeting Dalradian-type orogenic gold mineralization similar to the Curraghinalt and Cavanacaw deposits in Northern Ireland. The Company also entered into a strategic alliance with Benton Resources Inc. through three, large-scale, joint-venture properties including Grey River, Golden Hope, and Kepenkeck in Newfoundland. Sokoman now controls, independently and through the Benton alliance, more than 150,000 hectares (>6,000 claims - 1500 sq. km), making it one of the largest landholders in Newfoundland, in Canada's newest and rapidly emerging gold districts.In October 2023, Sokoman and Benton completed an agreement with Piedmont Lithium Inc., a major developer of lithium projects and processing plants in the USA, and exactly the right partner to have to advance the lithium project. Piedmont will have exclusive marketing rights for the promotion and sale of any lithium products produced from the Project on a life-of-mine basis, and the right of first refusal on 100% offtake rights to the lithium concentrates.The Company also retains (i) a 1% NSR interest in an early-stage antimony/gold project (Startrek) in Newfoundland, optioned to Thunder Gold Corp. (TSXV: TGOL) (formerly White Metal Resources Inc.), (ii) a 1% NSR with buyback of 0.5% for $1,000,000 to Sokoman, optioned to Canterra Minerals Corp. (TSXV: CTM). Sokoman has a 100% interest in the Iron Horse (Fe) project which has Direct Shipping Ore (DSO) potential.Mineralization hosted on adjacent and/or nearby properties is not necessarily indicative of mineralization hosted on the Company's property.For more information, please contact:Timothy Froude, P.Geo., President & CEO T: 709-765-1726 E: tim@ sokomanmineralscorp.com Cathy Hume, VP Corporate Development, Director T: 416-868-1079 x 251 E: cathy@ chfir.com Website: www.sokomanmineralscorp.comTwitter: @SokomanMineralsFacebook: @SokomanMineralsLinkedIn:@SokomanMineralsCorpNeither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.Investors are cautioned that trading in the securities of the Corporation should be considered highly speculative. Except for historical information contained herein, this news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially. Sokoman Minerals Corp. will not update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. More detailed information about potential factors that could affect financial results is included in the documents filed from time to time with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities by Sokoman Minerals Corp.SOURCE: Sokoman Minerals Corp.
PR-Inside.com: 2024-01-29 18:15:49

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ROCK HILL, SC / ACCESSWIRE / January 29, 2024 / With just three days remaining until the impending deadlines for1099 ,W-2 ,940 ,941 , andACA 1095state forms, TaxBandits, a leading IRS-authorized e-file provider, urges businesses andtax professionalsalike to take advantage of their streamlined e-filing and recipient copy distribution solutions to ensure timely and accurate submissions.TaxBandits recognizes the critical nature of meetingtax deadlines , especially for forms such as 1099, W-2, 940, 941, and ACA state forms in specific states like California (CA) and Massachusetts (MA). Their user-friendly e-filing solution is designed to simplify the filing process, allowing businesses to meet their tax obligations efficiently.Businesses using TaxBandits gain access to a comprehensive, cloud-based application that not only facilitates the e-filing of federal forms but also provides specializedsupport for state forms , including those required in California and Massachusetts. This ensures their clients can navigate the intricacies of their filing requirements with ease and confidence. In addition to filing, TaxBandits also supports the distribution of recipient copies with both postal mailing and online access options.The three-day countdown emphasizes the urgency for businesses to leverage TaxBandits' platform for a smooth and successful tax season. By utilizing the comprehensive e-filing solution, businesses can avoid last-minute complications and ensure compliance with federal and state-specific requirements.TaxBandits encourages businesses to create a free account and take advantage of the remaining time tofile 1099 , W-2, 940, 941, and ACA state forms, particularly if they operate inCaliforniaorMassachusetts . With time-saving features likebulk upload options , leading accounting firms' software integrations, and built-in error checks using the IRS Business Rules.TaxBandits takes a personal approach to assisting clients during the filing process, offering communication options such as email, phone, or a Live Chat function. In contrast to long phone trees and automated bots, TaxBandits is committed to providing timely support directly from an expert team member.Businesses,tax professionals , and service providers can create a free TaxBandits account and begin addressing their last-minute filing requirements by visitingTaxBandits.com When asked about the impending deadlines, the CEO and Co-founder of SPAN Enterprises, Agie Sundaram, responded, stating "We understand the importance of a seamless and stress-free tax filing experience, especially with imminent deadlines for critical forms. TaxBandits is committed to empowering businesses with an efficient e-filing solution that caters to their federal and state-specific needs. We also empower our clients by offering the highest standard ofcustomer support; our team is working extended hours through the deadline to ensure our clients are taken care of." About TaxBandits:TaxBandits is a SOC 2 Certified, IRS-authorized e-file provider specializing in1099 ,Form W-2 ,1095-C ,1095-B ,Form 940 ,Form 941 , andForm W-9 . Serving businesses, service providers, and tax professionals, TaxBandits offers a comprehensive solution for year-end filings.Software providers and other high-volume filers can take advantage ofTaxBandits API . The integration allows them to add value for their clients and expand monetization efforts. TaxBandits API enables seamless preparation ande-filing of 1099 , W-2, 941, 940, and ACA 1095 forms. Software providers can also use the developer-friendly1099 APItorequest W-9sandautomate 1099filings efficiently.About SPAN Enterprises:Headquartered in Rock Hill, South Carolina, SPAN Enterprises has been developing industry-leading software tools for e-filing and business management for over a decade. The SPAN Enterprises portfolio includes Tax 990, ACAwise, ExpressExtension, 123PayStubs, and TruckLogics.For media inquiries, please contact:Stephanie GlanvilleContent Writer, SPAN Enterprises stephanie@ spanenterprises.com SOURCE: TaxBandits
PR-Inside.com: 2024-01-29 22:37:09

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BERLIN, MD / ACCESSWIRE / January 29, 2024 / Calvin B. Taylor Bankshares, Inc. (the "Company") (OTCQX:TYCB), parent company of Calvin B. Taylor Bank (the "Bank") announced that Raymond M. Thompson, President and Chief Executive Officer, will retire from the Company and the Bank effective December 31, 2024. Mr. Thompson's retirement comes at the end of 27 years of service, during which he served 22 years as President, and 18 years as Chief Executive Officer.Upon Mr. Thompson's retirement, and effective January 1, 2025, the Board of Directors has selected M. Dean Lewis, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer to succeed Mr. Thompson. Mr. Lewis, age 43, joined Taylor Bank in January 2012. He came to Taylor Bank with 10 years of accounting experience, the majority of which was spent with PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP in Baltimore, MD, where he served as Tax Director. His diverse financial background includes experience in accounting, tax compliance and planning, financial statement audits, banking, SEC reporting, and internal controls.After joining Taylor Bank, Mr. Lewis was appointed Chief Financial Officer of the Bank and Treasurer of the Company in May 2013 and was elected to the Board of Directors in May 2014. He was promoted to Vice President in 2015, Senior Vice President in 2021, and Executive Vice President in 2023.Mr. Lewis is a native of Berlin, Maryland. He graduated from Stephen Decatur High School in 1998, and attended the University of Maryland where he received a B.S. degree in Accounting in May 2002. He received an M.S. degree in Taxation from American University in August 2008. Mr. Lewis returned to the Eastern Shore in October 2010 and currently resides in Berlin with his wife and three children.Thomas K. Coates, Chair of the Board of Directors remarked, "We thank President Thompson for his 27 years of outstanding service to the stockholders, employees and customers of Taylor Bank, and we congratulate Mr. Lewis on becoming the 8th President and Chief Executive Officer of Taylor Bank in its 134 year history. We look forward to a successful leadership transition during 2024."###About Calvin B. Taylor Banking CompanyCalvin B. Taylor Banking Company, the bank subsidiary of Calvin B. Taylor Bankshares, Inc. (OTCQX: TYCB), founded in 1890, offers a wide range of loan, deposit, and ancillary banking services through both physical and digital delivery channels. The Company has 11 banking locations within the eastern coastal area of the Delmarva Peninsula including Worcester County, Maryland, Sussex County, Delaware and Accomack County, Virginia.ContactRaymond M. Thompson, President and Chief Executive Officer410-641-1700, taylorbank.com SOURCE: Calvin B. Taylor Bankshares, Inc.
PR-Inside.com: 2024-01-29 14:01:01

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Market-leading alternative lender will describe how straightforward financing solutions can help companies overcome short-term cash flow hurdlesBURNABY, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 29, 2024 / Travelers Capital Corp., through its U.S.-based subsidiary TCC Financial, Inc. (collectively, "TCC"), a recognized leader in alternative financing, announced it will exhibit at the Turnaround Management Association's Distressed Investing Conference, the leading event for networking and dealmaking in the turnaround, restructuring, and distressed investing world. The conference is scheduled for February 6-9, 2024, at the Encore at the Wynn in Las Vegas. TCC Financial will be exhibiting at table 20 in the Chopin Ballroom throughout the conference, and will demonstrate straightforward and flexible asset-based financing programs available to companies with as little as $1 million in annual revenue."Many small and midsized companies, as well as financial advisory groups and turnaround professionals, are not aware that timely financing is readily available to them or their clients," said Warren Miller, TCC's managing partner. "Our alternative asset-based lending products are exponentially more immediate and flexible than traditional bank financing, and are available to companies throughout all aspects of their corporate life cycle - from hyper-growth to recovery or distress. We are eager to attend the conference and describe how this funding can immediately impact companies in need." TCC provides financing based primarily on the value of a company's tangible asset collateral, including machinery, heavy equipment, and property. This results in a quick and straightforward approval process even when a business' historic financials or cash-flow may have posed an issue for other lenders. TCC's financing incorporates a simple repayment structure, minimal covenants, and flexible pre-payment options. TCC is a true transition lender in the North American market, with the ability to assist borrowers experiencing near-term liquidity constraints, balance sheet restructuring and consolidation, leveraged finance acquisitions, near-distress and distressed conditions, and rapid growth.For more information about Travelers Capital Corp. and its financing solutions, visit www.tccfinancial.com . To register for the TMA Distressed Investing Conference, visit distressed.turnaround.org About Travelers Capital Corporation Financial, Inc. (TCC Financial)TCC Financial is the USA-focused investment arm of Travelers Capital Corp., an asset-based Canadian investment firm headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia. TCC Financial is an alternative capital provider specializing in asset-based finance solutions to small and mid-market enterprises. Providing custom finance solutions outside of those offered by traditional lending institutions, TCC Financial helps clients facing a variety of capital challenges, from transitional balance sheet restructurings, rapid-growth working capital facilities, and non-sponsored or non-standard M&A financing. TCC Financial is a member of the Travelers Group of Companies, which possess over 40 years of asset-based lending experience and is a leading provider of equipment finance and specialty loan & lease arrangements. For more information, please visit www.tccfinancial.com or www.travelerscapital.com PR Contact:Bob HebeisenParallel Communications Group, Inc.617-417-1160: @Parallel_PR bhebeisen@ parallelpr.com SOURCE: Travelers Capital Corp.
PR-Inside.com: 2024-01-29 10:20:23

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SHENZHEN, CHINA / ACCESSWIRE / January 29, 2024 / TerraMaster, a professional brand that focuses on providing innovative storage products for homes and businesses, has recently released the D5 Hybrid which is the industry's first hybrid HDD NVMe SSD enclosure.It can hold 2 SATA HDDs/SSDs and 3 M.2 2280 NVMe SSDs, with a capacity of 22TB a drive, and 8TB per M.2 SSD, providing users with up to 68TB (22TB x 2 + 8TB x 3) of storage space, combining the advantages of HDDs' massive capacity and SSDs' high-speed performance simultaneously! With TERRAMASTER's complimentary TPC Backupper software, you can easily schedule backups of important data to enhance data security.D5 Hybrid Key Features10Gbps Transfer BandwidthThe D5 Hybrid hard drive enclosure adopts USB 3.2 Gen2 protocol for high-speed data transmission up to 10Gbps. With 2 hard drives in RAID 0, the read/write speed can reach up to 521MB/s (SATA III NAS HDD 8TB x 2). With 2 SSD's in RAID 0, the read speed can reach 960MB/s (SATA III NAS SSD 1TB x 2), and using an NVMe M.2 SSDs, it can reach up to 980MB/s.Exclusive 2+3 RAID Array Mode The D5 Hybrid raid enclosure implements TERRAMASTER's Exclusive 2+3 RAID array mode. By utilizing two SATA HDDs/SSDs in tray 1 and 2, users can configure RAID 0, RAID 1, JBOD, or Single Disk, catering to diverse cold data storage requirements across various applications. Additionally, the three NVMe M.2 SSD slots exclusively support single-disk mode, making them ideal for storing frequently accessed hot data, ensuring rapid transfer speeds.Superior Compatibility The D5 Hybrid features a USB Type-C interface, offering excellent compatibility with various protocols, including USB 3.0, USB 3.1, USB 3.2, USB4, Thunderbolt 3, and Thunderbolt 4. A complimentary 1m USB Type-C cable is included. The interface is compatible with Windows 7 and later, macOS X 10.6 and later, and Linux Ubuntu 16/18/20.Automated Backup Solution TERRAMASTER's complimentary TPC Backupper simplifies Windows PC backups. Users can Schedule folder or disk partition backups to TERRAMASTER USB HDD storage or NAS servers effortlessly. Just connect, install, and set up your backup task. TPC Backupper supports both incremental and differential backup strategies and is compatible with Windows 8/8.1/10/11.Easily Replace HDD and Install M.2 SSD The D5 Hybrid features a tool-less hard drive tray design, making it easy to install and remove hard drives without any tools. The chassis adopts TerraMaster new Push-Lock unique design, which automatically locks the hard drive tray when you insert the hard drive to prevent the hard drive from falling or being disconnected. For M.2 SSD installation, the D5 Hybrid's chassis is equipped with a convenient side-sliding cover and hand-tightening screws, allowing users to quickly install an M.2 SSD in just 5 seconds.Intelligent Hard Drive Hibernation and Ultra-quiet Design The D5 Hybrid supports hard drive sleep mode, allowing it to synchronize with the computer system sleep mode. This effectively reduces the working time of the hard drive, minimizes power consumption, and extends the service life of the hard drive. The D5 Hybrid is also an ultra-quiet USB hard drive enclosure. TerraMaster engineers designed a number of special acoustic panels in the new structure to minimize noise. Tests show that the new structural noise adopted by D5 Hybrid is 50% lower than the previous generation, and the standby noise is only 19dB(A)!For more information: TerraMaster D5 Hybrid: https://www.terra-master.com/global/products/homesoho-das/d5-hybrid.html TerraMaster on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/terramasterofficial Twitter: https://twitter.com/TerraMasters About TerraMaster TerraMaster is a professional brand that focuses on providing innovative storage products, including network attached storage and direct attached storage that has become increasingly popular in over 40 countries and regions. The brand has been developing storage technology for 10 years, addressing the needs of customers such as home users, small/medium businesses, and enterprises.Contact Information:Mike+86 755 81798272Marketing Manager marketing@ terra-master.com SOURCE: TerraMaster
PR-Inside.com: 2024-01-29 15:15:36

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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / January 29, 2024 / Las Vegas Sands:Las Vegas SandsSands Team Members around the world collectively assembled 57,000 hygiene kits from October through December as part of the 2023 Sands Cares Global Hygiene Kit Build, which supports Clean the World's mission of providing hygiene supplies to people affected by hardship, disasters and personal crises.Nearly 900 Sands Team Members and community volunteers assembled kits containing soap that had been recycled by Clean the World after collection from Sands' resorts and other hospitality partners, along with shampoo, conditioner, dental care items and inspirational messages handwritten by Sands Team Members.Sands has hosted the annual kit build since 2014 with Team Members creating nearly 1 million hygiene kits for Clean the World.We continue to be awed by the incredible passion of Sands Team Members around the world for the annual Sands Cares Global Hygiene Kit Build," Shawn Seipler, founder and CEO of Clean the World Global and chairman of the board of the WASH Foundation, said. "Sands' global events are one of our longest-standing kit-build initiatives, and the thousands of resulting hygiene supplies have helped us provide critical support to organizations that are saving lives and restoring health and hope on the front lines. We extend our deep appreciation to everyone who joined the build - these efforts make a tremendous impact." The 2023 Sands Cares Global Hygiene Kit Build kicked off at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore on October 25, with 600 Team Members assembling 27,200 hygiene kits in one day. Clean the World distributed a portion of the kits to Children International in the Philippines, and Marina Bay Sands provided kits to the Singapore Red Cross, The Food Bank Singapore and local nursing homes.More than 70 corporate Team Members in Las Vegas assembled 2,600 hygiene kits over four days in late October for distribution to Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth and Clean the World's Fresh Start mobile shower units for people facing homelessness in the region.Kit builds culminated on December 1 in Macao, where nearly 200 Sands China Team Members and local community volunteers assembled 27,200 kits that are being distributed to Children International to aid families in need and people facing natural disasters and other crises."The annual Sands Cares Global Hygiene Kit Build with Clean the World is an essential and beloved part of our annual volunteerism calendar," said Ron Reese, senior vice president of global communications and corporate affairs, who oversees corporate responsibility initiatives and the global Sands Cares program. "This event represents the essence of what we aim to achieve through Sands Cares - providing community service work to address the hardships in our communities. We value our Team Members' contributions to Clean the World and the needs of their communities and appreciate their continued excitement and dedication year after year." The 2023 Sands Cares Global Hygiene Kit Build with Clean the World addresses Sands Cares' priorities on providing hardship relief and supporting disaster response and preparedness efforts. The kit builds are Sands' longest-standing global Sands Cares initiative, which also includes the Sands Cares Accelerator, a program launched in 2017 to help advance nonprofit organizations for greater community impact, and the Sands Cares Global Food Kit Build launched in 2022.Together, these programs unify Sands' properties around the world in addressing the company's core community priorities: hardship relief, disaster response and preparedness, education, local business and partner development, and preservation of the cultural and natural heritage of the company's host regions.To learn more about Sands' focus on ensuring its regions remain great places to live, work and visit, read the latest environmental, social and governance report: https://www.sands.com/2022-environmental-social-and-governance-report/ Las Vegas Sands Corporate Team Members assembling Clean the World Hygiene KitsView additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Las Vegas Sands on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info:Spokesperson: Las Vegas SandsWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/las-vegas-sands Email: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: Las Vegas Sands
PR-Inside.com: 2024-01-29 14:45:48

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We're proud to be recognized for our strong performance and unwavering commitment to patientsNORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / January 29, 2024 / Our company has been recognized for our leadership and strong performance powering the work we do for patients and everyone who depends on us. We were named No. 10 on The Wall Street Journal's list of the 250 best-managed publicly traded U.S. companies in 2023, advancing 78 places from the previous year."This recognition reaffirms our strategic focus, innovation, hard work and collective, unwavering commitment to our purpose of saving and improving lives each and every day." - Rob Davis Chairman and chief executive officer"To make the list of The Wall Street Journal's 250 best-managed companies is quite an honor," Davis said, "and to be ranked in the top 10 is especially exciting and humbling." This year, nearly 800 companies were scored. Placement on the list is determined by a company's strength in five components:Customer satisfaction Employee engagement and development Innovation Social responsibility Financial strengthWe placed first in customer satisfaction and were one of seven companies to score in the top 20% in each of the five components."Customer satisfaction is directly tied to the innovation we bring and the benefit we can deliver for patients," Davis told The Wall Street Journal.Top ranking for corporate citizenshipIn addition to our Wall Street Journal recognition, we're deeply honored to be ranked No. 1 on Newsweek's 2024 list of America's Most Responsible Companies. This marks our first time in the lead spot, a distinction that affirms our steadfast commitment to operating responsibly and doing good for people and the planet.Learn more about Merck's sustainability strategy: https://www.merck.com/company-overview/sustainability/ View original content here.View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Merck & Co., Inc. on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info: Spokesperson: Merck & Co., Inc.Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/merck-co-inc Email: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: Merck & Co., Inc.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto announced that he was heading to Ukraine on Monday, January 29.

"We are leaving for the Carpathians. We want to establish cooperation between Ukraine and Hungary, and we will do everything to ensure that the Hungarian community in the Carpathian region returns its former rights," he said on Facebook.

Szijjarto later said he was heading to the city of Uzhgorod and had a long day ahead.

"Heading to Uzhgorod, a long day awaits us... Everything must be done to ensure that the Hungarian community of Zakarpattia regains its former rights," he said on Facebook.

As reported, on January 29 in Uzhgorod there will be a meeting between Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak with Head of the Hungarian Foreign Ministry Szijjarto.
PR-Inside.com: 2024-01-29 21:00:24

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Revolutionizing Trading with Unmatched Benefits - Launching January 29thMIAMI, FL / ACCESSWIRE / January 29, 2024 / TopTier Trader , the esteemed platform that empowers traders to reach their full potential, is thrilled to announce the launch of its groundbreaking Rewards and Affiliate Program. As a beacon of innovation in the trading community, TopTier Trader is set to redefine the rewards landscape with an initiative that is a first in the industry.Introducing the TopTier Trader Rewards Program: A New Era of Trading PerksThe TopTier Trader Rewards Program is an unprecedented initiative designed to celebrate and reward the loyalty of its esteemed customers. This exciting program is a game-changer, offering rewards for a multitude of engagements, from purchasing challenges to simply following TopTier Trader on social media. The rewards earned through this program open up a world of possibilities - they can be redeemed for new challenges within the platform, or even converted into Amazon Gift Cards, bringing the joy of TopTier Trader into your everyday life.Join the Program and Elevate Your Trading ExperienceBecoming a part of this exclusive program couldn't be easier. Dive into the TopTier Trader dashboard to register and start your journey as part of the TopTier Trader team. The moment your account is activated, your membership commences, and you'll be on your way to accumulating Rewards Points and reaping the benefits. With its newaffiliateandrewardsprogram, TopTier Trader announces that its affiliates will have access to the best discount rates for its challenges. This initiative marks a significant step in TopTier's commitment to fostering strong partnerships with its affiliates, creating a win-win situation for all involved. Affiliates can now promote TopTier's challenges with confidence, knowing that their audience will receive exclusive discounts and incentives to participate.The benefits of this program extend beyond just discounts. Affiliates can also look forward to attractive rewards and incentives based on their performance in driving participants to TopTier's challenges. This includes not only monetary rewards but also opportunities for recognition and collaboration with TopTier on future endeavors.Mark Your Calendars: Program Launch on January 29thThe anticipation is building as the launch of the TopTier Trader Affiliate and Rewards Program is set for January 29th. This date marks a significant milestone, not just for TopTier Trader, but for the trading community as a whole.Open to All: No Barriers, Just RewardsIn line with TopTier Trader's commitment to inclusivity and community, the Rewards Program is open to all customers of TopTier Trader. There are no special requirements or hoops to jump through - if you're a TopTier Trader customer, you're eligible. This inclusivity ensures that every trader, regardless of their level or experience, has the opportunity to benefit from this incredible program.Get Ready To Join The Winning TeamWith the impending launch of the TopTier Trader Rewards and Affiliate Program, the excitement is palpable. This initiative is not just a program - it's a celebration of the TopTier community, a thank you to the customers, and a testament to the relentless pursuit of making TopTier Trader the ultimate platform for traders worldwide.Get ready to join the team. Get ready to be rewarded. Get ready for the TopTier Trader Rewards Program.About TopTier TraderTopTier Trader is a cutting-edge trading platform designed to provide virtual funding to traders worldwide. With a focus on providing education and diverse resources, TopTier Trader is dedicated to fostering a community of successful and winning traders.For more information on TopTier Trader and the Rewards and Affiliate Program, please visit:Media Contact: Company Name: TopTier TraderContact Person: Elouan Le CoutellerBusiness Mail: Marketing@ toptiertrader.comCity & Country: Miami, Florida, USAWebsite: https://toptiertrader.com/ SOURCE: TopTier Trader
PR-Inside.com: 2024-01-29 13:45:11

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At the Adopting Bitcoin Cape Town event, Ehsani shed light on the significance of Bitcoin and how the Bitcoin community as well as the wider industry can make a real contribution to the advancement of civilizationJOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA / ACCESSWIRE / January 29, 2024 / After an extremely successful year that sawVALRtake the lead the largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume in Africa, its CEO Farzam Ehsani delivered the opening keynote to attendees at the recentAdopting Bitcoin Cape Townevent that took place at the Cape Town International Convention Center this month. In a lively keynote address, Ehsani discussed the numerous ways in which VALR is supporting the growing adoption of Bitcoin by Africans, and how the industry as a whole is making a significant contribution to humanity's economic and technological progress.Ehsani's speech, titled "Integration Versus Disintegration: Bitcoin Adoption and Human Progress", gave insight into some of the key drivers of VALR's success in advancing the adoption of Bitcoin in Africa, and offered important reflections on principles such as unity, service and truth.The talk centered on the broader theme of the forces of disintegration and integration unfolding at every level of society, while also exploring the significance of the emergence of Bitcoin as a unifying force and important technology to align global finance with the needs of this age. In particular, visitors were able to learn about the efforts made by VALR to help establish Bitcoin as a viable method of payment, such as through its recently announcedpartnership with Visa , which is set to allow VALR customers to use that company's network to send and receive payments from any location in the world. As part of that collaboration, VALR is planning to launch a number of innovative payment and card products that will enable users to leverage Visa's network in their transactions.Directing his comments on the topic of Bitcoin adoption directly at the Bitcoin community, Ehsani said:"We need to look into the mirror sometimes as the Bitcoin community. There are times when we sow division in our discourse. When we talk about us versus them, when we talk about the Bitcoiners versus the bankers, about Bitcoiners versus the no coiners, sometimes, while we're having fun and it's enjoyable, we're actually retarding the progress of our own cause." "If we truly believe that Bitcoin is here to progress humanity, to move us forward, then it's not just for Bitcoiners, it's for the world. We cannot disparage those that don't quite understand it yet, we have to welcome them because Bitcoin really is for everyone" continued Ehsani.In addition, at the event, visitors were able to learn about VALR's partnership with CryptoConvert, enabling users tospend their Bitcoinon groceries and various other products at Pick n Pay stores throughout South Africa.Adopting Bitcoin Cape Town is the latest in a series of global crypto conferences that explore the unique overlap between Bitcoin and the emergence of other so-called parallel institutions that service and empower humanity amidst widespread socio-economic disintegration. The event welcomed dozens of top local and international crypto entrepreneurs and influencers to discuss the latest advances in Bitcoin's development and the impact it is having on the world in the context of real-world economies and institutions.VALR's participation at Bitcoin Adoption Cape Town is significant, as it has made great strides in cementing its status as Africa's leading digital asset exchange. Last year saw the launch of aperpetual futures tradingproduct that offers the world's first Bitcoin and USDT perpetuals traded against the South African Rand. Also last year, VALR addedspot margin tradingfeatures, received regulatory approval for its services in Europe, and kicked off the process of obtaining licenses in Dubai and Mauritius. So far, it has alreadysecuredinitial approval from Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA).About VALRVALR is a global crypto exchange serving over 900 corporate and institutional clients, and more than half a million users around the world. Headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, with approval to offer services in Europe, VALR has processed over $15 billion in trading volume and secured $55 million in equity funding from reputable investors like Coinbase Ventures, Pantera Capital, and Avon Ventures, affiliated with the parent company of Fidelity Investments. CONTACT: VALR info@ valr.com SOURCE: VALR
Last weekend, Gani Adams treated guests and friends to a high-octane event to celebrate the sixth anniversary as Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland and a new chieftaincy title.

At the Time Square Event Centre in Lagos venue, Gani Adams bestowed chieftaincy titles on deserving individuals and officially introduced his wife, Joy Onojaife, to the guests.

It marked their first official public outing as a couple. Still, photos and videos from the ceremony have Nigerians itching to know more about the light-skinned beauty who has captivated the heart of the Aareonakakanfo of Yoruba land, Iba Gani Adams.

It is an open secret that Gani Adams has taken a second wife after welcoming twins from his first wife of over two decades, Erelu Mojisola, in 2020.

However, the attention has shifted to the stunning Joy, the daughter of a Lagos-based architect, Lucky Onojaife.

The couple exchanged vows in a private ceremony on December 2023 at the brides residence in Lagos.

Gani Adams and Love in the air

A video from their first official outing since the wedding has been trending.

The couple couldnt go unnoticed in the video as they shared romantic moments, with gentle eyes and love glances, a soft side of the acclaimed Yoruba activist that is rarely seen.

The event has drawn much attention, and the question on the minds of many is who she is.

As the buzz around the couple continues, many are intrigued to learn more about the woman who has become an integral part of the Global Convener Oodua Progressive Unions life.

She holds a degree in Physiology from Delta State University and is pursuing a Masters.

Her educational achievements are complemented by her past reign as Miss Delta and Most Beautiful Girl in Urhobo Land in 2012.

Beyond her academic pursuits, Joy, who is not active on social media, is a music enthusiast, passionately believing that music nourishes the soul.

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Almost two years after a professional motorcyclist Kunle Adeyanju rode from London to Nigeria, a UK-based Nigerian, Pelumi Nubi, is set to replicate the same feat.

Mr Adeyanju departed London on 19 April 2023 and arrived in Lagos after 41 days of riding his motorcycle, while Ms Nubi will embark on a two-month solo trip in a car.

Ms Nubi, a travel content creator, on her Instagram page, announced that the trip will commence on Tuesday.

She said she had chatted with people who had tackled similar adventures and learned that no black woman had ever made the journey.

If successful, Ms Nubi will set a record and become the first black woman to drive from London to Lagos, but she said the journey is not about breaking records.

According to her, it is about showing the world that impossible is just a word, especially when someone has enough grit and determination.

The 29-year-old says she can not describe her current emotions but is excited to put it out there no matter the outcome finally.

What to know

In another post on her Instagram, she shed light on some questions that needed to be answered. She noted that she is embarking on the journey as a solo black female traveler because she intended to show that such adventures are possible.

Ms Nubi added that the adventure was to explore the beautiful continents in the world pushing her limits and hopefully inspiring people [mainly black] to chase their dreams.

She described the adventure budget as a significant investment after a year of planning and saving.

Ms Nubi revealed during her podcast interview that the entire trip will cost $15,000  $20,000, covering fuel, accommodation, and other essential needs.

Ms Nubi will traverse 17 countries in two months and explore every city and country. The journey will start from England to France, then Spain, and head to Morocco.

After that, she will go through the West Sahara Desert, Mauritania, Senegal, and from there to Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Mali, Burkina Faso, Cote dIvoire (Ivory Coast), Ghana, Togo, Benin, and finally Lagos in Nigeria.

She will be sleeping inside a car throughout the trip because it allows her to be spontaneous, cuts costs, and adds a dash of excitement.

In an interview with Channel Television, she said the car shes travelling in featured provisions for sleeping, cooking, dining, and washing.

I honestly wanted to see if I could push myself out of my comfort zone and do something different, she revealed on her X page (formerly Twitter).

She added that she is fully prepared for the journey, which she described as something this massive, saying some days I am filled with so much excitement other days not so much.

She said she had already visited over 80 countries, but this adventure stood out.

This is very daring in comparison to others. I have done many trials; this is more extended and more expensive regarding what it entails.

Im stepping out of my comfort zone compared to others I have done in the past. Im travelling through different continents, different from others I have done. I want to explore each destination that I stop in. The total is about 17 countries where Ill be able to explore some European countries, then cross into. Morocco and keep making my way down West Africa.

Previous record

Mr Adeyanju completed a 41-day trip from London to Lagos to raise funds to fight polio in Nigeria.

The 44-year-old, who departed London on 19 April 2023 and arrived in Lagos after slogging through more than 13,000 kilometres (8,000 miles) across 13 countries, made history as the first Nigerian to achieve the feat.

Mr Adeyanju, in an interview with Arise TV, disclosed his intention to travel to Isreal and Mount Everest by road after he completed the last adventure.

He mentioned that the journey would entail travelling from Lagos to Israel and then continuing to the autonomous Chinese region of Tibet, all while riding a new bike.

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A Nigerian-Sierra Leonean comedian, Agozi Samuel, has apologised to AY comedian for making defamatory statements about him.

Agozi Samuel, on his Facebook page [Agozi Samuel Comedy], alleged that AY engaged in an extra-marital affair with May, the estranged wife of actor Yul Edochie.

He claimed the alleged affair contributed to the couples marital crisis.

He further alleged AY was not the biological father of his second daughter.

In response, AY petitioned the Delta State Police Command to arrest and prosecute Agozi Samuel for criminal defamation and cyberstalking, as stated in a petition released by his lawyer, Osoala Iweze.

U-turn

However, Mr Samuel, in an apology video on Facebook, admitted that all the claims made in his video were false and apologised to AY.

He said he created the video for attention, explaining that he had taken it down because he realised it damaged AYs reputation.

Mr Samuel, who revealed that he was not paid to tarnish AYs reputation, said he had been posting content on social media in an attempt to earn money.

However, none of the content generated income, so he decided to defame the actor in hopes that his video would gain the desired attention, allowing him to make some money.

He also stated that he had earned money from the video, enabling him to pay his previously unaffordable rent.

He clarified that neither AY nor his relatives had contacted him to create the apology video, but he felt it was the right thing to do.

He further admitted that poverty and hardship led him to tarnish AYs name.

Apology

He said, AY, Im sorry. AY, please forgive me for the video I just did. I uploaded all those videos to my page. I wanted to tell the general public that those videos I did were fake. AY is the biological father of his second daughter. AY has nothing to do with me. I did the video to gain popularity.

Life in Sierra Leone is hard, and to feed is a problem. There is no work here. Thats why I decided to join content creation. Thats why I came back to Nigeria last month, and I made some videos. Immediately after returning to Sierra Leone, I started posting the content, but I dont have views and likes. I needed to trend and make money to not return to Nigeria empty-handed. So I decided to do clout and to see that Nigerians are bad. Youll post good content they will not like. Its an evil one they will like and comment on.

AY files petition

On Monday, AY issued a statement on his Facebook page, petitioning the Delta State Police Command regarding what he described as criminal defamation and cyberstalking by a Facebook user identified as Agozi Samuel.

The comedian stressed the importance of taking responsibility for ones actions on social media.

In the petition, filed by his lawyers and dated 24 January, AY was reported to have received numerous messages from friends concerning a video attributed to Agozi Samuel.

AY, in his Facebook statement, expressed his frustration with the barrage of comments from colleagues, bloggers, and clout chasers regarding his person, stating, Enough is enough.

He revealed his determination not to let many things slide this year, particularly those related to his image, false accusations, and malicious behaviour.

AY remarked that social media has become a realm where subjective feelings often outweigh objective facts, noting that comments can quickly turn negative based on one persons unfounded statement.

He emphasised that ignoring or accepting fake apologies circulating online only encourages further acts of malice aimed at harming his career, ambitions, and relationships.

The petition partly read, On Monday, 22 January 2024, our client was inundated with a barrage of messages from concerned friends, family, and business partners regarding the circulation of four minutes, thirty-two seconds (4:32) video (Annexure,2) which purportedly emanated from the Facebook page of one Mr. Agozi Samuel with the user name, Agozi Commedy (the page/account) who is unknown by our client at all material times before the occurrence of this event.

In the four minutes, thirty-two seconds video titled AY comedian where is your wife, posted on Saturday, 20 January 20,24 on the page with a following of over 23,000 followers as seen in Annexure 1 to this letter. The suspect, in a mischievous attempt to generate traffic and views for his page and to gain cheap popularity, knowingly and intentionally made various statements that are not only false and baseless but also capable of causing annoyance, insult, enmity, hatred, public outrage and needless anxiety to our client and his family and exposing our client to hatred and public ridicule.

The said publication alleges that our client is involved in an extra-marital affair with one, May Edochie, the wife of Yul Edochie, and that our client was responsible for the marital crisis between May and her husband.

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Lagos and Abidjan are commonly misconceived as the capital cities of Nigeria and Cote dIvoire, respectively, although they hold the distinction of being significant commercial hubs rather than administrative capitals.

Despite not serving as the political capitals, these cities take pride in being vital centres of commerce and residence, fostering prosperity for their respective nations.

Interestingly, beyond their shared geographical location in West Africa, Lagos and Abidjan exhibit several striking similarities. As the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) knockout phase unfolds, Tunde Eludini, correspondent for PREMIUM TIMES, highlights seven noteworthy parallels between the vibrant chaos of Lagos, Nigeria, and the dynamic pulse of Abidjan, Cote dIvoire.

Traffic Pro-max

Anyone whos experienced the notorious Lagos traffic jam will find a familiar partner in Abidjan.

During the night, the streets of Abidjan resemble an extended crimson serpent, echoing with the blaring of horns. The constant manoeuvring through narrow spaces, a perpetual challenge of determining who can squeeze through the tightest spot, becomes a collective shared experience.

In Abidjan, keeping up with appointments is not for the faint-hearted but only for the disciplined ones who can factor as much as three hours of extra travel time into their schedule.

Within these bustling commercial hubs, the thoroughfares serve a dual purpose. They are not solely conduits for transportation but also serve as a canvas for the intricate dance of vehicles.

Rush hour rumble

Passengers rushing to catch public transport is a sight that unites Lagos and Abidjan citizens in a shared camaraderie. The art of squeezing into a packed bus or grabbing one in motion with the speed of an Olympic sprinter is a skill that transcends borders.

Mobile hustlers

Just as the rush for buses is the same in Lagos and Abidjan, what transpires in the buses along the routes is also eerily similar.

Often, someone is ready to sell one medicine or the other. Curiously, these medications cure multiple ailments simultaneously.

Roasted plantain bonanza (Bole)

If one thing connects the hearts and taste buds of Lagos and Abidjan, its the love for roasted plantains, or, as the locals in Abidjan and Lagos fondly call it, Bole.

The Bole aroma in the air is usually tempting, making passersby indulge in this delightful street food.

Mobile Tea Trops

Across the crowded streets and even the posh areas, youll find mobile tea sellers weaving through, offering a moment of respite, served in a cup.

Lagos and Abidjan share this charming tradition of on-the-go tea service, though it is more profound in the latter.

Herb sellers (Alagbo)

Though separated by borders, the Alagbo (local herb sellers) play a similar role in both cities.

They offer remedies for everyday ailments, from headaches to stomach aches, drawing on generation-old knowledge passed down through families. These concoctions are believed to be potent, but it is only proper to sound a warning: beware!

Yoruba for show

Hearing people conversing in the Yoruba language in buses and in some public places in Abidjan is a regular occurrence, which makes you wonder whether you are in Lagos.

Aside from Nigerians, mostly from Ejigbo and Saki, the Yoruba-speaking community in Abidjan also has people from places like the Benin Republic.

As AFCON 2023 brings African nations together in the spirit of competition, it is exciting to find, at least for Nigerian visitors, shared markers and experiences that make Lagos and Abidjan not just commercial capitals but two-of-a-kind with similarities in lifestyle.

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To ease the movement of election materials for Saturdays rerun and by-elections in some difficult terrain, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has agreed to airlift them for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Chief of Air Staff, Hassan Abubakar, committed while receiving the INEC Chairperson, Mahmood Yakubu, during a courtesy visit in Abuja on Monday.

Mr Yakubu had requested the assistance of the Air Force to deliver materials to three locations in the North-east, South-east and South-west geo-political zones of the country.

The INEC chairperson said the commission would conduct bye-elections and re-run elections in 26 states of the Federation.

He noted that in nine states, two Senators, four members of the House of Representatives and three members of state Houses of Assembly will be elected in bye-elections to replace members who passed on or resigned their memberships of the national and state Assemblies.

Mr Yakubu disclosed that rerun elections will take place at designated constituencies or Polling Units as ordered by the Election Appeal Tribunals.

In all the elections, we will fill vacancies in three Senatorial Districts, 17 Federal and 28 State Constituencies spread across 80 Local Government Areas, 575 Registration Areas/Wards and 8,934 Polling Units involving 4,904,627 registered vo

ters, out of which 4,613,291 Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) have been collected, he said.

Mr Yakubu noted that the electoral umpire could not handle such a huge national assignment alone, hence the need to mobilise every national asset, including NAF.

It is in the realisation of this objective that the law empowers the Commission to seek the support of the security, intelligence and law enforcement agencies in the delivery of materials and the protection of election officials as clearly provided for in Section 27(3) of the Electoral Act 2022.

The elections are holding this weekend. Working with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), materials are being delivered to many locations. However, given the size and distance of some constituencies, we seek the support of NAF to expeditiously deliver materials to three locations in the North East, South East and South West geo-political zones of the country. We have already indicated to the Chief of the Air Staff the specific locations and the tonnage of materials to be airlifted, the INEC chairman said.

He added that the evacuation of materials from local airports to the States where elections will hold will be handled by the Commission and the CBN as has been the standard practice.

Thereafter, the inspection and movement of all materials to the various Local Government Areas and beyond will be done with the full participation of all stakeholders, particularly agents of political parties and candidates, observers and the media in a transparent manner.

In his response, Mr Abubakar described INEC as a dependable partner in providing security and rapid airlift for the distribution of sensitive and non-sensitive electoral materials across the country.

He noted that the relationship between the NAF and the electoral umpire has been anchored on shared objectives, geared towards ensuring that good governance, stability and the rule of law reign throughout the country.

Also, he commended the INEC chairman for the numerous initiatives that have been executed under his watch, insisting that the reforms have raised the bar of transparency and credibility in the nations electoral process.

I assure you that we remain willing and ready to continue supporting INEC as we have always done in the past. At the moment, our C-130s are currently undergoing maintenance, but we have other aircraft that can be employed to move sensitive materials. The caveat is that we need to move those materials a little earlier due to the capacity of the airplanes available, the Air chief said.

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The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has confirmed the PREMIUM TIMES report that he delays the commencement of the plenary sessions of the Senate because of his habitual lateness to the chamber.

This newspaper reported how Mr Akpabio continuously disregarded legislative timing mandated by the Senate rules for the commencement of plenaries.

Rule 8 sub-section (2) of the Senate Standing Rule (as amended) mandated that plenary should commence by 10 a.m. on every legislative day.

But a review of the votes and proceedings of the plenaries indicated that since Mr Akpabio became the senate president in June last year, none of the sittings had met the time requirement mandated by the senate rules.

Meeting with principal officers

Mr Akpabio, in a statement on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Eseme Eyiboh, explained that the delay in the commencement of plenary was because he holds meetings with principal officers of the Senate before he comes to the chamber.

He said emergency issues do spring up at the meetings between him and the principal officers which will require his urgent attention to resolve.

The senate president also claimed that his senators colleagues who have motions on urgent public or national importance meet with him before the commencement of the plenary.

Mr Akpabio said many of the urgent national important issues colleagues confront him with require immediate attention before the plenary commences.

He stressed that at many times, the meetings between him and his colleagues extend to the time that the Senate should commence plenary.

As the Presiding Officer, Akpabio meets with the Principal Officers before every Plenary and emergency issues do spring up, which deserve urgent attention. Again, at every other plenary, there are always motions of urgent public/national importance from distinguished senators.

By the provisions of the Standing Orders and Rules of the Senate, Senators with such motions are required to meet with the Presiding Officer before Plenary. Some of these issues are so urgent and cannot be kept in view and the President of the Senate is expected to attend to them expeditiously before the commencement of Plenary. These circumstances most times creep into the commencement time.

The lateness of the President of the Senate to the plenary at any insignificant number of times has never affected the industry of the Senate or deliberately intended to deconstruct the core mandate of the Senate Presidents parliamentary core mandate.

Read the full statement by Mr Akpabios aide:

*Akpabio Believes In Essence Of Time And Value Of His Colleagues* 

For some time, a false narrative has been woven around the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, CON, all in an attempt to give it a semblance of truth.

Although we had ignored the misinformation, it has become necessary to enlighten and educate the reading public so that these stories do not gain traction.

First, as opposed to what has been bandied in the media Akpabio is known for lateness to Plenary, being an intellectual politician and leader, he believes in Benjamin Franklins philosophy of Time is money. To him, Time is of the essence. And this is exemplified in his sterling achievements in private and public life. Without good time management skills, he could not have attained these feats.

Secondly, Senator Akpabio as Senate President has absolute respect and regard for his distinguished colleagues and indeed all Nigerians. As the Senate President, he is not oblivious to the fact that he is just one among equals and has no cause whatsoever to undermine the elevated status of Distinguished Senators by always keeping them waiting in Plenary.

However, we want the public to know that as Chairman of the National Assembly, Senator Akpabio and his colleagues are very experienced and conversant with the legislative dynamics and are aware of the enormous legislative and administrative responsibilities of the office of the President of the Senate.

Disruptions or lateness to any schedule of the heads of arms of government, particularly the National Assembly are usually prioritised not compromised.

As the Presiding Officer, Akpabio meets with the Principal Officers before every Plenary and emergency issues do spring up, which deserve urgent attention. Again, at every other plenary, there are always motions of urgent public/national importance from distinguished senators.

By the provisions of the Standing Orders and Rules of the Senate, Senators with such motions are required to meet with the Presiding Officer before the Plenary. Some of these issues are so urgent and cannot be kept in view and the President of the Senate is expected to attend to them expeditiously before the commencement of Plenary. These circumstances most times creep into the commencement time

The lateness of the President of the Senate to the plenary at any insignificant number of times has never affected the industry of the Senate or deliberately intended to deconstruct the core mandate of the Senate Presidents parliamentary core mandate.

Any insinuation suggesting that Senator Akpabio is habitually late and it dates back to when he was Akwa Ibom State governor is but selling a rotten apple, which no discerning mind will buy.

We can say without equivocation that Senator Godswill Akpabios penchant for beating the clock is never in doubt both in appointed and elected positions he has held.

We, therefore, advise those spreading the gospel of Akpabios purported lateness to Plenary to apply brakes and allow the Uncommon Senate President to concentrate on doing what he knows best- giving his all to the service of the nation and humanity.

_Hon Eseme Eyiboh_

_Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the President of the Senate_

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A road accident near Lukoro in Edati, Niger State has claimed the lives of 13 people, including a newlywed bride, her five bridesmaids, her brother-in-law, and six others.

The tragedy, according to reports, occurred on Friday evening and was attributed to speeding and reckless overtaking.

The collision involved two vehicles, a Toyota Corolla car traveling from Mokwa to Bida and a commercial Nissan bus heading from Minna, the Niger State capital, to Ogbomoso in Oyo State.

The Niger State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Tsukwan Kumar, said the crash claimed the lives of eight female adults, four male adults, and one male child.

He added that four female adults, one male adult, one male child, and one female child sustained critical injuries.

ALSO READ: Man returns N3 million to accident victim in Taraba

The injured victims were rushed to the Federal Medical Center (FMC) Bida for medical treatment, while the bodies of the deceased were handled accordingly.

Nine bodies of the victims were handed over to their relatives at the crash scene upon identification, and the remaining four were taken to General hospital Kutigi mortuary, Mr Kumar said.

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The Lagos State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairperson, Philip Aivoji, who was kidnapped on Thursday, has been released.

Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Omolola Odutola, who confirmed his release, said efforts of the Command paid off early on Monday morning as Mr Aivoji was freed by the gang of kidnappers.

Mrs Odutola revealed that the PDP chieftain has been reunited with his family while efforts are ongoing to track down the perpetrators of his kidnap.

The Lagos PDP chairperson was abducted, alongside some other party officials, by gunmen around Isara on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.

They were on their way back from the partys stakeholders zonal caucus meeting convened by the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, in Ibadan.

Two persons lost their lives in the incident while nine others were later rescued.

It remains unclear whether the ransom purportedly demanded by the abductors for Mr Aivojis release was paid or not.

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Three Inspectors General from the U.S. Department of Defense, State Department and USAID arrived in Kyiv, U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink has said.

"Pleased to welcome back to Kyiv three Inspectors General from the Departments of Defense, State Department, and USAID. Their meetings with implementers, partners, and the Ukrainian government support oversight and accountability for U.S. assistance to Ukraine," Brink said on social media.
A coalition of 48 civil society organisations in Nigeria has called on President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency on the current security situation in the country.

The coalition made the call during a world press conference on Monday, in Abuja.

Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Auwal Musa, also called Rafsanjani, who spoke on behalf of organisations, said they are deeply concerned about the rising insecurity across the country and urged the government take urgent steps towards ending it.

Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria under the auspices of the Civil Society Joint Action Group, Community of Practice Against Mass Atrocities, and, Nigeria Mourns, are deeply concerned by the deteriorating state of security across Nigeria and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and therefore call on the Nigerian government to take actionable steps to end the endemic insecurity, mitigate further attacks by kidnap syndicates and terrorist groups, and, account for persons missing in these attacks, he said.

Mr Musa said over the past decade and a half, insecurity in Nigeria spiralled due to a variety of violent phenomena, including but not limited to terrorist activities in the entire northern region of the country, terror pillages otherwise known as banditry in the North-west, farmer-herder violence in the Middle Belt including the Benue Valley, secessionist struggles in the South-east, piracy in the southern coast of the country, inter-communal attacks, political violence, cult-gang violence and kidnapping.

He noted that these forms of insecurity have jeopardised the security and wellbeing of Nigerians, and have progressively deteriorated over the years.

He stated that endemic insecurity has persisted over the last three administrations, including that of President Muhammadu Buhari, who as a former military general, had gained public trust to run as president by promising to curb the then fledgling insecurity.

According to Mr Musa, during Mr Buharis second term between 2019 and 2023, at least 24,316 Nigerians lost their lives while about 15,597 persons were abducted.

He said its tracking of the state of insecurity shows that at least 2,423 people have been killed in mass atrocities-related incidents while about 1,872 persons have been abducted between May 2023 when President Tinubu assumed office and 26 January this year.

He said this alarming trend has continued despite President Tinubus assurance at the beginning of his presidency in May that he would tackle insecurity.

We are particularly concerned about the upsurge in abductions, noting that at least 230 incidents, in most of which multiple victims were involved, occurred within the first two weeks of January 2024 alone, Mr Musa said.

He further stated that the government has continued to fail in its primary duty of ensuring the security and welfare of all citizens as mandated in Section 14 (2) (b) of the Constitution, and in its obligation to enforce and fulfil the citizens rights to life, according to Section 33 of the document.

Consequently, Mr Musa called on President Tinubu to urgently undertake 12 measures to tackle insecurity in the country, among which are to fulfil the constitutional imperative of safeguarding the lives of Nigerians and also declare a state of emergency on kidnapping and other forms of terrorism.

Also speaking, the chairman of Partners for Electoral Reform, Ezenwa Nwagwu, said the Nigerian government has abandoned its primary purpose spelt out by the constitution, which says The security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.

READ ALSO:

He said it is now a collective work and effort that should emanate from every organisation, media and individual in the country to tackle the situation.

The government has abandoned us, they have abandoned their constitutional right, this is not a call of one civil society organisation alone. This has become a collective effort from all others, including the media.

Let us look forward to a day like this where we will have all others including the security operatives in a single room and discuss the way out of this, he said.

The Executive Director of Leedar Seed, Lois Auta, said the disabled ones are the most affected by insecurity.

We are the most affected. Just imagine when something happens where others run, someone that cannot walk like me would not be able to run for his or her dear life. Same to a deaf or blind, she said.

Members of the CSOs present observed one-minute silence in honour of those who lost their lives as a result of the security challenges confronting the country.

Read full text of the press conference:

Press Statement

End Mass Atrocities, Secure Nigeria and Ensure Accountability for Victims

The security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government (Section 14(2)(b) CFRN1999(as amended))

Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria under the auspices of the Civil Society Joint Action Group, Community of Practice Against Mass Atrocities, and, Nigeria Mourns, are deeply concerned by the deteriorating state of security across Nigeria and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and therefore call on the Nigerian government to take actionable steps to end the endemic insecurity, mitigate further attacks by kidnap syndicates and terrorist groups, and, account for persons missing in these attacks.

Over the past decade and a half, insecurity in Nigeria has spiralled due to a variety of violent phenomena, including but not limited to terrorist activities in the entire northern region of the country, terror pillages otherwise known as banditry in the North West, farmer-herder violence in the Middle Belt including the Benue Valley, secessionist struggles in the South East, piracy in the southern coast of the Country, inter-communal attacks, political violence, cult-gang violence and kidnapping. These forms of insecurity have jeopardized the security and wellbeing of Nigerians, and have progressively deteriorated over the years.

Endemic insecurity has persisted over the last three administrations. including that of President Buhari, who as a former military general, had gained public trust to run as president by promising to curb the then fledgling insecurity. Mass atrocities fatality tracking across the country by Nigeria Mourns reveals that in President Buharis second term alone (2019 to 2023). at least 24,816 Nigerians lost their lives, and at least 15,597 persons were abducted. This alarming trend has continued despite President Bola Ahmed Tinubus assurance at the beginning of his presidency in May 2023 to tackle insecurity. It has now been 8 months since President Tinubu took his oath of office and yet, things have failed to improve. Our tracking shows at least 2,423 people have been killed in mass atrocities-related incidents and at least 1,872 persons were abducted since the beginning of President Tinubus administration till January 26, 2024. We are particularly concerned about the upsurge in abductions, noting that at least 230 incidents, in most of which multiple victims were involved, occurred within the first 2 weeks of January 2024 alone.

Several communities across the country, including the Federal Capital Territory, the seat of government itself, are under siege, with entire families and in some cases, communities taken hostage. Residents are being forced to flee due to repeated attacks by terrorists, kidnappers and other organized criminal groups. Kidnapping for ransom demands has become a disturbing norm, without appropriate response from the authorities.

For instance, this week,30 villagers were abducted in an attack on Tashar Nagule village of Batsari local government area of Katsina State. This comes on the heels of the abduction of 23 people in the Kawu community in the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory on 11 January. Similarly, 50 people, including 36 women were abducted in an attack on the Magizawa community in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara state. Over 400 people were killed in repeated attacks on communities in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau state including the gruesome massacre of over 200 people in Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi communities in Mangu Local Government on the eve of Christmas in 2023.

Road ambushes have made interstate travel more perilous. Reported incidents such as the abduction of 30 passengers near Katari along the Kaduna-Abuja highway and the kidnapping of 45 passengers in Orokam on the Benue-Enugu route underscore the gravity of the situation. Even homes are no longer safe. Homes in rural communities in Northern Nigeria have for over a decade contended with terror pillages; and more recently, urban centres including the Federal Capital Territory have witnessed a surge in invasions in which citizens are being abducted for ransom even within the confines of their homes

Failed, by law enforcement, families are resorting to publicly crowdfund to pay ransoms without interference from the government. The reticence of government to this trend is an acquiescence to the payment of ransoms. We note that the same government was quick to freeze the bank accounts of donors and recipients of funding for #EndSARS, but failed to take concrete action to protect citizens against organized crime. We are equally dismayed by the willingness of some political leaders and politically exposed persons to publicly support ransom payments; and question their values and alliances. Their actions and utterances reflect a lack of faith in the system of which they are guardians, and their nonchalant attitude towards the potential consequences, including directly funding future attacks. We consider that their stance emboldens perpetrators and further erodes the trust of citizens in their governments capacity and sincerity.

Obtaining an education has become a risky venture for learners, and teachers. and parents due to school abductions. Businesses are also suffering from the effects of this state of affairs. Farming communities are losing their resilience against perennial pillages, and traders can no longer ply roads safely. Foreigners no longer feel safe to visit and invest, and far too many resources that could have been invested in businesses are being paid out as ransoms and fortifying private security.

In case the government has failed to notice, the entire nation is slowly grinding to a halt due to insecurity.

We are concerned that the current administration has continued the legacy of failing to decisively deal with the atrocious onslaughts against citizens within the nations borders and that Nigerians who are being further impoverished by the escalating insecurity, now perpetually live in fear of being attacked, abducted or killed.

The government has continued to fail in its primary duty of ensuring the security and welfare of all citizens as mandated in Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution, and in its obligation to enforce and fulfil its citizens right to life, according to Section 33 of the Constitution.

We hereby call upon President Bola Tinubu as the lead agent of the government to urgently:

1. Fulfil its constitutional imperative of safeguarding the lives of all citizens;

2. Declare a state of emergency on kidnapping and other forms of terrorism;

3. Enhance the countrys security infrastructure by conducting an audit of the responsibility matrix within security agencies and departments of government, bolster their capabilities and deployment of technology to effectively address the evolving challenges of insecurity;

4. Promptly prosecute the 400 sponsors of terrorism arrested under the Buhari regime;

5. Uncover and prosecute those responsible for the misappropriation of the 5460 million earmarked for the provision of CCTV cameras in the Federal Capital Territory

6. Implement more decisive measures to promptly secure the release of all abducted victims

7. Create a register of victims of abductions and other forms of mass atrocities

8. Recognise and address the floundering economy, corruption and human rights violations exacerbating factors of Nigerias insecurity

9. Engage citizens on best practices for ending insecurity, including dis-incentivising the payment of ransoms.

10. Provide holistic psychosocial support for abduction survivors and their families.

11. Promptly investigate and decisively prosecute all individuals implicated in fuelling insecurity;

12. Investigate the financial flow of organized criminal groups and identify the sponsors and beneficiaries.

Our thoughts and prayers are with victims and the families who have to continually deal with the trauma of losing their loved ones to insecurity. We also stand in solidarity with those families who vigilantly await the return of their abducted loved ones. We call on the government to fulfil its primary duty of protecting lives, as mandated by Section 14 (2)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999(as amended to guarantee its continued legitimacy.

As a coalition of organized civil society groups across Nigeria and as individual organizations. we pledge to continue to amplify the voices of citizens and demand accountability of the government on your behalf.

God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria!

Signed:

1. African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD)

2. African Centre for Media & Information Literacy (AFRICMIL)

3. African Initiative for Peacebuilding, Advocacy and Advancement (AfriPeace)

4. Almajiri Child Rights Initiative (ACRI)

5. Alliances for Africa

6. Amnesty International Nigeria (AIN)

7.Borno Coalition for Democracy and Progress (BOCODEP)

8.BudgIT

9. Cedar Seed Foundation

10. Centre for Community Excellence, Zamfara (CENCEX)

11. Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD)

12. Citizens Advocacy for Social & Economic Rights (CASER)

13, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC)

14. Clean Technology Hub

15, Cleen Foundation

16. Community Outreach for Development and Welfare Advocacy (CODWA)

17. Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa(CAPPA)

18. CSO Accountability and Transparency Initiative(CATi)

19. Enough Is Enough (EiE)

20. Global Rights

21. International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA)Nigeria

22. Keen and Care Initiative (KCl)

23. MILID Foundation

24. Neighbourhood Environment Watch Foundation

25. Network of Women with Disabilities and Disabled People in Leadership Initiative

26. Nextier SPD

27.Nigeria Network of NGOs(NNNGO)

28. NULAI Nigeria

29. OrderPaper Advocacy Initiative (OAl)

30. Organization for Community Civic Engagement (OCCEN)

31. Partners West Africa Nigeria (PWAN)

32. Partnership for Justice

33. Praxis Centre

34. Resource Centre for Human Rights &Civic Education(CHRICED) 35. Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC)

36. Sesor Empowerment Foundation

37. Social Action Nigeria

38. Socio Economic Rights & Accountability Project (SERAP)

39. Srarina Initiative for Peace, Justice and Development

40. Stephanie Peacebuilding and Development Foundation (SPADEV)

41. TAF AFRICA

42. Tap Initiative

43. TechHer

44. The BenueWe Deserve Foundation (BenDeF)

45. The Kukah Centre

46. We The People

47. Women Advocate Research &Documentation Centre(WARDC)

48. Yiaga Africa

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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)

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Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has appointed Edison Ehie as his new chief of staff.

Mr Ehie is the former speaker of the defunct four-member faction of the Rivers House of Assembly.

In a statement on Sunday, the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Tammy Danagogo, said that Governor Fubara has also approved the appointment of five special advisers.

The special advisers are Darlington Orji, Solomon Eke, Aminayanasam Fiberesima, Deeyah Bariene and Ohia Prince.

The newly appointed Chief of Staff and Special Advisers alongside one guest each are expected to be seated at the Executive Council Chambers of the Government House, Monday at 10:30 a.m., for the swearing-in- ceremony by His Excellency, the Governor of Rivers State at 11 a.m., Mr Danagogo said.

Governor Fubara announced the new appointments about 48 hours after swearing in the nine pro-Wike commissioners, who had previously resigned their appointments last month as a show of loyalty to the former governor of the state, Nyesom Wike.

Mr Wike, who is the FCT minister, is engaged in a fierce tussle with Mr Fubara over the control of governance and politics in the oil-rich state.

The return of the officials to Mr Fubaras cabinet is in fulfilment of a controversial peace deal brokered by President Bola Tinubu to end the political crisis in the state.

Mr Ehie, a lawyer and former leader of the state assembly, had resigned as the factional speaker and also from the legislature apparently to pave the way for the peace deal to be implemented in the house. He represented Ahoada-East in the assembly.

Mr Ehie was removed as leader of the assembly for declining to endorse the impeachment plot against Governor Fubara by lawmakers loyal to Mr Wike.

As a fallout of the impeachment attempt, the assembly split into two factions  Mr Ehie emerged as speaker of the four-member faction loyal to the governor, while Martin Amaewhule led the 27-member faction loyal to Mr Wike.

The two factions held parallel plenaries at different locations on several occasions, but the crisis which started late last October got messier in December after the pro-Wike lawmakers defected from the PDP to the APC.

Mr Ehie, strengthened by a court order which empowered him and his faction to take control of the house, declared vacant the seats of the lawmakers who defected to the APC, a development that prompted the intervention of President Tinubu.

Part of the peace deal midwifed by the president was for Mr Fubara to allow the pro-Wike lawmakers to return to the assembly with their privileges restored.

PREMIUM TIMES previously reported that Mr Ehie was being considered for appointment as Governor Fubaras chief of staff after he resigned from the assembly.

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A 75-year-old businessman, Michael Kundera, has sued the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, demanding N500 million in damages for alleged violation of his fundamental rights.

Other respondents also sued in the suit are former EFCC chair, Abdulrasheed Bawa, an officer with agency simply identified as Calistus, and Fidelity Bank Plc.

Mr Kundera, through his counsel, O. Orji, stated in the suit that the EFCC invited, detained in May 2023, and refused to grant him bail in a matter already decided by the FCT High court.

According to him, the matter is also pending at the Court of Appeal.

I am 75 years old and did not find it funny being dragged about even when the judgement of the court was shown to the respondents, he said.

He therefore prayed the court for an order to declare that his arrest and detention on 15 and 16 May 2023 as unlawful.

He added that it was unconstitutional and a gross violation of his fundamental rights as guaranteed under sections 35 (4)(5) and 36 (1) and (5) of the Nigerian constitution.

According to him, we are asking the court for an order of declaration that the respondents have exceeded their bounds by their continued invitation and threats on the applicant.

He also sought, among others, an order restraining the respondents from continued invitation, threat to re arrest and detain the applicant.

He also urged the court to order the payment of N500 million as exemplary or aggravated damages for the unconstitutional, inexplicable, unjust, uncouth and barbaric contravention of the applicants fundamental rights.

The respondents lawyer, C Obasi, told the court that he had filed a counter-affidavit to oppose the suit.

Meanwhile the fourth respondent, according to the applicants counsel, did not file any reply.

The judge, Peter Kekemeke, fixed 29 April for judgement. (NAN)

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says it has yet to release the list of venues for Edo delegate congress for its governorship primaries.

The PDP said this in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, in Abuja on Monday.

Mr Ologunagba said that the attention of the party had been drawn to a publication indicating it had released the list of venues for the exercise.

The PDP states in clear terms that it has not released any list of venues for Edo PDP three ad hoc delegate congress as claimed in the said publication.

For the avoidance of doubt, the PDP is a party of due process and will publish the authentic and official list of venues for the PDP three ad hoc delegate congress through the appropriate channel of communication of the party.

The NWC therefore calls on all members of our Party in Edo State and the general public to discountenance the said publication, he said.

Mr Ologunagba urged the media to always rely on the official communication channel of the party for information as provided by its constitution.

The Edo governorship election is scheduled to be held on 21 September.

According to the timetable released in November last year by the PDP, the party will elect its governorship candidate on 22 February, which is less than a month from now.

(NAN)

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Toyota, the worlds biggest automaker, on Monday announced that it would suspend shipments of some models of its vehicles.

The automaker announced the decision after discovering irregularities in certification tests for diesel engines developed by affiliate Toyota Industries, Reuters reported.

According to the automobile company, ten of its vehicle models make use of the affected engines globally.

Toyota listed some of the affected vehicle models including the Hilux truck and Land Cruiser 300 SUV, the Hiace van, the Fortuner SUV, the Innova multi-purpose vehicle and the Lexus-branded LX500D SUV.

A special investigative committee found irregularities during horsepower output testing for the certification of three diesel engine models, the report said.

Before now, reports said Toyota has been separately seeking to resolve a case of misconduct related to rigged collision safety tests at small car specialist Daihatsu.

The company stated that it sought to thoroughly explain the matter to authorities and would take measures such as running new engine certification tests in the presence of regulators as needed.

There was a lack of communication with Toyota Motor and not enough coordination about testing processes and procedures that should have been followed, Toyota Industries President Koichi Ito was quoted saying at a press conference.

So far, Toyota Industries said it has sold about 84,000 affected automobile diesel engines during the financial year to 31 March 2023.

On Monday, the CEO of Toyota, Koji Sato, told reporters that the company used 36,000 of the affected engine models worldwide each month, which equals 432,000 units a year.

However, Toyota did not mention how many of the affected vehicles had been sold out over the years.

READ ALSO: Police confirm kidnap incident at Unilorin

The report says in Japan, the shipment halt impacted production at six lines at four plants, with the company saying it had re-confirmed that affected engines and vehicles met engine performance output standards.

The automaker noted that their investigation found that electronic control units used during horsepower output testing were different from those used during engine production.

Meanwhile, in reaction to the development, Japans transport ministry has hinted that it would on Tuesday conduct an on-site investigation of Toyota Industries Hekinan plant in central Aichi prefecture where the company makes automotive and industrial engines.

Toyotas investigation initially focused on certification regulations relating to emissions performance of forklift and construction machinery engines, which the special investigative committee also confirmed misdoing, Reuters said, adding that shares in Toyota Industries sank into negative territory shortly after the news and ended down 4 per cent.

However, Toyota Motor shares eventually closed 3.1 per cent higher.

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From the excitement that greeted Governor Siminalayi Fubaras victory at the Supreme Court to his being stripped of power to appoint local council officials by the Rivers House of Assembly, Nigerias South-south region recorded a number of events in the past week  the fourth week of January 2024.

Here are the highlights of major stories that made headlines in the region last week.

Alleged abduction, extortion of $3000 by police operatives

The week began in the region with a shocking event on Monday: Some police operatives, who ought to fight crime, were accused of extorting $3000 from travellers.

The police operatives, who are working in Rivers State, left for Abia State in the South-east where they allegedly abducted two travellers, took them to three other South-south states (Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers) before they finally dumped them in Port Harcourt after extorting $3000, an equivalent of N4.2 million from them.

The police spokesperson in Rivers State, Grace Iringke-Koko, said this after they were paraded after internal investigations.

Mrs Iringe-Koko, a superintendent of police, identified the officers as  two assistant superintendents of police  Doubara Edonyabo and Talent Mungo, and an inspector  Odey Michael.

The operatives are to face an orderly room trial, according to the police spokesperson.

She told reporters that the $3000 had been recovered from the operatives and returned to the victims.

Tinubus assurance to South-south traditional rulers

On Tuesday, Nigerias President Bola Tinubu, like his predecessors, assured traditional rulers in the South-south of his administrations commitment to address development concerns and environmental degradation in the region caused by oil exploitation.

The president gave the assurance in State House, Abuja, at a meeting with the South-south Monarchs Forum led by Felix Mujakperuo, a retired major general, who is the chairperson of Delta State Council of Traditional Rulers and vice-chairperson of the forum.

The president told the royal fathers that he was working both domestically and internationally to strengthen Nigerias durability and approach to climate change and environmental restoration while ensuring the security and stability in the region.

Successive Nigerian governments have made similar promises to the royal fathers from the region in the past, but failed to fulfill it.

Fubaras Supreme Court victory

Jubilations erupted in Rivers State, especially among supporters of Mr Fubara, on Thursday when the Supreme Court affirmed the election of the governor.

The court dismissed the appeal filed by Tonye Cole, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress at the 18 March 2023 election, challenging Mr Fubaras victory.

The five-member panel in a unanimous judgment held that the appeal lacked merit.

Pro-Wike Rivers Assembly bars Fubara from appointing chairpersons for local council areas

The Rivers House of Assembly, on Friday, stripped the governor of power to appoint a caretaker committee to run the affairs of local government areas in the state.

The excitement that greeted the governors victory at the Supreme Court appeared to have fizzled out as a result of the development.

The lawmakers, who are loyal to Nyesom Wike, the former governor of the state who is now the FCT minister, overwhelmingly voted against Mr Fubaras veto, before passing the bill into law, barring the governor from exercising the power enjoyed by his predecessor, Mr Wike.

With the bill now becoming law, it means Governor Fubara must conduct election as the three-year tenure of the current serving council officials expires within the first quarter of 2024.

Messrs Fubara and Wike have been engaged in political struggles over the control of governance and power in the oil-rich Rivers State.

Rivers council chairperson apologises for calling Fubara foolish, naive

This may be regarded as cheering news or an unpleasant one, depending on the readers perspective.

On Saturday, a vocal critic of Governor Fubara tendered an apology for hurling insults at the governor.

Samuel Nwanosike, the chairperson of Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, was seen in a video, which he personally uploaded via his X handle, describing Governor Fubara as foolish and naive.

Mr Nwanosike, however, made a U-turn in a new video where he offered an apology, claiming his leader  Mr Wike  called him to order after his outburst.

He uploaded the video on the microblogging platform, where he is seen offering an apology to the people of Nigeria, instead of the governor.

A lecturers quest for justice

Here is a heartrending story of an ailing lecturer, Inih Ebong, who for over two decades has been battling the University of Uyo over unlawful termination of his appointment.

About two weeks ago, PREMIUM TIMES ran a story on how the 73-year-old associate professor of theatre arts won a major victory at the Court of Appeal against the University of Uyo.

In the week under review, we ran a story on how Mr Ebong had, in a letter, appealed to the university authorities to obey the judgment of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria which ordered his reinstatement and compensation.

Today, I am virtually bedridden at home waiting for the inevitable to happen! May it not be said that the University was awaiting to resolve this matter posthumously.

I am, therefore, appealing to you to bring my uncertainty and misery to an end by complying with the judgment and order of the National Industrial Court, Mr Ebong said in a letter to the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Nyaudoh Ndaeyo.

Mr Ebong had been diagnosed with cardiac failure in October 2020 and was dying before a Nigerian billionaire, Femi Otedola, stepped in to take care of his medical treatment, following a PREMIUM TIMES report.

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Nigerians have expressed concern about the resurgence of insecurity in the country and called for new security strategies to restore peace and stability in areas affected by kidnapping, insurgency and banditry.

Those who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) from across the country hailed the efforts of security agencies in tackling the menace but said that the resurgence meant that a lot needed to be done to eliminate the threat.

While some of the respondents said they had been forced to flee their villages by gunmen, others said the activities of the insurgents and other criminals had decimated the local economy and exacerbated the poverty level of the people.

They said in some instances, apart from the criminals taking all they had, they were also forced to pay for every bullet used by the terrorists in shooting at them.

In Bauchi, Jigawa and Gombe, stakeholders in the security sector said new security strategies must be implemented against kidnapping and terrorism in the North-east and across the country.

They also urged the government to prioritise policies and programmes that would encourage social and economic development, and strengthen local authorities.

Ahmed Baba, a Bauchi-based security expert, said security agencies must adopt a new approach in the war against kidnapping and terrorism.

He said the measure should enhance peace and thwart any threat to national security.

The military and other security agencies have decimated insurgency. However, kidnapping and other form of crimes are on the increase in the North-east and other parts of the country.

The trend calls for a new approach to holistically address the security challenges in the country, he said.

Also, Sukumun Ezekiel, a civil society activist, said sustainable infrastructure development is critical to security, peace, stability and prosperity in the society.

He attributed the spate of insecurity to weak local governance, economic inequality and poverty.

Insecurity is tied to weak local governance and corruption, limited government presence and lack of the rule of law.

Many citizens feel unsafe resulting in their inability to access essential services such as healthcare and education, Mr Ezekiel said.

While stressing the need for the review of the security architecture, Mr Ezekiel urged governments to accord premium to road, airport and rail infrastructure development in the country.

This, he said, could be achieved by investing in security agencies, infrastructure and the installation of safety systems on roads, airports and railways.

Such infrastructure improvements will make travel safer for both citizens and tourists and encourage social and economic growth.

To stem security breaches, the Bauchi State Government said it had adopted practical measures to promote synergy between the police, other security agencies and communities.

Abdulhamid Bununu, the state commissioner for Security and Internal Affairs, said the government has been supporting community policing to bolster security at the grassroots.

The commissioner added that membership of the security council has been expanded to include community and religious leaders.

The Bala Mohammeds administration expanded the security meeting to interface with religious and community leaders, and heads of the security agencies in the state.

This allows them to brainstorm and review the security situation, and provide proactive response to security breaches, Mr Bununu said.

Similarly, the Commissioner of Police in Gombe State, Hayatu Usman, said the command had employed effective measures and strengthened collaborations with critical stakeholders to make the state safe.

Gombe State is safe in spite of pockets of insecurity in parts of the country.

We are doing everything possible to maintain the record of being one of the safest states in the country, he said.

Mr Usman said the command had adopted a new approach to stem the activities of the local Kalare boys hoodlums.

Just recently a lot of them denounced crimes and turned a new leaf in view of our new approach, and we are working with the government to engage them meaningfully using skills acquisition.

We are engaging stakeholders like hunters and community leaders to help the command to nip crimes in the bud.

We are also making serious progress in crime prevention to enforce law and order because of our partnership with the traditional stakeholders, he said.

Mr Usman assured residents of their safety despite a few kidnapping cases recorded in the state.

In Jigawa, security agencies said they have scaled up surveillance and patrols to rid the state of criminals.

The police spokesman in the state, Lawan Shiisu, said they have also been working with Bauchi State Police Command in conducting intelligence-led raids to root out criminals hibernating in Zamdama hills, Balmo, Baranda and Bagadaza forests.

The joint operation was led by the Jigawa Police Commissioner, AT Abdullahi and his Bauchi counterpart, AM Muhammad with a view to taking the war to the bandits.

Members of the hunters, forest guards, and vigilance services complemented the effort of the police during the two-day operations, Mr Shiisu said.

Badruddeen Tijjani, the spokesman of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Jigawa, said raising the security consciousness of citizens is critical to stemming any security menace.

This, he said, will lead to the prompt generation of actionable intelligence to enable personnel to respond quickly to any security issue.

According to him, the corps has set up five additional divisions, three area commands and several outposts to enhance its operations in Jigawa.

The corps is also conducting mobile patrols and raiding identified black spots in areas where kidnapping cases were recorded.

Our personnel are also exposed to appropriate measures in handling emerging security challenges, he added.

Meanwhile, some residents of Jigawa have expressed joy over the prevailing peace in the state.

Musbau Shehu and Isa Inuwa said there has been remarkable improvement in security unlike before when it was difficult for people to move around without fear.

Mr Shehu said that the crime rate had reduced in the past months, while Mr Lawan said the measures adopted by government and security agencies have enhanced peacebuilding in the state.

The herder-farmer crisis is now a thing of the past. The combined security task force in various areas set up by the government improved understanding and cordiality among them, Mr Lawal added.

However, in Benue, residents said not much has changed about insecurity.

Some of the victims of banditry said the criminals now even force victims to pay for the bullets they expended after any attack on villages and communities.

A victim, Timothy Terwase, a 35-year-old commercial motorcyclist, told NAN that bandits killed his father in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area and forced the family to pay ransom for the corpse.

Our area has gradually become a war-torn zone. Those wicked men, after killing my father in cold blood, demanded that we pay for the bullets they wasted on my father, and there was nothing we could do than to pay; that is like adding salt to injury, he said.

According to Mr Terwase, despite the heavy presence of joint security operatives in the area for more than a year now, nothing has changed.

The security situation in the state has not really changed for the better despite the coming to power of Gov. Hyacinth Alia in May 2023.

His Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, who hails from that axis was kidnapped in September 2023, but later released. Just recently, the Caretaker Chairman of Ukum LGA, also within the same axis, was kidnapped, he said.

NAN reports that local bandits have been terrorising the people of Benue for long, and despite the killing of their leader, Terwase Akwaza, aka Gana, by the military in 2018, the bandits have continued to carry out their nefarious activities.

However, the state Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Yakubu Ibrahim, said security agencies in the state were doing their best to tackle the menace.

In Plateau, which has just witnessed another round of violence, there are still divergent views as to the causes of the recurring crisis.

These ranged from political manipulation, farmers-herders disagreements, the indigene-settler conflict, religious and tribal bigotry and others that have continuously pitched the people against one another.

Both Chris Damcher, chairman of Plateau State Civil Society Organisations Forum, and Aboi Aboki, national president of the Plateau Initiative for Development of the Natives, believed that land was at the heart of the crisis in Plateau.

They blamed the government and traditional leaders for failing to do the right thing.

A Mangu-based cleric, Samuel Chukwuma of the Lighthouse of All Nations Assembly, said troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) helped to prevent further loss of lives in the latest sectarian clashes in Mangu communities.

The troops carried out their constitutional responsibilities with utmost professionalism, disregarding any affiliations to ethnic or religious groups.

The swift response played a significant role in preventing further loss of lives in the targeted areas, he said.

The cleric said that while the military plays a pivotal role in resolving the situation, there was a need for politicians to refrain from stoking tension for personal gains.

He emphasised that finding a lasting solution to the crisis relied tremendously on the cooperation of influential leaders within the political circle.

Mr Chukwuma said that the falsified narratives amplified on social media platforms exacerbated the severity of the clashes and magnified the number of precious lives lost.

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division, who is also the Commander of OPSH, Abdulsalam Abubakar, said that efforts aimed at bringing perpetrators of the killings in Plateau to book were yielding positive results.

Our efforts in bringing the perpetrators, especially of the recent attacks in Plateau to justice, have yielded quite some positive results.

We acknowledge that challenges exist; however, we shall not despair or become despondent. We are aware of the complexities that lie with current dynamic security challenges.

I am confident that by maintaining our unity, cooperation, dedication and relentless pursuit for peace, we will overcome any obstacle that comes our way, the GOC said during the Nigerian veterans annual celebration.

Also, Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau acknowledged the complexities of the security situation and pledged to ensure the full restoration of peace in the state.

Mr Mutfwang decried the recent killings and wanton destruction of properties and commended the military and other security agencies for their commitment to defending the state.

We want to appreciate all that you are doing, particularly in the wake of the recent attacks on our people.

I have seen how you mobilise your men to go into the nooks and crannies of Plateau, to chase away these evil men; men who have vowed that we will not live in peace.

We want to thank you all for this effort. Some have lost their lives, some badly wounded. We pray that families who lost their fathers and husbands find comfort in God.

As a government, we are doing everything possible to ensure that the Christmas Eve attacks do not occur again in our dear state, he said.

Mr Mutfwang also thanked President Bola Tinubu, Services Chiefs and relevant government agencies for their support to the Plateau people.

In Taraba, which has had its share of crisis and general insecurity, stakeholders said they were determined to restore peace and stability across the state.

The Brigade Commander, 6 Brigade Nigerian Army, Jalingo, Frank Etim, told NAN that they have been making efforts to flush out bandits and kidnappers and stem the tide of criminal activities in Taraba.

Mr Etim, a major general, however, requested more cooperation from the people, especially in actionable information on the movement of bandits and other criminals in the state.

Ben Adaji, an intelligence and counter-terrorism expert, advocated the use of private security services in fighting criminality in the state.

According to him, those saddled with the responsibility of taking out bandits, kidnappers and other violent criminals are not doing enough.

In Kaduna State, the police command said it has put in place robust strategies to stem the high rate of kidnapping and killings in the state.

The commands Police Public Relations Officer, Mansir Hassan, said the new strategies are already bearing fruits.

According to him, some of the results include the rescue of 18 kidnapped victims and the arrest of 16 suspected kidnappers and 19 armed robbers within a week.

He told NAN that one of those arrested was among those who kidnapped several people in Bwari, FCT, and participated in the killing of Nabeehah, one of the six sisters abducted there.

The suspect was nabbed at a hotel in Tafa and attempted to buy his way out with N1 million from the N2.3 million found on him.

Mr Hassan appealed for more support from the public, saying Security issue is everyones business, thus a collective responsibility.

A retired Brigadier General, Kabir Galadanci, said to win the war against insecurity, political leaders must be firm, patriotic and unwavering in demanding results from the security forces.

He added that the leaders must also understand the situation and be committed to equipping and training security personnel and taking care of their welfare.

Mr Galadanci said while troops adopt the kinetic approach to tackle the menace, the bigger social and economic problems that push more people into crime must be addressed by those in government.

He said, The problem is when in the midst of issues, the question that crosses the minds of the political leaders and civil servants is what a security agent commander is going to make out of the situation.

If from the beginning there is no understanding of the situation, we are just buying equipment because we will get overhead out of it, or we are just training because we will get money out of it, then that shows no commitment to what we are doing.

The situation we are in has passed crime and criminality, it has gone to the issues of social problem. Every Nigerian today is thinking of what he would do to get advantage of monetary values over others.

According to him, the cost of governance should be drastically reduced while political leaders should begin to live a more austere life.

The problem is not what the security agencies could do, but how political leaders should change the psyche of the people to do things right and provide them with what to do.

In Kano State, the police said they are working with communities and other security agencies to checkmate crimes.

Generally speaking, crimes especially incidences related to banditry, kidnapping and other related offences are cases for which solutions cannot be found in isolation.

In Kano State, the police are always synergizing with sister security agencies including the military.

First we come to the table, we cross-fertilize ideas, we come up with the best of decisions and we move together in implementing those lofty decisions, the Commissioner of Police, Usaini Gumel, told NAN.

Mr Gumel said the command had also collaborated with the state government and set up a joint task force to deal with incidences of kidnapping in parts of the state.

He said in areas along the border with Katsina and Bauchi States, such as Rogo, Karaye, Tsanyawa, Kunchi, Shanono, Sumaila and Takai, where pockets of kidnappings were recorded, the government has set up a joint security task force to deal with the situation.

Mr Gumel said, We have undertaken a lot of rescue missions, we have arrested several suspected kidnappers in their hideouts in Katsina and most of them have been prosecuted.

Likewise, in some of our villages bordering Bauchi State such as Sumaila, Takai, and nearby local government areas, we have reduced the incidences of kidnapping using our joint task force led by the military.

I am assuring you that we are handling that situation head-on in collaboration with all security agencies in the state.

You can attest to this when you interview members of the public, the community leaders and religious leaders.

People are appreciating the efforts of the police and all other security agencies in reducing the crimes.

Mr Gumel said since his assumption of office nine months ago, the command had arrested many criminals and recovered several vehicles and other exhibits including illicit drugs and substances fueling crimes.

In Katsina State, residents have urged government and security agents to intensify efforts in addressing the recurring security challenge bedevilling the state.

The state has in the last month come under a barrage of attacks by bandits especially in Jibia and Batsari Local Government Areas where many villagers were killed and abducted and their houses burnt.

In separate interviews with NAN, the residents said that the security situation seems to be worsening after a lull for many months.

Abubakar Hassan, a resident of Batagarawa, said that the security situation in the state and other parts of the country was becoming alarming, hence the need for security operatives to redesign measures to reverse the trend.

Mr Hassan urged the government to provide equipment, training and incentives to encourage the security forces to discharge their duties effectively.

Another resident, Abdulkarim Usman, said the public should support security agents with actionable information to tackle the menace.

Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State said they have been reappraising the security situation and responding appropriately to the challenges.

He said that the North-West zone, Katsina inclusive, has been facing an alarming surge in various forms of insecurity, including banditry, kidnapping, insurgency, and communal conflicts.

These challenges have disrupted the lives of countless Nigerians and hindered economic growth and development in the area.

Addressing this crisis requires a concerted effort and a unified approach, transcending state boundaries.

The governor who spoke during a regional security summit in Abuja said, To understand the significance of regional cooperation in the fight against insecurity, several factors must be considered.

The first is the cross-border nature of insecurity. Our experience with bandits shows that they operate freely between Katsina, Zamfara, and Sokoto.

Any effort to push them out of one state leads them to safe havens in neighbouring states, and they often return to their original base.

The governor said the lack of information sharing between states means poor coordination and approach by the different federal security agencies operating in the region.

He said: The level of insecurity has now mandated the need to have open discussions about innovative solutions to fight insecurity.

We must take into account all stakeholders and absolutely and immediately provide support and protection to the victims of insecurity.

The regional approach requires targeted coordination towards socio-economic development to reduce poverty and associated insecurity.

Osun and Ogun states have witnessed high-profile kidnapping cases such as that of Olu Falae in 2015, the killing of Funke Olakunrin, daughter of Afenifere leader, Rueben Fasoranti in 2019, and the abduction of 25 choir members of Christ Apostolic Church, Oke-Igan on 29 September 2023.

Foluke Fagbemi, a trader, who was abducted while travelling along Otun-Ekiti-Ido-Ekiti road in Ekiti State on 2 October 2023, said the government must give priority to the security of citizens.

Mrs Fagbemi said that her husband, who was the driver, had to pay N2 million ransom for their release after spending four days in a forest, near Omu Aran, in Kwara.

Government should give priority to the major needs of the security agencies, to enable them carry out their duties effectively, she added.

Also, Micheal Ojo, a retired teacher and father of a kidnapped victim, urged the government to provide special support to security agencies, especially the police.

Most police stations in various communities do not have good vehicles and motorcycles to carry out surveillance, he added.

Some residents who spoke to NAN in Osun urged the federal government to provide more vocational institutions and training for young people who are easily attracted to crime.

They also urged the government to equip security personnel with better facilities to encourage performance.

Isabel Williams, a mother, suggested that the government should provide more vocational training centres to engage the youth and create business opportunities for them to be self-reliant.

How many people have benefitted from agricultural training, fashion, tailoring, and auto repair services?

Children who are done with school, even those who are not done with school, let the government encourage them with training.

There are many other activities the government can do to encourage the youth, she said.

An Administrative Officer, Irene Archibong, said job creation would help to bring down the level of insecurity in the country.

She also advised the government to come up with new incentives for security personnel to motivate them to do more.

Also, life insurance should be made available to all security officials, and a good amount of compensation given to families who lost their breadwinners and loved ones.

They need to sanitise the security apparatus to curb sabotage, she said.

Also, a Technical Support Specialist, Abimbola George, said security agencies must respond to emergency calls and information quickly.

Mr Abimbola also called for the adoption of technology in tracking criminals.

Take the National Identity Number and Bank Verification Number, for instance, these are unique to individuals and organisations, and mandatory for financial operations and telecommunication.

How are these not used in solving kidnap cases where calls are made to the family and friends of victims, or payments made to kidnappers?

What are the intelligence agencies doing? We know phone calls can be tracked. So, why is it not done?

There are so many things that are not done right for whatever reason, he said.

Another key suggestion on how to end the security challenges in the county was made by security experts from the military, intelligence community, security services, government, traditional institutions and media.

They made the suggestion in Abuja in a communique at the end of a course on the usage of Psychological Operations and Strategic Communication for national security.

One key suggestion is for the government to urgently take over all ungoverned spaces currently occupied by non-state actors including bandits and terrorists, and provide means of livelihood to communities vulnerable to radicalisation by non-state actors.

They also observed that poor governance and leadership have equally pushed more people into crime.

The experts, however, say Nigerias biggest threat is the manipulation of its diversity by politicians and religious leaders to create disharmony among citizens.

The media and traditional institutions should play major role in shaping public attitudes through their respective channels of communication.

Inter-agency collaboration should be sustained especially among security services for coordinated activities for national safety and security.

Civil Society Organisations, Community Based Organisations and Non-Governmental Organisations should be engaged in addressing ethnic and religious intolerance through grassroots initiatives.

Security agencies should explore the potential of new technological tools including Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics to enhance security and effectiveness of psychological operations and strategic communication.

There is a need for National Policy backed by legal frameworks in order to regulate the activities of digital media and social media to guard against fake news and hate speech.

National Orientation Agency (NOA) should be adequately funded to discharge its statutory responsibilities of promoting national unity, harmony and national cohesion, they advised.

(NAN)

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The Supreme Court on Monday reserved judgement on the appeal filled by the Adamawa State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Aisha Dahiru, against the re-election of Governor Ahmadu Fintiri.

A five-member panel of the court led by John Okoro reserved judgement after taking arguments from all the parties involved.

Ms Dahirus counsel, Akin Olujimi, had asked the court to uphold the declaration made by embattled Hudu Yunusa, an INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), for being an official of the electoral umpire in line with section 149 of the Electoral Act.

The Court of Appeal in Abuja had affirmed the election of Mr Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after dismissing the case filed by Ms Dahiru, popularly known as Binani.

A three-member panel of the court had upheld the 28 October 2023 decision of the Adamawa State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, declaring Mr Fintiri the winner of the 18 March 2023 poll.

Ms Dahiru and her party had urged the court to sack Mr Fintiri who was the flagbearer of the PDP on account of INECs non-compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.

In the unanimous judgement, the three-member appellate court panel led by Tunde Awotoye, said Binani failed to prove allegations of non-compliance with the Electoral Act in the conduct of the March governorship election in Adamawa State.

It held that the appellants claim of electoral fraud in 14,104 polling stations was not substantiated.

There is no way three witnesses can prove allegations of noncompliance in 14,104 polling units. Besides, the witnesses were not at the polling units but were campaign coordinators for the appellants, Court of Appeal had held.

The justice equally noted that the record of proceedings transmitted from the tribunal and the briefs to the court were incomplete.

On the whole, this appeal lacks merit and is accordingly dismissed. The decision of the lower tribunal is hereby confirmed, the court ruled, and then awarded N1 million against the petitioners in favour of Mr Fintiri and the PDP. (NAN)

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The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has announced that a total of 8,285 candidates from across the federation have registered for the inaugural Computer-Based model of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (CB-WASSCE).

The Head of the National Office of WAEC in Nigeria, Amos Dangut, announced this Monday at a press briefing, noting that the exam will be held from 31 January to 17 February, spanning two weeks and four days.

Mr Dangut said out of the total number of candidates, 3,949 are male, representing 47.66 per cent, while 4,336 are female, representing 52.3 per cent.

He added that candidates would be examined in 19 subjects, made up of 26 papers.

According to Mr Dangut, the council has carefully selected and registered examination officials to serve as proctors during the examination to curb malpractices.

Criticisms

WAEC had in November 2023 announced that it had concluded plans to conduct its WASSCE for private candidates, using the computer-based model.

This was met with criticism from Nigerians.

The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYF), a northern Nigerian pressure group, called for the rejection of the new model.

The group said in a statement by its President, Yerima Shettima, that the new model would result in mass failure for students, especially those in rural areas and who have little or no computer skills.

It suggested that the CBT exams should have been optional, allowing candidates to choose between the pen-and-pencil format and the computer-based model.

However, in reaction to the criticism, WAEC said the agitation for the rejection of the CB-WASSCE was in response to an earlier media report in which the examination body purportedly announced that it had ditched the Paper and Pencil Testing model and had adopted the Computer Based Testing model for the conduct of the School Candidates Examination.

The body described the narrative as false and misleading.

Strictly for private candidates

Mr Dangut said the CBT examination is for private candidates who enrolled to sit the examination directly with WAEC and not for school candidates.

However, he said the council can later deploy the computer-based model for school candidates only when the government and school owners inform us that the facilities and students are ready.

He noted that the number of registrants for the examinations shows that the private candidates are ready for the 21st-century methods, adding that the results of candidates who sit the examination will be released 45 days after the conduct of the last paper.

While Mr Dangut failed to disclose the number of CBT centres for the examination, he said they were inspected with checklists and equipped with servers for the duration of the conduct of the examination.

Trial tests were conducted across the federation and a free mock examination was also conducted for registered candidates on the 23 and 24 January 2024, he noted

The final international timetable for the conduct of the examination has been made available for proper and necessary guidance to prospective candidates.

Examination mode

Giving further details, Mr Dangut said the examination will be delivered in hybrid mode.

He noted that the hybrid mode entails that the objective or multiple choice questions will be rendered on-screen and candidates are to respond on the screen, while they give their responses to the essays and practical questions using the answer booklets provided.

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WAEC Nigeria, in keeping with its vision of being a world-class examining body and its core value of innovation, has taken this bold step to offer candidates a viable alternative to the pen and paper model of examinations while giving its stakeholders and public, a view of the great potentials that exist in Computer-based approach to assessments, he noted.

He added that WAEC, in a bid to further deliver on its mandate and as a way of helping candidates, has made available its e-learning portal on its official website with materials that will demonstrate to candidates, the requirements for the conduct of the CB-WASSCE.

On security, he assured that the council is in partnership with the police and that hands are on deck in ensuring the safety of examination officials and candidates.

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Zaluzhny on Remembrance Day of Heroes of Kruty: Ukrainian soldiers again give battle to Russian occupiers, prove that Ukraine was, is and will be free, independent

Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valeriy Zaluzhny on the Day of Remembrance of Heroes of Battle of Kruty thanked everyone who defends the state, its independence and future.

"On January 29, 1918, the Ukrainian People's Republic army completed its combat mission on the field near Kruty  it stopped the Russian occupiers who were rushing to Kyiv. Some 106 years have passed, and now Ukrainian soldiers are again giving battle to Russian occupiers along the entire front line and proving every minute that Ukraine was, is and will be free and independent. We honor the memory of the Ukrainians who gave their lives in the battle of Kruty, which became a symbol of the heroism and self-sacrifice of the younger generation in the fight against the aggressor," he said in the Telegram channel.

Zaluzhny thanked everyone who is now defending the state, its independence and future.
A Nigerian senator, Ifeanyi Ubah, has declared interest to contest in the 2025 Anambra governorship election, saying he will only serve for one term in office.

Mr Ubah, who represents Anambra South District at the Senate, announced this on Sunday while speaking with reporters in Nnewi, his community, according to a report by TheCable.

All ask for is one term of four years, he said.

The senator said, if elected governor, he would conduct local council elections in the state within four months.

At the moment, I rate governance in Anambra for the past 18 years at 20 per cent. I will bring 80 per cent content that has never been discussed in governance, Mr Ubah stated.

The senator is the first to publicly declare interest in the next governorship election in the state.

The current governor of the Anambra, Charles Soludo, will finish his first term by 17 March 2026.

A governorship election is expected to be conducted in the state in 2025.

There are indications that Mr Soludo, a member of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), will seek reelection in the next poll.

Why I am contesting

Mr Ubah, a member of the All Progressives Congress, gave reason for seeking to contest in the next governorship poll in the state.

I have a burning desire to contest the next governorship election in Anambra because this government and those before it have not been able to put the state in the development trajectory that our people desire.

We need to create support for our commerce, we have to develop our sector to make it a hub for health tourists and accelerate community development through local government elections, he said.

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The senator said electing people with over-bloated personalities and structure has not benefited the state.

It is time we vote for people with passion, people with a track record. That is what I represent.

l am prepared to change the narrative, and that is why my manifesto has remained the same from 2013 till date, Mr Ubah added.

Background

This is not the first Mr Ubah would be contesting for the governorship election.

The senator has been seeking to be governor of the since 2013 which has seen him defecting to different political parties to achieve his ambition.

He was the governorship candidate of the Young Progressives Party in the 2021 governorship election in the state which was won by the incumbent governor, Mr Soludo of the APGA.

Mr Ubah hails from Otolo, Nnewi, a community in Nnewi North Local Government Area of the state.

His declaration comes days after he slammed Governor Soludo for suspending a traditional ruler who conferred a chieftaincy title on him (Ubah).

Mr Ubah had described Mr Soludos suspension of the monarch as a game of politics stressing that the governors action was connected to his (Ubah) likely interest in the 2025 governorship race in the state.

The governor is frustrated by my acceptance and popularity; he is jittery about the next governorship election, but I leave him to his conscience, the senator had said.

The governor has since reinstated the monarch.

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Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Monday said presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has not sympathised with him over the devastating explosion that occurred two weeks ago in Bodija area of Ibadan, the state capital.

Mr Makinde said this when the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, an activist, Aisha Yesufu, and some of the partys chieftains paid him a visit in Ibadan over the incident.

The explosion killed about five persons and many others sustained injuries while several buildings, vehicles and other properties were destroyed.

The governor recently said that about 230 properties at the site of the Ibadan explosion were currently undergoing structural integrity tests.

The Presidency, Senate, state governors, CSOs and other individuals have since sympathised with the Oyo State government over the devastating explosion.

Atiku, a former vice president of the country, has yet to sympathise with the government and the people of the state over the incident that occurred about two weeks ago.

Mr Makinde, a member of the PDP, expressed displeasure with the silence of his partys presidential candidate over the explosion.

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I am particularly grateful because the musketeers that went for the presidential election have reached out to me. The president has called me, you have reached out to me, but my own party candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has not called or even sent a text message.

And I am saying it openly, so that our leaders will know that there is time for politics, you have a time for governance and you have a time for humanity. So, we want to say thank you so much, sir. We appreciate this visit, the governor said.

G-5 governors

Atikus silence may not be unconnected with the crisis between him and the G5 governors.

Mr Makinde was one of the five governors of the PDP popularly known as G-5, who stoutly opposed his presidential ambition.

The group was led by the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, then as governor of Rivers State. Other members were former Governors Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Samuel Ortom (Benue).

As a condition to support Atiku in the presidential election, they demanded the resignation of the then partys National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, and replaced with a southerner.

The group also insisted that a southerner should succeed former President Muhammadu Buhari for the purposes of fairness, equality and representation.

The PDP candidate lost to President Bola Tinubu in the 25 February presidential election.

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Daniel Bwala, ex-spokesperson for the Presidential Candidate of the PDP and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, on Monday met again with President Bola Tinubu in France, further fuelling speculations of his imminent return to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Mr Bwala, who served as one of the spokespersons for the Atiku Abubakar Presidential Campaign Council, posted a picture of him and Mr Tinubu on his X (formerly Twitter) handle.

It was a pleasure to meet with the father of the nation @officialABAT President Bola Tinubu in Paris today. He continues to share his thoughts and demonstrate his passion to lead Nigeria out of the woods, he said in the post.

President Tinubu travelled to France on 24 January for a private visit.

Mr Bwala supported President Tinubu during the presidential primaries of the APC, but withdrew his support because of the controversial Muslim/Muslim ticket of the APC.

He subsequently resigned from the ruling party after President Tinubu announced Kashim Shettima, a Muslim and former Borno State governor, as his running mate.

Mr Bwala is a northern Christian and a legal practitioner.

As an aide to Atiku, he was ferocious in his attacks on Mr Tinubu and the ruling party during the presidential election and the legal battle after the election.

President Tinubu defeated Atiku in the election prompting the latter to institute a legal action against the APC candidate.

The president won in both the tribunal and the Supreme Court.

Second meeting

This is the second time Mr Bwala would be holding talks with the president in the last three weeks.

On 11 January, in a surprise move, Mr Bwala visited the president at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. After the visit, the lawyer said he was committed to working for the president and had no apologies for doing so.

In the last few days, I have been expressing my surprise and appreciation to the president for the decisions he is taking. So this is not about political parties. And you need to know that like I said, I was with him before I left, Mr Bwala told journalists.

Following the backlash that trailed the first meeting, Mr Bwala claimed that he informed Atiku before the meeting.

I informed Atiku Abubakar I was going to see the President, Mr Bwala said.

After I had seen the president, I informed him (Atiku) that I had just seen the president and he replied me that, Thanks Daniel for notifying me.

Criss-crossing by politicians is very common in Nigeria. Experts have blamed the phenomenon on a lack of political ideology among political parties.

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A Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Olusegun Bamidele has told the Lagos High Court that Adedapo Quadri is a drug baron.

Mr Quadri is the second defendant in the ongoing trial of Chidinma Ojukwu, accused of the murder of the chief executive officer (CEO) of Super TV, Usifo Ataga.

Ms Ojukwu is standing trial at the Lagos High Court on a nine-count charge bordering on murder, theft and forgery alongside her sister, Chioma Egbuchu and Mr Quadri.

Ms Ojukwu and Quadri are facing the first to eight counts bordering on conspiracy, murder, and stabbing. Ms Ojukwus sister, Egbuchu, is facing the ninth count of stealing an iPhone 7 belonging to the late Ataga.

During cross examination by the counsel to the second defendant, Babatunde Busari, Mr Bamidele told the court that although the second defendant said he sells clothes for a living, evidence points to the fact that his source of livelihood is from the sale of drugs.

Session

Mr Busari asked the witness to confirm if charges of drug peddling were brought against the second defendant.

You described the second defendant Adedapo Quadri in your investigation report as a drug baron, in exhibit D3. Am I correct? Busari asked.

Yes, the witness answered.

How did you come to this conclusion in your report that the second defendant is a drug baron? And did he tell you in his statement what he does for a living? the counsel asked.

He told me he sells clothes. As for referring to him as a drug baron, he doesnt need to have a warehouse. He knows how to get it, it is something he dwells on for his livelihood, the witness answered.

Did you at any point in the course of your investigating the issues related to drugs inform or involve the NDLEA? the lawyer asked.

No, we did not involve the NDLEA, the police officer answered.

And you are well aware of the charges against the second defendant before this honourable court, am I correct? the lawyer asked.

Yes, the police officer answered.

Is there any charge of drug peddling against the second defendant before this court? the lawyer asked.

No. There are no charges there. When we charge them to magistrate court, we send to the DPP. It is at the wisdom of the DPP to approve the charges that were brought, the police officer answered.

On the request of the counsel to the second defendant, the witness read the conclusion of his investigation report where he recommended that the suspects, Chidinma Ojukwu and Adedapo Quadri be charged for murder, forgery and stealing.

Will I be right then to say that nothing in your conclusion was contained as to the charge for drug related offences against the second defendant? the counsel asked.

You are correct, the police officer answered.

Upon conclusion of your investigation, the case file was forwarded for legal advice, am I correct? Mr Busari asked.

Yes, the witness answered.

Did you receive or see a copy of this legal advice form the DPP after your investigation was concluded? Mr Busari asked.

Yes, the witness answered.

If you see a copy of that legal advice, can you recognise it? Mr Busari asked.

Yes, the witness answered.

The counsel to the second defendant, Mr Busari tendered the certified true copy of the DPPs legal advice as evidence.

Justice Yetunde Adesanya admitted into evidence the certified true copy of the DPPs legal advice.

Counsel to the third defendant, C.J Akponna also cross-examined the witness.

He asked if the third defendant, Chioma Egbuchu, was not aware that the phone was stolen before it was given to her.

Yes, the police officer said.

Justice Adesanya thereafter adjourned the case to 20 February for continuation of trial.

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The Palestinian government has listed the release of all hostages taken by both Hamas and the Israeli government in the ongoing war in Gaza, as one of the demands requiring urgent attention.

The government also sought the setting up of an independent commission of inquiry by the UN and with full participation of the African Union and EU.

These demands were made on behalf of the Palestinian government by the countrys Ambassador to Nigeria, Abdullah Shawesh, at a briefing in Lagos at the weekend.

The media interaction, facilitated by the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), was attended by the organisations Secretary General, Is-haq Oloyede, a professor.

The war in Gaza has recorded the death of almost 20,000 people including journalists and aid workers. The war started on 7 October 2023 after Hamas launched what has been described as the biggest attack against Israel in many years.

NSCIAs intervention not based on religion

Welcoming guests to the forum, Mr Oloyede said NSCIA does not see the ongoing war in Gaza as a religious affair but based on humanity, saying the two countries of Palestine and Israel have both Muslims and non Muslims as victims.

He called on world leaders to rise in the defence of humanity, saying everyone should be concerned about the needless war.

The NSCIAs scribe also urged the media to be fair and just in their reportage of the crisis, saying reporting based on religious sentiments would amount to being unfair to humanity.

Envoy speaks

Addressing the journalists, the ambassador, Mr Shawesh said the government of Palestine has always preached peace and condemned violent response to the illegal occupation of Gaza by the Israelis.

He denied the endorsement of the action of Hamas on 7 October 2023 against Israel, noting that long before the date, the Palestinians had been under subjugation, oppression, and harassment by the Israelis.

Mr Shawesh said the Israeli governments vow to wipe out Hamas has rather led to the killings of thousands of innocent persons, saying what is happening in Gaza can only be described as genocide.

He said the relentless attack on Gaza and the continued hostage-taking on both sides is a gross human rights abuse that must be condemned by every right-thinking person.

Release of hostages, inquiry commission

Mr Shawesh said about 105 Israeli hostages and more than 4,000 Palestinian hostages should be released for the sake of humanity, calling on all leaders of the world to pave the way for their release.

He said since the war broke out more than 4,000 Palestinians have been arrested and jailed by the Israeli government, noting that tens of thousands of people have been killed and thousands of homes now levelled in Gaza.

We are not saying you should support us but we listen to us. The war didnt just break out on 7 October but long ago. For a long time, Palestinians were being killed and molested even on camera to show the world and the generations to come the mowing down of innocent lives, he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Shawesh urged African and European nations to join Palestine in the demand for an independent commission of inquiry, saying this should be set up by the UN Security Council.

He said: We need an independent commission of inquiry to conduct investigations into what happened on 7 October, before the date and even after it. This should be established by the UN Security Council with full participation by the AU, EU and others.

We need investigations into every single hour between 1917 and 2023 so that the world could know the truth and nothing but the truth. We used to be killed for fun in the West Bank. They used to do this in the presence of the camera to be kept for their children.

Backstory

Since 7 October when Hamas launched the attack on Israel and the accompanying counterattacks that led to the full-blown war, there have been several efforts to achieve a lasting ceasefire.

The United Nations Security Council has continued to sit hoping that member countries will reach a consensus and all vote in favour of a ceasefire sooner than later.

Israel has vowed to exterminate Hamas but carrying out its vow thousands of innocent lives have been claimed and hostages taken from both sides.

Israel also accused some UN agency staff of involvement in the October 2023z attack, and the revelation has led to the suspension of funding of the agency by key nations including England, and the US, among others.

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Today, the governance challenge (including the design of optimal whistleblowing legislation) invites us to square this need for cohesion (still evident in the efficiencies that only the modern workplace can provide) with modern humans growing need for a more just and equitable society. In other words, a society in which our kindergarteners (the Calvins of our world) no longer instinctively cringe at the idea of a snitch or the significance of his or her profession for the betterment of our humanity.

I find Calvin and Hobbes cartoon strips as enjoyable as they are absorbing. The dialogue, as with such most successful strips, is heavily nuanced. You often do not have to step too far from the face value of the main plot to mine a deep vein of commentary on received opinions. But in Calvins case, Bill Watterson (the cartoonist) goes over the top in his rendition of the characters. In part, I guess this follows from the fact that Calvins interlocutor, Hobbes  the tiger, is as imaginary as a cartoon character can get. Regardless of the reason, nearly always, Calvins facial expressions are priceless. The price in the strip, which had me read it more than once, yesterday, was all of one word: Stoolie. Susie, Calvins classmate, had been summoned to the principals office, apparently. And this strip opened with Calvin anticipating her return. She gets back, and Calvin wants to know what transpired at the heads. Have you been expelled? Did you rat on me? The leer on Susies face was answer enough, long before the teacher calls for Calvin. Whatever the rule infraction was, Susie had outed Calvin.

Stoolie was one of the more colourful invectives Calvin hurled at Susie. And whistleblower is one of the many less odious synonyms for stoolie. In discussing the omerta, as a governing principle of (Southern) Italys myriad crime syndicates, we nearly always come down hard on the concept. In the absence of a gangster willing to violate the code of silence, it is well-nigh impossible to successfully prosecute cases against the mob. Yet, as a governance arrangement, what Wikipedia describes as the importance on silence in the face of questioning by authorities or outsiders; non-cooperation with authorities, the government, or outsiders, especially during criminal investigations; and wilfully ignoring and generally avoiding interference with the illegal activities of others has deeper roots in human society. The occupants of kindergarten playgrounds despise none so much as the snitch. No responsible pre-teen wants to be so described. Moreover, this revulsion is no more learnt than the hour-old baby monkeys fear of the snake.

In the governance of modern societies, where the long-arm of the law is increasingly abbreviated by the breadth (sheer number of economic actors and the activities they are involved in) and depth (with the help of technological advances, black boxes now sit at the heart of more human activity than ever) of economic activity, unusual insights into businesses have become a prerequisite for both the design and implementation of better regulations and better law enforcement. And where the conduct of these businesses run counter to their expressed purposes (and often, then, in the teeth of the law), whistleblowers have also become a sine qua non. Despite the benign definition of these changed spaces, one difficulty persists: and this is that as with the traditional snitch and informer synonyms, the whistleblowers job description has not changed. Neither have societys responses to it.

It helps that in the design of whistleblowing legislation, attention is now focussing on remunerating whistleblowers (percentages of whatever monies the law is able to claw back from these businesses and their proprietors as penalty for the rule infraction). But it will take more to make this a profession worth anyones while. For, as with the kindergarten example, our response to whistleblowers appears to go back in time

Varied, these responses have always been, including the Mafias recourse to conspicuous acts of violence as a warning to would-be stoolpigeons. But arguably the most daunting of these responses has been the difficulty experienced by successful whistleblowers, especially in advanced economies, of securing a job after their exposure of wrongdoing helps bring down a clutch of high-profile executives and the businesses they run. It helps that in the design of whistleblowing legislation, attention is now focussing on remunerating whistleblowers (percentages of whatever monies the law is able to claw back from these businesses and their proprietors as penalty for the rule infraction). But it will take more to make this a profession worth anyones while. For, as with the kindergarten example, our response to whistleblowers appears to go back in time to a point where social cohesion mattered more to the survival of human groupings than did fealty to the truth, law, and/or justice.

Today, the governance challenge (including the design of optimal whistleblowing legislation) invites us to square this need for cohesion (still evident in the efficiencies that only the modern workplace can provide) with modern humans growing need for a more just and equitable society. In other words, a society in which our kindergarteners (the Calvins of our world) no longer instinctively cringe at the idea of a snitch or the significance of his or her profession for the betterment of our humanity.

Uddin Ifeanyi, journalist manque and retired civil servant, can be reached @IfeanyiUddin.

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Residents have fled their homes in Ogwumogbo, Ikpele, and Ejima villages of Agatu Local Government Area in Benue State after attacks by gunmen left at least eight people dead.

The number took the death toll of atrocities by terrorists in the area over the past few weeks to 38.

According to information obtained by PREMIUM TIMES, the assailants stormed the villages Saturday evening and started shooting sporadically.

Speaking with journalists in Makurdi, the state capital, on Sunday, Sunday Igbinowanhia, a Nigerian Army major-general who is the Force Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke in Benue, said troops dislodged the gunmen from the communities after a three-hour gunfight on Saturday.

But two soldiers and a law enforcement agent died in the battle.

The military commander said: Three deceased, comprised of two soldiers and one Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps personnel, were recorded, and two other soldiers were wounded and receiving treatment at the Nigerian Air Force hospital in Makurdi.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Catherine Anene, said, she had not been briefed on the latest incident.

Residents flee villages

However, an indigene of the area, Oche Hyacinth, told journalists in Makurdi on Sunday that residents had fled the villages into the bush.

Everyone has run into the bush. No one can say the number of the casualties now, Mr Hyacinth said.

Women and children are currently moping in the bush in Ogwumogbo, Ikpele, Ejima, and Okpokpolo, where they have all abandoned their homes.

Following the unabated attacks, locals have called on the authorities to permanently deploy troops to the Agatu communities in the state.

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Abel Jacob, the leader of the Concerned Youths in Ejima and Ogwumogbo, said the attackers had killed many farmers and razed down whole communities.

From the last attacks, over 30 people died and in Ejimagegah, Ejima Ge-Che, and Ogwumogbo in Agatu LGA and property valued at N100 million destroyed, Mr Jacob said.

The lawmaker representing Agatu State Constituency, Godwin Edoh, also confirmed the attack to journalists on Sunday.

He said, The attackers invaded three communities  Ogwumogbo, Ikpele, and Ejima  on Saturday between 12 and 4 p.m. Eight people were killed and several people are still missing.

Despite all our efforts, the killings have persisted. No one is coming to our aid and the governor is quiet. I do not understand this, the lawmaker said.

Benues grim toll

Over 28,997 lives were lost to insecurity in Benue

At least 28,997 have died in Benue State over recent years as a result of insecurity, according to a presentation given at a symposium in October 2023 by Vincent Gisaor, a professor in the Department of Economics at the Federal University, Wukari.

In a report titled The Socio-Economic Development of Benue State: The Journey Ahead, Mr Gisaor also said over 54,476 homes were destroyed and agricultural products worth over N21 billion were lost.

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Soldiers in Katsina State have rescued 35 kidnap victims from terrorists camps around Batsari Local Government Area on Sunday.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that 31 out of the rescued victims were abducted a week ago in Tashar Nagulle after which the terrorists demanded N60 million as ransom.

The four other victims were abducted at different times.

Residents of local communities in western Batsari were in joyous mood when soldiers drove out of the outer forest linking to Rugu forest.

We are happy with the development. You have seen them yourself; they are in good health, the Chairman of Batsari Local Government, Yusuf Mamman  Ifo, said.

The success was due to prayers and the support the state governor gives us and security agents. He always encourages us to team up and work with security agents in situations like this, he said.

Mr Mamman  Ifo commended soldiers attached to the military formation in the area for rescuing the victims.

The colonel here did a good job. We will continue to provide the security agents with intelligence information, he said.

One of the rescued victims, Maryam Nagulle, said she was abducted with several others in their community a week ago.

The married woman said they trekked for about seven and a half hours before reaching the terrorists camp in the forest where the abductees were kept in a single room.

We were locked in the room they kept us when we heard loud gunshots. The terrorists ran away while the soldiers continued to shoot. We couldnt open the room because they asked us not to. The soldiers then came and asked us to follow them, she said.

The soldiers involved in the operation said they would not speak to journalists.

The spokesperson of the 17 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Oliza Ethinlaiye, did not respond to an SMS sent to her.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered from some residents of Nahuta thats closer to the forest that the soldiers moved into the forest around 1:30 p.m.

About two weeks ago, terrorists attacked the military formation in the community before descending on the community. No life was lost.

The terrorists have also intensified attacks on communities in Batsari and Jibia local government areas in recent weeks.

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The Russian Ground Forces lost about 2,600 main battle tanks and 4,900 other armored combat vehicles in Ukraine from February 25, 2002 to January 24, 2024, British intelligence said.

"Russian ground forces probably lost around 40% fewer vehicles in 2023 than in 2022. It is highly likely that the reduction in armoured vehicle attrition rates was due to the increasingly positional nature of the conflict in 2023, and because Russia spent a significant proportion of the year in a defensive posture," the Ministry of Defense of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland said in a report published Monday on X social media.

It is noted that since the beginning of October 2023, when the Russian ground forces went on the offensive in eastern Ukraine, the losses of Russian armored vehicles have increased and the occupiers have lost up to 365 main battle tanks and 700 armored combat vehicles, while making very little progress at the front.

"However, Russia can probably generate at least 100 MBTs [main battle tanks] a month and therefore retains the capacity to replace battlefield losses and continue this level of offensive activity for the foreseeable future," British intelligence said.
GUIYANG, China, Jan. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The ancient Silk Road, where diverse civilizations collided over two thousand years ago, created a brilliant glow. Fast forward to the modern Silk Road, the Belt and Road Initiative, which has facilitated extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits among countries.

Guizhou, in Southwest China, has made its mark on this era. The "Ten Years On: Guizhou Story along the Belt and Road" series reports, planned and implemented by Discover Guizhou of Guizhou Daily Press with exclusive support from Kweichow Moutai Co., Ltd., invite you to witness Guizhou stories along the Belt and Road.

Tire Ascendancy: Smart "Dream Factory" in Mekong Delta

Vietnam's LIEN ANH Production Rubber Co., Ltd has experienced a tenfold increase in its annual output in recent years, largely due to the involvement of Chinese enterprises in the Vietnamese rubber industry.

Guizhou Tyre Co., Ltd established its first overseas base in Tien Giang Province, Vietnam in 2019, and its subsidiary, Advance Tyre (Vietnam) Co., Ltd., has become the largest Chinese enterprise in the region.

The Vietnamese factory has effectively replicated the automation, intelligence, and informatization of Chinese factories, creating opportunities for Guizhou-manufactured products and empowering the local community in Vietnam.

Currently, 80% of Guizhou Tyre's rubber raw material supply comes from Vietnam, and the Vietnamese factory has provided over 1,000 job opportunities in Tien Giang Province.

Every day, thousands of containers carrying Vietnamese-produced Guizhou tires depart from Vietnam, spreading Chinese smart manufacturing across the world.

Georgia E60 Highway: Linking Eurasian Corridor through Caucasus

On November 3rd at 9 AM local time in Georgia, the tranquility of the Caucasus Mountains was shattered by the sound of cannon fire, marking the completion of Guizhou Highway Group's F4 tunnel on Georgia's E60 highway.

This highway stands as the sole transportation link connecting Georgia to the Asia-Europe transportation trunk line.

The F4 section of E60 Highway posed significant engineering challenges, and the specific technology employed by the Guizhou construction team garnered high praise.

As a result of this achievement, a Letter of Intent for a Sister Region-Province Relationship was signed between Georgia's Imereti region and Guizhou, showcasing the growing international cooperation and contribution of Guizhou's transportation and construction enterprises to the global road and bridge construction industry.

China-Laos Railway: Journey of Youths and Dreams

The China-Laos Railway, stretching 1035 kilometers, is a pivotal project that aligns with China's Belt and Road Initiative and Laos' strategy to transition from a land-locked country to a land-linked one.

"I've dreamt of working on the railway since I was a child. When I heard about the construction of the China-Laos Railway, I decided to study in China," shared Phonephimon MONECHANDY, a Laotian student in Guizhou, who is now employed as a locomotive repairer at the Vientiane engine workshop.

Laotian youths like Phonephimon are pursuing their ambitions in Guizhou. In 2016, the China-ASEAN Rail Transportation Education and Training Alliance was established in Guiyang, Guizhou, following the 9th China-ASEAN Education Exchange Week, laying the foundation for collaborative vocational education between the two sides through the China-ASEAN Vocational Education Flagship Program.

Chinese Liquor: Cultural Ambassador between China and Thailand

Moutai, a Chinese liquor, has been at the forefront of Chinese products venturing overseas since 1953. Thailand was the initial destination for Moutai's exports when it officially entered the international market in 1953.

"Chinatown in Bangkok is steeped in Chinese culture, and Moutai, as one of China's most renowned liquors, must have a presence here," said Mr. Piyapong Karnchanatanon, CEO of Siam Dragon (Asia-pacific) Co., Ltd, who chose to distribute Moutai liquor, valuing its cultural significance as well as its market value.

"This taste has never changed!" Mr. Yang Fan, the Chairman of Golden Star International Logistics Co., Ltd, reminisced about purchasing his first bottle of Moutai liquor from a grocery store in Chinatown 47 years ago.

From gaining recognition among local Chinese communities to securing a prominent position in Thailand's liquor market, this bottle of Chinese fine liquor, with its distinct Chishui River flavor from Guizhou, has been promoting shared cultural "beauty" worldwide. With the enduring charm of Chinese culture, it shines on the global stage.

Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuwyQKNt_Fk
The leading digital solutions company has evolved into a global entity with +4,900 experts and operations in +40 countries, building an ecosystem of expertise globally

MADRID, Jan. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- VASS, a leading global company in digital transformation services, has revealed its new brand identity. The new brand aims to reflect the sum of VASS's new capabilities and expertise, as well as the strength of its global ecosystem, a team of top-class digital and industry experts, providing the most innovative solutions to key sectors such as Banking, Telco, Manufacturing, Pharma among others, operating in more than 40 countries.

The Spanish-based company has acquired 11 companies in two years, becoming a major force in the global technology consulting services sector.



The launch of VASS's new brand identity is aligned with the firm's strategy, focusing on regional expansion and broadening its innovative offering. Backed by One Equity Partners, a US private equity firm specializing in transformative combinations in the mid-market, the Spanish-based company has acquired 11 companies in two years, becoming a major force in the global technology consulting services sector.

Founded by Francisco Javier Latasa in 1999, VASS has expanded its reach through these strategic acquisitions, servicing its customers globally and increasing sales from 130 million to c. 400 million in less than four years. This growth underlines VASS's digital leadership in Spain with an international vision, supported by organic and inorganic growth plans, both nationally and internationally.

"VASS is the brand that we have built driven by our passion for technology, innovation, and sustainable impact in the last 25 years", says Francisco Javier Latasa, Chairman and Global CEO. "Today we set another important milestone in the VASS journey, defining a new identity aligned to our innovative, transformative, and creative solutions approach as well as to what we are at VASS today, a company of 4,900 top-level experts with operations in +40 countries", explains Latasa.

Sonia Pacheco, VASS Global CMO added: "Our new identity has been designed to represent what VASS is today. Our diversity, scale, and transformative and innovative approach to digitization have evolved, and this new identity reflects the new and future dimension of VASS".

The brand campaign, titled "We are VASS. Your partner for a new vibrant digital world", seeks to respond to the rapidly evolving technological landscape, with a specific focus on the current context of digitization in business and beyond. Built on its expertise and far-reaching impact, VASS' approach is centered on the desire to shape this new, vibrant, digital world by helping organizations tackle complexity using mindful technology and driving positive change. While this new campaign embodies VASS's essence, it also emphasizes its innovative, transformative, honest, and forward-thinking approach to navigating digital.

With a +20% growth rate in 2023, VASS's new brand marks the conclusion of the integration process and is a key pillar in its broader strategic roadmap to further strengthen its position as a global leader. This allows the company to continue tapping into new markets, becoming even more important for customers, suppliers, and employees alike.

About VASS

VASS is a global digital transformation company that puts its customers at the forefront of innovation, by bringing together talent, knowledge, and technology.

With our digital solutions, we lead people and organizations around the world on their transition towards the digital future. Our 4,900 experts serving customers in 40 countries across Europe, America, and Asia work alongside our clients, partners, and key industry players to deliver best-in-class digital innovation that shapes the landscape of banking, retail, insurance, public administration, utilities, telecommunications, and media sectors.

Our approach is based on mindful technology, through which we create positive environments and meaningful opportunities.

Transformative. Creative. Honest. Vibrant.

We are VASS

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2327837/VASS_new_Branding.jpg
Market segmented by Component (Software, Hardware, and Services), End-user (Machine learning, Natural language processing, Computer vision, and Context-awareness computing), and Geography (North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa, and South America).

NEW YORK, Jan. 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global aerospace artificial intelligence market size is estimated to grow by USD 4.69 billion from 2023 to 2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 43.6% during the forecast period. It is also estimated to register a 40.42% YOY growth during 2024.

For more insights on the historical data (2018 to 2022) and forecast size (2024 to 2028) - Request a sample report

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Aerospace Artificial Intelligence Market 2024-2028

Technavio has segmented the market based on Component (Software, Hardware, and Services), End-user (Machine learning, Natural language processing, Computer vision, and Context-awareness computing), and Geography (North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa, and South America).

The software segment is poised for substantial growth during the forecast period. AI software plays a pivotal role in crafting and managing autonomous systems for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), drones, and spacecraft. These systems depend on advanced AI algorithms to navigate, detect and evade obstacles, and make real-time decisions, marking a key driver for the expansion.

By geography, the market is segmented into North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa, and South America. The report provides actionable insights and estimates the contribution of all regions to the growth of the global aerospace artificial intelligence market.

North America will contribute 36% to the growth during the forecast period.

Insights on the contribution of various segments including country and region wise historic data (2018 to 2022), and forecast size (2023 to 2028) - Download a Sample Report

The surge in global air traffic drives growth. With rising flights, efficient air traffic management is crucial, and AI solutions optimize flow, reduce congestion, and enhance overall efficiency. The demand for sophisticated solutions to optimize flight operations, coupled with AI's role in developing autonomous aerial vehicles and improving customer experiences, fuels the growth. Moreover, AI analytics tools manage the substantial data generated by increased air traffic, aiding decision-making and enhancing aviation management, says a senior analyst at Technavio.

"The emergence of NLP for cockpit interaction is the latest trend fueling the growth, while the concerns associated with data security and privacy may hamper the growth.", says a senior analys of Technavio

Insights on Drivers, trends, & Challenges- Request a sample report!

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CAGR during the forecast period

Detailed information on factors that will drive the growth between 2024 and 2028

Precise estimation of the Market size and its contribution to the parent market

Accurate predictions about upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

Growth of the industry across North America , Europe , APAC, Middle East and Africa , and South America

, , APAC, and , and A thorough analysis of the competitive landscape and detailed information about vendors

Comprehensive analysis of factors that will challenge the growth of vendors

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Recent Technological Trends

The Aerospace Artificial Intelligence (AI) Market leverages AI, machine learning, and computer vision to enhance autonomous systems, UAVs, flight control, and avionics. It incorporates data analytics, predictive maintenance, and robotics, ensuring efficient navigation, communication, and cybersecurity. Utilizing emerging technologies like quantum computing, the industry also integrates swarm intelligence, geospatial intelligence, and edge and cloud computing for advanced air traffic management and system integration.

Related Reports:

The aerospace robotics market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 9.2% between 2023 and 2027. The size is forecast to increase by USD 1,587.85 million.

The aerospace coatings market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 7.1% between 2022 and 2027. The size is forecast to increase by USD 924.3 million.

ToC

1 Executive Summary

2 Market Landscape

3 Market Sizing

4 Historic Market Size

5 Five Forces Analysis

6 Segmentation by Component

7 Segmentation by End-user

8 Customer Landscape

9 Geographic Landscape

10 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

11 Vendor Landscape

12 Vendor Analysis

13 Appendix

About US

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing scenarios.

Contact

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

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UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com

SOURCE Technavio
Full IDE Data Set Demonstrates Statistically Significant Reduction of All-Cause Mortality and Primary Major Adverse Events (MAEs) at 30 days with use of AMDS in Acute DeBakey Type I (ADTI) Dissections Complicated by Malperfusion

72% Reduction in All-Cause Mortality and 52% Reduction in Primary Major MAEs when Compared to Current Standard of Care Hemi-arch Procedure

ATLANTA, Jan. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Artivion, Inc. (NYSE: AORT), a leading cardiac and vascular surgery company focused on aortic disease, today announced the presentation of results from the AMDS PERSEVERE clinical trial in a Late-Breaking Science presentation at the 60th Annual Meeting of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons in San Antonio, Texas. The data presented analyzed clinical outcomes across the full 93 study participant IDE cohort at 30-days following AMDS implantation.

Dr. Wilson Szeto, Chief of Cardiovascular Surgery at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, presented the data from the PERSEVERE US IDE trial as a late-breaking abstract titled, Results of a Novel Aortic Arch Hybrid Prosthesis for Open Repair of Acute DeBakey Type I Dissection with Malperfusion: 30-day Results from the PERSEVERE Study.

Data from the trial demonstrate statistically significant reduction of all-cause mortality and primary major adverse events (MAEs), as well as no occurrence of distal anastomotic new entry (DANE):



PERSERVERE (%) Historical Reference1 (%) Primary major adverse events (1 MAE) 28.0 58.0 All-cause mortality 9.7 34.6 New disabling stroke 11.8 20.9 New onset renal failure requiring dialysis 19.4 24.1 Myocardial infarction 0.0 10.5 Distal anastomotic new entry (DANE) 0.0 45

The data also demonstrate excellent results for secondary endpoints:



PERSEVERE (%) Technical Success 98.9 Unanticipated aortic reoperations 3.2 Distal stent-induced new entry (d-SINE) 1.1 Occlusion of Supra-aortic vessels 0.0 New Post-op Paraplegia or Paraparesis1 0.0

1One event remains in adjudication

The data compares very favorably with expected rates of early reintervention and DANE tears in this patient population. DANE tears occur in up to 70% of patients following hemiarch repair without AMDS, allowing continued blood flow into the false lumen created by the dissection.2,3 The presence of DANE is associated with enlargement of the aorta, reoperation, and increased mortality. In contrast, DANE has not been detected in any patients in the PERSEVERE study and it was not reported in the DARTS study through 3 years of follow up of AMDS-treated patients.4

Dr. Szeto said, "Acute DeBakey Type I (ADTI) dissections remain one of the most life-threatening emergencies that cardiac surgeons address. Despite the seriousness of the condition, there have been limited surgical advancements in the last several decades, demonstrating an unequivocal need for innovation to better treat these patients. I am extremely encouraged by the results of the PERSEVERE study which indicate that AMDS significantly reduces 30-day MAE's in ADTI patients complicated by malperfusion and helps prevent DANE. The ease of use and approachability of the AMDS device will expand the ability of cardiac surgeons to offer a more comprehensive treatment for these patients amidst a life-threatening emergency."

"We are extremely excited to share these overwhelmingly positive results from the PERSEVERE study as they reinforce the unrivaled clinical benefit and life-saving nature of AMDS. Notably, these results show an even greater improvement in all-cause mortality compared to interim data presented in October," said Pat Mackin, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Artivion. "We now look forward to quickly completing patient follow up and our PMA submission for AMDS to the FDA and to delivering this revolutionary technology to patients with no comparable alternatives as soon as possible."

About the AMDS PERSERVE Clinical Trial

The PERSEVERE trial is a prospective, multicenter, non-randomized clinical trial to determine if patients with acute DeBakey Type I aortic dissection can be treated safely and effectively using the AMDS Hybrid Prosthesis. The trial is designed to support the company's forthcoming application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for premarket approval of the AMDS. The trial consists of 93 participants in the U.S., who have experienced an acute DeBakey Type I aortic dissection. Each participant will be followed for up to 5 years. The combined 30-day safety and primary efficacy endpoints will determine the impact of the AMDS Hybrid Prosthesis on DANE prevention, reducing mortality, new disabling stroke, new onset renal failure requiring dialysis, and myocardial infarction; as well as remodeling of the aorta.

About the AMDS Hybrid Prosthesis and DeBakey Type I Aortic Dissections

The AMDS is the world's first aortic arch remodeling device for use in the treatment of acute Type I aortic dissections. It is used as a complement to, and in conjunction with, hemiarch replacement without adding technical complexity. The design of the AMDS allows for rapid deployment of the graft in the aortic arch during a standard replacement of the ascending aorta, with deployment adding minimal time to the procedure. The deployment of the AMDS preserves the native arch, allowing for minimally invasive re-interventions if needed, rather than an invasive arch repair. AMDS is available in select markets around the world including Europe, Canada and certain countries in Asia. In the clinical trial (DARTS) supporting the CE Mark and Health Canada approvals, the AMDS was shown to reduce complications and reoperations in comparison to published rates with the standard of care, thereby improving the care of patients and offering potential cost savings for the health care system.

Globally, approximately 48,000 patients suffer from acute Stanford Type A aortic dissections annually, an estimated $540 million market opportunity pending regulatory approvals. Aortic dissection occurs when the innermost layer of the aorta tears and blood surges through the tear separating the layers of the aorta. In acute DeBakey Type I aortic dissections, a subset of Type A dissections, the dissection flap originates in the ascending aorta and continues down into the descending thoracic aorta. Left untreated, aortic dissections lead to death in about half of patients within the first 3 days. The current standard of care for repairing acute DeBakey Type I aortic dissections with a primary entry tear in the ascending is a hemiarch repair which involves open chest surgery during which the ascending thoracic aorta is replaced. Though this typically addresses the most critical and pressing issues resulting from acute DeBakey Type I dissections, it is often not enough. Hemiarch repair alone does not address downstream true lumen expansion or treating the false lumen beyond the ascending aorta, which could lead to costly and fatal complications such as malperfusion with subsequent end-organ ischemia resulting from a lack of blood-flow, and continued pulsatile blood flow in the false lumen leading to aneurysmal growth of the aorta.

About Artivion, Inc.

Headquartered in suburban Atlanta, Georgia, Artivion, Inc. is a medical device company focused on developing simple, elegant solutions that address cardiac and vascular surgeons' most difficult challenges in treating patients with aortic diseases. Artivion's four major groups of products include: aortic stent grafts, surgical sealants, On-X mechanical heart valves, and implantable cardiac and vascular human tissues. Artivion markets and sells products in more than 100 countries worldwide. For additional information about Artivion, visit our website, www.artivion.com.

References

Zindovic I et al. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2019; Pacini D et al. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 2013; Girdauskas E. et al. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2009; Geirsson A. et al J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2007; Bossone E. et al Am J Cardiol 2002 Ravesh M. et al. J Thorac Dis 2021 Bing F et al. Vasc Endovasc Surg 2014, Ergin M, et al Ann Thorac Surg 1994, Rylski B et al. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg, 2017, Tamura K et al, Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 2017 Reference: Bozso et al: The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery (2022), doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtcvs.2022.08.040

Artivion Gilmartin Group LLC Lance Berry Brian Johnston / Laine Morgan Executive Vice President & Phone: 332-895-3222 Chief Financial Officer [email protected] Phone: 770-419-3355







SOURCE Artivion, Inc.
New global platform will target modern and fuel-efficient NextGen aircraft

CDPQ and SMBC Aviation Capital to target an initial deployment of USD 500 million per year, over three years

MONTREAL and DUBLIN, Jan. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - CDPQ, a global investment group, and SMBC Aviation Capital, the world's second largest aircraft leasing company, announced today that they have finalized an agreement to create a USD 1.5-billion global aircraft financing and leasing platform dedicated to modern, fuel-efficient NextGen aircraft.

This new platform will focus on worldwide opportunities in new technology aircraft and target an initial deployment of USD 500 million per year, over three years. SMBC Aviation Capital will source transactions and, under a sistership condition, invest in opportunities alongside the platform. SMBC Aviation Capital will also act as servicer of the platform, which will operate under the banner Maple Aircraft Company Holdings Limited.

"Building on CDPQ's experience in the aircraft financing industry, through this new platform, we will continue to provide flexible financing solutions for airlines to meet their future fleet requirements," said Marc Cormier, Executive Vice-President and Head of Fixed Income at CDPQ. "We're delighted to partner with SMBC Aviation Capital, an industry leader with a successful track record, who has demonstrated their commitment to sustainable aviation, to find the best opportunities in the commercial aircraft industry and to achieve attractive risk-adjusted returns over the long term."

"We are pleased to partner with CDPQ on this new platform to benefit our airline customers worldwide," said Peter Barrett, Chief Executive Officer at SMBC Aviation Capital. "CDPQ is an experienced, well respected, global investment group, which is aligned with our own views on capital allocation and a sustainable aviation industry. We look forward to working with our new partners over the coming years on this collaboration."

ABOUT CDPQ

At CDPQ, we invest constructively to generate sustainable returns over the long term. As a global investment group managing funds for public pension and insurance plans, we work alongside our partners to build enterprises that drive performance and progress. We are active in the major financial markets, private equity, infrastructure, real estate and private debt. As at June 30, 2023, CDPQ's net assets totalled CAD 424 billion. For more information, visit cdpq.com, consult our LinkedIn or Instagram pages, or follow us on X.



CDPQ is a registered trademark owned by Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec and licensed for use by its subsidiaries.

ABOUT SMBC AVIATION CAPITAL

Based in the IFSC in Dublin Ireland, SMBC Aviation Capital is the second largest aircraft operating lease company globally, with an owned, managed and committed fleet of over 900 aircraft. The company focuses on the most technologically advanced, fuel efficient and narrowbody aircraft types, providing customers across the globe with the aircraft they need to successfully grow their businesses. Established in 2001, the company was acquired in 2012 by a consortium comprised of two of Japan's biggest companies SMFG and Sumitomo Corporation. For additional information, please visit SMBC Aviation Capital's website at https://www.smbc.aero

For more information

CDPQ

Media relations team

+ 1 514 847-5493

[email protected]

SMBC AVIATION CAPITAL

Conor Irwin / Dara O'Sullivan

+353 1 859 9000

[email protected] / [email protected]

FGS GLOBAL

Charles O'Brien

+44 20 7251 3801

Richard Webster-Smith

+44 20 7251 3801

SOURCE CDPQ
The Biologics License Application for CT-P47 was based on P h ase III data comparing CT-P47 to the reference product ACTEMRA  (tocilizumab)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., Jan. 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Celltrion USA today announced the submission of Biologics License Application (BLA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for CT-P47, a biosimilar candidate of the reference product ACTEMRA (tocilizumab)[1].

The BLA submission was based on data from the global Phase III clinical trial designed to evaluate the efficacy, pharmacokinetics, safety, and immunogenicity of CT-P47 compared to the reference product ACTEMRA in patients with moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis with inadequate response to methotrexate up to Week 52.

"The submission of CT-P47 for review is an important step toward providing patients with rheumatoid arthritis a more accessible avenue to treatment for conditions that present such a significant disease burden," said Thomas Nusbickel, Chief Commercial Officer at Celltrion USA. "We plan to lead the market by establishing a diverse product lineup in the autoimmune disease market in the U.S. We will continue to actively cooperate with the FDA's review in an effort to bring this new treatment option to people living with rheumatoid arthritis as soon as possible."

ACTEMRA is indicated for several indications, including moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis in adults as well as juvenile idiopathic polyarthritis and systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

CT-P47, containing the active ingredient tocilizumab, is a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody that acts as an interleukin 6 (IL-6) receptor antagonist. Celltrion is seeking approval for CT-P47 in both intravenous and subcutaneous routes of administration.

About Celltrion USA

Celltrion USA is Celltrion's U.S. subsidiary established in 2018. Headquartered in New Jersey, Celltrion USA is committed to expanding access to innovative biologics to improve care for U.S. patients. Celltrion USA will continue to leverage Celltrion's unique heritage in biotechnology, supply chain excellence, and best-in-class sales capabilities to improve access to high-quality biopharmaceuticals for U.S. patients. Celltrion endeavors to offer high-quality, cost-effective solutions through an extensive global network that spans more than 110 different countries. For more information, please visit: www.celltrionusa.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENT

Certain information set forth in this press release contains statements related to our future business and financial performance and future events or developments involving Celltrion that may constitute forward-looking statements under pertinent securities laws.

These statements may be identified by words such as "prepares," "hopes to," "upcoming," "plans to," "aims to," "to be launched," "is preparing," "once gained," "could," "with the aim of," "may," "once identified," "will," "working towards," "is due," "become available," "has potential to," the negative of these words or such other variations thereon or comparable terminology.

In addition, our representatives may make oral forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on the current expectations and certain assumptions of Celltrion's management, of which many are beyond its control.

Forward-looking statements are provided to allow potential investors the opportunity to understand management's beliefs and opinions in respect of the future so that they may use such beliefs and opinions as one factor in evaluating an investment. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and undue reliance should not be placed on them.

Such forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual performance and financial results in future periods to differ materially from any projections of future performance or result expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

Such risks and uncertainties may include, among other things, uncertainties regarding the launch timing and commercial success of Celltrion in the United States; the uncertainties inherent in supply chain, manufacturing, research and development, and the possibility of unfavorable new clinical data and further analyses of existing clinical data as it relates to Celltrion products; intellectual property and/or litigation/settlement implications; decisions by the FDA impacting labeling, manufacturing processes, safety, promotion, and/or other matters that could affect the availability or commercial potential of Celltrion products; and uncertainties regarding access challenges for our biosimilar products where our product may not receive appropriate formulary access or remains in a disadvantaged position relative to competitive products; and competitive developments. A further description of risks and uncertainties can be found in Celltrion's Annual Report.

Although forward-looking statements contained in this presentation are based upon what management of Celltrion believes are reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Celltrion undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by applicable securities laws. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

References

[1] ACTEMRA is a registered trademark of Genentech, Inc.

SOURCE Celltrion USA
CGTN America & CGTN UN releases "CMG Hosts 'Prelude to Lunar New Year Gala'" in NYC

WASHINGTON, Jan. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hundreds of dignitaries gathered at Cipriani, a historic New York City landmark venue, on January 26, for the "Prelude to Lunar New Year Gala," hosted by China Media Group and supported by the Permanent Mission of China to UN and the Consulate General of China in New York. The guests who celebrated the culture of the Lunar New Year included ambassadors, senior UN officials, business and community leaders, and artists.

Shen Haixiong, President and Editor-in-Chief of China Media Group, which broadcasts the gala, delivered a video speech to the event. He pointed out that the Lunar New Year, celebrated by one-fifth of the world's population in various forms, is the most important traditional festival for the Chinese nation.

"Watching the Spring Festival Gala has become a New Year tradition for the Chinese people. The gala has been held for 41 consecutive years, bringing cheerful memories to generations of viewers," he said.

Zhang Jun, permanent representative of China to the United Nations, hailed the UN's move to designate the Lunar New Year as a UN floating holiday, saying that this has further affirmed the global significance of the festival and will help more people to gain a better understanding of China, the Chinese people and Chinese culture.

Miguel Angel Moratinos, high representative for the UN Alliance of Civilizations, called on everyone to get inspired by the spirit of the dragon to work together in the new year to promote the common good for humanity and address global challenges.

Stephen Orlins, president of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, noted that China-U.S. relations had some difficulty last year. But he added, "Towards the end of the year, our two leaders met in San Francisco and put the U.S.-China relationship back on the track to benefit the Chinese and American people."

Mayor Eric Adams also attended the event. Huang Ping, Chinese consul general in New York, hoped that in the Year of the Dragon, China and the U.S. can work together to enhance people-to-people exchanges and enlarge common interests.

The "Prelude to Lunar New Year Gala" event offered a glittering array of performances of live music, dance and singing. The evening culminated with fashion designer Andy Yu and his exquisite fashion showcase inspired by Chinese culture featuring beautiful designs that seamlessly blend glamour with sustainable development.

(This material is distributed by MediaLinks TV, LLC on behalf of CCTV. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice, Washington, D.C.)

SOURCE MediaLinks TV LLC
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Shook, Hardy & Bacon welcomes Partner Michael Shortnacy who joins the firm's newly formed Complex Litigation Strategic Counseling Practice. Shortnacy is a problem-solver who defends clients across market sectors with a focus in the automotive, pharmaceutical, consumer products, and food and beverage industries, in their most complex and sensitive class action and mass tort litigation. He is a recognized leader in high-stakes, coordinated proceedings in state and federal court, and is an important addition as Shook deepens its focus on mass tort and complex litigation strategic counseling.

Partner Michael Shortnacy joins Shook, Hardy & Bacon's newly formed Complex Litigation Strategic Counseling Practice. Shortnacy is a problem-solver who defends clients across market sectors with a focus in the automotive, pharmaceutical, consumer products, and food and beverage industries, in their most complex and sensitive class action and mass tort litigation.

"Michael's experience serving as lead counsel in complex litigation is complemented by his acumen in discovery strategy," said Patrick Oot, who advises the C-suite and co-leads Shook's Complex Litigation Strategic Counseling Practice. "This powerful combination plays an integral role as part of an overall trial strategy."

"Michael was an integral part of our core Los Angeles Class Action team when we were at a prior firm and having him join us at Shook is a welcome reunion and greatly enhances our growth plan in the Los Angeles and West Coast market," said Los Angeles Managing Partner Michael Mallow, who co-leads Shook's Class Action and Appellate teams.

Shortnacy has extensive experience counseling clients in all aspects of discovery in complex, bet-the-company litigation and investigations. He is a fierce advocate for clients on critical issues related to discovery, including routinely avoiding or outright defeating motions and discovery practice that threaten to cloud or overtake defenses to the merits of cases.

"In courtrooms and boardrooms, Shook is well-respected for its trial practice and defense of consumer class actions, and I'm excited to join such a talented group of lawyers," said Shortnacy. "Patrick and I share a common vision of the importance of discovery strategy as an offensive tool to fight back against well-funded and well-organized plaintiffs. And I'm looking forward to reuniting with Michael Mallow, Mark Campbell, Rachel Straus and Darlene Cho in Shook's Los Angeles office where I will practice. This is a true win-win."

Shook's litigation and trial teams represent most of the world's leading health, science and technology companies on just about every type of claim. ALM selected Shook as a finalist for the Litigation Department of the Year  Product Liability in 2023. Best Lawyers awarded Shook the 2024 Practice Group of the Year for Mass Tort Litigation/Class Action  Defendants.

Shortnacy earned his law degree from American University, Washington College of Law, cum laude. He is active in the Los Angeles County Bar Association where he is a member of the Executive Committee of the Litigation Section, and where he co-chairs the Rules and Legislation Subcommittee. In 2022, the Los Angeles Times B2B Magazine named him a Visionary for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility and he earned the Minority Attorney of Influence honor from the Los Angeles Business Journal. Previously, California Super Lawyers selected him as a Rising Star.

Shook currently has California offices in Los Angeles, Orange County and San Francisco.

To speak to a Shook attorney, contact the Director of Communications Heather McMichael, [email protected], 816.389.0419.

About Shook, Hardy & Bacon

Founded in 1889, Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P. has 19 offices in the United States and London, with attorneys and professional staff serving clients in the health, science and technology sectors in areas ranging from product liability defense and commercial litigation to intellectual property prosecution and litigation, environmental and toxic tort, privacy and data security and regulatory counseling.

SOURCE Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P.
Interview: France, China committed to growing ties from global perspective, says former French PM

Xinhua) 15:52, January 27, 2024

PARIS, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 60 years ago, France has been viewing China as an essential partner in resolving global challenges and both sides have committed to developing ties from a global perspective, former French Prime Minister Laurent Fabius has said.

Noting this year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between both countries, Fabius, now president of the Constitutional Council, recalled that France became the first major Western country to recognize the People's Republic of China in 1964.

"It was extremely audacious and positive, in 1964, for General de Gaulle's France to be the first major Western country to recognize China," he told Xinhua in an exclusive interview.

He expounded on three aspects of the special friendship between both countries.

First, France and China are both very attached to independence. "It's something key in the developing world."

Second, both countries are committed to multilateralism and peace. "We do not want a bloc policy, with the risks of conflicts that this entails."

Third, France and China are both great civilizations with very advanced technology, and both are permanent members of the UN Security Council.

The relationship has been deeply rooted in exchanges between the two peoples, Fabius said, reminiscing about his days in the northern Chinese city of Tianjin and the Nankai University in the city and his efforts in promoting the cooperation between France's Normandy and Tianjin, while he was president of the Agglomeration Community of Rouen-Elbeuf-Austreberthe from 2008-2012.

"There is no better way than for men and women to come together, to exchange ideas, for students to exchange ideas and that the work be done together, the cultural work, the economic work, the environmental work," he said.

During the years, despite differences on some issues, France and China have attached great importance to developing bilateral relation and cementing their friendship from a global perspective, he stressed.

He urged both sides to continue charting "a reasonable path, a path of modernization, a path of balance," and to keep in mind such key words as "cooperation, multilateralism, sustainable development."

Fabius chaired the 2015 UN Climate Change Conference (COP21), which established the framework for the Paris Agreement, the first universal agreement to fight climate change.

Calling for multilateral efforts against climate change, he warned that eight years on, the world isn't on track to meet its target of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees increase.

"You have seen the extreme heat, the rains, the famines, the damage of all kinds, the problems of pollution, health. This is an absolutely major point and we can only address multilaterally," said Fabius.

Optimistic about the future of Franco-Chinese relations, he said, "I come back to our starting point, in this dangerous world of ours, there must be powers of peace and sustainable development, and this must obviously be, beyond our differences, a major mission of China and France."

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Wu Chaolan)
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), with the assistance of the Defense Ministry of Ukraine, exposed the embezzlement of UAH 1.5 billion, which had been allocated for the procurement of ammunition, by officials of the ministry and managers of Lviv Arsenal, the press service of the SBU said on January 27.

"According to the investigation, former and incumbent senior officials of the Defense Ministry of Ukraine as well as top managers of affiliated companies were involved in the scheme. The perpetrators made an attempt to steal almost UAH 1.5 billion of budget funds during the procurement of 100,000 mortar rounds for the Armed Forces of Ukraine," it said on the Telegram channel.

In August 2022, the officials concluded a contract with Lviv Arsenal for the procurement of a wholesale batch of artillery shells.

Then the Defense Ministry transferred the full contracted amount to the enterprise's accounts.

Having received the funds, the company management transferred part of the money to a foreign commercial structure which was supposed to supply the ordered ammunition to Ukraine.

"However, not a single artillery shell was sent by the latter to our state, while the received funds were hidden on the shadow accounts of another affiliated structure in the Balkans. The rest of the amount received from the Defense Ministry remained on the accounts of the Ukrainian company in one of the capital-based banks," the SBU said.

The SBU has documented the embezzlement scheme and identified all persons involved in it. The stolen funds were seized and the issue of returning them to the budget of Ukraine is being resolved.

Five defendants in the case were notified of suspicion under Part 5 of Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (appropriation, embezzlement of property or appropriation via abuse of office committed by an organized group).

"In particular, suspicion was reported to the former and incumbent heads of the Defense Ministry's Department for Military and Technical Policy, Arms and Military Equipment Development, the head and Chief Commercial Officer of Lviv Arsenal as well as their accomplices  representatives of the foreign commercial structure," the SBU said.

One of the defendants was detained when trying to flee Ukraine. The measures of restraint are being selected for the other defendants.

The perpetrators are facing up to twelve years in prison with the confiscation of property.

The comprehensive operations were conducted jointly with the National Police, under the procedural guidance of the Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine.
Behaviorally-based signals connect health-focused audiences with brands in meaningful ways

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Health Union , the only digital health company continuously working to bring millions of people together in the shared experience of living with chronic and complex conditions, has announced the launch of two new programmatic solutions, Amplify+ and Audience PMP . These new, innovative solutions help brand partners reach the right audiences through smarter, more effective targeting. With the inclusion of recent, behaviorally-based signals, brand partners can now expand reach to actively engaged audiences, at scale, during activatable moments in the health journey.

"For over a decade, Health Union's condition-specific online health communities have been transforming the way brands engage with high-quality audiences," said Scott Schappell, Health Union Chief Revenue Officer. "This new suite of solutions continues our tradition of being transformational. With the industry shifting towards programmatic advertising, these offerings are designed to connect brand partners with the most relevant audiences in reliable and meaningful ways."

Through a unique combination of proprietary community engagement, data science and large scale In America patient survey data, Health Union's programmatic solutions expand reach beyond traditional, claims-based audiences that the market currently relies on. These one-of-a-kind segments not only fit the profile that brand partners want to reach, but the audiences are also actively engaged and likely to take action.

For more information about targeting smarter with Health Union's programmatic data solutions, visit Health Union's programmatic solutions page ..

About Health Union

Health Union is the proven industry leader driving and amplifying social health. As the premier social health company, only Health Union encourages the dynamic, real-time action people take to find meaningful connections and share information that impact their health journey. The company reaches millions of people through the largest portfolio of condition-specific online health communities (e.g., Migraine.com, MultipleSclerosis.net, LungCancer.net) and health leaders - addressing virtually every condition and providing the information, connection and support they need.

SOURCE Health Union
BEIJING, Jan. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report from english.shanghai.gov.cn:

The second session of the 16th Shanghai Municipal People's Congress opened on the morning of Jan 23. Mayor Gong Zheng delivered a report on the government work in 2023.

What are Shanghai's socioeconomic achievements in 2023? What progress has been made in the "Five Centers" development project as well as in reform and opening-up? What priorities will Shanghai focus on in 2024? Let's have a look.

Review of government work in 2023

1. Shanghai's socioeconomic development made progress while maintaining stability

Municipal GDP increased by 5% to 4.72 trillion yuan

CPI up by 0.3%

Surveyed urban unemployment rate averaged at 4.5%

Output value of the three leading industries (IC, biomedicine & AI) totaled 1.6 trillion yuan

Total R&D expenditure reached around 4.4% of the city's GDP; Numbers of high-value invention patents per 10,000 people up to 50.2

Per capita disposable income amounted to 85,000 yuan, increasing by 6.6% and growing faster than the city's GDP

87.7% of the days in 2023 were rated excellent or good on AQI, up by 0.6 percentage points

Numbers of parks increased by 162, now totaling 832

2. Enhanced capacity of "Five Centers"

Construction on 58 major industrial projects, each worth over 1 billion yuan, kicked off; C919, China's first homegrown large passenger jet and its first cruise ship began commercial operation

Construction has begun on Shanghai East Railway Station and the north port operation area in Xiaoyangshan; the container throughput reached 49.158 million TEUs, ranking first globally for the 14th consecutive year

Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility Phase II and the Live Cell Imaging Facility completed construction and were put into operation; 7 high-quality incubators unveiled; Numbers of high-tech companies exceeded 24,000

3. Deepened development of Pudong as a leading area for socialist modernization

General Plan for Advancing the Institutional Opening-up of the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone in Alignment with High-standard International Economic and Trade Rules ("80 policy measures") implemented; Pudong's comprehensive pilot reform plan and the first batch of authorized items were approved and put into effect; the 33 national pilot measures for FTZ institutional opening-up were implemented

126 new headquarters and 25 innovation centers of large-scale enterprises were established; 18 regulations and 22 management measures for Pudong New Area were implemented

4. Continuous implementation of the "three major tasks" and the more prominent role that the "three platforms" now play

Expansion of the Yangshan Special Comprehensive Bonded Zone Phase III was approved; over 100 major industrial projects with a total investment of 100 billion yuan

Enhanced the functions of the STAR Market; Shanghai-based companies ranked No 1 nationwide in the amount of funds raised through IPO and market capitalization

21 key cooperation initiatives for the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) were implemented; 28 joint sci-tech innovation and research projects were accelerated; 152 service items were incorporated into the YRD's cross-jurisdiction one-stop government service portal

6th CIIE concluded with a cumulative intended transaction value of 78.41 billion US dollars, up by 6.7%

In the YRD Integrated Green Development Demonstration Zone, 24 institutional innovations were spearheaded, including the inter-provincial project approval mechanism and the cross-jurisdiction water joint protection plan

5. The implementation of multiple measures to expand domestic demand and stabilize international demand, with significant results in high-quality economic development

Implemented 15 measures to boost consumption, 24 measures to promote investment, 21 measures to stabilize foreign trade, and 20 measures to attract foreign investment

Major consumption promotion events were hosted, including the Double Five Shopping Festival and six themed consumption event series; another 1,215 first stores were added and the city's total retail sales of consumer goods surged up by 12.6%

Construction has begun for the eastern extension of Metro Line 13, Metro Line 19, and Phase I of the Nanhui-Fengjing Line, the railway line linking Lin-gang Special Area and Fengjing town in Jinshan district; key infrastructure projects were put to use, including S3 Highway;

Key project investment reached 225.74 billion yuan; the city's total fixed asset investment exceeded one trillion yuan, up by 13.8%

6. Full dedication to ensuring people's well-being, with continuous improvement of people's life

5,510 elderly care beds and 41 community canteens were added

579 summer care classes for primary school students were organized and an additional 5,308 places were added to community childcare programs

123,000 square meters of scattered dilapidated housing in the city's downtown area completed renovations; 10 urban village transformation projects have begun construction

3,001 elevators were installed in existing multi-story residential buildings; 81,000 units of subsidized rental housing were built

51,000 new electric vehicle public charging piles were installed

606,000 new jobs were created

227 community employment service centers were built

7. New headway made in urban governance and ecological progress

Another 8 km of public waterfront areas was linked up and opened to the public; the quality of the waterfront areas along the Huangpu River and Suzhou Creek were steadily improved

112 km of overhead cables have been moved underground, 103 "beautiful street blocks" were built

Another 354,000 NEVs sold, NEV stock in Shanghai reaching 1.288 million, the highest among all cities in the world

Over 67,000 mu (4466.67 hectares) of forestland, 1,044 ha of green space, 231 km of urban greenway, and 430,000 sq m of vertical green landscaping added

8. Continuous improvement of the business environment, and further development of the Government Online-Offline Shanghai Portal and the Urban Management Platform

208 reform tasks outlined in the 6th version of the business environment improvement policies were fulfilled; an average of 1,904 new businesses were registered daily, up by 28.1%; No. of businesses per 1,000 people increased to 116.8, the highest in China

The Government Online-Offline Shanghai Portal cumulatively:

introduced 41 items into the "One Service" initiative

facilitates 200 frequently used government services in a smart and convenient way

unveiled 296 application-free services

1,466 applications of various types were integrated on the Urban Management Platform

Major Tasks in 2024

1. Main targets for socioeconomic development this year



Municipal GDP growth rate of around 5%

An increase of 5% in general budget revenue

Overall R&D expenditure making up about 4.5% of the city's GDP

Surveyed urban unemployment rate kept under 5%

Household income to increase in parallel with GDP growth; a target CPI of 3%

2. Building up the city's capabilities and core competence by speeding up the "Five Centers" development

To create 10 million sq m of space for smart manufacturing activities in high-rise industrial properties

To upgrade the capacity of the headquarters economy and carry out the Global Operation Program; to foster commodity trading platforms with an annual turnover of at least 100 billion yuan as well as those above one trillion yuan

To vigorously develop high-end shipping services

To accelerate the construction of major infrastructure projects, such as the north port operation area of Xiaoyangshan, Shanghai East Railway Station, Pudong International Airport Phase IV, and the Youdungang navigation channel upgrade project; to put Phase I of the Luojing Port Area Renovation project into use

3. Unleashing the full potential of consumption and accelerating the construction of major projects

To host the Double Five Shopping Festival and accelerate Shanghai's construction as an international consumption center

To break ground on

The eastern section of Phase I of Metro Line 20

The eastern extension of Shanghai Demonstration Zone Railway

To expedite the construction of

The Chongming Line and the Jiading-Minhang Line

To complete

the line connecting Hongqiao and Pudong airports

the western extension of Metro Line 17

the Shanghai section of the Shanghai-Suzhou-Huzhou Railway

the eastern section of the Beiheng Corridor

To advance the construction of major infrastructure projects, such as

The Shanghai section of Shanghai-Nantong Railway Phase II

The Shanghai section of Shanghai-Chongqing-Chengdu High-Speed Railway

4. Further driving the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta

To formulate and implement Shanghai's third three-year action plan; to accelerate the development of the G60 Science and Technology Innovation Corridor and the industrial innovation belt along Shanghai and Nanjing; to work together to build a YRD regional development community

To accelerate the construction of key projects, such as the Square Hall and Water Courtyard, and the Shanghai-Suzhou-Jiaxing Intercity Railway; to provide supporting services for the completion and operation of Huawei's R&D center in Qingpu district

5. Promoting high-standard reform and opening-up

To act on the opinions of central authorities regarding Pudong's development as a leading area for socialist modernization; to carry out the 280 tasks stipulated in Shanghai's action plans

To assist the Shanghai Municipal People's Congress and its standing committee in making new laws and regulations for Pudong

To follow through with the 80 measures proposed in the general plan on alignment with high-standard international economic and trade rules in an effort to steadfastly expand institutional opening-up

To further open up the telecommunications, finance and healthcare sectors;

To launch major construction projects, such as Dishui Lake School and the Lin-gang Campus of Pudong Hospital

6. Further optimizing the city's spatial layout and foster new growth drivers

To build integrated transportation hubs in new towns, such as the Songjiang Hub, and to advance the construction of rail transit lines, including the western extension of Metro Line 12, the southern extension of Metro Line 15, and the Nanhui-Fengjing Line

To build 26 new elementary schools, middle schools and kindergartens; to accelerate the construction of branches of tertiary hospitals like Zhongshan Hospital and Xinhua Hospital; and to open the completed sections of new urban green belts to the public

To catalyze the development of specialized industrial parks, such as North Shanghai Biopharmaceutical Industrial Park and Carbon Valley Green Bay

To advance the construction of the Legoland Park & Resort, and to break ground on the Shanghai Baoshan Railway Station project

7. Advancing further towards an international cultural metropolis and enhancing the city's cultural soft power

To further implement the Urban Memory Project, which safeguards the city's intangible cultural heritage, such as opera, folk art, and handicraft

To advance the northern and southern extensions of the Huangpu River cruise sightseeing route; to upgrade the cultural and tourism functions of the Suzhou Creek; and to facilitate the full resumption of international cruise lines

8. Further promoting green and low-carbon transformation and making Shanghai a beautiful city

To install 10,000 new public charging piles for electric vehicles

To construct 2 million sq m of buildings with ultra-low energy consumption; and to complete energy conservation renovations on 4 million sq m of public buildings

To build 120 new parks, open 30 twenty-four-hour urban parks, and develop an additional 31,000 mu (2066.66 hectares) of forestland, 1,000 ha of green space, 200 km of urban greenway, and 400,000 sq m of vertical green landscaping

9. Further modernizing urban governance

To complete renovations on 120,000 sq m of scattered dilapidated housing; to refurbish 310,000 sq m of weak-framed old houses in the city's main urban districts; and to start 10 urban village renovation projects

To promote the opening and sharing of spaces within 40 government agencies, public service institutions, and corporate entities; to move 130 km of overhead cables underground; and to build 100 "beautiful street blocks"

10. Taking further measures to substantially improve people's living conditions and quality of life

To create over 550,000 new urban jobs

To add 4,000 beds in elderly care institutions and 30 community canteens for the seniors; and provide 3,000 beds to the needs of the cognitively impaired

To add 3,000 daycare openings in public kindergartens and 7,000 openings in community childcare centers

To offer 70,000 units of subsidized rental housing

To provide over 30,000 beds in the "Homes for New Era Urban Builders and Managers"

To offer over 10,000 units of government-subsidized housing

To install 3,000 elevators into existing multi-story residences

SOURCE english.shanghai.gov.cn
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 Ad Sales and Operations NA, 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, Americas and Partnerships, Snap Lisa Howard , Global Chief Revenue Officer, Hearst Magazines

, Global Chief Revenue Officer, Hearst Magazines 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 Kya Sainsbury-Carter , Corporate Vice President, Microsoft Advertising

, Corporate Vice President, Microsoft Advertising 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, The Weather Channel and IBM Watson Advertising Dani Benowitz , President, U.S. and Global, MAGNA Global (IPG Mediabrands)

, President, U.S. and Global, MAGNA Global (IPG Mediabrands) Alvin Bowles , Vice President, Global Business Group  Americas, Meta

, Vice President, Global Business Group  Americas, Meta Deva Bronson, 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 Ad Sales, 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, Conde Nast Alison Levin , President, Advertising & Partnerships, NBCUniversal

, President, Advertising & Partnerships, NBCUniversal Helen Lin, Chief Digital Officer, Publicis Media

Alan Moss , Vice President, Global Ad Sales, Amazon Ads

, Vice President, Global Ad Sales, 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 U.S 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, Disney Advertising 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

Rich LeFurgy , General Partner, Archer Advisors

, General Partner, Archer Advisors David Moore , Chairman, 4screen

, Chairman, 4screen Randall Rothenberg , Limitless Partner, Randall, Ltd.

, Limitless Partner, Randall, Ltd. 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, Paramount Advertising 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.

SOURCE Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB)
SAO PAULO, Jan. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On February 6th, at 10 a.m. (Brasilia time) and 8 a.m. (EST), we will present our 4Q23 results in Portuguese and English, in an interactive meeting, with a Q&A session at the end.

To take part in the interactive meeting, register at the following link: https://live.popcast.com.br/itau/resultados4t23/Default_eng.aspx

The participants in our interactive meeting will be: Milton Maluhy  CEO, Alexsandro Broedel  CFO and Renato Lulia  IRO

Results will be published in the investor relations website on February 5th, after trading hours in Brazil and the United States.

Follow Itau Unibanco's latest news on our Investor Relations website.

Contact: Itau Unibanco  Corporate Communication

Telephone: (11) 5019-8880 / 8881

E-mail: [email protected].br

SOURCE Itau Unibanco Holding S.A.
Region's oldest major real estate brokerage achieves highest sales volume for third consecutive year

NAPLES, Fla., Jan. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- John R. Wood Christie's International Real Estate today announced 2023 sales volume of $4.5 billion, more than $1.4 billion ahead of its nearest competitor.*

The multibillion-dollar company, which joined the Christie's International Real Estate network in late 2022, is 100 percent owned by the founding Wood family and led by President and CEO Phil Wood. It specializes in southwest Florida, conducting business only in Collier and Lee counties.

"Attributed to the motivation, professionalism, and dedication of our 850 agents and incredibly talented staff, we are delighted to extend our market share leadership," said Wood, recently ranked #122 among the residential brokerage industry's most influential leaders in the 2023 Swanepoel Power 200. "It brings us immense pride to serve discerning luxury home buyers with unparalleled local expertise and a family-like culture that both agents and customers naturally gravitate toward."

The company's top transaction for the year was a single-family Port Royal residence which closed for $46.8 million. According to Southwest Florida MLS records, the sale shattered records as the highest non-beachfront residential sale in the history of Port Royal and Collier County, the county's fifth most expensive residential sale ever, and the most expensive Collier County single-family home sold in 2023. The firm's additional significant sales included a four-bedroom, four-bath, 3,314 square-foot single-family residence on Gulf Shore Blvd. South which sold for $19 million and a five-bedroom, five-bath, 5,025 square-foot Port Royal residence which sold at the list price of $14.9 million.

Throughout the year, the company welcomed 109 new top-performing real estate professionals. It now has approximately 850 real estate agents in 21 offices.

John R. Wood Properties is noted for its philanthropy and was able to significantly increase its emphasis in 2023, supporting more than 52 different charities and nonprofit organizations with financial donations and personal involvement.

About John R. Wood Christie's International Real Estate

John R. Wood Christie's International Real Estate, founded in 1958, is the oldest major real estate brokerage in Southwest Florida. Family owned and operated, it is consistently the number one firm in market share in the Southwest Florida area that includes Collier and Lee counties. It is a nationally recognized company with 65 years of market experience and broad international exposure to buyers in various countries. John R. Wood has more than 850 agents and staff in 23 offices, offering luxury real estate services throughout the area. For more information, visit johnrwood.com .

*In 2023, John R. Wood Properties surpassed all Southwest Florida real estate brokerages in closed residential sales volume in the combined Lee and Collier County market, based on information from the Southwest Florida Multiple Listing Service (SWFLA MLS) for 1/1/2023 through 12/31/2023.

SOURCE John R. Wood Properties Christies International Real Estate
Legal Funding Firm launches new site dedicated to funding requests for doctors, medical providers, and surgical facilities that are short on cash-flow while they wait for personal injury settlement payments on their account receivables.

NEWARK, N.J., Jan. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Legal-Bay LLC, The Lawsuit Pre-Settlement Funding Company, announced today that they've launched a new page dedicated specifically to medical and doctor receivables funding programs. Legal-Bay, an industry leader in the lawsuit cash advance sphere and legal funding arena, funds various types of niche cases and loan requests. In addition, Legal-Bay also assists with multiple financial requests in a multitude of arenas, many of which can be tailored to each individual, firm, provider, or practice requesting cash flow. This includes medical and doctor receivables that are waiting for personal injury receivables to come in.

Due to the fact that medical and doctor receivables funding options are so limited on accident cases, Legal-Bay has decided to cater to doctors, surgeons, surgical facilities, medical providers, and attorneys working with them and their clients in order to provide the cash flow needed for surgeries completed or surgeries on hold due to lack of funds.

If you are a doctor or in charge of a surgical facility, and your accounts receivable department is waiting on personal injury settlements to be paid, Legal-Bay is here to help you cover your expenses. Legal-Bay can assist you if you are performing surgeries and prefer to be paid upfront, or, if you have a number of completed surgeries for which settlements have been delayed. Either way, Legal-Bay has a funding program designed for you and your medical provider office.

Chris Janish, CEO, said about the company's programs, "Since Covid, not only have court cases been backed up in many states, but settlements and payments to medical providers have been as well. We are launching a resource dedicated to surgical center A/R departments to provide you with some needed cash-flow while you wait for lawyers to settle your liens."

To learn more about Legal-Bay's medical and doctor receivables funding programs, medical cash advances, doctor cash advances, or surgical provider lawsuit settlement advance, please visit Legal-Bay's newly launched website at: https://lawsuitssettlementfunding.com/medical-or-doctor-receivables.php

Legal-Bay has nearly two decades of experience with underwriting, case evaluation, and tailoring funding options specific to each individual, plaintiff, attorney, doctor, firm, or practice. The courteous and knowledgeable staff at Legal-Bay can quickly evaluate and determine what a fair upfront cash price is for a surgery or facility fee based on the viability of the pending personal injury lawsuit. Legal-Bay provides surgical funding services nationally, giving the firm the capability to determine fair pricing regardless of jurisdiction.

Furthermore, when a surgeon or facility opts to take an upfront cash advance, they take zero risk on the case, as all cash pricing is paid before the surgery, and Legal-Bay handles the collections from there.

Legal-Bay can also evaluate buying individual large case liens or old liens you want some cash flow on. There are additional options as well, where Legal-Bay could buy a basket of cases for a reasonable percentage figure in comparison to what your total billing invoice amounts are.

To apply right now for the quick approval process on your medical or doctor receivables funding request, please call Legal-Bay's 24-hour hotline at 877.571.0405 or visit: https://lawsuitssettlementfunding.com/medical-or-doctor-receivables.php

Legal-Bay is fully staffed with financial experts who are here to help you obtain peace of mind. There are no out-of-pocket costs whatsoever, which means there is no risk involved.

Legal-Bay typically receives inquiries from people asking for a medical loan, surgery loan, medical cash advance, surgery cash advance, personal injury loan, personal injury presettlement loan, accounts payable loan, accounts payable cash advance, lawsuit loan, loan on lawsuit, loan on settlement, loans on pre settlements, presettlement funding, settlement funding, legal funding, settlement cash advances, or how to get lawsuit money, or how to get surgery money early, or surgery costs early, or medical bills paid before settlement.

Legal-Bay reminds people that their creative funding solutions and cash advances are not a lawsuit loan, a loan on a pending lawsuit, a settlement loan, or a presettlement loan. They are simply pre-settlement cash advances and creative cash advance solutions that one only has to pay back if they win their case. If a client loses their case, there is absolutely no recourse. This is why Legal-Bay is considered one of the best lawsuit loan companies or the best lawsuit loan company out there to work with. In this instance, once the medical provider or surgical center is paid, then they are out of the case and can close the file. No longer do they need to take risk and/or possibly write-off a case as a full loss any longer.

Contact: Chris Janish, CEO

Ph. 877.571.0405

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Legal-Bay, LLC
This distinction ensures patient safety, improves outcomes, and survival rates

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Jan. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center cardiac surgeons have earned distinguished three-star ratings from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) for its patient care and outcomes in isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) procedures. The three-star ratings were awarded in the categories of medication compliance, absence of morbidity, absence of mortality, and overall composite score. The three-star accolades denote the highest category of quality and place Orange Coast Medical Center among the elite cardiothoracic surgery programs in the United States and Canada.

The STS star rating system is one of the most sophisticated and highly regarded overall measures of quality in health care, rating the benchmarked outcomes of cardiothoracic surgery programs. The star rating is calculated using a combination of quality measures for specific procedures performed by an STS Adult Cardiac Surgery Database participant. Some important measures include absence of morbidity and mortality, percentage of rapid extubation, and use of arterial conduits.

"This is the first time that a cardiothoracic surgery program in the MemorialCare Health System has received a three-star ranking by STS, let alone in four out of five categories," says Tuan Lam, M.D., cardiovascular surgeon, Orange Coast Medical Center. "The dedication and determination of the entire team to improve best practices, while keeping the patient's clinical outcome top of mind is why we were able to achieve this prestigious accolade."

Approximately 20% of participants receive a three-star rating for isolated CABG surgery. The latest analysis of data for the CABG operation covers a three-year period, from July 2020 to [June 2023].

"One of any patient's greatest fears is intubation. Our team ensures patients are only intubated when medically necessary, we work to get them off the ventilator as quickly as we can," says Dr. Lam. "Our extubation rate within six hours of surgery far exceeds the national average. In addition, our utilization rate of more than one arterial conduit far exceeds the national average." Arterial conduits, compared to vein grafts, have been shown to have prolonged patency, confer survival advantage, and lead to less complications such as heart attack and repeat interventions. "We have developed protocols to ensure reductions in complications, such as kidney failure or stroke," added Dr. Lam.

The Orange Coast Medical Center surgical team first achieved the 3-star rating for overall composite score in CABG and a few months later was awarded three-star rankings for leading outcomes in absence of morbidity and mortality.

"Receiving these additional three-star ratings for our program is humbling, but not surprising," says Rachel Hargrove, M.D. cardiothoracic surgeon, MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center. "Our team is committed and dedicated to performance and process improvement and is dedicated to ensuring every patient that we encounter has the best outcomes for them and their family. These additional rankings mean we are one of the safest hospitals to have cardiothoracic surgery."

The STS National Database was established in 1989 as an initiative for quality improvement and patient safety among cardiothoracic surgeons. The Database includes four components: the Adult Cardiac Surgery Database (ACSD), the Congenital Heart Surgery Database (CHSD), the General Thoracic Surgery Database (GTSD), and the mechanical circulatory support database (Intermacs). The STS ACSD houses approximately 6.9 million surgical records and gathers information from more than 3,800 participating physicians, including surgeons and anesthesiologists from more than 90% of groups that perform heart surgery in the US. STS public reporting online enables STS ACSD participants to voluntarily report to each other and the public their heart surgery scores and star ratings.

"The Society of Thoracic Surgeons congratulates STS National Database participants who have received three-star ratings," said David M. Shahian, M.D., chair of the Task Force on Quality Measurement. "Participation in the Database and public reporting demonstrates a commitment to quality improvement in health care delivery and helps provide patients and their families with meaningful information to help them make informed decisions about health care."

*User note: An STS National Database "Participant" is a cardiothoracic surgeon or group of cardiothoracic surgeons who agree to submit case records for analysis and comparison with benchmarking data for quality improvement initiatives. At the option of the surgeon or surgical group, the Participant can include a hospital and/or associated anesthesiologists (ACSD and CHSD).

About Orange Coast Medical Center

MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center is part of MemorialCare, a not-for-profit, integrated health care system. Orange Coast Medical Center is the only nonprofit hospital in Fountain Valley. Orange Coast Medical Center fulfills its community's health care needs with innovation and a commitment to excellence, all delivered in a beautiful setting. Orange Coast Medical Center has been voted as a top workplace and the No. 1 Best Hospital in Orange County by Orange County Register readers, has earned Magnet recognition for nursing excellence, and recognized by Healthgrades as a Five-Star Recipient for total knee replacement, treatment of heart attack, treatment of sepsis, coronary bypass surgery, hip fracture treatment, and total hip replacement. For more information visit, memorialcare.org/OrangeCoast.

About STS

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) is a not-for-profit organization that represents more than 7,600 surgeons, researchers, and allied health care professionals worldwide who are dedicated to ensuring the best possible outcomes for surgeries of the heart, lung, and esophagus, as well as other surgical procedures within the chest. The Society's mission is to enhance the ability of cardiothoracic surgeons to provide the highest quality patient care through education, research, and advocacy.

SOURCE MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center
DUBLIN, Jan. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Philippines International Remittance Market Business and Investment Opportunities - Analysis by Transaction Value & Volume, Inbound and Outbound Transfers to and from Key States, Consumer Demographics - Q2 2023" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The detailed examination of transaction values, volume, consumer demographics, and the inflow/outflow trends to and from key states, suggests promising growth in the market despite global economic challenges. The report underscores the strategic movements by firms and startups with innovative approaches aimed at simplifying and enhancing the efficiency of cross-border money transfers.

Inbound Remittance Growth

Despite a projected slowdown in remittance inflows in 2023 due to the deceleration of economic growth in several source countries, the Philippines international remittance market shows resilience. The inbound market size is expected to see a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.7%, propelling from US$ 37.28 billion in 2022 to an anticipated US$ 41.47 billion by 2028.

Strategic Alliances Forging Future Growth

As part of the market's evolution, strategic collaborations are emerging as a crucial factor. Notably, the recent partnership between a U.S.-based fintech firm and a prominent Philippines payments platform illustrates the potential for seamless transactions leveraging cutting-edge digital currency solutions. Furthermore, banking as a service platforms are collaborating with international remittance firms to introduce new remittance channels, enhancing the market's dynamism and innovation.

Startup Ecosystem Breeding Disruptive Innovations



Startups in the Philippines are actively pursuing funding opportunities to carve out their niche in the competitive remittance sector. Innovators like TANGGapp have exemplified this trend with substantial funding rounds backed by renowned investors. These new market entrants are focusing on user-friendly digital remittance applications that cater to the growing demands of the Filipino diaspora.

Expansion and Global Scale



Looking beyond domestic success, Philippine-based startups are setting their sights on international expansion to scale their operations. For example, a remittance-focused fintech startup has announced intentions to enter the Canadian market, aiming to serve the sizable Filipino community there, thereby forecasting a significant upsurge in user growth and transaction volume.

Comprehensive Inbound Market Analysis Transaction Value and Volume Trends Channel-Specific Market Opportunities

Detailed Outbound Market Insights Increasing Transaction Averages Consumer Profile Analytics

Forecasts for Market Growth

The newest report offers businesses and investors critical insight, enabling effective strategizing for those operating within the Philippines remittance scene. It presents a thorough view of the industry, including international inbound and outbound remittance market opportunities, consumer profiles, and flow analysis from the country to various states and regions.



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/77f2fa

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]

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SOURCE Research and Markets
PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- SUMMARY NOTICE of (i) Proposed Settlement; (ii) Motion for an Award of Attorneys' Fees and Litigation Expenses; and (iii) Settlement Fairness Hearing

If you purchased or otherwise acquired common stock of loanDepot, Inc. ("loanDepot") pursuant or traceable to loanDepot's registration statement filed on January 11, 2021, or during the period March 16, 2021, through September 22, 2021, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), you could receive a payment from a class action settlement. Certain persons are excluded from the definition of the settlement class as set forth in the Stipulation and Agreement of Settlement.

PLEASE READ THIS NOTICE CAREFULLY. YOUR RIGHTS MAY BE AFFECTED BY A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT PENDING IN THIS COURT.

YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED, pursuant to Rule 23 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and by Order of the United States District Court for the Central District of California, that in the above-captioned litigation (the "Action"), a Settlement has been proposed for $3,500,000.00 in cash.

A hearing will be held on April 19, 2024, at 10:30 a.m., before the Honorable Josephine L. Staton, at the United States District Court, Central District of California, 350 West 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012, or remotely per details that will be made publicly available on the Settlement website (www.loandepotsettlement.com), for the purpose of determining whether: (1) the proposed Settlement should be approved by the Court as fair, reasonable and adequate; (2) the Judgment as provided under the Stipulation and Agreement of Settlement (the "Stipulation") should be entered dismissing the Action against all Defendants with prejudice; (3) a Settlement Class of all persons, other than Defendants and other excluded persons, who purchased or otherwise acquired loanDepot Stock pursuant to the Registration Statement or during the Class Period (the "Settlement Class"), should be finally certified for purposes of the Settlement only; (4) the proposed Plan of Allocation for distribution of the Settlement proceeds is fair, reasonable and adequate and therefore should be approved; and (5) the application of Lead Counsel for the payment of attorneys' fees and expenses from the Settlement Fund, including interest earned thereon, should be approved and, if so, in what amount; and (6) to award Plaintiffs out of the Settlement Fund pursuant to 15 U.S.C.  78u-4(a)(4) in connection with their representation of the Settlement Class and, if so, in what amount.

IF YOU ARE A MEMBER OF THE SETTLEMENT CLASS DESCRIBED ABOVE, YOUR RIGHTS MAY BE AFFECTED BY THE SETTLEMENT OF THE ACTION, AND YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO SHARE IN THE SETTLEMENT FUND.

Please visit www.loandepotsettlement.com to view and download the detailed Notice of (i) Proposed Settlement, (ii) Motion for an Award of Attorneys' Fees and Litigation Expenses, and (iii) Settlement Fairness Hearing (the "Notice") and a copy of the Proof of Claim and Release ("Claim Form"). You may obtain a copy of these documents by contacting the Claims Administrator: loanDepot Settlement c/o Claims Administrator, 1650 Arch Street, Suite 2210, Philadelphia, PA 19103, or via email at [email protected].

If you are a Settlement Class Member, to be eligible to share in the distribution of the Net Settlement Fund, you must submit a Claim Form by mail postmarked no later than April 24, 2024, or submit it online by that date. If you are a Settlement Class Member and do not submit a valid Claim Form, you will not be eligible to share in the distribution of the Net Settlement Fund, but you will still be bound by any judgment entered by the Court in this Action (including the releases provided for therein).

To exclude yourself from the Settlement Class, you must (1) electronically submit a request for exclusion on the website maintained by the Claims Administrator for the Settlement or (2) mail a written request for exclusion in accordance with the instructions set forth in the Notice. The exclusion request must be received no later than March 29, 2024. If you are a Settlement Class Member and do not exclude yourself from the Settlement Class, you will be bound by any judgment entered by the Court in this Action (including the releases provided for therein) whether or not you submit a Claim Form. If you submit a request for exclusion, you will have no right to recover money pursuant to the Settlement.

Any objection to the proposed Settlement, the Plan of Allocation of Settlement proceeds, or the fee and expense application must be filed with the Court no later than March 29, 2024.

PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT THE COURT, THE CLERK'S OFFICE, DEFENDANTS, OR DEFENDANTS' COUNSEL REGARDING THIS NOTICE.

If you have any questions about the Settlement, or your eligibility to participate in the Settlement, you may contact Lead Counsel at the following address(es) or telephone numbers:

Pomerantz LLP

Jeremy Lieberman

Jonathan D. Park

600 Third Avenue, 20th Floor

New York, NY 10016

Tel: (212) 661-1100

[email protected]

[email protected]

SOURCE Pomerantz LLP
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Some 1,100 ninth grade students will attend the Puente Student Leadership Conference at the California State University, Los Angeles Eagle's Nest Gymnasium from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 3.

The event will be sponsored by the Puente Project, a national award-winning program that has improved the college-going rate of tens of thousands of California's educationally underrepresented students in recent decades.

Josefina-E--Canchola, Director of Secondary Programs and Partnerships at the Puente Project's Southern California office Rafael Agustin, Author of the memoir Illegally Yours and writer for Jane the Virgin, and CEO of the Latino Film Institute

Students participating in the Puente Project work to build a better future for themselves and their families with the support of the Puente project. "Helping these students to have a successful college career is very important. I encourage others to join in supporting the Puente Project, which has built an excellent record of success in recent decades."

Keynote speaker for the event will be Rafael Agustin, https://rafaelagustin.com/about, author of the memoir Illegally Yours and writer for Jane the Virgin, and CEO of the Latino Film Institute. Participating students will also hear messages from a number of other dynamic speakers and inspiring thinkers. They will also receive resources and support for their path to a four-year university and beyond.

"Puente is an educationally transformative program that is more than 40 years strong," says Josefina E. Canchola, Director of Secondary Programs and Partnerships at the Puente Project's Southern California office. "Puente opens up a path towards higher education in the most-needy communities in California by serving underrepresented students that might not otherwise consider pursuing a college degree. We pride ourselves in nurturing the leadership potential in each of our students and are proud of their intellectual, academic and personal growth and development during their Puente experience."

"Puente Project helps students to self-identify as leaders," says Canchola, who serves as Vice President of the Whittier Union High School District. "We have seen the impact of this leadership program in the many fields, including amazing elected leaders, legislative staff members, school administrators, teachers, and counselors."

Students participating in the conference will receive a copy of 'The Brightening,' a newly published book by 14-year-old author Leila Sahabi of Glendale.

The book describes a world in which a young girl's unwavering determination and desire to create a positive change overcomes her fears of powerlessness and insignificance. As a rising author, Leila wants to encourage her peers to pursue their passion.

"By publishing 'The Brightening' I want to highlight the importance of not being afraid to take the first steps and opening yourself up to the world of opportunities," says Leila.

Some 25 career focused workshops are planned for students during the day. A parent's academy will take the mystery out of the world of higher education as it covers topics such as Learning how to support your student on their road to college.

The Puente Project's mission is to increase the number of educationally underrepresented students who enroll in four-year colleges and universities, earn college degrees and return to the community as mentors and leaders to future generations. The program is interdisciplinary in approach, with writing, counseling and mentoring components.

Puente was founded in 1981 by Felix Galaviz and Patricia McGrath at Chabot College in Hayward, as a grassroots initiative to address the low rate of academic achievement among Mexican American and Latino students. To understand possible causes of a high dropout rate, they reviewed over 2,000 student transcripts. Three key patterns were noted among Latino students: students were avoiding academic counseling, students were not enrolling in college-level writing courses, and students were the first in their families to attend college. The Puente model that emerged in response to these patterns has three components: rigorous language arts instruction, sustained academic counseling, and community leadership development and mentoring.

The program has expanded to 6 middle schools, 38 high schools and 65 community colleges throughout the state. PUENTE staff train middle school, high school and community college instructors and counselors to implement a program of rigorous instruction, focused academic counseling, and mentoring by community members. Puente's staff training programs have benefited approximately 300,000 students across the state. PUENTE is open to all students.

The Puente Project is co-sponsored by the University of California and the California Community College Chancellor's Office. Program headquarters are at UC Berkeley and site team partners  consisting of an instructor and counselor at each school/campus site  help to implement the program at middle schools, high schools and community colleges across California, Texas, and newly in Seattle, Washington.

Puente has programs at the statewide level in middle schools, high schools and community colleges. The majority of Puente students are likely to be the first in their families to pursue a college degree. Puente is open to all students, but given the demographics in California, the majority of its students are Latinx.

Checks payable to UC Berkeley Foundation can be mailed to Center for Educational Partnership  Puente Project, Hearst Field Annex, Building C, Berkeley, CA 94720. Donations may also be made online at https://www.thepuenteproject.org/support-us .

Further information on the Puente Project is available by calling 714-357-7728 or visiting [email protected].

ABOUT THE PUENTE PROJECT

Since 1981 he Puente Project's mission has been to increase the number of educationally underrepresented students who enroll in four-year colleges and universities, earn college degrees and return to the community as mentors and leaders to future generations. Puente staff train middle school, high school and community college instructors and counselors to implement a program of educational instruction, academic counseling, and mentoring to assist students. Puente's staff training programs have benefited some 300,000 students across the state.

SOURCE The Puente Project
Hungary has provided Ukraine with a list of issues regarding the protection of the rights of the Hungarian minority, and in 10 days a special commission will submit to the governments of both countries a "concrete understanding" of what needs to be resolved from this list or has already been settled, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said.

"We agreed on one simple thing. We asked the Hungarian side to provide us with an exhaustive list of questions that it has on the issue of protecting the rights of people who belong to national minorities. We have received this list. We agreed that under the auspices of the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs, we will assemble a special commission, which has one very simple task: in 10 days it should submit to the Governments of both countries a specific understanding of how and what of the list of issues that we have received needs to be resolved, or has already been settled, so that we can make a final clarity," Kuleba said at a press conference in Uzhgorod on Monday.

He stressed that the Ukrainian and Ugric sides agreed that they want to resolve the issue of the rights of national minorities, and a significant part of the meeting in Uzhgorod was devoted to this topic.

As reported, on January 29, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, Head of the Presidents Office Andriy Yermak and Hungarian Minister of Foreign Economy and Foreign Affairs Peter Szijjarto held talks in Uzhgorod.
SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytron will meet the customers at booth No.4118 of SPIE Photonics West in the Moscone Center, San Francisco from January 30 to February 1, 2024. The world's first 8m 1920 uncooled long-wave infrared detector will make a stunning debut, and the highly praised G series thermal module and Mini and Tiny series modules will also be presented. In addition, InfiRay, a brand of Raytron, will also unveil innovative short-wave infrared detectors.

At this exhibition, Raytron will present the InfiRay ASIC Uncooled Thermal Module. The G1 Thermal Module is equipped with a self-developed 12m VOx ceramic infrared detector with a high resolution of 12801024. The Mini and Tiny series modules are highly praised by customers for their high performance and cost-effectiveness.

Jason Xu, Business Development Manager of Raytron, says: "InfiRay ASIC Uncooled Thermal Module is definitely the best. InfiRay's self-developed ASIC module is an all-round product and is lighter, smaller, and cheaper than traditional thermal imaging modules. It has better performance and low power consumption. I'd like to regard it as the perfect component for infrared detectors. We will have a live demonstration of the Mini series module. Welcome to our booth to experience it."

In addition to the long-wave infrared products, Raytron is also exploring the short-wave infrared technology. The universal short-wave detector RTS615B_M1, liner array short-wave detector RS1012L-C, and other short-wave detectors will be unveiled at SPIE Photonics West 2024. They can provide various solutions. These innovative products can play a critical role in many industries, such as machine vision, industrial sorting, spectral imaging, semiconductor detection, and biomedical imaging.

"Speaking of technological innovation, I must talk about the world's first 8m 1920 uncooled infrared detector," Jason Xu says proudly. "We present this product this time specially, so you can enjoy the beauty of technological innovation up close. We also offer the WLP sensor for users with specific needs."

Raytron, founded in 2009, is a global leader in the infrared thermal imaging industry. Among the 2,000+ employees of Raytron, over half of them are dedicated to innovation and R&D. Raytron is leading the industry with more than 2,030 intellectual property projects in multiple fields, including integrated circuits, MEMS sensor design and manufacturing, and image algorithms.

InfiRay Booth Information:

Exhibition Dates: 30 Jan - 1 Feb 2024

The Moscone Center, San Francisco, California, United States

Booth No. 4118

Contact Information:

For more information or interviews, please contact:

Marketing Department of Raytron

E-mail: [email protected]

Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/InfiRayGlobal

Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/infiray_technology/

Official Website: https://www.infiray.com/

SOURCE InfiRay
NASSAU, Bahamas, Jan. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hon. I. Chester Cooper, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments & Aviation headed to Tallahassee, Florida this week to address the Florida Federation of Alpha Chapters' "Alpha Day on the Hill" leadership gathering under the theme "Continuing the Legacy of Service and Advocacy in our Communities". The event took place on 25 January at Florida Historic Capitol Museum. In a bid to boost the country's groups business, DPM Cooper will promote The Islands of The Bahamas as an ideal destination for the fraternity's meetings and conferences.

DPM Cooper will promote The Islands of The Bahamas as an ideal destination for the fraternity's meetings and conferences. Post this L-R: Jason Fernandez, Florida State Representative Gallop Franklin, Rashon Young, Representative Aid, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism Investments and Aviation I. Chester Cooper, Florida State Representative Jervonte Edmonds, Ray McKnight, Chairman of Alpha Day on the Hill, Dr. Gregory J. Harris, Florida District Director, Sonless Martin, Senator Shevrin Jones, Dr. Jaffus Hardrick, President, Florida Memorial University during the Welcome Reception for Alpha Day on The Hill.

DPM Cooper said: "I embraced this opportunity to speak to a gathering that encompasses representatives from all Florida chapters of Alpha Phi Alpha. Our sales team in the United States has been seriously engaging with social groups like fraternities, and as a result, we are seeing more and more fraternities such as Alpha Phi Alpha selecting The Bahamas as the location for their meetings. Alphas in Florida are just half hour away from The Bahamas."

Alpha Phi Alpha holds the distinction of being the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African American men. It was founded in 1906 at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York by seven college men. Today, the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity membership worldwide totals 290,000.

"The year 2023 was a banner year in tourism that brought us an unprecedented 8 million plus in visitor arrivals," said DPM Cooper. "Meetings, Incentive, Conferences & Exhibitions, what we call the MICE industry, accounts for 40% of all tourism business to The Bahamas. Fraternities are an important subset of the overall MICE market. MICE is a high growth market that delivers large numbers of visitors per event, hundreds, and in some cases thousands of visitors. This is a sector that we are pursuing vigorously, with the overall goal of increasing our stop-over visitor numbers."

In 2023, The Bahamas experienced a 25% increase in MICE business over pre-pandemic levels. According to the Incentive Research Foundation, in 2024, companies across the United States are forecast to increase their budget allocations for incentive programmes by 37%. This development bodes well for The Bahamas, which has positioned itself as a leading destination for the MICE market in the Caribbean.

The Florida Federation of Alpha Chapters' Alpha Day on the Hill Event is an annual event held in Tallahassee, the Capitol of Florida, during the start of the Florida's legislature session. The goal of the event is to hear from legislators on various bills and legislation and to advocate for issues and concerns impacting the African American community.

DPM Cooper concluded his trip to Tallahassee with a courtesy call on Dr. Larry Robinson, President of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) and Bahamian students attending the university.

About The Bahamas:

The Bahamas has over 700 islands and cays, as well as 16 unique island destinations. Located only 50 miles off the coast of Florida, it offers a quick and easy way for travellers to escape their everyday. The island nation also boasts world-class fishing, diving, boating and thousands of miles of the earth's most spectacular beaches for families, couples and adventurers to explore. See why It's Better in The Bahamas at www.bahamas.com or on Facebook, YouTube or Instagram.

Media Contact:

Anita Johnson-Patty

Director, Global Communications

Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation

[email protected]

SOURCE The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation
WASHINGTON, Jan. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors will meet Feb. 8, 2024, in open session at Postal Service headquarters, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Washington, DC. The public is welcome to observe the meeting beginning at 4 p.m. EST in the Benjamin Franklin Room on the 11th floor. The board is expected to discuss the following items:

Call to order and opening remarks of the chairman



Remarks from the Postmaster General and CEO



Approval of the meeting minutes



Committee reports



Quarterly financial report



Quarterly service performance report



Approval of the tentative agenda for the May 9 open meeting



Adjournment

Open session meetings of the Board of Governors are available on live audio webcasts at https://about.usps.com/who/leadership/board-governors/#sessions. Three hours after the conclusion of the open session meeting, a recorded audio file will be available for listening. In compliance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, the audio webcast will be open-captioned.

Please Note: The United States Postal Service is an independent federal establishment, mandated to be self-financing and to serve every American community through the affordable, reliable and secure delivery of mail and packages to 167 million addresses six and often seven days a week. Overseen by a bipartisan Board of Governors, the Postal Service is implementing a 10-year transformation plan, Delivering for America, to modernize the postal network, restore long-term financial sustainability, dramatically improve service across all mail and shipping categories, and maintain the organization as one of America's most valued and trusted brands.

The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

For USPS media resources, including broadcast-quality video and audio and photo stills, visit the USPS Newsroom. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and LinkedIn. Subscribe to the USPS YouTube Channel and like us on Facebook. For more information about the Postal Service, visit usps.com and facts.usps.com.

Contact: James McKean

[email protected]

usps.com/news

SOURCE U.S. Postal Service
NEW YORK, Jan. 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The power tools accessories market in UK size is estimated to grow by USD 91.27 million from 2023 to 2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 4.48% during the forecast period. The rising demand for accessories for DIY projects drives the growth. DIY activities, popularized through social media, engage enthusiasts in modifying and maintaining possessions, driving the need for suitable tools and equipment. The increasing inclination towards DIY projects for home repair jobs, cost considerations, and creative expression contribute to the positive trajectory.

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Power Tools Accessories Market in UK 2024-2028

For more insights on the historical data (2018 to 2022) and forecast size (2024 to 2028) - Request a sample report

Segmentation is based on Type (Drill bits, Screwdriver bits, Router bits, and Others), End-user (Professional and Individual), Distribution Channel (Offline and Online), and Geography (Europe).

Substantial growth is offered by the drill bits segment. These tools, available in various sizes and shapes, are crucial for creating holes in different materials. Attached to a drill, they cut through workpieces by rotation, with varying materials used for their development to suit specific purposes.

Insights on the contribution of various segments including country and region wise historical data (2018 to 2022), and forecast size (2024 to 2028) - Download a Sample Report

The adoption of flexible battery systems and wireless charging emerges as a leading trend fueling the growth, whereas the influx of Chinese brands in the UK may hamper the growth during the forecast period.

Insights on Drivers, trends, & Challenges- Request a sample report!

What are the key data covered in this report?

CAGR during the forecast period

Detailed information on factors that will drive the growth between 2024 and 2028

Precise estimation and its contribution to the parent market

Accurate predictions about upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

Growth of the industry across UK

A thorough analysis of the competitive landscape and detailed information about vendors

Comprehensive analysis of factors that will challenge the growth of Power Tools Accessories vendors In UK

Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform

Key Offerings

The industry in focus showcases diverse offerings including power drills, saw blades, drill bits, and router bits. With an array of power tool attachments, accessories, and safety gear, it caters to diverse needs, emphasizing maintenance kits, replacement parts, and protective wear. Power tool storage solutions and organizational accessories contribute to a comprehensive offering.

Related Reports:

The Global Power Tools Market size is estimated to grow by USD 11.43 billion between 2022 and 2027 accelerating at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.74%.

The Europe - Power Tools Market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 4.36% between 2023 and 2028. The market size is forecast to increase by USD 2,570 million.

ToC

1 Executive Summary

2 Landscape

3 Sizing

4 Historic Size

5 Five Forces Analysis

6 Segmentation by Type

7 Segmentation by End-user

8 Segmentation by Distribution Channel

9 Customer Landscape

10 Geographic Landscape

11 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

12 Vendor Landscape

13 Vendor Analysis

14 Appendix

About US

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing scenarios.

Contact

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com

SOURCE Technavio
CHANGSHA, China, Jan. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science & Technology Co., Ltd. ("Zoomlion", 1157.HK), a leading Chinese construction machinery and equipment manufacturer, recently released a performance forecast, predicting net profit attributable to shareholders of listed companies in 2023 to be 3.38 billion to 3.62 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 46.57% to 56.98%. The results are due to remarkable results in its international market penetration and rapid growth in the emerging business segments, coupled with reduced internal costs and enhanced efficiency.

The continued growth of international business is a key reason behind Zoomlion's Q4 and full-year net profit growth exceeding expectations. Based on the company's third quarter report, international business income was 13.03 billion yuan from January to September last year, a year-on-year increase of 100.5%, with international business income accounting for 36.7%. In Q3, international revenue amounted to 4.66 billion yuan, boosting its proportion of total income to 40%, a 5% increase from H1 2023.

The company operates in over 138 countries, boasting 350+ outlets and 3,000 international employees, constituting over 90% of its workforce. Future plans aim to have international business account for more than 50%. Key exports, such as construction cranes and earthmoving machinery, are prominent in Belt and Road Initiative countries. Utilizing an end-to-end direct business system, the company foresees enhanced market coverage and product penetration. The upcoming Zoomlion Smart Industrial City is expected to boost manufacturing efficiency and product quality through advanced technologies and digital applications. The company's performance forecast emphasizes operational improvements through comprehensive transformations, digital applications, and cost reduction measures.

In recent years, Zoomlion has accelerated its international business model transformation through the global village and localization concepts, achieving notable progress in key products and markets. By 2023, it claimed the highest market share in the engineering crane sector in the Middle East and Russian-speaking areas. Zoomlion also set export records for the largest tonnage crane from China to South America and the Philippines.

A significant achievement was the bulk export launch of earth-moving machinery to Australia and Europe on January 8, signaling a robust start to its 2024 international development. The subsequent Zoomlion Engineering Crane Company annual meeting on January 15-16 attracted 150+ international customers, yielding orders surpassing 1 billion yuan. Furthermore, on January 18, Zoomlion secured a 165-million-yuan annual intention order for tower cranes at a Moscow promotion event.

SOURCE Zoomlion
Hungary asks to return to its minorities rights they had before 2015 - Szijjarto after talks in Uzhgorod

Hungary wants to return to its minority all the rights they had before 2015, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said.

"But we have a request, maybe this is too much, and you will think that I am impolite, but we ask that the Hungarian minority be given back all the rights they had had before 2015. I want to emphasize that Hungary is not asking for anything more: we are not asking for more than what it was before 2015. That is, the request is to return these rights," Szijjarto said at a press conference with his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba and Head of the Presidents Office Andriy Yermak in Uzhgorod on Monday.

Separately, the Foreign Minister stressed that Hungary supports the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine.

"There has been a war in Ukraine, our neighbor, for almost two years. Hungary's point of view during these two years has always been unambiguous: we support the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine. We condemn the war, and we want peace to come to our neighborhood as soon as possible," Szijjarto said.

According to him, one needs to talk more about the need for peace, and it is necessary to increase efforts so that people in Ukraine can live in peace.

"Hungary is ready to make efforts because we know that people's lives can only be saved during peace," Szijjarto added.

He recalled that Hungary had accepted more than a million refugees from Ukraine and was able to help half a million families with various humanitarian aid. The minister also pointed out that Hungary supports the restoration of schools and hospitals.

As reported, on January 29, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, Head of the Presidents Office Andriy Yermak and Hungarian Minister of Foreign Economy and Foreign Affairs Peter Szijjarto held talks in Uzhgorod.
New border crossing to be opened on border of Hungary, Ukraine, bridge planned to be built across Tysa  Szijjarto

A new border crossing will be opened on the border of Hungary and Ukraine, and it is also planned to build a new bridge across the Tysa, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said.

"This has almost already been achieved. We will open a new border crossing on the border of Hungary and Ukraine. This means that we will be able to facilitate the work at those checkpoints that currently exist," Szijjarto said at a press conference with his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba and head of the President's Office Andriy Yermak in Uzhgorod on Monday.

In addition, as Szijjarto said, they agreed on the expansion of road and rail crossings in Beregsurany and Zahony, as well as on the general goal of building a new bridge over the Tysa.

"I thanked my Ukrainian colleagues for guaranteeing us a reliable transit route for crude oil supplies over the past two years. I asked that this be preserved and asked my Ukrainian colleagues to ensure the correct working conditions for Hungarian companies present on the Ukrainian market," the minister added.

Szijjarto stressed that the purpose of the visit to Uzhgorod is to restore trust in bilateral relations between Hungary and Ukraine and indicated that "it was possible to take steps in this direction."
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Ukraine and Hungary have taken a powerful step towards a meeting between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Head of the Presidents Office of Ukraine Andriy Yermak said at a briefing in Uzhgorod on Monday.

"Both sides have made it absolutely clear that there is an interest in holding a meeting at the level of the Prime Minister of Hungary and the President of Ukraine. And I think that today we have made a very powerful step towards this meeting," he said.

"Of course, we are interested in this meeting being successful and really opening a new page in our relations," said the head of the President's Office.

Answering the question, he noted that "we did not talk about a specific date today, but we expressed the interest of both sides that such a meeting takes place as soon as possible."

"We are definitely united in the fact that we will not even give anyone the opportunity to think that neighboring states may not be in good neighborly relations," Yermak stressed.
Amman, Jan 29 : Jordan has condemned the "terrorist" attack on "an advanced position" on its border with Syria, which resulted in the deaths of three US soldiers.

The attack also inflicted dozens of injuries among the US 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 US for the victims of the drone attack and wished a speedy recovery to the wounded, Xinhua news agency reported.

Mubaidin said that the "terrorist" attack did not result in any deaths or injuries among the Jordanian Armed Forces.

He emphasised 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 jeopardise the kingdom's security," the Minister added.

Jordan has announced a collaboration with partners to secure its borders, requesting necessary military systems and equipment from its ally, the US, and other nations to enhance its capabilities in resolving security threats and safeguarding the borders.
Ayodhya, Jan 29 : Nearly 19 lakh devotees have offered prayers at the Ram temple in Ayodhya in the past one week.

Following the consecration ceremony on January 22, the temple doors opened to devotees on January 23, witnessing an influx of worshippers from different corners of the country.

It is reported that each day, more than two lakh devotees visited the temple to have 'darshan' of Shri Ram and offer their prayers.

Devotees, hailing from diverse states across the nation and even internationally, alongside those from various districts of Uttar Pradesh, continue to arrive in substantial numbers daily.

On Sunday, the footfall surged with more than two lakh devotees converging to worship Shri Ram Lalla.

The maximum rush was on January 23 when five lakh devotees offered prayers at the temple on the first day of opening. The number hovered around 2 to 2.5 lakh on the following days and went up to 3.25 lakh on Sunday.

On the directives of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, a committee has been established to meticulously orchestrate arrangements, ensuring that devotees encounter have seamless darshan of their deity.
Washington, Jan 29 : US President Joe Biden has accused Iran-backed militants of being behind the attack that killed three US troops in Jordan and wounded dozens more, the media reported.

Biden said that three US service members were killed and "many" wounded in a drone attack on US forces stationed in northeastern Jordan near the Syrian border, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported.

"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 in a statement.

"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 on January 28.

He added that the attack took place late on January 27. He did not specify the number of those injured in the incident, but a US official later said at least 34 personnel were being evaluated for traumatic brain injuries, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported.

Republican Senator Tom Cotton, a vocal critic of Biden, said the "only answer to these attacks must be devastating military retaliation against Iran's terrorist forces.... Anything less will confirm Joe Biden as a coward".

Jordan condemned what it called a "terrorist attack" on a military site, saying it was cooperating with the US to fortify its border defences.

Earlier, a government spokesman in Amman claimed the attack was not on Jordanian soil but on a US base in Syria just across the border.

The details of the attack could not immediately be verified, but reports said it occurred at Tower 22, a site hosting a contingent of US troops inside Jordan along the Syria border.

Jordan is a close ally of the US in the Middle East, with the Pentagon basing some 3,000 troops there, often in support of actions in Syria.

US troops have been active in Syrian in recent years battling the Islamic State (IS) extremist group and others.

If confirmed to be in Jordan, the attack would be first targeting US troops in that country since the start of Israel's war in Gaza with Hamas, which has been declared a terrorist organisation by Washington and the European Union.

Many observers have expressed fears of a widening conflict in the Middle East after war broke out in Gaza following Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7.

At least 1,200 people were killed in those assaults, leading to retaliatory Israeli actions that have killed more than 26,000 Palestinians, according to local officials.

Because of its support for Israel, US forces have been the target of Islamist groups in the Middle East, including Iranian-backed Huthi rebels based in Yemen and militia groups in Iraq who are also supported by Tehran.
Gaza, Jan 29 : The Hamas-run government in Gaza said in a statement that the Israeli army killed at least 350 Palestinians in the past 48 hours in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip.

Medical teams were unable to reach dozens of bodies scattered on the streets, the statement added on Sunday, noting that local residents had to bury the dead in the courtyard of the city's Nasser Hospital as they could not take them to the Khan Younis cemetery, Xinhua news agency reported.

Meanwhile, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said on Sunday that Nasser Hospital has been filled with medical waste due to a blockade by the Israeli army, noting that at least 7,000 wounded and sick people in the enclave are in urgent need of life-saving treatment.

The Palestine Red Crescent Society warned in a statement about the depletion of the oxygen supply at Al-Amal Hospital in Khan Younis amid the ongoing siege by Israeli forces, which has made it difficult for medical teams at the hospital to perform surgical operations.

Since its onset on October 7, 2023, the months-long deadly conflict between Israel and Hamas has led to a Palestinian death toll of 26,422 in Gaza, with the number of injuries rising to 65,087, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry on Sunday.
Beirut, Jan 29 : Three Hezbollah members were killed, and five civilians were injured in Israeli raids on the Lebanese-Israeli border on Sunday, Lebanese sources told the media.

Official medical sources told Xinhua news agency that ambulances have transferred the dead and injured to three governmental hospitals in southern Lebanon.

Lebanese military sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Xinhua that Israeli drones and warplanes have carried out 14 airstrikes on southern Lebanon, adding that 150 Israeli shells were also fired at 25 towns and villages in the area, destroying 11 houses and damaging 27 others, Xinhua news agency reported.

Meanwhile, the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah said its fighters have attacked Israeli gatherings in Tal Shaar, the Ramim barracks, the vicinity of the Ya'ra barracks, the Motella settlement, and the Hanita site, confirming inflicting casualties among Israeli soldiers.

The Lebanese-Israeli border has been witnessing increased tension since October 8, 2023, after Hezbollah fired dozens of rockets toward Israel in support of the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, prompting Israel to respond by firing heavy artillery toward southeastern Lebanon.

The confrontations between Hezbollah and Israel have killed 237 people on the Lebanese side, including 171 Hezbollah members and 39 civilians, according to Lebanese security sources.
Juba, Jan 29 : At least 42 people were killed, including a UN peacekeeper, during clashes last week in the Abyei Administrative Area between armed youth of the Twic community of neighbouring Warrap state and Ngok Dinka of Abyei, officials confirmed.

Rou Manyiel Rou, the Secretary General of Abyei Special Administrative Area, said on Sunday 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, Xinhua news agency reported.

"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 January 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 added 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 organised 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 on 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 neighbour Sudan which is currently mired in conflict since April 15.
Riyadh, Jan 29 : Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud has urged Israel to respect international law.

He made the remarks on Sunday during a joint press conference with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry in Cairo, in which both called for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and aid to reach those in need, according to Saudi state-owned Al Arabiya News channel.

The Saudi official said that Saudi Arabia, along with other Arab states, will continue to exert pressure to protect the Palestinian people, Xinhua news agency reported.

Speaking of Israel's rejection of the ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the humanitarian situation in Gaza, he stressed that international laws and international humanitarian laws should be as applicable to Israel as to others.

The ICJ on Friday ordered Israel to take all possible measures within its power to prevent genocide acts against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. The orders, according to the court, are legally binding.

The court, however, did not order Israel to suspend its military operations in Gaza, one of the main requests submitted by South Africa, while also calling on Hamas to release all Israeli hostages.
Gaza, Jan 29 : Funding suspension would force UNRWA to halt all its activities in the conflict-ridden Gaza Strip in a few weeks, the UN relief agency's Commissioner-General said.

Philippe Lazzarini said on his social media X account on Sunday that the suspension decision is "regrettable," stressing that the agency "relies on the support of our partners to maintain our humanitarian response to two million people in Gaza and Palestinian refugees in the region".

The US, Canada, Britain, Germany, Australia, Finland and the Netherlands decided to pause funding to UNRWA after Israel accused several UNRWA employees of suspected involvement in the October 7 attack on Israel last year, Xinhua news agency reported.

Lazzarini said he was "shocked" upon knowing the accusations against its employees, adding that the agency has decided to "dismiss the employees concerned and to commence an investigation without delay".

"UNRWA is also implementing structural reforms to enhance the commitment of its staff to humanitarian principles, including the principle of neutrality, with independent experts responsible for assessing and deepening our efforts in this direction," he noted.

UNRWA, established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1949, is tasked to provide humanitarian assistance and protection to Palestinian refugees registered in the agency's operational areas until a just and lasting solution to their plight is found.

On Sunday, Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani condemned Israel's accusations against UNRWA employees.

"The accusations hurled by Israel against some of the UNRWA staff members are another malicious act in completion of Israel's inhumane actions against Palestinians," he was quoted in a statement published on the Ministry's website as saying.
3,080 selected for jobs in Israel from UP, to take skill test now. Image Source: IANS News

Lucknow, Jan 29 : Nearly 3,080 workers have been selected for various jobs in Israel. The walk-in registration of workers to be sent from India to Israel has ended at the Government ITI in Lucknow, and now a skill test will be conducted till January 30.

"So far 3,080 workers have been selected for jobs in Israel. There are 10,000 vacancies of construction workers and for which thousands queued up at the ITI office," an official said late on Sunday.

"Only candidates having application form with signature and seal issued by the institute and registered with the labour department would be able to participate in the skill test that would now be conducted till January 30," Government ITI principal Raj Kumar Yadav said.

Yadav said that candidates who are not registered with the Labour department and have not approached Government ITI Aliganj, Lucknow by January 28 to get the application form signed, will not be able to appear for the skill test where abilities of aspirants to do shuttering work, tiles and marble fitting and wall plastering among others are being tested.

"Nearly 2,400 forms were distributed and only these many candidates will be allowed to appear in the skill test till January 30. Nearly 4,200 candidates took the test and another 2,400 would appear over the last two days," he said.

He said thousands of candidates gathered at ITI Aliganj gates and created ruckus on Sunday as thousands of jobseekers from UP and even outside queued up for skill tests to try their luck against 10,000 vacancies of construction workers in Israel.

The Israel job offer is accompanied with lucrative perks like a decent salary of Rs 1,37,250 per month besides a fund bonus of Rs 15,000.

The skill test is organised by the state government to provide employment opportunities to Indian workers in Israel under the Chief Minister Mission Employment Scheme.
Tel Aviv, Jan 29 : The foreign ministry of Palestine Authority (PA) has said that suspension of funds to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in Near East (UNRWA) was deplorable.

In a statement on Sunday night, the PA said that the suspension of funds to the UNRWA by the US, the UK and other countries was highly deplorable and of double standards.

The PA also said that the UNRWA chief Phileppe Lazzarani has already announced that the UN agency was willing for an independent investigation on the Israeli claims regarding UNRWA staff.

Israel has complained to the United Nations and other funding countries that several UNRWA staff members were directly involved in the October 7 massacre in southern Israel when Hamas men swarmed into the Israeli communities and slaughtered 1,200 people -- a majority being civilians.

Israel has in its complaint stated that the details of UNRWA staff members' participation in the October 7 attack was obtained while interrogating arrested Hamas militants. Israel intelligence agencies and Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have also provided information to the Israeli side regarding the participation and involvement of UNRWA staffers.

The foreign ministry of the Palestinian Authority defined the decision to suspend funding to the UNRWA as "highly politicized, disproportionate and unjustified".

The Ministry, according to its statement, said that the decision to suspend funding to UNRWA was a form of "collective punishment".

It also added that the UNRWA was about to run out of money and would not be able to provide assistance to Palestinian refugees throughout the region.

Israel has in its complaint stated that the details of UNRWA staff members participation in the October 7 attack was garnered while interrogating arrested Hamas militants. Israel intelligence agencies and Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have also provided information to the Israeli side regarding the participation and involvement of UNRWA staffers.

Israel has all along been maintaining that the UNRWA was acting as a cover for Hamas in Gaza and that it should be replaced with some other agency.
Hungary is ready to increase its efforts to bring peace to Ukraine and will continue to provide humanitarian support to it, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said.

"In Ukraine, our neighbor has a war going on for almost two years. Hungary's point of view during these two years has always been unequivocal - we support the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine. We condemn the war and want peace to come to our neighborhood as soon as possible," Szijjarto said during a press conference with the heads of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and the Presidents Office.

He also told how, upon arrival in Uzhgorod, together with his Ukrainian counterpart, he visited the cemetery where the defenders of Ukraine who died during the war are buried.

"We commemorated the Heroes who died during the war. This also underlines that we must also speak with greater intensity in international politics about the need for peace. We must increase our efforts so that people in Ukraine can live comfortably in peace. Hungary is ready to make efforts, because we know that people's lives can only be saved during peace," Szijjarto stressed.

The Hungarian Foreign Minister also assured that he would continue to provide humanitarian support to Ukraine.

"Over the past two years, we have been carrying out the largest humanitarian action in the history of Hungary [as aid to Ukraine]," he said.

"Our humanitarian assistance has affected more than 1.5 million families in 20 regions of Ukraine. We support hospitals, schools, and rebuild them. We provide assistance in both education and healthcare. We will continue to do so," he concluded.
Tel Aviv, Jan 29 : The Israel Prime Minister's Office said that the peace talks held for a ceasefire and the release of all its hostages from Hamas custody were constructive.

Tel Aviv, Jan 29 (IANS) The Israel Prime Ministeras Office said that the peace talks held for a ceasefire and the release of all its hostages from Hamas custody were constructive.

The office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a statement on Sunday night confirmed that a four way meeting involving US,Israel, Qatar and Egypt had taken place in Europe and was quite constructive.

The PMO said that there were still gaps regarding the deal to be adopted for a ceasefire and release of hostages and that this would be taken forward again this week itself.

Director of Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), William Burns; David Barnea, the head of the Mossad intelligence agency; Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and the Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel participated in the discussions widely believed to have been held in Paris.

Ronen Bar, the head of the Israeli Shin Ben security service, as well as IDF hostage envoy Nitzan Alon were also at the four nation summit.

Hamas, according to information available, has demanded an end to the war and the withdrawal of all IDF forces as a condition for the release of hostages and Israel has rejected these demands outright.

Israel Defense ministry sources told IANS that the peace agreement would be carried out in two phases.

In the first phase there would be a pause to the war wherein all the elderly, women and children and those under medication would be let off by Hamas in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners in Israel jails. There will be a pause to the war and Israeli civilian men and soldiers, who are in custody, would be let off for a further exchange of a large number of Palestinians in Israeli prisons.

However Hamas, according to Arab and Hebrew media, wanted a permanent stoppage of the war and that this was rejected in toto by the Israel side.

There was a one week ceasefire between the two sides from November 24 to December 1 during which 105 hostages were released by Hamas in exchange for 324 Palestinian prisoners.

The war erupted on October 7 when Hamas-led terrorists from the Gaza Strip carried out a massive attack on Israel that killed some 1,200 people in the south of the country, most of them civilians.

The Hamas terrorists massacred people, gang-raped women and tortured and mutilated their victims in border communities and at the Rim music festival.

Hamas and other militant groups also abducted 253 people of all ages, mostly civilians, as hostages in Gaza.

Israel responded with a military campaign immediately and a ground offensive from October 27 to destroy Hamas, remove it from power in Gaza and release the hostages.

It is to be noted that according to official records 132 hostages abducted by Hamas on October 7 are still being held in Gaza. However Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Military Intelligence have confirmed that 28 of the hostages were dead. Three of the hostages were killed in an accidental firing by the IDF.

The Ministry of Health in Gaza controlled by Hamas has stated that more than 26,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel commenced its counter attack. The deceased include a large number of women and children and there has been genocide calls against Israel.

More than 200 soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) were also killed in the ongoing war as per the statements from IDF.
Guwahati, January 29 : The Assam government will host a steam boiler expo in February with an aim to attract industry players for investment in the state, officials said.

An official statement mentioned that the event is a dynamic collaboration with industry giants such as Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), Oil India Limited (OIL), Numaligarh Refinery Ltd. (NRL), Brahmaputra Cracker and Polymer Ltd. (BCPL), Assam Petro Chemicals and NTPC limited. The Expo will witness active participation from leading manufacturers, esteemed experts, and industry users from across the nation.

According to an official, the first Bharat Steam Boiler Expo scheduled to happen between February 27 and 29 in Guwahati, was planned to celebrate the pivotal role boilers play in India's industrial landscape.

"Serving as the heart of manufacturing units across diverse industries, boilers are the unsung heroes driving production and innovation," he added.

The state labour and employment minister Sanjoy Kishan said on Sunday: "We take immense pride in unveiling an event that will redefine Assam's industrial landscape. The expo embodies our vision for inclusive, sustainable, and progressive development."

"The expo is a rallying call to the sector's professionals and workers. We are dedicated to driving skill development, ensuring Assam's workforce is ready for the exciting opportunities unfolding in our evolving industrial landscape," said B. Kalyan Chakravarthy, Principal Secretary, Government of Assam.

The state government's Inspectorate of Boilers will arrange the event. N. Borah, Chief Inspectorate of Boilers, said: "As we embark on this historic event, we reaffirm our commitment to safety, efficiency, and advancement within the boiler industry. The expo is not just a showcase; it's a testament to Assam's prowess and potential."
Chennai, Jan 29 : The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department of the Tamil Nadu government will hold a series of peace meetings with upper caste Hindus and Dalits in Tiruvannamalai district this week.

This is for the smooth conduct of annual post-Pongal festivals in the Thenmudiyanur village in Thandrampattu block of Tiruvannamalai district.

According to the customs and traditions followed by residents in the village, the festival will be held for 13 days. Each community in the village will conduct rituals and 'pujas' as per their tradition at the Muthalamman Temple.

It has, however, been reported that caste Hindus are not willing to conduct the rituals in the temple this year and have sought permission from HR&CE officials to conduct rituals on a private individual land where an idol has been placed a few days ago.

HR&CE (Tiruvannamalai) officials told IANS that petitions have been submitted by the members of both Dalit communities and upper caste Hindus on the festival to the department last week.

While Dalits want to have the festival in the temple, caste Hindus have decided to stay away from the festival. This has reached a situation wherein only Dalits will be performing the ritual on the specified day given by the HR&CE

HR&CE officials said that festivals cannot be done for a single day by one community alone and that a mid-path will be found to resolve the issue

On January 30, 2023 Dalits had entered the temple for the first time in over 70 years in the presence of district Collector and other revenue officials. After this the temple was closed until September 2023 when Salits sought the reopening of the temple to conduct daily pujas. Since then, the temple has remained open on all days for worship.

However, caste Hindus have not visited the temple since its reopening last September and they mobilised funds from the public, especially from caste Hindus in the village, and made a bronze idol for the consecration on a private individual land.
UP: 3 arrested for woman's murder in April 2023. Image Source: IANS News

Guwahati, January 29 : : Assam Police have arrested a person accused of posing as a CID officer and abducting a minor girl in Guwahati, officials said on Monday.

The arrested person has been identified as Mahendra Bora.

According to a police complaint lodged by the family members, the accused tried to establish a romantic relation with the minor girl posing as a CID officer and later abducted her.

The victim is a resident of Khanapara area in the city. After she went missing, the family lodged a police complaint in the Dispur police station.

"We have lodged a search operation and we apprehended the accused person on Sunday night tracing the mobile location. The girl was rescued and sent to her home," a police officer said.
London, Jan 29 : The UK government has ordered a special review into the National Health Service (NHS) Trust, where a 32-year-old man was treated for mental illness before he went on to stab three people, including a British-Indian student.

Valdo Calocane, a dual Guinea-Bissau/Portuguese national, was given a hospital order after he killed 19-year-old students, Grace and Barnaby Webber, and 65-year-old school caretaker Ian Coates in Nottingham on June 13, 2023.

Health and Social Care Secretary Victoria Atkins ordered a special review into Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, where Valdo Calocane was treated for paranoid schizophrenia.

The review will provide further answers for the families affected by the horrendous and tragic killings in addition to focusing on wider issues in mental health care provision in Nottinghamshire, the Department of Health and Social Care stated on Monday.

"My thoughts remain with the families and friends of Barnaby, Grace, and Ian, who lost their lives in such a tragic, cruel and barbaric way. It is crucial that our mental health services ensure both the care of patients and the safety of the public," Health and Social Care Secretary Victoria Atkins said.

Conducted by The Care Quality Commission (CQC), the review will be carried out alongside the Independent Mental Health Homicide Review ordered by NHS England to examine the case of Valdo Calocane.

Any concerns regarding patient safety, quality of care, or public safety will be reported by the CQC, and it will have access to witness statements and oral evidence regarding health services that were called during the criminal trial, the Department said in a statement.

Acknowledging the importance of identifying any failings as quickly as possible, Atkins has asked the CQC to present its findings in March, following which the government will issue its response to the review in due course.

aWe will conduct a rapid review into mental health services in Nottingham to understand whether there are any practical actions, which can be taken to improve the quality of services and ensure people receive safe and effective care," Director of Mental Health at CQC, Chris Dzikiti said.

He added that they would begin the work immediately, aiming to report to the Secretary of State before the end of March.

Claire Murdoch, NHS national mental health director informed that NHS England is commissioning an independent investigation into the case.

Calocane was sentenced last week at the Nottingham Crown Court after pleading guilty to three counts of manslaughter based on diminished responsibility, and three counts of attempted murder.

The court was told that Grace showed "incredible bravery" by attempting to fight off Calocane and save Webber as they were attacked while walking home from a night out.

Calling Calocane "a cold, cowardly and calculating killer", Grace's father, Sanjoy Kumar praised his daughter who "heroically and valiantly fought you. Like a hero, she put herself in harm's way".
Puducherry, Jan 29 : In a case of online fraud, a coconut trader in Puducherry has lost Rs 1.35 crore, said officials.

The trader from Reddiyarpalayam in Puducherry has been exporting coconut to foreign countries after procuring the same from the local market.

Police officials told IANS that the trader (name withheld) in order to meet his demand in various markets, including foreign, was looking forward to a bulk purchase and searched online for the same.

A person approached the trader and promised him a bulk and regular supply of coconuts.

Cyber wing sleuths of the Puducherry Police told IANS that since the past few months the trader transferred Rs 1.35 crore online to the contact, but did not receive the supply. He grew suspicious and tried to contact the online asellera who by then had turned incommunicado.

Sources in the cyber wing police said that after this the trader approached the police and a case was registered. Police said that money was transferred to multiple accounts and added that the cyber division was trying to decipher details about these accounts.

Cybercrime police officer told IANS that since January 1, a total of Rs 8 crore has been lost by 582 individuals in Puducherry due to online forgery.

The cybercrime unit has urged people not to fall prey to cyber frauds and to safeguard their hard earned money and to be cautious in making online payments.
New Delhi, Jan 29 : More than one in four organisations have banned the use of GenAI over privacy and data security risks, a new report showed on Monday.

Most firms are limiting the use of Generative AI (GenAI) over data privacy and security issues and 27 per cent had banned its use, at least temporarily, according to the 'Cisco 2024 Data Privacy Benchmark Study'.

Among the top concerns, businesses cited the threats to an organisation's legal and intellectual property rights (69 per cent), and the risk of disclosure of information to the public or competitors (68 per cent).

While 48 per cent admit entering non-public company information into GenAI tools, 91 per cent of businesses recognise they need to do more to reassure customers that their data is used for intended and legitimate purposes in AI.

About 98 per cent said that external privacy certifications are an important factor in their buying decisions, the highest level in years.

"Organisations see GenAI as a fundamentally different technology with novel challenges to consider," said Dev Stahlkopf, Cisco Chief Legal Officer.

"More than 90 per cent of respondents believe GenAI requires new techniques to manage data and risk. This is where thoughtful governance comes into play. Preserving customer trust depends on it," Stahlkopf added.

Most organisations are also aware of these risks and are putting in place controls to limit exposure.

About 63 per cent have established limitations on what data can be entered and 61 per cent have limits on which GenAI tools can be used by employees.

Consumers are concerned about AI use involving their data today, and yet 91 per cent of organisations recognise they need to do more to reassure their customers that their data is being used only for intended and legitimate purposes in AI.

This is similar to last year's levels, suggesting that not much progress has been achieved, said the report.
Pune : , Jan 29 (IANS) A Lucknow man, who allegedly pumped at least four bullets into his girlfriend from his hometown, was arrested near Thane and will be produced before the Pune Court here on Monday.

The victim, identified as Vandana Dwivedi, 26, was a techie with the Infosys in Pune and the alleged accused is Rishabh Nigam, who was caught late on Sunday during a 'nakabandi' in Navi Mumbai (Thane) with the murder weapon.

Pimpri-Chinchwad Assistant Commissioner of Police (Wakad Division) Vishal Hire said that "the motive behind the killing is not yet clear".

"We have registered the case on Sunday and investigations are progressing. The accused shall be produced before a court for remand today," ACP Hire told IANS.

As per the sequence of events, Nigam had booked a hotel room in Hinjewadi's Laxminagar area on January 27 where the deceased Dwivedi had gone to meet him.

Preliminary probe suggests that after the woman shifted to Pune for work, the duo had a rocky relationship which may have led to a dispute and a brawl in the hotel room late on Saturday night.

In a fit of anger, Nigam whipped out his pistol and shot her repeatedly, with at least four bullets hitting her on the head and neck, before he fled from there, according to police.

The hotel staff on Sunday discovered the woman's blood-soaked body with the bullet marks and informed the police who immediately launched a probe and a manhunt to track down Nigam.

He was intercepted on Sunday morning while going to Mumbai, the murder weapon also retrieved from him, and he was handed over to the Pimpri Chinchwad Police late last night.

Subsequently, Nigam has confessed to the murder and he will be produced before a Pune Court for remand later Monday.

The hotel staff have told the police they did not hear the multiple bullets being fired as there was a huge celebration in the vicinity after the Maratha quota agitation was called off in Navi Mumbai on January 27.
New Delhi, Jan 29 : In view of the Beating Retreat ceremony to be held at Vijay Chowk, the Delhi Traffic Police on Monday urged commuters to avoid certain routes including Rafi Marg, Raisina Road, areas beyond Dara Shikoh roundabout among others due to restrictions.

The Beating Retreat ceremony marks the conclusion of Republic Day celebrations.

According to police, traffic restrictions will be enforced from 2 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. on Monday, with Vijay Chowk being closed to traffic.

"Rafi Marg, from Sunehri Masjid roundabout to Krishi Bhawan roundabout, Raisina Road from Krishi Bhawan roundabout towards Vijay Chowk, areas beyond Dara Shikoh roundabout, Krishna Menon Marg roundabout, and Sunehri Masjid towards Vijay Chowk will witness restrictions on traffic," said a senior traffic cop.

Kartavya Path, located between Vijay Chowk and 'C' hexagon, will also experience limited traffic.

"Commuters are advised to consider alternative routes such as Ring Road, Ridge Road, Aurobindo Marg, Madrasa T-Point, Lodhi Road, Safdarjung Road, Kamal Ataturk Marg, Rani Jhansi Road, and Minto Road," said the official.

To accommodate the vehicles of invitees and spectators and prevent traffic congestion around the ceremony venues and India Gate, buses will follow diverted routes from 2 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. on Monday.

"For those coming to witness the illumination at Vijay Chowk after 7 p.m., parking will be available between Rafi Marg and 'C' Hexagon, according to the advisory," said the official.

The official further said that the public and motorists are urged to exercise patience, adhere to traffic regulations and road etiquette, and follow the instructions of traffic personnel stationed at intersections.

"It is recommended to plan journeys in advance to minimise inconvenience and stay informed through the traffic police's social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram," said the official.
Kolkata, Jan 29 : The National Investigation Agency (NIA) sleuths after obtaining information about the influential political links from the mobile phone of arrested Trinamool Congress leader Ismail Chowdhury in the 2022 Birbhum explosives case, have conducted his voice sampling test.

To confirm the clues, sources said, the voice sampling test of Chowdhury has already been conducted which will soon be sent to the Central Forensic Science Laboratory.

Sources said the NIA sleuths have come across several audio messages from the mobile phone of the arrested Trinamool Congress leader. Among the clues secured by the central agency sleuths from those audio messages was about the probable connection of Sehgal Hossain, a prime accused in the cattle smuggling case in West Bengal.

Hossian, was the bodyguard of Trinamool Congress strongman and the partyas erstwhile Birbhum district president Anubrata Mondal. Both of them are currently in judicial custody at Tihar jail in New Delhi in the cattle smuggling case.

Recently, NIA sleuths also went to Tihar Jail and questioned Hossian in the matter there, sources said.

To recall, huge explosives items, including 81,000 detonators, 27 kilograms of ammonium nitrates and 1,925 kg gelatin sticks were recovered at Muhammadbazar area of Birbhum district on June 30, 2022.

These explosives were seized by the sleuths of the Special Task Force (STF) of state police. The NIA took charge of the investigation on September 29 of the same year and filed a charge sheet in the case within 90 days after the beginning of the investigation. In July this year the NIA sleuths also arrested a local Trinamool Congress leader from Birbhum, Manoj Ghosh.
Zaluzhny may be dismissed from his post  source

Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Valeriy Zaluzhny, may be dismissed from his post, a source close to the country's military and political leadership told Interfax-Ukraine.

According to it, an agreement on this was reached during a meeting between Zaluzhny and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The agency has no official confirmation of this information.
New Delhi, Jan 29 : Headaches can strike at the most inconvenient times, leaving us searching for relief. While there's no one-size-fits-all solution, certain drinks have properties that might help alleviate that pounding sensation. Let's explore five beverages that could potentially offer some respite.

Hydration Heroes:

Dehydration is a common culprit behind headaches. Reaching for a glass of water is often the simplest remedy. Herbal teas, like peppermint or chamomile, not only hydrate but also contain compounds that may provide relaxation, offering relief from tension headaches.

"Herbal teas with chamomile and peppermint are hydration heroes that work wonders for headache relief via different processes. Menthol, which is found in peppermint, helps to ease tension headaches by promoting blood flow and relaxing muscles. It has a calming impact in addition to its cooling sensation. Chamomile's relaxing properties help to reduce tension, which is a typical headache trigger. Both teas can reduce headaches caused by dehydration by increasing overall hydration," says Nutritionist Apurva Agarwal.

Caffeine Kick:

For those accustomed to a morning coffee ritual, the caffeine in coffee can constrict blood vessels, potentially easing the pain. Green tea, with its moderate caffeine content and antioxidants, might offer a gentler alternative. However, it's crucial not to overdo it, as too much caffeine can lead to rebound headaches.

According to Nutritionist Apurva Green tea and coffee both contain caffeine, which is well known for its ability to relieve headaches. She asserts, "It relieves pressure that can lead to headaches by narrowing blood vessels and decreasing blood flow in the brain. Both tension headaches and migraines are less common thanks to this dual mechanism. Drinking green tea or coffee in moderation might be a quick and all-natural way to help reduce headache symptoms."

Ginger Infusion:

Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties that could make it a contender for headache relief. Create a soothing ginger tea by steeping fresh ginger slices in hot water. This concoction not only helps with inflammation but also calms the stomach, addressing any potential nausea associated with headaches.

The natural cure of ginger infusion works wonders for headaches. Nutritionist Apurva adds, "It has gingerol, a bioactive substance that blocks the brain's pain pathways to lessen discomfort. Ginger also increases blood flow, which reduces stress and helps with headache relief. People can use the ginger infusion to get its medicinal benefits, which makes it calming and all-encompassing."

Magnesium Mix:

Magnesium deficiency has been linked to migraines. Almond milk, rich in magnesium, can be a tasty solution. Blending it with a banana, which also contains magnesium, creates a delicious smoothie that might aid in preventing or alleviating headaches. It's a nutritious option that doubles as a delightful treat.

Nutritionist Apurva says that the magnesium in almond milk helps to relax muscles, which relieves tension that can cause headaches. "Magnesium also promotes healthy nerve function, which lessens headache frequency and intensity. Regularly consuming almond milk may help increase magnesium intake overall, which may help avoid headaches," adds Nutritionist Apurva.

Cherry Elixir:

Tart cherry juice boasts anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. These qualities may help reduce headache intensity and duration. Incorporating this vibrant juice into your daily routine might be a flavorful way to fend off those pesky headaches.

"Rich in antioxidants, especially anthocyanins, Tart cherry juice has anti-inflammatory qualities that could potentially reduce headache pain. These substances may lessen headache-related stress and discomfort since they have been shown to lower inflammation and oxidative stress," says Nutritionist Apurva.

"While these drinks may provide relief for some, it's essential to listen to your body and consult with a healthcare professional if headaches persist. Hydration, caffeine in moderation, ginger's anti-inflammatory benefits, magnesium-rich options, and the potential of cherry juice are all worth exploring. Finding the right beverage to complement your headache management strategy might just be a sip away."

IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in
New Delhi, Jan 29 : Around 300 vehicles were gutted after a fire broke out at malkhana at Police Training School (PTS) in Delhi's Wazirabad area, a police official said on Monday.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (northeast) Joy Tirkey said that at 12:35 a.m., fire was reported at malkhana behind PTS.

"Six fire tenders were pressed into service. Fire was extinguished by 2:30 a.m. A large number of vehicles (about 200 two wheelers and 45 four wheelers) were damaged in the fire. All damaged vehicles are part of case property of Outer District," said the DCP.

"The cause of the fire is being ascertained. A case under appropriate sections is being registered at Sonia Vihar police station," said the DCP.
New Delhi, Jan 29 : Just like any other industry, the whisky market is being impacted on a large scale by the prominence of future-looking trends that are set to change the course of the industry. Right from developments in manufacturing to the advertising of the spirit, there are numerous ways in which distillers and alcohol manufacturers are looking to elevate the whisky drinking experience. With the surge in the use of AI along with innovations in this space, 2024 is set to be a brilliant year for developments in the whisky industry. Poonam Chandel, Managing Director, of NeuWorld Spirits, outlines futuristic innovations that are set to change the overall whisky experience.

Quantum Cask Maturation

Say goodbye to the traditional barrel aging process! Quantum cask maturation is poised to revolutionize the way whisky ages. Using quantum principles, distillers can precisely control the interaction between spirit and wood, allowing for accelerated aging without compromising on flavourcomplexity. This innovation promises a shortcut to premium, well-aged whiskies in a fraction of the time, and is set to facilitate the increase of whisky production in 2024.

Augmented Reality Tasting

2024 is the year where whisky enthusiasts can step into the future a" all thanks to augmented reality (AR) tasting experiences. Imagine savouring a dram while virtually touring the distillery, learning about the intricate details of production, and exploring the whisky's origina"all from the comfort of your own home. AR is set to redefine the art of whisky appreciation, making each sip a multisensory journey.

Robotic Distillery Assistants

Enter the age of robotic distillery assistants. These high-tech marvels are designed to handle repetitive tasks with unparalleled precision, allowing master distillers to focus on creativity and quality, while automating a large portion of the manufacturing processes. From ingredient measurement to temperature control, these robots can ensure consistency in production, promising a new standard of excellence in every bottle.

Sustainable Water Purification

Sustainability is a key focus for industries across the world, and is now set to take centre stage as the whisky industry embraces advanced water purification technologies. Innovative filtration systems not only ensure the purity of the water used in the production process but also contribute to minimizing environmental impact. As consumers become increasingly eco-conscious, sustainable practices are set to become a cornerstone of whisky production.

AI-Enhanced Personalization: Crafting Tailored Whisky Experiences

In 2024, we can expect Artificial Intelligence (AI) to step into the spotlight, ushering in a new era of personalization. From recommending the perfect blend based on individual preferences to predicting trends in consumer tastes, AI is set to enhance the whisky experience by tailoring offerings to the unique preferences of each enthusiast. As technology meets tradition, the marriage of AI and whisky promises a future where every sip is a customized delight.

The whisky industry is, without a doubt on the brink of a transformative era in 2024, with innovations like Quantum Cask Maturation, AR Tasting, Robotic Distillery Assistants, Sustainable Water Purification, and AI-Enhanced Personalization. These advancements promise a future where whisky production is accelerated, experiences are immersive, and sustainability and personalization are at the forefront. Cheers to the exciting evolution of whisky!

IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in
Portal of trouble opens again for Madhya Pradesh tribals on the lookout for pattas. Image Source: IANS News

Bhopal, Jan 29 : Ravalusingh Baiga (50) had been cultivating four to five acres of land since 1998. When the Forest Rights Act (FRA) came into existence in 2006, he filed a lease claim for those eight fields. However, the lease copy he got in 2016 gave him the right to only an acre, or four fields.

"Now you can guess how we run the house," sighs Ravalusingh, whose eight-member family lives at Dhaba in Samnapur tehsil of Madhya Pradesh's Dindori district.

Budhlal Baiga (40) alleges that every third person in the village has suffered this setback.

"They got 10 or 20 decimals after making claims for two to five acres. Despite lodging complaints and officials taking note, the problem persists," he says.

Organisations working for tribal welfare claim that 90 per cent of the distributed leases have seen unwarranted reduction of land, whether the application was made offline or online. The problem persists not only in the 89 tribal development blocks of Madhya Pradesh, but also in other states Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Odisha and Chhattisgarh.

Madhuri Ben, president, Jan Jagruti Samiti, which helps tribals in Burhanpur attain forest rights pattas (land titles), says applicants are now being forced to file claims through Van Mitra portal or app. "This has proved even more disastrous."

Why portal?

The members or community of the Scheduled Tribes who primarily reside in and depend on the forests or forest land for livelihood can claim rights under FRA 2006. Any member or community whose three generations (75 years) prior to December 13, 2005, primarily resided in forest land is also eligible. Ten acres can be claimed for individual lease, whereas no limit has been set for community lease.

When rejections mounted, the state government launched the Madhya Pradesh Van Mitra portal and mobile app in December 2019 to review the rejected claims. From December 2019 to November 2022, a total of 6,27,513 applications went through the Van Mitra portal and 6,17,284 claims (98%) were resolved.

However, the portal gradually shut in 2020, citing confusion due to the arrival of new claims. By May last year, the portal was functional only in eight of the total 55 districts. Last July, the portal reopened to hear both new and rejected claims, but that meant only more trouble. The claims sent back for amendments will still be heard offline.

Before reopening the portal, a 12-member task force was formed last April under the chairmanship of the then Chief Minister, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, for effective implementation of the rules of Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996, and FRA. This task force is functional only on paper now.

Task force's suggestions ignored

Task force member Milind Thatte says they had suggested that the forest lease hearing should be held offline at gram sabhas because the rules itself say that the decision should be taken at gram sabha public meeting. "We had suggested that Van Mitra portal is needed to bring transparency, but should be limited to keeping records of claim documents, gram sabha decisions and leases," he details.

Another task force member and FRA expert Dr Sharad Lele tells 101Reporters that he had brought issues related to portal use before the government's notice in a meeting held under the chairmanship of Chouhan, about 10 months ago. Some of them were poor network coverage, non-availability of mobiles or laptops, poor education status of most tribals, and lack of clarity in satellite images.

However, last April itself, the administration called lease applications in 20 forest villages of Dindori district with help from Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) and National Institute of Women, Child and Youth Development. "Wrong names and land compartments, and mistakes in farm size and location were found in the approved land titles during this period."

"As these are old forest villages settled by the forest department, all the fields here are eligible for individual pattas. So it was decided to mark and measure every field. Maps were prepared and then claims made afresh," says Lele, Distinguished Fellow, ATREE, which also applied for amendments in many claims.

Notably, 230 claims, including new and those requiring revisions, were filed offline at Sheetalpani in Bajag tehsil and Pondi in Samnapur tehsil, in culmination of the work that began last April. Amendments had to be made to 70 per cent of the claims given earlier. The work could not proceed in the remaining 18 villages due to portal reopening.

Offline new applications stalled

"We first examined the land titles received at Sheetalpani and Pondi, and realised that most of them needed amendment. We formed a team each of village elders and youth. We held workshops to make tribals aware of the maps, land measurement and other technical information," details Mohit Mahajan, ATREE coordinator, Dindori.

Along with both teams, ATREE listed farms of every person in a register. Maps were prepared using mobiles with GPS and AMCHO CFR open source application to mark the location and size of each person's farm. Details of every claimant's Aadhaar and ration cards, and voter ID were added. After claims were resubmitted offline, the forest rights committee along with revenue and forest officials measured the plots.

After the claims got gram sabha approval, they went to the sub-divisional and district committees, where 90 out of the 134 claims of Sheetalpani got approval. The remaining were returned to the gram sabha for corrections. However, only 51 of the 90 approved claimants have received land titles. Remaining are on hold because they are new claims, for which the district administration now allows applications only online.

Of the 96 claims from Pondi, the sub-divisional committee accepted 80, while the forest department wanted changes to the rest. After site re-inspection and claim improvement, the claims have reached the district committee.

The district administration has not made a final decision on the mandatory online process. The district magistrate had written to the state government in October itself to allow offline process, but there has been no response.

Not much luck with offline revision

"The lease of most of the people in our village is yet to be amended Van Mitra portal has been reopened, and officials are now forcing them to apply online only," alleges Bigari Singh (32), a Baiga tribal of Sheetalpani.

Bigari has been quite lucky in his second attempt. He filed a forest rights claim for 1.99 hectares in 2008.

"Our claim got accepted the next year, but the forest department team destroyed half of my crop one day. It was through them that we came to know that our lease was only for 0.32 hectare," he says.

A revised lease for 1.99 hectares was issued to Bigari on September 25 last year, after he approached ATREE.

Baisakhu Baiga (55) has been into farming at Sheetalpani for years together.

"I made a claim for 2.57 hectares in 2006, but got 0.174 hectare on lease in 2009," says Baisakhu, who has an eight-member family.

After much struggle, he filed a claim with ATREE's help last year and received his revised lease giving rights to the entire 2.57 hectares on September 25.

Making online option a norm

Sunaram Navasiya (47) of Sheetalpani made lease amendment applications several times, but got rejected repeatedly.

"We worked jointly with ATREE to prepare maps of every farm and land for three months. The officials told us many times that our applications are correct, but added that their hands are tied," he explains.

"'You have to apply through Van Mitra portal only; pattas will not be given by applying offline' is the standard reply we get," he says.

Land title of Nasu Baiga (45) of Pondi has not been amended despite making an application. "Officials are insisting on online application," Nasu laments.

A Tribal Affairs Department order of July 13 last year says new applications can also be heard through Van Mitra portal. However, officials have tweaked it to emphasise that claims can only be made online.

Mahajan says there was no restriction on offline application as per the order, yet it was discontinued. Also, most of the applications that ATREE deals with require amendments. The portal, on the other hand, hears new and rejected applications only.

"It is not easy to get new maps and measurements from the Van Mitra app and portal... This suggests that each field should be measured separately... The satellite map does not work properly... We have informed the forest department and Collector several times," he says.

Different takes

JP Sarvate, Divisional Deputy Commissioner, Tribal Affairs Department, Jabalpur, and Assistant Commissioner of Dindori Nilesh Raghuvanshi, admit that only online applications are accepted because Tribal Affairs Department has ordered to hear new applications through Van Mitra portal.

Acknowledging that tribals and ATREE have made him aware of the issues, Dindori District Collector Vikas Mishra tells 101Reporters that he has written to the Principal Secretary, Tribal Affairs Department, on October 25 last year seeking approval of 870 offline claims that have reached the district level committee. "Further action will be taken only after a reply is received," he says.

Tribal Affairs Department Commissioner Sanjeev Singh tells 101Reporters that new applications are also heard through Van Mitra portal and app this time. "Rules allow both offline and online applications. If district officials are forcing tribals to apply online, action should be taken against them. Both fresh and rejected applications are being heard on the portal. For making amendments, applicants should apply offline," he says. However, tribals claim the offline process is not working.

Meanwhile, Satendra Singh, Additional Commissioner, Tribal Affairs Department, informs that 8,144 new claims have been received since the portal reopening. "Work is on to ensure that offline application records are visible online. Once this is complete, we will accept offline applications too."

(Sanavver Shafi is a Madhya Pradesh-based freelance journalist and a member of 101Reporters, a pan-India network of grassroots reporters.)
New York, Jan 29 : An Indian national has admitted to selling controlled substances on dark web marketplaces and agreed to forfeit $150 million in what is believed to be the largest seizure of cryptocurrency in the history of the US Drug Enforcement Administration.

Banmeet Singh, 40, who hails from Haldwani, Uttarakhand, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances and conspiracy to commit money laundering before a Columbus court last week.

Over the course of the conspiracy, the Singh drug organisation moved hundreds of kilograms of controlled substances throughout the US States, a Department of Justice release stated.

In doing so, it established a multimillion-dollar drug enterprise that laundered millions of dollars of drug proceeds into cryptocurrency accounts, which ultimately became worth approximately $150 million.

According to court documents, he created vendor marketing sites on dark web marketplaces, such as Silk Road, Alpha Bay, Hansa, and others, to sell controlled substances, including fentanyl, LSD, ecstasy, Xanax, Ketamine, and Tramadol.

Customers ordered controlled substances from him using the vendor sites and by paying with cryptocurrency, following which Singh personally shipped or arranged the shipment of controlled substances from Europe to the United States through US mail or other shipping services.

"Banmeet Singh operated a global dark web enterprise to send fentanyl and other deadly and dangerous drugs to communities across America -- in all 50 states -- as well as Canada, Europe, and the Caribbean," said Administrator Anne Milgram of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

The DEA had also designated Singh as a Consolidated Priority Organisation Target (CPOT), a title that has been given to other notorious drug traffickers like Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman.

From at least mid-2012 through July 2017, Singh controlled at least eight distribution cells within the US, including cells located in Ohio, Florida, North Carolina, Maryland, New York, North Dakota, and Washington, among other locations.

Individuals in those distribution cells received drug shipments from overseas and then re-packaged and re-shipped the drugs to locations in all 50 states, Canada, England, Ireland, Jamaica, Scotland, and the US Virgin Islands.

"In the Singh organisation's drug orders, the members frequently used the vendor name 'Liston' and signed off with the signature phrase, 'I'm still dancing'," said US Attorney Kenneth L Parker for the Southern District of Ohio.

"Today, with Banmeet Singh's plea of guilty, the dance is over," Parker added.

According to Parker, Singh has at least seven co-conspirators, of which two have been convicted in the Southern District of Ohio and the rest are facing charges in New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, and Maryland.

Singh, who was arrested in London in April 2019, and extradited to the US in 2023, faces an agreed-upon sentence of eight years in prison.

The Justice Department said its Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in securing the arrest and extradition of Singh from the United Kingdom.

While a sentencing date has not yet been set, a federal district court judge will determine it after considering the US Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
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 29 : Issues in Tingo's financials are glaring enough that we'd expect they could have been spotted by any semi-conscious finance undergrad with severe vision loss, Hindenburg Research had said in a report last year.

"These issues were apparently not glaring enough for the company's auditor, however," the report said.

In October 2022, Tingo's auditor, Friedman LLP resigned. In Friedman's place stepped Brightman Almagor Zohar & Co., a firm in the Deloitte global network. The Israeli-based audit office is an odd choice given that Tingo has no signs of substantive operations in Israel. In its 2022 audit, "Deloitte Israel" gave Tingo an unqualified audit opinion, the report said.

For 2022, Tingo disclosed that it paid over $1.5 million to its auditors for audit related fees including its annual audit and reviews of quarterly reports.

Given the obvious errors, we suspect Deloitte Israel missed or rushed through procedures that would have uncovered important findings, Hindenburg Research said.

"We think Tingo is a brazen fraud that should serve as a humiliating embarrassment for all involved," the report said.

Tingo, headquartered in New Jersey, claims to have several business segments focused on providing mobile phones, food processing and an online food marketplace for farmers primarily located in Nigeria.

In April 2023, Tingo's Co-Chairman wrote a public letter to Dozy, filed with the SEC, saying he could not approve the company's annual report and felt it "necessary to recuse myself by resigning" due to "many critical questions, comments and recommendations" that went "unanswered and unheeded"
Soren, allies bat for caste census; but don't move on it in Jharkhand. Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi/Ranchi, Jan 29 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday conducted raids at Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren's Delhi residence and Jharkhand Bhawan.

Currently, Soren is in Delhi as he had flown from Ranchi to the national Capital on January 27 evening.

It is reported that Soren has sought advice from his lawyers and legal experts regarding the ED action against him in an alleged land scam case.

With the news of the ED raid, the Jharkhand government and administration in Ranchi are on high alert.

Security has been tightened outside the CM's residence and the Congress, a part of the ruling coalition, has asked all its MLAs to reach Ranchi.

The state's Chief Secretary, L. Khiangte, has called an emergency meeting of officers. The Senior Superintendent of Police in Ranchi has also issued instructions to all police station incharges.

The ED had sent summons to Soren for the tenth time on January 25, asking him to be available for questioning between January 29 and 31.

The agency had also informed Soren that if he was not present for questioning, their team would reach him.

The ED, investigating the alleged land scam, had summoned Soren for the eighth time on January 13 and asked him to appear between January 16 and 20. Finally, on January 20, he agreed to be available for questioning, and the agency's team went to his residence for interrogation.

In this case, several individuals, including IAS officer Chhavi Ranjan, have already been arrested by the ED. Now, the agency intends to enquire about Hemant Soren's role in this matter.

For this purpose, he was first summoned to appear on August 14, 2023 and subsequently, summonses were sent for his appearance between August 24, September 9, September 23, October 4, December 12, and December 30 to January 5.
Kanpur, Jan 29 : The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Lucknow Cantonment Board to serve as the knowledge partner in their joint mission to achieve a waste-free and carbon-neutral campus, aiming to create a scalable model in line with India's vision of achieving net zero emissions by 2070.

The MOU was signed by Col. Mayank Sundriyal, Commander Works Engineer (CWE), Lucknow and Prof. Tarun Gupta, Dean of Research and Development at IIT Kanpur.

Representing as a knowledge partner, IIT Kanpur will support research projects, seminars, and educational initiatives while also adopting eco-friendly practices, cutting carbon emissions, and pursuing renewable energy options.

Prof. S. Ganesh, Director, IIT Kanpur, said: "As an academic institute continuously thriving for excellence, IIT Kanpur is at the forefront of pioneering innovative and sustainable solutions to tackle climate change. The recently established Kotak School of Sustainability at the institute is a significant step towards this vision. This partnership with the Lucknow Cantonment Board marks another step towards pursuing net-zero goals and carbon neutrality, which is not merely a conscientious choice but a strategic necessity. Through coordinated initiatives, we are confident that this will significantly propel us towards our shared objective."

On signing the MoU, Prof. Tarun Gupta, Dean, of Research and Development, IIT Kanpur, said: "The collaboration between IIT Kanpur and Lucknow Cantonment Board supports global efforts to fight climate change, aligning our growth trajectory with the dedication to create a stable, sustainable future."

Col. Mayank Sundriyal, Commander Works Engineer (CWE), Lucknow, said: "The MoU reflects the progressive vision of the Lucknow Cantonment Board, showcasing its commitment to adopting innovative solutions for sustainable future. Collaborating with IIT Kanpur and leveraging its academic expertise will pave the way for transformative initiatives."
Afrojack, Dimitri Vegas Like Mike are first headliners at Sunburn Goa.. Image Source: IANS News

Los Angeles, Jan 29 : DJ Afrojack, whose real name is Nick van de Wall, has enjoyed huge success in the music business in recent years but he's now described drawing as his "cool party trick."

He told Us Weekly: "My hidden talent is drawing. I can draw anything like a photocopy - it's a very useless but cool party trick."

Afrojack has worked with many big-name music artists over recent years, including the likes of David Guetta, Nicki Minaj and Bebe Rexha, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

The 'Another Life' hitmaker has recalled being particularly starstruck when he came face-to-face with another Dutch DJ.

He shared: "I was starstruck meeting Martin Garrix at Clive Davis' Grammy party."

Meanwhile, Afrojack previously described himself and David Guetta as being "opposites".

Despite this, the DJ believes that they work really well together.

Speaking to Billboard, he explained: "We have this a lot, because he has a certain vision, and I have a certain vision. I have the vision for the dance floor - and now with 'Future Rave' he definitely also has that vision - but before he had more the vision for the radio."

"To me, when I make like, a hip-hop beat for 'Hey Mama' - for me itas just a hip-hop beat, but for him itas the biggest thing. And heall make a dance beat and Iam like, 'Oh my god, this is insane' and heas like 'Yeah itas cool.' Weare like opposites in that way."

Asked to explain the secret to their chemistry, Afrojack replied: "I think because weare best friends. I think thatas very, very important."
New York, Jan 29 : New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Indian-American State Assembly Member Jenifer Rajkumar have unveiled a new Mahatma Gandhi statue, more than a year after the previous one was vandalised twice outside a Hindu temple in the state.

Located in front of Shri Tulsi Mandir on 111th Street in Richmond Hill, the Gandhi statue was knocked over, spray painted with the word "dog", and battered with a sledgehammer on August 3 and 16, 2022.

"Last year, the statue of Gandhi that stood in South Richmond Hill was destroyed. But our solidarity and spirit to rebuild was not. Today, we stood with the community to say in one voice: Hate has no place in our city," Mayor Adams said, unveiling the statue last week.

We embody the values of justice for which Gandhi gave his life," Mayor Adams said at the event attended by members of the Indian-American community.

Rajkumar, who was at the forefront, calling for an investigation into the incident as a hate crime against Hindus and Indians, posted a video of the ceremony on X and said it was "exciting" to unveil the statue along with Mayor Adams.

"EXCITING! Watch myself and @NYCMayor unveil the new Mahatma Gandhi Statue at Tulsi Mandir at the site of last yearas hateful vandalism. It was a historic moment for our Richmond Hill community as we came together to show that our love will conquer all hate," she wrote on X.

After the first attack, Rajkumar brought together several elected officials, including House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee Gregory Meeks, to condemn the attack and demand police action.

As the first Hindu elected to the New York State legislature, Rajkumar said, "When the Gandhi statue was vandalised, that really flew in the face of all of our beliefs and it's very disturbing for the community".

Assembly Member David Weprin, Council Member Lynn Schulman, and Pandit Lakhram Maharaj, founder of Shri Tulsi Mandir, were also present in the ceremony.

"In 2022, a hate crime was committed not once, but twice, against the Hindu community in #RichmondHill, with the destruction of the Gandhi statue in front of the Shri Tulsi Mandir. Many, including @JeniferRajkumar, @DavidWeprin and myself stood in solidarity against this hatred. Yesterday, I was proud to join with the community to unveil a new Gandhi statue," Council Member Schulman wrote on X.

According to the New York Police Department (NYPD), six unidentified men -- between 25 and 30 years -- were spotted on surveillance video vandalising the statue, following which they fled after getting into two separate cars, a white Mercedes Benz and a dark Toyota Camry.

A month after the attack, 27-year-old Sukhpal Singh, who was part of a group, was arrested and charged with hate crimes.

Lakhram Maharaj had then said: "To see them coming after us like this is very painful... "I want to know why they did it". As per NYPD data, in 2022, there were over 330 confirmed hate incidents -- a 127 per cent increase when compared to the same period in 2020.
Defense Ministry on talks about Zaluzhny's resignation: No, it's not true

The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has denied information about the dismissal of commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valeriy Zaluzhny.

"Dear journalists, we immediately answer everyone: No, this is not true," the ministry said on the Telegram channel.
Washington, Jan 29 : President Joe Biden has said that the US will hold Hezbollah accountable for killing three US military personnel and injuring 34 others in a drone attack along the Jordanian-Syrian border, media reports said.

"Have no doubt, we will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner (of) our choosing," the US President said.

Reports said that three US military personnel were killed and dozens injured on Sunday in a drone attack by Hezbollah at a U.S. base along the Jordanian-Syrian border as the war in Gaza threatened to expand further in the region.

The US Central Command has said that they are the first US troops killed by enemy fire in the Middle East since Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on October 7.

"Identities of the service members will be withheld until 24 hours after their families have been notified," the US Central Command said.

President Joe Biden in a statement said an investigation is underway. "I am sure the attack has been carried out by Hezbollah operating in Syria and Iraq. The three were patriots in the highest sense and the nation is grieving," the President said.

He said that the US will carry on its commitment to fight terrorism.

Biden, who was campaigning in Columbia, South Carolina, later told a gathering 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 Central Command initially estimated the number of injured in the attacks as 25, later increased it to 34, the USA TODAY reported.

The U.S. Central Command said that eight injured have shifted to from Jordan for a higher level of medical care.
Amaravati, Jan 29 : Andhra Pradesh Congress chief Y.S. Sharmila on Monday called on her cousin Y.S. Sunitha Reddy amid speculation that she will be joining the Congress party.

On her first visit to home district YSR Kadapa after taking charge as the president of Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC), Sharmila met Sunitha Reddy. During the meeting that lasted for two hours, they discussed various issues.

After the meeting they together went to the samadhi of Sharmila's father and former Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy.

Sunitha Reddy is the daughter of former minister Y.S. Vivekananda Reddy, who was murdered a few weeks before the 2019 elections. She has been fighting a legal battle to get justice in the case in which some family members have also been named as accused by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The meeting assumed significance amid reports that Sunitha Reddy is keen to join the Congress party.

Sunitha is reported to be planning to politically take on the relatives named in her father's murder case. Kadapa MP Y.S. Avinash Reddy of YSRCP and his father Y.S. Bhaskar Reddy were named as accused in the case. Bhaskar Reddy was recently released on bail but Sunitha has challenged the bail in the Supreme Court.

It may be recalled that Sharmila had last year stated that Vivekananda Reddy was not murdered for his property as he had already written the entire property in the name of his daughter.

Sharmila, sister of Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, had also slammed those making allegations against the slain former minister and former MP. "Vivekananda Reddy was a people's man. People of Pulivendula and Kadapa district know him. He lived a simple life," she said.

Vivekananda Reddy, brother of former Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, was murdered in his house in Pulivendula on March 15, 2019, a few weeks before the elections.

The CBI had claimed that there was a conspiracy to kill Vivekananda Reddy as he was not in favour of YSRCP fielding Avinash Reddy as the candidate from the Kadapa Lok Sabha seat.

Vivekananda Reddy reportedly wanted Jagan Mohan Reddy to field the latter's sister Sharmila or mother Y.S. Vijayamma as the party candidate.

Meanwhile, the CBI court in Hyderabad on Monday adjourned the hearing in Vivekananda Reddy murder case.

Avinash Reddy, Bhaskar Reddy and five other accused appeared before the court, which adjourned the hearing to February 8.
Srinagar, Jan 29 : Defying the staff of the Archaeological Survey of India, a group of Hindus forced their entry into the ASI protected Martand Sun Temple in J&K's Anantnag district the same day the 'Pran Pratishtha' took place at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

Srinagar, Jan 29 (IANS) Defying the staff of the Archaeological Survey of India, a group of Hindus forced their entry into the ASI protected Martand Sun Temple in J&Kas Anantnag district the same day the 'Pran Pratishtha' took place at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

A late report said that on January 22 members of a Hindu religious group forced their way into the ASI protected site to offer prayers.

Despite their entry into the Martand Sun Temple situated in Anantnag district of the Valley, ASI staff said the group was not allowed to squat inside the ruins of the 8th century temple built by King Lalitaditya Muktapida of Karkota dynasty.

The temple was dedicated by the King to Hindu god Surya also known as Martand in Sanskrit language.

Reports said the group of Hindus had come from Bharatpur in Rajasthan and they unfurled a saffron flag inside the temple complex after completing aParikramaa while chanting Hanuman Chalisa on January 22.

The attempt made by the members of the Hindu group was their third consecutive attempt since 2022. The lesser known group is called Rashtriya Anhad Mahayog Peeth.

The group had timed its 2024 attempt with the inauguration of prayers at the Ayodhya Ram Temple.

ASI guidelines prohibit the holding of prayers inside any temple or mosque or other sites of other religions that are protected by the ASI unless such sites were functional prayer sites when they came to be protected by the ASI.

Martand Sun Temple is believed to have been destroyed by the local Muslim King, Sikander Shah who was known as an iconoclast.

Last year in April the Rajasthan-based Hindu group had come to perform apujaa at Martand Sun Temple, but the group was disallowed from entering the Temple complex and were detained at the Shiv temple in Mattan town near Martand.
New Delhi, Jan 29 : Samsung R&D Institute, Noida (SRI-Noida) on Monday announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT-K) for a period of five years to focus on key growth areas that will include joint research projects by IIT Kanpur students, faculty and Samsung engineers, helping students become industry-ready.

The fields covered by these research projects will include health, visual, framework and B2B security, as well as cutting-edge technologies like cloud and generative artificial intelligence (genAI).

In addition to research projects, the MoU aims to provide opportunities for upskilling Samsung engineers in key technology areas such as AI, Cloud and other emerging technologies.

"This collaboration reflects our dedication towards merging academic excellence with industrial innovation, thereby making students industry-ready," Kyungyun Roo, Managing Director, SRI-Noida, said in a statement.

As part of the joint research projects, students and faculty of IIT Kanpur will work on real-world industry challenges, aligning themselves with actual market needs.

They will also work on Digital India-related solutions, along with Samsung engineers, according to the company.

"By combining the academic excellence of IIT Kanpur with the industry expertise of Samsung India, we aim to create a dynamic environment for cutting-edge projects and provide invaluable opportunities for our students and researchers," said Prof. S. Ganesh, Director, IIT Kanpur.

Students and faculty of IIT Kanpur will also be encouraged to publish joint research papers with Samsung engineers.

"The MoU reflects our commitment to providing our students and researchers with opportunities that go beyond academics, contributing significantly to technological advancements and growth of the academic landscape of our institute," said Prof. Tarun Gupta, Dean, Research and Development, IIT Kanpur.

Under the upskilling opportunities for Samsung engineers, IIT Kanpur will conduct specialised training programmes in various domains, providing them with access to the institute's renowned expertise, culminating in degree programmes, certifications and specialised courses tailored to enhance the skill and knowledge of Samsung engineers.
Bengaluru, Jan 29 : The Karnataka BJP on Monday launched a protest in all district headquarters condemning the incident of authorities taking down a saffron flag hoisted at Keragodu Village in Mandya district.

The Leader of the Opposition, R Ashoka, and others were taken into police custody following the protest at the Mysuru Bank Circle in Bengaluru on Monday.

In Mandya, BJP and JD-S leaders took out a foot march from Keragodu Village to the District Commissioner's office condemning the incident.

The agitators were planning to lay siege to the DC's office after staging a protest in Mandya city.

Police security has been beefed up in the city following the foot march. Meanwhile, the situation in Keragodu Village, where the saffron flag was taken down, remained volatile.

Heavy police security was deputed and police have erected barricades to prevent the people from reaching the flag post area.

Talking to the media, former BJP National General Secretary, CT Ravi, stated in Mandya that, the future course of action would be decided once the protest and siege of the DC's office was done.

"There is no objection by the BJP to hoisting of the Tricolour. We don't need to learn how to respect the national flag. Our struggle is against taking down of the Hanuman flag. The government is claiming that the flag post is located on government land. However, Hindu activists have collected money to build the flag post," he said.

"Earlier, the Congress Government had killed BJP workers by ordering golibar in Hubballi while hoisting the national flag at Idgah Maidan. The government might impose curfew. But, the people of Mandya will not fear the lathi-charge. The agitation will continue against the anti-Hindu government," Ravi maintained.

Reacting to the development, CM Siddaramaiah stated that the BJP was creating trouble unnecessarily as there was no opposition to hoisting the saffron flag.

"The people have got the permission to hoist the Tricolour and they will have to hoist only the national flag. The district authorities have initiated action in this regard. I am also a Hindu. I love people of all religions. We have faith in the secularism enshrined in the Constitution which means tolerance and coexistence.

"LoP R Ashoka and JD-S leader, HD Kumaraswamy, are provoking the people by making visits to Mandya as the elections are nearing," he stated.

When asked about him being accused of being anti-Hindu, CM Siddaramaiah claimed that's what the Opposition has to say about him.
New Delhi, Jan 29 : The Supreme Court on Monday adjourned hearing on a clutch of petitions pertaining to Mathura's Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah Masjid dispute.

"At the joint request of parties, re-list in the first half of April, 2024. In the meantime, parties will complete the pleadings," said a bench presided by Justice Sanjiv Khanna.

The bench, also comprising Justice Dipankar Datta, asked parties to file in each matter written submissions not exceedings three pages along with the judgments being relied on by them.

Further, it ordered: "Interim orders, wherever granted, can continue till the next date of listing."

In an interim order passed on January 16, the Supreme Court had stayed the execution of the commission on a plea filed by the Shahi Idgah Masjid Management Committee against the Allahabad High Court allowing the application filed by Hindu devotees for appointment of commissioner to inspect the disputed premise.

However, it had clarified that the trial proceedings pending before the High Court can continue.

The top court is also seized of another plea filed by the mosque committee challenging the transfer of suits by the high court to itself.

Multiple suits seeking various reliefs were filed in different courts of Mathura with a common claim that the Eidgah complex was built on the land believed to be the birthplace of Lord Krishna and where a temple had existed.
Koppal : , Jan 29 (IANS) Mining baron and founder of the Kalyan Rajya Pragathi Paksha (KRPP) Gali Janardhana Reddy has said that he was ready to forge an alliance with BJP ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

Speaking in Koppal on Monday, Reddy said, "Even I wish to see Prime Minister Narendra Modi as thePrime Minister of India for the third time. In this background, if BJP wants, I am ready for an alliance."

He further said that in case an alliance doesn't take shape and his party wins seats, he would support the NDA alliance led by the BJP.

Reddy paid a visit to Keragodu village of Mandya district and spoke to the people, who were protesting over the removal of Hanuman flag by the Congress government. "People of all faiths in the village have built the flagpole. They have been hoisting the flag of Hanuman for years. There was no problem between people. But, the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government has created a situation threatening peace in Mandya.

"Due to the incident every villager is in pain and sad. CM Siddaramaiah should come down to the village and hoist the Hanuman flag to pacify them. No one can survive if they are opposed to Lord Hanuman. Whole Lanka got burned for torching his tail. CM Siddaramaiah government should repent and act to clear the sins committed in this regard," Reddy stated.
Toronto, Jan 29 : A 23-year-old man was arrested after allegedly making threats and aggressively swinging two large swords inside a Sikh temple in Canada's British Columbia province.

Officers responded to the disturbance during an evening service inside the Penticton Sikh Temple at 3290 South Main Street last week, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said in a statement.

Police said one person was taken into custody and released later to attend Penticton Provincial Court at a future date.

Investigations are underway by the area Mounties into the incident which saw no one getting injured.

The temple released a statement, saying that it was "an unruly group of non-Society members inside the temple".

"This same group was recently barred from the Penticton Sikh Temple by the duly elected Committee," the Penticton Sikh Temple said in a statement published by Global News.

"As a community-driven society, we take these acts of violence and threats seriously for the safety of our congregation and those in the community who attend the various programs hosted on site."

Jesse Garcha, from the Penticton Sikh Temple Society, said additional safeguards have been put in place to ensure there is no repeat of this incident.

"It is regrettable such an incident had taken place and as a Committee, we will ensure this Gurdwara will remain a welcoming and safe place for the Penticton community," Garcha said.

Garcha thanked the Penticton RCMP for their quick response and resolution.
Jammu, Jan 29 : A senior regional national conference (NC) leader in J&K's Kathua district joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) along with several party workers on Monday.

Jammu, Jan 29 (IANS) A senior regional national conference (NC) leader in J&Kas Kathua district joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) along with several party workers on Monday.

Sanjeev Khajuria, NC district president (rural) Kathua joined the BJP along with several party workers in a setback to the Dr. Farooq Abdullah led party.

Khajuria joined the BJP in the presence of state unit president Ravinder Raina and senior leader Devender Rana.

While joining the BJP, Khajuria praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his welfare programmes and putting India on the global stage.

He called the INDIA bloc against the BJP as an aill-conceived alliancea which, he said, has failed because of the mass popularity of Narendra Modi.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 4, 2019 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a press conference at the White House Rose Garden in Washington D.C., the United States, on Jan. 4, 2019. Trump said Friday that he's prepared for a partial government shu. Image Source: IANS News

Washington, Jan 28 : Former US President Donald Trump has said that the "weakness" and "surrender" of President Joe Biden has led to the killings of US troops in a drone attack along the Jordanian-Syrian border, media reports said.

Washington, Jan 28 (IANS) Former US President Donald Trump has said that the "weakness" and "surrender" of President Joe Biden has led to the killings of US troops in a drone attack along the Jordanian-Syrian border, media reports said.

Trump also accused Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin of not safeguarding the US troops serving overseas.

"This brazen attack on the US is yet another horrific and tragic consequence of Joe Biden's weakness and surrender," Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social.

Biden was also condemned by other Republicans and even some Democrats for many of his foreign policy decisions.

Trump also criticised Biden for softening relations with Iran.

"Three years ago, Iran was weak, broke, and totally under control. Thanks to my Maximum Pressure policy, the Iranian Regime could barely scrape two dollars together to fund their terrorist proxies," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

He said that then Joe Biden came in and gave Iran billions of dollars, which the Iranian regime has used to spread bloodshed and carnage throughout the Middle East.

Trump also said that Hamas would have never attacked had he been the President. "Had I been the President, there would have been throughout but now we are on the brink of World War 3," Trump was quoted by The Washington Examiner.

Reports said that three US military personnel were killed and dozens injured on Sunday in a drone attack by Hezbollah at a U.S. base along the Jordanian-Syrian border as the war in Gaza threatened to expand further in the region.

The US Central Command has said that they are the first US troops killed by enemy fire in the Middle East since Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on October 7.

"Identities of the service members will be withheld until 24 hours after their families have been notified," the US Central Command said.
Russian troops attack Nikopol area with three kamikaze drones during day, fire five more times from artillery  Lysak

As a result of the shelling of the Russian occupation forces in Nikopol, multiple destructions were recorded: power lines and a gas pipeline, a utility company and eight private houses were damaged, said head of Dnipropetrovsk Regional Military Administration, Serhiy Lysak.

"A utility company and eight private houses were damaged. Three outbuildings were smashed, one was destroyed. Power lines and a gas pipeline have been mutilated. All these are the consequences of the Russian terror," he wrote on the Telegram channel on Monday evening.

Earlier, Lysak reported on two injured young men  17 and 21 years old.

As the head of the Regional Administration informed, during the day, "the occupiers sent three kamikaze drones to the area. Artillery was fired five more times. They aimed at Nikopol, Marhanets and the community," he added.

According to him, information about the consequences of the shelling is being clarified. "There were no attacks in other territories of the region," Lysak said.
Bengaluru, Jan 29 : Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Monday said that BJP is trying to disturb peace in Mandya district of the state for political gains.

"BJP leaders are trying to disturb peace in Mandya for political gains. BJP candidates lost deposits in many of the constituencies in Mandya that is why they are trying to find a political base by joining hands with the JDS," the Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar told media persons on the controversy around Hanuma Dwaja.

He said that the efforts of BJP leaders will not pay off as the people of Mandya are tolerant and secular. "They won't fall to the gimmicks of BJP. Our objective is to ensure peace in all the areas of the state," the Deputy Chief Minister said.

The BJP has accused Congress of being an anti-Hindu party.

The Deputy Chief Minister said that BJP is only making such statements to gain public sentiments and trying to divide people for political gains.

"We are all Indians first. Kempegowda Committee and Dalita Sangharsha Samithi also want to hoist a flag there. Are we not all Hindus? Are the people of Mandya not Hindus? BJP is trying to create disturbance for political gains," the Deputy Chief Minister said.

The Karnataka BJP has launched a protest in all district headquarters condemning the incident of authorities taking down a saffron flag hoisted at Keragodu Village in Mandya district.

The Leader of the Opposition, R Ashoka, and others were taken into police custody following the protest at the Mysuru Bank Circle in Bengaluru.

In Mandya, BJP and JD-S leaders took out a foot march from Keragodu Village to the District Commissioner's office condemning the incident.

The agitators were planning to lay siege to the DC's office after staging a protest in Mandya city.

Police security has been beefed up in the city following the foot march. Meanwhile, the situation in Keragodu Village, where the saffron flag was taken down, remained volatile.

Heavy police security was deputed and police have erected barricades to prevent the people from reaching the flag post area.

Talking to the media, former BJP National General Secretary, CT Ravi, stated in Mandya that, the future course of action would be decided once the protest and siege of the DC's office was done.

--IANS

mka/dan
New Delhi, Jan 29 : A Delhi court on Monday extended till February 17 judicial custody of NewsClick founder-editor Prabir Purkayastha and Human Resources head Amit Chakravarty, in a case lodged under the provisions of the UAPA over allegations that the media outlet received money to spread pro-China propaganda.

On January 9, the court had granted permission to Chakravarty to become an approver in the case after he had filed an application before Special Judge Hardeep Kaur, seeking pardon in the ongoing case.

The judge had allowed Chakravarty, who claimed to possess material information that he was willing to disclose to the Delhi Police, to turn an approver in the case.

The court, on December 22 last year, had granted 60 more days to Delhi Police to complete the investigation after it had moved an application before the court seeking an extension of three months.

The police application sought an extension for the maximum period allowed under the law, which is 180 days from the day of the accused's arrest in cases filed under special acts, including the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

The application stressed on the voluminous nature of documents and evidence in the case, stating that the agency needs to visit various locations outside Delhi, contributing to the expected delay.

The Special Cell had registered an FIR in connection with the case on August 17, 2023 under different sections of the UAPA and the Indian Penal Code against NewsClick.

In August, a New York Times investigation accused NewsClick of being an organisation funded by a network linked with US millionaire Neville Roy Singham, to allegedly promote Chinese propaganda.
Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 29 : With Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Leader of Opposition, VD Satheesan, being at loggerheads most of the time, the situation went out of control at the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting of the Kerala Legislative Assembly on Monday.

After an exchange of words, Satheesan and the leaders of other Opposition parties walked out of the meeting.

The fracas took place as the Opposition wanted a change in the budget presentation day, which has been fixed for February 5 by the Kerala Government and Vijayan was not open to a change of date.

Satheesan had requested for a change as the Congress party was having a programme on February 5 and wanted Vijayan to announce the state budget on February 2.

According to sources, at the meeting Satheesan said the Vijayan Government did not have a positive attitude towards the Opposition and Vijayan immediately responded by saying that the Opposition was in no way better.

Vijayan known for his tough demeanour said such statements need not be made in the Assembly. To this Satheesan hit back by saying, Vijayan also neednat make similar statements.

Soon Satheesan walked out of the meeting that had been called to discuss the curtailment of the fresh Assembly session in the wake of the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls.

According to the original schedule the present session was to end on March 27. At the end of the meeting Vijayan decided that the present session would now end on February 15.
Mumbai, Jan 29 : Tamil megastar Rajinikanth, who is gearing up for the release of his upcoming film 'Lal Salaam', has defended his daughter Aishwarya Rajinikanth, who objected to her father being called "Sanghi."

The megastar said that his daughter didn't use the word 'Sanghi' in a wrong sense. He said that Aishwarya never said that Sanghi is a bad word.

The actor told the media: "My daughter never said that Sanghi [the term] was a bad word. She questioned why her father was being branded that way when he is into spirituality."

Earlier, speaking at the audio launch of 'Lal Salaam' in Chennai, Aishwarya had said: "I generally stay away from social media, but my team often tells me what's happening and keep showing some posts. I used to get angry seeing them. We're human beings too. In recent times, many people call my father a Sanghi."

She further mentioned: "I didn't know what it meant. I then asked someone what the meaning of Sanghi was, and they said that people who support a particular political party are called Sanghi. I'd like to make it clear here, Rajinikanth is not a Sanghi. If he was, he wouldn't have done a film like 'Lal Salaam'."

Rajinikanth, who was last seen in the blockbuster film 'Jailer', will have an extended cameo in 'Lal Salaam'.
Ahmedabad, Jan 29 : Aiming at enhancing the hospitality sector in Gujarat's Ekta Nagar, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar inaugurated the Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) Skill Centre.

The centre's launch is a stride towards capitalising on the tourism in the area, highlighted by the increasing popularity of the Statue of Unity as a prime tourist spot.

On the occasion, Jaishankar, who is also a Rajya Sabha MP from Gujarat, expressed his enthusiasm on social media platform X.

He lauded the establishment of the IHCL Hospitality Skill Centre as a timely initiative in line with the escalating need for skilled personnel in the hospitality industry, a sector witnessing rapid expansion due to the growing influx of tourists to Ekta Nagar. "The Statue of Unity in Ekta Nagar has emerged as a major tourist destination, with steadily growing footfalls. Ensuring skilled human resources for burgeoning tourist facilities is now the task," he remarked.

The minister also interacted with the inaugural batches of students undergoing front office and food & beverage training at the centre, acknowledging the new avenues opening up for the local youth owing to the government's focus on promoting tourism.

Jaishankar, who arrived in Vadodara on January 28 night, is on a comprehensive visit to the Narmada District. His itinerary includes attending the inauguration of a lab and smart class at the Childrenas Home, Girlas Campus in Rajpipla, and flagging off new ambulances at the Primary Health Centre (PHC) Lachharas.

The minister is scheduled to conclude his regional engagements and depart from Vadodara on January 30 at 7 a.m.
Bengaluru, Jan 29 : Karnataka Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) unit on Monday said that it will launch the Hanuman Dhwaj campaign in the state and Hanuman flags will be hoisted on every road and house of the state.

The party's announcement came in the backdrop after the authorities replaced the Hanuman flag with the Tricolour for the January 26 Republic Day function.

"In Keragodu of Mandya, all Ram bhakts had hoisted the Hanuman flag. But, for Muslim votes, the Karnataka government has removed the flag. It needs to be hoisted again just like it was brought down," Sharan Pumpwell, Prantha Saha Karyadarshi of VHP told media persons.

He said that the Hanuman Dhwaj campaign will be carried out in Karnataka and the flags of Hanuman will be hoisted on every road and on every home.

"We will show our devotion towards Lord Hanuman in this manner to the government," Sharan said.

He said that Hindus, devotees of Ram and Hanuman are pained by the development.

"We are not against hoisting of the Tricolour. But there are a set of guidelines to hoist the national flag. They have insulted the national flag as well. The people who insulted the national flag should be charged with sedition," he said.

Sri Rama Sena founder Pramod Muthalik said that the Congress does not like the saffron colour and they even do not like Hindus and Hindutva.

"The whole nation is swept by the tsunami of Sri Ram. Congress is unable to digest the celebration which is being witnessed in every home and every village of the country," he said.

He said that saffron does not belong to a person or a party but is thousands of years of heritage.

"If Muslims have objection to it, they must explain that it is neither Pakistan nor Afghanistan. In Hindustan, the saffron flag will always flutter," Muthalik said.

He said that in Keragodu the Hanuman flag was hoisted on a 108-feet-tall flag pole. Local people had installed it on January 22. On January 26, the Tricolour was hoisted. The Hanuman's flag should be hoisted again," Muthalik said.

Karnataka BJP unit has launched a protest in all district headquarters on Monday condemning the incident of authorities taking down the saffron flag hoisted at Keragodu village in Mandya district.

Reacting on the developments, the Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that BJP is creating trouble unnecessarily.

"There is no opposition to hoist the Hanuman flag. The people had got the permission to hoist the Tricolour," the Chief Minister said.

"I am also a Hindu. I love people of all religions. We have faith in the secularism enshrined in the Constitution which means tolerance and coexistence. LoP R. Ashoka and JD (S) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy is provoking Hindus by making visits to Mandya. They are only provoking Hindus as elections are nearing," the Chief Minister said.
Kolkata, Jan 29 : West Bengal Chief Minister on Monday took an indirect dig at the BJP over the recent 'Pran Pratishthan' ceremony of the Ram Temple at Ayodhya, saying no one has the right to dictate others as to which god one should worship.

"What do they think? I will only worship the god that they suggest? I am not ready to allow that. I have studied Ramayana. I have studied the Bible, Guru Granth Sahib and Tripitaka as well," the Chief Minister said while addressing an administrative review meeting in Cooch Behar on Monday.

Banerjee also indirectly ridiculed BJP for not referring to "Sita Mata" or "Mata Koushyalya".

"They never speak about them or the sacrifices they made," Banerjee said.

She also accused the BJP of ignoring the popular religious places and religious festivals in West Bengal.

"They never speak of the Madan Mohan Temple or the Jalpeshwar Temple. They never speak of Durga Puja. I have said this before and I am saying this again, religion is about personal faith, but festivals are for all," she said.

Banerjee also accused the BJP of "unnecessarily targeting" her over the issue of corruption.

"My party will not take the responsibility of personal corruption by just 1 per cent of the leaders. Similarly, the state government will also not take the responsibility. Now the 'dacoits' are addressing us as 'thieves'. I do not accept any salary as the Chief Minister. I even pay the bill for a single cup of tea. So do not lie and call me a thief," the Chief Minister said.
DefSat conference to be held on Feb 7 in Delhi. Image Source: IANS News

Chennai, Jan 29 : DefSat Conference will be held at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi from February 7 to 9 while key industry stakeholders, policy makers, officials from the armed forces, diplomats, technology innovators and others are expected to attend the event.

Space Industry Association-India (SIA-India) said that the conference aims to catalyse immediate actions and chart a strategic roadmap coordinated by clear policies, forward-looking planning, and an interdisciplinary approach.

It said that there will be active participation of the Services, Ministry of Defence, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO), NewSpace India Ltd and others in the event.

"DefSAT 2024 unfolds at a pivotal juncture as India propounds a visionary space policy and the New Telecom Bill, embracing a future with robust space capabilities and a thriving commercial presence," Subba Rao Pavuluri, President, SIA-India said.

He said that SIA-India is proud to have support from pivotal government entities and esteemed organisations such as Niti Aayog, ISRO, NSIL, IN-SPACe, DoT, DRDO, and Ministry of Defence.

"The agenda, spanning three days, offers insightful deliberations in comprehensive sessions on diverse defence space topics, including interactive exercises and industry roundtables for practical insights and collaborative discussions," he said.
New Delhi, Jan 29 : The Delhi High Court on Monday directed low-cost airline SpiceJet to pay $4 million against its dues to two engine lessors - Team France 01 SAS and Sunbird France 02 SAS.

New Delhi, Jan 29 (IANS) The Delhi High Court on Monday directed low-cost airline SpiceJet to pay $4 million against its dues to two engine lessors  Team France 01 SAS and Sunbird France 02 SAS.

During the hearing, the lessors informed the court that SpiceJet had made a settlement offer, which they found unacceptable, which prompted them to pursue litigation.

The lessors also urged the court to restrain SpiceJet from using their three engines despite the lease termination.

While posting the hearing next on February 21, the court warned SpiceJet that failure to comply could result in orders for the grounding of the engines.

An airline source on Monday also told IANS that besides Rs 744 crores, SpiceJet has also secured Rs 160 crore through the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) with a substantial bank balance of Rs 900 crore.

Last week, SpiceJet had allotted shares and warrants amounting to a total of Rs 744 crore in the first tranche of its preferential issue. The decision was taken by the company's Board of Directors on January 25, marking a significant step in bolstering SpiceJet's financial position.

The source further said that airline's CMD Ajay Singh will personally oversee all major expenditures.

"Every rupee will be meticulously scrutinised, with no expenditure permitted without prior approvals. Singh has issued a stern directive of 'perform or perish', making it clear that underperformers will face significant challenges in the revitalised SpiceJet," said the sources.

An airline official said that with fund infusion, the company will prioritise fleet upgrades, enhance on-time performance, and a customer-centric approach.

"Additionally, a series of cost-cutting measures will be implemented to streamline operations and enhance efficiency. Company expects it will raise substantial further capital in follow on rounds of financing," said the official.

SpiceJet is due to complete another tranche of equity/warrants raise from remaining subscribers and has requested additional time from the competent authority to complete the process under the ongoing preferential issue, as approved by the shareholders of the company on January 10, 2024.

The extension is necessitated on account of limited banking days arising from long weekends during the intervening period.

In December 2023, the high court had asked SpiceJet to pay $450,000 to the lessors within two weeks. While the airline met this payment, the lessors sought further settlement due to outstanding amounts totaling $12.9 million over two years.

Earlier this month, the court had granted permission to Engine Lease Finance BV, a lessor to SpiceJet, to conduct inspections on an engine leased to the airline.

The airline has been directed to maintain status quo regarding the engines, with exceptions allowed only for purposes like refurbishing.

This directive had come in response to allegations by the lessor, accusing SpiceJet of cannibalising parts of the leased engine.

It informed the court that despite SpiceJet committing to grounding the engine on January 15, the airline continued its use.

Counsel for SpiceJet had assured the court that the airline would ground the engine promptly and submit a comprehensive response to address all allegations raised by the lessor.

Earlier, the court was informed that Engine Lease Finance Corporation Aviation Services Ltd and cash-strapped SpiceJet airline have arrived at an interim settlement.

During the hearing, both parties' legal representatives had informed the court that settlement terms have been agreed and consequently, both legal teams requested an adjournment.

The court had granted the adjournment, scheduling the matter to be heard on February 8.

As part of the settlement, SpiceJet was required to make a payment of over $2 million to Engine Lease Finance BV by January. Additionally, SpiceJet has committed to returning the disputed engine by January 25.

However, Engine Lease Finance BV retains the right to maintain the termination and pursue legal action if SpiceJet fails to fulfil these obligations.

On September 27, Engine Lease BV had taken the matter to the Delhi High Court, seeking the return of the lone remaining engine. The lessor had initially leased nine engines to the carrier, and according to the terms of the lease agreement, eight engines had been returned as the agreement was terminated.

During the previous hearing, senior advocate Rajshekar Rao and attorney Anandh Venkatramani, representing Engine Lease, had requested the court to prevent SpiceJet from using the engine in question. The agreement clearly states that the airline is not authorised to continue using the engine once the lease has been terminated.
Panaji, Jan 29 : Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday appealed investors to invest in Goa and grow along with the state.

"Your (investors) success will be our success. Your journey will be our journey. We are partners in progress committed to your every step. This is the right time to invest. Come to Goa and invest here," Sawant said while speaking during 'Invest Goa Industries Summit'.

He said that the government will also give helping hands to entrepreneurs.

"World don't look at Goa as a mere tourist destination but as an economic powerhouse waiting to be unleashed. We are ready to be your gateway to India and bridge for your dream," he said.

He said that the 'Invest Goa Summit' is not just an event but is a promise of a vibrant future and prosperity.

"Our government will transform Goa not just as a tourist paradise but as an example of economic growth and opportunities. But the heart of this transformation lies in the ease of doing business," he said.

"We have taken bold reforms to unlock the state's immense potential. We have cut through red tape, streamlined the process and created fertile ground for your dreams to take route," the CM said.

He said that the Goa government is building the future, world class highways, port, airport and digital connectivity for growth of business.

"Our commitment doesn't stop there, we believe in collaboration not competition. We are fostering a vibrant ecosystem of innovation and entrepreneurship," he said.

He said that the state government is partnering with leading academic institutions for skilled work force and innovative ideas.
Hungary does not intend to continue supplying weapons to Ukraine, but will help in the humanitarian sphere, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said.

"I have to tell you that in the future we will not supply weapons, as we have not supplied them before," Szijjarto said, answering a question from the Interfax-Ukraine agency.

At the same time, he stressed that Hungary has never refused Ukrainian citizens when it was asked for help, in particular, to persons temporarily displaced due to the war.

"And after that, too, we will not [refuse to help]. Hungary is ready to help every citizen of Ukraine in trouble, as it has done so far. That is, we continue the humanitarian direction. We will hope that this will last for a long time," said the head of the Hungarian Foreign Ministry.

Szijjarto also, in response to a question from the agency, said that at a meeting with the head of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry Dmytro Kuleba and the head of the Presidents Office of Ukraine Andriy Yermak in Uzhgorod, he did not discuss the issue of cooperation with Ukraine under a security agreement following the example of other European countries.
Kolkata, Jan 29 : There are clear indications that the Congress' Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra is all set to face administrative hurdles as it will enter into its second phase from Malda from January 31.

According to a West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee (WBPCC) spokesman, the Congress state leadership's proposal to host a lunch for Rahul Gandhi at the guest house of the state irrigation department at Bhaluka in Malda district on January 31 has been turned down by the state administration.

State Congress leaders said that the state administration has stated that since Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will be in Malda on that day for an administrative review programme, all the state-run guest houses would be out-of-bounds for any third party on that day.

Similarly, the Congress is yet to get the permission for conducting a meeting at Baharampur Stadium in Baharampur town of Murshidabad district on February 1.

In this case also, the Murshidabad district administration has stated the presence of the Chief Minister in the district on that day.

"We applied for permission for the lunch programme well in advance and maintained the proper norms on this count. However, our plea had been turned down at the last moment. Probably, the state government officials denied the permission fearing the rage of the Chief Minister," said Congress's Malda District General Secretary Bhupendranath Halder.

However, the Trinamool Congress leadership has accused the Congress of unnecessarily politicising the issue as it is a general practice of reserving state-run outfits for administrative purposes.

In the first phase of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra from January 25, too, the Congress had faced various administrative hurdles.

On that day, the original stage at Boxirhat in Cooch Behar District, that was set up to welcome Rahul had to be dismantled and raised at an alternative private place following police objections.

After that, the Siliguri Metropolitan Police denied permission for a public meeting by Rahul in Siliguri town on January 28.

State Congress leaders said that the schedule of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra at Jalpaiguri town will also have to be changed to an extent following insistence of the district police authorities.
Hong Kong, Jan 29 : Debt-laden Chinese property giant Evergrande has been ordered to liquidate by a court in Hong Kong, a media report said.

Judge Linda Chan said "enough is enough" after the troubled developer repeatedly failed to come up with a plan to restructure its debts, BBC reported.

The firm has been the poster child of China's real-estate crisis with more than $300 billion of debt, the report said.

When Evergrande defaulted two years ago, it sent shockwaves through global financial markets.

Evergrande's Executive Director, Shawn Siu, described the decision as "regrettable", but said the company would continue to operate in mainland China.

The firm's Hong Kong arm was independent from its mainland business, he said in a statement, BBC reported.

While any potential impact of the ruling on Evergrande's home building business is currently unclear, the crisis at the company has already left many home buyers waiting for their new properties, BBC reported.

Beijing has previously sought to temper public concern about the property crisis as people have taken to Chinese social media sites such as Weibo to share their frustrations about developers like Evergrande.
New Delhi, Jan 29 : A 23-year-old man, who was absconding after killing his neighbour with stone and knife along with his friends, was arrested from Punjab, a Delhi Police's Crime Branch official said on Monday.

The accused was identified as Amarjeet Singh aka Manga, a resident of Siraspur, Samaypur Badli.

According to police, an incident of a quarrel took place between two parties on January 7 at around 7:30 p.m. in the Samaipur Badli area, over a minor issue.

During the quarrel, Gurpreet Singh was brutally killed by five individuals, Amarjeet, Sagar, Tapsi, Billu, and Ravindra, alias Ravi.

In the course of investigation, Sagar, Tapsi, Billu, and Ravindra were arrested by the local police, but Amarjeet was found to be absconding.

Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime), Sanjay Bhatia, said that, in light of the incident and to apprehend Amarjeet, technical surveillance was intensified, and a police team was formed.

The team gathered information and located Amarjeet's hideout in the village of Naurangabad, District Tarn Taran, Punjab.

"Amarjeet's mobile phone was switched off, and based on technical analysis, it was revealed that he was using a new mobile number for online payments to meet his daily requirements," said the additional CP.

Subsequently, through regular data analysis, it was discovered that the location of the accused Manga was in the village of Naurangabad. "Accordingly, a raid was conducted, and the accused was apprehended from a room near a tubewell in the village fields," said Bhatia.

During interrogation, Amarjeet disclosed that on the day of the incident, he was present at his home.

"Upon hearing the commotion of the crowd, he came out and observed that his friends were in a confrontation with a family. This angered him, as he already had a rivalry with that family. To support his friends, he attacked the victim with stones and a knife, along with his accomplices," said the additional DCP.
New Delhi, Jan 29 : The Delhi High Court has imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on Ajay Kumar, who sought a gag order against newspapers Hindustan Times and Dainik Jagran, arguing that their reports mentioning his name could adversely impact cases filed by him in different forums.

Justice Subramonium Prasad dismissed Kumar's plea, deeming it an abuse of the legal process. The court stated that the mere publication of court-related information does not necessarily impair judicial impartiality or affect the court's ability to determine facts.

Kumar claimed that an Assistant Commissioner of Police, labelled as a "land mafia" in Burari, had an eye on his property, posing a constant threat to him and his family. The court was informed that Kumar's mother had filed a writ petition last year to address procedural concerns related to the ACP.

The court said that the newspaper cuttings revealed information about a suspended Constable's involvement in a fake encounter and an insurance fraud, unrelated to Kumar's case.

It noted that Kumar sought a gag order without presenting all relevant facts and materials, and the newspaper reports did not indicate any imminent danger or prejudice to him or his mother.

The court concluded that the plea lacked substance and imposed fine on Kumar for wasting judicial time.
New Delhi, Jan 29 : Two men were seriously injured on Monday after a SUV hit a tempo parked on National Highway 44, near Delhi's Alipur area, owing to dense fog, an official said.

The Deputy Commissioner of Police, (outernorth), Ravi Kumar Singh, said a Police Control Room call was received at Alipur police station that one vehicle had hit a tempo on the Karnal highway.

Upon reaching the spot, the police team learnt that one tempo broke down due to a tyre issue. "The driver of the tempo called his friend and his friend came with another tempo and parked it behind the first tempo on the highway," said the DCP.

After some time one Mahindra Scorpio, which was coming from Haryana and going to Delhi hit the tempo that was at the back of the first tempo. "Due to this, two persons namely Deepak Yadav and Gaurav Yadav, both residents of Badli village, sitting in the Scorpio got injured. Both the injured were rushed to SRHC Hospital," said the DCP.

"The patients are under treatment. Their statement is yet to be obtained. Legal action will be taken as per the statement," the official added.
Imphal, Jan 29 : Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Monday laid the foundation for the Rs 1,766 crore Imphal Ring Road Project for which the Asian Development Bank (ADB) would provide a financial assistance of Rs 1374.75 crore.

The 51.23 km long Imphal Ring Road Project, which was taken up in 2015-16 and approved in 2020, would ease traffic congestion and curb pollution in the areas under Imphal West district.

State Works Minister Govindas Konthoujam said the most interesting part of the project is that it includes a noise pollution control mechanism, which is the first of its kind in India.

The minister informed that 9.5 km of the road would be four-lane, while 41.5 km would be two-lane with paved shoulders. The road includes an 18 km stretch of green field with solar lamp, footpath and cycle lane.

Konthoujam said that various amenities like food plazas would be set up along the four-lane stretch. Within this stretch, provision of cycle and jogging lanes would be included in a stretch of 1 km.

Addressing the foundation stone laying ceremony, the Chief Minister said that Manipur has been passing through a rough phase and everyone is bearing the hardship.

Assuring that the state government would protect the state from those vested interest groups which want to disintegrate its unity, Singh stressed the need for unity among people as he sought their support and cooperation.

He said the state government has been taking up many developmental projects which would improve the living standards of the people, adding that leaders should always work for the welfare of those at the grassroots.

Talking about the various projects taken up in the state, Singh said the Lamphelpat Waterbody Rejuvenation Project has been taken up with an estimated cost of around Rs 650 crore.

The project includes 300 acres of water body area and around 140 acres for recreation centre, he said, adding that the government plans to connect the recreation centre with the Imphal View Tower at Cheirao Ching through cable car.

He also expressed satisfaction that the migratory birds, which were seen earlier, could be seen these days at the Lamphelpat waterbody after around 109 years.

The Chief Minister raised concern on the environmental degradation through mass deforestation and the water scarcity problem which the state could face in future, stressing on the necessity to preserve water bodies.
Tokyo, Jan 29 : As reported infection cases have risen for continuous nine weeks in Japan, infectious disease expert believes that the country is probably in the midst of a 10th wave of Covid-19 infections.

The new JN.1 variant, which is extremely contagious, is driving the spread, reports the Japan Times.

The Japanese Health Ministry noted that in the week ending January 21, there were 12.23 infected persons reported per organisation, which is 1.4 times more than the previous week. The growth continued from late November last year.

Visiting professor of infectious diseases at Keio University -- Norio Sugaya has warned the public to take precautions.

As per the report, rising JN.1 infections, which resulted from a mutation from the BA.2.86 omicron variation, are the cause of the coronavirus comeback.

"JN.1 seems to be better able to evade immunity. The current situation can be described as the 10th wave of infections, and the number of infected people is feared to rise further due to the spread of JN.1," Sugaya was quoted as saying.

Moreover, the report said that the new variant is rapidly replacing others in Japan.

The majority, or almost 20 per cent, of the 194 Covid-19 samples that private testing companies looked at between January 1 and January 7 were JN.1, according to the National Institute of Infectious Diseases.

Early next month, the share is expected to hit 43 per cent, the report mentioned.

As per the World Health Organisation (WHO), there is no evidence that JN.1 causes more severe symptoms than other variants. However, JN.1 probably spreads faster because it evades the human immune system more readily.
Kolkata, Jan 29 : The Calcutta High Court on Monday allowed the termination of 23-week old pregnancy of a rape victim.

The victim was facing problems relating to the termination of pregnancy since when it was detected after 21 weeks. As per Indian law, a pregnancy which is 20 weeks or above can be terminated only with the permission of a court.

The victim thus approached the Calcutta High Court and a single-judge bench of Justice Sabyasachi Bhattacharyya, after hearing all sides and considering the sensitivity of the matter, permitted termination of the pregnancy.

Justice Bhattacharya has directed that the entire process has to be completed within the next 48 hours and ordered a three-member medical team be set up for that purpose. He also directed that the victimas medical conditions should be thoroughly checked before conducting the process.

Last year, Justice Bhattacharya had permitted a similar termination of pregnancy that was 26 weeks old of a 11-year-old minor rape victim.
New Delhi, Jan 29 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday praised a patriotic song rendered by an Egyptian girl at India's 75th Republic Day celebrations in Cairo.

Dressed in traditional Indian attire, Kariman sang the aDesh Rangeelaa song at the India House, leaving a large gathering of Indians and Egyptians impressed.

"This rendition by Kariman from Egypt is melodious! I congratulate her for this effort and wish her the very best for her future endeavours," PM Modi wrote as he shared the video of the song on X.

The video was originally shared by the Indian Embassy in Egypt on Sunday, which praised Kariman's "melodious singing" and "intonation".

"A young Egyptian girl Kariman presented a patriotic song aDesh Rangeelaa during 75th #RepublicDay celebrations at 'India House'. Her melodious singing and correct intonation impressed the large gathering of Indians and Egyptians," the Embassy said.

It further stated in successive posts that young Egyptians showcased their love for Indian classical dance and music, with cultural programmes at the India House in the Egyptian capital.

Women from the Indian community performed Garba after Ambassador Ajit V Gupte unfurled the Tricolour and read the address of President Droupadi Murmu to the Indian diaspora and friends of India in the country.

According to the Indian Embassy in Cairo, the Indian community in Egypt numbers around 3,200, most of whom are concentrated in the country's capital.

There are also a small number of families in Alexandria, Port Said, and Ismailia. A majority of the Indians are either employed with Indian companies or are professionals with various multinationals.

About 400 Indian students are studying in Egypt, mainly in Al Azhar University with around 275 students, and the rest in Ain Shams Medical University (around 80 students) and Cairo University, the Embassy website said.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited the country in October 2022 where he thanked the diaspora for advancing India's national interests and shaping the country's image in the region.
Mumbai, Jan 29 : The upcoming true-crime documentary series titled 'The Indrani Mukerjea Story: Buried Truth', will unravel the infamous case of Indrani Mukerjea about allegedly murdering her 25-year old daughter Sheena Bora.

Mumbai, Jan 29 (IANS) The upcoming true-crime documentary series titled aThe Indrani Mukerjea Story: Buried Trutha, will unravel the infamous case of Indrani Mukerjea about allegedly murdering her 25-year old daughter Sheena Bora.

Indrani, who was an accomplished media executive and socialite, was married to media baron Peter Mukerjea. In 2015, she was arrested for murdering Sheena Bora. The case sent shockwaves across the nation.

The documentary features Indrani Mukerjea, her children - Vidhie Mukherjea and Mikhail Bora, veteran journalists, and lawyers spotlighting dysfunctional family dynamics and complex motivations. It is helmed by Shaana Levy and Uraaz Bahl, and also reveals for the first-time ever unsettling call recordings between Indrani, Peter, and Rahul Mukerjea and unseen images of the family.

It explores sensational family secrets, complicated relationships, buried connections and the possibility of millions of dollars at stake.

After her arrest, Indrani was sent to judicial custody at a women's-only prison in Byculla Jail, Mumbai. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) took over the case and filed charges against Indrani under the Indian Penal Code Sections 302 (murder), 201 (causing disappearance of evidence), 34 (criminal conspiracy), 420 (cheating and forgery), 364 (kidnapping) 120-B (conspiracy).

The series is slated to drop on Netflix on February 23.
Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal had an online conversation with Prime Minister of Luxembourg Luc Frieden, the press service of the Ukrainian government reports.

The parties focused special attention on strengthening sanctions against Russia and freezing Russian assets.

"Luxembourg is making a significant contribution here. We must jointly develop a mechanism for confiscating these assets, which can become a valuable resource for the restoration of Ukraine," Shmyhal noted.

The interlocutors also discussed the implementation of joint agreements reached during the meeting between the Prime Minister of Luxembourg and President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Davos.

"We are grateful for the support of Ukraine's European integration aspirations and the Ukraine Facility financial mechanism for EUR 50 billion. We appreciate Luxembourg's leadership in creating the IT coalition, as well as joining the F-16 coalition," Denys Shmyhal.

The heads of government touched upon the issue of Ukraine's recovery. Shmyhal also thanked Luxembourg for supporting the Peace Formula of the President of Ukraine.

Frieden, for his part, assured that Luxembourg would continue to provide Ukraine with comprehensive assistance and support as long as necessary.
Chandigarh, Jan 29 : The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Monday demanded a probe into the deletion of 10.70 lakh blue cards of beneficiaries under the 'aata-daal' scheme which has now been restored by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government.

Senior leader Daljit Singh Cheema said that it is shocking that the AAP government has denied food grains given under the scheme to 40 lakh people for two years and has now restored the facility on the eve of the Lok Sabha elections due to deep resentment on this issue at the grassroots.

Asserting that only an independent probe can determine the reasons for denial of this facility to 40 lakh people, Cheema said, "It is clear that people who did not vote for AAP were penalized."

Cheema said that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is responsible for this injustice as he had himself announced that rich persons were availing the scheme while deleting the blue cards of 10.7 lakh families.

He said since the facility has now been restored, the Chief Minister should tell what action had been taken against those responsible for denying this basic facility to the people.
Kolkata, Jan 29 : Parts of the industrial township of Barrackpore in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district virtually turned into a battlefield on Monday following clashes between the police and BJP supporters during a rally of the saffron party in front of the officer of district police superintendent.

The clashes started after the rally taken out by the supporters of the youth wing of the BJP, led by state BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar, was stopped by the police.

As the BJP supporters tried to break through the barricades, the police prevented them which led to the clashes.

As the BJP supporters hurled bricks and stones at the cps, the latter resorted to lathi charge and use of water-cannons to disperse the mob.

Till the time of filing of this report, tension prevailed in the area.

"We were holding a peaceful demonstration. But the cops launched an unprovoked attack on us. Even our female workers were not spared and were harassed and beaten up by male cops. We will approach the National Commission for Women," said Majumdar.

He also said that it was the police who first provoked the BJP supporters by throwing stones and bricks towards the procession.

"In West Bengal, every democratic and peaceful demonstration is stopped in such a manner by the use of force," he added.

Reacting to Majumdar's comments, Trinamool spokesman Kunal Ghosh claimed that the police behaved in an extremely responsible manner by just resorting to lathi charge and use of water-cannons.

"Had there been central armed forces, they would have surely resorted to firing," said Ghosh.
Bhopal, Jan 28 : The hearing in the high-profile honey-trapping and blackmailing scandal, that rocked Madhya Pradesh four-and-half-years ago, was deferred to February 10 on Monday as the Special Investigation Team (SIT) failed to submit its report on whether Congress leader Kamal Nath has a 'pen-drive' purportedly containing evidence of the case.

Bhopal, Jan 28 (IANS) The hearing in the high-profile honey-trapping and blackmailing scandal, that rocked Madhya Pradesh four-and-half-years ago, was deferred to February 10 on Monday as the Special Investigation Team (SIT) failed to submit its report on whether Congress leader Kamal Nath has a apen-drivea purportedly containing evidence of the case.

Claiming that the new SIT chief Adarsh Katiyar, who took charge recently, was on training in Coimbatore, the team sought some more time to submit the report.

Subsequently, a District Court of Indore fixed February 10 as the next date of hearing.

The court was hearing a petition filed by lawyer Yavar Khan seeking to know how the pen drive related to the sensational case had fallen into the hands of former Chief Minister Kamal Nath.

Khan filed the petition after Nath at a press conference here on May 21, 2021 claimed that he had in his possession the pen drive containing evidence of the scandal.

The court had earlier sent notices to the police and Kamal Nath to reply to the petition.

The SIT constituted by the state government to probe the matter was supposed to present its report on the notice sent to Kamal Nath in this regard.

Importantly, Kamal Nath had earlier issued a clarification that he had only watched the 29 second-clip relating to the scandal.

In his clarification, he had said that the police produced the pen drive before him when he was the Chief Minister, but, he had returned the pen drive to the police after watching the clip.

The scandal came to light on September 19, 2019 when an engineer of Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) filed a complaint with a police station in Indore alleging that he was being blackmailed with the release of a video of him in a compromising position if he did not pay Rs 3 crore to a woman.

Later, police conducted raids at different places in Indore and Bhopal and arrested five women and the driver of one of them in connection with the alleged scandal.

Police had seized a laptop, pen drives, CDs, and mobile phones from some of them.

Later, police recovered sleazy videos and photographs allegedly featuring some former ministers, bureaucrats, politicians, and businessmen from the electronic gadgets seized from them.

The scandal was unearthed during the Kamal Nath Government regime in Madhya Pradesh.

The probe in the case has reportedly made little progress so far, giving rise to apprehensions in different quarters that the matter may be brushed under the carpet to shield high profile people involved in the scandal.

All the six accused are now out on bail.
Colombo, Jan 29 : The foundation stone for the first-ever Ashoka Pillar in Sri Lanka was laid during a ceremony at the Waskaduwe Temple.

The ceremony was held on January 28th.

The foundation stone was laid in presence of High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka Santhosh Jha and Secretary General of the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) Shartse Khensur Jangchup Choeden Rinpoche.

The chief of the temple Waskaduwe Mahindawansa Maha Nayaka Thero welcomed the guests.

Following the stone-laying, the guests visited the shrine housing the sacred Kapilavasthu relics. The Anushasana was conducted by Waskaduwe Thero which narrated the historical journey of the authentic relics and also emphasised the role of King Asoka in preserving Buddhist teachings.

In his speech, the High Commissioner echoed sentiments of deep-rooted ties between India and Sri Lanka under PM Modi and governmentas commitment which include a generous USD 15 million grant to promote Buddhist ties.

Damenda Porage also expressed gratitude to King Asoka, pledging to establish nine pillars in each province as a tribute to his contributions to Buddhism.

The ceremony symbolises commitment to preserving and promoting Buddhism, as the rising pillars act as bridges connecting the two nations in shared heritage and spiritual devotion.

The event not only strengthens the historical ties but also the first official ceremony attended by the Indian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka.

--IANS

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Chandigarh, Jan 29 : An NRI Grievance Redressal Cell has been established for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), especially those of Haryana origin, to address their issues and complaints under a single roof, it was announced on Monday.

A circular to this effect has been issued by the office of the Chief Secretary and the centre has been set up at the Haryana Civil Secretariat in Chandigarh.

During the 10th Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024 in Gandhinagar, representatives of at least 10 companies from Japan, the US, and African countries had a one-to-one meeting with the Chief Minister and they discussed the possibilities of investing in Haryana.

Investors sought information about the industrial and employment incentive policies of the state government and expressed their desire to expand their existing units in Haryana and invest in new locations under the policy.

During this interaction, foreign investors and NRIs requested the government's assistance in providing a quick resolution to difficulties and complaints, an official statement said.

In response in this regard the Complaint Resolution Centre for Non-Resident Indians has been established.
New Delhi, Jan 29 : The India Economy Review prepared by the Ministry of Finance said that the agricultural sector -- which is estimated to constitute 18 per cent of India's GVA in FY24 -- is the bedrock of nation's economy.

The report said that the total food grains production for FY23 was 329.7 million tonnes, marking a rise of 14.1 million tonnes compared to the previous year.

"The average food grain production per year in million tonnes was 289 in FY15 to FY23, compared to 233 in FY05 to FY14. Rice, wheat, pulses, Nutri/coarse cereals, and oilseeds witnessed record increases in production," the report said.

It said that India's global dominance extends across agricultural commodities, making it the largest producer of milk, pulses, and spices worldwide.

"India ranks second-largest producer of fruits, vegetables, tea, farmed fish, sugarcane, wheat, rice, cotton, and sugar," it said.

The report said that the improved performance is also reflected in a substantial surge in agriculture exports, reaching 24.2 lakh crore in FY23, surpassing the previous year's records.

The Economy Review said that despite challenges posed by the global health crisis and variability in climate conditions, the sector has demonstrated remarkable tenacity and resilience, contributing significantly to India's economic recovery and development.

"The sector grew at a higher average annual rate of 3.7 per cent from FY15 to FY23 compared to 3.4 per cent from FY05 to FY14. For the year FY23, the sector grew at 4.0 per cent as compared to the previous year," the report said.

It said that given opportunities and an appropriate policy setting, the farmers have demonstrated their capability to meet food demand of the rest of the world.

It said that the government has implemented several strategic measures to bolster the agriculture sector's growth and resilience.

"One notable intervention is the consistent increase in Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) for 22 Kharif and Rabi crops," the report said.

It said that since the agricultural year 2018-19, the government has ensured a minimum of 50 per cent margin over the all-India weighted average cost of production for each crop covered under MSP.

"This price support also aims to reduce India's import dependence and foster diversification towards pulses, oil, and commercial crops," the report said.

It said that the highest increase in MSP was approved for lentils (masur) at 2425 per quintal, followed by rapeseed and mustard at 2200 per quintal in 2023-24.

The report said that the policy initiatives, such as Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana (PM-KMY), Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN), and Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), have played a pivotal role in providing financial and income support to farmers.

The review said that the PM-KISAN, launched in 2019, supplements the financial needs of landholding farmers by transferring 26,000 per year in three equal four-monthly instalments.

"As of December 12, 2023, over 2.8 lakh crore have been transferred to more than 11 crore beneficiaries," the report said.

It said that the government provides pension benefits to 23.4 lakh small and marginal farmers enrolled under the PM-KMY.

"The success of PMFBY, offering simple and affordable crop insurance against non-preventable natural causes, is evident from 55.5 crore farmer applications insured since 2016-17 and 21.5 lakh crore paid as claims," the report added.
London, Jan 29 : The Italian regulator on Monday notified Sam Altman-run OpenAI about breaching European data privacy law, giving the ChatGPT developer 30 days to respond to the allegations.

Following a months-long investigation of its AI chatbot, ChatGPT, the Italian DPA (Garante) notified breaches of data protection law to OpenAI.

Following the temporary ban on processing imposed on OpenAI by the Garante on March 20 last year, and based on the outcome of its fact-finding activity, the Italian DPA concluded that the available evidence pointed to the existence of breaches of the provisions contained in the EU GDPR.

"OpenAI may submit its counterclaims concerning the alleged breaches within 30 days," said the regulator.

The Italian Garante will take account of the work in progress within the ad-hoc task force set up by the European Data Protection Framework (EDPB) in its final determination on the case.

OpenAI was yet to comment on the regulator's report.

Confirmed breaches of the pan-EU regime can attract fines of up to 20 million euros, or up to 4 per cent of global annual turnover, reports TechCrunch.

The Italian authority raised concerns about OpenAI's compliance with the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) last year.

It had ordered a temporary ban on ChatGPT's local data processing which led to the AI chatbot being temporarily suspended in the market.
San Francisco, Jan 29 : Amazon on Monday announced it has terminated its $1.7 billion acquisition of iRobot, the maker of consumer robotic vacuums, on mutual conditions.

Originally signed on August 4, 2022, the deal would have allowed Amazon to invest in continued innovation by iRobot and support iRobot in lowering prices on products customers already love.

"We're disappointed that Amazon's acquisition of iRobot could not proceed. This outcome will deny consumers faster innovation and more competitive prices, which we're confident would have made their lives easier and more enjoyable," said David Zapolsky, Amazon SVP and general counsel.

"Undue and disproportionate regulatory hurdles discourage entrepreneurs, who should be able to see acquisition as one path to success, and that hurts both consumers and competition - the very things that regulators say they're trying to protect," he added.

The companies have signed a termination agreement that resolves all outstanding matters from the transaction, including Amazon paying iRobot the previously agreed upon termination fee.

iRobot is a global enterprise that has sold more than 50 million robots worldwide.

"The termination of the agreement with Amazon is disappointing, but iRobot now turns toward the future with a focus and commitment to continue building thoughtful robots and intelligent home innovations that make life better, and that our customers around the world love," said Colin Angle, Founder of iRobot.

--IANS

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Kolkata, Jan 29 : Trinamool Congress national General Secretary and Lok Sabha MP Abhishek Banerjee on Monday held West Bengal Congress chief and five-time MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury for the failed alliance talks between the Congress and the Trinamool Congress in the state with regard to the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

"There is a limit to anyone's patience. Mamata Banerjee is constantly steering movements against the BJP. She has always been vocal against the Centre neglecting the people of West Bengal.

"But here she is being targeted by Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury. I want to ask him, how many times has he been vocal about Central negligence towards the people of West Bengal," Abhishek Banerjee told newspersons on Monday.

He also accused the Congress leadership in general for not showing any interest about initiating seat-sharing talks with the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal.

"People will realise who is actually responsible for this. Mamata Banerjee has time and again insisted on concluding the dialogue process for seat-sharing by December 31 last year. But no one initiated this discussion. The opposition INDIA bloc is actually an alliance of the people. People will now decide whom to vote for," he said.

Banerjee also made a statement, for the first time since the incident, on the attack on ED and CAPF officials at Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district on January 5.

According to him, what had happened at Sandeshkhali was unfortunate and should not have happened.

"I am not supporting anybody. The ED officials can go anywhere and conduct search operations at anyone's place. But I want to ask just one question to the ED officials. They were there for three hours. The media came to know about that, but the local police did not," Banerjee said.
New Delhi, Jan 29 : The Central government on Monday extended ban on the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) for five more years and declared it an 'unlawful association'.

"The ban on SIMI has been imposed under Section 3(1) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) 1967 for a further period of five years," Ministry of Home Affairs said.

The ministry said that the ban on SIMI has been imposed vide Gazette Notification Number S.O. 564(E), dated the 31st January, 2019.

"SIMI continues to be involved in fomenting terrorism, disturbing peace and communal harmony which are prejudicial to the sovereignty, security and integrity of India," the ministry said.

The ministry said that many criminal cases have been registered against SIMI and its members under various sections of law including the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
Press secretary of the President of Ukraine, Serhiy Nykyforov, denied information about the resignation of commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Valeriy Zaluzhny.

"There is no subject of conversation," Nykyforov said in a comment to reporters, adding: "There is no order. The President did not dismiss the commander-in-chief."
K'taka woman arrested for throwing her child in river. Image Source: IANS News

Hyderabad, Jan 29 : Police in Hyderabad apprehended a young woman with links to the film industry, with drugs on Monday.

The Special Operations Team (SOT) of Cyberabad police seized four grams of MDMA from a woman in Narsingi area on the cityas outskirts.

Acting on a tip-off, the SOT sleuths intercepted a vehicle and during checking they found the woman to be in possession of the drugs.

She had allegedly brought the drugs from Goa to supply to customers in Hyderabad.

Police were questioning her to identify the customers. She is reported to have links with some personalities in the film industry.

The seizure was made amid stepped-up vigil by the police in and around Hyderabad to curb the drug menace.
Gadchiroli : , Jan 29 (IANS) Police in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli have arrested a journalist and a policeman among others for allegedly running a major honey-trap sextortion racket, an official said on Monday.

The accused are: policeman Sushil Gawai, journalist Ravikant Kamble, and their accomplice Rohit Ahire, all hailing from Nagpur.

Besides, a woman associate who was part of the sextortion gang, identified only as Ishani, has also been arrested, while the police are on the lookout for another unidentified woman who is absconding.

According to a complaint lodged with the police, a government employee from Gadchiroli had gone to Nagpur on January 3 on official duties, where his old friend Gawai arranged for an accommodation at a hotel in the Hingna area of the city.

However, there were two other women already in the room, who threatened the complainant (government servant) with rape charges if he did not pay them Rs 10 lakh, and later, the other accused also joined in.

They warned him of filing a police complaint with evidence, ruining his reputation, and other dire consequences if he did not comply with their demands.

Pretending to help out, the complainantas friend Gawai claimed that he had already paid up around Rs 2 to 3 lakh from his pocket, while Kamble had also reportedly chipped in with Rs 28,000 to silence the two women.

They demanded that the complainant should refund the money they had already allegedly paid up on his behalf, plus make arrangements for the remaining cash to save his image, and hush up the matter to avoid any legal hassles, said a police official.

Finally, after over three weeks of these demands, the government servant lodged the complaint and the police team nabbed the four accused in the case within hours. Further investigations are underway.
Hyderabad, Jan 29 : The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to the government of Telangana over an incident in which lady police officials dragged a girl student by her hair.

The Commission sought a detailed report on the incident within four weeks.

The state government has also been asked to inform about the action taken against the police officials involved.

The NHRC took suo moto cognizance of a media report on a video clip showing lady police officials dragging a protesting student by her hair in Ranga Reddy district during an agitation by some students of the Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University (PJTSAU) on January 24.

The video of the reported incident went viral on social media.

The Commission observed that the contents of the media report, if true, raise serious issue of violation of human rights of the victim girl.

It issued notices to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, calling for detailed reports in the matter within four weeks. It should also include the action taken report and health status of the victim girl.

The incident occurred when the students were protesting against a government order allocating 100 acres of the land belonging to the university for the construction of the new High Court complex.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Jan 29 : The Finance Ministry's review of the Indian Economy, a document which runs over 70 pages, takes stock of the state of the country's economy and its journey in the last 10 years.

New Delhi, Jan 29 (IANS) The Finance Ministryas review of the Indian Economy, a document which runs over 70 pages, takes stock of the state of the countryas economy and its journey in the last 10 years.

In the review released just days before the Interim Budget (Feb 1), the ministry said it now appears very likely that the Indian economy will achieve a growth rate of or above 7 per cent for FY24, while some predict it will achieve another year of 7 per cent real growth in FY25 as well.

If the prognosis for FY25 turns out to be right, it will mark the fourth year post-pandemic that the Indian economy will have grown at or over 7 per cent. That would be an impressive achievement, testifying to the resilience and potential of the Indian economy, the Finance Ministry said.

'The Indian Economy: A Review', released by the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), speaks about the new approach to welfare among other things in its second chapter.

The reviewas first chapter provides an overview of the past, present, and future of the countryas economy while the second chapter takes a detailed look at the governmentas policies and progress on various parameters in different sectors.

Calling the countryas human resources a dovetailing growth and a capacitating welfare, the review says that over the past decade, India's welfare paradigm has undergone a substantial transformation, evolving into a more sustainable, efficient, and empowering model.

It says that this shift has not only endowed welfare initiatives with a capacity-building dimension, but has also laid a robust foundation for long-term human development in the country.

From a fiscal perspective, the increased productivity of social sector spending has been accompanied by a commitment to ensuring universal access to basic amenities.

The Union government's expenditure on social services has exhibited a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.9 per cent between FY12 and FY23, with capital expenditure on social services growing at an 8.1 per cent CAGR over the same period, signalling the creation of societal assets.

Simultaneously, schemes like Ujjwala Yojana, PM-Jan Aarogya Yojana, PM-Jal Jeevan Mission and PM-AWAS Yojana have gained prominence, stressing the importance of universal access to basic amenities.

According to the review, in a diverse and populous country, prioritising social enablers is crucial. Investments in child immunisation and sanitation exemplify this, positively impacting public health, school attendance, and long-term well-being.

Policies like the Atal Pension Yojana, PM Jeevan Jyoti Yojana and PM Suraksha Bima Yojana provide affordable social security for unorganised sector workers, showcasing notable progress in coverage over the years.

The substantial push towards infrastructure development, particularly in digital, energy, and transport sectors, holds the potential for significant employment generation at the grassroots level.

India's response to the Covid-19 crisis demonstrated a nuanced and phased approach, providing safety nets for vulnerable sections while iteratively responding to emerging situations.

This calibrated response helped address the specific needs of the sections at risk, ensuring food security, credit for street vendors, employment for returnee migrants, etc., as sectors of the economy recovered at different paces.

The Finance Ministry said the new approach to welfare in India has yielded substantial positive outcomes, leading to a notable improvement in the quality of life for its citizens.

As evidenced by India becoming the fifth largest economy in the world, the impact of welfare initiatives is evident in the significantly improved lives of the common person compared to a decade ago, it said.

According to a NITI Aayog report, a remarkable 13.5 crore Indians escaped multidimensional poverty between 2015-16 and 2019-21. This positive trend is particularly pronounced in rural India and the most backward areas, aligning with the principle of 'Antyodaya' or upliftment of the last person.

Data from the National Family Health Survey for 2019-21 indicates a consistent rise in access to essential services such as electricity, drinking water, sanitation, and clean fuel. The National Health Accounts data reveals a consistent decline in out-of-pocket health expenditure from 62.6 per cent of total health expenditure in FY15 to 47.1 per cent of total health expenditure in FY20.

Key improvements also include a decline in the maternal mortality ratio and the female Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) in higher education surpassing the male GER since FY18.

The bouquet of fiscal transfers through welfare schemes has played a significant role in reducing economic inequality, as highlighted in a recent Collection of Essays by the Office of the Chief Economic Advisor.

Moreover, the holistic approach of 'empowering welfare' has expanded over the last decade, contributing to the overall betterment of the Indian populace, the review said.
Bhopal, Jan 29 : Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Nisha Napit didn't die of heart attack, as was suspected initially, in Madhya Pradesh's Dindori district on Sunday, but was reportedly killed by her husband Manish Sharma for not making him the nominee in service, insurance and bank records, the police said on Monday.

In 2020, Nisha (51) got married to Manish (45) through a social media site. However, Manish's repeated demands to make him the nominee in all records had led to a discord between the two.

SDM Nisha), who was posted at Shahpura tehsil in Dindori district, died under mysterious circumstances at her official residence on Sunday. The cause of her death was initially suspected as heart attack.

However, the forensic reports and the views of the doctors at the community health centre, where she was rushed for treatment, did not match with the story narrated by Manish, making the police suspicious.

On Sunday, Manish, a resident of Gwalior, had told the police that his wife felt acute pain on her chest following which he took her to the nearby community health centre, where she died during treatment.

The doctors at the community centre, on the other hand, told the police that by the time the officer was brought there, she was already dead.

Subsequently, the police sealed the officer's residence and detained her husband for further interrogation.

It was revealed that Nisha was allegedly killed by her husband for not making him the nominee in service, insurance and bank records, Dindori SP Akhil Patel to mediapersons on Monday.

According to Patli, Sharma suffocated her wife with a pillow on Sunday, sat near the corpse for six hours and then took the body to the nearby community health centre, where the doctors there alerted the police.

Sharma had also washed her blood-stained clothes as well as the pillow in the washing machine, Patel said.

"Based on our probe and leads gathered from the spot, we questioned Sharma and then arrested him. He has been charged with murder, dowry-related death, destroying evidence and other offences," he said.
Hyderabad, Jan 29 : Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Monday directed the officials to prepare digital health profile cards for everyone in the state.

He suggested linking the digital health profile card with a unique number which will enable it to provide required treatment in emergency situations. The health profile card will also be linked with Arogyasri card.

The Chief Minister discussed the issue of removing the mandated requirement of white ration card to avail the Arogyasri benefit. Due to this provision, the number of people demanding new white ration cards increased abnormally in the state.

At a review meeting on health, the Chief Minister asked the officials to bring in a common policy to establish nursing, physiotherapy and paramedical colleges in the premises of the medical colleges.

Health minister Damodara Raja Narasimha, State Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari, Principal Secretary to CM Seshadri, Joint Secretary to CM Sangeeta Satyanarayana, Health Secretary Christina Chongthu, Commissioner Karnan, Director General of Drug Control Kamalahasan Reddy, Arogyasri CEO Visalatchy and other officials participated in the meeting.

The Chief Minister asked the officials to ensure completion of the construction of TIMS super specialty hospitals in Warangal, LB Nagar, Sanath Nagar and Alwal on a war footing.

He said that medical colleges should be linked to hospitals so that there is no shortage of doctors.

The Chief Minister said that complete medical services should be made available at Bibinagara"AIIMS which will also benefit the people of Khammam, Warangal and Nalgonda districts. The complete functioning of the AIIMS will also reduce a burden on Osmania and NIMS hospitals.

He also instructed the officials to visit AIIMS and prepare a complete report. He said that he will also meet the union health minister, if necessary, and explain the necessity of providing full medical services in the AIIMS.

The Chief Minister asked the officials to develop alternative facilities so that people of all parts of the state should not rely only on Hyderabad for medical treatment.
New Delhi, Jan 29 : The Tamil Nadu government on Monday apprised the Supreme Court that it allowed a total of 252 applications seeking permission to organise religious events in the state on the occasion of 'Pran Pratishtha' of Lord Ram at Ayodhya.

A bench, headed by Justice Sanjiv Khanna, was apprised by senior advocate Amit Anand Tiwari, appearing on behalf of the state government, that permission was not given in 36 instances due to law and order issues.

"Milords may record my statement that they applied at 282 places for different pooja, procession, etc. and out of which we permitted at 252 places," he said.

Tiwari added that the Madras High Court, including the Madurai bench, is also dealing with the issue.

In a short hearing, the bench, also comprising Justice Dipankar Datta, allowed time to the state government for filing its reply in the matter and adjourned the hearing.

"File a short affidavit. We will see," it said, fixing the matter for hearing after a period of 15 days.

On January 22, the top court slammed the state government for denying permission to conduct Annadanam (special almsgiving) on the occasion of the Ram Temple consecration ceremony on the ground of "lower number of Hindu residents" in a village predominantly inhabited by Christians.

Issuing notice on the plea alleging that the DMK-led state government has banned live telecast of Ram Temple 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony in all the temples across Tamil Nadu and has also banned all kind of poojas, annadanam (feeding of poor) and bhajans on the occasion, the Supreme Court ordered the authorities to decide the applications seeking permission in accordance with law and to record reasons, in cases of rejection.

"The authorities will also maintain data with regard to the applications received and the reasons given for allowing and disallowing such applications," it said.

Further, the Supreme Court had recorded the oral statement given by the Additional Advocate General that there was no ban on live telecast and organisation of any religious rituals on the occasion of 'Pran Pratishtha'.
New Delhi, Jan 29 : The decline in the youth unemployment rate has been led by the states with a larger share of the young population, the Finance Ministry said in a review of the Indian economy.

The Finance Ministry in a review of the Indian economy just days before the Union Budget said at the state level, the decline in the youth unemployment rate has been led by the states with a larger share of the young population, such as Uttar Pradesh (with 6.9 crore youth as per MoHFW's population estimates for 2021), Bihar (with 3.5 crore youth), and Madhya Pradesh (with 2.3 crore youth).

For instance, Uttar Pradesh's youth unemployment rate has declined from 16.7 per cent in 2017-18 to 7 per cent in 2022-23, accompanied by a rise in youth LFPR from 33.7 per cent to 41.4 per cent in the corresponding period.

Thus, the states driving the youth bulge are also leading the rise in youth employment.

Over the years, youth employment has been rising in tandem with the youth population.

According to the PLFS, youth (age 15-29 years) unemployment rate has declined from 17.8 per cent in 2017-18 to 10 per cent in 2022-23, while youth LFPR has expanded from 38.2 per cent to 44.5 per cent over the same period.

For the proportion of employed youth to rise from 31 per cent to 40.1 per cent in these six years is a feat for a populous country on the upside of a demographic transition, the review said.
Mumbai, Jan 29 : In wake of a Bombay High Court order, the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation has banned any illegal posters, banners, hoardings or announcements on all public roads in the city and suburbs, an official said here on Monday.

The BMC has published a list of locations where such displays are authorised, and will now initiate a campaign to remove the illegal displays in other areas.

The civic body has also appealed to citizens, social organisations, and political parties to refrain from erecting any such hoardings, banners or posters without the prior permission of the department concerned at the ward level.

The issue was also discussed at a state-level committee chaired by the Additional Chief Secretary, Home, recently to discourage such unauthorised displays on public roads, pathways, etc.

The BMC said that violators will be penalised under the Maharashtra Prevention of Defacement of Property Act, 1995 and Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, 1888.

In 2022, the BMC had initiated several drives and uprooted over 16,300 illegal posters, banners, hoardings, announcements, flags, etc from main and arterial roads, and conducted regular campaigns against the public nuisance in different parts of the city and suburbs.

There have been instances when such illegal hoardings/banners have posed a risk to pedestrians or vehicles by obstructing the view of traffic signals, and hindering visibility of major heritage buildings or monuments or scenic locations.
Amaravati, Jan 29 : Telugu Desam Party (TDP) supremo and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu said on Monday that if the party is voted to power, he will take the responsibility of providing jobs to the youth.

He promised to provide 20 lakh jobs in five years by bringing industries to Andhra Pradesh.

Addressing a public meeting at Punnur in Palnadu district as part of the ongoing 'Raa Kadali Raa' programme, Naidu said that his goal is to ensure a golden future for the people.

Slamming Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy for what he called enacting a new drama, Naidu said, "Steep hike in electricity tariff, petrol and diesel prices, 24 per cent unemployment, reverse rule with reserve decisions. This is Jagan mark."

He also alleged that Jagan Reddy made Andhra Pradesh number one state in supply of ganja.

"Savings through DWACRA women's groups, overseas education for poor children, free gas cylinders under Deepam scheme, making farmers prosperous is TDP mark. I have a vision, but Jagan has poison," Naidu remarked.

The former Chief Minister said that if Amaravati was developed as the state capital, the region would have seen development. He alleged that Jagan destroyed the capital Amaravati, claiming that TDP alone can bring back glory to Amaravati.

Addressing another public meeting at Rajahmundry, Naidu said that YSRCP's game is over and if the TDP opens its gates, the party will get completely vacated.

"The victims of Jagan's rule are my star campaigners," Naidu said in an obvious reaction to Jagan's recent statement that people are his star campaigners.

"On the one hand, Jagan claims social justice, but on the other he promotes only those who belong to his own community," the TDP chief alleged.

"Those who killed the 10th student, Amarnath, are moving freely in the society and Kodi Katti Seenu has been behind bars for the past five years while the person who killed 'Babai' (Y.S. Vivekananda Reddy) is roaming free. Is this social justice," he asked.

Exuding confidence that the TDP-Jana Sena alliance will come to power, Naidu said no power on earth can stop their victory.

The former Chief Minister also said Telangana is now in number one position in Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) because of the foundation laid by the TDP.

"With the Information Technology weapon I had provided, the entire Telugu community is now ruling the whole world," he said.

"It is really pathetic that a mentally retarded person is ruling the state. The Chief Minister, during a meeting addressed by him in Visakhapatnam, asked his supporters to kick mine and Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan's photos," Naidu said, adding whether modern society allows this kind of attitude.

Naidu also made it clear that he will soon repay with interest to those who resorted to unwarranted attacks on innocent people as he mentioned the recent incident in the Sattenapalle Assembly segment in which TDP leader Kanna Laxminarayana was attacked by the supporters of state minister Ambati Rambabu.

The TDP supremo claimed that a revolt has begun in the YSRCP and the party is not getting candidates to contest the polls.

"I have never seen a political leader being transferred from one place to another, but till now 68 sitting MLAs of the YSRCP have been shifted of whom 28 did not get any kind of assurance to recontest," he said.
18:15 29.01.2024

"We believe in Ukraine, the decision to actively enter the Ukrainian market was made at the level of the board of directors," - Philippe Campagno
Vadodara : , Jan 29 (IANS) Four more people were arrested on Monday in connection with the January 18 tragic boat accident at Motnath Lake in Vadodara, that left 12 students and two teachers dead, police said.

This brings the total number of arrests to 13 in the incident.

The latest arrests include three partners of Kotia Projects, the company contracted by the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) to manage the lake's recreation zone, along with a subcontractor, officials said.

The Kotia Projects personnel were identified as Jatin Doshi, alongside his daughters-in-law Neha Doshi and Tejal Doshi. Subcontractor, Nilesh Jain, who was also taken into custody, was brought in by Paresh Shah, the primary accused, to oversee the operation of the recreation zone.

The incident, which occurred during a picnic organized by New Sunrise School, led to the registration of a case under Sections 304 i.e. culpable homicide not amounting to murder and 308 i.e. attempt to commit culpable homicide of the Indian Penal Code.

While 14 lives were lost, 20 individuals, including 18 students and two teachers, were rescued.

The Vadodara civic body, in its complaint to the police, highlighted several shortcomings of Kotia Projects, notably the inadequate maintenance of boats, and the lack of sufficient life-saving gear and life jackets, underscoring the negligence that led to the catastrophe.

Jatin Doshi and his daughters-in-law hold a 5 per cent stake in Kotia Projects, which was responsible for managing the lake's boating and other recreational facilities. Paresh Shah, closely related to Kotia's partners, subcontracted Jain for the recreation area's operation.

Shah, who was in charge of Kotia Projects' comprehensive operations, was apprehended on January 25. Of the 19 individuals named in the FIR, 13 have been arrested, while six, including Paresh Shah's son Vatsal, remain fugitives.
New Delhi, Jan 29 : Irked over pressure every day for "unnatural" sex, a 20-year-old man killed his friend and later crushed his face with stones in north Delhi, police said on Monday.

The victim-turned-accused, aAa (name withheld) a native of Bihar's Madhepur, was residing at a Rain Basera in Mori Gate in north Delhi.

According to police, on January 19, a police control room call was received at Kashmiri Gate police station regarding a body lying at DDA Park, Mori Gate. A police team rushed to the spot where they found the body having blood over his mouth and cut marks above the eye.

"The forensic examination was conducted and the body was shifted to a mortuary," Deputy Commissioner of Police, North, Manoj Kumar Meena.

During the probe, more than 50 CCTV cameras near Khoya Mandi area of Mori Gate were scanned and analysed.

"Through local intelligence, the deceased was identified as Pramod Kumar Shukla alias Guddu, a resident of district Jalaun in Uttar Pradesh," said the DCP, adding that he was working at a shop in Khoya Mandi and residing in Rain Basera situated at Mori Gate near Khoya Mandi.

The probe also revealed that the deceased was seen with one person after which the police found more clues and apprehended him from Patna. On interrogation, the accused disclosed that Guddu used to pressure him to do unnatural sex following which he made a plan to eliminate him and executed it on January 17.
Hyderabad, Jan 29 : A lady police constable who dragged a girl student by hair during a protest in Hyderabad last week has been suspended.

Cyberabad Police Commissioner Avinash Mohanty on Monday ordered suspension of the constable serving at Rajendranagar police station.

The action came on a day when National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to Telangana government. The Commission sought a detailed report on the incident within four weeks.

The state government has also been asked to inform about the action taken against the police officials involved.

The NHRC took suo moto cognizance of a media report on a video clip showing lady police officials dragging a protesting student by her hair in the Ranga Reddy district during an agitation by some students of the Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University (PJTSAU) on January 24.

The video of two policewomen on a scooty chasing a female protestor and the one riding pillion pulling her by her hair went viral.

The girl, an activist of ABVP, fell down.

The incident occurred during a protest by ABVP against the allotment of university land for construction of the High Court. Cyberabad Police had ordered an inquiry into the incident.

--IANS

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Bhubaneswar, Jan 29 : A court here on Monday sentenced a man to rigorous imprisonment for life for killing his wife for objecting to his extra-marital affair.

The convict has been identified as Rajendra Mukhi, a native of Kandhamal district and staying at Birsa Munda Sahi in Saheed Nagar police limits here.

aThe convict who used to work as a security guard had developed an extra-marital relationship with a woman. When his wife, Amita Mukhi came to know about the illicit relationship, she accosted Rajendra and both engaged in a heated argument on September 20, 2020. Mukhi, in a fit of rage, took out a sharp-edged weapon and stabbed his wife multiple times," Additional Public Prosecutor Salila Kumar Pradhan said.

Pradhan also stated that Mukhias daughter called a neighbour who rushed the victim to Capital hospital.

Amita became critical after a few days and she was shifted to SCB medical college and hospital at Cuttack where she succumbed to the injuries on September 28, 2020.

On the basis of a complaint lodged by Mukhias daughter, Saheed Nagar police lodged a case and arrested the absconding accused from his native in Kandhamal district.

The court after examining statements of 11 witnesses and other exhibits pronounced him guilty. Mukhi has also been directed to deposit a fine of Rs 50,000 and if he fails to pay the fine amount, he would serve additional imprisonment for one more year.
Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 29 : Stepping up the global outreach with its highly-rated initiatives, Kerala Tourism has made a big impact at FITUR, the global meeting point for tourism professionals and one the leading trade & tourism fairs in the world, in Madrid, Spain.

Reinforcing its position as an all-season experiential tourism destination and unlocking new opportunities in the Spanish travel market in particular, Keralaas pavilion themed aThe Magical Every Daya drew a steady stream of visitors including business delegates, right from the opening day of the five-day fair on January 24.

FITUR, considered to be the worldas second most important tourism fair, had in the past substantially helped the state flaunt its destinations and packages before the world, leading to win-win business deals.

Spain itself is an important market for Kerala, touching around 18,947 arrivals in pre-pandemic 2019. Of late, arrivals have shown a steady uptick, recouping from the global disruption wreaked by the Covid pandemic.

The Kerala Pavilion stole the show with a gigantic installation of a pair of bulls seen in Keralaas temple festivals, called 'Kettukala' in local parlance.

Kerala Tourismas participation in FITUR will be followed by a series of B2B meets in Barcelona, Milan, Paris and London.

Significantly, Keralaas appealing presence in FITUR comes in the wake of the state Tourism Department scaling up its global campaign to bolster international tourist footfalls.
New Delhi, Jan 29 : The historic Vijay Chowk in the national capital came live to foot-tapping tunes and synchronised steps by members of armed forces during the 'Beating Retreating' ceremony on January 29, marking the end of the 75th Republic Day celebrations.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) informed that the music bands of the Indian Army, Navy, Indian Air Force and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) played 31 captivating and foot-tapping Indian tunes before a distinguished audience, comprising President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The ceremony began with the massed band's 'Shankhnaad' tune, which was 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 played 'Bharat Ke Jawan' and 'Vijay Bharat', among others.

'Tiger Hill', 'Rejoiced in Raisina' and 'Swadeshi' were among the tunes played by the band of the Indian Air Force, while the audience was witnessing the Indian Navy band playing a number of tunes, including 'INS Vikrant', 'Mission Chandrayaan', 'Jai Bharati' and 'Hum Tayyar Hain'. This was followed by the Indian Army band which played 'Faulad Ka Jigar', 'Agniveer', 'Kargil 1999', 'Taqat Watan', among others, MoD added.

The massed bands then played the tunes 'Kadam Kadam Badhaye Ja', 'Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon' and 'Drummers Call'. The event was concluded with the ever-popular tune of 'Sare Jahan se Acha'.

The MoD said, "'Beating Retreat' traced its origins to the early 1950s when Major Roberts of the Indian Army indigenously developed the unique ceremony of display by the massed bands."

It marked 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. Colours and standards are cased and flags lowered. The ceremony creates nostalgia for the times gone by, an MoD official added.
Panaji, Jan 29 : Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday welcomed the decision of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to extend the ban on declare Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) for five more years under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

The Centre had declared SIMI as an 'unlawful association' in 2014.

"I welcome the decision of the Union Home Ministry to extend the ban on SIMI. It reaffirms Prime Minister Narendra Modi's commitment to 'zero' tolerance to terrorism," Sawant said.

"The ban on SIMI has been imposed under Section 3(1) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) 1967 for a further period of five years," the Home Ministry said.

"SIMI continues to be involved in fomenting terrorism, disturbing peace and communal harmony, which are prejudicial to the sovereignty, security and integrity of India," the ministry said.

The ministry also said that many criminal cases have been registered against SIMI and its members under various sections of law, including the UAPA.
Imphal, Jan 29 : Manipur based People for Animal (PFA), has learned that a ringed juvenile black-crowned night heron, which landed at a pond in Imphal and died recently, was banded in its leg in Beijing-based Weishan bird banding station.

The Manipur-based body -- accredited by the Central Zoo Authority -- received the information after extending strenuous efforts to get details of the tagged migratory bird known as Chongkhu in the state.

"We are happy that the Chinese bird conservationists' group has given the information of the bird," Biswajeet Meitei, Managing trustee of PFA Manipur, told the media on Monday.

He said on January 23, the National Bird Banding Centre (NBBC), China, had banded the bird at Weishan Bird banding station, Beijing on September 18, last year.

Narrating the chain of events on the matter, Meitei said that on December 16 last year, a person from Sagoltongba in Imphal West district informed PFA that a bird with a ring in its leg was found at his residential pond and got injured after being bitten by a dog. "We immediately rushed there and found injured on the black-crowned night heron's legs and wings and kept at our animal rescue home in Thoubal," Meitei said, adding that the bird, however, died on December 18.

On December 16, he sent letters with pictures of the bird and the ring to several Chinese animal lovers' groups, seeking information of the winged guest but no response came immediately, he added. Meitei personally informed the matter to a scientist of Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dheradhun but no reply was received. Director of Hong Kong Bird Watching Society (HKBWS) Yat-Tung Yu had on December 22 written to him speculating that the ring was used by the NBBC, he said.

"Finally, NBCC had on January 23 mailed me informing that the heron with its tagging number JO8-0900 was banded at Weishan Bird banding station in Beijing on September 18, 2023," he said. Meitei said that they preserved the carcass of the bird at their centre at Thoubal district headquarters, and as they have got its details they would dispose of it soon.

As PFA Manipur has been accredited by the Central Zoo Authority, Delhi, "we are empowered to rescue animals, treat injured ones and study their details", Meitei said.

Despite the bird's demise, this cross-border cooperation highlights the importance of global initiatives in tracking and preserving migratory species, he pointed out.

--IANS

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Bhubaneswar, Jan 29 : The Odisha Cabinet on Monday took several key decisions, including the revocation of the controversial proposal allowing conditional transfer of tribal land to non-tribals.

The decision was taken during the Cabinet meeting presided over by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

"The Cabinet has decided to withdraw the decision taken on 14.11.2023 on the proposed amendment to Odisha Scheduled Areas Transfer of Immovable Property (By Scheduled Tribes) Regulation, 1956," said official sources.

Following severe backlash, the state government had earlier put on hold the decision within 48 hours of the Cabinet nod for the amendment.

Later, the government recommended the matter to the Tribes Advisory Council (TAC) Odisha on November 24, 2023 for reconsideration after continued protests by the opposition parties and other tribal bodies.

This apart, the government on Monday also announced a new scheme, LABHA (Laghu Bana Jatya Drabya Kraya0, to procure minor forest produces at minimum support price fixed by the state government every year.

The primary collectors of forest produce can sell their products at the fixed MSP at the procurement counters of Tribal Development Co-operative Corporation of Odisha Ltd (TDCCOL), an apex co-operative under the ST & SC Development Department.

"Since 99 per cent of primary collectors are tribals and majority of them women, the LABHA Yojana will integrate the efforts with the Mission Shakti's Women SHGs. These procurement centres will be managed by SHGs/any other notified agencies assisted by TDCCOL," said official sources.

The amount for forest produce will be transferred to the beneficiary's account while the SHGs will receive 2 per cent commission.

The procurement automation system will capture the total collection of MFP and the details of the primary collector and the procurement point. The procured products will be sold by the TDCCOL through e-tendering.

The state government has also proposed to set up a Rs 25 crore tamarind processing plant in Rayagada which will use the minor forest produce of tamarind procured through the LABHA Yojana for value addition.

The state government has also approved to set up a commission for the preservation and promotion of 21 tribal languages in the state.

The government also reiterated its decision to continue to press for the inclusion of tribal languages like Ho, Mundari, Kui and Saora in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution and 169 communities in the ST list of Odisha.
New Delhi, Jan 29 : The Finance Ministry's comprehensive review on the Indian Economy, spanning 74 pages, offers a detailed assessment of the country's economic trajectory over the past decade.

Titled 'The Indian Economy: A Review', the document released by the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) looks into various aspects, with the second chapter focusing on 'Women-led development: Tapping the Gender Dividend for India', among other things.

The report highlights the passage of the women's reservation Bill -- Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (NSVA) -- in September 2023, aligning with India's G20 Presidency, where "women-led development" is a key priority.

The NSVA, providing one-third reservation to women in Panchayats, is seen as a significant step towards enhancing women's participation in governance, linked to improved institutions and greater probity.

Initiatives like PM Jan Dhan Yojana have increased the proportion of women with bank accounts, demonstrating progress in financial inclusion.

Women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs) have positively impacted women's economic, social, and political empowerment, as seen through various indicators such as financial decision-making, improved social networks, and livelihood diversification.

Schemes like Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM) have been associated with women's empowerment, self-esteem enhancement, and medium impacts in education and participation in village institutions.

Initiatives under Skill India Mission and Startup and Stand-Up India have witnessed encouraging female participation, contributing to human capital formation.

Various welfare schemes such as Swachh Bharat Mission, Ujjwala Yojana, and Jal Jeevan Mission have improved the lives of women, addressing concerns of safety, dignity, and reducing drudgery.

The PM AWAS Yojana (Gramin) has seen significant women-centric ownership of completed houses, positively impacting decision-making and health outcomes.

Initiatives like 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' have contributed to an increased Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) of girls in secondary schools and heightened awareness towards saving and educating the girl child.

The abovementioned initiatives have already begun paying dividends, with the female labour force participation rate (LFPR) rising to 37 per cent in 2022-23 from 23.3 per cent in 2017-18, improvement in the sex ratio at birth from 918 in 2014-15 to 933 in 2022-23, and reduction in maternal mortality rate from 130/lakh live births in 2014-16 to 97/lakh live births in 2018-20.
Some 78% of population of front-line regions believe that it is necessary to restore cultural institutions only after end of war  survey

The overwhelming majority (78%) of the population of the de-occupied and front-line regions of Ukraine believe that it is necessary to restore destroyed cultural institutions only after the end of the war, according to the results of a survey conducted by the Rating sociological group.

"More than half of those surveyed in all regions (except for Kherson) noted that in their settlement there are completely or rather enough cultural institutions (libraries, clubs, museums, art studios). At the same time, at least a third in these regions said there are not enough institutions. Insufficiency was talked about more often in Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhia and Chernihiv regions. In Kherson region, only a quarter said that there are enough cultural institutions, over 70% said there will not be enough of them," according to the survey results presented at Interfax-Ukraine on Monday.

In particular, some 56% of respondents from Chernihiv region said they have enough cultural institutions, in Sumy region some 57% said they had enough, in Kharkov region some 57%, in Dnipropetrovsk region some 53%, in Zaporizhia region some 49%, in Odesa region some 58%, in Mykolaiv some 53% and in Kherson some 25%.

It is noted that the situation with the work of libraries in populated areas is the best in Chernihiv, Sumy and Mykolaiv regions, where more than 75% of respondents said these cultural institutions operate in their settlements, and the worst situation is in Kherson (21%) and Kharkiv (48%) regions. In other regions, almost 60% said libraries are open today.

The situation with the operation of clubs in populated areas is the best in Chernihiv and Sumy regions, where more than 75% of respondents said these cultural institutions operate in their settlements, and the worst situation is in Kherson (12%) and Kharkiv (41%) regions. In other regions, about 60% noted that clubs are working today.

"Despite the fact that the majority does not support the closure of cultural institutions in sparsely populated areas, the vast majority (78%) believe that it is necessary to restore destroyed cultural institutions only after the end of the war. Only 17% now support the restoration of such institutions. Interestingly, the lowest level support for the immediate restoration of cultural institutions is recorded in Kherson region," according to the survey.

In particular, in Chernihiv region, only 19% of respondents support the restoration of cultural institutions before the end of the war, in Sumy region some 17%, in Kharkiv region some 19%, in Dnipropetrovsk region some 18%, in Zaporizhia region some 20%, in Odesa region some 20%, in Mykolaiv region some 16% and in Kherson some 8%.

The survey titled "Cultural practices and needs for population restoration in de-occupied and front-line communities" was conducted from November 17 to December 4, 2023 in Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhia, Odesa, Mykolaiv and Kherson regions. Sample population: a total of 3,200 respondents (400 respondents for each region) aged 18 years and older. The statistical sampling error is no more than 4.9% for each region. The study was supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) project "Building Public Confidence."
Imphal, Jan 30 : Assam Rifles personnel have seized 90,000 highly addictive methamphetamine tablets, valued at Rs 13 crore, from Manipur's Tamenglong district, officials said on Monday.

Imphal, Jan 30 (IANS) Assam Rifles personnel have seized 90,000 highly addictive methamphetamine tablets, valued at Rs 13 crore, from Manipuras Tamenglong district, officials said on Monday.

Officials said that the para-military personnel acting on a tip off have seized the methamphetamine tablets,weighing about 4.540 kg,also locally called Yaba tablet or party tablet, from Phaitol village, under Tousem police station.

The recovered drugs have been handed over to the Manipur Police.

Methamphetamine tablets, smuggled from Myanmar, have been one of the most trafficked drugs in recent years and these drugs have huge demands in northeastern states, other parts of India and neighbouring Bangladesh.
New Delhi, Jan 30 : The Delhi High Court on Monday dismissed a a PIL that had sought the inclusion of ayurveda, yoga, and naturopathy in the Union government's public health insurance scheme, Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY).

The bench, headed by Acting Chief Justice Manmohan, passed the order, dismissing the plea "in default" after no one appeared on behalf of the petitioner, BJP leader and advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay.

On November 2, 2023, the court had issued notice to Union Ministries of AYUSH, Finance, Health & Family Welfare, and Home , and the Delhi government on the Public Interest Litigation (PIL), which contended that the Ayushman Bharat scheme is currently limited to allopathic hospitals and dispensaries, excluding various indigenous medical systems like ayurveda, yoga, naturopathy, siddha, unani, and homeopathy, which are deeply rooted in India's traditions and effective for addressing modern healthcare needs.

The court had sought responses from the authorities, who had been given eight weeks to file it.

The PIL stressed on need to recognise and integrate indigenous medical systems into public health schemes, as they are deeply rooted in the country's traditions and culture, and the importance of providing citizens with the right to choose their preferred treatment and doctor while ensuring widespread accessibility and quality of healthcare services.
Washington, Jan 30 : The lethal drone attack on Sunday in Jordan was the third hit in six months on the base known as Tower 22, highlighting a gap in US defences that the Pentagon is scrambling now to fill.

At Tower 22, there were two previous attacks by one-way drones, according to a Defence official, who was not authorised to comment publicly.

Sunday's attack by a one-way drone killed three US troops and wounded at least 34 more at the base on Jordan's border with Syria.

The White House has blamed Iranian-backed militias for the attack, which have become increasingly dangerous in recent weeks. More than 150 such attacks targetted US bases in the Middle East since Israel's invasion of Gaza, media reports said.

Sunday's attack was the first ever to kill US troops, and President Joe Biden and the Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin have vowed retaliation at a "time and place of their choosing".

At Tower 22, there were two previous attacks by one-way drones, according to a Defence official, who was not authorised to comment publicly.

The drone on Sunday detonated its payload of explosives near living quarters at the logistics base where about 350 US soldiers and airmen are based.

One-way drones hit a target without an operator in charge to steer them after launching, according to the Army.

In July, the Pentagon's Joint Counter-small Unmanned Aircraft Systems held tests in Arizona for weapons to destroy one-way drones. The event was held after an analysis determined that there was a gap in defences for the "emerging threat" of one-way drones, according to an Army's new release.

High-powered microwaves showed promise in knocking down the drones, Army Major General Sean Gainey, Director of the counter-drone office, had said at an event in November in Washington then. They can also be shot down with missiles, but it will take a variety of defences to counter the threat.

"There isn't a silver bullet solution out there," Gainey added.

President Joe Biden blamed Iran for Sunday's attack, a charge the Pentagon has been making for months. The administration has accused Iran of training and equipping the militants to use drones, rockets and missiles in their attacks throughout the Middle East, USA TODAY report said.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Monday during a meeting with Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and Air Force General Charles Q. Brown, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, that Iran was behind the attack and those by Houthi militants in Yemen.

"Iran continues to destabilise the region, this includes backing terrorists who attack our ships in the Red Sea and the US is leading international efforts to end these attacks," Stoltenberg said, according to a press pool report.

The emergence of one-way attack drones suggests the use of improvised explosive devices, the number one killer of US troops during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

As with drones, militants used cheap, often off-the-shelf materials to build weapons that exploited Pentagon vulnerability, military experts said.

With IEDs, the weakness targetted was the thin armour and flat bottom of Humvees. Today, that weakness is protecting the airspace over what can be sprawling bases in the desert from small, cheap drones.

At the height of the war in Afghanistan and Iraq, a decade ago, the Pentagon launched an office similar to Gainey's -- the Joint IED Defeat Organisation -- and spent tens of billions of dollars on efforts to protect troops from roadside bombs, including more than $45 billion for Mine Resistant Ambush Protected trucks to replace Humvees, media reports said.

Gainey, according to a Pentagon account of his speech in November, said all troops will likely be required to defend against drones as they will shape the future battlefield. Tragically, the future of warfare appears to have arrived for US troops.
Tel Aviv, Jan 30 : The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has in a statement on Monday night said that it had raided the office of top Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in southern Gaza's Khan Younis area.

The Israel army said that troops from IDF's 98th Division raided the office of Yahya Sinwar, who is the most wanted Hamas leader.

Earlier, Israel Defence Minister Yoav Gallant had publicly said that the Israel army would search and find out the hideout of Yahya Sinwar and kill him.

The Israeli military also said that raids were conducted at many terror infrastructures in the Khan Younis area, including an intelligence network of the banned terror organisation, Hamas.

The IDF said that raids were conducted in an office that functioned as the Hamas' intelligence office.

Israel has all along being maintaining that Hamas leaders, Yahya Sinwar and Mohammed Deif, were mainly responsible for the October 7 massacre in southern Israel leading to the killing of 1,200 people who were mostly civilians.

As many as 250 people were also kidnapped from the communities and taken as hostagess in Gaza.

Of this 105 were released during the one-week ceasefire between the warring parties from November 24 to December 1.

Around 324 Palestinian prisoners were also released from Israeli jails.

The IDF and Israel's military intelligence have confirmed that of the remaining hostages, 28 were killed.

Three of the hostages were killed accidentally by the IDF.
Washington, Jan 30 : Russia's near two-year war with Ukraine will cripple its economy in the long run despite its claims that it had found new ways to beat Western sanctions earning almost $15.2 billion in revenues through clandestine shipping of oil and minerals mainly to India and China.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, facing election in March this year amid domestic pressure to pull down prices and withdraw the army from Ukraine, has however taken to gloating about Russia's resistance to international sanctions and its supposed economic resilience, despite the best efforts of the US and its G7 partners to choke off Moscow's oil revenues and starve it of military technology, media reports said.

Scoffing at Europe's economies, Putin said at a recent event in Moscow: "We have growth, and they have declinea They all have problems going through the roof, not even comparable to our problems."

It's true that, as the second anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine approaches, the Russian state is earning billions from oil and diamond exports, its military factories are working flat out, and many Russian banks can still access the international financial system, CNN reported per intelligence it gathered from the former Soviet Union.

Russia has adapted to the wide range of sanctions imposed by Western nations. Sanctions have not weighed down the Russian economy, instead its economy is one per cent larger than it was on the eve of the invasion. But the longer-term outlook is far less rosy. War is distorting the economy and sucking resources into military production at an unsustainable pace, reports said.

Rostec, a Russian state-owned defence company, has increased the production of armoured vehicles nearly fivefold in the year to November, according to its Chairman Sergei Chemezov. There have been similar vast increases in the production of munitions and drones.

"We boosted the production of munitions for firearms and MLRS (multi-launch rocket systems) by 50 times," Chemezov told Putin at a Kremlin meeting in December.

But building things in order for them to be destroyed on the battlefield is not a path to economic success, economists in Russia felt.

Since February 2022, Western powers have sought to shrink Russia's revenues from exports of energy and minerals, and choke it of access to technology and finance, impairing its ability to wage war. In the process they have imposed sanctions on more than 15,000 Russian entities and individuals, according to a database created by the Atlantic Council.

Since sanctions take time to have an effect, plenty of customers depend on Russia for what it does best -- selling oil and other commodities. Much of Asia has not signed up to sanctions, providing Russia with ready markets for its oil, as well as with high-technology equipment once bought from the West. India and China now account for 90 per cent of Russian oil exports, according to Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak.

While trying to limit Russian profits from oil, the G7 nations announced that Western vessels and insurers could only be used when the oil is priced at less than $60 a barrel. So Russia developed a new network of shippers to get round the restrictions and keep selling to India and China.

As global crude prices declined toward the end of 2023, so did Russian revenues, but they still earned $15.2 billion in November alone. The Atlantic Council think-tank, which tracks the impact of sanctions, reckons Russia is moving 71 per cent of its oil exports through a growing ghost fleet, whose ownership and registration details are camouflaged, CNN reports claimed.

Shipping analysts Windward estimated in September that as many as 1,400 vessels had been used to move Russian oil in defiance of Western sanctions, many of them sailing without insurance.

Christine Abely, author of "The Russia Sanctions: The Economic Response to Russia's Invasion of Ukraine," says the oil price cap "has become subject to more widespread evasion over time, both due to direct violation of the terms of the cap and by Russia building out its own shadow fleet to transport oil".

Western officials are hard put to contain the evasive measures Russia is taking to beat their sanctions. In October, the US Treasury Department sanctioned companies registered in Turkey and the UAE for carrying Russian crude sold above the price cap. But clamping down on the evasion is difficult in the opaque world of merchant shipping, media reports said.

In addition, the Atlantic Council notes, most Russian banks maintain access to SWIFT -- a messaging service that connects financial institutions around the world -- enabling them to conduct international transactions and settle cross-border payments. Only some banks have been disconnected from the platform as part of sanctions.

The think-tank also calculates that Russia imported more than $900 million worth of battlefield and dual-use technology per month in the first half of 2023.

The UK National Crime Agency said recently: "Russia is trying to procure UK sanctioned goods through intermediary countriesa using complex supply chains and alternative supply routes to acquire sanctioned products."

A Financial Times analysis of available official Russian data found that even as access to precision tools from the West had been shut, Russia increased imports of advanced machine tools known as computer numerical control (CNC) from China tenfold. Taiwanese and South Korean enterprises have also sold such tools, which can be used in military industries, the FT found.

Russia has used intermediaries that conceal the ultimate destination and end-use of items of everything from ball bearings to navigational equipment with impudence and confidence. The US Treasury is trying to keep up, says Abely, by going after these intermediaries. Last month it sanctioned several Turkish companies; Chinese and UAE companies have also been sanctioned.

It's a painstaking process, but it raises the costs to Russia.

"Sanctions have restricted the access of Russia's military industry to sophisticated technology and Russia has been forced to pay a premium for substitutes from other markets," the Bank of Finland says in a recent report.

It estimates that the cost to Russia of Chinese goods useful to its war effort rose 78 per cent from 2021 to 2023.

Sanctions against individuals, including the freezing of their assets and the confiscation of superyachts, have not led to a groundswell of opposition to the Kremlin or even the war among the elite, though a couple of oligarchs have voiced their opposition (from relatively safe foreign shores.) Very few of their assets have been confiscated by Western countries -- and the Kremlin has given them a stark choice: support the motherland or lose everything.
"I'm proud to lead a team that consistently pushes the boundaries of innovation. Our commitment to providing end-to-end solutions for utility professionals ensures that they stay connected and efficient in the field," says Sam Barall, Havis Sales Director for Enterprise. Post this

Event Highlights:

Date: February 7-9, 2024

Location: Orlando, Florida

Booth Number: #435

Havis Highlights at DISTRIBUTECH International

Visit Havis at booth #435 to experience the latest solutions designed for the 2021-2024 Ford F-150. Havis, renowned for its end-to-end solutions for utility professionals, will showcase rugged mobility solutions.

Energy and utility fleets nationwide are increasingly adopting mobile technologies to enhance operational efficiency. Havis provides an extensive array of solutions for mounting, docking, storage, and power management, making us the go-to choice for the industry. Regardless of the challenging environment, you can rely on Havis to ensure that your workers stay comfortable and connected in the field.

As a true manufacturer, Havis guarantees durability, safety, and nationwide support for a diverse range of vehicle components, meeting stringent requirements and withstanding rigorous environments essential for energy and utility teams.

Why Attend DISTRIBUTECH International 2024

Cutting-Edge Solutions: Explore Havis's latest advancements tailored for the 2021-2024 Ford F-150, demonstrating the company's commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation in rugged mobility solutions.

Leader in End-to-End Solutions: Learn why Havis is recognized as a leader in providing comprehensive solutions for utility professionals, offering seamless technology integration and rugged design.

Networking Opportunities: Engage with industry leaders, network with professionals, and gain valuable insights into the trends and challenges shaping the future of transmission and distribution.

Informative Sessions: Attendees can benefit from informative sessions at the booth, equipping them with the knowledge and tools needed for success in the dynamic landscape of the energy sector.

"Here at Havis, we're thrilled to be part of DISTRIBUTECH International 2024, showcasing our latest rugged mobility solutions designed for the 2021-2024 Ford F-150," says Sam Barall, Havis Sales Director for Enterprise. "I'm proud to lead a team that consistently pushes the boundaries of innovation. Our commitment to providing end-to-end solutions for utility professionals ensures they stay connected and efficient in the field."

Don't miss this opportunity to be part of the electrifying experience at DISTRIBUTECH International 2024. Register here.

For more information about Havis, Inc., please visit https://www.havis.com/about-havis/our-products/energy-utilities/

Read our blog to learn the top five factors to consider when choosing a mounting solution.

https://www.havis.com/blog/5-key-factors-to-consider-when-choosing-mounting-solutions-for-your-energy-utilities-fleets/

About Havis

Havis, Inc. is a privately held, ISO 9001-certified company that is the leader in providing robust and reliable end-to-end technology mounting and mobility solutions in demanding environments. The Havis legacy dates back over 80 years as a trusted designer and manufacturer of critical equipment that ensures critical technology is accessible, secure and reliable.

Havis's engineering and manufacturing teams are committed to consistently researching and developing unique products and solutions for a range of industries worldwide. With headquarters in Warminster, PA, and additional locations in Plymouth, MI, Burnsville, MN, and in the UK, Havis currently employs more than 400 team members. For more information on Havis, please call 1.800.524.9900 or visit http://www.havis.com.

Media Contact

Sara Meyer, Havis, 2159570720, [email protected], havis.com

SOURCE Havis
Bookstore workers at San Franciscos City Lights Booksellers and Publishers announced on January 25 that they have agreed to unionize, with the City Lights Workers Union (CLWU) joining the Industrial Workers of the World Local 660. City Lights executive director Elaine Katzenberger received the union's request for management's voluntary recognition via email on Thursday. I replied to that email on Friday afternoon, welcoming the union and asking for their IWW contact, Katzenberger said, adding that the union was embraced pretty much immediately.

Bookseller and CLWU organizer Joan Toledo, who has been at the store for almost two years and is in charge of receiving, explained that efforts to unionize have been underway for about 89 months, but there have been multiple discussions before I began my job at City Lights about unionizing. Workers have now organized several landmark California bookstores, and one CLWU organizer, union delegate Noah Ross, helped organize Moes Books in Berkeley, Calif., in March 2021. (Moes contract was ratified that November.)

At City Lights, Toledo cited strikingly low pay, despite working at one of the most famous independent bookstores in the world, as well as no grievance process of any kind. She noted that the overwhelming majority of us, if not all of us, are low income in one of the most expensive parts of California and have housing situations to reflect it. Some bookselling hires come on board at San Franciscos minimum wage, which is presently $18.07/hour, although others with additional responsibilitiesToledo was hired to be in charge of consignmentearn slightly more.

Toledo also expressed concern that there is a total dearth of communication surrounding the direction of the publishing part of City Lights. Union staffers see a need for greater transparency between the company's bookselling and publishing sides. We have had a busy year for the store, and some of the newer titles from publishing are doing quite well, Toledo said.

City Lights, which celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2023, is known as a bastion of radical literature, free speech activism, and social justice, although its staffers have not until now been unionized. In its profile on X (formerly Twitter), the City Lights Workers Union quotes from bookstore cofounder Lawrence Ferlinghettis Populist Manifesto: To Poets, with Love: Dont wait for the Revolution/ or itll happen without you.

We feel that our needs are perfectly in line with what Ferlinghetti would want for the workers, Toledo said. He himself was influenced by the labor movement, and among his varied activist work he did readings to benefit the United Farm Workers. We believe we will be able to negotiate with management in good faith because of that.

Katzenberger, for her part, expressed an openness to collective bargaining on behalf of City Lights management. We're sincerely looking forward to finding out how unionization can help us to make our workplace better, she said. Its always an ongoing project to create and maintain a humane, productive and collegial workplace, and were glad for any help there might be to further that process and project.

This article has been updated for clarity and with further information.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 29. Recently, Azerbaijan has been dealing with more and more provocations orchestrated by various European officials. The latest hit came with PACE deciding not to give the green light to the credentials of the Azerbaijani delegation. Upon catching wind of such intentions, the Azerbaijani side promptly opted out of cooperating with this organization and bid farewell to PACE. What's driving European MPs to make these anti-Azerbaijani moves, and are they really on the right track?

Take, for instance, Frank Schwabe, Head of the German delegation in PACE, the same one who rattled off these so-called reasons why Azerbaijani MPs should be shown the exit in PACE. Not only do these biased allegations he read out have zero connection with reality, but what really boggles the mind is how deeply this German MP is invested in the situation in Azerbaijan. Given everything unfolding in Germany right now - sky-high fuel prices, the migrant issue, and a bunch more - hundreds are hitting the streets in protest. But what's the crux of Schwabe's life struggle? Without a doubt, it's the "persecution" of Armenians by Azerbaijan.

There's this feeling that Schwabe might be dealing with some kind of manic syndromes. Is it an obsession or an illness? It's like all his actions are aimed at causing maximum harm to Azerbaijan. He seems unaware of what he's saying and the context; there's this unexplainable hatred towards Azerbaijan in his words. Clearly, his problems have an intellectual and psychological nature.

Then we've got another crusader for Armenian rights, Josep Borrell. The EU's High Representative is often in the limelight commenting on the Armenian population's status in Karabakh, all the while changing his tune. Today there are supposedly 100,000 of them; tomorrow, it's magically 150,000 according to Borrell. On top of that, he keeps expressing concern about Azerbaijan's alleged ambition to basically invade Armenia - a desire that seems to exist solely in Borrell's own mind.

MEPs are openly throwing their weight behind Karabakh separatists, both in words and deeds. Many of these parliamentarians jet off to Yerevan, the current separatists' HQ, engaging in discussions - though it's a stretch to call them that - at an official level. Some of them have even felt the heat from their compatriots, expressing discontent about their income's origin and true loyalty.

The most hair-raising part? This unbridled support for Armenians is happening at the creme de la creme level of European institutions. In October, shortly after Baku's anti-terror measures in Karabakh, President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola urged Europe to cut ties completely with gas supplies from Azerbaijan. For someone who should be a level-headed decision-maker, holding a pivotal role in European organizations, making such statements seems out of place. While some officials are busy negotiating a doubling of energy resource supplies, others are simultaneously calling for a complete economic break-up with Baku. Where's the common sense in all this?

It seems like corruption, personal agendas, nationalistic streaks, and a penchant for discussing any problem but their own have become the cornerstone of these European institutions. Those ceaseless resolutions European deputies brandish in Baku's face - what's their endgame?

In one of his recent speeches, President Ilham Aliyev noted that the European Parliament has turned into a group of very irresponsible people.

"Some of them, I think, behave like maniacs, because of their anti-Azerbaijani sentiments and statements are beyond any normal psychological status of a human being. I want to use maximum diplomatic vocabulary. So, what can we do? They adopted, I think, more than 10 anti-Azerbaijan resolutions. One more, one less doesn't make any difference for us. It is regretful, and what we regret most of all is that  we don't consider all the members of European Union  but those who are organizing anti-Azerbaijani orchestra, they brainwash the others. And I think, this also reflects that the European Parliament needs to address its own issues with corruption, first before accusing someone of any wrongdoing," President Ilham Aliyev said.

Indeed, what can you say about the soundness of decision-making in various European structures when they're populated by individuals whose mental state raises a slew of questions? It might be high time to tell them - don't fixate so much on what'll get sorted out even without you; get yourselves checked out by a doctor instead.
Rail Cargo Group (RCG), the freight transport division of Austrian Federal Railways (OBB) has optimised its TransFER network with Rotterdam so that direct connections can be made between Austria, Germany, and the Netherlands.

As one of the largest seaports in the world and the largest deep-sea port in Europe, Rotterdam plays a crucial role in transporting freight by rail.

It is also a major logistics hub for transferring goods between rail, ship, and road transport.

Port of Rotterdam. // Credit: Erik Bakker

Starting in Linz. the TransFER runs via Duisburg to Rotterdam according to a fixed timetable to provide reliable logistics planning.

The service allows all types of stackable containers between 20 and 45 feet to be transported, as well as swap bodies towards Rotterdam. The company is also working on an option to use trailers that need to be transferred by crane. The service is also cleared to transport dangerous goods (RID) along the entire route.

OBB Rail Cargo Group transports goods throughout with around 60 TransFER connections making over more than 1,500 TransFER combinations, transporting everything from entire wagonloads and intermodal transport to customised services. The company can also provide additional freight services including transhipment, warehouse logistics, and customs services depending on the place of departure and the destination.

One of Rail Cargo Group's trains. // Credit: OBB Rail Cargo Group

Providing its services 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, Rail Cargo Group has a presence in 18 countries worldwide. With nearly 6,000 employees, it operates 448,000 trains a year transporting over 88 million net tonnes of freight. It has a 27.5 % modal share of the total freight market in Austria and is Europe's leading rail freight group.

Last December, the International rating platform EcoVadis awarded the company gold' for its corporate social responsibility (CSR) for the third consecutive time. It also placed a contract with Swiss wagon hire company MFD Rail for up to 600 additional container carrier wagons.

OBB Rail Cargo Group Langer-Zug train. // Credit: OBB/Hanno Thurnher

OBB Rail Cargo Group CEO Clemens Forst said With our new TransFER LinzDuisburgRotterdam, we are creating another high-frequency direct connection to one of the world's largest seaports. With four round trips per week and numerous transport options  from classic containers to swap bodies and soon also cranable trailers  our TransFER offers an optimal connection for maritime flows of goods to the economic regions of Western and Central Europe

In addition, the TransFER allows transfers within Rotterdam to all maritime and continental terminals in the Maasvlakte and Waalhaven industrial and port areas, as well as to Antwerp and Zeebrugge.

Matthijs van Doorn, Vice President Commercial at the Port of Rotterdam Authority is enthusiastic about the new rail service: As port authority, we strive for sustainable, safe and efficient hinterland connections. Therefore, this new connection provides much more than just an additional rail service. Next to more flexibility and better connectivity for our customers, it also means fewer traffic on the motorways and thus less emissions and less risk of traffic jams and accidents.
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Family Build your Home California city, Ca. KERN COUNTY This property is located California City, informally abbreviated to Cal City, is a city incorporated in 1965 located in the northern Antelope Valley in Kern County, California, United States, 100 miles north of the city of Los Angeles. The population was 14,120 at the 2010 census. Covering 203.63 square miles, California City has the third-largest land area of any city in the state of California. Much of the workforce of Edwards Air Force B...

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Members of the University of Georgia community joined together on Nov. 9 on the Tate West Lawn to show their support of Israel, as well as campaign for the return of the hostages from Hamas. Attendees wore blue and white Israeli-themed shirts, according to an infographic announcing the protest, and carried Israeli and American flags.
In the modern era, with culture shifts and women entering professions outside of the gender stereotype, more men have been doing this as well. Despite this shift, there has still been a statistically low number of men in the teaching profession, especially at the elementary level.
The bottom lines of several private sector banks have taken a hit following the recent guidelines released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on alternate investment fund (AIF) investments.

Last month, the RBI announced that regulated entities, such as banks, non-bank lenders, and home financiers, cannot invest in AIFs that have directly or indirectly invested in companies that have borrowed money from the lenders.

In case an entity had already made such an investment, they must liquidate the investment or make 100 per cent provision, RBI had said.

HDFC Bank  the largest private sector lender, along with ICICI Bank and Kotak Mahindra Bank have made provisions complying with the central banks guidelines.

HDFC Bank made a provision of Rs 1,200 crore for such investments, while ICICI Bank made a provision of Rs 627 crore.

Kotak Mahindra Banks provision for such investments stood at Rs 190 crore.

On AIF, our book was Rs 1,220 crore. The fair value is Rs 500 crore more than that.

"However, the current applicable RBI circular asks to take a provision by January 18.

"On a prudent basis, we have created a contingent provision for the 100 per cent of the AIF value, which is on our books, Srinivasan Vaidyanathan, the chief financial officer of HDFC Bank, said in the post earnings media call.

ICICI Banks total provision in the third quarter almost doubled to Rs 1,050 crore as compared to Rs 583 crore in the second quarter, due to AIF investments.

Core credit cost remained lower but the total credit cost was higher led by higher provisions pertaining to investments in AIF, Rahul Malani, deputy V-P Fundamental Research, banking and NBFC analyst, Sharekhan by BNP Paribas.

IndusInd Bank has not made any provision towards AIFs as it plans to liquidate its Rs 113 crore investment.

Axis Bank announced its earnings on Tuesday.

This quarter, we had two difficult hits in the banks standalone.

"First is the Rs 190 crore hit on the account of provisioning towards the AIF investments.

"The second was on account of the trading book where we had a fixed income book, net of OIS we took a hit of Rs 168 crore in this quarter, said Jaimin Bhatt, group president and group chief financial officer, Kotak Mahindra Bank.

The banks that have announced the Q3 earnings have reported a drop in the capital adequacy ratio due to the highest risk weights on unsecured loans prescribed by RBI in November last year.

Risk weights for unsecured loans increased from 100 per cent to 125 per cent.
Indias private and state government-owned ports (non-major ports) continued to grow faster than those owned by the Centre (major ports) through the first three quarters of 2023-24 (FY24), cargo handling data shows.

Photograph: Ilan Rosenberg/Reuters

At 604 million metric tonnes (mmt), cargo at major ports grew by 5 per cent between April and December, while non-major ports cargo traffic growth was 11 per cent at 531 mmt.

During December 2023, central government-owned ports in India handled cargo volumes of 69.9 mmt, a tepid year-on-year (Y-o-Y) growth of 0.7 per cent.

At the same time, non-major ports handled volumes of 58.1 mmt, which is a growth of 8.1 per cent over the previous year.

While there was a 3.3 per cent growth in overseas cargo handled at major ports during the month, a near 8 per cent decline in coastal cargo (at 15 mmt) rendered the overall cargo volumes flat under this category.

For non-major ports, the growth in overseas cargo was 10.3 per cent while for coastal cargo, it decreased by 0.03 per cent Y-o-Y in December.



According to experts, some of Tamil Nadu electricity boards thermal coal cargo has shifted out of Visakhapatnam Port to Gangavaram Port in Andhra Pradesh.

This has contributed to an increase in coastal traffic at Andhra Pradesh Maritime Board by 59 per cent in 2023-24.

Non-major ports in Odisha have also seen a near 60 per cent rise in coastal cargo, albeit on a low base of 0.2 mmt.

So far this financial year, foodgrains, excluding pulses, have recorded the highest contraction of 82 per cent in major ports.

It was followed by cement at 18.3 per cent, sugar 9.5 per cent, coking coal 6.7 per cent, and other commodities and fertilisers at 6 per cent and 4.1 per cent, respectively.

Gujarats Deendayal Port Trust, or Kandla Port, has lost nearly 7 million tonnes of overseas cargo in 2023-24.

The major port, which accounts for 16 per cent of all cargo volumes among major ports, primarily handles foodgrain, coal, and timber.

Officials said that the ports volumes were primarily hit by the ban on exports of non-basmati rice.

On the other hand, private ports in Gujarat have recorded an increase of over 7 per cent in their overseas cargo volumes.

The slowdown has led to Kandla losing its place as the port with the most cargo handled (among major ports), to Odishas Paradip Port. Paradip has recorded a 14 per cent growth in its overseas cargo and handled 105 mmt of total cargo.

Around 92 mmt of cargo was shipped via inland waterways during the first three quarters of the financial year.

This is approximately the same as the volumes in FY23.

The growth trajectory for major ports comes even as a number of performance metrics have shown improvement over the past year.

State-owned ports, while investing heavily in capacity expansion, have not been able to keep up in terms of modernisation and streamlining of port processes.



For instance, the World Banks Container Port Performance Index (CPPI) for 2022 saw Pipavav Port, operated by APM Terminals, as the most efficient Indian container port, placed at 30th.

It was followed by Mundra Port and Krishnapatnam Port, operated by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone, while the first major port to feature in these rankings is Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), at 76th.

Notably, JNPT fell by over 20 ranks between the CPPI of 2021 and 2022.
'When the chief minister saw how Manoj Jarange Patil had successfully held the state government hostage to his whims, Eknath Shinde knew he had a very clear chance of enamouring himself to these Maratha agitators by accepting Patil's demands.'

IMAGE: Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange Patil, left, with Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Photograph: Sahil Salvi

On the morning of January 27, some would say, Maratha agitation leader Manoj Jarange Patil (MJP) and Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde created history as Shinde fed Patil a glass of juice and handed over a government resolution (GR) that would make over 25 million Marathas eligible for reservations in governments jobs and quotas.

This was made possible by addition of two seemingly innocuous, but hugely significant, words sage-soyre -- a major point of contention for MJP and Maratha agitators -- in this GR.

Sage-soyre, roughly put means a chain of relatives that links those who have been issued Kunbi certificates to their relatives and their relatives in turn leading to exponential rise in issuance of Kunbi certificates to Marathas who can then become eligible for reservations under the OBC quota.

Legal interpretation and challenges to the inclusion of sage-soyre notwithstanding, MJP (and his almost 200,000 supporters), who had begun a sort of do-or-die march towards Mumbai from his native town of Antarwali Sarati in Jalna district on January 20 claimed victory on the day after the Republic Day and returned home happy on this sage-soyre note.

Political observer Vivek Bhavsar explains to Prasanna D Zore/Rediff.comthe layers lying underneath this agitation, the role played by prominent political figures in Maharashtra and how they could lose or benefit from the consequences that would play themselves out in the days to come.

Has Manoj Jarange Patil won the day for the Marathas agitating for reservations in government jobs and educational institutions and should this be seen as surrender by chief minister Eknath Shinde?

I believe this is neither anybody's victory nor defeat; neither surrender nor masterstroke.

The handing over of draft copy of the government resolution accepting MJP's demand for inclusion of sage-soyre (a chain of relatives that links those who have been issued Kunbi certificates to their relatives and their relatives in turn leading to exponential rise in issuance of Kunbi certificates to Marathas who can then become eligible for reservations under the OBC quota) of those already holding Kunbi caste certificates as eligible for reservations could have multiple, complex repercussions on both Maratha and OBC politics in the state.

There is a claim -- not allegations -- by some political analysts that whatever happened at Beed (Antarvali Sarati on August 29, 2023, when the police lathi-charged supporters of Manoj Jarange Patil who was agitating for Maratha reservations) had the blessings of Sharad Pawar.

When MJP and his band of Maratha agitators arrived at Vashi on January 25 it was Jitendra Awhad (a staunch loyalist of Sharad Pawar) who arranged for the food and water for these agitators. All those heading this agitation stayed put at the Vashi APMC market, which is controlled by another Pawar loyalist Shashikant Shinde. It looks like this agitation too had the blessings of Pawar.

Whatever the speculation or claims and counter claims, the hand of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in instigating, nursing and nourishing MJP is also clearly evident.

Both Pawar and Shinde have their own reasons to propel MJP as the leader of the dispossessed, deprived, sections of Marathas agitating for reservations in government jobs and educational institutions.

These are the people who are Kunbis, who were never part of the Maratha ruling elite who wielded control over the corridors of power, who did not have adequate political, social or educational representation.

The lobby which supports Pawar-politics belong to the 96 kuli Marathas (the landed gentry, sort of Maratha nobles) lined their own pockets without benefitting these subaltern Marathas.

If you look at the leadership that emerged from the 56-odd Maratha Kranti Morchas during Devendra Fadnavis's stint as chief minister (between 2015 and 2019) all belonged to the top echelons of 96 kuli Marathas.

Fadnavis very smartly handled those 56 agitations and the situation never spilled out of control in the streets.

What made MJP what he is today? How did he become such a powerful Maratha leader?

When MJP first began his agitation and fasts to demand reservations for Marathas last year he did not have any support from the political elite in the state. The Maratha Kranti Morcha, the Maratha Sakal Samaj stayed away from MJP during this phase of his agitations.

No sooner did MJP begin emerging as a leader in his own right, he adopted a daring stand telling his supporters he will never hobnob with politicians -- among the ruling parties or even the Opposition -- which touched a raw chord among the ordinary, deprived, dispossessed Marathas.

It is quite a popular perception among Marathas about those Maratha leaders who promised them the moon, but instead filled their own coffers on the back of their support.

When MJP began publicly stating that he will never betray their trust and hold all parleys from open platforms, he won the wholehearted support of this huge section of Marathas. His popularity started climbing the charts, his geographical reach too expanded among Marathas across the state.

One must remember how he brought the entire Maharashtra cabinet to its knees last September -- something which he had already promised his supporters he would do for these ministers and the chief minister had neglected his agitations till then.

Not just the cabinet but even top leaders from the BJP, NCP and Congress tried to please MJP just so that his supporters -- a huge voter base in the state -- feel placated.

But after handing over the GR to MJP at a public meeting in Vashi followed by a bombastic speech, the chief minister seems to have emerged a hero. Was this a well-crafted move from the chief minister?

When the chief minister saw how MJP had successfully held the entire cabinet and the state government hostage to his whims riding on the huge support he won from a large section of Marathas who now backed MJP to the hilt, Shinde knew that he had a very clear chance of enamouring himself to these Maratha agitators by accepting the demands put forth by MJP.

The fact that Ajit Pawar, another popular Maratha leader, and the estranged nephew of Sharad Pawar, who split the NCP last year and joined hands with Shinde-Fadnavis government, was now also part of the government made Shinde a tad insecure.

He desperately needed a voter base among the Marathas, among whom -- despite being a 96 kuli Maratha -- the chief minister holds no sway at all as all his political career took shape on the Shiv Sena's anvil in Thane under the leadership of Shiv Sena supremo Balasaheb Thackeray and his (Shinde's) mentor Anand Dighe.

In this battle between the dispossessed and socially-economically upward Marathas, Shinde clearly saw a winning proposition if only he placated MJP and his supporters. He knew it would immediately catapult him to the status of a hero among these sections of Marathas.

Since this realisation dawned upon him, Shinde has been supporting MJP openly as well as discreetly.

Interestingly, ever since MJP emerged as a leader in his own right since last September when an agitation he was heading at Antarwali Sarati village in Ambad taluka of Jalna district turned violent and MJP's stature as a leader of substance further strengthened, he never indulged in mudslinging against Eknath Shinde.

IMAGE: Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde offers juice to Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange Patil at Antarwali-Sarati, in Jalna on September 14, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

Are you suggesting that the match between Eknath Shinde and MJP was fixed?

MJP publicly targeted Sharad Pawar, Ajit Pawar, Devendra Fadnavis, Chhagan Bhujbal and Ashok Chavan but always praised the chief minister. He would often say in his public meetings that he trusted Shinde and saw in him an honest politician who could deliver the reservation goods to the Marathas, makes one feel that there could be a settlement between MJP and Shinde.

If you even look at the turn of events since MJP began his long march from Anatrawali Sarati to Mumbai on January 20 -- claiming it as his 'do or die' battle for Maratha reservations -- it was evident he was doing Shinde's bidding.

When he began, MJP had stridently claimed that no matter what he would hit Mumbai's Azad Maidan on January 26 and whatever the outcome of his negotiations with the government he would reach Azad Maidan, where he had exhorted all his supporters to congregate on the scheduled date.

But instead of heading towards Azad Maidan on the night of January 25 and continuing his negotiation with and agitation against the government from there, he and his supporters stayed the night at Vashi, New Mumbai, even as the government assured him they would soon issue a government resolution accepting all the demands of the Maratha reservation agitators.

This posturing helped both Shinde and MJP.

How?

By this move, MJP portrayed himself as a reasonable leader who didn't favour disrupting traffic or cause a law and order situation in Mumbai. The city police and state administration were already busy grappling with communal tensions at Mira Road in Thane district and in this situation an additional two lakh agitators entering the city would have further compounded the situation.

Shinde too shone in the limelight on January 26 when he gave the symbolic glass of juice to MJP to end his fast at Vashi's Shivaji Maidan and handed him the GR that accepted one of the most important demands of the agitators -- that to include the sage-soyre clause that would open the floodgates for, from 54 lakh (5.4 million) Marathas who have been found eligible to be included as Kunbi OBCs, to roughly 2.5 crore (25 million) Marathas to become eligible for reservations in government jobs and educational institutions.

In fact, when Shinde left for his farmhouse in Satara district even as Jarange was on his way to Mumbai, the two leaders shared telephonic messages, in which Shinde assured MJP that he would get the GR accepting all his demands but requested him to halt his march at Vashi instead of entering Mumbai.

It was only after these exchanges it was decided between the two that MJP would extend his deadline of entering Mumbai by a day. Till the very last minute MJP was adamant that whatever the outcome of the negotiations he would hit Azad Maidan on January 26.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 29. Azerbaijan expects severe punishment for perpetrators of the terrorist attack on the embassy in Iran, said Azerbaijani Ambassador to Iran Ali Alizadeh on X (Twitter), Trend reports.

"On the anniversary of the death of our dear brother Orkhan Asgarov, who was killed in a terrorist attack on the Azerbaijani embassy, we paid our respects at his grave. May the Almighty Rest His Soul! As a result of the terrorist act, our staff were also injured. May the Almighty help them! We expect complete and severe punishment for those guilty of this terrorist act and hope that the Iranian judiciary will make a fair and honorable verdict," said the ambassador.

The first session of the trial for the terrorist who attacked the Azerbaijani Embassy in Iran was scheduled for January 27.

The terrorist attack on the Azerbaijani Embassy in Iran took place one year ago, on January 27. The terrorist murdered Orkhan Askgarov, the Embassy's security chief, and injured two employees, Vasif Taghiyev and Mahir Imanov.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
'How can you shoot somebody raising a white flag, even if he's a fighter, when he's surrendered?'

IMAGE: Mourners carry the bodies of Palestinians Mohammed Abu Saba, 22, and Ahed Muhammed, 21, who were killed in an Israeli raid, during their funeral in Dura, south of Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, January 16, 2024. Photograph: Mussa Qawasma

In a seven-day truce in November last year, a month after the Hamas-led massacre killed 1,200 people in southern Israel, Hamas freed 110 hostages, including 80 Israelis. Israel in turn freed 240 Palestinian prisoners.

Of these Palestinian prisoners, 107 were children, and 75 per cent of them had not been convicted of a crime.

Israel holds nearly 10,000 Palestinians, including women and children, from Gaza and West Bank in custody,

While the Palestinian Authority governs 40% of the West Bank, security of the area remains with Israel. Israeli settlers and Palestinians in the West Bank are also tried by different courts -- military courts for Palestinians and civil courts for Jewish Israeli settlers living in the same occupied territory.

The army commanders in military courts have executive, legislative and judicial authority over the Palestinians living in the West Bank.

"Why take revenge on people who were not involved in the October 7 incident?" Raed Abu Hommus, who heads the International Relations unit of Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs, asks Rediff.com's Swarupa Dutt.

The Palestinian Authority set up the Commission in 1998 under the Oslo Accord to look into the welfare of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails as well as their families.

The concluding segment of a two-part interview:

Part 1 of the Interview: 'Palestinians live in an open prison'

How do Palestinians in the West Bank react to Hamas?

Hamas is a very important layer in the Palestinian community. It's not something new and there are many people who love Hamas in the West Bank too.

There are images of these Gazans who were made to strip to their underwear, kneel on the street, wear blindfolds, and were whisked off in a military vehicle.

Do you have any idea where these men are? And is it possible for your Commission to release men like this?

We have had long discussions with the International Committee of the Red Cross about visiting prisoners, because the ICRC is allowed to visit Palestinian prisoners in Israeli regions.

But since this war, even the Red Cross is forbidden to visit the prisons -- not in the West Bank, not inside Israel and certainly not the new one -- a military camp in the south of Israel.

The Israeli soldiers arrested these Gazans, stripped them, blindfolded them and took them to this camp. We don't know the number of prisoners in this camp because since October 7, the Red Cross is not allowed to visit. So we don't know if they are alive, or whether they are martyrs.

We know even this much, only because of civilians in Gaza, and not from any organisation because its war out there and it's not easy to simply call and get information.

But we know that since the war began, Palestinians in prison are being denied food, fresh clothes, they are kept in dark cells in solitary confinement. They are not even allowed to step out of their cells and walk in the prison courtyard.

We know that in another prison, the police came in the morning and took away the mattresses from the cells so that the prisoner is forced to lie on the floor in this winter chill.

We know that the amount of food given to prisoners has been reduced; cigarettes and coffee allowed earlier are forbidden now, access to prison canteens is forbidden so that if you are hungry you stay hungry.

It's a disaster.

Six Palestinians have been killed in Israeli prisons since October 7. They were beaten to death.

The Israelis are taking revenge from Palestinian prisoners for October 7.

We know the Israelis come to the cells at night, pick up the prisoner and beat them in isolation cells. There are prisoners whose hands and legs are broken and they are denied medical treatment.

IMAGE: A Palestinian prisoner reacts after being released amid a hostages-prisoners swap deal between Hamas and Israel, in Ramallah, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Photograph: Ammar Awad/Reuters

Before October 7, how often did this happen -- Palestinians picked up and taken away?

It's always happened, but after October 7, things changed.

For instance earlier, you could be put in an isolation cell if you break rules in the prison and for a maximum of a week or two weeks.

But now, the Israeli administration simply opens the cells and hit the prisoners on the head with iron rods like this man we know who was beaten to death.

Reducing food, indefinite solitary confinement, not allowing prisoners to shower, making them remain barefoot... all this did not happen earlier.

Let me clarify, if these abuses happened earlier it was because there were possible disagreements between the prisoner and the prison administration and they were punished but for a few days, not like now, which is indefinite punishment.

Apart from the six deaths you mentioned are there any other instances of custodial deaths since October 7?

We know about six deaths, but we have information that there are more in that military camp, I told you about in southern Israel, but we don't know the names of the prisoners.

IMAGE: Released Palestinian prisoner Lamees Abu Arkoob reacts as she is received by her family outside her house near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Photograph: Mussa Qawasma/Reuters

What happens to the bodies? Are they given back to the families?

Of course not, the bodies are interred in prison. I think there are more than 16 bodies in prison, Palestinian martyrs whose families were denied the final rites.

Amnesty has flagged reports of mass enforced disappearances of Palestinian detainees. In the last two months, doctors, journalists were picked up and they've simply disappeared.

Does disappearance normally mean they've been killed?

If journalists or anybody for that matter have been picked up taken away from Gaza we have no way of knowing if they are alive.

But before October 7, of course, we knew. We have organisations inside Israel that we can call, give them the full name of the person and they help us locate the person in prison. Then, of course we follow up with lawyers.

So maybe for two for three days we will not know where the person is, but we get the information and if visits are not allowed, the lawyer will keep following up in court, till visits are allowed. But we had the information, we knew where he was.

At least 46 journalists were picked up after October 7 of which 32 are in prison, while 20 are under administrative detention.

Now, of course, Israel has cancelled appearances in military courts in the West Bank. Lawyers can't go to the court to meet the prisoners because prisoners are not brought to court. We are only told the date when the case will appear in court and proceedings are now strictly via video conference.

IMAGE: People stand next to a military vehicle during an Israeli raid in Tulkarm, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, January 17, 2024. Photograph: Raneen Sawafta/Reuters

There was a prisoner-hostage swap in November 2023. What were the charges against the Palestinians who were released?

The charges against them were mostly participating in demonstrations, throwing stones, throwing Molotov cocktails... The prison terms ranged from a few months to two years. Some of the women were jailed for longer periods and they were really stressed.

The children who were released had been held because they had shared Facebook posts or 'liked' a post. They arrest anybody. You can be arrested for just putting a 'like' on a post put up by a freedom fighter who is wanted by Israeli intelligence.

IMAGE: An Israeli artillery unit operates near the Israel-Gaza border. Photograph: Tyrone Siu/Reuters

What is the total number of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails?

In the West Bank, there are 7800 prisoners including women and children. There are roughly 3000 Gazans in prison as well.

Once these children, women, young men are released, is there a long-lasting psychological trauma?

Yes, of course, but this is a sensitive issue. Palestinians who spend a long time in prison certainly have psychological problems and they need counselling.

In the 2002 intifada around 4000 Palestinians were arrested and they were handed 20-year jail terms.

So, when you are released from prison into society, there is a process of relearning. They have been born again. We keep numbers and cases of prisoners with psychological trauma confidential.

But yes, the reports of physical and psychological abuse during arrest, transfer and interrogation are true.

IMAGE: An explosion takes place during Israeli air strikes in Gaza, amid the ongoing conflict as seen from southern Israel, January 17, 2024. Photograph: Tyrone Siu/Reuters

The United Nations estimates that since 1967 there are 750,000 Palestinians who have been arrested in Gaza, West Bank, Jerusalem, put together.

Is prison a rite of passage for Palestinian men in the sense that are most young Palestinian men at one time or the other, taken away to Israeli prisons?

If you walk into a neighbourhood that has 50 houses, at least 30 will have had a member who is or was arrested. The other 20, if not the immediate family, there are certainly young men in prison from the extended family who are in prison. Anybody can be arrested, anybody.

And every family has a story of loss or humiliation or oppression due to the Occupation.

IMAGE: Raed Abu Hommus IMAGE: Raed Abu Hommus

What is the mood on the West Bank now?

It's a hard time. It's war. And not just in Gaza, even in the West Bank too. The Israeli military enters our cities every night and make arrests. Every night. It's not safe.

For example, on December 21, they arrested 30 people from the West Bank. On the same day they entered our neighborhood and shot three Palestinians on the street.

They get in and out at will. They are obviously taking revenge. There is nothing human about what they are doing.

In the videos posted by the Israelis themselves, soldiers break into apartments in Gaza where the families chose not to evacuate. The men are saying, 'we are civilians', but they are still shot.

It's incredible that all this is happening and the world is doing nothing.

Over 10,000 children have been killed in Gaza since October 7. It's horrific.

In December, Israelis killed three Palestinians holding white flags from Gaza. They were shot.

Israelis have no morals, no ethics, and they don't abide by the Geneva Convention. How can you shoot somebody raising a white flag, even if he's a fighter, when he's surrendered?

Since October 7, Israelis have made a 180 degrees flip in how they treat Palestinians. Earlier also it was very bad, but now it's unreal -- that's how horrific it is.

Why take revenge on people who were not involved in the October 7 incident?

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
The Jharkhand unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday claimed that Chief Minister Hemant Soren has been 'absconding' since the last 18 hours, fearing action of the Enforcement Directorate.

IMAGE: JMM workers hold protest against Enforcement Directorate (ED) summons to state Chief Minister Hemant Soren, in Ranchi on Monday. Photograph: ANI Photo

'According to media sources, late at night Hemant ji, wearing slippers and covering his face with a sheet, ran away from his Delhi residence on foot. Ajay Singh, the security personnel of special branch who went with him to Delhi, is also missing,' Jharkhand BJP president Babulal Marandi said in a post on X

Urging Governor C P Radhakrishnan to take cognisance of the matter, Marandi said the credibility and reputation of Jharkhand are at stake.

'The mobile phones of both of them have also been switched off. Since then, the ED and Delhi Police are searching for them. There cannot be any other example of such gross negligence regarding the security of the chief minister,' the former CM said.

If there is truth in this news, then it is a situation of 'constitutional crisis' for Jharkhand, Marandi said.

'The governor is requested to take cognisance of the matter...,' he added.

An ED team on Monday visited the Delhi residence of Soren to question him in connection with a money laundering investigation in an alleged land fraud case.

The federal agency had questioned Soren at his official residence in Ranchi on January 20 in the case, and issued fresh summons to him asking him to confirm his availability for questioning on either January 29 or January 31.

Official sources claimed he was 'missing' and could not be contacted by the agency.

The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader, who had left for Delhi from Ranchi on January 27 night, has sent an email to the agency in which he has agreed to a fresh round of questioning by the ED investigators on January 31 at his Ranchi residence around 1 pm, they said.

In the email, Soren charged the ED of being 'motivated by political agenda' to disrupt the state government's functioning and claimed that its insistence to record his statement again on or before January 31 reeked of malice.

He also alleged that the issuance of summons to him was 'wholly vexatious and in colourable exercise of powers given by the statute'.

'Preserve video recording of seven-hour questioning (of January 20) to make available to the Court of Law,' Soren said in the email sent on Sunday, while agreeing to record his statement on January 31 at 1 pm at his residence.

Meanwhile, the JMM said the ED's action against Soren is 'unconstitutional'.

"The CM went to Delhi for some personal work and he will be back. But, the ED action is uncalled for and unconstitutional. It seems that the move is politically motivated," alleged JMM general secretary and spokesperson Supriyo Bhattacharya.

"Soren has nothing to do with the case," he claimed.

While the chief minister's office was tightlipped on the development, Jharkhand Governor C P Radhakrishnan said he was keeping a watch on the situation in the state in the wake of the ED summons to Soren.

Jharkhand Congress president Rajesh Thakur alleged that confusion was being created surrounding Sorens's location under a 'well-designed conspiracy'.

"Attempts are being made to create a perception that President's rule will be imposed in the state. People are spreading rumours that the CM is missing," Thakur said.

The Congress is a part of the JMM-led ruling alliance in Jharkhand.

"Is the ED really not able to trace the CM? This is nothing but a conspiracy to disturb the state government so that it could be prevented from carrying out welfare work," he asserted.

*****

Not being at home doesn't mean fleeing: Soren family member

As speculation was doing the rounds about Soren's whereabouts, a family member of his termed the narratives 'designed' to delegitimise the JMM leader's position.

The family member, who did not wish his identity to be revealed, told PTI that a false narrative was being set despite repeated communication to ED and compliance to the summons including willingness to 'record his statement on January 31, 2024 at 1 pm at his residence'.

"It is a political vendetta. Not being in the house is not equivalent to fleeing. If a person is not in his residence, he can be anywhere. This is not a warrant that he has to be available. He is in Delhi and will reach Ranchi tonight or on Tuesday," the family member told PTI.

"In spite of sending repeated communications and compliance to the summons on his (CM) side, they are acting in haste. It is designed to malign his image and build a media narrative that is being played to delegitimise his position," the family member said.

The person said Soren is well and doing fine and was throughout in Delhi busy with his own work.

Meanwhile, security has been tightened in key government installations here, including the CM House, Raj Bhavan and central government offices, when the ED team reached the residence of Soren in Delhi.

The investigation pertains to a 'huge racket of illegal change of ownership of land by the mafia' in Jharkhand, according to the agency.

Soren travelled to the national capital on Saturday night, triggering speculations.

His trip to Delhi came in the backdrop of the ED asking him whether he would be available for questioning on either January 29 or January 31.

Soren's party JMM has been staging protests against ED summons to Soren.
A 60-year-old headmaster of a government school in Chhattisgarh's Bilaspur district has been arrested for allegedly hurting religious sentiments after administering a pledge to people not to believe in Hindu gods and to embrace Buddhism, police said on Monday.

The incident took place on January 22, following which the district education officer suspended Ratalal Sarovar, who was posted as headmaster of a government primary school in Bharari village, an official said.

On January 22, when the consecration of Ram Lalla's idol was held at the Ayodhya temple, Sarovar gathered a group of people including children in Mohtarai village under Ratanpur police station limits.

He allegedly administered them a pledge not to worship Hindu gods, including Lord Shiv, Ram and Krishna, and to follow Buddhism, a police official said quoting a complaint by Rupesh Shukla, an office-bearer of a right wing organisation.

The incident came to light after a video of Sarovar's alleged act went viral on social media, he said.

The complaint claimed his act hurt the sentiments of the followers of Sanatan Dharma, the official said.

Based on the complaint, Sarovar was arrested on Sunday.

He was booked under Indian Penal Code sections 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, etc and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony) and 295A (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class, the official said.

A probe was underway into the case, the police added.
The Congress and the Rashtriya Lok Dal on Monday appeared unsatisfied with the 18 seats offered to the two Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) members in Uttar Pradesh by the Samajwadi Party in seat-sharing arrangements for the Lok Sabha polls.

IMAGE: Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav. Photograph: Nand Kumar/PTI Photo from Rediff Archives

The SP has offered 11 seats to the Congress and seven seats to the RLD for the upcoming parliamentary elections.

The Congress has demanded that it should be given at least 22 seats it had won in 2009, while the RLD wants eight seats in the politically sensitive state which has 80 Lok Sabha constituencies.

"Positive talks are going on regarding seat sharing. We want that the party should contest on more than 22 seats, which it had won in the 2009 Lok Sabha elections in the state. The party's central leadership is in talks with the Samajwadi Party about this," UP Congress chief Ajay Rai told PTI on Monday.

Expressing disagreement over the seats offered to it by the SP, a senior RLD leader said the party wants one more seat.

"We want to contest from Deoria Lok Sabha seat. Our state unit chief Ramashish Rai had contested from there in 2004 on a Congress ticket, and had given a tough fight to his political opponents...the political equation is in favour of Rai, and he can throw surprising results," the RLD leader told PTI.

According to RLD leaders, the SP has offered them the seats of Baghpat, Muzaffarnagar, Mathura, Kairana, Hathras, Bijnor and Amroha.

"The party leaders wonder how the SP has offered them the Amroha seat especially when the sitting MP Danish Ali is cosying up with the Congress. Of the seven seats offered to the RLD, in three seats the SP will field its candidates on RLD symbol," another RLD leader said, and added that 'RLD chief Jayant Chaudhary is not very happy with what is offered to them'.

Meanwhile, SP's chief spokesperson Rajendra Chaudhary, when asked that Congress is demanding more than 22 seats, said, "The number of seats given by the SP will remain the same."

On the RLD's demand for the Deoria seat, Chaudhary said, "The seat-sharing arrangement with RLD has already been decided. Everything was decided in presence of (RLD chief) Jayant Chaudhary."

He also said the SP will stick to the 11+7 seats formula to allies, and as of now there are 'no further modifications in this'.

The SP on Saturday announced that it has offered 11 Lok Sabha seats to the Congress in UP, with party chief Akhilesh Yadav asserting that their alliance is 'off to a good start'.

Yadav said in a post in Hindi on X, 'Our cordial alliance with the Congress is off to a good start with 11 strong seats. This trend will move forward with the winning equation. 'INDIA' team and 'PDA' (Picchda, Dalit, Alpasankhyak) strategy will change history.'

SP spokesperson Chaudhary also said the party's top leadership is in continuous touch with the Congress.

"We have given 11 seats to the Congress (in UP) and seven seats to the RLD. The SP will contest 62 seats in the Lok Sabha elections," Chaudhary said.

In the current Lok Sabha, the SP has three MPs and the Bahujan Samaj Party has 10 MPs. Sonia Gandhi is the lone Congress MP from the state representing Rae Bareli constituency.

The Apna Dal-Sonelal has two Lok Sabha MPs, while the BJP won 64 seats in the state.
The Centre on Monday extended the ban on terrorist group Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) for five years for its involvement in fomenting terrorism and disturbing peace and communal harmony in the country.

IMAGE: Union Home Minister Amit Shah and National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval during a high-level security review meeting at the ministry of home affairs in New Delhi on January 2 , 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

In a post on 'X', Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that bolstering Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of zero tolerance against terrorism, SIMI has been declared an 'Unlawful Association' for a further period of five years under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).

As many as 10 state governments -- Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Kerala, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh -- have recommended the declaration of SIMI as an 'unlawful association' under the provisions of the UAPA.

The SIMI was first declared outlawed in 2001 when the Atal Bihar Vajpayee government was in power and since then the ban has been extended periodically.

"The SIMI has been found involved in fomenting terrorism, disturbing peace and communal harmony to threaten the sovereignty, security and integrity of Bharat," Shah said.

In a notification, the Union Home Ministry said the SIMI has been continuing its subversive activities and re-organising its activists who are still absconding.

The group is disrupting the secular fabric of the country by polluting the minds of the people by creating communal, disharmony, propagating anti-national sentiments and escalating secessionism by supporting militancy and undertaking activities that are prejudicial to the integrity and security of the country, the notification said.

'Whereas the SIMI has been indulging in activities, which are prejudicial to the security of the country and have the potential of disturbing peace and communal harmony and disrupting the secular fabric of the country.

'And whereas, the central government for the above-mentioned reasons is firmly of the opinion that having regard to the activities of the SIMI, it is necessary to declare the SIMI as an unlawful association with immediate effect.. for five years,' the notification said.

The home ministry also cited about 17 terror cases where SIMI activists were allegedly involved in the last few years and at least 27 SIMI members who were sentenced by different courts in different cases.

The notification mentioned an NIA case against ex-SIMI cadre A R Qureshi, who along with his associates hatched a conspiracy to join ISIS 'for the cause of Islamic Jihad' and carry out targeted killings in India.

Another case was against Umair Siddiqui, who used to give shelter to various members of the SIMI and banned Indian Mujahiddin since 1999.

A case was also filed by the Directorate of Enforcement against the office bearers, ex-SIMI members and cadres of banned PFI along with others, 'for conspiring and raising or collecting funds within India and abroad through banking channels, Hawala, donations, etc. for committing or getting committed terrorist acts across India'.

The home ministry had earlier mentioned the conviction of top SIMI leaders Safdar Nagori, Abu Faisal, among others. Faisal was instrumental in the 2013 Khandwa (Madhya Pradesh) jailbreak incident.

Members of the group have allegedly been involved in bank robberies, killings of policemen and blasts, among other cases, officials said.

The SIMI was established on April 25, 1977, in Uttar Pradesh's Aligarh, and the organisation allegedly works on the agenda of liberating India by converting it into an Islamic state.
A day after Chief Minister Nitish Kumar formed the government in Bihar in alliance with the National Democratic Alliance, hectic lobbying started for the post of assembly speaker, and other legislators to be included in the council of ministers.

IMAGE: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and BJP MP Sushil Kumar Modi during oath ceremony function of the NDA government at Raj Bhawan in Patna on Sunday. Photograph: ANI Photo

Kumar on Monday chaired the meeting of his new cabinet to distribute portfolios.

After the cabinet meeting, leaders of NDA constituents, however, remained tight-lipped about the distribution of portfolios.

According to sources, the cabinet secretariat is expected to issue a notification pertaining to portfolio distribution by Monday evening.

Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party has submitted a notice of no-confidence motion to the assembly secretary against Speaker Awadh Bihari Chaudhary, who represents the Rashtriya Janata Dal.

BJP leaders, in the notice, expressed a lack of confidence in the present Speaker as a new government has assumed power. The motion was signed by legislators of the BJP as well as the Janata Dal-United.

The cabinet meeting chaired by Nitish Kumar was attended by all the eight ministers who took oath on Sunday.

Besides Nitish Kumar and Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, BJP's Prem Kumar, JD-U leaders Shravan Kumar, Vijendra Yadav, and Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, Hindustan Awam Morcha's Santosh Kumar Suman and Independent MLA Sumit Kumar Singh were sworn in as ministers on Sunday.

After taking the oath as the chief minister of Bihar for the record ninth time, Kumar asserted there is no question of now leaving the NDA.

"I was with them (NDA) earlier, too. We went on different paths, but now we are together and will remain so. I came back to where I was (NDA), and now there is no question of going anywhere else," the 72-year-old politician said.

It has been learnt from reliable sources that the BJP is expected to keep the post of the assembly speaker.

Names doing the rounds for the post of speaker include those of senior BJP leaders Nand Kishore Yadav and Amrendra Pratap Singh.

BJP leaders on Monday indicated that the cabinet will be further expanded in a day or two to accommodate legislators belonging to other castes, minority groups and women.

Those expected to be included in the Nitish Kumar cabinet include BJP leaders Shahnawaz Hussain, Nitin Nabin, Rampreet Paswan, Janak Ram, Shreyashi Singh and JD-U leaders Sunil Kumar Singh, Madan Sahni, Lesi Singh, Sheila Mandal, Jayant Raj, Ashok Choudhary and Sanjay Jha, a JD-U leader said on condition of anonymity.
Janata Dal-United president Nitish Kumar, who took oath as Chief Minister of Bihar for a record ninth time on Sunday after a dramatic volte-face, asserted that there is now no question of leaving the National Democratic Alliance-fold.

IMAGE: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar speaks to the media after handing over his resignation to the state governor in Patna. Photograph: ANI Photo

Kumar was sworn in by Governor Rajendra Arlekar at Raj Bhavan in Patna, hours after he resigned from the post, saying "things were not working well" for him in the Grand Alliance and the opposition bloc INDIA.

"I was with them (NDA) earlier, too. We went on different paths, but now we are together and will remain so... I came back to where I was (NDA), and now there is no question of going anywhere else," the 72-year-old leader told reporters after taking oath as the CM.

"You people know that I believe in work and the same will continue. I will keep doing work for the overall development of the state", said the CM.

He said a total of eight people took oath on Sunday as ministers, and names of the remaining ones will be decided soon.

BJP leaders -- Samrat Choudhary and former Speaker Vijay Kumar Sinha -- will be the deputy chief ministers, Kumar said, adding leaders of three parties have been accommodated.

"The cabinet will be expanded soon," the CM said.

Commenting on the collapse of INDIA alliance, Kumar, who had played an instrumental role in bring various opposition parties together, said, "They (INDIA bloc leaders) were not doing anything. Nothing happened after the first meeting of INDIA bloc that took place in Patna last year. Now, I have come back to the same place, where I was earlier (with NDA)".

Taking to X, Kumar said, "I express my gratitude to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on behalf of all the people of Bihar...and also on my own behalf...for his good wishes. The new government (NDA) has been formed in Bihar and we will keep serving people of the state, which is our basic objective. With the NDA government at the Centre and state, development work will gain momentum".
From massed band's 'Shankhnaad' to Navy's lilting 'Mission Chandrayaan', mellifluous tunes reverberated across the Raisina Hill in the heart of Delhi as India's rich heritage and towering accomplishments were celebrated during the Beating Retreat ceremony on Monday.

Photographs: Shrikant Singh/ANI Photo

The grand event hosted at the Vijay Chowk marks the culmination of the Republic Day celebrations.

President and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and other union ministers attended the event.

Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, the three service chiefs -- General Manoj Pande, Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari and Admiral R Hari Kumar -- Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud, senior officials, and the general public also attended the mega event.

With sunshine in the daytime, the temperature was bearable during the event which started around 5:15 pm.

President Murmu arrived at the venue in the traditional 'buggy', adding to the old-world charm of the ceremony that traces its origins to the early 1950s.

The splendid ceremony began with the massed band's 'Shankhnaad' setting the tone for the event as the sound of captivating and foot-tapping Indian tunes played by military and paramilitary bands filled the air over the majestic Raisina Hill with the grand Rashtrapati Bhavan as its centrepiece.

This was followed by tunes belted out by pipes and drums bands such as 'Veer Bharat', 'Sangam Dur', 'Kesariya Bana' and 'Deshon ka Sartaj Bharat'. They also made formations of 'Chakravyuh' and 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam'.

The Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) bands played 'Bharat Ke Jawan' and 'Vijay Bharat' among other tunes.

The spectators, consisting of both young and old people, cheered as the bands performed, and many also chanted 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' at the end of the ceremony.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) band then regaled the audience with tunes such as 'Swadeshi', 'Rejoice in Raisina' and 'Tiger Hill'.

The IAF band members made formations such as 'diamond brigade', 'diamond', 'Apache' much to the delight of the crowd.

Some of the members carried instruments decorated with lights which at times glowed in tricolour theme.

Tunes of classic 'Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram' touched an immediate chord with the audience.

The crowd was then treated to rich tunes played by the Indian Navy band such as 'INS Vikrant', 'Ekla Chalo Re', 'Samudra Darshak', 'Mission Chandrayaan', 'Jai Bharati' and 'Hum Tayyar Hain'.

'Mission Chandrayaan' was an ode to India's successful lunar mission last year, and they also played in 'Vikram Lander' formation.

This was followed by the Indian Army band playing 'Faulad Ka Jigar', 'Agniveer', 'Kargil 1999' and 'Taqat Watan' among other tunes.

The 'Agranee Bharat' tune led by a flautist was heart-touching, and another tune that followed also enthralled the crowd.

Some of the members of this band also carried instruments which were decorated with lights, and the band which arrived at Vijay Chowk in multiple 'Arrow' formations, also made a formation on 'Army's insignia', 'Bharat' (in Hindi), and one marking the victory in 1999 Kargil war.

They followed it up with 'Agniveer' and 'Kargil 1999' tunes.

The massed bands then played the tunes 'Kadam Kadam Badhaye Ja', 'Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon' and 'Drummers Call'.

The event came to a close with the ever-popular tune of 'Sare Jahan se Acha' as dusk made way to the inky night sky while the Raisina Hills complex dazzled with lights of vibrant colours.

The President returned to Rashtrapati Bhavan in the traditional 'buggy', which made a comeback on the Kartavya Path during this Republic Day parade, after a gap of 40 years.

The principal conductor of the Beating Retreat ceremony on Monday was Lt Col Vimal Joshi.

The Beating Retreat ceremony 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.

It marks a centuries-old military tradition, when the troops ceased fighting, sheathed their arms, withdrew from the battlefield and returned to the camps at sunset at the sounding of the retreat.

Colours and Standards are cased and flags are lowered. The ceremony creates nostalgia for the times gone by.
Indian warship INS Sumitra on Monday ensured the safe release of an Iranian-flagged fishing vessel and its 17 crew members after it was hijacked by some pirates off the east coast of Somalia, officials said.

The Indian Navy swiftly responded to a distress call from the vessel last night, they said.

"INS Sumitra, deployed on anti-piracy operations along the east coast of Somalia and the Gulf of Aden, responded to a distress message regarding the hijacking of an Iranian flagged fishing vessel Iman," Indian Navy spokesperson Commander Vivek Madhwal said.

The fishing vessel had been boarded by pirates and the crew members were taken as hostages, he said.

"INS Sumitra intercepted the vessel, acted in accordance with the established SOPs (standard operating procedures) to coerce the pirates for the safe release of the crew along with the boat and ensured the successful release of all 17 crew members along with the boat," Madhwal said.

The vessel was subsequently sanitised and released for onward transit.

"Mission deployed Indian naval ships on anti-piracy and maritime security operations in the Indian Ocean region symbolises the Indian Navy's resolve towards the safety of all vessels and seafarers at sea," Madhwal said.

The response by the Indian Navy to the fresh incident came two days after its warship INS Visakhapatnam extinguished a fire onboard a commercial oil tanker with 22 Indian crew when the vessel was struck by a missile in the Gulf of Aden.

The Indian Navy deployed its missile destroyer INS Visakhapatnam to assist the vessel after receiving a distress call from it on Friday night.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) had said the Marshall Islands-flagged vessel MV Marlin Luanda was hit by an anti-ship ballistic missile fired by Iran-backed Houthi militants.

The Navy on January 5 thwarted an attempted hijacking of Liberian-flagged vessel MV Lila Norfolk in the North Arabian Sea and rescued all its crew members.

Liberian-flagged vessel MV Chem Pluto, with 21 Indian crew members, was the target of a drone attack off India's west coast on December 23.

Besides MV Chem Pluto, another commercial oil tanker that was on the way to India came under a suspected drone strike in the Southern Red Sea on the same day. The vessel had a team of 25 Indian crew.

The Navy has already enhanced the deployment of its frontline ships and surveillance aircraft for maritime security operations in view of the maritime environment in the critical sea lanes including in the North and Central Arabian Sea.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday cautioned parents against treating their children's report cards as their own visiting card, while asserting that it is crucial to instill resilience in children to help them cope with pressures and parents and teachers should collectively address challenges faced by them.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets with the specially-abled students during the 7th edition of 'Pariksha Pe Charcha', at the Bharat Mandapam, in New Delhi on Monday. Photograph: ANI Photo

Interacting with students, parents and teachers during his annual 'Pariksha Pe Charcha' programme, the prime minister suggested that students should compete with themselves and not others and parents should never sow the seeds of competition and rivalry between siblings.

"It is crucial to instill resilience in our children and help them cope with pressures... We cannot just switch off and the pressure is gone. One must become capable of bearing any kind of pressure. They should believe that pressure keeps on building and one has to prepare oneself," he said during the two-hour interaction.

Prime Minister Modi suggested students to 'always make friends who are more intelligent and work harder'.

"You must be inspired by such friends. Don't let the pressure of studies and examinations overpower you," he said.

Modi said that even though competition and challenges act as inspirations, competition must be healthy.

"A lot of parents keep on giving examples of other children to their children. Parents should avoid doing these things... never sow the seeds of rivalry and competition among students," he said.

"We have also seen that those parents who have not been very successful in their lives have nothing to say or want to tell the world about their successes and achievements, make the report card of their children their visiting card.

"Whenever they meet someone, they will tell them the story of their children," he said at the seventh episode of his outreach programme with students ahead of examinations.

The prime minister explained that the stress faced by students is of three types - induced by peer pressure, by parents and self-induced.

"At times, children take pressure on themselves that they are not performing up to the mark. I suggest that you should set small goals during preparation and gradually improve your performance, this way you will be completely ready before exams," he said.

"We have to make ourselves capable of facing any sort of pressure. Students need to make themselves ready to go through any condition. If we visit any cold place, we make up our minds, and accordingly, we keep ourselves ready... (in the) same way you have to be ready for exams," Modi said.

The prime minister said that the challenges faced by students must be addressed collectively by parents and teachers. He also encouraged teachers to forge strong connections with their students.

"The bond between educators and learners is the foundation for a bright future. If teachers start working on building a relationship with their students from the first day of the year, there won't be any question of tension building up among students at the time of examinations," he said.

"Teachers must expand their connections with students much beyond their subject syllabus so that students can reach out to their teachers even for the smallest of problems. Music teachers can not only help their own students deal with tensions, they can do so for students of the entire school," Modi said.

Replying to questions on balancing studies with a healthy life, Prime Minister Modi said many students use mobile phones and some do it for many hours. He advised students not to use their sleep time for watching reels.

"I get into deep sleep within 30 seconds of lying on the bed on all 365 days. When I am awake, I am fully awake, but I am totally asleep while sleeping. Nutrition is also necessary. Our body must get the required nutrition. A good balance of food and regular exercise for fitness are also necessary," Modi said.

"They should understand that even mobiles need recharge to be used, and similarly, our body also needs to be recharged. On the other hand, some students keep playing all the time, but it is necessary to strike a balance. A healthy body is necessary for a healthy mind. Good and sound sleep is also a must for good health. Don't use your sleep time for watching reels," he said.

Emphasising the need to avoid mistakes due to the over-enthusiasm of parents or over-sincerity of the students, the PM asked the parents not to over-hype the exam day by new clothes, rituals or stationery.

He also asked the students not to keep preparing until the last moment and approach exams with a relaxed mindset.

The prime minister suggested that students read the question paper and plan with time allocation to avoid panic at the last moment. Modi also advised students to practice writing.

"In this age of mobile phones and laptops, students are losing the practice to write while exams are supposed to be handwritten. Of the time dedicated to studies, you should devote at least 50 per cent of time to practise writing with pen and paper," he said.

Asked how he keeps a positive mindset amid the challenges of his job, Modi said it is in his nature to 'challenge every challenge' and asserted that he looked for a way to deal with poverty in the country instead of just sitting on the issue like others.

Describing students as the shapers of India's future, Modi said the Pariksha Pe Charcha programme is like an examination for him too. He also said that students have become more innovative than ever.

Organised by the Ministry of Education, Pariksha Pe Charcha has been engaging students, parents and teachers for the past six years.

This year's event was held in a town hall format at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. An estimated 2.26 crore registrations have taken place on the MyGov portal, highlighting the widespread enthusiasm among students.

The event was also attended by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Ministers of State for Education -- Subhas Sarkar, Annapurna Devi and Rajkumar Ranjan Singh.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 29. While the unfounded initiative was formally presented by German MP Frank Schwabe, it is known that the leadership of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) is the driving force behind this matter, merely using the guise of socialist representation, the Milli Majlis (Parliament) MP Sevinj Huseynova told Trend.

She pointed out that certain European states have recently engaged in a smear campaign against Azerbaijan.

"Some Western countries and organizations are deeply concerned about the international recognition of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity, the establishing of its sovereignty, and the upholding of constitutional order throughout the country," the MP said.

Huseynova also highlighted that the initiative by MPs to challenge powers of attorney on substantive grounds was proposed by Frank Schwabe, the leader of the Socialists' political group, and the proposal received approval.

"Since Azerbaijan joined PACE in 2001, there has been a perception that pro-Armenian and Islamophobic elements within the organization have instrumentalized it against Azerbaijan. The recent non-confirmation of the credentials of the Azerbaijani delegation during the first meeting of the organization's winter session on January 22 is viewed as another instance of biased treatment towards Azerbaijan," she added.

"France and Germany's protective posture towards Armenia is not coincidence. The politicians in power in these nations, aided by financial backing from the Armenian lobby and diaspora, are viewed as betraying core ideals. The adoption of the motion by German MP Frank Schwabe, emphasizing the inadmissibility of certifying the authority of the Azerbaijani delegation im PACE, is considered an indication of this unpleasant reality," Huseynova said.

According to her, this stance presented in PACE is designed to undermine the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

"Some politicians seem to identify more with Armenian interests than even the Armenians themselves. For instance, figures like French President Emmanuel Macron and those who share his views persist in maintaining their anti-Azerbaijani, Islamophobic, and anti-Turkic positions," the MP added.

"Western states, which remained silent for three decades regarding the violated rights, territorial integrity, and sovereignty of Azerbaijan, are now actively advocating for Armenia. They even attempt to portray the voluntary departure of Armenians from Karabakh as an accusation of ethnic cleansing against Azerbaijan. However, these same states turned a blind eye to the hardships inflicted upon the Azerbaijani people by Armenia in the early 90s," she said.

"The present stance of the West and its seemingly hypocritical organizations, which remained silent and indifferent, ignoring the Khojaly genocide, ethnic cleansing, and forced deportation of Azerbaijanis, while failing to react to Armenia's occupation of Azerbaijani territories for almost 30 years, is undeniably hypocritical.," Huseynova added.

The credentials of Azerbaijan's delegation to PACE were challenged on the opening day of the 2024 winter plenary session. Frank Schwabe, who heads the German delegation to PACE, proposed to deny the Azerbaijani delegation's credentials because Azerbaijan allegedly "organized the expulsion of Armenians from Karabakh". Thus, PACE was dissatisfied with the fact that they were "not invited" to observe the presidential elections to be held on February 7. Before that, in October 2023, the PACE adopted a one-sided and biased resolution regarding localized anti-terrorist measures undertaken by Azerbaijan in Karabakh.

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Security was beefed up on Monday a day after a row broke out over the removal of a saffron Hanuman flag from Keragodu village in Mandya, with protests demanding its restoration and the incident sparking a political confrontation between the Congress government and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party-Janata Dal (Secular).

Photograph: / Rediff.com IMAGE: Heavy police force deployed in Keragodu village, Mandya, where a Hanuman flag hoisted by the gram panchayat board of Mandya district on a 108-foot flagpole was brought down by the district administration, January 28, 2024.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah accused the opposition BJP and JD-S of trying to instigate the people over the issue, with an eye on the coming Lok Sabha elections.

Police on Sunday had resorted to mild lathi charge to disperse the crowd at Keragodu village, and subsequently hoisted the National Flag on the 108-ft tall flagpost replacing the 'Hanuman dhwaja', in the presence of officials of the administration.

On Monday, the protestors marched from Keragodu to the Deputy Commissioner's office in the district headquarters of Mandya, covering a distance of about 14 km, holding saffron flags amid chants of 'Jai Sri Ram'.

They also raised slogans against the Congress government.

BJP leaders C T Ravi and Preetham Gowda and JD-S leaders Suresh Gowda and K Annadani joined the demonstrators.

As the march reached Mandya city, police resorted to mild lathi charge to disperse the crowd as some of the activists allegedly tried to bring down a flex board featuring the image of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and other Congress leaders, according to official sources.

Later scores of protestors gathered near the Deputy Commissioner's office, where police were deployed in large numbers and barricades were erected.

Ravi and the JD-S leaders along with former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy addressed the crowd.

Monday's agitation in front of the Deputy Commissioner's office concluded with some leaders calling for a Mandya bandh on February 9.

Police presence was increased in the area as BJP, JD-S and Bajrang Dal workers and activists from other organisations joined the people of Keragodu and surrounding villages on Monday, continuing their protest against the removal of the flag. They demanded that it be hoisted once again.

Siddaramaiah clarified that the authorities had to intervene as permission was taken only to hoist the Tricolour and the state flag of Karnataka.

He also hit back at the BJP for calling him 'anti-Hindu', and asserted that he is a Hindu who loves people of all religions.

On Leader of Opposition R Ashoka (BJP) and state JD-S chief H D Kumaraswamy joining the protest, Siddaramaiah accused them of instigating the people.

"Why are they protesting? Why are they instigating the people? What for? As elections are coming, they are doing all these things. See, we have no objection, if they (those who hoisted saffron flag) had abided by the conditions under which permission was granted by the panchayat, why would the district administration have interfered?" he asked.

Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar too accused the BJP of stirring up emotions in Mandya to build a political base in the district.

"BJP leaders are trying to disturb peace in Mandya for political gains. BJP candidates lost deposits in many of the constituencies in Mandya and hence they are trying to find a political base by joining hands with the JD-S. Their efforts will not pay off as the people of Mandya are tolerant and secular and won't fall for gimmicks like this. Our objective is to ensure peace," he told reporters.

Meanwhile, Kumaraswamy, the state JD-S chief, on Monday joined the protest wearing a saffron shawl. He blamed the Congress government for the incident, accusing it of failing to handle the situation effectively.

Accompanied by BJP leaders, he addressed the protestors, hitting out at Siddaramaiah and accusing him and his government of politicking over the issue and instigating the people by using police force against them.

"Yesterday there was a lathi charge by the police on people. Today also they have done a lathi charge, injuring a person near his eyes and another person on his legs. Was this needed?" he asked.

A significant number of women from Keragodu and its surroundings also participated in the protests. The agitation will continue till the saffron flag is restored, leaders at the forefront of the agitation said.

In Keragodu, police have erected barricades around the flagpole to secure the place and CCTV cameras have been installed in the area to watch out for any untoward incidents, according to official sources.

Most shops and other business establishments were closed in the village, the sources confirmed, saying the protesting activists and villagers had given a call for a voluntary shutdown.

Meanwhile, BJP leaders and workers held protests at the district headquarters, condemning the 'anti-Hindu policy' of the Congress government and accusing it of 'insulting' the National Flag as well.

In Bengaluru, the BJP attempted to stage a protest led by Jayanagara MLA C K Ramamurthy at Mysuru Bank circle but were detained and taken away by the police, citing the lack of permission for the demonstration.

Mandya District in-charge Minister N Cheluvarayaswamy had clarified that the flagpole's location falls under the panchayat's jurisdiction, and permission was obtained only to hoist the national flag, which was done on Republic Day, 'but it was replaced by another flag that evening'.

Siddaramaiah had also stated that instead of hoisting the national flag, a 'bhagwa dhwaja' (saffron flag) had been raised.

"It is not right. I have asked (the authorities concerned) to hoist the national flag," he had said.
An Enforcement Directorate team on Monday visited the Delhi residence of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren to question him in connection with a money laundering investigation and camped there for over 13 hours during which they searched the premises.

IMAGE: Security tightened at the official residence of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren after the ED officials visited his Delhi House in an alleged money laundering case, in Ranchi on Monday, January 29, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

Official sources claimed Soren was 'missing' and could not be contacted by the federal agency but a family member alleged that a 'false' narrative was being set to 'delegitimise' the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader's position.

The member, who did not wish to be identified, claimed there were repeated communications to ED and compliance to the summons including willingness to record his statement on January 31, 2024 at 1 pm at his Ranchi residence.

Officials of the federal probe agency accompanied by Delhi Police personnel reached the 5/1 Shanti Niketan building in South Delhi around 9 am, while a large number of mediapersons stood outside.

Several ED officials were seen leaving the premises at around 10.30 pm.

The agency seized a Haryana-registered BMW car from Soren's residence apart from some documents recovered by them during the search conducted at the house, sources said.

Soren left Ranchi for Delhi on January 27, with his party saying on Monday that he had gone for personal work and would be back.

But the Jharkhand unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party claimed that the chief minister has been absconding for the last 18 hours, fearing action of the ED, and urged Governor C P Radhakrishnan to take cognisance of the matter as the 'credibility and reputation of Jharkhand are at stake'.

The ED questioned Soren at his official residence in Ranchi on January 20 in the case and had issued a fresh summons to him asking him to confirm his availability for questioning on either January 29 or January 31, the official sources said, adding Soren had sent a communication to the agency but had not confirmed the date and time for questioning.

In an email to the federal agency on Sunday, the 48-year-old JMM executive president alleged that the ED actions were 'motivated by political agenda' to disrupt the state government's functioning and claimed that its insistence to record his statement again on or before January 31 reeked of malice.

'Preserve video recording of seven-hour questioning (of January 20) to make available to the court of law,' Soren said in the email while agreeing to record his statement on January 31 at the Ranchi residence.

In Delhi, ED officials moved out briefly from the chief minister's residence at 8 pm and checked the said BMW car parked there before going back inside without replying to queries from the media.

"An ED team went to the residence of the chief minister in Delhi to question him but he was not there. Some other teams also went to the Jharkhand Bhawan and a few other locations but could not find the chief minister," a source said.

While the chief minister's office was tightlipped on the development, Jharkhand Governor Radhakrishnan said he was keeping a watch on the situation in the state in the wake of the ED summons to the CM.

"I am keeping a watch on the overall situation as the custodian of the Constitution. It is the job of the Governor, I am doing it. We will cross the bridge when it comes," he told reporters when queried about the options before the Raj Bhavan in the wake of the political situation in the state.

In the state capital Ranchi, security was tightened at the CM House, Raj Bhavan and central government offices on Monday as visuals from the south Delhi house of Soren flashed through the day.

A massive rally was taken out by the JMM workers in Ranchi accusing the ED of targeting Soren, who is the executive president of the ruling JMM.

Protests were also held in Jamshedpur and other parts of the state.

"The CM went to Delhi for some personal work and he will be back. But, the ED action is uncalled for and unconstitutional. It seems that the move is politically motivated," alleged JMM general secretary and spokesperson Supriyo Bhattacharya.

BJP leaders, however, questioned the whereabouts of the CM.

'According to media sources, late at night Hemant ji, wearing slippers and covering his face with a sheet, ran away from his Delhi residence on foot. Ajay Singh, the security personnel of special branch who went with him to Delhi, is also missing,' Jharkhand BJP president Babulal Marandi claimed in a post on X.

'The mobile phones of both of them have also been switched off. Since then, the ED and Delhi Police are searching for them. There cannot be any other example of such gross negligence regarding the security of the chief minister,' the former CM said.

'What could be more worrying and shameful that the chief minister of a state, who is holding a constitutional post, breaks the protocol and absconds,' Marandi said.

Jharkhand Congress president Rajesh Thakur alleged that confusion was being created surrounding Soren's location under a 'well-designed conspiracy'.

'Attempts are being made to create a perception that the President's rule will be imposed in the state. People are spreading rumours that the CM is missing,' Thakur said.

Meanwhile, asked bout the possibility of imposition of the President's Rule in the state, the Governor said it was just 'guesswork' at present, adding that political parties should not get involved in it.

On Soren skipping ED summons in connection with a money laundering probe, he said, "I will tell you one thing - nobody is above the law... If the CM is not responding today, he has to respond tomorrow."

A top Jharkhand government official said, "It is an unprecedented situation here. No one knows the whereabouts of the chief minister."

The agency had recorded the statement of the 48-year-old chief minister for the first time in the case on January 20 after investigators went to his official residence in Ranchi.

They recorded his statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) during the about seven hours they spent at his home and put about 17-18 questions to the CM.

It is understood that as the questioning did not finish on that day, a fresh summons was issued.

The investigation pertains to a 'huge racket of illegal change of ownership of land by the mafia' in Jharkhand, according to the agency.

The ED has, so far, arrested 14 people in the case, including 2011-batch IAS officer Chhavi Ranjan who served as the director of the state's Social Welfare Department and deputy commissioner of Ranchi.
Senior Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Abhishek Banerjee on Monday attributed the differences in the opposition's Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) in West Bengal to Congress party's failure to finalise seat-sharing arrangements.

IMAGE: Trinamool Congress (TMC) general secretary Abhishek Banerjee. Photograph: ANI Photo

Banerjee highlighted that despite repeated reminders over the last seven months, the Congress remained inactive in sealing the seat-sharing agreement.

The TMC national general secretary slammed West Bengal Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury for playing into the hands of the saffron camp and repeatedly attacking the TMC government in West Bengal, despite being an ally at the national level.

"According to alliance norms, the first thing you do is seal the seat-sharing. We had waited for seven months since July last year to seal the seat-sharing issue. But the Congress was sitting idle and nothing moved forward," he told reporters in Diamond Harbour.

TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee had last week announced that the party would go alone in the Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal.

"We held multiple discussions with senior Congress leadership. During the last meeting in Delhi, Mamata Banerjee had clarified that seat-sharing talks should be finalised by December 31. However, they did not do so and refrained from participating in any conversation," he said.

The TMC leader said the seat-sharing issue was also raised at meetings in Patna, Bengaluru and even in the last meeting.

The Diamond Harbour MP, who is also the nephew of Mamata Banerjee, slammed Chowdhury for 'demanding President's Rule in the state', echoing the demands of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

"By demanding President's Rule, whose interest is the state Congress president trying to serve -- the TMC, the Congress or the BJP? There is a limit to our patience," he said.

The TMC leader, however, iterated that the 'party continues to be a part of the opposition bloc INDIA at the national level'.

Hitting out at the Congress for accusing Mamata Banerjee as the 'Trojan horse of the saffron camp', Banerjee wondered, 'when the state Congress is speaking in the language of the BJP, then who the Trojan horse of the saffron camp is?'

"How many times has Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury condemned the financial deprivation of Bengal by the BJP? There is a limit to our patience. The woman who is fighting against BJP is being challenged by state Congress leadership," he said.
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.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 29. Two observers from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), Evgeny Loginov and Lars Nyholm, followed the election preparations in Beylagan District, Chairman of the District Election Commission (DEC) Zakir Valishov told "Election 2024 Independent Media Center, Trend reports.

A total of 54,562 registered voters in Beylagan electoral district No. 83 are eligible to cast their votes at 59 polling stations.

The chairman of the DEC mentioned that out of the total registered voters, 2,354 individuals will be exercising their voting rights for the first time. Additionally, the district has three registered voters who are over a hundred years old, with the oldest voter being 108-year-old Mulukha Ismayilova.

Zakir Valishov emphasized that to facilitate the voting rights of individuals with physical disabilities, ramps have been installed at 26 polling stations.

"Efforts are underway to hold the presidential election in conformity with transparent and democratic standards. Campaign boards have been installed at all voting sites, and additional precautions have been taken to protect the security of campaign materials. Seven polling booths have web cams installed, and there are 719 registered observers in the district," the chairman said.

On December 7, 2023, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree calling for an extraordinary presidential election in the country on February 7, 2024.



On December 19, the Central Election Commission of Azerbaijan (CEC) approved the candidacy of Ilham Aliyev, nominated by the ruling New Azerbaijan Party (YAP), for participation in the extraordinary presidential election.



Azerbaijan has registered seven candidates to run in the extraordinary presidential election.

"Election 2024 Independent Media Center was launched by the Central Election Commission (CEC) of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

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YouTube boogie-woogie pianist Brendan Kavanagh is vowing to stand up for free speech despite threats on his life from "little pink" supporters of the Chinese Communist Party. In an incident in London's St Pancras railway station that went viral, Kavanagh rebuffed a request by a group of Chinese flag-wavers to stop filming them while he made a YouTube video of himself playing a public piano. The pianist upped the ante a week later, returning with a plushie Winnie the Pooh toy and a sticker referring to the Tiananmen Square massacre  both of which are banned by Chinese censors. "Popular arts and music, poetry, dancing and singing is a threat to those in power, and I'm really trying to bring back that rock-and-roll rebellious spirit into music," Kavanagh said.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 29. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) is inciting Armenia and endangering the security of the South Caucasus, said specialist in international politics and security Talya Iscan in her article in the leading Mexican publication El Universal, Trend reports.

According to her, in the backdrop of intricate global relations involving numerous conflicts, recent events within the PACE against the Azerbaijani delegation have raised concerns and sparked debate.

"These measures, seemingly affecting Azerbaijan's involvement in PACE, prompt questions about the fairness and justification of such restrictions. It is crucial to highlight the contradictory nature of these actions, as they accuse Azerbaijan of acts acknowledged by the international community as having been carried out by Armenia," Iscan said.

"This occurs within the framework of recent unwarranted Western actions against Azerbaijan, primarily spearheaded by France. Questions arise about the inconsistency of these actions, given that Azerbaijan is a longtime ally of the West in Afghanistan, the North, and Iraq and also plays an important role in Europe's energy security.," she added.

"The choice not to confirm the accreditation of the Azerbaijani delegation may be connected to France's recent aggressive stance against Azerbaijan. Such actions pose a threat to peace, as backing Armenia's unrealistic expectations and revanchist circles might jeopardize the peace process in the region. It appears that Armenia is not demonstrating enough sincerity in this process, as evidenced by all members of the Armenian delegation to PACE voting against Azerbaijan's accreditation," the specialist said.

"After 23 years of Azerbaijan's Council of Europe membership, amidst political stability and the restoration of affected territories, certain parties in PACE have initiated attacks against Azerbaijan. This prompts questions about the motives driving such actions," she added.

"Presently, the European Union has opted to align unconditionally with Armenia, displaying biased and hostile attitudes towards Azerbaijan without regard for justice. This contradicts the declared values of the European Union and has the potential to escalate political tensions in the region. Europe's policy of encouraging Armenia in the Caucasus and impeding peace processes runs counter to the principles professed by the European Union. This stance, supporting conflicts beyond its region for self-interest, gives the impression of double standards in diplomacy," Iscan said in the article.

The credentials of Azerbaijan's delegation to PACE were challenged on the opening day of the 2024 winter plenary session. Frank Schwabe, who heads the German delegation to PACE, proposed to deny the Azerbaijani delegation's credentials because Azerbaijan allegedly "organized the expulsion of Armenians from Karabakh." Thus, PACE was dissatisfied with the fact that they were "not invited" to observe the presidential elections to be held on February 7. Before that, in October 2023, the PACE adopted a one-sided and biased resolution regarding localized anti-terrorist measures undertaken by Azerbaijan in Karabakh.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Glassine pouches of fentanyl are displayed at the Drug Enforcement Administration Northeast Regional Laboratory in New York, Oct. 8, 2019.

A delegation of U.S. officials is in Beijing this week for talks with their Chinese counterparts about resumed cooperation on ending illicit outflows from China of precursors for the synthetic opioid fentanyl, which was suspended amid frosty relations in 2022.

Following then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosis August 2022 trip to the self-governing island of Taiwan, which China claims as its sovereign territory, Beijing announced that it would stop working with U.S. law enforcement to crack down on exports of fentanyl ingredients.

But restoration of cooperation was one of the three main outcomes of U.S. President Joe Bidens summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in San Francisco in November, along with a return to military-to-military talks and cooperation on regulating artificial intelligence.

In Beijing on Tuesday and Wednesday, U.S. and Chinese officials will begin fleshing out how that cooperation will take shape, according to a senior Biden administration official who spoke to reporters on Sunday on condition of anonymity following rules set by the White House.

The talks would support concrete enforcement actions with the goal of countering the evolving threat of synthetic drugs, and to address the supply and distribution of precursor chemicals, they said.

A big goal of this is continued pressure, continued dialogue, ensuring we continue to push and encourage joint law enforcement actions.

Leading cause of death

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and it has been labeled one of the largest killers of American adults.

100,000 people a year die in the United States from fentanyl overdoses. More people in the United States between the ages of 18 and 49 die from fentanyl than any other cause, the official said.

Packets of fentanyl seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection from a truck crossing into Arizona from Mexico is displayed during a news conference at the Port of Nogales, Arizona, Jan. 31, 2019. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection via Reuters)

U.S. officials have blamed China for allowing exports of fentanyl precursors  which are turned into the drug in Central and South America for export into the United States  but Beijing has said the root of the problem is American drug users themselves.

Still, Chinese officials have pledged to collaborate with U.S. law enforcement as part of the broader thaw in ties between the two countries agreed to by Biden and Xi in San Francisco last year.

The American delegation in this weeks talks will be led by Jennifer Daskal, the deputy assistant to the president and deputy homeland security advisor, according to a statement from the White House.

Daskal will be joined by eight others, including Rob Silvers, under secretary for strategy, policy and plans at the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection acting administrator Troy Miller and Drug Enforcement Administration chief Anne Milgram.

A separate White House official said following Fridays meeting in Bangkok between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan that the United States had already seen a marked reduction in fentanyl in-flows since the Biden-Xi summit.
YouTuber Brendan Kavanagh plays the public piano with a Winnie the Pooh doll, which is banned in China, in London's St. Pancras railway station on Jan. 26, 2024.

YouTuber Brendan Kavanagh lived in a van for two days out of fear of violent repercussions following a standoff with a group of Chinese flag-wavers around the public piano in London's St Pancras railway station, he said via his channel, adding that he had received emails "threatening his life" after the incident went viral.

The group, who said they were in the station shopping mall to celebrate the Lunar New Year, appealed to local police after YouTube boogie-woogie pianist Brendan Kavanagh told them he wouldn't stop filming, despite their request that he delete their images, which they described as "non-disclosable.

They also accused him of racism for saying this is not China, and of "touching" a woman in the group when he touched a flag she was carrying, according to Kavanaghs Jan. 19 live stream. A police officer who turned up at the scene appeared to side with the flag-wavers, ordering Kavanagh not to film or post their conversation on social media.

Kavanagh, who turned up at the piano again on Friday with a plushie Winnie the Pooh toy and a sticker bearing a reference to the Tiananmen Square massacre  both of which are banned by Chinese censors  said the incident was about defending freedom of speech and artistic expression.

"There was an attempt to shut us down and it was completely out of order, and I just thought that the ability to play the piano in public is a fundamental human right," Kavanagh told journalists who were interviewing him during his Jan. 26 live stream. "This piano of course was donated by Elton John and it symbolizes ... artistic freedom."

"I think the power of the arts to crush dictatorships, I think that that's what came out [this] for me," he said.

YouTuber Brendan Kavanagh holds up a Winnie the Pooh doll, which is banned in China, after playing the public piano at London's St. Pancras railway station on Jan. 26, 2024. (RFA)

Kavanagh then picked up a Winnie the Pooh toy and framed picture, saying he had brought them along because he recently learned that references to the fictional bear have been banned due to a supposed resemblance to Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping.

"I heard Winnie the Pooh was like garlic to a vampire to the Chinese commies," he said. "Popular arts and music, poetry, dancing and singing is a threat to those in power, and I'm really trying to bring back that rock-and-roll rebellious spirit into music, you know."

Kavanagh also posted a photo of "a new sticker for the piano" showing Winnie the Pooh and a British flag bearing the digits "8964," a reference to the June 4, 1989 Tiananmen massacre of civilians by the People's Liberation Army, to his Facebook account.

But he said he had spent an uneasy time after many viewers misinterpreted a comment by one of the flag-wavers  "Don't shoot him"  as referring to a potential firearm rather than to shooting video.

"People were just absolutely freaking out and ... for the first two days I actually went into hiding ... and actually lived in my van for two days in the countryside," Kavanagh said, adding that the Chinese community online had been "fantastic" and had managed to identify the people concerned.

Kavanagh also received death threats by email from "little pink" supporters of the Chinese Communist Party following the incident, he said.

"I had lots of emails from people telling me to watch myself, to watch my back," he said. "I've had emails threatening my life."

CCP Blues

In a separate clip aired by TalkTV, Kavanagh declared: "This piano has become a CCP-free, little pink-free zone," before launching into an improvised boogie-woogie titled the "CCP Blues."

"God bless you all! Glory to Hong Kong! I totally support Taiwan," he said.

Kavanagh has garnered large numbers of supportive comments from people identifying as Taiwanese, Hong Kongers and even some people living in mainland China itself since the original confrontation, which has now been viewed more than 9 million times on YouTube, although Kavanagh did express concern on a U.K. talk show that YouTube might remove it due to complaints from "little pink" supporters of Beijing.

"Im a Taiwanese, this is what we get from being neighbors with China," YouTube user @henryshen5445 commented on one video. "This drama just shows the world how they behave."

"I am a Vietnamese American, totally support and praise Brendan to bravely stand up for freedom of speech...totally banned in communist and socialist countries," wrote @marcellenewcomb975, adding: "This is NOT an "Asian Hate" issue."

"As a Tibetan, I have first hand experience of CCP brutality," commented @thuptenpalden5955. "Those bugs that told you that you can't film in a public place in a free country are nothing but completely brainwashed and don't even know what they are saying."

"I was in tears actually watching your speech cuz Im a Chinese living in China and suffering from the devil, the authoritarian!," wrote user @runaway2121. "Thank you, Dr.K!"

YouTuber Brendan Kavanagh holds up a Winnie the Pooh doll, which is banned in China, after playing the public piano at London's St. Pancras railway station on Jan. 26, 2024. (RFA)

Political commentator and fellow YouTuber Martin Oei said such incidents will only raise international awareness of China's attempts at "long-arm" enforcement of its laws far beyond its own borders.

"Citizens of Western countries will gradually start to understand the difference between Taiwanese, Hong Kong and Chinese people," Oei wrote in a Jan. 26 commentary for RFA Cantonese.

But he said it was worrying that a platform like Google, which owns YouTube, still appears susceptible to complaints and take-down requests from politically motivated supporters of Beijing.

"Chinese little pinks have abused YouTube's complaint mechanism to demand that clips [of the Kavanagh confrontation] and a clip of a Hong Kong netizen playing Glory to Hong Kong at a train station be removed," he said, in a reference to the banned anthem of the 2019 protest movement.

"This should raise more eyebrows, and raises questions about whether Google is becoming the next Baidu due to the political stance of its own employees," Oei wrote, in a reference to the heavily censored Chinese search engine.

In October, YouTube deleted the @Voice_of_Chonglang channel that had produced satirical spoof videos featuring Xi Jinping, fueling concerns that the Chinese government or its supporters have been exploiting the social media giants copyright rules. It had earlier deleted a similar channel, @RutersXiaoFanQi, which appeared on Monday to have been reinstated.

The piano incident isnt the first time the public actions of Beijings supporters have led to concern over Chinese influence in the U.K. In August 2023, a Chinese art student sparked a furore after they took over a well-known graffiti spot on Londons Brick Lane, painting over the existing artwork with Communist Party slogans.

Translated with additional reporting by Luisetta Mudie.
A Chinese diplomat said the majority of the 428 recommendations it received were constructive.

Chen Xu, Ambassador of the Permanent Representative Mission of the China to the UN Geneva, who is leading China's delegation, gestures, during the U.N. Human Rights Council's Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group meeting to review China's human rights record, at the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024.

A top Chinese diplomat said Beijing would earnestly study 428 recommendations for addressing human rights submitted by U.N. members, calling them objective and balanced.

But leading experts said China gamed the once-every-five-year universal periodic review to avoid scrutiny of its rights abuses.

Chen Xu, Chinas ambassador to the U.N. offices in Geneva, said following the adoption of the report that he was happy with the many recommendations by 141 countries, and that Beijing would release its positions on each of the suggestions next month.

The report just adopted is, in general, objective and balanced, and has reflected the statements and the recommendations during the meeting, Chen said in remarks to the council. We believe the majority of the comments and recommendations are constructive.

Tuesdays three-hour review session descended into farce, with the unusually high number of participating countries meaning each only had 45 seconds to provide an assessment of a country that has been accused of possible crimes against humanity by a U.N. body.

Under this process, each of the 193 U.N. member states has their rights record reviewed on a rolling five-year basis.

A report by Reuters said Chinese diplomats had in the lead-up to the session lobbied countries to turn up with soft-ball assessments.

Gaming the system

The many contributions during Tuesdays session worked to draw attention away from some of the worst claims of rights abuse in China, including the treatment of Uyghurs, Tibetans and Hong Kongers.

Activists supporting Tibet and the Uyghur minority in China protest against what they consider unfair Chinese government policies outside the U.N. office in Geneva, Jan. 23, 2024. The demonstration came as China's government faced a regular review of its human rights record at a Human Rights Council meeting inside. (Jamey Keaten/AP)

While Western nations including the United States, Finland, Canada, Switzerland and the United Kingdom focussed on Chinas treatment of Tibetans and Uyghurs in the countrys west during their 45 seconds, many countries offered praise for things like legal system reforms.

William Nee, the research and advocacy coordinator for the Washington-based Chinese Human Rights Defenders, said Beijing had used its diplomatic heft to water-down legitimate criticism of its human rights record by inundating the process with friendly voices.

This time, they tried to game the process, Nee told Radio Free Asia. There was an intense lobbying campaign for countries to ask questions that essentially the Chinese government wrote in advance. There were a lot of softball questions and very easy questions.

Nee added that some countries recommendations even appeared to poke fun at the global condemnation of the Chinas treatment of Tibetans and Uyghur citizens, the latter of whom the U.S. government says are the victim of an ongoing campaign of genocide.

Protester Tseten Zoechbauer holds up a "Decolonize Tibet" banner outside the U.N. office in Geneva, Switzerland, Jan. 23, 2024, at a rally supporting Tibet and the Uyghur minority in China. The demonstration outside the U.N. office in Geneva came as China's government faced a regular review of its human rights record at a Human Rights Council meeting inside. (Jamey Keaten/AP)

Russia, he noted, said China should improve gradually peoples sense and ability of using standard spoken and written Chinese language in Xinjiang, referring to the far-western region where Uyghurs live.

Venezuela, meanwhile, said China must firmly oppose the politicization of human rights under the pretext of issues related to Xinjiang, Hong Kong and Xizang, the latter of which is the new official romanized name for Tibet adopted by the Chinese government.

If we look at the advanced questions submitted, it seems as though some of those questions could have been drafted by the Chinese government, to be quite blunt, said Kai Muller, executive director and head of U.N. advocacy at the International Campaign for Tibet.

Nothing new

Sophie Richardson, the former China director at Human Rights Watch, told RFA that China openly flouted U.N. requirements to allow input from independent civil society groups into the self-report it submits.

Theres a long list of ways the Chinese government tried to game the process this time around, which has to start with the way it tried to game the process the last time around, Richardson said, pointing to Chinas boasting of its fidelity to recommendations made in 2018.

China that year accepted 284 of the 346 recommendations made by some 150 countries. But many of those, Richardson said, were the ones that were vague or meaningless, or in fact encouraged the Chinese government to keep committing human rights violations.

Beijing has held that up as real progress, she said, even though five years later, we know it is committing atrocity crimes.

A picture taken on Jan. 23, 2024 shows the United Nations Human Rights Council during the review of China's rights record at the U.N. Offices at Geneva. (Fabrice Coffrinic/AFP)

But Chinas gaming of the review process did not entirely wipe out opportunities for countries to speak out about their legitimate concerns.

There was a heightened focus, for example, on the plight of Tibetans and Uyghurs, with the number of recommendations related to Tibet increasing to 24 from 10 in 2018. Likewise, the number of countries mentioning Tibet in their floor speeches doubled from nine to 20.

The dramatic increase in the number of U.N. member states who spoke out for Tibet  speaks to the existential threat Chinas assimilationist policies pose to the Tibetan people, said Lhadon Tethong, the director of the Tibet Action Institute.

Campaign for Uyghurs executive director Rushan Abbas said the 30 countries who called out human rights abuses against Uyghurs showed that the world was no longer being fooled by Chinas denials.

This significant outcry, despite Chinas persistent lies and outright denial, stands as a testament to the commitment to human rights and justice, Abbas said. It also sends a powerful message that the international community will not be swayed by false narratives in light of the mounting evidence exposing the crimes of the PRC.

China has until Feb. 9, 2024 to provide its initial written response to each of the recommendations, including whether it accepts them, and has until Feb. 16 to finalize its statements and response.

Edited by Alex Willemyns and Malcolm Foster.
Current and future threats spur need for N Korea to defend maritime sovereignty, says leader Kim.

View of what appears to be a submarine-launched cruise missile test at an undisclosed location in North Korea in this picture released by the Korean Central News Agency on Jan. 28, 2024.

North Koreas leader Kim Jong Un has overseen the test-firing of submarine-launched cruise missiles and ordered officials to expedite the Norths nuclear submarine development, state media reported on Monday.

In the morning of January 28, Kim Jong Un guided the test-fire of the newly-developed submarine-launched strategic cruise missile Pulhwasal-3-31, said the Norths state-run Korean Central News Agency.

South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff announced Sunday that it detected North Korea launching several cruise missiles around 8 a.m., near Sinpo, where the Norths submarine facilities are located.

Submarine-launched weapons can be deployed covertly, often evading detection systems, potentially offering Pyongyang a more elusive means of deploying its nuclear weapons.

Nuclear weaponization of the navy is an urgent task of the times and a core requirement for building the state nuclear strategic force, said Kim Jong Un, cited by KCNA.

Kim set forth the important tasks arising in realizing the nuclear weaponization of the navy and expanding the sphere of operation of the state nuclear deterrence in a diversified way, KCNA added.

The North Korean leader also defended the countrys ongoing nuclear development, claiming: The prevailing situation and future threats urge the DPRK [Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea] to put more spurs to the efforts for defending maritime sovereignty.

Kim then called for immediate tasks and state measures to be executed by relevant sectors and officials to accelerate his countrys nuclear submarine manufacturing.

Although North Korea has yet to possess submarines capable of operating in the blue sea, or deep ocean, recent efforts may dramatically increase the level of nuclear threat to South Korea and Japan due to their geographical proximity.

North Korea has recently put a particular emphasis on boosting its naval capabilities. Earlier this month, North Korea claimed that it had carried out a test of the Haeil-5-23, its underwater nuclear system involving drones to face threats posed by allies.

South Korea, however, had dismissed Pyongyangs claim.

There is a possibility that North Koreas claims may have been exaggerated and fabricated, based on our comprehensive analysis up until today, South Koreas Presidential Office said in a statement last week.

Edited by Taejun Kang and Mike Firn.
Karenni Nationalities Defense Force troops at the gate to Mawchee city in Hpasawng township, Kayah state on Jan. 27, 2023.

The Karenni Nationalities Defense Force captured a mineral-rich city in northeast Myanmar, the group announced, saying most junta troops fled from checkpoints and camps on Friday, two days before the ethnic army moved in.

Karenni troops captured Mawchee city in Kayah state on Sunday with no subsequent battle, a spokesperson told Radio Free Asia. The city in Hpasawng township is home to one of the worlds largest tin ore and tungsten mines.

The entire city of Mawchee has been captured and controlled by the Karenni revolutionary forces, he said. The military junta camps in Mawchee are in a state of retreat. We learned that junta troops retreated around the night of Jan. 26.

Because there was no battle, residents did not have to flee, he added.

Banyar, the director of the Karenni Human Rights Group, said residents had been warned that if the junta abandoned camps in towns and villages, it often bombarded them with aerial and artillery attacks.

The junta army always does two things when they abandon these towns and villages. One is to burn the villages and the other is to shoot and destroy them with heavy weapons and airstrikes, he told RFA on Sunday. We are worried about that. People are well aware of this situation and they are making the necessary arrangements.

RFA has not been able to contact residents of Mawchee because phone and internet access have been cut off.

RFA called Kayah states junta spokesperson Myint Kyi to learn more about the situation, but calls went unanswered on Sunday.

Karenni joint forces have been carrying out Operation 1111 since Nov. 11, 2023. As part of the operation, the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force formed alliances with the Karenni Army, Urban Guerrilla Forces, and Peoples Defense Forces from Loikaw, Moebye, and Demoso in Kayah and southern Shan state. Together, the joint forces have been carrying out attacks on junta camps.

Since Nov. 11, the forces have captured 20 camps in Loikaw, Demoso, and Moebye, according to a Karenni Nationalities Defense Forces statement on Jan. 28.

Battles to occupy cities are likely to continue this year, according to political analyst Than Soe Naing.

People are worried about the ceasefire in northern Shan state [breaking down]. Although it seems like the [military] movement in other areas across Myanmar will be calm, the Kachin Independence Army has captured Mabein city [in Shan state], he said. As for Rakhine state, Pauktaw has been completely seized. So the developments of the spring revolution and its momentum continue.

The Three Brotherhood Alliance and junta signed a ceasefire on Jan. 11 under Chinese pressure during a meeting in Kunming to end clashes over territory in northern Shan state. However, other ethnic armed groups have continued fighting elsewhere in the country, forcing junta troops to abandon five cities nationwide.

Junta tanks seized by the Arakan Army at junta camps in Paletwa township on Jan. 18, 2024. (Arakan Army Military Desk)

Shan states Mabein, Chin states Paletwa, Rakhine states Pauktaw, and Kayah states Ywar Thit and Mawchee have all been captured since the ceasefire was announced.

According to data compiled by RFA, ethnic armed groups and Peoples Defense Forces have attacked and seized 36 cities across the country from the military junta since October 2023.

Junta chief Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing said Friday that groups should not take up arms and ignore the law in demanding self-determination, self-governance, and the establishment of self-administered regions.

He told a meeting of the juntas stability, law, and order committee these rights can only be given with the approval of parliament.

It has been nearly three years since the junta seized power from a democratically elected government in a Feb. 1, 2021 coup. The junta has repeatedly delayed plans to call national elections.

Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Mike Firn.
Homes were burned and 5 villagers were brutally killed in one recent attack.

People displaced by fighting in Khin U township, Sagaing region, rest under some trees, Jan. 3, 2024.

Junta forces recently killed five residents during a raid on a village in northwestern Myanmars Sagaing region, one of several recent attacks that signals a resumption of the militarys brutality in the area, local residents said.

Soldiers also arrested 10 people in the Jan. 18 attack on Me Oe village in Tabayin township, a local resident close to the victims told Radio Free Asia.

One dead body was cut at the neck, and two others were killed after brutal torture. Their body parts were cut off, the resident said.

Sagaing has been a hotbed of armed resistance and conflict between rebels groups and junta troops ever since the militarys takeover in a February 2021 coup detat.

There was a brief pause earlier this month when the junta agreed to a ceasefire in neighboring Shan state with the Three Brotherhood Alliance, which is made up of three ethnic armies. The alliances Operation 1027 began in October with a series of simultaneous attacks in multiple towns in northern Shan state.

War-displaced residents of Salingyi township, Sagaing region, are seen Jan. 3, 2024. (Anya Pyittinedaung Laymar)





But in the last two weeks, local residents in Sagaing have told RFA that junta forces are again setting fire to homes and killing civilians in Tabayin, Ye-U, Khin U, Budalin, Ayadaw and Kanbalu townships.

Junta troops also shelled the villages of Salingyi township on Jan. 20, leaving a child and two adult civilians dead, residents said.

Thousands displaced

Nearly 20,000 people fled from their villages in Salingyi, Tabayin, Ye-U and Khin U townships between Jan. 16 and Jan. 24, according to volunteers who are providing assistance to the displaced persons.

Junta troops have surprised some of the villages in the recent raids, a Peoples Defense Force official in Tabayin told RFA anonymously. Previously, villagers could hear gunfire or see smoke from neighboring villages just before their own village was attacked.

The junta is targeting civilians because they are increasingly unable to defeat opposition forces on the battlefield, according to Aung Kyaw Moe, the deputy minister for human rights for the shadow National Unity Government.

They have no capacity to conduct battles, he said. They have lost their ethics and morality by targeting civilians.

A lawyer told Radio Free Asia on condition of anonymity for security reasons that the killing of five civilians in Tabayin was a violation of the Geneva Conventions, which regulates the conduct of armed conflict.

After the junta suffered great losses to Operation 1027, they became more brutal to cover their losses, the lawyer said. However, these are war crimes with the maximum punishment of life sentence or the death penalty.

Calls by RFA to Sai Naing Naing Kyaw, the juntas ethnic affairs minister for Sagaing region, seeking comment on the recent attacks went unanswered Monday.

Translated by Aung Naing. Edited by Matt Reed and Malcolm Foster.
The 22-year-old had been in jail for nearly two years under counter-terrorism laws.

A university student died in a prison in central Myanmar due to neglect, an activist told Radio Free Asia on Friday.

Su May Aung died in Magway Prison after receiving poor medical treatment and not having access to medication for chronic illnesses, the Magway University Student Union said.

She died on Monday after being in jail for nearly two years.

The 22-year-old was sentenced to 15 years in prison under Section 50j of the countrys notorious counter-terrorism laws for financing terrorism, a common charge for civilians donating to resistance groups. She was sentenced in early 2022.

Su May Aung had suffered from lupus, as well as liver and heart diseases before the arrest, but died while undergoing emergency treatment at Magway Hospital, the Magway University Student Union statement said. She died as a result of poor medicine in the prison, according to the statement.

RFA contacted Magway University Student Union representatives by phone on Friday to learn more details about Su May Aungs death, but the group could not be reached by the time of publication.

Calls to the deputy director general of the juntas Naypyidaw Prison Department also went unanswered.

The juntas prison department never officially releases news about deaths in prisons across the country, said Thaik Tun Oo, a member of the Myanmar Political Prisoners Network.

We have learned that prison officials have been ordered from higher levels not to leak the information of these incidents in prison, according to the prison officials, he told Radio Free Asia on Friday.

[Officials] are also pressuring and threatening the remaining family members not to speak to the media too.

Su May Aung was a chemistry honors student at Magway University and opposed the military coup as part of the Civil Disobedience Movement after the junta seized power in Feb. 2021, the student unions statement said, urging action from the international community.

According to a Myanmar Political Prisoners Network statement released on Dec. 31, 34 political prisoners died in jail in 2023. Among them, 18 were murdered and 16 people died as a result of medical neglect.

Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Mike Firn.
Tuvalus recognition of Taiwan and its contentious security treaty with Australia could be reviewed by a new government after elections in the Pacific island country produced significant changes for its 16-member parliament.

According to preliminary election results reported on Saturday by Tuvalus state television, Prime Minister Kausea Natano, who has previously praised ties with Taiwan, didnt win enough votes to stay in Parliament.

He had been criticized by some of Tuvalus politicians for lack of consultation in last year signing a security agreement that gave broad powers to Australia as it tries to counter Chinas inroads in the region.

Finance Minister Seve Paeniu, who has reportedly said Tuvalus diplomatic relations should be reviewed following the election, was reelected without a vote as there were only two candidates in his constituency, Tuvalu TV said, citing the election commission.

The atoll nation has eight constituencies, each of which elects two representatives to Parliament, and has no formal political parties. About half of those elected are first-time legislators, Radio New Zealand reported.

Tuvalu, home to about 11,000 people, is one of the dwindling number of nations that have diplomatic relations with Taiwan instead of Beijing. Earlier this month, another Pacific island nation, Nauru, severed ties with Taiwan, reducing its diplomatic allies to 12 countries. Among Pacific island nations, Palau and Marshall Islands also recognize Taiwan.

Chinas government has courted Pacific island nations for the past two decades as it seeks to isolate Taiwan diplomatically and gain allies in international institutions. Beijing regards Taiwan, a democracy and globally important tech manufacturing center, as a renegade province that must be reunited with the mainland.

Paeniu told BenarNews last month that Tuvalu is seeking $1.3 billion for a land reclamation plan that would double the size of Fongafale, the most populated island, by reclaiming 3.6 square kilometers (1.4 square miles) from its lagoon.

Tuvalu says half of Fongafale would be inundated during the high tide by 2050. Its projections for sea-level rise are based on the most pessimistic scenario for greenhouse gas emissions developed by the United Nations climate panel.

Tuvalu's Prime Minister Kausea Natano, pictured at the 78th United Nations General Assembly in New York City on Sept. 22, 2023, didnt get enough votes to return to parliament in Tuvalus election on Jan. 26, 2024, fueling speculation the country could sever ties with Taiwan and recognize China. (AFP)





Tuvalus Parliament may meet this week to consider forming a government and electing a prime minister, depending on how long it takes for outer island representatives to reach the capital atoll Funafuti.

Simon Kofe, a former foreign minister of Tuvalu, said the security treaty and diplomatic recognition of Taiwan or China are among the key issues that could influence the formation of a government.

There is one politician in particular who has expressed interest in revisiting the relationship with Taiwan and whether or not we should be switching to China, he said in an interview with Radio New Zealand.

Some politicians have also expressed their view on the treaty with Australia, and there was some strong opposition on that as well, so I think those are probably two key issues that may influence the groupings after the election results.

The treaty between Tuvalu and Australia, called the Falepili Union, was signed by the prime ministers of the two countries at the annual summit of the Pacific Islands Forum in November.

It requires Tuvalu to have Australias agreement for any partnership, arrangement or engagement with any other state or entity on security and defence-related matters.

It also created a special visa category for Tuvaluans to live and work in Australia, which was described as a response to projected sea-level rise, and allocated several million dollars for land reclamation.

BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated online news organization.
They want Tsai Ing-wen to attend the inauguration ceremony for a renovated pier, in a move likely to anger Taiwans neighbors.

An aerial view of Taiping, also known as Itu Aba, in the South China Sea, Nov. 29, 2016.

Taipei has completed a dredging and pier renovation project on Taiping island  the biggest feature in the South China Sea to be occupied by Taiwan.

Taiping, also known as Itu Aba, is also claimed by China, the Philippines and Vietnam.

An inauguration ceremony for the project is to be held next month, Taiwans official Central News Agency (CNA) reported without providing further details.

Legislators from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) on Monday called on President Tsai Ing-wen to pay a visit to the island to attend the ceremony, CNA reported.

Tsai has never visited Taiping during her time in office, and a visit now is likely to provoke condemnation from other claimant countries.

DPP legislator, Hsu Chih-chieh, was quoted by CNA as saying at a caucus meeting that every past president has visited Taiping island and it is only appropriate for her to go, too. Tsais presence would help assert Taiwans sovereignty over the island, as well as encourage the troops stationed there, Hsu said.

Another legislator, Lai Jui-lung, was quoted as saying that Taiping island is Taiwans territory and, as head of state, Tsai should attend the inauguration ceremony even if tension arises internationally.

Besides the pier, the Taiwanese military reportedly planned to renovate and extend an airstrip on the island to accommodate fighter jets. It is unclear whether this runway extension project went ahead.

Taiwans infrastructure development, as well as military activities, on Taiping island have been criticized by the Philippines and Vietnam as stoking tensions in the South China Sea.

In August 2023, Hanoi protested against a drill held on Taiping (Ba Binh island in Vietnamese), calling it a serious violation of Vietnams sovereignty. Taipei rejected the accusation.

A monument, which reads "The Republic of China, Spratly Islands, Taiping island", is seen on Taiwan-occupied Taiping, also known as Itu Aba, March 23, 2016. (Reuters/Fabian Hamacher)





Taiping is located in the north-western part of the Spratly islands, 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) from Taiwan and 853 kilometers (530 miles) from the Philippines. It is under the administration of Kaohsiung Municipality.

It has been under Taiwans control since 1956, and Taipei has deployed troops, rockets and warships there.

Despite it being called an island, an international tribunal in 2016 ruled that Taiping is a rock under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and therefore not entitled to a 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.

Both Taiwan and the Peoples Republic of China rejected the ruling.

Edited by Mike Firn and Taejun Kang.
Nguyen Thuy Hanh, seen in this undated photo, is an activist in Vietnam who was arrested in April 2021 on charges of anti-state propaganda, for allegedly disseminating materials against the state.

More than 200 people have signed a petition calling for a detained Vietnamese activist who was recently diagnosed with stage 2 cervical cancer to be declared exempt from any criminal prosecution.

Before her 2021 arrest on anti-state propaganda charges, Nguyen Thuy Hanh raised money for families of people jailed for their political or religious views.

After a year at a Hanoi prison, she was forced into treatment for depression at the Central Mental Institute in Hanoi. Earlier this month, she was diagnosed with stage 2 cervical cancer, according to her husband, Huynh Ngoc Chenh.

Hanh, 61, has been receiving a combined treatment of radiation therapy and chemotherapy as an outpatient at Hanois Hospital K, the countrys largest cancer hospital, Huynh said on Facebook last week. The treatment regimen is expected to last for three months.

Former prisoner of conscience Dang Thi Hue posted a petition on Facebook on Saturday that argues that Hanh would receive better treatment at home with family and friends.

It also cites Article 62 of the countrys criminal code, which stipulates that prisoners who have contracted terminal illnesses are exempt from serving prison sentences, and Article 67, which says that those who contract severe illnesses are exempt from serving prison sentences until they have recovered.

The treatment of depression and cancer needs a combination of a health care centers regimen and psychological therapy  and the best psychological therapy is love and family care, the petition says.

Other petitions

Signatures will continue to be collected until Feb. 2. The petition will then be mailed to the Hanoi City Prosecution Institute and the Hanoi Polices Inspection Agency, Hue said.

In my opinion, it is urgently necessary to stop the investigation of Hanhs case to let her get medical treatment, she told Radio Free Asia.

A second petition calling for Hanhs release is being circulated by the Le Hieu Dang Club, a group of intellectuals who often speak out about national issues.

A third petition was sent on Thursday by the Hung Dao Thang Long Law Office, which is representing Hanh. It cites Article 2 of the 2009 Law on Seniors and other humanitarian stipulations in Vietnamese law.

For Nguyen Thuy Hanh, we hope that the proceeding authorities will examine the case of a senior woman who has contracted a number of illnesses, the law firms petition said. She should be subject to the most humane stipulations provided in the Penal Code.

A Hanoi human rights lawyer who spoke anonymously for security reasons told RFA that Hanh is clearly eligible to be exempt from prosecution. But he said he wasnt optimistic that Hanoi authorities would apply the humanitarian provisions to her case.

Edited by Matt Reed.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 29. The voting rights of Azerbaijani citizens living in the Netherlands are fully guaranteed, Coordinator of the Coordination Council of Azerbaijanis in the Netherlands and Belgium, Head of the House of Azerbaijan in the Netherlands, Elkhan Mirhashimli told the "Election 2024 Independent Media Center, Trend reports.

He stated that residents of Azerbaijan will freely exercise their right to vote in the upcoming extraordinary presidential election on February 7.

The coordinator stated that the Embassy of Azerbaijan is undertaking substantial awareness-raising initiatives in conjunction with the presidential election and that diaspora organizations are also assisting the embassy in this effort.

"We encourage our countrymen to actively participate in the election. Direct interactions as well as social media are used to raise awareness. The voting place is located in the Azerbaijan Embassy in The Hague. We believe that on election day, all of our countrymen will go to the polls and vote for a respectable candidate," Mirhashimli also said.

Besides, he emphasized that the upcoming presidential election is one of the most important events in the history of Azerbaijan.

"The presidential election, which will take place for the first time since Azerbaijan's full restoration of sovereignty, will be held across the republic's whole territory. On February 7, Azerbaijan will set an example for the rest of the globe with its democratic elections. Our experience with elections, the availability of well-developed electoral legislation, and the development of democratic traditions in the country provide grounds for saying so," the diaspora member added.

On December 7, 2023, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree calling for an extraordinary presidential election in the country on February 7, 2024.



On December 19, the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Azerbaijan approved the candidacy of Ilham Aliyev, nominated by the ruling New Azerbaijan Party (YAP), for participation in the extraordinary presidential election.



Azerbaijan has registered seven candidates to run in the extraordinary presidential election.

"Election 2024 Independent Media Center was launched by the CEC of Azerbaijan.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Six Vietnamese activists, imprisoned in 2023 for peaceful activities. Top row from left to right: Hoang Thi Minh Hong, Bui Tuan Lam, Nguyen Lan Thang. Bottom row: Dang Dang Phuoc, Tran Van Bang, Truong Van Dung.

New York-based Human Rights Watch has hit back at the Vietnamese government for accusing the non-governmental organization of fabricating its World Report 2024.

The report, published on Jan. 11, accused Vietnam of suppressing peoples rights to freedom of expression, association, peaceful assembly, movement, and religion, and said the communist party severely punishes anyone who challenges its monopoly on power.

On Thursday, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Pham Thu Hang called the report factually inaccurate and fabricated, claiming that, the efforts, determination and achievements of the government of Vietnam in ensuring the basic rights of humans has been demonstrated through the results of the socio-economic development of Vietnam, and has been already recognized and highly appreciated by people domestically and the international community.

Responding to the criticism Human Rights Watch (HRW) Deputy Asia Director Phil Robertson told Radio Free Asia Vietnams response was predictable.

This is the last defense of a government that has slid so far backwards on human rights that it literally has no plausible rationale left to claim that it follows any of the international human rights treaties that it has ratified, he said.

Every single civil and political right, whether it be freedom of expression, right to public assembly, or freedom of association, is being systematically violated by the Vietnamese government.

Robertson said he thought it was laughable that the Vietnamese government equated delivering economic growth with fulfilling its human rights obligations.

The bottom line fact is the Vietnamese government has the second worst human rights record in ASEAN after the brutal military junta in Myanmar, and Hanoi is systematically moving to dismantle any sort of organized civil society groups outside the government's control, he said, claiming the only reason why Vietnamese citizens dont complain is that they would face constant surveillance and harassment if they criticized the government. He said silence does not mean agreement.

In its report, HRW said Vietnam is currently detaining more than 160 people for peacefully exercising their civil and political rights. In the first ten months of 2023 alone, at least 28 human rights advocates were given long prison sentences, including RFA blogger Nguyen Lan Thang; Tran Van Bang, accused of anti-state propaganda for Facebook posts criticizing the government; and Dang Dang Phuoc, also charged with "propaganda" for anti corruption posts on social media.

Economic growth doesnt equal human rights

Sweden-based academic Hoang Minh Trang told RFA she thought HRWs report was accurate, particularly in pointing out the Vietnamese government's increased repression of civil society activists.

Trang, who has a masters degree in human rights policy and practice, said Hanoi needs to stop using economic achievements to cover up the poor human rights situation in the country.

A Ho Chi Minh City-based human rights activist, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals, told RFA the government will always say critical reports are fabricated or slanderous.

When it comes to defamation and fabrication, Hanoi is better than anyone else, falsely accusing more than 160 people who were sent to prison for unthinkable crimes such as abusing democratic freedoms or propaganda against the state ... and even brazen enough to falsely accuse many environmental activists of tax evasion, the activist said.

HRW is not the only international human rights organization to criticize Vietnam in recent months.

In December 2023, CIVICUS named Vietnam as one of 28 countries in the world closed to democratic freedoms.

It criticized the government for failing to honor its obligations as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2023-2025 term.

Also last month, Reporters Without Borders ranked Vietnam fourth in the most dangerous countries for journalists this year, behind China, Myanmar and Belarus.

Meanwhile, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Vietnam was among the top five countries for jailing journalists in 2023 with a total of 19 reporters in prison, behind only China, Myanmar, Belarus and Russia.

Separately, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom continues to push the U.S. government to put Vietnam on the List of Countries of Particular Concern because of religious persecution.

Translated by RFA Vietnamese. Edited by Mike Firn and Taejun Kang.
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.
Iran has hanged four ethnic Kurds -- all under the age of 30 -- convicted of spying for Tehran's archenemy, Israel, despite protests by rights group who said they were found guilty without a fair trial.

The individuals executed on January 29, identified as Mohammad (Hajir) Faramarzi, Mohsen Mazloum, Vafa Azarbar, and Pejman Fatehi, had been accused of plotting a bomb attack in Isfahan in collaboration with Israel, claims that have been widely disputed.

The Mizan news agency, which is affiliated with the Iranian judiciary, reported that the four, apprehended just days before the alleged operation last summer, were linked to Israel, but the facts were unclear due to the secretive nature of the judicial process which has been strongly criticized by the families of the accused and human rights bodies, who deemed the executions unjust.

Masoud Shamsnejad, the lawyer representing the four men, revealed on January 16 that the Supreme Court had dismissed a retrial request, citing the lack of a formal verdict, a common issue in security cases, the lawyer said.

The men were "sentenced to death in a grossly unfair trial marred by allegations of torture and other ill-treatment," Amnesty International said earlier this month in a warning the executions were imminent.

Mizan's report alleged that the four were recruited by Mossad through the leftist Komala Party of Iranian Kurdistan, trained in military bases in African countries, and prepared for several operational stages.

Simultaneously, media outlets close to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) released various propaganda videos against the executed prisoners.



The news of the executions triggered widespread reactions. Ten political prisoners at Qezelhesar Prison reported a security forces raid on January 28 to prevent the disclosure of the executions.

The 10 declared a commitment to a weekly hunger strike in response to the wave of executions and in solidarity with other inmates on death row.



In a letter received by RFE/RLs Radio Farda on January 29, the prisoners detailed abuses during the raid, including physical assaults and the confiscation of their belongings aimed at suppressing revelations about the government-sanctioned killings.



The Iran Human Rights Organization condemned the executions, urging the international community to break its silence on Iran's execution spree, which rights group say has put the country in second place globally for executions last year, behind only China.

Mahmud Amiri Moghadam, the organization's director, labeled the executions as extrajudicial killings based on confessions obtained under torture and without fair trials.

The Norway-based organization also called on Nada Al-Nashif, the UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, to cancel her upcoming Tehran visit in protest.

Other political and civil figures, including exiled opposition leader and former crown prince Reza Pahlavi, warned the Islamic republic is waging a war against both its people and the world.

Opposition figures such as Hamed Esmaeilion, Nazanin Boniadi, and Masih Alinejad also strongly condemned the executions.

Gohar Eshghi, a civil activist and mother of Sattar Beheshti, a blogger who died in prison due to torture, expressed her criticism toward Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter.



Iran and Israel have been engaged in a yearslong shadow war. Tensions have been exacerbated by the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip between Israel and Hamas, which has been declared a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union.



Meanwhile, the rate of executions in Iran has been rising sharply, particularly in the wake of the widespread protests triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody in September 2022 after she was arrested for wearing a hijab improperly.



Iran Human Rights said that as of December 2023 more than 700 people had been executed in Iran, with a marked increase in recent months.

Written by Ardeshir Tayebi based on an original story in Persian by RFE/RL's Radio Farda
In February 2022, Ukrainian Army medic Yuriy Armash was trying to reach his unit as the Russian invasion was advancing fast. He was caught in Kherson, tortured, and held for months. While in captivity, he used his medical training to treat other Ukrainian prisoners. Some say he saved their lives.
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."
Welcome to Wider Europe, an RFE/RL newsletter focusing on the key issues concerning the European Union, NATO, and other institutions and their relationships with the Western Balkans and Europe's Eastern neighborhoods.

I'm RFE/RL Europe Editor Rikard Jozwiak, and this week I'm drilling down on two issues: How the West can produce more weapons for Ukraine and can frozen Russian assets finally be used to support Ukraine financially?

Brief #1: The Struggle To Get Weapons To Ukraine

What You Need To Know: One of the main challenges for Western allies entering 2024 is the supply of arms to Ukraine, with plenty of worried assessments in recent months from both Ukrainian and NATO officials that stocks are being depleted quickly.

According to estimates, Ukraine fired 7,000 artillery shells a day during the summer; now it uses 2,000. It should arguably be able to match the 10,000 that Russia is firing daily. The worry has been exacerbated by the fact that the United States, by far the biggest single supplier of arms to Ukraine so far, has entered an election year with a promised $60 billion supplemental Ukrainian aid package stalled in Congress as some Republican lawmakers, in particular, remain hesitant.

In fact, Washington has been unable to provide additional munitions to Ukraine so far this year as cash to replenish stockpiles has run out. This meant that, for the first time, the United States on January 23 pledged nothing at the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, a forum of the war-torn countrys biggest military backers that has met 18 times over the last two years to provide Kyiv with arms.

For Ukraines allies, this means that other countries need to step up and deliver arms to Ukraine -- mainly on a bilateral basis. This is happening. But both the European Union and NATO are now trying to ramp up production and military aid to Ukraine by pushing for more joint procurement in a bid to create economies of scale.

When speaking to officials in both organizations, there is optimism. The capacity in the West is there, they suggest, and in general, so is the money. Two big question marks remain: Is there enough political will? And can production be increased fast enough?

Deep Background: Last week, the EUs diplomatic corps, the European External Action Service (EEAS), sent out a discussion paper to EU member states on what the bloc needs to do to support Ukraine militarily for as long as it takes  which remains the clubs stated goal.

The paper, seen by RFE/RL, spells out the dangers of European inaction as Russia transforms itself into a war economy, spending 6.5 percent of gross domestic product on defense this year alone: Russia is investing significant efforts to increase defense industrial production and reconstitute fighting units. Given the dependence of Ukraine on external support, the choices made by the EU Member States and partners in the coming period will either allow Ukraine to decisively progress or will seriously undermine its ability to resist. Uncertainty around the predictable and structured provision of military assistance to Ukraine will have consequential impact on Ukraine.

Now, the EU has done a fair bit when it comes to arming Ukraine. With the European Peace Facility (EPF), a financing vehicle separate from the regular EU budget in which member states pay contributions in accordance with their gross national income, the bloc has so far provided 3.5 billion euros to send weapons to Ukraine.

On top of that, money from the EPF has also been used to set up an EU mission, EUMAM, which has so far trained 40,000 Ukrainian soldiers on EU territory.

The document notes that: the Ukraine Armed Forces training needs will only increase, given the high rates of attrition and the demanding situation on the front line. In December 2023, President [Volodymyr] Zelenskiy announced an urgent requirement to mobilize a further 500,000 recruits. This will significantly impact the demands on EUMAM to provide basic recruit training along with the commensurate provision of basic equipment.

Drilling Down

Then there is the issue of urgently providing Ukraine with 155-millimeter artillery shells. U.S. production of those shells should reach a bit over 1 million a year by 2025. A year ago, the EU said it would provide Ukraine with 1 million shells by March 2024 and committed another 2 billion euros of EPF money toward it.

With two months to go, it has delivered about half of that, even though EU officials Ive spoken with still think reaching the stated target is somehow possible. One of the main issues is that most European ammunition makers, unlike many of their U.S. counterparts, are privately owned. They are used to producing fewer, more sophisticated shells. In order to rejig, they want guarantees from the EU in the form of multiyear contracts and stable cash flow.

With EPF money running out, the EEAS is proposing a top-up of 5 billion euros this year and further comparable annual increases could be envisaged until 2027. EU leaders will discuss this issue when they assemble in Brussels for a summit on February 1.

Dont expect any decision at that point. But can we expect one at all? You need unanimity for the proposed cash injection. Will Hungary and Slovakia -- two countries that have publicly rejected more weapons for Kyiv  give a green light? Hungary, for example, has been vetoing the current, eighth tranche of EPF money for Ukraine -- worth 500 million euros -- since the summer and shows no indication of lifting it.

Then theres Germany. As the biggest EPF contributor, Berlin has questioned the efficacy of the facility, with all its veto opportunities but also because it has been used to reimburse EU countries for sending weapons from existing stocks instead of placing new orders, the latter of which would force the industry to produce more.

With NATO, things are proceeding a bit more smoothly. Even though individual allies are sending weapons to Ukraine on a bilateral basis, the military alliance is stepping up in terms of joint procurement.

Its NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) has agreed contracts worth over $10 billion since July, its biggest spending spree ever, including 200,000 rounds of 155-millimeter ammunition and 1,000 Patriot interceptor missiles for alliance members that could eventually be transported to Ukraine. The problem, however, is time. The shells will be ready in 24-36 months and the Patriots will take even longer.

Brief #2: Will Proceeds From Frozen Russian Assets Finally End Up In Ukraine?

What You Need To Know: Later this week, the European Union is set to take the first legislative step toward using proceeds from frozen Russian assets in the bloc to the benefit of Ukraine. But dont expect that the cash will flow immediately into Kyivs coffers -- and dont hope for huge sums. This is still a sensitive issue for the EU, as it touches on fundamental legal issues such as private property rights and the status of the common currency, the euro. So expect Brussels to move forward carefully.

The first thing that needs to be pointed out is that the EU right now is only targeting frozen assets of the Russian Central Bank and the Russian National Wealth Fund in the club. These two entities assets in the EU were frozen  or immobilized, as Brussels refers to it  in the immediate aftermath of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

It is estimated that around 200 billion euros has been frozen, most of it in Belgium.

And here comes the second aspect of what the EU is trying to do: It is only the proceeds of these assets that could eventually end up supporting Kyiv; in other words, interest made off of money deposited in those bank accounts. That is thought to mean some 3 billion-5 billion euros a year that could go toward the economic reconstruction of Ukraine.

Deep Background: The reason for such a modest approach is that many of the larger eurozone members (France, Germany, Italy) but also the European Central Bank (ECB) worry what consequences the move might have on the euro -- notably, on its status as the second reserve currency in the world. If the savings of a sovereign country in the euro area can be taken, will that discourage other countries from placing money in the EU? And would that then undermine international trust in the euro?

In order to assuage such fears, a number of steps are being proposed in draft legal acts seen by RFE/RL.

First and foremost, the move would be taken in coordination with partners from the Group of Seven (G7) leading industrial nations. And then the legal basis is spelled out -- so that if Russia took the EU to court, the bloc could respond with solid judicial arguments. Firstly, the legal act spells out that proceeds cannot be considered sovereign assets and dont need to be returned to Russia if the sanctions are lifted: the unexpected and extraordinary revenues covered by this Decision do not have to be made available to the Central Bank of Russia under applicable rules after the discontinuation of the transaction prohibition, thus they do not constitute sovereign assets.

It also enumerates a long list of reasons why the money should go to Ukraine based on considerations including the legitimate aim of pursuing the objectives of the Common Foreign and Security Policy, in particular consolidation of and support for democracy, the rule of law, human rights and the principles of international law, including international humanitarian law, the preservation of peace, prevention of conflicts and strengthening of international security and the protection of civilian population as well as assisting populations confronting man-made disasters.

Drilling Down

What EU ambassadors are likely to endorse at their meeting on January 31 is the first step in a two-step decision-making process. That first step is that the proceeds will be identified and separated from the rest of the frozen assets, something that -- as I understand it from various EU officials familiar with the process -- can happen relatively quickly.

The second step, however, will not be decided this week. It is whether to actually send the cash to Ukraine. The proposed legal text once again shows Brussels cautious approach, stating: in a second step, the Council should be able to decide how these net profits should be directed to support Ukraine and its recovery and reconstruction, consistent with applicable contractual obligations, and in accordance with EU and international law, in coordination with partners.

The text also notes that it is up to the European Commission and the EU foreign policy chief to indicate when this can happen. In a nod to the importance of the ECB in this decision, it is also added that in the preparation of such proposal, the High Representative (EU foreign policy chief) and the Commission are expected to consult relevant stakeholders and in particular the European Central Bank.

The key discussion among EU member states now is centered on how much time should transpire between the first step and the second one. Some hawkish members, notably the three Baltic states and Poland, want a near-immediate move to ensure that money goes to Kyiv. Others want to wait and see, especially if the U.S. and U.K. take similar steps for frozen dollar and pound sterling accounts, as everyone in the West needs to jump at the same time.

Another argument is that such a small amount of money neednt be sent to Ukraine immediately, as the expectation is that the EU will agree soon on its 50 billion-euro funding for Ukraine for the next four years. If this can be signed into being by EU leaders at a Brussels summit on February 1, there is no real urgency to send the proceeds to Ukraine right now.

Looking Ahead

On January 31, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) will pronounce its verdict in Ukraine's lawsuit against Russia regarding the alleged violation of the conventions on the prohibition of terrorist financing and the elimination of all forms of racial discrimination. The lawsuit was filed back in 2017 -- so before the 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine -- and concerns Russian actions in annexed Crimea and parts of Donetsk and Luhansk that have been under Russian occupation since 2014.

A day later, EU leaders will try to agree on a 50 billion-euro ($54 billion) support package for Ukraine for the next four years at an extra summit in Brussels. They had hoped to green-light this back in December but couldnt overcome Hungarys objections at the time. This time, the leaders hope to pacify Budapest by allowing some of the cash to go to Kyiv now but giving Hungary veto opportunities on future tranches.

That's all for this week. Feel free to reach out to me on any of these issues on Twitter @RikardJozwiak, or on e-mail at jozwiakr@rferl.org.

Until next time,

Rikard Jozwiak

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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. 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.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 29. Ballot papers for the upcoming extraordinary presidential election in Azerbaijan will be handed over to precinct election commissions this week, Trend reports via the "Election 2024 Independent Media Center.

The Azerbaijani Central Election Commission (CEC) must deliver ballot papers to district election commissions by February 2.

District election commissions must provide ballot papers to district precinct election commissions by February 4.

On December 7, 2023, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree calling for an extraordinary presidential election in the country on February 7, 2024.



On December 19, the CEC of Azerbaijan approved the candidacy of Ilham Aliyev, nominated by the ruling New Azerbaijan Party (YAP), for participation in the extraordinary presidential election.



Azerbaijan has registered seven candidates to run in the extraordinary presidential election.

"Election 2024 Independent Media Center was launched by the CEC of Azerbaijan.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel


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Eoin Reynolds

A care worker for a man who admits killing but denies murdering his neighbour with a machete told gardai that the accused, who has bipolar disorder, had not been taking his medication in the months prior to the fatal assault, the Central Criminal Court has heard.

Aaron Murtagh Casey told Patrick McDonagh's trial that the accused believed his medication made him "defenceless against satan" and gave him heart palpitations.

Mr McDonagh had also previously told him that Satan was "throwing things at him that were not true", accusing him of things "day and night".

Mr Murtagh Casey also told the trial that he received a call from Mr McDonagh while armed gardai were trying to negotiate with Mr McDonagh to safely remove him from his home following his neighbour's death.

The witness said Mr McDonagh was disorientated during the call and did not understand why gardai were outside.

Mr Murtagh Casey told the trial that he told Mr McDonagh to listen to gardai, as they were there to help, not harm him.

The trial has previously heard that following a stand-off lasting several hours, armed gardai broke into Mr McDonagh's house and used a taser to subdue him before he was arrested.

Patrick McDonagh (52), of Whitechapel Road, Clonsilla, Dublin 15, is charged with murdering his next-door neighbour, Peter McDonald (73), on Whitechapel Road on July 25th, 2020.

He has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. The State has not accepted his plea.

Machete

The jury has heard Mr McDonald was found in a pool of blood outside his home after being violently attacked with a machete by his neighbour.

In his opening speech last week, Philipp Rahn SC, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, told the jury that the evidence will show that Mr McDonald died by machete and stab wounds to the head and neck in the early hours of July 25th, 2020.

Mr Rahn said he expected the main issue the jury will grapple with will be whether Mr McDonaghs mental health on the night amounted to the special defence of diminished responsibility.

Mr Rahn told the jury that Mr McDonald was a quiet man, a pensioner, who kept to himself and lived with his cats and that Mr McDonagh, who had a history of mental health issues, was his next-door neighbour for five or six years.

Giving evidence on Monday, Mr Murtagh Casey told Mr Rahn that he got to know Mr McDonagh in 2014 when they struck up a close friendship.

He became Mr McDonagh's carer in 2016 and would stay with him two days every week and help him with his medication and other things, he told the trial.

In the hours before Mr McDonald was killed, Mr Murtagh Casey spoke to the accused on the phone for about 35 minutes.

During that call, Mr McDonagh told him things were getting "worse and worse", with dogs barking and people "roaring and shouting" coming back from parties late at night.

'Defenceless against satan'

Mr McDonagh had severe insomnia, constant tinnitus and complained that the noise was not helping, the court heard.

However, Mr Murtagh Casey described the conversation as normal and nothing that would raise any cause for alarm.

The witness further agreed that he knew the deceased and had never heard Mr McDonagh say a bad word about him. "They had a great relationship," he added.

Mr Murtagh Casey agreed with John Fitzgerald SC, for Mr McDonagh, that the accused told him he suffered from bipolar disorder and his condition deteriorated during the Covid-19 restrictions.

He began having conversations with himself and would say that the devil was "telling him to end it all". He was particularly sensitive to noise and was finding it hard to sleep, the court heard.

The witness agreed that he told gardai Mr McDonagh had been "off his medication" for a couple of months because, he said, it "made him defenceless against satan" and gave him heart palpitations.

Mr Murtagh Casey tried to get him to see a doctor, but "he just didn't think it would do any good because at this stage his mind was gone".

Mr Murtagh Casey had told Mr McDonagh that his medication was available at the chemist across the street from where he lived, but he did not pick it up.

The trial continues before Mr Justice Michael MacGrath and a jury of nine men and three women.
What is India-Maldives controversy Maldives top 10 tourism markets

India started 2024 as the third largest contributor to Maldives' tourism with a 7.1 percent market share

What is the India-Maldives controversy? Maldives is one of the renowned tourist places, especially known for its pristine beaches and luxury tourism. It recently witnessed a significant shift in its tourist demographics as Indian visitors dropped significantly, as per the data from the Maldives' tourism ministry.

India visitors in Maldives dropped from the third to the fifth largest group within three weeks. The development comes amidst escalating diplomatic tensions between India and the Maldives following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to the Lakshadweep island.

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Indian tourists are one of the key demographic for the Maldives as it involves nearly 11 percent of its tourism market in 2023. However, the recent controversy around PM Narendra Modi's visit to Lakshadweep on January 2 stirred a row that led to a notable decline in Indian tourist numbers.

As per the Maldives tourism website, India started 2024 as the third largest contributor to its tourism with a 7.1 percent market share while China was not even in the top 10 markets list.

However, the numbers witnessed a change after the diplomatic tensions as India's market share for Maldives tourism stood at 8 percent as of Jan 28, while China and the UK surpassed the country, taking 3rd and 4th place, respectively, in the top 10 list.

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What is the India-Maldives controversy?

PM Modi's posts from his visit to Lakshadweep were interpreted by some in the Maldives as a strategic move to divert tourists away from their nation. In the meanwhile, three junior ministers from the Maldives in the Mohamed Muizzu government posted derogatory comments against the prime minister that sparked a wave of anti-Maldives sentiment on social media in India.

Simultaneously, the hashtag #BoycottMaldives started trending on social media, along with the reports of canceled trips to the island nation. Similarly, the Indian travel portal EaseMyTrip suspended bookings for flights to the Maldives in solidarity with the country.

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In the meanwhile, Maldives foreign minister Moosa Zameer called the remarks by ministers unacceptable, and said that his country is committed to fostering a positive and constructive dialogue with our partners.

He further said, The government of Maldives cant afford to have a spat with India, and it will be an economic suicide. Everybody should see this.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 29. A delegation led by the Chairman of the National Defense Committee of Turkish Parliament Hulusi Akar has attended the Alley of Honor in Baku to pay tribute to the memory of the national leader, architect, and founder of the modern independent Azerbaijani state Heydar Aliyev, and laid a wreath at his grave, Trend reports.

The delegation also honored the memory of the spouse of the great leader Heydar Aliyev, the distinguished ophthalmologist and academician Zarifa Aliyeva, by placing flowers on her grave.

The Turkish delegation also attended the Alley of Martyrs to commemorate the heroic sons of the Motherland who sacrificed their lives in the struggle for the freedom and independence of Azerbaijan, laid flowers on their graves and a wreath at the Eternal Flame monument.

From the highest point in Baku, the guests admired the panoramic view of the capital. They were briefed on the history of the Alley of Martyrs and the ongoing beautification work in the city.

Then, the delegation attended the Turkish Martyrs' Memorial dedicated to heroic Turkish warriors who sacrificed their lives for the independence of Azerbaijan.

Akar then made a record in the memorial's book of remembrance.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Australia will on Tuesday release December figures for retail sales, highlighting a light day for Asia-Pacific economic activity.

Retail sales are expected to sink 1.9 percent on month after rising 2.0 percent in November.

Japan will see December data for unemployment, with the jobless rate (2.5 percent) and the jobs-to-applicant ratio (1.28) expected to be unchanged from November.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Economic News

What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more.
Dutch consumer electronics giant Philips Electronics NV (PHGFF.PK,PHG) reported Monday that its fourth-quarter income from operations was 24 million euros, including charges of 363 million euros connected with the Respironics consent decree, which has been agreed with the US Department of Justice or DOJ, representing the US Food and Drug Administration.

Adjusted EBITA margin was 12.9 percent in the quarter. Adjusted EBITA margin was 12.5 percent, excluding provisions charged to sales, mainly connected with the Respironics consent decree.

Group sales amounted to 5.06 billion euros, down 1 percent on a comparable basis. Comparable sales growth excluding provisions charged to sales was 3 percent in the quarter.

Comparable order intake was down 3 percent.

Further, the company proposed to maintain dividend at 0.85 euro per share, to be distributed in shares.

Looking ahead, Philips expects to deliver 3-5 percent comparable sales growth and Adjusted EBITA margin of 11-11.5 percent in 2024. Adjusted EBITA margin was 10.6% in 2023.

Further, Philips reiterated its confidence in delivering the plan for 2023-2025, acknowledging that uncertainties remain. The company continues to expect mid-single-digit comparable sales growth, low-teens Adjusted EBITA margin, and 1.4 billion euros to 1.6 billion euros free cash flow.

It excludes the investigation by the US DOJ related to the Respironics field action and the impact of the ongoing litigation.

Regarding the consent decree focused on Philips Respironics in the US, the company said the agreement provides clarity and a roadmap to demonstrate compliance and to restore the .

The consent decree is being finalized and will be submitted to the relevant US court for approval.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Singapore's producer prices declined for the eleventh successive month in December amid a decline in the oil and non-oil index, data from the Department of Statistics showed on Monday.

The manufacturing producer price index fell 2.4 percent year-on-year in December, slower than November's stable decline of 4.5 percent.

The oil index dropped 2.7 percent annually in December, and the non-oil index showed a decrease of 2.4 percent.

Domestic supply prices were 1.1 percent lower in December than a year ago, after a 2.9 percent decline in the prior month.

On a monthly basis, producer prices dropped 1.1 percent in December versus a 2.5 percent fall in November.

The import price index rose 0.7 percent over the year, reversing a 1.1 percent decrease in the previous month.

Data showed that export prices fell 2.4 percent annually in December, which was slightly above the 2.3 percent drop a month ago.

During the whole year 2023, the manufactured products price index dipped 4.5 percent, compared with a 14.9 percent surge in 2022. The decline was largely attributed to lower prices of animal and vegetable oils, chemicals, and chemical products.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

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Shares of China Evergrande Group, the world's most indebted property developer with about $300 billion in liabilities, plunged around 21 percent on Monday's regular trading after a Hong Kong court ruled to liquidate the Chinese property major after it failed to provide a convincing restructuring plan.

The trading of the company's shares was briefly halted in early morning following the sharp drop in the stock value.

In a statement, the company informed that it was ordered to be wound up by the High Court of Hong Kong. Edward Simon Middleton and Wing Sze Tiffany Wong, both of Alvarez & Marsal Asia Limited, were appointed as joint and several liquidators of the company.

The Hong Kong court decision, after an 18-month-long hearing, comes after it was reported that Evergrande and its overseas creditors failed to reach a last-minute deal on how to restructure its huge debt.

While delivering the ruling, Justice Linda Chan said, "It seems to me that the interests of the creditors will be better protected if the company is wound up by the court, so that independent liquidators can take control over the company."

Evergrande, with more than $300 billion in liabilities and around $23 billion in offshore debt, defaulted on its debt repayments in 2021 and has been struggling to renegotiate its debt obligations since then. The company had announced an offshore debt restructuring program in March last year.

The liquidation petition was filed by Top Shine, an investor in Evergrande unit Fangchebao, in June 2022.

The loss-making company had halted its operations for several months due to lack of funds and its attempts to find new investors were not been fruitful.

In August last year, amid the deepening real estate crisis in China, Evergrande had filed for Chapter 15 bankruptcy protection in New York. Chapter 15 allows a heavily indebted company like Evergrande to protect its assets in the US amid its restructuring efforts.

Amid these developments, Evergrande's executive director and vice-chairman Liu Yongzhuo of its EV subsidiary, in early January, was detained on suspicion of illegal activities. Earlier, Evergrande's founder and Chairman Hui Ka Yan, and General Manager of Evergrande's wealth management company, Du Liang, were also arrested for the same reason.

In Hong Kong, China Evergrande shares closed Monday's trading at HK$0.163, down 20.87 percent.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
The highest growth in the top car export list of December 2023 was witnessed by the Maruti Suzuki Jimny at a staggering 98250% YoY growth

Car exports in December 2023 stood at 60,767 units. This was a decline of 10.51 percent YoY. India had exported 67,907 units in December 2022. In comparison, this was a volume de-growth of 7,140 units. Maruti Suzuki once again topped the list with 4 of its models featuring among the top 10.

Car Exports December 2023  Maruti Baleno Tops

Maruti Baleno commanded the export list with 6,817 units shipped in December 2023, up 36.29 percent YoY over 5,002 units exported in December 2022. The Baleno currently commands 11.22 percent share on this list. At No. 2 was the Hyundai Verna which has also seen increased demand in global markets. Exports went up by 4.55 percent YoY to 5,886 units, up from 5,630 units shipped in December 2022.

Maruti Suzuki had its DZire at No. 3 with 5,318 units exported last month, up 1.68 percent from 5,230 units exported in December 2022. It was followed by the VW Vitrus with a 55.02 percent YoY growth to 4,556 units, relating to a 1,617 unit volume growth from 2,939 units shipped in December 2022. Maruti Jimny has seen outstanding demand from global markets. Exports zoomed 98250% in the past month to 3,934 units up from just 4 units sold in December 2022. Nissan Sunny saw its exports dip 23.08 percent YoY to 3,596 units in December 2023 down from 4,675 units shipped in December 2022.

Honda City exports were up 162.71 percent YoY to 3,494 units while the Hyundai Grand i10 saw its exports fall by 11.87 percent to 3,333 units in the past month. There was also the Aura with a 16.34 percent YoY growth in exports to 2,955 units while the 4th Maruti Suzuki model on the export list was the Celerio with a 40.94 percent YoY growth to 2,076 units, up from 1,473 units shipped in December 2022.

Nissan Magnite and Maruti Swift exports fell by 13.97 percent and 31.71 percent respectively to 1,965 units and 1,878 units in December 2023. Ciaz exports went up 10.13 percent to 1,849 units while HyRyder exports were up 1323.81 percent YoY to 1,495 units. Maruti also had the Ertiga (1,457 units) and Grand Vitara (1,359 units) on the export list at Nos 15 and 16 with both showing increased demand by 59.76 percent and 1410 percent respectively.

Under 1k Exports

While Taigun exports improved by 6.40 percent YoY to 997 units, that of the Kia Sonet (968 units), Alcazar (846 units) and S-Presso (744 units) dipped significantly. The export list also included the EC3 (661 units), Mahindra XUV700 (625 units), Fronx (606 units), Carens (507 units) Eeco van (499 units and Venue (397 units). Lower down the list was the XUV300 (312 units), Seltos (311 units) Hyundai Creta (200 units) and Kushaq (162 units) out of which XUV300 and Kushaq have posted a Yoy growth in exports.

Mahindra Scorpio exports also dipped by 59.85 percent to 161 units while there were 129 units of the Honda Elevate and saw its exports up to 129 units in the past month. The export list also included Amaze (126 units), i20 (83 units), Polo (64 units), KUV100 (60 units) and Ignis (55 units). Meridian and Kiger saw a YoY de-growth to 52 units and 40 units respectively while there were also 36 units of the WagonR exported last month.

Brezza and XL6 exports went up 328.57 percent and 57.89 percent to 30 units each while Alto exports dipped 98.64 percent to just 28 units in the past month from 2,055 units shipped in December 2022. Bolero and Maxximo saw increased demand by 400 percent and 650 percent respectively to 20 and 15 units respectively while the rest of the exports Triber (10 units) and Kwid (8 units) saw lower demand globally.
Strong Growth in 300-500cc Motorcycle Segment Boosts Indias Two-Wheeler Market in December 2023

In a remarkable end to the year 2023, the 300-500cc motorcycle segment in India witnessed robust sales, contributing significantly to the countrys vibrant two-wheeler market. According to the latest sales data for December 2023, the sector experienced an overall growth of 3.70% compared to the same period in 2022.

Motorcycle Sales 300cc to 500cc Dec 2023  Royal Enfield Dominates

Royal Enfield emerged as the clear leader in the 300-500cc segment, with multiple models securing top positions. Classic 350 led the pack, recording sales of 21,234 units in December 2023, showcasing a growth of 2.67% compared to the previous year. Bullet 350 followed closely with 12,607 units sold, representing a growth of 3.36%. However, Hunter 350 experienced a dip in sales, with 11,705 units sold, reflecting a negative growth of -32.19%. Despite this, the brand maintained a dominant position in the market, capturing a substantial 17.80% share of the segment.

Royal Enfield Meteor 350 and Himalayan secured their spots with 6,071 and 3,406 units sold, respectively. The Himalayan demonstrated notable growth, boasting a 50.91% increase in sales compared to December 2022. Other notable players in the segment included Jawa Yezdi, Triumph 400, and Harley Davidson X440, each contributing to the diversity of options available to motorcycle enthusiasts. Triumph 400 and Harley Davidson X440 entered the market with strong performances, securing 3.46% and 3.33% of the segment share, respectively.

Hondas CB 350 and CB 300 exhibited impressive sales figures, with 1,956 and 407 units sold, respectively. The CB 350 saw an outstanding growth rate of 91.39%, while the CB 300 experienced an extraordinary surge of 747.92%, showcasing the brands success in the highly competitive segment. KTM 390 also continued its upward trajectory with 582 units sold, indicating a growth rate of 101.38%. TVS Apache 310 and Bajaj Dominar 400 maintained their presence in the market, each contributing to the segments diverse range of offerings.

Month on Month performance

Royal Enfield Classic 350, which had enjoyed strong sales in November, witnessed a drastic decrease of 29.84%, with sales plummeting from 30,264 to 21,234 units. Similarly, Bullet 350 and Hunter 350 models experienced declines of 27.75% and 17.43%, respectively. Meteor 350 also faced a dip in sales, dropping by 24.59% from 8,051 to 6,071 units. However, Himalayan bucked the trend, showcasing an impressive 87.76% growth in sales, reaching 3,406 units from 1,814 units in November.

Jawa Yezdi, Triumph 400, and Harley Davidson X440 faced varying degrees of decline, highlighting the volatility in consumer preferences. The Honda CB 350 and CB 300 models also witnessed a dip in sales, with the former experiencing a 20.68% decrease and the latter facing a minor setback of 12.12%.

KTM 390 saw a substantial drop of 41.86% in sales, with the figure falling from 1,001 units in November to 582 units in December. TVS Apache 310, Bajaj Dominar 400, and Kawasaki models also contributed to the overall decline in the segment.

Kawasaki models faced notable setbacks, with the Ninja 300 and Ninja 400 recording declines of 57.14% and 22.22%, respectively. The Kawasaki ZX-4R experienced a marginal decrease of 27.27%, indicating a challenging month for the brand. New entrants like the Triumph 400 and Harley Davidson X440, which had shown promising performances in November, faced challenges in maintaining their momentum.
Tata Motors Revolutionizes Trucking with Turbotronn 2.0 Engine  Sets new benchmark

In a significant leap forward for the Indian commercial vehicle industry, Tata Motors, the countrys largest commercial vehicle manufacturer, has launched its latest technological marvel, the Turbotronn 2.0 engine. This cutting-edge engine, designed to power trucks in the 19-42 tonne segment, promises to redefine efficiency and reliability in the trucking landscape.

Impressive Records

Tata Turbotronn 2.0 engine stands out for its excellence in trucking, setting new benchmarks for fuel efficiency and reliability. Developed with valuable insights from a wide customer base, this engine is perfectly suited for a variety of applications, including intercity and long-haul transport, as well as the booming e-commerce and logistics sectors.

On its debut, the Turbotronn 2.0 engine has already etched its name in history, securing nine national records in the India Book of Records and regional records in the Asia Book of Records. These achievements include being the fastest to cover 30,000 km by a medium commercial vehicle (CV), covering the Golden Quadrilateral in record time, achieving the highest fuel efficiency, and more.

The Turbotronn 2.0 boasts a 5-litre turbocharged diesel engine, offering power nodes ranging from 180-204 PS. Its flatter torque curve in the range of 700-850 Nm ensures superior drivability. With longer oil drain and service intervals of 1 lakh km, the engines attributes contribute to increased vehicle uptime and higher revenues for truck operators.

Key Features of Tata Turbotronn 2.0:

Available in multiple power nodes with a flatter torque curve for enhanced drivability

Improved diagnostics

6-year/6 lakh km warranty

Optional cruise control

Versatility in Power

Mr. Rajendra Petkar, President and Chief Technology Officer at Tata Motors, expressed his pride in the Turbotronn 2.0, calling it one of the companys most advanced internal combustion engines. He emphasized that the engines robust performance and high fuel efficiency have set new industry benchmarks for trucking in India.

Mr. Rajesh Kaul, Vice President & Business Head  Trucks at Tata Motors, highlighted the customer-centric approach in developing the Turbotronn 2.0. He noted that the engine was designed with extensive inputs from transporters, providing them with a competitive edge in the dynamic commercial vehicle industry.

Triumphant Endurance Test

As part of a reliability test, Tata Motors conducted a 30-day endurance run with the Tata Ultra T.19, powered by the Turbotronn 2.0 engine. This involved a non-stop run on the Golden Quadrilateral, a crucial national highway network connecting Indias major cities. The Tata Ultra T.19 not only completed nine rounds successfully but also secured nine records, showcasing the engines durability and efficiency.

Tata Motors, as a comprehensive mobility solutions provider, offers advanced features, efficient powertrains, and value-added services. Fleet owners benefit from better fuel efficiency, lower operating costs, high vehicle uptime, and real-time tracking through Tata Motors Fleet Edge. The Sampoorna Seva 2.0 initiative provides unmatched vehicle lifecycle management services.

With the introduction of the Turbotronn 2.0 engine, Tata Motors continues to push the boundaries of innovation in the commercial vehicle sector. This indigenously-developed engine not only meets the specific needs of customers but also sets a new standard for excellence, efficiency, and reliability in trucking, further solidifying Tata Motors position as an industry leader.
Owing to ongoing certification issues, Toyota stops dispatches of Innova Crysta, Fortuner and Hilux temporarily to dealerships

Before launching a vehicle, every manufacturer has to provide proper testing and certifications to concerned authorities to get their product type approved. Not just that, but said specifications should stay strong across the length of the vehicles production. Toyota seems to be having minor niggles in certification and hence temporarily halted dispatches of Fortuner, Crysta and Hilux to dealerships.

Toyota Stops dispatches Of Innova Crysta, Fortuner

The Japanese automotive juggernaut has been busy with damage control in the recent past. The fire around a major scandal that revolves around Daihatsu and its malpractices is still hot. Amidst that, Toyota Kirloskar Motor is now under the limelight as company has temporarily stopped dispatches of its popular Innova Crysta, Fortuner and Hilux to dealerships.

However, the recent buzz around Toyota Kirloskar Motor and Toyota Industries Corporation along with Toyota Motor Corporation is nowhere as bad as Daihatsu controversy. In India, Toyota Motor Corporation procures its diesel engines from Toyota Industries Corporation (TICO). The new heat around Toyota revolves around certification irregularities.

To investigate this, there was a special investigation committee commissioned, that submitted its report on Monday. According to this report, there were irregularities found in horsepower output certification testing for three diesel engines. All three of affected diesel engines were commissioned to TICO by Toyota. Globally, up to ten vehicles use these affected engines  including six vehicles in Japan, as per Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC). In India, Innova Crysta, Fortuner and Hilux use these engines and account for almost a third of the sales of Toyota Kirloskar Motors (TKM).

As per the report, horsepower output performance at certification testing procedures was measured out of cars ECU with software. These figures differed from the ones used in mass production. This practice took place to establish fewer variations in measured values and make power and torque curves appear smoother.

What next?

Toyota mentioned that these irregularities did not indulge in over-claiming and over-stating on horsepower, torque or any other values related to powertrain. Also, Toyota reaffirmed that these irregularities dont concern or impact affected vehicles safety or emissions in any way possible.

Bookings and orders for affected vehicles are still underway. Already dispatched vehicles to showrooms will be delivered to customers with transparent communication of this ongoing certification issue. Dispatch of new vehicles to dealerships will be temporarily suspended. The company is working with concerned authorities to fix this as well.

In a recent statement by TMC, the company has re-verified said powertrains that are mass-produced meet engine performance output standards. The company apologizes to their customers and encourages them to continue using affected engines or vehicles. Statement also suggested a strategic re-structuring of the company along with a drastic reform of corporate culture.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 29. The PACE's (Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe) decision reflects skewed political interests, Azerbaijani member of Milli Majlis (Parliament) deputy Emin Hajiyev told Trend.

"It is known that the Azerbaijani delegation's credentials were not approved by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe at the winter session, and it was requested that our delegation's voting rights be temporarily restricted. This is another campaign of forces that failed to swallow the independent strategy, triumphant victory, and complete restoration of Azerbaijan's sovereignty," he said.

Hajiyev noted that those who are trying to put pressure on the Azerbaijani state should realize that these efforts will not bring results. "This biased initiative was put forward in PACE by Frank Schwabe, head of the Socialist group. PACE was unconcerned about the fate of Azerbaijanis who were forced out of their native lands at gunpoint nearly thirty years ago, but it is now raising the issue of non-existent "violations" of human rights, such as the alleged "forced eviction" of Armenian residents from Karabakh, who in reality left willingly. PACE's activities demonstrate dishonesty and political hypocrisy. Although this plan was proposed by a German lawmaker, it is widely known that the structure's leaders and France are intimately involved. France, which has failed in foreign policy and lost its global authority, is attempting to put pressure on our country through PACE," the MP added.

In conclusion, Hajiyev highlighted that these strategies of foreign forces will not produce any outcomes. Azerbaijan conducts an independent domestic and foreign policy, and such initiatives by PACE and other forces have no bearing on Azerbaijan. The world has once again experienced Azerbaijan's just position, will, and tenacity.

To note, in response to the insufferable atmosphere of racism, Azerbaijanophobia, and Islamophobia in PACE, the Azerbaijani delegation has decided to suspend its activity and presence in PACE for an indefinite period.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 29. The EU and France, unable to digest Azerbaijan's victory, are trying to pave the way for a new war in the region, said Selin Senocak, head of UNESCO's Department of Cultural Diplomacy and Governance, Trend reports.

"The attitudes and diplomatic threats that have been made against Azerbaijan in recent months, both by France, the European Parliament and the EU Council, demonstrate an indigestion of Azerbaijan's victory. The EU, especially France, which has resorted to all sorts of provocations to prevent Azerbaijan and Armenia from taking concrete steps to achieve permanent peace in the region, made it clear that they never wanted peace in the region. We now understand better that the conflicts that have not been deliberately resolved by the OSCE for more than 30 years since 1992 are the reason for the passivity and indifference of the European OSCE member states to Armenia's occupation policy. Because Azerbaijans liberation of its lands from occupation was not in their interests," Senocak noted.

She emphasized that this situation is not only nonchalance but what is even more appalling is that France is pursuing a serious provocative policy by sending high-tech weapons to Armenia and trying to involve other EU member states in this process. She also mentioned that the EU's value system, which falsely promotes human rights, democracy, peace, and fraternity, actually represents massacres, war, conflicts, and injustice. The EU has still not been able to get rid of its colonial mentality.

According to Selin Senocak, Europe, which has been struggling with a huge economic crisis since COVID, is even more shocked by the war in Ukraine and is looking for alternative exit points. She noted that Azerbaijan should not succumb to threats of sanctions and diplomatic blackmail in its address and should take into account the principle of "diplomatic reciprocity", especially in the economic sphere, which can change the attitude of EU countries.

"Azerbaijan is a very strong country in the region in all respects, and demonstration of this power in the face of threats through economic and diplomatic means, creation of new alliances will further increase its strength despite any sanctions," Senocak added.

To note, facing the unbearable atmosphere of racism, Azerbaijanophobia, and Islamophobia in the PACE, the Azerbaijani delegation decided to stop its interaction and presence in the PACE until further notice.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 29. In two decades, Azerbaijan has recovered its sovereignty and territorial integrity, established an independent foreign policy, emerged as an important regional and global player, and attained a thriving economy, Chairman of Azerbaijan's Milli Majlis (Parliament) Committee for Natural Resources, Energy, and Ecology Sadig Gurbanov told Trend.

He emphasized that the triumph in the Second Karabakh War marked a glorious chapter in Azerbaijan's history.

"Despite substantial pressure and threats from pro-Armenian states and certain international organizations, the restoration of our country's territorial integrity was achieved through the determination and steadfastness of President Ilham Aliyev, the victorious Supreme Commander-in-Chief, and our heroic army," the MP said.

He highlighted that Azerbaijan has attained significant progress and success in all areas.

"In the last two decades, Azerbaijan, led by President Ilham Aliyev, has achieved successes that have turned the long-cherished dream of the National Leader into reality. Under the leadership of President and Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, our people liberated their lands from Armenian occupation, securing the territorial integrity of the independent Azerbaijani state after 30 years. On November 8, 2020, President Ilham Aliyev officially declared the liberation of the city of Shusha, often regarded as the pearl of Karabakh, from occupation," Gurbanov said.

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Astronomers using the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope have captured an amazing photo of the spiral galaxy UGC 11105.

UGC 11105 is located approximately 110 million light years in the constellation of Hercules.

Also know as LEDA 61361 or TC 578, this spiral galaxy is home to an active galaxy nucleus, a supermassive black hole which is pulling in large amounts of matter from its surroundings.

The type II supernova SN 2019pjs, which occurred in UGC 11105 in 2019, while no longer visible in this image, definitely outshone the galaxy at the time.

To be more precise, UGC 11105 has an apparent magnitude of around 13.6 in the optical light regime, Hubble astronomers said.

Astronomers have different ways of quantifying how bright celestial objects are, and apparent magnitude is one of them.

Firstly, the apparent part of this quantity refers to the fact that apparent magnitude only describes how bright objects appear to be from Earth, which is not the same thing as measuring how bright they actually are, the researchers explained.

For example, in reality the variable star Betelgeuse is about 21,000 times brighter than our Sun, but because the Sun is much, much closer to Earth, Betelgeuse appears to be vastly less bright than it.

The magnitude part is a little harder to describe, because the magnitude scale does not have a unit associated with it, unlike, for example, mass, which we measure in kilograms, or length, which we measure in meters.

Magnitude values only have meaning relative to other magnitude values.

Furthermore, the scale is not linear, but is a type of mathematical scale known as reverse logarithmic, which also means that lower-magnitude objects are brighter than higher-magnitude objects.

As an example, UGC 11105 has an apparent magnitude of around 13.6 in the optical, whereas the Sun has an apparent magnitude of about minus 26.8.

Accounting for the reverse logarithmic scale, this means that the Sun appears to be about 14,000 trillion times brighter than UGC 11105 from our perspective here on Earth, even though UGC 11105 is an entire galaxy!

The faintest stars that humans can see with the naked eye come in at about sixth magnitude, with most galaxies being much dimmer than this.

Hubble, however, has been known to detect objects with apparent magnitudes up to the extraordinary value of 31, so UGC 11105 does not really present much of a challenge.

This color image of UGC 11105 was obtained with Hubbles Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3) instrument.

The picture combines observations gathered in two different filters, bringing together visible and near-infrared light.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 29. Khanlar Agalarov has been appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Seaside Boulevard Department, Trend reports.

The relevant decree was signed by President Ilham Aliyev.

President Ilham Aliyev has issued another decree dismissing Ilgar Mustafayev from his position as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Seaside Boulevard Department.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 29. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree awarding the highest special rank to employees of the country's State Customs Committee, Trend reports.

According to the decree, the highest special rank of Major General of the Customs Service was awarded to the following employees of the State Customs Committee:

Natig Shirinov - Deputy Chairman of the State Customs Committee of the Azerbaijan Republic

Vugar Aliyev - Head of the Main Customs Department of Nakhchivan

Anar Jahangirov - Head of the Main Customs Directorate for Air Transport

Kanan Ashurlu - director of the Azerterminalcomplex Association.
Lapeer County EMS Education Program Manager Luke Bowen leads a session of the new EMT training program.

A session of the new EMT training program.

Lapeer County EMS Education Program Manager Luke Bowen leads a session of the new EMT training program.

A session of the new EMT training program.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 29. The agenda for the meeting of the Azerbaijani Parliament to be conducted on February 1 has been released, Trend reports.

The agenda includes the following issues:

1. Draft resolution of the Azerbaijani Parliament on the plan of legislative work in the spring session of 2024.

2. Draft resolution of the Azerbaijani Parliament on the establishment of the Disciplinary Commission of the Azerbaijani Parliament.

3. Draft resolution of the Azerbaijani Parliament on the establishment of the Accounts Commission of the Azerbaijani Parliament.

4. Draft law on joining the "International Agreement on Olive Oil and Table Olives of 2015".

5. Draft law on amendments to the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan "On Military Duty and Military Service" (first reading).

6. Draft law on amendments to the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan "On Automobile Roads" (first reading).

7. Draft law on making amendments to the law of the Azerbaijan Republic "On food security" (first reading).

8. Draft law on making amendments to the Civil Procedure Code, the Family Code, and the law of the Republic of Azerbaijan "On Prevention of Domestic Violence" (first reading).

9. Draft law on amendments to the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan "On Prevention of Domestic Violence" (second reading).

10. A bill on amendments to the Code of Civil Procedure, the Code of Criminal Procedure, the Code of Administrative Offenses, and the Laws of the Republic of Azerbaijan "On Lawyers and Lawyer Activity" and "On Education" (second reading).

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Cohort announced on Monday that its SEA subsidiary has secured a significant 15.1m contract for the production of its lightweight Torpedo Launch Systems (TLS), as part of a major naval vessel program.

The AIM-traded firm said the contract was set to begin promptly, and was projected to conclude in 2030.

It said SEA's TLS was designed as a rapid-reaction system with the capability to launch various NATO-standard lightweight torpedoes.

The execution of the contract would be overseen by SEA's wholly-owned Canadian subsidiary, SEA Canada, with support from a dedicated team at SEA's UK branch.

This contract is another significant win for SEA and will deliver an essential capability for the Royal Canadian Navy, said chief executive officer Andy Thomis.

It builds on SEA's long-standing reputation and successful delivery of the TLS system to customers around the world.

Together with other recent contract wins across the group, this further underpins our order book and enhances the visibility of future revenues.

At 1222 GMT, shares in Cohort were up 3.64% at 570p.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.
Air Astana, the flag carrier of Kazakhstan part-owned by BAE Systems that is applying for a dual listing in London and Almaty next month, has set a price for its IPO which is expected raise gross proceeds of $120m.

The company, which is also owned by sovereign wealth fund Samruk-Kazyna, said the indicative price range of the IPO has been set at $8.50 to $11 per global depositary receipt (GDR) and $2.13 to $2.75 per share.

This will value the airline at somewhere between $770m and $962m, though the final price will be determined following a bookbuilding process announced on or around 9 February.

Air Astana will be listed on main market of the London Stock Exchange as well as the Astana International Exchange and the main market of the JSC Kazakhstan Stock Exchange.

We are pleased to announce the significant progress made for our initial public offering on the LSE, AIX and KASE. The response to the offering and strong investor interest have been very positive," said president and chief executive Peter Foster.

"As one of the fast-growing airline groups, we firmly believe that Air Astana represents an attractive investment proposition, supported by strong financial and operational track record, significant growth opportunities, and an experienced, disciplined management team. We look forward to continuing our success while creating long-term value for our future shareholders.
The UKs private sector continued to struggle over the last three months, a survey showed on Monday.

According to the Confederation of British Industrys latest Growth Indicator, private sector activity in the three months to January fell, with a weighted balance of -11. That compares to Decembers balance of -8.

Activity has now been either flat or falling for the last 18 months, the CBI noted.

Within the services sector, volumes fell sharply in consumer services, with a balance of -25. Business and professional services volumes were unchanged, however.

Manufacturing output, meanwhile, fell into negative territory once again, sliding to -10 from 0, while distribution sales fell at their fastest pace since July 2020, with a balance of -29.

Conditions were not forecast to worsen over the next quarter, however. Activity is expected to remain broadly stable, with a balance of 3.

Hiring intentions also returned to a positive position in the services sector, rising to 11 from -2 in December.

Alpesh Paleja, CBI lead economist, said: "The new year has so far failed to breathe new life into the UK private sector, with our latest surveys signalling a continuation of last years weak growth momentum.

"There is some room for encouragement, with both services and manufacturing firms hopefully of seeing a pick-up in activity.

"However, it does look like the economy overall is set to remain stagnant at best in the near term."

Alpesh called on the government to use the March budget to address "acute" labour shortages, improve competition and invest "meaningfully" in high-growth industries.
Inchcape confirmed on Monday that it is reviewing strategic options for its UK retail business, which could potentially include a sale, following approaches from a number of interested parties.

"This review is at a very early stage and there can be no certainty that it will result in a transaction," it said.

The statement followed a report from Sky News, which suggested that Inchcape had begun sounding out prospective buyers of its domestic operations in recent weeks.

Bankers at Rothschild have been hired to oversee talks with bidders, with analysts suggesting on Monday that the UK retail arm would be valued at several hundred million pounds, Sky said.

The division consists of 70 sites, employing 3,700 people, and works with car manufacturers including Audi, BMW, Jaguar, Toyota and Volkswagen.

Sources told Sky the disposal of its UK dealerships would leave Inchcape free to focus on its higher-margin distribution activities in more than 40 countries around the world.

One added that shedding market perceptions of the company as a UK-focused car dealer should enable its board to attract a higher rating for its stock.

However, one shareholder questioned whether that could ultimately lead Inchcape's board, chaired by former GKN boss Nigel Stein, to decide to move its listing to another international exchange.
Eyewear manufacturer Inspecs on Monday warned fill-year results would be below expectations after softer trading conditions in December.

The company said it expected to report a 16.1% rise in unaudited adjusted underlying core earnings to 18m.

Group revenue of 200.3m was broadly flat on 2022, below expectations. Inspecs said it would continue to focus on delivering further operational efficiencies and reducing costs, while also cutting net debt.

Whilst our revenue performance was affected by a soft market in December, I am encouraged that our focus on operational efficiencies in 2024 delivered an improvement in our margins, said chief executive Richard Peck.

Net debt excluding leases fell by 3.3m during the year to 24.3m. Inspecs also invested 3m in its new Vietnam factory to provide additional capacity in the first half of 2024.

Reporting by Frank Prenesti for Sharecast.com
The Chancellor is laying the groundwork for the sale of billons of pounds worth of shares in NatWest as soon as June. A contract to a market research company has been awarded to study the public's views, alongside a tender to public relations firms and advertising companies who would work on the marketing campaign. Nevertheless, sources inside the Treasury have played down recent speculation in the City that Jeremy Hunt might announce the decision in his 6 March budget. The sale was expected to be priced at a discount. - The Sunday Times

China's stock market regulator has issued a temporary ban on investors' ability to lend shares out for trading purposes. The measure, which will come into force on Monday, is meant to create "a fairer market order", according to China's Securities Regulatory Commission. Yet it is only the latest in a series of market interventions by the authorities which so far had not succeeded in shoring up the stock market. - Sunday Telegraph

The Competition and Markets Authority has started a 'phase1' investigation into the proposed tie-up between Vodafone and Three. According to the regulator, it's goal is to determine whether a merger would reduce competition. The transaction would see the creation of the UK's largest mobile operator. A day before the CMA's announcement, the government had told Vodafone that its relationship with Emirates Telecommunications, its largest shareholder, posed a national security risk. - The Financial Mail on Sunday

The John Lewis Partnership has raised 260m in financing for its turnaround plans, which will include 11,000 layoffs over the next five years. The latter is a part of its plans to cut costs by 900m. That is on top of a halving in redundancy pay.The partnership's boss, Nish Kankiwala, envisages refocusing on the core retail business. - The Sunday Times
Precious metals miner Fresnillo shone as gold prices rose.

Tickmill Group said: "Gold prices are seeing a decent bid across early European trading on Monday. Traders are braced for an important week with the FOMC due on Wednesday. As trading begins, however, focus is on the rising tensions in the Middle East. News of fresh attacks on ships in the Red Sea, as well as the deaths of US soldiers in Jordan has stoked fears of escalating violence in the region.

"With many calling for a harsher response from the US in the wake of the drone attack on US troops, markets are dealing with plenty of uncertainty as we kick of the new week, driving safe-haven demand for gold."

Defence contractor BAE Systems was also in the black amid heightened geopolitical tensions.

Susannah Streeter, head of money and markets at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: "BAE Systems was the top riser in early trade, amid international concern about repercussions of the attacks on US troops stationed in Bahrain, by Houthi backed rebels, linked to Iran."

Schroders fell after a downgrade to 'underperform' at BNPP Exane.

FTSE 100 - Risers

Fresnillo (FRES) 536.00p 7.46%

RS Group (RS1) 782.00p 1.90%

BAE Systems (BA.) 1,189.00p 1.80%

WPP (WPP) 779.60p 1.43%

Land Securities Group (LAND) 669.20p 1.33%

3i Group (III) 2,442.00p 1.29%

Melrose Industries (MRO) 588.60p 1.24%

Centrica (CNA) 139.30p 1.20%

Pershing Square Holdings Ltd NPV (PSH) 3,722.00p 1.20%

British American Tobacco (BATS) 2,360.50p 1.18%

FTSE 100 - Fallers

St James's Place (STJ) 647.40p -3.49%

Schroders (SDR) 412.00p -3.06%

Intermediate Capital Group (ICP) 1,762.00p -2.92%

Airtel Africa (AAF) 121.80p -2.87%

Phoenix Group Holdings (PHNX) 509.40p -2.38%

Prudential (PRU) 841.00p -2.00%

Smurfit Kappa Group (CDI) (SKG) 3,042.00p -1.87%

Auto Trader Group (AUTO) 728.00p -1.86%

Croda International (CRDA) 4,670.00p -1.81%

SSE (SSE) 1,668.00p -1.77%
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 29. Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili has resigned, Georgian Media says, Trend reports.

According to reports, the Prime Minister made this statement during a special briefing.

To note, Garibashvili served as prime minister in 2013-2015 and 2021-2024. He also serves as chairman of Georgia's ruling Georgian Dream Party.

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As part of the defense forces' transition towards establishing theatre commands, the Indian Air Force is set to conduct three significant exercises, emphasizing joint operations and integration for future warfare. The inaugural exercise, VayuShakti-2024, will take the form of a major firepower demonstration in Jaisalmer. It will feature a display of firepower by prominent fighter aircraft such as the Rafale, Su-30MKIs, LCA Tejas, Mirage 2000, and MiG-29s. During the event, these aircraft will demonstrate their capabilities by launching various missiles and bombs at designated targets, as outlined by defense officials.

The Indian Army and Indian Navy elements including attack helicopters are expected to demonstrate their prowess in the Vayu Shakti. The exercise is scheduled to be held on February 17 in Jaisalmer. The next exercise planned by the Indian Air Force is the Exercise Gaganshakti which would see the entire Indian Air Force getting activated from Ladakh to the Indian Ocean Region and from Bhuj to Arunachal Pradesh, the officials said.

The scheduled wargame in April this year is set to involve the activation of nearly all fleets, comprising fighter aircraft, transport planes, helicopters, and drones, across various frontiers. These units will engage in both offensive and defensive missions, aligning with their assigned tasks. Additionally, it is anticipated that the S-400, also known as the Sudarshan long-range air defense system, will be operational on both the western and northern fronts during the war games.

The Gaganshakti exercise, conducted on a pan-India level every five years, is anticipated to witness close coordination between the Su-30s and other fighter aircraft squadrons with naval assets. This collaboration will involve maritime-role fighter aircraft working in tandem with naval assets such as the P-8I maritime surveillance aircraft and MiG-29K fighters. Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, the Chief of Air Staff, has been actively striving to enhance joint operations with the other two services.
The HDFC Bank stock, facing downward pressure following its Q3 results, is anticipated to experience an opening surge on January 29. This comes after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) granted permission for Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) to increase its stake in the bank by an additional 4.8 percent, bringing its total stake to 9.99 percent.

The stock has crashed 14 percent after the private sector lender reported its December quarter results. Margin strain, fall in earnings per share (EPS) and slower-than-expected deposit growth have hit the sentiment. The RBI allowed LIC to acquire the shareholding by January 24, 2025, the bank said in an exchange filing. LIC must also ensure that its aggregate holding does not exceed 9.99 percent of the paid-up share capital or voting rights of the bank.

During the third quarter, HDFC Bank witnessed a 4 percent growth in its net interest income (NII), driven by a 4.9 percent sequential increase in gross advances. The net profit also saw a 2.5 percent quarter-on-quarter rise, boosted by substantial treasury gains and advantageous tax write-backs amounting to Rs 1,500 crore.

Despite a substantial increase in the cost of funds, which refers to borrowing costs, HDFC Bank experienced a restrained expansion in net interest margins (NIMs) during Q3FY24, maintaining a sequential flat rate of 3.6 percent. While analysts at HSBC have issued a "buy" recommendation for the banking giant, they have revised the target price downward from Rs 2,080 to Rs 1,950. Their rationale is rooted in the belief that there are limited levers for NIM expansion.

"We moderate NIM expansion to 15 bps (basis points) over FY24-26 versus 30 bps earlier. We expect near-term earnings to remain under pressure and cut earnings per share (EPS) by 0.8 percent/7.8 percent/5.8 percent for FY24/25/26", the brokerage firm said. The management believes that the bank is at the lower end of the margin contraction spectrum and expects recovery to 3.7 percent in 18-24 months.
Planning a trip to Dubai? As dazzling and modern as this city is, no traveller is immune to unexpected accidents, injuries, or illnesses that can happen on any journey.

Travel insurance for Dubai safeguards you in case of emergencies abroad that could otherwise lead to astronomical medical bills or trip disruptions. But it offers so much more, too. Lets explore the top 10 reasons Travel insurance for Dubai should be on your packing list!

1. Coverage for Medical Emergencies & Treatment

Getting sick or injured far from home can quickly turn a dream vacation into a nightmare. International travel insurance shields you from unexpectedly massive medical costs. Both inpatient and outpatient treatment at hospitals are covered, along with ambulance transportation. Certain policies even cover pre-existing medical conditions.

Without coverage, you could end up paying hundreds to thousands per day in Dubai medical fees. A quick accident requiring surgery or a short hospitalisation stay could mean crippling bills in lakhs or more! Dubai travel insurance prevents health emergencies abroad from morphing into financial catastrophes back home.

2. Protection from Trip Cancellation & Interruption

Will an unexpected event at home force you to cancel your long-awaited Dubai getaway entirely? Or interrupt it and race back early? Lost pre-payments on flights, hotels, tours, and more can cost thousands. Insurance provides trip cancellation and interruption coverage to recoup these non-refundable expenses.

Your insurance provider will reimburse the unrecoverable costs up to the limit specified in the policy schedule. So, just dont leave home without travel insurance!

3. Coverage for Lost, Damaged & Delayed Baggage

Between crowded airports and all that moving through hotels, the risk of bags getting lost, damaged or delayed is real. With baggage coverage, youre offered a standard fee while bags are missing.

4. Protection Against Flight Problems

Trip delays and interruptions could stem from more than just personal emergencies. Bad weather can lead to flight delays and cancellations. Travel insurance for Dubai can financially shelter you in such scenarios  reimbursing the costs up to the limit specified in the policy schedule and covering the costs of re-booking missed flights.

5. Coverage for Personal Accident

Accidents and mishaps can happen anywhere. You could slip and fall at your Dubai hotel or have an accident at a tourist site. Hence, having a robust insurance coverage can help cope with the medical bills and hospital charges if such situation arise.

6. Emergency Medical Evacuatign Coverage

For extreme medical emergencies suffered abroad, immediate evacuation back home may be critical for proper treatment and recovery. International insurance online, which includes emergency medical evacuation coverage, will reimburse the costs up to the limit specified in the policy schedule.

7. Protection When Passport is Lost/Stolen

Losing your passport abroad can derail a trip entirely. International travel insurance will pay to get a new passport or for the emergency certificate for hassle-free travel around Dubai.

8. Assistance with Travel Emergencies & Inconveniences

International travel insurance plans often provide more than just financial coverage or reimbursements. Many offer 24/7 global emergency assistance services that help travellers deal with trip interruptions and problems in real time.

The Bottom Line

As highlighted throughout this guide, unexpected injuries, accidents or illnesses abroad could quickly escalate into five- or even six-figure medical bills without comprehensive travel insurance. Additional thousands may be lost from interrupted trips or other misfortunes without adequate coverage.

Yet securing protection for your next Dubai vacation takes only minutes online. Simply connect with a specialised insurer for personalised plan guidance and simplified purchasing. Investing less than a single tour activity into proper insurance safeguards you from financial risks that could easily skyrocket into tens of thousands in bills should trouble strike overseas.
Discover the power of information in DIGIVILL, your ultimate guide to the world of digital.

The right information is like a superpower in a world where everyone has access to it. Well, guess what? DIGIVILL is here to be your superhero friend! This incredible company is like a superhero in the digital realm, providing us with fantastic and updated information, especially about money-related things.

Just like a guide in an adventure story, DIGIVILL helps you navigate through the vast landscape of information. They're like a wise companion, making sure you understand how to make smart decisions about money, unravel the mysteries of loans, and even master the use of things like credit cards. It's like having a superhero buddy in this vast digital world!

Think of DIGIVILL Tech LLP as your go-to guide for all things related to money. DIGIVILL is an expert companion on this exciting journey, whether you want to save, spend, or understand the ins and outs of financial decisions. It's like having a friend to guide you through the twists and turns of a story.

Having an expert like DIGIVILL to guide you through important stuff about finances is not just helpful; it's downright awesome! You can feel empowered and confident in the digital world with DIGIVILL by your side. Mentoring makes you feel like you're becoming a financial superhero!

Get ready to explore the world of finances with your superhero friend DIGIVILL! They're here to make learning about money fun and easy. In this digital age, having a guide is super cool, and DIGIVILL is your friendly expert on the adventure of financial knowledge.

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Hello, young minds! Get ready to step into the magical world of DIGIVILL and uncover the captivating story of how it all began.

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A journey like no other was about to begin for two visionary friends, Rovin Singh and Ritesh Yadav, on January 16th, 2024. To them, creating something valuable for people all over the world was more important than simply creating something ordinary.

DIGIVILL wasn't born for a specific group or a particular place; it was designed for people worldwide. Whether you reside in a bustling city or a serene village, DIGIVILL opens its doors to everyone. It's a place where borders don't matter  a haven where knowledge is accessible to every curious mind.

As you navigate the vast landscape of the digital world, remember the name DIGIVILL  a unique and trustworthy spot where the magic of learning comes to life. The foundation of this extraordinary place was laid by Rovin Singh and Ritesh Yadav. Their vision was to create not just a platform, but an oasis where information is not only accessible but also reliable and exciting.

Young adventurers, this is an invitation to join the journey of DIGIVILL. Uncover the wonders, explore the magic, and be a part of this incredible adventure where knowledge knows no bounds. Let DIGIVILL be your guide in the digital realm, making learning not just a task but a thrilling and exciting experience.

So, fasten your seatbelts and get ready for an adventure like never before with DIGIVILL  the place where the magic of information awaits you!

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Get ready to explore the amazing world of DIGIVILL, where the mission is simple  to make information easily available to everyone!

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Dive into the DIGIVILL experience! It's not just a website; it's like a friendly guide waiting to assist you. Imagine having a companion that effortlessly helps you find whatever information you need. That's exactly what DIGIVILL's user-friendly hub is all about  making learning a breeze!

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But wait, there's more! DIGIVILL goes above and beyond by reaching out to people in rural areas through a network of connections. It's like extending a helping hand to those in places where information might be a bit harder to find. DIGIVILL wants to ensure that everyone, regardless of their location, can benefit from the wealth of knowledge.

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Now, let's talk about the impact DIGIVILL has made  they are like superheroes bridging information gaps everywhere! Thousands of people in India have benefited from DIGIVILL since its inception. Just think about all the lives that have been positively impacted by the help DIGIVILL provides in improving financial lives. It's like witnessing a company making a profound impact on the world!

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Here's the coolest part  DIGIVILL is not just about today; they're thinking about tomorrow too! They're working hard to use technology in a way that makes information even more affordable for everyone. It's like they're crafting a future where knowledge is not just within reach but is also easily accessible to all. DIGIVILL is adapting to the changing world, ensuring that knowledge remains a guiding light for everyone.

So, young explorers, buckle up for an exciting journey with DIGIVILL  the place where learning is fun, information knows no boundaries, and the future is filled with endless possibilities!

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Hey there, curious minds and valued users of Digivill! We're thrilled to have you on board, and your journey with Digivill is more than just using a platform; it's about being a part of something special.

Your Insights Matter

At Digivill, we consider your insights and suggestions as precious gems. They're like treasures that help us improve and make our platform even better. Your thoughts play a crucial role in shaping the future of Digivill, so never hesitate to share your ideas with us! Your voice is essential in making Digivill the best it can be.

Stay Connected and Updated

Get ready for a dose of engaging and educational content! Digivill is not just about providing information; it's about creating a community. Stay up to date on the latest news and insights by following us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/digivill/. As a family that grows together, Digivill is more than just a platform  it's a place where knowledge meets community.

So, stay connected, stay curious, and let's embark on this exciting journey together with Digivill! Your feedback, ideas, and presence are what make Digivill a unique and vibrant space for learning and growing.
Highlighting Jammu and Kashmir's rapid ascent as an Agri Startup hub, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh urged local youth to actively participate in the ecosystem to support the national goal of making India the top economy within the next 25 years. Emphasizing the crucial contribution of Himalayan States to India's vision for 2047, Dr. Jitendra Singh underscored the pivotal role of Jammu and Kashmir in pioneering the purple revolution. He expressed that the unexplored or under-explored areas in the region have the potential to significantly contribute to the economy through value addition. Dr. Jitendra Singh made these remarks during his address at a Kisan Sammelan organized by CSIR-IIIM in Hiranagar.

Sharing the success narrative of lavender farming in the Jammu region, the Minister highlighted that over three thousand youth from J&K are actively involved in this initiative, proving to be a source of self-employment with substantial earnings. He emphasized the transformation in the perception of StartUps, stating that Jammu and Kashmir's rapid emergence as an Agri Startup hub is breaking traditional stereotypes, demonstrating that entrepreneurship is not limited to IIT graduates or IT professionals.

Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized the national recognition of J&K as the birthplace of the "Purple Revolution," showcased in the Republic Day tableau in the national capital. This agricultural revolution, initiated in Bhaderwah town of district Doda, has expanded to other Himalayan States such as Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Nagaland. The cultivation of lavender, part of the Aroma Mission by the Ministry of Science & Technology, Govt of India, serves as the foundation for this Agri Startup hub.

Highlighting the significance of this endeavor, Dr. Jitendra Singh mentioned that it provides India with an alternative source for economic growth. Over 3000 successful lavender entrepreneurs from Bhaderwah have not only opened a new and lucrative avenue for StartUps through agriculture but have also contributed to the vision of "Viksit Bharat" by 2047, as envisioned by PM Narendra Modi.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 29. The opinions of Armenian deputy foreign minister regarding his country's efforts to send a UNESCO mission to Karabakh indicate Armenia's still posing a threat to the sovereignty of Azerbaijan and lacking a consistent position, the Western Azerbaijan Community said, Trend reports.

"Armenia should deal with its own issues instead of meddling with the internal affairs of other sovereign countries, and in this regard, it should consent to the visit of the UNESCO mission to investigate the deplorable state of the cultural heritage of the Azerbaijani people in Armenia. The approach of 'let the UNESCO mission go to Azerbaijan, not Armenia' is a manifestation of an arrogant and racist position," noted the community.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Ambassador Sandhu concludes tenure, emphasizing the growth of dynamic India-US ties. Grateful for collaboration, he anticipates ongoing partnership advancement, foreseeing greater heights in collaboration.

The departing Indian Ambassador to the United States, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, highlighted the evolution of the bilateral relationship between India and the U.S., emphasizing its maturity and overcoming historical hesitations. At a reception hosted by a bipartisan group from the U.S. Congress at Capitol Hill, Sandhu acknowledged the challenges but underlined the relationship's positive growth. He recalled Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to the U.S. Congress, where he spoke of overcoming historical hesitations, emphasizing the profound significance of those words.

Expressing gratitude for the bipartisan farewell reception, Sandhu took to social media, expressing his delight at the event and his appreciation for the warmth the U.S. Congressional members extended. The Capitol Hill event held a special place in his reflections, marking the conclusion of his tenure where it all began.

The farewell reception garnered attendance from notable figures such as Ro Khanna, Mike Waltz, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthy, Kat Cammack, Ami Bera, Rep. Haley Stevens, Congresswoman Deborah Ros, and Shri Thanedar. The bipartisan nature of the gathering reflected the widespread support for fostering stronger ties between India and the U.S.

At a farewell hosted by USIBC, Ambassador Sandhu shared cherished moments collaborating with U.S.-India partners for relations' progress. Kurt Campbell, a top national security aide to U.S. President Joe Biden, commended Ambassador Sandhu's efforts in enhancing India-U.S. relations, acknowledging his valuable contributions.

At the same event, Atul Keshap of the USIBC referred to Sandhu as a star and emphasized that his absence would be deeply felt. Sandhu's role as the Indian Ambassador to the United States commenced in February 2020, coinciding with then-President Donald Trump's visit to India. Throughout his tenure, he worked towards sustaining the positive momentum in bilateral ties.

He boasts extensive experience in U.S. affairs, having served at the Indian Mission in Washington DC twice earlier. His diplomatic career includes roles such as Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of India in Washington DC and First Secretary (Political) at the Embassy of India, Washington DC, responsible for liaison with the United States Congress. Additionally, he served at the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations, New York.

Concluding his tenure, Ambassador Sandhu reflects on the maturation and flourishing of the India-US relationship, emphasizing its dynamic growth. He expresses gratitude for collaborative efforts with officials and supporters, highlighting strengthened bilateral ties. The enduring friendship is marked by shared values, strategic cooperation, and mutual respect. As Sandhu bids farewell, optimism prevails for the continued advancement of this vital partnership. Acknowledging its transformative journey, he anticipates even greater heights in the ongoing narrative of diplomatic, economic, and cultural collaboration.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  The NYPD is seeking the publics assistance in identifying an individual sought for questioning in connection to an incident of assault in Sunnyside.

It was reported to police that on Monday, Jan. 1, at around 11 a.m. that an 18-year-old male was inside the vicinity of 86 Logan Ave. when an unknown individual allegedly displayed a firearm and shot toward the victim, striking the victim in the left arm.

The unknown individual fled the location in an unknown direction, while the victim was transported to Richmond University Medical Center, West Brighton in stable condition.

15 1 / 15 18-year-old shot on New Years Day in Staten Island

The individual is described as a male with a dark complexion, approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing 160 pounds with black hair.

Anyone with information in regard to this incident is asked to call the NYPDs Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/, on Twitter @NYPDTips.

All calls are strictly confidential.
PACIFIC, Mo.  A driver backed through the wall of a Missouri nail salon, killing a woman and injuring three other people, authorities said.

The crash happened Saturday afternoon in Pacific, a town about 30 miles (48 kilometers) southwest of St. Louis, the Missouri State Highway Patrol said.

Authorities say a woman was killed and three other people were injured after a driver backed through the wall of a Pacific, Missouri nail salon.Missouri crash

Killed was Jill Goddard, 61, of Pacific, who was in the salon, the patrol said. Emergency crews also took the 57-year-old driver and two people inside the salon to hospitals with minor injuries.

The youngest of the injured salon patrons was 17.

The patrol released no other details about what happened. It isnt clear whether the driver might be charged with a crime.
Matthew Daher looks forward to duck hunting at the Jersey Shore with his 14-year-old son, but as residents have gone as far as recording them, his tolerance for their complaints has withered away.

Daher aired his displeasure to the Ocean City Council at a recent meeting, pleading for the council and the public to let him and his son hunt in peace.

Were within our right to do what we love to do, and were going to continue to do it, Daher told the council at its Jan. 11 meeting.

Hunters often take to Ocean Citys back bays during the fall and winter months. Its one reason why Shooting Island, a parcel of marshland off Tennesse Avenue frequented by bird hunters, got its name.

Duck hunters are a unique breed, Daher told the council. We operate in the cover of darkness ... We dont want to be seen. We dont want to be bothered. We come and go quietly.

The tidal area in question is accessible through Riparian rights governing tidelands, according to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

The lands are state-owned and managed by the Tidelands Resource Council along with state regulation staff at the Bureau of Tidelands Management.

Dahers plea comes while Ocean City has questioned the best ways to remind residents and hunters about existing state hunting laws.

In December, Ocean City Councilman Dave Winslow asked at a council meeting how to best address public safety while respecting hunters, specifically referring to an area near 34th Street, toward the citys bridge that connects the seaside town with Upper Townships Marmora section on the mainland.

The council suggested signs could be erected reminding hunters who use a gun that they must stay beyond 450 feet of a residence or school playground, following state law.

State law allows bow hunters to be within 150 feet of a building, but they must remain at least 450 feet away from school property, according to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

Winslow said at the December meeting he respects hunters who come to Ocean City, saying members of his family also hunt. Winslow said he brought the question to the council because of complaints that hunters were seen too close to homes.

I dont want anyone to get hurt, Winslow said.

At the time, Winslow urged people not to act as vigilante enforcers of the law by capturing hunters on video. A month later, Daher said thats what is happening. Anyone that does could be held criminally responsible.

New Jersey has laws protecting hunters from harassment. Offenders could be charged with violating those laws if they try impeding on someones right to hunt, doing so by erecting barriers to prevent access to wildlife areas or intimidate people taking game, according to the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.

Daher, a 1996 graduate of Ocean City High School, said he has been an avid duck hunter since 1991. He said he and his son remain about 2,000 feet away from houses, using a rangefinder to measure their distance.

He expressed displeasure that the public have been recording his son, and said he has been stopped frequently by the police, he said.

I dont think any of you would like someone to walk around and videotape you; stop you on the side of the road, with a gun over your shoulder and a dog on a leash, and videotape you, Daher told the council.
Nedrow, N.Y.  An Onondaga Central School District resource officer has resigned after he left his duty belt and firearm in a school restroom, police said.

On Jan. 18, Robert Wicks  an SRO at Wheeler Elementary at 4543 S. Onondaga Rd  was changing into civilian clothes in a staff restroom when he removed his duty belt and left it behind, Marcellus Police Chief Bernie Podsiedlik said Monday. Wicks firearm was in his duty belt, he said.

About an hour and half later, a school staff member found the duty belt and gun in the restroom and notified the principal, Podsiedlik said. The principal put the duty belt and firearm in a secure location in the schools office and contacted Wicks.

Wicks came back to the school to pick up his equipment, the chief said.

School had been dismissed and no children were on school grounds at the time of the incident, Podsiedlik said.

Podsiedlik said the superintendent alerted the Marcellus Police Department of the incident after the principal reported it to the district. Wicks admitted he left the duty belt and firearm in the restroom, the chief said.

On Jan. 19, the Marcellus police chief and the Onondaga Central School District Superintendent Rob Price had a meeting to discuss the next steps. Podsiedlik said he asked Wicks not to come in for duties at the school that day.

The superintendent and Podsiedlik met with Wicks and decided it would be best he not return to his SRO position at Wheeler Elementary, Podsiedlik said.

He understood the gravity of the situation and took full responsibility for it, Podsiedlik said. It was a severe human mistake.

The chief said Wicks resigned the next day.

Podsiedlik said Wicks is not currently working as an SRO at other school districts.

The department has implemented a new policy that SROs must remain in uniform on school grounds and cannot change at the school, Podsiedlik said.

Wicks, when he was Marcellus police chief, initiated and developed the program in 2010 to provide school resource officers to local districts. It started with the Marcellus district and expanded to other districts including Tully, Onondaga and Lyncourt.

Wicks also was Lysander Town supervisor from 2020 to 2024.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  In an effort to share more opportunities for students of color, an HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) Fair was held at Curtis High School on Saturday  attracting more than 1,000 high school students and their families.

Tammy Renae Greer, founder and executive director of the Staten Island HBCU Experience, explained that the fair aimed to make higher education accessible to all.

Theres not a huge selection of choices for colleges for students of color on Staten Island, and we wanted to offer an alternative to the CUNY and SUNY schools that many public schools push. HBCUs cost practically the same as SUNY when you boil down to it with financial aid, so we wanted to offer the opportunity for students and parents to see that there was, at least in my opinion, a better choice for their students to go to a school that is nurturing and that is really committed to their success, post-graduation, said Greer.

39 1 / 39 Staten Island HBCU Fair makes higher education accessible to all Annalise Knudson

The fair is held each year on the last Saturday of January  open to all high school students, primarily targeting high school seniors with a minimum GPA requirement of 2.0, as the fair offers on-the-spot admissions. Approximately 25 HBCUs from as close as CUNY-The Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn to as far as Florida A&M University.

Other HBCUs in attendance included: Bethune-Cookman, Clark Atlanta, Delaware State University, Johnson C. Smith University (onsite admissions), Hampton University, Howard University, Jackson State U, Miles College, Tuskegee University, Mississippi Valley State University, Morehouse College, Southern University at New Orleans, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Virginia State University, & Xavier University.

Recruiters were able to share opportunities with students, tailored to their interests and career goals. Students also were encouraged to bring unofficial transcripts and test scores for on-the-spot admissions to select HBCUs. Some colleges also waived application fees during the event.

As an advocate for HBCUs, Greer said that the campuses offer a little bit of everything.

First and foremost, youre in an atmosphere thats pretty collaborative. And the reflection of the student body really does look like you and from different aspects of life, said Greer. Most of the students in public schools, when you have a student body like say, Curtis, the majority of the student body is poverty-stricken, struggling, Black  focusing on all the negative portrayals of Black and brown students. However, when you go to an HBCU, you get a little bit of everything. You get those who may be struggling like I was, you get those who may be a prince or princesses in their own country. You get professors that look like you and who have walked the road, who have walked the path, that youre trying to walk.

This years fair at Curtis High School in St. George was the largest yet  with just over 1,000 people attending, according to Greer. It mustered people from across the five boroughs and upstate New York, as well as nearby states like New Jersey, Pennslyvania, and Connecticut.

Workshops were also available, including Financial Aid for the HBCU Bound, NCAA Corporate Headquarters Collegiate Eligibility Workshops, and the benefits of choosing an HBCU.

I think more people are learning about the value of an HBCU, said Greer. I also think that people want to be valued. Our children want to be valued when they go into this classroom. And a lot of children do not feel valued. So when they walk on the campus and they walk into the room, they feel valuable, they feel that they have a contribution to make, and who doesnt want to be in an environment that loves you, right?

The fair was co-MCd by Curtis Alumni Kiara Brown (Howard University) and Isiah Williams (Virginia State University). Speakers included Curtis High School Principal Gregory Jaenicke, Staten Island District 31 Superintendent Dr. Marion Wilson, and Edwina Francis Martin, public administrator of Richmond County.

Partners for this years fair were Curtis High School, Staten Island NAACP Youth Council, Moms of Black Boys United (MOBB United), New York Center for Interpersonal Development (NYCID), and The HBCU Parent Association, NYC.

For updates from the Staten Island HBCU Experience, follow the organization on Instagram, @sihbcufair, or on Facebook at SIHBCU Experience.
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Beloved Australian frozen desserts brand Sara Lee has been rescued out of administration by former race car driver Klark Quinn and his partner Brooke, the same pair who saved chocolate maker Darrell Lea in 2012.

The sale of the business, the sum of which was not disclosed, also ensures the employment of more than 200 staff, whom administrator Vaughan Strawbridge said had rallied behind the business during the process.

Sara Lee has been rescued by the same couple who returned Darrell Lea to profitability. Credit: Getty

We are so grateful to the loyal workforce and management team who have made this process a success while they have continued to produce amazing products, Strawbridge said.

We have enjoyed working with the Sara Lee team and are pleased to see them come through this process. Many staff have been with Sara Lee a long time, and we have seen their passion for the business.
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Review Eating outMalvern East This family-friendly Greek restaurant is a great place to come with a group The food at familial five-year-old tavern Theio Theo is simple but excellent, and the $70 set menu is a feast. Dani Valent 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

As featured in the Melbourne hit list February 2024 See all stories .

1 / 5 Charcoal grilled lamb skewers with a wedge of lemon, of course. Joe Armao 2 / 5 Char-grilled roasted eggplant, capsicum and zucchini. Joe Armao 3 / 5 Loukaniko (pork and orange sausages). Joe Armao 4 / 5 Horta (braised wild greens). Joe Armao 5 / 5 Galaktoboureko. Joe Armao Previous Slide Next Slide Greek$$$ Oh, the lemon guy is here. Thats Takis, walking in halfway through dinner service with a box of gleaming yellow citrus over one shoulder. The fruit ferryman is greeted by Theio Theo  Uncle Theo, your genial host  who ushers him into the kitchen. The lemons come from backyards around Melbourne. Takis gets word when the trees are laden and the householders have surplus. You dont have to sit for long at Theio Theo to realise why a steady supply of lemons is necessary. Theres spritzy citrus wafting by as waiters move through the restaurant and every plate on every table seems to have a wedge of lemon tucked in among the food. Along with lemon, theres salt, pepper, olive oil, sometimes a little oregano: these are the mainstay caresses for the simple but excellent food at this five-year-old Greek tavern.

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This is a great place to come with a group: the set menu is a feast, theres music and dancing on Friday nights, and kids are welcomed. Simple rarely means easy: a minimal list of ingredients doesnt account for the careful sourcing, well-judged charcoal cooking and extra pinch of love that goes into the dishes. Black-eyed beans with spring onion, dill and vinegar are a hearty but jaunty pulse dish to mop up with a crusty roll. Horta  braised wild greens, maybe chicory, whatevers good  are simply boiled and dressed. Roasted eggplant, capsicum and zucchini are char-grilled to the perfect texture: tender but with a little bite. Loukaniko is a pork and orange sausage, lightly smoked, grilled and served with, you guessed it, olive oil and lemon.

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The seafood is excellent: apparently a two-year-old started bawling recently because grandpa ate the last piece of octopus. Theo Poulakidas delivers dishes at his restaurant Theio Theo. Joe Armao Theo Poulakidas has a long history in food. Firstly in his native Pylos, in the Messinia region of southern Greece, and since 1998 in Melbourne. The olive oil used in his restaurant is from his home patch. Theres Greek wine, too (and ouzo and tsipouro, the Greek version of grappa), but Theos wife Stella also stocks many Australian wines because she thinks they match beautifully with the cuisine. Theio Theo is spacious and comfortable, with dark blue walls that soothe rather than dazzle like the piercing blue and white of many Greek eateries. Bentwood bistro chairs and paper over linen-clothed tables offer an approachable sense of occasion. This is a great place to come with a group: the set menu is a feast, theres music and dancing on Friday nights, and kids are welcomed.

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Galaktoboureko. Joe Armao Long-time chef Manos Krassadakis handles most of the cooking but Uncle Theo takes care of a few passion projects. Its his deft digits that roll the baklava fingers and he is the Greek god of galaktoboureko, the custard and filo dessert that wobbles delectably as its carried from kitchen to table. Rare leftovers are given away to staff or customers. Like everything here, its simple  just sugar, milk, eggs, corn flour, filo  but infused with care and pride. The low-down Vibe: Honest flavours, fun times Open: Tue-Sun 5pm-late Go-to dish: Galaktoboureko ($6) Drinks: Greek and Australian wines, plus ouzo and tsipouro, the Greek version of grappa Cost: Dips and mezze: $10-$22.50; Larger: $22-$70; Set menu: $70

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LANZHOU, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- The remote and expansive Gobi Desert in northwest China is increasingly accessible to the public, thanks to the emergence of space-themed tourism, which has opened up new frontiers for adventurous travelers. The rocky expanse has been adorned with several white capsule-shaped structures, surrounded by gleaming solar panels and distinctive "craters" of varying sizes. This is Mars Base 1, a simulated Martian habitat located in the city of Jinchang, Gansu Province, one of China's pivotal regions for nickel, a hard silver-white metal widely used in aerospace technology. Resembling the Martian surface, this eroded desert landscape once served as a testing ground for Chinese scientists to evaluate various space exploration robots, including lunar rovers, Mars probes and manned spacecraft. Now it is becoming popular among tourists too. The Chinese public's engagement in and fascination with space-related cultural activities have been on the rise in recent years, boosted by a series of space-faring achievements. After the launch of Mars probe Tianwen-1 in 2020, similar Mars simulation bases sprouted across the northwestern region, allowing visitors, particularly school-going children, to experience a slice of life on the red planet. Participants are tasked with hiking through desert areas, searching for water resources, and pretending to be taikonauts facing life-threatening challenges. Mars-related science courses are also provided to young visitors. Some see money-making opportunities in this passion for space, aiming to transform these desert facilities into tourist resorts. They have built space-themed hotels and restaurants, offering sleeping capsules that can accommodate up to nearly 200 people. Photos of visitors donning space suits at the base have attracted widespread media coverage. The space-themed tourism market is substantial, as indicated by a report published by Qyer, a leading tourism website in China. It highlighted that individuals born in the 1990s and 2000s constitute over 60 percent of the overall space tourism population. In 2023, over 80,000 visitors visited Mars Base 1. Li Fei, the head of the company's business operations, said that student groups, space enthusiasts and family tours were the primary customer segments. In early December, 500 km away from the Mars base, 26-year-old tour guide Yang Xiaoling and her colleagues took a group of 300 students on a memorable visit. Their destination was Dongfeng Space City, also known as the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. The country's only site for manned spacecraft launches, the Jiuquan Center has been listed as one of the world's top space-themed travel destinations by Lonely Planet. Facilities such as aerospace museums, launch towers and simulated taikonaut apartment compounds are among the hotspots recommended by travel guides. The tourist season of the space city runs from July to October every year. In addition to student groups, some individual tourists book tours a day or two in advance through local travel agencies. Yang said that the activity of watching live rocket launches is no longer exclusive to young individuals, but has become accessible to people of all ages. Local officials are hopeful that the booming space-themed tourism industry will contribute to the improvement of local livelihoods. The government's primary focus was once on promoting traditional tourist activities, such as riding camels and climbing sand dunes. However, the local culture and tourism department has recently unveiled a comprehensive plan aimed at fostering space-themed tourism through expanding tour routes, enhancing souvenir options, and improving service provision. In the hinterland of the Tengger Desert, China's fourth-largest desert, tourists gather around telescopes to marvel at the breathtaking beauty of the starry sky. This exceptional stargazing destination in Gansu's Minqin County has been transformed into a desert-themed town dedicated to scientific research and observation, as well as promoting the science of astronomy and related tourism. It has been nicknamed "Star Picking Town." Since its establishment in 2020, the town has generated more than 10 million yuan (about 1.39 million U.S. dollars) in tourism revenue, showing the immense growth potential of the "space + tourism" industry. Such projects have garnered recognition from industry experts. According to Liu Yufei, a commercial space industry insider, the conventional perception of space-themed tourism, limited to rocket models and toys, impedes its ability to cultivate a consistent customer base, thereby obstructing the mass market potential of aerospace cultural tourism. "The creation of space-themed towns and parks, however, can offer tourists a brand-new and awe-inspiring experience they have never had before," said Liu. She emphasized that, despite more than 600 astronauts having been launched into space, the aspiration for space exploration is shared by a global population of 8 billion individuals. "These facilities have the potential to naturally transform into a prominent exhibition and sales platform for space-related merchandise, thereby facilitating the widespread adoption of high-tech products and generating enhanced economic benefits," Liu added.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 29. Armenia's exploitation of the Amuldag gold mine also harms its citizens, Gamza Yusubova, chairwoman of the Environmental Education and Monitoring Public Association, told Trend.

"Environmental Protection First (EPF) coalition has repeatedly appealed to the Armenian side regarding the activities of its mining industry, which is carried out without observing any environmental standards," Yusubova said.

She emphasized that the documents related to the environmental impact assessment of this activity were presented to the Armenian side.

"However, the exploitation of Amuldag (Amulsar) gold deposit in Armenia is underway without any compliance with environmental norms and without taking into account the environmental impact assessment documents. During mining at the Amuldag mine, waste containing heavy metals is discharged into the Bargushad River, polluting also the Araz River through the Khakari River. This seriously damages the environment and natural diversity. Amuldag deposit is located 13 kilometers away from Istisu town, a natural mineral water deposit, and the exploitation of the Amuldag deposit causes serious damage to Istisu mineral springs, which also creates problems for people's health. At the same time, it poses a great threat to the Caspian Sea basin through the Araz River. This poses serious problems not only for Azerbaijan but also for other Caspian countries," Yusubova added.

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It is one thing to challenge or defend how and when we celebrate Australia Day. It is quite another to co-opt the holiday to promote Nazism.

The long weekend just gone brought the sickening sight of neo-Nazis on Sydney streets. Many were from interstate, as the get-together was a national gathering to coincide with Australia Day on Friday and International Holocaust Remembrance Day on Saturday.

This horrible event was rightfully condemned both by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and NSW Premier Chris Minns, and the response from NSW Police was swift. The Raptor Squad and the Public Order and Riot Squad were both deployed alongside local police.

A man is escorted from North Sydney railway station on Australia Day. Credit: SMH

On Friday, police boarded a train at North Sydney station to deal with a group of about 60 black-clad men, many wearing balaclavas and carrying shields and flags. Police issued a public order to prevent the group from attending Australia Day events, issued 54 rail fines for offensive behaviour on the spot and arrested five people who were later fined at the police station.
Slowing traffic in parts of the Rozelle interchange to reduce congestion on nearby roads in Sydneys inner west has been taken off the table, sparking concerns the state government has squandered an opportunity to make changes during the summer break.

Motorists are set to endure a return of heavy traffic on Victoria Road and other key routes near the $3.9 billion underground spaghetti junction as more people return to work. The first major test is expected on Tuesday, while traffic is likely to grow throughout the week as schools reopen.

Victoria Road has been worst affected by congestion since the Rozelle interchange opened in November. Credit: Peter Rae

Transport officials have decided against pursuing an option to install traffic signals in the interchange tunnels where vehicles from the Iron Cove Link and the M4 motorway merge to control the rate at which vehicles pass. The possibility of erecting them further west on the M4, which, like the interchange, is part of WestConnex, will also not be pursued.

Ramp meters were installed on Victoria Road and the City West Link for CBD-bound motorists approaching the Anzac Bridge when the interchange opened.
Asked by Crown prosecutor Jeff Tunks what kind of tone Beale had been using, the woman said, It was desperate, it was forceful, it was  direct. She said she had responded in a friendly tone because she did not want to agitate Beale. I didnt want to be anything else than friends, the woman said. She said she had been busting to go to the toilet, walked into a cubicle and slammed the door, but did not latch it, and it was left ajar. Im sitting down, thats when Mr Beale walks in, the woman said.

He opened the door to my cubicle, and he turned around to lock the cubicle door. The woman said Beale almost immediately removed his penis from his pants, and moved it in an its here motion. She said he asked her to perform oral sex, and she repeatedly said no and we cant. He was getting increasingly frustrated, the woman said. She said she had used his first name at the time, but now she cant say his name.

The woman said Beale grabbed her head, the incident happened so quickly, and she pulled back. I tried to stay calm. I said, I dont want to and I even think I said Sorry, the complainant said. I stood up, and I said no a bit louder this time. He said, Shh, keep your voice down. The woman said Beale said, Come on, lets f--- and spun her around with his hands on her hips, before she managed to leave the cubicle. After she rejected another advance, she said Beale looked her up and down and said, Well, f--- off then. She said she told her fiance something really weird just happened and that Kurtley followed me into the bathroom and tried to kiss me, and her fiance replied, Thats really weird. I didnt tell him the full truth of what had happened because I was really worried as to how he would react, she said. I didnt want to cause a scene, I just wanted to get out of there.

Loading She said she had felt confused, worried, upset [and] pretty disgusting, to be honest. The woman hugged Beale before leaving the pub. The court was read a series of texts she sent to her sister and fiance the next day. In one text, she told her sister, he follows me INTO THE BATHROOM. Im like bro Im engaged pls no, and youre married like WTF, she texted.

The womans sister replied, woah woah woah, rapey vibes. Later, the woman herself said, It was soo f---ed, like so rapey. Earlier, she told the court she knew of Beale before seeing him in the pokies room that night, but had not spoken to him before. She said Beale approached her group, including her fiance, and she introduced herself, shook his hand and congratulated him on his baby. She knew about the newborn as she followed him on Instagram. The woman said she brought up her engagement and Beale said, Dont do it, bro, its a trap, which she said the couple had laughed off. She also showed him a screenshot from his Instagram as she had liked the suits he and his groomsmen wore at his wedding. The woman said she had been standing in a group and noticed someone grab my bum, which made her feel shocked and surprised.

I turn and realise it was Mr Beale, she said. She said Beales body was facing the group, but his right hand is on my left buttock. I said, Stop. He pulled his hand away when I said Stop. The complainant said the hand was initially on the outside of her clothing, near her lower back, but moved down to touch bare skin. I used my left hand to try and swat his hand away, she said. I was shocked, I was surprised.

The woman wiped tears from her eyes with a tissue throughout her evidence. Asked by the prosecutor whether she had wanted Beale to do any of the sexual acts, or had agreed to any of them, the woman replied: Absolutely not. In her opening address, regarding the first count of sexual touching, Beales barrister Margaret Cunneen, SC, said, there was no squeeze, there was no touching of any bare bottom. The defence has argued that the sexual activity in the cubicle was consensual and instigated by the woman, who was seen on CCTV following Beale into the mens bathroom. The trial continues before Judge Graham Turnbull.
Changing the trajectory

When James was 11 years old, he started to receive sponsorship through The Smith Familys Learning for Life program, which provides students with funding for essential school equipment, access to learning and mentoring programs, and support from a family support worker.

I remember how nice it was buying new shoes, he recalls.

James received life-changing support from The Smith Family during his education. Credit: The Smith Family

I also got school books, pencils and a pencil case.

The confidence boost from this support proved immeasurable.

As a kid, it was really life-changing to have the things that other kids have, he says.

It means so much when youre a kid to just be able to be normal.

James has always had a strong work ethic. I had my first job when I was 12, putting wheelbarrows together for eight hours on weekends, he says.

With the sponsorship providing him with the things he needed to make the most of his education, James became a highly engaged student, and has recently become the first university graduate in his family. He is now commencing a career in banking.

Without the support Ive gotten from The Smith Family, I probably wouldnt have gone to university.

A support workers perspective

Stories like James are common for Anna Tran, a family support worker at The Smith Family.

I had one family where English was their second language, and the parents were unable to work, she says.

Their child was in high school but didnt have a computer, like their friends did, to access the internet and applications for their homework and assignments. You can imagine starting high school  theyre already nervous, and they felt really left out.

Anna Trans family received support from The Smith Family, and now she works for the national childrens education charity. Credit: The Smith Family

Tran was able to organise a laptop for the student through a digital inclusion program at The Smith Family, and says the family were incredibly grateful knowing their child had access to the things all students need these days to succeed at school.

Its not only improved the childs education but also their self-esteem and [enjoyment] of school, she says.

Tran herself has first-hand experience of the value of support from The Smith Family.

My parents came to Australia as refugees as a result of the Vietnam War and they said The Smith Family was there with open arms to support them when they came here, she says.

Ive now been working at The Smith Family for two years  giving back to the community is a must in my work.

A hand up

For his part, James hopes more of the 1.2 million children and young people experiencing disadvantage can receive such life-changing support.

Poverty can be such a destructive pattern, and its through no fault of the student or the parent. If you dont have the tools that you need, then youre not going to have the opportunity to make the most of your education, he says.

There are lots of young people who want to do well at school and be better off for themselves. Learning for Life sponsorship can help break the cycle.

Every child deserves the chance to reach their full potential. By sponsoring a child with The Smith Family, you can help remove the barriers that poverty puts in their way so they can achieve all they are capable of.
Luay Sako has pleaded guilty to murder. My sweetie felt safe with me. I thought she was safe with me. But she wasnt, was she? I couldnt protect her from you. We had no idea you knew where we lived. The one place we felt safe at was home  Youre such a coward, at least look at me. Sako shook his head while she spoke, and then began to violently hit the side of his head with his hand. You are a beast. Youre an evil, repulsive, demonic beast, Di Mauro said. Mannos family were in court on Monday for the first day of Sakos three-day plea hearing, and were supported by more than 50 friends and family, who filled the public gallery.

Earlier in the day, the court heard Sako sent Manno about 140 unsolicited messages, some of which were sexually explicit, in the months before he attacked and killed her. Just hours before the murder, Manno posted pictures of her and her new boyfriend on Instagram for the first time. Police later found screenshots of these pictures and searches of her boyfriends name on Sakos laptop. Manno posted a photo of her and her new boyfriend, Chris Ridsdale, to social media hours before she was murdered. Credit: Facebook Sako has dumped his lawyers twice and is representing himself at the plea hearing, during which Justice Jane Dixon will be told of factors to consider before she sentences Sako. Prosecutor Patrick Bourke, KC, said Manno worked with Sako at a Serco call centre, where she was a team leader. Due to performance issues, Sakos employment was terminated in June 2019. While he was leaving the building, he thanked Manno for her kindness and, uninvited, kissed her on the cheek. Manno later told colleagues this made her uncomfortable.

A week later, Sako sent her a message on Instagram, thanking her for the way she had handled his exit from the company and declaring his love and affection for her, Bourke said. She replied politely, without inviting further messages, the court heard, but when he did not stop messaging her, she blocked him. Sako activated a second Instagram account and began to send her more messages. Manno politely asked him multiple times to stop pursuing her, but Sako would create new fake accounts. This continued for a year, and Manno estimated at the time that he tried to contact her 140 times. This obsession with you...is an addictive and destructive feeling interfering with my ability to concentrate, deal with others, and go about my daily routine. Luay Sako, in one of about 140 unwanted messages to Celeste Manno Bourke said that in December 2019, the tone and nature of Sakos messages changed, and as they contained derogatory, vulgar and sexually explicit remarks, Manno became more worried by the completely unwanted messages. Some of the messages were read to the court.

Im sorry but I cant stop thinking about you, Sako said in one message. I have never felt this way about anyone in my life  Im totally captivated by you  youre all I think about. This obsession with you, which is a crush, is an addictive and destructive feeling interfering with my ability to concentrate, deal with others, and go about my daily routine. Celeste Manno was sent 140 messages by Luay Sako in the 18 months before he killed her. Credit: Facebook To put an end to my suffering, can you be direct with me and just tell me how you feel towards me. Manno responded: Hi Luay, those are really sweet words and I appreciate you saying all of this, I am surprised to read this all as it is new to me. As much as I appreciate it, I only feel a professional way towards you and I wish you all the best towards your new job and journey.

In another series of messages, Sako said he was so infatuated  its now becoming unhealthy. Manno responded: I would really appreciate if you could stop contacting me as this is making me very uncomfortable. Luay Sako is escorted out to the prisoners van at the Supreme Court of Victoria on Monday. Credit: AAP Sako replied: My impression of you has changed. Youre no different to the majority of women. I will remember you and this lesson for all my life and devote every ounce of energy I have to climbing up and proving to the world that Im somebody. This is my promise to you and final contact to you. Despite this, Sako continued sending messages, and Manno, fearing for her safety, met with senior management at her workplace. A safety plan was implemented, with employees accompanying her to her car after each shift.

At one point, the court heard, she told a supervisor: He is really going to kill me. She also went to police with her concerns and was granted an interim personal safety intervention order, which Sako breached by sending her a three-page letter on Instagram. The court heard that around 3.20am on November 16, 2020, Sako left his Roxburgh Park home and drove to Mernda, scaled the fence at Mannos home, walked into the backyard and smashed his way through her bedroom window with a hammer. He attacked her with a kitchen knife. She suffered defensive wounds on her forearms and arms as she tried to protect herself, the prosecutor said. The cause of death was determined as a stab wound to the heart.

Sako then drove to Mernda police station, where he told officers shes dead, provided them with Mannos address and asked police to shoot him. He was arrested and later charged with murder. Loading Police searched Sakos home and found a laptop which contained two photos of Manno and her boyfriend, a Google search of the boyfriends name and LinkedIn page, and a search of the pub where they were photographed. A few days later, police found a phone registered to Sako, which Bourke said contained evidence that he was actively monitoring Manno via Instagram, and had a screenshot of the photo of Manno and her boyfriend. On Monday, Sako took issue with a pathologists opinion that Manno had been stabbed 23 times, insisting that he only stabbed her twice and the other wounds were from glass. This objection meant that the prosecution had to call the forensic pathologist to give evidence. Mannos family cried and consoled each other as graphic descriptions of the young womans injuries were described. When Sako began to cross-examine the pathologist, the family walked out of court until he was finished.

Loading During victim impact statements, father Tony Manno spoke of how much his daughter was loved, and how the opportunity to walk her down the aisle and watch her grow into a mother was taken from him. My heart will be broken for the rest of my life. Brother Alessandro said his sister was his best friend and confidante, and the day she was murdered was the darkest day of his life. My family will never recover from this loss.
Hong Kong: A Hong Kong court has ordered property developer China Evergrande Group to liquidate after it was unable to reach a restructuring deal with creditors.

The worlds most indebted property developer has more than $450 billion in liabilities across its portfolio and has become a symbol of Chinas property crisis.

Residents walk past a map showing Evergrande development projects in China. Credit: AP

The group, which fuelled years of unsustainable growth through unfinished developments, has been in a spiral since Chinese authorities tightened lending restrictions on the sector to try and put a stop to a wider contagion in the worlds second-largest economy.

Judge Linda Chan said it was appropriate for the court to order Evergrande to wind up its business given a lack of progress on the part of the company putting forward a viable restructuring proposal as well as Evergrandes insolvency.
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.
Mexico City: Bullfights have returned to Mexico City after the countrys highest court temporarily revoked a local ruling that sided with animal rights defenders and suspended the events for more than a year and a half.

The resumption of bullfights in the 40,000-seater Plaza Mexico, the largest bullfighting arena in the world, raised expectations of fans in the face of a lengthy legal battle between enthusiasts and opponents, who argue the practice violates animal welfare and affects peoples rights to a healthy environment.

Andres Roca Rey enters the Plaza Mexico ring. Credit: Getty

Bullfighting is still allowed in much of Mexico. In the capital, the legal fight for its future is full of twists and turns.

The first bullfighter to enter the ring was the renowned Mexican matador Joselito Adame, with thousands of people cheering the return of fiesta brava, as bullfighting is also known in Spanish. Long live freedom, some shouted as the first bull entered an arena jammed with spectators.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 29. Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan - Head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Presidential Administration Hikmet Hajiyev met with Pakistan's Ambassador to Azerbaijan Bilal Hayee, Pakistani Ambassador to Azerbaijan, wrote on X, Trend reports.

The sides have discussed bilateral agenda and issues of mutual interest during the meeting.

"Pakistan-Azerbaijan friendship has deepened over the years and 2024 will give a new impetus to our bilateral ties," the ambassador noted.

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Dr Robert Laurenson and Dr Vivek Trivedi, co-chairs of the BMAs Junior Doctors Committee, said: After almost three weeks of silence from the Government we could have been using to find an end to this dispute, we can confirm that following our letter requesting talks we will be meeting with health minister Andrew Stephenson later this week.
Sarah Lloyd, commercial director at Annuity Ready, which has launched a Get Britain Pension Ready campaign, said: No-one, from any background, should get left behind. Were encouraging everyone to get pension ready with our free online resources and seek the guidance they need, to understand all the financial options available to them when they come to retire.
Lana is back having been sent off to Estonia to lend a helping hand to Ukraines bomb disposal teams. She is yet, however, to return to active duty: instead dispensing her wisdom to some other (lesser) security officers. Suddenly, there is a bomb attack in the heart of London. Washington is not, technically or psychologically, ready to step up but who else is going to? Which brings me to the bad news. Namely that, at least by the conclusion of episode one, McClure is still largely holding the fort in terms of characters to care about. The return of the peripherals prompts only oh yeah, thems. And there are a number of new faces  including that of DS Helen Morgan (Natalie Simpson of Outlander) and Bridgerton season one's Julian Ovenden as Commander John Francis  who may yet provide decent foils-slash-nemeses.
Part of why Japan thrills both newcomers and returnees is because its cities never seem to stand still. Over the next 12 months capital Tokyo is promising such diverse delights as the launch of the worlds first immersive theme park; an Edo era-inspired hot spring complex; and a new art, light and sound installation at Azabudai Hills from the renowned teamLab Borderless group. This year Tokyo also sees the opening of the very first branch of Janu (janu.com), little sister hotel brand to luxe Aman Resorts. With lower prices and a more social buzz than the original  but no compromise on style  it will be the chicest of bases for your city adventure before you strike out further afield.
"That is because, although to express such an opinion is certainly of inherently defamatory tendency, Mr Fox did not sufficiently discharge the burden the law places on a defamation claimant to establish that their particular tweets  rather than anything else he himself, or others, did or said  as a matter of fact and evidence probably caused or were likely to cause serious harm to his reputation by making readers adversely change their minds about him to that degree."
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 29. Azerbaijans Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeyhun Bayramov has met with a delegation led by Chairman of the Committee on National Defense of the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye Hulusi Akar, Trend reports citing the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry.

The sides had a broad exchange of views on dynamic cooperation agenda between Azerbaijan and Turkiye, as well as interparliamentary and security interaction.

Minister Jeyhun Bayramov hailed the intensive development of strategic allied relations between the two brotherly countries, noting the importance of reciprocal visits in terms of strengthening these ties.

FM Bayramov underscored that intensive working contacts between the public institutions of Azerbaijan and Turkiye contributed greatly to bilateral ties.

The pair also highlighted the close ties of cooperation between the two countries within the framework of the Shusha Declaration in all areas, especially in security and army building, stressing the great potential for developing these relations.

Hulusi Akar lauded the two countries mutual support provided to each other on all platforms, as well as the prospects of interparliamentary relations. He also underlined that there are great prospects for Azerbaijan to benefit from the opportunities of Turkiyes defense industry.

During the meeting, the two also exchanged views on other issues of bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest.
Chief Superintendent Stuart Bell, in charge of policing in East Area, said: "All police officers know they will be held to account for any use of force, and any use of force must be reasonable.
Prior to the weekend, the record of 18.3C was held by the villages of Inchmarlo and Aboyne in Aberdeenshire, which hit that figure in 2003; and Aber, Ceredigion, which reached the same level in both 1958 and 1971.
Promoting healthy habits such as a balanced diet low in fat sugar and salt, having a healthy weight from early on in life, and avoiding alcohol, as well as early detection, should be central to UK Government health policy and a comprehensive national cancer plan, which includes a strong focus on prevention, is of utmost importance.
Researchers also found that certain sports were more often associated with TBI with horse riding accounting for 22% of all sport-related cases studied followed by skiing (17%), and football (13%).
At the peak of the Brexit wars, when he served as Theresa Mays Brexit adviser, Robbins was described as the bete noire of Brexiteers. Some hardliners accused him of pro-EU or Remain bias because of his role in pursuing a Brexit deal that was not, in their opinion, sufficiently Brexit-y. Robbins was at Mays side as she negotiated her Brexit deal, but when it failed to win the support of the Commons and she resigned as prime minister, Robbins also left government.
Announcing the move ahead of a visit to a school on Monday, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak 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 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.
We will be covering the House of Commons and House of Lords throughout the day.
After failing to be selected for a Conservative seat, Mr Walker last year wrote to the PM detailing his fervent wish to join the list of approved party candidates. In the leaked letter, he said he had done everything asked of him and supported the Tories in the media by keeping my distance from any policy area or organisation that may be at odds with the partys position.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 29. On January 29, another group of former internally displaced persons, consisting of families temporarily settled in dormitories, sanatoriums, pioneer camps and administrative buildings in various territories of Azerbaijan, was sent to the city of Fuzuli from the Garadagh district of Baku, Trend reports.

At this stage, another 27 families (115 people) moved to the city of Fuzuli.

The resettled families will settle in the houses where they once lived in Fuzuli, which were restored or rebuilt on the basis of instructions from the head of state after the end of the Armenian occupation. Fuzuli residents thanked President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva for their comprehensive care, expressed gratitude to the valiant Azerbaijani Army, which liberated the lands from occupation.

Until today, a permanent settlement in the city of Fuzuli has been provided for 527 families - 1,958 people.
I am concerned about the possibility of escalation of an already dangerous situation in the Middle East. So we have to see this in that context and do everything that we can to ensure there isnt escalation of the conflict ...

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer
We must put a stop to the dangerous Channel crossings that are putting lives at risk and we must put an end to this mass trafficking of people to save lives. That is the humane thing to do and it is the fair thing to do.
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.
Some of this dust will fall onto surfaces on the ground, such as cars, more particularly where rain is expected with an area of low pressure moving northeast... There is some uncertainty over the path of this rain across England and Wales for now."
The new rule has seen British nationals also require the paperwork to stay for 90 days in Spain and Italy. But while those countries could introduce their own law to help Brits out, the French court is so senior that its decision cannot be appealed.
Mr Darmanin said he ordered security forces to prevent any blockade of Rungis international market  which supplies the capital and surrounding region with much of its fresh food  and the Paris airports, as well as to ban any convoy of farmers from entering the capital and any other big city. He said that helicopters will monitor convoys of tractors.
African Parks has a zero-tolerance policy for any form of abuse and is committed to upholding the rights of local and indigenous people. Allegations of misconduct are thoroughly investigated and acted on, and all of our parks are managed with a central philosophy of awareness, sensitivity and commitment to upholding the rights of local people.

We are aware of the serious allegations regarding human rights abuses by eco-guards against local people living adjacent to Odzala-Kokoua National Park in the Republic of Congo, which have recently received media attention. We became aware of these allegations last year via a Board Member who received a letter from Survival International.

We immediately launched an investigation through an external law firm based on the information we had available, while also urging Survival International to provide any and all facts they had. Its unfortunate that they have chosen not to cooperate, despite repeated requests, and we continue to ask for their assistance.

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.
She wrote: Even though were a few days into the new year, the greatest thing that 2023 could have done for me, was bring me my son. welcome to the world my halo the world is desperate to know you.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 29. The Public Council under the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan has called on Armenia to stop mining at the Amuldagh gold mine, chairman of the council Amin Mammadov told Trend.

According to Mammadov, following Armenia's expressed intent to construct a plant near the border with Nakhchivan in the Arazdeyen village last June, various statements have been issued, including the submission of an open letter to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on this matter.

"We appreciate the protest by Armenian civil society organizations and eco-activists who have expressed concern about the environmental risks posed by the Amuldagh mine's exploitation, notably its impact on biodiversity and water resources. Last June, we released several declarations regarding Armenia's intention to build a factory near the Nakhchivan border near the town of Arazdeyen. Unfortunately, there was no response from Armenian civic society at the time. However, more than 100 Armenian civil society organizations and eco-activists have raised their concerns over the Amuldagh gold mine and its effects. As a result of these activities, heavy metals are released into the Bargushad River and pollute the Araz river via the Hakari River. Unfortunately, foreign firms function as investors," the chairman added.

The Amuldagh deposit is around 13 kilometers from Istisu, a natural mineral water reservoir. The development of the Amuldagh deposit is inflicting severe and devastating harm to Istisu's mineral springs.

The Amuldagh deposit is located between the Arpachay and Bazarchay rivers, which flow through Azerbaijan into the Araz river. The use of illegal and very harmful toxic compounds in the exploitation of the Amuldagh field is destroying the ecosystem, acidifying river flows and contaminating water. Gold mining pollutes not only the Araz river, but it also has a significant impact on the surrounding Goycha lake environment. Furthermore, this business poses a serious risk to the Caspian Sea basin. As the Arpachay and Bazarchay rivers, flowing through the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan, join the Araz river and eventually discharge into the Caspian Sea, the exploitation of the field results in severe environmental damage not only in Azerbaijan but also in Iran and other Caspian countries..

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 29. State investment in greening the economy, modernizing infrastructure, and implementing innovative approaches in Azerbaijan grows year by year, Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of the country Umayra Taghiyeva said at the I Baku Youth Event on Climate Negotiations, Trend reports.

She noted that the development path of Azerbaijan is characterized by a "green" vector.

The official reminded that exactly 15 years ago, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change envisaged the expansion of the status of youth organizations, enabling them to receive official information, participate in conferences and meetings, and provide support.

"Today, in Baku, the organizing city of COP29, the voices of progressive youth from Turkiye, Georgia, Iran, Russia, Belarus, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan will be heard, reflecting efforts to combat climate change," Taghiyeva explained.

"This step was an adequate response to the growing number of youth organizations and their justified demand to be part of the climate decision-making process. Because the decisions made today on climate policy ultimately determine our future," she said.

The official emphasized that for the first time in the history of UN climate change negotiations, the ideas and voices of youth took center stage with the adoption of the Youth4Climate manifesto at PreCOP26.

"A representative of Azerbaijan, a schoolgirl (now a student), also attended this event and was one of the active members of the Azerbaijani delegation at COP28," mentioned Taghiyeva.

"I am proud to note that over 60 percent of the Azerbaijani delegation at COP28 consisted of youth. The delegates briefed on Azerbaijan's work on climate change, large-scale projects implemented in our country thanks to the wise and forward-looking policies of the head of state, and plans that will contribute to reducing the consequences of climate change and international efforts," she said.

According to her, one of the highlights of the two-week conference agenda was the thematic day dedicated to youth, children, and education.

"Of course, the event organized in our pavilion with the participation of foreign guests was met with great interest. Our climate champion has been appointed to represent youth at COP29, which will take place in Azerbaijan. Over the next two years, youth activist Leyla Gasanova will contribute to the climate negotiation agenda," the official noted.

"We hope that countries will be able to support keeping the global temperature rise to no more than 1.5 degrees. Youth are increasingly aware of the difficulties and risks associated with the climate crisis," she pointed out.

"The mobilization of global youth in this direction once again demonstrates their great potential in promoting innovative ideas," added Taghiyeva.

The decision to hold COP29 in Azerbaijan was officially announced in Dubai on December 11, 2023.

Besides Azerbaijan, Armenia and Bulgaria were nominated as candidates. However, on December 7, 2023, after direct negotiations between the Office of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Office of the Prime Minister of Armenia, Armenia decided to withdraw its candidacy to support Azerbaijan. Bulgaria followed suit and also withdrew its candidacy.

To note, the Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan, Mukhtar Babayev, was appointed by the President of COP29 on January 4, 2024.

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Babes-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca continues its digitization process through an investment of 2.2 million euros in two state-of-the-art data centers, the university informs in a release.

"Babes-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca (UBB) has invested approximately 2.2 million euros for the construction of two state-of-the-art Data Centers, which contribute to the implementation of the University's broad digitization strategy. The Data Centers complement and are integrated in the UBB information technology ecosystem (IT-HUBB), one of the most complex in the country, which includes (1) the largest and most complex computer science faculty in the country, with an extremely diversified academic offer, covering all the major fields/themes of the new industrial revolution, (2) the Office for Romania of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EITDigital) and (3) institutes/centers/relevant units co-created with major actors in the field (e.g. Microsoft , UiPath, SAS, etc.)," says UBB, agerpres reports.

The two data centers will be used, among other things, for the digitization of several activities and administrative processes of UBB that involve the relationship with students, but also for supporting teaching and research activities: Implementation of an electronic registry; Implementation of an electronic archive; Automation of administrative processes; Building a document management system; Digitization of some administrative flows involving students (eg: requesting and issuing certificates); Implementation of backup solutions; Support for the introduction of innovative digital teaching-learning methods; Support for practical training and the opening of new research directions based on new digital technologies."The new Data Centers include, along with state-of-the-art equipment and servers, data storage systems, security and back-up systems, dedicated digital archiving systems, network equipment for data transfer and equipment management, licenses software for virtualization, virtualization management, back-up and automation. The Data Centers were built through the project entitled "Digital infrastructure for teaching and research purposes (Digital HUBB)" financed by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, whose total budget is 13 million euros," the UBB press release informs.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) said on Monday that it has taken note with "utmost concern" of recent serious accusations regarding the alleged involvement of staff members of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in the Hamas terrorist attacks against Israel on October 7, 2023, stating that these allegations should be subject to "immediate and thorough investigation" by the UN.

"We welcome the swift reaction of UNRWA leadership to terminate with immediate effect the contracts of the persons concerned and we express our full confidence that the investigations launched by the UN, which are also under the attention of the Secretary General of the organization, will clarify the situation as soon as possible," reads the Foreign Ministry's press release sent to AGERPRES.

MAE specifies that, until the investigation is completed, it will not launch procedures for new voluntary contributions to UNRWA.

"The needs of Palestinian civilians will continue to be a priority for Romania, and we will continue to coordinate with our partners, including at European level," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs added.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs recalls that Romania has strongly condemned, from the very beginning, the Hamas attacks against Israel on 7 October 2023, "deeming the terrorist acts unacceptable, expressing regret for the victims, condemning the hostage-taking and calling for their release".

"All these elements are fully in line with Romania's established, principled position on the situation in the Middle East and the Peace Process in the region, with emphasis on the two-state solution," the MAE added.

Israel on Friday accused several UNRWA employees of participating in the Hamas attack on the south of the country on October 7. The unprecedented terrorist attack carried out by Hamas caused the deaths of some 1,140 people in Israel, mostly civilians.

In response, Israel vowed to "wipe out" the Palestinian Islamist movement - designated as terrorists by the US and the European Union - and launched a major operation in the Gaza Strip that left 26,422 dead, according to a death toll released Sunday by the Hamas-led Health Ministry.
More than 6,300 Ukrainian citizens entered Romania on Sunday, and in total round 156,200 Romanian and foreign citizens and about 42,200 means of transport completed the control formalities at border points throughout the country.

There were 75,828 persons entering Romania, of whom 6,363 were Ukrainian citizens. As of 10.02.2022 (pre-conflict period), 7,213,574 Ukrainian citizens have entered Romania nationwide, the General Inspectorate of the Border Police (IGPF) informed on Monday in a press release sent to AGERPRES.

In the areas of competence, crossing points and "green border," the police have found 42 illegal acts (18 offences and 24 contraventions) committed by both Romanian and foreign citizens, and the value of fines imposed amounts to about 13,080 lei.

Goods worth approximately 579,800 lei were seized for confiscation.

On Sunday, 23 foreign citizens were not allowed to enter the country because they did not meet the conditions provided by the law and seven Romanian citizens were not allowed to leave the country for various legal reasons.
Three schools in Bucharest are running the project "My Choice is Turkish Language", implemented through protocols signed with the Yunus Emre Institute.

A sub-branch of this initiative is the twinning of schools in Romania and Turkey, agerpres reports.

The three educational institutions where the project is currently being implemented are Dante Alighieri High School, Secondary School No. 103 and Adrian Paunescu Secondary School."The project 'My Choice is Turkish Language' aims to bring the two countries and cultures closer together through education and the activities that will be organized, a sub-branch of this project being the twinning of the schools in Romania and Turkey, so that students, teachers and school administrators from the two countries will have the opportunity to visit each other and get to know each other's language and culture," the institute says.This project will be extended first to Bucharest and then to the whole of Romania.Since 2011, this project, thanks to the positive results, has been running successfully in 10 countries.In addition to the Turkish language courses held in the cultural centre, the institute also offers courses to public sector employees in Romania, reaching a number of about 5,000 students.Mayor Robert Sorin Negoita and the Turkish Ambassador in Bucharest, Ozgur Kivanc Altan, recently launched the pilot programme for studying Turkish at the Dante Alighieri High School. The project is addressed to students who want to study Turkish and learn interesting information about the culture and civilization of this country. The courses are provided free of charge.
The decisions on convening the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies in the first ordinary session of 2024 were published on Monday in the Official Gazette.

The two Chambers of the Parliament are each convened in ordinary session starting on Thursday, February 1, from 4:00 p.m, agerpres reports.

The decisions are signed by the president of the Senate, Nicolae Ciuca, and the interim president of the Chamber of Deputies, Alfred Simonis.The ordinary session that begins on Thursday, February 1, is the penultimate one of this parliamentary term.Elections will be held in the autumn for the mandates of senators and deputies in the Romanian Parliament.
A Polish citizen was found dead on Monday in the cabin of a truck parked in southern Bascov commune, informs the Arges County Police Inspectorate.

"On January 29, the police officers of the Pitesti Municipality Police were alerted to the fact that, in a parking lot within the radius of the Bascov commune, a man was found dead in the cabin of a truck. Policemen with the Bascov Rural Police Department were dispatched to the scene and the medical teams ascertained that the person in question was deceased," the Arges County Police Inspectorate informs in a release, agerpres reports.

According to the same source, the investigations were taken over by the police of the Pitesti Criminal Investigation Bureau, under the supervision of the Prosecutor's Office with to the Pitesti Court, and a criminal murder case was opened.The first checks established that the deceased person is a Polish citizen, aged 45."Investigations continue to establish all the circumstances in which the event took place, following which an autopsy will be ordered to find the causes of death," the Arges County Police Inspectorate also announces.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 29. Another 27 families of former IDPs arrived in Fizuli on January 29, the State Committee of Azerbaijan for Affairs of Refugees and IDPs told Trend.

According to the committee, the newly arrived families were handed keys to their apartments.

Officials of the State Committee and the Special Representation of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the liberated territories of the Karabakh Economic Region (except Shusha district) attended the key-handover ceremony.

The families will settle in newly built houses in Fuzuli city. At this stage, another 27 families - 115 people - have been relocated to Fuzuli town. Thus, 527 families (1,969 persons) have a permanent settlement in Fuzuli.

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For the next two years, the presidency of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee (STSC) of the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) was taken over by Romania, announced cosmonaut Dumitru Prunariu, former president of the Romanian Space Agency.

The works of the 61st session of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee (STSC) of the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) began on Monday in Vienna, and will continue until February 9, agerpres reports.



The chairmanship of the committee and subcommittees is hold once every ten years, for a two-year term, by rotation, to a representative of the regional groups within the UN, where the candidacies proposed by the member states are analyzed and the most competent person in the field of space and in the functioning of the specialized committee of the UN is elected.



The group of Eastern European states, of which Romania is a part, analyzed and approved the candidacy of Mrs. Ulpia Elena Botezatu, a specialist within the Romanian Space Agency, for the position of president of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee of the UN Committee for the Peaceful Use of Outer Space, the candidacy being confirmed by consensus by the 107 member states of COPUOS.



Romania also held the presidency of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee, as well as of the Committee as a whole through cosmonaut Dumitru-Dorin Prunariu, former president of the Romanian Space Agency, and through Marius Ioan Piso, also former president of the Romanian Space Agency.
KSHE Radio Jolts Listeners With Fake Nuclear Bomb News

Many listeners to radio station KSHE got a jolt Tuesday morning when the station broadcast a mock emergency broadcast bulletin indicating that the United States was under nuclear attack. The announcement was broadcast about 7:40 a.m. It contained no disclaimer that it was false. John Beck, KSHE general manager, said more than 80 listeners called to question the report. Disc jockey John Ulett said he played the fake warning to make people think about the horrors of nuclear war.

He said callers had been suggesting that the United States just drop nuclear bombs on Iraq to bring a quick end to the war. "It was not a joke. I didn't try to get a laugh out of it or anything like that," Ulett said. "It was just a political statement, and I just think people need to realize that what's going on here is very serious and they have to be lucky that they don't have to send their kids to school with a lunch pail and a gas mask." Beck said Ulett played the announcement without the knowledge or approval of station management. The station later broadcast an explanation and apology.

"We agree with John's intentions," Beck said. "We may have abused our authority and the amount of power that we have with the listening public. We may have scared a lot of people." A spokeswoman for the Federal Communications Commission said that the broadcast might violate Emergency Broadcasting System rules. EBS is an arm of the FCC. No investigation will be undertaken unless a formal written complaint is submitted, officials said.
Joe Holleman Political correspondent/columnist Follow Joe Holleman Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

Nikki Budzinski didnt arrive on time for an interview. In fact, she was early.

Should Budzinski, a Democrat who just finished her first year representing part of the Metro East area in the U.S. House, be aiming to position herself as unique among politicians, punctuality is a solid start.

But the former aide to Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has stood out during her freshman year in Congress, mostly by not acting out.

Somehow, Budzinski has managed to notch some wins in her first year as an elected official  not by grappling in the culture-war battles and grabbing headlines but instead by working with colleagues to address nuts-and-bolts needs in her district.

You have to do that intentionally, Budzinski said of her steak-over-sizzle approach. There are important things like infrastructure and jobs that need to get done, even in a divisive environment.

Budzinski noted that the first bill she introduced, which provides money for apprentice programs in construction, manufacturing and health care, was the result of partnering with U.S. Rep. Mike Carey, an Ohio Republican on the House Ways and Means Committee.

I knew my bill would have to get through that committee, so I sought some help, Budzinski explained, calling the bills passage a real win in a divisive environment.

Budzinski said she also works closely with U.S. Rep. Mike Bost, a Republican who also represents parts of the Metro East and, more importantly, chairs the House Agricultural Committee.

I sought out (seats on) the Agricultural and Veterans Affairs committees. Theyre historically considered to be the most bipartisan House committees, she said.

With no small amount of satisfaction, Budzinski points to her ranking as a champion with the nonpartisan group Common Ground, which grades legislators on their ability to work with other parties on important issues.

You have to ignore the political noise and walk across to the other side of the aisle, she said. Thats literally what Ive done, walked across the aisle.

Budzinski also made clear that she sees constituent service as a crucial component of her job.

She pointed to her role in helping secure $196 million for new MetroLink cars and $28 million to repair portions of the system damaged by flooding; getting more money and federal involvement in alleviating flooding problems in Cahokia Heights; and funding programs to help young farmers, through student loan forgiveness, pursue careers in agriculture.

As she talked about farm programs and forgiving loans, she also dovetailed into her work to improve rural health care, in which she has joined with U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, a fellow Democrat.

Along that line, she has introduced a bill that would provide loan reductions for physicians, nurses and dentist who agree to work in underserved communities.

There are some communities that dont even have an OB-GYN doctor to serve them, she said. Sure, they have access to (doctors) through telehealth  but women dont want to deal with their OB-GYN on a Zoom meeting.

One example of bipartisan teamwork between Budzinski and Bost, literally of the boots-on-the-ground variety, came to fruition in September.

Thanks in part to the pair sponsoring a bill to encourage domestic production of U.S. military gear, the Belleville Shoe Co. was awarded a two-year $7.8 million contract to supply the Army with a temperate-weather combat boot.

Along the way in her first year in office, Budzinski said her office handled more than 26,000 calls and pieces of mail from constituents, proudly noting that she and her staff resolved about 700 problems that people she represents had with Social Security, Medicare and veterans benefits.

But for all of the good news she shared, not everything in Budzinskis first year has gone as she had hoped.

The saga of U.S. Steel in Granite City does not seem headed for a particularly happy ending.

Originally hoping that a U.S. company would buy the company, it instead has been sold to Japanese-owned Nippon Steel, a move Budzinski has said leaves the future of the local plant in jeopardy.

The future of the plant, known locally as Granite City Steel, has been uncertain for all of Budzinskis term.

In September, the plant was temporarily idled, and 400 people were laid off; another 600 have been warned they may suffer a similar fate. On top of that, city and union officials still are uncertain about the final fallout of the sale, which should be completed later this year.

Budzinski said she has urged Nippon Steel to take a fresh look at the viability of the local steel plant and find ways to save jobs.

But she conceded that Nippon seems to be following the business plan of U.S. Steel, which does not protect local jobs. That wont, however, cool Budzinskis heels on pushing to protect area jobs.

Sometimes, you just cant worry about what the optics look like, Budzinski said of possibly losing the battle in Granite City.

Sometimes, you just have to keep fighting.
ST. LOUIS  A double shooting Sunday night in St. Louis' West End neighborhood has left one person dead and another critically injured.

Police said the two male victims were shot about 10 p.m. Sunday near Cates Avenue and Goodfellow Boulevard.

Authorities did release the age of either victim.

One died at a hospital after being shot multiple times. The other was found barely breathing and unconscious.

Check back for updates.
ST. LOUIS  A man was found fatally shot early Sunday on the Missouri side of the Eads Bridge, police said.

Police believe the man was shot while in a car elsewhere in St. Louis before making his way to the bridge, spokesperson Evita Caldwell said.

The exact location of the shooting remained under investigation Sunday, she said.

The man was in his 20s.

Officers responding to a report of a shooting on the bridge shortly before 5 a.m. and found the man on the ground, according to a police report. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

A woman found with the man was not hurt. She is 23 years old.

Caldwell did not respond to a request for more information.

Police ask anyone with information to call homicide detectives at 314-444-5371. Tipsters who wish to remain anonymous can call CrimeStoppers at 866-371-8477.
ST. LOUIS  A man was killed in a shooting early Sunday in St. Louis' Downtown West neighborhood, police said.

Tawan Ward, 25, was fatally shot shortly before 5:30 a.m. in the 1600 block of Pine Street.

Officers responding to a report of a shooting found Ward in the street, police said. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Ward lived in the 4800 block of Anderson Avenue, in the city's Penrose neighborhood, police said.

Police did not release more details Sunday.

Investigators ask anyone with information to call homicide detectives at 314-444-5371. Tipsters who wish to remain anonymous can call CrimeStoppers at 866-371-8477.
HILLSBORO  The lawyer for a former police sergeant whom authorities called a fugitive last week said in court Monday his client didnt surrender to police because the attorney had told authorities he would turn himself in at a future date instead.

The lawyer, Richard Lozano, said he told police that former Town and Country Sgt. Jordan Fowle planned to surrender sometime before a scheduled bond hearing on Monday.

But a police spokesperson said Monday they did not agree to a future arrest date. Instead, a warrant was signed by a judge, and officers tried several times to arrest the former Town and Country sergeant while Lozano was on vacation.

Last Monday, police said in an interview that they considered Fowle a fugitive. He turned himself in soon after.

Fowle, 57, is accused of sexually abusing two children over more than a decade. He was charged Jan. 16 with child sexual abuse, sodomy and seven counts of child molestation.

He eventually surrendered, and on Monday, a judge granted him a $150,000 cash-only bond. If he gets out on bond, he will be on house arrest and GPS monitoring, and he will be barred from contacting the victims, being around minors, possessing a gun and leaving the state.

Fowle appeared in court Monday from jail through a video conference call. As he sat in a striped orange jail uniform with his hands cuffed in front of his body, Lozano was in the courtroom arguing for his release on bond.

He has very deep roots in this community. Hes very involved with church, Lozano said in arguing for Fowle to be released on bond. They actually had planned a church trip to Israel before this case was filed, and theyve canceled it because of the investigation.

The issues with Fowles arrest began when, in an unusual move, before Fowle was in custody, Lozano filed a motion to reduce Fowles bond. A hearing was scheduled and approved by a judge even though Fowle had not surrendered.

The timing was just not good, Lozano said Monday. Which was my fault. I was out of state ... so I scheduled with the court a bond hearing for this morning.

Lozano said he then called a sergeant at the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office as a courtesy and said he was going on a personal trip and Fowle would surrender before the already-scheduled bond hearing.

But Grant Bissell, a spokesperson for the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office, said Monday the department did not agree to let Fowle remain free until the hearing.

These things have to be mutually agreed upon, he said, and our folks did not agree to him remaining free for another 13 days until the hearing.

Lozano said media interest in the case caused things to devolve into a circus.

Im out hiking the Grand Canyon and find out that they consider him to be a fugitive, Lozano said.

Lozano said he called Fowle and told him to turn himself in, which he did.

On Monday, assistant prosecuting attorney Shannon ONeal on Monday read statements written by each victim in the case. They wrote about how they have suffered emotionally from the abuse and fear for their safety if the court releases Fowle on bond.

This was abuse at every level against these children, ONeal said in requesting the judge keep Fowle in custody without bond.

Fowle was in the process of posting bond late Monday afternoon.

A preliminary hearing in his case was scheduled for March 1.
ST. LOUIS  Six people were killed over the weekend in St. Louis, marking a violent few days in the city.

The string of killings brings the city to 17 homicides so far this year, up from just 11 at the same time last year. And it comes on the heels of a major drop in homicides last year  down from 200 in 2022 to just 158 for the entire year in 2023.

The first homicide this past weekend came early Saturday when an SUV hit a light pole near Chouteau Avenue & South Seventh Street in the citys LaSalle Park neighborhood. A man in his 40s was found shot in the head after the crash, which happened just before 1:30 a.m.

A little less than 24 hours later, a 20-year-old man was pronounced dead at a hospital after arriving with a puncture wound to the head. He, too, had been in a car crash at Jefferson Avenue and Miami Street in the citys Marine Villa neighborhood. Police dont know if he died because of the shooting or the crash.

On Sunday, police found a man in his 20s who died in a drive-by shooting just after 4:30 a.m. on the Missouri side of the Eads Bridge.

Less than an hour later, 25-year-old Tawan Ward was shot and killed in the 1600 block of Pine Street in the citys Downtown West neighborhood.

Around 7:30 a.m. police responded to a call for a suspicious person lying in a backyard in the 4700 block of Lexington Avenue in the citys Kingsway East neighborhood. They found a man unconscious and bleeding, and he was pronounced dead at a hospital. Police said hed had a traumatic brain injury.

And just before 10 p.m. Sunday, police found a man with puncture wounds inside an apartment in the 900 block of Goodfellow Boulevard, in the citys West End neighborhood. He died at the scene.

Five of the victims had not been identified as of Monday afternoon. No one had been charged in the killings.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 29. A delegation headed by non-resident Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark to Azerbaijan Danny Annan has met with Azerbaijani Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Mukhtar Babayev, Trend reports, referring to the ministry.

During the meeting, the parties discussed preparations for the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), scheduled to take place in Azerbaijan in November this year.

In addition, discussions took place on the prospects of cooperation between the two countries in the field of environmental protection.

The decision to host COP29 in Azerbaijan was officially announced in Dubai on December 11, 2023.



Besides Azerbaijan, both Armenia and Bulgaria nominated their candidatures. However, after direct negotiations between the Office of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Office of the Prime Minister of Armenia on December 7, 2023, Armenia decided to withdraw its candidacy in favor of Azerbaijan. Bulgaria followed suit and also withdrew its candidacy.



On January 4, 2024, Mukhtar Babayev, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan, was appointed as President of COP29.

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY  The superintendent of Mehlville schools will host a meeting Tuesday to hear from families concerned about changes to the districts signature programs for personalized learning.

Next year, the academy program for seventh and eighth grades, which blends multiple subjects into longer class periods, will only be offered at one of the districts four middle schools according to a recent letter sent to parents.

The nontraditional learning style featuring collaborative projects is considered a continuation of Mosaic, an elementary choice school of innovation where enrollment is by lottery. In the middle schools, students direct their own learning paths while guided by teachers to emulate real-world career experiences, the districts website states.

The academies will be offered in sixth grade at Bernard, Oakville and Washington middle schools, but Buerkle Middle near Jefferson Barracks will have the only program for seventh and eighth grades.

Parents in a Mosaic school Facebook group said they were shocked by the change to a program they chose for their children.

I almost feel like our kids are being treated like science experiments that are now being discarded, said one mom.

Part of the challenge for the district is hiring teachers with certification to teach multiple subjects in seventh through 12th grades. Bernard and Oakville academies are underenrolled, and students had a hard time fitting in electives around the alternative schedule, district leaders said.

The goal of meeting with parents is to gather feedback over what is a fluid situation, said Mehlville Superintendent Jeff Haug.

Were probably going to come to a compromise, Haug said Friday. We didnt do it to shut things down; we want to continue what parents are getting at Mosaic.

Mehlville has long been considered a front-runner in the field of personalized learning, which gives students more autonomy to choose curriculum for college prep and career training. In fall of 2019, superintendents from around the country visited Mehlville to learn more about the districts programming.

Haug said the districts mission hasnt changed, and plans are underway to create more flexible coursework in all schools.

Were not changing our goals for personalized learning, were actually going to make it better, he said.

The decision to downsize the middle school academy program comes on the heels of the school boards vote in December to end Mehlville at Home, a virtual school launched during the pandemic that now serves more than 100 students from across the state.

Mehlville and the Ritenour School District in north St. Louis County were the last two local districts to continue virtual learning after the 2020-2021 school year. Ritenour Virtual Academy closed in fall 2022 because of a lack of interest.

More than a dozen teachers, parents and students spoke in opposition to closing Mehlville at Home during a special board meeting last month. The virtual school was a safe space for students with health conditions and those who were bullied, anxious or otherwise uncomfortable in a traditional school setting, they said.

What started as a necessity turned into the biggest gift for my family, said Holly Mroczkowski, whose son has autism and struggles to focus in the classroom.

Mehlville will spend $1.1 million on the final year of the virtual program, including nearly $500,000 for students who dont live in the district. Teachers in Mehlville at Home will be offered other jobs in the district, and students will be helped with a transition to their home schools or another virtual program through the state.

School board members said it was a difficult decision to close Mehlville at Home after hearing the passionate pleas to save it.

Its heartbreaking when you consider the services that we want to provide our students versus what our budget will allow, said board member Scott Huegerich.
JEFFERSON CITY  A Democrat from St. Louis and a Republican from St. Louis County have gotten behind a plan that would exempt low-income workers from the 1% city earnings tax.

State Reps. Steve Butz, D-St. Louis, and Jim Murphy, R-south St. Louis County, are sponsoring identical proposals to excuse workers earning less than 150% of the federal poverty level  or less than $22,590 for an individual  from having to pay the tax.

We want it to be a bipartisan effort, Murphy said. Were not trying to hurt the city, but we are trying to help the low-income people.

Butz said any time lawmakers can help the lowest-income earners is a positive step in helping these families improve their financial security.

The two measures have been referred to the House Economic Development Committee. Murphy said the low-income exemption would also apply to Kansas City, the other Missouri city with a 1% local earnings tax.

But the two lawmakers dont appear to have won over St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones. Nick Dunne, spokesman for the mayor, criticized the plans for having no mechanism to replace lost revenue.

Disappointingly, neither of these proposed bills contains any plan to cover for the resulting lost revenue, which would likely impact public safety and other City services, and could put the Citys credit rating in jeopardy, Dunne said in a statement.

A nonpartisan fiscal analysis of the plan said that St. Louis could lose $2.5 million in earnings tax collections in 2025 due to the exemption.

The tax generated more than $200 million for city coffers in fiscal year 2022, of $525 million in total revenues, according to a city financial report.

Paul Payne, the city budget director, said in October that 79% of the earnings tax comes from individuals and 21% comes from corporations.

Murphys Special Committee on the Earnings Tax, which met last year during the legislative offseason, had issued a list of recommendations earlier this month, including one that would gradually phase out the city earnings tax altogether as revenue benchmarks are met.

The others included supporting litigation challenging the St. Louis earnings tax for remote work, as well as a plan to exempt new residents from the tax.

Democrats on the committee didnt sign on to Murphys report and, in a rebuttal, only expressed a positive view of the low-income worker exemption, calling it a solid idea that we believe could have a lot of support.

Republicans in Jefferson City for years have pushed back against local earnings taxes. But St. Louis voters have affirmed it three times in elections, most recently in 2021 by 79% of voters.

The referendums are required every five years under a law approved with the passage of Proposition A in 2010, an effort supported by Republican megadonor and retired Missouri financier Rex Sinquefield.

Critics have said the earnings tax has impeded growth. But proponents say the levy is vital to funding city services and that city voters should have the final say on whether to keep it.

Murphy said Friday the low-income worker exception and a remote work exemption from the tax were the most likely to clear the Legislature this year.

The ones I believe that are going to go through  that have a chance to go through this year  is obviously the remote worker one ... and the low-income exemption, he said.

Murphys remote worker legislation states that starting with tax returns filed in 2025, the city couldnt levy the earnings tax on work or services performed or rendered through telecommuting or otherwise performed or rendered remotely unless the remote work took place in the city.

The legislation is House Bills 2460 and 2464.

Editors note: The two bills were scheduled to be heard in committee on Jan. 31, but postponed.
JEFFERSON CITY  Against the backdrop of a wildly dysfunctional state Senate and election year politics, Missouri lawmakers begin parsing Gov. Mike Parsons $53 billion budget proposal this week.

On Monday, the House Budget Committee will hear testimony from administration officials on spending plans for federal dollars that flowed into the treasury as part of the COVID-19 response.

On Wednesday, the Senate Appropriations Committee will hear from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, which is seeking a $120 million boost in the school aid formula.

But with Republicans dueling in the Senate over which members are the most conservative, Parson acknowledged that he may have to enter the fray if lawmakers are unable to complete their work on the spending blueprint by a May 10 deadline.

I give them guidance. I give them advice, Parson told a group of reporters, editors and newspaper owners gathered Thursday for lunch in the Governors Mansion. If you say, Im not going to do the budget, then I would probably step in. We dont have the option.

Approving a budget to keep state government operating is a constitutional requirement of the General Assembly.

If an impasse occurs, one option for Parson would be to call a special session to force the House and Senate to approve a spending plan, potentially pushing the Legislature into overtime in a summer when lawmakers are itching to hit the campaign trail before the August primaries.

Its an election year. I dont know what will happen, Parson said.

In his final year in office, Parson is calling on the House and Senate to boost teacher pay, build up child care options to allow for more parents to move into the workforce and begin planning for a long-sought widening of Interstate 44 from St. Louis southwestern suburbs to Joplin.

Under his proposal, the term-limited Parson would leave his successor a $1.5 billion surplus as a cushion for any economic downturn that may come in the future.

In comments to reporters, Parsons chief of staff Aaron Willard said leaving behind a surplus is key.

We really believe that we have overseen transformational changes in the state of Missouri, and I did not say that lightly, Willard said.

House Budget Committee Chairman Cody Smith, a Carthage Republican who is running for state treasurer, expressed enthusiasm about getting talks underway.

I am excited about the opportunity to collaborate on crafting a budget that aligns with the needs of our constituents while maintaining a strong commitment to fiscal responsibility, Smith said.

The House got an early start on reviewing the state budget by beginning their work in December, rather than waiting until the session began in January. That could position the chamber to get a blueprint to the Senate earlier than usual, opening a wider window for negotiations between the two chambers.

As a steward of taxpayer dollars, I am determined to pass a sustainable budget that will better position Missouri in the years going forward, Smith said. Crafting a balanced budget requires careful consideration of priorities and a commitment to making tough decisions when necessary.

On the other side of the aisle, Rep. Deb Lavender, D-Manchester, applauded some of the governors budget plans but said it still falls short of providing adequate services for people who care for seniors and the developmentally and physically disabled.

We are short of providers because our pay is too low. We need another $400 million to compensate members of this vital workforce appropriately, Lavender said.

She also warned against a Republican push to phase out corporate income taxes, which could decrease state revenues by an estimated $800 million annually.

In addition to calling for an infusion of money to boost the amount schools spend on students, Parson is asking for a $1.5 billion outlay of federal money to expand broadband internet access throughout the state.

He wants a 3% increase for higher education and more than $300 million for new construction projects at the states universities and community colleges.

Workers on the state payroll would see 3.2% raises to help fill thousands of vacant positions and retain the more than 40,000 current state employees.

Employees who work in 24-hour facilities such as prisons, juvenile homes and mental health hospitals could qualify for an additional 1% increase for every two years theyve been on the job, up to a maximum of 10%.

House Majority Leader Jon Patterson, R-Lees Summit, said the governors budget presentation marks the beginning of a more intense schedule for lawmakers, who are in session until May 17.

The Legislature is like an aircraft carrier. It kind of starts slowly. I think now were now really starting to get going, said Patterson, who is on track to become House speaker next year.
JEFFERSON CITY  Realtors could play a significant role in any campaign that emerges this year asking Missourians to make it more difficult to amend the state constitution.

Republicans want to make enacting constitutional amendments harder as abortion-rights supporters move forward with a measure that would reverse the states near-total ban on abortion. It currently takes a statewide majority vote to change the constitution.

Sam Licklider, lobbyist for the Missouri Association of Realtors, told members of the Senate Local Government and Elections Committee on Monday that the organization opposes efforts to alter the process.

We are opposed to any change in the initiative process  period, he said.

Republicans are weighing numerous measures that would tack on a concurrent majority requirement to constitutional changes, requiring campaigns to also win a majority in most legislative districts in addition to a simple statewide majority.

But involvement by the deep-pocketed Realtors could complicate any eventual campaign seeking to make constitutional amendments more difficult.

Key to the Realtors opposition is that the organization has previously used the ballot initiative process to enact changes favorable to its members.

In 2010, the organization spent over $4 million to amend the constitution to prohibit sales taxes on real estate transfers.

In 2016, the group raised $5.6 million to stop the Legislature from extending state sales taxes to services.

In August, the Realtors gave $100,000 to the newly formed Missourians for Fair Governance, which said it would oppose changes proposed by the Legislature to the initiative petition process.

The group, made up of thousands of Missouri real estate agents, gave another $100,000 to Missourians for Fair Governance in November. The Realtors are the only donor so far to Missourians for Fair Governance.

Records show Missourians for Fair Governance spent more than $100,000 between Oct. 1 and New Years Eve, including for strategic planning, communications work, website development and more. The campaign finished the quarter with $53,000 on hand.

Licklider registered his opposition Monday during the Senate hearing in which the committee heard testimony on a suite of Republican proposals that would complicate the initiative petition process.

The hearing followed the launch of a campaign for an abortion-rights constitutional amendment earlier this month, and a pressure campaign by hard-line Republicans to fast-track measures aimed at complicating passage of the abortion question.

Senate President Caleb Rowden, R-Columbia, referred initiative petition changes to committee on Thursday.

You are the most powerful non-chairman Ive ever seen, because you guys complained for two weeks and now you got a hearing, Senate Minority Leader John Rizzo, D-Independence, told Sen. Denny Hoskins, R-Warrensburg, who presented his initiative petition plan after losing his committee chairmanship last week.

Senate Majority Leader Cindy OLaughlin, R-Shelbina, on Thursday floated expelling one of the hard-line senators, Bill Eigel, from the upper chamber. That angered Eigel, and a conflict appeared unresolved as senators returned home for the weekend.

In a newsletter published over the weekend, OLaughlin said she floated Eigels expulsion in response to his call for her to resign.

This was a childish reaction on my own part, and as I think over the last few weeks, I realize the only thing I can control is myself, OLaughlin said. So I am going to resolve to do better. There is no effort to remove anyone from the Senate and to suggest it even in a joking manner was stupid.

At the same time as the Senate conflict, a survey of 719 likely Missouri general election voters conducted Wednesday and Thursday, with a margin of error of 3.9%, showed more initial support for the abortion-rights measure than an effort to make such an amendment more difficult to implement.

The Missouri Scout/Remington Research Group poll found 52% support for the abortion-rights measure, compared with 45% for a House proposal changing initiative petitions.

That proposal would require petitions to win a majority in most of Missouris eight congressional districts to take effect.

The poll question on possible initiative petition changes also referenced two other provisions Republicans included in the House proposal. The poll question also asked voters if they wanted to forbid countries from funding initiatives and prohibit taxes on property by initiative.

Twenty-two percent of respondents opposed the initiative petition changes while 33% werent sure.

On abortion legalization, the poll asked voters if they wanted to amend the Missouri Constitution to remove the states abortion ban, but allow abortions to be restricted or banned after Fetal Viability except to protect the life or health of the woman.

In addition to 52% approval, 30% percent of respondents opposed the measure, and 18% said they werent sure.
Conner Kerrigan, who previously led communications for advocacy group Empower Missouri and Democrat Yinka Faletis 2020 campaign for Missouri secretary of state, starts work in the mayors office today .

The future of St. Louis is bright, Kerrigan said in a press release. Im honored to be a part of Mayor Jones team as we continue the work of transforming the city of St. Louis and our entire region into a shining example of civic success.
ST. LOUIS  St. Louis Lambert International Airport spurs about $27.5 billion a year in economic activity for the metro area  a figure that could grow by about $5 billion by 2032 after the airports proposed overhaul of passenger terminals is completed.

Thats according to a newly released report compiled for Greater St. Louis Inc., a leading area business organization that is helping promote Lamberts upgrade.

The report compared the airports direct and indirect significance to the area economy in 2019  the last year before air traffic nationally nosedived because of the pandemic  and what it could be in 2032.

The 2019 figures are considered representative of current conditions as aviation activity has strongly rebounded, the report said.

The report said the overall economic impact of Lambert could grow nearly 18% between 2019 and 2032, to $32.4 billion.

The number of jobs tied directly or indirectly to the airport could increase by about 30%, from 102,815 to 133,501, the report said. The 86-page report was compiled by Kimley-Horn and Associates, a North Carolina-based consulting firm.

Transforming our airport is a top priority for St. Louis business community, David Kemper, executive chairman of Commerce Bancshares and a Greater St. Louis board member, said in a news release on the report.

A new airport is critical to meeting the current and future needs of our metro, making us more competitive, increasing economic growth and expanding our global connectivity.

The figures include data and projections of economic activity at the airport itself, from Boeing Co. and other companies operating there and from nearly 250 other companies within 10 miles of Lambert that support or rely on the airport.

Also included are so-called multiplier impacts, such as income earned by workers from direct and supplier sales transactions that is then spent in the metro area.

Tony Wyche, a spokesman for Greater St. Louis, said the report assumes that a possible $1.8 billion expansion of Boeings manufacturing complex at Lambert will actually occur.

That depends on the aerospace company winning major new Defense Department contracts over rival firms.

The airports overhaul, which is estimated at $2.8 billion, would consolidate its two terminals into one new single passenger terminal with about 60% more space for concessions and retail. The plan also calls for a new, larger parking garage and road improvements.

The cost would be covered by bond sales paid off by airline fees, increased revenues from parking and retail sales, federal grants and charges on airline tickets.

Lamberts airlines must still agree to the plan, which has been tentatively approved by the Federal Aviation Administration pending an environmental review.

The Greater St. Louis report says jobs at the airport itself, including workers on construction projects and Boeing employees, would jump to 31,666 in 2032 from 23,964 in 2019.

Direct payroll totals at Lambert would increase from about $3.2 billion to $3.7 billion and business revenues generated at the airport itself would increase from $14.9 billion to $16.5 billion.

The report cites the importance of the airport to business and in particular its importance to three companies with large St. Louis area presences  Boeing, Bayer and Bunge. Backers of Lamberts overhaul say among the goals is increasing international flights.

The report notes that Bayer employs nearly 6,000 people here and that about a third of its St. Louis-based staff travel frequently, often to Germany where the company is based.

The report said Bayer has financially supported German air carrier Lufthansas nonstop service from Lambert to Frankfurt, Germany and that Bayer recently asked that nonstops be increased to five days a week from three days.

The report said Bayer also is interested in Lambert eventually beginning nonstop service to Sao Paulo, Brazil, to reach Bayers South American markets.

Bunge, the report said, has about 800 employees here and that about 200 regularly travel for business, sometimes to Europe, South America and Asia, while Bunge workers in other nations travel to North America.

The company has moved meetings to Miami, New York and Toronto because those cities have more direct international flights than Lambert.
ST. LOUIS  First comes the leap year, this Feb. 29. Next theres the solar eclipse, on April 8. Then  as if 2024 werent packing in enough oddities  come the cicadas.

This spring, two broods of the noisy, red-eyed bugs are set to rise from the ground across the Midwest and, perhaps, around the St. Louis region. The same two broods havent shown up in the same year since 1803, when Thomas Jefferson and Napoleon struck the Louisiana Purchase.

Its something straight out of a movie about aliens, said Tamra Reall, a horticulture specialist and entomologist for the University of Missouri Extension also known as Dr. Bug in a column fielding insect questions from kids. This is such a cool thing.

Brood XIX, also called the Great Southern Brood, will arrive first. It emerges across the St. Louis region every 13 years, around late April.

Then, in May and June, Brood XIII, or the Northern Illinois Brood, will resurface on its 17-year cycle.

Both will stream up from the ground as nymphs and shed their inch-long exoskeletons.

The Great Southern Brood is found across much of Missouri; both occur along significant swaths of Illinois, including areas near Springfield and Peoria.

Its unclear if both will arrive in St. Louis. One Missouri expert said its out of range for the northern brood. Another said St. Louis might be on the fringe of the territory where both broods turn up  every 221 years.

Not everyone will be eager to welcome hordes of insects with sci-fi life cycles, unleashed like an ancient curse from underground tombs. But many  including self-proclaimed bug nerds and scientists  are excited and say that the cicadas long-awaited appearances present rare opportunities to study them.

Theres so much to learn, said Reall. Its hard to study an organism thats in the ground for 13 years or 17 years.

Various climate-related questions accompany the insects arrival, as they emerge from a few feet within well-insulated soil into an atmosphere thats hotter than the one they last experienced. Regional experts are unsure how the cicadas will fare in the warming conditions or if, for instance, it could lead their ranges to shift geographically.

The insects will also emerge into a society where technology has changed, giving new opportunities for citizen science  essentially anyone with a smartphone can report observations, said Robbie Doerhoff, a forest entomologist for the Missouri Department of Conservation.

She said there will be a huge interest in those crowdsourced efforts to track where the broods are emerging this year.

In terms of overall cicada activity, this year might not be too different than others here.

For instance, there will still be cicada varieties that emerge every year  ones that are often about twice as big and green in color, instead of the dark or black of the periodical variety. And this years two periodical broods will only overlap for a limited window of time, above ground.

Both broods contain a few separate cicada species. But their life cycles follow the same general script. The insects lay their eggs in twigs and, after hatching, they fall to the ground, where they burrow their tan-colored bodies in for the long haul  the decade-plus chapter referred to as the nymph stage of their lives.

Its not certain how they track time while buried a few feet deep  perhaps taking cues from seasonal changes in chemicals from tree sap  but sometimes stragglers will reemerge at incorrect times, up to a few years off.

Once theyre back above ground  and ditch their nymph-stage exoskeletons  mating and producing the broods next generation is the top order of business for several weeks of adult life. Only male cicadas make the loud, distinctive, synchronous buzzing calls, as they try to entice females.

Experts say its unclear why the insects have adopted life cycles that require long intervals between appearances, though the cycles may provide advantages like minimizing exposure to fungus or disease. Another advantage could come from strength in numbers.

If you come out en masse, then you cant all get eaten, said Doerhoff.

There are going to be a lot, added Reall. Even with a single brood, were talking about billions.

But like many types of insects, cicadas face challenges, including long-term declines and the extinction of certain broods. Doerhoff said the insects can be affected by issues ranging from lawn chemicals to urbanization (they will die underground if the surface is covered by pavement).

Experts assure any insect-averse people that there is no need to fear the cicadas. The bugs dont harm people and coexist with the regions trees and plant life. Experts also urge area residents not to spray cicadas with chemicals, which can hurt birds and other animals that feast on the bugs.

After all, the cicadas reign will be short-lived.

So soak in the novelty, Reall says, while you can.
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."

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 29. Azerbaijani Defense Minister Colonel General Zakir Hasanov met with a delegation headed by Turkiye's Grand National Assembly deputy, chairman of the parliamentary commission on national defense, former Minister of National Defense of the Republic of Turkiye Hulusi Akar, Trend reports, referring to the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry.

Greeting the guests, Colonel General Hasanov expressed satisfaction with their visit to Azerbaijan. The Minister emphasized that friendly and brotherly relations of the heads of state of Azerbaijan and Turkiye play an important role in the development of bilateral military cooperation between the countries, as well as cooperation in all other areas in the ascending line.

Hulusi Akar, in turn, expressed satisfaction with his visit to Azerbaijan and thanked him for the hospitality. Highlighting the special importance of achieving the level of strategic alliance in bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Turkiye, he emphasized the significance of such visits.

The meeting discussed regional security issues and several other issues of mutual interest.

Stay up to date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
WASHINGTON  An enemy drone that killed three American troops and wounded dozens of others in Jordan may have been confused with an American drone returning to the U.S. installation, two U.S. officials said Monday.

As the enemy drone was flying in at a low altitude, a U.S. drone was returning to the small desert installation known as Tower 22 and may have been let pass by mistake, according to a preliminary report cited by the officials, who were not authorized to comment and insisted on anonymity,

As a result, there was no effort to shoot down the enemy drone that hit the outpost early Sunday morning. The U.S. troops at the outpost use trailers for their sleeping quarters.

Officials said that of the 34 wounded troops, most had cuts, bruises, traumatic brain injuries and similar wounds. Eight were medically evacuated and the most seriously hurt service member is in critical but stable condition.

The preliminary conclusion was first reported by The Wall Street Journal.

Explanation for how the enemy drone evaded U.S. air defenses on the installation came as the White House said Monday its not looking for war with Iran even as President Joe Biden vows retaliatory action. The Democratic administration believes Tehran was behind the strike.

Biden met with members of his national security team in the White House Situation Room to discuss the latest developments.

The brazen attack, which the Biden administration blames on Iranian-based proxies, adds another layer of complexity to an already tense Mideast situation as the Biden administration tries to keep the Israel-Hamas war from expanding into a broader regional conflict.

The president and I will not tolerate attacks on U.S. forces, and we will take all necessary actions to defend the U.S. and our troops, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Monday as he met at the Pentagon with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

Biden faces a difficult balancing act as he looks to strike back against Tehran in a forceful way without allowing the Gaza conflict to further metastasize. The drone attack was one of dozens on U.S. troops in the Middle East since Hamas launched attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, igniting the war in Gaza. But its the first in which American service members have been killed.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby reiterated a day after Biden promised to hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner (of) our choosing that the U.S. administration wasnt seeking to get into another conflict in the Middle East.

But Kirby also made clear that the American patience has worn thin after more than two months of attacks by Iranian proxies on U.S. troops in Iraq, Syria and Jordan and on the U.S. Navy and commercial vessels in the Red Sea. The groups  including Yemens Houthi rebels and Iraq based Kataeb Hezbollah  say the attacks are in response to Israels ongoing to military operations in Gaza.

We are not looking for a war with Iran, Kirby told NBCs Today show. We are not looking to escalate the conflict in the region.  Obviously, these attacks keep coming. Well keep looking at the options. I cant speak for the supreme leader or what he wants or he doesnt want. I can tell you what we want. What we want is a stable, secure, prosperous Middle East, and we want these attacks to stop.

Iran on Monday denied it was behind the Jordan strike.

These claims are made with specific political goals to reverse the realities of the region, Irans state-run IRNA news agency quoted foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani as saying. Iran regularly denies involvement in attacks linked back to it through the militias it arms across the wider Mideast

Republicans have laid blame on Biden for doing too little to deter Iranian militias, which have carried out some 150 attacks on U.S. troops in region since the start of the war.

Bidens response to these attacks has been disorganized, ineffective, and weak, Republican National Committee spokesman Jake Schneider said in a statement. Now, more Americans have lost their lives because of Bidens incompetence.

Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump on Sunday called the attack yet another horrific and tragic consequence of Joe Bidens weakness and surrender.

The attack hit a U.S. military desert outpost in the far reaches of northeastern Jordan known as Tower 22. The installation sits near the demilitarized zone on the border between Jordan and Syria along a sandy, bulldozed berm marking the DMZs southern edge. The Iraqi border is only 10 kilometers (6 miles) away.

The base began as a Jordanian outpost watching the border, then saw an increased U.S. presence after American forces entered Syria in late 2015. The small installation includes U.S. engineering, aviation, logistics and security troops, with about 350 U.S. Army and Air Force personnel deployed.

Iraqs government condemned the drone strike in an apparent effort to distance itself from an attack likely carried out by the Iranian-backed militias that have a strong presence inside Iraq.

Government spokesman Bassem al-Awadi said in a statement on Monday that Iraq is monitoring with a great concern the alarming security developments in the region and called for an end to the cycle of violence. The statement said that Iraq is ready to participate in diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation.

An umbrella group for Iran-backed factions known as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq has claimed dozens of attacks against bases housing U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria since the Israel-Hamas war began. On Sunday, the group claimed three drone attacks against sites in Syria, including near the border with Jordan, and one inside of occupied Palestine but so far hasnt claimed the attack in Jordan.

The attack came as U.S. officials were seeing signs of progress in negotiations to broker a deal between Israel and Hamas to release the more than 100 remaining hostages being held in Gaza in exchange for an extended pause in fighting. While contours of a deal under consideration would not end the war, Americans believed that it could lay the groundwork for a durable resolution to the conflict.

Top U.S., Israeli, Egypt and Qatari officials held talks on Sunday in France about an emerging framework for a hostage deal. Israel said significant gaps remain but called the talks constructive and said they would continue in the week ahead.

The Jordan attack also had U.S. allies on edge that the situation in the Middle East could further spiral.

German Foreign Ministry spokesperson Sebastian Fischer said that in view of the extremely tense situation in the region, this act is completely irresponsible and could lead to pushing the region further toward escalation.

We expect from Iran that it finally exert its influence on its allies in the region so that there is no uncontrolled conflagration, in which no one can have an interest, Fischer said.

Associated Press writers Qassim Abdul-Zahra in Baghdad, Jon Gambrell in Jerusalem and Geir Moulson in Berlin contributed reporting.

Updated at 12:23 p.m.
January 29, 2024: Turkey has, since the 1990s, become more of a problem for itself and many other nations in the region. This mischief remained active in 2023 into 2024, and caused substantial economic and diplomatic damage to Turkey, but its leader for the last two decades, President Erdogan, survived the 2023 national elections and will remain in office for another five years. Even when out of office Erdogan will remain a political king maker and major factor in Turkish politics.

Currently Erdogan is angry at the Iraqi Kurds because of their role in the deaths of 21 Turkish soldiers in the last month. Turkish troops have been fighting Syrian Kurds of the Syrian Democratic Forces/SDF as well as the Iraqi Kurds.

The Kurdish majority regions of Turkey, Syria, Iraq, and Iran remain vulnerable to Turkish air strikes and occasional attacks by Turkish ground forces. Turkey was never content with the establishment of an autonomous Kurdish region in northern Iraq and the impact that had on Kurdish minorities in Syria, where an autonomous region is already a reality for the moment. The Kurds remain under attack in Iraq, Turkey, Syria, and Iran while also suffering from internal feuds between those who are willing to fight for a unified Kurdish state and those who are willing to make deals with local governments to obtain benefits for local Kurds, like less economic and cultural discrimination and persecution. The Syrian Kurds thought the Americans might stick around after ISIL was defeated and take on Turkish and Syrian forces to guarantee Syrian Kurds their autonomy. The U.S. was willing to stick around until ISIL was suppressed in eastern Syria and perhaps longer if the Syrian Kurds provide useful support. Americans also remain in northern Iraq.

Turkey has problems in the Black Sea from the Ukraine-Russia war. In mid-2023 there was a sudden increase in the number of free-floating mines between Crimea and the narrow straits Turkey controls that lead to the Mediterranean and the worlds oceans. Turkey and other NATO nations control most of the Black Sea coastline, especially the southern and western Black Sea coasts. The Russian navy still controls most of the eastern Black Sea and is believed responsible for more than 400 free-floating naval mines showing up west of Crimea since mid-2023.

In 2024 Turkey agreed to cooperate with NATO allies Bulgaria and Romania, which also border the Black Sea, to clear the Russian mines in the Black Sea. Turkey will not allow mine clearing vessels from any other nation to enter the Black Sea to assist. Turkey controls the only entrance to the Black Sea and has a lot of discretion about who is let in and who is not.

Few of these mines appear to be tethered mines that broke loose from their chains. That is an old problem with Russian made floating mines. Tethered mines are designed to have their weighted base sink to the bottom of shallow, less than 20 meters, of water. Most of the mines currently in the Black Sea were apparently released into the water without any tether. The use of naval mines is diminished because they are not much of a threat to warships, which are constantly on the lookout for them, and most commercial ships are too big to sink after encountering one of these mines. There is some hull damage and flooding, but not enough to sink a ship.

Turkey continues to maintain military forces in Libya and recently announced that Turkish and hired Syrian mercenary troops would remain in Libya at least until 2026. The Turks are there to block efforts to hold national elections and bring an end to eleven years of civil war. By early 2020 the Turks had sent enough troops to rescue the GNA (Government of National Accord), a failed UN and Moslem Brotherhood backed government, from its rival. The GNA failed to attract a national following and a local military leader with a locally recruited army of trained and better disciplined soldiers did what UN diplomacy and threats could not. The eastern force, the LNA (Libyan National Army) has been around since 2015, when it was formed in eastern Libya and proceeded to eliminate rivals, especially Islamic radical groups, throughout the country. By early 2019 all that the GNA had left was the traditional capital (Tripoli) and the nearby (to the east) coastal city of Misrata. Both cities are dominated by dozens of rival militias, many of them seeking an Islamic government but mainly looking out for themselves.

The LNA went after Tripoli in early 2019, from two sides and slowly pushed back the desperate militias, who would lose their independence and lucrative criminal enterprises if the LNA succeeded. The UN condemned the LNA and ignored Turkey shipping in weapons and military advisors to assist the GNA. By the end of 2019 Turkey was threatening to send in combat troops and warships to blockade Libyan ports. The Turkish support violated the UN arms embargo on Libya, as does the support Russia, Egypt, the UAE (United Arab Emirates) and a few other countries have provided for the LNA. The LNA agreed to a ceasefire and national elections. The Turks and thousands of their Syrian Arab mercenaries are still there and are prepared to stay indefinitely. At the end of 2023 the Turkish parliament approved the continued presence of Turkish troops in Libya at least until 2026.

EU/European Union warships and surveillance aircraft have, since 2020, been trying to enforce a weapons blockade off the Libyan coast. This effort has not been completely successful.

Meanwhile Turkey continues to invest in Libyan economic development. So far, these Turkish investments amount to $120 million. Currently most of this activity is in territory controlled by the Turkey backed GNA faction. Most Libyans want the Turks out of Libya. The Turkish investments are seen as directed at creating economic benefits for Turkey rather than Libya. Turkish troops in Libya and naval forces off the coast prevent the Libyans from sabotaging Turkish economic projects in Libya.
How to Meet the Challenges of Cloud-Based Media Creation

Can filmmaking really move to the cloud? Its one thing to stream content out to consumers; its a totally other thing to take raw and high-resolution files into a cloud workflow to replace on-prem processes. MovieLabs has 10 principles (see Figure 1) in its Vision 2030 recommendations (see our November/ December 2023 cover story, Cloud Atlas: MovieLabs 2030 Vision Roadmap for Industry-Wide M & E Interoperability).

This article will take a look at requirements for color correction, asset storage, editing, transport, and interoperability. Ill also cover the summarized MovieLabs principles:

Assets are ingested and stored in the cloud (public cloud, private cloud in data centers, or even on-prem) and do not need to be moved.

Applications go to assets (and not the other way around, which is more common today).

Workflows use common underlying data formats and metadata.

Media workflows are non-destructive and can be automated.

Security is based on a zero-trust model.

Figure 1: MovieLabs 10 principles of cloud migration, as outlined in its Vision 2030 initiative

Cloud Basics

Changing media creation workflows to meet MovieLabs 2030 Vision requires planning to include cloud-native applications that are designed and developed to take advantage of containerized architecture, microservices, and the inherent security and interoperability that each platform provides.

Its the same argument everywhere else when it comes to cloud services, but the difference in movie production and post is the size of the content compared with any other industry. Overall, these are the common premises: Collaboration is easier with cloud applications; bursty and inconsistent requirements have scale capacity and cost savings; and there are various levels and costs for archive storage. Steady-state work often looks more attractive on-prem.

In the MovieLabs classification, cloud can be any combination of public cloud, private cloud in data centers, and private cloud on-prem. Files are big in media, says Mike Szumlinski, CPO of Backlight Creative and former founding partner at iconik before its acquisition by Backlight. Its almost always faster to bring the human time to the media than it is to bring the media to the humans. Transferring a full days shoot is either another full day of uploading or an overnight FedEx of a drive and then copying all that data for another couple hours. Thats lost time.

Just as having a stunt double means the ability to capture a scene any number of times without the star getting hurt, proxies are the digital equivalent to getting complicated activities moving without waiting and without harm. A low-resolution proxy that is checked into the cloud saves on transfer time, and people can start making decisions about it before those really big files actually get to where they need to go.

You dont want to have to actually manipulate or move large files around if you dont have to, and thats one of the things that the 2030 Vision will help solve, says Renard Jenkins, president of SMPTE and an industry advisor and analyst. The first thing for me is, how do I get a low-res version of that that I can actually work with?

Rough cuts and dailies breakdowns can all be done in lower resolutions that can be generated quickly on set or in a postproduction facility and then distributed very quickly to a wide area of people. This is one of the key recommendations from MovieLabs.

Is there a standard for proxies? In a word, no. When the remote editing application Cutting-Room (see Figure 2) was built, its creators focused on ensuring that their proxy was as responsive as possible both in speed of creation and frame accuracy. An hour of video takes 7 seconds to create a proxy with us, says Helge Hibraaten, CuttingRooms co-CEO and founder. An hour of video with multiple layers of video, audio, and graphics takes about 5 or 6 minutes to render in full hi-res.

Figure 2: Cloud-based video editor CuttingRoom

Color Correction by Proxy

Lets start with cloud media creations hardest use case: color correction. How can IMAX film cameras used to shoot movies like Oppenheimer use tools to go from film to digital dailies in a cloud environment and in an automated fashion? asks Abdul Rehman, CPO of IMAX.

Rehman says that its critical to match the environment you are in physically when you are creating the content and to ensure that you have a practically similar look and feel of the content in a virtual environment. A very common practice used is to create a proxy to reduce the data size and preserve the look of the content. Hopefully, the decisions that you make will translate the same way that youre making based on the proxy. People still have concerns if the proxy really represents the right colors and the details the way the real content is supposed to look, he notes.

When you make decisions and apply changes on a shot-by-shot basis, the back-and-forth work is too taxing, because it means downloading and uploading terabytes of data. This becomes much more challenging with virtual production and use of cloud, because you dont have the flexibility like in on-prem storage, says Rehman.

Having a file of that size and trying to manipulate it through the cloud in a semblance of real time, so that you can see the changes that youre making in order to be able to make future changes, is difficult, says Jenkins. Its still a little bit clunky, and color correction, much like music, has a rhythm to what the artist is doing.

There have been advancements in the last 23 years that have increased computational power. Does it create a more efficient way to do color correction? I would say slightly, notes Jenkins.

Tools have to get better every step of the way for this to become a much more used approach, Rehman agrees. So color correction still has a way to go.

Asset Management

The easiest use caseand the one most people start withis asset storage. There are two main principles for asset storage being put forth by MovieLabs Vision 2030: All content goes to the cloud first, and then applications go to the content.

This is absolutely fundamental to how this process is going to work, says Philippe Brodeur, CEO and founder of Overcast (see Figure 3). The time that is saved by putting everything into a single repository

and then bringing the applications to that repository absolutely outweighs any sort of on-

premise setup.

The economic reality of Hollywood is that studios dont really want to invest in capital, and so the conversation about CapEx to OpEx takes over, says Reza Rassool, founder and chair of Kwaai (and former CTO of RealNetworks). I recall a CBS executive saying, I dont want to be in the spinning-disc business anymore. I dont want to have a room with 19-inch racks full of spinning discs, and as soon as Ive purchased the system, the asset value just depreciates. 

Why then is going to the cloud a challenge? Is it content size, technical capability, security? Unfamiliarity is the main issue, says Brodeur. Were working with a lot of distributed production companies who work for all the major U.S. broadcasters and studios, and they store content on Dropbox, on Google Drive, on all these prosumer solutions that everyone knows that theyre not supposed to be using for [production media] storage, but theyre doing it anyway. Why? Because theyre familiar with it.

The next comment from customers is usually about costs. That whole argument that the cloud is more expensive than storing on premise is a myth, Brodeur says. The amount of content that you can put in the cloud now and run different applications over it makes it far more economical than trying to do it on premise.

The customers that actually understand the storage theyve purchased is surprisingly low in the cloud space, says Szumlinski. Nobody really understands anything around the security protocols, the speeds, how they work. They just want the cheapest thing thats the fastest to upload and download. We get a lot of customers coming to us from Dropbox or Google Drive saying, Its great, but it doesnt scale. The way they work fundamentally under the hood is everybody has to have a copy of the media. What happens if you have 300 terabytes of storage and you need to get 4 terabytes to somebody that only has a 1-terabyte internal hard drive?

Figure 3: Overcasts SaaS Cloud Video Hub

Editing

CuttingRoom is a professional, cloud-based, SaaS video-editing solution. If you still have all of your content on-prem, says Hibraaten, there are multiple ways of connecting CuttingRoom to your storage. Hibraaten points to MinIO, a software application that can be installed in a public, private, or hybrid cloud or on-prem as one viable solution for organizations preparing for cloud migration (see Figure 4).

It turns your storage into S3-compatible storage, which means that any tool that can browse an S3 object store can now browse your store on-prem as well.

And then we have other customers that are connecting AWS Outpost into their on-prem service, making a hybrid world between their AWS accounts and their on-prem service, says Hibraaten. How do you connect to the storage of content? It cant be just in your own storage. It has to be able to connect elsewhere.

Editing, as a genre, is very cloud-ready. CuttingRoom outputs edit decision lists (EDLs), which colorists can then import into a color-correction application. The big thing here is taking away all of this hassle from the creatives who have had to learn enormous amounts of logistics about how to move about files, transcode them for efficient editing, etc., according to Hibraaten.

Figure 4: Public, private, and hybrid cloud options for MinIO

Compute Power

Many postproduction applicationsespecially in the realm of 2D and 3D effectsrequire massive compute power (a combination of system-level and dedicated graphics processing capability). Its very difficult to have that compute power available on-prem for the same reason as the storage: Its a capital asset thats not being used all of the time. Cloud computing offers elastic compute capability, so it can grow and stretch depending on whats needed and so it can accommodate the frequent spikes in processing demand that you get in postproduction. Investing in that sort of compute capability in the cloud doesnt necessarily mean that you wont have powerful local computers, Rassool says, but I think the bulk of the compute is going to be in the cloud.

Compute uses can be as complicated as color correction or special effect creation or as simple as democratizing who has access to content.

We have a client who gets charged anywhere between $10,000 and $25,000 to have an archive pulled by their ad agency, says Brodeur. It takes days, if not weeks, to get the content. Youve got all of these people running around looking for an archive when, literally, you should just be able to search. And anyone who has access rights should be able to perform these searches.

Collaboration

COVID pushed online collaboration into every industry, and moviemaking is no exception. Backlight Creative has several products geared toward collaborative production. cineSync is a shared high-resolution review and collaboration tool, and iconik provides asset management (see Figure 5). The cloud is doing all the orchestration; the actual files themselves are local because they have to be for that level of resolution, says Szumlinski. You couldnt do it in a browser because the formats might not be supported or the color resolution accuracy wouldnt be the same. Staff from anywhere can collaborate or access the asset management resources.

Once choices are made, you can start to do your conforms in the place where the high-res media does need to live, which oftentimes is on-prem because, realistically for most customers, thats the most cost-effective way to go, says Szumlinski.

Figure 5: Backlight Creatives cineSync 5.3 and iconik are integrated to enable postproduction collaboration and shared asset management

Network

A well-designed network means individuals can look at something in real time, make comments, and interact with people who may not be anywhere near where they are for dailies. Youre going to need a fat pipe, and those pipes have to be provisioned in advance, says Jenkins.

Heres a recent scenario from one New York City-based video editor: Video gets downloaded from the camera, then copied to shuttle drives. Those drives go for prep (in this case to Company 3) to create the dailies. These get uploaded via Aspera to a server in Los Angeles, and the editor logs into their PC edit system the next morning, where the files are available in the Los Angeles-based production cloud.

Youre trusting that peoples internet is fast enough. When youre editing, youre jumping around a lot, says freelance movie editor Max Blecker. Its important for it to be responsive and not have to wait every time you do something. Doing it purely in the cloud (as of today) is going to have lag unless you have really fast internet.

GlobalM has traditionally been in the contribution and point-to-multipoint distribution business, sending out high-availability broadcasts (sporting events, news coverage, etc.) for distribution (see Figure 6). The level of strength and redundancy that GlobalM provides supports a production facilitys ability to use cloud services. The company positions itself as both a replacement for and complement to satellite and private fiber networks. Our technology can either complement existing networks or replace them, says Paul Calleja, CEO of GlobalM. We can create redundancy switching that allows us to provide a higher service-level agreement than satellite or even some fiber networks using the cloud. We can have two paths like you would traditionally have on a fiber network that can fail over.

This is the type of robustness you want powering the connection to running daily rushes in the cloud. The real interesting part is being able to do UHD HDR 120-megabit signal to 50 rightsholders around the world without touching a satellite or a private fiber network, says

Calleja. A production could be on location anywhere using a Starlink antenna, and you want to get these rushes back to the studio in Los Angeles. You could have a 4K HDR stream going from location to location, and it will feel like real time with the latency figures of a real-

time phone call. GlobalM also provides return channel capabilities that allow for interaction and collaboration, Calleja adds.

Specifically architecting for this type of distribution is a very special skill. It means building the networks, monitoring them, maintaining uptime, and keeping them functioning at the optimum rate that premium productions demand.

With the exception of banking or healthcare, production is probably the most demanding task a network can support, says Jenkins. When you talk about networks, its performance that you should be building toward, he adds. That allows you to be able to predict how long its going to take you to actually deal with all of this material.

Figure 6: A schematic showing how GlobalMs point-to-multipoint distribution works

Automation Capabilities

An API-first methodology means that pretty much everything that you can do in a cloud production tool, you can also automate, which is another major MovieLabs recommendation. Once there can be communications between systems, they should be able to do things programmatically.

In addition to using cloud-native applications and having assets in the cloud with well-designed networks, the next important part is ensuring that work can travel easily from one application to the next. This is done via APIs designed for communicating information or data in real time. This communication path is crucial for application handoff from one process to another. The idea is that youre looking at cloud workflows as a complete ecosystem and not simply one problem, says Jenkins.

APIs can come in two flavors. They are either the main intelligence for a product or an add-on to it. Why that matters, Szumlinski says, is because if its a feature of the product, it may not be full-featured. If its the fundamental tool that the product is built on, that means that theres an inherent stability because your own product doesnt work if the API doesnt work. APIs are essential to being able to integrate with anything and everything.

We saw early on that we needed to create an architecture where integration points between us and different services are very thin, says Hibraaten. We have advanced integration toolkits that have thin specialized layers for the different services that were connected to.

To create workflows programmatically in a dynamic fashion puts an additional level of requirement in terms of readiness of these tools, says Rehman. This includes making them more secure with less human involvement.

Interoperability

One of the key challenges of cloud migration in the media creation world, according to Rehman, is data transfer and getting access to data. You have to make sure that the content is secure but also accessible in a very uniform fashion across different tools. That means interoperability becomes a bit more challenging.

Rehman points to QC as an example. A number of QC tools can only be deployed on Windows. Windows has issues with S3, so you need a tool that can help you access S3, he says. If one tool is on one cloud and the other tool is on the other cloud platform, right off the bat you have data transfer issues. The second thing, he continues, is that tools need to deploy and scale within a specific zone or a specific VPC [virtual private cloud]. Because this is highly valuable content, I would be surprised if somebody is doing it in public. The set of tools that you need to use then need to support a private cluster-based deployment.

Thats where the interoperability challenges begin. Ideally, for your tool and my tool to work together, if S3 is the way to go, which is the standard storage on AWS, then both of us should be able to read to S3, Rehman explains. If youre reading from it, then I need write access. I think all of those things are not set up right now in a very seamless fashion.

Effective cloud platforms are the glue that holds these workflows together when it comes to operability, Rehman says. For example, if theres one data transfer protocol that is being used to move from one VPC to another, you need to be able to read using that data protocol. If different applications are in that set, then for them to be interoperable, you need to be able to support that. It may not be that one is more secure than the other one, its just that you need to support it to be able to provide interoperability.

Metadata

If an application supports an open taxonomy or has a good API, metadata will travel between applications. Making sure the metadata flows in and out of various storage and applications is key. Trying to standardize metadata in different data centers is very, very difficult. But if youre doing it through APIs, it makes a very different experience, says Brodeur.

We support several sidecar formats. So even if you move content to your cloud storage and youre using tools that we dont know anything about and we dont integrate with, we have delivered metadata on the sidecars that most tools out there are able to read, says Hibraaten. Its a very important thing that you can take your metadata with you.

For asset management, Szumlinski says, iconik does a great job of storing metadata around media. On the task management side, ftrack can use the same taxonomy between different applications.

These principles are what MovieLabs was thinking about for its Vision 2030 goals. While these two products come from the same company and would be expected to work this way, the next phase is to have many more (if not all) applications share data seamlessly.

Cloud Migrations Many Moving Parts

There are many moving parts here. Theres picking the right applications. Having a robust network to connect to cloud services. Supporting interoperability (and metadata) between applications. Ensuring all security requirements are met. Estimating load, and budgeting this new environment.

Having trained technical staff is also critical to cloud migration. You need operations people who are experts in setting up, monitoring,

and managing these workflows. Not only does each application need to do its discrete job, but security also needs to be maintained, including an audit trail of who accessed what when. Your operations staff members have to be experts in cloud technologies, including transfer, security, and access scalability cost estimates, says Rehman.

Most important of all, Rehman argues, is the fundamental process of successfully moving your media assets and operations into the cloud. If that falls, then everything else is just fluff.

Nadine Krefetz has a consulting background providing project and program management for many of the areas she writes about. She also does competitive analysis and technical marketing focused on the streaming industry. Half of her brain is unstructured data, and the other half is structured data. She can be reached at nadinek@realitysoftware.com or on LinkedIn.

Comments? Email us at letters@streamingmedia.com, or check the masthead for other ways to contact us.

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Companies and Suppliers Mentioned
Marketing and Branding Industry's Top Talent to Gather in the AON Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier on Thursday, April 25, 2024

CHICAGO, IL / ACCESSWIRE / January 29, 2024 / Registration is now open for BrandSmart 2024, one of the brand marketing community's most prestigious conferences, featuring renowned speakers who will delve into the latest trends and insights shaping the future of branding in an experience-driven economy, industry expert panels and mainstage presentations uncovering actionable strategies to empower brands in the ever-evolving market.

BrandSmart 2024 Chicago

Registration for the 2024 BrandSmart Conference is now open.

Now in its 22nd year, BrandSmart is the longest-running conference of its kind in the country. The annual convening will be held in the AON Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier in Chicago on Thursday, April 25, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. CDT. BrandSmart is produced by the American Marketing Association Chicago, the largest chapter in North America.

"From powerhouse speakers to visionary marketers, we are excited to learn from these dynamic influencers who have worked to innovate our industry with their creative ideas and campaigns," said AMA Chicago President Chris McGuire. "We welcome marketers from all marketing disciplines and at every stage of their careers - whether they're aspiring or veteran professionals - to immerse themselves in the experience that is BrandSmart."

Sessions include:

Embracing AI and Maintaining the Human Touch with Jennifer Polk, Chief Marketing and Digital Experience Officer at Feeding America

Mega Power Panel with Dan Moriarty, Chief Marketing Officer at Chicago Fire

Innovation as Creativity with Meghan Hurley, Vice President of Global Brand Marketing at Claire's

Branding in the Narrative Economy: The Psychology of Consumer Experiences with Kristian A. Alom, Ph.D., Founder & CEO at Threadline

Architecting Your Future with Jennifer Wesley, Managing Director, Talent Strategy and Development at Google

Additional speakers and sessions will be confirmed. Check the BrandSmart 2024 website for updates.

Early bird conference tickets are available until Feb. 18 for $175 (AMA members) and $275 (non-members). For more information or to purchase tickets, visit https://brandsmart.amachicago.org.

The American Marketing Association Chicago is the largest professional chapter in the American Marketing Association's North American network. AMA Chicago provides ongoing development opportunities for Chicagoland marketers to expand knowledge, improve skills, and grow both their networks and careers through access to innovative marketing thought leaders and cutting-edge programming. Visit amachicago.org.

Contact Information

Karolyn Raphael

PR for American Marketing Association Chicago

[email protected]

312-494-0422

SOURCE: American Marketing Association Chicago (AMA Chicago)

View the original press release on newswire.com.
Company Achieves Top Score in Corporate Equality Index for 10th Consecutive Year

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / January 29, 2024 / CBRE Group, Inc. has been recognized as a Leader in LGBTQ+ Workplace Inclusion, earning a top score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's 2023-2024 Corporate Equality Index (CEI). This marks the 10th consecutive year that CBRE has earned this distinction, reflecting the company's work to foster an inclusive culture for its LGBTQ+ employees.

"This milestone underscores how passionately we feel about creating a workplace where everyone, including our LGBTQ+ colleagues, feels safe, valued, respected and supported in building satisfying careers," said Banke Odunaike, CBRE's Chief Culture Officer. "We see advancing diversity in all dimensions as integral to our ongoing success."

The CEI is a national benchmarking report that evaluates corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ+ workplace equality. This year, more than 1,380 U.S.-based companies were graded in four categories: non-discrimination policies across business entities; equitable benefits for LGBTQ+ workers and their families; supporting an inclusive culture; and corporate social responsibility.

CBRE's programs, in the U.S. and internationally, achieved a top score of 100 and earned the company an Equality 100 Award: Leader in LGBTQ+ Workplace Inclusion. Among other factors, the CEI cited CBRE's robust healthcare coverage and benefits guide for LGBTQ+ employees as well as its LGBTQ+ training programs available in multiple languages.

The full CEI report is available online at www.hrc.org/cei.

About CBRE Group, Inc.

CBRE Group, Inc. (NYSE: CBRE), a Fortune 500 and S&P 500 company headquartered in Dallas, is the world's largest commercial real estate services and investment firm (based on 2022 revenue). The company has approximately 115,000 employees (excluding Turner & Townsend employees) serving clients in more than 100 countries. CBRE serves a diverse range of clients with an integrated suite of services, including facilities, transaction and project management; property management; investment management; appraisal and valuation; property leasing; strategic consulting; property sales; mortgage services and development services. Please visit our website at www.cbre.com.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from CBRE Group, Inc. on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: CBRE Group, Inc.

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/cbre-group-inc

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE: CBRE Group, Inc.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 29, 2024 / CMC Metals Ltd. (TSX-V:CMB)(Frankfurt:ZM5P)(OTCQB: CMCXF) ("CMC" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on its Gavilanes silver-gold-polymetallic project.

The management team including Kevin Brewer, President and CEO, Jose Manuel Delgado Canedo, Director, CFO and Legal Advisor-Mexico, and Cesar Symonds, Project Geologist attended the annual assembly of the Ejido de los Gavilanes yesterday. The Company outlined its exploration plans for Gavilanes for 2024. The Ejido de los Gavilanes expressed support for the project and has agreed to enter into a Letter of Intent with CMC to advance an exploration agreement for the project. This is an important milestone for the project as the ejido control the surface rights and are also highly influential in the process related to the assignment of exploration permits in Mexico. An extension of the current permit has recently also been filed with the Mexican permitting authority SEMARNAT.

The Company has also made considerable progress on financing the project. It recently attended and presented the Metals Investor Forum and the Vancouver Resource Investment Conference in late January in Vancouver where it met with numerous potential investors and groups that have expressed interest in supporting the project. The Company has entered into discussions with a consortium that are considering a strategic partnership in the project.

The Company is actively working towards financing Phase 1 of the project. This will include securing funding for drilling and exploration activities at Gavilanes, the initial property payment to Sailfish Royalty Corp., and concession taxes. The Company intends to use its proceeds from the sale of the Bishop gold mill and financing the remaining requirements through either the formation of a strategic partnership for the project or implementing a financing effort. In this regard, the Company will be confirming its intentions in the near future.

The Company is also finalizing the exploration plan for the project which proposes to complete up to 4,500 meters in the Gavilanes Zone in 2024.

Kevin Brewer, President and CEO noted "Our meetings in Vancouver went better than we had expected. We had a very high level of interest in this project and we are now very confident that we will be able to proceed with our plans for 2024. We expect to be able to soon release the exploration strategy that is focused on resource expansion. The Company will not be instituting a share rollback to finance Phase 1-2024 of the Gavilanes Project. A recent independent valuation by Fundamental Research Corp., at $0.17 per common share, indicates that we are significantly undervalued. As we continue to make this project a reality we are confident our value will be reflected in improved valuation for our shareholders."

The silver-gold polymetallic Gavilanes Project (13,594.5 hectares) has a current NI 43-101 Inferred Resource of 18,174,000 contained silver-equivalent ("Ag-Eq") ounces at an average grade of 320.3 g/t Ag-Eq within 1,765,000 tonnes (Mine Development Associates/Respec Resource Gesociences Inc., 2021). The metal prices assumed in the resource estimate were $19.00 USD/oz silver, $1,600 USD/oz gold, $3.50 USD/lb copper, and $1.00 USD/lb for lead and zinc.

Qualified Person

Qualified Person Kevin Brewer, a registered professional geoscientist, is the Company's President and CEO, and Qualified Person (as defined by National Instrument 43-101). He has given his approval of the technical information pertaining reported herein. The Company is committed to meeting the highest standards of integrity, transparency and consistency in reporting technical content, including geological reporting, geophysical investigations, environmental and baseline studies, engineering studies, metallurgical testing, assaying and all other technical data.

About CMC Metals Ltd.

CMC Metals Ltd. is a growth stage exploration company focused on opportunities for high grade polymetallic deposits in Mexico, Yukon, British Columbia and Newfoundland. Our new flagship project is the Gavilanes Silver-Gold Project, San Dimas, Durango, Mexico. Our polymetallic silver-lead-zinc CRD prospects in the Rancheria Silver District include the Silverknife and Amy projects (British Columbia) and the Silver Hart Deposit and Blue Heaven claims (Yukon). Our polymetallic projects with potential for copper-silver-gold and other metals include Bridal Veil (Newfoundland) and Logjam (Yukon).

On behalf of the Board:

"John Bossio"

John Bossio, Chairman, Board of Directors, CMC METALS LTD.

For Further Information and Investor Inquiries:

Kevin Brewer, P. Geo., MBA, B.Sc.(Hons), Dip. Mine Eng.

President, CEO and Director

Tel: (+52) 669 198 8503

[email protected]

Suite 1000-409 Granville St., Vancouver, BC, V6C 1T2

To be added to CMC's news distribution list, please send an email to [email protected] or contact Mr. Kevin Brewer directly.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

"This news release may contain certain statements that constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law, including without limitation, statements that address the timing and content of upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt of property titles and exploitation activities and developments. In this release disclosure regarding the potential to undertake future exploration work comprise forward looking statements. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions. While such estimates and assumptions are considered reasonable by the management of the Company, they are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive and regulatory uncertainties and risks, including the ability of the Company to raise the funds necessary to fund its projects, to carry out the work and, accordingly, may not occur as described herein or at all. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, the timing and receipt of government and regulatory approvals, the impact of the constantly evolving COVID-19 pandemic crisis and continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. Readers are referred to the Company's filings with the Canadian securities regulators for information on these and other risk factors, available at www.sedar.com. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and, accordingly are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements due to the inherent uncertainty of such statements. The forward-looking statements included in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable securities legislation."

SOURCE: CMC Metals Ltd.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
BPO leader will explain how MSPs can monetize smartsourcing services as an ongoing revenue opportunity

BURNABY, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 29, 2024 / Leading business process outsourcing company Integrated Financial Technologies (IFT) announced that its president Tod Chisholm will speak on two panels at ITEXPO. The conference takes place February 13 - 15, 2024 at the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale.

Chisholm's sessions include "Monetizing Ancillary Services: Strategies for Building Revenue from Adjacent Solutions," on February 14 at 9:00 a.m., which is part of the show's MSP Expo co-located track. He will return to the stage the next day for "Why the Contact Center Should Be Central to Your AI Plans for Future of Work," scheduled for 8:15 a.m. During these sessions, Chisholm will offer his insights on how managed service providers (MSPs) can gain benefits and create ongoing revenues from intelligent outsourcing services-also known as smartsourcing-strengthening their portfolios.

ITEXPO celebrates its 25th anniversary this year as a premier conference for the technology sector. MSP Expo provides education and insights on the issues impacting MSPs and VARs in the IT supply channel.

IFT provides teams of highly trained, experienced agents to end-customers, ready to take on a full range of tasks from customer service, to onboarding, to financing duties and more. Their agents can handle tasks far beyond the typical outsourced contact center functions. The BPO team utilizes IFT's proprietary Ignite agent platform, a high-performance AI-powered interface that helps them function as a seamless and efficient addition to the existing team. Through these services, companies can conduct new marketing campaigns, expand sales efforts, or supplement growing areas like collections-without investing in new hires. MSPs can white-label this offering, gaining incremental income while enhancing their own brands.

"We're excited to participate in ITEXPO and MSP Expo. This forum allows us to educate channel partners on how they can add value for their customers through smartsourcing services," said IFT President Tod Chisholm. "The ability to easily extend staff without having to invest in new personnel presents a coveted value proposition to businesses, especially in an environment where companies are still experiencing lay-offs and contracting budgets. These services help MSPs enrich their customer relationships while also tapping into a lucrative revenue stream."

For more on how IFT and its smartsourcing team can support channel partners and present benefits for their clients, visit www.iftsolutions.com.

About Integrated Financial Technologies

Integrated Financial Technologies (IFT) is a market leader in delivering efficient, reliable, and secure back-office solutions to companies across North America. Based in Vancouver, IFT's unique combination of deep expertise and robust technology enables the company to provide a multitude of services in sales, collections, reporting, and customer care. IFT's North American-based agents are fully trained in financial services processes and a host of service-related industries, and adhere to strict data privacy and security mandates. Their services enable customers to increase revenue, lower operating costs, and improve customer service-without incurring added overhead. For more information, please visit www.iftsolutions.com.

PR Contact:

Suzanne Mattaboni

Parallel Communications Group, Inc.

610-737-2140

X: @Parallel_PR

[email protected]

SOURCE: IFT

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Grant dollars will support Center for the Homeless' mission to break the cycle of homelessness

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / January 29, 2024 / KeyBank and the KeyBank Foundation announced an investment of $150,000 in South Bend's Center for the Homeless, aimed at bolstering its brand new NEXT (Neighbors Excelling as Tenants) Program.

The NEXT program has been uniquely developed to help engage individuals who are living at the Center for the Homeless and are preparing to move out or who have recently moved into apartments or other housing. The 16-class curriculum is specifically designed to help educate this population on every aspect of finding and maintaining safe and permanent housing for themselves and their families. Most importantly, by creating good tenant practices will lead to creating good neighbors for community now and for the future. It's expected that 40 individuals will go through the program each year.

"For more than three decades, the Center for the Homeless has helped improve the lives of thousands of people across the greater South Bend area and is a major advocate for systemic change," said Bhumika Norris, KeyBank's Northern Indiana Market President. "We are thrilled to support the Center and its new NEXT program to promote safe, quality and affordable housing for the individuals and families they serve. The work their staff is doing to ensure our most vulnerable neighbors can achieve their goals and dreams is truly invaluable. Most importantly, creating good tenant practices will lead to creating good neighbors for our community now and for the future."

"We are so grateful to KeyBank for their steadfast support and for investing in the guests at CFH with their sponsorship of the NEXT initiative that will impact so many lives," said Steve Camilleri, Center for the Homeless Executive Director.

The Center for the Homeless is the South Bend area's largest residential facility for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. To date, the Center has served over 65,000 people and continues to serve as a place of hope and opportunity for the up to 200 people a night including children who walk through the front doors looking for safe shelter and a warm meal.

KeyBank has supported the Center for the Homeless since 1998.

Since 2017, Key has made community investments totaling more than $105 million in Northern Indiana which supports low to moderate income individuals and neighborhoods through lending for affordable housing, small businesses, mortgage and transformative philanthropy.

ABOUT KEYCORP

KeyCorp's roots trace back nearly 200 years to Albany, New York. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation's largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $188 billion at December 31, 2023.

Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 1,000 branches and approximately 1,200 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit https://www.key.com/. KeyBank is Member FDIC.

ABOUT CENTER FOR THE HOMELESS

The Center for the Homeless is the South Bend area's largest residential facility for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. To date, the Center has served over 65,000 people and continues to serve as a place of hope and opportunity for the up to 200 people a night including children who walk through the front doors looking for safe shelter and a warm meal.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from KeyBank on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: KeyBank

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/keybank

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE: KeyBank

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Yawnder Mattress Store Donating 1 Mattress for Every Mattress Sold Through February 19.

SAN DIEGO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / January 29, 2024 / In the wake of the recent floods that devastated parts of San Diego, Yawnder, a small, locally-owned mattress showroom, is donating mattresses to those affected by the ongoing tragedy. They have quickly realized the need is greater than their resources and have responded by announcing a mattress donation drive. The campaign will help flood victims get the much-needed relief and the dignity of a bed to sleep on during this time as well as activate the community to come together. Details can be found at yawnder.com/community

"Our community has been hit hard by these floods, and we at Yawnder felt compelled to do something to help," said Catherine and Ben Trapskin, Owners of Yawnder. "Losing your possessions is incredibly stressful, and the last thing anyone needs during this difficult time is the added burden of finding a comfortable place to sleep. We hope that by providing mattresses, we can offer some comfort and relief to those who have experienced loss in the floods."

The Yawnder mattress showroom has been receiving numerous phone calls and text messages from people in the community who have either suffered a total loss of their possessions or know someone who has. Yawnder has donated a dozen mattresses so far as of Monday, but the calls for need keep coming.

As a result, they are launching a Buy-One-Give-One Mattress Drive. For every mattress purchased, Yawnder will be able to donate another to a flood-impacted family. The company will also be offering discounts on new mattress purchases for flood victims who need to replace their damaged bedding. The donation drive will run through Presidents Week. Details at yawnder.com/community

Yawnder is also reaching out to the community to amplify this effort. Yawnder encourages the San Diego community to come together and support their neighbors in need. Every mattress donation, no matter the size, will help bring comfort and hope to those who have been impacted by the floods.

About Yawnder: Since 2015, Ben & Catherine have tested and reviewed thousands of sleep products, sharing all our findings on yawnder.com. They understand mattress shopping can be confusing, so they have curated a selection of top brands in their San Diego showroom where shoppers can try them out in a relaxed, no-pressure setting. With a focus on customer service and community involvement, Yawnder is proud to be a part of the vibrant San Diego community.

Contact Information

Catherine Trapskin

Co-Founder

[email protected]

612-600-4623

SOURCE: Yawnder

View the original press release on newswire.com.
NEWARK, CA / ACCESSWIRE / January 29, 2024 / Protagonist Therapeutics, Inc. ("Protagonist" or the "Company") today announced that Dinesh V. Patel, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer, will participate in a fireside chat at the 6th Annual Guggenheim Healthcare Talks Annual Biotechnology Conference being held in New York City on February 7-8, 2024.

Event: 6th Annual Guggenheim Healthcare Talks Annual Biotechnology Conference Date: February 7-8, 2024

Presentation: Thursday, February 8 at 9:00-9:25 A.M. EST

Location: St. Regis New York, Two E. 55th Street, New York, NY 10022

A replay of the company presentation will be published to the Events & Presentations section of the Protagonist corporate website: https://www.protagonist-inc.com/events-presentations.

About Protagonist

Protagonist Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company with peptide-based new chemical entities (NCEs) rusfertide and JNJ-2113 (formerly PN-235) in advanced stages of clinical development, both derived from the Company's proprietary peptide technology platform. Protagonist scientists jointly discovered oral peptide PN-235 (now known as JNJ-2113) as part of Protagonist's Interleukin-23 receptor (IL-23R) collaboration with Johnson & Johnson and followed it through IND-enabling pre-clinical and Phase 1 studies, with Johnson & Johnson assuming responsibility for further clinical development. Rusfertide, a peptide-mimetic of the natural hormone hepcidin, is the Company's lead drug candidate currently in a global Phase 3 development program. The randomized portion of the Phase 2 REVIVE study was unblinded, showing positive results and is now complete, with an open-label extension underway. The global Phase 3 VERIFY study of rusfertide in polycythemia vera is ongoing. Protagonist retains all worldwide development and commercialization rights to rusfertide.

More information on Protagonist, its pipeline drug candidates and clinical studies can be found on the Company's website at protagonist-inc.com.

Investor Relations Contact

Corey Davis, Ph.D.

LifeSci Advisors

+1 212 915 2577

[email protected]

Media Relations Contact

Virginia Amann

ENTENTE Network of Companies

[email protected]

+1 833 500 0061

SOURCE: Protagonist Therapeutics, Inc.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 29. Cooperation in the energy sector and prospects for cooperation in the economic spheres between Azerbaijan and Turkiye were discussed, Trend reports citing the Azerbaijani Ministry of Economy.

As to the Ministry, the Minister of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mikayil Jabbarov, and the President of SOCAR Rovshan Najaf held a meeting with the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources of the Republic of Turkiye Alparslan Bayraktar.

The hosts emphasized that effective energy partnerships between countries and joint projects contribute to regional development, stability, and security and also serve to ensure the strategic interests of Azerbaijan and Turkiye. In this context, the multi-vector activities of SOCAR in Turkiye were noted with satisfaction.

In turn, Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar shared his vision for the development of an energy partnership in accordance with new global trends. It was noted that the COP29 event, which will be held in Azerbaijan this year, will give impetus to discussions in the fields of alternative energy and other areas, as well as opening up opportunities for cooperation.

It should be noted that the parties also discussed the current situation and prospects for cooperation in energy and other issues of mutual interest.
ESTES PARK, CO / ACCESSWIRE / January 29, 2024 / Taranis Resources Inc. ("Taranis" or the "Company") (TSX.V:TRO)(OTCQB: TNREF) is discussing findings of 2023 exploration activity at Thor. These insights are discussed in relation to an airborne geophysical survey that was undertaken in 2022. Alteration of rocks (be they volcanic or sedimentary) around an ore deposit is an important part of mineral exploration because it can be used to vector drilling towards important new discoveries of Mineral Resources.

Background

Expert Geophysics completed an airborne magnetic and magnetotelluric ("MT") survey over the Thor property in the summer of 2022. During the summer of 2023, the Company undertook drilling and other studies on the property that would enable more accurate interpretations of the MT survey, thereby maximizing the potential of scheduled deep exploration drilling at Thor.

Kilometer-Scale Barren' Pyrite Shell Around the Thor Epithermal Deposit

An exploration drill hole (Thor-240, 161.93m) was completed in 2023 to test an Expert Geophysics apparent conductivity ("AC") anomaly located at the north end of the Thunder Zone. This is the smallest of three AC anomalies found on the Thor project, and there was no prior explanation for the presence of the geophysical features. This area was surveyed in 2023 with a ground based Very Low Frequency ("VLF") survey. The results showed the source of the airborne AC anomaly was well below the depth of evaluation with the ground-based VLF survey. Thor-240 was examined using ultra-trace element geochemistry. The results of this work show extensive pyritization of the metasedimentary rocks which increases downhole. Quantitative data (Sulphur analyses) show that the drill hole progresses from about 2% pyrite at the top, to as much as 6% in the bottom of the drill hole. Thor-240 shows increasing levels of gold, copper, and potassium content, coupled with decreasing levels of sodium and calcium content. These all indicate broad-scale hydrothermal alteration increasing at depth. This area is underlain by a feature called the North Tusk that is a deep conductivity feature that is most likely an alteration zone peripheral to a buried intrusive body.

In brief, drill hole Thor-240 conclusively shows that the AC anomalies at Thor are mapping deep-seated pyritic zones. These pyrite zones are aligned in a northwest fashion and are controlled by the Silver Cup Anticline. The three AC anomalies can be reconstructed into a single body knowing the displacement along the Thor Fault Zone. The pyrite shell had to have been formed at the onset of epithermal activity, and the epithermal deposit now primarily occurs in that fault that dismembered the pyrite shell. Extensive barren' pyrite mineralization is commonly found over the top of epithermal deposits and intrusive-related mineralization, as well as overlying large intrusive-hosted deposits.

Carbon Zonation and Conductivity

Taranis also completed a study of carbon geochemistry around the Thor epithermal deposit within the metasedimentary rocks of the Broadview and Sharon Creek Formations. Both of these sedimentary units are characterized by the presence of carbon-bearing material in minor quantities (1-2% by weight). The carbon-bearing material consists of both organic and inorganic carbon.

Many of Nevada's giant sediment hosted epithermal gold deposits occur in sedimentary rocks that are hydrocarbon-bearing, and Thor has similarities. It was conclusively demonstrated that there is broad-scale geochemical carbon alteration zonation around the Thor epithermal deposit. Further outboard of the deposit, the amount of organic carbon increases relative to inorganic carbon. It seems this is due to the primary organic carbon in the sedimentary rocks being heated by the epithermal deposit and converted from organic carbon to inorganic carbon.

Data was collected that would allow comparison of the carbon content to the conductivity portion of the airborne MT survey. Thousands of conductivity measurements were undertaken on drill cores and surface samples to ascertain if the increase in conductivity in the rocks could be related to increased inorganic carbon content.

While the results proved inconclusive regarding direct correlation of conductivity highs with high levels of inorganic carbon, virtually all of the rocks that had elevated conductivity were associated with the presence of carbonate (siderite or ankerite). Carbon-oxygen isotope analysis of 13C a vs VPDB vs 18O a vs VSMOW in the carbonate minerals both within the epithermal deposit and peripheral to it show that the carbonate is related to a magmatic source, and is not sedimentary in origin, making the presence of iron and magnesium-bearing carbonates an important marker of hydrothermal alteration at Thor.

This unexpected finding lends insight to the origin of the deep-seated (600m depth) conductivity tusks found in the Expert Geophysics survey that ring an elongated resistivity feature. The conductivity feature is interpreted to be a large conductive doughnut of igneous-derived siderite/ankerite emplaced around the apex of a deep-seated, resistive intrusive body. Although drill hole Thor-240 was not of sufficient depth to directly test the conductive anomaly and requires a much larger drill rig, analysis of Thor-240 shows pyrite, gold and copper values increasing as the target is approached. An ideal way to explore this feature is to directly drill the conductive feature, and follow it back into the central resistive core that may be intrusive-related.

Major Oxide Analysis and X-Ray Diffraction Study

Taranis also undertook a study of drill holes and surface studies on rock and minerals around the Thor deposit. Although most of the host rocks at Thor are metasedimentary, this study was aimed at finding signs of metasomatism associated with a large underlying intrusive body. The metasedimentary rocks at Thor are sodium-rich and characterized by the presence of albite and paragonite. There is one major exception, and these are enigmatic rocks of what is commonly referred to as the "Jowett Formation". These rocks are enriched in potassium, and may be associated with a prominent magnetic body located below the main Thor epithermal deposit. It is entirely possible that it may not just be a volcanic unit, but also an alteration-related environment associated with a concealed intrusive body. Where exposed in Broadview Creek, this rock unit is characterized by magnetite, orthoclase and mafic minerals such as chlorite and hornblende. Deep drilling is warranted to find out exactly what this unit is, and it is an important target in the Notice of Work ("NoW") permit application that is currently outstanding.

Conclusions

State of the art exploration at Thor has shown that the epithermal deposit may lie on top of a much larger intrusive body, and the deposit is characterized by km-scale hydrothermal alteration. Some of this alteration (carbon) is remarkably similar to what is seen around large sediment-hosted deposits in Nevada. While the epithermal deposit at Thor is a substantive mineral deposit in itself, the linked epithermal-intrusive geological model suggests that there is a much larger underlying source to the epithermal deposit. The presence of intrusive-related mineralization below the deposit is a world-class target that warrants deep drilling. Further, the target has been corroborated by a number of methods including geophysics, geology and geochemistry. Taranis has been waiting over one and one-half years since submittal of the NoW permit application to test these critical mineral targets, yet the Company has seen no progress on receiving a decision on the permit application.

Qualified Person

Exploration activities at Thor were overseen by John Gardiner (P. Geo.), who is a Qualified Person under the meaning of Canadian National Instrument 43-101. John Gardiner is a principal of John J. Gardiner & Associates, LLC which operates in British Columbia under Firm Permit Number 1002256.

For additional information on Taranis or its 100%-owned Thor project in British Columbia, visit www.taranisresources.com

Taranis currently has 94,587,027 shares issued and outstanding (109,262,027 shares on a fully-diluted basis).

TARANIS RESOURCES INC.

Per: John J. Gardiner (P. Geo.), President and CEO

For further information contact:

John J. Gardiner

681 Conifer Lane

Estes Park, Colorado 80517

Phone: (303) 716-5922 Cell: (720) 209-3049 [email protected]

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS NEWS RELEASE.

This News Release may contain forward looking statements based on assumptions and judgments of management regarding future events or results that may prove to be inaccurate as a result of factors beyond its control, and actual results may differ materially from expected results.

SOURCE: Taranis Resources, Inc.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
BERLIN, MD / ACCESSWIRE / January 29, 2024 / Calvin B. Taylor Bankshares, Inc. (the "Company") (OTCQX:TYCB), parent company of Calvin B. Taylor Bank (the "Bank") announced that Raymond M. Thompson, President and Chief Executive Officer, will retire from the Company and the Bank effective December 31, 2024. Mr. Thompson's retirement comes at the end of 27 years of service, during which he served 22 years as President, and 18 years as Chief Executive Officer.

Upon Mr. Thompson's retirement, and effective January 1, 2025, the Board of Directors has selected M. Dean Lewis, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer to succeed Mr. Thompson. Mr. Lewis, age 43, joined Taylor Bank in January 2012. He came to Taylor Bank with 10 years of accounting experience, the majority of which was spent with PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP in Baltimore, MD, where he served as Tax Director. His diverse financial background includes experience in accounting, tax compliance and planning, financial statement audits, banking, SEC reporting, and internal controls.

After joining Taylor Bank, Mr. Lewis was appointed Chief Financial Officer of the Bank and Treasurer of the Company in May 2013 and was elected to the Board of Directors in May 2014. He was promoted to Vice President in 2015, Senior Vice President in 2021, and Executive Vice President in 2023.

Mr. Lewis is a native of Berlin, Maryland. He graduated from Stephen Decatur High School in 1998, and attended the University of Maryland where he received a B.S. degree in Accounting in May 2002. He received an M.S. degree in Taxation from American University in August 2008. Mr. Lewis returned to the Eastern Shore in October 2010 and currently resides in Berlin with his wife and three children.

Thomas K. Coates, Chair of the Board of Directors remarked, "We thank President Thompson for his 27 years of outstanding service to the stockholders, employees and customers of Taylor Bank, and we congratulate Mr. Lewis on becoming the 8th President and Chief Executive Officer of Taylor Bank in its 134 year history. We look forward to a successful leadership transition during 2024."

###

About Calvin B. Taylor Banking Company

Calvin B. Taylor Banking Company, the bank subsidiary of Calvin B. Taylor Bankshares, Inc. (OTCQX: TYCB), founded in 1890, offers a wide range of loan, deposit, and ancillary banking services through both physical and digital delivery channels. The Company has 11 banking locations within the eastern coastal area of the Delmarva Peninsula including Worcester County, Maryland, Sussex County, Delaware and Accomack County, Virginia.

Contact

Raymond M. Thompson, President and Chief Executive Officer

410-641-1700, taylorbank.com

SOURCE: Calvin B. Taylor Bankshares, Inc.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
(Updated - January 29, 2024 9:51 AM EST)

Japanese automaker, Toyota (NYSE: TM) announced that the company will suspend shipments of some models including the Hilux truck and Land Cruiser 300 SUV. This decision comes after the company found irregularities in the certification tests for diesel engines developed by Toyota Industries.

The discrepancies were found by a special investigative committee during horsepower output testing used for the certification of three diesel engine models.

Globally, the discrepancy effects ten models, including the Hiace van, Fortuner SUV, Innova multi-purpose vehicle, and the Lexus-branded LX500D SUV, as stated by Toyota.

The company stated their intention to provide a comprehensive explanation of the situation to relevant authorities and has committed to taking remedial actions, including conducting new engine certification tests, with regulators present if needed.

"There was a lack of communication with Toyota Motor and not enough coordination about testing processes and procedures that should have been followed," Toyota Industries President Koichi Ito said at a press conference.

Toyota Industries reported the sale of approximately 84,000 diesel engines affected by the issue during the fiscal year ending on March 31, 2023.

Analysts at Morgan Stanley remain bullish on the Japanese stock following the announcement, estimating the opportunity loss at ~10.5bn in OP if relevant engines were suspended for a month.

Assuming a vehicle price of 5mn, marginal profit of 30%, and opportunity losses to be borne by Toyota Industries, the monthly burden comes to 10.5bn. Wrote Morgan Stanley analysts in a note.

Morgan Stanleys estimates are in-line with the industrys view as they reiterate an Overweight rating and 15,800 yuan price target.

Koji Sato, the CEO of Toyota, disclosed on Monday that the company globally used 36,000 units of the affected engine models monthly, amounting to a yearly total of 432,000 units.

The suspension of shipments in Japan had repercussions on the production of six lines across four plants.

Toyota Industries affirmed that the impacted engines and vehicles still complied with engine performance output standards. The investigation revealed a discrepancy, noting that the electronic control units utilized in horsepower output testing differed from those used in the actual engine production process.

Japan's transport ministry announced plans to conduct an on-site investigation at Toyota Industries' Hekinan plant in central Aichi prefecture, where the company manufactures automotive and industrial engines, scheduled for Tuesday.

Shares of TM are down 0.23% in pre-market trading Monday morning.

By Michael Elkins | [email protected]
Floor & Decor Holdings (NYSE: FND) shares tumbled more than 4% Monday after Wedbush said in a note that the company has the most potential downside stemming from the Red Sea risks and soaring ocean shipping costs.

Analyst Seth Basham told investors that "twin crises at the Suez and Panama Canals have resulted in more US-bound ocean freight traffic diverting to the West Coast, resulting in much higher prices for these routes that we believe are most important to our covered companies."

Basham notes that while rates remain far below pandemic highs, spot rates for Far East to West Coast routes are now up 140% year-on-year.

"Given the amount of uncertainty, we believe it is prudent to evaluate the potential risks if rates remain elevated through the spring when contracted rates are typically reset," said the analyst.

"On average, we estimate ~60 bps of margin downside across our coverage and see Floor & Decor (FND-OP) with the most downside risk (120 bps) as it has a significant amount of merchandise imported that is also bulky and highly price competitive," he added.

Wedbush believes larger volume shippers are less likely to incur surcharges but see a higher likelihood of pressure on their smaller downstream suppliers, which they feel could result in price hikes getting passed through the value chain.

By Sam Boughedda
The US dollar is on a winding road to depreciation, according to Bank of America analysts in a recent note, although they see the currency moving higher in the near term.

The investment bank's FX strategist, Alex Cohen, told investors in the memo that the greenback will depreciate in 2024, although it is more of a story for the second half of the year.

"Our call is still for eventual USD depreciation this year amid a soft landing, but for FX, this is more of an H2 story for now," he explained. "Near-term upside risks are growing, and the exuberant pricing of Fed easing that weighed on the USD at the end of last year has moderated to start the year."

While signs of a hard landing remain elusive, this too, could put a potential floor on USD downside, according to Cohen.

When assessing the short-term, BofA believes USD positioning is "mostly benign," and short-term quant signals are bullish for the USD, with the bank highlighting the USD/CHF moving higher as its preferred expression.

In the past month, both hedge funds and real money bought the USD in, largely across the board and in line with the price action following the sell-off in Q4.

"We find USD positioning neutral to slightly short, but exposure still lags the more bearish sentiment," said Cohen.

By Sam Boughedda
SES AI Corporation (SES AI) (NYSE: SES), a global leader in the development and manufacturing of high-performance Li-Metal batteries, is pleased to announce that Brian Krzanich, who served as Chief Executive Officer at both Intel Corp. and CDK Global Inc., has joined the board of directors as an independent director, effective January 26, 2024.

Mr. Krzanich began his career at Intel as an engineer, rising through the ranks until he was named the companys CEO in 2013. Under his leadership, Intel expanded from its core CPU market into next-generation technologies ranging from cloud computing and artificial intelligence to autonomous vehicles, among others. When he moved to CDK Global Inc. in 2018 to take over as CEO, he led that technology company through a successful sale to investment firm Brookfield Business Partners. CDK is now a top provider of automotive retail software.

Brian brings extensive leadership experience in the commercialization of next-generation technologies for automotive applications, said Qichao Hu, founder, Chairman and CEO of SES AI. His expertise will be particularly valuable as we seek innovative ways of developing and implementing AI and machine learning in our material discovery and manufacturing processes  advancements that will ultimately improve the performance and safety of our batteries.

The expansion of SES AIs board comes a month after the company announced that it entered into the worlds first B-sample Joint Development Agreement (JDA) with a major automotive original equipment manufacturer (OEM) for its Li-Metal battery. It is also developing a machine-based deep learning platform that will be used at the companys new Electrolyte Foundry; a new form-factor for its Li-Metal cells; and is exploring opportunities in the emerging Urban Air Mobility (UAM) market.

I am excited to join the Board of SES AI, a leader in next-generation battery technology that will bring new experiences and range to our electrified world," Mr. Krzanich said.

In addition to Mr. Krzanich and Dr. Hu, SES AIs Board of Directors includes Dr. Jiong Ma, a former partner at Braemar Energy Ventures who also served in senior roles at 3i Group and Bell Labs; Eric Luo, former CEO of GCL System Integration and Shunfeng; Michael Noonen, CEO of Swave Photonics; Prof. Jang Wook Choi of Seoul National University; and Anirvan Coomer, managing director at GM Ventures.
Financial Advisor Lance Lively says hes made large upgrades to his service model and practice with the firms tools and capabilities

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Financial advisor Lance Lively, AAMS, MBA recently joined the independent channel of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (NYSE: AMP) from Edward Jones in Sand Springs, Oklahoma with nearly $130 million in client assets.

Ameriprise stood out because of their focus on helping advisors provide the best service possible to clients, shared Lively. The outstanding technology, financial planning capabilities, investment lineup and ease of doing business at the firm have allowed us to make huge upgrades to our client service model and practice.

Livelys goal is to grow his practice and believes he can best accomplish that at Ameriprise. We now have the flexibility to grow and add staff to our practice on our own terms, he said. We want excellent customer service to be what differentiates us, so its critical to be able to structure our team in a way that helps us achieve that.

Ameriprises track record of successful advisor transitions was also a large factor in Lively decision to join the firm. It was important for me to know Id be supported through the transition, says Lively. The help Ive received from Ameriprise during this move has been top-notch and I couldnt have ramped up as quickly or smoothly as I have without them.

Lively is joined by Client Service Specialist Tara Beebe. The team is supported locally by Ameriprise franchise field vice president Danielle Dwyer and Ameriprise regional vice president Trish Moll.

Ameriprise has continued to attract experienced, productive financial advisors, with 340 advisors moving their practices to Ameriprise in 2022 and approximately 1,700 joining the firm in the last 5 years.1 To find out why experienced financial advisors are joining Ameriprise, visit ameriprise.com/why.

About Ameriprise Financial

At Ameriprise Financial, we have been helping people feel more confident about their financial future for more than 130 years. With extensive investment advice, asset management and insurance capabilities and a nationwide network of approximately 10,000 financial advisors2, we have the strength and expertise to serve the full range of individual and institutional investors' financial needs.

Ameriprise Financial cannot guarantee future financial results.

Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

____________________________

1 Ameriprise Financial 2022 10-K.

2 Ameriprise Financial Q3 2023 Earnings Release.

Investment products are not insured by the FDIC, NCUA or any federal agency, are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed by any financial institution, and involve investment risks including possible loss of principal and fluctuation in value.

Securities offered by Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. Member FINRA and SIPC.

2024 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240129118582/en/

Allison Harries, Media Relations

612.678.7035

[email protected]

Source: Ameriprise Financial, Inc.
QUEBEC CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- ANGANY inc. announces the completion on schedule of its first clinical trial, assessing the safety and allergenicity of its therapeutic candidate against human allergy to cats. The study results were consistent throughout the 20 human adult cat allergic participants. The final results and conclusions of this clinical trial will be submitted to a major scientific journal.

Skillfully conducted and on-time

ANGANYs First-in-Human study of its novel biologic ANG-101 candidate vaccine against cat allergy concluded in December 2023, ahead of schedule. The enthusiasm for a novel solution for cat allergy facilitated enrollment. The skills and professional expertise of Dr. Guy Scadding and Pr. Stephen Durham, the study investigators, were central in conducting this open-label clinical study safely and swiftly. ANGANY is now able to move further ahead with the preparation of its next phase study of the same asset.

Favorable results

Preliminary accounts showed consistency in the results and an excellent safety profile. ANG-101 was associated with significant hypoallergenicity, a marker of safety and long sought-after feature in allergy therapeutics, when compared to a commercial cat dander extract.

Important publication

Detailed results and conclusions of the study will be submitted to a top-tier scientific journal for publication. The results should also be presented at the EAACIs Annual Meeting to be held in Valencia in May 2024.

Quotes

We are very pleased with the rapid completion and results of this First-in-Human study. The demonstrated safety and hypoallergenicity of ANG-101 represent the cornerstone of the further clinical development of this breakthrough technology, stated Patrick Colin, BPharm, PhD, ANGANYs vice-president of clinical development.

We are delighted to report on a significant step forward in the companys development. This milestone couldnt have been reached without the expertise of our investigators, the participants commitment, and the dedication of our team. I would like to extend my warm thanks to all, stated Christine Guillen, CEO of ANGANY.

About ANGANY

ANGANY is a Franco-Canadian private clinical-stage biotech company pioneering a new immunotherapy approach to overcome the challenge of allergy. ANGANYs eBioparticle technology makes for biologics of a new generation to be administered as vaccines. ANGANY's eBioparticle-Potentiated Immunotherapy also opens-up new prospects in fields of application beyond allergy in human and animal health, notably in cancer immunotherapy.

Read the full press release:

https://angany.com/anganys-first-clinical-trial-concludes-on-time-and-with-positive-results/

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240129566000/en/

Investors Relations:

Guy Tropper MD

Executive Vice-President

[email protected]

Source: ANGANY inc.
Research finds 68% of business owners are concerned about the future impacts of climate change on their business

Many U.S. consumers experienced more financial costs due to climate hazards over the past year

More than 4 in 5 U.S. consumers are concerned about the impact of climate hazards on small businesses in their community

DISTRIBUTED-WORK-MODEL/OAKLAND, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Today Block, Inc. (NYSE: SQ) announced the Sustainable Banking Initiative, a $25 million investment into helping decarbonize the economy and promote sustainability through community lending, alongside the companys first Commerce and Climate Survey. Through deposits into Amalgamated Bank, National Cooperative Bank, and Community Bank of the Bays Bay Area Green Fund, Blocks $25 million commitment directly connects to the companys purpose of economic empowerment and founding mission to help support the needs of small businesses.

In a Morning Consult survey commissioned by Block, results showed that both U.S. business owners and consumers are concerned about the intersection of commerce and climate change  particularly for businesses in their communities. According to the survey, 68% of business owners are concerned about the future impacts of climate change on their business. And more than half of business owners say climate hazards impacted their business last year at least a little - climate hazards being extreme heat, cold, flooding, wildfires/smoke, etc. Additionally, 82% of U.S. consumers are concerned about the impact of climate hazards on small businesses in the community. Through the Sustainable Banking Initiative, Block has placed $25 million of deposits into community lenders that are providing loans to businesses and individuals focused on sustainability efforts.

At Block, we're always looking for opportunities where we can make an impact in alignment with our purpose of economic empowerment and the customers we serve. As the effects of climate change continue to impact our daily lives and the economy, we believe these initiatives are imperative to our sellers, customers, and employees. Therefore, when we had the chance to combine our belief in community-based lending with our ongoing commitment to sustainability through Community Bank of the Bay, Amalgamated Bank, and National Cooperative Bank, it felt like the right fit, said Allison Rossi, Global Treasury Lead at Block.

With Blocks purpose at the forefront, the company began dedicating deposits to community-based lending through Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs) across the country in 2019. In 2020, the effort continued with a $100 million commitment to racial equity and social impact work, including more than $25 million of investments into CDFIs and MDIs. The Sustainable Banking Initiative is in addition to these existing CDFI and MDI investments. The $25 million for the Sustainable Banking Initiative was fully invested at the end of 2023.

Through deposits placed in the Bay Area Green Fund through Community Bank of the Bay, Aro Homes received construction loans for building single-family modular homes, which use cigarette butt bricks to improve thermal performance and fly ash concrete to bolster the strength of the building  and meet and exceed Green Building Codes and Standards.

As California's first FDIC-insured certified CDFI, we understand that small and medium-sized businesses are not only integral to our local economy, but critical to our collective efforts to combat climate change. Since 2006, the Bay Area Green Fund has channeled capital exclusively into sustainable businesses and projects that exhibit responsible environmental practices. The investments from depositors like Block have enabled us to support solar installations, energy-efficient equipment upgrades, green building construction, and other eco-friendly projects. Additionally, this work boosts local jobs, models social responsibility, empowers community stewardship and demonstrates a strong business case for building environmental responsibility. We thank our partners at Block for supporting this mission, said William S. Keller, Chief Executive Officer at Community Bank of the Bay.

Additionally, National Cooperative Banks portfolio includes community solar projects in Colorado and Minnesota that benefit local commercial businesses and community residents, including low-to-moderate income subscribers, by helping reduce dependency on fluctuating utility bills for businesses located in unprecedentedly cold or hot locations.

When you make a deposit in National Cooperative Bank, your money helps serve our commitment to the community, stated Casey Fannon, President and CEO of National Cooperative Bank. Deposits help fund NCBs loans in low- and moderate-income communities and our work in providing commercial and community solar renewable energy initiatives nationwide. Since the launch of our renewable energy lending, NCB has provided nearly 1 billion of financing for 1 GW of power nationwide.

Renewable energy upgrades in both residential and commercial properties are made possible through deposits in Amalgamated Banks Sustainability lending, like Solar Holler, which is working to bring clean energy and jobs to coal country.

Our balance sheet is values-aligned, so our banking clients know their deposits are being put to work in a safe and responsible way, both financially and socially. Our lending is directly contributing to the transition to a cleaner economy and is further proof that who you bank with matters, said Ivan Frishberg, Chief Sustainability Officer from Amalgamated Bank.

To learn more about Blocks sustainability efforts, check out block.xyz/news/sustainability.

About Block, Inc.

Block, Inc. (NYSE: SQ) (formerly, Square, Inc.) is a global technology company with a focus on financial services. Made up of Square, Cash App, TIDAL, and TBD, we build tools to help more people access the economy. Square makes commerce and financial services easy and accessible for sellers with its integrated ecosystem of technology solutions. With Cash App, anyone can easily send, spend, or invest their money in stocks or bitcoin. Afterpay brings Square and Cash App together, connecting consumers and businesses. Artists use TIDAL to help them succeed as entrepreneurs and connect more deeply with fans. TBD is building an open source platform and developer infrastructure that enables everyone to access and participate in the global economy.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240129640369/en/

Media Contact

[email protected]

Source: Block, Inc.
First nano size-based phosphor produced at an industrial scale

GREENVILLE, S.C. & AMSTERDAM--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Current Chemicals and LED technology company Seaborough B.V. are pleased to announce that they have engaged in a partnership project to bring Seaboroughs EuroLED, a new, red phosphor technology for highly efficient warm white LEDs, to the market on an industrial scale.

EuroLED technology enables the use of Eu3+ phosphors for LEDs for the first time, which has been a great challenge in the LED industry for many years. Eu3+ phosphors have very beneficial spectral properties, with the promise to deliver more than 15% higher efficacy for warm white LEDs than LEDs with most commonly used phosphors. EuroLED is based on a nano-engineering technology that allows designing the luminescent properties of phosphor materials in a completely novel manner. As such, EuroLED would be the first nano size-based phosphor produced at an industrial scale, which requires very different expertise and production facilities compared to conventional larger phosphor materials.

In the proposed project, Seaborough and Current Chemicals will work together towards commercial readiness of Seaboroughs EuroLED technology. Seaborough, an Amsterdam based LED technology company that develops, commercializes, and licenses innovative lighting solutions, will be responsible for optimizing the materials to the target performance at lab scale, and technology transfer. Current Chemicals will be responsible for the industrial upscaling.

Marie Anne van de Haar, Program Director Materials at Seaborough: According to a report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in 2013, almost 20% of electricity consumption and 6% of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions worldwide were attributed to electricity for lighting, with an expected rise of the global energy consumption for lighting with another 60% by 2030. The transition to energy-efficient lighting such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) in buildings has progressed steadily with over 50% of global lighting sales in 2020 and this share will need to raise to 100% globally by 2025 in order to meet the net-zero emissions target by 2050. An additional efficiency increase of 15%, made possible by our new technology, will be a major contributor to achieve these targets.

Quote Bill Cohen, Vice President & General Manager at Current Chemicals We are excited to collaborate with the team at Seaborough to manufacture EuroLED technology based phosphors to enable the commercialization of this innovation for higher efficiency LED lighting products.

I clearly remember the day we invented the concept of EuroLED. Being able to collaborate with such an established party towards commercialization is a dream come true. Current Chemicals is the ideal partner for us to move forward to bring these premium phosphors to the market together, Van de Haar concludes.

About Current Chemicals:

Current Chemicals, a division of Current, is a specialty materials manufacturer with more than 70 years experience in high purity luminescent materials, including LED phosphors, and rare earth compounds. Currents patented TriGain KSF/PFS red phosphor enables 90 CRI lighting products and LED-backlit displays with the richest, most vibrant red color available on LED. In addition to Currents advancements in phosphors, we also support customers in chemical manufacturing as well as the development of materials and formulations for diverse markets such as energy storage/conversion and specialized coatings. Learn more at CurrentChemicals.com.

About Seaborough

Seaborough is an R&D company with a strong in-house IP department and a business unit that markets LED solutions. Seaborough invents, develops and commercializes ground-breaking innovations for the lighting industry. The company is a technology front runner for the lighting industry and possesses the drive, skills and expertise to address the industry challenges. Seaborough aims to invent, develop and market proprietary lighting technologies through patenting and licensing. It is committed to achieve a real and sustainable positive impact on the broader community by ensuring that its products help to reduce the impact on the environment. Seaborough employs leading LED experts and researchers. It has its own research facilities and develops solutions in its own laboratory. The company is backed by investors who share its vision and goals and who are committed for the long-term. Seaborough is a participation of Momentum Capital. Learn more at www.seaborough.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240129498805/en/

Tamara Douce, Director Enterprise Marketing & Communications

[email protected]

(864) 556-2496

Source: Current
GLOBALink | Netanyahu stresses Israel must achieve all goals of war after UN court's ruling Pub Date:24-01-29 09:33 Source:Xinhua 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 Editor:Zheng Chen

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 29. Azerbaijan is expected to attend exhibitions in Japan, South Korea, and Germany this year, the Executive Director of the Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Agency (AZPROMO) Yusif Abdullayev said during a press conference on the results of activities for 2023, Trend reports.

"Azerbaijani companies took part in five international exhibitions last year with a unified stand 'Made in Azerbaijan'. During 2023, AZPROMO organized 42 events, 23 of which were international, within the framework of these events the agency signed 11 memorandums of understanding and one action plan," he emphasized.

According to Abdullayev, Azerbaijan was presented with its products at the Green Week exhibition in Iraq in January 2024.

" This year, our country is planning to participate in exhibitions to be held in Japan, South Korea, and Germany," Abdullayev added.

To note, AZPROMO was established in 2003 to attract foreign investment in the non-oil sector and stimulate exports of non-oil products.

AZPROMO is engaged in organizing various international events to achieve the goals set for the development of the non-oil sector in Azerbaijan, as well as to promote products to foreign markets, inform foreign customers about Azerbaijani products, help them establish contacts with local companies, and provide services and support to foreign companies wishing to obtain detailed information about the Azerbaijani investment environment and interested in investing based on the single window system.

Stay up to date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Environmental Financial Consulting Group (EFCG), the leading advisor to Architecture, Engineering, and Consulting (AEC) firms, today released the results of its technology and innovation leadership benchmarking study in the AEC industry at their Rising Leaders Conference. The results show that several firms stand out as actively shaping the industry conversations and investing significant funding towards client solutions.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240129619968/en/

Q4 2023 External Messaging Analysis (Graphic: Business Wire)

With the dramatic changes to the technology landscape, accelerated by digital technologies and most recently the arrival of enterprise generative AI over the past year, technology strategy has become an increasing priority for AEC firms looking for a competitive edge.

EFCGs Technology and Innovation practice conducted the benchmarking analysis in December 2023 which included 50 of the firms in the AEC industry.

Our research found that a small set of firms are actively messaging to the market that they are leading in New Ways of Working and Working Smarter. GHD Digital, the digital transformation business of GHD, is leading the conversation in AI, Automation, and is one of the top commentators/thought leaders on cyber. Jacobs, Parsons, Leidos, TRC, Worley, and Tetra Tech were also among the leading set of firms assessed.

Marcus Quigley, Partner, Technology & Innovation at EFCG stated, Our Q4 2023 assessment indicates that there is significant differentiation in how firms are communicating with the market. We are particularly interested in seeing how these communications change as many firms continue to shift from a traditional professional services model to technology enabled services. The results from the Q4 2023 analysis are provided in the graphic below.

The independent study also looked at revenues generated from technical services, as well as investments made in digital capabilities across the industry. Mr. Quigley explained, In looking at how firms are communicating with the market about technology enablement, we also looked behind the numbers at how firms are delivering and how they are investing. From EFCGs further analysis, GHD Digital positions GHD in the top quartile in the industry for revenues generated from technology as a percent of net revenue. Furthermore, GHD dedicates 70% of their innovation budget toward client facing software compared to the industry average of 27%. We recognize GHD Digital for leading the way in the industrys use of technology for innovation and transformation.

Kumar Parakala, President, GHD Digital, said: Five years ago, GHD Digital embarked on a mission to empower our clients in transforming their businesses through digital technologies and innovation. Since then, we have blossomed from a humble start-up into a thriving global team in 9 countries and 86 offices, working closely with more than 11,000 GHD professionals. Amidst the rapid whirlwind of digital acceleration and digitalization, our clients find themselves engulfed in a sea of change impacting their business. It is our duty to guide them, unravel the complexities of these novel technologies, and support their major initiatives. I find immense pride in the fact that we are at the forefront of these crucial conversations, leading the way towards a brighter future.

Note to editors:

EFCG will be continuing the conversation on Technology strategy in AEC at its annual Technology Leadership Conference June 10-12th in Chicago, IL which will be hosted at the Microsoft Technology Center.

About EFCG

The Environmental Financial Consulting Group (EFCG) was founded in 1990 and is the leading advisor to Architecture, Engineering and Consulting (AEC) firms. Our mission is to provide a data-driven and strategic edge to Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (A/E/C) firms to advance the innovation, sustainability, and success of the industry.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240129619968/en/

Marcus Quigley, EFCG Partner, Technology & Innovation

[email protected]

617-678-8359

Source: The Environmental Financial Consulting Group
BETHESDA, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Enviva Inc. (NYSE: EVA) (Enviva or the Company) today announced that on January 23, 2024 it received notification (the Notice) from the New York Stock Exchange (the NYSE) that the Company is no longer in compliance with NYSE continued listing criteria that requires listed companies to maintain an average closing share price of at least $1.00 over a consecutive 30-trading-day period.

The Company can regain compliance at any time within the six-month cure period following receipt of the Notice if, on the last trading day of any calendar month during such cure period, the Company has both (i) a closing share price of at least $1.00 and (ii) an average closing share price of at least $1.00 over the 30-trading-day period ending on the last trading day of the applicable calendar month.

The Notice has no immediate impact on the listing of the Companys shares of common stock (the Common Stock), which will continue to be listed and traded on the NYSE during the cure period, subject to the Companys compliance with the other listing requirements of the NYSE. The Common Stock will continue to trade under the symbol EVA, but will have an added designation of .BC to indicate that the Company currently is not in compliance with the NYSEs continued listing requirements. If the Company is unable to regain compliance during the cure period, the NYSE may initiate procedures to suspend and delist the Common Stock.

The Notice does not affect the Companys ongoing business operations nor its reporting requirements with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC).

About Enviva

Enviva Inc. (NYSE: EVA) is the worlds largest producer of industrial wood pellets, a renewable and sustainable energy source produced by aggregating a natural resource, wood fiber, and processing it into a transportable form, wood pellets. Enviva owns and operates ten plants with an expected annual production of approximately 5.0 million metric tons in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and Mississippi, and is constructing its 11th plant in Epes, Alabama. Additionally, Enviva is planning construction of its 12th plant, near Bond, Mississippi. Enviva sells most of its wood pellets through long-term, take-or-pay off-take contracts with customers located primarily in the United Kingdom, the European Union, and Japan, helping to accelerate the energy transition and to defossilize hard-to-abate sectors like steel, cement, lime, chemicals, and aviation. Enviva exports its wood pellets to global markets through its deep-water marine terminals at the Port of Chesapeake, Virginia, the Port of Wilmington, North Carolina, and the Port of Pascagoula, Mississippi, and from third-party deep-water marine terminals in Savannah, Georgia, Mobile, Alabama, and Panama City, Florida.

To learn more about Enviva, please visit our website at www.envivabiomass.com. Follow Enviva on social media @Enviva.

Cautionary Note Concerning Forward Looking Statements

The information included herein and in any oral statements made in connection herewith include forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements, other than statements of present or historical fact included herein are forward-looking statements. When used herein, including any oral statements made in connection herewith, the words could, should, will, may, believe, anticipate, intend, estimate, expect, project, the negative of such terms, and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. These forward-looking statements are based on managements current expectations and assumptions about future events and are based on currently available information as to the outcome and timing of future events. Except as otherwise required by applicable law, Enviva disclaims any duty to revise or update any forward-looking statements, all of which are expressly qualified by the statements in this section, to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. Enviva cautions you that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the control of Enviva. These risks include, but are not limited to factors, as described in Envivas filings with the SEC, including the detailed factors discussed under the heading Risk Factors in Envivas Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, as supplemented in the Companys Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended March 31, June 30, and September 30, 2023.

Should one or more of the risks or uncertainties described herein and in any oral statements made in connection therewith occur, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results and plans could different materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Additional information concerning these and other factors that may impact Envivas expectations and projections can be found in Envivas periodic filings with the SEC. Envivas SEC filings are available publicly on the SECs website at www.sec.gov.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240129056959/en/

Kate Walsh

Senior Vice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Communications

[email protected]

Source: Enviva Inc.
Winning team led by North Dakota State University (NDSU), North Dakota Tribal College System, Greater Fargo Moorhead Economic Development Corporation, Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber Foundation, and Grand Farm

FARGO, N.D.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Recognized as an international leader in agriculture technology (AgTech), a groundbreaking coalition of five North Dakota entities today was named as an award winner for up to $15 million over the next two years with potential to receive up to $160 million over 10 years as part of the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Regional Innovation Engines program. The competitive award will fund programs that help solve food insecurity and expand economic opportunities for not only more people and organizations, but for increasing the growth of existing crops and introducing new crops to market. The award highlights the states talent pool in AgTech and recognizes the unique collaborative partnership that came together to show how North Dakota feeds the world.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240129868294/en/

The FARMS program was recognized for the way it can help support what The White House called innovation in geographies that have not received the full benefits of technology advancement in past decades. This federal investment of potentially up to $160 million over 10 years will be used to tap into and expand existing networks and strengths in North Dakota and offer a platform for new ideas, entrepreneurs, and businesses. (Photo: Business Wire)

This award of up to $160 million over 10 years is a major investment in NDSU and Grand Farms efforts to transform the future of ag production. By securing this funding for the North Dakota Advanced Agriculture Technology Engine, in addition to supporting their continued partnership with ARS (Agricultural Research Service), we are empowering this collaboration to give farmers and ranchers tools that will strengthen their operations, reduce costs and improve yields, said U.S. Senator John Hoeven. Thats good not only for the production of food, fuel and fiber, but it will spur growth for a variety of industries, including our states dynamic tech sector and manufacturers. That means North Dakota and our nation will continue to have a competitive edge in the global marketplace, while ensuring a high-quality and low-cost food supply for American consumers.

This team has earned this win by showing what North Dakota brings to the world: the brightest minds and leaders in AgTech, food production, biotech and genomics, said North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum. Our agriculture community has come together across all 53 counties to demonstrate how talented people are driving innovation that improves yields, efficiency and profitability for nations everywhere.

The inaugural NSF Engines awards demonstrate our enduring commitment to create opportunity everywhere and enable innovation anywhere, said NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan. Through these NSF Engines, NSF aims to expand the frontiers of technology and innovation and spur economic growth across the nation through unprecedented investments in people and partnerships. NSF Engines hold significant promise to elevate and transform entire geographic regions into world-leading hubs of innovation.

The regional partnership, called Food systems Adapted for Resiliency and Maximized Security (FARMS), was named an award winner out of 188 concept outlines originally submitted throughout the U.S. The FARMS program was recognized for the way it can help support what The White House called innovation in geographies that have not received the full benefits of technology advancement in past decades. This federal investment of potentially up to $160 million over 10 years will be used to tap into and expand existing networks and strengths in North Dakota and offer a platform for new ideas, entrepreneurs, and businesses.

This award has the potential to transform our regional workforce  especially for students, recent graduates, and working adults pursuing careers in agriculture, engineering, IT, AI, data science, and more, said NDSU President David J. Cook. It will retain talent in our local economy who will be positioned to innovate in unprecedented ways. Now that North Dakota is recognized as a center of agriculture technology, the research from this partnership will make a difference in our local communities and far beyond the region. We deeply appreciate the commitment of our partners who shared their expertise, vital connections, and imagination to craft a submission focused on the future of our workforce and the impact of our state. I congratulate all those who will make this a transformative success over the next 10 years.

The North Dakota Tribal College System is thrilled to be a partner in the FARMS award, which we anticipate will be a systems-changing initiative, said Twyla Baker of the North Dakota Tribal College System and President at Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College. The partners we have at the table working together, have the power to craft and execute a dynamic shift in the way we do agriculture in North Dakota. The project brings together sectors that perhaps have not had the opportunity to work in close proximity before. Throughout our planning stages, the conversations we've had have sparked moments of inspiration and innovation. The Tribal Colleges look forward to the joint visions we can create through the FARMS grant for future generations, incorporating ancestral knowledge from Native peoples, and innovation from North Dakota's Tribal College campuses as well.

FARMS brings great potential to attract talent and create opportunities for upskilling in our regions workforce. The projects inclusive vision will lead to equitable agricultural opportunities for new Americans, Tribal citizens, veterans, and so many others looking for opportunities in AgTech, said Jenna Mueller, Executive Director of the FMWF Chamber Foundation which will co-lead education and workforce development on the project and brings expertise running the Good Jobs Challenge grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration. Our region has a wealth of AgTech pioneers and well tap into their expertise to grow the next generation of talent. This work will not only bolster North Dakota's workforce and economic development but also cement its position as a leading force in the AgTech landscape.

We know that improving the way we feed a growing population under changing climate and geopolitical conditions ultimately leads to strengthened national security. And thats precisely what the Fargo-Moorhead metro area of North Dakota has long been a leader in developing: agriculture technology and innovation with locally founded companies that promote American interests, said Ryan Aasheim, Chief Business Development Officer of the Greater Fargo Moorhead Economic Development Corporation. We intend to produce more stories like those of local Phoenix International and Appareo Systems which ultimately merged with global leaders John Deere and AGCO, respectively. The FARMS Engine will help us align resources, partners, and capabilities to amplify, accelerate, and enhance the level of innovation and commercialization coming out of our premier AgTech innovation hub.

The AgTech ecosystem in North Dakota has long been ready for FARMS. Our producers, entrepreneurs, businesses, and researchers have been coming up with innovative ideas for decades, said Brian Carroll, Chief Innovation Officer for Emerging Prairie and co-founder of Grand Farm. FARMS will be anchored in the middle of this wave of innovation and will benefit from it and will provide opportunities for additional breakthroughs moving ahead.

The collaboration between all five organizationsNDSU, the Tribal College System, the Chamber, the EDC, and Grand Farmshow the FARMS coalition has statewide reach in AgTech, biotechnology and genomics, and can bring those innovations to market with the most robust tech transfer infrastructure in the state through the NDSU Research Foundation. Many additional partners and supporters have already contributed to the success of this project, including educational institutions supporting R&D and workforce development in North Dakota (Bismarck State College, United Tribes Technical College, University of North Dakota) and Montana (Montana State University), Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College (NHSC) and North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS). FARMS is designed to promote engagement with more organizations as projects are implemented.

The NSF Engines award supporting FARMS will turbocharge the existing momentum and energy of North Dakotas innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem so that everyone in the world knows of the amazing opportunities and resources existing here for AgTech entrepreneurs, said Colleen Fitzgerald, Vice President for Research and Creative Activity at NDSU. FARMS will be a magnet for new startups given North Dakotas business friendly environment. This work over the next 10 years is about accelerating economic growth for North Dakota.

In its winning proposal, FARMS outlined solutions that will:

Ignite inclusive, market-driven discussions about food security and equitable agriculture with a focus on North Dakota and Tribal Nation agricultural communities.

Develop robust crop varieties and cost-effective sensors to capture data useful to producers.

Collaborate with local AgTech leaders, researchers, startups and the global AgTech industry to identify and prioritize opportunities.

Accelerate investments and quickly bring solutions to market.

Encourage involvement and investment from the private sector, non-profit organizations, and the broader North Dakota agricultural community.

Establish a thriving AgTech entrepreneurial ecosystem that significantly enhances food security and equitable agricultural opportunities.

Create local and regional high-wage jobs.

Propel critical technologies for advanced agriculture through scientific and engineering innovations centered around key areas, including novel genomics studies, advanced predictive climate modeling, scalable on-farm data collection management and utilization including reconfigurable agile data sensor networks and communication networks, edge and cloud computing, real-time analysis of acquired data via artificial intelligence and machine learning, with a focus on last acre connectivity, and will advance understanding of the diffusion of AgTech innovation through human-centered approaches.

The NSF Engines: North Dakota Advanced Agriculture Technology Engine is supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation under Award #2315315.

About FARMS: The vision of FARMS is a collaborative ecosystem created to solve global food insecurity and to create equitable agricultural opportunities. FARMS is powering ideas that feed the world and will create a global AgTech engine characterized by a flourishing ecosystem where new knowledge is co-designed into new technologies, services, and startups to address stressors impacting food insecurity and to establish equitable agricultural opportunity. Led by NDSU, FARMS is composed of a core group of partners including Grand Farm, the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber Foundation, and the Greater Fargo Moorhead Economic Development Corporation. The FARMS ecosystem includes the North Dakota Tribal College System, the North Dakota Tribal communities, North Dakota universities and colleges, industry, non-profits, and other regional research universities. Through AgTech innovations, FARMS holds the potential to improve how the nation produces food for the world.

About NSF Engines: The National Science Foundation (NSF) in partnership with other Federal agencies has managed the NSF Engines competition. Its funding comes from, in part, the CHIPS and Science Act. FARMS was the only agriculture-based project among the finalists.

About NDSU: North Dakota State University plays a central role in research, project management, and overall coordination of FARMS. A Land Grant R1 ranked institution with $175 million in research expenditures in FY 2022 alone, NDSU ranks 99 among 637 public universities by the National Science Foundations Higher Education Research and Development Survey (HERD), the university boasts research excellence in the areas of agricultural sciences, physical sciences, cybersecurity, life sciences, and energy and water security.

About The North Dakota Tribal College System: Chartered by federally recognized Tribal governments, North Dakotas Tribal colleges teach and preserve culture and language as a component of the academic curriculum. 1994 Land Grant Tribal colleges are public, affordable, non-profit post-secondary institutions accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, the same as state post-secondary institutions. Tribal colleges proactively collaborate with the North Dakota University System to enhance students academic experience that allows for seamless transfers.

About Grand Farm: Grand Farm is involved in project management of research, testing, and innovation related to agricultural technologies and practices. Powered by Emerging Prairie, Grand Farm is a collaborative initiative focused on accelerating research, innovation, and technology in the agriculture industry. A collaborative network of growers, technologists, corporations, startups, educators, policy-makers, and investors working together to solve problems in agriculture through AgTech and innovation, Grand Farm works with small businesses, large corporations, startups, and research institutions to pave the way for applied technology to solve problems in agriculture, the organization helps growers achieve efficiency and effectiveness to nourish a hungry world through a robust partnership program.

About Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce: The organization will support FARMS in workforce engagement, fostering industry engagement, facilitating networking, and promoting the project's impact on the region. The FMWF Chamber Foundation currently manages the federal Good Jobs Challenge in the region. This program leverages the group's expertise in education and workforce development and is aimed at attracting talent and creating opportunities for many with an inclusive vision to provide equitable agricultural opportunities for New Americans, Tribal citizens, veterans, and others.

About the Greater Fargo Moorhead Economic Development Corporation: The Economic Development Corporation will contribute to the economic development aspects of FARMS and is responsible for promoting the project's outcomes for the local economy. The GFMEDC cultivates an environment where businesses can start up, flourish, and thrive and has more than 75 years of serving the regions economic development needs. The GFMEDC board, staff and more than 115 private and public organizations are dedicated to the regional economys biggest driver  primary-sector companies.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240129868294/en/

Laura McDaniel, North Dakota State University, 701-231-8330 - [email protected]

Source: FARMS
Fisker will host dealers at its Manhattan Beach headquarters on January 30.

Fisker expects to announce dealer commitments to the companys new Dealership Partnership strategy.

Fisker has over 120 dealers in North America and Europe who have expressed interest in signing up for the new Dealer Partnership model.

On January 4, Fisker announced a strategic shift to dealers from direct sales to significantly scale for Fisker Ocean deliveries and higher volume production of additional future models.

Fisker expects to deliver its first vehicles to dealers in February and has signed up its first dealer, located in Europe.

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Fisker Inc. (NYSE: FSR) (Fisker), driven by a mission to create the worlds most emotional and sustainable electric vehicles, will hold a dealer open house at its Manhattan Beach, CA headquarters on Tuesday, January 30 and expects to announce commitments to Fiskers new Dealer Partnership strategy. The company has signed up its first dealer, located in Europe.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240129317740/en/

Fisker Inc., driven by a mission to create the worlds most emotional and sustainable electric vehicles, will hold a dealer open house at its Manhattan Beach, California headquarters on Tuesday, January 30 and expects to announce commitments to Fiskers new Dealer Partnership strategy. The company has signed up its first dealer, located in Europe. (Photo: Fisker Inc.)

Im looking forward to meeting with our future dealers in person and announcing that we have signed up our first dealer partners, Chairman and CEO Henrik Fisker said. Over 120 dealers in North American and Europe have expressed interest in our new Dealer Partnership model, and this open house event is a very important step toward growing our business and getting more vehicles to customers in 2024.

Following the open house, Fisker leaders, including Henrik Fisker, will attend the National Automobile Dealers Association Show in Las Vegas, held from February 1-4, and meet with additional dealers to support the Dealer Partnership strategy.

On January 4, 2024, Fisker announced that it would engage in a strategic shift from direct sales to customers in North America to an innovative Dealer Partnership model. The model combines the goal of offering its customers no-haggle pricing on Fisker vehicles (where permitted) while also providing its dealer partners with larger market territories, so they can maintain pricing without concern for local competition. The transition is aligned with Fiskers asset light business model, which enables the company to significantly scale for Fisker Ocean deliveries and higher volume production of additional future models. The company has been in advanced discussions with numerous potential dealers and expects to deliver its first vehicles to dealers in February.

Fisker is currently delivering the all-electric Ocean SUV, which starts at $38,990, in the US, Canada, and Europe. In the US, the Ocean has an EPA range of up to 360 mi 1, which is the longest range of any new electric SUV in its class 2. The Fisker Ocean has the lowest published carbon footprint of any electric SUV, uses over 110 lbs. of recycled and bio-based materials, is built at a carbon-neutral facility, and integrates rooftop solar panels, adding up to 1,500 miles/year of range 3.

1 EPA estimated range. Mid-size SUVs. Measurements conducted with standard 20 wheels. Actual results may vary for many reasons, including driving conditions, wheel size, state of battery charge, and how the vehicle is driven and maintained.

2 Mid-size SUVs in comparable price segment.

3 Based on Fisker simulations. Ideal conditions assume solar irradiation of 5.4 kWh/m2/day and steady commuter driving. Actual results vary with conditions such as external environment and vehicle use.

About Fisker Inc.

California-based Fisker Inc. is revolutionizing the automotive industry by designing and developing individual mobility in alignment with nature. Passionately driven by a vision of a clean future for all, the company is on a mission to create the worlds most sustainable and emotional electric vehicles. To learn more, visit Fiskerinc.com and enjoy exclusive content across Fisker's social media channels: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

Download the revolutionary new Fisker mobile app from the App Store or Google Play.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements, which are subject to the safe harbor provisions of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified by words such as feel, believes, expects, estimates, projects, intends, should, is to be, or the negative of such terms, or other comparable terminology and include, among other things, the quote from our chief executive officer, any potential future automotive original equipment manufacturer (or equipment or part manufacturer) transactions and other future events that involve risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained herein due to many factors, including, but not limited to: Fisker's limited operating history; Fisker's ability to enter into additional manufacturing and other contracts with Magna or tier-one suppliers in order to execute on its business plan; the risk that OEM and supply partners do not meet agreed-upon timelines or experience capacity constraints; Fisker may experience significant delays in the design, manufacture, regulatory approval, launch and financing of its vehicles; Fisker's ability to execute its business model, including market acceptance of its planned products and services; Fisker's inability to retain key personnel and to hire additional personnel; competition in the electric vehicle market; Fisker's inability to develop a sales distribution or dealership network; and the ability to protect its intellectual property rights; and those factors discussed in Fisker's Annual Report on Form 10-K, under the heading Risk Factors, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC), as supplemented by Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and other reports and documents Fisker files from time to time with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and Fisker undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240129317740/en/

European Media:

[email protected]

US Media

[email protected]

Customer service: [email protected]

Fisker Inc. Communications:

Matthew DeBord

VP, Communications

[email protected]

Franziska Queling

Regional Head of Public Relations Europe

[email protected]

Investor Relations:

Eric Goldstein

Head of Investor Relations

[email protected]

Source: Fisker Inc.
The International Tourism Fair concludes a successful edition, thanks to unanimous support from the sector and strong institutional backing, resulting in a total attendance of 250,000 visitors - 153,000 professionals and 97,000 general public.

Global influence has been a key aspect of the 44th edition of FITUR, significantly enhanced by the participation of 152 countries, 96 official representations.

MADRID--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The 44th International Tourism Fair concludes a successful edition whose data reflects the growth experienced by the global tourism sector in the past year, laying the groundwork for its consolidation in this 2024. FITUR has announced that throughout its five days, it has welcomed a total of 250,000 visitors, 153,000 has been professionals and 97,000 visitors attending during its two open-to-the-public days. These figures represent a 13.7% increase compared to 2023.

FITUR 2024 has also stood out for breaking the record for exhibition space, with a total of nine pavilions, as well as for the consolidation of its international character. It has gathered 152 countries and 96 official country participations.

Organized by IFEMA MADRID, the Fair, inaugurated on January 24 by Their Majesties the Kings of Spain, had Ecuador as the Country Partner of FITUR and the participation of all players in the tourism industry value chain, showcasing the sector's dynamism through numerous business transactions, expanded networks, and the exchange of best practices and knowledge.

The official report of FITUR 2024 reveals record-breaking participation figures with 9,000 companies, 152 countries, 96 official representations (20 more than in 2023), 806 main exhibitors, 9 pavilions and 10 monographic sections.

In total, the Fair brought together the presence of nearly 400 authorities, including Ministers, State Secretaries, ambassadors, business representatives, and mayors from different regions.

The fair's growth is reflected in extensive media coverage, with over 37,000 news articles published about FITUR 2024 during its celebration in national and international media, and with the presence of nearly 6,800 accredited journalists at the fair, including 6,157 national and 607 international journalists from 53 countries.

IFEMA MADRID is already working towards FITUR 2025, which will take place from January 22 to 26, with Mexico taking over as the Country Partner of FITUR.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240129041036/en/

For more information, graphic material and interviews:

Andrea Martinez

[email protected]

Phone: +34 91 575 7121

Source: FITUR
SAN MATEO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Franklin Resources, Inc. (the Company) [NYSE: BEN] today announced net income1 of $251.3 million or $0.50 per diluted share for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, as compared to $295.5 million or $0.58 per diluted share for the previous quarter, and $165.6 million or $0.32 per diluted share for the quarter ended December 31, 2022. Operating income was $206.5 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, as compared to $338.3 million for the previous quarter and $194.0 million for the prior year.

As supplemental information, the Company is providing certain adjusted performance measures which are based on methodologies other than generally accepted accounting principles. Adjusted net income2 was $328.5 million and adjusted diluted earnings per share2 was $0.65 for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, as compared to $427.0 million and $0.84 for the previous quarter, and $262.4 million and $0.51 for the quarter ended December 31, 2022. Adjusted operating income2 was $417.0 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, as compared to $511.7 million for the previous quarter and $395.1 million for the prior year.

Our first fiscal quarter results reflect ongoing momentum in a number of significant areas across asset classes, investment vehicles and geographies to meet the varied needs of our diverse global client base, said Jenny Johnson, President and CEO of Franklin Resources, Inc. During the quarter, we saw positive net flows into alternatives, multi-asset, equity, ETFs and SMAs. We also continued to see aggregate positive net flows in non-U.S. regions.

Reflecting client demand, we continue to see robust growth in our private market strategies. Our three largest alternative managers, Benefit Street Partners, Clarion Partners and Lexington Partners, each had net inflows in the quarter with a combined total of $3.8 billion. Earlier this month, Lexington Partners announced the closing of its latest flagship global secondary fund with $22.7 billion of total capital commitments and with approximately 20% of the capital raised in the fund coming from the wealth management channel. The fund ranks among the largest raised to date in the secondary market and significantly exceeded Lexingtons prior secondary fund, which closed with $14 billion raised in 2020. Also this month, Benefit Street Partners closed its fifth flagship private credit fund with $4.7 billion of total capital commitments. Reflecting the strong demand for the asset class, Benefit Street Partners exceeded its fundraise target.

We were pleased to close our acquisition of Putnam Investments from Great-West Lifeco on January 1, 2024. With $148 billion in assets under management, Putnam adds complementary investment capabilities and a track record of strong investment performance with 87% or higher of mutual fund AUM outperforming its peers over all standard time periods. The transaction also enhances our presence in the attractive retirement and insurance markets. The addition of Putnam brings Franklin Templetons total AUM to approximately $1.6 trillion.

We continue to focus on strong expense discipline and our net cash and investments position allows us to continue to invest in growth and innovation for the benefit of all our stakeholders.

Quarter Ended % Change Quarter Ended % Change 31-Dec-23 30-Sep-23 Qtr. vs. Qtr. 31-Dec-22 Year vs. Year Financial Results (in millions, except per share data) Operating revenues $ 1,991.1 $ 1,986.1 0 % $ 1,967.1 1 % Operating income 206.5 338.3 (39 %) 194.0 6 % Operating margin 10.4 % 17.0 % 9.9 % Net income1 $ 251.3 $ 295.5 (15 %) $ 165.6 52 % Diluted earnings per share 0.50 0.58 (14 %) 0.32 56 % As adjusted (non-GAAP):2 Adjusted operating income $ 417.0 $ 511.7 (19 %) $ 395.1 6 % Adjusted operating margin 27.3 % 32.4 % 27.5 % Adjusted net income $ 328.5 $ 427.0 (23 %) $ 262.4 25 % Adjusted diluted earnings per share 0.65 0.84 (23 %) 0.51 27 % Assets Under Management (in billions) Ending $ 1,455.5 $ 1,374.2 6 % $ 1,387.7 5 % Average3 1,394.2 1,419.1 (2 %) 1,353.5 3 % Long-term net flows (5.0 ) (6.9 ) (10.9 )

Total assets under management (AUM) were $1,455.5 billion at December 31, 2023, up $81.3 billion or 6% during the quarter due to the positive impact of $81.6 billion of net market change, distributions, and other, and $4.7 billion of cash management net inflows, offset in part by $5.0 billion of long-term net outflows.

Cash and cash equivalents and investments were $5.6 billion and, including the Companys direct investments in consolidated investment products (CIPs), were $6.7 billion4 at December 31, 2023. Total stockholders equity was $12.6 billion and the Company had 494.7 million shares of common stock outstanding at December 31, 2023. The Company repurchased 2.4 million shares of its common stock for a total cost of $58.8 million during the quarter ended December 31, 2023.

Conference Call Information

A written commentary on the results by Jenny Johnson, President and CEO; Matthew Nicholls, Executive Vice President, CFO and COO; and Adam Spector, Executive Vice President, Head of Global Distribution, will be available via investors.franklinresources.com today at approximately 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time.

Ms. Johnson and Messrs. Nicholls and Spector will also lead a live teleconference today at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time to answer questions. Access to the teleconference will be available via investors.franklinresources.com or by dialing (+1) (888) 396-8049 in North America or (+1) (416) 764-8646 in other locations using access code 09627581. A replay of the teleconference can also be accessed by calling (+1) (877) 674-7070 in North America or (+1) 416-764-8692 in other locations using access code 627581# after 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time on January 29, 2024 through February 5, 2024, or via investors.franklinresources.com.

Analysts and investors are encouraged to review the Companys recent filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and to contact Investor Relations at (650) 312-4091 before the live teleconference for any clarifications or questions related to the earnings release or written commentary.

FRANKLIN RESOURCES, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME Unaudited (in millions, except per share data) Three Months Ended

December 31, %

Change 2023 2022 Operating Revenues Investment management fees $ 1,652.2 $ 1,631.8 1 % Sales and distribution fees 296.4 291.9 2 % Shareholder servicing fees 32.5 33.4 (3 %) Other 10.0 10.0 0 % Total operating revenues 1,991.1 1,967.1 1 % Operating Expenses Compensation and benefits 968.3 979.2 (1 %) Sales, distribution and marketing 400.8 388.6 3 % Information systems and technology 131.0 121.4 8 % Occupancy 66.7 54.5 22 % Amortization of intangible assets 85.8 83.2 3 % General, administrative and other 132.0 146.2 (10 %) Total operating expenses 1,784.6 1,773.1 1 % Operating Income 206.5 194.0 6 % Other Income (Expenses) Investment and other income, net 173.2 91.1 90 % Interest expense (18.8 ) (30.9 ) (39 %) Investment and other losses of consolidated investment products, net (23.8 ) (13.6 ) 75 % Expenses of consolidated investment products (5.9 ) (11.5 ) (49 %) Other income, net 124.7 35.1 255 % Income before taxes 331.2 229.1 45 % Taxes on income 74.9 60.3 24 % Net income 256.3 168.8 52 % Less: net income (loss) attributable to Redeemable noncontrolling interests 9.5 (1.5 ) NM Nonredeemable noncontrolling interests (4.5 ) 4.7 NM Net Income Attributable to Franklin Resources, Inc. $ 251.3 $ 165.6 52 % Earnings per Share Basic $ 0.50 $ 0.32 56 % Diluted 0.50 0.32 56 % Dividends Declared per Share $ 0.31 $ 0.30 3 % Average Shares Outstanding Basic 487.0 489.6 (1 %) Diluted 487.9 490.2 0 % Operating Margin 10.4 % 9.9 %

FRANKLIN RESOURCES, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME Unaudited (in millions, except per share data) Three Months Ended %

Change Three Months Ended 31-Dec-23 30-Sep-23 30-Jun-23 31-Mar-23 31-Dec-22 Operating Revenues Investment management fees $ 1,652.2 $ 1,634.4 ` 1 % $ 1,613.4 $ 1,573.3 $ 1,631.8 Sales and distribution fees 296.4 306.4 (3 %) 304.0 301.4 291.9 Shareholder servicing fees 32.5 37.2 (13 %) 38.8 43.3 33.4 Other 10.0 8.1 23 % 12.8 9.2 10.0 Total operating revenues 1,991.1 1,986.1 0 % 1,969.0 1,927.2 1,967.1 Operating Expenses Compensation and benefits 968.3 826.3 17 % 841.2 847.3 979.2 Sales, distribution and marketing 400.8 411.1 (3 %) 406.8 406.6 388.6 Information systems and technology 131.0 128.3 2 % 127.3 128.0 121.4 Occupancy 66.7 57.8 15 % 56.9 59.7 54.5 Amortization of intangible assets 85.8 86.5 (1 %) 85.4 86.0 83.2 General, administrative and other 132.0 137.8 (4 %) 136.5 144.5 146.2 Total operating expenses 1,784.6 1,647.8 8 % 1,654.1 1,672.1 1,773.1 Operating Income 206.5 338.3 (39 %) 314.9 255.1 194.0 Other Income (Expenses) Investment and other income, net 173.2 72.1 140 % 51.2 125.6 91.1 Interest expense (18.8 ) (24.4 ) (23 %) (34.9 ) (33.5 ) (30.9 ) Investment and other income (losses) of consolidated investment products, net (23.8 ) 40.5 NM 1.7 87.2 (13.6 ) Expenses of consolidated investment products (5.9 ) (3.0 ) 97 % (0.8 ) (3.4 ) (11.5 ) Other income, net 124.7 85.2 46 % 17.2 175.9 35.1 Income before taxes 331.2 423.5 (22 %) 332.1 431.0 229.1 Taxes on income 74.9 75.0  % 84.1 92.9 60.3 Net income 256.3 348.5 (26 %) 248.0 338.1 168.8 Less: net income (loss) attributable to Redeemable noncontrolling interests 9.5 27.0 (65 %) 26.8 83.2 (1.5 ) Nonredeemable noncontrolling interests (4.5 ) 26.0 NM (6.3 ) 60.7 4.7 Net Income Attributable to Franklin Resources, Inc. $ 251.3 $ 295.5 (15 %) $ 227.5 $ 194.2 $ 165.6 Earnings per Share Basic $ 0.50 $ 0.58 (14 %) $ 0.44 $ 0.38 $ 0.32 Diluted 0.50 0.58 (14 %) 0.44 0.38 0.32 Dividends Declared per Share $ 0.31 $ 0.30 3 % $ 0.30 $ 0.30 $ 0.30 Average Shares Outstanding Basic 487.0 489.2 0 % 490.7 490.7 489.6 Diluted 487.9 490.0 0 % 491.4 491.4 490.2 Operating Margin 10.4 % 17.0 % 16.0 % 13.2 % 9.9 %

AUM AND FLOWS (in billions) Three Months Ended

December 31, %

Change 2023 2022 Beginning AUM $ 1,374.2 $ 1,297.4 6 % Long-term inflows 68.9 70.5 (2 %) Long-term outflows (73.9 ) (81.4 ) (9 %) Long-term net flows (5.0 ) (10.9 ) (54 %) Cash management net flows 4.7 17.5 (73 %) Total net flows (0.3 ) 6.6 NM Acquisitions  34.9 (100 %) Net market change, distributions and other5 81.6 48.8 67 % Ending AUM $ 1,455.5 $ 1,387.7 5 % Average AUM $ 1,394.2 $ 1,353.5 3 %

AUM BY ASSET CLASS (in billions) 31-Dec-23 30-Sep-23 % Change 30-Jun-23 31-Mar-23 31-Dec-22 Fixed Income $ 511.7 $ 483.1 6 % $ 505.1 $ 510.1 $ 494.8 Equity 467.5 430.4 9 % 458.0 437.1 419.1 Alternative 256.2 254.9 1 % 257.2 258.2 257.4 Multi-Asset 154.6 145.0 7 % 148.3 146.1 141.4 Cash Management 65.5 60.8 8 % 62.9 70.6 75.0 Total AUM $ 1,455.5 $ 1,374.2 6 % $ 1,431.5 $ 1,422.1 $ 1,387.7 Average AUM for the Three-Month Period $ 1,394.2 $ 1,419.1 (2 %) $ 1,419.6 $ 1,419.5 $ 1,353.5

AUM BY SALES REGION (in billions) 31-Dec-23 30-Sep-23 % Change 30-Jun-23 31-Mar-23 31-Dec-22 United States $ 1,019.4 $ 979.9 4 % $ 1,026.0 $ 1,017.1 $ 993.1 International Europe, Middle East and Africa 180.6 165.1 9 % 170.6 167.6 164.3 Asia-Pacific 150.5 117.6 28 % 121.0 120.0 115.5 Americas, excl. U.S. 105.0 111.6 (6 %) 113.9 117.4 114.8 Total international 436.1 394.3 11 % 405.5 405.0 394.6 Total $ 1,455.5 $ 1,374.2 6 % $ 1,431.5 $ 1,422.1 $ 1,387.7

AUM AND FLOWS BY ASSET CLASS (in billions) for the three months ended December 31, 2023 Fixed

Income Equity Alternative Multi-Asset Cash

Management Total AUM at October 1, 2023 $ 483.1 $ 430.4 $ 254.9 $ 145.0 $ 60.8 $ 1,374.2 Long-term inflows 28.3 27.0 5.9 7.7  68.9 Long-term outflows (36.7 ) (26.8 ) (3.2 ) (7.2 )  (73.9 ) Long-term net flows (8.4 ) 0.2 2.7 0.5  (5.0 ) Cash management net flows     4.7 4.7 Total net flows (8.4 ) 0.2 2.7 0.5 4.7 (0.3 ) Net market change, distributions and other5 37.0 36.9 (1.4 ) 9.1  81.6 AUM at December 31, 2023 $ 511.7 $ 467.5 $ 256.2 $ 154.6 $ 65.5 $ 1,455.5

(in billions) for the three months ended September 30, 2023 Fixed

Income Equity Alternative Multi-Asset Cash

Management Total AUM at July 1, 2023 $ 505.1 $ 458.0 $ 257.2 $ 148.3 $ 62.9 $ 1,431.5 Long-term inflows 26.2 17.1 3.9 8.0  55.2 Long-term outflows (27.8 ) (24.8 ) (3.1 ) (6.4 )  (62.1 ) Long-term net flows (1.6 ) (7.7 ) 0.8 1.6  (6.9 ) Cash management net flows     (1.6 ) (1.6 ) Total net flows (1.6 ) (7.7 ) 0.8 1.6 (1.6 ) (8.5 ) Net market change, distributions and other5 (20.4 ) (19.9 ) (3.1 ) (4.9 ) (0.5 ) (48.8 ) AUM at September 30, 2023 $ 483.1 $ 430.4 $ 254.9 $ 145.0 $ 60.8 $ 1,374.2

(in billions) for the three months ended December 31, 2022 Fixed

Income Equity Alternative Multi-Asset Cash

Management Total AUM at October 1, 2022 $ 490.9 $ 392.3 $ 225.1 $ 131.5 $ 57.6 $ 1,297.4 Long-term inflows 28.5 27.2 6.5 8.3  70.5 Long-term outflows (41.8 ) (26.9 ) (6.8 ) (5.9 )  (81.4 ) Long-term net flows (13.3 ) 0.3 (0.3 ) 2.4  (10.9 ) Cash management net flows     17.5 17.5 Total net flows (13.3 ) 0.3 (0.3 ) 2.4 17.5 6.6 Acquisition   34.9   34.9 Net market change, distributions and other5 17.2 26.5 (2.3 ) 7.5 (0.1 ) 48.8 AUM at December 31, 2022 $ 494.8 $ 419.1 $ 257.4 $ 141.4 $ 75.0 $ 1,387.7

Supplemental Non-GAAP Financial Measures

As supplemental information, we are providing performance measures for adjusted operating income, adjusted operating margin, adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share, each of which is based on methodologies other than generally accepted accounting principles (non-GAAP measures). Management believes these non-GAAP measures are useful indicators of our financial performance and may be helpful to investors in evaluating our relative performance against industry peers.

Adjusted operating income, adjusted operating margin, adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share are defined below, followed by reconciliations of operating income, operating margin, net income attributable to Franklin Resources, Inc. and diluted earnings per share on a U.S. GAAP basis to these non-GAAP measures. Non-GAAP measures should not be considered in isolation from, or as substitutes for, any financial information prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies. Additional reconciling items may be added in the future to these non-GAAP measures if deemed appropriate.

Adjusted Operating Income

We define adjusted operating income as operating income adjusted to exclude the following:

Elimination of operating revenues upon consolidation of investment products.

Acquisition-related items: Acquisition-related retention compensation. Other acquisition-related expenses including professional fees, technology costs and fair value adjustments related to contingent consideration assets and liabilities. Amortization of intangible assets. Impairment of intangible assets and goodwill, if any.

Special termination benefits related to workforce optimization initiatives related to past acquisitions and certain initiatives undertaken by the Company.

Impact on compensation and benefits expense from gains and losses on investments related to deferred compensation plans, which is offset in investment and other income (losses), net.

Impact on compensation and benefits expense related to minority interests in certain subsidiaries, which is offset in net income (loss) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests.

Adjusted Operating Margin

We calculate adjusted operating margin as adjusted operating income divided by adjusted operating revenues. We define adjusted operating revenues as operating revenues adjusted to exclude the following:

Elimination of operating revenues upon consolidation of investment products.

Acquisition-related performance-based investment management fees which are passed through as compensation and benefits expense.

Sales and distribution fees and a portion of investment management fees allocated to cover sales, distribution and marketing expenses paid to the financial advisers and other intermediaries who sell our funds on our behalf.

Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share

We define adjusted net income as net income attributable to Franklin Resources, Inc. adjusted to exclude the following:

Activities of CIPs.

Acquisition-related items: Acquisition-related retention compensation. Other acquisition-related expenses including professional fees, technology costs and fair value adjustments related to contingent consideration assets and liabilities. Amortization of intangible assets. Impairment of intangible assets and goodwill, if any. Write off of noncontrolling interests related to the wind down of an acquired business. Interest expense for amortization of Legg Mason debt premium from acquisition-date fair value adjustment.

Special termination benefits related to workforce optimization initiatives related to past acquisitions and certain initiatives undertaken by the Company.

Net gains or losses on investments related to deferred compensation plans which are not offset by compensation and benefits expense.

Net compensation and benefits expense related to minority interests in certain subsidiaries not offset by net income (loss) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests.

Unrealized investment gains and losses.

Net income tax expense of the above adjustments based on the respective blended rates applicable to the adjustments.

We define adjusted diluted earnings per share as diluted earnings per share adjusted to exclude the per share impacts of the adjustments applied to net income in calculating adjusted net income.

In calculating our non-GAAP measures, we adjust for the impact of CIPs because it is not considered reflective of our underlying results of operations. Acquisition-related items and special termination benefits are excluded to facilitate comparability to other asset management firms. We adjust for compensation and benefits expense related to funded deferred compensation plans because it is partially offset in other income (expense), net. We adjust for compensation and benefits expense and net income (loss) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests to reflect the economics of certain profits interest arrangements. Sales and distribution fees and a portion of investment management fees generally cover sales, distribution and marketing expenses and, therefore, are excluded from adjusted operating revenues. In addition, when calculating adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share we exclude unrealized investment gains and losses included in investment and other income (losses) because the related investments are generally expected to be held long term.

The calculations of adjusted operating income, adjusted operating margin, adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share are as follows:

(in millions) Three Months Ended 31-Dec-23 30-Sep-23 31-Dec-22 Operating income $ 206.5 $ 338.3 $ 194.0 Add (subtract): Elimination of operating revenues upon consolidation of investment products* 11.4 11.2 5.1 Acquisition-related retention 69.1 56.8 63.6 Compensation and benefits expense from gains (losses) on deferred compensation, net 19.0 (6.0 ) 5.6 Other acquisition-related expenses 6.8 4.9 22.6 Amortization of intangible assets 85.8 86.5 83.2 Special termination benefits 6.7 8.3 10.9 Compensation and benefits expense related to minority interests in certain subsidiaries 11.7 11.7 10.1 Adjusted operating income $ 417.0 $ 511.7 $ 395.1 Total operating revenues $ 1,991.1 $ 1,986.1 $ 1,967.1 Add (subtract): Acquisition-related pass through performance fees (72.6 ) (5.6 ) (144.5 ) Sales and distribution fees (296.4 ) (306.4 ) (291.9 ) Allocation of investment management fees for sales, distribution and marketing expenses (104.4 ) (104.7 ) (96.7 ) Elimination of operating revenues upon consolidation of investment products* 11.4 11.2 5.1 Adjusted operating revenues $ 1,529.1 $ 1,580.6 $ 1,439.1 Operating margin 10.4 % 17.0 % 9.9 % Adjusted operating margin 27.3 % 32.4 % 27.5 %

(in millions, except per share data) Three Months Ended 31-Dec-23 30-Sep-23 31-Dec-22 Net income attributable to Franklin Resources, Inc. $ 251.3 $ 295.5 $ 165.6 Add (subtract): Net (income) loss of consolidated investment products* (2.2 ) 1.6 (3.6 ) Acquisition-related retention 69.1 56.8 63.6 Other acquisition-related expenses 10.8 8.9 28.7 Amortization of intangible assets 85.8 86.5 83.2 Special termination benefits 6.7 8.3 10.9 Net gains on deferred compensation plan investments not offset by compensation and benefits expense (6.0 ) (1.4 ) (7.6 ) Unrealized investment (gains) losses (49.0 ) 20.6 (30.7 ) Interest expense for amortization of debt premium (6.4 ) (6.4 ) (6.3 ) Net compensation and benefits expense related to minority interests in certain subsidiaries not offset by net income (loss) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests (2.0 ) 1.0 0.4 Net income tax expense of adjustments (29.6 ) (44.4 ) (41.8 ) Adjusted net income $ 328.5 $ 427.0 $ 262.4 Diluted earnings per share $ 0.50 $ 0.58 $ 0.32 Adjusted diluted earnings per share 0.65 0.84 0.51

__________________

* The impact of CIPs is summarized as follows:

(in millions) Three Months Ended 31-Dec-23 30-Sep-23 31-Dec-22 Elimination of operating revenues upon consolidation $ (11.4 ) $ (11.2 ) $ (5.1 ) Other income (expenses), net (8.6 ) 21.4 (2.8 ) Less: income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests (22.2 ) 11.8 (11.5 ) Net income (loss) $ 2.2 $ (1.6 ) $ 3.6

Notes

Net income represents net income attributable to Franklin Resources, Inc. Adjusted net income, adjusted diluted earnings per share, adjusted operating income and adjusted operating margin are based on methodologies other than generally accepted accounting principles. See Supplemental Non-GAAP Financial Measures for definitions and reconciliations of these measures. Average AUM represents monthly average AUM. Includes our direct investments in CIPs of $1.0 billion, approximately $300 million of employee-owned and other third-party investments made through partnerships, and approximately $370 million of investments that are subject to long-term repurchase agreements and other financing arrangements. Excludes $800 million undrawn revolving credit facility. Net market change, distributions and other includes appreciation (depreciation), distributions to investors that represent return on investments and return of capital, and foreign exchange revaluation.

Franklin Resources, Inc. (NYSE: BEN) is a global investment management organization with subsidiaries operating as Franklin Templeton and serving clients in over 150 countries. Franklin Templetons mission is to help clients achieve better outcomes through investment management expertise, wealth management and technology solutions. Through its specialist investment managers, the Company offers specialization on a global scale, bringing extensive capabilities in fixed income, equity, alternatives and multi-asset solutions. With more than 1,300 investment professionals, and offices in major financial markets around the world, the California-based company has over 75 years of investment experience and approximately $1.5 trillion in AUM as of December 31, 2023. The Company posts information that may be significant for investors in the Investor Relations and News Center sections of its website, and encourages investors to consult those sections regularly. For more information, please visit investors.franklinresources.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Some of the statements herein may include forward-looking statements that reflect our current views with respect to future events, financial performance and market conditions. Such statements are provided under the safe harbor protection of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include all statements that do not relate solely to historical or current facts and generally can be identified by words or phrases written in the future tense and/or preceded by words such as anticipate, believe, could, depends, estimate, expect, intend, likely, may, plan, potential, seek, should, will, would, or other similar words or variations thereof, or the negative thereof, but these terms are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements.

Forward-looking statements involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause actual results and outcomes to differ materially from any future results or outcomes expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including market and volatility risks, investment performance and reputational risks, global operational risks, competition and distribution risks, third-party risks, technology and security risks, human capital risks, cash management risks, and legal and regulatory risks. While forward-looking statements are our best prediction at the time that they are made, you should not rely on them and are cautioned against doing so. Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions regarding our business, the economy and other possible future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. They are neither statements of historical fact nor guarantees or assurances of future performance. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them.

These and other risks, uncertainties and other important factors are described in more detail in our recent filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including, without limitation, in Risk Factors and Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023 and our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. If a circumstance occurs after the date of this press release that causes any of our forward-looking statements to be inaccurate, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, we undertake no obligation to announce publicly the change to our expectations, or to make any revision to our forward-looking statements, to reflect any change in assumptions, beliefs or expectations, or any change in events, conditions or circumstances upon which any forward-looking statement is based, unless required by law.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240128070960/en/

Franklin Resources, Inc.

Investor Relations: Selene Oh (650) 312-4091, [email protected]

Media Relations: Matt Walsh (650) 312-2245, [email protected]

investors.franklinresources.com

Source: Franklin Resources, Inc.
DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Generational Equity, a leading mergers and acquisitions advisor for privately held businesses, is pleased to announce the sale of its client Pacific Magnetics, Inc. to Windings, Inc. The transaction closed January 16, 2024.

Pacific Magnetics, Inc. (PMI), headquartered in Chula Vista, California, is a leading subcontract manufacturer servicing the electronic, magnetic, and medical industries. PMI prides itself on providing high-quality manufacturing at competitive prices. Revenue is derived from stator assemblies, electromagnetic assemblies, electronic assemblies, and related products. PMI prides itself on high-quality manufacturing at competitive prices.

For more than 50 years, Windings (located in New Ulm, Minnesota) has provided engineered electromagnetic solutions for critical applications in aerospace, defense, automotive, medical, oil & gas, and general factory automation. As a full-service provider, Windings is a leader in the design, test, manufacture, and support of custom electric motors, generators, and related components including rotors, stators, lamination stacks, and insulation systems.

Windings has more than 165 years of combined experience on its team. Its engineers partner closely with clients from a projects inception to ensure an optimized outcome that meets or exceeds client expectations. Windings offers design analysis and simulation, including electromagnetic, thermal, and mechanical modeling, in order to provide the optimal solution design based on the unique requirements of the application. The decades of manufacturing experience that Windings has can be leveraged to offer Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA) assistance to lower production costs, improve quality, and increase throughput by optimizing the design solution for manufacturing with minimal impact on performance.

Generational Equity Executive Managing Director of M&A  Western Region, Stephen Crisham, and Ron Rosenow, a Generational Group Authorized Affiliate, with support from Vice President, M&A, Bo Zhao closed the transaction. Executive Managing Director Tom Braun established the initial relationship with PMI.

About Generational Equity

Generational Equity, Generational Capital Markets (member FINRA/SIPC), Generational Wealth Advisors, Generational Consulting Group, and DealForce are part of the Generational Group, which is headquartered in Dallas and is one of the leading M&A advisory firms in North America.

With more than 350 professionals located throughout 16 offices in North America, the companies help business owners release the wealth of their business by providing growth consulting, merger, acquisition, and wealth management services. The Generational suite of advisory services includes strategic growth consulting, exit planning education, business valuation, value enhancement strategies, M&A services, digital services, and wealth management.

The M&A Advisor named Generational Equity Investment Banking Firm of the Year three years in a row, Valuation Firm of the Year, and North American Investment Bank of the Year in 2022 as well as Consulting Firm of the Year twice. The Global M&A Network named Generational USA Investment Bank of the Year in 2023. For more information visit https://www.genequityco.com/ or the Generational Equity press room.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240129961731/en/

Carl Doerksen

972-342-0968

[email protected]

Source: Generational Equity
To date, Varsity Tutors has already provided effective learning support services to over 12,000 students across Michigan to combat learning loss.

To ensure every student has access to additional support, Varsity Tutors will offer a free platform resource separate from the 23g MI Kids Back on Track Grant Program to all Michigan school districts from now through June 2027.

ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

The Michigan Association of Intermediate School Advisors (MAISA) on Friday announced Varsity Tutors for Schools, a Nerdy (NYSE: NRDY) company and the leading platform for high-impact live online tutoring, was selected as a vetted provider for school districts pursuing funding through the 23g MI Kids Back on Track Grant Program.

Districts that use state grant funds administered by MAISA to select Varsity Tutors as their vendor will have access to multiple implementation models that enable school districts to implement large-scale, best-in-class high-dosage tutoring that adhere to MI Kids Back on Track objectives. This includes Varsity Tutors centrally administered tutoring via its District Assigned model, which connects students with live, video-based high-dosage tutoring sessions with a subject matter expert tutor and can accommodate up to four students per session. School districts can receive more information on the application process by indicating their intent to apply for funding here.

Varsity Tutors sets the gold standard when it comes to high-dosage tutoring and learning support servicesI have witnessed the impact first hand. The learning advancement results students in my district have achieved since we implemented Varsity Tutors are undeniable, said Steve Wolf, Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Instruction for Oxford Community Schools. Michigan has made an excellent decision by selecting Varsity Tutors as a vetted provider for 23g funding, and students across the state will benefit from this wise choice. To date, Varsity Tutors has already provided effective learning support services to over 12,000 students across 50 districts in Michigan.

According to statewide standardized test results from this past year, Michigan public schools students performed below pre-pandemic levels in math and reading. However, high-dosage tutoring continues to prove an effective tool in combating the learning gap. As noted in a recent American Progress Report, Studies continue to show the prevalent benefits of high-dosage tutoring, increasing students' learning by an additional three to 15 months across grade levels. The MI Kids Back on Track Grant funding is designed to support programs that address unfinished learning, get students to grade level academic standards, provide additional support to students at risk of failing behind, or prepare for postsecondary education.

To ensure high-quality tutoring and learning support services are accessible to students across the state, Varsity Tutors is also working with the Michigan Association of Superintendents & Administrators (MASA) to offer Michigan School districts free access to its comprehensive learning platform between now and June 2027. Varsity Tutors free platform offering is complementary to the District Assigned model, which will allow school districts to invest more of their funding in high-dosage tutoring.

Varsity Tutors is proud to be working with the Michigan Department of Education, MAISA, and MASA to take real action to ensure all Michigan students are equipped with the tools and resources they need to not only recover, but thrive in and beyond the classroom, said Anthony Salcito, Chief Institution Business Officer at Varsity Tutors for School.

About Varsity Tutors for Schools

Varsity Tutors, the industry leading online tutoring platform trusted by millions of families, launched Varsity Tutors for Schools, aimed at assisting district leaders in delivering 1:1 tutoring and comprehensive learning support. Varsity Tutors has a proven track record of successful collaboration with over 500 K-12 schools and districts, offering three implementation models: District Assigned, Parent Assigned, and Teacher Assigned. Each implementation model includes facilitating high-dosage, recurring, face-to-face tutoring in 1:1 or small group settings for any grade or subject, 24/7 on-demand tutoring, essay reviewing, and dedicated support for college admissions and test preparation. Learn more about how Varsity Tutors' provides tailored educational solutions and partners with K-12 districts at https://www.varsitytutors.com/school-solutions

About Nerdy Inc.

Nerdy (NYSE: NRDY) is a leading platform for live online learning with a mission to transform the way people learn through technology. The Companys purpose-built proprietary platform leverages technology, including AI, to connect learners of all ages to experts, delivering superior value on both sides of the network. Nerdys comprehensive learning destination provides learning experiences across 3,000+ subjects and multiple formatsincluding Learning Memberships, one-on-one instruction, small group classes, large format group classes, coding, tutor chat, essay review, and adaptive self-study. Nerdys flagship business, Varsity Tutors, is one of the nations largest platforms for live online tutoring and classes. Its solutions are available directly to students and consumers, as well as through schools and other institutions. Learn more about Nerdy at https://www.nerdy.com.

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Jeff Pecor

Tailwind Public Relations

206-948-1482

[email protected]

Source: Varsity Tutors for Schools
DALLAS & FORT WORTH, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Mouser Electronics, Inc., the New Product Introduction (NPI) leader empowering innovation, and Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI), a global semiconductor leader, are working together to donate to Engineers Without Borders USA. A portion of all the proceeds will go to help fund research and development projects to benefit America's small farmers.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240125219772/en/

Starting January 29, for every Mouser order placed including at least one line of ADI products, a donation will be made to EWB-USA to help fund research and development projects to benefit America's small farmers. (Photo: Business Wire)

Engineers Without Borders USA (EWB-USA) is a nonprofit humanitarian organization established to support community-driven development programs worldwide through partnerships that design and implement sustainable engineering projects while providing transformative experiences that enrich global perspectives and create responsible leaders.

Starting January 29, for every Mouser order placed including at least one line of ADI products, a donation will be made to EWB-USA to help seed the research and development of solar-powered equipment for America's small farmers. The initiative is designed to engineer a brighter tomorrow for small U.S. farms by promoting sustainability, energy efficiency and economic viability.

"Mouser is committed to making a positive impact on our communities, and through this collaboration, we can take significant steps towards achieving our goal," said Kevin Hess, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Mouser Electronics. "This charitable program will help give small farmers the advanced technology they need to improve the resiliency of their farms, positively impacting the land and the people who farm it."

Order ADI products from Mouser now to ensure your contribution to the project. To view ADI's products, visit https://www.mouser.com/manufacturer/analog-devices/.

For more information on the charitable initiative, visit https://www.mouser.com/analog-devices-engineers-without-borders/.

For more Mouser news, visit https://www.mouser.com/newsroom/.

As a global authorized distributor, Mouser offers the widest selection of the newest semiconductors, electronic components and industrial automation products. Mouser's customers can expect 100% certified, genuine products that are fully traceable from each of its manufacturer partners. To help speed customers' designs, Mouser's website hosts an extensive library of technical resources, including a Technical Resource Center, along with product data sheets, supplier-specific reference designs, application notes, technical design information, engineering tools and other helpful information.

Engineers can stay abreast of today's exciting product, technology and application news through Mouser's complimentary e-newsletter. Mouser's email news and reference subscriptions are customizable to the unique and changing project needs of customers and subscribers. No other distributor gives engineers this much customization and control over the information they receive. Learn about emerging technologies, product trends and more by signing up today at https://sub.info.mouser.com/subscriber/.

About Mouser Electronics

Mouser Electronics, a Berkshire Hathaway company, is an authorized semiconductor and electronic component distributor focused on New Product Introductions from its leading manufacturer partners. Serving the global electronic design engineer and buyer community, the global distributor's website, mouser.com, is available in multiple languages and currencies and features more than 6.8 million products from over 1,200 manufacturer brands. Mouser offers 28 support locations worldwide to provide best-in-class customer service in local language, currency and time zone. The distributor ships to over 650,000 customers in 223 countries/territories from its 1 million-square-foot, state-of-the-art distribution facilities in the Dallas, Texas, metro area. For more information, visit https://www.mouser.com/.

Trademarks

Mouser and Mouser Electronics are registered trademarks of Mouser Electronics, Inc. All other products, logos, and company names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240125219772/en/

For further information, contact:

Kevin Hess, Mouser Electronics

Senior Vice President of Marketing

+1 (817) 804-3833

[email protected]

For press inquiries, contact:

Kelly DeGarmo, Mouser Electronics

Manager, Corporate Communications and Media Relations

+1 (817) 804-7764

[email protected]

Source: Mouser Electronics, Inc.
LOS ANGELES & BENGALURU, India--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Pixxel, a leader in innovative hyperspectral earth-imaging technology, today announced the appointment of William McCombe as its new Chief Financial Officer. William arrives at Pixxel with extensive experience as a Chief Financial Officer at various space and technology hardware companies, most notably Maxar, the largest US space imaging company and Velo3D, an industry leader in metal 3D printing systems for aerospace, defence and other industries.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240129547813/en/

(Photo: Business Wire)

Commenting on the appointment, Awais Ahmed, Founder and CEO of Pixxel said: We are delighted to welcome William McCombe to the Pixxel spaceship! His remarkable experience and foundational understanding of space imagery and satellite manufacturing businesses will be pivotal in steering our financial direction and ensuring sustainable growth. As we navigate the next stages of our journey, were excited to work together towards realising our ambitious vision for the future.

William McCombe, Chief Financial Officer, Pixxel said: I am very excited to join Pixxel as its Chief Financial Officer. With its state-of-the-art hyperspectral satellite constellation, Pixxel will be a game-changer, revolutionizing how we view and understand our planet. Its mission of providing an entirely new level of data and analytics for environmental monitoring will have a far-reaching global impact. I am very much looking forward to working with Pixxels highly talented and energetic team.

In his new role at Pixxel, William will oversee the company's accounting, financial planning, capital raising, treasury, legal and regulatory functions, all supporting Pixxel's mission to revolutionize earth observation through cutting-edge hyperspectral satellite technology.

Williams prior roles included Chief Financial Officer at Maxar, where he led Maxars $3.5Bn merger with Digital Globe. He was also Chief Financial Officer at Velo3D, where he led the companys IPO transaction. In addition, he was CFO at HZO, a nano-coating supplier for the electronics industry. Before these roles, he was a Managing Director in Investment Banking at Bank of America and Morgan Stanley.

He has significant industry experience in the space imagery and satellite manufacturing businesses, and a proven track record in financial management, capital raising, M&A, investor relations and more. In addition to his space industry experience, he has significant experience with emerging growth companies, helping them scale up their operations, raising financing and building financial processes.

With this announcement, Pixxel further solidifies its position in the space tech industry, especially as it gears up to launch six satellites in 2024 and eighteen more by 2025 to build a health monitor for the planet.

About Pixxel

Pixxel is a space data company building a constellation of the worlds highest-resolution hyperspectral earth imaging satellites and the analytical tools to mine insights from the data. The constellation will aim to provide daily global coverage and help detect, monitor, and predict global phenomena across agriculture, mining, environment and energy use cases.

Co-founded by Awais Ahmed and Kshitij Khandelwal, the space tech startup aims to build a health monitor for the planet by 2025. Pixxel has worked with notable organisations such as the Indian Space Research Organization, NASA JPL, and SpaceX amongst other space stalwarts.

The organisation is backed by Google, Lightspeed, Radical Ventures, Relativity's Jordan Noone, Seraphim Capital, Ryan Johnson, Blume Ventures, Sparta LLC and Accenture among others. For more information visit www.pixxel.space or follow Pixxel on Twitter and LinkedIn.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240129547813/en/

John OBrien

[email protected]

Source: Pixxel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 29. The first Azerbaijan Investment Forum is planned to be held within the framework of COP29, the Executive Director of the Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Agency (AZPROMO) Yusif Abdullayev said during a press conference on the results of activities for 2023, Trend reports.

"One of the main goals this year is to attract the largest foreign companies to Azerbaijan," he stated.

To note, the decision to hold COP29 in Azerbaijan was officially announced in Dubai on December 11, 2023.

Besides Azerbaijan, Armenia and Bulgaria were nominated as candidates. However, on December 7, 2023, after direct negotiations between the Office of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Office of the Prime Minister of Armenia, Armenia decided to withdraw its candidacy in support of Azerbaijan. Bulgaria followed suit and also withdrew its candidacy.

The Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan, Mukhtar Babayev, was appointed President of COP29 on January 4, 2024.

Stay up to date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Completion of the audit reaffirms the companys commitment to protecting the security and privacy of customer data.

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Planet DDS, the leading provider of cloud-based dental software, today announced its achievement of the System and Organization Controls (SOC) 2 Type 2 attestation. This marks a significant industry first, positioning Planet DDS as the only dental and orthodontic practice management solutions provider to meet such stringent standards for all its products including Denticon practice management, Cloud 9 orthodontic practice management, Apteryx imaging, and Legwork solutions.

The third-party SOC 2 Type 2 certification attests to the continuously effective enterprise-level data security, availability, confidentiality, processing integrity, and privacy controls that Planet DDS has in place. The completion of the in-depth audit comes at a time in the industry where dental service organizations (DSOs), state and federally funded public health clinics, and other enterprise organizations are seeking greater confidence in vendors to reduce risk, especially for those providing mission-critical software like practice management solutions.

Eric Giesecke, CEO of Planet DDS, commented, Achieving SOC 2 Type 2 compliance is more than a badge of honor for us. It underscores our dedication to ensuring the highest level of data security and trust for our customers. As the leader in the cloud-based dental solutions space, we believe that this achievement not only reinforces our leadership but also sets a new benchmark for the entire industry. This is especially crucial in the healthcare sector where data security and privacy are of paramount importance.

Unlike the SOC 2 Type 1 certification, which evaluates the design of controls at a specific point in time, the SOC 2 Type 2 extends over a period of months, providing a more robust and continuous assurance of Planet DDS commitment to the highest standards of data security and operational reliability.

Mike Gibson, CTO of Planet DDS, added, This rigorous SOC2 Type 2 certification process involved meticulous assessment of our controls and operations. We were able to implement the required guidelines in an extremely short timeframe due to our companys existing cloud-based infrastructure. Our customers can have even greater confidence in our comprehensive approach to protecting their sensitive data.

Nearly 50% of cybersecurity attacks target small businesses like independent private dental practices and healthcare accounts for almost 80% of data breaches. To learn about protecting your organization and your patients data, watch this on-demand webinar: Cybersecurity Webinar

About Planet DDS:

Planet DDS is the leading provider of cloud-enabled dental software solutions, serving over 10,000 practices in North America with over 118,000 users. The company delivers a complete platform of solutions for dental practices, including Denticon Practice Management, Apteryx Cloud Imaging, Cloud 9 Ortho Practice Management and Legwork Practice Marketing. Planet DDS is committed to creating value for its dental practice clients by solving the most urgent challenges facing todays dental practices nationwide. To learn more, visit: PlanetDDS.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240128364622/en/

[email protected]

Source: Planet DDS
Offering Free Heart Checks to Mark 75 Years of Excellence in Healthcare Innovation

JUNGINGEN, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Rudolf Riester GmbH, a global leader in medical technology, proudly announces the full market launch of its comprehensive Telemedicine offering. Already in active use across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, the solution from the trusted Riester brand delivers industry-leading quality and versatility through integration of a broad range of medical devices to meet the needs of diverse user scenarios.

"Since its founding 75 years ago, Riester has been a pioneer in providing accurate and efficient diagnostic devices for front-line healthcare. We have brought this passion and expertise to the creation of our telemedicine solution," said Dr. Georgiana Gasqueres, Global Business Unit Director, Telemedicine at Riester. "Now we empower healthcare providers worldwide with the tools they need to deliver accurate diagnosis and exceptional care to every patient, everywhere, and to do it more sustainably." Riester is demonstrating its Telemedicine Case and Cart offerings at the Arab Health show in Dubai, 29 January  1 February 2024, at booth SA.E30.

Traveling nurses with South African healthcare innovator EQiGate are already evaluating dozens of patients every week with the Riester Telemedicine Case. "EQiGate selected the Riester Telemedicine solution for its high quality, comprehensiveness, and versatile, Windows-based compatibility with our portfolio of operating applications," stated Braam Kruger, CEO at EQiGate. "The Riester solution integrates seamlessly with our Hospital at Home concept, enabling us to bring the hospital to the patient, a healthcare paradigm shift that yields significant cost and time savings for both the healthcare system and the patient."

At Arab Health, Riester is showcasing the integration of their industry-leading ri-sonic E-stethoscope with the eMurmur AI platform. Digital auscultation with ri-sonic and eMurmur AI enables the early detection and analysis of heart murmurs, informing better, more timely decisions about treatment pathways.

To demonstrate their commitment to raising heart health awareness and improving quality of life through accurate and efficient diagnosis, Riester is offering complimentary advisory heart checks to all exhibition attendees at their booth at Arab Health, conducted by a professional cardiologist. "Our participation at Arab Health reaches beyond showcasing our technological advancements; it is about educating and engaging with the public  including Arab Health attendees  and healthcare professionals," said Irina Zhdanova, CEO of Riester. "By providing free advisory heart checks, we emphasise the significance of regular cardiac health assessments and demonstrate how innovative technology can be a pivotal tool in advancing diagnostic cardiac care to improve health outcomes. This is a perfect way to honor Riesters 75-year heritage and act on our vision and mission."

For more information about Riesters participation in Arab Health (booth SA.E30) and to schedule a meeting, click here.

About Rudolf Riester GmbH: Since its founding in Germany in 1948, Rudolf Riester GmbH has been a pioneering force in improving quality of life through accurate and efficient diagnosis on the front-line of healthcare. By developing and manufacturing high-quality, market-leading medical diagnostic products, Riester has earned a global reputation for quality, reliability, and innovation in the healthcare sector, with a presence in over 150 countries. Specializing in diagnostic devices, Riester's product portfolio includes telemedicine solutions as well as stethoscopes, blood pressure monitors, otoscopes, ophthalmoscopes, and other medical equipment. Riester is part of the Halma plc group of companies. For more information, visit www.riester.de.

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Gretchen Jezerc, CMO, [email protected], +1.919.441.0555

Graeme Oliver, Head of International Product Management, [email protected], +44.7570.871801

Source: Rudolf Riester GmbH
The New SBVA Establishes KRW 200B ($150M) Korea Venture Fund

SEOUL, South Korea--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- SoftBank Ventures Asia is officially changing its company name to SBVA from beginning of February 1st after The Edgeof acquired the company from SoftBank Group Corp.(SBG) in June of last year. The new SBVA embraces the concept of technological singularities and the broader impacts of the virtues of artificial intelligence, reflecting its commitment to leading in this transformative era. It also reflects the continuity of its business domestically and internationally, highlighting the sustained connectivity with its partners, infrastructure and portfolio companies developed over the past two decades. SBVA is poised to actively seek out startups that will revolutionize various industries through innovative technology, building upon its ICT investment expertise.

The new SBVA has recently closed the 2023 Alpha Korea Fund, with a total committed amount of approximately 200 billion ($150M). The funding amount significantly surpasses the initial target of 100 billion, underscoring the significance of successfully exceeding fundraising goals in a market downturn.

Investors(LP) include Industrial Bank of Korea as the anchor LP, SBG, Hanwha Life, IBK Industrial Bank, Nexon, KB Capital and others.

SBVA, through this fund, aims to actively discover early to mid-stage startups that capitalize on technological innovations in ICT, such as artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and computing, and create new business opportunities. Major investment areas across industries include Enterprise SW, Healthcare, Content and Industrial Deep Tech.

Moving forward, SBVA plans to extensively support the international expansion of domestic startups leveraging its global investment capabilities and network.

According to JP(JoonyPyo) Lee, the CEO of SBVA, "Despite the venture investment winter, we were able to successfully conclude the establishment of this fund based on the trust of our investors. We will continue to actively engage in investment activities by closely listening to the concerns of entrepreneurs."

Yoshimitsu Goto, the CFO of SBG stated, We are delighted that SBVA that has expertise and network of the startup investment business for more than 20 years will make the new start with The Edgeof, an ecosystem builder and venture capital entity. As a LP, we are excited to join the first fund that the new SBVA has established.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240128402322/en/

Suyoung Lee

PR/Communication Manager

[email protected]

Source: SoftBank Ventures Asia
ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- SunLink Health Systems, Inc. (NYSE: American: SSY) today announced that its indirect subsidiary, Southern Health Corporation of Houston, Inc. (Southern), has reached a revised agreement for the sale of Trace Regional Hospital and three (3) patient clinics in Chickasaw County, MS, (Trace) to Progressive Health of Houston, LLC (Progressive). Southern sold certain personal and intangible property to Progressive for $500,000 pursuant to an asset purchase agreement, entered into a six-month net lease of certain hospital real property for $20,000 per month, and engaged Progressive under a management agreement to manage the operations of the hospital and clinics until receipt of certain regulatory approvals. As a result of the transaction, Southerns agreement with Progressive dated November 10, 2023, was terminated. Southern also entered into a real estate purchase agreement with Progressive whereunder Progressive is to purchase certain real estate of Trace for $2,000,000 by July 31, 2024. As a result of the transactions, SunLink expects to report an aggregate loss in the approximate range of $1,800,000 to $2,200,000 on the sale of Trace and its real estate pursuant to the asset purchase agreement and the real estate purchase agreement. However, a more precise determination of the amount of loss is not determinable at this time pending analysis of costs of property sold by Trace hospital and retained by Trace Extended Care & Rehabilitation because the two operations historically have been operated as one facility, and Southern has retained Trace Extended Care & Rehabilitation, a skilled care nursing facility adjacent to the campus of Trace.

SunLink Health Systems, Inc. is the parent company of subsidiaries that own and operate healthcare properties and businesses in the Southeast. Each of the Companys businesses is operated locally with a strategy of linking patients needs with healthcare professionals. For additional information on SunLink Health Systems, Inc., please visit the Companys website.

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 including, without limitation, statements regarding the companys business strategy. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks, uncertainties, and other factors, which could cause actual results, performance, and achievements to differ materially from those anticipated. Certain of those risks, uncertainties and other factors are disclosed in more detail in the companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2023 and other filings with the Securities and Exchange commission which can be located at www.sec.gov.

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Robert M. Thornton, Jr.

Chief Executive Officer

(770) 933-7004

Source: SunLink Health Systems, Inc.
TYSONS, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: TGNA) today announced that KUSA (Denver, Colo.) and KVUE (Austin, Texas) received 2024 Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Awards which honor excellence in broadcast, online and documentary journalism. KUSA won for BURNED, a year-long project to document the devastating 2021 Marshall Fire in Boulder County. KVUE was honored for Accountability After Uvalde, revealing the failures of law enforcement in the aftermath of the mass shooting at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas.

Through impactful investigative reporting, our local journalists continue to hold those in power accountable and create change in their communities, said Lynn Beall, EVP and COO for media operations, TEGNA. Congratulations to the teams at KUSA and KVUE for these well-earned honors.

BURNED  In this year-long project, KUSAs executive producer Chris Hansen and executive producer and investigative reporter Chris Vanderveen, along with KUSA photojournalists, producers, reporters, digital, design and graphic designers, led a year-long effort to document the Marshall Fires destructive path. Gathering hundreds of cell phone videos and security footage, the team produced a series of revealing reports, a documentary and an interactive website showing exactly how the fire started and why a warning system failed. Launched days after the fire burned more than a thousand homes and killed two in Boulder County, BURNED sought to better understand how a small, seemingly inconsequential fire exploded into a monster on the second-to-last day of 2021. "BURNED" is also the recipient of two National Edward R. Murrow Awards in the digital and documentary categories.

"Accountability After Uvalde"  In this reporting, KVUE and Austin-American Statesman reporter Tony Plohetski pierced the false narrative of law enforcement heroism during the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. Plohetski uncovered the 77-minutes that law enforcement delayed action, which led to greater accountability including a Department of Justice review that condemned their inaction. Plohetski was supported by KVUE staffers Laura Sather, Luke Smith, Mary Posani, Lauren Petterson, Kaolin Sewell, Heikki Mustonen, Scott Guest, Joe Ellis, Andrew McKibbin, and Christina Ginn.

About TEGNA

TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: TGNA) is an innovative media company that serves the greater good of our communities. Across platforms, TEGNA tells empowering stories, conducts impactful investigations and delivers innovative marketing solutions. With 64 television stations in 51 U.S. markets, TEGNA is the largest owner of top 4 network affiliates in the top 25 markets among independent station groups, reaching approximately 39 percent of all television households nationwide. TEGNA also owns leading multicast networks True Crime Network and Quest. TEGNA offers innovative solutions to help businesses reach consumers across television, digital and over-the-top (OTT) platforms, including Premion, TEGNAs OTT advertising service. For more information, visit www.TEGNA.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240129268888/en/

For media inquiries, contact:

Anne Bentley

Vice President, Chief Communications Officer

703-873-6366

[email protected]

For investor inquiries, contact:

Julie Heskett

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

703-873-6747

[email protected]

Source: TEGNA Inc.
The appointment of Afshin Beheshti, PhD, contributes to the diversity of thought leadership within Tevogen Bio by way of his roles as Bioinformatician and Principal Investigator at Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, President of the COVID-19 International Research Team and President of nonprofit artificial intelligence initiative Kwaai AI.

WARREN, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Tevogen Bio Inc. (Tevogen Bio) today announced the appointment of Afshin Beheshti, PhD, to Tevogens Advisory Board.

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Dr. Afshin Beheshti, PhD (Photo: Business Wire)

Dr. Beheshti joined KBR at NASA Ames Research Center in 2017 to contribute to the GeneLab genetics database project. He currently works as Blue Marble Space Institute of Science and is funded through grants to work on COVID-19, cancer research, space biology, and high-altitude human biology effects. Dr. Beheshti also is a Visiting Researcher at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. He is the President of two non-profits: the COVID-19 International Research Team (COV-IRT), which is dedicated to COVID-19 and Long COVID research, and Kwaai, an organization promoting free AI access through Personal AI. Previously, Dr. Beheshti was an Assistant Professor at Tufts University School of Medicine, focusing on cancer research. Dr. Beheshti earned his Ph.D. in physics from Florida State University before transitioning to postdoctoral training in cancer, systems biology, space biology, and radiation biology.

Tevogens T cell therapy platform will have applications to many different diseases that has potential to improve patient outcome and quality of life, Dr. Beheshti shared.

Dr. Beheshti's remarkable blend of expertise in physics, systems biology, and space biology, coupled with his innovative work in cancer research and commitment to global health challenges like COVID-19, makes him an invaluable addition to our Advisory Board, said Tevogen CEO, Ryan Saadi, MD, MPH.

Dr. Beheshti's contributions have earned him recognition and accolades, including the International Space Station Research & Development Award for Compelling Results in Biology from the American Astronaut Society/NASA, the NASA Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal, One KBR Award, and the NASA Outstanding Service Award: NASA Ames Safety Award Program II.

About Tevogen Bio

Tevogen Bio is a clinical-stage specialty immunotherapy company harnessing one of natures most powerful immunological weapons, CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes, to develop off-the-shelf, genetically unmodified precision T cell therapies for the treatment of infectious diseases, cancers, and neurological disorders, aiming to address the significant unmet needs of large patient populations. Tevogen Leadership believes that sustainability and commercial success in the current era of healthcare rely on ensuring patient accessibility through advanced science and innovative business models. Tevogen has reported positive safety data from its proof-of-concept clinical trial, and its key intellectual property assets are wholly owned by the company, not subject to any third-party licensing agreements. These assets include three granted patents and twelve pending patents, two of which are related to artificial intelligence.

Tevogen Bio is driven by a team of highly experienced industry leaders and distinguished scientists with drug development and global product launch experience. Tevogen Bios leadership believes that accessible personalized therapeutics are the next frontier of medicine, and that disruptive business models are required to sustain medical innovation.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements relating to the Tevogen Bio and its business, including without limitation statements regarding the benefits of Dr. Beheshtis appointment to Tevogen Bios Advisory Board and the product candidates, products, markets, and expected future performance and market opportunities of Tevogen Bio. These statements are based on managements current expectations and beliefs as of the date of this release and are subject to several factors which involve known and unknown risks, delays, uncertainties, and other factors not under Tevogen Bios control that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or other expectations implied by these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can sometimes be identified by terminology such as may, will, should, intend, expect, believe, potential, and possible, or their negatives or comparable terminology, as well as other words and expressions referencing future events, conditions, or circumstances. In any forward-looking statement in which Tevogen Bio expresses an expectation or belief as to future results, there can be no assurance that the statement or expectation or belief will be achieved. Various factors may cause differences between Tevogen Bios expectations and actual results, including, among others: changes in the markets in which Tevogen Bio competes, including with respect to its competitive landscape, technology evolution, or regulatory changes; changes in domestic and global general economic conditions; the risk that Tevogen Bio may not be able to execute its growth strategies; Tevogen Bios limited operating history; uncertainties inherent in the execution, cost, and completion of preclinical studies and clinical trials; risks related to regulatory review and approval and commercial development; risks associated with intellectual property protection; and other risks related to matters that could affect Tevogen Bios future financial results, including the commercial potential, sales, and pricing of Tevogen Bios products. Except as required by law, Tevogen Bio undertakes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements or any of the information in this release, or provide additional information, and expressly disclaims any and all liability and makes no representations or warranties in connection herewith or with respect to any omissions therefrom.

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Tevogen Communications

T: 1 877 TEVOGEN, Ext 701

[email protected]

Source: Tevogen Bio
The new Hawaiian Islands Fiber Link (HIFL) subsea cable will expand high-speed internet statewide

HONOLULU--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- University of Hawaii (UH) and Ocean Networks, Inc. (ONI) announce a $120 million, public-private partnership to construct a submarine optical fiber cable system that will connect the Hawaiian Islands and improve and expand high-speed broadband internet throughout the state. The project, the Hawaiian Islands Fiber Link (HIFL), is a key component of Connect Kakou, the states broadband initiative, a top priority of the Governor. Josh Green administration. Under the direction of Lt. Governor Sylvia Luke, Connect Kakou will ensure that people from all walks of life have reliable and affordable access to high-speed internet.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240129536117/en/

Hawaiian Islands Fiber Link (HIFL) (Graphic: Business Wire)

This inter-island cable system will leverage the once-in-a-generation federal investment for technological infrastructure, and position our state for long-term economic growth, said Gov. Green, M.D.. The resulting network will be open to all carriers and sufficiently support all manner of telecommunications carrier and enterprise traffic, including anticipated future high-capacity demands supporting healthcare, education, research, public service, commerce, and government uses.

ONI is responsible for the supply, construction, operations and maintenance of the inter-island cable system. Partial funding will be provided through a federal grant, and the remaining funds will be secured by ONI through private equity and secured debt. When it goes online, HIFL will be able to process a high volume of data with minimal delay and will be the inter-island backbone of Connect Kakou.

This is just one part of our plan to guarantee the states long-term internet connectivity, said LG Luke. Connect Kakou has over $500 million in federal grants, state funds, and private matching funds available as we work towards connecting the unconnected and make sure everyone has access to reliable, affordable, high-speed internet.

HIFL will be a carrier-neutral, open-access system with landing sites on Oahu, Hawaii, Maui, Kauai, Lanai and Molokai (graphic above) that will improve Hawaii inter-island and regional connectivity. The system will have 24 fiber pairs with a design life of 25 years and is expected to be ready for service in late 2026. The project is being overseen by the UH System Office for Information Technology with support from the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii.

We are very pleased to be partnering with Ocean Networks, Inc., said Garret Yoshimi, UH Vice President for Information Technology and CIO. The Ocean Networks team has significant industry experience, specifically working here in Hawaii. Its an honor for UH to play an important role in connecting Hawaii to the future.

We are delighted to collaborate with the UH and proud that ONI has been selected to build and operate the new HIFL submarine cable system, said Cliff Miyake, VP Business Development of Ocean Networks, Inc. The HIFL system will provide critical improvement to the broadband infrastructure for the State of Hawaii.

About Ocean Networks

Ocean Networks, Inc. is a privately held telecom development and service company that is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia (USA). Ocean Networks develops submarine cable systems for carriers, content providers, governments, as well as research and education groups. Under its subsidiary Submarine Cable Salvage, Ocean Networks repurposes Out of Service (OOS) submarine cable systems for ocean science. Ocean Networks currently owns 8,000+ km of submarine cable systems globally. Please visit www.OceanNetworks.com for more information.

About University of Hawaii

Founded in 1907, the University of Hawaii System includes three universities, and seven community colleges and community-based learning centers across Hawaii. As the states public system of higher education, UH offers opportunities as unique and diverse as our island home.

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Ocean Networks, Inc.

Scott Schwertfager  CEO

Telephone: 678-313-6653

[email protected]

University of Hawaii

Brent Suyama

UH Associate Director of Communications

Telephone: 808-492-0597

[email protected]

Source: Ocean Networks, Inc.
Findings presented at STS 2024 suggest tumor-targeted fluorescent imaging agent helps surgeons see tumors in real time during minimally invasive and robotic-assisted surgical procedures

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Vergent Bioscience, a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing tumor-targeted imaging agents, announced new data presented today at the 60th Annual Meeting of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (#STS2024). The data demonstrate that VGT-309, the companys investigational tumor-targeted fluorescent imaging agent, visualizes primary and metastatic tumor tissue in the lung during surgery.

The findings reinforce results from earlier clinical trials of VGT-309 which suggest the agent may help surgeons see difficult-to-find and previously undetected tumors in real time, ensuring all tumor tissue is removed during minimally invasive (MIS) and robotic-assisted lung cancer surgery.

The data presented today at STS 2024 suggest that VGT-309 could help support more confident and reliable removal of a wide breadth of cancers in the lung that would otherwise be missed during minimally invasive and robotic surgery, said John Santini, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer at Vergent Bioscience. We look forward to the results from our ongoing, Phase 2 multi-center VISUALIZE study, which will provide further insight regarding the potential promising impact of VGT-309 for both cancer patients and surgeons.

The VGT-309 Phase 2* efficacy study evaluated the frequency that intraoperative molecular imaging (IMI) improved surgical outcomes in 40 individuals with suspected or proven cancer in the lung who were eligible for surgery. The primary efficacy endpoint was the proportion of patients with at least one clinically significant event. Clinically significant events were defined as localization of lesions not found by standard surgical techniques, identification of synchronous and occult cancers, and inadequate surgical margin.

Each patient in the study received VGT-309 preoperatively through intravenous infusion. Following an attempt to localize tumors using standard surgical techniques, investigators used a commercially available near infrared (NIR) endoscope to assess the presence of tumor tissue, which was then confirmed by pathology. Of the 40 participants administered VGT-309 who underwent the standard-of-care surgical resection for suspected lung cancer, 17 (42.5%) had at least one clinically significant event.

VGT-309 with NIR fluorescence imaging visualized a range of primary and metastatic tumor types intraoperatively, including adenocarcinoma in situ, invasive adenocarcinoma, lymphoma, colorectal cancer, neuroendocrine tumors, sarcomas, and squamous cell carcinoma. VGT-309 was safe and well tolerated in this study, with no infusion reactions and no drug-related serious adverse events.

Minimally invasive surgery has become standard of care for many cancer surgeries, but surgeons ability to see and remove all tumor tissue during these procedures is often hindered by poor visualization, said Sunil Singhal, M.D., lead investigator and chief of the division of thoracic surgery in the Perelman School of Medicine at University of Pennsylvania. The data from the VGT-309 Phase 2 efficacy study are encouraging, reinforcing the agents potential to help fill this critical gap.

*This clinical trial (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05400226) was supported by the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health under award number R44CA277890. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

About VGT-309

VGT-309 is a tumor-targeted imaging agent designed to enable a complete solution for optimal tumor visualization during open, minimally invasive surgery (MIS), and robotic-assisted surgical procedures. VGT-309 is delivered to patients via a short infusion several hours before surgery. Invented in Professor Matt Bogyos Lab at Stanford University School of Medicine, the molecule binds tightly (i.e., covalently) to cathepsins, a family of proteases that are overexpressed across a broad range of solid tumors. This approach, if successful, provides distinct clinical advantages and positions VGT-309 as an ideal tumor imaging agent. VGT-309s imaging component is the near infrared (NIR) dye indocyanine green (ICG), which is compatible with all commercially available NIR intraoperative imaging systems that support MIS technologies and is the preferred dye to minimize confounding background autofluorescence.

About Vergent Bioscience

Vergent Bioscience is a clinical-stage biotechnology company that is helping surgeons realize the full potential of minimally invasive and robotic surgery by significantly improving the visibility of tumors. Vergents lead compound, VGT-309, is a tumor-targeted fluorescent imaging agent designed to enable surgeons to see difficult-to-find or previously undetected tumors in real-time during surgery, so that they can ensure all tumor tissue is removed. The company is first evaluating VGT-309 for cancer in the lung, with the potential to expand its application to a wide range of solid tumors. Vergent Bioscience is a privately held company based in Minneapolis, MN. Vergent Bioscience Australia Pty Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of Vergent Bioscience. For more information, visit vergentbio.com

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Media

Laura Morgan

Sam Brown, Inc.

1-951-333-9110

[email protected]

Source: Vergent Bioscience
Fisker Inc. (NYSE: FSR) will hold a dealer open house at its Manhattan Beach, CA headquarters on Tuesday, January 30 and expects to announce commitments to Fiskers new Dealer Partnership strategy. The company has signed up its first dealer, located in Europe.

Im looking forward to meeting with our future dealers in person and announcing that we have signed up our first dealer partners, Chairman and CEO Henrik Fisker said. Over 120 dealers in North American and Europe have expressed interest in our new Dealer Partnership model, and this open house event is a very important step toward growing our business and getting more vehicles to customers in 2024.

Following the open house, Fisker leaders, including Henrik Fisker, will attend the National Automobile Dealers Association Show in Las Vegas, held from February 1-4, and meet with additional dealers to support the Dealer Partnership strategy.

On January 4, 2024, Fisker announced that it would engage in a strategic shift from direct sales to customers in North America to an innovative Dealer Partnership model. The model combines the goal of offering its customers no-haggle pricing on Fisker vehicles (where permitted) while also providing its dealer partners with larger market territories, so they can maintain pricing without concern for local competition. The transition is aligned with Fiskers asset light business model, which enables the company to significantly scale for Fisker Ocean deliveries and higher volume production of additional future models. The company has been in advanced discussions with numerous potential dealers and expects to deliver its first vehicles to dealers in February.

Fisker is currently delivering the all-electric Ocean SUV, which starts at $38,990, in the US, Canada, and Europe. In the US, the Ocean has an EPA range of up to 360 mi 1, which is the longest range of any new electric SUV in its class 2. The Fisker Ocean has the lowest published carbon footprint of any electric SUV, uses over 110 lbs. of recycled and bio-based materials, is built at a carbon-neutral facility, and integrates rooftop solar panels, adding up to 1,500 miles/year of range 3.

1 EPA estimated range. Mid-size SUVs. Measurements conducted with standard 20 wheels. Actual results may vary for many reasons, including driving conditions, wheel size, state of battery charge, and how the vehicle is driven and maintained.

2 Mid-size SUVs in comparable price segment.

3 Based on Fisker simulations. Ideal conditions assume solar irradiation of 5.4 kWh/m2/day and steady commuter driving. Actual results vary with conditions such as external environment and vehicle use.
Seadrill Limited (NYSE: SDRL) announces multiple contract awards totalling approximately $97.5 million in value, in addition to an update on the West Auriga.

Talos Production Inc. has awarded the West Vela a contract with an estimated duration of 150 days in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. The contract is expected to commence in the third quarter of 2024 and represents a total contract value of approximately $73.5 million, excluding managed pressure drilling (MPD) services.

The operator of the West Capella exercised a one-well option with the existing third-party manager, extending its operations by approximately two months. The contract is in direct continuation of the rigs current program and represents a total contract value of approximately $24.0 million.

Seadrill has been advised by the current manager of the West Auriga that the rig will be released in February 2024 due to changes in their client's drilling sequence. This enables Seadrill to resume management of the rig in the first quarter of 2024, accelerate preparation for its previously-announced contract in Brazil beginning in the second half of 2024, and more quickly achieve synergies from the 2023 acquisition of Aquadrill.

Simon Johnson, Seadrill's President & Chief Executive Officer, remarked, It is a pleasure to extend our contractual relationship with our longstanding client, Talos Energy. We also look forward to getting Seadrill coveralls back onboard the West Auriga.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 29. We have common interest to develop the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), the so-called Middle Corridor, Georges Gilkinet, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Mobility, Belgium as EU Presidency, said, Trend reports.

He made the remark during an opening ceremony for Global Gateway Investors Forum for EU-Central Asia Transport Connectivity held today in Brussels.

We must find an alternative route, especially for the transit of critical materials needed for a rapid energy transition. This is where the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route comes in handy. We share a common interest in the sustainable development of this corridor, he said.

He pointed out that Belgium Presidency aims to reinforce connectivity with Moldova, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and other players, that are gateways to Central Asia for Europe.

To do so, we need to identify the most sustainable transport connection between Central Asia and the EU. Recently, the EU agreed on the trans-European transport network policy. Shifting from trucks and planes to train connectivity will help achieve decarbonization objectives. The second objective is to secure investments. The Connecting Europe Facility program is a key funding instrument here. It is also important to mention the Global Gateway initiative, which aims to support partners in infrastructure development in an equitable manner. The EU aims to mobilize a wide range of players and funding sources, Gilkinet explained.

He added that Belgium and European companies can provide their expertise in transit capacities development, especially in railway connections.

Reinforcing the links between the EU and Central Asia is our common priority from an economic, social, and climate point of view. The EU and Central Asia are and will remain key partners in this regard, he concluded.
CORAL GABLES, Fla., Jan. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Amerant Bank, the largest community bank headquartered in Florida, led the financing of a $120 million loan to Fresco Retail Group, LLC, an investment group strategically focused on food and grocery, for the acquisition of Fresco y Mas from Southeastern Grocers Inc. (SEG).

The transaction encompasses the entire Fresco y Mas portfolio. As a Florida-based grocery chain founded in 2016 in Hialeah, Fla., Fresco y Mas offers food and grocery goods at compelling values. With 34 locations across South, Central, and Southwest Florida  including 28 stores and 6 liquor stores the business has established itself as a prominent player in the industry.

"We have been collaborating closely with the Fresco Retail Group, and today, we are excited to announce the successful closing of this deal," said Matthew Bruno, EVP, Miami-Dade Market President, Amerant Bank. "Fresco y Mas boasts an excellent market footprint in South Florida, and we look forward to supporting their growth as part of a strong long-term relationship together."

TA PLLC Co-Managing Partner Javier A. Alvarez led the firms legal representation of Amerant Bank in the transaction and was assisted by Erika L. Porrino and Steven Ross. Ezra Katz, Founder and CEO of Aztec Group, played a key advisory role in facilitating the deal on behalf of Fresco Retail Group. In August 2023, Southeastern Grocers entered into a definitive agreement to divest its Fresco y Mas operations to Fresco Retail Group, LLC.

Fresco Retail Group, LLC remains committed to maintaining the current operations of all supermarkets and liquor stores under the Fresco y Mas banner.

For more information about Amerant Bank, visit amerantbank.com and follow on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn @AmerantBank.

###

For more information, please contact: [email protected].

About Amerant Bank Amerant Bank, N.A., is the largest community bank headquartered in Florida and the main subsidiary of Amerant Bancorp Inc. (NYSE: AMTB), with a presence across South Florida and in Tampa, FL, and Houston, TX. The bank has been serving clients for over 40 years and comprises subsidiaries Amerant Investments and Amerant Mortgage. Rooted in the communities it serves, Amerant supports numerous non-profit and community organizations. In 2023, the company was certified as a Most Loved Workplace by Best Practice Institute. For news and updates, visit the Amerant Newsroom.

Alexis Dominguez Amerant Bank [email protected]

Source: Amerant Bank
Paris, 29 January 2024, 6:00 PM

PRESS RELEASE

Appointment of Charles Nouel as Chief Operating Officer of the Eramet Group

Charles Nouel, currently Director of the Mineral Sands Business Unit, has been appointed Chief Operating Officer of the Eramet Group. In this capacity, he will become a member of the Executive Committee. This appointment will take effect on April 1, 2024. He will succeed Kleber Silva, who has decided to leave the Group to pursue another professional opportunity.

Charles Nouel has over 30 years' experience in the mining industry, including 24 years with Eramet. His international career in Europe, Africa and Oceania has enabled him to develop solid technical and managerial skills in all aspects of mining and metallurgy: geology, mining engineering, operations, industrial projects, mineral processing and metallurgy, ore purchasing and sales, operational management and business unit leadership. Since 2016, he was Director of the Mineral Sands Business Unit, the world's 4th largest producer of Zircon and titanium products.

Christel Bories, Chair and CEO of Eramet, said: "We are delighted to welcome Charles Nouel to the Executive Committee. His long experience in mining and metallurgy, his in-depth knowledge of the Group, and his commitment to results are decisive assets for continuing to improve the Group's performance and supporting its development projects in metals for the energy transition.

I would like to warmly thank Kleber Silva for his commitment over the past six years and his essential contribution to transforming Eramet into a financially robust international mining and metallurgical group with world-class assets. The entire team joins me in wishing him every success in his future projects."

Born in 1967, Charles Nouel is a graduate of the Ecole Nationale Superieure de Geologie de Nancy (1991). He began his career as a Geostatistical Geologist for Cogema in Australia, before working as a Geologist and then Director of the Mines d'Or de Salsigne open-pit mine in France (1993), then as Senior Mining Engineer for Mining & Resource Technology in Australia (1998). In 2000, he joined Eramet as Project Manager for the Tiebaghi mine in New Caledonia, before moving on to various management positions within the Nickel Business Unit, where he became Deputy Director of Industrial Affairs in 2009. Ore Market Director for the Manganese Division in 2010, he took over as Director of the Mineral Sands Business Unit in 2016, while serving as the Group's Chief Technical Officer from 2020 to 2022.

ABOUT ERAMET

Eramet transforms the Earths mineral resources to provide sustainable and responsible solutions to the growth of the industry and to the challenges of the energy transition.

Its employees are committed to this through their civic and contributory approach in all the countries where the mining and metallurgical group is present.

Manganese, nickel, mineral sands, lithium, and cobalt: Eramet recovers and develops metals that are essential to the construction of a more sustainable world.

As a privileged partner of its industrial clients, the Group contributes to making robust and resistant infrastructures and constructions, more efficient means of mobility, safer health tools and more efficient telecommunications devices.

Fully committed to the era of metals, Eramets ambition is to become a reference for the responsible transformation of the Earths mineral resources for living well together.

www. eramet .com

PRESS CONTACT

Media Relations Manager

Fanny Mounier

[email protected]

+33 7 65 26 46 83

INVESTOR CONTACT

Director of Investor Relations

Sandrine Nourry-Dabi

T. +33 1 45 38 37 02

[email protected]

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WASHINGTON, Jan. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Alliance for Pediatric Device Innovation (APDI) and Pediatric Pandemic Network (PPN) have teamed up to provide a unique opportunity for innovators of pediatric medical devices, diagnostics and digital health solutions. The organizations are inviting submissions for a pitch competition that emphasizes the development of medical countermeasures (MCMs)  innovations designed to address the unique healthcare needs of children during pandemics and other disasters. MCMs play a pivotal role in bolstering readiness and response capabilities to disasters arising from a broad spectrum of threats.

Competition awardees will receive grant funding provided by the Health and Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and comprehensive support services provided by APDI and PPN. An additional incentive is the potential for a second year of funding, based on the awardees progress in the first year. Organizers are particularly interested in funding research and development (R&D) initiatives focused on pioneering early-stage medical technologies tailored to tackle disasters. Such initiatives also have the potential to secure subsequent funding from other federal agencies operating within this domain.

Children are our future, and our ability to improve care during emergencies, disasters and pandemics is of national importance, says Kolaleh Eskandanian, Ph.D., MBA, vice president and chief innovation officer at Childrens National Hospital and program director of APDI. We recognize that innovating for children involves a myriad of unique challenges, which is why we are providing funding and support resources to those innovations that rise to the top in the competition.

Proposals should be oriented toward the development of a market-ready product, rather than the exploration of a scientific concept. Key considerations such as prototyping, manufacturing, marketing and regulatory clearance will be of paramount importance and should be addressed explicitly. Collaboration with the small business community is encouraged, but not required. Submissions should have a focus on health equity and communities, especially rural and low-resource areas.

Applications are due Feb. 15. Information and application instructions are available here.

APDI is a consortium led by Childrens National and funded by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to support bringing medical devices to the market that specifically address the needs of children. Along with Childrens National, APDI members include Johns Hopkins University, CIMIT at Mass General Brigham, Tufts Medical Center, Medstar Health Research Institute, OrthoPediatrics Corp. and MedTech Color.

The Pediatric Pandemic Network is a network of 10 childrens hospitals, including Childrens National, that represent diverse regions across the U.S. Funded by HRSA, an agency of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the network aims to empower healthcare systems and communities to provide high-quality, equitable care to children every day and in crises.

###

About Childrens National Hospital

Childrens National Hospital, based in Washington, D.C., was established in 1870 to help every child grow up stronger. Today, it is the No. 5 childrens hospital in the nation and ranked in all specialties evaluated by U.S. News & World Report. Childrens National is transforming pediatric medicine for all children. The Childrens National Research & Innovation Campus opened in 2021, a first-of-its-kind pediatric hub dedicated to developing new and better ways to care for kids. Childrens National has been designated three times in a row as a Magnet hospital, demonstrating the highest standards of nursing and patient care delivery. This pediatric academic health system offers expert care through a convenient, community-based primary care network and specialty care locations in the D.C. metropolitan area, including Maryland and Virginia. Childrens National is home to the Childrens National Research Institute and Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation. It is recognized for its expertise and innovation in pediatric care and as a strong voice for children through advocacy at the local, regional and national levels. As a non-profit, Children's National relies on generous donors to help ensure that every child receives the care they need.

Media contacts: Cherri Carbonara | [email protected] | 713-524-8170 x114 Jhanae Kelley | [email protected] | 713-524-8170 x112

Cherri Carbonara Carbonara Group 713-524-8170 x114 [email protected] Jhanae Kelley Carbonara Group 713-524-8170 x112 [email protected]

Source: Children's National Hospital
LONDON, Jan. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Navigator Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: NVGS), (described herein as Navigator Gas or the Company) announced today that it will participate in Capital Links Corporate Presentations Webinar Series.

On Tuesday, January 30, 2024, at 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time and 4:00 PM Central European Time, Navigator Gas senior management team will go through a presentation on the Companys current operations, business development, growth prospects, and sector outlook.

You can register for the Company presentation webinar below: Date: Tuesday, January 30, 2024 Time: 10:00 AM Eastern Time and 4:00 PM Central European Time Speakers: Mr. Mads Peter Zacho, CEO Mr. Gary Chapman, CFO Mr. Oeyvind Lindeman, CCO Mr. Randy Giveans, EVP - Investor Relations & Business Development Register:https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_fuq9eHYITCy0qQ_navU86g#

On the registration page, please register for the presentation slated for January 30, 2024, at 10:00 AM ET.

Once registered, you will receive an email confirmation with the link to click on for the respective presentation you signed up for.

LIVE Q&A SESSION  Submitting QuestionsParticipants can submit their questions either during the webinar through the online platform or can email [email protected]

1-ON-1 MEETINGSInstitutional Investors can request 1-on-1 meeting(s) with company management by emailing [email protected]

About Navigator GasNavigator Holdings Ltd., (described herein as Navigator Gas or the Company) (NYSE: NVGS), is the owner and operator of the worlds largest fleet of handysize liquefied gas carriers and a global leader in the seaborne transportation services of petrochemical gases, such as ethylene and ethane, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and ammonia and owns a 50% share, through a joint venture, in an ethylene export marine terminal at Morgans Point, Texas on the Houston Ship Channel, USA. Navigator Gas fleet consists of 56 semi- or fully-refrigerated liquefied gas carriers, 25 of which are ethylene and ethane capable. Navigator Gas plays a vital role in the liquefied gas supply chain for energy companies, industrial consumers and commodity traders, with its sophisticated vessels providing an efficient and reliable floating pipeline between the parties, connecting the world today, creating a sustainable tomorrow.Navigator Gas common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol NVGS.

Navigator GasAttention:Investor Relations [email protected] and [email protected]Address: 333 Clay Street, Suite 2480, Houston, Texas, U.S.A. 77002Tel: +1 713 373 6197 and +44 (0)20 7340 4850London: 10 Bressenden Place, London, SW1E 5DH.

Investor Relations / Media AdvisorsNicolas Bornozis / Paul LampoutisCapital Link  New YorkTel: +1-212-661-7566Email: [email protected]

Category: General

Source: Navigator Holdings Ltd.
New York, Jan. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright announced today that bankruptcy and restructuring lawyer Robert M. Hirsh has joined the firm as a partner in the New York office.

Hirsh focuses his practice on debtor-in-possession financing, exit financing and distressed and special situation financing. In addition, he has substantial experience in Chapter 11 proceedings, representing creditor committees, acquirers, fiduciaries, indenture trustees, bondholders, boards of directors and other significant parties in complex restructurings both in and out of court.

With more than 25 years of experience spanning a wide array of industries, Hirsh has a particular emphasis on life sciences and healthcare (including long-term care and senior living), energy (including oil and gas), mining and exploration, manufacturing, e-commerce and hospitality.

Jeff Cody, Norton Rose Fulbrights US Managing Partner, said:

I am pleased to welcome Rob to Norton Rose Fulbright. He will enhance our bankruptcy capabilities in New York, an important market where we are focused on further growth.

Ryan Manns, Norton Rose Fulbrights US Co-Head of Restructuring, commented:

Rob is a widely respected and seasoned restructuring lawyer with impressive experience representing clients in all aspects of complex Chapter 11 proceedings. He will be an immediate asset to our nationally-recognized bankruptcy practice and will enhance our global offering.

Hirsh, who joins from Lowenstein Sandler, said:

Norton Rose Fulbrights deep bench of bankruptcy and finance practitioners along with an unmatched global platform provide an exciting opportunity for me and my practice. I am excited to collaborate with my new colleagues across the firm as I continue advising clients through their most challenging bankruptcy cases.

Licensed in New York and New Jersey, Hirsh received his law degree from Brooklyn Law School and his bachelors degree cum laude from Brandeis University.

Norton Rose FulbrightNorton Rose Fulbright provides a full scope of legal services to the worlds preeminent corporations and financial institutions. The global law firm has more than 3,000 lawyers advising clients across more than 50 locations worldwide, including Houston, New York, London, Toronto, Mexico City, Hong Kong, Sydney and Johannesburg, covering the United States, Europe, Canada, Latin America, Asia, Australia, Africa and the Middle East. With its global business principles of quality, unity and integrity, Norton Rose Fulbright is recognized for its client service in key industries, including financial institutions; energy, infrastructure and resources; technology; transport; life sciences and healthcare; and consumer markets. For more information, visit nortonrosefulbright.com.

Attachment

Dan McKenna Norton Rose Fulbright [email protected]

Source: Norton Rose Fulbright
The entrepreneurial, results-oriented attorney and business executive will benefit PCCA members and the compounding industry.

Houston, Texas, Jan. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PCCA proudly announces the appointment of Kenneth S. Barrow, JD, as its General Counsel. Bringing a wealth of experience as an attorney and business executive, Barrow joins PCCA following his tenure as Asia North Area Legal Counsel for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and as founder, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Legal Officer of Stratesis Technologies.

PCCA President Jim Smith expressed enthusiasm about Barrows addition: Ken embodies the spirit of our core values at PCCA. His extensive legal expertise, combined with his entrepreneurial vision, business acumen and dedication to serving others and doing good, align perfectly with our mission. We are thrilled to have Ken join our PCCA family and continue our legacy of supporting compounding pharmacies and the patients they serve. Ken will be an invaluable asset to our team, our members and patients in need of personalized medicine.

Barrows impressive career includes significant roles such as Vice President and General Counsel of Benchmark Electronics, Inc. There he played a key role in advising the board on various legal matters, including regulatory compliance, securities, mergers and acquisitions, litigation, risk management and global operations across 10 countries. His tenure at Benchmark was marked by successful navigation of government audits and inquiries from the FDA, SEC, EPA, IRS and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Prior to his tenure at Benchmark, Barrow made notable contributions at Sulzer Medica USA, Inc., where he led pivotal patent litigations in the spine and dental care industries, resulting in favorable settlements and cross-licensing ventures which brought hundreds of millions of dollars of revenue and savings.

In addition to his corporate achievements, Barrows dedication to education and mentorship is exemplified by his working more than 10 years as an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Houston Law Center.

Notably, Barrows passion to help others and commitment to service led him to resign as an officer of Benchmark Electronics and accept the call to serve as a church mission leader in South Korea. Furthermore, his involvement in local disaster relief efforts, including rescuing over 100 residents during Hurricane Harvey and participation in other critical relief operations, such as those following Hurricane Katrina, underscores his dedication to humanitarian causes.

He holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering and a Juris Doctor degree from Brigham Young University. His legal career also includes a clerkship with the Honorable Alan D. Lourie in the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington, D.C. He is a member of the State Bar of Texas and admitted to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

I am excited to be a part of PCCA, a trailblazer in the compounding industry, said Barrow. PCCAs commitment to quality products and services is unmatched, as is its decades of advocating for the compounding industry. PCCAs actions align with my commitment to advancing personalized medicine. I look forward to contributing to our collective goals and ensuring patient access to personalized medicine.

# # #

ABOUT PCCA

PCCA supports the creation of personalized medicine and innovative products that make a difference in patients lives. As a complete resource for independent compounding pharmacies and health systems, PCCA provides high-quality products, education and support to more than 3,000 pharmacy members throughout the United States, Canada, Australia and other countries around the world. Incorporated in 1981 by a network of pharmacists, PCCA has supported pharmacy compounding for more than 40 years. Learn more at pccarx.com.

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DURHAM, N.C., Jan. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ServiceTrade, Inc., the software platform for commercial mechanical and fire contractors, has been recognized as a Top Performer across Gartners Digital Market Brands for a third consecutive year, highlighting its products popularity and positive user reviews. Gartners Capterra, Software Advice, and GetApp evaluate customer satisfaction, reviews, and digital research metrics to evaluate solutions and inform customers buying decisions. ServiceTrade was awarded a perfect 5.0 designation by Capterra, making it the highest-rated, non-residential platform for HVAC in 2023.

This software is easy to use and robust. I have personally used three other automated dispatching software programs, and this one is by far the best I have used. I love that with a couple of clicks, I can find the history of any asset we have performed work on. The ease of building and sending quotes has increased our customer approvalAll in all, [ServiceTrade] is an awesome program.

 Capterra Reviewer, 2023

ServiceTrade is a purpose-built solution for scheduling and streamlining inspection and maintenance services, recording and reporting repair opportunities, and engaging with customers. Mechanical and Fire Protection contractors using ServiceTrade can achieve 44% year-over-year growth, improve service and project operations, increase technician productivity, sell more service and inspection agreements, and increase customer loyalty. Over 10% of the commercial or industrial buildings in the United States are serviced by more than 1,300 contractors using ServiceTrade to manage 13 million equipment assets and invoice more than $7.5 billion of service-related commerce.

Billy Marshall, ServiceTrade CEO, commented: Helping our customers achieve top business results and higher productivity has been our goal from the start. These significant awards represent our customers' opinions, recommendations, and reviews. To be selected for the Capterra Shortlist, GetApp Category Leaders, and Software Advice Front Runners reports places us among the top-ranking software providers in Field Service Management, HVAC, Electrical Contractor, Service Dispatch, and Work Order categories. We couldnt be more proud.

ServiceTrade was awarded ShortList designation in Capterras HVAC Software, Electrical Contractor, Service Dispatch, and Work Order categories with a perfect 5.0 rating. It received a FrontRunner designation, scoring 4.5 out of 5 on the Software Advice list, and a Category Leader designation on GetApp with a 4.6 out of 5 rating. To read more about ServiceTrades prior years awards, visit www.servicetrade.com/news.

About ServiceTrade

ServiceTrade, Inc. is the software platform for commercial mechanical and fire and life safety contractors. During a chronic skilled labor shortage, ServiceTrade helps commercial contractors increase profit by improving service and project operations, increasing technician productivity, selling more service agreements, and growing customer loyalty. Located in Durham, North Carolina, ServiceTrade was founded in 2010 to automate and streamline the commercial mechanical and fire protection industry. With more than 1,300 customers, ServiceTrade manages mechanical service contracts in roughly 10% of commercial buildings nationwide. Learn more at www.servicetrade.com.

Contact:[email protected]

Source: ServiceTrade
Turnersville, New Jersey, Jan. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TCN Worldwide Real Estate Services is excited to announce the addition of Robson Goldberg Real Estate as its newest affiliate serving Southern New Jersey. This strategic partnership, combined with the established presence of TCN Worldwide member firm, Sitar Realty Company, enables TCN Worldwide to provide a comprehensive suite of commercial real estate services throughout the entire state of New Jersey. Operating as a market-leading, full-service commercial real estate firm, Robson Goldberg Real Estate, LLC offers in-depth knowledge of the Southern New Jersey Commercial Real Estate market, servicing Gloucester County, Camden County, Cumberland County, Salem County, Atlantic County and Cape May County.

"We are delighted to welcome Robson Goldberg as a member of TCN Worldwide. The firm has established itself as a leader in the New Jersey market for 50 years and counting through its unwavering commitment to excellence and integrity. We are looking forward to learning from Robson Goldbergs insights as they lead the way for new commercial real estate projects and investment opportunities in the ever-evolving Southern New Jersey region, says Ross Ford, President & CEO of TCN Worldwide Real Estate Services. Robson Goldberg Real Estate, LLC is a one-stop-shop, commercial real estate firm in Southern New Jersey. With a legacy of providing exceptional real estate services dating back to 1964, Robson Goldberg has been a prominent player in the real estate industry for decades.At Robson Goldberg, we are committed to providing exceptional guidance and meeting the varying commercial real estate requirements of our clients. We are extremely pleased to be joining hands with TCN Worldwide, one of the largest brokerage networks in our industry, to offer a wider array of services and expand our reach globally. We look forward to working closely with TCNs member firm in Northern New Jersey, Sitar Realty Company, and all TCN affiliates to help our clients grow, says Fredrick G. Buehler, Jr. MBA, Principal Broker.

"Joining TCN Worldwide marks a significant milestone in our journey. This collaboration not only aligns with our longstanding commitment to excellence and integrity in the commercial real estate sector but also opens new doors for our firm to expand our reach globally. We are thrilled to bring our deep understanding of the Southern New Jersey market to this prestigious network and look forward to working alongside TCN's member firms to foster new opportunities and drive innovation in the industry," says Jordan Goldberg, Esquire CEO of Robson Goldberg Real Estate, LLC.

About Robson Goldberg Real Estate, LLCHeadquartered in Turnersville, New Jersey, Robson Goldberg Real Estate, LLC is committed to providing comprehensive sales, leasing, and property management services. The firm offers a full range of real estate services all under one roof. Robson Goldbergs real estate professionals understand the many complexities and nuances of real estate transactions and are dedicated to providing their clients with the highest level of expertise.

Originally established as a small partnership between the late Norman Robson and Leon Goldberg, the business continues to be shaped by their vision today. With Robson Goldberg, you can expect a personalized and attentive approach that ensures your real estate goals are met effectively and efficiently. To learn more, visit www.robsongoldberg.com.About TCN WorldwideTCN Worldwide, a consortium of independent commercial real estate firms, provides complete integrated real estate solutions locally and internationally. Established in 1989, TCN Worldwide stands as a prominent figure in the commercial real estate industry, ranking among its largest service providers. As an alliance of premier independent brokerage firms serving more than 200 primary and secondary markets worldwide, TCN Worldwide provides comprehensive integrated solutions across North America, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Australia.

With an expansive array of real estate services and an unwavering commitment to exceeding client expectations, TCN Worldwide member firms represent approximately $47.3 billion in transactions annually across 70+ offices and more than 1,500 commercial real estate professionals.For more information on TCN Worldwide, visit www.TCNWorldwide.com.

# # #

Attachment

Claudia Crow TCN Worldwide 972-769-8701 [email protected]

Source: TCN Worldwide
MONTREAL, Jan. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The United Food and Commercial Workers Union, Local 501 (UFCW 501), is proud to announce the signing of the first collective agreement for union members at Lufa Farms in Laval. After three years of difficult negotiations, the union members' patience has finally been rewarded. We salute the unwavering determination of the employees, who have had to overcome numerous obstacles, including their employer's multiple challenges before the Tribunal administratif du travail, aimed at obstructing their unionization.

At the Annual General Meeting held on January 17, 2024, the members overwhelmingly adopted the terms of their very first collective agreement. The agreement came into effect retroactively on January 1, 2024, for a period of 3 years. Our members of this urban rooftop commercial hydroponic greenhouse are busy growing and distributing fresh, local and responsible fruit and vegetables. This unique and innovative concept guarantees the availability of fresh, local and environmentally-friendly produce. We're very proud to welcome them to the TUAC family.

Highlights of this first collective agreement include a significant increase in wages, positioning our rates among the highest in the industry. In addition to having obtained increases during negotiations, employees will now have a salary scale that will ensure compensation commensurate with their experience in the company. Greenhouse helpers/harvesters will start at $17 an hour, rising to $24.25, while assistant agronomists will be paid from $24.80 to $30.50 an hour. In addition, each active union member will receive a $250 signing bonus, as well as $250 for each full year of service. This represents a 10% to 21% increase for our members. Salary catch-up based on years of service will also ensure fairer compensation and stability for our members.

Among other advances, the agreement provides for the maintenance and improvement of certain benefits, such as a training bonus of $1.25 per hour worked, a plant-pulling bonus of $20 per day, and a 30% discount on all basket orders. Employees will also benefit from an allowance for the use of their personal vehicle, an employer contribution to the Fonds de solidarite FTQ RRSP, and other advantages in terms of clothing and equipment provided by the employer.

The agreement also includes a provision for a reduced work week, the introduction of a right of refusal clause, and the possibility of a summer schedule starting at 5:30 a.m. during periods of intense heat.

This agreement was reached and accepted by the members at a time when employees at the Lufa greenhouse in Ville Saint-Laurent are also preparing to begin negotiations for their first unionized contract.

"I welcome this major step forward for Lufa workers in Laval. This agreement lays a good foundation for the unionization campaign underway for all Lufa greenhouses and its distribution center. Together, we're writing the story of progress and justice for greenhouse workers. United, we are shaping a future where dignity at work is non-negotiable," says UFCW 501 President Alain Lachaine.

About UFCW 501With some 19,000 members in more than 410 companies, UFCW 501 is part of the largest francophone food and commercial union in Quebec, and represents members in northern New Brunswick. Our extended organization has over 55,000 members in Quebec, 255,000 in Canada and over 1.4 million in North America. Our members work in all areas of the food industry and commerce, as well as in other fields such as service, processing, manufacturing, technical and professional jobs. For more information on UFCW 501, visit www.tuac501.org.

Contact : Nil Ataogul | Director of Organizing, Education and CommunicationsUFCW 501 | Cellular: 514-834-3556

Source: UFCW Canada
HOUSTON, Jan. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TPC Group today announced the promotion of John Harvey, III, to Senior Vice President, Operations for the Company.

Mr. Harvey joined the Company in May 2021 as Plant Manager, Houston Operations. Since his arrival, Mr. Harvey has led significant improvements in the Companys performance in environmental, health, safety and security, plant reliability and production capacity. He has also set the overall operations strategy that continues to drive Operational Excellence across the organization.

Under Johns leadership, we have seen a step change in performance in Operations. He has brought expertise, knowledge and focus to the areas of environmental and safety performance through operating discipline/human factors strategies and disciplined execution in work processes, standards and procedures that are driving our journey toward Operational Excellence, said TPC Group President and CEO Ed Dineen. He continues to set the bar for how we will drive performance and be a safe, reliable processor of crude C4s, and a leader in the petrochemicals industry.

Mr. Harvey has more than 40 years of petroleum and chemical industry experience. Prior to joining TPC Group he was plant manager at BPs Cooper River Chemicals Plant in Charleston, South Carolina, and was Vice President, Manufacturing at Elevance Renewable Sciences, where he oversaw the building of a first of its kind biorefinery in Indonesia. Most of Mr. Harveys experience is in production and site management roles.

Mr. Harvey is a graduate and distinguished alumnus of the University of Tulsa.

About TPC GroupTPC Group, headquartered in Houston, is a leading producer of value-added products derived from petrochemical raw materials such as C4 hydrocarbons, and provider of critical infrastructure and logistics services along the Gulf Coast. The Company sells its products into a wide range of performance, specialty and intermediate markets, including synthetic rubber, fuels, lubricant additives, plastics and surfactants. With an operating history of 80 years, TPC Group has manufacturing facilities in the industrial corridor adjacent to the Houston Ship Channel and Port Neches, Texas, and operates a product terminal in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

CONTACT: Andrew Grygiel, Investor Relations Sara Cronin, Media Relations PHONE: 713.840.2045 713.475.5243

Source: TPC Group
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 29. Azerbaijan and the World Bank (WB) have discussed priority tasks for the country's economic development, Trend reports.

According to the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan, Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov held a meeting with the WB manager in Azerbaijan Stefanie Stallmeister.

The Economy Minister emphasized the importance of multi-vector relations and effective cooperation with the WB. Successful partnership with the WB in the field of improvement of investment environment, public-private partnership, innovations, development of management technologies, support for entrepreneurship, and other directions was noted.

WB Manager in Azerbaijan Stefanie Stallmeister, in turn, emphasized that the international organization she represents attaches great importance to cooperation with Azerbaijan, the WB will continue its support to achieve the development priorities of our country.

The Partnership Strategy Framework (PSF) prepared by the World Bank Group was presented at the meeting, which reflects the main strategic directions and development plans of Azerbaijan in the short and long term. The document, adapted to the roadmap for expanding cooperation with the World Bank, will contribute to addressing regional and global challenges, identifying opportunities for strengthening private sector development and mobilizing private capital.

Besides, during the meeting, the development priorities of Azerbaijan, issues reflected in the FPR, and the holding of COP29 in our country were discussed.

To note, Azerbaijan and the World Bank have worked together for more than 30 years. The group has funded 56 private sector development initiatives totaling over $500 million, resulting in the creation of around 4,000 jobs.

Stay up to date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Investing.com -- BP (LON: BP) is facing pressure from activist investor Bluebell Capital Partners to drop a commitment to reducing its oil and gas output, according to the Financial Times.

In a letter to shareholders cited by the paper, Bluebell argued that BP's push to bring down oil and gas production by 25% by 2030 versus 2019 levels would diminish stakeholder value. Bluebell called the energy major's plans "irrational," saying it is signaling a move away from hydrocarbons that would be faster than society as a whole, the FT reported.

Instead, the hedge fund urged BP to cut back on investments in bioenergy, renewables, and hydrogen between 2023 and 2028 by $28 billion, or roughly 60%, according to the FT. BP has "no right" to win against specialist incumbents in renewable energies, the paper quoted Bluebell as saying.

Bernard Looney, the former chief executive of BP, initially outlined plans in 2020 to reduce oil and gas production by 40% by the end of the decade. He later reduced this figure due to the impact of the disruption to western energy markets caused by the outbreak of the war in Ukraine.

While Looney's plan was well-received by many environmental groups, shareholders remained unpersuaded, causing BP's stock to routinely underperform larger peers like ExxonMobil (NYSE: XOM), Chevron (NYSE: CVX) and TotalEnergies (EPA:TTEF).

Looney resigned from BP in September after the company said he failed to adequately disclose past personal relationships with colleagues. Murray Auchincloss, Looney's replacement, has said he will stick to his predecessor's plan for oil and gas reductions.
The European Union (EU) is funding research into psychedelic-based therapies for patients with incurable diseases. Researchers will use EU funding to determine if psychedelic drugs such as psilocybin can help alleviate psychologic distress in palliative-care patients.

While palliative and end-of-life care are designed to relieve physical symptoms and make patients as comfortable as possible, there arent a lot of protocols to

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Twenty-five years after the release of Ken Starr's Independent Counsel Report, a new book reveals more to the story than previously known.

Santa Barbara, California--(Newsfile Corp. - January 29, 2024) - Jim Lichtman's Trust and Confidence: Inside theBattle Between the Secret Service and Ken Starrprovides readers with an unprecedented examination into Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr's battle with the Secret Service.

Starr relied on an anonymous source inside the Secret Service who falsely alleged that Lewis Merletti, the special agent in charge of the president's protective detail, secretly facilitated the Clinton/Lewinsky relationship in exchange for becoming director of the Secret Service.





To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9276/195904_65f1473f145b491d_002full.jpg

Based on the best available evidence from previously unreleased documents from the National Archives, interviews with former Secret Service director Lewis Merletti, special counsel Jo Ann Harris, and several former Starr prosecutors, Lichtman fills a significant gap in what we know of Starr's investigation that has remained unreported, until now.

* *

Jim Lichtman has been writing and speaking on ethics since 1995. Past clients include The Federal Dispute Resolution Conference, the Society of Actuaries, The American Bankers Association, Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Rhode Island, the Penn State Forum, and the U.S. Department of State. Op-eds have appeared in The Chicago Tribune, Philadelphia Inquirer, Huffington Post, Houston Chronicle, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, and The New York Times.

His twice-weekly commentaries have appeared on ItsEthicsStupid.com since 2008. To learn more, please visit the official website at https://trustandconfidencebook.com/

Contact: Jim Lichtman, [email protected]

(805) 403-8872

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To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/195904
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 29, 2024) - Blue Horizon Global Capital Corp. (CSE: BHCC) (the "Company"), an investment company whose primary objective is to identify promising companies with excellent projects, innovative technologies, or both, is pleased to announce that it has entered into a securities purchase agreement (the "Agreement") dated as of January 26, 2024 with Miss Globe Group Inc. ("MGGI"), an arm's length party to the Company.

Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, the Company has agreed to acquire 2,000,000 common shares (the "Purchased MGGI Shares") in the capital of MGGI at price of $2.10 per MGGI Share. The Purchased MGGI Shares represent approximately 20% of the issued and outstanding securities in the capital of MGGI.

The purchase price for the Purchased MGGI Shares is $4,200,000 (the "Purchase Price"). The Purchase Price will be satisfied through a combination of cash and/or securities in the capital of the Company. In the event that Company satisfies the Purchase Price in full through the issuance of securities, the maximum number of common shares to be issued will be 10,500,000 common shares (the "Consideration Shares"). The Consideration Shares will be issued at a deemed price of $0.40 per Consideration Share.

"The acquisition of a 20% interest in MGGI, represents a significant milestone in the expansion of BHCC's portfolio," stated Mr. Philip Wong, the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. "This strategic acquisition underscores the Company's dedication and commitment to identifying and investing in promising opportunities that align with its long-term vision and corporate strategy. We feel that this transaction positions the Company at the forefront of innovation and growth in the global market. The Company looks forward to working collaboratively with MGGI to capitalize on the immense potential of this partnership and drive mutual success."

About Miss Globe Group Inc.

MGGI is the proud owner of a trademark registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office for "Miss Globe". Acquired from the founder's estate in 2016, this rich intellectual property has a storied history. Prior to the global pandemic, MGGI co-produced the world final show with a Chinese culture company for three consecutive years. During COVID, MGGI established an operating subsidiary company in Hong Kong ("MGGIHK"), integrating showbiz with a social media live sale platform to create a novel business model generating significant sales revenue via social media platform.

In 2021 and 2022, MGGIHK's wholly-owned subsidiary, Wellwise Health ("Wellwise"), achieved annual sales in China and Hong Kong exceeding $23 million CAD each year. Following a successful two-year trial, MGGIHK plans to replicate this business model in other countries. Wellwise, having obtained gemstones and precious metal trading licenses recently, intends to extend its existing operations to include wholesale and live sales in jewelry through its existing and expanding network. The overarching objective is to utilize the Miss Globe intellectual property to build a community that shares valuable experiences, culture, and promotes a healthy lifestyle.

About Blue Horizon

Blue Horizon is an investment company whose primary objective is to identify promising companies with excellent projects, innovative technologies or both, using management's extensive experience in deal sourcing and capital combination to maximize returns for its shareholders. Blue Horizon will invest its funds with the aim of generating returns from capital appreciation and investment income. It intends to accomplish these goals through the identification of and investment in securities of private and publicly listed entities across a wide range of sectors and industry areas, including but not limited to the technology, software development and biotechnology industries.

Corporation contact:

Philip Wong

Chief Executive Officer

email: [email protected]

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider have reviewed or accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statement

This press release contains 'forward-looking information' within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on Blue Horizon's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Forward looking information in this press release includes information with respect to the proposed Offering, including the amount of proceeds expected to be raised, the timing for closing, the receipt of required regulatory approvals and the intended use of proceeds. Forward-looking information is based on reasonable assumptions that have been made by Blue Horizon at the date of the information and is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking information. Given these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, you should not unduly rely on these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking information contained in this press release is made as of the date hereof, and Blue Horizon is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by these forward looking statements include: the risk that the Company may not be able to raise the proceeds required to complete the Offering; the failure of the Company to effectively obtain the approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange for the Offering; the inability of the Company to satisfy all conditions to the completion of the Offering and the risk of unforeseen delays in the completion of the Offering, if at all, whether as a result of market conditions or otherwise.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/195993
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 29, 2024) - As of January 25, Arctic Beverages LP has entered into a share purchase agreement with Oscardo Inc, a leading souvenir and gift supplier based in Toronto whose products feature artwork by Indigenous artists. As part of the transition, Oscardo Inc. will now be Oscardo LP.

"This is definitely a new area for us in terms of products, but Oscardo is a great fit for Arctic Beverages," says Sean Post, CEO of Arctic Beverages. "Oscardo's products are high quality items with designs that feature amazing Indigenous artwork. As a distributor with a significant territory across the country, we are well positioned to help grow Oscardo from its already impressive reach across Canada."

Arctic Beverages services over 2500 customers across 45% of Canada, providing a one-stop shop for grocery, convenience, and wholesale retailers for a wide variety of premium consumer packaged goods. The company is entirely owned by Indigenous-owned entities representing ownership by 13 First Nations and four remote northern communities.

"When I started thinking about retirement, I wanted to make sure the company we spent so long building would always be in good hands," says Oscar Lulka, President and former owner of Oscardo. "It was also important to me to look for Indigenous owners in the spirit of reconciliation and to help carry on the strong relationships Oscardo has established with 23 Indigenous artists and our valued clients. I am very excited to have found Arctic Beverages. They are a solid Indigenous-owned company with a long history and a strong balance sheet, and they are highly experienced and successful in distributing a wide range of products. I am confident that this new ownership will strengthen the company and ensure its legacy continues and provides benefits to Indigenous communities."

Oscardo employs 10 people at its Toronto location and has 8 sales reps across the country. Lulka will stay on with the company during the transition. "Oscar has agreed to stay on and continue to operate the business as usual. We will eventually transition to a new CEO so that Oscar can enjoy retirement," says Post. "The focus for all of us is taking care of employees, customers and artists and continuing the spirit and legacy that has been established that grew the company to where it is today."

For more information, please contact:

Oscar Lulka | President

Oscardo

[email protected]

Ph: 416.785.8619 ext. 235

J. Sean Post | C.E.O.

Arctic Beverages LP

[email protected]

C: 204.479.1350





Oscardois a leading souvenir and gift supplier featuring some of Canada's most iconic Indigenous artwork. Since 1997, Oscardo has been an industry leader, paying royalties to 24 artists for every product sold and consulting the artists during development to ensure a beautiful product that fairly represents and promotes their artwork. Known for carrying quality items featuring top designs, Oscardo's products are found in Indigenous-owned stores andwholesalers, boutiques, museums, public and private art galleries, National Parks and government organizations in every province across the country.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10289/196020_56b43bcb04cbf82e_004full.jpg





Arctic Beveragesis the only Indigenous owned Pepsi Franchise in Canada. Starting as a Pepsi bottling company in Flin Flon, Manitoba over 85 years ago, Arctic Beverages has grown to service 2500+ customers across 45% of Canada, including many northern andremote areas, providing a one-stop shop for grocery, convenience, and wholesale retailers for a wide variety of premium consumer packaged goods. The company is entirely owned by Indigenous-owned entities Athabasca Basin Development, Prince Albert Development Corp, and Paskwayak Business Development, together representing ownership by 13 First Nations and four remote northern communities.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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Athabasca Basin Developmentis an investment company owned by the seven Denesuline First Nations communities in Northern Saskatchewan. Investments include partial or complete ownership in construction, underground mining, industrial security, electrical,diamond drilling, logistics, cannabis, retail, road maintenance, aviation, IT and more. ABD has won numerous awards, including SaskBusiness Magazine's 2014 Business of the Year, the Prospector and Developers Association of Canada's innagural Skookum Jim award, and their CEO was named the Business Leader of the Year at the 2017 ABEX awards.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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Prince Albert Development Corporation(PADC) is owned by the 12 First Nations of the Prince Albert Grand Council, representing Denesuline, Cree, and Dakota First Nations in northern Saskatchewan. The company manages the investments and pays out annual dividends to the shareholders. PADC has also created many jobs and training opportunities and works with the partners toincrease participation in the economy. It has investments in six companies including Arctic Beverages, hospitality, retail, and agriculture equipment.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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Paskwayak Business Development Corporation(PBDC) is owned by Opaskwayak First Nation (OCN) in Manitoba. PBDC's main objectives are to pursue business, investment and economic development opportunities that will grow OCN's wealth and help it provide quality social programs that support the community. PBDC has ownership in Arctic Beverages and runs the Kikiwak Innand Conference Center as well as various local retail ventures.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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New Oscardo LP Ownership structure





To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10289/196020_figure1.jpg

Note: Oscardo Inc will be Oscardo LP





Pictured (from left to right): Susan Lulka, Oscar Lulka, President of Oscardo; Kristy Jackson, Director of Marketing & Communications of Athabasca Basin Development; Sean Post, CEO of Arctic Beverages; Geoff Gay, CEO of Athabasca Basin Development.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/196020
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 29, 2024) - Luna Lithium Ltd. ("Luna Lithium" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Erez Ichilov to the Board of Directors.

Erez Ichilov is a seasoned mining and metals executive, director, advisor and investor, with a legal and financial background, focused now mainly on responsible mining of Battery Materials and other Critical Minerals, and sustainable and processing technologies enabling the transition to renewable energy sources and electric transportation on route to global Carbon neutrality.

As a Managing Director at Traxys Project LP, the investments and projects arm of the Traxys Group, a well-established global physical trading house with an annual turnover of ~US$10 billion and approximately 500 employees, he led the direct and pooled investments Traxys made into Li-Cycle Holdings Corp. (NYSE: LICY), Nouveau Monde Graphite (TSXV: NOU), Talon Metals (TSX: TLO) and Nemaska Lithium (exchanged in 2022 for Livent Corp. (NYSE: LTHM) shares), into a private Manganese company is South Africa, and more.

Previously, Mr. Ichilov was the Deputy CEO - Corporate Development of the Ferro-Nickel miner and producer Cunico Resources N.V (2008-2012), then an important producer of refined Ferro-Nickel in its two plants and integrated mines in Kosovo and North Macedonia, acquired mines in Guatemala and cooperated and traded with mines in Indonesia, Philippines, Albania and Turkey, and had approximately 3,000 employees and reached annual production of approximately 30,000 tons of nickel (contained in Ferro-Nickel).

Emily Hersh, Luna Lithium's CEO, commented:

"It is with great enthusiasm that I formally welcome Erez Ichilov to Luna Lithium's board of directors. I have trusted Erez's advice and guidance in the battery minerals space for many years, and his counsel has been instrumental to my decision to found Luna Lithium. Erez's experience across the battery supply chain includes understanding project development from opening new markets through the realities of physical trading. He has repeatedly demonstrated a willingness to roll up his sleeves and think outside the box, and I believe he will be instrumental in advancing Luna through our next phase of development."

About Luna Lithium Ltd.

Luna is a private Canadian exploration company with projects in South America. It was founded in 2021 by Emily Hersh and is focused on hard rock lithium targets in Brazil and Paraguay.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD,

Hamish RM Fraser

Vice President | Corporate Development

Mobile: +1(775) 990-2557 | Email: [email protected]

THIS PRESS RELEASE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITIES IN ANY JURISDICTION, NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY OFFER, SALE, OR SOLICITATION OF SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN THE UNITED STATES IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SALE, OR SOLICITATION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL.

Cautionary Statements

This press release may include forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, concerning the business of the Company. Forward-looking information is based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the management of the Company. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking information is based on are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking information because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/196076
Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - January 29, 2024) - Showcase Minerals Inc. (CSE: SHOW) ("Showcase") is pleased to provide the results from its Controlled Source Audio Magnetotelluric (CSAMT) survey at its Dixie Flats-North Star Gold Project located in Nevada. The program encompassed five CSAMT lines for a combined length of 7.3 miles and has been integrated with the already large body of work completed on the project. The largest gold intercepts on the project to date are found along two major geological structures on trend with Orla Mining Ltd.'s Dark Star Gold Deposit that were targeted in the geophysical survey.

Strong agreement was found between the CSAMT data collected in 2017 and the new CSAMT data as shown in figure 1. The new CSAMT data significantly improved confidence in the location of the two geologic structures of interest since resistivity values from the 2017 and 2023 CSAMT surveys are consistent. As a result, Showcase has identified excellent drill targets at the intersection of these two structures, as shown in figure 2. The next phase of the project will be getting a Notice of Intent exploration permit from the Bureau of Land Management to drill identified targets this spring.

About the Dixie Flats- North Star Gold Project:

The Dixie Flats-North Star Property (the "Property" or "Dixie Flats") is located on the east side of the Pion Mountains, 21 air-miles south of the City of Elko in northeast Nevada. It is a combination of two claim blocks, the Dixie Flats group of claims and the North Star group of claims. The Property is comprised of a total of 236 total unpatented mineral claims comprising 1,671 hectares on Federal land administered by the US Bureau of Land Management ("BLM").

The Property lies on the southern margin of the Carlin Trend, a northwest-trending belt of sediment-hosted gold deposits that makes up the greatest geographic concentration of gold deposits in North America, with reported production of more than 92.5 million ounces of gold since 1961 (Muntean, 2019). The Dixie Flats-North Star Property is underlain by rocks known to host gold mineralization on the Carlin Trend, and surface sampling has shown anomalous gold, silver, arsenic, antimony, and mercury levels in rock, soil, and biogeochemical samples from the Property, which is a characteristic geochemical signature of Carlin-Type gold deposits.

Dixie - North Star is approximately three miles south of Newmont Mining Company's Emigrant Springs Mine, which finished open pit production in 2018, and approximately 4.5 miles southeast of the past-producing Rain Mine. Both of these deposits are hosted in dissolution breccia zones at the contact between the Webb mudstone, the basal unit of the overlying assemblage, and the underlying Devils Gate limestone. Prior exploration on the Dixie -North Star Property has been focused on delineating this contact at depth and discovering possible extensions to the regional structures controlling mineralization at the Rain and Emigrant Mines and their demonstrated extension to the Dixie - North Star Property. The information on the adjacent projects is taken from publicly available sources and is not necessarily indicative of the mineralization on the Dixie Flats - North Star Property.

Additional information on the Dixie -North Star Gold Project can be found in the National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") technical report entitled "Technical Report on the Dixie Flats-North Star Gold Exploration Property", Elko, Nevada, dated September 21, 2022, which has been filed on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca.

Qualified Person:

Mr. Seth Cude, P.G., R.M., M.Sc., C.P.G. is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release.

About Showcase Minerals Inc.

Showcase is a Canadian mineral exploration company with an exclusive option to acquire a 100% interest in Dixie Flats-North Star Gold Project and the Woodruff Gold-Vanadium Project (subject to various net smelter returns royalties ranging from 2.25% to 4.25%), which collectively consist of unpatented 254 lode mining claims covering approximately 1,818 hectares located in Elko County, Nevada.

For further information, please contact:

Kirk Reed, President

Showcase Minerals Inc.

Telephone: 1-800-982-0670





Figure 1. Controlled Source Audio Magnetotelluric (CSAMT) surveys from 2017 and 2023 shown below topography. Strong agreement between resistivity values was observed where the lines intersect giving confidence in the location of the anomaly identified in the 2023 surveys.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9723/196087_3e0fa546c44a6acd_002full.jpg





Figure 2. Polygonal modeling of a resistivity anomaly identified in the Controlled Source Audio Magnetotelluric (CSAMT) surveys 2023. The anomaly correlates with historic high grade mineralization intercepts and represents a strong drill target for future exploration.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9723/196087_3e0fa546c44a6acd_003full.jpg

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/196087
Ipoh, Malaysia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 29, 2024) - White On White, the renowned floral gifting brand dedicated to making life beautiful, is thrilled to announce the introduction of their latest innovation - an AI chatbot on their website. This cutting-edge feature is designed to elevate the customer experience and provide a seamless shopping journey for their valued clientele.

Since its establishment in 2018, White On White has experienced remarkable growth. What began as a single physical outlet and website has now blossomed into three thriving brick-and-mortar locations, strategically situated across different areas. This expansion has allowed the brand to cater to a wider customer base and establish a stronger presence in the market.

However, the journey has not been without challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic presented unprecedented obstacles, compelling the brand to swiftly adapt its strategy. Recognizing the shifting landscape, White On White made a strategic pivot towards digital marketing, harnessing the power of online platforms to reach and engage with customers. This decision proved instrumental in not only surviving but thriving amidst the uncertainties of the times.

Throughout it all, White On White has maintained a close connection with their community. Vibrant social media engagement has enabled them to foster meaningful connections, share their passion for floral artistry, and inspire others. They have evolved beyond being just a brand; they are a trusted companion and a source of positivity in the lives of their customers.

Now, in 2024, White On White, a leading floral retailer, takes another monumental step towards embracing cutting-edge technologies by introducing their state-of-the-art AI chatbot on their user-friendly E-commerce website. Designed to cater to the unique needs of each customer, this innovative virtual assistant is set to revolutionize the shopping experience by effortlessly guiding users through a vast selection of exquisite floral gifts, ensuring that they find the perfect arrangement that truly captures the essence of every special occasion. With its personalized recommendations and seamless interface, this AI chatbot promises to simplify and elevate the process of gift-giving, making it a delightful and memorable journey for all.

Founder of White On White, Weng Seng, shares his excitement, stating, "We are constantly seeking ways to enhance and innovate our brand. With the introduction of our AI chatbot, we take another significant step towards delivering the utmost in customer experience."

The AI chatbot is now live on White On White's website, whiteonwhite.co, ready to assist customers with their floral gifting needs. With this remarkable addition, White On White remains steadfast in their mission to make life beautiful through the enchanting power of flowers.

For media inquiries, please contact: Weng Seng [email protected]

For further information about their AI chatbot, send a text message to WhatsApp at +60126775237. Alternatively, visit whiteonwhite.co to access the WhatsApp chatbot.

Explore their charming florist shops located in Ipoh, George Town, and Petaling Jaya.

White On White is a premium floral gifting brand committed to bringing beauty into everyday life. With a specialization in exquisite flower bouquet, they offer same-day flower delivery for orders received before 4pm. Their wide selection of stunning flowers, paired with exceptional customer service, makes White On White the ultimate destination for all floral needs.

Company name: White On White (M) Sdn Bhd

Person name: Thong Weng Seng

Email: [email protected]

Country: Malaysia

City: Kuala Lumpur

Website: https://whiteonwhite.co/

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/195944
A logo is seen on the grill of an E-transit concept vehicle during a press event at the Ford Halewood transmissions plant in Liverpool, Britain, December 1, 2022. REUTERS/Phil Noble/File Photo

By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The chairs of two U.S. House committees asked the Biden administration to investigate four Chinese companies they say are involved in Ford Motor's planned Michigan battery plant, according to a letter seen Monday by Reuters.

The letter first reported by Reuters said the four Chinese companies have direct ties to the Chinese military, Chinese Communist Party, North Korean government and alleged human rights abuses in China's Xinjiang region.

The plant has drawn fire from U.S. lawmakers for its use of technology supplied by Chinese battery maker CATL.

Representative Mike Gallagher, who chairs the select committee on China, and Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers, who chairs the Energy and Commerce Committee, urged the Commerce Department to investigate and impose export restrictions on the four Chinese companies they said were involved in the "facility's design, construction, and information technology (IT) processes."

The Chinese companies were not named in the letter seen by Reuters because the committees reviewed confidential records turned over by Ford and were not allowed to make their identities public.

Ford said Monday it follows "all government regulations across our business" and added: "Ford suppliers are required to meet our higher standards, including for protecting human rights, and obligated to extend those requirements to suppliers with whom they might work."

In September, the two lawmakers demanded documents from Ford tied to its CATL partnership and threatened to call CEO Jim Farley to testify before Congress.

The lawmakers in a letter released Monday separately wrote Farley asking the automaker "make available for an interview a company official who will be able to speak with us about the due diligence Ford conducted before and after it entered into the agreements with CATL."

Republicans have been probing Ford's battery plant plan for months over concerns it could facilitate the flow of U.S. tax subsidies to China and leave Ford dependent on Chinese technology. Ford says the battery plant is "wholly owned and operated" by the automaker.

The lawmakers said a Ford-CATL agreement puts a Beijing-based company in charge of preparing "the concept design" for the Michigan battery plant. The committee said the same Chinese company is providing engineering design services to China's military.

The lawmakers separately wrote the Treasury and State Departments asking them to investigate possible sanctions evasion activity by one of the Chinese companies that they said will be providing IT tools for the Michigan battery plant that has ties to North Korea.

"It is indefensible for Ford to use the same cloud integration and data provider that is linked to North Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs sanctions evasion activity," the letter said.

Treasury said in response it remains committed to combating North Korea's "illicit revenue generation activities, from the use of overseas laborers to money laundering and cyber espionage."

Human rights groups accuse Beijing of abuses against Xinjiangs Uyghur inhabitants, including the mass use of forced labor in internment camps. China denies the allegations.

Ford in November dramatically scaled back its investment and capacity for the Michigan plant after it paused work two months earlier. Ford initially planned a $3.5 billion plant but now expects to invest $2 billion in its battery plant.

(Reporting by David ShepardsonEditing by Mark Potter and Michael Perry)
Paid press release content from The Financial Capital. The StreetInsider.com news staff was not involved in its creation.

Curry County Abstract & Title Co. has published its latest article covering Curry County, New Mexico's real estate market landscape along with Curry County Abstract & Title Co.s role ensuring secure and transparent property transactions. The article is available for viewing in full below.



Curry County Abstract & Title Co. has published a new article entitled, "Unveiling Curry County, New Mexico One Title at a Time." The report sheds light on Curry County, New Mexico's real estate market landscape and Curry County Abstract & Title Co.'s role as a key player in ensuring secure and transparent property transactions. Those interested in real estate in Curry County, New Mexico, and other interested individuals can view the full article at CurryCountyAbstract&TitleCo/Blog

The article includes several interesting pieces of information, particularly how Curry County Abstract & Title Co. emerges as a vital force, shaping the community's growth. This historic entity navigates complex legal terrain and fosters a transparent and secure property transaction experience, marking a pivotal chapter in Curry County's journey toward a flourishing future. This information should be particularly interesting to potential homebuyers, sellers, investors, and those interested in the local community's growth and history.

One of the most important pieces of information the article tries to convey and communicate is the benefits of relying on a historical entity that makes property transfers in New Mexico stress-free. The best example of this is perhaps found in the following extract:

'Curry County Abstract & Title Co. offers extensive experience and knowledge in New Mexico real estate law, allowing them to navigate complex legal requirements easily. Additionally, Curry County Abstract & Title Co.'s thorough research and attention to detail minimize the risk of unexpected issues emerging during the transaction process. Identifying any potential title defects or encumbrances allows for prompt resolution, ensuring a seamless transfer of property ownership.'

In discussing the article's creation, Alissa J. Jones, President/CEO at Curry County Abstract & Title Co., said:

"Curry County, New Mexico, is not just a collection of homes and landscapes; it's a community that thrives on growth and progress. Curry County Abstract & Title Co.'s commitment to facilitating secure and transparent real estate transactions drives this growth, shaping the future of Curry County one title at a time."

Regular readers of Curry County Abstract & Title Co. will notice the article takes a familiar tone, described as 'committed and professional.'

Curry County Abstract & Title Co. now welcomes comments and questions from readers concerning their articles. They intend to highlight the crucial role of Curry County Abstract & Title Co. in facilitating smooth and secure property transactions, positioning the company as a key contributor to the region's ongoing development.

Anyone who has a specific question about a past, present, or future article can contact Curry County Abstract & Title Co. via their website at https://currycountyabstract.com/

The complete article is available to view in full at CurryCountyAbstract&TitleCo/Blog

Contact Info:

Name: Alissa J. Jones

Email: Send Email

Organization: Curry County Abstract & Title Co

Address: 801 Pile St, Clovis, NM 88101, United States, Clovis, New Mexico 88101, United States

Website: https://currycountyabstract.com/



Release ID: 89119370

Should there be any problems, inaccuracies, or doubts arising from the content provided in this press release that require attention or if a press release needs to be taken down, we urge you to notify us immediately by contacting [email protected]. Our efficient 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 central to our commitment.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 29. The EU and Central Asia is working to shorten delivery time via the Trans-Caspian International Transport route, the so-called Middle Corridor, Valdis Dombrovskis, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, said, Trend reports.

He made the remark during an opening ceremony for Global Gateway Investors Forum for EU-Central Asia Transport Connectivity held today in Brussels.

"The essencial element of out partnership is to develop sustainable connections between our to regions for the benefits of all. We aim to produce tangible results on the ground. As part of the Global Gateway initiative, the EU, together with partners, has conducted a study to analize sustainable transport connections with Central Asia. The study concluded that the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, spanning 11,000 km, has the potential to handle more cargo. Our long-term objective is to transform the corridor into a competitive and swift route, connecting our regions in 15 days or less," he said.

The Middle Corridor starts in China and crosses Central Asian countries such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. It then passes through the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkiye before reaching Europe.

The Middle Corridor offers a land route that connects the eastern parts of Asia, including China, with Europe, bypassing the longer maritime routes.
The Biologics License Application for CT-P47 was based on P h ase III data comparing CT-P47 to the reference product ACTEMRA  (tocilizumab)

JERSEY CITY, N.J. , Jan. 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Celltrion USA today announced the submission of Biologics License Application (BLA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for CT-P47, a biosimilar candidate of the reference product ACTEMRA (tocilizumab)[1].

The BLA submission was based on data from the global Phase III clinical trial designed to evaluate the efficacy, pharmacokinetics, safety, and immunogenicity of CT-P47 compared to the reference product ACTEMRA in patients with moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis with inadequate response to methotrexate up to Week 52.

"The submission of CT-P47 for review is an important step toward providing patients with rheumatoid arthritis a more accessible avenue to treatment for conditions that present such a significant disease burden," said Thomas Nusbickel , Chief Commercial Officer at Celltrion USA. "We plan to lead the market by establishing a diverse product lineup in the autoimmune disease market in the U.S. We will continue to actively cooperate with the FDA's review in an effort to bring this new treatment option to people living with rheumatoid arthritis as soon as possible."

ACTEMRA is indicated for several indications, including moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis in adults as well as juvenile idiopathic polyarthritis and systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

CT-P47, containing the active ingredient tocilizumab, is a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody that acts as an interleukin 6 (IL-6) receptor antagonist. Celltrion is seeking approval for CT-P47 in both intravenous and subcutaneous routes of administration.

About Celltrion USA

Celltrion USA is Celltrion's U.S. subsidiary established in 2018. Headquartered in New Jersey , Celltrion USA is committed to expanding access to innovative biologics to improve care for U.S. patients. Celltrion USA will continue to leverage Celltrion's unique heritage in biotechnology, supply chain excellence, and best-in-class sales capabilities to improve access to high-quality biopharmaceuticals for U.S. patients. Celltrion endeavors to offer high-quality, cost-effective solutions through an extensive global network that spans more than 110 different countries. For more information, please visit: www.celltrionusa.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENT

Certain information set forth in this press release contains statements related to our future business and financial performance and future events or developments involving Celltrion that may constitute forward-looking statements under pertinent securities laws.

These statements may be identified by words such as "prepares," "hopes to," "upcoming," "plans to," "aims to," "to be launched," "is preparing," "once gained," "could," "with the aim of," "may," "once identified," "will," "working towards," "is due," "become available," "has potential to," the negative of these words or such other variations thereon or comparable terminology.

In addition, our representatives may make oral forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on the current expectations and certain assumptions of Celltrion's management, of which many are beyond its control.

Forward-looking statements are provided to allow potential investors the opportunity to understand management's beliefs and opinions in respect of the future so that they may use such beliefs and opinions as one factor in evaluating an investment. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and undue reliance should not be placed on them.

Such forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual performance and financial results in future periods to differ materially from any projections of future performance or result expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

Such risks and uncertainties may include, among other things, uncertainties regarding the launch timing and commercial success of Celltrion in the United States ; the uncertainties inherent in supply chain, manufacturing, research and development, and the possibility of unfavorable new clinical data and further analyses of existing clinical data as it relates to Celltrion products; intellectual property and/or litigation/settlement implications; decisions by the FDA impacting labeling, manufacturing processes, safety, promotion, and/or other matters that could affect the availability or commercial potential of Celltrion products; and uncertainties regarding access challenges for our biosimilar products where our product may not receive appropriate formulary access or remains in a disadvantaged position relative to competitive products; and competitive developments. A further description of risks and uncertainties can be found in Celltrion's Annual Report.

Although forward-looking statements contained in this presentation are based upon what management of Celltrion believes are reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Celltrion undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by applicable securities laws. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

References

[1] ACTEMRA is a registered trademark of Genentech, Inc.

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SOURCE Celltrion USA
LOS ANGELES , Jan. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Shook, Hardy & Bacon welcomes Partner Michael Shortnacy who joins the firm's newly formed Complex Litigation Strategic Counseling Practice. Shortnacy is a problem-solver who defends clients across market sectors with a focus in the automotive, pharmaceutical, consumer products, and food and beverage industries, in their most complex and sensitive class action and mass tort litigation. He is a recognized leader in high-stakes, coordinated proceedings in state and federal court, and is an important addition as Shook deepens its focus on mass tort and complex litigation strategic counseling.

"Michael's experience serving as lead counsel in complex litigation is complemented by his acumen in discovery strategy," said Patrick Oot , who advises the C-suite and co-leads Shook's Complex Litigation Strategic Counseling Practice. "This powerful combination plays an integral role as part of an overall trial strategy."

"Michael was an integral part of our core Los Angeles Class Action team when we were at a prior firm and having him join us at Shook is a welcome reunion and greatly enhances our growth plan in the Los Angeles and West Coast market," said Los Angeles Managing Partner Michael Mallow , who co-leads Shook's Class Action and Appellate teams.

Shortnacy has extensive experience counseling clients in all aspects of discovery in complex, bet-the-company litigation and investigations. He is a fierce advocate for clients on critical issues related to discovery, including routinely avoiding or outright defeating motions and discovery practice that threaten to cloud or overtake defenses to the merits of cases.

"In courtrooms and boardrooms, Shook is well-respected for its trial practice and defense of consumer class actions, and I'm excited to join such a talented group of lawyers," said Shortnacy. "Patrick and I share a common vision of the importance of discovery strategy as an offensive tool to fight back against well-funded and well-organized plaintiffs. And I'm looking forward to reuniting with Michael Mallow , Mark Campbell , Rachel Straus and Darlene Cho in Shook's Los Angeles office where I will practice. This is a true win-win."

Shook's litigation and trial teams represent most of the world's leading health, science and technology companies on just about every type of claim. ALM selected Shook as a finalist for the Litigation Department of the Year  Product Liability in 2023. Best Lawyers awarded Shook the 2024 Practice Group of the Year for Mass Tort Litigation/Class Action  Defendants.

Shortnacy earned his law degree from American University, Washington College of Law, cum laude. He is active in the Los Angeles County Bar Association where he is a member of the Executive Committee of the Litigation Section, and where he co-chairs the Rules and Legislation Subcommittee. In 2022, the Los Angeles Times B2B Magazine named him a Visionary for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility and he earned the Minority Attorney of Influence honor from the Los Angeles Business Journal. Previously, California Super Lawyers selected him as a Rising Star.

Shook currently has California offices in Los Angeles , Orange County and San Francisco .

To speak to a Shook attorney, contact the Director of Communications Heather McMichael , [email protected], 816.389.0419.

About Shook, Hardy & Bacon

Founded in 1889, Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P. has 19 offices in the United States and London , with attorneys and professional staff serving clients in the health, science and technology sectors in areas ranging from product liability defense and commercial litigation to intellectual property prosecution and litigation, environmental and toxic tort, privacy and data security and regulatory counseling.

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SOURCE Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P.
ORRVILLE, Ohio , Jan. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Jarrett, a leading worldwide provider of logistics, transportation, warehousing, international and fleet services, is celebrating 25 years in the supply chain industry. Since 1999, the company has continuously grown to support the fast pace of the transportation industry by providing innovative solutions, sustainability measures, advanced technology, real-time visibility, customer service and civic leadership.

The family-owned 3PL was founded in 1999 by Mike and Diane Jarrett and saw success in its first year. As the transportation industry changed, Jarrett continued to evolve to meet customer needs and demands. Jarrett manages end-to-end supply chains for domestic and international companies in many industries, including automotive, aerospace and defense, industrial manufacturing, chemicals and retail through transportation, warehousing, international and fleet services.

"It's been quite the journey," Jarrett's CEO Mike Jarrett said. "We did things differently than a lot of start-ups in that we started with zero customers, zero revenue and, of course, zero employees. It taught us a lot about building a foundation for the company. So here we are 25 years later, and that foundation hasn't changed. We're still family owned. We have no debt. And I think that says a lot about how we started also."

The company's mission statement is centered around employees, founded on the belief that hiring the right people makes for good business. The difference is Jarrett's people. Employees are hired on integrity, character, honesty, respect and work ethic above all else.

Daily operations support includes: less-than-truckload, truckload, expedite, ocean and air, drayage, actionable intelligence, inbound and outbound freight management, import and export, claims management, returns management, warehousing solutions and technology platforms.

Prior to founding the company, Mike Jarrett served as Vice President of Carrier Operations at Caliber Logistics (now known as FedEx Supply Chain Services). After leaving Caliber, Jarrett combined his transportation industry experience with a will to succeed and created a business plan.

"There's an old quote that says, 'You don't know where you're going until you know where you came from,' and I think that for us, we know where we came from, and it helps guide us to know where we're going," Jarrett said. "One thing's for sure, we're going to always maintain our family and values as we continue to grow, year after year. The one thing that won't change is the values that we've incorporated from day one."

Throughout the year, Jarrett will host several supply chain events, beginning in Feb. at the Porsche Experience Center in Atlanta , followed by the second annual Jarrett Supply Chain Summit in Orrville and a regional supply chain event in Charlotte, North Carolina .

To learn more about Jarrett, visit www.gojarrett.com/about-us, follow the excitement on social media and read our blog for more information.

ABOUT JARRETT:

Jarrett Logistics is an award-winning 3PL supply chain partner with operations in Logistics, Transportation, Warehousing and Fleet services. Founded in 1999, the family-owned company is headquartered in Orrville, Ohio , with client service offices in New York and North Carolina . Jarrett is recognized as a market leader in the supply chain industry for providing world-class service, technology and premier services to many of the world's biggest brands. For more information, visit www.gojarrett.com .

Media Contact: Jacquie Mazziotta , e. [email protected], p. (330) 682.0099, ext. 2024

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SOURCE Jarrett Logistics Systems
LAKE CITY, Fla. , Jan. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- First Federal Bank was named as one of America's Best Regional Banks for 2024 by Newsweek.

For the fourth year in a row, First Federal Bank has earned this distinction from Newsweek who partners with research firm Plant-A Insights, and conducts an assessment of over 9,500 financial institutions and obtained feedback from over 35,000 customers. Newsweek spotlighted the top 250 Regional Banks and 250 Credit Unions in the United States , including First Federal Bank.

"Being recognized as one of America's Best Regional Banks is a testament to our unwavering dedication to our customers and communities. At First Federal Bank, in addition to providing banking services, we build lasting relationships and offer personalized solutions to help our customers achieve their goals. Together, we can create a brighter and more prosperous future for our communities and customers," shares John A. Medina , President & Chief Executive Officer.

Whether it's providing personalized banking, offering competitive lending solutions, or helping customers navigate the home buying process, First Federal is committed to helping its customers achieve their financial goals. As Florida's only mutual savings bank, it is able to reinvest profits into the bank's operations, allowing for continued enhancements and innovation of products and services.

To read the complete article by Newsweek, go to https://www.newsweek.com/rankings/americas-best-regional-banks-credit-unions-2024/florida

About First Federal Bank

First Federal Bank is a community-based bank offering consumer and commercial banking solutions, services, and loans through banking offices across northern Florida and coastal South Carolina . SBA and USDA customers are served through lending offices across the Southeast and Midwest with mortgages nationwide. First Federal is headquartered in Lake City, Florida with assets totaling over $3.6 billion . First Federal has received a "5-Star, Superior" financial rating from BauerFinancial, Inc., of Coral Gables, Fla. for more than two decades and was recognized by Newsweek as "Best Small Bank in Florida " in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. For more information, visit www.ffbf.com.

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SOURCE First Federal Bank
CHICAGO , Jan. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Five attorneys with Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C., have been selected by Super Lawyers, part of Thomson Reuters, to be recognized for their efforts in the legal field. Founding Attorney Jared Staver and Attorney Tyler Koblyski were each recognized as 2024 Super Lawyers. Five percent of attorneys are chosen annually to be honored as Super Lawyers.

Three other attorneys with the Staver team were honored as Rising Stars, a category honoring attorneys 40 years old or younger who have been practicing law for less than 10 years. Attorneys Patrick Gill , Paul Ciesielski , and Melanie Buckmaster received the 2024 Rising Stars Award.

Super Lawyers is a rating service that recognizes outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas. Candidates are peer-nominated and evaluated on various indicators of professional achievement and recognition. Final selection is made on a state-by-state, annual basis.

About Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C.

Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. is a Chicago -based law firm founded by Jared Staver . For over 20 years, the firm has been dedicated to helping injured people throughout Illinois to obtain justice when they suffer harm because of someone else's negligent, reckless, or intentional actions.

Staver Law Group PC

120 West Madison Street , Suite 400

Chicago, IL 60602

CONTACT: [email protected]

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SOURCE Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C.
LONDON , Jan. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hatch Africa , a rapidly growing, high-impact poultry business targeting underserved rural households, has secured a combined USD 9.5 million investment with participation from AgDevCo and IDH Farmfit Fund.

The investment into Flow Equity Africa Ventures (FEAV), the holding company for Hatch's operations in Kenya , Ghana , and Cote d'Ivoire , will scale Hatch's innovative business model to millions more smallholder farmer households.

Hatch Africa's purpose is to make farmers healthier and wealthier. The company distributes dual-purpose breeds of day-old-chicks through a large network of agents, who rear the birds to maturity at around five weeks before selling them to smallholders. Hatch chickens are well-suited to being raised in "backyard" conditions and its customers typically own between 5 and 20 birds each. Compared to indigenous breeds, Hatch chickens grow faster, lay more eggs and are more resistant to disease.

Founded in 2010, the company now reaches 4.6 million rural households in Ethiopia , Uganda , and Rwanda , where it operates under the brands EthioChicken and Uzima Chicken. In Ghana and Cote D'Ivoire , Hatch will operate under the brand Premier Poultry and Prestige Poultry respectively. Kenya will adopt the Uzima Chicken brand, which means "full of life" in Swahili.

Co-founder Joseph Shields said, "We couldn't achieve the scale of impact and commercial progress Hatch Africa is making without the support of committed, long-term investors like AgDevCo and IDH, who understand our markets and can provide flexible financing that suits our needs. We are excited about our next phase of growth, building Hatch Africa into a truly pan-African business."

AgDevCo's Managing Director for East Africa , Rebecca Sankar , said, "We are pleased to continue funding Hatch as it grows beyond Ethiopia . This is our third round of investment into the company, in each case supporting greenfield expansion. We look forward to working with the management team to deliver more impact, including higher incomes and improved nutrition for rural households, across East and West Africa ."

"I am proud that the IDH FarmFit Fund provided debt funding to Hatch Africa , for expansion in Kenya , Ghana , and Cote d'Ivoire. Through its distinctive distribution structure, Hatch Africa ensures access for the rural population to high-quality dual-purpose chickens, where currently only low-yielding, local breeds are accessible. The transformational nature of this business makes this a very exciting investment for the Fund.", said Mr. Roel Messie , CEO, IDH Investment Management, the manager of the IDH Farmfit Fund.

Hatch Africa plans to grow its impact six-fold by 2030, increasing the number of chickens sold annually from 45 million to 340 million. The company's vision is to reach every farmer and achieve one chicken per person per year in each country where it operates.

NOTES FOR EDITORS:

The transaction was supported by Charles Russell Speechlys in London , Bowmans in Mauritius and Kenya , Sesi Legal in Ghana , and Kwaliance in Cote d'Ivoire .

The IDH transaction was supported by FINWAY in the Netherlands and Venture Law Ltd in Mauritius.

AgDevCo is a specialist investor in African agriculture, growing sustainable and impactful agribusiness, with USD 280m under management. Backed by leading development finance institutions including BII, Norfund, US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, AgDevCo's vision is a thriving commercial agriculture sector, which benefits both people and planet by investing in and supporting agribusinesses to grow, create jobs, produce and process food and link farmers to markets. They support their partners to work towards climate sustainability, and where possible, regenerative solutions. www.agdevco.com

IDH Farmfit Fund is a Euro 100m public-private impact fund for smallholder farmers, many of whom are amongst the poorest people in the world. IDH Farmfit Fund takes on the highest-risk positions in farmer related investment transactions, to reduce liabilities for borrowers and lenders. In turn, smallholder farmers can access long-term financing that allows them to invest in their farms, increase productivity, and adopt best practices for climate-smart agriculture. The IDH Farmfit Fund managed by IDH Investment Management and is facilitated by IDH and supported by a unique coalition of partners including commercial banks, development banks, government bodies and value chain companies. www.idhsustainabletrade.com .

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2327058/AgDevCo.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/737847/AgDevCo_Logo.jpg

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SOURCE AgDevCo
BEIJING , Jan. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report from english.shanghai.gov.cn:

The second session of the 16th Shanghai Municipal People's Congress opened on the morning of Jan 23 . Mayor Gong Zheng delivered a report on the government work in 2023.

What are Shanghai's socioeconomic achievements in 2023? What progress has been made in the "Five Centers" development project as well as in reform and opening-up? What priorities will Shanghai focus on in 2024? Let's have a look.

Review of government work in 2023

1. Shanghai's socioeconomic development made progress while maintaining stability

Municipal GDP increased by 5% to 4.72 trillion yuan

CPI up by 0.3%

Surveyed urban unemployment rate averaged at 4.5%

Output value of the three leading industries (IC, biomedicine & AI) totaled 1.6 trillion yuan

Total R&D expenditure reached around 4.4% of the city's GDP; Numbers of high-value invention patents per 10,000 people up to 50.2

Per capita disposable income amounted to 85,000 yuan , increasing by 6.6% and growing faster than the city's GDP

87.7% of the days in 2023 were rated excellent or good on AQI, up by 0.6 percentage points

Numbers of parks increased by 162, now totaling 832

2. Enhanced capacity of "Five Centers"

Construction on 58 major industrial projects, each worth over 1 billion yuan , kicked off; C919, China's first homegrown large passenger jet and its first cruise ship began commercial operation

Construction has begun on Shanghai East Railway Station and the north port operation area in Xiaoyangshan; the container throughput reached 49.158 million TEUs, ranking first globally for the 14th consecutive year

Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility Phase II and the Live Cell Imaging Facility completed construction and were put into operation; 7 high-quality incubators unveiled; Numbers of high-tech companies exceeded 24,000

3. Deepened development of Pudong as a leading area for socialist modernization

General Plan for Advancing the Institutional Opening-up of the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone in Alignment with High-standard International Economic and Trade Rules ("80 policy measures") implemented; Pudong's comprehensive pilot reform plan and the first batch of authorized items were approved and put into effect; the 33 national pilot measures for FTZ institutional opening-up were implemented

126 new headquarters and 25 innovation centers of large-scale enterprises were established; 18 regulations and 22 management measures for Pudong New Area were implemented

4. Continuous implementation of the "three major tasks" and the more prominent role that the "three platforms" now play

Expansion of the Yangshan Special Comprehensive Bonded Zone Phase III was approved; over 100 major industrial projects with a total investment of 100 billion yuan

Enhanced the functions of the STAR Market; Shanghai -based companies ranked No 1 nationwide in the amount of funds raised through IPO and market capitalization

21 key cooperation initiatives for the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) were implemented; 28 joint sci-tech innovation and research projects were accelerated; 152 service items were incorporated into the YRD's cross-jurisdiction one-stop government service portal

6th CIIE concluded with a cumulative intended transaction value of 78.41 billion US dollars , up by 6.7%

In the YRD Integrated Green Development Demonstration Zone , 24 institutional innovations were spearheaded, including the inter-provincial project approval mechanism and the cross-jurisdiction water joint protection plan

5. The implementation of multiple measures to expand domestic demand and stabilize international demand, with significant results in high-quality economic development

Implemented 15 measures to boost consumption, 24 measures to promote investment, 21 measures to stabilize foreign trade, and 20 measures to attract foreign investment

Major consumption promotion events were hosted, including the Double Five Shopping Festival and six themed consumption event series; another 1,215 first stores were added and the city's total retail sales of consumer goods surged up by 12.6%

Construction has begun for the eastern extension of Metro Line 13, Metro Line 19, and Phase I of the Nanhui-Fengjing Line, the railway line linking Lin-gang Special Area and Fengjing town in Jinshan district; key infrastructure projects were put to use, including S3 Highway ;

Key project investment reached 225.74 billion yuan ; the city's total fixed asset investment exceeded one trillion yuan , up by 13.8%

6. Full dedication to ensuring people's well-being, with continuous improvement of people's life

5,510 elderly care beds and 41 community canteens were added

579 summer care classes for primary school students were organized and an additional 5,308 places were added to community childcare programs

123,000 square meters of scattered dilapidated housing in the city's downtown area completed renovations; 10 urban village transformation projects have begun construction

3,001 elevators were installed in existing multi-story residential buildings; 81,000 units of subsidized rental housing were built

51,000 new electric vehicle public charging piles were installed

606,000 new jobs were created

227 community employment service centers were built

7. New headway made in urban governance and ecological progress

Another 8 km of public waterfront areas was linked up and opened to the public; the quality of the waterfront areas along the Huangpu River and Suzhou Creek were steadily improved

112 km of overhead cables have been moved underground, 103 "beautiful street blocks" were built

Another 354,000 NEVs sold, NEV stock in Shanghai reaching 1.288 million, the highest among all cities in the world

Over 67,000 mu (4466.67 hectares) of forestland, 1,044 ha of green space, 231 km of urban greenway, and 430,000 sq m of vertical green landscaping added

8. Continuous improvement of the business environment, and further development of the Government Online-Offline Shanghai Portal and the Urban Management Platform

208 reform tasks outlined in the 6th version of the business environment improvement policies were fulfilled; an average of 1,904 new businesses were registered daily, up by 28.1%; No. of businesses per 1,000 people increased to 116.8, the highest in China

The Government Online-Offline Shanghai Portal cumulatively:

introduced 41 items into the "One Service" initiative

facilitates 200 frequently used government services in a smart and convenient way

unveiled 296 application-free services

1,466 applications of various types were integrated on the Urban Management Platform

Major Tasks in 2024

1. Main targets for socioeconomic development this year



Municipal GDP growth rate of around 5%

An increase of 5% in general budget revenue

Overall R&D expenditure making up about 4.5% of the city's GDP

Surveyed urban unemployment rate kept under 5%

Household income to increase in parallel with GDP growth; a target CPI of 3%

2. Building up the city's capabilities and core competence by speeding up the "Five Centers" development

To create 10 million sq m of space for smart manufacturing activities in high-rise industrial properties

To upgrade the capacity of the headquarters economy and carry out the Global Operation Program; to foster commodity trading platforms with an annual turnover of at least 100 billion yuan as well as those above one trillion yuan

To vigorously develop high-end shipping services

To accelerate the construction of major infrastructure projects, such as the north port operation area of Xiaoyangshan, Shanghai East Railway Station , Pudong International Airport Phase IV, and the Youdungang navigation channel upgrade project; to put Phase I of the Luojing Port Area Renovation project into use

3. Unleashing the full potential of consumption and accelerating the construction of major projects

To host the Double Five Shopping Festival and accelerate Shanghai's construction as an international consumption center

To break ground on

The eastern section of Phase I of Metro Line 20

The eastern extension of Shanghai Demonstration Zone Railway

To expedite the construction of

The Chongming Line and the Jiading-Minhang Line

To complete

the line connecting Hongqiao and Pudong airports

the western extension of Metro Line 17

the Shanghai section of the Shanghai-Suzhou-Huzhou Railway

the eastern section of the Beiheng Corridor

To advance the construction of major infrastructure projects, such as

The Shanghai section of Shanghai-Nantong Railway Phase II

The Shanghai section of Shanghai-Chongqing-Chengdu High-Speed Railway

4. Further driving the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta

To formulate and implement Shanghai's third three-year action plan; to accelerate the development of the G60 Science and Technology Innovation Corridor and the industrial innovation belt along Shanghai and Nanjing ; to work together to build a YRD regional development community

To accelerate the construction of key projects, such as the Square Hall and Water Courtyard, and the Shanghai-Suzhou-Jiaxing Intercity Railway; to provide supporting services for the completion and operation of Huawei's R&D center in Qingpu district

5. Promoting high-standard reform and opening-up

To act on the opinions of central authorities regarding Pudong's development as a leading area for socialist modernization; to carry out the 280 tasks stipulated in Shanghai's action plans

To assist the Shanghai Municipal People's Congress and its standing committee in making new laws and regulations for Pudong

To follow through with the 80 measures proposed in the general plan on alignment with high-standard international economic and trade rules in an effort to steadfastly expand institutional opening-up

To further open up the telecommunications, finance and healthcare sectors;

To launch major construction projects, such as Dishui Lake School and the Lin-gang Campus of Pudong Hospital

6. Further optimizing the city's spatial layout and foster new growth drivers

To build integrated transportation hubs in new towns, such as the Songjiang Hub, and to advance the construction of rail transit lines, including the western extension of Metro Line 12, the southern extension of Metro Line 15, and the Nanhui-Fengjing Line

To build 26 new elementary schools, middle schools and kindergartens; to accelerate the construction of branches of tertiary hospitals like Zhongshan Hospital and Xinhua Hospital; and to open the completed sections of new urban green belts to the public

To catalyze the development of specialized industrial parks, such as North Shanghai Biopharmaceutical Industrial Park and Carbon Valley Green Bay

To advance the construction of the Legoland Park & Resor t, and to break ground on the Shanghai Baoshan Railway Station project

7. Advancing further towards an international cultural metropolis and enhancing the city's cultural soft power

To further implement the Urban Memory Project, which safeguards the city's intangible cultural heritage, such as opera, folk art, and handicraft

To advance the northern and southern extensions of the Huangpu River cruise sightseeing route; to upgrade the cultural and tourism functions of the Suzhou Creek ; and to facilitate the full resumption of international cruise lines

8. Further promoting green and low-carbon transformation and making Shanghai a beautiful city

To install 10,000 new public charging piles for electric vehicles

To construct 2 million sq m of buildings with ultra-low energy consumption; and to complete energy conservation renovations on 4 million sq m of public buildings

To build 120 new parks, open 30 twenty-four-hour urban parks, and develop an additional 31,000 mu (2066.66 hectares) of forestland, 1,000 ha of green space, 200 km of urban greenway, and 400,000 sq m of vertical green landscaping

9. Further modernizing urban governance

To complete renovations on 120,000 sq m of scattered dilapidated housing; to refurbish 310,000 sq m of weak-framed old houses in the city's main urban districts; and to start 10 urban village renovation projects

To promote the opening and sharing of spaces within 40 government agencies, public service institutions, and corporate entities; to move 130 km of overhead cables underground; and to build 100 "beautiful street blocks"

10. Taking further measures to substantially improve people's living conditions and quality of life

To create over 550,000 new urban jobs

To add 4,000 beds in elderly care institutions and 30 community canteens for the seniors; and provide 3,000 beds to the needs of the cognitively impaired

To add 3,000 daycare openings in public kindergartens and 7,000 openings in community childcare centers

To offer 70,000 units of subsidized rental housing

To provide over 30,000 beds in the "Homes for New Era Urban Builders and Managers"

To offer over 10,000 units of government-subsidized housing

To install 3,000 elevators into existing multi-story residences

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SOURCE english.shanghai.gov.cn
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 .

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SOURCE Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB)
NEW YORK , Jan. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- LiveOnNY, the federally designated organ procurement organization (OPO) for the NY Metro region, announced today a strategic collaboration with The Greater NYC Black Nurses Association (GNYCBNA). This beneficial connection will leverage and blend the expertise of these two industry leaders, creating professional education advantages while addressing the needs of underserved communities and raising lifesaving organ donation awareness.

LiveOnNY and GNYCBNA represent a powerful alliance that aims to increase education and support at every stage of the organ donation journey. By leveraging the strengths and resources of both organizations, this collective effort will engage in community outreach, public service engagement, and various educational activities to drive positive change and address disparities in lifesaving organ donation. Together, the organizations will work hand-in-hand to support and advance the critical role that nurses play in honoring organ, eye, and tissue donors wishes to help those in need on the waitlist.

"We are honored to embark on this journey with the Greater New York City Black Nurses Association," said LiveOnNY President and CEO Leonard Achan, RN, MA, ANP. "By working together, we can continue to dispel myths and misconceptions in our communities and highlight the critical role nurses play in honoring organ donors' wishes across the healthcare ecosystem. This collaboration aligns perfectly with our shared commitment to improving health outcomes thanks to the generosity of New Yorkers who say yes to donation."

The GNYCBNA brings a wealth of experience, expertise, and a deep understanding of the unique healthcare challenges facing minority communities. The organization actively works towards reducing health disparities for people of color, promoting health equity, and strengthening the nursing profession through dedicated health education initiatives, community health events, health policy engagement, nursing workforce support, research and scholarship.

"The Greater NYC Black Nurses Association is proud to support LiveOnNY to address the critical need for increased organ and tissue donation awareness and support, particularly within minority communities," said GNYCBNA President, Dr. Dewi Brown-Deveaux . "Our combined efforts will help bridge gaps in healthcare and ensure that the underserved receive the care and support they need. It is truly inspiring to see these two organizations unite to make a positive impact on the lives of those who need it the most."

Learn more about LiveOnNY at: http://www.LiveOnNY.org

Learn more about The Greater NYC Black Nurses Association at: https://gnycbna.org/

ABOUT LIVEONNY

LiveOnNY is a nonprofit, federally designated organ procurement organization (OPO) dedicated to saving lives, providing comfort, and strengthening legacies through organ, eye, and tissue donation. The OPO, which was established in 1978, serves a culturally and ethnically diverse population of 13 million residents in New York City , Long Island and the lower Hudson Valley . Working closely with donor hospital and transplant centers, LiveOnNY coordinates organ, eye, and tissue donation for transplant, educates the public and healthcare professionals about donation, and promotes the importance of signing up on the New York State Donate Life Registry. LiveOnNY is a member of the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), which oversees the organ transplant waiting list in the U.S. For more information, please visit LiveOnNY.org.

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SOURCE LiveOnNY
VIENNA , Jan. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The OPEC Fund for International Development, a multilateral development finance institution headquartered in Vienna, Austria , expanded its new commitments to US$1.7 billion across 55 projects globally in 2023, providing funding to address climate change and energy transition, support social and economic resilience and boost sustainable growth. The organization was established 48 years ago and the 2023 results represent a record in new commitments.

OPEC Fund Director-General Dr. Abdulhamid Alkhalifa said: "In 2023, the OPEC Fund increased its impact through the delivery of development support in a challenging global environment. We grew our lending program across the board in response to strong demand by our partner countries and thanks to our success in raising additional funds from the capital markets. We were also able to leverage our partnerships to mobilize development support by working with multilateral development banks and development finance institutions such as the Arab Coordination Group. And we are well on track with our 2030 target to commit 40 percent of all new financing to climate action."

In 2023, the OPEC Fund delivered strong results across Africa (42 percent of investments), the Middle East and North Africa & Europe and Central Asia (20 percent), Latin America & the Caribbean (20 percent), as well as Asia and the Pacific (18 percent) through public and private sector lending, trade finance and grants operations.

The largest share in last year's lending program was dedicated to policy-based-lending (31 percent). In cooperation with financing partners, the OPEC Fund supported sustainable development government programs in Botswana ( US$100 million ), Cote d'Ivoire ( US$74 million ), Armenia ( US$54 million ), North Macedonia ( US$54 million ), Colombia ( US$150 million ) and Paraguay ( US$100 million ) to bolster economic, social and climate resilience.

The transport and storage sector received the major share of OPEC Fund's support (14 percent) with the OPEC Fund helping to build roads and sustainable transport infrastructure for improved connectivity in India ( US$100 million ), Kyrgyz Republic ( US$15 million ), Tajikistan ( US$10 million ), Uzbekistan ( US$47 million ) and Bosnia and Herzegovina ( US$28 million ).

Aligned with the OPEC Fund Climate Action Plan, support in renewable energy projects constituted nearly 60 percent of all lending in the energy sector. The OPEC Fund supported the development of a solar plant in Niger ( US$25 million ), a 240 MW wind farm in Azerbaijan ( US$50 million ) and two wind power plants in Uzbekistan totalling 1 GW of renewable energy capacity ( US$40 million ). OPEC Fund energy sector investments also included projects to promote energy security in Tanzania ( US$30 million ) and Bangladesh ( US$60 million ), aligned with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7  Clean and affordable energy.

In the financial sector, the OPEC Fund provided US$171 million , partnering with governments and local banks to provide on-lending to small and medium-sized enterprises, promoting job creation and access to finance in Albania , Botswana , Paraguay and Vietnam . US$273 million of trade finance was offered to partner banks to support the movement of critical commodities and goods in developing economies.

Aligned with its Food Security Action Plan, the OPEC Fund provided US$59 million to promote agricultural sustainability and fisheries in Benin , Liberia and Zimbabwe . The institution also dedicated US$104 million towards education, US$61 million to water and sanitation and US$50 million to health projects primarily in Africa and Asia .

Successful development delivery in 2023 was also fuelled by the OPEC Fund's debut in the capital market, which the institution tapped for the first time in its history in January. The issuance of the OPEC Fund's benchmark SDG bond raised US$1 billion for sustainable development projects. The OPEC Fund's excellent standing in the market was confirmed in December when the international rating agency Standard & Poor's assigned the OPEC Fund a credit rating upgrade to AA+ with stable outlook, citing its "ambitious growth agenda".

In 2023, the OPEC Fund continued to expand partnerships with peer institutions including the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Arab Coordination Group (ACG), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United National Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and the World Food Programme (WFP) among others.

About the OPEC Fund

The OPEC Fund for International Development (the OPEC Fund) is the only globally mandated development institution that provides financing from member countries to non-member countries exclusively. The organization works in cooperation with developing country partners and the international development community to stimulate economic growth and social progress in low- and middle-income countries around the world. The OPEC Fund was established in 1976 with a distinct purpose: to drive development, strengthen communities and empower people. Our work is people-centered, focusing on financing projects that meet essential needs, such as food, energy, infrastructure, employment (particularly relating to MSMEs), clean water and sanitation, healthcare and education. To date, the OPEC Fund has committed about US$27 billion to development projects in over 125 countries with an estimated total project cost of more than US$200 billion . The OPEC Fund is rated AA+/Outlook Stable by Fitch and AA+, Outlook Stable by S&P. Our vision is a world where sustainable development is a reality for all.

CONTACT:

Basak Pamir

T+43151564174

[email protected]

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2328662/OPEC_Fund___Building_Inside.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1899865/4517478/OPEC_Fund_Logo.jpg

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SOURCE OPEC Fund for International Development
MELBOURNE, Fla. , Jan. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Preeclampsia Foundation welcomed a new group of officers to their 2024 Board of Directors today. Robyn D'Oria, MA, RNC, APN will serve as the new Board chair, having served previously as Vice Chair under the leadership of Immediate Past Chair Rakhi Dimino , MD, MMM, CPE. Robyn is the Chief Executive Officer of the Central Jersey Family Health Consortium (CJFHC), a regionalized network of agencies and providers involved in the delivery of perinatal and pediatric services in central New Jersey .

D'Oria has been extensively involved with improving national obstetric patient safety through her involvement with quality improvement initiatives, including state lead for the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) postpartum hemorrhage project, and as a member of their Expert Panel on Maternal Mortality. More recently, she has served as a consultant for AWHONN and their Merck for Mothers Postbirth Warning Signs Initiative and received the 2022 AWHONN Nurse Leader of the Year award. Currently, she is a member of the Executive Advisory Board for the Institute for Perinatal Quality Improvement, co-chair of the NJ Perinatal Quality Collaborative, member of the NJ Maternal Mortality Review Committee, as well as the governor-appointed NJ Maternal Care Quality Collaborative.

"We continue to be honored and grateful for the professional leadership provided by the officers and members of our Board of Directors," said Preeclampsia Foundation CEO Eleni Tsigas . "I'm consistently impressed by the breadth and depth of insight they bring to our mission, and the commitment that they regularly demonstrate through their time, talent and treasure."

She will be joined by new Vice Chair Annie Croslow , JD, Treasurer Raphael Charbit , MBA, CFP, CTP, and Secretary Todd McLaughlin .

Vice Chair Annie Croslow is a licensed attorney in Northern VA, and active Certified Public Accountant who served as former Deputy Associate Counsel to the President of the United States and later as Chief Special Counsel to the Senate Judiciary Committee. Before that, she worked as an associate at Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, where she represented clients in internal investigations and in white-collar and regulatory matters before the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Department of Justice. Croslow joined the board in 2021.

Secretary Todd McLaughlin is the Vice President of Marketing and Communications for the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP-Global), the professional association of individuals and organizations that generate philanthropic support for a wide variety of charitable institutions. He brings extensive non-profit fundraising experience to the Board, where he has served since 2019.

Treasurer Raphael Charbit joined the Preeclampsia Foundation board of directors in 2023, bringing his vast financial management expertise to the team. He is a CFA Charterholder and a Certified Treasury Professional, with a bachelor's degree in business and a Master's degree in finance from Institut Superieur de Gestion.

The Foundation also expresses its deep gratitude to immediate past chair, Dr. Rakhi Dimino , for her leadership and guidance on the Board of Directors. Dr. Dimino is the Medical Director of Operations for the Ob Hospitalist Group, where she implements and manages OB/GYN physician and midwife hospitalist teams.

"As a frontline obstetrician and quality improvement leader, Dr. Dimino brought her professional and personal passion for patient advocacy and engagement to her Board role," added CEO Tsigas. "We're grateful for her tenure of service and the continued relationship we will have as partners in this work."

Other Foundation Board members include Alen Amimi , MBA, Fran Ayalasomayajula , MPH, Jennifer DeYoung , MPPA, Jasmine Mago , and immediate past chair Rakhi Dimino , MD.

Learn more about the Foundation's board at www.preeclampsia.org/people/board-of-directors

About the Preeclampsia Foundation

The Preeclampsia Foundation is a U.S. -based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in 2000 to improve the outcomes of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy by educating, supporting, and engaging the community, improving healthcare practices, and finding a cure. We envision a world where preeclampsia and related hypertensive disorders of pregnancy no longer threaten the lives of mothers and babies. For more information, visit www.preeclampsia.org.

Contact:

Laney Poye

321.421.6957

[email protected]

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SOURCE Preeclampsia Foundation
MILWAUKEE , Jan. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Louis Pinkham, Chief Executive Officer of Regal Rexnord Corporation (NYSE: RRX), announced that the Board of Directors, at its regular quarterly meeting held on January 29, 2024 , declared a dividend of $0.35 per share. The dividend is payable on April 12, 2024 , to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 28, 2024 . The company has paid a dividend every quarter since January 1961 .

Regal Rexnord Corporation is a global leader in the engineering and manufacturing of factory automation sub-systems, industrial powertrain solutions, automation and mechanical power transmission components, electric motors and electronic controls, air moving products, and specialty electrical components and systems.

Through longstanding technology leadership and an intentional focus on producing more socially conscious and environmentally-friendly products and sub-systems, the Company is regularly addressing increasingly relevant secular demands of customers in the medical, alternative energy, aerospace, food & beverage, general industrial and warehouse/intralogistics end markets, among others. In short, Regal Rexnord's 36,000 associates around the world are proud to be working each day towards fulfilling the Company's purpose  helping create a better tomorrow  for its customers and for the planet.

Regal Rexnord is comprised of four operating segments: Industrial Powertrain Solutions, Power Efficiency Solutions, Automation & Motion Control and Industrial Systems. Regal Rexnord is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and has manufacturing, sales, and service facilities worldwide. For more information, visit RegalRexnord.com.

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SOURCE Regal Rexnord Corporation
76ers mascot Franklin is bringing the hype for contest honoring educational mentors

HORSHAM, Pa. , Jan. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Stroehmann Bread, Philly's favorite bread brand since 1927, is taking the court with the Philadelphia 76ers for a sixth consecutive season. Stroehmann and the 76ers, along with beloved mascot Franklin the Dog, today launched the fourth annual King or Queen of the Classroom Contest, which aims to champion education and honor mentors who have been instrumental to educating students the past year.

To support this year's contest, Stroehmann is teaming up with Franklin the Dog to help bring the energy and encourage students to nominate an educator who has had a significant impact on their academic achievements, inside or outside the classroom.

"The Philadelphia 76ers take great pride in giving back to their community, aligning with our mission for this contest," said Jennifer Hudak , Stroehmann Associate Brand Manager. "We're excited to join forces for the fourth year to help deserving local mentors score big this season."

To enter, students in grades K-12 will have the opportunity to nominate a person who has been influential to their education this past year. By submitting a short essay, students can explain why their nominee deserves this special recognition for how they have demonstrated their commitment to the student and helped them reach their educational goals.

Three winners chosen during the contest  and those who nominated them  will receive a 76ers gift bag with assorted team merchandise and an autographed 76ers jersey. The winners will also receive tickets to a future 76ers game and a donation of $3,000 to be used for books at a school of their choice.

The entry form is open through February 22, 2024 . To nominate a King or Queen of the Classroom and for the contest's official rules, click here to visit the 76ers website.

About Bimbo Bakeries USA

Stroehmann is an iconic brand of Bimbo Bakeries USA (BBU), is a leader in the baking industry, known for its category leading brands, innovative products, freshness and quality. Our team of 20,000 U.S. associates operates more than 50 manufacturing locations in the United States. Over 11,000 distribution routes deliver our leading brands such as Arnold, Bimbo, Boboli, Brownberry, Entenmann's, Freihofer's, Heiner's, Marinela, Mrs Baird's , Nature's Harvest, Oroweat, Sara Lee, Stroehmann, Thomas', and Tia Rosa. BBU is a part of Mexico's Grupo Bimbo, S.A.B de C.V., the world's largest baking company with operations in 33 countries.

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SOURCE Bimbo Bakeries USA
NAPA, Calif. , Jan. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Doctors Company, the nation's largest physician-owned medical malpractice insurer, part of TDC Group, announced today the promotion of Deepika Srivastava to Chief Operating Officer (COO).

Ms. Srivastava will oversee claims, underwriting, sales, patient safety and risk management, and the shared services of Technology, Cybersecurity, Innovation, and Enterprise Project Office for all TDC Group business units.

"I am pleased to congratulate Deepika on her enhanced role at The Doctors Company. She embodies our mission to advance, protect, and reward the practice of good medicine," said Richard E. Anderson , MD, FACP, Chairman and CEO of The Doctors Company and TDC Group. "Deepika has extensive experience in medical professional liability and a proven track record of enhancing operational efficiency. She possesses all the attributes we value in a leader, including a mission-driven mindset, innovative thinking, and a commitment to people development, as well as patience and humility."

Since joining The Doctors Company in 2011 as a Project Manager, Business Applications, Ms. Srivastava has held many roles, including Executive Vice President, Vice President Operations, Chief Information Officer, and Chief Information Security Officer. Ms. Srivastava serves on the advisory board of the California Insurance Guarantee Association (CIGA) and the Actuarial Science Program at Michigan State University. She holds an MBA from the University of Lucknow, India, and has completed the Innovation and Entrepreneurship program at Stanford University, as well as the Advanced Management Program at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business.

"I am excited to leverage my experience across the organization to spearhead strategy, drive operational excellence, and ensure effective execution," Ms. Srivastava says. "As we build a national platform for service and advocacy for all healthcare professionals and organizations, we remain committed to enhancing our mission-driven culture and being a strong proactive partner for those delivering care."

About The Doctors Company

Founded and led by physicians, The Doctors Company ( thedoctors.com ), the nation's largest physician-owned medical malpractice insurer, is relentlessly committed to advancing, protecting, and rewarding the practice of good medicine. The Doctors Company helps physicians manage the complexities of today's healthcare environmentwith expert guidance, resources, and coverage. The Doctors Company is part of TDC Group ( tdcg.com ), the nation's largest physician-owned provider of insurance, risk management, and healthcare practice improvement solutions. TDC Group serves the full continuum of care, from individual physicians to academic medical systemsover 100,000 healthcare professionals and organizations nationwidewith annual revenue of $1 billion and over $6.9 billion in assets. To learn more about our data-driven insights and to stay up to date on industry trends, follow and subscribe to The Doctors Company on X ( @doctorscompany ), YouTube , LinkedIn , and Facebook .

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SOURCE The Doctors Management Company
WASHINGTON , Jan. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors will meet Feb. 8, 2024 , in open session at Postal Service headquarters, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW , Washington, DC . The public is welcome to observe the meeting beginning at 4 p.m. EST in the Benjamin Franklin Room on the 11th floor. The board is expected to discuss the following items:

Call to order and opening remarks of the chairman



Remarks from the Postmaster General and CEO



Approval of the meeting minutes



Committee reports



Quarterly financial report



Quarterly service performance report



Approval of the tentative agenda for the May 9 open meeting



Adjournment

Open session meetings of the Board of Governors are available on live audio webcasts at https://about.usps.com/who/leadership/board-governors/#sessions. Three hours after the conclusion of the open session meeting, a recorded audio file will be available for listening. In compliance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, the audio webcast will be open-captioned.

Please Note: The United States Postal Service is an independent federal establishment, mandated to be self-financing and to serve every American community through the affordable, reliable and secure delivery of mail and packages to 167 million addresses six and often seven days a week. Overseen by a bipartisan Board of Governors, the Postal Service is implementing a 10-year transformation plan, Delivering for America, to modernize the postal network, restore long-term financial sustainability, dramatically improve service across all mail and shipping categories, and maintain the organization as one of America's most valued and trusted brands.

The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

For USPS media resources, including broadcast-quality video and audio and photo stills, visit the USPS Newsroom. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and LinkedIn. Subscribe to the USPS YouTube Channel and like us on Facebook. For more information about the Postal Service, visit usps.com and facts.usps.com.

Contact: James McKean

[email protected]

usps.com/news

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SOURCE U.S. Postal Service
The Exhibit Contains Over 150 Items from the Late 19th Century to the Present

DETROIT , Jan. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Wayne County Community College District (WCCCD) will host a new exhibit from Ferris State University's Jim Crow Museum of Racist Imagery beginning Monday, Feb. 5 at the Curtis L. Ivery Downtown Campus. Titled, "Overcoming Hateful Things: Stories from the Jim Crow Museum of Racist Imagery," the exhibit explores the Jim Crow system, the African American experience during that era, and its legacy in contemporary society through hundreds of objects from the period.

The museum at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan , houses the nation's largest publicly accessible collection of artifacts, and uses them to teach tolerance and to promote a more just society. The exhibit was created to tell similar stories in ways that encourage dialogue and understanding about painful histories and issues. The exhibit was thoughtfully designed by Howard+Revis, the design firm that created the exhibits at the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis , to further its mission and impact across the U.S. and internationally.

"Our mission has always been to provide pathways to better lives through higher education," said WCCCD Chancellor Dr. Curtis L. Ivery . "This exhibit offers an opportunity to see and engage in history in a way that challenges, but also builds new understanding about where we have come from, and where we are going as a community and as a nation."

The exhibit connects and expands on a series of educational experiences WCCCD has built. WCCCD recently received a Network to Freedom's National Park Service Historic Underground Railroad designation for its educational programming, adding to its official designation of the College's Central Educational Complex as a Detroit Underground Railroad Site Historic District by the City of Detroit .

Overcoming Hateful Things opens Monday, Feb. 5 at the Curtis L. Ivery Downtown Campus and is open to the public at no cost. For more information, please visit www.wcccd.edu.

About Wayne County Community College District

WCCCD, one of the largest urban-suburban community colleges in Michigan , is a multi-campus district with six campus locations and educational centers, including the Mary Ellen Stempfle University Center, the Heinz C. Prechter Educational and Performing Arts Center, the Michigan Institute for Public Safety Education (MIPSE), the Curtis L. Ivery Health and Wellness Education Center and the Outdoor Careers Training Center. The District serves students across 32 cities and townships, and more than 500 square miles. WCCCD is committed to the continued development of innovative programs, workforce transformation, hosting community-based training sessions, and improving student facilities and services. www.wcccd.edu.

About the Jim Crow Museum of Racist Imagery

The Jim Crow Museum of Racist Imagery at Ferris State University is an international leader in the anti-racism movement. The museum serves as a base for quality scholarship addressing the complexities of race, race relations, and racism. The museum encourages collaborative work with high schools, universities, museums, government agencies, and human rights organizations, including, but not limited to, producing original research, planning and hosting tours and conferences, and conducting anti-racism training sessions. https://jimcrowmuseum.ferris.edu/.

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SOURCE Wayne County Community College District
The organization today supports more than 2,900 dentists in nearly 1,000 offices across 24 states and anticipates high strategic growth in 2024.

IRVINE, Calif. , Jan. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pacific Dental Services (PDS), a leading dental and medical support organization in the U.S. , announced today that the company achieved yet another outstanding year in 2023. In addition to expanding market share in several states, implementing clinical innovations that enhance patient care, and increasing efforts to advance medical-dental integration through multiple strategic partnerships and technologies, other notable achievements in the past year served as the foundation to position the organization for continued growth in 2024.

"Reflecting on our collective accomplishments in 2023, I'm grateful for the dedication of our clinicians and team members who continue to drive our organization forward," said PDS Founder and CEO Stephen E. Thorne IV. "As we enter 2024, we keep our eyes on the horizon. We're committed to partnering with like-minded clinicians and organizations, enabling closer collaboration between dental and medical professionals, and prioritizing oral health to improve the overall health of patients on a broader scale."

Highlights from Pacific Dental Services' substantial list of achievements in 2023 include:

Company Growth

Delivered record-breaking financial results in 2023, with double-digit growth.

Onboarded more than 800 dentists, 700 dental hygienists, and 180 specialty dentists, resulting in a current combined total of more than 4,500 clinicians (dentists, dental hygienists, physicians, and nurse practitioners). Collectively, the organization has a workforce of over 14,800 team members across the nation.

Expanded market share in 18 states by opening 72 new practices, expanding 26 existing practices, and adding six medical practices.

Opened its 950th supported practice, Cottage Grove Smiles Dentistry, in Cottage Grove, Minn.

Dental-Medical Integration and Partnerships

Opened the first co-located dental-medical practice with MemorialCare which leverages integrated patient health records on Epic, offering dental and medical providers comprehensive insights into patients' overall health.

Opened two dental-medical integrated practices in Las Vegas, Nev.

Continued participation in a consortium that successfully advocated for the expansion of Medicare to cover certain medically necessary dental procedures.

Continued to serve on the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors' steering committee that guides a national framework for expanding dental and medical integration programs.

steering committee that guides a national framework for expanding dental and medical integration programs. Partnered with High Point University to extend its instance of Epic for use in the college's dental school and dental practices affiliated with the school through the HPU Oral Health Network. PDS was the first dental support organization to partner with an academic institution through the Epic Community Connect program.

to extend its instance of Epic for use in the college's dental school and dental practices affiliated with the school through the HPU Oral Health Network. PDS was the first dental support organization to partner with an academic institution through the Epic Community Connect program. Invested in RevBio to support the clinical development of its bone adhesive biomaterial for implant dentistry.

Partnered with CareQuest Innovation Partners and MATTER to support SMILE Health , empowering startups in the oral health industry to make meaningful contributions to the advancement of oral health.

Advanced, Proven Technologies

Operationalized and optimized the integration of Epic in all supported practices. Since launch, over 87.8 million patient records have been exchanged between PDS-supported clinicians and other healthcare organizations.

Surpassed lifetime milestone of 3.75 million dental restorations using CEREC CAD/CAM technology, and over 427,000 dental restorations (crowns, inlays/onlays, and veneers) in 2023 alone.

Implemented Envista's DTX Studio  assisted intelligence technology into approximately half of all supported dental practices.

assisted intelligence technology into approximately half of all supported dental practices. Installed the latest cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) technology in 221 supported practices. This advanced, proven imaging technology is available in 79 percent of PDS-supported practices.

Administered over 36,000 salivary diagnostic tests in partnership with OralDNA Labs  , a 34 percent increase over last year's total.

, a 34 percent increase over last year's total. Conducted over 1,100 blood sugar (HbA1c) tests during a pilot program in 28 supported dental practices.

Expanded chairside aMMP-8 biomarker screening pilot program to include additional dental practices.

Supporting Lifelong Learning

Supported three team members in achieving their dream of earning a bachelor's degree through the PDS College Advancement Program, with over 100 team members currently pursuing their degree.

Awarded a total of over 1,900 continuing education (CE) credits collectively to 500 supported clinicians in attendance at its annual XP event.

Launched the inaugural Mouth-Body Connection  Symposium for PDS-supported clinicians and collectively awarded over 1,000 CE credits to the attendees.

Symposium for PDS-supported clinicians and collectively awarded over 1,000 CE credits to the attendees. PDS University   Institute of Dentistry provided clinicians with comprehensive education through state-of-the-art training facilities, including simulation laboratories and immersive courses.

Community Impact and Service

Over 94,000 hours of volunteer time provided to local communities and charities by PDS team members in 2023.

Over $10.6 million of donated dental care provided to underserved patients during Smile Generation Serve Day.

of donated dental care provided to underserved patients during Smile Generation Serve Day. Raised and contributed over $1.2 million for charity: water, funding clean water sources for an estimated 31,200 people in need.

for charity: water, funding clean water sources for an estimated 31,200 people in need. Raised and contributed over $946,000 to the Pacific Dental Services Foundation to increase access to dental care for patients with special needs, provide specialized training for clinicians focused on special needs dentistry, fund additional dental assisting scholarships, and support the PDS Foundation Clinica Dental in Xenacoj, Guatemala .

to the to increase access to dental care for patients with special needs, provide specialized training for clinicians focused on special needs dentistry, fund additional dental assisting scholarships, and support the PDS Foundation Clinica Dental in Xenacoj, . Sponsored and constructed its 18th playground in partnership with KABOOM!.

Completed four week-long volunteer trips to provide donated dental care at the PDS Foundation Clinica Dental in Guatemala .

. Marked 40th international service trip and over $11 million in donated dentistry around the world.

Awards and Recognition

Named as an honoree of "The Civic 50 Orange County" by OneOC and Points of Light. This is the fifth time PDS has received this recognition.

Recognized for the fourth time by the Orange County Business Journal as one of Orange County's "Companies That Care."

as one of "Companies That Care." Received the inaugural "ADSO Service Award" from the Association of Dental Support Organizations (ADSO).

(ADSO). Named the California Association of Private Postsecondary Schools (CAPPS) "2023 Employer of the Year."

For more information about Pacific Dental Services, visit pacificdentalservices.com.

About Pacific Dental Services

Pacific Dental Services (PDS) is one of the country's leading dental and medical support organizations, empowering clinicians with supported autonomy to deliver comprehensive patient care. PDS provides administrative and business operations support, highly skilled staff, and ongoing training and education to help healthcare providers succeed. PDS incorporates the most advanced, proven technologies with best practices and procedures to ensure high-quality care and is a leading advocate for the integration of dental and medical care to improve whole-person health. Since its foundation in 1994, PDS has grown to support over 4,500 clinicians (dentists, dental hygienists, physicians, and nurse practitioners) in nearly 1,000 practices across 24 states and continues to expand. To learn more, visit pacificdentalservices.com or connect on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/year-in-review-pacific-dental-services-celebrates-2023-milestones-and-achievements-302047056.html

SOURCE Pacific Dental Services
BAMAKO (Reuters) - About 30 people were killed in attacks on two villages in central Mali over the weekend, the rural commune's mayor said on Monday.

He did not say who was responsible. The West African country is home to militant groups linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State that wage frequent attacks on the army and civilians.

The attacks started on Saturday in the villages of Ogota and Oimbe in Bankass circle, in the Mopti region, Bankass Mayor Moulaye Guindo said in a phone interview.

"Armed men burst in, surrounded and attacked the two villages, Ogota and Oimbe, located side by side. They shot at the populations and set fire to the houses," Guindo said.

"The toll is heavy, around 30 deaths including men, women and children. The two villages were completely destroyed and burned," he said.

Another village in the nearby commune of Dialassagou was attacked on Monday morning, but a death toll was not yet available, he added.

The army's spokesperson could not be reached for comment.

Mali is run by a military junta that consolidated power in two coups in 2020 and 2021, teamed up with Russian military contractor Wagner Group, and kicked out French troops and U.N. peacekeepers.

In the latest sign of upheaval, the junta last week ended a 2015 peace deal with Tuareg separatists that have led a long-simmering rebellion in its desert north. The peace agreement had been unravelling as fighting picked up again last year.

(Reporting by Tiemoko Diallo; Writing by Nellie Peyton; Editing by Bill Berkrot)
By Chris Prentice and Karl Plume

NEW YORK (Reuters) -Archer-Daniels-Midland Co will delay paying performance bonuses to some executives until its financial statements are completed and audited, according to a staff memo seen by Reuters.

The delay, detailed in a memo sent to staff on Thursday, comes days after ADM sidelined its chief financial officer and brought in outside lawyers to launch an investigation into accounting practices last week.

The investigation is focused on the nutrition segment, a relatively small unit of the grains trading giant's business which played an outsized role in executive compensation.

Compensation from ADM's performance incentive plan for members of the company's executive council, including any who retired last year, would be postponed, the note said.

ADM declined to comment. Payments to other employees would be paid in March on the company's normal schedule, according to the staff memo.

The executive council includes several top executives and heads of other ADM businesses. Reuters could not determine exactly how many people are on the council. According to the company's website detailing what it calls its Senior Leadership, of the 19 people listed, 14 are cited as being members of the executive council in their biographies.News of the investigation into accounting practices sent ADM shares tumbling 24% on Jan. 22, the biggest fall since 1929, according to the Center for Research in Security Prices. ADM has delayed the release of its full-year 2023 financial results until further notice.

The probe focuses on ADM's Nutrition reporting segment and "intersegment transactions," the company has said. It started after ADM received a request for information from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, ADM said. The SEC declined to comment.A change by ADM's Compensation and Succession Committee in 2020 tied half of long-term executive compensation to operating profit growth of the Nutrition segment, according to ADM proxy statements. Previously, the long-term compensation had been based on ADM's adjusted earnings, return on invested capital and relative total shareholder returns, according to the filings. The Nutrition unit accounted for just 9.3% of ADM revenue that year, LSEG data showed. ADM in 2023 reported average Nutrition operating profit growth from 2020 to 2022 of a larger-than-forecast 21.4% and which topped the company's average adjusted return on invested capital target. As a result, seven ADM executives were awarded more than 841,000 performance share units, twice the targeted payout, the proxy statements showed. Those PSUs were valued at nearly $69 million when they vested in February 2023.

(Reporting by Chris Prentice in New York and Karl Plume in Chicago; Editing by Caroline Stauffer and Leslie Adler)
FILE PHOTO: AerCap CEO Aengus Kelly takes part in a panel discussion at the International Air Transport Association's (IATA) Annual General Meeting in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S., October 5, 2021. REUTERS/Brian Snyder//File Photo

By Tim Hepher

DUBLIN (Reuters) - The head of the world's largest aircraft lessor AerCap dismissed calls for leadership changes at Boeing and said the planemaker is under no illusion about what needs to be done in the wake of a door plug blowout on a Boeing 737 MAX 9.

"I don't think that's helpful at all. Do we really think someone else comes in tomorrow and is going to be able to just all of a sudden (perform) magic overnight?" AerCap Chief Executive Aengus Kelly told Reuters of calls by some analysts for leadership changes.

"I think knee-jerk reactions would be ill-advised at this point, but they know what to do....They know what has to be fixed but knowing it and fixing it are two different things."

Kelly was speaking in an interview on the sidelines of the Airline Economics conference, the first major industry gathering since the Jan. 5 mid-flight scare on an Alaska Airlines jet that raised questions over quality controls.

However, he added that every plane that leaves Boeing factories has to be flawless and cautioned another incident would make the 737 MAX a "very hard sell".

"They're under no illusions about the severity of the situation. And every, every single thing that goes out the door there just has to be spot on."

Air Lease Corp Executive Chairman Steven Udvar-Hay earlier questioned the strategic vision of Boeing's board and management but stopped short of calling for personnel changes.

TEST OF CONFIDENCE

He warned that U.S. regulators who last week thwarted planned production increases would halt 737 output altogether in the event of another significant problem, and told reporters the incident was contained to the Renton plant outside Seattle.

After Boeing faced a barrage of criticism from regulators and politicians, the week-long Dublin finance gathering is seen as a test of confidence in Boeing among the owners representing more than half of the world's airliner fleet.

Several industry commentators, including influential analyst Richard Aboulafia, have called on Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun or other executives and board members to step aside.

Boeing has declined to comment directly on such remarks.

Speaking in private, several delegates and industry officials said questions remained over the future of Boeing's leaders amid the second 737 MAX crisis in five years.

Behind the scenes everyone is livid, a person familiar with lessor discussions with Boeing said.

Calhoun has pledged that Boeing will acknowledge errors and ensure that such an accident "can never happen again."

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating whether bolts were missing or wrongly fitted in a door plug when the jet was delivered eight weeks before the Jan. 5 blowout.

Trade publication The Air Current reported last week the plug reached Boeing's factory from Spirit AeroSystems with bolts installed, but that Boeing re-opened it to give access to nearby rivets that had been mis-installed by Spirit. Spirit and Boeing referred queries on the probe to the NTSB.

Jennifer Homendy, chair of the National Transportation Safety Board, said on Jan. 18 it was too early to say whether the root cause of the blowout was missing or mis-installed bolts.

(Reporting by Tim Hepher; editing by David Evans and Sharon Singleton)
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FILE PHOTO: An American Airlines Airbus A321-200 plane takes off from Los Angeles International airport (LAX) in Los Angeles, California, U.S. March 28, 2018. REUTERS/Mike Blake/File Photo

(Reuters) - American Airlines Group said on Monday about 600 jobs at its customer support team would be impacted, as the carrier works to rejig the team.

"The immediate impact will be on roughly 600 jobs, but the company is looking to accommodate employees in other roles, which will mitigate the impact," Carolyne Truelove, vice president of reservations and service recovery, told Reuters.

The airline also said it would transition some of its lighter-touch contact center inquiries to international teams made up of American Airlines and partner support.

Last week, American Airlines forecast its 2024 profit largely above Wall Street expectations as the carrier benefits from strong demand for international travel.

(Reporting by Nathan Gomes in Bengaluru and Rajesh Kumar Singh in Chicago; Editing by Shilpi Majumdar)
FILE PHOTO: Boeing's new 737 MAX-9 is pictured under construction at their production facility in Renton, Washington, U.S., February 13, 2017. REUTERS/Jason Redmond//File Photo

By Tim Hepher and Padraic Halpin

DUBLIN (Reuters) -Airlines face years of plane shortages, driving up costs and setting the stage for higher fares, as increased oversight in the wake of a Boeing 737 MAX 9 cabin blowout exacerbates delays caused by weak supply chains, industry officials said.

The warning came as aircraft lessors, bankers and airlines met in Dublin - home to a booming global air finance sector - for the first time since the Alaska Airlines incident on Jan. 5 led to a partial grounding and pushed Boeing into a new safety crisis.

For months, aviation has been struggling to keep pace with a post-pandemic travel boom amid labour and parts shortages.

But widespread outrage over the near disaster that led to an emergency landing with a gap in the side of an aircraft, but no major injuries, has added a new layer of regulatory risk.

"Demand is more or less a slam dunk; the question is when does the supply catch up?" Rob Morris, head of global consultancy at Ascend by Cirium, told Reuters as delegates gathered for the week-long Airline Economics conference.

"We have estimated 2026 or 2027, but there must be a risk on the downside now because of the MAX."

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration last week took the unusual step of ordering Boeing to stop increasing 737 MAX production until quality control concerns highlighted by the discovery of loose bolts in the fleet were addressed.

Successive safety crises over Boeing's fastest-selling model, following MAX crashes in 2018 and 2019, have prompted regulators to tighten control over development and now production.

That comes at a time when Airbus and Boeing are trying to increase production to cope with a surge in demand.

That is potentially good news for leasing companies that have already placed big plane orders and will now secure a bigger return as airlines rush to lease planes. But many are also struggling to get their own new planes delivered on time.

For airlines it could mean a gap in receiving new technology needed to lower costs and reduce emissions, as well as higher lease rates. That in turn could lead to higher fares.

Air Lease Executive Chairman Steven Udvar-Hazy warned broader supply challenges would continue and expressed doubts that Airbus would meet a target to sharply increase output to 75 single-aisle jets a month in 2026.

"I think certifying any new airplane nowadays is going to be much more costly and will take a longer period of time. And I don't think the industrial base, the supply chain right now is really ready to be able to support a brand new airplane design," Udvar-Hazy told the conference.

An Airbus executive defended the group's target while a spokesperson declined comment ahead of upcoming earnings.

(Additional reporting by Conor Humphries, Valerie Insinna and David Shepardson; Editing by Bernadette Baum and Mark Potter)
Environmental activists perform during a protest in front of the headquarters of Brazilian mining company Vale SA in downtown Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, November 16, 2015. REUTERS/Sergio Moraes/File Photo

By Marta Nogueira

RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - Miners Vale, BHP and their joint venture, Samarco, should strike a deal to compensate for a deadly dam disaster in 2015 or risk paying a lot more in court, the Minas Gerais state prosecutor general told Reuters.

Last week a federal judge ruled that the firms must pay up to 47.6 billion reais ($9.67 billion) in damages, in a decision still subject to appeal.

In an interview on Friday, Minas Gerais state Prosecutor General Jarbas Soares Junior told Reuters that the federal ruling only accounts for collective damages, with the firms still on the hook for damages caused to states, to the environment and to other parties involved.

"The total will be very high," he said, adding that the firms should strike a deal when talks resume in February, to avoid more costly litigation.

Soares Junior is one of the many officials that would have to sign off on a deal that could settle lawsuits on state and federal levels involving the disaster.

The 2015 dam collapse in the southeastern city of Mariana caused a giant mudslide that killed 19 people and severely polluted the Rio Doce river, compromising the waterway to its outlet in the Atlantic Ocean.

In separate statements Vale, BHP and Samarco said they were committed to repairing the damage caused by dam collapse, while declining to comment on the court ruling, because they have not yet been notified by the judiciary of it.

Vale added that the Renova foundation, which the companies have been using to pay for some of the repairs, had paid until last December 34.7 billion reais in socioeconomic and environmental compensation.

($1 = 4.9437 reais)

(Reporting by Marta Nogueira, writing by Fabio Teixeira; editing by Sandra Maler)
FILE PHOTO: An exit sign is seen in front of residential buildings at an Evergrande residential complex in Beijing, China September 27, 2023. REUTERS/Florence Lo/File Photo

(Reuters) - A Hong Kong court on Monday ordered the liquidation of China Evergrande Group, a move likely to send ripples through China's crumbling financial markets as policymakers scramble to contain the deepening crisis.

MARKET REACTION:

Trading was halted in shares of China Evergrande, China Evergrande New Energy Vehicle Group, and Evergrande Property Services.

The benchmark Hang Seng Index closed 0.8% higher.

COMMENTARY:

HAO HONG, PARTNER AND CHIEF ECONOMIST AT GROW INVESTMENT GROUP, HONG KONG

"Its not clear whether the ruling by the Hong Kong court today can achieve the recognition of the three designated courts in mainland (China) under a 2021 legal arrangement."

"While the Hong Kong court can appoint a liquidator, without the recognition from the mainland court its hard to execute the liquidation process, as the liquidator will not have much power over Evergrandes assets that mostly sit in the mainland."

"Whether the liquidation process can proceed or not, Evergrande has been trading as if its going for bankruptcy. Its bonds trade at less than two cents to a dollar."

FERN WANG, SENIOR RESEARCHER, KT CAPITAL GROUP, HONG KONG

"Evergrande's situation is more complicated than other developers as its founder Hui Ka Yan is under arrest and its major subsidiary in China Hengda Real Estate Group is being investigated."

"The investigation has precluded the company from issuing new debts and limits its ability to reach an agreement with its creditors."

"Recovery hopes are grim given the heavy indebtedness of the company and the often-structural subordinated position of the offshore creditors."

REDMOND WONG, CHIEF CHINA STRATEGIST, SAXO MARKETS, HONG KONG

"For overseas creditors, focus will be on if the liquidator will succeed in its applications for assistance to mainland courts in Shanghai, Shenzhen and Xiamen under the cooperation mechanism established in 2021, and get hold of assets in the mainland."

"For shareholders of the listed company (of Evergrande) in Hong Kong, the likelihood of getting anything out of the winding-up process is very low."

RAYMOND CHENG, HEAD OF CHINA RESEARCH, CGS-CIMB SECURITIES, HONG KONG

"The liquidation order will be negative for Evergrande itself for sure. The assigned liquidator will offload the company assets as soon as possible, and the price may be very bad.

"It might affect sector sentiment in the short term, but Evergrande's restructuring has its own specific problems. It is possible that other developers will be willing to compromise more in negotiations as they fear creditors will be applying for liquidation."

KENNY NG, SECURITIES STRATEGIST, CHINA EVERBRIGHT SECURITIES INTERNATIONAL COMPANY, HONG KONG

"This may further impact the confidence of mainland creditors and increase the difficulty of Evergrande's restructuring in mainland China."

"(It) may also affect investors' confidence in the mainland real estate industry and the willingness of mainland residents to purchase properties. This has the potential to have a dampening effect on the economy and the capital market."

CHRIS BEDDOR, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF CHINA RESEARCH, GAVEKAL DRAGONOMICS, HONG KONG

"Evergrande is a unique case in many respects, but it does underscore that the overall situation for property developers has not meaningfully improved in recent months. In fact, the industry continues to worsen in some ways."

"There's also a fairly clear transmission mechanism for how this impacts the mainland market - homebuyer sentiment. Potential homebuyers are still deeply reluctant to buy presold homes from troubled developers, and we see that reflected in the data."

NICHOLAS CHEN, ANALYST, CREDITSIGHTS, SINGAPORE

"For other troubled Chinese developers, overall market sentiment would undoubtedly be affected."

"The cases of Evergrande and Jiayuan, which also received a winding-up order in May last year, highlight that defaulted developers would need to provide a concrete restructuring plan to the HK courts, and they do not have a perpetual runway to do so."

"In terms of regulatory stance, we expect the increasingly supportive policy environment to provide some breathing room for the cash-strapped property sector... We expect the regulatory support to remain bifurcated and biased towards the stronger (mostly state-linked) developers."

DAMIEN BOEY, CHIEF MACRO STRATEGIST, BARRENJOEY, SYDNEY

"The best thing that you can do as a policymaker... is to make sure that you take control of these unwind processes and make them orderly. And I think that's what they're doing.

"If you can do that, then you can avoid more blow-ups and unforeseen issues in the property sector. And, you can avoid some of the collateral damage.

"I think we're closer to the end of this wind-up cycle than the beginning, provided that policymakers do what the market actually wants them to do, which is... stimulate growth and support the property sector."

ANDREW COLLIER, MANAGING DIRECTOR, ORIENT CAPITAL RESEARCH, HONG KONG

"Evergrande's liquidation is a sign that China is willing to go to extreme ends to quell the property bubble. This is good for the economy in the long term, but very difficult in the short term."

MATT SIMPSON, SENIOR MARKET ANALYST, CITY INDEX, BRISBANE

"I think the bigger surprise here is that it took so long for Evergrande to be liquidated. Clearing out the deadwood should be seen as a positive, but I doubt it will boost confidence in the property sector on this news alone."

BACKGROUND

* Evergrande defaulted on offshore debt in late 2021, becoming a symbol of the debt crisis that has engulfed China's property sector.

* The world's most indebted developer has around $300 billion of liabilities and $240 billion of assets.

* The liquidation petition was first filed in June 2022 by Top Shine, an investor in Evergrande unit Fangchebao, which said the developer had failed to honour an agreement to repurchase shares it had bought in the subsidiary.

* Evergrande had been working on a $23 billion debt revamp plan for two years.

* Its original plan was scuppered in late September when it said its billionaire founder Hui Ka Yan was under investigation for suspected crimes.

* An ad hoc bondholder group had been siding with the developer in opposing the liquidation petition until the last hearing in early December.

(Reporting by Reuters Asia bureaus; Compiled and edited by Subhranshu Sahu; Editing by Jan Harvey)
BOGOTA (Reuters) - The government of Colombia and the National Liberation Army (ELN) rebels said on Monday they would extend a bilateral ceasefire for seven days while they finish evaluating a much longer extension to the measure.

The two sides are holding peace talks aimed at ending the guerrilla group's part in 60 years of armed conflict. They began a six-month ceasefire in August 2023, which expires on Monday.

"Once the evaluation of the bilateral, national and temporary ceasefire and the current cycle (of talks) is finished, the extension will be signed," the two sides said in a joint statement from Havana, where they are holding the current round of talks. (This story has been corrected to rectify the number of days to seven from five in paragraph 1)

(Reporting by Julia Symmes Cobb; Editing by Sandra Maler)
An activist holds a sign, at a protest during the Global Day of Action for Climate Justice, coinciding with COP28, in Edinburgh, Scotland, Britain, December 9, 2023. REUTERS/Lesley Martin/File Photo

By Kate Abnett

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union will need 1.5 trillion euros ($1.6 trillion)per year of investments to meet its 2050 net zero emissions target, research backed by Green EU lawmakers said on Monday.

The European Commission is set to recommend next week that the EU cuts net emissions 90% by 2040, from 1990 levels, and outline the huge upfront increase in investments needed to get Europe on track to have zero net emissions by 2050.

Most of the funding needed for net zero - 1.16 trillion euros per year - could be secured by redirecting existing spending, much of it on polluting activities, according to the research by the Institut Rousseau think-tank, which was commissioned by Green EU lawmakers.

That would imply a huge divestment from areas like combustion engine cars, fossil fuel production and new airports, and a jump in investments into public transport, renovating buildings and expanding renewable energy, the researchers said.

"Much of the money needed is out there, but we need massive divestment from climate killing projects," said Philippe Lamberts, Co-President of the Green lawmakers group in the European Parliament.

As climate change unleashes increasingly costly extreme weather, EU policymakers are gearing up for EU elections in which climate policy is set to be a key issue.

Some governments are pushing back on the EU's green agenda, citing its costs, while farmers protesting in France have called for the rolling back of some EU environmental rules. Opinion polls suggest the EU election could make passing ambitious climate policies harder, if it results in more lawmakers from populist and right-wing parties.

A draft of the Commission's internal modelling for the 2040 climate target, seen by Reuters, suggested a similar scale of investment would be needed, of roughly 1.5 trillion euros per year in less polluting energy systems.

The researchers said the investments needed to reach net zero emissions would mostly come from the private sector, but public spending on the green transition would also need to double, to 490 billion euros per year.

For comparison, the EU currently spends 359 billion euros per year on fossil fuel subsidies, they said.

($1 = 0.9256 euros)

(Reporting by Kate Abnett; Editing by Mark Potter)
FILE PHOTO: The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) building is seen in Washington, U.S. September 28, 2020. REUTERS/Erin Scott/File Photo

By Andrew Goudsward

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A former U.S. Internal Revenue Service contractor was sentenced on Monday to five years in prison for leaking the tax records of Donald Trump and thousands of other wealthy Americans to media organizations, with a judge calling his actions a threat to democracy.

Charles Littlejohn, 38, pleaded guilty in October to a charge of disclosing income tax return information without authorization.

U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes, who handed down the sentence in Washington, linked Littlejohn's actions to broader attacks on elected officials in the United States.

"What you did in targeting the sitting president of the United States was an attack on our constitutional democracy," Reyes told Littlejohn. "It cannot be open season on our elected officials."

Federal prosecutors had sought a five-year sentence, the maximum allowed under U.S. law, arguing that Littlejohn was motivated by a political agenda and compromised the security of sensitive personal information. Prosecutors said Littlejohn sought a position at a consulting firm that works with the IRS in 2017 in hopes of accessing and disclosing records on Trump, who was president at the time.

Trump became the first major U.S. presidential candidate in decades not to release his tax returns when he ran for the White House in 2016. A U.S. House of Representatives panel released six years of his tax records in 2022 after a court battle.

Littlejohn ultimately leaked more than 8,000 income tax returns relating to about 7,600 people. Prosecutor Jonathan Jacobson said Littlejohn improperly sought to "influence" the 2020 election and "reshape our nation's political discourse."

Littlejohn apologized for his actions.

"I acted out of a sincere, if misguided, belief that I was serving the public interest," Littlejohn told the court.

Republican Senator Rick Scott of Florida, whose tax records were part of the leak, spoke out in court against Littlejohn's plea agreement with prosecutors, calling it a "sweetheart deal."

Scott said the victims of Littlejohn's disclosures were "attacked" because they were "wealthy or Republican or both."

Littlejohn's lawyers said he was motivated by a "deep, moral belief" that the public had a right to know the information he shared. Littlejohn's legal team did not request a specific sentence, but sought a punishment comparable to prior government leakers.

Littlejohn secretly downloaded years of Trump's tax records in 2018, later sharing them with reporters from the New York Times, according to court documents. The newspaper published a series of articles in 2020 revealing that Trump paid no income tax in 10 of the 15 years before he was elected president.

He later leaked tax information on "ultra-high net worth taxpayers" to the investigative news outlet ProPublica. Littlejohn was motivated by concerns about economic inequality and wanted to spur reforms to the U.S. tax system, his defense team wrote in court documents.

ProPublica published nearly 50 articles based on the information, revealing how the wealthy evade income taxes in the United States.

(Reporting by Andrew Goudsward; Editing by Scott Malone and Will Dunham)
FILE PHOTO: Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley speaks during a campaign event, ahead of the South Carolina Republican presidential primary election, in Conway, South Carolina, U.S., January 28, 2

By Alexandra Ulmer

(Reuters) -Two days after a man called in a fake emergency at the South Carolina home of Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley, she was targeted by a second "swatting" attempt on New Years Day, this time by someone who said Haley had shot her daughter, according to an incident report seen by Reuters.

A Charleston County sheriffs deputy responded on Jan. 1 to Haley's home after a person who identified themself as Rose called 911 claiming Haleys daughter was lying in a pool of blood and Haley was threatening to shoot herself, a sheriffs office report said. The caller claimed to be on the phone with Haley.

The deputy spoke to an unidentified woman at the front door who matched Haley's description and quickly concluded the call was a hoax, according to the report, which Reuters received in response to a request for records of swatting incidents at Haley's residence. The Jan. 1 swatting attempt has not been previously reported.

The hoaxes against Haley, who is challenging frontrunner former President Donald Trump for the Republican presidential nomination, occurred in the town of Kiawah Island, an affluent, gated South Carolina community of around 2,000 people.

Reuters reported on Saturday that Haley's Kiawah Island home had been swatted on Dec. 30, when a man called authorities and claimed to have shot a woman and threatened to harm himself at her home.

The swatting incidents are among a wave of violent threats, bomb scares and other acts of intimidation against government officials, members of the judiciary and election administrators since the 2020 election that have alarmed U.S. law enforcement officials ahead of this years U.S. presidential contest.

Haley did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The sheriffs office has not publicly identified any suspects in the hoax calls.

Swatting is the filing of false reports to the police to set off a potentially dangerous response by officers. Law enforcement experts see it as a form of intimidation or harassment that is increasingly being used to target prominent figures, including officials involved in the civil and criminal cases against Donald Trump.

On NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday, Haley alluded to a second swatting attempt but did not provide a date for the incident or share details of what happened. "I think we've had it happen twice," she said.

Swatting cases have surged over the past two months, targeting both allies and rivals of Trump as he campaigns to return to the White House.

Swatting and physical threats are designed to terrorize the civil servants our democracy relies upon, said David Becker, executive director of the nonpartisan Center for Election Innovation and Research. As the presidential campaign ramps up, it appears that harassment is increasing.

Targets have included figures publicly opposed to Trump, such as Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, a Democrat who barred him from her states primary ballot. Judges and at least one prosecutor handling cases against Trump have been targeted. But Trump backers such as U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene have also faced swatting attempts.

GUNS DRAWN, ELDERLY PARENTS HOME

In the Dec. 30 incident, Haley's parents, aged 87 and 90, and their caretaker were home at the time, according to records received by Reuters on Monday, which provided new information on the incident.

Deputies observed a silhouette of an individual through the second-floor window balcony. Deputies presented their weapons and ordered the individual to raise their hands, an incident report from the sheriffs office said. Deputies then observed two people raise their hands, and possibly a third person, through the window.

The incident report did not identify the individuals. But Haley said on Sunday that deputies had "guns drawn pointing at my parents." A deputy approached the front door and spoke to the caretaker, who said no one had been shot, the incident report said. Deputies later spoke to the homeowner, seemingly Haley, on the phone, it added.

"It put my family in danger," Haley said in Sundays TV interview about the Dec. 30 incident. "It was not a safe situation. And that goes to show the chaos that's surrounding our country right now."

The call was made by a man who identified himself as "Travis," according to the incident report. Officials spoke with the occupants of the home and let them listen to the 911 call, but they did not recognize the voice," the report said. Authorities were unable to locate the number the call originated from, the report added.

However, authorities appear to have more information about the Jan. 1 call. The report on that incident, which was released to Reuters with redactions, said authorities had determined the caller's phone number.

Haley and her husband bought the $2.4 million Kiawah Island residence in October 2019, local property records indicate.

(Reporting by Alexandra Ulmer in San Francisco; Additional reporting by Linda So in Washington; Editing by Lisa Shumaker and Jason Szep)
FILE PHOTO: China's and U.S.' flags are seen printed on paper in this illustration taken January 27, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

By Christopher Bing and Karen Freifeld

(Reuters) -The U.S. government in recent months launched an operation to fight a pervasive Chinese hacking operation that compromised thousands of internet-connected devices, two Western security officials and a person familiar with the matter said.

The Justice Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation sought and received legal authorization to remotely disable aspects of the Chinese hacking campaign, the sources told Reuters.

The Biden administration has increasingly focused on hacking, not only for fear nation states may try to disrupt the U.S. election in November, but because ransomware wreaked havoc on Corporate America in 2023.

The hacking group at the center of recent activity, Volt Typhoon, has especially alarmed intelligence officials who say it is part of a larger effort to compromise Western critical infrastructure, including naval ports, internet service providers and utilities.

While the Volt Typhoon campaign initially came to light in May 2023, the hackers expanded the scope of their operations late last year and changed some of their techniques, according to three people familiar with the matter.

The widespread nature of the hacks led to a series of meetings between the White House and private technology industry, including several telecommunications and cloud computing companies, where the U.S. government asked for assistance in tracking the activity.

Such breaches could enable China, national security experts said, to remotely disrupt important facilities in the Indo-Pacific region that in some form support or service U.S. military operations. Sources said U.S. officials are concerned the hackers were working to hurt U.S. readiness in case of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan.

China, which claims democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, has increased its military activities near the island in recent years in response to what Beijing calls "collusion" between Taiwan and the United States.

The Justice Department and FBI declined to comment. The Chinese embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

China's foreign ministry called the accusations "groundless" and "extremely irresponsible", and said it was the U.S. that was "the initiator and master of cyber attacks".

"Since last year, China's network security agencies have issued reports one after another, revealing that the U.S. government has carried out cyber attacks on China's key infrastructure for a long time. Such irresponsible policies and practices put the global critical infrastructure at great risk," ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told a regular news conference on Thursday.

When Western nations first warned about Volt Typhoon in May, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said the hacking allegations were a "collective disinformation campaign" from the Five Eyes countries, a reference to the intelligence sharing grouping of countries comprising Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Volt Typhoon has functioned by taking control of vulnerable digital devices around the world - such as routers, modems, and even internet-connected security cameras - to hide later, downstream attacks into more sensitive targets, security researchers told Reuters.

This constellation of remotely controlled systems, known as a botnet, is of primary concern to security officials because it limits the visibility of cyber defenders that monitor for foreign footprints in their computer networks.

"How it works is the Chinese are taking control of a camera or modem that is positioned geographically right next to a port or ISP (internet service provider) and then using that destination to route their intrusions into the real target," said a former official familiar with the matter. "To the IT team at the downstream target it just looks like a normal, native user that's sitting nearby."

The use of botnets by both government and criminal hackers to launder their cyber operations is not new. The approach is often used when an attacker wants to quickly target numerous victims simultaneously or seeks to hide their origins.

(Reporting by Christopher Bing in Washington, Karen Freifeld in New York and James Pearson in London; Additional reporting by Antoni Slodkowski and Liz Lee in Beijing; Editing by Chris Sanders, Lisa Shumaker and Barbara Lewis)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 29. Italy has recorded a significant increase in spending on natural gas imports from Azerbaijan, reaching 619.2 million euros in November 2023, compared to 364.2 million euros in October, Eurostat, the European Union's statistical office, told Trend.

This notable surge represents a month-on-month growth of over 70 percent.

This is while gas imports dropped from 881.2 million cubic meters in October to 838.2 million cubic meters in November, showing a 5.1 percent decrease.

Over the first 11 months of 2023, Italy's cumulative gas imports from Azerbaijan totaled 8.5 billion cubic meters, equivalent to a value exceeding 4.6 billion euros.

Azerbaijan initiated gas transportation to Europe through the Southern Gas Corridor on December 31, 2020. This corridor facilitates the transport of gas from the Caspian Sea region to European countries, passing through Georgia and Turkiye. The project, with a total cost of 33 billion US dollars, is anticipated to recoup its capital costs within 810 years.

In July 2022, Azerbaijan and the European Union reached an agreement to double the volume of gas supplies via the Southern Gas Corridor, from the current 10 billion cubic meters to 20 billion cubic meters by 2027.

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By Waakhe Simon Wudu

JUBA (Reuters) -More than 50 people including women, children and two U.N. peacekeepers were killed in attacks along South Sudan's border with Sudan, officials said, the deadliest in a spate of incidents since 2021 related to a boundary dispute.

Armed young men from South Sudan's Warrap State carried out the raids into the neighbouring Abyei region on Saturday, Bulis Koch, the information minister for Abyei, said on Monday.

Abyei is an oil-rich area that is jointly administered by South Sudan and Sudan, which have both staked claims to it.

Koch told Reuters that 52 local people, among them women, children and police officers, were killed during the attacks on Saturday. A further 64 people were wounded.

"Because of the current dire security situation at hand, which has created fears and panic, we have imposed a curfew," he said.

A Ghanaian peacekeeper from a United Nations force based in Abyei was killed when its base in the town of Agok was attacked amid the violence, the U.N. Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) said on Sunday.

In further violence a day later, a second peacekeeper, from Pakistan, was killed and four of his colleagues and a civilian wounded while transporting civilians from a UNISFA base to a hospital, UNISFA said on Monday. It gave no further details.

Koch said hundreds of displaced civilians had sought shelter at a UNISFA base.

William Wol, Warrap State's information minister, said his government would conduct an investigation jointly with the Abyei administration.

There have been repeated clashes in Abyei between rival factions of the Dinka ethnic group related to a dispute over the location of an administrative boundary where significant tax revenue is collected from cross-border trade.

Koch said young Dinka men from Warrap and the forces of a rebel leader from the Nuer ethnic group carried out the attacks against Dinkas and Nuers in Abyei.

Civil war in South Sudan, erupting soon after the country won independence from Sudan, and fought largely along ethnic lines between Dinkas and Nuers, caused hundreds of thousands of deaths between 2013 and 2018.

Since then, routine clashes among a patchwork of armed groups have continued to kill and displace large numbers of civilians. Fighting in Abyei in November killed at least 32 people.

(Reporting by Waakhe Simon Wudu, Writing by Bhargav Acharya and George Obulutsa; editing by Aaron Ross, Angus MacSwan and Mark Heinrich)
By Felix Light

TBILISI (Reuters) - Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili resigned from office on Monday, saying he wanted to allow his replacement time to prepare for parliamentary elections due in the South Caucasus country by October.

Garibashvili said he'd been offered the job of leader of the ruling Georgian Dream party instead, a move he said would be discussed at a party congress on Thursday.

Georgian media, including both government- and opposition-affiliated television channels, reported that Irakli Kobakhidze, the current leader of Georgian Dream, would succeed Garibashvili as prime minister, something confirmed to Reuters by a source close to the party.

Kornely Kakachia, director of the Georgian Institute of Politics think tank, said a change of prime minister would be unlikely to mean policy changes and was primarily aimed at shoring up the governing bloc ahead of the elections.

Kakachia said that Kobakhidze had gained a reputation for "radical rhetoric" against the government's opponents.

Opinion polls show Georgian Dream is by the far the country's most popular party, but has lost support since 2020, when it won a narrow majority in the legislature.

Georgia in December achieved its long-standing goal of European Union candidate status, even as relations with the West have been strained by accusations of authoritarian tendencies and Georgia's deepening relations with Russia.

Under the leadership of outgoing Garibashvili, Georgia declined to impose sanctions on Russia for its war in Ukraine, while also restoring direct air links to Russia for the first time since 2019.

Georgian Dream says it is in favour of European Union and NATO membership, both of which are overwhelmingly popular in Georgia.

Russia, whose troops garrison two breakaway Georgian regions, is opposed to Georgia joining NATO.

(Reporting by Felix Light; Editing by Andrew Osborn)
Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni meets with President of Zimbabwe Emmerson Mnangagwa inside the Madama Palace (Senate) as Italy hosts the Italy-Africa summit in Rome, Italy January 29, 2024. REUTERS/Remo Casilli

By Angelo Amante and Crispian Balmer

ROME (Reuters) -Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni hailed a new partnership with Africa on Monday, unveiling a long-awaited plan aimed at boosting economic ties, creating an energy hub for Europe and curbing immigration.

Hosting a one-day summit attended by more than two dozen African leaders and European Union officials, Meloni outlined a series of initiatives, pledging an initial 5.5 billion euros ($5.95 billion), including state guarantees.

Meloni said the summit had been a success that had produced many areas of potential cooperation, particularly with regards to energy.

"We are only at the beginning, there is a very long road ahead of us. This day is a restart," she said in her closing remarks.

However, there was a note of discord from some of those present, with Moussa Faki Mahamat, chairman of the African Union Commission, saying he wished Africa had been consulted first on priorities and emphasising the need to honour commitments.

"I want to insist here on the need to move from words to actions. You can well understand that we can no longer be satisfied with mere promises that are often not kept," he said, standing alongside Meloni in Italy's ornate Senate.

In a news conference after the summit, Meloni acknowledged that it was important now to ensure that work began to deliver projects that would make a difference on the ground.

Among the African leaders present were the presidents of Tunisia, Senegal, Kenya, the Republic of Congo and Somalia. In all, 45 African states were represented at various levels.

Critics have said that heavily indebted Italy cannot hope to compete with the likes of China, Russia and Gulf states, that are all looking to boost their presence in Africa, which is home to many of the world's natural resources.

While Rome claims ownership of the plan, which it has named after the late Enrico Mattei, who founded state oil company Eni, Meloni said her government would look to help from the private sector and international bodies such as the European Union.

ENERGY NEEDS

Meloni has made the Mattei plan a central plank of her foreign policy since taking office in late 2022.

Energy needs lie at the heart of the initiative, with Rome looking to serve as a gateway into European markets for natural gas from Africa that has become vital after Russia's invasion of Ukraine made diversification of supplies a priority for the EU.

Eni, Italy's largest importer of natural gas, has already countered lower Russian supplies by shipping increased volumes from Africa, where it has had a presence for decades.

The company has said Algeria, Egypt and Libya will be Italy's main gas suppliers for the next few years.

But Meloni also said Europe had to bolster industry and agriculture in Africa to strengthen local economies as a way of persuading disaffected young Africans from migrating north.

Some 157,600 boat migrants reached Italy last year, the largest number since 2016, undermining Meloni's electoral pledge to halt the flow of unauthorised arrivals.

Most departed from North African countries such as Tunisia and Libya, many fleeing poverty and conflict in sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East.

"Mass immigration will never be stopped, human traffickers will never be defeated if we do not address the many causes that push a person to leave their home," Meloni told the summit. "This is exactly what we intend to do."

(Writing by Crispian Balmer; Editing by Alex Richardson, Sharon Singleton and Keith Weir)
FILE PHOTO: A man watches an electric board showing Nikkei index outside a brokerage at a business district in Tokyo, Japan, June 21, 2021. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon/File Photo

A look at the day ahead in European and global markets from Kevin Buckland

Neither Wall Street's wobble nor the liquidation of China Evergrande, the poster child of the property meltdown, stopped Asian markets from rallying to start the new week, with Hong Kong taking the lead.

Optimism that Beijing's stimulus promises are finally becoming action sent the Hang Seng up more than 1%, and markets from Tokyo to Seoul that were already rising were pulled higher in its wake.

Beijing's latest move to stabilise markets after their recent slump came on Sunday, with the securities regulator saying it will fully suspend the lending of restricted shares. That punctuated a week that also saw a hefty bank reserve ratio cut and a market-moving media report of a planned 2 trillion yuan ($278.45 billion) stocks stabilisation fund.

Of course, the Hang Seng has room to rise considering this time last week it was wallowing at a 15-month trough. And mainland Chinese blue chips were much more sanguine in their response, holding near three-week highs after last week's slide to five-year lows.

What it means for European equities is unclear though, considering too that U.S. stock futures are pointing slightly lower after the S&P 500 already slipped on Friday to snap a five-day streak of setting fresh all-time closing highs.

Caution is certainly warranted in a week brimming with big risk events. In the U.S. alone, the Federal Reserve decides policy on Wednesday, the influential monthly jobs report is due Friday, and the week is littered with mega-cap earnings from the likes of Alphabet, Microsoft, Apple, Amazon and Meta Platforms, which between them account for nearly 25% of the S&P 500.

Monday's events are by comparison rather muted. Sweden releases preliminary GDP figures, and earnings are due from Ryanair and Koninklijke Philips.

ECB deputy head Luis de Guindos is on the speaking circuit, days after investors exited the central bank's last meeting by cementing bets for a rate cut as soon as June.

The Bank of England takes its turn this week, announcing policy a day after the Fed.

Key developments that could influence markets on Monday:

- Sweden GDP (Q4)

- Ryanair, Koninklijke Philips financial results

- ECB's Luis de Guindos speaks

($1 = 7.1827 Chinese yuan)

(Editing by Jacqueline Wong)
A demonstrator holds a sign during a protest against the return of bullfighting, outside the Plaza de Toros Mexico bullfighting ring, in Mexico City, Mexico, January 28, 2024. REUTERS/Toya Sarno Jordan

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Animal rights defenders in Mexico City on Sunday marched to protest the return of the centuries-old spectacle of bullfighting to the capital after almost two years.

"Torture is not art, it is not culture," demonstrators shouted near the Plaza Mexico bullring. "Yes to bulls, no to bullfighting."

Mexico's capital held its first bullfight in almost two years on Sunday, after the Supreme Court paved the way for the spectacle's return in December.

Bullfights have been held in Mexico since the 16th century.

While a ruling suspended bullfighting in 2022 as a precautionary measure amid a longer-running case, the Supreme Court struck that decision down. Activists hope a final resolution will come later this year.

(Reporting by Toya Sarno Jordan and Aida Pelaez-Fernandez; Writing by Oliver Griffin; Editing by Stephen Coates)
Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun speaks with reporters ahead of meeting with U.S. senators on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., January 24, 2024. REUTERS/Valerie Insinna/File Photo

By Rajesh Kumar Singh

CHICAGO (Reuters) -New York State's comptroller has asked Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun to explain how it is handling its current crisis in the wake of a door plug blowout on its 737 MAX 9 aircraft early this month, according to a letter on Monday seen by Reuters.

The comptroller's office oversees the state's pension system, which held a 0.16% stake in the U.S. planemaker at the end of September 2023.

In his letter, New York Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli asked Calhoun to detail the steps taken by the company, thus far, to "ameliorate" immediate quality and safety issues as well as the longer-term reforms needed to prevent a repeat.

DiNapoli also asked about the role of Boeing's board in overseeing the current crisis.

"How will you restore confidence among your customers and the flying public?" he wrote.

Boeing did not immediately respond to a request for comments.

The company, long a symbol of America's manufacturing prowess, is in the crosshairs of regulators, politicians and airlines following the Jan. 5 incident, which is under investigation.

While the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has allowed grounded MAX 9 planes to return to service after inspections, it has imposed a freeze on production increases of the single-aisle 737 MAX - Boeing's best-selling jets.

The planemaker and its MAX jets have been under scrutiny ever since crashes of the more widely-sold MAX 8 killed 346 people in 2018 and 2019. It led to worldwide groundings for 20 months.

The latest troubles are upending the aerospace industry's 2024 plans, changing airlines' fleet and expansion goals.

Several industry commentators, including influential analyst Richard Aboulafia, have called on Calhoun or other executives and board members to step aside.

DiNapoli wrote the recent events have "fueled a narrative that Boeing continues to be plagued by safety and oversight failures."

(Reporting by Rajesh Kumar Singh; Editing by Mark Porter, Stephen Coates and Marguerita Choy)
A Palestinian girl looks at bags of flour distributed by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip January 29, 2024. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa

By Fadi Shana and IbraheemAbu Mustafa

RAFAH, Gaza Strip (Reuters) - Palestinian mother Mazouza Hassan stood aghast at the potential threats to the work of the U.N. agency that handles most aid in Gaza after some Western states suspended funding to it over allegations employees took part in the Hamas attack on Israel.

"We are thrown into tents and our children need to be vaccinated and pregnant women need to give birth ... Where will these people go?" said Hassan, one of the 85% of Gaza residents made homeless by Israel's military campaign in Gaza.

The war has plunged Gaza into a humanitarian catastrophe, leaving its shelled-out population at risk from famine and disease with the medical system in collapse, schools turned into shelters and much of the population living in tents.

For many of Gaza's 2.3 million Palestinians, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) was already critically important even before the latest Israel-Hamas war began on Oct. 7.

UNRWA ran Gaza's schools, primary healthcare clinics and other social services. As the main conduit for aid in the tiny, crowded enclave it now stands to many Palestinians as a last barrier between them and total disaster.

An UNRWA spokesperson said the agency would not be able to continue such operations after February if funding were not resumed. More than 10 countries including major donor the United States have suspended funding.

"UNRWA is our future and our life from the beginning until today. Who will support us?" Hassan said, standing near her children in Rafah at the southern end of the Gaza Strip.

The agency employs about 13,000 people in Gaza, part of a total workforce of about 30,000 working with Palestinian refugees around the Middle East.

Israel has alleged that 13 of UNRWA's Gaza employees took part in the surprise Hamas incursion into Israel that killed more than 1,200 people and triggered the conflict. A dossier Israel has produced says a total of 190 UNRWA staff have also been militants with Hamas or Islamic Jihad.

The agency has said it has fired some staffers and is investigating Israel's allegations.

Israel's assault on Gaza since Oct. 7 has killed at least 26,600 people, say health authorities in the Hamas-run enclave, prompting a South African charge of genocide, denied by Israel, at the International Court of Justice.

'DEATH SENTENCE'

At an UNRWA aid distribution point in Rafah, a city on the border with Egypt swollen by displaced people, men toted heavy sacks of flour as Palestinians stood in line for supplies.

Former UNRWA spokesperson Chris Gunness said the organisation had long faced funding problems as it worked to provide core services such as education. However, it was UNRWA's emergency humanitarian work that he now feared for most.

"Its emergency programme now is most important. You can't procure food if you have no money to pay suppliers," he said.

"The real risk is that the most desperate people, women with newborn babies turning up for food and medicine and water and hygiene products, will face the worst impact."

One man waiting at the distribution centre, Ahmed al-Nahal, called the funding halts "a death sentence", saying people would starve in the streets if aid supplies were halted.

"If it were not for God and then the UNRWA agency, we would be dead," he added.

UNWRA was founded in 1948 to carry out relief operations for Palestinian refugees from the war which accompanied the foundation of the state of Israel. Israel has long called for it to be dismantled, arguing its mission is obsolete and that it fosters anti-Israeli sentiment among its staff, which the agency denies.

"It is about time to dissolve UNRWA and to think about other ways to support the Palestinians," said Israeli lawmaker Danny Danon from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party.

Cooking flat bread with UNRWA-supplied flour in a homemade oven next to the tent where she now lives, Umm Hassan al-Masry said she relied on the agency for everything.

"We are waiting for their aid by the hour," she said.

(Reporting by Fadi Shana and Ibraheem Abu Mustafa; writing by Angus McDowall; editing by Mark Heinrich)
A 3D printed Facebook's new rebrand logo Meta is seen in front of displayed Google logo in this illustration taken on November 2, 2021. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

By Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Treasury Department should do more to ensure that major tech firms, including Meta Platforms and Alphabet, comply with sanctions against foreign firms that advertise on their platforms, a top lawmaker said on Monday.

Democratic U.S. Senator Mark Warner, who heads the Senate Intelligence Committee, wrote a letter to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen in which he said the Treasury Department was failing to "ensure sanctions compliance in digital advertising markets."

American technology firms like Alphabet, which owns Google, and Meta, which owns Facebook, "continue to flout U.S. sanctions rules," the lawmaker said in the letter. The companies did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Warner said that tech companies continue to provide adtech services to sanctioned entities that have deep ties to countries he described as "foreign adversaries," including Russia and Iran.

Among examples cited in Warner's letter were media and public reports from late 2023 saying Google served ads to sanctioned Russian and Iranian firms, and pro-Russian businessman Ilan Shor using Facebook advertising for what Warner called "malign influence activity targeting Moldovan elections."

Warner noted that many countries had elections due this year, including the United States, which made it important for the Treasury Department to "enforce compliance with U.S. sanctions."

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Nick Zieminski and David Ljunggren)
FILE PHOTO: Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex walks outside the Rolls Building of the High Court in London, Britain June 7, 2023. REUTERS/Hannah McKay/File Photo

By Michael Holden

LONDON (Reuters) - Prince Harry wants London's High Court to resolve the remainder of his lawsuit against Britain's Mirror Group Newspapers as soon as possible following the ruling in his favour at the end of last year, his legal team said on Monday.

In December, the High Court ruled that Harry had been a victim of phone-hacking and other unlawful acts by journalists on the Daily Mirror, Sunday Mirror and Sunday People tabloids with the knowledge of their editors.

The prince, the first British royal for 130 years to give evidence in court when he appeared as a witness last June, was awarded 140,600 pounds (around $180,700) in damages.

Judge Timothy Fancourt ruled that about half the stories about the Duke of Sussex examined in court were the result of unlawful acts. However, the trial only considered 33 of 147 articles Harry argues were obtained unlawfully.

"Although the Duke is certainly prepared to attempt to resolve the remainder of his claim through agreement, it is necessary to list ... the trial of the remainder of his claim as soon as is practicable," his legal team said in a written submission.

Harry's lawyer, David Sherborne, said the directions for trial should be made as soon as possible, while MGN's lawyers said in their written submission that offers, whose sum was not disclosed, had been made to the prince to settle.

The bulk of Monday's hearing was taken up with arguments about legal costs for last year's seven-week trial which heard evidence from Harry and three others who were chosen as test cases from about 100 claimants.

While Harry's individual costs will not be dealt with until his lawsuit is concluded, lawyers representing Harry and other claimants asked for almost 2 million pounds to cover the fees for the generic action taken against the publisher.

Sherborne argued that the lies and cover-ups by MGN, owned by Reach, meant it was liable to cover these costs.

However, MGN's lawyers argue the claimants had only been partly successful, and said three others whose cases went to trial should pay all the costs, as two were ruled to have made their claims too late and the third had received less in damages than it had offered in a pre-trial settlement.

Fancourt said he would give his ruling at a later date.

(Reporting by Michael Holden; Editing by Andrew Heavens)
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian air defences thwarted a drone attack on Monday on the Slavneft-YANOS oil refinery in the city of Yaroslavl, northeast of Moscow, regional governor Mikhail Yevrayev said.

He said there was no fire and no casualties at the plant, located some 250 kilometres (155 miles) from Moscow.

"Law enforcement agencies and special services are working at the scene. There were no injuries, no fire," the governor wrote about the incident at the oil refinery, Russia's third-largest by output in 2022.

The attempted attack followed a series of similar drone raids on Russian energy infrastructure in recent weeks, some of which have disrupted fuel production.

A source, familiar with the situation, said the drone fell at around 0700 (0400 GMT). It had not affected fuel output, while fuel supplies were briefly interrupted but soon resumed.

The plant's annual capacity stands at 15 million metric tons (300,000 barrels per day).

(Reporting by Reuters reporters; writing by Vladimir Soldatkin; Editing by Gareth Jones)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 29. Azerbaijani Minister of Energy Parviz Shahbazov and Deputy Foreign Minister of Germany, Special Envoy for International Climate Affairs Jennifer Morgan discussed issues of activity within the framework of the upcoming COP29 in Baku and interaction on the "green" energy transition, Trend reports, referring to the Azerbaijani Ministry of Energy.

Azerbaijan's proclaimed strategy for green economy growth until 2030, the declaration of 2024 as the "Year of Solidarity for a Green World," and the hosting of COP 29 in Baku will all contribute to the green energy transition process.

"The construction of solar and wind power facilities in Azerbaijan will boost the country's total electricity generation from renewable energy sources (RES). This generation can be transferred through a specific energy corridor in collaboration with four countries to Europe," the press release noted.

Shahbazov also announced intentions to establish "green energy zones" in various Azerbaijani regions.

The sides discussed the energy sector's role in mitigating climate change and adhering to global agreements.

Stay up to date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
By Alexander Tanas

CHISINAU (Reuters) - A Moldovan court jailed a banker for 10 years on Monday, the second man to be sentenced in connection with the ex-Soviet state's "fraud of the century" in which $1 billion was removed from the banking system and taken out of the country.

The country's anti-corruption prosecutor announced the sentence handed down on Viorel Birca in connection with the 2014-2015 fraud on charges of mass fraud and "acting in the interests of a criminal group".

Journalists were not informed in advance of the sentencing hearing and were not in attendance. Birca, unlike other figures in the case, has remained in Moldova, though it was not known whether he was in court.

Prosecutors alleged that Birca had organised several transfers abroad totalling $100 million while serving as acting chairman of the board of Banca de Economii. He denied all charges against him.

A civil case has also been launched against Birca.

A Moldovan court last year sentenced business magnate Ilan Shor to 15 years in prison in absentia in connection with the case - the sum amounted to 12% of Moldova's gross domestic product at the time.

From exile in Israel, Shor has organised opposition rallies against President Maia Sandu's pro-European administration. Moldova's Constitutional Court subsequently outlawed a political party bearing his name.

Another alleged figure behind the fraud, Vlad Plahotniuc, had tremendous influence over all aspects of Moldovan public life before leaving the country in 2019. He also remains at large and is believed to be in Northern Cyprus.

More than 30 outstanding cases remain before the courts.

The fraud case continues to reverberate in Moldova's politics a decade after the events.

Moldova's parliament last month dismissed central bank chief Octavian Armasu for failing to act to recover the money lost in the scandal.

(Reporting by Alexander Tanas; Editing by Ron Popeski and Stephen Coates)
By Daphne Psaledakis and Timour Azhari

WASHINGTON/BAGHDAD (Reuters) -The U.S. Treasury Department's top sanctions official traveled to Baghdad on Sunday, a Treasury spokesperson said, as Washington seeks to counter Iran's sanctions evasion in Iraq and bring the country's financial sector in line with international standards.

Treasury's Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, Brian Nelson, traveled to Iraq from Sunday to Monday, where he met with senior Iraqi officials, including Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, as part of work on countering illicit finance, the spokesperson said.

While on the trip, Nelson discussed with counterparts protecting Iraqi and international financial systems from criminal, corrupt and terrorist actors, the spokesperson said, adding that Washington would partner to protect Iraq's financial sector "from abuse by Iran or other malign actors."

The Iraqi government came to power with the support of powerful, Iran-backed parties and armed groups with interests in Iraq's highly informal economy.

Nelson told Reuters on Monday that his meetings, including with the prime minister and central bank governor, were productive.

"I think we are heartened really from Treasury's perspective by the transparency tools that the central bank of Iraq has put in place to identify illicit financial flows going trough the Iraqi financial system," Nelson said.

But he warned that Iraq should remain aware of sanctions risks. "We will continue to monitor Iraqi individuals, companies and banks acting for and on behalf of U.S.-designated terrorist groups," Nelson said.

CONDUIT FOR TERRORIST FINANCING

The United States on Monday identified Iraq's Al-Huda Bank as a foreign financial institution of primary money laundering concern, accusing it of serving as a conduit for terrorist financing.

Alongside the finding, the Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network proposed a rule that would sever the bank from the U.S. financial system by prohibiting domestic financial institutions and agencies from opening or maintaining a correspondent account for or on behalf of the bank.

Washington also slapped sanctions on the bank's owner.

"Al-Huda Bank and its foreign sponsors, including Iran and its proxy groups, divert funds that could otherwise support legitimate business and the economic aspirations of the Iraqi people. These bad actors fuel violence that threatens the stability of Iraq and the lives of U.S. and Iraqi citizens alike," the Treasury Department said in a statement.

Nelson's visit comes as the U.S. seeks to crack down on a host of Iranian-backed proxies that have used Gaza, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria and Yemen to carry out attacks on Israeli, U.S. and other interests.

The United States imposed sanctions last week on Hamas-affiliated financial exchanges in Gaza, an Iraqi airline and backers of Iranian-linked militias in Iraq, accusing all of working with Iran's elite military and intelligence unit.

Washington has called for Iraq to address continued risks of the misuse of dollars at Iraqi commercial banks, and in July barred 14 Iraqi banks from conducting dollar transactions as part of a wider crackdown on the illicit use of dollars.

With more than $100 billion in reserves held in the U.S., Iraq is heavily reliant on Washington's goodwill to ensure oil revenues and finances do not face U.S. censure.

Iraq's central bank governor has said Iraq is committed to implementing tighter financial regulations and combating the smuggling of dollars.

Nelson will travel to UAE, where Washington has also had concerns about sanctions evasion, after his visit to Iraq.

(Reporting by Daphne Psaledakis in Washington and Timour Azhari in Baghdad, Editing by Nick Zieminski, David Ljunggren and Ros Russell)
TEL AVIV (Reuters) - Stores have reopened. There are picnics in the park. Surfers have even returned to the beach. But things are far from normal in Tel Aviv.

Nearly four months have passed since Hamas burst across the Gaza border and rampaged through southern Israel, sparking the devastating war in the Gaza Strip.

The rocket barrages that crippled Tel Aviv, on Israel's Mediterranean coast north of Gaza, at the outset of the war have largely petered out as Israel's military made gains in its fight against Palestinian militant groups. A semblance of normality has returned, but palpable tension remains.

Military reservists walk the street in uniform on their way to or from their bases. Civilians, worried about Palestinian street attacks, are carrying guns in much greater numbers than before the war.

Street corners are plastered with posters of Israeli hostages still held in Gaza. And almost every day, the hostage families and their supporters gather to protest, blocking traffic as they voice demands for their loved ones' return.

After weeks of relative quiet, a huge barrage of rockets was fired on Monday at major cities in central Israel, including Tel Aviv, sending residents running for shelter. Explosions echoed across the city as air defenses shot down incoming rockets. There were no immediate reports of casualties.

(Reporting by Alexandre Meneghini; Editing by Ros Russell)
FILE PHOTO: U.S. and Chinese flags are seen in this illustration taken, January 30, 2023. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

By Karen Freifeld

(Reuters) - Teradyne, a supplier of semiconductor testing equipment, pulled manufacturing worth about $1 billion out of China last year, a Teradyne spokesperson said on Monday, after U.S. export regulations led to supply chain disruptions.

A factory in Suzhou was the company's main manufacturing site for its semiconductor test equipment, which it subcontracted to Flextronics.

Massachusetts-based Teradyne moved its production out after U.S. rules issued in October 2022 restricted exports to semiconductor manufacturing facilities there as part of an effort to keep U.S. technology from helping China's military.

Many U.S. companies have been trying to reduce their reliance on China in recent years as the U.S.-China tech battle ramps up and regulators limit trade in sensitive technologies like chip making.

Teradyne, which reports earnings on Tuesday, warned investors in its 2022 annual report about the potential impact of the October regulations, and in October 2023 said the restrictions hit both Teradyne's sales to certain companies in China and its manufacturing and development operations.

On Friday, Teradyne's director of global compliance and ethics, Brian Amero, told a virtual export conference about the move out of China.

"We did manufacturing in China, so we had to get an emergency authorization to continue that activity," Amero said at the Massachusetts Export Center's annual export expo. "We decided that was too risky so we moved manufacturing out of China  at no insignificant expense."

Amero said some suppliers would not ship to the company, despite its authorization, leading to supply chain disruptions. It eventually got licenses to mitigate the impact of the regulations, the company reported, and when the U.S. updated the rules in October 2023, it carved out an exception for testing equipment used after a wafer is created.

"It's still a front-burner issue," Amero said during a conference session titled, "The China Balancing Act: Complying with Export Controls While Maintaining Your Sanity."

While Teradyne had not been a "direct target" of the rules, he said, the company had been "significantly impacted by them. And we're seeing that show up in market share."

Amero did not provide numbers. But for the three months that ended Oct. 1, China accounted for 12% of revenues, versus 16% for that quarter a year earlier.

(Reporting by Karen Freifeld; Editing by Chris Sanders and Lisa Shumaker)
By Mike Stone

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Sales of U.S. military equipment to foreign governments in 2023 rose 16% to a record $238 billion, the U.S. State Department said on Monday, as countries sought to replenish stocks sent to Ukraine and prepare for major conflicts.

The figures underpin expectations of stronger sales for the likes of Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics and Northrop Grumman, whose shares are forecast to rise amid rising global instability.

Arms sales and transfers are viewed as "important U.S. foreign policy tools with potential long-term implications for regional and global security," the State Department said in a statement.

Sales approved in the year included $10 billion worth of High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) to Poland, $2.9 billion worth of AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium-Range Air-To-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) to Germany, and National Advanced Surface to Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) to Ukraine.

Lockheed makes the HIMARS, and RTX, formerly Raytheon makes AMRAAM. RTX and Norway's Kongsberg produce NASAMS.

Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics expect existing orders for hundreds of thousands of artillery rounds, hundreds of Patriot missile interceptors, and a surge in orders for armored vehicles will underpin their results in coming quarters.

There are two major ways foreign governments purchase arms from U.S. companies: direct commercial sales negotiated with a company, or foreign military sales in which a government typically contacts a Defense Department official at the U.S. embassy in its capital. Both require U.S. government approval.

The direct military sales by U.S. companies rose to $157.5 billion in fiscal 2023 from $153.6 billion in fiscal 2022, while sales arranged through the U.S. government rose to $80.9 billion in 2023 from $51.9 billion the prior year.

(Reporting by Mike Stone in WashingtonEditing by Nick Zieminski and David Ljunggren)
Venezuelan opposition presidential candidate Maria Corina Machado addresses the media, after a court upheld a ban preventing her from holding office, in Caracas, Venezuela, January 29, 2024. REUTERS/Leonardo Fernandez Viloria

By Matt Spetalnick and Vivian Sequera

WASHINGTON/CARACAS (Reuters) - The U.S. on Monday began reinstating sanctions on Venezuela and a Biden administration source said a roll-back of restrictions on the oil industry could be allowed to expire, after the South American country's top court upheld a ban blocking the candidacy of the leading opposition hopeful in presidential elections.

The United States had granted sanctions relief for OPEC member Venezuela in October in recognition of a deal for elections this year.

But that relief was conditioned on President Nicolas Maduro's government freeing certain opposition-linked and American prisoners and making progress toward removing bans on a number of opposition figures.

Though Venezuela in December carried out a prisoner swap, the Maduro-allied Supreme Court on Friday kept in place a ban on opposition candidate Maria Corina Machado, upholding prior findings that she supported the sanctions and a U.S.-backed opposition interim government, which the Maduro government blames for the loss of Venezuelan foreign assets.

The arrests of several opposition members were confirmed the same day.

In a first reinstatement of sanctions, the Treasury Department said on Monday evening any U.S. entities conducting transactions with Venezuelan state-owned gold mining firm Minerven will have until Feb. 13 to wind them down.

The move came hours after a Biden administration official had said the Treasury license that broadly restored dealings with Venezuela's oil industry would be allowed to expire on April 18 if Machado and other opposition figures were not allowed to run.

"Unless Maduro and his representatives in Venezuela are able to get back on track, specifically with regard to allowing all presidential candidates to compete in this year's election, we will not be in a position to renew General License 44, which provides relief to Venezuela's oil and gas sector when it comes up for renewal in April," the White House official said on condition of anonymity.

The official said the U.S. was also considering additional unspecified measures to punish the Venezuelan government.

'NO RETREAT'

White House national security spokesman John Kirby said earlier on Monday that U.S. measures would depend on Maduro and his government.

"They've got till the spring to honor their commitments," he told a daily briefing. "They've got decisions they have to make before we weigh what decisions we'll take."

Machado, a 56-year-old industrial engineer who overwhelmingly won an October opposition primary vote, said on Monday she would not move aside in favor of a substitute.

"There is no retreat. We have a mandate and we will complete it," Machado told a press conference in Caracas.

The ruling was "judicial crime," she said, adding there will be many obstacles still to overcome but there will be elections this year.

Jorge Rodriguez, a lawmaker who heads Maduro's team in negotiations with the opposition, said prior to the Treasury decision that if Washington took "any aggressive action," Venezuela's response would be "serene, reciprocal and energetic."

Maduro repeated the same rhetoric during his weekly television show on Monday evening, without commenting directly on the Minerven decision.

(This story has been refiled to clarify confirmation date of arrests of opposition figures in paragraphs 5 and 6)

(Reporting by Matt Spetalnick in Washington, Vivian Sequera in Caracas and Julia Symmes Cobb in Bogota, additional reporting by Gary McWilliams and Marianna Parraga in Houston, Jeff Mason in Washington and Marc Jones in London; Writing by Matt Spetalnick; Editing by Bill Berkrot, Rosalba O'Brien and Chris Reese)
John Kirby, U.S. National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications, listens during the press briefing at the White House in Washington, U.S., January 22, 2024. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/File Photo

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House said on Monday that talks to secure a new release of hostages held by Palestinian Islamist group Hamas in Gaza were constructive and promising but there was still a lot of work to be done.

A series of negotiations in recent days involving CIA Director William Burns and U.S. Middle East envoy Brett McGurk focused on securing the release of hostages as well as a humanitarian pause in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

"I think it's fair to describe them as constructive," White House national security spokesman John Kirby said on CNN.

"We think there's a framework here for another hostage deal. That could really make a difference in terms of getting more hostages out, getting more aid in and actually getting the violence to come down."

U.S. President Joe Biden has been trying to facilitate the release of the more than 100 hostages who remain captive after the deadly Oct. 7 attack on Israel by militants from Hamas, which rules Gaza.

Burns met with the head of Israel's Mossad intelligence service and Qatar's prime minister along with the head of Egyptian intelligence on Sunday in talks described as constructive by Israel, but with significant gaps in positions.

Kirby said there have been very good discussions with the Qataris, the Egyptians and the Israelis.

"We're not over the finish line right yet," he said on CNN. "But we feel pretty good about the discussions and where they're going and the promise of something potentially pretty significant."Some 1,200 people were killed and 253 abducted in Hamas' cross-border rampage on Oct. 7, according to Israeli officials. The attack ignited Israel's war to eliminate Hamas, unleashing a torrent of strikes on Gaza that have flattened most of the Palestinian enclave and killed more than 26,000 people, Palestinian health officials say.

Tensions have surged around the Middle East since Israel began its aerial and ground offensive, with Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi forces striking U.S. and other targets in the Red Sea in attacks that have disrupted global shipping.

In a major escalation, three U.S. service members were killed and at least 34 wounded in a drone attack by Iran-backed militants on U.S. troops in northeastern Jordan near the Syrian border, U.S. officials said on Sunday.

(Reporting by Doina Chiacu and Susan Heavey; editing by Mark Heinrich)
UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

 Quarterly Report Pursuant To Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act Of 1934

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2013

 Transition Report Under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act Of 1934

For the transition period from ______________ to ______________

Commission File Number: 000-49955

WATAIR INC.

(formerly Wataire International , Inc.)

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Washington 91-2060082 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

#134-9663 Santa Monica Blvd.,

Beverly Hills, CA 90210

(Address of principal executive offices, including Zip Code)

877-602-8985

(Issuers telephone number, including area code)

Not applicable

(Former name or former address if changed since last report)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class Trading Symbol(s) Name of each exchange on which registered None N/A N/A

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the past 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes  No 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes  No 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of large accelerated filer, accelerated filer, non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company and emerging growth company in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer  Accelerated filer  Non-accelerated filer  Smaller reporting company  Emerging growth company 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by checkmark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes  No 

State the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuers classes of common equity, as of the latest practicable date: 129,716,886 shares of common stock as of May 15, 2011.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION Item 1 Financial Statements F-1 Item 2 Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation 4 Item 3 Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 6 Item 4 Controls and Procedures 6 PART II OTHER INFORMATION Item 1 Legal Proceedings 7 Item 1A Risk Factors 7 Item 2 Unregistered Sales of equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 7 Item 3 Defaults Upon Senior Securities 7 Item 4 Mine Safety Disclosures 7 Item 5 Other Information 7 Item 6 Exhibits 8 Item 7 Signatures 9

2

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This quarterly report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The words believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, may, should, could, will, plan, future, continue, and other expressions that are predictions of or indicate future events and trends and that do not relate to historical matters identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based largely on our expectations or forecasts of future events, can be affected by inaccurate assumptions, and are subject to various business risks and known and unknown uncertainties, a number of which are beyond our control. Therefore, actual results could differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this document, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. A wide variety of factors could cause or contribute to such differences and could adversely impact revenues, profitability, cash flows and capital needs. There can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements contained in this document will, in fact, transpire or prove to be accurate. These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including the risks in the section entitled Risk Factors that may cause our or our industrys actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements.

Important factors that may cause the actual results to differ from the forward-looking statements, projections or other expectations include, but are not limited to, the following:

 risk that we will not be able to remediate identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures;  risk that we fail to meet the requirements of the agreements under which we acquired our business interests, including any cash payments to the business operations, which could result in the loss of our right to continue to operate or develop the specific businesses described in the agreements;  risk that we will be unable to secure additional financing in the near future in order to commence and sustain our planned development and growth plans;  risk that we cannot attract, retain and motivate qualified personnel, particularly employees, consultants and contractors for our operations;  risks and uncertainties relating to the various industries and operations we are currently engaged in;  results of initial feasibility, pre-feasibility and feasibility studies, and the possibility that future growth, development or expansion will not be consistent with our expectations;  risks related to the inherent uncertainty of business operations including profit, cost of goods, production costs and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses;  risks related to commodity price fluctuations;  the uncertainty of profitability based upon our history of losses;  risks related to failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms for our planned development projects;  risks related to environmental regulation and liability;  risks related to tax assessments;  other risks and uncertainties related to our prospects, properties and business strategy.

Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this report. Except as required by law, we do not undertake to update or revise any of the forward-looking statements to conform these statements to actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

As used in this quarterly report, Watair Inc, the Company, we, us, or our refer to Watair Inc formerly Wataire International Inc., unless otherwise indicated.

3

VYRE NETWORK

(formerly Wataire International, Inc.)

June 30, 2013, and March 31, 2013

INDEX

Page PART I- FINANCIAL INFORMATION F-1 ITEM 1. Financial Statements F-1 Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2013, and March 31, 2013 F-2 Consolidated Statements of Operations for the quarter ended June 30, 2013, and 2012 F-3 Consolidated Statements of Stockholders Equity for the year ended June 30, 2013, and 2012 F-4 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the year ended June 30, 2013, and March 31, 2013 F-5 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements F-6

VYRE NETWORK

(formerly Wataire International, Inc.)

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

For The Quarter Ended June 30, 2013, and March 31, 2013

June 30,

2013 March 31,

2013 (Audited) (Audited) ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS Cash $ - $ 109 Account Receivables - - Other receivables - - Inventory 13,862 21,268 Total current assets 13,862 21,377 OTHER ASSETS Capital assets, net 1,098 1,098 Patents and trademarks - - Acquisitions of intangible assets 1,400,334 1,527,637 Total assets $ 1,415,294 $ 1,550,112 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS DEFICIENCY CURRENT LIABILITIES Accounts payable $ 102,583 $ 100,753 Provision and accrued liabilities 29,675 24,365 Notes payable 90,000 90,000 Convertible Notes payable 125,000 125,000 Convertible Debenture 300,000 300,000 Bank Overdraft 89 - Total current liabilities 647,347 640,118 Derivative liability - - Total liabilities 647,347 640,118 647,347 640,118 STOCKHOLDERS (DEFICIENCY) Common shares, $0.0001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 129,716,886 and 98,710,123 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2012 and March 31, 2012 respectively. 47,972 47,972 Preferred stock; $0.0001 par value, redeemable at $0.005, 20,000,000 shares authorized, 27,501 shares issued and outstanding



3 3 Additional paid-in capital 13,767,313 13,767,313 Deferred stock-based compensation - - Accumulated deficit (13,047,341 ) (12,905,294 ) Total stockholders (deficiency) 767,947 909,994 Total liabilities and stockholders (deficiency) $ 1,415,294 $ 1,550,112

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these audited consolidated financial statements.

VYRE NETWORK

(formerly Wataire International, Inc.)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

For the Three months ended June 30, 2013, and 2012

June 30,

2013 June 30,

2012 Revenue 4,217 3,039 Cost of sales 7,407 3,000 Gross (loss) (3,190) 39 Operating Expenses: Management fees .- .- Amortization 127,303 127,303 Marketing and promotion - 50 Professional fees 1,941 1,761 General and administrative 9,524 5,634 Total operating expenses 138,768 134,748 Income (loss) from operations (141,958) (134,709) ) Other income (expenses): Gain from discontinued operation - - Amortization of debt discounts - - Total other income (expenses) - - Income (loss) before provision for income taxes (141,958 ) (134,709 ) Net loss $ (141,958 ) $ (134,709 ) Basic and diluted income (loss) per common share $ (0.00 ) $ (0.00 ) Weighted average common shares outstanding-basic and diluted 479,716,886 479,716,886

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these audited consolidated financial statements.

VYRE NETWORK

(formerly Wataire International , Inc.)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

For the Three months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012

Common Series A Additional Deferred Accumulated Preferred stock stock Paid in Stock Shares Amount Shares Amount Capital Compensation Deficit Total March 31, 2012: Balances at April 1, 2012 479,716,886 $ 47,972 27,501 $ 3 $ 13,767,313 $ - $ (12,349,357) $ 1,465,931 Net loss for the quarter ended June 30, 2012 - - - - (134,709) (134,709) Balances at June 30, 2012 479,716,886 $ 47,972 27,501 $ 3 $ 13,767,313 $ - $ (12,484,066) $ 1,331,222 Balance at April 1, 2013 479,716,886 $ 47,972 27,501 $ 3 $ 13,767,313 $ - $ (12,905,294) $ 909,994 Common stock issued - - - - - - - - Deferred Stock Based compensation - - - - - - - - Net loss for the quarter ended June 30, 2013 - -- - -- -- -- (141,958) (141,958) - - - - Balance at June 30, 2013 479,716,886 $ 47,972 27,501 $ 3 $ 13,767,313 $ - $ (13,047,252) $ 768,036

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these audited financial statements.

VYRE NETWORK

(formerly Wataire International, Inc.)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

For the Three months ended June 30, 2013, and 2012

June 30,

2013 March 31,

2013 OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net income (loss) $ (141,958 ) $ (554,937 ) Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided (used) in operating activities: Amortization 127,303 509,212 Impairment of assets - Shares issued for service Stock-based compensation - - Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable - Prepaid expenses - Deferred revenue - Advance on marketing - Inventory 7,406 14,513 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 7,140 30,137 Net cash used in operating activities (109) (1,075) INVESTING ACTIVITIES Patent and trademark - - License payment advanced - - Intangible Assets - - Net cash used in investing activities - - FINANCING ACTIVITIES Advance from customers - - Note payables - - Due to related parties - - Proceed from convertible debenture - - Debenture converted to shares - - Shares issued for debt - - Convertible notes - - Net cash provided by financing activities - - NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH (109) (1,075) CASH BALANCE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD 109 1,184 CASH BALANCE, END OF PERIOD $ - $ 109

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these audited consolidated financial statements.

VYRE NETWORK

(formerly Wataire Inc.)

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2013, and 2012

NOTE 1: NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Nature of Operations

The company was incorporated in August 17, 2000 in the State of Washington, USA and the Companys common shares are publicly traded on the OTC Bulletin Board. On September 26, 2006, the Company approved a name change from Cimbix Corporation to Wataire International, Inc. On March 11, 2010, the Company approved a name change from Wataire International, Inc. to Watair Inc.

The Company markets and distributes atmospheric water generator machines. It also owns all of the intellectual property relating to a water treatment process and devices for water-from-air machines. Management plans to further evaluate, develop and manage the commercialization, sub-license and/or commercial sale of these products.

These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applicable to a going concern, which assumes that the Company will be able to meet its obligations and continue its operations for its operations for its next fiscal year. Realization values may be substantially different from carrying values as shown and these financial statements do not give effect to adjustments that would be necessary to the carrying values and classification of assets and liabilities should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern. At June 30, 2013, the Company had not yet achieved profitable operations, has accumulated losses of $13,047,341 since its inception and expects to incur further losses in the development of its business, all of which cast substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern.

The Company's ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon future profitable operations and/or the necessary financing to meet its obligations and repay its liabilities arising from normal business operations when they come due. Management has obtained additional funds by related party advances, however there is no assurance that this additional funding is adequate and further funding may be necessary.

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared by Watair, Inc. formerly known as Wataire International Inc., pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The information furnished herein reflects all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals and adjustments) which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to fairly present the operating results for the respective periods. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally present in annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations.

The financial statements have, in management's opinion, been properly prepared within the framework of the significant accounting policies summarized below:

(a) Development Stage Company

The Company is a development stage company as defined in the Statements of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 7. The Company is devoting substantially all of its present efforts to establish a new business and none of its planned principal operations have commenced. All losses accumulated since inception has been considered as part of the Companys development stage activities.

(b) Financial Instruments

The carrying values of cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable, promissory notes payable and due to related parties approximate fair value because of the short-term nature of these instruments. Management is of the opinion that the Company is not exposed to significant interest, currency or credit risks arising from these financial instruments.

VYRE NETWORK

(formerly Wataire Inc.)

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2013, and 2012

(c) Inventory

Inventory, which consists of finished goods, is valued at the lower of cost and net realizable value using the first in first out (FIFO) method.

(d) Website Development Costs

Under the provisions of Statement of Position No. 98-1 "Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software Development or Obtained for Internal Use," the Company previously capitalized costs of design, configuration, coding, installation and testing of the Company's website up to its initial implementation. Costs are amortized to expense over an estimated useful life of three years using the straight-line method. Ongoing website post-implementation cost of operations, including training and application, are expensed as incurred. The Company evaluates the recoverability of website development costs in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards No. 121 "Accounting of the Impairment of Long Lived Assets."

(e) Intangible Assets and Amortization

The Company has adopted SFAS No. 142 "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets", which requires that goodwill not be amortized, but that goodwill and other intangible assets be tested annually for impairment. Intangible assets with a finite life will be amortized over the estimated useful life of the asset. The Company's operational policy for the assessment and measurement of any impairment in the intangible assets, which primarily relates to contract-based intangibles such as license agreements and extensions, is to evaluate annually, the recoverability and remaining life of its intangible assets to determine the fair value of these assets.

(f) Revenue Recognition

The Company receives revenues from the sale of water generator machines. The Company recognizes revenues when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the product is delivered and collection is reasonably assured. A one-year warranty is provided by the Company on all its products.

(g) Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income tax using the asset and liability method in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes. The asset and liability method provides that deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and for operating loss and tax credit carry forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the currently enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. The Company records a valuation allowance to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that is believed more likely than not to be realized.

(h) Basic and Diluted Loss Per Share

Basic loss per common share is computed by dividing net loss available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted loss per common share is computed in the same way as basic loss per common share except that the denominator is increased to include the number of additional common shares that would be outstanding if all potential common shares had been issued and if the additional common shares were dilutive.

VYRE NETWORK

(formerly Wataire Inc.)

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2013, and 2012

(i) Stock-based Compensation

The Company adopted ASC 718, Compensation  Stock-Based Compensation, to account for its stock options and similar equity instruments issued. Accordingly, compensation costs attributable to stock options or similar equity instruments granted are measured at the fair value at the grant date, and expensed over the expected vesting period. ASC 718 requires excess tax benefits be reported as a financing cash inflow rather than as a reduction of taxes paid.

(j) Foreign Currency Translation

The Companys functional and reporting currency is the United States dollar. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated in accordance with ASC 830, Foreign Currency Translation Matters, using the exchange rate prevailing at the balance sheet date. Gains and losses arising on translation or settlement of foreign currency denominated transactions or balances are included in the determination of income.

(k) Reclassifications

Certain items in the prior year financial statements have been reclassified for comparative purposes to conform to the presentation in the current period's presentation. These reclassifications have no effect to the previously reported income (loss).

(l) Change in Reporting Year

The Company adopted March 31 as its fiscal year end from September 30 in 2008.

(m) Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Investments having an original maturity of 90 days or less that are readily convertible into cash are considered to be cash equivalents. For the periods presented, the Company had no in cash equivalents.

Notes and Accounts Receivable

The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses from the failure of its customers to make required payments for products and other consideration delivered. The Company estimates this allowance based on the age of the related receivable, knowledge of the financial condition of customers, review of historical receivables and reserve trends and other pertinent information. If the financial condition of customers deteriorates or an unfavorable trend in receivable collections is experienced in the future, additional allowances may be required. Historically, the Companys reserves have approximated actual experience.

Income Taxes

In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 740 - Income Taxes, the provision for income taxes is computed using the asset and liability method. The asset and liability method measures deferred income taxes by applying enacted statutory rates in effect at the balance sheet date to the differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts on the financial statements. The resulting deferred tax assets or liabilities are adjusted to reflect changes in tax laws as they occur. A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that a deferred tax asset will not be realized.

VYRE NETWORK

(formerly Wataire International, Inc.)

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2013, and 2012

We expect to recognize the financial statement benefit of an uncertain tax position only after considering the probability that a tax authority would sustain the position in an examination. For tax positions meeting a more-likely-than-not threshold, the amount to be recognized in the financial statements will be the benefit expected to be realized upon settlement with the tax authority. For tax positions not meeting the threshold, no financial statement benefit is recognized. As of June 30, 2013, we had no uncertain tax positions. We recognize interest and penalties, if any, related to uncertain tax positions as general and administrative expenses. We currently have no foreign federal or state tax examinations nor have we had any foreign federal or state examinations since our inception. To date, we have not incurred any interest or tax penalties.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Financial Instruments and Fair Value of Financial Instruments

We follow ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis. ASC Topic 820 establishes a common definition for fair value to be applied to existing US GAAP that requires the use of fair value measurements that establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosure about such fair value measurements.

ASC 820 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Additionally, ASC Topic 820 requires the use of valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. These inputs are prioritized below:

VYRE NETWORK

(formerly Wataire Inc.)

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2013, and 2012

Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities Level 2: Observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data Level 3: Unobservable inputs for which there is little or no market data, which require the use of the reporting entitys own assumptions.

The carrying value of financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value is measured on a recurring or nonrecurring basis. Financial assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis are those that are adjusted to fair value each time a financial statement is prepared. Financial assets and liabilities measured on a non-recurring basis are those that are adjusted to fair value when a significant event occurs. Except for derivative liabilities, we had no financial assets or liabilities carried and measured on a recurring or nonrecurring basis during the reporting periods.

Derivative Liabilities

We evaluate convertible notes payable, stock options, stock warrants or other contracts to determine if those contracts or embedded components of those contracts qualify as derivatives to be separately accounted for under the relevant sections of ASC Topic 815-40, Derivative Instruments and Hedging: Contracts in Entitys Own Equity.

The result of this accounting treatment could be that the fair value of a financial instrument is classified as a derivative instrument and is marked-to-market at each balance sheet date and recorded as a liability. In the event that the fair value is recorded as a liability, the change in fair value is recorded in the statement of operations as other income or other expense. Upon conversion or exercise of a derivative instrument, the instrument is marked to fair value at the conversion date and then that fair value is reclassified to equity. Financial instruments that are initially classified as equity that become subject to reclassification under ASC Topic 815-40 are reclassified to a liability account at the fair value of the instrument on the reclassification date.

Long-lived Assets

Long-lived assets such as property and equipment and intangible assets are periodically reviewed for impairment. We test for impairment losses on long-lived assets used in operations whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of an asset to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to the future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such asset is considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its fair value. Impairment evaluations involve managements estimates on asset useful lives and future cash flows. Actual useful lives and cash flows could be different from those estimated by management which could have a material effect on our reporting results and financial positions. Fair value is determined through various valuation techniques including discounted cash flow models, quoted market values and third-party independent appraisals, as considered necessary.

VYRE NETWORK

(formerly Wataire Inc.)

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2013, and 2012

Equity Instruments Issued to Non-Employees for Acquiring Goods or Services

Issuances of our common stock or warrants for acquiring goods or services are measured at the fair value of the consideration received or the fair value of the equity instruments issued, whichever is more reliably measurable. The measurement date for the fair value of the equity instruments issued to consultants or vendors is determined at the earlier of (i) the date at which a commitment for performance to earn the equity instruments is reached (a performance commitment which would include a penalty considered to be of a magnitude that is a sufficiently large disincentive for nonperformance) or (ii) the date at which performance is complete.

Although situations may arise in which counter performance may be required over a period of time, the equity award granted to the party performing the service may be fully vested and non-forfeitable on the date of the agreement. As a result, in this situation in which vesting periods do not exist if the instruments are fully vested on the date of agreement, we determine such date to be the measurement date and will record the estimated fair market value of the instruments granted as a prepaid expense and amortize such amount to expense over the contract period. When it is appropriate for us to recognize the cost of a transaction during financial reporting periods prior to the measurement date, for purposes of recognition of costs during those periods, the equity instrument is measured at the then-current fair values.

Related Parties

A party is considered to be related to us if the party directly or indirectly or through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with us. Related parties also include our principal owners, our management, members of the immediate families of our principal owners and our management and other parties with which we may deal if one party controls or can significantly influence the management or operating policies of the other to an extent that one of the transacting parties might be prevented from fully pursuing its own separate interests. A party which can significantly influence the management or operating policies of the transacting parties, or if it has an ownership interest in one of the transacting parties and can significantly influence the other to an extent that one or more of the transacting parties might be prevented from fully pursuing its own separate interests, is also a related party.

During the three months ended June 30, 2013, directors of the company charged the Company with Management fees of $10,000.

VYRE NETWORK

(formerly Wataire Inc.)

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2013, and 2012

Revenue Recognition

Revenue recognition:

The Company adopted Accounting Standards Codification Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC 606) on January 1, 2018. In accordance with ASC 606, revenue is recognized when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services, in accordance with the following five-step process:

 Identify the contract(s) with a customer  Identify the performance obligations  Determine the transaction price  Allocate the transaction price  Recognize revenue when the performance obligations are met

During the periods presented, all revenue was from sales of cannabis products. The Company has determined the sole performance obligation to be the delivery of the purchased goods to the customers, and as such, recognizes revenue at the time the customer takes possession.

Loss per Share

We compute net loss per share in accordance with FASB ASC 260. The ASC specifies the computation, presentation and disclosure requirements for loss per share for entities with publicly held common stock.

Basic loss per share amounts is computed by dividing the net loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted net loss per common share is computed on the basis of the weighted average number of common shares and dilutive securities (such as stock options, warrants and convertible securities) outstanding. Dilutive securities having an anti-dilutive effect on diluted net loss per share are excluded from the calculation. For the periods presented, the Company excluded --------- shares relating to the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, shares relating to convertible notes payable to third parties







VYRE NETWORK

(formerly Wataire Inc.)

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2013, and 2012

Recently Enacted Accounting Standards

In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-06, Debt  Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging  Contracts in Entitys Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40). This ASU reduces the number of accounting models for convertible debt instruments and convertible preferred stock. As well as amend the guidance for the derivatives scope exception for contracts in an entitys own equity to reduce form-over-substance-based accounting conclusions. In addition, this ASU improves and amends the related EPS guidance. This standard is effective for us on July 1, 2024, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Adoption is either a modified retrospective method or a fully retrospective method of transition. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2020-06 on our financial statements.

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2016-13, Financial InstrumentsCredit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (ASU 2016-13). Financial InstrumentsCredit Losses (Topic 326) amends guideline on reporting credit losses for assets held at amortized cost basis and available-for-sale debt securities. For assets held at amortized cost basis, Topic 326 eliminates the probable initial recognition threshold in current GAAP and, instead, requires an entity to reflect its current estimate of all expected credit losses. The allowance for credit losses is a valuation account that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of the financial assets to present the net amount expected to be collected. For available-for-sale debt securities, credit losses should be measured in a manner similar to current GAAP, however Topic 326 will require that credit losses be presented as an allowance rather than as a write-down. ASU 2016-13 affects entities holding financial assets and net investment in leases that are not accounted for at fair value through net income. The amendments affect loans, debt securities, trade receivables, net investments in leases, off balance sheet credit exposures, reinsurance receivables, and any other financial assets not excluded from the scope that have the contractual right to receive cash. The amendments in this ASU will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-13 on our financial statements.

Other standards not presented are not deemed to be material.

VYRE NETWORK

(formerly Wataire Inc.)

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2013, and 2012

NOTE 2: GOING CONCERN

Under ASC 205-40, we have the responsibility to evaluate whether conditions and/or events raise substantial doubt about our ability to meet our future obligations as they become due within one year after the date the financial statements are issued. As required by this standard, our evaluation shall initially not take into consideration the potential mitigating effects of our plans that have not been fully implemented as of the date the financial statements are issued.

In performing the first step of this assessment, we concluded that the following conditions raise substantial doubt about our ability to meet our financial obligations as they become due. As of September 30, 2012, the Company had cash of $874, total current liabilities of $633,568, and negative working capital of $605,838. We expect to continue to incur negative cash flows until such time as our business generates sufficient cash inflows to finance our operations and debt service requirements.

In performing the second step of this assessment, we are required to evaluate whether our plans to mitigate the conditions above alleviate the substantial doubt about our ability to meet our obligations as they become due within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued. Our future plans include securing additional funding sources.

There is no assurance that sufficient funds required during the next year or thereafter will be generated from operations or that funds will be available through external sources. The lack of additional capital resulting from the inability to generate cash flow from operations or to raise capital from external sources would force the Company to substantially curtail or cease operations and would, therefore, have a material effect on the business. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that any such required funds, if available, will be available on attractive terms or that they will not have a significant dilutive effect on the Companys existing shareholders. We have therefore concluded there is substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern through June 2012.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going-concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments to reflect the possible future effects on the recoverability and classification of assets or the amounts and classification of liabilities that may result from the outcome of the uncertainty related to our ability to continue as a going concern.

NOTE 3: INCOME TAXES

The Company accounts for income tax using the asset and liability method in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes. The asset and liability method provides that deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and for operating loss and tax credit carry forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the currently enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. The Company records a valuation allowance to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that is believed more likely than not to be realized.

PART II- OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Company received an alleged claim in January 2009 from one of its former distributors for failing to deliver merchandise ordered and paid for by the Plaintiff. The Company has subsequently filed a motion to dismiss the claim and is considering separate legal recourse. On July 20, 2009, the Company filed a cross-complaint for breach of contract, intentional interference with contractual relationship, intentional interference with prospective economic relationship and accounting.

On February 2, 2010 a confidential settlement agreement and release was effected between the parties. The Complaint and cross complaint have been dismissed by the parties with prejudice.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

We have sought to identify what we believe to be the most significant risks to our business. However, we cannot predict whether, or to what extent, any of such risks may be realized nor can we guarantee that we have identified all possible risks that might arise.

We are dependent on external financing.

It is imperative that we raise additional capital to complete our operational plan to promote and commercialize our newly acquired business combinations and activities. We will also require funds to sustain our business operations if we are not successful in earning revenues from our product sales and sub-licensing. We estimate that we would require additional funding of $2,000,000 to pursue our business strategy. If we are unable to obtain equity financing upon terms that our management deems sufficiently favorable, or at all, it would have a material adverse impact upon our ability to expand our current operational plan. Any sale of share capital will result in dilution to existing shareholders.

To date, we have generated some revenues from sales but not enough to sustain our business operations. The success of our business depends on us receiving inventory and advertising materials from our suppliers and manufacturers. The exact amount of our current and future capital requirements will depend on numerous factors, some of which are not within our control, including the progress of our development efforts, the costs of testing, supply of our products, demand of our products and changes in governmental regulation. Our ability to raise additional financing depends on many factors beyond our control, including the state of capital markets, the market price of our common stock and the development or prospects for development of competitive technology by others. The necessary additional financing may not be available to us or may be available only on terms that would result in further dilution to the current owners of our Common Stock. If we are unable to raise additional funds when we need them, we may have to curtail or discontinue our operations, in which case you could lose the entire amount of your investment in the Company.

We are in our early stages of development and face a risk of business failure.

We are in our early stages of development. We have no way to evaluate the likelihood that we will be able to operate our business successfully. The likelihood of success must be considered in light of the problems, expenses, difficulties, complications and delays encountered in connection with the technology and sales industries. We recognize that if we are unable to generate significant revenues from our sales, we will not be able to earn profits or continue operations. There is only a limited history upon which to base any assumption as to the likelihood that we will prove successful, and we can provide investors with no assurance that we will generate any additional operating revenues or ever achieve profitable operations from our current business initiatives. If we are unsuccessful in addressing these risks, our business will most likely fail.

We are competing against larger and better-financed companies.

We operate in a highly competitive market with financial rewards pending on market performance. Some of our competitors are multi-million dollar enterprises with more resources for marketing, distribution and development. We may be in a disadvantage if any of our competitors focused on similar products we sell. Because we dont have the infrastructure and personnel in place to adequately implement our business plans and operations, our business may fail.

Our business and the success of our products could be harmed if we are unable to maintain our brand image.

Our success is heavily dependent upon the market acceptance of our Watair branded lines of atmospheric water generators. If we are unable to timely and appropriately respond to changing consumer demand, the brand Watair distributes may be impaired. Even if we react appropriately to changes in consumer preferences, consumers may consider those brand images to be outdated. Lack of acceptance of our brands will have a material impact on the performance of the Company.

Dependence on our suppliers

Our success is highly dependent upon the continued support and services of suppliers. We are solely dependent on their support to provide enough inventories to meet our purchase orders. If our suppliers are not able to manufacture enough products to meet the demands of our purchase orders, our business will most likely fail.

Demand for our products and services may fail to materialize

Our growth and success will depend on our success in introducing and selling our products. The market for the products and services we plan to offer is relatively new and there is little hard data to validate market demand or predict how this demand will be segmented. There could be much lower demand than believed, or interest in our products and services could decline or die out, which could adversely affect our ability to sustain our operations.

There is substantial doubt as to our ability to continue as a going concern

Our financial results for the period ended September 30, 2011 show substantial losses. The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in conformity with the generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of American which contemplates the Company as a going concern. The Company has sought out additional investment to raise additional funds. However, there are no assurances that the Company will continue as a going concern without the successful completion of additional funding. The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might be necessary if the Company is unable to continue as a going concern.

Our independent auditors, Gruber & Company LLC, have expressed substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern given our recurring losses from operations and net stockholder's deficit. This opinion could materially limit our ability to raise additional funds by issuing new debt or equity securities or otherwise.

Dependence on key management and personnel

Our success is highly dependent upon the continued services of Robert Rosner, our Chief Executive Officer. If he were to leave us this could have a materially adverse effect upon our business and operations. We anticipate entering into employment contract with Mr. Rosner but can provide no assurance that we will come to terms for such employment agreement.

Our business also requires additional staff in all areas to successfully bring our products to market. Our success depends on our ability to attract and retain technical and management personnel with expertise and experience in the technology field. If we are unable to attract and retain qualified technical and management personnel, we will suffer diminished chances of future success.

We may be subject to product liability or breach of contract claim if our products do not work as promised from our Inventor(s) and predecessor

The atmospheric water generators are designed to facilitate potable safe drinking water. If the technology fails to work as manufactured by our inventor(s) and predecessor, customers may bring claims against us. Despite limitations on such claims, such claims can be costly and time consuming which could have a material adverse effect on our operations, even if we are found not to have been at fault. We currently do not have liability insurance and anticipate that we will seek some coverage in the future if such coverage is available at a reasonable cost.

Significant repair and/or replacement with respect to product warranty claims or product recalls could have a material adverse impact on the results of operations.

We provide a limited warranty for our products for a period of one year. Significant warranty claims could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

Government Regulation

Regulation by government authorities in the United States, Canada and foreign countries may be a factor in the development, manufacture and marketing of our products and in our research and product development activities. The process of obtaining these approvals and the subsequent compliance may require time and financial resources.

Limited experience to market our products

Even if we are able to develop our products and obtain the necessary regulatory approvals, we have limited experience or capabilities in marketing or commercializing our products. We currently have some sales and just engaged a marketing agency. We do not have a distribution infrastructure in place. Accordingly, we are dependent on our ability to find collaborative marketing partners or contract sales companies for commercial sale of any of our products. Even if we find a potential marketing partner, we may not be able to negotiate an advertising and/or licensing contract on favorable terms to justify our investment or achieve adequate revenues.

Our business is subject to risks associated with offshore manufacturing.

We import some of our products into the United States and Canada from foreign countries for resale. All of our import operations are subject to tariffs and quotas set by the U.S. and other countries governments through mutual agreements or bilateral actions. Adverse changes in these import costs and restrictions, or our suppliers failure to comply with customs regulations or similar laws, could harm our business. Our operations are also subject to the effects of international trade agreements and regulations such as the North American Free Trade Agreement, the Caribbean Basin Initiative and the European Economic Area Agreement, and the activities and regulations of the World Trade Organization. Trade agreements can also impose requirements which adversely affect our business, such as setting quotas on products that may be imported from a particular country into our key market, the United States. In fact, some trade agreements can provide our competitors with an advantage over us, or increase our costs, either of which could have an adverse effect on our business and financial condition.

In addition, the recent elimination of quotas on World Trade Organization member countries by 2005 could result in increased competition from developing countries which historically have lower labor costs, including China. This increased competition, including from competitors who can quickly create cost and sourcing advantages from these changes in trade arrangements, could have an adverse effect on our business and financial condition.

Our ability to import products in a timely and cost-effective manner may also be affected by problems at ports or issues that otherwise affect transportation and warehousing providers, such as labor disputes or increased U.S. homeland security requirements. These issues could delay importation of products or require us to locate alternative ports or warehousing providers to avoid disruption to our customers. These alternatives may not be available on short notice or could result in higher transit costs, which could have an adverse impact on our business and financial condition.

Our international operations expose us to political, economic and currency risks.

All of our products came from sources outside of the United States. As a result, we are subject to the risks of doing business abroad, including:

- Currency fluctuations;

- Changes in tariffs and taxes;

- Political and economic instability; and

- Disruptions or delays in shipments.

Changes in currency exchange rates may affect the relative prices at which we are able to manufacture products and may affect the cost of certain items required in our operation, thus possibly adversely affecting our profitability.

There are inherent risks of conducting business internationally. Language barriers, foreign laws and customs and duties issues all have a potential negative effect on our ability to transact business in the United States. We may be subject to the jurisdiction of the government and/or private litigants in foreign countries where we transact business, and we may be forced to expend funds to contest legal matters in those countries in disputes with those governments or with customers or suppliers.

We may suffer from infringements or piracy of our trademarks, designs, brands or products.

We may suffer from infringements or piracy of our trademarks, designs, brands or products in the U.S. or globally. Some jurisdictions may not honor our claims to our intellectual properties. In addition, we may not have sufficient legal resources to police or enforce our rights in such circumstances.

Unfair trade practices or government subsidization may impact our ability to compete profitably.

In an effort to penetrate markets in which the Company competes, some competitors may sell products at very low margins, or below cost, for sustained periods of time in order to gain market share and sales. Additionally, some competitors may enjoy certain governmental subsidies that allow them to compete at substantially lower prices. These events could substantially impact our ability to sell our product at profitable prices.

If we market and sell our products in international markets, we will be subject to additional regulations relating to export requirements, environmental and safety matters, and marketing of the products and distributorships, and we will be subject to the effects of currency fluctuations in those markets, all of which could increase the cost of selling products and substantially impair the ability to achieve profitability in foreign markets. As a part of our marketing strategy, we plan to market and sell our products internationally. In addition to regulation by the U.S. government, those products will be subject to environmental and safety regulations in each country in which we market and sell. Regulations will vary from country to country and will vary from those of the United States. The difference in regulations under U.S. law and the laws of foreign countries may be significant and, in order to comply with the laws of these foreign countries, we may have to implement manufacturing changes or alter product design or marketing efforts. Any changes in our business practices or products will require response to the laws of foreign countries and will result in additional expense to the Company.

Additionally, we may be required to obtain certifications or approvals by foreign governments to market and sell the products in foreign countries. We may also be required to obtain approval from the U.S. government to export the products. If we are delayed in receiving, or are unable to obtain import or export clearances, or if we are unable to comply with foreign regulatory requirements, we will be unable to execute our complete marketing strategy.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

None.

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

7

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

Exhibit No. Description 31.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13(a)-14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (filed herewith). 31.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13(a)-14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (filed herewith). 32.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith). 32.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).

8

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

On behalf of: WATAIR, INC. January 26, 2024 /s/ David Hill Chief Executive Officer, Vyre Network (Principal executive officer).

9

ATTACHMENTS / EXHIBITS

SECTION 302 CERTIFICATION

SECTION 302 CERTIFICATION

SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION

SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION
A Hawaii Air National Guard F-22 Raptor takes off from Hickam Airfield, Hawaii, during Sentry Aloha, Jan. 19, 2024. (Mysti Bicoy/U.S. Air Force)

FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii  Aircraft from California and Australia are in Hawaii through Wednesday conducting combat training with Honolulu-based F-22 fighters.

Hosted by the Hawaii National Air Guards 154th Wing, Sentry Aloha is tailored to provide realistic combat training, Maj. Michael Oliver, the exercise director and a pilot with the wing, said by phone Friday.

This is a pretty tactical-level exercise, he said.

The scenarios focus on building readiness for the F-22 pilots of the wings 199th Fighter Squadron and the Air Force 19th Fighter squadron based at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.

Joining the exercise this year are F-35 Lightning II jets from Test and Evaluation Squadron Nine, Detachment Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.

Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Nine China Lake, Calif., sent F/A-18 Super Hornets and EA-18G Growlers.

The Australian air force flew in an E-7A Wedgetail, an aircraft used for airborne battle management.

The exercise involves about 712 personnel and 46 aircraft.

The drills, most of which take place in a vast airspace about 30 miles south of Oahu, are primarily defensive counter air and escort missions, Oliver said.

An example of the former is defending a high-value airborne asset such as the RAAFs E-7, he said, adding it can also mean defending ground or maritime assets.

Weve also been escorting C-17s, he said.

In the first week we were actually able to integrate with an aircraft carrier and pretend-escort their carrier-borne aircraft in the airspace we train in, he said.

We also integrated and are still integrating with various destroyers from [U.S. Pacific Fleet], he said.

The U.S. Navy and Australian air force working together is key to maintaining the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command mission to maintain a free and open region by working as a joint force, Oliver said.

Hawaii offers ample airspace to do that kind of aerial training, but its remoteness means fighter pilots have fewer chances to fly beside  or against  counterparts from U.S. bases or elsewhere.

One of the limitations of being in Hawaii with the F-22s is that we dont have any dedicated red air, Oliver said, referring to so-called aggressor fighter squadrons that pose as enemy aircraft for training scenarios.

Sentry Aloha is an opportunity to gather enough fighters to assemble a temporary aggressor team, he said.
From left, Army Sgt. William Jerome Rivers, Spc. Kennedy Ladon Sanders and Spc. Breonna Alexsondria Moffett. (U.S. Army)

ATLANTA  The three U.S. service members killed in a one-way drone strike in Jordan were Army reservists from Georgia, the Pentagon said Monday.

Sgt. William Jerome Rivers, Spc. Kennedy Ladon Sanders and Spc. Breonna Alexsondria Moffett were killed in the strike on the small base in northeast Jordan known as Tower 22, according to the Pentagon. The soldiers were assigned to the 718th Engineer Company, 926th Engineer Battalion from the 926th Engineer Brigade based at Fort Moore, Ga.

Rivers, 46, was from Carrollton, Ga.; Sanders, 24, was from Waycross, Ga.; and Moffett, 23, was from Savannah, Ga. Pentagon officials said the three soldiers were killed when the attack drone struck their container housing quarters early Sunday morning.

The soldiers deaths have left an indelible mark on the United States Army Reserve, said Lt. Gen. Jody Daniels, the Army Reserves top general. I share in the sorrow felt by their friends, family and loved ones. Their service and sacrifice will not be forgotten, and we are committed to supporting those left behind in the wake of this tragedy.

Pentagon officials said an Iran-backed militia was responsible for the drone strike. Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh declined to say specifically which militia launched the drone but said it was one backed by Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, an elite unit of Irans armed forces that supports terrorist groups and anti-American militants in Iraq and Syria.

The drone struck Tower 22, a logistics support base in Jordan, along the Syrian border, where U.S. forces support the decade-old Operation Inherent Resolve, a mission to ensure the defeat of Islamic State.

U.S. Central Command in a statement Sunday said approximately 350 U.S. Army and Air Force troops were deployed to the base.

An investigation was ongoing into how the drone was able to evade U.S. air defenses used to protect forces on the Jordan base, Singh said.

The al-Tanf military outpost in southern Syria is seen on Oct. 22, 2018. Three American troops were killed and dozens more were injured in an overnight drone strike at Tower 22 in northeast Jordan near the Syrian border. (Lolita Baldor/AP)

Initial reports indicate that as the enemy drone was flying in at a low altitude, a U.S. drone was also returning to the small desert installation and might have been let pass by mistake, according to a preliminary conclusion first reported by The Wall Street Journal. As a result, there was no effort to shoot down the enemy drone that hit the outpost, the newspaper reported.

Singh vowed a response in a time and place of our choosing. She said the United States holds Iran responsible for the Sunday attack and 164 other assaults on U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria since Oct. 7, when Hamas militants attacked Israelis, launching a new war in Gaza and raising tensions across the Middle East.

We know that Iran is behind it, Singh said. Iran continues to arm and equip these groups to launch these attacks, and we will continue to hold them responsible.  They fund and train and support and equip these militias that operate in Iraq and Syria.

Iran denied involvement in the Sunday attack.

Resistance groups in the region do not take orders from the Islamic Republic of Iran, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani said Monday, according to Bloomberg news.

At least 40 other American service members were injured in the strike, she said. That number could rise as troops are evaluated for injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, Singh added.

Eight service members required evacuation from Jordan to the Baghdad Diplomatic Support Center, Singh said. Three are scheduled for imminent transport to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, she said. Five have been assessed for mild traumatic brain injuries and are expected to return to duty.

The fallen soldiers deployed late last year in support of Operation Inherent Resolve with their unit, which had split time between Kuwait and Jordan, an Army official said. The soldiers were expecting to return home in the summer.

Rivers was the longest tenured of the three fallen soldiers, enlisting in the service in 2011 as an interior electrician, according to the Army. He served a previous nine-month deployment to Iraq in 2018, also in support of OIR.

His awards and decorations included the Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, two Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbons, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M Device and the Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal with Campaign Star.

Sanders enlisted in the Army in 2019 as a horizontal construction engineer, according to the service. Like Rivers, she was on her second overseas deployment, after serving an eight-month rotation in 2021 in Djibouti.

Army Spc. Kennedy Sanders, right, posing for a selfie with her mother, Oneida Oliver-Sanders, at a ceremony in Columbus, Ga., on Aug. 9, 2023. (Shawn Sanders via AP)

Her awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M Device.

In Sanders hometown of Waycross in southeast Georgia on Monday, officials ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in her honor.

The City [of Waycross] is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Kennedy Ladon Sanders, who gave her life in service to our country, the Waycross government wrote in a statement. We offer our heartfelt condolences to her family and friends during this difficult time.

Moffett was on her first deployment, according to the Army. She enlisted in the service in 2019 as a horizontal construction engineer. Her awards include the National Defense Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.

Moffett was a former drum major at Savannahs Windsor Forest High School, according to the schools band program.

In a message posted to the Windsor Forest Mighty Marching Knights Facebook page, the program asked supporters to spam green hearts in Moffetts honor.

We will forever remember Breonna Moffet  as a Knight and a service woman in the U.S. Army, the post read.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 29. Azerbaijan has taken on a very important role as the incoming president of COP29, Jennifer Morgan, Secretary of State and Special Representative of Germany for International Climate Action at the German Foreign Ministry, said during a press conference in Baku, Trend reports.

I wanted to come early because the climate crisis is happening. It is intense, and Azerbaijan has taken on a very important role as incoming president of COP29.

And with that, taking on that role comes both many opportunities but also many responsibilities. We congratulate the government on its hosting of this COP. It comes at a moment where we have just learned that 2023 was the warmest year on Earth. And I think it's a very important year for us, she said.

Morgan noted that the impacts of the climate crisis are also being felt by people here in Azerbaijan.

So, it's a moment where we have no time to lose, and it's critical that we all, as a

world, continue the momentum from COP28. I think it's also quite interesting that we're in Baku this year because, in a way, it's a full circle. Azerbaijan being the country first to explore and produce on a larger scale oil, now comes to transition away from fossil fuels and to move in rapidly to renewable energy and energy efficiency. And we've heard from the government their interest in shifting, transitioning away to renewable energy, she said.

Morgan went on to add that the Paris Agreement really is a flagship, also a multilateral cooperation.

The Paris Agreement has three goals. It has the goal to keep global average temperature within a rise of 1.5 degrees Celsius. And with that goal comes what countries have agreed as emission reduction targets, globally at 43 percent by 2030, moving towards net zero by 2050 around the world. So that's the first goal of the Paris Agreement. The second one is really around resilience and adaptation. And the last goal is around finance, she added.

The decision to hold COP29 in Azerbaijan was officially announced in Dubai on December 11, 2023. Azerbaijan will host the event in November this year.

Follow the author on X: @Lyaman_Zeyn
Capt. John Frye, left, Capt. Michael Luckett, center, and Rear Adm. Greg Huffman, commander of Joint Region Marianas, stand at attention during a change-of-command ceremony for Naval Base Guam, Jan. 26, 2024. (Shaina ONeal/U.S. Navy)

A veteran submariner has taken command of U.S. Naval Base Guam as the island prepares for an influx of Marines and the development of new missile defenses.

Capt. John Frye relieved Capt. Michael Luckett on Friday during a ceremony at the Navys Top o the Mar ballroom in Asan, Guam.

The command change comes ahead of the start of a multiyear relocation of about 1,300 U.S. Marines from Okinawa to the recently constructed Camp Blaz.

It also comes amid plans to develop a 360-degree missile defense system intended to defend the heavily militarized, strategically critical island against ballistic, cruise and hypersonic missiles from potential adversaries such as China or North Korea.

Under Luckett, Naval Base Guam provided support to 52 Department of Defense activities and six non-DOD activities on four sites across 32,000 acres on Guam, according to a Navy account of the command change posted Monday on the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service.

The human element, however, is the most critical line of defense for Guam, said Rear Adm. Greg Huffman, commander of Joint Region Marianas.

We must keep uppermost in our mind that leadership remains our most important task, he said, according to a video of the ceremony shared on the bases official Facebook page. The strategic importance of the work that we do here cannot be understated. This is the leading edge, and we are already in the thick of the fight.

Capt. John Frye speaks after taking command of Naval Base Guam, Jan. 26, 2024. (Shaina ONeal/U.S. Navy)

Later, he added: John, I look forward to fighting that fight with you and fighting that fight together.

This is Fryes third assignment on the island. He commanded the submarine tender USS Frank Cable, homeported on the island, until December, and in 2010 served as executive officer of the fast-attack submarine USS City of Corpus Christi.

A native of San Diego, Fyre is truly grateful and humbled for the opportunity to serve on the island once again, he said during the ceremony.

His past assignments include tours aboard four submarines, including as commander of the ballistic missile submarine USS Henry M. Jackson. On shore, he served with Submarine Group Seven and several assignments with Submarine Force Pacific, including as its director of strategic forces.

He holds a bachelors degree in mechanical engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy, a masters in national security and strategic studies from the Naval War College and is a fellow at the Defense Departments Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, according to his Navy biography.

Luckett is retiring after three decades of service, Naval Base Guam spokeswoman Valerie Maigue told Stars and Stripes by email Monday.

Luckett, of Banning, Calif., took command of the base in May 2021. In the aftermath of Typhoon Mawar, which dealt significant damage to the island, he helped provide personnel, equipment and more than 1 million gallons of water to the off-base community.

He also oversaw nearly 2,000 ship movements and the transportation of 45 million gallons of fuel to ships with the U.S. 7th Fleet, according to the news release. But Luckett didnt keep the credit for himself.

It has been my honor to have had the opportunity to lead this fantastic team over the past two and a half years, he said at the ceremony. Each of you has played an important part in executing the mission of Naval Base Guam.
Experts have found that breakups, especially difficult, unexpected ones, can burrow deep into our subconscious. Everyone knows they hurt, but science shows they can alter our bodies as well as our minds. (Dreamstime/TNS)

At the sight of anything that reminds me of her, I say hello, or want to give it a high-five. Sometimes I say a prayer that well talk again. Other times I queue up Joni Mitchells Both Sides Now:

As every fairy tale comes real, Ive looked at love that way.

Yes, 14 months after a debilitating breakup I realize things need to change.

So I recently embarked on a research journey. Heartbreak, I discovered, is a subject of scientific inquiry, with researchers plumbing the effects and mysteries surrounding a loss. Heartache is no longer just the purview of poets. Perhaps by talking to these researchers, I reasoned, I could deal with my own heartbreak.

Experts have found that breakups, especially a difficult, unexpected one such as my own  wed been living together less than a month  can burrow deep into our subconscious. Everyone knows they hurt, but science shows they can alter our bodies as well as our minds.

People suffer, said Helen Fisher, a biological anthropologist who has done extensive studies on heartbreak. And they suffer for a while.

More than 400 days after the breakup, I continue to stew on it, analyze it, grieve it. I also havent had more than three consecutive hours of sleep since the fall of 2022. Thats not completely unexpected, say researchers.

Heartbreak, said Guy Winch, who has written multiple books on healing and heartache, is one of the most painful experiences we go through as people. No wonder he called heartbreak a form of disenfranchised grief, and one society does not take seriously.

His words brought momentary relief, partly because extended heartbreak brings with it a sense of shame and isolation.

I have no shortage of friends who have shared tales of tragedy they view as more significant than the dissolution of my engagement. So much so that I started to think I was abnormal. Fisher assured me I wasnt. Simply moving on  a rite of passage that can involve some combination of therapy, ice cream, binge-watching, alcohol and time  is a myth.

Weve been able to prove that when you are rejected in love, you are in an addicted state, Fisher said. How addicted? Fisher said heartbreak activates the same region of the brain triggered by, say, heroin. These areas of the brain are active when were happy in love, too, and can remain on high alert long after a separation occurs.

Researchers studying heartbreak also found activity in a brain region that registers physical pain.

Whew. I am normal, after all. Im also, say experts, in danger.

Physical changes in your body are real and they are happening, said Florence Williams, author of Heartbreak: A Personal and Scientific Journey, a lauded text on the subject. If we dont recover from heartbreak, we will get sick. Urgency is critical, because healing does not just happen.

Looks like Ill need more than ice cream.

Heartbreak can affect the cardiovascular system and brain

You got it bad, David A. Sbarra, a professor of psychology at the University of Arizona, wrote to me.

That wasnt an official diagnosis, but considering Sbarra has made heartache his primary field of study for more than two decades, it carried weight. Hes published multiple papers that link divorce with health risks, including an elevated chance of early death. I wanted to know if the past 14 months of my life had potentially shaved a few years off it.

Theres not a simple answer. Psychological stress, said Sbarra, can wreak havoc on multiple parts of the body. But Sbarra assured me I was within the normative range for adaptation, or the expected time it takes to get back to normal, which can be up to two years for a particularly painful separation.

But Sbarra also pointed to a study that found that ruminating incessantly over a breakup can lead to long-term lack of sleep and increase ones resting blood pressure.

I could practically feel my heart start to ache as I read other studies. For instance, separated adults may experience a disruption in how their heart rate is regulated, a stress response Sbarra likened to releasing the brake on your car while going downhill. It could lead to an increased risk of a cardiovascular event among people without cardiovascular disease. A literal broken heart.

I still find myself unconsciously doodling her name whenever Im in possession of pen and paper. What, I wondered, was going on in my brain? Since I couldnt find someone to freely place me in a brain scanner, I did the next best thing and rang up Fisher, who has long investigated the neural chemistry of love and heartache.

I spoke with Fisher at one of my lowest points, when I was struggling to not reach out to my former lover every day. As I shamefully recounted sending another embarrassing I miss you email, Fisher interrupted and introduced me to the concept of what she calls the rejected brain.

A pivotal 2010 study from Fisher and her peers analyzed brain activity that occurred when a heartbroken person viewed a picture of their former partner, versus a neutral party. Some study subjects were just removed from their romantic partnership; others were separated for about 17 months. I had revealed to Fisher that I have a habit of looking at pictures of my former partner and me, and though this ritual leaves me sad, during it I find myself smiling, sometimes even laughing.

Theres science behind this behavior. Though I couldnt see Fisher, I could practically hear her nodding as she told me whats happening inside my head.

We found activity in a tiny little factory near the base of the brain known as the ventral tegmental area, or VTA, Fisher said. And that brain region makes dopamine and sends dopamine to many brain regions. Thats what gives you elation, the focus, the motivation and the craving of intense romantic love. We also found activity in the brain region linked with deep attachment. Just because youve been dumped, youre still in love.

And theres more.

We also found activity in three brain regions linked with craving and addiction, Fisher said.

Im like a junkie, returning to a source of diminishing hits. Anyone who knows anything about addiction knows that its all-consuming, and with excessive craving comes a lack of self-control. Cue that late-night email that you shouldnt have sent.

(But not all researchers are comfortable with the addiction phrasing. Grief researcher Mary-Frances OConnor is one, and the neuroscientist and psychologist recently released the book The Grieving Brain: The Surprising Science of How We Learn From Love and Loss. Her preferred term is yearning, likening the need for loved ones to hunger and thirst.)

And if the person we thought we would spend the rest of our life with is suddenly removed, we are going to crave that person, and think about little else. This is when Fisher gave me some tough love.

Throw them out, she said of the photos of us in a hidden folder on my phone. If you want to give up alcohol, you dont keep a bottle of vodka on your desk. And if I couldnt toss the photos, I should stop looking at them. All youre doing is re-traumatizing yourself.

Unfortunately, I re-traumatize myself daily  sometimes hourly. My ex designed the tattoo on my left forearm, a multicolored fantastical sun inspired by Disneylands Its a Small World. The theme park is a place I go for comfort, and I found a similar mix of playfulness and grandeur in her work. I reflexively grab it when stress or tension strike. The reality is I relied on her, heavily. The ink isnt going anywhere, nor would I want it to.

Her art fills me with warmth, joy and even, dare I say it, a sense of awe (more on awe later). But I was making progress. If this is an addiction  or a yearning  then it may be one I learn to manage rather than forever kick. When an older, married friend tells me she occasionally thinks of a former lover and wonders what if?, I start to think that when it comes to heartbreak, were all just trying to stay on the wagon.

Loneliness and immunity

Lets run with the addiction metaphor. One of the things that weve historically done with addiction is to try to get people off heroin and onto something else that feeds the addiction but is less toxic, said Steve Cole, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the University of California, Los Angeles, School of Medicine. Cole wonders, then, what is the methadone equivalent for a broken heart?

For many, its jumping back into the dating pool, the so-called rebound. But this is risky. As Cole puts it, youre still living the heartbreak, and while individual results will vary, I found attempts at dating left me feeling empty, reinforcing the idea that my ex is indeed the love of my life.

Cole, however, had some hard truths to deliver. I learned about Cole via Williams and her Heartbreak book; his research, he told her, was tolisten for loneliness via immune-related genes in our body. I was intrigued.

I wish I could say Cole scared the heartbreak right out of me. Not quite, but I think of our conversation anytime my depression tendencies are urging me back to bed. First, in simple, metaphorical terms.

When your chief human life preserver suddenly walks off, your brain is like, No, no, no, everything is not OK. It starts activating biological defense programs, Cole said. Its sort of like an iron. An iron is a great thing to use if you need to smooth out a wrinkle, but if you leave it on all the time, 24-7, itll burn your house down. Thats what these fight-or-flight systems are like. Theyre great if a saber-tooth cat just ran through the camp, but theyre not supposed to be there every day.

And if you happen to be one of the estimated 15% of people who dont recover in a year or two and fall into a near-permanent state of loneliness?

In simplified terms, a potentially overly explosive inflammatory response. Our body goes into hyperdrive in creating certain kinds of white blood cells, specifically those fighting bacteria. Great, as noted, for a bite from that saber-tooth cat, but less so if were just missing an ex (hand raised).

You will, Williams warned me, get sick. As Naomi Eisenberger, a professor of psychology at UCLA, put it, a robust immune response is a first line of defense against foreign agents, but chronically high levels of inflammation are implicated in a bunch of chronic diseases. Pick one. Cardiovascular disease. Diabetes. Certain kinds of cancer.

Illness can take hold regardless of how much comfort food, trashy television or, well, other people, we consume. That explains why, in a particularly low period last June, I told my therapist that I wish I could have a new brain.

Along with equating rejection with physical pain, the mind can further romanticize our former partners. I dont need help on that front  I have nothing but feelings of goodwill toward my ex.

Fisher again: When youre madly in love, theres a brain region linked to what scientists call negativity bias. Activity in that brain region reduces, so you can overlook the negatives. Love, it seems, really is blind.

If our brain really had our best interest in mind, said psychologist Winch, it would help us to develop a lack of tolerance for the person who hurt you and doesnt see why youre so great.

As it turns out science does have a prescription for recovery. Its called awe. And I wanted it.

How to heal

It may be possible to accelerate the healing of a broken heart.

Williams theorizes we can speed up our heartbreak recovery by about 25% or 30%. Thats worth it, especially if its going to keep you from having an autoimmune disease.

Williams gave me a three-pronged prescription.

The first recommendation? Calm.

Get your body out of fight-or-flight, which is where it is when you feel abandoned and afraid of the future. You are hyper-vigilant. Calm down, however you do that, whether its through video games or yoga or taking hot baths.

Video games, yes, but also music. I dedicate a portion of most every day to listening to an old or brand new record.

The second? Connection.

That can be connecting to nature, which it partly was for me, Williams said, but also connecting to other people who care about you and who you care about.

Because of the breakup, Ive made new friends, reconnected with acquaintances and made a point to be more assertive in making plans. Additionally, a former interview subject and I have formed a sort of heartbreak club; we check in on each other once per month to discuss our progress. I also started volunteering at a local museum.

The third? This can be a little more abstract. We must, said Williams, find a sense of purpose, especially if, like me, the relationship became your purpose.

What meaning can you make? Williams said. You have a reason to get out of bed every day, and you feel you have a contribution to make.

As Cole put it, a sense of purpose reprioritizes your brain. It tells the stress section of your brain, Throttle back on that. We have good work to do. Dont send out fight-or-flight messages to the bone marrow and produce immune cells. This is also what has inspired my fascination with awe, in its most scientific sense.

Shortly after learning of my breakup, a friend recommended I read the work of Dacher Keltner, a professor of psychology at the University of California, Berkeley, and the faculty director of the universitys Greater Good Science Center.

In his book Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life, Keltner describes awe as the feeling of being in the presence of something vast that transcends your current understanding of the world. Hes identified eight core spaces in which we can find it: Moral beauty, collective effervescence, nature, music, visual design, spirituality and religion, life and death, and epiphany.

I found awe  a spiritual sense of wonder, curiosity, speechlessness and connection  in my ex. But over the past year, Keltner helped remind me that awe existed before I fell in love with her. Awe appeals to me because there can be a mysticism to it. You have to rely on philosophy, history, literature and science, Keltner told me.

And creativity. This reported journey is itself a search for awe, an opportunity, perhaps, to connect to a broader community.

I asked Keltner what he does on a particularly down day. He, after all, wrote the book on the subject, one I return to often.

You just have to stop and pause, Keltner said. But for real, pause. Put away your checklist and your phone. Open up and feel things. Standing right now, out in the sun, I feel the sun on my skin. That starts to feel awesome.

I think about moral beauty, he continued. Whose character moves me, and how can I be like them? Nature is transformative. Im so glad youre going to museums. I go to a museum once a week, to just step in and feel the creativity. I turn to quotes. I teach them in my classes. Walt Whitman: All goes onward and outward. What I love about awe is that it gives you dozens of things to do daily. I try to get 10 minutes per day.

Ten minutes. I can do that.

I told Keltner that my natural instinct all along has been to search for awe. Walt Whitman for him; Joni Mitchell for me. At the end of the most difficult 14 months of my life, I know that when I feel that urge to reach out, to wonder how shes doing, to dream we can talk, I have to redirect my brain, to search for something that can inspire rather than simply comfort.

Its art that I turn to. And yes, much to the disappointment of some of the researchers Ive interviewed, sometimes its her art. It is, after all, tattooed on me. But I feel, if not awe, something akin to it in the knowledge that we met and shared time together.

I believe today a heartbreak prescription requires both scientists and poets. One gives us reason; another fastens us to a continuum. And as awe teaches us, they overlap.

Simply moving on now seems like an old-fashioned idea. Weve been permanently changed. Again, I return to Joni Mitchell:

Somethings lost, but somethings gained in living every day.

And to acknowledge that, for now, is to not only surrender to the unknown, but to also find purpose.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro (right) shakes hands with Colombian-born businessman Alex Saab upon arriving at the National Assembly headquarters to give his state of the nation address to parliament, in Caracas on Jan. 15, 2024. (Federico Parra, AFP/Getty Images/TNS)

(Tribune News Service)  Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduros backsliding on his promise of free and fair elections is likely to prompt the return of some U.S. sanctions, though the Biden administration will probably refrain from imposing the stiffest penalties related to oil, according to analysts.

Maduro has jailed aides to the opposition presidential candidate, Maria Corina Machado, and Venezuelas top court last week upheld a ban against her and others holding office. That dimmed the glimmer of hope that Maduro would face real competition in his quest for reelection this year.

Yet the U.S., which suspended sanctions last year after Maduro committed to a democratic process, has plenty of incentives to continue negotiating with the Venezuelan leader and to keep more lenient policy in place, experts say.

From the Biden administrations perspective, sanctions were not working in the first place, said David Voght, managing director at IPD Latin America, an energy research group.

And easing sanctions, he said, has achieved certain key wins.

Maduro is allowing the U.S. to send undocumented migrants on flights back to Venezuela, helping President Joe Biden take a tougher stance on immigration in an election year. And Venezuelan oil driller PDVSA is boosting exports directly to U.S. ports now that restrictions have been lifted on its sales, helping keep oil prices in check and providing support, even if modestly, to its economy.

On Friday, Venezuelas top court closed the path for Machado to run for president this year, putting the Biden administration in the awkward position of deciding whether to reinstate sanctions it had suspended to support free and fair elections.

Some experts say its likely that Biden will choose a half-measure to punish Maduro for Venezuelas antidemocratic moves, perhaps reimposing sanctions on gold exports or restricting only new oil production deals. One person familiar with the process said that the U.S. could partially reimpose sanctions on oil production by limiting licenses and only allowing for some projects but not all to continue, short of the total ban that existed before October.

Neither move would be a significant blow to Maduro in the short term, but they would allow Biden to show hes taking action. It would also give some leeway until a final date for presidential elections is set. Venezuelas government has agreed with the opposition the country will go to the polls in the second half of 2024. Yet, this might further delay the financing from the international banking system thats crucial for local oil firms.

It is highly unlikely that the Biden administration will reimpose the same oil sanctions scheme that existed previously, said Francisco Monaldi, a fellow in Latin American energy policy at Rice Universitys Baker Institute for Public Policy.

Most probably the U.S. will end the gold license as a first warning expecting that an opposition agreement for a presidential candidate is reached before April, when the oil license expires, he added. A ban on state-owned gold miner Minerven was imposed in 2019 to prevent lucrative sales that keep the military loyal to Maduro.

The State Department on Saturday said that the U.S. is reviewing its sanctions policy toward Venezuela.

No decisions regarding Venezuelas sanctions have been taken yet, and the Biden administration expects to complete its review within days, according to people familiar with the process, who asked not to be identified without permission to speak publicly. The National Security Council and Treasury Department on Sunday declined to provide additional comment.

Following Fridays Supreme Court ruling, the Venezuelan opposition and the U.S. government are likely evaluating whether the courts action is final or if theres a way to negotiate with the Maduro regime for Machado to be included in the election, or for the opposition to accept a replacement candidate, said Mark Feierstein, the U.S. National Security Councils senior director for western-hemisphere affairs in the Obama administration.

I think the administration is hopeful that negotiations will continue between them and the regime, said Feierstein, now a senior adviser at the U.S. Institute of Peace.

Oil sanctions unlikely

Even if Venezuela is no longer as significant an oil player as it had been previously, the U.S. has reasons to ensure the country remains a supplier. A partial re-imposition of sanctions not related to oil would leave energy major Chevron Corp. free to keep sending oil shipments to U.S. refineries and increasing its output. The San Ramon, Calif.-based firm has more than doubled its production during 2023, and plans to drill this year.

European firms like Eni SpA and Repsol SA are currently producing oil and gas, with operations secured by comfort letters extended by the U.S. Treasury Departments Office of Foreign Assets Control. A partial reimposing of sanctions would not affect their business. PDVSA, Chevron, Eni and Repsol didnt immediately reply to requests for comment.

Trading firms have also approached Venezuela to restart direct purchases. Any halt in ongoing talks with the international banking system to reestablish financing for the sector because of the recent political squabble will further delay efforts to increase output.

Theres potential for a partial reimposition of sanctions to signal that the U.S. is serious, but negotiations can continue, Feierstein said. The mining one is the easiest to do, and the limits on financial transactions were more harmful to U.S. investors than Venezuela. Oil is the most serious one, and Id be surprised if they did that immediately.

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Air Force Staff Sgt. James Kennedy pets Maria, a theraphy dog, at the USO on Yokota Air Base, Japan, Jan. 25, 2024. (Kelly Agee/Stars and Stripes)

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan  A furry friend has been lifting spirits every week at the home of U.S. Forces Japan in western Tokyo.

Maria, an 8-year-old lab terrier mix and a rescue dog, is the first certified therapy dog at a USO in Japan, Josephine Grenier, USO Yokotas operations specialist, told Stars and Stripes on Jan. 18.

Marias job is to come in and volunteer her time to boost the morale of our Yokota community, she said.

As a therapy dog, Maria spends 5-7 p.m. each Thursday at USO in Yokotas Yujo Community Center. Visitors may pet and play with Maria and treats are welcome, too.

Maria, who started visiting the USO in August, attracts up to 15 people per visit, Grenier said.

When youre overseas, for at least single airmen, were not really allowed to have dogs, cats or pets with us in our dorms, Staff Sgt. James Kennedy, a videographer for American Forces Network Tokyo, said at the USO on Thursday. So, for someone to bring their pet and let us interact and play with is a pretty big morale boost for me.

Marias human, Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Kristen Yarber, a radio DJ and video broadcaster for AFN, adopted her in 2017.

Maria was a satos  Puerto Rican slang for a street dog Yarber recently told Stars and Stripes. She survived two major hurricanes that hit the island in 2017. One of the storms, Hurricane Maria, is how the dog got her name.

Pregnant and homeless, Maria was rescued by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, which took her to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Norfolk, Va., where Maria gave birth, and her puppies were soon adopted.

Maria remained in the shelter, unwanted, underweight, anemic and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, Yarber said.

She was in like a glass box when I saw her for the first time, she said. They brought her out and she jumped on me, and they were like, she never does that. I told them that I had been deployed as providing humanitarian assistance to those islands and they were like, This has to be your dog.

It was October, Dog Adoption Month, and Yarber took Maria home for $25.

I realized that when I was around her my anxiety was so low, any time I saw her I just got really happy, she said. So, I decided to get her registered as a therapy dog in 2020.

A therapy dog does not require special training like a service dog and is sometimes confused with emotional support animals.

Therapy dogs provide support to other people, while an emotional support animal provides support to its owner, according to servicedogcertifications.org, an unofficial website where owners can register their dogs.

The simple act of petting animals releases an automatic relaxation response, according to the University of California of Los Angles Health website.

Maria, a therapy dog, visits the USO at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Jan. 18, 2024. (Kelly Agee/Stars and Stripes)

Petting promotes mental health by stimulating the release of serotonin, prolactin and oxytocin, hormones that can play a part in elevating moods, the website states. It also lowers anxiety and helps people relax, providing comfort and reducing loneliness.

For physical health, the act lowers blood pressure, improves cardiovascular health and diminishes overall physical pain, according to the site.

Maria appears to hit all those boxes for her admirers.

She is such a sweet dog, and she loves getting all the pets she can get, Kennedy said. Shes a great dog and I want to keep coming back so I can say hello to her.
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken participates in a open forum on Fentanyl at the U.S. Department of State in Washington on July 17, 2023. (U.S. Department of State)

United States and Chinese officials will meet in Beijing on Tuesday, convening a working group designed to crack down on the flow of fentanyl and other synthetic drugs targeting U.S. users.

It is the first such high-level meeting of U.S. and Chinese officials since a breakthrough agreement between President Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping in San Francisco in November when the two leaders pledged to restart counternarcotics cooperation.

A delegation including officials from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and Justice, Homeland Security, State and Treasury departments will meet to discuss methods to stamp out the shipment of Chinese chemicals used to make fentanyl  called precursors  to drug cartels abroad, including improvements in tracking and labeling.

The meeting marks a step forward in a process that began in November, when  in a show of good faith  Beijing opened lines of communication with the United States on counternarcotics trafficking following years of relative silence, and issued warnings to Chinese chemical makers.

It is a really critical and pivotal moment for our direct committee implementation on this issue, said a senior White House administration official on Sunday. It is a platform for ongoing coordination to support concrete enforcement actions with the goal of countering the evolving threat of synthetic drugs, the official said. Beijing banned the sale of fentanyl in 2019, effectively ending shipments of the drug directly to the United States from Chinese suppliers. However, Chinese companies are still among the largest manufacturers of fentanyl precursors. These chemicals are still sold to third-party markets, including Mexico, where they are used to manufacture synthetic drugs smuggled into the United States.

The role of Chinese precursors has been divisive between officials in Beijing and Washington. Some U.S. lawmakers have blamed Beijing for the roughly 100,000 annual U.S. deaths a year linked to fentanyl abuse. In return, officials in Beijing have laid the blame on the United States for failing to control the epidemic at home. The U.S. itself is the root cause of its drug problems, said foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin in response to U.S. government sanctions on Chinese precursor manufacturers in April 2023. It is the importers duty to prevent such chemicals from falling into the hands of illicit drugmakers, he said.

The Chinese embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Sunday. Despite that friction, the senior U.S. administration official on Sunday said the resumption of communication since November has already led to significant breakthroughs in disrupting the supply of fentanyl precursors to the United States. The official claimed a drop in seizures as proof of the dwindling supply.

We have information that the PRC started taking action against Chinese synthetic drug and chemical precursor suppliers right around the time of the summit. And, in the following month, we saw companies shut down and saw international accounts blocked, the official said, adding they believed it was the first such legal enforcement action by Beijing since 2017.

The official also said that Beijing in November submitted 145 drug-related incidents to the International Narcotics Control Board Database  a tool used to share information internationally about suspected trafficking activity  the first time since 2017 that the Chinese government had done so.

In November, Beijing also issued a public notice, warning domestic producers of more than 50 precursors that they face potential legal action in sending the chemicals abroad. They also warned of possible entrapment by foreign authorities and said exporters should exercise caution when shipping items to countries including the United States and Mexico.

The U.S. senior administration official compared the notice on precursors to a similar one issued in 2019, which was followed by a near-complete drop off in seizures of fentanyl shipped directly from China to the United States.

Our expectation is that well start to see the same happen in this precursor chemical industry as well, the official said. Beijing is also in discussions with Mexico on the issue, the official added.

The resumption of cooperation on counternarcotics comes amid a relative warming in U.S.-China relations, following a period of intense friction marked by coronavirus-origin claims, near-clashes between ships and warplanes in the South China Sea and the spat over a Chinese spy balloon that traversed the United States early last year. In December, the two countries top military officials finally reopened key lines of communication.
U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles assigned to the 494th Fighter Squadron sit on the flight line at RAF Lakenheath, England, in October 2023. Federal government website solicitations indicate that the U.S. may be moving some of its nuclear weapons to the base. (Olivia Gibson/U.S. Air Force)

A notice on a public federal website indicates that Washington may move some of its nuclear arsenal to the United Kingdom, amid concerns that tactical nuclear weapons are a growing part of Russian military strategy.

A solicitation published last week on the U.S. governments official contracting website refers to the need for imminent surety support at RAF Lakenheath, home to the 48th Fighter Wing.

Surety is a term used by the Pentagon that refers to the ability to secure nuclear weapons safely.

The solicitation, first reported by Londons The Telegraph newspaper, advertises for hydraulic ramps for unloading vehicles at the base.

Air Force officials at Lakenheath declined to discuss the language in the latest government solicitation.

It is U.S. policy to neither confirm nor deny the presence or absence of nuclear weapons at any general or specific location, the 48th Fighter Wing said in a statement Monday.

It follows roughly a year of speculation that American nuclear weapons would return to the base, where they were housed during the Cold War but removed in 2008.

The B61 bomb is designed to be carried by aircraft at supersonic flight speeds and has been the primary nuclear weapon in the U.S. stockpile since the end of the Cold War. The U.S. is reportedly planning to move nuclear weapons to RAF Lakenheath, England, according to The Telegraph newspaper. (U.S. Air Force)

The Air Forces 2024 estimated budget, released in March, mentioned the construction of a surety dormitory at Lakenheath. Construction is scheduled to begin in June and end in February 2026, according to budget documents.

A separate procurement contract in September also mentioned that the 48th Security Forces Squadron would have an upcoming nuclear mission.

The Telegraph reported that RAF Lakenheath is expected to house B61-12 gravity bombs.

Although neither American nor British officials normally say much about nuclear weapons sites, several locations have been made public over the decades.

In 2019, six locations in Europe were accidentally revealed in a report published by a NATO committee.

The report referred to about 150 nuclear weapons at six bases, including Aviano Air Base in Italy and Incirlik Air Base in Turkey, both of which are home to U.S. service members. Additional sites were located in Belgium, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands.

The contractor solicitations come as Russian nuclear saber-rattling has grown since the Kremlins invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Russias heavy losses to its conventional forces against Ukraine make it more likely to rely on tactical nuclear weapons in a hypothetical war with the NATO alliance, a study commissioned by U.S. European Command found. Such weapons have shorter range than the strategic missiles built to strike the United States.

Russia probably would use (non-strategic nuclear weapons) at the theater level to soberize the West into realizing that it should settle the conflict as quickly as possible, preferably on Russias terms, said the report, which was released last week by the International Institute for Strategic Studies.

Also last week, Russian state media announced the creation of a nuclear bomb simulator designed to train Russian troops on how to operate following a radioactive blast.
China and Thailand signed an agreement on mutual visa exemption for holders of ordinary passports and passports for public affairs on Sunday. The policy, which will come into effect on March 1, is expected to boost people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. The agreement was a major outcome during the first meeting of consultation mechanism between the ministers of foreign affairs of Thailand and China, which was held in Bangkok. At a news conference in the Thai capital, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said: "It's important that peoples from the two countries have forged closer friendships and stronger bonds, and are now embracing a better life." There will be a big increase in the number of Chinese tourists visiting Thailand, Wang said. "We also welcome friends from Thailand to feel the vitality and vibrancy of China and the hospitality of the Chinese people." At the news conference, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara said the visa-free agreement is a symbol of long-lasting Sino-Thai friendship, trust and confidence, which is evidenced at every level. "The meeting is a significant step in our cooperation, held at the level of foreign ministers of both countries, and we have agreed to alternately host at least once every year," he said. "I am certain that travel between our two peoples, whether for tourism or business, will become more convenient, and help to stimulate the tourism industry in both countries." As next year will mark the 50th anniversary of China-Thailand diplomatic relations, Wang said China highly commends China-Thailand friendship and mutual trust. The bilateral relationship between the two countries has withstood the test of the changing international landscape and grown from strength to strength over the past half a century, he said. "China always sees Thailand as a priority in its diplomacy with neighboring countries, and supports Thailand in following a development path that suits its national conditions," Wang stressed. He also noted 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. "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 a changing and turbulent world," Wang said. To strengthen the cooperation with China, Parnpree said Thailand is committed to promoting trade, investment, security and cooperation on culture and tourism, to facilitating connectivity, people-to-people relations, and to advancing cooperation at various multilateral and regional forums. During the meeting on Sunday, both sides also agreed to speed up 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. The two countries signed agreements on the export of poultry meat and podocarpus plants to China. Podocarpus is a versatile, low-maintenance plant for landscaping. 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 vehicles, digital economy and green development. During the meeting, the two ministers also exchanged views on current key regional and international situations, including the situation in Myanmar, the Korean Peninsula and the Middle East. yangwanli@chinadaily.com.cn
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 29. It's been clear that developed countries have committed to take the lead and to achieve the 100 billion goal, which was set to be achieved in 2020, Jennifer Morgan, Secretary of State and Special Representative of Germany for International Climate Action at the German Foreign Ministry said answering Trends question during a press conference in Baku.

At this last COP, Germany and Canada actually worked together with other contributing countries and the OECD. There has been significant funding flowing from developed countries to developing countries. In Germany, certainly, we met our goal of 6 billion euros three years early. And so, and we also worked so that the Green Climate Fund was recapitalized at a higher level than last time, that the Loss and Damage Fund had those startup funds of 700 million euros. I think we've taken it very seriously, she said.

Morgan believes that now it's time, as agreed in the Paris Agreement, for other countries that are able to do so to step onto the world stage and take up that responsibility.

If you want to be a global player, there comes responsibility. I think UAE really fulfilled that last year. And that is the key question this year for this COP. So of course, we plan on continuing. Developed countries need to continue, of course. But it's time to have a broader contributor base. And we have to shift the trillions away from fossil fuels and all international financial institutions need to be engaged in that, she added.

Follow the author on X: @Lyaman_Zeyn
Stickers reading Baby blood in your drink! are being used to protest against Coca Cola, while stickers saying Baby blood in your food! are being used to protest against Burger King, in Izmir, Turkey, on Nov. 7, 2023. The boycotts are on all American and Israeli brands as a solidarity with Palestinian. (Murat Kocabas/Middle East Images/AFP/Getty Images/TNS)

(Tribune News Service)  Since the Israel-Hamas war began in October, Nayera Ahmed, a 19-year-old mass communications student in Cairo, has stopped hanging out at her local Starbucks. The American coffee chain has appeared on several consumer boycott lists being circulated on Egyptian social media.

Me and my friends, we used to go to Starbucks all the time, now its a shame if youre seen at one of those, Ahmed said. Its the least we can do. Why would I buy from these Western companies?

Its a trend playing out in parts of the Middle East and even beyond. Driven by a wellspring of anger against the U.S. and Europe for not doing more to get Israel to end its offensive in Gaza, many shoppers in the region as well as Muslim nations like Pakistan are shunning big foreign brands, damping sales of some and creating PR headaches for others.

In Cairo, on a recent weekday, dozens of usually bustling Starbucks and McDonalds stores visited by Bloomberg stood completely empty. The manufacturer of a local Egyptian soda brand said its sales have tripled since the war began because consumers are shunning Coca-Cola and Pepsi.

In recent weeks, McDonalds Corp. Chief Executive Officer Chris Kempczinski has warned that his firm is seeing meaningful business impact in the Middle East due to misinformation spreading about his company.

Meanwhile, shares of Americana Restaurants International Plc  the Middle East franchise operator for KFC, Pizza Hut, Krispy Kreme and Hardees  declined as much as 27% on the Saudi stock exchange in the months after the war started, with some analysts predicting a hit to its profits from boycotts.

Its a backlash that reflects a new era of crisis management for the worlds biggest consumer brands  and particularly American ones  as emotionally charged shoppers conflate their businesses with government policies. Companies have issued public statements to emphasize their political neutrality. Yet the movement has steadily picked up steam in the three months since the war began, with boycott calls still spreading.

Fawaz Gerges, Middle Eastern politics professor at the London School of Economics, said the present boycotts are particularly striking because they are intense, transnational and led by youthful populations.

So far, whether McDonalds or Starbucks, theyre hurting, since young people who are the big spenders are conscious of whats happening and they feel very active and invested, said Gerges. A perception that Washington favors Israel really affects these corporations because America is implicated and the CEOs are part of this American empire - commercial, financial, soft-power empire.

Amid rising geopolitical upheaval, global brands are increasingly being forced to grapple with polarizing scenarios amplified across borders by social media. Over the past two years, dozens of companies, from McDonalds to Coca-Cola Co., have pulled out of Russia amid global criticism of Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine.

The Middle East offers brands tens of millions of young consumers to drive growth at a time when developed markets are saturated. Still, the region has particularly deep political and operational complexities. The war started when Hamas militants from Gaza rampaged through southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people. Israels retaliatory offensive on Gaza has killed more than 25,000 people, according to health officials in the Hamas-run territory. The dire situation has inflamed tensions in the Middle East and led to an outpouring of support for Palestinians. The U.S. and European Union consider Hamas a terrorist organization, and it is still holding more than 100 hostages from its incursion. While U.S. and EU officials have supported Israels right to protect itself, they have begun ramping up calls to protect civilians in Gaza and pushed for a two-state solution with the Palestinians.

On Jan. 11, hours before facing airstrikes from the U.S. and UK, the Houthi rebels conducting shipping attacks in the Red Sea in support of the Palestinians called for consumers in the Middle East to keep shunning foreign goods. The scope of the boycott of American and Israeli goods must expand in the Gulf countries, Abdul Malik al-Houthi, the militant organizations head, said in a televised speech.

In Jordan, many Starbucks and McDonalds stores are still standing largely empty even though boycotts began in October. Onlookers usually see only empty stools and booths occupied by workers, with cashiers slouched at their counters. Supermarkets in Jordan also have tags hanging on a large number of foreign brands describing them as boycotted goods. In Kuwait, normally packed Starbucks outlets in busy areas have seen trickles of walk-in customers since early October. The boycott has boosted sales for homegrown coffee stores.

Starbucks referred Bloomberg News to statements posted on its website, including one that reads: We have no political agenda. We do not use our profits to fund any government or military operations anywhere  and never have. It has no stores in Israel.

The current hit to sales could lessen the appetite of franchisees to expand in parts of the Middle East, said Mark Kalinowski, president and CEO of Kalinowski Equity Research, though the geographical diversification of brands like McDonalds will limit the impact on total results.

Meanwhile, several local Middle Eastern businesses said they are profiting from the pushback against overseas brands. Moath Fauri, the founder of Astrolabe, a Jordanian coffee chain, is cutting out American and French products as much as possible across seven branches in Amman and sourcing ingredients like flavored syrups regionally.

He says his business has boomed after the boycotts, with sales surging 30% at some locations as locals snubbed Starbucks. In Egypt, Spiro Spathis, a 100-year-old local soda brand, which had been struggling to revive its waning popularity, has seen sales skyrocket over the last three months, according to Youssef Atwan, its commercial director.

Suddenly we were bombarded with orders from supermarkets, restaurants, we were trying hard to cope with the demand, Atwan said. Clients would go to restaurants and either ask for our brand or at least refuse to drink those on the boycott list.

With more than 105 million people, Egypt is the regions most populous nation, with 60% of its people below the age of 30. Brands there are up against the zeal of consumers like Sara El-Masry, a project manager in a cultural organization, who has completely changed her consumption habits since the war started.

Her favorite dishwasher tablet brand was Fairy, which is manufactured by Procter & Gamble Co. But since October, El-Masry has stopped buying the product, which is also on a boycott list. Looking for an alternative, a relative gave her a recipe to make at home. She now mixes baking soda, citric acid and dish soap and packs it in an ice cube tray to create her own dishwashing soap. P&G didnt comment.

In Turkey, some officials have pushed for a boycott of Coca-Cola. While the drink is still widely available in supermarkets and restaurants, the Turkish parliament in November said it would remove Coke from its cafeterias. The impact will become clearer when the U.S. soda companies report earnings in February, but a plunge in sales of Cokes Turkey distributor, where fourth-quarter volumes fell 22% certainly raises a red flag, said Garrett Nelson, a beverage industry analyst at CFRA. Coca-Cola and PepsiCo. didnt comment.

Fallouts from boycotts have been seen largely in countries like Jordan, Kuwait and Egypt. In the United Arab Emirates  home to only about 10 million people, many of whom are expats  theres been little dramatic impact seen.

Yet even there some small-business owners have chosen to take a stand. Bait Maryam, a Dubai restaurant, replaced all fizzy drinks with local brands in early October. A spokesperson said its customers support the change.

In the Middle Easts largest economy, Saudi Arabia, the effects have been harder to assess. There have been few public calls for boycotts on social media in the kingdom, where the government tries to control most types of activism. Yet several outlets for U.S. chains visited by Bloomberg News stood largely empty.

The Middle Easts boycotts are ultimately a low-risk form of protest in a region with a very low tolerance for activism, said Robert Mogielnicki, a senior resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington. McDonalds became the target of boycotts in parts of the region after photos and videos on social media showed franchised stores in Israel giving meals to the nations soldiers following the Oct. 7 attack.

After that, the brands Saudi Arabia franchisee issued statements expressing sympathy for Palestinians and donated 2 million Saudi riyals ($533,000) to Gaza relief efforts. Franchisees in other countries with large Muslim populations took similar actions.

McDonalds Corp. is not funding or supporting any governments involved in this conflict, the company said. We are dismayed by the disinformation and inaccurate reports regarding our position in response to the conflict in the Middle East, the chain said in an emailed statement. Independent franchisees operate its business in the region and make their own decisions.

The problems for brands have extended beyond the Middle East. In Pakistan, posters describing large multinational brands, including American ones like Pepsi and Coca-Cola, as Israeli products have circulated. European brands like French supermarket chain Carrefour SA, which last year entered Israel via a partnership with a local player, have also appeared on the list of the Palestinian-led Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement, which calls for broad economic and cultural boycotts of Israel and Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Carrefour declined to comment. The grocery chain is present in nine Middle Eastern countries including Jordan and Egypt via a local partner as well.

Americana Restaurants, the largest operator of U.S. restaurant chains in the Middle East, is expected to see a short-term negative impact on sales and earnings from the boycotts, said Fahad Irfan Qureshi, senior analyst at Aljazira Capital. This is driving the negative stock performance, the analyst said, adding that earnings should recover eventually. In a statement, Americana said it will provide details on its business performance in its upcoming full-year 2023 results.

At times, people disagree with U.S. policy, and whats a way that they vent their rage? One way is they stop buying from brands that are headquartered in America, Kalinowski said.

With assistance from Brett Pulley, Leslie Patton, Fahad Abuljadayel, Beril Akman, Fiona MacDonald, Farah Elbahrawy and Faseeh Mangi.

2024 Bloomberg News.

Visit at bloomberg.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
A U.S. Air Force Special Tactics combat controller with the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron maintains visuals on an Ohio Air National Guard 127th Airlift Wing C-130H Hercules during an airfield reconn mission during Exercise Eager Lion, May 16, 2017, in Jordan. (Ryan Conroy/U.S. Air Force)

Iran sought to distance itself from a deadly attack on a U.S. base in Jordan by Tehran-backed militants, as President Joe Biden faced mounting pressure to respond fiercely against the Islamic Republic.

Resistance groups in the region do not take orders from the Islamic Republic of Iran, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani said on Monday. He was referring to whats often called the axis of resistance  a network of militias in territories from Yemen to Iraq and Gaza that are funded by Tehran and share its opposition to the US and Israel.

Accusations that Iran was involved in the weekend drone assault that killed three American soldiers and wounded dozens are baseless, he said.

The troops were the first Americans to die from a Middle East attack since regional tensions were inflamed by the start of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza last October.

While the U.S. did not directly blame Iran, Biden said the White House knew it was carried out by radical Iran-backed militant groups operating in Syria and Iraq.

We will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner of our choosing, he said.

Oil initially rose 1.5% on Monday, with Brent climbing above $84 a barrel, though it later pared almost all those gains. Irans currency, the rial, fell to its weakest level on the black market since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, according to Bonbast.com, a website that tracks the exchange rate.

U.S. response

Washingtons response will be stronger than its most recent retaliations against Iranian proxies, according to a person familiar with the U.S. position, underlining the risks of further escalation in a conflict thats already spread from Gaza across the Middle East.

Some American lawmakers, including Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Republican, are urging Biden to strike Iranian territory.

Hit Iran now, Graham, whos long been hawkish on Iran, said. Hit them hard.

The challenge for Biden is how to retaliate without raising oil prices and without getting drawn further into the conflict  and especially into a direct confrontation with Iran  in an election year.

Higher crude prices would likely sting American consumers by pushing up the cost of gasoline, a politically sensitive topic.

The U.S. has already become more embroiled in the Middle East since Oct. 7. It sent more naval and air forces to the region to support Israel and deter attacks on it from the likes of Hezbollah, which is based in Lebanon. This month, its launched several missile strikes on Yemen to try to stop attacks on commercial and military ships by the Houthis, a group funded and trained by Iran.

The U.S. faces bad options only, said Firas Modad, head of Modad Geopolitics, a risk-advisory firm. Bidens under immense pressure to respond to the deaths in Jordan but a direct conflict with Iran would likely result in higher energy prices and significant casualties, he said.

Less provocative

The U.S. hasnt struck Irans territory for decades and it may opt for a less provocative move such as hitting Iranian targets abroad or those of its proxies in countries such as Syria or Iraq.

In 2020, under then-President Donald Trump, the U.S. assassinated Iranian general Qassem Soleimani in Iraq, saying he was responsible for planning attacks on Americans through Tehrans proxies. Iran responded by striking U.S. bases in Iraq, injuring many troops but not killing any. Tensions between Washington and Tehran eased after that.

The U.S. will retaliate  that much is clear, said Ziad Daoud, chief emerging markets economist for Bloomberg Economics. The question is whether Iran will absorb the hit, or react to the retaliation. At stake is higher oil prices and potential global recession.

Tehran has repeatedly said it doesnt want the Israel-Hamas conflict to spread, though its warned of that happening as long as fighting in Gaza continues. Hamas, designated a terrorist organization by the U.S., is part of the axis of resistance and Iran has said the blame for any regional escalation lies with Israel and the U.S.

Iran wont interfere with how the groups it backs choose to support Palestinians in Gaza or defend themselves, the Foreign Ministry said on Monday.

Tehran faces its own balancing act in terms of how much support it gives allies. Its open about backing militias across the region like Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen, whove roiled the shipping world with their attacks in the Red Sea. But it has always rejected the characterization of proxies acting under its command.

Weekend strike

Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a group aligned with Iran, said on Sunday it used drones to target four bases including Al-Tanf in Syria, which houses U.S. troops. It did not say it had attacked Tower 22 in Jordan, which is where the deaths over the weekend took place.

Tower 22 is a garrison in north-east Jordan close to the borders of Iraq and Syria. It has about 350 American troops.

IRI is one of several groups that have repeatedly targeted U.S. forces since Oct. 7, the day Hamas attacked southern Israel and triggered the war in Gaza. The U.S. has retaliated with its own missile strikes in Iraq and Syria.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a network of activists that track developments in the region, said Iran-backed groups had redeployed near the Syria-Iraq border in anticipation of a potential U.S. retaliation.

With assistance from Dana Khraiche and Arsalan Shahla.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
USS Dwight D. Eisenhower conducts flight operations in response to increased Iranian-backed Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, Jan. 22, 2024. (Kaitlin Watt/U.S. Navy)

A one-way attack drone killed three U.S. service members at a base in Jordan over the weekend, officials said, marking a significant escalation in the attacks by Iran-linked militias against American troops in the Middle East. These militias, having also targeted troops in Iraq and Syria, claim they are acting in opposition to the Biden administrations support for Israel in the war in Gaza.

Where have pro-Iran militias targeted U.S. troops?

Iran backs Hamas, the militant group that rules Gaza, and Hezbollah, the militant group and political party based in Lebanon. Since the Oct. 7 cross-border Hamas attack drew Israels retaliatory war in Gaza, attacks by militias linked to Iran have become a daily occurrence across the Middle East.

In Iraq and Syria, militia groups have targeted the U.S. military in 160 attacks since October. About 2,500 U.S. troops are based in Iraq and 900 in Syria that U.S. officials say are part of an ongoing operation to keep the Islamic State group from regaining a foothold in either and as a counterweight to Iran. Some high-profile attacks spanned:

 Syria: On Oct. 18, 20 troops suffered minor injuries after one-way drones targeted the al-Tanf Garrison in southeastern Syria, U.S. officials said.

 Iraq: In December, Iran-backed militias critically injured a U.S. service member in Iraqs Irbil air base. In January, the Pentagon said that four American personnel were injured when militants launched ballistic missiles at Iraqs Ain al-Asad Air Base, which houses U.S. troops.

 Jordan: Sundays deadly drone attack targeted the Tower 22 base in northeast Jordan near its borders with Syria and Iraq, which houses about 350 troops. The attack hit the facilitys living quarters and also injured at least 34 service members, a U.S. defense official said. It was not immediately clear where the attack was launched from, they said. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group for Iran-linked militias, claimed responsibility for the attack. Iran has denied any involvement.

 Yemen: The Houthis, an Iran-allied rebel group, started targeting ships in the Red Sea in November, including U.S. warships. The groups continued attacks against one of the worlds busiest waterways have taken an outsize bite of global shipping.

Who are the pro-Iran militias targeting U.S. troops?

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed responsibility for Sundays attack in Jordan, days after claiming the attack on Iraqs Ain al-Asad Air Base.

This is a loosely formed group of militias that include Kataib Hezbollah and Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq is an umbrella organization of armed groups and militias that are aligned with Iran and that see themselves as vanguards fighting against Israel and American imperialism in the region, Renad Mansour, a senior research fellow at Londons Chatham House think tank, said in a telephone interview Monday.

Iran has cultivated the militias, which benefit militarily from Tehrans support, for years as a way of securing its influence across the region. They have their own interests, but their interests often converge on Irans interest  which is to maintain their power across the region, he said.

In the two decades since the United States invaded Iraq in 2003 and toppled Saddam Husseins regime, Iran has used this group of militias to expand its influence in the country, Mansour said. After the withdrawal of U.S. troops in 2011, the militias increasingly took the lead in Iraqs fight against the Islamic State, which had taken over a third of the country by 2014 as government security forces collapsed. Now, Mansour said, the militias continue to control the large swaths of territory once held by the Islamic State across the border area straddling Syria and Iraq  where Sundays drone attack was probably launched.

How has the United States responded?

The Biden administration is looking to prevent violence in Gaza from spilling out across the region, and responded cautiously to the attacks. In October, President Biden said he warned Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, that we will respond if Tehran continued to move against U.S. forces in the region.

Since, the administration has announced regular precision self-defense retaliatory airstrikes in Iraq and Syria. Little is known about the attacks in Syria, whose government rarely announces death tolls or the extent of the damage from such strikes. The White House is facing pressure from some critics who say the targeted retaliatory attacks are not enough and want the administration to take more significant military action. (It is not the only flash point on the Biden administrations radar. In Yemen, a U.S.-led coalition has repeatedly struck Houthi militant infrastructure. In the Red Sea, the United States formed a multinational naval coalition to protect commercial shipping.)

On Sunday, Biden vowed to respond to the latest attack in Jordan, which he blamed on radical Iran-backed militant groups. He continued: We will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner our choosing.

For its part, a senior official in the Islamic Resistance in Iraq said that the group would continue with its escalations as long as the United States maintains its support for Israel. All U.S. interests in the region are legitimate targets, they said, speaking on the condition of anonymity in line with rules set by the group. We dont care about U.S. threats to respond.  Martyrdom is our prize.

What does Iran say?

Tehran had no connection and had nothing to do with the attack in Jordan, Irans permanent mission to the United Nations told the countrys official Islamic Republic News Agency.

A major clash between the United States and Iran would have huge implications, and the rhetoric from both sides has been relatively restrained. As Iranian-backed groups continue to attack troops and Western interests, the million-dollar question is how directly is Iran involved, Hamidreza Azizi, a visiting fellow at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, previously said.

Liz Sly, Louisa Loveluck, Kareem Fahim, Mustafa Salim, Suzan Haidamous, Alex Horton, Toluse Olorunnipa, Dan Lamothe and Missy Ryan contributed to this report.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin welcomes NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg to the Pentagon on Monday, Jan. 29, 2024. (Chad J. McNeeley/Department of Defense)

WASHINGTON  Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin returned to the Pentagon on Monday after being absent for nearly a month because of prostate cancer and complications from the surgery.

At this important time, Im glad to be back at the Pentagon, Austin said at the start of his meeting at the Pentagon with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. I feel good and am recovering well but still recovering, and I appreciate all the good wishes that I have received thus far.

Austin, 70, made his first public appearance last week participating virtually in a meeting of the Ukrainian Defense Contact Group to discuss providing further assistance and weapons to Ukraine to help fight off the Russian forces that invaded nearly two years ago. Austin had been working from home since his undisclosed hospitalization for his cancer treatment.

The secretary was released from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., on Jan. 15 where he spent two weeks after experiencing complications from surgery, which was conducted Dec. 22. The secretary has come under scrutiny after he failed to notify President Joe Biden and other government officials about his illness and hospital stay.

During a regular health screening in early December, Austins cancer was detected. He was admitted to the hospital about three weeks later for a prostatectomy, which involves surgery to remove part of the prostate gland. The doctors called it a minimally invasive surgical procedure. Austin was under general anesthesia during the surgery and left the hospital the following morning.

On Jan. 1, Austin returned to Walter Reed after experiencing pain in his abdomen, hip and leg, the doctors said. He was later found to have a urinary tract infection, and Austin spent days in the intensive care unit before he was moved to a private section of the hospital.

Austin returned to Walter Reed on Friday for a follow-up examination for his prostate cancer surgery. Doctors said he is expected to make a full recovery and he has no planned further treatment for his cancer.

During Austins medical treatments, no one at the Defense Department notified the White House, Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks, Congress or the public for several days. On Jan. 2, Austin transferred some of his more pressing responsibilities to Hicks.

Biden did not learn of Austins prostate cancer until Jan. 9, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said at the time. That same day, the White House ordered all Cabinet members or secretaries must immediately notify the administration if at any time they cannot perform their duties.

The Defense Department inspector general announced Jan. 11 that Austins handling of his hospitalization will be investigated. The IG review announcement followed a Pentagon announcement that it would conduct a separate 30-day review of the incident.

The House Armed Services Committee has scheduled a hearing on Feb. 14 for Austin to testify about why his recent hospitalization was kept secret from lawmakers and other top officials. A similar hearing in the Democrat-led Senate has not been called, though some Republicans on the Senate Armed Services Committee have demanded one.
Environmental monitoring continues near railroad tracks in East Palestine, Ohio, on May 28, 2023. Less than a year ago, a disastrous train derailment sent a massive plume of dangerous chemicals billowing over East Palestine. Now, a new report warns that more of these catastrophes may loom. (Nate Smallwood/Bloomberg)

Less than a year ago, a disastrous train derailment sent a massive plume of dangerous chemicals billowing over East Palestine, Ohio, startling the town of nearly 5,000 residents and onlookers nationwide. Now, a new report warns that more of these catastrophes may loom: At any given moment, more than an estimated 3 million people are unknowingly at risk, as toxic trains full of a highly combustible and carcinogenic chemical used to make plastic move between Texas and New Jersey.

The report, published by Toxic-Free Future, an environmental health research and advocacy group, and Material Research, a group researching toxic pollution and inequity, created a map estimating a regular route for nearly 36 million pounds of the chemical, vinyl chloride. The path begins with OxyVinyl plants in Texas  a leading producer of the substance  to factories in New Jersey. The toxic chemical is normally used in polyvinyl chloride products  plastic materials including pipes, cable coatings and packaging materials.

Throughout any day, more than 200 rail cars filled with the chemical are moved across nearly 2,000 miles of U.S. railways  including through major population centers, the report said. And some experts worry that without intervention, the mass transport of the substance is another environmental health disaster just waiting to happen.

The threat that bomb trains pose as they move throughout communities, and the disasters that they have already created, should be enough to reconsider the chemicals distribution entirely, report co-author Mike Schade said.

These accidents arent happening every day. Theyre not happening every month. But its going to happen again, said Schade, from Toxic-Free Future. And we think that the best way to prevent the next big disaster involving vinyl chloride is to phase out its production and use.

Asked for comment, OxyVinyl told The Washington Post the company does not discuss the transportation of its products.

In December, the Environmental Protection Agency launched a formal evaluation of the risks of vinyl chloride, a process that could take at least three years. The EPA said it would study whether the chemical poses an unreasonable risk to human health or the environment.

Republican senators on Wednesday grilled the head of the EPAs chemicals office, Michal Freedhoff, about the decision during a heated hearing.

Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., accused the Biden administration of engaging in almost a war on plastic, noting that vinyl chloride is found in polyvinyl chloride plastic, better known as PVC. It raises alarms because we use PVC piping in almost all your homes now, either through your drainage or your water, Mullin said.

Vinyl chloride is a known human carcinogen  associated with liver, brain, lung and breast cancer, and other health problems  that can be deadly if inhaled. Short-term exposure to the colorless gas can cause dizziness, drowsiness and headaches, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Some cancer-related health impacts may take decades to appear and may be unique enough that doctors overlook them, said Gerald Markowitz, an expert on the history of vinyl chloride at John Jay College. To Markowitz, that makes the dangers of vinyl chloride exposure more dangerous.

When you have something like vinyl chloride monomer  that is a carcinogen  and its literally traveling across the country; and there are accidents that are occurring that involve dangerous chemicals including vinyl chloride monomer; and people dont know what is going through their communities, Markowitz said, I think it provides a very strong case for stopping the production of these most dangerous chemicals.

A new report found that at any given moment, more than three million people are unknowingly at risk as trains full of vinyl chloride move between OxyVinyl facilities in Texas and New Jersey. (Amudalat Ajasa and John Muyskens/The Washington Post)

Railroads cant guarantee there wont be derailments, Markowitz said, adding that the shipment of vinyl chloride monomer has damaged communities already.

It may not happen in six months. It may not happen in a year, but it is sure to happen at some point in the future with the kind of disastrous consequences that weve already seen, he said.

An estimated 3 million people live  and about 670,000 children attend school  within a mile of the path modeled in the new report. In some spots along the trains route, people of color make up the largest group at risk. And if there were a major vinyl chloride rail fire or derailment, everyone within the first mile is included in the initial evacuation recommended by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Communities that live near railways and chemical industries that transport or use VC are often people of color and lower income that already face environmental injustice and the poor health outcomes that come with it, said Ana Parras, co-founder of Texas Environmental Justice Advocacy Services, in the report.

If there were an accident in a densely populated area such as Houston, I shudder to think of the consequences, she said.

David Rosner, a professor of sociomedical sciences and history at Columbia University, said rail lines are often routed through the most disenfranchised communities of color.

For the past fifty years the vinyl industry has been aware of the environmental problems vinyl emissions pose to communities around the country. In fact, entire communities have been displaced, and destroyed by vinyl through both air pollution and ground water environmental crises, Rosner told The Post in an email, adding: In some sense, the train derailments are but the end of a long chain of environmental crises caused by its production.

Vinyl chloride industry representatives insist safety is a high priority for manufacturers around the country.

U.S. manufacturers of PVC and vinyl chloride monomer adhere to some of the most stringent safety and environmental regulations in the chemical industry, Ned Monroe, president of the Vinyl Institute, said in a statement to The Post.

Monroe added that the trade group, which represents leading manufacturers of products including vinyl and vinyl chloride monomer, is working with the EPA during its evaluation of the products, which it hopes will further assure that production of vinyl chloride and PVC products are safe.

For their part, transportation trade unions believe the focus needs to be on improving safety within the infrastructure and workforce to ensure that transporting hazardous materials is safer for rail workers and the surrounding community in case of derailment. There have been 1,500 train derailments in the almost 12 months since the East Palestine disaster, according to AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department President Greg Regan.

To them, the goal is to minimize derailments through better safety standards and to give first responders better tools for when disaster strikes.

There need to be stronger safety requirements in place for all the workers who ensure that trains move safely across the country, Regan said. The Transportation Trades Department recently supported proposals for safer hazardous material transport, including recommendations for better emergency-responder training, more inspections, and suggestions to label train cars carrying hazardous material.

We need to make sure that the railroads are bringing a safety culture back to their operations and ensuring that the members I represent, the workers, are given every tool they need to operate the trains safely, Regan said.

Investigators hope their research is enough to urge vinyl suppliers and large distributors to make changes before a next disaster strikes.

We owe it to communities like East Palestine and Paulsboro to learn from the mistakes of the past so that no other community has to go through what theyve gone through, Regan said.

Maxine Joselow contributed to this report.
Earl Seibert (Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency)

(Tribune News Service)  The remains of an Allentown, Pa., soldier who died in a prisoner of war camp during World War II have been identified more than 80 years later.

The Department of Defense said in a news release Monday that the remains of Pvt. Earl Seibert, 23, were identified in August.

Seibert was a member of the Headquarters Company, 803rd Engineer Battalion when Japanese forces invaded the Philippine Islands in December 1941, according to the release.

After months of fighting, Seibert and other United States and Filipino service members surrendered to the Japanese. They were taken to the Cabanatuan POW Camp 1, where more than 2,500 POWs died during the war, the Department of Defense said.

Records show Seibert died July 27, 1942, and he was buried along with others in a common grave at the Cabanatuan Camp Cemetery. After the war, the American Graves Registration Service (ARGS) exhumed those buried in the common grave and relocated the remains to a temporary United States military mausoleum near Manila.

In 1947, ARGS was only able to identify three personnel and the rest were buried at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial as unknowns, the release states. The Department of Defense said that the memorial was meticulously cared for by the American Battle Monuments Commission for more than 70 years.

In 2018, the remains from that common grave were disinterred and sent to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency for analysis. Scientists from the DPAA used anthropological evidence, and scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used DNA analysis to help identify Seibert, according to the release.

While Seiberts remains were identified in August, his family was only recently fully briefed on his identification, according to the DPAA. His family will determine his burial date and location.

He was among a group of Allentown soldiers who were sent to the Philippines in 1941, according to Morning Call reporting from the time.

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Visit mcall.com.

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The Department of Veterans Affairs headquarters as seen in Washington, D.C., on July 6, 2022. (Carlos Bongioanni/Stars and Stripes)

WASHINGTON  The Department of Veterans Affairs has indicated it will follow the lead of the Defense Department and change its fertility assistance policy to include unmarried veterans and same-sex couples.

The expected changes, noted in a letter filed last week in a federal lawsuit, would open in vitro fertilization, or IVF, treatments to veterans who are single or in a same-sex couple by allowing donor eggs or sperm to be used in the procedure.

The scrapping of the marriage requirement would also allow opposite-sex couples who are unmarried to access IVF.

A group of veterans and a female Air Force veteran who is married to a woman sued the VA in August 2023 over its restrictions on IVF treatments, which currently limit patients to married couples who can provide their own eggs and sperm.

The lawsuit also targeted the Defense Department, which said in a court filing last month that it was in the process of changing its Tricare health coverage of IVF to be more inclusive.

The Pentagons amended policy is set to be finalized by the end of February, according to the letter filed last week in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

VA has determined that it will also amend its IVF policy to align the coverage it provides with that available under the forthcoming amended DOD policy, the document states.

The VA would not comment on ongoing litigation but said the legal authority governing VA makes DODs policy change relevant to VAs policy, according to Terrence Hayes, the VAs press secretary. To fulfill VAs commitment to aiding veterans in starting families, VA will continue to review potential changes to our policy, taking into account any changes to DODs policy.

IVF is considered the most effective form of reproductive assistance but it can be cost-prohibitive without health insurance coverage.

The VA and the Pentagon make the procedure available to service members and veterans who demonstrate their struggles to have a child are connected to a service-connected disability. That requirement remains a point of contention in the lawsuit.

The New York City chapter of the National Organization for Women, or NOW-NYC, which is suing the VA and Pentagon on behalf of troops and veterans, has argued the required documentation of service-related health issues unlawfully excludes women whose infertility could be caused by unrecognized medical conditions.

Research shows infertility among service members and veterans is higher than in the general population partly because frequent moves and the demands of service force troops to delay parenthood.

Lawmakers in recent years have pushed to expand coverage of fertility assistance within the military community. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said she welcomed news of the upcoming changes to the Pentagons policy.

Because of IVF, I was able to start my family and am a mom to two beautiful girls, said Duckworth, an Army veteran of the Iraq War. Im glad the DOD is making these changes and doing right by our service members experiencing infertility who are seeking to start or grow their families.
Dissident fined over jail protest released pending report to PPS

Alleged New IRA leader Thomas Ashe Mellon was arrested this week and quizzed about an illegal parade that ended in serious violence.

The notorious dissident republican was scooped by cops under the Terrorism Act on Thursday and taken to Musgrave Police Station in Belfast to be questioned about his role at an Easter Monday parade in the Creggan area of Derry last year.

The unnotified parade ended with the PSNI coming under sustained attack from dissidents throwing petrol bombs and other missiles.

Around 30 youths set wheelie bins alight in the middle of the road of the Eastway area to create a roadblock a short time later.

Images of the violence showed a number of youths throwing petrol bombs at a PSNI Land Rover, which was installed with a CCTV camera.

Trouble flared as a march in the city  organised by the Derry 1916 Commemoration Committee which has the support of Saoradh  made its way down Iniscarn Road on April 10.

offences

Tricolours and IRA signs lined the route down Iniscarn Road and Iniscarn Crescent.

At the city cemetery, a republican delivering the oration said it is not enough to shout up the IRA, the important thing is to join the IRA.

On Thursday, the PSNI said they had released a 48-year-old man who had been arrested in Maghera in relation to offences surrounding the parade. He was released pending a report to the PPS.

A petrol bomber targets police last April

At the time of the disorder, Derry City and Strabane area commander Chief Superintendent Nigel Goddard described the violence as incredibly disheartening.

Shortly after the parade commenced, petrol bombs and other objects were thrown at one of our vehicles at the junction of Iniscarn Road and Linsfort Drive, he said.

This was a senseless and reckless attack on our officers who were in attendance in the area in order to comply with our legal duties.

Mellons arrest comes just a few weeks after he was fined 750 for taking part in a previous illegal gathering outside HMP Maghaberry in 2020.

Mellon was one of four people fined a total of 3,200 for attending the unnotified procession and of also breaching Covid regulations.

The protest revolved around the treatment being received by Dr Issam Bassalat, who at the time was being held in a Covid-19 isolation area after he returned to prison from hospital.

Dr Bassalat is one of 10 defendants  eight men and two women  facing terror charges after MI5 double agent Dennis McFadden covertly recorded two meetings of the New IRA army council.
54-year-old James Meehan was extradited back to the North from the Republic

A convicted killer extradited back to the North from the Republic was today ordered to stand trial accused of being unlawfully at large.

Appearing at Lisburn Magistrates Court by videolink from prison, 54-year-old James Meehan confirmed he was aware of the charge that he was unlawfully at large on 9 October last year.

In 2009 Meehan, whose address has been given as c/o HMP Maghaberry, was handed a life sentence with an order to serve a minimum of 14 years in jail for the murder of Derry man Jim McFadden.

The 42-year-old victim was repeatedly punched in the chest and died from a ruptured heart in an attack that took place after the wedding reception of Mr McFaddens sister-in-law in Donegal in May 2007.

Victim Jim McFadden's widow Ita and daughters Aisleen and Danielle hold a portrait of him

According to legal proceedings in Dublin High Court where Meehans lawyers unsuccessfully applied for a stay on extradition proceedings, Meehan had been freed in October last year and allowed to live at an address in Limavady but warrants were issued for his arrest when he was found not to be there.

While his lawyers contended that he had been released on his lifelong licence, one of the warrants issued states that Meehan was on temporary release so when he absconded from his address, he was in fact unlawfully at large.

In Lisburn court today, a prosecuting lawyer submitted there is a Prima facie case against Meehan which was conceded by defence solicitor Aiden Carlin while the defendant himself declined to exercise his rights to comment on the charge or to call evidence on his own behalf.

Returning the case to Craigavon Crown Court for trial and remanding Meehan back into custody, District Judge Rosie Watters scheduled the arraignment to be heard on 5 March.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 29. Many of the decisions from COP28 will need to see mechanisms and ways of implementing them at COP 29 in Azerbaijan, Jennifer Morgan, Secretary of State and Special Representative of Germany for International Climate Action at the German Foreign Ministry said answering Trends question during a press conference in Baku.

She noted that for example, one key mechanism is related to nationally determined contributions and certainly, the financing.

Morgan noted that it is important to get more and more clarity about how countries develop their nationally determined contributions.

How do you make sure that the next round of NDCs are more in line with the 1.5 degrees target? Those issues are on the agenda this year, she said.

She pointed out the importance of economic shift and transformation needed around the world.

How the presidency can be engaging in those discussions whether they be at the World Bank, whether they be at the IMF, so that the financial system is moving in that direction, as well, added Morgan.

She believes that Azerbaijan can be working with the UAE to build from last year, and also to prepare for the Brazilian COP.

The decision to hold COP29 in Azerbaijan was officially announced in Dubai on December 11, 2023. Azerbaijan will host the event in November this year.

Follow the author on X: @Lyaman_Zeyn
Craig Lepper pleaded guilty at Dublin District Court to public intoxication and threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour.

A public order offender said it was a disgrace that foreigners were in the gardai and made remarks about the arresting officers ethnicity, a court heard.

Father-of-three Craig Lepper (37) was being taken into custody over a disturbance outside his home when he made the remarks to the garda

Judge Cephas Power gave him a two-month suspended sentence.

Lepper, an out-of-work commis chef of Myrtle House, Grange Road, Baldoyle, pleaded guilty at Dublin District Court to public intoxication and threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour.

A garda said he was called to Myrtle House on March 2 last year, where the accused and a woman were outside the household.

Lepper was in an agitated state, shouting at the woman, saying you set me up. He had a fair bit of drink on board and was unsteady on his feet, the garda said.

He made several attempts to go back into the house and the garda had to step in front of him.

In the patrol car on the way to the station, Lepper made a number of remarks in relation to my ethnicity and that having foreigners in An Garda Siochana was a disgrace.

He had previous convictions.

Defence barrister Donal Pattison said the accused had been victim of an assault earlier, had far too much alcohol and emotions were high.

Lepper had a previous addiction but was clean and off the garda radar at the time and the incident was a slip, he said. He had apologised to the garda.

Such abusive language to the gardai acting in the course of their duty has to be marked with a sanction, Judge Power said.
Patrick McDonagh (52), with an address at Whitechapel Road, Clonsilla, Dublin 15, is charged with murdering his next-door neighbour Peter McDonald (73)

A care worker for a man who admits killing but denies murdering his neighbour with a machete told gardai that the accused, who has bipolar disorder, had not been taking his medication in the months prior to the fatal assault, the Central Criminal Court has heard.

Aaron Murtagh Casey told Patrick McDonagh's trial that the accused believed his medication made him "defenceless against satan" and gave him heart palpitations.

Mr McDonagh had also previously told him that Satan was "throwing things at him that were not true", accusing him of things "day and night".

Mr Murtagh Casey also told the trial that he received a call from Mr McDonagh while armed gardai were trying to negotiate with Mr McDonagh to safely remove him from his home following his neighbour's death.

The witness said Mr McDonagh was disorientated during the call and didn't understand why gardai were outside.

Mr Murtagh Casey told Mr McDonagh to listen to gardai and that they were there to help, not harm him.

Gardai at the scene

The trial has previously heard that following a stand-off lasting several hours, armed gardai broke into Mr McDonagh's house and used a Taser to subdue him before he was arrested.

Patrick McDonagh (52), with an address at Whitechapel Road, Clonsilla, Dublin 15, is charged with murdering his next-door neighbour Peter McDonald (73) on Whitechapel Road on July 25th, 2020.

He has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. The State has not accepted his plea.

The jury has heard that "gentleman" pensioner Mr McDonald was found in a pool of blood outside his home after being violently attacked with a machete by his neighbour.

In his opening speech last week Philipp Rahn SC for the Director of Public Prosecutions told the jury that the evidence will show that Mr McDonald died by machete and stab wounds to the head and neck in the early hours of July 25th, 2020.

Mr Rahn said he expected the main issue the jury will grapple with will be whether Mr McDonaghs mental health on the night amounted to the special defence of diminished responsibility.

Mr Rahn told the jury that Mr McDonald was a quiet man, a pensioner, who kept to himself and lived with his cats and that Mr McDonagh, who had a history of mental health issues, was his next-door neighbour for five or six years.

Mr Murtagh Casey told Mr Rahn that he got to know Mr McDonagh in 2014 when they struck up a close friendship. He became Mr McDonagh's carer in 2016 and would stay with him two days every week and help him with his medication and other things.

In the hours before Mr McDonald was killed, Mr Murtagh Casey spoke to the accused on the phone for about 35 minutes.

During that call, Mr McDonagh told him that things were getting "worse and worse" with dogs barking and people "roaring and shouting" coming back from parties late at night.

Mr McDonagh had severe insomnia, constant tinnitus and complained that the noise wasn't helping. Mr Murtagh Casey described the conversation as normal and nothing that would raise any cause for alarm.

The witness further agreed that he knew the deceased and had never heard Mr McDonagh say a bad word about him. "They had a great relationship," he added.

Mr Murtagh Casey agreed with John Fitzgerald SC, for Mr McDonagh, that the accused told him he suffered from bipolar disorder and during covid restrictions his condition deteriorated.

He began having conversations with himself and would say that the devil was "telling him to end it all". He was particularly sensitive to noise and was finding it hard to sleep.

The witness agreed that he told gardai that Mr McDonagh had been "off his medication" for a couple of months because, he said, it "made him defenceless against satan" and gave him heart palpitations.

Mr Murtagh Casey tried to get him to see a doctor but "he just didn't think it would do any good because at this stage his mind was gone".

Mr Murtagh Casey had told Mr McDonagh that his medication was available at the chemist across the street from where he lived, but he did not pick it up.

The trial continues before Mr Justice Michael MacGrath and a jury of nine men and three women.
Martin Purcell, 19, and Douglas Purcell, 41, of Belcamp Lane, Dublin 17, were granted strict bail to address witness intimidation fears

Martin Purcell (19) of Belcamp Lane, Dublin pictured at the Criminal Courts of Justice (CCJ) in Dublin. Photo: IrishPhotoDesk.ie

A Dublin mother moved to a new address after alleged threats to kill her or "burn down" her former home and the theft of the family car to settle a drug debt, a court heard.

Relatives Martin Purcell, 19, and Douglas Purcell, 41, of Belcamp Lane, Dublin 17, were granted strict bail to address witness intimidation fears raised on Saturday night following a lengthy contested bail hearing.

Dublin District Court heard that Martin Purcell was charged with threats to kill or cause serious harm to the woman and to set fire to her previous north Dublin home on September 24.

Douglas Purcell is accused of stealing 300 from the woman's former partner and a 13,000 car, which was allegedly resold, between April 1  16 last year.

Garda Ciaran Lowe and Garda Shane Kennedy objected to bail and expressed witness interference concerns.

Garda Lowe alleged that the woman reported that the defendants "forced their way into her home" on September 24 and demanded she call her former partner and father of her children.

He said the woman claimed there was shouting about a "price" on his head and that her house would be burned down if her ex did not show up.

One of her young children was present. It was alleged that there was a demand for 5,000. The garda agreed with defence counsel Karl Monahan that the teenager had no prior convictions.

The woman came to court to support the bail objection and said she feared for her safety and her children. Under cross-examination, she admitted that she told gardai another male was with the pair, but it transpired it could not have been him because that man was in prison then.

However, she maintained that she recognised the teenage defendant when his hood fell.

The woman confirmed she has since moved address.

Their barrister said the defendants did not know the current whereabouts of the witnesses.

Garda Shane Kennedy said a charge against Douglas Purcell related to the alleged theft of a car bought by the woman's former partner.

The court heard the man brought it to a mechanic in Coolock to get it fixed, but Douglas Purcell allegedly collected it without permission and sold it on the Done Deal website.

The man had been living with Douglas Purcell in Springdale Road, in north Dublin, at the time but was in prison when the car was removed.

He came to court to say he had previously considered Douglas Purcell a friend. But he claimed Douglas Purcell had accused him of owing 20,000 for drugs. He alleged the accused took advantage of him with the car at a time he was in custody.

The court heard the officers are preparing a file for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) with the possibility of further charges.

Mr Monaghan said his clients had the presumption of innocence, but to allay concerns, they would abide by any bail conditions imposed by the court and lodge money. A refusal of bail could lead to a lengthy period in custody pending trial if the case goes to the Circuit Court.

Judge McHugh determined they could be allowed bail, but he ordered them to have no contact with the witnesses, not to look for them, to sign on regularly at their local garda stations, surrender passports, and notify gardai of any address change.

The two men spoke only to confirm they understood the conditions. The teen, who also has a 10pm  6am curfew, lodged 300, and the older defendant 1,000.

Judge McHugh granted them legal aid, warned them they must abide by the terms and told them to return to the same court on April 12 for directions from the DPP to be obtained.
Charles McClean (35) of St Marks Grove, Clondalkin, Dublin 22 was arraigned before the Central Criminal Court this afternoon

A criminal who is already serving a 16.5-year sentence for his involvement in a murder and a gangland shooting has admitted to impeding the apprehension of the person who murdered gangland figure Mark 'Guinea Pig' Desmond in Lucan eight years ago.

Charles McClean (35) of St Marks Grove, Clondalkin, Dublin 22 was arraigned before the Central Criminal Court this afternoon, when he had been due to go on trial.

Since 2021, McClean has been sentenced to two consecutive sentences totalling 16.5 years imprisonment for facilitating a criminal organisation as well as conspiring to murder gangland criminal Wayne Whelan.

Whelan survived the murder attempt but was subsequently shot dead following another attack in November 2019.

Mark Guinea Pig Desmond was involved in at least four murders

McClean pleaded guilty today to impeding the apprehension or prosecution of another at Griffeen Valley Park, Lucan, Dublin, on December 2 2016, knowing or believing them to be guilty of an arrestable offence, namely the murder of Mark Desmond.

McClean was originally charged with murdering Mr Desmond on the same occasion.

Mr Desmond, who was 41 when he died after being shot at least three times with a handgun, had links to dissident republicans and the drug trade in west Dublin. Mr Desmond was also charged with the murder of two men in 1999, but these charges were dropped days before he was due to go on trial.

Sean Gillane SC, prosecuting, told Mr Justice Paul McDermott today that count two on the indictment could be put to McClean.

Mr Justice McDermott remanded McClean in custody until February 6, for a sentence hearing and directed the preparation of a victim impact report.

Mr Gillane said next week's sentence hearing would take 40 minutes.

Michael Bowman SC with Keith Spencer BL instructed by solicitor Wayne Kenny, representing McClean, asked for a governor's and an educational report from Portlaoise Prison.

Thomas McCarthy

Last April at the Central Criminal Court, McClean was jailed for eight-and-a-half years for facilitating a criminal organisation in the unexplained fatal shooting of father-of-five Thomas McCarthy (55), a man who had no links to crime. Mr McCarthy was gunned down when he answered the door at his mother's house in Ballyfermot on July 27, 2020. He suffered nine separate gunshot injuries.

McClean pleaded guilty that between January 25 and July 27, 2020 inclusive, with knowledge of the existence of a criminal organisation, he intentionally or recklessly committed an act to facilitate the murder of Mr McCarthy.

McClean's eight-and-a-half year sentence for facilitation ran consecutively to his other major offence for conspiracy to commit murder over the September 2019 attempted murder of Wayne Whelan, for which he received an eight-year sentence in September 2021. The defendant's conviction for conspiracy to commit murder was backdated to September 29 2020, when he went into custody.

Mr Justice McDermott noted at the time that McClean was an important actor in the carefully planned murder of Mr McCarthy, that the evidence established he had given a cue to the shooter when to strike and that he was highly involved in the setting up of the deceased for assassination.

Addressing McClean in 2023, the judge said some of the defendant's previous convictions were for most serious offences, the most serious being conspiracy to commit murder 11 months prior to this offence. He said the seriousness of McClean's offending had escalated dramatically in 2019 and 2020.
Frank Buttimer, who represented Bailey through three extradition bids and a near ruinous civil action against the State, said the 66-year-olds mental and physical health was destroyed by a conspiracy to link him to a crime he did not commit.

Ian Bailey who was convicted in absentia of the murder of the French film producer, Sophie Toscan du Plantier pictured at his house outside Schull in County Cork shortly after the news came through to him. Pic:Mark Condren 31.5.2019

Ian Bailey passed away still fearing the French government would somehow force through his extradition  leaving him to die alone in a Parisian jail, his solicitor has revealed.

Frank Buttimer, who represented Bailey through three extradition bids and a near ruinous civil action against the State, said the 66-year-olds mental and physical health was destroyed by a conspiracy to link him to a crime he did not commit.

Frank, one of Irelands most experienced solicitors in the area of criminal law, said his decision to fight Baileys legal battles over three decades was based on a simple evidence-based belief  that Ian Bailey did not kill Sophie Toscan du Plantier.

I know my job, the solicitor answered matter-of-factly when asked how he could be so certain the former journalist was innocent.

Also, eventually, when we saw the DPPs critical analysis document [of the garda investigation into the du Plantier murder] it completely vindicated everything I believed and what I had learned.

There was never a shred of credible evidence against Ian.

Frank Buttimer with Bailey

Frank first came into contact with Bailey in March 1997  three months after Sophies murder outside her holiday home near Toormore, Goleen in Cork.

He came unexpectedly into my office on Washington Street in March 1997, the solicitor recalled.

I had been involved in another prominent case or two in Cork so he knew I could do criminal defence.

And he asked me if I would act for him in the event that he might ever be prosecuted.

I spoke to him for a while, and I quickly formed the view that the idea he was involved in the crime was nonsensical, unsustainable and there was no basis for it.

There was no motivation for him to kill Madame Toscan du Plantier  he didnt know her and had never met her.

And, secondly, the idea of his having had the opportunity do it was nonsensical.

The possibility that this guy was going to go into the pub, get totally drunk, go home, get up out of bed, ramble halfway across the bogs of west Cork to a location he didnt know and kill her, leaving no DNA or traceable evidence, was nonsensical.

Then, instead of walking home, the claim was, he walked in the opposite direction two miles down the road to a place he hardly knew to do something down there  before he walked all the way back home and got into bed as if nothing had happened.

He told me the story that day of how he got ensnared and he asked: Why would I do that?

What would be the point of me doing it and then doing the things theyre saying I did around the event?

To this day, Frank said, no-one has ever answered the questions Bailey posed that first day.

Nor, he said, has he ever had sight of a book of evidence against Bailey.

What I have seen is the material that the police disclosed both at the time of the extradition and also at the time of the actions we took against the State, he said.

And, of course, I have listened to the extraordinary Bandon tapes that showed this was just a Keystone Cops case.

There was nothing, not one thing, that ever contradicted Ian or made me doubt what he had to say.

Frank said it was Baileys belief that the answer to who killed Sophie Toscan du Plantier would be found in France.

I would have thought there were certain angles of pursuit that they [gardai] should have followed, he said.

But Ian was here and what happened with him was a classic fit up. If you listened to the Bandon tapes, thats exactly what you are listening to.

Had the DPP consented to charge Bailey, Frank said his client would have stood little chance in front of a jury as the image of Bailey as a hulking monster killer had been successfully disseminated in the media.

The image of Ian Bailey as the hulking monster killer guy opposite the jury wouldve been devastating for him, he said.

He stood little chance of counteracting that perception and this was clearly the hope and expectation of the guards.

In 2007, Frank lodged a High Court claim on Baileys behalf for damages against the State for wrongful arrest, false imprisonment and a series of other torts including that he was the victim of a garda conspiracy to frame him for the killing.

But the case failed after a report written by a lawyer in former DPP Robert Sheehans office, which was highly critical of the garda investigation, was deemed inadmissible on the grounds that it was prejudicial to the State.

Furthermore, the State successfully applied on day 60 of the 64-day trial to have much of Baileys case, including his claims for wrongful arrest, struck out as time-barred.

Despite the setback, Frank says he has never regretted taking on Bailey as a client. Indeed, he described his decision to do so as something he is most proud of in a long legal career.

Ian Bailey was an English man who was all on his own in Ireland, he said. He had no support. He was vilified and he was suffering greatly from what was being done to him.

My motivation, believe it or not, was a professional desire to assist someone who was in really bad circumstances and who had no other actual support bar that of his previous lawyer, the late Con Murphy, and his former partner Jules Thomas.

For me, there isnt a question or a doubt the attempt to link him with the crime destroyed him both mentally and physically. And it was awful to see.

Frank said even after the High Court rejected the most recent attempt to have Bailey extradited, his client remained worried.

They [the French] could have sought to take Ireland to the European court on an international challenge over our alleged non enforcement of the EAW protocol, he said.

And he always felt there was a fear of that so he could never rest easy. It followed him to the grave. I honestly dont know how the guy slept at night. He didnt sleep peacefully  Ill tell you that.
The three-vehicle crash occurred near The Coal Bunker Bar in Drinagh shortly before 8pm on Saturday night.

A man is due in court in relation to an investigation over a serious crash in Co Wexford that left three people in hospital.

Gardai in Wexford charged the man, aged in his 20s, over the road traffic collision on the N25 road on Saturday evening, January 27.

The three-vehicle crash occurred near The Coal Bunker Bar in Drinagh shortly before 8pm.

Three people were rushed to Wexford General Hospital while a man was arrested at the scene under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 and detained at a garda station in Wexford.

A second man who was travelling in the same vehicle is assisting gardai with their enquiries.

The man charged is due to appear before Kilkenny District Court this afternoon, Monday, January 29, 2024, at 2pm.

Investigations are ongoing.
Scott Capper (29) is charged over an incident in which Robert OConnor (34) was "ganged up on" and beaten by several prisoners.

A DUBLIN man has been sent for trial accused of violent disorder at Mountjoy Prison during an attack on an inmate who later died in a separate assault in the jail.

Scott Capper (29) is charged over an incident in which Robert OConnor (34) was "ganged up on" and beaten by several prisoners.

Two days later, Mr OConnor was allegedly assaulted by someone else and subsequently died from injuries sustained in that assault.

Mr Capper, of Cappagh Green, Finglas, Dublin is pleading not guilty to violent disorder at Mountjoy on July 27, 2022.

At Dublin District Court today, Judge Mark OConnell sent him forward to Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

A state solicitor said the book of evidence was ready and Mr Capper raised the document in his hand to indicate to the judge that he had received it.

Judge OConnell gave Mr Capper the formal warning that he had to give the prosecution 14 days' notice of any alibi evidence he intended to adduce.

The judge ordered the prosecution to furnish the defence with copies of the accuseds garda interview video.

He sent Mr Capper forward on bail under existing terms, in his own bond of 200 with no cash required.

Defence solicitor Amanda Connolly asked the judge to assign her colleague Simon Fleming on free legal aid, which will also cover a barrister at trial.

The DPP had consented to the case remaining in the district court only if the accused had pleaded not guilty.

However, the court previously heard Mr Capper would be contesting the charge, which is under Section 15 of the Public Order Act

Two other men have already been sentenced after pleading guilty to violent disorder in the same incident.

Last year William Ward (31), of Grantstown Mews, Waterford, was jailed for five months and Dylan Jones (22) of Beech Drive, Greenfields, Waterford, was sentenced to six months in prison.

At their case, the court was told officers responded to shouting coming from a cell on D Landing at Mountjoy at 7.10pm on July 27 last year.

The door was being held shut by inmates and the prison guards forced entry, seeing Ward and Jones kicking a prisoner, who was lying on the ground in a foetal position.

The victim was found to be bleeding from the face and his right eye was not reacting normally to light when he was examined by prison medics.

He refused to go to hospital and did not make a complaint.

The victim was unfortunately subject to a separate assault two days later that did not involve any of those charged over the July 27 violent disorder, Gda Raymond Lee said. Mr O'Connor had died later as a result of injuries sustained in the July 29 assault.

Another man, David Dunne (39) of Boroimhe Birches, Swords, has previously been before the courts charged with Mr O'Connor's murder arising from that alleged assault.
Vincent and Jonathan Collopy pleaded not guilty before Limerick Circuit Criminal Court to a total of seven charges

Two Limerick brothers went on trial today over their alleged involvement in running a sulky off a roadway and assaulting the driver and his nephew.

The two accused brothers, Vincent and Jonathan Collopy, pleaded not guilty before Limerick Circuit Criminal Court to a total of seven charges between them.

Outlining the States case against the two siblings, prosecution counsel, John OSullivan, BL, said the alleged victim, Darren Wallace, of Kishyquirk, Co Limerick, was driving a horse drawn sulky or cart near Sandy Lane, Boher, Co Limerick, when Vincent Collopy allegedly drove a jeep close behind the sulky.

Mr OSullivan said it is alleged Vincent Collopy pushed the (vehicle) into the sulky and forced it off the road and into a dyke.

It is alleged Vincent Collopy then assaulted Daren Wallace, thereby causing him harm.

Mr OSullivan said it is also alleged Vincent Collopy assaulted Jamie Wallace, a nephew of Darren Wallace, who was also present at the scene.

Mr OSullivan said it is further alleged that Jonathan Collopy assaulted Darren Wallace causing him harm, and that he produced a stick regarded as an offensive weapon, namely a stick, during the course of the alleged assault.

Vincent Collopy, (44), with an address at St Itas Street, St Marys Park, Limerick, denies four charges, including one count of endangerment, one count of dangerous-driving, one count of assault causing harm, and one count of assault.

Jonathan Collopy, (37), with an address at St Senans Street, St Marys Park, Limerick, denies two charges, including one count of assault causing harm, contrary to section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offenses Against the Person Act 1997, and, one count of production of an article, namely a stick, capable of inflicting serious injury contrary to section 11 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990.

Mr OSullivan told the jury of seven men and five women that they would hear evidence from Darren Wallace, Jamie Wallace, other family members, and investigating gardai.

The trial before judge Tom ODonnell is due to run for at least a week.
The drugs had an estimated value of 1,198,000 and were discovered in parcels originating from Croatia destined for addresses in Dublin.

Revenue officers seized more than 1.6 million worth of drugs and illegal cigarettes in Dublin last week.

As a result of risk profiling, Revenue officers seized over 195,000 cigarettes at a Dublin premises on Thursday, January 25.

In a follow up intelligence-led operation, a further 345,600 cigarettes were seized at a home in Dublin.

The illicit cigarettes were branded Sobraine and Dunhill and had a combined estimated value of almost 453,000, representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of approximately 356,500.

Revenue shared photos of the contraband online

Separately, on Friday, January 26, as a result of risk profiling and with the assistance of detector dog Milo, Revenue officers seized almost 60kg of herbal cannabis while examining parcels at a premises in Dublin.

The drugs had an estimated value of 1,198,000 and were discovered in parcels originating from Croatia destined for addresses in Dublin.

Investigations are ongoing.

These seizures are part of ongoing work targeting smuggling and shadow economy activity. If businesses, or members of the public have any information, they can contact Revenue in confidence on 1800 295 295.
The pair sent drugs to Australia using a company set up for the purpose

A married couple have been convicted of a plot to smuggle more than half a ton of cocaine to Australia from the UK through a fake business.

Arti Dhir (59) and Kavaljitsinh Raijada (35) were behind a front company that had sent the drugs by air freight in a cargo of metal toolboxes.

The pair were also found to have hidden away 3million (3.5 million) in cash in boxes and suitcases in a lock up.

The UKs National Crime Agency identified the couple after the Australian Border Force intercepted the cocaine, worth 67 million, on its arrival in Sydney in May 2021.

The drugs had been shipped via a commercial flight from the UK and consisted of six metal toolboxes which, when opened, were found to contain 514 kilos of cocaine.

Packes in the toolboxes

The drugs would have been worth up to 67 million when sold in Australia, where prices are significantly higher than in Europe.

In Ireland and the UK, a kilo of cocaine at wholesale is priced around 30,000 per kilo but in Australia the same amount sells for 130,000.

Officers traced the consignment back to Dhir and Raijada, who had set up a front company called Viefly Freight Services with the sole purpose of smuggling drugs.

Both defendants had been director of the company at different points since its incorporation in June 2015.

Raijadas fingerprints were found on the plastic wrappings of the metal toolboxes containing the seized drugs, while receipts for the order of the toolboxes, worth st2,855, were discovered at the couples home.

The NCAs case was that there had been 37 consignments sent to Australia since June 2019, of which 22 were dummy runs and 15 contained cocaine.

Dhir had been employed by a flight services company at Heathrow from March 2003 until October 2016.

Raijada worked at the same company from March 2014 to December 2016.

NCA investigators believe that their knowledge of the airport freight procedures was used to cover their criminal activities.

Dhir and Raijada were arrested at their home in Hanwell on 21 June 2021. Officers seized 5,000 worth of gold-plated silver bars, 13,000 inside the home and found 60,000 in cash in a safety deposit box.

NCA officers discovered almost 3 million in cash hidden in boxes and suitcases at a storage unit in Hanwell, which Raijada had rented in his mothers name when they were arrested a second time.

Financial inquiries found they had also purchased a flat in Ealing for 800,000 and a Land Rover for st62,000, despite declaring profits of only a few thousand pounds to HMRC.

Investigations showed that both defendants held cash in bank accounts which far exceeded their declared income.

They had deposited almost 740,000 in cash into 22 different bank accounts since 2019 and were further charged with money laundering.

Dhir and Raijada denied exporting cocaine to Australia and money laundering. They were convicted of 12 counts of exportation and 18 counts of money laundering by a jury following a trial at Southwark Crown Court today.

They are due to be sentenced at the same court tomorrow .

Wads of cash stored in boxes

The NCA will now start Proceeds of Crime proceedings against both defendants to strip them of their assets.

Piers Phillips, NCA Senior Investigating Officer, said: Arti Dhir and Kavaljitsinh Raijada used their insider knowledge of the air freight industry to traffic cocaine worth tens of millions of pounds from the UK to Australia, where they knew they could maximise their revenue.

They kept their illicit profits in cash at their home and in storage units, as well as purchasing property, gold and silver in an attempt to hide their wealth. These defendants may have thought they were removed from the misery caused by the drugs trade but their greed was fuelling it.

The NCA worked closely with our partners in Australia and UK Border Force to dismantle the supply chain created by Dhir and Raijada and bring them to justice. We will continue to target class A drugs supply and the criminals overseeing it, both in the UK and overseas.

Commander of the New South Wales Police Force Organised Crime Squad, Detective Superintendent Peter Faux, said the result was a great example of how law enforcement are working together to disrupt the international drug trade.

Det Supt Faux said: The partnership between both authorities in Australia, and abroad, was the reason police were able to stop a sophisticated attempt at importing drugs via air freight into Australia and hold those responsible accountable.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 29. The World Bank (WB) has announced a tender to find a consulting company to study geothermal potential in Azerbaijan, the World Bank told Trend.

The consultant will be tasked with assessing information on geothermal resources in Azerbaijan, reservoir characteristics (size, shape, productivity, water level), as well as opportunities for technical and economic application of the resources in heating systems and for other energy purposes.

"This work will help the WB to provide recommendations to the government of Azerbaijan on the development of a roadmap for the development of geothermal resources and their future utilization," the bank noted.

Proposals from candidates on the terms of the tender will be accepted until February 8.

The Bank will pay attention to the experience of the company, its technical and managerial capabilities, and personnel qualifications when selecting the winner.

Meanwhile, there are many thermal water sources in Azerbaijan, particularly in the mountains of the Lesser and Greater Caucasus, the Absheron Peninsula, Lankaran, and Karabakh, and their utilization is in line with the Azerbaijani government's strategy to create a green economy.

Stay up to date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Murphy, with an address at Ballyfermot Parade, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm in the incident at a Dublin city centre theatre on November 30, 2018.

A concert-goer at a performance by a choir bit a barman when he was ejected from the theatre for being drunk.

Gerard Murphy (30) was so intoxicated he could not remember attacking the staff member, who was left with a serious injury, a court heard.

Judge Gerard Jones said it was horrific carry-on and jailed him for a month.

Murphy, with an address at Ballyfermot Parade, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm in the incident at a Dublin city centre theatre on November 30, 2018.

Garda Sergeant Michelle Lynch told Dublin District Court the victim was a member of staff at Liberty Hall Theatre, where a performance by a choir was under way on the night.

The accused was a patron and the victim was attempting to eject him due to his level of intoxication when Murphy bit him on his right arm.

The bite broke the skin and the victim had to seek medical attention but he recovered from his injury, the court heard.

A medical report and photos of the victims injuries were submitted to the court.

Judge Jones accepted jurisdiction after hearing the DPP consented to the case being dealt with in the district court.

The accused had previous convictions, but not for assault.

Murphy, who had no history of violence, was highly intoxicated on the night and remembered he was there on the night but not what happened, his solicitor Kate McGhee said. He made admissions to gardai when arrested.

He was terribly sorry and had brought 2,000 to court.

The charge was elderly and the delay in bringing the case had nothing to do with the accused, Ms McGhee said.

Murphy had worked all his life at a variety of jobs, but at the moment was staying at home with his young child while his wife was working.

This is horrific carry-on, Judge Jones said. The man suffered serious injuries as far Im concerned.

He sentenced the accused and set recognisances in the event of an appeal.
Danielle Creighton (24) died by suicide while under the care of doctors at the HSE-run Aspen psychiatric unit at TUH

The HSE has issued an apology to the family of a young psychiatric patient who took her own life while being treated at a high observation unit at Tallaght University Hospital four years ago.

Danielle Creighton (24) of Glenshane Grove, Tallaght, died by suicide while under the care of doctors at the HSE-run Aspen psychiatric unit at TUH on October 21, 2020.

An inquest into her death at Dublin District Coroners Court heard concerns voiced by her family about the care she received as a psychiatric patient.

In a statement, the HSEs head of service for Dublin South, Kildare and West Wicklow Community Healthcare, Mary OKelly, expressed regret and sadness at the young womans death.

Ms OKelly unreservedly apologised for the standard of care provided to Danielle which she acknowledged was not the standard which was considered appropriate.

The deceaseds mother, Rhoda Creighton, told the hearing on Monday that her daughter had been transferred to TUH from St Jamess Hospital on October 20, 2020.

However, she complained that she had not been told that Danielle had also tried to take her own life while a patient in St Jamess on the day before her actual suicide.

Mr Creighton also claimed that her daughter was being monitored every 30 minutes, when she understood that she was to be observed on a 24-hour basis.

Danielle was left on her own, she claimed.

However, the inquest heard that continuous CCTV monitoring was available after Danielle was placed in an isolation ward within the psychiatric unit at TUH under hospital protocols while she was being tested for Covid-19.

The inquest heard evidence from a number of psychiatric nurses that Danielle appeared anxious and paranoid on her admission to TUH.

A staff nurse, Ciara Shields, said she had explained to Danielle on the morning of October 21, 2020, that she would have to stay in her room until the results of her Covid test came back after she had complained of being bored and not having a TV.

At midday, she appeared settled when telling the nurse all good things about her boyfriend and family.

Ms Shields said she had not eaten her lunch but had explained to staff it was because she was a vegetarian.

The nurse said she went down to collect food and other items from the patients mother around 2.30pm with whom she spoke for around 10 minutes.

Ms Shields said she was in absolute shock when she discovered what had happened as Danielle had appeared quite settled and pleasant throughout the day.

A clinical nurse manager at TUH, Brian McMahon, gave evidence that the patient was not in her bedroom when he went to tell her at around 2.50pm that her Covid test was negative and she could move more freely around the unit.

Mr McMahon said he called a female colleague so that they could check the bathroom.

He described finding Danielle in an unresponsive state on the floor of the bathroom with marks on her neck.

Mr McMahon said he started CPR on the patient after failing to detect a pulse but she was formally pronounced dead a short time later.

A psychiatric registrar who examined Danielle in St Jamess Hospital, Mawada Babiker, confirmed that the patient had tried to take her own life while in its emergency department.

Dr Babiker said she believed Danielle had experienced a drug-induced psychotic episode for which she required hospital treatment and she had arranged for her transfer to TUH.

The witness said the deceased believed she was being persecuted by a group of people which she had linked to two individuals she had bullied when in primary school.

Dr Babiker said Danielle thought these people wanted to kill her and she would rather go out on her terms.

Another psychiatrist, Ciara OConnor, who examined the patient on her admission to TUH, said Danielle believed bad things had been happening for a number of months.

Dr OConnor said she had admitted smoking joints of cannabis several times a week.

However, she said Danielle was glad to be in hospital as she felt safe.

While she had suicide ideation, Dr OConnor said she had no active plan to end her life.

Thomas McMonagle, consultant psychiatrist at Tallaght Hospital

A consultant psychiatrist at TUH, Thomas McMonagle, said the deceased had been placed under his care although he had not seen her before she died.

Dr McMonagle told the coroner, Aisling Gannon, that medical staff had become more reassured about her condition while she was under their care and her actions were out of kilter with her clinical presentation.

The psychiatrist said he had a bitter sense of regret over what happened but was uncertain if the outcome would have been any different if he had examined her.

Dr McMonagle also stated that procedures in the unit had changed as a result of Danielles death which he remarked had been the subject of a considerable matter of soul searching within the HSE.

Offering her condolences to the deceaseds family on a very distressing experience, Ms Gannon returned a verdict of death by suicide with psychosis as a contributory factor.

Danielles father, Darren Creighton, who did not attend the inquest, had previously claimed in a newspaper interview that he believed that the violent death of her only sibling was a factor in her suicide.

Her brother, Dale, was assaulted on a footbridge over the N81 Tallaght Bypass between Greenhills Road and St Dominics Road in the early hours of January 1, 2014 in a prolonged attack that lasted 14 minutes.

He died in hospital the following day from blunt force injuries to his face and head.

Seven young people including one female were subsequently convicted of offences in relation to Dales death with five pleading guilty to manslaughter, one pleading guilty to violent disorder and another pleading guilty to possession of a knife.
French police have launched an investigation into the tragedy.

The crash took place in the rural French village of Champniers

An elderly Irishman was rushed to hospital following a fatal car crash in France on Saturday morning.

Two vehicles collided on the D1 in Champniers, Vienne, a commune just under 90 mins away from the city of Poitiers, due to fog.

One of the drivers, a 62-year-old woman from Nanterre, died in the crash.

The driver of the other car, an 80-year-old Irishman, was hospitalised for follow-up examinations.

French police have launched an investigation into the tragedy.
Alberto Flores Granada Monday, 29 January 2024, 13:01 Compartir Copiar enlace

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Last week's weather in Spain was dominated by the effects of an anticyclone over the mainland which led to abnormally high temperatures, with the mercury almost touching 30C in many parts of the country. This situation will be much the same this week in Andalucia, with higher than normal temperatures for this time of the year and the arrival of dust in suspension from the Sahara desert.

Therefore, no rain is expected in the short term and atmospheric stability will continue to be the norm for another week. "This week the weather will remain anticyclonic and there will be no rain at all, so stability will be maintained," Jose Miguel Vinas, a meteorologist at Meteored, told Ideal.

However, the days will not be as hot as last week: "The spring-like atmosphere will continue but temperatures will be a little lower than last week, which were very unusual". But despite the slight drop in maximums, temperatures will be "above what we would expect for this time of year", with values around 20C throughout Andalucia.

"In the Canary Islands the 'calima' will be more intense but it will also affect the south of the Spanish mainland, clouding the sky until Wednesday"

This situation will be accompanied by an episode of 'calima' haze that will cloud the skies over the south of the peninsula from Monday. "Dust from the Sahara desert in suspension will enter from North Africa. In the Canary Islands it will be more intense but it will also affect the south of the Spanish mainland, clouding the skies until Wednesday", warned Vinas. It will be an episode that "will not be very prominent" but that will increase the concentration of dust in the skies of the region significantly.

How long will the high temperatures last?

As detailed by Vinas, this week will be fairly stable in terms of weather and no changes are expected in the short term. And the much-needed rain, according to the weather models, could take a long time to arrive. "The problem is that there is no change on the horizon. Until mid-February we are unlikely to see major changes in the outlook", explained the Meteored weather expert, who defined this situation of lack of rain and anomalous heat as "worrying".
Pilar Martinez Madrid Monday, 29 January 2024, 14:40 Compartir Copiar enlace

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Malaga Airport is aiming to increase its offer of long-haul flight connections to Asia, the United States and Middle East within two years, it has been revealed.

At the Fitur International Tourism Fair 2024 in Madrid, regional minister for tourism Arturo Bernal said the gateway to the Costa del Sol had set a target of bolstering flight connections to the three continents by 2025. It is part of an air connectivity plan which aims to secure direct flights to Miami, Buenos Aires, Mexico, Dubai and Shanghai.

Officials are currently working on this, with the aim of increasing the number of plane seats on offer with Asia, the Pacific and the Middle East by 85%. "I am confident that Malaga Airport will see an improvement in this offer, as well as with the United States. The increase we expect in North America, including Canada, is 35% in this plan, and 8% with Europe and Spain," Bernal said.

"Of course Malaga is the main airport in the region, with more than 22 million passengers last year. It is better positioned than any other airport to achieve these objectives. But logically our commitment is to support all the airports in the region, including Cordoba, which has just been added to the Andalusian airport network. Each one of them must have its own mission with long or medium-haul flights depending on the markets that are mainly visiting these destinations," he added.

Malaga already has direct and daily connections with Istanbul and Canada throughout the year, and during the high season, will reinstate daily flights to New York and the capital of Qatar.

Bernal also pointed out sustainability as another major challenge for the region's tourism industry, with the drought posing many problems. "We have to work hand in hand with the private sector to resolve this challenge that we face in the coming months," he said. "Tourists and residents will not be affected by supply (water) cuts. We are cutting water in some municipalities at night to avoid leaks in the supply networks, which in some cases are significant and up to 20%," he added.

The Andalusian stand was judged the best of all the Spanish regions at Fitur 2024 in Madrid. Salvador Salas

The Junta's de Andalucia stand was awarded the best regional exhibitor at last week's major tourism fair in Madrid.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, January 29. The volume of transit of Russian oil through the territory of Kazakhstan to Uzbekistan will increase from the planned 500,000 tons to 550,000 tons in 2024, KazTransOil JSC (Kazakhstan's national operator for oil pipelines) told Trend.

In accordance with the oil supply schedule approved by the Ministry of Energy of Kazakhstan, in January KazTransOil JSC will ensure the supply of 25,000 tons of Russian oil through the territory of the country to Uzbekistan.

Meanwhile, pumping of Russian oil to Uzbekistan through the system of main oil pipelines of KazTransOil JSC was started in 2017.

The volume of transit in 2017 amounted to 67,900 tons, in 2018  35,800 tons. In 2019-2022, the transit of Russian oil through Kazakhstan to Uzbekistan was not carried out. In 2023, KazTransOil JSC transported 154,300 tons of Russian oil to Uzbekistan.

Furthermore, KazTransOil JSC is the national operator for oil pipelines. It is part of KazMunayGas JSC (Kazakhstan's national oil and gas company) group, and owns a diversified network of main oil pipelines with a length of 5,400 km.
Tony Bryant Mijas Monday, 29 January 2024, 11:06 Compartir Copiar enlace

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Mijas town hall will present a proposal at the next plenary session on 31 January for the Teatro Las Lagunas to be renamed the Manuel Espana theatre. The council has proposed the public recognition to the local professor because his social work and contribution to the art and culture scene of Mijas is undeniable.

Espana has been the head of the Mijas theatrical and cultural association for almost 40 years, and the towns mayor, Ana Mata, said that his work has transcended the limits of the municipality.

The mayor pointed out that Espana has directed and presented numerous theatrical performances outside Spain, and had played a fundamental role in promoting Mijas, and also in the social integration of people of all ages.

Espana also collaborates with the Universidad Popular, offering different workshops in which almost 1,000 students have participated.

Councillor for culture Juan Carlos Maldonado explained that throughout his extensive and fruitful professional career he has directed more than 200 shows.

Manuel Espana is a person who has left and continues to leave his mark on our community, turning the theatre into a lifeline for many people. He has always carried the name of Mijas all over the world, and without his work, the Las Lagunas theatre would not be what it is today.
C. A. Madrid Monday, 29 January 2024, 14:54 Compartir Copiar enlace

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H&M, the multinational fashion company based in Sweden, has announced plans to shut 28 stores in Spain and make almost 600 staff redundant.

The retail giant informed Spain's main worker's union CC OO of the collective redundancy, which will affect 588 workers. The negotiation process will start in September.

The company said the move is inevitable due to organisational, productive and economic reasons within its shops in Spain. More redundancies will also happen within H&M's Barcelona offices.

The unions pointed out, in the event of closures, the company must notify Spain's labour authority at least six months in advance, which is why H&M has revealed its plans now.

But it is not the first time H&M has wielded the axe in Spain. In 2021, the retailer revealed plans to make 1,000 employees redundant (approximately 20% of the workforce at the time), although after weeks of protests and negotiations, just 349 affected workers were affected.

The company, based in Sweden, posted an increase in net profit of 61% to 7,147 million kronor (about 612 million euros) in the first nine months of the last financial year (December 2022 - August 2023).
J. M. Madrid Monday, 29 January 2024 | Updated 30/01/2024 11:03h. Compartir Copiar enlace

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Police have smashed a gang in Spain's northern region of Catalonia which allegedly made 460,000 euros from fooling parents into believing their children were in distress.

The crooks would send a WhatsApp message along the lines of: "Hi mum, my mobile phone broke, this is my new number, I have to pay for something and I don't have my card handy, can you make a transfer of 2,900 euros and I'll pay you back later".

Police said the gang operating in Catalonia would profit from making families believe their children, usually students abroad, were in trouble and needed the money urgently. National Police officers arrested 59 members of this criminal organisation.

Making the conversation credible

People within the gang would first trawl through social media to target families of students who were studying abroad, according to investigators. They collected as much information as possible to make the conversation seem credible, police said.

Detenidos 59 integrantes de una organizacion criminal dedicada a la #estafa del hijo en apuros



Indagaban en RRSS para hacer el engano mas creible



Habrian estafado mas de 460.000 euros#Girona #Barcelona pic.twitter.com/xlehf5LKae  Policia Nacional (@policia) January 27, 2024

Most of the people arrested lived in Salt, Olot, Girona, Banyoles, Barcelona, Granollers, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Premia de Mar and Mollet. Among those arrested were three of the organisation's recruiters who were in charge, each in their own locality, of recruiting young people aged between 20 and 30 to carry out the scams or to receive the swindled money from the victim in exchange for payment from the gang.
This must be the year when issues relating to European competitiveness and the business climate genuinely take centre stage in political debate, write Anna Stellinger, Deputy Director General and Head of International and EU affairs at the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise, and Jan-Olof Jacke, its Director General, in an op-ed published in Swedish business daily Dagens Industri.

A new European Parliament and a new EU Commission will be elected in June this year, for terms that run to 2029. Europes faltering competitiveness should be the main issue in the election campaigns for MEPs and the new Commission.

Europe is lagging behind other key regions and European business has for a long time stressed the need for a long-term EU competitiveness strategy. We now see support for a concrete reform policy starting to coalesce. At least if the rhetoric is to be believed. Growing numbers of people are talking about how Europe is lagging behind in terms of international competition and the need for reform to improve the European business climate.

The EUs GDP represents a shrinking proportion of the world economy, the wealth gap with the US has widened, and European companies have lost global market shares. Companies from other parts of the world are dominating in fast-emerging sectors  especially digitalisation and AI. The EU currently invests less in R&D than China and the US.

The regulatory burden on European business has increased at an alarming rate, while the single market is being undermined by an increasingly permissive attitude to subsidies. In recent years, not only has the amount of state aid increased, more than half has been distributed by the German government. If we add France, the EUs two largest economies account for more than three quarters of all state aid that has been approved. Not only does this undermine competitiveness, but it also erodes the authority of the Commission as guardian of the integrity of the single market. Entrepreneurship and innovation are stifled by regulation, which then needs to be compensated with subsidies. This is clearly unsustainable.

This must therefore be the year when issues relating to European competitiveness and the business climate genuinely take centre stage in the political debate. Furthermore, the EUs competitiveness is utterly decisive for the EUs ability to act in other areas. It is the attractiveness of the European market that gives the EU a strong voice globally and makes it an attractive region to trade and co-operate with. Growth and competitiveness are also vital for European countries to sustainably continue to support Ukraine. Businesses are also expected to be the driving force of the climate transition.

During Swedens EU presidency, the Commission finally put forward a framework for a competitiveness agenda. This is excellent. But now it needs to be filled with content.

For many years, there was no common agenda for competitiveness around which the Commission and member states could unite. The momentum that existed in the 90s, following the establishment of the single market and the enlargement of the EU, has ebbed. It was therefore important that improved competitiveness was one of four priority areas during the Swedish EU presidency. This underlined the decisive role of business and the importance of competitiveness for the EUs work in other areas. During the Swedish presidency, the Commission also finally put forward a framework for a competitiveness agenda. This is excellent. But now it needs to be filled with content.

Competitiveness was a key theme of Commission President Ursula von der Leyens annual State of the Union speech address to the European Parliament in September last year. Von der Leyen pledged to do what is necessary to defend Europes competitive advantage. The Swedish and European business community takes her at her word and now has clear expectations of what must be done.

European companies are struggling to recruit skilled labour, regulation of key sectors is stricter than in our competitor countries, investment in research and development is lower, and physical and digital infrastructure inhibits trade and economic growth. These challenges are well known and have been documented in multiple studies.

Von der Leyen has also tasked Mario Draghi, former head of the European Central Bank, to make concrete proposals on how EU competitiveness can be improved. This is welcome. However, good suggestions will not be enough, there must also be a will and ability to implement them.

What is needed now is perseverance and concrete policies:
Time to make GDPR truly fit for purpose

Swedish Enterprise welcomes the launch of the long-awaited consultation by the European Commission to review how the GDPR has been applied. While the objective of ensuring personal data protection is vital, some of the provisions introduced six years ago pose significant challenges. Having had time to analyse the GDPRs impacts in practice, we now know much better what needs to be tweaked and improved. The Confederation of Swedish Enterprise wants to be an active partner to the Commission in improving the GDPR and therefore provides concrete recommendations as the revision kicks off.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, January 29. Kazakhstan and the EU intend to simplify the visa regime, Trend reports.

This topic was discussed during a meeting between the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Alibek Bakayev and the Head of the Delegation of the EU to Kazakhstan, Kestutis Jankauskas.

Thus, the parties agreed to hold a second round of consultations on simplifying the visa regime of EU countries for citizens of Kazakhstan.

As noted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, the introduction of a single list of documents for applying for a visa, reducing consular fees, reducing the processing time for applications, and increasing the validity of multiple-entry visas are the primary stages of easing the visa regime for citizens of Kazakhstan.

In addition, the parties agreed to further strengthen friendly relations between Kazakhstan and the EU in the consular sphere.

Meanwhile, Kazakhstan's trade turnover with the EU countries amounted to $38.8 billion from January through November 2023. Exports for this period amounted to $28.7 billion, and imports were $10 billion.
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Thaddeus Cahill's Teleharmonium by Jay Williston

(illustrations from U.S. patents

580,035 and 1,213,804

courtesy of the U.S. Patent Office)

The Idea

In 1890's, Thaddeus Cahill was a lawyer and an inventor living in Washington DC. Before inventing the Telharmonium, he mostly invented devices for Pianos and Typewriters. In 1893, after fooling around with his telephone, trying to broadcast music through the phone lines, Cahill had the idea for the Telharmonium. Before the 1920's there was no way to amplify electrical signals. So in order to hear sounds through the telephone, you had to put the receiver up to your ear. Cahill knew that if he could generate a large enough of an electrical signal, and if he stuck a cone on the telephone receiver (much like a gramophone cone) he could transmit music through the telephone that could be heard by an audience. He figured that if he could send music through the telephone at the proper volume, he could set up a tidy business providing music to hotels, restaurants, and even private homes. So, in a large way, Cahill invented what we know of today as "Muzak". By 1896 he had his invention worked out and applied for a patent. In 1898 he was granted, patent #580,035 for the "Art of and Apparatus for Generating and Distributing Music Electrically." In his patent, Cahill used the term "synthesizing." This proves, some say, that the Telharmonium was truly the world's first Synthesizer. The Telharmonium had to create a loud signal. Therefore it had to create a large amount of electricity. Cahill had observed that when an electric motor, or dynamo, was used to create an alternating current (as opposed to a direct current) the output could be heard through a telephone receiver as a steady pitch. The volume of this signal depended on the size of generator. A larger generator created more electricity, and, therefore, more sound. His idea was that if he had enough generators of a sufficient size, one for each note in the scale, he could switch on and off their outputs (or combine them, even) to create music.

The First Telharmonium

Cahill's began working on his instrument in 1898 and by 1901 he had his first model. It was a very simple version of his master plan, however, it weighed about 7 tons in all! The process was simple. The generators consisted of 35 long cylinders tone wheels, or rheotomes (although his patent called for 408! This was just a prototype). Around the circumference of the rheotome were raised bumps. When the cylinder rotated, a magnetic coil was held close to the bumps as they spun around. The closer the bumps were to the coil, the more electricity was generated. In between the bumps very little electricity was generated. This alternating current of electricity is what created the sounds. The rheotome cylinder was divided into many sections. Each section had a different amount of bumps around its circumference, and therefore created different pitches. For instance, if the cylinder was rotating at 110 Hz, the section with only one bump would create a pitch of "A" two octaves below A (440 Hz). The section of the cylinder which contained two bumps would play A (220 Hz), and the section which contained four bumps would play A (440 Hz), eight bumps would play A (880 Hz), and so on. Seven of these sections created seven octaves of the same note on one rheotome cylinder. Each cylinder was geared to spin at a different frequency. 12 cylinders created the chromatic scale 7 octaves wide. Dynamics could be created by moving the coils closer and further away from the rheotome. Cahill designed this feature into his keyboard, creating a touch sensitive keyboard.

With this instrument, he was able to secure financing from Oscar T. Crosby, who then enlisted his friend, Frederick C. Todd as a business partner. Crosby and Todd then set about the task of getting more financial support for the Telharmonium. They demonstrated the Telharmonium at a fundraising dinner at the Maryland Club in Baltimore. The attendees to the event, mostly bankers and businessmen, were quite impressed as they heard Handel's Largo emanate through a large cone attached to the telephone receiver. They were even more impressed that the sound was being broadcasted through the phone lines, from Cahill's factory in Washington, many miles away. The demonstration in Baltimore was a great success, Crosby was able to get enough money to finance the building of the second and more elaborate Telharmonium. In the summer of 1902, Crosby formed the New England Electric Music Company and set Cahill up in a large rented workshop space at the Cabot Street Mill, in Holyoke, Massachusetts. Cahill, along with his brothers George and Arthur, began working building the new and improved Telharmonium.

The New York Electric Music Company and The Second Telharmonium (or Dynamophone)

The first performances of this Telharmonium (or as Cahill called it the Dynamophone) were made from the Cabot Street Mill workshop and were transmitted to the Hotel Hamilton about a half-mile away. Later, in 1904, Cahill made a transmission from Holyoke to New Haven Connecticut. In 1905 Crosby established another corporation, this one in New York City (the New England Electric Music Company was established in New Jersey). He made a deal with the New York Telephone Company to lay special lines so that he could transmit the signals from the Telharmonium throughout the city. By 1906 the new Telharmonium was beginning to take shape. 50 people were now working in Holyoke to build this massive machine. Four years and $200,000 later, it was now 60 feet long, weighed almost 200 tons and incorporated over 2000 electric switches. The newer model featured 145 gear driven alternators (or dynamos). These provided more accurate intonation than the previous design and produced 36 notes per octave with frequencies between 40 - 4000 Hz. Also, the custom receivers were improved to eliminate some of the inconsistencies of the earlier models, which tended to "shout" some notes out more than others. In the summer of 1906 the Telharmonium was dismantled and loaded onto thirty railroad cars, and moved to New York City. It was assembled in the Broadway building at Broadway and 39th Street, in New York's theater district, across the street from the Metropolitan Opera House and the Casino Theatre. The machinery, the dynamoes and switching system, were very noisy. They were installed in the basement, while the performance console was installed in the newly built Music Hall at street level. Not only could the music be piped throughout New York, but there were also speakers installed at Music Hall for the public to hear. The New York debut of the Telharmonium (or Dynamophone as it was sometimes called) was on September 26th, 1906. Oscar T. Crosby gave a speech and a concert was performed for the public and potential customers. Music was usually played by two people (4 hands) and consisted of mostly classical works by Bach, Chopin, Greig, Rossini and others. The company had boasted that the Telharmonium had enough power to supply "fifteen or twenty thousand subscribers" and that they had plans to have four separate circuits with different music on each line. A few weeks later, on November 9th, the first subscriber to the piped in music was the Caf Martin, a large restaurant on 26th Street between Fifth Avenue and Broadway. But trouble soon erupted when patrons of the New York Telephone Company complained of music bleeding into their telephone conversations. Although the Telharmonium had separate cables, they were laid right next the phone company cables and, due to the strength of the Telharmonium's signal, there was significant crosstalk. The telephone company notified Crosby that they intended to terminate their agreement to supply cables for the Telharmonium. Crosby scrambled to find a way to lay their own cables. The winter of 1907 proved promising for the New York Electric Music Company. New subscribers included the very well know restaurant, Louis Sherry's, the Casino Theatre (which was across the street), the Museum of Natural History on 81st Street, the Normandie Hotel and the prestigious the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. They even had a few wealthy subscribers who had the music piped into their private homes. A series of public performances (eventually, 4 a day!) were also given on location, at what was now called Telharmonic Hall. The music was piped out into the streets for passers-by to hear. They secured glowing testimonials from celebrities who came to hear, including Walter Damrosch and Giacomo Puccini. The Telharmonium was even transmitted through the air using Lee De Forest's new audion wireless transmitter. However the static and the interference from wireless telegraphs made the signal less than desirable. Not to mention, the Navy complained that their wireless transmissions were being interrupted by the sounds of Rossini Overtures. Crosby, meanwhile had secured a franchise to lay their own cables for the Telharmonium. This involved going as far as Albany, the state capital, to get a bill through the legislature permitting a New York State corporation to "be formed for transmitting music." Although these and many other hurdles were overcome, the New York Electric Music Company still didn't have enough subscribers to make their business profitable. When Crosby could not get support for the project (even AT&T had declined) he left the company. It was now in the hands of Frederick C. Todd. But the general financial troubles of the time (including the "Panic of 1907") drove away investors, as well as subscribers. By February, 1908, the public concerts stopped. And in May the New York Electric Music Company collapsed. The Telharmonium was shut down and the doors to Telharmonic Hall were locked. The Third Telharmonic

Cahill dismantled the Telharmonium and shipped it back to the workshop in Holyoke. He then began working on a third Teleharmonic. Of course, this instrument was even bigger than the previous two, with newer and more powerful alternators which eliminated some of the bass and volume issues of the previous model. In 1910, Cahill demonstrated the new Telharmonium in Holyoke, Massachusetts to 200 interested people from New York, Boston, and other Cities. Cahill, along with his brothers, George and Arthur, reformed the company as The New York Cahil Telharmonic Company, renegotiated a franchise with the city of New York, and, in August 1911, installed the new Telharmonium in a building at 535 West 56th Street, New York City. In February 1912, the new Telharmonium was demonstrated at Caregie Hall. However, the public had grown tired of it. The novelty had worn off. The press were unimpressed. The new Wurlitzer organ had stolen much attention away from the Telharmonium, as did the growing popularity of wireless transmissions. The company fell into debt and in December 1914 the New York Cahill Telharmonic Company declared bankruptcy. Epilogue

No recordings of the Telharmonium have survived. In 1950 Arthur T. Cahill, Thaddeus's brother, tried to find a home for the only remaining instrument, the first prototype. But nobody was interested so he sold it for scrap. But the technology, the ideas of tonewheels that Cahill originated, still lives on. Many of the concepts from the Telharmonium were later incorporated into the Hammond Organ. But by the time Hammond was developed, electrical amplification was a fact of life, so the tonewheels could be much smaller, making the Hammond at least a little bit more portable. Information from:

Chadabe, Joel, Electric Sound: The Past and Promise of Electronic Music, New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 1997

Weidenaar, Reynold, Magic Music from the Telharmonium, Video, Magnetic Music Publishing, 1998

Paradiso, Joe, "Electronic Music Interfaces," http://www.media.mit.edu/~joep/SpectrumWeb/SpectrumX.html




Lysander, N.Y.  Firefighters and police rescued a person Sunday fell through thin ice on a pond in Lysander.

Around 3:05 p.m., Phoenix Enterprise Fire Company 1 responded to the call of a person who fell through ice and was stuck in an unknown location in the Three Rivers Wildlife Management Area, according to departments Facebook post.

Fire crews responded, arriving with 13 firefighters and three emergency medical technicians, to search the area for the trapped person. Due to the large area, firefighters requested additional assistance from North West Fire District, Belgium Cold Springs Fire Department and Oswego City Police.

The additional aid provided UTVs to search the area, while police used their drone above ground to find the person, firefighters said.

A person was soon found on an isolated island surrounded by 100 feet of water covered by thin ice. Firefighters, wearing Gumby suits (an immersion suit for cold water), used an inflatable rescue boat to bring the person safely across the water, firefighters said.

Other than being cold, the person was not injured, they said.

Staff writer Darian Stevenson covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her at dstevenson@syracuse.com
Rochester, N.Y. - A Syracuse teen who was driving a stolen car in which two teens were fatally shot by a deputy has been arrested in Rochester after he was caught with a stolen car, according to the DA.

Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick Sunday said the 17-year-old stole a car in Syracuse and was charged with possession of stolen property, a felony, in Monroe County. He was arrested and released to his parents, he said.
Lake Street Dive is returning to Central New York this summer.

The genre-bending band will perform July 7, 2024, at Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards in Lafayette. No opening act has been named for the concert, which will begin at 7 p.m.
While Super Bowl 2024 is set for February 11, Samsung is already offering front-row seat opportunities with its Super Sunday Sale on TVs, featuring discounts of up to $3,000 on their top-rated smart TVs.

The sale encompasses a range of 4K and 8K models, spanning from 55 to 98 inches. Notably, the popular Frame TV is available at a $1,000 discount in the 75-inch and 85-inch sizes, with additional discounts of up to $400 on the 50-, 55-, and 65-inch units.

Dont miss out on significant markdowns on Samsungs Neo QLED 8K TVs, known for enhanced sound and picture quality. These TVs boast added picture detail, incorporating over 33 million pixels through a grid of Quantum Mini LEDs.

The Samsung Super Sunday Sale also features reductions in prices for soundbars, laser projectors, and speakers. If youre considering a TV upgrade before the big game, this sale from Samsung is definitely one you dont want to overlook. Explore some of the standout TV deals available in Samsungs significant Super Sunday Sale below.
karthikd21 BHPian

Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 134 Thanked: 645 Times

Thar Bengalurians on an Off-road Expedition to Nagaland "I have found a new passion to work the whole year to earn a well deserved reward in the form of an yearly group expedition!" This has been the mantra of our group Thar-Bengaluru since the time we started the "Yearly Expedition" concept 2 years ago.



Last year, it was an expedition to the wonderland Spiti which is covered by @turbonath in the



Disclaimer

Permissions for all the trails inside forest and waterbodies were duly obtained from the local authorities by the expedition organizers



A teaser of what to expect



















Prelude



Expedition bug once caught cannot be overcome, ever! After an amazing Spiti drive, everyone of us were eagerly looking forward to the announcement for the upcoming adventure. In the last 2 years, our love towards off-roading had increased multifold and so had our level of confidence on our Thars performance. Given this, it was obvious that as an adventure focused group we wanted off-roading as the main criteria surrounding the expedition. Although there were a few options like Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Nagaland, it was decided that the expedition would be to explore the unexplored Nagaland as it meets our core need



Planning



With 25 Thars and 45 people signed up, planning itself becomes a daunting task! Since the plan was to explore deep inside, there were a lot of initial apprehensions around the accommodation, food and most importantly safety. Off-roading is very much supported by the local authorities in Nagaland and we zeroed in on an organizer called 4x4 Attitude. This turned out to be one of the best decisions we had undertaken(more on that later). While 11 of the Thar owners decided to transport the Thars through Trucks to Guwahati, rest of them formed small groups and decided to start earlier and explore North East in a greater length.



High level plan



Dec 25th: Reach Guwahati and unload Thars

Dec 26th: Journey to Dimapur where the expedition would actually begin the next day

Dec 27th:Dimapur to Wokha through off-beaten path

Dec 28th: Trail day around Wokha, coffee tasting at Lithanro Coffee estate and reach Mokokchung

Dec 29th: Reach Longwa, Indo Myanmar border

Dec 30th: Enduarance drive to reach Zunheboto

Dec 31st: River trail and reach Touphema, New Year Party

Jan 1st: Conquer Kopamadzhu peak, camp

Jan 2nd: Visit Kohima War Memorial, Green village Khonoma and reach Benreu Tourist Village

Jan 3rd: Trail around Peren and camp

Jan 4th: Reach back to Guwahati, local shopping and stay the night

Jan 5th: Load Thars to truck and fly back to Bengaluru



With us going to be exploring deep inside Nagaland, the organizers had their homework cut out to recce every weekend to mark the route and book accommodations. Thanks to WhatsApp, a big group was able to socialize and get to know each other through hilarious chat sessions, Q&A sessions(thanks to our beloved BHPian @airguitar ), announcements by the expedition leads which kept us all on the toes in anticipation of the D-Day.



My wife needs a reason to shop! Last year in anticipation of the nail biting cold, This year was snack and camping related. She shopped ferociously and also prepared a lot of home made ready to Eat mixes as we had to feed our 10 and 13 year old kids. Upma mix, Poha Mix, Puliyogre you name it, she had it!



Home Made











Store Bought







While some got busy shopping for food, proud owners of Thars preferred making them ready for expedition!



Aux/Bumper lights/Mounts in anticipation of fog































Jerry Cans







Thanks to @robimahanta for helping me with his Jerry can(not in the pic)



I got my differential breathers extended to under bonnet in anticipation of water crossing











This is how a happy shopper looks like, Suchitra Bhide upon getting delivery of his Mad-dog aux fog lights







First Flag-Off

11-Dec: Thanks to Madhus Tyre Center for supporting us by hosting us for a flag-off. Had a great chat with Nikhil over coffee and cookies! We had to load our Thars to trucks the next day!



My Thar getting ready for flag-off





at Madhus





With Nikhil





Flag-Off





What followed the flag-off was our tradition of photo-op/flag-off at the Iconic Vidhanasoudha, a sumptuous breakfast at the Jayamahal Palace Hotel and a briefing by the expedition leads











12 Dec: Finally sent off our Thars to Guwahati with repentance over not having the time at hand to drive all the way. 2 trucks were parked at Nice road exit near PES college and 11 Thars were loaded







As our wait began for Dec 25th which is when we would fly into Guwahati, a few other groups started their adventure early and hit Arunachal Pradesh. Some random clicks from their trip



Snow at Arunachal





Gang at Bumla Pass





BHPian @airguitar's thar at Sela Pass





BHPian @Bibendum90949's Thar in Arunachal





Kaziranga National Park





To be continued.. This has been the mantra of our groupsince the time we started the "Yearly Expedition" concept 2 years ago.Last year, it was an expedition to the wonderland Spiti which is covered by @turbonath in the https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/trave...onderland.html (36 Thars and a Winter Wonderland) thread. While Spiti was the inaugural expedition in search of Snow, this year we wanted to up the ante to make the best use of what Thar is designed for! So, it was NagalandExpedition bug once caught cannot be overcome, ever! After an amazing Spiti drive, everyone of us were eagerly looking forward to the announcement for the upcoming adventure. In the last 2 years, our love towards off-roading had increased multifold and so had our level of confidence on our Thars performance. Given this, it was obvious that as an adventure focused group we wanted off-roading as the main criteria surrounding the expedition. Although there were a few options like Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Nagaland, it was decided that the expedition would be to explore the unexplored Nagaland as it meets ourneedWith 25 Thars and 45 people signed up, planning itself becomes a daunting task! Since the plan was to explore deep inside, there were a lot of initial apprehensions around the accommodation, food and most importantly safety. Off-roading is very much supported by the local authorities in Nagaland and we zeroed in on an organizer called. This turned out to be one of the best decisions we had undertaken(more on that later). While 11 of the Thar owners decided to transport the Thars through Trucks to Guwahati, rest of them formed small groups and decided to start earlier and explore North East in a greater length.Reach Guwahati and unload TharsJourney to Dimapur where the expedition would actually begin the next dayDimapur to Wokha through off-beaten pathTrail day around Wokha, coffee tasting at Lithanro Coffee estate and reach MokokchungReach Longwa, Indo Myanmar borderEnduarance drive to reach ZunhebotoRiver trail and reach Touphema, New Year PartyConquer Kopamadzhu peak, campVisit Kohima War Memorial, Green village Khonoma and reach Benreu Tourist VillageTrail around Peren and campReach back to Guwahati, local shopping and stay the nightLoad Thars to truck and fly back to BengaluruWith us going to be exploring deep inside Nagaland, the organizers had their homework cut out to recce every weekend to mark the route and book accommodations. Thanks to WhatsApp, a big group was able to socialize and get to know each other through hilarious chat sessions, Q&A sessions(thanks to our beloved BHPian @airguitar), announcements by the expedition leads which kept us all on the toes in anticipation of the D-Day.My wife needs a reason to shop! Last year in anticipation of the nail biting cold, This year was snack and camping related. She shopped ferociously and also prepared a lot of home made ready to Eat mixes as we had to feed our 10 and 13 year old kids. Upma mix, Poha Mix, Puliyogre you name it, she had it!While some got busy shopping for food, proud owners of Thars preferred making them ready for expedition!Thanks to @robimahanta for helping me with his Jerry can(not in the pic)This is how a happy shopper looks like,upon getting delivery of his Mad-dog aux fog lightsThanks tofor supporting us by hosting us for a flag-off. Had a great chat with Nikhil over coffee and cookies! We had to load our Thars to trucks the next day!What followed the flag-off was our tradition of photo-op/flag-off at the Iconic Vidhanasoudha, a sumptuous breakfast at the Jayamahal Palace Hotel and a briefing by the expedition leadsFinally sent off our Thars to Guwahati with repentance over not having the time at hand to drive all the way. 2 trucks were parked at Nice road exit near PES college and 11 Thars were loadedAs our wait began for Dec 25th which is when we would fly into Guwahati, a few other groups started their adventure early and hit Arunachal Pradesh. Some random clicks from their trip Last edited by karthikd21 : 18th January 2024 at 18:19 .
robincsamuel BHPian



Join Date: May 2021 Location: KL-03/KA-05 Posts: 266 Thanked: 832 Times

View My Garage





An Off-Season Thailand Vacation: Bangkok & Phuket with Friends and Family



Although we still have the same flexibility, we now have to plan around school vacations. So, we began our planning around the last week of October, during the Dussehra holidays.



Initially, our plan was Turkiye, and we even booked hotels. However, we decided to change the plan due to a recent increase in visa fees. The visa alone would have cost around 65k for the three of us, and we thought it would be more worthwhile if we could plan a longer vacation later.



Honestly, Thailand didn't excite us as much as Turkiye initially. However, our interest grew as we started planning the trip. We prefer managing everything on our own and avoid going with agencies. We are very particular about the hotels, the flight timings and most of the things.



The Plan



One of the reasons we decided on Thailand is it offers a blend of vibrant cities and beautiful beaches. We had nine days, and we planned a day for travel, four days in Bangkok, and the remaining four days in Phuket.



The high-level plan from my notes,







Preparations



We booked flights and hotels in August, and we got a good deal because it was off-season, and we booked early.



Flights



Bengaluru-Bangkok-Bengaluru: I booked a round-trip flight with Thai Airways from BLR to BKK (TG-325/326). The main reason for choosing this flight was the timing, and because I've never been on a wide-body aircraft before. The fare wasn't refundable, so I opted for the MakeMyTrip Zero Cancellation add-on. I also purchased travel insurance along with the air ticket.



Bangkok-Phuket-Bangkok: : We're not early risers, so booked late-morning Air Asia flights. As a budget carrier, there's no included check-in baggage, so we bought baggage and booked seats through the AirAsia website.



Hotels



Bangkok: We decided to stay near the Riverside and booked Ramada Plaza Menam Riverside. The hotel provides stunning views of the riverside, the city at night, and the Asiatique Ferris wheel.



Phuket: After a lot of research, we started looking for hotels in Karon Beach, as it's preferred by families. We made a reservation at the Best Western Ocean Resort for its ocean view.



IDP



I wanted to drive for at least a day, and we had one day planned for a long drive. So, I applied for an IDP. The process was smooth; the RTO contacted me and asked me to upload a copy of the visa. However, they issued the IDP immediately when I mentioned it's Visa-on-Arrival. The entire process took approximately two weeks from application to postal delivery.



Forex



I was clueless about proof of funds and forex, and that's when @Himalayan_Ice posted a travelogue about his Thailand trip. I contacted him, and he helped me with all the information about forex and e-SIM. Thanks,



I ordered Forex via BookMyForex and had a nice experience. The currencies were delivered on time and were high-quality bank notes.



Surprise Change in Plans



The original plan was to have a family trip with myself, my wife, and our daughter. Just a month before, while chatting with a friend, I brought up our plans and asked if they'd like to join. He said yes, and that shifted the tone of the trip.



We immediately booked flight tickets for both of them and made a hotel reservation for the same flight and hotel. Though the fares were a bit higher than what we got, it was still a good deal.



Now that we are four adults and one kid, we made some changes, with the major one being renting a car. We decided to rent a car for the entire trip.



Car Rentals



Bangkok : Booked a Haval Jollion Automatic with YesAway through rentalcars.com. Opted for the collision damage waiver add-on. Both pickup and drop were arranged at Suvarnabhumi airport, aligned with our flight timings.



Phuket : We decided to book a budget car in Phuket as all the places were close. Booked a Toyota Vios Automatic, again with collision damage waiver add-on. Pickup & drop were arranged from Phuket airport.



Island Trip



The next major thing we had to book was an island trip from Phuket. There were mainly three options: a longtail boat, speed boat, and big boat. I was sure we wouldn't be comfortable in a speedboat; we wanted to have a relaxed trip. Made some enquiries, and most of the big boats would have around 80 people. Liked the longtail boat but wasn't sure about how safe they are. After a lot of research and enquiries, came across an Instagram profile, Boat and Beyond, and it was interesting. In fact, it was exactly what we were looking for, and the price was also good for what they offered. So we made a reservation for a one full-day Island trip.



However, October being a wet month, there's a high chance of this trip getting canceled in case of adverse weather. Despite that, we were mentally prepared and still made the booking.



Attraction Passes



We initially planned to book some attraction passes in advance but opted against it as it would make our schedule more rigid, having to follow specific timings. Special thanks to



Airport Transfers



I read great reviews about Shoffr on the forum long back and wanted to try that out. I made bookings with Shoffr for to and from the BLR airport to home.



E-VoA



We applied for E-VoA for convenience so that we don't have to present all the supporting documents and fill the forms at the airport. The process was straightforward: filled the form online, attached the passport bio page, cover page, flight tickets, and accommodation vouchers. We received the E-VoA the next morning. We've been planning our first international family vacation for long. We started planning pre-covid and we all know what happened! It was easier back then because we were working from home and had a lot of flexibility. Our daughter was just two years old.Although we still have the same flexibility, we now have to plan around school vacations. So, we began our planning around the last week of October, during the Dussehra holidays.Initially, our plan was Turkiye, and we even booked hotels. However, we decided to change the plan due to a recent increase in visa fees. The visa alone would have cost around 65k for the three of us, and we thought it would be more worthwhile if we could plan a longer vacation later.Honestly, Thailand didn't excite us as much as Turkiye initially. However, our interest grew as we started planning the trip. We prefer managing everything on our own and avoid going with agencies. We are very particular about the hotels, the flight timings and most of the things.One of the reasons we decided on Thailand is it offers a blend of vibrant cities and beautiful beaches. We had nine days, and we planned a day for travel, four days in Bangkok, and the remaining four days in Phuket.The high-level plan from my notes,We booked flights and hotels in August, and we got a good deal because it was off-season, and we booked early.I booked a round-trip flight with Thai Airways from BLR to BKK (TG-325/326). The main reason for choosing this flight was the timing, and because I've never been on a wide-body aircraft before. The fare wasn't refundable, so I opted for the MakeMyTrip Zero Cancellation add-on. I also purchased travel insurance along with the air ticket.: We're not early risers, so booked late-morning Air Asia flights. As a budget carrier, there's no included check-in baggage, so we bought baggage and booked seats through the AirAsia website.We decided to stay near the Riverside and booked Ramada Plaza Menam Riverside. The hotel provides stunning views of the riverside, the city at night, and the Asiatique Ferris wheel.After a lot of research, we started looking for hotels in Karon Beach, as it's preferred by families. We made a reservation at the Best Western Ocean Resort for its ocean view.I wanted to drive for at least a day, and we had one day planned for a long drive. So, I applied for an IDP. The process was smooth; the RTO contacted me and asked me to upload a copy of the visa. However, they issued the IDP immediately when I mentioned it's Visa-on-Arrival. The entire process took approximately two weeks from application to postal delivery.I was clueless about proof of funds and forex, and that's when @Himalayan_Ice posted a travelogue about his Thailand trip. I contacted him, and he helped me with all the information about forex and e-SIM. Thanks, @Himalayan_Ice I ordered Forex via BookMyForex and had a nice experience. The currencies were delivered on time and were high-quality bank notes.The original plan was to have a family trip with myself, my wife, and our daughter. Just a month before, while chatting with a friend, I brought up our plans and asked if they'd like to join. He said yes, and that shifted the tone of the trip.We immediately booked flight tickets for both of them and made a hotel reservation for the same flight and hotel. Though the fares were a bit higher than what we got, it was still a good deal.Now that we are four adults and one kid, we made some changes, with the major one being renting a car. We decided to rent a car for the entire trip.: Booked a Haval Jollion Automatic with YesAway through rentalcars.com. Opted for the collision damage waiver add-on. Both pickup and drop were arranged at Suvarnabhumi airport, aligned with our flight timings.: We decided to book a budget car in Phuket as all the places were close. Booked a Toyota Vios Automatic, again with collision damage waiver add-on. Pickup & drop were arranged from Phuket airport.The next major thing we had to book was an island trip from Phuket. There were mainly three options: a longtail boat, speed boat, and big boat. I was sure we wouldn't be comfortable in a speedboat; we wanted to have a relaxed trip. Made some enquiries, and most of the big boats would have around 80 people. Liked the longtail boat but wasn't sure about how safe they are. After a lot of research and enquiries, came across an Instagram profile, Boat and Beyond, and it was interesting. In fact, it was exactly what we were looking for, and the price was also good for what they offered. So we made a reservation for a one full-day Island trip.However, October being a wet month, there's a high chance of this trip getting canceled in case of adverse weather. Despite that, we were mentally prepared and still made the booking.We initially planned to book some attraction passes in advance but opted against it as it would make our schedule more rigid, having to follow specific timings. Special thanks to @Rajeevraj for his inputs on this matter. Speaking of which, my post may appear quite similar to @Rajeevraj's recent Thailand trip travelogue. Although most of the plans were already in place before I read his post (A long overdue family vacation to Thailand: Bangkok and Krabi) , being a novice writer, I might not be able to present it differently :(I read great reviews about Shoffr on the forum long back and wanted to try that out. I made bookings with Shoffr for to and from the BLR airport to home.We applied for E-VoA for convenience so that we don't have to present all the supporting documents and fill the forms at the airport. The process was straightforward: filled the form online, attached the passport bio page, cover page, flight tickets, and accommodation vouchers. We received the E-VoA the next morning. Last edited by robincsamuel : 15th December 2023 at 00:17 .
In brief: The worrying trend of GPS spoofing, which can cause aircraft navigation systems to show the wrong location or a false time, is a growing problem. This issue is also proving hard to address, with the only near-term solution appearing to be better training for pilots.

In September last year, OpsGroup, an 8,000-strong international group of pilots, dispatchers, schedulers, controllers, and flight technicians, began highlighting incidents in which commercial aircraft in the Middle Eastern region received spoofed GPS navigation signals. These attacks, which countries often use as a defense against enemy aircraft and drones, also impact the fallback navigation systems, resulting in total failure.

The attacks use a specific vector that OpsGroup describes as "unthinkable" and exposes a "fundamental flaw in avionics design." The spoofing affects the aircraft's Inertial Reference System (IRS), used to help planes navigate.

Last week saw global regulators, aviation security specialists, and manufacturers meet to try and find a quick technical solution to the issue of GPS spoofing near warzones, writes Reuters. The attendees failed to agree on a plan, instead calling for better training for pilots to deal with the problem.

The growing number of warzones around the world has seen GPS jamming and spoofing getting worse recently. OpsGroup said Eastern Europe, the Black Sea, and the Middle East were hotspots for these incidents.

Last week's meeting, organized by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and international trade group the International Air Transport Association (IATA), was held in Cologne, Germany. In a joint statement, the organizers said GPS interference "can pose significant challenges to aviation safety." They also called for increased data-sharing on the incidents as well as GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) safety data, universal incident guidance from aircraft manufacturers, and a commitment from states to retain traditional navigation systems as backup in cases where GNSS are spoofed or jammed.

According to a source, technical solutions to GPS interference attacks would need to be consistently updated, creating a game of cat and mouse. A long-term solution was discussed that involved developing a second layer of authentication to check if GPS locations were being spoofed.

Another roadblock is the time it takes to certify certain technologies in the civil aviation industry, which can sometimes take a decade to approve.

Israel has used GPS spoofing to try and protect itself from Hezbollah missile strikes. It has warned pilots landing in the country that they shouldn't rely on GPS to land and instead to rely on alternative navigation methods.
In brief: Taiwanese manufacturer Teamgroup recently introduced its latest series of consumer SSDs based on the PCIe 5.0 standard. The company opted for a new controller that can seemingly provide advanced features without the need for a cumbersome cooling solution.

Teamgroup's gaming brand T-Force is set to introduce a "much-anticipated" series of Gen 5 high-performance SSDs. The T-Force Ge Pro M.2 drives can deliver next-gen performance levels, thanks to the new IG5666 controller made by Chinese company Innogrit. These drives are designed to adapt to virtually any system setup with the help of Teamgroup's patented cooling solution.

The T-Force Ge Pro PCIe 5.0 SSDs can achieve read speeds of up to 14,000 MB/s, according to Teamgroup, nearly saturating the PCIe 5.0 x4 bus. While other client SSDs based on PCIe 5.0 technology have used Phison's PS5026-E26 controller, Teamgroup has chosen the IG5666 12nm controller for its advanced capabilities and low power consumption.

The IG5666 controller features a multi-core setup and provides an enhanced "Security Isolation" feature to protect data from external attacks, according to Teamgroup. Additional features include smart power management and "thermal regulation," which can detect current workload levels to automatically adjust power absorption, preventing overheating issues. The controller also incorporates a new 4K LDPC error correction technology to enhance data transfer accuracy.

The new T-Force Ge Pro series features a thin graphene heat sink, representing a innovative approach to address overheating concerns experienced by other Gen5 drives based on the Phison E26 controller. Teamgroup asserts that its patented technology effectively cools the NVMe drives, while the company's SMART monitoring software enables users to check the drive's health and performance at any given time.

The T-Force Ge Pro drives utilize RoHs-compliant materials that are halogen and lead-free. Additionally, the packaging is made of recycled materials. The Taiwanese corporation has incorporated high-performance 3D TLC NAND memory chips with a 2400 MT/s interface, aiming to provide up to 14,000 MB/s sequential read speeds and up to 11,800 MB/s sequential write speeds.

Teamgroup is set to open pre-orders for its new Gen5 SSD drives on February 9, 2024, through Amazon and Newegg. The lineup includes three different models (1TB, 2TB, 4TB), each backed by a five-year warranty. Pricing details are yet to be disclosed.
What just happened? We've heard plenty of stories about individuals smuggling components into China, usually by strapping said items to their bodies, but this one's quite different: 96,000 US-made chips worth $11.6 million were smuggled into China via South Korea over the course of three years, and so many people were involved that an entire company ran things.

The Seoul Main Customs Office announced that for three years starting in August 2020, individuals in South Korea operating "Company A" smuggled US-made semiconductor integrated circuits into China.

The process started with the chips being legally purchased and then imported into South Korea by Company A, which legitimately distributes overseas electronic components in the country, according to BusinessKorea.

The chips were then smuggled into China on 144 different air transport trips without declaring them to customs. Company A managed to avoid suspicion by ordering more chips than it needed from official distributors, and smuggling the excess into China in small batches disguised as sample products.

The chips, designed to convert analog signals to digital, are under export and import restrictions due to their potential use in the manufacture of weapons of mass destruction.

Company A smuggled 96,000 chips with a value of $11.6 million into the Asian nation, with 53,000 of them, valued at $8.8 million, classed as strategic items. The firm hid the money it made from selling the chips by submitting fabricated documents to banks, falsely declaring the value of components to customs, and by employing methods such as money laundering.

The CEO and executives of Company A have been referred to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office without detention on charges of violating the Foreign Trade Act, the Customs Act, and the Act on the Regulation of Concealment of Criminal Proceeds. It's unclear where the smuggled chips ended up once they arrived in China.

Smuggling chips into China is a practice that has gone on for years, though it's usually on a smaller scale perpetrated by individuals trying to avoid paying import taxes. Some of the bigger incidents we've seen include over 780 Intel processors worth more than $137,000 being discovered in the engine of a cross-border bus. There was also the man who tried to smuggle $3.8 million of electronics from Hong Kong into mainland China. Nothing comes close to the scale of this 3-year South Korean operation, though.
In brief: Amazon and iRobot have agreed to dissolve their previously announced acquisition agreement that would have seen the e-commerce giant purchase the Roomba maker for $1.7 billion in cash, which worked out to $61 per share or a 22 percent premium.

Amazon, if you recall, agreed to purchase iRobot in the summer of 2022. At the time, it would have been the company's fourth largest acquisition. The deal would have helped Amazon build out its smart home portfolio alongside similar ventures like Alexa, Ring, and Astro.

The deal is now off the table, marking the first time Amazon has been stopped from completing an acquisition. But, what went wrong? Regulatory hurdles, as Amazon said it did not see a path to regulatory approval in the European Union.

Amazon SVP and General Counsel David Zapolsky said mergers and acquisitions like this help companies better compete in the global marketplace, especially against those in other countries that are not subject to strict regulatory requirements. "Undue and disproportionate regulatory hurdles discourage entrepreneurs," Zapolsky added, which hurts both consumers and competition.

The deal would have also helped lower prices on Roomba products, we are told, which are often more expensive compared to similar products from competitors.

The Wall Street Journal reported earlier this month that the EU's competition watchdog planned to block the merger. In a meeting with company representatives, competition officials said the deal would likely be rejected.

Margrethe Vestager, the European Commission's executive vice president, said their investigation determined that the acquisition of iRobot would "enable Amazon to foreclose iRobot's rivals by restricting or degrading access to the Amazon Stores." As an example, Vestager said Amazon would have been in a position to not list competing robot vacuum cleaners in its store or reduce their visibility, or increase the advertising cost for rivals.

Shares in iRobot are down nearly 10 percent on the news, their lowest in almost 15 years. Amazon's stock has held steady in early morning trading as of this writing. Amazon will pay iRobot a previously agreed upon termination fee, reportedly in the ballpark of $94 million.

Image credit: Denny Muller
Creality calls out to all 3D printing enthusiasts as the company introduces another pacesetter, the K1C. This new prosumer machine is the true champion of speed and skills, with better filament compatibility, an AI camera, a reliable extrusion system, and more. It also boasts the same 600mm/s maximum speed and out-of-the-box experience from the K1 series 3D printers, which have caused a huge craze among consumers since early 2023, making high-quality and high-speed printing accessible to the market.

Creality is a global 3D printing pioneer recognized for its fast 3D printers, handheld scanners, and mighty laser engravers. The company introduced AI-assisted printing with its K1 speedy 3D printer. The K1C takes after the FDM (fused deposition modeling) flagship with improved printing capabilities.

Optimized Printhead for Carbon Fiber Printing

The K1C boasts an all-metal extruder kit capable of 1000h clog-free extrusion. It is enhanced by a bolster spring and ball plunger, which supports the extruder to grip the filament firmly so the latter won't slacken off. The 3D printer also features a tri-metal "unicorn" nozzle, integrated with a break, to block heat creep, keeping the printing stable and steady as the filament oozes out.

The nozzle is also tipped with hardened steel. It can handle carbon fiber-filled filaments like PLA-CF and PETG-CF, which are widely used in industrial printing and known for their mechanical strength and dimensional stability. This proves the K1C is as capable as a professional 3D printer in the market.

The K1C takes the excellent cooling system of the K1 even further with balanced cooling fans. The hot-end cooling fan is for minimal heat creep, the part cooling fan is for instant hardening, and an auxiliary fan is included to improve the overall print quality. The first two are now dynamically balanced, so they are less likely to wobble, minimizing ringing or ghosting, quality issues that can compromise the visual appearance of the printed 3D model.

Out of the Box Experience Without Letdowns

The K1C is pre-assembled for plug-and-play. Newcomers can let go of their fears of assembling and setting their first 3D printer, a sentiment even the CEO of Creality understands. The company prioritizes user-centric designs to leave the complexity of the 3D printing experience, a statement he shared during the company's 9th Anniversary celebration.

The boot-up guide operates as if you're turning on a new smartphone. With one tap, the 3D printer auto-calibrates, performing a self-test to ensure its full functionality and delivering its promise of an out-of-the-box experience. No more frustrating paper tests.

The K1C offers the power of artificial intelligence with an observant AI camera. It watches over the printing for you and actively sends an alert if an error occurs. You don't have to monitor its process from start to finish because the camera is great for real-time monitoring, even time-lapse filming.

Faster and Better than Standard 3D Printers

If it ever gets too loud, you can switch to silent mode, where the noise coming from the 3D printer is less than 45dB, equivalent to the sound of a page being turned. The K1C features a 600mm/s max printing speed, similar to the first AI-assisted FDM printers of Creality, the K1 and K1 Max.

It can print in just 0.03 seconds, faster and better than standard 3D printers with a maximum speed of only 200 to 500mm/s. It also inherits the lightweight and agile CoreXY motion structure of its predecessor, promising a thrilling speed without affecting the print quality of the 3D model.

The K1C also contains a built-in active carbon filter that cleanses the fumes that are dangerous for humans to inhale. It purifies compounds and particles that can also potentially affect the creation of your 3D model. The filter minimizes the chances of stringing or warping, common problems that are factored into the design of the high-speed 3D printer. Creality assures you can stay in the same room as the device prints.

You can also print in batches. If an individual print fails, you can simply exclude the print from the batch by accessing the LAN device page of Creality Print, a function that will soon become available in Creality OS.

The K1C is more secure with a damper hinge and pre-installed damping pads. It also has a reinforced cable chain, an anti-shatter film, and a silicon wiping strip, design features that complement the stability of the high-speed 3D printer and enhance the printing experience.

Superb Hardware & Software Ecosystem

Both the hardware and software of K1C are open-source. It has a solid frame using die-cast parts with glass sides and a transparent lid. The Creality OS, based on Klipper, offers advanced functions, linear advance, and input shaping. You can customize the software or join the open-source community through the Creality Cloud and discover new ways to utilize 3D printers. You can also share your designs on the platform. You can get free 3D models and enjoy cloud printing.

You also get access to the slicing software Creality Print, which provides plenty of features like smart cooling, optimal, retraction, and slim tree supports. The K1 also has a lot of quality optional accessories to make the 3D printer even more powerful, which are hyper filaments, textured PEI plate, and filament dryer.

Availability and Pricing

The K1C 3D printer is now available for preorder through the Creality store, starting from USD 559/GBP 539/EUR 599. You can also order from Amazon and authorized overseas distributors. Creality offers a 5% discount across all channels with a chance to win a giveaway once your pre-order is placed and payment is confirmed.

The pre-sale only lasts until February 8th, 2024, so don't miss your chance to participate and win a free K1C from Creality. The company will announce the winners on its social media, so give them a follow for future updates. You can expect your order to be shipped from February 20 to 26. Delivery time will vary based on where you're located.

Secure your purchases and your chance to win a free K1C by ordering from the official US, DE, EU, UK, CA, AU, and JP Creality stores.

 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.

* This is a contributed article and this content does not necessarily represent the views of techtimes.com
The UK is set to witness the first trial of an autonomous pothole-preventing robot, ARRES Prevent, equipped with AI to detect and fill cracks independently.

(Photo : Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - MARCH 04: A road user tries to avoid potholes on March 4, 2011 in Glasgow, Scotland. Councils across the UK are struggling to repair roads following damage caused by the coldest December since records began.

Witnessing First Trial of ARRES Prevent

ARRES Prevent is breaking out of the confines of the lab for its debut road test in Hertfordshire. This cutting-edge technology, a joint venture between tech firm Robotiz3d and University of Liverpool experts, marks a substantial leap in road maintenance.

Functioning as an Autonomous Road Repair System, ARRES Prevent utilizes AI to identify and analyze road cracks and potholes. Once detected, the robot autonomously addresses the issues by filling the cracks, preventing water ingress, and effectively halting pothole formation.

Interesting Engineering reported that the potential impact of this innovation is enormous, promising considerable time and cost savings while minimizing disruptions for road users.

Although currently in the pilot phase, the new vehicle has undergone rigorous laboratory testing. Its inaugural real-world road repair is slated for early this year on a residential street in Hertfordshire, marking a significant milestone in its deployment.

ARRES Prevent's Versatility, Efficiency

The team behind this groundbreaking technology believes it could revolutionize how Hertfordshire and other communities worldwide address challenges related to road surfaces in the future.

The concept has evolved over the past four years. In 2020, the university researchers launched Robotiz3d Ltd, a spinout company dedicated to advancing cutting-edge road maintenance technology.

By 2023, the company achieved a significant milestone with the development of ARESS Eye, a system designed to autonomously analyze and survey road surface conditions. This retrofit equipment can collect data while traveling at speeds up to 60 miles per hour.

The road maintenance vehicle scans one lane at a time, boasting a Field of View (FoV) that spans up to three meters. ARESS Eye stands out for its ability to provide detailed depth information and volumetric data, facilitating a comprehensive analysis of road defects.

As per BBC, this versatile system delivers highly accurate data on defect types and precise locations, empowering more efficient and effective road maintenance efforts.

Resembling a compact van, this battery-powered vehicle operates with versatility and efficiency, systematically recording repair details and precise locations to uphold stringent quality control measures in road maintenance.

This facilitates prompt decision-making and streamlined oversight of workflows. Potholes remain a substantial challenge for UK drivers, leading to vehicle damages and considerable financial burdens on councils.

Also Read: Breathing Traffic-Related Air Linked to Sudden Spike in Blood Pressure That Lasts 24 Hours

The estimated annual cost of pothole-related issues for UK drivers is around $2.2 billion. Despite ongoing efforts to repair nearly two million potholes each year, the persistence of new ones continues to overwhelm traditional manual repair methods.

The company asserts that its technology has the potential to deliver an impressive 90 percent reduction in costs compared to conventional road maintenance approaches, coupled with a remarkable 70 percent increase in repair speed.

Furthermore, Construction Kenya reported that the innovative approach results in three times fewer CO2 emissions due to its streamlined processes and reliance on electric technologies, contributing to a reduced environmental footprint, as highlighted by Robotiz3d.

Related Article: Goodbye, Potholes: Self-Healing Roads Could Fix Potholes Automatically And Charge Electric Cars In The Process

 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The major Chinese electric vehicle (EV) battery firm CATL and DiDi, a prominent ride-hailing platform, established a strategic agreement to improve battery-swapping technology in China's burgeoning EV charging infrastructure market.

CATL announced the decision on WeChat, noting the increasing rise of battery-swapping stations and EVs that allow them. The joint venture aims to improve public EV charging efficiency to promote sustainable mobility. According to SCMP, CATL and Didi intend to effectively service DiDi's EV fleet using their technical and operational capabilities. CATL expresses optimism about battery-swapping services, especially in public transport, which has a large user base and a high charging frequency.

China's EV Revolution

This follows China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology's December support for battery-swapping technology. The government will undertake public transit pilot projects to promote EV infrastructure.

The Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Promotion Alliance reports 3,567 battery-swapping stations in China in December 2023, up 80% from 2,000 in January. Public charging stations in China will increase by 50% to 2.7 million by 2023 from 1.8 million in January.

Nio, a leading Chinese EV company, has 2,333 battery-swapping facilities. Collaborating with automakers like Changan Automobile and Geely, Nio actively works on standardizing swapping protocols to drive widespread adoption. Batteries can be swapped in minutes, compared to the 20-minute charge time for a 300-mile (483km) range.

Beyond the collaboration, CATL is expanding its influence by partnering with Xiaoju Energy, DiDi's new energy solutions provider, to offer charging services in over 190 Chinese cities. This comprehensive strategy highlights collaborative efforts to accelerate China's EV infrastructure development and promote sustainable transportation solutions.

Read Also: Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella Expresses Alarm Over Taylor Swift Deepfakes Circulating Online

Nikkei Aisa reported last month that an Abu Dhabi-backed fund was planning to invest $2.2 billion in Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Nio. CYVN Holdings will purchase 294 million newly issued Nio shares at $7.50 each by the end of the month, increasing CYVN's ownership in Nio to around 20.1%. This follows CYVN's prior investment of $738.5 million in July, along with the acquisition of Nio shares from Tencent Holdings, securing a total 7% stake in Nio.

Elon Musk's Warning: Chinese EV Makers to Dominate Market

Recent developments in the EV industry prompted Tesla CEO Elon Musk to warn about Chinese EV companies' competitive challenges without trade barriers. The tech mogul acknowledged the rising strength of Chinese EV producers and BYD's fierce battle with Tesla, according to a report from Fortune.

In Q4 2023, BYD surpassed Tesla as the world's top-selling EV brand, selling 526,409 pure electric vehicles compared to Tesla's approximately 486,409. Musk's perspective on Chinese EVs has evolved, recognizing their competitiveness compared to his earlier assessments in 2011.

After the European Commission launched an anti-subsidy probe against Chinese EV firms in September, the Biden administration banned cars utilizing Chinese battery components, impacting Tesla's consumer tax credits. The U.S. charges 25% on Chinese automobiles and 2.5% on all auto imports. Biden prolonged the Trump-era China-specific tariff. The EU charges 10% on imported cars, while China charges depending on origin.

Related Article: Tesla Recall 2024: Rearview Camera Bug Prompts Automaker to Cancel Nearly 200,000 Cars

 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A new AI-powered search engine app is now available for the iPhone, and it came from a company known as The Browser Company, which claims to offer a new experience for searching the web. The app was recently released earlier today, and it already brings the promised AI features to users, one that would help give an informative and simple process of learning about many topics online.

Arch Search for iPhone: New App for AI-Powered Search

Josh Miller, CEO of The Browser Company, announced the latest drop of the company (via X), centering on the new app available for iPhones called the Arc Search. The CEO said that this is the company's second product next to its first AI-powered browser for computers known as the "Arc."

While the computer browser, Arc, is best known to be the "Chrome replacement," Arc Search is its version developed for smartphones to offer its generative AI developments for all.

It also poses itself to be the next "default browser for your iPhone," improving more from the company's original Arc iPhone app, which Miller claims to feel like a desktop port. Through Arc Search, users may get quick search results like how other platforms are used on the mobile, without opening the Arc browser on computers.

Read Also: Millions of Facebook Users Are at Risk of AI Bots in Messenger, Particularly Children - Security Experts Warn

a little Sunday surprise for you...



meet @browsercompany's 2nd product:



Arc Search



it's a default browser for your iPhone

...that BROWSES FOR YOU



the origin story is a bit unusual so I wanted to give you the full backstory: pic.twitter.com/pkVQJYN0QQ January 28, 2024

What Does Arc Search Offer the World?

First off, Arc Search may be set as the iPhone's default browser for all needs, alongside the capabilities to block various popups including GDPR and Newsletter, as well as offer security features like blocking ads and trackers.

There is also a feature called "Browse For Me" where the user only needs to input what they are looking for and the app collects web information and summarizes it for them for a quick read using AI, avoiding the need to open various websites or articles.

Arc Search is now available to download via the Apple App Store.

AI-Powered Search

Big Tech paraded its AI-powered search and other web experiences last year, and some of the most famous ones available now include Google's work on Chrome, Microsoft's Bing and Edge, and more.

For Chrome, Google is integrating its AI developments, including Bard, into the browser platform, with the recent Chrome 121 offering more experiences to enjoy for improving the experiences. It promised to help organize tabs and use generative AI to create special themes for users, as well as expand more on its "Help Me Write" feature for text fields.

On the other hand, Microsoft also went big with its AI integration towards Edge, particularly with the Bing experience, best known to be powered by OpenAI's LLM. In search alone, Microsoft's renowned AI developments are easily accessible, also offering the power to deliver AI-powered results and additional information straight from its chatbot.

Moving forward, there are more expected features that both Chrome and Edge will offer that center on AI.

Still, other competitors are opting in to bring a different experience with AI and browsing the internet, with the likes of old rivals including Mozilla and Opera. However, The Browser Company begs to differ from Big Tech, centering on the new Arc Search for iPhones to enjoy a new browsing experience that offers a slur of AI features, simplifying the experience for all.

Related Article: Daily Bad-Actor AI Activity Will Escalate by Mid-2024, the Year of Global Elections, New Study Finds

 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A new eShop sale is here, and this is Nintendo's "Jump-start January Sale" which brings a significant round of discounted games available for Switch gamers to purchase and enjoy. This limited-time sale offers several Nintendo Switch-exclusive games, centering on AAA titles which are normally skipping sale events from the company, alongside other releases from developers.

Nintendo eShop Jump-Start January Sale

Nintendo recently launched its Jump-start January Sale on the eShop, going live last January 25, and would be available for as much as two weeks until Wednesday, February 7, at 11:59 PM PT (February 8, 7:59 AM UTC). Massive AAA-rated games, alongside their DLCs, are available to purchase now from Nintendo's eShop for the Switch.

From as low as 20 percent to a massive 83 percent discount are available to enjoy on this Jump-start January Sale, also offering game bundles for all to enjoy. Gamers may opt for either a digital or physical copy, depending on its availability.

Notable Sale Games to Buy Now

There are ten days remaining for the sale from this time of writing, and it is best to check out the list to anticipate what to buy on this Nintendo eShop sale.

Read Also: Nintendo Switch 2 Leak: GameShark 'Accidentally' Reveals Release Date of Upcoming Console-but When Is It?

Animal Crossing New Horizons and Happy Home Paradise DLC

A rare sighting of the renowned social simulation game on the Switch, Animal Crossing: New Horizons is part of this January sale for gamers to go and build their islands with friends.

The base game is available for a 30 percent discount, now only at $41.99 from $59.99, while its Happy Home Paradise DLC is also up for 30 percent off, now at $17.49 from $24.99.

Still, the eShop offers a game bundle with the DLC for $59.48 from $84.98 (30 percent discount).

Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze

This Donkey Kong game from 2018 is also available for sale, offering a platforming experience that takes gamers to DK's island overthrown by Arctic invaders.

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is available for only $39.99 from $59.99 (33 percent off).

New Pokemon Snap

The New Pokemon Snap game is also available under this January sale, another rare sighting in the eShop, offering a different adventure in the Pokemon world, focused on collecting memories rather than catching 'em all.

New Pokemon Snap is available for $41.99 from its original $59.99 price (30 percent off).

Other Games to Buy:

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword - $41.99

Red Dead Redemption - $34.99

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - $29.99

Sonic Superstars - $38.99

METAL GEAR SOLID: MASTER COLLECTION VOL. 1 - $47.99

Nintendo and its eShop

The eShop is not a stranger to sale events, as multiple times a year, Nintendo offers massive discounts where gamers could save on selected titles to enjoy for their Switch experiences.

Moreover, Nintendo is also focusing on its current-gen gaming platforms with the Switch family and is known for closing the doors for Wii U and 3DS users to purchase games via the eShop two years ago.

Despite the abundance of the Switch's physical copy games, buying from Nintendo's eShop for a digital copy is also remarkable for the console's owners as it is cheaper because of the discounts, and is readily available at any time.

After Nintendo's holiday sale, the Japanese company is now offering a year-starter sale that brings AAA-rated exclusives to the spotlight, a rare sale event from the company.

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Amazon's massive $1.4 billion merger with robot vacuum maker iRobot has hit a roadblock, forcing the tech giants to abandon their plans. The decision comes from staunch opposition from European Union antitrust regulators, leaving both companies to grapple with the aftermath of a failed acquisition.

The repercussions are substantial, with iRobot initiating a significant restructuring plan that includes a staggering 31% cut in its workforce and the immediate resignation of its long-time CEO, Colin Angle (via Reuters).

Regulatory Hurdles

The deal, which Amazon announced in August 2022, faced insurmountable challenges in gaining regulatory approval, particularly from the European Commission.

Reuters tells us that the EU's reluctance is rooted in concerns that Amazon's ownership of iRobot might impede fair competition in the online marketplace, particularly in France, Germany, Italy, and Spain.

This resistance led to a mutual agreement between the companies to terminate the acquisition, causing iRobot shares to plummet by 15% before the market opened.

Amazon, already a juggernaut in the tech industry with its ownership of Alexa and Ring, expressed disappointment over the failed acquisition. David Zapolsky, Amazon's Senior Vice President and General Counsel, stated, "We're disappointed that Amazon's acquisition of iRobot could not proceed."

Read Also: Amazon's Ring will be Stricter on Police Requests for Doorbell Footage

iRobot's Restructuring

Simultaneously, iRobot unveiled a substantial restructuring plan aimed at reducing costs. This includes a workforce reduction of approximately 31%, equating to 350 jobs. The departure of Colin Angle, the visionary CEO and founder of iRobot, adds a layer of complexity to the company's future trajectory.

Colin Angle expressed disappointment and resilience, stating, "The termination of the agreement with Amazon is disappointing, but iRobot now turns toward the future with a focus and commitment to continue building thoughtful robots and intelligent home innovations that make life better."

Financial Fallout and Regulatory Scrutiny

Initially valued at $1.7 billion, the deal faced several regulatory examinations that ultimately drove the purchase price down. Amazon has agreed to pay iRobot a $94 million breakup fee, providing a semblance of financial relief for the robotic vacuum maker, whose market capitalization now stands at under $400 million (via CNBC).

This failed acquisition adds to the growing list of instances where regulators worldwide scrutinize large technology companies for potential anti-competitive effects.

In the European Union, the Competition and Markets Authority in Britain and the European Commission have intervened in various tech deals, including Meta's acquisition of Giphy, Microsoft's investment in OpenAI, and more.

The company has pledged to focus on margin improvements, reduce spending on research and development, and pause work on "non-floorcare" products, including its air purifiers and robotic lawnmowers.

Stay posted here at Tech Times.

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A rare sighting of a baby great white shark has left researchers astonished off the coast of California. Captured on film by wildlife filmmaker Carlos Gauna and UC Riverside biology doctoral student Phillip Sternes, the footage reveals a 5-foot-long shark shedding a mysterious white layer, potentially signaling a newborn.

The discovery, documented in a recent paper in the Environmental Biology of Fishes journal, challenges long-standing mysteries surrounding great white shark birthing habits. Great whites, known for their elusive nature, are the largest predatory sharks globally, and until now, no one had observed a live newborn in the wild.

Newborn Great White Shark Sightings

Gauna, popularly known as The Malibu Artist, has spent thousands of hours filming sharks worldwide. However, this particular observation near Santa Barbara on California's central coast stands out.

The researchers believe the white layer being shed from the shark is an embryonic substance, pointing towards the possibility of witnessing a newborn great white shark shedding its intrauterine milk.

The significance of this discovery extends beyond the awe-inspiring visuals. The birthing habits of great whites have remained a mystery, with scientists unable to pinpoint where they give birth.

Gauna emphasizes, "Where white sharks give birth is one of the holy grails of shark science. No one has ever been able to pinpoint where they are born, nor has anyone seen a newborn baby shark alive."

Read Also: Deep-Sea Researchers Discover New Isopod Species in the Bahamas: Here's How It Looks

Experts Weigh In

Several factors support the hypothesis that the observed shark is indeed a newborn. The proximity to the shore-roughly 1,000 feet from the beach-is unusual, challenging the belief that great whites are born farther out at sea. Gauna's previous observations of large, likely pregnant great whites in the area add weight to the theory.

Phillip Sternes, the biology doctoral student, offers further insights, stating, "I believe what we saw was the baby shedding the intrauterine milk." The shark's size, shape, and behavior observed-thin, short, and rounded-align with characteristics typical of a newborn great white, possibly only hours old.

However, scientific skepticism exists, with experts urging caution in interpreting the observation. Christopher Lowe, a marine biology professor at California State University, suggests that the observed shark might have a skin condition, emphasizing the need for further evidence (via the Washington Post).

The mystery surrounding great white shark pregnancies and births stems from the elusive nature of these apex predators, spending much of their lives in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

The technology to remotely follow them has only recently become available, leaving many aspects of their reproductive behaviors unknown.

What's Next?

Despite the skepticism, the researchers remain determined to shed light on this rare phenomenon. Sternes and Gauna are planning round-the-clock surveillance this summer to gather more evidence and potentially collect samples for further analysis.

The implications of confirming the California coast as a great white birthing ground are substantial. Great whites are listed as an international endangered species, making the protection of potential birthing waters crucial for their conservation.

Stay posted here at Tech Times.

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In a not-so-common breakthrough towards redefining the basic unit of time, a Chinese research team at the University of Science and Technology has unveiled a groundbreaking optical clock that provides unparalleled precision in timekeeping.

Harnessing ultra-cold strontium atoms and laser technology, this atomic clock operates with stability and uncertainty levels below 5 quintillionths. It's a rare innovation that positions China as a global frontrunner in the pursuit of precise time measurement behind the US.

Precision Beyond Imaginable Limits

The Chinese optical clock stands as a testament to scientific achievement, losing or gaining merely one second over a staggering 7 billion years.

According to Interesting Engineering, its extraordinary precision puts China into an elite group, making it the second country, following the US, to achieve such remarkable accuracy in timekeeping.

Published in the esteemed Metrologia journal, the research team, led by physicist Pan Jianwei, highlights that this achievement is not just a technological triumph but a crucial step towards establishing a global optical clock network. This network holds the promise of transforming how we perceive and measure time on a global scale.

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Opening New Avenues for Scientific Exploration

Beyond its timekeeping implications, the optical clock breakthrough opens up exciting pathways for scientific exploration. The research team envisions using this advanced technology to test fundamental physics theories, detect gravitational waves, and delve into the mysteries of dark matter, per The South China Morning Post. That said, this marks a significant leap toward expanding our understanding of the universe.

The Global Race for Precision

While China takes a formidable lead with its optical clock, the global race for precision timekeeping continues. The University of Colorado in Boulder currently hosts the most precise strontium-based optical clock, holding a slight edge in accuracy and stability over its Chinese counterpart.

Other contenders in this race include institutions in Japan and Germany, contributing to the international pursuit of pushing the boundaries of time measurement.

Applications Beyond Timekeeping

The implications of optical clocks extend far beyond precise time measurement. These technological creations hold immense potential for applications in critical infrastructure.

From enhancing global navigation satellite systems to establishing highly secure communication networks through quantum key distribution, optical clocks are poised to shape the future of technological advancements.

Journey to Redefine Time

Today's definition of a second relies on the microwave fountain clock, a type of atomic clock. However, the limitations posed by microwave frequency standards have spurred the development of optical clocks.

To replace microwave clocks with their optical counterparts, at least three laboratories worldwide must achieve optical clocks with stability below 5 quintillionths and uncertainty below 2 quintillionths - pivotal benchmarks for reliability and performance.

Quantum Pioneer's Vision

Led by Jianwei, often hailed as the "father of quantum," the Chinese research team executed a meticulous process to achieve this remarkable feat.

By cooling down strontium-87 atoms and utilizing intersecting laser beams, they trapped atoms in a one-dimensional lattice. The subsequent use of an ultra-stable laser triggered clock transitions, ensuring stability and precision.

What the Team Wants to Do in the Future With Atomic Clocks

The Chinese research team plans to expand their exploration by comparing atomic clocks built with different atom species, including strontium-87 and ytterbium-171. This ongoing research, supported by various funding agencies, promises to deepen our understanding of time and pave the way for future technological innovations.

"Such performances showed that our clock has partially met the requirement for participating in the redefinition of the second," the authors wrote in the paper.

In essence, China's move to create this optical clock marks a historic moment in the quest for precision timekeeping, unlocking possibilities that extend beyond our current understanding of time.

Read Also: Deep Space Atomic Clock for GPS Improvement - Results to Heightened Spacecraft Autonomy?

 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
In a bid to stay ahead of tech giants such as Apple, Meta, and Google, augmented reality glasses manufacturer Xreal is on the verge of securing additional funding, pushing its valuation beyond the $1 billion mark.

Xreal's CEO, Chi Xu, reveals plans to raise $60 million in the upcoming funding round, supplementing the existing capital of over $300 million. This will position Xreal to lead the augmented reality market amidst increasing competition.

Scaling Manufacturing Capabilities and Research

Xu emphasizes that the fresh funding injection will play an important part in scaling up manufacturing capabilities and advancing research and development efforts.

While the company currently possesses sufficient capacity to meet this year's demand for its augmented reality glasses, the additional capital is deemed crucial to fulfilling anticipated orders in 2025, Bloomberg reports.

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Dominance in the Augmented Reality Market

Xreal has emerged as a formidable player in the augmented reality sector, commanding approximately 50% of the market share for AR-only devices in the third quarter of the previous year, as per IDC research.

While Meta leads the broader mixed reality market, which includes both virtual reality and augmented reality, Xreal holds a 4% share overall.

With the ability to manufacture between 500,000 and 1 million units in the current year, the funding is expected to boost production capabilities to 2 million devices in the following year.

Revenue projections for 2022 indicate an expected range of $100 million to $150 million, with ambitions to generate between $200 million and $300 million in 2025. Xu envisions Xreal going public in the United States within the next two years.

Xreal's Product Portfolio and Market Position

Established seven years ago and headquartered in Beijing, Xreal boasts a workforce of around 600 employees. Its airglasses offer wearers notifications, games, and video content seamlessly integrated into their field of view.

The company's affordable AR glasses, available for a few hundred dollars, have gained ground against more expensive alternatives from competitors like Magic Leap and Microsoft.

Future Focus on Air 2 Ultra

Xreal places significant emphasis on its latest offering, the Air 2 Ultra, anticipating it to be a key driver of future revenue. Chi Xu projects potential sales of 50,000 units of the Air 2 Ultra in the current year.

While the company acknowledges the appeal of cheaper models, it believes that the enhanced features of the Air 2 Ultra will resonate well with consumers.

Speaking of Air 2 Ultra, this new Xreal entry wearable could be looking forward to going toe-to-toe with Apple's Vision Pro, according to The Verge.

Aside from that, it might be a firm rival for Meta's Quest 3. Although the Vision Pro has been all over the news for the past week, Facebook's parent firm remains "optimistic" that it will get ahead of the Cupertino giant's VR headset.

Strategic Differentiation from Virtual Reality

In contrast to delving into virtual reality, Xreal remains committed to further enhancing what it can offer for its AR glasses. The company's strategic focus aligns with its belief in competing directly with major players like Apple in the years to come.

While the iPhone maker paused its work on lightweight AR-only glasses, Meta and Google have also announced plans to launch their own consumer AR glasses in the near future.

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 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A recently addressed security flaw in Microsoft Outlook has been identified as a significant threat, potentially allowing threat actors to exploit it to gain access to NT LAN Manager (NTLM) v2 hashed passwords.

Tracked as CVE-2023-35636 with a CVSS score of 6.5, Microsoft swiftly addressed the issue as part of its Patch Tuesday updates in December 2023, according to The Hacker News. The MS Outlook vulnerability could be exploited in email attack scenarios where hackers could send a specially crafted file to users, persuading them to open it, as outlined in a Microsoft advisory released last month. Additionally, in web-based attack scenarios, threat actors could host a website containing a malicious file designed to exploit the vulnerability, requiring users to click on a link embedded in a phishing email or instant message.

The flaw, originating from the calendar-sharing function of Microsoft Outlook, involved the creation of a malicious email message with specific headers ("Content-Class" and "x-sharing-config-url") to expose a victim's NTLM hash during authentication.

(Photo : GERARD JULIEN/AFP via Getty Images)

Users Must Remain Vigilant

Discovered by Varonis security researcher Dolev Taler, the bug revealed that NTLM hashes could be leaked by utilizing the Windows Performance Analyzer (WPA) and Windows File Explorer. However, these attack methods remain unpatched, raising concerns about vulnerability when the NTLM v2 hash passes through the open web, making it vulnerable to relay and offline brute-force attacks.

Coinciding with this revelation is Check Point's disclosure of a "forced authentication" case, potentially utilized to leak a Windows user's NTLM tokens by tricking them into opening a rogue Microsoft Access file. As Microsoft progresses towards discontinuing NTLM in Windows 11 for enhanced security, these vulnerabilities underscore users' need to promptly implement patches and security measures to safeguard their systems and data.

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In a previous report, Microsoft discovered a nation-state attack on January 12, 2024, which the Russian state-sponsored actor Midnight Blizzard (Nobelium) was in charge of. Initiated through a password spray attack in late November 2023, the compromise affected a non-production test tenant account, providing limited access to corporate email accounts, including senior leadership and cybersecurity personnel.

Microsoft's response, part of its Secure Future Initiative (SFI), emphasized responsible transparency and affirmed that the attack did not exploit vulnerabilities in its products or services. Notifications to affected employees are underway.

Experts: AI-Powered Cyberattacks to Increase

In separate news, the UK's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), a subsidiary of GCHQ, warned that artificial intelligence (AI) might provide amateur cybercriminals with advanced tools for convincing phishing assaults utilizing bogus emails.

The NCSC's recent evaluation shows that ChatGPT, a generative AI, can create authentic-looking material from basic cues. As AI advances, it becomes harder to spot phishing efforts, raising fears about amateur hackers launching ransomware assaults, per the World Economic Forum.

Rupal Hollenbeck, president of Check Point Software Technologies, advises firms to use AI to tackle fraudsters' shifting techniques. Hollenbeck stressed the necessity for enterprises to embrace AI-driven preventative measures as fraudsters become more proficient at using AI.

She noted in her piece published by Fortune that existing point products generate significant and preventable blind spots and impede interoperability. The expert suggested implementing a consolidated cybersecurity platform that uses AI to continuously improve proactive detection, remediation, and abnormal behavior within well-defined zero-trust policies to increase cyber resilience against various attacks.





Related Article: Cisco Talos Claims Ransomware Is 2024's Biggest Security Threat-Schools Now on Target List

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BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, January 29. Kyrgyzstan's imports of passenger cars from China increased from January through November 2023 compared to the same period in 2022, Trend reports.

Data from Kyrgyzstan's State Statistical Committee reveals that the country imported 60,058 passenger cars from China during the specified period, which is 46 times more than in January-November 2022 (1,301 cars).

The value of these imports surged by 29 times, reaching $939.254 million, in contrast to the same period in 2022 ($31.523 million).

Throughout the eleven-month period, China remained the primary supplier of passenger cars to Kyrgyzstan. Following China were South Korea (46,357 cars valued at $398.461 million), Russia (13,412 cars valued at $131.243 million), the US (10,958 cars valued at $191.457 million), and Japan (8,615 cars valued at $188.253 million).

Overall, Kyrgyzstan imported 157,292 passenger cars, valued at over $2.375 billion, from January through November 2023. The import volume surged by 4.6 times compared to the same period in 2022 (33,895 cars), and the value increased year-on-year by 5.5 times ($425.525 million in JanuaryNovember 2022).

Trade between Kyrgyzstan and China amounted to $4.850 billion from January through November 2023, which is a 31-percent increase compared to the same period in 2022 ($3.678 billion).

Kyrgyz exports to China during this period reached $71.888 million, which is a 38.1-percent growth compared to the 11 months of 2022 ($52.042 million). Kyrgyzstans imports from China for the reviewed months of 2023 reached $4.778 billion, increasing by 31 percent year-on-year ($3.626 billion in January - November 2022).

Meantime, Kyrgyzstan's foreign trade turnover reached $13.917 billion from January through November 2023, which is a 29-percent increase compared to the same period in 2022 ($10.787 billion).

Kyrgyzstan's exports totaled $2.807 billion, which is a 36.7 percent growth compared to the corresponding period in 2022 ($2.054 billion). The country's imports amounted to $11.109 billion, increasing by 27.2 percent compared to the same period in 2022 ($8.732 billion).
North Korea's government has ramped up weapons tests in recent weeks, including the launches of a purported underwater nuclear weapon system.

The Yonhap information platform reported this weekend that North Korea launched several cruise missiles from its east coast, citing South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff.

"Our armed forces detected several unidentified cruise missiles fired near the waters surrounding the North Korean region of Sinpo at 08h00 today," the Southern Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) statement said, and pointed Yonhap.

North Korea launches several cruise missiles off its eastern coast, reports South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff https://t.co/ih8nlpEA7K pic.twitter.com/miQ9azGuVo  Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) January 28, 2024

In the meantime the entity did not give more details, only that it specified that "while we strengthen our control and surveillance, our Armed Forces have coordinated closely with the USA. to monitor other signs of North Korean provocations".

North Korea's government has ramped up weapons tests in recent weeks, including the launches of a purported underwater nuclear weapon system and a solid-fuelled hypersonic ballistic missile.

This is already the second launch of cruise missiles from the North so far this year, since it conducted, on Wednesday, a launch test of strategic cruise missiles, called "Pulhwasal-3-31", towards the Yellow Sea.

Kim Jong Un, the North Korean leader, said earlier this month that South Korea was his countrys principal enemy and that peaceful reunification of the Korean Peninsula was no longer possible. The US, South Korea and Japan have responded to Pyongyangs tests by carrying out expanded joint military exercises, which have been considered by North Korea as ''rehearsals for an invasion.''
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 Communities 2019 - Privacy

The information on this site is from external sources that are not under our control.The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.
They simply had nowhere to evolve: a Russian paleontologist on the progress of scientific ideas about dinosaurs

A business manager suspected of having ordered the attack on an elected official from Saint-Denis

Tigrane Seydoux, the Frenchman behind the fashionable Italians in Madrid in which you always have to visit the bathroom

Energy transition: The experts say so, the Court of Auditors says so

Guangxi's 15 cultural tourism projects plan to attract investment in Guangdong with a total investment of more than 80.7 billion yuan

International newspapers: Gaza is bringing Washington back to the region, and Netanyahu may lose his position

Annoyed by a kissing couple: woman attacks the person sitting next to her on the train

A member of the Fatwa Council in Britain calls on Western Muslims to adhere to their religion and identity

Death and stuff, the worst series of the week: the copy of a copy of a copy of Agatha Christie

Alaska Airlines passenger about hole in plane wall: "I kept staring into the hole and hoping it wouldn't tear any further"

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The first batch of imported exhibits of the 135th Canton Fair entered the country smoothly

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 Communities 2019 - Privacy

The information on this site is from external sources that are not under our control.The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, January 29. Kyrgyzstan has proposed to the World Bank (WB) to explore the use of various investment mechanisms in energy projects in the country, Trend reports.

According to the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of Kyrgyzstan, this matter was discussed during a meeting between Deputy Minister of Economy and Commerce of Kyrgyzstan Sanzhar Bolotov and the WB Group delegation led by Maksudjon Safarov.

The proposal from the Kyrgyz side included suggestions for attracting investments, such as involving private investors in the construction of small hydropower plants and exploring public-private partnership mechanisms.

During the meeting, the parties discussed the promotion of energy projects, including those related to renewable energy sources. They also addressed the upcoming visit of the WB Group's Board of Directors to Kyrgyzstan. The deputy minister highlighted Kyrgyzstan's hydroenergy potential, emphasizing the wide prospects for project implementation.

The importance of hosting the International Energy Investment Forum was also touched upon and discussed by the parties. As a result of the meeting, the parties agreed to continue close cooperation in advancing joint initiatives and projects.
In the G9285 'Spring Festival Homecoming Special Train', people returning home for the Chinese New Year are overjoyed.

On January 28, 2024, at 11:47 am, the first "Spring Festival Homecoming Special Train" G9285 slowly arrived at Shuchengdong Station, carrying 862 migrant workers from Shucheng County, Anhui who were working in Shanghai and Jiangsu.

With the approach of the Spring Festival, Shucheng County in Anhui has opened a "Spring Festival Homecoming Special Train" for migrant workers working in Shanghai, Suzhou, Wuxi, and other places, providing free transportation for them to return home for the Chinese New Year. It is reported that a total of 2,800 migrant workers have registered for this event, and they will return home in three batches.

In order to ensure the safety, orderliness, and efficiency of the passengers disembarking at the station, Shuchengdong Station has planned passenger flow lines in advance, and increased personnel at elevator and ticket inspection areas to provide guidance and offer services.

Shuchengdong Station on the Hefei-Anqing High-Speed Railway has been in operation for three years. During the Spring Festival travel rush, the station operates an average of 29 trains per day, providing convenient transportation to Shanghai, Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Nanchang, and other destinations, greatly facilitating local residents' travel and playing an important role in promoting regional economic development.

The first "Spring Festival Homecoming Special Train" G9285, carrying 862 migrant workers from Shucheng County, Anhui who were working in Shanghai and Jiangsu, slowly arrived at Shuchengdong Station.

The children returning home are eagerly waiting to celebrate the Chinese New Year with their families.

The children who stayed in their hometowns are welcoming their parents' return at the station.

A warm journey during the Spring Festival travel rush.

The first "Spring Festival Homecoming Special Train" G9285, carrying 862 migrant workers from Shucheng County, Anhui who were working in Shanghai and Jiangsu, slowly arrived at Shuchengdong Station.

At Shuchengdong Station, a returning passenger is walking out of the station, holding three children.

Source: anhuinews.com


BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, January 29. The construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway is one of the key projects that Kyrgyzstan is actively pursuing, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of the Ministers of Kyrgyzstan, Bakyt Torobayev, said, Trend reports.

He made the statement during the Global Gateway Investors Forum for EU-Central Asia Transport Connectivity in Brussels.

Speaking at the forum, Torobayev described it as the largest project in modern Kyrgyzstan's history. He expressed confidence that the successful implementation of this railway project would connect around 4 billion people, expanding transportation routes from Asia to Europe.

"We believe that in the near future, the first railroad tie will be laid, marking a significant milestone in realizing this project," Torobayev said.

The China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, a planned 454-kilometer rail line, is intended to connect China's and Uzbekistan's railways through Kyrgyzstan's territory and further link up with the European railway network through Turkmenistan, Iran, and Turkiye.

According to information from Kyrgyzstan's Cabinet of Ministers, technical and economic justification for the project was developed with joint financing by the parties involved in the construction of the railway. This justification was approved in June of 2023.
Woolworths certainly broke with convention on Monday. It is rare to see a company lead with the bad news and hide the better and most important news in the last few sentences of a longish announcement.

Welcome to the new era where good news is bad news, especially if you are an Australian supermarket chain.

CEO of Woolworths Brad Banducci (pictured with his dog Juno) saves the good news until last.

Such a contortion would damage the spine of any public relations expert.

There were several important bits in the Woolworths statement on Monday. So lets begin, as Woolworths did, with the bad news: the companys worsening performance in New Zealand.
For many women, the fleeting bond forged with strangers in a club toilet elicits a sense of sisterly solidarity. But for Rosie, the central character in British playwright Travis Alabanzas powerful play Overflow, a knock on the bathroom door strikes fear into her heart. Hardly surprising, given the uproar around trans peoples right to pee in peace.

Starring actor, activist and trans woman Janet Anderson, the one-woman show marks its Melbourne debut at the Arts Centre during LGBTQIA+ festival Midsumma. Directed locally by Dino Dimitriadis, Overflow became the first Australian main stage production led by an entirely trans and gender-diverse cast and crew when it made its debut at the Darlinghurst Theatre Company in Andersons hometown of Sydney last year.

Janet Anderson plays Rosie in Overflow. Credit: Steven Siewert

The power of the show is that you spend time with Rosie in this confined space while she just lets rip, feeling everything she thinks, Anderson says. The audience is strapped into her monologue. She has all the power, which is so rare for a trans performer. Often, we are relegated to the sidekick or the dead sex worker.

Andersons family moved from Sydney to Westchester, New York, when she was four. She would beg her mum to take her to Broadway shows for her birthday. But, after returning to Sydney, transitioning during high school made her doubt her acting dreams.
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Review Eating outBrunswick East The delicious little birdies Anthony Bourdain loved are better than ever at this new-look Melbourne icon Its hard to go past Rumis greatest hits. But changes at its new home ensure its relevant to a new generation of diners. Besha Rodell January 30, 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

As featured in the Melbourne hit list February 2024 See all stories .

1 / 10 Light-filled Rumi 2.0 has a hint of industrial chic, but some of its Melbourne-ness has been lost. Chris Hopkins 2 / 10 Delicious little birdies: the quail kabobs that Anthony Bourdain ate. Chris Hopkins 3 / 10 Creamy, nutty almond taratour, best enjoyed with dukkah. Chris Hopkins 4 / 10 Almond taratour, this time with zhoug, a punchy coriander sauce. Chris Hopkins 5 / 10 Fish of the day (barramundi on this occasion) with tahini, walnuts, pine nuts and almonds. Chris Hopkins 6 / 10 Lamb shoulder with sirkanjabin, a mint vinegar syrup. Simon Schluter 7 / 10 Barbecued chicken with rose harissa and warrigal greens, one of Rumis new dishes. Simon Schluter 8 / 10 Freekeh salad. Chris Hopkins 9 / 10 Apricots, labne and honey, one of the simplest and greatest desserts ever. Chris Hopkins 10 / 10 Rumi co-owner and chef Joseph Abboud at the new digs. Simon Schluter Previous Slide Next Slide 14 / 20 How we score Middle Eastern$$$ The quail kabobs at Rumi really ought to count as one of Melbournes most iconic dishes at this point. They were one of the things I was most excited about eating when I moved back to Australia, mostly thanks to the scene in Anthony Bourdains No Reservations Melbourne episode, in which he gobbles up one order of them and then orders another, exclaiming delicious little birdies like a maniacal quail fiend. That scene spoke to my memories of growing up in Melbournes inner north, and the fantastic Middle Eastern meals my family had in Brunswick restaurants. It looked to me as though Rumi was taking that history and updating it ever so slightly, to fit in with the aesthetics of a more modern city. It made me excited to come home. Rumis quail kabobs are better than ever. Chris Hopkins

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After 17 years on Lygon Street (in two different locations), Rumi has entered its next phase in a new home in the East Brunswick Village development just off Nicholson Street. Owners Joseph and Nat Abboud have also opened a small wine bar next door called Rocket Society. Rumi restaurant launches Rocket Society with $8 Lebanese wraps by day, bar snacks by night The new Rumi space is bigger, brighter, and far more modern. Its pretty  light-filled thanks to its large corner windowed location, and with a bit of an industrial chic vibe  but something of the Melbourne-ness has been lost. Its a restaurant in a mixed-use shopping development, and it looks the part, which means it could exist just about anywhere in the world. But those quail kabobs ($22), marinated in saffron then lacquered with verjus and grape molasses before being cooked to juicy, meaty pink excellence, are as good  if not better  than ever. Delicious little birdies, indeed. This is comfort cooking, but its also precise, assured, and deeply delicious.

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This is one of those restaurants where you come for your favourites, knowing theyll be done right. I have a hard time wavering from the greatest hits: the quail; cheese cigars ($16); creamy, nutty almond taratour ($14), best enjoyed with a sprinkling of dukkah ($2); the marinated lamb shoulder ($40) with sirkanjabin, a mint vinegar syrup. The glorious, tender hunk of meat could easily feed a whole table with a salad or two on the side, making it one of the better deals in town. But theres reason to branch out, too. Half a barbecued chicken ($40) is accompanied by rose harissa and mloukieh, a Middle Eastern staple that is here made with warrigal greens rather than the traditional mallow, lending it an Australian flare. The fish of the day ($36)  barramundi the evening I visited  comes with a crisp skin and a cornucopia of nuttiness in the form of tahini, walnuts, pine nuts and almonds, along with Turkish chilli. This is comfort cooking, but its also precise, assured, and deeply delicious. Barramundi, the fish of the day, is plated with a cornucopia of nuttiness. Chris Hopkins Dessert presents the same conundrum  how do I bypass the apricots with labne and honey ($12), one of the simplest and greatest desserts ever? I took a chance instead on the baklava ice-cream sandwich ($16), made with creamy macadamia ice-cream scooped between two layers of crunchy filo pastry. It was fun, but Ill probably go back to the apricots next time round.

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One of the most exciting developments of the new location is the wine list, which has quintupled in length and now has around 100 bottles, including a robust selection of Middle Eastern wines alongside a fun list of more local drops. I especially loved a Lebanese sparkling pet nat from Mercel ($85), cleverly named Leb Nat. Brilliant ruby in colour, juicy and extremely food-friendly, its an absolute summer banger of a wine. The new Rumi space is bigger, brighter, and far more modern. Chris Hopkins Rumi has a history of hiring younger folk from the neighbourhood as staff  Abboud once touted his 9 under 18 staff members on Instagram  which makes for a service experience that I appreciate, greatly. The place runs like a machine, to be honest, though some of the servers are green when it comes to wine knowledge and tableside manner. On the other hand, some have been here for years, and it shows. Theres so much about the neighbourhood that Rumi embodies  its history as a bastion of Lebanese culture, its sense of family and community, and now, the proliferation of mixed-use developments that are gobbling up Brunswick. Mostly, it is still a place that represents our citys delicious Middle Eastern heritage, as well as its bright and diverse future.

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The low-down Vibe Airy, colourful, casual Go-to dish: Quail kabob ($22) Drinks Short cocktail list with Middle Eastern twists on classics; fun Australian and Middle Eastern wines Cost About $120 for two, excluding drinks All aboard the Bourdain taste-tour of Melbourne

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Exclusive Eating outJust open First look at Karen Martinis new St Kilda restaurant, Saint George A late 90s look, fried Italian snacks, fish burgers, frosty beers and caesar salad: Karen Martini is taking on the pub. Emma Breheny January 30, 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

As featured in the Melbourne hit list February 2024 See all stories .

Karen Martini hopes to bring the spirit of 1990s St Kilda to her new restaurant, Saint George Tavern and Grill, opening February 1 on Fitzroy Street across the road from one of her early career highlights, the now-closed Melbourne Wine Room. We want to be familiar and consistent, an all-round good clubhouse with good eating and great drinking, says the chef, who also ran Mr Wolf pizzeria in the suburb until 2021. The dining room is a brighter, airier update on last years renovation. Chris Hopkins A bright pink and turquoise palette, large artworks by Scottish-born David Band, fish burgers, caesar salad and convivial Mediterranean dishes are part of Martinis overhaul of what was the Saint Hotel, which shes undertaking with partner Michael Sapountsis and owners Public Hospitality, a Sydney group making inroads in Melbourne. The Saint was relaunched by the group last March (its third major overhaul since 1915) as a polished steakhouse with several bars over two levels. In its new guise, Martini hopes to revive some of Melbourne Wine Rooms grungy spirit.

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Some of the best things of the late 90s and early 2000s happened across the road, she says. Karen Martini is excited to be back cooking in St Kilda. Chris Hopkins Saint Georges 80-seat restaurant is the place for spatchcock with bitter greens, 650-gram rib-eye steaks from the Josper grill, and whole lamb neck in a baharat spice crust to share alongside flatbreads and pickled radicchio. Lighter dishes include fritto misto (fried seafood), two different kinds of bruschetta, caesar salad made with witlof, and gnocco fritto in a ribbon shape with culatello (cured pork leg). Three pastas are also on offer. In the tavern at the front of the building, you might find a fish burger (but not quite a redux of Martinis famous Hero fish sandwich), potato cakes, grilled peppers, a mushroom burger and chicken schnitzel with slaw.

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There has to be a schnitzel  But Im not doing a chicken parmigiana yet! jokes Martini. Paccheri marinara is one of three pasta dishes on the opening menu. Chris Hopkins Martini, culinary director at Saint George, has brought on Diana Desensi (ex-Montalto, Pt Leo Estate) as her head chef, as well as several front-of-house staff from her last restaurant Hero at ACMI, which closed in October following a breakdown in contract negotiations with the state government-run leadership of the Australian Centre for the Moving Image. Martini is thrilled to be back in St Kilda and developing new dishes and a new atmosphere for the storied Saint site. Were very familiar with what St Kilda is and has been and will be, she says.

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Affordability is important, she says, and they will be finding cool ... interesting ways to do that. Gnocco fritto with culatello (left) and potato cake with whipped cod roe. Chris Hopkins Not every glass of wine is going to be $18, she says. Drinks include Italian wine varieties, local pinot noir, mezcal-based drinks and really cold beer, another nod to Melbourne Wine Room. The dark-stained timbers and black leather modular booths of the last revamp are gone, with more flexible seating for 80 people in the grill and an airier look. Private dining upstairs will be added at a later date. The bar area at Saint George Tavern and Grill. Chris Hopkins

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Open from Thursday, February 1: Wed-Thu 4pm-9.30pm, Fri-Sat noon-9.30pm, Sun noon-5pm. 54 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, saintgeorgestkilda.com.au

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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* 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

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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

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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

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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

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Nices most famous salad might well be Frances most famous salad as well, and like any famous food, there is no shortage of opinions on how to make it. Anchovies or tuna? Beans and potatoes? Mixed or composed?

Cut the eggs in half lengthways and serve 2 halves per serve. Cut the potatoes into 1cm-thick slices (they should still be warm). Arrange all the ingredients in piles on a serving plate. Dress with the vinaigrette.

Blanch the beans for about 30 seconds then drain, season with salt, and set aside. You dont need to shock them in iced water (see notes).

Place the potatoes in a pot of cold water and bring to a simmer. Simmer the potatoes for about 10 minutes until they are tender (a small sharp knife inserted into the potato should go in and come out easily). Remove from the pot and season with salt.

For the vinaigrette, combine the mustard, garlic, vinegar and lemon juice in a large bowl and slowly whisk in the oil.

Boil the eggs by pricking a hole in the base and placing them in a large pot of boiling water for 8 minutes. Refresh in iced water, then peel.

Notes

Beans and potatoes?

Authenticity is a tedious concept for a food writer. Dishes are in constant four-dimensional motion, changing ingredients and processes all the time, so if you want to make a particular version of a dish  in this case, a salad  from a particular place and a moment in time and call it authentic, thats fine, but you need to know that theres no single authentic version of any dish.

If I ordered a salad nicoise and received something without beans and potatoes, I dont think it would cut it.

Jacques Medecin, who, aside from being the former mayor of Nice, also published the definitive book on Nicoise cuisine, wrote that the salad should be mainly tomatoes, the dressing should just be olive oil (not a vinaigrette), and that the only cooked ingredients are the boiled eggs. That said, Medicin was also a famously enthusiastic supporter of South African apartheid and was imprisoned for corruption. He died in disgrace after fleeing to Uruguay, so maybe we can take his views with a grain of salt.

French chef Auguste Escoffier.

On the other hand, the godfather of modern French cuisine, Auguste Escoffier, included the now-ubiquitous cooked potatoes and beans in his version. (By the by, Escoffier was also fired by Londons Savoy Hotel for massive fraud, but he was never actually imprisoned for it.)

Without writing a thesis on nicoise salads throughout history, if I ordered a salad nicoise and received something without the beans and potatoes we all now expect, I dont think it would cut it. I use crisp blanched beans and tender potatoes in my nicoise and suggest that you do, too.

Cold water potatoes

Potatoes are high in starch and when starch granules are heated in the presence of water (such as by boiling), they swell. As the potatoes cook from the outside in, these swollen starch granules insulate the potato, making it hard for heat to penetrate to the centre. For this reason, its always best to start potatoes in cold water so that it cooks more evenly before the external starch begins to swell.

That said, new potatoes are lower in starch than the grown-up version, and cooking them in their skins helps to reduce water absorption. But regardless, starting potatoes in cold water is a good habit to get into.

Start boiling potatoes in cold water to ensure they cook more evenly. iStock

Blanching

This is going to sound like heresy, but I am not a blancher. That is to say, I dont shock vegetables in cold or iced water after Ive boiled them.

The idea behind shocking something in cold water is that it stops the cooking process so that the vegetables dont overcook. Ive never seen the point. I just take the vegetables out of the water before theyre completely cooked and let them steam themselves to complete the cooking.

It doesnt matter too much with beans, but for things like broccoli that can hold a lot of water between the floret buds, taking them from hot, seasoned water and plunging them into cold, unseasoned water makes them taste watery (and makes them cold, which is not usually what were after anyway). I mean, you dont shock a steak in cold water after grilling it, do you?

If you still feel you have to shock your vegetables, at least season the cold water youre using to shock them.

Mixed or composed

A composed salad is one where the ingredients are arranged on a plate, so that the person eating can graze across the selection of ingredients and pick each mouthful. This has the advantage of making a meal a little more interesting, as each mouthful can be different.

A mixed salad is fairly straightforward, and its advantage is that by tossing the salad, you get more complete coverage with the dressing. The French way is to make the dressing in the base of your salad bowl and then add your leaves on top before tossing, which saves on washing up.

Some like to mix nicoise salads, but I think a composed salad, with each ingredient presented separately, is a much better way to do it.
When former prime minister Scott Morrison announced his retirement from politics last week, hed just returned from overseas. The destination for what is likely to have been Morrisons final foreign trip as a member of parliament? Why, it just had to be Hawaii.

Of course, his most memorable summer trip to the islands was unforgettable for all the wrong reasons  an ill-fated family holiday taken at the height of the black summer bushfires which an unapologetic PM tried to cover up. He never did live it down.

Scott Morrison cant get enough of Hawaii Credit: John Shakespeare

This time, Morrison was in Hawaii on business at least, travelling to deliver a keynote address to the Pacific Forum, a Honolulu-based defence think tank, at its conference on operationalising integration in the Indo-Pacific. Sounds like a hoot.

The former PM was there as a feature speaker and attended a series of related events, his office confirmed, but it wasnt saying much more.
Hes a twenty-something tradie from Sydneys north-west fringe. He has a chubby toddler, runs his own business and leads the NSW chapter of a neo-Nazi organisation that has shot to notoriety after three attempted Sydney gatherings were intercepted by police at the weekend.

Self-described white man of honour Jack Eltis spent the holidays re-reading Adolf Hitlers manifesto Mein Kampf. Every month, he meets fellow members of the European Australian Movement in a Sydney park to train  strength, mixed martial arts  and wave an inverted Swastika flag.

A photograph posted on social media shows leaders of EAMs NSW and Qld chapters at a meeting at a remote homestead. Eltis is on the right.

NSW Police are watching. On social media last April, Eltis described officers knocking on his door at 7am, saying his firearms licence had been revoked by the commissioner (this was confirmed by police). They seized my two rifles, one shotgun and two handguns and ammunition for all the aforementioned, he wrote.

NSW has not experienced the blatant, public neo-Nazi activity seen in Victoria, where members have given the Sieg Heil salute outside parliament, gatecrashed rallies for other causes and intimidated people. Eltis comrades have also attacked hikers and a security guard.
A woman suffered severe injuries in a shark attack in Sydneys eastern suburbs on Monday evening.

A spokesperson for NSW Ambulance told the Herald multiple units were called to Billyard Avenue in Elizabeth Bay about 7.45pm to treat a woman who had been pulled from the water.

She had serious bleeding. Her injuries are severe, the spokesperson said.

The shark attack victim was taken to St Vincents Hospital. Credit: Tim Levy

A helicopter and multiple units arrived at the scene to help the woman, believed to be in her 20s.
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, January 29. Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan discussed pressing matters regarding the further development and deepening of their multifaceted cooperation, Trend reports.

The discussions took place during a meeting between Kyrgyzstan's President, Sadyr Japarov, and Kazakhstan's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Murat Nurtleu, in Bishkek.

Throughout the meeting, the parties also explored ways to boost trade and economic activity. There were proposals to collaborate on implementing promising projects across a broad spectrum of bilateral cooperation.

Japarov expressed satisfaction with the high level of cooperation between the two countries and emphasized the importance of resolving any outstanding issues between Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.

In turn, Nurtleu expressed confidence that the economic and institutional development course taken by the president of Kyrgyzstan would yield positive results. He highlighted Kazakhstan's keen interest in closely monitoring events in fraternal Kyrgyzstan and wholeheartedly supporting the strategic direction of the planned reforms.

At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides expressed confidence in the continued progressive and fruitful development of bilateral relations.
Terry Ahern knows all too well how fast the powerful ocean beaches at Phillip Island can take a persons life.

On January 12, he pulled an unresponsive man from waters off the islands southern coast, just a few kilometres from where four people died 12 days later in Victorias worst drowning tragedy for almost two decades.

Terry Ahern pulled a man from the water at Surf Beach on January 12. Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui

I couldnt see him for a moment, then all of a sudden, he was floating face down, Ahern, a GP, recalls.

Before an ambulance arrived, he performed CPR together with two surfers who were off-duty paramedics, but the man couldnt be saved. Ahern suspects he suffered a medical episode in the water.
A 37-year-old woman who was jailed for seven years after she was caught having a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old boy appeared again in court on Monday to face more charges after she continued to see the boy after her arrest.

Last week, Perth District Court judge John Prior sentenced the woman on the charge of persistently engaging in sexual conduct with a child under 16.

Perth District Court heard a Perth woman had engaged in a persistent relationship with a 15-year-old boy who was a student at the school she worked at. Credit: WAtoday

Court documents show the woman met the 15-year-old boy at a high school south of Perth, where she was a teachers assistant and he was a year 10 pupil.

The woman, who cannot be named to protect the identity of her victim, entered into what court documents described as a sexual relationship with the boy in October 2021, a month after she first met him at the school.
West Australian parents are increasingly pulling their children out of the public education system at the end of year 6 and enrolling them in private high schools, raising fears this could drive inequity and further strain public school resources.

While there are still more students enrolled in the public system across the state, there has been a growing exodus to private schools.

Data from the WA Department of Education showed between 2022 and 2023 the public school system lost just under 4000 students from year 6 in 2022 to year 7 in 2023.

The latest Census data also revealed the suburbs where parents were more likely to send their children to private high schools  most notably, and perhaps unsurprisingly, those in the western suburbs.
Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull has claimed Tony Abbott ramped up the threat of Islamic terrorism to scare Australians during his prime ministership and was too forceful in his pursuit of Russia following the downing of flight MH17 in which 38 Australians died.

In an ABC documentary on the Coalitions nine years in power, Turnbull made a series of criticisms about the man he toppled to become prime minister in 2015, branding him a negative force in Australian politics.

A new ABC documentary series looks at the prime ministerships of Tony Abbott, Malcolm Turnbull and Scott Morrison. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Turnbull said Abbott exaggerated the risk posed by homegrown terrorism amid the rise of the ISIS terrorist group.

He was amping up the rhetoric in a way that was calculated to frighten people, Turnbull said.
Potentially value-destroying corporate mergers, led by the nations biggest businesses, are taking place within Australia at much higher rates than previously known, leaving consumers and small businesses with less choice and higher prices for essential goods and services.

Data to be released by Competition Minister Andrew Leigh on Tuesday also shows airline passengers are paying up to double for fares on domestic air routes where competition is absent.

Research for the competition taskforce shows airline fares drop in price on routes with two or more competitors. Credit: Brendon Thorne

The federal government last year launched a two-year competition review, headed by public infrastructure and finance expert Kerry Schott, to examine possible impediments to competition across the economy.

There are growing concerns globally that the domination of sectors including technology and supermarkets by a handful of businesses is reducing competition, which in turn is curbing productivity improvements.
Independent MPs in the countrys richest seats say many of their constituents feel the Albanese governments new stage 3 tax cuts are fairer, but warned more substantial reform must be on the agenda to resolve long-standing tax problems such as bracket creep.

Teals Kate Chaney and Monique Ryan said they would support Labors changes, which will give tax relief to about 11.5 million people but cut the benefits to those earning above $150,000, while other MPs still considering the changes had heard a degree of positive feedback in their electorates.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with independent MPs (from left) Monique Ryan, Allegra Spender, Kate Chaney and Zoe Daniel last year. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

While Labor will not need the support of independents to pass its tax package in the lower house, the views of teal MPs will shape the debate in parliament and could influence the vote of key crossbenchers in the Senate. Meanwhile, the Coalition hopes the governments changes will help it win back support of high-income earners in former Liberal held seats.

Kooyong MP Ryan, who wanted changes to stage 3, said she would vote for the new package because it would give more relief to more Australians when they needed it.
Property sellers in Sydney and Melbourne are seven times more likely to cop a loss if they sell a unit instead of a house.

But sellers in regional areas of NSW and Victoria have a more even chance of making a profit regardless of whether they list a detached house or a unit.

Property resales at a loss have been concentrated in areas of new high-density supply. Credit: Ben Rushton

CoreLogic figures show 14.1 per cent of units that resold in Sydney in the September quarter traded at a loss, compared to just 2 per cent of houses.

In Melbourne, 18.4 per cent of unit resales made a loss over the same timeframe, the figures show, but only 2.4 per cent of houses.
Like millions of people around the world, I watched the Netflix special, Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones, and considered the benefits of a plant-based vegan diet. Better for individual health, animal welfare and the planet  if you believe the believers  the banishment of meat and animal products promises to be the cure for all that ails us in the modern world.

Veganism is the medicine that will save your body  Jeong Kwan takes a cooking class.

In South Korea, theres a new push by government and industry to elevate plant-based cuisine from side dish to main course. In a country where bulgogi beef and fried chicken are mainstays of the national cuisine and a major part of the culture, its a lot of pressure to place on humble kimchi.

Green is good  some of the vegan dished enjoyed by visitors.

Jeong Kwan, a Seon Buddhist nun and chef, has become the face of the Korean vegan movement, starring in an episode of the popular Netflix Chefs Table series about her life at Baegyangsa temple in South Jeolla province.
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.
London: King Charles has left hospital after a longer than the expected stay following a corrective procedure for a benign enlarged prostate last week.

The 75-year-old was seen waving to onlookers before getting into his car with his wife, Queen Camilla, just hours after his daughter-in-law, Catherine, the Princess of Wales, left the same central London hospital, almost two weeks after undergoing abdominal surgery.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla leaving The London Clinic. Charles was in hospital to receive treatment for an enlarged prostate. Credit: AP

A statement from Buckingham Palace said the King, who spent three nights in the exclusive London Clinic, would now reschedule his public engagements to allow for a period of private recuperation.

His Majesty would like to thank the medical team and all those involved in supporting his hospital visit, and is grateful for all the kind messages he has received in recent days, a statement from Buckingham Palace said.
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, January 29. The research of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) contributes to the development of sustainable transport connections between Central Asia and Europe, said Bakyt Torobayev, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan,Trend reports.

He made the remark during the Global Gateway Investors Forum for EU-Central Asia Transport Connectivity in Brussels.

"I express gratitude to the EBRD for its comprehensive support and valuable research that contribute to the development of sustainable transport connections between Central Asia and Europe, laying the foundation for our joint planning and implementation of future projects," Torobayev said.

According to him, these studies confirm that Central Asian transport corridors, connecting five countries in Central Asia with the extended Trans-European Transport Network, have enormous strategic potential. They can play a crucial role in enhancing international logistics efficiency and transport connectivity.

Torobayev also noted that Central Asia plays a key role, acting as a bridge for 80 percent of cargo transportation along the China-Europe route.
One is accused of kidnapping a woman. Another is said to have handed out ammunition. A third was described as taking part in the massacre at a kibbutz where 97 people died. And all were said to be employees of the United Nations aid agency that schools, shelters and feeds hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

The accusations are contained in a dossier provided to the United States government that details Israels claims against a dozen employees of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) who, it says, played a role in the Hamas attacks against Israel on October 7 or in their aftermath.

People shelter at a school affiliated with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in Khan Younis. Credit: NYT

The UN says that it had fired several employees after being briefed on the allegations late last week, but little was known about the accusations until the dossier was reviewed by The New York Times.

The accusations are what prompted eight countries, including Australia, to suspend some aid payment to the UNRWA, even as war plunges Palestinians in Gaza into desperate straits. More than 26,000 people have been killed there and nearly 2 million displaced, according to Gaza and UN officials.
Washington: US forces may have mistaken an enemy drone for an American one and let it pass unchallenged into a desert base in Jordan where it killed three US troops and wounded dozens more, officials say.

Details of the attack emerged as US President Joe Biden faced a difficult balancing act, blaming Iran and looking to strike back in a forceful way without causing any further escalation of the Gaza conflict.

The killed soldiers (from left): Sergeant William Jerome Rivers, Specialist Breonna Alexsondria Moffett and Specialist Kennedy Ladon Sanders. Credit: US Defence Department

As the enemy drone was flying in at a low altitude, a US drone was returning to the small installation known as Tower 22, according to a preliminary report cited by two officials, who were not authorised to comment and insisted on anonymity.

As a result, there was no effort to shoot down the enemy drone that hit the outpost. One of the trailers where troops sleep sustained the brunt of the strike, while surrounding trailers got limited damage from the blast and flying debris.
Washington: The United States and Britain imposed sanctions on a network of people who targeted Iranian dissidents and opposition activists for assassination at Irans direction, the US Treasury Department said.

The US Treasury in a statement released on Tuesday (AEDT) accused the network of being directed by Irans Ministry of Intelligence and Security and put sanctions on 11 people connected to it, including Iranian narcotics trafficker Naji Ibrahim Sharifi-Zindashti, who it said is the leader.

Damion Patrick John Ryan Credit: BC-CFSEU

The Treasury said Zindashtis network had carried out assassinations and kidnappings across a number of jurisdictions, aiming to silence Tehrans perceived critics.

The Iranian regimes continued efforts to target dissidents and activists demonstrate the regimes deep insecurity and attempt to expand Irans domestic repression internationally, said Brian Nelson, Treasurys under secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence.
Washington: Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley on Sunday accused party leaders of not being honest brokers in her campaign against Donald Trump and said she did not have to win the nominating contest in South Carolina to stay in the race.

Haley, a former US ambassador to the United Nations, told NBCs Meet the Press that the former president would become even more unhinged as the campaign for the Republican presidential nomination progressed.

Republican presidential candidate former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley. Credit: AP

Haley is trying to gain momentum against Trump after coming in third place behind him in the Iowa caucuses and second place in New Hampshire.

Both are now seeking victory in South Carolina, where Haley once served as governor. Trump is far head of Haley in the polls, but Haley said she did not necessarily need to win her home state to keep going. The Republican primary takes place on February 24.
DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, January 29. Every family in Tajikistan should have a stock of essential food items for up to two years, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon said in a congratulatory message on the occasion of the Sada holiday, Trend reports.

"Due to climate change, the socio-economic situation in the modern world is worsening every day. With the increasing global population, demand for food products is on the rise. This poses one of the most serious contemporary challenges," Rahmon said.

He noted that in the complex and unpredictable conditions of the modern world, Tajik citizens should work harder, use land and water efficiently and wisely, produce as much as possible, and contribute to the realization of Tajikistan's national strategic goal of ensuring the country's food security.

He further highlighted the impact of the breakdown of old supply chains and the constant rise in food prices on this issue.

Sada is one of the oldest and most important holidays of the Tajik people, symbolizing the triumph of warmth and light over cold and darkness, with its central emblem being the glowing bonfire. This holiday serves as a precursor to Navruz, celebrated on March 2021 (the ancient New Year holiday). On December 6, 2023, Tajikistan successfully proposed the inclusion of Sada on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List during the 18th session held in Kasane, Botswana.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 29. Turkish authorities have received an official request to ascertain the identity of a Tajik citizen suspected of carrying out a terrorist attack in Istanbul, Tajik Foreign Ministry spokesperson Shohin Samadi told Trend.

"An official request has been forwarded to Turkish authorities to identify a Tajik citizen suspected of committing a crime in a church in Istanbul. Our embassy is in close contact with the law enforcement agencies of Turkiye to clarify all the circumstances," the foreign ministry said.

On the afternoon of January 28, two masked men carried out an armed attack on a Catholic church in the northern part of Istanbul, resulting in the death of a Turkish citizen.

The Minister of Interior of Turkiye Ali Yerlikaya stated that the terrorist group ISIS was involved in the attack on the Catholic Church in Istanbul. Two suspects in the attack, one being a Tajikistan citizen and the other a Russian citizen, have been detained.

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Knowledgeable person can achieve healthy body with Ayurvedic remedies





Staff Reporter

RAIPUR,

Chhattisgarhs first Ayurveda University will be opened in the capital city of Raipur. States Education Minister Brijmohan Agrawal inaugurated the two-day Ayurveda Alumni Meet, Swarn Kumbh, at Shri Narayan Prasad Avasthi Government Ayurveda College on Saturday and made this announcement. On this occasion, he also honoured senior doctors who have served both nationally and internationally after graduating from the college. Education Minister Agrawal stated that Ayurveda is an integral part of our lifestyle, with our kitchen serving as a self-sufficient Ayurvedic medicine centre.

He emphasised that a knowledgeable person can achieve a healthy body by correctly utilising Ayurvedic remedies. He highlighted the ancient origins of Ayurveda, citing instances such as when Vaidyaraj Sushen saved Lord Lakshmanas life using Ayurveda during the time he fainted in Lanka. He remarked that during that era, allopathy was unheard of, and it gained prominence only during the British colonial period. He praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for promoting Ayurveda and AYUSH, bringing global recognition to Ayurveda. Minister Agrawal acknowledged the role of Ayurveda and Ayurvedic remedies, particularly herbal concoctions, in saving lives during the COVID-19 pandemic. He suggested that the awareness about Ayurveda among the public has increased significantly during this time.

Education Minister Agrawal expressed that the program would provide an opportunity for all participants to reminisce about their student life and reconnect with old friends. He also mentioned that attendees would get a chance to meet individuals who struggled to establish Ayurveda as an equivalent to allopathy. Several dignitaries, including former MP Dr Bhushan Lal Jangde, poet Dr Surendra Dubey, Principal Dr GR Chaturvedi, Joint Director of AYUSH Dr Sunil Kumar Das, the organizing committees president Dr Patanjali Diwan, Dr Shiv Narayan Dwivedi, Dr Harendra Shukla, and many other respected individuals, were present at the event.
Crisis looms as over 12-hour blackout threatens twin cities





Staff Reporter

BHILAI,

A looming crisis of a prolonged blackout exceeding 12 hours is threatening the cities of Bhilai and Durg, along with disrupting train operations throughout the region. The cause is attributed to unchecked thefts at the 220/132 KV power substation in Bhilai-3. Officials from the power company have raised concerns about the inaction on the part of police and relevant agencies, while police officers claim ignorance regarding any complaints related to the grave issue. According to social workers and public representatives, these thefts are a direct result of an unchecked network of scrap dealers operating in the region. The situation has become increasingly alarming due to continued theft attempts at the 220/132 KV power substation located in Bijali Nagar, Bhilai-3.

The substation, which has been in operation for over six decades, plays a critical role in supplying power to the twin cities of Bhilai and Durg, as well as parts of Raipur city and facilitating train operations across the region through traction lines from 132/33 KV substations. It also provides power to 132 KV substations in Ruabandha, Pulgaon, Gurur, Rasmada, Kurud, and other areas. Akhilesh Gajpal, Executive Engineer of the 220/132 KV power substation of Chhattisgarh State Power Transmission Company Limited (CSPTCL), expressed serious concerns over the situation. He reported one theft and over four attempted thefts at the substation, highlighting the lack of action by concerned agencies despite detailed complaints filed with the police station, SSP, and district collectors offices. No FIR has been registered at the concerned police station to date, even after complaints of cognizable offenses. Gajpal explained that unidentified thieves are targeting signal panel cables at the substation, which could result in a loss of signal if the lines to 132/33 KV substations trip.

While this may not cause major property damage, restoring power supply could be a challenging task, potentially leading to prolonged power cuts in the region and disrupting train operations. In response to the critical situation, actions have been initiated at the substation level to prevent further thefts and attempts. Measures include reinforcing fencing and increasing security in the affected area. Ambarsingh Bhardwaj, SHO of Purani Bhilai Police Station, stated his commitment to investigate the matter thoroughly and take appropriate action to address the thefts. Javed Khan, Spokesperson for the District Congress Committee, highlighted the presence of a large network of illegal scrap dealers operating with alleged collusion from various authorities. He called for proactive measures from the new government to address the issue effectively.
Independent judiciary means independence of judges in performing their duties: CJI





NEW DELHI,

CHIEF Justice of India D Y Chandrachud on Sunday said an independent judiciary does not merely mean its insulation from the executive and the legislature but also the independence of individual judges in performing their duties. He was speaking while heading a ceremonial bench at the Supreme Court to commemorate the courts 75 years. The bench comprised judges of the court and those who attended its proceedings included lawyers and former apex court judges. The Chief Justice of India (CJI) said that the Constitution entrenches several institutional safeguards for an independent judiciary such as a fixed retirement age and a bar against the alteration of salary of judges after their appointment. However, these constitutional safeguards are not in themselves sufficient to ensure an independent judiciary. An independent judiciary does not merely mean the insulation of the institution from the executive and the legislature branches but also the independence of individual judges in the performance of their roles as judges, he said.

The art of judging must be free of social and political pressure, and from the inherent biases which human beings hold, CJI Chandrachud said. Efforts are being made from within the institution to educate and sensitise judges across courts to unlearn their subconscious attitudes inculcated by social conditioning on gender, disability, race, caste and sexuality, he said. The CJI said that despite changes in the world, the principles highlighted during the inaugural sitting of this court on January 28, 1950, continue to remain relevant today to the functioning of an independent Supreme Court. This court has in the last 75 years faced old and new challenges in confronting the face of injustice and meeting the expectations of those at the receiving end of power. This court has through the course of many years charted its understanding of principles and developed innovative approaches to achieve the ideals of a democratic polity governed by the rule of law under a written Constitution, he said.

CJI Chandrachud added that January 28 marks a significant day in constitutional history as the inaugural sitting of the Supreme Court was held on this day 75 years ago. Six judges of the federal court led by Chief Justice Harilal J Kania assembled for the first sitting of the Supreme Court of India. The event took place without much fanfare in the Princes Chamber of the building of Parliament from which the federal court functioned, he said. He added that the chief justices address at the inaugural sitting emphasised three principles which are necessary for the Supreme Court to function according to the constitutional mandate.
Link project to prove a boon for Western MP: CM





Staff Reporter

A tripartite MoU for the Revised Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal-ERCP Link Project was signed between the Governments of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and the Central Government at Ministry of Jal Shakti at Shramshakti Bhawan New Delhi on Sunday. In presence of Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav and Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, Secretary, Union Jal Shakti Ministry Debashree Mukherjee, Madhya Pradesh Government Additional Chief Secretary, Water Resources Dr Rajesh Rajora and Additional Chief Secretary, Water Resources, Government of Rajasthan, Abhay Kumar signed the MoU. Dr Mohan Yadav said that under the leadership of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal project, which is pending for almost two decades, will now take a new shape. This will benefit 13 districts of Chambal and Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh. Water availability will increase in water-deficient districts such as Morena, Gwalior, Shivpuri, Guna, Bhind and Sheopur and industrialisation will be further gain pace in industrial belt districts such as Indore, Ujjain, Dhar, Agar-Malwa, Shajapur, Dewas and Rajgarh.

It will be a boost and irrigate about three lakh hectares immensely benefitting Malwa and Chambal regions. Religious and tourist sector in these areas will also develop. This project is a boon for Western Madhya Pradesh. Dr Mohan Yadav said that this project will come to being in less than 5 years, the current cost of which is about Rs 75000 crore. About 1.5 crore population of the state will benefit from this project. This will improve the living standards of the people of by addressing problems like poverty, unemployment, illiteracy etc. Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said that today is like a sunrise for 26 water deficient districts of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. The project will irrigate about 5.60 lakh hectare area as well as help raise the water level by storing water in dams and big ponds. An agreement was reached between the states of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan in a very short time by integrating the Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal project with the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project giving it the status of a project of national importance, for which both the governments deserve commendations.

This project is an ideal example of federal federalism. Chief Minister of Rajasthan Bhajan Lal Sharma said that this project will help in better utilization of water resources of Chambal Basin of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh which will benefit the industrial and agricultural sectors of both the states. In future the relations between the two states and will be more intense. Under the tripartite MoU, this link project envisages providing irrigation in a total area of 5.60 lakh hectares in the states of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan as well as providing water for drinking and industrial use in 13 districts of Eastern Rajasthan and 13 districts of Malwa and Chambal region of Madhya Pradesh. The MoU covers the scope of work of the link project, sharing of water, exchange of water, sharing of costs and benefits, implementation mechanism and arrangements for management and control of water in the Chambal Basin. It is noteworthy that the feasibility report of Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal Link Project was prepared in February 2004 and the proposal of RCP was brought by the Rajasthan Government in the year 2019. Both the projects have been integrated in the present MoU.
Madhya Pradesh HC Chief Justice announces launch of Vision 2047





Staff Reporter

On the auspicious occasion of the 75th Republic Day, the High Court of Madhya Pradesh announces the launch of Vision 2047. India will celebrate its 100th year of Independence in the year 2047. The Madhya Pradesh judiciary and the legal fraternity will hope to celebrate 2047 in a contributory way by ensuring that no case remains pending for beyond a year from its institution at Madhya Pradesh. It is an ambitious goal. However, in the absence of a long-term goal, we cannot hope to achieve much. Through the course of 2022 and 2023, multiple initiatives, schemes, overhauls have been introduced and implemented to target the various loopholes and increase the efficacy in the High Court and the district courts of Madhya Pradesh. These have yielded monumental results, as evident from the reasons stated below. In 2023, we achieved the highest ever disposal of cases in the history of the High Court of Madhya Pradesh. In 2023, we also accomplished the highest ever disposal of cases over 5 years old in the history of Madhya Pradesh, in the district judiciary. Therefore, 2023 is historic not just for one, but for two reasons.

Hearty congratulations to the Madhya Pradesh judiciary, the senior advocates and advocates of the High Court and the district courts, who have all worked hard for this glorious achievement. We may build the best infrastructure, provide the latest technologies, and the like, but what ultimately matters is whether these have resulted in timely justice to the litigants. The Bar and the Bench have indeed accomplished that. The year 2022 was not far behind with respect to a reduction in the pendencies. 2022 came second, after the year 2023 with respect to the highest ever disposal of cases over 5 years old in the district judiciary. With respect to the High Court, 2022 stood third while 2014 stood second and 2023 stood first. One of the major schemes implemented for the district judiciary was the 25 Debt Scheme. The need to be proactive towards disposal of old cases gave rise to this, in October, 2021. The oldest cases to be disposed of were from the 1960s. Specifically, from the years 1962, 1964, 1966, 1969. Multiple cases from the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s and other years were judiciously disposed of as well. An aggregate of 3,93,391 cases over 5 years old have been disposed of (as of December, 2023). But for the 25 Debt Scheme, it is unlikely that these would have seen hearings.
Maldives Opposition MPs engage in fight





MALE :

THE Maldives Parliament witnessed violence when Government MPs (PPM/PNC party) disturbed the proceedings of Parliament and the Speakers, according to Adhahdhu. A key vote on parliamentary approval for the Muizzu Government was scheduled for today. As dramatic visuals surfaced on social media from Male, a fight between MDP MP Isa and PNC MP Abdullah Shaheem Abdul Hakeem was seen. Adhadhu is an online news outlet in the Maldives. According to Adhadhu, one video showcased Shaheem gripping Isas leg and the two falling together, whereas another visual that went viral on social media showed Isa kicking Shaheems neck and pulling his hair.

The footage also shows other members pushing Shaheem out of the area. A member of parliament was brought to an ambulance after suffering injuries, the local media reported. Notably, the ministers approval was slated for 1:30 p.m. However, several PNC members barricaded the House and disrupted the session. The demonstrators said that accepting the ministers would stymie progress, as they demanded the Speaker of Parliament to quit. 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.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 29. Strengthening cooperation between the countries through which the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor (TITR) passes in the field of transport and logistics contributes to the expansion of opportunities for cargo transportation along this route, Tajikistan's Transport Minister Azim Ibrohim said during the Investors Forum on EU-Central Asia transport connectivity, Trend reports.

" Close cooperation in the transport and logistics sphere contributes to the expansion of opportunities for multimodal transit transportation through TITR with the involvement of the potential of all countries of this route. It is essential to develop infrastructure and transport networks to ensure efficient and reliable routes for freight and people movement," Ibrohim said.

The Minister also emphasized that Tajikistan welcomes the efforts of the EU, the European Commission, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), as well as other partners, aimed at creating reliable prerequisites for the sustainable development of transport transit corridors and between Central Asia and Europe.

" Over the years of effective interaction, we have laid a solid foundation for the development of mutually beneficial relations between Tajikistan and the EU. Due to Tajikistan's geographical location, it serves as a bridge between Southeast Asia, the Caucasus, and Europe. Highways and infrastructure under construction create the necessary conditions for turning the country into a transit hub," he said.

To note, the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR, or Middle Corridor) corridor links container rail freight transportation networks of China and European Union countries through Central Asia, the Caucasus, Turkiye, and Eastern Europe.

A multi-sided multimodal transport infrastructure links the Caspian and Black Sea ferry terminals with the railway systems of China, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkiye, Ukraine, and Poland.

The middle corridor facilitates increased cargo traffic from China to Turkiye, as well as to European countries and in the opposite direction.

Meanwhile, a route train traveling along this corridor delivers cargo from China to Europe in an average of 20-25 days, and this is one of the main advantages of this transport corridor.

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Red Sea situation threatens LNG trade





By K Raveendran

THE deterioration in recent weeks of the security situation in the Red Sea, where Yemen-based Houthi militia in support of Palestine have disrupted global trade by launching drone and missile attacks on vessels, is posing a geopolitical risk to LNG prices. It has now been more two months since the first attack on a commercial vessel, with indications that the attacks could last at least until the Israel-Gaza conflict is resolved  an essentially uncertain duration. Since mid-January, the US and UK have been drawn into military action in the region, striking Houthi targets inside Yemen. The US is in a difficult position, balancing relations with Israel while avoiding the conflict spillover over into the wider Middle East region. Recently, the US admitted that Houthi rebels are unlikely to stop their attacks regardless of US action. For the LNG market, an extended shut-in of the Red Sea route from the Middle East poses a supply risk to although the price impact will be delayed until Europes gas storage has been drawn down sufficiently. In 2023, around 15.5 million tonnes of LNG was sent through the Red Sea from the Middle East to Europe  a crucial 12.9 per cent of the continents LNG supply last year. Re-routing vessels through the Cape of Good Hope adds around 12.5 days to the voyage each way at 16 knots  which could require an additional 15-20 vessels to deliver the same volume over the year. This could take the steam off the current bearish pressure on the shipping market, considering spot charter rates have dropped 23 per cent across the month.

According to experts with Rystad Energy, it will take an increase in LNG prices before we see an increase in charter rates  more than 70 vessels could be delivered this year, representing fleet growth of more than 10 percent whereas LNG production will only grow 3 per cent. They say it is unclear if the prospect of sustained additional voyage time would be acceptable to Qatar, or the prospect of lost canal fees would be acceptable to Egypt. Qatar Energy suspended shipments through the Red Sea from mid-January and has begun rescheduling shipments with European buyers. North-West Europe has seen temperatures fluctuate widely in January, with the past two weeks tracking at or below the minimum of the 2019-2023 range. However, even this has failed to support prices, demonstrating the extent of the prevailing bearish sentiment. Further, temperatures are set to bounce up sharply to over 2.5C above normal in the coming weeks. The recovery of European industrial gas consumption is also on thin ice. The European Commission reduced its expectations of 2023 gross domestic product (GDP) growth to 0.6 per cent in November, with the outlook for manufacturing in 2024 also remaining weak, linked to the impending global economic slowdown. In fact, gas demand recovery now hinges on lower gas prices, with the ongoing risk of disruptions due to events in the Red Sea a net disservice in this regard. Gas consumption in Europes power sector has also trended down, dropping 23 per cent year-on-year in December due to the material improvement of Frances nuclear power availability as well as higher wind and hydro generation.

Relative to Europe, the impact of the Red Sea disruptions, however, is likely to be limited in Asia. For US LNG going to East Asia, the voyage through the Cape of Good Hope is only four days longer, while for Yamal LNG, the volume is relatively small. Trade optimisations between the Atlantic and Pacific basins could reduce the impact even further. The outlook for Asias industrial demand is also weak, with several Chinese industrial users set to reduce activity until after the Lunar New Year holiday ends on 5 February. By contrast, robust gas purchasing is underway in India and Thailand now that prices have declined to under $9 per MMBtu, including from Indias famously price-sensitive power sector. The Asian market is characterised by a weakening gas demand outlook in key East Asian markets as the end of winter approaches. Overall temperatures are set to be some 1.5C above normal which, coupled with a seasonal decline in heating demand, should put downward pressure on prices. LNG inventories in Japan and South Korea ended December at 5.4 Mt and 5.3 Mt respectively, near five-year maximums, weakening the outlook for restocking demand in the shoulder season.
Rs 200 crore Netherlands-based firm to invest in MIHAN, signs MoU with MADC





Business Reporter

IN A major development, Maharashtra Airport Development Company Limited (MADC) and Netherlands-based Keystonemab, on Sunday, entered into a significant industrial agreement at the ongoing Khasdar Audyogik Mahotsav Advantage Vidarbha to initiate a project worth Rs 200 crore in MIHAN-SEZ. In line with the vision of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, the expo is being organised near the Administrative Building of Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University. On the second day of this festival, amid discussions of the pharmaceutical sector, Keystonemab and MADC Limited officials signed this Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Keystonemab has a diversified business interests ranging from pharmaceuticals to Artificial Intelligence (AI) Research. The company is all set to establish a state-of-the-art dose-form solutions manufacturing project in MIHAN, creating direct and indirect employment for at least 300 individuals. An annual revenue of Rs 300 crore is expected from the upcoming project.

The CEO of Keystonemab, Dr Tushar Satav, Chief Commercial Officer Dr Roland Meisel, and Retired Additional Collector Prakash Patil from MADC Limited signed the agreement in the presence of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. Chairman of Association for Industrial Development (AID) Ashish Kale, and Secretary Dr Vijay Sharma were also present on this occasion. During this session of the pharmaceutical sector, other esteemed CEOs such as Dr Jitendra Sharma of AMTZ, Ravleen Khurana of Nitika Pharma, Dr Anwar Daud of ZIM Lab, Atul Mandlekar, Amit Kumar Sharma of Atram, and Alok Singh were present.
Will soon identify Rahuls body double used during Nyay Yatra in Assam: Sarma





GUWAHATI,

ASSAM Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said he will soon share the name and address of the body double purportedly used by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in the State. Sarma had brought up the allegation of the Congress MP using a body double during the Yatra at a press conference on Thursday, during which he quoted a news report claiming that the person sitting and waving at people from the Yatra bus was probably not Rahul Gandhi at all. I dont just say things. The duplicates name, and how it was done -- I will share all details. Just wait for a few days, the Chief Minister said on Saturday in Sonitpur district on the sidelines of a programme, when asked by reporters about the allegation against Gandhi. I will be in Dibrugarh tomorrow (Sunday), and the next day also I will be out of Guwahati. Once I am back in Guwahati, I will give the name and address of the duplicate, he said.

The Manipur-Maharashtra Nyay Yatra, being led by Gandhi, had travelled through Assam from January 18 to 25, during which the Congress MP had alleged that Sarma was the most corrupt CM of India. The opposition party also alleged denial or problems in route permissions through the State by the BJP-led Government. The situation reached a flashpoint when Congress leaders and workers broke police barricades erected to prevent them from entering the main city limits of Guwahati. An FIR was registered against Gandhi and others over the incident, with Sarma later stating that they would be arrested after the Lok Sabha polls as he did not want to politicise the issue prior to the elections.

Sarma maintained that the Congress will need all the Gandhis -- Sonia, Priyanka and Rahul - to defeat him in the State. Let them bring Priyanka Gandhis son also, he said. They have already put up their hands (in surrender). They couldnt do it through Rahul, so they will now get Priyanka and then Sonia, Sarma said, referring to the Congress proposed programme in the state involving Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. On BJP and its allies Lok Sabha poll prospects in the State, the CM said, We have 11-and-a-half assured seats. We are working on how to convert it into 12. We are not bothered about any Congress list (of candidates). There are 14 Lok Sabha seats in the State. Of those, nine are currently held by the BJP, three by Congress, one by AIUDF and one Independent.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, January 29. Electricity production in Turkmenistan increased by 2.7 percent year-on-year from January through November last year, Trend reports.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) reports that Turkmenistan currently exports power to Afghanistan, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan.

The IEA said that Turkmenistan began exporting power to Kyrgyzstan in August 2021, with supply reaching 1.6 TWh by 2023.

Furthermore, the paper states that in October 2022, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan agreed to raise electricity supplies to 4 TWh per year, potentially improving Uzbekistan's electrical supply security.

Meanwhile, Turkmenistan is actively expanding its energy complex, emphasizing on the growth of power generation.

The expansion of energy infrastructure, modernization of power plants, and integration into international energy grids are emerging as critical steps to ensure stability and generate opportunities for electricity exports.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, January 29. Turkmenistan discussed with the Iranian Razavi Khorasan province the current state and further development of cooperation between the two countries, Trend reports.

These issues were discussed during a meeting between Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Ahmed Gurbanov and Governor of Razavi Khorasan Province of Iran Yaqub Ali Nazari.

During the meeting, the parties noted the high level of trust in bilateral relations, consolidated by the systematic and dynamic nature of contacts at the highest level.

Furthermore, the parties noted their interest in intensifying cooperation between the regions of the two states.

In this context, the memorandum previously signed between the Mary region of Turkmenistan and the Razavi Khorasan province of Iran was also touched upon.

At the same time, the importance of the visit of the Iranian delegation headed by the Governor of Razavi Khorasan province to Turkmenistan, which is a practical step in the implementation of the previously signed document, was stressed.

Meanwhile, an Iranian delegation consisting of private sector managers and executive officials headed by Yaqub Ali Nazari, previously visited the Mary region of Turkmenistan and got acquainted with its economic potential and infrastructure.

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ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, January 30. German Goetzpartners Emerging Markets GmbH will provide consulting services in the construction of Turkmenistan's Arkadag city, Trend reports.

According to official data, the State Committee for Construction of Arkadag City under the President of Turkmenistan is allowed to conclude a contract with the German Goetzpartners Emerging Markets GmbH company for the provision of consulting services for the construction of facilities in the industrial zone of the city of Arkadag.

The corresponding decree was signed by President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

Furthermore, food, industrial, pharmaceutical and medical products will be produced in this industrial zone of the city of Arkadag.

The participation of the German company in the project should contribute to the successful solution of the tasks outlined in the program ''Revival of a new era of a powerful state: The National Program of socio-economic development of Turkmenistan in 2022-2052', as well as the harmonious development of the regions and the city of Arkadag.

Meanwhile, Turkmenistan strives for sustainable industrial development, focusing on the creation and improvement of industrial zones.

As part of this strategic approach, special attention is paid to cooperation with European companies in order to attract advanced technologies, innovations and experience.

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TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, January 29. Uzbekistan and China have started cargo transportation via a new route, Trend reports.

Uzbekistan's Ministry of Transport worked on the organization of the corridor together with the Association of International Road Carriers in cooperation with the relevant ministries and departments of China.

The new trade route connects Uzbekistan with Qingdao, located in the eastern part of China, and allows prompt, economical, and safe cargo transportation.

National carriers of Uzbekistan, with the use of TIR carnet, successfully carry out cargo transportation along this route (round trip), passing through Kazakhstan via Khorgos to Qingdao, located on the coast of the Yellow Sea in China.

In order to ensure delivery of cargoes to their owners along this new trade corridor by road transport in a short time on a "door-to-door" principle, the Ministry of Transport provides practical assistance to enterprises in obtaining visas for drivers, providing forms of international permits for transportation, and promptly resolving issues arising in the process of passing the customs control of foreign countries.

Meanwhile, the Chinese Zhengzhou Hongyi Transportation Logistics Company has launched road freight transportation from Shenzhen to Tashkent.

With a route length of 6,500 kilometers, the travel time was reduced almost three timesfrom 20 to 7 days.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, January 29. Uzbekistan and China discussed the construction of a new China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railroad, Trend reports.

This was discussed during a meeting between the chairman of the Board of Uzbekistan Railways Zufar Narzullaev and the President of China Railways Guo Zhuxue in Beijing on January 25.

The parties discussed the transportation of goods between China and Uzbekistan by rail, as well as joint projects and the development of container transportation.

During the meeting, it was proposed to include China Railways in the protocol on the Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan-Iran-Turkiye route and jointly increase the freight capacity of this corridor.

The parties agreed on regular meetings to strengthen cooperation.

Meanwhile, Uzbekistan and China have started cargo transportation via a new route.

The new trade route connects Uzbekistan with Qingdao, located in the eastern part of China, and allows prompt, economical, and safe cargo transportation.

The national carriers of Uzbekistan, with the use of TIR carnet, successfully carry out cargo transportation along this route (round trip), passing through Kazakhstan via Khorgos to Qingdao, located on the coast of the Yellow Sea in China.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 29. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi is set to visit Pakistan shortly, said Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran Hossein Amir-Abdollahian during a joint press conference with his Pakistani counterpart Jalil Abbas Jilani in Islamabad, Trend reports.

According to the Iranian foreign minister, Iran has received an invitation from Pakistan for the official visit of the Iranian President.

He also stated that an agreement had been reached to coordinate the visit's program.

On January 16, Iran launched missile strikes on particular positions in Pakistan, killing two children and injuring three others. As a result, the Pakistani government recalled its envoy to Iran and asked the Iranian ambassador to leave Pakistan, thereby suspending all bilateral relations. On January 17, Pakistan launched assaults against multiple Iranian locations, killing ten people.

The Iranian and Pakistani embassies resumed their duties on January 26 after the parties reached an agreement.

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Demand for ST tag: Let the competent authority decide

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The dramatic decline from 60 per cent in 1971 to just 44 per cent in 2011 will have serious socio-economic and political implications. This is indeed a tectonic change in the demography of Manipur as pointed out by the World Meetei Council or WMC. If the WMCs assertion that another community has overtaken the indigenous Naga community as the second largest community in Manipur is true, it is a very alarming revelation which will have far-reaching consequences. Comprising just 44 per cent of the total population of Manipur, Meiteis no longer enjoy the majority it once did. With the population of one particularly community and their cognate tribes rising exponentially, the indigenous Meitei and Naga communities may soon be reduced to minorities in their own homeland. This is indeed a wake-up call to all stakeholders. Given the fast changing demography of Manipur, the popular demand for enlistment of Meitei in the Scheduled Tribe category merits full attention and appropriate, urgent actions from the authorities. There is some truth in the WMCs assertion that the fate of 15 lakh odd Meiteis lies in the hands of the Chief Minister because the Government of India or more precisely the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes can act only when the state government sends the necessary recommendation along with the requisite documents. Interestingly, it was Chief Minister N Biren who stated on the floor of the Manipur Legislative Assembly in March 2019 that the growing fear among Meitei community of possible complete marginalization in near future is genuine and their demand for granting Schedule Tribe status is quite reasonable. The Chief Minister also announced that the state government will act soon and positively but alas nothing has come out of the Chief Ministers announcement so far.

The basic arguments which are driving the campaign for inclusion of the Meitei community in ST list are; the community constitutes a microscopic minority of the vast multitude of Indian population and their tiny living space has been shrinking day by day in the absence of a constitutional safeguard, Meitei culture and identity have been rendered extremely vulnerable to the all pervasive juggernaut of globalization and incessant influx from different directions and they (Meitei) are fast losing the status of being the majority community in Manipur. The counter arguments run like this; Meiteis are a relatively advanced community, there was a glorious Meitei kingdom and they have a refined culture with a language and script of their own. But a thorough analysis will reveal that the relative advancement of Meitei community over other communities of the state is a rather misplaced notion in this age of globalization. As for the glorious Meitei kingdom, it is a thing of the past. If we must talk about the so called refined Meitei culture, it is being bombarded by foreign cultural elements from all directions. Upholding ones culture and identity becomes a serious challenge when a community is degraded economically and politically. It becomes impossible to protect ones identity if his/her communitys living space is shrinking. This is exactly what is happening to the Meitei community who inhabits the Imphal Valley which is just around 2300 Sq Kms. Whereas the Meiteis are prohibited from buying land in the hill districts, everyone, both local people and non-local people can buy land and settle in any part of the Imphal Valley. This is a grave injustice. If a consensus can be reached on the issue of granting ST status to Meiteis, the issue will have its solution then and there. Even if the desired consensus remains elusive, the state government can throw the ball to the government of Indias court by sending the necessary recommendation along with the requisite documents. After all, it is the Government of India which can/will decide the issue.


BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 29. Nasser Kanaani, the spokesman for Irans Foreign Ministry, denied any involvement by Iran in the assault on a US military base in Jordan on Sunday, Trend reports.

Kanaani stated this today in response to the allegations against Iran regarding the UAV strike on US troops in Jordan.

The spokesman stated that Iran does not favor the escalation of conflicts in the Middle East. He also said that Iran does not meddle with the choices of resistance groups that support Palestine. This is because the resistance groups in the region do not follow Irans orders.

He further said that the repeated false claims against Iran are driven by specific political motives to alter the realities in the region.

A UAV attacked the US military base in Jordan near the Syrian border last night. The attack killed three American soldiers and wounded 34 others.

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The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has issued warrants against Rohan Sheikh, Marfat Sheikh and Khushil Sheikh, the three absconding persons named in the FIR in the Bagtui massacre case in Birbhum district. On 21 March 2022, near the Bagtui village crossing, upa pradhan of TMC, Bhadu Sheikh, was killed when miscreants hurled bombs at him and fired bullets from close range. The supporters of Bhadu Sheikh in retaliation torched the houses of people belonging to the camp of his rivals, and killed ten people including a child on the same night.

The incident rocked state politics at the time, and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee rush to Bagtui village along with the then Director General of Police (DGP), Manoj Malviya. Later the chief minister has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and the first arrest was made on her directives. However the High Court later handed over the case to CBI.

The CBI after a few months arrested Lalan Sheikh, one of the key accused in this case from Jharkhand. However, he died in mysterious circumstances in the temporary camp office of CBI at Rampurhat. After the incident the CBI closed its temporary camp office.

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But, the central investigating agency has still not stopped its investigations and in Bagtui village it has served and pasted notices on the walls of several houses declaring the three accused as fugitives and issuing warrants. All the airports and border authorities have been notified by the CBI about these three fugitives.

The CBI has lodged cases against all these three fugitives under eleven different sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). In the notice the CBI has instructed the accused to surrender before the court of additional district and sessions judge of rampurhat Court within 30 January. Mihilal Sheikh, one of victims, said that he wants exemplary punishment of the accused. 

They have poured petrol in our houses, closed the doors and burned to death the hapless innocent people who were locked inside and also prevented the fire brigade and police from dousing the flames on that night,said Mihilala Sheikh of Bagtui village. This fresh notifications and sudden activity once again by CBI in the Bagtui massacre case just a few months before the Lok Sabha polls have created a fresh stir in political circles in Birbhum district.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, resuming his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Siliguri on Sunday, called on the Bengal and Bengalis to spearhead the battle against prevailing injustices in the nation. Addressing a gathering at Air View More in Siliguri this evening, Mr Gandhi said: West Bengal is totally different because Bengali people are intellectuals. Before Independence Bengali people like Rabindranath Tagore has shown the way to our country.

Coming to Bengal I was delighted as you welcomed me with love. I urge Bengal as well as the people here to show a new direction to the country which is imperative in the present situation. Mr Gandhi came down heavily on the BJP government at the Centre for allegedly fomenting hatred and violence while prioritizing corporate interests over those of the poor and the youth. He also attacked the Central government on the issue of recruitment to the Army under the Agniveer scheme.

The Centre is depriving 75 per cent youths after recruiting them as Agniveer, who have decided to dedicate themselves to protect the country, he said. Citing examples, he said: It is the Central governments responsibility to protect and provide them all facilities when defence personnel sacrifice in the interests of the country. But this country has created two types of martyrs. Are there two types of martyrs?

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The Congress leader Rahul Gandhi arrived in Siliguri by flight. After taking rest here Mr Gandhi left for Jalpaiguri to lead the Nyay Yatra and arrived at Siliguri Police Station More around 5 pm and the yatra set off for Air View. Thousands of people assembled on either side of the road to see him as he was on an open jeep.

The road show took over 40 minutes to cover nearly 2.5 km. At the gathering at Air View, Mr Gandhi also described the reason behind his first Bharat Jodo Yatra, which was started from Kanyakumari and reached Kashmir, and why he has added an extra word Nyay for this second Yatra, keeping in mind the injustice inflicted on common people. In India a mechanic cannot dream to set up an automobile industry.

An educated youth cannot expect a job due to unemployment problem. I have come here to listen to your valuable views to table it before the country, he said.
Both Darjeeling MP Raju Bista and Siliguri MLA Dr Shankar Ghosh congratulated Dr Eklabya Sharma on being awarded the Padma Shri. While Mr Bista extended his heartiest congratulations to Dr Eklabya Sharma on social media, Dr Ghosh today met Dr Sharma at his Siliguri residence.

Dr Sharma, originally from St Marys in Kurseong, had previously served as the deputy director general at International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), Kathmandu. He was also the head and the founding scientist incharge of GB Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, Sikkim, Darjeeling MP Mr Bista said.

Dr Sharma is the chairperson of Science Advisory Committee of GB Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment and a fellow of Indian National Science Academy. He had joined as the vicechancellor of TERI School of Advanced Studies, previously known as TERI University, Delhi. Currently, he is serving as the Strategic Advisor and Distinguished Senior Fellow in Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), Bangalore

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Auditing firm Deloitte has once again been caught in the eye of the storm of regulators.

Deloittes 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 companys 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.

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Deloitte had given fintech a clean, unqualified audit for its 2022 accounts. This discrepancy came to light when short seller Hindenburg questioned Tingos accounts, asking whether the firm had missed or rushed through procedures.

Deloittes 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.

Deloittes 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 Tingos financials are glaring enough that wed 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 companys 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 & Touches Colombias 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 Deloittes 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 Malaysias 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 firms 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 Deloittes 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 SFIOs 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 SFIOs 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 Auditors 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 Deloittes 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 Deloittes 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.
With over Rs 900 crore of funding, the crisis-ridden SpiceJet will focus on the upgradation of its fleet and cost-cutting measures, as the no-frills airline works on ways to come out of turbulent times.

In an internal note to the senior staff on Monday, the airline said it now has a substantial bank balance of more than Rs 900 crore, including Rs 160 crore received as an installment under the governments Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS).

According to the note, the carrier will prioritise fleet upgrades, enhance on-time performance and cost-cutting measures will be implemented to streamline operations.

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Currently, the airline has an operational fleet of around 40 planes.

The latest installment came recently after its Chairman and Managing Director Ajay Singh infused funds into the airline.

So far, Singh has put in Rs 200 crore out of the Rs 500 crore fund infusion that he had announced last year.

SpiceJet has so far received around Rs 1,000 crore under the ECLGS.

Last week, the airline announced it has received the first tranche of Rs 744 crore as part of the total Rs 2,250 crore being mopped up through issuance of securities on a preferential basis.

In December, the airline said it would raise fresh capital of Rs 2,250 crore through issuance of securities.

SpiceJet has been facing multiple headwinds, including legal woes. Earlier this month, the DGCA imposed a fine of Rs 30 lakh on the carrier for lapses in the rostering of pilots for operations in low visibility conditions.
The 69th Filmfare Awards witnessed the crowning of the legendary Shabana Azmi as the Best Supporting Actor (Female) for her mesmerizing portrayal in Rocky aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. The star-studded ceremony unfolded in the vibrant city of Gandhinagar, Gujarat, leaving the audience in awe of the cinematic brilliance on display.

Directed by the talented Karan Johar, Rocky aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani is a 2023 Indian Hindi-language romantic comedy family drama that stars Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt as a couple navigating the intricacies of love and familial ties. Shabana Azmi, playing the role of Alia Bhatts grandmother, delivered a performance that resonated with both critics and audiences alike.

Also Read: Shabana Azmi honors father Kaifi Azmi on 104th birth anniversary

The film revolves around Rocky Randhawa, portrayed by Ranveer Singh, a vivacious Punjabi businessman, and Rani Chatterjee, played by Alia Bhatt, a spirited Bengali journalist. Despite their diverse backgrounds and familial objections, the couple embarks on a journey of love, deciding to spend three months living with each others families before taking the plunge into matrimony.

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A noteworthy element of the film is a poignant kissing scene between industry veterans Dharmendra and Shabana Azmi, which added a unique touch to the narrative and became a highlight for many viewers.

Karan Johars directorial masterpiece, Rocky aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, secured an impressive 18 nominations across various categories at the Filmfare Awards, including Best Director, Best Actor in a Leading Role (Male), and Best Actor in a Leading Role (Female).

As the spotlight shines brightly on her achievement, Azmi continues to captivate audiences with her acting prowess. Looking ahead, the acclaimed actor is set to grace the silver screen once again in Manish Malhotras Bun Tikki, where she will share the screen with veteran actor Zeenat Aman and Abhay Deol.

The 69th Filmfare Awards stand as a testament to the extraordinary talent and creativity within the Indian film industry, with Shabana Azmis triumph adding another golden feather to the cap of this celebrated event.
AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday cautioned people that the upcoming Lok Sabha polls is the last chance to save democracy, and added if Narendra Modi is elected again, he will continue to rule like Vladimir Putin in Russia.

If Modi gets elected, there will be no more elections and he will continue like Vladimir Putin in Russia, he said.

Addressing a public meeting billed as Odisha Bachao Samavesh here on Monday , the Congress president launched a diatribe against the BJP, RSS and the BJD.

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PM Modi is very fond of always asking what we have done in seventy years, my response is that we gave adult franchise to everyone including women on the day we gained independence at a time when several countries had not given women the right to vote . This basic tenet of democracy is now under threat , he remarked.

Democratic institutions have been demolished. Voices of dissent are crushed with ED, CBI, IT raids and over a hundred Opposition MPs are suspended from passing important legislation, said the Congress president.

Kharge went on to chide the Modi Guarantee tagline of the BJP by rhetorically putting questions to the crowd  who had promised 2 crore jobs per annum? who had said he would give Rs 15 lakh to every person by getting all the black money stashed outside the country ? who said farmers income would be doubled ? price rise will be controlled in 100 days, fuel prices will be slashed? .

These were the kind of Modi Guarantee that the nation had been given, he remarked.

There are 30 lakh vacancies in government jobs and Modiji does not fill them up only because the SC/ST/OBC will get a share and he does not want to empower them, charged Kharge.

The PM does not have the guts to go to Manipur, Nagaland and face the people.

The BJP and RSS spread hate, they believe in divide and rule , he alleged.

Rahul Gandhi embarked on a Bharat Jodo Yatra to spread love, peace and harmony. He is now on a Nyay Yatra which started from Manipur. No amount of threat is going to scare him, said the AICC chief.

He recounted the sacrifices of Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi and said they stood for national integrity and were never afraid of any threat.

Kharge underplayed the widening cracks in the INDIA bloc and claimed the desertion of one or two people would not weaken the alliance.

Cowards who get frightened by ED , CBI and IT raids and switch parties cannot protect the nation and the Constitution, he said.
Over 3,000 people have been selected from Uttar Pradesh for labour jobs in the construction sector in Israel, an official said on Monday.

The first lot of skilled labourers from Uttar Pradesh have received appointment letters for jobs in war-hit Israel. So far, 3,080 workers have been selected for jobs in Israel, he said.

There are around 10000 vacancies of construction workers. Over a lakh of workers have applied for the Israel job .

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Skill tests will be conducted in Lucknow till January 30 of the workers who had applied for going to Israel.

Nearly 4200 candidates took the test and another 2400 would appear over the last two days. Workers , who had applied, will have to appear for the skill test where abilities of aspirants to do shuttering work, tiles and marble fitting and wall plastering among others are being tested.

The Israel job offer is accompanied with lucrative perks like a decent salary of Rs. 1,37,250 per month besides a fund bonus of Rs. 15,000.

The skill test is organised by the state government to provide employment opportunities to Indian workers in Israel under the Chief Minister Mission Employment Scheme. The crowd included youngsters as well as middle-aged people from different educational backgrounds, those searching for decent, stable salaried jobs among others.

Director, training and employment, Kunal Silku said that the process of providing employment to construction workers in Israel was being done by NSDC International, an agency working under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India and PIBA.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 29. Iran hopes that the diplomatic activity of Azerbaijan's embassy in Tehran will be resumed within the framework of the common will, the spokesman for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nasser Kanaani said at the press conference in Tehran on January 29, Trend reports.

The official recalled that a very tragic incident occurred against the embassy of Azerbaijan in Tehran last year. This incident harmed the relations between two neighboring and friendly countries. However, the authorities of the two countries attempted to reduce the negative influence of this event on the relations between the two countries.

Kanaani said that following the framework and plan agreed by the two countries to overcome the current situation, reciprocal visits of senior officials in various areas took place between the two countries during the past year.

The two countries believe that those who are hostile and do not wish to see positive and constructive relations between the two countries should not exploit this event, he added.

The spokesman also mentioned that the trial of the person who assaulted the Azerbaijani embassy was conducted in Tehran on January 27 with the attendance of various officials. During the past year, with the collaboration of the judicial institutions of the two countries, all the procedures related to the criminal case were monitored, and the criminal case was submitted to the court. The verdict of the court will be declared soon.

Kanaani stated that Iran once again empathizes with the sorrow of the family of the Azerbaijani diplomat who was killed as a result of the unfortunate attack on the Azerbaijani embassy and extends condolences.

As reported, a terrorist attack was committed against the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Iran on January 27, 2023. As a result, one diplomat of the Azerbaijani embassy was killed, and two diplomats were injured.

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Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday denied the allegation made by the ULFA (I) leaders that the Assam Police had sent a spy to the banned outfits camp in Myanmar.

In a video shared on YouTube, the leaders of the banned militant outfit, who have been arrested for breaching the organisations constitution, can be seen making the allegation against the chief minister.

In his clarification, Sarma said Manash Borgohain, who the banned outfit claimed to be a spy of the government is not part of the Assam Police. He said the police have cross-checked and found out that he happens to be a diploma engineer.

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The chief minister requested ULFA (I) chairman Paresh Barua not to punish the boy.

The state police have also denied sending any spy to the camp of the insurgent group United Liberation Front of AsomIndependent (ULFA-I) camp in Myanmar.

After his arrest, Mukut Axom confessed that the Assam state authorities sent him to spy on ULFA-I via a video message. He also disclosed his association with the Special Branch of Assam Police since 2021 and his involvement in a mission to monitor ULFA-Is activities.
Assam Rifles personnel have seized Yaba tablets, a narcotic substance worth over Rs 13 crore in Tamenglong district of Manipur.

In a statement, the Assam Rifles said the drug item was seized in an operation at Phaitol village under Tamenglong district in Manipur.

Acting on a tip-off, the troopers of Assam Rifles seized the narcotics tablets in a raid conducted on Sunday.

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The entire consignment of seized narcotics in Manipur was estimated by the Assam Rifles officials to be worth around Rs 13.5 crore, an official statement stated.
The Citizenship (Amendment) Act or CAA will be implemented across the country in the next seven days and this is my guarantee, Union Minister Shantanu Thakur told a gathering in West Bengals South 24 Parganas on Sunday.

Thakur, also a BJP MP from Bangaon, said that the Ram temple inauguration has been done and now the central government will implement the CAA not just in West Bengal but across the country.

The Ram mandir (temple) in Ayodhya has been inaugurated, and within the next seven days, the CAA will be implemented across the country. This is my guarantee. Not just in West Bengal, the CAA would be implemented in every state of India within a week, he said while addressing the rally.

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The Citizenship (Amendment) Act was passed by Parliament in December 2019. The Bill triggered massive protests across the country, leading to delay in its implementation.

The Act will come into force only after the rules are notified. So far, the government has not done that.

According to reports, the government is planning to notify the rules before the Lok Sabha elections.

However, whether it will be done in the next seven days remains uncertain given there is no official word from the government.

What is the Citizenship Amendment Act?

The Narendra Modi-led BJP government brought the CAA Bill in 2019. It was cleared by Parliament in December 2019 and became the Act after the Presidents nod.

Under the controversial CAA, Indian citizenship will be granted to non-Muslim migrants  Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis and Christians who entered India from Pakistan and Afghanistan on or before December 31, 2014.

The BJP has been accusing West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of misleading people on the CAA issue.

In December last year, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had said that no one can stop its implementation but didnt reveal when the rules will be notified.

While Mamata Banerjees party TMC has been opposing the implementation of the CAA, the BJP has made the issue its major poll plank in West Bengal. The issue was one of the key poll promises of the BJP ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha elections and Assembly polls in West Bengal.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said I have shut all doors and windows of disappointment in my life, when young students asked him how he handles pressures of his office and remains positive in work.

He was interacting with students in the seventh edition of the Pariksha Pe Charcha, a programme where he attempts to create a stress-free atmosphere for youngsters who are preparing to take their exams.

M Vagesh, a student of Modern Senior Secondary School, Chennai, Tamil Nadu asked Mr Modi how he handles pressure and stress in the position of Prime Minister. Sneha Tyagi, a student of Dynasty Modern Gurukul Academy, Udam Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand asked him How can we be positive like you?

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The Prime Minister said that everyone faces unforeseen situations. One can react to them by avoidance, but such people do not achieve much in life. My approach which I found useful is that I challenge every challenge. I do not wait passively for the challenge to pass. This gives me an opportunity to learn all the time. Dealing with new situations enriches me, the Prime Minister said.

He said that decision-making becomes easier when the resolve to do something is strong. When there is no selfish motive, there is never confusion in decision, he said.

Mr Modi told the students My biggest confidence is that I have 140 crore countrymen with me. If there are 100 million challenges, there are billions of solutions. I never find myself alone and everything is on me, I am always aware of the capabilities of my country and countrymen. This is the fundamental crux of my thinking.

Giving an example of the poverty issue, the Prime Minister said when the poor themselves decide to remove poverty, poverty will go away. It is my responsibility to give them tools for dreaming for a pucca house, toilet, education, Ayushman, piped water, he said.

Once they are unshackled of the daily indignities, they will be sure of the abolition of poverty, he said. In his tenure of 10 years, 25 crore people came out of poverty, the Prime Minister said.

Giving illustration of the Covid pandemic, he said that instead of sitting idle he chose to rally people and raise their collective strength through acts like calling for diya lighting, or thali-sound. Celebrating sporting success and right direction and leadership resulted in a massive medal haul at international events, he said.

During the interaction, the Prime Minister highlighted the role of teachers in mitigating the impact of added pressure from external factors upon students and pointed out that parents have experienced this from time to time.

He asked parents not to do running commentary when students are preparing for examinations. The parents can avoid stress by providing new clothes, doing rituals or gifting stationery. Mr Modi asked students not to keep preparing until the last moment and approach exams with a relaxed mindset and to avoid any external distraction that can lead to unwanted tension.

Mr Modi urged the students, families and teachers to collectively address the issue of external stress while evolving the process rather than following traditional ways. He suggested that families of students should discuss different ways that work for each of them.

The Prime Minister asked the parents to avoid comparison among the children. The Prime Minister gave an example of a video where children prioritized helping each other while competing in a healthy manner. He asked students to maintain a balanced lifestyle and avoiding excess of everything.

He said teachers should become more accessible to students rather than associating with them just on the basis of subjects taught. Giving the example of doctors who maintain a personal connection with their patients, the Prime Minister said that such a bond results in half the treatment.

The Prime Minister stressed making effective use of technology and mobile phones with the help of judgement-based decision-making. Every parent faces this issue, the Prime Minister said pointing out the subject of privacy and secrecy.

He stressed formulating a set of rules and regulations in the family and mentioned no electronic gadgets being used during dinner and creating no gadget zones in the house.
Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi will hold a meeting with the floor Leaders of political parties in both Houses of Parliament, before the start of the Parliament Session. The all-party meeting will be held at 1130 hrs on Tuesday at the Parliament Library Building.

The Parliament session will commence with the address of President Droupadi Murmu on 31 January, and subject to exigencies of government business, conclude on 9 February.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Interim Union Budget on 1 February. An interim Budget serves as a financial statement presented during an election year or a transitional period. It functions as a temporary financial plan, catering to government expenditures until a new government is elected and can present a full Budget. Traditionally, it seeks approvals for expenses until the end of the governments tenure. This is known as a vote of account.

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The Parliament session is being held amid simmering tensions between the Modi government and the Opposition over a plethora of issues. The session is expected to witness fireworks between the treasury benches and the Opposition.
The Himachal Pradesh government has proposed Rs 9,989.49 for the annual estimated budget plans for the year 2024-25, Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said here on Monday while presiding over the first session of MLA Priority meeting with the MLAs of three districts, Una, Hamirpur and Sirmaur.

The chief minister said the state government was working with a motto to make Himachal self-reliant in the next four years and most prosperous state in the country in ten years.

He exhorted the MLAs to come up with the priorities that were in line with the state governments commitment to provide clean, transparent and accountable administration to the people of the state.

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Sukhu said discussion during these meetings would pave the way to further accelerate the development process.

The government is committed for equitable development of all the areas and every section of the society. In order to achieve this, the government has adopted the manifesto of the Congress party as a Policy Document. All the ministers, MLAs and departments were working tirelessly for the effective implementation of the Policy Document, said the chief minister.

MLA priorities in general were financed through the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund under NABARD, said Sukhu, adding that for the year 2023-24, an amount of Rs. 918.81 crore was sanctioned by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), besides 62 works of Public Works Department and 93 works of Jal Shakti Department have been sanctioned.

He also directed the officials of the Public Works and Jal Shakti Departments to fully utilize NABARDs budget outlay for the year 2024-25 and submit reimbursement claims in the NABARD office before March 15, 2024.

The chief minister directed the administrative secretaries, heads of the departments not to show any laxity in resolving the problems, complaints raised by the MLAs and to give due priority to their valuable suggestions.

He further directed the officials to ensure timely clearance of formalities regarding the FCA, the FRA cases and the Gift Deed in order to avoid or reduce any delay in preparation of the detailed project reports of the schemes given by the MLAs.

He also directed the concerned departments and the deputy commissioner to review the works on MLA priorities every month, the report of which would be sent to the government.

The state government was working sincerely for the welfare of all sections of the society including women, youth, farmers and employees, said Sukhu, adding that the present government was ensuring that its policies and programs benefit the last person in the queue.
The Revenue Department has filed a case against Congress MLA Mathew Kuzhalnadan for allegedly encroaching 50 cent of government land near his Kapitan Resort at Suryanelli in Chinnakanal In Keralas Idukki district.

The Idukki Collector has taken steps to reclaim the land based on a report from Tehsildar of Udumbanchola, which identified the encroachment.

Earlier, the Vigilance had found that Mathew Kuzhalnadan encroached on 50 cent of poramboke (government) land at Chinnakanal and built a compound wall there.

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The vigilance investigation revealed that the land occupied by Mathew Kuzhalnads resort in Chinnakanal exceeds the designated area by 50 cent.

Mathew Kuzhalnadan asserted that he had not encroached upon any public land in Chinnakanal. Kuzhalnadan has asked how the Revenue department allowed the registration of the plot , if it was a case of surplus land.

Kuzhalnadan, who vehemently criticised Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan over the monthly payment allegations against his daughter Veena Vijayan, landed in the controversy after the CPI-M filed a case against him with the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB).

The complaint filed by CPI-M Ernakulam district Secretary CN Mohanan alleged that Kuzhalnadan had undervalued his property to evade stamp duty. He also sought a probe into Kuzhalnadans source of income.
Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Monday said that his Bihar counterpart Nitish Kumars NDA switch was not the right thing and predicted the move will actually help the Oppositions INDIA bloc in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

I think Nitish Kumar should not have gone there. He didnt do the right thing. It is not right for democracy. I think this will harm the NDA in Bihar, and the INDIA alliance will benefit from it, Kejriwal said in a softly-worded criticism of the JD(U) leader.

Earlier on Sunday, Nitish Kumar resigned form the post of Bihar chief minister and ended his association with the INDIA bloc. He later joined the BJP-led NDA and formed a new government.

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Nitish Kumars party held Congress responsible for his exit from the INDIA alliance and mentioned Kejriwals meeting with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, following which Mallikarjun Kharges name was proposed for the Oppositions PM face.

Speaking to reporters after Nitish Kumars swearing-in ceremony, JD(U) leader KC Tyagi said that Congress wanted to steal the leadership of INDIA bloc.

In the meeting that took place on December 19, a conspiracy was hatched to appropriate the leadership of INDIA bloc, as Mallikarjun Kharges name was proposed (as PM), Tyagi said.

He said that while JD(U) pressed for seat-sharing agreement at the earliest, Congress kept delaying it and the alliance failed to come up with a definite plan.

Earlier, in the meeting in Mumbai, it was unanimously decided that the bloc carry its principal agenda forward without naming a PM face. However, as part of a well-thought-out plan, (West Bengal CM and TMC chief) Mamata Banerjee proposed Kharges name as PM (with Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal seconding it). Many of the Opposition parties of today carved out their individual identities after uncoupling themselves from the Congress. While we pressed for seat-sharing talks at the earliest, the Congress kept dragging their feet and delaying it. INDIA failed to come up with a definite plan or roadmap to fight the BJP, Tyagi said.

Interestingly, both, Kejriwals AAP and Banerjees TMC, have refused to ally with the Congress for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Punjab and West Bengal, respectively.
A massive political row erupted in Karnataka over removal of a saffron flag, with the BJP and JDS holding protests against the Congress government in the state.

The incident took place in Keragodu village of Karnatakas Mandya last week when authorities brought down a saffron flag hoisted by the Gram Panchayat Board of Mandya district on a 108-foot flagpole and replaced it with the tricolour.

This took a political turn after the BJP, JDS and Bajrang Dal members reached the village and started protesting against the district administration.

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They allegedly vandalised banners of local Congress MLA and accused the state government of being anti-Hindu.

As the situation turned tense, the administration deployed heavy force in the area to prevent any untoward incident.

Reacting to the controversy, Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar accused the BJP-JDS of doing politics to establish a political foothold in Mandya and disturb the peace of the state.

They want to establish a political foothold in Mandya. They are just creating confusion in the minds of the public. Nothing will happen. The people of Mandya are very tolerant and secular This is pure politics. And they wanted to destabilise the peace of the state. We want peace, let us maintain peace, Shivakumar said.

Earlier today, Karnataka Police detained BJP workers protesting in Bengaluru over the Mandya flag issue.

Meanwhile, Section 144 has been imposed in Keragodu where the saffron flag was replaced with the tricolour.

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah has also accused the BJP of raising unnecessary issues and said the permission was taken to hoist the national flag and Kannada flag. Siddaramaiah said he is also a Hindu but believes in co-existence.
The Janata Dal (United) on Monday reacted strongly to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharges charge that Nitish Kumars NDA return was a pre-planned move and called the grand old party achhoot, a Hindi word for untouchable.

Reacting to Kharges charge, JD(U) leader KC Tyagi said, If this was pre-planned, then why did we organise the first meeting of (INDIA parties) in Patna? Why did we bring Mamata Banerjee, Arvind Kejriwal and Akhilesh Yadav with an achhoot (untouchable) party like you (Congress)?

He further said that West Bengal CM and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjees decision to propose Mallikarjun Kharges name for the PM face of INDIA alliance led to the Bihar CMs exit.

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This happened after Mamata Banerjee in Delhi proposed Mallikarjun Kharge as INDIA alliance prime ministerial candidate. The Congress party always wanted to grab this (PM) post, he added.

Tyagi held Congress responsible for the INDIA alliances decline and accused the grand old party of insulting regional players.

While we were working to strengthen the alliance, Congress was busy grabbing the important posts. They were trying to weaken SP, DMK, TMC and other regional parties. Once Rahul Gandhi said that regional parties dont have an ideology. Due to this, we broke our association with the alliance, he added.

Earlier on Sunday, Nitish Kumar switched his loyalty to the BJP-led NDA and broke away from the Oppositions INDIA alliance.

He also resigned from the post of Bihar CM and formed new government with support form the BJP.

Reacting to Kumars NDA switch, Kharge had said that such decisions can be taken in a hurry and the move was pre-planned.

Such decisions can not be taken in a hurryThis shows that it was all pre-planned. To break the INDIA alliance they (BJP-JD(U)) planned all this He (Nitish Kumar) kept us in the dark, he kept Lalu Yadav in the dark, the Congress chief told ANI.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 29. Iran and Pakistan will not allow terrorists to attack the relations and security of the two countries, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian said, Trend reports.

He spoke on January 29 in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, where he held a joint press conference with his Pakistani counterpart Jalil Abbas Jilani.

Amir Abdollahian stated that both countries agreed on the need to combat terrorism effectively. He also said that they shared the vision of turning the Iran-Pakistan border into a zone of economic, social and cultural prosperity for the border residents.

The minister added that he had received an official invitation from Pakistan for Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi to visit the country. Amir Abollahian said that he and Jilani would work on the visit program so that Raisi could visit Pakistan, a friendly and brotherly country, in the near future.

On January 16, Iran fired missiles at certain positions in Pakistan. As a result, two children were killed and three people were injured. Following this, the Pakistani government recalled its ambassador to Iran and asked the Iranian ambassador not to visit Pakistan. All activities between the two countries are suspended.

On January 17, Pakistan attacked certain positions of Iran. As a result, 10 people died.

On January 26, the ambassadors of both countries returned to their workplaces, and the Iranian Foreign Minister paid a visit to Pakistan on January 29.

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Follow the author on X (Twitter):@BaghishovElnur
The quintessential way to savor winter evenings in India involves a steaming cup of chai paired with some pakoras. However, as awareness about the consequences of unhealthy lifestyles grows, people are keen to distance themselves from pakoras and fried foods. Does that mean giving up on the love for those crispy delights? Not at all. Air fryers come to the rescue for those seeking to balance flavor with nutrition effectively. Whether its crispy French fries or onion, corn, and spinach pakoras, modern air fryers can achieve that with minimal oil, without compromising on freshness, taste, or flavor profile. If youre looking for some air fryer-friendly snack options, peruse the list below that weve compiled for you.

Chicken Spring Rolls

Spring rolls can absorb a considerable amount of oil when prepared traditionally. If you want to relish this evening snack with minimal oil, air-fried chicken spring rolls are an ideal choice. Prepare them as you normally would, but instead of submerging them in hot oil, air fry until they achieve a crispy texture.

Chicken Nuggets

Who can resist munching on chicken nuggets paired with a cup of freshly brewed coffee? They make for a perfect start to rainy evenings, winter gatherings with friends, or those moments when you prefer solitude. Rather than deep-frying them in oil, craft fresh chicken nuggets at home (its more convenient and healthier than store-bought frozen ones) and air fry them until they attain a golden and delicious perfection.

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Sweet Potato Fries

Gone are the days when you had to immerse your french fries in hot oil and later regret indulging. Air fryers have revolutionized the way we prepare fried snacks. Whether you desire french fries from regular potatoes or a healthier version using sweet potatoes, theyll be ready in a snap with this ingenious appliance.

Crunchy Chickpeas

Soak your chickpeas overnight, drain the water, boil them, and toss them with a bit of sugar, salt, oil, and Indian spices. Then, place them in the air fryer for crispy and crunchy chickpeas. This can also be done with canned chickpeas.

Banana Chips

Banana chips evoke nostalgic memories of childhood. For a healthier version, thinly slice your bananas, rinse them, and use a paper towel to absorb excess moisture. Add some oil, spices, salt, and air fry until they become crisp and golden.

These are just a few of the delicious air fryer snacks that are not only soul-satisfying but also incredibly convenient to make. Enjoy!
It was September of 1893 when a charismatic young man named Narendranath Datta aka Swami Vivekananda took the podium at the Parliament of Religions held in Chicago and brought the hall down with his opening address: Sisters and brothers of America. He introduced the key message of Hinduism that all religions lead to the same God, not only to the Americans but to an international audience. He went on to become one of the most influential figures of modern India.

Now 130 years later and, in a city (Milwaukee), about 90 miles from Chicago a charismatic Vivek Ramaswami (VR) once again drew the attention of Americans to Hinduism; he did not say anything about his religion but was described as the first Hindu Indian candidate in a US presidential election. An American friend asked me right after the first GOP primary debate to explain to him the essence of Hinduism and how it differs from Christianity. I was honest with my answer. See, I am not a practicing Hindu and cannot explain my religion to you in a few sentences or even a few paragraphs. My appreciation for Hinduism came from reading only one chapter of one book  chapter 43 of An Autobiography of a Yogi by Yogananda. It is available on the internet for free; perhaps you can read it first and then we can have a discussion. I have thought about my friends question many times since then and realized that there are many reasons why Hinduism is such a complex subject.

Is it a religion or a set of religious beliefs, a spiritual or philosophical discourse, a mythology or just a way of life? There are so many different denominations, so many different teachings and so many deities: Krishna, Shiva, Kali, Ganesha, Brahma, Hanuman and so on. There is no central prophet like Jesus, Buddha or Mohammad. The scriptures are written in Sanskrit which makes them impossible to read for most people. Even their translations in local languages or popular speeches given by swamis dwell on lengthy interpretations of various difficult Sanskrit words and slokas.

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Instead of asking what is Hinduism?, I ask myself why do I even need to follow a religion? In my opinion, any religion or spiritual guidance must answer three basic questions: a) Is there a God and if so, how does He manifest himself? b) What happens after death and most importantly, c) is there a guideline on how to properly live our lives and what happens if we do not follow them? Hinduism was not attractive to me during most of my early life. I called myself Hindu because my parents were Hindu. Our religion tends to personify God; all the deities and rituals evolve around these personifications. Such personifications exist in other religions too but not to the same extent. One wonders which deity to follow as ones God and why. I heard about the concept of reincarnation from my childhood.

It seemed like a more reasonable alternative to the concept of one life to live and then go to heaven or hell. However, I always had many unanswered questions about reincarnation. The guideline for living a proper life gets too complicated, if not confusing and once again because there are so many different variations. In Christianity, the directions are simple: the ten commandments and other Biblical instructions. The list is also straightforward in other religions and seems to agree with our common sense. Hindu directives get too elaborate and too vague for me.

I read Paramhansa Yoganandas book An Autobiography of a Yogi later in life and finally discovered my roots in Hinduism. In chapter 43, titled Resurrection of Sri Yukteswar, Yogananda is not preaching Hinduism nor trying to interpret slokas from scriptures; he even did not use the word Hinduism. He is simply narrating like a reporter what his guru, Sri Yukteswar told him about Yukteswars personal experience after death in plain language; it was as if Yukteswar was describing a travel experience to some new country.

There is nothing like this in the entire literary collection on religion and spirituality. Most importantly, Yukteswars narrative answered my three questions. Since I am a physicist by education, I will try to explain my understanding using a physical model  using the word model loosely. The continuum of existence of every person can be modelled as a ball or a sphere with three layers or shells: the outermost shell is the physical layer followed by an emotional layer and finally a layer of wisdom. Inside the layers lies an indescribable entity; call it energy or spirit or God. Each reincarnation is equivalent to bouncing of the ball from a rigid reflecting surface.

Reflection is necessary for introspection. Impact from this surface tears up the layer a little bit and upon hundreds of bouncing the entire physical layer comes off. At this point we have lost all our physical senses, but the second layer is still there. We can still feel emotions and communicate through extra-sensory perception. The second layer also eventually disappears, and we are then reborn as pure wisdom. There is no physical body, no emotion  just intellect. We can only think and meditate.

Once the third layer is also gone, there is nothing left to hold the spirit inside the sphere, and it flies off into the vast never-ending space of universal consciousness. This is Nirvana. We unite with God and there is no further reincarnation. This is the end. As a physicist, this picture is much more appealing to me, compared to endless cycles of reincarnations or a heaven-hell status-quo. So, how should we live our dayto-day life?

The simple answer is it does not matter because life is just an illusion and does not mean anything. However, everyone will probably agree that life on this earth is miserable, and no one wants to experience it over and over again.

So, the goal should be not to come back to this world again. All the disciplines in Hindu religion, advocated by Vivekananda, Yogananda and many others, prescribe repeated practice of meditation that makes one realize the futility of life and seek a different world. It also does not matter if one does not follow any such discipline or religion; one will reach this realization sooner or later in ones own way, if not in this life, certainly in one of hundreds of lives to follow. Even a sinner gets tired of his sins and a killer finds God in prison.

The real benefit of a religious discipline is that it allows one to take a short-cut to minimize the number of incarnations and get to Nirvana faster. This is why Hinduism does not have a set of commands; it does not say thou shall do this or that. Also, Hinduism welcomes all religions. Our ancient holy men knew that goal is the same; the only question is how we get there and there is no reason to fight or kill over this. (The writer, a physicist who worked in industry and academia, is a Bengali settled in America.)
Rahul Gandhis Baharat Jodo Nyaya Yatra has come in the background of the victory of the RSSBJP combine in the Hindi heartland. The victory suggested that Prime Minister Modi and Hindutva loom large in the mindscapes of the north Indian electorate.

The reason for this is the relentless control of the narrative and the RSS-BJPs planting of the Hindutva ideology in an otherwise ideologically vacant post-neoliberal polity of India. In southern India, the BJP has found it difficult, despite the RSSs deep incursions, to crack the winning code. The reasons for this are social as well as historical. South India has been the cradle of anti-caste revolution, rational and literary movements, and regional linguistic pride.

The average south Indian sees a silent yet dreadful equanimity between Hindi and Hindutva. Despite a high degree of public religiosity, communalism, which is a supercharged version of religion to achieve political ends, has failed to gain a foothold in South India. Hitherto, all the RSSBJPs efforts, the Sabarimala temple issue in Kerala, hubristic chants of Bajrang Bali in Karnataka, and the call to change the name of Hyderabad to Bhagyanagar in Telangana have had little traction. Emboldened by the victory in the north, the RSSBJP is pulling no punches anymore.

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The inauguration of the Ram Mandir has added more iron to the BJPs armour. What makes the BJP formidable is the dialectic of precarity and security. Thus, the RSS-BJP exploits the deep economic insecurities of the poor who are browbeaten by neoliberalism and entices them to take shelter under its wings. Before it starts pecking at them, it throws before them free grains, wins their confidence, and convinces them to blame a social group for their tragic condition.

The sense of security is further emboldened by contrived histories of imaginative leaders who in the past had defeated Muslim invaders and died protecting the Hindu motherland. To the upper-caste middle classes, who consider reservation and affirmative action as a direct infringement of their merit-mediated right to rule, the BJP offers the security of Hindu consolidation. The demand for a pan-India caste census and the slogan of jiski jinki abaadi, utni unki bhaagidari has further increased their insecurities. The question then arises is why did the OBCs, STs, and SCs not favour the Congress in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh. The answer lies in the fact that these states have not had a sustained history of backward class/caste politics. Habituated to a neat and tight bi-polar contest, Congress failed to take this issue to the masses.

Even worse was the shuffling of the soft Hindutva card deck in Madhya Pradesh and partially so in Chhattisgarh. The regional leadership in these two states failed to utilize Rahul Gandhis call for social justice. So, does it mean that the opposition has reached a cul-de-sac? The answer is a resounding no! After 2014, it was in these assembly elections that for the first time the BJP was under stress.

BJP leaders, the RSS foot soldiers, and the entire central leadership had to bite their nails till the final results were declared. What the opposition needs is to broaden its horizon of tactical and strategic manoeuvres to end the precarity-security dialectic. Socio-economic disabilities that plague modern India could be divided into vertical and horizontal disabilities. Vertical disabilities constitute caste, gender, and religionbased disabilities which have a pre-history in the social structure of Indian society, patriarchy, and communalism. Horizontal disabilities constitute the inability of citizens to get good health and educational services.

Horizontal disabilities cut through caste lines (although the lower and backward castes are the bigger victims) as the Bihar caste census showed that 25.09 per cent of the upper castes are poor. Given this, a pan-India remedy for horizontal disabilities should be promoted by the opposition. Unlike the piecemeal Ayushman Bharat, a call for nationalization of all health infrastructure in India or a national health scheme on the lines of Britain should be promoted. The Indian health market has boomed over time.

Currently, Indians spend Rs. 120 billion on healthcare. Even more astonishing is the fact that in the urban areas, those earning less than Rs 8,000 per month spent an average amount of Rs 344 on health and the richest households spent an average amount of Rs 1,275 in the same period.

The average cost per episode of outpatient care is Rs. 400 for public providers, Rs. 586 for informal private providers, and Rs. 2643 for formal for-profit providers and they managed 39.3, 37.9, and 22.9 per cent of episodes, respectively. Along with this, the outof-pocket health expenditure in India accounts for 62.6 per cent of total health expenditure which is one the highest in the world.

Full health coverage would resonate with everyone. The tax-GDP ratio in India is at 17.7 per cent with direct taxpayers constituting only 58 million people in a country of 1.4 billion. The money to finance the national health scheme could be funded by bringing back the corporate taxes that were cut in 2019. In 2020-21, the government lost approximately Rs 1 lakh crore on account of these tax cuts. An open call to tax the corporates and finance the national health scheme would only bolster the appeal of the attacks on crony capitalists.

The Congress and the I.N.D.I.A. alliance will have to lurch further to the left and must arm themselves with a new grammar of populism that detoxifies the idea of freebies or revris. In a functioning economy, everybody pays their taxes. In India, 64.3 per cent of the total GST is coming from the bottom 50 per cent.

The latter spends a higher percentage of their income on indirect taxes than the middle 40 per cent and the top 10 per cent combined, thereby keeping the economy going. The task for the Opposition is cut out. It is for them to unite and find common ground.

(The writer is a PhD Candidate, Dept. of Political Science, University of Connecticut, USA and author of Against the Current, 2023)
Samsung, the worlds 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 Samsungs 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.

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Samsung succeeded in commercialising 3D vertical NAND flash memory chips for the first time in the industry in 2013.

Meanwhile, the global semiconductor industrys 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.
Funding suspension would force UNRWA to halt all its activities in the conflict-ridden Gaza Strip in a few weeks, the UN relief agencys Commissioner-General said.

Philippe Lazzarini said on his social media X account on Sunday that the suspension decision is regrettable, stressing that the agency relies on the support of our partners to maintain our humanitarian response to two million people in Gaza and Palestinian refugees in the region.

The US, Canada, Britain, Germany, Australia, Finland and the Netherlands decided to pause funding to UNRWA after Israel accused several UNRWA employees of suspected involvement in the October 7 attack on Israel last year, Xinhua news agency reported.

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Lazzarini said he was shocked upon knowing the accusations against its employees, adding that the agency has decided to dismiss the employees concerned and to commence an investigation without delay.

UNRWA is also implementing structural reforms to enhance the commitment of its staff to humanitarian principles, including the principle of neutrality, with independent experts responsible for assessing and deepening our efforts in this direction, he noted.

UNRWA, established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1949, is tasked to provide humanitarian assistance and protection to Palestinian refugees registered in the agencys operational areas until a just and lasting solution to their plight is found.

On Sunday, Irans Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani condemned Israels accusations against UNRWA employees.

The accusations hurled by Israel against some of the UNRWA staff members are another malicious act in completion of Israels inhumane actions against Palestinians, he was quoted in a statement published on the Ministrys website as saying.
The Israel Prime Ministers Office said that the peace talks held for a ceasefire and the release of all its hostages from Hamas custody were constructive.

The office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a statement on Sunday night confirmed that a four way meeting involving US,Israel, Qatar and Egypt had taken place in Europe and was quite constructive.

The PMO said that there were still gaps regarding the deal to be adopted for a ceasefire and release of hostages and that this would be taken forward again this week itself.

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Director of Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), William Burns; David Barnea, the head of the Mossad intelligence agency; Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and the Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel participated in the discussions widely believed to have been held in Paris.

Ronen Bar, the head of the Israeli Shin Ben security service, as well as IDF hostage envoy Nitzan Alon were also at the four nation summit.

Hamas, according to information available, has demanded an end to the war and the withdrawal of all IDF forces as a condition for the release of hostages and Israel has rejected these demands outright.

Israel Defense ministry sources told IANS that the peace agreement would be carried out in two phases.

In the first phase there would be a pause to the war wherein all the elderly, women and children and those under medication would be let off by Hamas in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners in Israel jails. There will be a pause to the war and Israeli civilian men and soldiers, who are in custody, would be let off for a further exchange of a large number of Palestinians in Israeli prisons.

However Hamas, according to Arab and Hebrew media, wanted a permanent stoppage of the war and that this was rejected in toto by the Israel side.

There was a one week ceasefire between the two sides from November 24 to December 1 during which 105 hostages were released by Hamas in exchange for 324 Palestinian prisoners.

The war erupted on October 7 when Hamas-led terrorists from the Gaza Strip carried out a massive attack on Israel that killed some 1,200 people in the south of the country, most of them civilians.

The Hamas terrorists massacred people, gang-raped women and tortured and mutilated their victims in border communities and at the Rim music festival.

Hamas and other militant groups also abducted 253 people of all ages, mostly civilians, as hostages in Gaza.

Israel responded with a military campaign immediately and a ground offensive from October 27 to destroy Hamas, remove it from power in Gaza and release the hostages.

It is to be noted that according to official records 132 hostages abducted by Hamas on October 7 are still being held in Gaza. However Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Military Intelligence have confirmed that 28 of the hostages were dead. Three of the hostages were killed in an accidental firing by the IDF.

The Ministry of Health in Gaza controlled by Hamas has stated that more than 26,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel commenced its counter attack. The deceased include a large number of women and children and there has been genocide calls against Israel.

More than 200 soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) were also killed in the ongoing war as per the statements from IDF.
The foreign ministry of Palestine Authority (PA) has said that suspension of funds to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in Near East (UNRWA) was deplorable.

In a statement on Sunday night, the PA said that the suspension of funds to the UNRWA by the US, the UK and other countries was highly deplorable and of double standards.

The PA also said that the UNRWA chief Phileppe Lazzarani has already announced that the UN agency was willing for an independent investigation on the Israeli claims regarding UNRWA staff.

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Israel has complained to the United Nations and other funding countries that several UNRWA staff members were directly involved in the October 7 massacre in southern Israel when Hamas men swarmed into the Israeli communities and slaughtered 1,200 people  a majority being civilians.

Israel has in its complaint stated that the details of UNRWA staff members participation in the October 7 attack was obtained while interrogating arrested Hamas militants. Israel intelligence agencies and Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have also provided information to the Israeli side regarding the participation and involvement of UNRWA staffers.

The foreign ministry of the Palestinian Authority defined the decision to suspend funding to the UNRWA as highly politicized, disproportionate and unjustified.

The Ministry, according to its statement, said that the decision to suspend funding to UNRWA was a form of collective punishment.

It also added that the UNRWA was about to run out of money and would not be able to provide assistance to Palestinian refugees throughout the region.

Israel has in its complaint stated that the details of UNRWA staff members participation in the October 7 attack was garnered while interrogating arrested Hamas militants. Israel intelligence agencies and Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have also provided information to the Israeli side regarding the participation and involvement of UNRWA staffers.

Israel has all along been maintaining that the UNRWA was acting as a cover for Hamas in Gaza and that it should be replaced with some other agency.
Former US President Donald Trump has slammed the US-Mexico border deal as a catastrophe waiting to happen, The Hill reported.

In a Saturday morning post on Truth Social, Trump called the southern border the worst in the history of the world and alleged that the US might suffer from another terrorist attack.

Trump wrote on Truth Social: Just 3 years ago, we had the strongest and safest border in US history. Today, we have a catastrophe waiting to happen. It is the worst border in the history of the world, an open wound in our once great country.

He said: Terrorists are pouring in, unchecked, from all over the world. There is now a 100 per cent chance that there will be major terror attacks in the USA. Close the border!

Trump continued his messaging to Republicans in Congress that they should abstain from reaching a bipartisan deal addressing the southern border, as per The Hill.

A bad border deal is far worse than no border deal, Trump wrote in another post on Truth Social.

As per The Hill, the former presidents stance on the current Senate negotiations over giving aid to Ukraine and other countries and addressing the border is giving lawmakers trouble in reaching an agreement. It has also upset lawmakers on both sides as they deal with the former presidents influence over the Republican Party.

The deal being negotiated in Congress would require the US to shutter the border if roughly 5,000 migrants cross illegally on any given day. Some one-day totals last year exceeded 10,000.

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As per CNN, US President Joe Biden is embracing tougher border measures, including shutting down the US-Mexico border, marking a stark shift from his early days in office

Biden took office pledging to restore asylum and manage the border in a humane way. But his administration has faced the harsh realities and challenges at the US-Mexico border amid record migration across the Western Hemisphere  making it a political vulnerability seized on by Republicans, according to CNN.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 29. The verdict for the suspect in the assault on the Azerbaijani embassy in Tehran will be issued in the coming days, said Kazim Gharibabadi, the Secretary of Human Rights Headquarters and the Deputy Head of Irans Judicial System for International Affairs, Trend reports.

As reported, a terrorist attack was committed against the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Iran on January 27, 2023. As a result, one diplomat of the Azerbaijani embassy was killed, and two diplomats were injured.

The attack, which occurred on January 27, killed the chief of the embassys security service and wounded two others.

The suspect in the armed assault on the Azerbaijani embassy in Tehran, Yasin Huseynzade, faced trial on January 27, 2024. Several diplomats of the Azerbaijani Embassy also attended the court hearing.

The court session began with the reading of the charges against Huseynzade. He was accused of murdering an Azerbaijani citizen in the embassy premises with a gun, wounding two embassy diplomats, possessing a Kalashnikov rifle and a handgun illegally, and disturbing public order.

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Follow the author on X (Twitter):@BaghishovElnur
Job Title: Case Management Worker (6 Fresher Positions)

Organisation: Plan International

Duty Station: Yumbe, Uganda

Reports to: Child Protection in Emergency Officer

About US:

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organization that advances childrens rights and equality for girls. We believe in the power and potential of every child. But this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination. And its girls who are most affected. Working together with children, young people, our supporters and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children. We have been building powerful partnerships for children for more than 80 years, and are now active in more than 75 countries.

Job Summary: Plan International Uganda (PIUs) over-arching goal is for children and youth, especially girls, to develop their full potential in communities that promote their rights and gender equality. The Case Management Worker is at the forefront of the practical implementation of our child protection projects, identifying, assessing, supporting and empowering vulnerable children and youth especially those who have been harmed, or who are at risk of harm. The Case Management Worker provides high level technical expertise in the provision of quality child protection case management, psychosocial support, ensuring a beneficial impact in the lives of at-risk children and youth as a result of PIUs project. The role is not responsible for managing a departmental budget but supports in ensuring funds allocated to the at-risk children reaches the intended person. The major challenge of the role is to support and empower children and youth who have been harmed or are at risk of harm, home to home movements, connecting them with necessary services, and advocating with adults as necessary to achieve beneficial outcomes. This requires the job holder to:

Have profound empathy for the at-risk children/youth whilst still retaining professional objectivity to protect their best interests

Take personal responsibility for the achievement of results, in a dynamic and changing environment with multiple stakeholders

Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills to deal with various stakeholders at local levels

Have basic psychological first aid skills/psychosocial support skills

Level of contact with children

This position has been classified as high contact: Significant interaction with children.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Needs Identification

Ensure that children who have been harmed or who are at risk are identified and that plans for providing appropriate support are developed:

Work collaboratively with the rest of the Programme Area team to conduct Community mobilisation, Community Awareness and public community dialogues

Organise, coordinate and resource, community sensitization on case management services

Work with community-based leaders (e.g. refugee welfare committees, Child Protection Committees (CPCs), block leaders) and host community para-social workers, to receive referral on at-risk children and young people

Conduct Best Interest Assessment (BIA) and identify the needs of identified at-risk children/young people; present BIDs to the BID panels as appropriate

Identify, document and report all vulnerable at-risk children and young people in the designated communities / settlements

Case Management

Conduct quality Case Management process i.e. identification, assessment, case plan development, implementation, follow-up and closure:

Provide Psychological First Aid (PFA) to Child at Risks including UASC

Conduct door to door home visits on a daily basis for the identified at-risk children/young people and understand their changing needs. Based on the needs, revise the individual case plans

Provide basic counselling sessions / psychosocial support to individuals (children & Young People CYP) with protection concerns and their families

Assess and identify case by case needs necessary to be provided to the identified at-risk children/young people.

Work directly with other caseworkers and service providers on management of caseload and referrals. For instance: Family tracing and re-unification of separated children and un-accompanied children. Providing support when fostering or alternative care are required

Ensure all record-keeping and reporting is carried out accurately, to a high standard, and on time: Write a case report for the identified at-risk children/young people for proper data management. Write quarterly, monthly and weekly (sitrep) gender disaggregated staff activity reports. Capture correctly all cases identified in ProGres V4 using the Child Protection Module .



Communicating for Influence

Represent PIU in the community, building relationships and promoting PIUs values and priorities:

Ensure a good understanding of the Project Influencing & Communications Plan and any key messages that should be promoted

Represent Plan International in community level meetings, at all times behaving in line with Plans values and Code of Conduct (CoC) to give a faithful representation of the organisation

Participate in CP sub-sector working group meetings as appropriate and other community meetings primarily the monthly Case Management Meeting.

Contribute to the development activities in relation to case management

Support activities at Child Friendly Spaces and other activities under CP sector for the project

Partnerships & Networking

Identify and work collaboratively with other organisations that are providing support and care; organise referrals and ensure that the vulnerable children and youth being managed are able to avail themselves of necessary services:

Identify and build relationships with implementing partners, government stakeholders and CSOs at the settlement/community level to gain a good understanding of services that are available.

Refer the identified at-risk children/young people to other organisations with the capacity to provide specialized services which Plan International doesnt provide

Whilst complying with PIUs data protection and confidentiality policies, communicate effectively with other Case Management Workers and service providers as part of conducting individual case management.

Team Collaboration

Work collaboratively with colleagues in the Programme Area and contribute to the collective effort to achieve PIUs Country Strategy:

Regularly participate in case management conferences and meetings at field level with supervisor; work closely to ensure the child database is up to date every week

Participate when requested in project design and review, feeding personal learning into the design of future strategies and making suggestions for how PIUs impact and effectiveness can be improved

Work collaboratively with colleagues engaged in community development and contribute towards monitoring and evaluation activities as requested

When appropriate, participate in CP sub-sector working group meetings

Consistently and proactively report concerns or incidents relating to the safety and security of Plan International field teams to Plan International management; liaising with community leaders and other external parties as required to maintain/enhance the security environment for Plan programs.

Safeguarding, Gender Equality & Inclusion

Ensure that Plan Internationals global policies for Safeguarding Children and program participants and Gender Equality and Inclusion are fully embedded in accordance with the principles and requirements of the policy including relevant Implementation Standards and Guidelines as applicable to their area of responsibility. This includes but is not limited to ensuring staff and associates are aware of and understand their responsibilities under these policies and Plan Internationals Code of Conduct (CoC), their relevance to their area of work, and that concerns are reported and managed in accordance with the appropriate procedures.









Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

Minimum of Diploma or bachelors degree in social works, Development studies, Counselling, Psychology, or relevant discipline.

Previous work experience in community development or with an INGO (preferably in child protection) in a refugee settlement.

Experience working with communities, families, parents, youth, adolescents, and children, including child survivors of GBV and unaccompanied and separated children in humanitarian contexts

Experience with participatory approaches to protection, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management or other related areas. Experience in the country of assignment is an asset.

Good knowledge and understanding of the DO NO HARM principles and established international child protection standards, particularly related to case management, alternative care, child friendly spaces, psychosocial support, and community-based child protection mechanisms.

Knowledge and usage of Progres V4 and BIP for case management is highly recommended.

Knowledge of the local language spoken by the refugees and host community in bidibidi i.e. Arabic kakwa, lugbara, acholi, madi, kuku, aringa-ti, etc.

Knowledge of Plan International Uganda policies and procedures, Sphere Standards, Red Cross/ NGO code of conduct, and Minimum Standards for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action.

How to Apply:

All qualified and interested candidates should apply online at the link below.

Click Here

Deadline: 6th February 2024

For more of the latest jobs, please visit https://www.theugandanjobline.com or find us on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UgandanJobline
The team at El Nabil believes that they excel at creating luxury scents and perfumes, while musicians win hearts with their artistic excellence.

People across different parts of the world naturally have different choices in how they live, the products they use, and the like. It can be challenging to cater to all the needs and demands of customers. However, a handful of businesses craft strategies that may help people gain wholesome experiences. El Nabil wished to tend to these demands of people and thus crafted a strategy that could make them join hands with musicians and ignite cross-cultural dialogue.

El Nabil is a one-of-a-kind perfume brand that believes in Luxury for everyone. It offers 100% French perfumes created in Grasse, France, and is now sold even in Dubai to attract audiences and customers across the GCC. Opening a store in Dubai recently proved their genuine intentions to attract perfume lovers in the GCC. Their affordable perfume rates have even more thrilled people.

Sources tell us how the team at El Nabil now aims to collaborate with musicians and music creators/influencers in the region. Those with millions of followers, audio/video views, and shares are spoken with to create more awareness around their oriental, floral, and woody perfume collections.

They consider this their strategy to organically reach more people across France, the US, GCC, and different parts of the world. Thus, they are in talks with musicians in France and the US to eventually enhance the discoverability and conversions of their perfume bottles in the perfume markets.

El Nabil has its products available on its website and reaches people through it and social media platforms, apart from its physical stores, with the one recently opened in Dubai. Joining hands with musicians across countries and spreading the word musically about their perfume products is considered a brave move by several experts in the industry.
It is the backbone of the whole digital India ecosystem, but Indias telecom sector is itself in need of some urgent back pain treatment. Lashed by taxes and regulatory burden, the telecom industry hopes the budget on Thursday, interim or not, will prove to be a much-needed balm to its prolapse worries.

"To fully realise Indias digital potential, we must address the financial constraints impeding the sectors expansion, said Lt. Gen. Dr. S.P. Kochhar, director general of the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), the apex industry of telecom operators. Reducing levy burdens is not just an economic necessity, but a strategic investment in our digital future. By allocating adequate resources for 5G rollout, network expansion and fibre-isation in the upcoming budget, the government can unlock this critical sector's full potential and propel us towards a digitally empowered nation.

The timing is mighty significant. Telecom operators like Airtel and Jio lived up to their promise of a fast 5G rollout through last year, but further expansion and getting a good chunk of citizens on the new super-fast technology would require further capital-intensive infra expansion.

The coming financial year will also see the impact of the new Telecom Act which will dictate the future course of action not just for telecommunications, but for the whole tech ecosystem that will power Indias digital leap into the future. Provided, if you go by what the telecom guys say, there is major relief on levies, fees, surcharges and the whole works.

The industry argues that various taxes, surcharges and of course, the massive adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues imposed by a Supreme Court order, have crippled the sector, holding it back from network expansion as well as further investment.

Telecom industry stakeholders have been of the view that to start with, the budget could cut the Universal Service Obligation (USO) Fund contribution telecom operators have been obligated to make the total money collected so far is in excess of Rs 77,000 crore, and yet to be put to use, they argue.

COAI has also called for a lot of further relief  from cutting license fee from 3 per cent to 1 per cent, and bringing down customs duty on equipment import to zero. It has also requested that the levy of Service Tax on the assignment of the right to use natural resources granted by the Central government/ state government and development authorities be exempted, and a rationalisation of the requirement of service tax on top of GST for further AGR dues as ordered by the Supreme Court.

Sunil David, co-chair, digital communications working group, IET Future Tech Panel, called for incentives like cutting down spectrum costs for operators which are some of the highest in the world, as well as rebates in GST and customs duty on equipment.

With the overall sectoral debt in excess of Rs 6.4 lakh crore, David pointed out how urgent relief was imperative for the telecom industry in the country not just to survive but also to grow sustainably.
After the consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the BJP government is preparing for another big embrace of persons belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist, Parsi and Christian communities who migrated to India after facing religious persecution in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.

All eyes are on the Union Home Ministry which is preparing to roll out the Citizenship Amendment Act of 2019, by framing rules for its implementation by the statesa move that comes ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.

The gates were thrown open to the persecuted non-Muslim migrants when the CAA was passed by Parliament in December 2019 and its subsequent Presidential assent. But the law could not be put into action till the framing of the rules by the home ministry allowing the individuals to obtain citizenship.

With the BJP government ending its five-year term and the model code of conduct coming into force soon for the Lok Sabha polls, government sources said the rules need to be notified to prevent the law from getting lapsed.

It is unlikely the government will allow the law to lapse, said an official.

The government has faced protests in several states over the CAA issue in the past. At the moment, the focus is on the last session of Parliament which begins on February 1 for the smooth passage of the budget. Sources said the CAA rules are ready and it is only a matter of time before they are released by the home ministry.

Once the CAA rules are framed by the MHA, applications for citizenship to those covered under the law can be admitted by states. Sources said the attempt is to make the entire system online so that people can apply for citizenship from their place of stay.

Government sources said they expect some protests in states such as Assam, West Bengal and Delhi but adequate steps have been taken over the last several months to remove any reservations on the issue. MHA sources said CAA does not take away citizenship of any religion or community, rather it enables the persecuted members of these religions living in neighbouring countries who have suffered over the years to apply for citizenship.

The rights of such persons to practise their religion have been either been taken away or impacted negatively in these countries, said a government official.

All eyes are now on whether the government takes the next step to roll out the CAA before the Lok Sabha polls.
There are many concerns raised by AI, including deepfakes, bias, privacy, copyright issues, and the looming threat of superintelligence. In 2024, AI and Generative AI will experience its first major ethical testwhether it can help democracy or serve to destroy it as elections are due in India, the UK, Indonesia, and the USA.

Excerpts from the interview.

What makes the 2024 elections around the world important in the context of AI?

What happens in these elections will vastly influence geopolitics, climate impact, the global economy, and the notion of democracy itself. There is an enduring fear that AI-based technologies, especially deepfakes, will be used to sway the narrative and manipulate voters minds by creating false but authentic-looking videos and images of political leaders. The Indian prime minister declared in a speech recently that he had become a victim of a deepfake being shown to having participated in a folk dance, which he did not. Donald Trump was shown to be arrested by the Metropolitan Police in the US. Another was of a debonair-looking Pope in a white Balenciaga puffer jacket.

While there is a lot of conversation around how AI technologies can destabilise democracies, much like Cambridge Analytica and Facebook purportedly did in 2016, much less is talked about on how AI and GenAI can help strengthen democracy by revolutionising elections. If used rightly and well, these technologies offer a wealth of opportunities to boost transparency, inclusivity, and efficiency in elections, thus reinforcing this key pillar of democracy.

What can be AIs impact on transparency?

The sophisticated data analysis capabilities of AI can monitor and analyse election-related data in real-time, identifying abnormalities that might indicate fraudulent activities. For example, AI algorithms can detect patterns of irregularities in voter registrations or ballot submissions, identifying potential areas of concern that require additional investigation. Moreover, AI can play a crucial role in the security of electronic voting systems, something of concern for political parties across countries. Predictive analytics and threat detection algorithms can also help predict and identify potential cyber threats, thus safeguarding the integrity of the vote.

What about Generative AI?

There are many ways Generative AI can help too. It can be used to up the level of voter education and engagement substantially, both in scale and scope. GenAI can be used to generate hyper-personalised information on candidates and their manifestos and policies, tailored to the individual needs and preferences of voters. This personalised approach could significantly increase political awareness and informed voting, especially among marginalised or disengaged groups. This could be done at scale with much lower costs and higher efficiency than ever before.

Can AI also contribute to inclusivity?

AI-powered systems can enhance accessibility for voters with disabilities. For example, AI-powered voice recognition systems can assist visually impaired voters in casting their votes independently. We can also use AI can evaluate social media and other platforms to assess public opinion across diverse demographic groups, ensuring that all sections of society are represented in the political conversation.

What about the logistical aspects of elections?

AI can be used to optimise these aspects, especially for large geographies like India. AI can help make voter registration and verification more efficient and help optimise the resources and time available for organisers. Used well, it can also help improve voter experience so that they do not have to wait in long queues and have all the information required to vote.

There are many fears about AI. How can these be addressed?

AI is a dual-use technology  much like nuclear power, it has a hugely beneficial side and a very dark side. The discourse today is focused on how AI tools can wreck democracy, and we definitely need to take the right measures around regulation, awareness and technology to ameliorate that. However, there is a lot of ways we can use AI to help elections and democracy positively and not lose sight of how it can revolutionise how we manage the processes of democracy, including elections.
Amid political setbacks in Bihar, Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra will enter Bihar on Monday. The Yatra, which is now in Bengal, will move towards Islampur in Uttar Dinajpur district before entering Bihar in the afternoon.

The foot march will enter the state through Kishanganj, a district with a heavy Muslim population, which is also a party stronghold. This is Gandhi's first visit to Bihar since the assembly poll campaign of 2020.



Gandhi is scheduled to address a public meeting in Kishanganj, followed by a big rally in the adjoining district of Purnea on Tuesday and another one in Katihar a day later, Congress legislature party leader Shakil Ahmed Khan told reporters.



Congress has invited the party's alliance partners in Bihar like RJD president Lalu Prasad and CPI(ML)-L general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya to the rally at Purnea. Nitish Kumar was also extended an invitation, which he accepted, but his volte-face has now altered political equations in the state.



Meanwhile, Congress continues to seethe at Nitish's 'betrayal' with Jairam Ramesh MP, stating that people would answer him for his act. "Nitish Kumar called a meeting and 18 parties were present in Patna. The meeting was held in Bengaluru, Mumbai. Nitish Kumar was present in all the meetings. He didn't give any hint (that he would break ties with the INDIA alliance). It is a matter of regret that he left our hands at the last moment, this is a complete betrayal of trust and the people of Bihar will answer him soon for this (betrayal)," he told reporters on Monday morning.



However, things don't seem to be going well for Congress in Bihar with reports stating that 9 of the 19 Congress MLAs in the state ditching a meeting called by the party to discuss the footmarch. However, Shakeel Ahmad Khan has played down the absence, stating that only those MLAs given responsibility to oversee the yatra attended the meeting. "This was not the meeting of the legislative party. Nothing Nothing much should be read into it," Khan said.



The start of Nyay Yatra's Bihar stint also coincides with the new Nitish Kumar government's first Cabinet meeting. The meeting held in Patna around 11:30 am will be attended by deputy chief ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Sinha along with Nitish Kumar himself.



As per reports, a decision on the fresh nomination of the Advocate General may be taken up in the first cabinet meeting. Furthermore, approval for calling the upcoming assembly session is expected to be taken up.


Union Minister Shantanu Thakur has triggered furore by saying the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act will be implemented within seven days across the country.

Shantanu Thakur, Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways addressing an event in West Bengal said, "Ram Mandir has been inaugurated (in Ayodhya), and within the next seven days, the CAA - Citizenship (Amendment) Act - will be implemented across the country. This is my guarantee. Not just in West Bengal, the CAA would be implemented in every state of India within a week," PTI reported. Thakur was addressing a public rally in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas on Sunday.

Recently, an official with the Union government said rules for CAA will be notified soon. Under the CAA, Indian nationality will be granted to persecuted non-Muslim migrants--Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis and Christians--from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan who had come to India till December 31, 2014. "We are going to issue the rules for the CAA soon. Once the rules are issued, the law can be implemented and those eligible can be granted Indian citizenship," the government official told PTI. The entire process is said to be conducted online.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah during a recently in West Bengal said no one can stop the implementation of CAA. I want to say this clearly that CAA is the law of the land and no one can stop its implementation. This is the commitment of our party," Shah said during a party meeting in West Bengal. Earlier, during a rally in Kolkata, Shah said, Assam has done a commendable job in stopping infiltration. But in West Bengal, infiltration persists due to the TMC government's vote-bank politics. Mamata Banerjee is opposing CAA, but let me say it clearly that CAA will be implemented in the country. No one can stop the implementation of CAA," Shah said.

-with PTI inputs.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 29. Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani reported progress in the release of hostages held by the Palestinian Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip, the Prime Minister of Qatar said during a speech at the Atlantic Council in Washington, Trend reports.

According to information, negotiations were held with the participation of the heads of intelligence of Egypt, Israel and the United States.

The Prime Minister stressed that the progress achieved will likely allow the situation to return to normal, or at least lay the foundation for further steps. He noted that the current stage of negotiations between Israel and Hamas, with the participation of mediation by Egypt, Qatar and the United States, could in the future lead to a sustainable ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

The head of government also said that the release of all Israeli hostages would be a key condition for a potential agreement. He also expressed his intention to present the draft agreement to Hamas representatives in order to achieve their positive and constructive participation in the process.
A day after Union minister Shantanu Thakurs remarks on the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) across the country, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged that the Border Security Force has been providing separate identity cards to people in the border areas of the state.

Banerjee urged people in these areas to refrain from taking the card as they could be kicked out of the country under the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

The BSF wants to give a separate identity card to the people in the border areas. Remember, do not take the separate identity card that the BSF wants to give by entering the border area; say that I have an Aadhaar card or that I have a ration card; say that I will not take your card. If you take that card, you will come under the NRC, and they will throw you out," the chief minister was quoted as saying by ANI.

The Trinamool Congress supremo also advised locals in Cooch Behar, particularly Rajbanshis, to ensure that their names are on the voters' list to "protect themselves" from the CAA. She further alleged that the Centre is bringing up the issue of CAA to do politics before the Lok Sabha polls.

The CAA, introduced by the Narendra Modi government, aims to confer Indian citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim migrants, including Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis, and Christians, who migrated from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan and arrived in India before December 31, 2014.

Earlier, Thakur, Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, said that the CAA would be implemented in every state of India within a week.

Thakur, the BJP MP from West Bengals Bongaon Lok Sabha seat, which has a substantial population of Matua community, also outlined plans for swift implementation of the contentious legislation within seven days.

"Ram Mandir has been inaugurated. Within the next one week, CAA will be implemented not only in West Bengal but also across the country, he said, addressing a public rally at Kakdwip in South 24 Parganas district on Sunday evening.
A fatwa has been issued against an Islamic cleric for attending the Ram temple consecration ceremony in Ayodhya on January 22.

Dr Imam Umer Ahmed Ilyasi, the chief of All India Imam Organisation, said he had also been facing protests and receiving threat calls ever since he attended the Pran Pratishtha.

"As a chief Imam, I received the invitation from Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra. I contemplated for two days and then decided to go to Ayodhya for harmony and for the country. The fatwa was issued yesterday but I had been receiving threat calls since the evening of January 22," Ilyasi told news agency ANI.

The Imam said he had given a message of love by attending the ceremony and that those who hate him should go to Pakistan.

Those who love me, love the nation, will support me. Those who hate me for attending the ceremony should perhaps go to Pakistan. I have given a message of love; I did not do any crime," he added.

He also asserted that he would neither apologise nor resign from his post.

The consecration ceremony of Ram Lalla idol was held on January 22 in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
The aftershocks of JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar's dramatic volte-face, ditching the INDIA bloc for the NDA, continued on Sunday too, with opposition leaders continuing to lash out at the Bihar chief Minister.

NCP president Sharad Pawar, who appeared surprised at Nitish's act, said people will give Nitish Kumar a befitting reply. The senior leader added that he had no idea why Nitish Kumar took the step to forge his alliance with the NDA. "On the contrary, he was playing a role against the BJP. I don't know what happened suddenly, but the public will definitely teach him a lesson for his role in the future..." he told ANI.



Pawar said such a situation never happened before in such a short period. "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 the BJP and formed the government. In the last 10 days, it did not seem that he would take such a step," Pawar added.



Nitish's act has also irked the Shiv Sena (UBT) faction with party MP Sanjay Raut claiming on Sunday that Kumar's name was never discussed for any lead position in the INDI alliance.



This came as Pawar recently said that during a virtual meeting of INDIA bloc leaders, Nitish Kumar's name was suggested for the post of convenor. However, the JD(U) leader maintained that there was no need to appoint a convenor and that a team of party chiefs should be formed.



"You have the wrong information. Nitish Kumar's name was never in the lead in the INDI alliance (for any position). Given that the mental state of these two (BJP and Nitish Kumar) is not well, they should not play any games on the political ground," he told reporters.
An Indian naval warship deployed along the east coast of Somalia responded to a distress call regarding the hijacking of an Iranian-flagged fishing vessel after it was boarded by some pirates.

Navy officials on Monday said that the swift response by the Indian Navy's mission deployed warship INS Sumitra ensured the safe release of the hijacked vessel and its crew.

INS Sumitra, on anti-piracy operations along the East Coast of Somalia and the Gulf of Aden, responded to a distress message regarding the hijacking of an Iranian-flagged Fishing Vessel MV Iman. The vessel had been boarded by pirates and the crew was taken as hostages," Navy spokesperson Commander Vivek Madhwal said.

INS Sumitra intercepted the vessel and acted in accordance with the established SOPs to coerce the pirates for safe release of the crew along with the boat, he said. It ensured the successful release of all 17 crew members and the boat, the spokesperson said. The vessel was subsequently sanitised and released for onward transit.

"Mission deployed Indian naval ships on anti-piracy and maritime security operations in the Indian Ocean region symbolises the Indian Navy's resolve towards the safety of all vessels and seafarers at sea," Madhwal said.
The ruling BJP in Madhya Pradesh is likely to field new faces in more than half of the 29 Lok Sabha seats in the state.

There are 29 LS seats in Madhya Pradesh of which the BJP holds 28, while Nakul Nath of Congress is the Member of Parliament from Chhindwara.

The BJP is likely to bench MPs who have contested and won multiple times as well as those who have not performed as expected during their current term, sources said. These numbers might add up to 11, while five MPs have already become MLAs and gotten new responsibilities at the state level. Thus, at least 16 new faces are likely to contest in the upcoming polls.

Moreover, as in assembly polls of 2023, the BJP is likely to announce at least some candidates well in advance and the first list is expected in February itself. These seats are those in which the BJP is comparatively weaker or has lost.

Going by the data from the recent assembly election, the BJP got less votes than the Congress in 10 Lok Sabha seats, compared to the 2019 LS polls. However, this might not mean much since the electorate in the state has in recent years voted differently in assembly and Lok Sabha polls. Yet, to minimize chances of defeat, the BJP has reportedly decided upon the criteria for candidate selection and will take a final decision on the matter during a central election committee meeting to be held in February.

According to the criteria, the leaders who have been members of parliament for more than three terms will not be given tickets to pave the way for new faces. Also, the poor performers will not be repeated, party sources have said.

In Madhya Pradesh, seven MPs including three union ministers, were given assembly tickets. Of these, five won and they resigned from their membership of parliament. While ex-union minister Narendra Singh Tomar has become the assembly speaker, another former union minister Prahlad Singh Patel, Rao Uday Pratap Singh and Rakesh Singh have been made ministers in the Mohan Yadav cabinet. However, Riti Pathak, who won from Sidhi, did not get a cabinet berth.

The two who lost  Faggan Singh Kulaste (union minister) from Mandla and Ganesh Singh from Satna are likely to find themselves out of the Lok Sabha polls arena on two grounds. First is their loss in assembly polls and secondly, Kulaste has been an MP six times and Singh four times.

Likewise, two other MPs - union minister Virendra Kumar Khatik from Tikamgarh, who has been an MP for six terms, and Chhatar Singh Darbar of Dhar, who has been an MP for three terms - might find themselves out of the race.

Among the poor performers are Pragya Singh Thakur from Bhopal, Janardan Mishra of Rewa, Vivek Narayan Shejwalkar of Gwalior, Raj Bahadur Singh of Sagar, Gajendra Singh Patel (Khargone), Anil Firozia (Ujjain) and Rodmal Nagar of Rajgarh.

Sources said that the party is likely to consider young faces linked with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) ideology as new candidates, in a bid to further strengthen the message of generational change in leadership.

In such circumstances, it remains to be seen whether ex-CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan is considered for Lok Sabha. Other seniors like Gopal Bhargava, who find themselves out of the state cabinet after a long time, might also not get a chance.

Focus on winning Chhindwara

BJP had already started focusing on the Chhindwara Lok Sabha seat during assembly polls preparations itself. Union Home Minister Amit Shah is personally paying attention to the seat in a bid to claim it. Chhindwara has been one seat that the BJP has never been able to win, save for a short stint of ex-CM Sunderlal Patwa, for about a year in 1997.

Ex-chief minister of Congress, Kamal Nath was the Member of Parliament from 1980 till 2018, save between 1996 and 1998 (when his wife Alka Nath and then Patwa were elected). Naths son Nakul won the 2019 polls after Kamal Nath became the MP CM. However, despite BJPs focus on the seat, it lost in all the seven assembly constituencies that are part of the Chhindwara LS in the November 2023 polls. The ruling party is thus likely to announce a candidate here well in advance and start a massive campaign to win the seat.
The ideologies of the RSS and the BJP are spreading violence and hatred in the country, charged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi as his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra entered politically crucial state of Bihar on Monday.

Gandhi accused the ruling party and its ideological mentor of instigating people to fight among themselves in the name of religion, caste and language.

"Brothers are fighting among themselves. This is the atmosphere they (RSS and BJP) have created in the country. We work to unite the people and want to open a 'Mohabbat Ki Dukan' in 'Nafrat Ka Bazaar'," he said, addressing a public rally in Kishanganj.

The Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra reached Bihar a day after Chief Minister Nitish Kumar swapped alliance and joined hands with the BJP on Sunday in a huge setback to the opposition INDIA bloc ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

Interestingly, Gandhi chose to remain silent on the political developments in the state and focused his speech on attacking the Centre and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He said under the leadership of Modi, Indias economy has been handed over to a few billionaires. Airports, ports, infrastructure, hospitals, and universities... everything is being handed over to two to three industrialists, he said, reported The Hidnu.

He termed Bihar as the land of social justice and also demanded a caste-based census across the country.

Earlier, State congress president Akhilesh Prasad Singh and other senior party leaders welcomed Gandhi in Kishanganj. The Nyay Yatra later entered Araria district in the evening.

"After offering puja at a local temple, Rahul ji will spend the night in Araria. He will resume his yatra on Tuesday morning and will enter Purnea district. Rahul ji will address a mammoth rally at Rangbhumi Ground in Purnea around 2 pm," Akhilesh Prasad Singh told reporters.

The yatra is scheduled to travel 6,713 km over 67 days, traversing 110 districts across 15 states before culminating in Mumbai on March 20 or 21.
Protests continued to rock Karnataka's Mandya on Monday too with the BJP and the JD(S) staging a protest march against the removal of the saffron flag bearing Lord Hanuman's picture by the district administration.

The flag was hoisted by a group of men last week on a 108-foot flagpole in Keragodu village. Though the local body authorities claimed it granted permission for the installation of the flagpole, the district administration took down the 'Hanuman Dwaja' and replaced it with the Indian flag following complaints.



This led to a political confrontation between the government and the opposition in the state, following which the state deployed a contingent of police force as a precautionary measure. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah too defended the removal of the flag, stating that it was not right to raise 'bhagwa dwaja' instead of hoisting the national flag. "It is not right. I have asked (the authorities concerned) to hoist the national flag," he said.



However, things failed to cool down on Monday too with a section of people with support from BJP, JD(S), Bajrang Dal workers and activists continued to protest. The protesters began their march to the Deputy Commissioner's office in the district headquarters of Mandya city, holding saffron flags as a mark of protest. They are likely to be joined by JD(S) leader and former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy.



#WATCH | Karnataka Police detain BJP workers protesting in Bengaluru over the Mandya flag issue.



Mandya district administration yesterday brought down the Hanuman flag hoisted by the Gram Panchayat Board of Mandya district. https://t.co/7RhJZvEjpK pic.twitter.com/IntYMOKKAA  ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2024

The BJP condemned the "anti-Hindu policy" of the Congress state government and accused it of "insulting" the national flag. In Bengaluru, BJP staged a protest at Mysuru Bank circle under the leadership of Jayanagara MLA C K Ramamurthy. They were detained and taken away by the police. Police said no permission was granted to stage a protest at the site.



Police have also erected barricades around the flagpole and CCTV cameras have been installed in the area to secure the place and to ensure that no untoward incident occurs. Most shops and establishments have remained shut in the village after protestors called for a voluntary shutdown. Prohibitory orders under Section 144 have been issued in the village.



#WATCH | On BJP-JDS workers' protest in Mandya, Karnataka deputy CM DK Shivakumar says, "They should have basic common sense. Let them do politics. We respect all religions. We can't allow anyone to take the law into their hands." https://t.co/ZmXpC2xwXx pic.twitter.com/6JSENvk4Af  ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2024

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar defended the government's actions. "They should have basic common sense. Let them do politics, not take the law into their hands. We respect all religions. We can't allow anyone to take the law into their hands," Shivakumar said speaking to reporters on Monday.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday courted a controversy after he addressed President Droupadi Murmu in the singular during his speech in Kannada. The remarks were criticised by both the BJP and the JDS leaders who attributed to the CMs old habit of disrespecting people. Amid the outrage, Siddaramaiah took to the social media to express his regret and apologise for the blunder.

Siddaramaiah, who was speaking at 'Shoshitara Jagruti Samavesha (Convention of the Oppressed) organised by Karnataka Exploited Oppressed Caste-Communities Federation and the Karnataka State Backward Castes Federation at Chitradurga said, The BJP which makes tall claims, did not invite poor Droupadi Murmu, one who belongs to the oppressed class, for the Parliament inauguration. She (mentioned as avalu in singular) was not invited despite being the custodian of the Constitution. The day before, she was not even invited to inaugurate the Ram temple. Then, they keep saying Siddaramaiah is anti-Hindu. I am not against anybody. I am pro humanity, said Siddaramaiah, who urged the oppressed classes to identify their real enemy and reject them.

BJP-RSS opposed Mandal Commission report, social justice and equal opportunities. Dr Ambedkar had warned that power should not go into the hands of those who oppose the Constitution and reservation, said Siddaramaiah, adding that caste conventions were inevitable as long as there was caste discrimination, caste-based inequality and exploitation.

Former chief minister and JDS state president H.D. Kumaraswamy slammed Siddaramaiah and demanded his resignation. Siddaramaiah has addressed the first citizen of our country in the singular. The CM should step down on moral grounds or the governor should remove him. Siddaramaiah has insulted the President, a woman and the oppressed scheduled tribe community that she belongs to. His behaviour is a blot on the state. It is an insult to the Constitution too, said Kumaraswamy who recalled an incident where the police had arrested a man for addressing CMs son and former MLA Yathindra in the singular during a public function.

BJP leader and Vijayapura MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal charged that Siddaramaiahs remarks was a reflection of the party and the individuals culture. We will not object to Siddaramaiah using this derogatory language within his party. But he has no right to insult a constitutional post. No chief minister has ever made such low level speech. If the CM has any respect for the President, Constitution or democracy, he must apologise immediately, said Yatnal.

Meanwhile, Siddaramaiah took to X to express regret and said, I was deeply hurt and outraged when the BJP leaders insulted President Droupadi Murmu by not inviting her for the inauguration of the Parliament building. So, I got a little emotional during my speech and addressed the President in the singular. It was a slip of the tongue. It is a practice in the rural areas to address everyone including the elders and parents in the singular. Honourable President, like me, comes from the oppressed classes and I have great respect for her. I should not have addressed her in the singular. I regret the blunder committed due to my indiscretion.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said the Bharatiya Janata Party is raising CAA again for votes in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.



Mamata, who has been strongly opposing the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Bill, said her government has given permanent addresses to all colonies in the state. They (BJP) have again started shouting CAA, CAA for the sake of votes. We have fought against the NRC. Rajbanshis are citizens of India," ANI reported.

Addressing at an event in Cooch Behar, Banerjee said, All of you are citizens. We have given permanent addresses to all colonies. They get ration, go to school, get scholarships, get benefits under Kisan Bandhu, Shikhashree, Oikoshree and Laxmir Bhandar schemes. How could they get these benefits if they had not been citizens? Had they been able to cast votes if they were not citizens?" ANI reported.

Union Minister of State Shantanu Thakur triggered a furore on Sunday by saying the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act will be implemented within seven days across the country. During a public rally in West Bengal on Sunday, Thakur said, Ram Mandir has been inaugurated (in Ayodhya), and within the next seven days, the CAA - Citizenship (Amendment) Act - will be implemented across the country. This is my guarantee. Not just in West Bengal, the CAA would be implemented in every state of India within a week,"



Mamata also accused the BJP of using central investigation agencies to harass the opposition.

The CAA, enacted by the BJP-led government at the Centre in 2019, aims at granting Indian citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim migrants, including Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis and Christians, from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan who entered India before December 31, 2014.

-with PTI inputs.
Stoking fears of a military escalation in the Middle East, three US soldiers were killed and over 30 injured in a drone strike carried out allegedly by Iran-backed militants in Jordan. The attack took place near a small base near the border with Syria. US forces at the outpost are there as part of an "advise and assist" mission with Jordan.

President Joe Biden reacted to the incident stating that the US shall respond to the attack. He also blamed Iran-backed militias for the fatalities. "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, "we shall respond."



A written statement by the President that the United States will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner (of) our choosing. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said "we will take all necessary actions to defend the United States, our troops, and our interests."



It is the first time that a strike has killed US troops in the region since Hamas's 7 October attack on Israel.



The drone landed near living quarters at the base, located near the Syrian border, CNN quoted two US officials. At least 34 military personnel were being evaluated for possible traumatic brain injury and have been evacuated from the base. It is unclear why the air defense system failed to stop the drone.



Meanwhile, the White House said the US officials were working to conclusively identify the precise group responsible for the attack. The assumption is that one of several Iranian-backed groups was behind it.



Iran's mission to the United Nations said in a statement on Monday that Tehran was not involved in an attack that killed three U.S. service members in northeastern Jordan near the Syrian border. In a statement published by the state news agency IRNA, the mission said: "Iran had no connection and had nothing to do with the attack on the U.S. base."It added: "There is a conflict between U.S. forces and resistance groups in the region, which reciprocate retaliatory attacks."



Meanwhile, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group for several Iran-backed militias in the country, said it attacked a number of places along the Jordan-Syria border Sunday  including a camp near the US base in Jordan where soldiers were killed today. The camp, Al-Rukban, is in close proximity to Tower 22, where the US announced three service members were killed in a drone attack.



The Islamic Resistance's statement, posted to its Telegram channel, came earlier today  before the US announced the death of its service members.



In a statement on Jordan's state-run Petra news agency, the country condemned the terrorist attack that targeted the US 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.



Meanwhile, 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.


On January 17, representatives of the British royal family announced two news at once about the hospitalization of Kate Middleton and King Charles III. However, these two statements had one striking difference. The news about the Princess of Wales came after she had been operated on, and the news about the sovereign came on the eve of his surgery, revealing the diagnosis and necessary details.

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At the time, they decided to keep the exact diagnosis of Prince William's wife a secret, only specifying that she had undergone "routine abdominal surgery" in the hospital. This secrecy provoked many rumors online, including one about 42-year-old Catherine's "cancer." The palace denied such speculations. In a commentary to PEOPLE magazine, insiders explained why Charles decided to speak openly about his illness, while Kate Middleton did not.

So, on January 25, the King of Great Britain was hospitalized for prostate enlargement. The day before, on January 17, Buckingham Palace reported that during a routine checkup, Charles was diagnosed with a benign tumor that was "treatable." Eventually, the monarch arrived at a hospital in London, where he underwent a "corrective procedure."

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"It was wise to announce it more openly because otherwise people might have thought the worst. Charles's health is of great importance to the monarchy. And his decision to talk about his diagnosis has already had an impact: his statement last week led to a 1000% increase in the number of requests for prostate enlargement on the UK National Health Service website," a palace insider told PEOPLE in an exclusive interview.

While King Charles has chosen to be transparent about his diagnosis, Princess Kate, 42, has expressed a "desire to maintain as much of a normal life as possible" for her young children, Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5, according to her office.

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While Kate Middleton's planned abdominal surgery was deemed successful and a royal source said she was "doing well," her 10 to 14 day hospital stay and expected three-month recovery at home raised concerns. The palace does not disclose the nature of the princess's illness, but reports that it is not cancerous.

Meanwhile, insiders shared with reporters: "It does sound serious, considering how long it's been going on. But she is in good hands, she will have a lot of care and support at home, and she is a healthy young woman. She will come back to normal. The physiotherapists are amazing, they help you recover and get back on your feet. After abdominal surgery, you need a lot of patience, and it's a little scary at first."

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It is known that after her discharge from the hospital, the Princess of Wales will "work from bed" and will not appear in public until Easter, so a number of events planned for that time had to be canceled. During his wife's treatment and rehabilitation, Prince William also reduced his activities. In particular, he canceled all his upcoming trips abroad. In addition to wanting to spend more time with his beloved, the prince also had to take care of his children, who, as you know, do not have a nanny. Raising children is a priority for the couple, so they spend time with their family first, and then work and royal duties.

"The Princess of Wales appreciates the interest this statement will generate. She hopes that the public will understand her desire to maintain as much of a normal life as possible for her children; and her desire for her personal medical information to remain private," Kensington Palace said earlier.

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Earlier, OBOZ.UA wrote that the Duchess of York was diagnosed with skin cancer shortly after treatment for another type of oncology. Last year, Sarah Ferguson underwent surgery for breast cancer.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Brazil's federal police on Monday searched the homes and office of Carlos Bolsonaro, a son of former President Jair Bolsonaro and a Rio de Janeiro city councilman, an officer with knowledge of the operation told The Associated Press.

The officer spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not allowed to comment publicly about the case.

Police said in a statement that they conducted nine searches Monday as part of a broader investigation into the nation's intelligence agency and alleged spying on political opponents during Bolsonaro's term, which ended in Dec. 2022.

Carlos Bolsonaro's lawyer did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the AP. Bolsonaro has not commented publicly on the search.

Monday's operation comes days after federal police searched the office and home of the former chief of Brazil's intelligence agency under Bolsonaro, Alexandre Ramagem, and a dozen other people.

Police statements and Supreme Court documents show police are investigating an organized crime group that operated within the intelligence agency, known by its Portuguese acronym ABIN, during Bolsonaro's term and that allegedly used the agency's tools and services for political use and personal gain.

The group is also suspected of seeking to interfere with ongoing police investigations, some of which targeted or involved two of Bolsonaro's sons, Jair Renan and Flvio, a sitting senator.

Police suspect ABIN under Ramagem used a software known as FirstMile, developed by Israeli company Cognyte, to monitor targets and public authorities ... with the aim of creating false narratives, according to Supreme Court documents.

Monday's police statement said the latest operation sought to advance the political side of the investigation, to "identify the main recipients and beneficiaries of illegally produced information.

Sunday night, Jair Bolsonaro conducted a two and a half-hour long live broadcast on social media, along with three of his sons, including Carlos. The live was recorded in a house in the seaside city of Angra dos Reis.

In the video, the Bolsonaros defended Ramagem and criticized the investigation, with the former president calling the idea of a parallel intelligence unit fantastical.

Local outlets including O Globo have reported on Ramagem's ties with the Bolsonaro family since the presidential campaign of 2018. Then a federal police officer, Ramagem served as one of Jair Bolsonaro's security coordinators, O Globo reported.

In one photo widely published in local media, he appears all smiles at a 2018-2019 New Year's Eve party alongside Carlos Bolsonaro and their then partners.

Bolsonaro appointed Ramagem to lead ABIN in May 2019. The right-wing leader had previously appointed him to be federal police chief, but quickly yielded to growing criticism around the nomination due to the fact that Ramagem was widely seen as too close to the president's family, and that he might give members preferential treatment.

Newspaper O Globo, based in Rio, reported that law enforcement had seized a computer that belonged to ABIN in one of the three addresses covered by the warrants for Carlos Bolsonaro. The agency's press department told The AP in an email it was investigating the claim.
Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu is likely to face an impeachment motion soon after the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) claimed that it has enough signatures to file the proceedings, according to local media.

At least 34 members that includes Parliamentarians from the MDP and the Democrats have backed the motion to impeach the president, said reports by Adhahdhu, a Maldivian news website.

The latest reports comes a day after pro-government MPs and opposition lawmakers clashed in the Maldivian Parliament over the approval of four members of Muizzu's cabinet.

MDP withheld parliamentary approval for the four cabinet members -- Attorney General Ahmed Usham, Minister of Housing, Land and Urban Development Dr Ali Haidar, Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, and Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mohamed Saeed -- ahead of the voting.

Following this, pro-government MPs initiated a protest, obstructing the parliamentary sitting from proceeding, said local media reports. Security has been beefed up in the Parliament following the skirmish.
After three American troops were killed in an overnight strike in northeast Jordan near the Syrian border, United States is under pressure to 'respond' in the same tone.

Though President Joe Biden blamed the Iran for the fatalities after months of strikes by militants against US forces amid the Middle East crisis.

While speaking, in an interview on NBC television in US, national security council spokesperson John Kirby said US is not looking for a war with Iran.

"We are not looking for a war with Iran. We are not looking to escalate the conflict in the region. Obviously, these attacks keep coming. Well keep looking at the options. I cant speak for the Supreme Leader or what he wants or he doesnt want. I can tell you what we want. What we want is a stable, secure, prosperous Middle East, and we want these attacks to stop," he said.

Meanwhile, "Islamic Resistance in Iraq" claimed the responsibility for the attacks on three US bases, including one on the Jordan-Syria border. Iraq's government is backed by parties and militias close to Iran.

Though US forces in the Middle East have been attacked even before since Israel-Hamas war erupted in October.

Biden had said that United States would respond to the strikes. However, Iran has denied that it was behind the attacks, saying it "was not involved in the decision making of resistance groups".

Meanwhile, reportedly, officials from Israel, the US, Egypt and Qatar have agreed on a new hostage deal. The deal framework will include phased pauses in the Israel-Gaza war and freeing of remaining hostages.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has urged Iran to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East. "We are concerned and would urge Iran to continue to de-escalate tensions in the region," he said.
Papua New Guinea is in talks with China on a potential security and policing deal. The talks come after weeks of deadly riots in the South Pacific Islands nation.

Earlier, Papua New Guinea (PNG) has said that Australia and the United States were its security partners, while China an important economic partner. PNG had said it would not do anything to jeopardise its relations with Australia and the US.

In an interview with Reuters, Foreign Minister Justin Tkachenko confirmed that PNG is in talks with China over security. "We deal with China at this stage only at economic and trade level. They are one of our biggest trading partners, but they have offered to assist our policing and security on the internal security side," Tkachenko said.

Earlier, China had approached PNG with an offer to assist its police force with training, equipment and surveillance technology, he added.

Meanwhile, Tkachenko also added that the negotiations are only in the early stages.

In a press conference, China's foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin had said, "China's good friend and good partner" in the Pacific Islands. "China is willing to continue to work with Papua New Guinea to continue to promote cooperation in relevant fields, deepen and promote common development," he added.

The riots in the PNG capital Port Moresby had left 16 people dead. Several stores were set on fire and looted amid chaos.

During the brutal riots, China's embassy flagged concerns to PNG over the safety risk to Chinese citizens living in Port Moresby. Also, PNG had struck a Defence Cooperation Agreement with the US during a visit by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in May, giving the US military access to PNG ports and airports.
Amid the suspension of funds to the UNRWA, the aid agency is struggling to proceed with its operations across the region. UNRWA spokesperson said that if the funding is not resumed, then it will not be able to continue services across the region including Gaza beyond February.

Major world leaders including United Kingdom, United States, Canada and Italy paused their funding to the aid agency amid allegations of its staff involved in the Hamas attack on October 7.

"If the funding is not resumed, UNRWA will not be able to continue its services and operations across the region, including in Gaza, beyond the end of February," a spokesperson for the agency said.

The European Commission said that it would review wehther it could continue to fund the UNRWA. EU members including Netherlands and Finland also paused its UNRWA funding.

The United Nations' UNRWA is not the only source of humanitarian aid for Palestinians, a German foreign ministry spokesperson said.

In its latest, Berlin and Austria joined other nations in suspending funds for the agency. "We continue to advocate for more humanitarian aid to be provided," the spokesperson told a government press conference in Berlin.

Romania has also suspended its voluntary payments to the UNRWA. "We express our full confidence that the U.N. investigation will clarify the situation as soon as possible...Until the investigation is concluded, the ministry will...not make any new voluntary contributions to UNRWA," said the ministry in its statement.

"The European Commission will determine upcoming funding decisions for UNRWA in light of the very serious allegations," the commission said in a statement. "The Commission will review the matter in light of the outcome of the investigation announced by the UN and the actions it will take."No additional funding for the organisation is currently foreseen until the end of February, the commission said.

Spokesperson Eric Mamer told reporters that the commission will try to balance both the seriousness of the allegations and the dire need for humanitarian aid among Palestinian in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
The largest cruise ship ever, 'Icon of the Seas' embarked on its maiden cruise from the Port of Miami on Saturday, leaving the world in awe of its luxury and engineering finesse.

'Icon of the Seas', the latest cruise from the Royal Caribbean, can accommodate 8,000 passengers across 20 decks. Tagged 'human lasagne' in social media, the cruise boasts a lot of firsts, including a water park which at 7,000-square-foot is considered the largest at sea. Sprawled across decks 16 and 17, the water park has six slides that include Frightening Bolt (the tallest drop slide at sea at 46 feet or 14 meters) and the first family raft slides at sea.



Besides, the ship also has the first cantilevered infinity pool at sea and the largest swimming pool at sea (the 40,000-gallon). It also has the largest ice arena at sea where guests can skate or watch a performance.



The ship also offers musical shows to keep passengers entertained with over 50 musicians. Besides, Icon of the Seas also has the largest orchestra at sea (16 pieces) as well as the first at-sea performance of 'The Wizard of Oz' complete with flying monkeys.



While the luxury offerings are impressive, what has caught the world's attention is its use of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), which is said to burn more cleanly than traditional marine fuel. However, social activists call the statement 'greenwashing' as LNGs methane emissions are a more potent climate gas than CO2.



"Royal Caribbeans decision to use LNG is their biggest climate blunder," Bryan Comer, marine program director at The International Council on Clean Transportation, told CNN. "LNG is mostly methane, a greenhouse gas that traps more than 80 times more heat than carbon dioxide in the first 20 years after it is emitted. The Icon of the Seas uses engines that release methane to the atmosphere in the form of methane slip," he added.



According to Comer, the LNG can only significantly contribute to achieving climate goals when methane slip and other factors are greatly reduced or eliminated, which the council says is still a major challenge.



He says using such fuel shows an industry "investing in false climate solutions". "They are doubling down by calling LNG a green fuel when the engine is emitting 70 to 80% more greenhouse gas emissions per trip than if it used regular marine fuel," he said. "Icon has the largest LNG tanks ever installed in a ship. It is greenwashing."


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Noida, Jan 29 (PTI) The first phase of development of the upcoming international airport in Noida will cost Rs 10,056 crore and so far, around Rs 7,100 crore has already been spent on it, officials said.

S P Goyal, Additional Chief Secretary to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, on Monday reviewed the progress of the international airport in Jewar and directed officials concerned to ensure completion of work by September this year.

The first phase of the airport, being developed in 1,300 hectares, is scheduled to open for flight operations by September.

Goyal held a review meeting with officials of developer Yamuna International Airport Private Limited (YIAPL), a fully-owned subsidiary of Zurich International Airport AG, the concessionaire for the greenfield airport.

Kumar Harsh, Director, UP Civil Aviation; Noida Airport's Chief Operations Officer Kiran Jain; OSD Shailendra Bhatia; and Deputy Collector Abhay Singh were present in the meeting, according to a statement.

"During the review, the additional chief secretary was informed by YIAPL that the work of terminal building, ATC tower and runway is in progress by EPC contractor Tata Projects as per the development plan for the airport," the statement said.

"The concessionaire informed him that machinery and workforce have been increased at the airport site and the construction of the airport will be completed on time. He directed the officials that the development of the airport should be completed on time as per the milestone by September 2024," it added.

OSD Bhatia told PTI that an expenditure of Rs 10,056 crore will be incurred in the development of the first phase of the airport.

"Of this, expenditures worth around Rs 7,100 crore have been done till now, or over 70 per cent financial expenditures have been completed, which includes land acquisition and development," said Bhatia, who is also the additional CEO of the Yamuna Expressway Authority.

In its first phase, the airport which has been given code DXN, will have one runway, a terminal building with a capacity to handle 12 million passengers annually, according to officials.
AHMEDABAD, India, Jan. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Tanishq, India's largest jewellery retail brand from the house of Tata, has expanded its retail footprint in Ahmedabad, Gujarat with the relaunch of its grand store on 26th January. The store was inaugurated by the esteemed Tanishq Business Partners in Gujarat, Mr Jatin Parekh, Mr Jayanti Patel and Mr Dharmesh Mehta at 11:30 AM. The store is located at Tanishq CG Road, IFCI Bhavan, Lal Bungalow Chowk, Ahmedabad, Gujarat.



Spanning across, 18,000 sq.ft., the store presents an extensive selection of iconic Tanishq designs across vibrant colour stones, dazzling gold, shining diamonds, exquisite polki, and precious kundan jewellery. The store proudly presents Tanishq's exclusive festive collection, 'Dharohar', drawing inspiration from the heirloom artefacts from the eras gone by, an ode to legacies old and new. Additionally, the store is equipped with an assortment of modern, contemporary and lightweight jewellery collection 'String It'. It also houses the 'Celeste x Sachin Tendulkar'solitaire collection which includes an array of spectacular designs for both women and men, including rings, earrings and bracelets. The store features the 'Impressions of Nature' collection, a reflection of the harmonious patterns that exist in nature. From necklaces to chokers, studs to earrings, each piece is perfectly crafted with colourful gemstones and gold. The store houses an exquisite collection of rare and precious diamonds along with colored gemstones - 'Tales of Mystique' inspired by the architectural beauty of Rajasthan's palaces and cityscape. The store also has an Exclusive High-Value Studded Zone along with special zones caters to wedding customers and is exclusively equipped with stunning jewellery pieces from Rivaah- a dedicated wedding jewellery sub-brand of Tanishq. Rivaah is designed keeping in line with the sensibility of Indian women from across the country and has evolved as a one-stop destination for wedding shopping. Additionally, the store features a wide range of plain and studded jewellery designs from Mia by Tanishq with unique inspiration and excellent craftsmanship.



Speaking on the relaunch, Mr Vishal Vyas, Regional Business Manager, Titan Company Limited, said, "We take immense pride in reintroducing our grand store in Ahmedabad today. At Tanishq, customer satisfaction drives every step we take. As the nation's most cherished jewellery brand, our continuous aspiration has been to remain within reach for our customers. Our store showcases an exquisite array of jewellery designs in Gold, Diamond, Solitaires, and Bridal collections, catering to a variety of preferences. Gujarat and its people have been integral to Tanishq's rich history and we are filled with great enthusiasm as we embark on this new journey augmenting our existing footprint within the vibrant city of Ahmedabad. We anticipate that our customers in Ahmedabad will embrace and relish the unparalleled journey we've crafted within this expansive store."



About Tanishq



Tanishq, India's most-loved jewellery brand from the TATA Group, has been synonymous with superior craftsmanship, exclusive designs and guaranteed product quality for over two decades. It has built for itself the envious reputation of being the only jewellery brand in the country that strives to understand the Indian woman and provide her with jewellery that meets her traditional and contemporary aspirations and desires. To stress on their commitment to offer the purest jewellery, all Tanishq stores are equipped with the Karatmeter which enables customers to check the purity of their gold in the most efficient manner. The Tanishq retail chain currently spreads across 400+ exclusive boutiques in more than 240 cities.



Media Contact:

Sandeep Modi

+91-98250 99415

sandeepmodi@uirpl.com



Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2328607/TanishqShowroomAhmedabad.jpg



(Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PRNewswire and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR

PWR
New Delhi (India), January 29: In the ever-evolving world of healthcare, Dr. Sahil Lal shines as a guiding force, blending his family's rich medical legacy with a keen business sense. As the successor to the esteemed Dr. Purushottam Lal, a globally celebrated cardiologist and Padmashree and Padma Vibhushan awardee, Dr. Sahil Lal hasn't just inherited a legacy; he's become the driving force behind its expansion and evolution.



Stepping into the role of Director at Metro Hospitals, Dr. Sahil Lal brought a fresh perspective, steering the institution onto the global stage. His leadership saw Metro Hospitals spreading its wings internationally, setting up branches in Oman, and Cambodia marking a significant leap beyond its Indian roots.



A pivotal moment in this journey was Metro Hospitals becoming the first healthcare institution in Northern India to make its mark in Oman's medical market. Dr. Sahil Lal's strategic brilliance not only elevated Metro Hospitals on the global map but also fostered stronger bonds between nations through medical tourism.



In Oman, Metro Hospitals made waves with the introduction of Muscat Premier Polyclinic, a clear reflection of Sahil Lal's commitment to providing top-notch medical expertise tailored to the needs of the local community. Emphasizing a patient-centric approach, he ensured the clinic was equipped with the best staff and state-of-the-art technology.



Dr. Sahil Lal isn't just a custodian of Metro Hospitals' legacy; he's also a visionary. Looking ahead, he envisions the establishment of the Metro Hospitals University in Noida, a groundbreaking institution set to nurture the next generation of healthcare professionals. This initiative reflects his belief in sharing knowledge to propel the medical sector in India forward.



Rooted in a family of medical luminaries, Dr. Sahil Lal embodies a harmonious blend of medical expertise and strategic vision. His unwavering commitment ensures that his father's legacy isn't just preserved but also taken to greater heights, transcending borders and making a global impact.



In the dynamic healthcare landscape, the future of Metro Hospitals under Dr. Sahil Lal's guidance looks promising, driven by a legacy that goes beyond boundaries and a dedication to advancing medical care worldwide.



(Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PNN and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR

PWR
In the city of Yaroslavl (Russia), a UAV crashed on the territory of an oil refinery. The territory of the Slavneft-YANOS enterprise has been cordoned off.

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This was reported by one of the Russian Telegram channels on the morning of January 29. According to the channel, there were no casualties.

The Russian media wrote about an "airplane-type drone". It allegedly crashed near a hydrocracking unit.

"The scene is cordoned off, a demining team is expected to arrive," the source said.

Slavneft-Yanos (Yaroslavnefteorgsintez) is the largest refinery in the Northern region of Russia, located in Yaroslavl. The company's core business is providing oil refining services.

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As OBOZ.UA previously reported:

- On January 24, a series of explosions occurred in the city of Tuapse (Krasnodar Territory of the Russian Federation). They were followed by a massive fire at an oil refinery that is part of the Rosneft oil company. The facility was attacked by drones.

- The explosions at the Tuapse plant were an operation of the Security Service of Ukraine, our sources said. As a result of the attack, the primary oil processing units were damaged.

- According to Reuters, the Tuapse refinery has since suspended refining and oil production.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Don't fall for fakes!
New Delhi, Jan 29 (PTI) Defence major Rolls-Royce on Monday said it inked a long-term agreement with Azad Engineering to manufacture and supply "complex components" for military aircraft engines.

Through this strategic partnership, Hyderabad-based Azad Engineering will join the global supply chain for complex category components for Rolls-Royce's technologically advanced aero engines, it said.

"As we work towards strengthening the defence ecosystem, we are happy to expand our supply chain in India in partnership with Azad Engineering," said Alex Zino, the executive vice president of Rolls-Royce's Business Development and Future Programmes division.

"The sourcing of complex components from India for aero engine programmes further advances the goal of capability creation in the country," he said.

Zino said strong collaboration has been at the "heart" of Rolls-Royce's "journey of success" in India.

Abhishek Singh, senior vice president of Rolls-Royce's defence division in India and South-East Asia, said the agreement with Azad Engineering is a significant step towards harnessing the potential of Indian companies to contribute to the defence manufacturing ecosystem.

"This reiterates our commitment to building our presence in India through local partnerships, furthering the vision of an 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'," he said.

Rakesh Chopdar, founder and CEO, Azad Engineering, said the company is looking forward to the partnership to make critical and complex components for defence aircraft engines.

"Bringing these critical components to India not only showcases the capabilities of Azad Engineering, but also represents a pivotal moment for India's aerospace and defence industry, demonstrating the country's growing prowess in advanced manufacturing," he said.

Azad Engineering is a manufacturer of product lines in areas of aerospace, defence, energy and oil and gas industries.
Shimla, Jan 29 (PTI) The Himachal Pradesh government has proposed an annual budget plan of Rs 9,989.49 crore for 2024-25, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said on Monday.

The chief minister presided the first session of MLA Priority meeting with the MLAs from Una, Hamirpur and Sirmaur districts.

The Chief Minister said that the state government was working with a motto to make Himachal Pradesh self-reliant in the next four years and the most prosperous state in the country in 10 years.

He exhorted the MLAs to come up with the priorities that were in line with the state government's commitment to provide clean, transparent and accountable administration to the people of the state.

Sukhu said that the discussion during these meetings would pave the way to further accelerate the development process.

"The state government is committed for equitable development of all the areas and every section of the society. In order to achieve this, the government has adopted the manifesto of the Congress party as a Policy Document" he stated adding that all the ministers, MLAs and departments were working tirelessly for the effective implementation of the 'Policy Document'.

He said that numerous steps have been taken to make Himachal Pradesh a Green Energy State in the next two years and the government has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding of Rs 2,000 crore with the World Bank.

"As per the MoU, works would be carried out under the Hydroelectric and Renewable Energy Development Programme for the next five years" he said.

Sukhu said that MLA priorities in general were financed through the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund under National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).

"For the year 2023-24, an amount of Rs 918.81 crore was sanctioned by the NABARD besides 62 works of Public Works Department and 93 works of Jal Shakti Department have been sanctioned" he said.

The chief minister also directed the officials of the Public Works and Jal Shakti Departments to fully utilize NABARD's budget outlay for the year 2024-25 and submit reimbursement claims in the NABARD office before March 15.
Ottawa, Jan 29 (PTI) Canadian authorities are investigating a threat to Sikh worshipers with two large bladed weapons at a gurdwara in British Columbia province, according to a media report.

The incident happened at Penticton city during a Monday evening service at the gurdwara, globalnews.ca reported.

A 23-year-old man was allegedly threatening other visitors while aggressively swinging two large bladed weapons, the report said, quoting the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

While nobody was injured in the incident, one person was taken into custody and was later released. An investigation is ongoing, the report said.

The temple released a statement about the incident, saying that it was an unruly group of non-society members inside the temple.

This same group was recently barred from the Penticton Sikh Temple by the duly elected Committee, the Penticton Sikh Temple said.

Jesse Garcha, from the Penticton Sikh Temple Society, said additional safeguards have been put in place to ensure there is no repeat of this incident.

It is regrettable such an incident had taken place and as a Committee, we will ensure this Gurdwara will remain as a welcoming and safe place for the Penticton community, Garcha said.
Luang Prabang (Laos), Jan 29 (AP) China's growingly assertive posture in the South China Sea and escalating violence in Myanmar topped the agenda for Southeast Asian diplomats meeting in Laos on Monday.

The gathering is the first high-level meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations since Laos took over the rotating chairmanship.

The diplomats for the 10 nations with a combined population of nearly 650 million and GDP of more than USD 3 trillion will work to strategise on issues of regional peace, security and stability. They were also discussing economic cooperation and other issues under the year's theme enhancing connectivity and resilience.

Of the ASEAN member nations, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Myanmar, Cambodia, Brunei and Laos, several have competing maritime claims in the South China Sea with China.

China claims virtually the entire South China Sea, through which an estimated $5 trillion in international trade passes each year, which has led it into direct confrontations, most notably with the Philippines and Vietnam.

The ASEAN meeting in the historic city of Luang Prabang comes on the same day that Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, was to be meeting with top officials in Hanoi, among other things to discuss the ongoing tensions in the South China Sea.

The Philippines has been looking for more support from its ASEAN neighbours, amid increasingly tense hostilities with China, primarily off of the Second Thomas Shoal, which many worry could escalate into a broader armed conflict that could involve Washington, Manila's longtime treaty ally.

The Philippine government protested the Chinese coast guard's use of water cannon, a military-grade laser and dangerous blocking maneuvers that had caused minor collisions off the Philippine-occupied shoal.

China and ASEAN agreed in 2012 to a declaration on conduct in the South China Sea, seeking to enhance favourable conditions for a peaceful and durable solution of differences and disputes, but there has been little sign of adherence to that in recent years.

Under last year's chair, Indonesia, ASEAN agreed with China on guidelines to accelerate negotiations for a South China Sea code of conduct, but that has yet to produce results.

With communist Laos' close ties with neighbouring China, and the fact that it is landlocked so has no South China Sea claims of its own, many have been sceptical that it will be able to achieve any breakthrough during its year as ASEAN chair.

A draft copy of Laos' final statement to be issued later Monday, obtained by The Associated Press, makes no direct mention of China's claims, but does stress several times the need to respect the United Nations convention on the law of the sea.

Under that convention, a UN-backed tribunal ruled in 2016 that China's expansive claims in the South China Sea on historical grounds were invalid and that Beijing had violated the right of Filipinos to fish in the shoal.

China has refused to participate in the arbitration, rejected its outcome and continues to defy it.

In its statement, Laos says ASEAN discussed concerns of the land reclamations, activities, serious incidents in the area, including actions that put the safety of all persons at risk, and emphasised the importance of non-militarisation and self-restraint in the conduct of all activities by claimants.

Laos is the first ASEAN country that shares a border with Myanmar to serve as chair since the military seized control of the country in February 2021 from the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi.

ASEAN has developed a Five-Point Consensus plan for peace, which calls for the immediate cessation of violence, a dialogue among all concerned parties, mediation by an ASEAN special envoy, provision of humanitarian aid through ASEAN channels, and a visit to Myanmar by the special envoy to meet all concerned parties.

The military leadership in Myanmar has so far ignored the plan. At the same time, a humanitarian crisis is growing, with more than 2.6 million people forced from their homes due to escalating violence, according to the United Nations.

Laos has already sent its special envoy to Myanmar for meetings with the head of the ruling military council and other top officials in an attempt to make progress on the five-point consensus.

Myanmar has been prohibited from sending its foreign minister or any political representative to the ASEAN meetings since the end of 2021 when it blocked the group's envoy from meeting with Suu Kyi. It is represented in Luang Prabang by a non-political Foreign Ministry official instead.

In the draft of its final statement, Laos called Myanmar an integral part of ASEAN and said the group was committed to assisting Myanmar in finding a peaceful and durable solution to the ongoing crisis through the implementation of the five-point consensus. (AP) PY

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Colombo, Jan 29 (AP) Sri Lanka's diplomats are talking with Somali authorities trying to ascertain the whereabouts of a fishing vessel and its six crewmembers suspected of being abducted by Somali pirates two days ago, officials said on Monday.

The apparent abduction came two weeks after Sri Lanka said it would join a US-led operation to protect merchant vessels sailing in the Red Sea against attacks by Yemen-based Houthi rebels. Other suspected hijackings in waters off Somalia have raised concern that Somali pirates have resumed activity, a decade after they caused chaos in international shipping.

The hijacking of the Sri Lankan vessel occurred in international waters about 840 nautical miles (1,555 kilometers) east of Somalia, 1,100 nautical miles (2,040 kilometers) from Sri Lanka and north of Seychelles, according to Sri Lankan navy spokesman Capt. Gayan Wickramasuriya.

So far, we have no communication with them or no details on the whereabout of them, he said.

The Sri Lankan foreign ministry said it was working to obtain the release of the fishermen. Sri Lanka ambassadors in the African region have already established contacts with Somalian authorities to get the fishermen and trawler released as soon as possible, ministry spokesman Niluka Kadurugamuwa said.

On Saturday, an armed group arrived in an area where about 30 Sri Lankan vessels were fishing.

Two to three armed men who had arrived in a 23-metre (75-foot) vessel boarded the fishing trawler, fired shots apparently to warn away the other fishing boats and took away the fishing trawler and the fishermen, said Susantha Kahawatta, a top official in the Fisheries Department, adding that all the details of the abduction were provided by fishermen in the other trawlers. The other fishermen identified the attackers as Somali.

Sri Lanka's navy said two weeks ago it would provide a ship to protect merchant ship traffic, but the date hasn't been set and the area Sri Lanka will patrol isn't finalis (AP) PY

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Jerusalem, Jan 29 (AP) Yemen's Houthi rebels said they attacked a US Navy mobile base at sea Monday without offering evidence, something immediately rejected by an American defense official.

The claimed attack targeted the USS Lewis B Puller, a ship that serves as a floating landing base. The Puller had been earlier stationed in the Arabian Sea as part of American efforts to curtail Houthi attacks on commercial shipping through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

Houthi military spokesperson Brig Gen Yahya Saree said in a statement it fired a missile at the Puller in the Gulf of Aden. He offered no evidence.

Houthi attacks will continue until the aggression is stopped, and the siege is lifted on the people of Palestine in the Gaza Strip, Saree said in the statement.

A US defence official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence matters, said there had been no reported attack on the Puller. However, the Houthis have previously launched missiles that did not reach their intended target, instead crashing down onto the land or sea.

The Puller served as a mobile base for the US Navy SEALs who conducted a Jan 11 operation seizing Iranian-made ballistic missile and cruise missile components believed to be bound for Yemen. Two SEALs went missing in the operation and are presumed to have died.

Since November, the rebels have repeatedly targeted ships in the Red Sea over Israel's offensive in Gaza against Hamas. But they have frequently targeted vessels with tenuous or no clear links to Israel, imperiling shipping in a key route for global trade between Asia, the Mideast and Europe.

The Houthis hit a commercial vessel with a missile on Friday, sparking a fire that burned for hours. (AP) SCY

SCY
Luang Prabang (Laos), Jan 29 (AP) China's increasingly assertive posture in the South China Sea and escalating violence in Myanmar topped the agenda for Southeast Asian diplomats at their meeting in Laos on Monday, with the Laotian foreign minister expressing guarded optimism that progress could be made this year on both acrimonious issues.

Lao Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith told reporters that Thailand was moving ahead with plans to provide more humanitarian assistance to Myanmar, where more than 2.6 million people have been displaced by civil war.

He said it was a good sign that the military leaders who seized control of Myanmar in February 2021 from the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi had for the first time sent a high-level representative to attend the meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers in the historic city of Luang Prabang in Laos.

We feel a little bit optimistic that the engagement may work, although we have to admit that the issues that are happening in Myanmar will not resolve overnight, Saleumxay said. I think there is probably a small light at the end of the tunnel.

Myanmar has been prohibited from sending its foreign minister or any political representative to high-level ASEAN meetings since the end of 2021, when it blocked the group's envoy from meeting with Suu Kyi. Instead, it has sent non-political representatives to lower-level working meetings but has refused to send anyone to high-level meetings.

In Laos, however, it sent a non-political Foreign Ministry official, ASEAN Permanent Secretary Marlar Than Htike, which Saleumxay called a positive sign.

ASEAN member nations Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Myanmar, Cambodia, Brunei and Laos have a combined population of nearly 650 million and GDP of more than USD 3 trillion.

Landlocked Laos, which has taken over this year's rotating ASEAN leadership, is the bloc's poorest nation and one of its smallest, and many have expressed scepticism about how much it can accomplish while the crises mount.

Still, it is the first ASEAN country that shares a border with Myanmar to serve as chair since the military took control of the country, giving it a perspective different from that of previous chairs.

Laos has already sent a special envoy to Myanmar for meetings with the head of the ruling military council and other top officials in an attempt to make progress on ASEAN's five-point consensus plan for peace.

The plan calls for the immediate cessation of violence in Myanmar, a dialogue among all concerned parties, mediation by an ASEAN special envoy, provision of humanitarian aid through ASEAN channels, and a visit to Myanmar by the special envoy to meet all concerned parties.

The military leadership in Myanmar has so far ignored the plan, and the violence and humanitarian crisis has been growing at a rapid pace.

Saleumxay said ASEAN would continue to push for full implementation of the consensus while also increasing humanitarian support.

We think humanitarian assistance is the priority for the immediate period of time when implementing the five-point consensus, he said. We welcome in this regard the efforts by the Thai government to ... try to create a humanitarian corridor where support and assistance can be provided to all Myanmar people.

Communist Laos is one of the ASEAN countries with the closest ties to China, and some have speculated it may look to its giant neighbour for help in dealing with the crisis in Myanmar, where Beijing also wields considerable influence.

China has said it will not interfere in the internal affairs of other states, however, and it is also unknown whether it taking on such a role would be acceptable to other ASEAN members.

ASEAN members Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei are locked in maritime disputes with China over its claims of sovereignty over virtually of the South China Sea, one of the world's most crucial waterways for shipping. Indonesia has also expressed concern about what it sees as Beijing's encroachment on its exclusive economic zone.

An estimated USD 5 trillion in international trade passes through the South China Sea each year, which has led China into direct confrontations, most notably with the Philippines and Vietnam.

The ASEAN meeting in Laos came on the same day that Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, was meeting with officials in Vietnam, among other things to discuss the ongoing tensions in the South China Sea.

The Philippines has been looking for more support from its ASEAN neighbours amid increasingly tense hostilities with China, which many worry could escalate into a broader conflict that could involve Washington, Manila's longtime treaty ally.

The Philippine government protested the Chinese coast guard's use of water cannons, a military-grade laser and dangerous blocking maneuvers that caused minor collisions off Philippine-occupied Second Thomas Shoal.

China and ASEAN agreed in 2002 and 2012 to a declaration on conduct in the South China Sea, seeking to enhance favourable conditions for a peaceful and durable solution of differences and disputes, but there has been little sign of adherence to that in recent years.

In Luang Prabang, the group underscored the importance of the full and effective implementation of the declaration, according to a statement issued by Laos after the talks.

We reaffirmed the importance of maintaining and promoting peace, security, stability, safety and freedom of navigation in, and overflight above, the South China Sea, it said.

Under last year's chair, Indonesia, ASEAN agreed with China on guidelines to accelerate negotiations for a South China Sea code of conduct, but that has yet to produce results.

In the talks Monday, Saleumxay said several ASEAN nations brought up the tensions in the South China Sea and that Laos hoped to have a third reading of the code of conduct with China as soon as possible.

That would create an environment where both ASEAN member states, especially the claimant states, and China can build more trust and confidence, he said. Whatever happens in the South China Sea should be resolved in a peaceful manner through dialogue and consultations.

Saleumxay said all sides with claims in the South China Sea need to respect the United Nations convention on the law of the sea.

Under that convention, a UN-backed tribunal ruled in 2016 that China's expansive claims in the South China Sea on historical grounds were invalid and that Beijing had violated the right of Filipinos to fish in the shoal.

China has refused to participate in the arbitration, rejected its outcome and continues to defy it. (AP) PY

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Colombo, Jan 29 (AP) Indian and Seychelles forces separately rescued Monday two fishing vessels hijacked by Somalian pirates and freed 23 crew members from Iran and Sri Lanka, both countries said in statements.

The Seychelles' defense forces and coast guard rescued six Sri Lankan fishermen whose vessel was hijacked by Somali pirates two days earlier while the Indian navy said it freed 17 crew members in an Iranian fishing vessel that was hijacked by pirates off the east coast of Somalia.

The Seychelles Defence Forces Special Forces and coast guard led a successful operation to regain control of a Sri Lankan vessel hijacked by armed Somali pirates, the president's office said in a statement.

The three hijackers were arrested, and the fishermen and their boat were safe and being taken to the Seychelles, according to Susantha Kahawatta, a top official in the Fisheries Department of Sri Lanka. He said the Sri Lankan envoy to the Seychelles told him of the successful rescue operation.

The hijacking came two weeks after Sri Lanka said it would join a U.S.-led operation to protect merchant vessels sailing in the Red Sea against attacks by Yemen-based Houthi rebels. Other suspected hijackings in waters off Somalia have raised concern that Somali pirates have resumed activity a decade after they caused chaos in international shipping.

The piracy occurred in international waters about 840 nautical miles (1,555 kilometers) east of Somalia, 1,100 nautical miles (2,040 kilometers) from Sri Lanka and north of the Seychelles, according to Sri Lankan navy spokesperson Capt. Gayan Wickramasuriya.

Sri Lankan officials had informed all countries in the region about the hijacking.

The Seychelles coast guard was also on alert and when the hijackers entered their waters, the Seychelles coast guard arrested the hijackers, took control of the boat and released the fishermen and the vessel, which are now being taken to a port in the Seychelles, Kahawatta said.

On Saturday, an armed group arrived in an area where about 30 Sri Lankan vessels were fishing. Two to three armed men who had arrived in a 23-meter (75-foot) vessel boarded the fishing trawler, fired shots apparently to warn away the other fishing boats and took away the trawler and the fishermen, Kahawatta said.

Fishermen in the other trawlers who identified the attackers as Somali recalled the details of the abduction, Kahawatta said.

Sri Lanka's navy said two weeks ago it would provide a ship to protect merchant ship traffic, but the date hasn't been set and the area Sri Lanka will patrol hasn't been finalized.

Separately on Monday, the Indian navy said it freed an Iranian fishing vessel that was hijacked by pirates off the east coast of Somalia.

India's navy wrote on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, that the fishing vessel named Iman had been boarded by pirates and its crew taken hostage. It said the naval force freed all 17 crew members along with the boat.

The fishing vessel was later "released for onward transit, it said.

The Indian navy did not immediately say what had happened to the pirates responsible for the hijacking. (AP) AMS
Kathmandu, Jan 29 (PTI) A chartered, described as the first mountain flight to the holy Kailash Mansarovar took off from Nepalgunj with 38 Indians on board on Monday.

Called as the KailashMansarovar Darshan Flight, the flight offered a magnificent close view of the holy pilgrim places Mount Kailash and the Mansarovar lake.

Situated in the Ngari prefecture of the Tibet Autonomous Region, the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage is considered the most sacred by Hindus across the world. The two natural sacrosanct places are also revered by Buddhists, Jains and Tibets indigenous Bonpa faith.

Post the COVID-19 pandemic-induced lockdowns, China opened the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage in 2023. However, the massive hike in fees and multiple restrictions on visas, especially for Indian pilgrims, meant that practically the Yatra did not happen.

This chartered flight of Shri Airlines with 38 Indian tourists took around one and a half our to complete the trip, Keshav Neupane, regional director of the Siddhartha Business Group that started the venture, told PTI.

The maiden flight had tourists from various Indian cities, including New Delhi, Mumbai, and many from the states of Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh.

The flight to Mt Kailash and Mansarovar is cheap, quick, reliable and safe, Neupane said adding, the next chartered flight will take place in the first week of February.

We will try to make it as frequently as possible based on the demand, he said. Mani Lamichhane, director at Nepal Tourism Board, told PTI, This will help increase border tourism movement. Now, Indians will be able to have a darshan of Mt Kailash and Lake Mansarovar without coming to Kathmandu.

The Indian tourists can feel the divinity without doing much hard work. They dont need to spend days to see Mt. Kailash. They will get to see it within 1.5 hour, he said, adding, A new avenue in tourism has opened up with this flight.

The pilgrims going to Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Nepal have to travel to Kathmandu. But with this flight, they need not go to the Nepal capital. Nepalgunj is barely 200 kms northeast of Lucknow in India and accessible by road too.
Gadchiroli, Jan 29 (PTI) A policeman and a journalist were among three persons arrested on Monday for allegedly trying to extort money from a government engineer with the threat of a rape case, a Gadchiroli police official said.

The engineer had said policeman Sushil Gavai, who was known to him, had booked a hotel room for him and two women in Nagpur for January 3, a release from the Gadchiroli police informed.

"As per the complainant, one of the women falsely accused him of rape. Gavai, journalist Ravikant Kamble and the two women sought Rs 10 lakh from him. Superintendent of Police Nilotpal directed the Crime Branch to nab the accused," he said.

Gavai, Kamble and one of the two women have been arrested for extortion and other offences, he added.
Today, January 29, the Hungarian government announced its readiness for a compromise that would allow it to provide the aid package to Ukraine proposed by the European Union (EU). The decision may be made before the emergency summit on Thursday, February 1.

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The aid package is worth 50 billion euros. This is stated in the material of Reuters.

Prime Minister Viktor Orban has previously actively criticized the bloc's financial and military support for Ukraine and is known for his pro-Kremlin policies. Earlier, he blocked the revision of the EU budget, which included aid to Ukraine, prompting its leaders to come up with a "plan B" and convene an emergency summit. However, on Monday, an Orban adviser said Hungary was open to using the EU budget for the proposed package.

An aide to Balazs Orban confirmed that Budapest sent a proposal to Brussels on Saturday, demonstrating that it is open to using the EU budget for the aid package and issuing EU common debt to finance it, if other "reservations" are added.

Earlier it was reported that on January 17 this year, MEPs agreed on a draft resolution on Hungary, which should result in Hungary's deprivation of voting rights in the EU Council. And on January 18, the European Parliament adopted this resolution by 345 votes to 104, calling on the EU Council to activate Article 7 against Hungary.

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In addition, it was decided to launch an internal investigation into the European Commission's decision to allocate 10 billion euros to Budapest.

As OBOZ.UA previously reported, the EU threatens to "hit" Hungary's economy if Orban vetoes aid to Ukraine. Brussels plans to collapse the Hungarian forint and reduce Hungary's investment attractiveness in order to harm "jobs and growth" of the country's economy.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Pune, Jan 29 (PTI) A man held for allegedly murdering a 26-year-old woman IT professional was on Monday remanded in police custody till February 3 by a Pune court, an official said.

Rishabh Nigam allegedly shot dead Vandana Dwivedi, employed with an IT major, in a lodge in Hinjawadi in Pimpri Chinchwad on Saturday for avoiding him. The police got information about the murder on Sunday morning.

"The accused has been remanded in police custody by a Pimpri Chinchwad court till February 3. The post mortem report says five bullets hit the victim. A probe is underway to find out where he got the gun from," the Hinjawadi police station official said.

Nigam and Dwivedi, both hailing from Uttar Pradesh, were in a relationship since 2013, as per the official.

While she got a job at a major IT firm in Hinjawadi, Nigam stayed back in UP, he said.
New Delhi, Jan 29 (PTI) The Congress on Monday took a swipe at Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar with another chameleon barb and 'aaya Kumar, gaya Kumar' jibe at him, a day after the JD(U) leader's latest volte-face in Bihar.

Kumar on Sunday resigned as the Chief Minister of Bihar, saying "things were not working well" for him in the Mahagathbandhan or the grand alliance and the opposition bloc INDIA, and formed a new government with the BJP, which he had dumped less than 18 months ago.

In a post in Hindi on 'X', Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said, "Girgit ko bhi karni padi naye rang ki khoj, ye shoorveer badalte hain itne rang roz (Even the chameleon had to search for a new colour as these 'warriors' change so many colours everyday)."

Speaking with reporters in Uttar Dinajpur in West Bengal during the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, Ramesh said, "What can I say? I said yesterday 'aaya Kumar, gaya Kumar'. Nitish Kumar gives a tough competition to a chameleon."

Ramesh swipe was a word play on the expression 'aaya Ram gaya Ram', which was used widely in politics in the 1990s referring to the frequent floor-crossing and switching of parties.

Ramesh said Kumar keeps resigning repeatedly and keeps changing his "political colours".

The Congress leader said Kumar participated in three meetings of the INDIA bloc but gave no indication that he was going to "betray" the opposition.

"He (Kumar) has betrayed us. At the right time, people of Bihar will give a befitting response to him and the one who makes him dance to his tunes, the prime minister," Ramesh said.

Lashing out at Kumar, Ramesh had said on Sunday that it is clear that a "political drama" is being staged in order to divert attention from the party's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. PTI ASK MNK

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New Delhi, Jan 29 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday congratulated Azali Assoumani on his re-election as the president of Comoros and said he looked forward to further strengthening the partnership between the two countries.

Modi said on X, "Heartiest congratulations @PR_AZALI on your re-election as the President of Comoros. Look forward to continue working together to further strengthen India-Comoros partnership, India-Africa partnership and 'Vision Sagar.'"

Assoumani is the current chairperson of the African Union too.
Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 29 (PTI) The ruling Left in Kerala on Monday criticised Governor Arif Mohammed Khan during the discussion on the motion of thanks to the Governor's policy address in the state assembly, stating that the constitutional post he holds is inessential and must be done away with.

The ongoing discord between Khan and the Left government revolves around various issues, notably the functioning of universities in the state and his refusal to sign certain bills passed by the assembly.



Amid the face-off, the Governor on Thursday concluded his customary policy address to the Kerala Assembly within just two minutes, reading out only the last paragraph.



Senior CPI leader and former minister E Chandrasekharan, addressing the assembly which is in session, expressed his party's stance that there was no need for a Governor's post in the state.







Chandrasekharan stated, "The post of the Governor is a remnant from colonial rule in the past. The CPI holds the position that the country does not require a Governor's post in the states. At a time when such Governors are causing trouble for state governments with ideologies different from that of the central government, necessary Constitutional amendments should be made to remove this post."





CPI(M) leader K K Shailaja likened the governor's actions to that of a comical goon character in a Malayalam movie. She criticised the governor for behaving immaturely.





"There is nothing wrong with governors skipping the full policy address in case they are unwell. But subsequent events prove that he was not unwell. He should have properly delivered his policy address. His actions are immature," Shailaja said.





She argued that it was the people's duty to protest against the saffronisation of universities by the Governor, who holds the authority as the chancellor of universities in the state.



Referring to Governor Khan's recent sit-in against a black flag protest by SFI members at Nilamel in Kollam district, Shailaja stated, "What he did was unbecoming of the post he holds."
Meerut (UP), Jan 29 (PTI) A man was arrested for allegedly raping his minor daughter in the Jani police station area of this district, police on Monday said.

"A 14-year-old girl has accused her father (in mid 30s) of raping her. She also claimed that her father has been raping her since January 15," Additional Superintendent of Police (Rural) Kamlesh Bahadur said.

"The mother of the minor girl lodged a complaint with the police on Monday following which the accused was detained and is being interrogated," he added.

The statement of the minor girl, who has been sent for medical examination, will be recorded, police said.

A video of the minor girl has also gone viral in which she that she was allegedly raped by her father on January 15 when his mother had gone to Lucknow.

The girl also said in the video that her father had threatened to kill her by administering poison if she opens her mouth.
Renovating an icon: Future work will breathe new life into Westerlys former Girl Scout House
by Rabbi Yair Hoffman

Last week, the Five Towns/Far Rockaway community lost a unique and extraordinary individual, Rabbi Dr. David Kadosh ah. Rabbi Kadosh was a brilliant Talmid Chochom who studied in the Mir Yeshiva of Brooklyn under Rav Avrohom Kalmanovitch ztl and Rav Shmuel Brudny ztl and was known as the ilui from Morocco. Rabbi Kadosh was also an accomplished scholar with a PhD who taught at Yeshiva University and was fully fluent in Hebrew, English, French, a number of Arabic dialects and German.

Some in the community remember him as giving the first Daf Yomi on the LIRR to Manhattan. Others remember him as giving the first Daf Yomi shiur in Shaaray Tefillah. And yet there were those who remember him as their all-knowing Machsheves Yisroel professor at Dov Revel Graduate School and at Yeshiva University.

But everyone who knew him recalled him as a remarkable mentsch who exhibited the apogee of ehrlichkeit and a Baal Mussar extraordinaire. He received his PhD in 1969 and his dissertation dealt with Rabbi Moshe Narvones commentary on Al Ghazalis Kavanot.

BIRTH AND EARLY HISTORY

Rabbi Kadosh was born in 1935 in Demnate, a town in central Morocco, located at the foot of the high Atlas Mountains roughly 110 km east of Marrakech. This had a downside and an upside. The downside is that Denbate was prone to earthquakes. The upside was that the city is surrounded by beautiful mountains and close to natural attractions, including the natural land bridge Iminifery, and the Ouzoud Falls.

Tragically, Rabbi Kadosh lost his mother when he was four years old. His aunt, who loved her sisters children immensely did not wish that a step-mother would raise her. She took it upon herself to raise her nephews herself and married her former brother-in-law. Rabbi Abuchatzerah who knew her well would describe her as an absolute tzaddeikes.

GATESHEAD AND MIR

The young Rav David was very much taken with the works of the Rambam. Recognized as a genius at a very young age, it was decided that a young Rabbi Dovid Kadosh should go to Gateshead England to study under Reb Leib Gurwich, a Talmid of the Brisker Rav and the Mir Yeshiva in Poland. Rav Gurwich eventually authored the Roshei Shearim, now a classic collection of Talmudic discourses and shiurim.

After a year, he transferred to the Mir Yeshiva in Brooklyn and became quite close to Rav Avrohom Kalmanovitch ztl who was credited with saving the entire Mir Yeshiva in Poland when they travelled through the Soviet heartland to Japan and then onto Shanghai. He referred to Rav Kalmanovitch as the Rav. Rav Kadosh also became close to Rav Shmuel Brudny ztl whose shiurim he savored greatly.

While studying in Mir he continued his studies of the Rambam and was captivated not only by the Rambams Mishna Torah but also by his Moreh Nevuchim. He taught himself to be extremely proficient in English, German, Yiddish and various dialects of Arabic. He attended Brooklyn College in the evenings and earned his bachelors and masters degrees from there.

Rav Kalmanovitch was so enamoured by his young prodigy that he would take Rav Dovid with him on fundraising visits and referred to him as the Ilui from Moroccos. Rav Kalmanovitch also recruited other talmidim from Morocco who felt very comfortable in Mir. Rav David spoke to his Rosh Yeshiva about pursuing a parnassah as a college professor in Judaic studies. Rav Kalmanovich tried to dissuade him, but understood. He received his ksav Smicha from the Mir Yeshiva after having studied there for over ten years.

AT YESHIVA UNIVERSITY

Rabbi Kadosh continued his studies at the Bernard Revel Graduate School where he received his PhD and formed a close bond with the dean, Dr. Arthur Hyman -with whom he found a kindred spirit in his love of Maimonidean philosophy and machsheves Yisroel in general. Dr. Hyman himself had published four volumes of Maimonidean Studies, as well as an English translation of Averroes De Substantia Orbis.

Rabbi Kadosh chose to write his dissertation on Rabbi Moshe Narvonnes commentary on Al Ghazalis philosophical work. He taught there for nine years after receiving his PhD.

MEETING HIS WIFE

Unfortunately Rabbi Kadosh had lost his younger sister to illness. He went to the levaya in Eretz Yisroel. It was there that he met his future akeres HaBayis, a well-regarded mechaneches who eventually became the principal of Machon Sara Torah Academy for Girls.

The young couple decided to move to Eretz Yisroel, where Rabbi Kadosh taught at bothe the Michlala as well as Machon Meir.

Eventually, they returned to the United States and moved to Lawrence, New York. Rabbi Kadosh gave shiurim at Shaaray, the Agudah of Long island, the white shul, Beth Shalom, the Young Israel of Lawrence Cedarhurst. And some shiurim at the Yeshiva of Far Rockaway.

HIS PASSION: SHAS

Rabbi Kadoshs main scholarly pursuit, however, was studying and teaching Shas, and he loved studying and teaching the Daf HaYomi.

An article by JTA published in June of 1999 discussed the Siyum HaShas that took place on the LIRR. This is a phenomenal experience, one observer said. Only in New York could you experience something like this.He was referring to the crowd that had jammed into the car last Thursday to celebrate the accomplishment by a group of 20 commuters who had studied a page a day of Talmud (known as daf yomi) on the train each weekday morning for the last 72 years. On this morning, the group finished reading the entire Talmud, which comprises the Oral Law upon which Jewish laws, practices and traditions are derived.

The family gets up from Shiva on Monday morning. The aveilim are his wife and wonderful children; Shlomo, Yisrael, Tamar, Michael, Shoshana, Zeeva, Shmuel, Shimon, and Daniel. May he be a meilitz Yosher for the entire community.

The author can be reached at [email protected]
The Czech Republics government signed an agreement with the United States on Monday to acquire 24 U.S. F-35 fighter jets as part of a deal worth about 150 billion Czech koruna ($6.6 billion), the biggest single purchase for the Czech military.

Czech Defense Minister Jana Cernochova and U.S. Ambassador Bijan Sabet signed a memorandum of understanding for the deal. The Czechs also signed a letter of offer and acceptance, the final step in completing a contract between the governments, the Czech Defense Ministry said.

By signing this intergovernmental agreement, our country and also our army enter a new era, Cernochova said.

The Czech government approved the deal in September.

The first of the 24 fighter jets should be delivered in 2031, with the rest by 2035. The American aircraft will replace the 14 JAS-39 Gripen fighter jets from Sweden that are currently used by the Czech army.

The Czechs will pay almost $5 billion to the U.S. for the aircraft, training of pilots, ammunition and other costs, Cernochova previously said. The remaining money will be used to finance an upgrade of the Caslav air force base in central Czech Republic, fuel and training of staff, she said.

The F-35 is the only system that can help us succeed in the futures battlegrounds, and that in the case of need, well manage to effectively defend ourselves against aggression, together with our allies, chief of the general staff Lt. Gen. Karel Rehka said.

The Czech ministry has been negotiating the deal with the U.S. for more than a year during Russias invasion of Ukraine.

(AP)
A former contractor for the Internal Revenue Service who pleaded guilty to leaking tax information to news outlets about former President Donald Trump and thousands of the countrys wealthiest people was sentenced to five years in prison Monday.

Charles Edward Littlejohn, 38, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty to one count of unauthorized disclosure of tax returns and return information. He gave the information to two news outlets between 2018 and 2020.

U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes said she handed down the highest possible sentence to deter anyone else who might feel an obligation to break the law.

Littlejohn apologized to the people affected and for undermining the fragile trust we place in government.

(AP)
Israeli-Egyptian ties have grown increasingly fragile since October 7th, and according to a Wall Street Journal report over the weekend, ties are now almost at a breaking point.

The report came a day before reports on Sunday that Israeli officials have informed the Egyptian government that it is soon launching a military operation along the Philadelphi Corridor despite Egypts strong objections.

Sky News Arabia reported that Egypt is furious about the matter. The matter angered the Egyptian side, which responded with strong opposition, the report said. Talks began between the two parties, during which the Israeli side tried to calm Egypt down and pledged never to displace the Palestinians toward Egyptian lands.

According to the WSJ, the reasons for the crisis in Israeli-Egyptian ties are Egypts fear that Israel will push a large number of Gazan refugees into the Sinai Peninsula and the decrease in traffic in the Suez Canal due to the Houthis attacks. Egypt lost 40% of its revenue from Suez Canal traffic this year and could lose billions of dollars if the crisis continues.

Egyptian officials told the WSJ that ties between the two countries are at the lowest point in at least two decades.

The so-called cold peace has further cooled both on the governmental and civilian levels, said Ofir Winter, a senior researcher at Israels Institute for National Security Studies.

The report continues by stating: The Gaza war has tested the relationship unlike any crisis in years. Egypts decision not to issue an official condemnation of the Oct. 7 attack rankled Israeli officials. Warning signs began early, when Israeli shelling hit the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt, wounding Egyptian security officials.

Israel has also pushed Egypt in recent weeks to accept an Israeli military presence along the Gaza-Egypt border and to allow Israeli personnel to conduct patrols in Egyptian territory to clamp down on what it says is Hamas weapons smuggling. Egypt rejected the proposal as a violation of its sovereignty.

Israel has also accused Egypt of allowing Hamas to smuggle weapons through Gazas border with Egypt. Egypt has not done a good job of checking whats flowing into Gaza, said a senior Israeli military official. Egyptian officials reject the accusation.

The war has hurt the fragile economic and civilian ties. Direct flights between Cairo and Tel Aviv stopped. Israeli tourism in Egypt has all but halted. Meetings of an eastern Mediterranean natural-gas organization, a cornerstone of what had been warming economic ties, was also put on ice.

Meanwhile, the Israeli legal team at the International Court of Justice argued that Cairo is to blame for failures in delivering humanitarian aid into Gaza from Egypts side of the Rafah crossing.

Top Egyptian intelligence and security officials called a meeting the same day to discuss pulling the Egyptian ambassador from Tel Aviv in response to the comments.

After almost five hours of discussions, they decided it was best to instead issue a statement denying the claims, leading some who are familiar with the thinking of both sides to conclude there is still scope for calmer heads to prevail.

Channel 13 News reported last week that Egyptian President al-Sisis office refused repeated requests from Israeli officials to arrange a phone call with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has called on European countries to direct social support for Ukrainian refugees to the Ukrainian budget. According to the president, Ukraine could redistribute these funds itself according to the location of the person.

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Zelensky said this in an interview with the German TV channel ARD. Zelensky's statement was made in response to a question about whether Germany should cut social assistance to refugees in order to support Ukraine directly with the savings.

"I am not talking about our Ukrainians in Germany. I am generalizing this to you. That's why I have always said that it would be much better for us if Germany supported Ukrainians by giving money to the budget of Ukraine, and then Ukraine would redistribute this money depending on where this person is," the head of state said.

He noted that sometimes refugees receive assistance not only from the country where they are currently staying, but also from Ukraine. In addition, Zelenskyy explained that some of the Ukrainian funds remained in Europe when refugees fled the war. However, after the support for Ukrainians who are now abroad began, European funds remained in the economy of a particular country.

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Zelensky also noted that the decision to support Ukrainians is a personal choice of Germans and Germany, as well as any other European country. He also urged not to generalize the issue of refugees, especially men, as there are those who have legally left the country. Zelensky expressed his desire to have attention drawn to where most of these funds remain when the whole world is talking about financial support for Ukrainians.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, many EU countries have already decided to reduce direct support for Ukrainians. For example, in Poland, the current rules for refugees will be in effect only until September 2024. The announced changes after this date include a reduction in child benefits and the cancellation of refugee status after leaving Poland even for a short period of time, for example, for holidays or vacation.

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Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Israeli cabinet minister Gideon Saar has announced his intention to commence efforts aimed at filing a case against Iran in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on charges of genocide. This move comes in response to Irans longstanding threats to Israels existence and its support for Hamas and other Gaza-based terror groups, particularly in the wake of the October 7th attacks.

Saar, a former justice minister, stated that Iranian leaders have publicly called for the destruction of Israel, a fact that cannot be ignored when considering the potential genocidal intent. There are public statements by senior Iranian officials in favor of destroying Israel, Saar asserted in an interview with the Kan public broadcaster.

Additionally, Saar highlighted Irans extensive support for various jihadi terrorist organizations, including Hamas and Islamic Jihad, both of which were responsible for the October 7th attacks. He argued that there is substantial evidence to suggest that Iran finances, arms, and trains these groups, creating a compelling case to be presented before the ICJ in The Hague.

Saar has reportedly discussed this matter with National Security Council head Tzachi Hanegbi, indicating a coordinated effort within the Israeli government to pursue legal action against Iran.

In explaining his motivation, Saar emphasized the unique security challenges facing Israel. Israel is a small and persecuted nation that is fighting for its life and, at the same time, is fighting on the international stage for its right to self-defense. It is a nation that is truly at risk of genocide given that there are enemies around it that declaredly want to destroy it, he stated.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
On Sunday, January 28, 2024, Israels Minister of Defense, Yoav Gallant, visited Brigade 11, where he met with senior IDF commanders and soldiers who had recently returned from operations in Gaza. During his visit, Minister Gallant received a comprehensive briefing on the brigades ongoing operations in strategic areas of the Gaza Strip.

In his remarks to the troops, Minister Gallant praised their dedication and commitment, acknowledging the pivotal role they have played in the ongoing conflict. He expressed gratitude for their contributions to the negotiation process for the release of hostages, emphasizing the significant progress made possible by their actions.

Minister Gallant highlighted the contrast between the luxury enjoyed by some of the terrorists and the reality faced by those on the front lines. He pointed out that hundreds of terrorists have surrendered, while thousands have been eliminated, and weapon warehouses have been destroyed, all thanks to the unwavering efforts of the IDF.

The terrorists who enjoy luxury cars, planes and hotels, are trying to harden their positions. Yet the [terrorists] who are in the field are very aware of what is actually happening  hundreds of terrorists surrender, thousands of terrorists are killed, weapon warehouses are being destroyed. Terrorists are surrendering  above and below the ground. This is happening as a result of your actions, and those of your friends.

This war cannot be ended with points gained; it can only end with a knockout, Minister Gallant stated emphatically. He underscored the importance of eliminating Hamas, emphasizing that every terrorist within a radius of hundreds of kilometers from Israel should understand that attacks on the nation would lead to the elimination of Hamas military and governing capabilities.

Minister Gallant also stressed the commitment to rescuing hostages held in the Gaza Strip. He stated, As long as there are hostages still held in the Gaza strip, we have no right to stop looking for the women, the children, the soldiers who are there  we have to go all the way. We will intensify the [military] pressure and continue our efforts  its already happening now.

In concluding his address, the Minister of Defense presented a clear message to terrorists: Terrorists have two options  either surrender or be eliminated, there is no third option.
A terrorist attempted to carry out a stabbing attack against IDF soldiers between Efrat and Tekoa in Gush Etzion on Monday morning.

The soldiers neutralized the terrorist and bchasdei Hashem, no Israelis were injured in the incident.

A large number of IDF forces arrived at the area to investigate the incident.

Following the attack, the IDF spokesperson stated: A terrorist armed with a knife attempted to stab IDF soldiers who were stationed in a military position near the Jewish village of Tekoa in Gush Etzion. Soldiers from the Tavor Battalion engaged the assailant, firing at him and neutralizing the threat. There were no injuries to our forces.

Overnight Sunday, IDF troops carried out extensive counterterrorism operations in refugee camps in Yehudah and Shomron, including Jenin, Chevron, and Shechem, and arrested wanted suspects.

During the operation in Jenin, IDF engineering vehicles uncovered explosives hidden under roads in an attempt to harm IDF soldiers.

IDF soldiers have arrested almost 3,000 Palestinians in Yehuda and Shomron for terror-related activities since October 7th, of whom 1,350 are linked to Hamas.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
A 20-year-old IDF soldier was seriously injured on Monday morning in a terror attack next to an IDF naval base in the Bat Galim neighborhood of Haifa.

According to initial reports, the terrorist first carried out a ramming attack, crashing into an IDF soldier, and afterward left his car armed with an axe but was neutralized by other IDF soldiers at the scene.

Paramedics evacuated the soldier to Rambam Hospital, located only a block away from the terror scene, in serious condition with severe injuries to his lower extremities.

Police forces are at the scene and have launched an investigation into the incident.

Earlier on Monday morning, a terrorist attempted to stab an IDF soldier in Gush Etzion. He was neutralized by the soldiers before he could harm anyone.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
The New York Times reported on Monday that Israel provided the US government with information about the participation of at least 12 UNRWA employees in the October 7th Hamas massacre in Israel.

A number of UNRWA teachers were involved in planning or perpetrating the attack, including one who abducted an Israeli woman and another one who abducted an IDF soldiers body. At least two teachers, an elementary school teacher and another teacher who also served as a Hamas commander, were at Kibbutz Beeri and Reim on October 7th, where hundreds of people were tortured, murdered, and abducted.

Three other UNRWA employees, including another teacher, received texts from Hamas instructing them to arm themselves at a staging area close to the border the night before the attack [but there is no conclusive evidence that they entered Israel]. Another UNWRA employee launched the command room for the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) terror group the day after the massacre.

A 13th UNRWA employee, who was seemingly not a member of Hamas or PIJ, entered Israel on October 7th.

Another report in the Wall Street Journal said that according to Israeli intelligence shared with the US, at least 1,200 UNRWA employees, 10% of the UNRWA staff in Gaza, are members of Hamas or Islamic Jihad and approximately half have close relatives who belong to the two terror groups, both designated as terrorist organizations by the US.

The intelligence information, which was partially based on interrogations of captured Hamas terrorists and documents recovered from dead Hamas terrorists, was included in an Israeli briefing to the Biden administration that caused the US and other countries to freeze funds to the UNRWA.

WSJ added that according to two officials familiar with the intelligence, the UNRWA employees were not just members of Hamas or PIJ but were operatives who played an active role in the groups military or political activities. The intelligence report said that 23% of UNRWA male employees are affiliated with Hamas, a higher percentage than the male population in Gaza (15%), which means that the agency as a whole is strongly affiliated with Hamas and PIJ.

The report added that since October 7th, Hamas has stolen over $1 million of UNRWA supplies, including fuels and trucks.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
War cabinet member Benny Gantz said on Sunday that the war in the Gaza Strip could last an entire generation.

Speaking at a meeting with representatives of residents of the Gaza border area, Gantz said: This war could last a year, 10 years, and even an entire generation.

Theres time to destroy Hamas, he elaborated, explaining that right now the hostages are the priority.

Gantz also addressed the question of whether the IDF will operate in Rafah amid reports of deteriorating ties with Egypt. The complete removal of the threat will take time. We hope for relative security by the summer. Well reach Rafah soon.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
Jeremy Hunt has identified the UK's prowess in life sciences as one key to growth.

He's correct. The industry generates more than 94billion for the economy and employs around 280,000. But the Chancellor must learn lessons from the past.

By serendipity, I stumbled over a story of an innovative drug that goes back to a small UK biotech firm in the 1990s, but through a series of sales ended up being developed by foreign companies.

The drive to promote life sciences goes back at least to the 1970s. Politicians were equally keen to commercialise the scientific breakthroughs in our universities.

Growth potential: The life sciences industry generates more than 94billion for the economy and employs around 280,000

In the 1990s, a wave of young scientists became biotech entrepreneurs. They included a coterie who founded a company called Chiroscience.

Initially, it was backed by 3m of UK venture capital and floated on the stock market in 1994. It was one of the earliest deals done by Dame Kate Bingham, who later rose to prominence as chair of the government's Covid vaccine task force.

The float was one of the first under what were then new Stock Exchange rules allowing riskier high-growth companies to float.

In other words, a textbook case of backing a promising growth company.

One of the bright ideas pursued at Chiroscience turned into what is now an osteoporosis drug called Evenity

The brainwave was sparked when scientists came across a gene in a small Afrikaner community in South Africa with high incidence of a rare disease causing excessive bone growth.

This was due to a genetic quirk that blocked the production of a hormone called sclerostin that stops bones growing too much.

The Eureka insight Chiroscience wanted to develop, having acquired the genetic research in a takeover of a small US company, was that, if a treatment could switch off sclerostin temporarily

The result is a novel monoclonal antibody treatment being given as monthly injections to patients (including me).

Evenity was developed and brought to market by Belgian pharma company UCB and Amgen of the US. How this came about is a classic example of the British disease of selling our most promising assets.

Chiroscience was sold in 1994 to another UK company called Celltech. The latter had been set up by government in 1980, to address the concern the UK was missing out on the potential of biotech.

Celltech was given the rights to all new discoveries in the field in UK universities and the business was listed on the stock market, where it was in the FTSE 100.

In 2004, seeking funds to develop drugs including Evenity, Celltech was taken over by UCB. The Belgian company is not a predatory asset stripper and indeed looks to have been a good steward of Celltech, once the great hope for British biotech.

UCB employs around 1,100 people  around 10 per cent of its global staff  in the UK, which is the site of one of its research hubs.

It has pledged to plough more than 1billion over five years into a new campus in Surrey for R&D, early development and commercialisation of medicines.

Sales of Evenity, which was approved in the UK in 2022, have grown fast. European sales in 2022 were 25m (21.4m), up from 10m (8.5m) the previous year.

In the autumn, partner Amgen said its sales of Evenity increased by more than 50 per cent to a record of $307m (242m) in the third quarter of 2023.

It's great to have UCB investing here. But it's a shame we don't have exciting biotech pioneers in the FTSE 100 as well. If we are going to make the most of our life science assets, it is imperative we find a cure for our national ailment of 'selloff-itis'.
Kazakh carrier Air Astana will be worth up to 757million when it lists in London next month, valuing BAE Systems stake at 370million.

The airline  owned by the British defence giant and Kazakhstans sovereign wealth fund  yesterday set the price range for its initial public offering (IPO).

Air Astanas float will offer BAE Systems  which owns 49 per cent of the airline  a windfall, depending on how much of its stake it decides to sell.

The IPO will also buoy Londons stock market after a slump in listings over the past few years.

BAE Systems invested 7million in the airline in 2001 when it was trying to sell radar systems to the Kazakh military, a deal that eventually fell through.

Take-off: Air Astana, which is owned by the British defence giant and Kazakhstans sovereign wealth fund, has set the price range for its initial public offering

The FTSE 100 defence group, which last year valued its investment in Air Astana at 63million, is planning to retain a stake when the airline floats in February.

Air Astana will price its shares at between 168p and 216p each, giving it a market capitalisation of between 606million and 757million.

The final price will be set on February 9, with trading to start in London on February 14 and in Kazakhstan the following day. It is planning to use the 94million raised to fund expansion.

The airlines president and chief executive Peter Foster said: The response to the offering and strong investor interest have been very positive.

The stock market suffered high-profile snubs last year, including Cambridge chipmaker Arms decision to float in New York.
The famous Ukrainian designer Andre Tan closely followed the Haute Couture Week in Paris, evaluating the collections of prominent foreign colleagues with his professional eye. According to the Ukrainian fashion designer, Haute Couture is not just fashion, but art in its purest form. Collections are often dedicated to specific themes: the apocalypse, Greek gods, scientific experiments, and so on. It happened this time too. The luxury fashion houses impressed with their performances and corresponding images.

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In his InstaStories, Andre Tan shared which collections impressed him the most. He gave a short commentary on each of them.

Maison Margiela

The couture created by John Galliano for Paris Fashion Week is truly a work of art, a theatrical performance on the runway. The couturier was inspired by photographer Brassai's portraits of the 1920s and 1930s, which depict nightlife in Parisian clubs and streets.

"Bare breasts and transparency, wrapped in perfectly tailored coats, corsets worn over the naked body, bandaged legs and torn tights, crazy hats and jackets with active shoulders as if in a spider's web. It feels like the old Galliano," commented Andre Tan.

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Chanel

"Perhaps the most flirtatious and delicate couture that Virginie Viard has ever shown for Chanel. Beautiful marshmallow dresses, baby dolls, pastel shades, candy tweed, tulle, ruffles and flounces - young divas, whom the brand has been working for recently, will definitely appreciate it," the Ukrainian fashion designer expressed his opinion.

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Victor&Rolf

A sharp transition from marshmallow dresses in white, pink and peach tones by Chanel to "torn" black silhouettes by Victor & Rolf.

These styles came as an unexpected surprise to high fashion connoisseurs and the brand's fans. The translucent fabric in tandem with dense black textures cannot help but fall in love with it.

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SCHIAPARELLI

If anyone can make you open your mouth in surprise and delight, it is SCHIAPARELLI. This time, the creative director of the fashion house Daniel Roseberry impressed with a dress encrusted with viral gadgets and a robot "baby". All this became a time capsule from the past and a message to the future.

"Can high fashion and modern technology coexist in one collection? Daniel Roseberry 100% thinks so!" commented Andre Tan.

Fendi

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"A fantastic brilliance that seems to me to be viewed from outer space," Andre Tan described the Fendi collection very aptly.

Shimmering dresses, sophisticated silhouettes, tenderness combined with glamorous audacity - all this could be seen on the runway in Paris, thanks to creative director Kim Jones. He used the futuristic approaches of the iconic Karl Lagerfeld, who previously headed the brand, as a source of inspiration for the new collection.

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Jean Paul

"Jean Paul Gaultier's collection was feminine, sensual, yet very sexy and provocative," said Andre Tan, and it's impossible not to agree with him.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
A new scandal happened to a Russian tourist in a popular resort in Thailand. While visiting a hairdresser, the barber cut off his bangs, which, given the strong reaction, were almost the most precious thing he had. The Russian was very angry and took revenge on his "offender".

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Apparently, because of his anger, the tourist forgot that almost no one outside his home country knows Russian, so he swore with all the words he could think of, hoping to be understood. Later, the tourist decided that he should not be the only one to suffer from the lack of bangs, so he shaved off some of his hair at a barber. According to Russian media, the Thai man filed a police report, and the offender was put on the wanted list.

It turned out that due to a lack of vocabulary, the tourist was unable to explain what kind of haircut he wanted, but only showed how long he wanted to leave it. The CCTV video shows that the preferences of the Russian client were apparently not taken into account.

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"What are you doing f***? Are you a f***? Where are my bangs, f***? You crazy motherfucker, I show you, what the f***? B*tch, f***!" the Russian said violently.

He then picked up a trimmer and shaved off some of the barber's hair. "Go, f*ck, enjoy yourself," the disgruntled tourist said his last words before leaving.

Interestingly, the barber did not say a word during the client's tumultuous monologue and stood there, almost without moving. He later filed a police report for defamation.

His stress tolerance was appreciated by Internet users on social network X. "I admire the barber's stress tolerance, he stood there as if this happens every day: "Well, shit, only my hair has grown back since the last time!", "The barber is standing there looking at me, and his eyes are so kind. He could have just used a razor!"

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The Russian also received "nice things" from commenters: "And then they wonder why they are not loved or respected anywhere", "The client can't speak, and the barber is to blame", "This moron doesn't even realize how much he has ruined the reputation of Russian speakers in Thailand".

Earlier, OBOZ.UA reported that another Russian "ruined the reputation of the nation". He caused a riot in the administration of Pukhket. In addition to damaging property, he also stole a motorcycle from a local resident.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto and his team visited Ukraine on January 29. In Uzhhorod, he met with the head of the Presidential Office, Andriy Yermak, and Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.

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The start of the talks was announced at about 11:50 a.m. on Monday by the press service of the Presidential Office of Ukraine. "A frank and constructive dialogue is expected to establish relations between the two countries," the agency's Telegram channel said.

At about 10:30 a.m., Szijjarto posted a photo of his trip to Ukraine on his Facebook account. He wrote that "the day will be long".

The minister said the purpose of the visit was to fight for the rights of Hungarians."Everything must be done to ensure that the Hungarian community in Zakarpattia regains its former rights," the foreign minister said.

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The delegation was joined at the border by the head of the Transcarpathian Regional State Administration, Viktor Mykyta. Szijjarto said that this was good, as it was necessary to "improve cooperation between Ukraine and Hungary."

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According to the foreign minister, Mykyta "brought a completely new perspective to Transcarpathia: he represents a culture of reconciliation so that Ukrainians and Hungarians can live side by side in peace."

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On his Telegram channel, Yermak noted that the visit of the Hungarian representative was very important. "We are working to establish relations, and we need a frank and constructive dialog. We are ready," the head of the Presidential Office said.

As OBOZ.UA previously reported:

- Before the previously announced visit to Uzhhorod, Peter Szijjarto received death threats. An email in Ukrainian with a promise of an "explosive reception" was sent to the Hungarian embassy in Kyiv.

- Earlier, the Ukrainian and Hungarian sides reported that the main topic of the talks would be the preparation of the upcoming meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Member of the European Parliament Tatiana Zdanoka turned out to be an agent of Russian intelligence and between 2004 and 2017 was subordinated to two different supervisors from the aggressor country. For many years, the politician openly defended Moscow's interests both in Riga and Strasbourg.

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The Latvian MP's connection with Russian intelligence was confirmed by emails in which investigators found explicit and detailed reports from Zdanoka to her handlers about her work as a European lawmaker. This was reported by The Insider.

The investigation revealed that the Latvian MP's work for the Kremlin was related to the promotion of pro-Kremlin sentiment in her native Baltic region. In particular, one of the emails referred to a personal meeting in Moscow or Brussels between Zdanoka and her Russian handler.

She also requested funding from Russian sources to support her political activities in Latvia and the European Parliament. Moreover, the journalists found out that the MP asked for money to organize a rally "in honor of the victory of the Red Army" in World War II.

It is noteworthy that the investigators tried to find out about Zdanoka's ties to Russian intelligence. However, she replied that the journalists were using information that they "by definition should not have".

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Despite avoiding an answer, the journalists even managed to find out some details about the Latvian MP's Russian handlers. The Insider confirmed that two of Zdanoka's handlers were officers of the Russian Federal Security Service. Judging by the emails, her first curator was a veteran FSB officer from the St. Petersburg office, 74-year-old Dmitry Gladei, who supervised the MP from 2004 to 2013. After 2013, Zdanoka maintained regular contact with another FSB officer, Sergei Beltyukov.

Later, Zdanoka admitted that she knew Dmitry Gladey, but claimed that she had crossed paths with him back in the 1970s at a tourist base in the North Caucasus, where they learned to ski. The MP also denied knowing that Gladey was a Russian spy.

It is worth noting that in 2014, Zdanoka visited the Autonomous Republic of Crimea to act as an "international observer" at the so-called "referendum" organized by the aggressor country Russia to annex the Ukrainian peninsula. Two years later, Zdanoka traveled to Syria, where she held talks with dictator Bashar al-Assad. During the MEP's visit to Damascus, Russia's direct military intervention was already supporting the Assad regime in its fight for survival against Western-backed rebel forces.

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At the time, the European Parliament refused to pay for Zdanoka's trip because Assad and his entourage were under EU sanctions. In addition, on March 2, 2022, Zdanoka was one of 13 MEPs who voted against the European Parliament's resolution condemning Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

It is worth reminding that an agent of the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces has settled in the Belgian capital of Brussels, just a few kilometers from the offices of the European Commission and NATO. While living in the Belgian capital, Viktor Labin provides the Russian military-industrial complex with coordinate measuring machines, which are indispensable in the production of weapons.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, the former Russian GRU major and senior instructor of the Wagner PMC flew to Amsterdam and requested political asylum in the Netherlands. He expressed his readiness to appear before the International Criminal Court in The Hague and testify against Russia's war crimes.

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Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
The shortage of Western weapons and the uncertainty of further supplies from the allies encourage Ukrainian defenders to look for non-standard ways out of difficult situations, and the creativity of military engineers sometimes leads to unexpected results. Recently, the Kharakternyk armored vehicle and the Sikach armored personnel carrier, copied from foreign HMMWVs and M113s, were put on combat duty in several units of the Security and Defense Forces.

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The production of such equipment was established at the facilities of several enterprises in different parts of the country. The authors of the idea and engineers told OBOZ.UA about this.

- "Of course, this is not a full-fledged equipment manufacturing line, but rather a cottage industry. However, we have managed to achieve almost complete correspondence to the original models. Of course, with certain technical features," said one of them.

According to him, the current production capacity allows for five copies of Humvees and M113 vehicles per month. After the necessary tests, the vehicles are immediately sent to the front.

The authors of the development say that the Ukrainian Humvee is almost identical to its American prototype. It should be noted that the chassis for the Kharakternyk is taken from either a GAZ-66 or a Ford F-15 or F-350. Today, vehicles of all types are already in service, but only a few have been converted from GAZ-66, as it was much easier to improve the Fords.

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As for the Sikach, in this case they used a running MTLB and old BMP-1.

The production of individual components caused some difficulties, but in the end, the technical vehicles were almost completely reproduced and even improved in some respects.

- "Although Ukraine cannot boast of a rich tradition of high-quality automotive manufacturing, we already have considerable experience in military equipment, and together with the creativity of our engineers and mechanics, we managed to do the almost impossible," explained one of the specialists who participated in the development of the Ukrainian Humvees.

Interestingly, the exterior of both vehicles is almost identical to the original models.

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- When I first got into this Humvee of ours, I could not have thought that it was a copy, not an original. Almost everything here is exactly the same as on an American car. Only when I was told it was no longer a Humvee, but a Kharakternyk, did I take a closer look and notice some differences in the interior," said the fighter with the call sign "Satan".

"In the case of the M113, much deeper modernization was required.

- "You know that this is the first aluminum APC in the original, but this war has shown a certain vulnerability of this solution. That is why our Sikach is made of the original alloy, which I am sure will pleasantly surprise our guys. And the enemy will be unpleasantly surprised," said the developer.

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The power plant of the armored personnel carrier has also undergone significant changes. The authors of the idea say that their solutions have even improved the vehicle's driving and speed characteristics.

- "Of course, we are doing this without a license, we had to do everything on the fly, from the wheels, as they say. The war doesn't give us time to quickly finalize all the formalities. We hope that our American allies will understand our situation and, given their problems with supplies at the legislative level, will not condemn us for this, but rather help us. We, on the other hand, are ready to share our own experience in improving these vehicles. When people find out how we managed to set up the Humvee assembly line in Ukraine after the victory, everyone will be very surprised," said one of the authors of the development, who goes by the call sign "Smoke."

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The operators of such equipment, the fighters, assault and reconnaissance men and women themselves, are only surprised and happy to have the opportunity to fight with Ukrainian "NATO" equipment.

- It was a very cool feeling when American M113s and Humvees first arrived, when we saw them and used them in combat. But now, knowing that our craftsmen can do no worse, practically from scrap materials, it is indescribable how inspiring it is. We have already cut down more than a dozen orcs with these "Sikachs"," summarized "Smoke".

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As OBOZ.UA previously reported, the war with the Russian aggressor, which has been going on for almost a decade, has become an incentive for Ukraine to develop its own defense industry. Thus, in recent years, Ukrainian UAVs, armored vehicles, self-propelled artillery systems, multiple launch rocket systems, electronic warfare and reconnaissance equipment, and many other developments have already been released.

Only verifiedinformation is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
The Ministry of Defense is conducting unscheduled inspections of territorial centers for recruitment and social support (TCRs and SS) and food warehouses in military units. Many violations are being recorded.

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Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced the results of the inspections on Facebook. He noted that non-delivery of food worth more than UAH 50 million was detected.

"Based on the results of the previous visit last week, the Ministry of Defense changed the supplier for some military units," the Defense Minister said.

According to him, the Defense Ministry team is also working on systematic correction of the shortcomings identified in the TCRs and SS.

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Earlier, Umerov said that draft law No. 10062 on the automatic acquisition of the status of a combatant and the creation of a unified electronic register of persons liable for military service would allow the army to speed up information exchange. Services and processes for military personnel will be transferred to a convenient digital format. The law will be implemented on time.

As OBOZ.UA previously reported, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Valeriy Zaluzhny justified the need to strengthen mobilization to the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security, Defense and Intelligence. They voiced a simple truth: if conscription is not strengthened, there will be no one to defend the country.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
The Russian army continues to build fortifications in the occupied south of Ukraine. Dozens of new fortifications have appeared in the deep rear on the defense line near Tokmak and Berdiansk.

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This was reported by the Center for Investigative Journalism. The journalists used data from the European Space Agency's Sentinel-2 satellite.

The images show that between December 2023 and January 2024, the Russians built more than 20 km of fortifications on the line between the villages of Mykolaivka, Sofiivka, and Ivanivka, 30 km north of the temporarily occupied Berdiansk. During the same period, new fortifications appeared near the village of Zamistia on the H-30 Tokmak-Berdiansk highway.

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As reported by OBOZ.UA, on the left bank of the Kherson region, 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.

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.

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.

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On the evening of January 29, it became known that the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, had been dismissed from his post . This decision was made by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

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This was stated by former MP Boryslav Bereza. This information was confirmed by OBOZ.UA sources in Zaluzhnyi's team.

"My sources from the President's Office said that Zaluzhnyi was dismissed from the post of chief of staff! I really want the information to be unconfirmed. I really do. But this is the second source," Bereza said.

It should be emphasized that there is no official information about the dismissal of Valerii Zaluzhnyi from the post of Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

According to MP Oleksiy Honcharenko, Zaluzhnyi has been informed of his resignation, but there is no decree yet.

He was offered the position of ambassador to one of the European countries, but he refused.

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At the same time, journalist Roman Tsymbalyuk reported that the president had appointed Kyrylo Budanov to replace Valeriy Zaluzhnyi .

In addition, information about the alleged resignation of Ukraine's Defense Minister Rustem Umerov has appeared online.

The Defense Ministry issued a statement amid the rumors of resignation.

"Dear journalists, we would like to respond to all of you: No, this is not true," the statement said.

The Defense Ministry did not specify what exactly they were commenting on.

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As a reminder, amid persistent rumors of strained relations between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Armed Forces Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi, official Kyiv is trying to clarify this alleged conflict. On December 5, advisor to the head of the Presidential Office Mykhailo Podolyak said that there was no reason to talk about the general's resignation, as he was clearly performing his functions.

Earlier, a scandal erupted online after MP from the Servant of the People party Mariana Bezuhla proposed to dismiss Chief of Staff Zaluzhnyi because of his alleged incompetence in this position.

As reported by OBOZ.UA:

Mariana Bezuhla has become a star on Russian propaganda TV channels due to her attacks on Zaluzhnyi. Even in pro-Kremlin broadcasts, her statements are considered absurd and not true.

Earlier, military officer Yuriy Hudymenko said that MP Mariana Bezuhla is trying to get as much attention as possible to her person by publicly attacking the military leadership of the state. Her antics are irrational and, worst of all, harmful to the country, so they require an immediate response from the relevant structures.

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Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Public radio continues to platform this effort despite neighborhood push back last year.

The group was forced to retreat from their questionable amateur urban design efforts after community outcry demanded removal of bike lanes on Truman Road.

Now, the group is still desperate for more cash and hopes that Winter hardship will tug at the heartstrings of donors, supporters and elected officials . . . Check-it:



The Kansas City metro has consistently ranked among the most car-dependent metropolitan areas in the United States. When the metro is covered in snow and ice, as it has been in recent weeks, Shepherd and others were reminded of the challenges of living without a car in the Kansas City area.



We as a city, and as a region, don't do enough to make sure that people are able to walk, bike, and use transit, no matter the weather, said Michael Kelley, Policy Director for BikeWalkKC. We need to be able to get to work, to the grocery store, to every place that people who drive need to get to.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
The North Atlantic Alliance realizes that it has limited time to prepare for a future confrontation with Russia if it dares to attack its borders. But they hope to strengthen their defense in the coming months, in particular by agreeing on a "military Schengen" system.

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The Times writes about this, emphasizing the West's concern that against the background or after the war against Ukraine, the Russian terrorist state may encroach on the security of European countries. As a result, NATO will have to prepare for possible attacks on targets, for example, in Germany.

This concern was voiced by Lieutenant General Alexander Sollfrank, commander of the NATO Military Logistics Center in Germany. In his opinion, the Alliance should already simplify bureaucratic procedures to further facilitate the transfer of troops and equipment.

Moreover, he says, NATO member states should be allowed to use each other's military equipment and supplies in times of crisis.

"If we compare the war and operations of ten or five years ago, we will realize that we have to recognize that there will be a tough fight for the rear areas. We have to assume that the aggressor will use the full range of kinetic and non-kinetic force to disrupt lines of communication, particularly in the rear," Sollfrank explained.

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The publication added: NATO knows that it has a limited time to strengthen its defense. Therefore, they hope that member states will still be able to agree on a "military Schengen" system before the summit in Washington, thanks to which military convoys will be able to move freely through the Alliance.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, according to ISW analysts, the Kremlin continues to create information conditions for future aggression against NATO members. The other day, Russian dictator Putin accused the Baltic states of embracing "Nazism" at a time when Moscow is allegedly fighting against it by waging war in Ukraine.

The commander of the Estonian Defense Forces, Martin Herem, has previously admitted that NATO had underestimated Russia's ability to produce ammunition and recruit military personnel. Therefore, they expect the Kremlin to continue its long-term war against Ukraine and do not rule out its possible attack on the Alliance.

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Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Today our snarky Kansas City blog community confronts unfinished business to consider regarding existential questions of municipal ethics and virtue.

To wit and leftover from Sunday . . .



LONGTIME LOCAL NEWSMAN BILL TAMMEUS ENDORSES "MORALITY" OF KANSAS CITY SLAVERY REPARATIONS LEGISLATION FROM HIS PERSPECTIVE AS THE LEADING METRO FAITH SCRIBE!!!

Allow us a brief and still related aside . . .

Across the nation media & news outlets are melting down as the industry confronts serious decline amid the rise of social media . . . It turns out people would rather hate-watch friends & family on their phones than engage in politics & civic discourse on any level. Nevertheless, Kansas City's so-called "public" news outlets have served as a refuge for leftover dead-tree scribes from Mr. Tammeus to Mary Sanchez whilst the rest of us have to tap dance for clicks in order to remain afloat. The generous donations of "viewers like you" along with even bigger corporate sponsorship & some taxpayer funding sustain a cartel of progressive scribes who maintain a stranglehold on the local discourse as they approach their 80s . . . Given this situation . . . Maybe so many rubes trolling each other on X/Twitter and calling themselves pundits & analysts might not be such a bad thing.

But I digress . . .

We trust readers to take apart the faith scribe's foray into politics but here's the question that persists:

WHY SHOULD CAMBODIAN & AFGHAN REFUGEES PAY SLAVERY REPARATIONS?!?!

For us . . . This question cuts to the core of sketchy municipal policy.

Never mind that race-based tax codes have proven disastrous throughout recorded history.

Again . . . As as a smart-ass Westsider we will happily comply with mandates for reparations and offer Taco Tuesday coupons to our nearby huants as a way of making amends for alleged complicity in the complex and habitually exploitative history of the Untied States.

However . . .



It seems that communities who have been the very recent victims of admitted war crimes don't really owe any debt for "systemic" guilt ascribed by supporters of slavery reparations and the clunky legislation which only serves to further divide this cowtown.

Mr. Tammeus offers cursory mention of Native-Americans but the reality is that the U.S. is now a mult-cultural landscape with so many people from across the world who can legitimately claim some level of victimization and demand cash settlements . . . Meanwhile, his thinking that money and bad policy will prove effective in "healing" is naive at best and probably downright negligent when it comes to crafting tax codes enforced upon residents.

To be fair, here's the crux of his reasoning and a link to his latest column featured by the Kansas City Public Broadcasting outlet . . .



"Many white people seem not to understand that helping Black Kansas Citians through reparations likely will benefit them, too. Beyond that, a well-thought-out healing response is the moral thing to do based on core teachings about restorative justice from the worlds major religions.



"Helping white people understand how they will gain from reparations and teaching everyone how the need for reparative action has religious roots will be crucial to convincing Kansas Citians to support some kind of compensatory plan."



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Flatland KC: How to Convince White KC its Time for Black Reparations

You decide . . .
Right now angel Erin inspires our evening inspiration to check pop culture, community news and top headlines.



Check TKC news gathering . . .

Bus Attack Aftermath

Kansas City public transportation authority hit by ransomware The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) announced it was targeted by a ransomware attack on Tuesday, January 23.

Doubt Amongst Churchgoers

'Community divided:' Kansas Archbishop defends priest hiring at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Lenexa Parents at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Lenexa are alarmed and asking questions over this month's appointment of a priest as the parish's new senior associate pastor.

JoCo Confronts History

Who owns the past? Tribes and state historians ask lawmakers to decide on Shawnee Indian Mission - Kansas Reflector Tribal and local governments are at odds over a bill in the Kansas Legislature that would transfer ownership of Shawnee Indian Mission.

Leader Talks Legacy

4 The People: 1-on-1 with Missouri Governor Mike Parson JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - This week, FOX4's "4 The People" continues its "On-Location" visits to state capitols, sitting down with Missouri Governor Mike Parson. Gov. Parson gave his sixth and fi...

Cowtown Creativity In Nation's Paper Of Record

Local artist has had his Chiefs artwork recognized by the NY Times Anthony Oropeza started painting young Patrick Mahomes when he was just a rookie. His work is so impressive, that it ended up in the New York Times.

Angel In The Wild

Erin Heatherton Was One With Nature During Her SI Swim Photoshoot in Zanzibar The two-time brand model also worked as a Victoria's Secret Angel.

Prez Talks Drone War

As Biden vows retaliation after drone strike kills US troops, Republicans push for bigger response Congressional leaders on Sunday mourned three American service members killed in a drone strike in Jordan and called for retaliation

Hip-Hop Shout Out

Snoop Dogg does hard U-turn, now says he has nothing but 'love and respect' for Donald Trump Snoop Dogg said Donald Trump's decision to pardon Death Row Records cofounder Michael Harris played a role in his change of heart about the former president.

Lady Vote Reality Check

Trump's attacks on Haley pose risks with female voters Former President Trump's attacks on Nikki Haley risk eroding his already weak support with certain female voters as he barrels toward the GOP nomination. Trump ratcheted up his attacks on Haley during his victory speech in New Hampshire, where he mocked the dress she wore that evening and referred to her as "birdbrain."

Tough Talk Amid Border Debate

Texas lt. governor responds to question about possible "civil war" Dan Patrick responded to a question about a possible "civil war" over the use of razor wire at southern border.

GOP Talks Consequences

House GOP releases impeachment articles in bid to oust Homeland Security's Mayorkas Republicans contend Mayorkas' "willful and systemic refusal to comply with the law" on immigration amounts to "high crimes and misdemeanors" for failing to manage the U.S.-Mexico border.

El Papa Offers Clarification Amid Outrage

Pope says LGBT blessings are for individuals, not approval of unions Pope Francis on Friday defended a Vatican document on blessings for same-sex couples but said they were not an approval of a lifestyle the Church sees as potentially sinful but of individuals seeking to get closer to God.

Feeling Swine . . .

Hickory Log's new-ish owner is punching up the menu while respecting its legacy. The Hickory Log 's new-ish owner is punching up the menu while respecting the popular neighborhood joint's nearly 50 year legacy.

Another Cloudy Start

FIRST WARN FORECAST: Dense Fog Advisory for north of the metro to 9 a.m. Monday After six days of complete cloud coverage, we finally got to see the sun on Sunday! Temperatures made it to the upper 40s and 50s for most of us.

Madonna - Like A Prayer is the song of the day and this is the OPEN THREAD for right now.
Groundhog Day is on Friday (Feb. 2).

The annual event in Canada and the United States is based on a folklore that if a groundhog comes out of its burrow and sees its shadow, winter will go on for another six weeks; but if the groundhog doesnt see its shadow, spring will arrive early.

Punxsutawney Phil

The Groundhog Day tradition is said to have been started by the Pennsylvania Dutch community in Punxsutawney, PA. in 1887.

However, the tradition is based on an older Christian celebration of Candlemas. According to Encyclopedia Britannica, there was a belief during the Middle Ages that animals such as the badger or the bear interrupted their hibernation on Feb. 2, the halfway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. If it was sunny that day and the animal saw its shadow, there would be six more weeks of winter weather. If it was cloudy that day, it was a sign that the following weeks would be mild and there would be an early spring.

In Pennsylvania, the immigrant community substituted the groundhog for the badger and Punxsutawney Phil was born, predicting the weather since 1887.

Wiarton Willie

In southern Ontario, our most famous groundhog is Wiarton Willie.

According to the Bruce Peninsula tourism page, this groundhog began predicting the weather in 1957, when a local man named Mac McKenzie, who had a reputation as a joker, decided Wiarton could use some livening up in the winter. His friends from the Toronto area ignored his invitation to the Groundhog Day event, but a reporter and photographer from the Toronto Daily Star, Frank Teskey, went.

The reporter was directed to the Arlington Hotel ,where he found McKenzie having drinks with some friends. Teskey realized there was no event, but he knew he couldnt go back to Toronto without a story.

He joined McKenzies party and the next day the group went outside, dug a little hole, found something that looked like a groundhog, which was a white fur hat off a lady, and threw it in the hole and took a photo.

Thats how it began.

Now, decades later, you can head up to Wiarton for the Wiarton Willie 2024 Festival and Prediction Morning, which happens Feb. 2 and is put on by the Town of South Bruce Peninsula.

The event happens in the Wiarton Arena and parking lot, 526 Taylor St.

Theres a free breakfast, with hot beverages, and fireworks at 7 a.m.

Willies prediction happens at 8:07 a.m.

A free public skate follows from 9:30 a.m. to noon.

More information on the event is available at southbrucepeninsula.com.

Other celebrations

There are other Groundhog Day celebrations across Canada.

Another famous Canadian groundhog is Shubenacadie Sam in Nova Scotia, who has been predicting the weather since 1987.

Closer to home here in Ontario, there is the groundhog named Harvey, who predicts the weather at Heavens Wildlife Rescue Rehabilitation & Education Centre in Lambton County.

In 2023, Willie predicted an early spring, while Harvey and Sam predicted a long winter.
If you are planning a trip to Carcassonne, France, get ready for an adventure filled with history, charm, and breathtaking views. Carcassonne, a medieval city in the southern part of France, is a destination that will transport you back in time.

This place, often referred to as the "Jewel of the South," is famous for its well-preserved med

ieval fortress and stunning architecture. You don't need to be a history buff to appreciate the beauty and significance of this place.



In this travel blog, we are going to guide you through the top 5 places you absolutely must visit during your stay in Carcassonne.

Carcassonne Citadel

At the heart of Carcassonne lies its most iconic attraction, the Carcassonne Citadel. This medieval fortress, also known as La Cite, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enclosed by formidable double walls, this historic site is known for its well-preserved architecture and remarkable defensive features.

As you walk through its gates, you will discover narrow streets, stone buildings, and a sense of stepping back in time. Inside, you'll find the Chateau Comtal, a medieval castle with towers offering panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. The Carcassonne Citadel is a must-visit for history enthusiasts and those looking to immerse themselves in the city's past.

Basilica of Saint-Nazaire

Located within the Carcassonne Citadel, the Basilica of Saint-Nazaire is an architectural beauty. This Romanesque and Gothic masterpiece boasts intricate stained glass windows and impressive sculptures. It is a quiet place where you can explore the religious history of the region. The Basilica's austere beauty and historical significance make it a spot for reflection and appreciation.

Related Article: 5 Must-See Sites in Vieux-Lyon, France

Pont Vieux (Old Bridge)

Spanning the Aude River, the Pont Vieux, or Old Bridge, is another noteworthy attraction. This stone bridge, dating back to the 14th century, connects the Carcassonne Citadel with the newer part of the city. It also offers amazing views of the river and the city. A stroll across this bridge provides a unique perspective of Carcassonne's architecture and landscape.

Place Carnot

For a taste of local life and a break from historical sites, head to Place Carnot in the newer part of Carcassonne. This lively square is the city's main hub for dining, shopping, and people-watching. Lined with cafes and restaurants, it is an ideal place to savor French cuisine or simply relax with a cup of coffee.

On Saturdays, you can explore the weekly market where you will find fresh produce, regional specialties, and a vibrant atmosphere. Place Carnot offers a glimpse into the everyday rhythms of Carcassonne.

Canal du Midi

If you are seeking an escape, the Canal du Midi is a peaceful retreat just a short distance from the city center. This UNESCO-listed canal is a testament to engineering ingenuity and connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea.

Take a leisurely stroll along its banks, rent a bicycle, or even go on a boat ride to appreciate the peaceful waters and the surrounding countryside. It is a place to unwind and enjoy the natural beauty that complements Carcassonne's historical charm.

Read Also: Affordable Travel in France: How to Save Money and Enjoy
Have you ever thought about exploring Europe in a way that's both adventurous and cozy? Well, 2024 is your year to jump on board the exciting world of Europe's new sleeper trains!

Sleeper trains in Europe are making a grand comeback, and they are nothing short of a traveler's dream. These trains offer a delightful alternative to the hustle of airports and the cramped spaces of buses.

The best part? You are not wasting a single moment. As you snooze, the train covers vast distances, making the most of your precious travel time. From the rolling hills of the countryside to the twinkling lights of distant cities, your journey through Europe becomes an uninterrupted adventure.



Here are the three new sleeper trains in Europe you must try instead of riding a plane.

Vienna to Hamburg: Nightjet Sleeper Train

The Nightjet Sleeper Train, operated by the Austrian rail company OBB, is a fresh take on traditional sleeper trains. Set to launch in December, this route offers a convenient overnight journey from Vienna to Hamburg. What sets this train apart is its focus on safety and comfort, especially for solo female travelers. It introduces mini cabins with lockable doors, a feature not commonly found in most sleeper trains.

In terms of pricing, the Nightjet Sleeper Train provides various options to cater to different comfort levels and budgets. The fares range from approximately $44 to $125 per person. Each cabin is equipped with essential amenities like a sheet, blanket, pillow, some storage space, and portable USB outlets, ensuring a comfortable journey. The train's design and services are tailored to meet the needs of modern travelers, providing a balance of security, convenience, and affordability.

Related Article: New Era for Sleeper Trains as Austria Unveils Innovative Solo Pods

Paris to Berlin: OBB's Nightjet Expansion

OBB extends its Nightjet service with another appealing route, connecting Paris and Berlin. This sleeper train journey is not just about getting from one city to another; it's about experiencing the charm of train travel through Europe. The journey includes stops at Strasbourg, Frankfurt, Erfurt, and Berlin Sudkreuz, culminating at Berlin's main train station.

The train departs Paris at 7:12 pm and arrives in Berlin by 8:26 am the following day. This schedule ensures that travelers can maximize their time in Berlin, arriving fresh and ready to explore. Initially, the train will run three times a week, but plans are in place to increase this to daily service by autumn. This route exemplifies the convenience and efficiency of modern sleeper trains, offering a seamless travel experience through some of Europe's most iconic cities.

Brussels to Prague: European Sleeper's New Route

The third exciting addition to Europe's sleeper trains for 2024 is the Brussels to Prague route by the rail start-up European Sleeper. This service is set to begin on March 25, 2024, and is an extension of the existing Brussels to Berlin route. The journey promises to be a scenic one, with notable stops including Antwerp, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Berlin.

While specific pricing details are yet to be announced, European Sleeper has confirmed that interrail tickets will be accepted, making it a convenient option for interrail pass holders. This route is particularly notable for its ambitious connection between Western and Eastern Europe, offering a unique overnight travel experience that spans a significant part of the continent.

Read Also: What to Expect When You Visit Switzerland's Chateau de Chillon
Playa del Carmen, a coastal resort town in Mexico, is a place that effortlessly combines the beauty of pristine beaches with a lively culture. Known for its stunning stretches of white sand, clear waters, and an active Fifth Avenue, Playa del Carmen offers an escape that suits all kinds of travelers.

If you are a sun-seeker, a history lover, or a food lover, this spot on the Yucatan Peninsula promises an unforgettable experience.

As you plan your trip to Playa del Carmen, it is important to explore what makes this place so special. From its beginnings as a small fishing town, Playa del Carmen has grown into a well-known tourist destination. Its proximity to other attractions, like the ancient ruins of Tulum and the eco-parks of Xcaret and Xel-Ha, adds to its charm.

But there's more to Playa del Carmen than just its location. The town itself is a lively center of cultural experiences, ranging from local food delights to traditional Mayan performances.

Here are a few tips to understand the essentials of making the most out of your Playa del Carmen adventure.

1. Choosing Your Accommodation Wisely

Playa del Carmen offers a wide range of accommodation options. From luxury resorts along the coastline with stunning sea views to comfortable boutique hotels in the town center, there's something for every budget and preference. If you want to fully experience the area, consider staying near Fifth Avenue for easy access to local shops, restaurants, and nightlife.

2. Exploring Local Food

The food scene in Playa del Carmen is a delightful combination of traditional Mexican flavors and international influences. Be sure to try local dishes like cochinita pibil (slow-roasted pork) or fresh seafood dishes. Street food here is also a must, with tacos and tamales available on every corner.

3. Enjoying the Natural Beauty

The beaches in Playa del Carmen are extraordinary. Spend a day relaxing on the famous Playa Mamitas or visit the quieter Playa Punta Esmeralda. For those who love adventure, there are plenty of snorkeling and diving opportunities to explore the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef.

Related Article: How To Find Cheap Apartment Rentals In Playa Del Carmen, Mexico

4. Exploring Cultural History

Consider a day trip to the nearby Mayan ruins of Tulum or Coba to learn about the ancient history of the region. These sites offer not only stunning views but also a look into the sophisticated civilization of the Maya.

5. Adventure Activities for Thrill Seekers

Playa del Carmen is full of activities for those seeking excitement. From zip-lining through the jungle to diving in cenotes, there are many ways to get your adrenaline fix.

6. Shopping and Nightlife

Fifth Avenue is the go-to place in Playa del Carmen for shopping and nightlife. This active street is filled with a variety of shops, bars, and clubs. Whether you're shopping for souvenirs or looking for a place to dance, this lively area has it all.

7. Respecting the Environment

As a visitor, it's important to respect Playa del Carmen's natural beauty. Be careful about your environmental impact, especially when visiting beaches and natural reserves. Stay on designated paths and avoid disturbing wildlife.

8. Safety and Local Customs

Playa del Carmen is generally a safe place for tourists, but it's always good to be cautious. Show respect for local customs and traditions, and try to learn a few basic Spanish phrases to enhance your experience.

Read Also: Top 5 Tourist Spots in Mexico You Can Visit This Time
Hong Kong is a delightful mix of tradition and modernity that has enticed millions of travelers every year. There is much to see when in Hong Kong, especially for those look for food, art, and a whole lot of shopping.

If this is right up your alley, one place you must visit when in Hong Kong is the cultural hub known as Tai Kwun. Here are five reasons why it's worth adding to your itinerary.

1. The History of Tai Kwun

Despite the modern interiors, Tai Kwan actually has some history to it. Believe it or not, it was actually a walled compound where a police station, prison, and court house used to be. Yes, you read that right. And believe it or not as well, communist revolutionary and former Vietnam president Ho Chi Minh was once imprisoned here.

Tai Kwun has storytelling spaces that share more of its history to its guests. Make sure you don't miss out on these spaces, which are eight in total.

2. Victoria Prison

To amp up your experience of the history behind Tai Kwun, make sure to head to Victoria Prison, specifically its B Hall. This is because its old cells have been retained by Tai Kwun.

While you were no longer find graffiti on the walls that were done by the prisoners, the prison cells will give you an idea of what it's like to be incarcerated. In fact, you can actually enter the cells and close the doors.

Related Article: 8 Fascinating Facts About Hong Kong Culture You Should Know

3. Exhibitions and Galleries

True to its purpose a cultural hub, Tai Kwun hosts both temporary and permanent exhibitions in its premises.

The aforementioned Victoria Prison B Hall has its own exhibition, while its D Hall has one of its own as well. There is likewise an exhibit on the history of the Central Police Station, which was once where Tai Kwun currently stands. Another exhibit is dedicated to the Central Magistracy, where a video of the first case ever heard in it is played.

For information on temporary exhibitions, you can check it out here.

As for galleries, some of the galleries you can find in Tai Kwun include Kwai Fung Hin Art Gallery, MASSIMODECARLO Gallery, Ora-Ora, and The Gallery by SOIL.

4. Dining Options

When your stomach starts grumbling during your visit, you don't have to worry because Tai Kwun is home to different restaurants, bars, and even dessert options.

Aarharn, Cantina, Sushi Zo, and The Chinese Library are some of the dining options when you want to grab a meal. Between is a good place to go to for anyone looking for coffee, while 001 and Dragonfly are bars in the area where you can unwind after a long day.

5. Shops for Souvenirs to Bring Home

Of course, no trip to Tai Kwun is complete without a visit to its shops. For handmade ceramics and art books, head to Touch Ceramics and TASCHEN, respectively.

Those looking for plants in sealed bottles for easy transport, you should definitely head to bonart.

Read Also: World of Frozen Opens at Hong Kong Disneyland, Bringing Arendelle to Life
The Emirati community is mourning the loss of a young talent and philanthropist, Hamda Taryam Matar Taryam, who passed away at the age of 24 on Saturday, January 27. Known for her remarkable achievements both on and off the racetrack, Hamda gained prominence through her appearances on the Netflix show 'The Fastest', where she showcased her exceptional racing skills.

Read More: Dubai Announces Mountain Bike Race 2024

Ambitious Sportswoman with a Heart of Gold

Beyond her passion for drag racing, Hamda was recognized for her humanitarian efforts and philanthropic initiatives. Through her foundation, the Hamda Foundation for Charitable Investments, she spearheaded various projects aimed at improving the lives of others, particularly in Uganda.

Legacy of Giving Continues

In recognition of her dedication to humanitarian causes, Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, has pledged Dh1 million through the Sharjah Charitable Society to support ongoing projects initiated by the Hamda Taryam Matar Taryam Foundation in Uganda.

A Beacon of Hope for Orphans

One of Hamda's notable projects is the Hamda Vocational and Social Institute in Uganda's Maska region. This vocational institute provides free professional training to orphaned students, equipping them with essential skills for the job market. The institute is part of a series of humanitarian initiatives undertaken by the foundation, including the 'Taryam School' project, which offers free education to 350 orphaned students.

Honoring Hamda's Memory

As tributes pour in from across social media platforms, Hamda Taryam Matar Taryam is remembered not only for her achievements in drag racing but also for her unwavering commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of others. Her legacy of compassion and generosity will continue to inspire future generations to follow in her footsteps and make a difference in the world.

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In a move that has sparked controversy and raised questions about inclusivity in higher education, the University of Texas at Austin recently made the decision to eliminate a scholarship program specifically designed for undocumented students. The decision, attributed to the state's ban on diversity, equity, and inclusion spending, as well as federal immigration law, has left many in the academic community and beyond grappling with the implications of such a move.

The Now-Defunct Scholarship Program

The scholarship program in question, which granted annual awards ranging from $500 to $1,000, was part of a more extensive initiative providing support and resources for undocumented students. Unfortunately, the entire program came to an abrupt end on January 1, leaving aspiring scholars in a lurch. The termination of the scholarship program came to light through a source, and university officials have yet to provide an official comment on the matter.

READ ALSO: Supporting The Needs Of First Generation College Students

Impact on Undocumented Students

Undoubtedly, the elimination of this scholarship program has left many students disheartened and frustrated, viewing it as a blow to their educational aspirations. Lupe, an undocumented junior at UT Austin, expressed her anger and disappointment, emphasizing the significance of the scholarship as a vital tool for those navigating the challenges associated with being undocumented. The removal of this financial support not only affects individual students but also raises concerns about the broader issue of accessibility and inclusion within academic institutions.

The Lack of University Response

The Dallas Morning News, which first reported the termination of the scholarship program, stated that university officials did not respond to requests for comment. The absence of an official statement from the university has only intensified the frustration among students, faculty, and advocates who seek transparency and a clearer understanding of the rationale behind such a significant decision.

Legal and Political Landscape

The university's decision to cite both the state's ban on diversity, equity, and inclusion spending and federal immigration law as reasons for discontinuing the scholarship program raises important questions about the intersection of legal and political factors in higher education. The ongoing debate on immigration policy and the balancing act between state and federal regulations in matters of inclusivity add layers of complexity to this issue.

Critics argue that the decision to eliminate a scholarship program solely based on immigration status may not align with the principles of equal opportunity and non-discrimination that educational institutions should uphold. It underscores the broader challenges institutions face when navigating the legal landscape while striving to create an inclusive environment for all students.

The Importance of Diversity and Inclusion

The termination of this scholarship program highlights the ongoing struggle within educational institutions to foster diversity and inclusion. As universities strive to create an environment that reflects the rich tapestry of society, the removal of financial support for a specific group of students raises concerns about the commitment to providing equal opportunities for all.

Advocates for inclusive policies argue that diversity not only enriches the academic experience but also prepares students for a globalized world where understanding and embracing different perspectives are crucial. The decision to discontinue the scholarship program seems to be at odds with these ideals, prompting a reevaluation of the university's dedication to fostering an inclusive educational environment.

The University of Texas at Austin's decision to eliminate a scholarship program for undocumented students has ignited a fierce debate about the intersection of legal, political, and ethical considerations in higher education. As the university remains silent on the matter, students, faculty, and advocates are left grappling with the broader implications of a move that appears to contradict the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion. The controversy surrounding this decision underscores the ongoing challenges educational institutions face as they navigate a complex landscape while striving to create an environment that truly embraces all students, regardless of their immigration status.

RELATED ARTICLE: Glitches In New FAFSA Form Pose Barriers For Undocumented Students And Families
In the quiet village of Fayetteville, Ohio, the once-thriving campus of Chatfield College sits eerily silent, echoing the closure of another rural educational institution. Founded in 1845, Chatfield had been a beacon of hope for southwest Ohio communities. Still, its recent closure in 2022 amid a growing trend of shuttered rural colleges underscores the challenges faced by small institutions in America's heartland.

The Ghosts of Chatfield's Past

Gone are the days when the halls of Chatfield College buzzed with activity. Now, only fading photographs on library walls bear witness to the 177-year legacy of students, Ursuline nuns, and the institution itself. The closure of Chatfield reflects a broader narrative affecting rural colleges nationwide.

Once thriving due to its proximity to U.S. Route 50 and strong community support, Chatfield faced challenges as the landscape shifted. The dissolution of nearby St. Martin in 2011 marked a turning point, with the college's absorption into Fayetteville symbolizing the changing dynamics of rural America.

READ ALSO: Ohio Auditor's Office Raids Eastern Gateway Community College Over Financial Irregularities

Struggles of Small Rural Colleges

Chatfield's struggles parallel those of other small, tuition-dependent, and religiously affiliated colleges grappling with shifting perceptions of the cost and value of higher education. With only around 80 two-year private, nonprofit colleges remaining, rural institutions face heightened vulnerability. The decline in high school graduates and their interest in college exacerbates these challenges, with Ohio witnessing a 7 percent decline in public high school students from 2012 to 2022.

A Quiet Dissolution

Amidst the quiet dissolution of Chatfield, 70 jobs were lost, and the once-vibrant campus seemed frozen in anticipation of students who would never return. The closure, barely making headlines, blends into a disheartening trend with over a dozen rural colleges announcing closures since 2020, including Nebraska Christian College, Holy Family College, and Marlboro College.

The Chatfield Edge Initiative

Yet, amidst the somber backdrop, an unusual initiative has emerged. The assets left by Chatfield College are being repurposed to support local students in continuing their education. The Chatfield Edge, a nonprofit utilizing the college's endowment, aims to provide mentorship, career counseling, and financial aid assistance to students facing challenges in pursuing education in rural areas.

With an endowment estimated at $4 million, the Chatfield Edge has already supported 21 students, offering scholarships of approximately $1,500 per semester to 19 of them. The organization targets low-income high school students, particularly those who would be the first in their families to attend college and older students seeking non-traditional educational paths. This effort seeks to bridge the gap created by the closure of Chatfield College.

A Personal Perspective

For Anna Robertson, a 23-year-old who attended Chatfield until its closure, the college was a crucial starting point. The Chatfield Edge is now assisting her in finishing her bachelor's degree at Asbury University in Kentucky. Robertson emphasizes the importance of the college's proximity, affordability, and supportive community in her educational journey.

The Broader Narrative

Chatfield's story is not isolated; it reflects a broader narrative of rural students facing barriers to higher education. The closure of rural colleges not only deprives local youth of accessible educational opportunities but also contributes to a decline in the overall percentage of rural high school graduates pursuing postsecondary education.

The closure of Chatfield College serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by rural educational institutions and the subsequent impact on local communities. As the ghosts of Chatfield linger in the memories of those who once walked its halls, the efforts of the Chatfield Edge stand as a beacon of hope, striving to fill the educational void left in the wake of the college's closure. The broader conversation around the accessibility of higher education in rural America calls for innovative solutions and a renewed commitment to empowering students in these often-overlooked regions.





RELATED ARTICLE: Addressing Challenges Faced By Rural Students In Higher Education And Proposing Support Initiatives
In the ever-evolving landscape of educational technology, Arizona State University (ASU) has taken a pioneering step by partnering with OpenAI, the entity behind ChatGPT. This groundbreaking collaboration aims to introduce an unlimited version of ChatGPT Enterprise to the ASU community, housed on an exclusive ASU-only server. While this move sparks optimism about leveraging technology for educational enhancement, it also raises questions about ethical implications, societal impacts, and potential digital divides.

ChatGPT Enterprise at ASU

When ChatGPT emerged in 2022, higher education circles grappled with concerns about academic integrity and the potential adverse effects on student learning. However, amid these uncertainties, hope blossomed that educators could harness the technology to benefit learning outcomes. Now, with ASU becoming the first higher education institution to join forces with OpenAI, a new set of questions emerges, signaling a pivotal moment in the intersection of academia and artificial intelligence.

ASU's initiative involves offering an unlimited version of ChatGPT Enterprise exclusively to its community, ensuring data privacy by confining usage to an ASU-only server. The enterprise version boasts enhanced data analysis capabilities, faster processing speeds, and heightened security measures, with the assurance that OpenAI won't utilize the data for training its models.

READ ALSO: Rise Of AI And ChatGPT Encourages Collaboration With Academic Writers

Partnership Dynamics

This partnership is not a one-sided affair. OpenAI is actively involved in designing, supporting, and ensuring effective utilization of its tools within ASU. While faculty, staff, and researchers will initially gain access to ChatGPT Enterprise through proposal submissions outlining potential uses, students will only access it when collaborating with those who hold accounts.

A Forward-Thinking Move

Leo S. Lo, an advocate for AI literacy in higher education, applauds ASU's forward-thinking move. Acknowledging the inevitable challenges, Lo sees this as an opportunity for ASU to address ethical, societal, and bias-related questions associated with using generative AI technology. He cautions, however, that this moment is akin to the early days of the internet, requiring a measured approach.

Lo emphasizes the need for vigilance against a potential digital divide, expressing excitement about ASU's initiative while urging caution. Not all universities may have access to such advanced AI tools, creating disparities that echo the early stages of internet accessibility.

While much attention has been on the impact of generative AI on teaching and learning, Lo highlights its significant implications for other facets of higher education. Researchers, for instance, can utilize these tools to synthesize vast data sets, opening new possibilities for innovation and discovery.

AI Literacy and Collaboration

Kyle Jensen, Director of Writing Programs at ASU, emphasizes the power of collaboration facilitated by generative AI. Beyond his discipline, faculty from various fields have come together to explore shared concerns and solve complex problems. Jensen's positive experience with AI technologies in writing courses demonstrates the potential for technology to enhance collaboration and uncover unforeseen opportunities.

The financial aspect of the partnership remains uncertain. Kyle Bowen, Deputy Chief Information Officer of ASU Enterprise Technology, explains that the cost will depend on the scale and duration of the initiative, emphasizing its open-ended and flexible nature. The community's response and engagement will shape the investment's direction.

Anne Jones, ASU's Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education, sees these partnerships as mutually beneficial for tech companies and colleges. ASU, with its vast and diverse community, provides a microcosm for testing ideas and foreseeing future marketplace values. Jones underscores the importance of universities being at the forefront of technology adoption to influence how these innovations shape the broader societal landscape.

ASU's collaboration with OpenAI signifies a bold step towards integrating generative AI into higher education. As the university navigates this uncharted territory, the lessons learned and challenges faced will undoubtedly shape the future landscape of AI in academia. The partnership prompts a broader conversation about responsible AI use, equitable access, and the transformative potential of cutting-edge technologies in shaping the educational experience.

RELATED ARTICLE: OpenAI Partners With Arizona State University: Transforming Education With ChatGPT
In 2021, the World Bank reported that approximately 220 million students globally were enrolled in formal post-secondary education, with an estimated surge to 380 million by 2030. Remarkably, international student mobility, post-COVID-19, has rebounded, with over 6.4 million international students in 2022, a fourfold increase since 2000. The rise in transnational education (TNE), including online learning, has played a pivotal role in this surge, addressing unmet demands, fostering inclusivity, and contributing to global knowledge transfer. It is important to explore the transformative force of TNE in shaping a more inclusive and culturally diverse society.

Addressing Unmet Demand

TNE has emerged as a solution to address unmet demands for higher education, especially in countries like Nigeria and India, where high population growth strains existing educational capacities. Nigeria, for instance, faces a yearly influx of two million candidates seeking tertiary education, but limited capacity admits less than half. TNE provides an alternative, exemplified by the National Universities Commission's guidelines in Nigeria, aiming to support its growth and prevent brain drain, while offering global exposure to Nigerian students.

Similarly, India's 2020 National Education Policy focuses on strengthening internationalization, with joint efforts between India and the UK, promoting TNE through mutual recognition agreements. TNE courses often have lower tuition fees, making international education more accessible, particularly for those who cannot afford traditional study abroad experiences.

READ ALSO: New Reports Show Rapid Growth Of International Students In US

Inclusivity and Flexibility

TNE, especially online delivery, goes beyond traditional boundaries, offering flexibility and inclusivity. Female participation tends to be higher in TNE compared to international mobility, and the flexibility of TNE programs attracts mature students and those employed. Additionally, TNE creates opportunities for students with disabilities who may face challenges in international travel.

Maddalaine Ansell of the British Council emphasizes how TNE contributes to "brain circulation" rather than "brain drain," retaining local talent and expertise. It acts as a second chance for students who miss entry to selective national institutions, broadening access to quality education.

Supporting Knowledge Transfer and Local Development

TNE's impact extends beyond individual access to education; it supports knowledge transfer and local development. Collaborations between institutions worldwide, facilitated by TNE, contribute to enhancing the quality of education internationally. Examples from Malaysia, where TNE partnerships contributed to the elevation of colleges to university status, and China, where TNE programs focus on knowledge and expertise transfer, showcase the positive influence of TNE on local capacity development.

Improving International Trust and Recognition

Despite its potential, TNE faces challenges in gaining recognition comparable to traditional in-person education. Modes like online learning and franchise partnerships often encounter skepticism. A lack of understanding regarding TNE's operations and quality assurance mechanisms is a primary reason for this.

To address this, the British Council and the UK ENIC (UK ENIC) play crucial roles in fostering international engagement, developing a shared understanding of TNE's quality and quality assurance. Qualification recognition agreements, such as the one between the UK and India, are vital in overcoming these challenges, allowing TNE to flourish and contribute to a more inclusive and sustainable international education system.

Transnational education, with its diverse forms and global collaborations, emerges as a transformative force in building a more inclusive and culturally diverse society. By addressing unmet demands, fostering inclusivity, supporting knowledge transfer, and improving international trust and recognition, TNE plays a crucial role in shaping a future where education transcends borders, promoting shared understanding and global citizenship. As we continue to navigate the evolving landscape of education, TNE stands as a beacon of progress, opening doors to education for all, regardless of geographical constraints.

RELATED ARTICLE: Navigating New Nationalisms: A Horizon Europe-Funded Research Initiative To Safeguard Academic Freedom In European Higher Education
The dawn of 2024 brought grim news for several higher education institutions grappling with financial pressures and enrollment challenges. Amidst the ongoing turmoil, universities across the United States are forced to make tough decisions, including program cuts and job layoffs. This article delves into the recent developments, shedding light on the struggles faced by institutions ranging from large public universities to prestigious private colleges.

Financial Woes at the University of New Hampshire

The University of New Hampshire (UNH) recently announced plans to cut up to 75 employees as part of a broader initiative to reduce expenses by $14 million. Tania deLuzuriaga, UNH's executive director of public relations, cited intense competition for enrollment and increased costs as primary challenges. The personnel cuts are concentrated in departments like information technology, the campus art museum, and the health and wellness clinic.

READ ALSO: 2024 US Elections Unleash A Battle For Reform And Accountability In Higher Education

Program Eliminations at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro

The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNC Greensboro) has identified 19 programs for elimination after a recent academic portfolio review, citing low enrollment for both graduate and undergraduate programs. While the number of job cuts remains unspecified, faculty members contest certain details of the program review, including inaccurate enrollment numbers that impact majors like religious studies and Russian and Chinese languages.

Eastern Gateway Community College's Struggles

Eastern Gateway Community College (EGCC) is cutting 28 jobs in an attempt to save $1.3 million. The college, previously entangled in issues related to a free college program, faced scrutiny from accrediting bodies and the U.S. Department of Education. In August, EGCC announced the termination of the free college program, and the state auditor is currently investigating financial irregularities at the institution.

Layoffs at Queens College Amid Budget Reductions

Queens College, part of the City University of New York (CUNY) system, laid off 26 full-time faculty members in response to budget reductions. CUNY administrators mandated enhanced deficit reduction plans after a $23 million budget cut by New York City mayor Eric Adams. The abrupt nature of the cuts, occurring just before the spring semester, has drawn criticism from faculty members.

Youngstown State University's Program Cuts

Youngstown State University is set to cut five programs, leading to the elimination of 13 faculty positions due to low enrollment. The affected programs, including art education, geography, music composition, jazz studies, and public and professional writing, enrolled only 175 students with 23 graduates in the last academic year. Protests from students and faculty have emerged in response to these cuts.

Goddard College's Move Online

Goddard College is shifting temporarily to online programs, ending low-residency options on campus. Enrollment issues, student preferences, and rising costs are cited as driving factors behind the move. The transition will also result in the layoff of a dozen staff members, marking a significant change for the institution.

Connecticut State Colleges & Universities Offering Buyouts

The Connecticut State Colleges & Universities system anticipates a $140 million deficit in the next fiscal year and is offering buyouts to encourage retirements. Around 550 employees are eligible for the retirement incentive, raising concerns about job replenishment. The buyout plan has sparked a no-confidence vote in CSCU chancellor Terrence Cheng.

Hiring Freeze at the University of Chicago

Despite being one of the wealthiest institutions with a $10 billion endowment, the University of Chicago has imposed a hiring freeze due to a $239 million budget deficit. Rising interest payments and a debt of $5.8 billion contribute to the financial challenges. Details on potential layoffs are expected when the university releases deficit-reduction plans this spring.

Budget Cuts at Pennsylvania State University

Penn State plans to cut an estimated $94 million from the 2023-26 budget, driven by flat state funding and declining enrollment. While specific details on job cuts remain unclear, PSU president Neeli Bendapudi emphasized the need for a new approach to address ongoing challenges.

The challenges faced by these institutions underscore the complex landscape of higher education, where financial pressures, enrollment struggles, and budget deficits converge. As universities navigate this tumultuous period, tough decisions regarding program cuts and job layoffs become unavoidable. The impact on students, faculty, and the broader academic community raises concerns about the future of higher education in an era marked by economic uncertainties and evolving educational paradigms.

RELATED ARTICLE: What's Ahead? 2024 Higher Education Trends And Challenges
Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani on Monday underlined the imperative for collective and collaborative approaches to confront terrorism that posed a common challenge to both Pakistan and Iran

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 29th Jan, 2024) Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani on Monday underlined the imperative for collective and collaborative approaches to confront terrorism that posed a common challenge to both Pakistan and Iran.

During a meeting with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir Abdollahian, who is on an official visit to Pakistan at the invitation of FM Jilani, he stressed that robust institutional mechanisms between the two countries on security cooperation should be fully leveraged, a Foreign Office statement said.

The senior officials from both sides were present at the meeting.

Underscoring the brotherly relations between Pakistan and Iran, FM Jilani reaffirmed Pakistans commitment to deepen and broaden the existing wide-ranging cooperation with Iran.

The two foreign ministers agreed to immediately appoint liaison officers in Turbat and Zahidan to further strengthen ongoing security and intelligence cooperation.

Noting that security and development are intrinsically interlinked, they also agreed to expand initiatives for economic and development cooperation, including through early operationalization of the joint border markets to uplift the socio-economic status of the people of both countries, especially those residing in the border regions.

The two sides also decided to establish a Joint Coordination Mechanism at the level of foreign ministers to oversee and steer progress on a common agenda for the prosperity and development of the two peoples.

Regular high-level engagements provide a leadership-driven impetus to the bilateral relations between Pakistan and Iran. In this backdrop, the foreign minister renewed the invitation to Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi to undertake a visit to Pakistan.
Caretaker Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Dr Umar Saif on Monday said that the country had assembled approximately 9 million mobile phones worth around $1.5 billion during the last two years

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 29th Jan, 2024) Caretaker Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Dr Umar Saif on Monday said that the country had assembled approximately 9 million mobile phones worth around $1.5 billion during the last two years.

Addressing the Pakistan Mobile Summit, the first-ever mobile conference in the country, he said currently about 35 different mobile phone brands were actively contributing to the local mobile phone manufacturing industry.

He said the country had exported nearly 250,000 mobile phones and earned around $ 200 million dollars foreign

exchange.

The minister said local handset manufacturers in Pakistan had produced around 57 million phones, surpassing the annual domestic demand of 25 million units.

He also informed the audience about efforts being made at the local level to prepare some components, with the goal of eventually manufacturing fully assembled phones within the country.

He said that Pakistan was the 7th largest market of cellular users in the world with 191 Million cellular connections. However, "We import most of our mobile phones. We need to manufacture them locally and develop an industry to export made-in-Pakistan phones he added.

He said : "The Pakistani government has played a pivotal role in supporting the growth of this industry by offering various incentives."

Dr. Saif said : Just the number of broadband users in Pakistan is more than the entire population of Canada. The number of social media users in Pakistan is more than the entire population of many countries in Europe.

Dr Umar Saif expressed the optimism about the industry's potential for growth and the positive impact on the country's economy.

Highlighting the progress made in the IT and electronics industries over the last three years, he called for the formulation of policies in these domains.

He pointed out that the government had decided to grant a 3% Research and Development (R&D) allowance to mobile manufacturers, scheduled to be implemented starting from the next fiscal year. Furthermore, the R&D allowance will be increased from 3% to 8% in the upcoming years, he added.

He expressed the view that this decision was expected to encourage and support local mobile manufacturers in their research and development endeavors. The move aligns with the government's broader strategy to boost the technology sector and promote self-sufficiency in the production of electronic devices within Pakistan.

He expressed confidence that 5G services in the country would be launched by July-August of the current year, and a 300MHz spectrum would be offered for auction.

Before the launch of 5G services, the optic fiber network had to be enhanced. Currently, only 6,000 mobile towers are related to optic fiber cables (OFC), out of around 56,000 towers across the country.

The minister also highlighted the steps taken by his ministry for the uplift of the IT industry, stating that during the five months, the government had established a Telecom Tribunal to fulfill a longstanding demand of the telecom sector.

"The effective implementation of the Right of Way Policy, the Special Investment Council has removed all departmental hurdles, and all decisions in the interest of the country and the nation have been approved without delay," he added.

He said that under the nation's first space policy approved by the federal cabinet, international companies would be allowed to provide communication services through low-orbit communication satellites.

Dr Saif mentioned that satellite communication technology was advancing rapidly, and many private companies worldwide wanted to provide communication services through low-orbit satellites.

Satellites used to be geostationary, far away from the land. They are useful for broadcasting TV signals, but communicating is difficult because there is latency, he said.

Dr Saif said that communication services and Internet services could be offered through low-orbit satellites, which were relatively closer.

He mentioned that there had been a lot of development in this regard in the private sector.

Now it has become possible for communication services in Pakistan to be provided through satellites, and the private sector has this technology, he said.

The Pakistan Mobile Summit, the first-ever mobile conference in Pakistan, had a distinguished guest list of top industry leaders and over 250 attendees. The event provided an excellent platform for engaging in insightful discussions, sharing innovative ideas, and building collaborative networking within the dynamic landscape of the ever-evolving mobile industry.

This momentous evening gathered some pivotal figures in the mobile phone ecosystem, ranging from government representatives, operators, regulators, manufacturers, and app developers to advocates for digital and financial inclusion (D&I) as well as sustainability.

Prominent names, including Muzzafar Hayat Piracha, CEO Airlink, Major General (R) Hafeez ur Rehman, Chairman PTA, Fatima Asad-Said, CEO ABACUS, Aamir Allawala, CEO Transsion TECNO Electronic, Muhammad Imran Saleem, Country GM, Careem Pakistan, Ehsan Saya, Managing Director, Daraz, Mr. Anwar Kabir, CEO Brand Spectrum, and others, attended the event.

Central to the discussions was the profound impact of 5G, exploring its transformative potential for digital advancements and B2B services, alongside other pertinent topics. Complementing the discussions, an exhibition area was set up to highlight the diverse contributions of organizations within the mobile industry.
(@FahadShabbir)

The Water and Power Development Authority on Monday organized a Road Show in Bangkok to entice top-notch contracting firms for their 300 MW-Floating Solar Project, the first of its kind in Pakistan

MIRPUR-AJK, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 29th Jan, 2024) The Water and Power Development Authority on Monday organized a Road Show in Bangkok to entice top-notch contracting firms for their 300 MW-Floating Solar Project, the first of its kind in Pakistan.

In a bid to promote competition and attract top-notch contracting firms, WAPDA organized a day-long Road Show in Bangkok for its 300-MW Floating Solar Project, the first of its kind in Pakistan, said a press release.

Chairman Engr Lt Gen Sajjad Ghani (Retd) expressed his gratitude for the attendees' participation and highlighted the excellent business opportunities available through transparent international competitive bidding.

The project, which aims to generate clean energy from the Tarbela-Ghazi Barotha Complex using a hybrid of floating solar and hydropower operations, has already garnered interest from the World Bank which has offered to finance 95% of the project.

The bidding submission deadline is set for March 12, 2024, making it a race against time for interested firms to secure a spot in this groundbreaking project.

The event was attended by 58 delegates representing 50 renowned international firms, along with WAPDA officials and project consultants.
HAIKOU, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 29th Jan, 2024) -- Hainan, south China's tropical island province, aims to promote cultural and tourism cooperation with France in honor of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and France this year.

Celebrating the 60th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties, China and France will jointly host the Year of Culture and Tourism to provide cultural experiences to the two peoples.

Hainan, with diverse tourism resources, will launch a series of activities, such as promoting the establishment of a European center for Hainan tourism and cultural exchange in France and holding tourism promotion activities, to enhance bilateral cooperation in culture and tourism, said the provincial department of tourism, culture, radio, television and sports.

Europe is an important overseas tourist source market for Hainan. About 410,000 European tourists, including 7,381 French tourists, visited Hainan in 2019, said the department, adding that the number of inbound tourists from France and other European countries has great space for growth.
(@FahadShabbir)

Paris, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Jan, 2024) French farmers choked off major motorways around Paris on Monday, threatening to blockade the capital in an intensifying standoff with the government over working conditions.

In recent weeks there has been a slew of protests in France, a major agricultural producer, by farmers angry about incomes, red tape and environmental policies they say undermine their ability to compete with other countries.

Protesting farmers started the operation by blocking the A13 highway to the west of the capital, the A4 to the east and the A6 on which hundreds of tractors rolled towards Paris from the south.

By mid-afternoon they appeared to have met their objective of establishing eight chokepoints on major roads into Paris, according to Sytadin, a traffic monitoring service.

"We need answers," said Karine Duc, a farmer from the southwestern Lot-et-Garonne department as she joined a convoy of tractors heading for Paris.

"This is the final battle for farming. It's a question of survival," she told AFP.

One banner on a tractor in the convoy said: "We will not die in silence."

- Police to protect airports -

In response, the government ordered the deployment of 15,000 police and gendarmes.

Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin told security forces to show restraint, but he also warned the farmers not to interfere with strategic spots.

"We're not going to allow government buildings or tax offices or supermarkets to be damaged or lorries transporting foreign produce to be stopped," he said.

Darmanin said the protests would also not be allowed to affect Paris's Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports, or the Rungis international wholesale food market south of the city.

Armoured police vehicles were deployed to Rungis on Monday after some farmers threatened to "occupy" it.

Police and gendarmes are also under orders to prevent any incursion into Paris itself, Darmanin said.

The government has been trying to keep discontent among farmers from spreading ahead of European Parliament elections in June, which are seen as a key test for President Emmanuel Macron's government.

Macron called a meeting with several ministers Monday afternoon to discuss the situation, his office said.

Macron is also set to meet with European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels on Thursday to discuss the crisis and support measures that farmers are demanding at the EU level, his office said.

During a visit to a farm on Sunday, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal sought again to address farmers' concerns after a raft of concessions announced on Friday failed to defuse the crisis.

"I want us to clarify things and see what extra measures we can take," he said.

Government spokeswoman Prisca Thevenot said "new measures will be taken tomorrow" to help farmers.

- 'Given us nibbles' -

Farmer leaders said the government's responses so far were insufficient.

"The prime minister has given us nibbles, and now we'd like him to work a bit harder and give us more," said Arnaud Lepoil, a member of the leading farmers' union FNSEA.

Arnaud Rousseau, the FNSEA's leader, and Young Farmers union boss Arnaud Gaillot were to meet with Attal later Monday, sources told AFP.

"Our goal is not to annoy French people or make their lives difficult but to put pressure on the government," Rousseau told the RTL broadcaster.

Earlier, around 30 activists from the environmental group Greenpeace launched smoke grenades on Paris's Place de la Concorde near the Champs-Elysees.

They also unfurled a banner in support of the farmers before being escorted away by police.

Taxi drivers staged their own protest movement on Monday against what they say is insufficient remuneration for the transport of patients by the French health services.

Their go-slows added to the disruption on motorways.

In neighbouring Belgium, farmers have stepped up their own campaign, and in recent weeks farmers' protests have also grown in Germany, Poland, Romania and the Netherlands.
Ukraine fired artillery rounds at the Russian-held city of Donetsk on Monday, killing at least three people and wounding three others, Kremlin-backed officials said

Moscow, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 29th Jan, 2024) Ukraine fired artillery rounds at the Russian-held city of Donetsk on Monday, killing at least three people and wounding three others, Kremlin-backed officials said.

Donetsk, a city in eastern Ukraine occupied by Russia and its proxy forces since 2014, has repeatedly been targeted by what Moscow has called indiscriminate Ukrainian shelling.

Video distributed by Russian state media showed bodies lying on a street littered with debris and broken pieces of metal, while another showed a small crater on the ground.

"Three people were killed as a result of enemy shelling of the Kalininskyi district of Donetsk," said Denis Pushilin, head of the region's Russian-backed administration.

Three other civilians had "sustained moderate injuries", he said, adding that Ukrainian forces fired the rounds from a Grad multiple rocket launcher system.

AFP was not able to immediately verify the circumstances of the strike and Ukraine officials did not immediately comment.

Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of a sharp escalation in attacks on civilian areas over the past two months. On January 21, Russian-backed officials accused Ukraine of striking a suburb of Donetsk, killing 27 people, many of whom were shopping at a busy market.

Ukrainian shelling and drone attacks in Russia's Belgorod region bordering Ukraine on Monday wounded at least one person and damaged several homes, governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said.

Ukraine said Russia fired shells at its military and civilian areas across the country on Monday, launching rocket attacks at least 86 times over the past day.

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Vietnam-Philippines Two-Way Trade

The President of the Philippines is on an official state visit to Hanoi during which he will discuss trade and investment between the two nations. Heres how that trade and investment is shaping up.

The President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., is on an official state visit to Hanoi. During his visit, the Filipino leader is slated to talk about trade and investment with key Vietnamese decision-makers.

Both members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), these two countries are parties to a number of multilateral trade agreements that have made trade between them cheaper and easier.

In particular, Vietnam has become extremely important to the Philippines food security, exporting over US$1.75 billion worth of rice to the country in 2023.

In this light, heres how trade and investment is shaping up between these two Southeast Asian neighbors.

Trade relations between the Philippines and Vietnam

Both members of ASEAN trade between the Philippines and Vietnam is covered by several free trade agreements. These include:

ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA)

ASEAN-China Free Trade Area

ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership

ASEAN-Korea Free Trade Area

ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area

ASEAN-India Free Trade Area

ASEAN-Hong Kong, China Free Trade Area (AHKFTA)

Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.

See also: Vietnams Free Trade Agreements  Opportunities for Your Business

Philippines FDI projects in Vietnam

As of the end of 2022, firms from the Philippines had registered 88 projects in Vietnam to the tune of US$605.99 million since Vietnam began keeping records.

One of the biggest investors in Vietnam from the Philippines is the Jollibee Foods Corporation. Jollibee is most well known for its fried chicken and rice fast-food restaurants of which it has around 150 stores in Vietnam.

That said, the company is also the majority shareholder of Vietnams Highlands Coffee chain. There were over 500 Highlands coffee outlets in Vietnam in 2022 with around 50 in the Philippines.

Exports the Philippines to Vietnam

In 2023, the Philippines key exports to Vietnam were: computers, electrical products, spare parts and components thereof; machines, equipment, tools and instruments; and

other base metals. Collectively these three items accounted for just over US$2 billion worth of exports to Vietnam out of a total of US$2.65 billion.

Philippiness exports to Vietnam, 2023

Description Value US$ Computers, electrical products, spare parts, and components thereof 1,635,089,455 Other products 279,648,372 Machine, equipment, tools, and instruments 277,744,019 Other base metals 174,253,504 Insulated wires and cables 88,923,073 Fishery products 40,406,065 Parts and accessories of motor vehicles 20,080,653 Animal fodders and animal fodder materials 16,876,402 Plastic products 15,841,948 Pastrycooks, sweets, and cereal products 14,975,877 Fertilizers 14,438,580 Plastics 13,327,766 Other edible food preparations 11,479,708 Chemical products 10,043,217 Ferrous waste and scrap 9,992,744 Iron and steel products 7,876,352 Tobacco materials 6,151,869 Other base metal products 5,345,642 Iron and steel 5,238,644 Rubber products 2,601,504 Pharmaceutical products 1,673,246 Paper 447,511 Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery, cosmetic or toilet preparations 447,244 Milk and milk products 240,948 Fabrics 174,670 Total 2,653,319,013

Source: Vietnam General Department of Customs

Exports Vietnam to the Philippines

In 2023, Vietnams biggest exports to the Philippines were: rice; clinker, and cement; and machines, equipment, tools, and instruments. Collectively exports of these items accounted for US$2.46 billion worth of exports to the Philippines. This was out of total exports of US$1.49 billion.

Vietnams exports to the Philippines, 2023

Description Value US$ Rice 1,753,389,269 Other products 705,508,912 Clinker and cement 358,319,713 Machine, equipment, tools, and instruments 352,065,529 Other means of transportation, parts, and components thereof 221,046,482 Computers, electrical products, spare parts, and components thereof 193,695,173 Telephones, mobile phones, and parts thereof 153,177,078 Coffee 152,867,271 Fishery products 133,881,181 Textiles and garments 125,874,580 Iron and steel 111,422,344 Foot-wears 104,666,498 Yarn 82,650,651 Chemical products 79,208,620 Insulated wires and cables 71,774,948 Plastic products 60,806,344 Other base metals and other base metal products 60,186,284 Petroleum products 59,627,992 Paper and paper products 40,525,883 Iron and steel products 38,000,837 Animal fodders and animal fodder materials 34,480,053 Ceramic products 34,246,746 Pastrycooks, sweets, and cereals products 28,703,704 Textile, leather, and footwear materials and accessories thereof 28,528,168 Plastics 27,466,493 Fertilizers 25,905,746 Pepper 24,178,202 Chemicals 20,368,730 Still image, video cameras and parts thereof 18,883,984 Cashew nut 16,536,779 Coal 12,243,704 Manioc and manioc products 9,191,975 Glass and glassware 7,334,879 Tea 2,303,518 Furniture of other materials, other than wood 844,888 Total 5,149,913,156

Source: Vietnam General Department of Customs

Philippines-Vietnam trade moving forward

With two-way trade at just over US$7.8 billion last year, the trading relationship between Vietnam and the Philippines has become incredibly important for both countries. As the ASEAN trading bloc becomes more heavily integrated and supply chains become increasingly more diversified, this two-way trade volume is likely to become even greater.

To find out more about building regional supply chains in Southeast Asia contact the business advisory experts at Dezan Shira and Associates.
Vietnam Briefing has developed into a premium source for insight on doing business in Vietnam. It publishes business news concerning foreign direct investment into Vietnam, including the most important tax, legal and accounting issues. The Vietnam Briefing Magazine was first published in 2009, and is contributed to by investment professionals based in Vietnam.
Groups backed by Iran have been waging attacks on Israeli and U.S. targets since war erupted between its Palestinian ally Hamas and Israel on Oct. 7, a campaign that has regionalized the Gaza conflict and fueled fears of wider escalation.

In one of the latest such attacks, three U.S. servicemen were killed and at least 34 wounded in a drone attack by Iran-backed militants in northeastern Jordan near the Syrian border, U.S. Central Command said Sunday.

The following are key groups involved in attacks.

Islamic Resistance in Iraq

An umbrella group of hardline Shiite Muslim armed groups close to Iran, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed an attack near the Syrian Jordanian border around the same time U.S. officials said their troops were targeted.

They have claimed more than 150 attacks on bases housing U.S. forces in Syria and Iraq since October, leading to dozens of mostly minor injuries and drawing several rounds of U.S. strikes in response.

Iranian-backed Shiite groups emerged as powerful players in Iraq after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion, with tens of thousands of fighters.

Shiite armed groups played a leading role in battling the ultra-hardline Sunni Islamist Islamic State group, fighting as part of the Hashid Shaabi, or the Popular Mobilization Forces.

While members of these armed groups receive state salaries and are technically under the authority of the prime minister, they often operate outside the chain of command.

Those targeting U.S. forces in recent months include Kataib Hezbollah and the Nujaba group, both of which are closely linked to Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards. Their arsenal includes explosive drones, rockets and ballistic missiles.

Their statements have declared their operations as part of an effort to "resist American occupation forces in Iraq and the region," and carried out in "response to the massacres" committed by Israel against Palestinians in Gaza.

The groups are designated terrorist organizations by the United States.

Yemen's Houthis

The Houthi movement, which controls large parts of Yemen, announced it had entered the conflict on Oct. 31, firing drones and missiles at Israel more than a thousand miles from their seat of power in Sanaa.

In November, the Houthis expanded their role by attacking shipping in the southern Red Sea, saying they were targeting vessels belonging to Israelis or heading to Israeli ports - though some of the targeted ships had no known Israeli links.

The campaign prompted the United States and Britain to launch air strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen in January. The Houthis declared all U.S. and British ships and warships taking part in "the aggression" would be targets for the group.

The attacks have disrupted international commerce on the shortest shipping route between Europe and Asia, leading some shipping companies to reroute their vessels.

The United States believes Iran's Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) have been helping to plan and carry out the Houthi missile and drone attacks. Iran denies involvement.

Sources told Reuters earlier this month that commanders from the IRGC and Hezbollah are on the ground in Yemen helping to direct and oversee Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping. The Houthis denied any Hezbollah or Iranian involvement.

The United States returned the Houthis to its list of designated terrorist groups in response to the shipping attacks.

Lebanon's Hezbollah

The heavily armed Lebanese group Hezbollah has been mounting near daily attacks on Israeli targets at the Lebanese Israeli border since Oct. 8, prompting the heaviest exchanges of fire between the enemies since they waged full-scale war in 2006.

Hezbollah says its attacks have helped to stretch the Israeli army while also uprooting tens of thousands of Israelis who have fled homes near the border. Israeli air and artillery strikes have also forced tens of thousands of Lebanese to flee.

More than 150 Hezbollah fighters and at least 25 Lebanese civilians have been killed, in addition to at least nine Israeli soldiers and a civilian.

A U.S. envoy has been engaged in efforts to prevent the violence from spiraling into an even bigger conflict.

Founded by Iran's Revolutionary Guards in 1982, Hezbollah has served as a model for other Tehran-backed groups across the region and has also advised or trained some of them.

Hezbollah is widely regarded as more powerful than the Lebanese state and shares Iran's Shi'ite Islamist ideology.

The United States designates Hezbollah as a terrorist organization.
Afghanistans fundamentalist Taliban hosted their first international meeting Monday since returning to power in Kabul, saying it is aimed at promoting economic connectivity and cooperation with regional countries on common challenges.



Special representatives and ambassadors from neighboring and regional countries, including China, Russia and Iran, attended the gathering in the Afghan capital titled Afghanistan Regional Cooperation Initiative.



Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi told the inaugural session that regional security remains of grave importance for his government, known as the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan or IEA. His office released the English translation of his local language speech.



Muttaqi explained that the meeting had been convened to develop a region-centric narrative to enhance cooperation for a positive and constructive engagement between Afghanistan and regional countries to tackle existing and potential threats.



The Taliban reclaimed power in August 2021 when the United States-led Western troops withdrew from the country after their involvement in the Afghan war for nearly 20 years.



However, the international community has not recognized the de facto Afghan government mainly over its restrictions on womens access to education and work.



The United Nations has also refused to give Afghanistans seat at the world body to the Taliban until they ease their restrictions on Afghan womens freedom of movement and work and govern the country through an inclusive political setup representing all Afghan ethnicities.



The Taliban have defended their administration and policies as aligned with Afghan culture and Islamic law, rejecting calls for reforms as an interference in the countrys internal affairs.



I would like to take this opportunity to put across to you a clear message: The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan respects others interests, choices, government structures, and development models and, in return, expects others to respect Afghanistans interests and government and development choices and models, Muttaqi said Monday.



Therefore, our choices shall be respected. Instead of proposing governance models and pointing fingers at the (Afghan ruling) system, it is better to engage in mutual interests, the Taliban foreign minister said.



He urged delegates to convey the ground realities of todays Afghanistan to the United Nations meeting scheduled for next month in Qatar in hopes of fostering a constructive engagement and acceptable approach for his country.



The two-day conference in Qatars capital, Doha, will open on February 18. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will convene the meeting with member states, regional organizations, and special Afghanistan representatives.



The objective of the meeting is to discuss how to approach increasing international engagement in a coherent, coordinated, and structured manner, including through consideration of the recommendations of the independent assessment on Afghanistan, said Guterres spokesman Stephane Dujarric while speaking to reporters in New York last week.



The U.N.-mandated assessment determined that international engagement is not working, nor does it serve the humanitarian, economic, political or social needs of the Afghan people.



The Doha meeting is also expected to discuss the appointment of a U.N. special envoy for Afghanistan in accordance with the assessment's recommendations.



On Monday, Muttaqi reiterated Kabuls opposition to appointing a U.N. special envoy, saying the world body already maintains its presence in Afghanistan and his administration is ready to engage with international stakeholders on all issues. He cautioned that previous externally imposed solutions and interventions led to instability in his conflict-torn South Asian nation.



The U.N.-authorized assessment has linked the recognition of the Taliban government to compliance with Afghanistan's international treaty obligations and commitments and the immediate removal of sweeping curbs on women's rights to education and employment opportunities.
Analysts in West Africa are reacting to the sudden exit of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger from the regional economic bloc ECOWAS, the Economic Community of West African States, and are raising security concerns. The three nations led by military juntas announced the withdrawal in a televised broadcast Sunday, accusing the regional body of becoming a threat to member states.

According to a joint communique issued by the military juntas of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, the withdrawal from ECOWAS after nearly half a century takes effect immediately.

They said the regional bloc  under the influence of foreign powers  betrayed its founding principles and failed to aid its member states in their fight against terrorism and insecurity.

They also criticized sanctions imposed on military regimes in the region by ECOWAS.

But soon after the announcement, ECOWAS said it had yet to receive an official notice from the member states. The bloc said it remained committed to finding a negotiated solution to the political impasse.

Nigerian security analyst Jaye Gaskia said there will be implications.

"The withdrawal of members of ECOWAS would have implications on ECOWAS itself in terms of its mandate and purpose for integration to ensure joint security and economic integration," said Gaskia. "I think this is a lesson  that ECOWAS needs to have protocols and mechanisms in place to begin to respond to that situation of insecurity and instability before it leads to a point where governments are actually overthrown. I ask this question  at what point is the constitution of a country actually subverted? Is it at the point where leaders become irresponsible or is it when [the] military responds to that?"

The 15-nation bloc was created in 1975 to promote economic integration among member states.

ECOWAS, however, has struggled in recent years to reverse a wave of military takeovers in the region, including Mali in 2020 and 2021, Burkina Faso in 2022 and in Niger last year.

ECOWAS rules state that withdrawal from the bloc takes up to one year to be finalized.

Criticism had been growing over the blocs strict sanctions against Niger, including the threat of force following the July ouster of President Mohamed Bazoum.

Idayat Hassan, a senior associate in the Africa program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said there's a lesson for the regional bloc.

"What ECOWAS should really learn is that the juntas are very strategic and at no point should we take these kinds of leaders for granted especially since they started this whole idea of the Alliance of Sahel States," said Hassan. "What happens to the currency? There are a lot of buts and ifs. But it's not also something that is as easy as the junta is making it to be.

Last September, Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso formed a bloc known as the Alliance of Sahel States and vowed to tackle armed groups in their countries.

Gaskia said the decision to operate outside the regional bloc will not be easy and could lead to more challenges.

"This withdrawal is not in the best interest of the three countries or ECOWAS because if ECOWAS is not providing the enabling environment for your security, what's the alternative they're looking at? And that's where I think ECOWAS needs to become very worried," said Gaskia. "So, who do their countries turn to for security? Russia? China?"

Since the political impasse, the three countries have drawn closer to Russia, distancing themselves from formal colonial power France.
Chinas human rights record faced rare public scrutiny at the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva last week, and while Beijing was able to lobby some countries from the Global South to praise human rights conditions in the country, analysts and advocates say its charm offensive has had a limited effect.

A lot of governments issued friendly recommendations to China during last weeks Universal Periodic Review [UPR] in Geneva, which demonstrated Chinas influence, but despite the enormous pressure that many developing countries feel [from Beijing,] there were some bold statements from Latin American countries, Raphael Viana David, China and Latin America Program Manager at the International Service for Human Rights [ISHR] told VOA by phone.

During the UPR, Chinas fourth since the inception of the mechanism in 2008, a total of 161 UN member states commented on Beijings human rights record.

Several Western democracies urged China to ratify international treaties and cease human rights persecutions against ethnic minorities while countries from the Global South were split between those that praised the human rights conditions in China and others that expressed concerns about Beijings crackdown on civil society.

During the review, Costa Rica recommended China remove excessive restrictions on the functioning of independent NGOs while Belarus recommended China to combat separatism and promote modernization of social governance system and capacity in Xizhang, using the term that Beijing has adopted in its official English statement about Tibet.

During a regular news conference on January 24, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said Beijing follows a people-centered approach to human rights and works hard to deliver a better life for the people.

During the review, China announced that it will adopt 30 new measures to safeguard human rights, covering areas of peoples wellbeing, legal protection for human rights, international cooperation on human rights, and the work related to UN human rights mechanisms, Wang said.

Despite Beijings efforts to lobby support from developing countries, some expressed mixed views about Chinas charm offensive.

Before the UPR, China had sent something like instructions to [some of these] countries about what they should say to the other U.N. member states so thats why some of them repeated the narrative that Beijing presented, Rayhan Asat, a Uyghur human rights lawyer who engaged with diplomats from several countries prior to the review, told VOA by phone.

According to Asat, some countries in the Global South, including some in Africa, found Chinas lobbying efforts quite demeaning. They find Chinas approach disrespectful to the U.N. process, she said, adding that such sentiment didnt stop these countries from echoing Beijings point of view.

Asat says it is difficult for countries to do that given the economic sway they maintain in their home capitals.

Prior to the review last Tuesday on January 23, several media outlets reported that China asked the U.N. to prevent some activists, whom Beijing characterized as anti-China separatists, from attending the review.

Apart from these efforts, Viana David from ISHR told VOA that the Chinese government also tried to influence media reporting on the UPR in Global South countries and limit access to the review for NGO representatives.

China brought a huge delegation and [while] NGO representatives arrived an hour and a half before the review to try to queue to enter the room, their strategy still closed some space for civil society participation in this UPR, he said.

Responding to reports about Chinas attempt to lobby support from non-western countries ahead of the UPR, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang said Beijing attaches high importance to the UPR and promised to participate in the review with an open, candid attitude. [The Chinese government] will communicate with all parties for mutual learning and joint progress, he said during a daily press conference on January 23.

Some analysts say Beijings efforts to influence the human rights review reveal the fundamental problem of the mechanism. The UPR is still very much an exercise of diplomatic struggle, Patrick Poon, a visiting researcher at the University of Tokyo, told VOA by phone.

Poon, who participated in the U.N. Human Rights Councils first review of China in 2009, said last weeks UPR shows that the review isnt based on independent experts assessment of the human rights situation in China. The UPR shows how eager China was at influencing other member states in the process but we cant let China feel they can just get around this mechanism so easily, he added.

Following last Tuesdays session, the U.N. Human Rights Councils UPR Working Group adopted the recommendations for China made by U.N. member states on January 26. Chinas top diplomat in Geneva Chen Xu said Beijing would be ready to work with the global community to steadfastly advance and safeguard human rights.

Viana David from ISHR said the next step is to see how many recommendations will be accepted by Beijing between now and the next session of the UN Human Rights Council in June. The document that shows which recommendations China accepts will be the test of Beijings willingness to commit to addressing [human rights] challenges, he told VOA.

In his view, the way that the Chinese government responds to the recommendations made by U.N. member states will show whether China is serious about being a constructive international player. This UPR will show us how much China is willing to be a constructive player in a geopolitical context where China seeks to assert itself as a responsible leader, Viana David said.
A Chinese research ship due to dock in the Maldives has raised apprehensions in India, where concerns have been growing about the potential military use of the data collected by such vessels.

The Maldives foreign ministry said last week that it has given permission to the ship, Xiang Yang Hong 3, following a request by China to make a port call, for rotation of personnel and replenishment. It said the ship will not be conducting any research in Maldivian waters.

The announcement comes at a time when diplomatic tensions have spiked between India and the Maldives following the election of President Mohamed Muizzu, who is seen as pro-China.

The Maldives gave clearance to the ship weeks after Indias other small neighbor in the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka placed a one-year moratorium on foreign research ships entering its waters.

The suspension was put in place apparently due to objections raised by India after at least two Chinese research and surveillance ships docked in the island nation in the last year and a half. Last year, the research ship Shi Yan 6, conducted a maritime survey in Sri Lankan waters.

Analysts say New Delhis concerns about Chinese research ships such as the one due to dock in the Maldives in the coming days arise from fears that the data collected could be used to deploy Chinese submarines in the region.

Our suspicion is that this vessel, although it is an oceanographic research vessel, is gathering information that could be used by China to expand its undersea military operations and improve its anti-submarine warfare capabilities, as it studies the Indian Ocean environment, the seabed, temperature profile, eddies, currents, etc. That means China will have an edge militarily in the Indian Ocean in times to come, Abhijit Singh, Head of Maritime Policy Initiative at the Observer Research Foundation in New Delhi told VOA.

Amid rising geopolitical tensions, the Indian Ocean has become a hugely strategic waterway for India and China, the Asian giants whose rivalries have deepened following a four-year long military standoff along their Himalayan borders.

Beijing has profound interest in the Indian Ocean because vital sea-lanes of communication pass through here carrying energy, oil, trade etc. What they are doing is reconnoitering the high seas, studying the hydrographic or hydrological conditions because their submarines will operate here one day, Indias retired navy chief Arun Prakash told VOA. China is preparing the ground for a major maritime deployment in the years to come So it is of concern to India.

The Maldives and Sri Lanka are placed strategically along key shipping routes. Although the Maldives foreign ministry said that the Chinese ship, Xiang Yang Hong 3 would not be conducting research, analysts said that was unlikely to reassure New Delhi.

Once the vessel is there, it is very hard for Maldives to make sure that it is not doing the work it intends to do, according to Singh.

A report by the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies released earlier this month said that Chinese surveys in the Indian Ocean have clear military value - especially to submarine operations.

According to the report, China, whose surveying operations had been concentrated along its periphery in the South China Sea and Western Pacific Ocean, has also set its sights on the Indian Ocean.

"While scientific and commercial benefits may accrue from Chinese oceanographic research, these activities may also prove crucial for the PLA [People's Liberation Army] in expanding its operational reach and capabilities in the Indian Ocean," the report said.

"This expansion poses a significant challenge to key regional players like India, as well as to the United States and its allies."

Following the reports release, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning, said that China's marine scientific research fully complied with the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea.

"We hope that the relevant parties will take an objective view of China's marine scientific research activities and refrain from speculating through colored glasses," Mao said on January 11.

In the Maldives, permission to the Chinese vessel was granted weeks after both sides committed to stronger ties during a visit this month by the Maldivian president, Muizzu, to Beijing.

The Chinese are going to leverage these growing ties with Maldives by conducting surveys in these waters, said Singh.

Indian Ocean countries such as Sri Lanka and the Maldives have witnessed a geopolitical tug of war between India and China for a strategic presence over the past two decades.

"The Maldives has always been a welcoming destination for vessels of friendly countries, and continues to host both civilian and military vessels making port calls for peaceful purposes," the Maldivian foreign ministry said last week, referring to the Xiang Yang Hong 3 visit.

The deployment of such research ships in the Indian Ocean is going to increase, it is not going to get any less in the years to come, said Prakash.
Australia said it will spend $23 million to support policing in East Timor, boosting disaster response and technology capabilities in the small Southeast Asian neighbor that recently upgraded ties with China.

Minister for International Development and the Pacific Pat Conroy arrived in East Timor on Monday and met with Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao.

"Australia is committed to working with Timor-Leste to deliver skilled and professional policing services that contribute to a stable and secure Timor-Leste," Conroy said in a statement.

Australia will provide the $23 million to continue a policing partnership between the two nations that began 20 years earlier, he added.

East Timor's President Jose Ramos Horta said in September a strategic partnership signed by Gusmao with China would boost Chinese investment and infrastructure, but did not extend to military cooperation, and Australia remained its top security partner.

Australia is concerned at China's efforts to increase security and policing ties in the Pacific region, after Beijing struck a security pact with Solomon Islands.

East Timor is a developing nation around 700 kilometers northwest of Australia.

China's ambassador to Australia said this month Beijing has a strategy to help Pacific Island nations with policing, not defense, and its growing presence in the region should not alarm Australia.

Conroy will travel on Tuesday to Nauru, which switched diplomatic ties from Taiwan to Beijing earlier this month.
Austria on Monday became the latest country to suspend additional funding for the U.N.s Palestinian relief agency, a day after U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged countries to resume funding to help displaced people in Gaza who are desperately in need of assistance.

Austrias foreign ministry issued a statement calling on the agency, known as UNRWA, and the United Nations to conduct a comprehensive, swift and complete investigation into the allegations that a dozen aid workers played a role in the October Hamas attack on Israel.

At least 10 other countries, which together account for about 60% of UNRWAs funding, have suspended funding. Those countries include the United States, Australia, Britain, Canada, Finland, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands and Switzerland.

Norway said Sunday that while it shares concerns about the allegations, it will continue its funding for the agency.

UNRWA is a lifeline for millions of people in deep distress in Gaza as well as in the wider region, Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said on X.

Guterres warned that without adequate funding for UNRWA, aid for more than 2 million Palestinians in Gaza would be scaled back as soon as Thursday, Feb. 1.

"The abhorrent alleged acts of these staff members must have consequences," Guterres said in a statement, adding that they could face criminal prosecution. Nine of the aid workers were immediately fired, one was confirmed dead and officials are clarifying the identity of two others.

Still, Guterres said, 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."

Israel immediately rebuked Guterres for calling for the resumption of Palestinian assistance. Gilad Erdan, the Jewish states ambassador to the U.N., said that Guterres has proven once again that the security of the citizens of Israel is not really important for him.

After years in which he ignored the evidence presented to him personally about UNRWA's support and involvement in incitement and terrorism, and before he conducted a comprehensive investigation to locate all Hamas terrorists in UNRWA, he called to fund an organization that is deeply contaminated with terrorism, Erdan said.

Hamas has been designated a terrorist organization by the United States, United Kingdom, European Union and others. Israel says the groups Oct. 7 attack killed 1,200 people.

Every country that continues to fund UNRWA before a comprehensive investigation of the organization should know that its money might be used for terrorism, and the aid that will be transferred to UNRWA may reach the Hamas terrorists instead of the people of Gaza, Erdan concluded.

The U.N. agency provides basic services, including medical care and education, for Palestinian families who fled or were driven out of what is now Israel during the 1948 war surrounding the country's creation. They now live in built-up refugee camps in Gaza, the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.

The dispute over Palestinian relief funding came as two senior U.S. officials said negotiators were reported to be closing in on a cease-fire agreement that would halt the Israel-Hamas fighting for two months and lead to the release of the remaining 100 or so hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.

The emerging terms of the deal would call for the release of the remaining women, elderly and wounded hostages in a first 30-day phase, but details on the release of men were not clear. The pending deal also calls for Israel to allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza.

U.S. Central Intelligence Agency Director Bill Burns met Sunday in Paris 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 to discuss the possible cease-fire.

More than 100 hostages were released in late November during a week-long cease-fire in exchange for 240 Palestinians jailed by Israel. But since then, fighting has been non-stop and no more hostages have been freed.

Israels military said Monday it carried out airstrikes in the Khan Younis area, in southern Gaza, while ground operations killed militants in both central and northern Gaza.

The Israeli military also said a terrorist carried out a ramming attack next to an Israeli base in northern Israel, then was shot by Israeli troops after getting out of a vehicle and trying to attack Israel forces with an axe.

The Israeli counteroffensive after the Oct. 7 Hamas attack has killed more than 26,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials, while also destroying vast swaths of Gaza and displacing nearly 85% of the territory's people.

Some information for this report was provided by The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
Gunmen attacked villagers in the oil-rich region of Abyei claimed by both Sudan and South Sudan, leaving at least 52 people dead, including a U.N. peacekeeper, and 64 wounded, a regional official said Sunday.

The motive for the attack Saturday evening was not immediately clear but it was suspected to revolve around a land dispute, Bulis Koch, Abyei information minister, told The Associated Press in a telephone interview from Abyei.

Deadly ethnic violence has been common in the region, where Twic Dinka tribal members from neighboring Warrap State are locked in a land dispute with Ngok Dinka from Abyei over the Aneet area, located at the border.

The attackers in Saturday's violence were armed youth from the Nuer tribe who migrated to Warrap state last year because of flooding in their areas, Koch said.

In a statement, the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei, UNISFA, condemned the violence that killed the peacekeeper.

UNIFSA confirmed intercommunal clashes took place in the Nyinkuac, Majbong and Khadian areas leading to casualties and the evacuation of civilians to UNISFA bases.

"The UNISFA base in Agok came under attack by an armed group. The mission repelled the attack, but tragically a Ghanaian peacekeeper was killed," the statement said.

Sudan and South Sudan have disagreed over control of the Abyei region since a 2005 peace deal ended decades of civil war between Sudan's north and south. Both Sudan and South Sudan claim ownership of Abyei, whose status was unresolved after South Sudan became independent from Sudan in 2011.

The region's majority Ngok Dinka people favor South Sudan, while the Misseriya nomads who come to Abyei to find pasture for their cattle favor Sudan. Currently, the region is under the control of South Sudan.

An African Union panel proposed a referendum for Abyei but there was disagreement over who could vote. Currently, the region is under the control of South Sudan.

Inter-communal and cross-border clashes have escalated since South Sudan deployed its troops to Abyei in March.
Protesting French farmers surrounded Paris Monday using tractor barricades, amid a standoff with the government over regulations and shrinking incomes.

The protesters say that amid the ongoing Ukraine war, fertilizer prices and other inputs for livestock feeding and crop-growing have increased and have eaten into their income. They also argue that their agricultural sector is heavily subsidized and overregulated, and that their livelihoods are hurt by food imports from countries with fewer constraints.

The French government announced that it will deploy 15,000 police officers to stop protesters from entering the capital and has sent officers and armored vehicles to Rungis market, one of the central locations for fresh food in Paris.

In what the protesters have called a siege, they blocked all six lanes of the A4 highway at Jossigny, near the Disneyland theme park, and they parked their tractors to form an ear of wheat. Some signs included slogans like No food without farmers or The end of us would mean famine for you.

The A6 highway south of Paris was also blocked by protesters, who dropped hay bales using forklifts, as seen in images shown by broadcaster BFM-TV.

Some protesters brought food, water and tents to prepare to stay at the barricade should the French government not grant concessions.

Arnaud Rousseau, president of the FNSEA agricultural union explained these protests, saying, Our goal is to put pressure on the government to rapidly find solutions out of the crisis, not to bother or to ruin French peoples lives.

This is one of many protests that have occurred since Prime Minister Gabriel Attal was appointed less than a month ago. Protesters have said that Attals recent pro-agricultural policies have not met their demands that producing food in France should be easier and more fair.

Other similar protests are occurring throughout France, with taxi drivers organizing drive-slow protests Monday. Authorities have advised a switch to public transportation, if possible, to avoid disruptions.

Some material for this report came from The Associated Press.
Haiti's government said Sunday it remains hopeful for a "swift and positive outcome," after a Kenyan court ruled against Nairobi's plan to deploy police officers to support the troubled island nation's security forces.

The ruling on Friday has thrown into doubt the future of a U.N.-backed multinational force long sought by Haiti's government, which has pleaded for international help to confront its spiraling security crisis.

Kenya's government had previously said it was ready to provide up to 1,000 personnel, an offer welcomed by the United States and other nations that had ruled out putting their own forces on the ground.

The government of Haiti said in a statement Sunday that it was "following developments in Kenya and expects a swift and positive outcome."

It added that it would "like to thank the many countries that have come forward to offer various types of aid to restore order and security as soon as possible."

The Kenyan government has vowed to challenge the high court ruling.

Kenyan President William Ruto has described his country's undertaking as a "mission for humanity," in step with its long record of contributing to peacekeeping missions abroad.

The Western hemisphere's poorest nation, Haiti has been in turmoil for years, with armed gangs taking over parts of the country and unleashing brutal violence, leaving the economy and public health system in tatters.

The 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise plunged the country further into chaos. No elections have taken place since 2016 and the presidency remains vacant.

The multinational mission  initially approved for one year  had envisioned Kenyan police on the offensive with their Haitian counterparts, who are outnumbered and outgunned by gang members.

The U.N. Security Council approved the mission in early October.

In the statement, Haiti urged its citizens "to remain calm, to support our security forces and not to allow themselves to be intimidated by disinformation campaigns and threats of violence."
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.

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."

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. Republican Speaker Mike Johnson 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 Republican push also comes at a curious time for Mayorkas.

Even as the House is taking steps to try to 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.

Rep. Bennie Thompson, the top Democrat on the House committee, said the Republican 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 for 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.
The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court said Monday he believes war crimes have been committed by both sides in the Darfur region of Sudan since fighting erupted between rival generals in mid-April.

Based on the work of my office, its my clear assessment that there are grounds to believe that presently Rome Statute crimes are being committed in Darfur by both the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and affiliated groups, Karim Khan told the U.N. Security Council in a remote briefing from Chads capital, where he is meeting with Sudanese refugees.

The Rome Statute established the ICC and the four main international crimes it investigates  genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression.

The alleged atrocities that have taken place in El Geneina form a central line of investigations that my office is pursuing at this current moment, he said of the capital of West Darfur. I can confirm to the council that we are collecting a very significant body of material, information and evidence that is relevant to those particular crimes.

The United Nations and human rights groups have raised alarms about ethnically targeted attacks on Masalit people in West Darfur that have killed hundreds of civilians since fighting erupted nine months ago between the Sudanese army chief, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, head of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. There has also been widespread looting, burned villages and rampant sexual violence.

Darfur saw large-scale ethnic violence and crimes against humanity in the early 2000s, and the U.N. fears a repeat now.

The U.N. Security Council referred the situation in Darfur to the ICC in 2005, and it is based on that mandate that Khans office is investigating recent human rights violations.

Efforts to halt the fighting have so far failed, despite regional efforts by the African Union and the East African regional bloc IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority on Development), as well as the United States, European Union, Saudi Arabia and some of Sudans neighbors.

Uncooperative

Khan told Security Council members he has received minimal cooperation from the Sudanese government despite a pledge from Burhan, whom he met in New York in September on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly meetings.

Thirty-five requests for assistance remain unanswered by the government of Sudan, Khan said. The only progress he reported was the issuance in December and January of some single-entry visas for his team members after months of requests for multiple entry visas. He said Khartoum has also named a person to be the focal point to deal with his office.

The prosecutor said the RSF has been extremely uncooperative.

In November, we finally received the names of individuals that they contended were part of an investigative committee, Khan said. But not a scrap of paper, not a scintilla of information, has been transferred from the RSF to the office, either.

Sudans envoy denied that his government had been uncooperative. Al-Harith Idriss Al-Harith Mohamed said Sudanese officials have given the court all the documents they have found and invited Khan to come to Sudan four times, but he turned them down.

A group of Security Council diplomats issued a statement expressing alarm about the rampant use of sexual violence in the conflict and called for accountability for perpetrators.

We commend the decision of the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Karim Khan, to accelerate the investigation of recent allegations of crimes in Darfur, prioritizing crimes against children and crimes of sexual and gender-based violence, the statement said.

Since the beginning of the conflict in April 2023, different forms of conflict-related sexual violence, including rapes, gang rapes, abductions, sexual slavery and exploitation, trafficking  sometimes used as a tactic of war  have been reported in all conflict-affected areas, in particular in Khartoum, Al Jazira, Darfur states and the Kordofan regions. We fear that the reported numbers are below reality, they warned.

The United Nations estimates that the conflict in Sudan has displaced 7.1 million people inside the country, and more than 1.5 million have fled to neighboring countries, particularly Chad, Egypt and South Sudan. Nearly 25 million people currently need humanitarian assistance and protection.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned Monday that Ukraines defensive war against Russia was at risk without a new round of aid approved by Congress.

Without it, simply put, everything that Ukrainians achieved and that weve helped them achieve will be in jeopardy, Blinken said at a joint news conference with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg in Washington.

The NATO chief expressed confidence that the U.S. will continue to support Ukraine, reminding everyone that it is in the interest of the U.S. to ensure that Russia does not win in Ukraine.

Stoltenberg also said that aiding Ukraine is a joint effort with NATO allies and that it is not viewed as charity but as an investment in our own security.

During a TV interview with Fox News Sunday, Stoltenberg also said that a win by Russia would also embolden a land grab by other authoritarian regimes in other parts of the world, adding that Beijing is watching closely NATOs response to Putins invasion of Ukraine.

Today, its Ukraine. Tomorrow, it might be Taiwan," the NATO chief said.

Stoltenberg said Sunday that NATOs 2024 military exercises, the largest since World War II, are meant to prevent war and not to provoke war.

Operation Steadfast Defender 24 will see about 90,000 NATO military personnel take part in a range of drills across Europe in the coming months. Fifty naval vessels, 80 aircraft and over 1,100 combat vehicles will be involved.

OCHA-Ukrainian relief

The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that attacks Monday and over the weekend in Ukraine are causing further suffering for civilians already enduring harsh winter conditions.

Ukrainian officials said more than a dozen civilians were reportedly killed or injured in attacks in eastern, central and southern Ukraine over the past three days. These attacks also impacted homes, schools, a hospital and energy infrastructure.

In the eastern region of Kharkiv, authorities said shelling caused damage to homes and electrical grids. In the southern region of Kherson, attacks over the weekend also damaged homes, as well as education and telecommunications facilities, according to the governor of the oblast.

The U.N. and partners continue to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to people in these areas.

Overall last year, the U.N. and partners sent 107 humanitarian convoys to support about 400,000 residents in front-line communities in eastern and southern Ukraine.

Earlier Monday, Ukraine said its air defenses downed eight drones launched by Russia in overnight attacks.

The Ukrainian air forces said the drones were destroyed over multiple regions of the country, including Mykolaiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Khmelnytskyi and Rivne.

In addition to the drones, the Russian attacks also included three S-300 missiles.

Russian-Belarus alliance

Russian President Vladimir Putin met Monday with his Belarusian counterpart, Alexander Lukashenko, to discuss expanding their alliance, which has already seen the deployment of some of Russia's nuclear weapons on the territory of its neighbor.

Putin emphasized the two countries strategic partnership as part of their 25-year union agreement involving political, economic and military ties between the two nations.

It's important that amid an unprecedented foreign pressure, Russia and Belarus have closely cooperated on the international arena and have offered unfailing support to each other as true allies, Putin said at the start of the talks in St. Petersburg that involved senior officials from both countries.

Lukashenko has relied on Russian subsidies and political support to rule the ex-Soviet nation with an iron hand for nearly three decades. Moscow's backing helped Lukashenko survive months of major protests of his reelection in a 2020 vote that the opposition and the West saw as rigged.

Lukashenko allowed the Kremlin to use Belarusian territory to send troops into Ukraine in February 2022.

Hungary-Ukraine talks

Hungary indicated Monday that it is ready for a compromise allowing a proposed European Union aid package of $54 billion for Ukraine to be financed from the bloc's budget ahead of an emergency summit on Thursday.

Prime Minister Viktor Orban has been a vocal critic of the EU's financial and military support for Kyiv and maintained close ties with the Kremlin since Russia invaded neighboring Ukraine in February 2022.

If Hungary does not agree on the package, EU leaders have proposed an alternative plan involving a deal between 26 members and Ukraine, which would also deny Budapest access to linked EU funds.

Hungarian Foreign Affairs Minister Peter Szijjarto met with his Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba, in Kyiv to discuss the aid and to address restrictions on the rights of the ethnic Hungarian community in the western Ukrainian region of Zakarpattia to study in their native language.

Hungary has an expectation that the members of the Hungarian national community will regain their rights that already existed in 2015, the Hungarian official said, adding, We still have a long way to go, but we on the Hungarian side are ready to do this work.

Kuleba said he considered the question of the Hungarian minority fundamentally resolved, but that a joint committee will be established to examine how Kyiv can address Budapest's further demands concerning Ukraine's Hungarian community and present those findings to the respective governments in 10 days.

This was Szijjartos first visit to Ukraine since Russias invasion in February 2022 and the only official bilateral meeting between the two officials in the last two years.

Some material for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
Three U.S. soliders were killed during a drone attack by an Iran-backed group near the Jordan border. U.S. President Joe Biden says the U.S. will respond. Ukraine says it has uncovered massive military corruption. And using AI to give people who lost their voice a way to speak again.
Iran on Monday hanged four members of its Kurdish minority on charges of spying for Israel, defying a campaign for their lives to be spared by rights groups who had described their trial as grossly unfair.

The four men were executed at dawn after they were convicted of collaborating with Israel on a plan to sabotage an Iranian defense site in the central province of Isfahan, according to the judiciary's Mizan Online website.

It accused them of being "members of a group affiliated with the Zionist spy organization", in apparent reference to the Israeli intelligence service Mossad. It did not refer to their Kurdish ethnicity which has been emphasized by several rights groups.

There was already alarm that the lives of the four, all aged under 30, were in danger after relatives were on Sunday summoned for a final meeting with them before they were hanged in Ghezel Hesar prison in the Tehran satellite city of Karaj.

Their hanging comes as concern grows over a surge in executions in Iran, which has seen on average two people executed every day so far this month according to campaigners.

Amnesty International had said the four men, whom it described as "Iranian Kurdish dissidents", had been sentenced to death "after a grossly unfair secret trial."

It described their arrests in July 2022 as an "enforced disappearance" and also said they had been subjected to giving "confessions" on Iranian television, a tactic commonly used by the authorities that activists fear is obtained under duress.

"The execution of these four prisoners was based on confessions under torture and without a fair trial, and is considered an extrajudicial killing," said Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, director of the Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) group.

According to IHR's toll, at least 65 people have been executed in Iran so far this year.

The wife of Mohsen Mazloum, one of the executed men, lashed out at the decision in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

"I will neither forgive nor forget today! I have nothing else to say," wrote Joanna Taimasi.

Taimasi, who now lives outside Iran, had in the last days campaigned for the lives of the four to be spared on social media and through appearances on Persian-language TV channels.

The Kurdish-focused rights group Hengaw said the four, aged between 26 and 28 and all from Kurdish-populated regions of western Iran, "were deprived of their fundamental rights to legal representation, visits, and even communication with their families."

"Even by the standards of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the minimum requirements for a fair trial were not met in their case," it said.

The spike in executions last week also saw the hanging of Mohammad Ghobadlou, 23, who was the ninth man to be executed in connection with the nationwide protests that swept Iran from September 2022.

Iranian authorities had said that the four men executed on Monday were recruited by Mossad "about a year and a half before the operation."

They were sent to African countries for "training courses in the military centers" where Mossad officers were present, the judiciary added.

The men were sentenced to death in September 2023.

In August 2023, Iran claimed to have foiled a "very complex" Mossad-initiated project to "sabotage" its ballistic missile industry.

In February of that year, Teheran accused Israel of being responsible for a drone attack on a military site in Isfahan.

The two countries have been engaged in a shadow war for decades, with Iran regularly accusing Israel and its ally the United States of inciting unrest.

Tensions are also running high amid the war in Gaza sparked by the attack by Palestinian militant group Hamas on Israel on October 7. Iran denied on Monday any links to a drone strike in Jordan that killed three U.S. military personnel.
Kenyan President William Ruto says he will appeal a court ruling last week rejecting a planned deployment of Kenyan police officers to Haiti. Ruto promised last year that Kenya would lead a multinational force to help fight gangs in the troubled Caribbean nation, but critics challenged his legal authority.

Fridays court ruling didnt come as a surprise because procedure was not followed said, Dr. Francis Khayundi, assistant professor of international law at the United States International University Africa in Nairobi.

Under article 240 of the constitution that talks about the National Security Council, amongst the role and functions of the security council, there was no mention that it had a role to do with deploying of the police officers. Their thinking was that only the armed forces can be sent or deployed outside of the territory of the country and not the police service, he said.

The ruling also said that Kenya couldve deployed its police officers only if a so-called reciprocal arrangement exists between the two nations.

Khayundi told VOA that the court action puts President Ruto in a difficult position, coming after the U.N. Security Council approved a Kenya-led multinational security force aimed at helping combat violent gangs in the troubled Caribbean nation.

Its a bit of [a] catch 22 situation; being between a rock and a hard place particularly for Kenya, here we are talking about the executive. For those who believe in the rule of law, of course its victory, he said.

In a statement, Rutos government reiterated its commitment to honoring the countrys international obligations and says it will appeal the court ruling. That statement was welcomed by some in Haiti.

A local Haitian says, it's their country [Kenya], they make their decisions but as an ally country of Haiti, we are waiting for them. As the president says, it's not over yet.

Khayundi says while the Kenya government has the right to appeal, he wonders on which grounds it plans to do so.

Itll be interesting to see their grounds of appeal but that is a right they have," he said. For me, I would suggest that the executive try and regularize or normalize that gap because if we dont have the legal framework, then no appeal can put in place a legal framework.

Tirana Hassan, Human Rights Watch Executive Director told a U.N. Security Council meeting last week that while plans for the deployment of the Kenyan-led force have stalled, the situation for many Haitians has worsened.

"Killings, kidnappings, sexual violence and other abuses continue at a staggering rate, with criminal group activities and fighting intensifying and spreading," said Hassan.

The challenge to the deployment was brought to court by three petitioners, including opposition politician and constitutional lawyer Ekuru Aukot, who told VOA at the time the proposed deployment was unconstitutional.

Reacting to the ruling on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, Aukot pleaded for Ruto to accept the courts decision and called for the government to focus on providing security to troubled regions inside Kenya including his own village.
Myanmars military government has approved resumption of construction of the Chinese-backed Kyaukphyu deep-sea port after years of delay.

The project is a significant step in Chinas push to develop an outlet to the Indian Ocean and bypass the Strait of Malacca, a pirate-infested chokepoint on busy trade routes to the Middle East, Africa and Europe.

The State Administration Council and the Chinese state-owned firm CITIC signed the Kyaukphyu deep-sea port deal, a supplementary agreement, to a 2014 deal in the final weeks of 2023. Discussions on the $7.3 billion port project and its adjoining $1.3 billion special economic zone began in 2010. Fighting that erupted after the February 1, 2021, military coup and COVID-era restrictions are the most recent causes of delay.

The ports 242-hectare site is in the western state of Rakhine. The northern part of the state is home to the Rohingya, a Muslim minority group long subjected to discrimination in predominantly Buddhist Myanmar. Rakhine is also known for ongoing conflicts between the regimes army and the Arakan Army from the Buddhist-majority Rakhine ethnic group.

As one of the 14 nations bordering China, Myanmar holds a unique position in the Belt and Road Initiative, a 10-year-old project to connect the world to China and counter what Beijing sees as the current U.S.-dominated international order.

According to a report by the U.S. Institute of Peace, the Myanmar route to the Indian Ocean will help China counter the regional influence of longtime rival, India and secure its oil and gas transportation routes.

But development of the Kyaukphyu port faces the same challenges bedeviling the rest of the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor, which is part of the BRI  escalating political unrest and armed conflict in Myanmar, according to analysts.

Yun Sun, co-director of the East Asia program and director of the China program at the Stimson Center, told VOA Burmese in a telephone interview that China's primary goal in Myanmar is for the unsettled nation to achieve stability through economic development. This aligns with China's broader strategy of leveraging economic cooperation to foster regional peace and stability, she added.

I also think that if Myanmar is unstable, it will not be able to be a safe transportation corridor for China anyway," Sun said. "So, I think this goes back to the Chinese argument that peace and development are the two sides of the same coin, that if you want peace, you need to have economics development, and economic development will in turn reinforce peace."

A Burmese expert who spoke to VOA Burmese via Zoom and asked to remain anonymous due to safety concerns said that China's policy regarding large-scale projects such as the China-Laos-Thailand railway has changed.

"China really doesn't get much out of this project compared to their huge billions of dollars of investment," he said.

"In the past, the countries involved in the BRI projects had concerns about debt traps, he said, but now China faces an investment trap due to the billions dedicated to large-scale BRI projects. This may prompt Beijing to focus on smaller, more manageable projects, he added.

At the October BRI Summit in Beijing, China said leaner and greener projects would be the future of the global undertaking.

In Myanmar, longtime observers of the BRI projects agree that many of them are at risk from frequent fighting near project sites. The local analyst noted that since the 2021 military coup, many of the projects have stalled.

Sun said that while Chinas projects in Myanmar may not be directly threatened, stabilizing stable trade routes through conflict-affected areas remains a concern.

You still need transportation between China and the port, and that will have to go through the conflict-affected areas in Myanmar, she said.

Moe Thuzar, a senior fellow at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute who coordinates the Myanmar Studies program, said public perception of BRI in Myanmar has shifted over time in a report for the Carnegie Endowment.

She said the optimism about the initiative's potential for infrastructure development and regional benefits during the previous Aung San Suu Kyi civilian government is now growing apprehensive about China's economic dominance and political influence, especially after the 2021 coup.

But China's approach is to navigate the current instability with an eye toward future stability and cooperation.

"The Chinese are not looking at tomorrow morning. They're looking at five years later, 10 years later. And the situation will, in the Chinese view, become more stable, and that's when those projects will become useful," said Sun. They want to see a relatively legitimate government in control so that they don't have to deal with the sporadic conflicts.

China's long-term vision for its projects in Myanmar reflects a strategic calculation that anticipates eventual stabilization and peace.

The expert in Myanmar told VOA, "I think if the political situation becomes more stable, China will continue to make small-scale projects and investments in Myanmar. At least the railway project to Kyaukphyu sea port can start.
Twenty international aid groups expressed support Monday for the United Nations Palestinian relief agency, as several major donors suspended support following the revelation that a dozen staffers may have been involved in the October 7 terror attack inside Israel.

The suspension of funding by donor states will impact life-saving assistance for over 2 million civilians, over half of whom are children, who rely on UNRWA aid in Gaza, the aid groups said, using the acronym for the U.N. Relief and Works Agency.

The population faces starvation, looming famine and an outbreak of disease under Israels continued indiscriminate bombardment and deliberate deprivation of aid in Gaza, they added.

Save the Children, ActionAid, Norwegian Refugee Council, Oxfam and American Friends Service Committee are among the groups that signed the statement.

Several countries, including UNRWAs top donor, the United States, said they are suspending financial support while an investigation is carried out.

These decisions threaten our ongoing humanitarian work across the region including and especially in the Gaza Strip, UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini said in a statement. 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.

UNRWA employs 13,000 mainly Palestinian staff in just the Gaza Strip. They have continued to work since October 7 to provide some relief to nearly 2 million displaced Palestinians. More than 150 UNRWA staff have been killed in the fighting between Israel and Hamas.

Of the dozen staffers implicated by Israel in the deadly attacks, the U.N. immediately fired nine of them, one was confirmed dead and officials are clarifying the identity of two others. The U.N. immediately opened an internal investigation.

Funding freeze

On Monday, Austria was the latest donor to suspend additional funding.

The European Union, which is the agencys third largest donor providing more than $114 million in 2022, said it does not foresee any new funding to UNRWA before the end of February, and it wants to conduct an audit of the aid agency.

It expects UNRWA to agree to carrying out an audit of the Agency to be conducted by EU appointed independent external experts, reviewing, thereby the pillar assessment, focusing specifically on the control systems needed to prevent the possible involvement of its staff in terrorist activities, the EU said in a statement.

The EU said it will continue to provide humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank through partner organizations.

At least 10 other countries, which together account for about 60% of UNRWAs funding, have suspended support. They include the United States, Australia, Britain, Canada, Finland, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands and Switzerland.

Francesca Albanese, U.N. special rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territories, warned that countries that cut aid, following provisional measures imposed Friday by the International Court of Justice, could be violating their obligations under the Genocide Convention.

Meanwhile, Irish Foreign Minister Micheal Martin said his government has no plans to suspend assistance, which totaled more than $8.5 million in 2022. Spain also said it would continue its financial assistance, which topped $13.5 million in 2022.

Major contributor Norway, which provided more than $34 million in 2022, also said it would continue.

UNRWA is a lifeline for millions of people in deep distress in Gaza as well as in the wider region, Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said on X.



Aid in immediate jeopardy

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that without adequate funding for UNRWA, aid for more than 2 million Palestinians in Gaza would be scaled back as soon as February.

"The abhorrent alleged acts of these staff members must have consequences," Guterres said in a statement, adding that they could face criminal prosecution. But he urged donors not to punish the thousands of aid workers and people they serve.

Guterres spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, said Monday that the U.N. chief has been working the phones, speaking to donors and regional leaders. He spoke with Jordans King Abdullah on Monday and has a call scheduled with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. He met Monday morning with Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. He also conferred with the head of the U.N.s Office of Internal Oversight Services, which is heading up an internal probe into the allegations.

Dujarric said Guterres also plans to meet with major donors on Tuesday.

Israel rebuked Guterres for calling for the resumption in aid to UNRWA. Gilad Erdan, the Jewish states ambassador to the U.N., said that Guterres has proven once again that the security of the citizens of Israel is not really important for him.

After years in which he ignored the evidence presented to him personally about UNRWA's support and involvement in incitement and terrorism, and before he conducted a comprehensive investigation to locate all Hamas terrorists in UNRWA, he called to fund an organization that is deeply contaminated with terrorism, Erdan said.

Hamas has been designated a terrorist organization by the United States, United Kingdom, European Union and others. Israel says the groups October 7 attack killed 1,200 people.

Every country that continues to fund UNRWA before a comprehensive investigation of the organization should know that its money might be used for terrorism, and the aid that will be transferred to UNRWA may reach the Hamas terrorists instead of the people of Gaza, Erdan concluded.

Israel has criticized UNRWA for years, alleging that the schools the agency operates have been used by Hamas for terrorist activities and that they promote an anti-Israel curriculum. Since the October 7 attacks, Israeli officials have accused some staffers of celebrating the attacks on social media.

UNRWA has provided basic services, including medical care and education, for Palestinian families who fled or were driven out of what is now Israel during the 1948 war surrounding the country's creation. They now live in built-up refugee camps in Gaza, the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.

Hostage talks

The dispute over UNRWA funding came as two senior U.S. officials said negotiators were reported to be closing in on a cease-fire agreement that would halt the Israel-Hamas fighting for two months and lead to the release of the remaining 100 or so hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.

The emerging terms of the deal would call for the release of the remaining women, elderly and wounded hostages in a first 30-day phase, but details on the release of men were not clear. The pending deal also calls for Israel to allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza.

U.S. Central Intelligence Agency Director Bill Burns met Sunday in Paris with David Barnea, head of Israel's Mossad intelligence agency; Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani; and Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel to discuss the possible cease-fire.

More than 100 hostages were released in late November during a weeklong cease-fire in exchange for 240 Palestinians jailed by Israel. Since then, fighting has been nonstop, and no more hostages have been freed.

Israels military said Monday it carried out airstrikes in the Khan Younis area in southern Gaza, while ground operations killed militants in central and northern Gaza.

The U.N. office for humanitarian affairs said Monday that the heavy fighting in Khan Younis was reported near Nasser and Al Amal hospitals, with people reportedly fleeing to the overcrowded town of Rafah in unsafe conditions. The U.N. says hospitals in Khan Younis are at risk of closure due to the hostilities and Israeli evacuation orders in surrounding areas.

The Israeli military also said a terrorist carried out a ramming attack next to one of their military bases in northern Israel. The suspect was shot by Israeli troops after getting out of a vehicle and trying to attack Israel forces with an ax.

The Israeli counteroffensive after the October 7 Hamas attack has killed more than 26,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials, while also destroying vast swaths of Gaza and displacing nearly 85% of the territory's people.

VOA U.N. correspondent Margaret Besheer contributed to this report. Some information for this report was provided by The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
North Macedonia's parliament Sunday approved a caretaker government with a mandate to organize a general election in May.

The government of the small Balkan country of 1.8 million people will be headed by the country's first-ever ethnic Albanian prime minister, current parliament speaker Talat Xhaferi, 61.

The 120-member parliament approved the caretaker government 65-3, with the main opposition, center-right VMRO-DPMNE lawmakers abstaining.

Despite the abstention, VMRO-DPMNE will join the government with two ministers (interior and labor and social welfare) out of the 20 total ministers, plus three deputy ministers.

VMRO-DPMNE attacked Xhaferi in a statement.

"Talat Xhaferi is the man who is known for violating the Constitution, the laws, the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly. ... Talat Xhaferi is a man who comes from a party in which all the leaders' mouths are full of European values, but whose actions only show how they are violated. Hence, one can only expect and think that Talat Xhaferi can only do worse," the statement said.

The parliament accepted the resignation of the government led by Dimitar Kovacevski, head of the center-left Social Democratic Union, on Friday and North Macedonia President Stevo Pendarovski called on Xhaferi, a lawmaker with the ethnic Albanian Democratic Union for Integration and speaker since April 2017, to form a new government.

The practice of forming a caretaker government 100 days before election day was established in 2015 as part of a deal between the main political parties under the mediation of the European Union to end a political crisis at the time.

The main political parties agreed last month to hold general elections on May 8, two months early. The election will coincide with the second round of the presidential elections.

VMRO-DPMNE had been pressing for early elections, accusing the government led by the center-left Social Democrats and their junior coalition partners of corruption, nepotism and incompetence.

Before submitting his resignation, Kovachevski told reporters that "the state will maintain its strategic direction, which is the Western orientation and the strategic partnership with the USA."

North Macedonia, together with Albania, began membership talks with the European Union in 2022 and has been a candidate to join the bloc since 2005. The country must meet certain criteria to join the EU, including changing its constitution to recognize a Bulgarian minority  a highly contentious issue because of the overlapping histories and cultures of Bulgaria and North Macedonia.

Constitutional changes require a two-thirds majority in parliament.
Pakistan and Iran agreed Monday to broaden political and security cooperation to confront terrorism after exchanging unprecedented missile strikes earlier this month against alleged militant bases in each others territories.

The understanding stemmed from a meeting Pakistani Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani hosted with his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amirabdollahian, in Islamabad.

"There was an agreement to cooperate to fight terrorism in our respective areas. We need to address and allay each others concerns with regard to terrorism, Jilani told a news conference alongside the Iranian foreign minister.

He said that Pakistan and Iran had decided to immediately deploy liaison officers in their respective Turbat and Zahedan border towns to further strengthen ongoing security and intelligence cooperation.

Amirabdollahian said Iran and Pakistan strongly respect each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

He added, We will tell all terrorists that we will not  provide them with any opportunity to endanger our common security.

The chief Iranian diplomat, without elaborating, pointed figures at third countries for supporting militants in border regions of Iran and Pakistan.

"There is no doubt that the terrorists located in the common border regions and areas of Iran and Pakistan are led and supported by third countries, and they never favor any good actions in line with the benefits and interests of the Iranian and Pakistani governments and nations, Amirabdollahian said.

The two foreign ministers said they had agreed to hold regular meetings at the highest ministerial and military levels to prevent any future misunderstandings.

Military tensions between Tehran and Islamabad escalated on January 17 when Iranian security forces launched airstrikes into the turbulent southwestern Pakistani border province of Baluchistan against what Tehran said were the strongholds of anti-Iran Sunni militant group Jaish al-Adl, or the Army of Justice.

Nuclear-armed Pakistan condemned the cross-border incursion, saying it killed two children and injured several other civilians. It swiftly recalled the Pakistani ambassador to Tehran and asked the Iranian ambassador to leave Pakistan, suspending all planned meetings between the two countries.

Two days later, Islamabad carried out similar airstrikes against what it said were terrorist hideouts in Iran's southeastern border province of Sistan-Baluchistan. Iranian officials said the strikes killed nine Pakistani nationals, mostly women and children.

The two countries, however, have since agreed to de-escalate tensions and allowed their respective ambassadors to resume duties, leading to the Iranian foreign ministers visit to Islamabad on Monday.

Iran and Pakistan share a 900-kilometer-long border and routinely accuse each other of not doing enough to prevent fugitive anti-state militants from using their respective territories to plot cross-border attacks.
A trial started Monday for the parents of a Serbian teenager accused of fatally shooting 10 people and injuring six more at his school last May.

The suspected shooter, Kosta Kecmanovic, 13, has been held in a mental institution since the incident at Belgrades Vladislav Ribnikar Elementary School and cannot be held criminally liable under Serbian law because of his age.

The parents are charged with a serious act against general safety in connection with the attack. Prosecutors contend the parents failed to safeguard the firearm and ammunition used in the shootings.

Prosecutors added charges for the father because he trained the boy to shoot and allowed him to conceal the handgun and ammunition used in the shootings. The mother is accused of illegal possession of ammunition. The manager of a shooting range and an instructor also have been charged.

The couple has pleaded not guilty to the charges, according to the Serbian broadcaster RTS.

The proceedings have been closed to the public despite a denunciation by Irina Borovic, the attorney representing the parents.

"We hope that the court will reconsider this decision during the trial and that the public will be informed," Borovic told local media.

The Belgrade attack was followed by another mass shooting a day later in central Serbia that killed eight people and wounded 14.

The two attacks triggered months of protests targeting Serbia's populist president, Aleksandar Vucic, despite his vow to disarm the nation. Protesters allege that Vucic has created a culture of violence in the country. Serbia has one of the highest levels of gun ownership in the world, with 39 firearms for every 100 civilians, according to the Small Arms Survey project.

Some information for this report came from Agence France-Presse and The Associated Press.
Allegations of research fakery at a leading cancer center have turned a spotlight on scientific integrity and the amateur sleuths uncovering image manipulation in published research.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, a Harvard Medical School affiliate, announced Jan. 22 it's requesting retractions and corrections of scientific papers after a British blogger flagged problems in early January.

The blogger, 32-year-old Sholto David, of Pontypridd, Wales, is a scientist-sleuth who detects cut-and-paste image manipulation in published scientific papers.

He's not the only hobbyist poking through pixels. Other champions of scientific integrity are keeping researchers and science journals on their toes. They use special software, oversize computer monitors and their eagle eyes to find flipped, duplicated and stretched images, along with potential plagiarism.

A look at the situation at Dana-Farber and the sleuths hunting sloppy errors and outright fabrications:

What happened at Dana-Farber?

In a Jan. 2 blog post, Sholto David presented suspicious images from more than 30 published papers by four Dana-Farber scientists, including CEO Laurie Glimcher and COO William Hahn.

Many images appeared to have duplicated segments that would make the scientists' results look stronger. The papers under scrutiny involve lab research on the workings of cells. One involved samples from bone marrow from human volunteers.

The blog post included problems spotted by David and others previously exposed by sleuths on PubPeer, a site that allows anonymous comments on scientific papers.

Student journalists at The Harvard Crimson covered the story on Jan. 12, followed by reports in other news media. Sharpening the attention was the recent plagiarism investigation involving former Harvard president Claudine Gay, who resigned early this year.

How did Dana-Farber respond?

Dana-Farber said it already had been looking into some of the problems before the blog post. By Jan. 22, the institution said it was in the process of requesting six retractions of published research and that another 31 papers warranted corrections.

Retractions are serious. When a journal retracts an article that usually means the research is so severely flawed that the findings are no longer reliable.

Dr. Barrett Rollins, research integrity officer at Dana-Farber, said in a statement: "Following the usual practice at Dana-Farber to review any potential data error and make corrections when warranted, the institution and its scientists already have taken prompt and decisive action in 97 percent of the cases that had been flagged by blogger Sholto David."

Who are the sleuths?

California microbiologist Elisabeth Bik, 57, has been sleuthing for a decade. Based on her work, scientific journals have retracted 1,133 articles, corrected 1,017 others and printed 153 expressions of concern, according to a spreadsheet where she tracks what happens after she reports problems.

She has found doctored images of bacteria, cell cultures and western blots, a lab technique for detecting proteins.

"Science should be about finding the truth," Bik told The Associated Press. She published an analysis in the American Society for Microbiology in 2016: Of more than 20,000 peer-reviewed papers, nearly 4% had image problems, about half where the manipulation seemed intentional.

Bik's work brings donations from Patreon subscribers of about $2,300 per month and occasional honoraria from speaking engagements. David told AP his Patreon income recently picked up to $216 per month.

Technology has made it easier to root out image manipulation and plagiarism, said Ivan Oransky, who teaches medical journalism at New York University and co-founded the Retraction Watch blog. The sleuths download scientific papers and use software tools to help find problems.

Others doing the investigative work remain anonymous and post their findings under pseudonyms. Together, they have "changed the equation" in scientific publication, Oransky said.

"They want science to be and do better," Oransky said. "And they are frustrated by how uninterested most people in academia  and certainly in publishing  are in correcting the record." They're also concerned about the erosion of public trust in science.

What motivates misconduct?

Bik said some mistakes could be sloppy errors where images were mislabeled or "somebody just grabbed the wrong photo."

But some images are obviously altered with sections duplicated or rotated or flipped. Scientists building their careers or seeking tenure face pressure to get published. Some may intentionally falsify data, knowing that the process of peer review  when a journal sends a manuscript to experts for comments  is unlikely to catch fakery.

"At the end of the day, the motivation is to get published," Oransky said. "When the images don't match the story you're trying to tell, you beautify them."

What happens next?

Scientific journals investigate errors brought to their attention but usually keep their processes confidential until they take action with a retraction or correction.

Some journals told the AP they are aware of the concerns raised by David's blog post and are looking into the matter.

Allegations of research fakery at a leading cancer center have turned a spotlight on scientific integrity and the amateur sleuths uncovering image manipulation in published research.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, a Harvard Medical School affiliate, announced Jan. 22 it's requesting retractions and corrections of scientific papers after a British blogger flagged problems in early January.

The blogger, 32-year-old Sholto David, of Pontypridd, Wales, is a scientist-sleuth who detects cut-and-paste image manipulation in published scientific papers.

He's not the only hobbyist poking through pixels. Other champions of scientific integrity are keeping researchers and science journals on their toes. They use special software, oversize computer monitors and their eagle eyes to find flipped, duplicated and stretched images, along with potential plagiarism.

A look at the situation at Dana-Farber and the sleuths hunting sloppy errors and outright fabrications:

What happened at Dana-Farber?

In a Jan. 2 blog post, Sholto David presented suspicious images from more than 30 published papers by four Dana-Farber scientists, including CEO Laurie Glimcher and COO William Hahn.

Many images appeared to have duplicated segments that would make the scientists' results look stronger. The papers under scrutiny involve lab research on the workings of cells. One involved samples from bone marrow from human volunteers.

The blog post included problems spotted by David and others previously exposed by sleuths on PubPeer, a site that allows anonymous comments on scientific papers.

Student journalists at The Harvard Crimson covered the story on Jan. 12, followed by reports in other news media. Sharpening the attention was the recent plagiarism investigation involving former Harvard president Claudine Gay, who resigned early this year.

How did Dana-Farber respond?

Dana-Farber said it already had been looking into some of the problems before the blog post. By Jan. 22, the institution said it was in the process of requesting six retractions of published research and that another 31 papers warranted corrections.

Retractions are serious. When a journal retracts an article that usually means the research is so severely flawed that the findings are no longer reliable.

Dr. Barrett Rollins, research integrity officer at Dana-Farber, said in a statement: "Following the usual practice at Dana-Farber to review any potential data error and make corrections when warranted, the institution and its scientists already have taken prompt and decisive action in 97 percent of the cases that had been flagged by blogger Sholto David."

Who are the sleuths?

California microbiologist Elisabeth Bik, 57, has been sleuthing for a decade. Based on her work, scientific journals have retracted 1,133 articles, corrected 1,017 others and printed 153 expressions of concern, according to a spreadsheet where she tracks what happens after she reports problems.

She has found doctored images of bacteria, cell cultures and western blots, a lab technique for detecting proteins.

"Science should be about finding the truth," Bik told The Associated Press. She published an analysis in the American Society for Microbiology in 2016: Of more than 20,000 peer-reviewed papers, nearly 4% had image problems, about half where the manipulation seemed intentional.

Bik's work brings donations from Patreon subscribers of about $2,300 per month and occasional honoraria from speaking engagements. David told AP his Patreon income recently picked up to $216 per month.

Technology has made it easier to root out image manipulation and plagiarism, said Ivan Oransky, who teaches medical journalism at New York University and co-founded the Retraction Watch blog. The sleuths download scientific papers and use software tools to help find problems.

Others doing the investigative work remain anonymous and post their findings under pseudonyms. Together, they have "changed the equation" in scientific publication, Oransky said.

"They want science to be and do better," Oransky said. "And they are frustrated by how uninterested most people in academia  and certainly in publishing  are in correcting the record." They're also concerned about the erosion of public trust in science.

What motivates misconduct?

Bik said some mistakes could be sloppy errors where images were mislabeled or "somebody just grabbed the wrong photo."

But some images are obviously altered with sections duplicated or rotated or flipped. Scientists building their careers or seeking tenure face pressure to get published. Some may intentionally falsify data, knowing that the process of peer review  when a journal sends a manuscript to experts for comments  is unlikely to catch fakery.

"At the end of the day, the motivation is to get published," Oransky said. "When the images don't match the story you're trying to tell, you beautify them."

What happens next?

Scientific journals investigate errors brought to their attention but usually keep their processes confidential until they take action with a retraction or correction.

Some journals told the AP they are aware of the concerns raised by David's blog post and are looking into the matter.
In Mogadishu, the troubled capital of Somalia, elderly citizens gather every afternoon in the Bondere district for an archery contest. The activity is part of a deeper historical tradition. Jamal Ahmed Osman has more about this unique activity, in this story narrated by Kevin Enochs. Camera and video editing by Abdulkadir Zubeyr.
A local leader and seven other members of a jihadi militia in southern Syria affiliated with the Islamic State (IS) group were killed Sunday in Daraa province, a war monitor said.

The cradle of the 2011 uprising against President Bashar al-Assad that was followed by years of war, Daraa province remains unstable despite the return of government forces in 2018 following a reconciliation agreement with rebels.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitor, said "a senior leader" was among the eight killed "in violent clashes between local factions" and the IS-affiliated group.

Syria's official news agency SANA reported that "eight terrorists from Daesh were eliminated in the town of Nawa," using the Arabic acronym for IS.

The report said the deaths included "the so-called leader of Hauran," which spans over parts of southern Syria and northern Jordan.

The Observatory, which relies on a vast network of sources in Syria, said the leader was in charge of "strengthening the links between the cells" of the jihadi group in the south of the country.

Former rebels in Daraa province who accepted the 2018 deal sponsored by Russia, Damascus' main ally, were able to keep their light weapons.

Attacks, some claimed by IS, regularly occur there, as well as armed clashes and assassinations of government supporters, former opposition figures and civilians working for the government.

In late 2022 IS confirmed the death of its former leader, killed in Daraa during clashes with local fighters.
Thailand and China on Sunday signed off on a visa waiver agreement at talks between their foreign ministers as the two countries look to boost ties.

The deal inked by Thai foreign minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi allows people from the two nations to travel to one another's country visa-free from March 1.

Thai officials hope the deal will encourage more Chinese to come and boost the kingdom's vital tourism sector, which has struggled to bounce back from the pandemic.

"This agreement is a symbol of our long-lasting friendship, trust and confidence... and help to stimulate the tourism industry in both countries," Parnpree said.

Wang welcomed the agreement, saying Thai and Chinese people "are one family."

Precise details of the visa arrangements were not announced Sunday, but earlier this month Thai officials said the deal would allow stays of up to 30 days per visit.

Before his talks with Parnpree, Wang held two days of talks in Bangkok with U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan covering the sensitive issues of Taiwan and the attacks in the Red Sea by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.
U.S. and Chinese officials are set to hold talks on addressing the supply of fentanyl and its precursor chemicals as they meet Tuesday and Wednesday in Beijing.

The U.S.-PRC Counternarcotics Working Group sessions follow a commitment for the two countries to work together on the issue following a November meeting between U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

A senior U.S. administration official told reporters Sunday that China has already taken some action against Chinese suppliers of synthetic drugs and chemical precursors, including shutting down some companies and blocking international payment accounts.

We're starting to see reductions in seizures of precursors at some U.S. airports already, a senior administration official said. I think the nature of the drug trade means that we can't just rest on the laurels of this set of actions that happened right after the summit

The working group will allow the United States and China to continue to coordinate as the drug trade evolves, the official said.

Specific aims include pursuing a range of efforts across law enforcement actions, efforts to institute precursor chemical controls, monitor emerging front trends, counter illicit finance, and coordinate with other partners to help disrupt the global illicit drug supply chain.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are more than 100,000 drug overdose deaths in the United States each year, and about 70% of those are linked to illegally made fentanyl and other synthetic opioids.

Fentanyl is often mixed with other drugs, such as heroin and cocaine.

The U.S. delegation for the meetings in Beijing includes officials from several agencies, including the State Department, Treasury Department, Justice Department and the Department of Homeland Security.


The United States on Monday offered a reward of up to $5 million for the arrest of a former Sudanese official sought over alleged Darfur war crimes who escaped from prison when war erupted last year.

Ahmed Harun, a former top aide to deposed dictator Omar al-Bashir, is wanted by the International Criminal Court for helping form the notorious Janjaweed militia which carried out a scorched-earth campaign in Darfur in the 2000s.

Harun announced in April that he and other former regime officials escaped Khartoum's Kober prison days after fighting broke out between Sudan's army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.

The United States pointed out that the Janjaweed has evolved into the Rapid Support Forces, which is accused of ethnic-based attacks against the non-Arab population in western Sudan.

"Lasting peace in Sudan requires justice for victims and accountability for those responsible for human rights abuses and violations, both past and present," State Departments spokesman Matthew Miller said.

"There is a clear and direct connection between impunity for abuses under the Bashir regime, including those of which Harun is accused, and the violence in Darfur today," he said.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken has accused the Rapid Support Forces of crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing in the latest bloodshed.

The United States has worked with Saudi Arabia to broker between the dueling generals but to little avail.

The war has killed at least 13,000 people, according to a conservative estimate by the Conflict Location and Event Data project, and displaced more than seven million people, according to the U.N.

The International Criminal Court has sought Harun since 2007 over 20 counts of crimes against humanity and 22 counts of war crimes. In 2009, Bashir became the first sitting head of state indicted by the Hague-based court, but Sudan has not handed him over.

The reward by the United States -- which itself is not party to the court -- is offered for information that leads to Harun's arrest, transfer or conviction.
The United States is considering options for how to make Iran and its proxy forces in Iraq and Syria pay for a deadly drone attack on a base in northeast Jordan, while also trying to determine just how the drone got by the bases air defenses.

U.S. officials late Monday said that three Army reservists with the 718th Engineering Company out of Fort Moore, Georgia, died when the one-way attack drone slammed into their housing unit at Tower 22, a logistical base near the Syrian border involved in coordinating efforts to contain and degrade the Islamic State terror group.

A U.S. official, who spoke to VOA on the condition of anonymity in order to discuss the preliminary findings, said the attack drone appeared to penetrate U.S. defense partially by luck, approaching the base at about the same time a U.S. drone was returning from a mission.

The initial confusion, the official said, appears to have caused enough of a delay to allow the drone to get through and hit the barracks in the early morning hours, at a time when many U.S. troops had yet to vacate the premises to start their assignments.

The presence of the U.S. drone returning to the base around the same time as the attack drone was first reported by The Wall Street Journal.

In addition to the three deaths, the Pentagon said Monday that another 40 service members were injured, many suffering from cuts, bruises and traumatic brain injuries as a result of the impact and explosion.

Officials said the number of injuries could rise if additional U.S. troops start suffering ill effects as a result of the blast. Three of the most seriously injured troops were being transported to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, a premier U.S. military medical facility in Germany, for follow-on care, officials said.

The Pentagon said it was taking steps to further secure U.S. bases in the region but put responsibility for the deadly strike on Iran and its proxies.

We know this is an IRGC-backed militia," Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters Monday, referring to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. It has the footprints of Kataib Hezbollah, one of the larger and more powerful of Irans Iraq-based proxies, she added.

Singh declined to say whether Tehran directly ordered the actual attack on Tower 22, but said that because of the Iranians' funding of the militias, they do have their fingerprints on this.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group for Iranian-backed militias, claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement Sunday, saying it was one of four attacks launched at U.S. forces.

Irans foreign ministry, in contrast, denied responsibility for the attack in Jordan. The official IRNA news agency quoted ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani as saying that the Islamic Republic of Iran has no role in decisions by resistance groups on how they support the Palestinian nation or defend their people.

Officials at both the Pentagon and the White House emphasized Monday that the U.S. was not seeking war with Iran. But they also signaled that the death of U.S. troops, in what is now one of at least 165 attacks by Iranian-backed groups on U.S. forces in the Middle East since mid-October, would not be tolerated.

This attack was certainly escalatory, Singh said. We can't discount the fact that other attacks, whether it be Iraq or Syria, were not intended to kill our service members.

Earlier, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby, in an interview with CNN, warned that the U.S. was planning a very consequential response.

The comments came as U.S. President Joe Biden met in the White House Situation Room with his top national security officials to formulate a response.

Some Republican critics in Congress have called on the Democratic president for a direct hit on Iran, but other officials and experts caution that such a strike could quickly lead to a spread of warfare in the Mideast, even though the current situation is no longer tenable.

Clearly the U.S. strategy, if it was starting three months ago, not to let regional tensions escalate, that strategy has failed, said Bernard Hudson, former chief of counterterrorism at the CIA.

There has been a strategic decision, certainly in Iran, to accelerate their actions against the United States, Hudson told VOA.

The deaths in Sundays attack on the U.S. base in Jordan were the first from hostile fire since Iranian-backed militias began carrying out strikes on U.S. positions in what the militias have described as a show of solidarity with Palestinians following the start of the nearly four-month-long war between Israel and Hamas militants in Gaza.

While the United States has not engaged in the fighting in the narrow territory along the Mediterranean Sea, it has staunchly supported the Israeli effort and rebuffed demands from some world leaders for an immediate cease-fire.

U.S. officials, however, said they were close to reaching an agreement for a two-month halt in the fighting and the release of the remaining 100 or so hostages Hamas holds in Gaza. The initial Hamas attack on Israel in October killed about 1,200 people, while Gaza officials say Israels counteroffensive has killed more than 26,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children.

VOA's Persian Service contributed to this report. Some information came from The Associated Press and Reuters.
One Iranian and two Canadian nationals were charged Monday with conspiracy to use interstate commerce in the commission of a murder-for-hire plot in the U.S.

According to court documents, from December 2020 through March 2021, Naji Sharifi Zindashti, 49, Damion Patrick John Ryan, 43, and Adam Richard Pearson, 29, conspired with each other in a plot to murder two residents of the state of Maryland.

The defendants, one of whom is based in Iran, used an encrypted messaging service called Sky ECC to recruit individuals to travel to the United States to carry out the killings, to discuss the identities and locations of the would-be victims, to plan logistics and mechanics of how to carry out the murders, and to negotiate payment for completion of the job.

The intended victims had previously fled to the United States after one of them defected from Iran.

The Treasury Department also initiated proceedings against what it said was Zindashtis criminal network that targets Iranian dissidents and opposition activists for kidnapping and assassination organized by the Iranian regime.

In a stern warning, Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Departments National Security Division said, To those in Iran who plot murders on U.S. soil and the criminal actors who work with them, let todays charges send a clear message: the Department of Justice will pursue you as long as it takes  and wherever you are  and deliver justice.

The U.S. and Britain on Monday enacted sanctions to target what they called an Iranian transnational assassinations network, according to the U.S. Treasury Department.

Zindashtis network, they said, has carried out numerous acts of transnational repression against dissidents, journalists, activists and former Iranian officials to silence the Iranian regimes perceived critics. These acts have included assassinations, kidnappings and hacking operations across the Middle East, Europe and North America, they said. The Iranian government utilizes organized criminal groups to conceal its connection to the killings and kidnappings, they said.

The Iranian regimes continued efforts to target dissidents and activists demonstrate the regimes deep insecurity and attempt to expand Irans domestic repression internationally, said Brian E. Nelson, undersecretary of the treasury for terrorism and financial intelligence. The United States, alongside our international allies and partners, including the United Kingdom, will continue to combat the Iranian regimes transnational repression and will utilize all available tools to stop this threat, especially on U.S. soil.

The U.S. Treasury's action is authorized under Executive Order 13553, which allows sanctions because of serious human rights abuses by the government of Iran, the Treasury Department's news release said. Irans Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS), which is responsible for intelligence and counterintelligence and has conducted covert actions outside Iran, has been recognized as complicit in serious human rights abuses for its actions against the Iranian people since 2009, the statement said. The network has also been designated as a supporter for terrorist groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah and al-Qaida, it said.

Following Mondays announcement, the sanctions will block and report all property and interests in property owned by individuals connected to MOIS currently in the United States or under the possession or control of U.S. persons to the Office of Foreign Assets Control.

The U.S. Treasury said its action was being taken in conjunction with the unsealing of an indictment by the Justice Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Some information for this report came from Reuters.
More than 50 people were killed in attacks along South Sudan's border with Sudan, a local official said on Monday. Armed young men from Warrap state carried out the raids into the neighboring Abyei region, which is jointly administered by South Sudan and Sudan.
Israel's allegations that 12 employees of a United Nations agency were involved in Hamas' Oct. 7 attack have led several Western countries to cut off funding and reignited debate over Gaza's biggest humanitarian aid provider.

The U.N. 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 U.N. facilities for military purposes.

UNRWA denies those allegations and says it took swift action against the employees accused of taking part in the attack. The United States and eight other Western nations that together provided more than half of UNRWA's budget in 2022 nevertheless suspended their funding to the agency.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says 2 million Palestinians in Gaza, or 87% of the population, rely on UNRWA services that would be scaled back as soon as February if the money is not restored.

What is UNRWA and why was it created?

The U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East was established to provide aid to the estimated 700,000 Palestinians who fled or were driven out of what is now Israel during the 1948 war surrounding the country's creation.

The Palestinians say the refugees and their descendants, who now number nearly 6 million across the Middle East, have the right to return to their homes.

Israel has refused, because if the right of return were to be fully implemented it would result in a Palestinian majority inside its borders. The fate of the refugees and their descendants was among the thorniest issues in the peace process, which grounded to a halt in 2009.

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, most of them Palestinians.

In Gaza, where some 85% of the territory's 2.3 million people have fled their homes, over 1 million are sheltering in UNRWA schools and other facilities.

What do Israel and other critics say about UNRWA?

Israel accuses UNRWA of turning a blind eye as Hamas, which has ruled Gaza since 2007, siphons off aid intended for civilians and fights from in and around U.N. facilities, several of which have been struck during the war. It also has exposed Hamas tunnels running next to or under UNRWA facilities and accuses the agency of teaching hatred of Israel in its schools.

UNRWA denies those allegations. It says it has no links to Hamas or to any other militant groups, and that it thoroughly investigates any allegations of wrongdoing and holds staff accountable. It says it shares lists of all its staff with Israel and other host countries.

The 12 employees are said to have participated in the surprise Oct. 7 attack in which Hamas fighters from Gaza overran Israel's extensive border defenses. Other militants joined in the subsequent rampage through nearby communities, which left 1,200 people dead, mostly civilians. Around 250 others, including children, were captured and dragged into Gaza.

U.N. chief Guterres said nine of the accused UNRWA employees were immediately terminated, one was confirmed dead and the other two still need to be identified. He said all would be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution.

Neither the details of the allegations nor the evidence supporting them has been made public.

UNRWA has condemned the Oct. 7 attack and called for all the hostages to be freed. Earlier this month, before the latest allegations, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini announced an external review of the agency to determine which accusations are "true or untrue" and "what is politically motivated."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the agency should be shut down. But his government has continued to allow UNRWA to operate in the West Bank and Gaza, where it provides basic services that might otherwise be the responsibility of Israel as the occupying power. No other entity would be able to quickly fill the void if UNRWA ceased operations.

What do funding cuts mean for Gaza?

The United States, which was the first country to suspend funding, is the biggest donor to UNRWA, providing it with $340 million in 2022. The United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Finland have also suspended aid.

The nine countries together provided nearly 60% of UNRWA's budget in 2022. It was not immediately clear when or how the suspension of aid would affect the agency's day-to-day operations. Norway and Ireland said they would continue funding UNRWA, while other donors have not yet decided.

The war has plunged Gaza into a severe humanitarian crisis. One in four Palestinians in the territory faces starvation, according to U.N. officials, who say aid operations are hampered by the fighting and Israeli restrictions.

"Our humanitarian operation, on which 2 million people depend as a lifeline in Gaza, is collapsing," Lazzarini posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

He expressed shock that countries would suspend aid "based on alleged behavior of a few individuals and as the war continues, needs are deepening & famine looms."

The war has killed more than 26,000 Palestinians, most women and children, and wounded more than 64,400 others, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. It does not differentiate between civilians and combatants in its toll but says most of those killed were women and children.

The death toll includes more than 150 UNRWA employees, the most aid workers the U.N. has lost in a single conflict.
The West African nations of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso announced Sunday they are leaving regional bloc ECOWAS, the Economic Community of West African States, that has been pressing them to return to democratic rule.

The junta leaders of the three Sahel nations said in a joint statement that it was a "sovereign decision" to leave the ECOWAS "without delay," because the bloc, they said, has imposed inhumane sanctions against their countries.

They accused ECOWAS of having moved away from the ideals of its founding fathers and Pan-Africanism" after nearly 50 years of its establishment and claimed that the bloc is "under the influence of foreign powers."

ECOWAS suspended the three countries following military coups that overthrew their democratically elected governments  in Niger last July, in Burkina Faso in 2022 and in Mali in 2020 and 2021.

Since then, the three countries have formed a defense pact called the Alliance of Sahel States which commits each to come to the others aid, in defense of its territorial integrity, from internal and external aggression. They have also cut military and cooperation ties with former colonial power France and turned to Russia for security support.

Frances decision to withdraw troops from the Sahel  the region along the Sahara Desert across Africa  has increased worries over conflicts spreading southward to Gulf of Guinea states Benin, Ghana, Ivory Coast and Togo.

Struggling with jihadi violence and poverty, the autocratic rulers have argued that their priority is to establish security before restoring democracy in their respective countries, which struggle to contain insurgencies linked to al-Qaida and Islamic State.

In the statement, Niger junta spokesperson Colonel Amadou Abdramane said that ECOWAS notably failed to assist these states in their existential fight against terrorism and insecurity.

The trilateral decision of the countries to withdraw from the organization delivers a blow to its regional integration efforts, creating uncertainty on how this exit will impact the bloc, where goods and citizens move freely.

According to the bloc's treaty, member states wishing to withdraw must give a written one-year notice. Until then, the countries must continue to abide by the treaty provisions.

The three countries are also members of the eight-nation West African Monetary and Economic Union, UEMOA, that uses the West African CFA franc pegged to the euro.

Some information in this report came from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.
Photo: Bob Berg/Getty Images

The Brooklyn federal trial against Ronald Washington and Karl Jordan Jr. for the 2002 murder of Run-D.M.C.s DJ Jam Master Jay started in earnest on Monday, January 29, with the prosecution describing the beloved musicians grisly death as an execution.

It was motivated by greed and revenge, prosecutor Miranda Gonzalez told jurors in her 20-minute opening statement.

Gonzalez described to the jury how Jam Master Jay, whos legal name is Jason Mizell, remained humble despite his prominence as a member of Run-D.M.C.

Even as Run-D.M.C. rose to fame, youll hear that Jason never forgot his roots, she said. Jason Mizell was generous with his money. He even let people stay at his family home or his studio if they fell on hard times.

By the mid-90s, however, money from Run-D.M.C. started to decline, leading Mizell to pursue other means of income and acting as a middle man for cocaine distributors and dealers.

In August of 2002, Mizell and Washington went to Baltimore for a deal. But the distributor there didnt want to work with Washington, so Mizell sent him away empty-handed. Jordan, who was hoping to get a piece of the action through Washington, was also left out of the potentially lucrative plan.

On October 30 of that year, the disagreement spiraled into violence. Mizell was in his music studio in Queens, sitting on the sofa playing video games. Mizell had a pistol nearby. People close to Jason will tell you that in the days leading up to his murder, he seemed different, Gonzalez said.

At around 7:30 p.m., a man named Jay Bryant walked into the front of the building and then went to the back entrance, where he let in Jordan and Washington. Jordan marched to the studio, and Mizell stood. Jordan pulled out a gun and put a 40-caliber bullet in his head, killing him in an instant.

The bullet burned the hair and skin of his head, Gonzalez said, pointing out how close Jordan was to Mizell. As the incident unfolded, Washington pointed his firearm at a person in the studio and told this person to lie on the ground. Jordan fired another shot which struck another person in the leg, the prosecution said.

It was a brazen crime  the defendants had killed a world-famous musician in front of people they knew and people who knew them.

The defense lawyers opening statements were brief. John Diaz, who represents Jordan, told jurors that the evidence against his client was not persuasive. Karl Jordan did not kill Jason Mizell, he insisted in his ten-minute opening. I expect the evidence throughout the trial to prove that.

Ezra Spilke, Washingtons lawyer, pointed to the delay between Mizells murder and trial proceedings as problematic. This case revolves around 10 seconds 21 years ago  a blink of an eye, a generation ago.

Mizell and Washington, he said, were like family. Washington was an alcoholic and living in Mizells studio when he was killed, so his involvement just didnt make sense.

Why kill the one person you can depend on? Spilke said.

As lawyers on both sides presented their openings, Jordan and Washington looked on attentively. Jordan, donning a navy-blue vest and dress pants, and Washington, sporting a slate-gray suit, did not appear to show any dramatic signs of emotion during the presentations.

Washington and Jordan were charged in August 2020 with murder while engaged in narcotics trafficking, and firearm-related murder, for allegedly killing the musician, Jordan, 40, was arrested on Sunday, August 16, 2020, for his alleged involvement in the slaying. Washington, 59, was in federal lockup for a series of gunpoint robberies around New York City about 17 years prior.

On May 30, 2023, Bryant was indicted in Mizells killing. They have claimed that Bryant later admitted to participating in the murder, claiming to one associate that he was in fact the shooter, but the feds dont think that hes the shooter. They previously insisted: The evidence does not support Bryants claim that he was the shooter, and the evidence at trial will prove that Jordan was the individual that shot Mizell. Bryant will be tried separately from Jordan and Washington. He is expected to go before a jury in 2026. All three men have maintained their innocence.
In part three, Night Country starts to resemble a classic police procedural, at least structurally. Autopsies (well, kind of) and interrogations; manhunts and working sources. Theres even a rivalry brewing between Pete Priors computer-reliant investigations and Evangeline Navarros beat policing. When Pete cant find a person of interest in the Social Security database, for example, he claims he doesnt exist; meanwhile, Navarro digs up the nonexistent guys address in a day with the help of the mukluk telegraph. Because even when Night Country is tightly focused on the unsolved cases, both Annie K.s and the Tsalal deaths, its about everything else, too. Ennis isnt a place; its a set of preoccupations that mostly boil down to the same one thing. The old versus the new. We were here before.

Were back on the tundra again, only this time were looking for one guy instead of eight. Ray Clark remains at large, and Hank is in charge, so I can only imagine its not a top priority. The series is working so hard to make Hank seem like a dipshit  this week, he recruits any cowboy with a rifle and a camo thermosuit to join the police manhunt  that Im starting to wonder if perhaps hes not one. Does he really think its a good idea to sic his hunting buddies on their only suspect, or is he relishing pushing Lizs buttons? Evangeline joins the search, too, but between the ice and the old mining dredges, there are miles of dark to cover, and the only meaningful development involves an orange. Evangeline picks up an orange that one of Hanks hillbillies drops, perhaps because in Alaska during winter thats like finding a fiver. But later, when she throws it into the night, it boomerangs back in her direction. Did someone throw it back? Did it hit something real or rebound off the edge of the universe? Is the ghostly whispering in the background in her head, or is it just the wind playing tricks on my own ears?

The real hunt for Clark, by which I mean the one with any hope of producing results, is happening back at headquarters, where Liz is combing through 19 boxes of his effects, which include Annie K.s missing cell phone. But when she calls in Navarro for help, Pete grows suspicious. Maybe hes just curious or maybe he senses his place as teachers pet is under threat. He asks Liz what went down in the Wheeler case  the one that Evangeline name-checked last week  and Liz, shockingly, does not tell him to fuck off. William Wheeler was an animal and a criminal who, after his most recent prison release, took up with an 18-year-old girl. He beat her, but she never pressed charges; eventually, he killed her, Danvers says, and then he killed himself.

Except, as we see in flashback, thats not what happened. When Danvers and Navarro arrived at the murder scene, a remorseless Wheeler was whistling a little ditty. So who shot him? Right now, I could make a case for either of the women, though I suppose smart money is on Navarro. Liz has enough disregard for the rules, dont get me wrong; she just doesnt seem to care about people as much. And Pete, for his part, suspects hes being fed half the truth.

Starting with the evidence boxes, it doesnt take long for Liz and Navarro to build out a rough sketch of Annie and Rays relationship. They were happy together. Liz deduces from a T-shirt that theyd been together since 2016, since Ari dropped Dangerous Woman. The romance was a secret, Evangeline insists, but Liz knows about Evangeline and Qaavik, and, according to Evangeline, everybody knows about Liz and Ted Connelly (gross), so maybe theres no such thing as a secret romance. Someone always knows. Who took the one candid photo in Rays stack? The one stained blue with hair dye.

Enter Susan, Annies bestieslashhair colorist. As Evangeline questions her mercilessly about Annies death, Liz makes her daughter some mac and cheese, proving she can be good with kids  just not with Leah. (Though when I realized it was the ghastly gooey cheese and not the superior powdered-cheese kind, I did wonder why this adorable little girl was being punished.) Susie gave haircuts at Tsalal and Annie tagged along and met Ray, who was crazy about her. Annie was the one who wanted to keep the relationship secret, which suited Susie, because she had her own Tsalal boyfriend on the down-low  Oliver Tagaq, the equipment engineer on site (though he skipped town before Annies death). Evangeline cant believe that Susan would keep such a promising lead a secret for all this time, but it turns out thats not the whole truth. Susan did phone in an anonymous tip to the Ennis PD. Can you guess who took the call? Heres a hint: His den is ultramarine, and most of his life savings have recently been converted to rubles.

Navarro thinks Hank is covering for the mines, who were behind the murder, but its hard to square that with  anything else? Like Annies tongue resurfacing at Tsalal. Liz isnt convinced, but she also doesnt share Narvarros belief in the cases spectral dimension. Evangeline seems comfortable with the notion that some things can be explained by policework and others by whatever else is out there. And yet, Liz and Evangeline clearly like each other. Theyre more open and curious in each others company than anyone elses. Liz shares that she cruises Tinder in Fairbanks when the nights get too long and cold, but Evangeline makes the more stunning confession. When shes lonely, she prays. Not to tell God what she needs, but to hear what the world is trying to say back. Doesnt Liz feel it, too, sometimes? The compulsion to disappear.

It all goes down at the ice rink in the end, where six Tsalal scientists are almost but not entirely thawed out. Hank stops by to make amends for slugging Pete by offering to take his grandson out skating. Navarro happens by at the same time and threatens Hanks life for withholding evidence. Hanks only defense is that Annie was a bit of a slut, actually, and when Liz says shes going to write up his negligence, he basically calls her a slut, too, accusing his boss of playing Mrs. Robinson with his son. Liz tips a cup of coffee in Hanks face, which, by his reaction, must not have been scalding hot, but how was Liz to know that? Hank walks out with dreams of vengeance written all over his mildly burnt face, and Navarro leaves in a huff. Pete, who looks way younger that Benjamin Braddock did in The Graduate, asks who Mrs. Robinson is. The showdown is a little comical but also menacing. The four people tasked with keeping Ennis safe all cant stand each other to varying degrees.

Navarro heads to Qaaviks icehouse to ask for help finding Oliver through his bootlegging contacts, which he agrees to do because he loooves her and wants to get to know her better. (And, more cynically, because this was as elegant a moment as any for Issa Lopez to shoehorn in a quid pro quo reference without things feeling too hammy.) But the interaction did make me wonder how long Qaavik and Eve, as he calls her, have been casually bumping into each other. Liz knows about the liaison, and yet Qaavik seems to know little about Eve, and the pressure hes putting on her to be more intimate feels new. Qaavik asks about Eve and Julias mother, who left these parts for Boston when she was 15 and didnt come back until she was desperate to escape the drunk and abusive father of her two young daughters. Alaska girls always come back, Qaavik says like hes heard a version of this chilling story a hundred times before. Eves mother was ill; like Julia again this week, she heard voices and had episodes. And then, one day, she just didnt come home again. Unsolved murder. Their mother died before ever telling her girls their Inupiat names.

Cultural exploration and cultural curiosity are part threes most salient themes. When Navarro and Liz eventually catch up with Oliver, living in a small fishing village where women mend nets in the same manner that scarred Annies tongue, he asks Evangeline her real name.

Oh, you forgot, didnt you? Oliver says when she cant answer, his tone taunting.

This is where people go to live when they dont want to be within reach. To be a cop, to burst into his home uninvited? Hes accusing Evangeline of forgetting much more than a name. Hes overwhelmingly affected when they tell him about the deaths of his former colleagues at Tsalal and orders them out without any explanation. Another line of inquiry thats run dry.

But this is a pressure point for Navarro  the tension between her culture and her career, between who she is and what she does. Part three opens with a flashback to Annie K. working as a midwife at the areas last birthing center. Evangeline turns up to arrest her for destroying mine property but ends up assisting with a water birth. Evangeline looks genuinely terrified, like maybe she wasnt entirely sure where babies come from. Though it takes Annie a minute to resuscitate her, the baby is fine. Evangeline pours hot water into the bath; shes invited into a circle of women she feels connected to.

Its the same journey of self-discovery that Leahs on. Yes, in the heedless world of teenage rebellion, that total miscreant has worked up the nerve to join the mining protest movement. Take that, Liz. Despite all your best efforts at neglect, youre raising a civic-minded young woman who cares about the community. (Kind of like a cop should, come to think of it.) It turns out that the harrowing birth that opened the episode foreshadowed something terrible to come. Theres been another stillbirth in the villages, no doubt connected to the toxic runoff at Silver Sky.

What is it about Leahs activism and her completely age-appropriate curiosity about culture and identity that Liz finds so threatening? In one particularly horrific scene, she forces Leah into the bathroom to wipe the Magic Marker tattoo from her chin. Is it a mothers fear  fear of what can happen around Ennis to women who mark themselves out as Inupiat and make trouble for the mine? Does it have something to do with whatever happened to Jake? If the answer is as simple and ugly as racism, why would Liz visit the house of the stillborn child, where a kind of funeral is taking place? The scene of mourning overwhelms Liz, and she escapes to a bathroom without saying a word of hello or condolence to anyone.

And at work, shes running out of time. Connelly threatened to ship the dead bodies to Anchorage the moment they were thawed, and Liz cant get a forensic tech to town because of the snowstorms. Eager Beaver Peter, who we learn leaves his iPhone notifications on overnight in case the chief needs him, suggests they bring in his cousin, a livestock vet who lives a few towns over. Needs must. The vet tells Liz and Pete that these men didnt die of cold. Cold sedates big animals, and they die peacefully. If he had to guess, the Tsalal scientists died of cardiac arrest before they froze. And hes seen it before, he tells them. Hes seen caribou die of fright, maybe like the unexplained stampede of caribou from the opening minutes of the first episode.

Just when it seems like every line of inquiry has exhausted itself, Dr. Lund wakes up on the 23rd of December  the sixth full day of night. The man has no legs and no eyesight, but hes just alert enough for Liz and Navarro to question him. Everything he says makes perfect and little sense. We woke her, he says. Shes awake  same as Ray, same as the whispers that Liz and Navarro have heard. She came for us. But who is he talking about? The obvious guess is Annie, but how or why or what the fuck? When Liz gets called to the ER waiting room to quiet a brawl, we get more of a sense of what it could mean for a dead person to be awake. Earlier in the episode, Navarro hits her head on the ice and feels Danverss sons hand on her shoulder. Now, in the hospital, Lund turns to her like hes possessed and tells her that her mother says hello. Shes waiting for you, he adds before crashing and, I assume, dying.

Then, of course, there are more literal ways for the dead to reanimate. Pete shows up at the hospital, having finally cracked Annie K.s cell phone. Theres a video that Annies taken of herself, talking in the same confusing short sentences as Lund. I found it, she says, maybe from an ice cave or an igloo. Its here. She looks terrified until she drops her phone, screaming in bloody horror at whatever has found her in return.

We were here before. Its the rallying cry that the activists repeat at the protest Leah sneaks off to with her girlfriend. They mean they were here before the mines. They mean a culture older than the white colonialists who came in search of land and resources. But given the series supernatural bent, its hard not to hear something prophetic in it, too. We were here before. This is not our first time here. Even the dead dont leave  souls bound to this place. There have been a few allusions to True Detectives season one sprinkled into season four, but to me, theyve so far felt like Easter eggs  cheap thrills for diligent viewers that create more mood than meaning.

But maybe something more is starting to coalesce  a theory of existence that connects the separate stories. Annies friend Susan tells Navarro and Liz that the spiral motif came to Annie in a recurring dream, over and over and over again, ending only when she got the tattoo. If we were here before, then maybe Matthew McConaugheys Rust was right in season one, too: Everything we have done or will do, we will do over and over and over again forever. Maybe time really is a flat circle, or a spiral pressed into the skin.
China conducts vertical takeoff, landing test for reusable Kuaizhou rocket

Xinhua) 15:53, January 27, 2024

BEIJING, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- A test version of the reusable Kuaizhou rocket completed a vertical takeoff and landing experiment on Friday afternoon.

The test rocket, developed by the Expace Technology Co., Ltd., a company affiliated with the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation Limited, used a liquid oxygen methane engine. The flight time lasted 22 seconds, and the rocket hovered in the air for nine seconds, with a height accuracy of 0.15 meter.

The landing posture of the test rocket was stable, the landing position accurate and the rocket body in good condition, signifying the success of the experiment, according to the company.

This has laid a foundation for the development of the reusable Kuaizhou rocket series, the company said.

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Wu Chaolan)
Linda Wenhold was blown away by the Patriot Academys classes, which tap into a growing fear among some evangelical Christians that their faith and its rightful place at the center of American culture and government were under siege.
Australian investors should brace for more challenges in China as Beijing fails to identify a substantial policy fix for its economy, which has stalled to three-decade lows and led to the countrys sharemarket plunging more than 40 per cent in three years.

Thats the view of investment managers and economists, who say purported plans to pump 2 trillion yuan ($430 billion) into the countrys tanking sharemarket, and the central banks decision to the cut the amount of cash that banks must hold on reserve, will do little to reverse its ailing economy.

Experts say Beijings purported plans to pump 2 trillion yuan into the stock market, and the central banks decision to the cut the amount of cash that banks must hold on reserve, will do little to help its economy. Credit: AP

China is Australias largest trading partner, accounting for nearly a third of international trade, and the industries most exposed to Beijings economic woes are resources and commodities.

Omkar Joshi, chief investment officer at Opal Capital Management, said Australia was intimately linked to Chinas economy, and any downturn had the impact to affect local businesses.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size In the dawn of New Years Day, a man and a woman appeared at the campsite of Michelle Dance and her wife, Nicola. The distraught visitors asked for a phone. The woman said they had lost everything. Theyd lost caravans and cars, Dance, an experienced camper from Redfern, said. And there were people in the river. About 8pm the night before a short, intense thunderstorm had hammered their campsite in Eungella, in northern NSW, interrupting improvised New Years Eve cocktails. Theyd go to bed with dry-bags stuffed with clothes as pillows, uneasy but not expecting the dangerous weather event  of the kind intensified by climate change  upon them. Campers trapped by the Oxley River, which broke its banks early on New Years Day. Credit: NSW SES When Dance woke at 5:30am, shed just received an advice-level stay informed alert notification on the Hazards Near Me app for the Tweed Valley Hinterland and Mount Warning. A formerly dry creek bed near the camp swelled with water. The banks of the nearby Oxley River had broken. When Dance visited the river the afternoon before, it was too shallow to float on with a lilo and beer. Now the ankle-deep water had raged into a torrent that pinned a family of four against their cars, 50 metres from dry land. The caravans theyd slept in had been swept away and destroyed. As Dance made the last packing trip between her car and the campsite, which was now waist-deep in water, a fleet of State Emergency Service vehicles arrived with inflatable rescue boats. Volunteers in wetsuits saved the trapped campers.

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At 3pm that day, safe and dry in the home of the landowner who hosted their campsite, Dance received a geolocated emergency text from the SES, warning of intense rainfall that could impact low-lying areas. That was a good eight hours later, says Dance. We were already drinking with all the survivors! The incident prompted Dance to send a letter to SES, the Bureau of Meteorology, and the state and federal emergency services ministers suggesting real-time water gauge data be linked to the SES geolocation text service for earlier warning. Tweed Shire mayor Chris Cherry, meanwhile, called for greater regulation of camping of private land. I look at what happened on New Years Eve and I dont see that regulation would have helped anything, Dance says. The Rivers Run Colo River Camping ground prepares for a fully-booked Australia day weekend. Credit: Brook Mitchell I absolutely believe that people should take personal responsibility and shouldnt be putting themselves in situations where youre putting rescuers lives at risk. In this instance, I think everyone had done the best they could with the information they had.

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The SES had issued warnings and broadcasts about severe storms and the risk of dangerous flash flooding ahead of New Years Eve in the Northern Rivers, a spokesperson said, including for those camping along creeks and rivers at risk of rapid water rises. An SMS notification issued later was a follow-up message related to a second weather system that was expected to lead to further pressure on catchments in the area, the spokesperson said, and noted the SES was working to improve emergency alerts. Campers and the outdoor industry have started to reckon with the fact that going bush is growing more dangerous. Days before the New Years Eve incident, flash flooding killed two campers in Victorias East Gippsland. Earlier in 2023, a 37-year-old camper died in extreme heat in Kakadu National Park. A landslip at the Rivers Run Solo River Camping Ground in Central Colo. The area has been heavily impacted by fire and floods. Credit: Brook Mitchell Black Summer fires scorched 37 per cent of NSWs national park land, shuttering a quarter of NSW campgrounds and other national park visitor precincts. The CSIRO identified human-caused climate change as the dominant factor fanning an 800 per cent increase in area burned by bushfires each year. Then east coast rainfall and floods came in 2022, keeping visits to national parks down by 7 million compared to pre-pandemic levels. Rapid rain bursts, of the kind that unleash life-threatening flash floods, have intensified by 40 per cent in the last 20 years near Sydney, according to an analysis published by the University of NSWs Climate Change Research Centre.

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As campers converge on sites across Australia for the long weekend, eastern Australia is in the grips of a heatwave, the deadliest form of extreme weather. Theyre stewing more frequently, and for longer, under the climate crisis. And the second cyclone this summer just made landfall in northern Queensland. Its part of nature. Its part of what we live with, Lori Modde, chief executive of Outdoors NSW & ACT, says. But the days lost to severe heat, bushfire or storms are undeniably going up. Moddes organisation has launched a climate change committee to grapple with how the industry responds to the crisis. Outward Bound, an outdoor education organisation, won a $3.7 grant from the government to set up the National Centre for Outdoor Risk and Readiness (NatCORR) in response to Black Summer devastation. The centre is working with the Bureau on improving forecasting and education for those who work in the outdoor industries to better understand weather risks and warnings. Alyssa Ravasio, Hipcamp founder, is grappling with how bushfires and floods are affecting the outdoor industry. Credit: Brook Mitchell Alyssa Ravasio founded Hipcamp, an Airbnb-style service that allows users to book campsites on farms and private land. Dance and the other campers at Eungella used Hipcamp to book their New Years Eve stay near the Oxley River.

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For Ravasio, the Eungella flood and stories of hosts who lost homes in Black Summer, and then contended with years of flooding, have sparked a reckoning with how she regards the future of her industry. Its kind of confusing, right? Because on one hand, its too hot and its 45 degrees and farms burn down. And then the next year the whole place is flooded, she says. Its quite biblical. Loading Ravasio backs Dances call for better-integrated warning systems. Finding ways to support outdoor recreation into the future, I would argue, is key to having a culture and a society that does solve climate change. If were all inside, locked on our phones watching Netflix, its gonna be hard to motivate people. Ravasios hunch is borne out in research. Studies have consistently found time in nature sharpens cognition, boosts mental health, and enhances optimism. It also makes for more environmentally aware, active citizens. For people who just live in the city, the impact of climate change is sitting in your air conditioning more often, Dance says.

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When 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.
Columbia, South Carolina: US President Joe Biden says his military will 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.

Biden blamed Iran-backed militias for the first US fatalities after months of strikes by such groups against American forces across the Middle East since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.

US President Joe Biden has vowed a response to strikes that killed American military personnel in Jordan. Credit: AP

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, Biden added, and we shall respond.
In the episodic melodrama that doubles as the application process for the worlds most powerful job, an 80-year-old woman has been causing more problems for Donald Trump these past few days than the 81-year-old incumbent whom he hopes to succeed.

E. Jean Carroll, a one-time advice columnist who a jury last year found had been sexually abused by Trump in a Fifth Avenue department store in the mid-1990s, on Friday won a stunning court victory that resulted in the former president being ordered to pay $US83 million ($127 million) for repeatedly defaming her.

Donald Trump has more than one woman problem. Credit: Marija Ercegovac

Few things pain the tycoon more than losing and being forced to part company with his cash, but the jurys mammoth penalty also hits his political bottom line. Though these civil and criminal legal cases have bestowed a form of MAGA martyrdom, and powered his bid for the Republican presidential nomination, they make it harder for him to win the presidency.

Just days before the Carroll verdict, it was a 50-something female who got under his tangerine skin. Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor, refused to end her long-shot campaign for the Republican presidential nomination despite being convincingly beaten by Trump in the New Hampshire primary.
Kenneth Fox

The Government and senior officers were warned as far back as 1989 of seriously inadequate procedures for dealing with bullying and sexual harassment in the military, decades before issues were highlighted by Women of Honour campaigners.

As the Irish Examiner reports, about 35 years ago, the then government initiated a commission on "remuneration and conditions of service in the Defence Forces". There were three teams self-selected in the Defence Forces to represent the views of their peers.

This occurred before the recognition and establishment of Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association, or PDForra, which included wives regularly picketing outside military installations to improve the poor pay and conditions their husbands were enduring.

At the time it was agreed there would be input from representatives from officers, NCOs (non-commissioned officers) and privates to feed into the survey.

These representatives covered the then four army brigade commands around the country  which has since been reduced to three  as well as the navy and aircrew.

The NCO team made a written submission to the Government via the commission about the 'Redress of Wrongs' complaint procedure.

Back then, they wrote: "The procedure is now held to be a meaningless ritual with little or no hope of actual redress in the end. There is also the perception that if a person applies for redress, they may become the subject of 'special treatment' or some form of victimisation.

The procedure has now lost all credibility and is now more or less ignored by most NCOs. This has led to a good deal of pent-up frustration on the part of personnel with grievances of one sort or another and a more effective system of redress urgently needs to be put in place.

In 1990 this statement was contained as a matter of record in the Gleeson report into the commission of remuneration and conditions of service in the Defence Forces.

Dr Micheal Martin, then a warrant officer in the navy, was the NCOs team spokesperson to the 1989 commission.

He was heavily involved in the struggle to gain recognition for PDForra and took a constitutional case against the State to acquire the right of association for members of the Defence Forces.

When the association was recognised by the Defence Amendment Act of 1990, he became its first general secretary.
By Cillian Sherlock, PA

The findings of two highly anticipated probes into RTE  set to help determine funding for the crisis-hit broadcaster  may be anonymised.

Minister for Media Catherine Martin ordered two independent expert reviews into RTE's culture and governance after revelations about financial mismanagement last year.

RTE commissioned its own reports into controversial incidents like the understating of pay for its then-highest earner Ryan Tubridy and the circumstances behind a musical that accrued millions of euro in losses.

The latest report into the ill-fated Toy Show The Musical was criticised for a decision to grant all contributors anonymity.

RTE commissioned its own reports (PA)

The report did not publish any names and referred only to those interviewed as Person 1 through to Person 26.

On Friday, Ms Martin said the decision was made for legal reasons but the removal of peoples names from the report was a distraction.

You find yourself, as youre reading it, nearly trying to work out who was who, she said.

Ms Martin said the Governments independent expert reviews are taking a broader look at culture, governance and HR practices inside RTE and will bring forward recommendations.

The reports will be used in the Governments decisions about emergency and future funding for the cash-strapped organisation.

Asked if the Government-commissioned reports will have named individuals, the minister said she has not been told they will be anonymised.

But in a statement to the PA news agency, the Department said on Monday the names may be redacted.

A spokesman said: The draft reports of the Expert Advisory Committees will be reviewed by their legal advisers prior to their submission to the Minister.

The Expert Advisory Committees will make a decision whether to anonymise any element of their reports based on that legal advice.

Ms Martin said she expects current members of the RTE board and leadership team to identify which numbered contributor they are from the Toy Show The Musical report when they next appear before Oireachtas committees.

The reports are expected to be published at the end of February.
Well-known Galway Bay FM broadcaster Keith Finnegan is to retire after more than 34 years on the airwaves.

The 62 year-old Mervue native is one of the stations best known voices, as the presenter of the flagship morning current affairs programme Galway Talks.

As well as his career behind the mic, he also served as the stations chief executive officer for three decades until April 2021.

Keith feels the time is right to hand over the reins to a new voice and will host his last show on Friday, April 12.

"I joined Galway Bay FM, or Radio West at the time, in 1989 then it rebranded. At that stage I was doing a Saturday and Sunday afternoon music programme and then from there I went on to steer the company as chief executive and as an director under previous and current ownership. Then two years ago, I decided I would focus on the programme and that has worked extremely well," Keith said on Galway Talks this morning.

"I decided to hand over the reins of Galway Talks to somebody else and I wish them every success. I hope they get the happiness that I got out of it over the last 34 years."

He received an IMRO Hall of Fame award in 2022 for his distinguished service to the industry.
Olivia Kelleher

A Ukranian woman charged in connection with the death of a man who was found unresponsive in a car park near Cork Airport last year has been charged with two additional offences.

Kseniia Vasylenko was previously charged with dangerous driving causing the death of Andrii Nesterov on lands at Cork Airport, Lehanaghmore on October 8th last. Mr Nesterov, 49, was also a native of Ukraine.

Monday at the Cork District Court the 43-year-old was charged with driving without a licence or insurance on the same occasion. Garda Gary Brennan said that Ms Vasylenko made no reply when the charges were put to her under caution.

Ms Vasylenko, who is a mother of one, was remanded on a fixed bail of 400 to appear before Cork District Court again on February 26th next.

Defence solicitor Frank Buttimer previously said that his client had travelled to Ireland with her five-year-old son to seek sanctuary after war broke out in the Ukraine.

Ms Vasylenkos 62 year old mother was already in Cork when she joined her in December 2022.

Mr Buttimer said that his client had worked in local authority administration in a city in central Ukraine prior to the war. She doesn't have a criminal record.

Ms Vasylenko previously said that she was willing to obey even the most stringent bail conditions set down by the court.

I quit my job to save my life and my sons life. I will do anything to be with my son as we have a very close bond. I promise I will not be leaving Ireland. I do not have relatives or friends who could accommodate us in Europe. I love Ireland and the Irish people.

Mr Nesterov was taken to Cork University Hospital on the morning of October 8th where he was later pronounced dead. A postmortem was carried out by Dr Margaret Bolster.

Ms Vasylenko was subsequently arrested in relation to the investigation of the death. She was questioned under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, at Togher Garda Station.
It goes without saying that tea, like coffee, is a religion. And religious wars are always the bitterest. A U.S. scientists suggestion that a pinch of salt be added while brewing to obtain the perfect cuppa has unleashed the wrath of many Brits. And it has forced the U.S. embassy, to ironically distance itself from the recommendation of its countrywoman, and to clarify that her tip is not official Washington doctrine.

Michelle Francl, chemistry professor at Pennsylvanias Bryn Mawr College, is a committed tea drinker in a country seemingly addicted to watered-down coffee. She has spent countless hours analyzing the process behind the perfect brew, and poured all of that knowledge into the book Steeped: The Chemistry of Tea.

You get some awful cups of tea in the U.S. Its horrific. I grew up in the Midwest, which is deep coffee-drinking country, but tea has always been my preferred drink  and I have invested a lot of time into studying it, explains Francl in an interview with The Guardian. In an article for Chemistry World, she says that she consulted over 500 texts to come up with the ideal formula.

For more traditional Brits, and for devotees and converts to the religion of tea  this writer is one of them  many of the complaints, suggestions and techniques shared by the U.S. academic make all the sense in the world. Still, she has committed two unforgivable sacrileges. In the first place, she tries to explain to the British, all the way on the other side of the pond, how to make tea. This is akin to the English trying to explain to a Spaniard the true recipe for paella (with chorizo, of course) or telling an Italian the trick to making a good spaghetti a la carbonara (with cream and English bacon). In the second place, she proposes the heresy that tea tastes better with a pinch of salt  no matter that the chemistry behind the tip makes all the sense in the world.

In her book, Francl argues that a little sodium added to a brew helps to block the chemical reaction that can make tea taste bitter. Something similar is achieved, she adds, by squeezing the bag containing the chopped leaf, in order to reduce the aroma of its tannins.

Very smart science, but Francl is incapable of answering whether this is good or bad, writes Tony Turnbull, gastronomic specialist for the daily newspaper The Times. Ive always thought that the key to tea was precisely this point of bitterness (due to its tannins, effectively). Its supposed to be a stimulating drink, not a calming one. Im unconvinced by her suggestion. In his indignation, the critic goes even further, reproaching Francl for even daring to offer her opinion, not on whether milk should be poured in before or after tea  after, for Gods sake, Turnbull clarifies  but on the temperature of the milk. It should be approaching lukewarm, says Francl, but not cold, to prevent it from curdling and from overly changing the temperature of the brew. I know, its crazy, writes the Times expert in response to such a suggestion.

The American embassy in the United Kingdom attempted to bring some irony and level-headedness to a diplomatic conflict that was rapidly spiraling out of control. In an official statement, it made clear to the good people of the UK that the unthinkable notion of adding salt to Britains national drink is not official United States policy. And never will be.

The punchline came at the end of the memo, which assured that the U.S. Embassy will continue to make tea in the proper way  by microwaving it.

Because the truth is, many of the tea atrocities committed in the United States  and half the planet  and which Francl denounces, are practiced by many of this religions devotees, including the expert gastronome of the Times. Such as utilizing the microwave, bathing the tea in warm water, or reusing the tea bag.

And her suggestions are, to a large extent, correct. For example, pre-heating the teapot or cup to slow down the cooling of the infusion. Using shallow cups to better maintain temperature. Stirring or squeezing the tea bag to expose the tea leaves more evenly to the solvent and extract more catechinsteas signature antioxidants, as recommends Francl.

Despite the controversy stirred up by her boldness, the U.S. academic has merely followed in the footsteps of such great authors as George Orwell (whom she cites as a source of inspiration) and Christopher Hitchens, who devoted his own essays to the art of making a good cup of tea. Next time you are in a Starbucks or its equivalent, Hitchens said, launching his attack on the well-known U.S. cafe chain. And want some tea, dont be afraid to decline that hasty cup of hot water with added bag. Its not what you asked for. Insist on seeing the tea put in first, and on making sure that the water is boiling. If there are murmurs or sighs from behind you, take the opportunity to spread the word.

At the end of the day  except on the debatable salt trick  any Brit, including Orwell, could sign off on Fracls recommendations. What hurts is that they came from the other side of the Atlantic.
You can't always escape your past. Any criminal record even minor ones can haunt you.

Lehigh County Executive, Phil Armstrong said, "We're talking a classic example of a girl when she was 18 took a pair of jeans at Kmart. That's going to be on her record. It's going to hurt her for housing, jobs, education."

In Pennsylvania, records like that can be expunged, but often takes a lot of money to go through the legal process. Armstrong is trying to change that in his county. "We're going to put somebody in our public defenders office that is going to look that person up and get that person's record changed, expunged," he said.

It's called the Pardon Project and will only be available for non-violent, minor offenses.

Armstrong has set aside funding for it in the county budget.

"As for taxpayer dollars, what better use and long-term investment for your taxpayer dollar than to make sure we can get somebody on the tax roll, someone getting a better job, somebody buying a home paying the property taxes," he said.

Yasuf Dahl knows what it's like to be rejected from housing. When he was 18, he was convicted for the distribution of drugs. He did his time and went on to graduate from Princeton University.

Dahl told 69 News, "Despite 25-years of no criminal involvement, graduating from higher education, building a successful business, just really contributing to the vibrant scene of our community in many respects, I was recently denied housing on the basis of that decades old conviction."

Dahl said the pardon project is step in the right direction. "This is a policy that promotes reintegration and reduces recidivism," he said.

Armstrong said he is currently in the process of hiring an attorney to oversee the project. If it is successful he said he plans to expand it.
Lehigh County wants to help residents with certain convictions to clear their criminal records.

The Pardon Project of Lehigh County now has a pardon coordinator embedded in the Public Defender's Office, announced the county executive's office.

The pardon project was created to help residents who were convicted of a non-violent crime and completed their sentence for at least five years, but their past is now holding them back, the county says.

A pardon is a total forgiveness by the state. Having records erased can help people more easily get a job, housing and education, the county says.

The Lehigh County pardons board heard 144 cases in January, and recommended 118 of them to the governor, according to the pardon project's website.

Guidelines about who qualifies are available online.
Tax season has officially started and there are a few free options to get your federal taxes filed.

Starting with IRS Free File, open to anyone making under $79,000 per year, pairing you with a partner company to file for free, online.

If you need free in-person help, AARP is offering tax assistance to anyone, with a special focus on seniors and those with low to moderate income.

This year, there are around 30 locations spread out among Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton, as well as other parts of Lehigh, Northampton, and Carbon counties.

Some take walk-ins but most require appointments.

New Bethany in Bethlehem can help connect you with a center... and says it's a good idea to file, even if you don't think you need to.

"Some people think oh I'm not going to get anything back but there so many tax credits that they don't realize they're eligible for, said Lupita Bonilla with New Bethany.

Aside from the AARP, there's free help available through DeSales University which partners with Junior and Senior accounting students for its VITA program. It's appointment only and free of charge to senior citizens, those with income under $54,000, people with disabilities, students, military, and those who speak English as a second language.

You can call the general number here at DeSales 610-282-1100 and it's extension 1868. You leave a message and a student will call you back within a few days to set up an appointment, said Chris Cocozza with DeSales.

The list of AARP locations are below:

ALLENTOWN

St. Peters Lutheran Church, 1933 Hanover Ave, 12:30 PM to 4:30 PM Tuesdays by appointment ONLY. On Feb 6 th doors will open at 12:30 PM for setting up appointments. Tax preparation will also begin on February 6 th thru April 9 th . Walk-in to setup appointments will continue during site normal operation hours only. Call 484-602-5278 for information.

1933 Hanover Ave, 12:30 PM to 4:30 PM Tuesdays by appointment ONLY. On Feb 6 doors will open at 12:30 PM for setting up appointments. Tax preparation will also begin on February 6 thru April 9 . Walk-in to setup appointments will continue during site normal operation hours only. Call 484-602-5278 for information. Calvary Moravian Church [CMC], 948 N. 21 St. (corner of Livingston St.). Taxpayers MUST call 484-891-0971 M-F, 10 AM - 4 PM starting Monday, 1/8/24 to make appointments for 2/2/24 thru 4/12/24. Call 484-891-0971 anytime for more info. Do NOT call CMC. NO Walk-ins accepted.

[CMC], 948 N. 21 St. (corner of Livingston St.). Taxpayers MUST call 484-891-0971 M-F, 10 AM - 4 PM starting Monday, 1/8/24 to make appointments for 2/2/24 thru 4/12/24. Call 484-891-0971 anytime for more info. Do NOT call CMC. NO Walk-ins accepted. Lehigh Valley Active Life ; 1633 W. Elm St, Allentown; To make an appointment Call 610-437-3700 any weekday starting on Tuesday, January 23 rd after 9:30 AM. Taxes will be prepared on Saturdays ONLY beginning on February 3rd and ending by April 13 th . No Walk-ins accepted.

; 1633 W. Elm St, Allentown; To make an appointment Call any weekday starting on Tuesday, January 23 after 9:30 AM. Taxes will be prepared on beginning on February 3rd and ending by April 13 . No Walk-ins accepted. Calvary Baptist Church , 4601 Tilghman St. (across from Josh Early Candies) 8:30 AM to 12 PM Thursdays starting Feb 8 th . Appointments only which can be made in advance at the church on Thursday Jan 25 th from 8:30 AM to NOON. All clients to remain in their car and we will come to your car and assign numbers.

, 4601 Tilghman St. (across from Josh Early Candies) 8:30 AM to 12 PM Thursdays starting Feb 8 . Appointments only which can be made in advance at the church on Thursday Jan 25 from 8:30 AM to NOON. All clients to remain in their car and we will come to your car and assign numbers. Allentown Public Library- Open on Saturdays ONLY. This site will be a Drop Off site ONLY. NO returns will be prepared on site. An appointment setting day is scheduled for Saturday, January 27th from 10AM to 2 PM. For more information, please call 484-602-5352.

LEHIGH COUNTY

Slatington Vigilant Fire Co. Hall , E Church St and S Walnut St, Slatington, Wednesdays starting February 7 th from 10 AM to 2 PM. Appointments can be made on Wednesday, January 31 st from 10 AM to 2 PM at the firehouse. After February 1 st , appointments can be made by calling 484-272-5129. Leave a message if no answer.

, E Church St and S Walnut St, Slatington, Wednesdays starting February 7 from 10 AM to 2 PM. Appointments can be made on Wednesday, January 31 from 10 AM to 2 PM at the firehouse. After February 1 , appointments can be made by calling 484-272-5129. Leave a message if no answer. Emmaus Moravian Church , Main and Keystone Streets, 8:30 AM to NOON on Tuesday by appointment only (no walk-ins) starting Feb 6 th . Appointments can be made in advance at the church on Tuesday Jan 30 th from 9AM to NOON. All clients to remain in their car and we will come to your cars and assign numbers.

, Main and Keystone Streets, 8:30 AM to NOON on Tuesday by appointment only (no walk-ins) starting Feb 6 . Appointments can be made in advance at the church on Tuesday Jan 30 from 9AM to NOON. All clients to remain in their car and we will come to your cars and assign numbers. Wescosville Recreation Center , 5047 Hamilton Boulevard, Wescosville, PA, 8:30 AM -12:00 PM on Wednesday from February 7 th through April 10 th . Advance appointments are required and can be made in person on one day only, Wednesday, January 25 th between 9 AM and 11 AM at the Wescosville Recreation Center. Those unable to sign up on January 25 th may call 484-820-1480 beginning January 30 th to schedule an appointment.

, 5047 Hamilton Boulevard, Wescosville, PA, 8:30 AM -12:00 PM on Wednesday from February 7 through April 10 . Advance appointments are required and can be made in person on one day only, Wednesday, January 25 between 9 AM and 11 AM at the Wescosville Recreation Center. Those unable to sign up on January 25 may call 484-820-1480 beginning January 30 to schedule an appointment. Lower Macungie Library , 3450 Brookside Rd. Macungie, PA, Thursdays 1 PM to 5 PM, from February 8th through April 11 th . Advance appointments are required. Appointments can be made on February 1 st between 10 AM-2 PM at the Lower Macungie Library. Those unable to sign up on February 1 st may call 484-232-8807 beginning February 2 nd to schedule an appointment.

, 3450 Brookside Rd. Macungie, PA, Thursdays 1 PM to 5 PM, from February 8th through April 11 . Advance appointments are required. Appointments can be made on February 1 between 10 AM-2 PM at the Lower Macungie Library. Those unable to sign up on February 1 may call 484-232-8807 beginning February 2 to schedule an appointment. Parkland Community Library- 4422 Walbert Ave., Allentown, Pa 18104 Tax preparation by appointment only on Monday and Wednesday mornings 9 AM to 1 PM starting 2/5/2023. Please contact Marianne Kmetz starting January 22, 2023 @ 610-398-1361 EXT 117 between 9 AM - 1 PM Monday thru Friday ONLY. You may also apply in person. A detailed information packet will be available at the library with required forms to be filled out in advance.

BETHLEHEM AREA

For the following sites, Call 484-935-3472. Leave your name, phone number and the best time for us to return your call. A scheduler will call you to set up an appointment. We cannot accept Walk-Ins.

Hellertown Library - Mondays 9 AM-12 PM

- Mondays 9 AM-12 PM Bethlehem Salvation Army - Mondays 10 AM-1 PM

- Mondays 10 AM-1 PM Southern Lehigh Library - Wednesdays 1 PM-4 PM

- Wednesdays 1 PM-4 PM St Thomas UCC - Wednesdays 1 PM-4 PM

- Wednesdays 1 PM-4 PM College Hill Moravian - Thursdays 1 PM-4 PM

- Thursdays 1 PM-4 PM Advent Moravian - Fridays 10 AM-1 PM

- Fridays 10 AM-1 PM Nativity Cathedral - Tuesdays 1PM-4 PM

NORTHAMPTON COUNTY

Northampton Recreation Center , 1 Lerchenmiller Drive, Northampton, 9 AM to 1PM by appointment only on Mondays starting Feb 5 th . Appointments can be made at the Rec Center on Monday Jan 29 th from 9 AM to 1 PM. Call 484-282-0767 for information.

, 1 Lerchenmiller Drive, Northampton, 9 AM to 1PM by appointment only on Mondays starting Feb 5 . Appointments can be made at the Rec Center on Monday Jan 29 from 9 AM to 1 PM. Call 484-282-0767 for information. Slate Belt Senior Center (SBSC) - 707 American Bangor Road, Bangor, PA 18013. Call 484-272-7823 for an appointment. Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

- 707 American Bangor Road, Bangor, PA 18013. Call 484-272-7823 for an appointment. Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Christ UCC Church (CUC) - 109 S. Chestnut St., Bath, PA 18014. Call 484-275-0526 for an appointment. Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

- 109 S. Chestnut St., Bath, PA 18014. Call 484-275-0526 for an appointment. Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Memorial Library of Nazareth (MLN) - 295 E. Center St., Nazareth, PA 18064. Call 484-488-7219 for an appointment. Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to noon.

- 295 E. Center St., Nazareth, PA 18064. Call 484-488-7219 for an appointment. Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to noon. St. Johns Lutheran Church (SJLC) - 200 S. Broad St., Nazareth, PA 18064. Call 484-272-7440 for an appointment. Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

EASTON

Easton Area Community Center (EACC) - 901 Washington St., Easton, PA 18042. Call 484-268-2790 for an appointment. Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

- 901 Washington St., Easton, PA 18042. Call 484-268-2790 for an appointment. Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Park Plaza Senior Community Center (PKPL) - 1800 Sullivan Trail, Suite 140, Easton, PA 18040. Call 484-246-9180 for an appointment. Tuesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

- 1800 Sullivan Trail, Suite 140, Easton, PA 18040. Call 484-246-9180 for an appointment. Tuesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Mary Meuser Library (MML) - 1803 Northampton St., Easton, PA 18042. Call 484-488-7154 for an appointment. Wednesdays from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

- 1803 Northampton St., Easton, PA 18042. Call 484-488-7154 for an appointment. Wednesdays from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Bethlehem Township Community Center (BTCC) - 2900 Farmersville Road, Bethlehem, PA 18020. Call 484-488-7238 for an appointment. Mondays from noon to 2:00 p.m.

- 2900 Farmersville Road, Bethlehem, PA 18020. Call 484-488-7238 for an appointment. Mondays from noon to 2:00 p.m. Easton Area Public Library (EAPL) - 515 Church St., Easton, PA 18042. Call 484-272-5933 for an appointment. Thursdays from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

CARBON COUNTY

Appointments can be made by phone only. CALL 610-824-7830 X4511.
Luis Lopez-Ayala is a retired veteran who dedicated 22years of his life serving our country.

So when his little brother in Allentown needed him to be brave and sacrifice one of his kidneys, his answer was easy.

"So we're family, and no hesitation, if I'm willing to sacrifice my life for my country, I'm pretty sure I'll sacrifice for my family," Luis said.

The sacrifice could not come soon enough.

"I was diagnosed 2016 with kidney disease," said Luis' brother, Felipe.

At that time Felipe's kidneys were still operating at 40%  now it's down to just 12%.

"Thank God I had my brother who actually stepped up to give me his kidney," Felipe said.

And it's no easy process.

"There was a lot of blood draws, I'll tell you that," Luis said.

And trips to Pennsylvania  Luis lives down in Virginia. At the end of the month, he's going to make another trip up to LVHN for more tests.

And hopefully on Feb. 28: The big surgery for both of them.

"It gives me chills talking about it, but if I can save someone's life, I'm all for it," said Luis.

"I can't thank him enough for what it is," Felipe said.

Both pray it's a successful match. Felipe looks forward to more quality time with his children and girlfriend.

And that's all Luis wants.

"I just hope he gets to live a nice longer life that he should have," Luis said.
The man who triggered a borough-wide lockdown in Macungie, Lehigh County, is now behind bars, and he's no stranger to police.

Police say he has been tied to a number of crimes around the region.

The manhunt Saturday night impacted a dance recital at a middle school. Roughly 250 people inside were told an armed man was nearby and they needed to shelter in place.

"We were just told to shelter in place," said Valerie Singley, who was inside of Eyer Middle School on Saturday night.

The borough was put on lockdown for nearly three hours while police searched for an armed man who was accused of domestic violence.

Macungie police say a woman showed up at their station, saying she was beaten by her boyfriend at an apartment on Main Street.

Officers went to the apartment, but when they saw the suspect, they say he armed and barricaded himself inside the apartment.

"After approximately 15 minutes, he appeared from an upstairs window onto a rooftop and ran and jumped from the rooftop onto an adjacent property, or on the other side of an eight-foot fence," said Sgt. Travis Kocher, with Macungie police.

Police created a perimeter and brought in a K-9 unit and a drone to track down the suspect.

They also used the reports of residents help track his movements in real time.

"I believe we got two or three calls from different residents that spotted this suspicious behavior, somebody that shouldn't have been on the roof or in their, you know, back outbuilding or something like that," Kocher said.

He headed toward Eyer Middle School, where about 250 people were gathered for a dance recital.

"We were told to go into the auditorium, stay away from windows. Everyone kept calm," Singley said.

The suspect was found hiding nearly 100 feet inside a storm pipe off of Buckeye Road, near the middle school, and taken into custody.

Investigators said the man is tied to a series of burglaries in the Slate Belt area of Northampton County.

He's being held in the Lehigh County jail on outstanding felony warrants out of Salisbury Township.

His name has not been released.
MEXICO CITY (AP)  With protesters outside a full arena, bullfights resumed in Mexico City on Sunday after the countrys highest court temporarily revoked a local ruling that sided with animal rights defenders and suspended the events for more than a year and a half.

The resumption of bullfights in the Plaza Mexico, the largest bullfighting arena in the world, raised expectations of fans in the face of a lengthy legal battle between enthusiasts and opponents, who argue the practice violates animal welfare and affects peoples rights to a healthy environment.

Bullfighting is still allowed in much of Mexico. In the capital, the legal fight for its future is full of twists and turns.

The first bullfighter to enter the ring was the renowned Mexican matador Joselito Adame, with thousands of people cheering the return of fiesta brava, as bullfighting is also known in Spanish. Long live freedom, some shouted as the first bull entered an arena jammed with spectators.

In all, six bulls were fought Sunday, and all were killed.

Outside, hours before the formal beginning, about 300 people gathered in front of Plaza Mexico to protest against bullfights. Some activists yelled Murderers! and "The plaza is going to fall!" while others played drums or stood with signs reading Bullfighting is sadism.

Police with shields stood by. The protest was mainly peaceful, although there were some moments of tension when some activists threw plastic bottles and stones.

Why the bullfights were allowed to return when there is so much evidence of all the damage they do to a living being, such as the bull, questioned activist Guillermo Sanchez, who was holding up a sign that read Sadism disguised as culture, sport and tradition.

Alfredo Barraza, another protester, said allowing bullfighting is a setback in the fight for animal rights. Barraza, who had his face covered with a paper mask in the shape of a bull, said he hopes Mexico City will at some point be free of violent spectacles.

Inside the Plaza, the mood was festive, with people eating, drinking and taking photos.

I'm very excited, said Aldo Palacios, who brought his two children and other relatives to the arena, not only to see the inaugural bullfight, but also to celebrate his 42nd birthday.

In May 2022, a local court ordered an end to bullfighting activities at Plaza Mexico in response to an injunction presented by the civil organization Justicia Justa, which defends human rights. But the activities were set to resume Sunday because the nations Supreme Court of Justice in December revoked the suspension while the merits of the case are discussed and a decision is reached on whether bullfights affect animal welfare.

Another civil organization filed an appeal Friday on animal welfare grounds in a last-ditch effort to prevent the activity from resuming. A ruling was not expected before Sundays event.

Animal rights groups have been gaining ground in Mexico in recent years while bullfighting followers have suffered several setbacks. In some states such as Sinaloa, Guerrero, Coahuila, Quintana Roo and the western city of Guadalajara, judicial measures now limit the activity.

Ranchers, businessmen and fans maintain that the ban on bullfights affects their rights and puts at risk several thousand jobs linked to the activity, which they say generates about $400 million a year in Mexico. The National Association of Fighting Bull Breeders in Mexico estimates that bullfighting is responsible for 80,000 direct jobs and 146,000 indirect jobs.

The association has hosted events and workshops in recent years to promote bullfights and find new, younger fans.
President Biden is putting pressure on Congress to solve the border crisis.

Biden said Saturday he would shut down the border "right now" if Congress would send him a deal.

A proposed agreement would also unlock money for Ukraine. The framework hasnt been formally agreed to by Senate Democrats and Republicans.

It would face an uncertain future in the Republican-controlled House.

Former President Donald Trump has spoken out against passing a deal, while GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley says her party should be willing to negotiate to close the border.

Republicans move on Mayorkas impeachment

House Republicans have released two articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

Mayorkas faces two accusations: "Breach of trust" and "willful and systemic refusal to comply with the law."

Some charges revolve around Republican accusations that Mayorkas didn't uphold immigration laws, and risked public safety. Illegal border crossings have reached record highs during his time in office.

A presidential cabinet official hasn't been impeached since 1876.
It has taken archaeologists 44 years to answer the question of who ordered the construction of a large Roman castellum in the center of the small Spanish island of Formentera, in the Balearic archipelago, instead of on the nearby and more strategic Ibiza, which is seven times larger. The solution to the mystery was found more than 1,500 kilometers away, on the Milvian Bridge (north of Rome), where in the year 312 A.D. the troops of the emperors Constantine and Maxentius clashed. Now, the study Can Blai, una fortificacion tardoantigua de Ebusus (available only in Spanish), coordinated by the archaeologists Jordi H. Fernandez Gomez and Ricardo Gonzalez Villaescusa, offers a possible answer to the question: revenge.

Excavation of a Roman-era fortification on the Can Blai site began in 1979. The construction is located almost in the center of the island and sits at an altitude of 82 feet above sea level. The fort has views on the north and south coasts of Formentera, as well as the east of Ibiza, allowing approaching ships to be monitored. It was a quadrangular enclosure measuring about 130 feet per side. It had towers on each of its four corners, as well as a fifth that protected the postern or entrance.

Given its dimensions, it had the capacity to house a garrison of between 80 and 150 soldiers, but it was unknown if it had ever been completed because only the foundations and a few courses of ashlar (dressed stone) remain. At first, experts felt the lack of architectural materials at the site was due to one of two reasons. The first is that it was the result of centuries of plunder  an idea that the latest research rejects based on two pieces of information: all the remaining walls are exactly the same height, and the opening of the access door does not have foundations. The second reason basically amounts to the same: the work was never completed. We had the sensation of excavating an unfinished work, says Jordi H. Fernandez.

Reconstruction of what the 'castellum' of Can Blai might have looked like. Thomas Terrasse

The forts foundations range between 38 and 39 inches in height. And the ashlar stones are arranged on top of it. The exterior and interior walls are made of sandstone and were filled with mortar to give consistency to the 3.5 feet thick perimeter walls.

Therefore, since it was not inhabited, archaeological interventions have made it possible to confirm the great poverty of found materials. In fact, there are no metallic elements, since not even the use of a detector has allowed us to obtain a single fragment of metal, explains Ricardo Gonzalez Villaescusa, a professor of archeology at the University of Paris Nanterre. He is also one of the experts who participated in this publication by the Archaeological Museum of Ibiza and Formentera and the regional government of the Balearic Islands Department of Tourism, Culture, and Sports.

The sites greatest treasure, however, is its architectural structures. It is an almost complete enclosure, with its towers, to which are added an internal subdivision of the fortification and two ceramic finds. The dividing wall was intended to form a parade ground. In addition, it served as a buttress for the perimeter walls and support for the upper floor or gallery, which could be used as a service corridor for tower lookouts and troops to move around in the event of a siege.

Deterrence

In 2015, a fragment of an amphora from the 4th century was found that allowed experts to date the castellum to the first years of that century. Archaeologists believe that Can Blai was part of a surveillance system that included the watchtowers of Sa Muradeta and Torre des Pi des Catala, which are also on Formentera.

The three fortifications were located in strategic locations to cover the defensive systems weak areas: inlets, landing places and blind spots. The objective was not only to prevent a landing, but also to avoid any attempt to seize the ships that were anchored, as well as to raise the alarm to other posts in case a ship was sighted, the publication indicates.

In short, the mere presence of the fortress was an element of deterrence which was visible from any point of arrival. [It was] a pavilion indicating the presence of a power, whatever it may be. Furthermore, the soldiers of the castellum could move in case of emergency to delay or prevent a landing. The city of Ebusus [Ibiza] and its port were undoubtedly the object of protection. The function of the fortification was to prevent any army from turning the small island of Pitiusas [Formentera] into its base of operations. Well supplied with water, wood, and game, the island could become a fundamental bridgehead for organizing expeditions against Ibiza, but also towards the Hispanic coasts, adds Gonzalez Villaescusa.

Only an emperor could authorize it

The Corpus Iuris ciuilis (6th century compilation of Roman Law) makes it clear that any new defensive work, intervention on the walls, or their restoration had to be financed by the city and that they also required express authorization from the emperor, after consultation with the provincial governor. Therefore, Can Blai could only be the work of the municipality of Ibiza (which financed it) with the approval of the emperor to defend itself against possible threats. But what were the threats that could motivate such an important disbursement and required imperial authorization? the authors of the study ask. No ancient sources speak of any conflicts at the time of its construction. The nearest operations were in the year 306 A. D. and were the made by Constantine, who dominated Hispania, against the pirates. But the coins of the period that have been found mostly in Ibiza do not feature Constantine, but Maxentius (72.7%) and must be attributed to the presence of his troops.

The Balearic Islands occupied a border position between the territories controlled by each of the two emperors in Western Europe and North Africa. Therefore, Maxentius was able to authorize construction to control Constantines fleet. But the latter defeated him on October 28, 312 A.D. in the battle of the Milvian Bridge in northern Rome. That is, Maxentius drowned in the waters of the Tiber while the castellum that he had ordered to be constructed in Formentera was still being built.

The legacy of the defeated emperor was then subjected to what is known as damnatio memoriae, the elimination of any pictorial, sculptural or monumental remains that could preserve the memory of his name, including a square fort 130 feet by 130 feet that the soldiers were building among the lush pine forests of Formentera.
British author Anthony Burgess was inspired to write his best-known novel, A Clockwork Orange (1962), by the uncivil drift that he perceived among the youth of his time. That is why, a decade later, when headlines in the vein of Police hunt the Clockwork Orange rapist gang or Child dies in Clockwork Orange war started to appear in the press, he could not help but feel that something had gone tremendously wrong.

The misunderstanding [of the novel] will pursue me until I die. I should not have written the book because of this danger of misinterpretation, he wrote in 1985 in Flame into Being, a biography of D.H. Lawrence where he compared the scandal caused by Lady Chatterleys Lover (1928) with the controversy surrounding his popular dystopia. If a couple of nuns are raped in the Vatican, I get a call from a newspaper. They have turned me into some kind of expert on violence, he lamented in a television interview. Burgess, however, was clear that his problems did not necessarily stem from the book, but from Stanley Kubricks 1971 film adaptation.

The 2023 documentary Orange mecanique, les rouages de la violence (in English, A clockwork orange: the prophecy), produced by the French division of the cultural television channel Arte, delves into the conflictive relationship between the writer and the title with which he went down in the history of 20th century literature  whether he liked it or not. The medium-length film is based on The Clockwork Condition, a manuscript written immediately after the release of the film and found after Burgess death, in which the author explained the themes of his novel and defended himself against those who accused him of glorifying crime. All works of art are dangerous. My little son tried to fly after seeing Disneys Peter Pan. I grabbed his legs just as he was about to take off from a fourth story window, he stated. His desire to explain, and even vindicate himself, contrasted with the resigned attitude that he would maintain in the following decade, the 1980s.

Singin in the Rain

Both the film and the novel tell the story of Alex, a Beethoven-loving juvenile delinquent who, along with his three droogs (friends, according to the Nadsat language that they use to communicate), systematically beats and rapes until he is finally arrested. With the aim of getting out of prison as soon as possible, he volunteers for an experimental treatment known as the Ludovico technique, a behavioral conditioning therapy that erases all violent impulses from him. Deprived of moral choice, he becomes a person with no free will who is insulted and humiliated by everyone around him. The title, A Clockwork Orange, alludes, in the words of its author, to the application of a mechanistic morality to a living organism oozing with juice and sweetness.

One of the violent scenes in A Clockwork Orange, in which the main characters attack a woman. ullstein bild Dtl. (ullstein bild via Getty Images)

Stanley Kubrick, the director who brought A Clockwork Orange to the big screen and made it one of the most controversial films of all time. Bettmann (Bettmann Archive)

When the books harshest pages were depicted in Kubricks film, the images  particularly a sexual assault carried out to the rhythm of Singin in the Rain  made a sudden impact, with reactions ranging from heated debates about the social responsibility of art to violent episodes apparently based on the film. Kubrick himself, in response to a series of murder trials where the defendants explicitly mentioned his work, requested the withdrawal of A Clockwork Orange in the United Kingdom, where it could not be seen again until the directors death in 1999.

Meanwhile, Burgess had unwittingly become its spokesman. The good relationship born from that collaboration, which seemed that would extend to a film about Napoleon that Kubrick wanted to make, began to deteriorate when the filmmaker left the author and the lead actor, Malcolm McDowell, alone in front of the media to talk about A Clockwork Orange and its controversies. Burgess even attended several ceremonies to collect awards in Kubricks name. A public fatigue and a marked association with the film from which he was never able to recover. In the script of the 1984 stage adaptation, just in case there were any doubts about the esteem in which he held his former friend, Burgess introduced a character with a beard like Stanley Kubricks who played Singin in the Rain with a trumpet  before being kicked off the stage.

His weariness with the phenomenon and his distancing from his own creation grew and grew. Straightforwardly, in the prologue to the 1986 American reissue of the book, he dismissed its artistic merits, crediting Kubricks film as the sole reason why it continued to arouse the publics interest: I first published the novella A Clockwork Orange in 1962, which ought to be far enough in the past for it to be erased form the worlds literary memory. [...] I should myself be glad to disown it for various reasons, he wrote. However, it seems likely to survive, while other works of mine that I value more bite the dust. He continued: To sit down in a dull room and compose the Missa Solemis or The Anatomy of the Melancholy does not make headlines or news flashes. Unfortunately my little squib of a book was found attractive to many because it was as odorous as a crateful of bad eggs with the miasma of original sin.

Chapter 21

Both that prologue and the recently released documentary place the point of conflict with the film not so much in its depiction of violence (Kubrick turns violence into farce. He puts you in the position of wondering if you should laugh, states writer Will Self, one of the interviewees) as in its omission of the final part, chapter 21, in which Alex actually reforms. The absence of that last piece was the result of an intervention by the American editor, who eliminated the chapter thinking that the outcome proposed in the previous pages was more suggestive. Kubrick thought so, too. In the film and in the American edition of the book, the effects of the Ludovico technique were reversed and Alex was able to go back to committing crimes at will. However, in Burgess complete text, Alexs encounter with one of his former droogs, now married and with his own apartment, makes him reflect on his life and choose to abandon violence to start a family. A reach of maturity that, symbolically, coincides with the age of majority (21) at that time.

Anthony Burgess, author of A Clockwork Orange, pictured in 1987. Michel SETBOUN (Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)

Anthony Burgess was an established man, conservative in many of his beliefs, his social, religious and political values. With that ending, he was putting the middle class as the savior against authoritarian states, explains Eduardo Valls Oyarzun, teacher of English literature at the Complutense University of Madrid. The problem with free will is the philosophical concept that the novel articulates and that he sees as the space where youth develops. When he starts to explore it, he notices the enormous burden of the influence of the state on that free will. His way of understanding good and evil in the novel is political, not metaphysical or moral in the classic religious sense. The authoritarian state penetrates the psyche of the individual, the self.

The triggering incident for Burgess novel took place in 1942, when the writers first wife was brutally assaulted and beaten in London by three American deserters. She lost the baby she was expecting and, as a result of continuous internal bleeding, died a few years later. It is not difficult to find the reflection of this event in A Clockwork Orange: the husband of the woman who is raped by Alex and his droogs is an author who, in fact, is finishing a manuscript titled A Clockwork Orange. The documentary explains how, on his return to England after working in the British colony of Malaysia and the protectorate of Brunei, the writer found himself in a climate of alert due to the rise of juvenile delinquency. The rebellious subculture of the so-called teddy boys and the concerns raised by the importation of the American lifestyle and values crystallized clearly in the book, which found its definitive ingredient in the studies of behaviorism published by the psychologist Burrhus Frederic Skinner.

Kennedy, Nixon and Warhol

Before Kubrick, in 1965, Andy Warhol filmed his own adaptation of the novel and named it Vinyl. Composed of basically just one frame over the course of an hour, Warhols version drew from the same imaginary that Burgess relied on: the rise of a defiant adolescent aesthetic in line with the emerging figures of rock & roll, from Marlon Brando in On the Waterfront (1954) to James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause (1955). Warhol formulated a subversive discourse, different from Burgess and whose homoerotic motifs also made the Ludovico technique a reference to conversion therapies.

In both the novel and Kubricks film, the characters of the author and his helpers were caricatured in their role as opponents of the government, depicted as a group of intellectuals who are more concerned with using Alex as a tool than with helping him. A disbelief towards the political sides that, again, was nuanced in the final chapter. My book was Kennedyan and accepted the notion of moral progress. What was really wanted [in the American version that got rid of chapter 21] was a Nixonian book with no shred of optimism in it. Let us have evil prancing on the page and, up to the very last line, sneering in the face of all the inherited beliefs [...] about people being able to make themselves better, reproached Burgess in 1986.

Malcolm McDowell, star of A Clockwork Orange. ullstein bild Dtl. (ullstein bild via Getty Images)

Kubrick used to say that the best adaptations came from bad or flawed novels. Maybe Anthony Burgess bought into that speech and began to see his novel as flawed, believes teacher Eduardo Valls, regarding the writers disenchantment with the popularity of the book. But for my taste, the distortion that the film makes is not significant. The problem with the adaptation is that it is much more essentialist, although it is not derivative, but rather stands on its own. I like to say that they are two different masterpieces.

Related to Brave New World (1932) and 1984 (1949) as an example of the British dystopia of the 20th century (not in vain Burgess was a big admirer of George Orwell), A Clockwork Orange was an experiment in its authors canon, although, in Valls opinion, it is not necessarily an orphan novel. It diverts from his line, which is marked by the contemplation of the colonial world or his experience during his stays in Southeast Asia, but the problems that have to do with the definition of good and evil are inherent to his own work. It is also not something that can be easily rejected. What surrounded the film did not sit well with him. I think it was a subjective reaction. Its a novel that became a popular and cultural phenomenon that undoubtedly transcends the author. Ask around; see how many people can name another Anthony Burgess book.
After having to repeatedly watch numerous videos of suicides, murders, dismemberment and rapes, he had a panic attack and asked for help. This employee worked as a content moderator at a company that serves Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. He was told to go to the fun floor: a large game room located in Barcelonas Glories tower, where the content moderation offices for the Californian tech giant are located. He sat staring blankly at a ping pong table. The fun floor didnt help him at all. On another occasion, two hours after he had another panic attack, his boss gave him permission to go see a company psychologist. She was on another floor, the psychology floor. He spent over half an hour talking to her, getting it all out. When he finished, she told him that his work was very important to society, that they were all heroes, that he should be stronger. And that their time was up.

Content moderators are in charge of leaving walls and feeds clean and peaceful on Facebook and Instagram. Millions of people use these platforms every day and are unaware that this dark side exists. These workers are the ones who decide whether or not to publish fake news or photos that do not comply with Metas policy. But they are also the ones who have to deal with the most brutal content: viewing it, evaluating it, censoring it and, if necessary, sending it to the police.

In 2018, the company CCC Barcelona Digital Services moved into the Glories tower. The announcement was very well received by the Catalan authorities, as the subcontractor of this large technological company came to swell the ranks of innovative companies located in Barcelona, and to occupy part of a building that had just lost the opportunity to house the headquarters of the European Medicines Agency.

The company began to hire people  primarily young foreigners who spoke several languages  to moderate content from different markets. Last October, an investigation by La Vanguardia exposed the conditions under which these moderators work. Before that, Catalonias Labor Inspectorate launched an investigation in 2021, and the following year imposed a fine of over 40,000 ($43,314) on the company for deficiencies in the evaluation and prevention of psychosocial risks in the workplace. In 2020, the company was acquired by Canadian Telus International, which claims that the accusations are false and that they have sufficient safety measures in place.

This worker started there in 2018 and stayed until 2020, when he obtained a medical leave for his mental health problems. The company and the mutual insurance company classified it as a common illness. We then requested a change of contingencies, because his case fit perfectly with that of occupational accident. The National Institute of Social Security agreed with us, and the company appealed, which triggered the legal process, explains Francesc Feliu, a partner in the law firm Espacio Juridico Feliu Fins, which specializes in healthcare issues.

On January 12, the 28th Labor Court of Barcelona rejected the companys claim and ruled that the workers sick leave should be classified as an accident at work. This is the first judgment that recognizes that the mental illness a content moderator suffers is caused by his work. Work-related stress is the sole, exclusive and unquestionable trigger of the disorders, says the ruling, which can still be appealed. Feliu has some 25 other workers who are waiting for their illness to be recognized as an occupational accident, and in October he also filed a criminal complaint against the company, alleging the lack of safety measures.

The worker has requested anonymity, because he is subject to strict confidentiality agreements, and he prefers not to talk about how he feels or about very personal issues, because the wounds left by this work are still fresh. He is having a hard time with the news coverage of the ruling, which make him relive what he saw. But at least this is encouraging more people to seek justice, he notes.

When he started working at the company, he had no idea of the violence of the videos he would have to watch. They told me, but superficially, and then when you start you see that things are much, much worse..., he says. The lawyer explains that the work is well paid (about 2,400 [$2600] gross per month, although there are salary differences between workers who are responsible for different markets, for which another office has also gone to court), no experience or training is required, and young foreigners are attracted to it: They say look, how cool, Ill work for Meta, explains Feliu. The affected worker points out that the illusions dont last long: People are not at all aware of what is going on. Before I worked there, I assure you that I didnt know what humans were capable of.

The workers suspect that they were training AI

Feliu explains that at that time  the conditions may have changed now, he says  the content moderators with the best efficiency scores (as determined by a monthly worker evaluation) were placed in a high-priority section. That is, they continued to receive videos of all kinds, photos and posts in which suicides and terrorist acts appeared.

That was the section where the worker from the case worked: Constantly seeing this makes you more sensitive to everything. After a while I couldnt even see a suicide letter, he explains. You had to strictly follow Metas policy, and often watch the videos to the end, several times with different moderators. For example, you had to keep watching a live video of someone explaining that they wanted to commit suicide, and you couldnt delete it or alert the police if you didnt see something in the scene that suggested suicide, a gun, an open window.... Sometimes they would suddenly pull out the gun and shoot themselves, without you being able to do anything, he laments.

To remove a video, they had to spell out the decision: You had to rate the video by the worst thing that happened [in it], according to a scale. If the video started with some kind of violence, you had to wait for something more serious, like murder, dismemberment or sexual abuse, to rate it as the most serious. If the most serious violence came up at first, the system would let you delete it.

This procedure made the workers suspicious. If you already see that something is violent at second 10, why do you have to wait? You come to the conclusion that what they are doing is training artificial intelligence (AI), that [workers] are cannon fodder, says Feliu. When asked about this, a spokesman for the subcontractor does not clarify whether this project exists or / and refers all questions to Meta.

The company employs some 2,000 people, after cutbacks at Meta led to the subcontractors workforce being reduced through layoffs last year. The works council has not responded to questions from this newspaper, and the company has appealed the ruling. In a statement, Telus explains that thanks to the comprehensive wellness program, in December of last year, it had reduced sick leave to 14% of the workforce, and that only between 1% and 2% were work-related mental health leaves.

The company claims that it has engaged outside medical support, that the team has a range of counselors available to them 24 hours a day, can call for breaks and emergency sessions whenever workers see disturbing content, and has technology to blur videos or turn off the sound, if necessary. Any suggestion that employees are constantly exposed to disturbing content for eight hours a day is false, the note says, adding that its workers well-being is a priority. At the trial, the company denied that there was a link between the employees mental illness and his work, arguing that he had seen a psychologist when he was 16 years old.

The worker explains that when he was with the company, there were timed five-minute breaks every hour, during which time he could not go outside to get some fresh air because just going down in the elevator used up the allotted time. The lunch break was 20 minutes, and workers had activities such as yoga sessions and games, but [there was] no specific follow-up for employees who evaluated some 400 pieces of content every day.

In addition, the rotating schedules  one week in the morning, one week in the afternoon, one week in the evening, one week at night disturbed their rest, which was already difficult because of the nightmares. Feliu says that 25% of people were systematically on sick leave, plus all those who left the job before taking sick leave. The attorney believes that the court ruling, and future workers will help the company to change things: Content moderators are essential for social media, but so are their [working] conditions.

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To talk to Merce Boada is to be filled with optimism, despite the fact that her Ace Alzheimer Center in Barcelona is full of patients. The 76-year-old is an expert in fighting Alzheimers. As a neurologist, co-founder and medical director of Ace Alzheimer Center, Boada has just received the gold medal for scientific merit from Barcelona City Council: Awards surprise me. My professional and human profile is the same as any ordinary person. I am not a born scientist, but I know where science has to go.

Question. Will there be a drug for Alzheimers soon?

Answer. Yes. The drugs that we have been using until now have been the basic pillar for treating patients and for developing other drugs, but they have been severely criticized. Indeed, they do not cure [the disease], but they have allowed us to slow it down as much as possible and learn to diagnose.

Now we have new drugs that clear the amyloid beta [protein] in a shorter period of time and reduce the deterioration. It is a statistical concept. For example, if I have a slope of deterioration and these medications have reduced this slope, we have improved between 27% and 30%. [My condition will] continue to decline, but I have smoothed out this decline, and I will have a better quality of life and cognitive survival for longer.

Q. How does a family member understand that cognitive impairment is reduced by 30%? What does this look like in practice?

A. Its very difficult because they ask you: But will I be better? Yes, above all, you will be better for longer. And that is important because life goes on and drugs change. I water my plant every day so that it makes it to next spring.

Q. When will we lose the fear of Alzheimer's?

A. Why do we now have little fear of breast cancer? Because we have treatment. I am very optimistic: when we have the experience of two years of treatment with these new drugs, society will lose its fear.

Q. For years attention has been focused on trying to stop the cognitive deterioration of a person in the advanced stages of the disease, but a decade or more ago, the scientific community took a turn and began to focus on treatment to prevent the development of the disease. Have you been looking in the wrong place?

A. No, we werent looking in the wrong place. If I go back to the 1970s, everyone focused on finding out how many people had it, and big studies began. What did we want to know? When it started, how long it evolved, what predominance was there of men and women, and what comorbidities were involved.

And this is still very important. If we want global health prevention, there are 10 elements in which we can reduce the prevalence and even the incidence of deterioration: cardiovascular risk, I need a well-watered brain; I also have to be careful with head trauma and toxic substances, such as smoking or drinking, but also environmental toxicity. The last risk does not depend on me, but on state programs to reduce air pollution.

Then theres healthy living, eating well, exercising, but also social exercise: I have to talk, read, watch movies, dance and, above all, discuss my life with others. This is the best defense.

With all this, I can turn to another method of preventing Alzheimers: I can reduce my risk through education because my brain has tools to make up for a deficit. All this is prevention. Why is a diagnosis of Alzheimers more difficult with high-ranking academics? Because they have many resources to hide it. My ability to keep my brain working is to know who is in front of me, what they know how to do, and how I have to maintain these abilities.

Q. Does the patient suffer?

A. The response to loss is different. There is a patient profile that realizes what they are losing and refuses everything: they rarely go out, they dont want to be with [other] people, they withdraw and become ostracized... And then there is a symptom called anosognosia, which is difficult to correct. Instead of seeing reality, the brain looks in the mirror and says: Wow, I look like Marilyn Monroe. Your brain has no ability to see reality. How do you handle those patients? God and help. [These patients] cant understand that they cant [understand]. These are the attitudes. One tends towards depression, the other does not realize the situation. And the family is in the middle.

Q. How do you protect the family and the caregiver from Alzheimer's?

A. By giving them the best information. The most important thing is not to create uncertainty and that the patient learns to make early decisions. Will I end up in a residence? Yes. But the residence is not the destination, it is not where the patient is abandoned, but [rather] where they will receive the best care. Another example: studies on nutrition are just as satisfactory when patients eat ice cream instead of damn soup and damn boiled chicken. Give the patient an ice cream instead of the damn soup: they must have some small pleasures, and it brings happiness to their lives.

Q. Is there a genetic predisposition to Alzheimers?

A. Yes, there is. Right now you are in a center that has the biggest genetic bank in Europe on site. We have more than 20,000 correlated samples. With Alzheimers we not only have a gene, but genes that are also at risk. Genes that are related to a greater or lesser extent will allow us to find drugs that enhance their protective value or reduce the risk. But we do know that there are certain, minimal mutations.

But we shouldnt let that scare us. The mutations that are inherited  meaning that if I have it, my offspring will have it  dont even account for 5%. These groups, above all, occur in endogamies: small and isolated settlements where generation after generation of cousins have married cousins, and the transmission of the genetic mutation is very important. What is the purpose of understanding this genetic mutation? In order to find out how many people have it and learn within the studies, and look for mutations to obtain genetic information.

What is the future? Training doctors who can provide this information, who know the functionality of genes and then interpret the patients genetic map. This is where we are at Ace Alzheimer Center. Our wish is for our institution that treats patients to transform into one that has no patients.

Q. When will that happen?

A. In a little while.

Neurologist Merce Boada. Gianluca Battista

Q. Will you see it?

A. I think so. If I can live as long as my parents did and reach 85. The next 10 years will be decisive. And I have a 10-year project.

Q. Are your patients getting younger?

A. We have people with Alzheimers getting healthier and healthier so that they do not develop it. That means my prevention will start sooner. Once society is informed, it makes a decision. If I have blood in a stool sample, I can do one of two things: I can do the stupid thing of ignoring it, or I can go to the oncologist. This is the pattern that we have to change in Alzheimers, but it is not easy.

When people say they have cancer, it gives them a certain prestige... When we talk about Alzheimers, [we associate it with] a deterioration, weakness, intellectual poverty. Its the feeling that I stop being me and become [someone I dont recognize]... It is a tremendous pain.

Q. A long time can pass from when the patient is lost until he or she dies.

A. We will also learn things in this stage. Its the worst. The more we learn about the illness and get to know better what the future looks like, the more able we will be to decide when we want to stop living this way.

Q. When will that happen?

A. When people also understand that saying that a society is dignified means having the option of a dignified death. That I can calmly say to my son and my grandchildren: Guys, Im going to leave and be happy. This is my end point. Up to now I have been very happy. Tomorrow, raise a glass of champagne and say that you had a mother, a wife, and a hilarious grandmother who wanted to live her life to the fullest.
Three U.S. soldiers were killed Saturday night in a drone strike in northeastern Jordan, near the Syrian border, Joe Biden confirmed Sunday in a statement released by the White House, in which the U.S. president promised that the action will not go unanswered. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella term for various armed factions supported by Tehran, claimed responsibility for the strike, in which at least 25 military personnel were also wounded. Jordanian Minister of Government Communications Muhannad Al Mubaidin told state television that the drones hit a base located outside its borders. These are the first fatal casualties from enemy fire among the U.S. military since the start of Israels war in Gaza, following the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023. The attack raises the risk of Washingtons involvement in the conflict. The White House supports Israel diplomatically, militarily, and economically and acts against other allies of Tehran, such as the Houthis in Yemen, but it does not want to become embroiled in a regional war.

Today, Americas heart is heavy, the U.S. president said in a statement. The three American service members we lost were patriots in the highest sense. And their ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten by our nation. Together, we will keep the sacred obligation we bear to their families. We will strive to be worthy of their honor and valor. 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 our choosing.

It is unclear what went wrong with the air defenses at the Tower 22 base, which the U.S. maintains on Jordans border with Syria and Iraq, but they failed to intercept the drones. As of last Friday, the Pentagon had recorded over 158 strikes against U.S. and coalition forces in Iraq and Syria. That constant barrage of drones, rockets and missiles had so far proven unsuccessful, not even inflicting damage to infrastructure.

The incident increases tension concerning a possible escalation in the region, something the Pentagon has been trying to avoid for weeks. With 10 months before the U.S. presidential elections, a crisis of this sort could prove fatal to Bidens aspirations. Analysts agree that his unalloyed support for Israel has the capacity to sway the Democratic vote, especially among young people and Muslim voters, who contributed to his triumph in 2020 and are influential in decisive states such as Michigan or Pennsylvania.

Families receiving coffins

The identities of the three deceased U.S. soldiers were not immediately revealed. The images of their families receiving the coffins is also not something desirable for Biden, as it may serve to refresh the memory among Americans of long and unsuccessful military interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq. In the former, 2,455 members of the U.S. military lost their lives. In the latter, some 4,400, according to Defense Department figures.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed it had launched four simultaneous drone strikes in solidarity with the brothers in Gaza. Three of these targeted U.S. forces at the Syrian bases of Shadadi, Al-Tanf, and Rukban, and the fourth a naval base in the occupied Palestinian territories, a reference to Israel, which has not reported any attacks and is likely to be a reference to the U.S. Tower 22 base.

The killing of three American soldiers is a message to the U.S. administration that unless the killing of innocents in Gaza stops, it must confront the entire nation, a senior spokesman for Hamas, Sami Abu Zuhri, told Reuters. The continued American-Zionist aggression on Gaza is capable of exploding the situation in the region.

This weekends attack comes on top of skirmishes on the Lebanese border between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia, as well as missile and drone attacks on ships in the Red Sea by Houthi rebels, to which the United States and the United Kingdom responded. Last week, at least four U.S. servicemen were injured in a barrage of rockets and missiles at a base in western Iraq. Washington has some 2,000 troops deployed at Jordans Azraq air base, tasked with fighting the remnants of Islamic State in the area.

Jordan, an ally of Washington that borders Israel, the West Bank, Syria, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia places great value on stability and is eager to avoid any involvement in the Gaza war. Half of the countrys population is Palestinian.

At the end of last year, when Israel was already bombing Gaza and pro-Iranian militias in the Middle East were launching shells and drones against the Jewish State and U.S. troops in neighboring countries, Jordan asked Washington to deploy Patriot missile defense systems on its border with Syria, where troops from both countries are carrying out joint maneuvers. The dividing line is key to regional stability and to the trafficking of fenethylline, a drug that ends up mainly in Saudi Arabia. The Jordanian army has even bombed Syrian territory in an attempt to stop its production and accuses the regime of Bashar Al Assad of having created a narco-state to finance itself and from which armed groups linked to Iran also benefit.

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A nurse takes care of a newborn baby at Gansu Provincial Maternity and Childcare Hospital in Lanzhou. [Xinhua]

Legislators and political advisers in Shanghai are urging stronger support measures to increase people's willingness to have children, as the city's total fertility has dropped to a level severely lower than the internationally recognized standard.

Giving families with children, especially two or three offspring, higher tax allowances, providing enterprises better tax deduction support when they pay their part of women employees' social security while they are on maternity leave, and offering better and affordable infant and toddler care services before the kids reach kindergarten age are the main suggestions made during the ongoing annual sessions of the city's legislative and political advisory bodies, which will last through Saturday.

The latest Shanghai Health Commission data showed that Shanghai's total fertility rate was 0.7 in 2022, meaning that each couple had an average of 0.7 child, one of the lowest nationally.

It is recognized internationally that a couple needs to give birth to 2.1 children so that the population number of the next generation will equal that of the current. The figures for Singapore, Tokyo and Seoul are 1.12, 1.09 and 0.63 respectively.

Among Shanghai residents with children, 29.5 percent had two children and 4.5 percent had three. Those having a Shanghai hukou, or permanent residence, showed a lower desire for more children, with 24.3 percent having two offspring and 1.8 percent with three.

Local lawmaker Zhang Hua suggested families, especially women, with children be given a higher tax allowance for personal income, which should increase with the number of children.

"Every mother's dedication to their children ought to be better seen and recognized by society. Women bear a heavier burden between the roles in career and family than men," said Zhang, who is also chairwoman of the Shanghai Women's Federation.

Legislator Han Wei said that more policies will be unveiled to alleviate concerns for enterprises to recruit women of childbearing age, which will also make it more friendly for women in the job market.

"I found in my research that many small and micro-sized enterprises are reluctant to recruit young women, as such businesses are often sensitive to operating costs, weak in anti-risk ability, and have a small number of personnel," said Han, who is also chairwoman of Shanghai Qidi Entrepreneurship Incubator.

"So I suggested that enterprises with women employees on maternity leave or with a certain proportion of women employees of fertile age have tax privileges," she said.

Legislator Cai Jingjing said that the lack of a social support system for the care of infants and young children aged below 3, and the gap between the time children get off school and parents get off work, are still concerns for some to start a family.

She urged for more public, reliable resources with government subsidies to help parents take care of young children at lower costs.

(Source: China Daily)


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Opinion articles written in the style of their author." These texts are to be based on verified facts and must be respectful towards people, even though their actions may be criticized. shall feature, along with the author's name (regardless of their greater or lesser renown), a footer stating their office, academic title, political affiliation (if any) and main occupation, or the occupation related to the topic being assessed

EULOGIA MERLE

In 1948, the Convention for the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide was approved. It defines this crime as the attempt to destroy, totally or partially, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group by acting on its members, whether by killing them, preventing births or placing the group in conditions of existence aimed at causing their extermination. The very existence of certain human groups is protected; Individuals are chosen for being part of the group and attacked with the intention of annihilating the group itself.

Currently, genocide is one of the four categories of crimes over which the International Criminal Court (ICC) has jurisdiction. This court establishes the criminal responsibility of individuals for violating international law. Next to it there is another older court, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), in charge of settling disputes between States in the application of international law. The ICJ can decide the international responsibility of a State for breaching the duties established in the 1948 Convention. The responsibility of the State and that of individuals can coexist. Thus, the genocide committed in Srebrenica caused, on the one hand, the sentencing of the responsible individuals to prison terms, decided by the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, and, on the other, the condemnation by the ICJ of the State of Serbia and Montenegro for not avoiding it.

Both courts, the ICC and the ICJ, are involved in prosecuting the atrocious acts committed in Gaza. In 2021, the ICC affirmed its jurisdiction in reference to any crime within its jurisdiction committed since 2014 in the territories occupied by Israel: Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. The statements made to date by the Prosecutors Office focus, however, on war crimes and crimes against humanity, without any references to a possible genocide. But this does not mean that the qualification of the facts cannot vary or expand as the investigations progress. For its part, the ICJ must resolve the lawsuit filed by South Africa against Israel for violating the Genocide Convention.

The main problem in affirming the commission of this crime lies in proving the intention to destroy the group as such in whole or in part. The ICJ has faced this problem in the judgment in which it convicted Serbia in 2007 and in the 2015 judgment in which it acquitted that same State. According to the ICJ, the intentional death of members of the group is not enough, not even if such deaths are committed en masse and for a discriminatory motive, or if they are part of a campaign of ethnic cleansing aimed at expelling a certain population through intimidation. The direct intent to destroy the group must be proven. This distinction may seem strange to the layman, but in fact ethnic cleansing, the most frequent phenomenon, is not synonymous with genocide if violence is used for expulsion, although it can include it if the goal of extermination exists. For this reason, genocide is not only difficult to prove (especially in a conflict situation in which it is not possible to obtain evidence), with this strict definition it is also difficult to commit, and infrequent.

However, although the requirement of direct intention restricts the possibilities of committing genocide, the virtuality of limiting oneself to partial destruction expands them. The intention to destroy may be limited to the part of the group existing in a certain geographical area, such as Srebrenica, or Gaza, or even to a substantial part of it, quantitatively and qualitatively, in that area, which must be essential for the survival of the group as a whole, such as the entire male population. But it is still necessary to prove the intention of physical extermination. Furthermore, according to international criminal courts (contrary to what a minority of us have been demanding), destruction must be the direct goal pursued by the author, it is not enough to foresee it merely as as a possible consequence that is accepted.

The reader may be indignant at this point. But, without quite ruling out yet the classification of genocide, we must not forget that there are other international crimes in which the facts could fit: war crimes and crimes against humanity. The latter constitute the fundamental core of criminal law, since they protect the fundamental assets of the individual against the excesses of power. On the other hand, the collective dimension of victim and perpetrator that the term genocide entails carries a risk of political manipulation (suffice it to remember its use as an excuse by Putin to attack Ukraine). I am not claiming that such a thing is happening in the case of Gaza. I am trying to explain why it is important to preserve a strict concept of genocide.

The South African lawsuit asserts that civilian deaths, injuries, population transfers, destruction of hospitals, cutting off supplies, preventing humanitarian aid from entering the area, etc., have been carried out with the intention of causing the physical destruction of the Palestinian people. As proof, statements by Israeli politicians are presented, such as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus references to the biblical mandate to exterminate Amalek in his speeches to the troops, the blaming of the Palestinian people in the speeches of President Isaac Herzog and other Israeli ministers, the harangues of military commanders calling for revenge and denying the neutrality of civilians, and statements dehumanizing the Palestinians. The lawsuit also cites the concern of the special rapporteur of the United Nations and international organizations about this escalation in speech and actions and about the risk of the commission of genocide. Likewise, as precautionary measures, the immediate cessation by Israel of military operations in Gaza was requested.

In contrast with this rhetoric for domestic consumption, the Israeli prime minister has different words for international public opinion in which he affirms that his fight is only against terrorists and that he has no intention of occupying Gaza permanently. Israels defense in The Hague argues that these individual incidents do not prove the overall intention of the military operation, and opposes precautionary measures arguing that this would mean allowing the other party to continue its attacks.

The success of the lawsuit, given the precedents, is uncertain. Perhaps the plaintiff's intention was to obtain these precautionary measures. It was difficult for the ICJ to order Israel to unilaterally cease military operations. But it was foreseeable to obtain, as happened on Friday, measures similar to those issued in 2020 against Myanmar for the persecution of the Rohingya: the obligation of the State to use the necessary resources to prevent a genocide and preserve possible evidence of its commission. That is, an order to Israel that implies ceasing attacks against the civilian population and taking measures to protect Gazans.

Along with the aforementioned cases, the ICJ has pending Ukraine's lawsuit against Russia for violating the Genocide Convention. In the resolution of these three disputes we will verify the standards of proof of genocidal intent and we will witness the confirmation of a strict concept of genocide, or, on the contrary, its evolution.

Alicia Gil Gil is a professor of criminal law and director of the Criminal Law and Criminology Department at the distance education UNED.
The United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) has become the latest collateral damage of the war in Gaza. Israel and some sectors of the Republican Party in the United States have been campaigning for its closure for years, considering that it contributes to perpetuating the Middle East conflict and teaching hatred in its schools. Now, the dismissal of nine of its 12 local employees (one is dead and the identity of the other two is being clarified) for alleged involvement in the Hamas attack on October 7 has generated a string of announcements by countries that are halting their funding, which would deprive the agency of most of its income at a critical time in Gaza, where the UNRWA manages shelters that house 40% of the population and continues to provide food and medical aid.

The UNRWA on Monday warned that it will not be able to help Gaza beyond February unless countries that halted their contributions renew them again. Around 20 of the worlds largest non-profits spoke out against the freeze on funds, including Save the Children and Caritas.

The first nation to state that it will turn off the tap was its main donor last year, the United States, which made the announcement on Thursday. Since then, at least nine others have joined: Germany (the second-largest contributor), the United Kingdom, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Finland, Australia, Canada and Estonia. Spain on Monday announced that it would keep funding the agency because its work is indispensable to alleviate [] the terrible humanitarian disaster, said Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares. The minister said that Spain is closely following the investigation into Israels claims, but added that the accused are 12 individuals out of a total of around 30,000 employees who work for the agency.

The UNRWA budget depends mainly on voluntary contributions from countries, which is why the U.N. Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, on Sunday asked member states to at least guarantee the continuity of operations of the agency while the accusations are being investigated. Guterres is even considering bringing to criminal trial  an unusual initiative  any worker whose involvement in acts of terrorism is proven: Any UN employee involved in acts of terror will be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution, he said in a statement.

The abhorrent alleged acts of these staff members must have consequences. 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, he said. The dire needs of the desperate populations they serve must be met.

UNRWA was created by the United Nations General Assembly in 1949, at the end of the first Arab-Israeli war and as a result of the Nakba, the flight or expulsion of two-thirds of Palestinians from the territory of the State of Israel that had just been created. Its mandate is to provide them with humanitarian assistance and protection until their situation is resolved. During the existence of this organization, the number of refugees has risen from 750,000 to almost six million, because descendants inherit the status.

The agency not only operates in Gaza, but also provides services to another 4.4 million Palestinian refugees in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan. The main area of activity is in education, to which it allocates more than half of its funds, but it also runs clinics, delivers food and clothing and grants microcredits. Almost all of its staff are local workers.

Fears that activity will be brought to a halt are centered above all now in Gaza, where thousands of Palestinians have begun their umpteenth forced displacement to flee the city of Khan Younis, where the Israeli army is conducting intense operations, towards Rafah, further south and on the border with Egypt. A million people are crowded into their shelters. Like almost all of Gaza, many of UNRWAs thousands of employees are refugees and at least 150 have been killed in the Israeli offensive.

The head of the agency, Philippe Lazzarini, regretted the chain decision on Saturday, not only because of the implications for the population, but because the agency itself immediately fired the employees involved before even determining their guilt. These decisions threaten our humanitarian work throughout the region, including and especially in Gaza. It is shocking to see a suspension of funds in reaction to the accusations against a small group of staff, especially given the immediate measures that UNRWA took by terminating their contracts and requesting an independent and transparent investigation, he added before recalling that some 3,000 of the 13,000 core personnel in Gaza continue to work, despite the war. It is, in Lazzarinis opinion, an immensely irresponsible decision.

The European Union, the third largest donor, has assured that it will evaluate new measures and is awaiting the result of a complete and exhaustive investigation. France, which contributed almost 60 million to UNRWA in 2023, did not have any payments planned for this first half of the year, so it will decide when the time comes what measures to take, given the exceptional seriousness of the accusations, indicated its Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement.

Please resign

Israel, which provided the United Nations with the information that led to the employees dismissal, has raised the tone. Its new Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, responded to a tweet by the head of UNRWA regretting the decision with a single sentence in English: Mr. Lazzarini, please resign. He had previously called for the agencys leadership to be fired and investigated in-depth about its knowledge about ties with Hamas and  of particular relevance now that the future of post-war Gaza is being debated  its replacement by agencies dedicated to true peace and development for the reconstruction of the Strip.

The controversy has once again highlighted the gap between Western countries, mainly those who stand closest to Israel (those that have cut off financing), and the Arab-Muslim world around Gaza. The Arab League has issued a statement after a meeting of its permanent delegates in which it asks countries not to burden UNRWA with the weight of unjust Israeli accusations against some of its workers, warning of the danger it poses to several generations of Palestinian refugees and framing the measure in the systematic Israeli campaign to harm the agency.

The president of the Palestinian National Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, accused Israel of wanting to liquidate the issue of Palestinian refugees with its campaign against UNRWA, and he accused the countries that will stop financing it of disproportionately punishing millions of people. The Egyptian Foreign Minister, Sameh Shoukry, said he was surprised and wondered aloud if the action is linked to the policy of collective punishment against civilians in Gaza.

UNRWA has been struggling for years to maintain its sources of revenue, and has had to make cuts and layoffs. It experienced a similar crisis in 2018, when Donald Trump announced that the United States (also then the main donor) would only contribute $60 million that year, compared to $364 million in 2017. Half of the resulting gap was covered by four Gulf countries: United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu applauded Trump at the time for starting to solve the problem and called for the end of UNRWA, while his diplomacy called it an illegitimate instrument aimed at the destruction of the State of Israel.

With additional reporting by Miguel Gonzalez.
Britains media has been flooded with statements backing the call by British Army chief General Sir Patrick Sanders for the government to prepare to mobilise the nation for war, increase regular army numbers to 120,000 within three years and create a citizen army of up to 500,000. Many statements explicitly include support for conscription.

General Patrick Sanders takes the salute at a passing out parade, August 11, 2022 [Photo: Corporal Rebecca Brown RLC / Open Government License v.3.0]

The headlines accompanying these calls are a sign of the times: Could World War 3 happen? and Will I be drafted for WW3 in the UK? in The Sun; Are you ready to fight in World War 3? in the Daily Express; World War 3: 5 chilling signs UK and US are heading for all out conflict amid global unrest in the Daily Mirror.

All these articles assume that a major conflict between the NATO powers and Russia and China is inevitable, raising the prospect of nuclear war, and that the necessary sacrifices by the working class must be made. This is the fate of, in Sanders words, the pre-war generation now that the post-war peace dividend is over.

Events in the last days confirm that British imperialism is in the maelstrom of a developing third world war. On January 22, British Royal Air Force Typhoon jets carried outunder the guise of protecting the Red Sea global trade arteryfurther airstrikes with Paveway IV missiles against Houthi targets in Yemen. These followed the first strikes in Yemen, carried out alongside US military forces, on January 11.

Tensions escalated on Friday with Houthi forces striking the Marlin Luanda oil tanker as it transited the Red Sea. The blaze from the strikes was put out by Indian, US and French navy vessels with no fatalities reported.

Houthi Brigadier General Yahya Saree claimed the Marlin Luanda was a British tanker and that it was attacked in support of the oppressed Palestinian people and in response to the American-British aggression against our country. The ship is owned by Singaporean-based French multinational oil and commodities trader Trafigura and was sailing under the flag of the Marshall Islands on its way to Singapore. Management of the ship is contracted out to UK-based Oceonix Services Ltd.

On Sunday, the UK Ministry of Defence showed footage of its main Type 45 destroyer warship in the region, HMS Diamond, shooting down a drone.

Confirming planning for nuclear war, the Telegraph reported Saturday, citing Pentagon documents, that a nuclear mission would happen at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk imminently. Last September it was reported that the previous March the US Congress had received a 2024 budgetary request for $50 million (39.5 million) from the US Air Force for a surety dormitory at RAF Lakenheatha term in US military parlance referring to nuclear weapons.

According to the newspaper, unredacted procurement contracts show how the Pentagon has ordered new equipment for the base, including ballistic shields designed to protect military personnel from attacks on high value assets.

The newspaper added that 15 years after the removal of US nuclear missiles from UK soil, Lakenheath is expected to house B61-12 gravity bombs, which have a variable yield of up to 50 kilotonsmore than three times the power of the atomic weapon dropped on Hiroshima in 1945.

US military figures were among those backing Sanders call to massively expand the Armed Forces. Carlos Del Toro, the US navy secretary, said in a briefing after a speech at the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi) in London, I think it is important for the United Kingdom to reassess where they are today given the threats that exist today.

Britain would decide the strength of its army, But I would argue, quite frankly, that given the near-term economic threats to the United Kingdom and the United States that investments in their navy are significantly important.

Sanders, backed by Britains former NATO commander General Sir Richard Sherriff, intends to ensure that an increase in military spendingway beyond the current just above two percent of GDP and a target of 2.5 percentis made a key issue in a general election to be held later this year.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps has said that military spending must reach three percent of GDP, but Sanders, Sheriff, the US top brass and a slew of Tory and Labour politicians are demanding spending on war that massively outstrips Shapps goal.

A frenzied campaign is underway in the media to denounce successive governments for trying to do imperialism on the cheap.

The Telegraph wrote earlier this month that Calls to send the 3bn HMS Queen Elizabeth to the [Middle East] region were set to be spurned because RFA [Royal Fleet Auxiliary] Fort Victoria, the only Solid Support Ship capable of providing the amount of ammunition, aircraft, spare equipment and food required for a full deployment, is unable to sail owing to a lack of sailors.

In a Daily Mail op-ed, influential media figure Andrew Neil complained, Politicians on the Left and the Right were too quick to pocket the proceeds of the peace dividend, oblivious to new threats that were rising, from Russia to Iran to China and North Korea Britain has made a big deal of being part of the American-led attacks on Houthi installations. But our Typhoon fighter jets have had to endure a 3,000-mile round trip from Cyprus on their bombing raids, requiring in-air refuelling there and back.

He noted that the Royal Navys two state-of-the-art aircraft carriers, the Queen Elizabeth II and the Prince of Wales, built at a combined cost of 8 billion and carrying F35s, the worlds most sophisticated warplane, both lie idle in dock in Portsmouth. Apparently we dont have enough protective ships to put around them to deploy them to where they are needed. So our RAF pilots have to fly 3,000 miles instead.

He added, We now spend over 50 billion a year on defence yet remain severely limited on what military power we can deploy when it is needed. Even HMS Diamond depends entirely on the US Navy for supplies.

Cuts to the British Army, he noted, meant it is no longer big enough to field even a 25,000-strong armoured division The US military increasingly thinks we lack the scale to be useful allies in war zones.

Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood, former head of the Defence Select Committee, praised Sanders on LBC Radio, saying Whats coming over the horizon should shock us. The army is half the size of what it should be, he said, calling for an immediate doubling of the size of the military budget from two percent of GDP to four percent.

The Guardian editorialised that Sanders was stepping down as Army chief in six months and knows that this is an election year. He wants the political parties to hear him.

Noting that the military has to compete for resources with hospitals, care services, local government, schools and the green agenda, to name but a few, it said, None of this is an outright argument against some of what Gen Sanders is calling for. The international dangers are indeed mounting. Russia is a genuine threat, particularly to Poland and the Baltic and Nordic states. Deployable military numbers really matter.

While Tory Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has no fundamental differences with Sanders over the need to increase military spending, he has not at this stage backed the calls for conscription.

But on Saturday Boris Johnson, who Sunak replaced as prime minister following the short-lived Liz Truss premiership, referred to himself in a video which began with an army salute, Lance Corporal Johnson reporting for duty. He wrote in his column for the Daily Mail, The best way to prevent a war is to prepare for it That is why General Sanders is right in his essential point, that we must tackle the current problems in the Armed Forces, and especially of under-recruitment.

Anything that these rabid forces demand will be more than matched by the other main tool of British imperialism, the Labour Party.

Shadow Defence Secretary John Healey, following his latest trip to Estonia to visit UK NATO regiment troops, tweeted Friday, Over 14 years the Conservatives have hollowed out our Armed Forces. Labour will conduct a Strategic Defence Review in our first year to assess fully the state of our Armed Forces, the threats against us and the capabilities needed to defend the UK.
Two separate civil lawsuits filed in December by two prisoners in upstate New York once again highlight the brutality and horror of the American gulag. The plaintiffs are demanding restitution after they were savagely beaten by guards at one prison and waterboarded at another on October 7.

In their lawsuits, Charles Wright and Eugene Taylor, initially prisoners at Green Haven Correctional Facility in Stormville, New York, about 60 miles north of New York City, describe how they were first subjected to physical and psychological abuse during a weeklong lockdown of the prison in early October.

This lockdown is detailed in a third lawsuit by 44 Green Haven prisoners, which describes how guards at Green Haven, including special Emergency Response Teams of officers from other facilities, went from cell to cell punching and kicking prisoners, slamming their faces into walls and twisting fingers. This rampage was carried out in response to an assault by one prisoner on a guard.

Wright and Taylor say that they were viciously beaten and pepper sprayed in their cells. According to his lawsuit, Wright was directed to strip down to his underwear, put his hands behind his head and face the back wall of his cell. After Wright complied with these instructions, a guard punched him in the back of the head, shot pepper spray in his mouth and slammed his head against the floor and toilet.

On October 7, after being beaten, both men were accused of possessing contraband. They were cuffed and shackled before being transported via vans to Great Meadow Correctional Facility, 200 miles north of New York City.

Wright describes that upon arriving at Great Meadow he was again pepper sprayed before being chained to a bed and waterboarded. A prison guard placed a dirty rag over Wrights nose and mouth and poured water over it for 45 seconds straight while another guard observed the torture.

Taylors experience was similar. He describes being taken to a room where a guard, apparently the same one who tortured Wright, held a rag over Taylors face and repeatedly pushing his head underwater. A small group of guards stood nearby and watched.

Waterboarding is most infamously known as a favorite method of torture employed by the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) against people accused of terrorist connections in the Middle East. The constant stream of water poured over an individuals covered nose and mouth causes the person to experience the sensation of drowning.

Following their torture sessions, both Wright and Taylor faced disciplinary hearings. Wright was found guilty of assaulting prison staff and possessing contraband and thrown in a segregated housing unit for six months. Taylor has been accused of demonstration and gang activity. Both men deny the charges.

There is only one other recorded case of waterboarding at New York state prisons. In his federal lawsuit, filed in 2018, Matthew Raymond, a prisoner at Auburn Correctional Facility in the Finger Lakes region of Central New York, describes being shackled, placed on a table and waterboarded by a lieutenant at the prison in 2016. The officer held Raymonds head down by his hair, pulled his shirt over his face and poured water over his nose and mouth for an extended period.

Eastern Correctional Facility near Ellenville, New York [Photo by Acroterion / CC BY-SA 3.0

Although this specific method of torture has not been commonly utilized, the degraded conditions of life and callous treatment of the incarcerated is far from unique in New York prisons. At the end of 2022, 26 inmates at Sing Sing Correctional Facility in Ossining, New York, sued the state after prison guards indiscriminately beat numerous prisoners during a facility-wide search in November of that year.

In 2016, six female prisoners sued the New York Department of Corrections and Community Supervisions (DOCCS) seeking an injunction that would require DOCCS to take necessary steps to stop mass sexual abuse against female prisoners across the state. The previous year, 2015, Samuel Harrell, a prisoner at the Fishkill Correctional Facility in New York died after being handcuffed, beaten, and thrown down a flight of stairs by a group of guards.

The same year that Harrell was murdered, it was revealed that guards at the Clinton Correctional Facility in upstate New York had systematically tortured inmates after two inmates escaped from the prison. New York Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo was personally involved in the brutality, questioning several of the prisoners before they were beaten and choked with plastic bags by guards. More than 60 prisoners filed complaints of abuse. Cuomo defended the actions of the guards, declaring it was not the time to second-guess the basic operation at the prison. He continued the basic operation has been fantastic because no one has ever escaped before.

Rikers Island prison in New York City is one of the worst hellholes in the country. A report from the office of the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York in 2014 exposed a deep seated culture of violence at the prison, describing it as a place where brute force is the first impulse rather than the last resort, a place where verbal insults are repaid with physical injuries, where beatings are routine while accountability is rare.

Conditions at the facility have only gotten worse over the last ten years. Dozens of prisoners died in 2021 because of the complete collapse of basic services at the prison due to staffing shortages caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Sixteen inmates died in 2021, 19 in 2022 and nine 2023. The facility had its first death of 2024 on January 4.

The incidents in upstate New York are only a handful of those reported over the last decade. Bruce Barket, a lawyer whose firm filed the 2022 Sing Sing lawsuit and the two lawsuits in December, has said, Given that the Department of Corrections administration apparently approved of the brutality, no one should be surprised that some guards escalated the abuse.

The United States is the worlds largest jailer. According to the World Population Review, over two million people are incarcerated in the US. This is roughly 25 percent of the worlds total prison population. These men and women, the vast majority poor and incarcerated for petty crimes and infractions, are subjected to wretched living conditions and savage brutality every day.

The horrors inflicted upon the incarcerated in the Empire State are commonplace across the US. Last year, statements submitted by the American Civil Liberties Union in an ongoing lawsuit shed further light on the horrendous conditions facing children incarcerated on the former death row unit at the notorious Louisiana State Penitentiary (Angola).

In April, millions internationally were sickened and angered following the release of images showing the agonizing deaths of two inmates incarcerated in different states. Lashawn Thompson died in the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta, Georgia on September 12, 2022. He was abandoned by prison staff in a filthy cell filled with refuse. He withered away and died, eaten alive by insects. Joshua McLemore in Indiana, previously diagnosed with schizophrenia, starved to death in the Jackson County Jail in August 2021. For nearly 20 days, McLemore was kept in solitary confinement despite displaying no aggressive behavior. Neither man had been convicted of a crime.

Under the supervision of both Republicans and Democrat administrations at the federal, state and municipal levels, the barbaric methods of intimidation and oppression utilized by American imperialism abroad have been brought home in the face of escalating social, economic and political crisis.

It is increasingly difficult to differentiate between the haunting pictures taken at the CIA-run Abu Ghraib torture prison in Iraq twenty years ago and the images and stories emerging from the American gulag.

As American imperialism plunges headfirst towards world war in the face of growing financial instability and the intensification of the struggle of the working class against rampant inequality and exploitation, the capitalist ruling class turns to the most bestial methods of repression to stifle opposition among workers to its accumulation of ever-greater profits.

Workers must be warned, the horrors of the present penal system are only the beginning. Israels ongoing genocide against the civilian population of Gaza, backed and directed by the US Biden administration and its imperialist allies, demonstrates the lengths to which the ruling class will go to ensure its continued existence. What is being inflicted on Gaza today will be used against workers at home tomorrow.

Ending this devastating repression and freeing the countless victims of the American gulag will only be accomplished by the political mobilization of the international working class against the entire profit system from which these injustices ultimately stem.
US Marines conduct a live-fire exercise during Intrepid Maven in Jordan, July 10, 2023. [Photo: Marine Corps Cpl. Khalil Brown ]

US Central Command claimed Sunday that three US soldiers were killed and 25 injured in a drone strike against a US base in Jordan near the Syrian border. US officials told the New York Times that the strike hit a barracks housing troops at a US base known as Tower 22.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed credit for the attack, stating it was retaliation for US support for the genocide in Gaza.

US politicians seized upon the deaths of the American soldiers to call for a direct US attack on Iran, which would greatly intensify the sprawling war throughout the Middle East triggered by Israels genocide in Gaza.

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham called on the United States to strike targets of significance inside Iran.

A map showing the location of the US Tower 22 airbase inside Jordan, where US troops were attacked. [Photo by mapchart.net / CC BY-SA 3.0

Hit Iran now, hard, Graham declared. The only thing the Iranian regime understands is force, said Graham, adding, Until they pay a price with their infrastructure and their personnel, the attacks on US troops will continue.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican, called on the administration to impose serious crippling costs on Iran.

Republican Senator Dan Sullivan called for a clear, lethal and overwhelming response.

Republican Senator Tom Cotton called for a devastating military retaliation against Irans terrorist forces, both in Iran and across the Middle East.

Some Democrats also joined the clamor for war. Retired US General and former NATO Commander Wesley Clark, once a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, said, The US should stop saying we dont want to escalate. This invites them to attack us. Stop calling our strikes retaliation. This is reactive. Take out their capabilities and strike hard at the source: Iran.

President Joe Biden, in announcing the deaths, declared, We will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner of our choosing.

Bloomberg News reported, citing unnamed sources, that the US was contemplating direct attacks inside Iran. One possibility is covert action that would see the US strike Iran without claiming credit for it but sending a clear message regardless, the news service wrote. The Biden administration could also target Iranian officials directly, as former President Donald Trump did when he ordered the killing of General Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad in 2020.

A direct US attack inside Iran would massively inflame what is already a regional shooting war throughout the Middle East.

In an article headlined The Ever-Expanding Middle East War, The Economist explained:

If you drew a diagram of who is shooting at whom in the Middle East, it would look increasingly like a bowl of spaghetti. What began in October as a war between Israel and Hamas has now drawn in militants from four other Arab states. In addition, Iran, Israel, and Jordan all bombed Syria this month. Iran also unexpectedly bombed Pakistan, which must have wondered how it got dragged into this mess.

In the past two weeks, the United States has carried out strikes inside Syria, Iraq and Yemen, while its ally Israel is exchanging daily fire across its northern border with Lebanon, struck at alleged Iran-linked targets in Syria, and had military clashes with the Egyptian armed forces. Two US Navy SEALs were killed earlier this month during a raid on a ship the US alleged was carrying weapons to be used by Houthi rebels in Yemen.

The escalating war throughout the Middle East takes place as the United States is deepening its complicity in the genocide in Gaza.

On Friday, the Biden administration announced that it would suspend funding for United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). The organization is the main lifeline for food and medical aid getting into Gaza, whose population is facing widespread starvation due to a deliberate Israeli blockade. The UK, Finland, Australia, Canada, Italy, the Netherlands and Switzerland also announced that they would suspend funding for the organization.

The US claimed that the action, which would only further mass death throughout Gaza, was in response to allegations that a dozen UNRWA employees took part in the October 7 attack on Israel. UNRWA employs 13,000 people in Gaza.

World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus declared, We appeal to donors not to suspend their funding to @UNRWA at this critical moment. Cutting off funding will only hurt the people of #Gaza who desperately need support.

Last week, the International Court of Justice ordered Israel to suspend its blockade of Gaza in response to a case brought by South Africa alleging Israel was carrying out genocide in Gaza.

Agnes Callamard, the secretary-general of Amnesty International, condemned the move in a statement on Twitter. Sickening heartless decision of the richest countries in the world to punish the most vulnerable population on earth because of the alleged crimes of 12 people. Right after the ICJ ruling finding risk of genocide. Sickening.

Israel has responded to the ICJ ruling by intensifying its forcible displacement of Palestinians. In a statement published Sunday, the Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor warned,

Less than two days after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that Israel would be subject to temporary measures as a result of its military operations infringing upon its obligations under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide, including mass forced displacement to unsafe locations, thousands of people were forcibly evacuated from the Khan Yunis refugee camp and several other parts of the governorate to the Strips western coastal areas.

To date, 32,000 Gazans have been killed, including those both confirmed dead and who have been missing for more than two weeks, according to the monitor. These include 115 journalists, 675 healthcare workers and 165 civil defense workers. The vast majority of the dead are either women or children; 1.95 million people have been internally displaced.
The trial of Jennifer Crumbley, mother of Oxford High School shooter Ethan Crumbley, opened last Thursday before a 17-person jury in Oakland County Court in Pontiac, Michigan.

Jennifer and her husband, James Crumbley, are being tried separately on four counts each of involuntary manslaughter. The charges are for the shooting deaths by their son of four Oxford High School studentsJustin Shilling (17), Madisyn Baldwin (17), Tate Myre (16) and Hana St. Juliana (14)on November 30, 2021. The shooter also injured seven others, including a teacher.

Ethan Crumbley, who was 15 at the time, surrendered himself to authorities after the shooting. He was prosecuted as an adult and charged with 24 crimes, including murder and terrorism. He pleaded guilty to all charges on October 24, 2022. On December 9, 2023, he was sentenced to life in prison without parole by Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Kwame Rowe.

This booking photo released by the Oakland County, Mich., Sheriff's Office shows Ethan Crumbley. [Photo: Oakland County Sheriffs Office]

Although parents have been held liable for violent actions by their children in the pastwith charges of child neglect or failure to secure deadly weaponsthe prosecution of the Crumbleys marks the first time parents are being charged with involuntary manslaughter and held responsible for the killings carried out by their child.

If convicted, the parents face sentences of up to 15 years in prison.

The prosecution of the parents by Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald, a Democrat who took office on January 1, 2021, for the horrifying high school massacre is inconsistent with the prosecution of their son as an adult at age 15. As we wrote on the WSWS in opposition to the charges being brought against the parents:

How can the court insist that the parents are responsible for the murders committed by Ethan Crumbley when he is not being afforded the protections available to juvenile offenders?

As we also explained at the time, although the parents bear moral responsibility for what took place at Oxford High School, criminal responsibility is an entirely different matter. The effort to convict Jennifer and James Crumbley and send them to prison is, in essence, an attempt to scapegoat them for the broader, toxic social problems of capitalist society that are behind the epidemic of mass shootings in schools and workplaces across the US.

On the first day of the trial, Assistant Prosecutor Marc Keast said Jennifer Crumbley, 45, is responsible for the shootings even though she did not pull the trigger. Keast argued that the mother was aware of the deteriorating mental condition of her son and despite her knowledge of his growing social isolation, despite the fact that its illegal for a 15 year old to walk into a gun store and walk out with a handgun by himselfthis gun was gifted.

The prosecution has maintained the parents are guilty because they purchased the 9 mm semi-automatic Sig Sauer pistol their son used in the shooting as a Christmas present, and did not adequately secure it in their house. Ethan Crumbley fired the weapon at least 30 times methodically and deliberately, aiming at the heads and chests of his victims, in the hallway of Oxford High School in between classes shortly before 1 p.m.

The assistant prosecutor said that by the time this gun was bought, the school shooter was in a downward spiral that had begun months before. Keast showed the jury text communications between the parents on the day of the shootings in which the emotional and mental state of their son was not mentioned.

Even though both parents had been called into the school and met hours before the shootings took place with a school counselor and their son concerning violent drawings he had made in class, no mention was made of Ethans condition.

The prosecutor told the jury, On November the 30th, Jennifer Crumbley was still given the opportunity to prevent these murders from ever happening. Instead, she chose to do nothing.

The parents said nothing during the meeting about the gun to which their son had access, did not request that his backpack be searched by school staff, and Jennifer Crumbley left the meeting after 11 minutes.

In her opening statement, Jennifer Crumbleys attorney, Shannon Smith, made a reference to a song by Taylor Swift and said, Band-Aids dont fix bullet holes. She argued that by putting the parents on trial, Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald was attempting to put a Band-Aid on problems that cant be fixed with a Band-Aid. Smith argued that Jennifer Crumbley did not know much about the guns in her house.

According to court documents filed by the prosecution last November based on jail communications, the mother is attempting to blame the shootings on the father. However, attorney Smith filed a response in which she wrote, The obvious goal of the prosecution at this point is to try to create a rift between the defendants and defense counsel and to make it appear to the public  that the Crumbleys are not united. This could not be more untrue.

Smith also demanded that any concerns the prosecution had about the case first be disclosed privately. Her statement continued: The prosecution knows very well that any filing by attorneys in this case are almost immediately picked up by the media and lead to inflammatory articles about the Crumbleys. There is no reason, other than gamesmanship by the prosecution, that the defense should not be made aware of the alleged basis to believe any conflict issue exists.

Smith added that the Crumbleys have repeatedly waived any concerns about a potential conflict, signed numerous waiver forms, and met with independent lawyers to assure them they had waived any potential conflicts. In fact, the [Crumbleys] have never filed a motion that the other party did not join, Smith argued, adding, Quite frankly, it is none of the prosecutors business.

On the second day of the trial, prosecutor Keast portrayed Jennifer Crumbley as aloof and more interested in her horses than the health of her teenage son. Questioning Edward Wagrowski, a former detective and computer crimes expert with the Oakland County Sheriffs Office, the prosecution presented text messages Ethan Crumbley sent to his mother eight months prior to the shooting saying he was scared because of demons. The prosecutor said Jennifer never responded.

In the cross-examination of Wagrowski, defense attorney Smith asked if there could be reasons why Jennifer did not reply or even see the messages from Ethan in a timely manner. When Smith referred to a weak wireless service in the area or the possibility that Ethan Crumbley was joking, the witness said, I dont know what shes thinking, no.

The trial of Jennifer Crumbley is expected to last two weeks. James Crumbleys trial on four counts of involuntary manslaughter will begin in early March.
Over the weekend, protesting French farmers released plans to blockade Paris and major economic centers in the capital region starting today. After French Prime Minister Gabriel Attals concessions announced on Friday failed to stem farmers anger, an emergency cabinet meeting was held where it was decided to mobilize 15,000 cops to keep farmers from strangling Paris main motorways and economic hubs with farm equipment.

Farmers block the M6 motorway near Lyon, central France, Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. French farmers protest across the country and in Brussels against low wages, mounting costs and other problems. [AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani]

Many of the farmers blockades that were in place at the end of last week were pulled back after Attals Friday speech, in order to prepare a new wave of disruptions across the country and to target the capital for the first time since the protests began.

The Seine-et-Marne branch of the National Federation of Agricultural Owners Unions (FNSEA) announced it plans to block the A4, A5 and A6 motorways as they join onto the Parisian ring roads starting at 2 p.m. on Monday. The Parisian regional branch of the Young Farmers union announced plans to block other major motorways around the capital and that they would also target the Rungis market, the largest food market in the world by turnover, which supplies produce for Paris and the surrounding region.

According to other regional sections of the farmers unions, plans to mount blockades have also been prepared for other regions. Michel Joux, president of the FNSEA Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, told BFMTV, We are going to intensify our action at the national level. Our Parisian friends are going to block Paris. We are going to lay siege to Frances second-largest city, Lyon. On Sunday, a blockade cut circulation on the A7 motorway between Lyon and Marseille.

After the emergency cabinet meeting on Sunday evening, fascistic Interior Minister Darmanin announced that 15,000 police officers would be mobilised on Monday to ensure that no tractor enters Paris and the large provincial towns as well as to the Rungis Market and the Parisian airports. Before the meeting started, a gendarmerie unit with armored vehicles had already been deployed outside the Rungis market. Helicopters will also be mobilised against the farmers.

Darmanin said that it is a difficult week that is starting and warned that circulation in the Paris area would be extremely difficult on Monday.

On Sunday, the Macron government laid out a strategy of combining vague promises of more concessions with threats of a violent crackdown. After the half-measures announced by Prime Minister Gabriel Attal failed to stem the protests, he conceded on Sunday that he had not responded to all the unease and all the unhappiness of farmers but resolved to move ahead quickly.

Later on Sunday Marc Fesneau, the Minister of Agriculture, promised new measures, both at the European and national level, to be announced on Tuesday. The cabinet was then convened for a 6 p.m. meeting and decided to mobilize 15,000 cops against protesters.

An anonymous high-ranking police official told the right-wing daily Le Figaro that their concern is the number of machines that could come together. The 1,000 multi-ton tractors heading for Paris could be a headache for police forces, who dont have equipment to remove them as they do for poorly-parked cars. The police official said their plan was to block farmers some distance away from Paris and hope that farmers would not risk breaking their machines, which they use to work, by forcing a police barricade.

The government is making plans for the repression of the farmers in case it cannot engineer a stand-down, working through the pro-government bureaucrats who lead the farmers unions. Official circles mainly fear that popular sympathy for the farmers struggle could reignite the wave of mass protests and wildcat strikes independently of the union bureaucracies that broke out in the country in April 2023 after President Macron forced through his pension cut.

Workers must oppose plans for a crackdown on farmers, who are protesting hardships created by European Union (EU) military build-up and plans to slash EU food production. These plans are directed above all against the workers. However, workers cannot wait for the union bureaucracies to organize such opposition. General Confederation of Labor (CGT) union President Sophie Binet has issued a vague call for a convergence with farmers, but the union bureaucracies do not intend to take any action that would lead to an overt clash with the Macron government.

Exploiting the inaction of the union bureaucracies, neo-fascist National Rally (RN) leader Marine Le Pen has begun campaigning among farmers, denouncing the EU and the FNSEA, the farmers union closest to the government, while posing as a defender of French farmers. On Thursday, she spoke at a farm to warn of a crisis that is starting and that can be long, violent and brutal.

The FNSEA has already lost control. I think that for a long time, farmers have no longer been able to rely on their unions, Le Pen said. She blamed the FNSEA and President Emmanuel Macron for having covered the agricultural world with charges, norms, taxes and injustice. She hailed farmers union bureaucracies closer to the RN like the Rural Coordination, which, she said, warn of the consequences of the EU and reject the governments bogus offers.

Interviewed about Le Pens comments, RN lawmaker and Rural Coordination farmers union official Christophe Barthes told Le Monde he hoped the farmers unions would maintain control: For the time being, the union is holding back the anger. But it will have to get most of its demands to keep the rank-and-file from getting the better of them.

Le Pen and the RN are not friends of the farmers, but of the riot police Macron is sending to assault them, seeking to block the entry of broader layers of the working population into struggle against Macron. They clearly aim to profit politically, notably in this years European elections or in the 2027 French presidential elections, from Macrons repression of farmers and workers and the bankruptcy of the union bureaucracies and their pseudo-left political allies.

This underscores the necessity, as rail workers in Germany mount a powerful nationwide strike, of organizing an international movement in the European working class against war and against the EU.

The French farmers movement erupted last week in the wake of farmers actions in Germany and Poland since the beginning of the year. On Sunday, Belgian farmers also blockaded the E42 motorway just north of Namur. The eruption of social opposition across Europe reflects the international nature of the struggle against capitalist governments austerity policies and the impact of the NATO-proxy war against Russia in Ukraine on social conditions across Europe.

EU governments have sent hundreds of billions of euros in military aid for the war and used it as a justification for a massive rearmament campaign. All of these measures have been funded by deep cuts to social programsparticularly, in France, to pensions, and also to farm subsidies. Farmers were heavily impacted by hikes in fertilizer prices, which rose sharply in early 2022 and are still twice the price they were in 2020.

The threat of a violent crackdown on the farmers protests underscores the urgency of the PES call for a wide mobilization of the working class to support farmers demands and defend them from state repression. Just like workers across Europe, French farmers and their colleagues across the continent are under attack from the European ruling class in order to fund their mad plans for escalating war against Russia, Iran and China.

It is only through a mass mobilization of the working class and a frontal assault on the wealth of the capitalist class that the food supply can be secured, war averted and the investment obtained to support farmers and create an ecologically sound, sustainable agricultural system.
The World Socialist Web Site recently spoke to Robert Sutton, former Superintendent of Manassas National Battlefield Park and former Chief Historian of the National Park Service (NPS), on the proposal to build a giant data center on the Manassas battlefield, the state of historical preservation, interpretation in public history, and the 1619 Project of the New York Times. The transcript has been edited for clarity.

Douglas Lyons: Describe your background and experience at Manassas. And how did you become interested in history and the Civil War?

Robert Sutton: Well, let me start with Manassas. I've been interested in history since I was a little kid, and that I glommed onto when I started junior high school. My family was on the Oregon Trail. Both my great-grandparents were on the Oregon Trail. My great-grandfather was 17 and my great-grandmother was 3 weeks old when they left on the Oregon Trail.

Robert K. Sutton

The park service was really my place to be, because the other thing I enjoyed was a variety of historynot just focusing on one thing, but on a variety. I went to Manassas in 1995 as the acting superintendent. I was going to be there for like six months, and that was going to be it. I ended up being there for 12-and-a-half years. If I had to pick a part of my career that I enjoyed the most and felt like I probably did the most good, it was probably those years at Manassas.

Douglas: Youve also written two books.

Robert: Well, Ive actually edited a whole bunch of books and the most recent one was Nazis on the Potomac. It is directly related to the Park Service, because it talks about a site, a National Park Service site, Fort Hunt, which is between Washington, DC and Mount Vernon on the George Washington Parkway.

During World War II they brought in the highest value Nazis to interrogate and eavesdrop on their conversations. And then they also had another section that translated thousands upon thousands of captured German documents. And it was top secret, so top secret, the Park Service didnt know a thing about the story until very, very recently. They were then able to contact a number of the soldiers who were stationed there and did oral histories with them. So we have this wonderful collection of oral histories, and they were just kind of sitting there. I decided it would be really important to tell the story. So I did, and its done very, very well, in fact, so well that I just did a revision and added a whole section to it for the next edition of that book.

Book cover, Nazis on the Potomac

Douglas: The other book is Stark Mad Abolitionists: Lawrence, Kansas, and the Battle Over Slavery in the Civil War. Thats more related to the topic at hand.

Robert: Its a wonderful book. I got an award from Kansas, one of the top state awards for that book which I was very proud of. On the other side of the family, on my dads side of the family, they went to Kansas during Bleeding Kansas. So that was part of the interest in that book.

Douglas Lyons: What makes Manassas an important national historical park?

Robert: There were two major battles at Manassas. One was the first major battle of the war, fought there in 1861. And then, a little over a year later, the second battle on virtually the same ground. And thats, I think, what makes it so important.

Douglas: The first battle of Manassas, or Bull Run, you had a whole bunch of spectators come out because they thought it would be a quick war and a quick battle. But it showed that this was going to be a very long struggle for the North and that revolutionary methods directed against slavery would be needed to preserve the Union and defeat the Confederacy.

Robert: Yes, the Civil War was fought over slavery. Theres no question about it. Theres an interesting back story. Manassas originally was owned by the Sons of the Confederacy. When they deeded it to the National Park Service they had a couple of conditions on it, one being that there had to be a balanced interpretation. And so, when I was saying that slavery was the major cause of the Civil War, I got a lot of push back from them as well. Saying that slavery was the cause of the Civil War and having it come from the Park Service, which is a government agency, caused a lot of controversy among a lot of different groups.

First Battle of Bull Run (First Manassas), lithograph by Kurz and Allison, 1889.

Douglas: If you have the Sons and Daughters of the Confederacy holding the battlefield, theyre going to interpret it based on the Lost Cause, that slavery was not the issue. Its historically accurate to say the war was about slavery. If people say States rights, well, it's States rights to own slaves.

At the second battle of Manassas, Lee had another stunning victory. In terms of casualties the Confederacy had about half of the Union casualties. I think it was like 14,000 for the Union, and maybe like 7,000 for the Confederacy. And then Lee went up north and led his campaign into Maryland. And then thats when Lincoln issued, after Lees defeat at Antietam, the Emancipation Proclamation, which really did turn the war not just to preserve the Union but into a war to overthrow slavery.

Robert: The second battle was a tremendous victory for the South. But its really fascinating to me. I dont get into the what ifs because I think history happened, and that's that. But you know what would have happened makes a good question, if Lee wouldnt have seen the opportunity to go North. Did he really lose Antietam? Yes, because he left the field. But it really was a draw. Yet Lincoln looked at it as the opportunity to issue the Emancipation Proclamation, because technically it was a Union victory. And so yes, I think the main thing about Second Manassas: it emboldened Lee to go North, and it was not a good thing for him.

Emancipation Proclamation

Douglas: The second time Lee went north ended with the Battle of Gettysburg, the high-water mark of the Confederacy, and turning point in the Civil War, especially when you combine it with what took place out west with Vicksburg, Mississippi. Grants victory cut the Confederacy in half.

In the article on the data-center construction, James McPherson told the World Socialist Web Site, we are facing a third battle of Manassas from modern greedy developers. Can you explain what these companies are doing? Did you see a lot of changes to the battlefield in terms of its preservation or its destruction while you were superintendent?

Robert: The first thing I had to deal with when I got there was cell towers. Companies wanted to build cell towers all around the battlefield. For the most part I was able to keep them far enough away that they couldnt be seen. There was one that was built in Fairfax County, and I was not able to defeat that one, but I was able to get some mitigation money from them because of it. So that was the first thing I had to deal with, cell towers.

The other thing: they were beginning to build computer centers at Manassas, just south of the battlefield. A couple were built and the zoning would have allowed 10-story buildings. They actually built low-level ones. They really couldnt even be seen from the battlefield. So I dont know if it was really a victory. The companies just decided they didnt want to build anything that high. So that was an issue.

Proposed location of data center adjacent Manassas National Battlefield Park

There was a strip mall. It was built just south of the battlefield and that was interesting, because I had a lot of pressure on me to try to keep that from being built. But when I worked with the developers on all of the structures in that complex, the only thing that was visible was like a Wendys hamburger place right near the entrance. I was able to get them to agree to keep the height of all these buildings at a level that couldnt be seen on the battlefield. So yes, I was not happy that it was built, but, on the other hand, it was not visible.

One thing that I was very, very proud ofalthough I was not directly involved inwas at the time called the Third Battle of Manassas, when a developer was going to build a huge shopping mall on what was part of the battlefield called Stuarts Hill. Congress actually did a Congressional taking. They actually took the land from this, from this mall at quite a substantial expense. But a lot of it became a national issue. I wasnt there at the time. I think it happened in 1988.

A lot of reporters came to Manassas afterwards, and Id show them around, and they would look around, and say, you know, this is amazing. You can't really see any development around the battlefield, and that was something I was very, very proud of. Everywhere you would look on the battlefield you could not really see any modern development. And to me, that was a great victory. The new tech center just really makes me very upset.

Douglas: When I was doing some research for our article I found that theres a lot of land that had battlefield actions on it, where soldiers from the North and South fought one another, and it hasnt been incorporated within the National Park Service. There were, I believe, 107 acres of land that we know of that were actually part of the battle. And there could be additional parcels of land.

Robert: Theres quite a bit of land that is not part of the battlefield, but there were certainly places where people spilled a lot of blood. This is where they are proposing this tech center. Theres no question in my mind that soldiers bled and died on the land.

The other thing: For years and years, there was a neighbor next to the battlefield. Her name was Annie Snyder. She and her family literally live right across the road from Manassas, from Brawner Farm, at the far-western end of the battlefield. She was very heavily involved with everything that happened at the battlefield. She was actually very instrumental in adding Brawner Farm to the battlefield and Stuarts Hill to the battlefield. We negotiated with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to deal with the intersection in the middle of the battlefield. She always was one of the greatest supporters of the battlefield. From early on, until unfortunately, she passed away, I think in 1998 or 1999.

Brawner Farm, Manassas National Battlefield Park

In 1980, when the battlefield purchased Brawner Farm, there was a specific piece of legislation that said they could not change the legislative boundaries of the battlefield except with the Congressional Act. And so that really had an issue for acquiring extra land, that was a real problem for me, because there are several things that I really wanted to acquire that we couldnt acquire, because it was outside of the legislative boundary. But anyway, Annie Snyder was very, very instrumental.

One think I said in the article I published in the Washington Post is that a lot of people think that the land within a Civil War battlefield is where all the battles were fought, within that land. Nothing could be further from the truth. Theyve tried to include the land but it is not where all the Civil War battles happened. And thats the point I was trying to make about this data center: That yes, the boundaries are at such and such a location. But blood was spilled outside of the boundaries of the park where this data center will be built. And I think thats important for people to understand, and I dont think they do. So there you go.

Douglas: Theres massive opposition to it. You described some of the local residents. I dont know if you can just give the general atmosphere of the mood of opposition in the public at Manassas and throughout the United States. Ken Burns even wrote a protest letter against this data-center construction on the battlefield.

Robert: Ill tell you what really upsets me. I cant tell you how much time I spent on issues dealing with the area around the battlefield. One thing that I did when I was there: the legislation that brought Stuarts Hill into the NPS included language to build a bypass around the park. And so while I was there we were able to get money from legislation to do a study to relocate both Route 29 and Business Route 234 around the battlefield. We spent several years on it. I got the approval of both counties, which was a challenge, Fairfax and Prince William County, and then the Commonwealth Transportation Board, which is a real challenge, because they dont usually look at anything that doesnt come from VDOT. This one came from the Park Service and when I left it had been approved by all these different entities, but there was no money to build it.

Had that happened, I dont think the data center could have been built because it would have been no way to build it, because the parkway with an entrance at one end of Route 29 and entrance of the other end of Route 29, and maybe two road exits off of it, and that would be it. There couldnt be any development that would come as a result of this parkway and so I think it would have been really, really difficult to build this data center.

Douglas: And now the data center is going ahead. The local Board of Supervisors in the county approved it. So unless something changes, construction is going to start soon. And its not only Manassas that's going to be impacted by data centers or the privatization of history.

Why do you think state or federal governments dont step in to try to stop this? Why are they giving it the green light? And what other historic sites in Virginia will be affected? Theres many that could be impacted from this data center.

Robert: Absolutely. The unfortunate thing is Prince William County. When I was there, there was the chair of the County Board of Supervisors, Sean Connaughton. He became a very good friend, and we worked very closely together. He recognized the value of the battlefield. Now, Prince William County has had this inferiority complex, and they look at the battlefield as the impediment in the way of development.

So the shopping center on Stuarts Hill didn't happen. There was supposed to be a Marriott amusement park that didnt happen. Disney was going to build something that didnt happen. And so theyve always looked at the battlefield as the impediment to development.

Douglas: I think this leads into the next question. In respect to government funding for history, the National Park Service, which is under the Department of the Interior, is always the first to be axed in terms of their budget. How does this impact the National Park Service and the general preservation of history from private profit? Because, in effect, the NPS has to rely on private institutions to try to preserve history, which isnt a good thing.

Robert: One of the problems at Manassas was that we had no success at all getting any kind of private money. One thing that I think is just really a shame about the Park Service is that there have been so many opportunities when they could have really made it a case for more funding. I remember at one point I read a statistic that said one B-2 bomber costs more than the entire budget of the National Park Service.

I know that every single time the press talks about a possible government shutdown the first thing they say, the very first thing they always say is, that you cant go to national parks during the government shutdown. And everybody gets all upset, but nothing comes of it. And in my mind just one of these really crazy things.

Visitor Center, Manassas National Battlefield Park

I dont know if you know about Mission 66? The director of the park service, Conrad Wirth, went to the White House. He convinced President Eisenhower and the cabinet to support a project called Mission 66, in 1956, that would put a billion dollars into national parks between 1956 and 1966, which was the fiftieth anniversary of the National Park Service. Now, in 1956, a billion dollars was some serious money. And so they went to Congress. Congress passed it, and Mission 66 was born, and most of the visitor centers and different things that you see around the entire National Park Service came as a result of Mission 66. And you know what weve missed? I think the Centennial in 2016 was another serious miss of getting the government to put more money into the NPS.

Any private money that goes into the Park Service, they want to put money somewhere where its gonna be visible, right? And so all the big parks get the money. The little parks like Manassas get absolutely nothing. And to me thats just one of the really big problems.

Douglas: You hit the nail on the head by comparing it to government spending in all these overseas wars for destruction. They dont want to use it to preserve history for the American people. Its a big contradiction.

Robert: People get upset when theyve learned what the Park Service budget is, but nothing happens. And its very troubling. I dealt with that the whole time I was in the Park Service. I was pretty lucky. I was able to get quite a bit of government money to do restoration work in the park. But I just had no success in getting any outside money.

I think theres nothing that does as much for visitors as to go on a tour of a civil war battlefield with an interpreter, with a ranger. I just dont think there's anything that compares to that, no matter how wonderful the technology is. And thats, I think, one of the things that were losing.

Douglas: Theyre the ones that give the audience the historical feel of what happened. But in case of the interpretive rangers, at least at Gettysburg, theyve been trying to cut them as well.

Robert: The big thing now is to have law enforcement rangers. I don't know if you want to hear this story, but when I was in graduate school at Portland State, 50 plus years ago, one of my professors called me in 1970 and asked if I wanted to work weekends and holidays at Fort Vancouver, which was a national park in Vancouver, Washington, right across the river from Portland. I went over there and was hired on the spot to work weekends and holidays, and then I came in the next day.

The Chief Rangerthey're only half a dozen or so people who work in the whole parkshowed me around. He said, okay, heres a key to this desk. Now, in this desk is the gun, if you need it. I go: Huh? He says: Well, you have full law enforcement authority, too, and if you need to use the gun here it is. I said, okay. That was law enforcement in 1970. How about that? Of course, things have changed since then. But I think that there's been a lot more emphasis on law enforcement than interpretation. Its not to say its not important, I mean, I think it is important. But if you put a lot of money into law enforcement rangers and less into interpretive rangers, youve got a problem. And thats my take.

Douglas: What are your thoughts on the current climate of historical interpretation relating to American history? Have you read the 1619 Project? And if so, what are your thoughts?

Robert: Unfortunately, right now were at a bad place with American history. Do you look at what people know? The percentage of people who know basic things like when the Declaration of Independence was written? When did the Civil War take place? What was the Civil War about? The percentage of people who know the answer is just frighteningly low.

Ive looked at the 1619 Project. From what I understand, its kind of a liberal beat ourselves up over what we did sort of thing. There are reasons to do that. But I think its too much emphasis on that.

Douglas: I think it goes along with these data centers. Its the physical destruction of history, but its also the ideological destruction of history. And in this case, its a falsification and a racialist falsification of the two American revolutions, saying they were counterrevolutions.

Robert: Thats kind of my impression, a kind of liberals beating their breasts, saying, we did so many horrible things back then. Well, how about what youre doing now?

Douglas: It completely ignores the revolutionary role of the Founding Fathers and Lincoln and the Radical Republicans in eliminating slavery

Robert: Im from Portland, Oregon. When I saw that they took down the statue of Abraham Lincoln in Portland, Oregon, I just about cried, because you know what? Why would they have a statue of Abraham Lincoln in Portland? Well, most people don't know this, but he was offered the very first Territorial Governorship of Oregon, the very first Territorial Secretary. He turned it down.

But that was his offer, and he was very important, you know, in the early history of Oregon. He knew a lot of people and so forth, and to take his statue down because he didnt at first support the immediate ending of slavery to me is just cuckoo. But they did that. They did that in San Francisco. Theyve taken down Grants monument because he owned a slave. He didnt even want the slave, you know. The slave was given to him, and he ended up giving him his freedom. I think we realize now that Grant did a lot more during Reconstruction to benefit blacks than he has ever been given credit for, and to take his monument down, to take Lincolns monument down, is just bizarre to me.

Douglas: Thank you for taking the time to speak to us.
Over recent weeks, the character of a series of attacks on opponents of the Israeli genocide in Gaza has come into sharp focus. Throughout the more than three-month Zionist onslaught, Australian actors, journalists, artists and ordinary people who have spoken out against the mass murder have been subjected to venomous attacks by the media and official politicians. Victims have been subjected to disciplinary actions by the employers and even sacked from their jobs.

Antoinette Lattouf [Photo: Instagram/Antionette_Lattouf]

Some of the mechanisms behind the witch-hunts were revealed earlier this month. Text messages from a secret WhatsApp group of the Lawyers for Israel organisation showed that its members had waged a coordinated campaign to have Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) journalist Antoinette Lattouf sacked, solely because of critical postings she had made about the Zionist regime.

The lawyers seemingly had a direct line to ABC management and Lattouf was fired within three days of her short-term position. Despite earlier denials, the messages, published by the Sydney Morning Herald, indicated extensive involvement in the WhatsApp group by Robert Goot, vice-president of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry.

Goots alleged involvement has significance beyond the immediate issue of the Lattouf case, which is the subject of unlawful termination proceedings. Throughout the genocide, a handful of Zionist leaders have been featured uncritically in the press where they are presented as the authoritative representatives of the Jewish community. Their assertions of a mass wave of anti-semitism and their attempts to present all opposition to the state of Israel as an expression of anti-Jewish prejudice have gone unchallenged.

Robert Goot [Photo: State Chambers ]

The Zionist leaders, however, no more represent all Jewish people than Hindu chauvinists represent all Indian-Australians, or Islamic fundamentalists all Muslims. Such depictions are always false, given that all communities of a religious or ethnic character are rent by class divisions. The Zionists, in fact, are representatives of a particularly virulent form of imperialist nationalism based on the interests of the Israeli ruling class and the major powers, especially the United States.

Their ethno-supremacist and racialist ideology is encountering increasing opposition, including from Jewish people who have been prominent in the protests opposing the annihilation of the Gazans.

A brief examination of some of the main Zionist organisations underscores their intensely political character, their commitment, above all else, to the Israeli state and the anti-democratic methods they are willing to employ in pursuit of their aims.

The Zionist Federation of Australia, the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council and the United Israel Appeal

These organisations are the most open in their complete identification with and promotion of the Israeli state, though their leaders are still frequently cited in the press as though they were politically-impartial representatives of all Jewish people.

The Zionist Federation defines its role as advocating for the State of Israel on behalf of the Jewish community in Australia and fostering a deep connection between Australia and Israel. The Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council states that among its aims is to highlight and counteract instances of anti-Israel bias and misinformation in the Australian media and wider public debate.

Both have issued a stream of coverage and statements presenting October 7 as an act of barbaric anti-semitic violence, unconnected to the 75-year oppression and occupation of the Palestinians, and aggressively promoting the Israeli war effort as an act of self-defence. Their commentary has sought to cast doubt on the massive civilian death toll in Gaza, has vociferously condemned descriptions of the mass murder as a genocide and has attacked international institutions for criticising Israel.

The Zionist Federation has published multiple statements denouncing teachers and other sections of workers for advocating for the Palestinians. This has included calls for disciplinary action against public sector staff for speaking out and participating in pro-Palestinian protests.

[Photo: Zionist Federation of Australia Facebook]

The United Israel Appeal is the Australian arm of a global non-government body. It is currently advertising campaign events entitled Rebuilding the Dream: Uniting Hearts - Rehabilitating Israel. The organisations ostensibly charitable works serve the Israeli state. This includes fundraising and facilitating a global program of Aliyah and absorption, the migration of Jewish people to Israel. Aliyah is key to maintaining Jewish majority status in Israel as part of its ethno-nationalist agenda, as well as to expanding and populating illegal settlements on Palestinian land.

The Zionist Federation is involved in similar programs and boasts that it has assisted over 10,000 Australians to emigrate to Israel.

Along with these programs, the Zionist Federation and the United Israel Appeal run various operations, particularly targeting young people, such as birthright tours, where Jewish teenagers and young adults are sent to Israel on expenses paid trips to indoctrinate them in Zionism.

In all three organisations, Mark Leibler, a taxation lawyer from Melbourne, features prominently. Leibler is the national chairman of AIJAC and Life Chairman of the United Israel Appeal. He was president of the Zionist Federation for more than a decade, a position now held by his son, Jeremy Leibler.

In November, Michael West Media published a speech Leibler had apparently prepared for a 2018 meeting of the Jewish Community Council of Western Australia. It is a remarkably candid account of pro-Israeli lobbying tactics.

Leibler recalled that in the 1980s, Labor Foreign Minister Bill Hayden was due to open an exhibition of Palestinian art. Leibler successfully lobbied for Hayden to back out, based on private conversations.

Leibler also stated that Having Hayden on-side was crucial to the success of lobbying efforts I led on behalf of the Zionist Federation to have Australia support the worldwide campaign to rescind UN Resolution 3379. That resolution had branded Zionism as a form of racism and racial discrimination. Leibler said that Haydens support was particularly important because he was a supposed left, whereas Labor Prime Minister Bob Hawke was openly associated with American imperialism and the Israeli state.

Leibler recounted a backroom campaign he led against the ABCs decision to post Sophie McNeil as a Middle Eastern correspondent. She should never have been given this posting by the ABC because she was ideologically attached to the Palestinian cause, Leibler stated. While McNeil was not terminated, [O]ur representations, both public and private, undoubtedly moderated her behaviour because she knew she was being watched.

In 2010, a controversy erupted when it was revealed that agents of Mossad, the Israeli spy agency, had used forged Australian passports while carrying out assassinations of Palestinian leaders in the Middle East. Then Labor Prime Minister Kevin Rudd responded by expelling the Mossad station chief from Australia in a bid to diffuse shock and anger over the news.

In a 2018 book, entitled The PM Years, Rudd claimed the expulsion had angered Leibler and other Zionist leaders. Rudd invited them to the Lodge, the prime ministers residence, for dinner. In an account disputed by Leibler, Rudd wrote:

I sat there politely as Mark Leibler berated me for having committed such a hostile act. I found this remarkable, as I had been a strong defender of the state of Israel from the earliest days of my diplomatic career and had always been a vigorous campaigner against all forms of anti- Semitism. And for Leibler to attack the democratically elected prime minister of his country as he sought to argue the interests of another country was beyond the pale.

According to Rudd, after further arguments, Leibler stated: Julia is looking very good in the public eye these days, Prime Minister. Shes performing very strongly. Shes a great friend of Israel. But you shouldnt be anxious about her, should you, Prime Minister? Several weeks later, Rudd was deposed in a Labor party-room coup and replaced by Julia Gillard.

The Labor and union apparatchiks who orchestrated Rudds removal were, above all, acting on anger from the US government that Rudds calls for American imperialism to reach a modus vivendi with China cut across their plans for a massive military build-up in preparation for war. The key architects of the coup were later exposed in diplomatic cables published by WikiLeaks as confidential sources of the US embassy.

There is no indication that the Mossad expulsion was a central factor, but the discussion, if it occurred, is nevertheless notable as indicating that Leibler is hooked into powerful networks.

In 2017, Leibler personally introduced Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when he addressed the Central Synagogue of Sydney. Leibler referred to the Israeli leader on first name terms and indicated that they had worked together extensively before.

Mark Leibler with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese celebrating 70th-year celebration of the Arnold Bloch Leibler law firm, August 2023 [Photo: X/Twitter@AlboMP]

In October, six former Australian prime ministers, including Rudd, issued an open letter defending Israel as it was already raining down bombs on Gaza and conflating opposition to the genocide with anti-semitism. The only living former prime minister not to have signed the letter, Paul Keating, stated that it had been written entirely by Leibler.

The influence that Leibler exercises seems extraordinary for a taxation lawyer, even one who is particularly adept at lobbying and well-connected. In the reception he receives from political leaders, and even prime ministers, there is a sense that he represents something more powerful than himself and the organisations he heads. It is the reception that might be accorded to a state dignitary.

A favourable profile by the Australian Financial Review in 2020 declared that Leiblers behind the scenes influence stretches right to the top of major Australian company boardrooms, through the Australian Tax Office (ATO), to the apex of this countrys and Israeli politics, including a close relationship with Israels powerful intelligence agency, Mossad.

Leibler is an honorary member of the Board of Governors and member of the Executive of the Jewish Agency for Israel. Formed in 1929 as an arm of the World Zionist Organization, it was directly involved in the establishment of the state of Israel, including through the formation of as many as 1,000 Israeli towns and villages, i.e., the ethnic cleansing of the Palestinians.

Wikipedia notes that David Ben-Gurion served as its chairman of the executive committee from 1935, and in this capacity on 14 May 1948, he proclaimed Israels independence. It is now, and has been for decades, a parastatal organisation of the Israeli government.

The Executive Council of Australian Jewry

Unlike the above organisations, the Executive Council of Australian Jewrys relationship to Israel and Zionism is slightly more masked, but only slightly. The ECAJ claims to and is recognised by a number of entities as being the peak representative of the Jewish community. In that capacity, it maintains a monitor of anti-semitic incidents and is involved in ensuring there is adequate security at synagogues and other Jewish institutions.

However appropriate these initiatives may be on their own, they are all compromised by the ECAJs Zionist politics. Its vice-president Robert Goot was not lobbying to have Lattouf sacked from the ABC to defend Jewish safety or to combat anti-semitism, but to advance the interests of the Israeli genocide through conspiratorial and anti-democratic methods.

Even those initiatives of ECAJ that appear to be worthy, such as the monitoring of anti-semitic incidents, are tainted by its blurring of the lines between opposition to the Israeli government and anti-Jewish racism. ECAJ, for instance, has denounced the Boycott, Sanctions and Divestment campaign, an explicitly anti-racist initiative, as anti-semitic.

The political character of ECAJ was underscored by an August 2023 statement it co-released with the Zionist Federation, condemning the Australian government for noting that East Jerusalem, Gaza and the West Bank were Occupied Palestinian Territories. The statement warned that Describing East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza as occupied Palestinian territories effectively denies any Jewish claim to the West Bank and Jerusalem. In this instance, the argument was not with the Labor government and its mealy-mouthed rhetoric, but with international law, which is crystal clear on the illegal character of the Israeli occupation.

Some of the personnel of ECAJ also have backgrounds suggesting extremely close ties to the Israeli state and its agencies.

The sole listed public engagement officer of the organisation, Ronit Gabriel, is an Israeli. An ECAJ biography states that Gabriel: served as a policy advisor at the Permanent Delegation of Israel to the OECD and as a defence cooperation coordinator at the Defence mission in Paris. These positions gave her valuable experience advancing Israels interests internationally. In 2019 Ronit moved to Australia to take the role of cultural and academic advisor at the Israeli Embassy in Canberra, an excellent opportunity to get to know the richness and diversity of Australian society and heritage. From there, she became an ECAJ representative in Canberra.

To describe Gabriel as an Israeli agent, or as someone who until very recently was an Israeli agent, is not even an accusation, but simply a statement of her publicly available biography.

Because of its status as a Jewish representative organisation, ECAJ is heavily subsidised by the government. In October, two months before Goot was involved in a campaign to sack a journalist for the sin of criticising Israel, the Labor administration announced a $26 million funding grant to ECAJ.

The Anti-Defamation Commission

Originally established by the B'nai B'rith Jewish cultural organisation, the Anti-Defamation Commission, like ECAJ, specialises in confusing the distinction between anti-semitism and anti-Zionism.

Anti-Defamation Commission director Dvir Abramovich [Photo: Dvir Abramovich Facebook]

This is not a new phenomenon. A 2012 opinion piece by Michael Brull, posted on the ABC website, noted the ADCs aggressive advocacy of targeted surveillance of the Muslim community. The article recounted instances in which the ADC had written to news outlets condemning critical coverage of Israel as a supposed expression of veiled racism.

Brull bluntly wrote: The ADC is not an anti-racist group. It is a group that aims to peddle Israeli propaganda.

What was true in 2012 is even truer today. Current ADC director Dvir Abramovich is perhaps the most bellicose and aggressive of the Zionist leaders. In his public commentary, he frequently employs military analogies to describe pro-Palestinian protests, organising and the exercise of other basic civil liberties.

When school students held small strikes against the genocide in November, Abramovich declared: Free Palestine, the group that is organising this hate-fest and recruitment drive has taken a leaf out of the Hamas playbook in using kids as human shields and sacrificing them in their war in propaganda and disinformation. The activists had torn up the rulebook and crossed every red line, meaning that all bets are off.

In a Sydney Morning Herald article this week about a Zionist campaign victimising doctors who speak up against the mass slaughter in Gaza, Abramovich said: Clinics should not be turned into battlefields and hotbeds of anti-Israel propaganda and incitement.

Abramovichs ravings would not be tolerated for a minute were he an Islamist rather than a Zionist. Any objective observer would have to conclude that the ADC chair is not combatting hate speech and incitement, but is veering towards the precise opposite.

The Australian Jewish Association

The AJA, while sharing the Zionist politics of the organisations above, has frequently come into conflict with them because of its particularly crude and right-wing activities.

That included AJA President David Adler extending a public invitation to take Lauren Southern on a tour of areas of Sydney and Melbourne with large Jewish populations. Southern is a Canadian fascist who has peddled the anti-semitic great replacement theory, which posits a Jewish conspiracy to flood European populations with immigrants. The AJA was attracted to Southern over a shared Islamophobia.

AJA representatives have posed with and congratulated Senator Pauline Hanson, leader of the xenophobic One Nation Party. In 2018, then-extreme right-wing Senator Fraser Anning called for a final solution to the immigration problem, clearly channelling Adolf Hitler. The AJA rushed to defend him and claim that his comments had been taken out of context.

According to its opponents, the AJA has a handful of members. A fringe organisation, it is noteworthy only because for a group that has advanced such questionable positions, it continues to be cited uncritically in the press.

***

The influence of the various Zionist organisations is not the result of their brilliant politicking and lobbying. In the case of the campaign against Lattouf, what was striking is how crude and transparently political it was. The significant thing was not the campaign per se, but the response of ABC management to it.

The Zionist leaders are prominent, and accorded graces to the extent that Israel is a critical outpost of American imperialism, the Australian ruling elites closest ally. The Labor government, together with the entire political establishment, supports the genocide in Gaza, as it supports the US-NATO proxy war against Russia in Ukraine and the preparations for a catastrophic conflict against China in this region.

At the same time, the Zionist groups function as useful attack dogs of a broader campaign to suppress opposition, especially to war, among ordinary people.

The unmasking of their dirty tricks operations and ties to the criminal Israeli state is a component of the fight to defend democratic rights and to build the socialist and internationalist movement of the working class required to end the genocide and the threat of world war.
UAW members in Michigan and Ohio have denounced the decision by the union apparatus to endorse the reelection of President Joe Biden. Workers who spoke with the World Socialist Web Site were particularly angered over Bidens support for the Israel genocide in Gaza and his promotion of the UAW-Big Three labor agreements, which have paved the way for sweeping job cuts in the auto industry.

Warren Truck workers taking WSWS statement, "The UAW apparatus backed the war criminal in the White House."

Fain appeared on the CBS Face the Nation program Sunday morning, falsely claiming that Bidenwho had helped impose massive concessions on autoworkers in 2009speaks for the working class. As for the administrations arming and coordinating of the mass murder in Gaza, along with the US expansion of military operations throughout the Middle East, Fain claimed that Biden could be pressured to do the right thing.

Tony, a UAW member and worker at a GE aviation plant in Ohio, told the WSWS, Biden keeps pushing the war in Gaza and trying to fund the war in Ukraine, and Im unhappy that the UAW would endorse him even though he continues to propagate the war. I know from work, some of the guys are just generally not happy because theyre conservative and theyre not happy that the UAW is backing the Democratic Party. But I understand that the Democrats agenda is not labors agenda, despite what Shawn Fain said.

Biden says hes the most pro-union president in history, and thats not true. Everybodys aware that Biden and Congress shut down the potential strike on the railroads. The president initially came out against the UAW strikes, but then I guess they got on board, especially when it turned out not to be a real strike.

Its a war against the working class in other countries and here. What is happening in Gaza is a genocide, basically; its an ethnic cleansing. Its what the Israeli regime always wanted. Its one of those things where youre sitting back watching this horror going on, and you feel nothing can be done because the government is backing it. I dont think Ive ever seen in my lifetime so many demonstrating against Israel and the United States, en masse, and thats helpful.

Zionism and the Evangelicals are theologically the same thing. The Religious Right holds that the Jews are the chosen people too, but they need to go back to the Biblical lands before being eradicated.

There has to be another way to go. Workers are consciously aware that the choices before them have not worked. But there is no option, no third button to press, so they have to go back to the same blue or red button, which keeps turning the same wheel of immiseration. Ive been talking to guys, and they feel they dont have any choice with Biden and Trump.

Mary, a Stellantis worker and member of the Warren Truck Rank-and-File Committee, said, It is straight up BS the UAW is supporting somebody who is pushing for war real, real hard. How is the UAW going to support Biden and claim they are supporting us as the working class? You cant do both. Im totally against the war in Gaza and other wars.

Biden would rather support the war for corporate greed and send the American people over there to fight these wars and lose thousands of people who come back in body bags. They are so quick to send the working class to fight a war that we have no business being there and destroy peoples familieswhile the wealthy are living comfortably. Workers dont have any interest in killing each other, and we have to figure out a want to stop this.

Biden is a straight up liar, and so is Fain. He is presenting Biden like some kind of savior of the autoworkers. But it was a dirty tactic of Fain and Biden working together to get us a contract that is cutting our jobs. Theyre firing the SEs [supplemental employees, or temporary workers] they said they were going to roll over to full time. They cancelled second shift production at Warren Truck for the whole week, saying something about supply issues with the Rams. We are also hearing threats they could be getting rid of the second shift and laying off thousands of more workers company wide.

Hannah, a recently fired SE and member of the rank-and-file committee at Warren Truck, said, For the UAW to come out and endorse Biden is more proof that Fain and Biden were having a different discussion than they were telling us during the negotiations for our supposedly historic contracts. They were conspiring against us.

I dont believe that Biden puts us first. Its not a matter of Democrats or Republicans, neither one of them speak for the workers. They are for the rich. But they do things a little differently. Biden is like the UAW officials who say were for the people and then works against us.

Both Trump and Biden try to cause divisions, turning us against immigrants or using race, so they can keep the poor separated and fighting the wrong war.

Biden is using workers for wars we dont want and which are intended for corporate greed. And its at our expense. We dont have problems with workers anywhere in the world, but they want to take from the working class for war. Were supposed to be a democracy, but we have no say-so on war, no voice in their plans. They say there is no money for us but they always have money for wars.

Now, Fain is hypocritically saying hes fighting to get the jobs of the supplementary workers back. Weve heard from International UAW reps that there is nothing they can and will do. Now after abusing and using the SEs, they are having problems running the plant without us.

We want to fight so we can have a better life, make enough, and have job security so we can raise our kids and put them in school. During the stand up strike, Fain kept us at work, stockpiling the vehicles and making profits for the companies. Now after working our butts off just to get $21 an hour, they are throwing us on the unemployment line and initiating a war.

Supporters of the Autoworkers Newsletter also distributed the WSWS statement, The UAW apparatus backs the war criminal in the White House, at the Warren Truck factory last Friday.

Robert, a contract worker, said, Money controls the world. Personally, nothing is going to change unless everybody in the world that doesnt make money just stops, stays at home and says, No, we are not working anymore until things change. People dont understand how much power they have if we did it together. The union is not as strong as it used to be because everybody has been bought off.
In a statement issued from the White House Friday night, President Joe Biden pledged to his Republican colleagues that he would shut down the US-Mexico border if Republicans helped pass a $110 billion supplemental funding package. Bidens statement was released two days after Texas Governor Greg Abbott declared that migrants seeking asylum constituted an invasion of his state and justified his usurpation of federal authority over the border.

President Joe Biden speaks to the media before boarding Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House, Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024. [AP Photo/Yuri Gripas]

The supplemental war package has been languishing since October due to Republican objections that the bill, which includes over $61 billion in funding for the proxy war against Russia in Ukraine, does not include sufficiently brutal attacks on immigrants, including reinstitution of Trumps Remain in Mexico policy and virtual elimination of the right to asylum.

The supplemental funding bill also provides $14.5 billion for Israel, $14 billion for border security and billions more for military aid to Taiwan and other South Asian regimes aligned with the US against China.

In a bid for Republican support for the war package, Biden has already carried out more deportations in the last year than Trump did in 2019, and he has resumed building portions of Trumps border wall.



In response to Trumps opposition to any border deal with Biden and the Democrats, seconded by Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, Biden has now adopted the language of the fascist ex-president and declared that he will shut down the border the day his supplemental war funding bill is passed and signed into law.

The White House statement repeated the Republican mantra that the border is broken. It noted that the supplemental funding bill would grant Biden a new emergency authority to shut down the border when it becomes overwhelmed. It added that the new policies requested by Biden would represent the toughest and fairest set of reforms to secure the border weve ever had in our country.



News outlets are reporting that policy changes in the bill include detention of all single adults and mandatory closure of the US-Mexico border if migrant encounters reach an average of 5,000 per day. More than that number have been reported virtually every day for the last several months.



The 5,000 encounter limit includes 1,400 legal applications through the Customs and Border Protection application known as CBP One. This means that only 3,600 immigrants per day would have the opportunity to apply for asylum.

Federal officers in San Diego remove handcuffs from men before releasing them through a gate in a border wall to Tijuana, Mexico, Wednesday, March 15, 2023. [AP Photo/Gregory Bull]

Once the threshold is hit, the new law would allow the president to impose a shutdown, requiring Border Patrol agents to immediately expel, without processing, any and all immigrants crossing the border. During the shutdown, no immigrants who crossed would be able to file for asylum under Title 8.



The shutdown could only be lifted once daily encounters averaged less than 3,750 a day over a two-week span, something that has not happened in months. Furthermore, any migrant who attempted to cross the border twice during a shutdown would be banned from entering the US for one year.

Campaigning against Trump in 2020, Biden promised to institute more humane immigration polices. With his statement Friday, he and the Democratic Party are openly adopting the fascistic anti-immigrant policy of Trump and the Republicans.

The White House statement noted that the bill included funding for the border requested by Biden himself in October, providing for an additional 1,300 Border Patrol agents, 375 immigration judges, 1,600 asylum officers, and over 100 cutting-edge inspection machines

Senator James Lankford, one of the lead negotiators for the Republicans on the supplemental package, touted the draconian changes on border policy in the proposed bipartisan Senate bill. He told Fox News Sunday:



The bill focuses on getting us to zero illegal crossings a day. Theres no amnesty. It increases the number of Border Patrol agents, increases asylum officers. It increases detention beds so we can quickly detain and then deport individuals.

Lankford added that the bill provides additional deportation flights out and changes our asylum process so that people get a fast asylum screening at a higher standard and then get returned back their home country.



More that 48 hours after Biden acceded to Republican demands that will put millions of immigrants, including over 2.5 million dreamers (undocumented immigrants who arrived in the US as minors), at risk of deportation, leading members of the Democratic Socialists of America have remained silent.



New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who denounced socialist and left-wing critics of her support for Bidens immigration policies as privileged in 2021, has yet to post a tweet on either of her X/Twitter social media accounts or make a post on Instagram opposing the measure. Appearing on NBCs Meet the Press program Sunday, she was not asked about Bidens pledge to shut down the border and did not raise the issue herself.

Three other current DSA members of the HouseCori Bush (Missouri), Greg Casar (Texas) and Rashida Tlaib (Michigan)likewise have yet to issue any statement denouncing Biden for throwing immigrants under the bus in order to secure funding for war in Ukraine and genocide in Gaza.



Their silence is not an oversight. The Democrats, including the fake socialists and self-declared progressives, will collaborate with the Republicans in enacting their fascistic domestic agenda in exchange for securing funding for the war in Ukraine and the widening war in the Middle East. No attacks on democratic rights are beyond the pale.



This was underscored by former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Sunday on CNNs State of the Union program. Pelosi called for the FBI to investigate anti-genocide protesters, some of whom, she claimed, without offering a shred of evidence, were Russian plants.



She said: For them to call for a cease-fire is Mr. Putins message. Make no mistake, this is directly connected to what he would like to see. Same thing with Ukraine. Its about Putins message.



These developments demonstrate that a vote for Genocide Joe and the Democrats in November is not a means of fighting against Trumps authoritarianism, but a guarantee that the attacks on the democratic rights and social conditions of the working class will be intensified.



The working class cannot defend its democratic rights, in America or anywhere else, by supporting any of the capitalist parties. The choice between Trump and Biden is no choice at all. There is no lesser evil. There are two parties representing rival reactionary factions of a crisis-ridden capitalist ruling class that is committed to world war, dictatorship and the impoverishment of the working class.

The war against immigrantsbeing waged by the ruling class in every countryis the spearhead of the assault on the democratic rights of the entire working class. It must be opposed by workers of all countries as part of the fight against the descent of capitalism into barbarism, through the revolutionary struggle for socialism.
Schools in the UK are not fit for purpose, and many pose a critical risk to life. Some have leaking roofs or lack heating and hot water. Others are riddled with asbestos or contain life expired concrete known as RAAC (reinforced aerated concrete), liable to collapse at any time.

Such is the state of the school estate in the UK after decades of funding cuts by governments of all political stripes.

Building work underway at one of the affected schools, Abbey Lane Primary in Sheffield, England, September 1, 2023

Last summer the public spending watchdog, the National Audit Office (NAO), declared 700,000 pupils are learning in unsafe schools. At the same time, building companies responsible for maintaining schools or building new ones have fleeced the taxpayer to the tune of billions, given contracts under the Public Finance Initiative (PFI).

The BBCs Panorama documentary Britains crumbling schools, televised last week, visited schools around the country, revealing shocking conditions under which teachers are expected to teach and children to learn. Yet the same teachers are bullied and vilified by government inspectorate Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education, Childrens Services and Skills). Head teacher Ruth Perry was driven to take her own life in January this year while awaiting publication of an inspection at her school, Caversham Primary.

Assistant head, Jordan Philliskirk, showed Panorama around Scalby Secondary School in Scarborough, one of about 276 schools in the UK found to have RAAC in its structures. Used widely in many public buildings from the 1950s to 1980s as a lightweight and cheap form of concrete, RAAC has a life expectancy of 30 years, after which time it is liable to collapse without warning.

Two thirds of Scalby Schools buildings have been condemned as dangerous because of RAAC. Estimated costs to transport children to a temporary site while the school undergoes remedial work, as well as building costs, come to 1 million. The government will underwrite only some of the cost of the work, leaving the school having to find a staggering 300,000 out of its own budget.

Remedial work on four out of five RAAC schools risks disturbing asbestos. A Sunday Times investigation revealed the use of asbestos has caused 100,000 deaths from cancer the past 40 years. A video diary from a school in Essex described the problem of RAAC combined with asbestos like a post-apocalyptic world.

St Peters Primary School in Devon is plagued by roof leaks and heating problems. Temporary classrooms from the 1960s have not been replaced. Head teacher, Steve Hitchcock, said the shedsamong 10,000 temporary classrooms across the UKare impossible to heat, and in continual need of maintenance encroaching the school budget.

The temperature can drop to 7 Celsius even with heaters onhealth and safety regulations stipulate minimum temperature in classrooms of 16 Celsius. Pupil Sebastian says, Its really hard to use a pen or pencil when youve got your gloves on.

Another pupil: Its so cold you start shivering; your writing goes really wobbly because our hands are shaking so much.

Hitchcock explained that four years ago the government surveyed all schools in England and graded them according to their condition. His school was graded A and does not qualify for refurbishment!

The cost for the remedial work to bring schools up to standard has almost doubled from 6 billion to 11 billion, equivalent to the money sent by the UK to pursue war against Russia in Ukraine. The government admits that on average 300,000 is needed for each primary school and 1.5 million for each secondary school in England.

Professor of construction engineering at Loughborough University, Chris Goodier explained to Panorama that because of successive government cuts the more you fall behind the more you need to catch up. However, The big worry is these buildings have children in them, and the more poor these buildings become, you are increasing the risk of a collapse, a fatality, or someone getting hurt.

In 2015, Russell Scott Primary School in Greater Manchester underwent a 3 million rebuild by British-based multinational construction giant Carillion. It has since suffered faulty heating, ill-fitting windows, and fire doors which are not regulation fire doors.

The school is in a constant battle with the elementssandbags are a common sight to prevent flooding entering the premises from the playground during heavy rainfall. Head Teacher Steve Marsland explained they even have sewage seeping through floors. He uses a monitor to check for dangerous levels of explosive gas.

Now 65 years of age, Marsland feels he cannot retire until the school is rebuilt. This will cost 10 million and was promised two years ago. Our staff feel gutted, he said emotionally.

Panorama cited local Labour Party MP Andrew Gwynne who said that Russell Scott could swallow up all of that money earmarked by the government for school repairs and still need more.

In 2018, Carillion went into liquidation, leaving the taxpayer to pick up the devastation left in its wake.

PFI contracts were introduced under the John Major-led Conservatives (1990-97) and expanded by Labour under Tony Blair (1997-2007). Private companies built schools, hospitals and roads and were repaid over up to 30 years, robbing the taxpayer. Companies and the banks made huge profits.

According to an NAO report, schools cost 40 percent and a hospital 70 percent more than had they been built by a public body. PFI projects will cost the taxpayer approximately 199 billion by 2040.

Balfour Beatty built the Oldham school and sold it on to the Amber Infrastructure group. Maintenance work was subtracted to Equans by site owner Oldham BSF Limited, whose majority shareholder is Amber. So convoluted is the PFI contract that it is nigh impossible for Oldham Council, responsible for providing education locally, to arrange repairs.

Sam Freedman, a former policy advisor to the Department for Education (2010-13) admitted to Panorama the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition made a big errorscrapping the Labour governments Building Schools for the Future programme. The Tories and Liberals were continuing austerity cuts begun by Labour after the 2008/9 global financial collapse, including Labours sanctioning of the trillion pound bailout of the UKs failed banks. Freedman said, issues like RAAC would have been picked up earlier and schools would not be in such a parlous state.

They [the government]  are choosing to prioritise other things. The other things are a pledge to increase military spending to 3 percent of GDP and huge tax cuts for the rich.

In 2021, the government began a School Rebuilding Programme, declaring it would rebuild 500 schools over the next 10 years. Two years on just four schools have been rebuilt.

According to senior research economist at the Institute of Fiscal Studies Ben Zaranko, Weak growth and a very high level of spending on debt interest means that reducing debt in the next parliament will be more difficult than in any period since the 1950s. UK national debt in relation to gross domestic product rose to 104.14 percent in 2023.

Zaranko suggests difficult decisions must be made, meaning more cuts in social expenditure. Many local councils, which administer the education budget, are facing bankruptcy.

In a January 25 press release, the National Education Union (NEU) wrote, The Governments latest data on school funding shows that 1 in 8 schools were in deficit at the end of the financial year 2022-23 the highest proportion of schools in deficit since at least 2010.

It proposed no action. The education unions have overseen these catastrophic cuts to education, including selling out teachers pay and conditions in the recent national strike. All they offer are futile appeals to the government to change course and the hope that the forthcoming general election will produce a Sir Keir Starmer-led Labour government. This is even as Starmer has gone to pains to pledge that a government he leads will continue the pro-war, pro-business, pro-austerity agenda pursued by Sunak et al.

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The news spread like wildfire. One of the original Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) gangsters  Elmer Canales Rivera (alias Crook or Hollywood Crook)  had been secretly arrested in Mexico. Not much was known about how this career criminal with ties to Mexican cartels had been captured. Crook played a key role in negotiations between gangs and representatives of Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, and the United States had him on its most wanted terrorist list. The arrest took place on November 8, 2023, in Chiapas (southern Mexico). A week later, the U.S. Department of Justice released a statement confirming that Crook, the founder of MS-13s Twelve Apostles of the Devil leadership board, was in U.S. custody after being handed over by Mexican agents at Houstons international airport.

Crooks arrest caused an uproar because it was believed that the Bukele administration had arrested and imprisoned him in El Salvador in June 2021. Before his arrest in Mexico, U.S. authorities werent sure where he was and believed that he had been released from a Salvadoran prison under suspicious circumstances in November 2021. Reports leaked that Crook was released during secret negotiations between the gangs and high-ranking Bukele officials.

U.S. court documents related to Crooks case reveal that gang members had total impunity, living luxuriously in El Salvadors capital city despite extradition requests and an active Interpol red card. Yet something drove Crook to flee to neighboring Guatemala and then to Mexico. The White House confirmed that an agreement between the Salvadoran government and the gangs enabled Crook to evade U.S. law enforcement for several years.

Salvadoran authorities initiated their own search for Crook upon learning that the United States was hot on his trail. This move aimed to restore credibility with Washington and refute any negotiations or agreements with the criminals. An investigation by Central American news outlet El Faro published on January 26 reveals how the Salvadoran government conspired with a gang leader named Rafael Eduardo J (alias Rafa or El Chafa) in a desperate bid to recapture Crook before the countrys elections in February 2024.

According to El Faros investigation, Rafa had been in contact for months with Chief Inspector Raul Eduardo Reyes Escuintla, head of El Salvadors Elite Division against Organized Crime (DECO). Rafa convinced Reyes that abducting Crook in Mexico was feasible with the help of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). In return, Rafa, a fugitive who was hiding in another Central American country, received money for his efforts and secured the release of his sister. She had been jailed in one of Bukeles mass gang roundups in early 2022.

Rafael is no ordinary gangster. He is a seasoned veteran who rose to the highest ranks of MS-13s rivals, the Barrio 18 gang. He had a seat at the table when previous Salvadoran governments negotiated truces with the gangs, and engaged with all sides of the political spectrum. With the shrewdness of a skilled entrepreneur, Rafael set the price for Crooks capture: One million dollars for CJNG, $250,000 for the Barrio 18 Surenos, and $50,000 for himself, reported El Faro.

But it was all a scam. [Rafael] never involved his gang, the new clique in Mexico never existed, he never contacted the CJNG, he did not go to Mexico, and there were no drug traffickers haggling over the price of Crooks kidnapping. What he did do, in August 2023, was contact El Faro and U.S. authorities, reported El Faro, who obtained audio recordings of conversations between Rafael and Chief Inspector Reyes. Crooks confession and U.S. court documents confirm this account.

The Salvadoran government paid Rafael thousands of dollars and shared classified information with him in its attempt to capture Crook, reported El Faro. On October 1, 2023, Reyes sent Rafas sister messages with intelligence gleaned from other sources. My uncle [code for Crook] was in Miraflores, Chiapas. But he got restless and went to Guadalajara. Hes there now. Tell the muchacho [code for Rafael] that. Rafas sister replied, Ill send it to him now.

Rafa gave El Faro a detailed account of how he duped Reyes and told him what he wanted to hear. One recording he gave to El Faro says, Apart from the J [code for CJNG] I was talking with our own people [the Barrio 18 Surenos gang] from where I am, and where he [Crook] is known to be.

Rafa dragged his feet when pressed for specifics about Crooks whereabouts and often delayed giving the Salvadoran police progress updates. His lies were credible because the links between El Salvadors gangs and Mexican cartels  CJNG, the Sinaloa Cartel and Los Zetas  have been well documented by Central American law enforcement. The U.S. case files against Crook and other MS-13 members also present evidence of these connections.

To locate Crook, Reyes and his DECO team had been extending feelers to the human traffickers who control the migrant routes in Central America. Most were reluctant to cooperate, but a coyote, as these migrant traffickers are called, was the one who ultimately connected Reyes with Rafa. The fear they have is that Crook is going to tell the United States everything and take this entire government down, said Kevin Genoves, a human trafficker and childhood friend of Rafaels who was also recruited by the government in its hunt for Crook. In November 2023, Genoves posted a video on Facebook about the failed mission to find Crook, and complained that Salvadoran authorities were after him again. A month later, Salvadoran police arrested Genoves. El Faro was unable to locate him after that.

The Reyes-Rafael deal blew up when the local and international news media reported Crooks arrest in Mexico. On November 8, Rafaels sister fled El Salvador to avoid retaliation. El Faro reports that Rafael and his sister were placed in the U.S. federal witness protection program that same month.

El Salvador will hold elections on February 4 and Nayib Bukele is the runaway favorite. The president is set to win a second consecutive term after the countrys Supreme Court overturned a law banning consecutive terms that also required a 10-year waiting period before a president can run for office again. Despite scandals, corruption allegations, repression, controversial deals with gangs, and the suppression of an independent press, the presidents approval rating still stands at around 90%.

When news broke about Crooks arrest in Mexico, the normally prolific Bukele limited himself to posting a winking emoji on social media. Three weeks later, he took a leave of absence to campaign, leaving his personal secretary in charge. If he gets over 50% of the vote, no second round will be needed, and hell be El Salvadors president until 2029.

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So far this month, the US Department of Education (DOE) has announced the opening of 18 Title VI Shared Ancestry investigations into prominent universities and school systems. The investigations have been launched over accusations that the schools have failed to properly handle antisemitic and Islamophobic incidents and/or discrimination allegations under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits recipients of federal funds from discriminating on the basis of race, color, religion or national origin.

In fact, the investigations are overwhelmingly directed against student and faculty protests against the US/Israel genocide in Gaza, with the aim of intimidating and suppressing this opposition and shutting down free speech on the campuses. The pretext is the lie that defense of the Palestinians and opposition to the fascistic regime in Israel equal antisemitism.



Over 100 Title VI inquiries have been announced by the Biden administration since the outbreak of the war in Gaza last October. Overwhelmingly, institutions under investigation have been sites of anti-genocide and pro-Palestinian protests, or have active chapters of Students for Justice in Palestine and Jewish Voice for Peace.

President Joe Biden is greeted by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after arriving at Ben Gurion International Airport, Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023, in Tel Aviv. [AP Photo/Evan Vucci]

University administrators and school boards have come under pressure from both of the major political parties and Zionist billionaires to limit expressions of opposition to the genocide in Gaza.

Among the institutions facing an inquiry are Temple University, Muhlenberg College, Ohio State University, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, and the Oakland (California) Unified School District. On January 22 and 23, the DOE announced that Arizona State, Northwestern, Ann Arbor Public Schools, Yale and Abraham Lincoln University (Los Angeles) were also under investigation.

Several of the complaints taken up by the DOE were filed by far-right political organizations such as the Defense of Freedom Institute for Policy Studies and the website Campus Reform.

The Defense of Freedom Institute for Policy Studies (DFI) is a nonprofit founded by two former DOE officials under the Trump administration, Robert Eitel and Jim Blew. Eitel and Blew both worked under former Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos.



The DFI is one of 18 organizations that appealed to the DOE in a December 7, 2023 letter to cut funding to schools they accused of engaging in and promoting antisemitic or anti-American viewpoints.

DonorsTrust, an organization that takes money from the elite and distributes it to groups that are dedicated to the ideals of limited government, personal responsibility and free enterprise, wrote in an October 12 press release that the pro-Israel Defense of Freedom Institute was an approved DonorsTrust grantee.



Campus Reform was founded by long-time political operative Morton Blackwell in 2009 to publish hit pieces against left-wing students and faculty. The news organization solicits articles from right-wing college students that are then aggregated on media sites to stoke anger and resentment towards college elites, i.e., left-wing students and professors.

Blackwell began his political career in the 1960s working for Republican Senator Barry Goldwater. For his entire adult life, Blackwell has been a major figure in conservative circles and in the Republican Party. In 1981-1984, Blackwell was a special assistant to President Ronald Reagan. Since 1988, he has been a member of the Central Committee of the Virginia Republican Party. He has also served as executive director of the Council for National Policy (CNP).

The CNP is a secretive and highly influential right-wing political organization that serves as a nexus for business moguls, Republican politicians and fascistic media figures. CNP operatives, including Virginia Ginni Thomas, wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, galvanized Republican lawmakers following Trumps 2020 election defeat behind the right-wing legal theory that state legislatures, not voters, have the constitutional right to choose the president.

Virginia "Ginni" Thomas, wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, arrives to watch Amy Coney Barrett take the Constitutional Oath on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Monday, October 26, 2020. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

The Title VI complaint against Temple University cites a protest at the campus in October at which participants shouted intifada revolution and From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free. It also references an incident in which a Jewish business owner and booster of the Israel Defense Forces was allegedly harassed by anti-genocide student protesters.

Campus Reform editor-in-chief and adjunct assistant professor at the University of Kentucky, Zachary Marschall, author of the complaint against Temple, wrote that numerous Jewish students across this country [are] too afraid to speak up. Im choosing to speak up for them because the University takes no action to protect them. Temple News, the universitys student paper, reported that Marschall has submitted 20 other Title VI complaints against higher education institutions.

In the last week, Campus Reform has gleefully reported that investigations were opened at Northwestern University, Arizona State and Yale following complaints from Marschall and DFI.

The opening of investigations over false claims of antisemitism represents a coordinated effort between the Democratic Party and the far-right to silence opposition to the genocide in Gaza and proscribe left-wing students and viewpoints on campuses.

Bidens alliance with the far-right against students is the domestic component of his war policy in Ukraine and his support for the fascistic Netanyahu government in Israel. It explodes his claim that he is basing his re-election campaign on the defense of democracy against the fascist Trump.

Columbia University students rally against the genocide in Gaza, Friday January 19, 2024.

The spreading witch-hunt against students underscores that the only way to oppose the danger of dictatorship is mobilize the working class in the US and internationally against war and its root cause, capitalism. That requires a break with both political parties of American imperialism.

The International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) has called for a political general strike to halt the production and shipment of weapons used by the Israeli government. We encourage students and faculty interested in stopping the genocide and defending democratic rights to contact the World Socialist Web Site.
The following is a statement of the GM Flint Rank-and-File Committee. To contact the committee and get involved, email: gm.flint.rfc@gmail.com or fill out the form at the end of this statement.

The speedup was the biggest issue, recalled Genora Johnson, a socialist and Trotskyist, and a leader of the 1936-37 Flint sit-down strike, together with her husband Kermit. Conditions were terrible inside the plants, which were notorious for their speedup systems. They had men with stopwatches timing the workers to see if they could squeeze one or two more operations in. The men just couldnt take it. They would come home at night. They couldnt hold their forks in their swollen fingers. They would just lie down on the floor.

Eighty-seven years since the sit-down strike, the UAW bureaucracy is promoting a speedup competition between the shifts at GM Flint Assembly as friendly competition. Eric Welter, UAW Local 598 plant chairman, proudly joined with GM Plant Executive Director Chad Pung to launch the campaign, called Drive for HD (Heavy Duty) Dominance.

UAW-GM "Shift Production Competition" at Flint Assembly [Photo: UAW-GM]

The aim is for each of our three shifts to produce 380 Silverado heavy duty trucks, for a total of 1,140 trucks per day. The shift that wins will be rewarded with a pizza lunch and a few extra minutes added to our totally inadequate 30-minute lunch break. This is disgusting and degrading! To say that the sit-downers would be rolling over in their graves is an understatement.

GM just announced it made $10 billion in profits last year and is handing top executives and shareholders record stock buybacks and dividend increases. Now the UAW bureaucracy is helping the company whip more production and profits out of us with this speed up scheme. There is growing anger throughout the plant over this. We found that the word for this is called whipsawing, which the seniority workers are familiar with from decades of pitting one plant against another and American workers against our brothers and sisters in other countries. Whoever accepts the worst conditions and the lowest wages and benefits will keep their jobs. It was a race to the bottom which destroyed hundreds of thousands of jobs.

One worker commented on Facebook, warning coworkers of the possibility of an even greater increase in productivity. He explained:

With the last line speed increase we actually went to 57 jobs per hour. The line speed at the end of final line is 62.5 seconds per job, which would be 422 jobs per shift if the line only stopped at breaks. If you look at the bingo board at the start of the shift, you will see the goal is 387, but the actual jobs possible is 422

Prior to the official announcement of the competition (which was never widely circulated) that began January 18 and will end March 18, workers were questioning the noticeable increase in the line speed. By January 16, several workers raised concerns about the increased line speeds and were told by Welter, There is no line speed increasethat is our daily build. I didnt think it was all that dramatic, they have tried dumb sh**t like this several times over my career. I didnt see it as something to fight (emphasis added), the build can be made or it cant. I dont think a free meal is the difference maker.

In other words, the highly paid union officials, who do not work on the line, will sign off on whatever maximum speed they and the company can force on us. There will be no end to the constant demands for more productivity.

We are already having difficulty keeping up with the line. Speedup will also greatly increase the likelihood of injuries and even workplace fatalities. We are paying for our own measly pay raise by producing more vehicles and risking more damage to our bodies. We could be working ourselves out of a job.

If the UAW backs such competition between workers, where will it end? Why not bring back the piecework system, where workers are paid according to output?

All of these schemes are designed to divide workers. Commenting on a group bonus system used in the auto plants more than a 100 years ago, one historian wrote that it made the men take over the foremans call to hurry up, exerting pressure on the slower men to keep up so as not to lessen the groups wages. ... There were instances of workers fighting outside the plant, faster workers beating up slower ones to persuade them to work faster and keep pay rates high.

The speedup is part of the overall cost-cutting by the automakers and is a further exposure of the pro-company character of the supposed historic contracts signed by UAW President Shawn Fain and the UAW bureaucracy. Fain pushed through the contract with the promise that temps would be rolled over to full-time and COLA would be fully restored. He dropped the original wage demand from a 46 percent increase to 25 percent. He lied about everything.

At Stellantis, thousands of Supplemental Employees (temps) are being fired, with the complicity of the UAW. In addition, 1,500 Ford Rouge workers are being laid off.

At the nearby GM Orion Assembly plant, 945 workers began an indefinite layoff in January, which may last 18-24 months. Seniority workers will be transferred to the GM complex in Flint, which will likely force out temps and lower seniority workers.

Clearly, the UAW bureaucracys collaboration with the Big Three and the Biden White House has produced contracts that will facilitate a jobs massacre. Tens, if not hundreds of thousands of jobs will be eliminated as the automakers shift production to electric vehicles, which is estimated to require 40 percent less labor in the US and globally.

Whatever Fains promises about a fair, more transparent UAW and his rhetoric about opposing the company unionism of his predecessors, his administration has taken collaboration with the auto bosses and the government to an even higher level. The integration of the union apparatus into the structure of management as well as the government is very far advanced.

The term for this is corporatism. It is the subordination of the independent interests of rank-and-file workers to the profits and the war drive of the corporations and the government. The union bureaucracys role is to police us on behalf of the company.

Fain was brought into the UAW presidency to provide a facelift to the thoroughly discredited and corrupt UAW apparatus. Using militant and left sounding words, provided by his speechwriters from the Democratic Socialists of America and Bernie Sanders campaigns, he launched his phony stand up strike, which kept us and the majority of UAW members in the plants producing profits.

This had all been worked out with the Biden administration, which sees the expansion of EV production as critical to the American ruling class economic and military confrontation with China. In exchange for the UAW bureaucracy selling out the workers, Biden pressed GM and the other automakers to let the UAW collect dues from the workers in the EV battery plants, who will be starting out at the sub-par wage of $20 an hour.

On January 25, Fain and the UAW executive board endorsed warmonger Joe Biden for president. But Biden is no less a tool of the corporations and enemy of the working class than Donald Trump. We must link together the fight against job cuts and exploitation with the fight against war and the endless demands for sacrifice to pay for it.

We urge workers to join and expand the GM Flint Rank-and-File Committee as part of the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC). We must defend our interests against the UAW apparatus, the auto companies and both the Democrats and Republicans.

Stop the whipsawing and competition between workers!

Rank-and-file control over line speed and safety!

Call a mass membership meeting to oppose the speedup and layoffs.

Reduce the length of the workday and increase pay to account for the fewer hours needed to produce EVs and to make up for decades of stagnant wages.

Unite across borders to fight the global jobs massacre.

Place the auto industry under social ownership and democratic workers control!

To contact the committee and get involved, email: gm.flint.rfc@gmail.com or fill out the form at the end.
Work at USPS? We want to hear from you: Fill out the form at the end to tell us about your working conditions.

A USPS worker leaves his truck after parking in the Canal Street station loading bay in New York City. [AP Photo/ John Minchillo]

The National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) union and US Postal Service signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) last December, behind closed doors, to extend an intrusive surveillance program targeting city carriers past its initial two-year provisional period. The Technology Integrated Alternate Route Evaluation and Adjustment Process (TIAREAP) was first imposed on city letter carriers in 2022; the program was extended under a Memorandum of Understanding even while 275,000 NALC members have worked under an expired contract for the last eight months.

TIAREAP is a digital surveillance system, where every minute of a letter carriers route is tracked via a wearable device. Carriers can be disciplined for stationary events, which ultimately impact employment decisions, route bidding, and wages. The system often reports stationary events when carriers fulfill core responsibilities like delivering mail at cluster boxes outside apartment buildings, which may serve dozens or even hundreds of customers at a centralized unit, or take measures to protect their health, like water and restroom breaks.

Neither USPS management or the NALC bureaucracy feel obligated to justify why they are extending TIAREAP, provide a report on its two-year provisional implementation, or address growing worker complaints. NALC published only a perfunctory statement on its website, indicating, [TIAREAP] is an agreed upon process by the national parties that utilizes teams of NALC and USPS representatives to evaluate and adjust city delivery routes.

NALC is a full partner with USPS management in carrying out attacks on working conditions. While it continues the hated TIAREAP system behind the backs of city carriers, NALC is also seeking to impose the next contract without a vote from the membership through binding interest arbitration, as they did in 2014.

Forcing workers to stay in motion and punishing them for bathroom and water breaks contributed to the premature death of veteran letter carrier Eugene Gates in Dallas, Texas last June. The 66-year-old collapsed while delivering his route in a 100-degree Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) heat wave. Gates, a 36-year veteran of the Postal Service with a spotless record, had just received his first-ever disciplinary action due to TIAREAP.

One city carrier on Reddit summed up the prevailing sentiment on TIAREAP: A lot of people cant and refuse to work like that. Were grown adults, not toddlers.

During twice-a-year route adjustments, letter carriers meet with managers, who pore over carriers Digital Street Review (DSR) data and scrutinize where, how often, and for how long the worker stops to use the bathroom and other stationary events.

Despite this invasive monitoring, route evaluations are determined through heavy reliance on a single live week and take the minimum, not average, route times, as well as the minimum between a carriers office time and standard office time.

Carriers broadly view these evaluation periods as rigged, since routes can be manipulated by managers. One expressed on social media, Them taking the lowest time has been one of their bread and butter [methods] in every route adjustment process theyve used  [they are picking and] choosing what time best represents the route, when they can manipulate numbers and volume to their whim. Every route adjustment process they choose, theyve never been fair!

TIAREAP is one of numerous programs implemented at USPS with the aim of cutting workers wages and ultimately forcing them out of the workforce. Rural carriers have had the Rural Route Evaluated Compensation System (RRECS) by a similar side agreement with the National Rural Letter Carriers Association, also implemented in 2022. RRECS has reduced wages overnight for two-thirds of rural letter carriers, some by as much as $20,000 a year.

Both of these hated systems are part of a sweeping 10-year restructuring of the Postal Service mislabeled Delivering for America (DFA), initiated under Trump-backed Postmaster General Louis DeJoy but with the support of the Democratic Party.

DFA is a plan to eliminate tens of thousands of the 500,000 or so remaining postal jobsdown from a high of 800,000 in 2000while demanding speedup from the rest, even as their wages and benefits are gutted. Sorting and processing functions are being taken out of local post offices and centralized in several hundred Amazon-style regional processing centers.

For letter carriers, this will mean doubling the length of an average route, as they will no longer be able to collect mail at their local station, but rather, will have to drive to load and unload mail at these regional hubs. Likewise, many postal customers will have to drive much farther to access postal services, which may even violate the USPS federal charter, which requires equal access.

The rollout of DFA has been accompanied at every step by the trampling of regulations and working norms, with the support of the Biden administration and postal regulators. It is now widespread policy to preference Amazon deliveries over mail, leading to massive levels of overwork and exhaustion. And new sorting machines are being rammed through despite undelivered mail piling up in Richmond and more recently in Houston.

This year will be a critical one for the fight against DFA. This year, contracts also expire for postal workers in the American Postal Workers Union (APWU) and the National Rural Letter Carriers Association (NRLCA). The recent upsurge in strikes and labor actions indicates postal workers would have many allies and great support from the American working class.

But workers have to understsand that they face a two-pronged battle, waged against both management and their corrupt unions, who are currently preparing massive betrayals. A perspective of union reform or aspirations to join fighting unions like the Teamsters and UAW, both of whom forced through sellout contracts last year which have set the stage for mass layoffs, will lead nowhere.

Instead, we call on all postal workers to join the USPS Workers Rank-and-File Committee and form action committees at their stations and centers. As our founding statement states, our demands include an end to RRECS, TIAREAP and other surveillance programs, the re-establishment of the 8-hour day, an immediate 25 percent pay increase to make up for decades of lost wages, full transparency in collective bargaining talks and an end to the Delivering for America program, among other demands.
The Collective of Workers Action Committees (CWAC) in Sri Lanka and Socialist Equality Party members campaigned last week among electricity, railway, port and transport workers for the forthcoming public meeting to oppose the governments witch-hunt of Ceylon Electricity Board workers. Called by the CWAC, the meeting will be held on February 1 at 4 p.m. in the Jayasekera Management Centre in Colombo 2.

Ceylon Electricity Board workers demonstrate outside the Colombo head office on January 4, 2024.

Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) employees staged a three-day nationwide sick-day protest, beginning on January 3, in opposition to the governments plans to privatise the state-owned enterprise. The government immediately responded to the walkout by directing CEB management to initiate repressive measures against workers involved in the action.



Sixty-six employees have already been suspended on spurious claims of misconduct. CEB trade union leaders have also revealed that management has prepared another 74 suspension letters to be imposed in coming days, taking the total number to 140.

CEB management is using the suspension of leave for all workers, which it issued just before the early January protests, and the governments anti-strike Essential Public Services Act, as the pretext to victimise workers.

Last week Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera ordered CEB management to expedite work related to CEB reforms, cost reduction mechanisms and the outsourcing payment collections.

The CEB trade union officials and others from related unions met on January 22 and decided to present a petition to the Power and Energy Minister Wijesekera today and to hold a protest on February 5. These officials oppose any mobilisation of workers in united nationwide industrial and political action against Colombos privatisation measures and other International Monetary Fund cost-cutting attacks, fearing this would bring them into direct confrontation with the government.

Last week the CWAC issued a statementOppose the governments witch-hunt against electricity workers! Lets prepare a counterattack!warning that this repression will be directed against all workers.



Campaigners distributed Sinhala and Tamil copies of the CWAC statement and other SEP literature. Most workers knew about the governments repressive actions against CEB employees and angrily denounced it.

A Ceylon Government Railway (CGR) employee, who has worked with the company for over 35 years and lives in CGR-owned flats at Dematagoda in Colombo, was outraged over the government repression.

SEP member interviewing railway worker (centre) about government witch-hunt of Ceylon Electricity Board employees.





The government, he said, rules tyrannically and President Ranil Wickremesinghe has a dictatorial mentality. He then referred to the new Online Safety Bill, which provides the government with wide-ranging powers to suppress social media. Yesterday, he got the parliament to pass the online bill which gives him dictatorial powers, he said.

I strongly condemn the action against the CEB employees. We are all workers and when they are victimised, we must rise to defend them. In my opinion we must, in words or deeds, support them against the governments repressive acts. If CEB workers are threatened today, then we will later face the same measures, he said.

The government is like a puppet that dances to the tune of the IMF. It does what the IMF dictatesto sell off our wealth and the resources owned by the state. Theres nothing merciful about what the IMF is doing, he continued.

Referring to the refusal of the trade unions to call joint action by all workers facing privatisation, he added, And all the union leaders depend on the government and they are like puppets.

A CEB worker from Kelanitissa power station, located on the outskirts Colombo, said: We are not exactly sure what our trade union leaders are going to do but our colleagues have no faith in them. We are not given any advice on how to continue the struggle. In fact, they should have taken action [against the victimisations] earlier but they are not mobilising us.

We are ready to unite [with other workers] but the trade unions dont want that. We are all waiting to see whether the union leaders plan to take any further action. We pay union dues from our salary but dont hear anything. I think that other [SOE] workers need to join us in united actions, he said.

When campaigners explained the necessity for workers to form their own independent action committees to carry forward the struggle, he replied, Yes, even without the union leaders, we can come forward. He agreed to come to the public meeting to further discuss these issues.

In Kandy, Health Action Committee (HAC) members spoke with CEB employees. One worker said that the response of the trade unions to the witch hunt and suspension of 66 employees was not serious.

I called our union leaders but they seem to take these issues lightly. Even during the January 3 to 5 protests, the unions played a pretending role. These protests did not produce any results and then the witch-hunting started. We must defend our jobs and we must also defend the rights of the people, he said.

He referred to management imposition of cuts in promotions, bonuses and other allowances, and said there was rising disgust among workers towards the trade unions. More than 50 percent of employees say that they would quit the unions, he added.

SEP campaigners also spoke with Colombo Port workers living in Ports Authority accommodation. A logistics department worker discussed the government attacks on wages and living standards.



Everything that is happening is in line with the IMFs demands. The 18 percent VAT (value added tax on goods and services) has impacted our lives and we face hikes in electricity bills and Pay-As-You-Earn taxes. Petroleum and Electricity Board workers also face this situation and our salaries have been badly cut, he said.

The rulers live a luxurious life, but we suffer. We are taxed, but they are not. We have a lot of discussions at the office about our falling living standards but we do not see any solution from the government, he continued.

Referring to the victimisation of CEB employees, he said, This is in order to intimidate other employees and means that if the port workers go on strike, they would also face the same situation.

A CEB employee from the North Western Province told campaigners: I totally condemn this attack by the government, but this witch hunt cannot be stopped unless we unite and launch a counter-attack. This repression will be extended to workers in other sectors as well. And it is also accelerating privatisation and austerity measures.

He voiced his agreement with the CWAC statement and its perspective but wanted more details on how a workers and peasants government could repudiate foreign debts and said the dominant powers would impose sanctions on Sri Lanka.



Campaigners answered this, explaining the necessity for Sri Lankan workers to fight for a socialist and internationalist program in unity with workers all around the world and stressed the importance of the International Workers Alliance of Rank and File Committees initiated by the International Committee of the Fourth International to take forward this struggle.
At the end of October, during the first communications blackout in Gaza since the start of Israels military offensive, Egyptian writer and influencer Mirna El Helbawi set out to look for alternatives to re-establish connections in the Strip. Working with the Palestinian Red Crescent and with the help of her hundreds of thousands of followers on social media, El Helbawi first tried to lobby for satellite internet company Starlink, owned by Elon Musk, to provide connectivity, but that option never came to fruition.

When she told her followers, she received a message from a user who suggested another possibility: eSIMs, a digital version of the classic SIM cards that are inserted into mobile phones, but that can be connected to a telephone and internet network remotely thanks to a chip that is already integrated into the latest smartphones.

El Helbawi had used them on trips and decided to find out if they would also work in Gaza. She purchased two and sent the QR codes generated when the eSIMS were bought to two well-known journalists in the Strip, Ahmed El-Madhoun and Hind Khoudary. Upon verifying that she was able to activate them successfully, El Helbawi launched an online campaign, #ConnectingGaza, asking people to buy more eSIMs to prevent Gaza from being plunged into total information darkness.

To date, El Helbawi and 10 of her collaborators in Egypt who head up the Connecting Humanity initiative have managed to send more than 130,000 eSIMs, with a value of over $2.5 million, to Gaza. Surprised with the level of uptake, they say demand is increasing as remaining connected in the Strip becomes increasingly difficult due to Israeli airstrikes, the destruction of the territorys infrastructure, and energy shortages.

When I started this initiative I thought I would send a maximum of 1,000 eSIMs, but I was surprised by the number of people who requested them and how important they are Mirna El Helbawi

When I started this initiative I thought I would send a maximum of 1,000 eSIMs, but I was surprised by the number of people who requested them and how important they are, says El Helbawi. Thats why we havent taken a day off since we started, because we always have a high demand and we need to connect more people so they can continue talking to their loved ones, to the hospitals, to the world, she adds.

Information to survive

Since Israel launched its military offensive in Gaza, the Strip has suffered at least 10 almost total communication blackouts that have lasted between a few hours and several days, according to the NetBlocks observatory. The longest blackout to date began on January 12, and although cell phone communications began to be restored in most of Gaza a week later, internet connections are facing significant issues at the time of writing this article.

Alp Toker, director of NetBlocks, says that the reasons for these blackouts are not always easy to determine. But he points out they are mainly due to direct attacks on telecommunications infrastructure and interruptions in electricity supply. We have seen claims that Israel is cutting [Gaza] off, which is possible. It may also be shutting down for structural reasons or power issues, he says.

The consequences are vast. Without an internet connection or cell network, it is very difficult for Gazans to find out about the course of the Israeli offensive, identify the areas most exposed to bombing, know where to go in case of evacuation or simply communicate with their loved ones. Blackouts also complicate the work of the emergency services as it is much more difficult to receive calls and locate and access injured people and people in need. It also hinders the work of humanitarian aid agencies and journalists.

In the first four or five days, we gave priority to journalists and medical personnel. But then we realized that communications and internet access are a basic human right

One of the keys to the initiative is the ease of donating eSIMs from anywhere in the world: a donor only has to buy one through the telephone companies operating in the Strip, forward the QR code provided to the team of volunteers in Egypt, and wait for someone to connect. El Helbawis team has also created guides and a website to detail the necessary steps.

At first, El Helbawi requested the telephone data of people who were close to those who had connected with an eSIM in order to extend the network. But now she and her team have trusted people in Gaza  referred to as human routers  who are in charge of distributing the codes and helping to activate them. In the first four or five days, we gave priority to journalists and medical personnel. But then we realized that communications and internet access are a basic human right, so we started sending and activating eSIMs for everyone, says El Helbawi.

Samah Serour Fadil, a Palestinian writer living in the United States, says that during the first blackout in October she lost contact with her cousin in Gaza, and it was through El Helbawis profile that she discovered eSIMs and was able to buy one and send it in the hope she could activate it when she regained connection. She was also my link to the other members of my family there. That moment was the most stressful and distressing of my life until then, Fadil says.

Even before she was able to confirm it worked, Fadil wrote about eSIMs on social media and offered to help more people try to connect with their loved ones. I was expecting a dozen eSIMs at most, but I woke up to literally hundreds in my inbox, she recalls. This is my role: to communicate and connect people. I feel proud and honored to help in any way I can.

Demand for eSIMs skyrockets

Although eSIMs are allowing tens of thousands of people in Gaza to stay connected, some have urged caution. SMEX, an organization that defends and promotes human rights in digital spaces in the Middle East and North Africa, has warned of the risk that the privacy of the donor or recipient of the eSIM may be compromised, or that it can be used maliciously. But so far no cases have been reported, and El Helbawi points out that the team of volunteers leading the initiative is small precisely to minimize some of these risks.

The cuts to internet and telephone services in Gaza have also shown how the Strips connectivity depends directly on Israel, largely because the blockade has prevented the development of infrastructure and new technologies. The Gaza Communications Ministry has also asked Egyptian authorities for the use of towers and mobile stations near the border with the Strip to offer some service, at least in the southern part of the enclave, but so far no steps have been taken in this direction.

[Gazas] basic infrastructure is largely dependent on Israel, and there is no major connectivity link with Egypt, mainly for geopolitical reasons, says NetBlocks Toker. In theory, they could set up a line and connect through Egypt, but Egypt as a state has not necessarily supported [this option].

Faced with a lack of alternatives and the rapid deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Gaza, the demand for eSIMs has skyrocketed in recent days, due to the latest blackout that began on January 12. When people feel insecure and dont know how to communicate, they panic, and keep asking for more eSIMs, El Helbawi says.
Volodymyr Zelenskiy wants passenger planes to fly in and out of Ukraine again. Few believe that the presidents plan is possible during the war, but its also true that his country has achieved  during the almost two-year-long Russian invasion  other feats that once seemed impossible. For instance, few considered it feasible to circumvent the blockade imposed by the Russian fleet in the Black Sea but, since last autumn, merchant traffic in Ukrainian ports has increased. For the presidents office, the current priority is to reconnect Ukraine with the outside world by air.

On December 1, 2023, Andriy Yermak  Zelenskiys right-hand man  affirmed that Boryspil International Airport, in Kyiv, would soon receive commercial flights again. Yermak stated this in a meeting with ambassadors from allied countries that was held at the main Boryspil terminal. Each diplomat was given a boarding pass as a souvenir. I trust that this symbolic boarding pass will be valid soon, Yermak said, adding: We can guarantee the security of the [airfield] thanks to our Armed Forces and your countries. On December 19, Zelenskiy also took a position on the matter: The opening of Boryspil will be a victory for Ukrainian air defense: it will show that Ukraine is winning.

A training exercise by the emergency services at Boryspil International Airport, in 2023. Oficina de Prensa del Aeropuerto Internacional de Borispil

Unlike other Ukrainian airports, the one mentioned hasnt been damaged. A spokesperson for the facility explains to EL PAIS that theyre ready to handle flights, but that she cannot comment on details of the plans announced by the presidents office. The aerodrome maintains its activity as a training center for ground personnel. In July 2023, Boryspil received a visit from the president of Ryanair, Michael OLeary. The businessman promised to establish 75 routes between Ukraine and the rest of Europe when the airspace is safe.

Ukraine closed its airspace in February 2022, when the Russian invasion began. Officially, only four planes have left the country since then: two Turkish military planes that were in Ukraine when the war broke out, a plane from the Hungarian airline Wizz Air  which was also besieged and took off for Poland in September 2022 from Lviv, in the west of the country  and the last, a Boeing 777 from Skyline Express, a Ukrainian firm, which departed this past December. The journey of this last aircraft  between Kyiv and Tarbes (in the south of France), without passengers  was taken as evidence that recovering the air connection is possible. The plane  according to Ukrainian media  flew to the border with Romania with its transponder disconnected, the device that allows the radars in the control towers to locate the device at all times. It cruised at an altitude of 12,000 feet. Upon leaving Ukrainian airspace, the Boeing activated the transponder and climbed higher.

Despite the success of the Skyline Express flight, its operation to leave Ukraine is hardly valid as a reference for future commercial flights. Deactivating the transponder is a maneuver that the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) strictly rules out in its manual for civil flights in or near conflict zones. The military must always be able to identify the location of the plane, according to the ICAO manual. This document  updated in 2023  is one of the sectors regulatory bibles for operating in areas with armed activity. No airline can make a flight to an airport where the ICAO hasnt certified its operations, explains Miguel Palacios, a retired Spanish pilot with decades of experience in national and international flights.

ICAO is an organization made up of 193 states, coordinating civil aviation operations. Palacios recalls that ICAO protocols are required by the International Air Transport Association (IATA)  which brings airlines together  and by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the U.S. body that regulates the sector. The air safety guidelines in Ukraine largely rely on IATA and the FAA approval, meaning that the reopening of Boryspil International Airport is also dependent on this. Rostyslav Shurma  deputy-director of Zelenskiys office  admitted this on January 18 at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Shurma noted that only 20% of the decisions required to open airspace depend on Kyiv. The rest of the steps are the responsibility of the IATA, the FAA, international partners, independent regulators and insurers. Zelenskiys representative stressed that the Ukrainians are working intensely with their allies to make this possible. He specifically mentioned the cooperation theyve established with the Israeli authorities.

Zelenskiy has reiterated that Israel is his role model for protecting Ukraines airspace. Ben Gurion Airport receives flights from international airlines on a daily basis, despite the presence of missiles fired by groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas, or by their own anti-aircraft batteries. Kirilo Novikov  an air security expert  explained to Ukrainian media on January 24 that Israel has decades of experience in this field, especially thanks to its U.S.-provided Iron Dome anti-aircraft system. Novikov stated that the only option for Ukraine would be to establish an air corridor to the border with a level of anti-aircraft protection similar to that of the Israeli state. On the other hand, Oleg Zhdanov  a reserve colonel  told Ukrainian media that he saw this strategy as unrealistic.

At Davos, Shurma indicated that the priority is to reopen Boryspil, but he doesnt rule out having to opt for the airport in Lviv, less than 40 miles from the Polish border. Boryspil has better anti-aircraft defenses and is close to more people, but Russian missiles and drones are constantly hitting Kyiv. In any case, all airports  being strategic infrastructure  are under threat of military action, as highlighted by the Conflict Zone Alerting System  a platform of the EU Aviation Safety Agency that monitors the danger in territories where armed activity occurs.

Who would want to get on a plane that could be shot down by a Russian missile? Zhadnov asked, or by one of our own missiles, if theres a massive attack [and our] defenses have to act? The ICAO manual focuses on the most significant risk to civil aviation: surface-to-air missiles, which include air defense systems.

It was precisely the downing of a passenger plane in Ukraine that caused a global change in civil aviation safety protocols. Malaysia Airlines flight MH-17 had taken off on July 17, 2014, from Amsterdam, bound for Kuala Lumpur. As it flew over the Donetsk province, a surface-to-air missile fired by pro-Russian separatists shot it down, killing nearly 300 people.

Since that tragedy, new systems were created, such as the EU warning map, the ICAO manuals, or Canadas Safer Skies initiative, an aviation safety monitoring program. At the 2023 Safer Skies annual meeting last July, Volodymyr Hromov  deputy director of Ukrainian State Aviation Administration  detailed the draconian measures formally required to reopen Ukrainian airspace: official reports and statements indicating the end of hostilities, the end of martial law and the cancellation of airspace restrictions. However, Hromov added a caveat, which is what Zelenskiys team could be working on: that national and international organizations  in addition to two independent analysis centers  demonstrate that theres been a reduction in the level of risk. Hromov indicated that this would also require an observation period of between four to six months to confirm that the threat has decreased.

Ukrainian society is in need of hope, at a time when the war is controlled by Russia and the conflict has no signs of ending. In October 2023, on a visit to the city of Uzhhorod  located in the west of the country, adjacent to the border with Slovakia  an EL PAIS correspondent met a couple from Kyiv. They were sightseeing in the region, pointing their phones at the sky: on the horizon, you could see a passenger plane, flying over EU territory. The couple explained that the image surprised them: they had forgotten that flying by plane is normal in any European country, except for Ukraine.

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Rajani LaRocca's "Masala Chai, Fast and Slow" is among the cross-cultural books for children and young adults recommended by Columbus Metropolitan Library youth engagement specialists Kelly Young and Elisa Leahy.

Looking for a childrens picture book that explores Indian culture? Interested in a young adult novel featuring a Japanese American princess who journeys to Asia? Or how about a graphic novel about coming of age in a Somali refugee camp in Kenya?

Look no further.

Youth engagement specialists from the Columbus Metropolitan Library shared with The Dispatch some of their favorite titles for kids and young people that provide exposure to various cultures from around the globe. The titles are listed below. Each book is available through Columbus Metropolitan Library system.

Just click the accompanying link to see where you can check it out.

The recommendations come from Kelly Young, of the Franklinton Branch, and Elisa Leahy, of the South High Branch.

Kelly Young, left, of the Franklinton Branch, and Elisa Leahy, of the South High Branch, are youth-engagement specialists with the Columbus Metropolitan Library.

Leahy, originally from Peru and author of her own childrens book, Tethered to Other Stars, told The Dispatch that ideally, books should reflect childrens diverse identities while also providing them a window into something new.

Representation in books is so important, for kids to see themselves in books. And books also function as windows, where kids are able to look out and see other experiences that are not their own, she said. When you're talking about sharing other cultures  through books, you want to show (kids) characters who they can connect with and see themselves in  while also opening their minds to something else that they may have never experienced, and may never experience, in real life. That's the beauty of books  to broaden horizons.

Youngs and Leahys recommendations are grouped under three categories: picture books, books for middle grades and books for young adults.

Picture books that explore new worlds

"Masala Chai, Fast And Slow" by Rajani LaRocca

"Masala Chai, Fast and Slow" by Rajani LaRocca, illustrated by Neha Rawat

A story about a slow-moving, deliberate grandfather, his impatient grandson and their daily ritual of making tea in modern-day India.

"This is an introduction to the thoughtful process of making masala chai, featuring heartwarming intergenerational relationships," Young said.

Wish Soup: A Celebration of Seollal by Junghwa Park

"Wish Soup: A Celebration of Seollal" by Junghwa Park

This picture book introduces readers to Seollal, the Korean lunar new year.

"Many will relate to the sibling rivalry within the story while also learning about a central dish to this celebration: tteokguk (rice cake soup)," Young said.

"Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns: A Muslim Book of Colors" by Hena Khan, illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini

"Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns: A Muslim Book of Colors" by Hena Khan, illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini

Each page of this picture book by award-winning Pakistani American author Hena Khan introduces a different aspect of the Muslim world.

"The vibrant illustrations will draw readers in, and each page introduces a different Arabic word," Young said.

"I Want to Ride the Tap Tap" by Danielle Joseph, illustrated by Olivier Ganthier

"I Want to Ride the Tap Tap" by Danielle Joseph, illustrated by Olivier Ganthier

A Haitian family goes for a ride in a tap tap  a taxi-bus  and meets fascinating characters along the way.

"Young Claude observes as his neighbors take the colorfully decorated bus  to various destinations in his Haitian town," Young said.

"Naming Ceremony" by Seina Wedlick, illustrated by Jenin Mohammed

"Naming Ceremony" by Seina Wedlick, illustrated by Jenin Mohammed

A story about rich traditions and a unique bond between Nigerian sisters.

"I love how the bright patterns and artwork surround sweet little Amira as she and her family prepare for this important West African tradition," Young said.

Middle-grade books that go on global adventures

"Turtles of the Midnight Moon" by Maria Jose Fitzgerald

"Turtles of the Midnight Moon" by Maria Jose Fitzgerald

In this chapter book, a Honduran girl and her American friend team up to solve a mystery and save endangered leatherback sea turtles from poachers.

"A surprising friendship between two girls from different cultures shine through in this story," Leahy said.

The Holly-Mei Series by Christina Matula

The Holly-Mei Series by Christina Matula

"This fun series for tweens explores the culture of Hong Kong through the eyes of a British-Taiwanese girl, with juicy prep school drama, luxurious scenery and mouth-watering food descriptions. The third book comes out April 23," Leahy said.

"When Stars Are Scattered" by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed, illustrated by Victoria Jamieson and Iman Geddy

"When Stars Are Scattered" by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed, illustrated by Victoria Jamieson and Iman Geddy

This graphic novel tells the story of Omar and his younger brother, Hassan, who live in a Somali refugee camp in Kenya.

"Beautifully illustrated  this refugee story is co-written by the man who lived it, brimming with authenticity, heartbreak and hope," Leahy said.

"Rickshaw Girl" by Mitali Perkins, illustrated by Jamie Hogan

"Rickshaw Girl" by Mitali Perkins, illustrated by Jamie Hogan

Naima, a Bangladeshi girl, must find a way to save her mother's golden bangle  and fix her father's rickshaw  in this book that has also been adapted into a film.

"This quick, accessible read follows a strong girl who finds a way to rise above the gender discrimination in her  society to support her family," Leahy said.

"The Red Pencil" by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Shane Evans

"The Red Pencil" by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Shane Evans

A coming-of-age story about Amira, a Sudanese girl who survives unspeakable horrors after Janjaweed militia members attack her village and then finds her calling in making art. The book's author and illustrator are winners of the Coretta Scott King Award.

"Pairing powerful words and whimsical illustrations, this novel in verse beautifully balances relatable childhood emotions with trauma and resilience in Sudan," Leahy said.

Young adult books that delve into cross-cultural belonging and more

"Tokyo Ever After" by Emiko Jean

"Tokyo Ever After" by Emiko Jean

"Izumi is a relatable teen with a full life and typical teen problems. When she finds out who her father is and embarks on a journey to connect with her heritage, the reader learns about Japanese language and tradition right alongside her," Young said.

"I Must Betray You" by Ruta Sepetys

"I Must Betray You" by Ruta Sepetys

A Romanian teenager must decide between betraying everyone he loves or using his position to undermine his country's dictator.

"Seventeen-year-old Cristian shows great courage as he navigates 1989 communist Romania in this fast-paced historical fiction novel," Young said.

"Clap When You Land" by Elizabeth Acevedo

"Clap When You Land" by Elizabeth Acevedo

This novel in verse tells the story of two sisters  one living in the Dominican Republic, the other in New York City.

"Devastated by their fathers death in a plane crash, and by the unraveling of family secrets, they grapple with grief separately until they learn the other exists," Young said.

"Darius the Great Is Not Okay" by Adib Khorram

"Darius the Great Is Not Okay" by Adib Khorram

This novel tells the story of Darius, a misfit from Portland, Oregon, who makes a life-changing journey to visit family in Iran.

"This book is a celebration of friendship and finding yourself," Young said.

Peter Gill covers immigration, New American communities and religion for the Dispatch in partnership with Report for America. You can support work like his with a tax-deductible donation to Report for America at:bit.ly/3fNsGaZ.

pgill@dispatch.com

@pitaarji

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: 14 cross-cultural books for children, middle grades and young adults
15 Most Shocking Best Director Oscar Snubs, From Denis Villeneuve to Kathryn Bigelow

Before Greta Gerwigs highly publicized Oscar snub for Barbie in best director, along with her leading lady Margot Robbie in best actress, there have been dozens of shocking snubs in Academy Awards history.

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From the double-hitter of Ben Affleck and Kathryn Bigelow in 2012 to the recent jaw-dropper of Denis Villeneuve and any of the many Christopher Nolan absences, there have been many notable names who havent heard their names called on nomination morning during the modern era of Oscar.

Casual cinephiles and the general public tend to forget how tough it is to make the top five of anything. Acknowledging that the Directors Branch has consistently overlooked women and people of color, there has been some improvement over the years. The stone-cold fact remains: Were not there yet.

As of 2024, comedies and horror films are still criminally underrepresented, while animated and documentary filmmakers have yet to be noticed. There have been non-fiction films worthy of attention throughout the years, such as Werner Herzogs devastating look at two bear activists killed in Alaska in Grizzly Man (2005) and Joshua Oppenheimers reenactment of mass killings in Indonesia with The Act of Killing (2012). Andrew Stantons gorgeous exploration of love between two robots in Wall-E (2008) might be the closest weve ever come to an animated director landing a nom, while Lee Unkrichs Toy Story 3 shows how you elevate beloved characters despite being a third outing in a franchise.

While many of us can share the name of a filmmaker who has truly grinded our gears, the ones reflected in this piece were heavily favored on multiple prediction lists during their respective years.

Here, Variety looks back at the 15 biggest director snubs of the last 25 years.

Honorable mentions: Ryan Coogler (Black Panther); Luca Guadagnino (Call Me by Your Name); Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick); Bennett Miller (Moneyball)

15. Dee Rees  Mudbound

15. Dee Rees  Mudbound





One of the first significant pushes by Netflix when it entered the film awards game was Dee Rees racial and class drama Mudbound. Coming after her stunning debut Pariah, she shines a light on two families in post-World War II Mississippi, bringing an evocative and powerful story to life. The film made history in various ways  Rachel Morrison became the first woman nominated for cinematography, star Mary J. Blige was the first person nominated for acting and song in the same year, and Rees herself was the first Black woman nominated for adapted screenplay (which she shared with co-writer Virgil Williams). The directing effort couldnt get enough traction, leaving her luscious work on the outskirts.

Who got nominated instead: Paul Thomas Anderson (Phantom Thread), Guillermo del Toro (The Shape of Water), Greta Gerwig (Lady Bird), Christopher Nolan (Dunkirk), Jordan Peele (Get Out)

14. Peter Jackson  The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers





People tend to forget that despite the epic Lord of the Rings trilogy receiving three consecutive best picture nominations for each of its entries, that wasnt the case for director Peter Jackson. The New Zealand native constructed Helms Deep, the 40-minute battle sequence that set the record for the most extensive and extended in film history. Author J.R.R. Tolkiens story is fully realized with over 200,000 fighting characters that keep viewers on the edge of their seats. The DGA recognized the merits of his vision, but the smaller directors branch looked elsewhere.

Who got nominated instead: Pedro Almodovar (Talk to Her), Stephen Daldry (The Hours), Rob Marshall (Chicago), Roman Polanski (The Pianist), Martin Scorsese (Gangs of New York)

13. Shaka King  Judas and the Black Messiah





The Academy extended its eligibility year in 2020 to accommodate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Hollywood industry. Many may recall Nomadland sweeping the awards season, eventually going on to win best picture. Oscar observers might not know that Shaka Kings period thriller, which looks at how the F.B.I. hunted and murdered Black Panther chairman Fred Hampton, was the likely runner-up. One of the final films to release in February 2021, it went on to win supporting actor for Daniel Kaluuya and a surprise trophy for the original song Fight for You by H.E.R.

While it was disappointing to not hear Kings name on nomination morning, it made history as the first all-Black producing team to be recognized by the Oscars, including his fellow producers Charles King and Ryan Coogler.

Who got nominated instead: Lee Isaac Chung (Minari), Emerald Fennell (Promising Young Woman), David Fincher (Mank), Thomas Vinterberg (Another Round), Chloe Zhao (Nomadland)

12. Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris  Little Miss Sunshine

12. Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris  Little Miss Sunshine





Comedies always finish last. Married filmmakers Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris heartwarming comedy about a quirky family en route to a beauty pageant still resonates years later. Their direction expertly navigates the dysfunctional dynamics of the Hoover family, making intricate choices on when to focus on any of the ensemble members, including Greg Kinnear, Toni Collette and Oscar-winner Alan Arkin. The characters and clever humor (thanks to Michael Arndts script) allow Dayton and Faris to show off their skills in bringing a unique and endearing story to life. The PGA and SAG winning film, which also garnered a DGA nom, came up short in the end.

Who got nominated instead: Clint Eastwood (Letters from Iwo Jima), Stephen Frears (The Queen), Paul Greengrass (United 93), Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu (Babel), Martin Scorsese (The Departed)

11. Joe Wright  Atonement

11. Joe Wright  Atonement





Joe Wrights sophomore directorial feature effort after the beautiful adaptation of Pride and Prejudice (2005) was the visual stunner known as Atonement. Wrights directorial prowess in the period drama that stars James McAvoy and Keira Knightley sees him assuredly stitching together the delicate narrative penned by Christopher Hampton. However, his team of artisans, most notably seen in a five-minute tracking shot with breathtaking cinematography by Seamus McGarvey, remains the most memorable. Seven Oscar noms later, the British auteur was left on the outskirts.

Who got nominated instead: Paul Thomas Anderson (There Will Be Blood), Joel Coen and Ethan Coen (No Country for Old Men), Tony Gilroy (Michael Clayton), Jason Reitman (Juno), Julian Schnabel (The Diving Bell and the Butterfly)

10. Barry Jenkins  If Beale Street Could Talk

10. Barry Jenkins  If Beale Street Could Talk





Aside from the animated feature Up, I cant recall a movie that made me shed tears in the first 10 minutes. Barry Jenkins follow-up to his best picture winner Moonlight (2016) depicts Black love sincerely and deliberately. Against the backdrop of Nicholas Britells all-time original score and one of the finest ensembles of 2013, the movie has only grown in estimation as time has elapsed. The Oscars did give Regina King her overdue and deserved Oscar for supporting actress, so I must recognize what they did right.

Morever, the film was not nominated for best picture, so its hard not to still be bitter about the Academy passing over what I feel is the finest film of the 2010s. Yes, I said it.

Who got nominated instead: Alfonso Cuaron (Roma), Yorgos Lanthimos (The Favourite), Spike Lee (BlacKkKlansman), Adam McKay (Vice), Pawel Pawlikowski (Cold War)

9. Spike Jonze  Her

9. Spike Jonze  Her





Listen, I could write a dissertation on why Joel Coen and Ethan Coens Inside Llewyn Davis was virtually shut out of the Oscars, but its hard to ignore that the same year Spike Jonze brought originality and emotion to the screen with Her, the response wasnt more pronounced.

The futuristic romantic drama looks at a man (Joaquin Phoenix) who develops a relationship with an artificial intelligence assistant (voiced by Scarlett Johansson) and builds a world grounded in reality in an upgraded version of Los Angeles. With Hoyte van Hoytemas memorable camera work, Jonzes direction stands out in a year that got most items right but left one colossal name on the table. That was Jonze.

Who got nominated instead: Alfonso Cuaron (Gravity), Steve McQueen (12 Years a Slave), Alexander Payne (Nebraska), David O. Russell (American Hustle), Martin Scorsese (The Wolf of Wall Street)

8. Regina King  One Night in Miami

8. Regina King  One Night in Miami





At the height of the global pandemic in 2020, the precursors and the industry pundits were all indicating Regina Kings directorial debut in One Night in Miami, the story of a real-life meeting between Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali, Jim Brown and Sam Cooke, would make King the first Black woman nominated for best director. However, the stars failed to align with the film, only mustering noms for supporting actor (Leslie Odom Jr.), adapted screenplay (Kemp Powers), and original song. Although the Golden Globes and the DGAs first-time directing category highlighted her achievements, the Oscar-winning star of If Beale Street Could Talk faced a similar fate that many actors-turned-directors encountered. Cant wait for her next joint.

Who got nominated instead: Lee Isaac Chung (Minari), Emerald Fennell (Promising Young Woman), David Fincher (Mank), Thomas Vinterberg (Another Round), Chloe Zhao (Nomadland)

7. Baz Luhrmann  Moulin Rouge!

In 2002, the Academy dropped a pair of enormous directing snubs. One was Todd Field for his outstanding debut In the Bedroom, and the other was Baz Luhrmann for his jukebox musical Moulin Rouge. Bold colors, beautiful costumes and a remarkable ensemble headlined by Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor should have made the Australian auteur a shoo-in.

Who got nominated instead: Robert Altman (Gosford Park), Ron Howard (A Beautiful Mind), Peter Jackson (The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring), David Lynch (Mulholland Drive), Ridley Scott (Black Hawk Down)

6. Bradley Cooper  A Star is Born

6. Bradley Cooper  A Star is Born





Many A Star Is Born fans were shocked when debut director Bradley Cooper didnt earn an Oscar nod for the film, something Cooper admitted he was embarrassed by. Perhaps the Academy should be as well. Racking up eight nominations, the multiple-time acting nominee became one of the latest actor-turned-directors passed over by the branch, including Ben Affleck, Angelina Jolie and Ron Howard.

Nonetheless, with co-star Lady Gaga, the two made magic on the Oscars stage with the rendition of the Oscar-winning track Shallow. Cooper went for another swing with his take on famed musician Leonard Bernstein in Maestro, duplicating the same results with nominations for best picture, actor, and screenplay but missing out on directing. Next one?

5. Ben Affleck  Argo

5. Ben Affleck  Argo





Ben Afflecks gripping thriller that combines historical events with a Hollywood twist is cemented in the history books as a best picture winner. But Affleck only nabbed one Oscar nom that year as a producer and was ignored for his visceral direction.

In 2012, Argo was his third directorial entry following his engrossing features Gone Baby Gone and The Town, which only nabbed a single acting bid each for supporting players Amy Ryan and Jeremy Renner. His thriller was an across-the-board contender and went on to win statuettes for adapted screenplay (Chris Terrio) and film editing.

His last efforts with Air were also worthy but failed to catch on this past season. Will he ever be officially recognized for his directing talents? Its too soon to tell.

Who got nominated instead: Michael Haneke (Amour), Ang Lee (Life of Pi), David O. Russell (Silver Linings Playbook), Steven Spielberg (Lincoln), Benh Zeitlin (Beasts of the Southern Wild)

4. Kathryn Bigelow  Zero Dark Thirty

Bigelows Zero Dark Thirty is a riveting depiction of the hunt for Osama bin Laden and also became known for the one-two punch of both her and Ben Affleck being snubbed for best director that year. Bigelow became the first woman to win best director for The Hurt Locker (2009) and would have been the first woman to garner two nomination bids. However, a much-publicized smear campaign and controversy surrounding the films depictions of torture would derail its momentum. Zero star Jessica Chastain spoke about on the Variety Awards Circuit Podcast back in 2022, referring to disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein.

Nonetheless, Bigelows visionary work, which led the precursors in 2012, is still a revered and respected piece that should have garnered the nom (and possibly win?) it deserved.

Who got nominated instead: Michael Haneke (Amour), Ang Lee (Life of Pi), David O. Russell (Silver Linings Playbook), Steven Spielberg (Lincoln), Benh Zeitlin (Beasts of the Southern Wild)

3. Ava DuVernay  Selma

3. Ava DuVernay  Selma





OscarsSoWhite became a stain on the Academys legacy when voters failed to nominate any actors of color in 2015. Also snubbed was Selma, Ava DuVernays look at Martin Luther King Jr., who led the 1965 voting rights march from Selma to Montgomery, Ala. With a star-making turn from David Oyelowo as the slain figure, the film had Oscar bait written all over it. However, it only managed to break into two categories: best picture and original song for the Glory track, which it won. Until today, no Black woman has been nominated for directing, and seeing how DuVernays Origin was also shut out by the Academy, its incredibly disappointing we still havent had one break into the lineup.

Who got nominated instead: Wes Anderson (The Grand Budapest Hotel), Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu (Birdman), Richard Linklater (Boyhood), Bennett Miller (Foxcatcher), Morten Tyldum (The Imitation Game)

2. Denis Villeneuve  Dune

2. Denis Villeneuve  Dune





Dune is one of five movies in history to be nominated in every technical Oscar category and the only one of those to not garner a mention for its director. Villeneuves adaptation of Frank Herberts epic is a testament to meticulous world-building and what you can do when passion and talent coincide. The Canadian auteur was widely expected to land in the best director category after the Golden Globes, Critics Choice Awards, and DGA all nominated him. Not only one of the most shocking omissions for a filmmaker, Villenueves miss is one of the most notable in any category in the history of the Academy. With two follow-ups on the way, theres still time for the Academy to recognize Villeneuve.

Who got nominated instead: Paul Thomas Anderson (Licorice Pizza), Kenneth Branagh (Belfast), Jane Campion (The Power of the Dog), Ryusuke Hamaguchi (Drive My Car), Steven Spielberg (West Side Story)

1. Christopher Nolan  The Dark Knight

1. Christopher Nolan  The Dark Knight





Its the snub that changed the Academy Awards forever.

Christopher Nolan redefined the superhero genre with The Dark Knight, his sequel to the 2005 entry Batman Begins. Transcending the boundaries of comic book adaptations, it boasted an iconic performance by the late Heath Ledger, who went on to win best supporting actor. Many believed that the auteur, who had already been passed over for Memento, and then later in his career again for Inception, would garner the recognition many believed he deserved. The branch had other plans, leaving the film ignored in the top categories of best picture, director and screenplay, despite a hefty eight other noms. Nolan was not among any of them.

The following year, the Oscars expanded the best picture category from five to 10 nominees, but Nolan wouldnt get his first directing bid until Dunkirk before he returned once again with Oppenheimer (2023).

Who got nominated instead: Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire), Stephen Daldry (The Reader), David Fincher (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button), Ron Howard (Frost/Nixon), Gus Van Sant (Milk)

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After nine years in business, CNN Philippines will discontinue its news and production operations on all media platforms effective January 31. The news organization, which is a franchise holder of the CNN International brand and operated by Nine Media Corp, began airing under a brand and content licensing deal with Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific in 2015. It cited years of financial issues as the reason for the closure.

In a social media post, CNN Philippines said it was forever grateful for the stories weve shared, the audience weve served, and to our dedicated team for their commitment to uphold the values of truth, accuracy, fairness, and accountability.

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It added, To our partners, including CNN Worldwide, and Turner Broadcasting, we thank you for your support.

Turning the final page of the CNN Philippines newsroom's story. We are forever grateful for the stories we've shared, the audience we've served, and to our dedicated team for their commitment to uphold the values of truth, accuracy, fairness, and accountability.



Thank you for pic.twitter.com/nSq9LLfWqc  CNN Philippines (@cnnphilippines) January 29, 2024

In a statement posted to its website, CNN Philippines said the decision to close follows significant financial losses sustained over the past years, despite rigorous efforts to adapt and innovate in a rapidly evolving and challenging media landscape.

According to documents cited by ABS-CBN, a 2022 CNN Philippines financial statement noted, In 2022, the anticipated business and economic recovery back to pre-COVID levels did not materialize.

The company today assured all affected staff will be provided with severance packages.

To our loyal viewers, it added, thank you for giving us purpose. We are honored to have served you.

CNN also shared a statement with Deadline:

CNN Philippines has been popular amongst audiences in the Philippines and a valued affiliate partner for CNN, winning many awards during this time. CNN will continue to be available to all viewers in the Philippines as before  via CNN International on TV through Cignal, Sky Cable and distributed via Cable Boss, online at CNN.com and on social media platforms. CNN remains committed to covering stories for and about the Philippines and continue to explore local content opportunities in the market.

Jonathan De Santos, Chairman of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, lamented the news on X:

Each newsroom that goes dark is one less source of reliable information for the public and is a loss for our community and profession.



Maraming salamat at matinding yakap, @cnnphilippines colleagues.



Hoping to see you on air, online, in print and in the field again https://t.co/diHSPpxo7U  Jonathan de Santos (@desamting) January 29, 2024

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Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
The couple met in 2021, and went public with their romance the following year

Dave Benett/Getty Ed Westwick and Amy Jackson

Ed Westwick and Amy Jackson are engaged.

The Gossip Girl actor proposed to the actress during a recent getaway to Gstaad. Westwick popped the question on the Peak Walk by Tissot, Switzerlands scenic hanging mountain bridge.

Their happy news was shared by the couple in a joint Instagram post on Monday morning. "Hell YES ," Jackson, 31, captioned her post, while Westwick, 36, wrote on his Instagram Story, "I hit the jackpot xxx."

Westwick got down on one knee on the walkway, which hangs 3,000 meters high between the View Point in Les Diablerets and Scex Rouge in Gstaad. And his proposal appeared to come as a surprise to Jackson, who held her hands over her mouth in shock.

The couple were dressed in ski gear for the occasion. She wore all white ensemble while he kept it grounded in green and brown earth tones.

After Jackson said yes, she and her husband-to-be posed for photos. The actress made sure to show off her sparkling diamond ring, though not close enough to make out exactly what type of cut Westwick purchased.

Related: The Bold and the Beautiful Alum Ashleigh Brewer Announces Engagement: 'I Love You Beyond Measure'

Jackson is mom to 4-year-old son Andreas Panayiotou, whom she shares with her former partner, George Panayiotou.



She and Westwick first met at Silverstone racetrack in 2021, where both were attending an Aston Martin event. He asked her out on a double coffee date with their dogs, her poodle Herbert and his Frenchie, Humphrey.

"He knew how to win me over from the get-gocoffee and dogs, she told Lifestyle Asia in August 2023.

The two went public with their relationship on Instagram in June 2022, and made their red carpet debut that July, at the National Film Awards.



Dave Benett/Getty Ed Westwick and Amy Jackson attend the VIP launch of FENIX Manchester on Nov. 23, 2023

Related: 'Gossip Girl' Reunion! Penn Badgley Teases Catch-Up with TV Sister Taylor Momsen for His Podcast

"Happy Birthday to the love of my lifeeeee," Jackson wrote in June to celebrate Westwick's big day. "I thank God for you everyday. Youre home and an adventure of a lifetime all mixed into one."

"If you dont already know these are the things about you that Im most thankful for," she said, listing "making kindness the coolest, making me laugh during the times I only wanted to cry, your jawline , your napping ability, your constant love, support, encouragement along with the Tony Robbins esque pep talks, your huge heart and deepest soul."

Jackson was born in Douglas on the Isle of Man, and began her modeling career in the UK at the age of 15. She won the Miss Teen World title two years later, in 2009.

In 2010, she entered into the world of acting when Indian film producers offered her a lead role in the period drama Madrasapattinam. She's built an acting career in Bollywood since, starring in nearly 20 films including popular titles like 2015's Singh Is Bliing and 2018's 2.0, which made history as India's most expensive film at the time of its release.

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Her first U.S. role was on The CW's Supergirl in 2017, where Jackson played Imra Ardeen (also known as Saturn Girl).

Westwick, of course, famously found fame on The CW with his breakout role as Chuck Bass in Gossip Girl. The British star appeared on the series from 2007  2012.



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Disclaimer: This article contains mentions of crime and murder. Reader discretion is advised.

Netflix recently released a biographical crime drama streaming television miniseries titled Griselda that delved into the life and actions of Colombian drug lord Griselda Blanco.

Born on February 15, 1943, in Cartagena, Colombia, she and her mother moved to Medellin when she was only three. This exposed her to a life of crime at a very early age. Furthermore, she began a marijuana-dealing business with her first husband Carlos Trujillo. According to Tudum by Netflix, she and her second husband Alberto Bravo ran a cocaine shipping operation in the early 70s.

Apart from trafficking drugs, Blanco took part in several other cartel-based activities. After her arrest in 1985, she was charged with conspiring to manufacture, import, and distribute cocaine. In 1998 she pled guilty to three murder charges. The court ultimately charged her with three concurrent 20-year sentences. However, six years into prison, she was deported to Colombia in 2004.

According to IMDb, Griseldas synopsis reads, Fleeing from Medellin to Miami, Griselda Blanco creates one of the most ruthless cartels in history.

Griselda stars Sofia Vergara as Griselda Blanco. Its creators are Doug Miro, Eric Newman, Carlo Bernard, and Ingrid Escajeda. Apart from Vergara, the series also stars Alberto Guerra, Martin Rodriguez, and others.

What happened to Griselda Blanco?

Eight years after Griselda Blanco returned to her hometown, assassins shot her dead outside a butcher shop. At the time of her death, she was 69 years old. She is buried in Jardines Montesacro cemetery which is located in south Medellin. Surprisingly, the same cemetery is the resting place of the cartel kingpin: Pablo Escobar.

Griselda Blanco went by several nicknames like La Madrina, La Dama de la Mafia, and The Black Widow. According to Mens Health, she had four sons. Their names were, Dixon Trujillo-Blanco, Uber Trujillo-Blanco, Osvaldo Trujillo-Blanco, and Michael Corleone Blanco. Furthermore, just like Griselda, they worked in the cartel.

The post Griselda Blanco: What Was the Colombian Drug Lord Convicted Of? appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.
The victims, most of whom were unidentified, were found dumped along major highways in Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas, Mississippi and West Virginia

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation From left, Michelle Inman, Elizabeth Lamotte, Tina McKenney-Farmer, Tracy Sue Walker

A group of Tennessee high school students are bringing to light a series of cold case murders that have stumped law enforcement for more than four decades.

The murders, which were dubbed the "Redhead Murders" because all of the victims had reddish hair, began in the late 70s. The victims, most of whom were unidentified, were found dumped along major highways in Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas, Mississippi and West Virginia.

It was believed that the killer was probably a trucker and picked up the women at truck stops and disposed of their remains in nearby states but despite investigative efforts in mid '80s, the murders remained unsolved.

The Elizabethton High School students' work on the case, which began in the spring of 2018 as part of a sociology class, is now featured in a 10-episode podcast called Murder 101.

Teacher Alex Campbell says he brought the case to the attention of his students because he likes "projects that get the students interested, projects where we can apply what we're learning in our classes, he tells PEOPLE. I had never heard about the murders even though I've lived here my entire life. They had these murders, but nobody had ever come to a consensus whether there was a person responsible for more than one of them, was there a serial killer active?"

The goal for the students, he says, was to uncover whether the killings were the work of one man. They even got the assistance of former FBI agent who helped them learn how to profile a case.

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They saw a potential pattern in six of the 12 to 14 murders attributed to the spate of killings and even helped identify one of the victims, Tina McKenney-Farmer, with the help of a podcaster and a true crime buff.

McKenney-Farmer was found dead on January 1, 1985. Her strangled and bound body was discovered along Interstate 75 in Campbell County.



Once she was identified, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation was able to link DNA found at the McKenney-Farmer crime scene to Jerry Johns who died in prison in 2015 after being convicted in 1987 of the attempted murder of a woman he picked up, strangled and then dumped along Interstate 40.



The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Jerry Johns

After pouring through investigative files and talking to former detectives, the students believe there is strong evidence to show that whoever killed McKenney-Farmer most likely killed Lisa Nichols, Michelle Inman, Elizabeth Lamotte, Tracy Walker and an unidentified Jane Doe named DeSoto County Jane Doe.

There's plenty of evidence for it, says Campbell.

Campbell says the students are hoping through the podcast they will bring attention to the cases and identify other potential victims.

They want to spread the word to as many people as possible, he says. Get as many people calling in tips and things that they didn't say back then. New witnesses, willing to speak up, political pressure, social pressure on groups to continue the work that needs to be done on these. We've got to hold whoever  if it's Jerry Johns or somebody else  they have to be held responsible for these women. Their families deserve justice.

About his students' work, Campbell says they "felt like these women didn't have anybody to speak for them, and that's why they were forgotten," he says. "So they wanted to speak for them, and they felt really attached. And some of them started saying, they're almost like family. So they started thinking of them as their six sisters."



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Italian authorities are fighting against Fleximan, an individual or group that is attacking speed radars.

In the world of automobiles, Italy is known for its elegant car design, but also for its rogue edge. First, it was their technique for hiding vehicle license plates from speed cameras. Now, a certain Fleximan is attracting all the media attention.

As reported by several Italian and international media outlets, it is as yet unknown whether Fleximan is one person or a group of several individuals, but it is clear what his goal is: to destroy speed radars. The Italian autovelox are the enemy of Fleximan, who for several months has been attacking radars and signing his or her name to the handiwork.

At the moment, at least 15 radars have been destroyed in the regions of Piedmont, Lombardy and Veneto under the name of Fleximan. The different locations suggest that these attacks are in fact perpetrated by several people.

Loved by some, wanted by others

Unsurprisingly, social media has acclaimed this figure. Fleximans claim is that local authorities, by placing radars in unsuspected places, essentially seek to make money at the expense of drivers rather than to protect road safety.

Other citizens who have suffered the effects of speeding strongly criticize the autovelox avenger. Obviously, Italian law enforcement agencies are actively searching for Fleximan. Colonel Michele Cucuglielli, provincial commander of the Carabinieri of Padua, has already made a statement to Corriere della Sera.

We are working on all fronts, without neglecting the smallest detail and we are collaborating not only with colleagues from other provinces but also with the police stations and local police of the territories where the damage to the radars was committed, the colonel explained to the Italian newspaper.

The latest attack by Fleximan took place on January 24, on the provincial road of Villa del Conte (Padua). A sticker reading Fleximan sta arrivando (Fleximan is coming) appeared next to the smashed radar.

One Fleximan arrested

On the same day, authorities arrested a resident of a Piedmont town as a suspect in the attacks. He is accused of destroying two radars in the area of the SS337 highway in the province of Verbano (Piedmont), where he resides. There are several videos that have been used as evidence.

The accused is a man in his fifties with a job and a family who, for now, has not provided any explanation as to why he allegedly attacked the radars. However, the police doubt that he is the only Fleximan.

For the time being, this resident will face a charge of serious vandalism and a fine of at least 2,000 ($2,160).

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Gus Van Sant has taken on a few superlatives over the course of his 40-year career: indie provocateur, Palme dOr-winning filmmaker and, per the late Robin Williams, mellowest man in Hollywood.

A label that long eluded the 71-year-old director, despite his line of work, was Angeleno. Van Sant built one of the more eclectic resumes in modern cinema while living in Oregon, his chosen home until just a few years ago. There were a lot of water issues near the end  tsunami years at the beach house, flooding on the river in Portland, he says, now safely 700-plus feet above sea level in the unassuming Hollywood Hills mid-century home that he now calls his primary residence. Finally, I just sold it all and kind of never went back.

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Van Sants artistic choices, not unlike his decades as a Hollywood outsider, defy most traditional paths. After gaining attention from studios and A-listers by writing and directing low-budget darlings (Drugstore Cowboy, My Own Private Idaho), he became a celebrated director-for-hire  helming Nicole Kidmans career-solidifying vehicle, To Die For, and the 1997 hit Good Will Hunting, the latter earning him his first Oscar nomination for directing (the second was for Milk)  only to then troll critics with a shot-for-shot remake of Alfred Hitchcocks Psycho and a trio of unscripted features. So, while it may surprise some to hear that Van Sants latest gig is house director and executive producer on a Ryan Murphy miniseries, it probably shouldnt.

Capote vs. The Swans, out Jan. 31 on FX and Hulu, is the second iteration of Murphys Feud franchise. A rare TV foray for Van Sant  who has spent his six-year break from film mostly working on his other main pursuit, painting  it chronicles, with plenty of liberties, how one short story derailed writer Truman Capotes cozy relationship with the female power brokers of 1970s Manhattan society. There wasnt much when I signed on, says Van Sant, reclining on a living room couch covered with old Pendleton blankets, an homage to Oregon that doubles as a fur guard for Burroughs and Leo, the two Australian shepherds with whom he shares his home. Then there were scripts and Naomi Watts was on board and Ryan was casting all these people. Its a fun way to work.

Ive read that the writing part of filmmaking, at least of late, is your favorite part of the job. What does it take to get you to say yes to a straight directing gig?

For me, writing and directing are the most exciting. You control everything. You decide what happens. But I have done a lot of other peoples written material, and those jobs tend to be the more successful ones. (Laughs.)

So, why this?

I was at a dinner with [Feud showrunner] Jon Robin Baitz. He was discussing the things that he was working on, and one of them was with Ryan Murphy. Watching Ryans work, I had always thought that they had their own stable of directors that they only ever used. And then I thought, I wonder if they would ever let somebody outside direct for them? When Jon told me it was about Capote and the Swans  a period of history I know, and I remember reading that article that had gotten him in trouble  my question turned into me wondering if hed let me direct. I wanted to do all eight, and they decided I should direct six instead.

Why not do all eight?

People tend to avoid doing that many episodes, and now I realize why. You overexert yourself. And we were kept to a schedule that was really difficult. So, six was fatiguing.

You and Ryan have very different styles. How would you describe the collaboration  did you have carte blanche to create the aesthetic?

I thought that Ryan would be on the set, but he wasnt  and there was no agreement about that. He said, Ill just take care of the flowers. He had a [producer] from his camp thats keeping all his lists of thoughts and requests about the scenes, but he only came on set for one day.

During promotions for Good Will Hunting, Robin Williams referred to you as the mellowest man in Hollywood. How does a director cultivate a reputation like that?

I dont think Im mellow. Im just thinking, silently working and figuring out whats going on in a scene. I think when Ryan visited Feud, he wondered why it was so quiet. Sets are known to be loud  but if theyre operating properly, theyre quiet so that the actors can do what theyre doing. Im not one to offer explanations that arent being asked for. I trust actors instincts.

What were Robins instincts?

Robin had a lot of ideas. His only problem was he wanted to do a lot of takes  a slow one, a fast one, a funny one, a funny fast one, a funny slow one.  He knew that in the editing, they need that kind of stuff. But if I get a good take, I try to stop. Hed get me up to seven or eight just by begging, Please, please? One more? One more?

If a normal Gus Van Sant set is quiet, what set of yours was the loudest?

That one. Robin was just cracking jokes. David Cronenberg came to set one day and remarked, My, its really noisy in here. So, Ill let it get loud. Its just that Im not the one thats generating the noise.

You were one of the many directors to throw their hat in the ring for the Fifty Shades of Grey feature adaptation and you submitted something you filmed. What did that entail?

It was one of the sex scenes. I thought it was a way to get the author [E.L. James] to see my enthusiasm. Its hard, in the ramp-up, to get people to understand where youre going if you actually make the movie. Some people make sizzle reels. That mightve been more the way to go. But Alex Pettyfer really wanted to do it, so I thought, We can just do a scene. And we did. And we showed them.

Who was his scene partner?

I forget her name. Ugh! Shed been in Nip/Tuck, I think. She had done some good work.

Are there jobs or projects that you didnt get that you still think about?

No, but there are the projects that many different directors have tried to adapt. Those types, theyre alluring, just because it seems like they havent been done. [Patrick Suskinds] Perfume is an elusive piece. The Master and Margarita, [Mikhail Bulgakovs] Russian novel, hasnt been done  but [Baz Luhrmanns] been trying.

Gus Van Sant at his Hollywood Hills home.

What are some of the weirder offers that youve had?

After Drugstore Cowboy, which was my first really visible film, I started getting these offers from studios because the movie included Matt Dillon in a role that he hadnt done before. They were trying to make G.I. Joe in, like, 1990. At the time, it was a quote-unquote action movie, so the directors would get paid 10 times as much. They had a script, and they wanted me to direct. But it wasnt that they desired me so much as they wanted me to lure actors like Matt into these movies. They needed big actors, but the actors didnt want to be in kooky action movies. Theyre still kooky, but theyll do them now because there are no other choices.

You unpacked the backstory of your shot-for-shot remake of Psycho on a podcast a few years back. It sounds like you were almost calling the studios bluff when you asked to make that. Is that really what happened?

This was during a period where they were remaking The Flintstones and The Addams Family  all these things. Like, Paramount wanted to do Seconds, the Rock Hudson movie, but put Brad Pitt in it. During those years, Universal would open the library to me, and Id say, If youre going to have the story be the same, only with a modern cast, just reproduce the movie like a Xerox. Maybe thatll make money. They thought that was the wackiest idea theyd ever heard. But when Good Will Hunting was nominated for Oscars, they started setting up all of the new deals. You know, so they can lean over to the other executives and say they have your next picture. I told my agent, Tell them to remake Psycho. Dont change anything. Copy the movie and make it in color, a new cast. Theyll know what Im talking about. The message came back, We think thats a brilliant idea.

When did it become serious to you?

When they said yes. (Laughs.) Then I had to decide whether I actually wanted to go through with it. But it was a valid curiosity that I had, so I did it. The critics killed me.

Has there been a critique or a review over the years that youve disagreed with most?

Like with Titanic, when [James] Cameron wanted the journalist to rewrite his review? Nothing like that. Sometimes its unfortunate. On Finding Forrester, it seemed like the critic at The New York Times, Stephen Holden, was having just a bad week. He was like, This is 100 percent bullshit. Thats what he said! [Holden referred to the film as 100 percent bogus.] The movie didnt do as well as it could have. It did well, but it just didnt get respect because, I think, that review set a tone.

Do you think youve ever been in movie jail?

Not jail, but Im a wild card because things that Ive made are just kind of all over the place. Its not like David Fincher movies, where its always this certain standard of quality. Real movie jail is losing so much money that you dont get any money for your next film. Now they have computers, and the computers have a number for you. I have my ups and downs, but most of my movies dont cost that much money. I always feel like I am kind of on probation.

You released Elephant in 2003, a few years before one of your collaborators, JT LeRoy, was revealed to be a hoax  Laura Albert writing as a gay man and sending her friend out into the world in drag to pretend to be JT. Did you have any idea at the time?

No. I just believed them. We had optioned JTs first book [Sarah] for like $1,000 and were developing a script. A year later, theyd traded up  friends with Madonna, Bono and Lou Reed, all these people. He was busy  or, rather, she was busy. I was legitimately surprised when the whole thing was unmasked. JT had lived with Carrie Fisher for a week, and Carrie called me when it all came out. We were like, It couldnt be Laura writing that stuff  we knew her as Speedy  no, shes an idiot!

Theres a lot of dialogue now about who can play what. Do you think that Sean Penn could portray Harvey Milk if you were to make Milk today?

That would be different, wouldnt it? I really dont know. There had been a number of straight actors  like Tom Hanks in Philadelphia  to win the Oscar for playing gay. But we were right on the cusp of having it be  not a good thing.

Youve worked with a lot of talent over the years, right as they were about to become household names. Who was somebody who you could tell was going to make it big?

When I first met Matt Damon, it wasnt for Good Will Hunting, it was for To Die For. He tried out for Jimmy [a part that ultimately went to Joaquin Phoenix], who was supposed to be 16. Matt was maybe 24 and really trying to get the role, but he was too all-American  too well-adjusted to believe Nicoles character could seduce him as a way to kill her husband. But after his first read, [the late producer] Laura Ziskin turned to me after he was gone and said, Thats a movie star. I was like, Really? (Laughs.) I cant call things like that.

This story first appeared in the Jan. 26 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Click here to subscribe.

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The model, who welcomed her first child in May 2023, seems to have her sights set on a new pet

Ireland Baldwin/Instagram Ireland Baldwin poses with a baby goat

Ireland Baldwin may have just given birth to her firstborn, but shes ready to welcome even more babies into her life.

The model, 28, posed with a tiny goat nestled in a baby carrier on Saturday, and called the animal MY CHILD  . Baldwin shared three photos with the goat snuggled up against her chest, and the comment section quickly filled with love for the adorable little animal.

What a beautiful day, wrote Paris Hilton. Her dad, Alec Baldwin, also weighed in, commenting, Now THATS a Wes Anderson movie

Irelands declaration of love for the farm animal comes just days after she marked eight months with her daughter, Holland, who was born in May.

8 months of being my butter biscuit , she wrote on Instagram as she shared an adorable shot of the infant  whom she shares with boyfriend RAC (born Andre Allen Anjos)  wearing a pair of pumpkin pants and a Dare Devil T-shirt.

Related: Khloe Kardashian Shares Sweet Video of Son Tatum Bonding with Furry Friend: Most Patient Cat Ever

In the months since becoming a mother, Ireland has been candid about the highs and lows of life with a newborn.

"I'm not going to lie... there have been moments where I have been so overwhelmed by all of the changes... but overall, things have been beautiful," she shared on Instagram as she answered a fan-submitted question in a Q&A in October.

"She's so much fun to spend time with and figure out," she continued of Holland. "I would say most of the stress I've experienced lately has actually had nothing to do with her. Being overtired just makes it all worse."

Ireland Baldwin/Instagram Ireland Baldwin with her daughter Holland

She reflected further in a post just one day before New Years Eve, as she called 2023 one of the hardest years of my life.

This wasnt some resolution for change I made but a series of events that forced me to break many bad habits and be my best self for this tiny human I call my daughter. She isnt even a year old yet and shes taught me how to be a better friend, a better listener, and to take my time take it slow, Ireland wrote.

I have never felt more love in my life yet I have never felt more isolated," she continued. "The loneliness of being a new mom can feel so suffocating, somehow. Ive had to part ways with so many friends that simply dont understand where Im at and why I cant be the same person. Im invited to a lot less. My career has taken a longer pause than expected which has been really hard on me some days.

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Ireland also touched on the many ways her life has changed since her daughter's arrival.

Some days I fight for my old self to show face and be the girl who can stay out later, fit the same dress size, drink as much, keep everyone entertained but Im a new me and thats ok," she shared, before adding, "I like the new me whos taking on new things and pushing limits I never even knew I had."



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A 9-year-old child helped Kentucky police find a gun-slinging pastor responsible for a chilling triple homicide.

Loving parents, Michael and Angela Angie Hockensmith, were the co-owners of the ABC Gold, Games & More pawn shop in Danville, Kentucky  a little more than 30 miles southeast of Lexington. The pair homeschooled a 9-year-old son, Andrew, while raising their infant daughter, Naomi, both of whom regularly spent time at the Hockensmiths place of work.

The pawn shop, that was basically my home it was basically a playground, Andrew Hockensmith told Final Moments, airing Sundays at 7/6c on Oxygen. I absolutely loved it. It was simply amazing.

Michael Hockensmith was a Youth Pastor when he and the sociable Angie  who was active in singing ministry  first met through the church. The couple moved to Danville in 2013, nearly a decade after marrying, planting roots at a local church, according to Michaels mother, Barbara Hockensmith.

When it came to him and church, him being a parent or anything he did, it was his whole heart or nothing, said the mother.

RELATED: Popular Deli Shop Owner Who Hates To Lose Takes Hit Out On Estranged Wife

Michael retained a part-time status with the church when gaining employment with the ABC pawn shop. Soon, the stores owner, Steve Divine, made Michael Hockensmith a partner in the business.

But on the morning of September 20, 2013, the family arrived at the shop, where Andrew  whod regularly done his homeschooling at the store  played games. The morning went as planned, even when pawn shop regular Dan Smith came in for a pre-scheduled visit.

Smith, dubbed The Gold Man, was known to buy and sell gold between pawn shops around the state. About 15 minutes after opening, as Michael and Smith conducted business, a bearded man entered the store and demanded everyone get on the ground, according to Andrew.

Andrew Hockensmith witnesses a triple murder

Michael and Angela Hockensmith featured on Final Moments Episode 216

Michael and Angela Hockensmith. Photo: Oxygen

A petrified Andrew told Final Moments that he and his mother retreated and huddled in the corner with baby Naomi, hearing high-pitched sounds like a dart gun as the unknown assailant fatally shot Michael Hockensmith and Dan Smith. Angie instructed Andrew to take his sister to the back of the store just before she was shot to death.

Andrew sat with his sister on the couch, later returning to find his parents in their own blood. He called 9-1-1, as recorded on audiotape and published by Final Moments, and told dispatchers that a robber had shot his parents and was possibly still on the premises.

Theyre dead, on the ground, the calm 9-year-old told dispatch when asked about his parents. Come here quickly because Im afraid. Please hurry.

Listeners can hear baby Naomi cooing in the background.

It was all hands on deck for the Danville Police Department, including detectives A.J. Mullins, Lisa Dollins, and Robert Vladd.

They came very quickly, and I had walked to the door with phone in hand and sister in the other, said Andrew. And walking by these dead bodies of people that I loved.

Det. Mullins took the children back to the police station and notified Michaels mother. In the meantime, detectives began processing the crime scene, where they found all three adults shot to death, though drag marks indicated Dan Smith was moved from one location to another.

According to Det. Vladd, whoever killed the three victims used a .22-caliber gun to shoot Michael eight times in the legs, chest, and head; Angie Hockensmith three times in the head; and Dan Smith five times in the head. Fortunately for investigators, Andrew gave a good description of the bad guy, said Det. Mullins.

Andrew  the child responsible for saving his baby sister  told Final Moments the gunman was a heavyset dude wearing sunglasses and a cap, and he had a beard that appeared to be fake. He told Det. Mullins the suspect wore black latex gloves and camouflaged apparel.

Andrew also provided a clear description of the weapon, helping detectives deduce the assailant used a gun silencer.

Investigators examine possible motives

Dan Smith featured on Final Moments Episode 216

Dan Smith. Photo: Oxygen

Investigators initially wondered if they had a deadly robbery on their hands, but they soon learned no money was taken from the register, moving them to look in other directions. Because of the silencer, they wondered if the murders were the work of a professional hitman.

While sifting through the possibilities, authorities contacted relatives, including Dan Smiths daughters, Crystal Keepes and Stephanie Smith, who described Smith as a kind man who loved to help others.

Relatives couldnt understand who would want to harm the victims.

There is nothing worse than to lose a child, said an emotional Barbara Hockensmith. But, if it hadnt been for Andrew and Naomi, I dont think I would have survived it.

A witness told police they saw a man exiting ABC Gold, Games & More shortly after the murders and run for the alleyway, where the suspect entered a silver minivan and sped away from the scene. Though the pawn shop had no security cameras, other area businesses did, helping police track the silver vehicle throughout town.

Surveillance video also led detectives to believe the killer staked out the pawn shop and/or one of the people inside before executing the attack.

RELATED: Gospel Singer Had Husband Killed with Help from Her In-Laws

Looking into the victims, the police found the Hockensmiths were just a loving, good family, according to Det. Dollins. They had no past run-ins to indicate any troubles in their lives.

Detectives then dug into ABC Gold, Games & More, learning the primary owner, Steve Divine, was supposed to meet the Hockensmiths and Smith for the business deal but called in sick that morning, according to police.

It was definitely concerning that the owner of the business, who was supposed to be there, ironically didnt show up because of allergies, Det. Lisa Dollins told Final Moments.

But Divines alibi checked out: at the time of the murders, he was at home with his wife.

Next, looking into Dan Smith, Danville police learned Smith regularly traveled between pawn shops with a briefcase.

Hed have anywhere from $30,000 to $100,000, and he went to known businesses on known days, said Dollins. So, really, anybody could have followed him and figured out where he was going to be and when.

Investigators tracked surveillance footage from multiple businesses that Dan Smith visited on the morning of the murders, including Lawsons Jewelry in Harrodsburg  10 miles northeast of Danville. In his Final Moments, Smith appeared in good spirits and unaware that hed be killed within the hour.

A phone call from Michigan shifts the investigation

Investigators Track Dan Smiths Movements the Day of His Death

Four days later, a Michigan pastor called Kentucky authorities, claiming another pastor based in Danville made suspicious remarks about Michael and Angie Hockensmith

According to Det. Robert Vladd, the Michigan pastor said Kenneth Allen Keith switched like a light switch, angry because hed been owed a lot of money.

Kenneth Allen Keith was another pawn shop owner with a store in Pulaski County, neighboring Danvilles Boyle County. He was also a pastor at a Somerset church  nearly 50 miles south of Danville.

Preaching and pawnshops seemed to be the common denominator in those involved in the case, Det. Dollins told Final Moments. It wasnt long, however, until detectives discovered Keith had a different preaching style than those of the Hockensmiths.

We found one of his sermons that he had on YouTube where hes on the pulpit, and hes got a rifle with a sling on, and hes talking about his past, what hes done, Det. A.J. Mullins said. And the further we looked into Kenneth Allen, the more were like, This is a good lead.

Keiths financial history revealed to detectives that Keith and ABC Gold, Games & More owner, Steve Divine, were previously in business with one another. The partnership fell through and resulted in Keith owing Divine money and Divine suing as a result, according to Det. Dollins.

The Hockensmiths, previously employed by Keith, took over as partner of the pawn shop. Divine reportedly felt cheated by the new arrangement, as though the Hockensmiths ripped the business from underneath him.

But that wasnt all.

It ended up that there was a silver-slash-gray minivan that was registered and associated with [Keith], Det. Vladd told Final Moments.

Police requested the Michigan-based-pastor-turned-tipster initiate a conversation between him and the suspect, as recorded on October 9, 2013, and published by Final Moments.

Police narrow in on Kenneth Allen Keith

Andrew Hockensmith Looks Back Fondly on His Familys Pawn Shop

During the phone conversation, Keith referred to the Hockensmiths as crooked people.

They went into it with the whole point from day one to take over that business from me, Keith told the informant. I dont mean to speak ill, but facts is facts.

Keith admitted to being in Danville at the time of the murders, stating he was at a pharmacy. Sure enough, Danville police found pharmacy security footage showing Keith inside at around 9:25 a.m., which would have provided enough time for Keith to carry out the shootings.

Prosecutor Richie Bottoms considered it unusual that Keith would visit a pharmacy in Danville instead of one of several pharmacies in his Somerset hometown.

Police learned their prime suspect was in Florida as their investigation gained traction. During that time, they obtained a search warrant for Keiths home, church, and business.

At Keiths pawn shop, detectives found materials used to design a homemade gun silencer and, outside the store, .22-caliber shell casings used for target practice.

The casings matched those from the crime scene. Upon his return to Kentucky, Kenneth Allen Keith was arrested and charged with three counts of first-degree murder.

Andrew Hockensmith remembered hearing about the arrest on the news, while Dan Smiths daughters were surprised since Smith and Keith seemed to have a good relationship.

Dad had a previous relationship with Kenneth Allen Keith. He would come in, and he would buy and sell; they did business, Smiths daughter, Crystal Keepes, told Final Moments. Youre going, Wait a minute, thats not a real pastor. To be able to commit murders on Friday and get up on the pulpit Sunday morning and preach, especially in front of two children.

For his crimes, Keith faced a possible death sentence. But in hopes of sparing the victims loved ones from a lengthy trial, prosecutors offered a deal, which Keith accepted: life in prison without the possibility of parole for pleading guilty to the murders.

We all come out on the short end of the stick, but thats OK; I dont have to answer for what he did, Michael Hockensmiths mother, Barbara Hockensmith, told Final Moments. The mans going to have his own demons hes going to have to live with.

Im very thankful for what I have, and in a sense, its like I am living through my parents life, or kind of like a reimagined one, Andrew Hockensmith continued. My parents will always live on within me.

Watch Season 2 of Final Moments, now available on Oxygen.
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She wore the Carolina Herrera look to the 'Bob Marley: One Love' premiere in Jamaica

Marcus Ingram/Getty Images

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle touched down in Jamaica.

The couple attended the premiere of Bob Marley: One Love in the Caribbean last week and dressed up for the occasion. The Spare author, 39, opted for navy dress pants and a matching suit jacket, while the Suits actress, 42, wore a relatively casual tank top with a voluminous skirt to match. She also added some dangly earrings from Jennifer Meyer.

Jason Koerner/Getty Images

Markles skirt was from the designer brand Carolina Herrera  but we found one with the same look for less. This $36 V28 Pleated Chiffon Maxi Skirt has more than 4,500 five-star ratings and many shoppers say it as very flattering and elegant.

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It comes in 24 colors and ranges in sizes from XS to 5X. If you follow the no white after Labor Day rule, or any other light color for that matter, you can get it in black, like Markles, or other dark hues, including army green, wine, or dark blue. But if you dont abide by fashion rules, the white one reminds us of the maxi skirt Katie Holmes wore last year.

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Related: Julianne Moore and I Have Both Used the Leave-In Conditioner That Transformed My Straw-Like Hair

You can wear maxi skirts with almost anything. Markle paired hers with a simple tank top for the red carpet, while a polished bodysuit and blazer could make your skirt even more professional.

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A second shopper even called it the perfect dress skirt, adding that it has a very feminine flow when walking or dancing.

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Getting superstar musicians together in the studio is like herding cats. Thats a major takeaway from The Greatest Night in Pop, the documentary about the recording of We Are the World, one of the best-selling singles of all time. The film, directed by Bao Nguyen (Be Water), comes to Netflix 39 years and one day after the single was recorded in 1985.

When the song was released on March 7, 1985, the accompanying video showed recording footage of the stars involved: Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, Cyndi Lauper, Diana Ross, Paul Simon, Kenny Rogers, Tina Turner, Billy Joel, Huey Lewis, Bob Dylan, and many others. As USA for Africa, under the production direction of Quincy Jones, they sang in turn, sharing the verses and the microphones, coming together for a worthy cause: providing food and aid to Africa, specifically Ethiopia.

The optics of this project have been excellent, not to mention the millions of dollars raised. The Greatest Night in Pop has a two-pronged effect. It triggers all the feelgood nostalgia vibes of a classic song sung by the most super of groups. It also blows up any rose-tinted images that may have existed about the song and the personalities (egos) involved.

The majority of The Greatest Night in Pop is extensive archival footage from that momentous night at A&M Studios (now Henson Studios). Also documented is the writing of We Are the World by Jackson and Richie at the formers home. The development of the song is artistic geniusdespite Jacksons menagerie interfering and at times, frightening Richie. His anecdotes about Bubbles, Jacksons famous chimp, his bird, and his snake are a hoot.

Autographed sheet music for We Are the World. (Credit: Vinnie Zuffante/Getty Images)

Additional period footage fleshes out the context of the time and the nascence of the idea, credited to Harry Belafonte and moved along by Richies manager at the time, Ken Kragen. After the release of Band Aids Do They Know Its Christmas the month prior, Belafonte reached out to his famous friends saying, We have White folks saving Black folks. We dont have Black folks saving Black folks. Thats a problem. Still, Bob Geldof, the organizer of Band Aid was on hand in the studio and gave the pre-recording pep talk that put the project in perspective for the artists and brought gravity to the scene.

The artists were chosen based on who would sell records. The demo was sent around on cassette tape four days before going into the studio. Two days before recording, the songs arrangement was done, as was the physical arrangement of the artists around the room. The song was recorded the same evening as the American Music Awards, after the ceremony, as many of the artists would be in town, and, provided they didnt go to any afterparties, available.

Conspicuously absent is Madonna, but its revealed that Kragen wanted Lauper. The implication is that its one or the other. Ironically, Lauper almost didnt come because her boyfriend heard the demo and didnt think it was a hit. Also missing is Prince. In fact, many minutes of the film are spent talking about the ongoing schemes to get him into the room. Sheila E. goes as far as to say she was asked to sing so she could be used as a carrot to entice Prince to join the recording.

Current-day talking heads Richie, Springsteen, Lauper, Dionne Warwick, Kenny Loggins, Smokey Robinson, and Sheila E. bring an insightful perspective to the experience. Also filling out the pictures are the audio engineer, lighting designer, and videographer. This narration brings a lot to the priceless original footage. Loggins says there was a low hum of competitionthe egos were still there. At one point Stevie Wonder helps Ray Charles to the bathroom and the observation is: The blind really leading the blind.

That the stars are in awe of each other is tangible and as Lewis says, We got to interact with each other and that was the thrill. Ross broke through this invisible wall when she asked Daryl Hall to autograph her music sheet, which sparked everyone else to do the same. The image that is the most indelible is Bob Dylan looking absolutely terrified, painfully uncomfortable, and about as far out of his element as he can get.

After a whirlwind week at Sundance where The Greatest Night in Pop premiered, Nguyen joins SPIN to talk about his presentation of that historic night and how he struck the balance between sentiment and humor.

How did you come to this project?

Mid-2020, we were looking for projects that had archival footage because we didnt know when we could shoot anything. Through her development team, my producer Julia Nottingham found the story. She knew the song, but she had no idea about the story of how it happened in one night. We decided it was very compelling.

I was only two years old when We Are the World came out. I dont remember the huge impact of the song. But my parents, who were Vietnamese refugees, had just come over to America. They didnt speak a lot of English, but they had Lionel Richie albums, Kenny Rogers albums, and they were always playing We Are the World. I had personal connections to it, but I wasnt sure if I was the right person to tell the story.

It was a trip to Vietnam shortly thereafter (my parents have since moved back) when I got into a taxicab and the 60- or 70-year-old Vietnamese driver, who spoke no English, put in a mix CD and the first song was We Are the World. I thought that was serendipitous and it made me want to explore why the song was so important to people, but also to find out about making of the song, an impossible feat in many ways.

How did you get started on the making of the film?

I dont make music documentaries. We didnt have connections to Lionel Richie or Michael Jacksons estate, and we didnt know where to start. But Julia happened to be working on a project with MRC, who used to own Dick Clark Productions, who produced the American Music Awards, which we knew was an entry point into that world. MRC told us we should contact Larry Klein whos in the film. Julia cold-called him and gave him the elevator pitch. He said, Ive been waiting for this call for 35 years. Again, serendipity. We asked, Has anyone approached Lionel? He said, A lot of people have approached him, but he hasnt found the right team. Julia had the tenacity to pursue it. With my vision and my connection, he gave us the keys to the kingdom.

Lionel Ritchie in Netflixs The Greatest Night in Pop. (Credit: Courtesy of Netflix  2024)

Where was all this amazing original footage?

USA for Africa owns the footage. The footage was all over the place because they made the recording for a music video and TV special as part of the release of the song and music video. They didnt think that almost 40 years later, filmmakers would approach them to make a documentary. The footage was in boxes and car trunks and some of it was really damaged from moisture. We had to bake a lot of the tapes to revive it. Now, since its such a historical document, its in the Smithsonian.

There is footage from the writing of the song and Ken Kragens office, as well as Los Angeles from that period that really complements the video of the recording. Where were those from?

One of the other discoveries of this film through our amazing archival producers was the David Breskin tapes. He was a journalist who was covering the event for Life Magazine. As soon as he got the assignment, he turned on his dictaphone and recorded every conversation he had from three weeks before the recording, as well as the recording. As I mentioned before, a lot of the archival was not in the best shape, and a lot of it was missing audio. They were recording the audio into the feed of the sound board, so it was only when they were recording the song that we heard any audio. A lot of those conversations you hear in the film are David Breskins tapes. We had to eye match that audio to what were seeing from the archival. It created this rich texture and immersion into the story that we didnt have before.

Kens office and MJ [Michael Jackson], a lot of that audio was from Breskins tapes. But me playing director, we recreated a lot of those scenes and what youre seeing is my vision of what happened based on those audio tapes. I was adamant about getting the exact same cameras that were shooting the recording studio. For me, its about immersing the audience in the full experience, story, characters and emotion. All we had was audio, but how do we bring you into this world of Ken and MJ and Lionel writing  and Quincy? The combination of what we shot on our own in modern day and found archival films of Quincy and Michael, we seamlessly put it together to feel like one cohesive film.

You made the stylistic choice of keeping the entire film in 4:3 aspect ratio, including the modern-day talking heads parts, which is very effective in keeping the visual thread.

When Im watching a film, I personally dont love talking heads, especially when youre talking about something in the past. Youre jolted into a different time and a different world. I felt for this film, it was important to see the interviews because our participants are so dynamic, so iconic and they tell the story so well. We wanted them to tell it so it felt like it was in the present tense. That was one way to keep the viewers immersed in the story and not think of it like a retrospective or looking back.

Stylistically, the whole film is a practice in nostalgia. Most of the interviews were shot at Henson Studios, which was A&M Studios, in the room where it happened. It was important to me to capture that spirit and the energy of that room. A lot of the people that we interviewed hadnt stepped in that room since the night of the recording. When they came back into that room, other memories rushed back to them. Thats another reason why we show the interviews. I dont want to spoil it, but at the end it all makes sense of why were in that room.

How did your background in editing come to play in how the film comes across?

We had amazing editors. My background in visual storytelling, I wanted to make sure you felt like you were riding along with Breskin or Lionel Richie. Youre traveling through the streets of LA. Youre in Venice. Youre in Hollywood at night. Youre seeing these characters. Every shot was intentional to make sure it all blended in, and viewers were on this journey, driving through 1980s Los Angeles. Its very much a love letter to LA as well.

To see our running list of the top 100 greatest rock stars of all time, click here.
Wells Fargo analyst Steven Cahall started the week by downgrading his rating on Warner Bros. Discovery shares, which had gained in 2023, from overweight to equal weight and cutting his stock price target by $4 to $12.

Were changing our WBD thesis from deleveraging with multiple expansion to lower earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation a1nd amortization (EBITDA) with a static multiple, he explained in a report in which he reduced his financial forecasts. We also back off a 24 take-out thesis.

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Indeed, Cahall previously pushed the idea of Comcast acquiring WBD, led by CEO David Zaslav. But now, he noted, he has turned less favorable on M&A. Wrote the expert: While weve pushed the prospect of Comcast for WBD, Comcast has talked it down of late, and even if it makes sense, we dont see any urgency in an election year.

WBD buying a peer, meanwhile, would come with risks, Cahall argued. Paramount Global, or some of its assets like CBS, are or could be available, but equity investors have a very limited tolerance for more debt regardless of the strategic rationale, he explained. This means WBDs opportunities are primarily organic. We do forecast a much stronger HBO slate in 24, but also continued networks pressures.

All in all, he cut his 2024 earnings estimate from $10.5 billion to below $10 billion and his 2025 forecast from $11.2 billion to $10.4 billion, down 5 percent and 7 percent, respectively, speaking of earnings challenges.

The Wells Fargo analyst also discussed the recent company and industry trend to return to licensing programming to others. Content licensing is a double-edged sword, Cahall emphasized. WBD is experimenting with licensing of HBO and Warner Bros. content to services like Netflix. One way to accelerate EBITDA and free cash flow would be to let marquee titles like The Sopranos, Game of Thrones or Friends go to deep-pocketed streamers instead of Max  likely billions of untapped revenue potential. But, this would come at the expense of Max engagement (we estimate about 27 minutes per day).

Concluded the expert: Management is caught between scaling direct-to-consumer and deleveraging through licensing deals.

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Israel is "closer to war" with Hezbollah and a possible regional war than ever, a senior Israeli official said.

Israeli and Hezbollah forces have traded fire across the Lebanese-Israeli border for over three months. The violence has killed about 15 Israelis, including both civilians and Israel Defense Forces members, according to The Times of Israel. The Hezbollah terrorist organization claims 171 of its members have been killed since Oct. 8, The Times of Israel reported.

On Thursday, the Israel Defense Forces reported they struck Hezbollah infrastructure in at least five locations in southern Lebanon. No deaths were immediately reported. There have since been other strikes back and forth, including one Friday when the IDF said it carried out strikes that purportedly killed four members of Hezbollah, per The Times of Israel.

Israel's north is bristling with tens of thousands of regular troops and about 60,000 reservists, an IDF official told ABC News on Wednesday.

Nearly 100,000 Israelis have evacuated the country's northern towns and tens of thousands of Lebanese living near the border have fled the fighting, according to an Israeli government estimate. An estimated 76,000 Lebanese living along the border have fled, according to the International Organization for Migration. The Lebanese government has also accused Israel of trying to create a de facto buffer zone by destroying tens of thousands of trees to deprive Hezbollah of cover.

PHOTO: A civil defense worker carries parts of a destroyed car following an Israeli drone strike in the southern town of Bazouriyeh, Lebanon, Jan. 20, 2024. (Mohammad Zaatari/AP)

The Israeli official also told ABC News that during an Oct. 11 war cabinet meeting, most of the Israeli ministers, including Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, pressed for a preemptive strike on Lebanon, but that a couple of holdouts, including professional staff and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, dissuaded them.

In a recent briefing, Gallant said Israel is "working against Iran in all the spheres. The Iranians are behind Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis. They are supporting and funding proxies and conducting attacks ... disrupting freedom of navigation." Gallant's comments appeared to nod at a series of strikes from Israel that killed key Iranian and Hezbollah officials in Syria and Lebanon in recent weeks.

"Israel has really increased the rhetoric and signals of war recently, said Maha Yahya, director of the Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center, while Hezbollah, "which used to respond to Israeli strikes person for person, city for city ... has tried to keep a lid on the conflict." She said both Hezbollah and its backer Iran understand a Hezbollah-Israel conflict could quickly explode into a regional war, dragging in Iran, the U.S. and the U.K., among other states and entities.

The Israeli official also said Israel has used back channels to communicate with the Shiite group's leader in Lebanon, Hasan Nasrallah. The official said he sent messages to Nasrallah through back channels warning Nasrallah he miscalculated when he began attacks on Israel's north on Oct. 8, the day after Hamas' Oct. 7 rampage in Israel that left about 1,200 Israelis dead. The officials said he warned Nasrallah not to provoke Israel, threatening massive retaliation.

Israel's assessment, said the official, is that Hezbollah is desperate to avoid a full-scale war with Israel, as are its Iranian backers. Hezbollah, and the tens of thousands of missiles it has trained on Israel, serve as an insurance policy against Israel attacking Iranian nuclear facilities, said the official.

Hezbollah has said its immediate goal is to stop Israel's military activity in Gaza.

PHOTO: Israeli soldiers search a field after two drones allegedly crossed from Lebanese territory into Israel fell near the Kibbutz in Northern Israel, Jan. 25, 2024 in Kfar Blum, Israel. (Amir Levy/Getty Images)

Israel, said the official, is hoping that U.S. Special Envoy Amos Hochstein, who has been engaged in shuttle diplomacy in the region, can broker a deal through the Lebanese government to pressure Hezbollah to pull back from the Israeli-Lebanese border in exchange for small Israeli territorial concessions along the border. But a cease-fire along that border with Lebanon, said the official, is primarily contingent on a cease-fire in Gaza.

Nothing will be signed until there is a cease-fire in Gaza," the official said. "Even if its temporary, like a month-long pause, it would be very difficult to move on a diplomatic solution" while Israel is still focused on fighting a war against Hamas.

In Gaza, Israeli forces continue to operate with ferocity, laying siege on Gaza's second-largest city of Khan Younis the past week. Gallant, the defense minister, told ABC News earlier this week that Israel has no intention of reducing the pressure there, because "only pressure can move Hamas to return the hostages," he said. However, he said special operations missions are also part of Israel's efforts to retrieve at least some of its hostages.

"The future of Israel over the next 100 years depends on our victory in Gaza," Gallant said. But the definition of that victory has changed. Whereas at the start of the war, Israel vowed to kill every Hamas member involved in the rampage, now Gallant said a complete demilitarization of Hamas and the Gaza Strip would suffice. This includes the removal of the Hamas terrorist group as a governing body and the removal of senior Hamas leadership through any means, including negotiated exile to a third country, he said.

PHOTO: Smoke billows over the southern Lebanese village of Shihine on the border with Israel during an Israeli air strike on Jan. 22, 2024. (Kawnat Haju/AFP via Getty Images)

Israeli defense and military officials estimate that air strikes on the Gaza Strip are around 10-15% of what they were at the start of the war, as Gallant says the war's intensity has subsided significantly in recent weeks. Israeli and some American officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, continue to question the accuracy of the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry's daily death toll, even as documented incidents of Israeli fire on civilians proliferate.

According to the Gaza Health Ministry, more than 25,000 people have been killed in Gaza since Oct. 7, when Hamas unleashed its surprise attacks on Israel, killing more than 1,200 people in Israel, according to the Israeli Prime Minister's Office.

On Wednesday, the United Nations alleged Israel fired two shells into a training facility in Khan Younis that the U.N. said had served as a shelter to 800 Palestinians, and on Tuesday a team from the U.K.'s ITV captured what they said were Israeli snipers shooting dead an unarmed man carrying a white flag, who had moments earlier told the camera team that he was trying to cross the battle lines to his family.

Israel denied that it fired the shells on the U.N. facility and claimed the ITV video with the civilians was edited and that there's no way of telling who fired the shots.

Israel is 'closer to war' with Hezbollah than ever, senior Israeli official says originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, also known simply as Cracker Barrel, has been dishing up Southern comfort food since 1969. Since then, the restaurant chain has offered a lengthy menu. It provides an all-day breakfast option, as well as lunch and dinner starting at 11 a.m.

The first location opened its doors in Lebanon, Tennessee, and since then, it has expanded to hundreds of locations nationwide. While iconic signature menu items  such as Cornbread Muffins, Turnip Greens, and Country Ham  have remained staples, some popular plates have been discontinued, much to the dismay of loyal customers.

If you've been a regular at Cracker Barrel for years, you might be seeking official confirmation on which entrees have come and gone. Or maybe you're just here for a Cracker Barrel menu history lesson, intrigued by tales of its once-famous but now-absent Lima Beans, Frozen Mugs, and Red-Eye gravy, among others. Since Cracker Barrel rarely brings back discontinued items for good, reminiscing might be all you can do. While the company has sporadically brought back selections like its Campfire Meals seasonally, these reappearances are rare and often leave us wanting more. Ahead, we've compiled a list of 11 discontinued Cracker Barrel items that we're probably not getting back  like, ever.

Read more: 15 Discontinued Sodas We Aren't Getting Back

Fried Chicken Liver

Cracker Barrel fried chicken liver - Stanley Y/Tripadvisor

It's no secret that, in true Southern form, a large portion of Cracker Barrel's menu consists of fried meats. Among them was the beloved Fried Chicken Liver, which was sneakily removed from the menu. We know it was gone by February 2021, because a disgruntled Tripadvisor user took to the platform around that time to announce that the Fried Chicken Liver was no longer available at a Portland, Maine, location of Cracker Barrel.

Since it departed from the menu, fans have persistently requested its return. Two years ago, one person commented on a Cracker Barrel Facebook post: "Please bring back your chicken liver," to which the restaurant's official Facebook page replied: "Although chicken livers are no longer on our menu, we will gladly share your request with our Culinary Team."

While the restaurant never officially addressed the reason for removing the Fried Chicken Liver from the menu, one possibility is the occasional reports of illness outbreaks linked to chicken liver in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture -- though none were specifically tied to Cracker Barrel. Alternatively, the decision could have been made simply because Cracker Barrel wanted to shake things up. In a statement to Nation's Restaurant News in 2020, Cammie Spillyards-Schaefer, vice president of Cracker Barrel's Culinary and Menu Strategy, explained: "We delete menu items from time to time to make room for new signature, craveable menu items that our guests love."

Strawberries N' Cream French Toast

Cracker Barrel strawberry French toast - Cracker Barrel Old Country Store/Facebook

As delicious as Strawberries n' Cream French Toast sounds, we're sorry to share that it's no longer part of Cracker Barrel's all-day breakfast offerings. The special treat was made available as part of the restaurant's summer 2015 menu but was gone by August 16 of that same year, according to a comment on the restaurant's official Facebook page.

Those who tried the treat before it was gone appeared to like it. In July 2015, one person took to the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, to express their excitement, writing: "Cracker Barrel hit the jackpot with this strawberry n cream cheese French toast breakfast."

For those who never had the opportunity to savor it (or those yearning to relive its flavors), the dish consisted of sourdough bread filled with sweet cream cheese, fresh strawberries, powdered sugar, and strawberry syrup. The good news for those mourning its loss is that Cracker Barrel's menu still boasts the comparable Momma's French Toast Breakfast. It lacks the strawberry and cream filling, which some may argue is the whole point. But hey, it's still a great option to satiate your sweet tooth.

Chicken Salad Sandwich

Chicken salad from Cracker Barrel - Cracker Barrel Old Country Store/Facebook

Cracker Barrel's Chicken Salad Sandwich was a highly coveted menu item. Before it was removed, customers could choose chicken salad as part of the chain's Country Sandwich Platters. It would be served on white or wheat sourdough bread, with a side of creamy coleslaw and either a cup of soup or steak fries.

The Chicken Salad Sandwich was removed from the Cracker Barrel menu by 2018, according to social media posts from that period. That year, one diner posted on X: "My papa just said 'corporate America got me in the jugular AGAIN' because Cracker Barrel doesn't have chicken salad sandwiches anymore." A year later, someone replied, stating in their post: "It's 2019 and I'm still upset about this." We don't know for sure why Cracker Barrel discontinued its Chicken Salad Sandwich, but we do know that it's dearly missed by many fans of the restaurant chain.

Frozen Mugs

Frozen mug from Cracker Barrel - Cracker Barrel Old Country Store/Facebook

If you ordered a beverage at Cracker Barrel in the mid-2010s, you might have experienced the restaurant's beloved Frozen Mugs. Serving people's drinks in a frosty mug was a clever way for the chain to keep drinks cold and simultaneously forego ice, which can infamously dilute one's beverage, making for a less flavorful drinking experience.

One of the last times the brand marketed its Frozen Mugs was via Facebook. In August 2016, Cracker Barrel released a post advertising a special Frozen Mug Apple Cider that undeniably got people excited about the changing seasons. But in 2018, news spread that Cracker Barrel ditched its signature Frozen Mugs when an employee posted about the decision on X.

People continue to long for the discontinued Frozen Mugs. In September 2023, another person took to X to post: "Hey @CrackerBarrel, where did the frosted mugs for @StewartsUS root beer go? How do you expect people to enjoy their nice root beer without a frozen frosted mug? Bring it back! You're expecting us to pay more for food but enjoy less hospitality?" Customers clearly miss this discontinued menu item.

Haddock Dinner

Cracker Barrel haddock dinner - Cracker Barrel/Instagram

In March 2015, Cracker Barrel shared an announcement via Facebook that it was adding a Haddock Dinner to its menu  and its arrival was met with no shortage of excitement. The meal consisted of a crispy boneless white fish filet served on a platter with "your choice of any three country vegetables, plus made-from-scratch buttermilk biscuits or corn muffins and real butter," according to the social media post. At the time, the hearty meal was a steal, costing $9.99.

Despite its popularity, a regular Cracker Barrel customer noticed in September 2019 that the item was unavailable. They wrote in a Tripadvisor review: "We usually order the Haddock dinner, comes with three sides and corn muffins ... we were told it had been deleted from menu ... so disappointed!"

Nowadays, restaurant-goers treat this Facebook post as a virtual homage to the foregone Haddock Dinner. Old comments from 2015 have been buried by new ones begging for its return. Some have even stopped going altogether since it was discontinued. "This was my favorite meal at Cracker Barrel. I haven't eaten there but one time since they discontinued it," wrote a former customer in the Facebook comments.

Baked Apple Dumplin'

Cracker Barrel Baked Apple Dumplin' - Fred S/Tripadvisor

When the Baked Apple Dumplin' was part of the Cracker Barrel menu, it was met with much fanfare. Back then, the dessert  which cost just $3.99  featured sweet slices of delicious golden apples with pecan streusel, oven-baked with a buttery crust, and two big scoops of vanilla ice cream.

During the coronavirus pandemic, Cracker Barrel reduced its menu, leading to the temporary removal of certain items, including the Baked Apple Dumplin'. Unfortunately, the popular dessert wasn't added back to the menu post-pandemic.

Loyal customers continue to comment on a Facebook post from 2014 that mentions the dessert, attempting to appeal to Cracker Barrel representatives. In July 2023, one person commented on the post: "This was the best dessert on your menu and better than any dessert we have had at any other restaurant! Please bring it back!" They did get a response from the restaurant chain, albeit a generic one. The Cracker Barrel Facebook page replied: "Thank you for your feedback. While Baked Apple Dumplin is currently not available on our menu, we'll be sure to pass along your request to our Culinary Team for consideration."

Red-Eye Gravy

Cracker Barrel red-eye gravy - Cracker Barrel Old Country Store/Facebook

We all have our passions. For some, that passion was Cracker Barrel's Red-Eye Gravy. The savory topping is a Southern dish that is made by combining fried ham drippings with black coffee. At Cracker Barrel, the Red-Eye Gravy was the finishing touch many looked forward to over their Cracker Barrel dishes. However, it was removed from the menu by 2017, according to upset social media users. In August of that year, a Cracker Barrel fan named Drew took to X to say: "@CrackerBarrel I was told today that you no longer offer red eye gravy. I demand answers."

The restaurant still has a variety of gravy options. Cracker Barrel continues to serve Sawmill Gravy and Brown Gravy. Plus, the restaurant occasionally comes out with limited-edition and seasonal gravies. For example, in 2021, the team shared a photo on the restaurant's Facebook page of a limited-release meal of Country Fried Turkey topped with "creamy, herbed pan gravy."

Campfire Meals

Cracker Barrel campfire meal - Cracker Barrel Old Country Store/Facebook

Arguably the most fun meal on Cracker Barrel's menu was its foil-wrapped Campfire Meals. True to their name, these meals evoked the experience of cooking over a campfire. Each meal featured a choice of protein like chicken, beef, or pork, accompanied by sweet seasoned corn on the cob, red skin potatoes, fresh carrots, tomato wedges, and onions, all cooked inside some foil.

The Campfire Meals were temporarily brought back in 2017 when Cracker Barrel issued a press release touching on the meals' popularity. "Our Campfire Meals are some of our most beloved seasonal dishes," said Cracker Barrel's Vice President of Culinary Cammie Spillyards-Schaefer. The press release noted that the campfire meals would be available until July.

However, they weren't brought back again in 2018, nor the year after that. One customer who noticed their disappearance wrote on X: "I'm still just disappointed that cracker barrel isn't doing campfire meals this summer."

A Facebook user suggested that health concerns might have influenced their discontinuation, as some think that cooking food in aluminum foil may be dangerous to one's health. However, a 2019 study published in Food Science & Nutrition, suggests that doing so is not a huge concern. Regardless, Cracker Barrel hasn't confirmed this as the reason for removing Campfire Meals.

Sweet Potato Pancakes

Cracker Barrel sweet potato pancakes - Cracker Barrel Old Country Store/Facebook

In February 2012, Cracker Barrel came out with Sweet Potato Pancakes in honor of National Sweet Potato Month. (Yes, that's a thing!) The restaurant chain shared the news in a Facebook post, alongside a photo of the sweet breakfast entree. Pictured were three golden pancakes topped with a hearty dollop of cinnamon butter. Per the post, the restaurant chain even carried a Sweet Potato Pancake Mix in its country store so patrons could purchase and re-make the Cracker Barrel specialty at home.

The restaurant didn't overtly state they were only available for a limited time in that initial Facebook post, yet they disappeared off the menu less than two months later. Despite how short-lived they were, they made their mark. In July 2012, just months after they first hit the menu, a saddened restaurant-goer posted on X: "They really need to bring back the sweet potato pancakes (@ Cracker Barrel Old Country Store."

Lima Beans

Cracker Barrel lima beans - Angelmfulk/Instagram

The specific year when Cracker Barrel removed Lima Beans from its side options is unclear, but a TripAdvisor review suggests they may have been available as recently as 2020. As for what you missed out on? One visitor, who reviewed their meal via Tripadvisor in July 2013, praised them: "Those lima beans..I could have made a meal off just those. Just like my mom used to make. Perfectly seasoned with a little bacon, not a hard one in the dish. I was sorry when they were gone."

The request for Cracker Barrel's Lima Beans is so persistent that it's common to see pleas for their return in the comments on most of Cracker Barrel's Facebook posts. For instance, in response to a photo the restaurant shared promoting its Country Fried Turkey on Facebook, a user commented: "I can't believe you got rid of lima beans. you broke my heart." Cracker Barrel responded: "We will gladly share your request for Lima Beans with our Culinary Team."

This isn't the first time Cracker Barrel replied to posts begging for the return of its Lima Beans, either. In 2022, in response to a Facebook user who wrote they were "disappointed on last visit to learn lima beans not on the menu any more," the chain gave nearly the exact response that they gave before.

Beef Stew

Cracker Barrel beef stew - Tom_P1804/Tripadvisor

Beef Stew is a perfect comfort food meal, so it's no surprise it used to be one of the restaurant's main attractions. The restaurant used to offer homemade Beef Stew loaded with tender beef and vegetables, and it was considered one of the restaurant's specialty dishes. It was served with corn muffins.

Sadly, per an X user, this dish was gone by 2013. In November of that year, another customer took to X to declare: "I was craving Cracker Barrel's beef stew. Stopped for some only to find they took it off the menu last month. Now I'm sobbing uncontrollably."

The longing for Cracker Barrel's Beef Stew remains so strong that in 2016, a dedicated diner started a petition on Change.org to advocate for its return. Though the petition has closed, the demand continues on various platforms. In June 2023, a hopeful social media user tagged the restaurant in a post on X, asking: "Are you ever going to bring back your beef stew?" We'll see, but since it's been discontinued for around a decade now, the chances of it returning don't seem high.

Read the original article on Daily Meal.


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Love may be in the air on Valentines Day, but so are the aromas of beautiful wines: from earthy and silky to woodsy and delightfully effervescent. To prepare for a day of amorous affairs, perhaps youve made a reservation at a favorite restaurant and want to impress your date, or youre preparing a special feast at home and need a great bottle of wine to pair with it. Or maybe you just want to treat yourself and decant a remarkable vintage.

No matter how you spend Valentines Day, your plus-one can always be a bottle of beautiful wine. Champagne is always a sure-fire favorite, especially a very on-theme pink bubbly like Billecart-Salmon Brut Rose. But beyond the bubbly, there's a whole world of wines to choose on a day when indulgence is welcomed. From a deeply complex amarone della valpolicella, produced in Veronathe birthplace of Romeo and Julietto a Portuguese alvarinho with the nuanced notes of salty and sweet, theres something for everyone. Paired with a variety of desserts, bites of cured meats and cheese, and hearty main dishes like roasted chicken or bolognese, the right wine can make any meal more memorable and romantic.

We asked top sommeliers to share their favorite bottles to open for Valentines Day. Their diverse picks below will certainly get you well on your way to discovering exciting optionsand may even score you some extra bonus points from the one you love.

Albarino/Alvarinho

Hailing from Spain and Portugal, a great white wine variety to look for on Valentine's day is albarino/alvarinho. Flavors of white peach and lemon mingle with a subtle saltiness, giving the palate a mouth rush of lively citrus notes.

Particularly in Portugal, alvarinho wines boast a richer, fuller palate with beautiful citrus fruit notes and a distinct oiliness that perfectly pairs with seafood such as oysters, as well as truffle-dishes, which are known aphrodisiacs, says Lydia Richards, a sommelier, Wine Enthusiast Top 40 Under 40 recipient, and co-founder of the non-profit organization Hispanics in Wine. She recommends Nortico Alvarinho, sourced from organically grown grapes from the southern banks of the Minho river in Portugal.

Rose

Lulu Martinez Ojeda, a Bordeaux-trained winemaker and sommelier based in Baja, California, calls Valentines Day roses shining moment. She recommends the Bruma Ocho Sangiovese Rose, which is hand-harvested and aged for six months in stainless steel.

Bone dry, bright and crisp, this beautiful rose has delicate green strawberry notes, with an elegant svelte sophisticated finish. Pair it with a lavish charcuterie board that includes goat and sheep cheese, beautiful briny olives, amazing bread, fruity-floral olive oil, prosciutto, rillettes, and fresh melon, she adds.

Shop Now Rose shopwinedirect.com $24.99

Sangiovese

For a popular Italian wine with an exciting twist, wine pro Kelly Mitchell recommends Stolpmans Love You Bunches Red. Harvested in Santa Ynez Valley, this sangiovese undergoes carbonic macerationa technique that takes intact berries and immerses them with carbon dioxide to create a fruity, low tannin red wine. We also love the black heart etched into the bottles cork.

The name of the wine says it all, and you can even write a personal love letter on the label. I recommended serving it with a slight chill (between 50-55 degrees). The wine has great fresh fruit flavors of red raspberry, red currant, rhubarb, and violet, says Mitchell.

Shop Now Sangiovese stolpmanvineyards.com $24.00

Sparkling Wine

Iron Horse Vineyards memorable 2019 Wedding Cuvee has notes of lemon creme brulee and spice that dance in tiny bubbles, imparting a flavor and texture that Gary Farrell Winerys Estate Sommelier Gabe Brezic cant get enough of.

A bottle shared with my now-wife on an early date and countless times since, the lively balance of strawberries and raspberries with citrus zest carried by a delightfully creamy texture makes this quaffable sparkling a must have for Valentines Day, because nothing says romance like a delicious bottle of bubbly, he says.

Shop Now Sparkling Wine wine.com $51.99

Barolo

Make it a night of velvety Italian reds with the king and queen of Piedmont: barolo and barbaresco. Richards says, Nebbiolo-based wines produce some of the most beautiful, thrilling reds. Powerful and vivid, with floral, smokey and bright red fruit notes, it's the perfect wine to drink while celebrating with your special someone. Ball out with barolo or barbaresco from iconic producer Gaja.

The GAJA Barbaresco 2020, which comes from 14 blending sites, showcases what best of what Nebbiolo grapes have to offer with voluminous and complex fruit notes.

Shop Now Barolo wine.com $139.99

Manzanilla Sherry

If youre looking for a new wine to explore (and impress), consider manzanilla. The bone dry white wine is made from palomino grapes that are aged for at least two years under a layer of flor yeast. Manzanilla is almost identical to fino sherry, except it can only be produced in the Spanish village of Sanlucar de Barrameda; the growing region's proximity to the sea gives the wine a lighter zest and salinity.

Martinez Ojeda says, Certainly a Valentine's underdog but definitely as hot as it can get, I love manzanillas delicatesse approach that finishes with that sharp fresh dryness. She suggests pairing this wine with oysters, poached shrimp, or even tinned fish such as anchovies.

Shop Now Manzanilla Sherry wine.com $13.99

Chardonnay

Yes, chardonnay may be widely available, but knowing just which one to pick can make or break your ideal Valentines tasting. Decide whether youre looking for stone fruit, punchy grapes grown from warmer climates, the restrained mineral elegance of Chablis, or even a bubbly iteration of the white grape.

Chardonnay in its many forms is one of my favorite V-Day picks. From your bright, fruit-driven and focused American chardonnays from top producers like Maggy Hawks Skycrest Chardonnay, to the elegant and vigorous wines of Chablis (a great example is from Moreau-Naudet), and the sleek and racy Blanc de Blancs Champagne style (look for Pierre Peters), there's a chardonnay to enjoy and pair with any Valentine's Day activity, says Richards.

Shop Now Chardonnay wine.com $55.99

Pinot Noir

Yes, the delicate pinot noir grape can be fussy based on climate, but the result is well worth the process. From Burgundy to Willamette Valley, this prized red wine expresses itself symbiotically with its terrain. Brezics recommendation is Gary Farrell 2021 Russian River Selection. He says it's passionately crafted by a leading woman winemaker from world-class vineyards at one of the Russian River Valleys pioneering wineries.

Brezic says, An aromatically seductive intermingling of Bing cherries and rose petals introduce a silky palate of layered red fruits and savory flavors, leading to a long, spicy finish, adding that the wine pairs perfectly with rich dishes such as filet mignon, mushroom risotto, or duck confit.

Shop Now Pinot Noir wine.com $54.99

Armagnac

For a Valentines digestif, up the bar with a glass of Armagnac, a brandy made from distilled white grapes. Best served in a tulip-shaped glass to have that elegant James Bond-ish girl vibe to it, I like my Armagnac with a small dash of water to get more of those voluptuous floral notes, says Martinez Ojeda.

She adds that it pairs particularly well with a cheese plate at the end of a meal. Enjoy it with blue cheese like Stilton, Roquefort, Gorgonzola or bleu d'auvergne, nuts and dried fruits. I love the finesse of the Cardinal du Four, 21 Rebellion Armagnac.

Shop Now Armagnac reservebar.com $470.00

Petite Sirah

Another bold red Richards says to look for is petite sirah. Its a rich, velvety wine that's being championed by a number of American producers around the country, she says. Another fun fact? Petite sirah pairs well with chocolateperfect for Valentines Day.

I love the Jaffurs Petite Sirah, hailing from sunny yet cool climate Santa Barbara. Its dark, inky and hot with velvety tannins and full of dark fruit flavors. Its also incredibly versatile, you can pair it with rich, sweet barbecue and the nutty, earthy mole poblano; or with a sweet, decadent dessert like chocolate tort, Richards adds.

Shop Now Petite Sirah jaffurswine.com $42.00

Sparkling Rose

For a blush-colored bubbly with a great history, Mitchell looks to Raventos. With its pale pink hue and effervescence this sparkling rose is the perfect Valentines Day wine. Founded in 1497, Raventos is an iconic Spanish winery with one of the longest documented wine growing history in the world. This is an elevated Spanish sparkling wine with a lower price point to Champagne, while being just as delicious, says Mitchell.

Shop Now Sparkling Rose wine.com $28.99

Rose Champagne

If you do want to opt for some bubbly Champagne this Valentine's Day, think pink. There is nothing better than treating your sweetheart with a bottle of Champagne, and Ayala Rose Majeur NV is the perfect bottle for this moment. The soft pink color evokes the sweet strawberry and raspberry notes of this wine, making for a great way to begin or end the evening.

Craig Collins, master sommelier and Vintus director of brand development adds, Ayala Rose Majeur is also very versatile with food and will make everything from chocolates, French fries, cheese, or caviar shine. It will go quickly, so you may want to grab two bottles!

Shop Now Rose Champagne wine.com $74.99

Zinfandel

Known for its lush black fruit quality, Mitchell calls zinfandel the quintessential winter red. Dashe Cellars Zinfandel Vineyard Select has aromas of black raspberry, pomegranate and other red fruit that mingle with hints of cocoa powder.

This wine is made by a husband and wife winemaking team, Michael and Anne Dashe. Early in their relationship, Mike and Anne dreamed of blending their passion for winemaking with their love of the San Francisco Bay Area. A love story!, Mitchell adds.

Shop Now Zinfandel wine.com $24.99

Amarone

Richards says luscious, fuller-bodied reds are perfect for Valentine's Day; one of her all-time favorites is amaronea wine with a famed location. Amarone della valpolicella is a wine produced in the region near the city of Verona, also known for its two famous lovers, Romeo and Juliet. An iconic wine with incredible presence and vibrancy, it's excellent with more lavish dishes such as ossobuco and beef bourguignon; a must-amarone to look for is Bertani, she says.

Another pick from the location that set the background to the love story of Romeo & Juliet, Collins amarone choice is from a family that has produced the wine for almost 100 years. Tommasi Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2018 is a blended red wine, dominated by the indigenous corvina grape; it's big, bold and powerful. He adds, I recommend pairing this wine with grilled or braised meats and opening the bottle one hour before enjoying it with your own Romeo or Juliet, he says.

Shop Now Amarone wine.com $65.99

Cabernet Sauvignon

For depth of flavor, cabernet sauvignon always delivers. With notes that range from black pepper to black currant, this red wine can liven up the palate and any meal.

Valentines Day is a time to celebrate your significant other and what could be more romantic than a winery founded on a love story? The Bernsteins purchased their first plot on Mount Veeder in the mid-1960s as a romantic retreat and it eventually turned into one of the foundational wineries of Napa Valley. The Mount Veeder Napa Valley 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon is structured and powerful, boasting notes of dark fruits and balanced with a silky and hot texture, says Master Sommelier Jason Smith.

Shop Now Cabernet Sauvignon wine.com $68.99

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More than 300 American Airlines jobs in Phoenix will be cut as part of a reorganization of its customer service staffing, the airline announced Monday afternoon.

American Airlines announced a new Customer Success Team that will provide "convenient, elevated support" to passengers who have complex travel needs.

The airline will transition its less complex customer questions to international teams that offer 24/7 support.

The restructuring means a total of 335 American Airlines positions at its Phoenix offices, mostly customer resolution jobs, will be eliminated. American operates the largest flight capacity and carries the most passengers at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

How many jobs is American Airlines cutting in Phoenix?

American Airlines will cut 335 employees, who will remain in their jobs until March 30. They will be able to apply for jobs on the new Customer Success Team before it's open to a wider selection of candidates.

Here's what else American said about the restructuring:

"In addition, these team members will be made aware of more than 800 roles for which they may be eligible at American.

"Those who do not find employment elsewhere in the company or are eligible to retire will be offered severance payment.

"We will also be providing them outplacement support should they want to seek opportunities outside of American.

"Team members will remain working and be paid through March 30."

Why is American Airlines changing its customer service?

Airline staff said that creating the Customer Success Team of "upskilled team members" and relying on its international team for simpler inquiries is designed to provide a higher level of support to all customers.

Members of the new team will be trained to handle highly sensitive travel issues or multiple service issues at once, American Airlines spokesman Derek Walls said.

The airline's international customer service teams already support simpler queries and they're seeing positive results, he said.

"Our international teams have been helping with some of this work since 2021, and weve seen improved customer satisfaction and lower time to customer resolution for the quick-turn needs with the international support," Walls said.

It was not immediately clear how many Customer Success Team positions would be based in Phoenix.

New for 2024: Flights, restaurants, a long-awaited lounge and more are coming to Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport

Michael Salerno is an award-winning journalist whos covered travel and tourism since 2014. His work as The Arizona Republics consumer travel reporter aims to help readers navigate the stresses of traveling and get the best value for their money on their vacations. He can be reached at Michael.Salerno@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @salerno_phx.

Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: American Airlines is cutting 335 jobs in Phoenix
Opinion articles written in the style of their author. These texts are to be based on verified facts and must be respectful towards people, even though their actions may be criticized. All opinion articles written by individuals from outside the staff of EL PAIS shall feature, along with the authors name (regardless of their greater or lesser renown), a footer stating their office, academic title, political affiliation (if any) and main occupation, or the occupation related to the topic being assessed

According to what Hernan Cortes described in his Fifth Letter addressed to Emperor Charles V, on June 24, 1526 he witnessed a bullfight in what is now the temple and former convent of San Francisco, in the historic center of Mexico City. Bullfighting arrived in what is currently the territory of Mexico 498 years ago, along with the language we speak today and the religion practiced by the majority of Mexicans. In fact, bullfighting is even older than the very Mexican cult of our Lady of Guadalupe.

In this almost half century, bullfights spread throughout the country, bullrings were built, Mexican bullfighters emerged, and bull ranching became a professional activity. A part of society became involved with this artistic activity, adopted its ethical and aesthetic values and assumed it as part of its own cultural heritage. Nowadays, many of the civil and religious festivities in different parts of the country have bullfights as a central part of their celebrations, and in some towns an interesting syncretism has emerged between bullfighting and their own popular traditions.

Therefore, based on this shared cultural heritage, it is possible to affirm that bullfighting groups can claim from the state and from society the right of access to culture and the exercise of their cultural rights. Not only that, but the continuous and orderly practice of bullfighting over time also implies the exercise of other fundamental rights, such as the free development of personality, the right to work, to trade and to free enterprise or freedom of artistic expression, to name just a few, which would have to lead to the possibility of carrying out and witnessing bullfights without obstacles.

However, the history of bullfighting has been accompanied by the history of groups and people who have fought for its prohibition. In the Mexican case, the attempts by prohibitionist groups traditionally took place through legislative means, with proposals for laws to outlaw bullfighting. Given the failure of this strategy, they chose to use the courts instead.

In this way, in May 2022, a civil association with no notable record in the defense of environmental rights or animal welfare, filed a claim for protection against bullfights in the borough of Benito Juarez, where Plaza Mexico is located, claiming an argument that is unsustainable from our point of view: that bullfighting violates the right to a healthy environment. Fortunately for this association, they met with a crusading and obsequious judge who not only accepted their arguments, but also stretched his interpretation of the same and granted a precautionary measure suspending fights indefinitely, even as he refused to request a bond for the financial damages that this suspension could generate.

The Plaza Mexico company, through its legal team, filed the corresponding appeal, which was reviewed by the Supreme Court of Justice, which in December 2023 unanimously resolved to revoke the suspension of bullfighting events in Benito Juarez, allowing bullfights to be held again while the court examines the core of the case.

The arguments raised in the Supreme Court ruling are very interesting, since on the one hand it considered that the association that filed the suit did not prove that the suspension of bullfighting activities would avoid imminent and irreparable damage to the rights which it claimed to defend and, on the other hand, the court determined that the suspension of bullfighting did constitute a restriction on the rights of people whose livelihoods are connected to these various activities.

And so, on Sunday, January 28, after 622 days, bullfighting resumed in Plaza Mexico before a full crowd and a visible enthusiasm among fans, who were able to witness once again a spectacle that, according to prohibitionist groups, no one is interested in anymore. In this sense, the return of the bulls to Plaza Mexico constitutes for the bullfighting industry not only an exercise in freedom and culture, but also, in these times where political correctness and cancel culture have taken center stage, an exercise of rebellion against groups that promote intolerance and single-track thinking.

Salvador F. Arias Ruelas is a lawyer specializing in constitutional law and president of the Rodolfo Gaon Mexican Bullfighting Culture Foundation.
Hesitant fliers can find out what aircraft they'll be flying on before and after booking their flight.

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Just weeks after it was grounded, the Boeing 737 MAX 9 is back in service. And while flying is statistically one of the safest ways to travel, fear of flying is still a very real thing for many travelers.

Fortunately, it's possible to check the details of upcoming flights, and know your options if you want to make a change before you hit the friendly skies.

Even if there's one little component of flying that you can control, it's empowering, Katy Nastro, a travel expert with Going.com, told Travel + Leisure. It's definitely something good to keep in your travel arsenal.

Of course, an airline can change the aircraft for your flight, but Nastro said thats not too common.









Why Was the Boeing 737 Max 9 Grounded?

An Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-9 MAX aircraft suffered a dramatic mid-air blowout of a plug door panel on a flight from Portland, Oregon, to Ontario, California, on Jan. 5. Following the incident, both Alaska and United Airlines found loose bolts and hardware on their planes, and both airlines were forced to cancel hundreds of flights. Alaska's Boeing 737-9 MAX returned to service on Friday, Jan. 26.







Airlines put out schedules and they have to know what flight type they're flying on, Nastro said. You might have a little bit higher likelihood that it could change if you're booking further out, but it's not a high likelihood.

Whether travelers want to check which aircraft type theyre scheduled to fly on due to nerves or simply because they want to know what kind of seat theyre getting, there are ways to check both during the booking process and after.

During Booking

When searching for a flight, there are a few different ways to check what type of aircraft the flight is scheduled on. If youre booking directly on an airlines website, you can click on flight details to see which aircraft is assigned. If youre searching on Google Flights, you can also use the drop-down arrow on each flight option to see the aircraft assigned.

Some online booking sites also allow travelers to see the aircraft type when searching for a flight.

Kayak, for example, even allows travelers to filter flight searches by aircraft. The booking site first introduced the feature in 2019 and recently told T+L it was updated to allow travelers to search by specific 737 MAX 8 and MAX 9 aircraft models. Travelers can find the filter on the left-hand side of the page detailing flight options.

After Booking

Travelers who are already booked on a flight can find out what type of aircraft is assigned by searching for their flight on websites like FlightAware. To search, travelers can input their flight number or airport codes. However, FlightAware only allows travelers to search a couple days into the future.

Alternatively, travelers can also search their future flight on booking sites like Google Flights to see the aircraft assigned by inputting the exact time and date they are traveling.

How to Change Your Flight

If youve already booked a flight and are scheduled to fly on an aircraft you dont feel comfortable on, you do have options. Currently, both Alaska Airlines and United Airlines have temporary flight waivers in place.

United will allow travelers scheduled to fly on a Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft who booked their flight by Jan. 6 and who are flying by Jan. 28 to change it without having to pay any change fees or fare differences. Customers must reschedule their flight by Feb. 3.

Alaska has a system-wide travel waiver in place, which the airline first instituted after its mid-air blowout. Passengers scheduled to fly by Feb. 2 may change any flight with the carrier as long as they reschedule by Feb. 9. The airline will waive all fees and fare differences.

Beyond these specific waivers, many major U.S. airlines dont charge cancellation fees if travelers change their mind about a flight, but they will have to pay the fare difference for a new flight. Many basic economy tickets are likewise cancellable, but often for a fee.

Travelers who book a flight and realize quickly they want to change their aircraft type can take advantage of a 24-hour Department of Transportation (DOT) rule that allows travelers to cancel nearly all tickets in the U.S. for free.



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Read the original article on Travel & Leisure.
SGS, the renowned multinational inspection, verification, testing and certification company based in Switzerland, organized two sessions of the Global Softlines Forum in Hong Kong and Shanghai in January. These sessions aimed to explore the future of the Softlines sector and were titled Embracing Supply Chain Revival. The events brought together more than 200 representatives, including industry experts, global lead brands and retailers, textile manufacturers, IT companies, government bodies and academia.

The first session, titled Embracing Supply Chain Revival  Steering Towards Resilience and Growth, took place on Jan. 19 at the Hong Kong Science Park. The second session, titled Embracing Supply Chain Revival  Embracing Innovation with Fashion Together for a Sustainable Future, was held on Jan. 26 in Shanghai.

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Yvonne Tse, vice president of SGS Global Softlines, opened the forums and expressed the companys commitment to supporting business partners on their journey toward sustainability and technological advancements. Carol Chen, China Softlines director, emphasized the importance of the Softlines industry in the Chinese market and its contribution to the world. Mr. Xie Qiuhui, former director of the Consumer Products Technology Committee of the State Administration of Quality Supervision, shared insights into the challenges and opportunities in the changing environment of the fashion supply chain.

The sessions consisted of industry experts sharing their knowledge and panel discussions. In addition to SGS experts, guest speakers from universities, fashion brands and retailers shared their views, best practices, experiences and expectations regarding the revival of the entire supply chain.

Ruth Hon, global technical head of SGS Softlines, provided insights on the Development Aspect in the Upcoming Wave of Technological Environment, focusing on new materials, new processes, and bringing out value through verification. She also discussed consumer unexplored needs and different aspects of comfort in clothing. Professor L.C. Chan, a research professor from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, gave a talk on the research and development journey of material science and application.

Dr. Min Zhu, senior director of technical services and operations at SGS US & Canada Softlines, discussed the Control Aspect of the supply chain, including regulation updates, legal and governance principles, due diligence of brands and retailers, data integrity and digitalization, claim verification, and the role of technological advancements in revitalizing brand value.

The forum also focused on Sustainability and Circularity in the Fashion Industry. Dr. Eric Wang, global technical deputy head of SGS Softlines, led the discussion on the ESG aspect under the UN SDG framework, covering environmental, social and governance factors. The discussion emphasized the importance of Process Sustainability, Product Sustainability, Chemical Sustainability and Customer Experience Sustainability.

The session on the Resilience of the Global Supply Chain Environment explored production, technology and trade aspects. The Production Aspect discussed concepts like China, China +1, and China +2, as well as globalization and de-globalization trends. The Technology Aspect highlighted the benefits of data technology in todays supply chain, while the Trade Aspect examined the impacts of the e-commerce sector.

Senior Advisor Spencer Yeung concluded the forum, advising the industry to break through with passion and perseverance in the current business environment.

Overall, the Global Softlines Forum served as an excellent platform for industry leaders to share knowledge and facilitate in-depth exchanges of innovative ideas and experiences. Participants expressed positive attitudes toward collaboration and promoting a more sustainable and responsible future in the fashion industry, eagerly anticipating future events.

To learn more about SGS, click here.
A Northern Colorado Italian restaurant is officially closing up shop.

Cacciatore at Heller's Kitchen, which started in Fort Collins in 2017, has sold and will close its last remaining location next month, co-owner Mick Occhiato told the Coloradoan on Monday.

The eatery originally opened in Fort Collins' Jessup Farm Artisan Village before expanding with a second location in Windsor's newly redeveloped Windsor Mill in 2019. Its flagship Fort Collins location shuttered in fall 2022.

Patrons wait at their tables at Cacciatore at The Windsor Mill on April 14, 2021.

At the time of its Jessup Farm closure, chef and co-owner Troy Heller told the Coloradoan the restaurant shuttered over a combination of labor issues and the restaurant's small size. Heller did not immediately respond to the Coloradoan for this story.

Heller and Occhiato pivoted to open Wedo's Tacos and Tequila  a more fast-casual Mexican concept  in the Jessup Farm space at the end of 2022. It closed in December, with Occhiato citing "personal reasons."

Some sweet eats: 14 Valentine's Day meals to try in the Fort Collins area

Similarly, Cacciatore at Heller's Kitchen is being sold and closed for "personal reasons," Occhiato said, adding that he is a full-time mortgage banker and "it's challenging to do both."

The sale of Cacciatore at Heller's Kitchen is set to close at the end of February, and the restaurant's last day in operation will be Feb. 17, Occhiato told the Coloradoan. Occhiato declined to name the buyer but said they have experience in the Northern Colorado restaurant industry and plan to open a new, to-be-announced restaurant concept for Cacciatore's former Windsor Mill space.

"We just would love to thank everybody," Occhiato said, adding that he hopes Cacciatore's customers come out to say goodbye and use any remaining gift cards by Feb. 17. "It's a sad situation, but it's just something that we have to do and move on."

Farewell, Lupita's: City Park Mexican restaurant to close after 13 years

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Fort Collins-born Cacciatore at Heller's Kitchen closing Windsor space
The concept of the idealistic rockstar took wing in 1984 after Bob Geldof watched Michael Buerks BBC report about devastating famine in Ethiopia. Forty years on, all that remains in the UK of that noble act of charity is an annual bit of tinnitus in shopping malls. Do They Know Its Christmas? featured many a shooting star whose gleam has long since dimmed. The story in the US, as told at feature-length in The Greatest Night in Pop (Netflix), is altogether different.

Check your ego at the door, wrote super-producer Quincy Jones on a sign he put up in the A&M Studio in Los Angeles as the cream of American rock, pop and soul assembled like an overpopulous Mount Rushmore to record charity single We Are the World in January 1985. It would be quicker to list the luminaries who didnt clock in straight after attending that nights annual American Music Awards (Madonna, Prince...). Geldof, downbeat in denim, soon wiped smiles off famous faces with a sobering pep talk.

The initial idea came from long-term activist Harry Belafonte. We have white folks saving black folks, he told Lionel Richie. We dont have black folks saving black folks. Thats a problem. Richie co-wrote the song at the home of Michael Jackson while unpromisingly distracted by chimp, myna bird and roaming snake. He opted for a stately anthemic beat. Theres your template, he recalled here as, astonishingly, he hummed Rule Britannia.

The ace he could play in the recording studio, to concentrate minds and put out fires, was that hed just cleaned up at the AMAs, which he also hosted. And there were fires. Stevie Wonder improvised a Swahili lyric, prompting a bewildered Waylon Jennings to walk out. Cyndi Lauper was a squeaking agent of chaos. Princes singing drummer Sheila E felt used as a magnet to lure his Purpleness. Dionne Warwick remembered being unsure about sharing a microphone with Willie Nelson.

Yet even the unlikeliest pairings  of black/white, young/old, gravelly/sweet  weirdly gelled. Mainly the long night generated loveliness. The blind led the blind when Stevie Wonder showed Ray Charles to the bathroom. Al Jarreau, before he got completely pissed, led a breakout rendition of Banana Boat (Day-O) in homage to Belafonte. Diana Ross asked Daryl Hall to autograph her sheet music, triggering a mass signing session.

Stars earning their stripes: Michael Jackson with Bob Dylan at the recording of We Are the World - Netflix

At the heart of this mega-celebrity choir, Bob Dylan nervously scowled like a clueless Martian picking up on the ways of Earthlings. He even got Wonder, who impersonated him, to show him how to sing his solo, which to his evident relief he nailed after much coaxing from Jones.

Richie is the modest hero of this fly-on-the-wall reminiscence, Bruce Springsteen and a goofy Huey Lewis the best supporting players. Man, said Jones after the long overnight session, those white boys really brought it. At dawn Ross couldnt bear to leave, not wanting this harmonious gathering of giants at the summit of Olympus to end. You may feel similarly about an absorbing, star-spangled hagiography. As for the songs artistic merit, and deeper impact, thats quite another story.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer.
Note: graphic content ahead including stories of murder, death, and cannibalism.

1.Earlier this month, a human head and hands were found in the freezer of a home that was sold recently in Grand Junction, Colorado. The new homeowners were in the process of cleaning out belongings left behind when they discovered a bag with the human remains inside.

It is unknown at this time who the remains belong to, and the case is being investigated as a possible homicide. The Sheriff's office commented, "Our hope is to positively identify the victim while remaining respectful of the victim and the victims family. FOX31 Denver / Via youtube.com

2.In 2012, Mao Sugiyama, an artist who identifies as asexual, cooked and served up his own genitals  full penis, testes, and scrotum  to five diners for $250 a plate.

According to the Huffington Post, "Just days after Sugiyama's 22nd birthday, the artist underwent elective genital-removal surgery, divvied up the severed penis shaft, testicles, and scrotal skin between five people, and garnished it with button mushrooms and Italian parsley." Despite reports from "concerned locals," there wasn't much authorities could do about the event because cannibalism is not illegal in Japan. Gins Wang / Getty Images

3.A few months ago, a woman in San Jose, California had to have all her limbs amputated, and almost died, after contracting a flesh-eating bacterial infection that likely came from eating undercooked fish.

The woman, Laura Barajas, consumed tilapia purchased from a local market in July and then fell ill right away. She was diagnosed with vibrio vulnificus. Barajas's friend, Anna Messina, told KRON 4, "They put her into a medically induced coma. Her fingers were black, her feet were black, her bottom lip was black. She had complete sepsis, and her kidneys were failing. KRON 4 / Via youtube.com

4.In 2010, officials in Tokyo went to congratulate the city's "oldest living man," Sogen Kato, on his 111th birthday. However, when they arrived, they discovered he'd actually been dead for 30 years. What they found was his "uncovered mummified skeletal remains" lying in bed.

As the family had been collecting a widower's pension payments via Kato's bank account, they were investigated on fraud charges and eventually charged and sentenced. Bernersteven / Getty Images/iStockphoto

5.The existence of a deep sea creature called a "bobbit worm," which can range in size from four inches to TEN FEET long. This nightmarish thing basically burrows into the ocean floor, hiding its whole body, before striking prey with his sharp multiple mouth parts.

Apparently, their jaws are so strong they can actually snap a fish in half. Kanyhun / Getty Images/ImaZinS RF, Velvetfish / Getty Images

6.In 2013, Dr. Farid Fata, an oncologist in Michigan, was arrested for administering chemotherapy to hundreds of patients who did not need it. His crimes became one of the largest healthcare frauds in US history.

According to ABC News, a least 553 victims were identified, with Fata often prescribing treatments for cancer they didnt have. Fata was sentenced to 45 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy charges. ABC News / Via youtube.com

7.A 14-year-old boy fell to his death after "subway surfing" on a train in Brooklyn, New York earlier in January. According to witnesses, the boy had climbed on top of the subway car and then fell to the tracks where he was then struck by an oncoming train.

NBC New York reported, "The death marked the fourth related to the subway surfing trend of the year as of July 5, that's according to the MTA." David Dee Delgado / Getty Images

8.In January, an elderly couple was found dead in their South Carolina home during a wellness check. When authorities arrived, they said that the home's heater had reached 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

According to CBS News, "When medics went to obtain the victims' body temperatures, [they were] recorded each at over 106 degrees Fahrenheit  the highest [their] devices would register." No foul play was suspected, however, after speaking with the victims' family members, investigators found that there had been issues with the hot water heater and the heater had been "out," and the family members had "fiddled" with the hot water heater (in an attempt to help). WBTV News - Charlotte / Via youtube.com

9.Eighteen months after having a cesarean birth, a "dinner plate-sized" surgical tool was found inside a woman's abdomen in Auckland, New Zealand.

According to CNN, "An Alexis retractor, or AWR, which can measure 17 centimeters (6 inches) in diameter, was left inside the mothers body following the birth of her baby at Auckland City Hospital in 2020. The woman suffered months of chronic pain and went for several checkups to find out what was wrong, including X-rays that showed no sign of the device. The pain got so severe that she visited the hospitals emergency department and the device was discovered on an abdominal CT scan and removed immediately in 2021." Westend61 / Getty Images/Westend61

10.Back in November 2023, an 83-year-old woman in South Carolina died after falling 48 feet down a hidden well shaft that was beneath the floor of her daughter's 100-year-old home.

According to Live 5 WCSC, the elderly woman, Dorothy Louise Downey, had been visiting to assist her daughter in moving, but "as she was walking in the kitchen, Downey stepped onto the weakened floor and fell through into a well shaft. Downeys daughter crawled under the house to try and locate her mother, but she could not find her." The fire department and emergency services were eventually able to extricate the woman. WYFF News 4 / Via youtube.com

11.Also in November, it's estimated that 450 patients at a hospital in Salem, Massachusetts were potentially exposed to HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C because IV medications were administered improperly.

According to NBC News, the possible exposures happened over a period of about two years and affected patients who needed an endoscopy. However, the hospital assured patients that the likelihood that they were actually infected was "extremely small." Patients were notified via the hospital's online portal, and as of November, no patients had reported infections. Richard Bailey / Getty Images

12.Meanwhile, in Medford, Oregon, as many as 10 people may have died back in December 2023 because a nurse switched medication with tap water.

According to NBC News, "Multiple sources say an Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center nurse injected multiple patients with tap water in an attempt to cover up their misuse of the hospitals supply of pain medication, specifically fentanyl. [...] The tap water, which is not sterile, led to multiple infections of pseudomonas." KGW News / Via youtube.com

13.The fact that the youngest person ever executed in the United States was a 12-year-old Native American girl named Hannah Ocuish. She was hanged in New London, Connecticut on Dec. 20, 1786.

Ocuish had been accused of murdering a 6-year-old girl named Eunice Bolles. However, because Ocuish apparently suffered from a mental disability, it was questioned whether she was "fit" to stand trial. Duncan1890 / Getty Images

14.A man in Southern California was ejected from a fast-moving RV, onto a busy freeway, after his wife had fallen asleep behind the wheel. The man, Cordell Patrick, was severely injured, suffering multiple broken bones, lacerations, and a dislocated shoulder, but survived the ordeal.

Patrick told KTLA 5, "I had just unbuckled my seat belt. It was only unbuckled for five seconds. I noticed my wife had dozed off, so instead of going straight, we were headed toward the median. I tried grabbing the steering wheel, but before I could grab it, we already had impact." The RV crashed into the center medium, which caused Patrick to go flying out through the driver's side window. He managed to drag himself closer to the median where a good samaritan stopped and helped. KTLA 5 / Via youtube.com

15.The reason that there are no skeletons at the wreck of the Titanic is basically because once the flesh of their bodies were eaten, the remaining bones dissolved.

In an interview with NPR, deep-sea voyager Robert Ballard explained, "The water in the deep sea is under-saturated in calcium carbonate, which is mostly, you know, what bones are made of. For example, on the Titanic and on the Bismarck, those ships are below the calcium carbonate compensation depth, so once the critters eat their flesh and expose the bones, the bones dissolve." Ralph White / Getty Images

16.In 2008, a woman, Dianne Odell, who had spent nearly 60 years in an iron lung, died when a power outage shut off electricity in her home and stopped the pump drawing air into her lungs.

According to the Spokesman-Review, "Family members were unable to get an emergency generator working after a power failure knocked out electricity to the Odell familys residence near Jackson, Tennessee." Odell had contracted polio when she was 3 years old, and lived with her parents, who had an emergency generator. However, "for some reason," according to her brother-in-law, it did not work. Kansas City Star / Via youtube.com

17.During a trip to Mexico for elective cosmetic surgery, a woman from Washington, Kimberly McCormick, woke up with breast implants and a butt lift that she never asked for.

McCormick had previously had a positive experience at the same clinic with weight-loss surgery. So, she went back for a breast lift and to have excess skin removed. However, what she received instead was breast implants and a Brazilian butt lift. The surgeon, meanwhile, never removed any excess skin, as requested. On top of this, McCormick developed a severe infection and was allegedly bullied into paying an additional $2,500. She is currently undergoing treatment from local doctors back home. FOX 13 Seattle / Via youtube.com

18.This horrifying video of a fish latched onto a woman's butt, which makes me never want to go in the ocean ever again.

19.Although Shakespeare is famously buried at Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon, England (his hometown), his head is actually missing. It is believed his skull was stolen sometime in the 18th century.

Back in 2016, what was only a "tale" was confirmed when a radar scan of his tomb was done, confirming the skull was missing. It was also revealed that there was a "change of material" in the burial, which suggests there was damage and a repair job done to the grave. Christopher Furlong / Getty Images, Erik Von Weber / Getty Images

20.It was recently discovered that bottled water, the kind you literally just buy in stores, contains thousands of nanoplastics that are so small they can invade your body's cells. In fact, these particles are so small they cannot be seen under a microscope.

The concern is that because these plastics are so small they can migrate through tissue and potentially distribute "harmful synthetic chemicals throughout the body." Sopa Images / SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

21.Just a couple of weeks ago, a TV station in Ecuador was attacked on air by masked gunmen, members of a criminal gang. In a terrifying video that you can watch here, staff are seen being forced to the floor during the terrifying attack.

The event occurred after a 60-day state of emergency had already been in place in Ecuador, and 13 arrests were made after the attack. CBS News / Via youtube.com

22.Back in 2021, a 6-year-old girl died on a drop ride at the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park in Colorado because ride operators didn't properly check her seatbelt.

According to the Denver Post, "Investigators found the girl, Wongel Estifanos, was sitting on the two seatbelts instead of wearing them across her lap, and the rides two newly hired operators never noticed even though they made seatbelt checks. An alarm system warned of a problem, but the two workers werent trained well enough to know what to do about it, so one of them reset the system and sent the ride on its way. Estifanos died of multiple blunt force trauma from the fall, according to the Garfield County coroner. She was found at the bottom of the rides mine shaft." ABC News / Via youtube.com

23.A woman in Thousand Oaks, California, Bryn Spejcher, fatally stabbed her boyfriend over 100 times, as well as stabbed herself, in an apparent "cannabis-induced" psychosis.

According to CBS News, "Police officers who responded to the apartment found O'Melia [Spejcher's boyfriend] lying in a pool of blood with Spejcher 'screaming hysterically with a knife still in her hands.' Before the officers could disarm her, Spejcher plunged the weapon, a long-serrated bread knife, into her own neck." Spejcher was ultimately convicted by a jury of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to 100 hours of community service. NBCLA / Via youtube.com

24.Finally, this image of a hospital bill for $1,629 that someone received when they were simply a victim of gun violence. They Reddit user joked, "My reward for being an innocent gun violence victim."
From the birthplace of actor John Wayne in Winterset to the mecca of sprint car racing in Knoxville, RAGBRAI 2024 will let riders experience the rustic charm of southern Iowa.

The route of the 51st edition of the Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, announced Saturday, will extend 424 miles from Glenwood to Burlington, with stops in Red Oak, Atlantic, Winterset, Knoxville, Ottumwa and Mount Pleasant. It will be the first southern Iowa route in five years.

Here is what to know about the beginning, ending and overnight towns on the July 21-27 ride.

RAGBRAI route map

Glenwood

Population: 5,245.

Previous times on RAGBRAI: starting town in 1980, 1984, 1989, 1992, 2003, 2011 and 2016.

Located about 25 miles southeast of Omaha, Nebraska, Glenwood's city motto is "The Best of Both Worlds"  urban and rural. It sits in Iowa's Loess Hills, which formed more than 25,000 years ago when a glacier retreated, leaving behind silt that piled up in the Missouri River valley.

The fine, yellow-clay loess soil is found mainly in the Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri and Kansas Loess region, north central Europe and eastern China, according to Iowa PBS. Unfortunately for RAGBRAIers, the hills made up of loess are as abundant as they are scenic, providing a strenuous start to what's billed as a RAGBRAI with record elevation gain.

Keg Creek Brewing Co., named for the Missouri River tributary that runs through Glenwood, is sure to be a popular spot for the gathering riders the day before the cross-state journey begins.

Red Oak

Population: 5,282.

Previous times on RAGBRAI: overnight town in 1976, 1986, 1997 and 2009.

Red Oak is the childhood home of U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa. She famously worked the morning shift making biscuits at a local Hardee's fast food restaurant to pay for college. Red Oak also was briefly home to the late "Tonight Show" host Johnny Carson, who was born in nearby Corning.

In 2016, Red Oak resident Ernie Smith set a Guinness World Record when he was deemed the oldest active pilot in the world on his 99th birthday.

Red Oak has a proud if somber military heritage. Unlike most Iowa county seat towns, it was built not around a courthouse but a 1927 fountain whose three dozen spigots commemorate the 36 Montgomery County servicemen who died in World War I. Red Oak residents also were disproportionately represented among Iowa's casualties in the Civil War and, according to Leo Landis, state curator at the State Historical Society of Iowa, soldiers from the region numbered heavily in the 311 Iowans who went missing in the World War II Battle of the Kasserine Pass in Tunisia.

Fountain Square Park in Red Oak, Iowa was built to honor 36 Montgomery County residents who died in World War I. Today the park has memorials recognizing residents who also died in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

In August 2021, Cpl. Daegan William-Tyeler Page, a Red Oak native, was among 13 U.S. service members killed in a suicide bombing attack at the Kabul airport in Afghanistan.

Red Oak, with long history of military casualties, reacts to death of Iowa Marine killed in Afghanistan

Atlantic

Population: 6,758.

Previous times on RAGBRAI: overnight town in 1974, 1980, 1989, 1991, 2001, 2011 and 2019.

Atlantic is known as the Coca-Cola capital of Iowa. The Atlantic Bottling Co., founded in 1905, started bottling Coca-Cola in 1915 and now distributes to all of Iowa and parts of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois and Missouri.

It still bottles products at its Atlantic plant. But the company also has offices in Des Moines, Walcott and Ottumwa. The town celebrates Coca Cola Days each fall, and until the COVID-19 pandemic even had a Coke museum.

Winterset

Population: 5,385.

Previous times on RAGBRAI: overnight town in 1991 and 2019, pass-through town in 1997.

A statue of John Wayne in front of the John Wayne Birthplace Museum in Winterset.

Winterset was the birthplace of actor Marion Morrison, better known by his stage name: John Wayne. He was born in Winterset but grew up in Southern California.

Just off the town square is the John Wayne Birthplace Museum. Opened in 2015, the museum contains artifacts and memorabilia from his life.

Read more about Winterset: Ben Franklin store era comes to an end, Winterset owners to retire after 44 years in business

Winterset also is the seat of Madison County, as in "The Bridges of." You can bet that the ride through the county will take RAGBRAI past some of the famous covered bridges that drew the novel's photographer protagonist, Robert Kincaid. Clint Eastwood famously played him in the 1995 movie, filmed in part in Winterset. Co-star Meryl Streep earned one of her seemingly countless Academy Award nominations.

RAGBRAI has a way of helping towns overcoming tragedies. That will certainly be an opportunity for Winterset. On March 5, 2022, an EF4 tornado killed six people in a neighborhood about 3 miles southwest of the city.

Winterset's leaders and RAGBRAI's organizers have talked about ways to showcase the town's resilience, said RAGBRAI Ride Director Matt Phippen.

"With anything that RAGBRAI does when you partner with these communities it truly shows how strong communities are," Phippen said. "It's a community that is beautiful. There's tons of things to offer there."

'Stronger than before': 4 family members killed by Winterset tornado remembered as 'full of life'

Knoxville

Population: 7,158.

Previous times on RAGBRAI: overnight town in 1991, 2000 and 2013, pass-through town in 1988 and 1992.

Racing is as much a part of Knoxville as corn is a part of Iowa. The larger Iowa Speedway in nearby Newton is more prestigious, but Iowas racing heritage is firmly rooted in the dirt oval of Knoxville Raceway.

Located near the middle of town, it first hosted automobile races in 1901. Today, the half-mile track holds weekly sprint car and late-model races from late April through September. It is known as one of the premier dirt tracks in the country, and each year the national sprint car season culminates in the Knoxville Nationals, attracting some of the top drivers in racing with a $1 million purse.

The National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum sits outside turn 2, displaying about 35 open-wheel race cars and telling the stories of some of the best drivers in the history of grassroots racing. Admission is $10 for adults and $8 for seniors, students and military members.

Ottumwa

Population: 25,350.

Previous times on RAGBRAI: overnight town in 1984, 2000, 2009 and 2016.

Proclaimed the Video Game Capital of the World, Ottumwa was the home of the Twin Galaxies International Scoreboard arcade, global keeper of scoring records in the early 1980s for games like Asteroids, Pac-Man and Centipede. At one point, there was even talk of building a Video Game Hall of Fame there.

The arcade is long gone, but Ottumwa was the place where California-based social media platform and video game arbiter Twin Galaxies got started.

Airplane enthusiasts can visit the Air Power Museum. Sitting on a 30-acre airfield, the 20,000-square-foot museum displays various propellers, aircraft engines, model airplanes and aviation-themed art.

Ottumwa also is the hometown of actor and comedian Tom Arnold, who for a time operated an Iowa-style loose meat sandwich shop there with then-wife Roseanne Barr.

Tom Arnold with sister Lori Arnold in 1990s.

After 28 years, Hollywood star and Iowan Tom Arnold reconnects with brother, sister  in Ottumwa

Mount Pleasant

Population: 8,982.

Previous times on RAGBRAI: Overnight town in 1975, 1984, 1992, 2003 and 2009; pass-through town in 1979.

Mount Pleasant's marquee event is the Old Threshers Reunion, which runs five days through Labor Day each year. The event started in 1950 as a celebration of old steam engines and agricultural equipment. Today the reunion attracts antique car and tractor owners from across the Midwest.

It's also a festival where big-name acts like Brad Paisley, George Strait and Johnny Cash have performed.

Mount Pleasant can probably use the lift RAGBRAI will bring. Its venerable local liberal arts college, Iowa Wesleyan University, a cornerstone of the city since the 1840s, closed in May.

A steam-powered tractor chugs past the grandstands at the Old Threshers Reunion in Mount Pleasant.

Burlington

Population: 23,713.

Previous times on RAGBRAI: ending town in 1979, 1984, 1990, 2000 and 2009; overnight town in 2019.

Burlington is home to Snake Alley, a roadway constructed in 1894 to connect a residential neighborhood at the top of a bluff with a commercial area at the bottom. Paved in limestone and blue-clay bricks, Snake Alley curves seven times up a 21% grade over a distance of 275 feet, gaining 58 feet of elevation, according to the city of Burlington.

Riders power their way up a 21% grade while completing the Rally to the Alley challenge during RAGBRAI in 2019 in Burlington.

Every Memorial Day Weekend, downtown Burlington hosts the Snake Alley Criterium, a bike race that includes an ascent of Snake Alley. RAGBRAI riders with sufficient energy left over can mark the end of their ride by taking on the challenge of climbing Snake Alley, too.

Founded in 1833, Burlington, once a busy Mississippi River steamboat port, was capital of the Wisconsin Territory, then the Iowa Territory. It was the site of the first U.S. Aldi store, which opened in 1976 after the German-owned grocer bought and rebranded the locally based Benner Tea Co. supermarket chain. Now headquartered in the Chicago area, the U.S. Aldi chain still uses the Benner name for its tea.

Philip Joens has ridden RAGBRAI 18 times and completed the river-to-river trek seven times. He covers retail, real estate and RAGBRAI for the Des Moines Register. He can be reached at 515-284-8184, at pjoens@registermedia.com or on Twitter @Philip_Joens

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Here's what to know about 2024 RAGBRAI's southern Iowa towns
If you've had bad falafel, you might think of it as dry or pasty. But, if you've had good falafel, it's probably one of your favorite foods in the world. When you've had it fresh from a falafel cart or a good Middle Eastern restaurant, you might wonder whether it's even possible to recreate it at home. We're here to tell you it is  but you have to get over some of the common mistakes that everyone makes with falafel first.

One of the most common missteps that people make is using cooked beans. It might seem like this is the right way to make falafel, but there's a different solution that gives you the classic texture you're craving. There are also other common errors, such as not adding baking powder for fluffiness and not chilling the falafel mixture before forming it. Any of these mistakes and more could leave you with underwhelming falafel.

But, we're not just here to tell you what you're doing wrong, we want to help you turn it around. We have solutions to these mistakes and additional tips to help you make the crispy, flavorful falafel of your dreams. Whether serving it in a wrap or as part of a mezze spread, avoid these common mistakes and you'll be on your way to falafel perfection.

Read more: 15 Mistakes Everyone Makes When Cooking Eggs

Not Understanding Regional Variations

falafel with and without sesame seeds - Aref Alodat/Shutterstock

Falafel likely originated in Egypt, but it soon spread across the Middle East and the Levant into regions such as Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, and Israel. Each of these regions added its own flair, so there are many different takes on the dish.

The first regional variation is in the beans that are used. You might think of falafel as being made from chickpeas  or garbanzo beans, as they're also known  but in some regions, fava beans are used instead. Egypt uses all fava beans in its falafel, however, chickpeas are used in most other Middle Eastern countries. Palestinian and Israeli falafel is generally all chickpea, while Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria either use just chickpeas or a combination of chickpeas and fava beans.

Now, let's talk about herbs and spices. While parsley is a common herb across the Middle East, some areas, such as Palestine and Jordan, may lean more towards using a combination of parsley and cilantro in their falafel recipes. The spice blends in falafel can also be region-specific. For example, in Syrian and Lebanese variations, there might be a distinct blend of spices that differs from the mix used in Egyptian falafel.

Falafel shape can also vary. While ball-shaped falafel is common in Jordan and parts of Palestine, in some regions of Lebanon and Syria, they are often shaped into flatter patties.

Using Cooked Beans

chickpeas soaking in water - hanif66/Shutterstock

If you've made something like bean burgers before, it might make sense that falafel would be crafted from cooked garbanzo beans or fava beans. You may imagine that you'd just grab a can of beans from your cupboard, process them into a paste, and form them into balls. But, this isn't the case at all with falafel.

Instead of using cooked chickpeas or fava beans, you start with dried beans and then soak them for around 12 hours or until the beans have tripled in size. You can then use them in a falafel recipe, processing them with other ingredients to make your falafel mixture. While this might seem strange  using uncooked beans  they'll cook in the hot oil when you fry your falafel.

The only way to get that classic falafel texture that's soft and fluffy on the inside and intensely crispy on the outside is to use soaked dried beans. If you use cooked beans, the mixture will be too wet and the texture won't be right. The inside will be squishy and paste-like, instead of light and slightly moist. Your falafel will also be more likely to fall apart as you fry it. You might be able to create a pretty tasty bean patty using cooked chickpeas or fava beans, but it won't be falafel.

Not Adding Baking Powder

bowl of falafel mixture - A. Zhuravleva/Shutterstock

You've followed the instructions to make your falafel using soaked uncooked beans and you're expecting the perfect texture, but they come out dense  what's gone wrong? A common cause of this problem is failing to use baking powder in your recipe. It might seem like a strange addition  after all, you're not baking a cake  but the addition of a leavening agent brings a lighter, fluffier texture to your finished falafel.

You can expect to add around  to  of a teaspoon of baking powder per cup of dried chickpeas, although some use a little less baking powder along with a touch of baking soda, which is fine. Ultimately, you should trust your recipe for the quantities  but if it doesn't contain any baking powder or baking soda, it's probably not a good recipe. The texture is a big part of great falafel, so if the inside isn't perfectly light, this means you need baking powder in the mix.

Using A Blender Instead Of A Food Processor

falafel ingredients - Robert Briggs/Shutterstock

Although falafel has existed long before electrical appliances, unless you want to crack out a pestle and mortar, you'll need a food processor to make falafel. Some people think that a blender will do, whether that's an immersion blender or a countertop blender, but it's just not the same as a food processor and it won't do what you need it to do.

But, why is this? After all, don't you need to blitz all the ingredients into a smooth mixture? Well, that's your first mistake. The falafel mixture shouldn't be smooth, it should be a little bit chunky. This is what gives it the texture that we know and love. A smooth mixture would result in falafel that's pasty on the inside. Blenders are designed to puree ingredients, and you don't want to puree your falafel mixture.

So, a food processor is the preferred piece of equipment for the modern home cook. It effectively chops the soaked beans, aromatics, and herbs into small pieces to give you a cohesive mixture that still has enough texture to give you the crunchy yet airy falafel that you need. However, it's worth mentioning that falafel shops and Middle Eastern restaurants usually use a meat grinder to get the desired texture. So, if you happen to have one at home, it might be worth a try in your quest for the best-ever falafel.

Failing To Chill The Mixture Before Forming It

falafel mixture next to falafel balls - from my point of view/Shutterstock

If you're processing your falafel mixture and then trying to form it and fry it right away, you're making a common mistake. We get it, you might be hungry and wanting to eat, but you should always factor in some chill time between making the falafel mix and cooking it. When you don't chill it, you'll find it's harder to form into balls or patties. It can be too wet and therefore either won't form a cohesive ball or, even if you can form it, then it quickly falls apart when you fry it.

It's a frequent complaint in the falafel-making world  the falafel mix won't form into balls or it falls apart during the frying process. And, now you know the likely culprit: falafel mixture that hasn't been chilled. This is good news because the solution is so easy  you just stick the mixture in the fridge for at least an hour. This gives time for the excess liquid to absorb and the mixture to take on a stickier consistency that's easier to shape and less likely to fall apart during frying. If you want to make your falafel mixture in advance, it's fine to leave it covered in the fridge for as long as 24 hours.

Forming It Incorrectly

cook forming falafel balls using scoop - Alexanderstock23/Shutterstock

Whether you're forming falafel into balls or the flat, indented, almost doughnut-like shape of Syrian falafel, it's important to get your method right. If you make falafel regularly, it pays to buy a falafel maker or falafel scoop. This small, handheld gadget perfectly forms falafel into uniform pieces. It's quick and easy and means all your falafel will cook evenly because they're the same shape and size. Even cooks in falafel shops use these kinds of gadgets, so it's not like you're cheating.

If you don't have one of these or don't make falafel often enough to justify buying one, you'll need to form your falafel by hand. This is trickier and it takes some practice to make even, well-formed falafel, but you'll get there with practice. Our main tip is to wet your hands when forming the falafel, dipping your hands in a bowl of water between each one. This keeps the mixture from sticking to your hands and can also prevent cracks from forming on the surface of the patties.

Baking Instead Of Frying

falafel frying in pan - Rrodrickbeiler/Getty Images

If you've had good falafel, you'll understand that it's all about the texture. The outside of the falafel is perfectly crispy. It has a uniform crust that gives way to a softer interior that's moist but not wet, and fluffy without being bready. So, how do you get this perfect texture? It's certainly not by baking it.

Sure, you technically can bake falafel, but just because you can do something, it doesn't mean that you should in this case. Baked falafel is nowhere near as crispy as fried falafel, and the inside is often less moist and airy than it should be due to the long cooking time. What you're left with is falafel that's too soggy on the outside and too dry on the inside -- the worst of both worlds.

So, do yourself a favor and pay falafel the respect it deserves by deep frying it. Many people find deep frying intimidating, but it doesn't have to be. It's also worth noting that you don't need a dedicated deep fryer  you can do it in a high-sided pan or even a wok. Plus, you don't need as much oil as you might think. Just an inch or two is about enough to cook falafel, especially if you form them into a flatter patty shape.

Frying At The Wrong Temperature

thermometer in pot of oil - 1125089601/Shutterstock

While deep frying isn't as scary as you might think, it's still important to get the temperature right for frying. When you fry food in oil that's too cool, it will absorb too much of the oil, rather than quickly forming a crust. This can leave your finished falafel greasy and soggy, rather than perfectly crisp. If your oil is too hot, your falafel will brown too quickly on the outside. This means it might look ready from the outside before it's properly cooked through, leaving the taste and texture not right. Or, if you cook it for the designated amount of time in oil that's too hot, the outside will be burnt.

So, what's the best temperature at which to fry your falafel? Different recipes call for different temperatures, but it's usually somewhere between 350 Fahrenheit and 375 Fahrenheit. The easiest way to check the temperature of your oil is by using a kitchen thermometer. However, if you don't have one, all is not lost. You can test the oil temperature by dropping a little piece of falafel mixture into your hot oil. If the temperature is correct, the oil will sizzle right away and it'll turn golden in under a minute.

Crowding The Pan

fried falafel in drainer - Ideeone/Getty Images

Making falafel is slightly fiddly work, with all that processing, shaping, and frying, so it makes sense that you'd want to cook your falafel as quickly as possible, fitting as many pieces in the pan as you can. But, crowding the pan with falafel is the wrong call. Each time you put some of the chilled falafel mix into the hot oil, it brings the temperature of the oil down temporarily. As we've already mentioned, too-cool oil gives you greasy, soggy falafel. So, you might save time loading up your pan with falafel during the frying process, but the resulting falafel will be subpar.

Instead, you should take your time, frying the falafel in multiple batches. Exactly how many to fry at once isn't always clear. Some people recommend frying no more than three balls at once, while others load up their pans much more, but leave an inch or so between balls. If in doubt, add a few, give it 20 seconds, and then check the oil temperature. If it's dipped well below 350 Fahrenheit, you shouldn't add more, but if the heat is back in the 350 to 375 Fahrenheit range, it's fine to add some more.

Letting It Sit Around Before Eating

serving of falafel on plate - Hashem Issam Alshanableh/Shutterstock

If you're leaving your falafel sitting around on a plate or paper towels after frying, you aren't going to have the best experience. Once they get cold, the texture's going to suffer and if you let them sit and wait for too long, they might get soggy.

It's best to eat falafel right away. Of course, it might not be possible to eat your falafel the second it comes out of the fryer. For one thing, you probably have a few more batches to cook before you're done. But, you should try to eat it as soon as possible. Falafel isn't a dish you should make ahead and reheat later -- it's at its best hot from the fryer, still crunchy and delicious.

When cooking in batches, leave the falafel in those first batches to drain on a wire rack until the rest are ready. The airflow will help keep the bottom of the falafels from getting soggy. Sitting them on a plate or a paper towel can cause them to lose some of their crispiness. If you're cooking a large amount of falafel, you can keep earlier batches warm in the oven, although this isn't ideal.

Not Knowing How To Serve It

falafel in pita - uniqueton/Shutterstock

If you're serving falafel in a basic tortilla or pairing it with dishes that don't make sense, you aren't going to get the best experience. There are two main ways to serve falafel: as part of a selection of mezze or in a pita or wrap.

If you're planning to go down the mezze route, other great dishes to serve with falafel include baba ganoush, hummus, tabbouleh, dolma, or ful medames. Add some flatbread into the mix and you've got yourself a feast. But, if you want your falafel in a more portable form, the falafel wrap and the falafel pita are two common options. When opting for a wrap, you should go for lavash bread over a tortilla, as the latter just isn't up to the job. Store-bought pita generally aren't up to much, either, and instead, you'll want a more robust, fluffier Middle Eastern-style pita. You can make these yourself or pick up some from a Middle Eastern bakery.

Then, there's the question of sauces and toppings. Tahini sauce is a must for a falafel pita or wrap. You should also add some salad to the mix. Consider pickled pink turnips and Middle Eastern pickled chiles alongside more everyday U.S. salad items.

Not Freezing Leftover Mixture

raw falafel balls - Zaira Zarotti/Shutterstock

Some falafel recipes are designed to make large quantities, which is all very well if you're cooking for a crowd. But, when it's just you or a small household, you might find yourself with a lot of leftover falafel mix. It will stay fresh in the fridge for a couple of days, but unless you want to eat falafel again so soon, you might find yourself faced with the prospect of throwing it away.

It's possible to freeze cooked falafel, but once thawed and reheated, it won't taste nearly as good as it did fresh. The better option is to freeze your leftover falafel mix. The best way to do this is to shape your leftover mixture into individual falafels before freezing them and storing them for up to 3 to 6 months. This way, you can fry them from a partially thawed state, adding an extra couple of minutes to the cooking time, and they'll taste almost as good as they would have done fresh.

Read the original article on Mashed.
Back in November, the United States Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) added the North American wolverine to its list of threatened species in the Lower 48, giving the elusive mesopredator new protections under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA). The agency cited habitat degradation spurred on by climate change as its primary justification for making the determination. On Friday, January 26, Montanaa state with a sizable portion of the wolverine's home rangesaid it will sue the USFWS in an attempt to get that decision reversed.

Backstory

The recent wolverine ESA listing is part of a back-and-forth saga dating back more than a decade. At different times since 2013, the USFWS has proposed a threatened status for the species, then withdrawn its listing in response to shifting political winds and changing science. In response to a 2020 withdrawal of yet another proposed wolverine ESA listing, the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) sued the Department of the Interior, brining the issue back to the forefront. That lawsuit, which the CBD won in 2022, ultimately led to the wolverine's official ESA listing in November 2023.

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Montana FWP says it'll file its lawsuit in federal district court. In Montana, wolverines continue to do well and inhabit much, if not all, of their available habitat, said Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) Chief of Conservation Policy Quentin Kujala, in a press release announcing the agency's intent to sue . We work closely with our neighboring states to ensure the continued conservation of these iconic species. Federal protections in this case will only get in the way of good conservation work.

Climate Concerns

When the USFWS listed the North American wolverine as "threatened" on November 30, 2023, it cited a climate analysis that predicted a significant amount of snow loss in five mountain ranges in the Northern Rockiesareas where wolverines live and breedby the year 2100. If those climate models are borne out, the agency's report in the Federal Register indicated, wolverine populations will suffer because the species is so reliant on spring snowpack for denning, foraging, and reproduction.

"New research indicates that areas characterized by persistent spring snow are likely important for wolverine survival," the USFWS wrote last fall. "One new study reported wolverines cache food year-round, indicating that warmer temperatures could impact the ability of wolverines to store food resources by decreasing the shelf life of cached food."

In its press release, Montana FWP took issue with that rationale, saying it "was used despite recent science that shows wolverines are adaptable and able to den and reproduce without snow." That's based on a study examining a sample population of 1,589 wolverines in Scandinavia. According to FWP, the study , published in May 2023, "directly refutes the argument that climate change will have a detrimental population-level on wolverines" in the contiguous United States. Instead, FWP says, it found that "wolverine distribution expanded and that reproductive events increased 20 times in areas lacking spring snow cover."

Potential Implications for Trappers

Wolverine were nearly extirpated from the Lower 48 by the early 1920s. Since then, they've managed to repopulate some of their native haunts south of the 48th parallel, migrating back on their own from populations in Canada. Today, there are an estimated 300 wolverines in the contiguous United States.

Read Next: An Environmental Group is Buying Up Millions of Dollars Worth of Commercial Hunting Permits in Canada

Hunting and trapping for the species is already outlawed outside of Alaska, and the most recent ESA listing won't have any impact on those long-standing rules. But some Western trappers worry that new ESA protections for the species could limit or even shut down legal trapping opportunities in areas that overlap with wolverine habitat.

In November 2023, for example, a federal judge in Montana cut wolf trapping seasons in half to protect endangered grizzly bears. And earlier this year, wildlife advocacy groups sued the Idaho Department of Fish & Game , saying its wolf trapping season puts ESA-protected grizzlies at risk. Field & Stream will follow the developing wolverine listing saga as it continues to unfold.
Pairing foods together can feel like guesswork a lot of the time, but it doesn't have to. Whether you're grilling a panini or making tacos, a little know-how in the cheese department can turn your solid weeknight dinner into a crave-worthy culinary masterpiece. To help us get there, we reached out to Laura Downey, cheesemonger and owner of the popular Fairfield & Greenwich Cheese Company in Connecticut. For those of you not in the Northeast, Fairfield Cheese Company was dubbed one of the 10 most iconic cheese shops in America by Wine Enthusiast Magazine last year.

"I like to think about the flavor of the meat and look for a cheese that will stand up to it," Downey told us. "Roast chicken, for example, is milder than beef ... it would work well with a milder cheese like Fontina Val d'Aosta from Italy. A big, flavorful burger needs a bold, rich cheddar. You always want the two ingredients to be matched in strength of flavor."

Make sense? It really is that simple. It's easy to wrap food wisdom in an aura of mystery that only professional chefs can understand, but anyone can do it. We eat food more than we do hardly anything else, so if you're looking to put your 10,000 hours in, you're well on your way. Little tricks like this help illuminate the concept of pairing foods together by simplifying the problem.

Read more: The Best Meat For Your Charcuterie Board Isn't One You'd Expect

Putting It Into Practice

Different types of cheeses - Jupiterimages/Getty Images

We won't send you out into the great cheesy wilderness just yet. If you're still a little unsure about pairing cheese with roasted meat, try to identify what it is that's intimidating to you. If you're worried you don't know enough about the various cheeses to tell how strong they are, you now have an excuse to put together a tasting of unique cheeses. Grab a friend or fly solo as you make your way to the specialty cheese section of your grocery store. Most markets will have a brief description of the flavor profile on a little placard on the display. Grab a few that stand out to you and compare them side by side when you get home. They may even let you sample them there at the store.

If you're not sure which meats are bold and which are mild, just think about what they taste like and what dishes you often find them in. Red meats tend to be bolder than white meats, so pork deserves a more robust cheese relative to turkey. Trust your gut. If you think something is mild, that means it probably is. There's no trickery happening here.

Read the original article on Tasting Table.
He spent a record 371 days on the International Space Station (ISS) and  with his dedication and medical knowledge  contributed scientific research that, in a couple of decades, could provide human beings with artificial organs manufactured under conditions of weightlessness. Francisco Frank Rubio is a 48-year-old Los Angeles-born doctor and American soldier of Salvadoran descent. He has logged more than 1,100 flight hours as a Blackhawk helicopter pilot. Hes also an accomplished parachutist, having completed more than 650 free-fall jumps.

In 2022, Rubio was assigned a six-month-long mission to the ISS, but ended up stranded due to a breakdown in the cooling system of the Russian Soyuz MS-23 spacecraft, on which he had to return to Earth. Hence, he ended up staying on the ISS for more than a year, longer than any other NASA astronaut. As a doctor, he knew the toll that this feat would take on his body: in space, bone density is lost more quickly, due to the absence of gravity. This can also affect the immune and cardiovascular systems.

Military training, Rubio explains, helped him face the psychological challenge of a prolonged stay in space. Before joining NASA, he served on missions in Bosnia, Afghanistan and Iraq. In 2017, he was selected by the U.S. space agency and spent two years in intensive training before his first special mission.

On the ISS, the astronaut decided to focus on what he loves most: medicine. He worked on hundreds of experiments. One of his favorites took place in the BioFabrication Facility (BFF)  a 3D biological printer  where he participated in research evaluating the mechanical properties of a meniscus that was printed with biological cells and inks. We were learning about how cells behave in microgravity and how they [divide themselves]. Its a little different, because the shape of the cells can be maintained a little more easily [in zero-gravity], he explains in Spanish from NASA, in a brief video call with EL PAIS.

While I was there, we were able to make a piece of the meniscus thats incredible. And thats because microgravity leaves us. On Earth, it couldnt be done, because theres too much gravity. And now, what we have to discover is how to [replicate the full] meniscus and how to maintain the structures of those tissues on Earth. According to Rubio, if this type of research continues to advance, complete organs  such as a heart or a liver  could be manufactured in space within 10 or 20 years.

The experiment  which he worked on with NASA colleagues Warren Hoburg and Stephen Bowen and Emirati astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi  could have a huge impact on the quality of life of thousands of people if its implemented in real-life scenarios. To give an example, more than 50 of every 100,000 people suffer from acute meniscal tears each year.

Biomanufacturing in space can be more productive due to the absence of gravity. Among the medical applications that could be developed under these conditions is the mass production of stem cells, the creation of advanced models of diseases, or the expansion of 3D bioprinting capabilities. Additionally, this branch of biotechnology could contribute to the creation of new sustainable materials for fashion, sports, or construction.

Frank Rubio inside the Destiny Laboratory Module of the International Space Station, on November 3, 2022. NASA

During one of his three spacewalks, Rubio also helped install a device designed for the deployment of small satellites. Furthermore, on the ISS, he participated in growing hydroponic vegetables. He was even unfairly accused by his colleagues of eating a couple of tomatoes that had been placed in a bag (they actually ended up floating in the ducts of the space complex). He was only exonerated when  months later  other astronauts found them when he was already back on Earth. Learning to grow crops in water or air will depend largely on how the space race goes in the future.

The daily challenges of living in space

Rubio had prepared himself to spend six months in space, which is usually how long a NASA mission lasts. There are exhausting responsibilities for whoever decides to do it. However, he ended up staying there for more than a year, which made him the U.S. agencys astronaut to have spent the most time on the space station. He surpassed Mark Vande Hei, who spent 355 consecutive days on the ISS.

EL PAIS asks Rubio if he missed Earth more when he was stranded on the ISS, or whether he misses the station more now that hes back here.

When I was there, he replies, every day, I missed my family and I missed the house. But now that Im here  four months after returning  at least once a week, I think that I would like to be there again for at least a few hours, to enjoy the view, to enjoy floating. Being part of a complete space mission is something very special and I miss it a little, he admits.

Of course, he doesnt miss it all the time. Rubio assures EL PAIS that daily routines in space are less glamorous than we imagine. The astronaut spent a full year isolated from the world, floating, without eating fresh food, without hugs from family or going for walks. He spent the day working up to nine hours on high-level research investigations, in which theres no room for error. He also had to do substantial maintenance and training tasks.

There were intense days, he says, in which  among other things  the astronauts received continuous solar radiation and lost muscle mass, even though they exercised for two hours a day. It takes a couple of months to get used to that rhythm, he explains. Furthermore, Rubio recalls that he missed seeing water flow. Astronauts wash themselves with wet towels, while they brush their teeth with their mouths almost closed, so as to prevent any liquid from dissipating throughout the station and contaminating other rooms where research is carried out. Once used, toothpaste can be spit out onto a cloth, but he chose to swallow it. I swallowed that twice a day for a whole year, he confesses, laughing. Its part of the operation.

The space race has made several generations idealize the work of astronauts, men and women who risk their lives for science. However, while the view from space is spectacular, the emotional, physical and work load is difficult. I believe that every day of the 370 that I spent in space was special. Every day, there was a spectacular image that added to the beauty of the entire experience of being there, he says.

Frank Rubio during a spacewalk in his Extravehicular Mobility Unit, on November 15, 2022. NASA

For him, the biggest challenges in space are biological: adapting to life without gravity. And, although some business magnates claim to have inaugurated the era of space tourism, Rubio believes that humans arent yet ready for long space stays, which last for more than one or two years. According to NASA estimates, with the current technology, a round trip to Mars could take three years, while a trip to Pluto could take up to 40. Although, the astronaut clarifies, what seems impossible today will one day be normal.

I believe that, psychologically and physically, there are people who can make the effort, and those types of people are the ones needed to advance the space race now, he affirms. Its a task that requires a lot of strength and a good team. Its very important to have a strong family, a strong community that supports you, [so that you can] be successful, he emphasizes.

Rubio feels privileged to be part of an advanced mission thats advancing science and technology and doing things to make life better for all of humanity. The love for this job makes him want to continue for a few more years. And, God willing, maybe return to space for much more time. 371 days werent enough for the NASA astronaut who has spent the longest consecutive amount of time on the ISS.

Latinos in space There are 15 astronauts of Hispanic origin who have traveled to space with NASA or its allies. These are some of them: Arnaldo Tamayo Mendez, from Cuba, was the first person of Hispanic origin to travel to space, in 1980.

Rodolfo Neri Vela, from Mexico, was the first Latino to fly on an American space shuttle, in 1985. He also introduced tortillas to the astronauts' menu.

Franklin Chang-Diaz, originally from Costa Rica, became the first Hispanic-American in space, in 1986. He holds the record of having traveled to space seven times.

Ellen Ochoa, of Mexican origin, was the first female Hispanic astronaut, in 1993. She was also the first person of Hispanic origin to direct NASA's Johnson Space Center.

Jose Hernandez, whose parents were immigrants from Mexico, became the first astronaut to use Twitter in Spanish from space, in 2009.

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The Gildan Activewear boards battle with its activist investors could get nastier now that a meeting date has been set.

Gildan on Monday set May 28 as the day for its annual shareholders meeting, as well as the special shareholders meeting requested by activist Browning West to reconstitute the board. That date sets the stage for the two to begin mailing out proxy notices and corresponding materials connected to board nominees at least 40 days before the meeting date.

More from Sourcing Journal

Gildan may have already given itself a head start last Tuesday when its provided details on the timeline of events leading up to the removal of former CEO Glenn Chamandy. The timeline provided examples of when Chamandy allegedly became a disengaged CEO. Gildan has charged Chamandy with providing a false narrative of events.

Chamandy, in turn, said last Tuesday that Gildans allegations are false, defamatory and misleading. He said he was terminated on Dec. 10 without cause, and charged that the board perpetuated a plan to undermine my reputation.

The Boards poor governance, failed shareholder engagement, and obsession with self-entrenchment has been on full display, Chamandy said.

And while the board has said that Chamandys hosting of a past visit by Browning West to the companys Honduras manufacturing plant was an indication that he gave the activist preferential treatment, Chamandy said that the visit was organized by the companys investor relations team.

The removal of Chamandy in December led to a trading of barbs between Gildan and several activists, as each side spun its own tale of why its position justified either Chamandys removal or the need for board change.

Browning West isnt the only one seeking board change and the reinstatement of Chamandy. It is joined by eight other investors: Turtle Creek Asset Management, Jarislowsky Fraser Ltd., Cooke & Bieler LP, Pzena Investment Management, LLC, Janus Henderson, Anson Funds Management LP and Anson Advisors Inc., Oakcliff Capital and Cardinal Capital Management. The influential investors together control 35 percent of Gildans outstanding shares. The proxy fight is for control of the remaining 65 percent of the voting shares.

Browning has said it had no choice but to pick additional nominees because indications are that Gildans current board is far more entrenched than we had previously imagined. Other activists have jumped in to voice their concerns.

Turtle Creek last week rebuked the Gildan board, telling its members that they have a legal and moral responsibility to act as independent fiduciaries for shareholders, even when those shareholders disagree with you and seek to have you replaced. The hedge fund also reminded the board to conduct yourselves in a professional manner, adding that its current destructive PR campaign of inferences and innuendo is both embarrassing to the company and board members.

And Pzena portfolio manager Akhil Subramanian told Bloomberg in a story Friday that the board needs to let the shareholders decide on who they wish to represent them.

Browning West wasnt pleased, noting on Monday it had requested that the special meeting to reconstitute the board be held in March, and the date Gildan chose is nearly five months after it submitted a valid request.

Through its actions, including refusing to set a timely date for the meeting, the board is once again demonstrating a complete disregard for sound corporate governance and a total lack of respect for the will of shareholders, Browning West cofounders Usman S. Nabi and Peter M. Lee said in a statement.

As for Gildans plan to have a Canadian court declare the special meeting request null and void based on U.S. antitrust violations in connection with the acquisition of Gildan shares, the Browning West cofounders said they are severely disappointed by the boards continued attempts to distract shareholders by focusing on a U.S. regulatory question that is entirely irrelevant to our valid requisition under Canadian law.

The two said the legal move is a waste of shareholder resources, pointing to the Gildan boards own press release that said a speedy resolution of this unnecessary proxy contest is in the best interest of the company and its shareholders. The two went on to note that Gildan is being led astray by a legal team that is economically incentivized to recommend scorched-earth tactics.

Browning West did not address Gildans offer to meet with Vince Tyra, who succeeded Chamandy and, at the boards request, began his tenure as CEO one month earlier than planned. Gildan said it also requested to meet with Browning Wests nominees to better understand their viewpoints and skill sets, although it noted that the investment firm has so far refused any form of engagement.

The story has been updated to include Browning Wests response.
Evidence from the door that blew off an Alaska Airlines plane is bolstering a theory that the emergency occurred because bolts required to secure the door were missing when the aircraft left Boeings factory, according to The Wall Street Journal. The so-called door plug on the 737 Max 9 aircraft blew out at around 16,000 feet during the flight on Jan. 5 and was later discovered in a teachers backyard. Now Boeing and other industry officials increasingly believe that the aircraft manufacturers workers did not put bolts back in place when they reinstalled the door after removing it or opening it during the production, sources told the Journal. The conclusion is partly based on an apparent lack of markings on the door that would indicate the bolts were in place at the time it blew off, according to the report.

Read it at The Wall Street Journal

Read more at The Daily Beast.
Get Rid of Dark Circles Once and for All With These Expert Tips



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Youve had a full nights rest and wake up to the sound of birds chirping outside your windowits going to be a great day! Then, upon turning the corner to the bathroom, you catch yourself in the mirror and are greeted by your pesky old frienddark under-eyes. If it seems like youre always carrying extra luggage in the form of eye bags, no matter how much sleep you get (or eye cream you apply), youre probably wondering how to get rid of dark circles.

Meet the Experts: Lindsey Zubritsky, M.D., F.A.A.D., a board-certified dermatologist at Premier Dermatology, Deanna Mraz Robinson, M.D., F.A.A.D., a fellowship-trained, board-certified dermatologist and co-founder of Modern Dermatology of Connecticut, and celebrity makeup artist Tomy Rivero.

We asked experts for all the wisdomincluding causes, treatments, and prevention methods for a more even-looking, bag-free complexion. Keep reading to banish dark circles for good.

What causes dark circles?

How did your uninvited dark circles barge in in the first place? The answer is different for everyone. There are several reasons for dark circles, including lack of sleep, allergies, genetics, dehydration, trauma from eye rubbing, sun exposure, and aging, explains Lindsey Zubritsky, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist at Premier Dermatology. Overuse of alcohol may also cause darkness under the eyes, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Deanna Mraz Robinson, M.D., F.A.A.D., a fellowship-trained, board-certified dermatologist and co-founder of Modern Dermatology of Connecticut adds that when dark circles are allergy-relatedshe calls them allergic shinersnasal and sinus congestion leads blood to pool in the small veins under your eyes. The veins dilate, resulting in a dark, swollen appearance.

Then, there are genetic and age-related factors. As we age, we lose collagen and elastin, which are the structural proteins that support our skin, explains Dr. Mraz Robinson. This causes thinning skin, which can then reveal the vascular structures below, casting a shadow that can make the under eyes appear hollow, she adds.

Dark circles treatments

There are a few things you can do to lessen the appearance of dark circles, depending on whats causing them.

Eye cream

Because the root cause of most dark circles is below the skins surface, eye cream can only do so much. It all depends on said root cause, though. If you have allergies or eyelid dermatitis, which is skin irritation that may cause discoloration, topical, over-the-counter eye creams can add a little improvement but will not address the underlying causes for the darkness, explains Dr. Zubritsky.

Eye creams can also support the health of the skin, improving its texture, tone, and brightness, which can give the whole eye area more of an even glow. They wont reverse volume loss or thicken skin to mask visible vascular structures though, Dr. Mraz Robinson stresses. Look for sources of hydration and supportspecifically hyaluronic acid, ceramides, peptides, and antioxidants vitamin C and E, she recommends. Caffeine is another popular ingredient in eye products because it has anti-inflammatory properties to de-puff and brighten.

Retinoids

One of the most effective topical treatments for dark circles is using a prescription retinoid, says Dr. Zubritsky. This helps to reduce the pigment changes in the skin and increase cell turnover, leading to brighter, new cells.



Dr. Mraz Robinson adds that retinoids address skin texture, too. Look for one that is specifically formulated for the delicate eye area, she says. I like Skinbetter AlphaRet EyeMax Overnight Cream, which combines the exfoliating properties of a retinoid and AHA alongside antioxidants and hydrating ingredients to rejuvenate the eye area. Over-the-counter retinol eye creams are also a thing, though they may not be as effective as prescription-grade topicals.

In-office injectables and treatments

The most immediate and significant way to treat dark circles is with in-office procedures conducted by a dermatologist. I often treat this area with injectable filler to restore lost volume, says Dr. Mraz Robinson. Using the filler on the outer, upper cheek area can also softly lift the skin in this area for a rested and refreshed appearance.

Another option that can be used in tandem with filler or on its own is a fractional laser treatment, she says, which uses the lasers energy to create microscopic columns of injury in the deep layers of the skin, promoting the bodys natural reaction to produce new collagen and elastin.

Dark circles at-home remedies

All of this being said, if you wake up one morning with particularly gnarly circles and have an important meeting, there are a few things you can do at home to make them less prominent, if only temporarily.

Green tea bag compressions

One of my favorite ways to reduce dark circles and puffiness under the eyes is to use green tea bags, says Dr. Zubritsky. I recommend steeping the tea, then putting the bags in the refrigerator for 10 to 15 minutes. Green tea has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits, and when combined with the cooling effect from the refrigerator, it helps to quickly reduce under-eye puffiness and dark circles. The caffeine also helps to restrict blood flow, she adds, which prevents veins from dilating and leading to a darker appearance.

Facial massage

Facial massage with an ice roller, gua sha, or simply your fingers, can help to move stagnant lymph fluid and increase healthy blood flow to the area, says Dr. Mraz Robinson.

Air purifier and humidifier

If you experience allergy-related dark circles and puffiness, Dr. Mraz Robinson says keeping air purifiers and humidifiers throughout your home to keep the air moist and clean may help reduce allergy symptoms and therefore dark circles.

How to prevent dark circles

Because dark circles are so often a result of genetics, aging, or both, it can be difficult to prevent them. However, your best bet is to avoid irritating topical ingredients like harsh exfoliants, get adequate hydration inside and out, avoid alcohol, prioritize sleep, avoid rubbing your eyes, Dr. Zubritsky says, and of course, wear sunscreen every single day.

How to conceal dark circles

Sometimes, applying concealer over puffy, dark under-eyes makes them look worse. Thats why skin prep and using a color corrector are key, explains celebrity makeup artist Tomy Rivero. A salmon-toned color corrector helps with neutralizing the under eye area, preventing your concealer from turning gray or emphasizing the darkness, he says.

Before doing that, Rivero recommends applying hydrating skincarebe it eye cream, moisturizer, serum, or all three, an hour pre-makeup if you can. This will ensure the area is smooth and hydrated, giving you the after-facial-like glow, so the concealer and everything look seamless and like a second skin when blended out.

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Chinese fast-fashion giant Shein has found itself facing yet another copyright infringement lawsuit.

Lingerie and womens wear brand For Love & Lemons filed suit against Shein on Jan. 22 on the grounds of copyright infringement, per documents from the United States District Court for the Central District of California.

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Shein has been sued many times for marketing and selling infringing products, and this appears to be another such case, Scott Alan Burroughs of Doniger/Burroughs, the firm representing For Love & Lemons, told Sourcing Journal.

For Love & Lemons claimed that Shein continuously and repeatedly violated the California-based companys rights by marketing and selling products bearing designs, prints, graphics, shapes and other original artwork that are identical or substantially similar to Love and Lemons copyrighted designs. The brand is seeking injunctive relief from Shein, along with its trademark owner, Roadget Business Pte. Ltd., its parent company, Zoetop Business Co., Emory Rose, a brand sold on Sheins e-commerce website and 10 DOE defendantsaka, fictitious defendants or pseudonyms used when a plaintiffs identity is unknown or must be withheld for legal reasons.

Exhibit A.

For Love & Lemons reportedly served a cease-and-desist demand to the giant before filing the lawsuit, and Shein failed to meaningfully respond or resolve the issue, according to the suit.

The lawsuit is centered around designs created by print studio Liz Casella for For Love & Lemons, exclusively, to sell. Upon posting those designs on its website for purchase, the Victorias Secret-backed brand alleged that Zoetop, Shein, Roadget and the DOE defendants created and profited from designs substantially similar to Casellas. The infringing products include, but are not limited to, the garments sold by Shein that were manufactured or otherwise distributed by Shein/Roadget.

Adding insult to injury, For Love & Lemons claims that Shein and its fellow defendants continued selling goods resembling the copyrighted designs even after receiving notice from For Love & Lemons to knock it off.

Exhibit A.

The first claim for relief sees For Love & Lemons stating that it believes that every defendant, including Sheins in-house cottagecore brand Emory Rose, had access without limitation to its showroom, design library and illegally distributed copies of its Casella designs via third-party vendors and/or the DOE defendants.

Moreover, For Love & Lemons alleged that Shein had access to its samplespotentially from printing millsand garments manufactured with the lawfully printed Casella-design bearing fabrics in the marketplace. While that access isnt illegal, one element of a copyright claim is establishing that an infringer had the opportunity to access the design at issue, according to Burroughs. He also clarified that there are no allegations that For Love & Lemons manufacturers are involved.

[For Love & Lemons] is informed and believes and thereon alleges that one or more of the defendants manufacture garments and/or is a garment vendor, the lawsuit reads.

Furthermore, For Love & Lemons alleged that each defendant, including Zoetop and Shein/Roadget, has an ongoing business relationship with retailers, willfully supplying them with infringed or illegally modified garments featuring Casellas designs.

For Love & Lemons has suffered damages in an amount to be established at trial, and the lawsuit asserts that each defendant is liable for statutory damages under Section 504(2) of the Copyright Act in the sum of up to $150,000 per infringement.

The second claim for relief states that the defendants knowingly induced, participated in, aided and abetted and profited from the illegal reproduction and/or subsequent sales of garments featuring the [Casella designs]. The lawsuit then directly calls out Zoetop, stating the parent company is responsible for the Shein/Roadgets allegedly infringing conduct and vice versa.

For Love & Lemons alleged that each of the defendants is vicariously liable for the infringement alleged herein of one another because they had the right and ability to supervise the infringing conduct and because they had a direct financial interest in the infringing conduct, per the lawsuit.

Exhibit A.

The third claim for relief argues that the designs in question were routinely published with attribution, credit and other copyright management information identifying For Love & Lemons as the owner. The defendants, including Shein, removed these details and added false copyright management information and metadata before distributing and publishing to the publicsomething Shein has been sued for in over 30 separate actions in the Central District of California, including suits from large brands as well as small designers.

For Love & Lemons is demanding a jury trial under the 7th Amendment to the United States Constitution, which is the right to have a jury trial in federal courts with civil cases where the claim exceeds a certain dollar value.

Late last month, Uniqlo filed suit against Shein and three of its operators, including Roadget, for violating the Unfair Competition Prevention Act via the sale of a purse copied from Uniqlo. Another fast-fashion rival, H&M, filed a copyright infringement lawsuit last July against Shein for allegedly stealing designs.

Last July saw the filing of a 52-page complaint by plaintiffs Krista Perry, Jay Barron and Larissa Martinez against Shein for egregious copyright infringement on Martinezs Los Angeles-based company designing and producing made-to-order clothing that constituted racketeering.

For Love & Lemons did not immediately respond to Sourcing Journals request for comment.

Shein told Souring Journal it has no comment on the matter.
The image was scorned on social media for being 'effeminate' - ALVARO LEFLET/AFP

A poster of Jesus to promote Easter week in Seville has drawn a backlash from Spanish ultra-conservatives, who denounced it as effeminate and offensive to Roman Catholics.

Designed by Seville artist Salustiano Garcia, the image shows Jesus after his resurrection, standing semi-naked in front of a blood-red background, with the lower part of his body covered by a white cloth.

It shows the radiant side of Holy Week in the purest style of this prestigious painter, said the Council of Brotherhoods and Guilds, which organises the main Easter week events in the Andalusian city.

In a social media backlash, however, many denounced the poster as sexualised.

Its absolutely shameful and an aberration, wrote the ultra-conservative Catholic IPSE, which fosters respect for Christian symbols and is active in opposing abortion.

Not in the spirit of Holy Week

The image portrayed Jesus as effeminate and camp, it said, demanding a public apology from the artist for a poster that was not in the spirit of Holy Week.

Javier Navarro of the far-Right Vox party, joined the chorus of disapproval, saying the poster sought to provoke and did not advance the aim of encouraging the faithful to participate in Holy Week in Seville in remarks on X, formerly Twitter.

Garcia told the Right-wing ABC newspaper that his portrayal of Jesus, which was based on an image of his son, was gentle, elegant and beautiful and created with deep respect.

Spanish artist Salustiano Garcia poses for a photograph next to his painting - CRISTINA QUICLER

To see sexuality in my image of Christ, you must be mad, he said, insisting there was nothing in his painting that has not already been represented in artworks dating back hundreds of years.

Homophobia and hatred

Juan Espadas, leader of Spains ruling Socialist party in the Andalusia region, came to the defence of the artwork, denouncing the expressions of homophobia and hatred that it had caused, and saying it combined the regions tradition and modernity.

Holy Week celebrations, which recall the death and resurrection of Christ, are important in Catholic Spain, notably in Seville, which is seen as the centre of such festivities.

Spain legalised homosexuality in 1976, three years after Francos dictatorship ended, and is one of the worlds most open countries with respect to LGBTQ rights, permitting same-sex marriage and allowing gay couples to adopt since 2005.

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Global supply chain disruptions throughout the Red Sea, the Panama Canal and the Black Sea have drawn the attention of the United Nations trade and development body.

On Friday, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) said it expressed profound concerns over the escalating disruptions, estimating that weekly transits through the Suez Canal decreased by 42 percent over the previous two months as of Jan. 23.

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And while fewer ships are traversing the Suez due to ongoing Iran-backed Houthi missile attacks on commercial vessels sailing through the Red Seas chokepoint, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the Panama Canal is enduring historically low water levels. The months-long drought has forced the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) to restrict the amount of ships that can book a reservation through the waterway from a typical 36 in normal conditions, down to a current 24 per day.

However, the Suez and Panama Canal disruptions have had vastly different impacts on the container shipping industry, which is the prime ocean transportation mode of soft goods including apparel and footwear.

The Suez Canal has seen the majority of container shipping firms including MSC and Maersk divert their vessels away from the gateway and around Africa, with Project44 estimating Friday that container vessel volume in the canal has fallen 71 percent to an average of 4.25 vessels per day compared to 15 vessels per day prior to the start of the Houthi attacks in mid-November.

The Panama Canal backlog has been kinder to container ships despite the wider concerns, with the ACP saying that per-day transit totals for container ships averaged 7.4 ships in November and December. But considering that these vessels get priority in the canals booking system, the daily average isnt far from the prior-year numbers of 7.7 ships in 2022 and 7.6 in 2023.

Both bottlenecks have contributed to higher ocean freight rates as carriers increase prices amid the lengthier transit times. As of Thursday, ocean spot rates jumped 5 percent week-over-week to $3,964 per 40-foot container, according to the Drewry World Container Index (WCI), which measures rates across eight major global trade lanes.

The escalation in the wake of the attacks from the Yemen-based Houthi rebels, who claim they have been engaging in strikes in protest of the Israel-Hamas war, thrust the rates up rapidly in a two-month span. Costs per container are estimated to have skyrocketed 187 percent since Nov. 30, Drewry data says.

The cumulative effect of these disruptions translates into extended cargo travel distances, escalating trade costs and a surge in greenhouse gas emissions from shipping having to travel greater distances and at greater speed, the organization said. Avoiding the Suez and Panama Canal necessitates more days of shipping, resulting in increased expenses. The price per day of shipping and insurance premiums have surged, compounding the overall cost of transit. Additionally, ships are compelled to travel faster to compensate for detours, burning more fuel per mile and emitting more CO2, further exacerbating environmental concerns.

A tangible sign of the impact of longer shipping times can be seen in manufacturers observations of supplier delivery times impacted by the Red Sea skirmishes. S&P Global PMI data for January shows delivery times in the U.K. and Eurozone increased to their longest since 2022, while those of the U.K., Eurozone and U.S. all dropped below 50, indicating delays.

Supplier delivery times

The UNCTAD, which supports developing countries in its goal to help them access benefits of a globalized economy more fairly and effectively, said that these countries are particularly vulnerable to the ongoing supply chain disruptions. The trade body says it remains vigilant in monitoring the evolving situation.

The organization emphasizes the urgent need for swift adaptations from the shipping industry and robust international cooperation to navigate the rapid reshaping of global trade dynamics, the trade body said in a statement. The current challenges underscore trades vulnerability to geopolitical tensions and climate-related challenges, demanding collective efforts for sustainable solutions especially in support of countries more vulnerable to these shocks.

While global apparel and footwear industries have been largely unaffected by the Ukraine-Russia war, the UNCTAD shared its concerns around how the conflict impacts shipping in the Black Sea, which borders both countries and lies between Eastern Europe and Asia.

The organization pointed out that the two-year confrontation has triggered shifts in oil and grain trades, reshaping established trade patterns. Additionally, disruptions in grain shipments from Europe, Russia and Ukraine pose risks to global food security, affecting consumers and lowering prices paid to producers.
TALLAHASSEE  Sounding like hes still running for president, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Monday he would push the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature to certify a slate of amendments to the U.S. Constitution that include congressional term limits and requiring a balanced budget.

Banking on the idea that such reforms are popular and nonpartisan, DeSantis said Florida should be a leader in getting other states to push for a constitutional convention, an idea that has been discussed before but never achieved.

One thing Florida has always taken the lead on  is holding Washington accountable, DeSantis said at a news conference in Naples that seemed more like a campaign event, with crowds cheering his entrance and throughout much of his speech. We are going to work with other states to rein in this ruling class in Washington.

Some experts warn that could lead to radical revisions to the nations blueprint document.

There is a lot of mischief that could be done, said Bob Jarvis, a constitutional law professor at the Shepard Broad College of Law at NOVA Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale.

But Jarvis said he sees Mondays announcement as something DeSantis advisers came up with to keep grabbing headlines to stay viable and in the public eye until 2028.

Hes still running for president, just changed the timeline from 2024 to 2028, Jarvis said. Its easy for DeSantis to say this and capture the news cycle for 24 hours and then move on to something else.

The chances of actually getting something done are slim, Jarvis said. Article V of the Constitution provides two ways to pass amendments  by a congressional act or by constitutional convention.

Every constitutional amendment has been done by Congress, which requires a two-thirds vote to send to the states, and three-fourths of the states to ratify. The most recent modern-day amendment, the 26th giving 18-year-olds the right to vote, was ratified in 1971. The 27th, first proposed in 1789 to delay congressional pay raises, wasnt ratified until 1992.

The last constitutional convention was held in 1787 to get rid of the Articles of Confederation.

Since then, nobodys ever had one and nobody knows what they look like, Jarvis said. We are writing on a completely blank slate.

It would take two-thirds of the states, or 34, to agree to a constitutional convention, and 38 states to ratify any amendments, he said.

Its never going to happen because it never has happened, Jarvis said. It has never been taken seriously and Congress has never taken it up.

The Florida House has already approved along party lines two of the amendments DeSantis named  term limits and a balanced budget. Two Senate committees passed similar resolutions along party lines, but they have not gone before the full senate yet.

In Florida, weve proven that a balanced budget amendment and term limits work. Thats why weve passed resolutions urging Congress to enact them on the federal level, House Speaker Paul Renner, R-Palm Coast, said.

Renner said the legislature will pass resolutions supporting the governors two other goals  prohibiting Congress from excluding its members from any laws it passes and giving the president line-item veto authority on the federal budget.

This movement the governor outlined is about ensuring that the spirit of America is reflected not just in our past glories but in our present activities and in the future were all building for our children, said Tarren Bragdon, CEO of the Foundation for Government Accountability, a conservative group that has helped shape many of the states recent policies.

Such reforms have been launched before, but DeSantis said he believes there is new momentum.

Im hoping that  we will be able to work with other states to be able to get a critical mass here, DeSantis said. I dont think theres anything were proposing that many people would oppose. These are broadly appealing reforms.
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 shows 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 and 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.

Several congressional Arizona leaders issued swift responses to the drone attack on Sunday. Here is a roundup of what they had to say:

Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz.

"Last night, an Iranian-backed militia group carried out a drone attack that killed 3 U.S. servicemembers and wounded more in Jordan. I join all Arizonans in mourning the loss of these brave heroes and wishing the injured troops a quick and full recovery.

As we await further details, we stand unflinching in our mission to defeat this heinous terrorism. Were sending strength and gratitude to the families of those killed and injured during this extraordinarily difficult time."

Last night, an Iranian-backed militia group carried out a drone attack that killed 3 U.S. servicemembers and wounded more in Jordan. I join all Arizonans in mourning the loss of these brave heroes and wishing the injured troops a quick and full recovery.



1/2 https://t.co/z7TuT1SRVm  Kyrsten Sinema (@SenatorSinema) January 28, 2024

Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz.

"Three servicemembers made the ultimate sacrifice and 25 more were injured in service of our country. I'm thinking of them and their loved ones. This attack is a dangerous escalation by Iran's proxies. Those responsible must be held accountable."

Three servicemembers made the ultimate sacrifice and 25 more were injured in service of our country. Im thinking of them and their loved ones.



This attack is a dangerous escalation by Irans proxies. Those responsible must be held accountable. https://t.co/gdmnCnzmoN  Senator Mark Kelly (@SenMarkKelly) January 28, 2024

U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego called for the drone attack carried out by "Iranian-backed militants" that killed three American troops to "not go unpunished" on Sunday.

I am grieving for the families of the three service members killed in Jordan. The attack carried out by Iranian-backed militants is a heinous escalation, and it must not go unpunished," Gallego said in a statement.

Gallego said he was committed to providing the administration with the needed resources to protect U.S. troops in the region and "hold Iran accountable.

Live: Israel-Hamas war updates

Rep. Juan Ciscomani, R-Ariz.

"Laura & I are deeply saddened to hear of the deaths of 3 servicemembers in Jordan and praying for those injured in the attacks. The growing aggression from Iran-backed proxies and other adversaries must be squashed with a swift response from the United States."

Laura & I are deeply saddened to hear of the deaths of 3 servicemembers in Jordan and praying for those injured in the attacks.



The growing aggression from Iran-backed proxies and other adversaries must be squashed with a swift response from the United States.  Congressman Juan Ciscomani (@RepCiscomani) January 28, 2024

Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz.

"My prayers go out to the US service members who were killed and injured by an Iran-backed drone attack in Jordan. 3 patriots died while 25 more were injured. Joe Biden has emboldened Iran and shown weakness on the global stage. We have to have a stronger Commander-in-Chief."

My prayers go out to the US service members who were killed and injured by an Iranbacked drone attack in Jordan.



3 patriots died while 25 more were injured.



Joe Biden has emboldened Iran and shown weakness on the global stage.



We have to have a stronger Commander-in-Chief.  Rep Andy Biggs (@RepAndyBiggsAZ) January 28, 2024

Rep. Greg Stanton, D-Ariz.

"My heart goes out to the loved ones of the three American servicemembers killed  and to all those injured while bravely serving our nation. The U.S. must hold Iran and its proxies accountable."

Rep. Eli Crane, R-Ariz.

Crane showed sympathy for the families and loved ones of the U.S. service members who were killed in the incident and criticized the Biden administration's foreign policies in an email statement obtained by The Arizona Republic.

As someone who has served in the Middle East, my heart breaks for the families and loved ones of the three American service members who were killed in Jordan over the weekend, as well as the two Navy SEALs recently declared dead after a 10-day search off the coast of Somalia.

The Biden Administration, unfortunately, has pursued a foreign policy that embodies the opposite of peace through strength. Over the last three years, we have seen crisis after crisis unfold as a direct result of the reckless pursuit of policies that embolden our enemies.

Rep. Raul M. Grijalva

Grijalva referred to Sunday's attack as a "devastating tragedy" and a "disturbing" incident in a statement issued on Monday. He also emphasized calls for a de-escalation of violence and search for peaceful solutions.

"Were heartbroken for the families who have lost loved ones," Grijalva said in the statement. "This violence needs to end. We must prevent further conflict and loss of life in the region. We must do all we can to de-escalate and pursue a real path toward peace.

Rep. David Schweikert, R-Ariz.

Schweikert said on a Sunday night post on X, formerly known as Twitter, that he and his wife, Joyce Schweikert, were saddened by the incident and called for those responsible to be held accountable.

"Joyce and I are saddened by the loss of 3 brave U.S. service members in last nights drone attack in Jordan, which also left dozens injured, and our prayers are with their families. Those who orchestrated this cowardly attack must be held accountable."

Joyce and I are saddened by the loss of 3 brave U.S. service members in last nights drone attack in Jordan, which also left dozens injured, and our prayers are with their families.



Those who orchestrated this cowardly attack must be held accountable.  Rep. David Schweikert (@RepDavid) January 29, 2024

Republic reporter Laura Daniella Sepulveda contributed to this article.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona's congressmembers respond to drone strike near Jordan, Syria
Inside the Amazons tallest treehouse, where Peruvians are taught to combat deforestation with tech

From a classroom in the Amazon's tallest treehouse, young Peruvians are learning how to defend their rainforest home.

Nestled in the crown of a strangler fig tree, the rangers have a birds eye view over the canopy.

Its an education in itself, says Juan Julio (JJ) Durand, vice president of Junglekeepers - a nonprofit which conserves threatened habitat in the Madre de Dios (Mother of God) region of Perus Amazon.

Not only does it look beautiful, but [the students] can also see how much biodiversity there is from the top of the treehouse, says JJ, who is part of the nearby Ese-Eja Indigenous community of Infierno on the Tambopata River.

How many animals, monkeys, birds - how many living animals moving around, and how much effort is needed to protect them.

At 48 years old, hes still learning about his astonishingly rich home - and the treehouse feeds this curiosity. At 32 metres up, theres always something new to see and learn about, he says.

From logger to rainforest defender

On his mission to educate Indigenous communities and incentivise them to protect the Amazon, JJ has a well of personal experience to draw on.

Just before his last year of secondary school in Puerto Maldonado city, he was conscripted into the army, finishing his studies at night.

Afterwards it took a while to adjust to civilian life back on his familys small farm, where they harvested bananas, corn, rice and other crops for subsistence. Money was made through his fathers work in mining and logging - activities that the young JJ was reluctant to follow him in.

He quickly made the choice to work at a tourist lodge instead. And, while working as a guide, his own appreciation for nature grew - alongside his desire to learn more.

Peruvian conservationist JJ Durand believes that education is the key to saving the rainforest. - Junglekeepers

In Peru, school dropout rates are a significant issue. According to Junglekeepers research, 12 per cent of children leave school before age 13, and 17 per cent do not finish secondary school.

JJ understands the generational pull of extractive activities - and the allure of illegal logging, which the charity says has not abated in Peru's southeast.

At Junglekeepers, JJ helped oversee the construction of the towering treehouse, guiding the multinational crew with his local expertise. It provides an exceptional lookout over the almost 222 square kilometres that the rangers patrol and safeguard.

In the dry season, theyre not only witness to the Madre de Dioss diverse aerial life, but can spot where fires start.

How do the rangers help protect the Amazon?

Rangers patrol everyday in different directions, says JJ, equipped with high-tech tools. These include communication devices, drones to capture - but stay a safe distance from - illegal activity, and one particularly special gadget: a solar-powered, seed planting robot.

Indigenous community members are taught how to work with these and other bits of tech to maintain trails, report illegal activity, and track wildlife to contribute to scientific datasets.

In the treehouse classroom, the rangers are also taught how to diffuse some tricky situations.

Poaching starts with one or two people, JJ explains, before word spreads down the rivers.

The worst thing is people from outside Madre de Dios, because they are not the jungle people. They are from the Andes, he says. And that's worse because when the Andes people come, they don't know how to behave in the rainforest.

While local communities use arrows, bows and machetes to hunt, invaders, as JJ calls them, come with big chainsaws and Western tools that are unsustainably destructive.

When we have to deal with the people from outside Puerto, that's a challenge. That's very hard. So we need to have another skill - to talk to them: to approach the problem and see how we can fix it.

Education is key, JJ believes. To that end, Junglekeepers has partnered with online learning platform Udemy to provide hundreds of thousands of courses to Indigenous adults in the region.

In its dual role as a learning hub and tourist destination (available from $1,500 or 1,375 a night) the treehouse also offers a range of employment opportunities.
Mr Ben-Gvir, centre, dances at the conference, which was condemned for having a carnival-like atmosphere - Abir Sultan/Shutterstock

Israeli cabinet ministers have called for Gaza to be resettled after the war and backed the rebuilding of settlements in the heart of the territory.

Itamar Ben-Gvir, the national security minister, and Bezalel Smotrich, the finance minister, were among at least 11 members of Benjamin Netanyahus government who attended a Right-wing, nationalist conference on plans for post-conflict Gaza in Jerusalem on Sunday.

The conference room was adorned with a giant map showing prospective settlements in the place of existing Palestinian towns.

We must encourage voluntary migration. Let them [Palestinians] leave, Mr Ben-Gvir told an audience of thousands at the event.

Mr Smotrich, the leader of the ultra-nationalist Religious Zionism party, said: God willing, we will settle and we will be victorious.

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, has not yet commented on the conference, which brought together 11 ministers and 15 coalition MPs, including some from his own Likud party.

He has previously indicated that he opposes resettling Gaza after the war.

But the gathering was criticised by politicians from across the political spectrum, who warned it had exacerbated division in Israel and undermined its defence of genocide claims brought by South Africa at the International Court of Justice.

Gadi Eisenkot, a much-respected ex-chief of staff for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and an influential member of the war cabinet, accused those who attended of having learnt nothing from recent events.

Everyone who took part in that event yesterday, and especially elected officials, learnt absolutely nothing from the events of the past year, about the importance of acting in accordance with a broad national consensus and in solidarity with Israeli society, Lt Gen Eisenkot, whose son died fighting in Gaza last year, said.

Yaakov Margi, the welfare and social affairs minister from the ultra-religious Right-wing party Shas, also condemned the conference.

He said it was not the time to talk about building settlements in Gaza while the war was still raging.

Other commentators lashed out at the gatherings carnival-like atmosphere, denouncing its scenes of joy and celebration as entirely inappropriate while the IDF fought Israels most devastating battles for more than 50 years.

Any resettlement in Gaza would require a major, long-term armed presence in parts of the strip, something that Israeli leaders have previously appeared to rule out.

But Israels 2005 disengagement from the territory, which saw the evacuation of 21 settlements inside the enclave, remains a bitter subject among settlers keen to return there.

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Barbie, The Hunger Games, Napoleon, and Dune have more in common than being some of the biggest movies released in recent years. All of them also passed through the hands of the professional colorists of Company 3, which is responsible for the post-production of 80% of Hollywood series and films, according to its founder and CEO Stefan Sonnenfeld, who has worked on productions of the caliber of Top Gun: Maverick, The White Lotus and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.

EL PAIS visited the facilities of a Company 3 post-production studio in Los Angeles, meeting with Siggy Ferstl, a colorist who has worked on series such as Narcos, The Boys and Gen V as well as hundreds of commercials for Nike, Mercedes-Benz, Cadillac and other brands. While editing a scene from Gen V, he explains that he and other colorists receive direct footage from the films and series, shot with the original cameras. Most of the time they shoot raw and then we edit and adapt it, he explains.

Sometimes they simply enhance what was originally shot by modifying saturation and contrast. But if the director doesnt like what was captured or wants to change it, experts like Ferstl can colorize it and use visual effects. If its a simple drama and youre just looking for a balance between scenes, the job can take 80 hours. But if you want a visual effects show, it can take 500, he says.

To the eye of a non-technical observer, it looks like the colorists are using some sort of advanced Photoshop for movies. In addition to changing lighting and colors, they can go much further: blurring the background to enhance a part of the image, removing skin blemishes or imperfections, simulating the movement of a ship, or turning the original camera footage into a frightening and intimidating scene. For the latter, sometimes its enough to make it darker and desaturate some colors, like blue, says Ferstl.

Weather is an important factor to consider when planning a shoot. When you take a scene shot outdoors for a week, the weather conditions can vary from moment to moment. One day it could be sunny and another day it could be cloudy. If we just put everything that was shot together, the lighting would be jarring, says Ferstl. One of his jobs is to match it for consistency. Sometimes he is asked to simulate weather conditions. For example, to recreate a thunderstorm, he uses a flickering animation reminiscent of lightning.

Although one might think a colorists job is only to perfect the image, sometimes they seek the opposite: to degrade or dirty it. Cameras are getting sharper and cleaner, so now a lot of the creative process can be about hiding details, because we have too much information captured, says Cody Baker, a colorist who has worked on popular series including Space Force, Dopesick, Star Trek: Picard and Euphoria. Sometimes they give the image a kind of analog damage, as though it were on an old VHS tape or a black-and-white television, simulate that a scene has been recorded with a security camera, or add lens reflections.

Company 3 is responsible for the post-production of 80% of Hollywood series and films, according to its founder and CEO Stefan Sonnenfeld.

Some changes are jaw-dropping. In a matter of seconds, Baker works magic. He transforms a scene shot on the street in broad daylight into a nighttime scene with low light cast by streetlights and car headlights. Even though it can be done, its more believable when you shoot it at night because you can control all the shadows in real time and get a more realistic result, he says.

Watching this studios colorists in action is a delight. They seem to be able to transform any scene into whatever they want. Ferstl fiddles with a scene in which a boy shoots up into the sky, spinning around. Its a visual effect. In reality, a crane was lifting him up with some wires that have been removed from the image, he explains. Hes created a mask for the sky, as cloudy as it is cloudless, and strikingly blue.

On each project, Baker works hand-in-hand with the cinematographer and director of the film. For him, the most challenging aspect from a color perspective is when youre asked to transform it into something its not. Theres a limit to what you can do with an image. If you push it too far, it falls apart. Its like its not meant to look that way. For Baker, the most visually stunning projects are the ones that are framed and shot from the outset with a focus on color. This involves production design and cinematography. If the scenes are captured beautifully, then well make them a little more beautiful.

What do people see in their homes?

In the rooms where both colorists work, there are several screens. One of the monitors is from Panasonic, the company that invited EL PAIS to visit Company 3 in Los Angeles. We also have professional monitors, [which cost] up to $40,000, says Sonnenfeld, who is dressed in sneakers and a gray tracksuit. He speaks with approachability and looks like a modern CEO. As a colorist and business owner, he says he has always been frustrated because they have spent a lot of money on technical infrastructure, but until a few years ago they had no consumer equipment.

Now they work with Panasonic monitors: Obviously, they are much cheaper, but at the same time they have very accurate colors and let us know what most people are going to see in their homes. Toshiya Mizuno, Panasonics chief picture quality engineer, says the Japanese company has been working for years to improve picture quality and have its equipment used by Hollywood studios and post-production companies.

At Company 3, each room has between two and four monitors of different sizes. Mike Chiado, the companys CTO, says that although they are different technologies, they can measure anything and reproduce the same values on a standard TV set as on a giant screen costing thousands of dollars. Still, he stresses that in the real world, not everyone sees colors in the same way. For him, this is where the work of professional colorists, who take this into account and have experience, sensitivity and, above all, photographic memory, is essential.
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.

The Labour Party have suspended the whip from MP Kate Osamor, pending an investigation into this tweet on Friday. Osamor deleted the tweet that evening, reinserting Darfur in a later message on Saturday. pic.twitter.com/a8PKiUX1t5  Sunder Katwala (@sundersays) January 28, 2024

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.

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

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.
A health warning from South Koreas food ministry has urged people not to eat fried toothpicks made of starch in a shape resembling curly fries, after the practice went viral in social media posts.

Video clips showing people consuming the deep-fried starch toothpicks with seasoning such as powdered cheese have racked up thousands of likes and shares on TikTok and Instagram.

Their safety as food has not been verified, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety said in a posting on Wednesday on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. Please do not eat (them).

Videos of the toothpicks, a sanitary product, being fried in oil and eaten were going viral, it added.

Food coloring is used to impart a green hue to the toothpicks, made from sweet potato or corn starch, which are seen as being environmentally friendly and biodegradable.

Often used in restaurants in South Korea, they can also be used to pick up finger foods.

A genre of online videos called Mukbang, which often show people eating an excessive amount of food or unusual dishes, are popular in South Korea.

Its very crispy, one TikTok user said in a video, while crunching up fried toothpicks.

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The British wokerati have developed a new affectation  a profound respect for monarchy and all things regal. In their rarefied world, the love is inevitably not for the House of Windsor, but rather for the long-expired kingdoms of west Africa.

Western institutions are responding favourably to the call to return artifacts to faded royal courts. That such sacred objects could ever have been sullied by being traded is cause for bien pensant outrage.

The Victoria and Albert and British museums have this week agreed to lend back 32 mostly gold objects originating from the Asante, or Ashanti, royal court to the current Asantehene, or king. The items include those seized by British troops during a punitive raid in 1874. The Asante king, now a purely honorific title with no constitutional position in contemporary Ghana, will display the gold peace pipe, swords, spoons and jewelry within his royal compound when a museum reopens this year to celebrate the silver anniversary of his reign.

Is what is happening a loan in any meaningful sense? Does anyone think these gorgeous, precious baubles will ever return to South Kensington and Bloomsbury? Britains national collections are severely restricted from deaccessioning by statute. Without legislation, they can only dispose of duplicates or items beyond repair.

Only since 2009 can our national collections return items looted by the Nazis to their legitimate owners. Just one such claim, for three Meissen figures in the V&A, has been successful. Our great museums have until recently been in the business of holding on to their collections.

The Asante loan now finds a way to work around the legislation. The Commons will not have its say. V&A Director and Labour ex-shadow cabinet minister Tristram Hunt and his BM opposite number discovered a device allowing works to be sent wherever todays fashions demand. The BM chairman George Osborne may yet employ the wheeze to deliver the Elgin marbles to Athens. Demands from Egypt, India, and even Italy, will surely follow.

The current vogue for returning objects to Africa was turbocharged in 2020 by Dan Hicks, professor of contemporary archaeology at Oxford and curator of its Pitt Rivers museum, with his book The Brutish Museums. It gives an account of how the British seized the Benin bronzes from their royal household in 1897 and made their way into Western museum collections. Reassuringly for someone in his position, the professor is committed to the physical dismantling of the white infrastructure of every anthropology and world culture museum.

The return of Benins ornamental brasses has become an international cause celebre with museums from New York to Berlin pledging to do so. Jesus College Cambridge, unrestricted by pesky legislation, was the first home institution to get in on the act, sending back an Okukor, or cockerel, in 2021. But where should they go, to the state of Nigeria or the Royal court of the Oba, or King, of Benin? The regal route is the one finding increasing favour among those of progressive persuasion.

But what was the nature of these kingdoms? Both the Asante empire and Benin were slaving nations. The Asantehenes sold gold and slaves to European powers; for the Obas it was ivory and slaves. Human sacrifice was an honoured facet of the Benin court. The slightest whiff of any association of a Western institution with the profits of slavery, however tangential, now leads to an unerasable taint. Why do the same rules not apply to the west African kingdoms which grew powerful on the back of human bondage?

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North Korea has fired several unidentified cruise missiles that flew over waters off its eastern coast housing a major military shipyard, according to officials in Seoul.

It comes just four days after Kim Jong-un test-fired what North Korean media described as a new kind of nuclear-capable cruise missile.

South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said they detected the missiles over waters near the North Korean port of Sinpo at around 8am local time on Sunday.

It said South Korean and US intelligence agencies are currently analysing the incident.

The South Korean military did not share more specific details regarding the projectiles launched, the total number of missiles fired or the distance they travelled. It was also not immediately clear whether the missiles were fired from land or naval assets.

The ROK (South Korean) military is maintaining close contact with the US, while enhancing surveillance and vigilance, and is monitoring further signs and activities of North Korea, according to the statement.

North Koreas state media has not yet confirmed the weapons test.

Sundays launch comes four days after North Korea test-fired the Pulhwasl-3-31, describing the test as part of regular efforts to develop its military. The North also described the missile as strategic, suggesting its likely intent to mount it with nuclear weapons. On 14 January, North Korea said it had launched its first solid-fuel intermediate-range ballistic missile.

The series of weapons tests have served to heighten tensions in the region with neighbours South Korea and Japan, both US allies. North Korea recently increased its military presence at the border with the South after the breakdown of a pact designed to reduce the chances of a deadly flare-up between border guards.

Earlier this month, Kim Jong-un declared South Korea his primary foe and invariable principal enemy and ordered the destruction of the Arch of Reunification in the capital Pyongyang, a monument built by his father Kim Jong-il to the idea of the peaceful reunification of the Koreas.

North Korea claims its launches are a response to joint military drills and strategy summits held by its three main rivals, which it describes as rehearsals for an invasion. The US, South Korea and Japan say they are necessary to prepare a united defence against potential North Korean aggression.

North Koreas cruise missile development is an important part of its overall nuclear weapons programme, which the country has continued to pursue despite UN sanctions and condemnation from its neighbours.

The UN Security Council imposed its first sanctions after North Korea tested a large nuclear bomb in 2006, and has expanded them over the years to a total of 10 resolutions seeking  so far unsuccessfully  to cut funds and curb the Kim dynastys technical development of nuclear and ballistic weapons.

South Korea recently called on the divided UN Security Council to break the silence over North Koreas escalating missile tests and threats.

So far, North Koreas military arsenal includes its huge lineup of ballistic missiles, including intercontinental ballistic missiles designed to reach the American military bases in Japan and the US.

However, its cruise missiles often attract less attention than ballistic missiles, as they are not explicitly prohibited by any United Nations Security Council resolutions.
TOMS RIVER - Ocean County College officials spent more than $300,000 on lavish travel to the Middle East between 2016 and 2023, related to its now-failed bid to break into the online education market in Egypt, according to internal billing records obtained by the Asbury Park Press.

The trips, taken by former President Jon H. Larson, his staff, faculty and other representatives of the community college, came as OCC was experiencing a decline in enrollment and the prior administration had sought novel, outside-the-box ways to boost revenue.

Ocean County College in Toms River, NJ on July 11, 2023.

Related: Former Ocean County College president to remain on as $150K, part-time consultant

Starting in 2016, the former president had traveled to Egypt 17 times, costing the college more than $80,000 in travel expenses. Another $234,000 was spent on travel for college staff and other officials over the same time period.

As part of his expenses, Larson billed the college for five-star hotels, dinner cruises on the Nile River, and meals with guests that included a luxurious restaurant near the Mediterranean Sea. On his final trip to Egypt one year ago, Larson  who received an annual salary of more than $277,000 per year  even sought reimbursement from the college for a cup of coffee at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, which was approved.

More: Former Ocean County College president resigns as $150K part-time consultant

In five of the eight years Larson traveled to Egypt, he visited the country more than once: in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2022. In 2018, he visited four times; in 2019 and 2021, he visited three times each.

In August 2016, Larsons first official trip to Africa was to Morocco. He stayed at the Villa Mandarine hotel in Rabat for a total cost of $1,589.19. Its not known what happened in that capital city in Africa, but he never returned to Morocco at the expense of the college.

On a November 2018 trip to Cairo, Larson reported that his overnight accommodations were paid for by a corporate shareholding real-estate firm called Tatweer Misr, which advertises itself as a leading real-estate developer in Egypt.

However, while there, he repeatedly dined for lunch and dinner at the Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor and at the Four Seasons Hotel, and billed the college for it, according to the records.

Larsons dining expenses reflected an interest in taking in the local culture during his visits. For example, on a 2017 trip, he submitted expenses to the college for $81.02 in purchases at the Cairo Fish Market.

Former Ocean County College President Jon H. Larson.

In March 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic spread around the globe, Larson got out of Cairo just a few days before the Egyptian government shut down all of its airports  spending more than $3,000 on an Egyptair flight to and from New York, more than $1,650 for a stay at the Cairo Marriott Hotel and $700 on a rental car  a Mitsubishi Pajero (an SUV), according to the records.

When international travel resumed a year later, Larson returned to Egypt in July 2021, traveling on Egyptair for $3,273 and staying at both the Windsor and Marriott hotels for $481.74 and $2,239.18, respectively, while also taking a dinner cruise on the Nile River, for which he billed the college $38.50. OCC paid for the expenses related to that cruise again during a March 2022 trip, all according to the records.

Larson would return to Egypt two more times in the fall of 2021, in separate trips made in October and November that year.

During the trip that October, Larson had dinner with a guest at the Hilton Alexandria Kings Ranch near the Mediterranean Sea for $139.21 and at the Marriott Hotel with another guest three nights later in Cairo for $234.04.

In November, on his third trip to Cairo that year, there were invoices for the five-star St. Regis Cairo for $162.72 and the Cairo Marriot for $2,549.

The round-trip airfare for July was $3,273, $2,655 for October and $3,306.47, all according to the records.

More: Ocean County College ends program championed by former school president

Larson would make similarly-priced trips to Egypt in March and August 2022, billing the college $102 for a COVID-19 test for the flight home on Aug. 17, 2022. On his last trip in the final months of his presidency in February 2023, thats when he billed the college $6.53 for a cup of coffee at JFK.

But he wasnt alone on such trips. The colleges financial records show that various past and present college officials associated with the Larson administration had accompanied the president on such trips, including: Jeffrey S. Harmon, then-associate vice president of e-Learning & Learning Enterprises at OCC; Maysa Hayward, associate vice president of international programs; Hatem Akl, associate vice president of international programs; Tara Tuff, an e-learning instructor; Jack Kelnhofer, a professor and member of the e-learning staff; Salim Hussein, director of international partnerships; Thomas Gialanella, executive director of school relations; Lilian Mina, another college professor and member of the e-learning staff, among others  all which cost the college $234,004.29 in additional expenses.

Board of Trustees Chairman Jerry J. Dasti joined Larson on his last trip to Egypt and later reimbursed the college $3,494.83 for airfare for Mrs. Dasti.

Breaking into the online higher education market abroad had been of strategic importance to Larson for more than a decade, as a means of stopping the schools economic decline. Years earlier, he had pursued a similar project in China but encountered a number of obstacles with the communist countrys bureaucratic labyrinth.

Since 2017, more than 500 students in Egypt enrolled in online programs offered by OCC and the college over that period generated more than $1.4 million in revenue from such programs  primarily as a result of its relationship with Ain Shams University in Cairo, according to figures provided by the college.

The travel was necessary, the Board of Trustees said in a statement to the Press, because OCC had to provide training to faculty and staff at the university, as well as support to its participating students. OCC also provided English language courses to students at the request of the Egyptian government, the statement said.

The program to bring American higher education to the Middle East was terminated last fall under Larsons successor, Pamela J. Monaco, who became president on July 1.

After 23 years as president of OCC, Larsons final days in office were marred by news that the colleges accreditation was in potential jeopardy over concerns about there being a lack of oversight between the college Board of Trustees and the president.

Nevertheless, on the same day the Middle States Commission on Higher Education issued its notice of non-compliance over the accreditation issue, the board signed a contract with the outgoing Larson to stay on as a consultant to Monaco so he could  among other things  continue to travel to Egypt to facilitate and finalize partnerships between OCC and Egyptian universities, on an as-needed basis.

Monaco was never consulted about the appointment and did not express enthusiasm for the arrangement in an interview with the Press shortly after she assumed office.

A month later, Larson resigned from the position and in November the college announced it was ending its international partnerships with Egyptian schools. However, the Board of Trustees said it would continue to honor its obligations to all participating students.

Unfortunately, the universities in Egypt were unable to recruit enough students to make it feasible for OCC to expand the program, the board said in a statement in response to the Press in response to a request for comment for this story. At the same time, enrollment in the existing program in ASU (Ain Shams University) has stagnated since the pandemic, leading OCC to make the decision to teach-out existing students and end the program.

The college had intended to partner with more universities, thereby offsetting its expenses, including travel, by increasing the tuition revenue, the board said.

Efforts to develop these additional partnerships were consistent with the colleges efforts to implement new revenue streams to offset the decline in enrollment at OCC that began nationally in (fiscal year 2019) and was compounded by the pandemic, the statement said. While efforts in Egypt have ceased, OCC continues to strive to develop new revenue streams to support the operating budget and better serve the Ocean County College community.

Contact Asbury Park Press reporter Erik Larsen at elarsen@gannettnj.com.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Ocean County College in NJ spent $300,000 on official junkets to Egypt
Editors Note: Peter Bergen is CNNs national security analyst, a vice president at New America, a professor of practice at Arizona State University and the host of the Audible podcast In the Room also on Apple and Spotify. He is the author of The Rise and Fall of Osama bin Laden. The views expressed in this commentary are his own. Read more opinion at CNN.

Over the weekend, former President Donald Trump spoke out on his Truth Social platform about the southern border, claiming, TERRORISTS ARE POURING IN, UNCHECKED, FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD. There is now a 100% chance that there will be MAJOR TERROR ATTACKS IN THE USA. CLOSE THE BORDER!

Peter Bergen - CNN

Trump is already in general election mode and he knows that the southern border is a weak spot for President Joe Biden. Trump also surely recalls that conflating terrorism and immigration was a winner for him back in the 2016 presidential race  remember the Muslim ban? So why not go back to this electorally proven well again?

But is Trump right? Lets take his first claim, that terrorists are pouring into the US from all over the globe. If this were true, wouldnt that be kind of a big news story? When terrorists get arrested anywhere in the US, the media covers such stories intensively, as it did in the case of an Uzbek man sentenced to life in prison last year for his role in a terrorist attack in Manhattan that killed eight people.

Strangely, we arent hearing stories of terror attacks across the US by people who infiltrated the southern border. It must be the lamestream media covering up for the terrorists!

In fact, what Trump appears to be referring to are US Customs and Border Protection statistics about encounters with individuals at US borders who are on the US terrorism watch list. To be clear, being on this terrorism watchlist does not mean you are a terrorist.

According to a CBS News investigation last year, there are now some 2 million people on the terrorism watch list, which simply means that the government, for reasons that it wont disclose, suspects someone may have some unspecified link to terrorism.

In fiscal year 2023, there were 249 encounters with people on the US terrorism watch list at the southern border by Border Patrol agents, while almost double the number of such encounters  a total of 487  happened at the US border with Canada. Yet no one is calling to build a wall across the Canadian border because of concerns that terrorists are pouring in across Americas northern border.

Indeed, the last time a bona fide terrorist was arrested at any US land border was in 1999; Ahmed Ressam had a trunk full of explosives in his car and was heading to LAX Airport to blow up a bomb there. He was arrested at the Port Angeles, Washington, border crossing driving from Canada.

The scaremongering about terrorists pouring across the southern border also misstates where the terrorist threat in the US largely emanates from. Since 9/11, there has only been one lethal terrorist attack in the US by a foreign national with ties to a terrorist group: In 2019, a Saudi military officer who had been communicating with an al Qaeda affiliate in Yemen killed three US sailors at the Pensacola Naval Air Station in Florida. This Saudi officer had not crossed the dangerous Darien Gap in Panama and then traveled all the way across Mexico to cross the southern border; he had arrived legally in the US two years earlier.

The vast majority of terrorist attacks carried out in the US since 9/11 have been carried out by US citizens or permanent residents, none of whom had to cross the southern border because they were already in the US. Typical of this cohort is Omar Mateen, who, inspired by ISIS, killed 49 people at a Florida nightclub in 2016. Mateen, a US citizen, was born in Queens, New York.

The biggest terrorist threat in the US in recent years has not been from jihadist terrorists like Mateen but from extremist right-wing terrorists motivated by racial or ethnic hatred or anti-government sentiments, according to a US Government Accountability Office report last year. These terrorists are US citizens, not immigrants.

In 2019, in the most lethal right-wing terrorist attack in decades, a 21-year-old White man shot and killed 23 people he thought were Hispanic immigrants at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas. In a manifesto the terrorist posted online, he referred to what he called a Hispanic invasion as his rationale for the killings, echoing Trumps own rhetoric about an immigrant invasion coming across the southern border.

The most unsettling act of domestic terrorism in decades was the January 6, 2021, riot at the US Capitol, in which some 140 police officers were assaulted, according to the US Department of Justice. Since then, more than 1,200 people have been charged with federal crimes, ranging from relatively minor offenses like trespassing to more serious charges such as assaulting police officers. Around 900 of these people have pleaded guilty or been convicted of charges, according to an analysis by the Associated Press.

The rioters at the US Capitol were among Trumps supporters who had responded to his invitation to come to Washington, and he then directed his rally goers to march to the Capitol, knowing some of them were armed. Trump watched TV coverage of the riot passively for hours before intervening to try and stop the mayhem.

Last year, Trump said the riot he helped to instigate at the US Capitol was a beautiful day in a town hall with CNN when, in fact, it was one of the sorriest episodes in the history of the republic. If he is elected president again, Trump has promised to pardon a large portion of the rioters.

When it comes to acts of terrorism, it might behoove Trump to take a careful look in the mirror instead of misdirecting attention to the southern border.

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Sarah Dines was one of six ministers in the Home Office when Rishi Sunak was drawing up his stop the boats legislation

Britain will continue to be humiliated by Strasbourg judges unless it quits the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), says a former Home Office minister on the eve of a showdown with the Lords over Rwanda.

In an exclusive article, below, for The Telegraph, Sarah Dines, a former home office and justice minister, urges colleagues to stop bending the knee to the ECHR, which she says has become corrupted from its original vision to protect human rights after the Nazi atrocities of the Second World War.

Instead, she urges MPs to support a campaign to leave the ECHR and reassert UK sovereignty over a convention that she said even senior Labour politicians had admitted was a goldmine for lawyers that protected crooks and cranks and prevented the UK from taking control of its borders.

There are those who point to the fact that Conservative statesmen and lawyers, including Winston Churchill and David Maxwell Fyfe, a future Lord Chancellor, were the midwives of the ECHR. This is true, says Ms Dines, who was Boris Johnsons parliamentary private secretary at No 10.

What is also true is that if Churchill was about anything, it was that parliamentary sovereignty was supreme. He would be spinning in his grave at the way the convention has been corrupted in order to humiliate the United Kingdom in pursuit of Strasbourgs NGO-driven agenda.

Last minister standing

Her declaration means that five of the six ministers in the Home Office when it was drawing up Rishi Sunaks stop the boats legislation believed the ultimate answer to the immigration crisis was to quit the ECHR; the others being Suella Braverman, Robert Jenrick, Chris Philp and Lord Murray.

Ms Dines, a barrister, was one of the 11 Tory rebels who voted for Mr Sunaks Rwanda Bill to be ditched at its third reading because they claimed it did not go far enough in blocking any attempt by Strasbourg judges to prevent Rwanda flights and allowing individual legal challenges on human rights and other grounds.

The Rwanda Bill returns for its second reading in the House of Lords on Monday when more than 70 peers are listed to speak. Most, including three senior bishops, leading lawyers, diplomats and former MPs are expected to savage the legislation as a potential breach of international law.

Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury; Sarah Mullally, the Bishop of London; and Paul Butler, the Bishop of Durham, are expected to lead attempts to water down the Bill due to significant concerns around our commitments to international treaties and agreements if the UK is to continue to play a key role in the international scene.

The Prime Minister has maintained that the Bill does comply with the UKs international obligations but has said he is prepared to ignore so-called rule 39 injunctions by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), one of which blocked the first deportation flight to Rwanda in June 2022.

His stance has set him up for a showdown with the ECtHR whose president, Siofra OLeary, warned last week that the UK would be in breach of its legal obligations if it refused to comply with rule 39 injunctions. Her comments are likely to be used as ammunition by critics of the Bill on Monday.

If Strasbourg again blocks the flights, it is likely to intensify calls to leave the ECHR and for the Tories to make it a manifesto commitment in the next election campaign. It is understood a number of senior Right-wing MPs are preparing to push for such a move.

It is estimated there are at least 70 Tory MPs who would support quitting the ECHR, based on the number of backbenchers who voted for a private members Bill by Red Wall MP Jonathan Gullis for the UK to ignore rulings by the ECtHR.

The number of Cabinet ministers favouring leaving the ECHR is thought to have fallen to a handful following the departures of Suella Braverman and Robert Jenrick. Steve Barclay, the Environment Secretary, is said to be one who became convinced of the case after reviewing solutions to the small boats crisis for Boris Johnson.

In her article, Ms Dines said Britains efforts to tackle the crisis was being undermined by a deeply flawed Strasbourg body misinterpreting a convention designed for a very different time.

It is time for some of my Parliamentary colleagues to stop bending the knee to this institution. The United Kingdom must leave the jurisdiction of this foreign court as soon as possible, she said.

Her comments come as the public administration and constitutional affairs committee on Monday publishes a report calling for greater scrutiny of international treaties.

The committee said that parliament currently only has a passive role in approving treaties, such as the recent UK Rwanda treaty and called for them to be explicitly approved by a vote in the House of Commons.

Designed to protect against totalitarianism, where did the ECHR go so wrong?

By Sarah Dines

Another day, another foreign legal opinion deliberately aimed at undermining law passed by the elected House of Commons. How have such seemingly laudable projects as an ECHR and the ECtHR led to such a bruising political crisis within the very home of Magna Carta and in the Mother of Parliaments?

In one of his several acts of constitutional vandalism, Sir Tony Blairs 1998 Human Rights Act compels British Government ministers to declare that every proposed piece of Westminster legislation is compatible with the convention as interpreted by an increasingly questionable court in Strasbourg. This was described at the time by Lord McCluskey, a former Labour government solicitor-general, as a field day for crackpots, a pain in the neck for judges and legislators and a goldmine for lawyers. How right he has proved to be.

The reality is that, despite wishful thinking and long-rehearsed soundbites by their ideological supporters, both the Convention and Court were deeply controversial at their inception over 70 years ago and remain so today.

There are those who point to the fact that Conservative statesmen and lawyers, including Winston Churchill and David Maxwell Fyfe, a future Lord Chancellor, were the midwives of the ECHR. This is true. What is also true is that if Churchill was about anything, it was that parliamentary sovereignty was supreme. He would be spinning in his grave at the way the convention has been corrupted in order to humiliate the United Kingdom in pursuit of Strasbourgs NGO-driven agenda.

For all the Labour Partys contemporary lauding of the Convention and Court, it is also worth placing on record that, all through the Conventions gestation, Clement Atlees post-war Labour government loitered in the wings trying to kill Churchills baby off before birth.

British civil servants at the time feared that the court would become a small paradise for claims from communists, crooks and cranks of every type.

Lord Jowitt, Atlees Lord Chancellor, declared the convention to be meaningless and dangerous. He stated further: We were not prepared . . . to jeopardise our whole system of law . . . in favour of some half-baked scheme to be administered by some unknown court.

Jowitts stark warning that the convention would obviously compromise the sovereignty of parliament was prescient. It has. Whatever its provenance, the purpose envisaged for the convention in 1950 and the ECHR that was to follow in 1959 was clear  an agreement on basic human rights to forestall any resurgence within Western Europe of the industrial-scale horrors of National Socialism and Marxism that had led to the deaths of millions of Europeans and the subjugation and suffering of millions more.

The Court was designed to protect against any convention signatory sliding back into totalitarianism. It has instead become, as Lord Cameron observed in 2012, a small claims court  albeit one pandering to ideological ambulance-chasers.

Where did it all go wrong?

The answer is pretty much from the start. The president of the assembly, which voted the founding document into existence, Paul-Henri Spaak, the Belgian socialist politician, dismissed it immediately as not a very good Convention.

French and German delegates, including Pierre-Henri Teitgen, considered by many as the father of the convention, boycotted the opening ceremony. Spaaks conclusion has been echoed by the doyen of human rights lawyers including Geoffrey Robertson KC, Sir Keir Starmers legal mentor.

Writing in 2011, with the benefit of 60 years of hindsight, he dismissed the convention as Euro-centric, Euro-prosaic, and Euro-dishonest. He also pointed out that while the convention extolled Europes common heritage of political traditions, ideas, freedom and the rule of law it turned a blind eye to Europes authoritarian Code Napoleon, and Nazi Germany and Fascist Italys political and legal record.

The ECHR is also silent on the most basic of our legal rights, trial by jury. Robertson concluded that the Convention was a wonder for its time, but that time was the 1950s. Quite.

The Court has similarly aged badly. Putting existing Conservative critiques to one side, it is telling that Geoffrey Robertson has seen fit to describe Strasbourg jurisprudence as Euro-vomit, simply illegitimate law-making, sprawling and incoherent, poorly reasoned, poorly argued, intellectually devious and little better than psycho-babble.

Another unassailable human rights grandee, Lord Lester QC, described what had passed for Strasbourg jurisprudence as standardless, as slippery and elusive as an eel and a substitute for coherent legal analysis.

We should perhaps pay more attention to these views and less to those emanating from a deeply flawed Strasbourg body misinterpreting a convention designed for a very different time. It is time for some of my Parliamentary colleagues to stop bending the knee to this institution. The United Kingdom must leave the jurisdiction of this foreign court as soon as possible.

Sarah Dines is a barrister and former home office and justice minister

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Tennessee became one of 14 states that enacted total abortion bans after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022 with its Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization.

Now, researchers estimate that nearly 65,000 women became pregnant as a result of rape in these states, including roughly 5,000 in Tennessee. The predictive findings were published this week in JAMA Internal Medicine.

Five of the included abortion-ban states allow for rape exceptions, but the study authors note that they are often not used.

A majority of Tennesseans support exceptions to Tennessee's strict abortion ban.

"(S)tringent gestational duration limits apply, and survivors must report the rape to law enforcement, a requirement likely to disqualify most survivors of rape, of whom only 21% report their rape to police," their research letter states.

The study authors based estimates on prior years' reported and estimated rapes in the states with abortion bans. They also factored in existing research on rape-related pregnancy rates and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data on such violence against women.

One of the letter's authors, Dr. Samuel L. Dickman, is affiliated with Planned Parenthood of Montana and is a plaintiff in lawsuits challenging abortion restrictions in Montana, JAMA notes.

"We knew that sexual assaults and pregnancies after rape are common, but it was still shocking to us to see the actual numbers," said one of the letter's authors, Dr. Steffie Woolhandler, a distinguished professor of Public Health at Hunter College in New York.

"Many thousands of girls and women are being forced to deal with a rape-induced pregnancy without the option of getting a legal abortion near their home."

Frank Gluck is the health care reporter for The Tennessean. He can be reached at fgluck@tennessean.com. Follow him on X (formerly known as Twitter) at @FrankGluck.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Estimate: 5K Tennessee pregnancies from rape since TN abortion ban
A Florida man faces charges in Pennsylvania after a multi-year investigation revealed he persuaded dozens of minors locally and across the world to send sexually explicit photos and videos on social media in a "sextortion" scheme, according to Pennsylvania State Police in Chambersburg.

PSP traveled to Miami and arrested Alvaro Andres Valarez Sandoval at his home on Jan. 18, with assistance from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Miami-Dade Police Department, according to a news release.

He will be extradited to Franklin County, Pa., where he will be arraigned on 26 felony counts, most of them related to child pornography, court records show.

A judge will set bail and Sandoval will be placed in Franklin County Jail.

Sextortion can happen on social media platforms popular with minors, such as TikTok and Snapchat.

What is sextortion?

Sandoval is accused of "sextortion," which according to state police is illegally obtaining sexually explicit material from an individual and using the material as blackmail. It usually happens on social media platforms such as Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, but can occur on any online platform.

"On these platforms, predators often use fake accounts and target minors," police said, although adults can be victims, too.

The perpetrator will typically befriend or create an online relationship with their target before deceiving the victim into producing a sexually explicit photo or video, police said.

"Once predators acquire a photo or video, they often threaten to release the compromising sexually explicit material unless the victim sends additional sexually explicit material. Some of these predatory criminals demand money, gift cards to keep them from releasing the compromising material in their possession," police said.

Peer-to-peer payment platforms are popular methods sextortionists use to demand payment.

"In many cases, however, sextortionists release the sexually explicit material even if (the material) is sent or payments are made," police said. "The shame, fear and confusion that victims feel when they are caught in this cycle often prevents them from asking for help or reporting the abuse, and can be a traumatic experience which may drive them toward self-harm and even death by suicide."

Sex abuse, not 'American Pie': Franklin County teen's legacy lives on and will help other victims

Investigation finds 30-plus victims

State police began investigating Sandoval in 2019 after receiving a report of sexual extortion of a minor in Franklin County.

An "extensive and exhaustive" investigation identified five juvenile victims in Hamilton, Greene, Guilford and St. Thomas townships, including four girls ages 12 to 17 and one 16-year-old boy.

The investigation further revealed more than 30 more victims across the U.S. and internationally connected to incidents dating back to 2013, police said.

With the assistance of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, police identified Sandoval as the suspect. The 34-year-old is a native of Ecuador.

Sex abuse: 5 kids as young as 2 endured rapes, other sex crimes for years in Chambersburg home, PSP say

What is Sandoval charged with?

Police charged Sandoval with 26 counts:

One first-degree count and three second-degree counts of unlawful contact with a minor - sexual abuse of children;

two second-degree counts and one first-degree count of photograph/film/depict on computer a sex act - knowingly or permitting child;

four ungraded counts of of criminal solicitation;

two third-degree counts of child pornography;

three third-degree counts of disseminating explicit sexual material of a minor;

five third-degree counts of corruption of minors;

and four third-degree counts of criminal use of a communication facility.

What if my child is a victim of sextortion?

"Sextortion is real and everyone needs to be aware of it," police said.

Education and awareness are key to stopping it. Police encourage parents to be involved in their kids' lives and monitor their phones and social media activity, and to talk to them about not sharing sexually explicit material with anyone.

Police shared the following steps to take if a child has been sexually exploited:

Report the perpetrator's account using the platform's safety feature.

Block the person but do not delete their messages or other activity that law enforcement can use to identify, locate and stop them.

Save all conversations, chats and messages with the person.

Ask for help.

If you don't have an adult to support you, contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at gethelp@ncmec.org or 1-800-THE-LOST.

For more information on sextortion and financial schemes, visit fbi.gov/sextortion and fbi.gov/financialsextortion.

Amber South can be reached at asouth@publicopinionnews.com.

This article originally appeared on Chambersburg Public Opinion: 'Sextortion' investigation in Pa. leads to arrest of Florida man
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 peoples 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 Its 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 wasnt 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 Jays 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 Jays 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 didnt 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.

Jordans 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 Jordans 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.

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Mr Gove said the SNP's main motivation was protecting the public, but suggested this did not mean political opportunities were ignored - Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

The SNP response to the Covid pandemic was partly driven by its aim to destroy the UK and for political advantage, Michael Gove has told the Covid Inquiry.

The Levelling Up Secretary said it was naive not to be aware that highly skilled politicians might well see political advantage at certain points throughout the day-to-day management of the crisis.

Mr Gove, who was the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster during the pandemic and communicated with devolved administrations, said it was undoubtedly the case that people within the Scottish Government were at certain moments looking at the political as well as the policy consequences of their choices.

During the pandemic, Nicola Sturgeons nationalist government often made different decisions to the UK, such as keeping restrictions for longer or introducing different rules.

Giving evidence to the inquiry, which is sitting in Edinburgh, Mr Gove was asked whether the Scottish Governments approach to managing the pandemic was politically motivated.

Jamie Dawson KC, the counsel to the inquiry, asked him whether there was a completely dysfunctional relationship between the UK and Scottish governments at times.

Desire for differentiation

Mr Gove said he did not believe the Scottish Governments approach was politically motivated in everything and their main focus was protecting the public, but added: There are and were occasions when the Scottish Government, as we can see, was thinking politically.

And of course it is the case that the SNP, as political mission, which is to achieve Scotlands independence, i.e. to destroy the United Kingdom, and it would be naive to not be aware that highly skilled politicians, including those at the top of the Scottish Government, might well seek what they perceive to be political advantage at certain points.

But I think its important to note that while that did happen at certain points, the day-to-day management of the pandemic preoccupied them as it did other ministers.

The Levelling Up Secretary said some of the language used by Scottish Government officials had led him to believe there was a desire for differentiation from the UK Government.

He told the inquiry that the temptation at certain points to seek political advantage is clearly there with the Scottish Government, given the cause to which they have devoted their lives [independence].

He said: Some of the language used, the desire to have a good old fashioned rammy with the UK Government and some of the other language used, which I shant repeat now, does lead me to believe that at that point there was a desire to pursue differentiation for the sake of advancing a political agenda.

I want to take as balanced as an approach that I can, paying tribute to her [Nicola Sturgeons] energy and hard work in seeking to do what was right while at the same time acknowledging the SNP is a political movement with a clear goal and its members and its leadership have seldom missed an opportunity in other times to seek differentiation to advance their cause.

Divisive nonsense

The SNP spread divisive nonsense by implying that Scotland is more tolerant than England, said Mr Gove.

I think obviously the Scottish Government pursued a slightly different approach, but... it is often asserted that there is a huge difference in values between people in Scotland and people in the rest of the United Kingdom, and my experience is that that is a nationalist myth and that people in Newcastle or or Liverpool or Manchester have the same values as people in Aberdeen or Broughty Ferry or Glasgow.

But it is sometimes the case that the SNP and their supporters seek to suggest that there is something about the national community in Scotland that is somehow different, more compassionate, more tolerant, than people in England, and I think that is divisive nonsense.

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Editors Note: A version of this story appears in CNNs Meanwhile in the Middle East newsletter, a three-times-a-week look inside the regions biggest stories. Sign up here.

The war between Israel and Hamas has already spilled over to the wider Middle East, with prospects of a confrontation between regional and world powers becoming ever more likely.

Over the weekend, three US service members were killed and more than 30 were injured in a drone attack on a small US outpost in Jordan, according to US officials. It was the first time US troops were killed by enemy fire in the Middle East since the beginning of the Gaza war. US President Joe Biden cast the blame on Iran-backed groups, promising retribution. An umbrella group of Iranian-backed militias in Iraq said it had attacked US positions along the Jordan-Syria border, but Iran denied any direct involvement in the strikes.

Across the region, the fighting has largely been confined to tit-for-tat attacks between Iran-backed militias on one side and the US, Israel and its allies on the other. But the direct intervention of both Iran and the US in recent weeks, as well as the death of US troops, has heightened fears that the proxy conflict between the two could turn into a direct one.

US officials have repeatedly said they do not want to see the increasingly high tensions across the Middle East broaden into a regional war. So far, the US and Iran have avoided directly confronting each other. The US has attacked Iranian-backed groups in Yemen, Syria and Iraq, while Iran-linked groups have targeted American personnel in Iraq and Syria. Tehran has also struck what it said were anti-Iran groups in Iraq, Syria and Pakistan. Pakistan responded with retaliatory strikes.

The Islamic Republic, which has long opposed the presence of US forces in what it considers to be its backyard, has spent the past few decades building a network of Islamist, anti-Western and anti-Israel militias that it trains, funds and arms. Those groups have become more belligerent of late, especially Yemens Houthi rebels, who have disrupted a vital international waterway, wreaking havoc on global trade and prompting Western states to intervene. And it has built ties with and helped fund Hamas, which launched its war on Israel on October 7.

The US, having been trying to pivot away from the Middle East for years, finds itself drawn back into the region. It already had a sizeable military footprint in the region before the war, with over 30,000 troops.

Since the war began, however, Washington has significantly strengthened its military posture in the region, having moved roughly 1,200 US service members, alongside thousands of others aboard Navy carrier strike groups and a Marine Expeditionary Unit roughly 2,000 people strong.

And in some places, including Iraq and Syria, the US military presence overlaps that of Iran and its allies.

As tensions across the region rise, here is where Iran or its allies are present, where US forces are stationed and where both sides have conducted military operations since the start of the Israel-Hamas war:

Iraq

Tehran wields significant influence on several Shiite militias closely tied to the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). These include Kataib Hezbollah, Harakat al-Nujaba, and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada.

Since the Israel-Hamas war started, a new group emerged calling itself the Islamic Resistance in Iraq (IRI). That was the group that took responsibility for the attack on Tower 22 in Jordan. According to the Washington Institute for Near East Policy (WINEP), a think tank, the IRI is an umbrella term used to describe the operations of all Iran-backed militias in Iraq. Its objective is to allow various Iraqi militias to attack US troops in Iraq and Syria under one umbrella term while obscuring the actual perpetrator, according to WINEP.

Experts say that some of the groups, like Kataib Hezbollah, are more answerable to the authorities in Tehran than to the government in Baghdad. The US Office of the Director of National Intelligence believes it has up to 10,000 members. Iraq is also home to the IRGC-founded Badr Organization as well as Asaib Ahl Al-Haq.

Iran-backed groups have carried out dozens of attacks against US forces in Iraq since the Gaza war started, to which the US has retaliated with airstrikes. Over the weekend, US personnel were injured in a ballistic missile attack on Al-Asad Air Base in Iraq. It appeared to be the second time ballistic missiles were used to target US and coalition forces in the country since October 7.

Until 2008, at the height of the Iraq war, the US had up to 160,000 troops in the country. Today, some 2,500 forces are deployed at several bases, including Erbil AB, Al-Asad AB, and the JOC-I (Union III) base in Baghdad.

Wary of his country becoming a staging ground for a regional war, Iraqs prime minister this month said that Baghdad is seeking an exit of the US-led coalition. The US has stressed that its military is present in the country at the invitation of the government.

Syria

Iran has a direct presence in Syria, where its Quds Force, an elite unit of the IRGC that handles overseas operations, deployed after the 2011 uprising to back the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Its personnel served as military advisers and fought on the frontlines for Assad, alongside Iranian-backed militias.

Syria also hosts the Zainabiyoun and Fatemiyoun Brigades, Shiite militias linked to the IRGC who are believed to recruit Afghan and Pakistani fighters.

The US has 800 forces in Syria as part of an ongoing mission to defeat ISIS. Most US forces are stationed in what military officials call the Eastern Syria Security Area, where the US supports the anti-regime Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the countrys northeast. There is also some US troop presence in Syrias southeast, where the US supports the Syrian Free Army, which also opposes the Syrian regime. The regime considers the US to be an invader.

US troops in Syria have increasingly come under attack by Iran-backed groups in recent weeks, to which the US has responded with airstrikes.

Jordan

The American troops were killed at Tower 22, a US base in northeastern Jordan near the border with Syria. US forces at the outpost are there as part of an advise-and-assist mission with Jordan. US officials said the drone was fired by Iran-backed militants and appeared to come from Syria.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq said in a statement on Telegram that it had attacked four bases along the Jordanian border, including three in Syria.

Jordan hosts around 3,000 US troops. A longtime US ally and a major recipient of US military aid, Jordans airbases such as the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Azraq, have been key to US intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance missions in Syria and Iraq, where Washington has been fighting ISIS.

Lebanon

Lebanon is home to the most powerful paramilitary force in the Middle East: Iran-backed Hezbollah, one of the Islamic Republics most effective regional proxies.

The group has its main base on the Israel-Lebanon border and has been exchanging fire with Israel since the Gaza war began. The movement is close to Hamas in Gaza.

While the exact size of the Shiite Islamist groups arsenal is unknown, experts have estimated it has between 150,000 and 200,000 missiles, as well as rockets and mortars. Hundreds of those missiles are of high precision and highly destructive, according to the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv.

Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah claims the group has 100,000 fighters, including active soldiers and reservists. Iran is believed to be Hezbollahs main arms supplier.

Yemen

At the heart of todays proxy conflict between Iran and the US are Yemens Houthi rebels, who have been stepping up their strikes on ships in the Red Sea, saying they are revenge against Israel for its war in Gaza.

The group is currently in control of northern Yemen, and was engaged in nearly eight years of fighting with a US-backed and Saudi-led coalition before a halt in fighting last year.

Home-grown Houthi weapons were largely assembled with Iranian components smuggled into Yemen in pieces. But the group later made progressive modifications that have added up to big overall improvements, an official familiar with US intelligence told CNN previously.

The US military stations warships in the Red Sea, off Yemens coast, from which it has been striking Houthi targets. In December, the US assembled a coalition of more than 20 countries to safeguard commercial traffic against Houthi attacks in the Red Sea.

The Gaza Strip and Israel

The besieged Gaza Strip is home to the Hamas militant group, which Israel believes to have had around 30,000 fighters before the war. An Islamist organization with a military wing, Hamas was established in 1987, and on October 7 launched an attack on Israel that killed around 1,200 people and took 253 others hostage, according to Israeli authorities.

Iran has built closer ties with the group in recent years; unlike all of Tehrans other allies in the region, Hamas is a Sunni Muslim organization, rather than a Shiite one.

An image taken by the US Air Force shows US Army troops from the 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 163rd Cavalry Regiment, board a C-17 Globemaster III during an exercise at Ali Al Salem Air Base, in Kuwait on August 10, 2022. - Staff Sgt. Dalton Williams/U.S. Air Force/AP

There is no evidence that Iran knew in advance about the October 7 attacks and Iran is not believed to have as much influence on Hamas as its other allies in the region. But the US believes that Iran has historically provided up to $100 million annually in combined support to Palestinian militant groups, including Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), another Gaza-based militant group.

On the other side of the border, Israel is the largest recipient of US military aid, with Washington having contributed more than $130 billion in assistance since the Jewish states founding in 1948.

Gulf Arab states and Turkey

While the Israel-Hamas war has not yet spilled into the Gulf Arab states, some of those nations feel vulnerable as they have been targeted by Iran-linked groups before. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were attacked by the Houthis in 2019 and 2022, respectively.

The US-allied Gulf states are also home to some of the biggest deployments of US troops in the world.

The US has around 13,500 US forces in Kuwait, the largest American military presence in the region. Only Germany, Japan, and South Korea host more US forces than Kuwait.

The US second-largest military presence in the region is in Qatar, which hosts around 10,000 US forces at Al-Udeid Air Base, the largest US military base in the Middle East that is also home to the US Central Commands Forward Headquarters and the Combined Air Operations Centre. The US this month quietly reached an agreement that extends its military presence for another 10 years at the base.

Qatar maintains relations with Hamas, having hosted its political office in the capital Doha since 2012.

More than 2,700 US forces are stationed at the Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, while the UAE hosts 3,500 US military personnel at Al Dhafra Air Base, which is home to the Gulf Air Warfare Center.

Other hubs for US military presence include Bahrain, which hosts the US Naval Forces Central Command and is home to the Navys Fifth Fleet. Turkey hosts 1,465 military members at Incirlik airbase.

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When Washington, D.C., burned in the War of 1812, it was clear there were some holes in the national defense plan.

Determined to correct them, President James Monroe made it a part of his inaugural address in 1817. To help it along, he added Simon Bernard, Napoleons former aide-de-camp, to a board created the year before to help devise the nation's first unified coastal defense system.

In 1821, the board came out with a plan to build more than 40 fortifications, and one of them was Newports Fort Adams. Work started on the fort in 1824.

The fort celebrates its 200th anniversary this year, but its time standing sentry over Narragansett Bay is long over. Today, its open for tours, picnics and concerts as Rhode Island's second-most-visited state park.

But a What and Why RI reader wrote in with a question about the fort that relates back to its original purpose: Why is Fort Adams pentagon shaped?

An aerial photo of Fort Adams in 1964.

History of pentagon-shaped forts

This goes back to Bernard, and Monroes decision to add a European to the design team.

Bernard was schooled in the Vauban style of fortification and became the head of the fortification committee, designing the majority of the defenses, said Robert McCormack, the director of visitor experience at Fort Adams.

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Pentagonal forts, which are also called bastion or star forts, evolved alongside cannons in the mid-15th century, according to McCormack. They started in Italy but quickly became popular in France. By the 16th century, a French architect, the Marquis de Vauban, modified the style.

One of the key advantages of having a pentagonal shaped, or bastion fort is that there are no areas on the perimeter of the fort in which an attacker could find refuge, McCormack said in an email. Should an army attempt to storm a Vauban-style fort, the defenders would engage them from multiple directions. Not only must an attacking army face fire from the front, but the pentagon shape also means defenders can expect to come under fire from the flanks as well.

Why is Fort Adams pentagon-shaped?

Given the location of Brenton's Point at the mouth of the Bay, it was a natural spot for a fort. In fact, one had already been built there.

Maj. Louis Tousard had designed an irregular open work at old Brentons Point sited so that about twenty guns could cover the East Passage and an equal number fire in the direction of Newport, according to the Fort Adams Trust, which opened in 1799. It was named Fort Adams after President John Adams.

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That fort was considered worse than useless, when Bernards team got to it. Instead, they favored the pentagon design Bernard was accustomed to from Europe. Lt. Col. Joseph Totten arrived to supervise the work in 1825.

Totten did have to make a modification based on the geography.

Fort Adams, however, as with several other forts of its era, is not a true polygon, McCormack wrote. As Fort Adams was designed to repel a foreign attack by land and sea, the military architects opted to squeeze the fortification into the north end of the peninsula to prevent the option for an enemy land assault on all but its southern end. Additionally, placing the fort at the end of the peninsula allowed the architects to extend seaward defenses while shortening and modifying the rest of the fortification to fit the terrain.

And so, it became a slightly irregular polygon, but definitely an improvement over the irregular open work.

How to visit Fort Adams

A portion of the walking trail around Fort Adams, which was built as part of the nation's first unified coastal defense system.

The park, owned by the state, is free to visit, but the fort itself, a National Historic Landmark, is operated through the nonprofit Fort Adams Trust.

Guided tours and self-guided tours are available seasonally for a fee.

For the 200th anniversary celebration, a series of special events, including lectures, tours and fundraising events, will be happening in 2024. For more information, visit FortAdams.org.

What and Why RI is a weekly feature by The Providence Journal to explore our readers' curiosity. If you have a question about Rhode Island, big or small, email it to klandeck@gannett.com. She loves a good question.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Fort Adams in Newport, RI, is pentagon shaped by European design
MADISON  The Wisconsin Supreme Court will consider taking up a challenge from Democratic presidential candidate Dean Phillips as he seeks to be included on the state's April 2 primary ballot.

The court issued an order on Monday directing the Wisconsin Elections Commission and the Wisconsin Presidential Preference Selection Committee to respond to Phillips' complaint by 4 p.m. Wednesday.

"As we fight (Republican former President Donald) Trump's attacks on democracy we must also be vigilant against efforts by people in our own party to do the same," Phillips said in a statement. "Voters should choose the nominee of our party without insiders trying to rig the process for Joe Biden."

Phillips, a congressman from Minnesota, has challenged similar decisions in Florida and North Carolina.

More: In the ground game to engage Black Milwaukee voters, signs of waning enthusiasm for 2020 rematch

Spokesmen for the Wisconsin Elections Commission and the Democratic Party of Wisconsin both declined to comment. But WEC chairman Don Millis, a Republican appointee, indicated Phillips' challenge could be successful.

While the Wisconsin Elections Commission has no role in selecting candidates for the presidential preference ballot, even the most casual observer has to admit that Rep. Phillips is generally advocated and recognized in the national news media throughout the nation as a candidate for president for the Democratic Party. Therefore, he meets the statutory criteria," Millis said.

The elections commission does not place candidates on the ballot in Wisconsin. That decision is up to the bipartisan state Presidential Preference Selection Committee, which is made up of state Democratic and Republican party chairs, majority and minority leaders in the state Legislature, and others. The committee met in the state Capitol earlier this month to determine which presidential candidates will appear on the state's primary ballot.

The six candidates named by the state Republican party include: Trump, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former United Nations Ambassador and South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy. Every candidate on that list but Trump and Haley has since suspended their campaign.

The state Democratic party presented only one name for the ballot: President Joe Biden. Phillips and author Marianne Williamson are also running as Democrats.

The committee is required by state law to include all names "whose candidacy is generally advocated or recognized in the national news media throughout the United States," and is allowed to include additional names.

Attorneys for Phillips argued in their complaint that the congressman is a nationally recognized candidate, noting that he received nearly 20% of the vote in New Hampshire's Democratic primary. Biden did not appear on the ballot, but with write-ins received about 64% of the vote.

"Wisconsin voters subsidize the Wisconsin Democratic Partys primary election, and they deserve a true primary, in which they are free to vote for the same nationally recognized candidates who are appearing on other states ballots. (Phillips) should not have to waste resources to circulate petitions and gather signatures, when the Wisconsin legislature has determined that he and other 'generally advocated or recognized' candidates should be spared that expense," the candidate's attorneys wrote.

Candidates left off the ballot may obtain access by collecting signatures in support of their petittion. According to an affidavit from Phillips campaign adviser Jeff Weaver, the campaign looked into the process and determined it would cost about $300,000 to gather enough signatures to land on the ballot.

More: 'They're both dinosaurs': Concerns about age drive lack of enthusiasm for Biden and Trump

Phillips is asking the court to take the case on an emergency basis and issue a ruling by Feb. 9. In the meantime, the candidate is seeking to bar the elections commission from distributing a certified list of primary candidates to county clerks until the case is resolved.

According to the filing, Weaver sent a text message to the Democratic Party of Wisconsin's chairman in early December 2023 requesting a conversation about ballot access, then spoke on the phone with DPW executive director Cassi Fenili and asked for Phillips to be included. Weaver ran Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders' 2016 presidential campaign and served as an adviser on his 2020 campaign.

Phillips' candidacy "speaks for itself," his attorneys wrote.

"He is the leading challenger to President Biden in this Democratic Primary, and the Wisconsin voters who are funding that Primary deserve to see him on their ballot," they wrote.

Last month, WEC quickly rejected a petition filed by Kirk Bangstad  a Democratic activist and owner of the Minocqua Brewing Co.  that sought to keep Trump off the ballot. Bangstad has since challenged the decision in Dane County Circuit Court and said he hopes it will reach the state Supreme Court.

Wisconsin voters will choose their preferences for president during the April 2 election, which also includes races for nonpartisan offices. This primary is "advisory," not binding  parties hold their own conventions to select a nominee, including the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, which is July 15-18.

Jessie Opoien can be reached at jessie.opoien@jrn.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin court may hear Dean Phillips bid to be on primary ballot
FILE PHOTO: The logo of Amazon is seen at the company's logistics centre in Boves

By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Amazon and robot vacuum maker iRobot said Monday they would end their plans to merge in the face of opposition from EU and U.S. antitrust regulators.

iRobot announced a significant restructuring plan to reduce costs and said it would cut about 31% of its workforce, or 350 jobs. The company also said founder Colin Angle has stepped down as its CEO of the Roomba robot vacuum manufacturer.

Angle said given the current challenges, he and the board "mutually decided that iRobot will be better served by a new leader with turnaround experience."

Amazon said its proposed $1.4 billion acquisition of iRobot had no path to regulatory approval in the European Union.

EU antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager said Monday its in-depth investigation preliminarily showed "the acquisition of iRobot would have enabled Amazon to foreclose iRobot's rivals by restricting or degrading access to Amazon stores."

Reuters reported earlier this month the deal would be blocked by European Commission antitrust regulators and that its main concerns were that Amazon could thwart iRobot rivals on its online marketplace, especially in France, Germany, Italy, and Spain.

Amazon could have delisted rival robot vacuum cleaners, reduce visibility of rivals or raised costs of iRobot's rivals to advertise and sell their robot vacuum cleaners on Amazon's marketplace, Vestager added.

Separately, the Federal Trade Commission was poised to reject Amazon's deal before the companies announced they were abandoning it, a source told Reuters.

The FTC staff met with Amazon last week to inform them they planned to recommend the commission vote to sue to block the acquisition, the source added, saying the commission was set to hold a final meeting on Monday with Amazon before the commission could have voted to approve a legal challenge to the merger.

Amazon announced the deal in August 2022. The world's largest online retailer, which already owns Alexa and Ring, was pushing to expand its stable of smart home devices as well as expanding the e-commerce giant's virtual healthcare.

"We're disappointed that Amazon's acquisition of iRobot could not proceed," said David Zapolsky, Amazon's general counsel. "We're believers in the future of consumer robotics in the home and have always been fans of iRobot's products," he added in a statement.

Bedford, Massachusetts-based iRobot said it expects to report full-year 2023 revenue of $891 million, a 25% reduction and a loss of between $265 and $285 million. Under the terms of the merger agreement, Amazon will pay iRobot a $94 million termination fee.

Amazon has had a mixed record with competition regulators in recent years, completing a deal for healthcare provider One Medical and MGM's movie library.

But it faces a lengthy court battle in a Seattle federal court with the FTC over accusations the company uses illegal strategies to boost profits at its online retail empire, including an algorithm that allegedly pushed up prices by more than $1 billion.

iRobot shares fell 7.2% in afternoon trading Monday. Since first reports the deal might be blocked by EU regulators two weeks ago, iRobot shares have fallen by half. Amazon shares rose nearly 1%.

Critics opposed the deal, saying it would strengthen Amazon's already powerful position in smart home devices.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)
BERLIN (Reuters) - Volkswagen on Monday announced its board member Thomas Ulbrich will take over as head of technical development in China.

"Thomas Ulbrich, Member of the Board of Management for New Mobility at the Volkswagen brand since 2022, will be appointed Head of Development at the Volkswagen Group in China on 1 April 2024," the German carmaker said in a statement.

Additionally, the Board of Management will be reduced to seven members in future from eight and the divisions "New Mobility" and "Technical Development" will be merged, the statement said.

(Reporting by Christina Amann, Writing by Nette Nostlinger; editing by Matthias Williams)
KYODO NEWS - Jan 29, 2024 - 10:01 | All, World

Japan has decided to suspend funding for a U.N. agency that supports Palestinian refugees, joining the United States and others, amid allegations that its staff may have been involved in Hamas' attack on Israel last year.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maki Kobayashi said in a press release Sunday that additional aid to the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, known as UNRWA, will be halted "for the time being" while it investigates the matter and considers countermeasures.

The move followed a U.S. announcement Friday that it would be pausing funding for UNRWA, as it is "extremely troubled" by the allegations that 12 UNRWA employees may have been involved in a surprise attack on southern Israel by Hamas on Oct. 7.

Japan is "extremely concerned" about the alleged involvement of UNRWA personnel in the "terror attack," and urged the agency to investigate the case and take appropriate measures so that it can "firmly fulfill the role it should play," Kobayashi said.

The Oct. 7 attack triggered the ongoing Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip which has left over 26,000 people dead in the Hamas-ruled Palestinian enclave and led to a severe deterioration in the humanitarian situation.

Some Western nations such as Britain have followed the United States in halting funding for UNRWA.

UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini said in a statement Saturday that the decisions by nine countries to suspend funding "threatens our ongoing humanitarian work across the region including and especially in the Gaza Strip."

Related coverage:

Japan, U.S. agree to work closely on China issues, for Taiwan peace

ICAN chief urges Japan to recognize nuke ban, not fear U.S. reaction

Palestine envoy hopes to showcase resilience at 2025 Osaka Expo
Republican presidential hopeful and former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley speaks after results came in for the New Hampshire primaries during a watch party in Concord, N.H., last Tuesday. Nikki Haley sought to warn Republican voters away from rival Donald Trump after he defeated her in the New Hampshire primary, saying nominating the controversial ex-president would spell victory for Joe Biden in November.
O recunosti pe fetita din imagine? Acum este celebra si respectata in toata Romania

Cine este copila din imagine, care acum este de recunoscut. Putini isi dau seama despre cine e vorba, pentru ca acum este o femeie in toata firea, o adevarata doamna, iubita si respectata in toata tara. Se numara printre [citeste mai departe]
Cat costa prima varza din acest an. In cateva saptamani, piata va fi plina

Producatorii romani se pregatesc sa scoata prima recolta de varza din acest an, care va pleca de la poarta fermei la un pret estimat la 4-4,5 lei/kg. Pe piata, insa, asa cum s-a intamplat si in alti ani, este foarte probabil ca ea sa [citeste mai departe]
KYODO NEWS - Jan 29, 2024 - 13:44 | All, Japan

A man thought to be the suspect wanted for one of a series of terrorist bombings in Japan in the 1970s died Monday morning at a hospital near Tokyo, an investigative source said.

The man recently confessed to being alleged bomber Satoshi Kirishima, who was a member of an extreme left-wing group. He was undergoing treatment for terminal stomach cancer at the hospital in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, and was confirmed dead at 7:33 a.m., according to the source.

Kirishima, who would now be 70 years old, was a member of the East Asia Anti-Japan Armed Front, a radical group that carried out the high-profile bombings. 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 man had been making outpatient visits to the hospital for about a year and was hospitalized earlier in January. He revealed his true identity last Thursday, saying he wanted to draw the curtain on his life under his real name.

The man had lived under the name Hiroshi Uchida and was an employee of a building firm in Fujisawa, Kanagawa Prefecture, for decades, according to other investigative sources.

He avoided bank transactions and received his wages in cash. He also did not possess a health insurance card or driver's license and received treatment at the hospital at his own expense.

The East Asia Anti-Japan Armed Front 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.

A 73-year-old man, whose acquaintance was injured in the bombing of the Mitsubishi Heavy building, said he wondered at the time what the group's goal was. "In the end, did he (the man thought to be Kirishima) want to speak the truth? It feels like things happened so quickly after he was found."

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.

Kirishima was officially declared missing in April 2003.

Related coverage:

Bombing fugitive worked for decades at building contractor

Police question man believed to be 1970s bombing fugitive




VILLANOVA, Pa. (January 25, 2024)  Villanova Universitys Office for Sustainability in Mission and Ministry will host Fireside Conversations: Exploring Climate Anxiety through the Lens of Laudate Deum, on Wednesday, January 31, at 1 p.m. in the Connelly Center. This gathering marks the first of a two-part series presented by the Office for Sustainability in collaboration with Merrimack College and will discuss Pope Franciss Laudate Deum, his 2023 message on the climate crisis. This event series brings together Villanova and its Augustinian counterpart, Merrimack College, located in North Andover, Mass.



The Holy Sees Laudate Deum served as an urgent call to tackle the climate crisis, highlighting its severity, depth and the need for immediate and bold action to care for our common home. The Popes message underscores the timely and intrinsic link between the Catholic faith and the moral imperative to protect the planet and all people and creatures today and tomorrow.



Speakers for the inaugural Fireside Conversation include Bridget Wadzuk, PhD, Director of Sustainable Engineering and Chair of Civil Engineering in Villanova Universitys College of Engineering; John J. Lydon, OSA, PhD, from Villanovas Center for Faith and Learning; and Juliana Kwon 24 VSB.



The Fireside Conversation is open to attendees worldwide, in person or by livestream. The event will also serve as a launch to the Office for Sustainabilitys University-wide campaign. For additional information, please contact sustainability@villanova.edu.



Speaker Bios



Bridget Wadzuk, PhD

Director of Sustainable Engineering

Professor, Edward A. Daylor Chair in Civil Engineering

Director of Strategic Initiatives, College of Engineering

Bridget Wadzuk, PhD, is a civil engineer with a focus in stormwater management, specifically looking at urban sustainable and resilient stormwater systems, flooding and environmental justice, integration of big data and machine learning in water resources systems, and real-time control and integrated temporal and spatial scales. Her research on green stormwater infrastructure, including constructed wetlands, bioretention, green roofs and infiltration trenches looks at how these systems have been developed and improving sustainability and resilience while optimizing design and performance. Dr. Wadzuk earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Villanova University and completed her postgraduate studies in Environmental and Water Resources Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin.



John J. Lydon, OSA, PhD

Center for Faith and Learning, Office for Mission and Ministry

A native of Toronto, Canada, Fr. Lydon earned his undergraduate degree from Villanova University and upon graduation entered the Augustinians. Following his theological studies, Fr. Lydon joined the Augustinian missions in Peru before completing his PhD at Gregorian University in Rome. He then returned to Peru to assume teaching responsibilities in the Seminary in Trujillo, Peru, and served in a variety of roles, including Superior of the Augustinian missions, Secretary-General of the Organization of Augustinians of Latin America, and president of the Catholic University of Trujillo, Peru. After returning to the United States, Fr. Lydon rejoined the Villanova community, where he currently serves in the Center for Faith and Learning.



Juliana Kwon 24 VSB

Juliana Kwon is a senior in the Villanova School of Business majoring in Finance. Originally from Massachusetts, Kwon attended an all-girls catholic school where she built a strong religious foundation that has been expanded upon during her time at Villanova. Following graduation, Kwon plans to move to New York City where shell work in sales and trading.

Sustainability at Villanova University: In 2007, Villanova University President the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD signed the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment. In 2018, the Villanova Sustainability Leadership Council was established to develop a 10-year actionable and measurable plan to guide the Universitys comprehensive effort to support the planet and its people and to ensure prosperity for all. By committing the University to the Laudato Si Action Platform and developing a customized Laudato Si Plan, Villanova University is taking decisive and unflinching action to build a better future. At the core of all sustainability activities, both large and small, is the Universitys vision to establish an ethos of sustainable living. As an Augustinian Catholic institution, Villanova is committed to generating and advocating sustainable action to help create a future that provides enough, for all, forever.



About Villanova University: Since 1842, Villanova Universitys Augustinian Catholic intellectual tradition has been the cornerstone of an academic community in which students learn to think critically, act compassionately and succeed while serving others. There are more than 10,000 undergraduate, graduate and law students in the University's six collegesthe College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Villanova School of Business, the College of Engineering, the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, the College of Professional Studies and the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law. Ranked among the nations top universities, Villanova supports its students intellectual growth and prepares them to become ethical leaders who create positive change everywhere life takes them. For more, visit www.villanova.edu.
A pro-government commentator pinpoints the hubris of urban intellectuals as the main reason why the opposition is no match for Fidesz.

On the Mandiner website, Milan Constantinovits agrees with an alt-left analyst who dismissed as unacceptable earlier disparaging remarks by theatre critic Judit Csaki on rural Fidesz voters, especially the Roma whom she described before the last elections as completely ignorant.



That analyst, 444s Mark Herczeg wrote that the liberal critic helped Fidesz win two thirds of the seats in Parliament in 2022. Constantinovits admits that right-wing commentators also make overly harsh and sometimes even vulgar remarks, but those of Csaki offended masses of people, not just a few.



Nevertheless, it is not her views alone, but the whole haughty liberal attitude of urban intellectuals left behind by the defunct Alliance of Free Democrats that alienates much of the electorate, he writes. Another factor he mentions is the figure of DK leader Ferenc Gyurcsany.



As long as he is the most charismatic personality on the opposition side, Constantinovits suggests, Fidesz can be sure of winning two thirds of the seats in Parliament in each general election.



Leftist columnist suggests two opposition electoral lists



An alt-left commentator finds it obvious that to maximise their chances, opposition parties should run for the forthcoming municipal elections on two parallel electoral liists.



On Merce, Csaba Tibor Toth lambasts Budapest Mayor Gergely Karacsony who gave opposition parties until mid-February to decide to run on a single united list, arguing that this is what opposition-leaning voters want.



Toth retorts that many opponents of the government would never vote for the Democratic Coalition. He therefore welcomes Momentum leader Anna Donaths pledge never to run again in common with Ferenc Gyurcsanys party.



A second opposition list, he explains, would offer an acceptable choice to those who oppose both the government and Mr Gyurcsany. Instead of criticising Ms Donaths stance, Papp writes, the Mayor should choose between the two opposition alliances that have a chance to pass the 5 percent threshold, as his extremely small Parbeszed (Dialogue) party and the Socialist Party may not make it to the municipal assemblies on their own.



A left-wing pundit approves EU sanctions on Hungary



The editor of the left-wing nationwide print daily writes that warnings by the European Union are simply ignored by the government, unless they are accompanied by sanctions.



In Nepszava, Peter Nemeth disagrees with those opposition politicians who criticise the financial sanctions imposed on Hungary by the European Commission over rule-of-law considerations, and call on the European Union to find alternative ways to rein in Hungarys government without inflicting burdens on Hungarian citizens.



There are no other ways, unfortunately, Nemeth retorts, as steps which stop short of sanctions have proven no more than wasted words in the past. He agrees with the EUs intention to encourage Hungarian voters to live in a liberal democracy, but admits that sanctions too have remained ineffective thus far.



We have to resign ourselves to the fact that this will be a long term project, he concludes.



Liberal MEPs accused of treason



A pro-government commentator known for his highly opinionated columns vituperates against two Momentum MEPs who criticised the European Commission for releasing a fraction of the funds due to Hungary but withheld over rule-of-law concerns.



On Origo, Daniel Bohar calls MEPs Katalin Cseh and Anna Donath people with alien hearts, and accuses them of deliberately hurting Hungarys interests in Brussels.



Within the European Parliament, Both Ms Donath who will return in February from maternity leave as chair of Momentum, and Ms Cseh are members of the liberal group, the most vociferous critic of the Commission for being overly lenient towards the Hungarian government.



Ms Cseh told reporters that the Commission gave in to Viktors blackmail and accused the Prime Minister of using his veto powers on behalf of Vladimir Putin. Bohar describes the two leading Momentum figures as people who have sold out their Hungarian identity if they ever had one. He also adds that if they serve alien interests, they do so for money. Very big money.



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The Momentum party assembly elected MEP Anna Donath head of the party on Sunday. In her speech to the assembly, Donath said Momentum was a liberal, freedom-loving party with an unshakeable belief in human dignity.

She said she was proud to lead Momentum, a community ready to serve and to stand up to those wanting to rule others, to corruption.



We have the task of bursting the populists balloon. Regarding the local and European parliamentary elections in 2024, Donath said Momentum would support all acceptable joint opposition candidates and propose a primary election where there is no agreement.



She said she was initiating talks with the opposition parties.



More About Momentum in Hungary



Momentum Movement is a centrist Hungarian political party founded in March 2017. It came to national prominence as a political association in January 2017 after organizing a petition about the Budapest bid for the 2024 Summer Olympics, calling for a public referendum on the matter.



The petition, which gathered over 266,151 signatures, was successful, but the government cancelled the Olympic bid before a referendum could have been held.



After its establishment as a political party, Momentum quickly built a national following.



Momentum party candidates appeared on the ballot in most electoral districts in the 2018 Hungarian parliamentary election, promoting the replacement of the government of Viktor Orban and advocating a new generation of political change in the country.



The party obtained 3.06% of the votes, failed to reach the 5% threshold and did not get any seats in the National Assembly, but in the 2022 Hungarian parliamentary election it ran under the list of the United for Hungary and entered parliament for the first time with 10 MPs.



In the 2019 European Parliament election in Hungary, the party obtained 9.86% and became the third largest party in the election. Two candidates of the party  Katalin Cseh and Anna Donath  were elected to the European Parliament.



Political positions



Momentum advocates for the replacement of the present Hungarian political elite, including the government of Viktor Orban, with a "new breed of political community in Hungary."



The party is generally pro-European, pro-globalization, and anti-Putin, claiming that Hungary does not need to sacrifice its own interests in order to fulfil its commitments to the European Union. The party's social views are largely progressive in nature; it supports same-sex marriage, the decriminalisation of cannabis, and abortion rights.



Momentum nonetheless calls itself a centrist party and rejects classification on either side of the political spectrum. It calls for bipartisan co-operation, writing in its mission statement that Hungary "must not be divided by ideological battles, but brought together by common goals."



More about Anna Donath:



Donath was born on 6 April 1987 in Budapest. She is the youngest of three siblings. Her father Laszlo Donath is a former pastor, and a former member of parliament for the Hungarian Socialist Party.



Donath's early education was at Veres Peter High School in Bekasmegyer, Budapest.



She studied sociology at the Eotvos Lorand University in Budapest, and migration and ethnic studies at the University of Amsterdam.



After graduating, she completed an internship at the European Commission, before returning to Hungary to become a project manager for the non-governmental organization (NGO), Menedek.



She joined Momentum Movement in 2016, and became its vice president in June 2018.



Donath was a candidate for the centrist party in the 2018 Hungarian parliamentary election. The party did not win any seats in the election.



In December 2018, Donath participated in a protest against the Hungarian government's new labour law dubbed by opponents as the 'slave law' which raised the overtime yearly cap for workers from 250 to 400 hours and allowed businesses three years instead of one year to pay for the overtime.



Donath was arrested at the protest, and later released.



She was elected as a Momentum Movement (part of the Renew Europe group) Member of the European Parliament (MEP) in the 2019 European parliamentary election.



Meanwhile, Fidesz Calls on Momentum Mayor to Take Stance on EU Higher Education Programmes



Fidesz politicians have called on Tamas Soproni, the mayor of Budapests 6th district, to openly back or reject his Momentum partys stance on European Union funding for higher education and research programmes.



MEP Tamas Deutsch and Balazs Norbert Kovacs, the head of Fideszs 6th district division, said in an open letter on Sunday that, at the shameful initiative of Momentum MEPs Anna Donath and Katalin Cseh, the leftist majority of the European Parliament decided to uphold the unlawful infringement of the rights of Hungarian students, researchers and professors as they remain excluded from EU higher education and research development programmes.



Soproni, the only Momentum member serving as a mayor and a member of the party board, should make it clear whether he stands by the shameful and gravely discriminative stance or rejects it, Deutsch and Kovacs said.



They also called on Soproni to forego parroting  dollar left mantras on concerns about the rule of law.



Supposing but not allowing that those concerns were based on fact, stripping Hungarian students, professors and researchers of participation in the Erasmus+ and Horizon programmes remains unlawful, the open letter said.



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The Budapest Capital Court rightly annulled the fine of 736,000 imposed on the airline Ryanair in August last year, the Kuria found in its verdict announced on January 23.

The case started in 2022, when the government introduced a windfall profit tax, which Ryanair called outright robbery in light of the fact that at that time airlines were operating at a loss due to the coronavirus pandemic.



When the airline imposed an extra 10 fee on its tickets to offset the new tax, the Consumer Protection Authority fined the company.



However, the Kuria, the supreme court, found that no deception of consumers took place when Ryanair passed on the tax to customers, as the company had acted in accordance with its general terms and conditions.



Although the "extra profit tax" has since been rebranded as an "environmental protection tax" by the government, Ryanair has kept the extra 10 charge in its ticket prices.



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KYODO NEWS - Jan 29, 2024 - 14:28 | All, Japan

Japan has no intention to change its plan to host the 2025 World Exposition in Osaka, regardless of a powerful New Year's Day earthquake that could disrupt the supply of construction materials, the top government spokesman said Monday.

Yoshimasa Hayashi's remarks came days after economic security minister Sanae Takaichi said she had urged Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to push back the event to prioritize reconstruction from the earthquake on the Noto Peninsula on the Sea of Japan coast.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi said the industry ministry in charge of the expo has claimed that procuring the required building materials for the event, scheduled to be held in the western Japan city, will not impede reconstruction on the peninsula.

Hayashi also said at a regular press conference that Takaichi's request to Kishida was not a "conflicting opinion within the Cabinet," as her suggestion was in line with the government's position of not hindering reconstruction in the disaster-hit areas.

Even before the magnitude-7.6 earthquake, concerns had arisen that the expo slated to be held on Yumeshima, an artificial island in Osaka Bay, could not take place as planned amid delayed preparations due largely to ballooning construction and other costs.

Related coverage:

Japan to spend 164.7 billion yen on 2025 Expo amid public skepticism

New-look Detective Conan train departs Tottori carrying hopes for 2025 Expo exposure
This is part of a series of in-depth interviews with some surprising members of the community, written by Marion Merrick.

When Shaheer boarded the Budapest-bound plane in his home city of Islamabad, he had not only never been to Hungary before, but he had also never been to Europe nor even crossed the border out of Pakistan.



His five siblings accompanied him to the airport, and while his mother cried at the prospect of her sons departure, Shaheers father remained strong, repeating his reassurances that in the event that things did not work out, he would come and help him, but also adding, You have to study, you have to make us proud.

Shaheers family

I was studying hard for medical school in Pakistan, Shaheer explains, but competition is very tough. There are very few places, and every year those who are not taken apply again the following year  and again the year after that. It means that the number applying rises exponentially every year. Everyone wants to work in the medical profession, or as an engineer or a businessman; they are the main three things in my country.



The funny thing is, that I was actually accepted to medical school in Islamabad, I passed the tests, and then I was asked to go for interview, but the tuition fees were so high that my father said he couldnt pay them.



Soon thereafter, his father saw an advertisement for the Stipendium Hungaricum offering overseas students the opportunity to study a range of subjects in English at Hungarian universities, with their fees waived and subsidies towards accommodation costs. I applied and was selected, and I began my studies in September of 2017.



On his flight, Shaheer happened to meet another student also heading for university life in Hungary. This proved fortuitous since when they arrived at Budapest airport, there was no-one there to meet them. There had been a problem with the internet, and the emails that welcome you and tell you what transport to take hadnt arrived. I really had no idea at all where to go. And Shaheer was bound for the southern city of Pecs!



After exchanging his Euros for Forints, and carrying a 25-kilo suitcase and 8 kilos of hand baggage, he took the bus to Kobanya-Kispest with his fellow countryman, and from there, the M3 metro to Nyugati station.



And no-one speaks English! he recalls, as he relates the struggle to find out how to continue his journey. I was wearing typical Pakistani dress, and I approached a policeman and asked him how to get to Pecs. He told me to go to Keleti station and get the Intercity train. All the time, he was looking me up and down, you know, and when I left my hand baggage behind by mistake, he shouted to me to remove it straight away! recalls Shaheer, laughing.



Shaheer was to study for a B.Sc. in Biology. My years in Pecs were really good, he reminisces. I learnt a lot and I changed a lot. Before, I had some fixed concepts about life, but now I realise that there are other ways. I learnt that the things you come to realise on your own, through your experiences, are much more important than the things you read.





Shaheer works late in the university laboratory

I was together with students from Mongolia, from Kazakhstan, from Africa, China, Japan and France. Shaheer felt, however, that there could have been more contact between the overseas and the Hungarian students. I believe the university could have organised it in a way where that there could have been events inviting students from both the Hungarian and the English-taught programmes, he says, but there was one dinner, just before Christmas, when we were together.



Under the auspices of the Erasmus Student Network, however, there were many activities for the overseas students. We had country presentations in which we introduced our countries to the other students, Shaheer recalls enthusiastically. We also invited the Hungarian students for dinner which we prepared, and we learnt we had to moderate our use of spices!

Winners of the Erasmus Country Presentation Event with traditional dishes

Shaheer became a Student Ambassador for the University of Pecs during his time there. This involved him in giving webinars to prospective students overseas, introducing the university, its programmes, events, its administrative processes and information about accommodation. He also answered email enquiries from would-be students.



In addition, he worked as a senior journalist for the universitys magazine in which he wrote articles both on general themes, and those related to his studies. I was also the senior Biosciences Representative - I assisted the biology class with day-to-day issues, and I liaised between the students and the faculty.

Stipendium Hungaricum Gala for Mentors

Of his life generally in Pecs, Shaheer says, Pecs is good for living a peaceful life, its relaxing, a perfect place to concentrate on your studies. In the town, people would just stare at me if I was wearing my traditional clothes  but thats just curiosity, they want to see whats different. I didnt have a problem with that. Differences are interesting.



During his time as a student, Shaheer came into contact with Amnesty International - an interest which followed him when he moved to Budapest and continued his association with the organisation. His interest in Sustainable Development Goals, particularly that of poverty, is something to which he would like to apply his newly-acquired skills, probably back in his home country to make everyone in society independent through the acquisition of skills.



At the conclusion of his four years study, Shaheer returned to Pakistan for a family wedding. His initial intention was to return home permanently after his studies, but friends encouraged him to undertake an M.Sc.  advice he has accepted.



Shaheer is now planning to undertake a course in coding and IT, as well as a Masters in Biotechnology or Applied BioSciences. Id like to improve software technology used for both diagnosis and treatment in healthcare, for example, and in the analysis of markers in the blood which may indicate a lack of immunity to specific illnesses.



Looking back over his time at university in Pecs, Shaheer concludes: My experience of being a student in Hungary was a very positive one. You learn a lot, and the professors will alert you to different opportunities such as summer programmes which you can participate in, alongside internships or lab experience; the vibrant international community made my time in Pecs an unforgettable one.



The teachers were also helpful because I used to ask a lot of questions, and I'm glad I wasn't shy about it. It is a well-known fact that a good teacher always appreciates questions and is further motivated to explain the subject matter in ways that are easy to comprehend.



The city is full of greenery with lovely forests and two beautiful lakes where you can spend your weekends, go hiking or enjoy picnics. And for me, Pecs always feels like home as it has that sweet warmth that I cant find in Budapest.

Graduation

During my stay in Hungary, I didn't experience any significant communication or social challenges. The locals, in my perspective, were merely interested in our cultural attire and cuisine. I had a wide variety of interactions with both local and international people. Over these years, I have learnt a lot from the Hungarians, and I have a different perspective of them. They are hardworking people who stick to their roots and know what they stand for. Some of them are shy to speak English, but we managed to communicate with igen and koszonom.



The overseas students had local as well as international connections, and we would invite Hungarian students to our house for dinner. In return they would show us their culture, traditions and food and we could see that all of us are similar in one way or another. The whole experience was just something irreplaceable.



Marion Merrick is author of Now You See It, Now You Dont and House of Cards and the website Budapest Retro.



If you would like to be interviewed as a Surprising Expat, please write with a few details of what you do, to: Marion by clicking here.
Vehicle enthusiasts now have another reason to get all hyped up as the highly anticipated Hyundai Creta N Line SUV recently caught attention during an ad shoot in Pune. It is expected that this SUV is likely to carry features same as Hyundai Venue N Line and i20 N Line. Lets take a look at what this upcoming SUV will bring to the market.

Hyundai Creta N Line Features

The Hyundai Creta N Line SUV is expected to get N Line-specific design elements like sportier front and rear bumpers. It is likely to get red accents around the lower part of this premium SUV. From the recent spy shots, it appears that the SUV might come with large 18-inch wheels. The SUV was spied in in blue and matte gray colors.

If we talk about the interior of this SUV, it can come with an all-black interior color theme. It is also expected that Hyundai Creta N Line can get specific interior bits like the steering wheel and gearshift lever. Notably, all the spy shots of Hyundai Creta N Line SUV were released by the Autonation India.

Also Read: Planning To Buy A Used Car? Here Are Top 5 Tips To Avoid Buying A Lemon

Hyundai Creta N Line Specifications

It is speculated that the Creta N Line will feature the new 1.5-litre, turbo-petrol engine that makes 160 hp and 253 Nm of torque. It can come with 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission coupled with the engine. However, there is also a probability that Hyundai could provide it with a 6-speed manual transmission, the same as Verna.

The N Line can also include a retuned suspension setup, reworked steering dynamics and a sportier exhaust. The recent appearance of this upcoming SUV indicated that the launch is nearing, fueling anticipation among the enthusiasts. However, the company has not announced anything officially.
MPSOS Yojna Result 2023: Madhya Pradesh State Open School (MPSOS) has released the results for the Open School and Aa Laut Chale Yojna exams held in December 2023, announced on January 28, 2024. To access the MPSOS December 2023 results, students can visit the official website - mpsos.nic.in. The board had previously declared the MPSOS Ruk Jana Nahi exam results on January 23, 2024. Candidates can log in using their registration number and date of birth to download the Aa Laut Chale Yojna results for 2023.

MPSOS Aa Laut Chale Yojna December 2023: Direct Link

The MPSOS Class 10 Ruk Jana Nahi 2023 exams took place from December 15 to 28, while the Class 12 exams were conducted from December 12 to December 30, 2023. Students are encouraged to check the official website for their results and follow the provided instructions to retrieve the necessary information using their login credentials.

MPSOS Aa Laut Chale Yojna Result 2023: Steps To Download

- Visit the official portal of MPSOS at mpsos.nic.in

- Find the link RJN Class 10th & 12th Result Dec. 2023 on the homepage

- Enter the roll number or OS roll number and click on submit

- The MPSOS results 2023 will be displayed on the screen

- Download and take a printout of the same for future reference.
SBI Clerk 2024: The State Bank of India (SBI) is anticipated to release the SBI Clerk Prelims Result 2024 soon. The Prelims examination for SBI Clerks or Junior Associates was conducted on January 05, 06, 11, and 12, 2024. Aspirants can check their results on the official website, sbi.co.in, and access details such as SBI Clerk Prelims 2024 cut-off and expected result date. This recruitment drive by SBI advertised 8773 clerk vacancies. Successful candidates from the Prelims stage will proceed to the SBI Clerk Mains exam in 2023. The result announcement will also include cut-off marks, determining the passing status for candidates based on their respective categories.

SBI Clerk Result 2024: Steps To Check Scorecard

- Go to the official website of the State Bank of India (SBI) at www.sbi.co.in/web/careers.

- On the homepage, link for the link that reads, Download SBI Clerk Result 2024.

- Enter the login credentials such as registration number/Roll Number, and date of birth if required.

- Your SBI Clerk Prelims Result 2024 will be displayed on the screen.

- Download it and take a printout of it for future reference.

The SBI clerk preliminary exam comprised of objective test for 100 marks. The exam was administered online for 1 hour duration consisting of 3 sections- English Language, Numerical Ability and Reasoning Ability. There will be negative marks for wrong answers in the objective tests. 1/4th of the mark assigned for each question will be deducted for every wrong answer marked.
New Delhi: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, accusing him of playing God and mixing religion and politics. Kharge was addressing a Congress workers conference in Dadri, Uttar Pradesh, ahead of the upcoming state assembly elections.

Kharge said that Modi has become so omnipresent that people see his face everywhere, even when they wake up in the morning. He said that Modi now wants to become the 11th incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the Hindu deity who is believed to have ten avatars.

Modi has now set out to become the 11th incarnation. He is playing God and trying to fool the people. But the people are not fools. They can see through his lies and deception, Kharge said.

Kharge also alleged that Modi and his party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), are taking votes in the name of religion, which is a betrayal of the country. He said that when religion and politics get mixed, it becomes difficult to differentiate between good and bad.

Modi and BJP are using religion as a tool to divide the people and create hatred. They are not interested in the development of the country or the welfare of the people. They only care about their own power and agenda, Kharge said.

Kharge further claimed that BJP is afraid of Congress and its leaders, and that is why they keep abusing them. He said that BJP leaders dream of Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi, and that Rahul Gandhi is coming in their dreams who is not letting them sleep.

Kharge said that due to this fear, BJP tried to disrupt Congresss visit to Assam, where the party is in power. He said that BJP workers threw stones, tore posters and removed flags during Congresss rally in the state.

The Congress visit was not disrupted anywhere in the country and only in Assam, where the BJP is ruling, this disturbance took place. But we are not afraid of their tactics. We will continue to fight for the rights of the people and expose their misrule, Kharge said.

Kharge also praised the legacy of Congress and its leaders, who sacrificed their lives for the country. He said that Congress is a party of leaders who gave their lives for the freedom and unity of the country, and that the party will always stand by the people.

He said that as long as the Congress workers are there, no one can shake the Congress. He urged the workers to work hard and ensure the victory of the party in the upcoming elections.

We have a history of sacrifice and service. We have a vision of progress and justice. We have a mission of building a new India. We have the support of the people. We have the confidence of the Congress. We will win the elections and form the government in Uttar Pradesh, Kharge said.
NEW DELHI: The Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, spearheaded by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, received a warm welcome as it entered Bihar on Monday, marking a significant juncture in its journey to mobilize public backing ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. In a sharp rebuke aimed at Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Jairam Ramesh, a prominent figure within the Congress party, denounced the former's move to ditch the 'Mahagathbandhan' ruling coalition in Bihar, labelling him as a 'girgit' (chameleon) for his selfish political manoeuvring.

#WATCH | Congress' 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' enters Bihar, party leader Jairam Ramesh says, "After Nitish Kumar's betrayal yesterday, the people of Kishanganj, Bihar are giving a great welcome to Rahul Gandhi and the Yatra. We had invited Mamata ji and also Nitish ji but he turned pic.twitter.com/yNW7v5YkIo January 29, 2024

The Yatra, a strategic move by the Congress ahead of the impending Lok Sabha polls, gained momentum as it traversed through Manipur, Northeast India, and West Bengal, culminating in its entry into Bihar. Rahul Gandhi's presence in the state marks his first visit since the 2020 Assembly elections, reflecting the party's renewed focus on the region.

Nitish Kumar's move to switch alliances according to his political interests has stirred controversy, with his recent realignment with the BJP-led NDA prompting criticism from erstwhile allies and opposition parties alike. The Congress's alliance partners in Bihar, including the RJD and CPI(ML)-L, have been invited to join forces in a rally aimed at addressing Kumar's political volte-face.

During public addresses scheduled as part of the Nyay Yatra's Bihar leg, Rahul Gandhi is anticipated to target Nitish Kumar over his latest political somersault. The Congress's vehement reaction to Kumar's alliance shift underscores the volatile political climate in the state.

Meanwhile, the JDU has accused the Congress of attempting to hijack the political narrative, citing arrogance as a driving force behind the breakdown of the INDIA alliance. Nitish Kumar's resignation as Chief Minister further underscores the discord within the political landscape, with implications for the broader INDIA platform.

The Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, projected as a national movement for justice, began from Manipur's Thoubal, spanning over 6,700 kilometres across 110 districts, and will culminate in Mumbai. This ambitious yatra signifies Congress's concerted effort to galvanize public sentiment and consolidate support nationwide before the General Elections.
In an extraordinary twist of fate, a family's decade-long nightmare came to an end in Chhindwara, when a woman, presumed dead and for whose murder her father and brother were wrongly imprisoned, was found to be alive. The courts have now cleared the father and son of all charges in light of this revelation.

A Case That Stunned the Community

From the district of Chhindwara, a case so unusual unfolded that it left the local community in shock. A young woman, long assumed dead, made an unexpected return to life's stage, stirring up a whirlwind of questions about the police's conduct in her case.

The Background of the Mystery

The incident originated from the village of Jopanlal, part of Chhindwara's Singodi region. The girl, who was mistakenly declared deceased by authorities in 2014, has miraculously reappeared at her home. Her name is Kanchan Uikey, and she went missing on June 13, 2014. Without telling anyone, she was swayed by a villager named Rameshwar Dehria and left for Bhopal.At the time, she was not of legal adult age. Her disappearance led her family to lodge a missing person's report, but rather than receiving help, they faced intimidation and unwarranted scrutiny from the police, who eventually pinned the blame for her supposed death on her father and brother.

The Long-Lost Daughter Returns

For years, Kanchan remained out of touch with her family. It was only after an acquaintance informed her of her family's dire circumstancesher father and brother being imprisoned for her "murder"that she decided to come home. Kanchan clarified upon her return that she had left in a bout of anger with a friend. The police, upon her return, conducted a DNA test to confirm her identity, which indeed matched Kanchan Uikey. The court, acting on this new evidence, acquitted her father and son, freeing them from the false accusations that had marred their lives.

Justice Prevails

The court's decision also led to an official reprimand for the SDOP responsible for the wrongful imprisonment. In acquitting the father and son, the court acknowledged the officers' fault in the matter, ordering disciplinary action. The family, having suffered under a false accusation, had sought the court's intervention to clear their name, asserting their daughter was still alive. Their appeal for justice was heard, and the officers involved were ordered to face the consequences of their actions.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of due diligence in the justice system and the profound impact it has on individuals' lives.
NEW DELHI: The Hindu petitioners in the Gyanvapi Mosque dispute case made a fervent plea on Monday, urging the Supreme Court to intervene and direct the Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to conduct a comprehensive survey of the disputed 'Shivling' and its associated features.

An application is filed in the Supreme Court by Hindu plaintiff in Gynvapi case seeking directed to vacate its May 19, 2023 order by which it had put on hold the scientific survey of a Shivling said to have been found at the Gyanvapi mosque complex in Varanasi during a pic.twitter.com/QV4T5OtYJs  ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2024

Plea for De-sealing 'Wazukhana' Area And ASI Survey

In their petition, the Hindu representatives pressed for the unsealing of the 'wazukhana' area within the Gyanvapi mosque premises. They implored the apex court to authorize the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to conduct an investigation in the 'wazukhana' vicinity, ensuring the preservation of the revered 'Shivling' during the process.

The application seeks direction from the Director General of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to make necessary investigation/survey of the alleged Shivling to determine its nature and associated features without causing any damage to the Shivling situated within the https://t.co/gT5s8z8rv9 January 29, 2024

VHP Seeks Nod For Worship In Disputed Area

In response to the ASI's confirmation of a temple's existence beneath the Gyanvapi mosque, the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) rallied for the initiation of religious rituals in the contentious 'Wazukhana' section. Alok Kumar, the VHP's international working president, emphasized the need for mutual respect and suggested relocating the mosque to facilitate the construction of a temple at its original site.

Alok Kumar's assertions echoed in a post on social media, highlighted the ASI's revelations regarding the 'Shivlinga' and inscriptions found within the structure, bolstering the claim of its temple origins. He underscored that the evidence presented aligns with the essence of the Places of Worship Act, 1991, advocating for the formal recognition of the site as a Hindu temple.

AIMPLB Disputes ASI's Conclusions

Contrary to the VHP's stance, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) challenged the ASI's findings, dismissing them as inconclusive. AIMPLB executive member Qasim Rasool Ilyas maintained that the ASI report lacked definitive proof in the contentious case.

Release Of ASI Survey Report

Legal proceedings intensified as the Varanasi court mandated the distribution of certified copies of the ASI report to both Hindu and Muslim parties involved in the dispute. This development followed the Allahabad High Court's rejection of a plea by Muslim litigants to halt the ASI's scientific survey of the Gyanvapi mosque premises.

Path To Resolution?

As tensions persist between the two communities, the disclosure of the ASI report marks a crucial juncture in the ongoing dispute. With divergent interpretations of historical evidence, achieving consensus remains elusive, emphasizing the intricate complexities of the Gyanvapi case.
This extraordinary collection, comprising 14 timeless masterpieces and other extraordinary accessories, has been specially curated to commemorate the Lord's Return to his rightful throne in Ayodhya.

Designed with unparalleled devotion and meticulous attention to detail by HSJ's Director, Ankur Anand, each jewel in this selection is a testament to the exquisite craftsmanship that defines Harsahaimal Shiamlal Jewellers. Handcrafted to perfection, these jewels reflect the essence of divinity and carry the legacy of a brand that has been synonymous with excellence for over 130 years.

The 14 most significant pieces adorned by the idol are as follows:

1. Tilak: The Tilak, made in yellow gold, weighs around 16 g., and features a single round brilliant natural diamond of 3 carats at the centre, surrounded by smaller diamonds weighing around 10 carats. The Tilak was crafted so that for every Ram Navmi, the Suns rays would fall directly on the centre diamond, travelling upward towards the crown.

2. Mukut & Pankhi: The exquisite Mukut evam Pankhi made in yellow gold is a true masterpiece weighing around 1.6 kg. Adorned with 122 carats of sparkling diamonds, 215 carats of Zambian emeralds, and 292 carats of rubies, it exudes luxury and grandeur.

3. Chota Haar: The Short Round Necklace, weighs around 483 g., is made in yellow gold and contains around 40 carats of diamonds, around 145 carats of rubies, and around 360 carats of emeralds, making it an exquisite piece of jewellery. It's made according to Indian tradition and is one of the key elements of Shree Ramlalla's jewellery.

4. Panchlada: The Panchlada, weighing around 657g., is a masterpiece that features around 60 carats of diamonds, 60 carats of polki, and 519 carats of emeralds. Each of the five strands symbolises the Pancha Tattva, uniting the elements of nature with Lord Ram's divine virtues.

5. Vijay Haar: The Vijaya Mala is a stunning piece of jewellery made entirely of 22k gold, weighing around 2 kg. The five sacred flowers in the necklace, Kamal, Kund, Parijat, Champa, and Tulsi, represent the Pancha Bhoota, embodying Lord Ram's harmony with nature and the universe. The mala's extraordinary length, reaching down to his divine feet, symbolises boundless devotion and humility.

6. Kamardhan: The Kamardhan, made in yellow gold, weighs around 740g., adorned with diamonds, 640 rubies, 102 emeralds, and pearls. The use of diamonds signifies unbreakable strength and eternal virtues, while rubies echo the courage and passion of Lord Ram.

7. Bajubandh: Weighing around 825 g., for the pair, includes 95 carats of diamonds and 285 carats of rubies and emeralds all interwoven into an intricate semi-round kada.

8. Hath Ke Kadhe: Weighing around 360 g, the foot ornament boasts of beautiful inlay work of diamonds weighing around 53 carats and rubies weighing around 45 carats.

9. Mudrika: The Emerald Ring is a stunning piece of jewellery weighing around 60 g., and contains 6 carats of diamonds and 30 carats of emeralds. The vibrant Zambian Emerald at the centre of the ring encapsulates the vibrant green of the forest that Ramlalla once walked. The ring around the stone unfolds in elegance, inspired by the splendour of the birthplace of Lord Ram. The Ruby Ring is made for the left hand and weighs 26 g. It has diamonds, rubies and emeralds.

10. Kamal Ki Bel: Crafted entirely in gold, the Kamal Ki Bel is a beautiful ring of gold surrounding the idol.

11. Dhanush: Handmade with the most precious gold, the Dhanush is a symbol of the Lords power.

12. Teer: More than a jewel; the teer is an eternal symbol of Ram Jis virtues brought to life with Earths natural treasures.

13. Nupur Payal: Adorned on the Lords feet are the Nupur Payal which carry his royalty as he puts each step forward.

14. Per Ke Kadhe: Also on his feet are his per ke kadhe symbols of his selfless nature.

Ankur Anand - Director at HSJ says, We are immensely proud and honoured to have been entrusted with the responsibility of crafting the jewellery for Shri Ram Lalla. This project holds profound significance for us, and we approached it with a deep sense of reverence and commitment to excellence. Crafting the jewellery for Shri Ram Lalla has been a profoundly emotional journey for us. It's not just about creating pieces of adornment; it's about infusing our devotion and heartfelt reverence into every gem, every design. This project has touched our souls, and we feel immensely blessed to have played a part in adorning the divine form of Lord Ram with our creations."

The exclusive collection for Shri Ram Lalla will be adorned by the Lord on all special occasions.

(This article is part of IndiaDotCom Pvt Ltds Consumer Connect Initiative, a paid publication programme. IDPL claims no editorial involvement and assumes no responsibility, liability or claims for any errors or omissions in the content of the article. The IDPL Editorial team is not responsible for this content.)
New Delhi: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, one of the main architects of the INDI alliance, broke away from the bloc and again joined hands with the Bharatiya Janata Party. Opposition alliance members have criticized Nitish for his unexpected exit, with Congress MP Jairam Ramesh noting that there were no indications of such a rupture in ties.

Recalling that it was Nitish Kumar who called on the meeting of the opposition parties in Patna, Ramesh said it is a matter of regret that he left the alliance at the last moment and a blatant breach of trust.

"Nitish Kumar convened meeting in Patna with the participation of 18 parties. Meetings were held in Bengaluru, and Mumbai, with Nitish Kumar attended all these meetings without providing any indication of his intention to sever ties with the INDIA alliance. It is disheartening that he chose to depart from our alliance at the last moment. This complete breach of trust and the people of Bihar will respond to this betrayal in due course," said Congress MP Jairam Ramesh.

#WATCH | West Bengal: On Nitish Kumar joining NDA, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh says, "Nitish Kumar called a meeting... 18 parties were present in Patna. The meeting was held in Bengaluru, Mumbai. Nitish Kumar was present in all the meetings. He didn't give any hint (that he would pic.twitter.com/BvfsSLRZpb  ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2024

Meanwhile, Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge also slammed Nitish Kumar's and said his move to split from Mahagathbandhan and to join the NDA was 'pre-planned' and accused the JD(U) Chief of keeping the INDIA bloc in dark.

Speaking to ANI, the Congress President alleged that the JD(U) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) 'planned' to break the INDIA bloc as such decisions can not be taken in a hurry.

"Such decisions can not be taken in a hurry...This shows that it was all pre-planned. To break the INDIA alliance they (BJP-JD(U)) planned all this... He (Nitish Kumar) kept us in the dark, he kept Lalu Yadav in the dark," Kharge said.

JDU leader Nitish Kumar's move to end his alliance with the Lalu Prasad Yadav-led Rashtriya Janata Dal to revive his tie-up with the BJP comes as a massive setback to the INDIA bloc months before it takes on the formidable BJP in Lok Sabha polls.

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.

Nitish Kumar took the oath as Chief Minister of Bihar for the ninth time in Raj Bhawan, Patna, switching sides again, this time with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

It was for the second time in two years that Nitish Kumar had jumped the ship, his fifth crossover in a little over a decade, preceding his ninth time as chief minister.

Two Deputy CMs from the BJP, Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, and six other ministers, including Bijendra Prasad Yadav, Santosh Kumar Suman, Shrawan Kumar, and others, also took the oath today.
KYODO NEWS - Jan 29, 2024 - 11:57 | World, All

North Korea said Monday it tested submarine-launched strategic cruise missiles the previous day, with leader Kim Jong Un observing the test and discussing issues related to the building of a nuclear-powered submarine, according to state-run media.

Kim guided the test-firings of "Pulhwasal-3-31" missiles together with senior navy and ruling Workers' Party of Korea officials Sunday morning, the state-run Korean Central News Agency said.

The move came after Pyongyang tested the new cruise missile, meaning "flaming arrow" in Korean and believed to be capable of carrying nuclear warheads, last Wednesday for the first time.

On Sunday, the cruise missiles flew above the Sea of Japan for 2 hours, 3 minutes and 41 seconds and 2 hours, 4 minutes and 5 seconds, respectively, before hitting an island target, the report said. The South Korean military detected the launches off the North Korean port city of Shinpo on the eastern coast around 8:00 a.m.

Kim "expressed great satisfaction" with the results, KCNA said, adding the test had no impact on the security of neighboring countries and nothing to do with the regional situation. The news agency did not provide details such as the launch site.

The leader stressed that giving the navy nuclear weapon capabilities is "urgent" for his country and set forth important steps toward "expanding the sphere of operation of the state nuclear deterrence in a diversified way," KCNA said.

As for the building of a nuclear-powered submarine and other new-type warships, Kim directed tasks to be completed and made conclusions on how to implement them, the news agency said without elaborating.

Related coverage:

N. Korea fires several cruise missiles from its east coast: S. Korea

North Korea fires cruise missiles into Yellow Sea: South Korea

North Korea claims it conducted underwater nuclear test in Sea of Japan
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has given a poll slogan of 'Abki Baar, 400 Paar' to hand over Prime Minister Narendra Modi another decisive victory. While the Hindi belt has been a key to sending Modi to power, the saffron party was staring at a lower Lok Sabha seat tally two years ago. Especially due to being ousted from power in Bihar and Maharashtra owing to fallouts with its alliance partners. While Nitish Kumar shunned the BJP in 2022, Maharashtra had slipped from the NDA fold in 2020 as the BJP and Shiv Sena differed on power-sharing terms.

Bihar had 40 Lok Sabha seats and the NDA had won 39 of these in the previous Lok Sabah elections. In 2019, the BJP, JD(U) and the LJP had contested the polls together. Out of the state's 40 Lok Sabha seats, both BJP and JD(U) contested on 17 seats each, while LJP contested on 6 seats. But, the BJP was probably looking at a lower seat tally in 2024 in the absence of Nitish and the charismatic LJP leader Ram Vilas Paswan who passed away in 2020. By bringing Nitish once again within the NDA fold, the BJP is now again looking to repeat the 2019 performance in Bihar.

In Maharashtra, there are 48 Lok Sabha seats and the BJP and Shiv Sena had won 41 of them. While the BJP had bagged 23 seats, Shiv Sena had won 18 seats in the 2019 polls. With Shiv Sena under Uddhav Thackeray joining hands with Congress and NCP, the BJP was on the backfoot in Maharashtra even in terms of the vote share. The defections in the Shiv Sena and the NCP have ensured a division of votes and that will again benefit the NDA. The NDA may win around 45 seats this time in Maharashtra given the alliance with Sena-Eknath Shinde and NCP-Ajit Pawar.

The BJP is again in the driver's seat in both of the states and this can hurt the INDIA bloc's poll prospects in 2024.
NEW DELHI: In a fiery address to Congress workers in Bhubaneswar on Monday, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge issued a stark warning about the future of democracy in India should Narendra Modi secure another term in office. Kharge ominously proclaimed that if Modi retains power after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, it could mark the end of electoral democracy in the country, paving the way for a dictatorship.

"Under Modi's rule, there will be no democracy, no elections; only dictatorship," Kharge asserted, painting a dire picture of the consequences of another Modi victory. His words echoed with a sense of urgency as he urged the people to recognize the gravity of the situation, framing the upcoming elections as perhaps the last opportunity for citizens to exercise their voting rights.

"They are giving (ED) notices to everyone. They are intimidating people... Because of fear, some are leaving friendships, some are leaving the party, and some are leaving the alliance... This is your last chance to vote. After this, there will be no voting," he said, according to ANI.

Kharge didn't mince words in his critique of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ideological parent, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), branding them as agents of poison poisoning the fabric of Indian society. He juxtaposed their divisive rhetoric with the Congress party's vision of unity and inclusivity, championed by Rahul Gandhi's call to foster love and harmony.

Rahul Gandhi wants to unite the country, he said he has opened 'Mohabbat ki Dukaan'. But the BJP and RSS have opened 'Nafrat ki Dukaan'. It is because of this that you need to remain alert. BJP and RSS are poison, they are depriving us of our rights, Kharge said.

The veteran politician also took potshots at regional leaders who have aligned themselves with PM Modi, particularly targeting Odisha Chief Minister Navin Patnaik for his perceived closeness to the Prime Minister. Kharge questioned the benefits of such alliances, suggesting that the promised "double engine" of development often fails to deliver on its lofty promises.

#WATCH | Bhubaneshwar, Odisha: Addressing the Workers' Convention, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge says, "What did Navin Patnaik gain from his friendship with Narendra Modi? The double engine fails at times. And when the double engine doesn't work properly, the first engine pic.twitter.com/40QiuXdwy9 January 29, 2024

Referring to recent political developments, Kharge dismissed the significance of individual defections from opposition alliances, asserting that the collective strength of the opposition will prevail against the BJP. He remained steadfast in his belief that the Congress-led coalition would emerge victorious, despite setbacks such as Nitish Kumar's departure from the Opposition bloc.
In a significant escalation of tensions in the Middle East, U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a stern response following a drone attack in Jordan that resulted in the deaths of three American service members and several injuries. Biden attributed the attack to Iran-backed militant groups and vowed stringent action against those responsible.

This incident marks the first American casualties in the ongoing attacks against U.S. forces in the Middle East amid the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza, intensifying concerns about the deepening crisis in the region. The drone strike in Jordan and the consequent U.S. casualties have raised questions about the possibility of the United States launching a direct attack on Iran as retaliation.

In response to the attack, Biden declared that those responsible would be held accountable at an appropriate time and in a chosen manner. However, Jordan has not yet responded to this incident. Since the onset of the Israel-Hamas conflict, there has been an increase in attacks on U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria.

The question of whether the U.S. will engage directly with Iran in military action remains speculative. Given the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, a direct American attack on Iran appears unlikely due to the complexities and potential for a prolonged conflict. Iran, compared to groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, is a more formidable force, and a direct confrontation could lead to an extended and complicated military engagement, posing risks to the entire region.

While the possibility of a direct military strike by the U.S. on Iran is considered low, actions similar to those taken against Houthi rebels, who are supported by Iran, could be expected. These actions might involve targeted strikes against Iran-backed militants.

On the other side, Israel has reiterated that it sees no alternative to military action, as evidenced by renewed airstrikes on Hezbollah positions. The Israeli military has claimed attacks on Hezbollah military sites in southern Lebanon, targeting areas such as Dhayra and Ayta al-Shaab. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have stated their continued commitment to protecting Israel's borders from any threats, with daily skirmishes reported between Hezbollah and Israeli forces.

The conflict has escalated recently, shifting from border skirmishes to a strategy of targeted killings. Notably, Hamas militants were responsible for an attack on Israel on October 7, resulting in approximately 1,200 casualties. In response, Israel has continuously targeted Gaza, vowing to eliminate Hamas terrorists. This conflict has led to a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with over 23,000 Palestinians reportedly killed in Israeli attacks, and many Israelis remain captive by Hamas.

This situation reflects the complex and volatile nature of Middle Eastern politics and the challenges in addressing ongoing conflicts and tensions in the region.
KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress boss Mamata Banerjee launched a scathing attack on the central government on Monday, accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of resurrecting the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) as a political ploy to sway upcoming elections. Speaking fervently at a public distribution event in Cooch Behar, Mamata Banerjee lambasted the BJP for reigniting the "CAA, CAA" chant, labelling it as a desperate bid for electoral favour as the Lok Sabha elections draw near. "We have fought against the NRC. Rajbanshis are citizens of India. They have again started shouting CAA, CAA for the sake of votes," Mamata Banerjee said.

Thakur's Controversial Remark On CAA

The fiery exchange ensued after Union Minister Shantanu Thakur's bold declaration that the implementation of the CAA would commence nationwide within a mere week, sparking further tension and dissent. During an interview with a news channel, Thakur said that swift implementation of the contentious legislation would be made within seven days. "The CAA will be implemented very soon. It will be implemented within seven days. This is my guarantee," said Thakur, also a leader of the Matua community.

Mamata's Opposition To CAA

Asserting the citizenship of all residents under her governance, Mamata Banerjee emphasized the provision of essential state benefits as proof of citizenship, vehemently challenging the BJP's narrative. "All of you are citizens. We have given permanent addresses to all colonies. They get ration, go to school, get scholarships, get Kisan Bandhu, Shikhashree, Oikoshree, Laxmir Bhandar. How could they get these benefits if they had not been citizens? Had they been able to cast votes if they were not citizens?" Banerjee questioned.

Accusing the central government of wielding investigative agencies as political weapons, Banerjee condemned the misuse of power, citing instances of intimidation and coercion against political adversaries. Hitting out at the central government for misusing central agencies, Banerjee said, "Do you remember the Sitalkuchi case? The CISF has earlier shot four people to death. They shoot people as if they are zamindars. If anyone oppresses you in your village, fire an FIR first. They instil fear and conduct elections through agencies."

The contentious CAA, introduced by the Narendra Modi administration, aims to grant citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim migrants from neighboring countries, triggering widespread protests and civil unrest following its enactment in 2019.

Protests Against CAA

With echoes of dissent reverberating across the nation, the CAA remains a polarizing issue, symbolizing the enduring struggle between political agendas and the fundamental rights of citizenship.
New Delhi: In a significant development, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned former Bihar chief minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD president Lalu Prasad Yadav and his son Tejashwi for questioning in connection with the alleged land-for-jobs case on Monday. Hundreds of supporters and leaders of the RJD have gathered near the ED office in Patna to protest against the ED move. The summons were dispatched by the ED several days earlier to both Lalu Prasad Yadav and his son, Tejashwi.

#WATCH | Bihar: Outside visuals from the ED office in Patna.



RJD chief Lalu Yadav to appear in ED office in connection with the Land for job scam case. pic.twitter.com/onE2OBJ8lY  ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2024

Reacting to the ED summons, RJD MP Manoj Jha said, "This is not an ED summon, but a BJP summon... This will go on till 2024, till then please do not call it ED summons... Why should we be scared?" However, the BJP was quick to attack Lalu and his family over corruption. Bihar's newly appointed Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary said, "...The people of the country know that these (Lalu Yadav) are corrupt people. Corruption is a jewel for them... I want to urge Tejashwi Yadav to tell the youth of Bihar the system of how to become millionaires within one and a half years."

Land-For-Jobs Allegations

The allegations against Lalu and his family members pertain to appointments in Group D positions within the Indian Railways between 2004 and 2009 in exchange for land transfers to the Yadav family members when Lalu Prasad was Union Railway Minister. The ED began its probe into the case, under the criminal provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), which is based on a complaint lodged by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Delhi Cort Summons Rabri, Misa

In a related development, a Delhi Court has summoned former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi and her daughters Misa Bharti and Hema Yadav, among others, in response to an Enforcement Directorate chargesheet connected to the railways land-for-jobs linked money laundering affair.

Judge Vishal has mandated the appearance of the accused before the court on February 9, citing substantial grounds to proceed with the case. Additionally, a production warrant has been issued against businessman Amit Katyal, presently in judicial custody.

The ED's charge sheet has implicated an alleged "close associate" of the Yadav family, Amit Katyal (49), along with railway employee Hridayanand Chaudhary and two companies, A K Infosystems Pvt. Ltd. and A B Exports Pvt. Ltd., under the directorship of Shariqul Bari.

While Katyal was apprehended last November in connection with the case, Lalu Prasad Yadav, though summoned, is yet to testify before the agency. Conversely, Tejashwi Yadav, Bihar's deputy chief minister, has already provided his testimony and has been summoned for further questioning.

Backdrop Of Allegations

The scandal allegedly transpired during Lalu Yadav's tenure as the railway minister in the UPA-1 government, spanning from 2004 to 2009. It is purported that appointments to Group "D" positions within the Indian Railways were facilitated in exchange for land transfers to the family members of the then railway minister and a related entity, A K Infosystems Private Limited.
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with students gearing up for various board exams in the seventh edition of his highly popular 'Pariksha Pe Charcha' (PPC 2024) initiative on Monday. During his interaction, PM Modi told students to practise hard to become confident. "The more you practice, the more confident you become. No matter how deep the water is, the one who knows how to swim will sail through. In the same way, no matter how difficult the question paper is, if you have practised well, you will perform well. Stop paying attention to who is doing what around you. Keep your 'Focus on YOU'. What you are, what you do, and what you practice, are what will decide your future,'': PM Modi told students at the 'Pariksha Pe Charcha' 2024 event in Delhi.

Ahead of the PPC, the Prime Minister inspected an exhibition at the Bharat Mandapam. I had the fortune of inspecting an exhibition by students who worked on marvellous projects in various sectors including the latest technologies such as Artificial Intelligence. I must congratulate the students and teachers for putting up such a brilliant exhibition and for letting me understand what the new generation thinks, the PM said during his interaction with students.

The PM also congratulated teachers and students for the brilliant exhibition.

#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the 7th edition of 'Pariksha Pe Charcha' at the Bharat Mandapam in Delhi pic.twitter.com/3tz1OMy1Hf  ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2024

Highlights Of PM Modi's Pariksha Pe Charcha With Students

PM Modi On Reducing Screen Time

PM Modi cautioned the students that reducing screen time is important. ''Using your mobile phones and other gadgets is important but not at the cost of your valuable hours. This has become a problem in most households. Children are often seen engrossed in their phones so much so that they forget the time that is being wasted. Reducing screen time is important not just during study hours but even otherwise. Using the internet has both good and bad effects, and differentiating between the two is crucial. One must understand how to leverage the positive fruits of the internet,'' PM Modi said during the Pariksha pe Charcha event.

PM Modi On Success And Failure

PM Modi told the students to focus on completing the task at hand, and not to think about success or failure. "We must be self-confident and make it a point to complete a task given to us. Do not get bogged down by the thought of success or failure. The outcome is something in the future, but you must try hard for success with confidence. Make decisions in life with confidence and courage. And this will only come with habit."

PM Modi On Healthy Body & Mind

PM Modi told the students that recharging the body is very important. ''A healthy body is synonymous with a healthy mindset. For instance, sunlight is the easiest way to recharge your body. One must also remember to have a healthy sleep schedule.'' The PM went on to add, ''Most of us waste precious time by watching reels or surfing social media while lying down. A sound sleep is absolutely important to maintain a healthy lifestyle. I ensure that I have a sound sleep regardless of my schedule for the day.''

PM Modi On Healthy Competition

PM Modi told students that ''If there are no challenges in life, life becomes uninspiring and demotivating. Competition and challenges act as inspirations in life, but competition must be healthy.''

PM Modi On Teacher-Student Bond

During his interaction, the PM highlighted the role of teacher-student bonding, which he said is of ''paramount importance.'' ''To ease the pressure on students, especially during exams, teachers must connect with students and create a positive bond with them right from the beginning to make them feel comfortable. Teachers must bond with students beyond the syllabus as this will boost the confidence of students and help them rectify even the smallest mistakes. The role of teacher-student bonding is of paramount importance. A teacher must uplift the lives of their student,'' PM Modi said.

PM Modi On Having Ambitious Friends

PM Modi told the students that having ambitious friends is a blessing for them. "We must not worry about their achievements but rather work on our progress. We must use the help of our friends to improve on areas where we are weak and walk hand-in-hand in the path of success,'' PM Modi told students.

PM Modi On Comparison Among Children

Giving a piece of advice to parents, the PM urged parents not to compare their children with others. Responding to a question during the Pariksha Pe Charcha event, the PM said comparison is rooted in the minds of students right from their childhood by their families. I urge parents not to compare your wards with the achievements of others, he said.

Delhi | The 'running commentary' from parents, teachers or relatives drawing negative comparisons every now and then is detrimental to student's mental well-being. It does more harm than good. So, we must ensure to address the issues through a proper and heartfelt conversation pic.twitter.com/OcDvHnxv4i  ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2024

PM Modi On Handling Pressure

During his interaction, the PM told students to mould themselves in such a way that they could handle any kind of pressure. ''We have to mould ourselves to handle any kind of pressure. With willpower, we can achieve success despite pressurewe must gradually implement the art of handling pressure, not hurriedly. Handling pressure is not just the job of the student; the onus also lies on teachers and parents at home to make the process easier,'' the PM said.

Delhi | If there are no challenges in life, life becomes uninspiring and demotivating. Competition and challenges act as inspirations in life, but competition must be healthy: PM Modi at 'Pariksha Pe Charcha' 2024 pic.twitter.com/9QOl22VhPk  ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2024

The event, aimed at alleviating exam-related stress, began at 11 am at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. 'Pariksha Pe Charcha'is a vital component of the broader 'Exam Warriors' initiative spearheaded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The initiative aims to foster a stress-free environment for young exam takers.

With over 205.62 lakh students, 14.93 lakh teachers, and 5.69 lakh parents registered for PPC 2024, the event signifies a significant outreach in its efforts to address exam-related stress. The event is being broadcast across various social media platforms, including the Education Ministry, Prime Minister's Office, and PIB.

Minister of State for Education, Subhas Sarkar, earlier highlighted the successful organization of Pariksha Pe Charcha over the years. Initially conducted in a town hall format in New Delhi, the event transitioned to an online format amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and later resumed its town hall format.

Record Participation

The seventh edition of Pariksha Pe Charcha witnessed an overwhelming response, with 2.26 crore registrations on the MyGov portal. This robust participation underscores the nationwide enthusiasm among students to engage in meaningful dialogue with the Prime Minister.

Pariksha Pe Charcha Schedule

Scheduled for January 29, 2024, from 11 AM at Bharat Mandapam, ITPO, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, Pariksha Pe Charcha will host approximately 3000 participants. Special guests, including winners of the Kala Utsav and students from Eklavya Model Residential Schools, will enrich the event's diversity. Participants were selected through an online MCQ competition on the MyGov portal, with winners receiving a Pariksha Pe Charcha kit comprising the 'Exam Warriors' book and a certificate authored by the Prime Minister.

PM Modi's initiative emphasizes providing support to students in navigating exam stress while equipping teachers and parents with strategies to manage exam-related pressure effectively.
Bihar has just witnessed another political turmoil with Nitish Kumar again switching sides with the BJP-led NDA. In the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections, the NDA had won 39 seats out of the 40. In 2019, the BJP, JD(U) and the LJP had contested the polls together. Out of the state's 40 Lok Sabha seats, both BJP and JD(U) contested on 17 seats each, while LJP contested on 6 seats. This alliance secured victories in 39 out of the 40 seats. Now, political analyst Prashant Kishor has made a significant remark about the reinstated alliance and its impact on the Bihar Lok Sabha elections in 2024.

In an interview with a news channel, Prashant Kishor said that the NDA alliance may sweep the polls by winning all the seats. "On Modi's name, BJP's power and in the absence of an alternative, NDA will sweep the Lok Sabha polls. A large population of Bihar doesn't want to vote for Lalu Yadav's RJD." Kishor said that people don't want to vote for the RJD due to their 20 years of jungle raj and mismanagement. He said that the NDA is likely to sweep the 40 seats be it with Nitish or without Nitish.

Prashant Kishor had earlier said that Nitish Kumar is an unreliable partner. He said that while the BJP has joined hands with Kumar to push the INDIA bloc on the backfoot, the BJP could have been in a much better position when fighting alone.

Kishor also claimed that Nitish Kumar is trying to save his political career and the alliance between the JDU and the BJP may not last till the 2025 assembly elections in the state. While Kishor has been a vocal critic of the RJD, he has recently targetted Kumar as well for his frequent flip-flops.
Ranjit Savarkar, the grandson of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, has launched his book titled 'Make Sure Gandhi Is Dead', in which he has made several claims that contradict the official version of Mahatma Gandhi's assassination. The book was published in Maharashtra Sadan, New Delhi, on Monday.

In his book, Savarkar has claimed that Nathuram Godse, the man who was convicted and executed for killing Gandhi, did not fire the fatal shots at the Father of the Nation. He has also claimed that he has evidence to prove that the bullets found in Gandhi's body came from a different direction and a different gun than Godse's pistol.

Savarkar has also appealed to the authorities to find out the real culprits behind Gandhi's murder, and to exonerate Godse and his co-accused, including his grandfather, who were implicated in the conspiracy.

Savarkar has also defended Godse's ideology and actions, saying that he was a patriotic RSS volunteer who was banned from RSS and Hindu Mahasabha for his radical views. He has also said that his book will show that a great sin was hidden by taking the name of Ram, and that Godse was a scapegoat for a larger conspiracy.

Savarkar's book has sparked a heated debate among historians, politicians and the public, with some calling it a revisionist attempt to distort history and glorify violence, and others calling it a courageous expose of the truth and a demand for justice.
Nature bestowed its kindness upon Kashmir, bringing much-needed relief from the prolonged dry weather. Snowfall graced all the tourist destinations and high-altitude areas, including Gulmarg and Sonamarg, creating a serene white landscape. After an enduring dry spell spanning over two months, the Kashmir Valley finally received fresh snowfall in its higher reaches and renowned tourist resorts such as Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Sonamarg. The world-famous ski resort of Gulmarg was enveloped in a pristine layer of snow, eliciting joy among both tourists and locals associated with the tourism industry.

The snowfall brought smiles to the faces of tourists and locals, ending a two-month-long dry spell that had left famous resorts like Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Sonamarg devoid of snow, causing disappointment among visitors. Numerous bookings had been canceled due to the lack of snow, but with the fresh snowfall, tourists were once again seen reveling in the snowy landscapes of resorts like Gulmarg.

Expressing his delight, a tourist, Shirish Pandey, said, "We are honored to be here; my wife had planned everything for this holiday, and we were lucky to witness the snowfall. I would encourage everyone to visit and experience the beauty and hospitality of this place. It's no less than Switzerland, and everyone should come here."

The prolonged dry spell had raised concerns for authorities, leading to issues such as tourism cancellations, water scarcity, and forest fires. The once-deserted ski resort of Gulmarg has now regained its vibrancy, with a surge in tourist arrivals. Visitors describe it as a dream come true, contributing to a heavenly feeling.

Priyanka Pandey, another tourist, exclaimed, "Watching this snowfall live is just a great feeling. I think everyone should come and see this place as there is so much snow. It's a beautiful place, and everyone should come and visit, and it's the best time to come here."

The local people of Kashmir, as well as tourist guides, are elated with the snowfall. They see it as a boon for winter tourism and a source of relief for the rivers and streams that had started to dry up. The anticipated benefits extend to the farmers who were concerned about water scarcity.

A local Khateeb expressed gratitude, stating, "We were praying for snow; snow is our pride, especially in places like Gulmarg. Today we are very happy."

Tourist guide Ajaz Ahmed emphasized the significance of snowfall for their livelihood, stating, "This is a gift of nature for us because our entire business is dependent on snowfall. If there is snow, tourists will come, and employment will increase."

The Meteorological Department in Kashmir predicts light to moderate rain in the plains and good snowfall in higher areas from January 30-31. The weather is expected to persist until February 3, with light rain and snowfall anticipated in many places. Heavy snowfall is forecasted in some higher reaches, prompting the temporary closure of several roads in high-altitude areas, including Sinthan Pass, Mughal Road, Sadhna, Razdan Pass, Zojila, and other vital routes.
New Delhi: The Uttar Pradesh Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad, UPMSP is all set to release the UP Board Result 2020 for Class 10 and 12 on June 27.

Over 59.6 lakh students have appeared for their UP Board inter and matric exam 2020. As per the rules issued by the board, students will have to secure a minimum of 35 perc ent marks to pass a subject examination.

According to UP Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma, who also holds the secondary education portfolio, the results will be announced around on Saturday at around 12:30 pm.

Candidates are advised to keep a check on the official website upresults.nic.in. Candidates can also get their results on their mobile phones via SMS. To do so, class 10 students will have to go to the message option and type UP10ROLLNUMBER - and send it to 56263. Class 12 students will have to send the message on the same number by typing UP12ROLLNUMBER.

Heres how you can check UP Board Class 10 and Class 12 result 2020

* Visit the websites - upmsp.edu.in, upresults.nic.in or upmspresults.up.nic.in

* Click on the link that reads UP Board Result 2020 Class 10 or UP Board Result 2020 Class 12

* Key in your roll number and other login in credentials

* Press enter and your result with subject wise score will be displayed on your screen.

* Download it and take a print-out of the results for future reference

The UP government has already promoted students of classes 1 to 8 of all government schools without examination in view of COVID-19 pandemic.

The UP Board Class 10 and Class 12 examinations 2020 were held on March 6, but the evaluation of the answer sheet and the results were delayed due to the COVID-19 outbreak and the subsequent country wide lockdown imposed to stop the spread of the virus.
KYODO NEWS - Jan 29, 2024 - 13:52 | All, Japan

A Japanese lunar explorer has begun functioning again and resumed its mission on the Moon aimed at unraveling its origins after a successful landing earlier this month, the country's space agency said Monday.

The built-in solar panels of the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon, or SLIM, have likely started generating power after they failed to do so due to the panels not facing the Sun properly upon landing, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency said.

The agency has been communicating with the probe since Sunday night, and the explorer's multi-band camera has resumed taking pictures of the Moon's surface, with its operations expected to continue for several days, it said.

File photo shows Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Smart Lander for Investigating Moon, or SLIM, (top R) on the Moon surface, taken on Jan. 20, 2024, by the SORA-Q tiny vehicle detached from the lander.

(Copyright JAXA/Tomy Co./Sony Group Corp./Doshisha University)(Kyodo)

It is looking for a mineral called olivine originating from the Moon's mantle, a rocky inner layer that surrounds its core, the agency said, adding that the camera can scan and carry out an analysis of the olivine's composition.

Comparing the mineral with samples found on Earth and looking for similarities could provide evidence for the "giant-impact hypothesis," which suggests the Moon was formed by the Earth impacting with another planet some 4.6 billion years ago, according to JAXA.

Japan landed SLIM on Jan. 20, becoming the fifth country to achieve the feat after the former Soviet Union, the United States, China and India.

It landed around 55 meters from the target site, accomplishing a separate mission of conducting a pinpoint landing within 100 meters.

The explorer had a positioning accuracy of less than 10 meters, possibly within around 3 to 4, before it began conducting maneuvers during its descent to avoid obstacles on the lunar surface, JAXA said.

Previous Moon landers had an accuracy of within several to around a dozen kilometers, with operators opting to have them descend in areas conducive to easier touchdowns, according to the agency.

SLIM landed at around the Shioli crater in a low-altitude region known as the "Sea of Nectar," as planned, but its orientation was off, resulting in the solar panels facing west, away from the Sun.

As the solar panels did not work, it ran on battery power for several hours before it was eventually shut down. During its temporal run, it managed to take some images of the Moon's surface.

Related coverage:

NASA unveils images of Japan's SLIM moon probe after landing success

Japan lunar probe lands only 55 meters from target site: agency

Japan agency receives data on Moon explorer landing
As a website owner, you probably understand the hosting platform's role in your website's performance. A robust hosting service ensures your website runs smoothly and handles the traffic effectively once it grows.

While a free hosting platform could work for a website with little to no traffic and basic functionalities, you need a more robust hosting plan if you want to attract some visitors or customize your site for different functionalities. This is where managed VPS (Virtual Private Server) services come into play.

Managed VPS services provide you with your own virtual space on a server along with a professional team of experts to maintain your website's performance and handle your specific needs. This is one of the primary reasons why website managers favor Managed VPS services over self-managed ones.

In this article, we will learn why site owners prefer Managed VPS services. Lets begin by first explaining specifically what a VPS is.

What is a VPS?

A VPS, or virtual private server, functions as an isolated, virtual space within a physical server. VPS utilizes virtualization technology to divide one hosting server into multiple private environments. It operates separately along with its own allocated resources, such as CPU, RAM, and storage.

With VPS (Virtual Private Server) hosting, you get your personal virtual space to house whatever your website needs to operate. It is like having a private corner of the World Wide Web just for you. You can manage a VPS yourself or have a team of experts do it for you through a managed VPS service.

VPS offers improved security and scalability for website hosting, program testing, or even operating apps.

Pros and Cons of Using a VPS

While a VPS has its pros, it also shares some cons. Let us begin with a review of some of the pros of a VPS:

Pros

Improved Security: VPS provides a powerful defense against DDoS attacks and security threats. You have control over firewall software as well as authorizations. This boosts your internet protection.

VPS provides a powerful defense against DDoS attacks and security threats. You have control over firewall software as well as authorizations. This boosts your internet protection. Scalability and customization: VPS properly utilizes server sources, making it easy to scale the website as needed. Furthermore, VPS plans fit unique requirements, enabling quick upgrades for additional resources.

VPS properly utilizes server sources, making it easy to scale the website as needed. Furthermore, VPS plans fit unique requirements, enabling quick upgrades for additional resources. Strengthened Performance: Your VPS' dedicated sources give you faster loading speeds and smoother performance. This is actually excellent for resource-heavy requests or even high-traffic websites.

Your VPS' dedicated sources give you faster loading speeds and smoother performance. This is actually excellent for resource-heavy requests or even high-traffic websites. Reliability: With its dedicated resources, a VPS provides even more dependability, guaranteeing your website remains stable during demanding traffic spikes.

With its dedicated resources, a VPS provides even more dependability, guaranteeing your website remains stable during demanding traffic spikes. Fast Setup: Virtual private servers, including all necessary software applications, can be deployed within minutes.

Cons

Price: While VPS is actually a lot cheaper than a dedicated hosting server, it is still costly. For some, particularly those starting with reduced web traffic, the price of a VPS could be a point to consider.

While VPS is actually a lot cheaper than a dedicated hosting server, it is still costly. For some, particularly those starting with reduced web traffic, the price of a VPS could be a point to consider. Resource Limitations : Although VPSs are scalable, VPS plans include predefined resources. If your site outgrows these resources, you might need to move to a more powerful plan, which could mean additional costs.

: Although VPSs are scalable, VPS plans include predefined resources. If your site outgrows these resources, you might need to move to a more powerful plan, which could mean additional costs. System Administration: Managing a VPS means handling system updates, backups, and security mechanisms. Without appropriate routine maintenance, your hosting server's functionality and safety may be at risk.

Initial Setup Complexity: Setting up a VPS can be very complex. Tasks such as configuring the server, installing the necessary software, and securing may be daunting for inexperienced website owners.

Differences Between Managed and Unmanaged VPS

Managed VPS means you have a staff that helps you manage your VPS, taking care of specialized stuff such as updates, security, and maintenance. On the other hand, with unmanaged VPS, you're responsible for performing all those tasks on your own. You have much more control, but you have more responsibilities to keep your website running effortlessly.

Below are a few of the essential differences between the two.

1. Administration of server, security, and scalability

With the managed VPS option, you're free from the technical hassles. The provider deals with the hosting server setup, routine maintenance, security patches, and data backups. It is like having an individual IT crew managing everything behind the scenes. There is actually 24/7 technical assistance. Service providers also promote effortless scalability and resource upgrades.

If you go for unmanaged VPS, you're the leader steering the technical ship. You're liable for web server setup, safety and security configurations, scalability, updates, and repair. If you enjoy playing with arrangements, this may be your playing field.

2. Customization

Managed VPS offers a variety of configurations and control panels, though some complex customizations might be limited for stability. You trade state-of-the-art tweaks for pro server management.

With unmanaged VPS, you're in control. You may set up software applications and change setups freely. But it's your responsibility to maintain the smooth operation of the VPS.

3. Price Consideration

When it comes to cost, managed VPS is pricier because of the featured assistance, though this saves you time on technical activities.

Unmanaged VPS is initially more affordable, but dealing with technical issues might call for more expenses on your end.

Choosing the Best VPS for you

Picking the ideal VPS comes down to understanding your website's demands. It is important you look at elements like traffic levels, information requirements, and development forecasts.

Here are some recommendations to help you pick the best VPS for your website:

Expense and Your Needs : Before talking money, determine what your service genuinely needs to have. VPS pricing depends on the OS, RAM, storage space (HDD/SSD), and processing power. Handling it yourself might cost much more than having expert assistance. Resources depend upon your site/apps and their visitor traffic.

: Before talking money, determine what your service genuinely needs to have. VPS pricing depends on the OS, RAM, storage space (HDD/SSD), and processing power. Handling it yourself might cost much more than having expert assistance. Resources depend upon your site/apps and their visitor traffic. Performance Matters : Look for managed SSD VPS servers that guarantee first-class performance, reliable uptime, and rapid SSD storage space for smooth site functioning and website traffic.

: Look for managed SSD VPS servers that guarantee first-class performance, reliable uptime, and rapid SSD storage space for smooth site functioning and website traffic. Scalability & Flexibility: Your VPS should grow with your site. Opt for a provider that allows seamless resource upgrades without downtime.

Your VPS should grow with your site. Opt for a provider that allows seamless resource upgrades without downtime. Reviews & Reputation: Research and read reviews of VPS providers to get an idea of how reliable and quick their services are.

Research and read reviews of VPS providers to get an idea of how reliable and quick their services are. Backup Service: Don't compromise with backing up your records! Partner with providers that give trusted backup alternatives to avoid significant downtime during tweaks or upgrades.

Don't compromise with backing up your records! Partner with providers that give trusted backup alternatives to avoid significant downtime during tweaks or upgrades. Consumer Support: When tech trouble hits, a solid support team saves the day. Look for 24/7 support, real-person hotlines, and live chat for quick fixes.

When tech trouble hits, a solid support team saves the day. Look for 24/7 support, real-person hotlines, and live chat for quick fixes. Security: Don't compromise on security. Not all VPS providers are equal; focus on those using superior security solutions, especially cloud-based options.

Getting Started on Your First Project

Your first VPS project can feel overwhelming, but breaking it down can make it manageable. Here is a practical checklist list to get you rolling:

Pick a Provider : Research trustworthy VPS hosting companies. Consider their programs, rates, and consumer evaluations.

: Research trustworthy VPS hosting companies. Consider their programs, rates, and consumer evaluations. Select an OS: Decide on an operating system (OS) that fits your project needs. Options like Ubuntu, CentOS, or even DebianOS.

Decide on an operating system (OS) that fits your project needs. Options like Ubuntu, CentOS, or even DebianOS. Configure SSH: Secure Shell (SSH) access is crucial for server management. Generate SSH secrets and also set up accessibility to your VPS.

Secure Shell (SSH) access is crucial for server management. Generate SSH secrets and also set up accessibility to your VPS. Configure Firewall : Implement a sturdy firewall program (e.g., UFW or IPtables) to reinforce your hosting server's safety and security.

: Implement a sturdy firewall program (e.g., UFW or IPtables) to reinforce your hosting server's safety and security. Install Essential Software: Install necessary software like LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP) or even LEMP (Linux, Nginx, MySQL, PHP), depending on your project's requirements.

Install necessary software like LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP) or even LEMP (Linux, Nginx, MySQL, PHP), depending on your project's requirements. Make Backups: Set up routine backups to protect your data in the event of any problem.

Set up routine backups to protect your data in the event of any problem. Screen Performance: Utilize monitoring resources (e.g., Nagios or Zabbix) to keep an eye on the server's functionality and load.

Utilize monitoring resources (e.g., Nagios or Zabbix) to keep an eye on the server's functionality and load. Deploy Your Project: Upload your website/application and examine it carefully.

Conclusion

There is no doubt that website owners prefer managed VPS services. This is because managed VPS services give them access to experts and provide better website performance.

As we have discussed, an unmanaged VPS works almost like having your own individual server for your website, while a managed VPS has experts taking care of all the technical stuff. It's like having a helpful team always there to assist.

When you compare it to the unmanaged VPS, the managed VPS has plenty of advantages. As a website owner, you can be sure that with the right managed VPS, starting your website project becomes easier and more efficient.

(This article is part of IndiaDotCom Pvt Ltds Consumer Connect Initiative, a paid publication programme. IDPL claims no editorial involvement and assumes no responsibility, liability or claims for any errors or omissions in the content of the article. The IDPL Editorial team is not responsible for this content.)
New Delhi: With just three more days remaining for Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to present the Interim Budget 2024 in Parliament, reports are pouring in that the government might announce an increase in the annual monetary assistance to farmers under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme.

As per a report in the Economic Times, FM may announce to hike the annual income support of Rs 6000 to about Rs 9,000 which means an increase of 50 percent of the PM KISAN money. The ET has polled several analysts, who have estimated the amount to be in the range of Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000 while some have estimated that the financial assistance could be Rs 9,000 a year for PM-Kisan.

The 15th Installment of PM KISAN Scheme was handed out on November 2023. PM Modi handed out the 15th tranche of around Rs 18,000 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) to eligible farmers by releasing direct benefits transfer to more than 8 crore beneficiaries.

The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Scheme, was launched by PM Narendra Modi in 2019, aims to provide income support to all landholder farmer families across the country with cultivable land, subject to certain exclusions. Under the Scheme, the amount of Rs 6000 per year is released in three monthly instalments of Rs 2000 each directly into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries.
New Delhi: Apple is reportedly set to introduce new MacBook Air models featuring the M3 chipset around the end of March, according to information from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. This follows the launch of M3-powered MacBook Pro models over three months ago. The upcoming MacBook Airs are expected to replace the current M2-powered 13-inch and 15-inch models and are already in mass production overseas.

While specific design details remain uncertain, it's noted that Apple introduced a new design with the M2-powered models suggesting a potential redesign for the upcoming models. (Also Read: Android Makes eSIM Transfer Between Phones Easier, Users In India Might Experience Delay)

Similar to the current MacBook Air lineup, the new M3 MacBook Air is expected to be available in two sizes: a 13-inch variant and a 15-inch model catering to different user preferences. (Also Read: Google Rolls Out New Google Photos Feature For Android Users; Check Here)

In addition to the MacBook Air update, Gurman's PowerOn newsletter mentions that Apple's next-generation iPad Pro is also set to launch in March, representing the "biggest revamp ever" for the iPad Pro.

The new iPad Pro models are expected to feature OLED panels, a departure from the LCD and Mini-LED models and will be equipped with the M3 chip aligning with the current MacBook Pro lineup.
New Delhi: Realme is ready to launch its much-anticipated Realme 12 Pro 5G series in India at noon. The company will unveil two smartphone lineups: the Realme 12 Pro 5G and Realme 12 Pro+ 5G. The live stream of the launch event can be viewed on Realme's YouTube channel.

The phone will be available via the companys official website and Flipkart. Additionally, Realme has announced that the Realme 12 Pro 5G series will be available for early access sale on Flipkart from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM tonight.

Realme stated in its official invite posted on platform X that, "Join us as we unveil the Realme 12 Pro Series 5G and witness how these smartphones are set to revolutionize the smartphone industry. We can't wait to share this moment with you! Stay tuned, and for more information, visit our website and social platforms: realme.com, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube."

It is rumored that the upcoming Realme 12 Pro 5G series is expected to offer a premium design and camera features similar to last year's Realme 11 Pro Plus and Realme 11 Pro in the mid-range segment.

The stage is set, the excitement is real!



Tune in to our live launch at 12 Noon.

Be the first to witness innovation in action. #realme12ProSeries5G #BeAPortraitMaster

Join the Livestream: https://t.co/HFicPjKfWz pic.twitter.com/yCbvLAUfW7  realme (@realmeIndia) January 29, 2024

Here are the expected features of the Realme 12 Pro 5G series

-Realme 12 Pro 5G and Realme 12 Pro+ 5G will have a periscope lens, possibly a 50-megapixel Sony IMX890 sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS) support.

-The Realme 12 Pro 5G series is rumored to run on Android 14-based Realme UI 5 and sport 6.7-inch curved-edge full-HD+ AMOLED panels with a 120Hz refresh rate.



-The Realme 12 Pro 5G and Realme 12 Pro+ 5G are expected to house 5,000mAh batteries with 67W wired fast charging support.

-The smartphones are expected to be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 series chipset on the Realme 12 Pro+ 5G and the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset on the Realme 12 Pro 5G smartphone.

-Both smartphones may also come with a 64-megapixel primary camera at the back.

-The Realme 12 Pro 5G is likely to come in two variants with 128 GB and 256 GB storage options, respectively. It is expected to be available in two color options: Submarine Blue and Navigator Beige.

-The Realme 12 Pro+ 5G could come with two storage options, 128 GB and 256 GB, respectively. The handset will likely be available in three color options: Explorer Red, Navigator Beige, and Submarine Blue.
Washington: Three U.S. service members were killed and dozens may be wounded after 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.

Biden blamed Iran-backed groups for the attack, the first deadly strike against US forces since the Israel-Hamas war erupted in October and sent shock waves throughout the Middle East.

"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. "Have no doubt - we will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner of our choosing," he said.

Biden later asked for a moment of silence for the three killed service members during a campaign event in South Carolina, adding, "We shall respond."

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin echoed that threat. He and other senior officials briefed Biden earlier in the day on the attack.

At least 34 personnel were injured in the attack, but that number is expected to change as more people seek care, according to a statement from U.S. Central Command. Eight personnel were evacuated from Jordan for higher level care, but are in stable condition.

Two U.S. officials said the drone struck near the barracks early in the morning, which could explain the high number of casualties.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella organization of hardline Iran-backed militant groups, claimed attacks on three bases, including one on the Jordan-Syria border.

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.

Since then, U.S. forces have come under attack more than 150 times by Iran-backed groups in Iraq and Syria, causing at least 70 casualties prior to Sunday's attack, most of them traumatic brain injuries. U.S. warships have also been fired at by Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen, who are regularly attacking commercial ships passing through Red Sea waters off Yemen's coast.

While the United States has thus far maintained an official line that Washington is not at war in the region, it has been retaliating against the Iran-backed groups in Iraq and Syria and carrying out strikes against Yemen's Houthi military capabilities.

BIDEN PRESSURED ON IRAN

Republican opponents of Biden seized on the attack as evidence of the Democratic president's failure to confront Iran as its proxies strike against U.S. forces across the region.

"The only answer to these attacks must be devastating military retaliation against Irans terrorist forces ... Anything less will confirm Joe Biden as a coward," said Republican Senator Tom Cotton in a statement.

U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said Biden's inaction was emboldening enemies of the United States in the Middle East.

"The time to start taking this aggression seriously was long before more brave Americans lost their lives," McConnell said.

A senior official with the Iran-backed Palestinian militant group Hamas, Sami Abu Zuhri, directly tied the attack to Israel's campaign in Gaza.

"The killing of three American soldiers is a message to the U.S. administration that unless the killing of innocents in Gaza stops, it must confront the entire nation," he told Reuters.

"The continued American-Zionist aggression on Gaza is capable of exploding the situation in the region."

The U.S. military said the attack occurred at a base in northeastern Jordan, near the Syrian border. It did not name the base, but a person familiar with the matter identified it as Tower 22 in Jordan.

U.S. military activity in Jordan can be a sensitive issue, particularly at a time of heightened tensions due to the Israel-Hamas conflict, because of increasing concern in Jordan about the war spreading.

The Jordanian government said only that the attack occurred at an "advanced post" along its border with Syria.

Late last year, Amman asked Washington to deploy Patriot air defense systems to bolster its border defense.

It has requested more aid to tackle drones used in a raging multibillion-dollar drug war along the border with Syria, which Amman blames on pro-Iranian militias who hold sway in southern Syria.

The kingdom has hundreds of U.S. trainers in the country and holds extensive exercises with U.S. troops throughout the year.
by Xinhua writer Wang Jiangang

UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- China serves as a leading force in upholding multilateralism and promoting sustainable development, said Dennis Francis, president of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA).

At the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, Francis is paying a visit to China from Jan. 27 to 31.

"Like many member states in the Global South, China understands the significance of a multilateral setting such as the UN in fostering global cooperation and understanding among nations," said the UNGA president in a recent interview with Xinhua.

"Importantly, China's priorities align closely with those of my presidency of the United Nations General Assembly, namely the imperative of promoting peace, prosperity, progress and sustainability for all," he said.

While commending China for its "firm support for the international system, with the UN at its core," Francis also reaffirmed his commitment to upholding UNGA Resolution 2758, a pivotal document that clarifies China's representation within the United Nations.

"As president of the General Assembly, I remain guided by GA resolution 2758 of Oct. 25, 1971, 'recognizing that the representatives of the Government of the People's Republic of China are the only lawful representatives of China to the United Nations,'" he said.

Francis emphasized the critical need for adherence to the UN Charter's core principles and purposes, especially in the current climate of escalating violence and conflicts worldwide.

China fully understands that the best solutions to these challenges are those through UN-led processes and firmly rooted in multilateralism, he said.

As a permanent member of the Security Council, China remains a staunch proponent of the peaceful or "pacific" resolution of disputes, upholding the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence, and the pivotal role of dialogue and diplomacy -- principles that are fundamental to the UN Charter, according to Francis.

Francis noted that China's role in facilitating the reconciliation agreement between Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran further demonstrates China's ability to foster peace and security through effective mediation, thereby advancing the Charter's objectives.

China is "a leader in advancing sustainable development," Francis said, expressing strong approval of China's initiative to galvanize the international community and "place development back on top of the global agenda."

Francis emphasized the importance of enhancing the coherence of development strategies across global, regional and national frameworks. He said China's Global Development Initiative (GDI) and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) "have achieved fruitful early results for many developing countries."

He called on China to continue aligning the GDI and BRI with the UN's development agenda to foster more inclusive growth worldwide. "As I believe China's experience in socio-economic development serves as a valuable model for other developing nations," he said.

"I therefore believe that the role China continues to demonstrate considerable leadership and influence in upholding the multilateral order, in fostering sustainable development," he said.

Francis expressed his gratitude for China's peacekeeping efforts. "On behalf of the UN, I would like to thank China for this unwavering commitment and dedication to the Blue Helmets and, more broadly, to our collective pursuit for peace," he said.

He highlighted China's dual role in peacekeeping, noting that China is "a leader in the practical sense of peacekeeping, but it also plays a critical role in shaping peacekeeping policies at the United Nations."

Regarding the UN and China partnership, Francis said China's engagement and collaboration with the United Nations "remains essential for strengthening multilateralism and maintaining international cooperation based on the principles as clearly articulated in the UN Charter."

Francis said the UN is scheduled to hold the Summit of the Future in September, adding that anticipation about China's role is running high.

As the UN seeks innovative approaches to balanced international cooperation and solutions to global issues, "many look to China to play a critical role in shaping this vital process to better support equitable and global development," Francis said. 
BEIJING, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- The United States insists on treating China as an economic threat but fails to recognize how the Asian country's economic advancement has benefited the world, a former Australian official has said.

Confronted with domestic problems such as "wage stagnation" and "rising inequality," the United States is unwilling to admit that "it is their fault when they start going backwards."

Instead, it looks for someone else to blame, with China's economic progress emerging as a convenient scapegoat, said Michael Keating, a retired Australian senior public servant, in an article published recently on public policy journal Pearls and Irritations.

Specifically, Keating refuted the so-called Chinese car threat. He listed several good reasons for welcoming Chinese passenger vehicles -- such as electric vehicles -- rather than seeing them as a threat, including competitive consumer pricing and decarbonization.

"In Australia's case, we are likely to benefit from an increase in Chinese car market share," he said. 
HOHHOT, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Four people were killed, and four others injured in a fire at a restaurant in Hohhot, capital of north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region on Monday, according to local authorities.

A preliminary investigation indicates that the fire was caused by the combustion of decorations and furniture.

A local fire rescue team rushed to the scene and extinguished the fire. The four injured people were receiving treatment. Further investigation is under way. 
BEIJING, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Orders for professional housecleaning services ahead of the upcoming Chinese New Year are rising as more consumers choose to trade money for time.

Data from China's leading online classifieds marketplace 58.com showed that orders for a comprehensive housecleaning jumped by 200 percent month on month during the first three weeks of January 2024 -- reaching the highest level since 2021.

A general and thorough cleanup of one's home is a major tradition on the agenda of Chinese people as they prepare to welcome the Spring Festival by dusting or discarding the old to embrace the new. It is also one of the most tiring tasks among lunar New Year traditions.

Demand for window cleaning and cleaning of the kitchen extractor fan has surged by around 300 percent and about 100 percent month on month, respectively, according to 58.com.

Beijing posted the strongest demand for housecleaning services among Chinese cities, followed by other first-tier cities including Shanghai and Shenzhen.

Geng Xinyu, head of 58.com's household services, attributed the growing demand for housecleaning services to China's burgeoning service sector, which is driven by the increasing affluence of consumers and the rise of the platform economy.

In 2023, China's service sector saw its added value account for 54.6 percent of the country's GDP, 1.2 percentage points higher than the previous year. Retail sales of services jumped by 20 percent year on year in 2023. 
XINING, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- The world's first solar magnetic-field telescope working in the mid-infrared wavelength has achieved a breakthrough by improving its measurement accuracy, according to Chinese scientists.

The telescope, known as the Accurate Infrared Magnetic Field Measurements of the Sun (AIMS), is a major project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China. It is located in the Lenghu township in northwest China's Qinghai Province, at an average altitude of about 4,000 meters.

Scientific data shows that the AIMS telescope has carried out precise measurements of solar vector magnetic fields for the first time with an accuracy exceeding the 10 Gauss level, said Wang Dongguang, chief engineer of Huairou Solar Observing Station of National Astronomical Observatories, under the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

"This means that the telescope has achieved the expected goal of directly measuring the solar magnetic field intensity in the mid-infrared band using a super narrow-band Fourier spectrometer," Wang said.

Wang added that this achievement has broken through the bottleneck problem in the century-long history of solar magnetic field measurements by achieving a leap from indirect to direct measurement.

The AIMS telescope is the world's first device dedicated to observing the mid-infrared solar magnetic field and it aims to reveal the mysteries of the Sun in the mid-infrared band.

"Through optical design to eliminate stray light and technologies such as vacuum cooling, we have solved the challenges faced by infrared solar observations in this band, such as high environmental background noise and detector performance degradation," said Feng Zhiwei, a senior engineer at National Astronomical Observatories.

Feng added that the infrared imaging terminal of the telescope consists of three systems, namely, infrared optics, focal plane array detector and vacuum cooling, and all components, including the detector chip, are domestically made.

In addition to its role in the measurement of solar magnetic fields, the AIMS telescope can also explore new scientific avenues in the middle-infrared band, according to Wang. 
Luo Zhaohui (2nd R), head of the China International Development Cooperation Agency, who participates in the reopening ceremony of the Chinese embassy in Nauru as a representative of the Chinese government, and Nauru's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Lionel Aingimea (2nd L), unveil a plaque of the Chinese embassy during the ceremony held in a hotel in Nauru, Jan. 29, 2024. The reopening ceremony of the Chinese embassy in Nauru was held on Monday evening in a hotel in the southeastern part of the Pacific island country. (Photo by Chen Guolong/Xinhua)

YAREN, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- The reopening ceremony of the Chinese embassy in Nauru was held on Monday evening in a hotel in the southeastern part of the Pacific island country.

A plaque of the Chinese embassy was unveiled by Nauru's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Lionel Aingimea and Luo Zhaohui, head of the China International Development Cooperation Agency, who participated in the event as a representative of the Chinese government.

Aingimea said in his speech at the ceremony that developing relations with China is very welcome in Nauru. "Nauru looks forward to what we can do together," he said.

Wang Xuguang, head of the team responsible for re-establishing the Chinese embassy in Nauru, said in his speech that the recognition of the one-China principle is the political foundation for the restoration and development of the two countries' bilateral relations.

"From this new beginning, the two countries will continue to enhance political mutual trust, support each other in independently pursuing a development path suited to their national conditions, accommodate each other's core interests and major concerns, support and cooperate closely with each other in international and regional affairs, and push bilateral relations to a new height," Wang said.

The event was also attended by Marcus Stephen, speaker of the Nauru parliament, and other members of Nauru's government and parliament, as well as representatives of a Chinese company and the local Chinese community.

A Chinese national flag-raising ceremony was held on Monday morning in Nauru by the Chinese diplomatic team, marking the first time in nearly 19 years that the five-star red flag has been raised in the island country.

China and Nauru signed a joint communique in Beijing on Jan. 24 on the resumption of diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level. 

Nauru's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Lionel Aingimea speaks during the reopening ceremony of the Chinese embassy in Nauru held in a hotel in Nauru, Jan. 29, 2024. The reopening ceremony of the Chinese embassy in Nauru was held on Monday evening in a hotel in the southeastern part of the Pacific island country.

A plaque of the Chinese embassy was unveiled by Nauru's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Lionel Aingimea and Luo Zhaohui, head of the China International Development Cooperation Agency, who participated in the event as a representative of the Chinese government. (Photo by Chen Guolong/Xinhua)
SANAA, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Houthi group said on Monday it had launched a missile attack on a U.S. military ship in the Gulf of Aden, the latest in a series of strikes on shipping in the region.

The Houthis, controlling much of northern Yemen including the capital Sanaa, said they had targeted the USS Lewis B. Puller, an expeditionary mobile base vessel.

"One of the ship's missions is to provide logistical support to the American forces involved in aggression against our country," Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said in a statement.

He said the Houthis would continue to attack Israeli ships or those heading to Israel until Israel ended its blockade on the Gaza Strip.

The U.S. military has not commented on this.

The Houthis have increased their attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict in October. They claim to target vessels associated with Israel and have subsequently expanded their attacks to include U.S. and British ships.

On Friday, the Houthis said they had fired a missile strike on the British oil tanker "Marlin Luanda" in the Gulf of Aden, causing a huge fire on board. The fire was extinguished with the help of U.S., British, and Indian navy warships, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations.

The United States and Britain have carried out several retaliatory airstrikes on Houthi positions in recent weeks aimed at preventing further attacks on shipping and protecting global trade.

Earlier this month, the United States re-designated the Houthi group as a "global terrorist organization," and said the designation would take effect next month. 
Israeli police work at the scene of an attack outside a navy base in Haifa, northern Israel, on Jan. 29, 2024. An Arab-Israeli badly injured a soldier in an attack outside a navy base in Haifa on Monday before being shot, Israeli sources said. (Herzi Shapira/JINI via Xinhua)

JERUSALEM, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- An Arab-Israeli badly injured a soldier in an attack outside a navy base in Haifa in northern Israel on Monday before being shot, Israeli sources said.

The assailant rammed his vehicle at a group of soldiers, hitting one. He then stepped out and continued the attack with an axe, said the Israeli military in a statement.

"The soldiers responded with live fire," the military said, adding that the suspect was "neutralized."

Israel's Magen David Adom rescue service said in a statement that the soldier sustained serious injuries and was transferred to a hospital.

Israel's Kan TV news identified the suspect as a 29-year-old Arab-Israeli citizen from the town of Tamra in northern Israel.

The Palestinian news agency WAFA reported that at least five Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces in separate incidents in the occupied West Bank over the past day. 

An Israeli policeman and forensic officers work at the scene of an attack outside a navy base in Haifa, northern Israel, on Jan. 29, 2024. An Arab-Israeli badly injured a soldier in an attack outside a navy base in Haifa on Monday before being shot, Israeli sources said. (Herzi Shapira/JINI via Xinhua)

Israeli forensic officers work at the scene of an attack outside a navy base in Haifa, northern Israel, on Jan. 29, 2024. An Arab-Israeli badly injured a soldier in an attack outside a navy base in Haifa on Monday before being shot, Israeli sources said. (Herzi Shapira/JINI via Xinhua)

An Israeli policeman and forensic officers work at the scene of an attack outside a navy base in Haifa, northern Israel, on Jan. 29, 2024. An Arab-Israeli badly injured a soldier in an attack outside a navy base in Haifa on Monday before being shot, Israeli sources said. (Herzi Shapira/JINI via Xinhua)

Israeli police work at the scene of an attack outside a navy base in Haifa, northern Israel, on Jan. 29, 2024. An Arab-Israeli badly injured a soldier in an attack outside a navy base in Haifa on Monday before being shot, Israeli sources said. (Herzi Shapira/JINI via Xinhua)

An Israeli policeman stands guard at the scene of an attack outside a navy base in Haifa, northern Israel, on Jan. 29, 2024. An Arab-Israeli badly injured a soldier in an attack outside a navy base in Haifa on Monday before being shot, Israeli sources said. (Herzi Shapira/JINI via Xinhua)
DAMASCUS, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Multiple explosions were reported south of the capital Damascus on Monday, possibly as a result of a foreign missile attack, according to local media and opposition activists.

The Sayyida Zaynab area south of Damascus was rocked by the explosions, with reports indicating that three missiles hit a farmland in the vicinity. 
Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, addresses a video conference on listed companies in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 29, 2024. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)

BEIJING, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng on Monday stressed promoting the high-quality development of listed companies in an effort to boost market confidence, stabilize the capital market and advance high-quality economic development.

He, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks while addressing a video conference on listed companies in Beijing.

He demanded efforts to solve the specific challenges and difficulties faced by listed companies and step up support for quality listed firms.

Promoting the high-quality development of these firms can help enhance self-reliance and strength in science and technology, accelerate the building of a modern industrial system and shore up market confidence, the vice premier said.

Highlighting the importance of improving the performance of listed enterprises and restoring their investment confidence, he said that measures should be taken to improve their corporate structure and governance, cultivate top-notch listed companies, and continuously enhance their investment value.

In the real estate sector, efforts should be made to establish a financing coordination mechanism for urban housing projects, and promote the implementation of specific financing projects, the vice premier said. 
BEIJING, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- China has successfully cloned both Zhangmu cattle and Apeijiaza cattle, two endangered breeds found in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, scientists announced Monday.

Four male calves of each breed were recently born in Yunyang County, southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, marking the world's first successful cloning of cattle from Xizang. 
QUITO, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- At least five people were killed and seven others injured in an armed assault in the Vinces canton, in Ecuador's coastal Los Rios province, local media reported on Sunday.

The attack occurred on Saturday evening outside a home where a group of young people had gathered for a party, local daily El Universo reported, adding that armed assailants arrived in two trucks and began shooting at everyone present.

Some of those attending the party managed to save their lives after running and getting to safety, while others could not escape the massacre, it said.

The incident comes a week following the country's largest drug seizure.

The South American country has intensified its fight against violence and drug trafficking since the government declared the existence of an "internal armed conflict" with criminal groups. 
SHANGHAI, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Using an experimental gene therapy, a team led by Chinese scientists has recovered the hearing of five children born with a genetic defect that had left them profoundly deaf.

In a first-in-human clinical trial, they demonstrated the safety and efficacy of the gene therapy in treating patients with hereditary deafness, which afflicts up to 26 million people worldwide.

The researchers from the Eye & ENT Hospital of Fudan University developed the gene drug RRG-003 by mounting a human OTOF transgene on adeno-associated virus.

Then, they enrolled six eligible children with the autosomal recessive deafness 9. The deafness is caused by a mutation in the OTOF gene that is known for resulting in the failure to properly transmit sound stimulation signals from the ear to the brain.

After they administered the medicine into the patient's inner ear with a single injection, five participants showed significant recovery of auditory and speech functions, according to the study recently published in the journal Lancet.

The average auditory brainstem response threshold improved from greater than 95 dB at baseline to as low as 38 dB in one participant by the 26-week mark. Speech perception was then restored in participants who experienced hearing recovery.

The gene therapy is shown to be safe and efficacious as a novel treatment for children with autosomal recessive deafness 9, said the researchers.

Individuals from Southeast University in China and Harvard Medical School in the United States collaborated in the study. 
BEIJING, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- China has successfully cloned both Zhangmu cattle and Apeijiaza cattle, two endangered breeds found in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, scientists announced Monday.

Four male calves of each breed were recently born in Yunyang County in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, marking the world's first successful cloning of cattle from Xizang.

The Zhangmu and the Apeijiaza, two rare yellow cattle breeds native to the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, are strategic resources for China, as these breeds can help researchers breed varieties well adapted to the harsh high-altitude environment.

According to the third national survey of livestock and poultry genetic resources conducted in 2021 and 2022, there were just 19 heads of Zhangmu cattle in Xizang's Shigatse City and 39 heads of Apeijiaza cattle in the autonomous region's Nyingchi City.

To urgently bring back these animals from the brink of extinction, China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs dispatched a research team to Xizang in July 2022 to conduct body measurements and collect blood samples and ear tissue of the two types of cattle.

As there are currently no suitable conditions for cloning in Xizang, Yunyang County was chosen due to its climate and terrain resembling that of the cattle's native habitat and for its cattle breeding technology.

In the lab, Yu Dawei, a researcher from the Institute of Animal Sciences of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, and his colleagues used somatic cell nuclear transfer technology to create cloned embryos.

Scientists started the transplant of the cloned embryos at a beef cattle breeding farm in Yunyang County in February 2023 and finally cracked the technological difficulties.

"The cloned embryos were transplanted into surrogate cows, and after a full-term pregnancy, we got eight cloned cattle," Yu said.

Two calves of each breed will be returned to Xizang this summer, while the remaining four will be raised to adulthood in Yunyang County and their semen will be collected and frozen for preservation.

The young animals born in low-altitude Chongqing will be moved gradually to Xizang to help them adapt to the high altitude there.

"Next, we will conduct transplant of cloned embryos of Zhangmu cattle and Apeijiaza cattle in Xizang, and combine the cloning technology with conventional breed-protection technologies to establish a sound system for the protection and utilization of genetic resources," Yu said. 
A boy raises a banner during a demonstration held in Tahrir Square in Baghdad, Iraq, on Jan. 13, 2024. (Xinhua/Khalil Dawood)

Analysts believe that maintaining a military presence in Iraq allows the U.S. to influence the country's political trajectory and deter neighboring nations, especially in countering the growing influence of the Iran-led "Shiite Crescent." Whether the U.S. will truly withdraw from Iraq remains uncertain.

by Xinhua Writer Li Jun

BAGHDAD, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- In the wake of frequent attacks by Iraqi militia on U.S. military bases and the Iraqi prime minister's repeated orders to expel U.S. forces, Iraq and America on Saturday kicked off the first round of bilateral dialogue to discuss ending the U.S.-led international coalition's mission in Iraq.

The Iraqi Foreign Ministry on Thursday said the two countries would launch the Higher Military Commission (HMC) to formulate a clear timetable for the duration of the presence of the U.S.-led international coalition advisors in Iraq and the gradual reduction of U.S.-led advisors on Iraqi soil.





WHY DO U.S. FORCES REMAIN IN IRAQ?

In 2003, by fabricating the pretext of "Iraq possessing weapons of mass destruction," America led its alliance to invade Iraq after neglecting strong international opposition and circumventing the United Nations Security Council.

However, the alleged weapons of mass destruction were never found, while hundreds of thousands of innocent lives perished in the prolonged war and conflict.

The U.S. aggressively dismantled Iraq's state machinery through war, disrupting local political order and social stability, and creating a breeding ground for terrorism. In late 2011, the U.S. hastily withdrew from Iraq, providing an opportunity for extremist groups like Islamic State (IS) to grow.

The U.S. forces soon returned to Iraqi soil. In 2014, the IS militants captured Mosul, Iraq's second-largest city, and seized vast territories in Iraq's west and north. The U.S.-led coalition to combat the IS subsequently made its presence in Iraq.

While the U.S. withdrew its combat troops from Iraq in December 2021, approximately 2,500 U.S. soldiers remain stationed in Iraq under the pretext of training Iraqi forces and serving as military advisors to combat IS militants.





WHAT IS IRAQI ATTITUDE TOWARDS U.S. FORCES?

Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in October last year, U.S. military bases in Iraq and Syria have faced about 150 attacks. An Iraqi Shiite militia calling itself "Islamic Resistance in Iraq" claimed responsibility for multiple attacks, saying that they were a response to U.S. support for Israel against Hamas.

In retaliation, the U.S. has recently conducted several airstrikes on Iraqi paramilitary forces within Iraqi soil, including a most recent one on Wednesday, resulting in about 20 deaths and multiple injuries.

On Jan. 4, U.S. forces targeted the headquarters of the Iraqi paramilitary Hashd Shaabi's 12th brigade in the eastern part of Baghdad, causing the death of three, including the brigade leader Talib al-Saiedi, and injuring five.

Soon afterward, Iraqi Prime Minister al-Sudani issued repeated orders for U.S. forces to leave, accusing the U.S. of violating Iraqi sovereignty and the goals and principles of the international coalition, as well as destabilizing Iraq's domestic security.

People holding banners and flags attend a demonstration held in Tahrir Square in Baghdad, Iraq, on Jan. 13, 2024. (Xinhua/Khalil Dawood)

Additionally, Iraq sees a constantly growing anti-U.S. sentiment across the country, with various Shiite militia groups calling for the expulsion of U.S. forces.

Hadi al-Ameri, leader of the Badr Organization affiliated with the Hashd Shaabi forces, condemned on Wednesday the U.S. airstrike as a "heinous crime" and urged the Iraqi government to take "swift and decisive action" to end the presence of all foreign forces in Iraq.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq vowed Friday to continue its attacks on military bases housing U.S. forces until all U.S. troops leave the country, rejecting a proposed U.S.-Iraq commission to oversee a "transition" of the bilateral security partnership.





WILL U.S. FORCES WITHDRAW FROM IRAQ?

However, the scope of the proposed HMC remains a point of contention. While the Iraqi Foreign Ministry claims the HMC's purpose is to discuss ending the coalition mission, the Pentagon maintains the talks will focus on broader security cooperation, not withdrawal.

Analysts believe that maintaining a military presence in Iraq allows the U.S. to influence the country's political trajectory and deter neighboring nations, especially in countering the growing influence of the Iran-led "Shiite Crescent." Whether the U.S. will truly withdraw from Iraq remains uncertain.

The Pentagon repeatedly emphasized on Thursday in a press briefing that "the HMC meeting is not a negotiation about the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq," noting it "received no request from the government of Iraq to withdraw our forces."

In fact, as early as January 2020, shortly after the U.S. killed Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani and deputy commander of Iraq's paramilitary Hashd Shaabi forces Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis in a drone strike near Baghdad airport, the Iraqi parliament passed a resolution calling on the government to end the presence of foreign forces in Iraq. In 2021, Iraq announced the end of the U.S.-led coalition's combat mission against the IS. However, about 2,500 U.S. troops remain stationed in Iraq now.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq dismissed in an online statement on Friday the U.S. proposal of launching the HMC as a "deceptive tactic" designed to "buy more time" for its troops to carry out "more crimes to harm Iraqi people."

The Iraqi Shiite militia group accused the U.S. of ignoring long-standing demands from the Iraqi parliament and public for a complete withdrawal, claiming it masked a "malicious agenda" in Iraq and the region.

Since last year, a wave of reconciliation has swept the Middle East after the Saudi Arabia-Iran reconciliation, and the regional countries' awareness of strategic autonomy has strengthened.

Meanwhile, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict drags on and tensions in the Red Sea continue with spillover effects, leading to further escalation of anti-Israeli and anti-American sentiments, said Liu Xinlu, dean of the School of Arabic Studies at Beijing Foreign Studies University.

Against this backdrop, Iraq's strategic importance becomes more prominent, and it increasingly becomes one of the geopolitical pillars that the United States cannot afford to lose, Liu said, noting that once withdrawing its troops, the U.S. will lose its ability to intervene in Iraq, leading to closer cooperation between Iraq and Iran, which contradicts the U.S. attempt to build an "anti-Iran alliance" in the region.

Iraqi military expert Abdullah al-Jubouri believes that America would not withdraw its forces from Iraq for strategic considerations, as it had paid a heavy price in terms of manpower, resources, and finances during the invasion of Iraq.

Besides, Iraqi Kurds and Sunnis are unlikely to support a U.S. withdrawal for fear of the strengthening of Iran-backed Shiite militias in Iraq, al-Jubouri said.
* China plans to step up efforts to expand its global network of high-standard free trade areas in 2024 after having inked 22 free trade agreements with 29 countries or regions.

* Vice Commerce Minister Wang Shouwen has vowed to exert efforts to conclude the negotiations for Version 3.0 of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area this year.

* China will continue to push forward the comprehensive opening-up of service trade and investment with market-access negative lists, among other efforts to further develop its FTA network into a high-standard one.

BEIJING, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- China plans to step up efforts to expand its global network of high-standard free trade areas in 2024, building on significant accomplishments in negotiating free trade agreements (FTAs) over the past year.

Chinese Vice Commerce Minister Wang Shouwen told a recent press conference that China has already inked 22 FTAs with 29 countries or regions, and the combined trade value with those countries and regions accounted for one-third of China's total.

In a move to further share China's opening-up dividends and power regional economic growth, China will enhance efforts regarding FTA negotiations in 2024, according to Wang. "We have a full agenda for FTA negotiations this year," he said.

TOWARD A BROADER FTA NETWORK

As negotiations for Version 3.0 of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area are scheduled for this week in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou, Wang has vowed to exert efforts to conclude the talks this year.

The building of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area was completed in 2010. According to customs data, trade between China and ASEAN since 2013 has logged an annual growth rate of 8.8 percent. In 2023, ASEAN was China's largest trading partner for the fourth straight year, while China held its position as ASEAN's largest partner for several years.

Visitors shop at the pavilion for Vietnamese commodities at Nanning International Convention and Exhibition Center in Nanning, capital of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Sept. 18, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhou Hua)

The two parties announced the official launch of the negotiations to upgrade the free trade area to its third version in November 2022, with the negotiations covering fields such as trade in goods, investment, digital and green economy to build a more inclusive, modern, comprehensive and mutually beneficial China-ASEAN FTA.

Experts believe that the upcoming version of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area would also prompt the upgrade of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

It will be easier for the RCEP to leverage its coordinating and superimposing effects, following the leading example of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area Version 3.0, said Wang Yiwei, a professor at Renmin University of China.

Apart from ASEAN, China also aims to complete the FTA negotiations with Honduras, and the negotiations involving the FTA upgrade with Peru this year. Advancements will be made in negotiations or upgrades of FTAs with the Gulf Cooperation Council, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, and Switzerland, according to the vice minister.

Peruvian craftsman Oswaldo Mamani promotes alpaca toys at a booth of Warmpaca at the 6th China International Import Expo (CIIE) in east China's Shanghai, Nov. 7, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Xiang)

On a broader scale, Wang Shouwen noted that China will continue its efforts to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA).

In an attempt to align with the CPTPP rules, China has introduced related documents and formulated reform measures to enhance institutional opening-up in Shanghai and other eligible regions. "If the practices yield good outcomes, we will replicate them in other regions of China," Wang Shouwen said.

TOWARD HIGH-STANDARD OPENNESS

In the past year, China committed to a negative-list model of services and investment opening-up by signing an FTA with Nicaragua and reaching a protocol to further upgrade the FTA with Singapore.

This marked a historic moment in China's FTA negotiation history, indicating that the country has reached a new level in advancing its FTA network toward high standards, according to Wang Shouwen.

Commenting on the FTA upgrade protocol with Singapore, Yuan Bo, a researcher with the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation under the Ministry of Commerce, said services and investment are where the growth potentials of the two countries' future development reside. "These two fields are the common interests of China and Singapore."

Regarding RCEP cooperation, Yuan believes there is ample room for China to collaborate with RCEP members on consumer goods trade, cross-border e-commerce, service trade and investment, among other spheres.

China's foreign trade value with 14 RCEP members amounted to 12.6 trillion yuan (about 1.77 trillion U.S. dollars) in 2023, a 5.3 percent increase compared with that in 2021 before the agreement came into force, according to Wang Shouwen.

People visit the booth of South Korea during the 2023 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) at China National Convention Center in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2023. (Xinhua/Ren Chao)

The pact has allowed Chinese trade companies to enjoy 2.36 billion yuan of tariff concessions for products imported from RCEP countries, while enterprises of RCEP countries benefited from 4.05 billion yuan of tax breaks for products imported from China in 2023.

"China is both a beneficiary of and a significant contributor to the enforcement of RCEP," Yuan said.

Looking into this year, to further develop China's FTA network into a high-standard one, the country will continue to increase the proportion of zero-tariff products, push forward the comprehensive opening-up of service trade and investment with market-access negative lists, and include trade rules concerning digital economy, green economy, standard certification and government purchase into new FTA negotiations, Wang Shouwen said. Enditem

(Video reporters: Wu Changwei; Video editors: Zhang Yueyuan, Hui Peipei, Zheng Xin, Zhang Nan)
by Xinhua Writer Li Jun

BAGHDAD, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- In the wake of frequent attacks by Iraqi militia on U.S. military bases and the Iraqi prime minister's repeated orders to expel U.S. forces, Iraq and America on Saturday kicked off the first round of bilateral dialogue to discuss ending the U.S.-led international coalition's mission in Iraq.

The Iraqi Foreign Ministry on Thursday said the two countries would launch the Higher Military Commission (HMC) to formulate a clear timetable for the duration of the presence of the U.S.-led international coalition advisors in Iraq and the gradual reduction of U.S.-led advisors on Iraqi soil.

WHY DO U.S. FORCES REMAIN IN IRAQ?

In 2003, by fabricating the pretext of "Iraq possessing weapons of mass destruction," America led its alliance to invade Iraq after neglecting strong international opposition and circumventing the United Nations Security Council.

However, the alleged weapons of mass destruction were never found, while hundreds of thousands of innocent lives perished in the prolonged war and conflict.

The U.S. aggressively dismantled Iraq's state machinery through war, disrupting local political order and social stability, and creating a breeding ground for terrorism. In late 2011, the U.S. hastily withdrew from Iraq, providing an opportunity for extremist groups like Islamic State (IS) to grow.

The U.S. forces soon returned to Iraqi soil. In 2014, the IS militants captured Mosul, Iraq's second-largest city, and seized vast territories in Iraq's west and north. The U.S.-led coalition to combat the IS subsequently made its presence in Iraq.

While the U.S. withdrew its combat troops from Iraq in December 2021, approximately 2,500 U.S. soldiers remain stationed in Iraq under the pretext of training Iraqi forces and serving as military advisors to combat IS militants.

WHAT IS IRAQI ATTITUDE TOWARDS U.S. FORCES?

Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in October last year, U.S. military bases in Iraq and Syria have faced about 150 attacks. An Iraqi Shiite militia calling itself "Islamic Resistance in Iraq" claimed responsibility for multiple attacks, saying that they were a response to U.S. support for Israel against Hamas.

In retaliation, the U.S. has recently conducted several airstrikes on Iraqi paramilitary forces within Iraqi soil, including a most recent one on Wednesday, resulting in about 20 deaths and multiple injuries.

On Jan. 4, U.S. forces targeted the headquarters of the Iraqi paramilitary Hashd Shaabi's 12th brigade in the eastern part of Baghdad, causing the death of three, including the brigade leader Talib al-Saiedi, and injuring five.

Soon afterward, Iraqi Prime Minister al-Sudani issued repeated orders for U.S. forces to leave, accusing the U.S. of violating Iraqi sovereignty and the goals and principles of the international coalition, as well as destabilizing Iraq's domestic security.

Additionally, Iraq sees a constantly growing anti-U.S. sentiment across the country, with various Shiite militia groups calling for the expulsion of U.S. forces.

Hadi al-Ameri, leader of the Badr Organization affiliated with the Hashd Shaabi forces, condemned on Wednesday the U.S. airstrike as a "heinous crime" and urged the Iraqi government to take "swift and decisive action" to end the presence of all foreign forces in Iraq.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq vowed Friday to continue its attacks on military bases housing U.S. forces until all U.S. troops leave the country, rejecting a proposed U.S.-Iraq commission to oversee a "transition" of the bilateral security partnership.

WILL U.S. FORCES WITHDRAW FROM IRAQ?

However, the scope of the proposed HMC remains a point of contention. While the Iraqi Foreign Ministry claims the HMC's purpose is to discuss ending the coalition mission, the Pentagon maintains the talks will focus on broader security cooperation, not withdrawal.

Analysts believe that maintaining a military presence in Iraq allows the U.S. to influence the country's political trajectory and deter neighboring nations, especially in countering the growing influence of the Iran-led "Shiite Crescent." Whether the U.S. will truly withdraw from Iraq remains uncertain.

The Pentagon repeatedly emphasized on Thursday in a press briefing that "the HMC meeting is not a negotiation about the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq," noting it "received no request from the government of Iraq to withdraw our forces."

In fact, as early as January 2020, shortly after the U.S. killed Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani and deputy commander of Iraq's paramilitary Hashd Shaabi forces Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis in a drone strike near Baghdad airport, the Iraqi parliament passed a resolution calling on the government to end the presence of foreign forces in Iraq. In 2021, Iraq announced the end of the U.S.-led coalition's combat mission against the IS. However, about 2,500 U.S. troops remain stationed in Iraq now.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq dismissed in an online statement on Friday the U.S. proposal of launching the HMC as a "deceptive tactic" designed to "buy more time" for its troops to carry out "more crimes to harm Iraqi people."

The Iraqi Shiite militia group accused the U.S. of ignoring long-standing demands from the Iraqi parliament and public for a complete withdrawal, claiming it masked a "malicious agenda" in Iraq and the region.

Since last year, a wave of reconciliation has swept the Middle East after the Saudi Arabia-Iran reconciliation, and the regional countries' awareness of strategic autonomy has strengthened.

Meanwhile, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict drags on and tensions in the Red Sea continue with spillover effects, leading to further escalation of anti-Israeli and anti-American sentiments, said Liu Xinlu, dean of the School of Arabic Studies at Beijing Foreign Studies University.

Against this backdrop, Iraq's strategic importance becomes more prominent, and it increasingly becomes one of the geopolitical pillars that the United States cannot afford to lose, Liu said, noting that once withdrawing its troops, the U.S. will lose its ability to intervene in Iraq, leading to closer cooperation between Iraq and Iran, which contradicts the U.S. attempt to build an "anti-Iran alliance" in the region.

Iraqi military expert Abdullah al-Jubouri believes that America would not withdraw its forces from Iraq for strategic considerations, as it had paid a heavy price in terms of manpower, resources, and finances during the invasion of Iraq.

Besides, Iraqi Kurds and Sunnis are unlikely to support a U.S. withdrawal for fear of the strengthening of Iran-backed Shiite militias in Iraq, al-Jubouri said. 
BEIJING, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- The heads of state of China and France celebrated the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries on Jan. 27, featuring the launch of the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism.

Cultural exchanges between the two nations have not only spanned the past 60 years, but have actually already lasted several centuries.

A copy of the manuscript "Confucius, or the Science of the Princes" has been drawing widespread attention since it was presented by French President Emmanuel Macron to his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping during his state visit to France in 2019.

This precious gift highlighted the cultural exchanges between the two countries during the 17th and 18th centuries, creating a solid foundation for present-day bilateral relations.

EMBLEMATIC PHILOSOPHER

Published in 1688, "Confucius, or the Science of the Princes" written by Francois Bernier is the earliest known French version of the Latin work "Confucius Sinarum Philosophus" edited and published in the previous year, systematically encompassing the classical works of the Confucian school.

Featuring classic bookbinding styles from the Age of Enlightenment in France, the work sheds light on the political, ethical, and moral ideas of the great Chinese philosopher Confucius, who lived more than two millennia ago.

"This is the first French translation. I am struck that Bernier had the insight to want to share it with the French public," said Olivier Bosc, director of the Arsenal Library, which has preserved a manuscript by Bernier since around the 18th century.

Bernier lived in an era when Louis XIV paid particular attention to relations with the East, including China. The King sent a delegation to better understand Chinese culture. These scholars translated "The Analects of Confucius" from Chinese into Latin.

Having spent years traveling in the East, Bernier translated the work with political aims. He wanted to enlighten readers with the values of balance, morality, and respect, and the work served as a counterpoint to Niccolo Machiavelli's "The Prince," which emphasized deceit, violence, and cunning.

EXPLAINING CONFUCIUS TO LOUIS XIV

In 1687, after the Royal Library, now the National Library of France, published "Confucius Sinarum Philosophus," Bernier recognized the need for a French translation. Driven by a belief that introducing Confucianism to France could counter skepticism and bring virtue to politics, Bernier approached his translation from a philosophical instead of a historical perspective, distinguishing him from the Jesuit tradition, said Thierry Meynard, a French philosophy professor at Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou.

Bernier's work was more than a translation. It reflected French political life at the time. Bernier dedicated his take on "Confucius, or the Science of the Princes" to French kings or future kings, emphasizing the moral education of the sovereign is the political foundation of a nation.

Meynard highlighted Bernier's aspiration to extract universal principles from Confucianism for modern political science, for example, harmony between the monarch and the people, making it pertinent not only to China but to rulers worldwide, including Louis XIV.

CULTURAL EXCHANGES BEYOND CONFUCIUS

In the 17th century, exchanges between France under Louis XIV and China under Emperor Kangxi expanded culturally, commercially, and in the religious domain, said Remi Mathieu, a renowned French sinologist, in a recent written interview with Xinhua.

Chinese art, notably Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) artifacts, had a broad impact on the aesthetic life of the French upper class. Chinese-style clocks, sculptures, paintings, carpets, and screens appealed to French nobility and merchants, marking an era of "chinoiseries" in bourgeois salons and royal courts.

Furthermore, the imperial examination system, or Keju in Chinese, inspired Louis XV to create the first recruitment competitions, gradually replacing the aristocracy in Louis XIV's France. The tradition of meritocracy still prevails in contemporary France, said Mathieu.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France. Regarding his vision of future cultural exchanges between the two countries, Mathieu hopes "the current trend aiming for a better understanding of each other's history and culture will intensify." 
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin meets with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, in Bangkok, Thailand, Jan. 29, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Teng)

BANGKOK, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said here on Monday that China appreciates Thailand for upholding the one-China principle.

Wang made the remarks during his meeting with Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, noting that the Taiwan question is a matter of sovereignty and territorial integrity of China.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said China believes that Thailand will continue to understand and support China's cause of reunification.

Wang noted that China always sees Thailand as a priority in its diplomacy with neighboring countries and will continue to support Thailand in safeguarding its national sovereignty and security and achieving development and revitalization.

China is happy to see Thailand, which is an important country in the region, play a positive role in regional stability and world peace, Wang added.

The Chinese top diplomat said Srettha's decision to make China the first country outside the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for an official visit after assuming office last year fully reflects the great importance that Thailand attaches to its relations with China, and has brought their traditional friendship even closer while deepening the long-standing tradition that "Chinese and Thais are of one family".

The leaders of the two countries have outlined the blueprint for building a China-Thailand community with a shared future, opening a new chapter in the friendly cooperation between China and Thailand, Wang said.

As China and Thailand are comprehensive strategic cooperative partners, the strengthening of mutual trust and mutually beneficial cooperation between them would provide further guarantee of peace in Asia and impetus for regional development, said Wang.

He stressed that the purpose of his visit is to implement the consensus of the leaders of the two countries, advance pragmatic cooperation in various files, and bring the China-Thailand relations even closer.

China is willing to maintain high-level exchanges with Thailand, enhance cultural and people-to-people exchanges, seize the opportunity of mutual visa exemption to promote two-way tourism, and deepen pragmatic cooperation in areas such as economy, trade and investment, said the Chinese top diplomat.

The two sides should speed up the development of the China-Thailand Railway, open the central line of the Trans-Asian Railway, and push for an early realization of the China-Laos-Thailand Connectivity Development Corridor Outlook, so as to provide new momentum and open up new opportunities for the long-term development of both countries, Wang said.

For his part, Srettha said Thailand attaches great importance to the bilateral relations with China and firmly adheres to the one-China principle.

The agreement on mutual visa exemption signed during Wang's visit would facilitate the enhancement of economic, trade, and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries, as well as deepen friendship between the two peoples and bring the already close relationship between Thailand and China even closer, said the Thai prime minister.

Thailand will actively participate in Belt and Road cooperation, said Srettha, adding that he hopes the relevant departments of both countries will strengthen communication and accelerate related projects to enhance regional connectivity.

The Thai prime minister noted that as 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Thailand and China, both sides should make early preparations and plans, maintain close high-level exchanges, and promote cooperation in various fields to achieve greater development of the bilateral relations.

Following the meeting, Wang and Srettha jointly attended the signing ceremony of a protocol regarding the export of Thai agricultural products to China.

During his visit to Thailand, Wang also met with Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara for the annual consultation between the two countries, as well as Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand. 

Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, jointly attend the signing ceremony of a protocol regarding the export of Thai agricultural products to China, in Bangkok, Thailand, Jan. 29, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Teng)
ISLAMABAD, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan and Iran on Monday agreed to establish a high-level consultative mechanism to oversee the progress in various areas of cooperation between the two countries, including counter-terrorism.

In a joint press briefing held here, Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and his Pakistani counterpart Jalil Abbas Jilani said that the foreign ministers will lead the mechanism which will meet in Iran and Pakistan alternatively.

Abdollahian said that there had never been any regional conflict between the two countries in the past, and his country respects Pakistan's security and sovereignty.

"I am here in Islamabad, we are here to tell in clear loud words to terrorists that we will not provide them with the opportunity to endanger our common security," he added.

The official said that terrorists have inflicted significant damage on both Pakistan and Iran, but it will not affect the bilateral relations.

Jilani expressed the commitment to strengthen ties through contacts between officials in the bordering areas of Pakistan's Turbat and Iran's Zahedan.

He highlighted the importance of respecting each other's sovereignty and autonomy, emphasizing that terrorism is a shared challenge for both nations.

He added that both countries have agreed to work together to achieve common goals of peace and the well-being of its people.

The ministers also emphasized the need for mutual respect to overcome shared challenges and pledged to make joint social efforts for the betterment of their societies. 
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)

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.

LUSAKA, Jan. 29 (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.

A medical worker takes care of a patient at the National Heroes Stadium, which has been designated as a cholera treatment center, in Lusaka, Zambia, Jan. 18, 2024. (Xinhua/Peng Lijun)

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. 
CAIRO, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Monday discussed in a phone call the recent developments and expansion of the regional tension, the Egyptian presidency said in a statement.

Sisi reviewed Egypt's efforts to reach an immediate and urgent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip as well as the exchange of detainees and hostages.

The Egyptian moves aim to "provide protection for the civilians in the seaside enclave," who have been suffering humanitarian catastrophic conditions over the past months, the Egyptian president said.

For his part, Scholz lauded Egypt's constructive role in the region.

The statement said that the two leaders discussed efforts to prevent "the looming expansion of the scope of the conflict over the region," carrying dire consequences in the Middle East and international peace and security.

They agreed on the importance of the two-state solution as the basis for restoring peace, security, and stability in the region. 
Thirty-seven international students from Ningxia Medical University in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region have gathered in an activity to experience the traditions of the Spring Festival.





Produced by Xinhua Global Service




NAIROBI, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- The healthcare systems in Africa should be revamped in a bid to ensure that they are more resilient as threats of future pandemics linked to climatic stresses, pollution, and habitat degradation mount, a researcher said in a statement released in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi on Monday.

Affiliated with the Nairobi-based African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP), a pan-African policy think-tank, the researcher stressed the need to establish health systems that can withstand pandemic-related shocks.

Michael Chipeta, a senior research and policy analyst at AFIDEP, said the risk of future pandemics in Africa is profound, hence the need to invest in an agile and resilient healthcare system to avert mass fatalities and economic losses.

According to Chipeta, the COVID-19 pandemic exposed the fragility of Africa's healthcare infrastructure, necessitating the need to reorganize it and ensure that it will not buckle under the weight of unforeseen outbreaks.

Chipeta noted that maternal and child healthcare services suffered the brunt of the pandemic amid lockdowns, disruption of routine immunization, and limited access to diagnosis and life-saving drugs.

He added that though the continent was spared the worst impact of the pandemic, governments should prioritize investments in early warning, diagnostics, essential drugs, and community engagement to help cope with future outbreaks.

In addition, Chipeta said evidence-based research combined with political goodwill will be key to enhancing the resilience of Africa's healthcare system as the continent grapples with recurrent disease outbreaks. 
MANILA, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Philippine Board of Investments has granted the green lane certificate for the floating solar power project that will soon rise in Nueva Ecija province, north of Manila, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said on Monday.

The Fuego Renewable Energy Corp. (FREC) will build the Pantabangan Floating Solar Power Plant, a 463.995 megawatts (MWac) floating solar photovoltaic (PV) project with an initial investment of 22.6 billion pesos (over 400 million U.S. dollars).

Spanning 500 hectares on Pantabangan Lake, the project is scheduled for commissioning in 2025, with its energy output destined for export to the national grid. It is within the Pantabangan-Carranglan Watershed Forest Reserve. The location of the transmission lines and other facilities onshore will fall under the protected area/watershed classification.

The DTI said the project will benefit Filipinos, generating up to 2,000 temporary and permanent direct job opportunities during the construction, commissioning, operations, and maintenance. 
SEOUL, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Kim Jong Un, the top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), guided the test-fire of the newly-developed submarine-launched strategic cruise missile "Pulhwasal-3-31" on Sunday, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Monday.

Two cruise missiles the DPRK navy test-fired flew above the eastern waters for 7,421 seconds and 7,445 seconds respectively before hitting the island target, the KCNA report said.

The test-fire had no impact on the security of any neighboring country and had nothing to do with the regional situation, it said.

"The nuclear weaponization of the country's navy is an urgent task of the times and a core requirement for building the state nuclear strategic force," Kim was quoted by KCNA as saying.

The top DPRK leader also set forth important tasks for realizing the nuclear weaponization of the navy and expanding the state nuclear deterrence in a diversified way, it added. 
BEIJING, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Lying in an oasis at the edge of the Taklamakan Desert, Dunhuang was a major stop on the ancient Silk Road, which linked the East and West through vibrant trade.

The distinctive culture of Dunhuang is best represented by the Mogao Grottoes, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dating back to the 4th century, the site features 735 caves carved into a cliff, currently housing more than 2,000 colorful sculptures and 45,000 square meters of murals.

This extraordinary cultural treasure helps draw visitors to the historical city -- including Chinese President Xi Jinping.

In August 2019, during an inspection tour in Gansu, the president set aside time for his first visit to the millennium-old grottoes, thus realizing a long-cherished wish.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, has paid much attention to the protection of cultural relics in Dunhuang over the years, and to the development of Dunhuang's culture.

A FAN OF DUNHUANG

During his 2019 tour, Xi made the Mogao Grottoes his first stop. He was particularly captivated by a mural in Mogao Cave 323, recognizing the character of Zhang Qian, an envoy in the Han Dynasty (202 B.C.-220 A.D.).

Though it was the first time Xi had visited the Mogao Grottoes, he was already very familiar with the cultural relics there, thanks to his long-standing emotional attachment to the site.

As early as 1986, Xi visited Gansu when he was serving as deputy mayor of the coastal city of Xiamen, Fujian Province, but he was unable to go to Dunhuang at the time due to a tight schedule and the long distance to the site. Over 30 years later, he still talks of his regret at not making the journey back then.

During an academic discussion as part of a research trip at Zhejiang University in 2005, Xi, then Party secretary of Zhejiang Province, recited a list of the achievements of renowned Dunhuang expert Jiang Liangfu.

In 2009, when conducting research as a state leader at Lanzhou University in Gansu, Xi encouraged Zheng Binglin, director of the university's Dunhuang Studies Institute, to strengthen and expand the development of Dunhuang studies as a contribution to the country.

Xi has on multiple occasions stressed the value of Dunhuang, calling it "an important historical hub" of Eastern and Western cultures, and one of the "living monuments" to past interactions between different civilizations on the ancient Silk Road.

For Xi, the significance of Dunhuang goes beyond its history, with efforts underway to revive and expand cooperation along and beyond the ancient Silk Road routes.

Back in 2013, Xi proposed the construction of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, also known as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which has been welcomed by the international community as a public good and cooperation platform.

"As we are now advancing Belt and Road cooperation, we came back to draw inspiration from the ancient Silk Road," Xi said during his 2019 visit to the caves.

A PRESERVER OF DUNHUANG

In September 2019, at a ceremony in Beijing, Xi presented the national honorary title of outstanding contributor to cultural-relic protection to Fan Jinshi, an archaeologist who has made a lifelong career of protecting and studying the cultural relics of the Mogao Grottoes.

While shaking hands with Fan, Xi asked her about the rainfall in Dunhuang.

Over a month ago, at a symposium held during Xi's visit to Dunhuang, Fan discussed with Xi a series of natural factors that could affect the preservation of Dunhuang's cultural relics, including water.

At the meeting, Xi inquired about issues ranging from the number of tourists to the impact of natural disasters. "The protection of world cultural heritage should be placed above tourism as our top priority. We should not set our eyes solely on selling tickets and pursuing economic benefits," he stressed.

"What concerns Xi are the most pressing challenges facing Dunhuang today," Fan said.

Through decades of hard work, substantial progress has been made on safeguarding the site's priceless treasures, particularly through the use of advanced technologies.

In 2020, a leading laboratory was launched to study the weathering mechanism of the caves, simulating diverse natural environments for targeted protection measures.

A SUPPORTER OF DUNHUANG CULTURE

Xi's Mogao Grottoes tour took him to the Library Cave, where around 60,000 rare cultural relics were unearthed. However, about 40,000 pieces have been lost to more than 10 countries, including Britain, France, Russia and Japan.

"Only when the country is strong can its culture prosper," Xi said, reminiscing on how the Library Cave was discovered in 1900, a time when the country was too weak to safeguard its cultural relics.

Xi has encouraged the Dunhuang Academy to share its cultural and artistic resources digitally on a global scale.

In April 2023, a virtual duplication of the Library Cave became accessible to the public through an interactive digital platform.

The platform uses advanced digital technology to reproduce historical scenes of the Library Cave. It invites visitors to immerse themselves in the culture of Dunhuang by engaging in role-play and "time travel" to ancient dynasties.

Two days after his visit to Mogao Grottoes, when inspecting a publishing company in Lanzhou, the capital city of Gansu Province, Xi again raised the topic of Dunhuang.

"Xi noted that the Dunhuang manuscripts are rich in content, serving as valuable historical records," recalled Fu Kangnian, the company's deputy general manager.

In response to Xi's call to better utilize historical resources, a significant number of books related to Dunhuang and the Jiandu -- bamboo or wooden slips that ancient Chinese people wrote on before the invention of paper -- have been published in recent years.

A compilation book series on Dunhuang history was published, after years of hard work, filling gaps in historical records and providing points of reference for Dunhuang studies.

Even more remarkable is that the conservation efforts applied to the Dunhuang culture have extended beyond the local boundaries. The ideas and technologies employed to protect the caves have been applied to more than 500 national-level cultural relics protection projects, and introduced to BRI partner countries. 
Guests attend a China-Russia economic and trade cooperation conference held in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, Jan. 29, 2024. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

SHENYANG, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- A total of 55 deals, together worth 13.6 billion yuan (1.91 billion U.S. dollars), were concluded on Monday by Chinese companies and their Russian business partners in Shenyang, the capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province.

The deals cover such sectors as cold-chain warehousing, financial services, and imports and exports. They were signed at a China-Russia economic and trade cooperation conference held in Shenyang.

More than 100 entrepreneurs from Russia and other countries in the Eurasian Economic Union attended the event, together with representatives of Chinese enterprises, industrial experts and scholars.

The Shenyang municipal government and Liaoning's department of commerce were among the organizers of the event.

The Shenyang municipal government and China Eastern Airlines signed a letter of intent at the conference, agreeing to open a regular passenger air route between Shenyang and Moscow in late February. 

Guests attend a China-Russia economic and trade cooperation conference held in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, Jan. 29, 2024. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)
SACRAMENTO, the United States, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- To determine how abortion laws affect rape survivors in the United States, researchers have examined U.S. states where abortion is fully prohibited, and discovered alarmingly high rates of rape-caused pregnancies.

Their findings, recently published in the medical journal JAMA Internal Medicine, shocked the country.

In June 2022, the United States Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, a landmark decision from 1973 that secured the country's constitutional right to abortion. Since then, 14 states have enacted total abortion bans. Nine of these provide no exemption for rape.

In the period from July 1, 2022, to Jan. 1, 2024, more than 64,000 women and girls became pregnant because of rape in states that implemented abortion bans, with nearly 59,000 of them, or 91 percent, in states without exceptions for rape, the study found.

Researchers from reproductive health institutions and universities in Montana, Texas, New York, Massachusetts, and California estimated that nearly 520,000 rapes were associated with 64,565 pregnancies across the 14 states following the Supreme Court's ruling.

The new study found that more than 26,000 rape-related pregnancies took place in Texas alone, or 45 percent of the total, which makes Texas the leading state in the nation in terms of rape-caused pregnancies.

"Many U.S. women report experiencing sexual violence, and many seek abortion for rape-related pregnancies," said the researchers in the study. However, few of them in those states obtained in-state abortions legally, "suggesting that rape exceptions fail to provide reasonable access to abortion for survivors," they said.

They obtained their findings through data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Bureau of Justice Statistics and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The new study adds to previous findings that rape is common in the United States. Sexual violence affects millions of people every year in the United States, and women, in particular, are vulnerable to rape, according to the CDC.

The health consequences of rape may include injury, sexually transmitted diseases, and pregnancy. Rape-related pregnancy (RRP) is a public health problem, with almost 3 million women in the United States experiencing RRP during their lifetime, said the CDC.

Reproductive health experts believe that the abortion bans are severely limiting women's ability to make personal decisions about their reproductive healthcare, and for survivors of rape, it is a double blow.

Although five states allow exceptions for rape-related pregnancies, namely Idaho, Indiana, Mississippi, West Virginia, and North Dakota, few people in these states got an abortion, because of stringent limits as well as fear and intimidation, said researchers.

In these five states, rape survivors must report those crimes to the police to be able to access abortion services -- "a requirement likely to disqualify most survivors of rape," said the researchers.

A nationwide report released by the U.S. Department of Justice in September 2023 showed that only 21 percent of victims reported their rapes to police.

The CDC data reflected the findings in the report, suggesting that rape survivors may be ashamed or afraid to tell the police, and they tend to keep quiet because they have been threatened with further harm if they tell anyone.

The researchers concluded that "persons who have been raped and become pregnant cannot access legal abortions in their home state, even in states with rape exceptions."

Since the constitutional right to abortion was ended, there has been an increase in patients traveling across state lines to get abortions.

During the first half of 2023, nearly one in five people seeking abortions traveled to other states for abortion care, according to research published by the Guttmacher Institute last December.

But for many pregnant women, cross-state travel is "impractical" or "impossible," said the researchers. 
MANILA, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos left for Vietnam on Monday for a two-day state visit to boost cooperation.

"Maritime cooperation will be one of the cornerstones of the strategic partnership which we are going to forge, and we hope to strengthen this aspect during my visit to promote peace and stability in our region," Marcos said in his departure speech.

He added that he will also discuss with his counterpart, Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong, cooperation in trade and investments, education, and tourism, as well as regional and multilateral issues of mutual concern.

Calling the state visit to bring the relations between the Philippines and Vietnam to "greater heights," Marcos is also scheduled to meet Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Chairman of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue.

The Philippines and Vietnam aim to boost bilateral trade by up to 10 billion U.S. dollars in the coming years. Vietnam is the Philippines' sole strategic partner in the ASEAN region, with ties spanning almost 50 years since establishing bilateral relations in 1976.

Vietnam is home to around 7,000 Filipino workers. 
SANAA, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Houthi group on Monday said they have launched a missile attack on a U.S. military ship in the Gulf of Aden.

On Sunday evening, "We launched a naval missile targeting 'USS Lewis B Puller,' a ship belonging to the American Navy when it was sailing in the Gulf of Aden," Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said in a statement.

"One of the ship's missions is to provide logistical support to the American forces involved in aggression against our country," he added. 
Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand meets with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, in Bangkok, Thailand, Jan. 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Teng)

BANGKOK, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, on Sunday met here with Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand.

Wang said he met with Thai Minister of Foreign Affairs Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara on Sunday for the annual consultation, in which both sides reached important consensus on deepening the China-Thailand community with a shared future.

The two sides also signed an agreement on mutual visa exemption, which would further facilitate people-to-people exchanges, Wang said, adding that China and Thailand are as close as one family, and more exchanges will bring the two countries even closer.

Wang said he hopes the royal family of Thailand, which has always attached great importance to the friendship between China and Thailand, will continue to make new contributions to the development of China-Thailand friendship under the new circumstances.

Princess Sirindhorn is Chinese people's good and old friend, Wang said, adding that she has been awarded the Medal of Friendship and visited China more than 50 times, facilitating deeper mutual understanding between the two peoples. The Chinese foreign minister said Princess Sirindhorn is a symbol of China-Thai friendship.

Noting that the two countries will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations next year, Wang said China stands ready to maintain high-level exchanges with the Thai side, carry out closer people-to-people exchanges, and take the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries to a new level.

For her part, Sirindhorn said that she has cherished the friendship with China, often presenting the Medal of Friendship to her students. She hoped the exchanges and cooperation between the two countries will be strengthened in the fields of education, traditional medicine, science and technology, and aerospace.

The princess added that she is looking forward to visiting more places in China in the future. 

Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand meets with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, in Bangkok, Thailand, Jan. 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Teng)
ISTANBUL, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Turkish security forces have detained 51 suspects in connection with the Istanbul church attack, local media reported on Monday.

Twenty-three of the suspects have been handed over to a deportation center for deportation, and 28 suspects are still in police custody, the Demiroren News Agency said.

The suspects included Turkish, Tajik, and Russian nationals, it said.

Two assailants attacked the Santa Maria church in the Sariyer district on Istanbul's European side, killing one Turkish citizen during Sunday mass.

According to Demiroren, the vehicle used by the suspects in the incident was brought to Turkiye from Poland one year ago, and it had never been used in traffic until last Sunday.

Meanwhile, NTV broadcaster aired security camera footage showing the attackers entering the church gate with their masks on. They opened the interior door of the church while the service was going on and checked inside before opening fire.

NTV also noted that Witold Lesniak, consul general of Poland in Istanbul, was attending the service with his family at the time of the attack, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his condolences during a phone call with Lesniak.

Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya had announced that both attackers, believed to be Islamic State (IS) members, had been arrested in police operations on the same day.

Turkiye listed IS as a terrorist group in 2013. The group has claimed responsibility for a number of deadly attacks in the country since then, prompting the Turkish authorities to launch operations against its members. 
People are seen after rainfall at a temporary camp in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on Jan. 28, 2024. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warned that tens of thousands of displaced people suffer from catastrophic conditions inside and outside shelters due to lack of food, water, shelter, medical care, and protection. "The absence of toilets increases the risk of the spread of disease," especially when rain causes floods, it warned. (Photo by Yasser Qudih/Xinhua)

GAZA, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- For three days, Om Mohammed Al-Attar, a 45-year-old Palestinian woman, has spent the nights moving between the corners of her tent in Rafah City in the southern Gaza Strip to remove rainwater that has infiltrated the mattresses of her five children.

"The heavy rainwater deprived my children of sleeping as all the mattresses and clothes were wet. They were forced to stay in open areas without having any cover that would protect them from the cold weather," she told Xinhua with teary eyes.

Al-Attar, who was displaced from the town of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip to Rafah City, said that her family became homeless and lived in a tent that "did not protect them from the coldness or even from Israeli bombing."

The same dire situation was experienced by Walid Hammad, who arrived in Rafah City after a displacement trip from the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza with his wife and six children.

They were drowned in rainwater at night and as soon as the sun rose the next morning, Hammad inspected his tent, whose wooden poles had broken and all its contents drowned in the rainwater, which created a small lake inside.

"I do not know how long we will remain in this suffering. We escaped from death, and now we are escaping from the rain, but we were not able to escape from the diseases that afflicted us due to the freezing cold in light of the lack of daily necessities," Hammad told Xinhua.

Both Hammad and Al-Attar complain about the lack of necessities of life in the tents where tens of thousands of forced-displaced Palestinians live to escape the Israeli military operation in the besieged enclave.

The residents of the Gaza Strip, home to about 2.3 million Palestinians, have been living in difficult conditions since October 7, 2023, after Israel declared a large-scale "war" in response to Hamas launching an unexpected military attack in southern Israel, killing about 1,200 Israelis.

Since then, the Israeli army has continued to launch its air, land, and sea attacks on the Gaza Strip, killing more than 26,400 Palestinians and wounding more than 62,000 others as of Monday, most of them women and children, according to what the Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza announced.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warned that tens of thousands of displaced people suffer from catastrophic conditions inside and outside shelters due to lack of food, water, shelter, medical care, and protection.

"The absence of toilets increases the risk of the spread of disease," especially when rain causes floods, it warned. 

A young man walks past a tent after rainfall at a temporary camp in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on Jan. 28, 2024. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warned that tens of thousands of displaced people suffer from catastrophic conditions inside and outside shelters due to lack of food, water, shelter, medical care, and protection. "The absence of toilets increases the risk of the spread of disease," especially when rain causes floods, it warned. (Photo by Yasser Qudih/Xinhua)

A young man removes rainwater at a temporary camp in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on Jan. 28, 2024. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warned that tens of thousands of displaced people suffer from catastrophic conditions inside and outside shelters due to lack of food, water, shelter, medical care, and protection. "The absence of toilets increases the risk of the spread of disease," especially when rain causes floods, it warned. (Photo by Yasser Qudih/Xinhua)

People are seen after rainfall at a temporary camp in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on Jan. 28, 2024. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warned that tens of thousands of displaced people suffer from catastrophic conditions inside and outside shelters due to lack of food, water, shelter, medical care, and protection. "The absence of toilets increases the risk of the spread of disease," especially when rain causes floods, it warned. (Photo by Yasser Qudih/Xinhua)

People are seen after rainfall at a temporary camp in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on Jan. 28, 2024. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warned that tens of thousands of displaced people suffer from catastrophic conditions inside and outside shelters due to lack of food, water, shelter, medical care, and protection. "The absence of toilets increases the risk of the spread of disease," especially when rain causes floods, it warned. (Photo by Yasser Qudih/Xinhua)

People are seen after rainfall at a temporary camp in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on Jan. 28, 2024. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warned that tens of thousands of displaced people suffer from catastrophic conditions inside and outside shelters due to lack of food, water, shelter, medical care, and protection. "The absence of toilets increases the risk of the spread of disease," especially when rain causes floods, it warned. (Photo by Yasser Qudih/Xinhua)

A girl walks through rainwater at a temporary camp in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on Jan. 28, 2024. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warned that tens of thousands of displaced people suffer from catastrophic conditions inside and outside shelters due to lack of food, water, shelter, medical care, and protection. "The absence of toilets increases the risk of the spread of disease," especially when rain causes floods, it warned. (Photo by Yasser Qudih/Xinhua)

Children are seen after rainfall at a temporary camp in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on Jan. 28, 2024. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warned that tens of thousands of displaced people suffer from catastrophic conditions inside and outside shelters due to lack of food, water, shelter, medical care, and protection. "The absence of toilets increases the risk of the spread of disease," especially when rain causes floods, it warned. (Photo by Yasser Qudih/Xinhua)

People walk through rainwater at a temporary camp in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on Jan. 28, 2024. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warned that tens of thousands of displaced people suffer from catastrophic conditions inside and outside shelters due to lack of food, water, shelter, medical care, and protection. "The absence of toilets increases the risk of the spread of disease," especially when rain causes floods, it warned. (Photo by Yasser Qudih/Xinhua)
BEIJING, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- China looks forward to the effective implementation of a ruling issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which requires Israel to take measures to prevent genocide in the Gaza Strip, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Monday.

Spokesperson Wang Wenbin made the remarks when asked to comment on the ICJ on Friday ordering Israel to take all possible measures to prevent acts of genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

Wang said that the ruling, made by the majority of the judges, responds to the widespread concern of the international community to protect civilians, de-escalate the tense situation in Gaza, and ease the humanitarian crisis.

China's position on the Palestinian question is consistent and clear, Wang said, adding that China condemns all acts against civilians and opposes all moves that violate international law.

Wang said that the ultimate answer to the Palestinian question lies in delivering on the two-state solution, which could bring a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement to the issue. 
AbdulHakim Elwaer, assistant director-general and regional representative for the Near East and North Africa at the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), speaks during an interview with Xinhua, in Cairo, Egypt, Jan. 21, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)

CAIRO, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- The prolonged civil conflict in Sudan has plunged 17.7 million people into acute hunger, which requires robust fundraising and other urgent actions to avert an impending humanitarian catastrophe, said a senior official from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

AbdulHakim Elwaer, an FAO assistant director-general and regional representative for the Near East and North Africa, made the remarks in a recent interview with Xinhua, citing the latest update by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC).

Elwaer noted that some 3.5 million children are acutely malnourished in the hunger crisis, of whom 700,000 suffer from the most dangerous form of malnutrition -- severe acute malnutrition, and are at risk of dying without treatment.

The senior UN official voiced deep concern about the security situation in Sudan and its implications for vulnerable populations. Nine months after military fighting erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, 25 million people in the country were in dire need of humanitarian aid, according to the UN.

FAO is appealing for an immediate stop of violence from all parties to the conflict and the opening of humanitarian corridors to allow aid workers to have access across the entire territory of Sudan and provide the most needed humanitarian assistance, Elwaer noted.

This is extremely urgent for hard-to-reach places affected by high levels of violence, such as greater Darfur and Kordofan regions, in addition to the areas of Khartoum, Bahri, and Omdurman cities in the Khartoum State, he added.

Meanwhile, "trade disruptions caused by war and surging food and production costs are expected to further exacerbate food consumption gaps, as a result, the food insecurity situation is expected to substantially deteriorate across Sudan as it heads into the typical lean season between June and September," he said.

Immediately after the eruption of the conflict in mid-April 2023, FAO upscaled its emergency response and formulated a plan to reach one million farming households (about 5 million people) with agricultural assistance. In the planting season of 2023, FAO distributed certified seeds to more than one million farmers from across 15 of the country's 18 states, Elwaer said.

He noted that the organization launched a Humanitarian Response Plan this year to fundraise a total of 104 million U.S. dollars to benefit nine million people with multiple interventions.

He explained that if funding is available, FAO can jumpstart a network of staff and local implementing partners, which is already well in place, to take effective steps and help sustain this year's local food production.

These workers would provide farmers with certified seeds of sorghum, millet, sesame and other crops, as well as farming equipment, and assist in livestock herds management and cash transfers, he added.

"We need the involvement of all key development stakeholders, including government, farmers, herders, donors, private sector, civil society organizations and others," he noted.

According to FAO statistics, Sudan has 74 million hectares of arable land and 60 to 80 percent of its population relies on agriculture, fishery and animal husbandry as a main source of food and income, which contributes to about 35 to 40 percent of Sudan's Gross Domestic Product.

The country also serves as a major meat supplier for many African and Arab countries, as it owns over 110 million heads of livestock, he said.

Elwaer called on the international community, especially the humanitarian and development partners to continue supporting Sudan, the country serves as a "food basket" for the Middle East region. 

AbdulHakim Elwaer, assistant director-general and regional representative for the Near East and North Africa at the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), speaks during an interview with Xinhua, in Cairo, Egypt, Jan. 21, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)
MOGADISHU, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations humanitarian agency said Monday it requires 1.6 billion U.S. dollars in response to the needs of 5.2 million people in Somalia in 2024, a reduction of almost 40 percent compared to 2023.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the number of people in need of humanitarian assistance in Somalia has decreased to 6.9 million in 2024 from 8.25 million in 2023.

"Humanitarian needs will remain high in Somalia in 2024 due to recurrent shocks, including climatic events such as drought and floods, conflict and insecurity, widespread poverty, and disease outbreaks," the OCHA said in its monthly humanitarian Update released in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.

The OCHA said these shocks will continue to drive humanitarian needs alongside underlying factors like multidimensional poverty with 55 percent of the population living below the national poverty line, lack of diversified livelihoods and equitable economic growth, political divisions and marginalization, and weak basic services delivery.

The OCHA said integrated response will be prioritized in 10 districts where the 2023 deyr floods have sharply exacerbated already high preexisting needs across sectors, leading to an increase in the number of people requiring assistance.

"Partners plan to enhance collaboration with development and international financing partners to support progress and scale-up in three areas - durable solutions, disaster risk reduction linked to water management, and social protection frameworks," it said.

The agency said the El Nino phenomena, which led to heavy rains and floods between October to December 2023, is expected to continue, which is likely to lead to above normal Gu rains in March and early April. Projections by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Somali Water and Land Information Management indicate risk of flash and riverine floods.

The rains are forecast to end with a drier May and June period, posing agro-pastoral livelihood risks, it added.

"The anticipated above normal rains, inter-clan violence and insecurity are likely to generate a more severe humanitarian impact compared to risk projections made in early 2023, including a significant inflow of displaced people into urban and peri-urban areas," it said.

This, according to the UN agency, will put pressure on the already stretched services and raise the need for food, water, sanitation, health, education, protection and livelihood assistance, especially in settlements hosting displaced people. 
BEIJING, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- China congratulates Azali Assoumani on his re-election as President of the Comoros, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Monday.

The Comoros' Supreme Court confirmed on Wednesday the victory of incumbent President Azali Assoumani in the presidential election held on Jan. 14. According to the official account, Assoumani received 57.02 percent of the votes cast.

In response to a related query, spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at a daily news briefing that China believes under the leadership of President Assoumani, the Comoros will achieve greater success in national construction, as well as economic and social development.

He said China is committed to building friendly relations with the Comoros. "We would like to work with the new government of the Comoros to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and inject new impetus into the healthy and stable development of bilateral relations." 
A Chinese diplomatic team responsible for reestablishing the Chinese embassy in Nauru holds a Chinese national flag-raising ceremony in the Republic of Nauru, Jan. 29, 2024. The ceremony held on Monday in a compound that also houses the team's temporary offices marked the first time in nearly 19 years that the five-star red flag has been raised in the Pacific island country. (Photo by Chen Guolong/Xinhua)

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.

China and Nauru are naturally complementary and have great potential in bilateral cooperation, Wang Xuguang, head of the diplomatic team, told reporters.

"I am fully confident of the future cooperation between the two countries in various fields," Wang said.

"Going forward, the two sides should strengthen the alignment of their development strategies, strive to find common ground for cooperation, and carry out more and better projects so that the two peoples can benefit from bilateral relations at an earlier date," he said.

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. 
DAMASCUS, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Seven people, including members of pro-Iran militias, lost their lives in a suspected missile attack on a Shiite stronghold south of the Syrian capital Damascus on Monday, a war monitor reported.

The casualties include a Syrian guard who was protecting one of the leaders of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) inside Syrian territories. Additionally, three victims were believed to be members of the IRGC, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which has attributed the attack to Israel.

Rami Abdul-Rahman, head of the Observatory, highlighted that the targeted area is home to strongholds for Lebanese Hezbollah, the IRGC and the Iraqi Al-Nujaba Movement. The missile attack reportedly destroyed a headquarters for one of these parties in the area.

Abdul-Rahman said the attack might be connected to the recent attack by pro-Iran militias that resulted in the killing and injuring of around 40 American soldiers in one of the American bases on the Syrian-Iraqi-Jordanian borders on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Syrian Defense Ministry issued a statement, stating "around 1:00 p.m. (1000 GMT), the Zionist enemy launched an aerial attack from the occupied Syrian Golan Heights, targeting several points south of Damascus. This resulted in a number of civilian fatalities and injuries, as well as some material losses."

The incident is indicative of the heightened tension in the region between Iran-backed fighters, Israel, and the United States. This escalation occurred concurrently with the Israeli military campaign in the Gaza Strip. 
Dragon-themed ornaments are on display for sale in a specialty store in Beijing, capital of China, Jan 10, 2024. Major brands have launched dragon-featured cultural and creative products as the Year of the Dragon approaches. (Xinhuanet/Liu He)

By Liu He

Where can I buy it? Please, I need a surrogate shopper...Comments like these take up quite a share in the comment section of a post on Xiaohongshu, a popular lifestyle-sharing social platform in China.

What triggers the netizens impulse to buy? The cover photo reveals the answer.

Against the clear blue sky, the golden embossment of a dragon is a sharp contrast to its crimson background, forming an eye-catching lure to Chinese netizens and their purchase intention. According to the comment section, this product is snapped up soon, say within just a few days, and the factory has been working extra shifts for a new batch to meet the surging demands. Many people hashtagged dragon year cultural products and posted pictures of the same fridge magnet they had purchased, claiming going through a lot to buy it, my cultural product of the year.

The Year of the Dragon will start on Feb. 10, 2024. As the lunar new year approaches, the cultural and creative industries have seen a wide range of dragon-themed merchandise flooding into the market: fridge magnets, holiday cards, ornaments, even hats and clothes...From major brands to specialty stores, from online channels to offline shops, the dragon fever prevails as Chinese people are preparing for the arrival of Chinas most important traditional holiday of the year.

Meanwhile, major museums have launched promotion schemes for new themed products and achieved impressive sales figures. The cultural and creative product studio of the Palace Museum in Beijing, for instance, has sold more than 20,000 copies of the original dragon-featured calendar on its Taobao flagship store.

Dragon patterns, together with other festive elements, made the dragon-themed cultural product a hit among Chinese young people and fans of traditional Chinese culture.

Transformations also took place when developing dragon-themed cultural products. The cultural product studio of the Suzhou Museum has launched a new product: a "cute dragon plush pendant. The august, majestic gold dragon is transformed into a fluffy, adorable companion, winning many consumers at stores and followers on social media.

Dragon-themed plush muppets are on display for sale in a specialty store in Beijing, capital of China, Jan 14, 2024. Major brands have launched dragon-featured cultural and creative products as the Year of the Dragon approaches. (Xinhuanet/Liu He)

Museums are not alone in their attempt to make dragon-themed cultural products trendy in the New Year market. Stores featuring Chinese homegrown brands, or Guochao specialty stores, and individual designers, are also taking shares in the market.

On Wangfujing Shopping Street, a Guochao specialty store that adapts elements of traditional Chinese culture to fit modern fashion trends, has drawn young consumers attention with an array of dragon cultural products. The holiday boom has attracted an increasing number of customers into the shop to purchase and post on social media.

Our sales start to surge as the lunar new year is close at hand, a sales clerk at a cultural and creative specialty shop on Wangfujing Shopping Street in Beijing told Xinhuanet. Currently, we can sell more than 100 pieces of New Year-themed products in one weekend. The best seller is out of stock now, she added.

On the shelves behind her, more than a dozen dragon-featured fridge magnets are neatly lined up. The shop also sells dragon-shaped ornaments, holiday cards with traditional dragon patterns, and dragon head hats for children.

Other than the mere use of dragon patterns, cultural and creative brands have been played with ideas to win over customers. For instance, the sales clerk introduced a hot item to Xinhuanet: a fridge magnet shaped like a dragon robe owned by Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty. Its delicate pattern of the dragon, its rich cultural connotation and the good wishes it carries, make this product one of the most popular and best-selling items.

This photo taken on Jan 10, 2024 shows dragon-themed fridge magnets in a specialty store in Beijing, capital of China. Major brands have launched dragon-featured cultural and creative products as the Year of the Dragon approaches. (Xinhuanet/Liu He)

The Chinese dragon is regarded as an auspicious, noble creature, and is believed to bring good luck and fortune.

At the beginning of the Year of the Dragon, many Chinese people expect to refresh themselves with the blessings and positive energy from the dragon. In addition, the cultural significance of the dragon plays an important role in shaping Chinese peoples preferences.

As an integral part of Chinese culture, portraits of dragons are quite common in ancient Chinese art, literature and customs, offering a diversity of sources of inspiration for designers.

The design concept of mine is quite simple: to convey my gratitude and best wishes for the new year, individual designer San Guai told Xinhuanet. The brand IP by San Guai features a cute cartoon figure wearing a big dragon head hat who participates in various festive activities.

Derivative products of this IP, including prints and badges, are sold offline in 15 cities across China. It may sound simple, but its the true aspiration of me and my friends, she added.

This photo taken on Jan 10, 2024 shows dragon-themed fridge magnets in a specialty store in Beijing, capital of China. Major brands have launched dragon-featured cultural and creative products as the Year of the Dragon approaches. (Xinhuanet/Liu He)

This photo taken on Jan 10, 2024 shows dragon-themed fridge magnets in a specialty store in Beijing, capital of China. Major brands have launched dragon-featured cultural and creative products as the Year of the Dragon approaches. (Xinhuanet/Liu He)
This photo taken on Jan. 28, 2024 shows a wooden door in the old city of Tunis, Tunisia. Decorating wooden doors with metal rivet patterns has been a local tradition in Tunisia. (Photo by Adel Ezzine/Xinhua)

This photo taken on Jan. 28, 2024 shows a wooden door in the old city of Tunis, Tunisia. Decorating wooden doors with metal rivet patterns has been a local tradition in Tunisia. (Photo by Adel Ezzine/Xinhua)

This photo taken on Jan. 28, 2024 shows a wooden door in the old city of Tunis, Tunisia. Decorating wooden doors with metal rivet patterns has been a local tradition in Tunisia. (Photo by Adel Ezzine/Xinhua)

This photo taken on Jan. 28, 2024 shows a wooden door in the old city of Tunis, Tunisia. Decorating wooden doors with metal rivet patterns has been a local tradition in Tunisia. (Photo by Adel Ezzine/Xinhua)

This photo taken on Jan. 28, 2024 shows a wooden door in the old city of Tunis, Tunisia. Decorating wooden doors with metal rivet patterns has been a local tradition in Tunisia. (Photo by Adel Ezzine/Xinhua)

This photo taken on Jan. 28, 2024 shows a wooden door in the old city of Tunis, Tunisia. Decorating wooden doors with metal rivet patterns has been a local tradition in Tunisia. (Photo by Adel Ezzine/Xinhua)
ISTANBUL, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Two suspects of the armed attack on an Italian church in Turkiye's largest city Istanbul on Sunday were confined, said Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya.

"I congratulate our Istanbul police department and the heroic police officers who identified and captured the perpetrators," Yerlikaya stated on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

The assailants attacked 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), killing one person during a Sunday Mass.

Earlier in the day, Istanbul Governor Davut Gul said the dead person was a 52-year-old Turkish citizen.

After the incident, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his condolences during a phone call with the priest of the Italian church. 
MANILA, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Government forces on Monday killed two suspected rebels in a clash in Agusan del Norte in the southern Philippines, a military spokesperson said.

Army spokesperson Major Francisco Garello said fighting broke out between the government troops and the New People's Army (NPA) insurgents at dawn on the outskirts of Buenavista town, resulting in the killing. He added that another rebel was captured in the wake of the shooting.

The troops recovered an M16 assault rifle and an M4 rifle, Garello added.

NPA rebels have been fighting the government troops since 1969. They concentrate their attacks on rural areas and have skirmishes with the military.

Military data showed that the NPA is estimated to have 2,000 members, significantly lower than its peak strength in the 1980s. 
Press Release

January 29, 2024 Bong Go lauds pursuit for 179 Regional Specialty Centers, NKTI renovation Senator Christopher "Bong" Go lauded the government's pursuit for more investments in healthcare as mentioned by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., which include the creation of 179 Regional Specialty Centers and the renovation of the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) Annex building in Quezon City by 2028. Go is the principal sponsor and is one of the authors of the Republic Act No. 11959, also known as the Regional Specialty Centers Act, which was signed into law on August 24. The law mandates the establishment of regional specialty centers within existing Department of Health (DOH) regional hospitals. "Ang RA 11959 o ang Regional Specialty Centers Act na ating inisponsor at iniakda kasama si Senate President Migz Zubiri at iba pa naming kasamahan sa Senado ay isang malaking tagumpay sa ating adhikain na maihatid ang de-kalidad na serbisyong medikal sa ating mga kababayan maging sa malalayong komunidad--lalo na sa mahihirap, hopeless, helpless at walang malalapitan maliban sa pamahalaan," Go cited. "Bilang principal sponsor, ako po ang nag-defend nito sa Senado. Nakakuha tayo ng boto na 24-0 sa Senado dahil sang-ayon din po ang ating mga kasamahan na makabubuti po ito para sa lahat, at makatutulong sa mga mahihirap," he added. During the launch of the Lung Transplant Program of the Lung Center of the Philippines (LCP) and the NKTI, President Marcos Jr. highlighted the critical need for modernization, acknowledging the long-standing delay since the devastating fire in 1998. "I was a little sad to hear that the damage caused by the fire of '98 has not yet been completely rehabilitated. I think that's the first thing that we have to look to," Marcos stated. Earlier, the government already established 131 operational Regional Specialty Centers nationwide, with nine dedicated as lung care centers. This strategic development aims to enhance accessibility to specialized healthcare, particularly for those in rural areas. Supported by a substantial allocation of PhP11.12 billion this year, these specialty centers are a testament to the government's collaborative efforts to enhance Filipinos' health and well-being, with Go's continuous support as chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and vice-chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance. "Mahalaga ang mabilis na pag-aksyon para sa rehabilitasyon ng NKTI at pagtataguyod ng mga bagong Regional Specialty Centers. Ito ay magbibigay daan sa mas mataas na kalidad ng pangangalagang pangkalusugan para sa ating mga kababayan," Go said. "With the President's dedication and our joint efforts in the legislature, we look forward to an improved Philippine healthcare system. The reconstruction of NKTI's annex and establishing these specialty centers will become crucial in promoting the health and well-being for our people," he added. The government has also launched the five-year LCP-NKTI Lung Transplant Program, addressing challenges such as inadequate infrastructure and a more efficient organ donation system. This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance the infrastructure capacity of the LCP, with significant funding from the 2024 General Appropriations Act and private sector contributions. Among the programs this year advocated by Go, together with fellow senators led by Senate Finance Committee Chair Sonny Angara and Senior Vice Chair Pia Cayetano, include the Lung Transplant Program, Screening for Early Lung Cancer Detection and Treatment Program, and the Biobanking for Pulmonary Diseases Project. During the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte, Go also advocated for additional funding for LCP for its facilities, equipment enhancements and additional medical assistance for patients. According to DOH's timeline, the establishment of specialty centers in the National Capital Region will take place in Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center, Quirino Memorial Medical Center, East Avenue Medical Center, Tondo Medical Center, Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center, Valenzuela Medical Center, Las Pinas General Hospital and Satellite Trauma Center, Rizal Medical Center, and Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital and Sanitarium. In other parts of Luzon, specialty centers will be established in Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center, Region I Medical Center, Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center, Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center, Cagayan Valley Medical Center, Region II Trauma and Medical Center, Southern Isabela Medical Center, Dr. Paulino J. Garcia Memorial Research and Medical Center, Bataan General Hospital and Medical Center, Mariveles Mental Wellness and General Hospital, Batangas Medical Center, Ospital ng Palawan, Culion Sanitarium and General Hospital, Bicol Medical Center, Bicol Region General Hospital, Geriatric Medical Center, Bicol Medical Center, and Bicol Regional Hospital and Medical Center. The Visayas region will have more specialty centers in Western Visayas Medical Center, Western Visayas Sanitarium and General Hospital, Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital, Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, Governor Celestino Gallares Memorial Medical Center, and Eastern Visayas Medical Center. In Mindanao, specialty centers will also be established in Zamboanga City Medical Center, Northern Mindanao Medical Center, Mayor Hilarion A. Ramiro Sr. Medical Center, Southern Philippines Medical Center, Davao Regional Medical Center, Cotabato Regional and Medical Center, Caraga Regional Hospital, Adela Serra Ty Memorial Medical Center, and Amai Pakpak Medical Center.
ABUJA, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- The 15-member Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Sunday officially asserted Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger remain integral members of the regional bloc in response to an earlier declaration by the military junta in each respective country, stating their intention to withdraw membership.

The ECOWAS Commission said in a statement that it was yet to receive any direct notification from the three member states about their intention to withdraw from the community.

"Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali remain important members of the community and the Authority of Heads of State and Government remains committed to finding a negotiated solution to the political impasse," read the statement.

Earlier on Sunday, the declarations by the military junta leaders were broadcast on national televisions of Mali and Niger, sparking concern among the international community.

According to Colonel Abdoulaye Maiga, Malian minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralization, and spokesperson for the transitional government of Mali, 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, and 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. 
LUANDA, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Angolan Foreign Minister Tete Antonio on Monday called on member countries to coordinate efforts to prevent and control the spread of cholera during an extraordinary session of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

In his virtual address, Antonio mentioned that the recent cholera outbreak in several SADC member countries since the start of the rainy season poses an obstacle to the integration and development agenda.

He said in the already interconnected context of the SADC, the movement of people, goods, and services across borders creates an environment conducive to the easy spread of cholera, affecting not just one country but the entire SADC region.

"This scenario calls for a coordinated regional response to meet this challenge, as no country can fight alone a disease like cholera, which does not respect borders," he said.

According to the local media Angola Press Agency, as of Sunday, five SADC countries -- Botswana, South Africa, Mozambique, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) -- had reported cholera cases.

Although Angola has not yet officially confirmed any cases of cholera, Angolan health authorities have raised the alert level due to the large number of cases reported in neighboring Zambia and the DRC.

The SADC is an intergovernmental organization comprising 16 countries in southern Africa. Angola took over the rotating presidency in August last year for the 2023-2024 term. 
MOROGORO, Tanzania, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Morogoro Region in eastern Tanzania is getting ready for massive cultivation of cloves and other spices, authorities said on Sunday.

Mussa Ali Mussa, Morogoro regional administrative secretary, said 400,000 clove seedlings have already been grown and will be distributed to farmers free of charge.

Mussa told officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, who discussed the introduction of clove cultivation in Morogoro Region at a meeting, that most of the cloves will be grown along the Uluguru Mountains, a collection of peaks located in eastern Tanzania.

"The cultivation of cloves and other spices along the Uluguru Mountains will help restore the degraded vegetation of the mountains," said Mussa.

Beatrice Banzi, Morogoro Region's acting director for crop production, said studies carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture showed that the region is suitable for clove production, adding that the ministry will also provide 235,000 clove seedlings for distribution to farmers.

According to statistics from the Ministry of Agriculture, Zanzibar is known all over the world for the production of high-quality organic cloves, and the Zanzibar State Trading Corporation is responsible for exporting the majority of the cloves. 
CAIRO, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and King Abdullah II of Jordan discussed Monday in a phone call the ongoing efforts to calm the situation in the Gaza Strip and the means of immediate aid delivery to the Palestinian people, according to a statement from the Egyptian presidency.

They warned against the severity of the continuous military escalation in the enclave, which exposes regional security to further threats, said the statement.

"The two leaders confirmed that reaching a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian cause is the only guarantor for restoring regional security and peace," it noted.

Reviewing the regional tensions, Sisi renewed condemnation of a "terrorist attack" targeting a U.S. outpost on the border between Jordan and Syria, stressing Egypt's full support for Jordan and its keenness to maintain Jordan's stability and security.

King Abdullah II, for his part, said Jordan valued the historic ties with Egypt.

Three U.S. soldiers were killed, and many others wounded in a drone attack overnight targeting U.S. forces stationed in northeast Jordan near the Syrian border, U.S. officials said Sunday.

U.S. troops in Syria and Iraq have frequently come under attack since the Israel-Hamas conflict broke out on Oct. 7, 2023. The U.S. retaliatory strikes against Iran-backed militias in the region have so far failed to deter them, culminating in the deaths of U.S. soldiers in the drone attack for the first time. 
KHARTOUM, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Fifty-two civilians and two peacekeepers have been killed in inter-communal clashes in the oil-rich area of Abyei contested between Sudan and South Sudan, the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) said in a statement on Monday.

UNISFA "is concerned about the continuing inter-communal clashes (in Abyei) that resulted in the death of another UN peacekeeper on Saturday," the statement said.

The UN mission added that it was coordinating with local authorities to verify the toll of the slain, injured, and displaced due to the clashes, putting the current number of dead and wounded among civilians at 52 and 64, respectively.

UNISFA strongly condemned these attacks against civilians and peacekeepers, citing that violence against blue helmets may constitute a war crime under international law.

It noted that it was making every effort to restore calm, including proactively and robustly protecting civilians, reiterating its call for a swift investigation to hold perpetrators accountable.

The UN peacekeeping force was established in 2011 by the UN Security Council to monitor the contested Abyei area, with up to 5,326 troops stationed on the border between Sudan and South Sudan. 
COLOMBO, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- A Sri Lankan fishing trawler, together with its six crew members, which was hijacked by Somali pirates in the Arabian Sea on Saturday, was rescued by the Seychelles Coast Guard, said the Sri Lankan navy on Monday.

Gayan Wickramasuriya, media director of the navy, told journalists that three pirates have also been arrested, and the rescued Sri Lankan fishermen and the multi-day fishing vessel named Lorenzo Putha 4 were being taken to the capital of the Seychelles.

Wickramasuriya said the Seychelles carried out a rescue operation following the request made by the Sri Lankan navy.

Sri Lanka's Foreign Ministry said earlier that it has reached out to countries near the area where Somali pirates seized the fishing vessel from the South Asian nation. 
SUVA, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Fiji Police confirmed that the country has been used as a transit point and the methamphetamine found recently was destined for a foreign market.

The confirmation was made after 13 people related to the Nadi drug busts appeared in the Magistrates Court on Monday.

It is alleged that more than three tons of methamphetamine were transported to Legalega and over one ton to Maqalevu in Nadi, Fiji's third largest city.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Crime Mesake Waqa said the police action was made through joint efforts with their international law enforcement partners the Australian Federal Police and the Pacific Transnational Crime and Coordination Center.

Waqa said police also confirmed that the illicit substances arrived in Fiji in late December. The exchange of the shipment of methamphetamine was believed to be made outside of Fiji's Exclusive Economic Zone, and the packages were delivered via a barge.

He said the investigation revealed that the accused people stored the illicit substances in a private warehouse.

Those involved in the delivery and subsequent packing of the drugs have been charged. 
COLOMBO, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's total exports for 2023 were 14.49 billion U.S. dollars, a minor decline of 0.39 percent compared to 2022, data from the Export Development Board (EDB) showed on Monday.

The EDB said that cumulative merchandise exports in 2023 decreased by 9.54 percent to 11.85 billion dollars, compared to 2022.

On the other hand, the estimated value of services exports in 2023 increased by 63.1 percent compared to 2022, the EDB said.

The service imports for 2023 were around 3.1 billion dollars, the EDB said.

Earnings from the export of apparel and textiles, rubber and rubber-finished products, coconut and coconut-finished products, and seafood are among those that decreased.

Meanwhile, earnings from the export of tea, spices and concentrates, electronics and electronic components, and food and beverages increased, the EDB said. 
PHNOM PENH, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- The restoration work on the southwest platform of Bayon temple's third terrace in Cambodia's famed Angkor Archaeological Park has been completed, the APSARA National Authority (ANA) said in a news release on Monday.

Meng Sovanlylin, an architect and manager of the restoration site, said the project had prepared ridge stones back to their original locations, compacted the soil foundation of the ancient drainage system, and restored the 12-meter-long Naga balustrade.

"This restoration work started at the beginning of 2023 and has been completed, with only a small amount of work left, such as cleaning new stones and grouting the stone connection," she said.

Sovanlylin said the southwest platform of Bayon temple's third terrace was previously badly damaged because tree roots grew into the structure, causing some stones to move from their original locations and making waters seep into stone holes.

As a result, there were sand leaks that caused some parts of the structure collapsed, she added.

Built during the reign of Jayavarman VII in the late 12th century and early 13th century, Bayon is one of the key temples in the 401-square-km Angkor Archaeological Park in northwest Siem Reap province.

The Angkor Archaeological Park, which was inscribed on the World Heritage List of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1992, is the most popular tourist destination in the Southeast Asian nation. 
The President of Georgia, Salome Zourabichvili, voiced her disappointment, noting that she was not afforded the opportunity to meet and host the visiting Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan."The President of Georgia welcomes the visit of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia to the country, but it is a pity that the President is not given the opportunity to meet and properly host the leaders of friendly countries within the framework of his visit to Georgia.It is also sad and worth noting that the relevant agencies do not inform the President about high-ranking visits, meetings, or events planned in the country," Zourabichvili wrote.Russian media reports that 17 of the best restorers from Russia have arrived in Sokhumi to restore the works damaged by the fire on January 21. The initial stage involves sorting out which paintings require urgent restoration and which ones need conservation.According to reports, the assessment will last until Monday, and then the restorers will start their work. Some of the paintings will be transported to Moscow and St. Petersburg for restoration due to the lack of suitable working conditions in Abkhazia.A fire broke out in the central exhibition hall of Sukhumi on the night of January 21. According to the Ministry of Culture of the de facto Republic of Abkhazia, approximately 4,000 artworks stored in the same building were destroyed in the fire. The official report states that about 150 works were saved. Unfortunately, the works of artist Alexander Chachba - Shervashidze were completely burned, including the digitized archive of the works.
WASHINGTON/HOUSTON, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- The immigration issue has recently intensified tensions between the southern U.S. state of Texas and the federal government, exacerbating partisanship and fears of a constitutional crisis in the United States.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled earlier in January that federal agents could cut the razor wire that Texas has installed at the border of the United States and Mexico.

The razor wire, set up at the order of Texas Governor Greg Abbott, is meant to deter migrants from crossing the border.

Abbott said that the operation was within the constitutional "right of self-defense," and he accused U.S. President Joe Biden of failing to fulfill his constitutional duty to protect the nation's borders by allowing millions of immigrants to enter the country illegally.

"This is not over. Texas' razor wire is an effective deterrent to the illegal crossings Biden encourages," Abbott said on social media. "I will continue to defend Texas' constitutional authority to secure the border and prevent the Biden Administration from destroying our property."

Abbott has gained the support of more than 20 Republican governors, as well as former U.S. President Donald Trump.

Biden said the White House is negotiating an immigration bill with members of both parties in Congress to address the "border crisis."

The White House has repeatedly slammed Abbott and other Republicans for using the immigration issue as a political "stunt."

The unprecedented "standoff" between Texas state and the federal government over the southern border is escalating, according to U.S. media reports.

Polls have shown that immigration is one of the top issues for American voters as the country enters an election year in 2024. 
WASHINGTON, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Joe Biden said Sunday that three U.S. soldiers were killed and many others wounded in a drone attack targeting U.S. forces stationed in northeast Jordan near the border with Syria Saturday night.

The president said in a statement that his administration was still gathering facts about the attack. Nonetheless, he attributed the attack to Iran-backed militant groups operating in Syria and Iraq.

In a separate statement, U.S. Central Command confirmed that the number of wounded soldiers stood at 25 in the attack launched by a one-way attack drone. The command said updates will be issued when available.

Biden said the United States "will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner (of) our choosing."

U.S. troops in Syria and Iraq have frequently come under attack since the Israel-Hamas conflict broke out on Oct. 7, 2023. U.S. retaliatory counterstrikes against Iran-backed militias in the region have so far failed to deter them, culminating in the deaths of U.S. soldiers in attacks for the first time. 
In this article, we will look at 20 countries with the highest life expectancy in the world. If you want to skip our discussion about life expectancy in the United States, go to 5 Countries With the Highest Life Expectancy In The World.

The United States is one of the most developed countries in the world. However, it is still not a part of the top 20 countries with the highest life expectancy in the world. According to a report by The Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD), life expectancy in the United States is 79.4 years, which is 3.9 years lower than all other OECD countries. In addition, the country also reports high treatable and preventable mortality rates. The United States also fares worse than the average of OECD countries when it comes to diabetes prevalence, death from air pollution, and obesity. In fact, the United States is one of the most obese countries in the world, and twelve of its cities are on our list of the most overweight and obese cities in the world. According to Peterson -KFF health system tracker, despite spending twice that of other comparable countries on health per person, the life expectancy in the United States is low. It also falls way behind world leaders when it comes to infant mortality rates and mortality above age 50. According to Harvard Health, several health issues, such as homicides, smoking, opioid overdoses, and road accidents contribute to the low life expectancy in the country.

While the United States does not fare well compared to other OECD countries, life expectancy in the country has increased drastically in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. The average lifespan of individuals in the US increased from just 47 years in 1900 to 79 years in 2019. However, the country saw a slight decline in average lifespan for two consecutive years following coronavirus. The life expectancy in the US decreased to 77 years in 2020 and 76 in 2021. This decrease in life expectancy is attributed to an increase in drug overdose effects and deaths by coronavirus. However, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), life expectancy rebounded back to 77.5 years in 2022.

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Given the low life expectancy in the United States, some companies are carrying out scientific research and studies to enhance the life span of individuals. Pharmaceutical companies, such as Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY), are actively working to combat diseases. FDA recently approved an anti-cancer drug called Jaypirca. According to Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY), this drug will be used to treat patients with lymphocytic leukemia. It is the first noncovalent BTK inhibitor to be approved by the FDA. Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) also announced that the drug will be used for patients who have received at least two lines of therapy.

Other companies are using Artificial Intelligence to speed up pharmaceutical developments, which will help increase life expectancy. Recursion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:RXRX) is a clinical-stage biotechnology firm in Salt Lake City, Utah. The company is dedicated to reinventing drug discovery and speeding it up by integrating chemistry, data science, and machine learning. Recursion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:RXRX) aims to lower the time and cost spent on drug development. This will pave the way for the industrialization of the drug discovery process. This initiative by Recursion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(NASDAQ:RXRX) has caught the attention of German pharmaceutical firm, Bayer AG, which announced a pledge of $1.5 billion to work on seven oncology and cancer treatment-related projects with the company. Here is what Lux Capital, an investment management firm, said about the company in its 2022, quarter 2 Investor letter:

As we discussed before describing Extensionalism, one of our theses has been the growing convergence between the biological and technological, the organic and inorganic, man and machine. Lux has made investments in the digitization, technological capture and amplification of each of the human senses. Consider vision and speech: we have technology that can rapidly recognize and label objects from pixels (companies that span defense, biotechnology, manufacturing and transportation like, Recursion (NASDAQ:RXRX), and others that can rapidly generate videos, images, and even more complex language from simple inputs.

Let's now head over to the list of countries where people live the longest.

20 Countries With The Highest Life Expectancy In The World

An elderly couple with their arms around each other, holding a frame of life insurance.

Methodology

For our list of 20 countries with the highest life expectancy in the world, we sorted countries by their life expectancies in ascending order. We utilized data based on the latest United Nations Population Division estimate.

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.

20 - Iceland

Life Expectancy of Both Sexes - 82.96

Female Life Expectancy - 84.41

Male Life Expectancy - 81.55

Iceland has one of the highest life expectancy rates in the world. Life expectancy in the country has seen a positive trend over the years. It increased from 78.8 years in 1994 to 82.4 years in 2016. Iceland also has one of the lowest mortality rates in Europe. The average mortality rate in the country is 6.5 per 1000, whereas the infant mortality rate is 2.7 per 100.

19 - Canada

Life Expectancy of Both Sexes - 83.02

Female Life Expectancy - 84.94

Male Life Expectancy - 81.07

Although Canada is part of our list of countries with the highest life expectancy in the world, life expectancy declined for a third consecutive year in 2023. In addition, this decline was more prominent in females than men. However, much of this decline can be attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic.

18 - New Zealand

Life Expectancy of Both Sexes - 83.16

Female Life Expectancy - 84.84

Male Life Expectancy - 81.43

New Zealand's life expectancy has seen a positive trend since the turn of the century. It has improved from 78.6 years in 2000 to 83.16 years in 2024. These figures reflect an improvement in health care, living standards, and public health initiatives in the country. Like many other countries, there is a significant gender gap in the life expectancies of women and men, with women living longer than men on average.

17 - Guadeloupe

Life Expectancy of Both Sexes - 83.34

Female Life Expectancy - 86.43

Male Life Expectancy - 79.68

Guadeloupe has one of the highest life expectancies in the world. The country has seen a steady improvement in its health care and living standards over the last few years, which has increased life expectancy over the years. However, there is a significant gender gap of around seven years in life expectancies of men and women.

16 - France

Life Expectancy of Both Sexes - 83.35

Female Life Expectancy - 86.08

Male Life Expectancy - 80.50

Life expectancy in France, like in many other countries on our list, has seen a positive trend over the last few years. This trend can be attributed to the progress in the fight against cardiovascular diseases and cancer in the country. Reduction in infant and child mortality rates has also had a positive effect on life expectancy in France.

15 - Israel

Life Expectancy of Both Sexes - 83.39

Female Life Expectancy - 85.10

Male Life Expectancy - 81.59

Israel is among the top 15 countries with the highest life expectancy in the world. According to an OECD countries report, Israelis drink less alcohol and commit less suicide than people in other OECD countries. Despite ranking 27 out of the 39 countries for healthcare expenditure, in research by NiceRx, the country has seen a significant rise in life expectancy over the last few years.

14 - Martinique

Life Expectancy of Both Sexes - 83.45

Female Life Expectancy - 86.09

Male Life Expectancy - 80.44

Martinique's life expectancy has increased by 5.7 years since 2000. This drastic increase in life expectancy in the country can be attributed to advancements in health care and modern contraception in the country.

13 - Norway

Life Expectancy of Both Sexes - 83.55

Female Life Expectancy - 85.17

Male Life Expectancy - 81.91

According to the World Health Organization, life expectancy in Norway increased by 4.09 years between 2000 and 2019. Life expectancy in 2000 was 78.5 years, which increased to 82.6 years in 2019. It has also increased significantly since 2019 as it now stands at 83.55 years. The country has a well-developed healthcare system that provides high-quality medical care. In addition, Norwegians are known to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

12 - Sweden

Life Expectancy of Both Sexes - 83.65

Female Life Expectancy - 85.22

Male Life Expectancy - 82.08

Sweden has a well-developed healthcare system that delivers high-quality medical care. In addition, it is a welfare state where accessibility to high-tech health care is very easy. Its people are known to maintain a healthy lifestyle, which contributes to their longevity.

11 - French Polynesia

Life Expectancy of Both Sexes - 83.70

Female Life Expectancy - 86.10

Male Life Expectancy - 81.49

French Polynesia is one of the countries with the highest life expectancy in the world. There has been a long-standing focus on health care in the country, which has made a significant contribution to the increase in life expectancy.

10 -Australia

Life Expectancy of Both Sexes - 83.73

Female Life Expectancy - 85.56

Male Life Expectancy - 81.89

Australia is among the top 10 countries with the highest life expectancy in the world. It also ranks fifth among the OECD countries. Over the past five decades, life expectancy in the country has increased by 13.7 years for males and 11.2 years for females. The country has seen a drastic reduction in poverty and an improvement in the healthcare system and living standards over the past five decades.

9 - Malta

Life Expectancy of Both Sexes - 83.85

Female Life Expectancy - 85.83

Male Life Expectancy - 81.81

Malta is a small island nation, but it is one of the top 10 countries when it comes to life expectancy. Public health efforts and disease prevention programs in the country have contributed significantly to increasing the average lifespan of individuals. There is also a focus on a healthy lifestyle in the country, which reflects positively on life expectancy.

8 - Spain

Life Expectancy of Both Sexes - 84.05

Female Life Expectancy - 86.68

Male Life Expectancy - 81.35

Life expectancy in Spain has been on the rise. It increased by 0.15% between the years 2022 and 2023. Improvements in living standards, economic growth, and poverty reduction are some of the most prominent reasons for an improvement in life expectancy in the country. In addition, some experts think that Spain's Mediterranean climate with plenty of sunshine is one of the reasons why people live longer in the country.

7 - South Korea

Life Expectancy of Both Sexes - 84.14

Female Life Expectancy - 87.23

Male Life Expectancy - 80.83

According to a study published in The Lancet, South Korea will have the highest life expectancy in the year 2030 when a baby girl born in the country would be expected to live for 90.8 years. The high life expectancy in the country is a result of low blood pressure, low levels of smoking, and good access to healthcare enjoyed by the people in the country.

6 - Italy

Life Expectancy of Both Sexes - 84.20

Female Life Expectancy - 86.13

Male Life Expectancy - 82.15

Italy is one of the countries with the highest life expectancy in the world. Life expectancy in Italy has seen a positive trend over the last few years, which could be attributed to an improvement in its healthcare system.

Click to continue reading and see 5 Countries With The Highest Life Expectancy In The World.

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Disclosure: none. 20 Countries With The Highest Life Expectancy In The World is originally published on Insider Monkey
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Your real estate agent called and said that youre clear to close on your first home! Finally, all of your budgeting, planning and hard work has paid off. In just a few weeks, youll be able to move into the house youve been dreaming about for years. Its a huge milestone  one worthy of celebration.

Barbara Corcoran: If You Buy a Home Now, Its To Your Advantage

Find Out: 3 Things You Must Do When Your Savings Reach $50,000

However, after enjoying a nice dinner out to mark the occasion, you should use every penny in the bank carefully. You must resist the urge to make any major money moves until you finalize your home loan  and spend some time in your new space.

Heres a look at three types of purchases you should hold off on as you buy your first home.

Sponsored: Owe the IRS $10K or more? Schedule a FREE consultation to see if you qualify for tax relief.

Everything You Think You Need

When you move into a new place, its natural to want to buy everything for it all at once. You want the environment to be perfect from the moment you arrive.

Unfortunately, thats generally not realistic from a financial standpoint. Furniture, appliances, tools and decor can be very expensive, and going on a shopping spree could seriously deplete your cash reserve, which can be a big issue if an unforeseen house repair arises.

As a new homeowner, you have no clue how much it actually costs to maintain a home, and you could be in for a rude awakening if your savings [account] is out of whack, said Jeff Rose, CFP and founder of Good Financial Cents.

Plus, you never really know what you need in your new dwelling until youre residing in it. Thats why financial educator Jonathan Thomas, MBA, advised, Give yourself time to live in the home and develop a mood you want to create.

That way, you dont spend money on things you dont need for your first house.

Discover: 6 Safest and Cheapest Cities To Live in Virginia

How To Get What You Actually Need

If you discover that you actually do need something  versus just wanting it  consider buying a gently-used item instead of a brand-new one. You could save a significant sum by doing so.

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For example, a new, high-quality sofa can cost upwards of $2,000, while a similar second-hand one might be found for under $500. You could even find someone giving it away for free! said Rose.

You may even be able to furnish your entire home using Facebook Marketplace.

Anything Involving New Credit

Even if you dismiss the advice above, please heed this bit of wisdom: Dont take on new debt before your closing day! Your mortgage may depend on it.

Eric Croak, CFP and president of Croak Capital, explained, Buying expensive things on credit can change your debt-to-income ratio, which is how much debt you have each month compared to how much money you make. This ratio is a big deal when it comes to how much house you can afford  or if you can get a house loan at all.

It would be a shame if your new car  or other large, financed purchase  prevented you from finalizing your mortgage. Even though it may be hard to do, its best to wait until after the home is officially yours before visiting the auto dealership.

Debt Reduction

Paying off debt isnt purchasing anything tangible, but doing so is buying your financial freedom  or at least partial freedom. While its generally heeded as a sound money management practice, the timing may be problematic.

Croak said, It might seem smart to pay off debt to boost your credit score, but thats not always the right move. Sometimes, its better to use your money for a down payment, closing costs or just to save it.

Buying and moving into a new home is a pricey undertaking. Youll likely be glad you have some spare cash in the bank throughout this stage in your life.

Your Finances During the Homebuying Process

When a lender agrees to give you a mortgage, they do so based on the information youve provided. If any of those details change, you could delay or prevent closing on your home loan. Avoid these financial moves to ensure that doesnt happen to you.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 3 Purchases To Hold Off on When Buying Your First Home
Alibaba (NYSE: BABA), China's largest e-commerce and cloud company, went public at $68 per American depositary share (ADS) on Sept. 18, 2014. It was valued at $169.4 billion upon its debut, making it the largest U.S. initial public offering (IPO) ever. Its stock hit an all-time high of $312.87 on Oct. 27, 2020. But on Jan. 18, its stock closed just barely above its IPO price at $68.05.

It has bounced back to $74 as of this writing, but that's still well below its record highs. What happened?

Three challenges drove away the bulls. China's antitrust regulators tightened their grip on Alibaba's e-commerce business; growing competitors like PDD Holdings' Pinduoduo lured away its merchants and shoppers; and macro headwinds throttled the growth of its online marketplaces and cloud-based services. Rising interest rates and delisting threats for U.S.-listed Chinese stocks only exacerbated that sell-off.

Those headwinds could continue to limit Alibaba's gains this year, but I think long-term investors can consider buying the stock as it revisits its IPO price for three simple reasons.

Image source: Alibaba.

1. Revenue growth is stabilizing

Alibaba's revenue only grew 2% in fiscal 2023 (which ended last March) as its core e-commerce and cloud businesses stalled out. But in the first six months of its fiscal 2024, revenue rose 11% year over year, and analysts anticipate 9% growth for the full year.

That stabilization can be attributed to the rapid growth of its international digital-commerce business, which houses its Southeast Asian marketplace Lazada, its Turkish marketplace Trendyol, and its cross-border marketplace AliExpress. That overseas expansion has been offsetting the slower growth of its Taobao and Tmall marketplaces in China, which still face stiff competition from PDD's Pinduoduo and JD.com.

Alibaba's cloud business only grew at low single-digit rates in the first half of fiscal 2024, but its growth could accelerate again as the macro environment improves. Its smaller logistics, local services, and digital-media units are still growing at double-digit rates, and they could eventually diversify its top line away from its e-commerce and cloud businesses.

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From fiscal 2023 to 2026, analysts expect Alibaba's revenue to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8%. That's a lot slower than its double-digit growth over the past decade, but the company isn't headed off a cliff yet.

2. The stock is too cheap to ignore

As Alibaba's revenue growth cooled off, it cut costs to boost its margins. The restructuring of its business into six separate divisions led by different CEOs last year also sets it up to raise cash through spin-offs and IPOs over the next few years.

Alibaba's operating margin expanded from 8.2% in fiscal 2022 to 11.6% in fiscal 2023, and analysts expect that figure to rise to 15.1% in fiscal 2024. Its earnings per share (EPS) are expected to grow at a CAGR of 31% from fiscal 2023 to 2026. That's a stellar growth rate for a stock that trades at just 10 times next year's earnings. If you believe Alibaba can overcome its macro, competitive, and regulatory headwinds, then its stock is simply too cheap to ignore right now.

3. Its insider buys and big buybacks

Lastly, Alibaba's insider purchases and buybacks also indicate its stock is on sale. Co-founders Jack Ma and Joseph Tsai recently bought $200 million in shares, and the company bought back $4.8 billion in shares in the first half of fiscal 2024.

Investors need to tune out the near-term noise

Alibaba looks like a deep value play at these levels, but it could remain volatile this year as concerns about China's economic growth and the escalating tensions between the U.S. and China continue to compress the valuations of China's top stocks.

Nevertheless, investors who can tune out all that near-term noise could still reap some massive long-term gains as Alibaba stabilizes its revenue, diversifies its business, expands its operating margins, and buys back more shares.

Should you invest $1,000 in Alibaba Group right now?

Before you buy stock in Alibaba Group, consider this:

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3 Reasons to Buy Alibaba Stock as It Revisits Its IPO Price was originally published by The Motley Fool
In this article, we will take a look at the 30 countries with highest debt-to-GDP ratio. You can skip our detailed analysis and go directly to the 10 Countries with Highest Debt-to-GDP: 2024 Rankings.

Global Debt Distress

The global debt distress is a complicated thing for policymakers as they continue to work on preserving debt sustainability. In 2021, the advanced and global economies grew by 5.3% and 5.9%, respectively. Despite 2021 being a recovery year for the global economy, the growth bubble was short-lived. According to the IMF Global Debt Database, the global public debt fell from 10% of GDP in 2022 for the second consecutive year to 238% of GDP. The drop in global debt was mainly driven by the withdrawal of fiscal support measures related to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Other factors that played an important role were the rebound in economic activity, inflation surprises, and interest rate hikes. In advanced economies and several emerging economies, private debt declined. While countries including China and some low-income developing countries followed the opposite trend with an increase in debt. After three years of sustainability, the global debt point seems to be returning to its long-term increasing trend. China is in the driver's seat in the journey to rise in global debt.

The global debt-to-GDP ratios were on a decades-long rising trend before the pandemic. Global public debt tripled since the mid-1970s, reaching 92% of GDP or $91 trillion by the end of 2022. Private debt also tripled to 146% of GDP, reaching $144 trillion between 1960 and 2022. China has been a central figure in the increase of global debt in recent decades. Similarly, the US has contributed to the rise in debt share of GDP. Chinas total debt is around $47.5 trillion, still on a lower side than the US which is close to $70 trillion. Whereas, Chinas non-financial corporate debt share is 28%, the largest in the world. China and the US remain two of the leading countries with the highest debt-to-GDP ratios.

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Emerging economies and low-income economies are the most affected by debt vulnerabilities. Among the emerging economies, 25% are at a high risk of facing default-like spreads on their sovereign debt. Among low-income economies, around 15% are in debt distress, in addition to another 45% at high risk of debt distress. As reported by the IMF, emerging and low-income economies would need approximately $440 billion in additional financing between 2022 to 2026 to speed up the convergence of their incomes with those of advanced economies. The IMF policymakers believe that the rising debt trend is emerging once again as it was before the COVID-19 pandemic. On January 25, Reuters reported that the IMF is still focusing on a case-by-case approach to manage sovereign debt issues. At the same time, the policymakers at the IMF are closely observing the developments to be ready for a more systemic approach if needed. Strategy Chief at the IMF, Ceyla Pazarbasioglu said the 20 common frameworks for debt restructuring assisted countries that needed debt relief. However, Pazarbasioglu also highlighted that there is much more that needs to be done, such as quicker and more predictable relief reaching a broader set of countries.

Banks in Countries with the Most Debt

Banks have a big role to play in economies where a lot of borrowing is going on in the markets. At the government level, the central bank remains a key player that defines everything and sets the tone of the economy. Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:MUFG), DBS Group Holdings Ltd (OTC:DBSDY), and Intesa Sanpaolo SpA (BIT:ISP) are the biggest banking companies based out of some of the high-debt countries.

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:MUFG) is a leading Japanese bank holding and financial services company. On October 27, 2023, the company announced that its consolidated subsidiaries MUFG Bank, Ltd. (MUFG Bank) and Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corporation (MUTB) had created a debt fund framework. The debt fund ecosystem will allow Japanese institutional investors to be part of providing loans to overseas startups. To execute the debt fund framework, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:MUFG) has a comprehensive insurance underwriting framework agreement with Nippon Export and Investment Insurance (NEXI) and The Hachijuni Bank, Ltd., among others. On January 22, the companys subsidiary MUFG Bank (China), Ltd. received a lead underwriting license for corporate panda bonds from the Chinese regulatory body to operate in the Chinese Interbank Bond Market.

DBS Group Holdings Ltd (OTC:DBSDY) is a leading multinational banking and financial services corporation based out of Singapore. On December 20, 2023, DBS Group Holdings Ltd (OTC:DBSDY) announced that its Indonesian subsidiary bank has collaborated with Kredivo, a financial technology startup. With the help of Kredivo, DBS Indonesia will disburse loans to more than one million accounts under a joint financing arrangement. Almost 48% of Indonesians have no adequate access to financial services, as per the Bank Indonesia 2023 data. The loans provided by DBS Indonesia will aim to enhance the countrys financial inclusion index for people who are below banking standards.

Intesa Sanpaolo SpA (BIT:ISP) is an international banking group based out of Italy. On January 8, Intesa Sanpaolo SpA (BIT:ISP) announced that it is renewing its collaboration with SACE. In partnership with SACE, Intesa Sanpaolo SpA (BIT:ISP) will provide access financing against strategic investments for companies in Italy. The deal has occurred following a new agreement concerning Garanzia Futuro. So far, in partnership with SACE, Intesa Sanpaolo SpA (BIT:ISP) has supported loans of over 21.2 billion through the Garanzia Italia, Garanzia SupportItalia, and Garanzia Green programs.

Now, lets take a look at the countries with highest debt-to-GDP in 2024.

30 Countries with Highest Debt-to-GDP: 2024 Rankings

30 Countries with Highest Debt-to-GDP: 2024 Rankings

Our Methodology

To compile or list the countries with highest debt-to-GDP in 2024, we took the debt-to-GDP ratio data from the IMFs General Government Gross debt-to-GDP database. We also took the data on GDP (PPP) from the IMF database. The countries with highest debt-to-GDP in 2024 are ranked in ascending order of their debt-to-GDP ratios. For the countries with similar debt-to-GDP ratios, we have ranked them based on their GDP (PPP).

By the way, Insider Monkey is an investing website that tracks the movements of corporate insiders and hedge funds. By using different consensus approaches, we identify the best stock picks of more than 900 hedge funds investing in US stocks. The top 10 consensus stock picks of hedge funds outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here). Whether you are a beginner investor or a professional one looking for the best stocks to buy, you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and corporate insiders.

Note: The data for Afghanistan, Cuba, Libya, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Syria, Venezuela, and Zambia was not available on the IMF database and therefore, we have not considered them in our rankings.

30 Countries with Highest Debt-to-GDP: 2024 Rankings

30. Sierra Leone

Debt-to-GDP Ratio (2024): 82.6

GDP (PPP): $19.05 Billion

Sierra Leone is located in West Africa having a GDP of $19.05 billion. With a debt-to-GDP ratio of 82.6, Sierra Leone ranks 30th among the countries with highest debt-to-GDP in 2024.

29. The Bahamas

Debt-to-GDP Ratio (2024): 83.7

GDP (PPP): $18.9 Billion

Officially the Commonwealth of The Bahamas has a GDP of $18.9 billion. The Caribbean country has a debt-to-GDP ratio of 83.7 and ranks among the countries with highest debt-to-GDP in 2024.

28. China

Debt-to-GDP Ratio (2024): 87.4

GDP (PPP): $35.04 Trillion

China is one of the largest economies in the world with a GDP of $35.04 trillion. China has a debt-to-GDP ratio of 87.4 and is placed 28th among the countries with highest debt-to-GDP in 2024.

27. Egypt

Debt-to-GDP Ratio (2024): 88.1

GDP (PPP): $1.92 Trillion

Egypt is one of the largest economies in Africa. The country has a GDP of $1.92 trillion and a debt-to-GDP ratio of 88.1. Egypt is one of the countries with highest debt-to-GDP in 2024.

26. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Debt-to-GDP Ratio (2024): 89.2

GDP (PPP): $2.13 Billion

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines has a GDP of $2.13 billion and has a debt-to-GDP ratio of 89.2. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is placed 26th among the countries with highest debt-to-GDP in 2024.

25. Brazil

Debt-to-GDP Ratio (2024): 90.3

GDP (PPP): $4.26 Trillion

Brazil is one of the largest economies in South America with a GDP of $4.26 trillion. With a debt-to-GDP ratio of 90.3, Brazil ranks among the countries with highest debt-to-GDP in 2024.

24. Republic of Congo

Debt-to-GDP Ratio (2024): 91

GDP (PPP): $29.9 Billion

The Republic of Congo has a GDP of $29.9 billion and a debt-to-GDP ratio of 91. The Republic of Congo is one of the countries with highest debt-to-GDP.

23. Dominica

Debt-to-GDP Ratio (2024): 91

GDP (PPP): $1.14 Billion

Dominica has a similar debt-to-GDP ratio as the Republic of Congo. With a GDP of $1.14 billion, Dominica is placed 23rd among the countries with highest debt-to-GDP in 2024.

22. Jordan

Debt-to-GDP Ratio (2024): 91.9

GDP (PPP): $138.73 Billion

Jordan is one of the countries with highest debt-to-GDP, which is 91.9 as of 2024. Jordan has a GDP of $138.73 billion.

21. Mozambique

Debt-to-GDP Ratio (2024): 92.4

GDP (PPP): $57.65 Billion

Mozambiques economy has a debt-to-GDP ratio of 92.4, with the countrys GDP at $57.65 billion. Mozambique ranks among the countries with highest debt-to-GDP in 2024.

20. Suriname

Debt-to-GDP Ratio (2024): 93.9

GDP (PPP): $12.04 Billion

Suriname has a debt-to-GDP ratio of 93.9 and a GDP of $12.04 billion. Suriname ranks 20th among the countries with highest debt-to-GDP in 2024.

19. Ukraine

Debt-to-GDP Ratio (2024): 98.6

GDP (PPP): $501.07 Billion

Ukraines economy is affected massively due to the war and the country has a 98.6 debt-to-GDP ratio. With a GDP of $501.07 billion, Ukraine ranks among the countries with highest debt-to-GDP in 2024.

18. Canada

Debt-to-GDP Ratio (2024): 103.3

GDP (PPP): $2.47 Trillion

Canada is one of the largest economies in the world and has one of the highest debt-to-GDPs. Canada has a GDP of $2.47 trillion and a debt-to-GDP ratio of 103.3.

17. Portugal

Debt-to-GDP Ratio (2024): 104

GDP (PPP): $482.85 Billion

Portugal is one of the fastest growing economies in Europe and has a GDP of $482.85 billion. With a debt-to-GDP ratio of 104, Portugal is ranked 17th among the countries with highest debt-to-GDP in 2024.

16. Spain

Debt-to-GDP Ratio (2024): 104.7

GDP (PPP): $2.51 Trillion

Spain has a GDP of $2.51 trillion and a debt-to-GDP ratio of 104.7. Spain is one of the countries with highest debt-to-GDP in 2024.

15. United Kingdom

Debt-to-GDP Ratio (2024): 105.9

GDP (PPP): $3.98 Trillion

The United Kingdom is one of the largest economies in the world and the countrys debt continues to increase. The United Kingdom has a GDP of $3.98 trillion and ranks 15th among the countries with highest debt-to-GDP in 2024.

14. Belgium

Debt-to-GDP Ratio (2024): 106.8

GDP (PPP): $793.83 Billion

Belgium has a debt-to-GDP ratio of 106.8 and a GDP of $793.83 billion. Belgium is one of the countries with highest debt-to-GDP in 2024.

13. Barbados

Debt-to-GDP Ratio (2024): 107.5

GDP (PPP): $5.78 Billion

Barbados is relatively a small economy with a GDP of $5.78 billion. With a debt-to-GDP ratio of 107.5, Barbados ranks among the countries with highest debt-to-GDP in 2024.

12. Cabo Verde

Debt-to-GDP Ratio (2024): 109.7

GDP (PPP): $6.11 Billion

Cabo Verde is one of the smallest economies on our list with one of the highest debt-to-GDPs. Cabo Verde has a debt-to-GDP ratio of 109.7 and a GDP of $6.11 billion.

11. France

Debt-to-GDP Ratio (2024): 110.5

GDP (PPP): $4.01 Trillion

France is one of the largest economies in the world having a GDP of $4.01 trillion. The country has a debt-to-GDP ratio of 110.5.

Click to continue reading and see the 10 Countries with Highest Debt-to-GDP: 2024 Rankings.

Suggested Articles:

Disclosure: none. 30 Countries with Highest Debt-to-GDP: 2024 Rankings is originally published on Insider Monkey.
After 3M (NYSE: MMM) reported full-year 2023 earnings, its stock price fell roughly 10%. There were several problems in the update, notably including the company's 2024 outlook. But the big story here is uncertainty.

Here's what investors need to be thinking about as they make a buy, sell, or hold decision regarding 3M.

Sell 3M

The easiest takeaway from a deep dive into 3M is that conservative investors, particularly those who want to sleep well at night, should sell the stock. There are a few reasons for this.

Image source: Getty Images.

First, the company is working through massive legal and regulatory problems that have cost it a huge amount of money. The total cost is likely to be well into the billions before all of the issues are put to rest. The list includes product liability lawsuits around earplugs 3M sold to the U.S. military, environmental issues left behind at facilities that produced forever chemicals, and legal matters that have arisen from the forever chemical situation.

The big problem for investors in all of this is that 3M can't really talk about what is going on. That makes complete sense, given they are legal and regulatory problems; it really has to limit what it says publicly. But shareholders are, as a result, left in the dark. That's not a particularly great situation and increases the stress of owning 3M, even though it has a long history of rewarding investors via a growing dividend (it's a Dividend King).

That said, the company's fourth-quarter earnings call made clear that it has limited options for paying all of the legal and regulatory costs it faces. During what is normally a boilerplate comment about forward-looking statements, the senior vice president of investor relations stated: "Absent the proceeds from the intended spin-off of the healthcare business, the company has not concluded how it would fund amounts due under the public water supplier and Combat Arms earplugs legal settlements."

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In other words, the costs that 3M faces are forcing the company into a corner and the options it has are pretty limited. The healthcare division was expected to be a growth business for 3M. Selling off what some might consider the company's crown jewel is not a good look. And, given the size of the business segment (about 25% of revenue), it seems likely that a dividend reset will be necessary following the spinoff.

There is a lot of uncertainty today, which exacerbates any bad news, like the relatively weak full-year 2024 outlook the company gave when it reported full-year 2023 earnings. When you add that to all of the other negatives, Wall Street's harsh reaction seems appropriate. This is not a sleep-well-at-night stock.

Buy or hold 3M

To be fair, a lot of pessimism is already reflected in 3M's stock price. The shares are down around 60% from their 2018 highs. The dividend yield, meanwhile, is near all-time highs. For a contrarian investor, these two facts suggest that 3M is trading at deeply depressed levels and might be a turnaround candidate.

MMM Chart

That, of course, will depend on successfully navigating the legal and regulatory issues. But given the company's size and financial strength (it is investment grade rated), it seems likely 3M will manage that feat. Yes, it may require spinning off one of its more attractive businesses, but the rest of 3M isn't bad. The company's collection of industrial operations is just expected to grow more slowly than healthcare.

But there is the question of the dividend, which is likely to be reset with the healthcare spinoff. If the healthcare business pays a dividend and 3M resets its own dividend so that the combination of the two dividends is the same as it was before the spinoff, then there wouldn't really be a dividend cut. And 3M might be able to maintain its Dividend King status, which is an important psychological issue for many investors. But the key is that there is a path forward in which the dividend isn't technically cut. And that would make the lofty 6.2% dividend yield here pretty attractive, considering that the S&P 500 index's yield is a scant 1.4%.

However, the buy-and-hold arguments both must contend with the same information vacuum. That means that investors need to believe that all of the legal and regulatory issues will work out in a way that doesn't materially alter 3M's business prospects, beyond the healthcare spinoff. With so much work left to be done before this period of uncertainty is over, buying or holding 3M requires both a glass-half-full outlook and a great deal of faith. That probably limits its appeal to a small subset of the investing world.

There are no simple solutions at 3M

Although 3M has a storied history, there is so much up in the air today that most investors will probably be better off watching from the sidelines. That's particularly true if you are a conservative income investor. Only more aggressive investors who are interested in turnaround situations should probably buy or hold this industrial giant.

Should you invest $1,000 in 3M right now?

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3M Stock: Buy, Sell, or Hold? was originally published by The Motley Fool
Rawpixel / iStock.com

Planning a cruise vacation is an exciting process, but it can also be daunting to find the best deal. January is actually one of the best times to research and book a cruise, as cruise lines offer discounts and incentives to fill cabins during the Wave Season. Taking advantage of these deals can mean huge savings and added perks for cruises later in the year. Read on for tips to score the top cruise bargains this January.

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Why January Is Wave Season

January is referred to as Wave Season in the cruise industry.

This is when the cruise lines offer some of their most competitive sales, said Elisa Karen Ball, travel advisor at Cruise Planners. At the start of every year, the cruise lines hope to book their voyages for the coming year by offering discounted fares, special deals, and/or added amenities and freebies.

Cruise lines launch their best promotions of the year to incentivize travelers to book cruises now for sailings later in the year. They want to fill as many rooms as possible and generate major booking revenue after the slower holiday season.

Wave season gets its name from the wave of deals convincing people to book a cruise for not only the next 12 months but for the year after too, Ball said. You can find these promotions from almost every major cruise line, river, and expedition lines encompassing some of the most sought-after destinations around the world.

See: 8 Tips to Fly Business Class for the Price of Economy

Free Perks

Norwegian Cruise Line is offering a flash sale with 50% off rates and its classic Free at Sea discounts where you can get a number of perks included with your cruise fare, said Tanner Callais, founder of Cruzely.com.

Norwegians Free at Sea promotion includes free offers like an open bar, specialty dining, shore excursion credits or free WiFi. The extras you get for free can amount to huge savings.

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Discounts on Additional Guests

Cruise lines often offer reduced rates for second, third and fourth passengers sharing a room during Wave Season. This makes cruising more affordable for larger families or groups.

Celebrity is having its semi-annual sale with 75% off second guests, Callais said. As well, if you sign up to their mailing list, you can save another $50 right off the top.

Discounts like these allow families and groups to take a vacation together without paying full price for each traveler.

Generous Onboard Credit

In addition to great fares, cruise lines may offer extra onboard credit when you book in January. This gives you free money to spend however you want while on the ship, which is a terrific perk that adds real value when you book at the right time.

For instance, this year, Cunard is offering travelers who book by March 27, 2024, up to $800 in onboard credit per stateroom. Additionally, if you book either its Queens Grill Suite or Princess Grill Suite, then a drinks package and service charges for hotel and dining will be included in your fare.

Free Upgrades

Everyone likes a free upgrade, and booking a cruise in January can make that happen. Cruise lines want to fill every room, so they may offer a free upgrade to a more premium category when you book early.

This year, Holland America Line is offering a promotion for Wave Season called Time of Your Life. When booking select Holland America cruises for 2024 and 2025 by Feb. 29, 2024, you can take advantage of a free stateroom upgrade, up to 40% off cruise fares, and kids ages 18 and under can cruise free as the third or fourth guests in a cabin.

Reduced Deposits

To entice travelers to book early, many cruise lines will reduce the usually high deposit amounts in January. This makes it affordable to reserve your room while prices are low without having to pay the full deposit upfront.

Viking Cruises is offering deposits of just $25 when booking all Viking, river, ocean and expedition cruises by Jan. 31, 2024. Additionally, get up to $800 off each booking on Viking cruise fares.

Taking advantage of a reduced deposit makes booking a cruise much more accessible in January. You secure your ideal room and cruise fare but dont have to plunk down a huge payment months before the actual trip.

Use a Travel Advisor To Find the Best Deals

With so many cruise deals and promotions offered in January, it can be overwhelming to identify the very best offers.

To make sure you get the best deal possible, be sure to use an experienced travel advisor as she/he is aware of all these special promotions and will work tirelessly for you, Ball said.

An experienced travel advisor is invaluable for navigating Wave Season and securing the best deal for your needs. Travel advisors have established relationships with cruise lines and can even negotiate additional perks. Plus, their services are often free, since they earn a commission directly from the cruise line.

Dont Stress If You Miss Wave Season

While Wave Season offers great cruise deals, its not the only time of year to find discounts.

There isnt going to be a massive difference in the sort of sales you see this time of year versus other months, Calais said. After all, if there was one specific time of year when cruises offer the cheapest rates, then there would be no incentive for passengers to book any other time. So if you miss it or cant book right now, dont fret. Still, if you have the means to do so, then there are some nice discounts.

While January kicks off the year with major promotions, there will always be more opportunities to enjoy cruise promotions when the timing is right for you.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 5 Cruise Discounts and Deals You Can Get When You Book in January
Key Insights

Institutions' substantial holdings in B&M European Value Retail implies that they have significant influence over the company's share price

A total of 10 investors have a majority stake in the company with 51% ownership

Recent purchases by insiders

A look at the shareholders of B&M European Value Retail S.A. (LON:BME) can tell us which group is most powerful. And the group that holds the biggest piece of the pie are institutions with 61% ownership. In other words, the group stands to gain the most (or lose the most) from their investment into the company.

And things are looking up for institutional investors after the company gained UK201m in market cap last week. The one-year return on investment is currently 30% and last week's gain would have been more than welcomed.

In the chart below, we zoom in on the different ownership groups of B&M European Value Retail.

Check out our latest analysis for B&M European Value Retail

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About B&M European Value Retail?

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 B&M European Value Retail. This implies the analysts working for those institutions have looked at the stock and they like it. But just like anyone else, they could be wrong. It is not uncommon to see a big share price drop if two large institutional investors try to sell out of a stock at the same time. So it is worth checking the past earnings trajectory of B&M European Value Retail, (below). Of course, keep in mind that there are other factors to consider, too.

Institutional investors own over 50% of the company, so together than can probably strongly influence board decisions. B&M European Value Retail is not owned by hedge funds. Looking at our data, we can see that the largest shareholder is Capital Research and Management Company with 10% of shares outstanding. Meanwhile, the second and third largest shareholders, hold 8.9% and 6.7%, of the shares outstanding, respectively.

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We also observed that the top 10 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. There are plenty of analysts covering the stock, so it might be worth seeing what they are forecasting, too.

Insider Ownership Of B&M European Value Retail

The definition of company insiders can be subjective and does vary between jurisdictions. Our data reflects individual insiders, capturing board members at the very least. Company management run the business, but the CEO will answer to the board, even if he or she is a member of it.

I generally consider insider ownership to be a good thing. However, on some occasions it makes it more difficult for other shareholders to hold the board accountable for decisions.

Our most recent data indicates that insiders own less than 1% of B&M European Value Retail S.A.. But they may have an indirect interest through a corporate structure that we haven't picked up on. It's a big company, so even a small proportional interest can create alignment between the board and shareholders. In this case insiders own UK500k worth of shares. Arguably, recent buying and selling is just as important to consider. You can click here to see if insiders have been buying or selling.

General Public Ownership

The general public-- including retail investors -- own 35% 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.

Private Company Ownership

Our data indicates that Private Companies hold 4.2%, 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:

While it is well worth considering the different groups that own a company, 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 B&M European Value Retail you should know about.

If you would prefer discover what analysts are predicting in terms of future growth, do not miss this free report on analyst forecasts.

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.
artran / Getty Images

Costco is one of the most popular membership warehouses, known for its $1.50 hot dogs, bulk deals and its Kirkland Signature brand. Over the years, the chain has developed a cult-like following, but there are some common misconceptions that people wont stop believing.

Im a Shopping Expert: 9 Items Id Never Put in My Grocery Cart

See: 3 Things You Must Do When Your Savings Reach $50,000

Here are some of the most common myths about Costco.

You Need To Be a Member

You must be a Costco member to purchase most items at warehouse locations, but non-members can take advantage of Costcos pharmacy. According to the warehouse chain, nonmembers can purchase prescriptions from Costco pharmacies with cash, debit, Costco Shop Cards or a Visa card. However, you need to be a paid member to enter the warehouse and purchase other items.

You Can Always Save Money

You can find some great deals at Costco, but not every purchase will save you money.

For example, some bulk products may be more expensive than when you purchase individual pieces at a local grocery store. Checking each items unit price can help you figure out which items have the most product for the lowest cost. And dont forget to check the expiration date. If you dont think youll use the entire product before it goes bad, you could end up losing money.

Next: 10 Aldi Items That Have the Highest Rated Reviews

Everything Is in Bulk

Costco has more bulk deals than your local grocery store, but not everything is a bulk purchase. For instance, Costcos $5 rotisseries chicken isnt exactly bulk-sized, and you can find normal-sized seasonal items. Most bulk items are just larger portions.

You Can Return Anything

Costco has a 100% satisfaction guarantee. According to Costco, you can bring the product back to any Costco warehouse and make your return at a membership counter. However, there are a few exceptions, including:

Most electronics and appliances can only be returned within 90 days.

Items with a limited useful life expectancy can have product-specific limits.

Special order items and custom-installed products may not be returned outside of warranty specifications.

Costco Shop Cards are non-refundable.

Costco does not accept returns on cigarettes or alcohol where prohibited by law.

Airline and live performance event items are non-refundable.

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There Are Lots of Free Samples

Costco is known for its free samples, but it doesnt mean theres enough to skip a meal and fill your stomach.

Costcos samples are a clever business strategy. According to The Atlantic, free samples can help boost sales. In some cases, samples have helped increase sales by as much as 2,000%, and its a great way to boost customer loyalty to stores and brands over a long period of time.

Anyone Can Eat at Costcos Food Court

People often believe you can enjoy a meal at Costcos food court without a membership, but according to the Krazy Coupon Lady, thats not necessarily accurate.

Can you go to the Costco food court without a membership? Technically, no. Although every Costco food court is members-only by rule, theres a workaround: You can always enter Costco if you have a Costco Shop Card gift card  which works all over the store (including at the Costco food court), the site detailed. You must be a member to get such a card, but an existing cardholder can buy one and give it to you.

The level of enforcement against non-members eating at the food court may vary.

Costco Doesnt Have Sales

Costco sells bulk items with savings of up to 50% or more, but shoppers can find additional discounts beyond the everyday savings, The Kitchn reported. Costco has monthly promotions that you can find in the brands sales ad with upcoming deals. The Kitchn also noted that sales arent posted on Costcos website until the deal the new sales start or sometimes even the day before.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 7 Common Myths About Costco
CCTV: January 27, 2024 marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France. President Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron delivered video speeches and exchanged congratulatory messages a few days ago on the occasion. Whats Chinas comment and expectations on China-France relations?

Wang Wenbin: France is the first major western country to establish diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level with New China. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the diplomatic ties. As President Xi stressed, 60 years ago, China and France broke the ice of the Cold War, bridged the divide between different blocs, and pushed the global landscape to evolve in the right direction of dialogue and cooperation, which still offers inspiration for today. Over the past 60 years, the two countries have adhered to independence, achieved common development through mutually beneficial cooperation, promoted mutual learning among civilizations through exchanges on an equal footing, and jointly addressed global challenges through multilateral coordination. We have not only benefited the people of both countries but also played a vital role in maintaining global peace and stability, promoting a multipolar world, and advancing greater democracy in international relations. The current China-France relations maintain sound growth. In particular, since last year, the bilateral interactions at various levels have rebounded quickly and cooperation across the board has borne fruitful results, demonstrating the vigor of China-France relations in the post-COVID era.

The two countries both value the 60th anniversary and will jointly hold events throughout the year to celebrate the anniversary and mark the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism. The reception celebrating the anniversary was held in Beijing and attended by Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and over 200 Chinese and French from various sectors who are committed to China-France friendship. Standing at the new starting point of historic importance, China stands ready to work with France to stay true to the original aspiration of establishing diplomatic relations, undertake the historical mission, make China-France comprehensive strategic partnership more solid and dynamic and contribute wisdom and efforts to global peace, security, prosperity and progress.

Bloomberg: Donald Trump has discussed with his advisers the possibility of imposing a flat 60 percent tariff on all Chinese imports. This is according to people familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity and reported by the Washington Post. Does the Foreign Ministry have any comment on Mr. Trumps plans to impose 60 percent tariff on all Chinese imports?



Wang Wenbin: We dont comment on unverified information. I want to stress that the economic and trade relations between China and the US are mutually beneficial and win-win in nature. Upholding sound and steady growth of China-US economic and trade ties serves the fundamental interests of both countries and our peoples and is conducive to global economic growth.

Sky News: China was questioned on the deportation of defectors from North Korea at the UN Human Rights Councils Periodic Review last week. How does China justify the deportation?



Wang Wenbin: First of all, there is no so-called DPRK defectors in China. People who illegally enter China for economic reasons are not refugees. They violate Chinese laws and the entry and exit order of China. China handles these illegal entries under the principles of both domestic and international laws and the spirit of humanitarianism.

Taking this opportunity, Id like to brief you on the UN Human Rights Councils Universal Periodic Review (UPR). On January 26, the 45th session of the UN Human Rights Councils UPR Working Group adopted unanimously its report on the fourth cycle of the UPR of China. After the session, representatives from many countries sent congratulations to China. The delegation of the Chinese government attended the UPR session on January 23 and had constructive dialogue with representatives of other countries in an open and candid manner. More than 120 countries spoke highly of Chinas human rights progress, and fully acknowledged Chinas effort in advancing and protecting human rights.

China is advancing the cause towards a strong and prosperous country and national rejuvenation in all respects through Chinese modernization. In achieving this grand goal, we will deliver more gains of modernization to all people more fairly, continue to better safeguard human rights and strengthen the free and well-rounded development of our people. While China promotes high-quality development of its own human rights cause, it will always hold high the banner of peaceful development and win-win cooperation, seek others success as well as ours with a global vision, and advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. China will work with the international community to unswervingly advance and protect human rights, proactively take part in global human rights governance, champion humanitys common values, and build a community with a shared future for mankind to jointly make the world a better one.

Nikkei: The Chinese government and the Thai government yesterday signed the agreement on visa mutual exemption for holders of ordinary passport. Why the Chinese government has not yet resumed the pre-pandemic visa-free policy to Japan? Many Japanese companies hope to see the visa-free policy resumed soon. Whats the condition for the policy to resume?



Wang Wenbin: China always attaches high importance to facilitating foreigners visits to China, including Japanese citizens. We will intensively look into the request from all sectors in Japan for resuming the visa-free policy to travel to China. We hope that Japan can work with us in the same direction to make cross-border travel between our two countries easier.

News 1 Korea: First, Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong concluded his recent visit to the DPRK. Will there be any high-level dialogues between China and the DPRK in the future? Second, after ROK Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul took office this month, the Chinese Foreign Minister sent him a congratulatory message but has not had the first telephone call with him. When will they have their first call?

Wang Wenbin: China released readouts on Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidongs visit to the DPRK. You may look it up. I have nothing more to share with you on the plan of China-DPRK exchanges for the next stage.

After Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul took office, Foreign Minister Wang Yi sent him a congratulatory message. China is willing to keep in touch with the ROK on the plans of future exchanges between the two foreign ministers.

Bloomberg: Bloomberg is reporting that the US wants cloud computing firms to reveal the names of their foreign clients who were developing artificial intelligence apps on their platforms. That means that Washington could use those requirements to choke off a major avenue, through which Chinese firms access crucial servers for AI training and hosting. Does the Foreign Ministry have a comment on these plans for the US to ask cloud computing companies to reveal the names of their foreign clients?



Wang Wenbin: AI development and governance bears on the future of humanity. It requires concerted and coordinated response, not decoupling, severing of chains or fence-building. We urge the US side not to act contrarily to the laws of sci-tech advancement, earnestly respect the principles of market economy and fair competition, and create favorable conditions for strengthening international AI coordination and cooperation.

Nikkei: China implemented a visa-free policy for Germany, France, Italy and some other European countries last December but they have yet to waive visas for Chinese travelers. It seems that reciprocity is not a must in Chinas visa-free policy. Whats your comment?



Wang Wenbin: Countries make independent decisions on their visa policy. We welcome other countries to work with China to facilitate cross-border travel. Recently, Singapore and Thailand signed with China visa mutual exemption agreements. France and Switzerland also announced to provide more visa facilitation for Chinese citizens. We believe that these measures will effectively promote cross-border travel and mutually beneficial cooperation between China and relevant countries.

CCTV: Its reported that the UN International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered provisional measures on South Africas genocide case against Israel. The order asks Israel to take all measures within its powers to prevent any incitement to genocide in the Gaza Strip and improve the humanitarian situation there. Whats Chinas comment? Does China support the ICJ order?



Wang Wenbin: China noted the provisional measures issued by the ICJ. The order, supported by the majority of judges of the court, responds to the international communitys concern on protecting civilians, deescalating the situation and easing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. We hope that the ICJs provisional measures can be effectively implemented.

Chinas position on the Palestinian question is consistent and clear. We condemn all acts against civilians and oppose all moves that violate international law. China urges parties to the conflict to realize a comprehensive ceasefire at once, abide by the international humanitarian law and prevent an even worse humanitarian disaster from happening. The fundamental way out of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is to implement the two-State solution and promote the comprehensive, just and lasting settlement of the Palestinian question at an early date.

Shenzhen TV: The Comoros Supreme Court recently confirmed the re-election of the incumbent President Azali Assoumani who secured 57.02 percent of the vote. What is your comment?



Wang Wenbin: We noted that the Comoros Supreme Court has released the result of the presidential election and extend our sincere congratulations on Mr. Azali Assoumanis re-election as the President of Comoros. We believe that with the continued leadership of President Azali Assoumani, greater progress will be made in national building and economic and social development of Comoros.

China attaches importance to growing its friendly relations with Comoros, and will work with the new government to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in all areas and inject new impetus into the sound and stable development of the bilateral relations.

Reuters: Papua New Guinea is in an early negotiation with China on a potential security and policing deal, its Foreign Minister said in an interview with Reuters. The Minister said that China has approached Papua New Guinea with an offer to assist its police force with training, equipment and surveillance technology. Could we confirm with the Ministry if these talks are true and at what stage are these talks?



Wang Wenbin: I'm not aware of the specifics and would refer you to competent authorities. Papua New Guinea is Chinas good friend and partner in the Pacific islands region. Our comprehensive strategic partnership has developed well. Over the years, China has carried out friendly cooperation with Papua New Guinea in policing and other fields on the basis of equality, mutual respect, mutual benefit, openness and inclusiveness. China stands ready to continue to work with Papua New Guinea to promote cooperation in related fields and advance common development.
Amazon originally announced the deal to buy iRobot in August 2022 - Eugene Hoshiko/AP

Amazon has criticised the EU after opposition from regulators forced it to call off a $1.4bn (1.1bn) takeover of iRobot, the company behind Roomba robotic vacuum cleaners.

The companies said on Monday they had agreed to call off the deal, announced almost 18 months ago, blaming undue and disproportionate regulatory hurdles imposed by Brussels that left no path to approval.

Britains Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) had given the acquisition the green light, but European regulators were planning to block it. The US Federal Trade Commission had also been reportedly preparing a lawsuit seeking to prevent it.

The takeover is the latest deal from a Big Tech company to be called off under pressure from regulators.

Announcing that the takeover had collapsed, David Zapolsky, Amazons general counsel, said: This outcome will deny consumers faster innovation and more competitive prices, which were confident would have made their lives easier and more enjoyable.

He added: Undue and disproportionate regulatory hurdles discourage entrepreneurs, who should be able to see acquisition as one path to success, and that hurts both consumers and competition  the very things that regulators say theyre trying to protect.

Spun out of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the 1990s, iRobot launched the first Roomba in 2002. The robots are able to autonomously move around peoples homes, recharging themselves at a docking station.

Amazon and iRobot originally announced the deal in August 2022 in a major push into the smart home robotics market by the online retailer, which also makes Echo smart speakers and owns the Ring range of home doorbells and cameras.

Following the collapse of the deal, iRobot said Colin Angle, its chief executive, would step down and that it would cut 350 jobs  almost a third of its workforce.

Shares fell by 16pc  leaving its market value less than a third of the price Amazon had agreed to pay. Amazon will also pay the company a $94m termination fee as part of the deal being called off.

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In November, the EU sent a list of objections to Amazon, warning it could use its takeover of the vacuum company to hamper rival brands that sell through its online store, delisting them or making it harder for them to be seen by customers.

However, the UKs CMA had cleared the merger after an investigation last year. The regulator said that iRobots market share in the UK was modest and had plenty of rivals.

Technology companies have been forced to grapple with greater regulatory scrutiny of their takeover plans.

Adobe, the US company behind Photoshop, abandoned a $20bn deal to buy a rival after the CMA threatened to block it. Microsoft, meanwhile, was forced into a major restructuring of its attempt to buy games maker Activision Blizzard after a UK investigation.

Daniel Friedlaender, head of industry lobby group the Computer and Communications Industry Association, warned that the EUs stance signalled by its crackdown on Amazon risked putting off investors.

This sends the wrong message to both global investors and EU start-ups: as soon as you reach a certain size, you can forget about future mergers and acquisitions, he said.

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FILE - A Roomba 980 vacuum cleaning robot is presented during a presentation in Tokyo, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2015. Amazon on Monday called off its proposed acquisition of iRobot, which was facing antitrust scrutiny on both sides of the Atlantic, with the ecommerce giant blaming undue and disproportionate regulatory hurdles. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, File)

LONDON (AP)  Amazon called off its purchase of robot vacuum maker iRobot on Monday, blaming undue and disproportionate regulatory hurdles" after the European Union signaled its objection to the deal.

The companies said in joint statement that they were disappointed but mutually agreed to terminate the acquisition. The deal faced antitrust scrutiny on both sides of the Atlantic, but most strongly in Europe, where regulators investigating competition concerns had been expected to issue a final decision by Feb. 14.

Amazon will pay the maker of the circular-shaped Roomba vacuum a previously agreed termination fee of $94 million, iRobot said in a separate announcement, which also disclosed that it would lay off about 31% of its staff and see its CEO depart.

Shares of iRobot tumbled as much as nearly 19% on news of the canceled deal. In 2022, Amazon announced that it would buy the Bedford, Massachusetts-based company for $1.7 billion in cash. But the value of the deal fell 15% after iRobot incurred new debt.

The European Commission, the European Unions executive arm and top antitrust enforcer, told Amazon last year of its preliminary view that the iRobot acquisition would hurt competition in the industry.

Our in-depth investigation preliminarily showed that the acquisition of iRobot would have enabled Amazon to foreclose iRobots rivals by restricting or degrading access to the Amazon Stores, Margrethe Vestager, the commissions competition chief, said Monday.

The investigation raised fears that Amazon would have been able to delist or not list rival robot vacuum cleaners, reduce their visibility on its marketplace, limit access to commercially attractive product labels like Amazons Choice, or make it costlier for iRobots rivals to advertise and sell their products, she said in a statement.

It would have been economically profitable for Amazon to shut out rivals, limiting competition and leading to higher prices, lower quality and less innovation, she said.

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British antitrust regulators cleared Amazon's purchase in June, but it still faced scrutiny in the U.S. by the Federal Trade Commission, which which filed a landmark antitrust lawsuit against the online retail giant last year.

David Zapolsky, Amazons general counsel, lashed out at regulators and said consumers would lose out on faster innovation and more competitive prices.

Mergers and acquisitions like this help companies like iRobot better compete in the global marketplace, particularly against companies, and from countries, that arent subject to the same regulatory requirements in fast-moving technology segments like robotics, he said.

He added that "undue and disproportionate regulatory hurdles discourage entrepreneurs, who should be able to see acquisition as one path to success, and that hurts both consumers and competition the very things that regulators say theyre trying to protect.

iRobot co-founder Helen Greiner also weighed in, saying the now-defunct deal represents a picture of government regulation gone awry.

Robot investors need to make money to keep investing, Greiner wrote in a LinkedIn post. This will make it even more challenging to raise money for consumer robotics, and the next generation of consumer robots will be designed and manufactured in China (or Korea or Vietnam).

Now that the deal has been called off, iRobot said it would undergo a restructuring plan designed to stabilize the company. As part of those changes, the company will lay off roughly 350 employees.

iRobot Chairman and CEO Colin Angle also will step down, but remain a senior adviser to the company for up to a year to ensure a smooth transition. Glen Weinstein, the companys executive vice president and chief legal officer, will serve as interim CEO.

Consumer rights groups had voiced concerns about the Amazon-iRobot deal, saying it would broaden the ecommerce giants dominance in the smart home market.

Amazon has purchased other smart home companies in the past, including home security camera maker Blink, doorbell camera maker Ring and the mesh-networking Wi-Fi company Eero.

This is the latest example of a deal involving U.S. companies that fell apart after facing scrutiny from European regulators.

Last year, Adobe abandoned its plan to buy online design company Figma for $20 billion because of EU and British antitrust concerns. Biotech giant Illumina was forced to undo its $7.1 billion purchase of cancer-screening company Grail after losing legal battles with antitrust enforcers in both Europe and the U.S.

___

AP Business Writer Haleluya Hadero contributed from New York.
FILE PHOTO: Truck transports a container next to a cargo vessel at a port in Qingdao, Shandong

By Joe Cash and Christoph Steitz

BEIJING/FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Swiss solar panel maker Meyer Burger is facing the brunt of competition from China and is warning it may have to close its loss-making production plant in Germany unless the government steps in with financial support.

"Chinese manufacturers are deliberately selling goods in Europe far below their own production costs," chief executive Gunter Erfurt told Reuters.

"They can do this because the solar industry in China has been strategically subsidised with hundreds of billions of dollars for years."

Growing alarm over Chinese industrial overcapacity flooding the European Union with cheap products is opening a new front in the West's trade war with Beijing, which kicked off with Washington's import tariffs in 2018.

Brussels' trade policy is now also turning increasingly protective against the global ramifications of China's production-focused, debt-driven development model.

Throughout last year, China's policymakers flagged their intention to make domestic demand a more prominent growth driver to wean the world's second-largest economy off its decades-long reliance on infrastructure and the property sector.

But China has diverted financial resources from real estate to manufacturers rather than households, raising overcapacity concerns, deepening factory-gate deflation, and prompting a European Union investigation into its electric vehicle sector.

China's current path leads to more trade conflicts, warns Pascal Lamy, former head of the World Trade Organization, now distinguished professor at China Europe International Business School.

"This is not sustainable," Lamy said. "Overcapacity will inevitably lead to a problem."

"We have come to the realisation that this is a structural problem and that it stems from the fact that part of the Chinese production system is not driven by market behaviour, but by Chinese Communist Party-directed investment."

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That investment-driven model has led to industrial overcapacity in China's major sectors such as steel, and more recently in electric vehicles production in the auto industry and high-tech goods.

China's trade partners are hitting back.

Washington has imposed trade tariffs on China, and also wants to cut off Beijing from high-tech semiconductor chips to slow its technological and military advances. It is also ramping up infrastructure and industrial investment at home.

The Economist Intelligence Unit forecasts China's battery manufacturing capacity outpacing demand by a factor of four by 2027, as its electric vehicles industry continues to grow.

Outside the automotive industry, Brussels is also seeking to reduce its reliance on China for materials and products needed for its green transition. Beijing is conducting its own anti-dumping probe into EU brandy.

India imposed anti-dumping duties on some Chinese steel in September 2023, adding to other trade barriers and investment curbs that have halted planned projects from Chinese automakers.

Michael Pettis, senior fellow at Carnegie China, estimates that if China were to grow 4-5% annually in the next decade while maintaining its current economic structure, its share of global investment would rise to 38% from 33%, while its share of global manufacturing would rise to 36%-39% from 31%.

To accommodate that, other major countries would have to allow their economies to lose some of their investment and manufacturing share, he wrote in a December note.

"Even without the geopolitical tensions of recent years and policies in the United States, India and the European Union ... this would be highly unlikely," Pettis said.

Moreover, given more borrowing would be needed to sustain China's high investment levels for another decade, China's total debt ratio would have to rise to 450-500% of GDP from about 300% currently, Pettis estimated.

"It is hard to imagine that the economy could tolerate such a substantial increase in debt," he said.

MOVING UP THE CHAIN

To be sure, China's rebalancing goal has been stymied in part by a faltering economic recovery as transferring resources to households would bring even more near-term pain.

However, George Magnus, research associate at Oxford University's China Centre, says China's inability to increase domestic consumption means it relies on other countries importing more of its goods.

"It's a zero-sum game. If imports go up, then that's substituting for domestic production," Magnus said, adding the West have "become more politically feisty about that."

Some economists argue Beijing's resource re-allocation towards the manufacturing sector is aimed primarily at moving exports up the value chain rather than merely selling bigger volumes of goods.

Xia Qingjie, economics professor at Peking University, says European and U.S. attempts to re-industrialise their economies would be expensive due to higher labour and capital costs and "take a long time."

"Nothing can stop there being more competition," said Xia. "But they cannot restrict China's technological advance."

William Hurst, professor of Chinese development at the University of Cambridge, doubts that China is making the right bet in this regard.

He argues that Beijing's push to advance sectors such as aviation, biotech and artificial intelligence has not been sufficiently successful to either push technological boundaries in those industries or generate more employment.

"If it doesn't succeed, then we just have yet more debt, yet more distortion in the economy," Hurst said. "If it does succeed, we have the potential of having yet more overcapacity."

"So I don't see that it's really going to be this amazing shift that will suddenly make the Chinese economy more competitive globally."

(Reporting by Joe Cash in Beijing, Casey Hall in Shanghai and Christoph Steitz in Frankfurt; Graphics by Kripa Jayaram; Editing by Marius Zaharia and Shri Navaratnam)
Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Mr. Eknath Shinde and Group CEO of Aria Holding, Mr. Suraj Thampi, along with the Minister of Industries, Maharashtra, Mr. Uday Samant and Principal Secretary of Industries, Maharashtra, Mr. Harshdeep Kamble. (Photo: AETOSWire)

Aria Holding to invest over INR 2,000 crore to establish a state-of-the-art float glass plant in Maharashtra to bolster infrastructure and drive economic growth.

The MoU was signed by Mr. Suraj Thampi, Group Chief Executive Officer of Aria Holding, in the presence of the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Mr. Eknath Shinde, and the Minister of Industries, Mr. Uday Samant, at the World Economic Forum held in Davos, Switzerland.

DAVOS, Switzerland & MUMBAI, India, January 29, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aria Holding, a leading global conglomerate based out of Qatar, and the Government of Maharashtra, entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the World Economic Forum 2024 Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, under which Aria Holding will invest over INR 2,000 Crores to establish a state-of-the-art float glass manufacturing facility in Maharashtra. The agreement was signed by Mr. Suraj Thampi, Group Chief Executive Officer of Aria Holding, and Dr. Harshdeep Kamble, Principal Secretary of the Industries Ministry, in the presence of the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Mr. Eknath Shinde, the Minister of Industries, Mr. Uday Samant, and Mr. John Douglas, Commercial Director, Alutec Facades.

"The Government of Maharashtra welcomes this investment by Aria Holding, and this MoU marks a significant milestone in our efforts to promote the local economy and attract new investors to the state," stated His Excellency Mr. Eknath Shinde, Chief Minister of Maharashtra. "We are confident that this investment by Aria Holding will fortify the state's manufacturing sector and create a spectrum of job opportunities, from skilled labour for manufacturing to professionals, and will bring tangible benefits to our state. We are committed to providing all necessary support for successfully establishing the float glass plant."

The MoU aligns with the Make in India initiative launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, repositioning India as a critical market to do business in, attracting unprecedented growth in foreign investments. Infrastructure development is core to Indias growth strategy, and float glass plays a pivotal role across sectors, including construction, automotive, and industries. A significant amount of float glass requirements is still met through imports, and demand continues to increase. Aria Holdings investment will boost the domestic supply of float glass and is intertwined with India's development strategy, supporting infrastructure expansion, automotive growth, energy efficiency, employment generation, and technological advancements.

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"It is rewarding to see our continued expansion and investment into new markets through this MoU," remarked His Excellency Sheikh Ali Bin Hamad Al Thani, Chairman, Aria Holding. "India is a compelling destination for investment, and Maharashtra, with its location, workforce, infrastructure, and progressive policies, provides us with a great platform to establish our factories."

The strategic partnership demonstrates the Government of Maharashtras dedication to fostering development in the state and providing a conducive environment for businesses to thrive and contribute to its progress.

"Aria Holding is excited to be a part of Indias growth story through this strategic investment. Our state-of-the-art factories in Maharashtra will manufacture glass for local, national, and international demand. India is going through a massive boom in infrastructure development nationally, and we plan to capture a significant share of that growth. Through our portfolio companies, we also plan to establish a robust export strategy for our products, " said Suraj Thampi, Group CEO of Aria Holding.

About Aria Holding:

Aria Holding, a multinational conglomerate headquartered in Qatar, operates across diverse sectors, including engineering, industrial, technology, business services, and trading. With a portfolio of industry-leading companies like Alutec (Facade Engineering) and Vistas Global (Technology & Business Services), Aria fosters growth and innovation within its portfolio while creating enduring value for its stakeholders, employees, and the communities it operates. Our unwavering dedication to excellence drives us to seek new opportunities and continuously evolve, ensuring we remain at the forefront of our chosen sectors. Our roots lie in a passion for entrepreneurship, commitment to excellence, and a relentless pursuit of sustainable growth. Through responsible business practices, we actively contribute to making a meaningful difference for a better tomorrow.

To learn more about Aria Holding and our portfolio, please visit www.ariaholding.com.

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ASML Holding (AMS:ASML) Full Year 2023 Results

Key Financial Results

Revenue: 27.6b (up 30% from FY 2022).

Net income: 7.84b (up 39% from FY 2022).

Profit margin: 28% (up from 27% in FY 2022). The increase in margin was driven by higher revenue.

EPS: 19.91 (up from 14.14 in FY 2022).

All figures shown in the chart above are for the trailing 12 month (TTM) period

ASML Holding Revenues and Earnings Beat Expectations

Revenue exceeded analyst estimates by 1.3%. Earnings per share (EPS) also surpassed analyst estimates by 2.4%.

The primary driver behind last 12 months revenue was the Taiwan segment contributing a total revenue of 6.58b (24% of total revenue). The largest operating expense was Research & Development (R&D) costs, amounting to 3.98b (63% of total expenses). Explore how ASML's revenue and expenses shape its earnings.

Looking ahead, revenue is forecast to grow 11% p.a. on average during the next 3 years, compared to a 10% growth forecast for the Semiconductor industry in Europe.

Performance of the market in the Netherlands.

The company's shares are up 16% from a week ago.

Risk Analysis

Before we wrap up, we've discovered 2 warning signs for ASML Holding (1 is potentially serious!) that you should be aware of.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
With a $33.5 million construction loan from Aztec Group, Austin-based homebuilder Onx Inc. is moving forward on the first phase of a housing development that will bring more than 900 homes to Georgetown over the next few years.

Hundreds of homes are headed for fast-growing Georgetown, north of Austin in the five-county Central Texas region..

Aztec Group's Brell Tarich and Jason Shapiro arranged $33.25 million in construction financing for the first phase of the single-family housing development. Aztec is a real estate investment and merchant banking firm based in Miami.

The builder, Onx Group, is a Texas-based residential developer that uses cutting-edge technology to streamline the pre-construction, manufacturing and assembly process. Through its proprietary construction method  X+  Onx manufactures individual rooms, bathroom pods, walls and more at offsite production facilities near its housing developments.

In November, Onx leased 400,000 square feet of warehouse space in Georgetown to manufacture components for the homes in that market.

Named Rocking Wilco, the homes are being built with a pioneering form of construction that results in finished homes in turnarounds of less than 60 days, outpacing the conventional industry average of six to nine months, according to Onx Group.

The 300-acre development is northwest of Ronald Reagan Boulevard. The project, to be built in six phases based on market demand, ultimately is expected to have 921 homes.

The price range for the homes has not been released. However, the houses are expected to be priced competitively with other new-home communities for first time and move-up buyers in the area, which typically start around $500,000.

The average home size will be about 2,000 square feet.

Onx manufactures individual rooms, bathroom pods, walls and more at offsite facilities near its housing developments.

The first 141 homes, on 46 acres, are expected to be ready for residents by the middle of this year. The land is being prepared for construction.

Onx's portfolio to date has more than 5,000 homes under development across Florida and Texas, with other sites identified for future projects across the southeastern U.S.

Rocking Wilco benefits from an outstanding location in one of the Austin MSAs up-and-coming areas, said Brell Tarich, director at Aztec Group.

The first 141 homes are expected to be ready for occupancy by the middle of this year.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin homebuilder constructing 900 homes in Georgetown, Texas
Company Logo

Global Barrier Films Market

Global Barrier Films Market

Dublin, Jan. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Barrier Films Market by Materials (Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP), Polyester (PET), Polyamide, Organic Coatings, Inorganic Oxide Coatings), Packaging Type (Pouches, Bags, Blister Packs), End-use, Type and Region - Forecast to 2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

With an estimated market size of USD 34.1 billion in 2023, the barrier films sector has become an integral component in various applications, particularly in the packaging industry. The report anticipates a significant growth trend, projecting the market to reach USD 45.1 billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 5.7%. A key highlight of the report is the substantial growth potential in the Asia Pacific region, forecasted to register the highest CAGR due to the burgeoning food & beverage industry in emerging economies like China and India.





Polyethylene (PE), dominating the market due to its cost-effectiveness and superior flexibility, is one of the seven analyzed barrier film materials, which also include Polypropylene (PP), Polyester (PET), polyamide, organic coatings, and inorganic oxide coatings. The report reveals that the transparent barrier films type is anticipated to exhibit one of the highest growth rates during the forecast period, highlighting increased transparency and sustainability demands among consumers.



In the food and beverage packaging segment, barrier films have been identified as pivotal for their longstanding merits in product protection and shelf life extension, confirming the segment's largest market share. Furthermore, the adoption of pouches made from barrier films is underscored as having the largest share in 2022. They are favored for their customization capabilities, protective features, and enhanced brand presentation, reinforcing the importance of barrier film pouches in product merchandising.



Key benefits of reading this report feature insights into the competitive market landscape, strategic positioning of key market players, and identification of industry-leading practices contributing to market growth. The report encapsulates comprehensive data covering various market aspects, including material types, end-use industries, and technological advancements in packaging types, such as pouches and bags.



The meticulous research involved in the report's development has included in-depth interviews with high-ranking officials across top-tier organizations, enriching the analysis with expertise from industry leaders. Market growth strategies, product advancements, and regional dominance are among the focused areas, aiming to deliver strategic market intelligence to stakeholders and industry participants.



Overall, the robust insights offered in this report equip interested parties with invaluable market knowledge to navigate the constantly evolving landscapes of the barrier films sector, with a spotlight on the innovative use of materials and breakthroughs in packaging solutions that contribute to the market's expansion.



Key Attributes:

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Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 256 Forecast Period 2023 - 2028 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $34.1 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2028 $45.1 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 5.7% Regions Covered Global

Companies Mentioned

Aegis Packaging Pte. Ltd.

Amcor plc

Berry Global, Inc.

Camvac Limited

Chiripal Poly Films

Constantia Flexibles Group GmbH

Cosmo First Ltd.

Daibochi Plastic and Packaging Industry Bhd.

Duo Plast Ag

Dupont Teijin Films

Futamura Chemical Co. Ltd.

Glenroy Inc.

Honeywell International, Inc.

Jindal Poly Films Ltd.

Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation

Mondi plc

Plastchim-T

Plastissimo Film Company Limited

Polivouga - Industria De Plasticos S.A.

Polyplex Corp. Ltd.

Polysack Flexible Packaging Ltd

Proampac Holdings Inc.

Sealed Air Corporation

Ticinoplast Spa

Toppan, Inc.

Toray Industries

Uflex Ltd.

Winpak Ltd.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ysa9cz

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

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CONTACT: CONTACT: ResearchAndMarkets.com Laura Wood,Senior Press Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900




Beware of AI Crypto Trading Bot Scams, CFTC Warns

The CFTC cautioned investors that AI trading bots promising huge crypto profits are often scams.

The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) cautioned cryptocurrency investors this week not to rely on artificial intelligence (AI) trading bots that promise astronomical profits.

"Be wary of the hype," said Melanie Devoe, director of the CFTC's Office of Customer Education and Outreach. "AI has become another avenue for bad actors to defraud unsuspecting investors."

The warning comes on the heels of alleged AI crypto scams last year, like YieldTrust.ai, that regulators accused of operating Ponzi schemes. According to a 2023 case highlighted by blockchain analysis firm Arkham Intelligence, a bot took a $200 million flash loan but only secured $3.24 in profit.

While major exchanges like Bitget are exploring AI applications for crypto trading, the technology's limitations persist.

The CFTC advisory aims to help investors recognize potential AI crypto scams exploiting arbitrage algorithms or social media hype. Retail traders should research providers thoroughly before trusting money to algorithms making big yield claims.

The agency warns that despite surging popularity, AI cannot foresee sudden market changes. So the CFTC reiterates crypto investors should avoid AI trading bots promising the future this year.
Technology empowers marine ecosystem protection in China

Xinhua) 15:57, January 27, 2024

XIAMEN, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- In recent years, the coastal city of Xiamen in east China's Fujian Province has drawn on technological innovation to enhance the protection of its nearby sea areas.

At a marine environment management station of Xiamen's environmental hygiene center, the main screen displayed a comprehensive digital map of the city and its nearby sea areas. The map depicted many red and green arrows constantly shifting and creating trails minute by minute.

"These arrows indicate the possible routes of ocean trash," said Zhang Lianghua, director of the station. He explained that the detection and collection of ocean trash became more efficient thanks to the newly developed intelligent marine hygiene platform.

The platform, developed by Xiamen University for the station, was put to use in 2022. Liang noted that the platform features an algorithm for ocean garbage forecasts, which takes multiple factors into consideration, such as weather conditions and water dynamics.

"In accordance with the estimated route of the trash, we can dispatch our cleaning teams to intercept it in time," said Liang, adding that after the job is done, field data will be compared with the statistics provided by the platform, the results of which will be used to improve the algorithm's accuracy.

The station is now working closely with Xiamen University to develop a function for identifying different types of ocean trash for the platform, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2024, Liang said.

Apart from improving the environment of sea areas, technological advancement has also improved the city's capability of marine life preservation, especially some endangered species.

At a national-level nature reserve for rare marine species in Xiamen, an extensive system has been set up to monitor the activities of Chinese white dolphins, a species under first-class protection in China. According to Cai Libo, an official with the reserve, the system is equipped with cameras, hydrophones and drones, and patrol teams are routinely deployed for effective monitoring and management.

"Through this system, we can easily pinpoint the whereabouts of Chinese white dolphins," said Cai. "For instance, during important periods, such as their breeding period, we can quickly locate their area of activities, and notify vessels to avoid these areas."

With the help of the system, the reserve can more efficiently track the dolphins and respond to emergencies. Over the years, it has seen steady growth in its white dolphin population.

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Wu Chaolan)
Nigar Hasanova

To enhance the accessibility of financial resources for business entities, in 2023, the Entrepreneurship Development Fund allocated 193.8 million manats ($113.86 million) in concessional loans, supporting the financing of 3,276 investment projects with a total investment volume of 459.9 million manats ($270.23 million). According to Azernews, this was shared by Azerbaijani Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov on the X social network.

The Minister says that this initiative resulted in the creation of over 3,000 new jobs.

Notably, 99.8% of the loans were extended to micro, small, and medium-sized businesses in terms of project numbers and 91.1% in terms of loan amounts.

It should be noted that the President of the National Confederation of Entrepreneurs (Employers) Organisations of Azerbaijan, Mammad Musayev, informed that the Azerbaijan Entrepreneurship Development Fund has provided preferential loans to more than 45,600 business entities over the past 20 years.
jacoblund / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Florida has long been the top retirement destination in the United States, and that still holds true today even though its lead is slipping. Because the Sunshine State is such an attraction for retirees, Social Security checks play a big financial role for seniors who live there.

Discover: 5 Places To Retire That Are Similar To Florida But Way Cheaper

Learn: 3 Things You Must Do When Your Savings Reach $50,000

Living on Social Security alone is challenging no matter where you live. Thats why its important to build adequate retirement savings to pay the bills and fund your preferred lifestyle. In certain Florida cities with a high cost of living, such as Miami, its all but impossible to get by solely on Social Security.

I Retired Early: Heres My Monthly Budget

But other parts of Florida are affordable compared with the rest of the country, and on the whole, the Sunshine State ranks around the middle of the pack in terms of affording a comfortable retirement. Thats also the case in terms of average Social Security checks by state, though Florida does land in the lower half in that regard, according to an analysis of Social Security Administration data from Motley Fool.

As of December 2022, Social Security recipients in Florida had an average benefit of $1,814 a month, Motley Fool reported. At the time, the state had about 4.91 million Social Security beneficiaries who shared total benefits of $7.58 billion.

To put Floridas average check in context, the states with the highest average benefits  Connecticut and New Jersey  both had average payments of about $2,020 a month in December 2022. Those two states also have much higher costs of living than Florida. The states with the lowest average Social Security checks were Louisiana and Mississippi, at about $1,690 each.

Social Securitys 8.7% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in 2023 pushed the averages even higher. Based on Floridas December 2022 average of $ 1,814 a month, an 8.7% COLA would hike that figure to about $1,971 a month as of December 2023. However, it doesnt necessarily work out that way when you take into account new recipients with lower or higher average payments and recipients who died during the year, which changes the average.

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Nationwide, the average Social Security benefit was $1,767.03 a month in December 2023, according to the SSAs Monthly Statistical Snapshot. That figure includes retirement checks as well as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. The average retirement benefit in December 2023 was $1,856.38 a month.

The COLA for 2024 is 3.2%, which should push the Florida average to around $2,035 a month this year.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: How Big Is the Average Social Security Check in Florida?
TRENTON, N.J. (AP)  A measure that would prohibit smoking in Atlantic City's casinos moved forward Monday after three years of going nowhere, heartening casino workers who say they are literally sick and tired of having smoke blown in their faces at work.

The New Jersey Senate health committee approved a long-delayed bill to impose a smoking ban in Atlantic City's nine casinos.

It was the first step in a long chain of necessary approvals, and it came as the movement by many casino workers to implement a ban entered its fourth year.

The vote also touched off a confrontation among casino workers outside the state Capitol afterward, with supporters of a smoking ban and opponents of the proposal screaming at one another on the sidewalk before being separated by their respective camps.

And a prominent business group and a casino workers union warned that a smoking ban would be an economic catastrophe that would cost Atlantic City and the southern New Jersey region jobs and money.

Casino workers who favor the ban were elated to finally have it voted on after years of inertia.

We feel like we cracked the egg, said Nicola Vitola, a Borgata dealer and a leader of the movement to ban casino smoking.

Smoking is permitted on 25% of the casino floor in Atlantic City. But those spaces are not contiguous, and smoke wafts into most areas of the gambling floor, regardless of their designation.

Casinos were specifically exempted from New Jersey's 2006 law that banned smoking in virtually all other workplaces.

Vitola said that while she was pregnant, she was assigned to work tables in smoking sections.

Dealers are mere inches from players blowing smoke in our faces, she said.

Christina Renna, president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey, said that while smoking is undoubtedly harmful, so, too, could be the layoffs she and executives from the casino industry warn could happen if smoking were banned.

Donna DeCaprio, president of Local 54 of the Unite Here union, which represents bartenders, cocktail servers, room cleaners and others, noted that there used to be 50,000 casino jobs in Atlantic City. She warned that the bill could eliminate 3,000 of them.

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In an online discussion with Sen. Joseph Vitale, the committee's Democratic chair, she said she warned that as many as three Atlantic City casinos could be forced to close if a smoking ban were imposed while casinos in neighboring Pennsylvania continue to offer it.

In south Jersey, there are no replacement jobs of this caliber, she said. A total ban is going to result in an economic catastrophe for Atlantic City, the region and the state.

Cynthia Hallett, president and CEO of Americans for Nonsmokers Rights, said polling has shown that more people say they would visit Atlantic City casinos if smoking were prohibited.

The casino industry opposes a total smoking ban and says it is working on proposals including better ventilation systems and enclosed smoking rooms in which no employees would be involuntarily assigned to work. The Casino Association of New Jersey said in a statement it is eager to find a meaningful compromise that will address the concerns of our employees without jeopardizing jobs and benefits to some of our most vulnerable citizens.

A Republican senator, Vince Polistina, has said he will draft a new bill incorporating those proposals, but he has yet to do so.

The bill that was acted upon Monday now goes to the full state Senate for a vote. An identical bill also must be approved by an Assembly committee and voted upon by the full chamber before it can go to the desk of Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy, who has said he will sign a smoking ban into law.

Sen. Shirley Turner, who has co-sponsored bills for years that would have imposed a casino smoking ban, said casino workers are left in an untenable position.

You shouldn't have to make that kind of decision in this country: your job or your health, she said. That's not America.

___

Follow Wayne Parry at www.twitter.com/WayneParryAC
BP

BP is facing fresh demands to scrap irrational net zero commitments championed by former chief executive Bernard Looney, after an activist investor claimed they have left shareholders 40bn poorer.

The FTSE 100 oil giant was on Monday accused of pursuing an unrealistic strategy by Bluebell Capital Partners, the investor that has taken a minority stake in BP after previously taking on blue chip heavyweights Glencore and Danone.

In a 30-page letter, Bluebell called on BP to scrap its commitment to scale back its oil and gas business by a quarter this decade, halt investment in renewable energy schemes and rewrite its net zero targets to clarify they will be achieved in line with society.

Bluebell argued that the targets will artificially constrain BP and leave it at a disadvantage compared to rivals such as Shell and ExxonMobil, which have made no such commitments of their own.

It added that BPs investment in renewables such as solar and wind are failing to generate strong enough returns.

The activist is also demanding that BP returns an extra $16bn (12.6bn) to shareholders this decade, and urged the oil giant to sack a board director with links to fund giant Blackrock, which it branded a world champion of ESG inconsistency and hypocrisy.

Blackrock has been one of the most vocal supporters of so-called environmental, social and governance investment principles, but has faced criticism over claims that it has prioritised progressive views over investor returns.

Bluebell said BPs true worth was at least 50pc more than its stock market value, which stood at about 80bn on Monday, but had been dragged down by the ill-conceived strategy.

Giuseppe Bivona, partner and chief executive at Bluebell, said he spent the day speaking to BP shareholders, as he warned that too many companies were making unattainable green commitments to appear politically correct.

He said: Theres a lot of PR in this. I believe that, today, we can have a much more mature discussion.

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Were not saying they should not get to net zero by 2050. We are saying do it in a way which is better for shareholders and for the social cause and for the environment.

And in the short term, dont cut your own production, because you are just doing a favour to the other [oil] companies.

Mr Bivona said BP should stay out of renewable power sources such as wind and solar where it had too little specialist experience, and added that BP Lightsource, its solar unit, should be sold outright.

He added: The conclusion on renewable power is, quite frankly, that you [BP] have no skills, you took an impairment, its not your business.

And you are targeting a 6-8pc return? This is unacceptable.

It represents a major test for Murray Auchincloss, BPs new chief executive, who told staff he was sticking with his predecessors green energy plans shortly after taking over at the company.

Murray Auchincloss has been named as BP's new chief after Bernard Looney's exit - Ryan Lim/AFP

Mr Looney was sacked and made to forfeit millions of pounds in pay and bonuses last year after it emerged he had failed to fully disclose past relationships with colleagues.

Mr Bivona hinted that BP was one of several companies Bluebell had in its sights, accusing too many boardrooms of putting political correctness before sound business decisions.

I think you will find a bit of this at many companies, he added. The strategy set by BP was more to please public opinion than anything else.

We invest in high quality businesses which are undervalued. Weve done this in the past in the UK  and you should expect us to do so in the future.

A spokesman for BP said: BP welcomes constructive engagement with our shareholders.

We have met with most of our major shareholders recently and continue to receive support for our strategy.

We continue to make significant progress, remain focused on delivery, and are confident the strategy will grow the value of BP and deliver sustainable long-term value for shareholders.

Asked whether they agreed with Bluebells arguments on Monday, top BP shareholders refused to be drawn on what they thought, including Blackrock, Legal & General, Norges Bank, Aviva and Abrdn.

Charlie Kronick, senior climate adviser at Greenpeace UK, said: Regardless of Bluebells complaints, BPs transition away from fossil fuels remains far below the pace required to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.

This is why the fate of the planet cannot be left to the whims of shareholders and executives concerned ultimately with maximising their bottom line  thats like putting an arsonist in charge of a fire station.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer.
(Bloomberg) -- Learnable.ai is seeking to raise as much as $70 million to bankroll its goal of using AI to revamp the backbreaking ordeal that is Chinas annual college entrance exams.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The Ningbo-based startup is in talks with investors and targeting a fundraise of up to 500 million yuan ($70 million), Chairman Guan Wang told Bloomberg News on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum this month. It aims to develop AI to automate the grading of the gaokao  the nationwide test that determines which of millions of annual aspirants get into top universities.

The little-known startup, backed by Hong Kong broadband billionaire Richard Li, is trying to overhaul a system thats remained largely unchanged since its 1950s inception. Every year, as many as 10 million youths sit through the days-long handwritten exams, then wait weeks to hear the outcome while thousands of human evaluators pore over every single paper.

Wang thinks AI can cut that down to under a day. His model can help generate grading standards after sifting through papers in an instant, then pull assessments together within hours, said Wang, who oversees AI research at a state-affiliated institute.

We passed rigorous reviews from various government departments, as gaokao is such a highly sensitive exam in China, said Wang, a Brown University computer science PhD who frequents Davos. Reviews by experts have found that accuracy of using AI models is actually higher than humans, because students handwriting could be messy and hard for teachers to discern.

Read More: China Struggles to Change Entrance Exams That Reward the Wealthy

Story continues

Learnable.ai joins a growing crop of tech firms exploring breakthrough applications for AI since ChatGPT laid bare its potential. Education is considered a field ripe for disruption. While schools worldwide are banning the use of tools like ChatGPT in homework or student papers, AI is expected to help personalize education for different learners, lightening the load on tutors and colleges.

Wang, also the director of the Ningbo Artificial Intelligence Research Institute at Shanghais prestigious Jiaotong University, in 2022 secured roughly $14 million for his startup at a valuation of $200 million.

The stakes are high. Even more so than elsewhere, Chinese students deem the gaokao critical to career success. Since the exam was revived after the Cultural Revolution, many who sat through it have recounted changing their fates merely by excelling.

But its an exacting endeavor, requiring months or even years of preparation. Roughly 1% of students get into the top 20 universities, Bloomberg calculations have revealed. Some resort to fraud to gain a leg up. Schools in densely populated provinces, such as Henan and Shandong, have developed approaches where students prep by taking mock tests round the clock.

Read More: Chinese College Entrance Exam Scandal Sparks National Outrage

Chinas Ministry of Education started to test Learnable.ais model in 2019, Wang said. Since 2021, its been used as an auxiliary tool in high school and college entrance examinations in more than a dozen provinces or regions including Hunan, Sichuan, Guangxi and Jiangxi, the founder said. The ministry didnt respond to a faxed request for comment.

Among its investors is the family office of Li, the tycoon whose Pacific Century Group controls Hong Kongs leading carrier. The startup also hopes to develop a consumer app it calls Dakaotong, which hinges on an exam paper database for K-12 students. Wang said that app can grade mock exams, identify mistakes and also provide personalized feedback and follow-up exercises. Its now in testing mode with thousands of users, and Wang hopes to roll it out publicly after securing Chinese government approval.

Theres real potential for AI to lessen student and parental burdens, Wang argued.

Chinas best education resources concentrate in places like Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, but there is a shortage of good teachers in vast rural areas, he said. The cost of using AI models for inclusive education will be really low, because most parents have at least a mobile phone.

--With assistance from Saritha Rai and Shirley Zhao.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Unpacking the Dividend Prospects of CDPYF

Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust (CDPYF) recently announced a dividend of $0.12 per share, payable on 2024-02-15, with the ex-dividend date set for 2024-01-30. As investors look forward to this upcoming payment, the spotlight also shines on the company's dividend history, yield, and growth rates. Using the data from GuruFocus, let's look into Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust's dividend performance and assess its sustainability.

What Does Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust Do?

Warning! GuruFocus has detected 5 Warning Signs with CDPYF.

High Yield Dividend Stocks in Gurus' Portfolio

This Powerful Chart Made Peter Lynch 29% A Year For 13 Years

How to calculate the intrinsic value of a stock?

Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust, or CAPREIT, is a real estate investment trust primarily engaged in the acquisition and leasing of multiunit residential rental properties located near major urban centers across Canada. The company's real estate portfolio is mainly composed of apartments and townhouses situated near public amenities. Most of CAPREIT's holdings are aimed towards the midtier and luxury markets in terms of demographic segments. The company derives nearly all of its income in the form of rental revenue from leasing its properties to tenants. The majority of this revenue comes from assets located in the Greater Toronto and Greater Montreal regions. The buildings in these areas also contain the majority of CAPREIT's total housing units.

Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust's Dividend Analysis

A Glimpse at Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust's Dividend History

Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust has maintained a consistent dividend payment record since 2013. Dividends are currently distributed on a monthly basis. Below is a chart showing annual Dividends Per Share for tracking historical trends.

Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust's Dividend Analysis

Breaking Down Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust's Dividend Yield and Growth

As of today, Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust currently has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 3.09% and a 12-month forward dividend yield of 3.10%. This suggests an expectation of an increase in dividend payments over the next 12 months.

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Over the past three years, Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust's annual dividend growth rate was 2.00%. Extended to a five-year horizon, this rate increased to 2.50% per year. And over the past decade, Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust's annual dividends per share growth rate stands at 2.90%.

Based on Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust's dividend yield and five-year growth rate, the 5-year yield on cost of Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust stock as of today is approximately 3.50%.

The Sustainability Question: Payout Ratio and Profitability

To assess the sustainability of the dividend, one needs to evaluate the company's payout ratio. The dividend payout ratio provides insights into the portion of earnings the company distributes as dividends. A lower ratio suggests that the company retains a significant part of its earnings, thereby ensuring the availability of funds for future growth and unexpected downturns. As of 2023-09-30, Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust's dividend payout ratio is 0.00.

Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust's profitability rank, offers an understanding of the company's earnings prowess relative to its peers. GuruFocus ranks Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust's profitability 7 out of 10 as of 2023-09-30, suggesting good profitability prospects. The company has reported positive net income for each of year over the past decade, further solidifying its high profitability.

Growth Metrics: The Future Outlook

To ensure the sustainability of dividends, a company must have robust growth metrics. Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust's growth rank of 7 out of 10 suggests that the company's growth trajectory is good relative to its competitors.

Revenue is the lifeblood of any company, and Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust's revenue per share, combined with the 3-year revenue growth rate, indicates a strong revenue model. Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust's revenue has increased by approximately 5.60% per year on average, a rate that outperforms approximately 71.79% of global competitors.

The company's 3-year EPS growth rate showcases its capability to grow its earnings, a critical component for sustaining dividends in the long run. During the past three years, Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust's earnings increased by approximately 9.00% per year on average, a rate that outperforms approximately 66.73% of global competitors.

Lastly, the company's 5-year EBITDA growth rate of 6.40%, which outperforms approximately 65.54% of global competitors, further supports its dividend sustainability.

Engaging Conclusion

With a consistent dividend history, a stable yield, and positive growth metrics, Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust appears positioned to maintain its dividend payments. The combination of a low payout ratio and strong profitability underscores the trust's capacity to support and potentially increase its dividend distributions in the future. As value investors consider the prospects of CDPYF, the question remains: will the trust's strategic initiatives and market position allow it to continue thriving in a competitive real estate market? Investors looking for income-generating investments may find Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust an attractive option to explore further.

GuruFocus Premium users can screen for high-dividend yield stocks using the High Dividend Yield Screener.

This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


(Photo: Jim Allen/FreightWaves)

Last year was a treacherous time to be in the logistics industry. While experts are more optimistic about 2024, flipping the calendar over to January did not offer instantaneous relief.



Brokers and carriers are still feeling the sting of the ongoing freight recession, and factoring companies can be critical partners during this time. This is especially true as freight brokers  ranging from small companies to household names  continue to enter and exit the market at breakneck speeds.



When a broker unexpectedly closes up shop, that companys carrier partners run the risk of not getting paid. Losing out on a significant chunk of income is not something that most carriers are equipped to weather in the current economic climate. In the most dire situations, this type of loss can actually force a carrier to close its doors as well.



That is where factoring companies come into play. True Non-Recourse factoring is the only reliable way carriers can shield themselves from the financial impacts of broker shutdowns. This type of factoring completely shifts any liabilities related to uncollected and uncollectible payments from the carrier to the factoring company.



This means that once the carrier delivers the load, submits paperwork and receives payment, they no longer have to worry about that invoice again  even if the broker goes out of business. There are no chargebacks, ever.



True Non-Recourse factoring is the only solution available to carriers and owner operators of any size that fully and completely protects your business from a loss in free cash flow when a broker or customer files for bankruptcy and slow downs in broker pay, according to a recent OTR blog post.



OTR Solutions offers both True Non-Recourse and standard recourse factoring programs. It is important to note, however, that OTRs recourse option is largely synonymous with the programs that most other factoring companies market as non-recourse.



It is not uncommon for a factoring company to call its offerings non-recourse, when in reality, carriers still end up bearing the brunt of another companys financial missteps. This is why it is important for carriers to look past buzzwords and explore the specifics of each program before deciding on a factoring partner.



Looking out for carriers is at the heart of everything OTR does.



With over 10 years of experience in the industry, OTR Solutions has picked up on tell-tale signs that a broker may be at risk financially. When OTR senses that a broker may be in danger, the company puts that broker on a no buy for its true non-recourse customers, shielding them from as much risk as possible while affording them the opportunity to more naturally shift their capacity to other lanes and avoiding an abrupt disruption in cashflow.



When this happens, OTRs recourse customers are still able to factor invoices from that broker, as they knowingly assume the risk under a recourse program. These customers still benefit from the companys wealth of knowledge when making these types of decisions, though.



Because of the protections in place under our True Non-Recourse program  and the watchful eye it requires  even our recourse clients are given a heads up and are notified of potential issues that may impact their business, according to a representative from OTR.



In short, no matter which program type a carrier chooses, factoring with OTR provides an unparalleled level of transparency and protection. More than just cashflow, OTR is a business partner with a full team of experts who are trained to give carriers all the information they need to make the best possible decisions.



This is essential in todays market, when the chances that a carrier will see one or more of its brokerage partners shut down remains high.



Click here to learn more about OTR.

The post Carriers need True Non-Recourse factoring as brokers continue to close up shop appeared first on FreightWaves.
The United States is trying to push back on China's influence in Africa - and betting on Angola as a test case.

For decades, China has bankrolled megaprojects in Africa - including ports, railways and power dams - under its multi-trillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative, while the US largely overlooked the continent. But Washington is no longer staying on the sidelines.

The US has pledged a billion dollars to refurbish the Lobito Atlantic Railway, its first major project in Africa in decades, which will stretch 1,300km (808 miles) through mineral-rich Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo to create a logistics corridor to the Atlantic port of Lobito in neighbouring Angola.

Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team.

Washington is also working with the European Union to build a new 800km rail line between Angola and Zambia.

During his trip to Angola last week, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the railway investment was "the biggest investment the United States has made in railways on the African continent in well over a generation".

"It is at the heart of our Partnership for Global Investment and Infrastructure work in Angola," Blinken said, referring to the Group of 7 initiative led by US President Joe Biden to mobilise US$600 billion globally for projects.

He said the investment in Angola "will secure critical mineral supply chains that are essential to the economic futures of all of our countries, our industries".

The US and its European allies want a share of battery metals from the DRC, which is the world's largest producer of cobalt. Zambia is also rich in copper and cobalt. Most of those minerals are exported to China.

But China's economic influence in Angola runs deep. Beijing funded the oil-rich country's reconstruction following a 27-year civil war that ended in 2002.

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Angola has since received US$45 billion from Chinese lenders - more than a quarter of China's total lending to African countries from 2000 to 2022.

It was there that China pioneered oil-backed loans as a way to access Chinese funding for infrastructure in what came to be known as the "Angola model". It was successful until oil prices fell, making loan repayment expensive.

Angolan President Joao Lourenco has promised to diversify the country's oil-dependent economy and reduce its reliance on China.

Tang Xiaoyang, a professor and chair of the international relations department at Tsinghua University, said the Lobito Corridor project was "remarkable" as the US had not invested in such traditional infrastructure in Africa for many decades.

"It will be interesting to see how this infrastructure is implemented under the context of securing critical mineral supplies for the US."

However, he said that two years after the announcement of the plan to build the Lobito Corridor, "we have not yet seen much concrete progress on the ground, but mainly repeated political rhetoric".

Cameron Hudson, a former US official who is now a senior associate at the Washington-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies' Africa programme, said the US appeared to be copying China's belt and road strategy.

"Beijing should be flattered. As we say, imitation is the highest form of flattery and the Lobito Corridor takes a page straight out of China's [belt and road] playbook," Hudson said.

"Maybe what US officials will finally realise is that no one in Africa cares how the sausage gets made in Washington, only that it gets made.

"But we should be careful, this project has been announced and celebrated a dozen different ways by US officials, but not one kilometre of railway has yet been laid."

Africa matters to both Beijing and Washington, Hudson noted. "It matters for reasons of UN votes, for critical minerals, for investment potential and for winning the good will of what will soon be the most populous region in the world."

Blinken's visit to Angola was part of a four-nation tour of Africa that also took him to Cabo Verde, formerly Cape Verde - where Washington has promised to help in the nation's fight against the trafficking of drugs, weapons and people.

He also visited Ivory Coast and Nigeria, key allies in West Africa where the US is providing both financial and military aid to confront extremists.

Blinken's tour came shortly after Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi concluded his annual New Year visit to Africa.

Although the top US diplomat downplayed China's influence in Africa, it was hard to miss the undercurrent of competition during his trip.

On January 22, while responding to a question in the Ivory Coast on how Washington's proposition to African countries differed from Beijing's, Blinken said that for the US, "the challenge is to show that we offer a good choice".

In a thinly veiled attack on China, Blinken said: "When some countries lend a lot of money, for example, but in doing so create unsustainable debts, that's a problem. We don't want to do that."

China has denied claims that it is burdening or trapping countries with loans they cannot repay. It has also pointed the finger at US-dominated multilateral financial institutions and commercial creditors, which together account for more than 80 per cent of sovereign debt for developing countries.

Ken Opalo, an associate professor at the school of foreign service at Georgetown University, said China had long ago discovered the importance of paying attention to the African region.

Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara (left) and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi walk into the presidential residence in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, on January 17. Photo: Reuters alt=Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara (left) and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi walk into the presidential residence in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, on January 17. Photo: Reuters>

For 34 years, the Chinese foreign minister's first trip of the year had always taken him to Africa, and these visits were a way of strengthening commercial and diplomatic ties, he said.

However, "the US is catching up", Opalo added.

"Over the last year, the US, too, has started sending high-level officials to African countries. This is in reaction to both competition from China and admonition from Africans that Washington does not treat its African counterparts with respect."

Biden has tried to reverse course and mend ties in his approach to Africa after predecessor Donald Trump made headlines for his disparaging remarks about the continent.

"The Lobito Corridor project is certainly Washington's reaction to China's [belt and road]," Opalo said.

He said for a long time the US and EU had sought to counter China's infrastructure loans to African countries.

"This [Lobito] project, if implemented, will demonstrate whether America and its allies can compete with China on this dimension."

This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright  2024 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

Copyright (c) 2024. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
Nigar Hasanova

The delegation headed by the non-resident ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark to Azerbaijan, Danny Annan, met with the Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, Mukhtar Babayev, Azernews reports, citing the Ministry.

The sides exchanged views on preparations for the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will be held in Azerbaijan in November this year.

The meeting also discussed the prospects of cooperation in the field of environmental protection between the two countries.

It should be mentioned that at the end of last year, Azerbaijan`s ambassador to Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Denmark, Zaur Ahmadov, met with the Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Danish Parliament, Lise Bech, and Vice Chairperson Per Husted. The sides exchanged views on the extensive potential of Azerbaijani-Danish relations, including the development of interparliamentary cooperation.
FILE PHOTO: An exit sign is seen in front of residential buildings at an Evergrande residential complex in Beijing

(Reuters) - A Hong Kong court on Monday ordered the liquidation of China Evergrande Group, a move likely to send ripples through China's crumbling financial markets as policymakers scramble to contain the deepening crisis.

MARKET REACTION:

Trading was halted in shares of China Evergrande, China Evergrande New Energy Vehicle Group, and Evergrande Property Services.

The benchmark Hang Seng Index closed 0.8% higher.

COMMENTARY:

HAO HONG, PARTNER AND CHIEF ECONOMIST AT GROW INVESTMENT GROUP, HONG KONG

"Its not clear whether the ruling by the Hong Kong court today can achieve the recognition of the three designated courts in mainland (China) under a 2021 legal arrangement."

"While the Hong Kong court can appoint a liquidator, without the recognition from the mainland court its hard to execute the liquidation process, as the liquidator will not have much power over Evergrandes assets that mostly sit in the mainland."

"Whether the liquidation process can proceed or not, Evergrande has been trading as if its going for bankruptcy. Its bonds trade at less than two cents to a dollar."

FERN WANG, SENIOR RESEARCHER, KT CAPITAL GROUP, HONG KONG

"Evergrande's situation is more complicated than other developers as its founder Hui Ka Yan is under arrest and its major subsidiary in China Hengda Real Estate Group is being investigated."

"The investigation has precluded the company from issuing new debts and limits its ability to reach an agreement with its creditors."

"Recovery hopes are grim given the heavy indebtedness of the company and the often-structural subordinated position of the offshore creditors."

REDMOND WONG, CHIEF CHINA STRATEGIST, SAXO MARKETS, HONG KONG

"For overseas creditors, focus will be on if the liquidator will succeed in its applications for assistance to mainland courts in Shanghai, Shenzhen and Xiamen under the cooperation mechanism established in 2021, and get hold of assets in the mainland."

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"For shareholders of the listed company (of Evergrande) in Hong Kong, the likelihood of getting anything out of the winding-up process is very low."

RAYMOND CHENG, HEAD OF CHINA RESEARCH, CGS-CIMB SECURITIES, HONG KONG

"The liquidation order will be negative for Evergrande itself for sure. The assigned liquidator will offload the company assets as soon as possible, and the price may be very bad.

"It might affect sector sentiment in the short term, but Evergrande's restructuring has its own specific problems. It is possible that other developers will be willing to compromise more in negotiations as they fear creditors will be applying for liquidation."

KENNY NG, SECURITIES STRATEGIST, CHINA EVERBRIGHT SECURITIES INTERNATIONAL COMPANY, HONG KONG

"This may further impact the confidence of mainland creditors and increase the difficulty of Evergrande's restructuring in mainland China."

"(It) may also affect investors' confidence in the mainland real estate industry and the willingness of mainland residents to purchase properties. This has the potential to have a dampening effect on the economy and the capital market."

CHRIS BEDDOR, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF CHINA RESEARCH, GAVEKAL DRAGONOMICS, HONG KONG

"Evergrande is a unique case in many respects, but it does underscore that the overall situation for property developers has not meaningfully improved in recent months. In fact, the industry continues to worsen in some ways."

"There's also a fairly clear transmission mechanism for how this impacts the mainland market - homebuyer sentiment. Potential homebuyers are still deeply reluctant to buy presold homes from troubled developers, and we see that reflected in the data."

NICHOLAS CHEN, ANALYST, CREDITSIGHTS, SINGAPORE

"For other troubled Chinese developers, overall market sentiment would undoubtedly be affected."

"The cases of Evergrande and Jiayuan, which also received a winding-up order in May last year, highlight that defaulted developers would need to provide a concrete restructuring plan to the HK courts, and they do not have a perpetual runway to do so."

"In terms of regulatory stance, we expect the increasingly supportive policy environment to provide some breathing room for the cash-strapped property sector... We expect the regulatory support to remain bifurcated and biased towards the stronger (mostly state-linked) developers."

DAMIEN BOEY, CHIEF MACRO STRATEGIST, BARRENJOEY, SYDNEY

"The best thing that you can do as a policymaker... is to make sure that you take control of these unwind processes and make them orderly. And I think that's what they're doing.

"If you can do that, then you can avoid more blow-ups and unforeseen issues in the property sector. And, you can avoid some of the collateral damage.

"I think we're closer to the end of this wind-up cycle than the beginning, provided that policymakers do what the market actually wants them to do, which is... stimulate growth and support the property sector."

ANDREW COLLIER, MANAGING DIRECTOR, ORIENT CAPITAL RESEARCH, HONG KONG

"Evergrande's liquidation is a sign that China is willing to go to extreme ends to quell the property bubble. This is good for the economy in the long term, but very difficult in the short term."

MATT SIMPSON, SENIOR MARKET ANALYST, CITY INDEX, BRISBANE

"I think the bigger surprise here is that it took so long for Evergrande to be liquidated. Clearing out the deadwood should be seen as a positive, but I doubt it will boost confidence in the property sector on this news alone."

BACKGROUND

* Evergrande defaulted on offshore debt in late 2021, becoming a symbol of the debt crisis that has engulfed China's property sector.

* The world's most indebted developer has around $300 billion of liabilities and $240 billion of assets.

* The liquidation petition was first filed in June 2022 by Top Shine, an investor in Evergrande unit Fangchebao, which said the developer had failed to honour an agreement to repurchase shares it had bought in the subsidiary.

* Evergrande had been working on a $23 billion debt revamp plan for two years.

* Its original plan was scuppered in late September when it said its billionaire founder Hui Ka Yan was under investigation for suspected crimes.

* An ad hoc bondholder group had been siding with the developer in opposing the liquidation petition until the last hearing in early December.

(Reporting by Reuters Asia bureaus; Compiled and edited by Subhranshu Sahu; Editing by Jan Harvey)
It's not possible to invest over long periods without making some bad investments. But you have a problem if you face massive losses more than once in a while. So consider, for a moment, the misfortune of Coeur Mining, Inc. (NYSE:CDE) investors who have held the stock for three years as it declined a whopping 70%. That would certainly shake our confidence in the decision to own the stock. And the ride hasn't got any smoother in recent times over the last year, with the price 32% lower in that time. More recently, the share price has dropped a further 17% in a month.

With that in mind, it's worth seeing if the company's underlying fundamentals have been the driver of long term performance, or if there are some discrepancies.

See our latest analysis for Coeur Mining

Given that Coeur Mining didn't make a profit in the last twelve months, we'll focus on revenue growth to form a quick view of its business development. Generally speaking, companies without profits are expected to grow revenue every year, and at a good clip. That's because it's hard to be confident a company will be sustainable if revenue growth is negligible, and it never makes a profit.

Over the last three years, Coeur Mining's revenue dropped 1.6% per year. That is not a good result. Having said that the 19% annualized share price decline highlights the risk of investing in unprofitable companies. This business clearly needs to grow revenues if it is to perform as investors hope. Don't let a share price decline ruin your calm. You make better decisions when you're calm.

The company's revenue and earnings (over time) are depicted in the image below (click to see the exact numbers).

We like that insiders have been buying shares in the last twelve months. Having said that, most people consider earnings and revenue growth trends to be a more meaningful guide to the business. So we recommend checking out this free report showing consensus forecasts

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A Different Perspective

While the broader market gained around 20% in the last year, Coeur Mining shareholders lost 32%. Even the share prices of good stocks drop sometimes, but we want to see improvements in the fundamental metrics of a business, before getting too interested. Regrettably, last year's performance caps off a bad run, with the shareholders facing a total loss of 8% per year over five years. We realise that Baron Rothschild has said investors should "buy when there is blood on the streets", but we caution that investors should first be sure they are buying a high quality business. 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 3 warning signs for Coeur Mining you should know about.

Coeur Mining is not the only stock that insiders are buying. For those who like to find winning investments this free list of growing companies with recent insider purchasing, could be just the ticket.

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on American exchanges.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
The inaugural event takes place at Expo City Dubai from January 26 to February 4

The first Emirati-led light art festival features works by seven local artists

Sisters of the Desert projection show features works by Emirati Dhabia Jumaa Lamlah , Australian Rene Kulitja and South Africa's Dr Esther Mahlangu

Event partnered with Liter of Light to provide high-quality solar lighting to disadvantaged communities

DUBAI, UAE, Jan. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Dhai Dubai, the first-ever Emirati-led light art festival, has launched its illuminating 10-day programme at Expo City Dubai. The event celebrates the rich artistic tapestry of Emirati talent through a series of awe-inspiring artistic projections, interactive installations, enlightening talks and creative workshops. The free-to-attend festival is created and organised by Expo City Dubai, in partnership with AGB Creative and Dubai Culture and Arts Authority and will run from January 26 to February 4.

Dr. Najat Makki - The Scent of Memories - Dhai Dubai Light Art Festival

Artists lighting up the inaugural event include Mattar Bin Lahej, known for designing the calligraphic facade on the Museum of the Future; pioneering artist Dr Najat Makki, honoured with the French Chevalier of Arts and Letters; Emirates Fine Arts Society co-founder Dr Mohamed Yousef; designer Abdulla Almulla, who participated in last year's London Design Biennale; multi-disciplinary artist Maitha Hamdan; esteemed designer Khalid Al Shafar, renowned for his collaboration with Louvre Abu Dhabi; and celebrated visual artist Reem Al Ghaith.

Meanwhile, Al Wasl Plaza's iconic 130-metre-wide dome comes to life with a series of special projection shows titled Sisters of the Desert, inspired by the late Emirati artist, Dhabia Juma Lamlah, who produced more than 200 remarkable artworks despite not being able to use her right hand. Reflecting Dubai's spirit of multicultural collaboration, the show also features special guests, Australian artist Rene Kulitja and South African artist Dr Esther Mahlangu, who weave together a narrative of resilience and cross-cultural connectivity.

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Dhai Dubai is supporting the Liter of Light initiative  a global grassroots movement  to provide high-quality solar lighting to people with limited to electricity in the floating images of Agusan Marsh in the Philippines. Festival visitors can also pledge to contribute toward Liter of Light's mission in communities across the Philippines, Kenya, Cameroon, and India.

For more information, please visit www.dhaidubai.com and sign up to receive updates.

Images



Videos

Merwat Hussein

Merwat.hussein@hillandknowlton.com

SOURCE Dhai Dubai
KenWiedemann / Getty Images/iStockphoto

For many people, a happy retirement is the light at the end of the tunnel during their working life. Ideally, retirement is a time filled with financial stability, adventure, community, and, well, happiness. If youre wondering what town to set your sights on to have the happiest retirement, Barnstable, Massachusetts, might not be on your radar  but it should be.

Read More: Im a Retirement Planning Expert: These 4 States Top Florida and Arizona

Find Out: One Smart Way To Grow Your Retirement Savings in 2024

SoFis recent report, the Happiest Places to Retire in the U.S. in 2024 took many factors into account, including cost of living, community and healthcare access, along with researching sources like the Sharecar Community Well-Being Index, Walk Score, and County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, to determine the top 20 happiest places to retire in the U.S. with Barnstable topping the list. Heres why:

Sponsored: Protect Your Wealth With A Gold IRA. Take advantage of the timeless appeal of gold in a Gold IRA recommended by Sean Hannity.

Community Involvement

Barnstable offers a wealth of opportunities for community involvement. A quick search of a few of Barnstables seven libraries reveals community activities like yoga, a creative writing group, a winter reading challenge dubbed Bookopoly, book clubs and more.

The Barnstable Adult Community Center is a hub of activity for retirees looking to take an art class, attend travel talks, participate in cooking classes and other workshops, exercise, or just play games and do crafts. There are also ample volunteer opportunities for active retirees who want to help out within their community.

Trending Now: Heres the Cost To Retire Comfortably in Every State by Age

Access to Nature

Barnstable looks like a quintessential New England town with Cape Cod homes lining the shores of the bay and overlooking the water. Because the town is located on Cape Cod Bay, its residents are afforded easy access to beautiful beaches and parks.

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The town sees an average of 201 sunny days per year (the U.S. average is 205) and relatively mild temperatures with the summer months averaging around 79 degrees and the winter months dipping down to 22 for a low, making outdoor activities feasible for much of the year.

Lots to Do

With seven villages in one town, Barnstable boasts multiple museums, arts centers, galleries, lighthouses, walking tours, and more. For active retirees, theres always something new to see and more fun to be had.

Financial Stability

While the cost of living in Barnstable is higher than some other cities on the list, the median household income is just over $94,000. So, while the cost of living is higher than other cities, the residents may be more likely to afford it.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: This East Coast Town Was Voted the Happiest Place to Retire in 2024 (and Its Not in Florida)
Elon Musk had to be drug tested for a whole year after smoking weed on Joe Rogans podcast  and now the FDA is thinking about defining marijuana as a lower-risk drug. Here's what that means

The most-watched episode of the Joe Rogan Experience podcast to date is episode 1169, featuring Tesla CEO Elon Musk. This particular episode garnered significant attention, not only because viewers were eager to hear from the serial entrepreneur about his latest ventures, but also because Musk did something quite unconventional for a tech billionaire  he smoked weed on camera.

Indeed, Musk's 2018 on-air act quickly became headline material for a variety of news outlets, ranging from CNN and BBC to FOX Business. Furthermore, it ignited a flurry of memes across social media platforms.

Dont miss

However, this stunt wasn't without consequences for Musk, who currently holds the title of the world's richest person with a net worth of $204.1 billion.

During a 2022 interview on the "Full Send podcast, Musk shared the aftermath of his appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience, revealing, The consequences for me and for SpaceX were actually not good, because [weed] is federally illegal and SpaceX had federal contracts.

As a result, Musk found himself subjected to a series of drug tests.

I had to have like random drug tests and stuff after that, to prove that I'm not like a drug addictThey drug tested me for everything, and randomly I had like a whole year of random drug tests, he elaborated.

In the U.S., the trajectory of cannabis legalization has seen considerable advancement at the state level. By the time Musk took that infamous puff on Rogans podcast in 2018, cannabis had already been legalized in multiple states. However, on the federal front, marijuana was  and still remains  categorized as a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act.

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Nonetheless, this status might soon be evolving.

Read more: This Pennsylvania trio bought a $100K abandoned school and turned it into a 31-unit apartment building  how to invest in real estate without all the heavy lifting

From Schedule I to Schedule III?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed that marijuana be reclassified from a Schedule I to Schedule III substance under the Controlled Substances Act, based on scientific and medical evaluations. This recommendation was recently released in documents by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

After assessing all available preclinical, clinical, and epidemiological data, FDA recommends that marijuana be rescheduled from Schedule I into Schedule III of the CSA, the documents said.

Schedule III drugs are classified as having a potential for abuse less than the drugs or other substances in schedules I and II, a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, and moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence that may result from their use. NIDA [National Institute on Drug Abuse] concurs with this recommendation.

Transitioning from Schedule I to Schedule III would reposition marijuana from the same classification as heroin and LSD to the category that includes substances like anabolic steroids and ketamine.

While the DEA has yet to act on this recommendation, it has the potential to ignite a new era for the cannabis industry.

The industry is already flourishing. According to Grand View Research, the U.S. cannabis market was valued at $13.2 billion in 2022. Moreover, this figure is expected to continue its upward trajectory at a compound annual growth rate of 14.2% from 2023 to 2030.

What to read next

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Erdene Resource Development Corporation

Figure 1

Process Plant Foundations and Temporary Facilities  October 2023

Figure 2

Process Plant Foundations and Temporary Facilities  January 2024

Milestone

Milestone

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia, Jan. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Erdene Resource Development Corp. (TSX:ERD; MSE:ERDN) ("Erdene" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the commencement of full construction at the high-grade, open-pit Bayan Khundii Gold Project (Bayan Khundii, BK or "Project) in southwestern Mongolia and the close of the investment by Mongolian Mining Corporation (MMC) as part of the Strategic Alliance Agreement (SAA) to develop the Khundii Minerals District.



Peter Akerley, Erdenes President and CEO stated, We are extremely pleased to announce the formal commencement of construction at the Bayan Khundii gold project and the close of our Strategic Alliance with MMC, Mongolias leading publicly traded mining company. The Bayan Khundii gold mine is one of the highest grade, open pit gold mines under development globally and will be Mongolias largest gold primary producer when it reaches full production.

Mr. Akerley continued, The Bayan Khundii Gold Project is the foundation for the development of the Khundii Minerals District, located in a rapidly emerging mining region in southwest Mongolia. Our stakeholders benefit from tremendous exploration opportunities in an under-explored, world-class gold and copper belt with an established pipeline of high-quality projects, including high-grade gold satellite deposits to Bayan Khundii, the large Altan Nar gold-polymetallic deposit and the vast Zuun Mod molybdenum-copper porphyry resource. MMC is the ideal partner to develop the Khundii Minerals District with its experience in large scale mining, expertise in construction, power supply, transportation and logistics, and national and international relationships. Together, we will unlock new opportunities for the Mongolian mining sector, increase the industrys contribution to the national economy and create long-term value for Erdene shareholders.

Strategic Alliance with MMC

On January 10, 2023, Erdene executed a Strategic Alliance Agreement (SAA) with MMC to develop the Bayan Khundii Gold Project (see press release here). On January 23, 2024, the parties formally closed the SAA by issuing shares in Erdene Mongol LCC (EM) to MMC representing a 50% equity ownership. Details of the SAA include:

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MMC is Mongolias largest internationally traded mining company, listed on the main board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEx: 975).

MMC has invested US$40 million in EM, Erdenes Mongolian subsidiary holding the Khundii and Altan Nar mining licenses and the Ulaan exploration license.

Erdene retains a 50% equity interest in EM and a 5.0% Net Smelter Return royalty on production from the Khundii, Altan Nar and Ulaan licenses, as well as any properties acquired within a 700km 2 area of interest, beyond the first 400,000 ounces gold recovered.

Erdene maintains a 100% interest in its large Zuun Mod Molybdenum-Copper deposit and Khuvyn Khar Copper project, located approximately 30 kilometres east of Bayan Khundii, and adjacent to a planned railway development.

Bayan Khundii Construction

On January 15, 2024, Erdene and MMC reached a formal decision to commence construction at Bayan Khundii. With Proven and Probable reserves of 513,000 ounces of gold at an average head grade of 4.0 g/t gold, Bayan Khundii is scheduled to produce an average of 87,000 ounces of gold during years two through five of the seven year mine life. Furthermore, known resources in the District are expected to provide further reserves to significantly extend mine life.

The construction decision follows the successful completion of the Projects early works program during the second half of 2023. Representing approximately 12% of the total construction effort, EM built temporary construction facilities, including aggregate crushing and concrete batch plants, fuel depot and construction camp, construction roads, and completed site leveling, detailed excavation, and all major reinforced concrete footings and columns installation for the Projects process plant. Construction site photos are included below.

Process Plant Foundations and Temporary Facilities  October 2023





Process Plant Foundations and Temporary Facilities  October 2023

Process Plant Foundations and Temporary Facilities  January 2024





Process Plant Foundations and Temporary Facilities  January 2024

The contracts for early works and the Projects Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) services have been awarded to MCS Property LLC (MCSP), a leading Mongolian engineering and construction firm, and an affiliate of MMC. With a 25-year history operating in Mongolia, MCSP is a major contractor to the countrys mining industry, successfully delivering critical infrastructure for Rio Tintos Oyu Tolgoi underground operations and non-process infrastructure for MMCs Ukhaa Khudag metallurgical coal mining operations. The fixed price EPC contract is valued at US$54 million, representing 60% of the Projects capital costs. EM previously contracted with CITIC Heavy Industries for the Projects Ball and SAG mills, COMO Engineers for the elution circuit and gold room and Hot Chengdu for the Projects filtration equipment. In total, the Company has secured contracts for $74 million of the Projects $90 million capital budget (excluding contingency).

The Projects critical path construction activity is the completion of the process plant. With all major footings and columns in place and the first process mechanical equipment now on site, construction is expected to be substantially complete by year end with technical and state commissioning planned for Q1 2025. The Project is on schedule and budget to achieve operations commissioning and first gold in Q2 2025.

Milestone





Additionally, EM has entered a power purchase agreement (PPA) with MCS International LLC (MCSI), another affiliate of MMC. Under the terms of the PPA, MCSI will build, own and operate under a take-or-pay arrangement a hybrid power station consisting of a 14.5 megawatt (MW) diesel station, 5 MW solar farm, 3 MWh battery storage system and associated infrastructure. Payments under the contract are expected to total US$44 million over the seven-year contract, excluding the cost of diesel, which has been matched to the initial mine life for Bayan Khundii. The PPA provides an option for MCSI to supply the power via an overhead transmission line (OHTL) under terms that will be no less favorable to EM than those for the hybrid station. Connection to power through an OHTL will provide access to lower incremental cost power for expansion opportunities and reduce diesel price risk for the project.

To date, approximately US$80 million has been invested in the Bayan Khundii Gold Project, including Erdenes historic expenditures and the US$40 million funded by MMC under the Strategic Alliance Agreement. Erdene and MMC are finalizing arrangements for the balance of the funding required to complete the construction and expect to announce further details within Q1 2024.

About Erdene

Erdene Resource Development Corp. is a Canada-based resource company focused on the acquisition, exploration, and development of precious and base metals in underexplored and highly prospective Mongolia. The Company has interests in three mining licenses and an exploration license in Southwest Mongolia, where exploration success has led to the discovery and definition of the Khundii Minerals District. Erdene Resource Development Corp. is listed on the Toronto and the Mongolian stock exchanges. Further information is available at www.erdene.com . Important information may be disseminated exclusively via the website; investors should consult the site to access this information.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information regarding Erdene contained herein may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements may include estimates, plans, expectations, opinions, forecasts, projections, guidance or other statements that are not statements of fact. Although Erdene believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. Erdene cautions that actual performance will be affected by a number of factors, most of which are beyond its control, and that future events and results may vary substantially from what Erdene currently foresees. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include the ability to obtain required third party approvals, market prices, exploitation and exploration results, continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. The forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The information contained herein is stated as of the current date and is subject to change after that date. The Company does not assume the obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.

NO REGULATORY AUTHORITY HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THE CONTENTS OF THIS RELEASE

Erdene Contact Information

Peter C. Akerley, President and CEO, or

Robert Jenkins, CFO

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/db7ee196-dc9a-40e9-b21b-aff91ca5857c

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1e5fcc3a-c54d-4b1e-8253-c78a066af1c9

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b952d4fc-ac9c-4452-9717-c49e9b4c7d04




PARIS, January 29, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Regulatory News:

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION FOR THE PURPOSES OF ARTICLE 7 OF THE MARKET ABUSE REGULATION (EU) NO. 596/2014, AND WHICH ALSO FORMS PART OF DOMESTIC LAW IN THE UNITED KINGDOM PURSUANT TO THE EUROPEAN UNION (WITHDRAWAL) ACT 2018.

Eutelsat Group (ISIN: FR0010221234 - Euronext Paris / London Stock Exchange: ETL). Following the merger with OneWeb forming Eutelsat Group, and a review of trading for the first three months since completion of the merger, Eutelsat Group provides the following update.

The legacy Eutelsat business remains on track with expected performance and confirms a return to top line growth for FY 2023-24, mainly driven by the entry into service of satellites EUTELSAT 10B and KONNECT VHTS.

The results of the LEO activities of OneWeb, while progressing well, with 100% of the satellites in place and a backlog of $1.1bn1 at the end of the last quarter, are running behind schedule relative to the original roadmap. This reflects delays in the availability of the ground network, as well as a revenue mix more oriented than expected towards the sale of user terminals, which impacts margins. The delay in the ground network impacts revenues, especially in mobility and in certain geographies where market access is still outstanding.

The deployment of the ground network is progressing well, towards a 90% completion rate in Q2 2024. We continue to see strong momentum in the take-up of pre-signed commitments with major customers, and we believe we are on track towards our longer-term targets.

Nevertheless, this dynamic will not suffice to close the gap relative to our near-term expectations, and in consequence we are adjusting our financial objectives for FY 2023-24 as follows (at a /$ rate of 1.00)2:

Revenues are now expected in a range of 1.25bn to 1.3bn (versus 1.32bn to 1.42bn previously).

Adjusted EBITDA is expected in a range of 650m to 680m (versus 725m to 825m previously).

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After synergies, cash capex is expected to remain well contained within a 725m to 875m per annum average range over the period FY 2025 to FY 2030; Cash capex for FY 2024 is expected in a range between 600m and 650m.

We also continue to target leverage of c.3x in the medium term.

To allow for a more accurate assessment of prospects in the context of the rapid development of OneWebs business, financial objectives for FY 2024-25 will be reviewed and shared on the occasion of Eutelsat Groups FY 2023-24 Results on August 2nd, 2024; previously communicated objectives for FY 2024-25 are meanwhile suspended.

Management remains confident in the prospects of OneWeb and the potential of Eutelsat Groups unique combined GEO-LEO offer. As the constellation achieves full global operational coverage, we anticipate an acceleration in revenues and continue to target double-digit CAGR in revenues and Adjusted EBITDA between FY 2024 and FY 2028.

A conference call hosted by Management will take place at 08.30h CET, today, 29th January 2024 Webcast link: https://channel.royalcast.com/landingpage/eutelsat-en/20240129_1/ (The webcast link will remain available for replay) Conference call: France: +33 (0) 1 7037 7166 UK: +44 (0) 33 0551 0200 USA: +1 786 697 3501 Quote Eutelsat to the operator when connecting to the call

About Eutelsat Communications

Founded in 1977, Eutelsat Communications is one of the world's leading satellite operators. With a global fleet of satellites and associated ground infrastructure, Eutelsat enables clients across Video, Data, Government, Fixed and Mobile Broadband markets to communicate effectively to their customers, irrespective of their location. Around 7,000 television channels operated by leading media groups are broadcast by Eutelsat to one billion viewers equipped for DTH reception or connected to terrestrial networks. Committed to promoting all facets of sustainable development across its business activities, Eutelsat leverages its in-orbit resources to help bridge the digital divide while maintaining a safe and uncluttered space environment. As an attractive and socially responsible employer, Eutelsat assembles 1,200 men and women from 50 countries who are dedicated to delivering the highest quality of service. Eutelsat Communications is listed on the Euronext Paris Stock Exchange (ticker: ETL).

For more about Eutelsat go to https://www.eutelsat.com/en/home.html

Find out more at www.eutelsat.com/oneweb

Disclaimer

The forward-looking statements included herein are for illustrative purposes only and are based on managements views and assumptions as of the date of this document. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks. For illustrative purposes only, such risks include but are not limited to: risks related to the health crisis; operational risks related to satellite failures or impaired satellite performance, or failure to roll out the deployment plan as planned and within the expected timeframe; risks related to the trend in the satellite telecommunications market resulting from increased competition or technological changes affecting the market; risks related to the international dimension of the Group's customers and activities; risks related to the adoption of international rules on frequency coordination and financial risks related, inter alia, to the financial guarantee granted to the Intergovernmental Organization's closed pension fund, and foreign exchange risk. Eutelsat Communications expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any projections, forecasts or estimates contained in this document to reflect any change in events, conditions, assumptions, or circumstances on which any such statements are based, unless so required by applicable law. The information contained in this document is not based on historical fact and should not be construed as a guarantee that the facts or data mentioned will occur. This information is based on data, assumptions and estimates that the Group considers as reasonable.

For the purposes of market abuse regulation (EU) no. 596/2014, and which also forms part of domestic law in the United Kingdom pursuant to the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, the person responsible for arranging release of this Announcement on behalf of the Company is David Bertolotti, Group General Counsel and Company Secretary.

Financial calendar

Eutelsat Communications' 12-month fiscal year ends on June 30.

The following financial calendar is provided for information purposes only. It is subject to change and will be regularly updated.

First Half 2023-24 results 16 February 2024 Third quarter and Nine Months 2023-24 revenues 14 May 2024 Full-year 2023-24 results 2 August 2024

______________________________

1 Including $275m Take-or-Pay Agreement with Eutelsat

2 Pro-forma figures with 12 months OW figures (actual consolidation as of 1st October 2023)

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240128099949/en/

Contacts

PRESS

Joanna Darlington

Tel.: +33 674 521 531

jdarlington@eutelsat.com

Anita Baltagi

Tel.: +33 1 53 98 47 47

abaltagi@eutelsat.com

Katie Dowd

Tel. +12022712209

kdowd@oneweb.net

INVESTOR RELATIONS

Joanna Darlington

Tel.: +33 674 521 531

jdarlington@eutelsat.com

Hugo Laurens-Berge

hlaurensberge@eutelsat.com
By Clare Jim and Scott Murdoch

HONG KONG (Reuters) - A Hong Kong court on Monday ordered China Evergrande, the world's most indebted developer, to be liquidated.

The move could send shockwaves through already fragile Chinese capital and property markets. Such a process could be complicated, with potential political considerations, given the many authorities involved.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE COURT ORDERS EVERGRANDE LIQUIDATED?

Once a liquidation order is issued, a provisional liquidatorand then an official liquidator will be appointed to takecontrol and prepare to sell the developer's assets to repay itsdebts.

The liquidators could propose a new debt restructuring planto offshore creditors holding $23 billion of debt in Evergrandeif they determine the company had enough assets or if a whiteknight investor appeared. They would also investigate thecompany's affairs and could refer any suspected misconduct bydirectors to Hong Kong prosecutors.

Evergrande could appeal a liquidation order, but theliquidation process would proceed pending appeal.

Shares in Evergrande and its listed subsidiaries were suspended from trading after the liquidation order. Listing rules require a company to demonstrate a business structure with sufficient operations and asset values.

HOW MUCH DEBT MIGHT CREDITORS RECOVER AND WHAT ARE THE MAINCHALLENGES?

Evergrande cited a Deloitte analysis during a Hong Kongcourt hearing in July that estimated a recovery rate of 3.4% ifthe developer were liquidated.

However, after Evergrande said in September its flagshipunit and its chairman Hui Ka Yan were being investigated by theauthorities for unspecified crimes, creditors nowexpect a recovery rate of less than 3%.

Evergrande's dollar bonds were bid at around one cent on thedollar on Friday.

Most of Evergrande's assets have been sold or seized bycreditors, leaving its two units listed in Hong Kong -Evergrande Property Services Group and Evergrande NewEnergy Vehicle Group. Their combined marketcapitalisation had dropped to $973 million as of Friday.

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A liquidator could sell Evergrande's holdings in the twounits although it might be difficult to find buyers.

After a liquidation, the liquidator could take control ofEvergrande's subsidiaries across mainland China by replacingtheir legal representatives one by one, a process that couldtake months or years.

Insolvency experts said it would be a challenge for theliquidator to change the representatives as Guangzhou, whereEvergrande is based, is not one of the three Chinese cities thatmutually recognise liquidation orders with Hong Kong.

Even if a liquidator were to take possession of the unitsthat have onshore projects, many of these have already beentaken over by creditors, frozen by courts, have little valueleft or are even in negative equity because of falling propertyprices.

HOW SIGNIFICANT WOULD LIQUIDATION BE FOR CHINA'S PROPERTYMARKET?

While a winding-up of the developer with $240 billion ofassets would send shockwaves through already fragile capitalmarkets, experts said it would not offer a blueprint on howliquidation might unfold for other embattled developers.

Given the sheer size of Evergrande's projects and debt, theprocess would involve many authorities and politicalconsiderations.

Completing ongoing home construction projects will be a toppriority for the company, the sector and the government.

(Reporting by Clare Jim in Hong Kong and Scott Murdoch in Sydney; additional reporting by Kane Wu; Editing by Lincoln Feast)
Laman Ismayilova

President of the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, Aktoty Raimkulova, has visited the National Art Museum.

The museum director, Shirin Malikova, briefed the foundation president about the museum's activities and its rich collections, Azernews reports.

Shirin Malikova and Aktoty Raimkulova discussed the prospects of cooperation between the museum and the foundation.

Aktoty Raimkulova also viewed the exhibition "Western Azerbaijani Art in Our Cultural Memory," which includes paintings, graphics, works of fine and decorative arts, photographs, historical documents, numismatics, and other exhibits from the collections of the National Art Museum, the National Carpet Museum, the State Art Gallery, and the Gallery of Solar Carpets.

Some exhibits are being shown for the first time. This exhibition will last until the end of February.

The Azerbaijan National Art Museum has always been attractive to visitors with its diverse collection and engaging exhibitions.

Founded in 1937, the National Art Museum offers art connoisseurs some of the best examples of decoratively applied arts in Western Europe.

Over 3,000 items in 60 rooms are on permanent display at the museum, and around 12,000 items are kept in storage. Here, you can see masterpieces of the Italian, French, German, and Polish masters of brush.

The museum has successfully organised and hosted numerous high-level international exhibitions, showcasing the works of renowned artists.
A crowd forms at a street vendor's taco stand in Fontana. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

At meeting after meeting, activists, social justice groups and residents took their turn at the lectern in the Fontana City Council chambers in the fall to sound off against Mayor Acquanetta Warren. Their denunciations of the city's first Black mayor were relentless, and their anger resonated beyond the council chambers.

For months, Warren had been the driving force behind a crackdown on street food vendors selling goods without proper permits. Under a series of regulations approved by the City Council, unlicensed sellers could be arrested on misdemeanor charges. Their food and equipment were now fair game to impound and trash.

"It's time to take a stand," Warren told the packed chamber at one October meeting, standing firm against the onslaught. "We've tried everything we can to help people get legal. ... Now it's time to grab a couple of hammers."

In a city where Latinos make up the majority of residents, some view the criminalization of street vending as a direct attack.

"It's fascist, classist, racist, xenophobic and a grave injustice," Fontana resident Evan Webb, a staunch ally of local activist groups, told the council at another October meeting. "Because of your votes, people will be traveling to poverty, debt, trauma and deportation."

In the months since, activists have continued to ramp up their campaign against Warren, a Republican who has been open in her concerns about illegal immigration. Their verbal attacks, some laced with profanity and racial overtones, ripple across social media. And even as critics accuse city leaders of an ethnically motivated crackdown on working-class Latinos, Warren's defenders say the backlash itself is racist in nature  a move to undermine a clear-eyed leader because she is a Black woman.

"I have followed this anti-Black behavior brought on by this immigration group since it surfaced back in October," Hardy Brown, a longtime activist in San Bernardino's Black community, said during a December City Council meeting. "They have called us everything but a child of God and using racial stereotype language I choose not to repeat."

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Fontana city leaders say their crackdown on street vending is about protecting health and local businesses. Activists call it an attack on Latino culture. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

The cat-and-mouse game between unlicensed street vendors and city code enforcement is not new for Southern California. It's been an ongoing point of tension in relatively white suburban communities for years, particularly in Orange County's posh beach cities. But what's unfolding in Fontana represents a new front in the battle as the debate spreads into unfamiliar terrain: the Inland Empire, where large numbers of Latino families are relocating to escape unaffordable housing in Los Angeles and Orange counties.

In Fontana, the talking points in the standoff are in many ways the same as what's played out elsewhere: City officials say unlicensed vendors represent a health risk to consumers, unfair competition to bricks-and-mortar restaurants and lost civic revenue from unpaid taxes and fees. Those defending street vendors say their trade offers an economic lifeline to hardworking people and, for many Latinos, calls up a nostalgic mainstay of Mexican culture.

But the discourse in Fontana has also veered into barbed and more personal territory, highlighting the growing pains of a Latino-majority community led by Warren, a controversial figure determined to establish Fontana as an up-and-coming suburb.

Alfonso Gonzales Toribio, an associate professor of ethnic studies at UC Riverside, notes another distinction: Along with Warren, many of those taking on street vendors in Fontana are Latinos and other people of color using nonracial terms to say why it's a problem.

"There is this class dynamic that they're trying to sell the Inland Empire as sort of the middle-class suburban alternative to living in Orange County," Gonzales Toribio said. "And in doing that, they're trying to create the image of these pristine uniform suburban spaces that don't have room for street vending."

Fontana officials say they pursued ordinances criminalizing street vending only after the city had exhausted efforts to bring unlicensed vendors into compliance. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Fontana indeed has transformed since its founding. Unofficially dubbed "Fontucky," the area was once home to agriculture and rolling hills and later to the Kaiser Steel mill, the largest steel plant on the West Coast during World War II.

Warren joined the City Council in 2002, and her successful mayoral bid in 2010 was lauded as a historic turning point in a city with a cruel history of segregation. As mayor, she has courted warehouse development, bringing in scores of facilities and hundreds of jobs. Critics of the approach dub her "Warehouse Warren" and question the environmental fallout of a local economy reliant on mass distribution centers and truck traffic.

From the start, Latino activists also took issue with her stance on illegal immigration.

Street vendors are quick to pull out their cellphones and call up a clip where Warren says, "If you get here illegally, you need to learn how to speak English. You need to understand the culture in America." The doctored clip is presented as if Warren said this amid street vending discussions. In fact, the clip is from a 2010 council meeting where a San Bernardino public official called Warren racist after a newspaper story quoted her expressing support for a controversial Arizona law, passed that same year, that gave police broad powers to detain anyone suspected of being in the country illegally. Portions of the measure were subsequently voided by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Warren, a council member at the time, rebutted the accusations of racism and said she advocated for stronger border protections because people entering the country illegally were taking low-skilled jobs from impoverished Black communities.

Digna Orozco sets up a roadside sign for her Fontana food stand. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Still, street vendors tend to think the mayor's crusade against their vocation is rooted in animosity toward Latinos and immigrant culture.

"She doesn't know us," said Digna Orozco, who sells pambazos and tacos de canasta on a dirt patch near semi-trailer truck lots in Fontana.

Orozco said she turned to street vending after suffering a heart attack triggered by stressful work as a seamstress at high-end wedding boutiques. She didn't think her heart could handle a return to boutique work, but she had bills to pay, so she turned to vending at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"She doesn't know that it's out of necessity." Orozco said. "I wanted to tell her, 'I'm an American citizen from Fontana and my children grew up here.'"

Read more: Inside the ruthless crime wave targeting L.A.s vulnerable street food vendors

Fontana city officials have repeatedly said the vending ordinances are not meant to target a demographic group. Warren declined The Times' request for an in-person interview, but offered a statement blaming the tensions on social activists who have twisted the dispute into a "racial or social equity issue to promote their political agenda."

"The businesses most impacted by their intentional disregard for our ordinance are mostly Latino-owned small businesses," Warren said in the emailed statement. "They are the ones requesting city action, and they are the ones negatively impacted by this outrageous behavior. This group has attempted to make this a racial issue, and they are the ones who have resorted to personal attacks and threats of violence. The city will continue to enforce the law and stand up for local residents and businesses, regardless of the tactics employed by this group.

The Times reached out to several Mexican food establishments, whose owners declined to speak on the record. Some cited fear of retaliation from pro-vendor activists, while others worried they might alienate fellow restaurateurs if they expressed support for street vendors. In general, they said they agreed with the need to curb unlicensed vendors; some suggested setting a radius clause where the same goods couldn't be sold in front of a bricks-and-mortar establishment. Yes, street vendors are common in Mexico, one owner said, but in the U.S., fellow Latinos should shake off old habits and strive to eat better and cleaner.

Amanda Morales, a self-identifying Latina and special projects coordinator for the Fontana Chamber of Commerce, said the street vendor ordinances are not racist in nature but instead an effort to lift and support Latino-owned businesses.

"We have heard story after story of our restaurant owners on the verge of shutting down and laying off their employees that live in the city because they are unable to compete with the price points of street vendors, Morales said.

Digna Orozco, right, prepares pambazo at her food stand. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Council members contend they pursued the new ordinances only after the city had exhausted its efforts to work with unlicensed street vendors to bring them into compliance.

Code enforcement officers have distributed fliers explaining the licensing rules in English and Spanish. The city created a program in June to offer financial assistance of up to $2,000 to help cover expenses involved with obtaining permits from the city and county. Three months later, the city shut down the program because no applications were submitted.

Instead, Deputy City Manager Phillip Burum said, illicit vendors have memorized when officers begin their patrols. They pack up their food when officers drive by  and wait until the officers are gone to start selling again.

In October, the City Council approved spending $600,000 to bring in a third-party vendor to help with the crackdown. Pleasanton, Calif.-based 4Leaf Inc. will provide code enforcement services, such as giving warnings to first-time unlicensed vendors, impounding equipment and food from repeat offenders and, if necessary, calling in police for support. Under the six-month contract, six security workers will patrol the city during eight-hour shifts six days a week.

"We're not objecting to people making money, but you need to do it the right way," Warren told audience members at the October meeting where the expenditure was approved. "Our public looks upon our council and our region to keep them safe, and if you looked at the conditions they cooked [in], you wouldn't be eating at these places. There's no bathrooms. How [are] you going to sit there for eight hours with no bathroom? Where are you going to wash your hands?"

Warren's admonitions have done nothing to quiet the pro-vendor forces. And as tensions have heightened, Fontana has added more police officers to stand watch during council meetings.

Read more: He defends street vendors. Now he's on trial. Did he fly too close to the sun?

In October, Edin Alex Enamorado, whose strident activism has made him a social media sensation, organized a protest in front of the mayor's house that police declared an unlawful assembly. Enamorado and a cohort of activists have since been jailed and await trial on allegations they used violent tactics to harass and intimidate perceived enemies of street vendors and certain other causes in multiple cities. The defendants deny the accusations, presenting themselves as crusaders using their 1st Amendment rights to stand up for the oppressed.

Coalition groups such as the Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice have galvanized vendors to share testimony at council meetings about what drew them to the occupation. Several explained in Spanish that the vending ordinances were upending a food service many residents appreciate and see as part of their heritage. Frustration has mounted as city-provided interpreters sometimes struggle to accurately convey what Spanish speakers say within the time frame allotted for public comment.

"When you talk about public health and safety of the community, you say that street vendors are a danger, that street vendors are a nuisance," Joaquin Castillejos told the mayor at an October meeting. "You know what to me is a danger and a nuisance? It's PM2.5 contamination from trucks going into our lungs every single day in the streets, and you wanna put warehouses next to a school"

Before he could finish, his allotted time elapsed.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Robotic Powerhouse, OTSAW disrupts robotics with the World's First Multi-Purpose Robot - Camello+

Singapore, Singapore--(Newsfile Corp. - January 29, 2024) - After a 9-year journey of innovation, OTSAW, a driving force behind Singapore's robotics landscape, proudly unveils Camello+, a breakthrough in autonomous mobile robots (AMRs).





Global Robotics Firm, OTSAW Creates A Breakthrough in Robotics With Their New Multi-purpose Robot, Camello+

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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Cannot view this video? Visit:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6XaJIZt4JE

OTSAW adopts a multifaceted approach by creating versatile and adaptable robots to address real world challenges across different industries. Having crafted a multitude of robots across the span of 9 years, OTSAW has refined its extensive experience in robotics to develop Camello+, their new multi-purpose robot.

Equipped with interchangeable modular attachments, this innovation allows it to serve diverse industries concurrently, ranging from healthcare to logistics and security.

"We brought together all our robotics expertise to create Camello+, our first ever multi-purpose robot that can serve multiple industries. It's been a journey, we needed to learn from making different robots for different purposes before creating a multi-use one," said Ling Ting Ming, CEO and Founder of OTSAW.

"Amidst the growing labor shortage, industries face an urgent need for innovative solutions. Our new multi-purpose robot Camello+ is not just an upgrade, It's a breakthrough in the robotics industry, integrating numerous solutions in a single robot catered for various uses."

Visit OTSAW at the Singapore Pavilion - Hall 8, Booth Number: H8.A57, Dubai World Trade Centre, and witness a live showcase of Camello+.

For an exclusive one-on-one or group presentation of OTSAW's latest robot at Arab Health 2024, connect with us at sales@otsaw.com.sg.

Story continues

About OTSAW:

Each year, countless businesses turn to OTSAW for innovative solutions. But for OTSAW, innovation is more than just progress - it's disruption.

OTSAW is a Singapore-based robotics & AI company disrupting sectors such as Security, Healthcare, and Logistics through the use of autonomous robots. It empowers businesses in 20+ countries with 1000+ robots deployed and tallying over 3 million days of robot operations.

Social Media: Facebook | LinkedIn | X (Twitter) | Instagram | Youtube

Website: https://www.otsaw.com/



Contact Info:

Name: Jonathan Ng

Email: Jonathan.ng@otsaw.com.sg

Organization: OTSAW

Website: https://www.otsaw.com/

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/195637
Port Houstons total container volumes fell 4% year over year in 2023, which officials attributed to a decline in empty-container movements. (Photo: Jim Allen/FreightWaves)

Port Houston sees container shipments slip in 2023

During 2023, cargo volumes moving through Port Houstons two container terminals were down 4% year over year (y/y) compared to 2022, with a total of 3.8 million twenty-foot equivalent units handled during the year.

Total steel tonnage (imports and exports) was down 14% y/y in 2023 at 4.4 million tons.

Officials attributed the y/y decrease in 2023 to a large drop in empty container volumes, which registered an 18% y/y decline at 649,057 TEUs.

As we begin 2024 our eye is on making continued strategic investments to facilitate larger vessels and more of our regions cargo, Roger Guenther, executive director at Port Houston, said in a news release. We are adding important landside capacity at our two container terminals and making good progress on the Houston Ship Channel Expansion (Project 11).

Port Houston ended 2023 on a high note, with cargo volume in December up 11% y/y at 325,020 TEUs.

Loaded imports and exports were both up 11% y/y in December, totaling 150,648 TEUs and 119,970 TEUs, respectively.

Imports of steel declined 27% y/y in December to 336,773 tons, while exports of steel were up 324% y/y, from 548 tons to 2,323 tons.

General imports increased 13% y/y in December at 492,365 tons, while container exports jumped 190% to 955,668 tons.

Empty container exports fell 5% y/y in December to 39,588 TEUs, while imports of empty containers rose 104% y/y to 14,814 TEUs.

Total revenue tonnage increased 87% y/y to 4.8 million tons in December.

Ship calls for December were up 7% y/y to 700 vessels. Barges calling Port Houston increased 66% y/y to 296.

Port of New Orleans reports 12% increase in container volumes

Boosted by shipments of coffee, chemicals and plastic resins, the Port of New Orleans saw a 12% y/y rise in container volumes at 481,593 TEUs during 2023.

We had 20,016 container moves by barge during the calendar year 2023, a 15% [y/y] increase, port spokeswoman Kimberly Curth told FreightWaves. Its the highest year ever since 2016 when the service started.

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The Port of New Orleans also had a total of 406 vessel calls in 2023, which represents a 22% y/y increase.

For the month of December, the port handled 37,539 TEUs, a 17% y/y increase. The port also handled 82,186 tons of breakbulk cargo, a 29% y/y increase. Top breakbulk items during the month included steel, natural rubber and lumber.

The port handled 8,729 Class I rail car switches in December.

Port of Corpus Christi records increase in exports of crude oil, petroleum products

The Port of Corpus Christi saw an 8% y/y increase in total cargo to 203 million tons in 2023.

Exports of crude oil led the way in 2023, followed by shipments of petroleum and dry bulk goods.

The port handled 126 million tons of crude oil during the year, a 12% increase compared to 2022. Exports of crude oil for 2023 topped 117 million tons, a 14% increase over 2022.

Total shipments of petroleum were at 62 million tons during 2023, a 1% y/y increase, led by exports at 48.9 million tons, a 1.2% increase compared to 2022.

The Port of Corpus Christi handled 8 million tons of dry bulk goods last year, a 1% decrease compared to 2022.

For December, the port handled 19.1 million tons of cargo, a 14% y/y increase compared to the same month in 2022.

Crude oil exports in December totaled 11.2 million tons, an 11% increase from 2022. Exports of petroleum were 5.6 million tons for December, a 10% y/y increase.

The port had 8,114 ship and barge calls in 2023, a 5% y/y increase from 2022. For December, Corpus Christi handled 714 vessels, a 6% y/y increase.

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 Gulf Coast ports see mixed year-over-year results in freight volumes appeared first on FreightWaves.
U.S. Bank client Hinckley Medical created the scales to weigh patients in ambulances in order to determine accurate medicine dosages

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / January 29, 2024 / U.S. Bank

Originally published on U.S. Bank company blog

While attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln as an engineering student, Tristen Hazlett had a conversation with his brother that would change the trajectory of Hazlett's life.

Gurneys with the OneWeigh system were developed by Hinckley Medical.

"My older brother was at a paramedic school in Minnesota and shared that guessing people's weight to be able to provide medication made him feel awful," said Hazlett, who lives in the Twin Cities.

Hazlett recalled his disbelief that a scale did not exist in an ambulance to provide accurate weight information so that paramedics could administer the correct dosage to patients as they were being rushed to the hospital.

"People are just not good at guessing people's weight," he said. "When you are helping people in a vulnerable situation, providing accurate doses is paramount."

That conversation sparked an idea to help solve a problem facing hospital, fire department and third party-affiliated first responders providing emergency medical care around the world.

While attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Hazlett cofounded Hinckley Medical alongside Michael Elsbernd, who serves as the chief operations officer, and Hazlett's younger brother, Colton, who serves as the chief technology officer.

One of Hinckley Medical's first forays into the industry was sponsoring Hazlett and his group's senior design project: the first prototype of a scale for a gurney called the patient weighing system or PWS.

"While that original design didn't go anywhere, we spent three years in development before getting into any sort of field trial," said Hazlett, who is the CEO of Hinckley Medical.

Six years later, the scale has been renamed OneWeight and is now assembled in Minnesota, where Hinckley Medical is based. Hinckley is part of the hundreds of Minnesota companies in Medical Alley, a group of healthcare organizations innovating and providing care.

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OneWeight is now used by emergency medical service providers in six states. In 2023, Hinckley completed its first round of raising capital to support their growing business.

"There's a real need to solve and innovate in this space," Hazlett said. "We're really trying to be that one-stop shop for cognitive offloading - the use of tools to assist with tasks - for emergency responders. It's why we've developed and just launched a companion app to the scale called OneDose, which will take the patient's weight from the scale, calculate dosages, and provide medical professionals access to tools and checklists."

As the business has grown, so has the partnership with U.S. Bank.

Hazlett first opened personal accounts with U.S. Bank while in college because he wanted a bank that had branches in Lincoln and back home in Minnesota. When he and his team founded Hinckley Medical, they opened business accounts with U.S. Bank - ranging from checking to credit cards and lines of credit.

Hinckley's bankers include Ryan Peterson, a client relationship consultant, and Nathan O'Keefe, a small business banker, who are based down the road from Hinckley Medical's offices in Lakeville, Minnesota.

"Working with Ryan and Nathan has been great," Hazlett said. "They and the bank provide that small bank feeling with the benefits of a larger bank. You can trust and rely on their stability."

Peterson and O'Keefe said they look forward to hearing what's in store for the Hinckley Medical team and supporting them as they continue to grow.

"At U.S. Bank, we want to make sure that all businesses have the tools they need to grow and build their business," O'Keefe said. "As a banker, being able to help businesses reach their goals by taking advantage of our products and services is central to who we are. I couldn't be prouder to be able to walk alongside Tristen and the Hinckley Medical team as they help medical professionals provide care."

A focus on healthcare In 2023, U.S. Bank announced its new cross-business initiative to provide healthcare practices with a comprehensive suite of solutions for business owners. In doing so, 50 U.S. Bank bankers will serve small- to mid-sized medical, veterinarian and dental practices as well as physician-owned medical and diagnostic laboratories and outpatient care centers. This new healthcare initiative builds on the bank's strong and well-recognized history of service to clients in the healthcare sector, including the expertise of the dedicated healthcare team in its Corporate and Commercial Banking group. U.S. Bank has been in the healthcare business for more than 100 years, delivering solutions to help clients of all types and sizes meet their financial, operational and investment goals - so they can focus on their core mission of serving patients.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from U.S. Bank on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: U.S. Bank

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/us-bank

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: U.S. Bank





View the original press release on accesswire.com




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Dublin, Jan. 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Heaters Market Trends in China" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



This study focuses on China's Heaters market trends. Over the past two decades, the market has been growing at a fast pace. The dramatic expansions of the manufacturing capabilities and rising consumer consumptions in China have transformed China's society and economy. China is one of the world's major producers for industrial and consumer products. Far outpacing other economies in the world, China is the world's fastest growing market for the consumptions of goods and services. The Chinese economy maintains a high speed growth which has been stimulated by the consecutive increases of industrial output, imports & exports, consumer consumption and capital investment for over two decades. Rapid consolidation between medium and large players is anticipated since the Chinese government has been encouraging industry consolidation with an effort to regulate the industry and to improve competitiveness in the world market.



Although China has enjoyed the benefits of an expanding market for production and distribution, the industry is suffering from minimal innovation and investment in R&D and new product development. The sector's economies of scale have yet to be achieved. Most domestic manufacturers lack the autonomic intellectual property and financial resources to develop their own brand name products.



This new study focuses on market trends and forecasts with historical data (2012, 2017 and 2022) and long-term forecasts through 2027 and 2032 are presented.



The primary and secondary research is done in China in order to access up-to-date government regulations, market information and industry data. Data were collected from the Chinese government publications, Chinese language newspapers and magazines, industry associations, local governments' industry bureaus, industry publications, and in-house databases.



Key Topics Covered:



I. INTRODUCTION

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Report Scope and Methodology

Executive Summary

II. BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT

Economic Outlook

Key Economic Indicators

Industrial Output

Population and Labor

Foreign Investment

Foreign Trade

Financial and Tax Regulations

Banking System and Regulations

Foreign Exchange

Taxes, Tariff and Custom Duties

Market Trends

Technology Development

Market Development

Major Industry Development

Regional Development

Enterprise Development

Labor Market Development

III. HEATERS MARKET TRENDS

Heaters Market Trends

Current Market Analyses

Market Development Trends

Market Challenges

Major Producers

Chinese Retail Market Trends

Consumer Income Trends

Consumer Spending Trends by Region

Northeast

North

Southeast

Central

Southwest

Northwest

IV. MARKETING STRATEGIES

China Market Entry Overview

China's Distribution System

Distribution Channels

Transportation and Freight Infrastructure

Communications

China's Market Entry

Exporting to China

License

Franchising

E-Commerce

Trading Companies and Local Agents

Representative Offices and Subsidiaries

Joint Ventures

Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprise

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ue1r0f

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

CONTACT: CONTACT: ResearchAndMarkets.com Laura Wood,Senior Press Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900




LONDON (Reuters)  Hedge funds snapped up battered Chinese stocks over three days last week at the fastest pace in more than five years, Goldman Sachs wrote in a note to clients.

The cumulative net buying of Chinese equities for Jan. 23-25 marked the biggest three-day shopping spree in more than five years, Goldman wrote in the note published on Friday and seen by Reuters on Monday.

This surge in hedge fund interest in Chinese stocks coincided with Beijing stepping up efforts to restore confidence in the world's second-biggest economy, which has been hit by a crisis in the property sector and weak growth.

Hong Kong's blue-chip stock index gained 6% in the three trading sessions starting Tuesday, while Shanghai's broader stock index rose more than 3%.

The turnaround in sentiment came after a long period where hedge funds, in eight of the prior 10 weeks, held mostly bearish bets that China's stock would fall.

Most of the action last week reflected hedge funds entering into outright long positions  betting stock prices would rise  rather than exiting short positions.

Hedge funds mostly piled into U.S.-listed shares of overseas companies, or ADRs, as a way of buying into Chinese equities, said Goldman Sachs.

This was followed by them buying mainland A-shares and Chinese companies listed in Hong Kong, or H-shares, the note said.

More broadly, Asian emerging markets saw the largest net buying in over five years with China by far the most net bought market in the week ending Jan. 25, followed by Taiwan and India, the note added.

The shift in hedge fund positioning towards China adds to signs that a sentiment shift may be taking place.

Investors poured almost $12 billion into Chinese equity funds in the week to Wednesday in the largest inflow since 2015 and the second-largest ever, Goldman Sachs and Bank of America said in separate notes, citing EPFR data last week.

The Goldman note added that this fund inflow was mostly via domestic exchange-traded funds in China.

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Still, overall positioning in Chinese equities remains at five-year lows across both hedge funds and mutual funds, Goldman added.

Mutual fund historical holdings sat at a 5.5% allocation to China as of the end of December, the lowest level over the past decade, Goldman said citing the EPFR data.

Goldman said it remains "constructive" on Chinese stocks.

(Reporting by Nell Mackenzie; additional reporting by Summer Shen in Hong Kong; editing by Dhara Ranasinghe and Hugh Lawson)
Rep. Virginia Foxx, the Republican chairwoman of the House Education and Workforce Committee, is threatening to subpoena Harvard University for documents in what appears to be a widening investigation into alleged antisemitism on college campuses.

We thought Harvard would take this more seriously, Foxx told CNN in a phone interview.

Harvard responded to the committees request for a mountain of documents on policies, procedures and responses to alleged antisemitism last week. That response, according to Foxx, included 24 documents, totaling just over 1,000 pages, that were already in the public domain such as copies of student handbooks.

We need the remaining documents we requested  and we need them in a timely fashion. We are hoping they will move forward with giving us the documents, without us having to issue a subpoena, Foxx said, adding that the committee always knows it can comply document production through subpoenas.

We dont want to use it. We prefer to work with people, but we will if we need to, Foxx said.

A spokesperson for the committee provided CNN a list of the 24 documents Harvard turned over to Congress, noting that all of them were already available publicly. Thats despite the fact that the committees request included documents that would likely not be publicly available, including internal communications related to Harvards response to the anti-Israel letter from student groups in October and information on foreign donations.

In response, Harvard spokesperson Jason Newton told CNN that Harvard is committed to cooperating with the committees inquiries.

We denounce any form of antisemitism in the strongest possible terms and are committed to the safety and wellbeing of our students, Newton said. We intend to continue to engage with the Committee in a dialogue to respond to their ongoing requests.

Cornell and Columbia could face House scrutiny next

Foxx made clear the House committee could expand to other schools beyond the three it has formally announced investigations into: Harvard, MIT and the University of Pennsylvania.

Story continues

We are looking at other schools. Well go broader, Foxx said.

Asked if she has considered adding other schools including Cornell University and Columbia University to the investigation, Foxx said yes.

We are going to do an examination of any universities that fail to address antisemitism. We are quite well aware of Cornell and Columbia, Foxx said, adding that Columbia President Minouche Shafik was invited to testify but was unable to attend.

Samantha Slater, a spokesperson for Columbia, said the university has been in touch with Foxx and her committee since last fall.

We look forward to continuing our cooperation with the Chairwoman and her colleagues toward our shared goal of combating antisemitism and other forms of hate, Slater said.

Cornell declined to comment.

Over the weekend, Cornells board of trustees rejected a call from a prominent donor to push out President Martha Pollack due to concerns about the universitys diversity policies and response to antisemitism.

Cornell was founded on the principle that any person can find instruction in any study, the board said in a statement on Saturday. Under President Martha E. Pollacks leadership, the university has remained faithful to this principle and to the core values that unite our institution.

Since last fall, the Department of Education has launched Civil Rights investigations into all five universities.

Last week, the House Education Committee wrote a letter to UPenn requesting a trove of documents similar to the ones requested from Harvard.

White-shoe law firm WilmerHale is aiding UPenn in the House investigation, a university spokesperson told CNN. WilmerHale, known for defending clients under government investigation, is the same firm that prepared former UPenn president Liz Magill for her testimony before the committee last month.

Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) departs the House chamber following a vote at the U.S. Capitol on November 14, 2023 in Washington, DC. - Anna Rose Layden/Getty Images

Harvards antisemitism task force

Harvard leaders have come under renewed pressure from some critics over the selection of professor Derek Penslar to lead a newly formed presidential task force on antisemitism. Economist Larry Summers blasted the selection of Penslar, arguing he is unsuited for the role because he has minimized Harvards antisemitism problem.

Were also very concerned, Foxx told CNN.

A committee spokesperson elaborated, saying Penslar downplayed the antisemitism problem at Harvard and made his anti-Israel views very clear.

Some students, professors and outside groups have come to Penslars defense, including the American Academy for Jewish Research, which praised him as a prolific scholar who has precisely the kind of expertise needed.

More than 300 scholars of Jewish history, Israeli society, antisemitism and related fields have also signed an open letter voicing their fullest support to Penslar, arguing there are few people better prepared for the moment.

Just last week, Penslars newest book, Zionism: An Emotional State, was named a finalist for the National Jewish Book Awards.

Racial attacks on Gay totally inappropriate

Claudine Gay stepped down as Harvards president earlier this month following a wave of controversy over her writings and appearance before Foxxs committee.

Gay, the first Black president in Harvard history, later said she faced death threats and was called the N-word as her critics pushed tired racial stereotypes.

Asked what role race played in the campaign against Gay, Foxx said it was not a factor in her committees investigation.

Im sorry if President Gay was threatened because of her race. Thats totally inappropriate. But that had nothing to do with our investigation, Foxx said.

Foxx also insisted that her investigation is not being fueled by political or ideological motivations.

What is driving us is concern for students and for faculty, she said. It has nothing to do with ideological beliefs. Its all about protecting the students.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Key Insights

Given the large stake in the stock by institutions, Churchill China's stock price might be vulnerable to their trading decisions

50% of the business is held by the top 7 shareholders

11% of Churchill China is held by insiders

Every investor in Churchill China plc (LON:CHH) should be aware of the most powerful shareholder groups. And the group that holds the biggest piece of the pie are institutions with 65% ownership. That is, the group stands to benefit the most if the stock rises (or lose the most if there is a downturn).

And as as result, institutional investors reaped the most rewards after the company's stock price gained 10% last week. One-year return to shareholders is currently 0.2% and last weeks gain was the icing on the cake.

Let's delve deeper into each type of owner of Churchill China, beginning with the chart below.

See our latest analysis for Churchill China

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Churchill China?

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 Churchill China. 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 Churchill China's earnings history below. Of course, the future is what really matters.

Investors should note that institutions actually own more than half the company, so they can collectively wield significant power. Churchill China is not owned by hedge funds. Our data shows that Investec Wealth & Investment Limited is the largest shareholder with 11% of shares outstanding. Meanwhile, the second and third largest shareholders, hold 9.7% and 8.0%, of the shares outstanding, respectively.

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We did some more digging and found that 7 of the top shareholders account for roughly 50% of the register, implying that along with larger shareholders, there are a few smaller shareholders, thereby balancing out each others interests somewhat.

While it makes sense to study institutional ownership data for a company, it also makes sense to study analyst sentiments to know which way the wind is blowing. There is a little analyst coverage of the stock, but not much. So there is room for it to gain more coverage.

Insider Ownership Of Churchill China

While the precise definition of an insider can be subjective, almost everyone considers board members to be insiders. Management ultimately answers to the board. However, it is not uncommon for managers to be executive board members, especially if they are a founder or the CEO.

Insider ownership is positive when it signals leadership are thinking like the true owners of the company. However, high insider ownership can also give immense power to a small group within the company. This can be negative in some circumstances.

Our most recent data indicates that insiders own a reasonable proportion of Churchill China plc. Insiders have a UK17m stake in this UK148m business. It is great to see insiders so invested in the business. It might be worth checking if those insiders have been buying recently.

General Public Ownership

The general public, who are usually individual investors, hold a 23% stake in Churchill China. This size of ownership, while considerable, may not be enough to change company policy if the decision is not in sync with other large shareholders.

Next Steps:

It's always worth thinking about the different groups who own shares in a company. But to understand Churchill China better, we need to consider many other factors. To that end, you should learn about the 2 warning signs we've spotted with Churchill China (including 1 which is potentially serious) .

If you would prefer discover what analysts are predicting in terms of future growth, do not miss this free report on analyst forecasts.

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.
Editorial

There is a saying that to know your enemy, strain his patience.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan was remembered for his unique but a little bit spiced-up statements he made the other day.

The process of peace negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan is still delayed due to long and winding discussions. Although the reason has not yet been fully disclosed, it became clear from tones of expressions in the Prime Minister's statements.

"In recent years, the government has signed contracts for the purchase of weapons and ammunition worth several billion dollars."

Why is Armenia, instead of being interested in opening the borders with Turkiye in the region and signing peace with Azerbaijan, joining a number of large-scale projects, it is heading towards France and distant India through the ulterior motive of neighboring Iran? From the above-mentioned Pashinyan's speech, it is already clear that for Armenia, it is not the economy playing vital role, but its military power that forms the main pillar of revanchism.

If we take a closer look at the processes, we can say that Pashinyan does not need to get into so much trouble to increase his military potential. Because, on the one hand, Armenia remains a landlocked state with lesser option to expand its economic cooperation, and on the other hand, the sharp decrease of interest in the military in the country does not require spending billions of drams on expensive weapons. As important as weapons are in the military, manpower and morale play a leading role. However, as mentioned in the speech of the Armenian Prime Minister, desertion in Armenia is constantly increasing.

When it comes to military evasion in Armenia, this can also be called the awakening of national consciousness. The population, which had a rational approach to the processes, was aware that in 2020, they had lost lives and material in vain in Garabagh. Fighting on someone else's territory and introducing the concept of a false homeland by convincing oneself hypothetically is not as easy as words say. When a normal Armenian family sends their child to the military, knowing why and for what purposes he will fight, this will make no sense to equip him with French or even NATO weapons. So reality cannot be considered the same as dreams. Pashinyan's dreams of building a "great army" are partly inspired by the West.

The RA military-industrial complex has an unprecedented order from the RA government for several hundred million dollars," Pashinyan said.

The administration of Yerevan, which increases the country's budget through illegal income or literally by circumventing the sanctions imposed by the West and Europe, its selfish ally, is struggling with the project of building a powerful army, half by borrowing and half by using all available funds. This kind of unprecedented progress is presented by Armenia as a first. As for the signing of the peace treaty, Armenia should first of all sit at the table with priority issues related to the region, not with the thesis of third parties trying to influence in various ways.

The President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, has repeatedly stated in his speech that "Azerbaijan has no eyes on the territory of any state". The fear of invasion and attack in Yerevan is only because it sees itself as weak. The fact that a state that once occupied the lands of another state has become devoid of many opportunities and miserable after its humiliating defeat. Armenia, which once saw the Russian peacekeeping forces in Garabagh as a source of hope for itself, is now following impossible dreams by turning to the West. However, this does not indicate a bright future for Armenia.
Amazon.com Inc. Founder Jeff Bezos has been at the center of controversy for years. The billionaire is no stranger to luxury and took ownership of his $500 million mega-yacht Koru midway through 2023. But the billionaire recently went viral on Reddit after a picture was posted showing a fleet of other support ships following Koru. This includes a $100 million ship with a helipad and helicopter, several smaller transport boats and a host of other amenities

As Bezos looks for new ways to spend his money, his ex-wife MacKenzie Scott has taken a different approach to spending her billions. Since her divorce in 2019, Scott has donated nearly $16.6 billion to various causes, including $2.2 billion in 2023 alone. Despite this, she remains the fourth-richest woman in the world.

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That $2.2 billion was directed toward 360 causes and charities throughout the United States, Kenya, India and Brazil. Her giving style is unique, characterized by its unrestricted and unsolicited nature, empowering organizations to use the funds as they see fit.

The amount is slightly below previous years but still ranks her among the top philanthropists in the world. In 2022, Scott donated $3.8 billion to 465 organizations. Her donations throughout the years are often sporadic, ranging from relief to rural communities in India to abortion pill delivery services and legal aid services. Notable donations include to the Asian-American Journalists Association and $12 million to the Howard University College of Medicine. Some other notable names include Canopy Planet, Start Early and Malaria Consortium.

Trending: Copy and paste Mark Cubans startup investment strategy according to his colorful portfolio.

For 2023, the diversity of Scotts philanthropic endeavors is just as notable. Her recent contributions have ranged as high as $25 million, targeting organizations that are often smaller in scale but significant in impact. These groups work in various fields, including early learning, affordable housing, health equity and civic and social engagement. Notable recipients this year include Jobs for the Future, the San Francisco Community Land Trust and the early childhood education nonprofit Zero to Three.

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Scotts approach to philanthropy is unconventional. Most of her donations are relatively modest for a billionaire  typically less than $10 million  and are given as no-strings-attached grants.

This method has occasionally led recipients to initially doubt the authenticity of her contributions.

As Bezos recently purchased a $79 million bunker-inspired mansion in Florida, Scott decided to give her Beverly Hills mansion to charity. In total, Scott has donated two Beverly Hills mansions to charity for a combined $55 million.

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This article Jeff Bezos's Ex-Wife MacKenzie Scott Has Given Over $16 Billion To Charity Since Her Divorce As Jeff Bezos Adds Another $100 Million Yacht To His Fleet originally appeared on Benzinga.com

 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Key Insights

Judges Scientific's estimated fair value is UK72.24 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

Judges Scientific is estimated to be 30% overvalued based on current share price of UK93.80

Our fair value estimate is 29% lower than Judges Scientific's analyst price target of UK102

Does the January share price for Judges Scientific plc (LON:JDG) 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 today's value. One way to achieve this is by employing the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Before you think you won't be able to understand it, just read on! It's actually much less complex than you'd imagine.

We would caution that there are many ways of valuing a company and, like the DCF, each technique has advantages and disadvantages in certain scenarios. If you want to learn more about discounted cash flow, the rationale behind this calculation can be read in detail in the Simply Wall St analysis model.

View our latest analysis for Judges Scientific

Step By Step Through The Calculation

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. 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, and so the sum of these future cash flows is then discounted to today's value:

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10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (, Millions) UK22.6m UK25.9m UK28.2m UK30.1m UK31.7m UK33.0m UK34.1m UK35.0m UK35.9m UK36.6m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x4 Analyst x4 Est @ 9.06% Est @ 6.80% Est @ 5.21% Est @ 4.11% Est @ 3.33% Est @ 2.79% Est @ 2.41% Est @ 2.14% Present Value (, Millions) Discounted @ 7.9% UK21.0 UK22.2 UK22.5 UK22.2 UK21.7 UK20.9 UK20.0 UK19.1 UK18.1 UK17.1

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = UK205m

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 1.5%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 7.9%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = UK37m (1 + 1.5%)  (7.9% 1.5%) = UK584m

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= UK584m ( 1 + 7.9%)10= UK273m

The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is UK478m. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of UK93.8, the company appears slightly overvalued at the time of writing. The assumptions in any calculation have a big impact on the valuation, so it is better to view this as a rough estimate, not precise down to the last cent.

dcf

Important Assumptions

Now the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate, and of course, the actual cash flows. Part of investing is coming up with your own evaluation of a company's future performance, so try the calculation yourself and check your own assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Judges Scientific 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 7.9%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.078. 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 Judges Scientific

Strength

Debt is well covered by earnings and cashflows.

Weakness

Earnings declined over the past year.

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Machinery market.

Expensive based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value.

Shareholders have been diluted in the past year.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the British market.

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. It's not possible to obtain a foolproof valuation with a DCF model. Instead the best use for a DCF model is to test certain assumptions and theories to see if they would lead to the company being undervalued or overvalued. For example, changes in the company's cost of equity or the risk free rate can significantly impact the valuation. Can we work out why the company is trading at a premium to intrinsic value? For Judges Scientific, we've put together three relevant items you should look at:

Risks: For example, we've discovered 4 warning signs for Judges Scientific that you should be aware of before investing here. Management:Have insiders been ramping up their shares to take advantage of the market's sentiment for JDG'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 British stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Ford Motor Co. is trimming its number of Lincoln dealerships through buyouts as the automaker redesigns its luxury experience for customers in an attempt to be more competitive, requiring its Lincoln dealerships to exist as separate boutiques that include intimate cafes, shopping and uniquely personal service.

The Dearborn automaker is working to reach its goal this year of cutting more than 40% of its Lincoln dealerships over four years, Lincoln spokeswoman Anika Salceda-Wycoco recently told the Detroit Free Press.

"They are not just stand-alone Lincoln dealerships, but are brand-exclusive facilities that are designed around the client experience and our brand DNA," she said.

Between 2021 and 2023, Ford trimmed its Lincoln dealerships from 685 to just over 500, Salceda-Wycoco said. The goal is to cut that number down to about 400 by December, she said. She declined to provide dollar amounts associated with the buyouts.

"We will continue to work together with our retailers to make sure we have the right representation in the top luxury markets," Salceda-Wycoco said.

The automaker is working to get away from dealerships that sell both Ford and Lincoln, because the Lincoln brand gets lost, she said.

Ford has redesigned and renamed dozens of its Lincoln stores "vitrine dealerships," derived from French for glass display case. This image was taken at the Sanderson Lincoln Boutique in Scottsdale, Arizona. Lincoln is reducing the number of its sites nationally.

The newest Lincoln facilities are inspired by a vitrine, derived from French for glass display case, the company said.

Salceda-Wycoco described the vitrine dealerships this way:

The new layout moves away from the traditional transaction space to one that is centered on the client experience and allows for flexibility based on the dealership needs.

Equipped with either two-, four- or six-vehicle displays, vitrine adds conveniences such as a cafe, boutique retail space, new car delivery suites and ample room for new technology demonstrations.

Dealers can opt for a boutique showroom design that will allow clients to experience the Lincoln brand in a premium lifestyle environment, like in Scottsdale, Arizona.

The new, open design features a serene sanctuary as a sales pavilion, which provides clients with a personalized, one-on-one sales and service experience.

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Ford has redesigned and renamed dozens of its Lincoln stores "vitrine dealerships," derived from French for glass display case. This image was taken at the Sanderson Lincoln Boutique in Scottsdale, Arizona. Lincoln is reducing the number of its sites nationally.

By the end of 2023, the company had 164 brand-exclusive Lincoln dealerships, or stand-alone sites, including 91 vitrine dealerships, Salceda-Wycoco said. This year, 23 vitrine dealerships are in progress, she said.

In Michigan, vitrine dealerships will be located in Southgate and Grand Blanc. La Fontaine Lincoln is currently under construction, relocating to Grand Blanc from Flushing, Salceda-Wycoco said.

The retailer consolidation journey, as she calls it, is part of a multiyear strategy that is focused on making sure there are fewer locations for the premium brand. The design and mission mirror what competitors have done for years, including complimentary coffee bars and luxury shopping inside the dealership.

Ford has redesigned and renamed dozens of its Lincoln stores "vitrine dealerships," inspired by the French word for glass display case. This image was taken at the Sanderson Lincoln Boutique in Scottsdale, Arizona. Lincoln is reducing the number of its sites nationally.

Peter Spina Jr., executive vice president and general manager of Lincoln of Wayne (New Jersey) and Lincoln of Ramsey (New Jersey), sells exclusively Lincoln vehicles in the new vitrine facilities.

"I definitely believe in the path were on. Lincoln has really been on this course of guest-centric, more of a hospitality approach to how we serve our clients," he told the Free Press on Monday. "We find our clients are looking for an elevated experience. Having this beautiful vitrine design, when you walk into the space, you understand the Lincoln brand. We've been able to move away from something very transactional and into these spaces where the experience comes to life."

Spina, whose father and grandfather also sold Lincoln, said his customers are seated in lounge-style pavilions instead of desks. His team prepares in advance for customer visits, taking food and drink orders that may include sparkling water or flavored sodas or a latte with a Lincoln emblem in the foam or fresh pastries or bagels. The sales process itself is transparent and digital, using tablets and screens within the pavilion area, he said.

"I think the last few years have been a challenge for the luxury consumer, in all aspects, not just automotive. Focus has shifted from guest experience and hospitality," Spina said. "People see that our personal touch and care is genuine and crafted with them in mind. They've been blown away. We hear from clients new to Lincoln who have been blown away by the product, the facility and the process, clients from Lexus, BMW and Mercedes. It's very exciting."

'It does make sense'

The Lincoln move is smart and necessary, branding experts told the Free Press.

"A luxury brand, by its very nature, has to feel unique and distinctive from the regular offerings. It requires more control, more scarcity, a more curated experience," said Marcus Collins, a marketing professor at the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business and author of "For the Culture: The Power Behind What We Buy, What We Do, and Who We Want To Be."

Fewer dealerships will deliver a better experience, he said. It's like buying a Rolex at Macy's, which wouldn't make it feel very special, rather than a specialty jeweler. "This is necessary for any brand that warrants a price premium."

Marcus Collins, a professor at the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan, is an expert in digital advertising, social marketing, and brand strategy. He is also co-director of the Yaffe Digital Media Initiative.

David Aaker, a San Francisco-based global brand strategist who wrote, "The Future of Purpose-Driven Branding" book praised the Lincoln strategy, too.

Ford has redesigned and renamed dozens of its Lincoln stores "vitrine dealerships," derived from French for glass display case. This image was taken at the Sanderson Lincoln Boutique in Scottsdale, Arizona. Lincoln is reducing the number of its sites nationally.

"I think it's a good decision. It does make sense," he told the Free Press. "You look at Apple, and a good portion of the Apple success is the stores. They give them a sense of modernity and competence and energy. Its amazing what the stores have done for the Apple image. With Samsung, you go into some AT&T store somewhere. Apple is so differentiated. Thats kind of the role model, especially when Lincoln is competing with Mercedes-Benz. Mercedes has got stand-alone stores. Lincoln has to play catch up."

This latest initiative is unrelated to electrification or market adjustments in that area.

More: Ford CEO Farleys Drive podcast returns with A-list celebs, no paid ads, bigger reach

More: Ford announces management changes including CMO from Toyota, Ford family roles

Contact Phoebe Wall Howard: 313-618-1034 or phoward@freepress.com. Follow her on X at @phoebesaid

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Lincoln to close more dealerships in 2024, focus on luxury boutiques
Israeli forces battled Palestinian militants in different parts of Gaza on Monday, even in northern areas where the army has been operating for months, and militants fired a barrage of around 15 rockets at central Israel for the first time in weeks.

Cease-fire talks are ongoing, but Israel has said  significant gaps  remain in any potential agreement. The talks are meant to bring about some respite to Gaza and secure the release of more than 100 Israeli hostages still held by militants.

Israels war against Hamas in Gaza has killed more than 26,000 Palestinians, most of them women and minors, according to the Health Ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza.

Despite the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in the besieged territory, the U.N. aid agency for Palestinians faced more funding cuts Monday. Some Western countries froze vital funds for UNRWA amid accusations that 12 of its roughly 13,000 employees in Gaza were involved in the Oct. 7 attack that sparked the war.

The Hamas attack killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians. About 250 people were taken captive, according to Israeli authorities.

Currently:

 A Palestinian is killed while with a group waving a white flag. Israel says it will look into it.

 Biden says US shall respond after drone strike by Iran-backed group kills 3 US troops in Jordan.

 What is Tower 22, the military base that was attacked in Jordan?

 Israel military operation destroys a Gaza cemetery. Israel says Hamas used the site to hide a tunnel.

 What is UNRWA, the main aid provider in Gaza that Israel accuses of militant links?

 Find more of APs coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war.

Here's the latest:

UN URGES DONOR COUNTRIES TO AID PALESTINIAN REFUGEES ACROSS MIDEAST

UNITED NATIONS  The United Nations is urging all donor countries to ensure they meet the dire needs of millions of Palestinians who rely on the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees  not only in Gaza but in East Jerusalem, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.

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Right now, the outlook for the UNRWA and the Palestinians it serves is very bleak, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Monday.

The dire needs of the desperate populations they serve must be met, he said.

Major donors to UNRWA, including the U.S. and some European Union members including Germany, have suspended funding following accusations that 12 of its employees were involved in the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas.

The EU, a major donor, has not suspended aid, and its next disbursement isnt scheduled until the end of February. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell spoke to U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Sunday about the allegations and the EU will determine upcoming funding decisions in light of the outcome of the investigations, the EU said in a statement Monday.

Dujarric said the contracts of the accused employees have been terminated, the U.N.s internal watchdog is investigating, and the U.N. Secretariat is ready to cooperate with any competent authority able to prosecute any UNRWA employee involved in acts of terror.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will host a meeting at U.N. headquarters in New York on Tuesday afternoon, the spokesman said, and he met the U.S. ambassador and is speaking to the Jordanian and Egyptian leaders on Monday.

Dujarric welcomed a letter from 20 international aid organizations including the Norwegian Refugee Council, Oxfam and Save The Children, supporting Guterres call for a resumption of donor support to UNRWA.

The NGO community understand the critical work that UNRWA does right now in keeping people alive, he said.

Dujarric said the 13,000 UNRWA employees in Gaza are continuing to work as the war continues, including helping over one million people in overcrowded UNRWA shelters.

We are open to answering any and every question that they (donors) may have, the U.N. spokesman said.

___

This entry has been corrected to show the European Union has not suspended funding to UNRWA.

ISRAEL'S DEFENSE MINISTER SAYS ISRAEL HAS UPPER HAND IN GAZA WAR

JERUSALEM  Israels defense minister says Israel has gained the upper hand in its battle against Hamas.

Speaking to troops in southern Israel on Monday, Yoav Gallant said Israel has killed or wounded half of Hamas army.

The terrorists dont have supplies, they dont have ammunition, they dont have reinforcements, he said.

The military says it has battled militants and called in airstrikes in recent days in northern Gaza, where entire neighborhoods have been destroyed and where the military has been operating for months.

New evacuation orders were issued on Monday for parts of Gaza City, indicating there is still heavy fighting there. Palestinian militants have also kept up rocket fire, including a barrage that set off air raid sirens in central Israel on Monday.

We have already eliminated at least a quarter of Hamas terrorists, I think even more, and there is a similar number of wounded, he added, without giving any specific figures. Israel has previously said it has killed about 9,000 Hamas militants, though it has not provided evidence to back up the claim.

Gallant said the campaign to eliminate Hamas capabilities will take months, but that the hourglass has flipped against them.

QATAR'S PRIME MINISTER HINTS AT PROGRESS ON CEASE-FIRE AND HOSTAGE RELEASE

WASHINGTON  Qatars prime minister said senior U.S. and Mideast mediators had achieved a framework proposal to present to Hamas for freeing hostages and pausing fighting in Gaza.

Prime Minister Mohammed al-Thani spoke at the Atlantic Council in Washington after talks Sunday in Paris among U.S., Israeli, Qatari and Egyptian officials seeking a new round of cease-fires and hostage releases in Gaza.

Al-Thani said the mediators had made good progress and achieved a foundation for the way forward.

The foreign mediators had tried to bridge gaps in Israeli and Hamas demands and intended to now present them to Hamas, he said.

We are hoping to get them to a place  where they engage positively and constructively in this process, he said of Hamas.

Al-Thani gave no details of the proposal, but said an outline presented by one of the event moderators that called for a phased release of hostages and an extended cease-fire was well-informed. Hamas has demanded a permanent cease-fire ahead of any further releases of hostages held by Hamas militants and others in Gaza.

PROBE SUGGESTS DRONE THAT KILLED TROOPS IN JORDAN WAS CONFUSED WITH A RETURNING U.S. DRONE

WASHINGTON  A drone that killed three American troops and wounded dozens of others in Jordan may have been confused with an American drone returning to the U.S. installation, according to a U.S. official.

The official, who was not authorized to comment and insisted on anonymity, said Monday the preliminary accounts suggest the enemy drone that struck the installation known as Tower 22 may have been mistaken for an American drone that was also in the air at the same time.

The official said that as the enemy drone was flying in at a low altitude, a U.S. drone was also returning to base. As a result, there was no effort to shoot down the enemy drone.

___

Associated Press writer Lolita C. Baldor contributed.

ISRAELI PARLIAMENT CONSIDERS EXPELLING MEMBER WHO SUPPORTS SOUTH AFRICA'S GENOCIDE CASE

JERUSALEM  Israels parliament has held a hearing on whether to expel a lawmaker for supporting South Africas case accusing Israel of genocide at the U.N. world court.

The lawmaker, Ofer Cassif, is from the Arab-Jewish Hadash party in the Israeli parliament and one of the most outspoken critics of Israels military operation in Gaza.

The proceedings Monday came in response to Cassif signing a petition supporting South Africas case against Israel at the International Court of Justice in The Hague.

Cassif defended himself in front of other lawmakers, denying the charge that he was encouraging armed struggle against Israel. If his fellow lawmakers vote otherwise, he could be removed from his post.

Cassif has repeatedly faced reprimand from other lawmakers for his anti-war positions.

Following the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, Cassif was suspended from the parliament for 45 days after other lawmakers said some of his statements had drawn inappropriate parallels between the Holocaust and Israels wartime policy. Since the attack, Israel has cracked down on anti-war speech and demonstrations.

ISRAELI KIBBUTZ MEMBERS CALL FOR HOSTAGE RELEASE DEAL

KFAR AZA, Israel  Members of a devastated kibbutz in southern Israel visited the shells of their destroyed homes nearly four months after the Hamas attack.

Those who gathered in Kfar Aza on Monday, including a woman who was released from captivity and family members of hostages still held in Gaza, called for a cease-fire deal to return their loved ones.

Amit Soussana, who was held hostage for 55 days in Gaza, stood outside her roofless home on Monday and recalled how she hid for three hours as Hamas militants rampaged through her community. Eventually, the attackers lobbed a grenade into her living room to force her out.

Security footage from the kibbutz captured her struggling against her attackers before a group of seven eventually subdued her.

The wide-ranging Hamas-led attack into southern Israel killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and led to the capture of around 250. Soussana was among more than 100 who were released in November in exchange for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.

In the first weeks of her captivity, she says her ankles were chained and she was held in complete darkness. She says the guards abused me and the other hostages and held them deep underground in a tunnel with very little food.

Of the 37 young people living in her neighborhood, 12 were killed, and seven were kidnapped. Two of Soussanas neighbors, Alon Shamriz and Yotam Haim, managed to escape their captors but were mistakenly killed by Israeli soldiers in December.

Relatives of those still held in Gaza have staged mounting protests calling for another cease-fire and exchange.

Liran Bermans twin brothers, Gali and Ziv, 26, are among those still being held in Gaza.

We see that when theres a deal, hostages return, and in between, when there isnt, only bodies come back, he said.

GERMANY CONDEMNS ATTACK ON US TROOPS IN JORDAN

BERLIN  Germany has condemned the fatal attack on U.S. troops in Jordan that Washington has blamed on Iran-backed militias and is calling on Tehran to exert its influence on regional allies to prevent further escalation.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Sebastian Fischer on Monday underlined Berlins solidarity with Jordan and the U.S.

He added that in view of the extremely tense situation in the region, this act is completely irresponsible and could lead to pushing the region further toward escalation.

Fischer said: We expect from Iran that it finally exert its influence on its allies in the region so that there is no uncontrolled conflagration, in which no one can have an interest.

5 PALESTINIANS KILLED BY ISRAELI FORCES IN THE WEST BANK

RAMALLAH, West Bank  Palestinian authorities say five Palestinians, including a 16-year old boy, have been killed by Israeli forces in separate shootings across the occupied West Bank on Monday.

The Palestinian Health Ministry said the boy was killed near the Israeli settlement of Tekoa. The ministry gave no further details, but the Israeli military said the boy had attempted to carry out a stabbing attack on soldiers at a guard post.

In other violence, the Palestinian Health Ministry said two men, one of them age 18, were shot dead by Israeli troops in the southern West Bank city of Dura. The official Palestinian news agency Wafa said that Israeli forces opened fire after clashing with Palestinians from the area.

Two other men were killed  one of them in the southern city of Hebron and the other in the central town of Silwad, it said.

The Israeli army said one of its counterterrorism operations in the town of Dura overnight Sunday sparked a riot in the town. It said its forces then opened fire in response to dozens of Palestinian protesters hurling stones at its troops.

In the town of Yamoun, near Jenin, Israeli forces said its troops returned fire at a wanted suspect they were trying to arrest, hitting the man.

EU SEEKS TO APPOINT EXPERTS TO CONDUCT AN AUDIT OF UNRWA

BRUSSELS  The European Union wants to appoint independent experts to conduct an audit of the U.N.s Palestinian refugee agency to ensure that UNRWA staff can't be involved in terrorist activities.

The 27-nation bloc is one of the biggest donors of humanitarian and development aid to Palestinians in Gaza, but was not scheduled to provide more funding to UNRWA before the end of February.

Israel has accused a dozen UNRWA employees of taking part in the Hamas attack in October that ignited the war and stoked deadly instability across the Middle East. Several countries have frozen funding to the agency.

The EUs executive branch, the European Commission, says it expects UNRWA to agree to carrying out an audit of the agency to be conducted by EU appointed independent external experts.

The audit would focus specifically on the control systems needed to prevent the possible involvement of its staff in terrorist activities.

IRAQ CONDEMNS DRONE STRIKE THAT KILLED 3 US TROOPS IN JORDAN

BAGHDAD  Iraq's government condemned the drone strike that killed three U.S. troops in Jordan near the Syrian border Sunday, in an apparent effort to distance itself from an attack that was likely carried out by one of the country's multiple Iranian-backed militias.

Government spokesman Bassem al-Awadi said in a statement on Monday that Iraq is monitoring with a great concern the alarming security developments in the region and called for an end to the cycle of violence. The statement said that Iraq is ready to participate in diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation.

An umbrella group for Iran-backed factions known as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq has claimed dozens of attacks against bases housing U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria since the Israel-Hamas war began. On Sunday, the group claimed three drone attacks against sites in Syria, including near the border with Jordan, and one inside of occupied Palestine but so far hasn't claimed the attack in Jordan.

MAN WOUNDED IN ATTACK OUTSIDE ISRAELI MILITARY BASE

JERUSALEM  Israeli authorities say a 20-year-old man has been seriously wounded after an attack outside a military base in Haifa in northern Israel.

The Israeli military said a motorist carried out a car ramming attack on Monday before exiting the vehicle and trying to attack soldiers with an ax. The soldiers shot at the attacker, the military said. It wasn't immediately clear if the attacker was killed.

Israels rescue service Magen David Adom said that paramedics were treating a 20-year-old man with serious lower limb injuries, and had evacuated him to a hospital in serious condition.

The attack came as tensions have spiked around the region over the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. Earlier this month, a woman was killed in a similar attack north of Tel Aviv.

AUSTRIA SUSPENDS PAYMENTS TO UNRWA

BERLIN  Austria is joining a string of Western partners in suspending payments to the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees after Israel accused a dozen of its employees of taking part in the Hamas attack on Oct. 7 that started the war.

The Foreign Ministry in Vienna said in a statement Monday that Austria will provisionally suspend all further payments to UNRWA in coordination with international partners until all the accusations are fully cleared up and there is clarity on the consequences.

It called on the UNRWA agency and the wider U.N. to conduct a comprehensive, quick and complete investigation.

JAPAN SUSPENDS FUNDING FOR THE UN AID AGENCY IN GAZA

TOKYO  Japan has suspended additional funding for UNRWA while the agency conducts an investigation into allegations that UNRWA staff were involved in the Oct. 7 attack on Israel, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Sunday.

It said Japan is extremely concerned about the alleged involvement of UNRWA staff members in the terror attack on Israel last year.

The ministry noted the dedication of many UNRWA staff in providing humanitarian assistance to Gaza and said: Japan has been strongly urging UNRWA to conduct an investigation in a prompt and complete manner and to take appropriate measures, including strengthening governance with UNRWA, so that UNRWA can firmly fulfill the role it should play.
London Business School has launched an 11-month MBA program for masters in management grads. LBS photo

London Business School is making a lot of news lately. A week after it hired a new dean, the renowned Russian economist Sergei Guriev, LBS has announced the launch of a major new program: a one-year MBA, which will get underway in August 2025.

The new program, which will actually take 11 months to complete, will be for recent graduates of accredited masters in management programs. The school says it expects the programs tuition fees to be in the 75,000 range (about $95,000), and that applications will open in July 2024.

The move is LBSs response to a growing market: management masters graduates who want to join a one-year MBA program that builds on their MiM experience.

NEW PROGRAM IS COMPLEMENTARY TO LBSs 2-YEAR MBA

The popularity of the one-year MBA program officially eclipsed that of its two-year cousin for the first time in 2023, according to research from the Graduate Management Admission Council. In GMACs annual Prospective Students Survey released last spring, 22% of would-be students seeking a graduate management education said they would prefer the more accelerated MBA program that costs less and involves half the time away from a paycheck.

This can hardly have been news to business schools themselves; in the U.S., eight of the top 25 B-schools offer one-year MBA programs; altogether in P&Qs ranking, 20 schools have one-year MBAs. Some schools like Penn State Smeal College of Business offer only a one-year MBA (a move the school made in 2022). Likewise, the rest of the world is catching on: Asia School of Business in Malaysia, which operates an MBA program in conjunction with MIT Sloan School of Management, last year reduced the length of its program to one year from two  without, its worth adding, compromising key program elements like a three-week immersion in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

In Europe, birthplace of the one-year-long management masters, more accelerated MBA options have long been popular. Which is why it makes sense that LBS would tie its new accelerated offering (the school also offers 15- and 18-month MBAs) to its masters in management program, currently ranked third in the world by The Financial Times. Its a move, a spokesman tells Poets&Quants, that is an innovative response to shifting trends in the graduate education market  not a reflection on the popularity of LBSs full-time, two-year MBA, which remains strong.

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BECOMING AN IMPACTFUL LEADER & ACTIVATING AN ENTREPRENEURIAL MINDSET

The new degree, says Graham Hastie, associate dean for degree education at LBS, is an exciting way to meet the demand from top-quality masters in management graduates for a one-year program, in a way that is complementary to our flagship two-year MBA and that maintains the world-class LBS learning experience. We are particularly excited about the opportunities the innovative core courses will give students to apply their learning to contemporary business issues.

Those 10 core courses, the school says, will address such issues as the impact of geo-political developments on business, how companies approach investment, and shifts in consumer demands in a changing world. They will also include a strong focus on individual agency and entrepreneurship  how, in the schools description, to solve complex and unstructured problems, becoming an impactful leader and activating an entrepreneurial mindset. The new one-year MBA at LBS also features more than 80 electives and a week-long experiential Global Experience course.

One-year MBA students, the school says in a news release, will be expected to follow a pre-program to ensure they have covered all the relevant core concepts. They will then complete a set of short core courses, giving them an exciting opportunity to further refresh their learning of core topics, while also applying them to important, contemporary business issues.

Read more about LBSs new one-year MBA here.

DONT MISS AMONG WOULD-BE STUDENTS, ONE-YEAR MBA OPTIONS OVERTAKE TWO-YEAR MBAs IN POPULARITY and LONDON BUSINESS SCHOOLS NEW DEAN WAS ONCE FORCED TO FLEE VLADIMIR PUTINS RUSSIA

The post London Business School, Eyeing New Markets, Launches 1-Year MBA Program appeared first on Poets&Quants.
Key Insights

The projected fair value for LGI is AU$2.02 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

LGI's AU$2.00 share price indicates it is trading at similar levels as its fair value estimate

LGI's peers seem to be trading at a higher discount to fair value based onthe industry average of 35%

Today we'll do a simple run through of a valuation method used to estimate the attractiveness of LGI Limited (ASX:LGI) as an investment opportunity by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to today's value. Our analysis will employ the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Models like these may appear beyond the comprehension of a lay person, but they're fairly easy to follow.

Companies can be valued in a lot of ways, so we would point out that a DCF is not perfect for every situation. If you want to learn more about discounted cash flow, the rationale behind this calculation can be read in detail in the Simply Wall St analysis model.

View our latest analysis for LGI

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.

Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, so we need to discount the sum of these future cash flows to arrive at a present value estimate:

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10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (A$, Millions) -AU$6.80m -AU$2.60m AU$2.90m AU$4.21m AU$5.57m AU$6.87m AU$8.03m AU$9.03m AU$9.88m AU$10.6m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Est @ 45.28% Est @ 32.32% Est @ 23.25% Est @ 16.90% Est @ 12.45% Est @ 9.34% Est @ 7.16% Present Value (A$, Millions) Discounted @ 6.1% -AU$6.4 -AU$2.3 AU$2.4 AU$3.3 AU$4.2 AU$4.8 AU$5.3 AU$5.6 AU$5.8 AU$5.9

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = AU$29m

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. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (2.1%) 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 6.1%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = AU$11m (1 + 2.1%)  (6.1% 2.1%) = AU$270m

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= AU$270m ( 1 + 6.1%)10= AU$150m

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$178m. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of AU$2.0, the company appears about fair value at a 1.2% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind.

dcf

Important 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 LGI as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 6.1%, 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 LGI

Strength

Earnings growth over the past year exceeded the industry.

Debt is not viewed as a risk.

Weakness

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Renewable Energy market.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the Australian market.

Current share price is below our estimate of fair value.

Threat

No apparent threats visible for LGI.

Looking Ahead:

Whilst important, the DCF calculation ideally won't be the sole piece of analysis you scrutinize for a company. It's not possible to obtain a foolproof valuation with a DCF model. Instead the best use for a DCF model is to test certain assumptions and theories to see if they would lead to the company being undervalued or overvalued. For instance, if the terminal value growth rate is adjusted slightly, it can dramatically alter the overall result. For LGI, we've put together three important elements you should explore:

Risks: Case in point, we've spotted 2 warning signs for LGI you should be aware of, and 1 of them is significant. Management:Have insiders been ramping up their shares to take advantage of the market's sentiment for LGI's future outlook? Check out our management and board analysis with insights on CEO compensation and governance factors. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every 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

The projected fair value for Venture is S$12.28 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

Venture's S$13.48 share price indicates it is trading at similar levels as its fair value estimate

Our fair value estimate is 17% lower than Venture's analyst price target of S$14.85

How far off is Venture Corporation Limited (SGX:V03) from its intrinsic value? Using the most recent financial data, we'll take a look at whether the stock is fairly priced by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. Our analysis will employ the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. It may sound complicated, but actually it is quite simple!

Companies can be valued in a lot of ways, so we would point out that a DCF is not perfect for every situation. If you still have some burning questions about this type of valuation, take a look at the Simply Wall St analysis model.

See our latest analysis for Venture

Crunching The Numbers

We are going to use a two-stage DCF model, which, as the name states, takes into account two stages of growth. The first stage is generally a higher growth period which levels off heading towards the terminal value, captured in the second 'steady growth' period. To begin with, we have to get estimates of the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, and so the sum of these future cash flows is then discounted to today's value:

10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (SGD, Millions) S$253.6m S$233.7m S$222.8m S$216.8m S$214.1m S$213.5m S$214.4m S$216.3m S$219.0m S$222.2m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x3 Analyst x3 Est @ -4.67% Est @ -2.66% Est @ -1.26% Est @ -0.27% Est @ 0.41% Est @ 0.90% Est @ 1.23% Est @ 1.47% Present Value (SGD, Millions) Discounted @ 7.5% S$236 S$202 S$179 S$163 S$149 S$139 S$129 S$122 S$114 S$108

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = S$1.5b

Story continues

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 2.0%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 7.5%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = S$222m (1 + 2.0%)  (7.5% 2.0%) = S$4.2b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= S$4.2b ( 1 + 7.5%)10= S$2.0b

The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is S$3.6b. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of S$13.5, 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

The Assumptions

The calculation above is very dependent on two assumptions. The first is the discount rate and the other is the 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 Venture 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 7.5%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.091. 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 Venture

Strength

Debt is not viewed as a risk.

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 Electronic market.

Expensive based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow for the next 3 years.

Threat

Annual earnings are forecast to grow slower than the Singaporean market.

Looking Ahead:

Valuation is only one side of the coin in terms of building your investment thesis, and it ideally won't be the sole piece of analysis you scrutinize for a company. DCF models are not the be-all and end-all of investment valuation. Rather it should be seen as a guide to "what assumptions need to be true for this stock to be under/overvalued?" For example, changes in the company's cost of equity or the risk free rate can significantly impact the valuation. For Venture, we've compiled three further items you should assess:

Risks: As an example, we've found 1 warning sign for Venture that you need to consider before investing here. Future Earnings: How does V03'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 SGX 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.
HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam, Jan. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Mars Wrigley, a global leader in the treats and snacks category and a business division of Mars Incorporated, has appointed Huyen Bui as General Manager for Vietnam. She joined the company since January this year and oversees a portfolio of Mars Wrigley's iconic brands in Vietnam. Vietnam is one of eight strategic key markets in Asia, and its importance aligns with the region's critical role in driving Mars Wrigley's global growth ambition to double its yearly revenue to US$36 billion for its snacking division.

Huyen reports directly to Kalpesh Parmar, General Manager for Mars Wrigley Asia. She also joins the Mars Wrigley Asia Leadership Team, reinforcing the company's commitment to gender diversity and representation in key leadership positions in Asia.

Image: Huyen Bui, General Manager for Vietnam

Huyen brings 22 years of strong commercial experience that has led to significant contributions across the Home Care, Snack Food and Beverage segments in her previous roles. As General Manager for Vietnam, Huyen will play a critical role in accelerating quality growth to optimize share, distribution, and profitability in this strategic market of opportunity for Mars Wrigley Asia. She will also focus on nurturing local talent and strengthen Mars Wrigley's brand presence in Vietnam.

Huyen Bui said, "I am excited to join Mars Wrigley which has a rich legacy of inspiring, purpose-led transformation in the treats and snacks category. Vietnam is a strategic market for Asia that the talented Mars team have set a strong foundation for, and one that will position us for significant expansion. I look forward to growing the business together with our Associates to ensure our iconic brands inspire and delight more Vietnamese consumers."

Kalpesh Parmar, General Manager at Mars Wrigley Asia, commented on Huyen's appointment, saying, "I am delighted to welcome Huyen as our General Manager for Mars Wrigley Vietnam. Huyen's role is crucial in accelerating our growth agenda for Vietnam, and her appointment reinforces Mars Wrigley's commitment to strengthen our presence in Vietnam. We believe that the world we want tomorrow starts with how we do business today. Huyen's strong track record in delivering results and driving growth will help us navigate and succeed in powering our brands with meaningful purpose and ensuring availability across Vietnam's fast-growing channels."

Story continues

About Mars, Incorporated

For more than a century, Mars, Incorporated has been driven by the belief that the world we want tomorrow starts with how we do business today. This common purpose unites our 140,000+ Associates. It is at the center of who we are as a global, family-owned business, and it fuels how we are transforming, innovating, and evolving to make a positive impact on the world.

Every year, our diverse and expanding portfolio of quality confectionery, food, and pet care products and services delight millions of people and supports millions of pets. With almost $45 billion in annual sales, we produce some of the world's best-loved brands including Ben's Original, CESAR, Cocoavia, DOVE, EXTRA, KIND, M&M's, SNICKERS, PEDIGREE, ROYAL CANIN, and WHISKAS. We are creating a better world for pets through nutrition, breakthrough programs in diagnostics, wearable health monitoring, DNA testing, pet welfare and comprehensive veterinary care with AniCura, BANFIELD, BLUEPEARL, Linnaeus and VCA.

We know we can only be truly successful if our partners and the communities in which we operate prosper. The Mars Five Principles  Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedom  inspire our Associates to act every day to help create a better world tomorrow in which the planet, its people and pets can thrive.

For more information about Mars, please visit www.mars.com. Join us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.

Cision

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SOURCE Mars Wrigley
FILE PHOTO: A general view shows the of headquarters of Banorte Bank in Monterrey

By Noe Torres

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Grupo Financiero Banorte, one of Mexico's largest financial companies, on Monday launched bineo, a digital bank which will offer savings accounts and personal loans with the aim of adding 2.8 million new clients in the next five years.

Banco Banorte, which is owned by the company, already has 12 million clients, making it the second largest in the country when measured by credit portfolio.

"There's a segment of our clients that today demands a 100% digital service," the group's president, Carlos Hank, said in an interview with Reuters.

Hank said Banco Banorte would continue to operate through its network of branches and its own mobile application, adding that bineo would not take clients away from the established bank. The launch pits bineo against smaller, all-online banks such as Brazil's Nubank and Argentina's Uala.

"We want to be a bank that will be able to offer its clients a mortgage, a credit card, a car loan," Hank said.

In Mexico, the financial sector is dominated by the local units of Spain's BBVA and Santander, as well as Citigroup. Banco Banorte is the largest local bank.

However, official data shows that a third of adults in Mexico do not have any type of formal financial product. More than a fifth of its 126 million people also do not have access to the internet.

"There's still a lot to do," Hank said, adding that bineo has a competitive advantage: the backing of Grupo Financiero Banorte.

Last week, Santander Mexico announced plans to launch its Openbank digital banking service in the coming months. In July, Hey Banco, backed by Banregio Grupo Financiero, received authorization from the authorities to operate as a bank.

(Reporting by Noe Torres; Editing by Stefanie Eschenbacher and Jonathan Oatis)
Abbas Ganbay

It became known that the Sabail District Court of Baku City extended for 4 months the preventive measure for Ruben Vardanyan, known as a billionaire separatist, Azernews reports.

This decision was appealed by Ruben Vardanyan's defense counsel.

As a result of the process held in the Baku Court of Appeal, the court's decision was announced. Based on the decision, the appeal was not satisfied, and R. The decision of the court of first instance to extend the arrest against Vardanyan remained in force.

Ruben Vardanyan, who is currently held in the pre-trial detention centre of the State Security Service together with other separatists, is charged under Articles 214-1 (financing of terrorism), 279.3 (participation in the creation and activities of armed formations or groups not provided for by law), and 318.1 (illegal crossing of the state border of the Republic of Azerbaijan).

Recall that the BBC, the world's leading media organisation, has published extensive research material exposing the image of scandalous billionaire and separatist Ruben Vardanian.

The BBC journalists described him in a very interesting way: behind his image of a philanthropist and visionary lies a cunning man of the 90s who got rich with black money, trying to create a noble image for himself, whose activities are aimed at money laundering.

The article presents the "Troika Dialogue" he created and the dirty machinations of a whole system of offshore companies through which money from influential names is extorted and secretly transferred abroad.

The BBC talks about the big geopolitical game, such as Ruben Vardanian's "hand of Moscow" in getting Russian citizenship immediately and "somehow" comfortably by moving to Garabagh and taking up a "post" in the separatist regime, as well as his attempt to evade Western sanctions with his and other people's dirty capital, and then his ambitions to come to power in Yerevan.

It also talks about how Azerbaijan disrupted this game in which Ruben Vardanyan lost his post in the separatist regime under pressure from Azerbaijan, and his disappearance was not allowed.

Currently, the Main Investigation Department of the State Security Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan is investigating Ruben Vardanyan under Articles 214-1 (financing of terrorism), 279.3 (participation in the creation and activities of armed formations not provided for by law), and other articles of the Criminal Code.
(Bloomberg) -- Elon Musks X, the company formerly known as Twitter, is planning to build a new Trust and Safety center of excellence in Austin, Texas, to help enforce its content and safety rules.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The company aims to hire 100 full-time content moderators at the new location, according to Joe Benarroch, head of business operations at X. The group will focus on fighting material related to child sexual exploitation, but will help enforce the social media platforms other rules, which include restrictions on hate speech and violent posts, he added. The company did not specify when this new center will be operational.

X does not have a line of business focused on children, but its important that we make these investments to keep stopping offenders from using our platform for any distribution or engagement with CSE content, Benarroch said. People must be at least 13-years-old to open an account on X, and the company says less than 1% of its daily users are between the ages of 13-17. Those 17 and under cant be targeted by advertisers.

Musk has been criticized for cutting back on Xs trust and safety operations since taking the helm of the company in October 2022. He has also rescinded some policies, including those around misinformation, in an effort to bring free speech back to the service.

The timing of Xs announcement comes just a few days before Chief Executive Officer Linda Yaccarino is scheduled to appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee for a hearing on child safety online. Shell be joined by the CEOs of other major technology companies, including Meta Platforms Inc., Snap Inc., TikTok, and Discord.

Story continues

Yaccarino was in Washington this past week speaking with senators from both sides of the aisle ahead of the upcoming hearing. Conversations focused on Xs efforts with CSE and other types of problematic content, but she also tried to highlight the ways that X is working to distinguish itself from Twitter and the companys prior policies and leadership, Benarroch added.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
By MacDonald Dzirutwe and Libby George

LAGOS/LONDON (Reuters) - Shell's exit from Nigeria's onshore oil sector highlights risks oil majors face in Africa's biggest exporter but has raised hopes that local firms could reverse the output decline from the Niger Delta, industry officials and analysts said.

Shell  which pioneered Nigeria's oil industry  is the most prominent Western company to exit the Delta, a region blighted by pollution, oil theft and pipeline vandalism. Those issues have for years stymied investment  and throttled production and government finances.

The company's sale of its subsidiary to five mostly local firms fits an ongoing trend of Western energy companies divesting onshore Nigerian oil fields. Exxon, Italy's Eni, Norway's Equinor and China's Addax have struck deals to sell assets in the country in recent years.

"Nigeria has had well-established problems in policy in the oil sector, and the FX policy concerns have put constraints on investments. That's probably partially why you have seen the majors pulling out, and disinvesting to some extent," said Andrew Matheny, senior economist with Goldman Sachs.

"It explains a significant portion of the decline in oil production in recent years."

President Bola Tinubu took office last May pledging to remove obstacles faced by producers, including ending crude theft and pipeline vandalism. But seven months into his presidency, the asset sales, which were well underway before his election, highlight the inexorable changes to the country's oil sector.

"If companies are now leaving the less capital-intensive onshore operations to focus on offshore operations, it sends a perfect picture of the risk involved in doing business in Nigeria," said Seyi Awojulugbe, a senior analyst at security consultancy SBM Intelligence in Lagos.

SPILLS, CASH AND INCOMING COMPANIES

Ten years ago, Shell's share of production was as high as 300,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boed) in Nigeria. This fell to 131,000 boed in 2022, which the company blamed on sabotage and theft in the Niger Delta, its annual reports showed.

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Industry experts said Shell, Exxon and other majors who hoped to divest were not putting much money into developing onshore assets  hastening production decline.

"The majors reduced investments in the onshore for many years," said Roger Brown, chief executive of Nigeria's Seplat Energy. He cited the combination of local issues and the fact that major oil companies must compete for cash with their assets in other regions, such as Guyana, that can often look more attractive.

"I think the independent companies will get production up more than the IOCs will because they do have the appetite to invest," Brown added.

Seplat is still awaiting regulatory approval of its own deal, announced in February 2022, to buy Exxon's assets onshore. Nigeria's junior oil minister said Shell's asset sale would be quickly approved once all paperwork was received, adding that local companies would be able to step up to fill the void.

Some local firms, including Seplat, First E&P and Heritage have managed to raise production and reduce oil spills on assets purchased from Shell.

But it has not worked for others, including Aiteo Eastern E&P and Eroton Exploration, which have struggled with leaking pipelines and oil spills.

Richard Bronze, head of geopolitics at London-based Energy Aspects, said local firms lacked the financial heft of oil majors, which could affect future output. Still, Brown said that if oil majors aren't investing, their access to cheaper capital is irrelevant. Local banks, some international lenders, and oil traders, are also sources of cash for local companies.

"It will be available but it won't be cheap," he said. "But at these oil prices, indigenous businesses can afford to develop it."

(Additional reporting by Isaac Anyaogu in Lagos; Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
Transparency Market Research

Innovations focus on surface sanitizers with enhanced microbial resistance, ensuring durability and prolonged protection against pathogens.

Wilmington, Delaware, United States, Jan. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Transparency Market Research Inc. - The North America surface sanitizer market is estimated to flourish at a CAGR of 6.4% f from 2023 to 2031. Transparency Market Research projects that the overall sales revenue for North America surface sanitizer is estimated to reach US$ 3.0 billion by the end of 2031. The market sees a shift towards user-friendly application systems, with innovations such as touchless dispensers, spray technologies, and wipes dispensers. These advancements enhance convenience, ensuring easy and efficient surface sanitation in various settings, from households to public spaces.

An emerging trend involves surface sanitizers with long-lasting residual protection. Some formulations create a protective barrier on surfaces, offering prolonged defense against pathogens, contributing to a sustained and effective sanitization strategy. In a unique approach, some surface sanitizers now integrate aromatherapy elements. By infusing pleasant scents into the sanitizing solution, brands aim to enhance the user experience, making the process more enjoyable while maintaining a focus on efficacy.

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Some prominent manufacturers are as follows:

3M

Betco Corporation

Diversey Inc.

Ecolab Inc.

GOJO Industries Inc.

Procter & Gamble

Reckitt Benckiser Group plc.

SC Johnson Professional USA Inc.

The Clorox Company

Zep Inc.

New formulations address surface compatibility concerns, ensuring that sanitizers are effective on various materials without causing damage. This innovation caters to the need for versatile solutions that can be used across diverse surfaces without compromising efficacy. A significant driver involves customizable formulations for home use. Some brands offer options for consumers to tailor surface sanitizer solutions based on specific needs, providing a personalized approach to home sanitation beyond generic formulations.

Story continues

Key Findings of the Market Report

Liquid & gels dominate the North America surface sanitizer market , offering versatile and convenient solutions for effective and widespread sanitization.

Chemical category dominates the North America surface sanitizer market , featuring widely adopted chemical formulations for effective disinfection and sanitation purposes.

Alcohol-based sanitizers dominate the North America surface sanitizer market, favored for their proven efficacy in killing germs and viruses.

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North America Surface Sanitizer Market Growth Drivers & Trends

The COVID-19 pandemic fuels heightened demand for surface sanitizers, emphasizing the importance of cleanliness in public spaces and households.

Increasing preference for environmentally friendly surface sanitizers aligns with growing sustainability consciousness among consumers.

Ongoing research and development drive the market with innovations in surface sanitizer formulations, emphasizing efficacy, safety, and longer-lasting protection.

Stringent regulatory standards and guidelines influence market dynamics, ensuring the quality and safety of surface sanitizers, fostering consumer trust.

The commercial sector, including healthcare facilities and hospitality, contributes significantly to market growth, necessitating robust and efficient surface sanitizing solutions.

North America Surface Sanitizer Market: Regional Profile

The U.S. surface sanitizer market is propelled by a heightened focus on health and wellness, driven by the COVID-19 pandemic. Major players like Clorox, Ecolab, and Purell dominate the market, offering a diverse range of sanitizing solutions for both commercial and residential use. Stringent regulations and guidelines from agencies such as the FDA influence product formulations, ensuring efficacy and consumer safety. The market also witnesses a surge in demand for eco-friendly sanitizers, aligning with the growing environmental consciousness among consumers.

In Canada, the surface sanitizer market mirrors the U.S. trend, emphasizing cleanliness as an integral part of public health. Companies like Lysol and Sani Professional cater to the Canadian market's diverse needs, ranging from healthcare to food service industries.

The nation's commitment to stringent regulatory frameworks ensures the quality and safety of sanitizing products. As consumers become more discerning, there is a notable shift towards sustainable and natural sanitizing solutions in Canada, aligning with the broader global trend of eco-conscious product preferences.

North America Surface Sanitizer Market: Competitive Landscape

The North America surface sanitizer market is fiercely competitive, with key players like Clorox, Ecolab, and Procter & Gamble dominating. These giants leverage extensive research to introduce advanced sanitizing solutions, emphasizing efficacy against diverse pathogens.

Emerging players, including Spartan Chemical Company and Zep, contribute to the competitive dynamic, bringing innovative formulations and eco-friendly alternatives. The market is driven by heightened hygiene awareness, especially in healthcare and food industries.

Brand reputation, regulatory compliance, and sustainable practices are pivotal in this landscape, as companies strive to meet evolving consumer demands for effective and environmentally responsible surface sanitization solutions.

Product Portfolio

Betco Corporation is a leading provider of innovative cleaning and hygiene solutions. From floor care to disinfectants, Betco offers a comprehensive portfolio catering to diverse industries. Their commitment to sustainability and cutting-edge technology ensures efficient and environmentally friendly cleaning solutions.

Diversey Inc. is a global hygiene and cleaning solutions provider. With a focus on infection prevention, sustainable practices, and food safety, Diversey delivers advanced cleaning solutions for healthcare, hospitality, and industrial sectors, ensuring safe and hygienic environments globally.

North America Surface Sanitizer Market: Key Segments

By Product Type

Liquid & Gels

Wipes

Sprays

By Category

Chemical

Bio-based

By Ingredient Type

Alcohol-based Sanitizers

Non-Alcohol-based Sanitizers

By End Use

Residential

Industrial

Commercial

Hospitals

Laboratories

Food Processing Industries

Educational Institutes

Railways

Airports

Others (Hotels, Malls, Etc.)

By Distribution Channel

Online

E-commerce Websites

Company Owned Websites

Offline

Supermarkets/Hypermarkets

Medical Stores

Other Retail Stores

By Country

U.S

Canada

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More Trending Reports by Transparency Market Research 

Non-stick Cookware Market - The industry was valued at US$ 19.5 Bn in 2021 and it is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 5.0% from 2022 to 2031 and reach US$ 31.4 Bn by the end of 2031

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Key Insights

The projected fair value for OC Oerlikon is CHF4.65 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

OC Oerlikon is estimated to be 21% undervalued based on current share price of CHF3.69

The CHF4.20 analyst price target for OERL is 9.5% less than our estimate of fair value

In this article we are going to estimate the intrinsic value of OC Oerlikon Corporation AG (VTX:OERL) by estimating the company's future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. We will use the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model on this occasion. Don't get put off by the jargon, the math behind it is actually quite straightforward.

Remember though, that there are many ways to estimate a company's value, and a DCF is just one method. If you want to learn more about discounted cash flow, the rationale behind this calculation can be read in detail in the Simply Wall St analysis model.

View our latest analysis for OC Oerlikon

What's The Estimated Valuation?

We are going to use a two-stage DCF model, which, as the name states, takes into account two stages of growth. The first stage is generally a higher growth period which levels off heading towards the terminal value, captured in the second 'steady growth' period. In the first stage we need to estimate the cash flows to the business over the next ten years. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, and so the sum of these future cash flows is then discounted to today's value:

10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (CHF, Millions) CHF191.0m CHF168.5m CHF154.9m CHF146.3m CHF140.6m CHF136.8m CHF134.2m CHF132.5m CHF131.3m CHF130.5m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x2 Analyst x2 Est @ -8.04% Est @ -5.61% Est @ -3.90% Est @ -2.71% Est @ -1.87% Est @ -1.29% Est @ -0.88% Est @ -0.59% Present Value (CHF, Millions) Discounted @ 9.5% CHF174 CHF141 CHF118 CHF102 CHF89.2 CHF79.3 CHF71.0 CHF64.0 CHF58.0 CHF52.6

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = CHF949m

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We now need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all the future cash flows after this ten year period. 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 0.08%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 9.5%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = CHF131m (1 + 0.08%)  (9.5% 0.08%) = CHF1.4b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= CHF1.4b ( 1 + 9.5%)10= CHF558m

The total value is the sum of cash flows for the next ten years plus the discounted terminal value, which results in the Total Equity Value, which in this case is CHF1.5b. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of CHF3.7, the company appears a touch undervalued at a 21% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind.

dcf

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. You don't have to agree with these inputs, I recommend redoing the calculations yourself and playing with them. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at OC Oerlikon 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 9.5%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.886. 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 OC Oerlikon

Strength

Debt is well covered by earnings.

Dividend is in the top 25% of dividend payers in the market.

Weakness

Earnings declined over the past year.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the Swiss market.

Good value based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value.

Threat

Debt is not well covered by operating cash flow.

Dividends are not covered by earnings.

Annual revenue is expected to decline over the next 4 years.

Next Steps:

Whilst important, the DCF calculation is only one of many factors that you need to assess for a company. It's not possible to obtain a foolproof valuation with a DCF model. Instead the best use for a DCF model is to test certain assumptions and theories to see if they would lead to the company being undervalued or overvalued. For 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 OC Oerlikon, we've put together three important items you should assess:

Risks: For example, we've discovered 3 warning signs for OC Oerlikon (2 shouldn't be ignored!) that you should be aware of before investing here. Future Earnings: How does OERL's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Swiss 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.
By Shariq Khan

NEW YORK (Reuters) -Oil prices fell more than a dollar a barrel on Monday as China's ailing property sector sparked demand worries, causing traders to reassess the supply risk premium from escalating tensions in the Middle East.

Brent crude futures fell $1.15, or 1.4%, to settle at $82.40 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures dropped by $1.23, or 1.6%, at $76.78 per barrel.

Both contracts settled lower for the first time in four sessions as attention shifted to demand concerns in China, where a real estate crisis deepened with a Hong Kong court ordering the liquidation of property giant China Evergrande Group.

The deepening real estate crisis is a blow to investor confidence in the top oil importer's economy, with earlier data showing slower than expected activity.

"The situation in China is the biggest headwind to the whole market, that is why the market keeps backing off from the war risk premium," said John Kilduff, partner at Again Capital LLC.

Both benchmarks had gained about 1.5% early in Monday trade, with Brent prices touching their highest since early November after a fuel tanker was hit by a missile in the Red Sea and U.S. troops were attacked in Jordan near the Syrian border. The events mark a major escalation of tensions that have engulfed the Middle East.

However, following the news from China, some market participants questioned how much the risk premium should be as oil supplies have not yet been directly affected by the Middle East crisis.

"Currently we are seeing a premium of around $10 a barrel when it should really just be $3 or $4 based on true petroleum demand fundamentals," said Gary Cunningham, director at energy advisory firm Tradition Energy.

Meanwhile, lingering high interest rates were also in focus after European Central Bank policymakers were unable to reach a consensus on Monday over when interest rates should be cut.

Russia, meanwhile, is likely to cut exports of naphtha, a petrochemical feedstock, by between 127,500 and 136,000 barrels per day - about a third of its total exports - after fires disrupted operations at Baltic and Black Sea refineries, according to traders and LSEG ship-tracking data.

Story continues

Another Russian oil facility came under attack on Monday, with Russian authorities indicating they had thwarted a drone attack on the Slavneft-YANOS refinery in the city of Yaroslavl.

U.S. crude oil and distillates inventories were expected to have reduced last week while gasoline stocks were seen rising, according to a preliminary Reuters poll.

The American Petroleum Institute will publish its U.S. stockpiles data on Tuesday around 4:30 pm ET. Official data from the Energy Information Administration is due on Wednesday at 10:30 am ET.

(Reporting by Shariq Khan, Natalie Grover, Florence Tan and Mohi Narayan; Editing by Mark Potter, Jane Merriman and Ros Russell)
VIENNA, Jan. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The OPEC Fund for International Development, a multilateral development finance institution headquartered in Vienna, Austria, expanded its new commitments to US$1.7 billion across 55 projects globally in 2023, providing funding to address climate change and energy transition, support social and economic resilience and boost sustainable growth. The organization was established 48 years ago and the 2023 results represent a record in new commitments.

OPEC Building Vienna

OPEC Fund Director-General Dr. Abdulhamid Alkhalifa said: "In 2023, the OPEC Fund increased its impact through the delivery of development support in a challenging global environment. We grew our lending program across the board in response to strong demand by our partner countries and thanks to our success in raising additional funds from the capital markets. We were also able to leverage our partnerships to mobilize development support by working with multilateral development banks and development finance institutions such as the Arab Coordination Group. And we are well on track with our 2030 target to commit 40 percent of all new financing to climate action."

In 2023, the OPEC Fund delivered strong results across Africa (42 percent of investments), the Middle East and North Africa & Europe and Central Asia (20 percent), Latin America & the Caribbean (20 percent), as well as Asia and the Pacific (18 percent) through public and private sector lending, trade finance and grants operations.

The largest share in last year's lending program was dedicated to policy-based-lending (31 percent). In cooperation with financing partners, the OPEC Fund supported sustainable development government programs in Botswana (US$100 million), Cote d'Ivoire (US$74 million), Armenia (US$54 million), North Macedonia (US$54 million), Colombia (US$150 million) and Paraguay (US$100 million) to bolster economic, social and climate resilience.

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The transport and storage sector received the major share of OPEC Fund's support (14 percent) with the OPEC Fund helping to build roads and sustainable transport infrastructure for improved connectivity in India (US$100 million), Kyrgyz Republic (US$15 million), Tajikistan (US$10 million), Uzbekistan (US$47 million) and Bosnia and Herzegovina (US$28 million).

Aligned with the OPEC Fund Climate Action Plan, support in renewable energy projects constituted nearly 60 percent of all lending in the energy sector. The OPEC Fund supported the development of a solar plant in Niger (US$25 million), a 240 MW wind farm in Azerbaijan (US$50 million) and two wind power plants in Uzbekistan totalling 1 GW of renewable energy capacity (US$40 million). OPEC Fund energy sector investments also included projects to promote energy security in Tanzania (US$30 million) and Bangladesh (US$60 million), aligned with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7  Clean and affordable energy.

In the financial sector, the OPEC Fund provided US$171 million, partnering with governments and local banks to provide on-lending to small and medium-sized enterprises, promoting job creation and access to finance in Albania, Botswana, Paraguay and Vietnam. US$273 million of trade finance was offered to partner banks to support the movement of critical commodities and goods in developing economies.

Aligned with its Food Security Action Plan, the OPEC Fund provided US$59 million to promote agricultural sustainability and fisheries in Benin, Liberia and Zimbabwe. The institution also dedicated US$104 million towards education, US$61 million to water and sanitation and US$50 million to health projects primarily in Africa and Asia.

Successful development delivery in 2023 was also fuelled by the OPEC Fund's debut in the capital market, which the institution tapped for the first time in its history in January. The issuance of the OPEC Fund's benchmark SDG bond raised US$1 billion for sustainable development projects. The OPEC Fund's excellent standing in the market was confirmed in December when the international rating agency Standard & Poor's assigned the OPEC Fund a credit rating upgrade to AA+ with stable outlook, citing its "ambitious growth agenda".

In 2023, the OPEC Fund continued to expand partnerships with peer institutions including the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Arab Coordination Group (ACG), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United National Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and the World Food Programme (WFP) among others.

About the OPEC Fund

The OPEC Fund for International Development (the OPEC Fund) is the only globally mandated development institution that provides financing from member countries to non-member countries exclusively. The organization works in cooperation with developing country partners and the international development community to stimulate economic growth and social progress in low- and middle-income countries around the world. The OPEC Fund was established in 1976 with a distinct purpose: to drive development, strengthen communities and empower people. Our work is people-centered, focusing on financing projects that meet essential needs, such as food, energy, infrastructure, employment (particularly relating to MSMEs), clean water and sanitation, healthcare and education. To date, the OPEC Fund has committed about US$27 billion to development projects in over 125 countries with an estimated total project cost of more than US$200 billion. The OPEC Fund is rated AA+/Outlook Stable by Fitch and AA+, Outlook Stable by S&P. Our vision is a world where sustainable development is a reality for all.

CONTACT:

Basak Pamir

T+43151564174

B.Pamir@opecfund.org

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2328662/OPEC_Fund___Building_Inside.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1899865/4517478/OPEC_Fund_Logo.jpg

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/opec-fund-delivers-record-results-in-2023-with-us1-7-billion-in-development-funding-302046637.html

SOURCE OPEC Fund for International Development
A 3D printed Facebook's new rebrand logo Meta is seen in front of displayed Google logo in this illustration

By Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Treasury Department should do more to ensure that major tech firms, including Meta Platforms and Alphabet, comply with sanctions against foreign firms that advertise on their platforms, a top lawmaker said on Monday.

Democratic U.S. Senator Mark Warner, who heads the Senate Intelligence Committee, wrote a letter to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen in which he said the Treasury Department was failing to "ensure sanctions compliance in digital advertising markets."

American technology firms like Alphabet, which owns Google, and Meta, which owns Facebook, "continue to flout U.S. sanctions rules," the lawmaker said in the letter. The companies did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Warner said that tech companies continue to provide adtech services to sanctioned entities that have deep ties to countries he described as "foreign adversaries," including Russia and Iran.

Among examples cited in Warner's letter were media and public reports from late 2023 saying Google served ads to sanctioned Russian and Iranian firms, and pro-Russian businessman Ilan Shor using Facebook advertising for what Warner called "malign influence activity targeting Moldovan elections."

Warner noted that many countries had elections due this year, including the United States, which made it important for the Treasury Department to "enforce compliance with U.S. sanctions."

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Nick Zieminski and David Ljunggren)
Rebellions, a South Korean fabless AI chip startup, said today it has closed $124 million (165 billion KRW) in a Series B round of funding to develop its third AI chip, called Rebel. The startup will also use the new capital, oversubscribed with an initial target of $90 million, to ramp up production of its data center-focused chip, Atom, and for hiring.

This Series B values the three-year-old startup at approximately $658 million (880 billion KRW) post-money, CFO of Rebellions Sungkyue Shin said in an exclusive interview with TechCrunch. This latest capital infusion brings the total raised to around $210 million since Rebellions' inception in 2020.

KT, the South Korean telecom giant, led this latest round as a strategic investor. Previous backers Temasek's Pavilion Capital and Korea Development Bank, and new investors including Korelya Capital and DG Daiwa Ventures, also participated.

Rebellions' fundraise comes at a key moment in the chip industry, specifically around the development and use of AI chips.

Nvidia is the AI chip market leader, its name synonymous with the AI boom that is currently sweeping the technology world. Many have observed how Nvidia has thrived in part because of the moat created around an ecosystem of hardware and software. But it's far from game-over for the rest of the field. Data processing and related high costs continue to be major issues when it comes to AI applications, so the scramble continues in the search for innovative breakthroughs to improve these.

Developments are coming from multiple fronts. Big Tech titans such as Google, Amazon, Apple and Microsoft develop or have their own chips to integrate AI into their products and services. Open AI chief executive officer Sam Altman reportedly visited South Korea last week to meet the country's chip industry leaders, Samsung and SK Hynix. Beyond that, Open AI is said to be raising billions of dollars to set up chip fabrication factories, to make its own AI chips. And there are a number of startups beyond Rebellions bringing new concepts to the table to speed up processing while improving efficiency.

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Team up with Samsung

This fundraise -- which has been rumored for months -- comes on the heels of other moves at the startup. Last October, Rebellions announced that it would develop its newest Rebel chip in partnership with Samsung Electronics, building on a relationship it initially forged around its Atoms chips. The two companies aim to complete the development of Rebel by the end of this year and start mass production in 2025, Shin said, adding that the next-generation AI chip will target the generative AI market running large language models (LLMs) and hyperscalers.

Shin told TechCrunch that Rebel will use Samsung Electronics' 4-nanometer fabrication process, and that its AI chip will be deployed in Samsung's advanced memory chip technology HBM3E, designed to handle high bandwidth memory, used for building and operating large language models. Rebellions' unique selling point is a claim that its technology and products have more versatility than customized AI chips, meaning they can support various generative AI models that need AI accelerators.

The company CFO stressed that Rebellions will cooperate with Samsung from co-development and chip design to mass production of Rebel. There is a second motivation for Samsung's work here: Aside from its efforts in chips, South Korea's largest memory chip maker has been working on its own generative AI model, Samsung Gauss.

ATOM and ION

It's also been working with customers using its previous generations of chips. In May 2023, Rebellions' strategic investor, KT, installed Atom, Rebellions' data-center targeted AI chip, in its cloud-based neural processing units (NPU) infrastructure. Rebellions says it expects to generate revenues from Atom in the second half of this year and will continue to produce that chip model via Samsung's 5-nanometer fabrication process. Atom is designed for data centers and language models of up to 7 billion parameters, while Rebel targets larger large language models, Shin noted.

Meanwhile, the startup's first AI chip, Ion, which was launched in November 2021, is in the process of qualification testing in the U.S. and has yet to sign on any commercial customers. Ion is designed for edge computing and one key use case, the company believes, will be in financial services applications, where larger institutions building their own hardware could use the chips to power stock prediction and trading applications.

Rebellions CEO Sunghyun Park, a former quant developer at Morgan Stanley in New York, and four co-founders set up the AI chip startup in 2020.
Azerbaijan expects severe punishment for perpetrators of the terrorist attack on the embassy in Iran, said Azerbaijani Ambassador to Iran Ali Alizadeh on X (Twitter), Azernews reports.

"On the anniversary of the death of our dear brother Orkhan Asgarov, who was killed in a terrorist attack on the Azerbaijani embassy, we paid our respects at his grave. May the Almighty Rest His Soul! As a result of the terrorist act, our staff were also injured. May the Almighty help them! We expect complete and severe punishment for those guilty of this terrorist act and hope that the Iranian judiciary will make a fair and honorable verdict," said the ambassador.

Recall that on January 27, 2023, the Azerbaijani Embassy in Iran was subjected to a terrorist attack. As a result of the attack, Orkhan Askgarov, the Embassy's security chief, was martyred and two employees of security, Vasif Taghiyev and Mahir Imanov, were wounded. Following the attack, Azerbaijan evacuated the personnel of the embassy and their family from Tehran for security issues.

The first session of the trial for the terrorist who attacked the Azerbaijani Embassy in Iran was scheduled for January 27.




DUBLIN (Reuters)  Ryanair has told Boeing that if any U.S. customers refuse to take delivery of 737 MAX 10 aircraft, that it would buy them "at the right price," executives said on Monday.

The Irish airline, Europe's largest by passenger numbers, already has 150 firm orders for the MAX 10, the largest jet in the 737 family, and options for 150 more, with the first deliveries due in 2027.

A Boeing 737 MAX 8-200 operated by Ryanair, the world's largest airline by scheduled passengers, at Thessaloniki Makedonia International Airport. (Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images) (NurPhoto via Getty Images)

It said it expects the jet to be certified by the end of the year and flying early next year despite the Federal Aviation Administration's now-lifted grounding of MAX 9 jets following the mid-air blowout of a cabin panel on a new Alaska Airlines plane.

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby, whose carrier has ordered 277 MAX 10 jets with options for another 200, said last week his airline would build a new fleet plan that does not include the model, which had already been mired in regulatory and delivery delays before the Alaska Airlines incident.

"We have told them if some of these American airlines don't want to take the MAX 10 aircraft, Ryanair will take those aircraft," Ryanair Group Chief Executive Michael O'Leary said in a presentation on the airline's quarterly results.

He described the MAX 10 as "transformational" and said Boeing would always make great aircraft "but quality does need to be improved."

Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary. (Pier Marco Tacca/Getty Images) (Pier Marco Tacca via Getty Images)

Ryanair Chief Financial Officer Neil Sorahan said the comments last week by United's Kirby were "unhelpful."

"If Scott Kirby doesn't want to take his MAX 10s, then we'll very happily take them at the right price," Sorahan said in an interview.

Sorahan said he was "hopeful" the MAX 10 would be certified before the end of the year and flying at the start of 2025.

Ryanair currently has 136 MAX 8 aircraft and 409 earlier generation 737s in a fleet of 574 jets but plans to increase that eventually to 210 MAX 8s and up to 300 MAX 10s.

Asked if Ryanair was nervous about its huge reliance on the MAX or was looking at ways to diversify, Sorahan said: "No, I think the MAX is a great aircraft."

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But he said "if something were to happen", Ryanair would have the option of not selling its older 737s.

"But the reality is we're very keen to get our hands on as many of the 8200s and the 10s as we an to grow over the next few years," he said. The 8200 is the high-density version of the MAX 8 ordered by Ryanair.

(Writing by Conor Humphries; Editing by Jamie Freed)
DUBLIN (Reuters)  Ryanair on Monday trimmed its profit forecast for the year to the end of March after some online travel agents suddenly stopped selling its flights in December, forcing it to cut fares to fill seats as costs per passenger inched up.

Ryanair aircraft Boeing 737-8AS at Riga International Airport. REUTERS/Ints Kalnins (REUTERS / Reuters)

Ryanair had for years accused the web sites of adding illegitimate extra charges and launched a series of court cases against them, but appeared to be taken by surprise when they stopped selling the airline's tickets.

The airline, Europe's largest by passenger numbers, forecast an after-tax profit of between 1.85 billion and 1.95 billion euros ($2 billion to $2.1 billion) for its financial year to March 31.

That is down from its November forecast of 1.85 billion and 2.05 billion euros, but would still beat its previous record of 1.45 billion euros in 2018. Ryanair shares were down 2% in early trading.

The sudden halt of sales by the online travel agents increased the proportion of empty seats on flights by around 1 percentage point, forcing the airline to stimulate bookings over Christmas and New Year with fares that were "slightly lower than we'd anticipated," Chief Financial Officer Neil Sorahan said in a pre-recorded presentation.

Net profit for the three months to the end of December, the third quarter of its financial year, was 15 million euros, significantly lower than the 49 million euros expected by analysts polled by the company.

The higher percentage of empty seats, in addition to higher productivity pay agreed with staff, meant full-year ex-fuel unit costs were expected to rise by around 2.5 euros, Sorahan said.

The fallout from the travel agents' move is beginning to "fizzle out," Sorahan said, with several agents approaching the airline to secure new, more transparent deals.

Traffic in the third quarter was up 7% to 41.4 million passengers, while average fares were 13% higher than last year, the airline said.

Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Chief Executive Michael O'Leary said he was looking to the summer with some optimism as constrained European short-haul capacity would mean higher ticket prices. He said capacity in summer could be 92-93% of pre-COVID levels or even lower.

O'Leary said he was committed to his target of flying 300 million passengers by 2034, up from 183.5 million in the current year, and was open to increasing his order for 737 MAX 10 aircraft from Boeing if other customers cancel orders due to delays.

(Reporting by Conor Humphries; Editing by Jamie Freed and Bernadette Baum)
(Bloomberg) -- Samsung Electronics Co. will feature Baidu Inc.s Ernie Bot as a key attraction of its new Galaxy S24 smartphone series in China.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The South Korean maker has pitched its latest handset family as the first of a wave of AI smartphones, and Baidus artificial intelligence tools will help with text summarization, organization and translation, Baidu said in a statement. It will also provide the backend support for Samsungs circle to search feature, which is handled by Alphabet Inc.s Google in other markets.

Read More: Samsung Banks on AI to Lift Galaxy Phones to Best Sales in Years

Googles Android software provides the backbone for the majority of smartphones in China, but the companys add-on mobile services and app store are not available, leaving it to local companies to fill gaps with alternatives like Tencent Holdings Ltd.s WeChat. For Baidu, the Samsung deal marks a major adopter of its Ernie AI, one of the earliest and best efforts to create a Chinese challenger to OpenAIs ChatGPT.

Samsungs market share has crumbled in the worlds largest smartphone arena in past years to roughly 1-2%, crowded out by Apple Inc.s iPhones as well as local brands from Xiaomi Corp. to Huawei Technologies Co. Showcasing Ernie prominently might appeal to its millions of existing users, as the Korean company safeguards its global presence and tries to pioneer a new mainstream category with foldables.

What Bloomberg Intelligence Says

Samsungs decision to use the Ernie large-language AI model for its forthcoming AI-powered Galaxy 24 smartphone model in China is an endorsement of Baidus position as a leading Chinese AI player for now. While positive for sentiment, we dont expect a material financial benefit to Baidu given the collapse of Samsungs once-leading market share in China handsets. We remain cautious on Baidus AI prospects and expect Tencent, Alibaba and Huawei to emerge as long-term victors in Chinas AI sector.

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- Robert Lea, analyst

Click here for the research.

(Updates with commentary in the fifth paragraph)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Revenue : Reported $1.87 billion, reflecting the company's robust sales performance.

GAAP Operating Margin : Achieved a GAAP operating margin of 4.7%.

GAAP Diluted EPS : Delivered a GAAP diluted EPS of $0.98.

Non-GAAP Financials : Non-GAAP operating margin stood at 5.5%, with a non-GAAP diluted EPS of $1.30.

Cash Flow and Liquidity : Generated $126 million in cash flow from operations, ending with $632 million in cash and cash equivalents.

Share Repurchases : Repurchased 2.1 million shares for $106 million.

Non-GAAP Pre-tax ROIC: Posted a strong non-GAAP pre-tax Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) of 22.7%.

On January 29, 2024, Sanmina Corp (NASDAQ:SANM), a leading provider of integrated manufacturing solutions, announced its financial results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2024, which ended on December 30, 2023. The company released its 8-K filing, revealing a steady performance despite the challenging market conditions.

Sanmina Corp operates in two business segments: Integrated Manufacturing Solutions, which includes printed circuit board assembly and generates the majority of the firm's revenue, and Components, Products, and Services, which encompasses interconnect systems and mechanical systems. The company has a significant presence in the United States, China, and Mexico, and serves markets such as communications networks, storage, industrial, defense, and aerospace.

Sanmina Corp (SANM) Posts Solid Q1 Fiscal 2024 Results Amid Market Challenges

Financial Performance and Challenges

Sanmina's revenue for the quarter was $1.87 billion, with a GAAP operating margin of 4.7% and a GAAP diluted EPS of $0.98. The non-GAAP figures were slightly more robust, with an operating margin of 5.5% and a diluted EPS of $1.30. These results are indicative of Sanmina's ability to maintain profitability and manage costs effectively in a competitive hardware industry.

Despite a solid performance, Sanmina faces challenges such as reliance on a small number of customers for a substantial portion of sales and risks arising from international operations. Geopolitical uncertainties, including the war in Ukraine and conflict in the Middle East, could also impact future sales and net income. Chairman and CEO Jure Sola commented on the results:

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"Our team did a great job delivering first quarter financial results in line with our outlook. We are confident in our market-focused strategy and continue to position the company for long-term financial success."

Financial Achievements and Importance

The company's financial achievements, particularly the non-GAAP pre-tax ROIC of 22.7%, highlight Sanmina's efficient use of capital in generating profits. The share repurchase program, which saw 2.1 million shares bought back for $106 million, reflects confidence in the company's valuation and a commitment to delivering shareholder value.

Key Financial Metrics

Sanmina's balance sheet remains strong, with a decrease in total current liabilities from the previous quarter and a healthy cash and cash equivalents balance of $631 million. The income statement shows a net income attributable to common shareholders of $57.068 million, down from the previous year but still demonstrating profitability. The cash flow statement reveals a positive cash flow from operations of $126 million, contributing to a free cash flow of $91.809 million for the quarter.

These metrics are crucial for Sanmina as they provide insights into the company's operational efficiency, liquidity, and financial health, which are key considerations for value investors.

Analysis of Company's Performance

Sanmina's performance in Q1 fiscal 2024 reflects a company that is managing its resources effectively amidst market volatility. The company's focus on operational efficiency and shareholder returns, combined with a strategic approach to market challenges, positions it for potential growth as conditions improve.

For the second quarter of fiscal 2024, Sanmina expects revenue to be between $1.825 billion and $1.925 billion, with GAAP diluted earnings per share between $0.95 to $1.05 and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share between $1.20 to $1.30. This outlook suggests a cautious but stable performance as the company navigates the current economic landscape.

Investors and potential GuruFocus.com members interested in the detailed financials can access the full earnings release and additional information on Sanmina's website or listen to the recorded conference call for a deeper dive into the company's financials and strategies.

Sanmina Corp's disciplined approach to cost management and strategic investments, combined with its solid financial performance, make it a company worth watching for value investors seeking opportunities in the hardware sector.

Explore the complete 8-K earnings release (here) from Sanmina Corp for further details.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


If we want to find a potential multi-bagger, often there are underlying trends that can provide clues. Firstly, we'd want to identify a growing return on capital employed (ROCE) and then alongside that, an ever-increasing base of capital employed. If you see this, it typically means it's a company with a great business model and plenty of profitable reinvestment opportunities. However, after investigating Shriro Holdings (ASX:SHM), we don't think it's current trends fit the mold of a multi-bagger.

Understanding Return On Capital Employed (ROCE)

For those who don't know, ROCE is a measure of a company's yearly pre-tax profit (its return), relative to the capital employed in the business. The formula for this calculation on Shriro Holdings is:

Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT)  (Total Assets - Current Liabilities)

0.17 = AU$14m  (AU$98m - AU$19m) (Based on the trailing twelve months to June 2023).

Thus, Shriro Holdings has an ROCE of 17%. In absolute terms, that's a satisfactory return, but compared to the Consumer Durables industry average of 7.8% it's much better.

View our latest analysis for Shriro Holdings

roce

While the past is not representative of the future, it can be helpful to know how a company has performed historically, which is why we have this chart above. If you want to delve into the historical earnings, revenue and cash flow of Shriro Holdings, check out these free graphs here.

The Trend Of ROCE

On the surface, the trend of ROCE at Shriro Holdings doesn't inspire confidence. Around five years ago the returns on capital were 36%, but since then they've fallen to 17%. On the other hand, the company has been employing more capital without a corresponding improvement in sales in the last year, which could suggest these investments are longer term plays. It may take some time before the company starts to see any change in earnings from these investments.

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On a related note, Shriro Holdings has decreased its current liabilities to 20% of total assets. So we could link some of this to the decrease in ROCE. What's more, this can reduce some aspects of risk to the business because now the company's suppliers or short-term creditors are funding less of its operations. Since the business is basically funding more of its operations with it's own money, you could argue this has made the business less efficient at generating ROCE.

In Conclusion...

In summary, Shriro Holdings is reinvesting funds back into the business for growth but unfortunately it looks like sales haven't increased much just yet. Investors must think there's better things to come because the stock has knocked it out of the park, delivering a 213% gain to shareholders who have held over the last five years. Ultimately, if the underlying trends persist, we wouldn't hold our breath on it being a multi-bagger going forward.

One more thing to note, we've identified 2 warning signs with Shriro Holdings and understanding these should be part of your investment process.

For those who like to invest in solid companies, check out this free list of companies with solid balance sheets and high returns on equity.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
From left: Skyboxs Rob Morris and Prologis Hamid Moghadam along with a rendering of Skybox Austin (Getty, Skybox, Prologis)

Prologis and Skybox are moving ahead with their major data center projects outside of Austin.

An entity called Austin Data Center 2 LLC filed to build out $60 million in improvements for a data center at 2515 South Kenney Fort Boulevard in Pflugerville. The LLC shares a business address with Prologis, and along with a similarly named LLC, owns two parcels worth some 21 acres along State Highway 45.

The project is expected to include interior improvements to a 146,000-square-foot building, according to the filings. Work is slated to begin in February and run through July 2025. Dallas-based architect Corgan Associates is the design firm attached to the plans.

Skybox and Prologis have discussed investing $548 million to build a 30-megawatt data center at the location. Separately, the companies are building a 600-megawatt PowerCampus datacenter on 159 acres in Hutto.

A representative for Prologis did not immediately respond to a request for more information.

Elsewhere in Texas, Skybox owns a 26-megawatt center in Houston and is working on a 300-megawatt PowerCampus in Dallas.

Nationwide, investment in data centers has skyrocketed. Private equity giant Blackstone acquired a leader in the space, QTS Realty Trust, for $10 billion in 2021. Since then, it has grown its development pipeline from $1 billion to $15 billion, according to Bloomberg. QTS valuation reached $25 billion by the end of last year.

Much of that investment has come to Texas. The state leads the U.S. in renewable and nonrenewable energy production, which has helped satiate next-generation centers huge power requirements. Local governments have proven willing to spend to draw projects too, offering hefty tax incentives to developers.

Stretches of old farmland north of Austin have been called Silicon Hills, as a number of technology companies have built their offices and data facilities there. In recent years, the area has attracted renewed interest for data centers to power growing demand for computer power fueled by the artificial intelligence boom.
Pacific Ag

The favorable completion of a major permitting milestone unlocks next steps in project development for Pacific Ag Renewables

Sunnyside Renewable Natural Gas Production Facility

Located on approximately 50 acres in the Port of Sunnyside Industrial Park in Washington State, Sunnyside RNG will produce approximately 900,000 MMBtu of RNG per year, enough to power roughly 90,000 homes.

SUNNYSIDE, Wash., Jan. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The proposed Sunnyside Renewable Natural Gas facility has completed the Washington State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) process, a comprehensive environmental assessment which includes input from relevant regulators and stakeholders including the Washington State Department of Ecology, City of Sunnyside and the local community. Based on the favorable conclusion of this process, Pacific Ag Renewables is moving the project forward.



Located on approximately 50 acres in the Port of Sunnyside Industrial Park, Sunnyside RNG will produce approximately 900,000 MMBtu of RNG per year, enough to power roughly 90,000 homes. Agricultural crop waste and dairy manure from local farmers will be collected and safely transported to the facility. There, the manure will be fed into a series of anaerobic digesters to capture methane that will be conditioned and upgraded prior to being injected into the interstate natural gas pipeline. Additionally, a byproduct of the process is an organic fertilizer that can replace the use of synthetic, petroleum-based fertilizers in the region.

This milestone reflects the significant efforts weve put into developing a plan to make sure the facility is safe, clean and in full compliance with all regulations and best practices, said Kipp Curtis, Sunnyside RNG Project Manager We absolutely will build and operate a plant that will make the Sunnyside community proud.

The facility will also help solve the challenges associated with dairy manure management by aggregating and processing the manure in sealed tanks (called digesters), which provides measurable environmental benefits by reducing odors and emissions while capturing methane. Sunnyside RNG will divert dairy manure that otherwise would enter lagoons and produce renewable natural gas that will replace fossil-based fuels for home heating and trucking fleets.

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Sunnyside RNG production represents an annual CO2 emissions reduction equivalent to removing 40,000 cars a year from the road. When fully operational, it will create approximately 30 full time employment positions with an annual estimated payroll of $2 million in addition to a dozen trucking jobs and another 26 indirect jobs (according to the Yakima County Development Association).

The core technology used in the facility is well-developed and tested. In the U.S. today there are over 2,400 operational biogas plants with 350 producing RNG for injection into the interstate pipeline with over 470 utilizing farm waste feedstocks. There are an estimated 150 RNG plants currently in development or construction across the U.S. with the potential for thousands more based on the volume of available low-carbon waste streams.

Groundbreaking could commence in the second quarter of 2024 with RNG production in mid-2025. A facility Fact Sheet is available at https://mdabit.co/sunnyside-en (English language version) and https://mdabit.co/sunnyside-es (Spanish language version).

About Pacific Ag Renewables

Sunnyside RNG is a project owned and operated by Pacific Ag Renewables (PAR), a company dedicated to decarbonizing large sectors of the economy by replacing fossil fuel inputs with renewable, low carbon feedstocks from agriculture. More information is available at https://pacificag.com/renewables/.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/07226fa1-765d-4d19-9a4d-f74f7d7a58b8

CONTACT: Media Contact John Williams, Scoville PR for Pacific Ag Renewables +1-206-660-5503, jwilliams@scovillepr.com




The nations tax filing season begins Monday, as the Internal Revenue Service starts accepting and processing 2023 federal tax returns. Taxpayers have until April 15 to file without an extension.

The IRS expects to receive nearly 130 million individual tax returns by the deadline, with more than 93% of those expected to be e-filed. You can file forms such as 1040, 1040A, and 1040EZ electronically or mail a paper return to the agency. But the fastest and easiest way to file and receive refunds is through electronic filing and direct deposit.

The IRS generally issues refunds within about three weeks after returns are electronically filed  even faster if you choose direct deposit instead of a mailed check.

The tax agency has been busy making improvements to its filing system after receiving funding from the Inflation Reduction Act. Taxpayers can now utilize new upgrades including enhanced digital correspondence, expanded in-person hours at Tax Assistance Centers, reduced wait times to IRS call centers, and an improved "Wheres My Refund?" tool.

"As our transformation efforts take hold, taxpayers will continue to see a marked improvement in IRS operations in the upcoming filing season," IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel said in a press release.

Here are other key dates during tax filing season you should know.

Full coverage: Taxes 2024  Everything you need to file your taxes on time

Wednesday, Jan. 31

Businesses and companies must provide W-2 forms to employees by Jan. 31, either electronically or by mail. Reach out to your employer if you dont receive a copy of your W-2 by early February. If your employer is not responsive, contact the IRS at 800-TAX-1040 for assistance.

Businesses and companies also must provide certain 1099 statements to recipients by Jan. 31, either electronically or by mail. The 1099 forms include:

1099-NEC for nonemployee compensation

1099-MISC for miscellaneous income

1099-DIV for dividends and distribution

1099-INT for interest income

1099-R for retirement distributions

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Reach out to your 1099 payers if you dont get your 1099 statements by early February, or call 800-TAX-1040 for assistance.

Thursday, Feb. 15

By law, the IRS must wait until after Feb. 15 to issue tax refunds for taxpayers who have claimed either the earned income tax credit (EITC) or the additional child tax credit (ACTC). If you claimed these credits, filed your return electronically, and selected direct deposit, the earliest you could expect your tax refund is around Feb. 27 as long as there was no issue with your return.

Additionally, companies must provide brokerage 1099 statements to recipients by Feb. 15, either electronically or by mail. These forms include 1099-B (brokerage statements) and 1099-S (real estate sale or exchange).

Friday, March 15

Partners and investors in partnerships should file their partnership return by this day. Partnership returns include Schedule K-1s, forms that show an individuals share of earnings, losses, and dividends. The Schedule K-1s are for the taxpayers to keep unless otherwise instructed, and taxable amounts are included in the taxpayers' returns as income.

Partnerships can request a six-month extension to file their tax returns. This request is separate from extensions on individual tax returns.

The nations tax filing season begins today, as the Internal Revenue Service starts accepting and processing 2023 federal tax returns. (Anna Blazhuk via Getty Images)

Monday, April 15

Tax Day!

For most Americans, this is the deadline for filing a tax return electronically, postmarking a paper return, or requesting an automatic extension. Maine and Massachusetts residents have until April 17 thanks to Patriots Day and Emancipation Day holidays.

If you need more time, you can file for an extension, by choosing the option online while making your tax payments or by mailing your payment in along with Form 4868. If you request an extension, you get six additional months to file your tax return, but you still must pay any estimated tax liability by April 15. Otherwise, you could face penalties.

You can also make 2023 contributions to a traditional IRA, Roth IRA, SEP IRA, Health Savings Accounting (HSA), or solo 401(k) by this date. You can also withdraw excess contributions if your tax return has not yet been filed.

Read more: 3 ways retirees can save on taxes

If you have more than $10,000 in a foreign bank account(s) at any time during the calendar year, you must file the Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts, or Form 114, by this date. If you had one or more household employees in 2023, you must file Schedule H and pay household employment taxes along with your 2023 tax return.

Taxpayers who make estimated payments should make their first installment for 2024 by April 15.

Monday, June 17

U.S. taxpayers living abroad, or on military duty outside of the US, should have filed their tax returns or requested a four-month automatic extension by this date. You can request the extension by making tax payments online or mailing your payment in along with Form 4868.

Taxpayers who make estimated payments should make their second installment for 2024 by this date.

Monday, Sept. 16

Partners and investors who requested a six-month extension to file their partnership return must file the return by this date. The partnership should also distribute Schedule K-1s to individuals by the time of filing.

Taxpayers who make estimated payments should make their third installment for 2024 by this day.

Tuesday, Oct. 15

If you requested a six-month extension, this is the final deadline to file your 2023 federal tax return. The deadline also applies to US taxpayers living abroad who requested the four-month extension.

This is also the deadline to make 2023 contributions to SEP IRA and solo 401(k) if the employer filed an extension by April 15.

Rebecca Chen is a reporter for Yahoo Finance and previously worked as an investment tax certified public accountant (CPA).

Click here for the latest personal finance news to help you with investing, paying off debt, buying a home, retirement, and more

Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance
WORCESTER  With tax season here, the Worcester Free Tax Service Coalition is launching its 21st year of working to make tax credits and preparation more accessible to low-income residents.

The coalition helps guide residents through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) grant program, where IRS-trained volunteers prepare tax returns for households that earn less than $64,000 annually, or that qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit.

The Worcester Community Action's Council's VITA program is open Tuesday through the April 15 tax deadline. Residents can book appointments on the Worcester Community Action's Council's website.

This year, the coalition is looking for more volunteers than ever before.

According to the coalition, it has helped return $44.5 million through its four locations through 29,000 returns filed over 21 years.

Residents can get connected with the VITA program at four locations in Worcester: The Worcester Community Action Council, 18 Chestnut St., Worcester State University, Plumley Village, 16 Laurel St. and Main South Community Development Corporation, 875 Main St.

The Worcester Community Action Council will also expand to events in Webster, Southbridge and Leicester.

At an event at the Worcester Community Action Council, coalition members discussed the benefits of the VITA program and Earned Income Tax Credit and how they can support funding for these programs in Washington, D.C.

Tim Garvin is president and CEO of the United Way of Central Massachusetts, which is part of the Worcester Free Tax Service Coalition.

"It is a builder of a more quality life," said Tim Garvin, president and CEO of the United Way of Central Massachusetts.

Tania Medina, a mortgage specialist at UniBank, is a VITA volunteer. She said UniBank sees the value in helping residents with VITA and the returns can mean a lot to cash-strapped families.

"This refund will be used to help maybe pay off some debt, or maybe make a purchase they've been waiting for, an important purchase, or maybe just simply it's a way to help families to give them a little bit of breathing room on their very tight budgets," Medina said.

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Garvin said coalition members can help U.S. Rep. James P. McGovern, D-Worcester, push for programs like the Earned Income Tax Credit by keeping his staff informed of all the ways they are used in Worcester.

Garvin added he likes to speak to Republicans and Democrats in Congress about funding, as he found Republicans tend to like the idea of giving tax money back and getting the government out of people's lives while Democrats like that the programs help the lowest-income taxpayers have more money.

Maydee Morales, director of the Worcester Community Action Council's resiliency center, said the coalition assisted in over 900 tax returns to 750 households last VITA season.

"The beauty about the VITA program is that we are right here within our community in this space and people continue to come year over year," Morales said.

Those community connections have allowed residents to build trusts with VITA volunteers, Morales said. In addition, the Worcester Community Action Council plans to have people on site to connect those seeking tax returns with other benefits they can qualify for.

Garvin added that serving as a VITA volunteer can help a college student develop skills that "pop off the page" of a resume.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Worcester Free Tax Service Coalition helping low-income filers
Abbas Ganbay

On January 28, a cultural action of Azerbaijanis living in this country was held on one of the central squares of the Czech capital Namesti Republika (Nam?sti Republiky), Azernews reports, citing Azertac.

The action aimed to draw public attention in this European country to the problem of Armenia's mine terror, the devastating consequences of the Armenian occupation in the territory of Azerbaijan, the double standards of several European states about Azerbaijan, and the hopes of the Western Azerbaijani Community. The action was initiated and organized by the Union of Czech Azerbaijanis.

The action was attended not only by representatives of the Azerbaijani Diaspora but also by Czech citizens who share our concerns.

Head of the organisation, Farid Amiraliyev, said in an interview with Azertac that Azerbaijanis living in the country through such actions inform both the Czech public and citizens of third countries living here about the injustice faced by our people during the years of occupation, which continues at present.

The participants in the action handed out booklets and leaflets to passersby on the square and answered their questions. Photos reflecting Armenia's mine terror, as well as the 30-year occupation, recently ended by the victorious army of Azerbaijan, were presented on easels.

Attempts by the Armenian Diaspora to have the action cancelled at Prague City Hall proved futile.
Assessing the Upcoming Dividend and Historical Performance of TXN

Texas Instruments Inc (NASDAQ:TXN) recently announced a dividend of $1.3 per share, payable on 2024-02-13, with the ex-dividend date set for 2024-01-30. As investors look forward to this upcoming payment, the spotlight also shines on the company's dividend history, yield, and growth rates. Using the data from GuruFocus, let's look into Texas Instruments Inc's dividend performance and assess its sustainability.

What Does Texas Instruments Inc Do?

Warning! GuruFocus has detected 8 Warning Signs with TXN.

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Dallas-based Texas Instruments generates over 95% of its revenue from semiconductors and the remainder from its well-known calculators. Texas Instruments is the world's largest maker of analog chips, which are used to process real-world signals such as sound and power. Texas Instruments also has a leading market share position in processors and microcontrollers used in a wide variety of electronics applications.

Texas Instruments Inc's Dividend Analysis

A Glimpse at Texas Instruments Inc's Dividend History

Texas Instruments Inc has maintained a consistent dividend payment record since 1985, with dividends currently distributed on a quarterly basis. Moreover, Texas Instruments Inc has increased its dividend each year since 1998, earning it the prestigious title of a dividend aristocrat. Below is a chart showing annual Dividends Per Share to track historical trends.

Texas Instruments Inc's Dividend Analysis

Breaking Down Texas Instruments Inc's Dividend Yield and Growth

Texas Instruments Inc currently has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 3.06% and a forward dividend yield of 3.17%, indicating an expectation of increased dividend payments over the next 12 months. Over the past three years, Texas Instruments Inc's annual dividend growth rate was 10.50%, which extends to 13.70% over a five-year horizon. Looking at the past decade, the annual dividends per share growth rate stands at an impressive 18.20%. The 5-year yield on cost for Texas Instruments Inc stock is approximately 5.81%.

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Texas Instruments Inc's Dividend Analysis

The Sustainability Question: Payout Ratio and Profitability

The dividend payout ratio is crucial for assessing the sustainability of a company's dividend. Texas Instruments Inc's dividend payout ratio is currently 0.71, which may suggest potential concerns regarding sustainability. However, Texas Instruments Inc's profitability rank is a robust 9 out of 10, indicating strong earnings relative to its peers. The company has also reported positive net income each year over the past decade, reinforcing its high profitability.

Growth Metrics: The Future Outlook

For dividends to be sustainable, a company must exhibit strong growth metrics. Texas Instruments Inc's growth rank of 9 out of 10 suggests a positive growth trajectory. However, Texas Instruments Inc's revenue growth rate of approximately 7.30% per year over the past three years underperforms 62.36% of global competitors. Its 3-year EPS growth rate of 4.50% per year also underperforms 72.52% of global competitors. Lastly, the 5-year EBITDA growth rate of 8.80% underperforms 67.97% of global competitors.

Next Steps for Investors

In conclusion, while Texas Instruments Inc's dividend payments and growth rates are commendable, the payout ratio and mixed growth metrics warrant a careful analysis of the dividend's sustainability. Investors should consider the company's high profitability rank and historical ability to generate net income as positive indicators. However, it is also essential to weigh these against the company's growth performance relative to its peers. For those seeking high-dividend yield opportunities, GuruFocus Premium offers a High Dividend Yield Screener to discover promising investments.

This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


'There's no playbook for this': This CEO cut employee salaries by 20% and implemented a 4-day workweek to avoid layoffs and save the company  here's what happened

See if you can follow this workplace math: 40 hours - 8 hours - 20% pay = 1.

Translation: For a Canadian purchasing software company, reducing an employees 40-hour work week by 8 hours, with a 20% pay cut, equaled one job saved.

That clever equation added up to another significant number: zero layoffs.

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Vancouver-based Procurify implemented the solution in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic under the direction of co-founder and CEO Aman Mann. You could file the creative move under walking the talk, as the software companys tagline is intelligent spend management.

"We built Procurify for the worst of times, not the best of times," Mann told Employee Benefit News. "Our philosophy has always been 'How do you help save jobs, protect your team and your company?'"

Solution feedback

It would be one thing if Mann, whose company dates to 2013, brought down the iron fist on his staff. Instead, he took the idea to employees to get their feedback before pulling the trigger.

It was a pretty unanimous yes across the board, except for one individual who couldnt be a part of that who chose to exit, Mann told CNBC.

Not that Mann wasnt cautious in his optimism: Theres no playbook for this.

Whatever that lone workers reason for leaving, they might be looking on with regret today. It took Procurify roughly three months to get back on solid ground, after which the companys budgets returned to normal  with everyones salary restored to 100%.

Read more: Retire richer  why people who work with a financial advisor retire with an extra $1.3 million

4-day workweek

But why stop there? Rather than return to a traditional five-day week, Procurify adopted the four-day workweek as permanent. Mann said he noticed how focused and energized the staff had become.

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The mindset of everyone just shifted, he said. It was such an amazing experience to see that and I decided, Well, were not going back.

Mann is hardly alone in adopting a shortened workweek to make his staff happier and more productive. In fact, its a movement with roots that trace back to an organization called 4 Day Week Global.

The company is the brainchild of Andrew Barnes, a successful New Zealand entrepreneur who theorized back in 2017 that a shortened week would have a positive impact on employees and his organization.

Barnes implemented a trial and it was deemed an unqualified success. Soon after, Barnes and Charlotte Lockhart co-founded and 4 Day Week Global in 2019 set out to see if the results could be replicated, with employees receiving 100% pay for 80% time worked with 100% productivity targets achieved.

Many four-day workweek trials have been conducted worldwide with the aid of 4 Day Week Global, yielding positive results. The not-for-profit welcomes companies to give the idea a go.

In the end, benevolent bosses such as Mann reinforce enlightening if hard-won lessons stemming from the pandemic. Its now conventional wisdom that employees prefer working at home or in a hybrid situation. A four-day workweek may not be far-fetched.

What to read next

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
(Reuters) -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.

(Reporting by Rishabh Jaiswal in Bengaluru, Editing by William Maclean, Clelia Oziel and David Gregorio)
(Bloomberg) -- The US wants cloud service providers such as Amazon.com Inc. and Microsoft Corp. to identify and actively investigate foreign clients developing artificial intelligence applications on their platforms, part of a widening tech conflict between Washington and Beijing.

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The Biden administration proposal, released Monday, requires the firms to reveal foreign customers names and IP addresses. Amazon and its peers, which include Alphabet Inc.s Google, would need to develop a process to collect those details and report any suspicious activity, according to draft rule published Sunday.

If implemented, Washington could use those requirements to choke off a major avenue through which Chinese firms may access the data centers and servers crucial to training and hosting AI. They also place the onus of collecting, storing and analyzing customer data on the cloud services, a burden not unlike strict know-your-customer rules that govern the financial industry.

One official at a major US cloud provider, who asked not to be identified discussing internal assessments, said that collecting detailed customer information is difficult and costly, and warned that US firms risk being at a disadvantage compared to foreign competitors who wouldnt face such requirements.

Fred Humphries, vice president of US government affairs at Microsoft, said in a statement that the company welcomes know-your-customer and cybersecurity requirements for AI infrastructure and looks forward to providing input on the draft rule. A representative for Amazon didnt respond to a request for comment, and a Google spokesperson declined to comment.

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Chinas development of AI and other next-generation technologies is a top concern for the Biden administration, which sees Beijing as its primary global strategic competitor.

Secretary Gina Raimondo said Friday that her team is focused on eradicating national security threats posed by AI development, an effort likely to focus on firms from China. Washington, which has already worked to constrain Beijings access to the most advanced semiconductors, wants to limit Chinese firms ability to develop AI with potential military capabilities.

These models getting in the hands of non-state actors or people that arent our allies is very dangerous, Raimondo said in Washington.

Read More: US Wants Cloud Firms to Report Foreign Users Building AI

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said at a regular press briefing in Beijing on Monday that the US should cooperate on AI, rather than decoupling, breaking chains and building fences.

President Joe Biden in October directed the Commerce Department to require cloud disclosures in an effort to detect foreign actors that might use AI to launch what the proposal dubs malicious cyber-enabled activities.

Specifically, the US seeks to help cloud providers address risks including fraud, theft, facilitation of terrorism, and other activities contrary to U.S. national security interests, the Commerce Department said in a Monday statement. The US is asking for comments on the proposed rule through April 29 before finalizing the regulation.

Read More: China Secretly Transforms Huawei Into Powerful Chip War Weapon

Commerce said it may provide an exception to the identification rules for the foreign subsidiaries of US cloud providers. It also referred to commenters so far whove pushed for the broadest possible definition of a US cloud service, adding it will clarify whether foreign subsidiaries fall under the rules.

Washington has tried to rein in Chinas advances by restricting chip exports to the country and sanctioning individual Chinese firms, but the countrys tech leaders have managed to make significant breakthroughs despite US curbs.

The US in October tightened its controls to capture more chips, equipment and geographies. One key update targeted Chinese-headquartered companies operating in more than 40 countries, an attempt to prevent those firms from using other nations as intermediaries to secure semiconductors they cant access at home.

Read More: Billionaires and Bureaucrats Mobilize China for AI Race With US

--With assistance from Dina Bass and Colum Murphy.

(Updates industry comment from fourth paragraph.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
We can readily understand why investors are attracted to unprofitable companies. For example, although software-as-a-service business Salesforce.com lost money for years while it grew recurring revenue, if you held shares since 2005, you'd have done very well indeed. But while the successes are well known, investors should not ignore the very many unprofitable companies that simply burn through all their cash and collapse.

Given this risk, we thought we'd take a look at whether Leading Edge Materials (CVE:LEM) shareholders should be worried about its cash burn. For the purposes of this article, cash burn is the annual rate at which an unprofitable company spends cash to fund its growth; its negative free cash flow. The first step is to compare its cash burn with its cash reserves, to give us its 'cash runway'.

Check out our latest analysis for Leading Edge Materials

Does Leading Edge Materials Have A Long Cash Runway?

You can calculate a company's cash runway by dividing the amount of cash it has by the rate at which it is spending that cash. In October 2023, Leading Edge Materials had CA$2.6m in cash, and was debt-free. In the last year, its cash burn was CA$2.6m. Therefore, from October 2023 it had roughly 12 months of cash runway. That's not too bad, but it's fair to say the end of the cash runway is in sight, unless cash burn reduces drastically. You can see how its cash balance has changed over time in the image below.

How Is Leading Edge Materials' Cash Burn Changing Over Time?

Because Leading Edge Materials isn't currently generating revenue, we consider it an early-stage business. Nonetheless, we can still examine its cash burn trajectory as part of our assessment of its cash burn situation. Over the last year its cash burn actually increased by 25%, which suggests that management are increasing investment in future growth, but not too quickly. However, the company's true cash runway will therefore be shorter than suggested above, if spending continues to increase. Leading Edge Materials makes us a little nervous due to its lack of substantial operating revenue. We prefer most of the stocks on this list of stocks that analysts expect to grow.

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Can Leading Edge Materials Raise More Cash Easily?

While Leading Edge Materials does have a solid cash runway, its cash burn trajectory may have some shareholders thinking ahead to when the company may need to raise more cash. Companies can raise capital through either debt or equity. One of the main advantages held by publicly listed companies is that they can sell shares to investors to raise cash and fund growth. We can compare a company's cash burn to its market capitalisation to get a sense for how many new shares a company would have to issue to fund one year's operations.

Since it has a market capitalisation of CA$29m, Leading Edge Materials' CA$2.6m in cash burn equates to about 8.9% of its market value. That's a low proportion, so we figure the company would be able to raise more cash to fund growth, with a little dilution, or even to simply borrow some money.

How Risky Is Leading Edge Materials' Cash Burn Situation?

Even though its increasing cash burn makes us a little nervous, we are compelled to mention that we thought Leading Edge Materials' cash burn relative to its market cap was relatively promising. We don't think its cash burn is particularly problematic, but after considering the range of factors in this article, we do think shareholders should be monitoring how it changes over time. On another note, Leading Edge Materials has 4 warning signs (and 2 which are significant) we think you should know about.

Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of companies insiders are buying, and this list of stocks growth stocks (according to analyst forecasts)

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Tension in the Middle East is causing chaos in key global shipping routes, which could alter the economics of of the region's top shippers. Shares of Zim Integrated Shipping Services (NYSE: ZIM) are up 10% as of 10 a.m. ET Monday after an analyst said "the script has flipped" for the once-challenged company.

Rough geopolitical seas are changing the narrative around shippers

2023 was shaping up to be a tough year for global shipping companies, with concerns about the economy worldwide and a post-pandemic demand boomerang weighing on volumes and pricing. Investors were worried, sending shares of Israeli shipping specialist Zim Integrated down about 75% from their March highs on concerns the company would struggle to manage its debt.

But geopolitical events have altered the situation significantly. Attacks on Red Sea shipping lanes by groups based in Yemen are having a major impact on operations, causing shipping rates to skyrocket higher.

The shift has caused Jefferies to change its view on Zim shares, with the bank upgrading the stock to buy from hold and raising its price target to $20 from $14. Zim Integrated has moved from a cash burn situation to becoming a "significant" cash generation story, according to Jefferies. With Red Sea diversions likely to continue for an extended period, capacity will probably remain tight and rates should stay high for the foreseeable future, in Jefferies' view.

Is Zim Integrated a buy heading into 2024?

Zim Integrated is reliant on spot rates, not long-term contracts. As the past year has shown, that leaves the stock vulnerable to spikes higher and lower based on demand.

For investors who understand and can stomach the inherent volatility of the model, there could be an opportunity here if geopolitical tensions remain high in the region. But investors buying in now need to be mindful that it is really hard to predict the future, and that the geopolitical tension fueling the rise in shipping rates could shift on a moment's notice.

Story continues

Those with a long-term focus would be wise to stay away from Zim.

Should you invest $1,000 in Zim Integrated Shipping Services right now?

Before you buy stock in Zim Integrated Shipping Services, 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 Zim Integrated Shipping Services wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.

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*Stock Advisor returns as of January 29, 2024

Lou Whiteman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Jefferies Financial Group. The Motley Fool recommends Zim Integrated Shipping Services. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Why Zim Integrated Shipping Stock Is Cruising Higher Today was originally published by The Motley Fool
The World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, has come under scrutiny again for the apparent contradiction between its focus on climate change and the extensive use of private jets by attendees.

Every year, thousands of jets fly into surrounding airports to attend the World Economic Forum at Davos. Once these ultra-wealthy individuals land, they're often transported from the Zurich airport and other surrounding airfields via private helicopters or comically large motorcades. Top leaders, billionaires and elites sit behind closed doors and discuss, among other things, reducing climate emissions and becoming carbon neutral.

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This year, the Zurich Airport noted, "As in previous years, a total of around 1,000 additional flight movements are expected during this period." Several videos, pictures and reports have emerged on social media showing lines of private jets flying in for the event, although its unclear whether these were from past years. It's also unclear the exact impact the event had on carbon emissions, but the Zurich Airport seemingly expected a consistent amount of travel increase for the event year over year.

A study commissioned by Greenpeace and conducted by the Dutch environmental consultancy CE Delft revealed a significant increase in private jet emissions during the 2022 WEF meeting.

In 2023, the number of private jet flights to and from airports serving Davos doubled compared to average weeks, leading to CO2 emissions equivalent to 350,000 average cars in the same period. Of these flights, 53% were short-haul trips below 750 kilometers (466 miles), distances that could have been covered by train or car, with 38% being ultra-short trips of under 500 km. The shortest flight recorded was just 21 km.

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About 1 in 10 attendees flew to the World Economic Forum's annual meeting last year, quadrupling the local carbon emissions typically seen in the Davos area.

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The increase in private jet use, particularly for such short distances, raises questions about the commitment of WEF participants to addressing climate change. The World Economic Forum emphasizes environmental threats in its Global Risks Report and advocates for comprehensive climate actions in line with the Paris Agreement. However, the choice of private jets as a mode of transport by attendees, despite their high polluting impact, has been criticized as counterproductive and hypocritical.

Argentina President Javier Millei was praised for taking a commercial flight to the meeting. At the meeting, Millei gave a scathing speech to the audience, which was later praised by Elon Musk on X. The president said, "Those who are supposed to defend the values of the West have been co-opted by a vision of the world that inexorably leads to socialism and therefore to poverty.

In response to these concerns, some European countries, led by France, have started advocating for EU-wide regulation of private jet emissions. Private jets are known to be significantly more polluting than commercial planes and trains on a per-passenger kilometer basis. For instance, private jets are about 10 times more polluting than commercial planes per passenger and 50 times more polluting than trains.

The situation has sparked a broader debate about the environmental impact of private jet travel and the role of high-profile events like the WEF in addressing climate change effectively and equitably.

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This article World Economic Forum Again Slammed For Lecturing Everyday Citizens About Climate Change As Attendees Flew to Davos In Private Jets originally appeared on Benzinga.com

 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has received a delegation led by Hulusi Akar, the Deputy of the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye, Chairman of the Committee on National Defense of the Parliament, and former Minister of National Defense of the Republic of Turkiye.

Hulusi Akar conveyed President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan`s greetings to the head of state.

President Ilham Aliyev thanked for the greetings, and asked Hulusi Akar to communicate his greetings to the President of Turkiye.

Hulusi Akar noted that the friendly and brotherly relations between Azerbaijan and Turkiye are developing under the principle of One nation, two states as stated by Great Leader Heydar Aliyev, describing it as an exemplary model. He highlighted the pivotal role played by the friendly and fraternal relations between President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan in reaching a level of strategic alliance between the two countries.

Hulusi Akar once again commended President, Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev for his exceptional role in Azerbaijan`s Victory in the Patriotic War.

President Ilham Aliyev once again praised the moral, political and diplomatic support provided by Recep Tayyip Erdogan and brotherly Turkiye to Azerbaijan from the initial days of the 44-day Patriotic War.

They emphasized the eradication of illegal armed groups and aggressive separatism in Azerbaijan`s territory during the anti-terrorism measures implemented by Azerbaijan in less than 23 hours on September 19-20 last year, which led to the full restoration of the country`s sovereignty.

The head of state said that even after the 44-day Patriotic War, new reforms were implemented in the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan, strengthening the combat capability of the country`s Army, as evidenced by the anti-terrorism measures conducted last September.

During the conversation, they hailed the development of cooperation within the Organization of Turkic States, covering new areas, and stressed the importance of establishing relations through parliamentary channels of this organization at the level of relevant committees, as well as holding joint meetings of these committees.

The sides also underscored the significance of the Shusha Declaration, exchanged views on cooperation between Azerbaijan and Turkiye in military, defense industry, security, interparliamentary ties and other domains, emphasizing the importance of joint military exercises conducted by the armed forces of both countries.

Hulusi Akar then presented a keepsake to the head of state.
For decades, tobacco stocks were the cream of the crop when it came to investment performance. Despite years and years of volume declines in the United States and other markets, sellers of cigarettes had two things going for them that enabled their stocks to crush the market: global population growth and pricing power. This enabled the companies to deliver consistent earnings growth and return capital to shareholders with fat dividends.

The 2010s and 2020s have not been nearly as kind to these stocks. For example, industry leader British American Tobacco (NYSE: BTI) has posted a total return of just 6% over the last 10 years. The S&P 500 is up 230% over that same period.

BTI Total Return Level Chart

But perhaps investors are getting too bearish on British American Tobacco. Its valuation is close to an all-time low, and its dividend yield is pushing to new highs as shares keep falling. If you look at its underlying business, the financial results look fine too. Does that make British American Tobacco a safe dividend stock for investors in 2024? I think it might. Here's why.

United States volume declines, still growing revenue

British American Tobacco owns storied cigarette brands such as Camel, Lucky Strike, and American Spirit. These brands have struggled in one of the company's most important markets -- the United States -- with revenue down 7.4% year-over-year in the first half of 2023. This decline comes despite some hefty price increases. Investors have become worried about the highly profitable U.S. market, and they're likely wondering whether these steep declines will continue over the next few years.

Despite these troubles, British American Tobacco's overall cigarette revenue grew in the first half of 2023. How? Its non-U.S. segments posted mid- to high-single-digit revenue growth in the period. The overall cigarette segment only grew revenue 0.2%, so investors shouldn't expect much growth from this segment in the coming years.

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Cigarettes and these legacy brands make up the vast majority of British American Tobacco's earnings power. In 2022, the company generated around $10 billion in free cash flow, using the current exchange rate of the U.S. dollar and British Pound. Even if the cigarette business doesn't grow from here, it should still be able to generate significant amounts of cash flow for the parent company each year.

New categories will contribute to profitability

If the trend of the last few decades continues, cigarette usage will only decline further around the globe. A terminally shrinking business is not ideal, and this reality has many investors worried about the future of these tobacco companies.

However, British American Tobacco has a plan to move beyond cigarettes, and it is executing quite well with its vision. There are three product categories (oral nicotine pouches, nicotine vapor, and heat-not-burn tobacco devices) British American Tobacco is investing in around the world, which has led to some explosive revenue growth for what it calls "New Categories."

Since 2019, new categories revenue has grown at an annual rate of 33%, hitting over $4 billion in trailing twelve-month revenue through the first half of 2023. Importantly, this segment has been a drag on profitability as the company spends heavily to increase its distribution around the world. Now, with increasing scale, this is starting to change with management guiding for the segment to break even in 2023. With similar unit economics to the legacy cigarette business, new categories should start generating significant profits for British American Tobacco in the second half of this decade.

Is the dividend payout sustainable?

At today's stock price of about $30, British American Tobacco has a dividend yield approaching 10%. With shares down 56% since the beginning of 2018, there's clearly pessimism around British American Tobacco stock and its ability to fulfill its dividend obligations.

I think these concerns are overblown. In 2022, British American Tobacco had close to $4 billion in free cash flow remaining after fulfilling its dividend payout. Yes, a lot of this went to paying down debt, which is something the company will need to continue doing over the next few years. But its business is still generating plenty of cash to both pay down debt and return cash to shareholders through dividends.

Investors should remember that new categories will go from a drag on free cash flow to a cash generator in the next few years. British American Tobacco may not be firing on all cylinders, but at current prices, it looks like a great stock for investors seeking generous and reliable dividend income.

Should you invest $1,000 in British American Tobacco P.l.c. right now?

Before you buy stock in British American Tobacco P.l.c., consider this:

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Brett Schafer has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends British American Tobacco P.l.c. and recommends the following options: long January 2026 $40 calls on British American Tobacco P.l.c. and short January 2026 $40 puts on British American Tobacco P.l.c. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Yielding Close to 10%, Is This Tobacco Stock Safe for Dividend Investors in 2024? was originally published by The Motley Fool
Two Lincoln correctional officers suffered concussions after inmates assaulted them last week, according to a Nebraska Department of Corrections news release.

On Wednesday, a corrections officer went inside an inmate housing unit to escort an inmate to a holding cell at the Reception and Treatment Center, when the inmate began punching the staff member in the head. The officer was taken to a local hospital and was diagnosed with a concussion, according to the news release.

A different staff member was assaulted on Thursday at the Nebraska State Penitentiary. An inmate was suspected of having contraband and ignored orders from corrections officers. The inmate started punching and kneeing multiple officers. One staff member fell during the incident and sustained a concussion.

An investigation is ongoing into both incidents. Findings will be provided to the Lancaster County Attorney's Office for potential criminal prosecution.

Top Journal Star photos for January 2024
The Colorado Springs mother accused of killing two of her children and injuring a third before leaving the United States to the U.K., appeared in a London court on Monday, according to Gazette news partner KOAA.

Kimberlee Singler faces multiple counts of first-degree murder, attempted murder, and child abuse after the incident on Dec. 19.

Singler claims the events happened during a burglary, but Colorado authorities have dismissed that notion, according to the report.

This court case is the beginning of what is expected to be a long extradition process.

In the hearing, Singler was asked to confirm details such as her identity, and date of birth.

The judge has postponed the next hearing until, Feb. 26.

Authorities believe the formal extradition paperwork filed by the United States will arrive by this date, so they can begin the process to extradite Singler back to Colorado Springs to face the charges.

Read more at koaa.com.

BACKGROUND ON THE CASE

After more than a month following the murders of two Colorado Springs children, more questions than answers remain regarding extradition of the mother and prime suspect, Kimberlee Singler, back to U.S. soil.

Singler is believed to have fled to the United Kingdom following accusations that she committed the murders.

Early on Dec. 19, officials with the Colorado Springs Police Department received reports of a violent burglary at the Palomino Ranch condominium complex. Officers discovered Singler and her 11-year-old child with minor injuries. Her two other children, 9-year-old daughter, Elianna "Ellie" Wentz, and 7-year-old son, Aden Wentz, were found dead, according to previous reports by The Gazette.

Detectives with the police departments homicide unit say they discovered evidence that the claims of a burglary at the residence were unfound. For investigators, Singler went from being a presumed victim to a suspect.

On Dec. 26, the department announced an active arrest warrant for Singler, who they say was last seen on Dec. 23. A week later, U.K. authorities in London arrested Singler on 10 charges listed in the arrest warrant released by CSPD, including two counts of murder in the first degree, multiple charges of child abuse and assault.

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Singler, who is now in custody in the United Kingdom, is now caught up in extradition proceedings as U.S. authorities seek to bring her back to Colorado Springs to face murder charges.

According to the U.S. Justice Departments Criminal Division, extradition between the U.S. and the U.K. is controlled by a treaty between the two countries signed in 2003. The extradition process laid out in that treaty includes multiple factors that could affect Singlers case back in Colorado Springs, and the timeline of her return.

The process

The DOJs website states the extradition process is typically comprised of a judicial phase and an executive phase. The judicial phase begins at the time the suspect is found and arrested in the requested country.

During the judicial phase, a court will determine whether the extradition request meets the requirements of the applicable extradition treaty and the law of the requested country, according to the DOJ.

If it is decided that Singler can be extradited by a judicial authority, the case then enters the executive phase in which an executive government authority of the U.K. will determine whether they will surrender Singler for extradition.

Troy Eid, who supervised numerous international extraditions during his time as U.S. Attorney for Colorado, said he expects the process would take months before Singler is returned to Colorado to face charges. He stressed that the British legal system will hold her in custody until an agreement can be reached, but he is certain that she will be returned to the U.S. unless there is misconduct on the part of the 4th Judicial District and added that there is no evidence of that.

Additionally, Singlers mental health remains of question and is a possible factor to impact the extradition process ahead.

U.K. courts have blocked extradition to the U.S. in the past, citing mental health, and the inability of the U.S. corrections system to properly treat those suffering from mental and physical illness while incarcerated.

In February 2018, British hacker Lauri Love won his U.S. extradition case after his lawyers argued it would be unjust and oppressive, to send Love to the U.S. to face trial, citing Loves diagnosed Asperger syndrome and depressive illness as a potential risk to fair trial and treatment, The Associated Press reports.

Singler will also have multiple opportunities to appeal during the extradition process, painting a potentially lengthy judicial process ahead.

Questions remain as to why Singler fled to the U.K. in the first place. If, for instance, she holds British citizenship, Eid said she will be treated differently by the extradition court.

Many of the unanswered questions in the case will not be answered at this first hearing Jan. 29 before the English judicial branch. Instead, Eid said, expect Singlers first appearance to be an advisement of charges.

According to 4th Judicial District spokesperson Kate Singh, Singler will appear in the court in El Paso County following her return to the U.S. at the end of the extradition process.

No official charges have been filed with the District Attorneys Office, and Singlers extradition is based on the arrest warrant filed by CSPD.
Just after midnight on Dec. 19, 2023, Colorado Springs police responded to a 911 call for a burglary from 35-year-old Kimberlee Singler. Once at her residence, officers found two of Singlers children, ages 7 and 9, dead and a third, age 11, injured. Singler was also wounded. She and her surviving child were treated by the Colorado Springs Fire Department and American Medical Response and taken to area hospitals, according to a police news release.

Sometime between Dec. 23 and Dec. 26, Singler fled to the United Kingdom.

She was arrested in a hotel room there and is currently in custody awaiting extradition to Colorado. Her next court hearing is Monday at the Westminster Magistrates Court in London. According to its website, all extradition and terrorism-related cases pass through this court.

Singler has been charged with:

Two counts of first-degree murder  after deliberation.

Two counts of first-degree murder  children under the age of 12 by a person in a position of trust.

Two counts of child abuse resulting in death.

One count of attempted first-degree murder  after deliberation.

One count of attempted first-degree murder  child under the age of 12 by a person in a position of trust.

One count of child abuse resulting in serious bodily injury.

One count of first- degree assault.

Though information into the ongoing investigation is limited, the following is a timeline compiled by The Denver Gazette of important dates leading up to the killing and assaults with which Singler has been charged. The following timeline is based on news releases from the Colorado Springs police department, Singlers ex-husband, Kevin Wentzs attorneys cross-referenced by The Denver Gazette with Larimer County court documents and from the Westminster Magistrates Court website.

The arrest affidavit in the case is sealed pending extradition.

TIMELINE

June 4, 2011

Kimberlee Singler and Kevin Wentz were married in Greeley.

April 2012

The couples first child was born.

April 2014

The couples second child was born.

July 2016

The couples third child was born

April 7, 2018

Kimberlee and Kevin Wentz filed for divorce.

Sept. 18, 2018

The divorce of Kimberlee Singler and Kevin Wentz becomes contentious involving allegations from Singler of child abuse and domestic violence. These accusations coincide with Wentzs parenting time, according to statement from Wentz, which he denied. After hearing testimony, the Larimer County Court did not find the allegations to be credible, according to Wentzs release.

In Sept. 2018, the couple were ending the first summer after their divorce and the ages of their three children were 6, 4 and 2-years-old.

Sometime Jan. 2023

In a citation for contempt of court filed by Singler in July 2023, she states that she and the three children were evicted from their home six months earlier in January due to what she said was Wentzs failure to pay money he owed her including child support and spousal maintenance.

Sept. 8, 2023 When Wentz arrived to pick up the three children from Singlers home on Palimino Ranch in Colorado Springs for a weekend visitation, Singler said in protective order, that he brandished a medium-sized kitchen knife with a yellow handle.

Sept. 14, 2023

Three months before two of the children are found dead and one injured.

Singler applied for and is granted a Temporary Protection Order in El Paso County, based on the alleged knife incident.

It may be important to note that it appears that in all of Singlers court motions, she represented herself. No attorney is listed.

She explained in the Sept. 14 court document that she was a victim of domestic abuse. She went on to say that Wentz was seeking sole physical custody and sole decision-making regarding their three children, who are now 11, 7 and 9 years-old.

In a Motion to Dismiss, Wentz denied that he ever brandished a knife and requested a hearing as to whether a permanent protection order would be granted. That hearing was scheduled for Jan. 24, 2024, according to Wentzs news release.

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Nov. 17, 2023

A hearing is held in Larimer County Court on an Emergency Motion to Restrict Parenting Time filed by Singler, related to the knife-brandishing incident, a Wentz news release stated.

The court found that there was no imminent threat, rescinded the order to limit parenting time and awarded Wentz amended time with the children which was lost during Singlers allegations.

The children are to have family time with Wentz during two periods: Nov. 19-26 and Dec. 16-31, the news release stated.

The next court hearing was scheduled for Jan. 11, 2024, according to Wentzs news release, in relation to a contempt motion regarding allegations that Singler did not follow parenting time orders. Another hearing was scheduled for Jan. 18, 2024 on a Motion to Modify Parenting Time.

Nov. 18, 2023

Night before ordered visitation.

According to a motion filed in Larimer County Court by Wentz, Singler claimed the children were ill and could not be delivered on Nov. 19 for the scheduled parenting time with Wentz. She agreed to a Nov. 21 date for his parental visitation.

Dec. 16, 2023

Two days before police believe the attack occurred.

Kimberlee Singler fails to show up at a designated police station with the three children for ordered parenting time with Wentz, his news release states. Wentz and his attorneys attempts to contact Singler are ignored.

Court documents obtained by The Denver Gazette show that she claimed to have taken the children to Breckenridge that day as their paternal aunt waited at the police department to pick them up.

Dec. 18, 2023

Wentz files an emergency motion for law enforcement to assist in enforcing parenting time, according to the Wentz news release. A status conference which requires Singler and the children to appear in person is set for Dec. 20 at 1:30 pm. That day, a Larimer County Clerk left a voicemail on Singlers phone to advise her of the order, the news release stated.

Colorado Springs police later say they believe that the two children were killed that day by Kimberlee Singler and that they believed she injured herself and a third child.

Dec. 19, 2023

At approximately 12:29 a.m., the Colorado Springs Police Communication Center received a 911 call for a burglary in the 5300 block of Palomino Ranch Point. When Colorado Springs police who arrived on the scene found two children, a 9-year-old girl and 7-year-old boy, deceased and an adult female and 11-year-old female who had survived but were suffering from injuries. The surviving adult and child were treated and sent to the hospital.

Also on Dec. 19, a GoFundMe was set up to offset funeral costs for the children and to help with costs associated with the care of the surviving child.

Dec. 20, 2023

On the day which the courts had scheduled a status conference, Kimberlee Singler goes to a computer in an undisclosed library and, representing herself as legal counsel, files a motion to postpone the conference for at least 10 days. In the motion obtained by The Denver Gazette, she described her injuries as laceration to her wrists and neck. I am weak and in a great deal of pain and I will require further medical treatment. She added that she also needed time to heal and to grieve the loss of her children.

Dec. 23, 2023

The last time Singler was seen in the United States, Colorado Springs police report in a news release.

Dec. 26, 2023

Investigators established probable cause and obtained an arrest warrant for Kimberlee Singler on suspicions of the 10 charges listed above, according to a Colorado Springs Police Department memo. The court sets a $10 million bond. The Colorado Violent Offender Fugitive Task Force launches effort to locate Singler.

Dec. 30, 2023

Two weeks after the murders.

Kimberlee Singler was taken into custody in the United Kingdom without incident, police said in a news release.

Jan. 1, 2024

Singler has first court appearance at the Westminster Magistrates Court, according to Sky News.

Jan. 2, 2024

In a motion filed with the Larimer County Court, Wentz said he learned that through a petition that was filed with the Department that Kimberlee had told police that he was the intruder that had entered their home. Colorado Springs police said that Wentz had nothing to do with the murder of the children according to the Jan. 2 motion.

First week of January 2024

Funerals were scheduled for the 7-year-old and 9-year-old children of Singler and Wentz.

Jan. 29, 2024

Singler is scheduled to return to the Westminster Magistrates Court as the extradition process continues. Legal observers predict that she wont set foot on Colorado soil for months. If the extradition is approved, she will immediately face 10 counts filed by the 4th Judicial District including two charges of first degree murder and another of attempted murder in what Colorado Springs police believe were attacks on her own children.

Denver Gazette reporter Mary Shinn contributed to this report.
Wanted

Pikes Peak Area Crime Stoppers is asking for the publics help finding the following people for whom felony arrest warrants have been issued.

David Raymond Flores  age 41, 5 feet, 7 inches tall, 180 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes, sought on suspicion of assault 2-strangulation, harassment and violation of protection order.

David Ellwood McRea  age 34, 6 feet, 2 inches tall, 205 pounds, with brown eyes, sought on suspicion of felony menacing, harassment and criminal mischief.

Angelica Marie Morales  age 20, 5 feet, 2 inches tall, 164 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. She is sought on suspicion of sex assault.

Kiara Rhea Powers  age 23, 5 feet, 5 inches tall, 170 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. She is sought on suspicion of accessory, assault 2-peace officer, obstruction peace officer, resisting arrest, vehicular eluding, criminal mischief, criminal impersonation, theft, identity theft, controlled substance, motor vehicle theft, assault 3, driving under the influence, leaving scene of accident and reckless driving.

Daniel Orlando Quintana  age 32, 5 feet, 6 inches tall, 165 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes, sought on suspicion of assault 2-strangulation, burglary 1, trespass 1, criminal mischief of violation of protection order.

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Yoel Aleman Rodriquez  age 47, 6 feet, 1 inch tall, 260 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes, sought on suspicion of attempted murder 2, assault 1, commercial vehicle safety violation, drivers license-driving outside class.

Christopher Thomas Wohltman  age 38, 5 feet, 10 inches tall, 170 pounds, with blond hair and blue eyes, sought on suspicion of burglary 1, aggravated robbery and kidnapping 2.

Remain anonymous

If you have information about these fugitives or a serious crime, call Crime Stoppers at 719-634-7867.

You do not have to give your name, and you could earn a reward of as much as $1,000 for information given to Crime Stoppers.

A list of featured fugitives wanted in the Pikes Peak region is on the Crime Stoppers website: crimestop.net.

The people with the following Crime Stoppers numbers need to call 719-444-7866: 277-C24744, 277-C23950, 277-C24819, 277-M25111, 277-M25081, 277-C24964, 277-C24964.
A Niche score, a GreatSchools star rating, a U.S. News & World Reports ranking. A quick online search of any Colorado Springs school will come up with popular sites dedicated to giving a picture of that school's quality.

Often driven by statewide test score data, these snap shot profiles might not give parents the whole picture of a school and whether their student would be a good fit.

Here are a few other ways to get the whole picture on a prospective school.

Test scores

Test scores are not everything when it comes to the quality of education at a K-12 school, but they are often the easiest-to-find indicator for parents and guardians researching a prospective school in the Colorado Springs area.

One of the most common data points used is the Colorado Measures of Academic Success, a statewide achievement assessment. Students in grades 3 through 8 take annual CMAS tests in math and English language arts. Students in fifth, eighth and 11th grades take CMAS science assessments.

CMAS scores are available for each school on the Colorado Department of Education's website, and many online school ranking sites use state testing data to make their comparisons.

Director of Student Success Kolleen Johnson at Manitou Springs School in District 14 said she cautions against paying too much attention to state testing alone. She said that's because CMAS testing starts at grade 3 and only covers certain topics, asking specific questions about a school's local achievement assessments can help provide better information on the things that will matter to a specific student.

She said that some local schools participate in other assessments throughout the year, such as I-Ready, DIBELS literacy assessments and testing through the Northwest Evaluation Association. Information about those scores can often be obtained from prospective schools directly.

"If you're at an elementary school," she said, "ask about, you know, what are your early reading literacy scores? Do you do a local assessment?"

Other numbers to look out for

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While a Niche score might be an easy way to check out a school, District 20 spokesperson Allison Cortez said that looking at achievement data directly from the CDE website is worth the trouble for parents wanting to learn more than what might be contained on a third-party website.

"It can be a lot to go through," she said. "But if youre looking at a specific district, you can narrow it down."

Cortez says that one important number to look at is growth. Available on the CDE website's snap shot for each school, growth shows how well students improve year to year in in certain subjects, not just the average test scores from the past testing period for each grade level.

"Growth is so important, because it's about how all students are growing, how individual students are growing," she said.

Other numbers to look out for: teacher retention rates, student attendance rates, graduation rates and how many students go on to post secondary-education, according to Johnson.

"Some of those are achievement data thats maybe part of ... broader conversations that I think are incredibly important," she said.

The intangibles

Ultimately, Johnson says parents should be on the lookout for "what is a good fit for your child, for your child's whole self."

She recommends reaching out to a specific school to learn more about offerings and about general culture created by staff and students. She said that District 14 offers "shadow days" so that students can come and spend a day at a school to get a feel for the peer culture.

Cortez says that asking a school questions that cannot be answered with Department of Education data is an important part of the process of researching a school.

"Start at CDE but also ask schools how else are they measuring growth outside of CMAS (scores)," she said. "What else are they paying attention to? That would be an important question for me as a parent."
Abbas Ganbay

Jennifer Morgan, special representative of the German Federal Foreign Office for International Climate Policy, told reporters in Baku that Azerbaijan has assumed a great role in hosting COP29, Azernews reports.

"We congratulate Azerbaijan on holding this event. This year has been one of the warmest periods in history," she noted.

Morgan emphasised that the Paris Agreement promotes multilateral cooperation.

"One of the directions within the framework of this agreement is adaptation to climate change. And the other track concerns the financial sphere. Many countries around the world have set a goal to reach zero emissions by 2050. We hope that Azerbaijan will also achieve this goal by mid-century," the special envoy added.

The special representative of the German Federal Foreign Office added that an important topic of COP29 is financing.

"It is also necessary to make changes in the financial system. It is necessary to move from financing fossil fuel projects to renewable energy sources," she said.

Special Representative Jennifer Morgan also noted that Germany is ready to work with Azerbaijan within COP29.

"The success of COP conferences is their inclusiveness. NGOs and civil society actively participate in these events. The participation of the private sector within the framework of this conference is of great significance," she noted.

Jennifer Morgan added that developed countries are committed to playing an active role in climate finance, and Germany is committed to taking leadership on this issue.

The Special Representative noted the importance of the Green Climate Fund as well as the Loss and Damage Fund.

"We take this issue very seriously. Germany can share with Azerbaijan its experience in water management," Jennifer Morgan added.
Spanish Defense and Foreign Ministers Margarita Robles and Jose Manuel Albares disagreed over the kingdom's participation in the European mission to ensure the safety of navigation in the Red Sea, Azernews reports, citing foreign mass media.



The head of the defense department made it clear that Madrid would not participate in the operation. In turn, as Albares stated, Spain does not plan to do this, but this does not mean that the situation will not change in the future.

The media draws attention to the lack of coordination between departments and the different positions of ministers in front of one of the most serious military tasks the EU has ever faced.

As noted, the Spanish Defense Ministry considers the situation in the Red Sea to be very dangerous with a high risk of escalation, and the European mission has not yet been sufficiently designated.

The Foreign Ministry advocated in some way to help ensure the safety of navigation in the Red Sea.

Earlier, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez did not rule out that Madrid could send liaison officers to participate in a military operation conducted by the US-led coalition in the Red Sea. Nevertheless, the sources of the publication in the Ministry of Defense rejected such a possibility.
For the first time in at least 100 years, voters in three of Colorado's congressional districts can count on sending someone new to Washington after this year's election.
Xi urges China, France to jointly open up path of peace, progress for human development

Xinhua) 08:00, January 29, 2024

BEIJING, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- 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, Chinese President Xi Jinping said here on Saturday.

Xi made the remarks as he exchanged congratulations with his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, on the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

China and France broke the ice of the Cold War and crossed the divide between different blocs to establish diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level 60 years ago, Xi noted, adding that this historical event has pushed the global landscape to evolve in the right direction of dialogue and cooperation, which still offers inspirations for today.

Over the past 60 years, the two countries have adhered to making strategic choices independent of external influence, and have always been committed to achieving common development through mutually beneficial cooperation, promoting mutual learning among civilizations through exchanges on an equal footing, and jointly addressing global challenges through multilateral coordination, Xi said.

There is more than one "first" and fruitful accomplishments concerning China-France relations, which have not only benefited the people of both countries, but also played a vital role in maintaining global peace and stability, promoting multi-polarization of the world, and advancing the democratization of international relations, Xi said.

Facing the question of the times and of history on where the world should be headed, China and France, both as independent major countries and permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, should stay true to the original aspiration of establishing diplomatic relations, shoulder their responsibility, undertake their mission, and jointly open up a path of peace, security, prosperity and progress for human development, he said.

Attaching great importance to the development of bilateral ties, Xi said 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, so as to further contribute to improving the well-being of the two peoples and of humanity.

Macron, in his congratulatory message, stated that the establishment of diplomatic relations between France and China 60 years ago was a visionary and historic decision.

In the face of unprecedented global challenges today, cooperation between France and China, as well as between Europe and China, is more crucial than ever in search of common solutions for global challenges, he added.

The year 2023 witnessed a comprehensive revitalization of France-China relations, and in 2024, cooperation between the two nations is expected to be further enhanced, he noted.

Macron said he looks forward to working with President Xi to promote bilateral economic, cultural, and youth exchanges, strengthen communication and coordination on global issues, and continually deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership between France and China so that both sides can infuse renewed vitality into bilateral relations for the next 60 years.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
The US base, Tower 22, was attacked by a UAV by Iran-backed militant groups at the Syria-Iraq-Jordan triangle, which is located very close to the Al-Tanf, a base within Syrian territory, Azernews reports, citing Anadolu Agency.

Anadolu correspondents compiled information about Tower 22, where an attack was carried out against US forces. Located at the northeastern tip of Jordan, strategically important Tower 22 is situated on the border with Syria and Iraq.

The US base in Jordan is used to provide logistical support to some opposition groups in Al-Tanf within Syria and to other US bases in the north to counter Iran's activities in the region.

The base includes hundreds of US troops, as well as attack, transport, and training helicopters and armored military vehicles.

Tower 22, which is not well-known and gained attention due to its proximity to the Al-Tanf base, was established under the name "Fight against Daesh" by the US-led international coalition forces in 2016.

The US conducts intelligence activities from the Al-Tanf base to limit Iran's military activities supporting the Syrian regime. Tower 22 aims to protect the Al-Tanf base from within the borders of Jordan.

There is a 22-kilometer distance between Tower 22 in Jordan and the Al-Tanf base in Syria.

While it is known that there are about 200 US soldiers in the Al-Tanf base, there is no precise data on the number of US soldiers stationed at Tower 22.

The US, with surveillance balloons removed from the expanded Al-Tanf base in 2017 and 2018, monitors the military activities of Iran-supported groups in the hundreds of kilometers between the Jordanian border and the Euphrates River.

From the Al-Tanf base, logistical support materials are delivered by air through Jordan to other US bases in areas occupied by the PKK/YPG terrorist organization in Syria.

Al-Tanf base, occasionally subject to attacks by Iran-supported groups, includes not only heavy weapons but also helicopter runways.

As part of a program, the Free Syrian Army, a US-backed Syrian opposition group, frequently receives military training at the Al-Tanf base.

The base has seven buildings belonging to US soldiers, three hangars for camouflaging and protecting surveillance balloons, and soldiers from the UK, France, and the Netherlands are also stationed there.

Three US service members were killed and 28 injured this weekend in an attack on the Al-Tanf US military base near the Jordanian-Syrian border, American and Jordanian officials said Sunday.

"On Jan. 28, three US service members were killed and 25 injured from a one-way attack UAS (drone) that impacted at a base in northeast Jordan, near the Syria border," the US Central Command said in a press release.

In a statement from the White House, US President Joe Biden said: "Today, America's heart is heavy. 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."
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 Gilmores 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.
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.
SIP / Jean-Christophe Verhaegen (from l. to r.) Milojko Spajic, Prime Minister of Montenegro; Luc Frieden, Prime Minister; Gilles Roth, Minister of Finance SIP / Jean-Christophe Verhaegen (l. to r.) Lynn Tockert, Diplomatic Adviser to the Prime Minister; n.c.; Milojko Spajic, Prime Minister of Montenegro; Branko Krvavac, Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister of Montenegro; Luc Frieden, Prime Minister; n.c. (security) SIP / Jean-Christophe Verhaegen ( from l. to r.) Milojko Spajic, Prime Minister of Montenegro; Luc Frieden, Prime Minister; Gilles Roth, Minister of Finance SIP / Jean-Christophe Verhaegen (from l. to r.) Milojko Spajic, Prime Minister of Montenegro; Luc Frieden, Prime Minister

He was welcomed by the Prime Minister, Luc Frieden, for a meeting at the Chateau de Senningen.

One of the central points of the exchange between the heads of government was Montenegro's integration into Europe. Luc Frieden thanked Montenegro for its alignment with the European Union's Common Foreign and Security Policy, especially with regard to restrictive measures. In a tense geopolitical context, the importance of the strategic partnership between the EU and the Western Balkans was underlined. In order to guarantee peace in Europe, it is essential that the Balkan countries have a real prospect of joining the European Union.

Prime Minister Luc Frieden emphasised that "Montenegro's entry into the European Union is a strategic objective that enjoys Luxembourg's full support. For both our countries, integration into the European market offers unique opportunities and, above all, perspectives for improving the lives of our citizens".

Luc Frieden also congratulated the Prime Minister of Montenegro on his efforts to bring the country into line with the acquis communautaire, particularly in terms of the rule of law, and encouraged further developments in this area, notably judicial reform.

With an estimated 10,000 Luxembourg citizens of Montenegrin origin and nearly 3,000 Montenegrins resident in Luxembourg, relations between the two countries are excellent.

As part of bilateral relations with Montenegro, Prime Minister Luc Frieden and the Prime Minister of Montenegro, Milojko Spajic, signed a double taxation avoidance agreement, in the presence of the Minister of Finance, Gilles Roth. The agreement aims to eliminate obstacles to cross-border investment and facilitate more fluid and equitable economic relations between the two countries.

Milojko Spajic was also welcomed by the President of the Chamber of Deputies, Claude Wiseler, and met the members of the Bureau and the Committee on Foreign and European Affairs, Cooperation, Foreign Trade and the Greater Region.

Press release by the Ministry of State
GREENSBORO  Carhartt, a popular American workwear and outdoor clothing brand, opened its first retail store in North Carolina on a rainy Thursday at Friendly Center in Greensboro.

Despite the gloomy weather, a crowd packed the 4,200-square-foot store looking for new clothes.

Chad Cornstubble, a senior vice president at Carhartt in charge of both retail and e-commerce strategy, said the rain was perfect for opening day and that the rush of customers was further proof that Greensboro is Carhartt country.

The South has been a place that has been craving Carhartt for so long, Cornstubble said. We put together a strategy based on data and market trends  Greensboro ranked in the top 10 of areas that we needed to go.

Cornstubble said that the wide range of seasons and weather in Greensboro made it a good location for Carhartt clothes along with the fact that there are a lot of industrial workers in the area.

When asked about challenges for retail stores in the area  Sears, a pillar of the North Carolina retail sector closed its Friendly Center store in 2023  Cornstubble said that Carhartt has a strategy for success.

The store will feature Carhartts Force performance line, its Rain Defender durable water-repellent finish for waterproof jackets and Rugged Flex technology for mobility in work pants and shirts.

Carhartts Greensboro location is only its 41st store, which is a low number for a retailer of its size, according to Cornstubble.

We havent overpenetrated the markets, Cornstubble said. Were methodically opening at a slower pace and being very strategic in where were going.
Nigar Hasanova

Gastroenterologist Emin Mammadov, a specialist-expert of the Ministry of Health, said that unlike Hepatitis B and C, the Hepatitis A virus does not cause chronic liver disease, Azernews reports.

He mentioned that hepatitis A (infectious jaundice or Botkin's disease) is a viral disease of the liver.

According to the doctor, this is a self-healing disease that causes acute inflammation of the liver and does not cause damage to the liver.

"Unlike hepatitis B and C, hepatitis A does not cause chronic liver disease. This virus has been around for many years, has been fully studied, and even has a vaccine against it. The infection is caused by some violations of hygiene rules and is spreading. The hepatitis A virus is mainly transmitted through the fecal-oral route. At this time, a person spreads the infection around with his faeces and contaminated hands. Thus, with a sick person, hand contact or whatever the infected person has touched (food, water) that can fall into the mouth of the surrounding can easily infect others".

"If fruits and vegetables are not washed, the probability of infection with the virus is particularly high. Because the virus is resistant to cold, heat, and even the strong acidic environment of the stomach, however, it can be destroyed by boiling water. The hepatitis A virus can enter the body through the digestive system. Other blood or sexual infections are also possible. However, these cases are less common and do not lead to mass infections," the expert emphasised.

Noting that there is a latent period in a person infected with the virus, the official of the ministry added that the incubation period lasts on average 2-4 weeks.

"The disease manifests itself in a person with symptoms of weakness, quick fatigue, pain in the muscles, loss of appetite, vomiting, stomach pain, and diarrhoea. This is the period when it is most contagious. Jaundice is then manifested by itching on the skin, and the patient's previous symptoms are relieved. After the onset of jaundice, it may take up to 5 months for the liver to return to its previous level. Especially children aged 514 years are more susceptible to the hepatitis A virus. There is no specific treatment method and no specific antiviral drug. Only symptomatic drugs and infusions can be recommended. It is not advisable to use too many drugs for hepatitis A patients. Vaccination is a specific method of preventing the hepatitis A virus. By taking two doses of the vaccine, it is possible to completely protect against this disease."
GREENSBORO  His friend Martin, the man that he knew and mentored, was on the other end of the line.

There was mumbling among a group of activists about Martins way of dealing with a national dairy company. He vented to Robert Bob Brown, a long-time confidante and crisis manager from High Point. It was the 1960s, and the dairy company wouldnt hire Black people as managers or deliverymen  both of which were good-paying jobs at the time and gave minorities access to a middle-class lifestyle.

Martin  the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., actually  continued to believe nonviolent protesting would work.

But for now, the Sealtest company wouldnt budge.

Brown told his frustrated close friend to hold on. He had access to the CEO of the A&P food chain, which at the time was the largest grocery store in the country. Browns public relations firm specialized in crisis management for Fortune 500 companies and even foreign governments.

Brown told the CEO: Youve got a problem coming to your stores.

So A&Ps CEO reached out to Sealtest and threatened to take the companys products off its shelves. Black people were good customers the CEO told Sealtest, and Brown knew that the company would want those shoppers. They brought in money.

Soon, Sealtest executives were calling King.

And thats Mr. Brown working behind the scenes, said David Black, the president and CEO of the BridgeBuilders project, which tells the stories of Brown and other civil rights trailblazers. He got no credit.

****Hes one of the most influential Americans you dont know.

Or studied.

Or read about.

Even his name flies under the radar: Bob Brown.

But his list of accomplishments spans 60 years and have done much to lift up neighborhoods and a nation all while looking to the future but not forgetting the past.

Hes a fixer, bridge builder and mover-and-shaker.

Brown was born into poverty and became a world-class power broker.

He was raised by his grandmother. She put cardboard in my rundown shoes and compassion in my heart, Brown said.

In everything hes done, hes tried to follow his Grandmother Nellies example. She had a third-grade education and her father had been a slave.

She used to tell us, All the good Lord wants to know is how much good you do, Brown recalled.

Brown watched her feed the hungry despite not having much herself.

He attended the segregated Leonard Street School and William Penn High School.

At 21, he was among the first generation of Black High Point police officers. It was the 1950s, and frustrated Black people were testing the confines of Jim Crow laws legalizing segregation.

The Constitution was saying everybody should be treated the same, but everybody wasnt treated the same, Brown said. If you drank out of a water fountain that said white and you were Black, you could go to jail for that.

And there he was  this native son  behind a badge.

He and other Black officers faced an unwritten rule that they couldnt arrest white people, although it sometimes happened by necessity, Brown recalled. We were a society separated by race  where we ate, where we lived. Our schools. Our churches. If Im a policeman, its the same thing.

Later, he was hired as a federal agent for the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

He had married Sallie Walker, a former classmate who was always next to him as he rose to fame, and they worked to build a business.

The couple returned to North Carolina in 1960 and established B&C Associates Inc., a consulting, marketing research and public relations firm in High Point.

They started the business in a rented room on the second floor of an abandoned theater with nothing but a desk, borrowed chair, filing cabinet and telephone.

She was my secretary, my confidant, my bookkeeper, my everything at that time, Brown once told a reporter about his wife. She served as vice president, secretary, treasurer and member of the firms board of directors.

Even as the fight for civil rights was ongoing, Brown was able to attract Fortune 500 firms such as Johnson Wax, Nabisco and Woolworth by advocating for what he called smart business. Just as with A&P, that meant understanding the purchasing power of Black people and how being racially sensitive was not just the right thing to do, but also good for the bottom line  especially with integration on the horizon.

Brown had also developed a lot of friends among people who ran those companies. When he was sitting in the dining hall at the Woolworth corporate building with its CEO while Black people couldnt sit at the stores counters  yet  a larger purpose was in mind.

His intentions were for the people, Black said. Changing standards and opening doors.

****

A facet of those intentions was getting corporations to essentially underwrite the work of organizations looking to dismantle Jim Crow Laws, which essentially made Blacks second-class citizens.

Over the years the icons of the civil rights movement, whose legacies are in the history books, have told stories about Brown. Many of them are now gone, like the late Rev. Joseph Lowery, the former leader of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, which was a base of the civil rights movement.

Hes always supported human and civil rights, Lowery once told The Washington Post.

Lowery credited Brown with helping Black colleges with federal funding and pushing the Nixons administration pro-Black business policy. Hes always been effective in getting us what we needed.

Andrew Young, another powerful civil rights figure, testified when Brown was being considered as an ambassador to South Africa. Brown later withdrew his name from consideration.

Young said that Brown was the only Black Republican I know who had the credentials to get along with and work with Jesse Helms and Jesse Jackson, according to The Washington Post.

The companies Brown worked with often provided funds that would become the bail money used by protestors, payrolls for organizations like the NAACP and help for the hungry.

Brown had always been effective at getting groups in his sphere of influence what they needed  and then some. As an advisor to Woolworth, Brown told company executives that the lunch counters should be open without any arrests. And thats what happened.

But he would face a personal setback in April 1968, when King was assassinated on a motel balcony.

Brown was to have met him a day later.

Brown helped get in touch with one of the members of the Rockefeller family, who loaned his private plane to take Kings body back to Atlanta. Coretta Scott King had requested Brown travel with her to Memphis.

That was a horrible time, Brown remembered.

The year 1968 also found Brown criss-crossing the country with then-presidential contender Richard Nixon  trouble-shooting, keeping up with the press and supplying names from local businesses and Black communities to personalize the candidates interactions.

Brown also kept notes about the issues and problems that kept those people awake at night, and he pressed them directly into Nixons hands.

Not everyone saw Browns work as a good thing. He had previously worked on the political campaigns of both John and Bobby Kennedy.

Id run into (Black) people who said, You mess around with that racist Nixon, said Brown, 88. That kind of hurt. But then I had others say to me, Weve got to be on all sides, and whoever gets in, we need to be in with them. We dont need to be on the outside.

When the campaign was over and the 37th president prepared to take office, Brown figured he would return to North Carolina and his firm, which also included Fieldcrest Cannon, Sara Lee and others.

He told the transition team just as much.

You have to talk to the old man because thats not in his head, political aide Bob Halderman was said to have responded.

When Brown entered the room where Nixon was holding court, the president-elect introduced him to everyone as one of my new assistants.

When the others left, Nixon got down to business.

Brown recalled: He said, I know you werent looking for a job. I need you. There will be no impediments to our relationship ... you will have access and in Washington everything is built around access. He said if you want to get anything done, youve got to go to Washington. He said if you want to get done all those notes you sent me, youve got to come to Washington with me.

****

And from his office in the White House complex  with four secretaries and three assistants  Brown went about fulfilling some of those promises.

Nixon would sometimes stop by, but only briefly.

He would tell everybody that Bob is running the show, Brown said.

Brown once hopped on a Pentagon jet and traveled to Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi after complaints the military was turning a blind eye to the treatment of Black soldiers by local businesses.

The (base commander) said, Mr. Brown, we dont have no problems here, Brown recalled. He even arranged a tour of the towns main strip.

As soon as we got outside the gates, at the edge of the base ... there were all these restaurants and joints, Brown said. He was suspicious that they were not a part of the tour.

I said Stop this car. I walked right in (one of them) with all these people following me and this lady came right over to me and said, We dont allow (N-word) in here.

Brown was furious.

I said if these establishments are not off-limits (to all soldiers) by five there will be hell to pay, he told the base commander.

Days later, businesses got together and became integrated.

Nixon, who Brown said got little recognition for efforts to improve race relations, always backed him up.

He trusted my judgment, Brown said.

Among the many stories in his arsenal, Brown was able to open a tap of federal funding to historically Black colleges.

He also helped Black businesses cross some of the barriers that others didnt have in front of them. At his urging, Nixon signed an executive order empowering a minority business and enterprise program.

Whatever barriers that were up, we wanted to tear them down, Brown explained. We wanted to open doors for everybody. We didnt want to build a Black America, or a White America, we wanted an America for everyone to pass down to our children and our childrens children.

Nixon, who Brown remembers as fair-minded, was not given credit for the work he undertook to integrate schools more than a decade after federal court mandates. Brown helped to spearhead that by going to the most important people in the community  those who owned the large companies, politicians and others  and told them that the president wanted no violence during the transition.

Before Brown left Nixons administration, various organizations he worked with planned a special dinner for him. Several thousand people, including his grandmother, members of the U.S. Supreme Court, cabinet members and Sammy Davis Jr. and Jackie Robinson, showed up at the Washington Hilton Hotel. Brown also noticed the Secret Service checking out the stage. Nixon had congratulated Brown on the tribute but never said he would be there.

And he walked up, came up to the mic and started speaking, Brown remembered. And he spoke about my grandmother and then my grandmother got up and hugged him. And he spoke about me and what I had done and our relationship and where the country was going and he was so happy to be there and all that. It was an unbelievable night.

Brown wouldnt change a thing about his time with Nixon.

It was four years and two months of incredible, he said.

****

When Brown left Washington, he focused his time on B&C, just as he planned, even as he served as an advisor to presidents over the years.

The work back in the private sector would also lead him to meet people like Nelson Mandela. Only the long-time prisoners immediate family could otherwise get access.

Brown arranged for Mandelas daughter and grandchildren to live in the United States, where they spent some of their time at N.C. A&Ts summer enrichment camps.

With Browns help, Mandelas daughter attended Boston University. Brown knew the university president and arranged for free tuition, but he paid for a home in Boston and for trips back and forth between there and North Carolina.

Thousands and thousands of dollars every month, he said. But I had made a commitment (to the Mandelas) and followed through.

Brown also has shipped books, shoes and clothes to South Africa and gotten others to do the same. Even before he met Mandela, he had toured Black townships in the segregated country and left appalled at what he saw. He started collecting books, mostly those no longer being used by Guilford County schools, and sent them to educators there. Others joined him from nonprofits and school boards across the country.

In 2021, High Point University honored Brown, a longtime member of the schools board before retiring as its president in 2022, with an endowed scholarship. President Nido Qubein and Coca-Cola Consolidated Chairman and CEO Frank Harrison, along with business associates and friends of Brown, contributed $3 million to the scholarship to honor his legacy. Annually, the fund will provide between eight to 10 scholarships to minority students who attend HPU.

When God created humanity, he must have written a job description for the kind of person who is built from the inside out, and he must have put Bob Browns name on it because Bob is a person whose entire focus is on caring for others, helping others and often beyond his immediate capacity to do it, Qubein said. In other words, he moves heaven and earth to make it possible for him to help others.

Brown said we need to keep pushing forward.

We have to continue to work on our society to be a better society, to treat people better whoever they are.
RALEIGH  In July of last year, the Census Bureau estimated that some 10.8 million people resided in our state. One of the fastest-growing in the country, North Carolinas population ranks ninth, just below Georgias population of 11 million.

More generally, Southern states accounted for almost 90% of Americas net population increase last year, with migration into Texas, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and the Carolinas driving most of the regions growth.

Theres a robust debate about why this is so. Ive participated in the debate myself, long arguing that freer states  defined as having smaller governments, lower tax and regulatory burdens, and greater choice and competition in public services  tend to grow faster than their peers.

Today, however, Ill focus not on the past but on the future. What will North Carolinas population be 16 years from now, in 2040? And what are the policy implications of that prediction?

In other words, lets set aside whether the current policy mix in North Carolina and most of our Southern neighbors are responsible for recent growth. Lets just assume that current population projections will come to pass.

Based on the 2020 Census head count and subsequent estimates, North Carolinas State Office of Budget and Management currently projects that our population will reach approximately 13 million by 2040. Although there is no comparable projection for other states, a somewhat older Census projection suggested North Carolina will rank seventh in population by then, exceeded only by California, Texas, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania and Georgia.

However, the projected figures for North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Georgia are so similar, and sufficiently fuzzy, that its possible well be the fifth-most-populous state by 2040.

Within our state, the largest metropolitan areas will likely add population at a faster rate than our smaller municipalities and rural areas, with some exceptions (such as coastal and mountain communities attractive to retirees and work-from-home households). Still, if we consider the 10 counties projected to have at least 300,000 residents in 2040  Wake, Mecklenburg, Guilford, Forsyth, Durham, Union, Cumberland, Johnston, Buncombe and Cabarrus  their combined population of 6.3 million still will be less than half the states total population.

By 2040, about 21% of North Carolinians will be 65 years of age or older, up from 18% today. About 22% of North Carolinians will be 20 or younger, down from 24% today. For all the talk of rapid demographic change, I dont see these changes as particularly dramatic. Do you?

As for race and ethnicity, non-Hispanic whites as defined by the Census Bureau are projected to account for approximately 56% of the states population in 2040, down from 61% today. Hispanics (of any race) and people of Asian ancestry will grow as a share of the states population, as will North Carolinians whose ancestries are mixed or who reject placing themselves in such crude categories in the first place.

Indeed, all projections and demographic categories have some built-in uncertainty and ambiguity. Although most new residents will either be born here or arrive as citizens from other states, immigration from overseas will play a role  as will federal policies that either encourage or discourage such immigration in the future. And unforeseen economic, social or even medical events might significantly influence our birth and death rates.

Nevertheless, I think its reasonable to expect that North Carolina will be much more populous in 2040 than it is today. In my view, thats a good reason for state and local policymakers to elevate such issues as infrastructure, housing and workforce development to the top of their priority lists.

Given the eroding capacity of motor-fuels taxes, for example, North Carolina must move as quickly as possible to a more sustainable means of paying for roads and bridges. Our zoning and housing codes are too strict, keeping builders from supplying enough homes to meet rising demand. As for workforce development, continued reforms in education and occupational licensing will be necessary to fill the jobs of tomorrow and help all North Carolinians prosper.
is delighted to declare the successful commencement of the Fortis Cancer Summit held at the Sheraton Grand Bangalore Hotel, Brigade Gateway. Focused on the theme 'Practice Changing Advances in Precision Oncology,' this transformative event aims to revolutionizeby highlighting innovations throughout the entire spectrum of cancer care. The formal inauguration was attended by distinguished dignitaries, with the Honourable Health Minister of Karnataka, Sri Dinesh Gundu Rao, serving as the Chief Guest, and Dr. Prem Kumar Nair, Group CEO - IHH, honored as the Guest of Honour.The summit is anticipated to serve as a dynamic confluence of ideas, experiences, and pioneering innovations, poised to drive a transformative shift in the realm of cancer treatment and research. The Fortis Cancer Summit has brought together a gathering of over 800 specialists and faculty members from both national and international spheres, featuring more than 250 experts specializing in various oncological disciplines. These professionals, representing Fortis Cancer Institutes and other esteemed centers, will be actively engaged over the 2-day event for collaborative sessions, delving into discussions about the latest advancements in diagnostic tools and therapeutic oncology innovations.The summit will concentrate on exploring the cutting edge of cancer research and studies conducted throughout the year 2023, spanning a diverse range of cancer types. Discussions will revolve around the latest breakthroughs in emerging therapies, including topics such as Artificial Intelligence in Precision Oncology, Immunotherapy, Targeted Therapies, Liquid Biopsy, CAR-T Cell Therapy, and Radio Molecular Theragnostic.It also provides a platform for young researchers and clinicians from various regions to contribute to cancer care innovation. On the inauguration, the Honourable Health Minister of Karnataka, Sri Dinesh Gundu Rao, said, As we gather all doctors and healthcare professionals at the Fortis Cancer Summit, we foster crucial discussions on improving practices to combat the prevalent disease of cancer. Understanding its rise due to changing lifestyles affecting even the youth, we, as a government, emphasize early detection. Cancer takes a toll on individuals and families, prompting our focus on support, screening, and utilizing new technologies. Overcoming stigma in rural areas is a challenge, but advancements like AI can contribute to early detection solutions. Every life saved matters, urging stakeholders to unite in harnessing AI and technology for early detection, a crucial step in addressing various cancers beyond our current scope. The vast amount of medical data available holds immense research potential. As a government, we stand committed to supporting such endeavours in India, a knowledge hub. Congratulations to Fortis for organizing a summit that facilitates knowledge sharing, paving the way for effective solutions in the field of cancer".Dr. Prem Kumar Nair, Group CEO - IHH, expressed, Its an absolute privilege to be a part of the Fortis Cancer Summit, where I am witnessing the extraordinary dedication and innovation propelling cancer care forward. This summit serves as a powerful demonstration of our collective commitment to revolutionizing cancer treatment through collaboration and cutting-edge research. I am deeply inspired by the tireless efforts of healthcare professionals and researchers gathered here, all striving to redefine the landscape of cancer care. The insights shared and collaborations formed during this event hold immense promise for the future of oncology. Together, we are paving the way for significant advancements in cancer treatment, ensuring that patients receive the best possible care and outcomes. I am deeply honoured to contribute to this transformative journey and eagerly anticipate the positive impact it will bring to cancer patients worldwide".Dr. Ashutosh Raghuvanshi, MD & CEO, Fortis Healthcare , emphasized, The Fortis Cancer Summit holds a special place in our hearts as it reflects our unwavering commitment to advancing cancer care through precision oncology. This summit marks a pivotal juncture in Fortis Healthcare's journey, signifying our dedication to leading advancements in cancer treatment and research. By bringing together some of the brightest minds in oncology, our aim is to cultivate an environment of innovation and collaboration, charting the course for the future of cancer care. Looking ahead, we remain steadfast in our commitment to pioneering breakthroughs and shaping the landscape of oncology to ensure a brighter and healthier future for all".
DECATUR  Prosecutors claim Troy D. Slaw stabbed to death his girlfriend, Norma J. Crutchfield, before dismembering her body and putting the remains in garbage bags and leaving them to be picked up with the trash.

That, at least, is the case being brought by the Macon County State's Attorneys Office. Slaw, 46, denies everything. So the problem remains of a murder case without a body and only traces of what happened to the 41-year-old womans remains, presumably now lost forever somewhere in the Macon County landfill.

How the prosecution intends to get around that means pushing for the introduction of witness testimony of what Crutchfield said to them as well as evidence of Slaws other crimes. But evidence not tied to a witness's personal knowledge and based on what they say Crutchfield told them  which takes up a big plank of the prosecution case  would normally be regarded as hearsay and not permitted in a trial.

And other prosecution evidence that seeks to show Slaw guilty of other acts of violence, and so blacken his character in front of a jury, might also have a tough time getting into court in other circumstances. But prosecutors say, in this case, it's also admissible to show the type of violent person Slaw is and that he intended to kill Crutchfield.

The victim disappeared in November of 2020 and hasnt been seen since after she was last known to be living with Slaw at a house on East Olive Street, where its alleged she was stabbed to death.

The legal battle over what evidence will be permitted in the case is likely to prove crucial in prosecuting a crime without a body and the forensic evidence that usually comes with it. One of the few traces left of the victim is the photo of a woman's body stuffed in a closet  the remains later identified as Crutchfield by relatives  which detectives extracted from a cell phone.

Presumably the defendant will argue that the state cannot prove that Norma Crutchfield is dead, that if she is dead, she was not murdered or that even if she was murdered, the person who killed her was not this defendant, says a legal motion filed by Assistant States Attorneys Christina Mullison and Elizabeth Pfohl.

Thus, such other crimes evidence is particularly probative as showing the defendants identity, motive, malice, intent to kill and lack of accident or innocent state of mind (and) all go to show that Norma Crutchfield was, in fact, murdered by this defendant.

The defense will no doubt dispute all of that, but were going to have to wait to hear their arguments. Defense attorney Caleb Brown, who works for the public defenders office, had been prepared to defend Slaw but had to withdraw.

The prosecution motions had been set for hearing Jan. 24 but that was scrubbed after Brown said he discovered he had, for a time, been representing a client in another legal matter who has turned out to be a principal witness in the states case against Slaw.

Brown feared his continued representation of Slaw would create a conflict of interest situation and Presiding Judge Thomas Griffith agreed, noting a similar situation had wound up being an issue in appellate court.

Chief Public Defender Michelle Sanders and Brown, her deputy, are now busy finding a new lawyer who can step up to defend Slaw and fight the prosecutions evidence motions at a future hearing. Slaws murder case had been scheduled for the February trial docket but that has now been delayed.

Griffith has scheduled a hearing for Friday when Slaws new defense lawyer is due to make an appearance.

The prosecution has meanwhile filed three lengthy motions outlining the evidence they want to introduce against Slaw. These include quotes allegedly made by Crutchfield to family members about Slaw where she says things like Im just afraid this ones going to kill me, and telling a friend ...She needed to get out of there because her boyfriend was going to kill her.

There is also the statement of an accused accomplice who is said to have helped Slaw dispose of the remains. He is quoted as telling detectives Slaw told him Crutchfield had broken into his home and attacked him with a hammer and he had stabbed her in the chest, killing her.

Among the evidence of other crimes is testimony from another girlfriend of Slaw who accuses him of keeping her prisoner for three days in an apartment while repeatedly beating her with his fists and a metal pipe as well as whipping and strangling her.

2023 mugshots from the Herald & Review Lourash Hirstein Phillip Gehrken Joseph A. Williams Jetrevius O. Jarrett Edwards King-Woods Wilson Derrickson Colby J. Park
DECATUR  The Decatur Police Department is seeking the community's help in solving a shooting, this week's crime of the week.

Decatur police were called at approximately 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 23, to the intersection of North Morgan Street and East Grand Avenue.

"Officers arrived on scene and spoke to a victim who advised he just left a nearby convenience store after utilizing an ATM machine," the police stated in a news release. "The victim advised as he was walking he was approached by a suspect who pointed a chrome-colored handgun at him."

The victim was shot in the leg after the suspect demanded money. The suspect took an undisclosed amount of money from the victim then ran in a northeast direction.

According to police, the suspect is described as a light skinned Black male, approximately 19 to 20 years of age, 5-foot-10-inches to 6-feet in height, thin build, wearing a gray and black colored hooded shirt, gray colored sweat pants and black ski mask. The suspect had a low-fade haircut and crooked teeth.

Anyone with information regarding the shooting is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 217-423-TIPS. Callers may remain anonymous.

Crime Stoppers will pay $500 or more for information that leads to an arrest on the crime of the week.

2023 mugshots from the Herald & Review Lourash Hirstein Phillip Gehrken Joseph A. Williams Jetrevius O. Jarrett Edwards King-Woods Wilson Derrickson Colby J. Park
Reward Increased For Info. On Whitney Teen's Murder Houston Crime Stoppers released a sketch of the suspect in the shooting death of 17-year-old Louise Wilson of Whitney and announced an increased reward Thursday, January 18.



Wilson was traveling through downtown Houston on her way to Galveston Sunday, December 10, when she was fatally shot by a man in a newer model, black, four-door sedan.



Houston police called it a road rage incident and said that Wilson "didn't do anything wrong" and was trying to get away from the man in the vehicle.



Police described the suspect as a light-skinned black male in his mid-20s with short dreadlock-style hair.



Crime Stoppers is offering a $20,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in the case.



For the complete story, see the January 25, edition of The Reporter Newspaper.


If "The Raven" is Poe's best-known work and the one that catapulted him to fame, his short story "The Cask of Amontillado" tops the list as the favorite of many of his fans. It happens to be Voss's favorite. He says it provides an ideal story for teaching the literary technique of irony, and it's what he brought with him last time he snuck into Westminster to visit Poe's grave after hours.

"The Cask of Amontillado" is a tale of revenge for an undefined "thousand injuries" achieved in the most horrific way. The irony starts with the name of the antagonist, Fortunato, whom the reader discovers to be unlucky in the extreme. Like many of Poe's works, it is a story that situates him as one of the best-known Gothic horror writers.

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Similarly gruesome tales include "The Tell-Tale Heart," another story with a murderous narrator, "The Masque of the Red Death," about a plague and a prince who ignores it to his peril, and "The Fall of the House of Usher," a classic Gothic tale set in a spooky house during a bad storm.

In addition to "The Raven," Poe penned numerous poems, such as "The Bells," in which the word "tintinnabulation" offers the ultimate in onomatopoeia. "The Bells" was published posthumously, and so was "Annabel Lee," an emotional recounting of the narrator's love and loss of a beautiful woman.

Set on a whaler, Poe's only complete novel "The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket" features a mutiny and "atrocious butchery" as the ship sails for the South Seas. Six installments of his serial novel "The Journal of Julius Rodman" were published in the Burton's Gentlemen's Magazine while Poe was an editor, but after he left the publication, he stopped writing it. Mystery lovers will flip for Poe's Le Chevalier C. Auguste Dupin, who predated Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes by more than half a century.

Ready to dip your toe in Poe's greatest hits? His works are available online in the public domain. "That's the best way to get to know an author," says Voss. Information is also available at the various museum websites.
During an impassioned and at times emotional Cabarrus County Board of Education meeting Tuesday night, which lasted about four hours, the subject of the future of Beverly Hills STEM Elementary School, a Title 1 institution that has been a linchpin in the Concord community for 70 years, dominated much of the discussion.

As Cooperative Strategies, the consultant group working with the school district for the past year, was preparing to deliver its final recommendation regarding the three conceptual realignment scenarios, each of which included the closure of Beverly Hills, members of the community, the majority of which were connected to the school, spoke during public comments against any projected move to shut it down.

When a small school like this is close to where the children live, its a win-win, said Lee Shuman, a parent, local architect and leader of the group Save Our Schools, which first organized several years ago when the topic of potentially closing Beverly Hills first came up.

Parents are more involved, absenteeism is minimized, students are more connected, families are connected, teachers are more connected, Shuman said. And thats a recipe for success. Beverly Hills should be looked at as a model for success in our school system, not one thats failing, not one to be eliminated.

Beverly Hills media coordinator Sarah Conner compared her school to the Little Engine That Could childrens book, noting that despite its aging infrastructure and small size of around 313 students, the school nevertheless exceeded growth last year.

I believe our size is the catalyst to our success, she said, calling her time at the school her dream job. Some may see our size as a liability; I see it as one of our greatest assets.

Julia Hartsell Chisholm, mother to a Beverly Hills first-grader and two future kindergarteners, said the community feels blindsided and is wondering why a school closure has been presented as part of realignment.

These students are not being realigned, they are potentially being denied an equitable education by the sudden closure of their school, Chisholm said.

The district is planning to adopt a long-range realignment plan in conjunction with a long-range master facilities plan, both of which will help guide the school system for the next decade, as expected growth across the county will increase the student population from 35,000 to more than 40,000.

Though mobile units have helped the district accommodate population growth since 2008, it is projected that in the next 10 years, student enrollment will exceed capacity, according to data presented to the board over the past year from Cooperative Strategies.

Beverly Hills, which opened in 1953, is one of the smaller elementary schools in size, at only 49,600 square feet; by comparison, Patriot STEM Elementary, built in 2010, has 111,570 square feet.

It has been suggested by Cooperative Strategies that the district combine Beverly Hills and Coltrane-Webb STEM Elementary, another smaller school at only 58,200 square feet, into one school. In addition to being the oldest elementary schools, both also have Facility Condition Index scores of at least 67 percent  much higher than the other schools across the district.

FCI compares the cost of keeping a building operational to the expected construction cost to build a new school. The higher the FCI score, the more discussions likely need to be had about whether it would be more cost-efficient to replace a school rather than to keep putting money into improving it.

Leslie Cauble, STEM lab teacher at the school, told the board that Beverly Hills is much more than a bunch of numbers on a spreadsheet. We are not a building, she said. At its heart and its core, Beverly Hills STEM School is a community. We are a diverse, thriving, growing community of learners.

Beverly Hills STEM is a community, and one that I hope I get to remain part of, she added.

Proposals for Beverly Hills and Coltrane-Webb

Following a lengthy presentation by Justin Rich, an executive director with Cooperative Strategies, about his groups recommendation that the school board adopt Scenario C, which would impact roughly 4,000 students and result in the closure of Beverly Hills  the only school projected to shut down as part of the analysis  Superintendent Dr. John Kopicki and other central office staff presented their future plans for Beverly Hills and Coltrane-Webb as part of the long-range master facilities plan.

Both schools, with a combined student population of around 668 students, would have a projected enrollment of 750 students within the next five years and 762 within the next 10 years  and example that even though the county is expected to increase in population, that growth will likely not take place around these two schools.

The cost of rebuilding both schools for 500 students apiece (1,000 total) would cost around $61 millionresulting in more seats than students, based on the growth projections.

The projections for that area over the next 10 years does not support the need for 1,000 students in the downtown area, said CCS Executive Director of Construction Tim Lowder, noting 250 seats would not be utilized if the two new schools were constructed.

An alternative investment that was discussed as part of the first phase of the master facilities plan would be to build a replacement school for Beverly Hills and Coltrane-Webb for 756 students at a cost of around $50.6 million. It would be built on the current Coltrane-Webb site. If the project began this year, the new school, which would be around 115,000 square feet, could open in fall 2026.

Beverly Hills, which had a failing NCDPI feasibility score due to its aging infrastructure, would be turned into a state-of-the-art Pre-K facility, with the existing playgrounds converted into a pocket community park. The older buildings on the campus would be demolished. If the project were to begin this year, the Pre-K center could also open in fall 2026.

Keeping an early childhood development center on-site respects the historical roots of that site, Lowder said.

Kopicki mentioned Beverly Hills successes have come from the students and faculty not the facility, which is not a long-term safe option for kids.

That building does not represent the success of the students, he said. The reason why those kids are successful is because of a multi-faceted approach to a lot of different things, including great teachers.

Other key proposed projects presented to be completed over the next decade include constructing two new 940-seat elementary schools in the southeast and northeast, building a new Northwest Cabarrus High School and building a new 1,800-seat high school in the southern part of the district.

Kopicki expressed to the board his confidence that all of the projects could be achieved and, through preliminary discussions with county officials, funding would be available this year to begin the redevelopment of both Coltrane-Webb and Beverly Hills.

I am completely confident that what were presenting to you tonight we can do, Kopicki said. Im completely confident that the county will support this, Im completely confident that this is the best for kids and Im completely confident that this will move the district forward in the right way to address many of the growth and capacity needs that we have.

The total cost for the master facilities plan, which includes addressing $500 million in deferred maintenance across the district, is roughly $958 million.

Kopicki acknowledged there will be challenges and problems along the way and not everyone in the community will support the decisions that will be made.

Were not going to give everybody want they want, he said. But these are hard decisions that we have to make for the betterment of the district.

While she appreciated the information, board member Keshia Sandidge was concerned about why the detailed plan for the future of Beverly Hills was not presented to the public at an earlier time.

I saw remnants or some of this presentation on Jan. 5. I am very concerned that we are just discussing it and putting it in front of the public today and then they didnt have a way to consume it prior to todays meeting and prior to public comments.

We cannot delay this process

The school board is slated to vote on adopting both the realignment plan and the facilities master plan during its Feb. 12 meeting. Each of the realignment boundary options have their strengths and weaknesses, though Scenario C garnered 59 percent approval from the public as part of the online survey, a key reason it was recommended to the board.

The gravity of making decisions that will impact thousands of current and future students was not something the school board took lightly, as they expressed throughout the night.

Board member Pam Escobar, holding back tears, emphasized that despite all the numbers and data points that have been discussed, the board is tasked with doing all it can for the betterment of the 35,000 students in the district.

Weve talked a lot about numbers tonight which, Ill be honest, sometimes goes over my head, she said. But I know that the numbers and the work that you do is because youre thinking about kids.

She added that she trusts Kopicki and his staff to do what is in the best interests of the students because she has spent so much time working with and getting to know them.

Im not blindly just taking what you say because I know you, Ive met you, Ive spent hours with you, she said. I know everyone who comes in and out of this education center and dedicates their lives to kids. I know how much you care.

Vice chair Sam Treadaway, quiet for most of the meeting, was adamant that a decision had to be made next month. We cannot delay this process or we are not being fair to anyone, he said, noting that not making a decision is making a decision.

As a former principal, Treadaway expressed empathy for older schools like Beverly Hills and Coltrane-Webb, noting he knows what its like to preside over a school that is in purgatory.

That is exactly where Beverly Hills and Coltrane-Webb and our older schools are right now, Treadaway said. Were afraid to put big money into them because we dont know what the future is going to be for them. Thats not fair to our kids.

As much as the realignment process can appear to boil down to statistics (comparing enrollment projections, studying capacity utilization, examining the average distance traveled for students to each school), Treadaway highlighted the importance of looking at these things from a students perspective.

My point is, to a kid, school is life, it is not a place you go to, he said. These are hard decisions, but weve got 35,000 kids that right now are in a dysfunctional feeder pattern.

I just hope that we have the gumption and the grace to do what needs to be done in the next month, Treadaway added.
Editor's Note Lee Shuman is a member of the Save Our School executive committee. Save Our Schools is a group, which supports keeping Beverly Hills Elementary School open.

Doing the right thing is always hard. If it was easy, everyone would do it. It is hard to fight for, hard to accomplish, requires sacrifice, requires truth, requires courage. Our current full district re-alignment scenario that will be passed soon for the entire county will be hard.

The decisions that the school board members will need to make will be even harder. Although the re-alignment is truly affecting everyone, there is one population of students that it is affecting the most, the hardest. One that is making the ultimate sacrifice. Their school will be demolished, and the kids redistricted to three other schools with no new school for them in sight. Their travel distance to school will increase by four times that of the rest of the district after the re-alignment.

Beverly Hills Elementary has stood the test of time. The closing of their doors was inevitable at some point. Every school gets to that point. Nothing can last forever. However, typically schools get rebuilt when this occurs. Our school system has done it time and time again.

Our school system says they want equity. They say each school, each area, each student should have an equitable education. Each school should have the same resources, each school should have the same facilities and support. The SOS Group wholeheartedly agrees with that mission, even when we fail that mission, we should always try to provide for an equitable school system for ALL.

To do that, there are sacrifices. Money must be spent, and sometimes taxes go up (and everyone hates that!), but with that sacrifice you see the good in it, your part in it, why the sacrifice was worth it.

It is easy to ask others to make sacrifices for the greater good. It is much more difficult when it is your sacrifice, and that sacrifice doesnt seem worthy of the price. If your sacrifice was honorable, noble, and by definition, giving up something valuable for the sake of something else regarded as more important or worthy, it is a sacrifice we all embrace! Beverly Hills sacrificed routine maintenance and upkeep for decades so that money could be spent in other parts of the county for greater needs.

And the Beverly Hills community never complained about that sacrifice, knowing that someday, that sacrifice would be repaid by the sacrifice of others in the form of a new school. But someday never comes. And now the greater need is at our doorstep.

Below are each of the reasons given to why the closure of Beverly Hills is being supported by the Cabarrus County School System. Before you read it, put your kid, your grandkid, your community in the place of Beverly Hills and ask yourself, is this the right thing to do or just the easy way out? Is this a true and worthy sacrifice? What would you do?

Here are Cabarrus County Schools reasons for closing Beverly Hills and SOS responses.

Cabarrus County

Schools reasonBeverly Hills is unsafe. We must close it because we need to provide a safe environment for kids to learn. It is our responsibility to provide a safe environment.

SOS responseHow long has it been an unsafe facility? Why havent the safety issues been addressed prior to now? Safety concerns have been cited since 2017 for reasons to close this school, but not disclosed  and yet havent been addressed.

Cabarrus County

Schools reasonIt is too expensive to build a new school on the site of Beverly Hills. The School System says it will cost $50 million for a 750-seat school at Coltrane Webb  $66,000 per seat.

SOS responseThey also said it will cost $30.5mil for new 500-seat school on Beverly Hills site  $61,000 per seat. Their own information proves that its not too expensive to rebuild Beverly Hills on site.

Cabarrus County

Schools reasonIt is too expensive to operate two schools over one school. One school will get more resources. Those larger schools offer more to the kids than smaller schools.

SOS responseLarger schools have more administration and full-time positions. Smaller schools close to each other share those full-time positions and have the same resources. Each student gets the same amount resources at a similar cost to operate both models.

Cabarrus County

Schools reasonIt is unequitable to build one community a small school and not all.

SOS responseIs it equitable to not fix issues at some schools, but do so in others, especially if the conditions are unsafe? Is it equitable to use tax dollars from one community and build new schools in others? Is it not equitable to replace schools as they age in all areas for all citizens, regardless of the size?

Cabarrus County

Schools reasonSmaller schools are not better for students than larger ones.

SOS responseThen why is it inequitable to build back a smaller school for one area and not provide that for others? If this is true, the previous reason is not true. The school size is simply a function of not having enough land to build a larger one.

Cabarrus County

Schools reasonWe are balancing utilization and need to utilize every available seat.

SOS responseThis is why CCS has confirmed that the students of Beverly Hills will be PERMANENTLY redistricted and only offered an opportunity to go to a new school in the future  if that day ever comes.

CCS gives the reasons above to close Beverly Hills Elementary and demands that the citizens of Cabarrus County and the Board of Education simply trust them. The SOS group has asked CCS to validate these reasons, and because they wont, SOS is trying to understand the validity.

The reasons given by CCS all sound logical, but when you try and validate them, you see these are not reasons at all, they are excuses. Excuses to do what someone wants to do, excuses to try and turn the want into a need. Excuses to make an artificial sacrifice feel worthy. The reasons lack evidence, lack validity, and simply cant be trusted. These are not reasons for a true sacrifice to better the whole. Nor a reason to put that sacrifice on the backs of elementary school children. Not a reason that is truly worthy of a true need.

So many of the SOS group supporters are not parents of kids in Beverly Hills Elementary School, dont live in our district and dont live in our neighborhood. The few who are current Beverly Hills parents would never see their kid in a new school because of the time it takes to build a new school. Yet all these people keep fighting, they care because they know the impact on future students.

My youngest is in fifth grade and will never see a new school and is not affected by the redistricting. He will though, if closed, be the last graduating class of Beverly Hills Elementary School. A distinction no kid should have  graduation should be a joyful event, celebratory. This one will not unless we do what is right.

Sacrificing your time and efforts, writing speeches and emails, and using your talents late into the night are not being done for personal gain; not being done because you want anything in return except something for others, something that feels right and doesnt fell wrong. You simply want to do the honorable thing, the right thing, even if it is hard.

We can only hope that at least four of our elected Board of Education members want this gift too. The gift of doing the right thing, and we pray, THAT DAY ACTUALLY COMES.
Microsoft has issued a second post about the attack on its systems by an alleged Russian actor, revealing that the same actor also attacked a number of other organisations, one of which was HPE.

Former Facebook chief security officer Alex Stamos, who has criticised Microsoft for the lack of detail in its first blog post about the attack, said the other companies were compromised using the same flaws in Azure Active Directory.

"Microsoft's language [in the second blog post] plays this up as a big favour they are doing the ecosystem by sharing their 'extensive knowledge of Midnight Blizzard', when, in fact, what they are announcing is that this breach has affected multiple tenants of their cloud products," Stamos said in a LinkedIn post.

Microsoft made its first post about the attack on 19 January, saying that the attackers in question had been in its systems for nearly two months before they had been detected.

This is the second time in recent times that foreign actors have spent long periods within Microsoft's corporate networks without being detected.

In July last year, a breach of Microsoft's Azure cloud led to the compromise of email accounts belonging to American envoy to Beijing, Nicholas Burns, assistant secretary of state for East Asia, Daniel Kritenbrink and US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo among others.

Security experts warned that the effect of the intrusion could be much wider than reported, and could affect applications beyond those claimed by Microsoft to be impacted.

Last November, Microsoft released a blog post claiming the company had put in place what it called a Secure Future Initiative which it described as a "new initiative to pursue our next generation of cybersecurity protection."

British security expert Kevin Beaumont said he had concluded that the reality of everything at Microsoft was too complex. "Lots of MS things ship in risky configurations, nobody (including Microsoft) can figure out how to scale securing it and everything is way too expensive, he said.

"Microsofts two biggest commercial security risks are ransomware groups, and /itself/.

"They've gone from saying attackers think in graphs to getting attackers to live on the Microsoft Graph, which has allowed them to monetise their cloud security failures."

Stamos said the second blog post about the latest attack had also provided some clarity about how an attack against a legacy non-production test tenant could lead to accessing the emails of key Microsoft executives.

The post said: "Midnight Blizzard leveraged their initial access to identify and compromise a legacy test OAuth application that had elevated access to the Microsoft corporate environment. The actor created additional malicious OAuth applications.

"They created a new user account to grant consent in the Microsoft corporate environment to the actor controlled malicious OAuth applications. The threat actor then used the legacy test OAuth application to grant them the Office 365 Exchange Online full_access_as_app role, which allows access to mailboxes."

Stamos said AzureAD was overly complex, and lacked an interface that allowed administrators to easily understand the web of security relationships and dependencies that attackers were becoming accustomed to exploiting.

"In many organisations, AzureAD is deployed in hybrid mode, which combines the vulnerability of cloud (external password sprays) and on-premise (NTLM, mimikatz) identity technologies in a combination that smart attackers utilize to bounce between domains, escalate privilege and establish persistence," he explained.

"Calling this a 'legacy' tenant is a dodge; this system was clearly configured to allow for production access as of a couple of weeks ago, and Microsoft has an obligation to secure their legacy products and tenants just as well as ones provisioned today.

"It's not clear what they mean by 'legacy', but whatever Microsoft's definition it is likely to be representative of how thousands of their customers are utilizing their products."

He also accused Microsoft of using its own security flaws to upsell, citing three sentences from the second blog as evidence.

"These sentences in the blog post deserve a nomination to the Cybersecurity Chutzpah Hall of Fame, as Microsoft recommends that potential victims of this attack against their cloud-hosted infrastructure," Stamos wrote.

The sentences he cited were:

"Detect, investigate, and remediate identity-based attacks using solutions like Microsoft Entra ID Protection;

"Investigate compromised accounts using Microsoft Purview Audit (Premium); and

"Enforce on-premises Microsoft Entra Password Protection for Microsoft Active Directory Domain Services.

Stamos said Microsoft was using the blog post as a means of upselling customers on their security products, "which are apparently necessary to run their identity and collaboration products safely!

"This is morally indefensible, just as it would be for car companies to charge for seat belts or airplane manufacturers to charge for properly tightened bolts," he added.
Gulf Islamic Investments (GII) has signed agreements to acquire a SR600 million ($160 million) worth equity stake in Abeer Medical Company (Abeer), the largest affordable healthcare services provider in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).

GII, a leading Shariah-compliant alternative investment company with $4 billion of assets under management (AUM), identified Abeer as a leading partner to expand GIIs healthcare assets in the kingdom  now worth some SR1.6 billion - including a majority stake in AlMeswak Dental Clinics, Saudi Arabias largest dental and dermatology network.

GIIs growth strategy for Abeer includes expanding the number of hospitals and clinics in addition to the roll-out of additional brands to widen Abeers scope and geographical footprint of healthcare services to the kingdoms residents and visitors.

Wider expansion

GII co-founder and co-CEO Mohammed Alhassan commented: We are increasing our healthcare portfolio in Saudi Arabia, which is part of a wider expansion of GIIs activities in the kingdom. Our partnership will accelerate Abeers growth trajectory to include new cities and segments, supporting the capable leadership of Abeers founder Mohammed Alungal and his dedicated team of 2,000 staff.

Mohammed Alungal, Abeers President & CEO, added: GIIs investment will enable us to boost Abeer Medical Companys network of 14 medical centres and two general hospitals  all with clinics  with a blend of organic growth acquisitions and investment in new healthcare facilities. This is a very exciting development for healthcare landscape in Saudi Arabia Abeer will continue to pioneer its commitment to providing Affordable Quality Healthcare as the group is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.

Pankaj Gupta, GII co-founder and co-CEO, said: Abeer is highly attractive to GIIs investors, with strong growth potential through multiple healthcare channels. GIIs development plans can multi-fold Abeers already impressive revenue and EBITDA numbers over the next five years, bringing both an expansion of the medical services available across the kingdom and an attractive return for our investors.--TradeArabia News Service
GUEST OPINION: 28 January is Data Privacy Day  known as Data Protection Day in Europe. Data privacy is about deciding who may have access to what information, while data protection is about safeguarding that information. A data breach blows both out of the water.

Data breaches can happen in any organisation. Our latest research, undertaken with Ponemon Institute, shows that just under half, 48%, of the organisations surveyed in five countries around the world experienced a data breach incident in the last year involving the loss or theft of sensitive information about customers, prospects, or employees. This rises to 54% among financial services organisations.

Well look at the main causes of data breaches later. But first, lets talk about risk.

For cybersecurity to be fully effective, it needs senior executive level support. And risk is the language all business leaders understand. When it comes to ensuring a robust, compliant approach to data privacy and protection, business leaders need to know what would happen if  they lost valuable data.

What does a data breach mean for your business?

The research reveals that not all data loss carries the same level of business risk. This matters because it enables organisations to focus their security resources accordingly.

Not altogether surprisingly, financial data tops the list of information that, if lost or stolen, would have the greatest financial or operational impact on the organisation. Overall, 43% of respondents named this as one their two highest impact data losses.

Other interesting insights include:

The loss of employee records has the second highest impact (37%) overall. The margin between second and third place (customers personally identifiable information, PII, at 36%) is slim, but it is higher for the largest organisations surveyed (40%). This could reflect the fact that organisations often hold more, and more detailed, sensitive, and confidential information about their employees than about their customers. This could be abused by attackers for extortion, to recruit malicious insiders, leave the business exposed to costly lawsuits and compliance breaches, and more.

The loss of intellectual property has a greater impact on smaller (30%) than larger companies (21%), possibly because smaller businesses rely heavily on IP for competitive advantage and are less likely to have a broader range of assets.

The loss of emails and informal chats/texts has the greatest impact on larger companies (32%). This could reflect the risk of advanced email threats such as business email compromise, and the need to keep such records for legal disclosure and compliance.

The main causes of data breaches

Respondents were asked about the root causes of data breaches. The findings show how broad digital attack surfaces have become, with numerous points of weakness that can expose networks and data.

The root causes appear to fall into four categories  people, cyberthreats, supply chain, or system fault/misconfiguration.

They include:

Employee/contractor activity, whether through negligence (a root cause in 42% of breaches) or malicious act (39%)

IT security oversights  including unpatched vulnerabilities (34%), errors in the system or operating process (41%)

Third-party mistakes (45%)

External adversary  hacking (34%), phishing (39%), and viruses or other malware (49%).

Elsewhere in the study, the findings show that one in six (17%) successful phishing attacks resulted in the loss of sensitive and confidential information, rising to more than one in five for organisations in manufacturing (22%), the public sector (21%), and for respondents from the UK (23%) and France (21%).

Many of these potential break points can be addressed through effective security technologies and policies.

Protecting your data

If around one in every two businesses experienced a data breach in the last year, it is not a big leap to assume that over time every organisation will experience a data breach. If nothing else, every organisation should approach its data security and compliance as if that were the case.

Regardless of the size of your organisation, you cant go wrong by getting the basics right. These include a robust approach to authentication and access, with multifactor authentication as standard and ideally moving towards a Zero Trust approach.

Your IT infrastructure should feature defense-in-depth, AI-powered security technologies that cover and provide full visibility into your entire attack surface and every entry point, from devices to APIs, cloud assets, and more.

Ideally this should be backed by 24/7 security operations and monitoring so that you are ready to respond to, mitigate and neutralise any threat before it moves further along the cyber kill chain.

Alongside this, you need to continuously back up your data. Ensure that all backup data is encrypted, both while at rest and in motion. Apply the gold standard of 3:2:1  three backup copies, using two different media, one of which is kept offline.

Employee engagement and training is critical. All employees should understand why cybersecurity matters, the latest threats and scams to look out for, and what to do if they spot something suspicious..

Know your obligations

Last, but not least, make sure you know and abide by the data privacy and protection regulations for any market you do business in.

Information on data privacy is available in the US from the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and many more public, private, and educational institutions.

The same applies for EMEA and Asia Pacific. Alongside key regional sites, such as the GDPR Compliance Checklist, and more, Deloittes Europe Data Guidance and Asia Pacific Data Guidance include up-to-date information on data protection and privacy laws and developments across the regions.

Barracuda commissioned international research from Ponemon Institute into the security challenges and financial consequences of compromises faced by organisations with between 100 and 5,000 employees. Ponemon surveyed 1,917 IT security practitioners in the United States (522), the United Kingdom (372), France (329), Germany (425), and Australia (269) in September 2023. A report on the findings, Cybernomics 101, is available.
GUEST RESEARCH: As of October 2023, researchers at Bitdefender Labs have been actively keeping tabs on steam-jacking attacks against high-profile YouTube accounts used to conduct myriad crypto doubling scams.

Fast forward to 2024; our investigation into the fraudulent takeovers and usage of YouTube accounts has rendered new findings, as financially motivated threat actors meticulously evolve their attacks.

Over the past couple of months, stream-jacking attacks have steadily evolved, and our research shows how cybercriminals advance their craft to maximise the reach and efficiency of their actions with carefully engineered content that closely mimics legitimate cryptocurrency-related news or announcements.

We know that malicious actors often stay on top of popular events in crypto, and during the last quarter they have made use of multiple announcements to potentially monetise fraudulent livestreams that disguise crypto-doubling scams under popular titles highlighted in mainstream media.

For example, attackers made use of the SpaceX Starship integrated flight test 2 official event to launch their own fake livestreams under the name SpaceX Launch Starship Flight Test! Elon Musk gives update on Starship! on verified compromised channels to add credibility to their ruse. Most of the livestreams we analysed were also showing signs of artificial boosting of viewers to further increase the trust of potential real viewers.

As previously stated, scammers use variants of the name of the impersonated entity on compromised accounts (instead of @SpaceX, @spacex1[..] is observed).

Other premeditated scams based on official and wide-known events we have found are the following:

30 Nov was an important date for the SEC-XRP trial in the world of cryptocurrencies. Before, during and after that date, we noticed multiple fake livestreams with the following titles:

Ripple XRP Case Reaching A HAPPY End - SEC Lose? Brad Garlinghouse LIVE;



Ripple XRP BOOM! Case Reaching A HAPPY End - SEC Lose? Brad Garlinghouse LIVE



Tomorrow Swell will send XRP? Brad Garlinghouse LIVE!

The USSF-52 flight

SpaceX USSF-52 Mission Launch! Elon Musk gives update on Starship!



USSF-52 Mission Launch SpaceX! Elon Musk gives update on Starship!

Changpeng Zhao stepping down from the CEO position of Binance

Changpeng Zhao: I'm not leaving! I'm free! Today is a big event! Scan the QR code and read the rules



Bitcoin | BTC news today | ETH price prediction 2024 | Crypto news | ETH moon | Ethereum pump x2 ,Changpeng-Zhao LIVE



Elon Musk: BNB (Binance) CRASH TOMORROW, 21.11.2023",Binance Live

The Cybertruck Launch

Elon Musk Live: Tesla's Cybertruck Debut and Production Insights!



Revolution: Tesla Van & Minivan - a van that combines Model 3, Model X & Model Y

Bitcoin ETF:

Bitcoin ETF Will Send BTC Price to $1 Million? Michael Saylor LIVE



Michael Saylor: MicroStrategy Buys Another 16,000 Bitcoin. This is Why Bull Run is INEVITABLE



Ripple ETF Will Send XRP Price to $40? Brad Garlinghouse LIVE



Elon Musk: Bitcoin ETF Will Send BTC Price to $1 Million? Tesla LIVE



Bitcoin Is About To 100X - Michael Saylor's Genius BTC Strategy!



Michael Saylor: Why Will Bitcoin Cost $200k?! Is Ethereum Expecting A Pump?! X100 BTC



Michael Saylor - ACCEPTED Bitcoin ETF today! What will happen to BTC in the near future?



Bitcoin ETF APPROVED!! Bitcoin $1 Million tomorrow! Michael Saylor LIVE

It becomes more obvious that any high-profile news headlines can be used in malicious activities. Over time, the scams evolved from the simple use of the names of famous entities to the coordination of scam campaigns based on real events of interest to online communities.

More importantly, weve noticed that at the start of these planned campaigns, a considerable number of the compromised channels have many subscribers (some with more than one million and one with as much as 12.5 million) which makes them an ideal vector for threat actors to spread their fraudulent schemes.

The rise of deep fakes reshapes the threat landscape

While the initial iterations of the scams reported in October 2023 used looped videos of famous conference talks or other popular recordings, fraudsters have recently started using deep fake technology to create fake videos of prominent figures in cryptocurrency and adding further credibility to the scams.

A common aspect of these skilfully engineered videos is that they encourage viewers to look for a QR code, scan it and send an amount of crypto to be doubled.

Some of the observed deep fakes are of decent quality and could easily fool an untrained eye. To prevent any victims or wary community members from blowing the lid on the entire operation, the live chat section of the videos is disabled unless you are a selected member of the channel or have been a subscriber for an extended period.

Another new commonality of these deepfakes is that they are sometimes used in YouTube ads instead of malicious livestreams, giving cybercriminals more leeway for spreading the scams (fraudsters can easily pay for these phony ads until they are banned by YouTube).

While the videos are clearly crafted with deep generative models, the support chats that the malicious websites use do not seem to employ any Large Language Model to answer.

The anatomy of YouTube account takeovers

These account takeovers are usually enabled by the compromise of YouTube access tokens with the use of various stealers. After the access tokens are obtained, the malicious actors proceed with revamping the channel, making it look like it is owned by the entity they want to impersonate. This process is most likely automated and consists of completely changing the original channel by:

Changing the channel name and handle  even though these are operations that can be done twice every 14 days, hackers manage to do it as it is uncommon for content creators to change names that often;

Changing the visibility of all videos to private  this is done to conceal previously existing content as it can directly lead to the discovery of the scam;

Changing the channel avatar and banner  these are replaced with images that represent the impersonated entity;

Changing or eliminating the channels description, links, featured channels and anything that might lead to the identification of the original channel. In some instances, the channel link is set to the malicious website that promotes the crypto doubling scam.

In our research, weve observed some takeovers live. The name, handle and avatar of the original channel were changed, but previously existing content is still available despite the start of the malicious broadcast. After a couple of minutes, videos were set to private and the banner was also changed, but the channel description and special videos are still displayed. After another couple of minutes, the channel is completely stripped of the original content. In this case, the definitive version of the compromised channel scarcely looks like the official SpaceX channel.

Sometimes, these transformative operations either take too much to happen (and the channel gets banned before it does) or do not happen at all.

The last wave of scams: MicroStrategy and the Bitcoin ETF

Taking advantage of the heavy news coverage of the Bitcoin ETF, malicious actors started broadcasting scams with the same topic in late December 2023. These scams have MicroStrategy (business intelligence company) and Michael Saylor as central figures, and use titles that refer to the Bitcoin ETF potentially reaching high values to gain traction. Hundreds of malicious broadcasts were observed in the last couple of weeks, qualifying it as one of the most intensive scam campaigns weve seen so far.

Most of the broadcasts use looped deep fakes in which MicroStrategys former CEO encourages the community to participate in the giveaway by scanning the QR code and following the instructions found on the website.

The compromised channels use variations of the official MicroStrategy logo as the avatar and the official banner, and some refer to the playlists of the official MicroStrategy channel to boost credibility. The thumbnails of the videos are also common between instances, with limited diversity. The most common name after the takeover is MicroStrategy US and other discovered names are: MicroStrategy, Microstrategy, Microstrategy US, Microstrategy Live, Micro Strategy. The names might include trailing spaces and parentheses (rounded or square) around the US and Live keywords.

The phony websites are usually hosted on domains that resemble the name of the impersonated company or its former CEO, or simpler domains that include the symbols of the cryptocurrencies used in the fake giveaways, along with multipliers such as 2x or x2. These websites also host animations that give users the impression that multiple transactions are taking place live. While it may seem legitimate, these are in fact randomly generated.

Here are some key insights about what a deepfake Michael Saylor tells viewers in a looped video:

You dont need to register on any website. You need to watch the live broadcast online, keep an eye out for the QR code that will appear on the screen and scan it with your phone.

You dont need to register on the website to make a Bitcoin deposit. Once youve accessed the platform, youll be prompted to deposit any amount of Bitcoin.

After you deposit, our system will automatically send back double the amount of Bitcoin you deposited.

Weve ensured that the entire process is smooth and hassle-free to those who are new to the world of cryptocurrencies.

Our technical support team will be available during the broadcast to assist with any queries or guidance.

Unlike traditional giveaways that rely on chance, our mode is based on a guaranteed outcome. When participants deposit Bitcoin, they automatically receive double.

The sooner you participate, the better your chance is, as the offer is time sensitive and depends on the availability of the funds allocated for the giveaway.

Updated numbers on the phenomenon

Maximum number of subscribers of a hijacked account: ~12,500,000 (for one account)

Maximum number of views of a hijacked account: ~3,869,224,308 (total views/one channel)

Subscribers count median value: ~3955

View count of channel median value: ~449,159

Total number of subscribers from the top 10 hijacked channels: ~62,930,000

Total number of views from the most viewed 10 hijacked channels: ~17,447,370,155

According to our analysis, cybercriminals targeted a variety of content creator accounts, including the US (96 accounts), Brazil (75 accounts), India (74 accounts), Indonesia (49 accounts), Mexico (21 accounts), Turkey (15 accounts), Peru (14 accounts), Vietnam (13 accounts), Columbia (12 accounts), the UK (11 accounts), France (9 accounts), Spain (8 accounts, and much more. The number of compromised accounts does not include any accounts already banned by YouTube following malicious/fraudulent broadcasts.

All metrics have grown since our last report on the topic, while some even come close to doubling. The alarming growth indicates that this phenomenon is far from eradicated.

Just how profitable are crypto doubling scams?

A crucial question arises after observing the surge of these continuously evolving crypto scams: How much do cybercrooks earn that it is so motivating for them to sustain these scams?

The only possible financial gain is the actual amount of cryptocurrencies that are received in the promoted crypto wallets. As such, we began an investigation of a subset of malicious domains (focusing on the latest trends  XRP, MicroStrategy, SpaceX and Binance) that were promoted in livestreams to get an idea of the actual profits. After extracting the identifiers of the promoted crypto wallets, the associated transactions were analysed, with the following insights:

Over 10 ETH (Ethereum, having a value per coin between ~$2180 and ~$2690 since January 1, , 2024) and 12 BTC (Bitcoin, having a value per coin between ~$42,200 and ~$48,700 since January 1, 2024) were sent to the malicious wallets;

Most of the wallets had no transactions. This can also be related to the fact that their date of creation is quite recent, so it is likely that the numbers will grow in the future;

Hackers use well-known measures of passing the tokens through a series of other wallets to complicate future analyses;

The highest amounts received are almost 6 BTC and 2 ETH.

In total, potential earnings amount to ~$528,200 and ~$600,500 (depending on what date the coins are evaluated), making these malicious operations highly profitable for threat actors. While the analysis solely relies on the transactions received, it is unclear if these transactions are from the actual victims or transactions from other wallets used in this kind of scam. Nonetheless, the numbers are alarming, and the need to raise awareness of such frauds is paramount.

You can read more about how to keep YouTube accounts safe from hijackers and preventing crypto doubling scams in our dedicated guide.

If you ever observe content promoting giveaways or other events from well-known companies, always make sure to double-check the promotions on official websites. The ones discussed in the present material are the following:

And the associated YouTube channels:

Always keep an eye out for the identifier of the channel  if it contains unexpected characters or misspellings, it is almost certain that it is the case of an impersonation. Always report observed scams to aid in keeping the phenomenon under control. Also, keep an eye on various social media feeds, as these scams are usually denounced and detailed there  for example, Twitter/X posts about the MicroStrategy YouTube scams are common.
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A new study published last week in Science makes a compelling case that people with long COVID have a chronic imbalance in their immune response. The findings don't explain why that immune response is out of whack, and needs confirming in larger studies. Still, this is important new piece to the vexing puzzle that is long COVID.

One of the challenges with diagnosing and treating long COVID is the dozens of ways it can manifest: brain fog, extreme fatigue, shortness of breath, heart palpitations and headaches, to name just a few. Finding a common biomarker across people experiencing such different symptoms suggests a path to a diagnostic test. The work even could lead to new treatment strategies.

A sharp focus on tests and treatments for long COVID has never been more critical. As we approach the fifth year of living with COVID, the virus has issued one of its regular reminders that it's not going anywhere: Hospitalizations and deaths in the US have been ticking up since early November, and wastewater data suggest the country is experiencing the biggest peak in cases in more than a year.

Each wave risks adding to the already massive number of people experiencing long-term effects of their infection. The most recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data showed that 8.8 million people in the US were living with long COVID in 2022. Meanwhile, new preliminary data, reported in Medscape, show that nearly 1,500 people died from long COVID last year. Some health experts expect long COVID to account for an increasing portion of overall COVID deaths.

This latest research is a good step in explaining what might be going wrong in the immune systems of people with lingering symptoms. Scientists at the University of Zurich followed 113 people with COVID over the course of a year to understand on a molecular level the differences between those that did and did not develop long COVID. Using sophisticated technologies to analyze more than 6,500 proteins in each blood sample, they found a distinct signal: People with long COVID had elevated levels of proteins involved in the complement system, a part of our immune response that tags foreign microbes for disposal.

Typically, the complement system revs up when we're exposed to a virus or bacteria and then relaxes when the threat is eliminated. During that resting state, it plays a key role in sweeping away dead or damaged cells.

But when that part of our immune response is constantly triggered, it can cause inflammation and cell and tissue damage, and even causes increased blood clotting  all symptoms found in people with long COVID, explains Onur Boyman, the immunologist who led the study.

The work doesn't explain why this arm of the immune system continues to be on high alert in some people, while others recover  only that it seems to be a common feature of long COVID. But it does nicely intersect with some of the leading hypotheses about the root causes of the condition.

Akiko Iwasaki, a professor of immunobiology at Yale School of Medicine who has been a leader in long COVID research in the US, called the work a very important piece of the puzzle. This study, along with others looking at this arm of the immune system, are collectively saying that there's something going on inside the blood, she says.

The question for long COVID patients, of course, is how and when this work could help improve their lives. The next step will be confirming the findings in a larger patient group  and Iwasaki and others seem confident they will be validated. From there, a diagnostic company needs to develop a test for the proteins implicated in a dysregulated complement system.

And then there's treatments. The good news is that drugs that try to calm down an overactive complement system are already on the market and in development for other conditions. Some of those were tested to treat acute, severe COVID infections, with mixed results. But as evidence accumulates that the complement system contributes to long COVID, those treatments should be tested in clinical studies for this population.

Long COVID patients need these next steps to happen fast and with the full backing of government funding agencies. At a Senate hearing on long COVID last week, Rachel Beale, a long COVID advocate, told lawmakers that she has been frustrated with the lack of progress in finding tests and treatments and made a plea for continued resources to push the science forward.

Three years into her condition, Beale has resigned herself to making peace with her situation, she said. It makes me sad to think about my future. This may be as healthy as I get.

Let's hope this latest finding is a step forward in improving Beale's life and the lives of the millions who share her condition.

(COMMENT, BELOW)
It hit suddenly last week, fever, chills, chest congestion, a hard dry cough, shivering, shaking, and a profound fatigue such that I grabbed a cane to assist me to the bathroom.

Suddenly I was 98 years old. I felt I was at death's door. I put on a sweater and lay shivering under a quilt. I slept in an upright chair to ease the coughing. I tried to order chicken soup from a deli to be delivered but they needed me to do it through PayPal, which meant creating a new PIN number to add to the twenty I already have, so I declined.

Tylenol helped with the fever so I could sleep a little and in the morning I headed for the doctor's.

I looked so pathetic that the cabdriver got out of the front seat and helped me in the back. The doctor could see I was suffering badly. A blood test revealed influenza B, and I headed home with the prescription. All in all, that's what I call pure misery. Irritation was when I spent 85 minutes the day before on the phone, making a hotel reservation, first online, then when that failed I spoke to a reservations agent in Honduras who spoke a sort of semi-English and was in a crowded room who then transferred me to a man who also had comprehension problems.

I spoke in my clearest radio announcer voice. I did not use profanity though it would've been satisfying. But I am used to the phenomenon of big corporations bidding out customer service to cheap labor in foreign countries rather than hire young people from Indiana or Ohio who would demand a living wage. It's not a good policy to make your customers irritated and I don't plan to stay in stay in a Marriott hotel ever again, but so what?

It was frustrating the same day to delete junk e-mails, almost a hundred of them, and then suddenly Gmail twitched and undeleted them and I had to go back to Go. Technology should be a convenience, not an annoyance.

But influenza B put everything in perspective. Nearby druggists didn't have the prescribed drug in stock but because I was dealing with robots, they simply said, "We're working on it." Hours later I called and got a human being who said, "We don't have it."

I was in bad shape, hardly able to walk across the room, nesting in a straight-backed chair to ease the violent coughing, and finally in a desperate moment I called my friend Gretchen who was busy giving a flute lesson and on her way to a board meeting but dropped everything, made some phone calls, got her friend Joshua to make a run over to the East Side to a shop that had the Xofluza the doctor prescribed for me, and a couple hours later there he was at my door, a tall young man with a head of big black hair, a record producer (she told me) who's done a couple of Bruce Springsteen albums and who lives in my building, eight floors up. It's good to know that Bruce works with nice people.

I was miserable Thursday and somewhat less so on Friday but something in the drug electrified my mind and when I closed my eyes I saw mysterious diagrams, documents, letters, landscapes, all incomprehensible, which made it hard to fall asleep, until I discovered that J.S. Bach's organ chorales, played softly on the CD player next to the bed, worked perfectly, dismissed the nonsense, restored reason.

And on Saturday I felt better. Not healed but more or less myself, rather than the cranky 98-year-old wacko on the verge of being hauled away to Happydale.

"Where is his wife, for Heaven's sake?" you ask. She is in St. Paul, working, being an orchestra violist. She offered to quit and come home and I said, No, absolutely not. Why should she be miserable watching me be miserable? One misery is enough. But do this, my friend: look down the list of contacts on your phone and ask, "Whom would I call to go halfway across town one evening to get me the drug I need?" Make sure you have a Gretchen. When I recover I hope to become one myself. Or a Joshua.

(COMMENT, BELOW)

Garrison Keillor is an author and radio personality. His latest book is "The Lake Wobegon Virus: A Novel". Buy it at a 33% discount! by clicking here. Sales help fund JWR.
Insight We need a leader in the white house, not a Biden By Michael Reagan Published Jan. 29, 2024

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Our belated and weak response to the missile attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea by Houthi militants has been embarrassing.

But that's what happens when there's no strong leader in the White House.

Watching Joe Biden and his inept state department screw up everything they try to do in Ukraine and the Middle East reminds me of something I saw my father do in his first year in office.

In 1981 the Bad Boy of the Middle East was the late Muammar Gaddafi, the dictator of Libya who was funding deadly terrorist groups in Palestine, Syria and elsewhere.

One night in August of that year my wife Colleen and I ate dinner with my father and Nancy in a hotel room in the Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles.

As we were having coffee, my father got a call from Ed Meese, my father's advisor, counselor and future attorney general, who was staying in a room three floors down.

I couldn't hear what Meese was saying, but by listening to my father's answers it wasn't hard to figure out.

Meese said he had an admiral on the phone from a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier in the Gulf of Sidra, which Gaddafi claimed was part of Libya's territorial waters.

"You know we're doing war games in the Gulf of Sidra," Meese said.

"I know, Ed. I approved them."

President Carter had called off the war games in previous years because he didn't want to upset Gaddafi, but my father had resumed them.

"What does the admiral want?" my father asked.

Meese explained that Gaddafi was sending fighter planes out from Tripoli and they were locking their radars on to our F-14 jets and feigning like they were going to shoot their air-to-air missiles.

"The admiral wants to know what we should do if our boys are shot at," Meese said.

"Shoot back," my father said.

There was a short pause.

I'm assuming Meese's next question was, "What if our boys are shot at and the Libyan jets turn and run?"

"Then you chase them," my father said.

"Mr. President," Meese apparently said, "the admiral wants to know if the Libyan fighters fire and run back into their own air space, what should we do then?"

"Ed, you tell the admiral that if they shoot at our boys, you chase them all the way back to their hangars if necessary. But you will shoot them down."

Meese and my father exchanged "good nights" and Colleen and I left for our home.

The next morning the world woke up to headlines that two Russian-made Su-22 fighters were in the ground outside Tripoli.

The conversation between Meese and my father shows the huge gap between the strong leadership of the Reagan White House and the weak leadership we have now.

Five years later, after Libyan terrorists set off a bomb in a nightclub in Berlin that was popular with U.S. soldiers, my dad ordered airstrikes on military targets in Tripoli that nearly killed Gaddafi.

My father made a "statement"  with 6o tons of bombs  that Gaddafi heard loud and clear, and he kept a much lower profile for the next 15 years.

How my father handled Gaddafi's terrorism was completely different from what Biden is doing with the Houthi attacks and the situation with Iran's sponsorship of terrorism.

This week Biden finally ordered a few airstrikes on Houthi missile sites.

But how many Houthi attacks on commercial ships were needed before we decided to retaliate? 40? 50? That's not much of a statement.

Right now the United States has its weakest leader since Jimmy Carter. Our enemies know it and are exploiting it wherever they can.

When the media asked my father during the Cold War what his game plan was for dealing with the evil Soviet Empire, he famously said, "We win, they lose."

Biden is a hopeless case. But let's hope and pray that in 2024 we elect a president that can lead us back to my father's winning attitude instead of Bidens.

(COMMENT, BELOW)

Michael Reagan is the son of President Ronald Reagan, a political consultant, and the author of "The New Reagan Revolution" (St. Martin's Press). He is the founder of the email service reagan.com and president of The Reagan Legacy Foundation.
CHARLESTON  Porter Auto Body owner Tom Porter has made plans to retire after 34 years of operating his original shop and more than 55 years of working in the industry.

After his retirement on Feb. 9, he has arranged for Caliber Collision of Lewisville, Texas, to take over ownership and operation of his Charleston location at 1607 Madison Ave. and Mattoon location at 2116 Lake Land Boulevard.

Porter said his 22 employees will stay on the job when the shops reopen on Feb. 11 under the Caliber name and will continue serving their many longtime customers.

"I would really like to thank the community for supporting us over the years. We would not be where we are at without the support of the community," Porter said. "The community has been very good to me."

Porter grew up in this community living a couple of blocks away from the building at 1607 Madison that would eventually become home to his auto shop. The building housed a Sinclair gas station in his youth, followed by the Prince Auto Body shop.

Now 72, Porter said he was 15 years old when shop owner Gene Prince hired him on part time at $1 an hour through a Charleston High School work program. Porter said he was thankful for the opportunity to empty trash cans, make coffee, clean bathrooms and do any other work there.

Porter built a career under Prince's mentorship, eventually becoming foreman. They remain friends. Porter and his wife, Debbie, eventually purchased this shop from Prince in January 1990. They later bought the Tatmans Collision Repair Center at 2116 Lake Land in Mattoon in March 2004.

Caliber reported in a press release that it continues to grow nationwide and looks forward to serving customers in the Charleston and Mattoon communities.

"With our purpose of 'Restoring the Rhythm of Your Life,' Caliber and our teammates are committed to getting customers back on the road safely and to what is most important in their lives.

Caliber said it is pleased to retain all existing teammates at the Charleston and Mattoon locations. The company added that it and its teammates help community members in need through the Restoring You program, including children, military service members, veterans, and first responders.

During Porter Auto Body's more than three decades in business, it has been active in the community. This has included sponsorship of school district and Eastern Illinois University activities.

In addition, Porter headed up the Charleston Rotary Clubs Adopt-A-Highway litter collection program for several years. This community involvement prompted the Charleston Area Chamber of Commerce to name the shop as Small Business of the Year in 2006.

John Inyart, who owned and operated the former Inyart Tire & Auto Centers in Charleston and Mattoon (now Car-X), said Porter Auto Body was always first class to work with in the community, both as a customer and a vendor that his former business did subcontract work for over the years.

"Their people were well qualified, and we could see that quality when we were doing our part of the work to the vehicle," Inyart said.

Porter said the work has become high tech as time has passed, with computers now helping guide framework, painting and other tasks. No matter the era, Porter said he has enjoyed using his experience to help repair his customers' vehicles.

"If someone comes in with a problem, you can fix it. We have done this long enough that we are pretty good at it," Porter said.

Working at the auto body shops has been a family tradition for the couple and their children. Porter said his wife focused on the Mattoon location and retired from there five years ago.

Porter said their son, Derek, will stay on with Caliber in his role as a painter and their other two children, Todd Porter and Ashley Temple, have worked at the shops in the past. Porter's father Ray, who had an auto body shop in Arcola for many years, also was part of the team at his son's shops.

In retirement, Porter said he and his wife plan to spend more time with their eight grandchildren and additional days relaxing at their cabin at Lake Paradise. Porter said he will also put in more time at their small farm east of time, adding that he likes to stay active and work with his hands.

"I'm always doing something and tinkering with something," Porter said.

Photos: 2023 Coles County new businesses Side by Side Gaming family (copy) Defense Depot plans (copy) Winery owner (copy) DHM exterior (copy) CRAFT EMPORIUM 060123-mat-nws-sports-groundbreaking_01.JPG (copy)
CHICAGO  Former President Donald Trump should be removed from Illinois' primary ballot, but the decision should be left to the courts, a retired judge recommended Sunday to the state's election board, arguing that it was clear Trump engaged in insurrection in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

The Illinois State Board of Elections is expected to consider the recommendation Tuesday. Attorneys for Trump and citizens seeking to keep the Republican former president off the ballot presented their arguments Friday before the hearing officer, Clark Erickson. The retired longtime Kankakee County judge is a Republican.

The Illinois effort to keep Trump off the March ballot is similar to those filed in several other states. The U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear arguments next month in an historic Colorado Supreme Court ruling to remove Trump from that state's ballot. The case presents the high court with its first look at a provision of the 14th Amendment barring some people who "engaged in insurrection" from holding public office.

Erickson's 21-page recommendation concluded that a "preponderance of the evidence" presented proves that Trump engaged in insurrection.

But he said the election board can't engage in the "significant and sophisticated constitutional analysis" required to remove Trump's name before the March 19 primary.

"All in all, attempting to resolve a constitutional issue within the expedited schedule of an election board hearing is somewhat akin to scheduling a two-minute round between heavyweight boxers in a telephone booth," he wrote.

Still, Erickson noted that even if the board disagrees with his reasoning, Trump's name should be removed from the Illinois primary ballot.

The election board is split evenly between four Democrats and four Republicans.

Free Speech for People, which is leading the Illinois ballot effort, praised the recommendation from the Republican retired judge as "significant" but argued that Illinois law allows the board to make the ballot decision.

"We expect that the board and ultimately Illinois courts will uphold Judge Erickson's thoughtful analysis of why Trump is disqualified from office, but  with the greatest respect  correct him on why Illinois law authorizes that ruling," Ron Fein, legal director for the group, wrote in a Sunday statement.

Trump's campaign did not immediately return a message left Sunday.
The biggest gripe among North Carolina consumers remained telemarketers and robocalls for the fourth consecutive year, according to the N.C. Justice Departments 2023 list of the top 10 complaints.

The department received 21,544 consumer complaints, of which telemarketing and robocalls represented 3,281, or 15.3%.

Telemarketing issues typically include unauthorized telemarketing scams, charitable solicitations and violations to the National Do Not Call Registry.

Not only are robocalls annoying, but they also scam people out of their hard-earned money and personal information, state Attorney General Josh Stein said.

Stein said the number of robocall complaints has declined in recent years, which he said is a hopeful indication that our efforts are having some positive effect.

The next closest complaint categories were motor vehicle repair shops at 2,385, or 11.1%, followed by credit cards at 1,519, or 7%

The rest of the top 10 consumer complaints: utilities at 1,516, or 7%; home improvement at 1,161, or 5.4%; internet providers at 1,139, or 5.2%; landlord-tenant disputes at 1,101, or 5.1%; insurance at 637, or 2.9%; professional services at 592, or 2.7%; and land/real estate at 515, or 2.4%.

Motor-vehicle complaints typically involve car rentals, buying or selling new or used cars, failures to disclose car damages, recreational vehicles and auto- repair issues.

Home improvement complaints typically address home repairs, construction and lawn care.

The departments Consumer Protection Division said it gained more than $563 million in court judgments and settlements on behalf of North Carolinians, including money secured in agreements to hold accountable corporations that contributed to the opioid epidemic and addiction in the state.

The division also received 2,032 notices of data breaches during 2023 that affected a combined 4.96 million North Carolinians.

During 2023, the Attorney Generals Office and state Justice Department participated in three major robocall initiatives.

In March, the agencies helped shut down three Texas-based companies  Rising Eagle Capital Group LL, JSquared Telecom LLC and Rising Eagle Capital GroupCayman  and their two owners for blasting billions of illegal robocalls to people across the country.

In August, the attorney general won judgments that prevented Scott Shapiro, Michael Theron Smith Jr. and Health Advisors of America from making robocalls or working for companies that make robocalls in North Carolina. The defendants were accused of making millions of illegal health care-related robocalls.

Stein also participated in a bipartisan group of attorneys general who sued Avid Telecom for allegedly initiating and facilitating billions of illegal robocalls to millions of people. They were accused of violating the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, the Telemarketing Sales Rule, and other federal and state telemarketing and consumer laws.

Avid Telecom made 294 million robocalls in N.C. between December 2018 and January 2023.

MV Realty efforts

The AGs office also cited its efforts involving MV Realty, the bankrupt real-estate group subject to state attorneys general investigations of its business practices.

MV Realtys business model was to offer to provide cash payments, typically less than $1,000, to homeowners in exchange for their agreement to exclusively utilize that companys services to list their property at any time over the next 40 years.

MV Realty was sued by Stein in March for marketing and selling these agreements. The AGs office has received more than 20 complaints about MV Realty, which began doing business across the state in August 2020.

Gov. Roy Cooper signed into law on Aug. 25 a bipartisan House Bill 422  the Unfair Real Estate Agreements Act that aims to prohibit the use of predatory real estate service agreements. The law went into effect immediately.

Bill sponsors were concerned that the signed contracts included a memorandum filed with the county that serves as a lien on the propertys title

The AGs office said on Sept. 1 it had obtained a preliminary injunction against MV Realty for what is alleged to be predatory service agreements. The motion was approved by Judge Mark Davis, a special Superior Court judge for complex business cases.

The company was banned from operating in North Carolina on Jan. 12 by the state Real Estate Commission. It has permanently revoked the licenses of MV Realty and Darryl Cook, a former broker-in-charge for MV, charging the company violated state license laws and rules.

MV has been ordered to refrain from entering into any new brokerage agreements during that time. The group, based in Boca Raton, Fla., can appeal the decision.
The Daily Minute is the Journal Star's morning news briefing where you can get the latest news in about a minute each weekday. Previous Daily Minute videos are archived here.

Good morning, Lincoln. Here's what you should know today.

Abortion limits not on legislative agenda

As they have for decades, Nebraskans opposed to abortion marched in winter weather through downtown Lincoln on Saturday morning as part of the 50th annual Walk for Life.

Advocates on either side of the issue have pledged their work is not done. But in a rare occurrence for Nebraska, no lawmakers introduced legislation to further curb abortion this year.

Sen. Joni Albrecht of Thurston, who carried previous bills and has been an ardent opponent of abortion, said the votes needed to shut off a filibuster remain elusive, leading her to forego taking another run at legislation in 2024.

"If I thought I had (the votes), I would have, but it's not there," she told the Journal Star.

Instead, those who hope to ban abortion in Nebraska said they are turning their attention to defeating the ballot initiative that seeks to create a fundamental right to abortion.

Grand jury reviews Lincoln man's officer-involved killing

A grand jury met at the end of September to review the death of Chace Abney, who was shot and killed by police on May 1.

No one knows what brought the All-American high school athlete, husband and father of four to the Super 8 on West O or why he followed the plainclothes officers who were riding in an unmarked car.

They just know how the twist-of-fate ended: With a push-pull fight in the front seat of Abney's Chevy Impala, followed by a short burst of gunshots and Abney dying several days later.

Our veteran courts reporter Lori Pilger sifted through the grand jurys hearing to find if police acted criminally in the shooting. Read the report.

Passion for geography

And, a second grade student at Morley Elementary School is using his passion for geography to connect with his classmates and share his love for all things geography.

Hanging inside a classroom at Morley are around 170 flags hand drawn by Ethan Sedivy representing nearly every country in the world. He started the mural in mid-August by first replicating the flags he knew by memory before moving on to alphabetical order. By October, he was finished.

Ethans next project is to create posters to hang beside his mural that display every country and its population.

He also wants to use his knowledge to make a competition by creating a Geography Bee for the fifth grade students. This is something some schools at Lincoln Public Schools have previously done; however, Morley does not currently offer anything like it.

Thats it for Monday, Jan. 29. Stay in the know with Lincolns longest-standing news source at JournalStar.com and well see you back here tomorrow.

The Journal Star's most memorable photos of 2023
GMG, a global well-being company is looking to further solidify its commitment to promoting holistic well-being globally through its participation at Arab Health 2024 from January 29 to February 1.

At the premier event, GMG is showcasing its robust portfolio and will further aim to expand its distribution capabilities, making its products and services more accessible to a wider audience.

This is a testament to its success and the increasing demand for innovative health and beauty products and solutions. By leveraging cutting-edge research and technology, GMG has developed a portfolio of products that exemplify the latest advancements in the health and beauty segment while prioritizing using natural ingredients.

Exceptional solutions

"Our mission is to provide exceptional solutions that enhance the well-being of individuals. We are proud that through our solid distribution capabilities and continuous growth, we are able to make health and beauty more accessible to a wider audience, said Mohammad A Baker, Deputy Chairman and CEO of GMG. "This exciting opportunity allows us to share our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and customer satisfaction, as we continue to strive for excellence in serving our customers globally."

GMG's Health and Beauty division provides a 360-degree, holistic approach to health and beauty by supporting overall well-being through nutrition, skin and body care, vitamins & supplements, and more. It has extensive expertise in retailing and distributing a vast portfolio of brands, including four concepts and distribution rights of over 80 international brands with over 100 retail stores.

GMG has solid global operations, with a presence in 12 countries, spanning 58 cities and over 600 retail stores.

The GMG Health and Beauty stand at Arab Health 2024 is located at the Concourse level at Booth C, C79.--TradeArabia News Service
Nebraskans have started encountering the states new voter identification requirements now that the window for requesting early ballots is open.

Initial reports from counties show that things have been going smoothly so far, said Jackie Ourada, a spokeswoman for the Secretary of States Office. She said local officials reported that voters have been following the new requirements when returning their early ballot requests.

Voters could start asking for early ballots last week, although the ballots themselves will not be ready to go in the mail until April 8. Voters can cast early ballots in person at county election offices starting April 15.

A constitutional amendment passed by voters in 2022, followed by a state law in 2023, set out the requirements. They are going into effect for Nebraskas May 14 primary election.

Every Nebraska voter should be thinking about how voter ID will impact their voting plan, whether that will be presenting an ID in the early voting process or showing up to the polls with an acceptable form of ID, said Secretary of State Bob Evnen.

When do I have to present ID?

Information about a voters ID must accompany a request to have an early ballot mailed out. Voters must show their ID if they vote early in their county election office or if they cast their ballot at their local precinct on Election Day.

What IDs are accepted?

Voters have some options for IDs that are allowed under state law. The most common forms likely will be a Nebraska-issued drivers license or state identification card.

Other options are: United States passports; military IDs; tribal IDs; IDs issued by local governments in Nebraska, such as schools, counties or cities; and IDs issued by public or private colleges and universities in Nebraska. A hospital, assisted-living facility or nursing home record, also known as a face sheet, can be used as well.

The ID can be expired, but must show the voters name and photo.

What if I dont have an acceptable ID?

People who lack any of the accepted forms of ID and cant afford to get one can get a free state ID card for voting purposes. The ID cards are available through the Department of Motor Vehicles. Check here or with your county DMV office to learn more about the requirements for getting a state ID.

One requirement is to provide a birth certificate or other proof of citizenship. People born in Nebraska can get a free certified copy of their birth certificate through the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services for use in getting their free state ID.

Another alternative is a reasonable impediment certification. Such certifications are available for people who have a religious objection to being photographed or who cannot get an accepted ID because of disability or illness or because they lack a birth certificate or other required documents. Contact your county election office or the Secretary of States Office for more information.

How do I present my ID when voting by mail?

Voters must provide their ID when requesting an early ballot to be mailed to them. This can be accomplished by writing the drivers license or state ID card number on the application, attaching a photocopy of another acceptable ID to the application or attaching a reasonable impediment certification form.

The photocopy only needs to show the side with the voters name and photo. The photocopy must accompany the request, whether they are sent in by mail, email, fax or in person.

What if my county has all-mail balloting?

Voters in counties or precincts with all-mail balloting have ballots sent to them automatically. They must submit their ID information when returning their ballot.

What if I forget my ID when voting in person?

People who vote in person, either early or on Election Day, but dont have an acceptable ID with them can cast a provisional ballot. For the ballot to be counted, the voter must go to the county election office by the Tuesday following the election to present an ID.

Top Journal Star photos for January 2024
The Lancaster County Board has narrowed a field of nine applicants to replace Troy Hawk as district court clerk to three.

Those three finalists are Kris Beckenbach, who ran for Lancaster County Clerk in 2022; Lin Quenzer, the city ombudsman who ran against Hawk for clerk of the district court the same year; and Simon Rezac, a longtime clerk of the district court employee.

Hawk announced in December that he was leaving the position hes held since 2013. Just a year earlier, he was elected to his third term, beating Quenzer.

Hawk left Jan. 15 to become legal counsel for the Nebraska Department of Education. His salary will be $105,990, less than the $117,980 district court clerk salary in 2024.

Hawk worked for Lancaster County for 14 years, 10 as clerk and four as court administrator.

The board has 45 days to appoint a replacement, who will serve in the position at least through Jan. 7, 2027, following the 2026 election.

Sean Flowerday, Lancaster County Board chairman, said he asked each of the commissioners to give him up to their top four choices, and the three finalists were the clear favorites.

Other applicants were Andrew Ojeda, a workforce development coordinator; Daniel Goetz, a business process analyst; Darik Von Loh, an attorney; Elloise Hansen, a clerk with the state appeals court; Kristen Anderson, chief deputy county treasurer; and Samantha Lowery, deputy director of enforcement for the Nebraska Real Estate Commission.

The finalists will be interviewed by the County Board on Feb. 15. Those finalists are:

*Beckenbach, who is a legal assistant for Baylor, Evnen, Wolfe & Tannehill. She spent a year as a transaction coordinator for Rocket Homebuyers and was director of Guardian Angels Homecare for five years before that. She lost the last election for clerk to former state Sen. Matt Hansen.

*Quenzer, who has been the ombudsman in the mayors office since 2000 and also acts as a federal compliance official, investigating and advising departments that have contact with the public on discrimination complaints. She is liaison for the city on LGBTQ issues and is a lay pastor at Sacred Winds Native Mission UMC. She has also served as music director at the Lincoln Indian Community Church and was a VISTA volunteer, job training coordinator, legal secretary and professional musician.

*Rezac, who has worked in the district court clerks office for 29 years. He began as an account clerk in 1994 and in 2003 was promoted to administrative service officer. In that role he prepares and monitors the budget and daily deposits, oversees personnel and payroll information, submits reports to county, state and federal offices and reviews and enters judgments into the computer system. Before joining the clerk's office, he spent 22 years in the Air Force, where he had financial and supervisory responsibilities.

The clerk of the district court oversees three budgets totaling just more than $2.7 million and performs four major functions for the county: serving as district court clerk, clerk for the separate juvenile court, the jury commissioner and the record keeper for the Lancaster County Mental Health Board.

Top Journal Star photos for January 2024
Back in the Cold War years, the Soviet nuclear threat compelled the Strategic Air Command to keep an EC-135 command-post plane airborne continuously  for 29 years.

SAC called the plane Looking Glass, because its communications systems mirrored the ones on the ground at SACs Offutt Air Force Base headquarters. A general officer on board could launch nuclear weapons even if the Pentagon, the White House and SAC had all been incinerated in a Russian first strike.

The plane was the linchpin of U.S. nuclear strategy during the Cold War because it ensured that the United States could retaliate if Russia attacked first. It was the guarantor of mutually assured destruction.

The whole concept was, this is whats left after were attacked by a nuclear adversary, said retired Maj. Gen. Rick Evans, a former Looking Glass battle staff commander who is now executive director of the University of Nebraskas National Strategic Research Institute. You had the capability to respond to a no-notice attack.

The continuous airborne alerts started Feb. 3, 1961, and ended July 24, 1990, when warming relations with the Russians made them seem unnecessary. The Air Force scrapped or repurposed the aging EC-135s. The once-iconic Looking Glass  spotlighted in period TV films such as The Day After and By Dawns Early Light, and even the television show Lassie  faded from public view.

But not at U.S. Strategic Command, SACs post-Cold War successor as custodians of Americas nuclear arsenal. In the decades since, StratCom battle staff crews have remained on ground alert, ready to take wing within 15 minutes aboard Navy E-6B aircraft at the first sign of conflict.

If you thought that mission went away  it never did, Evans said. Its as important as ever.

Now U.S. Rep. Don Bacon  an Air Force and Looking Glass veteran  wants to get those planes flying 24/7/365 once again around the clock. He believes the threat now is even greater than it was in the 1960s and 70s. He fears our adversaries could decapitate our leadership with a bolt-from-the-blue strike using bombs launched from submarines or new hypersonic aircraft before Looking Glass could even get airborne.

With minimal warning times, the White House, the Pentagon and StratCom could be hit, and youre headless, Bacon said during a Nov. 15 congressional subcommittee meeting. Its not for us. Its for the Russians and Chinese, so they cant catch us by surprise.

Such a move wouldnt come cheap. During the Cold War, it took a fleet of more than 40 EC-135s and thousands of airmen at several airbases (including Offutt) to ensure that at least one Looking Glass was airborne at all times.

Even now, the Navy uses 16 E-6Bs to maintain its perpetual ground alert for Looking Glass while also flying the TACAMO (Take Charge and Move Out) mission to communicate missile launch signals to ballistic-missile submarines.

Looking Glass is nearing a turning point in its history since the Navy is planning to retire the fleet E-6Bs, a military variant of the civilian Boeing 707 built in the 1980s. It has already announced plans to move TACAMO onto the new EC-130J-30, a smaller propeller-driven aircraft that wont accommodate both missions.

The Air Force is shopping around for a single type of aircraft to replace both the E-6B and the Offutt-based E-4B Nightwatch jets, which fly a similar doomsday mission as an airborne command post for top military leaders if nuclear war broke out.

Bacons idea is to buy eight to 10 surplus Boeing airliners and outfit them with the Looking Glass communications gear, then stand up two squadrons to carry out their round-the-clock work.

Hopefully it would be at Offutt, he said. Were going to have to find a new airframe, anyway.

In the late 1950s, the first idea of the longtime SAC commander Gen. Curtis LeMay for backing up nuclear command and control functions was to dig deep underground. He supported building a 20,000-square-foot bomb-proof bunker deep beneath the prairie near Pawnee City, Evans said.

But the cost grew prohibitive, especially since the Air Force was already building a large headquarters bunker for the North American Air Defense Command (NORAD) inside Cheyenne Mountain, Colorado.

So LeMay looked to the air instead and conceived of Looking Glass. He worried that any ground-based systems could be knocked out by the Soviets, said Al Buckles, a special adviser to StratComs Strategic Advisory Board. An airborne command post took advantage of VHF line-of-sight communications links.

The airplane gave you the perfect platform for that, he said.

Buckles, 87, served in the Air Force from 1955-80, nearly all of it with SAC, and decades more in senior civilian positions at SAC and StratCom. He racked up more than 7,000 hours on Looking Glass missions.

He agrees that with the emergence of new Russian and Chinese weapons  plus terrorism and cyber threats that didnt exist during the Cold War  StratCom needs to beef up its command, control and communications structures.

Its not there right now. Weve got to rebuild that capability, Buckles said. You may need airplanes. But you need a combination of things.

He said there simply arent enough E-6Bs to stay aloft for long in the event of nuclear Armageddon.

If a war starts tomorrow, you might be able to get two missions out of that airplane, Buckles said.

Still, Bacons plan has been met with skepticism in some quarters.

It sounds a bit over-the-top to me, said Hans Kristensen, director of the Nuclear Information project for the Federation of American Scientists, which advocates for limits on nuclear weapons.

I suspect hypersonic attacks wouldnt come out of the blue, he added. Just because new types of weapons are coming doesnt mean we have to turn back the clock.

Evans supports beefing up StratComs command-and-control readiness, although he cautions that a major step like returning to continuous airborne alert could provoke a response from Russia and China.

Our adversaries would see that as a major change in our nuclear posture, he said.Bacon said he has won the backing of Rep. Seth Moulton of Massachusetts, an Iraq War veteran who is the ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee.

We could use a return to this level of alert and deterrent given the ability of adversaries to attack us with hypersonics with little to no warning, Moulton said in a statement to the World-Herald.

Bacon said he has not yet won over senior uniformed leaders on the Joint Chiefs of Staff and at StratCom. He said one top Pentagon official told him 15 minutes warning was sufficient.

The militarys not on board yet, he said.

Ann Stefanek, a senior Air Force spokeswoman, said her office hasnt been tracking the issue.

If Bacon has his way, they will be hearing more about it soon.

Im going to be pushing this, he said. Sometimes Congress has to force change.

Photos: StratCom Experience Day at Offutt Air Force Base
Chrystul Kizer, the Milwaukee woman out of jail on a large cash bond in a high-profile 2018 Kenosha homicide and arson case, did not appear at court Monday to face new bail jumping charges.

Kizer was charged last week in Kenosha County Circuit Court with four counts of felony bail jumping stemming from alleged actions earlier this month in Milwaukee. She was also charged in Milwaukee County with one count of disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor.

Warrants were issued for her arrest in both Kenosha and Milwaukee. She did not appear at Intake Court Monday afternoon in Kenosha for a scheduled voluntary appearance on the bail jumping charges.

A $40,000 arrest warrant signed by a Kenosha County judge remains in effect.

Kizer, now 23, spent nearly two years in jail in connection with her 2018 charges before activist groups raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in 2020 for her release. As a condition of her bond, Kizer was instructed not to commit any crimes.

One count of felony bail jumping is for alleged battery in Milwaukee on Jan. 7. The second count is for alleged disorderly conduct that day. The third count is for allegedly resisting an officer. The final count is for allegedly failing to update her address with the court, according to the criminal complaint.

Members of Kizers defense team were in attendance Monday.

Homicide trial set

Earlier this month, a trial date was set for her 2018 charge of first-degree intentional homicide, a Class A felony that carries a penalty of life in prison.

Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge David Wilk set the trial for June 10. It is expected to last about two weeks and include a one day pause for Juneteenth on June 19.

Members of the defense and prosecution on Monday said they hope the felony bail jumping charges do not delay the trial. A motion hearing in the homicide case is set for March 15, and Kizers attorneys said they expect her to be there for it.

Kizer is accused of killing Randall Volar, a 34-year-old Kenosha man who prosecutors admit had been preying on Kizer and other underage girls. Volar had also been under investigation for producing child pornography and sexual abuse.

Kizer was 17 at the time she was charged and is accused of shooting Volar in the head twice and then setting his house at 7732 14th Ave. on fire. Kizer then allegedly fled in his car.

Kizer also faces felonies of taking and driving a vehicle without consent, arson of a building without the owners consent, felony bail jumping, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon for her alleged actions on June 5, 2018.

The case, which sparked headlines across the nation, has been making its way through the court system for more than five years.

In 2022, the Supreme Court of Wisconsin ruled that Kizer would be able to use an affirmative defense for any offense committed as a direct result of having been trafficked as part of her defense.
UNION GROVE  After stopping and restarting its search, Union Grove has landed its new village administrator  a homegrown prospect who was found working in Minnesota.

Connor LaPointe, a Union Grove native, will take over the villages top non-elected government post, succeeding Kerry Bennett, who resigned last summer.

LaPointe has spent the last two years as city administrator in Wells, Minnesota, a community of about 2,300 on the far southern edge of the state.

Village President Steve Wicklund said he and the other Village Board members were excited to find an experienced candidate with ties to Union Grove.

He knows the village, Wicklund said. That eliminates a lot of the learning curve.

LaPointe is the son of Erick and Nicole LaPointe and graduated from Union Grove High School in 2014.

He could not be reached for comment.

His new salary has not been announced, but Bennett was earning $85,000 a year.

John Herman, a City Council member in Wells, said LaPointe is a bright individual who performed well.

He said LaPointe changed the way Wells conducted its annual budget-making process by introducing a mock, game-like exercise that helped council members to identify their budget priorities.

I really, really enjoyed how he did things, Herman said. Hes got great people skills  a very smart young man.

LaPointe, who has a masters degree in urban planning, previously worked in a similar position in Claremont, Minnesota.

He stepped down from his position in Wells earlier this month because he wanted to return to the Union Grove area.

Union Grove launched its search for a village administrator last summer and attracted about 20 applicants. But after determining that none had the right experience, the village restarted its search with help from a consulting firm.

LaPointe was selected from among four or five finalists.

No starting date has been set.

LaPointe will join Renee Kelly, who recently was hired as village treasurer following the departure of Roberta Campbell.

Village Clerk Sara Spencer has been filling in as interim village administrator.

Wicklund said he, too, has been lending a hand with day-to-day business at Village Hall. With the hiring of Kelly and LaPointe, the village will be back to full staff.

Were hopeful that were going to get back to business as usual, Wicklund said.

Seven photos of Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez's visit to Union Grove Elementary Sara Rodriguez Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez talks with students making papier mache objects at Union Grove Elementary School, 1745 Milldrum St. Rodriguez spoke wi Story time Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez reads with a kindergarten student Wednesday at Union Grove Elementary School, 1745 Milldrum St. Rodriguez and students Students wave to Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, left, at Union Grove Elementary School, 1745 Milldrum St. Reading with a student Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez reads with a student at Union Grove Elementary School, 1745 Milldrum St. Rodriguez, Hanson, Torres Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, from left, talks with Principal Tom Hansen and Superintendent Amber Torres at Union Grove Elementary School, 1745 Mil In the classroom Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez talks with a teacher at Union Grove Elementary School, 1745 Milldrum St. Rodriguez believes better pay and dignity for Group Superintendent Amber Torres, from left, Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, Principal Tom Hansen and assistant principal Jesse Sams toured the building W Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez at Union Grove Elementary
1. Yes. It will be convenient and the fares are cheap. I plan to use the transit system often.

2. Yes. I have a vehicle, but I may still use the service now and then, especially in bad weather.

3. No. I dont use the current bus service, and I dont plan to use the micro-transit service either.

4. No. It may be fine in town, but it still involves a transfer for longer trips. That wont work.

5. Unsure. Its hard to say. It depends on how well the service works once its in place.

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Aria Holding, a Qatar-based leading global conglomerate, will invest will invest over INR2,000 crores ($267 million) to establish a state-of-the-art float glass manufacturing facility in the Indian state of Maharashtra.

For this Aria signed a a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Maharashtra at the recent World Economic Forum 2024 Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland.

The agreement was signed by Suraj Thampi, Group Chief Executive Officer of Aria Holding, and Dr Harshdeep Kamble, Principal Secretary of the Industries Ministry, in the presence of the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Eknath Shinde, the Minister of Industries, Uday Samant, and John Douglas, Commercial Director, Alutec Facades.

Key milestone

"The Government of Maharashtra welcomes this investment by Aria Holding, and this MoU marks a significant milestone in our efforts to promote the local economy and attract new investors to the state, stated Shinde.

We are confident that this investment by Aria Holding will fortify the state's manufacturing sector and create a spectrum of job opportunities, from skilled labour for manufacturing to professionals, and will bring tangible benefits to our state. We are committed to providing all necessary support for successfully establishing the float glass plant.

The MoU aligns with the Make in India initiative launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, repositioning India as a critical market to do business in, attracting unprecedented growth in foreign investments.

Infrastructure development

Infrastructure development is core to Indias growth strategy, and float glass plays a pivotal role across sectors, including construction, automotive, and industries. A significant amount of float glass requirements is still met through imports, and demand continues to increase. Aria Holdings investment will boost the domestic supply of float glass and is intertwined with India's development strategy, supporting infrastructure expansion, automotive growth, energy efficiency, employment generation, and technological advancements.

"It is rewarding to see our continued expansion and investment into new markets through this MoU, remarked Sheikh Ali Bin Hamad Al Thani, Chairman, Aria Holding. India is a compelling destination for investment, and Maharashtra, with its location, workforce, infrastructure, and progressive policies, provides us with a great platform to establish our factories.

"Aria Holding is excited to be a part of Indias growth story through this strategic investment. Our state-of-the-art factories in Maharashtra will manufacture glass for local, national, and international demand. India is going through a massive boom in infrastructure development nationally, and we plan to capture a significant share of that growth. Through our portfolio companies, we also plan to establish a robust export strategy for our products," said Thampi.--TradeArabia News Service
A 27-year-old La Crosse man faces felony charges after a Jan. 15 altercation that reportedly involved a knife.

Najee S. Hudson was charged in La Crosse County Circuit Court with felony counts of second-degree recklessly endangering safety and bail jumping and misdemeanor counts of battery and disorderly conduct/use of a dangerous weapon.

According to the criminal complaint, police were called to a South 21st Place residence, where a man told police that Hudson cut him with knife. The complaint says the man had a 1-inch cut on his shoulder. An officer on the scene reported that the cut likely needed stitches, but the victim declined medical attention.

The man said he sustained the injury as Hudson charged at him and knocked him over.

The complaint says Hudson also sustained a laceration on his index that required stitches. He was treated at a local hospital.

Hudson is free on a $1,000 signature bond. He had a preliminary hearing set for Feb. 1.
Residents of Trempealeau, Vernon, and La Crosse counties, including college students, are invited to visit the International Owl Center for free Feb. 3-4. The Owl Center, located in Houston, Minn., is the only all-owl education center in the U.S., according to the press release.

Four ambassador owls work at the Center; a hreat horned owl, American barn owl, eastern screech-owl and burrowing owl. Participants also will find touchable wings and tails, 19 species of lifelike mounted owls, owl art from children around the world, skulls, eggs, life-size wingspans and more. Trained staff present programs each of these days at 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m.

Houston features a Parade of Owls art tour with 12 public owl sculptures, and Baristas Coffee House is decorated with owls.

The center is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays. Regular admission is $9 for adults, $8 for seniors/veterans/military, $6 for ages 4-17, and children 3 and younger and members are free. For more information, go to www.internationalowlcenter.org or contact the center at 507-896-OWLS (6957) or email karla@internationalowlcenter.org.
Near the start of a Jan. 23 presentation by the director of Wisconsins signature cancer research center, I asked those attending how many had family members who had been touched by the disease over time.

Nearly every hand in the room went up.

That speaks to the insidious nature of a disease that in some ways remains a mystery to researchers such as those who work at UW-Madisons Carbone Cancer Center. It also illustrates the need for continued progress in finding better approaches to prevention, diagnosis and therapy surrounding one of mankinds oldest scourges.

The Carbone Center, which is attached to the School of Medicine and Public Health, is one of the six original comprehensive cancer centers in the United States. Established in 1973 after the passage of the National Cancer Act of 1971, the center grew out from what was already a rich tradition of cancer research in Wisconsin that continues to this day.

Watertown native Mary Woodward Lasker, who received top presidential and congressional awards over time; Merrill native Dr. Harold Rusch, a pioneer researcher at UW-Madison; Nobel Prize winner Howard Temin; skin cancer expert Dr. Fred Mohs; and Dr. Paul Carbone, whose research led to advances in the treatment of Hodgkins disease and chemotherapy, are part of that tradition.

The latest in a short chain of directors at the Carbone Cancer Center is Dr. Howard Bailey, a nationally known oncologist who has led its work since 2013. Those efforts include research but extend to working with patients and community outreach, which he described during the Tech Council Innovation luncheon.

Bailey said advanced imaging, nuclear medicine, micro-fluidic biopsies and immunotherapies are among promising areas of cancer research in Wisconsin.

What has happened in the last 10 to 15 years, with the discovery of more aspects of immunology, is we are literally curing people now that 10 years ago we did not, he told the crowd. So, theres great growth in that, and how we can apply that to all things.

Carbone Center researchers are also studying prostate cancer, multiple myeloma, breast cancer, leukemia, and head and neck cancers, among other forms of the disease. The center is typically engaged in 20 to 30 different studies at any given time, Bailey said.

How people develop cancers and the treatments they need can be very different, even with the same type of cancer. Personalized medicine is a way to respond to that reality, both in diagnostics and treatment. Thats one reason why liquid biopsies  separating tumor cells from a blood draw  can be so important. Reducing the need for more painful, invasive procedures is another.

The use of medical radioisotopes is expanding; so are better imaging technologies to pinpoint and treat cancers by killing the tumorous cells and sparing the healthy cells. There are Wisconsin companies engaged in both.

Preventing cancer remains a major goal. The Carbone Center works with other leading institutions such as the Mayo Clinic and Johns Hopkins University on prevention studies and techniques. Outreach throughout Wisconsin is a part of that effort, as well.

The Carbone Center provides cancer care to about 33,000 people per year through its prevention work, diagnosis, treatment and survivorship care. Bailey said its due to researchers and others aspiring to do more than work in the lab.

When I first started, oftentimes researchers just wanted to do their thing in the lab  which is wonderful  and that was it, Bailey said. But nowadays, the new generation even of very basic researchers, they want to know how are you going to get my knowledge, my creativity to people. ... How are we changing peoples lives?

He added the vast majority of the clinical trials at the center are conducted in partnership with pharmaceutical companies and startup businesses. Thats the fastest way to make a difference, Bailey said.

With so many types of cancers and so many people afflicted, that kind of dedication is more than welcome.
Emirates is celebrating the new year and the imminent arrival of its spanking new fleet of Airbus A350s with a global cabin crew recruitment drive that aims to employ 5,000 new members.

The recruitment drive is designed primarily for those who will soon or have recently stepped into the world of work. The airline is inviting fresh graduates with internships or part-time jobs on their resumes, those with a year or so of hospitality or customer service experience, and individuals keen to embark on an exciting career travelling the globe.

The new recruits will be a part of the worlds largest international airline and one of the most iconic brands, plus they will learn hospitality and life skills from the best trainers in the business, the airline said.

Whats more, they will travel the world across more than 140 cities in 76 countries and enjoy the entire gamut of benefits working as Emirates cabin crew.

Recruitment drive

In 2024, Emirates recruitment team will host open days and assessments in more than 460 cities across six continents, reflecting the span of the airline's network and the diversity of its cabin crew team, while flying the flag for living and working in dynamic Dubai.

In 2023, Emirates hired a staggering 8,000 cabin crew and held recruitment events in 353 cities as the airline ramped up its services post the pandemic. In August 2023, the airlines cabin crew numbers crossed the 20,000 milestone and are now 21,500 strong.

Fleet and network expansion

The new cabin crew recruitment drive comes as Emirates begins to take delivery of its eagerly anticipated A350s from mid-year and the Boeing 777-Xs starting in 2025. The airline has 65 A350s and a mix of 205 777-9s and 777-8s in its order book. The new aircraft will expand the airlines reach and provide flexibility to add new routes to its network.

Training and life skills

All new cabin crew recruits undergo an intense eight weeks of training in delivering the highest standards of hospitality, safety and service that Emirates customers have come to expect over the years. Trained in Emirates' state-of-the-art facility in Dubai, cabin crew learn invaluable transferable skills that include a knack for communications, initiative and leadership qualities. They develop the ability to work effectively in a multicultural team, the focus to stay mentally strong and calm under pressure, becoming bastions of hospitality and exceptional service, and ambassadors of an iconic brand. Cabin crew also have access to the latest training programmes and LinkedIn courses.

Cabin crew community

Emirates multicultural cabin crew team hail from more than 140 nationalities and speak a staggering 130 languages  which is why customers can always expect to converse with a warm, friendly voice in their own lingo. Crew form lifelong friendships and close-knit bonds within the community, fostering better teamwork, a common sense of purpose and a shared service philosophy.

Cabin crew experience excellent career progression, including upgrading to higher cabin classes, and becoming a cabin supervisor, purser or trainer. Today, the airline has 1,180 pursers who have climbed the career ladder after successfully completing exacting training and assessments. Crew also have the opportunity to apply for internal vacancies throughout the Emirates Group.

The cabin crew life

Emirates cabin crew lead a cosmopolitan lifestyle in vibrant Dubai, living with 200 nationalities in a city renowned for its hotels, restaurants, food scene, leisure activities and for being one of the safest in the world.

Emirates cabin crew enjoy a competitive, tax-free salary and flying pay, eligibility for profit share, hotel stays and layover expenses, concessional travel and cargo, annual leave, annual leave ticket, furnished accommodation, transportation to and from work, excellent medical, life and dental insurance coverage, laundry services and other benefits. Friends and family enjoy deeply discounted flight tickets, and travelling with their loved ones creates lasting memories for crew, it said.

Checkout www.emiratesgroupcareers.com/cabin-crew for more details and open day schedules in your city or country. - TradeArabia News Service
Imagine that you are in a crowded place. You do not notice, but someone is watching you and learns your iPhone passcode. Then, they steal your phone. Suddenly, your photos, documents, financial information, and the rest of your digital life have been taken from you.

A new security feature may prevent such a situation from happening. Apple, the iPhone maker, recently released an update to its iOS operating system. It has a new feature called Stolen Device Protection. The feature makes it a lot harder for phone thieves to open the device and access important functions and settings.

The company is urging users to turn this feature on immediately. Here is how to turn on the new security feature and why it is so important to do so.

Should I turn on Stolen Device Protection?

Stolen Device Protection is a new setting that is included with the latest iOS release, version 17.3. The update for iPhones and iPads includes a new feature designed to prevent thieves from wiping phones for resale or getting to your Apple ID or other important accounts.

Apple says the feature adds extra security for users. It addresses a vulnerability that thieves have used to lock device owners out of their Apple accounts, delete their photos and other files from their iCloud, and take money from their bank accounts.

How does it work?

Stolen Device Protection keeps track of a users familiar locations, such as their home or workplace. The feature adds extra biometric security if someone tries to use the device to do certain things away from those places.

It also reduces the importance of passcodes. Instead, it favors biometric features such as faces or fingerprints, which are a lot harder to copy.

If a thief tries to erase or reset an iPhone, the device will require a Face ID or Touch ID scan to confirm that the person is the rightful owner. The new feature does not let someone use the passcode or any other backup method.

Another part of the new feature is designed to slow down thieves trying to change security settings. For example, if someone tries to sign out of an Apple ID account, change the passcode or reset the phone in an unfamiliar location, they will have to authenticate using Face ID or Touch ID, wait an hour, and then do a second facial or fingerprint scan.

Changing an Apple ID password, updating Apple ID security settings, adding or removing Face or Touch ID, and turning off the Find My device feature or Stolen Device Protection also will trigger this feature.

Apple said the delay is meant to prevent a thief from performing these operations so you can mark your device as lost and secure your Apple account.

The company added that, When your iPhone is in a familiar location, these additional steps will not be required and you can use your device passcode like normal.

How do I turn it on?

First, download and update your iPhone or iPad with the latest iOS update. The update works for iPhone XS and newer models, including second- and third-generation SE models.

Then go to your settings, scroll down to Face ID & Passcode or Touch ID & Passcode and enter your passcode. Scroll down and youll see Stolen Device Protection.

Make sure you have turned on two-factor authentication and Find My device for your Apple ID account. Otherwise, it will not show up.

Im Jill Robbins.

Kelvin Chan reported this story for The Associated Press. Hai Do adapted the story for Learning English.

_______________________________________________

Words in This Story

thief - n. a person who steals something

access - v. to be able to enter or get into something

wipe - v. to completely remove something

vulnerability - n. the condition of easily open to attack, hurt or damage

delete - v. to remove

keep track - v. to be aware of what someone is doing

erase - v. to remove something from a digital device

location - n. place or position

authenticate - v. to prove that something is real

trigger - v. to cause something else to happen
A Mars explorer has discovered new evidence of a large amount of water ice buried near the planets equator.

The discovery was made with data collected by the Mars Express orbiter. The spacecraft is operated by the European Space Agency (ESA). The American space agency NASA is a partner on the orbiters mission.

ESA launched Mars Express in 2003 and it has been studying the Red Planet ever since. The missions main goal is to use its seven scientific instruments to search for signs of water underneath the surface of Mars.

Scientists involved in the new research say data suggesting the presence of newly discovered ice deposits could mean Mars may have once supported life.

The Mars Express orbiter collected data around an area of the planet known as the Medusae Fossae Formation (or MFF). NASA describes this formation as a soft, easily eroded deposit that extends for nearly 1,000 kilometers along the equator of Mars.

Scientists believe the MFF was most likely formed by wind-blown dust or volcanic ash. The formations could have formed after volcanic activity estimated to have taken place up to 3.8 billion years ago.

Images of the area show raised areas that scientists thought in the past might contain dust blown around the planet by wind over many years. But the new research used newer data collected by the orbiters MARSIS instrument. It is a subsurface radar sounder with a 40-meter-long antenna. The tool looks for water on the surface, as well as up to five kilometers below the surface.

The MARSIS instrument is designed to send radio waves to an area scientists choose. It then attempts to listen to and examine echoes produced by the radio waves. The echoes help researchers recognize where water or ice might be, NASA explains.

Scientists say any water identified near the surface results in stronger signals while the presence of ice or other materials would produce weaker signals. The team said MARSIS readings suggest the MFF area of Mars contains a large amount of water ice rather than wind-blown dust.

Thomas Watters of the U.S. Smithsonian Institution led the new research. His teams findings were recently published in a study in Geophysical Research Letters. He said in a statement the radar data showed the deposits in the MFF area were even thicker than earlier measurement estimates had shown.

The researchers said the data showed the examined deposits extended beneath the Mars surface to depths up to 3.7 kilometers. They seemed to contain layers of dust and ice, all topped by a protective layer of dry dust or ash.

Earlier data examinations of the MFF area found similarities in the electrical properties of deposits there to ice-rich deposits found in the planets north and south poles. The latest MARSIS data strengthens this evidence by suggesting similarities between deposit layering in the MFF and the planets poles.

The radar signals match what wed expect to see from layered ice, Watters said. He added that the radar waves were found to be similar to signals we see from Marss polar caps, which we know to be very ice rich.

It is not the first time scientists have discovered strong evidence for the presence of water ice on Mars. But the researchers say the latest study suggests the largest amount of water ever identified in the MFF area. They estimated the total amount of water contained there would be enough to cover the surface of Mars to a depth of about 1.5 to 3 meters.

Colin Wilson is a project scientist with the Mars Express mission. He said while the new finding is exciting, it also raises as many questions as answers. He continued, How long ago did these ice deposits form, and what was Mars like at that time? Wilson said if confirmed to be water ice, the large deposits would change our understanding of Mars climate history.

Watters added that since the discovery was made in an area near the Martian equator, it could be considered a good place for future exploration missions. He explained that with a lower elevation, the MFF area would be considered an ideal landing spot for spacecraft. Such an elevation provides more atmosphere to support an effective, controlled landing, Watters said.

Im Bryan Lynn.

Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English, based on reports from the European Space Agency, NASA, Geophysical Research Letters and the Smithsonian.

Quiz - New Evidence Suggests a Large Water Ice Supply near Mars Equator Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz

________________________________

Words in This Story

equator n. an imaginary line around the middle of a planet that is an equal distance from its north and south poles

mission  n. the flight of a spacecraft to perform a certain task or job

deposit  n. a layer of a substance that has developed from a natural or chemical process

erode  v. to gradually be damaged over time

antenna  n. a piece of metal used for receiving television or radio signals

echo  n. the repeating of a sound caused by the reflection of sound waves

layer  n. an amount of substance covering a surface

match  v. to fit together or make suitable for fitting together

elevation  n. the height of a place above the level of the sea
On Thursday, two area judges were honored by Chief Justice of the Nebraska Supreme Court Mike Heavican during the 2024 State of the Judiciary speech at the Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln.

Heavican honored Appeals Judge Frankie J. Moore of North Platte and retired Judge James E. Doyle of Lexington for receiving national awards and appointments to prestigious offices.

Moore has served on the Nebraska Court of Appeals since January 2000, and was the chief judge from 2014 to 2020. She is also a member of the Nebraska Access to Justice Commission and serves as chair of the Self-Represented Litigation Committee.

I also congratulate Court of Appeals Judge Frankie Moore of North Platte who has been elected by her fellow Appeals Court Judges across America as the current vice president and president-elect of the Council of Chief Judges of the State Courts of Appeal, Heavican said.

In 2015, she received the Distinguished Judge for Service to Community award from the Nebraska Supreme Court.

Doyle was given the William Rehnquist Award for Judicial Excellence.

There is no greater recognition a trial court judge in America can receive, Heavican said in his speech.

Heavican said Doyle established Nebraskas first rural problem-solving court in 2006 and served as chair of the Nebraska Supreme Courts Committee on Problem-Solving Courts until his retirement.
More than 200 international and local exhibitors are expected to participate in the Saudi Travel Market (STM) next month, showcasing the latest trends, innovations and technologies in the travel, tourism and aviation sectors.

STM will be held from February 25 to 27 at the Riyadh Convention Center in the the Saudi capital city.

The event will bring together visionaries, tourism leaders, influential investors, and leading startups to meet in a spirit of strategic cooperation.

The STM will cover an area of 8,000 sq m, with half of the space dedicated to the 'B2B' programme providing companies the opportunity to have direct communication with their Saudi counterparts. STM is the first exhibition to launch this direct communication system between global and Saudi companies in the travel sector in the kingdom, said organisers.

The exhibition will feature a variety of panel discussions and workshops, and will highlight the benefits of new tourism programmes that focus on the importance of sustainability in shaping the future of travel in 2024.

In addition, the exhibition will have global experts and a large number of social media influencers from the kingdom, the Gulf and the region providing a comprehensive view of how to enhance the levels of luxury and sustainability.

The exhibition website has registered a large number of participants from 16 countries: Saudi Arabia, the UA, Bahrain, the UK, Sri Lanka, India, Qatar, South Africa, Oman, Turkey, Morocco, Germany, Egypt, Sudan, Pakistan, and Kuwait, they said.

The STM aims to boost the tourism sector in Saudi Arabia and increase the number of tourists visiting the country. The exhibition also aims to support the growth of tourism companies in Saudi Arabia and enhance the kingdom's position as a global tourist destination.

Mohamed Al-Harbi, CEO of Rent Exhibitions and Conferences, said the STM will be a great opportunity for the sector to contribute to achieving the ambitious Saudi Vision 2030 and promote tourism and support the growth and development of the hospitality sector in Saudi Arabia.

Al-Harbi added that the STM will push the tourism sector to enhance its future plans, supporting the development of national cadres. - TradeArabia News Service
Two men have been arrested for allegedly orchestrating fraudulent water leakage repair work to steal money, the Judiciary Police (PJ) has announced.

It was the second case after a similar case was uncovered on Jan. 17. In the previous case, two suspects were arrested.

The two people, surnamed Wang, 35 and Chen, 46, are both mainland residents and self-reported as workers.

During dusk hours on Jan. 24, police inspectors came across the two people transporting several barrels of liquid and sets of injectors using a trolley. Reminded of similar tools seized in water leakage repairing frauds, the inspectors followed and monitored them.

At 2 p.m. on the following day, inspectors saw the two enter a building in Taipa and left after a little more than an hour. The inspectors questioned the two, who admitted to having just conducted water leakage repair work.

The client told the police that the service was bought through social media. The two quoted several to 10 thousand for the job but eventually the price rose to MOP31,000. When the client refused to pay, the two workers asked the client to contact their employers instead.

The client directly filed a report with the police during the investigation.

The police later discovered that two other clients lost MOP38,000 to the duo. Meanwhile, the police were later told by professionals that the materials used were of low-quality and should be worth only a few hundred Chinese yuan.

Suspect accused of threatening to kill wife

In another case, a mainland man, 32, has been arrested by the Public Security Police Force (PSP) accused of threatening others and possessing prohibited weapons.

Self-reported as a businessperson, the suspect was accused of threatening to kill his wife, who is also from mainland China and is working in Macau as a waitress. The wife is in her thirties.

It was disclosed by the police that the husband had been harassing the wife through cellphone messages. The case was reported to the police in the afternoon on Jan. 20 by the wife, saying that she was threatened by the husband who claimed that she would die if he visited Macau.

During further investigations, the police were told that the harassments had been happening for some time already. The cause was believed to be related to romantic issues.

At 7 p.m. on the same day, the police intercepted the suspect in the NAPE District and found him in possession of a folding knife measuring 16 cm long in total with a 7 cm-long blade. The suspect denies threatening his wife, according to the police.
China sent more than 30 warplanes and a group of navy ships toward Taiwan, the islands defense ministry said Saturday.

The military pressure comes on the heels of an announcement that senior American and Chinese representatives were expected to meet in the Thai capital as the two countries seek to cool tensions.

The Chinese Peoples Liberation Army sent 33 aircraft, including SU-30 fighters, and six navy vessels around Taiwan, between 6 a.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Saturday. Of these, 13 warplanes crossed the midline of the Taiwan Strait  an unofficial boundary thats considered a buffer between the island and mainland. Taiwan has monitored the situation and employed its own forces in response to the activities.

Taiwan said six Chinese balloons either flew over the island or through airspace just north of it days after the self-governing island elected Lai Ching-te as the new leader. Lais Democratic Progressive Party largely campaigned on self-determination, social justice and a rejection of Chinas threats.

United States National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi were both in Bangkok for talks, though it wasnt clear when the meeting would take place or if it already had.

U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping met on the sidelines of a summit in November in an effort to patch up frayed relations due to quarrels over a range of economic and geopolitical issues. U.S. National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said the planned meeting in Bangkok continues the commitment Biden and Xi made to maintain strategic communication and responsibly manage the relationship.

During talks, Foreign Minister Wang would make clear Chinas position on Taiwan and on U.S.-China relations, and discuss international and regional concerns, ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said Friday.

An immediate international concern to both countries is tensions in the Red Sea that have upended global trade by forcing many shippers to avoid the Suez Canal. Beijing said it has been making positive efforts to de-escalate the situation in which Iran-backed Houthi rebels have fired missiles at international ships. MDT/AP
Microsoft Teams experienced an outage on Friday that blocked access for some and led to what Microsoft calls multiple issues for many users.

The issue began around 11 a.m. EST and grew rapidly in scope, according to outage tracker DownDetector. Users complained of an inability to access the service, delays in sending and receiving messages, and issues displaying graphics.

Microsoft said in messages on X, the social network formerly known as Twitter, that it identified a networking issue impacting a portion of the Teams service and had moved some services to backup systems. At roughly 1:30 p.m. EST, the company reported that the backup transition was complete for Europe, Africa and the Middle East and that its tracking systems were showing improvements.

The company said backup switchovers for North and South America were ongoing. Outage reports on DownDetector fell to almost half their peak level as of 3 p.m. EST but subsequently leveled off, indicating continued issues.

Teams is a messaging and videoconferencing app with over 320 million monthly average users as of September 2023.

X users based in the U.S. continued to complain about Teams service issues, with several sarcastically thanking Microsoft for fixing the problem quickly in regions where the workday is already over. In a subsequent tweet, Microsoft acknowledged that its backup switchover did not provide immediate relief to all end users in North and South America regions but said its other attempts at mitigation aimed to reduce customer impact as quickly as possible.

Microsofts public tweets on the subject have pointed to additional detail available in a document posted in an administrative dashboard for Microsoft 365 software. When asked about that document, a Microsoft spokesperson at the public relations firm WE Communications said the companys X posts were the only information it would share on the subject.

But Microsoft offered a somewhat bleaker outlook to its customers in that document, which was obtained by The Associated Press. The document detailed roughly a dozen different issues caused by the outage, including inability to log into the service, missing or delayed messages, and inability to access or view images, video, audio recordings and other media. In an update at 4:26 p.m. EST, the company said its efforts to route around problems had led to issues with backend parts of its system that effectively throttled data traffic.

At 5:02 p.m. EST, Microsoft also acknowledged that many customers remain impacted by this issue but said the company is seeing a reduction in errors and an increase in (service) availability. The company has also said was working to address specific failures of Teams functions in parallel with its broader network efforts.

According to DownDetector, reported issues with Teams continued to decline and were close to normal levels as of 7:45 p.m. EST. DAVID HAMILTONMDT/AP
The government has assigned the rights of operation of the Seac Pai Van and Hengqin lines of the LRT to the LRT Company, a completely government-owned company, the Public Works Bureau (DSOP) has announced. The price is MOP6.8 million for nine months, from Jan. 1 to Sep. 30 this year. The government did not explain why the commencement date was retrospective or why the tender will only last for nine months. However, the tender for the current operation rights of the LRT Taipa line will conclude at end-2024. Hong Kongs MTR Corp is operating the Taipa Line.

Related
An assailant who repeatedly struck a South Korean lawmaker with a rock as she tried to resist was a 14-year-old boy who was sent to a mental health facility Friday, Seoul police said as they continue to investigate the attack.

The attack late last week on Bae Hyunjin, a member of the conservative ruling party, came just weeks after a man stabbed opposition leader Lee Jae-myung in the neck, and it raised further concerns about the toxic discourse around the countrys intensely polarized politics.

Bae was treated for cuts. Doctors said she avoided serious injury.

Police investigators who interviewed the middle-schooler suspect in the presence of his parents sent him to a hospital early Friday where they plan to continue investigating him, said Cheon Young-gil, an official at Seouls Gangnam district police station.

South Koreas laws allow for emergency admissions in which a person suspected of mental illness can be hospitalized for a maximum three days, based on consent of doctors and police, if there is concern the person could inflict harm on other people or themselves.

Cheon refused to discuss the health details of the suspect, who was detained at the scene following the attack Thursday afternoon at a building in southern Seoul. South Korean media, citing anonymous acquaintances of the boy, reported that he had been receiving treatment for depression.

The emergency admission was based on consideration of the suspects age and his health condition, Cheon said, without elaborating. He said the police could seek to extend the boys admission at the hospital after the initial three days if his parents agree. KIM TONG-HYUNG, SEOUL, MDT/AP
South Koreas military said yesterday that North Korea fired several cruise missiles that flew over waters near a major military shipyard on the countrys eastern coast, extending a streak in weapons tests that are worsening tensions with the United States, South Korea and Japan.

The launches followed a separate round of North Korean cruise missile tests last week and a Jan. 14 test-firing of the countrys first solid-fuel intermediate-range ballistic missile. Those tests reflect North Korean leader Kim Jong Uns efforts to expand his arsenal of weapons designed to overwhelm missile defenses in South Korea and Japan and remote U.S. targets in the Pacific, including Guam.

South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff 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.

The Souths military didnt immediately provide specific launch details, including the number of missiles fired, how far they flew and whether they were launched from land or naval assets.

Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have increased in recent months as Kim continues to accelerate his weapons development and issue provocative threats of nuclear conflict with the U.S. and its Asian allies.

The U.S., 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 U.S. assets.

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.

North Koreas cruise missiles supplement the countrys huge lineup of ballistic missiles, including intercontinental ballistic missiles designed to reach the U.S. mainland.

While North Korean cruise missile activities arent directly banned under U.N. sanctions, experts say those weapons potentially pose a serious threat to South Korea and Japan. They are designed fly like small airplanes and fly along landscapes where they could be harder to detect by radar.

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 2,000 kilometers, a distance that would include U.S. military bases in Japan. MDT/AP
The secretary-general of the United Nations yesterday called on countries to continue funding the main agency providing aid in Gaza after several 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 biggest provider of vital aid to Palestinians came as U.S. officials said negotiators were closing in on a cease-fire 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.

Antonio Guterres warned that the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, known as UNRWA, would be forced to scale back aid to more than 2 million Palestinians as soon as February. The coastal enclave is in the grip of a severe humanitarian crisis, with a quarter of the population facing starvation.

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, he added.

He said that of the 12 employees accused of taking part in the attack, nine had been immediately terminated, one was confirmed dead and the identity of the two others is being clarified. He said all would be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution.

UNRWA has 13,000 staffers in Gaza, nearly all of them Palestinians. It provides basic services, from medical care to education, for Palestinians families who fled or were driven out of what is now Israel during the 1948 war surrounding its creation  a majority of Gazas population. It has expanded operations during the war, running shelters housing hundreds of thousands of newly displaced people.

More than 2 million of the territorys 2.3 million people depend on it for sheer survival, including food and shelter, UNRWA director Philippe Lazzarini said, warning this lifeline can collapse any time now.

The United States, which is the largest donor to the agency, immediately suspended funding over the weekend, followed by several other countries, including Britain, Germany and Italy.

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 people. The Hamas attack in southern Israel killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and about 250 hostages were taken.

PROGRESS IN CEASE-FIRE TALKS

Two senior Biden administration officials said U.S. 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 hostages.

The officials, who requested anonymity to discuss the sensitive negotiations, said that emerging 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 cease-fire 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 meets Sunday in France with David Barnea, the head of Israels Mossad intelligence agency, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, and Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel for talks centered on the hostage negotiations.

Despite the apparent progress, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated in a televised news conference late Saturday that the war would continue until complete victory, including crushing Hamas.

ISRAEL UNDER SCRUTINY AFTER UN COURT RULING

The dispute over UNRWA came as the International Court of Justice ruled Friday that Israel must do its utmost to limit death and destruction in its Gaza offensive.

The top United Nations court has asked Israel for a compliance report in a month, placing added scrutiny on Israels military. The courts binding ruling 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 Gazas Hamas rulers.

The case brought by South Africa to the U.N. court alleged Israel is committing genocide, which Israel vehemently denies. A final ruling is expected to take years.

The court also ordered Israel to urgently get aid to Gaza. The amount of aid entering the territory remains well below the daily average of 500 trucks before the war, and U.N. agencies say distribution within Gaza has been severely hampered by the fighting and delays at Israeli checkpoints.

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 offensive caused vast destruction in northern Gaza, where Israel says it has largely dismantled Hamas. The fighting is now focused on the southern city of Khan Younis and a cluster of built-up refugee camps in central Gaza dating back to 1948. NAJIB JOBAIN & WAFAA SHURAFA, RAFAH, MDT/AP
Two UW-Madison officers were not injured after they were involved in a rear-end crash involving squad cars during a call on Sunday night, UW-Madison police reported.

The two officers were responding to an emergency call at University Hospital with lights and sirens about 6:45 p.m. Sunday when they collided on Campus Drive, police spokesperson Marc Lovicott told the Wisconsin State Journal.

The two officers were not injured and no other vehicles were involved, Lovicott said.

The Madison Police Department is investigating the crash and UW-Madison police are conducting an administrative review.

A State Journal reporter witnessed one of the vehicles being loaded onto a flatbed two truck.
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Istanbul, Turkey  One man died after armed assailants opened fire in an Italian church in Istanbul during Sunday mass in an apparent assassination attempt that was swiftly condemned by Pope Francis and Turkish officials.

The attack occurred at around 11:40 am (0840 GMT) at the Santa Maria church in the Sariyer district of Istanbul on the European side of Turkeys largest city and was carried out by two masked men, 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.

The minister said an individual identified only as C.T.  who was among those attending Sundays service  was the target of the gun attack and lost his life.

Yerlikaya added that an investigation had been launched to find the attackers, who fled the scene after the shooting.

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Turkish counter-terrorism police detained one man in connection with the attack, the private DHA news agency reported, without providing further details.

Local officials said around 40 people attended the mass, and suggested that there could have been more casualties.

After the second shot, the gun didnt work, then they (attackers) ran. At this moment, everyone laid on the floor. There were around 35 to 40 people inside, Sariyer districts mayor Sukru Genc told reporters.

Istanbul governor Davut Gul said that there were no other injuries.

-Closeness to community-

Television images showed police and an ambulance outside the ornate 19th century church.

We strongly condemn this vile attack, Yerlikaya said.

Security footage ahead of the attack showed a pair of men wearing black ski masks with their hands hidden in their pockets and one was seen wearing black sunglasses.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who was in the central Anatolian province of Eskisehir for his partys 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 perpatrators 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 Peters Square at the Vatican.

 Firm condemnation-

Italys 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.

Turkeys 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.

Istanbuls popular mayor Ekrem Imamoglu said: We will never allow those who aim at our unity and peace by attacking houses of religion in our city.

The motive for the attack was also not immediately clear.

In December last year, Turkish security forces detained 32 suspects over alleged links with so-called 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.
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(UPDATE) Nine Media Corp., the franchise owner of CNN Philippines, on Monday formally announced the closure of its news operations by Jan. 31 after nine years due to massive financial losses.

It is with a very heavy heart that we share the difficult news that Nine Media Corp.s news production will stop its operations due to serious financial losses, made even worse by the pandemic, Benjamin Ramos, president of Nine Media, told employees during its general meeting on Monday.

It has been increasingly clear that we are unable to support operations, he added.

Records from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) showed that Nine Media posted a net loss of P239.72 million in 2022, higher than the P231.39 million it posted in 2021.

The companys capital deficiency amounted to P455.2 million and P226.2 million as of those dates, the record showed.

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Ramos said that Nine Media management is committed to give compensation to all its employees.

Everyone will be given separation  one month separation pay for every year of service plus the conversion of your leaves and salary for the month of January and February, Ramos said.

For our talents, you will receive and additional one month talent fee, he added.

In closing, Ramos expressed his appreciation to about 300 CNN Philippines employees for nine years.

Heartfelt appreciation and we are grateful to your commitment to the corporation and to your contribution. Maraming salamat, he added.

D. Edgard Cabangon, chairman of ALC Group of Companies and Nine Media Corp. who confirmed the closure to the Manila Standard, earlier said the company will focus on its own free TV channel.

We will concentrate more on our own free TV  Aliw TV, he added.

CNN Philippines describes itself as the Philippines only predominantly English-language channel on free-to-air television as well as on cable and pay television.

Nine Media signed a deal with Atlanta-based Turner Broadcasting System to launch CNN Philippines in March 2015.

Broadcasting on free TV Channel 9, CNN Philippines was the fifth local franchise of US brand CNN (Cable News Network) in Asia, after CNN Indonesia, CNN Turk, CNN Arabic and CNN-IBN (now CNN-News18 in India).

Nine Media is a subsidiary of the ALC Group of Companies, established by the late Ambassador Antonio Cabangon-Chua. The Cabangon-Chua family also owns other media companies such as RPN, Aliw Broadcasting Network, radio stations DWIZ and Home Radio 97.9, the broadsheet BusinessMirror, tabloid Pilipino Mirror, and magazine Philippine Graphic Weekly.

Their other businesses include Citystate Savings Bank, Fortune Life Insurance Co. Inc., Eternal Plans Inc., Citystate Properties and Management Corp. (CPMC), Isuzu GenCars Inc., and several hotels and resorts in Metro Manila and the provinces.
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Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez on Monday confirmed that Manila and Washington are expected to hold a 2-plus-2 meeting of top diplomatic and defense officials in Manila in March.

Romualdez has confirmed a Nikkei report citing sources on the discussions, saying there is an intention to hold a meeting, except that the plan is still a work in progress.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin are expected to meet with counterparts Enrique Manalo and Gilberto Teodoro in March, the first of such dialogue in the Philippines since the format began in 2012, the report said.

However, Romualdez did not elaborate on what will be the agenda of the planned meeting, which comes at a time of simmering tensions between the Philippines and China over the South China Sea.

Romualdezs statement effectively confirmed an earlier statement by US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson that the US and the Philippines have agreed to continue their defense cooperation, including the conduct of the series of joint patrols in the West Philippine Sea this year.

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Carlson made the assurance after meeting with Teodoro and officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to discuss plans for defense cooperation.

Certainly, this coming year, we expect both of our militaries to continue to cooperate and to exercise and to do whatever it takes both bilaterally, multilaterally to ensure the safety of our peoples, Carlson said.

The US envoy did not elaborate on the discussions of future joint patrols.

However, Armed Forces chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. earlier expressed support for more joint patrols with the US forces, saying these exercises were necessary to better enforce a rules-based international order.

The Philippines has a military alliance with the US under the Mutual Defense Treaty. The US Embassy in Manila said they have nothing to announce at this time.
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President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. leaves today for a two-day official visit to Vietnam where he is expected to sign maritime cooperation and rice trade agreements.

Vice President Sara Duterte will be the countrys caretaker, according to Presidential Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil.

Upon arrival, Mr. Marcos is scheduled to meet with Vingroup, a leading conglomerate in Vietnam, and members of the Filipino community.

On Tuesday, the President will call on Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and hold a working luncheon with Vietnamese leaders and representatives of the countrys business community.

Aside from the maritime cooperation agreement, Mr. Marcos is expected to sign a rice trade pact with Vietnam.

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Mr. Marcos will be accompanied by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo and members of his economic team.
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The Consul General of the Philippines in Milan, Elmer G. Cato, has filed a P10-million defamation suit against a Manila newspaper for falsely accusing him of coddling the owners of an immigration consultancy firm in Milan, which is being investigated for allegedly defrauding hundreds of Filipinos applying for jobs in Italy.

Consul General Cato appeared before Angeles City Chief Prosecutor Oliver Garcia on Monday to file 17 counts of cyber libel or violation of Republic Act 10175, the Cybercrime Prevention Law of 2012, against the Daily Tribune.

Named respondents in the complaints were Willie Fernandez, president of Concept and Information Group Inc., publisher of the Tribune, editors and reporters of the publication, and several other individuals.

The complaint stemmed from a series of news reports and commentary published in both print and online editions of the Tribune and its sister publication Dyaryo Tirada that accused Cato of dereliction of duty and corruption for supposedly sitting on the complaints of Filipinos who claim to have been defrauded by the Filipino-owned Alpha Assistenza SRL.

The Tribune based its allegations on the statements made by Vanessa Antonio, Enrique Catilo, and Apple Cabasis who are among the more than 200 applicants in the Philippines who paid Alpha Assistenza more than P20 million for what they said were nonexistent jobs in Italy.

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In his complaint, Cato accused the Tribune of waging a disinformation campaign against him, saying the allegations that he sat on the complaints were fabricated and based on hearsay.

He said Antonio, Catilo, and Cabasis, who are also respondents in the cyber libel case, could not accuse the Consulate of sitting on their complaints because they could not have filed any because they are in the Philippines.

Consul General Cato also said some of those quoted by the Tribune include individuals who disowned the statements attributed to them.

He also said the Tribune also deliberately omitted in its reporting factual information, including official statements from the Department of Foreign Affairs, that would disprove the alleged inaction that the publication kept on insisting.

The series of articles and commentary published by the Tribune beginning in September were part of a narrative that was all made up to depict Consul General Cato as a negligent, insensitive, incompetent, and corrupt diplomat who should be removed from his position because he is an embarrassment to the foreign service, his counsel Jocelyn Martinez-Clemente said in a statement.

The fact that 92 complaints of aggravated fraud have been filed against Alpha Assistenza before the Office of the Public Prosecutor in Milan is proof enough that the Consulate was not sleeping on the job, Martinez-Clemente said.

Martinez-Clemente said Cato was dragged into the controversy because of a business rivalry among Filipino-owned agencies in Milan called patronatos and his announced intention to regulate these companies to put a stop to the exorbitant fees being charged for services rendered to Filipino clients.
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The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Monday denied the claim of former President Rodrigo Duterte that President Marcos was on a list of politicians linked to illegal drugs, which he was shown when he was still mayor of Davao City.

In a sign of the rapidly deteriorating relations between the two camps, the President said Dutertes accusation could be the result of fentanyl, a deadly drug that Duterte admitted he had taken in the past.

I think it might be the fentanylit is highly addictive and it has serious side effects, the President said in a chance interview before flying to Vietnam for a state visit.

I think thats why it happens, Mr. Marcos added in Filipino. I hope his doctors take better care of these emerging issues and dont neglect them.

In its statement, PDEA said that since its inception in 2002, President Marcos was never in its National Drug Information System (NDIS), a database of drug suspects.

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Duterte was Davao City mayor from 1988 to 1998, 2001 to 2010 and 2013 to 2016.

It is worthwhile to note that, when the former President took over in 2016, his administration came out with a list, which was then initially called the narco-list, sometimes referred to as the Duterte list, and upon continuing validation and revalidation, it became the Inter-Agency Drug Information Database or IDID, PDEA said.

The name of President Marcos is also not in the said list, it added.

During a prayer rally in Davao on Sunday, Duterte said the countrys president is a drug addict and part of the drug watch list.

If Bongbong Marcos was high before, now hes the president, hes still high, Duterte said in Filipino.

You in the military, you know that, especially those in Malacanang.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines, you know we have a president who is addicted to drugs.

Duterte further warned President Marcos that he might suffer the same fate as his father, former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., who was ousted during the EDSA People Power Revolution in 1986.

Amid the attacks from the Duterte camp, the House of Representatives unanimously adopted a resolution expressing its strong and unqualified support for the leadership of President Marcos.

Meanwhile, Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez said he was stumped by Dutertes opposition to Charter change, since his entire presidential campaign had been based on shifting the country to a parliamentary form of government.

Romualdez also advised Duterte to exercise caution in his statements, saying he himself may have much to answer for during his term.

Also on Monday, Senator JV Ejercito said he was worried about the negative impact that Dutertes accusation would have, particularly among international investors.

Who will not be afraid of making investments here amid the political squabbles? he said.

This is becoming an all-out war. We still have a goal for the country as a whole, said Ejercito as he appealed for a stop to the heated exchanges between senators and members of the House, and the President and ex-President.

Let us put a stop to this, Ejercito said.

But lawmakers showed no sign of letting up as they tore into Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte, the former Presidents youngest son, for calling on President Marcos to resign.

In a speech at the Hakbang ug Maisug Leaders Forum in Davao City on Sunday, Mayor Duterte asked President Marcos to step down from office, accusing him of being lazy and lacking in compassion.

Deputy Speaker David Suarez said the mayors remarks were disrespectful and completely baseless.

Suarez noted that in the past two years, the Filipino people have seen the performance of President Marcos, particularly in managing and revitalizing the economy as the country emerged from the coronavirus pandemic.

In addition, Suarez said the President has shown compassion in moving to provide assistance to victims of disasters.

We have seen his commitment to the Filipino people, Suarez said. He added that the House remains unwavering in its support for President Marcos.

Senior Deputy Speaker and Pampanga Rep. Aurelio Gonzales, Jr. said the call for the President to resign was not supported by facts.

He added: All I can say is that we have to respect the Office of the President. And it puzzles us why there is a call for the President to resign  that is baseless. Our President is very hard working.

Rival rallies

Thousands of supporters of President Marcos and the former President gathered for rival rallies on Sunday, putting on a public display of a deepening rift between the powerful clans.

In the nearly two years since Mr. Marcos swept to victory with the help of his vice presidential running mate Sara Duterte  the former presidents daughter  their so-called Unity Team has fractured.

After Mr. Marcos launched his Bagong Pilipinas (New Philippines) campaign to develop the country and make the government more accountable, his predecessor accused him of being a drug addict and of trying to change the Constitution to prolong his term in office.

Sara Duterte briefly appeared at President Marcos rally in Manila, saying the Education department that she also heads was one with all the other government agencies in pushing for a New Philippines  before flying to her familys stronghold of Davao city for the rival event.

Relations between the families have deteriorated as they seek to shore up their respective support bases and secure key positions ahead of next years mid-term elections and the 2028 presidential race, which Sara Duterte is widely expected to contest.

In the latest rift, Mr. Marcos has backed a campaign for the 1987 Constitution, introduced after his father and namesake was ousted from power, to be changed to allow in more foreign investment  something the Dutertes have publicly opposed.

Critics warn the effort could pave the way for Mr. Marcos to seek another six-year term, which is currently prohibited.

That would potentially put him on a collision course with Sara Duterte for the top job.

At the Davao rally organized by opponents of constitutional change, the Duterte patriarch warned Mr. Marcos that you may suffer your fathers fate and called on the police and military to protect the Constitution.

Earlier, Dutertes youngest son Sebastian openly dared Mr. Marcos to step down.

If you dont show love and aspiration for the country, better resign, Sebastian told supporters, blaming Mr. Marcos for the drug and communist insurgency problems in the region.

President Marcos has said the Constitutions political provisions, including term limits for public officials, should be tackled later.

An ever-shifting coalition of powerful families has long ruled the Philippines, holding onto power for generations.

Left-wing political party Akbayan branded the rallies as a dynastic war among ruling elites that did not serve the interests of regular Filipinos.

Police estimated 400,000 people were at the Manila rally, many of them government workers, while more than 40,000 were at the Davao event.

This would be the most public and deliberate way of letting the people know that the Unity Team is no more, University of the Philippines political science professor Jean Franco said. With AFP
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HANOIPresident Marcos urged Vietnamese firms to invest in the Philippines as he arrived in this city yesterday afternoon for a two-day state visit.

President Marcos visited the Vingroup Company, Vietnams largest private company with a $21.1-billion market capitalization through its subsidiary VinFast.

VinFast plans to sell and launch electric vehicles (EVs) in the Philippines through dealership business by April 2024 to test the local market first, as it expressed its intention to engage in the manufacture and assembly of EVs in the future.

The President and his delegation also met with members of the Filipino community, thanking them for their contributions to strengthen the connections between the Philippines and Vietnam.

Vietnam is home to some 7,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

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Mr. Marcos is set to meet President Vo Van Thuong, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue as well as hold a working luncheon with Philippines and Vietnam business leaders.

DFA Assistant Secretary Aileen Mendiola-Rau said the President would start a discussion on various regional and international issues with Vietnamese leaders during his state visit.

If its on the MOU (memorandum of understanding) between the (Philippine and Vietnamese) Coast Guard, its a simple agreement on how both coast guards will cooperate with each other, Rau said.

Mr. Marcos will attend a state banquet in his honor Tuesday evening before flying back to Manila.
A human rights activist accused of being behind several fires was arrested on Thursday January 25 in Malabo, the capital of Equatorial Guinea, his organization and a citizens platform said on Saturday January 27.

Anacleto Micha Ndong Nlang is accused of being responsible for the fires that have occurred in recent days in the city of Malabo, the Somos+ citizens platform, which fights for human rights in Equatorial Guinea, said on its Facebook page. It said it had obtained this information from the main person concerned when visiting him at the gendarmerie on Friday January 26.

The Somos+ civil platform demands the immediate release of comrade Anacleto Micha Ndong Nlang and all political prisoners and prisoners of conscience incarcerated in national prisons, concludes the press release.

International NGOs and the UN regularly denounce the repression of all dissent in Equatorial Guinea. The association Guinea Ecuatorial Tambien Es Nuestra (Guinea is also ours), of which Anacleto Micha Ndong Nlang is president, is not recognized but only tolerated by the authorities, forcing most of its leaders to live in exile, notably in Spain.

In its communique, dated Friday, it urges the government to take concrete measures to put an end to arbitrary detentions, torture and political persecution in Equatorial Guinea.

Anacleto Micha Ndong Nlang had already been imprisoned for 271 days for assisting people, including women and children, during the siege of an opposition political party in September 2022. He was also briefly arrested in December 2023.

On Sunday January 21, a grandstand hosting official events and an impound lot were set on fire in the capital, Malabo. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the activist group ACDC Nationalista (Action de sensibilisation a la democratie citoyenne) posted a video of firefighters putting out the blaze in the grandstand. The video was accompanied by the following caption: Well keep burning more places if they dont show us Gabriel Nze Obiang alive

The movement refers to the Equato-Guinean political opponent, leader of the opposition Citizens for Innovation (CI) party, who was sentenced to 29 years in prison in June 2023 for homicide, abusive exercise of fundamental rights, insults to security forces, and illegal possession of ammunition, in a mass trial the country is accustomed to.

Vice President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, known as Teodorin, the head of states eldest son, described the recent fires as acts of terrorism and called on the army to draw up a strategic plan to repel possible attacks by the terrorist group ACDC.
Several hundred people demonstrated in Nairobi on Saturday January 27 against the murder of women in Kenya, outraged by the deaths of more than 15 women since the beginning of the year.

Demonstrators took to the streets of the capital, holding up placards reading Being a woman should not be a death sentence and Patriarchy kills. Others carried the names and photos of the victims.

The group chanted Stop killing us as they marched towards Parliament, bringing traffic to a standstill in Nairobis central business district. According to media reports, at least 16 women have been killed in Kenya this year. Although unrelated, these murders have highlighted violence against women, on the rise according to the government.

In one of the cases that marked the country, a 26-year-old woman was killed on January 4 in a short-term rental apartment, by a suspected member of a gang of extortionists who target women through dating sites, according to police. Around two weeks later, a 20-year-old woman was strangled, dismembered and her remains placed in a plastic bag. Two men have been taken into custody in the case, but have not yet been charged.

Feminicide is the most brutal manifestation of gender-based violence, said the Kenyan section of Amnesty International in a statement issued on the occasion of the march. It is unacceptable and must never be normalized, the rights group added, calling on the authorities to speed up investigations and prosecutions of the perpetrators.

At the protest, Terry Wangare, a communications officer, said it was time for Kenya to stand up and make a decision. Nobody cares.
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:

Superior colliculus is involved in figure detection. (A) The stimulus types that were used for the figure detection task. The stimulus consisted of a static grating that differed from the background in either contrast (top left), orientation (top right), or phase (bottom). (B) Two example stimuli (both orientation task). Licking on the side corresponding to the figure constituted a hit, a lick on the other side an error. (C) Top: Schematic illustration of viral injections and optic fiber implantation. Bottom: histological verification of viral expression. Red: ChR2-mCherry. Blue: DAPI. Scale bar is 600 m.(D) Timing of the task. We optogenetically inhibited activity in superficial layers of the SC (sSC) by activating sSC GABAergic neurons in both hemispheres at different delays after stimulus appearance. The mice reported the figure location after 200 ms by licking on the same side as the figure. (E) Inhibition of sSC significantly decreased task performance for each figure detection task. Accuracy is defined as hits/(hits + errors). The accuracy on unperturbed trials without the laser condition is indicated by no. Colored dots represent means  SEM of accuracies across mice. Arrow and error bar indicate mean  SD of bootstrapped fitted inflection points. Dashed line indicates chance level performance. *p<0.05, **p<0.01. Credit: eLife (2024). DOI: 10.7554/eLife.83708

Researchers at the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience have discovered that a brain area preserved through evolution, called the superior colliculus, is more crucial for vision than we thought.

When we look at something, we can easily distinguish an object from the background. While this sounds obvious, how our brain accomplishes it is still quite complicated. It has long been known that a brain area called the visual cortex is involved in the process. Yet there are animals in which this area is much less developed than ours or does not exist at all. So how do these animals see when prey or a predator approaches them in a crowded background? Could another player be involved after all?

Visual information travels from our retina to the visual cortex, but also partly to a structure called the superior colliculus. This is the ancient visual system common to all classes of vertebrates, from fish to amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. Remarkably, this structure has been preserved throughout evolution, but varies greatly in relative size between different organisms. For example, the superior colliculus is relatively large in fish and birds, whereas it is just a tiny pea tucked away in gray matter in humans.

Two parallel paths

To find out exactly what the superior colliculus does, Leonie Cazemier and her colleagues from Alexander Heimel's and Pieter Roelfsema's groups studied mice and their ability to distinguish objects from the background. Their paper is published in the journal eLife.

The mouse is an interesting model, because as in humans, its brain has two parallel pathways: both the visual cortex and the superior colliculus. The mice were trained to distinguish figures from a background, which appeared on the left or right side of the image. By licking either left or right, the mice reported on which side the image had appeared.

Heimel explains, "Previous research already showed that a mouse can still complete the task if you turn off its visual cortex, which suggests that there is a parallel pathway for visual object detection. In this study, we switched off the superior colliculus using optogenetics to see what effect that would have.

"Contrary to the previous study, the mice became worse at detecting the object, indicating that the superior colliculus plays an important role during this process. Our measurements also showed that information about the visual task is present in the superior colliculus, and that this information is less present the moment a mouse makes a mistake. So, its performance in the task correlates with what we're measuring."

Function in humans

"How this works in humans is not entirely clear yet. Although humans also have two parallel systems, their visual cortex is much more developed. The superior colliculus may therefore play a less important role in humans. It is known that the moment someone starts waving, the superior colliculus directs your gaze there," Heimel adds.

"It is also striking that those who are blind with a double lesion in the visual cortex do not see anything consciously but can often still navigate and avoid objects. Our research shows that the superior colliculus might be responsible for this and may therefore be doing more than we thought."

More information: J Leonie Cazemier et al, Involvement of superior colliculus in complex figure detection of mice, eLife (2024). DOI: 10.7554/eLife.83708 Journal information: eLife
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

New digital contraceptive methods, such as apps or wearables to determine fertile days, are gaining in popularity. University of Amsterdam medical anthropologist Ellen Algera and her colleagues have investigated whether and how these new methods find a place in the consultation room.

They observed hesitation among health care providers to counsel on these methods and a lack of reliable information. Given the growing popularity of hormone-free contraceptive methods, the researchers, in their article in the European Journal of General Practice, advocate for more attention to these methods. According to them, this requires the renewal of guidelines and a more open attitude toward these methods.

In the study, Algera and colleagues analyzed the contraceptive guideline, observed conversations in the consultation room, and interviewed health care providers in general practice. They observe that health care providers tend to choose risk minimization when it comes to the preference for hormone-free contraception and new digital contraceptive methods. This shifts the focus away from personalized guidance, hindering person-centered care.

"As long as health care providers do not see these methods as contraception or only warn against using them, there will be a gap between health care providers and users of these methods. We hope to build a bridge here," says Algera.

A new challenge for contraceptive care

Algera calls the cautious attitude of health care providers understandable because there is a lack of scientifically grounded knowledge on how different methods work and how well, as well as the requirements for their use. And this lack of information also affects the user.

"Various apps and wearables are entering the market, sold with attractive words. However, the reliability figures used to promote these methods are not always based on robust scientific research. Users may choose the method that is most heavily promoted on social media, not necessarily the one with scientific backing or the one that best suits individual preferences."

Make information more accessible

"But critically assessed scientific knowledge is already available," says Algera. "A systematic review of research on new digital methods and low-tech methods based on fertile days shows that effectiveness varies widely between methods, from 66% to 98% with typical usewhere the users may make some mistakes."

"In addition, methods relying on multiple parameters and providing good supportsuch as the sympto-thermal methodperform better than a simple calendar method or a temperature app. Although we need more research on different methods' effectiveness, the scientifically substantiated information that we already have could be better accessible to health care providers and users, so that people can make well-informed choices."

Explore motivation

In addition to this scientifically grounded information, the authors advocate for attention to motivation and necessary skills in counseling. The likelihood of pregnancy is co-determined by the motivation of both partners to prevent pregnancy and the ability to apply a method correctly. "Due to this user dependence, health care providers quickly discourage these methods as users can make mistakes," Algera explains.

Instead, the authors propose to approach it from the other side, through thoroughly investigating of users' motivation and their need for support. "If the use of these methods increases, it is better for users to be well-prepared," says Algera.

More information: Ellen Algera et al, mHealth technologies for pregnancy prevention: A challenge for patient-centred contraceptive counselling in Dutch general practice, European Journal of General Practice (2024). DOI: 10.1080/13814788.2024.2302435
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:

Blue dots represent the observed values. Black lines represent the fitted values from the interrupted time series analysis model. Gray shades denote the 95% confidence interval of the fitted values. Red lines are the average number of hospital visits per million population at the corresponding time from 2018 to 2020. Sandy lines indicate the counterfactual scenarios assuming no COVID-19 pandemic. Credit: Guanqiao Li et al

In Wuhan, China, a stringent lockdown was implemented to contain the spread of COVID-19, transitioning to a normalized prevention and control strategy. Considering the shared transmission route through the respiratory tract, mask-wearing, social distancing, and personal hygiene have been linked to reduced transmission of respiratory pathogens other than SARS-CoV-2. However, there has been less investigation into the broader spectrum of respiratory diseases, particularly in less developed countries.

In a new study published in the journal Global Transitions, a team of Chinese researchers examined the trends in hospital visits for acute and chronic respiratory diseases between 2018 and 2021 using the national health insurance data from Wuhan.

"Hospital visits for all the investigated diseases decreased during the lockdown period," shares first author of the study Xuemin Zhu from Tsinghua University. "While visits for control conditions rebounded to pre-pandemic levels in the later normalized prevention and control period, visits for respiratory disease exhibit a more sustained impact from the pandemic."

Notably, inpatient and severe condition visits for respiratory disease remained reduced even after the lockdown was lifted. Guanqiao Li, corresponding author of the study and also from Tsinghua University, emphasized that this research holds implications for future outbreak preparedness, health care resource allocation, and respiratory disease prevention and management.

"During the lockdown, community-level NPIs and government policies, particularly stay-at-home orders and travel restrictions have impeded patients' access to health care services, primarily explaining the substantial decrease in hospital visits for all investigated diseases.

"Our findings underscore the importance of proactive preparedness by health care sectors to effectively manage outbreaks while ensuring the continued provision of essential medical services," Li explains.

The team noted that the decrease in inpatient and severe condition visits for respiratory diseases upon the return to normal daily life is likely a result of the wide and consistent mask-wearing, social distancing, and personal hygiene improvement.

While these reductions cannot be attributed to any single factor, the personal-level NPIs may have effectively reduced the incidence of severe respiratory diseases. Further, the researchers believe that health care systems should bolster their resilience to ensure rapid adaptability to diverse health care needs in the ongoing presence of the pandemics.

More information: Xuemin Zhu et al, Reduction in inpatient and severe condition visits for respiratory diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic in Wuhan, China, Global Transitions (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.glt.2023.12.001

Provided by KeAi Communications Co.
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:

Workflow diagram illustrating data acquisition and preparation process. A) Serum samples from ovarian cancer patients and non-cancerous individuals are collected from multiple geolocations. They are analyzed using UPLC-MS/MS in an untargeted workflow to characterize the metabolome of ovarian cancer patients. Normalization and filtering of the features are performed following the best practices to obtain the preprocessed metabolomic profiles for downstream analyses. B) Scatter plot of principal component analysis performed on the preprocessed data after accounting for systematic and random errors. QC samples (orange) are shown to mostly cluster together with no clear separation between the two batches, indicating unwanted experimental variation has been eliminated. Credit: Gynecologic Oncology (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2023.12.030

For more than three decades, a highly accurate early diagnostic test for ovarian cancer has eluded physicians. Now, scientists in the Georgia Tech Integrated Cancer Research Center (ICRC) have combined machine learning with information on blood metabolites to develop a new test able to detect ovarian cancer with 93% accuracy among samples from the team's study group.

The team's results and methodologies are detailed in a new paper published in the journal Gynecologic Oncology.

John McDonald, professor emeritus in the School of Biological Sciences, founding director of the ICRC, and the study's corresponding author, explains that the new test's accuracy is better in detecting ovarian cancer than existing tests for women clinically classified as normal, with a particular improvement in detecting early-stage ovarian disease in that cohort.

Based on their computer models, the researchers have developed what they believe will be a more clinically useful approach to ovarian cancer diagnosiswhereby a patient's individual metabolic profile can be used to assign a more accurate probability of the presence or absence of the disease.

"This personalized, probabilistic approach to cancer diagnostics is more clinically informative and accurate than traditional binary (yes/no) tests," McDonald says. "It represents a promising new direction in the early detection of ovarian cancer, and perhaps other cancers as well."

Silent killer

Ovarian cancer is often referred to as the silent killer because the disease is typically asymptomatic when it first arisesand is usually not detected until later stages of development, when it is difficult to treat. While the average five-year survival rate for late-stage ovarian cancer patients, even after treatment, is around 31%, McDonald explains that if ovarian cancer is detected and treated early, the average five-year survival rate is more than 90%.

"Clearly, there is a tremendous need for an accurate early diagnostic test for this insidious disease," McDonald says.

And although development of an early detection test for ovarian cancer has been vigorously pursued for more than three decades, the development of early, accurate diagnostic tests has proven elusive. Because cancer begins on the molecular level, McDonald explains, there are multiple possible pathways capable of leading to even the same cancer type.

"Because of this high-level molecular heterogeneity among patients, the identification of a single universal diagnostic biomarker of ovarian cancer has not been possible," McDonald says. "For this reason, we opted to use a branch of artificial intelligencemachine learningto develop an alternative probabilistic approach to the challenge of ovarian cancer diagnostics."

Metabolic profiles

Georgia Tech co-author Dongjo Ban, whose thesis research contributed to the study, explains that "because end-point changes on the metabolic level are known to be reflective of underlying changes operating collectively on multiple molecular levels, we chose metabolic profiles as the backbone of our analysis."

"The set of human metabolites is a collective measure of the health of cells," adds co-author Jeffrey Skolnick, "and by not arbitrarily choosing any subset in advance, one lets the artificial intelligence figure out which are the key players for a given individual."

Mass spectrometry can identify the presence of metabolites in the blood by detecting their mass and charge signatures. However, Ban says, the precise chemical makeup of a metabolite requires much more extensive characterization.

Ban explains that because the precise chemical composition of less than 7% of the metabolites circulating in human blood have, thus far, been chemically characterized, it is currently impossible to accurately pinpoint the specific molecular processes contributing to an individual's metabolic profile.

However, the research team recognized that even without knowing the precise chemical make-up of each individual metabolite, the mere presence of different metabolites in the blood of different individuals, as detected by mass spectrometry, can be incorporated as features in the building of accurate machine learning-based predictive models (similar to the use of individual facial features in the building of facial pattern recognition algorithms).

"Thousands of metabolites are known to be circulating in the human bloodstream, and they can be readily and accurately detected by mass spectrometry and combined with machine learning to establish an accurate ovarian cancer diagnostic," Ban says.

A new probabilistic approach

The researchers developed their integrative approach by combining metabolomic profiles and machine learning-based classifiers to establish a diagnostic test with 93% accuracy when tested on 564 women from Georgia, North Carolina, Philadelphia and Western Canada. Of the study participants, 431 were active ovarian cancer patients, while the remaining 133 women in the study did not have ovarian cancer.

Further studies have been initiated to study the possibility that the test is able to detect very early-stage disease in women displaying no clinical symptoms, McDonald says.

McDonald anticipates a clinical future where a person with a metabolic profile that falls within a score range that makes cancer highly unlikely would only require yearly monitoring. But someone with a metabolic score that lies in a range where a majority (say, 90%) have previously been diagnosed with ovarian cancer would likely be monitored more frequentlyor perhaps immediately referred for advanced screening.

More information: Dongjo Ban et al, A personalized probabilistic approach to ovarian cancer diagnostics, Gynecologic Oncology (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2023.12.030 Journal information: Gynecologic Oncology
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As blood flows through the GO chips, cancer cells stick to antibodies embedded in the chip. The antibodies specifically target cancer cells, so the sample is not contaminated with other parts of the blood. Credit: Brenda Ahearn/Michigan Engineering.

Using a chip to process blood samples, doctors can monitor the amount of cancer cells in a patient's blood to determine how well a treatment is working by the fourth week, according to a new University of Michigan study.

Such data could allow clinicians to adapt cancer treatments to patients' needs and improve treatment outcomes.

"Currently, there's typically a wait of weeks to months before we can fully assess the effectiveness of cancer treatment," said Shruti Jolly, professor of radiation oncology, associate chair of community practices at U-M and co-corresponding author of the study.

"However, with this chip, we may be able to sidestep prolonged, ineffective therapy and quickly pivot to alternatives, thus saving patients from needless side effects. This technique has the potential to shift cancer diagnostics, moving from a delayed single assessment to a more continuous surveillance and facilitating the delivery of personalized cancer treatment."

The research is published in the journal Cell Reports.

Today, clinicians use CT scans to see if a tumor shrank or grew, but only large changes in size are easily noticed. Tumor biopsies provide more exact information, but they can't be done frequently enough to get regular updates.

That's why many clinicians are turning to liquid biopsies, or tests that look for signs of cancer in the patient's blood, such as cancer cells that tumors have shed. Blood samples can be collected frequently, but they are only useful if the cells are present in high enough levels for biomedical instruments to detect.

Credit: Cell Reports (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.113687

Lung cancer is a particular problem. Other FDA-approved tools for detecting cancer cells in blood samples have proven ineffective for monitoring lung cancer treatmentslikely because they targeted a single protein on the cells' surfaces that is less common in lung cancers, the researchers say.

"We were looking for more sensitive markers of cancer that we could use to closely monitor treatments," said Sunitha Nagrath, professor of chemical and biomedical engineering and one of the study's corresponding authors.

"In some cases, only about half of cancer patients respond to the treatments, leaving the rest with poor outcomes. Treatments may also be expensive and cause adverse reactions in some patients, so it's important for clinicians to know early on whether a treatment is going to be effectiveor whether they may be better off with a different treatment."

The "GO chip" developed by Nagrath's team, first demonstrated in 2013, succeeded where others fell short. It traps cancer cells like a piece of flypaper traps flies. But unlike flypaper, the chip only catches its target. Antibodies mounted on microscopically thin sheets of graphene oxide in the chipwhich give the device its namerecognize a wide array of cancer-specific protein markers found on the surfaces of cancer cells.

As the blood is pushed through channels in the chip, the antibodies trap cells, eventually concentrating enough to work with. With the cells locked in place, the researchers can not only count them but confirm that they are indeed cancerous and determine how the cells' biochemistry varies between patients and treatment stages.

Part of the GO chip manufacturing process takes place in Nagrath's lab. They start with silicon wafers, on which a tight array of gold dots have been etched into a rectangle pattern at the Lurie Nanofabrication Facility. The gold attracts the graphene oxide, each sheet only a single layer of atoms thick, and the antibodies are attached to the graphene oxide. These antibodies are what allow the chips to trap cancer cells. Credit: Brenda Ahearn, Michigan Engineering

To attach the GO chips covers, the engineers use a corona wand, which creates a high-voltage electric current that heats air into plasma. The plasma adds an electric charge to the chip that forms a permanent bond with the materials on the chip cover. The result is a tight seal that doesnt allow any fluid to escape from the microscopic channels in the chip. Credit: Brenda Ahearn, Michigan Engineering

To test that the GO chip could monitor lung cancer treatments, the researchers used it to collect cancer cells from the blood of 26 patients receiving both chemotherapy and immunotherapy for stage 3 lung cancer. The researchers took samples before cancer treatment and after the patients' first, fourth, 10th, 18th and 30th weeks of treatment.

Their experiment revealed that when the number of cancer cells in a patient's blood doesn't decrease by at least 75% by the fourth week of treatment, their cancer is more likely to persist after treatment.

The study also showed that cancer cells collected from patients whose cancer did not respond to treatment had activated genes that may have made the cancer resilient. These genes might be good targets for future cancer therapies, but further study is required to test this idea.

More information: Emma Purcell et al, Circulating tumor cells reveal early predictors of disease progression in patients with stage III NSCLC undergoing chemoradiation and immunotherapy, Cell Reports (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.113687 Journal information: Cell Reports
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

It's sobering to reflect that "neglected tropical diseases" are referred to as "neglected" because they persist in the poorest, most marginalized communities even after being wiped out in more developed parts of the world.

A variety of pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi and toxins, cause neglected tropical diseases, which include dengue, chikungunya, leprosy, lymphatic filariasis and yaws.

They inflict tremendous suffering because of their disfiguring, debilitating and sometimes deadly impact. Patients often experience stigma, social exclusion and superstition.

The good news is that there is reason for hope as some African countries have made significant progress in eradicating these diseases.

We have put together some essential reads from The Conversation Africa over the past year highlighting a scourge that still affects more than 1 billion people today.

Patients' beliefs about illness matter

Would you take medication for an illness you didn't believe you had? Or if you disagreed with health care workers about the cause of your condition?

This is the dilemma of many people who live in rural areas of Ghana where a mosquito-borne disease called lymphatic filariasis, often referred to as elephantiasis, continues to spread. Researchers found that only 18% of respondents understood lymphatic filariasis as a disease. Fewer than 7% believed it to be a disease spread by mosquitoes.

Instead, people held a range of alternative beliefs attributing the condition to spiritual causes (curses, witchcraft, evil spirits), cold or rainy weather, and other illnesses.

The team of experts, that carried out the research, suggest that understanding patients' belief systems would help health care workers treat patients more effectively.

100 million Nigerians are at risk

A quarter of the people affected by neglected tropical diseases in Africa live in Nigeria. An estimated 100 million Nigerians are at risk for at least one of these diseases and there are several million cases of people being infected with more than one of them.

There has been progress, writes Uwem Friday Ekpo. By January 2023 the country had eradicated Guinea worm disease and two states had eliminated onchocerciasis.

One of the interventions was door-to-door visits by volunteers to administer medicines. Teachers also played a similar role when medicines were distributed in schools.

Leprosy, scabies and yaws: Togo's neglected skin diseases

Skin conditions caused by some bacteria, viruses, mosquitoes or mites are common neglected tropical diseases.

Research in schools and rural areas in Togo, west Africa, found a large number of these infections including scabies, leprosy, yaws and Buruli ulcer.

These are stigmatized and can be difficult to diagnose. There are typically few, if any, dermatologists in areas where they are common. Children with these diseases often refuse to go to school.

Michael Head, Bayaki Saka and Palokinam Pitche suggest authorities make the treatment of these diseases free of charge. Health promotion and education are also critical.

Reasons for hope

Togo did have reason to celebrate though. In 2022 it became the first country in the world to have eliminated four neglected tropical diseases. The country stamped out Guinea worm disease in 2011, lymphatic filariasis in 2017, sleeping sickness in 2020 and trachoma in 2022.

It achieved its milestone through a combination of measures. These included door-to-door mass drug administration, training of health care staff, sustained financing and strong political support.

Other African countries also made significant progress in tackling neglected tropical diseases in 2022. Benin, Rwanda and Uganda managed to eliminate sleeping sickness. Malawi eliminated trachoma and the Democratic Republic of Congo eliminated Guinea worm disease.

But the global health community and African governments cannot rest on their laurels. There is still a long way to go, writes Monique Wasunna.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Salivary levels of a macrophage activating factor (MAF), b macrophage chemotactic factor (MCF) and c macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) among healthy and gingivitis cases. ns not significant, *p < 0.05 and ***p < 0.001. Credit: BMC Oral Health (2023). DOI: 10.1186/s12903-023-02787-5

Scientists have determined the main causes of gingivitis, an inflammation of the gums attributed to bacterial infection which is a major cause of tooth loss in adults.

If left untreated, the bacterial infection may lead to periodontitis, a serious gum disease that damages the soft tissues around the teeth, destroying the bone that supports them.

The new findings have come following clinical investigations of saliva samples from 30 people with healthy gums and 30 with gingivitis which are reported in journal BMC Oral Health.

The authors say that according to their clinical examination the presence of MIF or Macrophage migration inhibitory factor, a protein crucial for the regulation of innate immunity, can be used by dentists as an "effective indicator" of gingivitis.

"During clinical examination, we recorded three parameters of gum health: Bleeding on probing (BOP), Visible Plaque Index (VPI), and Simplified Modified Gingival Index (SMGI). Then, we used special tests (ELISA) to measure the levels of MAF, MCF, and MIF in their saliva sample."

"Our findings showed that MAF levels were similar in both healthy (people) and patients with gingivitis. However, MCF and MIF levels were notably higher in those with gingivitis. Interestingly, MIF levels changed at different stages of gum inflammation. Hence our study suggests that the levels of MCF and MIF in saliva could be signs of gum inflammation. Moreover, MIF level in saliva can be used as effective indicator of gingivitis," says co-author Prof. Sausan Al Kawas of the University of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Dr. Betul Rahman, also a co-author and an associate professor at University of Sharjah's College of Dental Medicine, says the study records three parameters of gum health of the participants taking part in the clinical trials.

"We recorded three parameters of gum health: Bleeding on probing (BOP), Visible Plaque Index (VPI), and Simplified Modified Gingival Index (SMGI). Then, we used special tests (ELISA) to measure the levels of MAF, MCF, and MIF in their saliva sample," adds Dr. Rahman.

The clinical investigations were done at the University Dental Hospital Sharjah from February 2020 to June 2021. Of the methods employed and the data gathered, the scientists write, "Sixty participants, 30 healthy individuals, and 30 gingivitis patients, age range between 18 and 45 years, were enrolled in this research. A verbal and written information were provided to the participants before study enrollment and informed consent was obtained from them.

"Sixty saliva specimens were collected from periodontally healthy (n = 30), and gingivitis patients (n = 30). Bleeding on probing (BOP), Visible Plaque Index (VPI), and Simplified Modified Gingival Index (SMGI) were recorded through clinical examination.

"Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS (version 28). Total mean score for each biomarker was determined, and descriptive bivariate statistics were conducted to characterize the levels of biomarkers among the study groups."

Dr. Rahman is optimistic about the results. She says, "Our study signifies a promising step towards non-invasive diagnostics in oral health. Identifying salivary biomarkers such as MIF could revolutionize how we detect and manage gingivitis, offering a more precise and timely approach to oral care."

The study signals fresh hope on the path of combating gingivitis, according to Prof. Kawas, who adds, "Understanding the role of macrophage-related chemokines in gingivitis is pivotal. Our findings pave the way for future research and innovations in diagnostics and therapeutic strategies for periodontal diseases."

The study assumes added significance when taking the high prevalence of gingivitis into account and how the most common type of the gum inflammation can turn into a chronic disease. Medical literature shows that gingivitis afflicts 9-17% of children aged 311 years with the rate skyrocketing to 7090% among adults.

The authors' aim was to investigate if certain substances in saliva could shed light on gum health. "We focused on three substances in salivamacrophage-activating factor (MAF), macrophage-chemotactic factor (MCF), and macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF). We looked at people with healthy gums and those with gum inflammation (gingivitis) to see if the levels of these substances were linked to how severe the gum diseases were," says Prof. Kawas.

For long clinicians have been looking for a faster and simple non-invasive test with high accuracy as an indicator (biomarker) of gum diseases since current diagnosis methods to show bone loss and then treat gum disease have relied on things like bleeding during probing (BOP), plaque scores, clinical attachment loss, probing pocket depth, and X-rays.

However, says Dr. Rahman, these methods "are time consuming, expensive and their accuracy depends on the skills of the dentist. Saliva is the best non-invasive body fluid to use for diagnosis of many body and oral diseases. This study could be used to develop such simple and accurate test using saliva sample to diagnose and follow up on patients with gum diseases."

The study's findings, according to Prof. Kawas, "could potentially interest various pharmaceutical sectors related to oral health. The identification of salivary biomarkers opens avenues for the development of innovative diagnostic tools and therapeutic interventions, which could attract interest from dental care providers, diagnostic companies, and pharmaceutical organizations.

"The ultimate aim was to contribute to the development of non-invasive diagnostic tools for early detection and monitoring of gingivitis, thereby enhancing the precision of preventive and therapeutic interventions in oral health. By identifying reliable salivary biomarkers, we aimed to address the limitations of current diagnostic methods and facilitate early intervention in oral diseases."

The authors believe that their research holds significant practical implications for the field of oral health given that the current diagnostic methods for gingivitis rely on clinical examinations, which may have limitations in identifying individuals at risk of developing periodontitis.

"Our findings suggest that salivary MIF levels could serve as a potential early diagnostic biomarker for gingivitis. This has practical implications for dental practitioners, as incorporating salivary biomarkers into routine screenings could enable more accurate and timely identification of individuals at risk. Early detection allows for timely intervention, potentially preventing the progression of gingivitis to more severe periodontal conditions," adds Dr. Rahman.

More information: Amna Alhammadi et al, Salivary macrophage chemokines as potential biomarkers of gingivitis, BMC Oral Health (2023). DOI: 10.1186/s12903-023-02787-5
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

A new study presented at The Society of Thoracic Surgeons' 2024 Annual Meeting in San Antonio, Texas, examines the ongoing controversy surrounding the choice between multi-arterial grafting (MAG) and single arterial grafting (SAG) in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for multivessel coronary revascularization.

The research, spanning from 2008 to 2019 and involving over one million patients undergoing isolated CABG with more than two bypass grafts, found that multi-arterial grafting CABG is associated with superior long-term survival compared to single arterial grafting, establishing it as the preferred surgical strategy for multivessel revascularization.

"Multiple small studies have demonstrated a survival benefit of multi-arterial grafting. We wanted to know if this survival benefit of multi-arterial grafting observed in single-center studies would translate to a large national cohort," said the study's lead author, Joseph Sabik III, MD, University Hospitals. "Using the STS Adult Cardiac Surgery Database, we were able to demonstrate that it does."

At 10 years, MAG demonstrated improved unadjusted (HR 0.59, 95% CI 0.580.61) and adjusted (HR 0.86, 95% CI 0.850.88) survival rates compared to SAG. A center volume of 10 or more MAG cases per year was associated with survival benefits.

MAG's survival advantage over SAG was found in various subgroups, including stable coronary disease, acute coronary syndrome, and acute infarction. Notably, MAG showed superior survival for patients with a BMI less than 40, whereas patients with a BMI of 40 or higher had superior survival with SAG.

Survival outcomes were equivalent between MAG and SAG for patients aged 80 years or older, and those with severe heart failure, renal failure, peripheral vascular disease, or obesity.

Patient data was collected from the STS Adult Cardiac Surgery Database and linked to the National Death Index for comprehensive longitudinal survival analysis. Risk-adjustment measures, including inverse probability weighting and multivariable modeling, were implemented to ensure accurate comparisons.

These findings have significant implications for clinicians and cardiac surgeons when deciding on the most appropriate multivessel revascularization approach.

"The survival benefit of multi-arterial grafting was observed in nearly all patients, except in those 80 or older and in those with co-morbidities graded as severe, where multi and single-arterial grafting resulted in similar survival. The only patients where single arterial grafting resulted in better survival were severely obese," said Dr. Sabik.

This research not only contributes valuable insights to the ongoing debate but also provides evidence-based guidance for health care professionals in optimizing patient outcomes during CABG procedures.

Provided by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
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Real-time magnetic resonance (MR) imaging during gene therapy in the nervous system provides foundational impact on optimizing the effectiveness, safety and efficiency of gene therapy delivery to the nervous system.

Researchers with The Ohio State University Gene Therapy Institute and The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and College of Medicine explain more in the journal JAMA Surgery.

Direct intraparenchymal delivery of gene therapy for neurodegenerative, metabolic, and enzyme deficiency diseases has been employed in a number of "first-in-human" clinical trials around the world, including several led by Ohio State's Krzysztof S. Bankiewicz, M.D., Ph.D.

Ohio State is pioneering this specific type of gene therapy that is delivered directly into the parenchyma, which is a type of tissue consisting of cells that carry out an essential function in the nervous system.

"Real-time magnetic resonance imaging of gene therapy delivery to the nervous system will be more broadly applied over the next three to five years as the number of sites with the needed infrastructure and expertise continues to increase," said co-author Bankiewicz, who is chief scientific officer of the Gene Therapy Institute and professor of surgery in the Ohio State Department of Neurosurgery.

Adoption of this innovation will continue to grow rapidly with the expanding use of intraparenchymal gene therapy and can be applied to future trials and related clinical care. Specifically, this can enhance safety, understanding of distribution parameters and insights into efficacy, said Bankiewicz, who holds the Gilbert and Kathryn Mitchell Endowed Chair at Ohio State Wexner Medical Center.

Use of image-guided direct intraparenchymal gene therapy in the brain has been defined in several neurological disorders, including neurodegenerative (Alzheimer, Huntington and Parkinson's disease) and neurotransmitter disorders.

"Ultimately, this should improve the biologic and clinical understanding of therapeutics, which will lead to optimal clinical care for patients undergoing direct intraparenchymal nervous system gene therapy. Moreover, imaging findings will inform critical insights that can lead to future refinements in delivery parameters," said first and corresponding author Asad S. Akhter, M.D, a neurosurgery resident at Ohio State.

Bankiewicz has led studies with children who underwent gene therapy for the treatment of neurotransmitter disorder, aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC)-deficiency. Because they lack the AADC enzyme, patients with AADC-deficiency cannot produce the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin.

Pre-infusion clinical findings included developmental delay, lack of verbalization, hypotonia, incapacitating oculogyric crises, lack of nuchal control, autonomic dysfunction, as well as the inability to sit, stand or walk independently. Post-infusion, patients exhibited complete resolution of oculogyric crises, improved autonomic control and regained the ability to sit independently, walk and speak.

There are several advantages to using real-time MR-imaging during convective gene therapy, including the ability to confirm accurate cannula placement and to optimize target structure perfusion.

"This type of innovate gene therapy allows for maximal target-site perfusion using 'infuse-as-you-go' techniques," said co-author Russell Lonser, MD, director of Ohio State's Gene Therapy Institute and professor and chair of Ohio State's Department of Neurosurgery.

More information: Asad S. Akhter et al, Real-Time Magnetic Resonance Imaging During Convective Gene Therapy Perfusion of the Brain, JAMA Surgery (2024). DOI: 10.1001/jamasurg.2023.3852 Journal information: JAMA Surgery
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A plenary session of the COP21 climate change conference (11 December 2015, at LeBourget Airport in Paris, France). Credit: US Federal Government

A shift away from the individual expert as a source of scientific knowledge and authority is proposed by researchers in a recent scholarly paper, published in the open-access journal Social Psychological Bulletin.

In their paper, the team of Dr. Duygu Uygun Tunc (currently with University of Chicago, U.S.) and Ph.D. candidate Mehmet Necip Tunc (Tilburg University, the Netherlands) propose an "extended virtue model," where scientific expertise is rather associated with being a "reliable source of information" on certain scientific questions, instead of credentials, such as education, affiliations, scholarly publications, awards, and grants.

This perspective allows two things: we can identify groups (rather than individuals) as the true experts, where the scientific questions can be addressed only by a collective effort; and we can evaluate expertise on the basis of actual performance rather than accolades earned in the past.

This reform, they argue, would be the key to not only appropriately credit the scientific contribution of everyone involved in a big-team discovery, but also improve self-correction, replicability, and thereby overall integrity in science.

"Scientific expertise has been a topic of controversy for several decades, since with claims to expertise come claims to intellectual authority and responsibility. Should I trust the experts when they say I should undergo a risky surgical operation, receive a newly researched drug, or that governments must take drastic measures to counter climate change," the team explains.

How we define and justify expertise has implications for public trust in science. One aspect of the credibility of science is its capacity to self-correct. How we conceive scientific expertise has an impact on how we diagnose problems with self-correction, and how we chart the path towards solutions.

In their scholarly paper, the researchers examined how the research tradition in psychology conceives scientific expertise, and how this conception hampers reform efforts to increase psychology's self-correction capacity.

The team notes that to this day, the mainstream conception of expertise remains very individualistic, and focuses on the possession of eminent credentials or unique knowledge and skills. Instead, they point out, society and policy makers need to favor a non-individualist model, which focuses on competent and responsible epistemic performance.

They also remind that large research collaborations with other scientists are becoming more and more common, especially since complex and interdisciplinary questions require multi-faceted, socially distributed cognitive tasks beyond the capacity of an individual. However, it is very difficult to credit, reward or hold accountable an expert who is not an individual in the given system of credit and incentives.

"Previous research on problems with methodology showed that a significant portion of psychology's complex questions require research collaborations. But why do the calls for big team science not find a wider appeal, and why do the existing initiatives face significant practical challenges?" ask the researchers. Moreover, "studies on questionable research practices and breaches of scientific integrity show that the possession of relevant knowledge and skills does not necessarily predict reliable performance as an expert," they further explain.

To address the crisis of scientific self-correction at hand, the researchers develop a novel performance-based and non-individualist concept of expertise in terms of informant reliability. In their study, they also discuss how conceiving expertise as informant reliability will help devise better science policy to increase self-correction and to better understand and counter some of the reactions to scientific reform.

They argue that psychological experts can be considered reliable informants to the extent that they provide reliable and credible information about psychological phenomena, make accurate predictions about these phenomena, develop and implement effective interventions for psychological problems, or contribute to developing more effective social policies for societal issues.

"Otherwise, they may fail to be much different from 'astrological experts,' who possess a wealth of knowledge about astrological theories as well as significant skill in observing, recording, and interpreting the patterns and movements of celestial objects in the light of astrological theories, but simply fail to fulfill their promise as experts: predict the future events by closely observing constellations," they say.

As preliminary suggestions for how to move forward, the researchers say that "As measures of expertise, we should thus replace metrics of eminence (e.g., h factors) with metrics geared directly toward capturing a track record of competent and responsible epistemic performance (e.g., false discovery risk indices or empirical replicability audits)."

More information: Duygu Uygun Tunc et al, Psychology's reform movement needs a reconceptualization of scientific expertise, Social Psychological Bulletin (2023). DOI: 10.32872/spb.10303

Provided by The Polish Association of Social Psychology
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New York City pledged last week to pay down $2 billion worth of residents' medical debt. In doing so, it has come around to an innovation, started in the Midwest, that's ridding millions of Americans of health care debt.

The idea of local government erasing debt emerged a couple of years ago in Cook County, Illinois, home to Chicago. Toni Preckwinkle, president of the county board of commissioners, says two staffers came to her with a bold proposal: The county could spend a portion of its federal pandemic rescue funds to ease a serious burden on its residents.

In 2022, Cook County became the first local government to partner with RIP Medical Debt, a nonprofit group that uses private donor funds to buy up and forgive patient debt.

RIP's model turns debt collection on its head. Normally, debt collectors buy unpaid bills and then try to collect the money owed. RIP identifies unpaid hospital bills owed by people making up to four times the federal poverty level, then buys that debt on secondary markets or directly from hospitals at a small fraction of the original value. Instead of trying to collect, RIP forgives itso it simply disappears for the patients.

In the Chicago area, as across the country, medical debt is an ongoing problem, causing mental and financial strain that can follow patients for years. An estimated 100 million people in the U.S. carry some form of health care debt, KFF Health News and NPR reported in 2022.

Preckwinkle said the RIP model dovetailed nicely with Cook County's health care mission. For nearly two centuries, the county has funded its own hospital and health system, Cook County Health, in part to provide care to all residents, regardless of income.

"We have a legacy commitment to delivering quality health care to people without regard to their ability to pay," Preckwinkle said.

She said that health care mission eats up nearly half of the county's $9.3 billion annual budget. It is now in the process of spending $12 milliona tiny portion of its budgetto retire $1 billion worth of hospital bills for residents.

Since Cook County announced its program, seven other local governments have followed suit, including Ohio cities Akron, Cleveland, and Toledo; New Orleans; Wayne County, Michigan; Washington, D.C.; and now New York City, which announced its commitment Jan. 22.

During his announcement, New York Mayor Eric Adams noted that medical debt disproportionately affects Black and Hispanic people, who are more likely to be uninsured or underinsured. For the city's low-income residents, he said, "taking on medical debt isn't a choice."

"Working-class families often have to choose between paying their medical bills or some of the basic essentials that they need to go through life," he said.

RIP is in talks with 30 other municipalities and states, including Connecticut, New Jersey, and Michigan.

Typically, RIP can retire at least $100 worth of debt for every $1 of government funds, so the local initiatives could end up wiping out several billion dollars in medical debt. The software selects eligible patients who remain anonymous, so it's hard to know what the impact of eliminating that debt might be across a community, or for the families that benefit.

Allison Sesso, CEO of RIP Medical Debt, acknowledged that debt is one of many factors contributing to unequal access to health care, and as hospital costs continue to rise, new debts are also piling up perhaps faster than her group can retire it. She said RIP hopes to retire $2.5 billion worth of unpaid medical bills through various government initiatives this year, but that's a drop in the bucket of the $195 billion estimated medical debt held by Americans.

"I'm under no illusions," Sesso said. "I don't think what I'm doing is the solution to getting rid of medical debt, writ large."

An unusual move for local government

Amber Clapsaddle said having the city of Toledo eliminate a $1,500 medical bill of hers from three years ago has given her hope.

In the past, Clapsaddle said, she looked down on those who didn't pay their bills.

Then, several years ago, her entire family of five each got sick one after another, requiring numerous surgeries, ultrasounds, and diagnostic tests. She had insurance, but she and her husband, a warehouse worker, couldn't meet the $6,000 deductible. Clapsaddle, a social worker, realized why medical debt is such a prevalent problem: "It just takes one bill, one bad insurance plan, just one extra diagnosis to have it all fall apart."

When Toledo's program with RIP forgave some of her family's debt two months ago, she cried with joy and relief. She said that motivated her to negotiate with doctors' offices and her insurance company to try to prevent herself from getting into debt again. "It's the spark that lights the fire of getting out of medical debt," she said.

Debt forgiveness is an unusual solution for local governments. More are taking it on, aided by access to federal pandemic rescue funds through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, and RIP Medical Debt offered a quick and easy fix to distribute those funds to those most burdened by medical expenses.

Nationally, medical debt is shown to disproportionately affect people of color and people who earn less. It also contributes to a vicious health cycle, discouraging patients from seeking preventive or follow-up care, leading to worse and more expensive outcomes.

Cook County's Preckwinkle said the pandemic only deepened racial and income gaps that affect people's access to health care.

"I always talk about the fact that medical debt is the leading cause of bankruptcy in the United States," she said.

Getting down to the root causes of debt

Medical debt is being created at high rates, Sesso said, and stronger policiessuch as protecting consumers and strengthening insurance coverageare needed to stop it at its source.

Often that boils down to high prices charged by hospitals and providers.

As Adams, the New York City mayor, put it, "You know, not only do you hold your breath when you go into a hospital or a doctor's office and wait for a diagnosis, you continue to hold your breath when you see the bill and what it costs, particularly for low-income New Yorkers."

The idea of forgiving medical debt has broad political support, said Sesso, perhaps because the issue affects people of all political stripes. A recent RIP survey, she said, showed that "84% of people agreed that it is the responsibility of government to ensure health care is affordable, and that position is held by people on the left and the right."

The enduring benefit of the recent local government initiatives is that they have helped draw more attention to the problem, raising its profile in useful ways, she said. "I think the issue of medical debt is becoming a priority, local governments are talking about it," and that is leading to other conversations about what else they can do to get more eligible families insured through Medicaid, or through the Affordable Care Act insurance marketplace, for example.

It is also inspiring programs like one recently adopted by Milwaukee County, in which it's urging more hospitals and health systems to use credit reports to screen and automatically enroll eligible patients in financial assistance programs. These programs already exist to help reduce medical expenses for patients making up to three times the poverty level, but often patients are unaware or not told to apply for them.

By automating the process, as many as 50% more patients may receive free or reduced-cost care, so they have a better chance of avoiding incurring medical debt in the first place, said Shawn Rolland, a member of Milwaukee County's board of supervisors.

"Why make it more difficult than necessary to get enrolled?" he said. "Because ultimately this will make it more likely that they'll come back for preventative care."

About this project

"Diagnosis: Debt" is a reporting partnership between KFF Health News and NPR exploring the scale, impact, and causes of medical debt in America.

The series draws on original polling by KFF, court records, federal data on hospital finances, contracts obtained through public records requests, data on international health systems, and a yearlong investigation into the financial assistance and collection policies of more than 500 hospitals across the country.

Additional research was conducted by the Urban Institute, which analyzed credit bureau and other demographic data on poverty, race, and health status for KFF Health News to explore where medical debt is concentrated in the U.S. and what factors are associated with high debt levels.

The JPMorgan Chase Institute analyzed records from a sampling of Chase credit card holders to look at how customers' balances may be affected by major medical expenses. And the CED Project, a Denver nonprofit, worked with KFF Health News on a survey of its clients to explore links between medical debt and housing instability.

KFF Health News journalists worked with KFF public opinion researchers to design and analyze the "KFF Health Care Debt Survey." The survey was conducted Feb. 25 through March 20, 2022, online and via telephone, in English and Spanish, among a nationally representative sample of 2,375 U.S. adults, including 1,292 adults with current health care debt and 382 adults who had health care debt in the past five years.

The margin of sampling error is plus or minus 3 percentage points for the full sample and 3 percentage points for those with current debt. For results based on subgroups, the margin of sampling error may be higher.

Reporters from KFF Health News and NPR also conducted hundreds of interviews with patients across the country; spoke with physicians, health industry leaders, consumer advocates, debt lawyers, and researchers; and reviewed scores of studies and surveys about medical debt.

2024 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Scanning electron microscope image of Vibrio cholerae. Credit: Wikipedia

Zimbabwe launched a vaccination campaign against cholera on Monday, to rein in a worsening outbreak of the disease that the government said has killed more than 400 people.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said the southern African country received a first batch of almost 900,000 vaccines last week.

On Monday, government officials started administering the first doses in Kuwadzana, a suburb of Harare, the capital and one of the hardest hit areas.

"In recent weeks we have witnessed a surge in the numbers of cholera cases attributable in part to the onset of the rain and flooding and increased population movement during the festive season," Health Minister Douglas Mombeshora said in a statement.

Cholera is contracted from bacteria generally transmitted through contaminated food or water.

Outbreaks occur regularly in Zimbabwean cities where supplies of drinking water and sanitation facilities are erratic and infrastructure has collapsed due to years of neglect.

Zimbabwe has been battling the current outbreak since February last year.

It has reported more than 20,000 suspected cases and 400 deaths, of which 71 have been confirmed by laboratory tests.

In November, Harare declared a state of emergency with some officials drawing comparisons with 2008, when cholera claimed at least 4,000 lives in the country and at least 100,000 people fell ill.

The current vaccination campaign is targeting 2.3 million people, with more doses expected to arrive next week, the WHO said.

"People are dying," Kuwadzana resident Patience Kuzhazha, 40, told AFP upon receiving a dose.

"I took it upon myself to get vaccinated so that I can safely encourage others to do the same."

The WHO has previously expressed concern over the growing number of cholera cases around the world in recent years, with Africa bearing the brunt.

 2024 AFP
Tickets are on sale for the annual Light of Hope Gala, which raises money to support children in the judicial system.

Hosted by local nonprofit CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Missoula, the event takes place Friday, Feb. 2 at the University Ballroom on the University of Montana campus, according to a press release.

Funds raised will be used to "recruit, train and supervise volunteer advocates to represent the best interest of children in the judicial system who have experienced abuse or neglect," the release said.

The gala, which marks the nonprofit's 30th anniversary, will feature jazz music during a cocktail hour, silent and live auctions, and a catered dinner including dessert.

The CASA community steps up year after year to meet the challenges these children face," said Executive Director Scott Appel. "Part of what we can do at our event this year is say thank you for 30 years of advocacy and service. This is our biggest fundraiser of the year and its success is critical to our ability to continue to serve at-risk children."

Tickets are available at LightofHope24.givesmart.com.
Dr. Seth Collings Hawkins of Morganton was recently inducted as a Fellow of The Explorers Club.

The Explorers Club is headquartered in New York City where it was founded in 1904. With current Chapters across the globe, The Explorers Club has been supporting scientific expeditions and field study in all disciplines for over a century.

Hawkins is an anthropologist, writer and physician, double boarded in both emergency medicine and EMS (field medicine). He has decades of experience supporting expeditions throughout the world, particularly in the disciplines of medicine and anthropology.

He serves as medical advisor/director for the NC Outward Bound School, NC State Parks, the Student Conservation Association, Recreational Equipment, Inc (REI) and the National Association for Search and Rescue. He is also the Local Emergency Medical Advisor for all US Forests in North Carolina and the National Park Service Outer Banks (Cape Lookout and Cape Hatteras National Seashores). He is co-author of Vertical Aid: Essential Wilderness Medicine for Climbers, Trekkers, and Mountaineers, editor of the textbook Wilderness EMS, co-editor of the new second edition of Expedition & Wilderness Medicine, and founder of multiple wilderness medicine organizations, as well as medical director for multiple wilderness EMS teams and schools.

He earned his Fellowship in the Academy of Wilderness Medicine (FAWM) with the inaugural class in 2007, and also became the first physician designated a Master Fellow by the Academy of Wilderness Medicine in 2014, with specialization in wilderness EMS. He earned his Fellowship in the Academy of EMS with the inaugural class in 2014. He serves as Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and is the Associate Director of the Wake Forest University School of Medicine Wilderness Medicine Fellowship. He is also currently a graduate student at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte in its dual degree anthropology-public health masters degree program. He has published widely in the wilderness medicine literature, including as coauthor of several Wilderness Medical Society clinical practice guidelines. He earned his Diploma in Mountain Medicine at the University of New Mexico International Mountain Medicine Center in its 2023-24 Diploma class.

As well as supporting and participating in expeditions around the world, closer to his home in the US state of North Carolina (NC), Hawkins has run the Carolina Wilderness EMS Externship every year since 2011.

This program, frequently cited by its participants as the best month of medical school, takes two medical students/resident physicians and intensively trains them in wilderness EMS and expedition medicine over a one-month residential period.

The program originated in Burke County, NC, as a county-based program, but in 2021 it became expeditionary and now uses the entire state of North Carolina as its classroom.

In its most recent iteration in September of 2023, Hawkins and Externs David Baskin (Wake Forest University) and Brian Drury (Brown University) collectively traversed more than 18,000 kilometers in only four weeks.

Their training and medical care operations took them throughout North Carolina, including both the highest mountain and the deepest gorge in eastern North America as well as a remote Atlantic Ocean island where emergency transport is only accomplished by helicopter or ferry. They trained with one of the oldest North American medical communities, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, and one of the newest, the US Forest Services recently established EMS system. They slept on sea dunes and by rivers and mountains throughout the state, with more than half of the work completely in the field, sleeping in tents and training in the natural environment.

The Externship also includes the Wake Forest-UNC WildMed Lake Weekend, where dozens of medical students travel to Lake James State Park in North Carolina and paddle out to a water-only accessible peninsula where they train in wilderness and expedition medicine skills for a weekend.

More internationally, Hawkins has contributed to scientific and expeditionary work in Australia, India, Costa Rica, England, Finland, Bhutan, Vietnam, China and Canada, among other locations. His expeditionary interests include both full-scale expeditions and smaller microadventures, a concept popularized by Alastair Humphrey.

Hawkinss membership as a Fellow of The Explorers Club was advanced by current members Dr. Gregory H. Bledsoe, founder of the Expedition Medicine National Conference and lead editor of Expedition and Wilderness Medicine, and Dr. Kenneth Kamler, author of Doctor on Everest and Surviving the Extremes.
Its been nearly 20 years since any outside, independent body took a hard at Butte-Silver Bows charter and how the local government here works  or doesnt work.

Several Butte-Silver Bow commissioners say that kind of review is long overdue, and it seems likely theyll encourage voters in the June primary to authorize a two-year study on whether changes are needed.

If voters OK a review, they will then be able to decide in 2026 whether to accept or reject any proposed changes an elected study commission recommends.

Those changes could be minor tweaks or big moves, such as creating new departments or reducing the number of commissioners on the council from 12 to seven or five or whatever.

Bill Andersen, one of 12 commissioners now, says the people deserve that say.

If you polled everybody in Butte-Silver Bow, I think about 90% would be disfavorable or think the government could improve, Anderson said at last weeks council meeting.

Theres probably 10% that think its running great and smoothly, but Im sure theres 90% out there who want to change a few things, he said. This is your opportunity to change those few things.

Commissioner Jim Fisher generally despises studies and the plans and blue-prints that come from them, saying theyre costly, get shelved, collect dust and rarely lead to anything meaningful.

Im not a big study guy, everybody knows that, but this study commission here is something that needs to be done, he said.

Under Montanas Constitution and state law, cities and counties must give their voters a chance to approve or reject the establishment of a study commission every 10 years.

The ballot question must say how many people would be on the commission  it must be an odd number  and how much the effort could cost. If voters say yes to a commission, they elect its members in the next election.

Commissioner Michele Shea proposed a seven-member group with a top cost of $200,000 over two years. Some commissioners seemed OK with that, but they will hash out those details in the coming days.

If voters approve a commission in the June 4 primary, residents wanting to serve would file as candidates and voters would elect the members in the November general election.

Voters here last approved a commission in June 2004. Twenty-nine people filed as candidates, and the top nine vote-getters became members.

That committee went through the entire city-county charter word-by-word and ultimately recommended several changes  all overwhelmingly approved by voters in 2006. They included changes to hiring and firing and giving the chief executive oversight of community enrichment and Superfund activities.

But the voters rejected a study commission in 2014, with 55 percent saying no. Several commissioners hope the results this June will be different.

Its up to the voters  to decide to review their local government or not, Shea said. Im hoping they do because they did not authorize this 10 years ago when it last came up.

Longtime Commissioner John Sorich agreed.

It hasnt been done for a long time, said Sorich, who isnt seeking a sixth term on the council this year. I think it really, really needs to be looked at. We need some changes in our charter. Our charter was drafted in 1977.

During the half-hour discussion at council, Andersen was the only one who tossed up possible changes a study commission might review and recommend.

They could look at positions, you know  do we need 12 members on council or do we want to cut it down to six? he said.

Commissioner Eric Mankins said in the name of transparency, commissioners should give the public specifics on why a review is needed and what possible changes should be explored.

Im in favor of it (a study commission) but everybody went around and said certain things but nobody really said specifically what they planned or what theyre thinking about doing, he said.

In 2020, Fisher and a group of citizens floated a proposal to reduce the number of commissioners from 12 to five and hire a city manager to oversee day-to-day operations of city-county government instead of an elected chief executive.

Several local attorneys helped draft the plan and they wanted the council to put the proposal before voters. But the council shot that down, with only Fisher and Andersen voting to keep a possible ballot question alive.

The majority said the proposal was ill-timed, full of holes and was an attempt to skirt a more thorough process voters already have every decade to change local government.

Fisher didnt mention the proposal last week, but that more thorough process has arrived, with voters getting a say at every stage.

When it comes to big issues, Fisher said, People should vote on it and decide what they want to do.

Bob Worley, who has served on numerous county and community organization boards, was chairman of the last study commission in 2005 and 2006. He was also an advocate for the city-manager idea floated a few years ago.

He didnt propose that or any other change when speaking briefly before council last week, but he encouraged commissioners to get behind a formal review.

We havent studied the charter of Butte-Silver Bow in 20 years, he said. I would ask all you people, as commissioners and employees of Butte-Silver Bow, to support this particular project. Even with your friends and relatives  ask them to vote for this.

Ramsay resident Mike Flanick echoed the call.

In addition, Im hoping if it does get passed and we do form a study commission, that theres adequate, if not a lot, of rural representation on that commission, he said.

The councils Judiciary Committee will meet soon to discuss how many members should be on a study commission and what the reviews price tag could be. Both must be stated on the primary ballot.
WEST LIBERTY  Since 1907, Liberty Communications has tried to provide its communities of West Branch, West Liberty and the surrounding areas with high quality access to phone service, TV service and, most recently, internet service.

With its latest project now completed, Liberty Communications hopes to provide its customers with faster internet speeds and a more reliable connection regardless of where they live. As of this month, Liberty Communications internet services are now 100% fiber based.

The amount of positive impact from completing our 100% fiber internet project will be endless for the communities we serve, Brandy Marquez, Marketing and Experience Manager at Liberty Communications said in a public statement.

The company first began this large-scale project in 2008, investing over 15 years and $15 million to converting its fiber expansion project and replacing all traditional copper cables with fiber optic ones. Beyond the faster internet speeds and stronger connections that this will offer current customers, this new expansion will also allow Liberty Communications to expand into more rural areas that may have otherwise struggled to get any internet service.

Access to high-speed internet gives our residents and businesses the same opportunities theyd have in big cities, Marquez said. Whether they want to work from home, go to school, or run an online store  were here to make their dreams come true. Liberty couldnt be prouder to provide high-speed fiber internet that opens the door to endless possibilities.

Justin Stinson, CEO of Liberty Communications, shared similar sentiments as he emphasized the importance of both continuing to expand the company while also always making sure to support the communities that he and his team have served since the companys founding.

Were making investments that will help local residents not only today, but a hundred years from now  just as the founders of Liberty did back in 1907, Stinson said. The main goal is to support our communities with the high-speed internet they need to develop and thrive in an increasingly digital world. Completing our 100% fiber internet expansion project reflects Libertys ongoing commitment to the future of Eastern Iowa.

Through the fiber conversion process, the company was also able to expand its service area around West Liberty and West Branch, managing to reach more rural areas near Iowa City. Liberty Connections also recently acquired Fairfield-based Natel Broadband.

Looking ahead to the future, the company hopes to continue expanding its services to residents in Southeast Iowa, with expansion projects underway in Fairfield, Centerville and Mt. Pleasant.
In a sweeping two-year investigation, The Associated Press found goods linked to U.S. prisoners wind up in the supply chains of a dizzying array of products from Frosted Flakes cereal and Ball Park hot dogs to Gold Medal flour and Coca-Cola. They are on the shelves of most supermarkets, including Kroger, Target, Aldi and Whole Foods.

Here are takeaways from the AP's investigation:

PEOPLE OF COLOR DISPRORTIONATELY AFFECTED

The U.S. has a history of locking up more people than any other country  currently around 2 million  and goods tied to prison labor have morphed into a massive multibillion-dollar empire, extending far beyond the classic images of people stamping license plates or working on road crews.

The prisoners who help produce these goods are disproportionately people of color. Some are sentenced to hard labor and forced to work  or face punishment  and are sometimes paid pennies an hour or nothing at all. They are often excluded from protections guaranteed to almost all other full-time workers, even when they are seriously injured or killed on the job. And it can be almost impossible for them to sue.

And it's all legal, dating back largely to labor demands as the South struggled to rebuild its shattered economy after the Civil War. In 1865, the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution outlawed slavery and involuntary labor except as punishment for a crime. That clause is being challenged on the federal level, and efforts to remove similar language from state constitutions are expected to reach the ballot in about a dozen states this year.

WIDE RANGE OF BUSINESSES BENEFIT FROM PRISON LABOR

The AP sought information from all 50 states through public records requests and inquiries to corrections departments, linking hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of transactions to agriculture-based prison labor in state and federal facilities over the past six years. Those figures include everything from people leased out to work at private businesses to farmed goods and livestock sold on the open market. Many of these goods came from large operations in the South, though almost every state has some sort of agriculture program.

Reporters also found prison labor in the supply chains of giants like McDonald's, Walmart and Costco  and in the supply chains of goods being shipped all over the world via multinational companies, including to countries that have been slapped with import bans by Washington in recent years for using prison and forced labor themselves.

WIDE RANGE OF JOBS

Almost all of the country's state and federal adult prisons have some sort of work programs, employing around 800,000 people, according to a 2022 report by the American Civil Liberties Union. The vast majority of those jobs are tied to tasks like maintaining prisons, laundry or kitchen work. Some prisoners also work for states and municipalities, doing everything from cleaning up after hurricanes and tornadoes to picking up trash along bustling highways.

But they also are contracted out to private companies either directly from their prisons or through work-release programs. They're often hired in industries with severe labor shortages, doing some of the country's dirtiest and most dangerous jobs like working in poultry plants, meat-processing centers and sawmills.

The AP found that prisoners with just a few months or years left on their sentences work at private companies nationwide. Unlike work crews picking up litter in orange jumpsuits, they go largely unnoticed, often wearing the same uniforms as their civilian counterparts.

Incarcerated people also have been contracted to companies that partner with prisons. In Idaho, they've sorted and packed the state's famous potatoes, which are exported and sold to companies nationwide. In Kansas, they've been employed at Russell Stover chocolates and Cal-Maine Foods, the country's largest egg producer. Though the company has since stopped, in recent years they were hired in Arizona by Taylor Farms, which sells salad kits in many major grocery stores nationwide and supplies popular fast-food chains and restaurants like Chipotle Mexican Grill.

WHAT DO THE COMPANIES SAY?

While prison labor seeps into the supply chains of some companies through third-party suppliers without them knowing, others buy direct. Mammoth commodity traders that are essential to feeding the globe like Cargill, Bunge, Louis Dreyfus, Archer Daniels Midland and Consolidated Grain and Barge have been scooping up millions of dollars' worth of soy, corn and wheat straight from prison farms.

The AP reached out for comment to the companies it identified as having connections to prison labor, but most did not respond.

Cargill acknowledged buying goods from prison farms in Tennessee, Arkansas and Ohio, saying they constituted only a small fraction of the company's overall volume. It added that "we are now in the process of determining the appropriate remedial action."

McDonald's said it would investigate links to any such labor, and Archer Daniels Midland and General Mills, which produces Gold Medal flour, pointed to their policies in place restricting suppliers from using forced labor. Whole Foods responded flatly: "Whole Foods Market does not allow the use of prison labor in products sold at our stores."

Bunge confirmed it had purchased grain from corrections departments but said it sold the facilities sourcing from them in 2021, so they are "no longer part of Bunge's footprint."

WHAT DO THE PRISONS SAY?

Corrections officials and other proponents note that not all work is forced and that prison jobs save taxpayers money. They also say workers are learning skills that can be used when they're released and given a sense of purpose, which could help ward off repeat offenses. In some cases, labor can mean time shaved off a sentence. And the jobs provide a way to repay a debt to society, they say.

"A lot of these guys come from homes where they've never understood work and they've never understood the feeling at the end of the day for a job well-done," said David Farabough, who oversees Arkansas' prison farms.

While most critics don't believe all jobs should be eliminated, they say incarcerated people should be paid fairly, treated humanely and that all work should be voluntary.

"They are largely uncompensated, they are being forced to work, and it's unsafe. They also aren't learning skills that will help them when they are released," said law professor Andrea Armstrong, an expert on prison labor at Loyola University New Orleans.

___

The Associated Press receives support from the Public Welfare Foundation for reporting focused on criminal justice. This story also was supported by Columbia University's Ira A. Lipman Center for Journalism and Civil and Human Rights in conjunction with Arnold Ventures. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

___

Prison money diaries: What people really make (and spend) behind bars Prison money diaries: What people really make (and spend) behind bars Ricardo Ferrell, 64 Louis Dixon, 27 "Fugee*," 26 Courtney Sargent, 37 Valerie Stanton, 47 Richard Spillane, 61 David DeLena, 45 Aundra Jiles, 50
There is nothing quite like them. They are cute yet rugged, tender yet fierce, and (mostly) independent yet loyal. Im talking about farm dogs  the constant companions ambling next to a farmer, getting caught in ankles, trouble and our hearts. Instead of contemplating the uncertain future of farming in California, let us instead take a moment to celebrate the certainty of canine companionship on the farm.

Make no mistake, a farmer may think they own a dog, but in fact, the dog claims and owns the farmer. All dogs have the instinct of pack and family, but a farm dogs connection to the wild is so direct and primal that belonging takes on a whole meaning. Belonging to a farm dog is their job in the literal and figurative sense. They will protect your body, soul, and land from the harms of injury, depression, bobcats and ground squirrels.

I currently belong to two farm dogs and am the now-grown child of many previous farm dogs. Looking on the other side of the pack hierarchy in the adult alpha position, I get to analyze and appreciate how farm dogs treat the betas of the pack: children.

Farm dogs claim children like lambs. When visited by a human mother and her newborn, my friends sheep guardian dog inspected the baby closely, then proceeded to pee on the mothers leg to indicate their acceptance into the flock.

One of the German shepherds I grew up with used to follow me and my pack of cousins while we roamed the fields of a dairy farm. On the day my family lost track of my 4-year-old cousin for several hours, we finally found him wandering through the prune orchard with the dog protectively at his side. A farm dogs tenderness and awareness for children shine even more brightly in the farm setting because they can make a true difference in a childs safety.

Parallel to a farmer, a farm dog also has a connection to the land. If I take my dogs away from the farm, even on an outdoor adventure, I sense underlying insecurity and loss of self.

Only when I open the car door so they can run out and chase coyotes and smell their favorite haunts and corners again do I realize that my dog is as tied to our land as I am. Perhaps it is this partnership, this shared satisfaction in caring for a bit of this planet, this knowing where the quail hide and the vultures roost, that makes our relationship easier than any other. With their dog, a farmer is not self-conscious about how much they work or why they care so much for their land. The dog gets it and will be by the farmers side from dawn to dark.

While farm dogs can be obedient and intelligent, they always have a few triggers that turn them reckless and impossibly annoying. A farm dog can make their farmers sick with worry, frustration, and finally resignation when they insist on chasing tractors back and forth across a field. And when they enter the hunt for an animal, you remember how few nucleotide differences exist between a dog and a wolf.

My husband once witnessed from the shower window our two medium-sized dogs trying to take down a deer. What proceeded was a futile attempt to call the dogs back and a chase through the orchard dressed only in flip flops and a towel. The drama ended when I finally caught the dogs in the middle of a creek so the deer could safely escape.

Finally, of course, let us not forget the most common source of ire: a farm dogs obsession with feces. Whether from cats, calves, a potty-training baby or an isolated rancher miles from a bathroom, you can be sure the dog will find it and turn it into a delicious snack.

In all love stories, there is heartbreak too. Farm dogs fates often end tragically and painfully. You can try to shelter your dog from all the dangers of a farm, but a farm is dangerous, and a dog is independent  and, yes, a bit dumb. Farmers have to accept that while their dogs are important, they are still animals, and the rules of life and death on a farm are much more present and unforgiving.

Farm dogs are dirty, troublesome, heart-breaking, and obnoxious. So why do we keep them? Ive asked this question of many farmers, and I think it comes down to the reason we all love dogs: namely, their unconditional love and support.

Inevitably, a farmer encounters some days when disaster strikes, they want to give up, and not a single human can provide comfort and hope. That is when their dog comes and sits down next to them, wags its tail in the dirt, and just listens. After a few ear scratches and a smile, the farmer gets back up and keeps going  with their dog at their heels.

Editor's note: This is a repeat of a column from October 2021.
Editor's note, Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024: Paula Jo Garcia was found dead on Tuesday in the 2200 block of Big Ranch Road in north Napa, Napa Police announced.

The California Highway Patrol issued a Silver Alert early Monday for a missing at-risk senior woman from Napa County.

Paula Jo Garcia, 77, was last seen at about 11 a.m. Saturday at her home on Georgia Street in Napa.

Garcia is believed to be driving a gray 2018 Toyota Prius, with a California license plate "GREYBUG." She is 5 feet 7 inches tall and 100 pounds, with green eyes and gray hair.

Garcia was still listed as missing shortly after 8:30 a.m. Monday, Napa Police said in a Facebook post. No crime is suspected, but law enforcement agencies are looking for her because of her medical needs, according to police.

As of Monday morning, Garcia was believed to still be in the county and possibly Upvalley, police said. Anyone who sees her or her car is asked to call Napa Police at 707-257-9223.

Photos: Napa Valley Faces and Places, January 20, 2024
Wine judging is often considered a privileged affair complete with knowing looks, wine geek speak, bourgeois clinking and sampling an assortment of rare and expensive wines.

Although the idea is Ill confess, glamorous, in actuality it often involves a fatigue worthy tasting of hundreds of wines at a sitting, where a few are outstanding, most are okay and some are dreadful. Although spitting the wines out is de riguer, ingesting, however briefly, tooth dyeing, mouth puckering and stomach gurgling amounts of wine can get tiresome, no matter how tasty. Rather than a beauty contest, of sorts, wine judging is akin to a celebrated dog show, so popular now on TV.

Yet rather than simply voting on the very best Bichon Frisee, Boxer or Basset Hound, judges ultimately, and blindly, must find the very best of an entire class of dissimilar wines, like Best of Show Red, carefully weighing the relative strengths, weaknesses and typicity of all contestants. Its quite a difficult and demanding task. Even though it might sound fun, most people wouldnt and couldnt see it through till its conclusion and would run screaming toward their favorite cold beer.

Happily, we judges are the hardy few, and come back year after year. This was my 14th year at the prestigious San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, the largest of American Wines in the world. One (pre-COVID) competition saw over 7,000 wines enrolled. This year it was about 5,500.

Wines entered come from all over the United Sates and some from Mexico and Canada. This competition began here in 1982, with 200 to 300 wines from about a 20-mile radius. Bob Fraser answered an ad to help. After a four-minute interview, he was hired, and has been leading the competition ever since. At the beginning there were five judges. This year we had 52, including winemakers, educators, wine journalists, tradepeople, sales and marketing types, chefs and others, all experienced at judging.

How it works:

The San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, now in its 41st year, is held at the Cloverdale Citrus Fair in northern Sonoma County. Built in 1892, the cavernous, utilitarian building is usually cold in January, very good for the wines, not so much for the people. The judges first grab a lab coat and assemble for an opening group photo. Then we immediately get to work. Legions of friendly and experienced volunteers rollout the wines and set them up in front of panels consisting of three judges.

Were fully stocked with water, sparkling water, wonderful bread from Healdsburgs Costeaux French Bakery as well as olives and other snacks. My panel began by tasting 45 Viogniers up to $29.99.

The competition is similar to others except for a few important areas. First, its big. There are over 55 judges and thousands of wines to sample. Second, there are only medals, no scores. We give out gold, silver and bronze medals, plus Double Golds when all judges agree that a gold medal is deserving.

Third, since there are so many entries, price points are included in the judging parameters. And fourth, judges are encouraged to discuss the wines merit and demerits, debate scores and come up with collaborative results.

Despite the professionalism of all assembled, this is not a quiet, somber scene. On the contrary its often loud, with amusing anecdotes or jokes, horse trading, eye rolling, and laughter all around. But dont fret, were all examining the wines in front of us. Sometimes a heated disagreement filters in, but most judges are reasonable human beings, who can play well with others.

Usually, up to 10 wines are brought out per flight. After the flight is adjudicated, the volunteers whisk away the empty glasses and the next flight is rolled in. Each judging panel is tasting different wines and differing price points. Scores are checked and rechecked. This is very complicated and its critical to keep things accurate.

When everything is running smoothly, its a finely tuned machine, and nobody does it better than Fraser and his crew. Every panel selects a Best-in-Class wine, which is sometimes a very tough decision between competing fantastic wines. Then we take a quick break and get ready for the next group to roll in.

Rick Kushman is a Sacramento-based wine judge and radio host.

The spirit of this competition is special, he said. There's a sense of joy and celebration Bob and his crew work to infuse in the competition, which helps us remember why we're judging  for people who like wine.

I overheard many wine words and wine-geek phrases by my fellow judges. Some made perfect sense while others were clearly meant to demonstrate the judges prestigious oenophilia lexicon. Frequently, I realize that a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing.

Phrases such as: forest floor makes sense with Pinot Noir but Im getting carbonic maceration, is a bit esoteric. This wine is toothsome, means you can really sense the huge tannins on your teeth versus, They used Mega Purple, which is just plain silly, whether that additive was used or not.

In my humble opinion, we are here to judge the quality, varietal characteristics, value of each wine, and to score the wines accordingly. Occasionally a re-pour is requested when the judges determine a wine may be corked and a replacement may yield a much better example. Unfortunately, in most instances the wine itself is flawed and no help is coming from the alternate bottle.

After lunch we moved through weightier panels such as 55 Malbecs (a good group), Sangiovese, Petite Sirah, Cabernet or Syrah based red blends. Some of these wines can be extremely heavy and taxing, yet every entry deserves a fair shot. All in all, it ends up being about six hours of wine tasting and 110 wines or so, per day. This is each day for three days.

Spreti Valentine is the chairperson of the Los Angeles International Wine Competition.

This is the goliath of competitions, it totally focuses on North American wines, said Valentine. Its a showcase for the American way of thinking about wine.

The afterparties are always fun, and a way to exchange gossip, hear some news, let down ones hair (so to speak), and of course, drink and sample more good wines. Because make no doubt, all wine judges are winos at heart. We enjoy wine and like to taste it, and drink it, despite a day of judging. Last week at one party I tasted a very good, old Bulgarian wine, and an excellent, and surprising Pinot Noir by Trefethen. One winemaker brought his Petite Sirah and another opened her still delicious, 2001 old vine Zin. Then we all wake up early and do it again.

Eric Degerman is the president of Great Northwest Wine in Kennewick, Washington.

This is like the Daytona 500, the biggest and first wine event of the year, he said. A very good cross section of judges, from quality control, the trade, media, all kinds of people.

We continued evaluating wines for the three days, finding some incredible gems as well as a fewdogs. More wines, more talk, a few spills, more bread, more tannins and comments like: This is like licking a fox, and Its about Pommard Clone versus Dijon, and tastes like a cough drop.

The Friday morning Sweepstakes round is the grand event and brings together the Best-in-Class winners and some 35 remaining judges. We each had about 80 wine glasses, carefully assembled in front of us. We were tasked to select the best Sparkling wine, Rose, Specialty-sweet, White and Red wine  without spilling anything. This is the real dog show moment as the best of the best compete against each other. Its tough deciphering a champion as all the wines were, by definition, gold medal wines.

John Compisi is another longtime wine judge and co-founder of BitesFlightsandSights.com.

Bob Fraser has been organizing this competition for nearly 40 years, he said. His right arm, Anne Vercelli has been organizing and leading the volunteers for over 30 years. It remains well-oiled and displays the highest integrity for blind tasting. That's due to Bob, Anne and the volunteers.

The 2024 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition Winners:

Best Sparkling Wine: 2021 Chandon Blanc de Pinot Noir, CA ($27)

Best Dessert Wine (tie): 2013 Port-style Cinquain Cellars Touriga & Tinto Cao Dessert Wine, Paso Robles, CA ($100); 2022 Arrington Vineyards Late Harvest Gewurztraminer, Tennessee ($25)

Best Rose Wine: 2022 The Four Graces Rose Wine, Willamette Valley, OR ($21)

Best White Wine (tie): 2023 Las Positas Estate Verdelho, Livermore, CA ($42); 2022 Annadel Estate Winery Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast, CA ($58)

Best Red Wine: 2021 Cooper Vineyards Estate Barbera, Amador County, CA ($33)

Im pleased to say that I chose the winning Sparkling, Rose and White wine Sweepstakes winners. My favorite wine of all was the 2023 Las Positas Estate Verdelho from Livermore Valley, California.

Wow, what a succulent, expressive, appealing wine that truly stood out from the rest, with ample acidity balanced by amazing fruit. I cant wait to buy a bottle.
Aizawl: Refuting the claim made by an ex-rebel association, a senior Mizoram police officer on Sunday said that there is no presence of a military training centre for Bangladesh-based militants in the state.

Mizoram Inspector General of Police (Headquarters) Lalbiakthanga Khiangte said that there is no such training centre for Chakma militants from Bangladesh in Mizoram as claimed by an association of former Mizo National Front (MNF) militants.

Aizawl-based Peace Accord MNF Returnees Association (PAMRA), an association of former MNF rebels, recently claimed that Chakma militants from Bangladesh were undergoing military training in at least six locations in south Mizorams Lunglei district and two locations in Mamit district in the western part of the state bordering Bangladesh.

Also Read: Assam: Mohan Bhagwat says despite thousand years of progress, world still in crisis

The association has threatened to take action if the government fails to uproot the training camps.

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It claimed that the Chakma militant outfit Parbatya Chattogram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS), as Santu Larma faction of the Jana Samhati Samiti from Bangladeshs currently undergoing military training at Salmore, Tara Ban, Chumochumi, Malchari, Bhalukkyachari, and Andar Manek villages in Lunglei district, and Silsury and Amchari villages in Mamit district.

It also claimed that there are family quarters of PCJSS militants in Malchari while the outfits commander Binanda Chakma is stationed in Amchari and company commander Alo Chakma in Silsury villages.
Czech Rep. parliament speaker sends EU flag to Armenia colleague as token of support

Premier on Tavush Province meeting: I also showed here Armenia outline that I showed at press conference

Secretary General Stoltenberg's visit to Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia is historic NATO says

Armenia opposition MP: PM told Tavush Province residents that 4 villages must be handed over to Azerbaijan immediately

Videos of Armenia PM Pashinyan's meetings in Tavush Province to be publicized later, spokesperson says (PHOTOS)

Young man throws stone at Armenia government building window

Armenia premier meets with Kirants village residents of Tavush Province (PHOTOS)

RFE/RL: Putin loses in Armenias Yerevan, wins in Gyumri in Russia presidential election

High-tech minister on removing Russia TV channels from multiplex: Armenia's dignity is at core of decisions

Kazakhstan FM considers it necessary to increase trade with Armenia

Armenia, Kazakhstan FMs discuss new logistical opportunities

Armenia 2041 Foundation launches Galvanizing Diaspora program

Kazakhstan FM notes Armenias Crossroads of Peace projects importance for Middle Corridor

Armenia, Kazakhstan FMs sign 2024/25 action plan

Armenia PM is in Tavush Province, meeting with residents of Voskepar, Baghanis, neighboring villages

Archaeologists find inscription of King Antiochus I of Armenian Yervanduni Dynasty, in Turkey

Kazakhstan FM is in Armenia (PHOTOS)

Rolls-Royce Ghost to be retired and replaced by new Alpina sedan

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Withdrawal from lawsuits against Azerbaijan in international courts will cause irreparable damage to Armenia, Armenians

EU Council to discuss assistance to Armenia, Armenian-Azerbaijani normalization

7,825 Karabakh residents who left Armenia since September 2023 have not returned, new data say

Armenia to submit application for EU membership?

Archaeologists discover where legendary British warship that disappeared in 17th century sank

Large number of Russians came from Georgia to Armenia to vote in presidential election, envoy says

Stoltenberg: NATO hopes to have stable peace between Azerbaijan, Armenia

Belgorod attacked by two rockets during the day: there are dead and injured

Media: Elon Musk's company is building a network of hundreds of spy satellites for US intelligence

Shooting in Pennsylvania: at least three dead, gunman took hostages

MEPs appeal to EU leadership to protect cultural heritage of Artsakh Armenians

New talks between Israel and Hamas are scheduled in Qatar on Sunday

India's national elections will be held from 19 April to 1 June

Aliyev: Azerbaijan and Georgia have always supported each other's sovereignty

Iran calls for formation of international coalition against Israel

Biden told Aliyev of US commitment to peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan

Stoltenberg will meet in Yerevan with the President and Prime-minister of Armenia

Turkish Foreign Ministry issues anti-Russian statement on Crimea issue

Zakharova: There is a historical answer to Armenia's doubts about sincerity of Russia's intentions

Zakharova: Moscow discusses with Armenia dragging Yerevan into anti-Russian course

Zakharova: Armenia's withdrawal from CSTO should be based on real needs of the country, not on "flirting" with West

Amazon and Microsoft suspend their cloud products in Russia

Dollar, euro lose value in Armenia

Armenia deputy FM: There has been considerable regress regarding visa facilitation with EU

Deputy FM: As landlocked country, Armenia recognizes vital importance of inclusive connectivity, open borders

FM: Armenia made every effort to prevent de-Armenianization in Karabakh

FM to reporters: You will be the first to know when Armenia intends to apply for EU membership

Ararat Mirzoyan: All Armenia authorities have negotiated on territorial concessions to Azerbaijan

FM: Deepening of Armenia's relations with the West, EU not directed against Russia

Mirzoyan: Unprecedented number of senior French officials visited Armenia in 2023

Ararat Mirzoyan: Armenia, Azerbaijan are close to mutual understanding on recognition of 1991 borders

Armenia made very active efforts to have minimal mutually acceptable wording with CSTO partners, FM assures

FM: Georgia ready to contribute to process of establishing peace in South Caucasus

Armenia FM: Events have occurred that have made it impossible to do certain things

Armenia FM: Ultimate goal not materialized yet in relations with Turkey

FM: There are international players interested in Armenia ceasing to exist

Mirzoyan: No agreement between Armenia, Azerbaijan to withdraw international lawsuits against each other

Armenia FM reiterates PM's arguments on handover of 4 villages in Tavush Province to Azerbaijan

FM: Armenia still doesnt understand how CSTO partners present their area of responsibility in South Caucasus

Mirzoyan: EU monitoring mission in Armenia has become factor of stability on Azerbaijan border

Dennis Francis: UN hopes for signing of Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty

FM: 23 Armenians still kept in custody in Azerbaijan

Armenia FM: Still not many tangible results on fundamental issues, we are still negotiating with Azerbaijan

European Commission official underscores provision of assistance to people affected by Karabakh conflict

Peter Stano: Armenia can apply for EU membership

MFA: Genocide prevention agenda is among Armenias priorities

Russia holding presidential elections

US intelligence warns of potentially devastating new pandemic

Newspaper: Birth rate in Armenia 19% lower than last year

Stoltenberg: NATO sought to maintain stronger relations with Armenia and Azerbaijan

Georgian Prime Minister to visit Armenia

Premier receives IMF Armenia mission chief

Anne-Laurence Petel-led delegation to arrive in Armenia

FM: Armenia looks into prospects of further deepening partnership with EU

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Vardges Sureniants Salome painting returns to National Gallery of Armenia exhibition

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Armenia authorities, who paid $6M for Snoop Dogg concert, still dont know when this postponed event will be held

Deputy economy minister: Matter of opening India-Iran-Armenia trade corridor being discussed

Armenia official: Trade with India amounted to $380M in 2023

ICC NCA head: India considers Armenia an important bridge to enter larger markets

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India ambassador: We are happy that our relations with Armenia are developing in defense sector also

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Armenia official: Those 4 villages in Tavush Province are not in our administrative territorial division
Commentary: 60 years on, China-France relations continue to benefit world peace, stability

Xinhua) 08:02, January 29, 2024

A woman visits an exhibition on the Chinese culture at the Porte de Versailles exhibition center in Paris, France, May 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)

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.

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.

A guest tastes Chinese liquor Kweichow Moutai during the Wine Paris &Vinexpo Paris in Paris, France, Feb. 13, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)

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.

Chinese and French musicians participate in a concert to celebrate the Chinese New Year at the China Cultural Center in Paris, France, Jan. 25, 2023. (Xinhua/Tang Ji)

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.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Czech Rep. parliament speaker sends EU flag to Armenia colleague as token of support

Premier on Tavush Province meeting: I also showed here Armenia outline that I showed at press conference

Secretary General Stoltenberg's visit to Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia is historic NATO says

Armenia opposition MP: PM told Tavush Province residents that 4 villages must be handed over to Azerbaijan immediately

Videos of Armenia PM Pashinyan's meetings in Tavush Province to be publicized later, spokesperson says (PHOTOS)

Young man throws stone at Armenia government building window

Armenia premier meets with Kirants village residents of Tavush Province (PHOTOS)

RFE/RL: Putin loses in Armenias Yerevan, wins in Gyumri in Russia presidential election

High-tech minister on removing Russia TV channels from multiplex: Armenia's dignity is at core of decisions

Kazakhstan FM considers it necessary to increase trade with Armenia

Armenia, Kazakhstan FMs discuss new logistical opportunities

Armenia 2041 Foundation launches Galvanizing Diaspora program

Kazakhstan FM notes Armenias Crossroads of Peace projects importance for Middle Corridor

Armenia, Kazakhstan FMs sign 2024/25 action plan

Armenia PM is in Tavush Province, meeting with residents of Voskepar, Baghanis, neighboring villages

Archaeologists find inscription of King Antiochus I of Armenian Yervanduni Dynasty, in Turkey

Kazakhstan FM is in Armenia (PHOTOS)

Rolls-Royce Ghost to be retired and replaced by new Alpina sedan

Ardshinbank cardholders can now enjoy a 10% cashback!

Withdrawal from lawsuits against Azerbaijan in international courts will cause irreparable damage to Armenia, Armenians

EU Council to discuss assistance to Armenia, Armenian-Azerbaijani normalization

7,825 Karabakh residents who left Armenia since September 2023 have not returned, new data say

Armenia to submit application for EU membership?

Archaeologists discover where legendary British warship that disappeared in 17th century sank

Large number of Russians came from Georgia to Armenia to vote in presidential election, envoy says

Stoltenberg: NATO hopes to have stable peace between Azerbaijan, Armenia

Belgorod attacked by two rockets during the day: there are dead and injured

Media: Elon Musk's company is building a network of hundreds of spy satellites for US intelligence

Shooting in Pennsylvania: at least three dead, gunman took hostages

MEPs appeal to EU leadership to protect cultural heritage of Artsakh Armenians

New talks between Israel and Hamas are scheduled in Qatar on Sunday

India's national elections will be held from 19 April to 1 June

Aliyev: Azerbaijan and Georgia have always supported each other's sovereignty

Iran calls for formation of international coalition against Israel

Biden told Aliyev of US commitment to peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan

Stoltenberg will meet in Yerevan with the President and Prime-minister of Armenia

Turkish Foreign Ministry issues anti-Russian statement on Crimea issue

Zakharova: There is a historical answer to Armenia's doubts about sincerity of Russia's intentions

Zakharova: Moscow discusses with Armenia dragging Yerevan into anti-Russian course

Zakharova: Armenia's withdrawal from CSTO should be based on real needs of the country, not on "flirting" with West

Amazon and Microsoft suspend their cloud products in Russia

Dollar, euro lose value in Armenia

Armenia deputy FM: There has been considerable regress regarding visa facilitation with EU

Deputy FM: As landlocked country, Armenia recognizes vital importance of inclusive connectivity, open borders

FM: Armenia made every effort to prevent de-Armenianization in Karabakh

FM to reporters: You will be the first to know when Armenia intends to apply for EU membership

Ararat Mirzoyan: All Armenia authorities have negotiated on territorial concessions to Azerbaijan

FM: Deepening of Armenia's relations with the West, EU not directed against Russia

Mirzoyan: Unprecedented number of senior French officials visited Armenia in 2023

Ararat Mirzoyan: Armenia, Azerbaijan are close to mutual understanding on recognition of 1991 borders

Armenia made very active efforts to have minimal mutually acceptable wording with CSTO partners, FM assures

FM: Georgia ready to contribute to process of establishing peace in South Caucasus

Armenia FM: Events have occurred that have made it impossible to do certain things

Armenia FM: Ultimate goal not materialized yet in relations with Turkey

FM: There are international players interested in Armenia ceasing to exist

Mirzoyan: No agreement between Armenia, Azerbaijan to withdraw international lawsuits against each other

Armenia FM reiterates PM's arguments on handover of 4 villages in Tavush Province to Azerbaijan

FM: Armenia still doesnt understand how CSTO partners present their area of responsibility in South Caucasus

Mirzoyan: EU monitoring mission in Armenia has become factor of stability on Azerbaijan border

Dennis Francis: UN hopes for signing of Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty

FM: 23 Armenians still kept in custody in Azerbaijan

Armenia FM: Still not many tangible results on fundamental issues, we are still negotiating with Azerbaijan

European Commission official underscores provision of assistance to people affected by Karabakh conflict

Peter Stano: Armenia can apply for EU membership

MFA: Genocide prevention agenda is among Armenias priorities

Russia holding presidential elections

US intelligence warns of potentially devastating new pandemic

Newspaper: Birth rate in Armenia 19% lower than last year

Stoltenberg: NATO sought to maintain stronger relations with Armenia and Azerbaijan

Georgian Prime Minister to visit Armenia

Premier receives IMF Armenia mission chief

Anne-Laurence Petel-led delegation to arrive in Armenia

FM: Armenia looks into prospects of further deepening partnership with EU

New technologies at the core of rural infrastructure development

Russia is world leader in nuclear technology, Putin says

Vardges Sureniants Salome painting returns to National Gallery of Armenia exhibition

Dollar drops, euro rises in Armenia

Sunak: There is historic opportunity to put an end to Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict

Armenia authorities, who paid $6M for Snoop Dogg concert, still dont know when this postponed event will be held

Deputy economy minister: Matter of opening India-Iran-Armenia trade corridor being discussed
Artificial entity Azerbaijan continues its territorial claims to the Republic of Armenia at the state level, deepening its invasive policy day by day. Ombudsman of Culture of Hayk, Hovik Avanesov, noted this on Facebook. He added as follows:

After Tatev Monastery Complex, Echmiadzin Cathedral and Arichavank, Haghartsin Monastery Complex became the target of Azerbaijani falsification.

The Haghartsin monastic complex is located 18 km north of the city of Dilijan, Tavush region, in the village of Haghartsin.

The educational center of Haghartsin has been mentioned in the bibliography since the XIII century and in a short time it turned into a famous cultural center. The flourishing of the center is mainly connected with the fruitful activity of Khachatur Taronatsi.

The originality of the monastery complex is ensured by three churches built in different historical periods, two narthexes (one destroyed) and a refectory. The oldest of them is the church of St. Gregory (about X century), which is a cross-shaped-dome construction. A large vestibule with 4 columns adjoins to the west, which was built by Ivane Zakaryan at the end of the XIII century. The bas-reliefs on the angular single-pitched ceilings of the vestibule (images of people, rosettes, a bird, an angel, etc., as well as small inscriptions) are characteristic of the Armenian sculpture of the XIII century. The remains of tombstones are preserved near the southern wall of the vestibule. The vaulted chapel adjoins the Church from the north, and the domed church of St. Stephen, built of bluish basalt with exquisite details, rises in the eastern part of the church (1244)/ https://hushardzan.am/archives/11727/ /

The Azerbaijani state propaganda machine not only distorts the history of this famous monastery complex, but also presents the town of Dilijan and the village of Haghartsin as "historical Azerbaijani settlements".

All this once again proves that Azerbaijan has neither history nor culture, but appropriates the history and culture of the indigenous peoples of the region, which were created over thousands of years.

The fact that everything in Azerbaijan is fake and artificial is aptly noted in the work of Lieutenant General Denikin. "Everything in the Republic of Azerbaijan was artificial, "fake", starting with the name taken from one of the provinces of Persia. An artificial territory including the Lezghin Zakatala, the Armenian-Tatar provinces of Baku and Elizavetpol, and the Russian Mugan, united by Turkish policy as a stronghold of pan-Turkism in the Caucasus. Artificial statehood, since these lands, which lay on the path of the great migration of peoples and were influenced by the different cultures of successive conquerors, were always inhabited by scattered small tribes that feuded with each other while retaining features of nomadic life.

In the end, the Azerbaijani government was artificially supported. first at the will of Nuri Pasha, then General Thomson, and later simply by inertia" (source: General A. I. Denikin, "Sketches of the Russian Rebellion", Volume 4, Armed Forces of Southern Russia, Slovo Publishing House, Berlin, 1925, p. 164)"

Recently, Azerbaijani TikTok channels published videos in which the Haghartsin monastery complex is presented as Albanian ....

These and many other facts clearly demonstrate the features of Azerbaijan's anti-Armenian policy conducted at the state level.
The appellate court of the Azerbaijani capital of Baku has denied the appeal which was submitted in relation to the decision by a court of first instance to extend the period of pretrial detention of Ruben Vardanyan, former Minister of State of Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijani media have informed about this.

Earlier, a court of first instance in Baku extended the term of Vardanyan's pretrial detention by four months, but his attorney appealed that decision.

The appeal was examined at the Baku Court of Appeal, but it was denied, and the aforesaid decision of the court of first instance was considered justified.

Ruben Vardanyan is among the Nagorno-Karabakh former top leaders who were captured by the Azerbaijanis after the latters complete occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh on September 19-20 of last year.
The warnings given to Azerbaijan by the European Union (EU), and the developments at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) are the result of Azerbaijan's irresponsible and aggressive behavior. Tigran Balayan, the Armenian ambassador to Belgium and the Head of Mission of Armenia to the EU, said this in an interview with the RFE/RL Armenian Service.

"If we look at it from a historical point of view, I can say that the loop around Azerbaijan or the [Azerbaijani President Ilham] Aliyev regime is getting tighter. I cannot say how many resources they will have to resist," the ambassador said.

Brussels warned Azerbaijan at the highest level that territorial ambitions towards Armenia are unacceptable, and violation of Armenia's territorial integrity will have severe or dire consequences. Mr. Ambassador, can we say that the European Union has serious concerns regarding the territorial integrity of Armenia; that is, the EU sees a serious threat?

These statements about supporting the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and security of Armenia are not new. () there were also warnings and condemnations, but this did not keep Mr. Aliyev and his regime representatives away from voicing new territorial ambitions [towards], consolidating the ethnic cleansing [of the Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians] organized by him and his allies. ().

Here I would also relate the developments in the PACE, which are actually the result of Azerbaijan's irresponsible and aggressive behavior, to put it mildly. That is, Mr. Aliyev wants to keep himself as the most bloodthirsty dictator, a cruel dictator, do whatever he wants inside the country or with his neighbors outside the country. You also know that there are many facts that hired killers on the order of the Azerbaijani government tried to take reprisals abroad, including with Azerbaijani oppositionists living in Europe, but to be accepted as at least a representative of a democratic country, etc.

All this should be considered in that context. If we look at it from a historical point of view, I can say that the loop around Azerbaijan or the Aliyev regime is getting tighter. I cannot say how many resources they will have to resist.

I believe that our European partners already have the illusions that it is possible to bring Aliyev personally and the regime into a constructive field through "good will" or by steps that can show Azerbaijan the positive results that can be recorded. Those illusions already if not completely, then slowly disperse (). But at the same time, it should be noted that there are elections in the European Union in June, a new commission, a parliament will be formed, and there are [presidential] elections in the US.

And the calculation, in my opinion, is quite clear in Baku that they will attempt to delay and reduce the pressure as much as possible to ensure progress in the negotiation process of the peace agreement with Armenia.
They were political statements to which there was no political reference. Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Vahan Kostanyan told this to reporters Mondayand commenting to the fact that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced the proposals made to Azerbaijan regarding the overseeing of each other's weapons and not to attack.

"If there will appropriate positive responses [by Azerbaijan], naturally, the discussions will move to another phase," Kostanyan added.

Regarding the prospects of signing a peace treaty with Azerbaijan, the Armenian official said: "We [i.e. Armenia] continue to be sincerely interested in the complete normalization of relations with our neighbors and the signing of a peace treaty. You know that on January 4, we sent the Armenian partys updated version of the text of the respective agreement. Basically, we are waiting for Azerbaijan's response. Yesterday there were announcements that the response will be in a few weeks."

When asked about Russia's intentions to change its ambassador to Armenia, Kostanyan said that he does not have such information.

"The [Armenian] MFA [(Ministry of Foreign Affairs)] has not officially received any writing [in that regard]," he added.

Regarding the appointment of the Armenian ambassador to Russia, since the respective agrement has already been sent, the Armenian deputy FM said: "When there is news, it will be properly informed."

And to the question as to whether Armenia has joined the documents of the recent Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) summit in the Belarusian capital of Minskand which the CSTO Secretary General had brought with him to Armenias capital of Yerevan, Vahan Kostanyan responded: "They are at the discussion phase."
The Armenian side has not yet signed the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) summary documents which were adopted at the CSTO summit held in Minsk last year. Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Vahan Kostanyan informed this to reporters Monday, adding that the discussions about these documents are still ongoing.

And to a reporter's question about what worries Armenia in this regard, Kostanyan responded: "It doesn't worry [Armenia]; it's at the phase of discussion."

The package of these documents was adopted last November in the Belarusian capital of Minsk, where the CSTO summit was held.

But there is no signature of Armenia on these documents because the Armenian delegation had not attended this summit.
Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan on Monday met with Kamal Kharrazi, a foreign policy advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader and head of the the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations of Iran, Armenian News-NEWS.am was informed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia.

The interlocutors discussed the Armenian-Iranian multi-sectoral cooperation agenda, and noted the high level of political dialogue and the active dynamics of the development of relations between the two countries. For this purpose, the importance of close cooperation between the two countries in energy, infrastructure, economic, and some other domains as well as the implementation of joint projects was emphasized for the benefit of strengthening the friendship of the two peoples and stability in the region.

During the meeting, security and stability in the South Caucasus were discussed, too. In this connection, FM Mirzoyan presented Armenia's approaches in detail, and emphasized the imperative of unconditional respect for the territorial integrity, inviolability of borders, and sovereignty of Armenia, also as a believer in ensuring lasting peace in the region.

And in the context of unblocking infrastructure in the region, Ararat Mirzoyan lauded Iran's positive position regardingand the key principles ofthe Crossroads of Peace project developed by the Armenian government.
10:12





"Our workers are not happy. Our workers are angry but Mamata Banerjee is a very important part of the INDIA alliance. She has reiterated that she will fight as a part of the INDIA alliance and that she will strengthen the alliance. But even I was bothered to some extent by the fight that is taking place at the grassroots level between TMC workers and Congress workers," said Jairam Ramesh.





"I explained to them that this alliance is a national-level alliance. In the states, we can fight, like in Kerala, where we fight with the leftists. We keep fighting with each other, but if we do not fight at the national level, we will have to find some similar formula," he said.





The Congress leader, while speaking to ANI at Siliguri, said, "From here we are going to Kishanganj and there will be a flag handover at the Ashafakullah Khan Stadium in Kishanganj. We will be staying in Araria tonight. From Kishanganj, we will be going to Purnia and then to Araria."





"The day after tomorrow, i.e., on January 31, we will be entering Jharkhand. We will be holding a public rally in Jharkhand on February 5 or 6 where the Congress President (Mallikarjun Kharge) is also expected to join us," he said.The Congress leader also expressed his astonishment at the turnout witnessed by the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Jalpaiguri and Siliguri.





"The 'padyatra' that took place in Jalpaiguri was 2 km and 2 km in Siliguri. We did not expect that such a huge number of women, young, elderly and children would come out on the streets and stand on rooftops and balconies, welcoming the Bharat Jodo Nyaya Yatra. I am not saying that all these people will vote for us, but the response had so much energy. There was so much excitement," said Jairam Ramesh.





The Congress leader said that he is happy to see Congress' position in Jalpaiguri and Siliguri.





"This has been our Congress stronghold for years, but we have become somewhat weak. There is also a Hamro Party from Darjeeling; they have said that they will support Congress and the INDIA alliance, so this is a positive trend for us," said the Congress leader.





Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra commenced from Manipur's Thoubal on January 14. -- ANI

With Congress' Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra set to enter Bihar from West Bengal on Monday, party leader Jairam Ramesh has said that the Congress party workers are not happy with the clash with TMC at ground level.
SIU recognizing Black History Month as a time of ancestral healing

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill.  Southern Illinois University Carbondale will celebrate Black History Month in February with a variety of special events including guest speakers, a variety show, a book drive, an oratorical contest, an awards ceremony and much more.

The theme is Ancestral Healing, and the vast majority of the events are free and open to the public.

Black History Month is a public altar to the ancestors of the Afro/Black diaspora, said Mildred Williams, coordinator of the Black Resource Center. "That is why the BRC chose the theme of Ancestral Healing. We celebrate the month to remind ourselves of the strength, grit and resilience in our bloodlines and DNA. We empower each other to move forward down our individual pathways, knowing our paths are all interconnected.

Kicking it off Feb. 1

The Black History Month kickoff, Whats in a Name? is set for noon-2 p.m. Feb. 1 in Morris Librarys John C. Guyon Auditorium, featuring Peter Alexander, SIU School of Law professor, as the keynote speaker. In keeping with the theme, he will share how his connection with his elders and ancestors supported him on his pathway in life that currently has him teaching torts and law skills at SIU after a diverse career within the legal system.

An alumnus of SIU, Alexander earned his bachelors degree in political science and completed part of a degree in health education before earning his law degree at the Northeastern University School of Law in Boston. He later attended the Dubuque Theological Seminary Christian Leadership Program for Commissioned Ruling Elders.

His teaching career began in 1992 at the Dickinson School of Law (now Penn State-Dickinson). Alexander went on to become dean of the SIU School of Law and then founding dean of the Indiana Institute of Technology law school. He has taught at other institutions of higher learning and worked in private practice.

The author of numerous published scholarly articles on diverse legal topics, he and his late father co-wrote a book, It Takes a Village: The Integration of the Hillburn School System, which highlights the efforts of Thomas Ulysses Alexander and Thurgood Marshall to integrate a school district about 40 miles northwest of New York City.

After Alexanders presentation, participants will engage in an activity focused on learning about their names and how knowing what names mean can help people heal as well as a bit of epigenetics, the study of how behaviors and environment can change the way genes work.

Then at 4 p.m., catch the movie Daughters of the Dust, a 1991 film set in the Gullah community along the South Carolina coast in 1902. It shares the stories of three generations of a Black family just 50 years after slavery was abolished. The movie will be shown in the library as well with refreshments to follow.

Bringing about healing

Williams said several of the events are designed to promote discussion, learning and healing.

She will present Addressing, Unpacking and Healing Misogynoir from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on Feb. 8 in the John C. Guyon Auditorium at Morris Library. She said the dictionary defines misogynoir as a dislike of, contempt for or ingrained prejudice against Black women, and the event is a discussion to help create awareness of this ideology, provide space for addressing experiences and offer tools for healing. Online pre-registration is required.

Adjoa AJ Adu Poku, a masters student in plants, soil and agricultural systems with a focus on food processing and engineering from Ghana, has seen firsthand the impact of the trans-Atlantic slave trade on her home country and continent. During the three-part Healing from Systems of Oppression Lecture and Discussion Series, Poku will share her insights and historical background in hopes of filling in information gaps for audience members and dispelling misinformation to cultivate clarity and a greater sense of unity and healing.

Her presentations will take place 3-4:45 p.m. Feb. 14, 21 and 28 in Room 170 of the Student Services Building. Pre-registration is required; find registration information online. After Poku speaks, Williams will lead group discussions.

Local students can compete

An oratorical competition based upon The Device, a time-machine story by Eve L. Ewing, will challenge students from local schools to write speeches or poems in which they pose a question to their ancestors and then imagine the answers. The finals of the competition take place at 6 p.m. Feb. 20 at the Guyon Auditorium at Morris Library, hosted by the BRC and the Beta Eta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Teachers and administrators can email brc@siu.edu for details about participating.

Flying high

Another highlight of this years celebration is My Ancestors Wildest Dreams: Black and an Officer in the U.S. Space Force featuring Major Lydell L. Scott. You wont want to miss the chance to hear Scott speak at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 15 in Guyon Auditorium at Morris Library as he shares about his journey from Waukegan High School graduate to enlisted airman in 1999 to officer in the U.S. Air Force.

During his 24-year career, he has served in Japan, Korea, Germany and different American locales. He earned his masters degree in space systems engineering from Johns Hopkins University last year and serves as a U.S. Space Force leader for Space Training and Readiness Command (STARCOM). He will discuss how his passion for his family, his country and STEM led him to where he is today and acknowledge and honor SIU alumnus the late Air Force Lt. Colonel Harvey Welch Jr. Pre-registration is requested.

Paying tribute

The inaugural Black Resource Center Alumni Luncheon and Awards Ceremony is both a celebration of the campus and area and a time to recognize noteworthy alumni. It will also serve as the Black History Month wrap-up. The event will take place at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 29 in the Old Main Room at the Student Center.

Various people will be honored for their contributions and leadership. There will also be time for students and alumni to connect.

To learn more

Additional details about all of the events and the full calendar can be found on the Black Resource Center website.

Many of the events give students the opportunity to earn credits toward the ADEI Leadership Certificate.
Mark Wagner, professor, SIU Carbondale Center for Archaeological Investigations, and George Hunt, a doctoral student in history, look over a copy of an 1867 lithograph of Cairo. (Photo by Russell Bailey)

SIU researchers work to place Southern Illinois Black heritage sites on National Register

by Pete Rosenbery

CARBONDALE, Ill.  Work by Southern Illinois University Carbondale researchers in recognizing significant Black heritage properties in the region could also reveal more information about a Union Army military camp that hosted up to 5,000 freed Blacks in Cairo at one point during the Civil War.

The work is part of a project led by Mark Wagner, a professor in SIUs Center for Archaeological Investigations and anthropology department. Wagner and his team of graduate students will produce National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) nominations for several locations in Southern Illinois associated with Black history and amend existing National Register nominations for three other sites in the region. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) announced the $75,000 grant in late November. Wagner hopes all of the applications can be completed by the end of the semester in May.

It brings these heritage sites into prominence, Wagner said. They come to greater public knowledge by being identified as important sites to the history of the country that need to be preserved.

1860s Camp Defiance map is pivotal

The camps, referred to during the Civil War as contraband camps, were refugee camps for Black men, women and children who escaped slavery and made it to the protection of the Union Army. One such area was within Camp Defiance, a Union Army camp in Cairo during the Civil War.

Wagner believes records found in the Cairo Public Library and the National Archives in Washington, D.C., will help buttress the NRHP nomination. The documentation includes specifics from an original Army map of the camp and surrounding area drawn sometime after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in September 1862 and the end of the war in April 1865.

The map shows numerous buildings owned by the Armys Quartermaster Corps, including barracks believed to be used by freed Blacks working for the Army during the war who also remained there once the Army left Cairo and headed south to continue the fight against the Confederacy.

National Archives records important

Wagner received photocopied sections of parts of the map  housed in the Cairo Public Library  which includes street names and building locations, while working on an unrelated project 20 years ago.

The camp area itself lies along both the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. Wagner learned during a recent trip that the National Archives has written records related to the camp but not a copy of the map. Buildings identified from written records include a mess hall, hospital, feed store, carpenter shop and offices, with notations recommending the buildings be given to the freed Blacks.

It would be really difficult to do what we are doing without that map, Wagner said. It is amazing that wherever it was that it survived. All of the other records regarding that Quartermaster Corps, all of the written records, are in the National Archives. It is surprising to me that those things were not thrown away at the end of the Civil War.

Excited about the project

George Hunt, a second-year doctoral student in history, is one of several students working with Wagner on the applications. Hunt, who is from Brooklyn, Illinois, earned a dual bachelors degree in history and political science and a masters degree in history from SIU Carbondale. His dissertation will focus on African American settlements in Southern Illinois.

At first, my interest was Black towns in Illinois that were created during the early 19th century, he said. This project mostly focuses on a lot of those 19th century settlements, but also Ive been really interested in the Cairo contraband camp. At the time, there were so many enslaved people especially after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued that many flocked to the Union lines, so the Union had to establish camps all across the northern states to house all of these free and enslaved people who were coming.

Hunt said potentially 5,000 Blacks were at the camp working at jobs there during the fall of 1862 and spring 1863. The camp was one of the first times Illinois gained a major Black population, he said.

While much of his work is with the Cairo research, Hunt is excited to see the project unfold.

Its great to increase the number of sites associated with African American history on the National Register of Historic Places, he said. Its important because Ive been told that the number of sites is underrepresented, especially in Southern Illinois, so the state historic preservation office is really interested in increasing the number of Black heritage sites on the National Register.

First time the whole story will be told

While the grant contract is for Wagner and his students to work on National Register nominations for about a half-dozen Black heritage sites in the region, the initial work could make it possible to pursue another grant for preliminary archeological work, Wagner said. The goal is to pull the archival and historical information together to provide the basis for further work so that will be the first time that the whole story is being told. This will be the first new information on the Cairo camp since the 1980s, Wagner said.

The area in Cairo that interests Wagner is along Cedar Street, between 10th and 12th streets. Wagner said he likes doing public archaeology with the support of residents.

The people of Cairo want us to go down there and want us to do some exploration to see if anything survived, he said. The whole idea is to see if we actually have Civil War artifacts in this area the contrabands would have had.

Collaboration is vital

Don Patton, president of The Cairo Historical Preservation Project Inc. (TCHPP), said the not-for-profit organization is working with Wagner and SIU. TCHPP has nominated the former camp location to the U.S. National Park Services Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Project.

Collaboration is integral to our approach to enhancing the information around our buildings and properties in Cairo, Patton said. As an SIU grad, I am always proud to work with my alma mater. Contraband camps have a unique importance in American history. At the time, Cairo was an organized relocation hub for Black Americans making their way to freedom.

Patton added that community engagement is vital in doing preservation work.

Cairo is an extraordinary place from the historical perspective as it relates to geography and events that have occurred over a period that has impacted the state of Illinois and the region, he said.

Work on other NRHP nominations

In addition to Cairo, Wagners team is working on nominating additional locations for NRHP consideration:
Talk at SIU to focus on making eclipse documentary In the Shadow

by Tim Crosby

CARBONDALE, Ill.  Two Southern Illinois University filmmakers will discuss their efforts to document the 2017 total solar eclipse during the next Journey to the Eclipse talk set for 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 2.

Mark Stoffel, a specialist in the College of Arts and Media, and H.D. Motyl, director and associate professor in the School of Theater and Dance, teamed up to produce In the Shadow, SIUs official 2017 eclipse documentary. The duo will discuss their yearlong preparation and production of the film, from developing themes and structure to the final edits and premiere, at the Guyon Auditorium at Morris Library.

The talk will feature film clips that illustrate their journey in creating a film about the first of two total solar eclipses to hit Southern Illinois in a span of just seven years, the next of which will occur on April 8. The film focuses on the 2017 event as experienced by the people of Southern Illinois and how preparations for it created a sense of community.

Motyls film credits include the feature-length documentary, American Rodeo: A Cowboy Christmas, which won Best Documentary at the Madrid International Film Festival and can be streamed on Amazon Prime. His experimental video Nudes Descending a Staircase #2 screened in Madrid and the Directors Lounge Festival in Berlin.

Motyl also has produced, directed and written work for the History Channel, National Geographic Channel and A&E, and for home video and educational markets.

An SIU graduate, Stoffel found his niche as a skillful media creator and quickly rose to the ranks of student producer for the PBS affiliate WSIU-TV. After graduating, he returned to his home country of Germany where he worked as a television producer for the Bavarian Public Broadcasting company before returning to Southern Illinois.

Along with working as a digital media specialist, Stoffel also devotes his free time to American original music as a seasoned composer, performer, producer and teacher. His works receive frequent national radio airplay and can be heard on all popular music streaming platforms, such as Spotify and Apple Music.

The Journey to the Eclipse series is aimed at bringing together experts in astronomy, solar eclipses and other sun-related topics for students, faculty and staff of SIU, as well as members of the Southern Illinois community. The monthly series began in April 2023, with each talk also streaming live via Zoom and being recorded.

The final two Journey to the Eclipse talks are set for March 1 with Troy Cline of the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory speaking on NASAs Parker Solar Probe and April 5 with Lou Mayo, heliophysicist and science educator with NASA Goddard Spaceflight Center, speaking on Eclipses, Occultations, and Transits: The Dance of the Planets.

For more information and links, go to eclipse.siu.edu.
The Indian envoy to Bhutan, Sudhakar Dalela, called on the newly-elected Prime Minister of Bhutan, Tshering Tobgay and conveyed the greetings of India''s leadership for assuming responsibility as the Bhutanese PM. Ambassador Dalela also affirmed country''s commitment to working closely to foster India-Bhutan ties. Taking to X, Indian Embassy in Bhutan posted about the meeting, saying, "Ambassador @SudhakarDalela paid a courtesy call on Hon''ble Lyonchhen @tsheringtobgay and conveyed greetings of India''s leadership on his assumption of responsibility as the Prime Minister. committed to working closely to further strengthen India-Bhutan unique ties of friendship." https://x.com/Indiainbhutan/status/1751799831356637629?s=20 Later on, the Indian envoy called on Bhutan''s Foreign Minister and conveyed External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar''s greeting to the Bhutanese minister for assuming charge of his post. "Amb @SudhakarDalela paid a courtesy call on Lyonpo D.N Dhungyel and conveyed greetings on EAM''s behalf on his assumption of responsibility as Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade. We look forward to working together to further deepen exemplary ties across sectors," Indian embassy in Bhutan posted on X. https://x.com/Indiainbhutan/status/1751800260131963279?s=20 Earlier this month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his heartfelt congratulations to People''s Democratic Party (PDP) and the party chief, Tshering Tobgay for their triumph in the parliamentary elections in Bhutan. The Prime Minister said in a post on X, "Heartiest congratulations to my friend @tsheringtobgay and the People''s Democratic Party for winning the parliamentary elections in Bhutan. Look forward to working together again to further strengthen our unique ties of friendship and cooperation." Bhutan''s People''s Democratic Party (PDP) won the largest number of seats in the parliamentary elections and formed the new government. PDP won 30 out of the 47 National Assembly seats and the Bhutan Tendrel Party secured 17 seats. This was Bhutan''s fourth general election since transitioning from a traditional monarchy to a parliamentary form of government 15 years back. Nestled between China and India, the majority-Buddhist nation ushered in democracy with its first free vote in 2008, two years after former king, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, abdicated in favour of his Oxford-educated son Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. (ANI)
VMPL New Delhi [India], January 29: Aishwarya Sharma, a fashion and climate advocate and a global goals ambassador has been appointed as the ambassador for Global Fashion Agenda's Next-Gen Assembly for the year 2024. Aishwarya's dedication to sustainability and her active role in representing Indian youth on global platforms has positioned her as a leading force in the movement towards a net positive and inclusive fashion industry. Global Fashion Agenda's Next Gen Assembly program is designed to accelerate the impact of sustainability efforts within the fashion industry, particularly championing the cause among the next generation of fashion practitioners and professionals. Aishwarya Sharma has been a prominent figure in international forums such as COP27, COP28, and BRICS, where she has consistently championed sustainable fashion dialogues. Recognized as India's first fashion activist, she now brings her expertise and passion to the Next Gen Assembly as its 2024 ambassador. She stands as an iconic force in the global sustainable fashion movement. Originating from the vibrant city of Delhi, India, this dynamic climate advocate collaborates with influential organizations, leaving an indelible mark on the international stage. Her affiliations include distinguished entities such as Togetherband (UN Foundation) and Global Peace by Accord, headquartered in South Africa. A designated Goodwill Ambassador for Youth of India, she further contributes her expertise as a sustainability advisor to the esteemed Fort Fashion Council based in Dubai, UAE. Aishwarya emerges as a formidable voice representing the Global South and is also the Voice of Re:Generation for the global fashion & footwear giant PUMA. The Next Gen Assembly, organized by Global Fashion Agenda and supported by Fashion Values in partnership with UAL: London College of Fashion (LCF), Eyes on Talents, and the Center for Sustainable Fashion, aims to empower talented students and young professionals. The program fosters their development as sustainability changemakers through a year-long collaborative initiative featuring online workshops, courses, and active participation at the Global Fashion Summit: Copenhagen Edition 2024. Applicants between the ages of 18-35 are invited to rethink the fashion industry's economic practices, addressing the critical question: *How can Fashion Values Economies of Wellbeing?* Aishwarya Sharma's appointment as the Next-Gen Assembly Ambassador adds a powerful voice to this collective effort. Reflecting on her new role, Aishwarya Sharma remarked, "The aggressive climate crisis demands unity and action from people, communities, and industries alike. The fashion industry, notorious for its wasteful practices, contributes significantly to the climate emergency and societal exploitation. This opportunity to lead the sustainable fashion movement and establish meaningful connections with emerging leaders over the next year is immensely gratifying. Together, we can address and rectify the most pressing issues of our time." For media inquiries, please contact: Aishwarya Sharma IG LINK AISHWARYA SHARMA PROFILE LINK Announcement Video Hashtags #GlobalFashionAgenda #NextGenAssembly #GlobalFashionSummit #fashioneconomy Global Fashion Agenda Global Fashion Agenda is a non-profit organisation that fosters industry collaboration on sustainability in fashion to accelerate impact. With the vision of a net positive fashion industry, it drives action by mobilising, inspiring, influencing and educating all stakeholders. About Centre for Sustainable Fashion Centre for Sustainable Fashion (CSF) is a University of the Arts London research, education and knowledge exchange centre. Based at London College of Fashion, the centre provokes, challenges, and questions the status quo in fashion to contribute to a system that recognises its ecological context and honours equity. Fashion Values Fashion Values is a sustainability education programme led by Centre for Sustainable Fashion in collaboration with Kering, IBM, Vogue Business, Eyes on Talents, and GFA. The Fashion Values partners bring together a network of sustainability experts, fashion professionals, educators, academics and students from across the fashion system. The Fashion Values vision is to make sustainability education for fashion open, accessible, and transformative. Eyes on Talents Eyes on Talents is a digital platform that connects talents with influential brands with the aim of digitalizing the recruitment of creatives and giving brands access to the best profiles and portfolios of the moment. It is a tool for young creatives to present their work to high-profile clients that launch searches for recruitment in the creative field, ranging from Fashion Design, Graphics & Art Direction all the way to Architeture and Product Design. Global Fashion Summit Global Fashion Summit (formerly known as Copenhagen Fashion Summit) is the leading international forum for sustainability in fashion. Convening major decision makers from across the world, the forum has become the nexus for agenda-setting discussions and presentations on the most critical environmental, social and ethical issues facing our industry and planet, all intended to spark urgent action and accelerate impact in the industry. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
The Budget session of Parliament, the last session before the general elections expected in April-May, will begin on January 31 and is likely to continue till February 9.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the interim budget on February 1.

The session will begin with President Droupadi Murmu's address to the joint sitting of the two Houses of Parliament

The interim budget typically takes care of the fiscal needs of the intervening period till a government is formed after the Lok Sabha polls.

Meanwhile the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) issued a series of key recommendation ahead of the Budget presentation. They include

Meeting disinvestment targets and setting out a 3-year schedule for disinvestment; Subsuming petroleum, electricity & real estate in GST and aiming at a 3-rate structure; Raising capex by 20% to Rs 12 lakh crores and setting up a full-fledged Ministry of Investment. (ANI)
PRNewswire Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], January 29: Tanishq, India's largest jewellery retail brand from the house of Tata, has expanded its retail footprint in Ahmedabad, Gujarat with the relaunch of its grand store on 26th January. The store was inaugurated by the esteemed Tanishq Business Partners in Gujarat, Jatin Parekh, Jayanti Patel and Dharmesh Mehta at 11:30 AM. The store is located at Tanishq CG Road, IFCI Bhavan, Lal Bungalow Chowk, Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Spanning across, 18,000 sq.ft., the store presents an extensive selection of iconic Tanishq designs across vibrant colour stones, dazzling gold, shining diamonds, exquisite polki, and precious kundan jewellery. The store proudly presents Tanishq's exclusive festive collection, 'Dharohar', drawing inspiration from the heirloom artefacts from the eras gone by, an ode to legacies old and new. Additionally, the store is equipped with an assortment of modern, contemporary and lightweight jewellery collection 'String It'. It also houses the 'Celeste x Sachin Tendulkar'solitaire collection which includes an array of spectacular designs for both women and men, including rings, earrings and bracelets. The store features the 'Impressions of Nature' collection, a reflection of the harmonious patterns that exist in nature. From necklaces to chokers, studs to earrings, each piece is perfectly crafted with colourful gemstones and gold. The store houses an exquisite collection of rare and precious diamonds along with colored gemstones - 'Tales of Mystique' inspired by the architectural beauty of Rajasthan's palaces and cityscape. The store also has an Exclusive High-Value Studded Zone along with special zones caters to wedding customers and is exclusively equipped with stunning jewellery pieces from Rivaah- a dedicated wedding jewellery sub-brand of Tanishq. Rivaah is designed keeping in line with the sensibility of Indian women from across the country and has evolved as a one-stop destination for wedding shopping. Additionally, the store features a wide range of plain and studded jewellery designs from Mia by Tanishq with unique inspiration and excellent craftsmanship. Speaking on the relaunch, Vishal Vyas, Regional Business Manager, Titan Company Limited, said, "We take immense pride in reintroducing our grand store in Ahmedabad today. At Tanishq, customer satisfaction drives every step we take. As the nation's most cherished jewellery brand, our continuous aspiration has been to remain within reach for our customers. Our store showcases an exquisite array of jewellery designs in Gold, Diamond, Solitaires, and Bridal collections, catering to a variety of preferences. Gujarat and its people have been integral to Tanishq's rich history and we are filled with great enthusiasm as we embark on this new journey augmenting our existing footprint within the vibrant city of Ahmedabad. We anticipate that our customers in Ahmedabad will embrace and relish the unparalleled journey we've crafted within this expansive store." About Tanishq Tanishq, India's most-loved jewellery brand from the TATA Group, has been synonymous with superior craftsmanship, exclusive designs and guaranteed product quality for over two decades. It has built for itself the envious reputation of being the only jewellery brand in the country that strives to understand the Indian woman and provide her with jewellery that meets her traditional and contemporary aspirations and desires. To stress on their commitment to offer the purest jewellery, all Tanishq stores are equipped with the Karatmeter which enables customers to check the purity of their gold in the most efficient manner. The Tanishq retail chain currently spreads across 400+ exclusive boutiques in more than 240 cities. Media Contact:Sandeep Modi+91-98250 99415sandeepmodi@uirpl.com Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2328607/Tanishq_Showroom_Ahmedabad.jpg (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
SRV Media New Delhi [India], January 29: Career Test Education, a leader in guiding students towards meaningful and successful careers, hosted a notable University and Career Fair at Maples Academy, Deoband on January 16, 2024. The event marked a first-of-its-kind initiative in the region, bringing together 20+ prestigious universities from different parts of India and more than 750 enthusiastic and curious students from Maples Academy and the surrounding areas. The Founder of Career Test Education, Aman Kumar Srivastava, expressed his gratitude to Maples Academy for their collaboration in organizing this impactful event. He emphasized the significance of such fairs in shaping the future of students, providing them with valuable insights into career opportunities post schooling. He further mentions, "Maples Academy has been a pivotal partner in making this event a reality. Their commitment to nurturing the aspirations of their students aligns seamlessly with our mission. We believe that empowering students with information about diverse career paths equips them to make informed decisions about their futures." The University and Career Fair witnessed representation from a diverse range of universities, with each offering valuable insights on career options and in-demand skills. Subject matter experts from various fields engaged with the students, explaining the dynamic landscape of higher education and the professional world. A student participant went on to stress the importance of events like these, stating, "It's crucial for us as students to be aware of the various paths available to us after class 12th. The University and Career Fair serves as a bridge, allowing us to explore our interests and make informed decisions about our educational and career journey." The event not only showcased opportunities for higher education but also highlighted the in-demand skills required in today's competitive job market. The interactive sessions, workshops, and expert panels provided students with a holistic understanding of the choices available to them. Sunny Dayal, Head of Outreach at Career Test Education, expressed his appreciation for the enthusiastic participation of universities and students alike. He said, "We are immensely grateful for the overwhelming response from the universities that joined us at the fair. Their commitment to engaging with students and providing valuable insights reflects the shared goal of preparing the next generation for success. The students who attended the fair exhibited remarkable curiosity and eagerness to explore their future paths." As the event concluded, the students left with a clearer vision of their academic and professional journeys, and with valuable insights. Career Test Education looks forward to building on the success of this inaugural event, expanding its reach to benefit more students in the future. The organization remains steadfast in its commitment to facilitating meaningful connections between students and the ever-evolving landscape of higher education and career opportunities. For more information, please visit - https://careertesteducation.com/ (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by SRV Media. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
NewsVoir Pune (Maharashtra) [India], January 29: Investing in mutual funds through Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) is like embarking on a financial journey with a well-thought-out roadmap. In this article, we'll explore how SIPs, when coupled with intelligent diversification within mutual funds, can pave the way for achieving optimal returns in a straightforward and effective manner. Understanding SIPs in Mutual Funds Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) in mutual funds provide a disciplined approach to investing. Instead of a lumpsum investment, SIPs allow you to contribute a fixed amount at regular intervals, typically monthly. This systematic method not only promotes consistency in investing but also aligns with the goal of long-term wealth creation. The essence of diversification Diversification is a key principle that involves spreading your investments across different types of assets. In the context of mutual funds, this could mean investing in a variety of funds that cover different market sectors, asset classes, or investment styles. The primary goal is to reduce the risk associated with investing in a single asset or market segment. Why diversify within mutual funds? 1. Risk mitigation: Diversifying your mutual fund investments helps in managing risk. Various funds react differently to market changes. By having a mix of funds in your portfolio, the impact of poor performance in one fund may be offset by the positive performance of another. 2. Enhanced opportunities: Different types of mutual funds present distinct opportunities and risks. Intelligent diversification allows you to benefit from various market opportunities, potentially increasing the likelihood of capturing positive returns, even in fluctuating market conditions. 3. Stability amid volatility: Financial markets are known for their ups and downs. Diversifying within mutual funds can help mitigate the impact of market volatility. While certain funds may experience temporary declines, others might be more stable or even perform well, contributing to an overall balanced portfolio. Crafting a diversified SIP portfolio 1. Set clear financial goals: Begin by defining your financial goals. Whether it's saving for a home, education, or retirement, understanding your objectives will guide the selection of mutual funds that align with your aspirations. You can also use an online SIP calculator to determine your investment amount and time horizon for your specific financial goals. 2. Consider your risk tolerance: Assessing your risk tolerance is crucial. Different mutual funds come with varying levels of risk. Understanding how much risk you are comfortable with allows you to select funds that match your risk appetite. 3. Choose a mix of funds: Opt for a diverse mix of mutual funds. This may include equity funds for potential growth, debt funds for relative stability, and hybrid funds that combine both. The right mix depends on your goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance. 4. Regularly review and adjust: The financial landscape evolves, and so should your mutual fund portfolio. Regularly review your investments to ensure they align with your goals. Adjust your portfolio if needed, based on changes in market conditions or your financial objectives. 5. Avoid overconcentration: While diversification is key, it's equally important not to overconcentrate in one type of fund. Spread your investments across various funds to ensure a balanced and well-diversified portfolio. In conclusion, combining SIPs with intelligent diversification within mutual funds is a potent strategy for attaining optimal returns. By embracing the simplicity of SIPs and diversifying strategically, you can build a robust investment portfolio that aligns with your financial goals. Bajaj Finserv Mutual Fund offers equity, debt, and hybrid schemes. Start your SIP in your preferred scheme by visiting the official website of Bajaj Finserv AMC. Bajaj Finserv Asset Management Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bajaj Finserv Limited, has announced its presence in the investment solutions industry. Backed by one of India's most respected and oldest brands, it offers a host of innovative products and solutions to every Indian. With a future-focused and differentiated investment strategy, its ambition is to help every Indian achieve his/her financial goals. Mutual Fund investments are subject to market risks, read all scheme related documents carefully. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
The ''Black Lady'' trophy was received by the members of the film including actors Vikrant Massey and Medha Shankar.

Helmed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra, ''12th Fail'' revolves around UPSC aspirants and is based on the real-life experiences of IPS officer Manoj Kumar. It draws from the gritty struggles of millions of students who attempt the UPSC entrance exam.

Vikrant also won big at the gala. He took home the Best Actor (Critics) award for his performance in the film ''12th Fail'' at the 69th Filmfare Awards, which was held in Gujarat.

On working on the film, Vikrant earlier told ANI, "The movie is very typical Vidhu Vinod Chopra movie, which is based on hard reality and is a very hard-hitting film. The role was very challenging. I had to lose weight and darken my skin."

The film received worldwide appreciation. Stars from the industry including Kamal Haasan, Alia Bhatt, Deepika Padukone, Vicky Kaushal, Rishabh Shetty, Sanjay Dutt, Farhan Akhtar, and Anil Kapoor also hailed the film.''12th Fail'' was released in theatres on October 27. (ANI)
"NYC doesn't happen if I don't get a moment with my best guys, Ron and Victor," Jennifer captioned the photo shared on Instagram.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C2nQ0DHRHu7/?hl=en

The trio, dressed up against the winter chill, posed outside with wide smiles. Rifkin, 84, stood out in the crowd, donning a bright yellow jacket and an orange scarf. Garner donned a black jacket on the left, while Garber, 74, stood on the opposite side, smirking in a dark blue jacket.

Alias aired for five seasons, from 2001 to 2006. Garner frequently reunites with the two men and recently attended the final performance of Garber's off-Broadway play, Love Letters, 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.

In 'Alias,' Garner played Sydney Bristow, an international spy, and Garber portrayed her father, Jack Bristow. Rifkin played Sydney's antagonist, Arvin Sloan.

In a November 2023 appearance on The View, Garner expressed her thoughts on a reboot of the hit series, saying it would be up to JJ Abrams, the show's creator.

"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 JJ Nobody has ever really brought it up." (ANI)
The film has now entered Rs 100 crore club in India.

On Sunday, the film minted Rs 30.20 crore which took the film's total 4-day collection to Rs 123.60 crore in India till now.

Taking to Instagram, trade analyst Taran Adarsh shared a post which he captioned, "#Fighter packs an IMPRESSIVE TOTAL in its *extended weekend*... The trending on Sat and Sun - after #RepublicDay holiday - has certainly instilled hope and confidence... Thu 24.60 cr, Fri 41.20 cr, Sat 27.60 cr, Sun 30.20 cr. Total: Rs 123.60 cr. #India biz. #Boxoffice."

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Helmed by Siddharth Anand, the film also starred Anil Kapoor, Karan Singh Grover and Akshay Oberoi in pivotal roles.

'Fighter' was released in the theatres on January 25 and received amazing reviews and positive word of mouth from the audiences.

The film features Hrithik as Squadron Leader Shamsher Pathania aka Patty, Deepika as Squadron Leader Minal Rathore aka Minni, and Anil as Group Captain Rakesh Jai Singh aka Rocky fighting for the country.

It marks Hrithik and Deepika's first-ever on-screen collaboration.

Speaking about the film, Siddharth said earlier, "Mamta (Siddharth's wife) and I started our film company MARFLIX with #FIGHTER. A film that is ambitious in more ways than one. It's more than just a film for us. And we have given it all to this one. 2024 starts with the same feeling again of nervousness and anxiety. Here's hoping that you guys give the same love to FIGHTER that you showered on PATHAAN. Happy new year guys! See at the movies!! On 25th January." (ANI)
Actor Ayushmann Khurrana turned host for the South Korean singing sensation Eric Nam, who recently visited India for his performance at Lollapalooza music festival. Ayushmann tried to add some desi touch to his visit by taking on a culinary journey of India. The two bonded over Indian food. Ayushmann made Eric gorge on Kanda Bhajiya with green chutney and red chutney (West Indian speciality), Pindi Chole Amritsari Kulcha (a North Indian delicacy), Hyderabadi Gosht Ki Biryani with Raaita (a South Indian non-veg sensation) and Ras Malai from the East. https://www.instagram.com/p/C2ruDJBtwzR/?hl=en Ayushmann also took to Instagram and shared a video from his meeting with Eric. Sharing his experience hosting Eric, Ayushmann said, "I realised that Eric is a big foodie and I wanted to give him the best food experience of our country that he will never be able to forget! Our beautiful country, our Incredible India is also known across the world for its culinary might! We have so many cultures that the cuisine is extremely diverse and unique! Indian food is a celebration of life itself and I wanted Eric to feel that when he is in India! I could see his eyes go wide each time he took a bite and savoured each dish to the fullest! I was happy seeing him happy because I truly believe in the saying 'Atithi Devo Bhava'!" Eric also talked about his experience meeting Ayushmann and tasting Indian food. "Ayushmann was such a gracious and welcoming host! We took a short but delicious culinary trip throughout India as he guided me through some of the tastiest dishes of this beautiful and vast country. I am an avid foodie and being able to try these diverse dishes in one sitting with Ayushmann as my guide was truly wonderful," he said. "I love India and it was so much fun tasting every corner of your country's incredible food palate. My favourite dish of the experience was chole and roti, and of course, the fun conversations I shared with Ayushmann were a blast. I really hope to be able to visit India very often to explore the vastness of this country's cultures and beauties, and of course to have some more delicious foods," Eric added.Eric is best known for his debut studio album Before We Begin. The album was a major success, peaking at number 20 on the Korean album charts. (ANI)
According to senior police officials from Pimpri Chinchwad Police station of Pune district, the victim is identified as Vandana Dwivedi who is from Lucknow and had traveled to Pune after being called by her boyfriend residing in a hotel room.

"The lifeless body was found this morning with a gunshot wound to her head," a police official added.

The prime suspect, Vandana's friend, initially went on the run but was later apprehended in Mumbai, said the police official.

"Both individuals were employed at an IT firm in Pune, and preliminary information suggests they were in a relationship," said the police.

The motive behind this tragic incident remains unclear, further investigations are underway.

More details are awaited. (ANI)
With Congress' Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra set to enter Bihar from West Bengal on Monday, party leader Jairam Ramesh has said that the Congress party workers are not happy with the clash with TMC at ground level. "Our workers are not happy. Our workers are angry but Mamata Banerjee is a very important part of the INDIA alliance. She has reiterated that she will fight as a part of the INDIA alliance and that she will strengthen the alliance. But even I was bothered to some extent by the fight that is taking place at the grassroots level between TMC workers and Congress workers," said Jairam Ramesh. "I explained to them that this alliance is a national-level alliance. In the states, we can fight, like in Kerala, where we fight with the leftists. We keep fighting with each other, but if we do not fight at the national level, we will have to find some similar formula," he said. The Congress leader, while speaking to ANI at Siliguri, said, "From here we are going to Kishanganj and there will be a flag handover at the Ashafakullah Khan Stadium in Kishanganj. We will be staying in Araria tonight. From Kishanganj, we will be going to Purnia and then to Araria." "The day after tomorrow, i.e., on January 31, we will be entering Jharkhand. We will be holding a public rally in Jharkhand on February 5 or 6 where the Congress President (Mallikarjun Kharge) is also expected to join us," he said. The Congress leader also expressed his astonishment at the turnout witnessed by the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Jalpaiguri and Siliguri. "The 'padyatra' that took place in Jalpaiguri was 2 km and 2 km in Siliguri. We did not expect that such a huge number of women, young, elderly and children would come out on the streets and stand on rooftops and balconies, welcoming the Bharat Jodo Nyaya Yatra. I am not saying that all these people will vote for us, but the response had so much energy. There was so much excitement," said Jairam Ramesh. The Congress leader said that he is happy to see Congress' position in Jalpaiguri and Siliguri. "This has been our Congress stronghold for years, but we have become somewhat weak. There is also a Hamro Party from Darjeeling; they have said that they will support Congress and the INDIA alliance, so this is a positive trend for us," said the congress leader. Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra commenced from Manipur's Thoubal on January 14. The yatra will cover over 6,700 kilometres over 67 days, traversing through 110 districts. (ANI)
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Janata Dal-Secular (JDS) workers started a 'padyatra' (protest rally) from the Keragodu village to the District Collector's office on Monday following the removal of a saffron flag hoisted on a 108-foot flagpole in the village. The BJP and the JDS are allies in the National Democratic Alliance. Meanwhile, security has been heightened and Section 144 has been imposed in the village as tensions prevailed in Keragodu. Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) prohibits the gathering of four or more people in a specified area. Former Village Panchayat vice president, Virupaksha said that when the "request letter" was written, it was mentioned that the flagpole would also be used for religious purposes. "The Chief Minister does not know the reality of this controversy. The officer at the district level has given the wrong information to the Chief Minister. When we wrote the request letter, we mentioned that would also use this for religious purposes. What we are requesting is to permit us to hoist the saffron flag," Virupaksha said. In his response CM Siddaramiah on Sunday said that it was not right to hoist the Bhagwa flag insted of the Indian flag. Accusing the BJP of plotting against the state government by intimidating people in the village, the Chief Minister said, "It is no accident that the Hanuman flag is hoisted where the national flag should have been hoisted, deliberately violating the rules and protesting against the government." "This incident is a pre-arranged act of the BJP and Sangh Parivar. Such a situation has been created with the intention of systematically raising the people against the state government. There is no doubt that the plot to create communal riots in Mandya is a preparation for the Lok Sabha elections by the BJP leaders," Siddaramaiah claimed. The Chief Minister said that his government is committed to maintaining peace and order in society. "We are not against any particular caste, religion, or community. Our stand is pro-constitutional. People should not make the mistake of following the words of BJP leaders and taking legal action. It is the duty of all of us to respect the Constitution and the law," he asserted. "The opposition parties are playing politics regarding the eviction of Hanumadhwaja in a village in Mandya district. It is not right to hoist the Bhagwa dhwaja instead of hoisting the flag of India. According to the rules, it is not allowed to fly any other flag on the flagpole where the national flag should be flown" the Chief Minister said. Meanwhile, former Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai accused the state government of indulging in appeasement politics. Bommai alleged that the law and order situation has deteriorated in the state and those involved in illegal activities were getting protection. "The government got the Hanuman flag removed through the police officers. While Chief Minister Siddaramaiah chants the mantra of "Sarva Janangada Shanthiya Thota", the law and order situation had deteriorated. Many incidents had been reported during the Pran Pratishthapan of Lord Ram Lalla last week. Some persons had been arrested. This has been happening everywhere. The government is playing appeasement politics and giving protection to people involved in nefarious activities," Bommai said speaking to reporters. Sri Gourishankar Seva Trust of the village, which had received permission from the Gram Panchayat to hoist the national flag and the Kannada flag, hoisted the saffron flag in violation of the conditions. The situation escalated as protestors voiced their discontent against the removal. Sangh Parivar workers, secular Janata Dal and BJP workers opposed it. (ANI)
According to officials, "CBI conducts raids at around eight locations, seven in Delhi and one in Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir, based on evidence suggesting involvement in ongoing investigations related to irregularities in the awarding and civil works of the Kiru hydroelectric power project."

Earlier in May 2023, CBI raids were conducted at 12 locations in Delhi and Rajasthan, including the house of the ex-press secretary, chartered accountant and personal assistant of the former governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Satyapal Malik, in Delhi, in connection with an alleged Kiru hydraulic scam.

Sunak Bali was Satyapal's press secretary during his tenure as the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir and VS Rana and KS Rana were his CA and PA, respectively.

The CBI team conducted a search at 10 places in Delhi and two in Rajasthan. (ANI)
He has challenged the trial court order refusing him bail in an NIA case of 2021.

The division bench headed by Justice Suresh Kumar Kait issued a notice to NIA and directed them to file a reply. The next date for hearing is March 12, 2024.

Advocate Archit Krishna, counsel for Rahiman, submitted that the petitioner has challenged the order of the trial court denying bail to him.

He also submitted that the charges have been framed against him under Section 2 (o) read with 13 along with Sections 38 and 39 of the UAPA. He has been in custody for over two years now.

His bail application was dismissed by the trial court.

Earlier, on October 31, 2022, the accused, Ammar Abdul Rahiman, along with other accused persons was charged under Section 120B of the IPC, read with Section 2(o), read with Section 13, along with Sections 38 and 39 of the UA(P) Act.

The NIA had initially filed a chargesheet against the three accused persons, namely Mohammad Ameen Kathodi alias Abu Yahya, Mushab Anwar alias Ibnanwar and Rhees Rasheed alias Sachu, on September 8, 2022.

After further investigations, a supplementary charge sheet has been filed against eight accused persons, namely Mundadiguttu Sadanananda Marla Deepthi alias Deepthi Marla alias Maryam, Mohd. Waqar Lone alias Wilson Kashmiri, Mizha Siddeeque, Shifa Haris, Obaid Hamid Matta, Madesh Shanker alias Abdulla alias Dardan, Ammar Abdul Rahiman and Muzamil Hassan Bhat while accused Irshad Thekke Koleth alias Bilai, is alleged to have absconded to a foreign country.

The accused persons were charge-sheeted for the offence punishable under Sections 120B and 121A of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 and Sections 17, 18, 18B, 20, 38, 39 and 40 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

While framing charges against the eight accused, the court said that prima facie grounds to hold that the accused had been operating various social media platforms as a toolkit for spreading the ISIS ideology and thereby allure, impress and radicalise like-minded fellow persons to inter alia indulging in unlawful activities. (ANI)
Amid the row over the Maratha quota that it will result in encroachment of other communities reservation, Maharashtra Cheif Minister Eknath Shinde claimed that his government will give the reservation to the Maratha community without making any kind of change in other communities reservation. "While giving Maratha reservation, we will keep in mind that whether it is OBC community or any other community, without making any kind of change in their reservation, we will give the reservation to Maratha community. Our view from the beginning has been to provide such reservation which meets the criteria. I have said this openly as Chief Minister and both our Deputy Chief Ministers have also said the same," Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde said. Meanwhile, Maharastra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday clarified that there will be no injustice done to any community. "The government has taken a decision that is benefiting the Maratha community, but there will be no injustice to any community. There is nothing for anyone to worry about in this. Our government will not allow any injustice to the OBC community. Recently, the reservation given to the Maratha community was upheld in the High Court. However, due to some reasons, the Supreme Court rejected that reservation. We have also launched a survey to determine these reasons," Devendra Fadnavis said. Meanwhile, Maharashtra Minister and OBC leader Chhagan Bhujbal struck a dissenting note when he appealed to OBC community to speak up against the ordinance. "My request to all OBC brothers and sisters is that the time has come for all of us to come together on the streets. On February 1, go to the MLAs, MPs or Tehsildars of your respective areas and hand over the demands regarding OBC reservation protection. Everyone should come out in lakhs and raise this demand. All the MLAs and MPs should be made aware that OBCs, Bhatke Vimukts are also citizens and voters of this state and those who want to contest elections need them too " Bhujbal said in a post on X. "Also regarding this draft. Lakhs of objections will be filed till February 16. A huge Elgar Mela of OBCs has been organized at Ahmednagar on February 3, which should be attended by all the OBC brothers in large numbers. There are many intellectuals, writers, speakers, lawyers in the OBC, nomadic community. All of them should help us in this work in their own way. Lawyer brothers should convince the court of injustice against OBCs. Soon OBCs will be taking out a protest march across Maharashtra" Bhujbal added. Earlier the Maharashtra government had accepted all demands of Maratha activist Manoj Jarange Patil and had issued an ordinance guranteeing reservations by issuing Kunbi certificated to the Marathas. Maharashtra CM Shinde emphasised that Jarange Patil's demand was not to take away the reservation for the OBC. "OBC and Marathas live together in villages. Manoj Jarange Patil is of the view that reservations for any community must not be taken," he said. Patil in his address to the gathering said, "This struggle was for reservation for Marathas. We came here to give 54 lakh Kunbi certificates. We have been struggling for the past four months. My generation struggled to get this reservation. More than 300 people killed themselves during the struggle." On May 5, 2021, the Supreme Court struck down reservations for the Maratha community in colleges, higher educational institutions, and jobs, after noting that there was no valid ground to breach 50 per cent reservation while granting Maratha reservation. (ANI)
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath arrived in Ayodhya on Monday where he visited the Ram Temple and Hanuman Garhi to offer his prayers as well as wish for prosperity and well-being of Uttar Pradesh and its people. He also meticulously assessed the arrangements for devotees at the Ram Temple. The Chief Minister, having paid homage to his mentors in Gorakhpur earlier in the day, arrived in Ayodhya in the afternoon, marking his sixth visit to the city in January alone. Earlier, he visisted Ayodhya on January 9, 14, 19, 21, 22, and 23, underlining his commitment to the spiritual and infrastructural development of the revered city. During this visit, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath not only gathered comprehensive information about the arrangements within the temple premises from officials of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust but also conducted a hands-on inspection at the ground level, offering valuable guidance. In a commendable gesture, he engaged with pilgrims directly, seeking their feedback to further enhance the overall experience. The 'Pran Pratishtha' of Shri Ram Lalla at Ayodhya's Ram Temple was held on January 22. (ANI)
The Indian Navy warship INS Sumitra safely rescued the Iranian-flagged fishing vessel Iman from Somali pirates, which had 17 crew members onboard in its anti-piracy operations along the east coast of Somalia and the Gulf of Aden on Monday, an official statement said. The Indian Navy said that its warship INS Sumitra intercepted the vessel and acted in accordance with the established SOPs to coerce the pirates for the safe release of the crew along with the boat, and ensured the successful release of all 17 crew members along with the boat. "A swift response by the Indian Navy's mission-deployed warship ensures the safe release of the hijacked vessel and crew. INS Sumitra, on anti-piracy operations along the East coast of Somalia and the Gulf of Aden, responded to a distress message regarding the hijacking of an Iranian-flagged Fishing Vessel (FV) Iman. The FV had been boarded by pirates, and the crew had been taken as hostages," Spokesperson Navy posted on X. The Iranian fishing vessel MV Iman, with around 17 crew members, was hijacked by Somali pirates. The Fishing Vessel was subsequently sanitised and released for onward transit, the Navy said. "The pirates have been disarmed and asked to move towards Somalia. The INS Sumitra has now moved out of the area. The ALH Dhruv choppers on board the warship had encircled the hijacked vessel to issue warnings to the pirates on board it," Defence officials said. Earlier in a rapid and effective response, the Indian Navy's mission-deployed guided missile destroyer, INS Visakhapatnam, on January 18 addressed a distress call from the Marshall Island-flagged MV Genco Picardy following a drone attack on the night of January 17. INS Visakhapatnam, currently on an anti-piracy mission in the Gulf of Aden, promptly acknowledged the distress call. The destroyer intercepted the vessels at midnight on January 18, 2024, to provide immediate assistance. (ANI)
Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena on Monday granted permission for transplantation or translocation of 134 trees to pave the way for construction of the Institute of Secretariat Training and Management (ISTM), involving 1,7578 hectare of area at old JNU campus in the national capital. Compensatory plantation of 1340 trees, in addition to transplantation and translocation of these trees, at a cost of Rs 76,38,000 will be carried out, as per a statement issued by the L-G office on Monday. The Department of Forest and Wild Life informed the LG that 132 out of 134 trees of native species will be transplanted at Mehrauli, and 2 trees of exotic species are proposed to be compensated for, it said. A joint inspection of the project site was carried out by the officials of the Forest Department with concerned officials of the ISTM, the department said, adding that the Deputy Conservator of Forest (DCF), South, inspected the land and found it suitable for transplantation. The LG Office further added, "The compensatory plantation in a ratio of 1:10 in lieu of transplantation or felling of trees, totaling 1340 saplings, would be carried out at Eco Park, NTPC, Badarpur, New Delhi, by ISTM in an area of 1.40 hectares, involving various species such as Neem, Amaltas, Peepal, Pilkhan, Gular, Bargad, Desi Kikar, and Arjun, along with other native species. The compensatory plantation cost of Rs 76,38,000 will be deposited in advance by the ISTM." The LG's permission for transplantation or felling of trees was sought under the provisions of the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act (DPTA), 1994. Section 9(3) of the Act empowers the Tree Officer to take a decision with regard to permission for the felling or transplantation of trees, the LG Office said. Further, Section 29 empowers the government to exempt, in the public interest, any area or any species of tree from all or any of the provisions of this Act, the statement added. "As the instant project covers an area of more than 1 hectare (1.7578 hectare in this project), the department has solicited an exemption from the government for the proposal, which was approved by the Environment Minister and the Chief Minister before being sent to the LG, who is the competent authority," it added. (ANI)
Governor of Andhra Pradesh S. Abdul Nazeer virtually attended the programme of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's interaction with students, teachers and parents in the seventh edition of 'Pariksha Pe Charcha', 2024 held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on Monday. While addressing the students, PM Modi suggested that they should compete with themselves and not others. Speaking about dealing with pressure during examinations, the Prime Minister said that one must become capable of bearing any kind of pressure and prepare oneself to tackle it. Students, parents and teachers from several schools, junior colleges and degree colleges in and around Vijayawada, have attended the Pariksha pe Charcha 2024 programme, virtually at Raj Bhavan here. Praveen Prakash, Principal Secretary of Education, Saurabh Gaur, Commissioner of Intermediate Education, Srinivasa Rao, State Project Director, Samagra Shiksha, and other officers of the education department, also attended the programme. Meanwhile, PM Modi also urged parents to avoid comparing the performance of their wards with that of the latter's friends or siblings as such a practice of "running commentary" will prove detrimental to a child's future. The Prime Minister through his interaction with students attempts to create a stress-free atmosphere for youngsters who are preparing to give their exams. "There is a pressure that we have set for ourselves like we have to get up at 4 am in the morning. We have to study till 11 pm at night, solve this many answers, I think we should not stretch ourselves so much that our ability gets broken. We should do it in increments, slowly," PM Modi said. The Prime Minister observed that parents stepped up the pressure by asking children to wake up early during exams and by comparing students with their friends. "This running commentary by parents, elder brothers and teachers drawing negative comparisons every now and then is detrimental to a student's future. It does more harm than good. So, we must ensure that issues are addressed through a proper and heartfelt conversation with students rather than reducing their morale and confidence through unfriendly comparisons and talks," PM Modi said, adding that the parents should avoid such a practice. "This programme is like an exam for me too": PM Modi said during the interaction where he sought to answer questions from students and their teachers from across the country. He also said that one must become capable of bearing all kinds of pressures. "One must become capable of bearing any kind of pressure. They should believe that pressure keeps on building and one has to prepare oneself (to tackle it)," the PM said. Addressing a range of questions, from peer pressure to competition among classmates, the PM said that if there is no competition in life, then life will become unmotivated. "There must be competition, but only healthy competition," he said. Earlier on Sunday, Minister of State for Education, Subhas Sarkar, held a press conference regarding PM Modi's unique interactive programme, Pariksha Pe Charcha, wherein students, parents, and teachers across the nation and also from overseas interact with him to discuss and overcome the stress emerging out of examinations to celebrate life as an Utsav. He also said that the 7th edition of 'Pariksha Pe Charcha' recorded a massive 2.26 crore registration on the MyGov portal. He added that this shows the extensive enthusiasm among students nationwide, eager to participate in this distinctive event and interact with the Prime Minister. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday gave valuable suggestions and advice to students preparing for exams, emphasising the importance of sound sleep, nutrition, resilience, decisiveness, written work, physical fitness and regulating screen time. The Prime Minister took questions from students, teachers and parents from different parts of the country during the seventh edition of Pariksha Pe Charcha (PPC) held at Bharat Mandapam and also dwelled on the role of challenges and healthy competition. During the interaction, the Prime Minister made several comments in a lighter vein evoking smiles and clapping from students. Dwelling on the significance of hard work and sound sleep, the Prime Minister gave his example and said he gets deep sleep almost as soon as he hits the bed. Noting that habits like screen time are eating into the required sleep which is also being strongly emphasised by modern health science, the Prime Minister said less sleep is not good for the body. "Just like a mobile requires charging to function, similarly it is very important to keep the body recharged because keeping the body healthy is very important for a healthy mind. For this, getting proper sleep is also very important," he said. He emphasised maintaining a balanced lifestyle, avoiding excess of everything and taking the required amount of sunlight. "Do not underassess the value of sleep, when your mother says 'go to sleep', do not consider it interference....Whether you get proper sleep or not, it is very important, you should pay attention. Get the required sleep and also see if it is sound sleep or not. It should be very sound sleep," he said. He said sometimes people can find it difficult to get sound sleep after they go to bed. "...365 days, no exception, as soon as I get to bed, within 30 seconds...that I have not gone towards sound sleep, this does not happen. It takes me 30 seconds...why because, the time I am awake, I stay fully awake," he said. "Jab jagrit hun to poori taraeh Jagrit hun, jab soya hun to poori taren soya hun (when I am awake, I am fully awake, when I am asleep, I am fully asleep)," PM Modi said, emphasising the need for "balance". Answering queries, the Prime Minister said that questions regarding cultural and societal expectations have come up in the Pariksha Pe Charcha programme. He emphasised the role of teachers in mitigating the impact of added pressure from external factors on students and urged students to become strong and capable of handling pressure. "My approach which I found useful is that 'I challenge every challenge'. I do not wait passively for the challenge to pass. This gives me an opportunity to learn all the time. Dealing with new situations enriches me," he said. "My biggest confidence is that I have 140 crore countrymen with me. If there are 100 million challenges, there are billions of solutions. I never find myself alone and everything is on me, I am always aware of the capabilities of my country and countrymen. This is the fundamental crux of my thinking. The more I enhance the capabilities of my countrymen, my ability to challenge the challenges improves," he added. PM Modi said that decision-making becomes easier when the resolve to do something is strong. Throwing light on the power of positive thinking, the Prime Minister said that it gives strength to look for positive outcomes even in the most negative situations. "...I have shut all doors and windows of disappointment in my life. When there is no selfish motive, there is never confusion in decision," he said. He gave the example of the COVID-19 pandemic and said that he chose to rally the people and raise their collective strength. "Government strives to make a nation where not just the present but future generations have a chance to shine and show their capabilities," he said. The Prime Minister urged the students, families and teachers to collectively address the issue of external stress rather than implementing a systematic theory. He also suggested that families of students should discuss different ways that work for each of them. Addressing the issue of peer pressure and competition among friends, the Prime Minister highlighted the importance of competition and said it should be healthy. He pointed out that often the seeds of unhealthy competition are planted in the family situations leading to perverse competition among siblings. PM Modi asked the parents to avoid comparison among the children and noted that doing well in exams is not a zero-sum game. He urged students to compete with themselves and called upon parents not to compare their children with other children. He also asked them not to make the achievement of their children their visiting card and called upon students to rejoice in the success of their friends. "Friendship is not a transactional emotion," he said. Throwing light on the role of teachers in motivating students, the Prime Minister underlined that music can relieve the stress of students. He said teachers should not give priority only to bright students in a class, be accessible and build a healthy rapport in the class from the beginning of the session. "Teachers are not in a job role but they shoulder the responsibility of grooming the lives of students," he said. The Prime Minister emphasized the need to avoid mistakes due to the over-enthusiasm of the parents and urged them not to over-hype the exam day with new clothes, rituals or stationery. He also advised the students not to keep preparing until the last moment, approach exams with a relaxed mind and not get rushed during the exam. He expressed concern over the decline in the habit of writing and urged students to devote 50 per cent of their reading and study time to writing as it helps in better understanding as also sharpening their skills. Laying thrust on decisiveness in choosing the career path, the Prime Minister urged students to increase their self-confidence. Giving the example of cleanliness and his resolve behind, PM Modi underlined that 'Swachhata' is becoming a priority area in the nation. He said he had learnt that India's market in the art and culture sector has grown 250 times in the last 10 years. "If we have the capability, we can liven up anything," PM Modi said urging students to not underestimate themselves. He said the National Education Policy gives students flexibility in their academic choices. The Prime Minister touched upon the trust deficit in families and asked the parents and teachers to tackle this serious issue. He said that this deficit is not sudden but is a result of a long-drawn process and requires a deep self-analysis of everyone's conduct, be it teachers, parents or students. Honest communication can reduce the chances of trust deficit, he said. PM Modi said while students should be sincere and honest in their dealings, parents should also convey their confidence in their children instead of suspicion. "The distance created by the trust deficit can push children into depression," he said, urging teachers to keep channels of communication open with the students and avoid favouritism. He asked for an experiment and requested families of friends to regularly meet and discuss positive things that can help children. Noting that "excess of anything is bad," he stressed making effective use of technology and mobile phones through correct decision-making. "Every parent faces this issue", the Prime Minister said pointing out the subject of privacy and secrecy. He stressed formulating a set of rules and regulations in the family and spoke of "no electronic gadgets during dinner" and creating no gadget zones in the house. "In today's world, one cannot run away from technology," he said and suggested sharing the passcodes of mobile phones at home. "Excess of everything is bad! Everything should have a standard and a limit. Using gadgets should be accompanied with time-tracking tools and applications. Being conscious about screen time is necessary. We should have the wisdom to use technology positively," he said. Referring to poverty alleviation, the Prime Minister said when the poor themselves decide to remove poverty, it will go away. "It is my responsibility to give them tools for dreaming such as a pucca house, toilet, education, Ayushman, piped water. Once he is unshackled of the daily indignities, he will be sure of the abolition of poverty," the Prime Minister said. He said that one should have the wisdom to prioritize things and that this comes with experience and analyzing everything. He also said he considers his mistakes as lessons. PM Modi said that celebrating sporting success and the right strategy, direction and leadership have resulted in a good medal haul at international events. PPC is driven by PM Modi's efforts to bring together students, parents, teachers and society to foster an environment where each child's unique individuality is celebrated, encouraged and allowed to express itself fully. (ANI)
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami flagged off the Ayodhya-bound Aastha special train from Haridwar station on Monday. The Chief Minister thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for the operation of the train. He stated that the operation of the train will provide convenience to Ram devotees from Haridwar, Rishikesh, Dehradun, Garhwal and Kumaon regions. "No matter how much we all struggled for the Ram temple, now we have the reward of that struggle from the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi," he added.He saluted all those people who sacrificed and struggled to make the Ram Mandir dream come true. "Their penance is like the foundation of the Ram temple," added Dhami.The Chief Minister credited the leadership of the Prime Minister, saying, "India has created a golden chapter on the banks of Saryu in the presence of Lord Bhaskar." The Chief Minister expressed his satisfaction, saying, "It is not possible to express in words the expressions I was seeing on the faces of Ram devotees when I was entering the station. All Ram devotees are going to Ayodhya to see the years-old dream come true."The Chief Minister highlighted that the Ram Temple will become a modern symbol of culture, a symbol of our eternal faith, and a symbol of our national spirit. "The Ram Temple will also become a symbol of the collective resolve of millions of people. It will continue to inspire faith, devotion and determination in the coming generations," he added. The Chief Minister appealed for people's support to attain the objectification of bettering Uttarakhand. "We are determined to make Uttarakhand the best state in the country with the blessings of Lord Ram. To achieve this goal, we are continuously moving forward with determination. We need the cooperation and support of all of you," requested Dhami. (ANI)
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge launched an attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party and warned the party workers against the BJP and its ideological mentor RSS, calling them "poison". "Rahul Gandhi wants to unite the country, he said he has opened 'mohabbat ki dukaan'. But the BJP and RSS have opened 'nafrat ki dukaan'. It is because of this that you need to remain alert. The BJP and RSS are poison; they are depriving us of our rights," Kharge said, addressing the Workers' Convention in Bhubaneshwar on Monday. Kharge went ahead to warn the people of the country that this year kit will be the last opportunity for the people to save democracy The Congress chief claimed that PM Modi will declare a dictatorship after this year's general elections. "If Modi comes to power after the Lok Sabha polls, there will be dictatorship, no democracy and no elections," he said. He further asserted that the 2024 general elections will be the last chance for the people of the country to vote. Taking a potshot at BJD chief and Odisha chief minister Navin Patnaik over his "friendship" with PM Modi. "What did Navin Patnaik gain from his friendship with Narendra Modi? The double engine fails at times. And when the double engine doesn't work properly, the first engine also fails," he added. Indirectly referring to Nitish Kumar, he said,"One person two days back quitted Mahagathbandhan will not weaken us. They are giving (ED) notices to each and every one. They are intimidating people. Because of fear, some are leaving friendships, some are leaving the party, and some are leaving the Alliance... This is your last chance to vote. After this, there will be no voting." Earlier on Sunday, the Congress chief launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party asserting the BJP made every effort to stop the 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' in Assam adding that we are not afraid of them. Addressing the Workers Convention in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, Kharge said that Rahul Gandhi had taken out 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, but such an incident did not happen anywhere, as has happened in BJP-ruled Assam. "Ever since our 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' started, BJP has made every effort to stop and scare it. 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' was stopped in Assam, stones were thrown at vehicles, and posters were torn. But we are not afraid," Kharge said addressing the Workers Convention in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. (ANI)
The Reserve Bank of India (RBl) has, by an order dated January 8, imposed a penalty of Rs 75,000 on Jila Sahakari Kendriya Bank Maryadit in Madhya Pradesh's Shahdol for contravention of the provisions of Section 26A read with Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (BR Act) read with the 'Depositor Education and Awareness Fund Scheme, 2014' (the Scheme). The RBI in an official statement issued on Monday said that the action is based on a deficiency in regulatory compliance and is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the bank with its customers. The statutory inspection of the bank conducted by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) with reference to its financial position as on March 31, 2022, and examination of the Inspection Report and all correspondence related thereto revealed, inter alia, that the bank had not transferred the eligible amount to the Depositor Education and Awareness Fund, the RBI said in its statement. Consequently, a notice was issued to the bank advising it to show cause as to why penalty should not be imposed on it for failure to comply with the said statutory provisions and directions, as stated therein, RBI said further. After considering the bank's reply to the notice and oral submissions made by it during the personal hearing, RBI came to the conclusion that the charge of non-compliance with the aforesaid statutory provisions and directions related to the scheme was substantiated and warranted imposition of monetary penalty on the bank, it added. (ANI)
Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Nisha Napit Sharma, posted in Shahpura, Dindori district was murdered by her husband Manish Sharma by pressing her mouth with a pillow, a police official said on Monday. The incident occurred at her official residence in the district on Sunday and the accused husband also tried to hide the evidence by cleaning the clothes, pillow, bedsheets and others in the washing machine, the officer added. Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG, Balaghat range) Mukesh Kumar Srivastawa said, "SDM Nisha Napit Sharma was married to Manish Sharma (45), a resident of Gwalior in 2020 at a Gaytri Mandir in Mandla. Their married life was quite stressful and Manish Sharma also used to trouble her. Along with this, he also wanted to be a nominee in her service book, insurance and bank account but the SDM ma'am used to deny it." "A few days ago, the accused had come to her official residence as he was her husband so he often used to visit the residence. On Sunday, after having a dispute on some issue, the accused husband killed her by pressing her mouth with a pillow. After that the accused also tried to hide the evidence by the cleaning pillow, bedsheets and other clothes in the washing machine. But the police and FSL team found enough evidence against him," the officer said. He added that the police registered a case against the accused under IPC sections 302, 304B and 201 and took the accused into custody. Further investigation into the matter is underway, he added. (ANI)
Manguirish Pai Raiker, Chairman of the National Council for MSME of Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), appealed to the central government to emphasize on Production Link Incentives (PIL) and spiritual tourism in the interim budget. Speaking to ANI, Raiker said, "The government is taking a lot of initiatives to improve the business... We will be the third-largest economy very soon... PLI (Production Link Incentives) will be enhanced, more products will be brought in and there will be more scope for investments in India." "Secondly, the government also plans for spiritual tourism which has attracted many people as we have seen in Varanasi and Ayodhya. Other spots will also be taken into consideration... I'm sure the new budget will bring in something for the promotion of these initiatives... There will be other initiatives taken on the health and education front. This is what we expect from the government," he added. The Budget session of Parliament, the last session before the general elections expected in April-May, will begin on January 31 and is likely to continue till February 9. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the interim budget on February 1. The session will begin with President Droupadi Murmu's address to the joint sitting of the two Houses of Parliament The interim budget typically takes care of the fiscal needs of the intervening period till a government is formed after the Lok Sabha polls. Meanwhile, the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) issued a series of key recommendations ahead of the Budget presentation. They include meeting disinvestment targets and setting out a 3-year schedule for disinvestment; Subsuming petroleum, electricity & real estate in GST and aiming at a 3-rate structure; Raising capex by 20% to Rs 12 lakh crores and setting up a full-fledged Ministry of Investment. (ANI)
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday alleged that the Border Security Force (BSF) has been providing separate identity card to the people in the border areas and asked people to refrain from taking the card as they could be kicked out of the country under the National Register of Citizens (NRC). Banerjee's remarks came after Union Minister Shantanu Thakur said on Sunday that the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) would be implemented across the country in a week. "The BSF is oppressing the people. The BSF wants to give a separate identity card to the people in the border areas. Remember, do not take the separate identity card that the BSF wants to give by entering the border area; say that I have an Aadhaar card or that I have a ration card; say that I will not take your card. If you take that card, you will come under the NRC, and they will throw you out," Mamata Banerjee said. "Please enrol your name in the voters' list. So that Delhi cannot get a chance to throw out you of the state," said Mamata Banerjee said. Further, she targeted the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for not mentioning Sita and Lord Ram's mother, Kaushalya, saying, "Mother and sister are the pride of society; they(women) will cook and do everything that is necessary so that the country and society can be protected." "You have forgotten Mother Sita. You do not say the name of Mother Sita; you do not say the name of Kaushalya, the mother who gave birth to Lord Rama. How is a child born without a mother? Without a wife, how can a husband move forward? Do you not remember Sita's 'Agni Pariksha', her entry into the Patal lok? Mother and sister are the pride of society; they will cook and do whatever is necessary when needed so that the country and society can be protected," CM Banerjee said. The CAA, introduced by the Narendra Modi government, aims to confer Indian citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim migrants, including Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis, and Christians, who migrated from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan and arrived in India before December 31, 2014. Following the passage of the CAA by Parliament in December 2019 and its subsequent presidential assent, significant protests erupted in various parts of the country. (ANI)
Tamil Nadu's Director General of Police (DGP) filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court in relation to the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) against the state government's alleged oral order banning live telecast of the "Pran Pratishtha" of Lord Ram in the temple of the State on January 22 and called such allegations are "totally baseless and false". Tamil Nadu Police said that the Ram Temple inauguration event was telecasted in many temples. "Apart from the live telecast, activities such as Poojas and Archanas were conducted in many temples across the State and no interference was done by any police officer for the Pooja and Archanas in the temples throughout the State," Tamil Nadu police told SupremeCourt in an affidavit. Earlier last week, the Supreme Court questioned the Tamil Nadu government on its alleged oral order to ban live telecasts of the 'Pran Prathishta' of Ram Lalla at Ayodhya in temples across Tamil Nadu. The apex court said that the state government can't ban such events on the grounds that Hindus are a "minority" in certain areas. The bench pulled up the Tamil Nadu government for allegedly ordering such a general order and said permission cannot be denied on the sole ground that other communities are living in the location. In the submitted affidavit, Tamil Nadu police said that such allegation that the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu has orally instructed not to allow any ceremony or function including Annadhanam (giving away meals - a long-known tradition in Hinduism, organising Bhajans about Prabhu Ram, playing songs about Prabhu Ram on the auspicious occasions of January 22, the day of Pran Prathista of Ram Janmabhoomi is "totally baseless and false". Tamil Nadu police said that Chief Minister MK Stalin has not issued any such instructions to the police department. The petitioner, BJP's State unit secretary Vinoj P Selvam, has portrayed the Tamil Nadu Government as an Anti-Hindu Government which is totally false and condemnable, Tamil Nadu police told the apex court. (ANI)
Bihar's newly sworn-in Deputy Chief Minister, Samrat Choudhary on Monday said that the National Democratic Alliance, which is now the ruling bloc in the state, will work to realise the unfulfilled dreams of the people under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and CM Nitish Kumar. Addressing a press conference here, the deputy chief minister said that the state will move further towards the path of development due to the 'double engine' government. Choudhary, however, alleged that the situation that has engulfed Bihar since yesterday, when JD(U) snapped its ties from the grand alliance and joined hands with the NDA to form the new government, arose because the 'democracy was being ashamed' in Mahagathbandhan rule. "You all witnessed the political situation in Bihar over the past 48 hours. We received a proposal from JD(U) yesterday seeking BJP's support in government formation. We supported because the situation that arose in Bihar, it left the democracy ashamed and efforts were made to break the JD(U). The alliance of JD(U)-BJP-HAM and other parties will work in the paths of development of the state," he said. 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. Two Deputy CMs from the BJP, Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, and six other ministers, including Bijendra Prasad Yadav, Santosh Kumar Suman, Shrawan Kumar, and others, also took the oath today. Nitish Kumar cited the state of affairs being "not right" under the Mahagathbandhan alliance 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. "I have resigned as the CM today and have asked the Governor to put an end to this government. Party leaders were giving me advice. I heard what they said and have resigned. The situation was not good. So, we have broken ties," Nitish Kumar told reporters outside the Raj Bhavan. Meanwhile, after JD(U)'s return to the BJP-led NDA, the party's senior leader, KC Tyagi, said that Congress was focusing on getting hold of important posts, weakening the regional parties, while JD(U) was trying to strengthen the alliance. KC Tyagi, while speaking to ANI, said, "Coordination could not be established between INDIA parties. From the outside, everything appeared normal but Congress was doing politics with the alliance parties." "While we were working to strengthen the alliance, Congress was busy grabbing the important posts. They were trying to weaken SP, DMK, TMC and other regional parties. Rahul Gandhi even once said that regional parties don't have an ideology. Due to this, we broke our association with the alliance," he added. (ANI)
The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice to the Centre, Arunachal Pradesh government and others on a PIL seeking a CBI or SIT probe into the award of contracts for public works to firms owned by family members of Chief Minister Pema Khandu. A bench of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra sought a response from the Union of India, the state government, CBI, Khandu and others. The order of the apex court came on a plea filed by NGOs Save Mon Region Federation and Voluntary Arunachal Sena. Pema Khandu's father Dorjee Khandu's second wife Rinchin Drema and his nephew Tsering Tashi have been made parties in the case. In a helicopter crash in 2011, Dorjee Khandu died when he was the Chief Minister. Rinchin Drema's firm, Brand Eagles, has been awarded a large number of government contracts despite there being a clear conflict of interest, the petitioner claimed. The PIL claimed when there is evidence of government contracts being awarded only to the firms of family members of the Chief Minister and his close associates, then it is reasonable to draw an inference that such favour for government contract works of vast magnitude could not have been possible without direct knowledge, consent, and active support of the minister concerned. The petition stated, "The Minister of this department was Dorjee Khandu, also former CM, till 2011 and then the charge was taken up by his son Pema Khandu, now present Chief Minister. It is a serious cause of concern in view of so many work orders executed by few selective firms belonging to the Minister himself and his family members." (ANI)
Nilima Napit, elder sister of Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Nisha Napit Sharma, who was posted in Shahpura, Dindori district and murdered by her husband Manish Sharma, alleged that the accused used to torture the late officer. Speaking to the reporters here, Nilima revealed that the accused namely Manish Sharma wanted money from Nisha since the beginning of their marriage. "We received a phone call from the police station yesterday, informing us that she is no more...We were told to reach here. Manish Sharma (her husband) is a resident of Gwalior and is unemployed... From the beginning, Manish wanted money. He had started asking her for money on the second or third day of getting married. She had given him at least Rs 5 lakh after getting a loan," she said. Nilima further said that Mishra, who was unemployed, used to subject her sister to mental and physical torture. "She used to tell me about it...I suspect that Manish Sharma has murdered her...I demand proper investigation and punishment for the guilty," she said. According to Nilima, Nisha and Manish got married without telling anybody in their family. "Manish Sharma (her husband) is a resident of Gwalior and is unemployed. They met through a matrimonial website and got married. But they did not invite us and got married without telling us..." Nilima added. The incident occurred at her official residence in the district on Sunday and the accused husband also tried to hide the evidence by cleaning the clothes, pillow, bedsheets and others in the washing machine, the officer added. Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG, Balaghat range) Mukesh Kumar Srivastawa said, "SDM Nisha Napit Sharma was married to Manish Sharma (45), a resident of Gwalior in 2020 at a Gaytri Mandir in Mandla. Their married life was quite stressful and Manish Sharma also used to trouble her. Along with this, he also wanted to be a nominee in her service book, insurance and bank account but the SDM ma'am used to deny it." "A few days ago, the accused had come to her official residence as he was her husband so he often used to visit the residence. On Sunday, after having a dispute on some issue, the accused husband killed her by pressing her mouth with a pillow. After that the accused also tried to hide the evidence by cleaning pillow, bedsheets and other clothes in the washing machine. But the police and FSL team found enough evidence against him," the officer said. He added that the police registered a case against the accused under IPC sections 302, 304B and 201 and took the accused into custody. Further investigation into the matter is underway, he added. (ANI)
Chandigarh residents expressed their expectations from the upcoming budget. "Being a member of the service class, we expect relief in income tax," a resident, Rajiv Pasi, said. He further mentioned his expectation for greater employment opportunities for youth. "There should be more job openings for the youth. They must be facilitated for easy loans," he added. "Everyone expects budgets. We too hope that it proves to be the best budget," he stated further. Saharaj, another resident, said, "We don't expect anything from the government. They haven't done anything in the last ten years. Most of the country's money is concentrated in the hands of big industrialists. They can waive off loans for the rich but not for farmers." Shilpa Rana, a homemaker, requested the government to reduce the price of cylinders and LPG. Meanwhile, there are various demands regarding the budgetary allocations from across the country. The Association of Healthcare Providers (AHPI) asked the government to increase budget allocation on health to at least 2.5 percent of GDP to meet its objective of having universal health coverage while flagging the World Health Organisation requirement of 3.5 beds per 1000 people. Niva Bupa Health Insurance urged the Centre that GST on health insurance must be reduced in Budget 2024. ASSOCHAM's National Council for MSME appealed to the Centre to focus on spiritual tourism. The Indian Medical Association sought investment in public-sector hospitals. The Budget session of Parliament, the last session before the general elections expected in April-May, will begin on January 31 and is likely to continue until February 9. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the interim budget on February 1. The session will begin with President Droupadi Murmu's address to the joint sitting of the two Houses of Parliament. The interim budget typically takes care of the fiscal needs of the intervening period until a government is formed after the Lok Sabha polls. A meeting of the floor leaders of various political parties in both Houses of Parliament will be convened on Tuesday by the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Pralhad Joshi. (ANI)
West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose on Monday said that arrests will happen in the alleged Public Distribution System (PDS) scam case, in which TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan has been made accused and is currently absconding. "Arrest will happen. Law will be established don't be in a hurry. Whatever is to be done under the law and the Constitution will be done. This is not a promise but a commitment," the Bengal Governor said. Earlier last week, the Enforcement Directorate put up a notice on Wednesday outside the residence of Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Shahjahan Sheikh, asking him to appear for questioning on January 29. The ED sealed the residence of Sheikh in Sandeshkhali, North 24 Parganas district, after conducting fresh raids in the early hours today in connection with the alleged Public Distribution System (PDS) scam case. ED officials were accompanied by central forces. Earlier on January 5, ED officials who were on their way to carry out raids at Sheikh's as well as TMC leader Shankar Adhya premises' were attacked at Sandeshkhali.Over 200 locals, all believed to be the TMC leader's supporters, encircled the ED officials as well as the armed paramilitary forces accompanying the team when they tried to raid his residence in connection with the ration scam probe. Meanwhile, police on Monday used a water cannon against BJP workers in Barrackpore protesting against the West Bengal government over the law and order situation in the state. On police using water cannons against BJP workers in Barrackpore, West Bengal BJP President Sukanta Majumdar said, "We did a protest outside the CP office. Police used water cannons and tear gas, they lathi-charged and even pelted stones. This is a Taliban police officer working on the instructions of Mamata Banerjee. Women have been lathi-charged by policemen. Ashish Maurya is the police officer. We will go to the court against him." (ANI)
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday said that the tips, guidance and dose of positivity given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 'Pariksha Pe Charcha' programme will help students strike a balance between academic excellence and overall well-being. He said 'Pariksha Pe Charcha' has become a mass movement. In a post on X, Pradhan said that PM Modi's guidance will help create a congenial environment for realising the full potential of children. "Sincere gratitude to Hon. PM @narendramodiji for being the strongest pillar of support and motivation, particularly for our #ExamWarriors. The pro-tips, guidance and dose of positivity at #ParikshaPeCharcha will help our students strike a balance between academic excellence and overall well-being and also inspire parents and teachers to create a congenial environment for realising every child's full potential," he said. Pradhan also thanked students, parents, teachers and schools for their record participation in the Pariksha Pe Charcha programme. "PM @narendramodi 's valuable guidance has enriched us all. I am sure it will help our students de-stress, beat exam blues, become more confident & resilient, deliver their best in exams and in life and remain committed to the goals of Viksit Bharat. Also, confident that it will offer new perspectives to parents and teachers to address challenges of students," he said. In his remarks during the event, Pradhan said PM Modi has set the target of India becoming a developed nation by 2047. "We have to make India a developed India by 2047 and it will be done on your shoulders and under your leadership," Pradhan said while pointing towards the students. The Prime Minister was seated among students during Pradhan's remarks and took the stage later. He described PM Modi as 'rashtra guru' for guiding students. In his remarks, the Prime Minister gave valuable suggestions and advice to students preparing for exams, emphasising the importance of sound sleep, nutrition, resilience, decisiveness, written work, physical fitness and regulating screen time. He took questions from students, teachers and parents from different parts of the country and also dwelled on the role of challenges and healthy competition. During the interaction the Prime Minister made several comments in lighter vein evoking smile and clapping from students. Dwelling on the significance of hard work and sound sleep, the Prime Minister gave his own example and said he gets deep sleep almost as soon as he hits the bed. Noting that habits like screen time are eating into the required sleep which is also being strongly emphasised by modern health science, the Prime Minister said less sleep is not good for the body. "Just like a mobile requires charging to function, similarly it is very important to keep the body recharged, because keeping the body healthy is very important for a healthy mind. For this, taking proper sleep is also very important," he said. He emphasised maintaining a balanced lifestyle, avoiding excess of everything and taking required amount of sunlight. "Do not underassess the value of sleep, when your mother says 'go to sleep', do not consider it interference....Whether you take proper sleep or not, it is very important, you should pay attention Take required sleep and also see if it is sound sleep or not. It should be very sound sleep," he said. He said sometimes people can find it difficult to get sound sleep after they go to the bed. "...365 days, no exception, as soon as I get to bed, within 30 seconds...that I have not gone towards sound sleep, this does not happen. It takes me 30 second...why because, the time I am awake, I stay fully awake," he said. "Jab jagrit hun to poori taraeh Jagrit hun, jab soya hun to poori taren soya hun (when I am awake, I am fully awake, when I am asleep, I am fully asleep)," PM Modi said and while emphasising "balance". Answering queries, the Prime Minister said that questions regarding cultural and societal expectations have come up in 'Pariksha Pe Charcha' programme. He emphasised the role of teachers in mitigating the impact of added pressure from external factors on students and urged students to become strong and capable of handling pressure. The Prime Minister urged the students to prepare themselves mentally and gave the example of travelling from one extreme climate condition to the other when the mind is already prepared to face extreme weather conditions. "My approach which I found useful is that 'I challenge every challenge'. I do not wait passively for the challenge to pass. This gives me an opportunity to learn all the time. Dealing with new situations enriches me," he said. "My biggest confidence is that I have 140 crore countrymen with me. If there are 100 million challenges, there are billions of solutions. I never find myself alone and everything is on me, I am always aware of the capabilities of my country and countrymen. This is the fundamental crux of my thinking. The more I enhance the capabilities of my countrymen, my ability to challenge the challenges improves," he said. PM Modi said that decision-making becomes easier when the resolve to do something is strong. Throwing light on the power of positive thinking, the Prime Minister said that it gives strength to look for positive outcomes even in the most negative situations. "...I have shut all doors and windows of disappointment in my life. When there is no selfish motive, there is never confusion in decision," he said. "Government strives to make a nation where not just the present but future generations have a chance to shine and show their capabilities," he added. The Prime Minister urged the students, families and teachers to collectively address the issue of external stress rather than implementing a systematic theory. He also suggested that families of students should discuss different ways that work for each of them. (ANI)
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday watched the live telecast of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Pariksha Pe Charcha 2024' programme with students at GGIC Kaulagarh in Dehradun. On this occasion, CM Dhami also presented the book 'Exam Warriors' written by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the students. CM Dhami said that during the 'Pariksha Pe Charcha', the students preparing for the exam got the opportunity to listen to the Prime Minister's inspirational, pithy and practical address. "Our entire life is a test and victory and defeat in this test are not as important as our positive thinking, because a person with positive thinking cannot fail in any test of life. Be it Mann Ki Baat or Pariksha Pe Charcha, the Prime Minister has worked to inspire people through both these programs," he said. He said that just as parents and family members try to make children mentally strong before the examinations, in the same way, Prime Minister Narendra Modi encourages students through the programme. "Under the leadership of PM Modi, India's respect, honour and self-respect have increased at the global level. He appealed to the parents of the students appearing in the examination not to put unnecessary pressure on their children at the time of the examination," he said. CM Dhami told all the students to work as leaders in whatever field they like to work in their lives. "Whatever goal you want to set in life, be fully dedicated to achieving it," he said. He also said that the talent of any child cannot be assessed based on success or failure in any one examination, because talent and intellectual ability are above any examination. He told the students to read the biographies of great people. "This inspires me to move forward in life and most of the people who have done great work in society have moved ahead from ordinary circumstances. When positive thinking is mixed with hard work, then no one can stop a person from being successful," CM Dhami added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday urged parents to avoid comparing the performance of their wards with that of the latter's friends or siblings as such a practice of "running commentary" will prove detrimental to a child's future. The Prime Minister made these remarks during an interaction with students at the seventh edition of 'Pariksha Pe Charcha', a programme where he attempts to create a stress-free atmosphere for youngsters who are preparing to take their exams. There is a pressure that we have set for ourselves like we have to get up at 4 am. We have to study till 11 pm and solve these many answers, I think we should not stretch ourselves so much that our ability gets broken. We should do it in increments, slowly, PM Modi said. He also said that the 7th edition of 'Pariksha Pe Charcha' recorded a massive 2.26 crore registration on the MyGov portal. PM Modi added that this shows the extensive enthusiasm among students nationwide, eager to participate in this distinctive event and interact with the Prime Minister. (ANI)
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha inaugurated the new campus of Asian School at Miran Sahib, Jammu on Monday and said that the reputed institution is making an immense contribution in imparting value-based quality education to the students. Sadhvi Ritambhara, founder of Vatsalygram Vrindavan, also graced the occasion. The Lt Governor extended his felicitations and best wishes to the management of the premier co-education Boarding School of Dehradun, Uttarakhand for starting its branch in Jammu. The Lt Governor called upon the private educational institutions to come forward and discharge their responsibility towards society. "Transformation of education sector should be our commitment. Private educational institutions must adopt some measures to ensure that education is accessible, affordable to all so that marginalised section of society benefit and education sector is truly inclusive," said Manoj Sinha. At the inaugural ceremony, the Lt Governor talked about the educational reforms introduced, under the guidance of Prime Minister, to establish India as a knowledge economy. "Our education sector had witnessed stagnation for more than three decades. It had adversely impacted the society's morale and the country's confidence was shaken. Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi instilled new confidence in the society. He has restored the ancient glory of Bharat," the Lt Governor said. The Lt Governor urged the teaching community to encourage hands-on, experiential and collaborative learning and develop an enabling environment for the all-round development of students. One of the most important resources for our nation's growth is youth. The education must strengthen the contribution of youth in India's march towards Viksit Bharat, the Lt Governor further added. (ANI)
A day after Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar returned to the National Democratic Alliance, Union Minister Kaushal Kishore said the opposition was praising Nitish Kumar when he was in the INDIA alliance but after he joined the NDA, he "is now the worst person." "The Opposition was praising him when he was in the INDIA Alliance. Now that he has left them and got back where he had been (NDA), he is now the worst person. INDIA alliance is now the 'END' alliance," Kaushal Kishore, who is Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs, told ANI. The Union minister accused the Congress of trying to dominate leaders from regional parties. "Slowly, all the leaders will back off from the INDIA alliance because the Congress party wants to dominate all the regional parties and leaders. The Congress party wants all the leaders to act as per their whims and fancies. The leaders are not able to stay in the INDIA alliance because of their ideological differences with the Congress party," he alleged. "The INDIA alliance earlier worked to move people against Prime Minister Narendra Modi but the people in larger numbers are coming in support of him. That is why the INDI alliance will see its end," he added. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) mouthpiece Saamana, in its editorial, criticised Bihar CM Nitish Kumar for returning to the NDA fold. Saamana, in its editorial on Monday, said that Nitish Kumar, who took the oath as the Chief Minister of Bihar with the support of the BJP, was the one who took initiative in uniting all anti-Bharatiya Janata Party forces together and called the first meeting of the opposition's alliance in Patna. Nitish Kumar left the Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) and the INDIA bloc and again joined hands with BJP. He again took oath as Chief Minister on Sunday. (ANI)
Proceedings of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi's special assembly session were suspended until Tuesday following the commotion inside the house by BJP councillors demanding the formation of a standing committee. BJP councillors have accused the AAP government and Delhi Mayor of trying to evade standing committee elections and they allege the AAP is aware that it is not in a position to get a majority in the poll as many of its councillors will not vote for the party. Ruckus ensued after BJP councillors displayed banners that read 'Sthayi Samiti Gathan Karo' (Set up a Standing Committee) and raised slogans. Earlier, Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi had approached the Supreme Court with a plea to grant the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) the authority to perform the functions of the Standing Committee until the committee is officially formed. Meanwhile, reacting to the ruckus created by BJP councillors, Mayor Shelly Oberoi said, "meeting of the House was called today. But like always, BJP councillors did not allow the House meeting to continue. We always appeal to BJP councillors that the House meeting should proceed peacefully." "All important proposals should be discussed so that there is no hindrance in the development work of Delhi. All councillors should express their views on the proposals so that there is a positive discussion in the House Meeting. BJP councillors never respect the dignity of the House and even today we have to pass the resolutions amid the ruckus created by them," she added. Further talking about the budget, Mayor Shelly Oberoi said, "The discussion on the budget will start in the House tomorrow. Apart from this, the budget will also be discussed in detail in the house meeting on 5, 6 and 7 February." The Leader of the House, Mukesh Goyal, will present the final budget in the House after amendments on February 8. MCD Commissioner Gyanesh Bharti presented the budget in the House for approval in December. (ANI)
Global warming is causing sea levels to rise, which is altering ecosystems. Scientists assumed that the tidal wetlands present in estuaries could create less methane, a strong greenhouse gas because the increased influx of seawater renders these habitats less hospitable to methane-producing microorganisms. However, research from biologists at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) and UC Berkeley indicates that these assumptions aren't always true. After examining the microbial, chemical, and geological features of 11 wetland zones, the team found that a wetland region exposed to a slight amount of seawater was emitting surprisingly high levels of methane - far more than any of the freshwater sites. Their results, now published in mSystems, indicate that the factors governing how much greenhouse gas is stored or emitted in natural landscapes are more complex and difficult to predict than we thought. "We looked at how many methanogens, the organisms that make methane, are present in soils at these sites and it wasn't really well correlated with the amount of methane observed," said senior author Susannah Tringe, director of Berkeley Lab's Environmental Genomics & Systems Biology Division. "And even if you look at the amount of methanotrophs, organisms that eat methane, in combination with methanogens, that doesn't seem to fully explain it." Tringe and her colleagues took soil samples from the 11 sites and used high-throughput sequencing to analyze DNA from organisms found in the samples, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. They examined what genes were present in the sequences and mapped them to known functions - for example, identifying genes known to be involved in metabolizing nitrogen or genes from bacteria that use sulfate during respiration. Then they worked to model how the genetic information they found, combined with chemical factors in the soil and water, could result in the methane emissions they observed. Across most of the sites, which ranged from freshwater to full seawater salinities, the amount of methane emitted was inversely related to the amount of salt water that was flowing in and mingling with the river water. But at one site, which had been restored in 2010 from a seasonal grassy pasture for livestock grazing back to its original wetland habitat, the team saw high methane emissions despite the moderate amount of salt water. Seawater contains more sulfate (an ion with sulfur and oxygen) than freshwater, leading to the assumption that increased influx of seawater in these environments would lead to less methane production as the methanogens that use CO2 to make cellular energy are outcompeted by the bacteria that use sulfate instead. "Ultimately, we found that there were significant influences from other bacterial groups like the ones that break down carbon and even organisms that are better known as nitrogen cyclers, and we couldn't readily explain the methane emissions by something as simple as, for example, how much sulfate is available or how many methanogens are there," said Tringe. Another concept in ecology is that restoring habitats to their native state can boost carbon storage, improve water quality, and increase wildlife populations. In recent decades, wetlands have been increasingly recognized as critical ecosystems for these environmental services, leading to widespread efforts to restore ecosystems by removing barriers, pollution, and non-native organisms. Modeling work by co-author Dennis D. Baldocchi, Executive Associate Dean and professor of Biometeorology at UC Berkeley, suggests that although the restored wetland is adding greenhouse gas to the atmosphere currently, the ecosystem will stabilize and begin to serve as a net carbon sink within 100 to 150 years. This may not be the timeline that stakeholders were hoping for when they restored the area with the goal of carbon sequestration. "We want to know if these systems will act as long-term carbon sinks," said Baldocchi. "And these microbiological investigations can help refine our models and predictions." Tringe noted that other labs have observed increased methane production from wetland soils with increased salinity. Scientists from Duke University took soil core samples from a coastal freshwater wetland and exposed them to artificial seawater, and artificial seawater lacking sulfate. In both cases, methane production went up. Tringe's lab recently collaborated with Marcelo Ardon of North Carolina State University to analyze the microbial communities in those soils. "There was this expectation that sulfate would be the most important thing. And in those studies, not only did salt water stimulate methane production, which again is kind of counter to the dogma that sulfate is important, it happened whether you had sulfate there or not; in fact the sulfate didn't have a big effect on the methane emissions," said Tringe. "So I think these experimental manipulations are reconfirming the story that there's more nuanced effects of seawater intrusion than just a sulfate addition, and also more nuanced factors behind ecosystem restoration." (ANI)
The new strategic cruise missile Pulhwasal-3-31 precisely hit preset targets after flying over the East Sea for 7,421 seconds and 7,445 seconds after being launched from a submarine, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said, suggesting the test involved two missiles.

It did not give further details, such as their flight distances.

The South Korean military on Sunday said it had detected the North's launch of several cruise missiles at around 8 am over waters near the eastern port city of Shinpo, where a shipyard to build a North Korean submarine is located.

As per the Yonhap News Agency, the Pulhwasal-3-31 is a new cruise missile that the North test-fired for the first time on Wednesday. Just four days after the first launch, North Korea disclosed that the missile is a submarine-launched cruise missile.

Cruise missiles fly low and manoeuvre, making them better at evading missile defences.

Kim said that "the nuclear weaponization of the navy is an urgent task of the times and a core requirement for building the state nuclear strategic force," the KCNA said, as per Yonhap News Agency.

"He set forth the important tasks arising in realising the nuclear weaponization of the navy and expanding the sphere of operation of the state nuclear deterrence in a diversified way," it said.

The North's leader also discussed issues related to the building of a nuclear-powered submarine and other new types of warships. (ANI)
Former US President Donald Trump has slammed the US-Mexico border deal as a "catastrophe waiting to happen," The Hill reported. In a Saturday morning post on Truth Social, Trump called the southern border the "worst" in the "history of the world" and alleged that the US might suffer from another terrorist attack. Trump wrote on Truth Social: "Just 3 years ago, we had the strongest and safest border in US history. Today, we have a catastrophe waiting to happen. It is the worst border in the history of the world, an open wound in our once great country." He said: "Terrorists are pouring in, unchecked, from all over the world. There is now a 100 per cent chance that there will be major terror attacks in the USA. Close the border!" Trump continued his messaging to Republicans in Congress that they should abstain from reaching a bipartisan deal addressing the southern border, as per The Hill. "A bad border deal is far worse than no border deal," Trump wrote in another post on Truth Social. As per The Hill, the former president's stance on the current Senate negotiations over giving aid to Ukraine and other countries and addressing the border is giving lawmakers trouble in reaching an agreement. It has also upset lawmakers on both sides as they deal with the former president's influence over the Republican Party. The deal being negotiated in Congress would require the US to shutter the border if roughly 5,000 migrants cross illegally on any given day. Some one-day totals last year exceeded 10,000. As per CNN, US President Joe Biden is embracing tougher border measures, including shutting down the US-Mexico border, marking a stark shift from his early days in office Biden took office pledging to restore asylum and manage the border in a "humane" way. But his administration has faced the harsh realities and challenges at the US-Mexico border amid record migration across the Western Hemisphere -- making it a political vulnerability seized on by Republicans, according to CNN. (ANI)
St Isaac the Assyrian: Desert Hermit Whose Voice Resonates Across Centuries

Little is known about the life of Isaac the Syrian, the 7th century hermit and saint born in what is now Qatar. The spiritual writings he left behind, however, are of such beauty and power that he is still known and beloved across much of the Christian East.

In the West, he is less well-known. Vatican News spoke with Sebastian Brock, a leading scholar of St Isaac, about this under-appreciated holy man, the power of his writings, his views on the 'mystery of hell', his significance for ecumenism, and the importance of poetry to theology.

Who was Saint Isaac the Syrian?

He was a monk of the Church of the East. We actually know extremely little about his life, but we do know that he belongs to the second half of the seventh century, and that he came from the region of Qatar, Beth Qatraye in Syriac, the coastal area of the Gulf.

He was brought to Mesopotamia by the Patriarch of the Church of the East, probably in 676, and he was appointed Bishop of Mosul. The very short biographical note that we have says that after a few months he resigned and retired into the desert. We don't know why - the biography says God only knows the reason, and that's probably true.

He retired to what is today southwestern Iran. He was basically a hermit, but attached to a monastery. So he would probably turn up in the monastery for the weekend for the liturgy, the vigil on Saturday and the Sunday liturgy and then disappear again. This was a common practice in the Church of the East at that time, and we have quite a lot of documentation about it.

He is a well-known figure in the Christian East, but very little known in the West. I had the good fortune of finding some more writings of his in the Bodleian Library in Oxford in the late 1980s.

Why should we read St Isaac today?

In my experience, he's the one monastic writer who is able to speak over the centuries, and although he's writing for a monastic audience, a lot of what he says is very relevant for any Christian layperson as well.

There's a very nice passage which I might read, if I may, from an Athonite novice monk who is given some Isaac to read:

"I find something true, heroic, spiritual in him; something which transcends space and time. I feel that here, for the first time, is a voice which resonates in the deepest parts of my being, hitherto closed and unknown to me. Although he is so far removed from me in time and space, he has come right into the house of my soul. In a moment of quiet, he has spoken to me, sat down beside me. Although I have read so many other things, although I have met so many other people, and though today there are others living around me, no one else has been so discerning. To no one else have I opened the door of my soul in this way. Or to put it better, no one else has shown me in such a brotherly, friendly way that, within myself, within human nature, there is such a door, a door which opens onto a space which is open and unlimited. And no one else has told me this unexpected and ineffable truth, that the whole of this inner world belongs to human person."

Pope Francis has recently made headlines for saying that he likes to think of hell as being empty. I believe this is a subject that Saint Isaac touches on as well. Could you explain his position?

Yes. Isaac doesn't speak of hell as being empty, but the hope of it being empty. In the early Church, there are a number of Fathers, and this goes back to St Paul, who imply that at the eschaton 'all will be all' in God. That presupposes that Gehenna, hell, is not eternal. There's been a lot of argument about what the New Testament term 'eternal' means - does it mean eternity in time, or does it mean something else?

Isaac is not particularly interested in what eternity is, but he is interested in the immensity of divine love. This divine love must have a purpose. So, right at the end of the Second Part, there are a number of chapters which deal directly and indirectly with what he calls the 'mystery' of Gehenna. He says that this divine love must have a purpose, and the purpose of creation certainly was not to be defeated by human evil. What that purpose is, he doesn't say, of course, because he has no idea, it's a mystery. But the implication is that divine love will overcome, somehow, Gehenna.

I would guess that Pope Francis probably has read Isaac. He's anticipated that final end, because of course, if there is some divine end to Gehenna, hell will be emptied at that point. I think that that's how I would understand Pope Francis -- I suspect he may have read Isaac.

What is important to emphasize is that universal salvation, in the history of Christianity, is often linked with positions about protology, what happened right at the beginning, and, especially, the origin of souls. There were a number of positions which were actively condemned by the Church, but it was the protology that was got into trouble. Isaac is not interested in protology -- he says nothing about it. He is totally independent of that tradition.

You'll find his position in Gregory of Nyssa, and a few other writers, including Western writers, like Julian of Norwich, and many of the mystics too. So it's nothing completely new, but the way Isaac approaches it is individual to him.

Saint Isaac has a particularly interesting role in ecumenism; he's read and appreciated in many different Churches. Could you say something about that?

Monastic literature in general is very ecumenical - it's the one kind of literature that crosses ecumenical borders very easily. And Isaac belongs to the Church of the East, which has historically been called Nestorian -- although that's a very unsatisfactory term, as I frequently try to point out -- and so from certain very conservative points of view in the Chalcedonian tradition, he would be seen as heretical.

But what he says is of interest to monks everywhere, laypeople everywhere. So his writings got into Greek, quite a large body of them. This is how Isaac really cuts across, already in antiquity, the main Christological barriers, and in modern times even more so, because he's read in translation all over the Christian world. I know people from many different Churches who find him very helpful. He's someone who cuts through ecumenical barriers in a wonderful way.
US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin has said he is "outraged" and "deeply saddened" by the deaths of three US Army soldiers in a drone attack on a small American outpost in Jordan. "I am outraged and deeply saddened by the deaths of three of our US service members and the wounding of other American troops in an attack last night against US and Coalition forces, who were deployed to a site in northeastern Jordan near the Syrian border to work for the lasting defeat of ISIS," the US Defence Secretary said in a statement released by the Department of Defence. Austin said that US President Joe Biden and "I will not tolerate attacks on American forces, and we will take all necessary actions to defend the United States, our troops, and our interests." He said that Iran-backed militias are responsible for these continued attacks on US forces, and "we will respond at a time and place of our choosing." "These brave Americans and their families are in my prayers, and the entire Department of Defence mourns their loss," he said. The drone attack marks the first instance of US troops being killed by enemy fire in the Middle East since the commencement of the Gaza war. The attack targeted Tower 22 in Jordan, near the Syrian border, escalating an already precarious situation in the region. According to US officials, the drone responsible was launched by Iran-backed militants and seemed to originate from Syria, according to CNN. US Central Command officially confirmed the casualties, stating that three service members were killed and 25 were injured in a one-way drone attack that struck a base in northeast Jordan. President Joe Biden vowed to hold those responsible to account, asserting that the attack 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," President Biden remarked. He emphasised that the responsible parties would be held accountable at a time and in a manner chosen by the United States. As of last Friday, over 158 attacks had been reported on US and coalition forces in Iraq and Syria. Despite the constant barrage of drones, rockets, and missiles, most have been deemed unsuccessful, causing minimal injury or damage. It remains unclear why air defences failed to intercept the drone in this particular incident. The attack on Tower 22 is the first known assault since the onslaught on US and coalition forces began on October 17. US forces at the outpost are part of an advise-and-assist mission with Jordan. Officials reiterated their reluctance to see heightened tensions evolve into a regional war, despite the increasing frequency of attacks. (ANI)
Taiwan's government expressed gratitude towards the United States for reiterating its support for cross-strait peace following a round of high-level talks between National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held over the weekend, Central News Agency Taiwan reported on Sunday. Washington and Beijing separately announced late Saturday that Sullivan and China's top diplomat Wang, who is also a Chinese Communist Party politburo member and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission, had met in Bangkok on Friday and Saturday. Both sides said that the round of talks was meant to follow up on the Woodside Summit held between President Joe Biden and President Xi Jinping last November. The Central News Agency said in its report that the talks were part of an effort "to maintain open lines of communication and responsibly manage competition in the relationship as directed by the leaders," the White House said in its statement. According to the White House readout, Sullivan stressed that although the two world powers "are in competition, both countries need to prevent it from veering into conflict or confrontation." Both sides spoke about a range of areas of cooperation that had also been discussed at the Woodside Summit, including issues related to Russia's war against Ukraine, the Middle East, North Korea, the South China Sea, and Burma. Regarding the cross-strait issue, Sullivan "underscored the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait," according to the readout. A separate press statement issued by China's foreign ministry, meanwhile, said Wang stressed during the two-day meeting that "the Taiwan question is China's internal affair, and the election in the Taiwan region cannot change the basic fact that Taiwan is part of China," referring to the presidential and legislative elections held in Taiwan on Jan. 13. "'Taiwan independence' poses the biggest risk to cross-strait peace and stability and the biggest challenge to China-U.S. relations," Wang warned Sullivan during the Bangkok meeting, according to the Chinese press release. "The U.S. side must abide by the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. Joint Communiques, translate its commitment of not supporting 'Taiwan independence' into action and support China's peaceful reunification," it added. In response, Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on Sunday thanked the U.S. side for reiterating its support for cross-strait peace and stability. MOFA also denounced Wang's remarks during the Bangkok meeting that "the Taiwan question is China's internal affair." In its statement, MOFA reiterated that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is a sovereign and independent country and that neither the ROC nor the People's Republic of China (PRC) is subordinate to the other, Central News Agency Taiwan reported. These facts and the status quo have long been recognized by the international community, with Taiwan's January 13 presidential election marking yet another demonstration of its "mature and healthy democracy" that received widespread international acclaim and congratulations from more than 100 countries around the globe, MOFA said. "No distorted narrative on Taiwan's sovereign status by China can alter the fact nor the status quo," it added. On Jan. 13, Vice President Lai Ching-te of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) won Taiwan's presidential election, helped by a split of the opposition vote that gave him a victory despite not receiving an absolute majority of the ballots cast. With Lai's victory, the DPP has made history as the first political party in Taiwan to win three consecutive terms since the first direct presidential election was held in 1996. (ANI)
Pakistan's caretaker Foreign Affairs Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani received his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian at Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs office in Islamabad on Monday, where both leaders will hold a bilateral meeting amid the ongoing tensions between the two countries. Taking to X, Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "Foreign Minister @JalilJilani welcomes Iranian Foreign Minister @amirabdolahian at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The two Foreign Ministers will hold comprehensive talks to enhance bilateral dialogue and engagement and to further strengthen Pakistan-Iran relations." Earlier today, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian arrived in Islamabad on the invitation of his Pakistani counterpart Jalil Abbas Jilani, amid strain in relations following the recent tit-for-tat strikes launched by the two countries. Upon his arrival at the Nur Khan airbase, the Iranian Foreign Minister was received by Pakistan's Additional Foreign Secretary for Afghanistan and West Asia Rahim Hayat Qureshi. "Foreign Minister of Iran @Amirabdolahian has arrived in Islamabad at the invitation of Foreign Minister @JalilJilani. He was received at the Nur Khan airbase by Additional Foreign Secretary (Afghanistan and West Asia) @RahimHayat," as per Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch's official handle on X. "During the visit, Foreign Minister Abdollahian will hold in-depth talks with Foreign Minister Jilani and call on Prime Minister @anwaar_kakar," Baloch said.On January 16, Tehran launched missile attacks on militant bases in southwestern Pakistan. On January 18, Pakistan launched strikes inside Iran in a retaliatory attack. In a statement, the Pakistan Army said 'terrorist militant organizations,' namely Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) were successfully struck in a intelligence-based operation code-named "Marg Bar Sarmachar". As per Geo News, the tit-for-tat strikes were the highest-profile cross-border intrusions in recent years and have raised alarm over wider instability in the Middle East since the war between Israel and Hamas erupted on October 7. Recently, Pakistan and Iran agreed to de-escalate the situation and work in close coordination on counter-terrorism, the Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in an official press release. The Pakistani minister held a telephonic conversation with his Iranian counterpart Abdollahian and stressed the territorial integrity and sovereignty of both countries. The ministry said in a statement, "Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani spoke with the Foreign Minister of Iran, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, today. Underscoring the close brotherly relations between Pakistan and Iran, the Foreign Minister expressed Pakistan's desire to work with Iran based on spirit of mutual trust and cooperation. The Foreign Minister stressed that respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty must underpin this cooperation." (ANI)
The news agency reported that Iran's judiciary announced that the four terrorists were executed at dawn.

The four convicts had been arrested by Iranian security forces in mid-July 2022, a few days before they could carry out an operation against a factory affiliated with the Defence Ministry in Najafabad, in the central province of Isfahan.

They were sentenced to death for espionage cooperation in favour of the Israeli regime on September 18, 2023. They were also convicted of forming and managing a terrorist group with the aim of disrupting the country's security. An appeal court later upheld the verdict after re-examining the case.

Iran from time to time reports on arrests, trials and executions of its nationals for spying for Mossad and other Western intelligence services, ABC News reported.

ABC News said in its report that last month, Iran executed four people, three men and a woman, and sentenced several others to prison for having alleged links with Israel's Mossad security service, local media reported. Earlier in December, another man was executed on charges of releasing classified information to Mossad.

Iran and Israel have accused each other of spying and waging a shadow war for years. Israel views Iran as its greatest threat and has repeatedly threatened to take military action to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Iran denies it is seeking such weapons and has vowed a harsh response to any aggression.

In 2020, Iran executed a man convicted of leaking information to the United States and Israel about a prominent Islamic Revolutionary Guard general, Qassim Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds Force, ABC News reported. (ANI)
The images showed Indian High Commissioner to Maldives, Munu Mahawar interacting with multiple officials of the Maldivian government and members of the Indian and Maldivian communities.

The event organised on the occasion of Republic Day commenced with the unfurling of the national flag by the High Commissioner, Munu Mahawar, followed by the singing of the national anthem, the Indian High Commission in the Maldives said in a statement.

Later on, High Commissioner read out excerpts from the address of President Droupadi Murmu and addressed the gathering.

During his address, the High Commissioner highlighted the special place in India's "Neighbourhood First" policy, our bilateral relations which have both expanded and deepened virtually in all areas for mutual benefit.

He highlighted that the two countries have stood by each other in times of need amidst the challenges of the pandemic and an uncertain geopolitical environment and significantly enhanced our development and capacity-building partnership. We look forward to continuing to work closely with the Government of the Maldives to further enhance our friendly relations.

The 75th Republic Day celebrations were witnessed in many parts of the world.

Moreover, India's Consul General to New York, Binaya Pradhan and New York Senator, Kevin Thomas joined the Republic Day celebrations organised by the Telugu Litrary and Cultural Association (TLCA)

Taking to X, Indian embassy in New York said, "Consul General @binaysrikant76 joined the Telugu Literary and Cultural Association(TLCA) for Republic Day celebrations; Senator @KevinThomasNY, from New York State Senate also joined the celebrations." (ANI)
Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra is on an official visit to Bhutan from January 29 to 31. He will call on newly-elected Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, Foreign Minister Lyonpo DN Dhungyel and Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. During his visit to Bhutan, Kwatra will meet Bhutanese Foreign Secretary Pema Choden and other senior officials of the royal government, according to Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) press release. In a press release, MEA stated, "During the visit, Foreign Secretary Kwatra will receive an audience with His Majesty The King. He will also call on the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and meet with Foreign Secretary of Bhutan and other senior officials of the Royal Government." "The visit is in keeping with the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between Bhutan and India," it added. Meanwhile, India's Ambassador to Bhutan, Sudhakar Dalela, called on the newly-elected Prime Minister of Bhutan, Tshering Tobgay and conveyed the greetings of India's leadership for assuming responsibility as the Bhutanese PM. Dalela also affirmed country's commitment to working closely to foster India-Bhutan ties. In a post on X, Indian Embassy in Thimphu stated, "Ambassador @SudhakarDalela paid a courtesy call on Hon'ble Lyonchhen @tsheringtobgay and conveyed greetings of India's leadership on his assumption of responsibility as the Prime Minister. Committed to working closely to further strengthen India-Bhutan's unique ties of friendship." Later on, the Indian envoy called on Bhutan's Foreign Minister and conveyed External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar's greeting to the Bhutanese minister for assuming charge of his post. "Amb @SudhakarDalela paid a courtesy call on Lyonpo D.N Dhungyel and conveyed greetings on EAM's behalf on his assumption of responsibility as Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade. We look forward to working together to further deepen exemplary ties across sectors," Indian Embassy in Thimphu posted on X. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his heartfelt congratulations to People's Democratic Party (PDP) and the party chief, Tshering Tobgay for their triumph in the parliamentary elections in Bhutan. In a post on X, PM Modi stated, "Heartiest congratulations to my friend @tsheringtobgay and the People's Democratic Party for winning the parliamentary elections in Bhutan. Look forward to working together again to further strengthen our unique ties of friendship and cooperation." Bhutan's People's Democratic Party (PDP) won the largest number of seats in the parliamentary elections and formed the new government. PDP won 30 out of the 47 National Assembly seats and the Bhutan Tendrel Party secured 17 seats. This was Bhutan's fourth general election since transitioning from a traditional monarchy to a parliamentary form of government 15 years back. (ANI)
Kariman had presented the song during the celebration at India House, and her performance was appreciated by the gathering of Indians and Egyptians.

"This rendition by Kariman from Egypt is melodious! I congratulate her for this effort and wish her the very best for her future endeavours," PM Modi posted on X.

PM Modi had reacted to the post by the Indian Embassy in Egypt, which had shared the video of the performance.

"A young Egyptian girl Kariman presented a patriotic song "Desh Rangeela" during 75th #RepublicDay celebrations at 'India House'. Her melodious singing and correct intonation impressed the large gathering of Indians and Egyptians," the Indian Embassy in Egypt stated.

https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1751922253766525296?s=20

Meanwhile, a grand celebration was held on the occasion of the 75th Republic Day in India.

President Droupadi Murmu unfurled the national flag at Kartavya Path. This was followed by the National Anthem and a 21-gun salute given with indigenous gun systems and 105-mm Indian field guns.

French President Emmanuel Macron was the Chief Guest at the Republic Day Parade. He was escorted by the President Murmu's bodyguard, 'Rashtrapati Ke Angrakshak'. They arrived at Kartavya Path in the 'Traditional Buggy', a practice that made a comeback after a 40-year gap.

Based on the twin themes of 'Viksit Bharat' and 'Bharat - Loktantra ki Matruka', this year's parade witnessed the participation of around 13,000 special guests, an initiative aimed at providing an opportunity for people from all walks of life to take part in the celebrations and encourage 'Jan Bhagidari' (public involvement) at the event.

As many as 16 states and Union Territories also displayed their heritage diversity through cultural performances and tableaux. (ANI)
Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence (MND) detected seven Chinese military aircraft, six naval vessels, and one balloon around Taiwan between 9 am (local time) on Sunday to 6 am (local time) on Monday, Taiwan News reported. According to Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence, one of the seven People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, entered the southwest air defence identification zone (ADIZ). The aircraft was identified as an unmanned aerial vehicle that came within 170 km (92 NM) of Eluanbi, Taiwan News reported. In a post on X, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence stated, "7 PLA aircraft and 6 PLAN vessels around Taiwan were detected until 06:00 (UTC+8) today. one of the aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's SW ADIZ. #ROCArmedForces have monitored the situation and tasked appropriate forces to respond." The Taiwan Ministry of National Defence said it monitored the situation with its intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems. In response, Taiwan's MND said it scrambled combat patrol aircraft, dispatched naval vessels and deployed land-based air defence missile systems. Furthermore, the MND said the Chinese balloon was detected 125 km (68 NM) southwest of Taichung at an altitude of 6,700 m (22,000 feet) at 7:27 pm (local time) on Sunday, Taiwan News reported. The balloon flew in an easterly direction over northern Taiwan and disappeared at 8:52 pm (local time) on Sunday over the northern end of Taiwan's central mountain range, the report said. So far in January, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence has detected 282 Chinese military aircraft and 128 naval vessels. Since 2020, China has increased the use of "gray zone tactics" in the form of deployment of military aircraft and naval vessels over the median line and inside Taiwan's ADIZ. According to Taiwan News report, gray zone tactics are defined as "an effort or series of efforts beyond steady-state deterrence and assurance that attempts to achieve one's security objectives without resorting to direct and sizable use of force, according to CSIS. (ANI)
Former Tibetan Prime Minister-in-exile Lobsang Sangay has accused China of exploiting Tibetan identity, language and culture since the Chinese troops entered the Tibet region on October 7, 1950. The incident marked the beginning of a dark period in the history of the Tibetan people's homeland, said Lobsang Sangay in an exclusive interview with ANI. "China occupied our country, brutalised our people, around million Tibetans died because of killing, starvation and suicides. Monasteries were destroyed, treasures were looted, burnt and sold. Thousands years of civilisations there were brought from Nalanda to Tibet were reduced to ashes." Lobsang Sangay said. In an effort to revitalise Tibetan culture into mainstream Chinese culture, Beijing has implemented several policies over the years which have resulted in the disappearance of regional culture elements. Officially an atheist state, China has long persecuted Buddhism, which is revered as a force that binds all Tibetans. In fact, the attack on the faith was the main reason why several monks joined the guerrilla group during the Tibetan uprising of 1959. "Monks wanted to defend their faith as the Communist Party of China started destroying the monasteries after occupying Tibet," said Lobsang Sangay during the interview. The Chinese government has also meddled in the succession of the 14th Dalai Lama. Beijing's interference is being seen as violations of religious freedom of the Tibetan people. He said, "Chinese have no business whatsoever, they destroyed monasteries, they are communists, they are atheists, they don't believe in religion, they have no right to select our religious leader." When asked if he had ever felt that the Tibetan cause was a lost cause, Lobsang gave a very optimistic view. He said, "We are Buddhist. We believe in the notion of impermanence. Nothing is permanent. You are born and you die. Wherever you are today, you might not be there tomorrow. Everything is a cycle, so there is always a hope. There is a Tibetan nation, there is a Tibetan civilization, there are Tibetan people, and there is a Tibetan cause. That will always be alive, no matter what". "As long as you survive your time will come because it is inevitable. Great powers from Mughals to the British, you just name it, how many empires have come and how many empires have gone. China will inevitably go," he added. Lobsang Sangay is the first person who served as the Tibetan Prime Minister without a monastic background. He was born in Darjeeling in 1968 in a refugee community. He earned a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Delhi. He studied international law and democracy at Harvard University. Later, he became an American citizen. (ANI)
A video of the incident that has gone viral on the social media but the date of the incident can't be confirmed.

Several reports have stated that the student was named Vivek Saini.

The man seen attacking Saini, is reportedly a homeless person.

A person familiar with the case, told ANI, that police authorities acted firmly on the visual evidence of the case and arrests were made promptly.

The mortal remains of the victim, being an Indian citizen, were sent back to Vivek's family in India on the January 24, the person added.

Further details are awaited in the case. (ANI)
According to the Magen David Adom rescue service, the victim was evacuated to the Rambam Medical Center in serious condition.

"When we arrived at the scene, we saw the injured man lying next to the wall while he was conscious and suffering from severe bruises on his lower limbs. We gave him medical treatment that included dressings and giving painkillers and evacuated him in an MDA intensive care vehicle to the hospital when he was in serious condition," said MDA paramedic Hanan Zohar.

The attacker was neutralized by security forces. Authorities are investigating.

In another incident, a Palestinian was shot while trying to stab an Israeli soldier.

Initial reports of a 16-year-old Palestinian shot while trying to stab an Israeli soldier near Efrat, in the Gush Etzion region south of Jerusalem. (ANI/TPS)
Tel Aviv [Israel], January 29 (ANI/TPS): Israeli soldiers discovered an underground tunnel running beneath a cemetery in Khan Yunis, the Israel Defense Forces announced on Monday. The tunnel was located directly below the Bani Suheila cemetery by troops from the IDF's 98th Division. Bani Suheila was one of several cemeteries the IDF was accused of desecrating in recent Western media reports. "While investigating the tunnel, the forces came across explosives, sliding doors and blast-proof doors, and eliminated terrorists who were inside," the IDF statement said. "Inside the tunnel route, the forces located an office from which a Khan Yunis Brigade battalion commander managed the attack on October 7, an operations room, a command and control centre, and the living quarters of senior officials of the Hamas terrorist organization. The tunnel was also used by Hamas to command their attacks against IDF forces both above and below ground." The IDF said the shaft was one kilometre long and 20 meters below the cemetery, adding that it was part of a larger underground network. Combat engineers destroyed the tunnel. In mid-January, the IDF confirmed it was operating in cemeteries where intelligence indicated that the bodies of Israeli hostages may have been buried. "The IDF conducts precise hostage rescue operations in the specific locations where information indicates that the bodies of hostages may be located," the army said in a statement to NBC News at the time. "The hostage identification process, conducted at a secure and alternative location, ensures optimal professional conditions and respect for the deceased. Bodies determined not to be those of hostages are returned with dignity and respect." The military's statement added, "If not for Hamas' reprehensible decision to take Israeli men, women, children and babies hostages, the need for such searches for our hostages would not exist." Khan Yunis, Gaza's second-largest city, is regarded as a personal stronghold of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, whose family lives there. Ground forces recently completed their encirclement of the city. At least 1,200 people were killed in Hamas's attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on Oct. 7. The number of men, women, children and soldiers held captive in Gaza by Hamas is now believed to be 136. (ANI/TPS)
Baloch activists have started signing a petition urging the international community to take action on the ongoing genocide of their community members. Baloch activists have demanded that the United Nations and Human Rights organisations should take action and hold the authorities accountable for the crimes committed in Balochistan. Activists have called for a fact-finding mission headed by the United Nations Working Group to investigate the matter. At the time of filing this report, around 58,000 petitions had been filed. Since the last 20 years, military aggression has intensified in Balochistan and thousands of Baloch have been killed. Human rights violations continue unabated in Balochistan. Recently, Pakistan witnessed a long march organised by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee against the extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances of Baloch people. On December 6, 2023, the families of victims and Baloch activists began their march from Balochistan's Turbat towards Islamabad. However, the Pakistani state and its security forces made an effort to stop the march at different places. This was done by using a variety of tactics, such as roadblocks, harassment, and direct use of force and violence by Police. After holding sit-in for over two months outside the National Press Club in Islamabad, the activists decided to return to their homes in Balochistan under the leadership of Mahrang Baloch. In Pakistan's most underdeveloped area of Balochistan, the country's intelligence agency Inter Services Intelligence has been accused of committing all kinds of atrocities including, abduction, killing and torture to instill fear. Injustice and strong feeling of alienation has forced some Baloch people to pick up arms who have been continuously targeting Pakistani army personnel and Chinese assets in their region. Baloch activist Mahrang Baloch, while addressing a massive public gathering, emphasised that a "revolution" was brewing in Balochistan, Pakistan-based Dawn reported. She made the remarks while addressing a gathering on Saturday. In her address at the Shahwani Stadium in Quetta, Baloch also called the ongoing movement against enforced disappearances and operations "a watershed moment." The gathering was attended by thousands, including women, political workers and students from different areas of the province, according to Dawn. "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 further said, referring to the charged crowd. Activist Mahrang added that the Baloch people have been raising their voices for the last 75 years against the "atrocities and injustices" committed by the state, Dawn reported. She said, "They have weapons, but we have the courage to continue our struggle against the atrocities and injustices." Baloch vowed that the movement would continue and they would not abandon it. She criticised the Pakistani government and emphasised that those in power were "deaf and dumb" and did not listen to the people. (ANI)
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday held a meeting with Israeli counterpart Israel Katz on Monday and discussed the ongoing situation in West Asia. During the telephonic conversation, the two leaders talked about India's views, assessments and interests in that regard. S Jaishankar and Israel Katz agreed to remain in touch. In a post on X, Jaishankar stated, "Good to talk to Israeli FM @Israel_katz. Discussed the ongoing situation in West Asia. Spoke about India's views, assessments and interests in that regard. Agreed to stay in touch." The war in Gaza continues after Israel launched a counter-offensive in response to the Hamas attack on October 7. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was one of the first global leaders to condemn the horrific terror attack on Israel by Hamas on October 7. However, India has also continued with its weight behind the 'two-state solution' to the long-running Israel-Palestine conflict. India also sent humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza as part of its commitment. Earlier in December, India released the second tranche of USD 2.5 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) on Thursday. With this, India also fulfilled its annual contribution of USD 5 million for 2023-24, the Indian Embassy in Palestine said in a statement. On January 19, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar addressed the pressing issue of the conflict in Gaza while emphasising the need for a sustainable solution to the humanitarian crisis. Delivering India's National Statement at the 19th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit in Kampala, Jaishankar asserted that "terrorism and hostage-taking are unacceptable." He underscored the importance of respecting international humanitarian law by all states involved. "Right now, the conflict in Gaza is understandably uppermost in our minds. This humanitarian crisis requires a sustainable solution that gives immediate relief to those most affected," said the EAM. "We must also be clear that terrorism and hostage-taking are unacceptable. At the same time, international humanitarian law must always be respected by all states," he also said. Speaking on the Gaza conflict, Jaishankar added that it is also "imperative that conflict does not spread within or beyond the region." Reiterating India's long-standing stance on a two-state solution, the External Affairs Minister said, "But in the final analysis, we must seek a two-state solution where the Palestinian people can live within secure borders. Our collective endeavours should focus on making this realisable." Jaishankar emphasised that collective efforts should focus on realising this solution and promoting peace and stability. He also highlighted the interconnectedness of global issues, noting that growth and progress depend on peace and stability. (ANI)
The Metropolitan Police have arrested a knife-brandishing man on the basis of "racially-aggravated affray," who threatened shoppers at a Jewish grocery store in London's Golders Green in an alleged anti-Semitic incident. A video of the incident has gone viral on social media. In the video, several men can be seen detaining a person on the ground. It is reported that the man was making threats to customers and shop assistants and shouting anti-Jewish slurs. "Our officers have arrested a man after being called to reports of a person with a knife in Golders Green this afternoon," said London's Metropolitan Police Service in post on X. "We were called at 13:27hrs on Monday, January 29, to reports of a man with a knife on Hamilton Road, NW11. Officers responded and carried out a search of the area," the post added. The police said that there were no reports of injuries and that the incident is not being treated as "terror-related." "Shortly before 13:40hrs a 34-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon, criminal damage, and racially-aggravated affray. He was taken into custody. There were no reports of any injuries. A knife was recovered at the scene. The incident is not being treated as terror-related," the post also read. "I know this incident will cause concern in the community," said Inspector Scott Barden-Marshall, from the local policing team in north-west London. "Officers responded quickly and made an arrest within 10 minutes. An investigation is now under way to establish the circumstances," the inspector also said. According to a report from the Jerusalem Post, tensions have been high among UK Jewish communities since the Hamas attacks on October 7. Antisemitism in US is also on the rise as a result, and many Jews are allegedly considering leaving the UK, the report added. (ANI)
(KRON)  One woman was arrested for a warrant and another woman received a citation after parking in a handicap space, the Colma Police Department said.

At approximately 7:18 p.m. on Jan. 29, Colma officers observed a vehicle parked in a disabled parking stall without a disabled placard and an expired registration. The car was parked in a shopping center in the 200 block of Colma Boulevard.

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The officers then contacted the driver of the vehicle who confirmed she did not have a disabled placard. The driver was a 31-year-old San Francisco resident. According to police, the driver had a suspended drivers license. Another woman approached the vehicle indicating she associated with the car.

Despite the second woman having a valid drivers license, she had an out-of-county misdemeanor warrant for her arrest. The 42-year-old woman was arrested for the warrant. Police said the woman disclosed she had stolen merchandise from an East Bay business in the car. The merchandise was recovered.

The 31-year-old woman was issued a citation for disabled parking violation and expired registration, police said. Police said both women were released from the scene. The woman with the warrant was given a new court date.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
1 in custody, 1 injured after shooting in Northwest El Paso

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  A 44-year-old man is in custody after a shooting in Northwest El Paso on Monday morning, Jan. 29, according to El Paso Police.

Police say the shooting happened just before 10 a.m. at the 7800 block of Enchanted Ridge in Northwest El Paso.

Police say the 44-year-old man lives in the area of where the shooting took place.

A 41-year-old man was driving in a vehicle and was shot when the incident happened. However, he is currently in stable condition, according to police.

Police also say a resident in the area was physically assaulted and confirmed the two incidents are connected.

Police say this is an active investigation and no further information is currently available.

This story will be updated once we learn more.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A person is dead and a juvenile was severely injured in an east Las Vegas valley crash Saturday.

Around 7:20 p.m., police responded to a crash in the 4000 block of South Hollywood Boulevard near Desert Inn Road.

Evidence at the scene and witness statements showed that a Kia was driving south on Hollywood Boulevard at a high rate of speed and was approaching a sweeping left-hand turn.

The driver of the Kia failed to follow the turn and left the roadway, hitting several K-Barriers. The Kia overturned multiple times and came to a rest in a desert area, police said.

The driver of the Kia was pronounced dead at the scene and the two passengers, a juvenile and a 46-year-old, were taken to a local hospital for their injuries. Police said the juvenile sustained substantial injuries.

The drivers death marks the 14th traffic-related fatality in LVMPDs jurisdiction for the year 2024.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
MARYLAND (DC News Now)  The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) said an Iranian and two Canadian nationals conspired to murder two Maryland residents in a murder-for-hire plot.

The intended victims of this plot had previously fled to the United States after one of them defected from Iran.

Suspect charged in connection to shooting that left one dead, another injured in Prince William County

The scheme took place from Dec. 2020 through March 2021, during which Naji Sharifi Zindashti, 49, Damion Patrick John Ryan, 43, and Adam Richard Pearson, 29, used an encrypted messaging service to recruit people who would travel into the U.S. to carry out the killings.

During this time, they talked about the identities and locations of the would-be victims, planned logistics and mechanics of how to carry out the killings and negotiated payment for completion of the job in Maryland, according to the DOJ.

In Jan. 2021, Zindashti and Ryan discussed a job in the U.S. Ryan, according to the DOJ, noted that doing a job in the United States would be challenging, but that he might have someone to do it.

That same day, he messaged Pearson about a job in Maryland.

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Pearson reportedly said, shooting is probably easiest thing for them, and that he was on it. Ryan recommended 2 guys go with proper equipment. Pearson said he would encourage the recruits for the job to shoot [the victim] in the head a lot [to] make example and that he would tell them we gotta erase his head from his torso, according to the DOJ.

Around Jan. 30, 2021, Zindashti asked Ryan for an update. Ryan responded that he was getting things in order, but that he needed money. A few days later, Zindashti said his organization was ready to move forward.

They agreed on a $350,000 payment for the job in addition to $20,000 to cover expenses.

The DOJ said that after Zindashti introduced Ryan to another conspirator, Ryan responded: We have a 4 man team ready.

In the following days, Ryan and the co-conspirator corresponded about the plot. The conspirator told him information about the victims and gave photos and images of a map that highlighted their known address.

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At around March 8, 2021, the conspirator sent Ryan $20,000 to cover travel expenses.

The defendants were charged with one count of conspiracy to use interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire. Pearson is also charged with one count of possession of a firearm by a fugitive from justice and one count of possession of a firearm by an alien unlawfully in the United States.

Zindashti currently resides in Iran, while Ryan and Pearson are incarcerated in Canada on unrelated offenses.

The Treasury Department also took action against Zindashtis criminal network, which targets Iranian dissidents for kidnapping and assassination at the direction of the Iranian regime. He and several of his associates are prohibited from engaging in any transaction or dealing involving people from the U.S.

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To those in Iran who plot murders on U.S. soil and the criminal actors who work with them, let todays charges send a clear message: the Department of Justice will pursue you as long as it takes  and wherever you are  and deliver justice, stated Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Departments National Security Division.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
LINCOLN COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN)  A 16-year-old was killed and a 13-year-old was hurt in a rollover crash in Lincoln County Saturday afternoon, authorities said.

According to Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP), the incident took place just before 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 27 along Rambo Road.

Officials said an eastbound 2007 Toyota Camry was negotiating a right curve when it went off the right side of the road, hit an embankment, started to spin, and overturned.

Charges expected after 1 killed, 3 injured in crash on Old Murfreesboro Pike

However, the car kept moving east, traveling across both lanes and off the left side of the road before it reportedly struck another embankment. The vehicle eventually came to a stop on the drivers side, facing west, off the left side of the road, THP said.

Authorities said the 16-year-old Tennessean driving the vehicle  whose identity has yet to be released  was killed in the crash.

Meanwhile, the 13-year-old passenger, also from Tennessee, was injured in the incident, according to THP. There is no word on the nature of those injuries.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

Both teenagers were reportedly wearing their seatbelts at the time of the crash.

No additional details have been released about the circumstances surrounding this deadly incident.

Editors Note: THP originally sent News 2 a preliminary crash report that said a 17-year-old driver was injured and a 13-year-old passenger was killed in this crash. However, THP later sent a corrected copy of the report, saying the information was transposed when it was completed. This article has been updated to reflect that new information.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
[Source]

Thousands gathered in Monterey Park, Calif. this weekend to celebrate the Lunar New Year, a year following a tragic mass shooting that claimed 11 lives during the same festivities.

About the tragedy: On Jan. 21, 2023, a lone gunman perpetrated a devastating attack at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio, leaving 11 dead and nine injured. The shooter, identified as 72-year-old Huu Can Tran, was later found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot.

Celebration and remembrance: In the spirit of resilience and unity, the city hosted its annual Lunar New Year Festival on Jan. 27-28, 2024. This year's festival, now in its 16th year, involved traditional music, dance and food, with vendors and food booths dotting the festival grounds.

A popular spot was the "Wishing Tree," where people tied ribbons with their hopes and dreams for the Year of the Dragon, reported KCAL News. The festival also featured its hallmark traditions, including the lion and dragon dancers.

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A community's healing process: A week before the celebration, the city held a vigil at Monterey Parks City Hall on Jan. 21 to honor the victims. Speakers, which included those who lost their loved ones, emphasized the need for stricter regulations.



We're trying to be very mindful of the fact that there are going to be residents in this community, who were impacted by the shooting last year, who might not have a friend or family member to celebrate with them, and that it also might bring back thoughts of grief, Monterey Park Mayor Jose Sanchez said, according to Time. That's OK, that's part of the healing process."

Addressing collective trauma: In the aftermath of the shooting, the city and the local Asian community have played a central role in supporting survivors through initiatives aimed at promoting healing and well-being. Among them is the Resiliency Center, established by the Chinatown Service Center, which encourages residents to participate in cultural events and tailored workshops.

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With Wisconsins open enrollment period beginning Feb. 5, many Wisconsin families are considering which school is right for their children.

If families want to stay within the public school system, one option is open enrollment, which allows students to go to a school district other than the one they live in.

In the last school year, 73,280 students participated in open enrollment, or about 9% of all Wisconsin public school students. Any Wisconsin student in four-year-old kindergarten to grade 12 may be eligible for open enrollment. Families can apply between Feb. 5 and 4 p.m. April 30.

Here are answers to frequently asked questions about the Wisconsin open enrollment program.

Whats the difference between a resident district and a nonresident district?

When talking about open enrollment, a resident district is the school district assigned to a students home address. The nonresident district is one that a student applies to attend via the open enrollment procedure.

How do I apply to open enroll my child?

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) describes the regular application period, which begins Feb, 5, as a parents first and best opportunity to apply for open enrollment for a particular school year.

Families will need to apply using DPIs application form, which will be on the main page of the open enrollment website, dpi.wi.gov/open-enrollment, when the application period begins. DPI recommends submitting applications online, but if a parent or guardian cant use that method, they can submit a paper application directly to the districts theyre applying to.

A student can apply to up to three nonresident school districts and an unlimited number of virtual charter schools. Applicants can request a specific school or program, including charter schools, but theres no guarantee that they will get into their preferred choice. This decision is made by each district.

Once accepted into their district of choice, families dont need to reapply every year, but may need to reapply when a student is transitioning to middle or high school.

Students head to their classrooms during the first day of school at Edison Elementary School Thursday, September 1, 2022, in Appleton, Wis. Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

What if I want to change districts during the school year?

Those needing to apply for open enrollment outside of the regular application period can submit an alternative application. These applications are open throughout the school year.

There are a few circumstances under which a family can submit the alternative application:

The student is a victim of a violent crime, as acknowledged by their resident school district

The student has been homeless in the current or prior school year

The student is a victim of repeated bullying or harassment

The student moved to Wisconsin within the past 30 days

The student moved as the result of a parent or guardians military orders

The students place of residence changed as a result of a court order, custody agreement or foster home placement

Its in the students best interest to attend the nonresident school district, as determined by both the resident and nonresident school district and the students parent

What happens next in the regular application process?

Both the resident school district and nonresident school district must approve the request to open enroll.

Those applying during the regular process for the 2024-25 school year will be notified through email or mail by June 7 of their acceptance or denial by the nonresident school district. If the student is accepted, the notification must also include the specific school or program the student is assigned to. The resident school districts must notify the family if their application is denied by June 14.

If the request is approved by both districts, families must notify the nonresident district if their student will attend that district by June 28. If they dont meet this deadline, the nonresident district may deny enrollment.

What happens next in the alternative application process?

Just like with the regular application process, both the resident and nonresident school districts must approve the request to open-enroll via the alternative application process.

In the case of an alternative application, the nonresident school district must notify the parent in writing whether their application was approved or denied within 20 days after receiving the application. If accepted, the pupil can immediately attend school in the nonresident district, but they must start attending within 15 days or another time period dictated by the nonresident district.

What are reasons for denial of open enrollment?

During the regular application process, the resident school district can prevent students from enrolling in the nonresident school district if their open enrollment application is early, late or missing information, or if the student does not meet age requirements. The nonresident school district may also deny an open enrollment request for the following reasons:

Regular or special education space, or the specific services a student requires, is not available

The pupil was referred but not evaluated for special education

The pupil was expelled for specific violent conduct in the past three years (in the case of the regular application process) or during the current or two previous school years (in the case of the alternative process)

The student has been habitually truant in the past school year. In the case of the alternative process, they can be denied if they were habitually truant in the present school year or the previous school year.

In the alternative process, resident districts can deny an application if they find the pupil doesnt meet the criteria for the application or they disagree that open enrollment is in the best interests of the pupil. A resident district cant deny an alternative application based on the districts finding that the pupil was the victim of a violent crime.

The nonresident school district may deny an alternative application for the same reasons they can deny a regular application, or they dont believe the transfer is in the best interest of the student.

What happens if I try to open enroll and my request is denied?

In the regular application process, families have 30 days to file an appeal to DPI if their request was denied. If denied by both the resident and nonresident school district, families have to fill out two separate appeal forms. DPI handles the appeals, but in general will not accept an appeal unless they find the decision was arbitrary or unreasonable.

In the alternative application process, families can appeal the resident school districts denial to DPI within 30 days of receiving the notice of denial. Depending on the situation, the DPIs decision may be final or appealed to circuit court. If the alternative application is denied by the nonresident school district, families cannot file an appeal.

Once a student is open enrolled, can a school send the student back to their resident district?

Nonresident school districts can end open enrollment for a student if the district doesnt have the resources for a students Individualized Education Program, the student is expelled from a school, or the student is habitually truant, which is defined as having unexcused absences for five days or more per semester.

More: Tips for Wisconsin students to establish regular attendance in the new school year

Why do people open enroll?

There are many reasons why families may choose to open enroll into a nonresident school district.

For example, the Appleton Area School District, which saw a net gain of nearly a thousand students through open enrollment, attracts parents because of the quality of our staff and  the many educational options that we provide students, said superintendent Greg Hartjes.

And, when the Little Chute Area School District last surveyed their open-enrolled families, they found that families chose the district because of location, smaller class sizes and student-teacher ratios. While our first priority is to serve our community, were able to provide competitive opportunities with that small-community feel," said superintendent Heidi Schmidt.

In response to questions on three area parenting Facebook pages, parents said they chose a nonresident school district or specific school to better suit their childs learning needs, often choosing a particular charter school or special education program. Parents also open enrolled due to home and child care locations, school ratings and keeping their kids in their original school district after a move.

Are there added fees to open enrollment?

There is no cost to submit an open enrollment application and there is no tuition cost for participating in open enrollment. However, families of open enrolled children may be charged the same fees as resident families.

In general, caregivers are responsible for transporting their open enrolled children to and from school, unless an Individualized Education Program says otherwise. If families are eligible for free or reduced lunch, they can apply to have some of their transportation costs reimbursed.

Can I open enroll in 4-K?

Wisconsin families looking to open enroll their child in four-year-old kindergarten can only do so if the resident school district offers 4-K.

Wisconsin statute requires all school districts to offer five-year-old kindergarten, but school districts can choose to offer 4-K, DPIs website states. However, most school districts do offer 4-K programming.

To be eligible for 4-K, a child must be 4 years old on or before Sept. 1 of the year the child will start school.

Families are not required to enroll their child in 4-K in Wisconsin. Technically, five-year-old kindergarten is not required either, as children are not legally required to begin attending school until age 6.

But, when it comes time for first grade, students must have completed 5-K or receive an exemption, DPIs website states. According to state statute, each local school board is required to establish policy for such exemptions. Exception policies may vary from school district to school district.

More: Republican lawmakers hope to change 4K in Wisconsin to bolster child care. Here's what to know.

More: Wisconsin schools are facing fiscal cliffs, closing buildings and going to referendum. How did we get here?

Madison Lammert covers child care and early education across Wisconsin as a Report for America corps member based at The Appleton Post-Crescent. To contact her, email mlammert@gannett.com or call 920-993-7108. Please consider supporting journalism that informs our democracy with a tax-deductible gift to Report for America.

Rebecca Loroff is an education reporter for the USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin. Contact her with story tips and feedback at 920-907-7801 or rloroff@gannett.com. Follow her on X (formerly Twitter) at @RebeccaLoroff.

This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Wisconsin's open enrollment for schools starts Feb. 5. Here's what you need to know
Irrigation districts in central Arizona are upgrading their delivery systems, improvements they say will result in big water savings.

Miles of earthen canals in Pinal and Maricopa counties will be lined with concrete, centuries-old flood control gates replaced, and parts of the systems automated to increase efficiency and reduce water loss.

Irrigation districts have long carried out some of these system repairs, but $9.8 million awarded from the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority's Water Conservation Grant Fund will give the revamps an extra push.

The independent state authority approved seven water conservation grants for the Buckeye Water Conservation and Drainage District, Roosevelt Irrigation District and the San Carlos Irrigation and Drainage District. The projects must be completed by 2026, and many are already underway.

Upgrading the aging infrastructure is costly, but badly needed, district managers said. Canals in need of repair can lose over 30% of the water they transport to seepage, and old control gates and spillways fail to recover and divert water in years of plenty.

Securing additional surface water for irrigation will reduce groundwater pumping, they said.

Applicants said the projects could save massive amounts of water, from 3,109 acre-feet a year to 24,974 acre-feet.

The water savings wont translate to increased water allocation to their customers, all district representatives told The Arizona Republic.

Legislature acts: Pipelines? Desalination? Turf removal? Arizona commits $1B to augment, conserve water supplies

Claiming water the years of plenty

The Roosevelt Irrigation District, or RID, got three out of five submitted projects approved.

The first will help repair and line 7.5 miles of the main canal and some small lateral sections. A second project will add controls and monitors to automate the system.

Accounting for the water entering and leaving the system will make it more efficient, said Taylor Howerter, the district's assistant superintendent.

Since the early 1990s, the district has received treated effluent from Phoenix in exchange for leaving water in the aquifer.

"Currently there's ebbs and flows in the water we receive from the Phoenix wastewater treatment plant. When those highs and lows come in, they're hard to manage," Howerter said. "If I have the automation system set up, I can see that water comes through the system and I can use it to better effect."

This would avoid overflows or sending too much water in one direction because of the pressure of big flows, he added. It also makes deliveries to customers more reliable and consistent.

A third project will allow the district to harness so-called spill water deliveries from Salt River Project.

A truck travels along the Grand Canal as it takes dirt away from a construction site on Jan. 26, 2024, in Glendale.

An excess of water can flow through Arizonas creeks and rivers when the snowpack in high mountain ranges starts to melt. That excess water can either make its way down to the Gila River or be captured, partially, by mid-system water users.

A new gate and delivery pipeline next to SRP facilities in Glendale will allow the district to take as much as 2,500 acre-feet of water spills from the Salt and Verde rivers.

RID is almost exclusively a groundwater district, Howerter said. It has 110 wells and provides water and energy services to residential and municipal customers, as well as about 400 agricultural producers.

Making the best use of other water sources, whether effluent or spill deliveries, helps preserve the aquifer.

If we can capture as much of that as we can, that's more time with my pumps off.

Stretching supplies: How did a state board spend $100 million in water conservation grant money?

Overdue canal rehabilitation

Another irrigation district will use the money to replace a 120-year-old floodgate, among other things.

The San Carlos Irrigation and Drainage District, which serves about 250 farmers in Pinal County, has some of the oldest canals in central Arizona. Most of the system was built in 1880. Until 2017, its whole system was made of earthen canals.

Seepage is significant. Water must meander some 60 miles from Coolidge Dam to the Ashurst-Hayden Gila River Diversion outside of Florence, and then to Casa Grande.

Work continues on lining the Florence Canal with concrete in Florence, Arizona, on Dec. 13, 2021.

That distance will not change. But concrete-lined canals can allow the district to pool water, reduce losses, and increase efficiency, said General Manager Brandi Ogle.

The district has already lined almost 15 miles of a total of 60 miles of the main canal with concrete and will begin with another 12-mile stretch soon.

WIFA grant money will pay for work to demolish and replace century-old gates in the top and bottom of the system. A $555,658 grant will help replace a gate installed in 1904 with a modern automated system to divert water.

It will allow us to better control the water that we need to spill, versus the water that needs to continue traveling down the system, Ogle said.

"We will be able to do it much faster than standing out there with a hand crank and going hundreds of rotations at a time to get the gates to open and close."

A separate grant will help pay to replace another century-old gate that is used to flush accumulated sediment from the diversion dam.

The canal check structure, Little Mountain Spillway, is made of wooden weir boards. That means every time there is a big storm or a lot of water coming down the system, operators have to manually install the boards, which creates "excessive spills and places the canal system at risk of failure due to overtopping," the application said.

The WIFA grant will help replace the gate and install a pipe "to preserve spills and put them to beneficial use."

A portrait of Shane Lindstrom (San Carlos Irrigation and Drainage District) on Dec. 13, 2021, next to the Florence Canal that was recently lined with concrete in Florence, Arizona.

The district is also applying for a different grant to create a mid-system reservoir, Ogle said, so when users in Casa Grande call for water, it would be released from that reservoir versus all the way from Coolidge Dam.

Tribal project: 'Blue-green economy': Work to start on installing solar panels over Gila River canals

Solar canals and expanded reservoirs

WIFA also awarded two grants to the Buckeye Water Conservation and Drainage District to help modernize its main canal.

The district relies on treated effluent from Phoenix and surface water from the Salt, Verde, Gila, and Agua Fria rivers, with about 40% of its supply coming from wells. It provides water to irrigate about 22,000 acres of farmland.

Mid-system and end-of-system reservoirs would help make more efficient use of surface water, said district manager Noel Carter.

The district is already building a 400-acre reservoir at the higher end of the canal to store water in the winter, when the demand is low, and use it in high-demand periods like summer.

With the state grant money, the district will rebuild the gates and retention structure at the end of its canal to pool more water. A 4-acre reservoir, with an automated system, will replace the small retention pond, reduce spills and provide "on-demand irrigation service to the 1,500 acres downstream," the application said.

Carter estimates that every year the district lets go of some 20,000 acre-feet of water. The project will reduce that amount by half.

The additional surface water wont translate into higher water allocations, Carter said.

Another portion of the state grants will go to rebuild and automate the structure that diverts water into the canals and replace an old gate that flushes sediment out of the system. It will also pay to cover 600 feet of the canal with solar panels and install a hydro-turbine to produce renewable energy.

The upgrades are expected to reduce groundwater pumping and conserve over 32,000 acre-feet of water a year, according to the districts application.

Urban agriculture: Support for locally grown food is high. Here's why land in Phoenix is scarce for the growers

Tracking project results could drive policy

The irrigation districts are three of dozens of grantees that last year received funds from WIFA for water conservation.

Awarded projects were diverse, spanning water-use sectors, which was the intent of the state authority.

Agricultural system upgrades, a category that united 33 awarded grants, brought the biggest bang for the buck, according to the information provided by applicants to WIFA.

For every dollar spent, these projects claimed they could save anywhere between 700 and 66,000 gallons. That was the greatest return on investment by far of all projects submitted.

But so far there is no robust system in place to see how much water the projects end up saving.

WIFA asked applicants how they would measure the results of their work and included some reporting requirements.

But mostly, WIFA will track water conservation results by cross-checking data the applicants are already required to provide another agency, such as the Arizona Department of Water Resources, said Chelsea McGuire, assistant director of external affairs.

Andrea Gerlak, a volunteer committee member helping to review and select projects for WIFAs water conservation grant fund, said she has advocated for a review system independent from the staff and the board.

"What we don't know is how all of these things are actually going to play out, said Gerlak, who is also the director of the University of Arizonas Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy.

Efficiency in water use is something that can help conserve water, but only if less water is delivered to the user. If the same amount is available, then that water could simply be used elsewhere.

Even if water savings for different projects are not what applicants estimated, it wouldn't be a failure, Gerlak said; tracking the project outcomes could inform decision-making and "direct the next wave of policy."

"It's really unprecedented that our state has given this much money. And we really are intentionally looking across the state and across projects" to bring water savings across sectors, but that's just one part of the process, she said.

"There's a whole bunch of questions that come after that."

Clara Migoya covers agriculture and water issues for The Arizona Republic and azcentral. Send tips or questions to clara.migoya@arizonarepublic.com.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: AZ irrigation districts to get upgrades with water conservation funds
Thirteen people are facing federal drug and firearm charges in the Myrtle Beach area after an investigation by multiple local, state and federal agencies, including the Myrtle Beach Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The investigation mainly focused on happenings in the Booker T. Washington neighborhood of Myrtle Beach, according to Myrtle Beach Police Chief Amy Prock at a press conference Monday.

Prock said there had been drug activity complaints in the Booker T. Washington neighborhood, including hand-to-hand distributions of narcotics.

Charges include possession of marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl in large quantities and intent to distribute, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office in South Carolina. Quantities include 11 pounds of cocaine, nearly a pound of fentanyl and 110 pounds of marijuana.

This is an ongoing investigation so the arrests will continue according to officials who spoke Monday. So far, at least 12 people have been arrested and booked into the J. Reuben Long Detention Center.

With these arrests and indictments, our message is clear: violence and drug trafficking has no place within our communities, and we will hold you accountable, said Steve Jensen, the FBI special agent in charge.

The investigation began in 2023, Prock said. The activity included both drugs and gun violence. Prock said that while the drugs and gun violence is not unique to Myrtle Beach, it is something that the department will continue to address.

One way they will address this is through neighborhood officers. Prock said that officers will be assigned to certain neighborhoods, but did not elaborate.

Its not just about drug activity, and firearms activity. Its also being able to address the overall quality of life issues, Prock said. Were going to be able to work different schedules, being able to work with the community, hear what the community is concerned about and be able to address all these issues.

U.S. Attorneys Office has named 13 people who are facing federal charges. Here are their names and charges as listed on the website.

Cedric Lamar Brown, 43, of Myrtle Beach, was charged with conspiring to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, and a quantity of cocaine. Additionally, Brown was charged with possession with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine and fentanyl, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and unlawful possession of a firearm.

Elizar Edward Marcus, 44, of Myrtle Beach, was charged with conspiring to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine and distribution of 500 grams or more of cocaine.

Dorian Derrell Williams, 30, of Conway, and James Jenkins Jr., 34, of Loris, were charged with conspiring to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.

Akeem OBrien Tisdale-Giles, 33, of Georgetown, was charged with conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, and attempted possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.

Maurice Fleming, 42, of Manning; Edward Pigotte, 45, of Myrtle Beach; and Theron Levon Holmes, 45, of Georgetown, were charged with conspiring to distribute a quantity of cocaine.

Ronald Eric Campbell, 43, of Florence, was charged with conspiring to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin.

Matthew Tennerrol Brown, 39, of Columbia, was charged with conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.

Adam Temple, 39, of Little River, was charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

Tyrone Louis Harts Jr., 35, of Myrtle Beach, was charged with conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and less than 50 kilograms of marijuana. Additionally, Harts was charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana, as well as possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and unlawful possession of a firearm.

Brandon Javon Sutton, 31, of Myrtle Beach, was charged with conspiring to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine.
A teenager is dead after a head-on car crash in Logan County.

>> Young child dies in Wayne County house fire

According to the Logan County Sheriffs Office, two people were seriously injured after a head-on car crash in McArthur Township on Thursday, Jan. 25.

The crash occurred shortly before 10 a.m. in the area of County Road 130 and Township Road 56, the sheriffs office said.

Chloe Hodge, 17, of Bellefontaine, died from her injuries on Saturday at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, according to her obituary.

Hodge was a junior at Indian Lake Schools in Lewistown.

Around 9:50 a.m., a 32-year-old woman of Lakeview was driving a 2000 Ford F150 pickup truck northbound on C.R. 130, the sheriffs office said.

>> Police officer hospitalized after cruiser involved in crash in Springfield

The Ford traveled left of center and crashed into Hodge, who was driving a 2011 Honda CR-Z.

They were both taken to area hospitals.

The Lakeview woman was taken to Riverside Methodist Hospital and is currently in stable condition, the sheriffs office said.

She was cited for left-of-center.

On social media, the Logan County Sheriffs Office said deputies suspect the 32-year-old may have been driving impaired or under the influence at the time of the crash.

The sheriffs office is actively investigating this crash.
A head-on collision killed a 17-year-old girl and seriously injured a 32-year-old woman, Ohio deputies say.

Briana Mohler, 32, veered into oncoming traffic, hitting the teens car head-on, the Logan County Sheriffs Office said in a Jan. 27 Facebook post. The crash occurred in McArthur Township.

Deputies say Mohler may have been impaired or under the influence at the time of the Jan. 25 crash, but the investigation is ongoing. She was cited for driving left-of-center, authorities said.

Chloe Hodge, 17, died from her injuries on Jan. 27, two days after the crash, according to her obituary.

Hodge was a junior at Indian Lake High School and enrolled in the Health Careers Academy at the Ohio Hi-Point Career Center, her obituary said.

Blessed with a generous, loving heart, her love and generosity live on through her donation of organs and tissue, loved ones said.

She is the second Indian Lake High School student to die as a result of a car crash in two months, Waynesfield police said. Nolan Purk died Dec. 2 in a one-vehicle crash, police said.

We are heartbroken again, Indian Lake Schools said on Facebook.

Mohler is in stable condition at a hospital, the sheriffs office said.

McArthur Township is about 60 miles northwest of Columbus.

12-year-old dies after shes struck by car while running from crash, Illinois cops say

High school principal killed in crash with semi after basketball game, Texas officials say
Three victims died and two police officers were shot in Palm Bay, Florida, when the officers responded to a domestic disturbance call Sunday afternoon, according to authorities.

The gunman was also killed, police said.

Brandon Kapas, 24, killed his grandfather, William Michael Kapas, 78, during a shootout with police, Palm Bay Police Chief Mariano Augello said at a Monday news conference.

Before his encounter with officers, Kapas also shot and killed two people  a retired priest, Robert John Hoeffner, 76, and his 69-year-old sister, Sally Joan Hoeffner  at a home a few miles away from where the gun battle with officers took place, police said. Their bodies were discovered by investigators looking into a vehicle used by the assailant.

Police have not been able to identify the relationship between the shooter and Robert and Sally Hoeffner, and noted the motive behind Kapas actions remains unclear, according to a news release on Tuesday.

Police also clarified that Kapas shot and killed his grandfather after shooting and injuring Palm Bay Police Officers Stephen Ball and Nicholas Franze. Due to Kapas direct actions, he (Brandon Kapas) was subsequently shot and killed at 1436hrs, the release said.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Officers Stephen Ball and Nicholas Franze who are in good spirits and expected to make a full recovery. And also to the families of the victims involved in this senseless tragedy, the police department wrote.

One of the wounded officers was to be released from the hospital Monday and the other is recovering from surgery, Augello said.

At about 2:20 p.m. Sunday, officers responded to a home in northeast Palm Bay where a birthday party was underway, police said. When they got there, officers talked to an uncle of Kapas who told them he was causing a disturbance.

Kapas left the home and wouldnt talk to the officers as he briskly walked by, Augello said. Because the uncle had told police Kapas had an arsenal of weapons in his vehicle, an officer tried to stop him with a Taser, according to the chief, but it didnt work.

The officer struggled with Kapas, who broke free and began shooting. Kapas grandfather was fatally struck, and officers arriving at the scene shot and killed the assailant, Augello said.

Our officers did what they were trained to do. And thats to neutralize and stop a threat to our community, Augello had said on Sunday. The suspect was killed after engaging the officers with lethal force, he added.

There was indeed an arsenal of guns in the vehicle the suspect was trying to reach, but the car was registered to someone else, the chief said.

When detectives went to the vehicle owners house they found two people who had been fatally shot.

Throughout his priesthood, Father Hoeffner served the people of God with compassion and humility. We will miss his grace-filled presence, Most Rev. John Noonan, Bishop of Orlando, said in a statement, which included his prayers for the wounded officers.

This is all tragic, Augello said. We dont know the motive right now.

The chief said he believes officers prevented a possible active shooter situation and more casualties.

Our officers actions yesterday prevented something even more tragic or devastating from happening, he added.

Palm Bay Mayor Rob Medina said in an earlier statement he was saddened to have been informed of the tragic events in our beloved city.

My thoughts and prayers are with the families that are experiencing the loss of life of their loved ones, Medina said, adding he was thankful the officers injuries are not life-threatening. They continue to exemplify service before self as they serve and protect our families.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement will be conducting an investigation into the officer-involved shooting.

Palm Bay is about 74 miles southeast of Orlando.

CNNs Steve Almasy contributed to this report.

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CHEATHAM COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN)  An investigation is underway after two people were shot and killed in Cheatham County Sunday.

The shooting happened in the 1000 block of Chestnut Road in Ashland City.

(Photo: WKRN)

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

Agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation were requested to assist with the death investigation.

The investigation is ongoing and no additional information was immediately released.

 Download the News 2 app to stay updated on the go.

 Sign up for WKRN email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox.

 Find todays top stories on WKRN.com for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee.

This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
Police are searching for two suspects in a fatal shooting Sunday night in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles that is believed to have been gang related, authorities confirmed to KTLA.

Officers with the Los Angeles Police Department responded to a call of shots fired at 5:30 p.m. at 1st and Pecan streets, near Pecan Park and the 101 Freeway.

At the scene, authorities found a Hispanic male victim suffering from a gunshot wound, who was later declared dead at the scene.

Video of the scene showed a heavy police presence as officers and detectives scoured the area for evidence.

L.A. police on the scene of a fatal shooting in Boyle Heights on Jan. 28, 2024. (KTLA)

L.A. police on the scene of a fatal shooting in Boyle Heights on Jan. 28, 2024. (KTLA)

L.A. police on the scene of a fatal shooting in Boyle Heights on Jan. 28, 2024. (KTLA)

L.A. police on the scene of a fatal shooting in Boyle Heights on Jan. 28, 2024. (KTLA)

The ensuing investigation prompted California Highway Patrol to issue a SigAlert for the southbound off ramp of the 101 Freeway for an unknown amount of time.

Authorities said the two male suspects were seen fleeing the area in a vehicle but did not provide a description of the men or their car.

No information on the approximate age of the victim was released.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
A midtown Atlanta street has been shut down after officials say two protesters chained themselves to construction equipment.

Protesters of the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center told Channel 2 Action News that two of their fellow protesters locked themselves to equipment at the Brasfield and Gorrie work site on 12th and Juniper.

Brasfield & Gorrie is one of the head contractors for the Atlanta Public Training Center. The construction company is also a donor to the Atlanta Police Foundation.

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

Channel 2 Action News cameras were on the scene and watched as a large group of Atlanta Public Safety Training Center protesters cheered on the two chained-up members from across the street.

The protest caused major traffic delays for drivers.

I got a call from my hairdresser this morning alerting me that there were protests and I would have difficulty getting here, Midtown resident Julie Allen said. I didnt want my hairdresser to lose her income for the day.

Channel 2 Action News contacted the Atlanta Police Department for a statement but has not received a response.

Atlanta Public Training Center protesters previously targeted Brasfield & Gorrie after a group of protesters vandalized the contractors offices in Cobb County.

TRENDING STORIES:

This is the second incident within a week involving a company that has worked on the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center after construction equipment belonging to Empire Zephyr was set on fire off Burroughs Street on Friday.

Channel 2 has reported on more than a dozen acts of vandalism against contractors associated with the facilitys construction in metro Atlanta and across the country.

Most recently several pieces of equipment were torched at a site in Southeast Atlanta.

It belongs to a private contractor, but more importantly, I need to drive home the point that we are in the communities of the city of Atlanta. We are close to private homes where families live. And we have arson events that are occurring. This has got to stop, Atlanta Fire Chief Roderick Smith said at a press conference on Burroughs Street.

Channel 2 Action News has reported on more than a dozen acts of vandalism against contractors or agencies in metro Atlanta.

Atlanta police and state law enforcement announced in 2023 a reward amount of up to $200,000 for tips leading to an arrest.

The two protesters who were arrested on Monday were charged with criminal trespassing.

The protesters planned to hold another protest Monday evening at the Fulton County Jail for the two people who were arrested.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
3 U.S. troops killed and dozens injured in drone attack in Jordan

TAMPA, Fla.  Three U.S. troops were killed and more than 30 were injured when a drone packed with explosives struck a base in northeast Jordan, near the Syria border.

They are the first U.S. deaths in months of strikes by Iranian-backed militant groups since the Israel-Hamas war started Oct. 7. The troops have not been identified pending notification of next of kin.

The drone made impact near a shelter where some troops were sleeping, according to two U.S. officials.

Eight of the injured personnel were evacuated from Jordan to receive higher-level care and are stable, U.S. Central Command said.

Its not clear whether all of the injured troops were members of the Army or other services.

The attack happened at a logistics support base in the northeast Jordan. About 350 U.S. Army and Air Force personnel are deployed at the base, which provides support including "to the coalition for the lasting defeat of ISIS," Central Command said.

In a statement in the immediate aftermath, President Joe Biden said the troops were killed by radical Iran-backed militant groups operating in Syria and Iraq, adding that we are still gathering the facts of this attack.

Today, Americas heart is heavy, Biden said. 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 asked for a moment of silence for the "three brave souls" during an event on Sunday at a church in South Carolina.

"We shall respond," he said.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq released a statement Sunday taking credit for four drone attacks on Al-Shaddadi Base in Syria and the Al-Rukban and Al-Tanf bases at the Syria-Jordan border. The fourth attack was on the Zevulun naval facility in Israel.

Its not clear if the Islamic Resistance in Iraq is responsible for the deaths of the three U.S. troops.

Biden said the three service members were patriots in the highest sense.

We will strive to be worthy of their honor and valor. 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 our choosing, Biden said.

Congress reacts

U.S. lawmakers quickly responded, many saying they were devastated by the deaths and some pressing Biden to take action against Iran for backing the militia that launched the deadly strike.

Cornyn, R-Texas, a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, tweeted a link to a news article about the attack and added two words: Target Tehran.

Graham, R-S.C., who is known for his hawkish foreign policy views, tweeted: Hit Iran now. Hit them hard.

In a series of posts on X, Graham also lambasted the Biden administration for what he characterized as a failed policy toward Iran.

When the Biden Administration says dont, the Iranians do. The Biden Administrations rhetoric is falling on deaf ears in Iran, Graham wrote. Their policy of deterrence against Iran has failed miserably.

Rep. Nick Langworthy, R-N.Y., said on X: This is heartbreaking news  my prayers are with the families of these brave service members. President Biden must immediately hold Iran accountable for their terrorist proxies and reverse any standing sanctions waivers. This is the cost of weak leadership on the world stage.

Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., who is running for the Senate, said the U.S. government could not afford to stand idle to terrorism.

I am grieving for the families of the three service members killed in Jordan, Gallego said in an emailed statement. The attack carried out by Iranian-backed militants is a heinous escalation, and it must not go unpunished.

We cannot stand idle to terrorism, Gallego added. I am committed to providing the administration the needed resources to protect our troops in the region and hold Iran accountable.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
When the Wisconsin Supreme Court last month ordered the creation of new legislative districts, it said those districts must not advantage one political party over the other.

We are about to find out what the justices meant by that.

Because in the 50/50 state of Wisconsin, there are deeply conflicting views over what a politically neutral map should look like.

Marquette University Law School, Lubar Center for Public Policy Research and Civic Education logo

Does it mean a map where the two parties have an equal chance of winning control of the Legislature?

Or does it mean a map that defers to the political geography of Wisconsin, which disadvantages Democrats in district-by-district elections because their voting power is more geographically concentrated?

Does that geography necessitate a map with a strong Republican tilt?

Or can you design a competitive map without a lot of creative, contorted and legally dubious line-drawing?

How the court answers these questions has huge political consequences. It will determine whether Republicans continue to enjoy a sizable edge for control of the state Assembly and state Senate, or whether the Legislature is basically up for grabs in 2024 and beyond.

The court plans to have new districts in place by mid-March for use in the November elections.

It has six plans to choose from. When you view them through a partisan lens, they fall into three categories:

A plan drafted by the Republican Legislature that preserves the massive GOP advantage that characterized the map used in 2022 and the previous map in use from 2012 through 2020. These maps are widely regarded as gerrymanders and have locked in lopsided Republican majorities even in years when Democrats are winning at the top of the ticket.

A plan drafted by a conservative legal group, the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty, that would reduce the current GOP advantage but still leave Republicans in a much better position than Democrats to control both legislative chambers.

Four plans offered by Democrats, progressives and academics that would all but eliminate the Republicans current advantage, leaving both parties on a roughly equal footing in the fight for legislative control.

Choosing among these maps is a legal matter for the court but enmeshed with politics. The courts ruling will shape the struggle for power between the two parties. It will determine how competitive legislative elections are going to be here. And it will dictate how responsive those elections will be to shifts in public opinion and in turnout from one year to another. This column focuses on the political side of this issue, not the legal one.

There is virtually no chance the courts 4-3 liberal majority will choose the first option listed above  the maps offered by GOP legislators. Those maps are very similar to the ones that a conservative court majority adopted in 2021 and that were used in the 2022 elections. But the courts new, 4-3 liberal majority rejected those maps last month.And its hard to see how the new GOP plan conforms to the courts insistence on a map that advantages neither side. Under the map that the court overturned, Republicans won almost two-thirds of the Assemblys 99 seats in 2022, despite losing the governors race that year by more than 3 points. The Legislatures new and old maps make it all but impossible for Democrats in Wisconsin to win control of either chamber of the Legislature, or even get very close.

It would also be a surprise to many political insiders if the court chose the second option. This is a map, proposed by the conservative Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty, that meaningfully reduces the Republicans current advantage, but still leaves the GOP with a clear upper hand.

This plan, however, goes right to an issue at the heart of this dispute and redistricting fights in other competitive states, which is how a fair or neutral map should deal with the very different patterns in where Democratic and Republican voters live.

Democratic voters tend to cluster around large cities (Milwaukee, Madison), small cities (Eau Claire, La Crosse) and inner suburbs (Wauwatosa outside Milwaukee, Middleton outside Madison). Republicans are stronger in less densely populated exurbs and towns and across Wisconsins sprawling countryside.

This means Democratic voting power is more concentrated geographically. That pattern doesnt really affect the competitiveness of statewide elections. But it can hurt Democrats in district-by-district legislative elections because their voting power is typically confined to fewer seats. And those seats contain lots of wasted Democratic votes because the party is winning them by 60 or 70 points.

There is no disputing this feature of the states political landscape.

Does the GOP's 'natural advantage' lock in a Republican-friendly map?

But there are serious disputes over whether this natural advantage for Republicans necessitates a legislative map that is highly favorable to the GOP.

The Republican-friendly argument is that if you just draw maps based on non-political redistricting principles  districts should be compact, contiguous, and not split up too many counties and municipalities  you are overwhelmingly likely to end up with more red seats than blue seats. And to correct for that, to equalize the number of seats that lean red and blue, you have to put your thumb on the scale and engage in a kind of reverse gerrymandering to achieve a level playing field.

A map that tracks Wisconsins natural political geography is far more politically neutral than one that gerrymanders to overcome that natural disadvantage, as all of the (50/50) maps clearly do, argues the WILL brief, which cites as an example how those maps seek to spread the very Democratic Dane County vote into districts that fan out into adjoining counties. The broader Republican argument is that legislative control is not supposed to be strictly majoritarian; its not supposed to be a function of which party wins the most statewide votes but which wins the most districts.

The Democratic-friendly argument is that the GOPs geographic advantage in Wisconsin (due to the concentration of Democratic voters) is not as large as Republicans claim and does not require the drawing of a heavily stacked map. The parties who are seeking a 50/50 map all argue that you can get there in this state without going to outrageous lengths and without flouting non-political, constitutional redistricting standards like compactness.

The Wright Map refutes the myth that Wisconsins political geography dictates the extreme partisan skew in the 2022 Map, argues a group of mathematicians and social scientists in Wisconsin known as the Wright petitioners.

The broader argument on this side of the debate is that its in the public interest in a competitive state to have meaningful legislative elections (unlike now) that give both sides a chance and that are responsive to the electorate  that translate voting shifts into election outcomes.

How each map stacks up politically

So how do these maps actually differ politically?

There are lots of ways to measure this, many of them involving complicated metrics and formulas. But for the sake of simplicity, I am going to use a pretty basic set of measures.

To illustrate the partisan tilt in each map, I looked at how each district voted in the most recent races for president (2020), governor (2022) and U.S. Senate (2022), drawing on data provided by my colleague at the Marquette Law School, research fellow John Johnson. Then I averaged the three results to get a partisan score for that district.

I used these statewide contests because they are recent elections, they are big elections, and they reflect the competitive character of Wisconsin. Democrats won the 2022 governors race by a little over 3 points and the 2020 presidential race by six-tenths of a point. Republicans won the 2022 Senate race by 1 point. If a district voted Republican for president by 3 points in 2020, Republican for governor by 1 point in 2022 and Republican for U.S. Senate by 5 points in 2022, that district is treated as having an average 3-point Republican lean.

Based on this approach (or any other one you could possibly use), the Republican Legislatures plan is extremely advantageous to the GOP. In the 99-seat Assembly, 62 seats would lean Republican and 37 would lean Democratic. In the state Senate, the GOP edge would be 22-11. This plan goes well beyond the GOPs natural geographic advantage to create an even more favorable playing field for Republicans.

The plan offered by the conservative legal foundation, WILL, has smaller but still sizable GOP margins: a 56-43 Republican edge in the Assembly and a 20-13 edge in the Senate. This map, WILL argues, just reflects the GOPs natural advantage.

Contrast that with the four remaining plans that all aim for rough parity between the parties.

Under the maps proposed by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers plan, the breakdown would be 49 Republican and 50 Democratic seats in the Assembly and 16 Republican and 17 Democratic seats in the state Senate.

Under maps proposed by Democrats in the state Senate, the breakdown would be 51 Republican and 48 Democratic seats in the Assembly and 15 Republican and 18 Democratic seats in the Senate.

Under a plan offered by a liberal legal firm, Law Forward, the breakdown would be 49 Republican and 50 Democratic seats in the Assembly and 17 Republican and 16 Democratic seats in the Senate. The firm represents Wisconsinites who sued last summer to overturn the most recent maps.

Under the Wright petitioners, the breakdown would be 48 Republican and 51 Democratic seats in the Assembly and 16 Republican and 17 Democratic seats in the Senate.

As a caveat, you should treat these breakdowns as rough, not precise. Thats because you can generate slightly different breakdowns if you use a different set of elections as your barometer, turning a 50-49 Democratic edge into 50-49 or 51-48 Republican edge, or vice versa.

The basic takeaway is that these last four plans are all in the ballpark of partisan parity, measured by the number districts that advantage each party. (My colleague John Johnson created a model that factors in the fact that GOP legislative candidates outperformed the partys top statewide candidates in 2022; as a result, his model treats these proposed maps as a bit more favorable for Republicans than they are in the approach I am using here). Of course, the breakdown of red and blue seats is not the only way to capture partisan advantage in a map. It can even be a little misleading. A 52-47 GOP edge could be easily overcome by Democrats if the map included 3 or 4 seats that had only a 1-point Republican lean. And a 50-49 GOP edge could be very hard for Democrats to overcome if all 50 Republican seats had a GOP lean of at least 6 or 7 points.

An alternative way to measure partisan lean

So, another way to measure a partys chances of winning a majority is to look at the makeup of the median seat, the one right in the middle of the partisan spectrum. In the Assembly, thats the seat both parties need to win to get to a bare majority of 50.

In the map used in 2022 and in the new map offered by GOP legislators, the 50th or median Assembly seat has a GOP tilt of about 11 points (using my three statewide elections from 2020 and 2022)

That means that on paper, Democrats would need to win the statewide vote by roughly double digits to have a good shot at winning an Assembly majority. Thats a rarity, of course, in todays polarized Wisconsin.By contrast, Republicans could keep control of the Assembly even while losing the statewide vote by 10 or 11 points.

Using the median seat as a guide, the Assembly map offered by the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty is significantly less tilted toward Republicans than the map used in 2022 and the map proposed by GOP legislators, though it still leaves the GOP with much better odds of winning. The median Assembly seat has about a 6-point GOP lean in this plan.

In the four other plans that all aspire to level the partisan playing field, the median Assembly seat ranges from having a one-point GOP lean to having a 3-point Democratic lean, based on the three recent elections Ive used in this analysis.

In short, under any of these four plans, it would be perfectly plausible for Democrats to win control of the Assembly next year for the first time since 2008. It would be very difficult but not entirely impossible under the WILL plan. And it would take a political miracle under the map proposed by Republican state lawmakers.

One final and important way to look at these maps is how many competitive seats they feature, since that also helps determine how responsive legislative elections are to the voters. Many communities and regions in Wisconsin have grown more politically one-sided in recent decades, and fewer voters split their tickets today. These changes have helped reduce the number of truly competitive districts. But the maps that have been in place since 2011 have also reduced competition  by design.

Lets somewhat arbitrarily call a district competitive if it has a partisan lean of 6 points or less (rounding off), based on the most recent races for president, governor and U.S. Senate.

Calculated this way, the maps with the highest number of competitive Assembly seats are the WILL map and the Wright map, both at 15. The other maps have between 8 and 10.

Its not clear to what degree the court will consider this factor in the drawing of new districts.

But the biggest unknown is how it will evaluate the partisan bias or neutrality of the plans it is considering, and how it will weigh that against all the other criteria it is considering, from compactness to preserving communities of interest.

When the court overturned the current legislative maps, it did not do so on the grounds that they were politically biased and gerrymandered. It didnt take up that question, ruling instead on much narrower grounds.But the court said that it must be politically neutral in choosing new maps.

We do not have free license to enact maps that privilege one political party over another, the courts liberal majority said. The court set a Feb. 1 deadline (next Thursday) for two appointed experts to evaluate the map proposals before justices rule on new districts, a ruling that may well be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Barring an intervention by the nations highest court, it seems likely that the electoral struggle for control of the Wisconsin Legislature in this battleground state is going to be more competitive than it has been in more than a decade.

Craig Gilbert provides Wisconsin political analysis as a fellow with Marquette University Law School's Lubar Center for Public Policy Research and Civic Education. Prior to the fellowship, Gilbert reported on politics for 35 years at the Journal Sentinel, the last 25 in its Washington Bureau. His column continues that independent reporting tradition and goes through the established Journal Sentinel editing process.



Follow him on Twitter: @Wisvoter.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: In 50/50 Wisconsin, what does a 'neutral' election map look like?
(WFRV)  Authorities say a 50-year-old driver from Appleton was arrested Sunday night for their 4th Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) offense.

According to a release from the Wisconsin State Patrol Fond du Lac Post, a trooper pulled over a tan Toyota Tacoma at 9:34 p.m. on Interstate 41 near Main Street in Brown County.

The trooper said they watched the Toyota Tacoma weave in and out of multiple travel lanes all while not having any taillights on.

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After pulling the vehicle over, Officials say the trooper noticed signs of impairment from the driver.

50-year-old Chu Yee Moua from Appleton then completed a number of Standardized Field Sobriety Tests and, following a blood draw, was arrested and taken to the Brown County Jail for their 4th OWI offense.

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